The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-04

cards before them. as n half afraid to
know their fate. Lord Claveriy looked
nrst and smiled triumphant at the
array Of picture cards in his hand
7 declare the king!" he said, ard
showed the king Of diamonds In his
hand.
Mr.. Rondel lifted the cards and
glanced at him. For a moment he APP
'eArsd bewildered. Then the men
around the table saw his brows meet
and his eyes Eight with a sudden wrath
which quickly passed.
This is bad business" he said Slow
IT, at last. and laid his cards face
upward on the table .
The king Of diamonds was among
them!
Lord Claverly's face went white as .
| shsst.
swear by Cod" he began fran
ticAny. But he got no further. There
were strong hands on his shoulders.
| He was hung into . chair and held
| sesrs while the coat was roughly torn
from his back.
Yes! There in a shallow pocket, .
kind Of ledge in the silk lining OF his
coat sleeve. was a pack of the clubs
playing cards. They were caught and
hsld toGefher by a neat spring clip.
and to the clip was attached a thread
a strong elastic. fastened higher up
IN the sleeve close to the shoulder.
Their use was plain. --
Curses and cries of anger were
heard. and men might have diskraeed
their manhood by violence to the hslp-
less wretch that lay there with fear
and wonder on his CHASTITY face. but
| the calm, strong voice of Mr.. Rondol
| hAa ri
tumult.
Gentlemen" he said, fair play. even
for cheat. Lord Claverly has an
urgent appointment elsewhere. and We
must not detain him. Make way there
for his Lordship, IL you please
The titled cheat took the hint ana
skulked from the room, with q grin
and snarl like hunted fox.
Il suppose may as we'll resume
possession" said Mr.. Rondel cody, as
his Lordship valves his claim" And
he replaced the notes in his capacioun
pocketbook.
Some one handed him the pack Of
cards found in Lord Claverly's sleevs.
with the appliances still attached.
He examined them with unaffected
admiration.
You see how 1t works." he said, to
the men around, with the air of a pro.
lessor addressing his class. The courp
cards are curved at the edges 90 slight :.
ly that only the most delicate touclf
could detect it. His Lordship WAS
plainly clever at his work. The fake,
pack came down into his hand: the
genuine pack went up by the clip ana
. elastic into his sleeve. 1t was a clever.
trick-a very clever trick"
While the men gathered round to see
: the cards, Harcourt crossed to where
Arthur barley stood by himself, be-
wildered. hardly realizing what had
} CHANGED.
Il congratulate you. Artie," he said:
your good resolution has brought you
: good luck Your l. o. us are waste
paper 1 nthe pocket of the convicted
cheat Let me introduce you to the
man that pulled yo uthrough. Mr..
: Rondel" he went on, you must CONS
, and have a quiet bit of supper with
, me to wind up this entertainment,
Here's q young friend OF mine who
wants to thank you. He's forty five
J thousand the better for this nights
, work.
"Your health. Mr.. Bsck!" said Ar
thur barley. when they were comfort
, ably seated at supper at q table by
, themselves. You saved me from ruin
Z when you caught his Lordship cheat :
t Ing"
But I didn't catch his Lordshis
t caeating."
. aarcourt and barley put down thsis
; glasses and stared At him in amaze
mint. ,-s p ..a-
! Il don't mean to say he didn't mean
2 to cheat. mind you," Mr.. Beck went on
. placidly. HE came with his ammuni-
;. ton ready; but he played quite fair
tonight"
-hUn he told them how he had recog.
l. nizad the card-sharp waiter and
5 caught him warning Lord Claverly.
a "You must get rid of that waiter
I Mr.. Harcourt," he wound up; he ID
: an experienced card. sharper"
"All right" echoed Harcourt ab-
= stracted1y. But, say. Beck. cannc.
: understand the thing at all. II Claw
a eriy was warned. why did he give him.
q self away?'
n He didn't give himself away q
. why did he cheat, I meanT'
Don't tell you he didn't cheat-
/" sNonsense, man! Luck never DEAR
: . man such hands as Clavsriy held
tonight"
: NO I dealt them to him. can d.
q q little that way"
Yes, but where did the second kim
q Of diamonds come FROM"
!, FRO" my sleeve ~