The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1912-05-02
cloth with stakes too numerous for


in his seat, reviewing the assemblage.
For some moments, through the mys-
ferrous 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
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 whirring of the wheel, but
cared SO little that 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 listlessly round to see the
money doubled. and let 1t rest turn
ing back to his survey Of the throng.
A 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 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
| 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 its impassibility.
His companion was shorter of stat
ure, a younger man by at least ten
years, rather stout and very nervous.
with fresh red face married by hail.
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: tits just that kind-in-
bred, underbred. without brains or real
stamina-that would run through q
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 subsidized, 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 FrenchmaE had
been pointed out to him, years ago, In
Paris, as principal in a Boulevard
scandal which had terminated in {
duel--a real duel, in which he haC
been victorious He was accustomed
to anticipate such an outcome of hi:
affair of honor, however; that was
why he had been named to O'Rourke
Des Trebes Chat was the name; thu
Viscomte des Trebes) was a duelist O
international disrepute.
Monsieur" the agitated voice flut
tered in his ear, you have won We
again-for the sixth time!"
let it stand for the seventh, mol
ami"
Why should Des Trebes be watch
ing him SO openly, SO pointedly? A
he watched he became aware tina
these two. the Frenchman and tn
Englishman, were not alone; detached
though their attitude was, they wer'
evidently of party of ladies and gen
tlemen whose gay, chattering grou]
formed their background.
I Monsieur, the seventh turn"
Eyes, yes"
rein ne va plus" croaked tn
croupier.
| One of the ladies turned to speak t.
the Honorable Mr.. Glynn. Smiling
he nodded, and offered her an arm
, >She fingered, addressing Des Trebes
: The latter bowed. lifted his shoulder
: and laughed lightly. plainly excusin
: himself. A general movement too
) place. in the party; it began to disi1
| tegrate. men and women pairing of
all moving at leisure toward the lobby
] Des Trebes alone remained. O'Rourk
9 could see that the personnel of tn
!. gathering was largely British. H
}. recognized Lady Plinlimmon. who's
a yacht Che had heard casualty had Al
8 rived in the harbor that MORNING. Ev
IDENTIFY this was her party. Anothe
|. woman's figure caught his attention
d her back was turned. but she had q
9 air. graceful set Of the shoulders.