The next morning the Earl had a plan worked out in his mind.
He went first to see Colonel Réal, who was in charge of security at The Palace.
The Colonel rose as he entered his office and the Earl began,
“I have come for your help, Colonel.”
“You know that I will do anything in my power to assist you, my Lord,” Colonel Réal replied.
The Earl sat down and said,
“When I came here I deliberately did not bring my wife’s jewellery, but left it behind in my yacht. As I had no outriders, I thought that it would be a mistake to travel in a manner that would undoubtedly encourage thieves.”
“I do agree with you,” the Colonel said. “We have had trouble on the road from Calais already.”
“What I have decided,” the Earl went on, “is to buy my wife before we leave Paris some of your magnificent je
