The Washington times., 1912-01-13
CHAPTER TX .(continued,. y.

lVv was SO obvious that re-
marked upon II. He told
me that he had domestic troubles, and
that he proposed calling on my wife to
speak OF the matter to her.
II was very surprised. for he had
never met my wife. could not help
snowiiig my astonishment."
Here the merchant stopped, appearing
''po not be afraid" said M. cardec,
iooki1g at him. Justice is always
fc.fnai c,minai yhes snssk man a,,t helps to unask
1T . not that mind. but am try
Ing. to collect my thoughts. 10 es t6 ex-
plain !.nxt to O. you az clearly az possibie."
cSsSasrd them a% istsp'1s .a,a sSs. =. ,,ea
to call upon my wife. because she was
20 widely known, and she would be one
who could help him II she woold."
He then told me that he had a niece
who was vepy pretty. and she was alb
surdly In love with some man; and
50 as to nip this school girl romance in
re ne ,ss ssd gssSyea b to 5 sc my wife
position for his niece as companion or
nursery gOyerncss.'
The chief Of the secret service. while
sases g. ass ss eSea Sesn esors srns s over tho
''The young girl Of whom you speak 10
Mile. 0eorgette Robert. who disappear
ec at IL: same time a. her uncle. u
Probably. I told M. Chauffard that I
would. mention the matter to my wife.
Then he began to speak to me upon q
more serious subject"
Upon what orderT'
HE told me he was exposed to great
annoyance from young man Of dhbi-
GUS morals, named Leon Laroche. It
appears that this youni man insisted
that he was Chauffard's Son."
Indeed, that Is interestine."
M. Barnet Dufour continued:
m. Chaufard added that this indt-
vidual had menaced him several times,
and he would be constrained to have
recourse to the police. could not help
smiling. for ! knew that Chauffard
his AFFAIR.""
M. Cardec raised his head.
That is all I have to tell you. mon
sieur." said the merchant, "and I hope
from my Information"
Thank you, but permit me to ask ..k
not come here sooner"
stocktaking and have been very busy.
and 1t is only recently that heard that
Chauffard was missing. / never read
the divers faits.' have not the time"
for bringing this Information. 1t un-
doubtedly will be useful
Monsieur" said M. Barnet Balfour
courteously, Il wish you good day. and
| shall be very happy II what ! have
1--WE have already made great head
way in the case"
Indeed" said the merchant, stopping
on his way to the door. visibly inter-
ested.
"Chauffard's body was found yester-
day oil the banks of the Seine. Tonight
all Paris will know Of II"
NJ. Barnet Balfour paled. The news
evidently caused him a great shock.
rs that SOP he said, after a pause.
II knew him, and such a piece of news
eide. tnen?''
mo. Everything leads us to believe
that he was murdered
The merchant took up his hat that he
had placed on a piece of furniture near
by. He was awkward In his move
ment. for as ne reached out his hand.
he Knocked II slightly. He could not
suppress sharp cry.
"What is the natter" said NJ. Car
dec.
"oh. nothing. knocked my hand
escritoire." The chief OF the Surete no
,ticed that the merchants right hand
was very infiamed.
You have bad hand" he said. in
terested.
'It * nothing. The other day I was
looking at the mechanism Of a copying
machine. 1t fell on my wrist, and
caused a little sprain. 1t Is not seri-
GUS"
"Dr. Bernard is here at this moment:
IL you like, h. can see II this knock
you have given It has aggravated the
spratn.''
"Oh. thanks" he replied. but 1t is not
at all necessary"
Just as you like
The chief of the Surete said good
morning. and NJ. Barnet Dufour retired
with the ease OF a man of the world. NJ.
Cardecs eye followed him curiously.
and his face expressed variety Of
thoughts.
Leon Laroche, the money-lender's
natural son." he said-''Leon Laroche
exists, in that the merchant Is right.
But why this step? 1t Is strange, very
4 must see into it."