Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1918-03-14

course OF TINS e3amlnatlon supply
me with some tlue that will en-
able me to give them the name Of
that mysterious X, they'll surren-
der me this evening for the people
to batten on. Attention, Lupin, old
chap, the great game is about to
commenced"
He felt that thrill of delight
which always ran through him at
the approach of the great strug-
giles. This one, indeed, might be
numbered among the most terrible
that he had yet sustained.
He knew the projects reputa-
ton, his experience, his tenacity,
and the keen pleasure which he
took in conducting important in
qulries and in personally pushing
them to a conclusion before plac-
ing them in the magistrates
hands and he also knew all the
professional qualities of the chief
detective, and all the subtlety, all
the penetrating logic possessed by
the examining magistrate.
The project of police himself
directed the attack. He did so in
a straightforward fashion, with.
out beating about the bush, and in
a rather harsh voice, which had
lost its former tone of sympathy
for Don Luis. His attitude also
was more formal and lacked that
geniality which had struck Don
Luis on the previous day.
Monsieur" he said, "circum.
stances having brought about that,
as the residuary legatee and rep
r%esentative of Mr.. Cosmo Morn.
ington you spent the night on this
ground floor while a double MUIR
der was being committed here, we
wish to receive your detailed evil
dence as to the different incidents
that occurred last night"
I'm other words, Monsieur le
Prefet,' said Perenna, replying
directly to the attack, Sin other
words, circumstances having
brought about that you authorized
me to spend the night here, you
would Like to know if my evidence
corresponds at all points with that
Of Sergeant Mazeroux9"
eyes"
Meaning that the part played
by myself strikes you as sus-
picious?"
M. Desmalions hesited. His eyes
met Don Luis eyes; and he was
visibly impressed by the others
frank glance. Nevertheless he re.
Piled, plainly and bluntly:
1t is not for you to ask me
questions, monsieur"
Don Luis bowed.
II am at your orders, Monsieur
lie Prefet."
"Please tell us what you
know"
Don Luis thereupon gave a
minute account Of events, after
which M. Desmalions reflected for
a few moments and said:
There is one point on which we
want to be informed. When YOU
entered this room at 2:3O this
morning and sat down beside M.
Fauville, was there nothing to tell
you that he was dead?"
Nothing, Monsieur lie Prefet.
Otherwise, Sergeant Mazeroux and
l would have given the alarm"
Was the garden door shut9"
1T must have been, as we had
to unlock it at z O'clock"
with what"
with the key on the bunch"
But how could the murderers,
coming from the outside, have
opened it?"
with false keys"
"Have you a proof which allows
you to suppose that it was opened
with false keys2"
"No, Monsieur lie Prefet."
Therefore, until we have
proofs to the contrary, we are
bound to believe that it was not
opened from the outside, and that
the criminal was inside the
house."
"But, Monsieur lie Prefet, there
was no one here but Sergeant
Mazeroux and myselfl'
There was a silence, a pause
whose meaning admitted Of no
doubt. M. Desmalions' next words
gave it an even more precise value,
you did not sleep during the
night"
"Yes, toward the end"
"You did not sleep before, while
you were in the passage!"
"No.n
UAnd Sergeant Mazerorxe1