The Raymer enterprise., 1911-09-07

wards obtain the valuable gem which
he presented to his fiancee? But
though Danevitch had no trouble in
tracing Flouret's career, he could not
get on the track Of the man himself;
nor could he obtain a clue to the
whereabouts OF the fellow SO ably de-
scribed by the duchess as the one she
suspected of having stolen the pearl
during the crush at the opera.
Banled for the time being In his
search for F1ouret, Danevitch turned
his attention to hunting for Eugene
Valjean. The latter was renowned In
the trade for his skill as . diamond
cutter and finisher. and II he was still
living would probably be employed by
one Of the big Arms dealing In gems.
In this instance fortune favored the
detective to the extent Of his being
able to locate Vatican In the employ Of
a celebrated Dutch firm. Loopuyt 4
Co. Of Amsterdam. Thereafter Dane
witch kept close watch on Vatican.
and one night when the Frenchman
was playing chess In cafe that he
frequented good deal. the detective
sprung q surprise on bis man. A small
crowd was gathered around the table
where the chess players were seated,
and Danevitch. edgins up close behind
Valjean. hissed suddenly In his ear:
DO you know where Flouret Isl"
These words produced an electrical
effect upon the Frenchman; he start.
ed to his feet. upsetting the chess
board. and gasped convulsively: What
-no-I-who is Flouret?"
Danevitch made no answer, and dis.
appeared before Valjean had recovered
his self-possession. His practised eye
had read the signs Of guilt in the sus-
poets face. Valjean knew the man
Flouret that much was certain. and
had crooked dealings with him. else
the mention Of the dukes name would
not have discomposed him SO gravely.
Danevitch's theory now was that VAL
jean had found 1t harder to dispose
OF the stolen gem than he had expect
ed. Therefore, he had sought the aid
Of Flouret, with whom he had become
acquainted, probably figuring that the
nobleman might be able to assist him
In finding market for 1t. Flouret had
taken the pearl In order to present 1t
to Miss Malpas. his fiancee. 1t was
an indirect way Of selling the gem,
for he probably considered that once
married. he would be able to extort
large sums Of money from her In
which Valjean would share. Fouret,
however. found himself doomed to dis
appointment in this direction, but by
the aid OF third person had man
aged to steal back the gem from his
wife.
Danevitch now resolved to shadow
Valjean closer than ever, In the hope
that he would eventually lead him to
Flouret. 1t was reasonable to sup
pose that Vatican would not easily
abandon his hold on his confederate
II the duke was still in possession Of
the gem. Carefully disguised the de.
tectiye watched every move made by
his quarry. Vatican suddenly left Am
sterdam for Brussels. and the detec.
tive followed him on the same train.
On the night Of their arrival in Brus-
sells Valjean betook himself to a cafe
where he was Joined by an old man
wearing blue spectacles. The pair
conversed together In low tones, while
Danevitch sat at table close by. A
careful study Of the strangers pc.
culiarities convinced the cars agent
that Valjean's friend. while aping the
part of an old man, was in reality a
young one. The strangers hands,
round. full. and Arm Of outline, be-
trayed him to tho man who had made
a lifelong study Of the art of making
up. They were not the hands Of with.
cred old age.
1t was nearly midnight when the pair
parted. and Danevitch followed the
new actor In the drama to where he
lived. This was rooming house in
the Rue Royal. On the following
morning Vatican took a train back to
Amsterdam, but Danevitch remained
behind to watch the strangers move.
ments. In the course Of the day the
detectiv" discovered that valjean's ac-
quaintance went under the name Of
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