Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13

eStaDllSnmenC, as well known lar beyond the
limits of Beausoleil. the shock arrived Three
motor cars were drawn up by the side of the
curb, and gendarme stood at attention at
his door. 1t speaks well for the courage and
presence of mind of Monsieur Charles Dutroyen
that he descended promptly from the little
carriage, and manfully crossed the threshold
of his emporium
Worse things, however, awaited him. There
more gendarmes guarding a number of
packets laid out upon the counter and his
friend the commissaire of police turned very
grave face upon him.
What ails the world this morning friend?"
the druggist demanded, advancing with out
stretched hand.
"A great deal ails the world friend Charles"
he replied, pointing to the long rows OF pack
ages upon the counter. Here is cocaine enough
TO stupefy every human being in the princi-
pality, and heroin sufficient to poison a city.
These have been discovered upon your premises.
1t is a disaster!"
MY assistants must have traffcked in them
without my knowledge" M. Dutroyen declared
bravely
The statements of your assistants have all
ready been taken down. the commssaire de-
plored. Prepare yourself, Dutroyen. for that
which comes is more serious still. 1 have to
arrest you for the murder. last Thursday, OF
Toby Dachener, barman at the Cafe Regal"
Imagination sometimes plays strange pranks
with man. For a moment Dutroyen'S
thoughts flashed regretfully backward TO that
succulent but neverto- be-eaten lunch.
Then he leaned across the counter, and it
very much to the dscredit of the commits
saire himself, and the surrounding gendarmes,
that they let his hand tamper with the drawer
the other side, and reappear clutching q
very formidable-looking revolver
Paul Levadour," he said addressing his
friend the commissaire, Il have always been
a man who is fond of company. My tastes
have leaned that way in life They follow
suit in death"
The commissaire lodged behind a portly
gendarme, but his erstwhe friend shook his
head reprovingly.
Have no fear, Paul" he concluded ~Y6aa
married man, with charming wife.
Have no fear This journey shall adventure
alone"
NJ. Charles Dutroyen blew out his
brains with the neatness OF artist, and,
though 1t was his business in life to cure he
succeeded even better in destruction.
IN a tucked-away cafe at the top Of one
Peter Hames and Sybn Christian dined TO-
gether one evening at corner table.
Druggist Charles Dutroyen was buried his
business disposed Of, and that vast stock of
drugs had disappeared no one knew exactly
where. Pere Delous was at liberty, and drinks
were free for him at every cafe within reach
Old Mother HauSer, the proprietress of the
Cafe Regal, had died of heart failure, but, as
she was reputed to be SO years old the in
cident not to be considered Of Importance
Several hundred of exceedingly well informed
people knew the whole story of Druggist Du-
troyen's traffic in drugs and suicide, and Of
the tragedy in the Cafe Regal, and were telling
their story at every bar between Beausolei
and Nice. To Peter Hames, however, until
the night Of that dinner there remained
atmosphere Of mystery about the whole BUSH
ness.
Tell me-" he begged, leaning toward his
comprehension weren't in the place at. the
time-Why were YOU so certain that Dutroven
had killed Toby?"
Il knew that Dutroyen supplying GER
tain bars, including the Regal, with drugs
which the barmen were selling 1 knew that
Toby had made up his mind to be quit of the
whole business, and that he had sent for Du-
troyen to tell him I know that that man
who pretended to be drunk was an accomplice
OF Dutroyen, there to watch who came and
went and I knew that when he made his
clumsy effort to get me out of the way 1t vas
at Dutroyen's instigation
THE next morning I purchased at Du-
troyen's shop secondhand leather roll Of
surgical instruments for home use. One q
long, daggerlike implement, corresponding e1.
actly with the weapon with which Toby was
stabbed was missing.
Added to all this, knew that Dutroyen.
whose drug traffic out to stop was q bad
man, a murderer at heart more than once In
court OF law, perhaps, it might have been
difficult TO obtain a verdict against him. but
there was quite enough anyhow to warrant an
arrest"
why did you drag me into it?" ne asked
bluntly.
Because" she answered for reasons which
may tell you some day. did not wish to 20
to the commissaire of police myself. :"
The restaurant was almost deserted Peter
Hames paid the BILL and they strolled outside
together. little carriage came numbering up
with the waiter, who had been sent TO fetch