Effects were good here. The ceilings and walls of our balcony
were lighted by vari-colored electric bulbs artfully placed amidst
growing vines that drooped in festoons above the tables, producing a
fairy-like enchantment. And, indeed, the cafe proved to be a mart not
only of enchantments but entertainments, including a popular gambling
salon.

At last, in desperation seeing that Monsieur refused to be cheered,
Tommy sprang up, saying:

"Come, gezabo, let's court Dame Roulette! Join us, Jack?"

This I declined, and watched them move off arm in arm. But a strange
thing arrested my attention for, as they preceded down the corridor, I
saw a man in yachting clothes--the uniform of a captain--draw quickly
back into an alcove as if wanting to escape discovery. When they had
passed he looked out, more fearfully than curiously, and after a moment
of indecision slowly followed them. Urged by a suspicion that this was
in some way associated with the professor, I arose and also followed.
Yet upon reaching the salon the stranger was nowhere to be seen. Tommy
and Monsieur were each buying a stack of chips, the place seemed quiet
and orderly, so without being observed I returned to my table.

Now left alone I leaned back, idly twisting the stem of my glass,
looking over the sea of merry people who made a picture that quickened
interest. For I am particularly fond of sitting apart and watching an
assemblage of handsomely groomed men and women laughing, talking and
making love. I like to guess whether fears or tears or desperate courage
hide behind their gayety; whether the rapidly wagging tongues are
uttering inanities or planning naughty things; whether the love-making
will stop with coffee and liqueur, or, lighted by them, burn into
eternity.

All phases of human banality and human enigma seemed to be represented.
There were languid beauties of the Latin type whose drooping eyes might
have expressed _ennui_, passion, pride--anything, in fact, that one's
humor chose to fancy; the blonde by adoption was there, with heavy
ear-rings of jet, whose habit was that of looking slant-wise through her
cigarette smoke and raising one black, though carefully plucked,
eyebrow; also there were a few American women, by far the most smartly
dressed. Great was the throb of life in this discreet and fashionable
cafe. I felt its tremendous emphasis, and was content.

Then, quite without warning, I caught my breath as my glance fell upon a
girl d