Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 January 1913 — Page 2

TRUTH ABOUT THE CASE

The Experiences of M. F. Goron, Ex-Chief of the Paris Detective Police Edited by Albert Keyzer THE LIGHTNING FLASH * .. .

I*7 HE following letter wae from a gentleman hold- « n lng a high position In sis, ' the diplomatic world: p*j|j? “Dear Monsieur Goron: " ICg I earnestly beg of you to Ajff come to the assistance of my friend, who has met with a disastrous adven£i i. i ture. Please do everything In your power to extricate him from the horrible position In which he Is placed. I can' vouch for his honorableness. "Tours gratefully, “Lu de V- — After I had read it I glanced at the bearer, a young, distinguished-looking man. With a slight tremor In his voice, he said: “I am In great trouble.” "I see you are,” I replied; "and I hear you are English. What brings you here?” He paused an Instant, and, passing, his hand across his forehead, repeated: “I am In great trouble.” With a gesture, as if anxious to throw off his secret, he continued: "My name is Allen B -, and my father Is one of the largest colliery owners in the north of England. Six months ago I came to Paris to study painting—'” Again he paused, staring at me. Then suddenly he asked: • "Do I look like a swindler —a sharper?” "No; you do not Why do you ask?” “Because, a fortnight ago I rose in the morning with an untarnished reputation, and, although I had committed no wrong whatever, I went to bed a disgraced man.” , He was laboring under strong emotion; and as he remained silent, I •aid: “Tell me what has occurred."

"It fell upon me like a thunderbolt, at the house of Madame J—-, where I used to go once a week for a game of cards. I was playing piquet, in the smoking room, with a young fellow called Bernard T , and had won the first game. We had just begun the third, when Bernard jumped up and shrieked: “‘I have caught you at last You are cheating!’ "The men at the other tables crowded around us, and Madame J .her daughter Genevieve, and their guests came running In from the adjoining drawing room attracted by the noise. "I had grasped Bernard by the throat, calling out, ‘Retract what you said, you vijjain, or I will kill you!’ “They dragged him away from me. He was as white as a sheet; and the moment he had caught his breath, he shook his fist at me, and bawled: “You say you’ll kill me? You want me to retract? I tell you, you are a cheat, a dirty cheat! Gentlemen, ask him to empty his pockets, here before you, and you’ll see whether I am right!” “I put my hands in the pockets of my smoking jacket, and pulled out a dozen cards, corner-bent, like those used by professional sharpers. “There was a moment of silence, and then the Viscomte de St said to me: 'This is a very serious affair. Have you any explanation to offer?' "Then the horror of my situation came upon me. I tried to rush at Bernard, but they laid hold of me. Frantic with rage, I shook them off. “ ‘lt’s a lie! It’s a lie!’ I shouted. ‘Gentlemen, this fellow, or some other scoundrel, has —heavens knows why—slipped these cards into my pocket. It is a fiendish trick some one has played; and I call upon those here who know me to help to unmask the coward who did it!’

“They looked at me In silence, and after whispered consultation, the Vlscomte de St. • spoke again: “Mr. B , I think It will be best If you and M. Bernard T—— withdraw for a few minutes to allow us to discuss this matter, and decide on the course to take.’ “Bernard went upstairs to Madame’s boudoir, and I to the drawing room,, where I found Mademoiselle Genevieve alone. For a while she took no notice of me as I nervously paced up and down the room, but when I stopped she remarked in a soft voice: ” ‘Monsieur Allen, I am sure you are Innocent.' v ’ “I pressed her hand. “ ‘God bless you. Mademoiselle Genevieve; I shall never forget your confidence In me. But, since you do not doubt me, I implore you to tell me whether you have any suspicion, any Idea, as to who could have laid this trop for me?’ “She thought a moment, and then replied: *- ** ‘No, Monsieur Allen, I have not the faintest idea. I wish I could help you.' / “She looked up, and I cot Id read In E» had qpoken the t a gentleman asked he next tootn, where t. addressed me the unwilling wltiffalr, we ' consider s gentlemen and , to prevent any on-

tCopyright by J. B. JLipplncott Co.)

