The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-04-24
THE LITTLE FORTUNE"
By Arnold Frederick-Copyright by F. A. Munsey Co.

I I'VE shall be happy to have
Mr.. Duvall join u.s." the manag
ing director said. with smile
Although l have not heretofore
had the pleasure of his acqaint
ance, his name is not unknown tt
me-"
"I am informed by Captain
Bonnot," said Mr.. Germaine, aft
er they had seated themselves II
the captains cabin, that the
Richelieu's purser. Mr.. Vernon
disappeared five day ago, along
with a package placed in his care
by Mr.. Morris.
Il am here, M. Lefeyre, to ask
you, on behalf of both Mr.. Morris
and the Transatlantic line, to
solve the mystery. You may
name your own terms"
THE project glanced toward
Duvall, who leaned forward and
spoke a few words to him in g
low voice. 81 will talk the mat.
ter over with my friend" he an.
nounced, land let you know fin
ally in the morning.
AS they were about to leave
Duvall turned to Mr.. Morris
THE package which was stolen
was sealed, | understand"
Yes" Mr.. Morris drew the
larger package, which he had Sc
cured from the purser's office,
preparatory to landing, from his
pocket. THE seal was like this.
| placed it on the envelope my
self" He pointed to the seal, a
mass of green wax containing
the imprint of seal ring.
May l have that" Duvall
asked.
Certainly. I am obliged to
open the package, anyhow, for
the inspection of the customs Of
ficials." He detached a section
of the brown paper wrapping
containing the seal and handed
1t to Duvall, who placed it care
fully in his pocketbook. Good
morning, gentlemen" the latter
said and left the room.
Half an hour later Duvall and
his guest were greeting the for
mer's wife on the pier. The pre-
feet was still exclaiming over
Grace in true French style when
Duvall interrupted him.
who is that MANI" Duvall
nodded toward a heavily bearded
gentleman who was descending
the gangplank with the assist
ance of a younger man, appar-
emily an attendant.
Lefevre followed his glance.
'Oh-that's old Haussman, a
chemist from Brussels. Grabbed
old fellow. Suffers from rheu-
matism. Spent most of his time
in his berth"
And the man with him?"
His attendant a young
Swiss named Gunther. A very
intelligent fellow. | talked with
him a number of times"
The two had reached the pier
and the older man tottered to his
trunk and sat down upon it, wait
ing until the custom officials
were ready to make their EXAM
ination.
Duvall drew his wife to one
side. Grace" he said, 81 am
going to be busy on board with
M. Lefevre for a couple of hours.
Meanwhile, | want you to follow
those two people"-he indicated
the rheumatic and his attendant
land find out where they go.
After that, come to the hotel and
join us there for dinner"
Grace left them. Duvall and
his companion Joined the captain
in his cabin.
The latter was about to &c
ashore with Mr.. Germaine, but
left them in charge of one of the
junior officers.
where do you wish o &c
first?" inquired the young Off
GER, whose name they found tc
be Lamotte.
ITO the purser's office" re
piled Duvall.
In a few moments they had en-
tered it and closed the door.
"Will you be SO good" Duval
asked, "as to see If among tn,
missing mans effects there is {
whisk- brush?"
The junior disappeared int
the rear room, and presently re
turned with the object required.
Duvall took the brush, and a
once began to sweep the carpe
of the office with the utmos
care. Presently he placed tn,
little mound of dust which h,
had collected in an envelope
and, after sealing It up, marked
on the outside the name of tn,
room.
He did the same thing In tn,
stateroom adjoining; then placed
the two envelopes in his poke
and rose.
Lamotte looked at him ant
smiled. "I'm afraid you will
think we keep very dirty ship
These rooms, however, have no
been entered by any one excep
the captain and such people a,
came with him since the-acci
dent"
"You mean they have not beer
cleaned?"
NO Not since then"
| Duvall gave another lool
around then turned IN tho 9th