The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-15
%HE necessity of a conference


than he had expected, and a problem
which had bid fair to monopolize the
clever brains of the authorities for
some considerable period had suddenly
become easy, almost trivial in its soH
luton.
west took no credit for this-hon-
esty on his part, not modesty. He had
supplied just one piece of the puzzle,
which had proved to be the key piece.
1t was chance, and since chance had
treated him so well he determined to
remain for a few days on holiday
There was a singer at the Opera House
he wanted to hear and plays at the
Gymnase and Port st. Martin theatres
he wanted to see.
He went to the Hotel de TOrAent,
favorite with those travellers who do
not mind paying well but object to
senseless and lavish extravaganza, and
in a day or two had made one or two
casual but pleasant acquaintances. not
English people. Out of England, he
preferred associating with foreigners;
it made the change more complete.
One of these acquaintancesy a NJ.
Houtin. appealed to him immensely.
He was a man of fifty perhaps. a cos
mopolitan who appeared to have spent
his life travelling the world and gath
ering information wherever he went
His knowledge was solid, not merely
SKINNED from the surface; the result
of experience not OF wide reading, and
his views and criticisms of men and
manners were his own and often start
ling in the freshness of their outlook
He was ting companion.
do you write. monsieur" West
asked. They were dining together at
small table and had arranged TO go
to the opera afterward.
NO"
You should. The world loses a val
liable historian by your not putting
your experiences on paper"
Historian! Why historian"
'Ts not history made up of the
growth of men. of their manners and
customs?" said West
Il lack politics." Houtin answered,
"and most histories are merely a
record of politics. I never talk poll
help it. isn't it a marvellous thought
that if everyone were honest If every
nation were bent on acting for the
: good of mankind at large, there would
be no place IN the world for politics
as we know them. The first politician
was the man who originally conceived
a scheme for claiming that to which
he had no right and defying his fell
lows to prove he was in the wrong.
He laughed at his own conceit, dis
missing the subject as unworthy of
serious discussion.
1t was a fine night and they walked
the short distance to the Opera House.
They were agreed that the new singer
had been somewhat over praised. and
returned to the hotel soon after mid
night. NJ. Houtin was leaving for
London the next day,
Il hope we may meet there" said
West.
IT hope so. 1t is a troublesome bus
mess which takes me to London. Most
of my time win not be my own. and
my movements are uncertain. 1 must
take my chance and let you know ii
such another pleasant evening as this
can be arranged. 1t is au revoir now
for I leave early In the morning.
Valentine West was at breakfast
next morning rather later than usual
when a waiter came to him.
Monsieur is wanted. A gentleman
! is waiting in the vestibule."
West went at once wondering II II
was NJ. Houtin; instead, he found
Leroux of the police, a ferret-faced in
dividual recognized by every crimina
| as a most dangerous man to have or
the trail 1t was mainly to confer with
Leroux that West had come to Paris
| Hello! Something gone wrong a
| the last moment. eh?"
Not with that case. There is an
other"
Which concerns me?'
Leroux nodded.
And I was enjoying holiday" sale
West.
Come with me-" said Leroux "Oh
1t Is not far. only up-stairs-Room Is
Do you happen to know the OCCUPANT o
Room 2s?"
Not to my knowledge"
The room was in the hands OF tn,
police, but it was evident that car,
had been taken not to let the visitor
in the hotel know that anything un
usual had occurred. Leroux took Yves
in.
Found this morning" he said
has not been moved"
i Used as he was to surprises of TIL
tragic sort, West started back.
Lying agonally across the bee
only half covered by the clothes. la,
the naked body of Houtin. The thi
discolored line round the neck shove
the manner of his death-strangulatio
by a thin cord, slipped into its plac
possibly while the victim slept, OR a
any rate before he had aroused SUI
hciently either to struggle for life o
cry for help. There was no sign OF
struggle in the room, nor was Their
any suggestion that hasty searc
for taluables had been made.
do you know him, West?r Lerou
asked.
We were at the opera together las
night. He told me he was leaving fo
London early this morning. He wa
| an hotel acquaintance. that is all"
AN interesting acquaintance I sur
pose, or you would not have trouble
with him.
Most interesting
TT is curious case altogether sal