Castles in the Air

  3.

  Tact, wariness and strength were all required, you must admit, inorder to deal with the present delicate situation. I was speedingalong the Rue de Richelieu on my way to my office. My intention was tospend the night there, where I had a chair-bedstead on which I had oftbefore slept soundly after a day's hard work, and anyhow it was toolate to go to my lodgings at Passy at this hour.

  Moreover, Theodore slept in the antechamber of the office, and I wasmore firmly convinced than ever that it was he who had stolen thebracelet. "Blackleg! Thief! Traitor!" I mused. "But thou hast not donewith Hector Ratichon yet."

  In the meanwhile I bethought me of the velvet-covered box in my breastpocket, and of the ginger-coloured hair and whiskers that I was stillwearing, and which might prove an unpleasant "piece de conviction" incase the police were after the stolen bracelet.

  With a view to examining the one and getting rid of the other, Iturned into the Square Louvois, which, as usual, was very dark andwholly deserted. Here I took off my wig and whiskers and threw themover the railings into the garden. Then I drew the velvet-covered boxfrom my pocket, opened it, and groped for its contents. Imagine myfeelings, my dear Sir, when I realised that the case was empty! Fatewas indeed against me that night. I had been fooled and cheated by atraitor, and had risked New Orleans and worse for an empty box.

  For a moment I must confess that I lost that imperturbable sang-froidwhich is the admiration of all my friends, and with a genuine oath Iflung the case over the railings in the wake of the milor's hair andwhiskers. Then I hurried home.

  Theodore had not returned. He did not come in until the small hours ofthe morning, and then he was in a state that I can only describe, withyour permission, as hoggish. He could hardly speak. I had him at mymercy. Neither tact nor wariness was required for the moment. Istripped him to his skin; he only laughed like an imbecile. His eyeshad a horrid squint in them; he was hideous. I found five francs inone of his pockets, but neither in his clothes nor on his person did Ifind the bracelet.

  "What have you done with it?" I cried, for by this time I was maddenedwith rage.

  "I don't know what you are talking about!" he stammered thickly, as hetottered towards his bed. "Give me back my five francs, you thief!"the brutish creature finally blurted out ere he fell into a hog-likesleep.