The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-10-19

CIocHdiu connection Will DTUuet,
M. Pigot continued. "DrOuet. while
mere hangcron Of the cafes Of the
boulevards. was not criminal Then
came the death Of that creature, Mo-
rel, in an effort TO gain possession of
this cabinet, and we began to under
stand, We made inquiries concerning
the cabinet. We learned its history
and the secret Of its construction, and
we arrived at Il certain conclusion 1t
was to ascertain if that conclusion is
correct that came to America"
What is the conclusionY' queried
Grady, who had listened to all this
with a manifest Impotence in strong
contrast to my own absorbed interest
Our theory" replied NJ. Pigot. with
out the slightest acceleration of speech
is that the Michaelovitch diamonds
are concealed in this cabinet Every
thing points 10 it, and we shall soon
see"
AS he spoke he drew from his pocl-
ct steel gauntlet, marvelously like
the one Godfrey had used, and slip
ped it over his right hand
'When one attempts to fathom the
secrets of the fnvincible one" be said
with a smile, zone must 30 armored
Already three men have paid with
their lives the penalty of their rash
ness"
"Thrce men," repeated Grady, won
deringly.
Three and Pi%ot checked them
off upon his fingers FIRST the man
who gave his name as D'Aurele. but
who was really matchmaker named
Drouet: second, NJ Vantine the con
noiSseur, and third, the creature Morel
OF these the only one that really mat
teTS is NJ. Vantine. His death was
most unfortunate, and l am sure that
Crochard regrets it exceedingly"
zone moment, monsieur" | said.
bursting in, unable to remain longer
silent, This is all so wonderful--so
thrlling-will you not tell us more?
For what were these three men search
ing-f0r the Jewels"
Monsieur is as familiar with the
facts as ]" he answered in sarcastic
tone. He knows that Drouet was
killed while searching for packet of
letters which would have compromiS-
ed most seriously a great lady. lie
knows that NJ. Vantine was killed
while epdeavoring to open the drawer
after its secret had been revealed to
him by the maid Of that same great
lady, who was hoping to get a reward
for them. Morel met death directly
at the hands of Crochard because be
was traitor and deserved it."
More and more fascinated. / stared
ut him. What secret was safe. ask
ed myself, from this astonishing man:
But even yet" | stanmered II do
not understand, We have opened the
secret drawer of the cabinet-thele
was no poison. How could 1t have
killed Drouet and Mr.. Vantine?"
Very simply" said N. Pigot coldIy
Death came TO Drouet and NJ. Van
tine because the maid of madame la
duchesse miStook her left hand for her
right. The drawer which contained
the letters is at the left of the cabinet
see" and he pressed the series of
springs. caught the little handle and
pulled the drawer open. You will no
tlce that the letters are gone. The
drawer which Drouet and NJ. Vantine
opened and here his voice became u
little strident under the stress Of emo
ton. lis on the right side of tile cabi-
net, exactly opposite the other and
opened by similar combination. But
there Is one great difference. About
the first drawer there is nothing to
harm any one; the other is guarded by
the deadlieSt poison the world has ever
Known observe me, gentlemen
As he spoke he bent over the desk
ana pressed three fingers along the
right edge. There was a sharp click
and section of the inlay fell out
ward, forming handle, lust as l had
seen 1t do on the other side OF the
desk
al. Plgot heSitated an instant. Then,
catching the handle firmly with his
armored band. he drew it quickly out
There was a sharp clash as of stee,
on steel and the drawer stood open!
NJ. Pigot cool and imperturbable
ned out to us, with little smile, a
hohd which showed not a culver of
emotiou-his gauntleted hand. and
saw that on the back OF it were two
tiny depressions At the bottom of