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Philip Vantine was one of these. He had been born in the house where
he still lived, and declared that he would die there. He had no one
but himself to please in the matter, since he was unmarried and lived
alone, and he mitigated the increasing roar and dust of the
neighbourhood by long absences abroad. It was from o... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I had lunch served up here," Vantine explained, as we sat down,
"because this is the only really pleasant room left in the house. If
I didn't own that plot of ground next door, this place would be
impossible. As it is, I can keep the sky-scrapers far enough away to
get a little sunshine now and then. I've had to put ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No; I've been bringing things in for a good many years, and the
customs people know I'm not a thief."
"That's quite a compliment," I pointed out. "They've been tearing
things wide open lately."
"They've had a tip of some sort, I suppose. Come in," he added,
answering a tap at the door.
The door opened and Vantine's m... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Yes, I think so," I said. "It's a good deal as though Michael
Angelo, when he made one of his sketches, white on black, put a sheet
of carbon under his paper and made a copy at the same time, black on
white."
"Precisely. And it's the original which has the real artistic value.
Of course, the counterpart is often beau... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Well," said Vantine, "suppose you begin at ten thousand francs. We
mustn't seem too eager. It's because I'm so eager, I want you to
carry it through for me. I can't trust myself."
"And the other end?"
"There isn't any other end. Of course, strictly speaking, there is,
because my money isn't unlimited; but I don't bel... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Going on, sir?" repeated Parks, with a look of amazement, not only
at the words, but at the tone in which they were uttered. "I'm sure I
don't know what--"
Then his glance fell upon the huddled body, and he stopped short, his
eyes staring, his mouth open.
"Well," said his master, sharply. "Who is he? What is he doing... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Nothing has been disturbed," I said. "No one has touched the body."
Simmonds nodded, and glanced inquiringly about the room; but
Godfrey's eyes, I noticed, were on the face of the dead man.
Goldberger dropped to his knees beside the body, looked into the eyes
and touched his fingers to the left wrist. Then he stood e... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Goldberger nodded.
"Let's have Parks in," he said.
I opened the door and called to Parks, who was sitting on the bottom
step of the stair.
Goldberger looked him over carefully as he stepped into the room; but
there could be no two opinions about Parks. He had been with Vantine
for eight or ten years, and the earmarks ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No, sir."
"Did anybody come in?"
"Oh, no, sir; the front door has a snap-lock. It can't be opened from
the outside without a key."
"So you are perfectly sure that no one either entered or left the
house by the front door while you and Rogers were sitting there?"
"Nor by the back door either, sir; to get out the back ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
The man was slightly built, so that Simmonds and Goldberger raised
the body between them without difficulty and placed it on the couch.
I saw Godfrey's eyes searching the carpet.
"What I should like to know," he said, after a moment, "is this: if
this fellow took poison, what did he take it out of? Where's the
paper, ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No, I don't think it was a snake," said Godfrey, and again bent
close above the hand. "Smell it, Mr. Goldberger," he added.
The coroner put his nose close to the hand and sniffed.
"Bitter almonds!" he said.
"Which means prussic acid," said Godfrey, "and not snake poison." He
fell silent a moment, his eyes on the swol... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"We've got our living to make, you know," he said. "We make it as
honestly as we can. What do _you_ think, Simmonds?"
"I think," said Simmonds, who, if he possessed an imagination, never
permitted it to be suspected, "that those little cuts on the hand are
merely an accident. They might have been caused in half a doze... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
There were no letters, no papers, no written documents of any kind in
the pockets, the remainder of whose contents consisted of such odds
and ends as any man might carry about with him--a cheap watch, a
pen-knife, a half-empty packet of French tobacco, a sheaf of
cigarette paper, four or five keys on a ring, a silk ha... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No," said Godfrey; "he didn't have time. You understand, Mr.
Vantine," he added, smiling at that gentleman, who was listening to
all this with perplexed countenance, "we are simply talking now about
possibilities. You couldn't possibly have killed this fellow because
Lester has testified that he was with you constant... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I think I'll be going," he said. "But I'm interested in what your
physician will find, Mr. Coroner."
"He'll find poison, all right," asserted Goldberger, with decision.
