Ron Goulart - The Curse of the Obelisk

THE CURSE OF THE OBELISK 33
CHAPTER 8
The horse-drawn omnibus made an unscheduled stop directly in front of the Musée des
Antiquités. On the open upper level the Great Lorenzo stood up, adjusted his Inverness cape and
started for the metal stairway. To the scattering of perplexed open-air passengers he said, "I hope,
dear friends, you'll be able to avail yourselves of the free passes to the Great Lorenzo's magical
extravaganza. I hear he's tops and well worth a twenty-six-hour journey to nearby Urbania."
He paused by a pretty nursemaid who had a chubby little boy in a sailor suit in her care. "And
for the little admiral . . ." From the mid-morning air he plucked a bottle containing a model of a
full-rigged clipper ship.
"Where's the crew?" inquired the sour-faced little fellow as he accepted the gift with sticky
hands.
"For you, dear lady . . ." A bouquet of yellow roses appeared in his gloved hand. Bowing, he
presented them to her.
"Oh, monsieur. I am quite . . . taken aback."
"And well you should be, dear Albertine. Adieu for now."
"Oh, but how did you know my name?"
He tipped his bowler, which was the color of green tree moss. "It is my business to know
things." Bowing again, he then went hurrying and clanging down the stairs.
The uniformed conductor helped him to the sidewalk and handed him his plump portmanteau.
"A pleasure to have served such an important official, Inspector Swann."
"Your duty to France will not go unrewarded, Gallimard." The Great Lorenzo saluted him
briskly and then grabbed up his suitcase.
The pair of sturdy horses began moving again and the omnibus with its nonplussed passengers
rolled away down the street.
Ascending the museum steps two at a time, the Great Lorenzo tried the brass doorknob.
The heavy door was locked.
He started knocking on it enthusiastically with his fist. "I have a train to catch."
After a moment the door was opened a fraction and a lean, moustached man who was obviously
a plainclothes-police detective peered out. "The museum is not open to the public at this time,
monsieur."
"I know that, which is why I've been standing out here for untold minutes rapping on the door."
The Great Lorenzo thrust a well-shod foot into the opening. "Were you as perceptive as one in your
profession ought well to be, my friend, you would have noticed that I am far from being a member
of the public. Nay, I happen to be a confidential operative for the prestigious Challenge
International Detective Agency."
"Ah, yes. M. Challenge, accompanied by a very charming young lady, is within this institution
at this very moment."