Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1908-06-20

the center of the lawn, and had better
be quick about it," he said
Relying upon his general knowledge of
the construction of Partisan garden. NJ.
Cassagne walked rapidly forward, struck
his foot against some Unforeseen obsta-
Gle, tripped, stumbled, and the next mo-
ment found himself struggling in the
water He had overlooked the fact that
some gardens have fountains.
Where have you come from, and whas
have you been doing?" was the astonish-
ed inquiry of Charles D'Auburon.
He had been aroused from his bed at
midnight by a thunderous knocking at
his door, and on going to see what all
the noise was about, had discovered Cas-
sagne, standing, the picture of misery,
under the lamp on the landing.
Dripping yet with the moisture which
ran from all his garments minus his hat,
and shivering like an aspen, the famous
detective presented a picture well calcu-
lated to excite the utmost commiseration /;
but CLEAN of triumph was in his I'M
dimmed eye; and he wore the air of
conqueror rather than of a man who had
met with a humiliating accident.
Cassagne entered into circumstantial
relation of his adventures. When he ar
rived at what he facetiously termed the
"frog-pond incident" D'Auburon could
not restrain his mirth, and it was so con-
tagious that Cassagne, though the joke
was against himself. could not refrain
from joining him. The two men roared
until the room shook again. When their
merriment had somewhat subsidized NJ
Cassagne took up the thread of his narra-
tive in this wise:
81 had hardly got my head out of
water, and cleared my ears and eyes, be-
fore l heard a door open and shut, in
the back part of the house. l crept softly
out of the fountain and lay extended at
full length upon the grass. Straining my
eyes in the direction of the house, 1 per-
ceived the figure OF woman coming to-
ward me. She was a woman daintily
dressed in full ball costume l had no
difficulty in following her. She had slip
| ped unperceived from the ball room, and
no doubt believed herself to be entirely
free frnm surveillance. / crept along on
my hands and knees and got close to her
as she came around the bend in the gravel
walk. As she neared me, the moon, which
had hitherto been concealed by passing
clouds, shone out a little and cleaned
upon her soft silk dress and her white
shoulders. In that brief moment l saw
and recognized her."
"Who was sheT exclaimed D'Auburon,
in a tone of almost breathless interest.
"She was the woman l expected. She
was Madame Colbert-Remplin, the bank
er's wife,"
"You are joking" exclaimed D'Au-
huron. Both Mendotti and yourself must
have been mistaken. The light was UNI
certain, you say. 1t was some young lady
of the household going to meet her lover"
ut was nothing of the kind. 1t was
Madame Colbert emplin, going to meet
Madame Mechant, nee La Seur, who has
learned some secret of hers and is trading
upon it to her own advantage"
impossible ~
ut is a fact. l can understand now
how Madame Mechant is able to become a
property owner by selling meat pud-
dings in the Rue Banquiere. She is a
blackmailer. l myself heard money pass
between them The chink of gold pieces.
1t is a sound which | cannot be deceived
in"
D'Auburon knew the almost marvellous
gift which his friend had received from
nature in the matter of hearing. No stag
in the forest could catch a slighter
sound than his highly trained and ex-
quisite organ.
you are probably correct" he said.
"Were you able to CLEAN any particulars
of their secretT
81 was not. The interview was very
brief, and what little conversation there
was was carried on in a very low tone.
In fact, only once or twice did l catch
a broken sentence. Once they spoke
louder than usual. Madame Mechant
was threatening the bankers wife; and
Madame Colbert-Remplin was begging the
other not to expose her"
"She has her thoroughly in her power?"
asked D'Auburon.
Undoubtedly, and that her secret is
in some way connected with Philip Gra-
ham. | feel convinced"
"Why?"
'There was one other sentence heard,
If you have no mercy for me, do not
ruin my child. At least respect the feel
ings of his unhappy mother"
Ito be continued.)