The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-09-19

AGhl Vi n WEAANs
livery, Paris, Paul Martin being
the name which appeared on on
entirely new set OF papers OF
Identification which Lanyard had
had thoughtfully secreted in the
lining OF the tweed coat before
leaving London.
Lanyard had testimony to the
thoroughness OF the TRANSFORMED
tion in his looks twice within an
hour.
The first was when, leaving the
hotel he found himself suddenly
face to face with Dupont.
The beady little eyes OF the
thug comprehended him in r
glance. and rejected him as OF
positively no interest to Albert
Dupont. a complete stranger ana
cheap one at that.
He re-entered the hotel and
sought Its restaurant, where the
untiring Long Arm OF Coincidence
took him by the hand and led him
to a table Immediately adjoining
one occupied exclusively by Mon
sieur lie Comte de Lorgnes.
But now, Lanyard told himself,
one knew what had dragged Du-
pont in such hot haste to Lyons.
Somehow word had reached him,
probably by telegraph, that mon
sleur lie comte was waiting there
to keep a rendezvous. And IL you
asked him, Lanyard would confess
his firm conviction that the other
party to the rendezvous would
prove to be the person Cor per-
sons) who had effected the bur
glary at Chateau de Montalals.
But as time passed 1t became
evident that there had been Il
hitch somewhere; de Lorgnes was
fretting when Lanyard first saw
him; before his dinner was half
served his nerve was giving way.
At length, de Lorgnes called for
his addition and fed the restaur-
ant. Lanyard arrived In the foyer
In time to see de Lorgness settle
his account and hear him instruct
a porter to have his luggage ready
for the one-twelve express for
Paris.
At midnight de Lorgness Was
wholly In despair. Half an hour
later wove an unsteady but most
dignified way back to the foyer of
the hotel.
Immediately Dupont and his
fellow paid and left the cafe.
Lanyard returned to his room
to get a new-bought travelling bag
and started for the train afoot.
In the Care de Perrache Lam
yard witnessed a farewell scene
between the little man and Du-
pont.
And when Monsieur lie Comte
de Lorgnes had wavered through
the gateway in tow Of Il luggage
laden porter; and Dupont had
torn himself away from his foud
familiar and lurched after the
count; and Lanyard, after o lit
tie wait, had followed In turn:
he was able to see for himself
that Dupont had contriCed to be
berthed In the same carriage with
de Lorgnes; proving that he did
not mean to let the count out Of
sight, day or night.
Well weary, Lanyard proceed.
cd to his own compartment, In the
car ahead, and turned in.
But he was not Of those who
sleep we'll on trains. He was
awake at Dion and again at Lar
oche, about a quarter after six.
There, peering out Of the window
10 identify the station. he was
startled to see the broad, round
shouldered back of Albert Dupont
making away across the rails
leaving the train!
It was not feasible to dress and
pursue, even had 1t been wise.
The newspapers OF Paris, that
day. had sensation: in a com.
partment which he had occupied
alone on the night express from
Lyons, a man had been found
with his throat cut, his clothing
ripped to rags, even his luggage
Elashed to ribbons.
Whether through chance or in
tentipn, every possible clew to the
victims identity was missing.