Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-03

dogs fighting on either side Of the lock
plates"
Alice listened in astonishment. al
didn't suppose you knew. where NJ.
Kittredge lived"
"Nor did l until this morning." he
smiled. "Slnce then I-well, as my
friend Gibelin says. I haven't wasted
my time"
"Your friend GibelinT" repeated Al
ice, not understanding.
Coquenil smiled grimly. "He is an
amiable person for whom 1 am prepar-
ing "a little surprise"
"ohl And what about the chest of
drawers?"
TITS about one particular drawer.
the small upper one on the right hand
side. Better write that down"
''The small upper drawer on the
right hand side." repeated Alice.
Il find that M. Kittredge always
kept this drawer locked He seems to
be a methodical person, and want to
know IL he remembers opening it a
few days ago and finding it unlocked,
Have you got thatT"
..'Yes."
Good! oh. one thing more. Find
out If NJ. Kittredge ever suffers from
rheumatism or gout."
The girl smiled. "Of course he does
not He is only twenty-eight."
"Please do not take this lightly,
mademoiselle," the detective chided
gently. sit is perhaps the most i'm
portant point of all. His release from
prison may depend on it."
1t was after when Alice left the
circular railway at the Montrouge sta
ton. She came to an open place where
she recognized Bartholdi's famous Bel
fort lion. Then she knew her way,
and, hurrying along the Boulevard
Arago, she came presently to the
gloomy mass cf the Sante prison,
which, with its diverging wings and
galleries. spreads out like great gray
spider in the triangular space between
the Rue Humboldt, the Rue de la
Sante and the Boulevard Arago.
No sooner had the guard heard that
she came with a note from NJ. Paul
Coquenil than he showed her politely
to a small waiting room. A door open
ed, and hard faced, low browed man
of heavy build bowed to her with
crooked, sinister smile and motioned
her into his private office. 1t was M.
Dedet, the chief jailer.
She wanted to speak with the Amer
lean, M. Kittredge. who had been sent
here the night before she wanted to
speak with him alone.
The jaller snapped his teeth and mar
rowed his brows in a hard stare. Did
Paul Coquenil send you here for that|
he questioned
Yes, sir" answered the girl, and
her heart began 10 sink. "You see, it's
very special case and"-
Especial case" laughed the other
harshly. 81 should say so. It's a
case of murder"
But he is innocent, perfectly inno-
cent" pleaded Alice.
"Of course, but If let every muir
derer who says he's innocent see his
sweetheart-well,t this would be fine
prison. No, no, little one." he went on,
with offensive familiarity. II am sorry
to disappoint you. and / hate to refuse
NJ. Paul. but it can't be done. This man
is au secret, which means that he must
not see any one except his lawyer"
Alice did not move. She had been
sitting by a table on which a large
sheet Of pink blotting paper was spread
before writing materials. And as she
listened to the directors rough words
she took up Il pencil and twisted it
nervously in her fingers. Then, with
increasing agitation as she realized
that her effort for Lloyd had failed.
she began without thinking to make
little marks ON the blotter and then
written scrawl-all with a singular
fixed look in her eyes.
You'll have to excuse me-" said the
jailer gruffiy
Alice started to her feet. IL beg
your pardon" she said weakly.
Her distress was so evident that
even this calloused man felt a thrill Of
pity and stepped forward to assist her.
And as he passed the table his eye
fell on the blOtting paper
why. what is this?" he exclaimed,
eying her sharply.
"Oh. excuse me. sir" begged Alice,
If have spoiled your nice blotter
am so sorryr'
Never mind the blotter. BUT BE
bent closer over the scrawled words.
and then. with a troubled look. Ibid
you write this?"
"Why-er why-yes. sir. I'm afraid
| did" she stammered
Don't you know you did,"
IL wasn't thinking" she pleaded
in fright
He went to his desk. picked up a
printed form. filed it out quickly and
handed II to her
There" ha said. and his voice was