"Perhaps he will," admitted Godfrey. "Strange things happen in this
world. Will you be at home to-night, Lester?"
"Yes, I expect to be," I answered.
... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"You gentlemen will have to give your testimony at the inquest," he
said. "So will Parks and Rogers. It will be day after to-morrow,
probably at ten o'clock, but I'll notify you of the hour."
"Very well," I said; "we'll be there," and Goldberger bade us
good-bye, and left the house. "And now," I added, to Vantine, "I ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"It seems absurd, doesn't it? But Godfrey is a sort of genius at
divining such things."
"Then you _do_ believe it?"
I asked myself the same question before I answered.
"Yes, I do," I said, finally.
Vantine walked up and down the room again, his eyes on the floor, his
brows contracted.
"Lester," he said, at last, "I ha... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Certainly there was nothing cold about the way he regarded it. His
eyes gleamed with a strange fire as he looked at it; he ran his
fingers over the inlay with a touch almost reverent; he pulled out
for me the little drawers with much the same air that another friend
of mine takes down his Kilmarnock Burns from his boo... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
CHAPTER IV
THE THUNDERBOLT
It was about eight o'clock that evening that Godfrey tapped at my
door, and when I let him in, I could tell by the way his eyes were
shining that he had some news.
"I can't stay long," he said. "I've got to get down to the office and
put the finishing touches on that story;" but neverthele... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
I wasn't interested in Grady, so I came back to the case in hand.
"Look here, Godfrey," I said, "if it wasn't poison, what was it?"
"But it _was_ poison."
"Inserted at the hand?"
He nodded.
"Goldberger says there's no poison known which could be used that way
and which would act so quickly."
"Goldberger is right in th... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Have you found out who he is?"
"No; he's not registered at any of the hotels; the French consul
never heard of him; he belongs to none of the French societies; he's
not known in the French quarter. He seems to have dropped in from the
clouds. We've cabled our Paris office to look him up; we may hear
from there to-nig... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I must be moving along," he said. "There's no use sitting here
theorising until we have some sort of foundation to build on."
"Goldberger was right in one thing," I remarked. "He pointed out,
after you left, that most crimes are not romances, but mere
brutalities. Perhaps this one--"
The ringing of my telephone stopp... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Is it you, Mr. Lester?" he gasped. "Good God, but I'm glad you're
here--"
I caught him by the arm.
"Steady, man," I said. "Don't let yourself go to pieces. Now--what
has happened?"
He seemed to take a sort of desperate grip of himself.
"I'll show you, sir," he said, and ran up the steps, along the hall,
to the door o... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
And all the time I knew that it was not a nightmare, but grim
reality; that Philip Vantine was dead--killed by a woman. Who had
told me that? And then I remembered the sobbing voice....
Two or three persons came into the room--Parks and the other
servants, I suppose; I heard Godfrey's voice giving orders; and
finally ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
I heard the decanter rattle on the glass.
"I don't know when I have been so shaken," he said, setting the glass
down empty. "It was so gruesome--so unexpected--and then Rogers
carrying on like a madman. Ah, here's the doctor," he added, as the
front door opened and Parks showed a man in.
I knew Dr. Hughes, of course, ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Well, the poison that existed in Florence five centuries ago, exists
here to-day. There's the proof of it," and Godfrey pointed to the
body.
Hughes drew a deep breath of wonder and horror.
"But what sort of devilish instrument is it?" he cried, his nerves
giving way for an instant, his voice mounting shrilly. "Above ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
That was a trying half hour. Hughes sat on the couch, breathing
heavily, staring at the floor, perhaps passing his own ignorance in
review, perhaps wondering if he had always been right in prescribing
this or that. As for me, I was thinking of my dead friend. I
remembered Philip Vantine as I had always known him--a ki... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"This is Mr. Lester, Commissioner Grady," said Goldberger, and I
realised that the chief of the detective bureau had come up from
headquarters to take personal charge of the case.
"Mr. Lester is Mr. Vantine's attorney," the coroner added, in
explanation.
"Glad to know you, Mr. Lester," said Grady, shortly.
