The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1924-10-02

Pauline pointed him out. her aunt
sighed
'One breaks cherished tradition"
she said. shut II must he done. I
leave the matter in your hands"
Gerald and Christopher. strolling
round the room. came presently to
within n few feet Of them. Gerald. bit
terly though he resented it. was pass
inc on after one swift glance ut Paul
inc. She leaned over. however. and
touched him or the arm. ..a.rs
lord Dombey." she said. "my aunt
permits me to present You. Lord DOM
hev-Maiame de Poniere." a-sa..-.
Gerald. taken ny surprise. bore the
shock well. He bowed low and MUIR
INJURED few polite words ss
at am afraid you will think that
we are very mercenary." Pauline con-
tinued. ''hut we are going to ask a
favor"
.It is granted" Gerald assured her
swiftly. .se 80
.'There is q Russian gentleman in
Monte Carlo named Zubin." -r
.T know him by sight" Gerald de-
clared. "Resides-"
.'Then the rest is easy" Pauline in
terrupted. with n warning look sour
request is that you search the casino
for him. and if he is there, that you
bring him TO u.s."
Gerald bowed. o.a -
"MademoiSelle." he promised. "if
he is there. will bring him to you
within q quarter Of an hour"
Gerald. on entering the casino,
made his way at once to the table at
the farther end. The seat which had
been occupied by Zubin, however was
vacant. though the table itself was
crowded He was on the point Of
continuing his search in ono Of the
other rooms. when he suddenly saw
the man of whom he was in search
seated on one of the sofas against the
wall. He made his way thither at
once.
"Sir," he said, 81 have brought
you a message from Madame de
Poniere."
The Russian lifted his head, and
for a moment Gerald was afraid that
he had had stroke. His eyes were
horribly red, the flesh about his cheek
bones seemed to have become drawn
tight, and his cheeks to display new
hollows. His hands were trembling.
All his turbulence of manner had de-
parted.
"From Madame de Poniere?" he re-
peated. where is she?"
"She is waiting now in the Sporting
club" Gerald replied. 81 will take you
to her II you will accompany me-"
The Russian rose to his feet and the
two men left the place. Many of the
bystanders gazed after them, and Ger
aid heard something of their whispers.
Tm afraid you've been having
rather a bad time" he remarked.
His companion took no notice. he
walked. indeed, like man in night
mare. Not only was he unshaven,
but his clothes were creased and
tumbled. He was altogether d.
sheveled-looking object.
might suggest" Gerald said, as
they descended the steps Of the ca
sine, "that you visit your hotel and
freshen up a little before you come to
the club?"
Zubin seemed suddenly to step down
from another world. He looked va
cantly at Gerald for a moment, at his
smoothly brushed hair, his well-cut
dinner coat, his faultless linen. Then,
with a little start, he glanced at him.
self and shrugged his shoulders pom
derously.
"You are right, monsieur. Come
this way"
He crossed the street with great
strides and entered the Hotel de Paris.
He turned once more to Gerald az
he entered the lift.
"a quarter Of an hour, monsieur,
he said. 81 give you my word that l
will not keep you longer than twenty
minutes"
81 will be waiting here" Gerald
promised.
After the departure of the lift, Ger
aid made his way by means OF the
private passage to the Sporting club.
Madame de Poniere and her niece
were seated where he had left them,
the elder lady slipping some coffee,
Pauline looking around her with
languid air Of half-amused interest.
Save for the fact that Madame De
Poniere's lips frightened little as sne
saw Gerald alone, there was not the
slightest indication In their manner
or expression that they were con-
fronted in any way with an e1cep-
tional situation.
81 have found our friend" he an
nounced. HE Is making some al
terations to his toilet. am meeting
him In q few minutes and shall Drins
him here"
"was he playingf" Pauline en-
quired.
"Not when arrived" was the eau
tious reply. -.
Madame de Poniere stirred ner
coffee negligently.
oHad he" she asked. "the air Oh !.
man who has been losing?"