Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-07-05

Thrusting his hand downward he
touched a number of small cylindrical
objects which he realized were cigars.
There was no time for further
thought Already he heard the man
and woman coming toward him. He
forced the one-franc piece down
among the contents of the box, and
withdrew his hand Just as the two
seized him from behind and dragged
him toward the center of the room.
He rose at once and found himself
gazing into the blue muzzle Of a re-
volver.
Search him." he heard the man
with the curly black beard say to
the woman.
The latter systematically went
through all his pockets, placing the
various objects she sook from them on
the table. They consisted of watch,
handkerchief, keys, pencil, a roll of
bills, and few pieces Of silver. The
man examined them hastily. "It's
hot here" he exclaimed in an exas-
Fperated voice.
"Are you looking for anything in
particular, my friend?" asked Dumas
coolly.
"You know what we are looking
Tor very WELL" growled the man.
L.'rWhere is the one-franc piece that
was delivered to this girl yesterday
by Mr.. Morris?" He waved his hand
impatienty toward the maid sitting
bound in the chair.
B Dumas nodded toward the table.
cit is there" he said.
! "You lie!" snarled the man. 81
know that coin. 1t is not the one.
This girl says no one has touched the
franc Mr.. Morris gave her but you.
From that l know that you have ex-
changed the two. Give me the coin
or it will be the worse for you."
II don't understand you, monsieur.
! have no knowledge of any other
coin. l am a teacher of music. 1
came here with this young lady solely
as friend"
The man stopped him with laugh.
do you think ] am fool?" he said.
mot ten minutes ago you were going
to arrest me for being some one you
called Hartmann. l know you are a
detective well enough. You thought
you had fixed trap for me, didn't
you? Well, you made a mess of it.
Tell me where the franc is or I'll find
some means to make you"
Very well, then. l will tell you
suspected some trick, so l substitut-
ed this coin,"-he pointed to the franc
on the table-"for the original one,
and placed the latter where you will
be unable to get it,
'Whcre was that?" inquired the
man. Tell me, you fool" he said
menacingly, as he pressed the revol-
yer to Dumas's temple. 1--WE gone
through enough hell to get that coin
and don't mean to let you do me out
of it now, az & + .sfs.
81 placed it," remarked M. Dumas
slowly, in the. safe at the Hotel Ro-
cAambcau before left there tonight"
His manner was perfectly frank
and sincere, and it was evident that
his captor believed him. The latter
muttered something angrily, then
spoke to the woman. Dumas did not
hear what he said, but in few min
utes she came up with napkin and
some bits of rope, and almost before
he knew it he was securely bound and
gagged. Then they forced him into
chair. He was unable to move
hand or foot.
From the subsequent movements of
hiB captors, Dumas concluded they
were about to leave the place. The
woman began to put on her hat.
Her companion got out his satchel
and proceeded to place in it various
articles which he brought from the
inper room. Dumas noticed that the
satchel was by no means we'll filed.
This done, the man glanced sharply
about the room as though to see
whether he had forgotten anything
Dumas saw his eyes travel from the
table at theycenter of the room to the
bookcase opposite, and then rest upon
the small smoki1g-table which stood
ndar by.
Suddenly thefellow took Il step for.
ward. Dumas watched him with fas
cihated interest. He went to the lit
tie table, reached down, seized the
bdx of cigars and tossed it carelessly
into his grip.
Might as well have something tc
smoke" he remarked to the woman as
he closed the satchel and placed II
near the door.
Dumas writhed in his bonds; but