The Lost Ambassador by E. Phillips Oppenheim (rainbow fish read aloud TXT) π
I remained gloomily silent. It was one thing to avail myself of the society of a very popular little maitre d'hotel, holiday making in his own capital, and quite another to take him even a few steps into my confidence. So I said nothing, but my eyes, which travelled around the room, were weary.
"After all," Louis continued, helping himself to a cigarette, "what is there in a place like this to amuse? We are not Americans or tourists. The Montmartre is finished. The novelists and the story-tellers have killed it. The women come here because they love to show their jewelry, to flirt with the men. The men come because their womankind desire it, and because it is their habit. But for the rest there is nothing. The true Parisian may come here, perhaps, once or twice a year,--no more. For the man of the world--such as you and I, monsieur,--these places do not exist."
I glanced at my companion a l
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I retraced my steps upstairs. The Chinese ambassador, Vanhallon, and Lamartine were deep in conversation in the dead man's sitting-room. I was admitted to their confidence after a few minutes' hesitation. A draft for one hundred and sixty thousand pounds had been found upon the dead man, but notes to the value of forty thousand pounds were missing! They looked at me a little curiously as I entered, and Lamartine explained the situation to me.
"We were wondering about the young lady," he said.
"Then you need wonder no longer!" I said dryly. "I give my word for it that she is ignorant altogether of this scheme. She believed that her uncle was honestly attempting to carry out the plans for which his brother came to Europe, and as for searching for the money amongst her belongings, you might as well fly!"
"Where, then," Vanhallon demanded, "has it gone to? He has had so little time."
I opened my lips and closed them. After all, I had gained my end, and I had realized a little the folly of meddling with things which did not concern me. So I held my peace. I went and sat down by the side of my lady of the turquoises.
"Tell me," I said, "how did you find him?βand where? Has he been ill, or what is it that is the matter?"
I moved my head towards where Delora was sitting. The placid, child-like expression still remained with him. The tragedy which had happened only a few yards away had left him unmoved.
"I heard all about him from Henri," she said. "The scheme originally was his. Then they tried to hurry things through without usβwithout my man Henri, of whom they had made use. Henri came to London, and he died here! That much I know. How much more there is to be told, who can say? But I said to myself, 'I will be revenged!' I knew the hospital to which he had been takenβa private hospital from which few ever come out! But I went there, and I swore that I was his daughter. I frightened them all, for I knew that he had been drugged and poisoned till his brain had nearly given way. They thought him harmless, and they let him come with me. I brought him to England. I brought him here."
"And now?" I asked.
"Now I must go back," she answered, "but at least Henri is avenged!"
She leaned towards me.
"Tell whoever takes care of him," she whispered in my ear, "that he cannot live long. The doctors have assured me. It is a matter of weeks."
I walked with her to the door.
"It was an expensive journey for you," I remarked.
She laughed.
"Henri did leave me everything," she said. "I have no need of money. If monsieurβ"
She sighed, and looked towards the door of Felicia's room. Then she fluttered away down the corridor, and I slowly retraced my steps. Felicia came out in a few minutes and sat by her uncle's side. The others had all departed, and we were left alone.
"Dear," I said, "this is no place for you any longer. You must come with me, and bring your uncle."
She held out both her hands.
"Wherever you say, Austen!" she murmured.
A year afterwards I persuaded Felicia to lunch at the Milan. She was no longer nervous, for we were intensely curious to know if Louis were still there.
"There is no doubt," I reminded her, "that your Uncle Maurice received the sum of forty thousand pounds in notes. When he was found shot, there was in his pocket-book a draft to the amount of one hundred and sixty thousand pounds. The notes had vanished. I wonder where!"
"I wonder!" she answered.
A waiter whom I knew came up to greet us. I asked him about Louis. He held out his hands.
"Monsieur Louis," he declared, "had the great good-fortune. A relative who died left him a great sum of money. The hotel of Benzoli in St. James' Street was for sale, and Louis he has bought it. He makes much money now."
"Lucky Louis!" I murmured. "How much was this legacy? Do you know?"
"I have heard, sir," the man said, bending down, "that it was as much as forty thousand pounds!"
"So do the wicked flourish!" I murmured to Felicia.
"Monsieur will doubtless pay a visit to the CafΓ© Benzoli?" the man continued. "The cuisine is excellent, and many of Louis' friends have followed him there."
Felicia and I exchanged smiling glances.
"Somehow or otherβ" she murmured.
"I think the Milan will be good enough for us!" I said decidedly.
THE END
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