"And now, I... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Mr. Vantine had dinner at home, sir," he said. "It was served, I
think, at seven o'clock. He must have finished a little after
seven-thirty. I didn't see him, for I was straightening things around
up in his room and putting his clothes away. But he told Rogers--"
"Never mind what he told Rogers," broke in Grady. "Jus... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
CHAPTER VI
THE WOMAN IN THE CASE
It was coming now; the secret, however sordid, however ugly, was to
be unveiled. I saw Grady's face set in hard lines; I could hear the
stir of interest with which the others leaned forward....
Grady took a flask from his pocket and opened it.
"Take a drink of this," he said, and pla... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No, sir, I'd never seen her before," he answered hoarsely.
"Describe her."
Rogers closed his eyes, as though in an effort of recollection.
"She wore a heavy veil, sir, so that I couldn't see her very well;
but the first thing I noticed was her eyes--they were so bright, they
seemed to burn right through me. Her face ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Yes, sir, that's just what I mean. I thought if Mr. Vantine wanted
to talk with her, well and good; that was his business, not mine; so
I went back to the pantry to help the cook with the silver, expecting
to hear the bell every minute. But the bell didn't ring, and after
maybe half an hour, I came out into the hall ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I don't know what to think, sir."
"You say you never saw the woman before?"
"Never, sir."
"Had she ever been here before?"
"I don't think so, sir. The first thing she asked was if this was
where Mr. Vantine lived."
Grady nodded.
"Very good, Rogers," he said. "I'll be offering you a place on the
force next. Would you ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
It had been carried to the centre of the room, and placed in the full
glare of the light from the chandelier. It stood there blazing with
arrogant beauty, a thing apart.
Who had helped Vantine place it there, I wondered? Neither Rogers nor
Parks had mentioned doing so. I turned back to the outer room.
Rogers was sitti... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Nobody could raise these windows without alarming the house," Grady
said, and pointed to a tiny wire running along the woodwork. "There's
a burglar alarm."
Simmonds assented, and finally the trio returned to the ante-room.
"We'd like to look over the rest of the house," Grady said to Rogers,
who was sitting erect aga... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
The two detectives and the coroner came back while the discussion was
still in progress and listened in silence to Freylinghuisen's
statement of the case. Grady's mahogany face told absolutely nothing
of what was passing in his brain, but Simmonds was plainly
bewildered. It was evident from his look that nothing had b... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"So you can give us no hint as to this woman's identity?"
"I only wish I could!" I said, with fervour.
"Thank you, Mr. Lester," and Grady turned to Simmonds. "I don't see
that there is anything more we can do here," he added. "There's one
thing, though, Mr. Lester, I will have to ask you to do. That is to
keep all the... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Of course not," I said, and then I looked at him. "Do you mean that
you do? Then I'm an ignoramus, too!"
"My dear Lester," protested Godfrey, "you are not a detective--that's
not your business; but it _is_ Grady's. At least, it is supposed to
be, and the safety of this city as a place of residence depends more
or les... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Get some water, quick!" Godfrey commanded sharply, as Parks came
running up. "Rogers has been taken ill."
And then, as Parks sped down the hall again, I saw Godfrey loosen the
collar of the unconscious man and begin to chafe his temples
fiercely.
"I hope it isn't apoplexy," he muttered. "I oughtn't to have shocked
hi... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
I looked at Rogers and saw that his eyes were open. They were staring
at us as though wondering who we were. Godfrey passed an arm under
his head and held the glass of water to his lips.
"Take a swallow of this," he said, and Rogers obeyed mechanically,
still staring at him over the rim of the glass, "How do you feel?... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Good-night, gentlemen," he said weakly, and shuffled away, leaning
heavily on Parks's shoulder.
"Well!" said I, looking at Godfrey. "What do you think of that?"
"He's lying, of course. We've got to find out why he's lying and
bring it home to him. But it's getting late--I must get down to the
office. One word, Lester... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Parks," I said, suddenly, "I'm going to ask you a question. You know
that Mr. Vantine was a friend of mine, and I thought a great deal of
him. Now, what with this story Rogers tells, and one or two other
things, there is talk of a woman. Is there any foundation for talk of
that kind?"
