Manof Chpt36

Chapter 36

(Above, a garden breakfast spot in Hautefort village)

Later that morning on another highway, farther north, and the sun shone. The road was relatively clear of traffic and the shining black Citroen covered the miles effortlessly.

The road to Blois was gentle and smooth, even though they had decided on the dirt roads along the river. It was a bright day and the sun shone through the windscreen. There were few cars on the road at that hour and the conversation turned to Karl Hellstrom.

"I like the man," said Marie Claude. "He's different but maybe that's because he's new to France. I find his accent almost musical."

"I know what you mean but he's just a little off center for me. True, he's got a certain charm but it's strange that a man from Finland should be here in central France so he can be close to an Italian painter who lived over 400 years ago. Besides, he looked too comfortable to live on the profits of that little shop."

Many German Officers Sell War Booty

Bruce nodded. "I thought the same thing but he could have made more than we think during the war. Many German officers sold the booty they collected during the war as they couldn't take them back with them and many were trying to raise enough cash to buy their way our of one country to another.

"There are still many Germans missing since the war who were not known to have died and there are still many old paintings ready to be sold through small shop like Karl Hellstrom's. I liked the man but I don't think we heard the whole story."

They drove on for a few minutes and Marie Claude pointed out the rather sober Chateau of Chaumont towering over the town. "It was here," she said, "that Diane de Poitiers was sent after her lover, Henri II died. It's a very austere place, especially after Chenenceau and that beautiful garden."

They arrived at the fork where the road met the southern fork leading from Montrichard in the south. Marie Claude slowed down but there were no cars coming from the other direction. They headed north again at regular speed. "We'll be in Blois in a liitle while. There's a Royal Castle there, right in the middle of the town. There's no hurry so we can stop and look at it.

Meeting an Art Dealer

Besides, there's someone there I'd like you to meet. He's a dealer my father bought paintings from a long time ago. He was arrested during the war but I understand he came out of it OK. He's no longer in business but I'd like you to meet him. You can ask or tell him anything you want. I'd trust him with my life."

After a few moments she said, "An old friend of my father's was a dealer in Blois. Let's take some time to tell him what's happening. I know him since I was a young girl. He may be able to help us."

Then we can see Chambord and go on to Orleans or Chateauroux. But we can leave that for tomorrow."

Suddenly, she called out. "Oh my goodness. Look how close that idiot is following us!"

Bruce turned around. In a cloud of dust was a black car. The driver was honking his horn and refused to back off. He was gesturing as though he wanted to pass. Marie Claude came very close to the edge and as she slowed, the car whipped out from behind and passed her so closely that the cars touched and Marie Claude had to use all her strength to prevent her car from going off the road.

Her car began to swerve in the gravel and as the speeding car disappeared in a cloud of dust, Marie Claude found her car driving on grass, almost turning over and whip lasing them around as she came to a stop in a grassy field.

"Are you alright?" she yelled.
"Yes, I'm fine. How about you?"
"I think I'm OK," he replied, rubbing his neck. "That was a close call. He was a madman. Why are people in such a hurry?"
"Every day there are more cars on the roads. It's becoming impossible to drive in France, these days."

Bruce Was Furious

"But he didn't even stop. Surely he saw what happened." Bruce was furious. Neither had seen the license plates in the dust.
They sat there for a few moments after which they both got out and examined the car. The damage was slight.
"We'll get someone to check it in Blois."

"If it starts." Marie Claude got in and turned the key. The huge motor hummed to obedience. Within a minute they were back on the smooth road heading for Blois farther along the Loire. They entered the city in silence and stopped in front of a messy garage. They explained what had happened and were told to come back in a few hours. Marie Claude shrugged and they walked towards the Chateau de Blois.

"Did you recognize that crazy driver or the car?"

"No. It happened too fast. I was trying to concentrate on the road."

"Do you think it was a purposeful act or an accident?'

"I assume it was an accident…bad driving."

Bruce frowned. "I'm not so sure."

