Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-09-08

he went OUT anu cdIIlc DdCk pIOScuL-
ly with a small valise.
'"This will do" he said. ''Stow 'em
away, and I'll call up the bank and
arrange for the box"
Simmonds and PigOt rolled up the
packets carefully and placed them in
the valise. while / sat watching them
in a kind of daZe. And | understood
the temptation which would aSsail
man in the presence of so much beauty
and value.
"There they are" said SimmOnds and
closed the bag with snap as Grady
came in again.
"I've arranged for the box" said
Grady. land one of our wagons is at
the door. Simmonds, you go along
! with Moosseer PiggOtt and put an ex-
ira man on the seat with the driver.
Maybe that Crochard might try to hold
you up.''
The same thought was in my own
mind. for Crochard must have learned
of M. Pigot's arrival. So l was re-
lieved that Grady was wise enough to
take no risk.
you'd better get a receipt" Grady
went on, land arrange that the valise
is to be delivered only when you and
Moosseer Piggott appear toge.her.
That will be satisfactory. moosseer?"
he added, turning to the Frenchman.
Entirely so, sir Au revoir, mon
sieur." and with bow to me he. fol-
lowed Simmonds into the outer ROOM,
Grady sat down AMI got out fresh
cigar.
"WelI Mr.. Lester" he said as me
struck match. what do you think
Of these Frenchmen, anyway"
They're marvellous" l said. even
get can't understand how he knew
so much. For instance, how did he
know about those letters?'
''Fact is" broke In Grady, that's the
first I'd heard of 'em. What Is that
story"
told him the story briefly, carefully
suppressing everything which would
give him a clew to the identity Of the
yelled lady.
"There were certain Details" / add
ed, (which l supposed were known TO
no one except myself and two other
|
Then, again, how did he know SO cen
tainly just how the mechanism work
ed? It seemed to me that he handled
that mechanism as though he was Ia
miliar with it. Of course, he may have
prepared himself by studying the draw
ings which no doubt accompany the Sc
cret memoir. He may even have had a
working model made. He is an extraOr-
binary man."
"And q great actor" Grady supple
mented. 'Hello! Who's that's
The front door had been flung open.
There was an instant's colloquy with
the desk sergeant. then a rapid step
crossed the outer room, and Godfrey
burst in upcn ns
He cast a rapid glance at the Boule
cabinet, at the secret drawer standing
open, empty, and then his eyes rest
ed upon Grady.
$50 he got away with it, did hep he
inquired.
who do you think you are?" shout
ed Grady, his face purple, coming
in here like this? Get out or I'll have
you thrown out!"
"Oh, I'll CO." retorted Godfrey cool
ly. 1--WE seen all care to see. Only
I'll tell you one thing, Grady-yOu've
signed your death warrant tonight"
Youswon't last an hour after the story
of this nights work gets Quit"
Grady's color slowly faded as he
met the burning and contemptuous
gaze Godfrey turned upon him. AS
for me, an awful fear had gripped my
heart.
do you mean to say it wasn't Pig
got?" stammered Grady, at last.
Godfrey laughed scornfully.
"No, you blithering idiot" he said.
1T wasn't Pigot. 1t was Crochard,
himself"
And he stalked out, slamming the
ldoor behind him.
Almost before the echo Of that slam
ming door had died away Grady was
beside the sergeant's desk.
sect out the reserves" he ordered,
"and have the other wagon around.
Phone headquarters to rush every man
available to the Day and Night bank,
and say it's from mev'
In moment the reserves came tum-
bling out, struggling into their coats.
There was clatter of hoOfs in the
street as the wagon dashed up. The
reserves piled into it, permitting me
to crowd in beside them. Grady jump
ed to the seat beside the driver.
chung to the hand rail as the wagon
swayed back and forth or bounded into
the air as it struck the car tracks, and
stared out into the night, struggling to
understand. Could Godfrey be right?
But of course he was right! Some in
tuition told me that. At the bank we
found SimmOndS lying on his back, his
eyes open and staring apparently at
the ceiling.
Grady elbowed his way savagely
through the group.
1