The Pioche record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1908-1925, 1920-11-05
II A N exceptionally daring rob-
~ DISAPPOINTMENT bank en-
- - tered-huge sum taken -


were the headlines in Paris paper.
In following up this extraordinary
case the mystery deepened. unheard Of
crimes were unearthed and thrilling
situations occurred which baftied even
the celebrated detective, Lecoq. 1t ap-
peared that upon opening the safe one
morning, the cashier startled the
clerks by crying out: II have been
robbed!' They gathered about. but
strangely enough upon inspection. the
safe showed only q scratch, but no
sign of having been broken open. al
though the $4,000 francs were miss
ing that the cashier said he had placed
there the day before, in order to pay
Count Louis de Clameran, friend
who had been left a legacy by his
brother, CASTOR. M. Fauvel, the presi-
dent of the bank, and NJ. Prosper Ber-
tony, the cashier, were the only per-
sons who possessed keys to the door
and were credited with the knowledge
of word which made up the cOmbina-
ton. Although their relations had
OGCu ING lAOSC Va LdthCA anu ooAp Sc~As
now accused the other Of taking the
money.
The clerks were interviewed by the
police, and search was made of the
apartment over the bank, occupied by
the president, his wife. and beautiful
niece, Madeleine, whose engagement
to the cashier had been mysteriously
broken Oft was suspected she pre-
ferred Nine. Valentine Fauveps hand
some nephew, Raoul Layers. The
presidents record was good, but sus-
picion was directed toward the cashier
as he had been living extravagantly
His arrest followed, although he pro-
tested his innocence. During the In
spection Of the bank and the appre
bending of the cashier, he was seer
to scribble a line hurriedly and throw
1t to the clerk. The latter was shad
owed to the cashiers apartment ant
the note procured 1t was addressed
to Nine. Gypsy. informing her Of hi
ing the examination at court, Prospel
remembered that he had been indis
Greet the previous night in saying t
Gypsy, when perhaps he might hav'
been overheard by the count ant
Raoul, that he had reason for con
stantly thinking Of her at his work
when she accused him of not thinking
of her any longer. The word Gyps
opened the safe. For lack Of suf1cien
evidence Prosper was released and tn
case filed in No. 113.
On Prosper's return to his apart
ment, Gypsy had gone, but q note &C
dressed In small printed letters wa
delivered to him containing none!
The clever LecOQ, now living wit
Prosper, under the disguise Of an oil
friend of his fathers. revealed this
the printed letters had beOn cut frol
a prayer book. Surely there was
woman in the case! Later tor
prayer book was discovered hidden
Madeleine's room. Did she love Pro
per and think him innocent and
need Of money! Yet soon after tina
to the surprise Of everyone, HI
engagement was announced to tt
old Count de Clameran. The re
son for this was that Madelein
by chance, overheard convers
ton between the count and h
aunt. The old count threatened to t.
Of the family skeleton If she did n
consent to the marriage. MadeleiI
appeared and said she would mar
him to keep the secret and the hon
Of the family name. On learning
Medicines engagement, Prosper, wi
really had always loved her. becar
very angry, and thinking there mu
be sinister motive for Nine. Fauve
allowing 1t, wrote an anonymous lett
to NJ. Fauvel, telling him to watch I
wife.
Lecoq noticed that the cookbook
Raoul still continued his frequent v
its to the house. Did it mean that
was perhaps not the nephew. but I
lover Of Nine. Fauvel? Disguised, I
great detective attended a masIuera
ball and made insinuating remarks
Nine. Fauvel concerning Raoul Will
saused her to faint, and when he spo