Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1910-07-21

lT1HE woodcarver kept his ap.
pointment the next day at the
Bonnetons'. More than that,
~ he seemed in excellent spirits.
and as he sat down to Mother Bon
neton's modest luncheon he nodded
good naturally to Matthew, the sub
stitute Waterman. whom the sacristan
introduced.
The woodcarver had thick brown
hair, a short yellowish mustache and
a close cut brownish beard. He was
dressed, like a superior workingman,
in a flannel shirt, a rough blue suit,
oil stained and dust sprinkled, and he
wore thick soled boots. The detective
was forced to admit that if this was
a disguise it was the most admirable
one he had ever seen.
During the meal Groener talked free
ly, speaking with a slight Belgian ac-
cent, but fuently enough. He seemed
to have q naive spirit of drollery.
M. Paul marveled at the mans self
possession. Not a tone or a glance or
a muscle betrayed him. 1t was mar
velous acting, an extraordinary make
mp, but this was his man, all right.
There was the long little finger plain
~ 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, hahn
Matthew showed his appreciation Of
this trick in art catering, and he made
bold to ask M. Groener If there would
be any chance for a man. like himself
in a w~oodcarving shop. His present
job at Notre Dame was for only a few
days.
"Ill help you with pleasure" he said.
<'But today I enjoy myself. This aft
ernoon I 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 w at certain mo-
ments when she would lift her eyes
suddenly and fix them on Groener
with a strange, half frightened ex-
preston.
"You are very kind, Cousin ADOLF
she answered timidly, "but-I'm not
feeling we'll today"
The girl hesitated. and Mother Bon
neton put in harshly: "I'u tell you.
She's fretting about that American
who was sent to prison. A good rid
ance it was"
"Stop! cried Alice.
"No, no! I'll tell it all. When a
girl slips away from her work at the
church and goes to see a man like
Paul Coquenil"-
"Have you heard of Paul Co.
quenil?" 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 l live! Besides, I want
this to be a happy day. Come, little
cousin; you shall tell me all about it
when we are out together. Run along
now and put on your nice dress and
hat"
Alice rose from the table, deathly
white. It seemed to Coquenil 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
across to Notre Dame, and when you
get to the door take your hat off and
stand there for a minute or so tanning
yourself. Then Tignol, who's watch
ing in n Of these doorways, will
come across and join you. Tell him
to be ready to any minute now.
He'd better loaf around the corner OF
the church until he gets a signal from
me. I'll wait here. Now, go on"
"I'm going. NJ. Paul; I'm going"
obeyed Bonneton. And he hurried
away.
Coauenil saw Alice hurrytng toward