Evening star., 1922-03-19

StFOlleu INTO the rOONS ana WatCneO
the gay crowd at play. At the same
table sat the young girl and the old
Spaniard. with the good-looking
young Englishman still an observer.
The trio did not notice US. so intent
were they upon the game. They had
sat there nearly six hours without
hazarding franc upon the game.
They simply watched.
AS 1 was whispering into the ear
of NJ. Destruge, the bald-headel old
Spaniard suddenly nodded to the girl
before him.
Already the red and black disc had
been set in motion, the croupier had
declared the game to be made. and
the ivory ball had been sent upon it's
fateful journey with sharp rattle.
The pretty Anita, who had a bum
die Of thousand franc notes ready,
stretched out her arm and placed
them en- plein. on number twelt, :
eight. g..
"vingt- -huitrp CITED the croupier
sharply, and again the, young woman
had won maximum.
She received her winnings quite
carelessly. without troubling to count
them, and stuffed the four handfuls
Of notes into her capacious purse,
while all at the table gasped at her
good fortune.
At the next coup the number
twenty-eight was we'll covered, but
Anita Marchetti did not play. She
knew that the plungers would lose
and they did.
Half an hour later. at a signal from
old vasquez, she took out a handful
of notes, which she had previously
counted, and gave them to the crou-
, pier to place on zero.
A dozen other players, watching
closely, followed her with more mod
est stakes.
Zero" cried the croupier, with
that peculiar roll Of the "r' which
the habitue Of Monte Carlo knows so
we'll. and while most of the players
saw their stakes swept into the bank
the cashier began to count out a
quantity of thousand-franc notes as
the girls winnings. as well as paying
| those who followed her.
"You are right" whispered the
president Of the company as we
strolled away together to further dis
cuss the situation. I'VE have never
seen such sensational play in the
whole history of the Casino. They
never lose"
! That's just the point I said.
"They have at last discovered some
infallible system. That is why I pro-
pose to make terms with them
y x y 4
J,ACK in my Office We sat and dis
IL cussed the matter very seriously.
/ for we all saw that il such play con-
tinued all our profits would disap-
pear and the company must eventu-
ally be ruined. At last 1 was deputed
to approach the young lady after they
had finished playing that night.
Just before IL o'clock word came
to me that1t trio had risen from the
table. 1 instantly sent them a mes
sage inviting them up to see me.
L was alone in my room when they
were ushered in, all three radiant and
happy.
well, signorina and gentlemen"
said, Offering them seats. Il must first
congratulate you upon your extraor-
dinary- good. fortune. But, truth to
tell, the object I have in asking you
to come and see me is to suggest that
we compromise"
"Ah" laughed the girl saucily.
You are ready to purchase our Sc
cret, Monsieur Joaquin, eh?; Did I
not tell you that you would regret
your refusal a few weeks ago?"~
"The administration fs ready to
consider your terms. mademoiselle." I
said. with dignity.
To my surprise, however. she said:
I'VE have no terms to offer. You
refused, so we shall continue to play.
Therefore, the matter does not admit
Of further discussion"
But surely you and your friends
are open to reason?' I cried. I'VE are
prepared to pay big sum for your
secret" -.
"And we have q syndicate formed
in London. which Is equally ready to
purchase our secret and set them
selves out to ruin the company alto
gether," Grant replied.
confess that, not being prepared
for this, was entirely nonplussed.
They went out, and q few minutes
later saw Destruge. who said:
"At all hazards we must buy their
secret. Joaquin, This cannot 60 fur.