Evening star., 1923-11-09

| Bruce. The zero" and his other
combinations We're as shy and elusive
ohda eawRs eur the the net of
John Bruce's play consisted in his
having transferred from his own
keeping into the keeping Of the New
York branch $4,000 of Mephis-
topheles' money. He was to all ap-
| funds in his immediate possession
were concerned
II guess" said John Bruce. with a
whimsical smile, that I didn't bring
enough with me. 1 don't know where
! can get any more tonight. and-oh.
herev' He laughed with easy grace
as he suddenly tossed his jeweled
! watch-fob to the croupier. "One
bounded faith in zero Let me
have a thousand on that. It's worth
about two"
The croupier, as on the previous oc-
casion. examined the article, but, as
| before, shook his head.
I'm awfulIy sorry. Mr.. Bruce. but
! it's strictly against the rules of the
house" he said apologetically. II
can fix it for you easily enough
though. If You care to take a trip to
/ Persia"
"A trip to Persia?' inquired John
Bruce in a puzzled way. Il think 1
heard you suggest that before this
evening. What's the idea?"
Some OF those around the table
ITS all fright" volunteered a
player opposite, with a laugh. "Only
| look out for the CONDUCTOR"
Shoot" said John Bruce noncha-
lantly. That's good enough! You
can book my passage. Mr. Croupier."
The croupier called an attendant,
spoke to him, and the man left the
| room.
SIT will take a few minutes, Mr..
hat and coat. The doorman will let
you know" said the croupier, and.
with a bow to John Bruce, resumed
the INTERRUPTED game
John Bruce strolled from the room
and descended to the lower floor. He
entered the supper room. and while
old Jake piled him with delicacies
he saw the doorman emerge from the
telephone booth out in the hall.
hurry away, and presently return,
Henri de Lavergne. The manager, in
turn, entered the booth.
Monsieur Henri de Lavergne came
into the supper room after a mo-
ment.
'In just a few minutes, Mr.. Bruce
there will be a slight delay" he
said effusively. TOO bad to keep
Not at ALL" responded John
the light. This is very excellent
Monsieur de Lavergne."
Monsieur Henri de Lavergne ac-
cepted the compliment with a graft
fed bow.
Mr. Bruce is very kind to say so, .
he said-and launched into an elabo-
rate apology that Mr. Bruce should
be put to any inconvenience to OBJ
tain the financial accommodation
Bruce offered was unquestioned. 1,
was not that 1t was the rule OF
the house. Mr.. Bruce would under
stand.
Mr.. Bruce understood perfectly.
quite SOL" he said cordially.
Monsieur Henri de Lavergne ex-
cused himself and left the room.
"a fishy. clever little crook" con-
fded John Bruce to himself. Il won
der what's the gamer
He continued to sip his wine in
apparent Indifference to the passing
minutes, nor was his Indifference al
together assumed. His mind was
quite otherwise occupied. 1t was
rather neat. that-a trip to Persia
The expression in itself held lure
which had probably not been over
looked as an asset. 1t suggested
Bagdad and the Arabian Nights and
IA caliph and a grand vizier. who
stalked about in disguise. On the
man had evidently had his fill Of Il
| on one occasion and would have nc
! more of it. And the other gentle.
man who had, as 1T were, Endorsed
the proceeding. had. at the same
time. taken the occasion to throw out
a warning to beware of the con.
ductor.
John Bruce smiled pleasantly into
his wine glass. Not very difficult tc
fathom, perhaps, after all!
1t was probably some shrewd old
| reprobate with usurious rates in ca
boots with the sleek Monsieur Henri
de Lavergne, who made a side-split
on the said rates in return for the
| exclusive privilege accorded the other
of acting as leech to the guests OF
the house when in extremity.
1t had been perhaps twenty min