The Red Cloud chief., 1913-01-09

minutes elapsed and was wondering
| what had become of the individual. A
| figure then suddenly emerged from .
heap of stones opposite me, and like
| lightning disappeared into the house.
had recognized Robert, but unfor-
tunately he had been too quick for
me.
Having whistled softly, Fabre crept
up from his hiding place, and we con.
ferred as to the best course to take.
We remained on guard all night. and
this morning at daybreak knocked at
the door. After a quarter OF an hour
It was opened by the woman She
looked pale, and trembled from head
to foot.
"'Who are your she asked.
"When we told her we wanted to
see Robert, she screamed:
"'IIe is not here! haven't seen
him for ever so long Go away, the
lot of you. have been taken i'll dur.
ing the night. You'd better send for
a DOCTOR
"And she crept up to her room.
"We then searched the house from
top to bottom, but the fellow had dis
appeared We are certain he Is hid
den somewhere. But where? Fabre
thinks there must be a subterranean
passage leading into the fields be-
yond, and I am inclined to think 80
too. That funny.ooking we'll ought
to be examined. left the other men
there. We want your help, sir"
jumped into cab with my secre-
tary, and drove straight to Sally's
house. Inspector Berard was outside,
and informed me that the woman was
really i'll, and that some one had gone
to fetch medical help.
made thorough investigation OF
the place. my men following my move
ment with curiosity. went down the
driedup well. and saw that the old
stones, firmly cemented together had
not been moved for a century. !
tapped all the floors and walls. but
found no trace of any secret passage.
ANY clue. sir?" asked Berard.
"Yes. Robert has been caught in
his own trap and cannot get away.
And now I shall pay visit to Sally"
The room entered was In a terribly
untidy state. The floor, chairs, and
tables were Uttered with articles OF
the most heterogeneous description.
and strong smell of spirits pervaded
the place. Sally was sitting up in bed.
her head propped up with pillows.
When she saw me. she shook her fist
at me and said in an angry tone:
What do you want? Don't bother
me about Robert. He is gone away,
a.. 4. x,,1, II
don't want him back. And now leave
me alone. I'm ILL.,"
81 am sorry to disturb you," / said.
but bring you news from your broth
ed. He is here. Quite close to u.s."
Sally bent forward. clenching an old
handkerchief with which she had wip-
ing her forehead.
where do you say he is?" she
gasped.
"He is lying in this bed. looking me
straight in the face"
"You are mad. Do you think I am
Robert?"
ooh. no. always know lady
when see her. l should be sorry to
doubt your sex. But. although you
are Mile. Hortense Perrichon. you
also are your own brother, or. rather.
you have impersonated him. Is that
clear?"
A knock fell on the door. It was
the doctor, and I withdrew to the gar
den. after having asked him to signal
to me the moment he had done with
the woman.
My secretary was pacing the gar
den up and down.
you allowed yourself to be nicely
bluffed," ! said to him. "Yes." con.
tinued, "this woman bluffed you, and
others as well. In the annals Of
crime it certainly is record case.
Her brother did not return to this
country, and. / dare say, died years
ago. Sally performed stroke OF
genius, coming to my office claiming
my protection against him. With her
short hair and wonderful likeness to
him, she put on mans clothes. and
then waited until l was away from
Paris before calling at the Office and
introducing herself to you as Robert.
You never thought that the gentleman
who came to see you was Sally!
"Once Roberts existence was es'
tablished. Sally knew she could with
perfect safety carry out nefarious
schemes, and change her sex the mo-
ment things became threatening. II
was she who blackmailed that un'
y fortunate NJ. F..
u "When Berard came to me this
10 morning and related that wonderful
* story of Roberts ghostly appearance
l began to have an inkling Of the
st truth. do not believe in secret pas
s. sages nor in miracles"
h The doctor here called me and said
ID that the woman was seriously Ill, and
I ordered her immediate removal to
a. the Infirmary of the Depot X. (the
Central Police Station).
s. Before going away she beckoned tC