He gathered odd bits of news of what was going on among the summer

colonists. The lady next to Killigrew, a Mrs. Wilberforce, had had a

strange adventure the night before. She and her maid had been

mysteriously overpowered by some strange fume, and later discovered

that her pearls were gone. She had notified the town police. This

brought the conversation around to the maharajah's emeralds. Hadn't he

and his attendants been overcome in the same manner? Thomas thought of

the sapphires. Since nobody knew he had them, he stood in no danger.

But there was Kitty's great fire-opal, glowing like a coal on her

breast, seeming to breathe as she breathed. It was almost as large as

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a crown-piece.

During lulls Thomas dreamed. He was going to give himself until thirty

to make his fortune; and he was going to make it down there in the

wilds of South America. But invariably the sleepy mocking eyes of Lord

Monckton brought him back to earth, jarringly.

Once, Kitty caught Thomas gazing malevolently at Lord Monckton. No

love lost between them, evidently. It was the ancient story: to wager,

to borrow, to lend, to lose a friend.

Long after midnight Kitty awoke. She awoke hungry. So she put on her

slippers and peignoir and stole down-stairs. The grills on each side

of the entrance to the main hall were open; that is, the casement

windows were thrown back. She heard voices and naturally paused to

learn whose they were. She would have known them anywhere in the world.

"Tut, tut, Tommy; don't be a bally ass and lose your temper."

"Temper? Lose my temper? I'm not losing it, but I'm jolly well tired

of this rotten business."

"It was you who suggested the wager; I only accepted it."

"I know it."

"And once booked, no Englishman will welch, if he isn't a cad."

"I'm not thinking of welching. But I don't see what you get out of it."

"Sport. And a good hand at bridge."

"Remarkably good."

"I say, you don't mean to insinuate . . ."

"I'm not insinuating. I'm just damnably tired. Why the devil did you

take up that monocle business? You never wore one; and Miss Killigrew

found out this morning that it was an ordinary glass."

"She did?" Lord Monckton chuckled.

"And she laughed over it, too."

"Keen of her. But, what the devil! Stick a monocle in your eye, and

you don't need any letters of introduction. Lucky idea, your

telephoning me that you were here. What a frolic, all around!"

So that was why her coup had fallen flat? thought Kitty.

"I'll tell you this much," said Thomas. (Kitty heard him tap his pipe

against the veranda railing.) "Play fair or, by the lord, I'll smash

you! I'm going to stick to my end of the bargain, and see that you

walk straight with yours."




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