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Updated: June 16, 2025
Grady, who has been the head of our detective bureau; this is Mr. Simmonds, a member of his staff; this is Mr. Lester, an attorney and friend of mine; and this is Mr. Shearrow, my personal counsel. Mr. Grady, Mr. Simmonds and Mr. Lester were present, last night," he added blandly, "when Crochard opened the secret drawer." Grady reddened visibly, and even I felt my face grow hot.
I pledged my word; and the bargain was made." As he said this, Crochard, surnamed Bagnolet, sighed deeply and noisily, like a man whose heart has been relieved of a grievous burden. He really felt prodigiously relieved. To have to confess everything on the spot, without a moment's respite to combine a plan of apology, was a hard task.
The cabinet is not only interesting in itself, but will be doubly so to you because of the part it has played in our little comedy. And I should like to know that it adorns a corner of your home. "Till we meet again, dear sir, believe me "Your sincere admirer, "CROCHARD, L'Invincible!" "He's a good sport, isn't he?" asked Godfrey, as I silently handed the letter back to him.
It so chanced that on entering the church, instead of meeting the man he expected, who was a trifle late, Charles Crochard came face to face with a celebrated agent of the detective force, who was well known to him, inasmuch as the young rascal was not at his first scrimmage with the police.
The same thought was in my own mind; if Godfrey had run down Crochard and got the diamonds, without a life-and-death struggle, that engaging rascal must be much less formidable than I had supposed. "My dear Grady," said Godfrey, "I haven't seen Crochard since the minute you took him off the boat. I'd have had him, if you had let Simmonds call me. That's what I had planned.
It was for a second only; the next instant his features resumed their icy immobility; and, turning to the accused, he said in a tone of command, "Hand me the notes!" Crochard did not stir; but his livid countenance betrayed the fierce suffering he endured. Certainly, at this moment, he did not play a part.
That man was Crochard, I am sure; but he will deny it; and the prosecution will have nothing but probabilities to oppose to his denial, unless I can find the place where he changed his clothes." "Excuse me, there is a way to ascertain his identity." "How?"
First listen to what I have to say. I know now who Evariste Crochard, surnamed Bagnolet, really is; and I know the principal events of his life. Ah! it has cost me time and labor enough; but human justice is patient, doctor.
Who, I wondered, had bought the Mazarin? Surely there was a diamond most difficult to sell. It could, of course, be cut up but that would be sacrilege! That question was answered, before long, in an unexpected way a way which filled many columns in the papers, which delighted the comedy-loving French, and which gave Crochard a unique advertisement.
"But you did not know of the Boule cabinet and of the secret drawer?" "No; of that we knew nothing. I must examine that famous cabinet." "It is worth examining. And it has an interesting history. But you did know, of course, that Crochard would seek a market for the diamonds here in America?" "We knew that he would try to do so, and we did everything in our power to prevent it.
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