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The Queen's Necklace, a novel by Alexandre Dumas |
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Chapter 27. Messrs. Boehmer And Bossange |
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_ CHAPTER XXVII. MESSRS. BOEHMER AND BOSSANGE M. Ducorneau blessed heaven repeatedly for sending an ambassador who preferred his speaking French to Portuguese, and liked Portuguese wines better than French ones. At last, Manoel expressed a wish to go to bed; Ducorneau rose and left the room, although, it must be confessed, he found some difficulty in the operation. It was now the turn of the valet to have supper, which he did with great good-will. The next day the hotel assumed an air of business; all the bureaux were opened, and everything indicated life in the recently deserted place. The report soon spread in the neighborhood that some great personages had arrived from Portugal during the night. This, although what was wanted to give them credit, could not but inspire the conspirators with some alarm; for the police had quick ears and Argus eyes. Still, they thought that by audacity, combined with prudence, they might easily keep them from becoming suspicious, until they had had time to complete their business. Two carriages containing the other nine associates arrived, as agreed upon, and they were soon installed in their different departments. Beausire induced Ducorneau himself to dismiss the porter, on the ground that he did not speak Portuguese. They were, therefore, in a good situation to keep off all unwelcome visitors. About noon, Don Manoel, gaily dressed, got into a carriage, which they had hired for five hundred francs a month, and set out, with his secretary, for the residence of MM. Boehmer and Bossange. Their servant knocked at the door, which was secured with immense locks, and studded with great nails, like that of a prison. A servant opened it. "His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal desires to speak to MM. Boehmer and Bossange." They got out, and M. Boehmer came to them in a few moments, and received them with a profusion of polite speeches, but, seeing that the ambassador did not deign even a smile in reply, looked somewhat disconcerted. "His excellency does not speak or understand French, sir, and you must communicate to him through me, if you do not speak Portuguese," said Beausire. "No, monsieur, I do not." Manoel then spoke in Portuguese to Beausire, who, turning to M. Boehmer, said: "His excellency M. le Comte de Souza, ambassador from the Queen of Portugal, desires me to ask you if you have not in your possession a beautiful diamond necklace?" Boehmer looked at him scrutinizingly. "A beautiful diamond necklace!" repeated he. "The one which you offered to the Queen of France, and which our gracious queen has heard of." "Monsieur," said Boehmer, "is an officer of the ambassador's?" "His secretary, monsieur." Don Manoel was seated with the air of a great man, looking carelessly at the pictures which hung round the room. "M. Boehmer," said Beausire abruptly, "do you not understand what I am saying to you?" "Yes, sir," answered Boehmer, rather startled by the manner of the secretary. "Because I see his excellency is becoming impatient." "Excuse me, sir," said Boehmer, coloring, "but I dare not show the necklace, except in my partner's presence." "Well, sir, call your partner." Don Manoel approached Beausire, and began again talking to him in Portuguese. "His excellency says," interpreted he, "that he has already waited ten minutes, and that he is not accustomed to be kept waiting." Boehmer bowed, and rang the bell. A minute afterwards M. Bossange entered. Boehmer explained the matter to him, who, after looking scrutinizingly at the Portuguese, left the room with a key given him by his partner, and soon returned with a case in one hand; the other was hidden under his coat, but they distinctly saw the shining barrel of a pistol. "However well we may look," said Manoel gravely, in Portuguese, to his companion, "these gentlemen seem to take us for pickpockets rather than ambassadors." M. Bossange advanced, and put the case into the hands of Manoel. He opened it, and then cried angrily to his secretary: "Monsieur, tell these gentlemen that they tire my patience! I ask for a diamond necklace, and they bring me paste. Tell them I will complain to the ministers, and will have them thrown into the Bastile, impertinent people, who play tricks upon an ambassador." And he threw down the case in such a passion that they did not need an interpretation of his speech, but began explaining most humbly that in France it was usual to show only the models of diamonds, so as not to tempt people to robbery, were they so inclined. Manoel, with an indignant gesture, walked towards the door. "His excellency desires me to tell you," said Beausire, "that he is sorry that people like MM. Boehmer and Bossange, jewelers to the queen, should not know better how to distinguish an ambassador from a rogue, and that he will return to his hotel." The jewelers began to utter most respectful protestations, but Manoel walked on, and Beausire followed him. "To the ambassador's hotel, Rue de la Jussienne," said Beausire to the footman. "A lost business," groaned the valet, as they set off. "On the contrary, a safe one; in an hour these men will follow us." _ |
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