Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-04
6be .HolIada CQge



 did not -know-it makes nothing to me T will wait-I wish to obey the laws" He picked up a fresh cigarette, lit 1t from the other and tossed away the end - Twill you not try one?" he asked, seeing that my pipe was finished, and I presently found myself enjoying the best cigarette had ever smoked. 'You comprehend French-no"
 Not well enough to enjoy it," said.
 T am sorry. I believe you would like this book which 1 am reading" and he pulled a somewhat tattered volume from his pocket. T have read it, oh, yer many times, as well as all the others, though this, of course, is the masterpiece"
 He held 1t so that could see the title. It was Monsieur Lecoq."
 T have read it in English" I said
 "And did you not like it-yes? I am yer fond of stories of detection That is why I was so absorbed in that af- fair of Mees-Mees-ah I have forgot ten. Your names are so difficult for me"
 Miss HoIladay," said.
 "Ah, yes. And has that mystery ever arrived at solutionf'
 "No," I said. Unfortunately we haven't any NJ. Lecoqs on our detective force" ... .s...
 "Ah, no," he smiled. And the young lady-in her I conceived great inter- est, even though I did not see her. How is she?"
 "The shock was little too much for her." I said. "She's gone out to her country place to rest. She'll soon be all right again, hope"
 He had taken a third cigarette and was lighting it carelessly with his face half turned away from me. I noticed how flushed his neck was
 "Oh, undoubtedly" he agreed after moment; lat least I should be most sad to think otherwise. But it is late; I perceive that you are weary; thank you for your kindnesS."
 NOl dt I DiOIcStCu. hOpC you'll come in whenever you feel lone ly."
 "A thousand thanks! I shall avail myself of your invitation. My apart ment is just across the hall," he added as I opened the door. q trust to see you there.'
 You shall," said heartily, and bade. I'm good night.
 In the week that followed I saw good deal of Martigny. I would meet him on the stairs or in the hall. He came again to see me, and I returned his visit two nights later, upon which occasion he produced two bottles of Chateau Yquem of a0deiicacy beyond, all praise. And I grew more and more to like him. He told me many stories of Paris, which, it seemed, had always been his home, with a wit to which his slight accent and formal utterance gave new point; he displayed a kindly interest in my plans which was very pleasing; he was always tactful, cour- teous, good humored. He was plainly a boulevardier, a man of the world, with an outlook upon life little star ting in its materiality, but interesting in its freshness and often amusing in its frankness. And he seemed to re- turn my liking-certainly it was he who sought me, not who sought him. He was being delayed, he said, in es- tablishng his business; he could not get just the quarters he desired, but in another week there would be a place vacant He would ask me to draw up the lease Meanwhile time hung rath- CT heavily on his hands.
 Though do not quarrel with that,T he added, sitting in my room one eyen- ing: 'it is necessary for me that I take life easily. l have a weakness of the heart, which has already given me much trouble. Besides, have your companionship, which is most vel come, and for which I thank you. I trust Mees-Mees-what you call-Hol- laday is again we'll"
 "We haven't heard from her." said. ''She is still at her place in the coun- try"
 ''Oh. she is doubtless well-ln her I take such an interest-yOu will par don me if weary you"
 Weary me? But you don'tr'
 Then I will make bold to ask you have you made any-what you call theory of the crimeT'
 No" answered-"that is. none be- yond what was in the newspapers-the illegitimate daughter theory. I suppose you saw it. That seems to fit the case"
 He nodded meditatively. Yet like to imagine how NJ. Lecoq would ap- proach 1t. Would he believe it was a murder simply because it so appeared? Has 1t occurred to you that Mees HOl- Iaday truly might have visited her fa- ther and that his death was not a mur- der at all but an accident?"
 "An accident?" I repeated How could t be an sccidentf How could a man be stabbed accidentally in the neck; Besides. even if it wefs an ac- cident. how would that explain his daughters rushing from the building without trying to save him. without giving the alarm? If 1t wasn't a mur- der. why should the woman. whoever she was be frightened! How else can you explain her ffightg'
 He was looking at me thoughtfully. "All that yOu say is yer true" he said. ssIf shoTr= fi1aF voT1 have given to fi7s