DAVE RUNS INTO A REAL THRILL
"I do not understand," murmured the Countess.
"I know that the European idea of gambling is very different from that
entertained by most people in my country," Dan went on pleasantly. "To
the greater number of Americans, gambling is a method of getting other
people's money away from them without working for it."
"And that is why you term it dishonest?" asked the Countess.
"Yes," replied Dan frankly. "And, in addition, it is a wicked waste of
time that could be put to so many good uses."
Countess Ripoli shrugged her fine shoulders, and looked up once more
at the young officer. But Dan was smiling back coolly at her.
"You have not a flattering idea of the Europeans?" she asked.
"Quite to the contrary," Dan assured her.
"Yet you think we are both weak and dishonest, because we use our
time to poor advantage and because so many of us find Monte Carlo
delightful?" she pressed him.
"Not all Europeans frequent Monte Carlo," Dalzell answered.
"May I ask my new American friend why _he_ should waste his time
here?" laughed the Countess.
"I do not believe I have exactly wasted my time," Dan replied. "A
naval officer, or any other American, may well spend some of his time
here in gaining a better knowledge of human nature. Surely, there is
much of human nature to be seen here, even though it be not one of the
better sides."
"What is the bad trait, or the vice, that one beholds most at Monte
Carlo?" the Countess asked.
"Greed," Dan rejoined promptly.
"And dishonesty?"
"Much of that vice, no doubt," Dan continued. "To-night there must be
many a man here who is throwing away money that his family needs, yet
he will never tell his wife that he lost his money over a table at
Monte Carlo. Again, there must be many a woman here throwing away
money in large sums, and she, very likely, will never tell her husband
the truth. Let us say that, in both sexes, there are a hundred persons
here to-night who will be dishonest toward their life partners
afterward. And then, perhaps, many a young bachelor, who, betrothed to
some good woman, is learning his first lessons in greed and deceit.
And some young girls, too, who are perhaps learning the wrong lessons
in life. I know of one very young man here who tried to blow out his
brains to-night. For the sake of a few hours, or perhaps a few weeks,
over the gaming tables of Monte Carlo, he had thrown away everything
that made life worth living. Any man who gambles bids good-by to the
finer things of life."
Dan's slow, halting French made the Countess listen very attentively,
that she might understand just what he said. She puckered her brow
thoughtfully, then suddenly glanced up, laughing with all the witchery
at her command.
"Then, my dear American," she said insinuatingly, "I fear that you are
going to refuse me a very great favor."
"I hope not," Dan replied, gallantly.
"There is," pursued the Countess, "such a thing as luck. Often a
prophecy of that luck is to be seen in one's face. I see such luck
written in your face now. Since you will not play for yourself, I had
hoped that you would be willing to let me have the benefit of a little
of the luck that is so plainly written on your face. I had hoped, up
to this instant, that you would consent to play as my proxy."
The Countess was looking at him in a way that would have melted many a
man into agreeing to her wishes, but Dan answered promptly:
"I regret, Countess, to be compelled to refuse your request, but I
would not play for myself, nor for anyone else."
"If you so detest Monte Carlo and its pursuits," replied the Countess
with a pout, "I cannot understand why you are here."
"There was something useful to be gained from witnessing the sights
here, but I have seen as much as I wish," Dalzell went on, "and now I
am ready to leave. I am returning to my ship as soon as Darrin is
ready to go."
"And he, also, is tired of Monte Carlo?" asked Countess Ripoli.
"Darrin's views are much the same as my own," Dan responded quietly.
Countess Ripoli bit her lip, then surveyed Dalzell with a sidelong
look which she did not believe he saw, but Dan, trained in habits of
observation, had missed nothing.
"Will you take me back to the tables?" asked the Countess suddenly.
"With pleasure," bowed Dan.
Lightly resting a hand on his arm the Countess guided Dalzell rather
than walked with him. Back into the largest salon they moved.
Dan's eye roved about in search of Darrin, but that young ensign was
not in sight.
* * * * *
At that very moment, in fact, Dave Darrin was very much concerned in
a matter upon which he had stumbled.
A few moments before his quick eye had espied Emil Gortchky crossing
the room at a distance. Gortchky paused barely more than a few seconds
to say a few words to a white-bearded, rather distinguished-looking
foreigner. The older man returned Gortchky's look, then smiled
slightly and moved on.
