Evening star., 1921-08-19
Continued from Yesterdays star)

firmly. IF tits going to be anything
ike the last one you kindly invited me
to, you'll have to excuse me. I'm
not rightfully concerned with this
case anyway, being dragged into it
by Mac here. just to keep HIM COM
pany, and I was not the same man for
dark and listen to that murder all
over again!"
"well both be there. sir" Nc
Carly declared. If Mr. Alexander
|confesses I wouldn't miss being there
for the world and al1! 1 suppose I
and get some sieep?"
Terhune smiled patronizingiy as he
You are skeptical as usual. Nc
Carly, I see. By all means pursue
your own line of investigation what
ever it may be. II it amuses you, but
you may take my word for 1t that
leave you now. for have many prepa-
rations to make"
"One minute. sir" McCarty hesi-
tated. Would you answer me one
question thatll maybe sound foolish
to you but that's been sticking in my
crop for some time, nevertheless?
Your speaking of the years of study
you've had put me In mind of it that
I've been intending to ask somebody
who might know about such things"
Certainly, my dear McCarty! I am
only too glad to help you to improve
yourself"
"Well, when you've come here on a
serious matter like murder case it
seems silly thing to talk about. but
! could you tell me, sir. If playing
cards have any meaning?"
"Of course" Terhune responded.
amused. From the ancient necro-
| mancers down through the centuries
! significance of one sort or another
to the gullible. but 1t is too lengthy
| a subject to go into now. Is there
any particular card you have in
mind?"
"Yes. sir. The nine of diamonds" "
.Ah, that is another matter" The
| interest quickened in Terhune's tone.
| THAT card has definite place in his
| tory. The Curse of Scotland"
"The curse of-what, sir?' Nc
Carly claimed.
| THAT is the term which has been
applied to the nine of diamonds for
several centuries and there are vari-
definitely known from what source IL
: was originally derived" Terhune
warmed to his subject. 'In one an
Client game called Pope Joan it is
the pope and therefore the symbol
Of antichrist; in another. 'comette,
it was the chief card. Commette is a
game with terrific odds which was
played for tremendously high stakes
| and ruined many of the best families
in Scotland when it was in vogue
there"
| I'D like to know how tits played
| observed Dennis wistfully. ANY
game that could separate a Scotch
I fro II fN tS q
cleanup among the Irish"'
| But has the nine of diamonds no
other meaning, then?" asked Nc
Carly. in vast disappointment.
"Oh, yes" Trehune reassured him
"As a curse. it is supposed to &c
4 back to the nine 1oZenges on the
| Dalrymple arms, as the Earl of Stair
was responsible for the massacre OF
Glencoe, but the most probable ira
dition concerning the origin of the
sinister name is that the Duke OF
| Cumberland, while he was drunk and
gambling on the night before the
battle of Culloden. wrote across the
lentless order to his cohorts that nc
quarter was to be given to the enemy
on the morrow"
".No quarterr" McCarty repeated
and the old buoyant note had return
ed to his tired voice. "No quarter
That means that they were to be
killed outright, with no mercy shown
them. doesn't it? Thanks very much
Mr.. Terhune! I've prayed for a nine
of diamonds many's the time to fill
a straight or a flush or a full house
but never did I know before that
there was a curse attached to it,"
That is only ancient history, my
dear McCarty" Terhune paused in
the doorway.
McCarty's face was very grave.
"Yes, sir, and history has a way OF
repeating itself, I've heard. Twas
no fool who said that first"
When Terhune had departed he
turned to Dennis, who was gazing
wide-eyed at him and added:
"No quarter; you got that, Denny:
Twas notice to Creveling that his
time had come"