THE RULING VICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15748, 24 October 1914, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE RULING VICE.

BY PAUL TRENT, Author of " The Vow," " A Wife by rnrchttse." etc

COPYRIGHT. CHAPTER XXXV—(Continued.) Olive quickly saw that she had gone too far in speaking so plainly. It was not her policy to break with Nalda, but her feelings had overpowered her for the moment. " As a matter of fact, I didn't think," she went on hastily. "Everything was done in such a hurry, and it was not until you'd gone that I realised that you were making a mistake." She welcomed the- announcement of lunch, and insisted upon Nalda accompanying her to the luncheon saloon. "It's not a bit of good to starve yourself because you're miserable. It strikes me you'll want all your strength. Come along." And Nalda followed her, but found it impossible to eat. However, she managed to drink a little wine, but did not notice that Olive allowed her to pay her bill as well as her own. It appeared that Olive could recommend a private hotel in Queen's Gate, and it was there that Nalda went. But she only had her dressing-case, and would need clothes, so after she had engaged her room she rang up her house on the telephone. "Is Mr. Lindsay in town?" she asked, and her voice was tremulous. " No, he left home yesterday," came the answer. And then she drove round in a taxicab, and packed a couple of trunks with the things which she could remember having bought with her own money. She was conscious that the servants were looking at her with curiosity, and when she left she spoke to the butler. "Tell your master when he returns that that I'm going to Briscombe Court." She lied for the sake of appearances, but none the less she hated the necessity. Afterwards she returned to the hotel, and lay down until it was time to dress for dinner; but then it was an effort to rouse herself, and probably she would not have got up unless Olive had come. " I'm going to play ' chemie,' to-night. Are you coming?" the latter asked bluntly.

"1 don't know," Nalda answered. " I'm tired and miserable.' " It's about time you won, and you can do with tile money. I will wait for you while you dress if you'll hurry up." Nalda had no desire to play, but felt that she must do something or she would go mad ; and so she allowed herself to be persuaded. Fortunately there was about fifty pounds left, but she dared not draw a cheque until she had 6een the bank manager. It was the room near Band Street that was chosen, and the first person they met on entering was Jeffrey Lang, who welcomed them warmly. People were now rapidly returning to London, and the room was crowded ; but they managed to secure a couple of seats. " How do you do? I'm so glad to see you." The speaker was Sylvia Thornton, but she was not the same girl, for her face was aglow with happiness. " I owe you some money," Sylvia continued, and rapidly counted some notes. " Here you are—you may think I'm rotten but I'm not ungratefuL" "What's happened?" Nalda asked curiously, for she saw that Sylvia had a large sum before her. " I've had the most stupendous luck, for I've won over two thousand in the last week, and Tm winning again to-night. I was awfully sorry to hear you did so badly at Le Touquet." " You heard?" Nalda said in a low voice. •' I read that vile thing in the paper. Of course, I knew it was a lie!" Sylvia cried hotly. "Thank you." _ "Killing's too good for men who write stuff like that. . . . Banco," she- cried suddenly and pushed forward fifty pounds. The cards were given to her making five. j " A card, please," she eaid 6weetly, and I the croupier turned over a four. Then the banker drew and declared seven. "Nine!" Sylvia cried triumphantly, and the croupier handed over the fifty pounds that she had won. Nalda rmilid sympathetically, and once more her troubles vanished, for the game was beginning to exercise its fascination. Besides, she had more capital now. "Mrs. Lindsay," Sylvia went on, "that wasn't a lie I told you about my mother. I've placed the two thousand in the bank to her credit, so she'll have her chance." "Why don't you r'op, now you've got what you want?" said Nalda. " Never in my life, with the luck going my way; I intend to see it through. . . . Twenty-five pounds in the bank," Sylvia called, and proceeded to win a series of " coups " until it mounted to five hundred pounds. "I pass," she said coolly, and the bank lost the very next time. Then it came Nalda's turn and she, too, opened it for twenty-fives pounds only to lose on the first deal. And so it continued until all the money she had had disappeared. Long had been hovering around her, and at once came forward with another supply. " I'm not sure I have any money at the bank. I daren't give you a cheque," she said nervously. " That's all right. Any time will do,", he answered genially. But as he drew back he caught a warning look from Olive, and a few minutes later he went round to her. • " Don't let her have any more. It isn't safe ; I believe she's broke. I'll tell you all about it afterwards. By the by, have you seen anything of Mrs. Fortescue?" she whispered. " No, she's given it up. I've bought her out," he answered with a smile. "Then you must be making a protty penny. Take me to luncheon to-morrow, for I've a lot to tell you. I see you've distinguished company here to-night?" "Yes —one duchess —one countess barona French —and a Cabinet Minister." " Yes, and also a famous author." "He doesn't count. He's no money or credit," Lang answered drily. " What about the police—is it safe?" " Absolutely. They won't trouble me, not with these people here. I know what I'm about." he answered confidentially. " Beware of Mark Lindsay. He doesn't like you, and he's a dangerous man to get up against." ' He can't do anything," retorted Lang. " Don't be too sure— gots heaps of influence. By-the-by, now Mrs. Fortescue has gone, don't you think vou'd better tak- me into partnership?" " Come outside and I'll have a talk with you," he whispered. He led the way to a private room, and she looked at him eagerly. "I hate talking in whispers. I'm inclined to take you in. A woman can do a tremendous lot if she's discreet. Of course, you don't want anything like a half-share." ' I want as much as I can get," replied Olive. "What are you prepared to offer'.'" " I'll give you twenty-five per cent of the profits." "What do the profits amount to?" she asked quickly. "Last week about a thousand pounds; this week it'll be more." "Are you prepared to put that into writing?" 6he asked excitedly, and he immediately wished that he had offered her less. But Lang, in his way, was straight, and would not go back on the offer. "All right, here goes!" he said, and sat down at the table. A few minutes later he handed her a letter, after he had made a copy, and, folding it carefully up, she placed it in her bag.