It was a trivial incident, but it was sufficient to set Dave's mind to
working swiftly, on account of what he already knew about Mr. Green
Hat.
For a few moments longer Ensign Darrin stood where he was; then,
tiring of the scene, and wondering what had become of Danny Grin, he
moved out upon one of the verandas, strolling slowly along. Reaching a
darker part of the veranda, where a clump of small potted trees formed
a toy grove, Dave paused, looking past the trees out upon the vague
glimpses to be had of the Mediterranean by night.
There, in the near distance, gleamed the lights of the "Hudson."
Darrin's face glowed with pride in the ship and in the Nation that
stood behind her.
Almost unconsciously he stepped inside the little grove. For a few
minutes longer his gaze rested on the sea. Then, hearing voices
faintly, he turned to see if Dalzell were approaching.
Instead, it was the white-bearded foreigner, the murmur of whose voice
had reached him. With him was another man, younger, black-haired, and
with a face that somehow made the beholder think of an eagle.
The two men were engaged in close, low-voiced conversation.
"I'd better step into view," reflected Darrin, "so that they may not
talk of private matters in my hearing."
Just then a chuckle escaped the younger of the pair, and with it Dave
distinguished the word, "American."
It was the sneering intonation given the word that made Dave Darrin
start slightly.
"Those men are discussing my country," muttered the young ensign,
swiftly, "and one of them at least is well acquainted with that spy,
Gortchky. Perhaps I shall do better to remain where I am."
Nor had Dave long to deliberate on this point, for the pair now neared
the grove. They were speaking French, and in undertones, but Dave's
ear was quick for that tongue, and he caught the words:
"England's friendship is important to America at the present moment,
and it is very freely given, too. The English believe in their Yankee
cousins."
"When the English lose a naval ship or two at Malta or elsewhere, and
learn that it is the Americans who sink their ships, and then lie
about it, will the English love for America be as great?" laughed the
younger man.
"The English will be furious," smiled the white-bearded man, "and they
will never learn the truth, either. For a hundred years to come Great
Britain will hate the United States with the fiercest hatred."
"It is a desperate trick, but a clever one," declared the younger man,
admiringly. "Nor will there be any way for either England or America
to learn the truth. The whole world will know that the Yankees
destroyed two British ships with all on board. It will probably bring
the two countries to actual war. No matter though England is at
present engaged in a huge war, the sentiment of her people would force
her to take the United States on, too."
Ensign Dave Darrin, overhearing that conversation, and well knowing
that he was listening to more than vaporing, felt his face blanch. He
steeled himself to rigid posture as he felt himself trembling
slightly.
Farther down the veranda strolled the French-speaking pair, then
wheeled out of sight.
In a twinkling Dave strode silently, swiftly toward the salon that he
had left. As he stepped into the brighter light, with admirable
control, he slowed down to a sauntering stroll, looking smilingly
about as though his whole mind were on the scenes of gambling before
him.
A moment or two later Darrin's eyes caught sight of Dan Dalzell, as
that young officer bowed the Countess Ripoli to a seat.
In vain did the Countess use her prettiest smiles to hold Danny Grin
by her side as she played. Dalzell had been schooled at Annapolis and
in the Navy itself, and knew how to take his leave gracefully, which
he did, followed by the pouts of the Countess. As soon as she saw that
the ensign's back was turned, a very unpleasant frown crossed her
beautiful face.
Dave continued his stroll until he met Dan at a point where none stood
near them.
"Keep on smiling, Dan," urged Dave, in an undertone. "Don't let that
grin leave your face. But it's back to the ship for us on the
double-quick! I may be dreaming, but I think I have found out the
meaning of Mr. Green Hat's strange activities. I believe there is a
plot on foot to bring England and our country into war with each
other. One thing is certain. It's my duty to get back on board as fast
as possible. I must tell the admiral what I have overheard."
Dan did not forget the injunction to keep on smiling. He proved so
excellent an actor that he laughed heartily as Dave Darrin finished
his few but thrilling words.
"Tiresome here, isn't it?" murmured Dan, aloud. "We might as well go
back on board ship."