Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-10-01

way. he don't know much English. He
amt much of Il locker, sir-Ive seen
hundreds like him sitting out in front
OF the cafes along the ~boulevards, TAX
ing all afternoon to drink a book"
Vantlne seemed struck by a sudden
1uea, ana he looked at the card again.
Then he tapped it meditatively on
the table.
Shall I show him out, sir?" asked
Parks, at last.
Mo- said Vantine, after an i%nstant's
hesitation. Tell him to wait" and he
ropped the card on the table beside
his plate.
Parks withdrew. when I went down
stairs this morning and saw the cabin
ct, 1 could hardly believe my eyes.
thought 1 knew furniture, but I hadn't
any idea such a cabinet existed. The
most beautiful I had ever seer is at the
Louvre. 1t stands in the Sale Louis
tourteenth, to the left as you enter. 1t
belonged to Louis himself. OF course
l can't be certain without a careful x
but 1 believe that cabinet,
beautiful as 1t Is, is merely the counter
part of this one"
He paused and looked at me. his
eyes bright with the enthusiasm of the
connoisseur.
I'm not sure I understand your Jar
son,- 1 said: What do you mean by
counterpart"
"Boule furniture" he explained. sis
usually Of ebony inlaid with tortoise
smell, and incrusted with ar%abesaues in
metals OF various kinds. The incrusta-
llon a to be very exact, and to get it
SO. the artist clamped together two
Plates OF equal size and thickness, one
OF metal. the other Of tortoise Shell,
Traced his design on the ton one. and
then cut them both out together. The
result was two combinations, the orig
maj, with a tortoise shell ground and
metal applications; and the counter
part, applique metal with tortoise shell
a~rapes1ues. The original was really the
a which the artist designed and
whose effects he studied; the counter
p.It was merely a resultant accident
win which he was not especially con-
cerned. Understand"
Yes thislk So" / said. tits a good
deal as though Michael Angelo. when
he made one of his sketches, white on
BLACK. put a sheet of carbon under his
n made a copy at the same
Tune. black on white"
Precisely. And it's the original
which has the rea artistic value OF
course, the counterpart is often beauti-
ful. too, but in a much lower degree"
Il can understand that" I said.
Ana now. Lester" Vantine went on.
his eyes shining more and more
~ my supposition is correct-if the
Gfand Louis was content with the
counterpart Of this cabinet for the long
gallery at Versailles, who do Won sun,
pose owned the original?'
saw what he was driving at.
you mean one of his mistresses? 2"
Yes, and [ think I know which one
1t belonged to Madame de Montespan."
stared at him in establishment. as
no SAT hnoiy IN 1i, ol~;. -.---I
"But.' l objected, you can't be
or course I'm not sure he agreed
quickly. That is to say 1 couldn't prove
1t. But there is some-ah-contribu-
tory evidence, 1 think you lawyers can
Boule and the Montespan were in
tnelr glory at the same time, and 1 can
missioning the ~flamboyant artist to
build her just such a cabinet
Really, Vantine,"'I exclaimed. ct
know you were so romantic. You
quite take my breath away"
He flushed a little at the words. and
saw how deeply in earnest he was.
The craze of the collector takes him
q long way sometimes" he said. But
believe I know what Pm talking about.
! am gong to make a careful examina-
ton OF the cabinet as soon as I can.
Perhaps I'll find something-there
ought to be a monogram on it some
where. What I want you to do is to
my shippers, Armand ct Fills. Rue
du Temple. find out who owns this cab
met, n buy it for me-"
Perhaps the owner won't sell it." ]
ooh yes, he will. Anything can be
bought-for a price"
You mean you're going to have this
whatever the cost p"
II mean just that"
But, surely, there's a Nmit?"
No, there isn't"
AT least you'll tell me where to be-
l said. Il don't know anything
Of the value Of such things
well" said Vantine, Suppose YOU
begin at 10000 francs. We mustn't seem
too eager. It's because Tn SO eager,
wan you to carry it through for me.
I can't trust myself"
And the other end?"
There isn't any other end. or course.
speaking, there is, because my
money isn't unlimited; but I don't be-
ieve you will have to go over 500. 900
I gasped.
You mean you're willing to give
for this cabinet?"
Vantine nodded.
Maybe a little more. II the owner
aSCcpL Hal, you must let me
before. you break off negotiations.
q little mad about it. I fancy-all
collectors are a little mad. But I want
cabinet, and I'm going to have it,"
l did not reply. I only looked at him.
And he laughed as he caught my
Il can see you share that opinion.
Lester" he said. You fear for me. II
N blame you-but come and see it."
He led the way out OF the room and
Town the stairs: but when we reached
lower hall, he paused.
Perhaps. I'd better see my visitor
[lrst, he said. You'll find a new pic
Eure Or two v there in the music
be with % in a minute"
4 started on. and he turned through
doorway at the left.
An instant later. / heard a sharp ex-
ciamation; then his voice calling me.
Lester! Come here!" he cried.
! ran back along the hall, into the
room which he had entered. He was
tandin just inside the door,.
Look here" he said, with a queer
catcn IN his voice, and pointed with a
sren1oling hand to q dark object on the
I moved aside TO see It better. Then
neart gave q sickening throb; for
object on the floor was the body Of