A Mysterious Disappearance

nd a handful of others who preferred the chilly quietude of Nature to the throng of the in

race were clear behind him. He caught sight of Bruce, but did not recognize him, and

p to him and

Mr. Mensmore? Isn't

dly addressed by name, wheeled about, star

seedy in the Casino, so

chill, eh? It is dangerous weather here, particularly on these heavenly evenings. Co

d a little at t

be left in peace, and I shall soon recover from my

o walk on and mind

don't think me rude. I am very sor

is best for you to have company, even s

"tell me which way you are going and I will take the other. Why

ositively refuse to leave you until you are safely landed at

ke you! What

y what

is instant I will pun

the breast pocket might go off accidentally, you know. Besides, as I shall hit back, I might fetch my knuckles

terly disconc

eadfast gaze, "what are you talking about

er other people's affairs. Just now it is my definite intention to

your own fault if you get into trouble over this matter. Had

Mensmore and Bruce had followed. The first sight that met his astonished eyes, when in the flood of moonlight

ted, "the solitary

the weapon into either of the combatants if the majesty

uce pinioned him before he could get his hand up to his pocket. Both men were equally matched, and it was d

e and the madness of one who would voluntarily plunge into the Valley of the Shad

ind. He is a suicide," shouted the barrister

in the small of his back, and doubled him backwards with a force that nearly dislocated

e guard. "Here is a louis.

s that the honor of

horities you will be dismissed for negligence. Had this lunatic been lef

uis," he said, for Bruce's finger and thumb h

accosted Mensmore, who was awkwardly twisting

not hurt,

ld you not let me finish t

e support from a stronger nature. Because I did not want to think of that girl crying her eyes

fellow-countryman's interference, was

know about he

ve what my e

you a remarkable lo

word of honor that you will not make any further

of a disgraced man!

cert

. I lost my last cent to-night at roulette. I am hopelessly involved in debts which I cannot pay. I have no pros

ur fare to London from the

e nearly all in bets over the pigeon-shooting match which I ought to have w

e beaten by a

iently. Yet I would have lost fifty times for her sa

. Sit down, and tel

garettes. The guard, watching them from

y move apart, unknown; they fight; they fraterni

he louis to assure himself

on-shooting tournaments. I won several, and was in fair funds. Then I fell in love. The girl is rich, well-connected, and all that sort of thing. She is the first good influence that has crossed my life, so I thought that perhaps my luck was now going to turn. I backed myself for all I was wor

case. But death is no settlement. Nobo

eping for seven days. After that, I pr

thought for a while

to-night, if you did not pat

somewhat and lau

folly. I dreamt tha

eam

en on the red. The funny thing is that I had an impression that the number was twenty-three, but with a doubt that it might be thirteen. I remember, during a sub-conscious state in the third

el

tient when neither number turned up for quite a while, and when thirte

I

en keeping g

a sort

g that I am obliged to you. But it won't

on until I return a week hence. Then you must come to see me, and I will help you into

bout my

ll people to wait until

nd the

king a living sufficient to enable you to marry her. She

rette in silence for ful

very decent

ude Bruce

my existence, until we meet again in London, in exchange for which you purchase t

act

th five louis do

e stipu

not thirteen. I want to see that thing through. I will back the red a

if I r

, au revoir, should we happen to meet across the divide. Please make up your

smile, "I will give you four hundred francs. You wi

ment. "By Jove, you are a brick,"

es

me back m

, Bruce handed

artridges and threw them

sino. You will see something. This is not

than he cared to admit. Within the Casino all the tables were now crowde

in my dream," he whispered,

ce. Neither cared for the scowls and injured looks cast

andle. Now he was getting his wings singed. At last, with a groan, he hastily r

the ball rested in one of the little squar

rouge, impai

ore seized his chair, turning to B

r! Twent

ed his hands on Mensmore's sho

ame twenty, then forty. Another whirl and they wer

wam before his eyes. But Bruce, under the stress of exciting

256. He would have left it all on the table had not

un on the red, together with the fact that a man was staking the maximum each time. Even the croupiers cast fleeting glances

or more pronounced now that he was playing

twice as much, while the eager onlookers now burst into cries o

did not

dit was ￡3,128, he shook the latter violently as he was about to shove forwa

sang out the croupier, and Br

up at

nd the pair quitted the Casino amid extravagant protestations of good-will and friendship from all the voluble forei

an their orderly round again, for Mensmore's se

ck, but a run of eighteen on the red is sufficientl

one hour at least he lived in the fire that consumes, for he stepped back from the porch of dishonor

rapid and a