Everyone felt nervous during the intermission granted us, but we said not a word to each other. Then the Frenchman returned. He was so careful, almost reverent, I should say, in touching and cleaning the clasp, that I laughed to myself at the memory of Old Izaacs shelving the pearls with a heap of junk, on a tray that was shoved on the floor under a counter.
After many minutes of impatient waiting on our side, and as long in a most delicate cleansing process of the pearls on the part of the expert, he said: Ah! Now vee zee.
He adjusted his eyeglass and studied the lettering on the clasp. Then he jerked forward and peered breathlessly at it again. Suddenly he dropped the necklace upon the pad and leaned back in the chair. Mon Dieu! was all he could gasp.
The president then caught up the pearls and adjusted the glass and studied the clasp. He also gasped and turned pale. The manager took the string from his superior and eagerly read the lettering aloud, To my queen from Bonaparte. And then followed the date and year in tiny figures.
Mr. Fabian smiled as he saw the impression his story had made, and waited to be asked questions concerning the pearls.
Oh, do finish the story! cried Eleanor.
Were they really that famous pearl necklace? asked Anne.
But Polly was too amazed to ask anything.
It was the famous necklace of purest pearls that had been lost for the past sixty years. It was worth about two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, at the time it disappeared. To-day it would be worth much more. But it belonged to the French Museum, and a reward of two hundred thousand francs had been offered for trace of it, or its return. So long ago had that reward been recorded in every civilized land, that the present generation had never heard of it except in history.
Well, I took a receipt from Tiffany for its safe-keeping, and they assured me that they would communicate with the French Ambassador, without delay. Meanwhile I was to communicate with my friend Avery. Naturally I withheld all information as to the manner in which the necklace had been discovered.
I went to Averys office, immediately, and acted very sorry as I said: Avery, if I were to tell
you that I lost that necklace, what would you do to me?
He only laughed and said: Id make you buy my wife one as good, or one she might prefer to that greasy one!
Then I said: Avery, I never had, nor do I expect to have as much money as that necklace is worth! Man alive, it is now in Tiffanys safe, insured for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, against fire or theft!
I thought Avery would faint, but when he had managed to collect his wits, he whispered hoarsely, I dont understand were they genuine pearls?
So I told him the story and we both rushed away to hire a taxi and then we drove madly to Tiffanys, again. I introduced Avery as the owner of the pearls, and he was treated to a sight of his little twelve-dollar bargain.
Well, the upshot of it was, Avery received a present of a hundred thousand dollars from the French Government, and in return he signed a release for himself, his wife, his heirs, friends, acquaintances, and, in fact, every American citizen in the census. He was told that he would be held responsible, thereafter, for all claims or lawsuits instituted against France to recover the necklace. And he accepted the burden, considering he had such a price paid for the job.
One day Izaacs got a present through the mail, of a draft for a thousand dollars and to this day he doesnt know who the signer William Avery, can be.
My old jeweler on Union Square got another thousand, and I well, I refused everything, and Avery called me a numb-skull and an easy mark! So he invested half of all he received in my wife and Nancys name, and that is how they went to Europe. Mr. Fabian smiled reminiscently at the end of the story.
CHAPTER V FIRST DAYS AT SCHOOL
Ah, come on, Nolla bring Polly and see us to the train, coaxed Jim, watching the clock on the mantel.
But, Jim, we honestly havent the time! If you knew all we had to do this week! sighed Eleanor.
Why, we could have been there in the time you have taken to explain how busy you are, grumbled Jim.
Then get out! If I have wasted so much precious time it is because you stand there and make me. Good-by, old pal, now scat! Eleanor held out her hand and laughed. But Jim was not so easily daunted.
Wheres Ken all this time? Oh, I say, Ken! Come on!
I think Ken and Polly went down the street while you two were out in the garden hunting for the grass, said Mrs. Stewart, without a smile.
Jim laughed. And Eleanor caught up her hat from the divan and ran to the door. If they go away like that, then you and I will, too.
Having reached the corner, however, Jim and Eleanor saw Ken and Polly intently studying something held in the latters palm.
Come on we will see what it is they caught? said Eleanor.
Oh, Nolla, see what Ken gave me for a keep-sake. We found it over at Old Izaacs, exclaimed Polly, holding out the strange trinket for her friend to admire.