"No, sir," said Parks, emphatica... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Now, Parks," I began again, setting down my glass, "what I have to
say to you is very serious, and I want you to keep it to yourself: I
know that you were devoted to Mr. Vantine--I may as well tell you
that he has remembered you in his will--and I am sure you are willing
to do anything in your power to help solve the... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Oh, yes, sir. I'll see they understand how important it is."
"Rogers, especially," I added, looking at him.
"I understand, sir," said Parks, quietly.
"Very well. And now let us go down and lock up those rooms."
They were still ablaze with light; but both of us faltered a little,
I think, on the threshold of the ante-... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Then, before extinguishing the lights, I approached that silent
figure on the stretcher, lifted the sheet and looked for the last
time upon the face of my dead friend. It was no longer staring and
terrible, but calm and peaceful as in sleep--almost smiling. With
wet eyes and contracted throat, I covered the face again... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"There's a gentleman waiting to see you, sir," he said, as the car
started upward. "Mr. Godfrey, sir. He came in about ten minutes ago.
He said you were expecting him, so I let him into your rooms."
"That was right," I said, and reflected again upon Godfrey's
exhaustless energy.
I found him lolling in an easy chair, a... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"He's evidently low-class," said Godfrey, watching me. "One of those
parasites, without work and without income, so common in Paris.
Shop-girls and ladies' maids have a weakness for them."
"I think you are right," I agreed; "but, at the same time, if he was
of that type, I don't see what business he could have had wit... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Well, I believe I know how these two men were killed. Listen."
And I told him in detail the story of the Boule cabinet; I repeated
Vantine's theory of its first ownership; I named the price which he
was ready to pay for it; I described the difference between an
original and a counterpart, and dwelt upon Vantine's ass... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Wonderfully right," I nodded. "I had not put it so clearly, even to
myself. Go ahead."
"We come to the conclusion, then," continued Godfrey, "that the
business of this unknown Frenchman with Vantine in some way concerned
this cabinet."
"Vantine himself thought so," I broke in. "He told me afterwards that
it was becau... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Perhaps it closed itself when he let go of it."
"And closed again after Vantine opened it?"
"Yes."
"It would take a very clever mechanism to do that."
"But at least it's possible."
"Oh, yes; it's possible. And we must remember that the poisoners of
those days were very ingenious. That was the heydey of La Voisin and
... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"What _does_ it mean?" I asked, for Godfrey was getting ahead of me.
"It means he is a great criminal--a really great criminal--one of the
elect from whom crime has no secrets. Observe. He alone knows the
secret of the poison; one of his men breaks away from him, and pays
for his mutiny with his life. He is the brain;... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Well?"
"And they're both dead!"
"It won't kill us. We will go about it armoured, Lester. That
poisoned fang may strike--"
"Don't!" I cried, and cowered back into my chair. "I--I can't do it,
Godfrey. God knows, I'm no coward--but not that!"
"You shall watch me do it!" he said.
"That would be even worse!"
"But I'll be... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"This is Mr. Lester," I said. "Is everything all right?"
"Everything serene, sir," he answered. "It would take a mighty smooth
burglar to get in here now, sir."
"How is that?" I asked.
"Reporters are camped all around the house, sir. They seem to think
somebody else will be killed here to-day."
He laughed as he spoke ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
It was evident enough that all these reporters had been compelled to
go to Grady for their information, and I could fancy them damning him
between their teeth as they penned these panegyrics. I could also
fancy their city editors damning as they compared these incoherent
imaginings with the admirable and closely-writt... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I've engaged a table at a little place around the corner," he said.
"It is managed by a friend of mine, and I think you'll like it."
I did. Indeed, the dinner was so good that it demanded undivided
attention, and not until the coffee was on the table and the cigars
lighted did we speak of the business which had broug... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Yes," I said, "I heard him say something of the sort last night."
"I had a talk with him this afternoon about it, and he was quite
learned," Godfrey went on. "This is a great chance for him to get
before the public, and he's making the most of it. I gathered from
what he said that ordinary prussic acid, which is dead... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
I sat for a moment looking at him, half in amusement, half in sorrow.
It seemed a pity that his theory must come tumbling down, it was so
picturesque, and he was so interested and enthusiastic over it. And
it would make such a good story! He caught my glance, and put the
gauntlet back into his pocket.
