THE COUNT
That evening at the Hotel de la Palette, with the nephew of the Count de Morancourt as a guest of the ambulance section, was quite a memorable one. This time the story which Don, Dunstan and Chase related really did create a sensation.
"Honest to goodness, fellows, I always had a sort of hazy idea that there was going to be a sensational development," confessed "Peewee," "and——"
"It was certainly hazy enough, I'll wager," chortled Bodkins.
And he might have added a great deal more but for the fact that Monsieur de Morancourt was speaking.
"Before I begin my own explanations I should be glad to know all about your own experiences at the château," he declared, politely.
Thereupon Don Hale, ably assisted by Dunstan and Chase, gave a brief but graphic account of all that had taken place.
"It seems quite extraordinary," commented Monsieur de Morancourt, reflectively, when his curiosity was finally satisfied, "that but for your interest in regard to the mystery of the Château de Morancourt the objects so long sought for might have remained hidden for years."
Then, in a conversational tone, he began his story.
"Some time after the outbreak of the war I visited my uncle, the Count de Morancourt, at the château, and saw his great collection. He said nothing of his intention of leaving; indeed, it was long afterward that I learned of his departure for America. It seems that as the scene of war drew near to the château the count decided that it wouldn't be safe to remain any longer. Accordingly he dismissed all his servants but one, the latter his valet, and then, after attending to various matters, embarked for America. The military authorities had already begun to use the tower as an observation post.
"It came as a great surprise to me when I learned that no one knew what had become of his priceless collection of paintings. The fact naturally disturbed me very much indeed. I wrote several letters to my uncle, but whether they reached him or not I do not know; at any rate, no replies were ever received.
"At last I decided to do a little investigating on my own account, and, obtaining leave of absence, came on to this part of the country. Discovering the Cheval Noir, which was in a habitable condition, I concluded to make my headquarters there, but not wishing to be interfered with or bothered in any way did not choose to disclose my identity.
"I held this theory—there might be secret apartments under the old château, in which the count, with the assistance of his valet, had stored the valuables."
"And you certainly made a mighty good guess," declared Don.
"Yes; so it seems," replied Monsieur de Morancourt, with a smile. "I spent a great part of my time in the château searching for an entrance to the subterranean passageway. On the occasion of your first appearance I must have entered the building very soon after you. It was I who stumbled over the chair, and, naturally, I realized at once that it had been moved. Surmising the presence of some one, I merely waited until I heard you coming down-stairs and then walked outside.
"After your departure, I reëntered, and, wishing to see if anything had been disturbed, made a hasty examination—that explains the flashing light at the window."
"How very simple mysteries sometimes appear after one has learned all about them," laughed Don. "And maybe we wouldn't have been surprised at the Cheval Noir if we'd known that you were the very man responsible!"
"Well, rather!" chuckled Chase.
"And we never even had a suspicion of the truth," laughed Dunstan.
"I certainly was astonished to run into the mysterious visitors," declared Monsieur de Morancourt. And then addressing Chase, he added: "When you made your early morning call my presence is explained by the fact that I had spent the night in one of the upper rooms.
"Now, Messieurs, I believe there is nothing further to add to my story."
The ambulanciers all declared that it had been a very interesting one.
At length, in the midst of a general conversation and much levity and noise, Bodkins, holding his banjo aloft, shouted:
"I think that after all the disturbance these chaps have caused they ought to be made to face the music."
And as he began strumming the instrument even "Peewee" forgot to object.
It was a long time before the gathering broke up, and when Monsieur de Morancourt finally took his leave he said:
"I have heard a great deal about the exploits of this particular section of the Red Cross and fully expect that some day every one of you will be awarded the Croix de Guerre. And now, my young friend"—he turned to Don—"allow me to wish you very great success when you take up your new duties."
"So do we!" cried "Peewee." "I say, boys, three cheers and a tiger for Don Hale with the flying squadron!"
[1] Literally "hairy ones." The affectionate slang term that all France applies to its private soldiers.
[2] Blessé: a wounded man.
[3] Marmite: a large shell.
[4] Poste de secours: surgical first aid station.
[5] En repos: off duty—"at rest."
[6] "Show your passes, gentlemen, please."
[7] Snipers: sharpshooters.
[8] Mechant: wicked.
[9] Camion: truck.
[10] Bureau; office.
[11] "Gone West": been killed.
[12] Tir de barrage: a barrage fire, or bombardment by which shells are placed close together along a certain line, so as to form there a barrier against advancing troops.