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Updated: June 22, 2025
"It is the original of one now in the Louvre which is known to have belonged to the Grand Louis." "That was Mr. Vantine's belief," I said. "Why he should have arrived at that conclusion, I don't know " "Mr. Vantine was a connoisseur," said M. Armand, quietly. "There are certain indications which no connoisseur could mistake."
He stated that he had been requested to ask me to remain in charge of things for a week or two, until arrangements for the removal could be made. It would also be necessary to make an inventory of Vantine's collection, and the assistant director of the museum was to get this under way at once.
"The trouble was," continued Godfrey, "that I didn't look for him so early in the day, and so he was able to send me on a wild-goose chase after a sensation that didn't exist. There's where I was a fool. But I discovered the secret drawer ten days ago while the cabinet was still at Vantine's the evening after the veiled lady got her letters. It was easy enough.
"Certainly and paid fifteen thousand francs to the Armands." "Rather an expensive present," I said, feebly, for my brain was beginning to whirl again. "Oh, it wasn't intended as a present. The purchaser planned to reclaim it but Vantine's death threw him out.
But even then, one would think that whoever rented him a room would wonder what had become of him, and would make some inquiries." "Perhaps he hadn't rented a room," I suggested. "Perhaps he had just reached New York, and went direct to Vantine's." Godfrey's face lighted up. "From the steamer, of course! I ought to have guessed as much from the cut of his hair.
"Nothing except that he came from Havre on La Touraine last Thursday, and drove from the dock direct to Vantine's house." "My client also came on La Touraine but that, no doubt, was a mere coincidence." "That may be," I agreed, "but it is scarcely a coincidence that both he and your client were after the contents of that drawer." "You mean...."
Vantine really paid the duty only on the cabinet he purchased, since that was the one shown on his manifest. The other fellow must have paid the duty on the cabinet he brought in; so I didn't see that there was anything coming to Vantine's estate. There is probably something due the government, for the cabinet Vantine brought in was, of course, much more valuable than his manifest showed."
I turned toward the light, pushed open the door and entered. There was no one in sight except the sergeant at the desk. "My name is Lester," I said. "You have a cabinet here belonging to the estate of the late Philip Vantine." "We've got a cabinet, all right; but I don't know who it belongs to." "It belongs to Mr. Vantine's estate."
I sat down, staring at the dead man, and tried to collect my senses. So this fiendish criminal, who slew with poison, had been lurking in Vantine's house, and had struck down first Drouet and then the master of the house himself! But why why! It was incredible, astounding, my brain reeled at the thought. And yet it must be true!
"Yes, sir," and Simmonds handed it to him. "H-m," said Grady, as he glanced it over. "Five of 'em. Know anything about 'em?" "They've all been with Mr. Vantine a long time, sir," replied Simmonds. "So far as I've been able to judge, they're all right." "Which one of 'em found Vantine's body?" "Parks, I think," I said. "It was he who called me."
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