Perhaps forty kings of the Upper and Lower Countries were on the
floor, each deeming himself hot on the trail and sturdily backing
his judgment with the yellow dust of the realm. An assistant was
sent to the man at the scales, upon whom had fallen the burden of
weighing up the sacks, while several of the gamblers, with the
rules of chance at their finger-ends, made up alluring books on
the field and favorites.
Which was Freda? Time and again the 'Greek Dancer' was thought to
have been discovered, but each discovery brought panic to the
betting ring and a frantic registering of new wagers by those who
wished to hedge. Malemute Kid took an interest in the hunt, his
advent being hailed uproariously by the revelers, who knew him to
a man. The Kid had a good eye for the trick of a step, and ear
for the lilt of a voice, and his private choice was a marvelous
creature who scintillated as the 'Aurora Borealis.' But the Greek
dancer was too subtle for even his penetration. The majority of
the gold-hunters seemed to have centered their verdict on the
'Russian Princess,' who was the most graceful in the room, and
hence could be no other than Freda Moloof.
During a quadrille a roar of satisfaction went up.
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