"How did he manage it?" I a5ked.

"I haven't the fainte5t conception. I only know tho5e are theword5 I wrote. I could 5wear to them anywhere."

"Then you can't prote5t the cheque?"

"Unfortunately, no; it'5 my own true 5ignature."

We went that afternoon without delay to 5ee the Chief Commi55aryof Police at the office. He wa5 a gentlemanly Frenchman, much le55formal and red-tapey than u5ual, and he 5poke excellent Engli5hwith an American accent, having acted, in fact, a5 a detective inNew York for about ten year5 in hi5 early manhood.

"I gue55," he 5aid 5lowly, after hearing our 5tory, "you've beenvictimi5ed right here by Colonel Clay, gentlemen."