"Well, what is i... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Poor boys!" he commented, smiling. "To think that all they know is
what Grady is able to tell them!" Then he stopped before the house
and made a careful survey of it.
"Which room is the cabinet in?" he asked.
"The ante-room is there at the left where those two shuttered windows
are. The cabinet is in the corner room-... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Yes, sir; a policeman came to see what was the matter and we went
around and examined the windows, but they were all locked. It made me
feel kind of scary for a while."
"Does the alarm work now?"
"No, sir; the policeman said there must be a short circuit somewhere,
and that he'd notify the people who put it in; but n... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"He wasn't losing any time," I ventured.
"He knew he hadn't any to lose. When you put those wooden shutters
up, you warned him that you suspected his game. He knew, if the alarm
was on, it would ring when he cut the wire, but he also knew that the
chances were a hundred to one against the cut being discovered, or
the ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
He looked up quickly, but caught himself, and turned his eyes away.
"Thank you, sir," was all he said.
"And now," I added, briskly, "I'll have to ask you to get up. Move
the cot away from the door, Parks."
Parks obeyed me with astonished face.
"You're not going in there, sir!" he protested, as I turned the knob.
"Yes,... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
He took from his pocket a folding rule of ivory, opened it, and began
a series of measurements so searching and intricate that half an hour
passed without a word being spoken. Then he pulled up another chair,
and sat down beside me.
"I seem to be pretty much up against it," he said, "no doubt just as
the designer of t... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I'd point out one thing to you, Godfrey," I said: "if you go on
poking about with the fingers of both hands, as you've been doing,
you are just as apt to get struck on the left hand as on the right."
"That's true," he agreed. "Stop me if I forget."
There were three little drawers in the front of the table, and these
... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I can't pretend I'm sorry," I said, with a sigh of relief. "As far
as I am concerned, I'm perfectly willing that the drawer should go
undiscovered."
"Well, I am not!" retorted Godfrey, curtly, and he sat regarding the
cabinet with puckered brows. Then he rose and began tapping at the
back.
I don't know what it was--f... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I'll seek fame in some other way," I said drily. "What are you going
to do about it?"
"We've got to try to capture him; and if we do--well, we shall have
the fame all right! But it's a good deal like trying to pick up a
scorpion--we're pretty sure to get hurt. If that fellow out there is
who I think he is, he's about... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"There's a man outside. Got your pistol, Parks?"
"Yes, sir," and he took it from his pocket.
I snatched it from him, opened the front door, leaped the railing,
and stole along the house to the corner.
Then, taking my courage in both hands, I charged around it.
There was no one in sight; but from somewhere near at hand... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Those shutters are pretty strong," I pointed out. "And Parks is no
fool."
"Yes," agreed Godfrey, "the shutters are pretty strong--they might
keep him out for ten minutes--scarcely longer than that. As for
Parks, he wouldn't last ten seconds. You don't seem to understand the
extraordinary character of this fellow."
"D... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
We went out into the hall together, and I told Parks to admit
Godfrey, whenever he wished to enter. Rogers was still sitting on the
cot, looking so crushed and sorrowful that I could not help pitying
him. I began to think that, if he were left to himself a day or two
longer, he would tell all we wished to know without... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
And then I shivered a little as I recalled that mocking and ironic
laughter. And I quickened my step, with a glance over my shoulder;
for if Godfrey was afraid, how much more reason had I to be! It was
with a sense of relief, of which I was a little ashamed, that I
reached my apartment at the Marathon and locked the d... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
For Sereno Hornblower is the confidential attorney of most of our
"best families." He has held that position for years, and it is said
that no case placed unreservedly in his hands ever resulted in a
public scandal. He accepts clients with great care; he has
steadfastly refused the business of Pittsburgh millionaires,... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Mr. Lester," he began, "I understand that you are the administrator
of the estate of the late Philip Vantine?"
"Our firm is," I corrected.
"But you, personally, have been attending to his business?"
"Yes."
"He was a collector of old furniture, I believe?"
"Yes."
"And on his last trip to Europe, from which he returned... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
He nodded.
"Do you mean that this cabinet is connected with them in any way?" he
asked quickly.
