The San Francisco call., 1909-05-30

James Henry Brown himself would have sworn that
his hand not mine, had written it Strange as it may
had been kept complete ignorance of busi-
dealing and knew nothing of crime therefore
did not associate the signature with anything; IN
fact, did not know the yellow slip check
Three days later we made an abrupt departure
from the flat and sailed for Chcrbourg For the first
time in my life was moved to wonder Lutreau
started on the journey dis guiscd as feeble old man
with white beard. We were booked as father and
daughter under the of Janvier Long afterward
discovered that Lutreau had obtained $4,000 on that
signature, James Henry Brown.
But before this discovery my eyes had been
opened Lutreau's game, and | no longer an
unsuspecting tool lay figure, | can not explain
to myself the thing in that took me, acques
cent and unprotesting, from one job to another.
Psychologists have pointed to ane that my reason
ing powers at that time were entirely dorhantad that
my faculties other than those developed b Lureau for
his own purposes undeveloped They also insist
that Lutrcau worked clever scheme of his
in my education. From other quarters has come the
suggestion that was hypnotized But that theory is
exploded by the fact that | kept right in my Grim
inal career after Lutreau and had parted company
Mature gives short shift between girlhood and
womanhood | left New York undeveoped girl,
after two weeks in Paris / things through a
woman's eyes
Lutreau kept to his disguise, but he had me fitted
with lots OF pretty clothes and had taught to
do my hair and hands and how to my clothes
until / shone forth as young woman of fashion
Our quarters were much pretentious than
our fiat the grocers but the roulette layout and
card tables gave familiar air to the place. Women
as we'll as men came in and out, drinking much
absnthe and smoking many cigarettes Lutreau had
discarded the feeble carriage but retained the white
hair and close white beard, dressing Immediately
in the latest fashion We prospcred, he presiding
with dignity over the roulette table, blowing smoke
rings and answering his signals, orbut it is hard to
writeit hurts to think OF those terrible days.
Between times there were gay parties at the cafes
in which Lutreau never joined. Some of my
friends were kind and jolly, and saw Paris, and
Paris went to my head, and ! quivered with youth
and the joy of life A great many people
to apartment and VIC took some more rooms.
Everything was bright and gay and going beautifully
until Count Zka began coming. From the first
thought him aboninable but he lost his money with
good grace, and so tried stand his attentions as
best could.
The night finally came when for the first time
came face to face with the penalty to be exacted if
discovered. Even now turn sick when
think of it. SZika was known to carry pocket case
containing valuable jewels and Lutreau planned
to pull off the job before he should stop frequenting
our place usually took up my end of the job with
a lightness of spirit only equaled by that of my
fingers. hated the prospect of thisejob i'll pro-
portion to my dislike for Zika, but took my
and-wel, can not tell you just how It happened.
Ziza drank absinthe and waxed ardent, smoked my
cigarette and watched the smoke rings and-presto,
change-l felt the slip into my blouse against
my heart, which humping like mad
Nothing out of the usual occurred for almost an
hour and the play grew heavier as time went on
] had gone back 10 the table opposite Lutreau when
Zikas voice. very calm and very clear broke IN
No one is to leave the room; have been
robbed land looking up we found Zika guarding the
door with~revolvcr in hand to emphasize his words
Fora moment my heart stood STILL but ] did not
move and in flash the slide under the table giving
access to the workings of Lutreaus wheel came
to me- Another quick change, the springs worked
silently, the was shut in the table But IT was
close shave, and for days was too nervous and too
sick at heart to work
Zika, despite indignant protests, compelled every
one. IN the room to undergo thorough searching
When he left felt sure that he only partially
convinced that he had lost the jewels elsewhere
That nights work put our place under suspicion and
was the beginning of the end of soJourn IN Paris
Zika came but once after that The same night
T..4-