The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-10-15

heard OF him: he belongs to none of the
tFrench societies: he's not known In the
French quarter. He seems to have
dropped I'm from the clouds. We've
cabled u Paris office to look him up:
we may hear from there tonight. But
even IL we discover the identity OF
Theophile d'Aurelle. 1t won't help US
any"
why not?" / demanded.
because 1t is evident that that isn't
his name"
60 ahead and tell me, Godfrey" I
said. as he looked at me. smiling. Il
don't see IT."
why. it's plain enough. He had ive
sixth. selected probably at random. he
had sent up to vantine."
I saw 1t then, OF course; and I felt a.
good deal as the Spanish savants u
nave felt when Columbus stood the
egg on end. Godfrey smiled again at
my expression.
The real d'Aurelle, whoever he may
turn out to be. may be able to help US"
ne added. II he can't, we may learn
something from the Paris police. The
dead mans Bertillon measurements
have been cabled over to them. Even
that WON help, IL he has never been
arrested. And, of course, we can't get
at movtise until we find out something
about him"
But. Godfrey" I said, suppose you
knew who he was and what he wanted
with Vantine-suppose you could make
\ a guess at who killed him and why
how was II done7 That Is what
stumps me. How was It done?"
"Ahl" agreed Godfrey. That's It.!
How was II done? I told you 1t was a
LnFaffU n0Qa I0CfAR nNUf xynak .fNn ma
hear from Paris"
THAT reminds" I said, sitting up
suddenly, I've got to cable to Paris
myself, on some business for Mr.. Van
| tine"
mot connected with this AFFAIR."
'Oh. no; his shippers over there sent
him a piece OF furniture that doesn't
lifelong to him. He asked me to
tstraighten the matter out"
I range for the hall boy, asked for n
icable blank. and sent off a message
to Armand & Son. telling them OF the
mistake and asking them to cable the
name OF the wner OF the cabinet now
in Mr.. vantine's possession. Godfrey
sat smoking refectively while I was
thus ENGAGED. staring straight before
him with eyes that saw nothing; but
as 1 sat down again and took up my
pipe, ready to continue the conversa-
ton. he cav himself a sort or shake.
A1 oA0 bOk W 80 AS0Ne ~
II must be moving along" he said.
There's no use sitting here theorizing
until we have some sort OF foundation
to build on"
"Goldberger was right In one thing"
i remarked. He pointed out, after you
left, that most crimes are not ro-
maces. but mere brutalities. Per-
haps this one
The ringing of my telephone stopped
me.
Hello" / said. taking down the re-
is that you. Mr.. LESTER" asked a
voice.
YES"
This Is Parks" and I suddenly real
lied that his voice was unfamiliar be-
cause II was hoarse and quivering with
emotion. Gould you come down to b
house right away. sir2"
"why, yes" I said. wonderingly, "if
it's important. Does Mr.. Vantine need
1--WE all need you'll" said the voice.
and broke into O dry sob. For Gods
sake. come quick. Mr.. Lesteri"
"Ail right" I said without further
parley, for evidently he had lost his
self-control Something has hap
pened down at Vantine's.' I added to
Parks seems to be scared to death.
He wants me to come down right
away" and / reached for my hat and
coat.
shall I come. too7' asked Godfrey.
Even under the stress OF the mo-
ment. I could not but smile at theq ues-
ton and at tho tone In which It was
uttered.
Perhaps you'd better" / agreed. TT
sounded pretty serious
We went down together In the ele-
vator, and three minutes later we had
hailed a taxi n were speeding east
ward toward the venue. 1t had start
ed to drizzle. and the asphalt shone
like q black mirror. dancing with
the light along either side. The
streets were Amos empty, for b
theater-crowd had passed, and as
we reached the avenue and turned
down town, the driver pushed
up his spark, Inc we hurtled along to-
ward Fourteenth street at q speed
which made me think of the traffic reg
ulations. But no policeman interfered,
fore the Vantine place.
Parks must rave been on the front
steps looking for me, for he came rum
ming down them almost before the car |
had stopped. I caught q glimpse Of his
face under the street lights, as I thrust
a bill into the drivers hand, and it
fairly startled me.
els IL you, Mr.. LESTER" he gasped. |
Good God, but I'm glad you're hers
i caught him by the arm.
STEADY, manu- said. Don't let
yourself go to pieces. Now-what has
happened?'
He seemed to take q sort Of desperate
grip OF himself.