Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-05-08
The Roupell Mystery
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Iarlslan. a day or two in the country
soon satisfied him. He required the slim
illus of a great city to impart to his
mental organization that activity and
sharpness which the calm and quiet of a
rustic existence lulled into temporary re-
pose. His most logical deductions had
been made in the rush and roar of the
streets. Before leaving the chateau a
conversation something like the follow
ing had taken place between DIR. Mason
and himself:
This brother of Madame Roupell's,
this Henry Graham-can you tell me
when and where he was last heard from p
1.-The last letter madame received from
him." replied the physician, bore the
postmark Of Blois. That must be twenty
years ago, as near as l can recollect."
The first thing Cassagne did on his
arrival in Paris was to call on his friend
and pupil, Charles D'Auburon. He found
him at home, his face glowing with sup
pressed enthusiasm.
Now" said Cassagne, tell us what
has happened? Have you found Jules
Chabot, and what progress have you made
toward getting acquainted"
Il already knew him slightly" an
swered D'Auburon. II approached him
cautiously. because if he is really impli-
Gated in this matter he would naturally
be suspicious of any sudden show of
friendship. Fortune favored me, how
ever. | managed to lose a game of bill
lizards to him at the Alliance this morn
ing, the stakes a luncheon at the Cafe
Anglais, whittier we repaired shortly af-
ter. What do you think that laundering
idiot Lablanche is doing? He has set
someone to shadowing Monsieur Chabot
The fel~y followed us in a cab. I
though e had given him the slip, but,
lookin- out of the windows of the Cafe
Anglais there he was lounging against a
lamp post, and looking like detective all
over. Did you ever hear of such clumsi-
ness in all your life?"
You must exercise your ingenuity, my
dear boy little thing like that shouldn't
disturb you Always recollect that In
this business it is the man who keeps
cool that wins. 1t is a golden MAXIM
D'Auburon was rapidly cooling. He
had been waiting all the evening for the
arrival of his friend to indulge in his
TRADE against the project. He had deliv-
cred himself. Then he became again, as
Cassagne put it, "a reasoning being"
Cassagne then gave D'Auburon a short
sketch of what had occurred at the Cha
teau Villeneuve He finish his account
by producing the little gold locket
The man who wore this was last heard
from at Blois. The owner of this locket
was the man who actually murdered Mad
anne Roupell. Whether he had accom-
plices or not it is hard at present to say.
The project argues, doubtless, from Jules
Chabot's presence in the chateau on the
night of the murder, that he is in some
way connected with it. My own opinion
is that it is q mere coincidence nothing
more. Still it will not do to leave any
point uncovered. That's why l want you
to keep him well in sight. Do you see?"
II see, of course" responded D'Au-
huron. Il can keep him in sight read
lily. Meantime, what do you yourself pro-
pose to do? Go to Blois, suppose"
Exactly, and l start tomorrow morn
ing. That means l shall go to bed early
tonight. You must try and discover
this man Chabot's most intimate friends,
meanwhile. l may be gone for a day or
SO. Try and go where he goes, to be in
vited where he is invited and above all
don't let Lablanche get ahead of us. He's
not such fool as you think. If he makes
blunders, remember he makes remarkably
clever ones"
There was some talk Of ball to-mor-
row night" remarked D'Auburon at
length. when he had we'll weighed the
others words-'a ball at the Vicomte de
Valiar's-"
"Ahl do you know him?"
Eyes, as l know them all. l know of
him. He can be got at if necessary. From
what Chabot dropped" continued D'Au-
huron. II believe he intends to be there.
He is quite in with the de Valiars, 1
understand You have heard of de Va
liars. l suppose? Great financial nabob,
and all that sort of thing"
Cassagne nodded, quietly. You ought
certainly to be there. One never knows
what may happen
NOW to find. in a population of near
ly thirty thousand people, this one indi-
vidual, this Henry Graham, who was last
heard from in this very city seven years
ago." solioquized NJ. Cassagne, as he
stepped from his compartment on to the
platform of the little railway station and
saw frowning from above him the ancient
castle of Blois. All the way down in the
train he had been busily occupied in plan
ming how he would find the human needle,
Henry Graham, in the bundle of hay,
Blois.
With nothing to guide him but his own
marvellous powers of reasoning. he now
started forth upon a search which ninety
nine men out of a hundred would have
/ Concidarpd urnrSa fhop tcoioce H.. :.