Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-04-02
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE ,rExonx or \ Doa.

Fled the leather bag taken
from the automobile. A hundred
yards behind him, in exactly similar
dress. came Papa Tignol, peering into
the shadows with sharpest watchful-
ness against human shadows bent on
lharming NJ. Paul. Close to Notre
Dame the leader paused for his COM
panion.
'.There's nothing" he said as the
latter Joined him. 'cTake the bag and
wait for me. but keep out Of sight"
5 Coquenil walked across the square
to the cathedral.
rang the night bell at the archbishop's
house beside the cathedral. for he had
one precious clew-he had the indica-
ton Of this extraordinarily long little
finger. and he did not believe that in
Ill France there were two men with
hands like that. And he knew there
was one such man. for Alice had seen
him. Where had she seen him?
And presently, after a sleepy saluta-
,tion from the archbishop's servant and
q brief explanation, M. Paul was
shown through stone passageway
that connects the church with the
house, and he found himself alone in
tNotre Dame. AS he stood uncertain
which way to turn the detective heard
step and low growl, and, peering
among the arches of the choir, he saw
a lantern advancing. then a figure
holding the lantern, then another
,crouching figure moving before the
lantern. Then he recognized Caesar.
'Phee-et, phee-et!" he whistled softly.
"Good old Caesar! There. therey'
murmured Coquenil, fondling the
eager head. .It's all right, Bonneton,"
and, coming forward. he held out his
hand.
Wondering. Bonneton led the way to
small room adjoining the treasure
chamber.
9 "Hey, Francoisw He shook a sleep
Ing figure on cot bed. Its time to
make the round"
Francois looked stupidity at Coquenil,
and then. with yawn and shrug
OF Indifference. he called to the dog.
while Caesar growled his reluctance.
Its all right. old fellow encour-
aged Coquenil. III see you again, -
whereupon Caesar trotted away reas-
.Sured.
Now, then" 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 prison?"
Il 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 a
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 Groener," answered
Bonneton simply.
"Groener? Oh, her cousin?"
"Yes."
.I'm interested, because, have a
collection Of plaster hands at my
house, and there's one with long lit
lie finger that the candle girl noticed.
IL her cousins little finger really very
long,"
Its pretty long" said Bonneton. Il
used to think it had been stretched in
some machine. You know he's wood
carver"
.Bonneton." continued the detective
mysteriously. 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
uuenil told of the extraordinary reve-
lations that Alice had made MOI. 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. l 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
Brussels every five or six months and
spends two night with us-never more,
never less He eats his meals, attends
to hfs commissions for Woodworking,
takes Alice out once in the afternoon
or evening, gives my wife the money
for her board. and that's all. For Eve
years it's been the same. I've noticed
sne's nervous jest ;;s:s. before bic Visits and
sort Of sad after them. My wife says
the girl has her worst dreams then"
az have IT," Coquenil exclaimed
presently. Tell me about this man
Francois"
''FrancoisT answered the sacristan
In surprise ''Why. he helps me with
the night work here. He takes two
meals with as day"
"Ah! Do you think he would like to
make hundred francs by doing moth
ins7 And You would like to make
6O0r'
give hundred francs?" cried Bonnie.
ton.
VI ~Don't be afraid" laughed the other.
swhen do you expect the wood
earverf"
sHSu b here next Wednesday"
Next Wednesday," reelected Coque-
MI. 'sHe always comes when he says
hG wMr'
s always. He's as regular as clock
work"
..And 10 spends two nights with