Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-22

We accordingly assembled the stairs
to the room above, where we select
ed our table and sat down. My com
panion was witty little man with
half the languages of Europe on his
tongue, and knowledge of all the
tricks and lodges of all the criminal
fraternity at his finger-ends. He has
since written book on his expert
ences, and stranger volume, or one
more replete with a knowledge of the
darker side of human nature it would
be difficult to find. He had COM
menced his professional career as a
doctor, and like myself had gradual
ly drifted into the detective profess
sion. Among other things he was an
inimitable hand at Disgusting him
self, as many wretched criminal
now knows to his cost. Even I, who
know him so well, have been taken
in by him. I have given aims to
blind beggar in the streets, have en-
countered him as a chiffonier prowl-
ing about the cutters, have sat next
to him on an omnibus when he has
been clothed as an artisan in a blue
blouse, and on not one of those occa-
sions have 1 ever recognized him IN
til he made himself known to me.
Among other things he was q decid-
ed epscure, and loved a good dinner
as well as any of his compatriots.
Could you but see him with his nap
kin tucked under his chin, his little
twinkling eyes sparkling with mirth,
and his face wreathed in smiles, you
would declare him to be one of the
jolliest-loo<ing individuals you have
ever encountered. See him, however,
when he is on business and has a
knotty problem to solve, and you
will find a different man. The mouth
has become one of iron, the eyes are
as fierce as fierce can be. Some one,
l remember, likened him to the great
Napoleon, and the description is an
exceedingly apt one.
'By the way" I said, as we took
peep into our second bottle of Per-
rier-Jouet, there is a question l
want to put to you. Do you happen
to be acquainted with a certain Nine.
Beaumarais?"
81 have known her for more wears
than she or I would care to remem-
ber," he answered. For a woman
who has led the life she has, she
wears uncommonly well. A beauti-
full creature! The very finest shout
ders in all Paris, and that is saying
something"
He blew kiss off the tips of his
fingers, and raised his glass in her
honor.
81 drink to her in this noble wine,
but do not let her touch my money.
Oh, no, la belle Louise is a clever
woman, very clever woman, but
money trickles through her fingers
like water through sieve. Let me
think for moment. She ruined
Marquis Dismal, the Vicomte Cot
foret, M. D'Armier and many others
whose names | cannot now recall
The first is with our noble troops in
Cochin China, the second is in AL
geria, and the third 1 know not
where, and now l have learnt since
my arrival in Paris that she has got
hold of young Englishman, who is
vastly wealthy. She will have all he
has got very soon, and then he will
begin the world anew. You are in
terested in that . Englishman, of
course?"
How do you know that?"
Because you question me about
Nine. Beaumarais," he answered. "a
good many people have asked me
about her at different times, but it is
always the man they want to get
hold of. You, my astute Fairfax, are
interested in the man, not because
you want to save him from her, but
because he has done a little some
thing which he should not have done.
elsewhere. The money he is lavish
ing on Nine. Louise, whence does it
come? Should | be very wrong if /
suggested gems?"
| gave start of surprise. How on
earth did he guess this?
Yes! | see I'm right" he an
swered with little laugh. "Wen. !
knew it a long time ago. All, you
are astonished! You should surely
never allow yourself to be surprised
by anything. Now I will tell you
how | came to know about the gems.
Some time ago certain well-known
lady of this city lost her iewel-case
in mysterious manner. The affair
was placed in my hands, and when
| had exhausted Paris, l went to
Amsterdam, en- route if necessary for
London. You know our old friends,
Levenstein and Schartzer?"
| nodded. l had had dealings with
that firm on many occasions.
well as l went into their office, |
saw the gentleman who has been
paying attention to the lady we have
been discussing, come out. l have an
excellent memory for faces, and
when | saw him tonight entering
the Cafe des Ambassadors, l recog-
nized him Immediately. Thus the
mystery is explained"
He shrugged his shoulders and
spread his hands apart, like con-
jurer who has just vanished a rabbit
or an orange.