Maximilian The Master Thief
Page 18
“Bah!” declared Charles, “they weren’t even necessary. In the chart in the book of the National Library, the drawing terminates at the left, as you know, in a circle, and at the right, as you do not know, in a cross. Now, that cross must refer to the chapel in which we now stand.”
Poor Deville could not believe his ears. It was all so new, so novel to him. He exclaimed:
“It is incredible, miraculous, and yet of a childish simplicity! How is it that no one has ever solved the mystery?”
“Because no one has ever united the essential elements, that is to say, the two books and the two sentences. No one, but Maximilian Buchanan and myself.”
“But, Father Getty and I knew all about those things, and, likewise--”
Charles smiled, and said:
“Monsieur Deville, everybody cannot solve riddles.”
“I have been trying for ten years to accomplish what you did in ten minutes.”
“Bah! I am used to it.”
They emerged from the chapel, and found an automobile.
“Ah! there’s an auto waiting for us.”
“Yes, it is mine,” said Deville.
“Yours? You said your chauffeur hadn’t returned.”
They approached the machine, and Mon. Deville questioned the chauffer:
“Edward, who gave you orders to come here?”
“Why, it was Monsieur Vermouth.”
“Mon. Vermouth? Did you meet him?”
“Near the railway station, and he told me to come to the chapel.”
“To come to the chapel! What for?”
“To wait for you, monsieur, and your friend.”
Deville and Charles exchanged looks, and Mon. Deville said:
“He knew the mystery would be a simple one for you. It is a delicate compliment.”
A smile of satisfaction lighted up the detective’s serious features for a moment. The compliment pleased him. He shook his head, as he said:
“A clever man! I knew that when I saw him.”
“Have you seen him?”
“I met him a short time ago--on my way from the station.”
“And you knew it was Horace Vermouth--I mean, Maximilian Buchanan?”
“That is right. I wonder how it came--”
“No, but I supposed it was--from a certain ironical speech he made.”
“And you allowed him to escape?”
“Of course I did. And yet I had everything on my side, such as give gendarmes who passed us.”
“Sacrableu!” cried Deville. “You should have taken advantage of the opportunity.”
“Really, monsieur,” said the Englishman, haughtily, “when I encounter an adversary like Maximilian Buchanan, I do not take advantage of chance opportunities, I create them.”
But time pressed, and since Buchanan had been so kind as to send the automobile, they resolved to profit by it. They seated themselves in the comfortable limousine; Edward took his place at the wheel, and away they went toward the railway station. Suddenly, Deville’s eyes fell upon a small package in one of the pockets of the carriage.
“Ah! what is that? A package! Whose is it? Why, it is for you.”
“For me?”
“Yes, it is addressed: Cameron Charles, from Maximilian Buchanan.”
The Englishman took the package, opened it, and found that it contained a watch.
“Ah!” he exclaimed, with an angry gesture.
“A watch,” said Deville. “How did it come there?”
The detective did not reply.
“Oh! it is your watch! Maximilian Buchanan returns your watch! But, in order to return it, he must have taken it. Ah! I see! He took your watch! That is a good one! Cameron Charles’ watch stolen by Maximilian Buchanan! Mon Dieu! that is funny! Really....you must excuse me....I can’t help it.”
He roared with laughter, unable to control himself. After which, he said, in a tone of earnest conviction:
“A clever man, indeed!”
The Englishman never moved a muscle. On the way to Dieppe, he never spoke a word, but fixed his gaze on the flying landscape. His silence was terrible, unfathomable, more violent than the wildest rage. At the railway station, he spoke calmly, but in a voice that impressed one with the vast energy and will power of that famous man. He said:
“Yes, he is a clever man, but some day I shall have the pleasure of placing on his shoulder the hand I now offer to you, Monsieur Deville. And I believe that Maximilian Buchanan and Cameron Charles will meet again some day. Yes, the world is too small--we will meet--we must meet--and then--”
THE END