Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-03-26


Stopped. waiting for orders. eyrng ~
Paul with almost speaking intelligence
Caesar growled impatiently. strain
ING toward the scent.
HE knows there's work to be done.
and he's right" Then quickly he gave
the word again. and once more Caesar
was away. darting back along the side
walk toward the Champs Elysecs.
moving nearer and nearer 20 the houses
and presently stopping at "A gateway.
against which he pressed and whlnod
IL was gateway I'm the wall surround
ing the Ansonia hotel
The man came out here" declared
Coquenil. and. unlatching the gate. he
looked inside. the dog pushing after
him
This is what YOU call the alleyway r
questioned Coquenil
Exactly"
From the pocket Of his coat the de-
tectivc drew small electric lantern
the one that had served him SO well
earlier IN the evening. and. touching
n switch. lac threw upon the ground "a
strong white ray. whereupon confu-
sion OF footprints became visible. as
n number OF persons had trod back
and forth here.
What does this meane" he cried
Papa Tignol explained shamefacedly.
I'VE did II looking FOR the pistol: Il
was Gibelin's orders"
Bon Dieu. What a pity, We can
never get a clean print in this mess.
But wait. How Ear along the alley
way did you lookF
"As far as that back wall. Poor
Gibelin! He never thought OF looking
on the other side Of IT, Eth. chr
Coquenn breathed more freely. I've
may be all right yet An, yes" he
cried. going quickly TO this back wall
where the alleyway turned to the right
along the roar OF the hotel Again he
threw his white light before him and.
with start OF satisfaction, pointed 10
the ground. There. clearly marked.
was line OF footprints. a single line.
with no breaks or imperfections. the
plain record on the rain soaked earth
that one person. evidently a man, had
passed this Wy. going out
'T'n send The dog first" said NJ.
Paul. Here. Caesar! Chercher
Once more the eager animal sprang
lizard. following slowly along the
rOw or trees where the TRAN was con-
fused, and then, at the corner, dash
ing ahead swiftly. only 10 stop again
after a few yards and stand scratch
ing uneasHy at closed door.
THAT settles IT," said Coquenil. He
has brought US to the alleyway door.
Am l rightT"
Eyes" nodded Gritz.
''The door that leads to No. 7T'
yes"
"Open It" and, while the agitated
proprietor searched for his pass key.
the detective spoke to Tignol: 81 want
impressions of these footprints, the
best you can take. Use glycerin with
plaster Of paris for the molds. Take
this one. and these two, and this. ard
this"
The alleyway door stood open. and.
using his lantern with the utmost care,
COquenl went first. mounting the
stairs slowly. followed by Gritz. AT
the top they came to a narrow landing
and n closed door.
This opens directly into No. n"
asked the detective.
Eyes"
SIS 1t usually locked or unlocked p
cit is always locked"
"WeH, It's unlocked now." observed
Coquenii. trying the knob. Then, fash.
ing hts lantern forward. he threw the
door wide open. The room was empty
let me turn up the electrics," said
the proprietor. and he did so, showing
furnishings like those In No. except
that here the prevailing tint was pale
blue. while there 1t was pale yellow.
II see nothing wrong" remarked NJ
Psui. giancing about sharply. do
you1-