The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1916-12-02
copyrisht, 1915, by Lppincott's Magazine.
Copyright, 1915, by Mcbride, Mast & Co.

cBride, Mast & Co.
"It's safe enough he muttered, '..and
it's worth itv'
Thus it came about that on the fol
lowing morning Leroux called him into
the study and gave him just such in
structions as Gianapolis had outlined
the evening before.
81 am-er-too busy to- go myself,
Soames,'' said Leroux, "andTer-Mrs.
Leroux will shortly be paying visit
to friends in-er-in Paris. So that ]
am opening credit there for her.
Save so much trouble-and--such a
lot Of ~ correspondence-international
money orders - and such worrying
things. Mr.. Smith, the manager, knows
you. and you will take this letter of
authority. The draft, I understand, has
already been purchased
Mr.. Soames, was bursting with anx-
iety to learn the amount Of this draft.
but could find no suitable opport-.. ~
to inquire. The astonishing deception,
then, was carried out without anything
resembling a hitch. Mrs. Leroux went
through with her part in the comedy
In the dreamy manner Of a somnam-
bulist, and the duplicate Mrs. Leroux,
who waited at the appointed spot, had
achieved so startling resemblance to
her prototype that Mr.. soannes became
conscious Of craving for a peg of
brandy at the moment Of setting eyes
upon her. However, he 'braced himself
Il ho hs1c oh e
n AS was to be expected, no questions
were raised and no doubts entertained.
The bank manager was very courte-
GUS and very reserved and the fictf-
tious Mrs. Leroux equally reserved
indeed, cold. She avoided raising her
motor veil and, Immediately the bust
ness was concluded, took her depar-
ture, Mr.. Smith escorting her as far
as the door.
She walked away toward Fleet street
and the respectful attendant, Soames,
toward Charing Cross. He rejoined
Mrs. Leroux at the door of Bank
Chambers, and the two turned the
corner and entered the waiting car.
Soames was rather nervous, Mrs. Lee
roux quite apathetic.
Shortly after this event Soames
learned that the date Of Mrs. Leroux's
departure to Paris was definitely fixed.
He received from her hands a large
envelope.
"For Mr.. King" she said in her
dreamy fashion, and he noticed that
she seemed to be in poorer health than
usual. Her mouth twitched strangely.
She was. a nervous wreck.
Then came her departure, attended
by certain hustle, an appointment
with Mr.. Gianapolis and the delivery
of the parcel into that gentleman's
keeping.
Mrs. Leroux was away for six days
on this occasion, Lerol.l sent her
three postcards during that time and
/ readdressed some ten or twelve let
tiers which arrived for her. The ad-
dress in all cases was:
c/o MISS DENISE RYLAND.
Atelier 4, Rue du Coo dor.
sMontmartre,
Paris.
East 1862 was much in demand that
week, and there were numerous meet
ings between Soames and Gianapolis
at the corner Of Victoria street and
numerous whistles and sodas in the
Red Lion, for Gianapolis persisted in
his patronage of that esta blishment,
apparently for no other reason than
because it was dangerously near to
| Scotland Yard and an occasional house
of call for members Of the criminal
investigation department.
Thus did Mr. Soames commence his
career of duplicity at the fat Of Henry
Leroux, and for some twelve months
before the events which SO dramati-
cally interfered with the delightful
scheme he drew his double salary and
performed his perfdious work with
great efficiency and contentment. Mrs.
Leroux paid four other visits to Paris
during that time and always returned
In much better spirits, although pale
and somewhat haggard looking. 1t
fell to the lot of Soames always to
meet her at Charing Cross, but never
once by look or by word did she prof
fer or invite the slightest exchange of
confidence. She alphabetically accepted
his aid in conducting this intrigue as
she would have accepted his aid in put
ting on her opera cloak.