The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-12-09
any imprints of footsteps, Mr.. COM

any lu!QElulS OF IOOtStepS, MT. COUl-
missary?"
81 must confess we never thought OF
looking for them"
"Ah!" exclaimed the chief detective,
in a tone Of irritation. that is veX-
atious!"
wait" added the commissary;
there is yet time TO see if there are
any not in this room, but in the
other. We have disturbed absolutely
nothing there. My footsteps and the
corporals will be easily distinguished.
Let us see"
AS the commissary opened the door
of the second chamber, Gevrol stopped
him.
u ask permission. SIR" said he to
the investigating magistrate, Ito ex-
anime the apartment before anyone
else is permitted to enter"
Certainly" approved NJ. Daburon.
Not the slightest imprint" muir
INJURED Gevro, disappointed. He
must have arrived before half-past
nine. You can all come in now
ut cannot be said" grumbled he,
that the work is not properly done!
the assassin is no apprentice." Then
looking right and left, he continued,
ooh, oh! the poor devil was busy with
her cooking when he struck her; see
her pan of ham and eggs upon the
hearth.
1T is evident said the commissary
TO the investigating magistrate, that
robbery was the motive OF the crime"
1T is probable" answered Gevrol
in sly way; and that accounts for
the absence Of the silver spoons from
the table,
Look here! Some pieces of gold in
this drawer!" exclaimed Iecou. who
had been searching on his own &C
count, Just three hundred and twenty
francs!'
We'll, I never" cried Gavrol. lit
tie Disconnected. But he soon re-
covered from his embarrassment. and
added, "He must have forgotten them;
that often happens"
The Investigations of the two agents
were continued all over the house;
but their most minute researches re-
suited in discovering absolutely moth
ing; not one piece of evidence to con-
Wet; not the faintest indication which
might serve as point of departure.
Even the dead woman's papers, il she
nNScnCCaS h,l Iic,n,
letter, not scrap of paper even, to
be met with.
well, what do you make of it?" at
length demanded the investigating
magistrate.
1t is draw game, monsieur" re-
piled Gevrol. 1--WE are battled for the
present. The miscreant has taken
his measure we'll with great precau-
ton: but will catch him. Before
night. shall have q dozen men in
pursuit. Besides. he is sure to fall
into our hands. He has carried off
the plate and the jewels. He is LOST"
Despite all that said NJ Daburon,
I'VE are no further advanced than we
were this morning!'
Well" growled Gevrol. "A man
can only do what he can"
Ah!'' murmured Lecoq, in low tone
perfectly audible, however, why is
not old Tirauclair here?"
What could he do more than we
have done?" retorted Gevrol. direct
ing a furious glance at his subordi-
nate. Lecoq bowed his head and was
silent, inwardly delighted at having
wounded his chief
Who is old Tirauclair?" asked M.
Daburon. 1T seems to me that have
heard the name, but can't remember
where"
HE is an extraordinary man." ex-
claimed Lecoq.
He was formerly a clerk at the
Mont de Piete," added Gevrol: "but
he is now rich old fellow. whose
real name is Tabaret. He goes in for
playing the detective by way Of
amusement.
And to augment his revenues" in
simulated the commissary.
Hep cried Ieceq. mo danger of
that. He works sosmuch for the glory
of success that he often spends money
from his own pocket. It's his anuse-
ment you see. At the Prefecture we
have nicknamed him "Triauclair,"
from the phrase he is constantly in
the habit of repeating. All, he is
sharp, the old weazel! 1t was he who
IN the case Of the bankers wife, you
remember, guessed that the lady had
robbed herself, and who proved it,"
I'VE are wasting our time, gentle
men," interrupted M. Daburon. Then
addressing himself to Lecoq, he added,
"go and find M. Tabaret. have
heard a great deal of him, and shall
be glad TO see him at work here"
Lecoq started off on a run. Gevrol
was seriously Inundated.
"You have Of course, sir, the right
to demand the services of whom YOU
please" commenced he, "but yet"
DO not" interrupted M. Daburon,
let us lose our telnpers NJ. Gevrol.