Evening star., 1909-03-14

not usually governed bv what | hold to be good
taste sneer at Miss Wynton this evening. The
murder is out now, she said. Bowers pres
ence explains everything Yet | am able to
state that Miss Wynton was quite unprepared
for his arrival By chance | was standing On
the steps when he drove up, and it was perfectly
clear from the words they used that neither
was aware that the other was in Maloggia.'
SPENSER leaned over toward the ironmaster.
~ Tell YOU what" he said I've changed
my mind about the trip to England tomorrow.
Get up that game with Bower. I'll stand the
racket myself unless you want to go halves.
"Donei should like to have an interest in it.
Not that | am pining for Bowers money and it
may be that he will win ours: but am keen on
giving him sharp rum At Nice last January
not a soul in the Casino would go BancO when
he opened big bank, They were afraid of him.
While he was speaking, Dunstons shrewd
eyes dwelt on the younger mans unmoved face
He wondered what had caused this sudden veer
ing of purpose. 1t was certainly not the allure
ment of heavy gambling: for Spenser had de-
clined the proposal as Cooy as he now accepted
it, Being man of the world, he thought he
could peer beneath the mask To satisfy HIM
self, he harked back to the personal topic.
by the way, does anyc:.e know who Miss
Wynton is9 he said. That inveterate gossip.
Mrs. Vavasour, who can vOuch for every name
in the Red Book says she IS lady journalist
That, at any rate is correct, y said the vicar
"In fact, Miss Wynton herself told me So.
Jolly fine girl, whatever she is To give
Bower his due, he has always been person of
taste"
IL have reason to believe" said Spenser
that Miss Wyntons acquaintance with Mr.
Bower is of the slightest
His words were slow and clear. Dunston
sure now that his guess was fairly accurate.
hastened to efface unpleasant impression.
"Of course, only meant that if Bower is seen
talking to any woman. it may be taken for
granted that she IS pretty one. he explained
!" But who's for a drink? Perhaps shall meet
our expected opponent in the bar, MIR. Spenser
II have some letters to write. Fix that game
for tomorrow or next day. and Ill be on hand
Dunston and Holt paid the few shillings they
owed and went out.
HARE did not move. He looked anxious, al
II most annoyed. "It is exceedingly ridicu
1ous how circumstances pass beyond mans
control occasionally, he protested. Am
right in assuming that until this evening neither
Bower Dunston was known to you, Mr.
Spenser?"
Absolutely correct, vicar. have never yet
spoken to Bower, and you heard all that passed
between Dunston and myself"
Then my harmless invitation to you to join
in game at cards has led directly to an arrange
ment for play at absurdly high hgureS!
at seems to me, Mr.. Hare that Bowers
tracks and mine are destined to cross in more
ways than one in the near future, said Spenser
coolly
But the vicar was not to be switched away
from the new thought that was troubling him
!" | will not ask what you mean" he said, gaz-
ing steadfastly at the American. my chief
concern is the outcome of my share in this
evenings pleasant amusement. l cannot shut
my ears to the fact that you have planned the
loss gain of some thousands of pounds on the
turn of card at baCCarat.'
" If it is disagreeable to you"
"How can it be otherwisel | am broad
minded man, and | see no harm whatever in
playing bridge for pennies; but l am more
panied than care to confess at the prospect of
such sequel to friendly meeting tonight
If this thing happens.-if small fortune is won
or lost merely to crafty Dunston's whim.-I
assure you that shall never touch a card again
as long as | live "
Then Spenser laughed THAT would be too
bad, Mr.. Hare" he cried. Make your mind
easy. The game is off. Count me for the
ten pence a hundred limit after dinner to-mor-
row..
Now, that is quite good and kind of you.
Dunston made me very miserable by his mad
proposition. Of course, both he and Bower are
rich men, men to whom few thousand pounds
of little importance; or to be accurate,
they profess not to whether they win or
lose, though their wealth is not squandered so
heedlessly when it is wanted for some really de-
serving object. But perhaps that is uncharta
bic. My only wish is to thank you from the
bottom of my heart for your generous promise
"1s Bower so very rich. them Have you met