The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-01-24

written out and sent in to the head of the
police department of the governmental
theory that Leroi by dnt of patient toll had
evolved some time later. To Louvait it had
come as an inspiration. But whatever the
manner in which it arrived, conviction re-
manned with both Each knew that he pos
sessed the right clue, and an angel from
Heaven could not have persuaded him to the
contrary.
A steamer was to sail from Havre the
very next day. Louvait resolved to risk all
and to take passage upon her, His assistant
was given sole charge Of affairs during his
masters absence.
Louvait went to the steamship agent, and
was about to enter fictitious name upon
the passenger list when his attention was
attracted by the previous name-"Jacques
Larue.n He instantly recognized the hand
writing, disguised as it was. 1t was the
alias Of his rival, Jean Leroi, who, in thus
getting ahead of him, had "bitten off his
own nOse.h
Louvait looked up rehectively, apparently
debating the pros and cons of some question
in his mind, butin reality carefully scanning
all the passengers.
Not twenty feet from him stood a TALL
muscular individual observing him in an
apparently nonchalant manner He was
smoking a cigarette and carelessly leaning
against pile of baggage, Louvait instant
1y recognized Leroi in an exceedingly clever
disguise. He saw, too, that the latter had
penetrated his own disguise. CHANGING back
at the sheet of paper before him, he reflect
ed, but only for moment.
A steamer of the White Star line was ad-
vertsed to leave Liverpool late the follow
ing afternoon. She was known as one Of
the fleetest Of Atlantic boats, and, even if a
day later in her start, would undoubtedly
overtake and pass the French vessel.
Laying the pen down, he asked in voice
lowered apparently that none should hear
him, yet so distinct that the keen ear of Lee
roi could not fail to catch it:
"When does your noXt steamer go9"
''Next Saturday,
al will go then, instead of to-day. Here is
the money for my passage"
Forthwith he proceeded to register his
name in the list of Saturdays passen-
gers.
With an absolutely expressionless face,
and softly whistling to himself, he went out,
casting a seemingly careless glance at Lee
roi That individual was deceived and could
scarcely restrain look of triumph.
An hour later the steamer sailed, and the
deceived I.eroi had the satisfaction Of see.
ing his great rival, Jean Louvait, left be.
hind upon the docll5-just as that guileless
creature took good care that he should.
Now for Liverpool! Just twenty six
hours behind the Vile dc Brest the Ger
manic steamed out of Liverpool harbor with
Monsieur Jean Louvait among her passen.
gers.
While these events had been going on
Mr. Ncbbitt was on the alert. Contrary tC
his expectations, Fairfax had actually alb
Quoted the Princess. Now that his young
friend had been so successful in the be.
ginning of his hsir-brained scheme, he was
anxious that tho denouemcnt should be fully
las successful Furthermore, his own un
Furnished reputation was at stake.
He knew well that both Louvait and Lero
suspected him of completely in the affair
both men had been imprudent enough tC
Visit him in their official capacity with re
Igard to the matter. And he knew them to be
linen of immense resources, energy and dis
Termination, and, accordingly, he took care
Ito post himself as much as possible upon
their doings.
Latterly they had both been unusually
Iquiet Ncbbtt suspected mischief
One morning he carac across a paragraph
in a London paper nearly eight days old. Il
Twas the item from the pen of the American
correspondent He read it, and knew i'm
imediately what it meant 1t meant that lie
lroi and Louvait were already on their way
Ito America.
Putting himself in instant communication
with the police authorities at st. MalO and a
list BrieuZ, he learned from the former that
lI.orvait was ''ahsent, and might not be bacl
lfor weeks" From st. Brieux came a siIni
lar response as regards LeroL