The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-01-28

some GOOD natured chatting, and thar
one Of the stewards was bribed to
tude to M. Pagot,s Btateroom, with the
request for an audience.
The steward went away laughing and
came back presently to say that NJ
Pigot would be pleased to see Us in
few minutes. But when flve minutes
more passed and he did not appear
Impotence broke out anew. The lords
Of the press were not accustomed to be-
ing kept waiting.
Il move we storm his castle" suR-
gested the World man.
And just then, NJ. Pagot himself
stepped out into the companionway. In
an instant he was surrounded.
MY good friends of the press" he
said, speaking slowly. but with only the
faintest accent and he smiled around
at the faces bent upon him. You viii
pardon me for keeping you In wait
| ing. but had some matters OF the first
Importance to attend to; and also my
bag to pack. Steward" he added, you
will find my bag outside my door
Please bring II here. 80 that may be
| ready to go ashore at once The
steward hurried away, and N. Pigot
turned back to US. Now, gentlemen"
he went on. what - It that 1 can Co
for your" ...Er..... ....a...-.. H..
It was to Godfrey that the position
Of spokesman naturally fell. a.'..
we wish first to welcome you to
America. M. Pigot," he said, and 10
hope that you will have pleasant and
Interesting stay in our country"
You are most kind" responded the
Frenchman. with a charming smile.
Il am sure that / shall find It
most interesting - especially your
| wonderful city, of which / have heard
many marvellous things"
And in the next place" continued
Godfrey, I'VE hope that, with your as
sistance, our police may be able to solve
the mystery surrounding the death of
| the three men recently killed here. and
to arrest the murderer. or themselves
they seem to be able to do nothing"
NJ. Pigot spread out his hands with
| a little deprecating gesture.
81 also hope we may be successful"
he said; but IL your police have not
been, my poor help will be of little
account. 1 have a profound admiration
for your police: the results which they
accomplish are wonderful when one
considers the difficulties under which
they labor"
He spoke with an accent so sincere
that was almost convinced he meant
every word of it; but Godfrey only
smiled.
''It is a proverb," he said, that the
French police are the best in the world.
You, no doubt, have theory In regard
to the death of these mem"
II fear 1t is impossible, sir" said NJ.
Pigot, regretfully, Ito answer that
question at present or to discuss this
case with you. 1 have my report first
to make to the chief of your detective
bureau. Tomorrow shall be most hap
by to tell you all that I can. But for
tonight my lips are closed, sad as Il
makes me to seem discourteous."
could hear behind me the little In
drawn breath Of disappointment at the
failure of the direct attack. NJ Pigot's
position was of course, absolutely cor
rect; but nevertheless Godfrey prepared
to attack It on the flank. ..
You are going ashore tonight?" he
inquired. ...,.- g..
II was expecting a representative of
your bureau to meet me here" M. Pigot
explained 'I was hoping to return
with him to the city. / have no time
to lose. In addition, the more quickly
we get to work, the more likely we
shall be to succeed. All! perhaps that
is he," he added, as voice was heard
inquiring loudly for Moosseer Piggott
recognized that voice, and so did
Godfrey, and saw the cloud of disap-
pointment which fell upon his face. .
An instant later, Grady, with Sim
monds In his wake, elbowed his way
through the group.
"Moosseer Piggott!" he cried, and en-
veloped the Frenchman's slender hand
in his great paw. and gave 1t squeeze
which was no doubt painful. Glad to
see you, sir. Welcome to our city, as
we say over here in America. GER
| tainly hope you can speak English, for
/ don't know a word of your lingo. I'm
Commissioner Grady, in charge of the
detective bureau; and this Is Sim
monds, one Of my men,"
M. Pigot's perfect suavity was not
even ruffled.
IT am most pleased to meet you, sir:
and you, Monsieur Simmon," he said
'Yes-I speak English-though, as you
see, with some difficulty" &C.,
"These reporters bothering your life
out, see," and Grady glanced about
the group, scowling as his eyes met
Godfrey's. Now, you boys might an
we'll fade away. You won't get any
thing out OF either Of US tonight-eh,
Moosseer Piggott?"
II have but just told them that my
first report must be made to you. sir, !"
assented Pigot.
Then let's go somewhere and have a
drink" suggested Grady.
II was hoping" said NJ. Pigot.
gently. that we might go ashore at
once. have my papers ready for
you :"
"An right" agreed Grady. and at
ter I've looked over your papers, I'll
show you Broadway, and III bet you
agree with me that 1t beats anything
in gay Paree. Our boats waiting, and
bag? Yes? Bring II along. Simmonds. -
and Grady started for the stair.
But the attentive steward got ahead
of Simmonds.