necesary scandal M. Bernard T—— has accused you of playing unfairly, which you deny. Marked cards have been found in your pockets, and your explanation is that some one had placed them there. We now have pledged ourselves not to divulge what has occurred here this evening, so as to give you time to refute this charge. You oan rely on our absolute discretion; and I call upon M. Bernard T to promise us not to breathe a word about this to any one.’ “‘I give you my word,’ said Bernard. “ ‘His word!’ I exclaimed; ‘how much do you think it is worth? Gentlemen, I once more declare that this man is a liar, and that, if he did not put the cards in my pockets, he knows who did. And— ’ ‘“Pardon me,’ interrupted the viscomte, ‘wo cannot allow this. We sincerely hope you may prove your innocence—we hope it for your sake. And this Is all we have to say to you for the present.’ ” After a pause my visitor resumed: "I have no recollection of how I got homo that evening; and even the next morning I could not realize that it had not been a fearful dream. Several day? I spent trying to unravel this mys tery, when I received two letters from England. The first was from my father. The poor man is heart-broken. He had had a full account of what had occurred at Madame’s house. He advised me to go away, somewhere in the Colonies, and remain there till this affair is forgotten. The other letter was—”

He again stopped, and hid his face in his hands. “It was from my fiancee, the girl I was to have married in three months, on my return to England. She, too, knew all about it, and informed me that I must consider our engagement at an end. I at once wrote to my father and to my fiancee, telling them that 1 had been the victim of a horrible plot, Imploring them to reply by return post; but neither of them has sent me a line. I then remembered my friend, L. de V——a school-chum, now on the diplomatic service. He has known me all my life; and, after I had told him my story, he gave me this Introduction to you. Monsieur Goron, I beg of you to help me!” "I certainly will try to help you,” I replied; “but your story is incomplete. I want to hear more about these people—the vicomte, Bernard T , Madame J , and even—ls you allow me—Mademoiselle Genevieve. Who are they?” “Madame J—— Is the widow of * naval officer. I was introduced to her the first week I arrived in Paris, by a man in the studio where I was painting. She received every other evening. The vicomte is an old friend of hers, and, I am told, a member ofrthe Jockey club. Bernard T I met also at Madame’s house. *We have often dined together and gone to theaters.” “Has he a profession? How does he get his living?"

“He is, I think, an insurance broker; but he has money, and does not seem to work very hard.” “And Mademoiselle Genevieve? Last, but probably not least?” “You are right, Monsieur Goron — last, but not least; for I believe she Is the innocent cause of this business. I have been thinking night and day, and I am«eure I have found the 'clue to this mystery.” He colored slightly and said: “I am afraid what I am going to tell you will sound rather foolish, but you will see It is important. Bernard T—is In love with Genevieve, a strikingly handsome girl. She had of late shown me marked partiality, and in his mad jealousy Bernard has planned this to ruin me in her eyes." “And this, according to you, Is the clue to the affair?” “Undoubtedly. There can be no other cause why anybody should try to compromise me in such a horrible way. With your help we will get to the bottom of it.” “It Is a queer, a very queer business; darker than you seem to think. I do not say this to alarm you, but to prepare you for a few surprises. Give me the addresses of all the people you have jußt mentioned, and come here to-morrow at four o’clock. Don’t think of revenge; this may, or may not, come later. The first thing to be done is to clear you.” My visitor thanked me and went away with a lighter step. But when he returned the following day he looked more distressed than before. “What has gone wrong?” I asked. "Any fresh trouble?" “No," he replied moodily, “except that I have had a letter from our lawyer begging me to go away at once — for the honor of the family.” With a suppressed oath he threw the letter on my table. “Never mind the lawyer. Tell him to go to the—Colonies himself. Slhce I saw you I have looked into the matter, and have gathered a little useful information. First, let me tell you that your theory about Bernard’s jealousy does not hold water. Etcuse my asking you—have you ever, say, flirted, with the girl?” ; “Never.”

