Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1914-04-30

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?" he
said. II am most curious about it,"
Tplaced my hand upon the table and
pressed the three points which the
yelled lady had shown us. The little
handle fell forward with Il click, and |
pulled the drawer open.
he examined it with much interest:
pushed it back into place and then
opened it himself.
Very clever. indeed" he said. ~
have never seen another so we'll con-
cealed."
My friend and l vent ver the cab
met very carefully and could not find
it." l said.
Your friend-I think you mentioned
his name"
Yes. His name is Godfrey
"A man Of the law, like y%ourself:"
"Oh. no. Il newspaperman. But he
had been Il member of the detective
force before that. He is extraordinarily
keen. But that combination was too
much for him"
NJ. Armand snapped the drawer back
into place with a little crash.
Il am glad. at any rate. that it was
discovered" he said. Il will not con-
ceal from you. Mr.. Lester. that it adds
not Il little to the value of the cabi-
net"
What is it's value?" l asked. MIR.
Vantine wanted me to buy it for him
and named a most ~eXtravagant figure
as the limit he was willing to pay"
Really" NJ. Armand answered aft
er an instant's hesitation. 'I would not
care to name a figure. Mr.. Lester.
without further consultation with my
father"
What is it. Parks?" | said as that
worthy appeared at the door.
There's a van outside, SIR he said.
land a couple Of men are unloading a
piece of furniture. Is it all right, STRIP
Yes" l answered. Have them
bring it in here, and ask the man in
charge Of the inventory to step over
here Il minute. Mr.. Vantine left his
collection Of art objects to the Metro
politan Museum" I explained to NJ.
Armand. and | should like the repre-
sentative of the museum to be present
when the exchange is made"
Certainly" be 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.
II am MIR. Lester" l said to him.
Mr.. Vantine's executor, and this is
NJ. Felix Armand of Armand & Son of
Paris. 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
u 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. l have already spoken
to the museums attorney about the
matter, but l wished you to be present
when the exchange was made"
THAT is a very handsome piece"
said the Metropolitan man. Il am
sorry the museum is MOI to get it."
The two men meanwhile, under M.
Armand's direction. had been strip
ping the wrappings from the other cab
met. and it finally stood revealed. 1t.
too. was a beautiful piece Of furni-
ture. but ever my unframed y could
see how greatly it fell below the other.
THE other cabinet is yours" | said
to M. Armand.
Il shall hope to see you again. Mr..
Lester" he said. with a cordially
which fattered 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"
Thank you" | said. II shall GER
tainly remember that invitation. And
meanwhile. since you are here in New
York.
you are most kind" he broke in.
land | was myself hoping that we
might at least dine together. But l
am compelled to proceed to Boston
this evening. and from there / shall go
on to Quebec"
Then he signed to the two men to
take up the cabinet and himself laid
a protecting hand upon it as it was
carried through the door and down
the steps to the van which was back
ed up to the curb. 1t was lifted care
fully inside. the two men clambered
in beside it, the driver spoke to the
horses. and the van rolled slowly way
up the avenne.
M. Armand watched it for a moment.
then mounted into the cab which was
waiting. waved Il last farewell to me
and followed after the van. We
watched it until it turned westward at
the first cross street.
Mr.. G%odfrey's occupation will be
gone" said Parks. with a little laugh.
"He has fairly lived with that cabinet