"We believe so; though as yet we have been able to prove absolutely
nothing. But we are guarding the cabinet very closely. I should not
object to your client seeing it, but I could not permit her to touch
it--not, at least,... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
He paused an instant and cleared his throat, and I realised that he
was coming to the really delicate part of the story.
"Monsieur X. had had the decency," he went on, more slowly, "to, as
he thought, retain his wife's private papers. He had caused the
contents of the various drawers to be dumped out upon a chair. But... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I think not," answered Mr. Hornblower, smiling drily. "They are not
of a nature which my client would care to communicate to any one. In
fact, Mr. Lester, as you have doubtless suspected, they are
compromising letters. We must get them back at any cost."
"As a matter of fact," I pointed out, "there are always at leas... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Well!" exclaimed my companion. "I have listened to many astonishing
stories in my life, but never one to equal this. And you know nothing
of this Frenchman?"
"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... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Parks," I said, "I am bringing up some people to look at that
cabinet. It might be just as well to get that cot out of the way and
have all the lights going?"
"The lights are already going, sir," he said.
"Already going? What do you mean?"
"Mr. Godfrey has been here for quite a while, sir, fooling with that
cabinet t... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
At Tenth Street, the carriage turned westward again, skirted
Washington Square, turned into the Avenue, and stopped before the
Vantine house. Mr. Hornblower assisted the women to alight, and I led
the way up the steps. But as we reached the top and came upon the
funeral wreath on the door, the veiled lady stopped with... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"You are sure?" I queried incredulously.
"Do you think I could be mistaken in such a matter, sir? I assure you
that this cabinet at one time belonged to me. You permit me?" she
added, and took a step toward it.
"One moment, madame," I interposed. "I must warn you that in touching
that cabinet you are running a great r... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Instinctively, I glanced toward the shuttered window, but the
semi-circle of light was unobscured.
The veiled lady bent above the table and disposed the fingers of her
right hand to fit the metal inlay midway of the left side.
"It is a little awkward," she said. "I have always been accustomed to
using the left hand. Y... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"You have not identified him?"
"We know nothing whatever about him, except that he was presumably a
Frenchman, and that he arrived on _La Touraine_, two days ago."
"That is the boat upon which I came over."
"It has occurred to me, madame, that you may have seen him--that he
may even be known to you."
"What was his nam... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
As she fell, her veil, catching on the chair-back, was torn away;
and, looking down at her, a great emotion burst within me, for I
recognised the mysterious woman whose photograph d'Aurelle had
carried in his watch-case.
CHAPTER XV
THE SECRET OF THE UNKNOWN FRENCHMAN
For a moment, I stood spell-bound, staring down a... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"I don't see the joke!" he growled, glaring at me, his face crimson.
"Get a grip of yourself, Lester," said Godfrey, savagely, seized the
pitcher from my hand, and hurried with it to madame.
I _did_ get a grip of myself, and when Parks came back a moment later
with the ammonia, was able to hold up Rogers's head, while... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Then tell us now!" said the veiled lady, inexorably.
"Very well, madame!" cried the girl, dabbing at her eyes with her
handkerchief, and speaking in a mixture of French and English which I
shall not attempt to transcribe. "I will tell; I will tell
everything. After all, I was not to blame. It was that creature. I
did... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
She shivered and pressed her hands against her eyes.
"I think that is all, madame," she added, hoarsely.
"It is all of that story," said Godfrey, in a crisp voice; "but there
is another."
"Another?" echoed the veiled lady, looking at him.
"Ask her, madame, for what purpose she called at this house, night
before last, ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
He had, of course, entrusted his savings to her--that had been one
condition of the marriage!--and the savings were gone, also. Julie,
it seems, had been overcome with longing for the Paris asphalt; no
doubt, too, she had found herself ennuied by the lack of romance in
married life with Rogers; and she had flown back ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"We will discuss it," said the veiled lady, "when we are alone. And
now, perhaps, you will be so good as to tell us of your previous
visit here."
"Very well, madame," and Julie settled into a more comfortable
posture. "It was one day on the boat as I was looking down at the
passengers of the third class that I perceiv... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
She paused again, and a little shiver of expectancy ran through me.