"Have you given her any presents, or made appointments, with her?” “Never." i “All the better, for It simplifies matters. Another question. Do they play baccarat at Madame j —r-’s?” “Yes, three or tour times a week.” “Did you play?” ~ “Yeß, but I gave up because—” “You found you lost too much?” “You’Ve guessed it. I did lose.” “How much?” “About two thousand dollars.” “Just what I expected. I have received some queer reports about your friends. Madame J- ’a reputation is far from good, and I suspect her salon to be a trap to swindle-people like you. Bernard T certainly did Inherit some money last year, but he ran through it; and he is now the associate, and possibly the tool, of professional gamblers. As to the vicomte, there is some mystery here, and I distrust mysteries. And now, my dear Mr. B , I am afraid I must say something that will upset you. You have undoubtedly an enemy—not that Bernard—but a man, or woman, who has a more potent interest in ruining your reputation. Look into the past, and see whether you can detect any such person.” Mr. B stared at me In amazement / “An enemy!” he cried. “I, an enemy? . I have never stood in anybody’s way, and no man in mine. As to women, they have played no part in my life. I have fallen in love only once —and that with- the girl I was to have married,” he added with a''hitter smile. “You will not be the first to have made such a startling discovery. Others have made it; and in this very room, too. I see I cannot look to you for assistance In this business. Keep quiet until you hear from me. I hope It will be soon.” I do not know a more villainous offense than that of sullying a man’s reputation, to rob him of what is dearer to him than life —his honor. And I resolved to use all my energy to come to this poor fellow's assistance; especially as the conviction grew upon me that my young friend was the victim of a plot, a fiendish conspiracy, and

that those who slipped the incriminating cards into his pocket were only the instruments of scoundrels who would remain in the dark, unless I dragged them into the light. During his narrative of the tragic scene at Madame J ’s house, I had not been favorably impressed by the attitude of this vicomte, the self-con-stituted president of the impromptu tribunal of honor. I therefore decided to leave the fiery Bernard alone for the present, and take the mysterious nobleman in’ hand, after having first found out who he was. I confided the-latter mission to Nicholas, one of my men, whom his colleagues had nicknamed the “Diver,” because of his wonderful skill in “diving” into people’s pasts, and unearthing the most hidden secrets. I did not see my “diver” for two days; but when he turned up he looked happy, and handed me his report. It was one of his weaknesses. He had started life as a writing-master; and as he wrote a beautiful hand, he seized every opportunity of displaying it The report read as follows: no. “Hector St. , born In Paris In 1860, from Greek parents. Enlisted at nineteen in the Papal Zouaves. Three years later emigrated to Australia. In 1878 Was In Italy, where received the title of vicomte from the Pope. In Florence eloped with the wife of a well-known banker. Came to Paris, and In 1879 was Implicated In turf scandal. For reasons that did not transpire, was asked to resign his membership of the Y Club. Remained two years In England, after which he returned to Paris. Has small apartment In Rue Iborders. Is well known In the baocarat world. Is one of the supporters of new gambling-club opened a month ago In the Rue Maubeuge. Goes there nearly every night. Means unknown; but is not believed to have a fixed Income. **P. B.—The night before last, at halfpast twelve, sent for w policeman because Marthe D , his former swetheart, was creating a disturbance outside his place.” The Diver had acquitted himself well of hla task, and I told him so. But what he could not know was that the most Important part of his report wag in the postscript. I went to the police commissary in the vicomte’s district'and asked him

