178 THE PIASTER OF THE HOUNDS. 



and helped to plan tlie whole thing from beginning to end ; 

 and he declares, unless I pay him two hundred and fifty 

 pounds as hush-money, on this day week, he will give Lord 

 Malcolm a full account of the plot." 



" Why, I met Vernon two nights ago at a gambling-house, 

 here in Paris, when he won a large sum of money of Count 



B , who swore there was foul play on Vernon's part, 



although unable Ijo detect how ; but he is determined to watch 

 him narrowly for the future, and if detected in any tricks, I 

 would not give much for Vernon's life-interest in fifty thousand 

 pounds, the Count being a dead shot. But you had better 

 find the money, Vancourt, and pay Vernon at once, or the 

 consequences will be serious." 



' ; It is out of my power to make up the sum in so short a 

 time, unless luck favours me at the gaming-table. So what say 

 you to meeting me to-night '? and perhaps you will not object 

 to introduce me to Count B 1 " 



" Oh, most willingly Vancourt. So now, au revolv, as I have 

 a call or two to make." 



A thought had suggested itself to Lord Vancourt, that, by 

 an introduction to the Count, he might put him up to Vernon's 

 tricks with dice and cards ; and, when detected, a duel would 

 be the inevitable result, inprvhioh he hoped to get quit of 

 Vernon's importunities and threats together ; believing, from 

 Stowell's account of the Count's character, that nothing would 

 satisfy him short of the death of the man who had already 

 robbed him of so large a sum of money. 



Punctual to his appointment, Major Stowell met Lord 

 ■Vancourt at the gambling-house, where he soon had the 



opportunity of introducing Count B , who was much 



pleased with his lordship's manner and address ; and, as both 

 had travelled a great deal, they were soon engaged in earnest con- 

 versation, and from that night became intimate friends. Ver- 

 non was there also ; but, suspecting Lord Vancourt, he lost 

 instead of winning, his usual run of luck appearing to have' 

 deserted him. Lord Vancourt also lost rather a considerable 

 sum to the Count, which being immediately paid, put him, 

 in good humour with his new acquaintance. 



The next day, Count B called on Lord Vancourt, who, 



after a few common-place observations, alluded to his want of 

 success the previous night. 



" Ah ! milor," said the Count, who spoke English very im- 

 perfectly, "you lose to me, but your contreman, Monsieur 



