Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-16
CHAPTER I.
. BLOOD RED SKY.

A BLOOD RED SKY.
1T was late in the afternoon Of
hot July day. the hottest day
Paris had known that year
$500, and Paul Coquenil, the
famous French detective, followed by
q splendid white and brown shepherd
dog, was walking down the Rue de la
Cite past the somber mass of the City
hospital Before reaching the Place
Notre Dame he stopped twice, once at
q flower market that offered the CRATE
ful shade Of its gnarled polenia trees
just beyond the COnciergerie prison
and once under the heavy archway OF
the prefecture Of police. At the fow-
er market he bought white carnation
from woman in green apron and
wooden shoes. who looked in awe at
his pale. grave face and thrilled when
he gave her smile and friendly word.
She wondered il it were true. as people
said, that NJ. Coquenil always wore
glasses with slightly blush tint SO
that no one could see his eyes.
The detective walked on. busy with
pleasant.thoughts. This was the hour
Of his triumph and justidc1tton. Ehis
made up for the cruel blow that had
fallen two years before and resulted.
no one understood why, in his leaving
the Paris detective force at the very
moment of his glory, when the whole
city was praising him for the St Ger
main investigation. Beau Cocono!
That was the name they had given
him. He could hear the night crowds
shouting it in a silly couplet:
II naut faut-o
Beau Cocono-o!
And then what change within q
week, What bitterness and humilia-
ton! NJ Paul Coquenil, after scores
Of brilliant successes, had withdrawn
from the police force for personal rea-
sons, said the newspapers. His health
was affected. some declared. He had
laid by tidy fortune aud wished to
enjoy it, thought others. But many
shook their heads mysteriously and
whispered that there was something
queer in all this Coquenil himself
said nothing.
But now facts would speak for him
more eloquently than any words.
Now. within twenty-four hours it.
would be announced that he had been
chosen on the recommendation of the
Paris police department to organize
the detective service of foreign capt.
tai, with life position at the head Of
this service and a much larger salary
than he had ever received, a larger
salary, in fact, than Paris paid to it's
own chief Of police.
Coquenil and the dog advanced to-
ward the great Cathedral Of Notre
Dame. directing their steps to the left
hand portal under the northern tower.
And presently there appeared white
bearded sacnstan in a three cornered
hat Of blue and gold and gold en-
broidered coat.
"Ah, Bonneton, my friendv' said
Coquenil.
'tGood evening, NJ. Paul." answered
the other, while he patted the dog at
fectionately. s'Shall take Caesar?"
Zone moment. i have news for you"
Then, while the other listened anx-
: :c:.=.S, he he told of his brilliant appotnt-
ment In Rio de Janeiro and Of his Inn
m1uent departure. no WAS oAAuu8 Avn
Brazil In three days.
ssNon Dieuy' murmured Bonneton In
dismay. Sailing for Brazil! So our
friends leave us. OF course I'm glad
for you. It's great chance, but
win you take Caesarp'
II couldn't leave my dog, could r.
smiled Coquenil.
.4Of course not! OF course not! Andl
such dog! You've been kind to let,
him guard the church since old Max
died. Come, Caesar! Just a moment,
n Paul.
How the course Of events would
have been changed had Paul Coquenil
remained outside Notre Dame on this
occasion It Is impossible to know. The
fact - he did not remain outside; but
growing impatient at Bonneton's de-
lay, he pushed open the double swing
ine doors, with their coverings Of leath-
et and red velvet. and entered the
sanctuary. Immediately he saw . GIN.
She was in the shadows near I, stat
ne OF the virgin before which candles
Werx burning. On the taDie were TO-
notfso nd taIismona and candles IT