to giro me some details about the disturbance caused by Martha D— —. She had, it seems, smashed a window, using threatening language, and the vicomte bad applied tor a summons. I sent for her, and-a little before six she was announced; a. tail, dark-eyed 'girl, -who played an insignificant part in the new farce at the Follca-Dramat-iques. She was very self-possessed, and asked what I wanted of her. “And so you bad a scene with your friend, the vicomte?" She turned sharply aronnd, and her eyes grew warlike. "My ‘friend,’ you call him? I can dispense with such friends. When a man borrows money from a woman, and does not pay her, the least be can do Is to be civil to her!” * "That Is true. Why did he borrow money from you?” "I don't know. At times he has plenty of cash, and at others not a cent" "I suppose he gambles a hit?” “You bet! Since he goes to tha£, new club In the Rue Maubeuge, he is always flush with money. He has been wonderfully lucky there; too much so, I fancy." “Why too much so?” t "Oh, I don’t know!” And she shrugged her shoulders. "> I did not think it prudent to press the point. “If he borrowed money from you, and, as you say, has now plenty, why does he not pay you?” "He might have done so; bat he has his silly pride. He was annoyed that' I alluded to it In the presence of his friend, an Englishman—although that man did not understand a word of French—and he had specially asked me to came that evening. -1 would have done better to have gone away, as I was getting cross at their talking English aH the time." “Possibly he, too, was cross, If the Englishman paid you too much attention.” “No,” she laughed, "he Is too fond of himself to notice such things. And the Englishman was too absorbed in what the vicomte was saying." ' In the course of my career I remember having only twice assumed a disguise, and this was one of the oc-

I HELD MY BREATH WHEN THE FIRST CARDS WERE DEALT.

casions. I do not aspire to rival M. Gemier or Mr. Beerbohm Tree in the art of making one’s self unrecognizable; but, with a few touches about the eyes, the nose, with a dark wig and dyed eyebrews, I felt pretty safe as I issued forth to enter the enemy's camp. At ten o’clock in the evening I preseated myself at the “Club” in the Rue Maubeuge. As I expected, I was informed that only members had a right to enter; but the doorkeeper took my card, after which a gentleman came down-stairs, eyed me narrowly, asked me for my address, and, apparently satisfied with my appearance, remarked that I could join as a country member. ""It Is not quite regular,” he said, “for me to admit you before you are properly introduced; but, as you do not reside in Paris, and intend to return soon to Limoges, we will allow you to come In now, on payment of the entrance fee. You must be duly proposed and seconded.” I knew the old story; I had heard it before. I then entered the baccarat room, yrbere, around a long table, covered with green baize, a dozen persons were seated. I looked about me. It was still early, and the' business of the evening had not begun. The players were of the ordinary type. The majority of them were pigeons ready to be plucked, the rest bore the undeniable stamp of the professional gambler. My attention, however, was centered on, the croupier. Few people—even those in the habit of risking their money in fashionable clubs or in casinos of well-known wa-tering-places—have a remote idea of the Important post this official holds. With a long, flat, wooden scoop—something like a cricket-bat —he rakes in the counters from the losers, and pays the winning side. In great clubs, these men are carefully watched to avoid any trickery; but in the small gambling-dens their role Is altogether a different one. When some one opens one of these dOns, which, being clubs, can be raided only

