The Glenwood post., 1924-10-02

| uO OAC UCCA DACuhA6 AiG CStA4N
| "There was something was goinl
to tell you," Gerald replied. with Z
| sudden flash Of recollection II sal
next to mqn at dinner last night ir
Ciro's grill, who. they say broke the
bank several times during the after
noon. 1 believe they said that he wal
n Russian. l suppose you know all
about him, however"
"I?" she exclaimed "Why should I7'
Because. between the courses Of his
dinner, he wrote letter and sent II
off by messenger. He was at the next
table and it YVES impossible for me to
avoid seeing the envelope. 1t was ad'
dressed to Madame de Poniere."
She looked at him, amazed.
ITO my atnt?" she repeated. "But
we received no letter from any one
last night. What was this man like p
"They said that he was Russian
and that his name was Zubin," Gerald
replied. "They also said that he had
won two million francs in the after
noon'
"Zubin !" she exclaimed, with little
start. Describe him at once, II you
please"
THAT is easy" Gerald acquiesced.
"He must have been at least six foot
three or four, and he had tremendous
shoulders. He was one of the most
powerful-looking men I have ever seen
in my life. He had sallow complex
ion, lined face. black eyes and a
mass Of black and gray hair"
She put her hand upon his.
"Stop the car, please" she begged
Turn round as quickly as you can.
must go home"
Gerald ran on to an adjacent wild
ening of the road, reversed the car,
and headed back for Monte Carlo.
"If / had known that my news was
going to shorten our drive" he grum-
hled, 81 shouldn't have mentioned the
fellow at all"
"My friend" she said earnestly,
what you have told me may be of
immense benefit for me to KNOW"
you recognize the man, then?'
"He is probably my aunt's steward"
she confided, ufter moments hesita-
ton. There. you see am telling
you secrets. Do you know whether
lie played last night?'.
II was only at the club" Gerald re
plied. HE did not come there Is
there. anything 1 can do7 Would yOu
like me to go and look for himT
"Yes, you might do that" she said
thoughtfully. when you have
dropped me, drive down to the rooms
II you find him there, touch him on
the shoulder Say that Madame de
poniere awaits him. You will not for
get thisr
"Tm drive there at once" aersiH
promised.
He set Pauline down. as usual, st
the gates Of her villa. She scarcely
stayed to say goodby. but her smile
was more gracious and her manner q
little kinder II was obvious. how
ever, that she was disturbed by hts
information. Gefnld, incurious though
he was at most times, felt q growing
interest IN his mission.
Arrived at the rooms. he walked
straight through to the Cercle Prive,
visited each roulette and trente ct
Quarante table, and strolled round the
baccarat room. Seated next to the
croupier, at the most remote table.
with vttre crowd Of people behind
his chair, and with a great pile Of
notes before him, sat Monsieur Zubin.
The Russian was betting in maxi
NUNS, apparently on some system.
and with varying success. To all ap-
pearances, he had not changed his
clothes, bathed or shaved since the
evening before. There was an untidy
growth of beard upon his chin, a
bloodshot streak In his eyes; his COZ
, lar and tie were crumpled; his hair,
over-luxurisnt at the best Of times,
was unkempt and disordered. Gerald
leaned towards the attendant seated
behind the croupier's chair. under
pretense of handing him a small stake
Monsieur gambles?" Gerald re.
marked, with an inclination Of hin
head toward the man who was the
center Of interest.
The attendant turned around Will
an expressive little nod.
yesterday he broke the bank, n
whispered. To-day he can do nothfn'
right"
HE is losing, thenr'
The mans grimace was significant
Gerald watched his own stake swep
away and crossed to place behin'
the Russians chair. In one Of the In
tervals, he leaned over and touches
him on the shoulder. The man too
no notice. Gerald whispered in hi
ear.
MADAME de Ponlere awaits you .
, the villa"
Zubin for a moment remained pei
fectly still. When at last he turne
around, his face was chastity. wit
his strong arm. he pushed back som
one who intervened.
who are your he demanded.
a.