The Clovis news. [volume] (Clovis, N.M.) 1907-1929, 1912-04-25

ms n~alt-deYelOpod Intelligence to keep
count Of and the a%dventurer 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 him. He sought the source
Of this sensation and, for a little time,
sought IT un~successfully. Annoyed,
he persisted. He heard the c%roupier's.
mechanical Rein ne va plus follow
ed by the whirring Of the wheel, but
cared SO little hat he would not turn
to watch the outcome. Only an ex-
clamation Of the Austrian's appraised
him of the fact that red had won. He
glanced llstlessly round to see Ge
money doubled, and let 1t rest, turn
ing back to his survey of the throng.
~ 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
was still, The word rouge among 9TH
ers In the announcement told him that
again he had won; this time. however,
he did not turn, but, frowning in
speculation, stared back at the two.
Stared? Indeed and he did jast
that. If It was impertinent, sure and
were they not staring at him? And
who should gainsay an ORourke the
right to stare at anybody, be he king
or commoner? Furthermore, who
might these men be, and what their
interest in himself?
The n was tall and slender, sat
u%rnine; 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 un~questionably 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 sat
ure, a younger man by at least ten
years, rather stout and very nervous,
with a fresh red face married 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-million sterling inside a year"
But the other?
Monsieur" the little Austrian STAN
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 subsidized, petri-
fed.
But the other2 ORourke continued
to probe his memory, Something in
the mans personality was c%uriously
reminiscent, OF a sudden he
remembered. The Frenchmar had
been pointed out to him. years ago in
Paris, a. 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 O'Rourke;
Des Treble Chat was the name; the
Viscomte des Trebes) was a duelist Of
International d~isrepute.
Monsieur" the agitated voice hut-
tered in his ear. you have won yet
again-for the sixth timel"
Let 1t stand for the seventh. mon
ami"
Why should Des Trebes be watch
ing him Sc openly, so polntedly? 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 a party Of ladies and gen.
tlemen whose gay. chattering group
formed their background.
Monsieur, the seventh turni"
yes, yes"
Rein ne va plus" croaked the
croupier.
One of the ladies' turned to speak to
the Honorable Mr., Glynn. Smiling,
he nodded, n 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 Ia the party; It began to dlsin.
tegrate, men and M 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 (he had heard casualty had ar
rived IN the harbor that MORNING. Evil
IDENTIFY this was her party. Another
woman's figure caught his attention;
her back was turned, but she had m
air. q graceful set Of the shoulders. an