The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1907-05-16
CHAPTER XVII.
ETRETAT.

We were up at an hour which as
tonlshed the little fat keeper of the
Inn, and inquired the location OF the
ofi1ce OF the registrar Of births. IT was
two steps away in the Rue Alphonse
karr, but would not be open for three
hours at least. Would messieurs have
their coffee now? No, messieurs would
not have their coffee until they re-
turned. Where would they find the
residence Of the registrar Of births ?
HIS residence, that was another matter.
His residence was some little distance
away, near the Casino, at the right
we should ask for Maitre Fingret-any-
one could tell us. When should mes
sieurs be expected to return? 1t was
impossible to say.
We went off along the street, leaving
the innkeeper staring after us-along
the Rue Alphonse Karr, lined on both
sides by houses. each with its little
shop on the ground floor. Three min
utes' walk brought us to the bay. a
pretty, even picturesque place, with its
perpendicular cliffs and gayly colored
fishing smacks. But we paused for
oniy grance at 1t. and turned toward
the. Casino at the other end. "Maitre
Ffngret?" we inquired of the first
passerby, and he pointed to a little
house half hidden in vines,
a knock brought the notary himself
to the door, a little dried-up man. with
Eeen face, and eyes incredibly bright.
My companion explained our errand in
iaborious French, supplemented by
much gesticulation-it is wonderful
how the hands can help one to talkI--
and after n time the little Frenchman
caught his meaning. and hustled away
TO get his hat and coat, scenting a
Tat fee. Our first step was to be an
easy one, thanks to the severity and
thoroughness of French administration
but admit that I saw not what we
should do further, once we had verified
the date or Miss Holladay's birth. The
next step must be left to chance.
The notary unlocked the door. showed
us into his office, and set out chairs
for u.s. Then he got down his register
OF births for 1876. 1t was not a large
book, for the births of Etretat are not
overwhelming in number.
The name, l think you said, was
Holladay?" he asked. -.
Royce. -~ -
And the date June 10th?"
-"Yes-June 10TH"
The little man ran his finger rapidly
down the page, then went back again
and read the, entries one by one more
slowly, with a puciSer OF perplexity
about his lips. He turned the leaf, be-
-faii ioi NhCi anu TSdQ through the
list again, while we sat watching him.
At last he shut the book with a little
snap and looked at us.
"Messieurs," he said quietly. mo
such birth is recorded here / have
examined the records for the months
OF May. June, and July"
But II must be there!" protested Mr.
Royce.
Nevertheless IT is not here, Mon.
sieur"
Gould the child have been born here
and no record made of it?"
impossible, monsieur. No physician
in France would take that responsi.
bility."
For large fee. perhaps" suggested
my companion.
I'm Paris that may. sometimes, bt
possible. But in a small place like
this. l should have heard OF IT, and Il
would have been my duty 70 investi
gate"
You have been here for that length
of time, then?"
"Oh, yes, monsieur" smiled the little
man. For much longer time thar
that"
Mr.. Royce leaned forward towarC
him. He was getting back all hi.
old power as cross-examiner.
Monsieur Fiugert." he began I'm
preseively, II am quite certain thai
Hiram w. Holiday and his wife ,