, 1914-09-17
The Mystery
of the
BouIe Cabinet
By BURTON E. STEVENSON
Copyright, 1918, by Burton e
Stevenson
Copyright, 1918. by Burton e.
Stevenson

"OAiclal business, no doubt" COM
mented the purser. HE will, no doubt,
soon be diseugaged."
Eyes, but meanwhile my esteemed
contemporaries will arrive" said God
frey, with a grimace. ''They are on
my heels. Here they are now"
In fact, for the ext twenty minutes
reporters from the other papers kept
arriving, till there was quite a crowd
before the purser's Office. And from
nearly every paper a special man had
been detailed to interview NJ. Pigot.
Evidently all the papers were alive to
the Importance of the subject. There
was some good natured chatting, and
then one of the stewards was bribed
to carry the cards Of the assembled
multitude to M. Pigot's stateroom,
with the request for an audience.
The steward went away laughing
and came back presently to say that
M. Pigot would be pleased to see us
in a few minutes. But when FIVE min
utes nor passed and he did not ap-
pear impotence broke out anew. The
lords of the press were not accustomed
to being kept waiting.
81 move we storm his castle" sug-
gested one man.
And just then, NJ. Pigot himself step
ped out into the companionway. In
an instant he was surrounded.
MY good friends Of the press" he
said, speaking slowly, but with only
fhn fofntacf ornant stx,nYr will nor1nr
me for keeping you In waiting, but !
had some matters of the first impor-
lance to attend to, and also my bag to
pack. Steward" he added, you will
find my bag outside of my stateroom
door. Please bring 1t here, 30 that
I may be ready to go ashore at once"
The steward hurried away. and NJ
Pigot turned back to us.
It was to Godfrey hat the position
Of spokesman naturally fell.
I'VE wish first to welcome you TO
America, NJ. Pigot," he said, "and to
hope that you will have a pleasant and
interesting stay In our country. We
hope that with your assistance our po-
lice may be able to solve the mystery
surrounding the death of the three men
recently killed here, and to arrest the
murderer. OF themselves they seem
to be able to do nothing"
M. Pigot spread out his hands with
a little deprecating gesture.
81 also hope we may be successful
he said. but If your police have not
been, my poor help will be of little ac-
count"
He spoke with an accent so sincere
that ] was almost convinced he meant
every word of 1t. but Godfrey only
smiled.
French police are the best in the world.
You, no doubt, have a theory in regard
10 the death Of these menu"
81 fear II is impossible, SIR" said NJ.
Pigot %regretfully, ito answer that
question at present, or to discuss this
case with you. | have my report first
to make to the chief of your detective
bureau. Tomorrow | shall be most
happy to tell you all that | can. But
for tonight my lips are closed. sad as
1t makes me to seem discourteous."
could hear behind me the little In
drawn breath of disappointment at the
failure of the direct attack.
A voice was heard inquiring loudly
for Moosseer Piggott. recognized thai
voice, and SO did Godfrey. and / saw
the cloud of disappointment which fell
upon his face. An instant later Grady,
with Simmonds in his wake. elbowed
his way through the group.
"Moosseer Piggottr' he cried. and
enveloped the Frenchman's slender
hand In his great paw and gave it a
squeeze which was no doubt painful.
-Glad to sec you, sir. Welcome to our
city, as we say over here in America.
! certainly hope you can speak Eng
hsh, for i don't know a word of your
lingo. I'm Commissioner Grady, In
charge Of the detective bureau. and
this is Simmonds. mi Of my men,
M. Ptgot's perfect suavity was not
even rufiied.
II am most pleased to meet you, sir.
and you. Monsieur Simmon." he said.
"Yes, l speak English, though, as you
see, with some difficulty"
-These reporters bothering your life
out, j see" And Grady glanced about
the group. scowling as his eyes met
Godfrey's.
Il have but just told them that my
first report must be made to you, sir"
said Pigot. II was hoping that we
might &c ashore at once. I have my
papers ready for YOU
"All right" agreed Grady. And
after I've looked over your papers I'll
show you Broadway, and I'll bet you
agree with me that 1t beats anything
In gay Paree. Our boats waiting, and
we can start right away. This your
oagf Yes? Bring 1t along, Sim
monds." And Grady started for the
stair.
But the attentive steward got ahead
Of Slmmonds.