Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-08-23

0p0ASAASAt I10 lOuUO Ulm U1C-
tating to his secretary, q great
pile of letters before him.
Without pausing in his dicta-
ton, Delcasse picked up a tele-
gram which lay at his elbow, and
handed it to Lepine. It was dated
from Paris, and had been filed but
an hour before. It read:
Seven notes 100 francs
B162810R to B162816R deposited.
today by Thomas Cook & Son.
Lime, Governor Bank Of
France"
Lepine laid the telegram on his
desk and glanced at his watch.
II must be in Paris in the morn
ing" he said.
Delcasse nodded.
yes" he agreed. "And Gro
chard?'
lis no doubt already there"
and he handed Delcasse the note
which Samson had given him.
Delcasse read it, and looked up
with an amused smile, in which
there lurked a trace of malice.
What a mani" he said
Nevertheless, Lepine, I think you
would better go. You may be able
to assist him! Give him my com
pliments, and keep me informed,"
and he turned back to his secre.
tary.
The Paris office Of the Messrs.
Cook is at the corner opposite the
opera house, and here, about 10
O'Clock on the morning of Thurs
day, September %, a little grey
bearded man descended from a
facre, entered, and, after a short
delay, was admitted to the
presence Of the manager, who
made it clear at once Chat he was
entirely at the service of his dis
tinguished visitor.
Lepine sat down and produced
from his pocket seven notes Of the
Bank Of France, for 100 francs
each. They were quite new and
had. not even been folded.
"These notes were deposited
by you yesterday afternoon" he
said. II should like to know from
whom they were received
The manager took the notes and
glanced at them.
"That will not be difficult.
sir" he said. "Our cashier can
no doubt tell us from which of our
clerks he received them. Excuse
me a moment"
He hurried from the room with
the notes in his hand, and Lepine,
strolling to the window, relapsed
into his favorite amusement. At
no other corner in the city could it
be practiced so profitably, for
here, at the meeting of the boule-
Yards, all Paris, sooner or later,
passed; and not Paris only. but
Migrants from every nation. So
ILepine watched the crowd intent
y, his bright eyes skipping from
face to face-a mere glance at one,
a longer glance at another, a close
stare at a third. Perhaps, at the
back OF his mind, there was. the
hope that some incredible good
fortune might send past this cor
ner a shrunken, white haired man.
leaning on the arm Of his dark
haired daughter.
The opening of the door behind
him broke into his thoughts, and
he turned to find that the manager
had brought. another man back
with him.
This is the clerk who received
the money" said the manager.
and returned the seven notes to
the detective.
Lepine motioned the clerk to. be
seated, and himself sat down fac
ing him.
Tell me all that you remember
of the transaction" he said.
1T was Tuesday afternoon,
sur, the clerk began, about 4
o'clock, I should say, that a man
came to the counter and stated
that he desired a stateroom, with
two berths, second class, for the
Prinzsessin Ottilie, the sailing Of
yesterday.
What sort Of a manfn asked
Lepine.
thin man, past middle age.
Hisshair was quite grey and he was
OF q dark complexion, with very
bright eyes.
What language did heusep'
He spoke IN English, sir.
Fluentlyi
Quite duently, sir. .s
Very we'll; proceed.
was ID some doubt as to
whether ouch a stateroom was
available, as this is the busy sea
IG0n; but on reference to orr Inf,