Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-25

Immediately" he said. I'VE have some dis
lance to go. The house of the Castelnarauds
is outside the town."
He pressed a bell. and two assistants en-
tered. carrying various instruments.
"Have you the plaster. ~gelatine. cameras?
Very well-let us CO." and we filed out.
In the car with Laughton I found an
officer I had not met before. whom my col
league introduced as Jules voltaire.
"He thinks he is a descendant Of the
famous Voltaire.' Laughton said with unusual
energy, but don't you believe it. He also
thinks he is like Lecoq, the great detective
but that's after a bottle of cognac."
I looked at Jules Voltaire, who shifted
uneaSily and scowled at my friend. His red
nose and fierce mustache certainly made him
look more like a comic gendarme than either
Of the famous men Laughton had named.
They make fun of me. monsieur he said
with q Sheepish grin, but they are always
glad to ask for my advice when things go
wrong. As my great ancestor said. A humble
exterior may hide many qualities"
die Voltaire say that?" I could not help
asking. IT don't remember the phrase"
The chief nudged me.
Pay no attention-he misquoteS every
classic-but his quick wits make him a WON
derful assistant. Here We are; the police are
guarding the street at both ends. No one
must pass until we have finished"
I jumped out and waited.
Have a look at the front steps, Jules" the
inspector snapped. Although I dare say it's
hopeless-so many have been before U.S."
After a rapid examination we entered q
large hall. 1t was furnished with taste, and
on the walls were several fine paintings. Al
one end of the hall a large table had been
placed, and behind it sat M. Duprez, the
magistrate. He rose when he saw US and
shook hands with our chief.
Nothing has been touched, monsieur" he
said. II have requested the parents and the
servants to stay in their rooms. The medical
expert will be here in a few minutes. OF
course, the mother is distracted with grief,
but she had the good sense to leave her
daughter as she found her and telephoned to
me at once. I am an acquaintance Of the
family, as you know"
THEN, with your permission" said my
friend. I'VE will men our investigations.
You-Laughton and V-oltaire-examine the
floor and the stairs. I understand the girls
bedroom Is upstairs, M. DupreZ?"
The judge assented. Here is the plan OF
the house, he added, pointing to q sheet Of
paper spread out before him.
You see, there is no other way to the upper
part of the house than by these stairs. Mile.
Jacqueline slept In a room adjoining that OF
her parents, reached by a passage. There are
four doors in this passage. One shuts 1t on
from the stairs; the three others ead-One
to the parents bedroom, one to q bathroom.
and the last, at the end, to the bedroom Of
the dead girl! II any one passed along that
corridor and entered the girls room he would
have to walk like q cat, for the mother is q
very light sleeper. An A sudden ex-
clamation from Voltaire had caused the
interruption.
Here is a strange thing. doctor" he called.
Some one-a man-sat Town and removed
his boots here"
WE crossed quickly to the wide staircase.
STOPPING, we perceived several tiny
fragments of what looked like dry mud o
the polished floor. and near the banisters
were two clear imprintS, close together, OF
small, elegant shoes or boots.
why do you say removed his boots'P" I
asked. My friend looked at me and shrugged
his shoulders.
"Voltaire is right-the boots were empty.
Only part of the Soles is marked, and look
how close together they are"
eyes," I heard Laughton say behind us.
land he must have been a heavy fellow, for
here are several traces of his feet, where he
walked on tiptoe to the stairs. They are
quite clear"
That fixes the time" said my friend in q