Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-18

| thought Yes. III wait" he said
finally. II don't want to run any risk
OF falling"
We went out into the hall together
and ! told Parks admit Godfrey
whenever he wished TO enter. Rogers
was still sitting on the cot. looking SO
crushed and sorrowful that I could. not
help plying him. I said so 20 God.
frey as we went down the front steps.
Perhaps you're right" he agreed.
something has happened to him
something in connection with that wo-
mnn-and he has never got over 1t.
Well. we shall have to find out what
1t was. Hello, Here are .Simmonds'
men," he added as two policemen stop
ped before the house
rs this Mr.. Godfrey?" one of them
asked.
Yes" said Godfrey.
"Mr. Simmonds told rs to report to
you, sir. If you were here"
What we want you to do" said God
! frey, sis to watch the house-watch it
from all sides-patrol clear around it
and see that no one approaches it,
Very well, SIR" And the men touch
ed their helmets
Perhaps IL they concealed them
selves" suggested. the fellow might
venture back and be nabbed."
But Godfrey shook his head
81 don't want him to venture back"
he said. II want to scare him Off
| want him to see we're thoroughly on
guard" He hailed passing cab and
paused with one foot on the step.
I've already told you, Lester" he
! added over his shoulder. that I'm
afraid OF him. Perhaps you thought 1
was Joking. but 1 wasn't. I was never
more serious in my life. The Record
Office" he added to the cabby and jim
| gled away, leaving me staring after
him.
Just before turned in for the night
! in my own apartment l heard from
| Godfrey again. for my telephone rang.
and 1t was his voice that answered.
II just wanted to tell you, Lester
he said, that your guess was right.
The mysterious Frenchman came over
on La Touraine. landing at noon yes
terday. He came in the steerage and
the stewards know nothing about him.
What time was it he got to Vantine's?"
about I should say
$50 he probably went directly there
from the boat, as you thought That
accounts for nobody knowing him.
The steamship company IS holding a
bag belonging to him. I'll get them
to open it tomorrow and perhaps we
shall find out who he was. Good
nightv
It was shortly after 1 reached the
Office next morning that the office boy
came in and handed me a card with
an awed and reverent air. An awed
and reverent feeling crept over me
also, for the card bore the name of
Serene Hornblower.
That name is quite unknown outside
the legal profession of the three great
cities of the east-New York. Boston
and Philadelphia-yet Serene Horn
blowers income would make that of
any other lawyer in the country look
like so cents.
He is the confidential attorney of
most of our "best families" He has
held that position for years. and it is
said that no case placed unreservedly
in his hands ever resulted in public
scandal.
His reputation for tact and Geltcacy
is tremendous, and yet those wto have
found themselves opposed 20 him nnye |
never been long in realizing that there
was a most redoubtable mailed fist I'M |
der the velvet glove. 1 had never met |
him either professionally or person !
ally, and it was with some eagerneSS |
that I told the Office boy to show him |
in at once.
IL Inf nd nf
middle age. rather heavy set. fresh |
faced and clean shaven and with very
bright blue eyes.
We shook hands and he sat down
and plunged at once without an tn
stant's hesitation into the business
which had brought him.
.'Air. Lester" he began. 81 under
stand that you are the administrator
of the estate of the late Philip Van
tine?'
"Our firm is corrected.
But you. personally. have been at
tending to his business? He was col
lector of old furniture, / believe?"
Yes"
AID on his last trip to Europe.
from which he returned only few
days ago. he purchased of Armand &
Son of Paris Il BouIe cabinet?"
l could not repress a start of aston
Are you acting for Armand & SOM"
! queried.
Not at all. am acting for lady
whom, for the present. we will call
Nine. ""
The thought flashed through my
mind that Nine. Y. and the mysterious
might be one and the
same person. Then 1 put aside the
idea as absurd. Serene Hornblower
would never accept such client.
MFR. Vantine did buy such n cab
met I said.
And il is in your poSsession?"
There is at his residence Boule
cabinet which was shipped him from
Paris. but. only a few hours before HIS
a