wlth difficulty, the croupier becomes Ills partner. Both are bent on robbery. If the proprietor—always a profoe-' sional sharper—takes the bank, he will cheat the players by a series of trleks, too numerous to be explained here. When, however, a guileless stranger acts as', banker, the croupier's role comes in; for, while he rakes In the money for the hanker, a portion of it, disappears Into his pockets in a manner whiqh only the most expert eye can detect. - For the benefit of the uninitiated I will explain the principles of the game: The players sit on the right and left of the banker, who has several comof cards in front of him. When the players have staked their money, the banker deals one card to the right, one card to the left, and one to himself. He repeats this operation. One of the players on either side of the banker takes up the cards and them against the hanker for his side of the table. The object of the game is to score nine—not more—or as near that number as possible—with the two cards; a third card can he had If desired. Court-hards and tens are valueless. If the total of the spots comes to more than ten, ten must be deducted. If th# banker’s score is below that of the player's he loses; If above, he wins. Slowly the room began to fill, and toward half-past eleven a tall, thin man with a grayish beard and small piercing eyes came in; from'the description given me I recognized the Vicomte de St . He smoked a cigarette, paying little attention to what went on at the table, where a banker, with only three hundred francs In the • bank, was dealing his cards in a desultory fashion. All at once the vlcomte’s face brightened, and he went up with extended hands to some fashionably men who had just entered. I guessed they were what in gambling-hourse parlance Is called "Big Game.” I then 4 gave up my seat at the table, where I was too much In view, and stood behind, the players, where I could watch everything. A bright-looking youth took -the bank for five thousand francs, and play began in real earnest. Somebody called "Banco” (staking all there is in the hank), and the excitement rose to a high pitch.

Thus far the vicomte had not joined in the game; at last, to my delight, I saw him take a bank, also for five thousand francs. He called for fresh cards. This call for fresh cards at such a time demands an explanation. In the gambling world It is well known that after the cards have been sfiuffled, cut, and placed'in front of the banker, It is easy for the latter, by sleight of hand, to put a few prepared cards on the top that will give him two or three winning deals. ‘lf, therefore, the banker asks for fresh cards, the uninitiated —and, unfortunately, they form the majority—suppose that no trickery Is possible. lam sorry to have to disabuse them. The worst swindles are practiced with so-called new packs. I say “socalled,” because In the directorial sanctum they have undergone.a curious process. The pack is held over a steaming kettle, the wrapper skilfully removed, the cards taken out, arranged to give the dealer the advantage, and again carefully replaced in the original, wrapper. The study I had in former years been compelled to make of these practices, now proved useful, and I moved behind the vlcomte's chair so as not to lose one of his movements. Five new packs were brought In, and the croupier undid the four, leaving one on the mantlepiece. He shuffled ths four packs with a great deal of seat, yet so dexterously that their order was not changed. The man was a great expert In the “sham-shuffling” trick.

Of all the people in the room I, certainly, was the most Interested in the game, for I was playing for higher Btakes than any of them —for a man’s honor. Supposing these * cards, brought on a tray, should not have been tampered with; supposing the vicomte played a fair game, without any attempt at cheating; my whole combination fell to the ground, and I should have to invent another mode of attack. I held my breath when the first cards were dealt; and then a feeling of relief came over me, for I at once recognized the famous combination, knowh as the “706,” or, more appropriately, the “Lightning Flash,” because of the rapidity with which it cleans out its victims. And, by way of *urlousity, I give below this extraordinary series, from which it will be seen that, with the exception of two deals, where banker and players have the same points, the former wins every coup. The players may cut as many times as they llkp; it will not affect the game!* A quarter of an hour later the vicomte rose. He smiled, and could well afford to do so, for he had made a big haul. • Three o’clock struck, the last bank, a small one, had been dealt Everybody left, and I'was on the sofa, pretending to be asleep. "Who’s that?” I heard the vloomte ask. “Oh, it’s a chap from Limoges. He came to-night for the first time,” was the reply. I jumped up and said to the vicomte: •Bach-pack of fifty-two cards Is arranged In the following order face upward. The noughts represent either court cards or ten*, which in baccarat, are valueless. 70(101(041 10 0 8011490870*70 4002(04808108 ij86614 0 0 0 4 0 7

