Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-08-29

in lonely stretch of the highway and
| continued in disagreeable. incisive
| tone:
~ ran away from Washington after
| you told that story at Claibornes sup
per table, not because was afraid Of
| your accusation. but because wanted
| to watch your plans little in security.
| The only man who could have helped
me Immediately was Senator Sander
| son, and / knew that he was In Mon
| tana."
Chauvenet smiled with a return of
| assurance.
"Of course. The hour was chosen
| we'll"
More wisely. in fact, than your
| choice of that big assassin Of yours.
He's clumsy fellow, with more Drawn
than brains. had no trouble In shnk-
ing him off in Boston, where you prob
ably advised him l should be taking
the Montreal express"
Chauvenet blinked. This was pre-
| cisely what he had told Zmai to ex-
pect He shifted from one foot to an
other and wondered just how he was
| to escape from Armitage. He had gone
to Storm Springs to be near Shirley
Claiborne. and he deeply resented hav-
ing business thrust upon him.
"He is wise man who yields the
knife himself. nj. Chauvenet In the
taking of poor Count Won StroebePs life
so deity and secretly you prove my
philosophy. 1t was a clever job, mon
sieur!'
| Chauvenet's gloved fingers caught at
| his mustache.
'"rhat is almost insulting. M. Armi-
tage A distinguished statesman Is
| killed. therefore I must have murdered
| him. You forget that there's differ
| ence between us. You are an unknown
adventurer carried on the books of the
police as a fugitive from justice. and
l can walk to the hotel and get twenty
reputable men to vouch for me. ad-
| wise you to be careful rot to mention
my name in connection with Count Won
| Stroebels DEATH"
He had begun jauntily. but closed in
heat, and when he finished Armitage
nodded to signify that he understood
perfectly.
"a few more deaths and you would
be in position to command tribute
from high quarter. monsieur"
"Your mind seems to turn upon as
| sassination. II you know SO much
about Stroebels death it's unfortunate
that you left Europe at time when
you might have rendered important aid
in finding the murderer. It's bit sus-
picious, M. Armitage! 1t is known at
the Hotel Monte Rosa in Geneva that
you were the last person to enjoy an
interview with the venerable states
man. You see am not dull, M.eArmi-
tagew
"You are not dull, Chauvenet You
are only sh ortsighted. The same wit
nesses know that John Armitage was at
the Hotel Monte Rosa for twenty four
hours following the counts departure.
Meanwhile where were you, Jules
Chauvenet?"
Chauvenet's hand again went to his
face, which whitened, though he
sought refuge again in fippant irony.
ITO be sure! Where was I, mon
sieur? Undoubtedly you know all my
movements, so that it is unnecessary
for me to have any opinions in the
matter"
"Quite so! Your opinions are not Of
great value to me, for employed
agents to trace every move you made
during the month in which Count Won
Stroebel was stabbed to death in his
railway carriage. 1t is so interesting
that l have committed the record to
memory. If the story would interest
you
The hand that again sought the
slight mustache trembled slightly, but
Chauvenet smiled.
'You should write the memoirs of
your very interesting career. my dear
fellow. cannot listen to your babble
longer"
II do not intend that you shall, but
your whereabouts on Monday night.
March 10, Of this year may need expla-
nation, M. Chauvenet."
"If 1t should, shall call upon you,
my dear fellow
"Save yourself the trouble! The bu-
reau l employed to investigate the
matter could assist you much better.
All could offer would be copies of its
very thorough reports. The number of
cups of coffee your friend Durand
drank for breakfast this morning at
his lodgings in Vienna will reach me in
due counsel"
"You are really devil Of fellow,
John Armitnge! So much knowledge!
. WV