The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-03-29
CHAPTER ".
Girard Again Escapes.

Victor Girard advanced TO the
desk, picked up the envelope con-
tanning the money, and, opening
it, began slowly to count over its
contents.
Apparently satisfied with The
contents of the package, he
thrust it quickly into an inside
pocket of his coat, and, turning,
began to move swiftly toward the
window. In an instant the room
was in an uproar. The count, fol-
lowed by his nephew, stepped
through the door leading to the
study, and, presenting his revolt
yer, called upon Girard in a loud
voice to halt. The project, appear
ing at the same instant from the
hall, came toward the thief, re-
volver in hand. "You are my
prisoner he said.
Girard regarded the project
calmly. What? Another? 1t
seems, then, that am sur
rounded"
Throw up your hands!" COM
manded the project as he came
forward.
Girard laughed. Certainly,
monsieur" he said, raising his
hands promptly.
"Duvall = we've got him."
cried Lefevre, turning toward the
window. At the same moment
the count commanded Gabrielle
to turn on the lights.
Yes, monsieur" Her reply
was followed by the sharp click
of the electric switch, and in an
instant the room was plunged in
total darkness with the excep-
tion of the faint light which came
through the window. Against
this, clearly silhouetted, stood the
figure of Girard, his hands above
his head. The count and his
companions had not more than
second to recover from their
surprise before they saw the
thief stoop suddenly, and dash in
to the darkness to the left.
1.-THE lights, you fool! The
lights!" roared the count. The
project, who thought that Girard
was about to attempt to escape
by way of the window, called out
loudly to Duvall to be on his
guard. The latter stepped in
front of the open window. "He
can't pass here" he cried, rails
ing his revolver.
AS he spoke the click of the
switch was again heard and the
room was once more brilliantly
Illuminated. Duvall and the
others staggered back in amaze
ment. The room was empty. Vic
tor Girard was nowhere to be
seen.
Duvall turned to the others.
well, gentlemen" he inquired
pointedly, (which one of you let
the fellow pass?"
He didn't come this way" ex-
claimed the count, angrily.
Nor this" said the project,
glancing at the door to the hall.
D'Este turned upon the detect
i've in a rage, as he suddenly re-
allied his loss. "You let him es-
cape-with my money---one mil
lion francs" He waved his
hands wildly in the air, mean
while glazing at the detective, his
face contorted with anger.
"They will be recovered, mon-
sieur," the project said, reassur-
ingly, but his words did not ap-
pear to give the count much en-
couragement. "Recovered?" he
shouted. How? If you cant
catch this fellow when you have
him surrounded by half a dozen
armed men, what chance is there
that l shall ever see my money
again?'
At this moment the detective.
who had been looking about the
room. saw a dark object lying on
the chair. He stepped over and
drew the object from the chair. It
was the long gray overcoat which
Girard had worn, and near by lay
his hat. The others crowded
about. This is most astonishing
Monsieur Duvall!" the project
cried. ut is evidently a disguise
which he threw off to render his
escape easier"
D'Este turned to Gabrielle. at
was the darkness that gave him
the opportunity" he snarled,
seizirfg the girl by the arm. "You
are his accomplice, perhaps! Why
did you turn out the lights?"
ooh, monsieur, it was dark.
could not see clearly. I pressed
the wrong button"
81 believe you did 1t on pur-
pose" he cried.
"You are right, monsieur"
The project nodded to one of his
men. Vernet-arrest this wom-
an"
The man stepped forward, and
in moment had snapped a pair
of handouts upon her wrists.
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