The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-02-23

can not be cleaned, and knew that If the
man behind that mask smoked but one
Of them 1t would serve at least to tden-
tify the mask later, which under the cir
cumstances was most desirable. My VIC
tim fell readily into the plot, and as he
smoked and chatted atfably. away, was
pleased to note the slight discoloration of
the steel lips by means of which should
be able irrefutably to establish the iden-
tity Of the apparatus, If 1t ever became
necessary. At the end Of half hour.
during which we talked of many things
and in the course Of which I sold my Wis
itor a complete set of my works, he rose
UP to go.
Now, said T. as he started Don't
forget. For a few days I shall myself
impersonate you. To enable me to do
this, pray be good enough to send me the
necessary disguise. LIE Coq's mask will
do as well as another
You shall have it," he said shaking
inwardly, thought, with laughter, and
took his departure. I closed my door and
listened to his retreating footsteps, and
then short time later saw him emerge
into the street, accompanied by no less a
parsonage than Mazarin, both of them
seemingly exploding with mirth. There
was some great game afloat-that was
clear. But they reckoned without their
victim. r.,
That afternoon the mask arrived from
the office of lie Goa. Hawkshaw & Sleuth
! inspected it closely. and knew that L
had my man. The lips bore the prisuatic
discoloration-so l was at once able to
see the plot that had been laid to accom- :
pish my ruin. lie Coo was merely going
to get me to Identify the Man in the Iron
Mask some distinguished prisoner Of
the Bastile. and then, by removing the
mask. reveal only himself. thus making
fool of me and a hero of lie Coz. Had
this been DONE I should have instantly
become an object of dersion. But he was
foiled. Two days later I returned the
mask to its owner. and prepared for a
second call. I had not long to wait. With
in twenty four hours my visitor was at my
door again.
"Well?" said he.
Very well,' said I. I've spotted you.
know who you are perfectly WE'LL.
My benefactor!'' he cried. falling upon
his knees and imprinting cold, steelly
kiss upon my hand. Reveal it-reVeal
my identity, so long a mystery
That the trick was a great one was
at this point shown by the sudden open
ing Of my door, and the entrance OF a
dozen prominent members of the stygian
club come to witness the results OF LIE
Coos Jest. I greeted them pleasantly.
"One moment, sir I observed, quietly
as the others filed in. You have for
gotten one little formality My-er-m5
retainer. One thousand dollars, please
member of the visiting party. Its
worth the money to show him up
The money was counted out upon my
table and carefully secured before went
further.
"Well, gentlemen" said I. ''This mans
identity has long been mystery, and
confess to much surprise at the revelation
which has come to me. have had many
theories as to who he was. but none o.
them is correct. In the first place, If YOU
will follow me closely. I will show yol
several interesting things about him which
prove conslusively to my mind VINO an'
what he is. Note the condition of hi
shoes. They are worn away at the bacl
of the heel. This proves that he walk
and does not ride-therefore he does no
belong to royalty, as has been thought
but to the common herd who pace tn
highways on the vehicles OF nature
Judge from the thickness OF MS nee
that he is a man Of great ambition, bu
of little capacity. while the dust on III
collar. which. upon closer inspection, 70
will observe is not brick dust, or gold dus'
but just the plain ordinary acccetlon OF
walk along the thoroughfares on wind
dav, shows strongly irreligious bent.
II don't quite see that" murmured m
victim.
II didn't suppose you would, said
But please do not Interrupt. by look
ing at his hands, l continued, you WI
see the bullying knuckles and taperln
finger nails. which betoken one fdeslg
mated by nature for a life of crime III
NV victim WINGED but I was not at
disposed to let up on him, who would nav
had no pity for me.
"And moreover, you will see when
Doke him in the ribs, thus and suite
the action to my words-"and he shrink
before so trifling an operation that he
a coward"
The company began to grow restiv'
and some seeing how this joke ON m
was faring, were inclined to interior
but there were others, notably Sir waite
Raleigh and DIR. Johnson, VINO lnslste
upon fair play. ,-.u.
Nov for the final test said I, takir
the metal covering Of key-hole fro
NV vest pocket, and holding it before m
victims eye. Can you see throue
that?' ...: -...~....-
NO" he roared, II can't
"Precisely as I thought, said
"That proves that you are untruthtl
for that is all you can see through: Ge'
tlemen, this Man in the Iron Mask
not only of low birth, but Of irreligio'
turn of mind, inherently a criminal, al
untruthful,-but he Is worse. He is
anachronism. The Man in the Iron Ma
lived in the days Of Louis XIV. IN
man is Of the eighteenth century, and +
name Is Pierre LIE Coo. the Key-hole D
tective.'
Remove the mask, gentlemen, and y
will see for yourselves l put in, with
careless shrug of my shoulders.
Alas, The key is lost!' cried LIE &C
from within. $50 you are foiled aga1
after ALL ',.--.-
II have a Duplicate said I, product
the key, which had taken the precauti
to have made, from my pocket, and. u
locking the mask with it, the heavy ST
mask was removed from my victim
head, and there he stood revealed
Coq as I had imagined.
You shall pay for this' he missed
he fled from the room. II
WELL called after him, I've got
thousand good dollars to pay with"
And with that L bowed the rest of
company out, with the exception OF Il
leigh and Shakspere, who remained
hind.
Stupendous' added Shakspere. ''E
tell me, Mr.. Sherlock Homes how dc
dust on ones collar betray an irreligic
nature?
"Planly enough" I explained. ''Pt
p1e who go to church always brush tn
coats thoroughly before going
And I bowed the gentlemen out
LIE Coo has temporarily retired FRI
business. and is at present in the CT
meria Sanatorium, suffering from nerve
prostration.
POISONED APPLES.
Columbus Ind Feb. %. Meade Barr,
49, years old, of Elizabethtown, IS IN Jail here
>,-sx~