Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-04


and that upou a man who had befrsy-
ed him
". Pirot paused and passed his hand
across his forehead
I've were at loss TO understand
Orchards connection with Drouef."
NJ. Pfrot continued .Drouet- while
a mere hnnger-on OF the cafes of the
houlevards was not n criminal Then
came the death Of that cres ture- No
rel. in an effort TO gain possession or
this cabinet. and we began to under
stand. We made inquiries concerning
the cabinet We learned it's history.
and the secret OF its construction. and
we arrived at a certain conclusion Ii
was TO ascertain II that conclusion Is
correct that 1 came to America"
What is the conclusion queried
Grady. who had listened to all this
with a manifest Impotence in strong
contrast TO my own absorbed interest
"Our theory replied NJ. Pigot, with
out the slightest acceleration of speech.
lis that the Michaelovitch diamonds
are concealed in this cabinet Every
thing points to 1t, and We shall soon
see"
As he spoke he drew from his peck
ct a steel gauntlet, marvelousiy Ike
the one Godfrey had used. and slip
ped it over his right hand
when one attempts to fathom the
secrets Of the invincible one" ne said
with a smile. zone must go armored.
Already three men have paid with
their lives the penalty Of their rash
ness"
Three men, repeated Grady, won
deringly.
Three" and Pigot checked them
OF upon dis fingers. First the man
who gave his name as D'Aurelle. but
who was really a biacknaiier named
noisseur. and third. the creature Morel
or these the only one that really mat
ters is NJ Vantine. His death was
most unfortunate. and / am sure that
Crochard regrets IL exceedingly
zone moment. monsieur" I said,
bursting in. unable to remain longer
silent This is all so wonderful-so
thrilling-wtlI You not tell us more?
For what were these three men search
inG-for the Jewels?''
Monsieur Is as familiar with the
facts as l." he answered in n sarcastic
tone. He knows that Drouet was
killed while searching for II packet of
letters which would have compromIs-
ed most seriously a great lady. He
knows that NJ. Vantine was killed
while endeavoring To open the draw er
after its secret had been revealed to
him 10y the maid Of that same great
lady. who was hoping To get a reward
for them. Morel met death directly
at the hands of Crochard because he
was a traitor and deserved it,
More and more fascinated. i stared
at him. What secret was safe. / ask
ed myself. from this astonishing man:
But even yet / stammered. Il do /,
not understand. We have opened tI.e !
secret drawer of the cabinet-there |
was no poison. How could it hive I
killed Drouet and Mr.. Nantine?"
VERY simply" said VI. Pigot coldly /
Death came To Drouet and VI. Van !
tine because the maid of madame Ia /
duchesse mlstook her left hand for her /
right. The drawer which contained I
the letters is at the left of the cabinet
-src.'' and he pressed the series of /
springs. caught the little handle and |
pulled the dra wer open. You will no
hhN' lhdA AL4t ltltcIS are gone. Inc
drawer which Drouet and NJ. Vantine
opened" and here his voice became a
little strident under the stress OF emo
ton. lis on the right side of the cabi-
net. exactly opposite the other and
opened by a similar combination But !
there is one great difference About
the first drawer there is nothing tn
harm any one; the other is guarded by
the desdliest poison the world has ever
known. Observe me, gentlemen:
As he spoke he bent over the desk
and pressed three fingers along the
right edge. There was a sharp click
and section of the inlay fell out
ward. forming handle. just as I had
seen 1t Go on the other side of the
desk.
NJ. Pigot hesitsted an instant. Then.
the handle firmly with his
armored hand. he drew il quickly out.
There was a sharp clash as of s-ee!
on steel and the drawer stood openI
NJ Pigot. cool and imperturbable.
held out TO rs. with a little smile. q
hand which showed not culver of
gauntleted hand: and
saw that on the back of IL were two
each depression lay a drop Of bright I
red liquid What nerves of steel this
nan possessed!
That liquid. gentlemen" he said in
ais smooth voice. lis the most power !
'u poison ever distilled by man. Those
wo tiny drops would XIII a score OF !
people. and kill them instantly It's I
dor betrays It's origin"-and. indeed,
he air was heavy with the scent OF I
utter almonds-''but the poison or
iinsri'y derived from that source IL as ]
iothing compared with this, It's dis
tllatson was supposed to be one OF the '
ost arts. but the secret was rediscov-
red by this man Crochsrd No secret. r
indeed. Is safe from him. No man can i
tand against HIM Even the secret 1
4 this drawer was known IN him. and a
le availed himself OF Il when need a