Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-08-18

how Old he explain the bIunder. Les
ter?"
I'm some way they shipped the
wrong cabinet 20 Vantine. The right
one will get here on La Provence to-
morrow"
"It is all most interesting" Godfrey
commented.
Godfrey" / added. 81 felt yester-
| day when / was talking with him that
perhaps be knew more about this affair
than he would admit. could see that
be guessed in an instant who the own
er of the letters was. and what they
contained Do you think / ought to
hold on to the cabinet while longer?
| could invent some pretext for delay.
easily enough"
''Why. no; let him have his cabinet"
said Godfrey. with an alacrity that sur
prised me- IF your theory about 1t
has been exploded. what's the use Of
hanging on to it?"
81 don't see any use in doing So" l
admitted, but l thought perhaps you
might want more time to examine it,"
1--WE examined il all I'm going to-"
Godfrey answered. and ! told myself
that this was the first time ! had
ever known him to admit himself de-
feated. perhaps I'll see you tOmOr-
row." be added. and we parted at the
corner.
But did not see him on the morrow.
was rather expecting a call from him
during the morning. and when none
came | was certain I should find him
awaiting me when / arrived at the
Vantine house. in company with NJ.
Armand. But he was not there. and
when | asked for him Parks told me
that he had not seen him since the day
before.
confess that Godfrey's Indifference
to the fate OF the cabinet surprised me
greatly: besides. l was hoping that be
would wish to meet the fascinating
Frenchman-mOre fascinating. If pos
sibIe, than he had been on Monday.
There had been less delay than he had
anticipated In getting the cabinet of
the boat and through the customs. ana
it was not yet 3 O'Clock when we reach
ed the vantine house.
Il haven't seen Mr. Godfrey" Parks
repeated, "but there's others here as il
fair breaks my heart to see.
He motiOned toward the door Of the
music room. and. stepping to it. | saw
that the inventory was already in prog
ress.
THE cabinet is in the room across
the hail." said To NJ. Armand. and led
the way through the anterOOm into the
room beyond.
Parks switched on the lights for us.
and my cOmpa MON glanced with sur
prise at the heavy shutters covering
the windOwS.
I'VE put those up for protection"
| explained. We had an idea that
some one would try to enter. In fact.
one evening we did find a wire con
Meeting with the burglar alarm cut.
and, later on. saw some one peering in
through the hole in that shutter yOn
der"
"You did," VI. Armand queried quick
". would you recognize the man. If
you were to meet him again."
"Oh. no: you see the hole is quite
small. There was nothing visible ex
cept pair Of eyes Yet ] might know
them again. for ! never before saw
such eyes-sO bright. so burning.
NJ. Armand was gazing at the cab
met. apparently only half listening.
Twill you show me how the secret
drawer is operated, Mr.. Lester?" be-
said. II am most curious about it.
placed my hand upon the table and
pressed tie three points which the
yelled lady had shown us The little
handle fell forward with click. and
pulled the drawer open.
He examined it with much interest:
pushed it back into place and then
opened it himself
VERY clever. indeed" be said. 81
have never seen another so well con-
cealed."
my friend and went over the cab
met very carefully and could not find
it." said.
Your friend-I think you mentioned
his name?"
Eyes. His name is Godfrey"
"a man Of the law, like yOurself?"
''Oh. no. a newspaperman. But he
had been a member of the detective
force before that. He is extraordinarily
keen But that combination was too
much for him"
NJ. Armand snapped the dra wer back
into place with a little crash.
Il am glad. at any rate, that it was
discovered" be said. Il will not con
ceaI from you. Mr.. Lester. that it adds
not little to the value of the cahi-
net"
What is it's value?" ! asked. "Mr
Vantine wanted me to buy it for him
and named a most extravagant figure
as the limit he WAS willing TO paw"