Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1902-07-31
My Strangest Case
BY GUY BOOTHBY.
Author of "Dr. Kikola," "The Beautiful
White Devil" Pharos, Tho
Egyptian" Etc.
copyrighted. 1901, by Ward, Lock & Col
CHAPTER X.-CoNTINUED.

''I shall be grateful to you all my
life for the service you have rendered
me-" replied. "But how did you man
age to gain admittance to this house?"
cit was quite easy; the birds had
fiown," he answered. Has the sus-
picion not struck you that they were
going to clear out and leave you there
TO starve?"
"The brutes," answered. But I'll
be even with their leader yet. And now
let us get away from here as quickly as
possible. Have you any idea where our
man has gomez"
''To Naples" Lepallard replied. 81
disguised myself as a pompous old
bourgeois, and | was behind him when
he asked for his ticket and distinctly
heard what he said"
''tThen | shall go after him at once"
replied. He will in all probability
be off his guard. He will imagine me to
he still locked up in this room, you
,4ee"
And l shall accompany you, if you
will permit me-" said Leglosse.
"But why?" | asked in surprise
'<What have you got to do with him ?
You have no case against him, and
you cannot spare the time to do it
simply out of kindness to me-"
ITS not kindness, it's business, my
friend" he replied. you may not be-
Iieve it, but | have a warrant for your
mans arrest"
@'On what charger"
>'On a charge of being concerned in
d big embezzlement in Cochin China"
he answered. 1--WE laid the other two
men by the heels at the time, but the
Englishman, who was the prime mover
in it, we have never been able to lay
our hands upon. | felt certain that
day when | met him in Amsterdam
that l had seen him somewhere be-
fore. Ever since then ! have been puz-
cling my brains to discover where it
was, and why it was so familiar to
me y photograph was eventually sent
us of the Englishman by the colonial
authorities, but in that photograph
he, the person | suspect, wears a
beard and heavy mustache. 1t is the
same man, however, and the descrip-
ton, even to the mark upon the face,
exactly tallies with Hayle. Now /
think | can help you to obtain rather
unique revenge upon the man, that
is to say, if you want it. From what
you have so far told me, | understand
that you have no evidence against him
strong enough to justify the issue of
Il warrant. Well, | have that evidence,
and between us you may be sure we'll
bring him back to Paris"
This was delightful hearing after all
LOFT
rate l greeted the prospect of Le-
gtosse's cooperation with acclamation.
Ii would be hard if between us we
could not find Hayle and bring him to
the justice he so richly deserved.
"Now, let us get out of this" said.
"I must obtain something to eat if
L perish in the attempt. / am nigh
starving. A basin of soup, a roll and
cup of coffee are all that / have had
to-day"
you shall dine at once" he an
@swered, "and here. There is an excel
lent little restaurant further down
the street, and one of my men shall
go there and tell them to bring you
up a meal. After that you shall go
home and change your costume, and
done about the travelling"
This programme was carried out to
the letter. We made a good meal, at
least | knew that | did, and when it
was eaten, cab was procured, and in
company with LeglOsse l said good-by
10 the house in which / had spent so
short a time, yet in which / had been
SO miserable.
"I shall never know how to repay
you for your Kindness" | said to my
companion as we drove down the
street. Had it not been for you and
your men | should now be starving in
that wretched place. I'll certainly for
give Hayle if he is ever successful
enough to take me in again by one of
his rascally tricks"
you must not let him do that" re-
turned the FTenchman, shaking his
head. Our regulations are at stake"
When l reached my own apartments
the concierge was much relieved to see
me She had been told that | was
dead, perhaps murdered, and Le-
,glosse's visit to find me had not helped
to rcassure her. A packet of letters
and kilograms were handed to me,
which carried up to my room to read
them while | was changing my attire.
Never before had been so glad to get
out Of dress suit.
I had just finished my toilette and
vas in the act of commencing the pack
ing of the bag ! intended taking with
'nds, when there Was d tap al the door.