The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1917-03-05
CHAPTER 7
a Connoisseur's Vaaary

RttAi Et
a connoisseur's Vaaary
As aoon IA Philip Vantino re.
who had long been his friend, as
we'll as his lawyer. 10 lunch.
Vantlne was about fifty years OF
age, the poHaeaAor of a comfortable
fortune, IA connolheeur In art mat.
tera, collector OF old furniture.
and a bachelor.
lie came into the hall to meet
me when ! arrived. and We shook
hands heartily lie was looking In
excellent health. and brown from
the voyage over.
ITS plain TO see that the trip
did You good" said.
Yes" he agreed. but come
along. We can talk at table. There's
little difficulty want you to un.
tangle for me"
followed him upstairs TO his
study, where table laid for two
had been placed near q low win.
dow.
Il suppose you found some now
things while you we're away" !
said.
"Yes-and it's that wanted to
talk TO you about. brought back
six or eight pieces. They are all
pretty good, and one Is a ihlng Of
beauty Tia more than that--lts
an absolutely unique work OF art.
Only. unfortunately. Il isn't mine"
n, isn't yourBT''
NO: and | don't know whose Il
Is. II did. I'd no buy II. That's
what want YOU 10 do for me It's
Bcule oahinet---the most exquisite
| ever saw"
Where did II come from7" l
Questioned.
1T cam. from Paris. and II was
addressed TO me. The only ex.
PLANTATION can think OF IL that my
shippers ~ Paris made a mistake. ."
You had bought one. thenf"
Yes ana n hasn't turned mp.
But beside this one. it's a mere
dRub Come In" he added. answer.
ing a tap at tho door.
Tn. door opened and Nantinein
man came In and handed Vantinc
card
vantlnc looked at It little blank
ly.
Il don't know him." hs said.
What does he WANT
"Ho wants to see you. sir"
what ahoutY"
Well. couldn't Just make out.
sir"
Couldn't make ou,f What do
you mean. parkS7"
= think he's a Frenehman. sir:
anyway. he don't know much Eng
! fish"
Vantine seemed struck by a sud.
den idea, and he looked at the card
again.
Shall show him out. sir7"
asked Parks. at last
NO" said vantine. Tell him
TO wait"
Il tell ron. Lester" he went on.
"a Parks withdrew. whom saw
that cabinet. I could hardly believe
my eyes. The most beautiful had
ever seen IN nj the Louvre. II
stands In the Sale Louis -Four.
teenth. II belonged 10 Louis him.
self. OF course can't be certain
without a careful examination. but
believe that cabinet. beautiful IA
| Z, Is. II merely the counterpart OF
this one"
I'm not sure ! understand your
isrwcn." sald. What do you
mean by counterpart
| "Bouls furniture" he explained.
ia usually OF ebony iniaid with tor.
toise she'll. and lncrnsted with ara.
besauos in metals OF various kinds.
/ The incrustatlon had to be very
exact. and 20 get II so. the artist
clamped together two plates Of
equal size and thickness. one Of
metal. tho other OF toFtolEc-ahell
traced his design on the top one.
and then cut them both out to-
gcther. Tho result was two com.
binations. the original. with a tor,
toise-ahell ground and metal aprli.
cations: and the counterpart. ap-
rllque metal with tortoise she'll ara.
besques Understand"
Yes. | think so" said.
And now. Lester" vantine went
on. ~ the Grand Louis was con.
tent with the counterpart Of this
cabinet for the long gallery at Yer.
sailles. who do you suppose owned
the original"
saw what he was driving az,
l"iou moan one of his mistresses? p
Yes, and think know which
one--it belonged TO Madame de
Montespan,"
stared NJ him In establishment.
as he sat back in his chair. smiling
acress Mt mo.
But" | objected. you can't be
sure"
"Of course I'm not sure he
agreed quickly. That Is to say. |
couldn't prove IT, But Boule and
l the Montespan were In their glory
at the same time. and can imagine
that flamboyant creature commits.
sloning the flamboyant artist TO
build her Just such cabinet"
Really, Vantlne." exclaimed. II
didn't know you we're 80 romantic. -
He flushed a little al tho words.
The craze of the collector takes
him long way. sometimes" he
said. But ! am going 20 mako a
careful examination OF the cabinet
as soon as | can. Perhaps I'll find
something there ought to be a
monogram on II somewhere. What
want you to do is to cable my
shippers, Armand ct Fills. Rue du
Temple. find ont who owns this cab.
met. and buy II for me"
And after he had told me how
much 10 offer for the cabinet he
asked me to come with him to see
| IL.
He led the way down stairs; but
when we reached the lower hall. he