Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-06-23

and himself and inviting the redoubt-
able Andre to join them.
He apparently took a keen interest
in the game, and applauded the manner
in which the Frenchman scored series
of difficult cannons.
Meanwhile he noted that between
the private passage from the bar
and the public one that led from.
the cafe was a room into which the
light of day could not possibly pene-
trate. He was certain that no door COM
mnicated with it from the public pas
sage, and he could not remember hav-
ing passed one that first afternoon
when La Belle Chasseuse brought him
and Fairholme into the billiard-room
to display her prowess as marks
woman.
1t was certainly a curious apartment,
and for some undefinable reason he
could not prevent his mind from dwell
ing upon it's possible uses.
Probably the Cafe Nor had no cellars
The place might serve as a store room.
This natural hypothesis was upset by
the appearance of the waiter, who
passed through the billiard-ro and
opened another door at the further end,
ing a fresh supply of bottles.
"It is obvious" said Brett to himself.
that If there is no door communicate
Ing with the private passage, then the
only way In which that room can be
reached is by ladder from the top.
Now I wonder why that should be
necessary"
He remained in the billiard room
some twenty minutes. When Gros Jean
was called on some momentary errand
to the front of the house he took his
departure. purposely making the mis-
take of quitting the room by the wrong
exit. At the same instant he struck
match to relight his cigar, and while the
expert billiard player, Andre, ran after
him to direct him as to the right way
he rapidly surveyed the passage The
plaster walls were smooth and un-
broken on their inner side, affording no
doorway exit.
Apologizing to Andre with a laugh, he
then sauntered toward the front cafe,
where he purchased another drink at
the counter. He assured himself that he
had not been mistaken. The only pri-
vate door out of the bar led into the
passage, so that the room beyond could
only be reached by staircase or
through a trap-door.
II have learned something, at any
rate" he murmured, as he passed out
into the Boulevard, land I imagine that
my knowledge is not shared by the
Paris police. Mademoiselle would have
acted more wisely had she not yielded
to impulse, and reserved her shooting
display for a more dramatic occasion"
Brett kept his appointment with the
commissary next morning. That worthy
official set himself to the congenial task
of examining a prisoner with the air of
one who said: Now you will see what
manner of man L am. Here am on my
native heath"
He consulted bulky volumes. made
notes, fussily called up various subor-
dinates, both in person and by speak
tube, and generally conducted him
self with a business-li like air that much
amused the barrister, who, however, for
his own purposes, took care to appear :
greatly impressed.
At last all was ready, and the captive
of the Rue Barbette was introduced.
This precocious parsonage had recov-
cred his self-possession and natural Inn
pudence during the night. BY the COM
missary's instructions he had been well
supplied with eatables, and the restric-
tions as to persons under detention were
relaxed, to permit him to enjoy a supply
of his much-loved cigarettes. Conse-
quently, the little thief was restored to
his usual state of jaunty cheekiness.
The first part of the interrogation
which promptly ensued was not strange
to him.
'Your manner" said the oommissary.
Charles Petit"
"AEe?"
(To BE Continued Temorrow.D II