: Dead Man's Rock by Quiller Couch Arthur - Treasure troves Fiction; Cornwall (England : County) Fiction; Murder Fiction; Rubies Fiction

@FreeBooksTue 06 Jun, 2023

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PART I

IN his study, situated in the Rue Saint-Dominique, the Minister of War was walking to and fro. In furious fashion he twisted his moustache, which seemed even redder than usual, as he nervously fingered his eyeglass, in a manner which promised anything but a cordial welcome to any who entered his presence. Doubtless, his officers were well acquainted with the reasons of his ill-humour, for a profound silence reigned all around, and the great man's solitude was undisturbed save by the querulous twitterings of the birds in the garden. A minute later, he seemed to lose all patience, and, marching to the mantelpiece, he pressed an electric bell. An usher, with anxious mien, at once approached.

"Has Colonel Vallenot returned?" exclaimed the Minister, in fierce tones.

The servant shrunk away, as though he would have liked the earth to open and swallow him; then he stammered, faintly--

"I do not think so, sir--I will ask--"

The General became purple with rage. An oath burstforth from his lips like a bombshell, then a second, the third was useless. The door was again closed, the servant had vanished.

"What can Vallenot be doing all the time he has been gone?" muttered the Minister, as he resumed his pacing about the room. "Ah! This is the way I am served!"

Before he could finish, the usher had opened the door, and announced--

"Colonel Vallenot."

A man of fifty years of age, tall and thin, with blue eyes and light moustache, marched briskly into the room, and, after saluting his superior in friendly wise, said--

"You seem to have lost all patience, General. I found an officer waiting for me at the very door of the War Office. The fact is, this has been anything but a small matter. After all, I have done everything possible--"

"Indeed!" interrupted the Minister, impatiently. "You have just come from Vanves?"

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