New-York tribune., 1910-07-17
CHAPTER XIV.
AR IOHN SMITH spent the next four days be
NJ h;9d r7rieon bars-ilst like the prison bars IN


M hind nrison bars lust like the prison bars IN
dear old Passaic. He was irrltatlngly cheerful
about it and met new avalanches OF questions from
NJ Baudet with pleasant smile and-SlLence. li1:e.
Tr;ce NJ Raudet called and twice he stOrmed about
the cell only to be beaten back, defeated angered
bv the rnholv calm of his prisoner MI on1tn StOod
broadly upon the general PrncPie 'at nad th T nocV
combined with the fact that he was locked up,
seemed to insure him at least Temporarily from
further trouble
Meanwhile NJ lie Marquis d Aubgny buzzed about
with bewidered expression on the pasty tace OF
him seeking the true inwardness OF 1t all IL had
true inwardness somewhere, else why all th1S maze
of contradictions and untoward happenings But he
couldn't Law his delicate fingers to 1t. There was one
thing he could do keep the police constantly on the
search for the missing bonds, and he did that lhey
needed no urging There were bonds, because NJ.
Clarke had intended them in a great business
deal He had even signed the preliminary papers,
and had opened the leather bag to produce the bonds
only to find it was empty There were bonds
tai,reureti Mr. Smith had said to the contrary but
he was-what you call m?-the big blutter
NJ Baudet and his satellites were s1nguiarly re
ceDtive to the suggestion that Mr.. Smith was big
buffer On two separate occasions he had com
PEELED them to shove their cards IN the pack and ask
for new deal. They had him in their hands Just at
that psychological moment when he must nave been
maturing plans for the theft OF seven and halt
million francs-and they had released him! NJ
Baudet had swallowed hook and line the idea that
Mr. Smith was a detective. He couldn't remember
that Mr.. Smith had ever said he was a detective
but Oh, la la 1t made his head ache! Now the
sufficiently to give the facts in the case.
IN the morning of the fifth day NJ, Baudet called
~ upon Mr.. Smith in his cell, with the information
that the physicians would permit very short inter
vi wv with Mr. Clarke. Mr. Smith rose and put on
his hat.
- 1t is most irregular, this thing Of allowing YOU
to be present at the interview NJ Baudet
planned; but NJ. Clarke has refused to talk at all
unless YOU are present Besides, the circumstances
are unusual and have consented
"GOOdt' remarked Mr.. Smith. Has Clarke been
allowed to see anybody yet"
Only his daughter. She with him last night
for half an hour.
Looking straight into the inqusitive eyes of NJ.
Baudet Mr.. John Smith of PaSsaiC New Jersey,
laughed. Cap,' he queried enigmatically, what
"Cibou." NJ. Baudet informed him after puzzled
parse "Why?"
We'll that's what you're going to get-a ciroH,'
remarked Mr. Smith.
NJ Baudet pondered it all the way to the little
apartment in the Rue St. Honore where NJ. 1e Mar
quis was waiting. Ciron! What had that to do
with this most mysterious case. He doesn't know
yet.
Worn haggard, white feeble a child, helpless
in bed vet with that same old commanding glitter in
his ewes that Mr.. Smith knew well, Mr. Clarke
ceived the three of them, NJ, Baudet. NJ. lie Marquis
d'Aubigny. and plain Ohm Smith of PaSsaic. The
physician had withdrawn; Edna stood beside the
bed watchfullv. Her eyes met Mr.. Smiths he
tered and she smiled bravely.
Father" she said softly, here is Mr.. Smith.
The gaze of the sick fingered for instant
upon the Keen inquiring face of NJ. Baudet. thence
shifted to the Marquis and finally halted by the
straight staring eyes of Mr.. Smith. For second
perhaps they stared each at the other, and Clarke
lifted a wasted hand.
Hello, Smith, he said. I'm glad to see YOU"
Same to you, Mr. Clarke" and Mr.. Smith shook
the proffered hand. I'm sorry YOU We been i'll. sir"
Again Clarke looked at NJ. Baudet. Well" he
Questioned abruptly what is it Ny physician has
given only ten minutes to talk to YOU.