Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1912-06-28


the mention Of Mackay's name, curl
osity had filled my mind as to what
his researches would be in that d.
rection. / had gone to Mrs. Dace's
with the mention of LeDuc's name
that she might understand why i had
repeated to him conversations which
had occurred between herself and
myself, that she might not feel that
/ had tattle-taled our private talks
without explaining the reason to her.
But though ! had paved the way by
which he might have had a confiden-
tial business chat with her, II he had
availed himself Of the opportunity it
had not come to my knowledge That
LeDuc might now have full informa-
ton Of what had done and feel at
liberty to interview her should he
desire. now told him of my talk
upon the subject with her; telling him
that she had denied absolutely having
repeated my half condolences to any
one, and had seemed to be amused at
the idea that Janet was anything more
or less than an automaton. This In
formation he received without COM
ment beyond the paradoxial remark
that he could not remember that he
had forgotten anything. What else
have you got to tell met" / urged in
finishing. He closed his lips so
tightly around his cigar that Il re-
sembled nail driven into a crack
and appeared to be filling himself to
his toes with smoke as he reflected.
Presently he expelled the smoke from
his mouth after the manner of a nur-
sery dragon.
II don't know whether I am acting
wisely or not. but under your promise
to divulge nothing you may learn
from me without my consent am go
ing to risk II. ! know that you be-
lieve in your cousin Bruce's honesty"
Implicitly"
But do you happen to know that
he has somehow or other managed to
come into active control of enough
money to resume his operations on
change on a rather liberal scale?" he
queried with a thin smile. I was as
tonished and told him so.
We'll, he has," he pursued assert
lively. furthermore, he Is carrying
on his operations under some name
which does not sound at ali like his
own. You look surprised. That's the
way 1 felt when FIRST found this
out"
I ruminated. But certainly he
would not be fool enough to openly
and VIGOROUSLY and under our very
noses begin the use Of money dishon-
estly obtained almost the day after
the commission of crime which
he knows be has not absolved himself
Off" ! cried LeDuc looked at me
! queerly.
THAT is what almost any one
would think under first impulse. But
when you are dealing with criminals
you must remember that they do not
reason and act Just as do honest men.
When sane man takes his life and
liberty In his hand and commits a
desperate crime, he is Of necessity
more OF less regardless of conse-
quences. as well as being driven by
strong pressure. And in nearly all
cases It Is because Of this reckless
ness that we catch him He may
commit the crime itself with skill
and caution that Is almost more than
human, yet the next day is apt to 20
out and do something so foolish that
It instantly attracts attention to him.
For instance. having had no money
before, he now begins to spend II
lavishiy; or becoming under the In
iuence of liquor boast or let things
drop that sound queer. II IT were not
for these peculiarities of the criminal
make up, and the fact that he general
" makes a confident OF some woman
who betrays him. the road Of the
criminal would be comparatively safe
and that Of the detective an unhappy
one"
But cannot believe that there ia
anything crooked about Bruce. De
ceit is foreign to his whole nature
My friend thrust one hand in his
pocket.
docs he ever smoke cigarettss1'
he smiled.
Frequently"
ANY particular brandT
paused to reflect. Il think so. Al
I remember, those that have seer
were invariably Turkish abomina
ton with a serrated gilt band for q
mouthpiece. What is your reason FOL
asking me that?" He withdrew his
hand from beneath the table and
tossed a half-smoked specimen Of the
species which / had been describing
on the table before me. looked a
, him inquiringly.
81 found that in the hallway o
your house near the closet where
your uncle had been confined. Per
, haps you noticed at the time that
, picked up something which ! did no
show you"
, Silently I sat trying to read hi
, blank eyes. But as for divining wha
, lay behind them might as well hav'
, gazed at windows back Of which tn
: shadea were drawn