The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-03-10
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

~ IA t.
Scribner's Sons
Cleaver reached for the cards and
began to shuttle them. But the ten
sion had been broken, and the game
was not resumed.
Something, however, seemed to
have gone wrong with Vance. For
a long while he sat frowning at his
cigaret and slipping his high-bal
in troubled abstraction.
at last he rose and walked to the
mantel where he stood studying a
Cezanne water color he had given
Markham years before. His action
was a typical indication of his inner
puzzlement.
Presently, when there came lull
sharply and looked at Mannix
II saw, Mr.. Mannix" spoke
with only casual curiosity-"how
does it happen you've never &C
quired taste for poker? All good
business men are gamblers at
heart"
Sure they are" Mannix replied,
with pensive elaboration. But
poker, now. isn't my idea of gam
bling-positively not.
Its got too much science. And
it amt quick enough for met
hasn't got the kick in it, if you know
what 1 mean. Roulettes my speed.
when I was in Monte Carlo last
summer 1 dropped more money in
ten minutes than you gentlemen lost
here this whole evening. But I got
action for my money"
II take it. then, you don't care
for cards at ALL
Not to play games with" Man
nix had become expansive. Il don't
mind betting money on the draw Of
card. for instance. But no two
out of three, y understand. want
my pleasures to come rapid"
And he snapped his thick fingers
several times in quick succession to
demonstrate the rapidity with which
he desired to have his pleasures
come
Vance sauntered to the table and
carelessly picked up deck Of cards.
What do you say to cutting once
for a thousand dollars?"
ManniX rose instantly.
You're on!"
Vance handed the cards over, and
ManniX shuffled them. Then he
put them down and cut.
He turned up a ten. Vance cut,
and showed king.
"A thousand I owe you" said
Mannix, with no more concern than
if it had been ten cents.
Vance waited without speaking.
and Mannix eyed him craftily.
IT cut with you again-two
thousand this time. Yes?'
Vance raised his eyebrows. "Dou-
BILE? BY all means" He shut
fled the cards, and cut a seven.
Mannixs hand swooped down and
turned a five.
We'll. that's three thousand I
owe you" he said His little eyes
had now narrowed into Sits, and
he held his cigar clamped tightly
between his teeth.
Like to double it again-eh,
what?" Vance asked. -Four thou
sand this timer"
Markham looked at Vance in
amazement. and over Aliens face
there came an expression Of almost
ludicrous CONSERVATION.
Every one present, I believe, was
astoniShed at the offer, for obvious
ly Vance knew that he was giving
Mannix tremendous odds by permit
ting successive doubling.
In the end he was sure to lose.
believe Markham would have pro-
tested If at that moment Mannix
had not snatched the cards from
the table and begun to shuttle them.
-Four thousand it isl" ne an
nounced, putting down the deck
and cutting He turned up the queen
of diamonds. You can't beat that
lady-positively not!" He was sud-
denly jovial.
II fancy you're right" murmured
Vance; and he cut trey.
Want some more2' asked Man
nix, with good natured aggressive
ness.
That's enough" Vance seemed
bored. Far too excitin'. 1 haven't
your rugged constitution, don't y
know"
He went to the desk and made
out check to Mannix for a thou
sand dollars. Then he turned to
Markham and held out his hand
Had jolly evening and all that
sort Of thing. And, don't for
get: we lunch together tomorrow.
One o'clock at the club, what2"
Markham hesitated. IF nothing
interferes."
But really, y know, 1t mustn't"
insisted Vance. you've no idea
how eager you are to see me-"
He was unusually silent and
thoughtful during the ride home.
Not one explanatory word could I
get out of him. But when he babe
me good night he said:
There's vital part of the puz-
zle still missing, and until it's found
none of it has any meaning"
n