“I want a, few moments’ comers* tion with you.” ' , He looked hard at me, and conducted me to the next room. I took 'Off’ my wig; but before I could utter * word, the vicomte placed himself ha front of the door. “Get away from there!" I commanded. “I am M. Goron. Don’t attempt any nonsense, or I call np my men, and have you and your croupier taken to the depot!” He could not suppose that I had come unaccompanied, and silently took a chair. “Perhaps yon will tell me .what all this meansT” he asxed. “• “Certainly. But first hell and send away your servants.* My orders were obeyed. “And now,” I continued, “follow mo into the card room.’” I led the way, and from the mantelpiece took the fifth pack,;.left there when the vicomte had dealt the cards. The croupier, who had remained behind, moved toward the door. “Come here!” I shouted to him. “Take off your coat and waistcoat, and hand them to me.” He did so, trembling with fear, and out of several long pockets, lined with velvet to deaden the sound, I took a handful of counters. "You scoundrel!” I said, “I watched you do this. And now, clear out; I want to folk to your master —and accomplice.” I handed the vicomte the pack of cards I had taken up, and said: “Let me call them over to you witll my back turned. Seven, nought, five, nine, nought—l forget the rest; but I think this ought to be enough. I have seen the ‘Lightning Flash’ done before. Do you want any more reasons why I came here tonight?” He seemed stunned, and shook hie head. “Cannot this scandal he avoided?* he asked. 1 "Expect nothing from me, trotll you have told me the whole truth about the Allen B affair at Madame J-—’s. What was the object of that conspiracy, and who Is at the bottom of it?”

He looked at me with a cunning expression. "I think I see your game, Monster Goron. Allow me to compliment you on your skill.- In other words, you want me to make certain disclosures. In that case. It is but right I should — I gave him no time to finish hie sentence, hut, seizing him roughly by the arm, shouted: _ "I arrest you, you Bcamp!" What I expected happened. The coward in him came to the fore. He cringed and crawled, and then told me he had Instructed Bernard T to slip the cards In poor Allen B ’» pockets. "Whose orders did you carry out?*" "An Englishman’s." "Harold W , or, la reality, Edward K ?” He gave me a surprised glance. "Yes.” “For what reason?" “I don’t know. You can believe me. It is a secret between him and Allen B -, and I would never have done this thing had I not been In Edward K ’s hands. He compelled me. tp _ do it” He put his statement down in writing, and then took me to hiß apartment, where, at my request, he handed me two letters from Edward K w I was on the point of leaving when I remembered Mademoiselle Marthe. “Sit down again, and write a note to the police commissary in your district, that you wish to withdraw your chaffce against Marthe D The vicomte, who had given up feeling surprised at anything, wrote the note, and handed it to me. It was six o’clock and broad daylight when I reached home. I at once sent for Allen B —7-. "Who is Edward K—?” I asked before he had even time to sit down. "A distant connection. Why?” “What objeet had he In disgracing you?” f “He? Impossible—he belongs to a first-class county family." “Blow your county families! Read this!” and I handed him the vicomte'# statement., v I never it pdaible shat delight and honv ' Ije expressed at the same time anybody’s face. Allen B performed that extraordinary feat. Then he Bbook me by both hands until my arms ached, and exclaimed: "What a scoundrel! Who could have dreamed this? Monsieur Goron, it all dawns upon me now. Three years ago that man proposed to a lady to whom I afterward became engaged. She rejected him, and he—” “That will do. These are family secrets. I don’t want to know more than I can help. Leave at once for England. Thla document and those two letters will clear you, and if anybody wants more Information, refer them to me." He again wrung my hands, too moved to speak; then he took up hie hit and stick. “One more word before you go/' I said. “Do you knpw what strikes me * as the queerest-rart about this queer affair? It is that, while your* father and the lady you were about to marry threw you over, without even giving you a hearing, two people here In Paris—one your humble servant, and the other the daughter of a woman who keeps a gambling house —believed In you. But In this life only the Improbable comes true. And now go —I feel tired.” , The vicomte and the croupier left Paris' the next day. I afterward learned they went to South America.

Too Bad.

He bought his wife the Orient clothes— Bhe didn’t have to pray for them. What brought about hie later woes 1 Was that be couldn’t pay for them.