The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-26

( travels had known PorIier but Porlier.
/ instead Of being rich. was penniless-a
| poor devil married to a kanak4 woman
/ and working for cattle merchant OF
/ Papeete at 40 francs a month
The mystery was darker than ever.
/ II was absurd 20 think that this runa-
! way Frenchman could offer a reward.
/ large or small. for the discovery of mis-
( lOng-lOst family. But why lad Hanni
! been killed? What were the papers tax
{ en- away by the Levantine?
( Next the police got Oh the trail Of the
| dark man. DE had gone under many
names, being last known as Hennequiu-
| he had been exiled from Belgium as a
vagabOnd. His trade seemed 20 be that
of a ships cook. He had sailed TO many
| lands. He was tattooed like a sailor
man. Europe was searched for him,
and every pert was watched; the Lee
vantine had disappeared completely
/ Since the moment he entered the shop
| IN the Boulevard Voltaire Hennequin
had not been seen.
The Levantine Disappears.
But Detective Robert vas not dis
beartened. He again appealed 10 Ger
son, but only 10 uncover a darker secret
Gerson told Robert that one day he mad
requerted Hanni TO come and see him
| personally. The answer Of Father
Vanilla" was noteworthy 1t is wholly
! impossible" he replied over the tele-
phone. II am Swallowed. followed step
by step the moment set foot out OF
doors I do not wish to be seen at any
price going TO your Office-that would
mean my death
4
| Fere Vanilla? Evidently they had moth
| ing TO do with the far-On Porlier Of
Tahiti. There must have been a darker
side 10 Hannfs wanderings. and tol-
lowing that lead. this IS what Detective
Robert has ascertained:
| A number Of years ago a murderer
escaped from the convict settlement In
/ New Caledonia where he was expiating
/ his crime He came 10 Paris In dis
/ guise. set Up N trade. acquired a for
tune and an honorable position in so
, ciety. Hannl Esd learned his secret. lie
made no attempt al blackmail. for
/ Father Vanilla was a kindly soul;
( but he asked the ex-convict 70 inform
( him how be had escaped
/ The ex-convict told how his escape
{ had been effected; AMI. though ne had
| been bound 10 secrecy. he gave Hsnni
/ the names Of certain men who form a
/ veritable agency for aiding convicts to
| escape from the French penal settle
ments. Ha1ni opened negotiations with
/ these follows and told them that ne was
I authorized 70 try to arrange for the
escape Of q noted convict from French
I Guiana. That convict is a man who
was sentenced for heavy financial frauds
{ and is still supposed TO be very rich
An Agent for Couvicts.
/ Robert is now cs the opinion that
/ Hanni was arranging this mans escape.
Among Father Vaniila's papers he found
| this document:
Purchase Of canoe and acces-
Provisions for S men for a
month ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 21.1D
/ Wages for 3 men for month. 5000
Arms and ammunition---.---.-- 200
In addition 500 70 be paid 20
! NJ dame W In Paris and 5000 20
| be paid as soon as the person arrives
! safely at Para.nibo.
/ Another note reads: Canoe from Par
( amibo Up the River Cottico for four
days; thence TO the Corsuontibo. a
branch Of the other river. Leave canoe
with Bosch negroes. Three days march
across forest to left bank of Maroni
which separates two Guianas. Return
/ by same route. Total price 100"
/ It is evident Father Vanilla had
been mixed up in strange adventure in
I his life time. but who killed him? Was
( il the Levantiue, the ex-convict or the
{ "escap gents2" The murder OF PER-
Vanilla" is still a dark mystery.