The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-28


 windows-the end window and the one next to it. Isn't it possible that this bright thing was thrown from the win dow next to the end oneg'
 'tNo, not"
 eHThey are both alike and, both being open, one might easily make a mis- take''
 She shook her head positively. .I have made no mistake; it was the end window
 Just then Coquenfl heard the click of the door opposite and, looking over, he saw Papa Tignol beckoning to him.
 Excuse me- he said and hurried across the street.
 sIt's there," whispered TignoI.
 '"The pistol?''
 tsYes.''
 "You remember what I told you?' P
 The old man looked hurt .'Of course I did. I haven't touched it. Nothing could make me touch it.''
 Again Coqueni rejoined the seam stress. Thanks, my good woman,'' he said. seNow go right back to your room and don't breathe word of this to any one'
 A few moments later Coquenil and the commissary and Papa Tignol were standing in the courtyard near two green tubs of foliage plants between which the pistol had fallen. The door keeper of the house had joined them.
 tfSee here,' said the detective, ad- dressing him, sdo you want to earn 5 francs?' The doorkeeper frightened. ''I'n make it 1O,'' continued the other, ssff you do exactly what I say. You are to take cab-here is the money 1rsx +o On{7s l1 fT1o rio of the church is high iron railing around the archbishop's house. In the railing is an iron gate with night bell for extreme unction. Ring this bell and ask to see the sacristan Bon neton, and when he comes out give him this.H CoquenfI wrote hastily on a card. sIt's an order to let you have a dog named Caesar-my dog; he's guarding the church with Bonne- ton. Pat Caesar and tell him he's go- ing to see M. Pau1-that's me. Tell him to jump in the cab and keep still. He'll understandable knows more than most men. Then drive back here as quick as you can"
 Coquenil began at once with ques- tions to M. Gritz about private room No. z. Who had reserved this room, and what had prevented the person from occupying it? M. Gritz replied that No. z had been engaged some days before by an old client who, at the last moment, had sent petit bIeu to say that he had changed his plans and would not require the room. The petit bleu did not arrive until after the crime was discovered, so the room re mained empty. More than that, the door was locked-locked on the out sid xr3f Eo in To
 ssThen any one coming along the corridor might have turned the key and entered No. 7?''
 'sIt is possib1e,'' admitted M. Gritz, t'but very improbable. The room was dark, and an ordinary person seeing a door locked and a room dark
 ''We are not talking about an ordi- nary person. retorted the detective; stwe are talking about a murderer. Come; we must look into this," and he led the way down the corridor, nod ding to the policeman outside No. 6 and stopping at the next door, the last in the line, the door to No. '.
 "You know I haven't been in there yet" He glanced toward the adjoin- ing room of the tragedy; then, turning the key in No. 7, he tried to open the door.
 Hello! It's locked on the inside tooY
 '"Tiens! You're right,' said Gritz as he rumpled his scanty locks in perplex- ity.
 Some one has been inside-some one may be inside now.''
 The proprietor shook his head and rather reluctantly went on to explain that No. was different from the oth- CT private rooms in thiS-that it had separate exit with separate stairs lead ing to an alleyway between the hotel and a wall surrounding it. The alley way led to a gate in the wall opening on the Rue Marboeuf.
 As CoqueniI listened his mouth drew into an ominous thin line and his deep eyes burned angrily.
 ''M. Gritz,'' he said in cold, cutting voice, you are man of intelligence; you must be. This crime was com mitted last night about o'clock; it's now half past in the morning Will you please tell me how it happens that this fact of vital importance has been concealed from the police for over six hours?''
 Why" stammered the other, sI-I don't know
 Are you trying to shield some one? Who is this man that engaged No. 7?''
 Gritz shook his head unhappily. T don't know his name. We have to be discreet in these matters.''
 ''But what do you call him?' per sisted Coqueni1. tfYou must call him something"
 'sIn speaking of him we call him the tall blond He has been here several times with a woman he calls Anita
 The detective shrugged his shoul- ders. Some one has been here and locked this door on the inside. want it opened :