Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-26
generations"
Again they stared at him.

MY dear Coquenil. you exaggerate,"
objected NJ. Simon. After ali. we
have only the shooting OF a billiard
player"
NJ. Paul shook his head and replied
impressively; 1.-The billiard player was
a pawn In the game. He became trou-
blesome and was sacrificed He is OF
no Importance. but there's a greater
game than billiards here with a mas
ter player. and I'm going to be IN IT.
why do you think it's a great
gamer questioned the judge.
why do I think anything? Why
did think a commonplace pickpocket
at the Bon Marche was n notorious
criminal, wanted by two countries
Why did I think we should find the
real clew 10 that Bordeaux counter
feiting gang IN a Passy wineshop?
Why did 7 think it necessary tonight
TO be on the cab this young American
took and not behind Il in another
cabT' he shot a quick glance at Gibe-
lin. Because 4 good detective knows
certain things before he can prove
them and acts on his knowledge. That
Is what distinguishes him from an OF
binary detective"
Meaning me7" challenged Gfbelin.
''Not at ALL" replied NJ. Paul smooth
~ II only say that
zone moment" interrupted NJ. ST.
mon. do ! understand that you were
with the driver who took this Ameri-
can away from here tonightT
Coquenil smiled. 81 was not with
the driver. / was the driver, and
had the honor OF receiving 3 francs
from my distinguished associate" He
bowed mockingly to Gibelln and held
up silver piece. Il shall keep this
among my curiosities."
ct was a foolish trick. n perfectly
useless trick" declared Gibelin. furI-
GUS
Perhaps not" answered the other.
with aggravating politeness. Perhaps
II was rather nice coup leading to
very important results"
Huh! What results p
yes. What results2" echoed the
judge.
Let me ask first" replied CoQuenH
deliberately. what you regard as the
most important thing to be known in
this case just now"
AAN AAtAAAN "a AAAk MWAlAMs answered.
Hauteville promptly.
Then the man who gives you this
woman's name and address will rem
der a real serviceT'
"A serviceT' exclaimed HautevilIe.
The whole case rests on this woman. -
Come, come" interrupted the chief.
What are you driving atT'
Il have the womans name and ad-
dress" exclaimed Coqueui
Impossible they cried
Il 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 devilsl How did you
do it," cried simon.
Il watched the American in the cab
as he leaned forward toward the Ian
tern light and I saw exactly what he
was doing. He opened the lady's bag
and cut out a leather Dap that had
her name and address stamped on IT."
mo" contradictcd Glbelin, there
was no name in the bag. 1 examined
Il myself"
The name was on the underside OF
the dap" laughed the other. in gilt
letters"
Gibelin's heart sank.
And you took this Dap from the
American asked NJ. Simon.
mo. no! Any violence would have
brought my colleague into the thing.
for he was close behind. and wanted
/ this knowledge for myself"
did rnrr InstF a..
chief
Il let the young man cut the Zap
into small pieces and drop them one
by one As we drove through dark lit
tie streets. And l noted where he
dropped the pieces. Then drove back
and picked them up-that is. all but
two"
'Marvelousr muttered Hauteville.
Il had a small searchlight lantern 10
help me. That was one OF the things
1 took from my desk" he added to
Pougeot
"And these pieces OF leather with
the name and address. you have
themT" continued the chief
"I have them"
with your"
ayes"
May / see them2"
Certainly. II you will promise 10
respect them as my personal prop
ertyY"
Simon hesitated. "You mean He
frowned and then said impatiently.
"Oh. yes. promise that"
COquenil drew an envelope from his
breast pocket and from II he took
number OF white leather fragments.
And he showed the chief that most OF
these fragments were stamped IN gold
letters or parts OF letters.
I'm satisfied" declared Simon after
examining several OF the fragments
and returning them. bon Dieu!' he
stormed at GibelIn. "And you had
that bag I'm your handsF'
Glbelin sat silent This was the
wretchedest moment in his career.
We'll" continued the chief. I've
must have these pieces OF leather.
What are your termsY'
kCIq 10