Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1910-01-26
Continued From Yesterday

"Ah!" said Coquenil, and presently he
took his departure with polite assur-
| ances, whereupon the unsuspecting Ad-
olson footed away complacently for
Fontainebleau.
1t was now about O'clock, and the
| next three hours M. Paul spent with his
sources of Information studying the ca
reer of Pussy Wilmott from special
points OF view in preparation for call
upon the lady, which he proposed to
make later in the~afternoon
He discovered two significant things,
first, that, whatever her actual conduct
Mrs Wilmott had never openly COM
promised herself. Love affairs she
might have had, but no one could say
when or where or with whom she had
had them; and II, as seemed likely, she
was the woman in this Ansonia case,
then she had kept her relations with
Kittredge III profoundest secrecy
AS offsetting this, however, Coquenil
secured information that connected
Mrs. Wilmott directly with Martinez.
1t appeared that, among her other ex-
elements, Pussy was passionately fond
Of gambling. She was known to have
won and lost large sums at Monte Carlo
and she was a regular follower of the
fashionable races at Paris. She had also
been seen at the Olympia billiard acad-
emy, near the Grand Hotel. where Mar
tinez and other experts played regularly
before eager audiences, among whom
betting on the games WAS the great at
traction. The detective found two bet
markers who remembered distinctly
that, on several occasions, a handsome
woman, answering to the description of
Mrs. Wilmott, had wagered five or ten
louis on Martinez and had shown a de-
cided admiration for his remarkable
skill with the cue.
HE used to talk about this lady,"
said one Of the markers; "he called her
his belle Americaine.' but / am sure he
did not know her real name.' The man
smiled at Martinez's inordinate vanity
over his supposed fascination for women
he was convinced that no member of
the fair sex could resist his advances.
With so much in mind Coquenil
started up the Champs Elysees about
o'clock. He counted on finding Mrs
w llIIlOIL nOIue dl tEd lliHc- anu as ne
strolled along, turning the problem over
in his mind. he found it conceivable
that this eccentric lady, in mo-
ment of ennui or for the nov
city of the thing. might have con-
sented to dine with Martinez in a pri-
vate room. 1t was certain no scruples
would have deferred her if the adven-
ture had seemed amusing, especially as
Martinez had no idea who she was.
With her, excitement and a new sem
sation were the only rules of conduct,
and her husbands opinion was a mat
ter of the smallest possible conse-
auence. Besides, he would probably
never know it.
Mrs. Wilmott. very languid and stun
ming, amidst her luxurious surround
ings, received M. Paul with the pat
ronizing indifference that bored rich
women extend TO tradespeople. But
presently when he explained that he
was detective and began to question
her about the Ansonia affair, she rose
with a naughty gesture that was meant
to Danish him in confusion from her
presence. .Coquenil. however did not
''banishr so easily. He had dealt with
naughty ladies before.
.:My dear madam, please sit down.
he said quietly. "I must ask you to
explain how it happens that num-
Der Of five-pound notes, given to you