The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-04-24
CHAPTER |.
The pIsappe .snoe Of Purser
Vernon

Vernon
MONSIEUR ETIENNE LIE
VI FEvRE. the famous prefec,
ava of police OF the city OF Paris
tossed HIS halfsmokcd cigar ovel
the Richelieu's rail and made hii
way toward his stateroom.
The project was an early riser
II was now barely s o'clock.
Tho Richeiieu was new boat
large. roomy and comfortable
She had left liayre the day before
The passage to New York IN the
month OF August seemed likely "a
prove delightfully."- quiet and en-
joyable one.
NJ. Iscfevre descended 10 the main
deck and entered HIS room.
A sudden knocking on tho door
startled him. NJ. Bonnet. the cap
tain OF the Richelieu. stood out
side.
"Ah. my dear NJ. Bonnet" the
project said ehecrily. come In.
heg of YOU. am delighted TO see
YOU"
Captain Bonuot entered the
room and closed the door.
My dear Lefevre.' he said In
a strained voice. Il have como to
ask your assistance. The purscr
NJ. Vernon. has disappeared"
'Impossiblei
Il only wish that II we're. lie
must have committed suicide by
jumping overheard"
When did II happen"
II do not know. Some time las,
night. apparently. NJ. Vernon was
seen last night. a little after mid
nishi, working IN his office, which
adioins his statetoom. This morn.
ing he failed to appear at break.
fast. The steward. after knocking
repeatedly and getting no answer,
tried tho door. II was locked"
What did you do them"
Il had the door opened with 4
pass key. There was no one In
side"
Wait a moment" exclaimed the
project Was this tho door TO the
office or TO the stateroom7"
To the office. The stateroor,
has no door. except the one from
the office. IL Is Intentionally 80
constructed. The steel safe. built
into the walls OF the purser's office,
contains usually a considerable sum
OF money, and also such packages
OF yaluables as the passengers may
wish 10 deposit for safe keeping.
This is In tho front room or office.
Just to the rear is the purscr's
stateroom. II has no door from
the corridor. snd but a single port
hole. The front room or
office has window. with a brass
grating opening into the corridor.
u II too small for any ono 10 pass
thru"
why 10 you lay stress on that
point. Captain Bonnotf Is II not
more reasonable 90 suppose that
The pufser left the room and locked
the door after hint"
IT would be. indeed. replied the
captain. except for tho fact that the
key OF tho room was lying on the
puryer's desk"
Lefevrs glanced up. surprised.
That IL certainly strange" he *.
claimed. The safe had been
robbed. I surposef'
"Yes--in a way. 7 AZ once had
the safe opened and It's contents
checked up with the puraer's
books. Everything was in order
with the exception OF single
package. deposited by one Of the
passengers. What package f. miss.
ing"
What did II containf"
Il do not know. II was sealed,
OF course. when delivered 10 the
purser. The books show that IT
was placed In his care by one OF
the passengers. Ogden Morris by
name. an American. residing In
New York"
And you have not yet advised
Mr.. Morris OF Its disappearance p
| NO. | have kept tho entire
matter a secret from tho passcn.
gers. hoping In some way NJ. Yer.
non might be found on board
Mr.. Orden Morris seemed some
what surprised when. in response
TO 4 message from Captain Bonnet,
he appeared at the purser's office.
What can do for you. cap
tainT" he inquired. giancing from
the latter to NJ. Lefevre.
Il am obliged. Mr.. Morris. TO ask
you few questions. You are not.
I believe. acquainted with NJ. Le-
fevre. project OF police. OF Paris"
"No--not personally. that 10. I
know NJ. Lefevre by name very
we'll" He shook hands with the
project cordially.
| Take a seat. Mr.. Norris" said
the captain. There has been a
strange accident on board, and we
want your help"
Mr.. Morris sat down.
The purser. NJ. Vernon. has
disappeared" the captain explain.
mn Ar n n RAfR MN