At last we were to learn how Philip Vantine had met his death!
"I sat down," continued Julie. "I told him the story from the very
beginning. He listened with much interest; but when I proposed that
he should restore to me the letters, he hesitated. He... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"No, monsieur," she said, "I told her nothing."
"I should have thought you would have wished to prove your devotion,"
went on Godfrey, in his sweetest tone.
"I feared that, without the letters, she would misunderstand my
motives," said Julie, sullenly.
"And then, of course, without the letters, there would be no rewar... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"There is one thing I don't understand, myself," I said. "I hadn't
any idea this was the right cabinet. I didn't see how it could be."
"That's it, exactly. How did it happen, when the veiled lady went to
Armand & Son in Paris, that she was directed to Philip Vantine?
According to his own story, he did not purchase thi... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"What makes you think that?"
"We believe that Drouet came here to get Vantine's permission to open
this drawer and get the letters, no doubt representing himself as the
agent of their owner."
"I think it's a pretty good guess," said Godfrey, pensively.
"Our theory was that, after being shown into the ante-room, he
dis... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Besides," I protested, "how would he get in? How would he get away?
What was he after, if he left the letters behind?" Then I rose
wearily. "I must be getting back to the office," I said. "This is
Saturday, and we close at two. Are you coming?"
"No," he answered; "if you don't mind, I'll sit here a while longer
and t... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Mr. Morgan's face grew very red.
"He did!" he ejaculated. "Ha--well, I have heard he was rather
crazy."
"He was as sane as any man I ever knew," I retorted drily. And then I
remembered the doubts which had assailed me that last day, when
Vantine was fingering the Boule cabinet. But I kept those doubts to
myself.
"Ha--... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
Vantine's will was probated next morning. He had directed that his
collection of art objects be removed to the museum, and that the
house and such portion of its contents as the museum did not care for
be sold for the museum's benefit. I had already notified Sir Caspar
Purdon Clarke of the terms of the will, and the m... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
I have only to close my eyes to call again before me that striking
personality, for Felix Armand was one of the most extraordinary men I
ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ruddy-faced, bright-eyed, with dark
full beard and waving hair almost jet black--hair that crinkled about
his ears in a way that I can describe by n... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Did I understand that you said Mr. Vantine is dead?" he stammered.
I told him briefly as much as I knew of the tragedy, while he sat
regarding me with an air of stupefaction.
"It is curious you saw nothing of it in the papers," I added. "They
were full of it."
"I have been visiting friends at Quebec," he explained, "... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"What more natural, indeed!" breathed my companion, and I fancied
that he looked at me with a new interest in his eyes. "It is good
reasoning, Mr. Lester."
"It seemed to explain a situation for which no other explanation has
been found," I said. "And it had also the merit of picturesqueness."
"It is unique," he agreed... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"It was," I said, and I saw from his face that he understood.
"Then you did well," he said. "Has no other explanation been found
for the death of Mr. Vantine and of this stranger?"
"I think not. The coroner will hold his inquest to-morrow. He has
deferred it in the hope that some new evidence would be discovered."
"An... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"Till Wednesday," I echoed, and watched his erect and perfectly-garbed
figure until it vanished through the doorway. A fascinating
man, I told myself as I turned back to my desk, and one whom I
should like to know more intimately; a man with a hobby for the
mysteries of crime, with which I could fully sympathise; and ... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"It was a copy of one which Drouet carried in his watch-case,"
answered Godfrey.
"Since then," pursued Goldberger, "you have made no further reference
to that feature of the case. I presume you found out that you were
mistaken?"
"On the contrary, I proved that I was correct."
Goldberger's face reddened, and his look w... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 | |
"That is only one of the details which Commissioner Grady has
missed," Godfrey added, pleasantly.
"That will do," Goldberger broke in, and Godfrey left the stand.
I was recalled to confirm his story. I, also, of course, refused to
give the woman's name, explaining to Goldberger that I had learned it
professionally, th... | The Mystery of the Boule Cabinet: A Detective Story | Stevenson, Burton Egbert | 1872 | 1962 | ['en'] | 61 | {'Detective and mystery stories', 'Fiction'} | PG10067 |
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