The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-05-26

OUCH stupidity. liz StOiLlCu.
ITS what expected" answered
CoQuenil.
"Gibelin says you have no business
here. Hes an impudent devil! Tell
Beau Cocono.' he SEecrcu. to keep his
hands off this case. Orders from head
quarters. tod hini you had bust
ness here. business for me. and Com,
on. III show EN-"
He took Coqueni! by the arm. but the
latter drew back. Not yet. have Il
better idea. Go ahead with your re-
port. Never mind me-"
"Rut want you on the case" insist
ed the commissary.
I'll be on the case all right.
"Ill telephone headquarters at once
about this" insisted Pougeot. when
shall see you again:"
Coquenil eyed his friend mysterious
~. Il think you'll see me before the
night is over. Now get to work. and"
he smiled mockingly as he departed.
''give NJ. Gibelin the assurance of my
distinguished consideration"
AS Nj. Pougeot mounted to the first
floor he was met at the head Of the
stairs 10y little yellow bearded man
with luminous dark eyes. who came
toward him. hand extended.
"Ah. Dr. Joubert" said the commits
sary
The doctor nodded nervously. Its
singular case"
At the same moment door opened
and Gibelin appeared. He was rather
fat. with small. piercing eyes and Il
reddish mustache. His voice was
harsh. his manner brusque. but there
was no denying his intelligence.
Gibelin withdrew while Pougeot pro.
ceeded with his duties.
In general plan the Ansonia was in
the form of a large E. the main part
of the second floor. where the tragedy
took place. being occupied by public
dining rooms. but the two wings, in
accordance with Partisan custom. con-
ta'ning Il number Of private dining
rooms. In each Of the wings were sew
Ell of these private rooms. all opening
on dark red passageway lighted by
soft electric lamps. 1t was in one of
the west wing private rooms that the
crime had been committed.
NJ. Pougeot paused at the turn of the
corridor to ask some question. but he
was interrupted by burst Of singing
on the left. roaring chorus of hi
larity.
Its banquet party" explained the
doctor. "a lot of Americans. They
don't know what has happened"
"Hah" reflected the other. "Just
across the corridor too!''
Then briefly the commissary heard
what the witnesses had to tell him
about the crime. 1t had been discov-
cred half an hour before. more precise
~ at ten minutes to >. by a waiter. Jo-
scph. who was serving a couple in No
4. Il dark cOlnpleXiUned man and a
strikinsly handsome woman. They
had arrived at a quarter before . and
the meal had begun ut once. Oddly
enough. after the soup the gentleman
told the waiter not to bring the next
course until he rang. at the same time
slipping into his hand ten franc
piece. whereupOn Joseph had nodded
his understanding.
Ten minutes! Fifteen minutes. 10.
seph knocked discreetly. then again
after decent pause. and finally,
weary Of waiting. he opened TIE door
A moment later he started back. his
eyes fixed with horror.
Grand Dieu!" lie cried.
"fou saw the body. the mans
body?" questioned the commissary.
''IeS. sir
''And the wOmany'
"Ah. | forgot" stammered Joseph
"SlIe had come out Of the room before
this. while was waiting. She asked
where the telephone was, and told
her.i was ON the floor below"
did any one see her leave the ho
tely demanded Pougeot sharply, look
Ing ut the others.
his extraordinary answered the
doctor. but no one seems to have seen
this woman 50 out"
Again POugeOt turned to the waiter.
what sort Of woman was she? A
lady Or-Or not?"
Joseph CLICKED his tongue admiring-
~. ''She was a lady. all right. and
a sumner! Oh. there's one thing
morew
You can tell me later. Now. doc
tor. We'll look at the room. I'll need
you. Leroy. and you and you" He
motioned to his secretary and to two
Of his men.
DR.. Joubert. bowling gravely. opened
the door of No. u. and the cOmmissary
entered. followed by his scribe. q very
bald and pale young man. and by the
two policemen. Last came the doctor.
closing the door carefully behind him.
Stretched ut full length on the fool