The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-26


 +But, my dear fellow" replied the chief in frank astonishment, q un- derstood that you had received a mag nifcent offer with''-
 'fYes, yes. have"
 "With 8 salary of a hundred thou sand francs?"
 ''It's true but I have refused it.''
 Simon and Vaudeville looked at Co., quenil incredulously.
 May I ask why you have refused 1t?'' asked the chief.
 sPartly for personal reasons, large ly because 1 want to have a hand in this case.''
 G.belin moved uneasily.
 ''You think this case so interesting Y' put in the judge.
 t'The most interesting I have ever known" answered the other, and then he added, with all the authority of his fine, grave face: its more than inter- esting. It's the most important crimi- nal case Paris has known for three generations
 Again they stared at him.
 "N1y dear Coquenil. you exaggerate,' g objected Nj. Simon. .After all, we have only the shooting of a billiard player
 M. FduI SHOOK HIS neaO ana F0pl16Q impressively: "The billiard player was a pawn in the game. He became trou- blesome and was sacrificed. He is o1 no importance. but there's greater game than billiards here with mas ter player and I'm going to be in it''
 "Why do you think it's great gamer questioned the judge.
 "Why do I think anything? Why did think a com mmonplace pickpockef at the Bon Marche was notorious criminal, wanted by two countries? :? Why did I think we should find the real clew to that Bordeaux counter feiting gang in a Passy wineshop? Why did think it necessary tonight to be on the cab this young American took and not behind it in another cab?' He shot quick glance at Gibe- lin. Because good detective knows certain things before he can prove them and acts on his knowledge. That is what distinguishes him from an or. dinary detective"
 tMeaning mel" challenged Gibelin.
 ''Not at all." replied M. Paul smooth ly. ''I only say that
 One moment interrupted M. Si- mon. "Do I understand that you were with the driver who took this Ameri-
  Coqueni1 smiled. q was not with the driver. I was the driver, and had the honor of receiving francs from my distinguished associate.'' He bowed mockingly to Gibelin and held up a silver piece. ssI shall keep this among my curiosities.''
 s'It was a foolish trick. a perfectly useless trick" declared Gibelin, furi- ous.
 Perhaps not.'' answered. the other, with aggravating poiiteness. Perhaps it was rather nice coup leading to very important resuIts.''
 Huh! What results?''
 'sYes. What results Y' echoed the judge.
 eeLet me ask frst," replied Coquenil deliberately. "what you regard as the most important thing to be known in this case just now.''
 '"The name of the Woman," answered Vaudeville promptly.
 '"Then the man who gives you this woman's name and address will rem der a real service?'
 GA, service?' exclaimed Vaudeville sHThe whole case rests on this woman" "Come, come" interrupted the chief. 'sWhat are you driving at?'
 ''I have the wonlan's name and ad- dress.'' exclaimed Coquenil. 'Impossibler' they cried. "I got them by my own efforts, and will give them up on my own terms.'' He spoke with a look of fearless pur- pose that Nj. Simon well remembered from the old days. "A thousand devils! How did you do it?n cried Simon.
 sI watched the American in the cab i
 
 tern light. and I saw exactly what he | was doing. He opened the lady's bag | and cut out a leather flap that had l her name and address stamped on it." ''No,'' contradicted Gibelin; there I was no name in the bag. l examined 1 it myself" 1.-The name was on the underside of | the flap" laughed the other, lin gilt | Ietters.'' Gibelin's heart sank.
 'tAnd you took this flap from the l asked NJ. Simon. ''No. no! Any violence would have l brought my colleague into the thing 1 for he was close behind, and I wanted | this knowledge for myself What did you do?' pursued the l chief. q let the young man cut the haI l into small pieces ana Orop them one by one as Be drove through dark lit l tie streets. And 1 noted where he l dropped the pieces. Then drove back l and picked them up-that is all but 1 two.' ''MarNeIousv' muttered Vaudeville. ''I had small searchlight lantern to | help me- That was one of the things i I took from my desk.' he added to Pougeot, And these pieces of leather with the name and address, you have them?'' continued tho chief. .sL have them"