Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-04-09

ask NJ. kittredEe about a chest OF
drawers in his room at the Hotel des
Strangers. IL is q piece OF old oak.
rather worm eaten. but e has good
brouzes for the drawer handles. two
dogs fighting on either side Of the lock
plates"
Alice listened in establishment "I
didn't suppose you knew where NJ.
kittrcdge lived"
Nor did I until this morning" be
smiled. "Since then well. as my
friend Gibelin says, I haven't wasted
my time"
Your friend Gibeling" repeated Al
ice not understanding.
Coquenil smiled grimly. "He is an
amiabic person for whom I am prepar-
Ing "a little surprise"
"Ohl And what about the chest OF
drawers"
'Its about one particular drawer.
the small upper one on the right hand
side. Better write that down"
THE small upper drawer on the
/ right hand side" repeated Alice.
"I find that NJ Kittredce always
kept this drawer locked Tie seems 70
be methodical person. and I want Co
know n ne remembers opening Il "a
few days ago and finding Il unlocked.
Have you got thatT"
Yes"
Good! Oh. one thing more. Find
out ~ NJ. Kittredge ever suffers from
rheumatism or rout"
The girl smiled. "Of course ne does
not He IS only twenty-eirht"
Please do not take this lightly.
mademoiselle." the detective chided
gently. III Is perhaps the most i'm
portant point of alI His release from
prison may depend on &C."
10 was after 6 when Alice left the
circular railway at the Montrouce sta
ton She came 90 an open place where
she recognized Bartholdrs famous Bel
fort lion. Then she knew her way.
and, hurrying along the Boulevard
Arago. she came presently 20 the
gloomy mass OF the Sante prison
which. with It's divcrring wings and
galleries. spreads out like great gray
spider Ina the triangular space between
the Rue humboldt the Rue de Ia
''tA-ANN tAlAAA Ntf if0AltNilIM .AINNO.
No sooner had the guard heard that
she came with "a note from NJ. Paul.
CoQuenil than be showed her politely
20 small waiting room. A door Omen
ed. AMI hard faced, low browed man
OF heavy build bowed Co her with
crooked. sinister smile and motioned
her into his private office. 1t was NJ
Dedet, the chief janer.
She wanted tO speak with the Amer
ican. NJ. kittrcdgc, who had been sent
here the might beforc-she wanted 70
speak with him alone.
The Jaller snapped his teeth and mar
rowed his brows I'm a hard stare. did
Paul Coquenil send you here for that2"
he questioned
Yes. sir answered the girl and
her heart began 20 sink you see, it's
a very special case and
Special case" laughed the other
harshly. Il should say so. It's a
case OF murder"
"But he Is innocent, perfectly limo
cent" pleaded Alice
"Of course. but II let every muir.
derer who says he's innocent see his
sweetheart-well, this would be a fine
prison. No. no. little one" be went on,
with offensive familiarity, Il am sorry
TO disappOint you, and / hate 10 refuse
NJ. Paul, but il can't be done. This man
Is au secret. which means that he must
not see any one except his lawyer"
Alice did not move. She had been
sitting by a table on which a large
sheet OF pink blotting paper was spread
before writing materials. And as she
listened 10 the directors rough words
she took up pencil and twisted II
neryousiy in her fingers. Then. with
increasing agitation as she realized
that her effort for Lloyd had failed.
she began without thinking to make
little marks on the blotter and then
written scrawl-aI with a singular
fixed look in her eyes.
You'll have TO excuse me-" said the
Taller gruffly.
Alice started to her feet IL beg
your pardon" she said weakly.
Her distress was SO evident that
even this call0used man felt thrill OF
pity and stepped forward to assist her.
And as he passed the table his eye
fell on the blotting paper.
why, what is this?" he exclaimed,
eying her sharply.
"Oh, excuse me, sir" begged Alice,
81 have spoiled your nice blotter.
am so sorryg'
''Never mind the blotter, but He
bent closer over the scrawied words,
and then. with a troubled look, "Did
you write thisyv
"Why-er-why-yes. sir, I'm afraid
did" she stammered.
Don't you know you did2"
I'll wasn't thinking" she pleaded
In fright.
He went 60 his desk. picked up
printed form. filled IL out quickly and
handed II to her.
There" he said, and his voice was
almost gentle. II guess don't quite
understand about this thing"
49, 49, ll-c->-sed 1.-The .paQer blsnkly.