' " —- ~~ I " Now we're partners," <&„ Baia „ ' 1 believe I can earn m share I]M everyone." ' * *ndir \-J f \ " I hope you will," he answered M ! HI fully, and rang the bell or the w»U*" " - whom he told to bring 3 bottle ft- W : f pagne. * caam. "t. "I'm doing things really well, «, '' ' 1 cigars cost seven pounds a hundred Tk ' ' : " : -l champagne is Pomery of a good £„'♦ 5 and Benoist provides the cofd supped?' ,' ,' 1 'sprit/'' 11 you're wise to buy ib 'I "So long as the 'sprats' brine' 0,." I 'whales' with long pur . I hear „«. .* Wt Shalton is back in town, but he bW? been here. You might get hold of Sl' ■MI t II U « n my u b< u St '" she answered doubt- P* fully By-the-by, you seem to be 2*V<: ; ing the 'proprietor' to the manner Cl' '4 Is it no longer a secret?" ta ' : "What was the use of keeping ft< 9 j secret ? Everyone knew, and we don't 1 encourage outsiders. I intend to start ; I roulette on the first floor. It'll be S" ' I to-morrow night. That will be an addi V tional attraction. We ought to make j I fortune between us. Upon my word I'm I glad you came to-night. I did want a I partner." * | "Have you got over your madness foi I Nalda?" she asked drily. !01 I " Quite." " I " I'm glad to hear it. Now I want to go round and see how she's getting on." CHAPTER XXXVI. \ The morning after their return from ! Dartmouth Mrs. Fortescue got up at an I unusually early hour and called on Lind- ! say at his house. 1 "I'm going to try and find Nalda. '•■] First of all I shall go to the Delairs woman, and see what I can get out of ' I her. I think you'd better leave it to me for a day or two. We don't want j any scandal, and I shall nrobably V '■ § to work more diplomatically than you { would," she said with a smile. " -. | "Very well," he replied. " By-the- '■:S by, have you still any interest in that ' j gambling-place?" " \ " No, I've cleared out." '.'.' i Good. Then I should advise you not | to visit any of them," he said signifi. ' M cantly. V 3;; ! "What do you mean?" she asked ■-!' j quickly. " I'm going to see the Home Secretary^7l^'| this morning, in his capacity as head of*%c| I the police. Fortunately, he will listen to me, because I belong to the same . party and am a rich man. I intend to- *v point out the great harm that is being'.. £§>? done by these gambling-places, and warnv.fti him that if the police do not take action'%W i forthwith, I shall bring up the whole - v business as soon as Parliament meets." M**^ "The answer will be that the police'^ > find it impossible to obtain evidence." ; „*'.,,- "Rubbish!" said Lindsay. "With »"-' J warrant they could break in, and there . would be all the evidence they could require. ' Shoes' aren't required in any but illegal games,. Besides, the table for '-'*:*■ '.V chemin-de-fer would give the game away at once." - ,s^^ "You're quite right. Maybe the police', -'-_' are not anxious to cause a scandal. You and I know what big people play, and; ■. it would be very awkward if a famous ' V; personage was netted in a raid." tdßr "It is time that an example Was"- I '.'.; made," he went on. "It is useless-to' "_. :• raid one or two smaller places, and fine " the proprietor a few hundred pounds. '-",', The fine doesn't represent a week's .;. profits. I feel very strongly about it. t . Unless those places had been. ranning,my wife would not have been thrust into: temptation. She might never have leftfljpl the mad craze for gambling." " Mark, I hope I'm a sportsman. I't» i ;; . been making a lot of money out of; y house, and I should be sorry to see any. I of them get into trouble. Besides, you. - will never stop gambling. ' Chemie' and ; : ; baccarat have got too great a hold, and people will find a means of playing..' ■'.