The Washington herald., 1915-05-09
The EXPLO OTIS OF ARSENELUPIN Maurice Leblanc

it. In two words, | have been sen
by Mile. de SincIeves''
"Sincleves?"
1.-THE Comtcsse d'Andillot's heir
ess."
"Well?"
well. Mile de Sinclcvcs has employ.
ed me in order TO make YOU give up the
black pearl
But | haven't got it.
ayes. you have"
"If | had, | should be the muir,
dcrer."
"You are the murderer"
Danegre gave forced laugh.
Fortunately, my good sir, the
court took another view The jury
unanimously found me not guilty
And when man has conscience on
his side, together with the esteem OF
, twelve good men and true"
The acknowledgements seized
/ him by the arm
None of your specchmaking. my
lad Listen to me carefully. and
weigh my words: they are worth it.
Three months before the crime,
Danegro, you stole the key OF the
servants entrance from the cook and
you had similar ono made at Out
| ards. the locksmith, IA, Rue Obcr-
kampf."
Its not true, It's not trucr'
growled Victor. NO one has seen
the key; there's no such key"
Here it is"
After silence. Grimaudan re-
sumed:
"You killed the countess with a
clasp knife which you bought at the
Bazaar de la Republique on the same
day that you ordered the key. 1t has
thrce-cornered, groovcd blade"
All humbue. You're talking at
random No one has seen the knife. -
Here it is"
Victor Danegre started back.
who can swear that they belonged
to me-
The 1ocksmth first. and next the
shop assistant from whom you
bought the knife. have already re-
freshed their memories. Once brought
face to face with.you, they would not
fail to recognizeNs you"
He spoke shortly and sharply, with
terrifying precision. Dcnegre was
convulScd with fear
However, he still tried, to make a
show OF indifference.
"If that's all your evidencew
81 have this besides. After the
crime YOU went back by the way YOU
came. But half way across the ward
robe closet, seized with fright, you
must have leaned against the wall to
keep your balance. 1t could never
have entered the heads OF any OF the
gentlemen in the office OF the public
prosecution to light candle and ex-
anime the walls But if they were to
do so they would see a rcd mark on
the white plaster, very slight mark,
but clear enough to show the impress
sion of your thumb, all wet with
blood, which you put against the wall.
Now you are surely aware that. in the
RertI11nn th,c -
the chief methods of identification"
Victor Danegre was deathly pale
Beads OF perspiration fell from his
forehead to the table. He stared
mad eyed at this strange man who
was conjuring up his crime as though
he lad been its unseen witness.
III | give you back the pearl" he
suffered, how much will you give
me-"
Nothing"
What! You're joking! You OK,
pect me TO give you thing worth
thousands and hundreds OF thousands
OF francs and you to give me moth
ing?"
Eyes. your life
The wrctched man shuddcrcd.
Grimaudan added, in an almost
gentle tone:
Come, Danegrc. the pearl is OF no
value to you. You cannot possibly
sell it. What is the good OF keeping
it,"
Victor clutchcd his head in his two
hands and reflected. He iclt himself
lost, irreparably lost, and, at the same
time, great sense OF WEAKNESS over
came him, an immense need of rest
and case.
when do you want it"
Before I O'Clock tonight"
And if you don't get it,"
eff | don't get it shall post this
letter, in which Mile dc Sinclevcs de-
nounces you to the public prosecu-
tor"
Danegre poured himself out two
glasses OF wine. swallowed them one
after the other, and then. rising:
PAY the BILL" he said, land let's
go. I've had enough OF this cursed
business"