“What’s this great case about then?” he asked me, challenge in his voice.
“Where did you get hold of that idea,” I retorted. “Since when is it a great case to search for a lost bauble all over Paris?”
“Depends on the bauble.”
“This one’s a pain, believe me, but it belongs to one of the Emperor’s friends. So of course, someone has to look for it.”
He shrugged. “And you were the chosen one as usual.”
“Unlucky rather than chosen. I didn’t ask for the job. It’s tedious.”
“You should hear the rumours that are going around about you.”
“I can imagine. Don’t tell me please, I haven’t time for fairy stories right now.” I went to my desk and dashed off a quick note to Eugénie. I wanted to confirm to her that I would not have time to go home that night but that she could find me in the Rose later on. I added a mischievous line describing my encounter with Pauline, whose charms could not compare with her own. I hoped it would make her worry less to know I was safe from feminine whiles for now at least.
“Seen Fournier or Lefebvre?” I asked Laurent.
“No. They’ll be in some tavern swilling wine and pretending to work, as usual,” he said curtly and turned back to his papers. Then he glanced up. “Garnier was here, looking for you, not so long ago.”
“Where is he now?”
“How should I know? I’m not his keeper. He muttered something about seeing Réal. But how likely is that?”
I repressed the urge to tell him that, in this case, it was very likely indeed. “I suppose I’d better go and see if he did, then,” I said and left him with a certain degree of relief. Laurent can be shrewd and he understands me well by now. I didn’t want him to guess too much from my expression or my words. I found a messenger to take my note to Eugénie and then I climbed up the stairs to Réal’s office. I must admit I was hoping fervently that Garnier had found something.
“Have you found it?” Réal asked me with real emotion in his voice as soon as he saw me.
“Unfortunately not. Laurent said Garnier came to see you?”
“He did. Not that it’ll help you much. He reported that he and his men have had no luck. They’ve practically taken the workshop apart and found nothing. There are no secret places and all the men are clean. Everyone is being watched and their homes have also been thoroughly searched.”
“What about the women, Madame and her servants?”
“Garnier had enough sense to take a couple of our females with him to search them. They didn’t like it at all and shrieked a lot according to Garnier, but they submitted in the end.”
“Nothing?”
“Not a thing.”
“Damn,” I swore. “I hoped Garnier might have been lucky and saved us all more trouble.”
“So did I, but he told me that there is no evidence to connect any of them to the theft. Our only hope of pinning the crime on one of them is if the thief makes a mistake or a confession.”
“Garnier doesn’t know about the crown itself, does he?” I asked anxiously.
“No, but when he says that he found nothing, that’s exactly what he did find. No gold, no jewels, no jewellery. Not a thing out of its proper place. These men are either extremely clever or they’re innocent.”
I sighed. Finding the crown so easily had been too much to wish for as I had suspected.
“The minister sent for Garnier as soon as he returned from the Tuileries. I don’t know what the patron said to him but Garnier left the bureau as if his pants were on fire.”
“Did he now? Good.”
“Do you know something about it?”
“A guess, that’s all. I think Garnier was ordered to take some of the workmen in for questioning.”
“In spite of not having found anything to incriminate them?”
“Yes. There is a possibility they conspired together to commit the theft. If they did, all their statements so far are worthless.”
Réal nodded. “Garnier will find out one way or the other, no doubt about that. Where will you be when he reports?”
“Not sure but I’ll leave a discreet word at the Rose, so a message will reach me.”
“Very well. I’ll send for you if there is any need.”
After I left Réal, I went to the Rose. Fournier and Lefebvre were both there when I arrived. Fournier took one look at my face and then called to the innkeeper for more wine.
“Any luck?” I posed the question, more in forlorn hope than expectation.
“Saint Victor is a fool,” Fournier said.
“Is he a fool who is also a thief?”
“Perhaps. He denied seeing the crown or taking it, of course.”
“You didn’t tell him what we were looking for, did you?” I asked in alarm.
“Certainly not. I said it was an item of jewellery which had been lying on the bench near to where he was standing. He agreed he was near to Robart’s work area. The crown must have been within his view, so he told one lie at least, unless he is completely blind.”
“That is something, I suppose. Everybody will be careful with the truth as usual. They always are. Did you find out anything more about him?”
“He’s on Princess Caroline’s staff, but he used to work for Princess Élisa when he first came to Paris. Madame Mère, the Emperor’s mother recommended him. There seems to be some mystery as to why he changed his employer because it happened quite suddenly. The word is that he is well thought of by both the ladies, which is unusual, especially as he is somewhat dull. He’s a fellow Corsican of course, which helps.”
“I didn’t know that.”
“Apparently his mother was a friend of Madame Mère and he was a playfellow of the Bonaparte children when they were growing up.”
“Fortunate for him.”
“Indeed. We should all have such luck.”
“Only if your taste runs to rich princesses,” I said, pursing up my lips at the thought. “None of my friends turned into Emperors, either, if it’s any comfort to you.”
