All-Story Weekly, March 1, 1919 — page 132: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

= with no ieee of expression, and bade: - Gaspard show the visitor up. = Larocque did not rise as he entered a - moment later, but bowed courteously and bade him seat himself, at the same time E stiering to pour him a cup of coffee, and tendering his cigarette-box, which Lapierre smilingly refused. , . “To what am I indebted—” inquired - Larocque, gently stirring a fresh lump of - sugar into his cup. _ * Monsieur will, I trust, pardon so early a call,” began Lapierre, whose sleepy eyes and gentle voice conveyed a curious im- pression of amiable indifference. “* I wished to make sure of finding him at home, and I am aware that early forenoon is, per- haps, the only time one may be sure of - meeting an agreeable young gentleman of ~ leisure in his own ménage. I come, as you have doubtless guessed, in connection with your case.’ ey My. eae? repeated Larocque, with a slight lift of his eyebrows. “The Banc d’Afrique affair, in connec- tion with which monsieur tendered his resig- nation,” explained Lapierre. | “True,” nodded Larocque, after finish- ing the last swallow of coffee and pushing aside his cup. “I resigned, pending the dis- covery of the guilty party, which I under- - stand the police are at work upon, and ' after which I shall resume my place at the bank. The idea was wholly mine.” Quite so,” agreed Lapierre—‘‘ so that an early disposal of the case will gratify - monsieur as well as the Banc d’Afrique and - the police. I have had the honor to be assigned to obtain from you the final state- ment necessary to complete our case, which is at present at an impasse.” “The police, then, have failed?” La- - rocque inquired politely. “Not at all, M. Larocque; they have _ merely finished their. part of the investiga- ~ tion, and now I am detailed to secure from you the confession which will supplement and complete the task of the prefecture.” Ss ‘Henri Laracque lighted a cigarette, and ~ slowly inhaled it, eying Lapierre thought- Re Bee meanwhile. “You speak very glibly of my ‘con- war) ; x a fesion” M. Soma a Said at ees a fee ma * Y 5 ay: = ses = : = - e ce es =e : = — =sS “ x Sees ate Se a Sang Shek ey Eb rors ea peaeoee = Sa a eee nas oo in, rather than to call upon me openly.” , m => eee Ls . : SS Fe x ALL- STORY ‘WEEKLY. ye se “As a matter of fact, you have not a particle of evidence against me.” “That is why your confession is de- sired,” explained Lapierre. “‘ You see, mon- steur, the dossier of the case is now at the prefecture, complete up to this point. We know that one of three men committed the Banc d’Afrique—robbery. Two of them have been eliminated. There remains your- self. Thus your confession, attached to this dossier, renders it a finished document, and ends our labors.” ‘On what grounds have these other two been eliminated — and the crime fastened upon me?” ‘“T have no more idea than you have,” Lapierre frankly admitted. “ This part of the investigation was in charge of Others. I have only just been called in.” - Incredulity overspread Larocque’s rather indolent features. “You mean to tell me, monsieur, that you have called to secure a confession from me this morning?” he asked. Lapierre shrugged. ‘This morning, or later; entirely at your own convenience, of course.”’ ‘“ And you actually think I will confess?” For the first time tape looked sur- prised. ‘Think it?” he said; ‘“ why, .certainly! Otherwise I should not have come.” He drew forth a gun-metal case, selected a thin black cigar, and lighted it after ask- ing permission. ‘““ And why should I do such an astound- ing thing, even if I were guilty, which I am not? How do you propose to secure. this confession?”’ | ‘“T haven’t the least idea in the world,” confessed Lapierre. ‘“ I haven’t the happi- ness to knew monsieur as yet. I must familiarize myself with his temperament. My visit was undertaken to inform him that it is to be my agreeable task to be thrown much in his society from now on, in order that I may learn how best to _ secure this confession.” “You mean that I am to be shadowed? Then I should have expected monsieur to don green whiskers and horn-spectacles, or whatever it is shadows disguise themselves -- a nag Pe oo © 0). ae ne ; ae , df 2a " Ot) & a “fat. "hit BRAS Cartes ee CAE, , Ad a Fi ee yy ; ¥ I Re a