DUNCOMBE'S "HOLD-UP" The amber wine fell in a little wavering stream from his upraised glass on to the table-cloth below.

He leaned back in his chair and gazed at his three guests with a fatuous smile.

The girl in blue, with the dazzlingly fair hair and wonderful complexion, steadied his hand and exchanged a meaning look with the man who sat opposite.

Surely the poor fool was ready for the plucking?
But Madame, who sat beside her, frowned upon them both.

She had seen things which had puzzled her.