The Iola register., 1902-04-11

Fanferlot obeyed, and the key held
by M. Lecoq pulled aside from the
lock, slipped along the door, making an
exact reproduction Of the scratch in
the photograph.
"Oh, oh. ohw exclaimed Fanferlot In
three different tones as he stood star
ing at the door.
"Do you begin to understand nowT
asked NJ. Lccoq.
understand! Why, a child could
understand it now. All, what man
you are, | see the scene as If | had
been present. Two persons were at the
safe. one wished to take the money;
the other wished to prevent its being
taken. That is certain"
Accustomed to triumphs of this sort,
NJ. Lecoq was much amused at Fan
ferlOt's enthusiasm.
"There you go off half cooked again."
he said good humoredly. You regard
as sure proof circumstance which
may be accidental and at the most
only probable"
mo, a man like you could not be
mistaken. There is no doubt about it."
THAT being the case, what deduc-
tions would you draw from our discov-
ery?"
an the first place, 1t proves the
cashier innocent"
"How sop
Because, at perfect liberty to open
| the safe whenever he wished to do so,
he would not have brought witness
/ when he intended to commit the theft"
"Well reasoned. But on this suppo-
sition the banker would also be inno-
cent. Think"
Fanferlot reflected, and all of his
animation vanished.
at is So" he said in n despairlng
tone. "What can be done now?'
"Find the third rogue, or, rather, the
real rogue-the one who opened the
safe and stole the notes and who is
still at large while others are suspect
ed"
"Impossible! NJ. Fauvel and his
cashier only had keys and they al
ways kept them on their persons"
Pardon me- On the evening OF the
robbery the banker left his key in the
secretary"
Eyes, but the key alone was not suf-
ficient to open the safe. The word also
was necessary"
NJ Lecoq shrugged his shoulders i'm
patiently,
"What was the wordT' he asked.
"Gipsy."
(Which is the name of the cashiers
! Ioxy Ind
ficiently intimate with Prosper to be
aware of all the circumstances con-
nected with this name, and Mt the
same time on footing with the Fau-
vel family which would give him the
privilege Of entering NJ. Fauvers
chamber then you will discover the
real thief; then the problem will be
solved"
Egotistical, like all great artists, M.
Lecoq had never had pupil and never
wished to have one. He hated assist
ants, wishing to share neither the
pleasure of success nor the pain of de-
feat. Thus Fanferlot, who knew his
patrons character, was surprised to
hear him giving advice who heretofore
had only given orders.
"Chief," he ventured to say, "you
seem to take great personal interest
In this affair-you have so deeply stud
led it."
NJ. Lecoq started nervously and re-
piled, frowning
Don't be too curious, Master SPUR
rel Be careful that you do not go too
far. Do you understandT
Fanferlot began to apologize.
"That will do" interrupted M. Le-
COG. "If choose to lend you help
ing hand, it is because it suits me to
do so. 1t pleases me to be the head
while you are the limbs, Unassisted,
with your preconceived ideas, you
would never have found the culprit,
If we two don't find him, my name is
not Lecoq."
"We shall certainly succeed since
you are interested in the case"
"Yes, | am interested in it, and dur
ing the last four days / have discover
ed many important facts. But have