bands of crape; and the eyes sparkled. He nodded.

"A wonderful scene in there," indicating the swinging doors. "Puck was
right. What fools these mortals be! Something for nothing will always
lure us."

The veils did not move so much as the breadth of a hair.

"Fortune favors the brave, but rarely the foolish."

There was no response, but the small shoe of the woman nearest began to
beat the floor ever so lightly. Hillard was chagrined. To be rebuffed
the very first time he spoke to a woman in the Casino!

"Perhaps madame does not understand?" he said in French.

One of the women stirred restlessly; that was all.

He repeated the question in Italian, at the same time feeling like a
pedant airing his accomplishments.

Nothing.

"I beg your pardon," he said, getting upon his feet. "I see that you do
not wish to talk."

Thereupon he bowed, sought another seat, and lighted a fresh cigarette.
But not for a moment did his eye leave these two mysterious women. Their
absolute silence confused him. Usually a woman gives some sign of
disapproval when addressed by a stranger. These two sat as if they
neither saw nor heard him. He shook the ash from his cigarette, and when
he looked up again, the women were hurrying across the floor to the
lobby. He would have given them no further thought had not the Italian
with the scar appeared upon the scene, eyed the retreating figures
doubtfully, and then started after them. That he did not know them
Hillard was reasonably certain. He assumed that the Italian saw a
possible flirtation. He rose quickly and followed. If these two women
desired to be left alone, he might be of assistance.

The four departed from the Casino and crossed toward the Hotel de Paris,
the women in the lead. As yet they had not observed that they were being
followed. The car stops at this turn. As the women came to a stand, one
of them saw the approaching men. Instantly she fled up the street, swift
as a hare. The other hesitated for a second, then pursued her companion
frantically. Whatever doubts the Italian might have entertained, this
unexpected flight dissipated them. He knew now; he knew, he knew! With a
sharp cry of exultation he broke into a run. So did Hillard. He was no
longer bored. This promised to be interesting. People turned and stared,
but none sought to intercept any of the runners. In Monte Carlo there
are many strange scenes, and the knight-errant often finds that his bump
of caution ha