The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-27
CONTINUED from our Last issue)

Continued from Our Last issue)
Grace went out and instructed
the chauffeur OF the taxicab to take
her back to tho Hotel Roehambeau.
/ As they left she glanced nj her
watch. II was half past twelve.
The Hotel Rochambeau was dark
when she reached II.
Grace dismissed the taxicab and
walked slowly along tho street.
crossing TO tho other side to avoid
attracting attention from the
porter.
"A she glanced toward Sixth ave.
she saw the colored lights or n
drug store. II occurred To her to
telephone tho hotel and ascertain
n Richard had returned. A few
had not More worried than be-
fore. she retraced her steps.
Mechanically she glanced over to
tho hotel window. Tho shade OF
tho window had been drawn. This
circumstance struck her as being
extremely peculiar She crossed
tho street and was about 10 ring
the bell when she heard the sound
OF footsteps inside. coupled with a
queer. mufflcd report.
She descended the steps and
started toward the corner
She had not wone half the dis.
tance when she heard hurried foot
Etepu behind hcr. aud before she
realized II man and woman
passed.
There was certain familiarity
about the mans walk that Inn
pressed her forcibiy. AZ the couple
reached tho street lamp at the
corner she saw that tho man car
ried a satchei. and then she made
discovery.
The man was undoubtedly Hart.
mann. She decided TO follow him
at once.
The faintness which overcame NJ
Dumas when he was struck down
from behind In Mr.. vernon's apart.
fNInent was but momentary. In q
few seconds his consciousness TO
turned.
He perceived at once several
things. The first was that he lay
partly on his face on the floor.
The second was tina, Mile. Mercier
had ceased 20 scream. and Charles
Vernon had been Joined by a
woman. who was engaged in tying
the girls hands behind her back.
while Vernon fastened handker.
chief tightly across her mouth.
A third impression crossed NJ
Dumas confused mind He had in
his waistcoat pocket tho onef franc
piece which he had taken from
Mile. Mcrcier. In few moments
he would be searched and the franc
discovered.
With nervous fingers no felt IN
hts waistcoat pocket for the coin.
Ills Jeff arm. doubled under him.
brought his hand close TO tho
pocket In an instant he had drawn
out tho franc.
Against his head rested some
article OF furniture. Hs turned
slightly and saw that II was q small
smoking table. On the lower shclf
was n box With tho fingers Of
his left hand he managed TO reach
| II. and. with the coin still In them.
push up the lid.
Thrnsting his hand downward he
touched n number OF small cyiin.
dricsi objects which he realized
were cigars. He forced the one
franc piece deep down among tho
contsnts Of the box lust ms the man
and woman seized him and dragged
him toward the center OF tho room
He rose at once and found him
self gazing into the blue muzxlc
of revolver.
Search him." he heard tho man
with tho curly black beard say to
the woman.
Tho latter went thru his pockets.
placing the various objects she
took from them on the table. Tho
man examined them hastily. ITS
pot here" he exclaimed in an ex-
asperated voice.
Are you looking for anything
In particular. my friendT' asked
4
You know what we are looking
for very we'll" growied the man.
Give me the coin or II will be
the worse for you"
II don't understand you, mon
sleur. am q teacher OF music.
. l."
The man stopped him with n
laugh. do you think am n
fooi7" he said. Not ten minutes
ago you were going TO arrest me
for being some one you called
Hartmann. | know you are a dc.
tective well enough. Tell me whore
the franc is or I'll find some means
TO make you"
Very well then. will tell you.
suspected some trick. so I sub.
, stituted this COIN" he pointed
, to the franc on the table--"for the
original one. and placed the latter
where you will be unable To get it,
Where was that" inquired tho
man. Tell mo. you fool" he said
menacingiy. az he pressed tho re-
volver to Dumas temple.
Il placed IT," remarked NJ.
Dumas slowly. in the safe at the
Hotel Rochambeau before left
there tonight"
His manner was frank and II was
: evident that his captor believed
} him. The latter muttered some
thing angrily. then spoke to the
} woman. Dumas did not hear what
he said. but in few minutes she
came up with a napkin and some
II Cures Thru