Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1915-09-01
CHAPTER XIV.
We Meet M. Pieot.

- HAD, of course, read in the pa
pers many times of the Gargan-
tuan exploits of Crochard-'The
Invincible," as he loved to call
himself. and with good reason.
"Crochard is one of the greatest
criminals who ever lived, full Of i'm
agination and resource and with a
sense of humor most acute" said God
frey. ii have followed his career for
years. 1t was this fact that gave me
nv first clew. He killed q man once
before, just as he killed this last one.
The man had betrayed him TO the po-
lice. He was never betrayed again"
WHAT fiend he must be?' l said.
with a shudder.
But Godfrey shook his head quickly
Don't get that idea of him." he
protested earnestly. up to the time
of his arrival in New York he had
never killed any man except that
traitor. Him he had a certain right
to kill-according to thieves ethics.
any way"
But Drouet and vantine." OBJ
jected
IAN accident for which be was in
no way responsible" said Godfrey
promptly.
"You mean he didn't XII: them?"
Most certainly not This last man
he did kill was a traitor like the first
Crochard. I think. reasons like this:
To kill an adversary is too easy; it is
too brutal: 1t lacks finesse. Besides. 1t
removes the adversary. And without
adversaries Orchards life would be
Of no interest to him."
81 can't understand a man like
that" | said
well. look at this" said Godfrey
and tapped the letter again He
honors me by considering me an ad
versary Does he seek TO remove mef
On the contrary. he gives me handi
cap"
But. surely. Godfrey" | protested.
"you don't take that letter seriously!
If he wrote il at all. he wrote it merely
to throw you of the track Ii he says
Wednesday. he really intends to try
for the cabinet tomorrow"
81 don't think So | told you he
would think me only a tyrO. He wrote
that letter right in the Record office
That is sheet OF our copy paper. he
sat down there. right under my nose.
wrote that letter. dropped 1T into my
box and walked out And all that
some time this evening. when the office
was crowded"
"Rut it's absurd for him to write
letter like that. If be really means 1t
You have only to warn the police"
You'll notice he says it is in conf
dence"
And you're going to keep it SOP"
Certainly l am. | consider that he
has paid me a high compliment.
have shown it to no one but you-also
in confidence"
at is not the sort OF confidence the
law recognizes" pointed out ITO
keep a confidence like that is practical
ly to abet felony"
And yet you will keep it." said God
frey cheerfully. You see. I am going
TO do everything ! can to prevent that
felony. And we will see if Crochard is
really invincibler
I'LL keep it." | agreed. because l
think the letter is just a blind. And.
by the way" I added. Il have a letter
from Armand & Son confirming the
fact that their books show that the
BOule cabinet was bought by Philip
Vantine Under the circumstances. |
shall have to claim it and hand it over
TO the Metropolitan"
"I hope you won't disturb it until
after Wednesday," said Godfrey quick
". IT won't have any interest in II
after that" l agreed TO do so.
was Just getting ready to leave the
nFlce the next afternoon when Godfrey