The Sauk Centre herald., 1908-08-06

Armitage employed his time to advan-
tage. He carefully scrutinized his
wardrobe, and after a process of elimi-
nation and substitution he packed his
raiment In two trunks and was ready
to leave the inn at ten minutes notice.
Between trains, when not engaged in
watching the incoming travellers, he
smoked pipe over various packets of
papers and letters, and these he burned
with considerable care. All the French
and German newspaper accounts of
the murder Of Count Won Stroebel he
read carefully, and even more particu-
larly he studied the condition Of affairs
In Vienna consequent upon the great
statesman's death. Secret agents from
Vienna and detectives from Paris had
visited Geneva in their study Of this
astounding crime and had made much
fuss and asked many questions. but
Mr.. John Armitage paid no heed to
them. He had held the last conversa-
ton of length that any one had en-
jOyed with Count Ferdinand Won
Stroebel. but the fact of this interview
two hotel servants, and these held
very high opinion of Mr.. Armitage's
character, based on his generosity in
the matter Of gold coin. and there could
of course be no possible relationship be-
tween so shocking tragedy and a
chance acquaintance between two trav-
elers. Mr.. Armitage knew nothing that
he cared to impart to detectives and a
great deal that he had no intention of
imparting to any one He accumulated
4 remarkable assortment of time Ia.
bles and advertisements of transatlan.
tic sailings against sudden need and
even engaged passage on three steam
ers sailing from English and French
ports within the week.
He expected that the person for
whom he waited would 60 direct to
the Hotel Monte Rosa for the reason
that Shirley Claiborne had been there,
and Armitage was not mistaken.
When this person learned that the
Claibornes had left he would doubt
less hurry after them. This is the
conclusion that was reached by Mr..
Armitage. who at times was singularly
happy in his speculations as to the
mental processes Of other people.
Sometimes. however. he made mis-
takes. as will appear.
The gentleman for whom John Armi-
tage had been waiting arrived alone
and was received as distinguished
guest by the landlord.
Nj. Chauvenet inquired for his friends
the Claibornes and was clearly annoy
ed to find that they had gone, and no
sooner had this intelligence been con-
veyed to him than he. too, studied time
tables and consulted steamer adver-
tisements. John Armitage in various
dircreet ways was observant Of NJ.
Chauvenet's activities, and bookings at
steamship Offices interested him so
greatly that he reserved passage on
two additional steamers and ordered
the straps buckled about his trunks,
for it had occurred to him that he
might find it necessary to leave Geneva
in hurry.
It was not likely that Nj. Chauvenet,
being now under his eyes. would escape
him, and John Armitage, making q
leisurely dinner, learned from his
waiter that NJ. Chauvenet, being worn
from his travels. was dining alone in
his rooms.
At about 8 o'clock, as Armitage turn
ed the pages of Figaro in the smoking
room, Chauvenet appeared at the door,
scrutinized the group within and passed
on. Armitage had carried his coat, hat