The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-24
NEXT wEuk-"sunsIlNE JANE" !.

I'VE shall be happy to have Mr.
Duyali join u.s." the managing III
rector said. with a smile. Attic
have not heretofore had ths
pleasure OF his acquaintance. hi
name IL not unknown TO me-"
Il am informed by Captain Bon
not said Mr.. Germaine. after they
had seated themselves In the cap
tain's cabin. that the Richeiieu'i
purser, Mr.. Vernon. disappeared
five days ago. along with a package
placed In his care by Mr.. Morris.
II am here, NJ. Lefevre. TO ash
you. on behalf OF both Mr.. Morris
and the Transatlantic line. u
solve the mystery. You may name
your own terms"
Tho project glanced toward
Duvall. who leaned forward and
spoke a few words TO him In q low
voice. Il will talk the matter over
with my friend he announced
''and let you know finally In the
morning"
As they were about 10 leave, Du
vail turned to Mr.. Morris. "The
package which was stolen waf
sealed. ! understand"
Yes Mr.. Morris drew the
larger package. which he had Sc
cured from the purser's office, pre-
parstory to landing. from his
pocket. The seal was like this.
placed II on the envelope myself.
He pointed TO tho seal. a mass OF
green wax containing the imprint OF
seal ring.
MAY I have that7" DuvaIi asked
Certainly. am Obliged to open
the package. anyhow. for the In
npeetion OF the customs officials.
He detached a section OF the brown
paper wrapper containing the seal
and handed II to Duvall. who placed
IL carefully I'm his pocketbook
Good morning. gentlemen" the
latter said and left the room.
Half an hour later Duvall and his
guest were greeting the formers
wife on tho pier. The project was
stiil cxciaimlng over Grace In true
French style when Dnvail inter
rupted him.
who Is that mani" Duvall
nodded toward n heavily bearded
gentleman who Was descending the
rangplank with the assistance Of a
younger man. apparently an at
tendani.
Lefeyre followed his glance
"Oh-that's old Haussman. a chem
ist from Brussels. Grabbed old Eel
low. Suffers from rheumatism
Spent most OF his time In his berth.
And the man with himT"
''ffis atiendant--s young Swiss
named Gunther. A very intciligen,
fellow. I talked with him n mum
Der of times"
The two had reached the pier
and the older man tottered to his
trunk and Rat down upon II. waitins
until the customs officials were
ready TO make their examina
fion.
Duvali drew his wife 10 one side
Grace" he said. Il am going TO be
busy on board with NJ. Infevre for
q couple o. hours. Meanwhile.
want you TO follow thoss two PEG
rie"--he Indicated the rheumatic
and his attendant--"and find gu,
where they 70. After that. como 70
tho hotel and 1oin us there for din
NOR"
Grace left them. Duvail and his
companion Joined the captain In his
cabin.
Tho latter was about 10 go ashore
with Mr.. G~rmaine. but left them
in charge OF one OF the junior OF
ficers.
Where 40 yon ~ish 10 20 first
inquired the young officer. whose
name they found to be Lamotte.
TO the purser's office" replied
Duvall
In few moments they had enter.
cd II and closed the door.
"wiii you be so good" Duvaii
asked. ms TO see II among the miss.
ing mans effects there is whisk.
brush7"
The junior disappeared into the
rear room. and presently returned
with the object required.
Duvall took the brush. and at
once began 10 sweep the carpet OF
the office with the utmost care.
Presently he placed the little mound
OF dust which he had collected In
an envelope. and. after sealing Il
up. market on the outside the name
OF the room.
He did the same thing In the
stateroom adjoining. then placed
the two envelopes In his pocket and
rose.
Lamotte looked at him and smi'
ed. I'm afraid you will think we
keep very dirty ship. These
rooms. however. have not been en-
tered by any one except the captain
and such people as came with him
since the accident"
You mean they have not been
cleaned7"
NO. Not since then"
Duvall gave another look around.
then turned to the others Nov.
Mr.. ramotte," he said. will you be
good enough TO conduct us to the
cabin occupied by old Mr.. Hauss.
man and his attendant. I assume
they had the same stateroom7"
Yes. This way. please"
ION the same decky"
No; the deck above"
They assembled the stairs. and
soon stopped before the door OF
good sized stateroom. Lefevre
noticed that his companion had
brought with him the whiskbrush
he had been using below.
Just moment, gentlemen" he
said. then carefully swept up the
room and placed the resulting dust
In a third envelope which he had
brought with him from the purser's
office.
This done no began to examine
tha room with rreat caro- having