Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-03-13
The Roupell Mystery
q r a n v lie

It's nearly cold now, anyway. Why didn't
You come in when ii was hot? 1t was
grand then, | tell you"
Ine wretched mites clinging to the tat
tered skirts of their mother, moved re-
luctantly toward the door. The woman
had secured her bone Soup in the imme-
date future was of course excellent; but
mere was meat pudding being eaten under
their very eyes. They would have liked
to stay while. Perhaps the workman
would have dropped some.
You are right" said the man with
the bag. These puddings are better hot.
Here little girl. Pve-I've lost my ap-
petite"
Give 1t to me-" cried the gaunt wom-
an. Il will divide 1t fairly"
No, let the children have that" re-
piled the man with the bag. "Cut an
other slice for madame"
ThS woman burst into tears. Even
the man with the cap and apron was
affected; but 1t was at the generosity Of
the man with the bag.
1t was getting late. The Rue Ban
quiere was becoming deserted. The huck-
sters outside had covered up their wares
and were beginning to take their depart
ure.
The man with the bag, however, still
loitered In the cook shop. He had made
few purchases, and had chatted pleas
antly with the man in the cap and apron
or the latest local sensation, 2 rsiding
which had resulted in the death of two
officers.
Not but what It serves them right"
remarked the man with the bag. why
don't these swells of the police let Belle
vile folks alone?"
And they must have known the kind
Of place into which they were going"
added madame, speaking for the first time.
The man with the bag applauded her
sentiments. OF course they did. Madame
was a woman of good sense. II madame
had her way, perhaps, she would have
the police let the people Of Belleville
alone altogether, and never come near
them. Madame was emphatic that she
would, "for some of the worst of them
were her best customers" she remarked,
laughing.
/ uhi III thC uOOi anu hlnuOW JUST
ness" replied the man with the bag, sig
nifcantly
Il thought you were not In a straight
line when l first saw you," said the cook
Your hands amt rough enough, and you
look altogether too fat. Workmen don't
live as you've lived"
"Oh! they feed us well enough where
I've just come FROM" replied the work
man; and he kept his eyes steadily fxet
on madam's face. I've just spent five
years In the prisons of Toulon-why
what's the matter madame? You nevei
had anyone there, did you-no friend O.
yoursf"
But madame was deadly white, ant
clutching spasmodcally at the greas!
counter.
1T is nothing" she gasped at length
"It Is the heat-it isl am not well
Monsieur will call again. / hope he vii
be good customer. We have many lik
him."
And I'm all right, you know" salt
the man with the bag ''The police can
touch me, for I've served my time"
He slung his bag over his shoulder
picked up his parcels, and wishing tn
pair good night, passed out on to tn
nearly deserted street, with the hang-dol
look of man who had been hunted often
and dreaded to be hunted again. H
trudged on to the top of the Rue Ban
quiere, and gained broader thorough
fare. Immediately around the corne
there was a cab in waiting. The maj
with the bag entered it, and raising tn
trap door in the roof, said to the sleep,
driver:
"Home" And as he ratified along OIL
the pavement, he said to himself: Men
dotti was right. The woman is undoubt
edly Madame La Seur. OF course sh
would change her name when she mar
. rled again. How she blanched when
spoke of Toulon. And another thing In
sure of she never bought that house an
lot she owns by cutting up puddings i
, Belleville. She must be watched an
followed night and day."