The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1918-09-05
CHAPTER FIFTEEN. (Continued.)

H. .
"Now that the three branches
of the Roussel family are, extinct,
who remains? Don Luis Peren-
ma. In default of the natural
heirs, who inherits the property
Don Luis P%erenna."
Lucky dog!'
That's what people are say
ing, chief. They say that this
series of murders and atrocities
cannot be the effort Of chance CO.
medicines, but, on the contrary,
points to the existence of an all
will which began with
the murder of Cosmo Mornington
and ended with the capture of the
hundred millions. And to give a
name to that will, they pitch on
the nearest, that Of the extraor-
binary, glorious, ill famed, be-
wildering, mysterious, omnipo-
tent, and ubiquitous person who
was Cosmo Mornington's intimate
friend, and who, from the begin
ming, has controlled events and
pieced them together, accusing
and acquitting people, getting
them arrested, and helping them
to escape.
"They say" he went on hur-
riedly, THAT he manages the
whole business and that, if he
works it in accordance with his
interests, there are a hundred mil
lions waiting for him at the fin
ish. And this person is Don Luis
Perenna, in other words, Arsene
Lupin, the man with the unsavory
reputation whom it, would lie
madness not to think of in con-
nection with so colossal a job"
"Thank youP" ., ,
"That's what they say, chief
I'm only telling you. As long as
Nine. Fauville and CASTOR Sauve-
rand were alive, people did not
give much thought to your claims
as residuary legatee. But both of
them died. Then, you see, peo-
pie can't help remarking the real
ly surprising persistence with
which luck looks after Don Luis
Perenna's interests. You know
the legal maxim: fecit cui prodest.
Who benefits by the disappear
ance Of all the Roussel heirs? Don
Luis Perenna." ED 81
"The scoundrel!"
"The scoundrel. that's the
word which Weber goes roaring
out all along the passages of the
Police office and the criminal in
vestigation department. You are
the scoundrel and Florence Levas-
seur is your accomplish. And hard
ly any one dares protest..
"The project of police? What is
the use of his defending you, of
MS remembering that yon have
saved his life twice over and
rendered invaluable services to
the police which he is the first to
appreciate? What is the, use Of
his going to the prime minister,
though we all know that Valen-
CLAY protects you?
"There are others besides the
project Of police There are others
besides the prime minister! There
is the whole of the detective
office, there's the public prosecu-
tors staff, there's the examining
magistrate, the press and, above
all, public opinion, which has to
be satisfied ind which calls for
and expects d culprit. That cul-
prit is yourseIt or Florence Levas-
seur. Or, rather, it's you and
Florence Levasseur." I
Don Luis did not moveIa muscle
of his face. Mazeroux Waited q
moment longer. Then, receiving
no reply, he made a gesture OF
despair. ss
Chief, do you know what you
are compelling me to do? To be-
tray my duty. Well, let me tell
you this tomorrow morning you
will reSsife a summons to appear
before the examining magistrate,
AT the end of your examination,
whatever questions may have
been put to you and whatever
! you may have answered, you wifi
be taken straight to the lookup
The warrant is signed. That Is
what your enemies have DONE"
"The devil!s
"And that's not ALL. Weber
who is burning to take revenge
has asked for permission to watch
your house from this day onward
so that you may nee slip away as
Florence Levasseul did. He will
be here with his meh in al hour
time. What do you say to that
Chief"
Without abandoning his care
aess attitude, Don Luis beckonel
to Ma1eroux.