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

them to wait for moment in the en-
trance-hall until he turned on the
lights in the living-room.
The apartment consisted of tiny
entrance-hall, parlor or living-room,
bedroom, bath, and kichenctte. Mr.,
Vernon led the callers into the living
room and requested them to be seated.
The room was a small one, simply
furnished, with table at the center
covered with books, papers, and smok-
ing materials. Over it hung a large
and rather ornate chandelier.
M. Dumas sat down, with his back
toward the door through which they
had entered, and glanced at the man
who claimed to be Mr.. Charles Ver-
non. He was tall, heavily built, quite
evidently a Frenchman, although his
| speech did not betray it. His hair was
| black, as were his mustache and
short, curly beard. High up on one
| cheekbone Dumas observed small
cut, apparently made while shaving.
He smiled to himself and, under
cover of drawing handkerchief from
his hip-pocket, made sure that his re-
| volver was ready for instant use.
"You are the brother of the purser
Of the Richelieu, M. George Vernon,
who suffered such a sad accident?"
Dumas inquired pleasantly.
| YES" Mr.. Vernon's reply was
crisp and to the point. He turned at
once to Mile. Mercier. You have
brought the coin, mademoiselle?" he
asked.
"Yes. It is here" The girl drew
the franc piece from her pocketbook
and held it in her hand. You were
to give me thousand dollars for it,
monsieur" she said, evidently fearing
to part with the coin until she had Sc
cured the money.
'Here is the money" Vernon drew
bundle of notes from his pocket and
laid them carefully on the table before
him. Naturally l can't turn 1t over
to you until have examined what ]
am to buy" He held out his hand
eagerly for the coin.
Vernon held the coin under the
light for a moment, then glanced
l
mademoiselle, that was delivered to
you yesterday afternoon?"
"Yes. Why?"
Vernon went over to lighted wall
bracket and held the coin beneath it.
Standing with his back to the others
they were unable to see just what he
was doing. Suddenly he swung around
with snarl of rage.
ITS not the same!" he cried an
grily. You picked up this coin on
the floor of room SO yesterday after.
noon, after"
He paused. suddenly aware that he
had said too much, and swept up the
package of notes from the table.
After what, my friend?" inquirct
Dumas quietly.
Vernon faced his questioner, white
with amer.
II do not see that it is any affair
of yours" he growled, then turned
again to the girl. "If you have The
coin / am willing to pay you thou
sand dollars for it. Ii you have not
} then somebody has swindled you ou
of it. Who was it?"
Il swear, monsieur, that no one ha!
, touched the coin since l received i
, except this gentleman" She indicated
Dumas.
"Ha! So that's the camel" Vernon
swung furiously toward M. Duma
, and his hand went toward his pocket
Before it was halfway there Duma
t had covered him with his revolver.
II arrest you, NJ. Hartmann" h
t said quietly, ''for the murder of Victo
Reinhardt."
. The man stepped back and threw u
5 his hands with grim smile. Il don
know what you're talking about" h
said; "but you've got the drop on mt
! and / never argue with the busines
I end of revolver"
"An excellent plan, my friend" rt
marked NJ. Dumas sententiously as h
r rose and directed his companion t
Y remove the pistol from their captive
e pocket.
e The girl started to obey.
Dumas, intent on the man befor
r. him, failed to hear football, light a
" cats, on the carpet behind him.
S another moment he felt terrific bio
# upon his head, his revolver went off
e the air, and he sank to the floor III
u conscious.
His last impression was that {
u hearing the terrified screams of Nil
e Mercier. Then he seemed to be sal
ing away on a fiery red cloud.
l. <r .u.-S,