That, of course, it would be impossible to do; the last barrier to the commercial invasion of the Avenue would be removed; that heroic rear-guard of the old order of things would be destroyed; in a year or two, a monster of steel and stone would rise on the spot where three generations of Vantines had lived their lives; and the collection, so unified and coherent, to which the last Vantine had devoted his life, would be merged and lost in the vast collections of the museum. It was a sad ending. "Gentleman to see you, sir," said the office-boy, as I sat down at my desk, and a moment later, M. Félix Armand was shown in to me. I have only to close my eyes to call again before me that striking personality, for Felix Armand was one of the most extraordinary men I ever had the pleasure of meeting. Ruddy-faced, bright-eyed, with dark full beard and waving hair almost jet black--hair that crinkled about his ears in a way that I can describe by no other word than fascinating--he gave the impression of tremendous strength and virility. There was about him, too, an air of culture not to be mistaken; the air of a man who had travelled much, seen much, and mixed with many people, high and low; the air of a man at home anywhere, in any society. It is impossible for me, by mere words, to convey any adequate idea of his vivid personality; but I confess that, from the first moment, I was both impressed and charmed by him. And I am still impressed; more, perhaps, than at first, now that I know the whole story--but you shall hear. "I speak English very badly, sir," he said, as he sat down. "If you speak French...." "Not half so well as you speak English," I laughed. "I can tell that from your first sentence." "In that event, I will do the best that I can," he said, smiling, "and you must pardon my blunders. First, Mr. Lester, on behalf of Armand et Fils, I must ask your pardon for this mistake, so inexcusable." "It _was_ a mistake, then?" I asked. "One most embarrassing to us. We can not find for it an explanation. Believe me, Mr. Lester, it is not our habit to make mistakes; we have a reputation of which we are very proud; but the cabinet which was purchased by Mr. Vantine remained in our warehouse, and this other one was boxed and shipped to him. We are investigating most rigidly." "Then Mr. Vantine's cabinet is still in Paris?" "No, Mr. Lester; the error was discovered some days ago and the cabinet belonging to Mr. Vantine was shipped to me here. It should arrive next Wednesday on _La Provence_. I shall myself receive it, and deliver it to Mr. Vantine." "Mr. Vantine is dead," I said. "You did not know?" He sat staring at me for a moment, as though unable to comprehend. "Did I understand that you said Mr. Vantine is dead?" he stammered. I told him briefly as much as I knew of the tragedy, while he sat regarding me with an air of stupefaction. "It is curious you saw nothing of it in the papers," I added. "They were full of it."