The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1908-04-09
CHAPTER XIV.


1t was past three o'clock. The Gordon
of men in plain clothes which completely
surrounded the house of the Vicomte de
Valiar began to grow impatient The
first streaks of dawn were already visible
in the east.
A few of the guests, among them the
bert-Remplins, had left some time be-
fore. But the majority fingered in the
inner salon watching with breathless in
terest the progress of a game the like of
which none of them had ever before wit
messed.
But four men remained at the table
for the stakes had been increased enor-
mously. Those four were Herr Goldstein,
Jules Chabot, the Vicomte de Valiar and
the Swiss millionaire. The faces of the
combatants. for they were nothing else,
afforded an interesting study. The coun
tenance of each painfully reflected the
intense anxiety of that moment.
Two hundred and twenty-five thousand
| francs lay on the table. No one would
| yield and there was a call for yet an
other increase. Herr Goldstein, with a
| sigh, folded his cards before him with
his enormous, trembling hands.
Il avail myself of the privilege" he
said, "and withdraw
Jules Chabot, who acted as banker,
then handed the broker thirty-thousand
francs. 1t was half of his original stake;
the other half of which lay on the table.
This brings our pool down pretty low"
said the vicomte. 81 raise it another
twenty five thousand francs"
The other two players then each placed
twenty-five thousand francs in the pool.
The spectators could not but notice the
excessive excitement of Jules Chabot. His
hands also trembled nervously. He held
good cards, but If the betting continued
he must inevitably drop out.
II think it is my turn to CALL" he said
at last. 81 have my choice | challenge
you, Monsieur Lazare"
He put down his cards and spread them
out before him, the vicomte, according
to the rules of the game, turning his
head so that he could not see what cards |
either of his adversaries held.
When he again turned to the table |
Jules Chabot had left it and NJ. Lazare
was sitting calmly awaiting him. with a |
huge heap of notes and gold at his side.
1t was Jules Chabot's share of the pool.
which by right of his superior hand had
passed into NJ Lazare's possession The
vicomte was at loss just exactly what to
do at that moment. He knew the kind of
u hand he held was so good there were
but two other combinations which could
beat it. Was it possible that the man
opposite him held such combination?
Or was he simply trying to brighten him
into sharing the heavy stakes?
moments reflection decided him ON
his course. He had left nearly one hun
lred and fifty thousand francs as yet un-
staked. He would bet every sou of this;
perhaps NJ. Lazare would be unable to
cover his bets, and according to the rules
If the game he was compelled to do so
" cease playing, for the game was what
vas known as an unlimited one. He look
d his opponent sternly In the eye. He
bought he discerned signs of weakening.
DO you wish to divide, monsieur"
Certainly not !" came the quiet an
wer. II am prepared to back my hand.
ia your bet"
II bet fifty thousand francs" {
II raise you one hundred thousand
rancs," and he placed that sum also on !
be table.
This seemed to stagger the Frenchman. /
{ was the last money the detective had, s
ut the other did not know 1t. NJ. D'Au-
uron's friend was indeed a millionaire. d
he Frenchman arose from the table a
Monsieur will excuse me for a mo-
lent" he said. Il do but go to an inner d
pom to get some more money"
He shortly reappeared, making his way Il
trough the dense and excited throng C
round the table. with huge bundle of o
otes in his hand. They were different h
ON any which lay on the table: they
ere of the currency of the second EN- Il
ire. The detectives eye glistened as he b
oked at them and his heart beat quick
Z, as drawing forth one hundred thousand Il
ancs from the bundle, the Frenchman h
'vered his last bet. Then he added, as
desperately: ii
And | raise it one hundred thousand
ancs more"