Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-06-21

She put down her towels and hur-
ried from the room.
NJ. Dumas, greatly puzzled, walked
MP and down the little room, gazing
curiously at the onefranc piece he
had drawn from his pocket Strange"
he muttered to himself. Decidedly,
this is a most extraordinary case"
In few moments the girl returned,
carrying a sealed envelope, which she
at once tore open. Removing from it
a one-franc piece, she handed it to
NJ. Dumas
The latter took 1t and, going to the
window, proceeded to examine it with
great care. His back was, for mo-
ment, turned to the girl. In that in
stant he transferred the franc piece
he had previously held to the palm of
his other hand, and deftly slipped the
one the girl had brought him into his
waistcoat-pocket. Then he turned.
1T is an excellent specimen, made
moiselle," he said; but l feel sure
that my patron would not be willing
to pay more than one thousand dol
lars for it. Five thousand francs! 1t
is a large sum. advise you to ac-
cept It,"
"And to go to this mans apart
ment? Do you think l can safely do
that?"
"Assuredly. The man is evidently
a gentleman. He could not wish to do
you any harm. In order to be per-
fectly sure, however, will, If you de-
sire it, go along and see that nothing
happens to you"
"Will you?" The girl eyed him
gratefully. Il should be very glad
indeed to have your protection. 1t is
very good of you to do this for one
whom you do not know"
II knew your father, my child"
said M. Dumas gently. II will gladly
go with you. If agreeable, / will
await you at the entrance of the hotel
at half past eight"
Thank you, monsieur, with all my
| heart" She made little curtsy and
| left the room.
NJ. Dumas proceeded at once to
make careful examination of the
| franc piece which he had taken in eX-
change for the one in his possession.
| He went to the window and scruti-
| nized it with the greatest interest in
the bright afternoon sunlight, then
shook his head obviously, and put the
coin back into his pocket.
A few moments later he left the
hotel and proceeded to the address
on One Hundred and Tenth Street
named in the letter from the man sign
ing himself Charles Vernon.
1t proved to be that Of small
apartment building, of the sort having
artificial palms and much imitation
marble in the entrance, with a single
bell-boy to operate the elevator and
manipulate the telephone switch
board.
NJ. Dumas, as he called himself
made inquiry of the boy concerning
Mr.. George Vernon. 'The purser OF
the Transatlantic Liner Richelieu,'
he explained.
| mo, boss: he amt in" the boy in
formed him. He's daid."
"Dead?" NJ. Dumas pretended tc
be vastly surprised. my old friend
Vernon dead! Impossible!"
He's shore dead, boss. Dey brune
his body up from de steamer to dc
undertaker's on de next block yes
tiddy. He was buried dis mawin'
Warn't no one to go to de funera
'ceptin' his brother and some Of d,
steamboat people,"
His brother? I never heard tha
he had brother"
Neither did /, boss; but he JUS
come in late yestiddy afternoon ant
took charge. He had de key to Mr.
Vernon's apartment. 1 guess it's hi
brother, all right"
!, SIS he in now?"
, "No, sir. He went to de funera
bout twelve o'clock, and he amt go
back yet"
WAS Mr.. Vernon married."
| mo, sir; least if he was l neve
heard tell of it. You see, he was ava.
most of de time. l never could Sc
: why he kept place here jest for d
. little while he was on shore"
> NJ. Dumas gave the boy quarter
"Im much obliged 10 you, my boy,
he said. "As matter Of fact, / wa
thinking Of renting an apartment @
this sort myself, and 1 wanted to
near my friend Vernon. Have yo
any to let?"
4 Not a one. House is full up. Yo
t might try at de Wilworth, across
e street."
n "Thank you" He gave the boy al
Y other quarter. when Mr.. Verno
y returns you need not say anythin
ahnnt my having calIad I want 1