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

a. I have reason to remember. II you
don't know me. it's not likely that
others VII"
his lace changed; the firm mouth
dropped slightly open. and a placid
look stole into the blue-gray eyes.
"Oh. Mr.. Beck!" Lillian Harcourt
cried. How could have been 10
stupid mean. how could you have
been so clever? You were not in the
least like yourself. Sometimes am
puzzled to know which Of you 10 the
real Mr.. Beck
Hello. Beck!" cried Sydney Har-
courts voice ut the door. TIN only
just up. Have had . hard night, and
have another before me. BY Jove!
Capitali" ~ he caught sight Of the
face I should not have known you
from Adam"
After lunch Sydney Harcourt stroiled
down to the Revilton with his friend,
the South African millionaire. He put
Mr.. Ronders name down a. an hon
orary member and showed him over
the place. 1t was q palatial building;
the homo Of wealth and luxury.
Smoking room, reading room and IL
brary-Mr. Cyril B. Rondel admired
them all. till he came at last to the
sanctum sanctorum Of the Revilton.
A small room-smaM at least compared
to the others-plainly but most COM
fortahly furnished. and without orna-
nent Of any kind. 1t was the special
eardroom Of the Revilton. frequented
only by = few Of the members Of the
club. There were whispers about in
London Of the amounts won or lost in
that room Of night.
sydney Harcourt opened the door of
solid mahogany. pushed aside the
heavy curtains Of dark crimson velvet.
and let his friend into this devils
shrine.
| There were four men at a card table,
| deep in their rubber OF bridge. and
three others standing round watching
the play. To these syney Harcou-t
| introduced his friend, Mr., Rondsl
Rumor had been before him At the club
| telling how Mr.. Rondel had made .
fortune out Of diamonds at the Cape
| and had come home to spend it. Az q
friend Of Sydney Harcourt. himself
pre-eminsntly popular. he was sure
Of q welcome. In ten minutes he was
on tho best Of terms with every man
present.
| Just then the rubber came to an
end One Of the players looked at his
watch and rose to go.
| ANY Of you fellows care to cut in ?"
said an .nveterate player. I'VE have a
| good hour yet to dinner time"
Try your luck. 'Rondel." Harcourt
whispered. and Mr.. Rondel dropped
quietly into the vacant chair.
He speedily showed himself . con-
summate master Of the game bold and
subtle, at times defying all rules with
a splendid audacity that was only to
be justified by success. But he was
absurdly particular about the cards he
played with. Three packs were dis
carded in succession. and new ones
brought before he was quite satisfied.
Now the Revilton prided itself on its
cards. which were made specially for
the club. Of the finest quality. with q
peculiar plain blue pattern on the back
and the club monogram in the center.
Mr.. Rondels South African fastidious-
ness provoked q smile At flrst, but his
very evident mastery Of the gams dis
armed ridicule. In spite Of poor hands.
his skill pulled of both rubbsrs played,
to the great delight Of the veteran who
had claimed him as partner.
IF you play ecarte a. well A. you
play bridge, sir" he said. Il would like
to match you against Lord Claverly.
You might. perhaps. break his mirac-
ulous run Of luck" -.
The party I'll dined at the same table
and over the last bottle Of cham
page. for which the club was famous
the talk. adroitely stimulated by HaP-
court, again ran wramly on . match
between Lord Claverly and Mr.. Rondei
who professed himself ready and will
ing for the encounter.
After dinner the party scared up to-
gether in q smooth. swift life to the
cardroom.
An unpleasant surprise awaited Mr.
Rondel as he entered in the person Of
the plump. pale. an-shaved. slightly
bald and exceedingly deferential waite,
who was moving softly about the room
He had been thin and 1orid. with mag.
nifcent hair and mustache. when Mr.
Rondel had last seen him. That wal
seven years ago, in the Old Bale.
Dock but he knew the man at a glance
as the cleverest card sharp he had
ever met in the course Of his diversified
career.
A slight start ana = frightened ioot
surprised in the walters shifty gray
eyes told the detective that he wal
recognised In his turn. but Mr.. Rondsrl
placid face made no sign. Presently
ne asked the man TO ret him = eliza,