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

takes up the case ] shall feel that
everything will be done to clear it
up"
AS he concluded boy arrived with
the intelligence that M. Lefeyre was
outside.
"Show him in!" cried Mr.. Ger
maine eagerly. "Show him in at
once!"
M. Lefevre came into the room
Immediately dressed, boutonniere
In the lapel of his coat, and his gray
mustache waxed to needle-points. He
shook hands with Mr. Morris and Mr.
Germaine, bowed to Barnes, then sat
down and began to remove his yellow
chamois gloves. "Mr Germaine," he
announced before the latter could
speak, II have decided to undertake
your case"
"Good!.. The managing director
beamed. II am delighted to hear it,
monsieur. Now 1 know that it will
be cleared up within very few days"
II am not so sure of that, my dear
formed you Of the events of yester-
day afternoon?"
"Yes."
"Then, no doubt, you realize that
q rather complex situation confronts
us. However, l shall do my best to
unravel it. If for no other reasons, /
should be glad by the means of see
ing justice done to Mile. Mercier, who
is of my own country"
"Did you receive at your hotel the
cablegram that came for you yester-
day afternoon?'
Yes. Many thanks for your kind
ness in delivering it to me. 1t in
formed me that the man Reinhardt,
who was killed at the Hotel Rocham-
beau yesterday, was the physician
who attended Mercier during his last
Illness"
Strange that 1 did not recognize
him." said Morris.
Scarcely. You saw him but once,
and probably paid no particular atten-
ton to him. Then, too, he wore a
small red beard at that time, which he
afterward shaved off,
CLEARLY there has been plot
against this young Mercier girl" Mr..
Germaine remarked.
Beyond question. And it is also
clear that she has been robbed of
something of great value. To find out
what it is, and restore it to her, is the
task before me-" The prefect took a
match from Mr.. Germaine's desk and
relit his cigar. II believe that is all
/ have to say at present"
"Mr. Barnes" said the managing
director, indicating his companion, lis
the chief detective of our line. We
are obliged to employ several in and
about the piers, to guard our property.
ANY assistance that he can give you
is yours. He is at your service"
only too glad" murmured Barnes,
much flattered.
M. Lefevre regarded Barnes with
curious smile, and began to draw on
| his gloves. Il am well acquainted
with NJ. Barnes" he remarked. BY
| reputation, at least. If am not mis-
| taken, he was shot through the shoul-
| der during the longshoremens strike
| last winter. believe also that he has
| pair of anchors tattooed in blue up
on his left arm, near the elbow. Am
l right, NJ. Barnes?'
The detective looked at NJ. Lefevre
with bulSing eyes. He instinctively
gripped his left forearm. Yves" he
stammered, you are, but how the
| DEVIL beg you" pardon-but how
you happen to know that, beats me-
"a mere trifie, my friend" replied
| the prefect carelessly. I'VE have an
unusually complete system in m!
| office in Paris. No doubt you would
be even more surprised were to in
| form you that you have three chill
dren, and that your salary is thirty
| dollars a week"
Barnes edged back in his chair as
| though he regarded the projects init
mate knowledge of himself and his
affairs as something supernatural.
Lefevre smiled pleasantly, ther
| turned to Mr.. Morris and Mr.. Ger
| maine, who had been regarding hin
with looks of establishment. y
think l had better start out at once
gentlemen" he said. There is NJ
time to be lost. The police will also
be in search of this fellow on account
of the murder of Reinhardt. l shoult
be sorry to have them forestall me-
What evidence have they to worl
| on?" asked Germaine.
"None, practically. They have no
even a description of the man Hart
| mann as he appeared without hi!
| false beard. You will remember tina
neither Mr.. Morris, Mr.. Duvall, my
self, nor the clerk at the Rochambeal
saw him when he left the place. HI
| apparently got away quite unob
! served"
But Mrs. Duvall saw him, un
derstand, and can describe his appear
| ance accurately"