Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-26
CHAPTER V.
oo2uENrL oErs ~ rHE aAnrE.


such a simple thing as getting born or
getting married leads TO endless formal
flies. Judge. then. OF the complicated
procedure involved IN so serious n mat
ter as getting murdered. especially In
fashionable restaurant Long before
the cOmmissary had finished his re-
port there arrived no less a person
than NJ. Simon, the chief OF police,
round faced and affable. n brisk. dap
per man, whose ready smile had led
more than one, trusting criminal into
regretted condolences. And a little
later came NJ. Hauteville, the Judge in
charge OF the case, a cold. severe fig
ure. handsome I'm his younger days.
but soured, It was said. by social dis
appointments and 81 health He was
In evening dress, having been sum
moned pOsthaste from the theater.
The officials discussed the case with
wide variance IN opinions and con
illusions. The chief Of police and NJ
PougeOt were strong IN the theory Of
murder. while NJ. Hauteviiie leaned to-
ward suicide. The doctor was unde-
cided
but the shot was fred at the closest
possible range" insisted the Judge.
THE pistol was not n foot from the
mans head. How else account for
the facts7 Martinez was a strong,
active man. He would never have al
lowed a murderer 10 get 50 close TO
him without a struggle. But there is
! not the slightest sign or a struggle, no
disorder I'm the room. no disarrange-
ment OF the mans clothing. It's evil
IDENTITY suicide"
III it's suicide" objected Pougeot.
''where is the weapOn7 The man died
instantly. didn't he. doctorT'
Undoubtedly" agreed the doctor.
Then the pistol must have fallen
beside him or remained I'm his hand.
Wen. whereas ltT'
ASK the woman who was here
How do yOu.know she didn't take itT'
''Nonsense!' put I'm the chief why
should she take it2 To throw suspi-
cion on herself7 Besides. I'll show
you another reason why it's not sui
eide. The man was shot through the
right eye. The ball went in straight
and clean, tearing its way 20 the brain.
Wei, In the whole history OF suicides
there is not one case where n man has
shot himself In the eye. Did you ever
hear OF such a case. doctorT"
Never" answered Joubert.
"A man viii shoot himself In the
mouth, In the temple. in the heart.
anywhere. but not in the eye. There
would be al unconquerable shrinking
from that SO say it's murder"
The Judge shook his head. And the
murderer
"Ah. that's another question. We
must End the woman. And we must
understand the role OF this Ameri-
can"
mo woman ever fred that shot or
planned this crime" declared the COM
missary. unconsciously echoing COque-
nils opinion.
There's better reason 20 argue that
the American never did It," retorted
the judge.
"What reasony"
''The woman ran away. didn't she ?
And the American didn't. II he had
killed this man do you think anything
would have brought him back here for
that cloak and bagG"
"a good point" nodded the chief.
"Ah. yes; she knows" reflected the
cOmmissary. "And. gentlemen. all our
talk brings US back to this-ve must
ind that woman"
At half past ] Gibelin appeared TO
announce the arrest OF Kittredge. He
had tried vainly to get from the Amer
lean some clew 20 the owner OF cloak
and bag
''i1l see what can squeeze out OF
him in the morning." said Hauteyille
grimly.
You've got your work cut OUT
snapped the detective. Hes a stub
born devil"
In the midst OF these perplexities and
technicalities a note was brought in
for NJ. Pougeot. The commissary
glanced at IL quickly and then, with a
word Of excuse, left the room, return
ing few minutes later and whisper
ing earnestly to NJ. Simon.
'You say ne is hereT' exclaimed the
latter. 81 thought he was sailing for
NJ. Pougeot bent closer and whis-
pered again.
paul Coquenilr' exclaimed the
chief. why. certainly. ask him to
come IN"
A moment later Coquenil entered.
and all rose with cordial greetings
that is. all except Gibelin.
'As You know" explained Coquenil
briefly at the judge. 81 resigned from
the force two years ago. / need not
20 into details. The point is / now
ask to be taken back That Is why /
| am here"
"Bnt. my dear fellow" replied the
chief In frank establishment. II I'M
derstood that you had received a mag
| nificent offer with
yes, yes / have"
with a salary OF a hundred thou
| sand francsy'
''Its true. but have refused IT,"
Simon and Hauteville looked at Co
| quenil incredulously.
MAY ask why you have refused
itT asked the chief
Partly for personal reasons, largo
~ because l want to have a hand In
this case"