The Crime of the French Café and Other Stories | Page 8

subject which he refused to discuss was the whereabouts of
his wife. When questioned about her, he invariably declined to speak.

"She's gone on a little pleasure trip," he said, "and I want her to enjoy it.
This affair will be all over when she gets back. She'll never hear of it,
where she is, and that's as it should be."
Nick returned to his house, where he was informed that a visitor was
waiting for him.
He found a gentleman somewhat under forty years of age, and
apparently in prosperous circumstances, pacing the study floor.
The visitor was evidently greatly excited about something, for his
hands trembled and he started nervously when Nick entered.
"Mr. Carter," he said, anxiously, "can I trust you fully?"
Nick laughed.
"I shan't do anything to prevent it," he said.
"Will you swear to keep what I shall tell you a secret?"
"No, sir; I will not."
The man made a despairing gesture.
"I supposed that your business was always strictly confidential," he
said.
"So it is, but I take no oaths."
"I didn't mean that exactly, but--but--"
The man hesitated, stammered, and was unable to proceed.
"Come, sir," said Nick; "be calm. Tell me plainly what you want me to
do for you."
"It isn't for me; it's for a--for a friend of mine."

"Very well; what can I do for your friend?"
"He is accused of a terrible crime, of which he is entirely innocent. I
want you to save him."
"I have been asked to do that many times."
"And you have always succeeded?"
"Oh, no; in several cases the persons have been hanged."
The visitor shuddered violently.
"I had heard," he said, "that you never failed to find the guilty persons
and to save the innocent."
"That is the truth. It has been my good fortune to leave no case
unsettled."
"But you said that these innocent persons had been hanged."
"They were hanged," said Nick, "but they were not innocent. Their
friends assured me that the persons were entirely guiltless, but it was
not true.
"And therefore," Nick continued, looking straight into the man's eyes,
"I should advise you to be very sure of your friend's innocence before
you put the case in my hands."
The visitor looked very much relieved.
"I'm perfectly sure of it," he cried. "My friend had nothing to do with
this case."
"I'm glad to hear it. Who is he?"
"The man who has been arrested in this restaurant murder case."
"John Jones?"

"That is the name he has given to the police."
"But isn't that his right name?"
"I--I don't know," stammered the visitor.
"He must be a very particular friend of yours, since you don't know
what his name is!"
"I never saw him in my life."
"Look here, Mr.--"
"Hammond is my name."
"Well, Mr. Hammond, your statements don't hang together. You began
by saying that this man was your friend."
"I didn't mean that exactly, but I sympathize with him. It must be
terrible to be arrested for such a crime and to find the evidence growing
stronger in spite of your innocence."
"How do you know that he is innocent?"
Before Hammond could reply there came a knock at the door.
Nick answered it.
"Come in, Gaspard," he said, throwing the door wide open.
"You sent for me, and--Good God! who is this?"
"You know him, then?"
"Yes, yes, I know him," cried Gaspard; "he is the man who was in
room A last night."
CHAPTER V.

PATSY'S TIP.
Gaspard's declaration produced a stunning effect upon Hammond.
At first he seemed thunderstruck. There was a look in his face which
made Nick say to himself, "It isn't true."
But whether the accusation was true or false, Nick knew at once that
Hammond recognized Gaspard.
Yet he couldn't be a regular visitor to the place, because Gaspard had
said that he had never seen either of the two men before the fatal
evening.
Therefore, as Hammond had recognized Gaspard, he must be the man
who was in room A, because the man in room B had not seen the head
waiter, according to Gaspard's story.
Hammond, after the first shock of surprise, recovered his nerve
wonderfully.
He calmly took a chair and sat there in deep thought for nearly five
minutes. He paid no attention to questions.
Finally he looked up and said:
"I don't know why I should deny it to you. There is no charge against
the man in room A."
"None whatever," said Nick. "He is wanted merely as a witness."
"It occurred to me that you might have some theory of a conspiracy in
which both men were concerned."
"I never thought of it."
"Then I am not to be put under arrest?"
"Certainly not, unless some new evidence appears,