Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 5, 2025
When I say I am called Valmont, the name will convey no impression to the reader, one way or another. My occupation is that of private detective in London, but if you ask any policeman in Paris who Valmont was he will likely be able to tell you, unless he is a recent recruit. If you ask him where Valmont is now, he may not know, yet I have a good deal to do with the Parisian police.
Do you agree with me, Monsieur Valmont? 'Perfectly. You follow exactly the line of my own reasoning. 'Very well. It is unlikely that a born thief was one of Mr. Gibbes's guests. Therefore we are reduced to look for a man under the spur of necessity; a man who has no money of his own but who must raise a certain amount, let us say, by a certain date.
'Monsieur Valmont, I am delighted to hear that you have got on well amongst us. This money is for two purposes. First, you will use what you need. I know Paris very well, monsieur, and have never found gold an embarrassment there.
Of course, if one is to unravel such a snarl as that in which we find ourselves, he must be made aware of every particular, must he not? 'Certainly, my lady. 'Very well, Monsieur Valmont, I shall supply any deficiencies that occur in my uncle's conversation with you. There is one point on which I should like to warn you.
At these words, spoken with sincerity, I sat up in my chair, and I am sure such an expression of enjoyment came into my face that if I had not instantly suppressed it, I might have betrayed myself. 'Who was Eugène Valmont? I asked, in a tone of assumed indifference. Mixing his fifth glass he nodded sagely. 'You wouldn't ask that question if you'd been in Paris a dozen years ago.
Indeed, I believe it is a written or unwritten law of the legal profession that the acceptance of such a proposal as Lord Chizelrigg made to me, would, if proved, result in the disgrace and ruin of the lawyer. 'Monsieur Valmont, began Lord Chizelrigg, 'do you ever take up cases on speculation? 'On speculation, sir? I do not think I understand you.
The Lady Alicia was somewhat long in coming, but when she arrived her face was aglow with girlish delight at the solemn prank she was about to play. 'You have not changed your mind? I asked, after the morning's greetings. 'Oh, no, Monsieur Valmont, she replied, with a bright laugh. 'I am determined to recover those emeralds. 'We must hurry, Lady Alicia, or we will be too late.
No, no, and in any case how can I be sure you come from Eugène Valmont? No, monsieur, I am not to be trapped the second time. At this I related rapidly all that Valmont had done for him, and even repeated Valmont's most intimate conversation with him. The man was nonplussed, but remained firm. 'I dare not do it, he said. We were alone in his back shop.
"Count de Valmont is one of those sceptics who are often met with in the world.
'That is nonsense, Monsieur Valmont, he said, 'the man who is ashamed of the connection between his business and his house is one who is trying to get into Society, or else the women of his family are trying it, as is usually the case. Now Summertrees has no family. He himself goes nowhere, gives no entertainments, and accepts no invitations.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking