Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-02-27


against the banker. You spied upon
him. You became intimate with his
valet"
Was NJ. Lecoq really angry? Fam
ferlot, who knew him well. was in
doubt. lie did not know what TO think
of this devil of man.
'If you were only skillful," he con.
tinued. "But, no; you wish to be II
master. and you are not fit to be n
journcyman."
you are right" said Fanferlot pitc-
ously, seeing that it was useless TO do
ny anything. But how get on with an
affair like this, where there was not
NJ. Lecoq shrugged his shoulders.
Poor fellow, why, don't you know
that on the very day you were sent for
with the commissary to verify the rob
berry you heidi do not say certainly,
but very probably held-in your great
stupid hands the means of knowing
whether the key of the cashier or the
banker had been used when the rob-
berry was committed?'
What do you mcnnp
you want to know? | will tell you.
DO you remember the scratch you dis
covered on the safe door? You were
so struck by it that you exclaimed ut
seeing il. You carefully examined il
and were convinced that it was a
fresh scratch. You thought. and right
~. too that this scratch was made at
the time of the robbery. Now. with
what was it made: Evidently with n
key. That being tho case, you should
have demanded the keys both Of the
banker and the cashier. One of thcm
would have had some particles Of the
hard green paint sticking to it,
Fanferlot listened with open mouth
to this explanation. At the last words
he violently slapped his forehead with
his hand and cried out:
"Imbccilew
"You have spoken correctly" said NJ.
LecCq. "lmbecile! This proof is be-
fore your eyes, and you do not see il,
find the guilty party. it Will be by
means of this scratch. and | am deter
mined that | will find him.
At distance Fanferlot was very
brave. but in NJ. Lecoq's presence he
yielded to the influence which this OK
traordinary man exercised upon al
who approached him. This exact in.
formation, these minute details Of all his
secret movements and even thoughts
unset him. How had NJ. LecoQ obtain
cd them?
"Iave you been long looking up thi'
casc:' lie asked.
"Probably. But am not infallhl'
and may have overlooked some impor
tant evidence. Take a seat and tell III
all you know
one could not deceive NJ. Lccoq, 5,
Fanfcrlot told the exact truth, a rar
thing for him to do. However. as h
reached the end of his statement feel
ing of mortified vanity prevented hi
telling how he had been fooled by Clip
sy and the stout man.
at seems 10 me, Master Squirrel, tina
YOU have forgotten something. HOY
far did you follow the empty coach:'
/ Fanferlot despite his assurance blush
cd and hung his head.
oh" he stammcred, "you know
about that? How did you
But a sudden idea entered his brain
He stopped short, bounded off his chat
and cried
ION. | know! You were the larg
man with red whskerS."
Fanforlot's surprise gave SO singula
an expression to his face that NJ. Lcco'
could not restrain smile.
Then it was YOU" continued the be
wildcred detective. you are the larC
gentleman mt whom stared so as 1
/ impress his appearance upon my mind
and | never recognized YOU! What Al
actor YOU would make if You would =
on the stage, But was disguised, To-
very well disguised
VERY poorly disguised. It is onl
Just to you that | should tell You :,
DO you think that heavy beard and
blouse are unrccoguizahlc: The eye
the eye. The art lies in being able L
change the eye. That is the secret
This explained why the lynx eye,
I.ecoq never appeared at the police OF
fice without his gold spectacIes.
But" said Fanferlot, following II
his idea, You have made the little gil
confess, which Nine. Alexandra coul
not do? You know why she leaves tn
Archangel. why she does not wait fo
NJ. de Clameran and why she bough
calico dresses
"She is following my advice
"ln that case" snid the detective do
tectedly. there is nothing left for N
to do but to acknowledge myself a
ass
mo Squirrel" said NJ. Lecoq kindly
"you are not an ass. You merely dl
wrong in undertaking a task beyon
your capacity. Have you progresse
one step since you started in this al
fair? No. That shows that. althoug
you are incompatible as 4 licutenan
you do not possess the qualities OF
general. am going 70 present yo
with an aphorism. Remember 1t an
let 1t be your guide in the future-'On
may shine in the second rank VIII
would be totally eclipsed in the first
Never had Fanferlot seen his patro
so taliative and good natured. Fine
ing his deceit discovered, he had Ell
pected TO be overwhelmed with
storm, whereas he had escaped with
little shower that had cooled his brair
Lecoqs anger disappeared like on