Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1914-11-11

to solVe-and it is 4 mighty pretty ne.
And heres another objection" he add
ed. That F'renchman knew about the
secret drawer, BECAUSE, according 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 l thought of it. the more serious
it seemed.
1T may be-" said Godfrey. at last.
tina d'Aurelle was going it alone-that
he had broken with the gang"
THE gang?"
course. there is a gang. This
thing has taken careful planning and
concerted effort. And the leader of the
gang is a genius! l wonder if you UNI
derstand how great a genius? hin
lie KNOWS the secret of the drawer of
Madame de M~ontespan's cabinet: but
above all he knows the secret of the
polson-the poison of the Medici! Do
you know what that means, LESTER"
What does it mean?" 1 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. n pays for his mutiny with
his life. He is The brain; the others
are merely the Instruments"
III YOU OOll l DelleNe IL WIS ny
accident that cabinet was sent to VAN
tine?'
by accident? Not for an instant!
1t was part OF a plot-and u splendid
plot"
Can o explain hat to me, too?" 1
queried a little ironically, for l con-
Tess 1t seemed to me that Godfrey was
permitting his imagination to run away
with him.
He smiled good naturally at my tone.
OF course, this is all mere roman
cin," he admitted. Il am the first to
acknowledge that 1 was merely fol-
lowing out u theory to what seemed
its logical conclusion. But perhaps We
are on the wrong track altogether. Per-
haps dAurelle, or whatever his name
is, just Numbered in, like a moth into
a candle flame. AS for the plot-well,
l a guess at it. But suppose you and
l had pulled off some big robbery"
He stopped suddenly, and his face
went white and then red.
What is it. Godfrey?" 1 cried, for
his look frightened me.
He lay back in his chair, his hands
pressed e his eyes. could see how
they We're trembling-how his whole
body was trembling.
Waltz" he said hoarsely. "Wait!"
Then he sat upright, his face tense with
anxiety. "Lester!" he cried, his voice
shrill with fear. The cabinet-it sn't
guarded!"
Yes, it is,' I said. "At least Thought
Of that,"
And l told him of the precautions 1
had taken to keep it safe. He heard
me out with a sigh Of relief.
That's better.' he said. Parks would
not stand much show, I'm afraid, if
worst came to worst; but l think the
ablne is safe-for tonight. And before
another night, Lester, we will have a
look for ourselves"
"A look?"
Yes: for the secret drawer!"
stared at him fascinated, shrinking.
And we shall find it," he added.
"D'Aurelle and Vantine found it," I
muttered thickly.
"Well?"
and they're both dead!"
1T won't kill US. We will go about
it armored, Lester. That poisoned fang
DON'T" 1 cried, and covered back
into my chair. Il can't do it. Cod
frey. God knows, I'm no c~oward-but
not that"
You shall watch me do it!" he said.
That would be ever worse!"
But I'll be ready, Lester. There will
be no danger. Come. mani! Why, it's
the chance of a lifetime-to rifle the
secret drawer of Madame de Monte
span! Yes!" he added, his eyes glow
ing. land to match ourselves against
the greatest criminal of modern times!"
His shril laugh told how excited he
vas.
And do you know what we shall find
in that drawer, Lester? But not is
only a guess-the widest sort of a
guess-but if it is right-if it is right"
He sprang from his chair, biting his
lips, his Whole frame ~quivering. But he
was calmer in a moment.
And, you will help me, Lester? You
will Gomez
There was a wizardry in his N
not to be resisted. Besides-to rifle the
secret drawer Of Madame de Monte
span! To match oneself against the
greatest criminal of modern times!
What an adventures!
Yes l answered, with a quick in
taking of the breath; II will GOMEZ"
He clapped me on the shoulder. his
face beaming.
II knew you would! Tomorrow night,
then-IM call for you here at 2 o'clock.
Well have dinner together-and then,
hey for the great secret! Agreed?
Agreed" I said.
He caught up coal and nat and
started for the door.
There are things to do he said;
that armour to prepare-the plan Of
campaign to consider, you know. Good
night. then, till-this evening""
The door closed behind him, and his
footsteps died away down the hall. I
looked at my watch-it was nearly 2
o'clock.
Dizzily I went to bed. But my sleep
was broken by a fearful dream-a
dream of a serpent. with blazing eyes
and dripping fangs. poised to strike!
CHAPTER x.