Evening star., 1922-03-19

~ lcan mNl1Onalre dPpIodCheu
~ the tables and at once called
a banco! He won, gathered up
his winnings, rose solemnly and
walked to the bar. All who followed
the tables last month know the ad-
venture The millionaire is well
known at home, but for obvious rea-
sons shall not give his name.
At the bar he took full glass OF
mellow Scotch, and then returning to
the baccarat he plunged again.
Again he won-and again marched
solemnly to the bar, repeating his
ceremony.
BY this time all were alive to his
doings. In fact, many frequent the
rooms to watch the heavy interna-
tional play rather than to make their
own moderate bets.
The American continued plunging
and by some strange fortune favor
ing such as he continued winning
and repeated each time his ceremoni-s
Gus visit to the bar. At last, when
monumentally solemn, he rose, cashed
in 100000 francs winnings and moved
severely out of the place.
At his hotel, 1t was not noticed
whether he came in for the night.
People go on excursions and do NOT
always give notice. But the story OF
| his winnings got abroad and when
nothing was seen Of him for a couple
of days, anxiety was felt. Men whis-
pered, "Mr. B, the American mil
lionaire, has been knocked on the
head!'
His room door was locked and the
hotel pass key would not turn. FL
nally the police were summoned to
break in legally and learn the worst.
Just as the carpenter was getting
the door off a terrible voice Issued
from the interior: What kind of a
hotel is this that will not let folks
have their sleep out!
And the millionaire, like giant
refreshed, appeared in person. He.
has now left Nice for Monte Carlo.
TN January the son Of an Amster-
dam jeweler set out to see the
world with 100000 francs worth Of
his fathers stock. At Brussels he
took on a former schoolmate. son Of
another rich Dutch diamond mer-
chant, and the two bought tickets for
SPAIN.
When their ready money gave out
they prudently realized on a pearl
necklace first. then a platinum ring
with fine diamond-Willy Cats al
ways making the sale.
Meanwhile the Amsterdam boys
uncle (great man in the corporation.
known internationally had rushed
to Paris got on the trace Of certain
jewels coming up from the south of
France to Paris for resale. The
trace led to Spain. So he left for
Spain. But the birds had flown.
He heard of the boys doing in pal
ace hotels and dancing teas, but he
| had to wait for more jewels which
| he could recognize to come up to the
clearing house of Paris in order to
get new line on them. He had not
long to wait. Genoa, Turin and Mi
Ian were heard from. and then the
trail seemed cut Detectives could
only advise watchful waiting.
AS fact, the two young men had
separated. Their cash was spent and
they found Italy a poor market. So
Willy Cats took a train for Nice, with
five necklaces and several rings.
worth altogether from 10000 to
10000 francs at a fair sale. They
were business boys and knew values.
Now, these Riviera towns are full
of purchasing jewellers with fine
establishments and unlimited capital,
to CLEAN a rich harvest of legitimate
ly owned precious stones which folks
| from all over the world are forced to
sell when they lose more heavily
than they had foreseen at the public
gambling tables.
| So Willy Cats soon sold-and sold
| well-enough of his friends stuff to
put about 10000 francs into his
! pocket.
And here also is another thing
| about the Riviera-fiowery lotus land.
1t really does make folks forget!
Travelling over France, Spain, Italy,
Willy Cats had been as true as steel
| to his pal, Samuel. But at Nice he
| money. but made straight for the
! money, but made straight or the
| casinos. At their gambling tables he
| promptly lost his wad-the big sums
at baccarat and (to get quick action
| in between times) a tidy sum total
at the humble game of "boule,"
whose rake-off for the establishment
| is 20 per cent.
| How any man. in his senses can
lose Gas Willy Cats did) 10000 francs
at such an obviously disadvantageous
game as "boule" simply staggers the
| Imagination. ut is tabloid rou-
! lette, with only nine numbers. 1, Q, 8,
4, s, 6, Z. 8. 9, repeated around the
wheel, Of which the IS" serves as the
houses Zero" sweeping the layout of
all bets0
The limit is 20 francs "to keep lit
tle' people from plunging too high"
but, of course, you can string a num-
ber Of such 20-franc bets all over the
board II you are fool enough to do so.
It is a little gold mine for all but
! the public, NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Willy Cats last cent was gone he still
managed to borrow from a croupier
| (employe who rakes in and pays oh)
some 1900 francs, giving two rings
! which he had remaining as security.
In reality the rings were worth only
| about 500 francs-Willy Cats had
| misrepresented silver settings as
| platinum.
And Just here (and here only
Willy Cats fell under the law.
In truth, Willy Cats was held at
Nice under a trumped-up charge
4 st n