The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-05-16
expected payment causes u.s.

Yes, SAID Roger III would give US time"
slave you tried everywhere
"Everywhers, and with the same result
Bad news travels quick"
$50 there is no hopei" said Jean, with Q
heavy sigh; for he really loved and honored
his employer, and would willingly have given
treble the necessary sum had it been in his
power.
"Well, Jean, it does me good to see that you
take this SO much to heart, but 1 think we are
saved. I have the money"
"Tho sc, 900 francsr
II have. Here they are" and from his
pocketbook Roger proceeded to count out.the
sum named. Jean took the notes and counted
them with a beaming face. Roger continues:
yesterday morning a fortunate and unhoped
for event enabled me to give you 1O0, 600
francs. Last night, in despair, I went to
gaming house and tried my fortune, and God
knows how it happened, for 1 know nothing
of cards. I won $1,000 francs, which you
have here. This, with what you have, win
meet all cur obligations to the last Sou"
II am glad indeed" said Jean Guerrier a
he gathered up the money and went back to
his books, where he entered it, and then
busted himself making up the pay roll for
the workmen, while Roger Lit a cigar and
smoked with an air of content, his eyes rov.
ing slowly around him on the different parts
of the building, which was nearly all visible
to hin, as his Office was in an L. The noise
Of the hammers and lies was muse III 1ls
ears, and the designs that were tackled up
against his walls were dearer to him than
priceless paintings. "And to think that was
on the point Of leaving all this; that was GO
ing to say goodby to the labor and dream Of
my lifel Well, it is over now, and I will think
no more of it."
When Jean had finished the pay roll he
called the three foremen of the workshops
and handed them the money for paying the
workmen and then made up the payments for
the employees Of the office, but was inter-
rupted in this by the entrance of the Office
boy, who came up to him with a frightened
air.
an. Guerrier, there are four men who have
Just entered the waiting room and want to
see N. Laroque instantly"
"Well, what OF it2" answered he, with his
eyes still bent upon his work.
"Why, one of them is Mr.. Lienard, the
commissionaire Of police of the judiciary
court, and two detectives, who are in dis
guise. know them both, the spiesl"
The cashier raised his head this time and
shivered lightly.
"What does that meant Well. go and tell
II. Laroque and bring them in"
At the announcement of this visit Laroque
was somewhat astonished. He had forgotten
completely all about the murder of Larouette
and his visit to N. Lacroix this morning. He
remembered suddenly, and made a sign that
the boy should bring M. Lienard. He rose
and went forward to meet the officer and
saluted him:
II know the object of your visit, sir, and
thank you for the trouble you have taken.
But l should have gone willingly to your
Office if you had sent me word"
Monsieur" said the commissioner, who
would not sit down in spite of the invitation
Of Laroque, 81 have brought with me an
expert in bookkeeping, and oeg you win
give him your books"
Laroque drew himself up, and said, angrily,
my books? And by what right, if you
please"
"The right which the law imposes upon ma.
also desire that you give your cashier orders
to facilitate the labors Of the expert in every
Manner
"And If I refuse?"
u shall do SO without your consent"
Laroque made heroic effort to contain biz
anger. His face, usually SO fresh and ruddy,
took an ashy pallor, and his eyes glittered
with suppressed anger. Finally he controlled
himself enough to speak.
What do you want, sir, and why this
abuse of powerr'
"What I want is, first, the list of all the
notes, bills or securities which you used to
pay Larouette. You know that - was
robbed and murdered the day you made him
this payment"
at is my duty to enlighten you on this
point and you can tell your expert to go to
my cashier, M. Guerrier, who will give him
all the details. But allow me to say that II
you had shown little more courtesy you
would have received mere in return"
M. Lienard remained silent and cold.
Roger stepped to the cashiers desk and said
a few words to Jean, and then returned,
leaving NJ. Ricordot, the expert, to ex-
anime the books, which he proceeded to do,
saying:
"The law wishes to know in what consisted
the payment made to M. Larouette-gold, &C.
curities or bank notes."
Nothing is easier. You see, three days
ago there was nothing but gold and notes; no
check or securities. AS this payment was
made in gold and notes, it will not be easy to
trace them, but have an indication which
may be of value. Among the 1000 trans
notes there were twenty or thirty which we
received from the country by registered let
ter. Here are the letters, and they contain
the numbers and letters on the notes which
were inclosed. Perhaps that will he of ser.
vice"
M. Lienard stood near The door listening to
this conversation.
And, besides, accident also caused a par.
ticular mark on some of the notes. As was
counting bundle of notes, an employee acct.
dentally upset my ink and it stained ten or a
dozen of them, all in nearly the same place.
on the right"
THAT is precious" murmured Lienard.
THE books prove all this young man says"
said Ricordot, discontentedly. "Now show
Us those of to-day"
Finally, after Ricordot had examined the
entries of the preceding day and that Of the
last hour, and had held whispered con-
versation with III. Lienard, the latter said to
Laroque:
"Ricordot has examined your books He
secs, what we knew, that your affairs are in
very bad condition, and that day before
yesterday, yesterday even, you could count
upon nothing but hazard to save you from
your embarrassment"
THAT is true, sir" said Laroque, sadly II
just missed bankruptcy, but to-day am safe.s
"Ricordot noticed on your books that
yesterday you received an important sum-
one hundred thousand francs-and to-day
another entry of $1,000 francs, both paid IN
by you, without any indication from whencs
they came"
"That also is quite true. But what is your
object in this inquiryp
IN. Laroque, viii you answer frankly and
without hesitation some questions am about
to ask your
you can count upon my frankness," said
Roger with noble simplicity. II never lied
in my life"