The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-02-04

ssNo, MT. Lester; the error was dis covered some days ago, and the cabi- net belonging to MT. iVantfne was ship ped to me here. It should arrive next Wednesday on La Provence. shall myself feceive it and deliver it to MT. Vantine"
 MT vantine is dead" said 'eYous did not know?"
 He sat staring at me for moment
 Ibid understand that you said MT. vantine is deadg'' he stammered.
 told him briefly as much as knew of the tragedy.
 11t is curious you saw nothing of it in the papers," added. "They were full of it. Or
 q have been visiting friends at Que bec,' he explained .sIt, was there that the message from our house found me commanding me to hasten here. A bIunder of this sort we feel as a dis grace. have met MT. vantine many times. He was a real connoisseur. We have lost one of our most valued patrons. You say that he was found dead i'm a room at his houseg'
 esYes, and death resulted From a small wound on the hand. into which some very powerful poison had been injected"
 ssThat is most curious In what man. ner was such a wound made?' s"That we don't know. had a the ory''
 aYes?,' he questioned. his eyes gleaming with interest
 .sA few hours previously another man had been fOund in the same room, killed in the same way"
 Smother man ?''
 "A stranger who had called to see MT. vanttne. My theory was that both this stranger and MT. vantine had been killed while trying to open SC cret drawer fn the Boule cabinet Do you know anything of the history of that cabinet. M. Armand P ,.
 We believe it to have been made for Mnle. de Mentespan by M- Roule himseif.,"' he answered. .sIt is the original Of one now in the Louvre which is known to have belonged to the Grand Louis. ''
 ssIt was Mr. vantfness correct guess at the history Of the cabinet" I ex- plained. which gave me the basis for my theory. A cabinet belonging to Mne de Montespan would, of course, have a secret drawer. What more nat uraa than thBt it should be guarded by a poisoned mechanism P
 ssWhat more natural. indeed! It is good reasoning, MT. Lester,'' he agreed eagerly, his eyes burning like two coals of fire. so intense was his interest "1 have been from boyhood lover sof tales of mystery. I ana fascinated
 Perhaps you can assist us" sug- gested. flor that theory of mine has been completely dispfoved.s
 "Disproved? Tn what Way2" he de manded.
 s.The secret drawer has been found.
 .sHow?" he cried. his voice sharp with surprise. Found? The secret drawer has been found?" .sYes, and there was no poisoned mechanism guarding ii" He brea thed deeply for an instant; then he pulled himself together with a little laugh.
 .eReally," he said. q must not in duige myself in this way Was the drawer empty P
 ''No: there was a packet of letters in it.''
 ADeIicious! Love letters. of cer- tafnty! From the Great Louis to the 1 Montespan. perhaps?
 .sNo. unfortunately. they were Of a much more recent date. They have been restored to their owner hope that you agree with me that that was the right thing to do P
 hsSince the letters have been return ed, he said atsIast- a little dryly. it l is useless to discuss the matter. Has not other explanation been found for the death of MT. yantine and of this stranger? You do not even know who he was ?''
 | t,rx 1aof He was a worthless fellow named | Drouet. living in an attic in the Rue de la Huchette. in Paris" M Arnaand had been gazing at me I intently, but now his look relaxed. and fancied that he drew deep breath las a man might do when relieved of 8 burden.
 'sYeu did not. by any chance. know him P asked carelessly. "No. I think not. But do not un- derstand W hat this Drouet, as you call him.. was doing in the house of MT. l Vantine.'' '
 1 .He was trying to get possession of l the letters. said. What none of us understands. M. Armand. is how he was Killed. Who or what killed him. How was that poison administered. Can you suggest an explanation P l 'sIt Is nice problem he said. "a slost interesting one I will think It ever. Mr.. Lester I shall see you again Wednesday. If it is agreed ble to you we can meet at the house of MT. Vantine and exchange the cabi- nets.''
 "At what timer.
 q do not know with exactness. There may be some delay in getting the cabinet from the ship. Perhaps i 1t would be better if I called for you ?''
 Every well.' I assented
 tro be continued.) i
 cTANHAHu TIDCETO