Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-06-14

tnlnBS. IL ID ulBuly pTODdDle lndt,
| while in a somnambulistic state, he
| opened the safe, took out the pack
| age, walked to the forward deck, and
fell into the hold. That's about all
| there is to it."
"You don't think, then, that we
need make any further investiga-
tions?"
What for? The coroner has de-
clared the case an accident. We are
not out anything. Mr.. Morris got his
package. should say that the best
thing to do was to let the matter
drop"
Mr.. Germaine puffed meditatively
at his cigar for some moments in
silence. "Mr. Morris, it seems" he
said at length, "is not satisfied. He
has telephoned me this morning, say
ing that he has evidence that crime
has been committed. He insists upon
an investigation. / am expecting him
here at any moment
81 don't see how l could take up
the matter, Mr.. Germaine. You know
I'm kept pretty busy at the pier"
II know. had not thought OF
having you take it up. AS matter
Of fact, / asked one of the passengers
who arrived on the Richelieu- M.
Lefevre--to do so. He is very great
expert in criminal matters-the pre-
feet OF police of Paris, as a matter
of fact. No doubt you have heard of
! him."
10 Do, nefc O.
fevrei" he exclaimed. well, /
should say had. No better man in
| the world. But / shouldn't think he
would bother himself with an affair
of such slight Importance"
| "Very likely not. He would not
| agree yesterday, and this morning he
| is to come in and give me his answer"
You'd be mighty lucky to get him,
| Mr.. Germaine, if, as Mr.. Norris says,
there is more to this thing than ap-
pears on the surface"
"Mr. Morris is urging me to place
the matter in the hands of Mr.. Rich
ard Duvall." -
Barnes's face was study. "Du-
vall?" he exclaimed contemptuously
why, he's not to be mentioned in
the same breath with Lefevre."
you know him, them" asked Mr..
| Germaine, surprised.
! "Oh,- yes Known him for years.
He had an Office here in town before
he moved down South. / thought he
had given up detective work"
Then you don't think much of his
abilities?"-
"Duvall's well enough. Bright fell
low, of course; but too much of a
theorist TO my way of thinking. The
'kid-glove detective we used to call
him. I've been on a number of cases
| with him-you know he handled those
international bond-forgery frauds for
the government. Pays entirely too
much attention to detail. Builds up
whole case on a burned match or a
half-smoked cigar. Guesswork, l call
it. l believe in going after your man
with a gun and let him do his explain
ing after he's behind the bars. I'll bet
it's him that's got Mr.. Morris started
Well, Mr.. Gemaine, you know your
own business, of course: but my adj
vice ,yould be, if you bother with the
affair any further, let Lefevre handle
it. He can make circles around Du-
vail when it comes to work of this
sort, believe me-"
Thank you, Barnes, for your adj
| vice; whether we shall so any further
depends entirely on what Mr.. Morris
has to say. If his story seems reason
able, we shall investigate it."
| As he spoke, the banker was an
nounced. He entered the room, shool
hands with Mr.. Germaine, acknowl
edged the introduction to Barnes, ther
proceeded to tell them in few con
else words the result of the investi
cations that he, with Duvall and Nj
| LeEevre, had made the previous after
noon.
Mr.. Garmane sat back in his chair
astoundeG, as the banker cited fac
after fact, going to show that Yer
mons death had in all probability beeI
anything but accidental, and that The
package entrusted TO his care hat
been opcscd, It's contents removed
and forged letter put in place of th'
original one.
Il tell you, Mr.. Germaine," he sait
in conclusion, there has been mur
der committed on board your vessel
ard as result an innocent girl ha
been grossly dcfrauded. /, as part!
to the affair, feel moral responsible
ity to investigate the matter TO tn
full. / trust you will place the matte
in competent hands at once and vind
cate both your company and myself.
After what you tell me. Mr.. Morri
shall most certainly do 30"
You could not do better than en-
gage that young fellow, Duvall."
Mr. Germane waved the suggestio
aside with his cigar. ENTIRELY to
much of thcorlst, Mr.. Morris. w
want a practical mana man accus
| 10 C,t.h / only hone thn