The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-06-05
CHAPTER III
The ThunderboIt.

A FIER ALL" went on Godfrey,
N there is one thing that neither
"A you nor nor any reasonable
man can believe, and that is
that this Frenchman came from heav-
en- knows where-from Paris. perhaps
with Vantines address in his pocket.
and hunted up the house and made his
way into it simply to kill himself there.
He had some other object, and he met
his death while trying to accomplish
it."
Have you found out who he is?"
NO; he's not registered at any of
the hotels. The French consul never
heard of him He belongs to none of
the French societies. He's not known
in the French quarter He seems to
have dropped in from the clouds.
We've cabled our Paris Office to look
him up. We may hear from there to-
night But even if we discover the
identity of Theophile d'Aurelle, it
won't help us any"
why not?" demanded.
Because it is evident that that isn't
his name"
Go ahead and tell me. Godfrey"
said. as he looked at me. smiling. 81
don't see it."
why. it's plain enough. He had five
cards in his pocket. no two alike. The
sixth, selected probably at random, he
had sent up to Vantine."
l saw 1t then, of course. Godfrey
smiled again at my expression.
"The real d'Aurelle. whoever he may
turn out to be. may be able to help
u.s." he added. "If he can't. we may
learn something from the Paris police
The dead mans Bertillon measure
ments have been cabled over to them
Even that won't help If he has never
been arrested And, of course, we can't
get at motives until we find out some
thing about him."
but, Godfrey" / said. "how was it
done? That is what stumps me. How
was it done?"
"Ah! agreed Godfrey. THAT'S it!
How was 1t done? l told you it was a
pretty case, Lester. But wait till we
hear from Paris"
That reminds me-" said, sitting up
suddenly. "I've got to cable to Paris
myself, on some business for Mr.. VAN
tine"
mot connected with this AFFAIR.""
"Oh. no; his shippers over there sent
him a piece Of furniture that doesn't
belong to him. He asked me to straight
en- the matter out"
I rang for the hallboy, asked for a
cable blank and sent of message to
Armand & Son, telling them of the
mistake and asking them to cable the
name of the owner of the cabinet now
in Mr.. Vantine's possession. Godfrey
got to his feet.
Il must be moving along" he said.
There's no use sitting here theoriz-
ing until we have some sort of foun-
dation to build on"
The ringing of my telephone stop
ped him.
Hello" said, taking down the re-
ceiver.
us that you, Mr.. Lester?" asked a
voice.
"Yes."
This is Parks" and I suddenly real
lied that his voice was unfamiliar be-
cause it was hoarse and Quivering with
emotion. Gould you come down to
the house right away, sir?"
"Why, yes" said. wonderingly, Elf
it's important Does Mr.. vantine need
me?"
I'VE all need you" said the voice
and broke into dry sob. "For Gods
sake. come quick. Mr.. LesterT'
"All right" ] said without further
parley. for evidently he had lost his
self control. Something has happen
ed down at Vantine's," / added to
Godfrey as hung up the receiver.
shall come. too?" asked Godfrey.
Perhaps you'd better. 1t sounded
pretty serious"
We went down together In the ele-
vator, and three minutes later we had
hailed a taxi and were speeding east
ward toward the avenue. AS we
reached the avenue and turned down
town the driver pushed up his spark
Five minutes later we drew up before
the Vantine place.
Parks must have been on the front
steps looking for me. for he came run