Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-09
gain he had won; this time, however,

again he had won; this time, however,
be did not turn, but, frownlng IN
speculation, stared back at the two.
Stared? Indeed and he did just
that. If it was impertinent. sure and
were they not staring at him? And
who should gainsay an O'Rourke the
right to stare at anybody, be he king
or commoner? Furthermore. who
might these men be, and what their
interest in himself?
The one was tall and slender. sat.
urnine; an elegant, owing as much to
the art of his tailor and upholsterer
as to his own indisputable, native dis
tinction; Frenchman-at least OF
type unquestionably Gallo. His face
was very pale, his fine, pointed mus
tache very precise, jaw square, fore
head high, eyes deep and dark be-
meath brows heavy, level and black,
manner marked by a repose almost
threatening in its impassibi!ity.
His companion was shorter of stat
ure, a younger man by al least ten
years, rather stout and very nervous,
with a fresh red face marred by hall
marks of dissipation; British, every
inch of him.
That, I'm thinking" unused
O'Rourke, will be the Honorable
BERTHE Glynn. Faith, he looks the
part, at least; It's just that kind-in-
bred, underlined, without brains or real
stamina-that would run through a
half-miilion sterling inside a year"
But the other?
Monsieur" the little Austrian STAN
mered excitedly in his ear, ''for you the
red had doubled fourth time"
Thank ye," replied O'Rourke with
out moving. Twill turn up seven,
this run
The system-gambler subsidized, petri-
fed.
But the other? O'Rourke continued
to probe bis memory. Something in
the mans personality was curiously
reminiscent. ;. Of sudden he
remembered. The Frenchman had
been pointed out to him, years ago, in
Paris, as a principal in a Boulevard
scandal which had terminated in a
duel--a real duel, in which he had
been victorious. He was accustomed
to anticipate such an outcome of his
affair OF honor, however; that was
why he had been named TO ORourke;
DcS Trebes (that was the name; the
EiGcomte des Trebes) was a duelist Of
international disrepute.
Monsieur" the agitatad voice fut.
tered in his ear, you have won yet
again-for the sixth time."
/ Let it stand for the seventh, mon
ami"
( Why should Des Trebes be watch
ing him so openly, so pointcdly? &c
he watched he became aware that
these two, the Frenchman and tho
Eaglishmau, were not alone; detached
though their attitude was, they wera
evidently Of party OF ladies and gem
tlcmen whose gay, chattering group
formed their background.
MOuSiSII, Tue SGNelll lUtu.
Eyes, yes"
sRein ne va plus" croaked the
croupier.
One of the ladies turned to speak to
the Honorable Mr.. Glynn. Smiling,
he nodded, and offered her an arm.
She fingered, addressing Dcs Trebes.
The latter bowed. lifted his shoulders
ard laughed lightly, plainly eXcusins
himself. a general movement took
place in the party; it began to disin.
teGrate, men and women pairing of,
all moving at leisure toward the lobby.
Des Trebes alone remained. O'Rourka
could see that the personnel Of the
gathering was largely British. 10
recognized Lady Piin!immon, whose
yacht Che had heard casualty had ar.
rived III tho harbor that MORNING Evil
IDENTIFY this vas her party. Another
worans figure caught his attention;
her back was turned. but she had an
air, a graceful set Of the shoulders. an
individual pride ard spirit in the poiso
OF her head, that O'Rourke could have
sworn he knew. He was conscious
that he flushed suddenly, that his
heart was pounding. He made as if to
rise ard follow, but was prevented, al.
most forced back b. 4 hand which the
Austrian in his feverish interest had
unccnscionsiy placed on the irish.
mans shoulder.
Monsieur, monsieur" he gasped,
his eyes, protruding, fixed upon the
wheel Beads Of sweat glstened on
his forehead He trembled as though
his own fortunes hung on the change.
impress, d, O'Rour:e could not for.
bear to linger. 10 cast reluctant
glance ct the table.
The size of his pile of gold and
notes on the red was a somewhat
startling sight to him. His breath
stopped in his throat The ivory sphere
was rafting over the compartments
to it's predestined place. What II he