Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-16


did I come TO a conclusion. Let us ex-
anime together, and see IL our con-
lectures present enough chances Of
probability TO establish starting
point"
NJ. Lecoq abandoned the photo
graph, and. walking 10 the door com
municating with his bedroom, tolk
the key from the lock. and, holding
IL in his hand, said:
Come here, Fanferlot, and stand
by my side; there; very well. Now
suppose that l want to open this door,
and you don't want NE to open &:
when you see me about TO insert the
key. what would be your first i'm
pulse?''
TO put my hands On your arm and
draw it toward me so as 10 prevent
your introducing the key"
Precisely so. Now let us trv it:
go on" Fanferlot obeyed: and The
key held 10y NJ Lecoq, pulled aside
from the lock, slipped along the door
and traced upon il a diagonal scratch.
from top to bottom, the exact repro
duction of the one in the photograph.
"Oh, oh. OH" exclaimed Fanferlot.
in three different tones of admira-
ton. he stood going in a REVERE
at the door.
DO you begin 20 understand nowP'
asked NJ. Lecoq.
Understand, patron? Why. a child
could understand "a now. An. what
man you arei / see the scene as if
l 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. that is certain"
Accustomed 10 triumphs Of this
sort. VI. Lecoq was much amused at
Fanferlot's enthusiasm.
"I here YOU go of half-primed
again, he said good-humoredly:
you regard as sure proof a circum-
stance which may Ice accidental. and
at the most only probable"
NO. patron, NO, a man like You
could not be mistaNen; doubt no
longer exists"
THAT being the case what deduc-
tions would YOU draw from our dis
covery?"
SIN the first place. 10 proves that I
am correct in thinking the cashier in
nocent"
How SOP
because, at perfect liberty 10 open
the safe whenever hc wished TO do So.
IL is not hhei. that hc would have
brought witness when he intended
TO commit the theft"
"Well. reasoned Fanferlot. But ON
this superstition the bank would be
equally innocent; reflect a little"
Fanferlot reflected. and ali of his
animation vanished.
You are right" he said. i'm de-
spairing tone. "What can bc done
now 80
Look for the third rogue. or rath-
er the real rogue. the one who opened
the safe. and stole the notes, and who
is stin at large. while others are
suspected"
Impossible, patron -- impossihlei
Don't YOU know that Monsieur Eau
vel and his cashier had keys, and
they only2 And they always kept
those KEYS in their pockets"
lon the evening OF the robbery the
banker left his key i'm the secretary"
Eyes; bra the key alone was no4
sufficient TO open the safe; the word
must also be known"
NJ. Lecoq shrugged his shoulders
impatiently.
'What was the word2" he asked.
"Gipsy-"
(Which is the name of the cashiers
grisette. Now keep your eyes open.
The day YOU find man sufficiently
intimate with Prosper TO be aware
of all the circumstances connected
with this name, and at the same time
on a footing with the Fauvel family
which would give him the privilege
of entering Monsieur Fauvers cham
Der, then. and not till then, YOU will
discover the guilty party. On that
day the problem viii be solved"
Self-suficient and vain. like an IA
nous men, NJ. Lecoq had never had
pupil, and never wished TO have one.
He worked alone, because he hated
assistants, wishing TO share neither
the pleasure of success nor the pain
of defeat.
Thus Fanferlot, who knew his pat
rons character, was surprised 20 hear
him giving advice who heretofore
had only given orders.
He was So puzzled, that in spite Of
his preoccupation, he could not help
betraying his surprise.
Patron" he ventured TO say, you
seem TO take great interest in this
affair, you have so deeply studied it,"
NJ Lecoq started nervously, and re-
piled, frowning:
you are too curious. Master SOUR
rel; be careful that you do not 20
too far Do you understand"
Fanferlot began to apologize.
THAT will do" interrupted NJ.
Lecoq. III l choose to lend YOU
helping hand il is because il suits
my fancy 10 do SO. 1t pleases me 10
be the head, and let you be the hand.
Unassistsd, with your preconceiyed
ideas, you would never have found
the culprit; if we two together don't
find him, my name is not Lecoq."
I'VE shall certainly succeed if you
interest yourself in the case"