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

preached him.
This exact information. these mi
mute details CT al his secret move
ments. and even thoughts. so upset
his mind that he could not think
where and how NJ. Lecoq had obtained
them. Finally he said. humbly:
You must have been looking up
this case. patron?'
Probably have; but am not in
fallible, and may have overlooked
some important evidence. Take a seat
and tell me all you know
NJ. Lecoq was not the man to be
hoodwinked. so Fanferlot told the ex-
act truth, rare thing for him to do.
However. rs he reached the end of
his statement, feeling of mortified
vanity prevented mis- telling how he
had been fooled by Gypsy aud the
stout man.
Unfortunately for poor Fanferlot.
NJ. Lecoq was always fully informed
on every subject in which he interest
ed himself.
1T seems to rue. Master Squirrel
that YOU have forgotten something.
How far did YOU follow the empty
coach -
Fanferlot blusLed and hung his
head like a guilty schoolboy.
"Oh. patron," he cried. land Won
know about that. too! How could YOU
have"
But sudden idea flashed across
his brain: he stopped short. bounded
of his chair, and cried:
"Oh. / know. now; YOU were the
large gentleman with red whislsers.
His surprise gave so singular an ex-
precision TO mis- face that NJ. Lecoq
could not restrain "a smile.
Then il was your" continued the
bewildercd detective; you are the
large gentleman at whom I stared. so
as to impress his appearance upon my
mind. and / never recognized voui
Patron. YOU would make a superb ac-
tor. If you would 90 on the stage: but
J was disguised. too-very well dis
guiscd."
Very poorly disguised: IL is only
just To YOU that I should LET YOU know
y hat a failure IT. was, Fanferlot Do
YOU think that "a heavy beard and
blouse are sufficient transforma-
ton? The eye is the thinr to be
changed the eye The art lies I'm he
ing able TO change the eve. That IS
the secret"
This theory of disguise explained
why the lyuN-cyed Lecoq neye- Sp-
pcared at the police office without his
gold spcctaclcs.
Then. patron" said Fanferlot.
olinging 10 his idea. You have been
more successful than Mime. AleNap-
Dire; YOU have made the little girl
confess? You know why she leaves
the ArchauCel. why She does not wait
Tor Monsieur de Clnmeran. and why
She bought calico dresses?"
she is following my advice"
THAT being the case" said the de-
tective, deiectedly. there is nothing
left for me 90 DO, but 10 acknowledge
myself ana ass"
NO, SQUIRREL" said NJ Lecoq. kind
~, you are not ana ass. You merely
did wrong n undertaking task be-
yond your capacity. Have YOU pro-
crossed one step since YOU started ina
this affair? No. That shows that. all
though You are Incompatible AS "a
lieutenant. You do not possess the
qualities of general. I ann going 10
present You with on aphorism: re-
member b., md let 60 bc your guide
ia the future: a man can shine i'm
the second rank. who would be total.
ly cclispcd in She FIRST"
Never had faufcrlot seen his pa
tron SO talkati,e aud good-natured.
Finding his deceit discovered, ne had
expected TO be overwhelmed with a
storm of anger; whereas he had es-
capped with "A little shower that had
cooled his brain. Lecoq's anger dis
appeared like one of those heavy
clouds which threatened in the hori-
zon for moment, and then are sud
denly swept away by gust of wind.
But this unexpected afTability made
Fanferlot feel uneasy. He was afraid
that something might be concealed
beneath it,
DO you know who the thief is, pa
tron?"
Il know no more than you do, Fam
| ferlot; and YOU seem to have made
up your mind, whereas, am stin un-
| decided. You declare the cashier 70 be
innocent, and the banker guilty. 1
don't know whether you are right or
wrong. / started after you and have
only reached the prelminaries of my
| search. am certain of but one thing,
and that is, that a scratch was on the
safe door. That scratch is my start
ing point
CHAPTER VI.-CONTINUED.
As he spoke, NJ Lecoq took from his
desk and unrolied an immense sheet
of drawing paper.
On this paper was photographed
the door of NJ. Fauvel's safe. The i'm
I preston of every detail was perfect.
| There were five movable buttons with
the engraved letters, and the narrow,
| projecting brass lock. The scratch
was indicated with great exactness.
wow" said NJ. Lecoq, here is our
| scratch. 1t runs from top to bottom,
/ starting from the hole in the lock,