CHAPTER XXVII.
MESSRS. BOEHMER AND BOSSANGE.
M. Ducorneau blessed heaven repeatedly for sending an ambassador whopreferred his speaking French to Portuguese, and liked Portuguese winesbetter than French ones. At last, Manoel expressed a wish to go to bed;Ducorneau rose and left the room, although, it must be confessed, hefound some difficulty in the operation.
It was now the turn of the valet to have supper, which he did with greatgood-will.
The next day the hotel assumed an air of business; all the bureaux wereopened, and everything indicated life in the recently deserted place.
The report soon spread in the neighborhood that some great personageshad arrived from Portugal during the night. This, although what waswanted to give them credit, could not but inspire the conspirators withsome alarm; for the police had quick ears and Argus eyes. Still, theythought that by audacity, combined with prudence, they might easily keepthem from becoming suspicious, until they had had time to complete theirbusiness.
Two carriages containing the other nine associates arrived, as agreedupon, and they were soon installed in their different departments.
Beausire induced Ducorneau himself to dismiss the porter, on the groundthat he did not speak Portuguese. They were, therefore, in a goodsituation to keep off all unwelcome visitors.
About noon, Don Manoel, gaily dressed, got into a carriage, which theyhad hired for five hundred francs a month, and set out, with hissecretary, for the residence of MM. Boehmer 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 openedit. "His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal desires to speak to MM.Boehmer and Bossange."
They got out, and M. Boehmer came to them in a few moments, andreceived them with a profusion of polite speeches, but, seeing that theambassador did not deign even a smile in reply, looked somewhatdisconcerted.
"His excellency does not speak or understand French, sir, and you mustcommunicate to him through me, if you do not speak Portuguese," saidBeausire.
"No, monsieur, I do not."
Manoel then spoke in Portuguese to Beausire, who, turning to M.Boehmer, said:
"His excellency M. le Comte de Souza, ambassador from the Queen ofPortugal, desires me to ask you if you have not in your possession abeautiful diamond necklace?"
Boehmer looked at him scrutinizingly.
"A beautiful diamond necklace!" repeated he.
"The one which you offered to the Queen of France, and which ourgracious queen has heard of."
"Monsieur," said Boehmer, "is an officer of the ambassador's?"
"His secretary, monsieur."
Don Manoel was seated with the air of a great man, looking carelessly atthe pictures which hung round the room.
"M. Boehmer," said Beausire abruptly, "do you not understand what I amsaying to you?"
"Yes, sir," answered Boehmer, rather startled by the manner of thesecretary.
"Because I see his excellency is becoming impatient."
"Excuse me, sir," said Boehmer, coloring, "but I dare not show thenecklace, except in my partner's presence."
"Well, sir, call your partner."
Don Manoel approached Beausire, and began again talking to him inPortuguese.
"His excellency says," interpreted he, "that he has already waited tenminutes, and that he is not accustomed to be kept waiting."
Boehmer bowed, and rang the bell. A minute afterwards M. Bossangeentered.
Boehmer explained the matter to him, who, after looking scrutinizinglyat 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 underhis coat, but they distinctly saw the shining barrel of a pistol.
"However well we may look," said Manoel gravely, in Portuguese, to hiscompanion, "these gentlemen seem to take us for pickpockets rather thanambassadors."
M. Bossange advanced, and put the case into the hands of Manoel. Heopened it, and then cried angrily to his secretary:
"Monsieur, tell these gentlemen that they tire my patience! I ask for adiamond necklace, and they bring me paste. Tell them I will complain tothe ministers, and will have them thrown into the Bastile, impertinentpeople, who play tricks upon an ambassador." And he threw down the casein such a passion that they did not need an interpretation of hisspeech, but began explaining most humbly that in France it was usual toshow only the models of diamonds, so as not to tempt people to robbery,were they so inclined.
Manoel, with an indignant gesture, walked towards the door.
"His excellency desires me to tell you," said Beausire, "that he issorry that people like MM. Boehmer and Bossange, jewelers to thequeen, should not know better how to distinguish an ambassador from arogue, and that he will return to his hotel."
The jewelers began to utter most respectful protestations, but Manoelwalked on, and Beausire followed him.
"To the ambassador's hotel, Rue de la Jussienne," said Beausire to thefootman.
"A lost business," groaned the valet, as they set off.
"On the contrary, a safe one; in an hour these men will follow us."
Le collier de la reine. English Page 29