Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-02-25
CHAPTER xxy1I-(continued)

~ nave seen through IL! 1 ouSHt I.
have suspected, even when I found yor
tryin' to interview him: ever when ]
got him off the boat myself; even wher
l went through his papers and found
them all right-yes. even to the photo
graph on his passport! That's plain
enough now, lii it! If people only had
as good foresight az they have hind
sight. how easy 1t would bel"
Look here. Grady" said God
| frey, more kindly. 81 haven't
anything against o person
ally, n 1 admit that it was foolish of
me to stand there talking to Crochard
M never suspect who he was. But
that's all beside the mark. You're at
the head Of the detective bureau, and
you're the man who is responsible for
all this. You're energetic enough and
all that; but you're not fit for your job
Its too big for you. and you know 1t.
rake my advice, and go to the phone
there and send in your resignation"
Grady stared at him as though I'M
to believe his ears.
Phone in my resignation" he
echoed. What kind of a fool do you
think I ann"
Il see you're a bigger one thar I
thought you We're! Your pull can't
help you any longer Grady"
Was 1T to tell me that you got me
owe here?"
NO" said Godfrey, all his is just
incidental-you began the discussion
yourself. didn't you? I got you here to
The outer door opened again, and
Godfrey looked toward it. smiling.
"Mooseer Piggott!" this
office boy.
And then I almost bounced from my
seat, for l would nave sworn that the
mar who stood on the threshold was the
man who had opened the secret drawer.
He came forward, looking from face
10 race; then his eyes met Godfrey's
and he smiled.
Behold that l am here. monsieur" he
said and l started anew at the voice.
Tor 1T was the voice of Crochard. II
hope that l have not kept you waiting
Not at all, M. Pigot," Godfrey as
suTed him. and placed a chair for him.
could see Grady and Simmonds
gripping the arms of their chairs and
open; n l knew the thought that
was flashing through their brains. Was
this P1got? Or was the man who had
opened the cabinet Pigot? Or was
was neither Pigot? Was it possible
that this could be a different man than
the one who had opened the cabineto
confess that some such thought
llashed through my own mind-a sus-
plcl2l that Godfrey, in some way, was
playing with us.
Godfrey looked about at us, smiling
as ne saw our expressions.
I went down the bay this morning
end met the Savoie," he said. Il relat-
ed to M. Pigot last nights occurrences
and begged him to be present at this
meetings. He was good enough to
agree. l assure YOU" he added, see
Ing Grady's look, that this is NJ. Pigot,
OF the Paris Service du Surete. and NOT
Crochard."
oh. yes" said M. Pigot, with a de-
precatlng shrug. II am myself-and
FALLEN SO readily into the trap which
Crochard set for me. But he is a yer,
clever man.
1t was certainly a marvellous dis
guise," l said. 1T was more thar that
1T was an impersonation.'
"Cochard has had occasion to study
me-" explained NJ. Pigot. drily. And
But some day l hall get him-every
pitcher to the well goes once too often.
There is no hope of finding him here
In New York;
Il am afraid not" said Godfrey.
Don't be too sure of that" broke in
Grady ponderously. II amt lone yet
not by no manner of ~nieanS!"
Pardon me for not Introducing you.
M. Pigot," said Godfrey. This gen
tleman is Mr.. Grady. who has beer
the head of our detective bureau; this
Is MI. Simmonds, a member of his
staff. this is Mr.. Lester. an attorney
and friend Of mine: and this is Mr..
Shearrow, my personal counsel. Mr..
Grady, MIR. Simmonds and Mr.. Lester
were present, last night he added
blandly, when Crochard opened the
secret drawer"
Grady redeemed visibly. and even ]
felt my face grow hot. M. Pigot looked
at us with a smile Of amusement.
1T must AVE been q most interest
Crochard. at work. I have never had
that privilege. But I regret that he
should have made good his scape."
More especially since he. took the
Michaelovitch diamonds with him." ]
added.
frey, with a little smile. there are one
or two questions l should like to ask
you. NJ. Pigot, in order to clear W
some minor details which are as yet q
little obscure. Is 1t true that the theft
Of the Michaelovitch diamonds was
planned by Crochard?"
France would be capable Of it,"
rs 1t also true that no direct evil
dence could be found against him?"
That also Is true, monsieur. He had
arranged the affair so ~cleverly thai I'VE
We're wholly unable to convict him
unless w should find him with the
stolen brillants In his possession
And o were not able to do that?'
No; we could discover no trace OF
h brilliants. though we searched fol
them everywhere"
but you did 0 know OF the Boule
cabinet and of the secret drawer?"
mo; OF that we knew nothing.
must examine that famous cabinet"
1T is worth examining. And 1t has
an interesting history. But you die
know, Of course, that Crochard would
seek q market for the diamonds here II
America 2"
I'VE knew that he would try to dt
30. and We did everything In our pow.
or to prevent It. We especially relied
upon you customs department Il
search most thoroughly the belonging
of evry person with whom they were
not personally acquainted"
The customs people did their part
raid Godfrey with q chlckle. They
haye quite upset the country. But thu
diamonds got In. in spite OF them. For
Of courne. q cabinet imported by q mar
20 well known and 10 above suspicion
question:"
Eyes agreed N. P1sot, ! little bitter,
". HsIt was q most clever plan: and
SvnAry S~ea,.sN N1orhA ~ AnaA Aola 49,