Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-08-27

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The three looked at him lcitl. coil. con-
demni7sy eyes.
this made my way to the rear street.
l heard searching parties after me. l
saw the Waterman sitting near the new
buildings. gave him francs for the
use Of this jacket and hat He took
the money and was about to so when
he returned to get the keys. ! kept
them to complete the illusion that I
was the real Waterman. He told me
the big brass key was to the door of
NJ. de Billions floor and that Nj. de
Bullion did not like to be disturbed.
had no idea then of disturbing NJ. de
Bullion. but the rascals who wanted
my life still hung about. and while four
of them were there | saw the watch
man returning. drunk. knew he
would betray me and hurried away. I
thought Of NJ. de Bullion. resolved to
wake him and ask his protection.
knocked on his door. but received no
answer. opened the door with the
brass key and found NJ. de Bullion
dead. Then the police came. and was
arrested"
Remarkable! A remarkable combi-
nation of circumstances" exclaimed
the project. do you not think 90.
messieursY
II could reply better If i understood
this peculiar commission you cave
him." said the ss......ri OF detectives.
"SNnar was it!'
The professional jealousy Of the chief
was aroused He smelled rat. 1t
was clear that the project had at
tempted % carry on an important case
that should properly come under his
hand.
81 simply did that to satisfy the
man." said the project. "He came to
me. as he says. with strange story OF
plot against certain prince now
visiting in Paris. did not believe
the yarn. because the prince is neither
French nor Russian and could not
have so many enemies in Paris. How
ever. I allowed him to continue the in
vestiga ton, and he was to report to
me. This ending of the affair was en-
tirely unexpected"
ITO you and to him also. imagine"
saiG the commissaire dryly.
''The question is" said the chief Of
detectives. eff he did not murder NJ.
de Bullion, who did murder him? 1t
was done for robbery, no doubt
Certainly, for robbery. Commits.
saire Perraud Of that district is maxi
ing the examination of the premises
l expect him in at any moment"
II must go there myself" said the
chief Of detectives. II have already
sent two men. but this case seems des.
tined to become celebrated. It involves
the liberty of an American. will take
charge of it myself"
SIS there anything further to be done
with this man? What do you think Of
his story?"
well, you yourself corroborate a
portion of it. But he should certainly
be held pending the investigation. And
as in all other cases, it would be wise
to examine his person now"
Buckford was ordered to take off the
leather jacket. This revealed his own
neat fitting coat. Slightly wrinkled
from the jacket.
II will see what he has in his pock-
ets." said the chief of detectives.
A few letters were brought to light
and turned over to the project. His
watch and chain were scrutinized.
They were not particularly valuable.
A pocketknife, small bunch Of keys.
a handkerchief, a fountain pen and
some loose change followed.
"Well, yoa don't carry all your mon
ey in one pocket, then" said the de-
tective as he brought out the pocket
book that the conspirator had given
Buckford the previous day.
'"That pocketbook was given to mo
by the man 1 met at NJ. jacques"
The detective said nothing, but took
the pocketbook to a table and turned
out its contents.
dere ls pretty sum OF money
us francs" he said. "And here are
some more papers-what-what is this?
Ha, messieurs, we have the murderer
Of M. de Bullion!'
The commissaire and the project
sprang to their feet.
"See this!' exclaimed the chief Of de-
tectives. handing them two folded pa
pers. They opened them. They were
receipted bills. They bore the name
Of Alphonse de Bullion.
''Well, 80 instead Of being interested
In defeating crime. you commit it!'
said the project. "Now believe your
story was hoax all the way through.
Remove this man to the depot The