(Click here for the next chapter)


	Chapter 36 (Above, a garden breakfast spot in Hautefort village) Later that morning on another highway, farther north, and the sun shone. The road was relatively clear of traffic and the shining black Citroen covered the miles effortlessly. The road to Blois was gentle and smooth, even though they had decided on the dirt roads along the river. It was a bright day and the sun shone through the windscreen. There were few cars on the road at that hour and the conversation turned to Karl Hellstrom. "I like the man," said Marie Claude. "He's different but maybe that's because he's new to France. I find his accent almost musical." "I know what you mean but he's just a little off center for me. True, he's got a certain charm but it's strange that a man from Finland should be here in central France so he can be close to an Italian painter who lived over 400 years ago. Besides, he looked too comfortable to live on the profits of that little shop." Many German Officers Sell War Booty Bruce nodded. "I thought the same thing but he could have made more than we think during the war. Many German officers sold the booty they collected during the war as they couldn't take them back with them and many were trying to raise enough cash to buy their way our of one country to another. "There are still many Germans missing since the war who were not known to have died and there are still many old paintings ready to be sold through small shop like Karl Hellstrom's. I liked the man but I don't think we heard the whole story." They drove on for a few minutes and Marie Claude pointed out the rather sober Chateau of Chaumont towering over the town. "It was here," she said, "that Diane de Poitiers was sent after her lover, Henri II died. It's a very austere place, especially after Chenenceau and that beautiful garden." They arrived at the fork where the road met the southern fork leading from Montrichard in the south. Marie Claude slowed down but there were no cars coming from the other direction. They headed north again at regular speed. "We'll be in Blois in a liitle while. There's a Royal Castle there, right in the middle of the town. There's no hurry so we can stop and look at it. Meeting an Art Dealer Besides, there's someone there I'd like you to meet. He's a dealer my father bought paintings from a long time ago. He was arrested during the war but I understand he came out of it OK. He's no longer in business but I'd like you to meet him. You can ask or tell him anything you want. I'd trust him with my life." After a few moments she said, "An old friend of my father's was a dealer in Blois. Let's take some time to tell him what's happening. I know him since I was a young girl. He may be able to help us." Then we can see Chambord and go on to Orleans or Chateauroux. But we can leave that for tomorrow." Suddenly, she called out. "Oh my goodness. Look how close that idiot is following us!" Bruce turned around. In a cloud of dust was a black car. The driver was honking his horn and refused to back off. He was gesturing as though he wanted to pass. Marie Claude came very close to the edge and as she slowed, the car whipped out from behind and passed her so closely that the cars touched and Marie Claude had to use all her strength to prevent her car from going off the road. Her car began to swerve in the gravel and as the speeding car disappeared in a cloud of dust, Marie Claude found her car driving on grass, almost turning over and whip lasing them around as she came to a stop in a grassy field. "Are you alright?" she yelled. "Yes, I'm fine. How about you?" "I think I'm OK," he replied, rubbing his neck. "That was a close call. He was a madman. Why are people in such a hurry?" "Every day there are more cars on the roads. It's becoming impossible to drive in France, these days." Bruce Was Furious "But he didn't even stop. Surely he saw what happened." Bruce was furious. Neither had seen the license plates in the dust. They sat there for a few moments after which they both got out and examined the car. The damage was slight. "We'll get someone to check it in Blois." "If it starts." Marie Claude got in and turned the key. The huge motor hummed to obedience. Within a minute they were back on the smooth road heading for Blois farther along the Loire. They entered the city in silence and stopped in front of a messy garage. They explained what had happened and were told to come back in a few hours. Marie Claude shrugged and they walked towards the Chateau de Blois. "Did you recognize that crazy driver or the car?" "No. It happened too fast. I was trying to concentrate on the road." "Do you think it was a purposeful act or an accident?' "I assume it was an accident…bad driving." Bruce frowned. "I'm not so sure." (Click here for the next chapter)