The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-03-26

| IL
| this
/ Undoubtedly" she agreed. 'Ther
has never been any such weird mech
| anism as you described connected witt
| that drawer. Mr.. Lester-at least no
since l have had it. There is a legend
| you know. that the cabinet was made
| for Nine. de Montespan."
| mfr. Vantine suspected as much"
said He was examining IL at the
time he died. What the other man
was doing we do not know. but IL we
could identify him it might help as
1t has occurred to me. madame. that
you may have seen him on La Touraine
that he may even be known TO you.
What was his name?"
The card he sent In TO Mr.. Vanttne
bore the name OF Theophile D'Aurelle.'
She shook her head.
Il have never before heard that
7 name. Mr. Lester"
Perhaps you VIII recognize this pho
tograph?"
She took It. looked at it and again
shook her head. Then she looked at IT
again. turning aside and raising her
veil in order to see 1t better.
There seems to be something tamil
lar about the face" she said at last,
"as though l might have seen the man
somewhere"
ION the boat. perhaps" / suggested.
but l knew very well It was not or
the boat, since the man had crossed I'm
the steerage.
mo; it was not on the boat. I did
not leave my statercom on the boat.
But / am quite sure that I have seen
him. and yet / ca t say where. Per
haps my maid can help u.s." Photo
graph In hand. she stepped through the
doorway into the outer room.
Julie" said she In rapid French. ct
have here the photograph OF a man
who was killed in this room most rys-
teriously a few days ago. These gem
tlemen wish to Identify him. The face
seems to me somehow familiar. but
cannot place it. Look at it,
, Julie put forth shaking hand. took
the photograph and glanced at It;
then, with a long sigh, slid Imply to
the floor before either Godfrey or I
could catch her.
AS she fell her veil. catching ON the
chair back. was torn away, and, look
ing down at her, a great emotion burst
within me, for l recognized the mys-
terious. woman whose photograph
D'Aurelle had carried in his watch
case
For a moment 1 stood speIlbound.
staring down at that faded and passion
stained countenance; then Godfrey
sprang forward and lifted the uncon-
scious woman to the couch.
Bring some water" he said. and as
he turned and looked at me / saw that
his face was glowing with excitement.
rushed to the door and snatcheA it
open. Rogers was standing In the hall
outside, and l sent him hurrying for
the water and turned back into the
room.
Godfrey was chafng the girls hands,
and the yelled lady was bending over
her. fumbling at the hooks OF her
bodice.
Here's the water. sir" said Rogers
and handed me glass and pitcher.
The next instant his eyes fell upon
the woman on the couch. He stood
his face turning slowly purple:
then. clutching at his throat, he half
turned and fell just as had seen him |
do once before. Then Parks appeared. |
Rogers has had another At. Get the |
shouted Godfrey. Parks |
sta ggered away.
When he came back a moment later |
with the ammonia he held up Rogers
head. while Parks applied the phial
10 his nostrils.
Madame. meanwhile, had dashed /
ome water into the face OF the uncon-
cious Julie.
''She will soon be an right again."
he said and. truly enough, at the end
# a few seconds, the girl opened her
yes and looked dazedly about her.
Then a violent trembling seized her.
What is it, julie" asked her mis-
ress, taking her hand. "You knew
his man."
A hoarse sob was the only answer.
You must tell me-" went on ma
ame quietly, but firmly. "You knew
his man.
The girl nodded and closed her eyes.
I'm ParisT"
The girl nodded again
He was your IoverT'
A third nod. and q food Of tears.
81 remember. now" said madame
'T saw him with her once.
What was he doing in this house"
he went on more sternly.
Madame will never forgive mer'
obbed the girl, and / began to think
hat she was more concerned for her
elf than for her lover. The same
bought occurred to her mistress, too.
10 doubt, for her voice hardened
TRY me-" she said. Understand
yell, you must tell-if not here. then I
efore an officer Of the police"
"Oh. no, mol" screamed Julie, sitting
uddenly erect. Never thatg / could
ot bear that! Madame would not be
o cruel. VIII tell. win tell every !
hing. After all. was not TO blame ]