The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-01-15

mo: he's not registered at any of
the hotels. The French consul never
heard Of him He belongs to none of
In the French quarter He seems to
have dropped in from the clouds.
We've cabled our Paris office to look
him up. We may hear from there to-
night. but even If we discover the
identity of Theophile d'Aurelle, it
won't help us any"
"Why notY' demanded.
Because 1t Is evident that that isn't
his name"
"Go ahead and tell me. Godfrey"
said. as he looked at me. smiling. T
don't see II"
"Why, it's plain enough. He had Eve
cards in his pocket. no two alike. The
sixth, selected probably at random. he
had sent up to vantine."
I. saw i; then, of course. Godfrey
smiled again at my expression.
"The real d'Aurelle. whoever he may
turn out to be. may he able to help
u.s." he added. ''If he can't. we may
learn something from the Paris police.
The dead mans Bertillon measure
ments have been cabled over to them.
Even that won't help If he has never
been arrested And, of course. we can't
get at motives until we find out some
thing about him."
"But. Godfrey" | said. "how was it
done? That is what stumps me How
was 1t doneY'
How was 1t done? ! told you it was a
pretty case. Lester. But wait till we
hear from Paris"
That reminds me-" | 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 piece of furniture that doesnt t
belong to him. He asked me to straight
en- the matter out"
I rang for the hallboy, asked for a
cable blank and sent off message to
Armand & Son. telling them Of the
mistake and asking them to cable the
name of the owner OF the cabinet now
in Mr.. vantine's possession. Godfrey
got to his feet.
~ must be moving along" he said
There's no use sitting here theoriz-
ing until we have some sort of foun.
dation to build ON
The ringing Of my telephone stop
ped him.
Hello" said. taking down the re-
seiver.
"Is that you. Mr. Lester?" asked q
voice.
Yes
This is Parks.'' and suddenly real
ized that his voice was unfamiliar be
cause 1t was hoarse and quivering will
emotion. could you come down tt
the house right away. sir?"
"Why. yes" said. wonderingly, III
it's important. Does Mr.. vantine neet
me?"
I'VE all need you" said the voic,
and broke into dry sob. For God!
sake. come quick. Mr. lester"
"All right" I said without furthe
parley. for evidently he had lost hi
self control. Something has happen
ed down at vantine's." l added t.
Godfrey as hung up the receiver.
shall come, too?" asked Godfrey.
Perhaps you'd better, 1t soundet
pretty serious"
We went down together in the ele
vatOr, and three minutes later we hat
hailed taxi and were speeding east
ward toward the avenue. AS vi
reached the avenue and turned down
town the driver pushed up his spark
Five minutes later we drew up befor
the Vantine place.
Parks must have been on the from
steps looking for me, for he came run
ming down them almost before the ca
had stopped. His face startled me.
"Is it you. Mr.. LesterT he gasped.
STEADY, man." l said. Don't lie
yourself go to pieces. Now-what ha
happenedT
'I'll show you. SIR" he said and ra
up the steps. along the hall, to tn
door Of the anteroom where we ha
found the Frenchman's body. II
there. sirv' he sobbed I'm there!"
The room was ablaze with light, an
for an instant my eyes were so dal
zled that ! could distinguish nothing
Dimly l saw Godfrey spring forwar
and drop to his knees.
Then my eyes cleared, and ! say
on the very spot where D'Aurelle ha
died. another body. I remember benz
ing over and peering into the face.
1t was the face of Philip Vantine.
Hes dead" said Godfrey.
Then there was an instant's silence.
Lester, look herep' cried Godfrey
voice, sharp, insistent.
Godfrey was kneeling there holdin
something toward me.
"Look herew he cried again.
It was the dead mans hand he WI
holding-the right hand. swollen ar
discolored hand-and on the back of
S,,ct n how. fha HupoHloc uyava kxDo ~