The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1890-02-21


chair. "What is there news"
aNothing, nothing whatever. Things could
not change much from one day to another,
unfortunately. If we could only manage to
pay our bills and workmen the rest would DO
easy in spite of the difficulty which that I'M
expected payment causes u.s."
eyes," said Roger; Sit would give us time"
"Have you tried everywherep
Everywhere, and with the same result.
Bad news travels quick"
$50 there is no hopes" said Jean, with
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.
aWcIl, Jean, it docs me good to see that you
take this SO much to heart but think we are
saved ] havo the money"
"Thc $4,000 francss"
~ have. Here they are" and from his
pocketbook Roger proceeded to count out the
sum named. Jean took the notes and counted
them with beaming face. Roger continued:
yesterday morning fortunate and unhoped
for event enabled me to give you 100000
francs. Last night, in despair, went to
gaming house and tried my fortune, and God
knows how it happened, for know nothing
of cards. l won $4,000 francs, which you
have here This, with what you have, will
meet all our obligations to tho last SOU"
~ am glad indeed" said Jean Guerrier as
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 cigar and
smoked with an dir of content, his eyes row.
ing slowly around him on the different parts
of the building, which was nearly all visible
to him, as his Office was in an L. The noise
of the hammers and files was music in his
ears, and the designs that wero 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 60
ing to say goodby to the labor and dream of
my life! 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
SEQ NJ Laroque instantly"
"Well, what of it," 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
guse. know them both, the spies!"
The cashier raised his head this time and
shivered lightly.
"What does that meana Well, go and tell
M. 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 M. 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 / 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, II have brought with me an
expert in bookkeeping, and neg you will
give him your books"
Laroque drew himself up, and said. angrily:
"My books? And by what right, if you
please?'
1.-THE right which the law imposes upon me.
/ also desire that you give your cashier orders
to facilitate the labors of the expert in every
manner"
"And if l refuses"
II shall do SO without your consent"
Laroque made heroic effort to contain his
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 power?'
"What l want is, first, the list of all the
notes, bills or securities which you used to
pay Larouette. You know that he was
robbed and murdered the day you made him
this payment"
at is my duty to enlghten you on this
point and you can tell your expert to go to
my cashier, NJ. GueiTier, who will give him
all the details. But allow me to say that if
you had shown little moro courtesy you
would have received more in return"
III. Lienard remained silent and cold.
Roger stepped to the cashiers desk and said
n few words to Jean, and then returned,
leaving M. Ricorlot, 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. Sc
curities OF 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 i have an indication which
may be of value. Among the 1000 franc
notes there were twenty or thirty which we
received from the country by registered let
ter. Here are the letters, and they contain
tho numbers and letters on the notes which
were inclosed. Perhaps that will be OF SER
vice"
M. Lienard stood near the door listening to
this conversation.
And, besides, accident also caused 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 q
dozen of them, all in nearly the same place,
on the right"
THAT is precious" murmured Lienard.
The books prove oil 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 tie
last hour, and had held q whispered con-
versation with M. Lienard, the latter said to
Laroque: