The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1914-02-05

"And closed again after vantine
opened it|'
Yes"
Its possible. We must remember
that the polsoners of those days were
very ingenious. But there is one thing
that isn't possible. and that is that a
poison which, If it is administered as
we think it is, must be liquid, could
remain in that cabinet fresh and ready
for use for more than 800 years. 1t
would have dried up centuries ago.
Nor would the mechanism stay in or
der so long. 1t must he both compli-
Gated and delicate Therefore it would
have to be oiled and overhauled from
time to time If it is worked by
spring-and don't see how else it can
be worked-the spring would have to
he renewed and wound up"
"well?' | asked as he paused.
well, it is evident that the dra wer
contains something more recent than
the love letters of Louis XIV. 1t must
have been put in working order quite
recently. But by whom and for what
purpose? That is the mystery we
have to solve and it is mighty pret-
ty one. And here's another objection"
he added THAT Frenchman knew
about the secret drawer. because, ac-
cOrding to our theory. he opened it and
got killed. Why didn't he also know
about the poison?''
That was an objection, truly. and
the more | thought of it the more seri-
GUS 1t seemed.
"It may be-" said Godfrey at last,
that D'Aurelle was going it alone
that he had broken with the gang
"The gangF"
"Of course there is gang. This
thing has taken careful planning and
concerted effort. And the leader of
the gang is a genus | wonder if you
understand how great genius? Think!
He knows the secret of the drawer of
Nine. de Montespan's cabinet. But,
above all, he knows the secret of the
poison - the poison of the Medici!
Do you know what that means, Les
ter?"
What does it mean?' | asked. for
Godfrey was getting ahead of me.
1T means he is a great criminal-a
really great criminal--one of the elect
from whom crime has no secrets. OBJ
serve. He alone knows the secret of
the poison. One of his men breaks
away from him and pays for his mu-
tiny with his life. He is the brain;
the others are merely the Instruments
Then you don't believe it was by
accident that cabinet was sent to Van
tineT
by accident? Not for an instant!
1t was part of plOt-and splendid
plot!"
Can you explain that TO me tooF'
j queried a little ironically.
He smiled good naturedly at my
tone.
"Of course this is all mere romano
ing" he admitted. II am the first to
acknowledge that. was merely fol-
lowing out our theory to what seemed
its logical conclusion. But perhaps
we are on the wrong track altogether.
Perhaps D'Aurelle, or whatever his
name is. just blundered in like moth
into a candle flame. AS for the plot
well, can only guess at it. But sup
pose you and had pulled off some big
robbery
He stopped suddenly and his face
went white and then red. Lester:
hn Orfad hfg Vaf.a chTfI Rrvith -
'The cabinet-it isn't guarded
Eyes. 1t is," | said. "At least
thought of THAR
And | told him of the precautions
had taken to keep it safe. He heard
me out with sigh of relief.
II think the cabinet is safe-for to
night. And before another night, Les
ter, we will have a look for ourselves. >
"A look?"
Yes; for the secret drawer!'
'D'Aurelle and Vantine found It,"
muttered thickly.
1T won't kill us. We will go abou
1t armored. Lester That poisoned FAM
may strike. but I'll be ready. Lester
There will be no danger Come. man
Why, it's the chance of a lifetlme-t
match ourselves against the creates
criminal of modern timesw
His shrill laugh told how excited
was.
And do you know what we sha
find In that drawer, Lesterf But no
1t is only guess-the widest sort {
guess-Dut If it is right-if II
szE-