-' There is-nothing to stop a dozen people - from taking in turn to play at one an- - , other's houses. I think you'd . better : leave it alone." - .i'/'; "No; I shall go through with it," he I said doggedly. - -v ; ; " I prophesy that you'll be sorry,-*'Bd¥{ I see that you've made up your'mind;? so shall say no more. Now I'll go round -- and call on Olive Delaire." • ■•-" - " You'll let me know as soon as.ybn|||§|| hear anything?" > . " Yes, at once," she answered. " S&ptfflp we dine together to-night ?" " With pleasure. I'll send a car round ! for you at half-past seven, or can I'lendjfplf you one now?" he asked, and - she' promptly accepted his offer.. . Sllll A luxurious limousine came up to-'ftalllpl door, and she sank back against the softjggip cushions with a sigh of content. ".'B?lllllf " Nalda is a very foolish young woman," she muttered. ;"' " J^g§|§s Olive Delaire was at. home, and did not keep her waiting for more than .few|||p minutes. • - ". -- "I hope you enjoyed your trip to Dartmouth," Mrs. Fortescus began.', suavely. Olive started, but concealed heir sur-; prise admirably. ' T» " . " Thoroughly," she said. " But my stay was a very short one." "-'4„"-J * " However, your visit was successful Where is Nalda? I want to see ner.??B||pl " I really don't know. To tell you the t; truth, I'm rather fed up with the young-v ; woman." '^§81 " Remember, you're speaking of""irjj||ll daughter," Mrs. Fortescue said coldly.'"^^^p "True, I'd forgotten that, as you ftj>p||P pear to have done." '.-.' -'•; "But I'm remembering it now. .' . ,{ -•" We've been acquainted for some time. You've a pretty good idea of the sort'of^ y woman I am." "I have. Your reputation is' well <■- ; known," Olive said drily. '■'■■._ V?e-||||| " I've succeeded in making anyone very - uncomfortable when they've played me *|I||| i dirty trick. I'm a pretty bad .enemy. ! Yes, you can look, my dear. I'm threat" ening you, and I' generally carry out m||||§l , threats. You've got to leave Nalda alone. - You told me the game you were playing. , In. fact, at one time I was willing to hehr; M - you. But now I've changed my mind. It §1| is my intention to bring husband and|^g , wife together again, and as soon as P°^l|§|| i sible. You appear to have some influence > with her, and you've got to help me." ' "s , Olive's only answer was a mocking-: m laugh. it -' ■ " You're pretty keen on money, Mrs.^^g Fortescue continued. " I'm willing to *#ffl , suade Jeffery Lang to take you into part- . v nership in my place. He'll do what-I^g > ask." _ „ .'*'-? •'' You're too late," said Olive. Tmal'SjJg k ready his partner. You'll have to offer- . something else." _ ?%3 " I've no money to spare." CI V^S "Do you think money would benefit =g| me? I'm in debt to Mark Lindsay, and | * I intend to pay the debt in full. The . M only wav I can get back at him is through-. | Nalda— loves her." WiJ "And always will," said the other. ..v.&m ; "That makes no difference. I'm not^.| trving to get him for myself." ■•'.;. " Because you realise it would be useless , . to trv." , 6 "''-Sl| " Quite right. But I can have my re- $$£ venge, which I intend to do. May I.os%i|j ' why von are taking such a sudden interest..,,| < in your daughter? Has your worthy son--5 in-law bought your sen-ices?" Olive asked r|g r scornfullv. _ . rSj " We'll leave it at that." Mrs. I'ortescua . ; answered with ominous quietness. -.;,^ " I suppose vcu know Nalda has come. ■■■*. | [ {to the end of her money' I had to lend :{. her some last mVnt." .'".;>s " Heavens—you a lender of money! ;=., g " Wasn't the change rather refreshing? 1 : 3 ' wonder how much you've borrowed from ;| [ her and never paid back. I'll give «u ■'■ 3 1 a hundred pounds if vou'U tell me where ;, , she is," Mrs. Fortescue said suddenly. : s. h 1 " Monev won't ronii-t me. From to-day-. ? | » I shall have nil 1 want, and I m »06- , greed v." ~ '•*•' :._-¥ ' "Don't Ik- ton sure ci that. i ; -.i.? "What do you in'" C ; >-«t ; " Nothing', hut 1 shouldn't count W^M chickens prematurely." j"'v^ > Just then the telephone bell rang, Mid;;; | when Olive went to the hall, Mrs For- •; _. ' tescue crept to the door and listened. "^*"^|| i Yes yes . . 1 >=liall be going out ;;c 1 to lunch. . . . Probably the Carlton ;. | 5 grill. . . I don't think you'd better, ■-•-; 1 meet me. . . . Your worthy mother »^g here, and she's a bit of a nuisance. . ■ • ->g5 ' I believe Mark has brbed her. She prac- .- tically admitted as mu.-h. You'd better, ..'I--1 stay quietlv at home until I 'phone yon. _ - . By-bye. I must go and get rid of 1 woman." (To be continued Saturday nextJL - -J||j|j -. • '