He picked
up an issue dated June. A portrait of the new Austrian
ambassador to France attracted his attention. He turned the leaf.
What he saw on the following page caused him to widen his eyes
and let slip an ejaculation loud enough to be heard by the chess
players. Madame seemed on the point of rising. Maurice did not
lower his eyes nor Madame hers.
"Checkmate in three moves, Madame!" exclaimed the Colonel; "it
is wonderful."
"What's the matter, Maurice?" asked Fitzgerald.
"Jack, I am a ruined man."
"How? What?" nearly upsetting the board.
"I just this moment remember that I left my gas burning at the
hotel, and it is extra."
The Colonel and Fitzgerald lay back in their chairs and roared
with laughter.
But Madame did not even smile.
CHAPTER X
BEING OF LONG RIDES, MAIDS, KISSES AND MESSAGES
Fitzgerald was first into bed that night.
"I want to finish this cigar, Jack," said Maurice, who wished to
be alone with his thoughts. He sat in the chair by the window
and lifted his feet to the sill. The night wind was warm and
odorous. He had found a clue, but through what labyrinth would
it lead him? A strange adventure, indeed; so strange that he was
of half a mind that he dreamed.
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