Chapter 44

They weren't ready for what waited for them in Brantome. When they
Arrived at Raymond Biot's workshop there were people milling around. They knocked and nobody answered. An older man approached them. "Are you looking for Doctor Biot?"

"Yes," Marie-Claude replied. "But the shop is locked."

"Mademoiselle," he said, shaking his head. "Apparently there was some trouble. A suspected robbery. Dr. Biot was hit with a heavy object. He was removed to the hospital. It is very serious."

"My God. Was he conscious?" Bruce was confused.

"I do not think so," said the man.

"I think we should check with the hospital," said Marie-Claude.
"Perhaps it would be less disturbing if we just talked to the police."
"Good idea." I know the way.

Friends and Clients

At the station they explained that they were friends and clients. Marie- Claude explained who she was and the detective on duty was very nice but could provide very little information."

"We received a call from Dr Biot about two hours ago. He said someone had come in to rob him and when he refused to give them anything, one of the men hit him while the other slashed two of his paintings. Dr Biot was able to call our line and said only what I told you, and then the line went dead. We were there in 4 minutes. The Dr. was unconscious on the floor. He had a wound on his head. We brought him to the hospital but I have no news after that."

They decided to go directly to the hospital. All they were told was that Dr. Biot was conscious and resting. Visitors were not allowed.
They would return when Dr Biot was able to talk to them. On the way to their car, they passed Emile Picard's office. They wanted to see if he knew anything as they were friends, but the secretary said that the lawyer was at a meeting, some miles away. He had been there all day.

Talking about the Coincidental Accident

On the way back to Hautecombe they talked about the coincidental accident and now the injury to Biot after he said he wanted to talk to Bruce. It was a long shot but it could have been connected.
They bypassed Perigeux and went straight to Hautefort.

Along the road, Bruce noticed a series of conical shaped stone huts. Clo explained. "Those are called Borries. They are dry stone huts that can be seen in many regions. There is no particular use for them but since before Roman times, they have appeared in the fields. Some have as many as 300, stones in them, or so I'm told. The fact that there is no mortar they can last forever. Some have been destroyed when people stole the stones for other uses but in actual fact they can last forever."

Bruce made a note and did a hasty sketch.
"I think I've seen huts like that in California and Mexico."

"I'm sure you have," she replied. "They exist in Italy, Turkey and Switzerland too. They're something like Igloos."

Bruce smiled. "Not exactly, but I know what you mean."

(Click here for Chapter 45)