M. Ducorneau blessed heaven repeatedly for sending an ambassador who preferred his speaking French to Portuguese1, and liked Portuguese wines better than French ones. At last, Manoël expressed a wish to go to bed; Ducorneau rose and left the room, although, it must be confessed, he found some difficulty in the operation.
It was now the turn of the valet to have supper, which he did with great good-will.
The next day the hotel assumed an air of business; all the bureaux were opened, and everything indicated life in the recently deserted2 place.
The report soon spread in the neighborhood that some great personages had arrived from Portugal during the night. This, although what was wanted to give them credit, could not but inspire the conspirators3 with some alarm; for the police had quick ears and Argus eyes. Still, they thought that by audacity4, combined with prudence5, they might easily keep them from becoming suspicious, until they had had time to complete their business.
Two carriages containing the other nine associates arrived, as agreed upon, and they were soon installed in their different departments.
Beausire induced Ducorneau himself to dismiss the porter, on the ground that he did not speak Portuguese. They were, therefore, in a good situation to keep off all unwelcome visitors.
About noon, Don Manoël, gaily6 dressed, got into a carriage, which they had hired for five hundred francs a month, and set out, with his secretary, for the residence of MM. Bœhmer 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 opened it. “His Excellency the Ambassador of Portugal desires to speak to MM. Bœhmer and Bossange.”
They got out, and M. Bœhmer came to them in a few moments, and received them with a profusion7 of polite speeches, but, seeing that the ambassador did not deign8 even a smile in reply, looked somewhat disconcerted.
“His excellency does not speak or understand French, sir, and you must communicate to him through me, if you do not speak Portuguese,” said Beausire.
“No, monsieur, I do not.”
Manoël then spoke9 in Portuguese to Beausire, who, turning to M. Bœhmer, said:
“His excellency M. le Comte de Souza, ambassador from the Queen of Portugal, desires me to ask you if you have not in your possession a beautiful diamond necklace?”
Bœhmer looked at him scrutinizingly.
“A beautiful diamond necklace!” repeated he.
“The one which you offered to the Queen of France, and which our gracious queen has heard of.”
“Monsieur,” said Bœhmer, “is an officer of the ambassador’s?”
“His secretar............