Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-07-21
''The gang?"

concerted effort. And the leader of
the gang is a genius. wonder if you
understand how great genius? Think!
He knows the secret of the drawer OF
Nine. de Montespan's cabinet. But,
above all, he knows the secret of the
poison = the poison Of the Medici!
Do you know what that means, Les
ter?"
What does it mean" l asked, for
Godfrey was getting ahead Of me.
ct means he Is a great criminal-a
really great criminal-one Of the elect
from whom crime has no secrets. OBJ
serve. He alone knows the secret Of
the poison. One of his men breaks
away from him and pays for his mu-
tiny with his life. He is the brain;
the others are merely the Instruments
''Then you don't believe it was by
accident that cabinet was sent to VAN
tine"
"By accident? Not for an instant!
1t was part of plot-and a splendid
plotr
'Can you explain that to me too"
He smiled good naturally at my
tone.
"Of course this is all mere romano
ing" he admitted. Il am the first to
acknowledge that. / was merely fol-
lowing out our theory to what seemed
its logical conclusion. But perhaps
We are on the wrong track altogether.
Perhaps D'Aurelle, or whatever his
name is, just blundered in like moth
into a candle flame. AS for the plot
we'll, can only guess at it. But sup
pose you and had pulled off some big
robbery
He stopped suddenly and his face
went white and then red. Lester"
he cried. his voice shrilI with fear.
1.-The cabinet-it isn't guarded
Eyes, it is" l said. sat least 1
thought of thatr'
And 1 told him of the precautions l
had taken to keep it safe. He heard
me out with a sigh of relief.
81 think the cabinet is safe-for to-
night And before another night. Les
ter, we will have a look for ourselves"
"a loOk?"
'Yes; for the secret drawer"
"D'Aurelle and Vantine found it," l
muttered thickly.
"It won't kill us. We will go about
It armored. Lester. That poisoned fang
may strike. but I'll be ready. Lester.
There will be no danger. Come, man!
Why, it's the chance of lifetime-tO
match ourselves against the greatest
criminal of modern times!'
His shrill laugh told how excited he
was.
And do you know what we shall
find In that drawer, Lester? But no
1t is only a guess-the widest sort OF
guess-but If it is right-if it is
right! Anyway, you will help me.
Lester2 You will Gomez"
There was a wizardry in his man.
ner not to be resisted.
YES" / answered, with a quick in
taking of the breath; I'll Gomez
Il knew you would! Tomorrow
night, then-I'H call for you here at
o'clock We will have dinner to-
gether-and then, hey for the great Sc
cretr'
The door closed behind him, and his
footsteps died away down the hall.
looked at my watch-it was nearly 2
o'clock.
Dizzily l went to bed But my sleep
was broken by a fearful dream-a
dream of a serpent, with blazing eyes
and dripping fangs, poised to strike!
My first thought when l awOke next
morning was for Parks. 1t was with
a lively sense Of relief that l heard
Parks voice answer my call on the
phone.
This is Mr. Lester" said. as ev-
erything all right?"
Everything serene, SIR" he answer
ed. 1T would take a mighty smooth
burglar to get in here now, sir"
How is that?' l asked.
Reporters are camped all around
the house, sir. They seem to think
somebody else will be killed here to-
day"
Il hope not" l said quickly. "And
don't let any Of the reporters in nor
talk to them. Tell them they must go
to the police for their information. If
they get too annoying let me know,
and I'll have an officer sent around.
Don't let anybody in the house-nO
matter what he wants-unless Mr..
Grady or Mr.. Simmonds or Mr.. Gold
berger accompanies him. Don't let
anybody in you don't know. If there
is any trouble call me up. l want you
TO be careful about this"
81 understand, sir"
''How is Rogers?' I asked.
''Much better, sir. He wanted to
get up, but told him he might as well
stay in bed, and I'd look after things.
l thought that was the best place for
him, sir"
cit is l agreed. Keep him there
as long as you can. I'll come in dur
ing the day. if possible. In any event,