Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1905-12-07
she Is still at her place in the eoun-

try"
"Oh. she Is doubtless well-in her
take such an interest-you will par.
don me II weary you"
Weary me? But you don't"
"rhen I will make bold to ask you-
have you made any-what you call
theory Of the crime?'
NO" answered-"that Is. none be-
yond what was in the newspapers--the
illegitimate daughter theory I suppose
you saw It. That seems to 1T the case"
He nodded meditatively. Yet like
to imagine how NJ Lecoq would ap-
proach It. Would he believe It was
murder simply because 1t 80 appeared?
Has it occurred to you that Mees Hol.
laday truly might have visited her fa-
Their and that his death was not MUIR
der at all, but an accldent?"
IAN accident?" repeated. "How
could it be an accidentf How could a
man be stabbed accidentally in the
neck? Besides, even II it were an ac-
cident. how would that explain his
daughters rushing from the building
without trying to save him, without
giving the alarm? II It wasn't MUIR
der, why should the woman. whoever
she was. be frightened? How else can
you explain her fight?"
lie was looking at me thoughtfully.
"All that you say IL YER true" lie said.
ut shows that you have given to the
case much thought. l believe that you
also have fOndness for crimes Of
mystery" and he smiled at me. "1s 1t
not so, Mistalr Lester?"
81 had never suspected IT," laughed,
until this case came up, but the mi
crObe seems to have bitten me-"
! "Ah. yes" no said doubtfully, not
quite understanding.
"And I've rather fancied Mt times" |
admitted, that I should like to take a
hand at solving it-though. of course,
never shall. Our connection with the
case is ended"
He shot me "A quick glance, then
lighted another cigarette.
suppose it were assigned to you to
solve it," lie asked, how would you
set about it,
''Id try to find the mysterious wO-
nun.
But the police. so understand. at
tempted that and failed" he objected.
"Ilow could you succced:"
'Oh. dare say shouldn't succeed, -
| laughed. his dir striking me as little
more earnest than the occasion de
manded. II should probably fail, jus,
as the police did"
I'm France" he remarked 1T is
not In the least expected that men of
the law should'--
Nor is it here" explained "Only
of course, a lawyer can't help it some
times. Some cases demand moro OF
less detective work and are yet too del
icate to be intrusted to the police"
1T is also the fault Of our police tina,
it is too fond of the newspapers. OF
posing before the public. 1t is a faul
of human nature. is 1t not?"
"iou speak English so well, Mr.
Martigny," said. that I have won
dcred where you learned It,"
Il was some years in Engand-th,
business Of wine-and devoted myself
seriously to the study of the langua &c
But l still find it sometimes very diff
cult to understand you Americans
you speak so much more rapidly thar
the English and 80 much less distinct
ly. You have way OF running YOU
words together. of dropping whole sy!
lables"-
Yes" smiled. land that is the yer!
thing we complain Of in the French"
"Oh, our eisions are governed b,
well defined laws which euch one com
prehends while here
Every man is law unto himself
Remember it is the land Of the free
And the home Of the license, Is i
not?" he added. unconscious of irony.
Yes. ] decided, l was very fortunate
in gaining Martigny's acquaintance
OF course after he opened his bushes
he would have less time to devote f.
me, but nevertheless we should hav
many pleasant evenings together. an,
I looked forward to them with consid
cradle anticipation. He was interest
ing in entertaining, with tina
large tolerance and good humor whic
: l have already mentioned and whic
was one Of the most striking character
istics Of the man. And then--shall
admit it'll was lonely. too. some
times. as suppose every bachelo
must be. and l welcomed companion
!, 1t was Monday. the fourteenth da.
Of April. and we had just opened tn
, office. when a clerk hurried In with
= message for Mr.. Royce.
y. There's man out here who want
: to see you Mt once. sir" he said. III
says his names Thompson and tina
he's Miss Frances Holladay's butler"
Our junior half started from his chat
in his excitement; then he controlle
, himself and sank back into II again.
- "Show him in," he said and sat wit
:, his eyes OH the door. haggard in al
- pearance. pitiful In his eagerness. Nc
until that moment had l noticed ho
the past week had aged him and wor
him down. His work Of course migl
account for part Of 1t. but not for al
. He seemed almost Ill.
! The door opened In moment al
. gray haired man Of about sixty el
> tered. He was fairly gasping II
. breath and plainly laborng undo
.. strong emotion.
"Well, Thompson" demanded NJ
Royce. whats the trouble nOwT"