Manof Chpt7

Chapter 7

He sat, thinking about his task and this interesting family he was staying with. He was surprised by a voice.

"Monsieur, excusez-moi." It was Marcel. "Can I get you anything else?"

"Is your family still here in Hautefort?"

"Unfortunately, no. They died during the war here in the village. I'm not sure of the circumstances. I did have an older brother but he died in England in 1943. It was an accident."

"Sorry," Bruce replied. Then he added, "I assume you know that the art works here are priceless. Did you know they were hidden during the war?"

"Yes, sir. I helped pack them in cases and see to it that they were, shall we say, whisked away. It was just before the Germans invaded. Le Baron, the Count's father had friends in Belgium. They saw to it that the works of art were shipped to Canada for safe-keeping. They were all returned after the surrender. There has never been a problem with the security in the chateau, until recently."

Bruce looked up from his notes. "You mean the missing drawing?' he asked.

"Yes, monsieur. I was the first one the Count confided in. We are very close."

"I assume so. You're a very lucky man," Bruce said, softly. Actually, you and the Count are both lucky to have found each other."

Marcel bowed his head and whispered, "Merci, Monsieur. I am very much aware of that."

Bruce felt he was making Marcel uneasy. "I am here to help find the drawing. Do you know that?"

"Oui, monsieur, I was told why you were coming here. I am very happy that you have come."

"Marcel, Bruce started, I would like you to do me a favor. During the next day or two, I'd like you to make a list of all the people who have been in the chateau, to the best of your memory. Friends, villagers, workmen, masons, painters, service people, even professionals. Can you do that?"

"I can try, but M. Le Conte has had many craftsmen, gardeners, carpenters and members of the city council. He has meetings here often. Some are social and some professional. It will not be easy."

"But it would be of enormous help to me. Do what you can."
"Oui, Monsieur."

"And Marcel" Bruce added. "Underline in red anyone you might be suspicious of, please.

Marcel looked bewildered. "Suspicious Monsieur? Why would I be suspicious of anyone?"

"You never know. It may be something someone said or did. Then again, you may have had no suspicions. See what happens."

Marcel suddenly looked anxious to leave. "Very well, Monsieur".

Bruce was alone again, but not for long, he could hear Marie-Claude's voice. She and her brother had returned.

Click here for Chapter 8.


	Chapter 7 He sat, thinking about his task and this interesting family he was staying with. He was surprised by a voice. "Monsieur, excusez-moi." It was Marcel. "Can I get you anything else?" "Is your family still here in Hautefort?" "Unfortunately, no. They died during the war here in the village. I'm not sure of the circumstances. I did have an older brother but he died in England in 1943. It was an accident." "Sorry," Bruce replied. Then he added, "I assume you know that the art works here are priceless. Did you know they were hidden during the war?" "Yes, sir. I helped pack them in cases and see to it that they were, shall we say, whisked away. It was just before the Germans invaded. Le Baron, the Count's father had friends in Belgium. They saw to it that the works of art were shipped to Canada for safe-keeping. They were all returned after the surrender. There has never been a problem with the security in the chateau, until recently." Bruce looked up from his notes. "You mean the missing drawing?' he asked. "Yes, monsieur. I was the first one the Count confided in. We are very close." "I assume so. You're a very lucky man," Bruce said, softly. Actually, you and the Count are both lucky to have found each other." Marcel bowed his head and whispered, "Merci, Monsieur. I am very much aware of that." Bruce felt he was making Marcel uneasy. "I am here to help find the drawing. Do you know that?" "Oui, monsieur, I was told why you were coming here. I am very happy that you have come." "Marcel, Bruce started, I would like you to do me a favor. During the next day or two, I'd like you to make a list of all the people who have been in the chateau, to the best of your memory. Friends, villagers, workmen, masons, painters, service people, even professionals. Can you do that?" "I can try, but M. Le Conte has had many craftsmen, gardeners, carpenters and members of the city council. He has meetings here often. Some are social and some professional. It will not be easy." "But it would be of enormous help to me. Do what you can." "Oui, Monsieur." "And Marcel" Bruce added. "Underline in red anyone you might be suspicious of, please. Marcel looked bewildered. "Suspicious Monsieur? Why would I be suspicious of anyone?" "You never know. It may be something someone said or did. Then again, you may have had no suspicions. See what happens." Marcel suddenly looked anxious to leave. "Very well, Monsieur". Bruce was alone again, but not for long, he could hear Marie-Claude's voice. She and her brother had returned. Click here for Chapter 8.