Montgomery County sentinel., 1915-06-25

usked MN 10 go over the moves again
that he might learn them. In the
second game the jailer had more trou.
BILE, but in the third he won easily.
II think l would play better for a
stake" said the stranger. and, taking
a gold louis from his pocket he laid 1t
on the table.
The jailer looked at the shining piece
covetously. He was very poor, but he
had enough to cover that louis, and
he covered 1t. The stranger played
badly and lost Two other louis went
on to the table, and four louis were
transferred to the jailer. Two more
We're ventured and lost The jailer
won, and the stranger instead of play
ing better for stake played worse.
After several hours sitting fifty louis
had gone from his pocket to that of
the jailer.
Then the stranger won game. The
jailer doubled the stakes and lost
again. After this the stranger played
better and on certain games where the
stakes were doubled or tripled won
back nearly all he had lost. The jailer
began to get excited. In spite of GER
tain blunders his opponent seemed to
be constantly getting the advantage.
When at Inst he saw the fifty shining
gold pieces go back into the strangers
possession he was beside himself with
rage.
II have no further stake" no said.
"Have you not some article" said
the stranger, looking about him, shat
would accept for a stakeT
But he saw nothing of any value.
The jailer urged him to accept certain
articles Of furniture. but he declined
them all Finally he said:
Have you any prisonersT
"One"
"On what charge is he confinedY
Murder. He is to be executed next
week."
"Ah. lifew
"Yes; life. Tho prisoner has Of
fered me money to release him."
"And why did you not accept%
ut would be my ruin"
The stranger seemed lost in thought;
then suddenly he said:
II will give you chance to win 100
louis without taking any risk. You
are n good fellow, and have learned
much about chess from you. l will
stake 100 louis against your prisoner
that beat you three games in success
sion. In the first viii checkmate you
in ten moves, in the second in nine and
in the third In eight moves"
The jailer's eyes were big with won
der. "If you could do that you would
be Garnier, the great chess player Of
Paris"
"Did not say wished you wellT
"You are very kind, monsieur"
"Come. write out an agreement to re-
lease your prisoner on the terms have
made" and the speaker began to set
tho chessmen
This was too much for the Jailer.
The stranger was willing to present
him with 100 louis for the instruction
he had given him. On the terms It
was impossible that he should not win.
He had beaten his adversary most of
the games. His losses had happened
to come on games where the stakes
were high. What the stranger now
proposed was impossible. When the
chessmen were set the stranger placed
100 louis on the table. and the games
began.
To tho Jailer's amaZement his adyer-
sary checkmated him In ten moves.
Perceiving that something was wrong,
the beaten man would have backed
out, but the stranger reached for the
order for tho prisoners release and
held II.
Proceed" he said. "If lose a game
! will give It back to you"
The jaller's only hope being IN the
opponents failure, he consented. The
stranger won The Jaier lay bnck In
his chair and gasped.
"Shall we play tho thirdT asked the
man who had come to learn chess.
"No. You nre GARNER. You can win
without moving piece"
The stranger put the order for re-
lease In his pocket and showed tho
hundred louis over to the Jailer.
81 am ruined" said the poor man,
refusing to touch II.
The stranger took out n pocketbook
and drew from II large number or
bills. "Take this" he snid, "and go to
Virginia. | will remain in your place
till you are safely out Of France"
That night the jailer and his family
disappeared, and the next day the pris-
Oner, Martin Walker. turned up in
Switzerland.
One day the man who had won at
chess appeared at tho dwelling on the
Walker estate. II looked like house
Of mourning. for It's head had been
condemned to die. The stranger on this
account wns refused admittAnce. He
then sent 10 Marie bit OF paper
dated at Berne, on which was written:
Mnrie--You have my consent TO your
marriage with the bearer. M. oarnier
YOUR FATHER
Marie came into the room where
her suitor wns waiting with a face
full OF anxious wonder Gnrnier told
her how he had learned OF her fathers
misfortune and how no had laid plan
to free him. admitting at tho same timo
thut he WAS the chess player who had
astonished Paris with his skill and
adding. "Now that your father is safe
in foreign country we can bide our
time 10 free him from this imputntion."
The real murderer was eventually
caught, and nfter his confession Martin
Walker returned TO his home. But be-