The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-07-03
CHAPTER XIV,

WIS past three U CLOCK. 1ue COTuOu
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
Colbert Remplins, had left some time be-
fore. But the majority fingered in the
inner salon watching with breathless in
terest the progress of 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.
II 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. II 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. II have my choice; l 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 Lazart
was sitting calmly awaiting him, with 6
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 hat
passed into NJ. Lazare's possession. TIL,
vicomte was at loss just exactly what t.
do at that moment. He knew the kind O.
hand he held was so good there wer,
but two other combinations which coult
beat it. Was it possible that the maj
opposite him held such combination
Or was he simply trying to brighten hin
into sharing the heavy stakes?
A moments reflection decided him OF
his course. He had left nearly one hun
dred and fifty thousand francs as yet I'm
staked. He would bet every sou of this
perhaps M. Lazare would be unable t.
cover his bets, and according to the rule
of the game he was compelled to do s
or cease playing, for the game was wha
was known as an unlimited one. He look
ed his opponent sternly in the eye. H
thought he discerned signs of weakening
do you wish to divide, menseur?"
Certainly not !' came the quiet an
swer. II am prepared to back my hant
It's your bet"
II bet fifty thousand francs"
II raise you one hundred thousan
francs" and he placed that sum also o
, the table.
! This seemed to stagger the Frenchmar
r 1t was the last money the detective ha1
but the other did not know it. NJ. DAT
, buron's friend was indeed a millionaire
The Frenchman arose from the table.
D Monsieur will excuse me for ms
e ment," he said. II do but go to an inne
f room to get some more money"
e He shortly reappeared, making his wa
: through the dense and excited thrsr
around the table, with huge bundle
notes in his hand. They were differel
n from any which lay on the table; the
e were of the currency of the second Ell
pire. The detectives eye glistened as
v looked at them and his heart beat quic
d ly. as drawing forth one hundred theusa1
', francs from the bundle, the Frenchms
Is covered his last bet. Then he added,
IS if desperately:
N N'And raise it one hundred thousal
lg francs more"