Picture Show (Oct 1920 - Apr 1921)

Picture Show, April 9th, 1921. BEGIN THIS SPLENDID ROMANCE OF THE GOOD OLD DAYS TO-DAY » CALL OF TOE, ROADI Splendid Serial Story of the Famous British Film Characters in the Story. ALFRED TRUSCOTT, who has boon disinherited for being a ne'er-do-well by his uncle, Silas Truscott. LADY ROWEJTA, Alfred's cousin, who is fascinated by the stories she hears of her cousin. In order to meet him, she uses the name of Alice Grey, and goes to stay with her old nurse, Margery Merridew, near where Alfred has got work. PAGANINI PRIMUS and PAGANIN1 SECUNDUM, " gentlemen of the road," and friends of Alfred. SIR MARTIN TREVOR, an inveterate gambler, , who cheats at cards. He is beaten in a duel by Alfred, and vows vengeance. At a country inn Sir Martin and his friend, Geoffrey Ralston, hear some important boxing news. " The Pigeon Must Win." THE professional gambler usually knows how to conceal his feelings. ■ It is one of the first lessons he has to learn. To betray any kind of emotion would bo but to place a weapon in the hands of those against whom he is matching his wits. When Mr. Ikey Barnes uttered the name of Dclaval, both Sir Martin Trevor, and his crony, Ueoft'rey Ralston, could have shouted with joy, • but by not so much as a flicker of the eyelid did they betray the satisfaction they felt. Sir Martin gave a careless laugh, and returned to his wine. " Methinks, friend, thou hast earned thy guinea easily, and I have got but littlo in exchange for it," he said lightly. " Natheless," lie added, " if thou art a fellow to bo trusted, I might put another guinea or so in thy way during the next few weeks." " I am at your honour's service," said Barnes, with a cunning look in his little eyes, " and for the-, rest" — he shrugged his shoulders — "I serve best those who pay mo best." Sir Martin nodded as one w ho understands a kindred soul. " I would know more of this matter. It is my fancy, and 1 am willing to pay for it. It might suit mo to wager a trifle on this blacksmith, lie seems a likely fellow. What think you of his chances ? " " 1 know not but 'twill take a good man to beat him. He keeps fit, and is in better fettle than ever he was." " Well, do you stay here, and learn what you can, and keep mo informed — saying naught to anyone about the matter. C'ans't writo 1 " " Ay, I am a man of oducation." " Then I'll give thee an address which will find mo. Send me thy news. Let me know who comes to see this Hammer John, and any gossip on the matter that reaches thino cars. I'll send thee five guineas weekly, and on the day of the fight I'll make theo a presont that shall be in keeping with the service thou hast rendered." Punch Murphy came in just then, and no moro w is said. Ikey Barnes ordered another mug of ale, and relapsed into the watchful silence which was habitual to him. The two gentlemen soon after retired. Geoffrey Ralston joined Sir Martin in the latter's room. The baronet was seated on tho bed removing his boots. Ho looked up as his companion eniered, and there was a "queer smile upon his lips. ■ ; VThy fears have served us well, Geoffrey, a I t i-r ail. * Twas'a lucky chance wo stopped at tho .Two Fishes." • ''CAV 1 ' agreed the other, a little doubtfully. " Hut what think youpf this Hammer John 1 " ''Ho' is a good man." " Too good ? Sir Martin Trevor mado no immediate reply, an. I his brow was knitted in a thoughtful frown. " I think Pigeon Williams is the better man," be said at length, speaking very slowly ; " but I like not such level chances when tho stakos are lugh." ADELINE HAYDEN-COFFIN as The Lady UUeswater and ERIC ROYCE as Master UUeswater. " Tho Pigeon will win," said Ralston, trying to crush the awful doubt that had crossed his mind. Sir Martin Trevor looked up again, and thero was a very hard expression on his handsome face. " The Pigeon must win," he said grimly. "If he should lose — bah '. we'll not think of that. Look you, GeofTroy, wo oro tdo deep in this matter to run any risks. Wo will get back to t own, and for a week or so we will see how things go, and then -" " Well ? " " Wo will take such steps as shall bo necessary," concluded the baronet, showing his while teeth in an ugly grin. The Match. TH1C New Corinthian Club was always a little animated on Monday nights. Quite recently the New Corinthian had become the fashionable centre in London of wealthy men interested in sport. Membership was sought after by every young blood of