The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-10-01
III.

which was slightly relieved by n crum-
pied collar, followed him. The banker,
scarcely bowling to him, said:
"Doubtless, monsieur, you have been
apprised Of the painful circumstance
which compels me to have ecourse to
your asslstanceT'
ut is about a robbery, 1 believe"
Eyes; an Infamous and mysterious
robbery committed In this office, from
the safe you see open there, of which
my cashier'-he pointed to Prosper
alone possesses the key and the
word"
This declaration seemed to arouse
the unfortunate cashier from his stu
Dor.
"Pardon me. monsieur" he said to
the conimissary in a low tone. "My
chief also has the word and the key"
II should have said So"
The commlssary at once understood
that these two men accused each other.
Well" he said. "a robbery has been
| psrpetrated. but by whom? Did the
robber enter from Without"
The banker hesitated a moment.
II think not" he said at last.
"And I am certain he did not" said
Prosper.
The commissary was prepared for
those answers. but It did not suit his
purpose to follow them up immediate.
ly.
However," said he, 1--WE must make
ourselves sure Of IT," Turning toward
his companion. IN. Fanferlot," he said,
'go and see II you cannot discover
somo traces that may have escaped
the attention Of these gentlemen"
NJ. Fanferlot, nicknamed 1.-THE SOUR
rel" was indebted to his prodigious
agility for this title, Of which he was
not a little proud. Slim and insignif.
can't In appearance. he might, in spite
OF his iron muscles, be taken for a bail
iTs under clerk as he walked along
buttoned up to tho chin in his thin
black overcoat. He had one Of those
faces that impress us disagreeably-an
| odiously turned up nose, thin lips and
little restless black eyes. Tanferlot,
who had been on the police force fol
I've years, burned to distinguish him.
self, to make for himself a name. He
was ambitious. Alas, he was unsuc.
cessful, lacking opportunity or genius
Already, before the commissary spoke
to him, he had ferreted everywhere
studied the doors, sounded the partl.
tions. examined the wicket and stirred
up the ashes in tho fireplace.
ut would BIO very difficult" said he,
"for a stranger to enter here"
BE walked around the Office.
"Is this door closed at night7" he In
quirsd. n.y. if..H
"Tt ig always locked" ~"
"And who keeps the keyT
1.-THE office boy, to whom I always
give It In charge before leaving the
bank" said Prosper.
"This boy" said NJ. Fauvel, Sleeps
IN the outer room on a sofa bedstead
which he unfolds at night and folds III
In the morning"
"Is he hereT inquired the commits
sary.
"Yes, MONSIEUR" answered the bank
er. seq
He opened the door and called:
"Anselmel"
This boy had been n confidential serv
ant OF N. Fauvel for ten years. III
knew that he would not be suspected
but the idea OF being connected with q
robbery is terrible, and he entered the
Don trembling like a leaf.
"Did you sleep in the next room las
night?" asked the commissary Of po
Hoe.
Eyes, monsieur; as usual"
"At what hour did you go to bed2"
"About half past 10. I had spent The
evening al q cafe near by with mon
Gieurs valet"
ibid you hear no noise during The
nightT
mo. and still I sleep so lightly thai
K monsieur comes down to the cash
room when I am asleep / anu instantly
awakened by the sound OF his foot
steps"
docs NJ. Fauvel often come to the
caShroom at nightf"
mo. monsieur; very seldom"
ibid he come last nightT'
"No, monsieur; I am very certain he
did not, for I was kept awake nearly
all night by the strong coffee L had
drunk with the valet"
THAT will do" sG'd the commissary
"You may retire."
When Anselme had left the room
Fanferlot resumed his search.
He opened the door Of the bankers
private staircase.
where do these stairs lead tor" he
asked.
ITO my private Office" replied NJ
Fauvel.
us not that the ROOM" asked the
eommissary, ITO which / was conduct.
cd when I first Gamer
Precisely"
II would like to see It," said Fanfer.
lot, "and examine the entrances to IT.
Nothing is more easy" said M. Eau.
vel eagerly. Come, gentlemen, and
you come, too, Prosper"
NJ. Fauvei's private office consisted OF
two fooms-the waiting room, sumptu.
ously decorated, and the study, where
he transacted business. The furniture
In this room was composed of q large
Office desk, several leather covered
chairs and on either side of the fire.
place a secretary and n bookshelf,
These two rooms had three doors.
One opened on the private stairway,
another Into the bankers bedroom, and
the third into the main yestibule. 1t
was through this last door that the
bonker's clients and visitors were adj
mitted. M. Fanferlot examined the
study. He seemed puzzled like n man
who had battered himself with the
hope Of discovering something and had
found nothing.