The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1914-08-21

awaiting me when ! arrived at the
Vantine house. in company with Nj
Armand. But he was not there. and
when | asked for him Parks told me
that he had not seen him since the day
before.
confess that Godfrey's Indifference
to the fate OF the cabinet surprised me
greatly; besides. | was hoping that he
would wish to meet the fascinating
Frenchman-mor fascinating. if pos
sibe. than he had been on Monday
There had been less delay than he had
| anticipated in getting the cabinet off
the boat and through the customs. and
it was not yet 3 o'clock when we reach
ed the Vantine house.
II haven't seen Mr. Godfrey" Parks
repeated. but there's others here as it
fair breaks my heart to see"
He motioned toward the door Of the
music room. and. stepping to it, saw
that the inventory was already in prog
| resS
1.-The cabinet is in the room across
the hail." said to NJ. Armand. and led
the way through the anteroom into the
room beyond.
Parks switched on the lights for us.
and my companion glanced with sur
prise at the heavy shutters covering
the windows.
I'VE put those up for protection"
| explained. we had an idea that
some one would try to enter. In fact,
one evening we did find wire con-
Meeting with the burglar alarm cut
and, later on. saw some one peering in
through the hole in that shutter yon-
der"
You did," NJ. Armand queried quick
~. Would you recognize the man, if
you were to meet him again?"
"Oh, no: you see the hole is quite
small. There was nothing visible ex-
cept pair of eyes. Yet might know
them again. for never before saw
such eyes-so bright, so burning"
NJ. Armand was gazing at the cab
met, apparently only half listening.
will you show me how the secret
drawer is operated. Mr.. Lester?" be
said II am most curious about it."
! placed my hand upon the table and
pressed the three points which the
yelled lady had shown us. The little
handle fell forward with a click, and
pulled the ORA wer open.
He examined it with much interest;
pushed it back into place and then
opened it himself.
Very clever. indeed" he said. 81
have never seen another so we'll con-
cealed."
My friend and went over the cab
met very carefully and could not find
it." said.
Your friend-I think you mentioned
his name?"
Yes. His name is Godfrey"
"A man Of the law, like yourself?"
"Oh, no, newspaperman. But he
had been member of the detective
force before that. He is extra ordinarily
keen. But that combination was too
much for him."
NJ. Armand snapped the drawer back
into place with little crash.
Il am glad, at any rate, that it was
discovered" be said. Il will not con.
ceal from you, Mr.. Lester, that it adds
not a little to the value of the cabi-
net"
What is its value?" l asked. MIR
Vantine wanted me to buy it for him
and named a most extravagant figure
Is the limit he was willing to pay"
Really" NJ. Armand answered aft
er an instants hesitation. II would not
care to name a figure, Mr.. Lester,
without further consultation with my
father"
What is it, Parks?" l said as that
worthy appeared at the door.
There's a van outside, sir" be said,
land a couple of men are unloading
piece OF furniture. Is it all right, sir?"
YES" | answered. Have them
bring it in here. and ask the man in
charge of the inventory to step over
here minute. Mr.. Vantine left his
collection OF art objects to the Metro
politan Museum" explained to NJ
Armand, land should like the repre-
sentative of the museum to be present
when the exchange is made"
Certainly" he assented. THAT is
very just"
Parks was back in a moment, pilot
ing two men who carried between
them an object swathed in burlap
and the Metropolitan man followed
them in.
Il am Mr.. Lester" | said to him,
Mr.. Vantine's executor. and this is
NJ. Felix Armand of Armand & Son of
farls, We are correcting an error
which was made just before Mr.. Van
tine died. That cabinet yonder was
shipped him by mistake in place of
one which he had bought NJ. Armand
has caused the right one to be sent
over and will take away the one which
belongs to him. | have already spoken
TO the museums attorney about the
matter, but | wished you to be present
when the exchange was made"
THAT is very handsome piece"
said the Metropolitan man. II am
sorry the museum is not to get it."
The two men meanwhile. under NJ
A