The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-06-26
The Roupell Mystery
CHAPTER XXI.
"A u 5 { y n

the house Of the Vicomte de Valair,"
remarked M. Cassagne, on the morning
following his adventure in the garden.
"Yes," replied D'Auburon. 'They are
both there nearly every night"
Nov Is the time you must introduce
me as the rich Swiss gentleman, prepar-
ed to take shares in the Consolidated
Dock Company, or whatever you call it."
II am prepared to do that" answered
DAuburon, whenever you are ready to
assume the part. Of course cannot an
swer that the mere establishment OF bust
ness relations with the vicomte will lead
to aneinvitation to his house,"
"You need not brighten yourself about
that. Any one who has any money to
drop on his card tables need not remain
long unlimited. have seen enough of
him to know that. You had better see
him this evening and say that you expect
me from Berne shortly. Meantime, you
must post me thoroughly on the Dock
Company scheme, and when l meet the
vicomte I must be prepared to endorse
It."
what is your particular object In
watching Madame Colbert Remplin
through the de Valair lens? There are
other houses which she visits more fire.
Quently where perhaps you would have
better opportunities of watching her.
'No, not according to your accounts
Of the de Valair entertainments. You
say that they are extended until late
hour, and that Madame Colbert-Remplin
herself has become a confirmed gambler.
What better opportunity could you wish
for than to study person under such
circumstances? Give me the atmosphere
OF the gambling table to show up the
points in persons character.
"As you will" assented D'Auburon. Il
should have thought, though, 1t would
have been an easy matter for you to have
attached yourself to the household OF
madame In some capacity; where your
opportunities of studying her, and not
ing with whom she Is in touch, would be
far greater"
'You are mistaken, my friend, assure
you," replied the detective, "in your esti-
mate of the opportunities such course
would afford. Suppose l did bride the
footman to leave, and took his place.
which could, admit be easily done; the
opportunities which would be afforded OF
watching Madame Remplin would not be
In any measure increased. Worse, In
the presence of servants she would be
doubly cautious; and she could, In the
CAPACITY of mistress, impose such tasks
upon members of her household as would
effectually compel their absence when she
wished to be entirely free from espionage.
Besides, a mere servant has no opportu-
nity to follow her and watch her in So
ciety: to note her actions when mingllng
with the world, to listen to her as she
converses with her equals, and to read
between the lines Of her general conduct
and behavior.
On the morning following this dialogue
M. Oassagne, having met DAuburon by
appointment at his club, the two gentle
men proceeded to the office OF the Mu-
tual Credit and Trust Company. where
Cassagne was formally introduced to the
Vicomte de Valair, Jules Chabot, M.
olbert-Remplin and others interested In
the dock enterprise.
During the conversation which ensued
the broker, Herr Goldstein called and
brought the intelligence that such stock
az he had been authorized to place upon
the Bourse had found ready takers.
1T is always the way with a really
sound thing" he remarked. with GOOD
names behind it. An enterprise OF that
character always goes" Then he whis'
pered in de Valiar's ear:
..Who is the new man? The one IN
the white vest, who wears a pale green
ribbon as q watch guard"
THAT is Monsieur Frederic Lazare
a rich manufacturer of Berne, Switzer
land. suppose he eschews watch chains
because he gets enough OF them IN mis-
business. I have just put his name dowI
for a large block Of shares. Be sure ant
he particularly civil to him. He is com
ing to the house tonight. Will you joir
ma? We shall have a very quiet time
Positively no cards, will be the order o.
the evening"
Thus early in the day fortune hat
favored M. Frederic Lazare. Almost
stranger In Paris, the vicomte had gra
cicusiv invited him to meet the vicom
tease at their house in the Avenue Wag
ram.
"with much pleasure" had been tn
formal phrase with which the wealth!
Swiss had accepted the invitation. Blu
he uttered the words from the bottom o
his heart.
1T am delighted to meet any friend o
Monsieur D'Auburon's," was the expires
sion with which the Vicomtesse de Valia
welcomed the manufacturer Of Berne. :"
spent a few weeks some years ago amon
YOUR beautiful mountains, and assur
Won I have never forgotten them. Al
me but it does not really pay to sigl
for vanished days; they can never com
again" and a reflective look came int
her fine eyes, as if some tender recollec
ton. connected with her early trip t.
the land Of her guests birth, had recur
red to her mind.
He recalled the sunny smile habitua
with her when before her world. by say
ing:
when more advanced age bring
with it such opportunities as have fallel
to your lot, madame, you should not re
greet the flight of years; and are you t
be pitied, who know seemingly how t
make such good use of the worlds bes
things?"
1t was a very small party which "a
down to dinner. There were eight pei
sons in all. Herr Goldstein, the broker
was one. Jules Chabot was also there
The banker, Colbert Remplin and Mao