The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1914-12-31


The cabinet is quite unique-the most
beautiful. perhaps, that M. Boule ever
produced. Did you discover Madame
de Montespan's monogram"
mo. Mr.. Vantine said he was sure
it existed; but Godfrey and did not
look for it."
NJ. Armand opened the doors which
concealed the central drawers.
''Voila!" he said, and traced with his
finger the arabesque just under the
pedifnent. See how cunningly IT, has
been blended with the other figures,
And here Is the emblem OF the giver.
He pointed to a tiny golden sun with
radiAting rays on the base of the pedi-
ment, just above the monogram. lie
roi soleil!"
lie roi soleil!" 1 repeated. "of
course. We are stupid not to have dis
cerned it. That tells the whole story,
doesn't It? What is 1t, Parks" l 9dded,
as that worthy appeared at the door.
There's a van outside, sir" he said,
and a couple OF men are unloading
piece OF furniture. Is il all right. sirP"
it in here. And ask the man in charge
of the inventory to step over here q
mirute. Mr.. Vantine left his collec-
ton of art objects to the Metropolitan
museum" l explained to NJ. Armand.
and should like the representative of
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" 1 said to him, Mr..
vantine's executor; and this is M:
Felix Armand, OF Armand & Son, Of
Paris. We are correcting n. error which
was made just before Mr.. Vantine died.
That cabinet FOUNDER was shipped him
by mistake in place of one which he
had bought. M. Armand has caused
the right one to be sent over, and will
take away the one which belongs to
him. I have already spoken to the
museums attorney about the matter,
but wish you to be present when the
exchange was made"
II have no doubt It is all right, sir"
the museum man FASTENED to assure me.
You, of course, have personal knowl-
edge Of all this"
Certainly, Mr.. Vantine himself told
me the story"
Very we'll, SIR" but his eyes dwelt
lovingly upon the Boule cabinet. That
is very handsome piece" he added.
Il am sorry the museum Is not TO get II.
Perhaps you can buy 1t from M.
Armand" l suggested, but the curator
lauRned ana SnOOu Ills nSdu.
No. he said, I'VE couldn't AFFORD IL.
But Sir Caspar might persuade Mr..
Morgan to buy 1t for us-Pu 1-lention 1t
to him."
The two men, meanwhile, under NJ.
Armand's direction, had been strip
ping the wrappings from the other
cabinet, and 1t finally stood revealed.
1t, too, was a beautiful piece of furni-
ture, but even my unframed eye could
see how greatly it fell below the other.
I'VE shall be very pleased to have
Mr.. Morgan see it," said Nj. Armand,
with q smile. Il will net conceal from
you that we had already thought or
him.-as what dealer does not wien he
acquires something rare and beautiful?
shall endeaVor to secure an appoint
lncnt with him. Meanwhile ="
Meanwhile the raDiret is yours"
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. l
watched it disappear under the rough
covering with something like regret, for
already my eyes were being opened to its
beauty. Besides, I told myself again,
with in would disappear the last hope or
solving the mystery OF Phillip Vantines
death. However my reason might pro-
test, some instinct told me that, in
pectcd with that tragedy.
But at last the packing was done, and
NJ. Armand turned to me and held out
his hand.
Il shall hope to see you again, Mr..
Lester" he said, with a cOrdiality
which flattered me, land to renew our
very pleasant acquaintance. When
ever you are in Paris, 1 trust you will
not fail to honor me by letting me
know. 1 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, you are here in New
York :"
You are most kind" he broke in.
land 1 was myself hoping that we
compelled to proceed to Boston this
evening, and from there l shall go on
to Quebec. Whether l shall get back
to New York 1 do not know-it will
depend somewhat upon Mr.. Morgan's
attitude; we would scarcely entrust
business so delicate to our dealer II
1 do get back, shall let you know"
please do" urged. 1T will be
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 little smile.
II fear it is too difficult for a novice
like myself" he said. 1T Is impene-
trahle to 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.