Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-05-06


while Caesar growled his reluctance.
It's all right, old fellow" encour-
aged Coquenil. IN see you again."
whereupOn Caesar trotted away reas-
sured.
Now, them" began NJ. Paul, II
want to ask about that girl who sells
candles. She boards with you. You
know she's in love with this Ameri-
can who is in prisonY
II know"
"she came to see me the other day,
and the result Of her visit was-well,
It has made lot Of trouble. What
I'm going to say you mustn't tell .
southeast Of all your wife,
"YOu can trust me-"
ITO begin with, who is the man with
the long little finger that she told me
about?"
why. that's GroenRr." answered
BOnueton simply.
"Groener? oh, her cOusinT
"Yes."
Pm interested, because have a
collection of plaster hands at my
house. and there's one with long lit
tie finger that the candle girl noticed.
Is her cousins little finger really very
long|
ITS pretty long" said BOnneton. II
used to think it had been stretched In
! some machine. You know he's a wood
carver"
"Bunneton." continued the detective
mysteI iously. II don't know whether
it's from her dream or in some other
way but that girl knows things that
that she has no business to Know"
Then. briefly and impressively, Co
quenil told of the extraordinary reve
lations that Alice had made not only
to him, but to the director of the
Sante prison. She's possessed of dan
gerous knowledge. and want to know
where she got it. want to know all
about this girl"
BOnneton shook his head. I'VE know
very little about her. and the queer
thing is she seems TO know very little
about herself | believe she is per-
fectly honest. Anyhow, her cousin is
stupid fellow He comes on from
spends two night with us-never more.
never less He eats his meals. attends
to his commissions for woOdcarving.
takes Alice out once in the afternoon
or evening. gives my wife the money
for her board. and that's all. For five
years it's been the same I've noticed
she's nervous just before his visits and
sort of sad after them. My wife says
the girl has her worst dreams then"
81 have itr' Coquenil exclaimed
presently. Tell me about this man
Francois"
"Francois?" answered the sacristan
in surprise why. he helps me with
the night work here. He takes two
meals with us day."
"Ah! Do you think he would like to
make hundred francs by doing moth
ing? And you would like to make
50O?
Five hundred francs?" cried Bonne-
ton
Don't be afraid" laughed the other.
when do you expect the wood
carver?"
Next Wednesday," reflected Coque-
nil. He always comes when he says
he willY'
Always. He's as regular as clock.
work"
And he spends two nights with
you?"
YES"
"That will be Wednesday night and
Thursday night of next week."
"Yes"
Good. Now I'll show you how
you're going to make this money.
want Francois to have a little vaca-
ton. He looks tired. l want him to so
into the country on Tuesday and stay
Until Friday"
"And his work2 Who will do his
workE'
Coquenil tapped his breast.
II will take Francois place. I'll be
the best assistant you ever had. and !
shall enjoy Mother BonnetOn's cook
ing. None of them will know me. You
won't know me yourself"
"Ah. | see," nodded the old man
wisely. "You will have a disguise"
II shall come on Tuesday. When do
you want me2"
"At q o'clock" answered the sacris-
tan doubtfuIly. But what shall ! say
If any one asks me about itT'
Say Francois was sick and you got
your old friend Matthieu to replace
him for a few days. Pm Matthieur'
You wouldn't get me iuto trouble.
NJ. Paul?" he appealed weakly.
Papa Bonneton." answered Coque.
nil earnestly. "have ] ever shown you
anything but friendship; When old
Max died and you asked me to lend
you Caesar did it. didn't I? And you
know what Caesar is TO me. love
that dog"
NJ Paul held out his hand frankly.
and the sacristan took 1t with emotion
THAT settles it," he muTmured. II
never doubted you"
Then it's understood. Tuesday. at
6. your friend Matthieu will be here TO
replace Francois" The detective rose
to go. He moved toward the door.
"Oh. l forgot about the dog. Tignol
will come for him Tuesday morning
with a line from me. | shall want