The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1918-01-17
CHAPTER 1.
pARTAGNAN, PoRTHos : : AND
MONTE CRISTO,


MONTE CRISTO.
It was half past four; NJ. Des-.
nations, the project Of police, was
not yet back at the office. His
private secretary laid on the desk
q bundle of letters and reports
which he had annotated for his
chief, rang the bell and said to
the messenger who entered by the
main door:
Monsieur lie Prefet has sent
for number Of people to see him
at 5 o'clock. Here are their names.
Show them into separate waiting.
rooms, SO that they can't com
municate with one another, and let
me have their cards when they
come"
The messenger went out. The
secretary was turning toward the
small door that led to his room,
when the main door opened once
more and admitted man who
stopped and leaned swaying over
| the back Of chair. q
Why, it's you, Verot!'' said
the secretary. "But what's hap
pened? What's the matter7"
Inspector Verot was very
stout, powerfully built man, with
. big neck and shoulders and a
florid complexion. He had OBJ
viously been upset by some violent
excitement, for his face, streaked
with red veins and usually SO
apoplectic, seemed almost pale.
"Oh, nothing, Monsieur lie Sec
retaire!" he said.
Eyes, yes; you re not looking
| your usual self. You're gray in
the face - And the way you re
perspiring ="
Inspector Verot wiped his fore
head and, pulling himself together
said:
cts just little tiredness :
| I've been overworking myself late
"; I was very keen on clearing up
case which Monsieur Desmalions
had put in my hands. ALI the
same, I have funny sort Of feel
ing"
will you have a pick-me-up?"
mo, no; I'm more thirsty
" A glass of water7"
"No, thank YOU
"What then7"
IT should LIKE should like
His voice faltered. He, wore a
troubled look, as Is he had sud
denly lost his power of getting out
another word. But he recovered
himself with an effort and asked
Isn't Monsieur Desmalions
here2"
"No; he won't be back till 5,
when he has an important meet
ing,
Important. That's what I'm here
for. But I should have liked to
see him first. I should SO much
have liked to see him!"
The secretary stared at Verot
and said:
"What state you re inl Is
your message SO urgent as all
that7''
"It's very urgent, indeed. It has
to do with a crime that took place
a month ago, to the day. And,
above all, it's matter Of prevent
ing two murders which are the
outcome Of that other crime and
which are to be committed tonight.
| Yes, tonight, inevitably, unless we
take the necessary steps,"
"Sit down, Verot, won't you9"
"You see, the whole thing has
been planned in such an internal
manner! You would never have
Imagined
/ ''Still, Verot, as you know about
It beforehand, and as Monsieur lie
Project is sure to give you full
powers -
eyes, of course, Of course. But
all the same, it's terrible to think
that I might miss him. So I wrote
him this letter, telling him all
know about the business. I thought
| it safer"
He handed the secretary a large
yellow envelope and added:
"And here Is little box as well
I'll leave it on this table. It con
tains something that will serve to
complete and explain the contents
Of the letter"
tsRnt why don't Won keen AL