the day. To-night the great clubroom was even more than usually crowded, and more than usually animated. At a table a group of men, Sir Martin Trevor among them, were throwing dice, but for tho most part tho members were standing about in groups, talking. From timo to time the door opened to admit new comers. It was just bofore eleven that a young man entered alone. It was young Dick I J lies water, a new member, who had contrived to get elected during his business visit to London. He looked about him a little timidly as one who is amid strangers, and then perceiving some. ono he knew, his face , lit up, and ho strode confidently across tho toom. Ho stopped before a thick-sot man of some forty years of ago, with a gonial, good-humoured face. ' ■ " ■• ■■■ ■ My Lord Delaval was a true sportsman, and one of the best-liked rnen in England. " Why, UllesWatei* ! ** 'he exclaimed heartily. " 'Tis good to see you here. I did not know you were in town.' "'■<•"•? " I heard the match was to t>6 made tc^-njght, Is that so ? " asked UUeswater, ' oagerly. The othor smiled and nodded. " Yes, in all formality. Twos made, in truth, a while ago, but 1 thought 'twould bo more ■ egular to have it put on record by the club." By A. E. COLEBY and HERBERT ALLINGHAM L.J " More regular and safer," said UUeswater, drily. " Hush, lad ! " rebuked his lordship, with a slight frown. " As far as I know, Sir Martin Trevor hath always kept his engagements. 1 know naught against his honour." " He hath a trick of winning." Lord Delaval laughed. " Well, well, if he wins this time, Pigeon Williams is a better man than I think he is." At that moment there was a stir among the company, and a member, carrying an open book, walked to the centre of the room and raised his hand. Immediately aH eyes were turned upon him, and something like silence prevailed. Without ^preliminary he at once began to road from tho book in his hand. " To whom it may concern know ye all that a match has been made betweon Sir Martin Trevor, and my Lord Delaval, Whereas my Lord Delaval will produco a man in six weeks from date, to fight to a finish with Pigeon Williams, in a 20foot square, at Mildenhall acre, for a stake of Two Hundred Guineas a side. ' Stakeholder : " Bell's Life." Signed: Martin Trevor, Delaval." As he finished reading he clo3od the book and strode away, and everyone began talking at once. Sir Martin strolled up to Lord Delaval. " My lord, what say you to a side stake fcr a small amount ? " he said Carelossly. " 1 will wager a further two hundred," replied Delaval promptly. " 'Tis done," said Trevor, with a bow, and then he glanced at young Ulleswator. " You, Master UUeswater, hath no fancy for risking thy suBstauco in a wager," he said, and there was a gleam of mockery in his dark eyes. Tho cheeks of the young man flamed. 'v 1 know not tho men, bnt my friond's opinion is good enough for another two hundred," he said promptly. Trevor bowed, still with that mocking smile upon his Hps. " 'Tis a bet," he said. " If all is true that is said concerning my Lord Dolaval's great unknown, we shall see some sport at Mildenhall aero before you lose your money." He turned away, and was at once surrounded by his friends. It was some minutes before Geoffrey Ralston could got a word with him alone. " What's tho gamo, Trevor ! " said Ralston at length. " Methinks Williams carries quite enough of our monoy without risking further hundreds in this fashion." , The baronet laughed. " When you have staked your all and more, what matters a few more hundreds ? " he said lightly. "If the Pigeon loses, Geoffrey, wo strut no more on this stage, neither you nor 1. This affair will make or break me." " There's still time to hedge," said Ralston nervously. " Shall I " " Not a guinea ! " interposed the baronet sharply. " You still think our man will win ! " " Not a doubt of it ! " " I wish 1 was as suro." "You may bo. My dear Geoffrey, did joti over know mo to risk my all on anything but a certainty ? " Ralston gave the speaker a quick, furtive look. " But the botting T " ho said doubtfully ; " 'tis evens already. A week ago 'twas four to one on tho Pigeon. " Twill take another turn before the fight," said the baronet, still smiling. "Jipw know you that I " demanded Ralston impatiently. Sir Martin Trevor suddenly became serious, and drew the other to him. " Wo will talk moro of this anon," he said in a low voice. " 1 shall nood thy help. But (Continued on page 8.)