Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-03-30
Z CHAPTER XXI.
THE woMAN m TIE CASE.

Qf1OuS SURROUNDINGS, received
S M. Paul with the patronizing
Indifference that bored rich women
extend to tradespeople. But presently
when he explained that he was de-
tective and began to question her
about the Ansonia affair she rose
with naughty gesture that was
meant to Danish him in confusion
from her presence. Coquenil, how
ever, did not Danish SO easily. He
had dealt with naughty ladies before.
my dear madam, please sit down."
he said quietly. II must ask you to
explain how it happens that num-
Der of Eve pound notes, given to you
by your husband some days ago, were
found on the body Of this murdered
man."
"How do I know" the beautiful
Mrs. Wilmott replied sharply. II spent
the notes in shops; I'm not responsible
for what became of them. Besides,
am dining out tonight. and must
dress. I really don't see any point to
this conversation"
Of his glance pierced her like blade.
'The point is, my dear lady, that I
want you to tell me what you were
doing with this billiard player when
he was shot last Saturday night"
Its false; never knew the man, .
she cried. Its an outrage for you
toto 1ntrude on a lady and-and in
suit her."
"You used to back his game at the
Olympia"
.rm fond of billiards. Is that a
crime?''
''You left your cloak and small
leather bag,in the vestiare at the An
SONIA" pursued NJ. Paul.
'It isn't truev'
seYour name was found stamped In
gold letters under leather flap in
the bag"
She faltered, "It-it was"
Coquenil nodded. Eyes. Now, what
were you doing with Martinez in that
roomy'
For some moments she did not an
swer, but studied him with frightened,
puzzled eyes. Then suddenly her
whole manner changed.
'tNow, will tell you exactly what
happened" And, settling herself near
him, Pussy Wilmott entered bravely
upon the hardest half hour of her
life. After all. he was man. and she
you'd d. the best she could.
WELL she went on quite charming
", II have done some foolish things
In my life, but this Is the most fool
tsh. did give Martinez the five pound
notes. You see, he was to play a
match this week with Russian, and
he offered to lay the money for me-"
'sBut the dinrer-the private room?"
She shrugged her shoulders. II went
i there for perfectly proper reason. I
needed some one to help me, and IL
couldn't ask man who knew me,
oo',
'Then Martinez didn't know your
'Of course not. He was foolish
enough to think himself in love with
me, and-well. / found it convenient
and amusing to utilize him."
"For WHAT"
Mrs. Wilmott bit her red lips and
then, with some dignity, replied that
she did not see what bearing her pur-
pose had on the case since it had not
been accomplished.
'Why wasn't It accomplished? he
asked.
Because the man was shot"
'.Who shot him?''
81 don't know
But you were present in the room?
You heard the shot2 You saw Mar
tinez fallT'
Eyes. butt Now her agitation in
creased. No one had entered the room
except. herself and Martinez and the
waiter who served them, she insisted.
Martinez was standing near her when
when the shot was fred, and he fell
10 the floor. That was all.
Coquenil smiled indulgently. what
did you do with the auger" he asked.
The augerT' she gasped.
Eyes; It was seen by the cab driver
you took when you slipped out of the
hotel in the telephone girls raincoat."
yes, she answered weakly.
"And you threw 1t into the Seine as
you crossed the Concorde bridget"
She stared at him in genuine admira-
tion. .My God. you're the cleverest
man ever met!
NJ. Paul smiled. 81 can return the
.enmpliment by saving that it isn't ev-
cry lady who could throw clumsy
thing like an auger from moving cab
over .. wide roadway and a stone
wall and land It In river. suppose
You threw It over on the right hand
side 2"
Eyes"
How far acrom the bridge had you
got when you threw It? This may
help the divers"
eve were . little moro than halfway
ACROSS"
..Who bought this auserr
Martinez
..Did you suggest the holes through
the wallT
HE did.
.But the holes were bored for you
because you wanted to see into the
next room?'
YES, I'm a low tone.
.Ane why 2"
she burst ont In dash Of, feeling.
~Bscause I knew that wretched dane
ing girl was going % be there With
.sYes?" eagerly. 4
With my shusbandy
s. - :s 90 husband was the .eEenn