The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-10

after losing his last shilling to q party of gamblers of which the Baron had made one. The card-sharpers had been scarcely known to the young man; they were friends Of the Baron. In despair the youth mad cut his throat
 The affair took wind and Baron von Konigsten left England suddenly after vainly protesting his innocence. Lady Trevor begged Vivian to watch over her brother that he might not meet the fate of her husbands ward. The boy had heard the story, of course but he thought that women always exaggerated and he was infatuated with the Baron. And this ward of your husbands" asked Vivian, who was he?'
 Violet .F'ane's brother, my cousin,' an- swered Lady Trevor.
 "Come and dine with me tonight sad the Baron few hours after as he met Vivian. "A quiet party-only St. George and De Boeffieurs."
 will St. George be ythere?' Most certainly
 'I will come" replied Vivian. They had d dinner to delight the heart of an epicure at the Baron's apartment and then they talked and drank little. Young St George was all animation and enthusiasm Vivian was grave and watchful. The Chevalier told q story of card -playing-on that Salyinskl had told him. "The story is true. If you have pack of cards I will illustrate to you said the Frenchman.
 There is not such q thing in the house." replied the Baron But 1t was found that Konigsteins servant had pack and the Chevalier illustrated. What more natural than that they should drift into little game of rouge-et-noir? They played on and St. George $ luck which had been good at first, de- serted him and he lost heavily. Grey also had run of bad luck. De Boeffleurs won nightly; the Baron greatly.
 The servant. about midnight, brought in refreshments. After these the Chey- alier proposed to resume the game. Vivian decided that 1t was time to act. He arose, locked the door on the inside, and turning to St. George, said: You owe the Cheyalier about 4000 Napoleons and to the Baron about half that sum. l have to Inform you that you have 60 satisfy the claims of neither of these gentlemen, as they are founded neither upon law nor honor.
 What am l to understand?" cried the Chevalier in a voice of thunder
 You are to understand that will not be bullied by blackleg." replied Vivian. q have in my pocket the marked cdruS Wltn WHICH you nave DetH playing"
 The Chevalier began 10 get ugly and Vivian unlocked the door and hurled him half down the corridor. Then he re- turned to the Baron and the astonished St. George.
 Konigstein, when confronted by all the knowledge that Vivian had of him, made a full confession. He declared that he was guitless of turing young Fane to his ruin and gave a crcumstantial story Of the fatal night fin London which had the ring of truth. While he had been at Ems he had played and lost heavily and De Boeffeurs had tempted him to resort to the trick of the marked cards that night in order that he might save his reputation and his position by meeting his gambling debts with money ''pigeoned' from St. George.
 Here said Vivian. "are my winnings since I have been in Ems They will suffice for the payment of your debts. By tomorrow night shall expect you to be on the road to Vienna. Diplomatic business will be sufficient excuse.