He broaches his business. "I want to see your passenger lists for
1865." He has notes of Vimont's in his hand. While the underlings
bring out dusty old folios, Joe distributes his pet cigars. He is
always welcome.
Looking over the ancient records he finds on a trip of the Golden
Gate, the following entries:
Madame de Santos,
Miss Isabel Valois,
Marie Berard and child.
He calls the bookkeeper. "Can you tell about these people?"
The man of ink scans the entry. He ponders and says:
"I'll tell you who can give you all the information, Colonel Joe.
Hardin was lawyer for this lady. He paid for their passages with
a check. We note these payments for our cash references. Here is
a pencil note: 'CK Hardin.' I remember Hardin coming himself."
"Oh, that's all right!" says the Argonaut.
An adjournment of "all hands," to "renew those pleasing assurances,"
is in order.
"Ah, my old fox!" thinks Woods. "I am going to find out who gave
Marie Berard that other child. But I won't ask YOU. YOUR TIME IS
TOO VALUABLE, Judge Philip Hardin."
He gives his driver an extra dollar at the old City Hall.
Joe Woods thinks he is alone on the quest. He knows not that the
Archbishop's secretary is reading some long Latin letters, not three
blocks away, which are dated in Paris and signed Francois Ribaut.
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