Omaha daily bee., 1912-08-04
KNIGHTS OF DOUBLE CROSS
An Expose of Neat Devise in Coms
mon Use for Fleeing the
unwary.

popular care, ana as back rooms are NOT
popular in New York six days out Of this
week. 1t is perhaps unnecessary to add
that il happened on a warm Sabbath
afternoon.
| had Just ordered a-er-seltZer and
lemon and was feeling in my pocket for
the money to pay for it when the first
man entered and took a seat at my table.
He called for beer and had drawn the
heavy match-safe toward him with the
intent of lighting up, when the second
man entered and seated himself at ta-
bic nearby. If they were acquainted they
gave no sign. II they had designs upon
our pocketbooks they were at least in no'
immediate hurry about it.
The newcomer was red-headed and
stout. He was In the middle Of his second
rickey, when he suddenly turned around
in his chair and surveyed the occupants
Of the room.
Gentlemen" he began, in low, per.
suasive tone, II came in here this after.
noon, not only for couple of cool drinks
but also for a piece Of change
SO saying, he drew out a handful OF
coins from one of his pockets and built =
small stack Of nickels upon the table be-
fore him. Returning some Of the coins
to his pocket he then produced small
dice and handed 1t to me,
Look at IT, 1t amt goin' to bite you,nt
he invited me. "see for yourself that it's
solid, has six sides and that all the spots
are regular from the ace to the six"
The dice seemed regular In every res
spect, and passed 1t to my neighbor, al
tall, thin man, with bronzed face. By
this time other patrons became interested
and hitched their chairs closer to the red>t
haired speaker.
There's no deception about this, mM
friends" he went on. as the dice was
passed from hand to hand. II want onei
OF you 70 lay that dice upon the top oil
that stack of nickels-with the ace1
spot up"
Wondering what was to come next, one
Of the customers laid the dice upon thel
stack Of coins as requested. A small SOLE
leather dice box with small hole In the
closed end was then passed around for
Inspection. II seemed to be as ordinary
as the dice, and all hands unanimously
pronounced IT to be all right.
Now, II one Of YOU gents will place
that dice box over the dice and the coins
Ill proceed to explain the game"
After one Of the gents had accommoai
dated him, the man with the auburn hair
came In with the explanation, smuls |
taneously producing a short straw fronst
an upper coat pocket,
Its animal magnetism" he declared,
as he waved the straw. II make one stab
with this straw through the little hole in
the top of the dice box. l think real hard
that want the dice to flop over and
show the six spots up. There's no elec-
tricity about 1t, and you can search ms
for batteries IL you think I've got any
on me-
| He glanced around the circle as he
| paused for breath and then rolled up his
sleeves to the elbow. Grasping the dice,
box between a thumb and finger, he
raised Il enough to show US that the dice
was still resting with the ace side ups
ward, and then covered 1t up again. He
| then made one quick jab at the little hole
| with his straw and drew out roll of
! bills.
III you don't want to lose your money!
keep out of It," he was frank enough To
say. "At the same time, IL any of YOU
are itchin for quick action. I'm bettin'f
anywhere from one to a hundred dollars
that that little dice Is now restin' on the
coin with the six spots up instead of tha
ace"
The bronze man at my table felt In his
pocket and finally produced SIS banks
note folded several times. l was on the
| point of restraining him with a word
about the foolishness of the man who at
tempts to beat another man at his own
game, when something told me to hold
my tongue.
'1'll bet IS out Of this IS that the littiss
dice on the coins isn't six spots up" spok4'
up my neighbor.
The bill was changed. Then the boxl,
was raised and, as had anticipated, the
six black spots were uppermost and the
man with the red hair pocketed the bet
ANY of you want to try It again?" ha
asked, shaking up the coin and dice In his
freckled hand.
"Ive only got this 81 left" said the
loser, but II you can do that trick with.
the straw again you can win the 81"
Sorry to take your last two-spot, vut'
| need the money" said the sure-thingA
artist as he rearranged the coins and dics
The box was then passed around as be-l
fore and the stack covered.
| Pardon me while / get straw from,
the bartender" apologized the red-headedi
man as he looked in vain for his straw.
and then turned toward the door leading
into the bar.
His back had scarcely been turned for
the fraction of q second before the man
at my table reached over, lifted the,
leather box, removed the dice from the
top of the pile Of coin and then replaced.
the box. Slyly exhibiting the dice to me.
he then winked knowingly at the circles
Of faces.
| In the meantime the faker had obtained
his straw and was back in our midst.
Making another little jab at the hole in
TO get down our bets.
Whats the bet?' asked the corner
butcher, as he hitched his chair still
closer. He had observed the action Of
the sunburnt man at my table.
I'm bettin' from one to a hundred
| dollars that when 1 raise this dice box
! it'll disclose a dice restin' upon the top
Of that stack Of nickels with six spots
up" was the answer.
1t looked good to me, but unluckily I,
was short of ready cash. II also looked
attractive to the butcher. who fortun-
ately had habit Of carrying around his
Saturday receipts with him until Mon-