Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-05-28

was ~ ldlc LII SCIJllG there |
ana the morning passed so rapidlv
that when the office boy came in and
announced that Mr.. Grady and Mr.
SimmondS We're outside and wished TO
see me | did not, for a moment. conf
meet their visit with Godfrey.
I'm glad to see you are better,
Simmonds,' I said, shaking hands
with him. THAT was Il close call"
ut certainly was" Simmonds
agreed, sinking into a chair. IF | had
got a little more it it. I'd V have
walked up"
do you remember anything about
it?"
Not a thing. One minute we were
sitting there talking together as nice
as you please-and the next thing |
knew was when I woke up in the
bank"
where's that man Godfrey?" broke
in Grady. 81 won't wait for him. He
can't make me do that! Come along,
Simmonds."
"Wait a minute" l broke in, as the
outer door opened. perhaps that's
Godfrey now"
And so it proved. He came in ac-
companied by a man whom 1 knew to
be Arthur Shearrow, chief counsel for
the Record.
Godfrey nodded all around.
"The object Of this conference. Les
ter, is to strengthen out certain matters
connected with the Michaelovitch dia-
monds-and incidentally to give the
J Record the biggest scoop it has had
for MONTHS
81 amt here to fix up no scoop for
the Record" broke in Grady. "That
paper never did treat me right"
"1t has treated you as we'll as you
deserved" retorted Godfrey. Pm go
ing to talk plainly to you. Grady.
Your goose is cooked. You can't hold
on for an hour after last nights get
away becomes public. l understand
you wouldn't let Simmonds telephone
for me last night""
That's right. 1t wasn't none of
your business"
Perhaps not. And vet if | had been
there the cleverest thief in Paris. if not
in the world. would be safe behind
those chrome nickel steel bars at the
Twenty-third street station instead of
at liberty to so ahead and rob some
body else. You ought to have seen
through his disguise. That's your
business, Grady. haven't anything
against you personally. and l admit
that it was foolish Of me to stand
there talking to Crochard and never
suspect who he was. but that's all be-
side the mark. You're at the head Of
the detective bureau. and you're the
: man who is responsible for all this.
You're energetic enough and all that.
but you're not fit for-your job. It's
too big for you, and you know it.
Take my advice and go to the phone
there and send in your resignation"
WAS it to tell me that you got me
over here?"
"No," said Godfrey; 81 got you here
to meet
The outer door opened again. and
Godfrey looked toward it, smiling.
"Moosseer Piggott." announced the
office boy.
And then l almost bounced from my
seat, for I would have sworn that the
man who stood on the threshold was
the mar who. had opened the secret
drawer.
He came forward, looking from face
to face: then his eyes met GOdfrey's,
and he smiled.
"Behold that l am here, monsieur"
he said, and 1 started anew at the
voice, for it was the voice of Crochard.
81 hope that I have not kept you wait
ing"
"Not at all, monsieur" Godfrey as
sured him and placed a chair for him.
"I went down the bay this morning
and met the Savoie." he said. II re-
lated to NJ. Pigot last nights occur
rences, and begged him to be present
at this meeting. He was good enough
to agree. 1 assure you" he added,
seeing Grady's look. that this is M.
Pigot, of the Paris detective bureau
and not Orchard"
sOh, yes said M. Pigot, with a dep
recating shrug. Il am myself-and
greatly Inundated that l should have
fallen so readily into the trap which
Crochard set for me. He Is a very
clever man-but some day I shall get
him; every pitcher to the we'll goes
once too often. There is no hope Of
finding him here in New York;"
81 am afraid not" said Godfrey.
"Don't be too sure of that" broke In
Grady ponderously. II amt done yet
not by no manner Of means!"
pardon me for not introducing you.
M. Pigot." said Godfrey. "This gentle
man is Mr.. Grady, who has been the
head of our detective bureau; this is
Mr.. Simmonds. a member of his staff:
this is Mr.. Lester, an attorney and
friend of mine: and this is MI. Shear
row. my personal counsel. MI. Grady.
Mr.. Simmonds and Mr.. Lester were
present. last night" he added blandly.