The Washington times., 1919-02-01


himself. had fired twice before be-
ing disabled by the fatal attack,
and that he had shot his assailants
in the head and in the leg. Instruc-
tions were instantly sent to all the
hospitals for description OF every
individual having a wound OF this
nature. But, OF course, no one went
to them. 1 will add that the crlmi
nails were never discovered, and
that 1 vainly offered a reward Of a
hundred thousand francs to anyone
whose information would put me on
their trail"
He stopped an instant to take
breath, then went on:
"Tou understand now, sir, that
il one OF Mrs. Tankery's murderers
had a bullet in his skull. the other
in the femur, it is very probable
that these are the same men who
killed my poor uncle"
That is probable. certainly" re-
piled Lucien Delorme; but, what
canI ."
What can you do? Why, you
must see clearly that you hold in
your hand the key OF the entire
mystery. Your words possess de-
cisive weight in my conjectures.
The reason have come to find you
is TO entreat you TO give me all the
information that 9"
Sir" interrupted the young man
coldly. ''it is impossible for me to
tell you anything more than the
newspapers have related OF these
scoundrels, and if I answered that
! knew nothing, il is the truth"
"And l." cried the baron violently.
81 tell you in my turn that you do
know something done
know what don't know
know how that is your So
cret, keep IL. But in order not to
prOlong the discussion uselessly. I
will add one thing: formerly
promised a reward OF one hundred
thousand francs to the person whose
Information would put me on the
track OF my uncle's murderers.
Well, now 1 will double the
amount; will offer you two hun
dredr'
Lucient Delorme had started IN
suddenly. His face was very pale.
"Do you want to buy me. sir?''
Why not at all. need your
help. I will pay for II. that's all.
Since you have no connection with
Airs. Tankery's murderers. do not
see what scruple should prevent
you from accepting my PROPOSE
tions. You place at my service your
ingenuity. your keenness OF scent,
your activity; there is no dishouor
in thatI"
But" the young, man still OBJ
tected, "is not the police force bet
ter fitted to accomplish such a task
successfully than am?"
'The police will never discover
anything. The criminals have TAX
en- every precaution to throw them
on the trail. AS in the Avenue d.
Antin, they have done thei. work
with gloves. so as to leave no be-
traying evidence behind. We must
rely solely upon ourselves"
Il had made very different plans
l intended to leave Paris this very
day my old mother Is ex-
pecttng me in our home ."
But the baron perceived that De-
lorme's resolution was weakening
and that the game was won.
You will not go!"
"And suppose I should not sue
ceed?" the young man asked. "for,
after all, this is my beginning in
the trade Of detective.
shall have lost my time. not to
mention that"
"Set your mind at rest on that
score" interrupted the other, who
had not misunderstood the mean
ing Of these words. From today
an apartment will be reserved for
1F
Palace, Avenue des Champs Ely
sees. opposite to my own house.
Besides, shall, OF course, assume
all the expenses incurred in your
measures-and rest assured that I
shall question nothing"
yet IL, nevertheless ."
The baron smiled. II was useless
10 consider that possibility. He
himself felt no doubt. The lure Of
so large a reward is not to be re-
sisted. He had his man. In a few
days the latter would speak.
Then we are agreed?" the visi-
tor asked more insistently.
Delorme seemed, for an instant,
TO be still hesitating.
Did the task appear to him to be
beyond his powers? Had he any
secret reason for refusing to aid in
arresting the murderers? Or was
he delaying merely to reflect once
more upon an event which had
caused him SO annoying a misad-
ventue?
But suddenly he held out his
hand to the baron.
Very well, sir; you can rely
upon met"
Thank your" replied the million
alre. "And. whatever happens, you
may be sure OF my gratitude"
Delorme bowed.
when shall you set to work.
Baron PIucke added.
This very day"
But when he had accompanied
Lucien Delorme, as he returned,
murmured:
Here I am a detective. It's a
true saying that we never know
what life has in store for us.
Sherlock Holmes and Nick Carter
must look to themselves in future!
Two hundred thousand francs are
worth taking a little trouble for.
Only, I'm entirely ignorant OF my
new trade; where shall 1 begin?"
During this monOlOgue he pur-
sued his way to the office:
Madame Armelin," he said, en-
tering, will you be kind enough
to send for a cab and have my
trunk brought down? BY the way,
I have changed my plans. shall
not leave Paris-and I will ask
YOU TO write down my new address,
so that my letters can be for