He conducted Madame Villebois, with great reluctance on her part, to a spot where she could see the pigeon club. A number of members of the club attired in the very latest and most approved costumes were watching a couple of sportsmen alternately firing at some pigeons which were being liberated from a row of traps. "These are your suicides, madame," said the professor, smiling. An elegantly dressed young lady, obviously belonging to the demi-monde world, walked up to one of the sportsmen. "Well, monsieur, it is a surprise to see you here. I suppose you have come here for the pigeon match?" "That is so, I am here for the shooting. And what are you here for?" "Me? Oh! I am here for the pigeons." The young man looked amused, and offering her his arm they strolled together into the club. Delapine and his party retraced their steps along the terrace to the Casino. As they approached they heard the strains of a fine band playing near at hand. "Come let us listen, there is nothing to pay, for everything is free at Monte Carlo." "Look! Here are Charley and Ridgeway," said Beaupaire to Violette. "How do you do," said Charley, taking off his hat to Violette and her father. "I suppose you are going into the Casino?" "Yes, we are going there directly," said the professor, who overheard what had just been said. "May we accompany you?" asked the two Englishmen. "Certainly, by all means," replied Delapine, "but I would advise you not to play unless you can afford to lose." "But we can afford to lose." "Then you have no need to play," replied Delapine, smiling. Charley and Ridgeway said nothing, but looked at each other and laughed. Before them towered the Casino. They saw a large profusely decorated monstrosity, erected regardless of expense, which was surmounted at each end by a lofty tower. The building gave one the impression that it had been built under the direction of some millionaire pork-packer hailing from Chicago, rather than by the great architect of the famous Opera House in Paris. The party ascended the steps, and Delapine procured the tickets of admission after a few formalities had been gone through. "Now let us watch the fools lose their money," said Delapine as they entered the Salon du Jeu. Renée and Céleste opened their eyes wide as they entered the huge gilded salon. "If it were not for the double row of people standing round those seated at the tables, it might be an examination hall!" said Marcel. A row of ladies and gentlemen occupied every side of the dozen or more green-covered tables, all intently gazing at a little ball as it hopped about the wheel which revolved at the bottom of a large metal basin. The party looked from one table to another. They were all replicas of the first, although the phase of the game was different. Here the people gathered around were busy placing coins on one or other of the numerous squares marked out on the green cloth.