Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-10-15
CHAPTER II1-(Continued).

the caro-, Mr. Goldberger?" I asked.
My theory is that this fellow really
had some business with Mr.. Vantine;
probably he wanted to borrow some
while he was waitin. he suddenly gave
the thing up and killed himself. The
address has no bearing whatever, that
i can see, on the question Of suicide.
And I'll say this. Mr.. Lester, if this
isn't suicide, it's the %strangest case 1
ever had anything to DO with"
"Yes," l agreed. "if it isn't suicide,
we come to a blank wall right away"
That's It," and Goldberger nodded
he added, as the bell rang.
The bearers entered with the stretch
away. Goldberger paused to gather up
the articles he had taken from the dead
mans pockets.
you gentlemen will have to give
your testimony at the inquest" he said.
so Will Parks and Rogers. It will be
o'clock, but I'll notify you Of the hour"
Very WELL" I said; well be there"
and Goldberger babe US good bye, and
left the house. "And now" I added, to
vantine, Il must be getting back to
the office. They'll be asking the police
O'clock"
Too late for the office" said vantine,
Setter come upstairs n have a
drink. Besides, I want to talk with
you"
AT least, I'll let them know I'm still
alive" said, n I called up the Of
lice and allayed any anxiety that may
nave been felt there concerning me. I
must admit that it did not seem acute.
~ feel the need Of a bracer after all
this excitement" Vantine remarked. as
NE OnpnaH tho Nn1o rot fsTI1Ir, xo,,.z
! dare say you're used to this sort of
thing
Finding dead men lying a%round?"1
querled with a smile. "No-it's not so
common as you seem to think"
Tel me, Lester" and he looked at
devil came in here just to get a chance
to kill himself quietly?"
mo. I don't" 1 said.
Then what did he come In for?"
Il think Goldberger's theory a pref
ty good one-that he had heara of Won
as a generous fellow and came in h az
10 ask help; and while he was waiting,
suddenly gave it up
And killed himself?" vantine com
I hesitated. I was astonished to find.
doubt.
See here, Lester" vantine demand
ed, IF he didn't kill himself what
happened to him?"
Heaven only knows" I answered. in
espai I've been asking myself the
same question, without finding a rea-
sonable answere to it. AS I said to
G~oldberger. it's a blank wall. But if
anybody can see through it, Jim God
frey can"
Vantine seemed deeply perturbed. He
LOOK a U or two up and down the
room, then stopped in front of me- and
looked me earnestly in the eye.
rel me; Lester" he sid, do you be-
eiieve that theory Of Godfrey's-that
that Insignificant wound on the han
caused death?"
IT seem absurd, doesn't it? But
Godfrey Is q sort Of genius at divinine
such things"
Then you do believe it?"
Is asked myself the same question be-
fore l answered.
Yes, I do" I said. finally.
vantine walked up and down the
room again, his ayes on the floor. his
brows contracted.
Lester" he said, at last, "I have a
queer feeling that the business which
brought this man here in some way
concerned the Boule cabinet I was tell
him. hin = ABOUT Perhaps 1t belonged to
Hardly" I protested, recalling his
shabby appearance.
AZ any rate. I remember, as 1 was
looking at his card. that some such
thought occurred to me. It was for
that reason I told Parks to ask him to
wait"
ITS possible. Of course I admitted.
But that wouldn't explain his excite
ment. And that reminds me- added.
Il haven't sent of that cable"
Amy time tonight will do. It will be
delivered in the morning. But you
haven't seen the cabinet yet. Conne
down and look at It." 1870
He led the way down the stair. Parks
met US in the lower han.
.Ihere's a delegation Of reporters
outside. sir" he said. They say
they've got to see you"
thence.
'Tel them," he said, " that I pos
ttively refuse to see them or to allow
my servants to see them. Let them get
their information from the police"
Very we'll, Sir" said Parks, and
turned away grinning.
vantine passed on through the ante
room in which we had found the body
or the unfortunate F~renchman. and
Into the room beyond. Five or six
pieces OF furniture, evidently lust un-
packed, stood there, but, gnorant as I
am OF such things, he did not have to
point out to me the Bouie cabinet. 1t
dominated the room, much as Madame
de Montespan. no doubt, dominated the
court at Versailles,
I looked at it for some moments. for
1t was certainly q beautiful piece Of
work, with a wealth of inlay and in
~srustation little short of marvellous. But
! may as well say here that I never
really appreciated II. The florid style
OF the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Louis
Is not at all to my taste; and / am too
little Of 9 connoisseur to admire a
beauty which a no personal appeal
for me. So ! I'M afraid that yantine
found me q little cold.
Certainly there was nothing cold
about the way he regarded it. His
eye cleaned with a strange Are as he
looked at It; he ran his fingers over
the inlay with q touch almost rever-
ent; he pulled out for me the little
drawers with much the same air
thaa another friend of mine takes down
ms Kilmarnock Burns from his book
shelves: he pointed out to me the grace
81 Its curves in the same tone that one
ilAes to discuss the masterpiece OF
great artist. And then, finding no echo
70 his enthusiasm I'M, he suddenly stopped.
You don't seem to care for it, he
said. looking at nae.