the other players. "Why,
this is Count de Coude, of France." "If I am mistaken," said the
accuser, "I shall gladly apologize; 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 room, but to his annoyance he found the exit barred by a tall,
gray-eyed stranger.

"Pardon," said the man brusquely, attempting to 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 him to one side. The ape-man but smiled as he twisted
the big fellow about and, grasping him by the collar of his coat,
escorted him back to the table, struggling, cursing, and striking in
futile remonstrance. It was Nikolas Rokoff's first experience with the
muscles that had brought their savage owner victorious through
encounters with Numa, the lion, and Terkoz, the great 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 drawn toward 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 submit to a search only at the
hands of a gentleman."

"It is unnecessary to search the count. The cards are in his pocket.
I myself saw them placed there."

All turned in surprise toward this new speaker, to behold a very
well-built young man urging a resisting captive toward them by the
scruff of his neck.

"It is a conspiracy," cried De Coude angrily. "There are no cards in
my coat," and with that he ran his hand into his pocket. As he did so
tense silence reigned in the little group. The count went dead white,
and then very slowly he withdrew his hand, and in it were thre