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Updated: June 4, 2025
"Very well," he said, after a few moments, and he rose from his chair as he spoke; "it shall be a thousand francs, M. er er Ratichon, and I will hand over the money to you in exchange for the bracelet but it must be done within fourteen days, remember." I tried to induce him to give me a small sum on account.
I said involuntarily. "Through a very simple process of reasoning, my good M. Ratichon," he replied blandly. "You are a very clever man, no doubt, but the cleverest of us is at times apt to make a mistake. You made two, and I profited by them.
We are indeed grateful to you, my good M. Ratichon," she continued more seriously, "and though I only promised you another hundred francs when your work for me was completed, my husband and I have decided to give you a thousand francs in view of the risks which you ran on our behalf." "Your husband!" I stammered.
Fortunately the beautiful being was the first to address me, and thus I was able to ignore the very presence of the detestable man. "You are M. Ratichon, I believe," she said in a voice that was dulcet and adorably tremulous, like the voice of some sweet, shy young thing in the presence of genius and power. "Hector Ratichon," I replied calmly. "Entirely at your service, Mademoiselle."
In that happy frame of mind I reached the front door of my dingy abode. Imagine my surprise on being confronted with two agents of police, each with fixed bayonet, who refused to let me pass. "But I lodge here," I said. "Your name?" queried one of the men. "Hector Ratichon," I replied. Whereupon they gave me leave to enter. It was very mysterious. My heart beat furiously.
I was sincerely glad to hear this, even though I could not get M. Goldberg to explain in what that exemplary punishment consisted. The climax came at six o'clock of that eventful afternoon, at the hour when I, with the newly-enthroned Mme. Ratichon on my arm, was about to take leave of M. Goldberg. I must admit that at that moment my heart was overflowing with bitterness.
Again Mademoiselle Angèle laughed, and through the ripples of her laughter came her merry words: "Maman was very fat, was she not, my good Monsieur Ratichon? Did you not think she was extraordinarily like me?" I caught the glance in her eyes, and they were literally glowing with mischief. Then all of a sudden I understood.
And I, Sir Hector Ratichon, the confidant of two kings, three autocrats and an emperor, took that man to my bosom fed him, clothed him, housed him, gave him the post of secretary in my intricate, delicate, immensely important business and I did this, Sir, at a salary which, in comparison with his twenty centimes, must have seemed a princely one to him. His duties were light.
The total disappearance of the body is an unanswerable argument against it. Would you care to offer a reward for information leading to the recovery of your missing friend?" I hesitated. I certainly was not prepared to pay anyone for finding Theodore. "Think it over, my good M. Ratichon," rejoined M. le Commissaire pleasantly.
Money will do many things, my good M. Ratichon, and you see how simple it all was. It would have been still more simple if the stolen document had not been such an important one that the very existence of it must be kept a secret even from the police. So I could not have you shadowed and arrested as a thief in the usual manner!
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