The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-19

the rest here to 2, fnished of. We shall
want them evidence later on At pres
ent accuse nobody. I don't want even
to tell you where 1 found the roll: but
Just ask you to come with me. be a.
calm and ordinary as you can and
watch"
The Admiral had aged visibly in the
last half-hour-hc had no inkling as yet
of the truth The key Of his safe never
left him by day or by night: he slept
! with it under his pillow.
| They strolled into the hall. Every one
| was there. lingering over tea. Gale had
made Sir Algernon take O brandy and
soda on his way.
'Sir Algernon," said Gale. as they en-
! tered. us going to give prize to the
! person who takes the best group OF the
| so everybody please get their cameras
and II any one has got two. bring them
both along and lend the extra enc to
| some one who has none"
Away dashed Mamie, Madeline ana
Danvers. Madame smiled at the Admiral
| and did not move. The Admiral looked
| out of the window. In two minutes the
! would-be photographers had returned.
Where shall We take IT." cried Mamie.
do you mind all sitting down." said
Gale. and there was something about his
voice that checked mirth.
"A rather serious thing has happened
| Gale went on sternly, land shall have
to ask all of you to let me see the size
4
| or two pictures. That is unavoidable.
| He looked at Madame Dubois as he
spoke and noticed she was deadly pale.
| He took the film from his pocket-no
| one could what II was-and then he
bade Danvers. Mamie and Madeline bring
| up their cameras one by one. But the
film fitted none of them.
Madame Dubois" said Gale quickly
| he felt the Admiral start beside him
| may I see your cameraT
| All eyes were turned on Madame. Every
scrap of color had left her face.
MATS, Monsieur" she gasped and the
French accent became very pronounced.
| II have no camera"
May look at your work-bag7''
| Again that tense drawn silence-when
every clock tick sounds like a shout.
why. yes" came the answer. nervous
ly cheerful.
Gale took II and emptied IL She
watched in vain for the roll of films. and
her apprehension grew. He found bot
| tie labelled Eau-de-cologne-it was
unique Gale took the little case of
| sound.
How does it open7" he said
| ITS only a prayer book" she answered
He felt 1t carefully all round. and sud-
denly pressed one spot. The Bible. the
prayer book and the hymn book were
nonresident camera lay revealed and
| the flm in Gales hands fitted 1t exactly.
Gale rang the bell. A knock was heard
at the door and a policeman entered.
'Onicer." said Gale. ARREST that lady
as German spy. And get out Q search
warrant for her house at once.
The officer obeyed.
A moment of INDISPENSABLE embarrass-
ment followed. The Admiral was stand.
ing with bowed head now-looking pitt
fully old. Madeline's heart was breaking
with Joy and wonder-her big friend had
not failed her after all. Gale stood be-
tween them. a little perplexed az to how
he could best help them
Come" said Sir Algernon and he put
one arm through Gales and another
through Madeline's. and they walked si-
lently to the study.
How in the name Of all that's won
derful did you ind her out. Caller" he
cried.
ut was easier than It looks Gale
answered. IT arrived here on Thursday
morning at breakfast time. Up to then
had never seen or heard of Madame
Dubois. On Thursday morning I went
out rowing with Madeline. She told mo
she disliked the woman and thought
she was pre5udiced. In the afternoon
you and I. Admiral. had those plans put
| In the safe. noticed the faintest sug-
| gestion OF scent when I replaced the
plans. but thought nothing of IT. I sat
next to Madame Dubois at dinner on
Thursday night and found her charming
thought her rather full OF explanations
about herself. but that might be duo to
country. It was not till stopped to
pick UP her gloves that q faint scent
no. that's too strong-the memory of the
1 safe came back to mel saw her hand
kerchief lying on the 'hoor@I kept It and
took It to my room-it was the same
scent as had noticed in tho safe.
ION Friday. Admiral. you and ware
going to look at the plans before lunch
and knew that in all probability you
would not touch them again till Mcn~
a little invisible powder on them. II
anybody touches It, It stains their fingers
blue. called on Madame Dubois ON
Saturday. Her fingers were stained bluav
but I was Glad to see that she did NOT
know the cause. Tho FIRST thing had Ia
ascertain was what opportunity she had
for tampering with the safe. You told
me that the key Of tho safe never lsfu
you by day. Whom she dined here she
stayed downstairs. When she iunchsd
here-she went up to your study for an
hour after lunch. That suggested that
| she wanted to be there in the daylight
and photography was q natural induction
I ascertained that Wedneeday-the dag
before I arrived-was the first time she
lunched here-that was doubtless the day
when her hunting began and the scent"
he smiled softly. remained.
II calculated she had done no pho.
Biography yet-and that could wait dap
or two. Madeline happened to naentiou
that your custom was to sleep eSery
day after lunch before Madame Dubois
came on the scene. 1t II very easy when
a person il asleep to use q little ethyl
chloride on a handkerchief and rendes
him unconscious. think that was hes
plan-you saw the little bottle I brought
out of her bag-it was labelled Eau-dss
cologne"
"Drugged.' exclaimed the Admiral
"drugged! My God! Ny Cod"
Yes. Admiral. she let you go to sleep
and then drugged you on Wednesday ana
Friday. got the key from your chain ana
looked at the plans. On Sunday she de.
termined to photograph them. She drug.
ged you again and did SO. That prayer.
book was such innocent looking book.
It deceived me at first though was look.
ing out for q camera. The rest. think
you know"
| ..Tut Mhat'a hapnened to ALI tia rnnneI