Page 12 of Abra's Acquisition
“That’s an excellent question. I don’t know. I managed to acquire the diaries of both Madelaine and Tomas De Villiers. They recounted their narrow escape from Paris in June 1791.They fled to the port in Le Havre and boarded a ship along with the children. What’s interesting is that they mentioned stopping at the palace to meet with the royal family before they, too, fled. The royal family chose to flee to Montmédy rather than leave the continent. They hoped to establish a base there before attempting to take back their throne. However, they didn’t travel lightly and were captured at Varennes-en-Argonne because someone recognized the king.”
“Why do you think the De Villiers meeting with the royals is interesting?” Abra asks.
“Because I’ve long believed the King and Queen gave the De Villiers something important to take with them when they fled to America. The De Villierses left their home with only five trunks. However, they arrived at the ship with several paintings and a safe.”
“You think they had something of importance in the safe? What?” Cleo asks.
Cicero shrugs. “I don’t know. Neither mentioned anything specific in their journals. Still, both mentioned how they were already packed and ready to flee before taking an unplanned detour to visit the royals at the Palace of Versailles. Maybe they only wanted to see their friends one last time, but I believe the King or Queen gave them the paintings and the safe. Whatever was in the safe had to be extremely important to risk the detour. At this time, the De Villiers likely knew they’d never see the King and Queen again. Although I’m sure they had hoped the royals would make it safely out of France. In their journals, the De Villiers acknowledged their remorse at the likelihood of never seeing their friends again. They mentioned starting new lives in the New World. However, Madelaine made a single entry that makes me believe they carried something that once belonged to the royals. She said they would always carry the treasure near their hearts to remember. Tomas made a slightlymore passionate, but obscure, entry. He stated that he would die before failing his King.”
“You think the King and Queen entrusted them with something valuable?” Hex asks. “Like what?”
“There are several rumors, and I have a few ideas. After their capture, the revolutionists discovered a manifesto written by King Louis XVI covering his reasons for fleeing France. He denounced the restrictions placed on the monarchy and stated that he planned to return and retake France. This is why they were beheaded; they were seen as traitors. Now, it’s possible that the King provided the De Villiers with a copy of the plan he intended to follow. Louis may have expected the De Villiers to assist in executing the plan.”
“I have a hard time believing Erickson is going to all this trouble to uncover a historical document,” I say. “He must believe the De Villiers left behind more than a document. No matter its historical value.”
“The De Villiers travelled on the Lady Washington from Le Havre. I’ve seen the ship’s manifest, and it lists the items the De Villiers stored in the hold for the trip. In addition to the five chests they brought with them from their manor, they had five paintings and a safe. Madelaine mentioned the Harlequin figure in her journal, but she didn’t say much about it. It held some significance for her. I’m convinced he’s key to finding the treasure the royal family sent with the De Villiers.”
“Why?” Abra asks, taking the figurine and studying it closely. “I never understood why you wanted it. Is it just because of the connection to the De Villiers? You think it points to the location of the treasure, but you never said why you thought that.”
“Because it’s the only thing that makes sense. Why bring this figurine with them unless it was critical?”
“It’s valuable,” I remind him.
He nods. “Now it is. Back then? Not particularly. The De Villiers were running for their lives. They were fleeing the country with the bare necessities to create a new life across the pond. They brought clothes and a treasure. This statue, back then? Why? It’s worthless, and more importantly, it’s incredibly fragile. It would be like bringing a Christmas ornament on a long voyage.”
“Sentimental value?” I ask.
He nods. “Possibly. The word on the scroll means oaks. The De Villiers mansion in France was called ‘Le château aux cinquante chênes’, meaning ‘The Castle of Fifty Oaks’. So, maybe the figurine had ties to what they were leaving behind. But, I think they brought it with a purpose.”
“Do you think something is inside it?” Abra asks, taking the loupe and examining it. “It looks like someone already checked.” He points to the midsection of the figurine. “There is a fine line here. It looks like someone carefully sliced it open.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought, too. I’ve considered opening it, but I don’t think there is anything inside. I think the figurine as a whole is what will lead to the treasure. If there is a treasure, it’s possible the royal family simply gave their friends gold and jewels to help them settle in their new life.”
“But you think there’s more to it?” I ask.
He nods. “I do, and I think they used this little guy to help hide it. The De Villiers built their home in New Orleans and called it the House of Five Oaks. It ties back to their homestead in France. When they built the house, they used an oak tree motif throughout the design.”
“You think the treasure is hidden inside the house? Maybe they created it when designing the house?” Cleo asks.
“Yes, I do. I think this guy points to the location. See the pedestal?” Cicero takes back the figurine from Abra before turning it so we can see the bottom. The bottom is shaped likea leaf. An oak leaf. I’ve examined the statue closely. It’s why I asked Abra to acquire it for me. Somebody added the pedestal later. You can see the difference in quality. The stand is thicker. You can see how little effort went into attaching the feet to the base. I think De Villiers had someone modify the statue so they could use it as a key.”
“A key that opens the treasure chest?” Zip asks.
“Maybe, but I think it’s more than that. I think that somewhere in the house, there is a carving that matches this shape. Perhaps the scroll indicates the location of the treasure once the figurine is placed within the carving. It’s why I wanted a chance to examine the house. If Erickson wins the auction, I know he won’t let me near the place.”
“Well, what if someone else bought the property?” Cleo says.
“Then I’ll approach them with my ideas,” Cicero says. “I don’t know who else is bidding for the property, though. What if I’m wrong and I can’t find the treasure? I hate to think of the damage someone could do to the house if they believed there was a treasure inside.”
“What if the person who purchased the property shared your reverence for history?” Cleo presses.
I smirk at the hopeful look on Cicero’s face and the smirks on the faces of everyone else around the table. Cleo Dolubrev is an extremely wealthy woman. I have a feeling she’s talking about herself, but Cicero hasn’t caught on.
“That would be great, but I don’t know of anyone who can afford to buy the property,” Cicero says.
“Don’t you?” Cleo says with a grin. “How do I gain access to this auction?”
Cicero gapes at her for several seconds. His mouth closes and opens without words until a bright smile takes over his face. “I have the contact information here.” He digs through his filesuntil he comes up with a business card, which he hands to Cleo. She takes it and pulls out her phone.
