A WINNING CORPSE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 13 (Supplement)

A WINNING CORPSE.

STTT.T, he made no sign, j THE MANAGEMENT OVERCOME. | Dame Fortune beckoning liim on, a M. Labon walked confidently into a casino near Nice, France, changed a few thousand francs into brightly coloured chips, and took liis scat at the roulette table. But Dame Fortune frowned, and finally only one 1000-franc chip was left. Nonchalantly, M. Labon tossed it on the square marked "17." With a twist of his wrist the croupier shot the ivory pellet from between his fingers, and it dropped into M. Labon's number. M. Labon did not stir. The croupier pushed the winning pile of chips alongside the original wager, and a mumur rose from the crowded table at 36.000 francs automatically again playing the "17." The croupier spun the wheel, gave the ball a twist. The ivory pellet dropped. There was a hush and then a cheer. "Seventeen," announced the croupier, his voice tense. He signalled for the manager as he pushed the winnings over to "17." Rumours were rampant—"a famous ring of Greek gamblers . . . come once a year"; "he'll break the bank" . . . the crowd watched breathlessly. A few pulled outpencils and began figuring; others knew it by heart, having rehearsed it in their day dreams—36,ooo times 35— 1,290,000 francs! M. Labon did not speak. The expression on his poker face did not change. There was 1,296,000 francs on the 17, all his, and lie did not make a move to pocket his winnings. "Does Monsieur wish to place it all?" the croupier whispered. There was. no negative sign from M. Labon. Again the ball spun, again it settled in the niche marked "17." The crowd gasped—3s times 1,296,000 francs was 40,656,000. The croupiers hands shook as he pushed the pile of counters on the board. And still M. Labon Kide no sign, did not touch a franc. If he should win again there would not be enough money in the casino to pay Mm. He would break the bank. The croupier looked at the manager and the manager shook his head.

"The table is closed," he said. The croupier pushed the chips toward M. Labon. "It is yours, monsieur." But M. Labon still did not move. The manager took him by the arm, but it dropped lifeless at his side. M. Labon was dead!

But that was not the end of the story. There was. a Mme. Labon, and she had counsel. When the casino heard of Mme. Labon, the management was overcome with sympathy, and sent its regrets with 36,000 francs —M. Labon's winnings at roulette. But Mme. Labon had heard of her husband's winnings and of the impounded chips, and she asked for 46,656,000. The casino was sorry, but M. Labon had died after placing his 1000-franc note on "17," and all his widow could expect was 36,000. — Birmingham "Weekly Post."