The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-12-24


removed; that heroic rear-guard of the
old order of things would be destroyed;
In year or two, monster or steel
and stone would rise on the spot where
three generations OF Vantines had lived
their lives; and the collection, so uni
fled and coherent, to which the last
Vantine had devoted his life, would DO
merged and lost in the vast collections
OF the museum. 1t was q sad ending.
Gentleman TO see you, sir" said the
Office boy, as sat down at my desk,
and moment later, NJ. Felix Armand
was shown In to me. #..
have only to close my eyes to call
again before me that striking person
atty. for Felix Armand was one Of the
most extraordinary men ever had
the pleasure Of meeting. Ruddy-faced,
bright-eyed, with dark full beard and
waving hair almost Jet black-hair that
crinkled about his ears In way that
I can describe by no other word than
fascfnating-he gave the impression of
tremendous strength and virility. There
was about him, too. an afr Of culture
not to be mistaken; the air OF a man
who had Travelled much, seen much,
and mixed with many people, high and
low; the air Of q man at home any
where. In any society. It Is impossible
adequate idea OF his vivid personality;
but l confess that, from the first mo-
ment. was both impressed and
charmed by him. And / am still inn
pressed; more. perhaps, that at first,
now that I know the whole story
but you shall hear.
speak English very badly, SIR"
f ne said as he sat down. IF you speak
Not half so we'll as you speak Eng
fish," I laughed. 1T can tell that from
your first sentence"
In that event, will do the best
can," he said, smiling, land you must
pardon my plumbers, First, Mr.. Lester,
on behalf OF Armand ct Fills, I must
ask your pardon for this mistake, so
inexcusable."
1t was a mistake, then" asked.
one most embarrassing to us. We
cannot find for 1t an explanation. Be
lieve me. Mr.. Lester. 1t is not, our habit
70 make mistakes; we have q reputa-
non or which ye are very proud; but
the cabinet which was purchased by
Mr.. Vantine remained In our ware
house, and this other one waa boxed
and shipped to him. We are investi-
eating most rigid1y"
Then Mr.. Vantine's cabinet Is still
In PARISH
mo, Mr.. Lester; the error was dis
covered some days ago, and the cabi-
net belonging to Mr.. Vantine was
shipped to me here. It should arrive
next Wednesday on La Provence. I
shall myself receive It. and deliver it
to Mr.. Vantine."
Mr.. Vantine is dead" said. you
did not know"
He sat staring at me for a moment.
as though unable to comprehend.
Did 1 understand that you said Mr..
Vantine is dead?" he stammered.
l told him briefly as much as knew
OF the tragedy. while he sat regarding
me with an air OF stupefaction.
1T is curious you saw nothing of II
full Of it,"
Il have been visiting friends at Que
bec," he explained. 1T was there that
the message from our house found me,
commanding me to hasten here.
started at once and reached this city
Saturday. I drove here directly from
the station, but was SO unfortunate as
to miss you"
Il am sorry to have caused you so
much trouble" I said.
But my dear Mr.. Lester" he pro-
tested, 1T Is for us to take trouble.
A blunder Of this sort we feel as a dis
grace. My father, who is Of the old
school, is most upset concerning II.
But this death Of Mr.. Vantine-it is a
many times. He was a real connoisseur
we have lost one Of our most valued
patrons. You say that he was found
dead in a room at his house?"
Yes and death resulted from a small
wound on the hand into which some
very tss; =, powerful poison had been in
That is most curious. In what man
ner was such wound made?"
That we don't know. had a the
DRY
"YesT he questioned, his eyes
cleaning with interest.
"A few hours previously, another
man had been found in the same room,
killed in the same way"
Another mani"
"a stranger who had called to see
Mr.. Vantine. My theory was that both
this stranger and Mr.. Vantine had
been killed while trying to open a
secret drawer in the Boule cabinet.
Do you know anything Of the history
I'VE believe 1t to have been made
for Madame de Montespan by Mon
sieur Boule himself" he answered. 1T
Is the original of one now in the
Louvre which Is known to have be-
longed to the Grand Louis"
THAT was Mr.. Vantine's belief" l
said. why he should have arrived at
that conclusion, don't know"
Mr.. Vantine was connoisseur,"
said M. Armand, quietly. There are
certain indications which no connois-
seur could mistake"
1T was his guess at the history Of
the cabinet" l explained. which gave
me the basis for my theory. A cabinet
belonging to Madame de Montespan
would. Of course, have a secret draw
err; and since. it was made In the days
Of de Brinvilliers and La Voisin, what
more natural than that 1t should be
guarded by a poisoned mechanism"
What more natural, indeed!"
breathed my companion, and / fan
cied that he looked at me with a new
interest In his eyes. 1T Is good rea-
soning, Mr.. Lester"
1T seemed to explain a situation
for which no other explanation has
been found" I said. And Ii had also
the merit Of picturesqueness."
TT is unique" he agreed eagerly, his
eyes burning like two Goals of fire, so
intense was his interest. II have been
from boyhood," he added, noticing my
glance, "a lover of tales of mystery.
They have for me a fascination 7 can
not explain; there Is In my blood
something that responds to them.
feel sometimes that would have made
a great detective-or a great criminal.
Instead Of which l am merely dealer
in curtos. You can understand how I
am fascinated by story so outre as
this"
PERHAPS Won can assist US" | sug-