The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-02-06
econtinued,
 CHATTER xi- Part With the RouIe Cabinet.
(Continued)
CHATTER xl.

I :
 Part With the BouIe Cabinet.
 THE coroner's inquest was held
 next day. The police had dis
 covered practically no new
 evidence. none certainly which shed any light on the way in which Drouet and Philip vantine had met death
 Police Commissioners Grady did not go on the stand. He was not at the in- quest The case had been placed in Gimmonds' hands. and it was he who testified on behalf of the police, admit ting candidly that they were all at sea. But he had not abandoned hope and was still working on the case.
 The end of the hearing was that the jury brought in verdict that Philip Vantine and Georges Drouet had died from the effects of a poison admins tered by a person or persons unknown.
 Godfrey joined me at the door as was leaving.
 -sI was glad to hear Simmonds con fess that the police are up tree" he said. "of course Grady is trying to sneak out of 1t. I'll see that Sim monds gets square deal
 Were all up a tree. aren't wey I said. Since my theory a about the BoHIe cabinet exploded 1 have given up hope. By the way. m going to turn the cabinet over to Its owner to- morrow-,ss
 ssPo it's owner P he repeated. his eyes narrowing. Yes. thought he'd be around for it. though I hardly thought he'd come So soon. Who does it happen to be. Lester?"
 Why said. a little impatiently. 'syou know as well as do that 1t be longs to Armand 6 Son"
 You've seen their representative. then?" he queried. with little flush of excitement.
 ssHe came to see me yesterday. I'd like you to meet him. Godfrey. He is Felix Armand. the son of the firm. and one of the most finished gentle men ever met 7
 '.I'd like to meet him. T said Godfrey. smiling queerly. Perhaps 1 shall. some day. hope so. anyway. But how did he explain the bIunder. Les ter?''
 ..Tn some way they shipped the wrong cabinet to vantine The right one will get here on La Provence to- morrow.
 .'Tt is all most interesting" Godfrey commented
 .Godfrey, I added. .sI felt yester- day when was talking with him that perhaps he knew more about this affair than he would admit could see that he guessed in an instant who the own- CT of the letters WAS, and what they contained. Do you think l ought to hold on to the cabinet while longer2 I could invent some pretext for delay. easily enough.
 E why, no; let him have his cabinet said Godfrey. with an alacrity that sur prised me ssIf your theory about it has been exploded, what's the use of hanging on to it F q don't see any use in doing so.' admitted, tsbut I thought perhaps yen might want more time to examine it 2
 aI've examined 1t all I'm going to- Godfrey answered. and told myself that this was the first time I had ever known him tO admit himself de feated Perhaps I'll see you temor- row.' he added, and we parted at the corner.
 But did not see him on the morrow. Twas rather expecting call from him during the morning. and when none came was certain should find him 4Wd1C11B hG " uCA1szA dAl4fc c4 tAA0 vantine house, in company with M. Armand. But he was not there. and when I asked for him Parks, told me that he had not seen him since the day before. ks
 I confess that Godfrey's indifference to the fate of the cabinet surprised me greatly; besides. was hoping that he would wish to meet the fascinating Frenchman-more fascinating if pos sfb1e. than he had been on Monday There had been less delay than he had anticipated in getting the cabinet of the boat and through the customs, and 1t was not yet o'clock when we reach ed the vantine house.
 q haven't seen MT. Godfrey" Parks. repeated, .but there's others here as it fair breaks my, heart to see"
 He motioned toward the door of the music room. and. stepping to it. I saw that the inventory was already in prog ress.
 s.The cabinet is in the room across. the hall.'s I said to M-fArmand. and led the way through the anteroom into the room beyond.
 Parks switched on the lights for us. and my companion glanced with sur prise at the heavy shutters covering the windows.
 ssWe put those up for protection I explained We had an idea that