CHAPTER 28

He remembered...

They met at a cocktail party in Lyons. "Ah the Monsieur Kellner," Jean had greeted. "I recognize you from your picture. It was in today's Journal.
It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Jean d'Aiguy. I believe we will be working together on the 'book project'"
"Ah, yes," He stammered."

The Legendary French Insurance Investigator

He had heard of the legendary French insurance investigator, but he wasn't prepared for the man who stood before him. Jean d'Aiguy was an aristocrat and it showed. He was well over six feet tall, broad shouldered with blue eyes that twinkled. He was immaculately groomed and reminded one of a younger Cary Grant, with graying hair and a cleft chin. He was also unprepared for what happened next. Jean invited him to have breakfast at his 'place' the following morning. "Will you be coming alone?" he inquired.

Bruce accepted the invitation and was given a quick sketch of the area showing his 'little place.'
"When you come up this road there is a long wall and a building next to it. There is very, 'peu en evidence'; I do not know the word, door."
"Inconspicuous", Bruce translated. He knew some French.
"Yes, Yes, incon...yes, yes. But you will see my name on the door. Shall we say eight thirty?"

He arrived at 8:15 since he wasn't sure if he would find the 'little place' and the 'inconspicuous' door. He was not at all prepared for what he discovered.

Memories of the French "Maquis"

The mountain behind the house rose steeply and had a craggy rock face. He later learned that the French "Maquis" had operated from this Grand Colombier, during the second war. The wall he had alluded to was the surrounding fortifications of an enormous chateau. The tiny door was a servants entry that Jean used since the ornate steel gates were chained shut. He greeted Bruce with a surprised look.

(The enormous chateau, otherwise known as Jean's "little place," where a large German Shepherd greeted the guests")

"But you are early! The man has not yet finished cutting the grass. What will you think of us?"

Bruce smiled, not knowing what to say and still slightly awed by Jean's 'little place.' They entered into a hallway that opened onto a huge hallway next to an enormous oak staircase.To one side was a dining room with a table set for four. "We have a guest from Canada," he announced. "You will meet him in a while. First, let me show you our garden."

(Noriko and "Ken" in front of the Chateau Beon)

Outside, we were greeted by a large German Shepherd, wagging his tail. "This is Ken," he said. "We have been friends for a long time. He can be trusted."

All People Rated by Their Trustworthiness

Bruce later discovered that for Jean, all people were rated by their trustworthiness. Ken walked silently and obediently beside his master. The noise of the gardener's mower was far off since the lawn was long and flowing down to the front wall. Jean stood at the top end of the sweeping vista and said, "Some day, this will be the most magnificent garden in the region. I am dedicated to renewing this place of my youth. We have photographs and we will reproduce the gardens, exactly."

As we walked around the grounds, Jean explained that the chateau had been in his family for about 200 years. It was always well maintained until his grandmother, the 'Baronne', became ill and was forced to leave." My mother, unfortunately, had no interest in the place," he explained," nor did she have the resources to maintain it. I, of course, want to put it in the condition it was in many years ago. But that is costly and not so simple. Workmen today are incapable..."

"You say your grandmother had a title," Bruce interrupted. "I assume then, that your mother had one too."
"Yes, he said," She was a Countess."
"Then you..."
"I am, technically, a Count but I'm trying to get that upgraded to a Marquis." He turned, and smiled. "These titles are not recognized any more."
"But still..." Kellner started.

Meeting Robert Haas

Noriko appeared on the terrace, "Good morning Mr. Kellner. Welcome to Beon. You must be hungry. Breakfast is ready." As they entered the building Bruce was introduced to a small man with wavy white hair. He wore a casual checkered shirt and leather jacket.
"I'm Robert Haas," he said with a smile as he extended his hand.
"Bruce Kellner. I'm pleased to meet you."
As they were seating themselves, Jean explained. "Dr Haas is a famous Canadian painter. You must have heard of him."
Bruce nodded. "Yes, I know your work, but not well."

Jean continued. Dr Haas is a personal friend. He was a friend of my mother."
"Are you familiar with Gertrude Stein and her writing?" Doctor Haas asked.
"Slightly, "Bruce replied. Most Americans know of Gertrude by reputation. Few read her works other than her famous Autobiography of Alice B Toklas.
"Do you know that Gertrude wrote a story about Jean's mother?" asked Noriko, as she poured steaming black coffee.
Bruce replied that he did not.
Dr Haas took over. "Gertrude lived a short distance from here. She and Jean's grandmother were friends. At that time, Jean's mother was a small girl and she was, I'm afraid, quite inhibited by the huge older lady."
"Petrified," Jean corrected with a laugh.

A Tale of Gertrude's Children's Book

"When," Haas continued, "Gertrude and Alice, her companion, would arrive, little Rose, that's Jean's mother, would climb a tree and hide. Gertrude wrote a children's book about Rose who climbs this mountain behind the chateau, selects the tallest tree and carves her name in the bark. Then she continues her carving until she has come all around to the beginning. The book was called, The World Is Round and it was what Rose carved that became the famous Stein quote; ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE..."

"That's fascinating ", Bruce remarked. "Then Jean, you are the son of the most famous Rose in the world. Everyone knows that line."
"Everybody who was anybody," Dr Haas mumbled.
The others missed the remark.
"You are a painter, I know but are you also a medical doctor?" Bruce asked.

"Oh no," from the dapper little man. That's an honorary degree that the university bestowed on me." We all laughed a little nervously.
Bruce spent three glorious days in the area and had breakfast at Jean's chateau every day. They became good friends that week and have continued that friendship ever since. As for Dr Haas, Bruce never saw him again. It was a wonderful memory and that night, Bruce fell asleep with a smile on my face.

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