Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-31
CHAPTER XIII.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER Alll.-(COntlnueu.)
I've tried for him hard he SAID
softly but that COMPOUNDED English.
man the government told off to look
after him had his knife in me. He's
given him the slip somehow suppose
They say he won eighty thousand
pounds in Monte Carlo. and lost most
Of it in one night at baccarat in Paris
without turning hair. Who is there
here tonight, Esther?"
She mentioned few names. Bliss
rose to his feet.
Am to stay?'
Fancourt nodded.
Don't leave until see you,' he
ordered. 81 shall want every one with
their wits about them tonight
The door swung open and Miss
Masie Linden reappeared, followed
this time by short, very dark young
man, with shiny black hair, olive COM
plexion, and narrow black eyes.
Hello JIM Miss Masie cried
cheeyfully. ':We want a drink, and
the prince wants to see mixed bridge
club. MY friend Mr.. James Fancourt
the Prince of Hindore.'
Delighted to meet you, prince
Mr.. Fancourt exclaimed, holding out
his hand. I'm afraid it's rather a
dull evening here-only two tables
going
The prince nodded affably.
THAT does not matter" he said.
II like to see the ladies gamble.
like to play myself. I am a great
gambler Sat Monte Carlo broke two
banks. I find it very dull in London.
WHY IL there not roulette or bacca-
rat!"
Mr.. Fancourt smiled.
There is plenty of baccarat.'
"Where!" the young man de-
manded. where? will play"
Here" Mr.. Fancourt answered
boldly.
"Then let US play at once the
prince suggested. LET us make what
you call night of it. l am very glad
to have met you, Mr.. Fancourt. l think
that we shall be friends
II am afraid" Mr.. Fancourt said.
shat our gambling will seem on
very small scale to you, but will give
orders to have the room prepared, and
see II can make up little party"
Mr.. Fancourt whispered for few
moments to the majordomo and after
ward disappeared into the cardroom.
When he came back he was followed
by two women and three men, whom,
with some ceremony, he presented to
the prince.
He then opened the door of room
nearly opposite to them, on which
was written: "Secretary's Office"
"If you will come this way he in
vited, bowling to the prince, 81 think
We can get up mild game, at any
rate"
Mrs. Fortescue took the prince with
her. Mr.. Fancourt held open the door
until they had all passed through.
Then he turned to Bliss.
"Wait here until you hear from me, T"
he ordered.
Bliss strolled to the door of the
bridegroom and looked through the
glass top. There was still one table
going, the four players at which ap-
peared to him almost like performers
in some dumb show They played
their cards mechanically and with
little change Of countenance. Not a
word seemed to pass between them.
Only once, as the door was opened to
allow a waiter to enter, Bliss heard
one Of the women speak.
Jimmy was a perfect beast not to
let me play Oomsie," she sighed.
The man opposite her. swarthy and
heavy-lidded, raised his head for a
moment.
II don't mind being left out of the
Oomsie," he muttered, but do mind
being kept here just to give tone to
the show"
Thsn the door closed. Bliss re-
sumed his seat upon the settee. A
moment or two later the door in front
OF him was opened suddenly and Fan
court appeared. He came at once to
Bliss.
johnson" he said, you see that
easy-chair just by the door,"
Bliss nodded.
Come there with me quickly"
Bliss followed him down the CORR
dor. Fancourt mover the chair little
farther back and laid his finger upon
q little perturbance underneath the
carpet
you see that? Now, l want you
to occupy that chair and keep your
heel upon that little lump. What I
am afraid OF tonight Is semlpr1Vate
police raid. Remember, your sitting
here watching for your car, which you
have telephoned for. Order as many
drinks as you like and as many ciga-
rettes. but keep on the alert. II any
one presents himself through that
door who is stranger. and Parkins
there stops to inquire his name-any-
body who seems in the least suspi-
cious-just press with your heel.
You'll get your cue from Parkins. You
understand"
II understand" Bliss assured him.
TT will an all-night job" Fancourt
warned Bliss; but 1t will pay"
Once more Fancourt disappeared
through the door.
Bliss ordered large whisky and
soda, box Of cigarettes, and the eve
ming paper Then he composed him.
self to wait.
One young man entered the club
who was received with much respect
by the majordomo, and who sauntered
into the bridge room and there re-
mained Then about four o'clock.