The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-03-21


was treated with consideration at this
hotel. Nine. Alexandra, who had been
pretty woman, was now stout, tight
ly laced, always overdressed and fond
Of wearing number of flashy gold
chains, falling in cascades over her fat
bosom. She had bright eyes and white
teeth, but, alas, red nose. OF all her
weaknesses-an heaven knows she
had INDUCED in every variety-only
one remained; she loved good dinner
with plenty of wine. She loved her
husband, and about the time M. Patri.
gent was leaving the hospital she be.
gan to be worried that her 'little man.
had not returned to dinner. She was
about to sit down without him when
the hotel boy cried out:
Here is monsieurw
"Why, how late you are, my little
man, she cried as she dropped her
knife and fork and rushed forward to
embrace him.
But he received her caresses with an
air of abstraction.
"I'm tired" he said. "I have been
the whole day playing billiards with
Evariste, NJ. FauvePs valet, and al
lowed him to win as often as he wish.
ed. l became acquainted with him
yesterday, and now 1 am his best
friend. If wish to enter M. Fauvers
| service as messenger, l can rely upon
NJ. Evariste's good word"
"What, you be an Office messenger;
You?"
"Of course would. How else am ]
to get into NJ. Fauvel's house for the
purpose Of studying my characters?"
'"Then the valet gave you no news?
Nothing that l could make use Of
and yet l turned him inside out like a
glove. This banker is a remarkable
man. Evariste says he has not a sin
gle vice, not even a little defect by
which his valet could gain 10 sous
He neither smokes, drinks nor plays
in fact, he is saint. He is worth mil
lions and lives as respectfully and
quietly as grocer. He Is devoted to
his wife, adores his children, is very
hospitable, but seldom goes into soci
| ety."
'"Then his wife is young?"
"She must be about fifty"
Nine. Alexandra reflected moment
"Did you inquire about the other
members of the family?'
certainly. The younger son is an
officer in the army. The elder son
Lucien, lives with his parents and Is
as proper as young lady,"
"And this niece Of whom you have
spoken"
"Evariste could tell me nothing
about her,"
Nine. Alexandra shrugged her shoul
Gers.
'If you have discovered nothing, II
Is because there is nothing to be dis
covered. Still do you know what
would do if were in your placer
"What"
81 would consult NJ. Lecoq."
AT the mention of this name Fanfer
lot jumped up as if he had been shot.
''That's pretty advice! Do you want
me to lose my place? NJ. Lecoq does
not suspect that l have anything to dc
with the case except to obey his or
ders."
'Who told you to let him know yor
were investigating it on your own ac
count? You can consult him with ar
air of Indifference, as if you were mo-
at all interested, and after you have
got his opinion you can take advantage
of it,"
The detective weighed his Wife,
words.
"Perhaps you are right" he said
"Yet NJ. Lecoq is so devilishly shrewG
that he might see through it ALL"
"Shrewd" echoed Nine. Alexandra
"Shrewd! All of you at the police Of
flee say that so often that you have
made his reputation"
well, will think the matter over
But in the meantime what does the lit
tie one say?"
The 'little one" was Nine. Nina Clip
sy.
In taking up her abode at the Arch
angel the poor girl thought she was
following good advice, and. as Fanfer
| AOt hhu hOI oAOW ulLlSClls SuC WAL
still under the impression that she hat
obeyed q friend of Prosper. Wher
she received her summons from M
Patrigent, she admired the wonderful
skill of the police In discovering hel
hiding place. for she had established
herself at the hotel under a false or
rather, her true name. Palmyre Choca
reille. Artfully questioned by her in
quisitive landlady, she had withou
any mistrust confded her history tt
her. Thus Fanferlot was able to pos,
before the judge as skillful detective
when he pretended to have discovered
all this information from a variety o.
sources.
"The little one is still up stairs" an
swered Nine. Alexandra. "She sus
poets nothing. But to keep her in he
present ignorance becomes daily NOR
difficult. / don't know what the judgl
told her, but she came home very an
CRY. She wanted to go and make {
fuss at M. Fauvel's. Then she wrotl
, a letter. which she told Jean to pos
for her. But kept it to show you"
"What!' interrupted Fanferlot. "Yol
have letter and did not tell me be