Evening star., 1932-12-30
INSTALLMENT XIX.


n 4 ND now about this little
- n difficulty" said NJ Jessant.
~ Il suppose my presence can
L \ = be 1sgarded es as as on only ~ sena, spa,
we can, There are formulas neces-
ary in France for these things, you
understand, my dear fellow. But I
think we can close your front doors
and get list of the names of those
in the building. We can also. II you
will, search those present as suggested
Then we shah see what we shall see!
Now who was II accompanied M. Ar
mand to the safe?"
It did, monsieur said the surete
man, stepping forward. There was
also vendeur named Lejarre."
"Is he present?"
A glance revealed that he was not.
The detective was sent to fetch him.
and on the mans departure, Santinl
got up and moved about restlessly.
lighting cigarette and finally coming
to Standstill near the door. The
room was small and already over
newcomer would be forced to stand
close to the window. Lejarre gave
no sign of recognition when his glance
met Santini's, but took his stand in the
only space available, to wit, the win
dow nook Santini kept his eyes fast
ened to LejarreS every movement, and
in another moment his vigilance was
rewarded. Lejarre stood close to the
window. AS his eyes met those Of the
prefet, he bowed; and a gold cigarette
case fell from the breast pocket
of his coat. Every eye, that Is, ex-
cept Santinl's, who saw, for the merest
second the letters 20. K" traced on
the windowpane by Lejarre's index
finger before they we're wiped out as
Lejarre slid his hand over them IN
STOPPING to retrieve his property.
Santini hardly listened to Lejarre's
catechism The man was admitting
readily enough that he had accom-
panied M Armand to the safe on each
of the occasions when Mrs. Sayers'
No. he had not handled them person.
ally, he had merely helped to count
the envelopes in which they were in
cased. He had never actually touched
the stones themselves. The detec-
tive confirmed this statement. Then
Jacques, the man who had removed
the stones from their setting, was
called He was quite certain that they
had been genuine Moreover all three
men were able to give detailed and
apparently accurate account OF their
movements during the past few days.
NJ. Jessant then turned to Armand.
Now my young one!' he said grave
ly. I understand from NJ. Piron that
you 60 from one department to the
other Is that right?"
1T isl" said Armand II am learn
ing the business. for what reason, you
Verv well know, NJ. lie Prefet.
Have you at any time been left
alone with the stones in question:"
Never" said Armand positively.
And they have never been left un-
guarded so far as you are alvarez"
Not to my knowledge" came the
reply. There have always been three
of us looking after them"
And the envelopes were always
away? BY whcm?"
Usually by all three in turn"
The prefet drew on one glove, and
turning to the table where the jewels
lay, picked up the papers which had
incased them and placed them in an
envelope which he drew from his
pocket. Then he turned to the assem-
bly, with a smile.
well, gentlemen" he said briskly,
wed better get on with the business
of searching. I suggest that If madame
will leave the room :" Mrs. Sayers
got to her feet and went obediently
to the door, where she turned.
Il will wait downstairs" she said.
sin your private Office if I may M.
Piron" AS soon as the door was closed
behind her, Santini held up his hands:
Since the idea was originally mine"
he said, you might begin on me-!
There was nothing incriminating to be
found on Santini, and the others who
followed. including Lejarre, were evil
dently clear. Last in line was Armand
de Pas, and as the detective approached
him, he suddenly drew back with a
murmur of protest. The gesture
caused a stir of excitement while
Lejarre and santini could l not resist
congratulation. Their stool-pigeon was
playing the part they had cast for
him far more admirably than they
had dared to hope.
What is it, Armand?" doomed the
prefet's deep voice. Have you any OBJ
jections to being searched?" The young
man turned crimson and found speech
difficult
Il have no objection" he said,
hoarsely. But should like to have it
done in privacy. Is there any neces-
sity for the gentlemen VINO nave alreaoy
been searched remaining?" The prefet
seemed to consider.
NO he said, at length. "Piron, py-
self and the detective officer are
sufficient witnesses
Huddled into an excited group. the
other men withdrew, and there was an
intense silence in the little private room
as the detective began his work. Ar
mands coat revealed nothing and was
laid aside. Then the man from the
surate ran expert fingers over the vest
and discarded that.
will monsieur take of his shirt,
please?" he then asked With swift
gesture Armand complied. Around his
neck was little cord from which
dangled a small chamois bag. There
was a sharp exclamation from the
three watchers as Armand took the
object and placed it in M Pirons hand.
open it, please!" he said trifle