The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-06-02

must find the woman. And we must
understand the role of this Ameri.
cam"
mo woman ever fired that shot or
planned this crime" declared the com.
missary. unconsciously echoing CoQue.
nils opinion.
'"Ihere'S better reason to argue that
the American never did it." retorted
the Judge.
"What reason:''
'The woman ran away. didn't she?
And the American didn't. II he had
killed this man do you think anything
would have brought him back here for
that cloak and bag:"
"A good point" nodded the chief.
"Ah. yes: she knows" reflected the
commissary. And. gentlemen. all our
find that woman
At half past l Gibelin appeared to
announce the arrest of Kittredge. He
had tried vainly to get from the Amer
lean some clew to the owner of cloak
and bag.
"Pll see what can squeeze out of
him In the morning." said Hauteville
grimly.
you've got your work cut out
snapped the detective. Hes a stub
born devil"
In the midst of these perplexities and
technicalities note was brought in
Tor NJ. Pougeot. The commissary
glanced at it quickly and then. with a
word of excuse, left the room. return.
ing few minutes later and whisper
Ing earnestly to NJ. Simon.
"You say he is here?" exclaimed the
latter. II thought he was sailing for
NJ. Pougeot bent closer and whis-
pered again.
paul Coquenilr' exclaimed the
chief. "Why. certainly. ask him to
come in"
A moment later Coquenil entered.
and all rose with cordial greetings
that Is. all except Gibelin.
las you know" explained Coquenil
briefly at the judge. II resigned from
the force two years ago. l need not
go into details. The point is l now
ask to be taken back. That is why l
am here"
: but. my dear fellow" replied the
chief in frank establishment, II un-
derstood that you had received mag.
nifcent offer with
Eyes, yes. have"
with a salary of a hundred thou.
sand francs?"
ITS true. but l have refused it."
Simon and Hauteville looked at Co.
Quenil incredulously.
"May I ask why you have refused
TIP asked the chief.
Partly for personal reasons, large.
~ because l want to have q hand in
this case"
Gibelin moved uneasily.
You think this case so interestingY'
put in the judge.
THE most interesting l have ever
Known" answered the other. and then
he added. with all the authority Of his
fine. grave face: Its more than inter-
esting. It's the most important crimi-
nal case Paris has known for three
generations"
Again they stared at him.
MY dear Coquenil. you exaggerate,"
objected Nj. Simon. After all, we
have only the shooting of billiard
player"
Nj. Paul shook his head and replied
impressively: 1.-The billiard player was
a pawn in the game. He became trOu-
blesome and was sacrificed. He is of
no importance. but there's greater
game than billiards here with a mas
ter player. and I'm going to be in it."
"Why do you think it's a great
game" questioned the Judge
"Why do l think anything? Why
did think commonplace pickpocket
at the Bon Marche was notorious
criminal. wanted by two countries
Why did think we should find the
real clew to that Bordeaux counter
feiting gang in Passy wineshop?
Why did l think it necessary tonight
to be on the cab this young American
took and not behind it in another
cab" He shot quick glance at Gibe-
lin. Because good detective knows
certain things before he can prove
them and acts on his knowledge. That
Is what distinguishes him from an Or
binary detective"
Meaning me?" challenged Gibelin.
mot at ALL" replied Nj. Paul smooth
". 81 only say that
Zone moment" interrupted NJ. ST.
mon. do ! understand that you were
with the driver who took this Ameri-
can away from here tonight?"
Coquenil smiled. 81 was not with
the driver. | was the driver, and |
had the honor of receiving francs
from my distinguished associate" He
bowed mockingly to Gibelin and held
I'D a, silver niece. II shall keen this