Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1914-12-31

The cabinet is quite unique-the most |
beautiful, perhaps, that NJ. Boule ever
produced. Did you discover Madame
de Montespan's monogram"
No. Mr.. Vantine said he was sure
1t existed; but Godfrey and I did not
look for it."
M. Armand opened he doors which
concealed the central drawers.
"Voila!" he said, and traced with his
finger the arabesque just under the
pediInent. See how cunningly it, has
been blended with the other figures,
And here is the emblem Of the giver.s
He pointed to a tiny golden sun with
radiating rays on the base of The pedi-
ment, just above the monogram. "Le
roi ~soleil!"
lie roi soleil!" 1 repeated. "Or
course. We are stupid not to have dis
cerned it. That tells the whole story,
doesn'; it? What is it, Parks l added,
as that worthy appeared at the door.
There's 81 van outside, sir he said
and a couple of men are unloading a
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 3
minute. MI. Nantine left his col!ec"
ton of art objects to the Metropolitan
museunl.' l explained to NJ. Armand.
and l should like the representative OF
| tiiS bllCUSCll1l " De PICSClll when tltJ
exchange is made"
"Certainly,' hr 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 l said to him, Mr..
Nantine's executor; and this is M.
Felix Armand. of Armand 4 Son, of
Paris. We are correcting ~. error which
was made just before Mr.. Vantine died.
That cabinet FOUNDER was shipped him
by mistake in place of II which no
had bought. NJ. Armand has caused
the right n to be sent over, and will
take away the one which belongs to
him. l have already spoken to the
museums attorney about the matter,
but ! wish you to be present when the
exchange was made
Il have no doubt il is all right, SIR
the museum man FASTENED to assure me.
You, of course, AVE personal knowl-
edge of all this"
Certainly. Mr.. vantine himself told
me the story"
Very well, sir" but his eyes dwelt.
lovingly upon tn. Boulc cabinet. THAT
is a very handsome piece" he added.
Il am sorry the museum is not to get It,"
Perhaps you can buy it from M.
Armand" / suggested. hut the curator
laughed and shood his head.
No he said, I'VE couldn't afford it.
But Sir Caspar might persuade Mr..
Morgan to buy it for uS--Ill mention 1t
to him."
The two men, meanwhile, under NJ.
Arnland's direction, had been strip
ping the wrappings from the other
cabinet, and it finally stood revealed.
1t, too, was a beautiful piece of furni-
ture, but wen my unframed eye could
see how greatly it fell below the other.
We shall be very pleased to have
Mr.. Morgan see it" said NJ. Armand,
with Il smile. Il Will not conceal from
you that we had already thought OF
hi1n-as what dealer does not Wien he
acquires something rare and beautiful?
l shall endeavor to secure an appoint
ment with him. Meanwhile ="
meanwhile the lapilct is ours"
said.
He made a little deprecating gesture.
and then proceeded to have the cabinet
very carefully wrapped in the burlap
| which had been around the other one. /
watched 1t disappear under the rough
covering with something like regret, for
already my eyes We're being opened to it's
beauty. Besides, ] told myself again.
with in would disappear the last hope Of
solving the mystery of Phillip Vantine's
death. However my reason might pro-
test, some instinct told me that, in
| some way the Boule cabinet was con-
nectcd with that tragedy.
But at last the packing was done, and
M. Armand turned to HE and held out
his hand.
II shall hope to see you again, Mr..
Lester" he said, with a cordially
which flattered me, and to renew our
very pleasant acquaintance. When
ever you are in Paris, l trust you will
not fail to honor me by letting me
know. | shall count it a very great
privilege to display for you some of the
beauties Of our city not known to every
one"
THANK you'll said. Il shall certain
ly remember that invitation. And mean
while. since o are here in New
York :"
you are most kind" he broke in,
"and 1 was myself hoping that we
might at least dine together. But l am
compelled to proceed to Boston this
evening, and from there l shall go on
to Quebec. Whether i shall get back
to New York / do not know-it will
depend somewhat upon Mr.. Morgan's
attitude: we would scarcely entrust a
business so delicate to our dealer. If
1 do get back, / shall let you know"
please do" / urged. TT will be a
very great pleasure to me. Besides, I
am still hoping that some solution of
this mystery may occur to you"
He shook his head with a little smile.
II fear it Is too difficult for a novice
like myself" he said. 1T is impene-
trabla tc me. If a solution is discov-
cred, 1 trust you will inform me. 1t is
certain to be most interesting"
II will" l promised, and we shook
hands again.
"aptipue6 neyt week