The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1912-02-22


his haif-Geveloped intelligence to keep
count Of; and the adventurer shifted
in his seat, reviewing the assemblage.
For some moments. through the mys-
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 hin. He sought the source
of tbs sensation and. for little time.
sought It uHsuccessfully. Annoyed.
he persisted. He heard the croupier's
mechanical Rein ne va plus" follow.
ed 5y the whirring Of the wheel, but
cared so little that he would not turn
10 watch the outcome. Only an eN-
clsmation of the Austrian's appraised
him Of the fact that red had won. He
glanced listlessly round to see the
money doubled, and let il rest. turn.
ing back to his survey of the throng.
!. moment later his attention became
Gxed upon two mon who stood In the
doorway. looking toward him. Again
the wheel bu22cd. the ball clattered and
was still. Thp word rouge among 9TH
ers in the announcement told him that
again he had won; this time, however,
Ae did not turn, but, frowning 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 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 a repose almost
threatening in its impassibility.
His companion was shorter of stat
ure, a 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" mused
O'Rourke, will be the Honorable
BERTHE Glynn. Faith, he looks the
part, at least; It's just that kind-in-
bred, underbred, without brains or real
stamina-that would run through
half-million sterling inside year"
But the other?
Monsieur" the little Austrian stam-
mered excitedly in his ear. "for you the
red had doubled a 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 in
the mans personality was curiously
reminiscent. :. OF sudden he
remembered. The Frenchman had
been pointed out to him, years ago, in
Paris, as principal In Boulevard
scandal which had terminated in
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 O'Rourke;
Des Trebes Chat was the name; the
Viscomte des Trebes) was a duelist Of
international disrepute.
Monsieur" the agitated voice flut-
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 pointedly? AS
he watched he became aware that
these two, the Frenchman and the
Englishman, were not alone; detached
though their attitude was, they were
evidently Of party Of ladies and gen.
tlemen whose gay. chattering group
formed their background.
Monsieur, the seventh turn!"
"Yes, yes"
Rein 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 Des Trebes.
The latter bowed, lifted his shoulders
and laughed lightly, plainly excusing
himself. A general movement took
place in the party; 1t began to disin.
tegrate, men and women pairing of,
all moving at leisure toward the lobby.
Des Trebes alone remained. O'Rourke
could see that the personnel OF the
gathering was largely British. He
recognized Lady Plinlimmon. whose
yacht Che had heard casualty had ar.
rived in the harbor that MORNING. Evil
dently this was her party. Another
woman's figure caught his attention;
her back was turned, but she had an