Part 1 (2/2)
”Had I known that monsieur was a professional card sharp I had not been so ready to be drawn into the game,” he said
Instantly the count and the two other players were upon their feet
De Coude's face hite
”What do you mean, sir?” he cried ”Do you knohom you speak?”
”I know that I speak, for the last time, to one who cheats at cards,”
replied the fellow
The count leaned across the table, and struck the man full in the mouth with his open palm, and then the others closed in between them
”There is some mistake, sir,” cried one of the other players ”Why, this is Count de Coude, of France” ”If I aize; but before I do so first let monsieur le count explain the extra cards which I saw him drop into his side pocket”
And then the man whom Tarzan had seen drop them there turned to sneak from the rooray-eyed stranger
”Pardon,” said theto pass to one side
”Wait,” said Tarzan
”But why, monsieur?” exclaimed the other petulantly ”Permit me to pass, monsieur”
”Wait,” said Tarzan ”I think that there is a matter in here that you may doubtless be able to explain”
The fellow had lost his temper by this time, and with a low oath seized Tarzan to push hi fellow about and, grasping him by the collar of his coat, escorted hi in futile remonstrance It was Nikolas Rokoff's first experience with the h encounters with Nureat bull ape
The man who had accused De Coude, and the two others who had been playing, stood looking expectantly at the count Several other passengers had draard the scene of the altercation, and all awaited the denouement
”The fellow is crazy,” said the count ”Gentlemen, I implore that one of you search me”
”The accusation is ridiculous” This from one of the players
”You have but to slip your hand in the count's coat pocket and you will see that the accusation is quite serious,” insisted the accuser And then, as the others still hesitated to do so: ”Come, I shall do it myself if no other will,” and he stepped forward toward the count
”No, monsieur,” said De Coude ”I will subentleman”
”It is unnecessary to search the count The cards are in his pocket