The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-02-26
The Card
Sharper
By R. T. M. SCOTT

- udu one SpecIdl lOIH VI TeIdAd-
ton. This was poker. Every Friday
afternoon, II the market was quiet
enough to skip Saturday, he seaplaned
down to Florida and Joined small
group of his own crOnies who were
addicted to the same pleasure.
In Millions subdued and massive
Wall Street office Aurelius Smith
heard that all might not be quite
right with these poker games. One Of
the regular players had introduced,
perhaps little carelessly. business
acquaintance who had recently come
to America from Europe.
Emeroch was a large and impress
sive man who seemed to have plenty
Of money and whose poker technique
was superb. Milton did not object to
the large sums Of money which En-
eroch was winning Hut his sixth sense
warned him that something was wrong.
''It is possible that he Is just
better player than the rest Of you,"
suggested Smith.
Milton suggested that he take the
detective down to Florida and let him
sit in at a few games so that he
might scrutinize the suspected man.
II know the game very WE'LL" re-
turned Smith, "but never play cards
for money. My memory is too good
and l have trained myself to read
faces too well. It would not be fair
to my opponents"
Milton, insisted, however, and gained
his point.
After dinner on the following FRI
day evening Smith and Milton sat
down with two other financierS in the
library of a palatial Florida mansion.
A table was arranged for cards. AS
vet Emeroch had not arrived.
"Over a short length of time poker
is a game of chance" Smith said, "but,
when many hands are dealt, it be-
comes pure science and the best play
er must win"
At that moment Emeroch limped
into the room. He stepped only upon
the fore part of his right foot and
leaned heavily upon a cane each time
that foot came to the floor. He shifted
his cane for a moment to his left hand
while he shook hands with Smith.
After that he sank painfully into
chair at the table, placed his cane
between his legs and reached for a
glass.
The play lasted until the small
hours of the morning. From the first
It was apparent that there was not
novice at the table. When the game
ended there were only two winners
Emeroch and Smith. Emeroch had won
$4,000 and Smith had won $500.
IBID you spot anythingT asked
Milton of Smith when they were alone.
"He is the best poker player I
ever met" returned Smith. "He knows
exactly how to bet his cards and his
face Is a mask. I think he is honest
and yet"
"Well?" questioned Milton.
'Most of his big killings were made
on his own DEAL" added Smith. land
he never bet and lost on his own
deal"
II could detect nothing wrong with
his dealing" commented Milton.
"There was no substitution Of
cards." said Smith emphatically. "By-
the-way, you did not tell me that he
was cripple"
HE has been that way for ten
years." explained Milton. "He told US
that he had been injured in riding
accident"
The following afternoon the play
ers met on the lawn in front Of the
house in which they were to play.
Smith and Milton were somewhat in
the rear of Emeroch as he painfully
hobbled up the marble steps to the
broad veranda where an early game
was to be played before dinner. Sud-
denly Smith grasped Millions hand
and detained him under pretext of
getting light.
~ have caught him!" whispered
Smith. Don't be surprised at what
may do"
On the veranda the game was short
and not very exciting. Milton Shout
dered the losses. Smith was about
even. The rest were moderate win
ners. A servant brought before-din-
ner cocktails and the party relaxed
around the table.
Beautiful stick you have" said
Smith to Emeroch. MAY see it?'
Emeroch made a desultory remark
about his cane but kept 1t between
his knees and did not offer to pass
It over to Smith.
'May see it?" persisted Smith
with polite smile.
The two looked into each others
eyes for a few seconds and then
Emeroch rose. Smith advanced. EN-
eroch turned and limped toward the
marble steps. Smith sprang forward
and snatched the stick away. EN-
eroch ran down the steps and across
the lawn like an athlete.
Amid gasps Of establishment Smith
witty examined the cane.
'This silver band is strangely placed
top of the crook" he explained,
it to the table. "You see that
d exposes a small mirror.
ane between his knees
'e mirror. On his