Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-11-04
CHAPTER YIII.-(Continnedl

Inc scratch was Indicated WIN great eA-
actness.
Now" said NJ Lecoq, here is our
scratch. 1t runs from top to bottom,
starting from the hole in the lock, dag
onally, and from left to right; that is to
say, it terminates on the side next to the
private staircase leading to the bankers
apartments. Although very deep at the
keyhole, it ends in a scarcely perceptible
mark"
''Yes, patron, l see that"
Naturally you thought that this
scratch was made by the person who
took the money. Let us see if you were
right. / have here a little iron box
painted with green varnish like M Fau
vel's safe; here it is. Take a key and
try to scratch it. The paint is very hard,
my friend, and yet that on the safe Is
still harder and thicker SO you see the
scratch you discovered could not have
been made by the trembling hand Of
thief letting the key slip"
"WhewW exclaimed Fanferlot, stupe-
fed; II never should have thought of
that. 1t certainly required great force
to make the deep scratch on the safe"
Eyes, but how was that force employ
ed! | have been racAing my brain for
three days, and only yesterday did /
come to conclusion. Let us examine
together and see IL our conjectures pre-
sent enough chances of probability to
establish starting point"
M. Lecoq abandoned the photograph
and, walking to the door communicating
with his bedroom, took the key from the
lock, and, holding it in his hand, said:
Come here, Fanferlot and stand by
my side; there; very well. Now, sup
pose that l want to open this door, and
you don't want me to open 1t; when you
see me about to insert the key what
would be your first impulseT"
ITO put my hands on your arm and
draw it toward me so as to prevent your
introducing the key"
Precisely so. Now. let us try 1t; go
on" Fanferlot obeyed; and the key
held by M. Lecoq, pulled aside from the
lock, slipped along the door, and traced
upon it diagonal scratch, from top to
bottom, the exact reproduction Of the one
in the photograph.
"Oh, oh, oh!' exclaimed Fanferlot. in
three different tones of admiration, as
he stood gazing in reverie at the door
What a man you are! l see the scene
as if | had been present. Two persons
were present at the robbery; one wished
to take the money, the other wished to
prevent its being taken. That is clear,
certain, and it proves that | am correct
In thinking the cashier innocent"
How so"
Because, at perfect liberty to open
the safe whenever he wished to do so,
1t is not likely that he would have
brought a witness when he intended to
commit the theft"
well reasoned, Fanferlot But on
this supposition the banker would be
equally innocent. Look for the real
rogue, the one who opened the safe, and
stole the notes, and who is still at large,
while others are suspected"
impossible, patron-impossble Don't
you know that NJ Fauvel and his cashier
had keys, and they only? And they al
ways kept these keys in their pockets"
"On the evening Of the robbery the
banker left his key in the secretary"
Yes; but the key alone was not suf1i-
Client to open the safe; the word must
also be known. That name was Gypsy
Which Is the name of the cashiers
cousin. Now keep your eyes open. The
day you find man sufficiently intimate
with Bertomy to be aware of all the cir
cumstances connected with this name,
and at the same time on a footing with
the Fauvel family which would give him
the privilege of entering M. Fauvers
chamber, then, and not till then, you will
discover the guilty party. On that day
the problem will be solved"
I'VE shall certainly succeed il you in
terest yourself in the case"
"Yes, l am interested in it, and during
the last four days | have discovered
many important facts. But listen to me.
l have reasons for not appearing in this
affair. No matter what happens, for
bid you mentioning my name"
81 will obey your instructions and be
discreet"
81 shall rely upon you. Now, to begin
you must carry this photograph to the
judge of instruction. Explain to him
as IL 1t were your own discovery, what
1 have just shrown you; repeat for his
benefit the scene we have just acted, and
l am convinced that this evidence will
determine him to release the cashier.
Prosper must be at liberty before l can
commence my operations"
Fanferlot was joyously picking up his
hat to go when M. LecoQ checked him by
waving his hand, and said
II have not finished. You know how
to drive a carriage and manage horses ?
Very well. AS soon as the judge dis
misses you return home Immediately
make yourself a wig and the complete
dress Of a valet; and. having dressed
yourself, take this letter to the agency on
the Rue Delorme. The agent will send
you to NJ. de Clameran. who is looking
for valet, his man having left him yes
terday."
Excuse me II l venture to suggest
that you are making a mistake. This
Clameran Is not the cashiers friend"
"Why do you always interrupt me p
said NJ. LecoQ, imperiously. "Do what