Chapter 43
“What did you say, Jean-Claude?� Francis asked, staring at him.
“About what?� Jean said.
You know very well about what. You were speaking of my murder? Should I consider this an act of treason?�
“You wouldn’t dare,� Jean-Claude said angrily.
“Do not attempt to make me angry, monsieur, for I will do as I please. Never question a King’s authority.�
Auguste looked up at him. “Quiet, the two of you!� He turned back to the King. “And you. I am surprised at you. Now please, calm yourself, Francis, or you will have that stroke the court physicians talks about all the time,�
Francis nodded. “You and my wife,� he said, laughing. Then he looked sternly at Jean-Claude. “I will deal with you later,� he said.
Jean Claude started to stick his tongue out when Monique grabbed it. He sputtered and tried to take hold of her hand to pull it off.
“And what of me and my treasures?� Colette looked at all of them. Every one in that room had their eyes on her.
“We are waiting for an answer, Colette?� Antoine asked again, but before she could speak, Auguste interuppted.
“Listen to me, Colette. These children here dug up your so-called “treasures� that is why the mud hole was empty. It was a small accident until we discovered the portrait and the missing instructions where everything was. You see, Colette, we knew where it was. Everything is in this journal, which is why you want it so badly. But I don’t understand why? You knew exactly where everything was, thanks to that portrait. Everything except that sword that you still claim belongs to you.�
As soon as you found Nicole’s portrait, you stole my 20 gold francs and hid it in the painting. From there you buried three artifacts in the ground, the painting with the money hidden in it, the journal and a small chest, which contained some of her grandmother’s jewelry. All were to go to Danielle, not you.�
“I dug the portrait from the ground and saved those gold pieces, then put the whole thing back into the ground.�
“You knew where everything was all along?� Colette was fascinated.
“Yes, Colette, I did. Nicole left instructions in the journal and others, which were placed in the portrait. You knew that and you tried to go after it and sneak off iin the middle of the night.
[ Edited by susan on 2002/6/28 3:59:54 ]