The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1908-10-02

y
are long way off. and the things they
stand for lose their splendor when a
man sits among these American noun
tains and reflects upon the pettiness
and sordidness Of mans common ambi-
tions."
sis this exordium or peroration. my
dear fellowY"
cinctly. and Chauvenet was sorry he
lad spoken, for Armitage stopped short
in lonely stretch of the highway and
continued In a disagreeable, incisive
tone:
81 ran away from Washington after
/ you told that story at Claiborne's 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 I 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. I had no trouble in shak-
Ing him or in Boston. where you prob
ably advised him 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
ing business thrust upon him.
HE is a wise man who Yields the
knife himself. NJ. Chauvenet. In the
taking Of poor Count Won Stroebels life
so deftly and secretly you prove my
philosophy. 1t was clever job mon
sieur!'
Chauvenet's gloved fingers caught at
his mustache
"That is almost insulting. M. Armi-
tagc. distinguished statesman is
killed. therefore ! must have murdered
him. You forget that there's a differ
ence between us You are an unknown
adventurer carried on the books Of the
police as a fugitive from justice. and
I can walk to the hotel and get twenty
reputable men TO vouch for me. I adj
wise you to he careful not to mention
nv name in connection with Count Won
Stroebel's DEATH
He had begun .iauntily. 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. IF you know so much
about Stroebel's 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, NJ. 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 1 am not dull, NJ. Armi-
tagev'
you are not dull, Chauvenet. You
are only shortsighted. The same wit
nnsses know that John Armitage was at
the Hotel Monte Rosa for twenty-four
hours following the counts departure.
Meanwhile where were you, Jules
Chauvenet?"
NhnV 90 So, 90 1,fs,
face, which whitened, though he
sought refuge again in fippant irony.
''To be sure! Where was l, 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 I 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 1 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. l cannot listen to your babble
longer"
81 do not intend that you shall, but
your whereabouts on Monday night,
March Is, of this year may need expla-
nation, M. Chauvenet."
IF 1t should, shall call upon you,
my dear felloww
Save yourself the trouble! The bu-
reau 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 ut
his lodgings in Vienna will reach me in
due course!'
"You are really a devil of a fellow,
John Armitage! So much knowledge!
SH}@tMI