“Not to me, Soldier,” Lefebvre laughed. “My friends were thieves. Most of them are no longer with us now.” He drew his finger across his throat. “What have you found out then?”
It didn’t take long to tell the story of my failures. The visit to Pauline made both of them laugh. The fact that Eugénie knew Madame de Herlay and her daughter, they thought might lead to something but they made no other comment. Garnier’s mission they regarded as a necessary evil but neither of them was hopeful of a successful outcome. The only item that they found really interesting was the sudden indisposition of Princess Caroline. Fournier looked hard at me when I said that and asked,
“A real illness or a strategic one, do you think?”
“At a guess, strategic. I wonder why?”
Fournier gave a snort. “It would be one way to guard the crown if she has it in her possession.”
“What are you thinking?” I asked. Fournier has a devious mind at times. That is why he has always been such a good agent.
“If the princesses or their equerries took it, they are unlikely to let it out of their keeping until the coronation is over. It can be discarded later, of course, somewhere where it does not incriminate any of them or be taken abroad to be broken up. Just now it will be kept very close. They’re not mad enough to try to get rid of it yet. They must realise that the Police will be searching high and low.”
“Go on.” This was a train of thought which had not occurred to me.
“They will put it in the safest place they have, a safe or a locked drawer, maybe in a boudoir, close to one of them. Dupré, if he was the thief would most likely give the crown to Pauline at the earliest opportunity. He wouldn’t want to be found with it on his person or among his possessions. Saint Victor would do the same.”
“Dupré is still Pauline’s shadow at the moment. Perhaps he believes that she would protect him if he took the crown to please her. But she’s a lady of fickle
tastes. Fouché says she has her eye on one of the Imperial Guards as his replacement, although Dupré might not realise that of course.”
“If he took the crown, he would have a secret to hold over her and bind her to him.”
“But would he? Perhaps he might in the short term until the coronation is over. Then it won’t matter as much. She could get rid of him with impunity.”
“But he could accuse her publicly.”
“It would be a pyrrhic victory. He would have far more to lose than she does and he knows it. If you’re right about how the Emperor would react, Pauline would get off lightly but he wouldn’t. Which consequence would carry much weight with him, the loss of his mistress’ affections or a punishment inflicted by a vindictive Napoléon?”
I shuddered. “I can only answer for myself. There are plenty of other mistresses to be had if you have money enough, even if they are not all princesses.”
Fournier smiled. “It might be entertaining to watch him squirm as he makes his choice. But there is a more important question than the identity of the thief. Where is the crown now?”
Chapter 8
8 Frimaire, Year XIII
(Thursday, November 29, 1804)
“Lefebvre, this is more your area of expertise than ours,” I said and he nodded. “Where would you expect the crown to be hidden?”
“I agree with Fournier. The Princesses wouldn’t hide something so important in a bank; they dare not trust anybody else with that kind of a secret. If Napoléon decides he must act, he might order all the safe deposits in Paris to be opened. He’s not a fool and he knows his family and their assets well. After all, he gave them most of their riches. If they did take such a risky action, they won’t want their plan thwarted at the last moment. They wouldn’t put it anywhere where it might be found by chance. It is safest somewhere that will not be searched and so it will be kept near to one of them. If I were in their position, I would certainly fall ill too, to protect my windfall. Except my illness would not be faked; I’d be quaking with terror and wondering how I could return the wretched thing without being caught.”
“You pudding-heart, Jean!” Fournier exclaimed and Lefebvre grinned.
“If it is in a secret place, it will be hard to find,” I mused.
“Is anything really secret in a house full of servants?” Lefebvre asked slyly. “Most of these hidey-holes are obvious, if you know what to look for. Very few people have any imagination. I’ve rarely been defeated.”
I smiled, seeing a possible way forward at last. “You are certainly the best one to find out.” I said.
“I will try.”
“Where will you start?”
“Caroline’s.”
“Why Caroline not Élisa?” Fournier asked. “She had the better opportunity.”
“Caroline’s the one skulking in her bedroom at the moment. Leave this to me. As you say, it’s my expertise.”
“If Caroline’s feigning a strategic illness, she can’t stay in bed for ever,” I murmured. “Don’t forget there are balls and parties all over Paris. Caroline won’t be able to miss every one of them. Her absence would be remarked on and the Emperor is sure to ask questions. He likes to have his family around him at big occasions. He’s been known to send a physician to ladies who pretend to be sick so they can avoid certain situations. Caroline wouldn’t want to risk being examined by a doctor if she is pretending.”
“Perhaps the sisters will take it in turn to guard the crown.”
“They might, but it would be dangerous for them to transfer it between their houses.”
“Why? Unless you had proof positive that they had it, would you give the order to search the house or the person of one of the Emperor’s sisters?”
“Not me. I see what you mean,” I said ruefully. “Even with his authorisation, I would be worried.”
“If Caroline is recovered tomorrow, I wonder which one of her sisters will fall ill?” Fournier thought aloud.
