"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."