The Washington herald., 1912-05-26

Scotland Yard. selected one and eaIlec
for another liqueur.
"You have trouble often with youi
walters, | dare say" he remarked
They tell me that all Frenchmen who
break the law in their own country fnc
their way, sooner or later, to These
parts. You have to take them without
character, suppose?"
Antoine lifted his shoulders.
But what could one do?" he eX-
claimed Characters, they were easy
enough to write-but were they worth
the paper they were written on? Indeed
nop
Not only your walters" John Dory
continued, 'but those who stay in the
hotels round here have sometimes an
evil name"
Antoine shrugged his shoulders.
For myself he said, Il am particu-
lar. We have but a few rooms, but we
are careful 10 whom we let them.
DO you keep a visitors book" John
Dory asked.
But no, monsieur Antoine protest
ed. For why the necessity? There
are so few who come to stay for more
than the night-just now scarcely any
one at all.
There entered, at that moment. a tall,
thin man dressed in dark clothes, who
walked with his hands in his overcoat
pockets, as though it were habit. He
came straight to Dory and handed him
piece Of paper.
John Dory glanced it through and
rose to his feet. A glelm of satisfac-
ton lit his eyes
Monsieur Antoine" he said, Il am
sorry to cause you any inconvenience,
but here is my card. I am a detective
officer from Scotland Yard, and l have
received information which compels me,
with your permission, to at once exam
inc the sleeping apartments in your
hotel.
Antoine was 6ercely indignant
But monsieur he exclaimed. Il
do not understand. Examine my
rooms? But it is impossible! Who
dares to say that harbor criminals :"
Il have information upon which l
can rely" John Dory answered, firm
". This comes from a man who IS no
friend of mine, but he is well known.
You can read for yourself what he
says"
Monsieur Antoine. with trembling
fingers. took the piece Of paper from
John Dorys hands. It was addressed
to
Mr.. John Dory, Detective:
IF you wish to find Jean Lemaltre,
search in the upper rooms OF the Hotel
de Flandres | have certain infOrma-
ton that he is to be found there.
PETER RUFF"
Never" Antoine declared, will l
suffer such an indignity!"
John Dory raised police whistle to
his lips.
You are foolish" he said. Already
there is a Gordon of men about the
place. II YOU refuse to conduct me up
stairs l shall at once place you under
arrest"
Antoine. white with fear. poured
himself out a liqueur of brandy.
We'll, we'll" he said, what must be
done, then, come!
He led the way out into that smelly
network of passages, up the stairs to
the first floor Room after room he
threw open and begged John Dory to
examine Some OF them were garlshly
furnished with gilt mirrors and cheap
lace curtains tied back with blue rlb-
DOIls. NtIlGTN NCIG Ndlk L44SCl dDAN
holes, into which the fresh air seemed
never to have penetrated. On the third
floor they reached the little sitting
room. which bore more traces OF occu-
patton than some OF the rooms below.
Antoine would have passed on, but
John Dory stopped him.
There is a door there" he said.
We will try that
1T is the sick waiter who lies with
in" Antoine protested. Monsieur can
hear him grOan.
There was. indeed. something which
sounded like a groan to be heard, but
John Dory was obstinate.
II he IS 50 ill.," he demanded. how
is he able to lock the door on the in
side" Monsieur Antoine, that door
must be opened"
Antoine knocked az it softly
Francois" he said. there is an