“If one does, it could tell us where the crown is hidden, especially if Caroline has visited the invalid,” Lefebvre said.
“So all the houses will need to be watched.”
“But not by any of the other agents. There’s sufficient gossip in the bureau already. We’ll have to divide the task among ourselves.”
“Tomorrow will tell us if we are thinking correctly, one way or another.”
“Yes. But if nothing happens, I will have to confess my failure so Napoléon can act in time,” I said ruefully. My words depressed me so much I took a gulp of the watered wine and promptly choked again.
“Did you find out anything more about the apprentice or Christophe?” I asked Lefebvre when I could speak.
“Christophe is an interesting character.”
“Is he a thief?”
“None of the fences know him and one of them would if he was.”
“Then why was he so anxious when we questioned him?”
Lefebvre grinned. “He has a nice little sideline when he’s not working for Margueritte.”
“What sort of sideline?”
“Let’s suppose someone is making up to your wife and you want him warned to stay away. Christophe will make him think twice about continuing his attentions to her if you pay him enough for his services.”
“A murderer?”
“Rumour says not. A bruiser with a hard fist and an even harder cudgel. Something for us to check on later after this mess is over.”
“Certainly it’s of less importance at this moment.”
“What about the young lad, Jacques?” Fournier asked him.
“He lives with his mother in the same lodging house as Simon, Madame de Herlay’s servant, used to before he started to sleep in her servant’s quarters. Quite a nice change for him. Simon’s father is still there and the place stinks.”
“So Jacques and Simon knew each other before?”
“It’s likely though no one’s admitting it.”
“Have you discovered why Simon carried a false note?”
“Not yet. I have set a friend of mine on to find out everything they can about the old lady’s household. When she reports, I’ll have something more to tell you.” He must have seen my face because he continued, “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell her anything except that I was interested in the servants and how the house is run. I’ve been discreet.”
I nodded. “Perhaps Garnier will get the information from Jacques. Just hope he doesn’t make up fairy stories that send us chasing all over Paris, just to get Garnier to stop questioning him.”
“He knows his stories would be checked. I wouldn’t want Garnier to know I had been lying, if I was in his position.”
“I went back to the Ministry and checked our records on this Madame de Herlay,” Fournier volunteered. “They confirmed what you found out from Eugénie. The woman is a former viscountess who fled during the Revolution. If they’d remained here, they’d most likely be dead by now. Her husband died abroad and she came home in 1803, with her daughter. Her son stayed behind so we don’t have anything on him. The old lady keeps her head down. We’ve monitored her correspondence, with little result. She doesn’t write to her son and the letters she does send are trivial ones to friends.”
“Any reason why she should send a false message?”
“No, but Lefebvre’s friend may find out something I’ve missed.”
“And so might Eugénie. Apparently the lady likes her and she knows both her daughter and her daughter’s maid.” I paused. “I’ve asked Eugénie if she will call on them and see if she can find out anything.”
“Why did you do that?” Fournier asked with a frown. Since my father-in-law died, Fournier, who was his friend, has been very protective of Eugénie and the rest of her family. He hates her being involved whenever I suggest it, but Eugénie has a good brain and a way of thinking that is very helpful.
“Eugénie chats with the maid when her mistress visits Leroy’s, so it is possible she will find out more than we w
ould. Eugénie’s clever.”
“She could get into trouble if she says the wrong thing, Alain. I wish you’d keep Eugénie out of our cases.”
“I would never put her into danger, you know that, and I trust her. She’s far more diplomatic than either of us.”
“Not hard.” Lefebvre snorted and changed the subject. “Did you find out anything about Robart?” he asked, deliberately breaking the sudden tension.
“He’s not in debt. He pays his bills promptly and there is nothing in the records. A model citizen, or so it appears.”
“Isn’t everyone?” Fournier asked, “at least on the surface.”
“He’s another one Garnier’s been told to question. Don’t envy him the experience but if there is anything to find out, he’ll do so.”
“Would you say he’s unlikely to take a bribe?”
“He might. Anyone can be bribed if the offer is good enough, but he’s less likely, I would think than some of the others.”
“Especially Dupré,” Lefebvre said. “I checked. He is the same man I mentioned before. Pauline paid his debts a few months ago, at the start of their affair. He owed a lot at the time and the merchants were dunning him for their money. It didn’t take him long to return to the same situation. He owes more now and to the wrong people this time. I wonder if Pauline will help him out again now that her passion has cooled. I’ve asked one of Garnier’s men to follow him, in case something happens. And, no, I did not tell him anything more than to report what he sees.”
I nodded and asked, “Who are these ‘wrong people’ you mentioned?”
“Not just simple merchants this time. He’s been seen in some of the hells in the Palais de l’Égalité, amongst other places even less salubrious. Not the sort of houses to gamble in without being able to pay your debts, believe me. Do you want to know what’s the main wager he has outstanding at the moment?” There was a glitter in Lefebvre’s eyes, which I knew well. He had obviously saved his best information to the last to surprise us.
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