The Washington times., 1922-04-16

as cardsl' urged, tuggng at the DUKES arm. - We
will look In on them for moment but hope You do not
idle your time away baccara Piy used to be quite
fond Of cards. but he getting sensible and agrees with
me that IL is a dreadful waste of time"
SO took him into the pagoda and just then message
from of my guests summoned to the chateau thus
enabling to leave Boris with the players for few
moments.
/ remained away long enough for the wcinstructed
crooks In that pagoda to to that Boris took hand
in the game, and he made quite respectable little win
ming
II you need guardian, said with little ripple
of laughter returned the card players and seizng
the Duke by the payfuly, continued, Come now,
sir will finish stroll along the river side and then
it will be time for supper"
The next time we had Boris with us devoted myself
10 another guesta crook who dressed to play the
part Of distinguished New York captain of industry
Humphreys explained to the Duke that this man. the
president of the Pennsylvania Railroad my uncle
end devoted niece giving my attention to his
enjoyment that evening This gave Humphreys oppor-
tunity to sit in with Boris another card game which
my confederate played rather badly and good:
naturedly laughed at by the skful Boris who again
was allowed to make winning
Then held consultation as to how much we ought
to expect to get out Of Boris the na evening when
had our plans matured to take" him. We concluded
that half million dollars was the right sum-
OF course it must be remembered that Boris returned
our hospalities and we dned with him and joined him
at theatre parties in Paris several times, 1t after
August at of these gatherings that Humphreys
concluded the hour had arrived take the Duke We
had dned at establishment in Paris and the
playing cards at their table in private In Ciros.
Boris was winning usual, when finally Humphreye
said
II cannot stand this any longer These cards all
unlucky for me- What do you il throw away the
pack and get new ones for the next gamef'
Albright, replied the Duke, "snd we II have little
drink. Always was lucky at cards and love, myself.
Here, let's call boy for a deck"
Humphreys had carefully arranged for just this mo.
men Two nights before he and two three crooks who
associated with had gone than q hun
dred decks of cards, working all night them, shsd
ing them--a gamblers phrase. The cards then
replaced and every pack sealed up fresh and the
stamps replaced on them.
So when the boy arrived and held out the tray
which were all these decks of cards every Of them
fixed" Humphreys waved the boy towsrd the Duke
Boris his the heap and took several decks at
random and paid for them. So.
Humphreys told later that he felt his heart beat
he these fatal cards into the pockets of his
guest If Boris would only play with those shaded
decks he was doomed
At this moment came into the room and with half
yawn, suggested that Ciros tresome stuy place
and that would be charmed to have the party out
to opr little hut at Marelle for change Of scene
"Very WELL If It is the pleasure Of the others said
Humphreys ndiferenty noddng toward Boris.
And so we packed into our two limonsnes which
whsked brsky over the wonderful French roads and
we were at our chateau. One Of the crooks sug
gested that the card might be continued and Boris
assented, fishing out of his pocket handful of the
marked decks which he still had with him.
After few winnings Humphreys turned the tide
against Boris and the Duke began to lose heavily.
IDEAL again, my luck will turn shortly 1t Is still
early" the Duke remarked
H'A right, said Humphreys but II Is your deal -
The royal Duke reached for the cards. there under
that crooked French apple tree by the light of the Japan
ese lanterns in that garden in Mariee and dealt The
play grew faster and more fast few thousands now
were in our favor Boris was steadily losing,
Here your O US. Deal again. Lets this
through to the nsh Boris remarked with hslfdrunken
intensity.
They dealt again and the Duke had lost another
ten thousand dollars With true gambling instinct he
increased his stakes.
Double and double again, laughed the Duke. And
another fifteen thousand In crossed the table
into Humphreycs's hands.
The magic of that night the big halfmiion
hovered within grasp shall never forget All about
were the of sweet French wild flowers There
that dewy fragrance to earth and river and sky which
Midsummer, in the French countryside, throws ont
There Also the snug prospect Of big winnings from
man, enormously rich, who could pay and would pay