Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-12
Business visit?" I repeated, some

Business visit?" I repeated, some
what daZed.
He rose, crossed the room and de-
Ilberately locked the door. Afterward
he moved his chair slightly, SO as TO
place himself between me and the bell
and resumed his seat
I surprise you?" he asked. 81 have
surprised many people in my time"
You have earned the right to sur
prise me, if you wish to- I replied,
mixing myself whisky and soda. AT
the same time, some sort of an rypla-
nation would be acceptable"
You shall have it," he agreed Il
have come here to rob you, and I in
tend to carry out my purpose"
1 tasted my whisky and soda, lit
cigarette, and crossed over to the chair
facing his.
You take the matter very calmly"
he observed. Possibly you think that,
If it comes to a struggle. you might sue
ceed In baking me. You are a head
taller than I am, and I can imagine
Ihat you are not man easily robbed,
and yet, Mr.. Forester, there is one little
argument here that destroys odds, or
perhaps I should say creates them
form of argument have usually found
unanswerable"
He displayed small, but very vicious
II admit the force of your argu-
ment," I said. 81 will confess that
haven't a weapon of any sort in the
place. Under those circumstances, the
odds are somewhat like 20 to / in your
favor, and you can consider me an I'M
resisting victim. But of what, may
ask. are you proposing to rob me?"
You have won something like mil
lion in the last few weeks. Tonight
you must have won at least 40 miles.
/ propose to leave you trifle and take
the rest"
I smiled, and, for the first time, my
visitor looked little uneasy.
You have chosen the worst night
possible, M. lie Comte. for your visit"
I told him. This afternoon I paid
every penny had-which 1 admit was
something over half million francs
into the bank, and directed them to
place it to my credit in England. OF
the 40 miles I won today, I lent Va
niadoS, who called on his way. back
| from Monte Carlo without any idea of
| playing, 20 miles, and 1 also paid an
I o U for 10 miles. 1 took some
| friends to supper at Maxims,'' went
on, drawing out my pocketbook, and
, the bill there made some slight hole in
the remaining 10 miles. + seem to
have here $500 francs-unworthy of
your notice, am afraid"
| LAS you say-unWorthy OF my no
tice," the Camte de Preuil concurred
quietly.
| X X X X
LIE sat looking intently upon the
4 ground. Suddenly he rose to his
! feet. He came and stood within a few
! PAGES of me. His revolver had disap-
I peared, but I could see the shape of it
I gripped in his hand inside his coat
pocket.
Look at me. Mr.. Forester" he or
dered.
obeyed. There was something ter
ribly magnetic about his eyes. I am
perfectly certain that there are few
men in the world who could have told
him lie.
Have you spoken the truth?" he
asked. rs that all the money you have
in this room?"
met his gaze.
That" I assured him, ais every
penny I have at my disposal. I am
greatly in your debt. NJ. lie Comte. If
you are in need of money. and will give
me a few days, will lend you any rea-
Sonable sum"
THANK you" he declined coldly. 81
do not borrow; I take. l regret the
inopportuneness of my visit. 1t is clear
that my luck is failing me-"