Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-16


murmured Coquenil. fondling the
eager head. ITS all right, BonnetoD,'
and, coming forward he held out his
hand.
Wondering. Bonneton led the way TO
n small room adjoining the treasure
chamber
Hey. Francoisr' He shook sleep
ing figure on cot bed. Its time to
make the round"
Francois looked stupidity at Coquenil,
and then. with a yawn and a shrug
OF Indifference. be called TO the dog,
while Caesar growled his reluctance.
Its all right. old fellow encour-
aged Coquenil. III see you again"
whereupon Caesar trotted away reas-
sured
Now. them began NJ. Paul, L
want 10 ask about that girl who sells
candles. she boards with you. You
know she's I'm love with this Ameri-
can who is in PRISON."
Il know"
"She came to see me the other day.
and the result OF her visit was-well.
it has made lot Of trouble. What
I'm going 10 say you mustn't tell a
southeast OF all your wife"
"You can trust me-"
ITO begin with, who is the man with
the long little finger that she told me
abouty'
"Why. that's Groener." answered
Bonneton simply.
"GroenerF oh, her cousinT'
Yes"
I'm interested. because l have q
collection OF plaster hands at my
house. and there's one with a long lit
tie finger that the candle girl noticed.
is her cousins little finger really very
Iongy
ITS pretty long" said Bonneton. Il
used 10 think IL had been stretched In
some machine. You know he's a wood
carver"
"Bonneton," continued the detective
mysterlously. 81 don't know whether
its frow her ut,.n or in some other
way. but that girl knows things that
that she las NO BUSINESS 10 know"
Then. briefly sud impressively, Co
Quenil told Of the extraordinary reve-
iations that Alice had made not only
20 him. hut To- the director OF the
gerous knowledge. and I want 70 know
where she got il. I want to know ali
about this girl
Bonneton shook his head. I'VE know
very little about her. and the queer
thing is she seems 10 know very little
about herself. / believe she is per
fectly honest. Anyhow. her cousin Is
a stupid fellow He comes on from
Brussels every FIVE or six months and
spends tive night with us-never more.
never less. lie eats his meals. attends
TO his commissions for wOOdcarving,
takes Alice out once I'm the afternoon
or evening gives my wife the money
| for her board. and that's all For five
years it's been the same. I've noticed
she's nervous just before his visits and
sort OF sad after them. My wife says
the girl has her worst dreams then"
Il have it, Coquenn exclaimed
presently. Tell me about this man
| Francois"
"Francoisy' answered the sacristan
I In surprise. why. he helps me with
the night work here. lie takes two
meals with us "A day"
"Ah, DO you think be would Ike 60
make a hundred francs by doing moth
ing7 And YOU would Ike to make
7 JOOf"
Five hundred francs7" cried Bonnie
ton.
Don't be afraid" laughed the other
when do you expect the wood
carvery'
Hen be here next Wednesday"
| Next Wednesday," reflected COQue-
NIL. He always comes when he says
he wmy"
Always. He's as regular as clock
work"
And he spends two nights with
your
YES"
THAT WIFI be Wednesday night and
Thursday night OF next weekT"
yes"
! Good! Now I'll show you how
you're going 10 make this money.
want Francois TO have a little vaca-
ton. He looks tired. want him to go
into the country on Tuesday and stay
until Friday"
and his work? Who will do his
work."
Coquenl tapped his breast
Il will take Francois place. I'll be
the best assistant you ever had, and 1
shall enjoy Mother Bonneton's cook
ing. None OF them will know me. You
! won't know me yourself"
i 'Ah. / see" nodded the old man
wisely. You will have a disguise"
Il shall come on Tuesday. When do
| you want me-"
4 "At O'clock" answered the sacris
! tan doubtfully. But what shall say
/ II any one asks me about itl"
Say Francois was sick and you got
your old friend Matthew to replace
him for few days I'm Matthieup'
! you wouldn't get me into trouble.
NJ PaulT he appealed weakly.
Papa BOnneton," answered Ooque-
! NIL earnestly, "have l ever shown you
anything but friendship? When old
Max died and you asked me to lend