The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-01

AAAfu uufluH nv lAlilfNh TINT hft
property Mt the time OF her death
had been entirely converted into
either cash or negotiable securities.
Thus Miss Ellicott was helpless.
Under these circumstances | de-
cided that the only way In which
could assist her was by becoming
thief"
Most irregular" growicd the
project. endeavoring 20 hide the sat.
isfaction which hs really felt.
mo doubt. chief. but effective.
On my way from New York TO
Paris. I learned OF the several black.
mailing outrages which had caused
40 much annoyance TO your depart
ment during recent monthS. IL at
once occurred to mo that by posing
ms a criminal OF this nature might
be ablo 10 brighten the count into
giving up tho money. but realized
that any such attempt would be
extremely dangerous and almost
certain 10 end In failure on account
OF the activities Of your department
therefore conceived tho plan OF
going TO you and requesting you 20
assign mo 20 position upon your
force. representing TO you that |
was engaged In the pursuit OF GER
tain blaokmailers who had fled to
Paris from New York. Thanks 10
the letters which ! had brought with
me. and TO your kindness. was
able TO secure such n position"
Tho project gave a low whistle
Never have heard OF anything
more ingenious. In other words.
Monsieur Duvaii. you were sup
posed TO be making every effort TO
arrest yourself" Hs began to
laugh heartily.
Well" he said. go on with your
story"
MY first attempt was naturally
TO make a demand upon the count
for tho money. ! knew D'Este
would not give II TO me. what !
hoped 10 DO was 20 irritate him
10 such q poin, that he would call
upon tho police for assistance. II
wns over a month before he be
came sufficiently exaspcrated TO do
this. !, OF course. learned OF his
every move thru young woman.
the maid Gabrielle. whom had In.
troduccd into his house as ser.
want I dealt with this woman. how
ever. only ms Girard-she did no,
know me a. Duvaii. hence In order
TO re, her assistance IN tho latter
capacity was obliged 10 terrify
her By informing her that ! knew
all about her connection with
Girnrf.
II learned from her the morning
OF my first visit 10 the Count
D'Erts's house tina; the latter had
determined 10 call In the police and
a, once went TO him as Girard
and told him. as you know. 20 place
the money IN the library that night.
informing him that ! would come
for H. In spite OF my threats. I
fei, sure that he would not DO A.
asked unless he werc urged 10 do
40 by the police and this. A. you
will remember. was what I recon-
mended.-
But" said the project. evidently
much mystified. you left the house
as Glrard and almost Immediately
returned and Joined us In the H.
brary ms Duvall How tid you ac-
complish this7'
simply enough. walked into
tho hall ms Girard. after ! had
locked you and tho count In the
library. and passed into the vesti-
bule at the front door. As ] did
so. removed tho long overcoat
which wore and hung II with a
number OF other coats upon q rack
near the entrance. II remained
thers during your search OF tho
house. quito unnoticei. My soft
black ] had thrust into ono OF Its
pockets. As soon as ] got into the
ycstibuie I removed my wig and
beard, placed them In pocket OF
my coat and took out tho Panama
hat In which Immediately reap
peared as Duvail. This Panama
hat IL n very fine one. and so thin
and pliable that II may easily be
passed thru a finger ring. ! was
sorry TO be Obliged 20 sacrifice II
last night" said Duvall. laughing.
'and trust that your men recov.
cred e."
1T was the only vcstige OF you
that wo were able to find" remark
cd tho project. smiling. "vernet
has the hat in safekeeping down
stairs"
Good" Duvall went on with his
story.
The rest OF my operations were
carried on In like manner. II was
easy enough. and some time I will
give you detailed account OF the
whole thing n you wish. but Miss
Ellicott hero needs her nerves
steadied by a walk In the fresh air,
and, with your permission. am
going 10 accompany her"
Certainly" said the project, with
n kindly smile at Grace's white
face. but you must certainly tell
me all later. However. cannot
refrain from one question--just
what have ! been having the Seine
dragged for?"
"A water pitcher" laughed Du-
vail. with an old piece OF bed cloth
Ing wrapped around II. In the dark
ness have no doubt Il looked very
much like the figure OF n man. II
probably went to the bottom like a
stone"
The project rose in his chair and
laughed jovially as Miss Ellicott
and Duvall passed out OF the office.
The Luxembourg gardens near by
offered n pleasant relief from the
city street. They strolled along and
in short time had found hos
pitable bench beneath the trees and
sat down.
Before long" said Duvall. you
will be returning TO America. 1t
will be very lonely without you"
4. 80 at