THE COUNT
That evening at the Hotel de la Palette, with the nephew of the
Count de Morancourt as a guest of the ambulance section, was quite a
memorable one. This time the story which Don, Dunstan and Chase related
really did create a sensation.
"Honest to goodness, fellows, I always had a sort of hazy idea that
there was going to be a sensational development," confessed "Peewee,"
"and----"
"It was certainly hazy enough, I'll wager," chortled Bodkins.
And he might have added a great deal more but for the fact that
Monsieur de Morancourt was speaking.
"Before I begin my own explanations I should be glad to know all about
your own experiences at the château," he declared, politely.
Thereupon Don Hale, ably assisted by Dunstan and Chase, gave a brief
but graphic account of all that had taken place.
"It seems quite extraordinary," commented Monsieur de Morancourt,
reflectively, when his curiosity was finally satisfied, "that but for
your interest in regard to the mystery of the Château de Morancourt the
objects so long sought for might have remained hidden for years."
Then, in a conversational tone, he began his story.
"Some time after the outbreak of the war I visited my uncle, the Count
de Morancourt, at the château, and saw his great collection. He said
nothing of his intention of leaving; indeed, it was long afterward that
I learned of his departure for America. It seems that as the scene of
war drew near to the château the count decided that it wouldn't be
safe to remain any longer. Accordingly he dismissed all his servants
but one, the latter his valet, and then, after attending to various
matters, embarked for America. The military authorities had already
begun to use the tower as an observation post.
"It came as a great surprise to me when I learned that no one knew what
had become of his priceless collection of paintings. The fact naturally
disturbed me very much indeed. I wrote several letters to my uncle, but
whether they reached him or not I do not know; at any rate, no replies
were ever received.
"At last I decided to do a little investigating on my own account,
and, obtaining leave of absence, came on to this part of the country.
Discovering the Cheval Noir, which was in a habitable condition,
I concluded to make my headquarters there, but not wishing to be
interfered with or bothered in any way did not choose to disclose my
identity.
"I held this theory--there might be secret apartments under the old
château, in which the count, with the assistance of his valet, had
stored the valuables."
"And you certainly made a mighty good guess," declared Don.
"Yes; so it seems," replied Monsieur de Morancourt, with a smile.
"I spent a great part of my time in the château searching for an
entrance to the subterranean passageway. On the occasion of your first
appearance I must have entered the building very soon after you. It was
I who stumbled over the chair, and, naturally, I realized at once that
it had been moved. Surmising the presence of some one, I merely waited
until I heard you coming down-stairs and then walked outside.
"After your departure, I reëntered, and, wishing to see if anything had
been disturbed, made a hasty examination--that explains the flashing
light at the window."
"How very simple mysteries sometimes appear after one has learned all
about them," laughed Don. "And maybe we wouldn't have been surprised at
the Cheval Noir if we'd known that you were the very man responsible!"
"Well, rather!" chuckled Chase.
"And we never even had a suspicion of the truth," laughed Dunstan.
"I certainly was astonished to run into the mysterious visitors,"
declared Monsieur de Morancourt. And then addressing Chase, he added:
"When you made your early morning call my presence is explained by the
fact that I had spent the night in one of the upper rooms.
"Now, Messieurs, I believe there is nothing further to add to my story."
The ambulanciers all declared that it had been a very interesting one.
At length, in the midst of a general conversation and much levity and
noise, Bodkins, holding his banjo aloft, shouted:
"I think that after all the disturbance these chaps have caused they
ought to be made to face the music."
And as he began strumming the instrument even "Peewee" forgot to object.
It was a long time before the gathering broke up, and when Monsieur de
Morancourt finally took his leave he said:
"I have heard a great deal about the exploits of this particular
section of the Red Cross and fully expect that some day every one of
you will be awarded the Croix de Guerre. And now, my young friend"--he
turned to Don--"allow me to wish you very great success when you take
up your new duties."
"So do we!" cried "Peewee." "I say, boys, three cheers and a tiger for
Don Hale with the flying squadron!"
* * * * *
The Stories in this Series are:
DON HALE IN THE WAR ZONE
DON HALE OVER THERE
DON HALE WITH THE FLYING SQUADRON (in press)