Evening star., 1918-02-03
THE CASE OF PAUL BECK, RULE OF THUMB DETECTI

Smoking room, reading room and Ii
brary-Mr Cyril B. Rondel admired
them all, until he came at last to the
sanctum sanctorum of the Revilton. A
small room-smal at least compared
to others-plainly but most comfort
ably furnished. and without ornament
of any kind 1t was the special card
room of the Revilton, freQuented only
by few of the members of the cluA-
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 We're four men at "A card table.
deep in their rubber of bridge, and
three others standing around watching
tre play. To these Sydney Harcourt in
troduced his friend, Mr.. Rondel- Ru-
NOR had been before him at the club
telling how Mr.. Rondel had made a
fortune out of diamonds at the Cape
and had come home to spend it. As a
friend of Sydney Harcourt, himself pre-
eminently popular. he was sure OF a
welcome. In ten minutes he was on the
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 m:
said an inveterate 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 consum-
mate master of the game, bold and
subtle, at times defying all rules with
a splendid audacity that was only to be
justified b. success. But he was alb
surdly particular about the cards ne
played with. Three packs We're discard
ed in succession, and new ones prousn'
,afn h q satisfied
Now the Revilton prided itself on fts
cards, which were made specially foi
the club, of the finest quality. with
peculiar pla in blue pattern on the bach
and the club monogram in the center
MIR. Ronders South African fastidious-
ness provoked a smile at first. but ms
very evident mastery of the game ols'
armed ridicule. In spite of poor handS
his skin pulled off both rubbers played
to the great delight OF the veteran VINO
had claimed him as partner
IF YOU play ercarte as well as Eot
nIay bridge. sir" he said. II would like
to match you against Lord Ciaveriy
You might. perhaps. break his miracu
lous run of luck"
The narty all dined at the same table
and over the last bottle of champagne
for which the club was famous. TN
talk. adroitly stimulated by Harcour.
again ran warmly on match bet"eei
Lord C'IaverIy and Mr.. Rondel. who pro
the encounter.
After dinner the party scared up to
.yether in a smooth, swift lift to tn
cardroom.
hn unpleasant surprise awaited Mr
Rondel as he entered, in the person o
the nfun1p pale clean shaved. SilghIl.
baid and exceedingly deferential wait
er who was moving softly about tn
room. He had been thin and hcrlo
with magnificent hair and mustache
when Nir. Rondel had last seen MIN
That was seven wears ago. IN the Ol'
Bailey dock. but he knew the man at
glance as the cieverest card sharp n
had ever met in the course OF his diver
Sifed career.
A slight start and a frightened lool
surprised in the walters shifty gra
ewes told the detective that he was rec
ognized in his turn. but Mr.. Rondel
placid face made no sign. Presently n
asked the man to get him cigar. VII
a careless unconsciousneSS that sci mn
quite AT his ease.
Lord. Ciaverly was in the room. Whe
the party entered. looking on at a gam
of piuuet and the veteran bridge playe
tackled him at once
We have found your match at las
riaveriy." he said "a fellow that ca
take the ace Of trumps with deuce
I've only seen him al bridge. and that
enough for me But he says ecarte ]
his pet game He has made a couple O
millions in diamonds in the South Afri
can mines. and. egad, he is likely t
make much more out of clubs o
spades or hearts at the London card ia
bles. Hes 4 wonder. You see tina
stout chap taking to Harcourt?
ord tlarerly's handsome dark eye
lighted up with pleasurable eNcitemen
at mention of the millions Plai:iiy h
was not in the least afraid. Present.
he whispered to Harcourt:
"Wiil you introduce me to your card
playing paragonp
They tell me you are fond of a lit