X
In the little garden of the Marquet house—the garden which was a replica of the summer garden of the kings across the river—walked Kent and M. Davignan.
Davignan had been doing a great deal of talking
"You understand monsieur," he said in conclusion, "this Paléologue had, as you Americans call it, nicely 'framed' you. You were pretending to be an English scientist. Therefore, he laid the crime of the robbery upon your shoulders."
"I see that all right," said Kent dryly. He had made full confession of his imposture. "But I don't see how you and Bigarot suspected him. His alibi was perfect. The evidence against me was good. Why was I not arrested? Why did you go after him?"
Davignan rubbed his nose thoughtfully, smiling as usual.
"My dear monsieur," he said, "we of Provence are a peculiar race. We have our prejudices, you comprehend—our superstitions, perhaps. Now, in this matter, do you remember that card-game in Singapore, where we first met?"
"Yes," said Kent.
"And you found me m company with Paléologue, was it not?"
"Yes."
Davignan made an expressive gesture.
"Well, that is all. I was keeping my eye upon this fine gentleman. When he accepted your challenge and declared that he would steal the royal treasure, I believed him implicitly. That is all."
"In other words," exclaimed Kent, "it was a hunch?"
Davignan merely shrugged and waved his plump hand. Then he clapped Kent on the shoulder, with abrupt change of subject. His twinkling eyes met those of the American.
"Monsieur, what are your plans?"
"Plans?" Kent hesitated a moment, and bitterness crept into his face. "I have none."
"Then you have refused that offer from the Saigon firm?"
Kent's eyes widened in amazement.
"How the devil do you know anything about that offer?"
"Suppose you answer my question first. You refused it?"
"I did not answer it," said Kent harshly. "I could not accept it, for when the firm discovered that I had been pretending to be another man—"
To his astonishment, Davignan uttered a roar of laughter.
"Saperlipopette! I told them all about you!"
"You did? When?"
"When they applied to my office for your record," said Davignan. "I advised them to employ you, by all means. They took my advice. That is all."
Kent stared at him for a moment.
"You advised them to employ me?" he said at length. "When you knew that—"
"Listen, my friend!" The rotund features of Davignan became very earnest. "I am accustomed to read men, me! I am fat, therefore men think me a fool; that is why Bigarot and I have together made a record in the world. Now I say to you that here is your chance to go north to Shanghai, to carve out for yourself a great business career. Why did you come to Hué, tell me?"
Kent met the black eyes squarely, and did not flinch.
"To steal the royal treasure," he said.
"So I supposed. The treasure attracts many flies, but you are not fitted for such dreams, you! One must have special ability, special knowledge, such as M, Paléologue had—in cigarets, for example. One must have neither faith nor honor. One must, in effect, possess a special equipment, most of which you lack—fortunately. How blind you are, my friend! You came here seeking a royal treasure—and all you could see was gold!"
Kent stood wordless, comprehending the fund of kindly wisdom in this man; but at Davignan's last words he glanced up inquiringly. His eyes fell upon the slender figure of Marie, coming toward them from the house. A tinge of red crept into his cheeks.
"I understand," he said in a low voice. "Yes; yet, in a sense, you are wrong, Davignan. All that Paléologue could see was gold. After I had come here—well, no matter! Perhaps I shall accept that offer and go to Shanghai. Perhaps!"
Davignan glanced at the approaching figure, then smiled suddenly.
"I hasten to remove myself. I have another—what you call it?—another hunch. Saperlipopette! M. Kent, you not blind after all. I apologize. Au revoir!"
Kent went toward the girl, whose gray eyes welcomed him with kindling smile.
THE END