the man who had but just entered the game Tarzan knew the name of

but one of the other players. It was he who sat opposite the new

player, Count Raoul de Coude, whom at over-attentive steward had

pointed out as one of the celebrities of the passage, describing

him as a man high in the official family of the French minister of

war.

Suddenly Tarzan's attention was riveted upon the picture in the

glass. The other swarthy plotter had entered, and was standing

behind the count's chair. Tarzan saw him turn and glance furtively

about the room, but his eyes did not rest for a sufficient time

upon the mirror to note the reflection of Tarzan's watchful eyes.

Stealthily the man withdrew something from his pocket. Tarzan

could not discern what the object was, for the man's hand covered

it.

Slowly the hand approached the count, and then, very deftly, the

thing that was in it was transferred to the count's pocket. The

man remained standing where he could watch the Frenchman's cards.

Tarzan was puzzled, but he was all attention now, nor did he permit

another detail of the incident to escape him.

The play went on for some ten minutes after this, until the count

won a considerable wager from him who had last joined the game, and

then Tarzan saw the fellow back of the count's chair nod his head

to his confederate. Instantly the player arose and pointed a finger

at the count.

"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 went white.

"What do you mean, sir?" he cried. "Do you know to whom 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.