The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-12-15

cloth with stakes too numerous for
his half-developed intelligence to keep
count of; and the adventurer shifted
IN his seat, reviewing the assemblage
For some moments, through the n1ys
terious working of that sixth sense
which men are pleased vaguely to de
nominate intuition, he had been sub
consciously aware of being the object
Of some persons fixed regard, that
somebody was not only watching, but
weighing him. He sought the source
OF this sensation and, for little time
sought it unsuccessfully. Annoyed
he persisted. He heard the croupier's
mechanical "Rein ne va plus" follow
ed BY the wl?;rring OF the wheel, but
cared so little that he would not turn
to watch the outcome. Only an eX'
cl2ration of the Austrians appraised
him CT the fact that red bad won. He
c!anced iistlessly round to see the
money doubled, and let it rest, turn.
ing back to his survey Of the throng.
4 moment later his attention became
fixed upon TWO men who stood in the
doorway, looking toward him. Again
the wheel buzzed, the ball clattered and
WIS still. The word rouge among 9th
Us il the announcement told hin that
again he had won; this time, however,
he 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; a Frenchman-at least OF a
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 repose almost
threatening in it's impassibility.
His companion was shorter of stat
ure, younger man by at 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
Bertie Glynn. Faith, he looks the
part, at least; it's just that kind-in
bred, underbred, without brains or rea.
stamina-that would run through 9
half-million sterling inside 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 subsided, petri
fed.
But the other? O'Rourke continued
to probe his memory. Something il
the mans personality was curiously
reminiscent. .. Of a sudden he
remembered. The Frenchman haC
been pointed out to him, years ago, il
Paris, as principal in Boulevard
scandal which had terminated in E
duel-a real duel, in which he hac
been victorious. He was accustomed
to anticipate such an outcome of his
affair of honor, however; that was
why he had been named to O'Rourke;
Des Trebes (that was the name; the
Viscomte des Trebesl was duelist o:
international disrepufe.
monsieur" the agitated voice fut
tered in his ear, "you have won ye
again-for the sixth time!"
LET it stand for the seventh, NOR
ami"
Why should Des Trebes be watch
1A5 AAAA4 - opOA!Ay, ~ pCAAISo1y "A
he watched ne became aware tha,
these two, the Frenchman and the
Englishman, were not alone; detached
though their attitude was, they were
evidently of a party of ladies and gen
tlemen whose gay, chattering groul
formed their background.
Monsieur, the seventh turn!"
eyes, yes"
''Rein ne va plus" croaked the
croupier.
One of the ladies turned to speak tt
lie Honorable Mr.. Gly1n. Smiling
he nodded, and offered her an arm
She fingered, addressing Des Trebes
The latter bowed, lifted his shoulders
and laughed lightly, plainly excusins
himself. A general movement took
place in the party; it began to disin
tegrate, men and women pairing off
all moving at leisure toward the lobby
Des Trebes alone remained. O'Rourke
could see that the personnel of the