Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-05
CHAPTER XIV.
THE wooDcARvER.

Bonnetons'. More than that,
he seemed In excellent spirits.
and as he sat down to Mother Bon
;leton's modest luncheon he nodded
good naturally to Natthieu. the sub
stitute WatchDan, whom the sacristan
introduced.
The woodcarver had thick brown
hair, q short yellowish mustache and
a close cut brownish beard. He was
dressed, like superior workingman,
In flannel shirt, q rough blue suit,
oil stained and dust sprinkled, and he
wore thick soled boots. The detective
was forced to admit that If this was
Z disguise it was the most admirable
one he had ever seen.
During the meal Groener talked free
j., speaking with q slight Belgian ac-
cent, but duently enough. He seemed
to have naive spirit Of drollery.
M. Paul marveled at the mans self
possession. Not tone or glance or
= muscle betrayed him. It was mar
velous acting, an extraordinary make
up, but this was his man, all right.
There was the long little finger plain
u visible, the identical finger Of his
seventeenth century cast.
The woodcarver went on to express
delight at being back In Paris, where
his work would keep him three or
four days. Business was brisk, thank
heaven, with an extraordinary demand
for old sideboards with carved panels
OF the Louis XIV. period. which they
turned out by the dozen-ha. ha, ha-in
the Brussels shop. Across the table
Matthew showed his appreciation of
this trick in art catering, and he made
bold to ask NJ. Groener If there would
be any chance for a man like himself
In woodcarv1ng shop. His present
Job at Notre .Dame.was for only few
days
'.I'll help you ithppleasure," he said.
s'But today enjoy myself. This aft
ernoon escort my pretty cousin Alice
to hear some music"
Since the meal began Alice had
scarcely spoken, but had sat looking
down at her plate'save at certain mo-
ments when she would lift her eyes
suddenly and FIX them on Groener
with q strange, half frightened ex-
preston.
"You are very kind, Cousin Adolf"
Ghe answered timidly, 'shut-I'm not
feeling we'll today"
The girl heatated, and Mother Bon
Aeton ppt H. harshlys '1A tell you.
She's ffett1n9 about that American
who was sent TO prison. A good rid
ance 1t was"
AStopr' cried Alice.
'.No, no! I'll tell It all. When \
girl slips away from her work at the
church and goes to see man like
Paul Coqueni"-
Have you never heard Of Paul Co
auenil r smiled Matthew, kicking Papa
Bonneton warningly under the table.
Groener answered with perfect SIM
! plicity: mo wonder you smile, NJ.
Matthew. But think how far away
from Paris ] livel Besides. want
this to be q happy day. Come, little
cousin; you shall tell me all about it
when We are out together. Run along
now and put ontyour nice dress ana
4 hat"
Alice rose from the table. deathly
white. II. seemed toiCoquenil that her
eyes met his in desperate appeal, and
then, With a glance at Groener, half Of
submission, half.of defiance, she left
the room.
Matthew bowed politely and, follow.
ed by the sacristan, went out.
..Now, Bonneton," ordered the detec-
tive sharply when they were In the
lower hallway. II want you to go right
acrosg to Noue Dame, and when you
get to the door take your hat Oh and
stand there fora minute or so tanning
ing In one Of these doorWays, will
come across and Join you. Tell him
to be ready to move any minute now.
He'd better loaf around the corner OF
the church until he gets signal from
me. Tu'wait here. Now, 60 on"
''I'm going, n. Paul; I'm going, !"
0beyed Bonneton. And he hurried
away.
Coquenil saw Alice hurry1ng toward
him, tense with some eager purpose.
'sOh, NJ. Matthieur' exclaimed the
girl in apparent surprise. Il know who
you are. You are NJ. CoQuenil," now
/ whispering.
"Does he know?"
The girls hands closed convulsively.
ase s.=====ss.-ee1 .lese s!:sS:c:!::: '--c:as:
sHy kxe,cs everything"
''Is Dc Planning something's
For . moment Alice hesftated, biting
her red lips. Then. With d quick I'M
pulse, she lifted her dark eyes to Co.
quenl. II must tell you. I have no
ona else to tell, and l am 50 distressed,
$3.50 afraid" She caught his hands
I plsadinely In hers, and he felt that
they were icy cold. -.
Hes planning to take me away
away from Paris. I overheard him
Just now telling Mother Bpnneton to
pack my trunk. II he takes me away
III may never come back"
'.See hera-you trust meT' asked the
detective.
rob, yes!''
you'll do. exactly what tell your"
II will." she. declared.
.Ncw, slfstsn." And. speaking slow
y and 1lst1nctly, the detective gave
Alice precise Instructions; then he
went oyer them again. point by, point.
Are Jon sure you understand" he