Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-08-29

For Gods sake, don't! 1 will con-
fess ALL" suddenly interrupted the
Duchess of Glasshouse. First promise
that you will respect the confidence I
am going to repose in you-I was a
mad creature to play so heavily. It
was all through bridge. In heavens
name, don't expose me; the debt Of
honor had to be paid somehow-you
understand. Don't look at me like
that; have pity. I-w Further ut
terance forsook the Duchess as she
half rose to her feet, and while en-
deavoring to totter toward her inuuisi-
tor, fell heavily to the ground In a
death-like swoon.
For a moment the Inspector stood
irresolute before pressing an electric
button by the door for assistance
The summons was Immediately an
swered by a dark, olive-complexioned
man IN livery.
"Who are your" asked Inspector
How brusquely.
Jean, Lord Glasshouse's valet, mon
sleur. You rang, I believer
Involuntarily the Inspector started.
Where had he heard that voice before?
The servant stood in the shadow.
making it difficult to discern his fea-
lures.
Gan accident has occurred" contin-
ued How. your mistress has sue
cumbed to a fainting fit. You must sum-
mon her Grace's maid Immediately, or,
failing ner, bring up one Of the female
domestics. Erin case my authority
Should be doubted, take this" the In
spector added, passing a card to the
perplexed servitor. Wonderingly the
man obeyed; but barely had his fingers
touched the pasteboard How still held
than the latter remarked with a dry
laugh. "Oh! how stupid Of me. Of
course, you won't want that. Don't lose
an instant; bring assistance at once 2"
AS the door closed after the valet
How tip-toed over to the Duchess pros
t1ate form, and, finding her still I'M
conscious, again drew the bottle Of
black powder from his pocket, and
quickly sprinkled some Of the contents
over the card the servant had a second
before momentarily touched. Smother
ing an exclamation that rose to his
lips, the Inspector carefully examined
through a pocket lens the tell-tale
flnger-prints.
SO engrOssed was he upon his task
that he failed to hear the door softly
open behind, or the light footsteps Of
the French valet as they crept stealth
lily towards him. There was no mistak-
'ng the look on the mans face, or the
light cleaning In his beady eyes. Be-
hind his back his fingers tightly closed
on the hilt Of a small sword borrowed
from the stack Of arms in the hall
Nearer and nearer he crept towards
biz intended victim until at last he
stood but a few inches away, then
swiftly raising the murderous weapon,
he brought 1t down with a sickening
thud on the Inspectors defenseIess
head
With a muff1ed groan How immedi-
ately collapsed in a heap on the floor
few feet from the recumbent body Of
he Duchess of Glasshouse.
"Bien-envolia assez ~ muttered
Jean with a coarse chuckle, grimly sur
veying his handiwork.
"Odd!" unused Detective Inspector
Wall to himself as he passed 4B,
Mount street for the twentieth time on
the opposite side Of the way. I wonder
what How's game Is, staying so long.
should have thought he could have
got every fnger-print in the whole
place IL half the time-he's beer inside
for over an hour. Surely they couldn't
lave tumbled to the game and"
His further soliloQuy was interrupted
by the boot Of motor horn as a pow
erful, well-equipped car came to a
standstill at the Mayfair mansion. No
sooner had the automobile stopped than
the front door Of Alb opened, and a
pallld-faced man emerged, carrying a
valise.
Henri Lefevre, alias Pierre La
month" gasped Wall. Good God,
where Is How?"
Shooting a swift glance at the cars
three occupants. the officer tried to
Identify them, but owing to the goggles
and OVtralIs each wore, he failed.
There was not moment to lose: In
another moment Lefevre would board
the car. Already the driver descended
with the obvious intention Of starting
the engines, which had stopped, but
like fash the officer placed a whistle
to his lips, blew three peculiar calls
and few across the road. Ere any one
OWNED his intention, he next seized
The autocar's starting lever, and with
few twists and q wrench dragged 1t
from its position. Then, still holding
this veritable key to the situation, he
rushed up to the Frenchman, who
stood as if turned to stone, and cried /:
Henri Lefevre, l am a police officer,
and hold a warrant for your arrest
Let me warn you that anything you