The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1907-05-23


him. He, too, believed that he had
seen it.
The mos: carerui search proved fu-
tile, and we were forced to the conclu-
sion that clerk in his employ who
had entered the room during our con-
ference had taken the document for
the purpose of selling it to the enemy
This man was shadowed with no re-
suit, and il he really sold it both he
and the purchaser were too shrewd for
US. The Lassell people continued some
negotiations for a settlement. but my
lawyer was of the opinion that this
was a blind and that they would
force us into court eventually. knowing
that we must lose.
But the story told by Lucius Wer-
ner put a different face on the matter
l discussed it fully with my secretary.
who is Il very shrewd fellow, and he
agreed with me that the man seen by
Mr.. Werner was hunting for that con-
tract in my office.
IL the Lassell people did not already
get it, and as they had proved them
selves utterly INSCRIPTIONS in their
transactions with me was quite Will
ing to believe that they would employ
crimina! methods to win their case.
Aston, my secretary, suggested that
there might have been Il small leak in
my lawyers office sufficient to give the
Lassells the tip that the contract was
not there. They might then have
jumped to the conclusion that it was
worth while to engage in a bit of bur-
glary at my own headquarters My
safe was one that my father bought
many years ago, retained by me I
know not why. Certainly | cherished
no illusions as to its security. Beyond
doubt a modern expert could open 1t
easily and without trace Of violence
| never kept money in it except the
small sums needed for daily cash dis
| bursements.
That night watched with Werner in
his tower. and all conditions were fa-
vorable for observation, but no light
conclusions was possible-the Lassells'
emissary had already found the con
tract or he had given it up. The chance
| that he had skipped Il night seemed
hardly worth considering in view OF
all the circumstances that urged haste.
did not believe that. he had given
up the search. He had spent only an
hour each night in my rooms. and this
/ time seemed to me insufficient except
upon the supposition that he had found
/ what he was after The time CORE
sponded with certain possibilities for
entering the building by a basement
door communicating with the engi-
neers department. l discovered that
man could get i'll that way a little
before II and escape little after
without much risk Of observation.
had man on watch there that night
/ but without result. No suspicious per-
son attempted to enter.
There were, however, other ways III
which the thing might have been. dcne
as Werner pointed out to me. 4 mar
might have concealed himself in the
building and remained till morning
and this seemed the simpler way.
! Upon the whole, was driven toward
the conclusion that the contract had
been found, and my lawyer agrees;
with me in a conference which we held
in my office late in the afternoon of tht
day following my vigil in the weather
bureaus tower. 1t was nearly O'Clock
when this interview ended, and when
came out of my private office ! was
surprised to find Werner waiting fol
me in the larger room.
lie expressed desire to discuss tht
case with me, and we spent half al
hour or more. but he offered only thu
advice that l should watch once more
/ in his tower. l noticed, however, tina
he ser1tiniZed my room with great care
examining the desk. and especially th'
to the man of scientific training, bu
what lie gained by these observation!
was far from guessing.
We dined together, and | watchc;
with him again, but my vigil was I'm
rewarded Finally. near dawn. | la.
down to sleep upon conch AM
dreamed bad dreams till | awoke t
find Werner standing beside me witt
his hand upon my breast.
He provided me with a breakfast o
eggs and coffee. which he prepares
himself upon a queer little electri
contrivanee, chiefly his own invention
and then he asked to go with me to IN.
Office We were there ahead Of th
boy whose duty 1t is to open the rooms
and the youth was vastly surprised t
find me in my sanctum when he al
rived. Aston. who is an early bird
was also amazed in his own peculia
and cold fashion.
made him acquainted with Werner
whom he had not previously met. an
! he extended his hand Werner locke
at the hand as if it had been an objee
of scientific interest, but he did nc
take it. Instead he slowly waggetl hi
head with the negative sign.
ssNo, sir,' said he. Il do not care t
take the hand of the man who robs hi
benefactor."
The use Of this word apprised m
that Werner had asked some question
: about John Aston, whom indeed
: had befriended in a somewhat unusu;
manner, though the fact was not ge1
: orally known. This inference flitte
through my brain in the midst of til
confusion and surprise caused by We
ner's startling accusation Meanwhi
Alston was regarding Werner vii