MESSRS. BŒHMER AND BOSSANGE.
M. Ducorneau blessed heaven repeatedly for sending an ambassador who
preferred his speaking French to Portuguese, and liked Portuguese wines
better than French ones. At last, Manoël expressed a wish to go to bed;
Ducorneau rose and left the room, although, it must be confessed, he
found some difficulty in the operation.
It was now the turn of the valet to have supper, which he did with
great good-will.
The next day the hotel assumed an air of business; all the bureaux were
opened, and everything indicated life in the recently deserted place.
The report soon spread in the neighborhood that some great personages
had arrived from Portugal during the night. This, although what was
wanted to give them credit, could not but inspire the conspirators with
some alarm; for the police had quick ears and Argus eyes. Still, they
thought that by audacity, combined with prudence, they might easily
keep them from becoming suspicious, until they had had time to complete
their business.
Two carriages containing the other nine associates arrived, as agreed
upon, and they were soon installed in their different departments.
Beausire induced Ducorneau himself to dismiss the porter, on the ground
that he did not speak Portuguese. They were, therefore, in a good
situation to keep off all unwelcome visitors.
About noon, Don Manoël, gaily dressed, got into a carriage, which they
had hired for five hundred francs a month, and set out, with his
secretary, for the residence of MM. Bœhmer and Bossange.
Their servant knocked at the door, which was secured with immense
locks, and studded with great nails, like that of a prison. A servant
opened it. “His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal desires to speak
to MM. Bœhmer and Bossange.”
They got out, and M. Bœhmer came to them in a few moments, and received
them with a profusion of polite speeches, but, seeing that the
ambassador did not deign even a smile in reply, looked somewhat
disconcerted.
“His excellency does not speak or understand French, sir, and you must
communicate to him through me, if you do not speak Portuguese,” said
Beausire.
“No, monsieur, I do not.”
Manoël then spoke in Portuguese to Beausire, who, turning to M. Bœhmer,
said:
“His excellency M. le Comte de Souza, ambassador from the Queen of
Portugal, desires me to ask you if you have not in your possession a
beautiful diamond necklace?”
Bœhmer looked at him scrutinizingly.
“A beautiful diamond necklace!” repeated he.
“The one which you offered to the Queen of France, and which our
gracious queen has heard of.”
“Monsieur,” said Bœhmer, “is an officer of the ambassador’s?”
“His secretary, monsieur.”
Don Manoël was seated with the air of a great man, looking carelessly
at the pictures which hung round the room.
“M. Bœhmer,” said Beausire abruptly, “do you not understand what I am
saying to you?”
“Yes, sir,” answered Bœhmer, rather startled by the manner of the
secretary.
“Because I see his excellency is becoming impatient.”
“Excuse me, sir,” said Bœhmer, coloring, “but I dare not show the
necklace, except in my partner’s presence.”
“Well, sir, call your partner.”
Don Manoël approached Beausire, and began again talking to him in
Portuguese.
“His excellency says,” interpreted he, “that he has already waited ten
minutes, and that he is not accustomed to be kept waiting.”
Bœhmer bowed, and rang the bell. A minute afterwards M. Bossange
entered.
Bœhmer explained the matter to him, who, after looking scrutinizingly
at the Portuguese, left the room with a key given him by his partner,
and soon returned with a case in one hand; the other was hidden under
his coat, but they distinctly saw the shining barrel of a pistol.
“However well we may look,” said Manoël gravely, in Portuguese, to his
companion, “these gentlemen seem to take us for pickpockets rather than
ambassadors.”
M. Bossange advanced, and put the case into the hands of Manoël. He
opened it, and then cried angrily to his secretary:
“Monsieur, tell these gentlemen that they tire my patience! I ask for a
diamond necklace, and they bring me paste. Tell them I will complain to
the ministers, and will have them thrown into the Bastile, impertinent
people, who play tricks upon an ambassador.” And he threw down the case
in such a passion that they did not need an interpretation of his
speech, but began explaining most humbly that in France it was usual to
show only the models of diamonds, so as not to tempt people to robbery,
were they so inclined.
Manoël, with an indignant gesture, walked towards the door.
“His excellency desires me to tell you,” said Beausire, “that he is
sorry that people like MM. Bœhmer and Bossange, jewelers to the queen,
should not know better how to distinguish an ambassador from a rogue,
and that he will return to his hotel.”
The jewelers began to utter most respectful protestations, but Manoël
walked on, and Beausire followed him.
“To the ambassador’s hotel, Rue de la Jussienne,” said Beausire to the
footman.
“A lost business,” groaned the valet, as they set off.
“On the contrary, a safe one; in an hour these men will follow us.”