Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-10-17
CHAPTER XVIII.

conversation with Nine Cresson for up
ward Of two hours. During that period
the young woman several times retired
many times emerged therefrom, reappear-
ing upon the last occasion dressed in full
street costume, and having her dark hair
entirely concealed with a profusion Of
blonde. fluffy ringlets.
She had on a rather loud, plaid dress
a travelling cape of Scotch WOODEN, and
a bonnet very plainly trimmed. Plain
gold earrings were in her ears. and in
her hand she carried a silk umbrella and
a small travelling bag. On her feet were
a paid of broad large-heeled shoes and
over those white CATERS which twinkled
in and out from under her petticoats az
she walked up and down the room. Ce-
leste looked on wonderingly and ate her
bon-bons. NJ. Cassagne examined her
mother with the eye of critic.
You'll do" he said presently, all but
the CATERS. l don't think those white
CATERS have reached London yet"
"Oh, monsieur is mistaken, am sure"
replied Nine. Cresson, with enthusiasm.
II was on Regent street not two weeks
ago. You know / went over there on the
Peter Robinson case. They were very
generally worn
You are wrong, all the same. l was
over there myself lately. Caters were
worn, it is true, but in much darker
shades. London is always six months
behind Paris, and New York six months
behind London in such matters. Now,
don't contradict me, child. The English
ladies are not yet wearing them"
Nine. Cresson urged the point no fur
them. Turning to her maid, she said:
Bring me my dark gray CATERS, Ma
non; they are year, at least, out of
fashion in Paris, monsieur. 1 hope they
will satisfy you"
You think 1 am very hard to please"
remarked Cassagne. Il may be so. I
know the kind of man | have to deal with
in Victor Lablanche. the project of po-
lice. I will call for you tomorrow at
ten o'clock. In the meantime 1 have
quite deal to attend to-
He took his hat, kissed little Celeste
good-by, and, descending by the stairway,
opened the black door and passed out on
to the street.
Il love Papa Cassagne,' cried little
Celeste. as she stood by the window
watching the retreating form of the gen
tleman who bought the bon-bons. Then
looking up at her mother, she added:
You love him, too, don't you,
mamma?'
Celeste is q goose said Nine. Cres-
son, her charming cheek tinged with
color, "and geese mustn't ask foolish
questions
NJ. Cassagne pursued his way still fur
them into the intrcacies of the Latin
Quarter. At last he stopped before a
small shop, pushed UP the latch of the
door and entered. \ large, stout man,
with a pen behind his ear. was seated at
a high desk, with a pile of proof in front
of him. He nodded Familiarity to the de-
tectiye, got off his stool and at once con-
Quoted him into a private Office.
'Ha. Monsieur Cassagne,' he excaim-
ed. What can I do for you today"
I have two small jobs for you. It's
simply to set two lines of type, and print
me half a dozen sheets of note paper; also
a couple of cards. l will pay you well
for it. Can you do it personally, so that
no one else will know what you are do
ing? and can you do it right away"
Il can. Write out what you wish
printed. Here is a pen and some paper"
Il want you to set up this" said Cas-
sagne. as he handed his copy to the
printer. Set it up in English type, and
strike it off on English paper l will
wait here for it."
Twenty minutes later VI. Cassagne
was on the street. In his pocket, neatly
packed between sheets of tissue paper to
prevent their setting Off" were six
sheets of note paper, and on the top
right-hand corner of each was printed
the words, in bold English type:
"Ofice of
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE
Scotland Yard,
London, w. c.
He also bore two cards which read:
MR.. GEORGE RUSSELL,
''36 Eaton Square"
Casagne jumped into a cab and drove
home. Arrived there he took off his hat
and coat and washed his hands carefully.
Then he took down from an upper shelf
an old letter file, and turning to the
letter II" drew out letter addressed to
himself, which was written in a large
English hand. Next he took from the
pocket of his coat the six sheets of paper
and the two cards. The latter he put
into a card case by themselves the for
mer he put on the table.
Then he got pen and some ink and
went to work, laboriously but skillfully.
After spelling three sheets of paper he
produced something he was satisfied with.
Taking the letter TO the window he held
it to the light, as if admiring his own
handiwork, and read as follows:
Office of
SUPERINTENDENT OF POLICE.
Scotland Yard.
London. w. c., July 6, 1S-
Victor Lablanche. Esq, Project of Pc
lice, Paris France:
Dear Sn-This will introduce to you
Mr.. George Russell. a friend of mine.
who with his wife intends making a
pleasure trip on the continent
ANY courtesy that you can extend to
Mr.. Russell during his visit in Paris will
be highly appreciated by me.
Yours very truly.
JAMES T. HENDERSON.
"Supt. Police"
That's about perfect" soliloquised the
detective. because it transgresses every
known rule of French letter writing, and
that alone stamps it as English. The