The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1913-09-16
.DoubleGane
BY HARRY VAN AMBURC

well yes, rather. Cards is about
the only way to pass the time. And
the difficulty about cards Is you must
get up party to play 'em."
II couldn't do that" said the other,
''for don't know soul socially In the
town. expected to finish my busi-
ness here today and get out this even
ing, but didn't succeed"
81 know several men who board
here" said the other II was thinking
of getting up little game of poker
this evening in my room. five cent ante
or something like that"
II wish you would and let me in"
The party met and the man who
didn't know anybody was introduced
by his friend to the others as Mr.
Wheelock. the introducer's name be-
ing Jones. They sat down to play
with a FIVE cent ante. but kept raising it
till 1t reached u dollar. Mr.. Wheelock
didn't object and bet as high as any of
the party, sometimes winning and
sometimes losing.
1t was not long before Wheelock dis
covered that though he neither lost
nor won much. the money he staked
was gradually passing out of his hands
and was supplied by new five dollar
bills, all on the same bank. The fact
didn't seem to surprise him, nor did
he object to 1t. He did not even COM
ment upon it, But Mr.. Jones, from
whom the bills came, remarked that
he had had $1,000 paid him that after
noon at bank and it had been given
him all in these new FIVE dollar bills
on the bank from which he had receiv-
ed the money. This explained his hav-
ing so much of 1t all of the same de-
nomination.
While the game was in progress a
bell boy raped at the door and asked
If Mr. Wheelock was in the room. On
being told that he was he handed in
ed the flowers with evident astonish-
ment. When the others rallied him at
having sweetheart near at hand he
looked embarrassed and declared that
he didn't know woman in the place.
and If he had made mash" he was
entirely unconscious of 1t.
However" he said. gentlemen,
trust that you will drink to the lady.
whoever she may be, with me-" And.
rising. he pressed the electric button
and on the arrival of waiter ordered
bottle of wine. The quaffing of wine
and the game went on together after
this. but none of the men present SEEM
ed to care to drink to excess. Mr..
Jones. In whose room the party were,
was especially abstemious, barely SIP
ping his wine.
But Mr.. Wheelock and one or two
of the others having finished the bottle,
the first named ordered another, and
when it had been left in the room
Wheelock followed the waiter out for
some purpose and when he returned
shut the door and turned the key un-
known to the others. He then deftly
slipped it up his sleeve and after re-
suming his seat. being hidden by the
table. transferred 1t to his pocket
1T seems to me-" remarked one Of
the party, that those flowers have
very decided perfume"
'Very decided" chimed in another.
ut makes me feel like turning in,"
said a third
Perhaps we'd better open win
dow" observed the host. "and get
some air. Would You object, Mr. Wbee-
Iock?"
Certainly not"
Jones went to q window and tried
to open 1t. 1t seemed to be stuck He
went to another, which also resisted
his efforts. Mr.. Wheelock seemed to
be intent on the cards, but his mind
was on the windows. He had gained
access to that very room during the
| day and had driven nail into the sash
Of each window
Jones turned away with a frightened
look on his face. There were two
games being played in his room-one
by himself, the other by Mr.. Whee-
lock. Jones staggered to the door and
tried to open it. Finding it locked, he
looked more frightened still.
'Some one has locked us in here"
he said. I'VE must get out"
ne cduSuC on 10 tue Dhck OF cDalr.
The perfume from the flowers was
overcoming him. He returned to the
| window and made another effort TO
lift the SASH He failed and was on
his way to the other window when he
sank down unconscious.
Meanwhile the others Of the party
were also giving way to the effects Of
the flowers and one by one either roll
I'd down to the floor or bent over un-
| conscious on the table Wheelock
.ounteracted the fumes by holding a
| vial under his nose When all except
himself had succumbed he summoned
waiter and directed him to bring the
police as quick as possible. They ar
rived In few minutes and were much
surprised at the scene before them
several men asleep and money in heaps
on the table.
THAT man." said WheeIock. point
| ing to Jones. lis a counterfeiter. am