Read Online H.J. Gaudreau - Betrayal in the Louvre by H.J. Gaudreau - Free Book Online Page B

University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.  “I’ll call him tomorrow morning and set up an appointment for you.”
    They spent a few minutes discussing Dr. Bill Rousseau at the University; then they made the obligatory comments on the school’s football and hockey teams, the upcoming Ohio game and other traditions of the area.  Soon, fatigue began to creep into the room and it was clear everyone wanted to go home or at least to their hotel room.  Eve mentioned it was late, and they all quickly agreed.  Shortly thereafter the conclave began to break up.  Shilling showed everyone out of his office and ante-room and said good-night. 
    Eve and Jim headed to the garage. 
    John Taylor went home to tell his girlfriend of his day’s adventure.
    Raymond LeDuc went to make a phone call.

 
    Chapter 9
     
    That Sunday afternoon, Jim and Eve drove home.  Like most farmers Jim kept his hunting rifle and his shotguns locked in a tall metal cabinet known as a ‘gun safe’ in his basement.  It was here that he placed the tube and its precious contents.  They spent a nervous night knowing they had a possible fortune in the basement.  They would feel much better once the items were stored in their safety deposit box at the bank.  But first, they had to have these things authenticated.  On Monday morning Eve took a vacation day and they drove to Ann Arbor to meet with Dr. Rousseau. 
    Fall is the best time of the year on the University of Michigan campus.  The trees on central campus are bursting with colour.   The “Diag,” so named for two diagonal walkways crisscrossing a large square in the central campus park area is filled with students and various groups passing out fliers; everything from “Save the Planet” to “Stop the War.”  Banners screamed “Beat Ohio State” and still more solicited attendance at lectures by various experts on subjects as diverse as “Gay Health” to “America in a Changing Economic and Cultural Millennium.”  What Jim and Eve always found so interesting was how the local Young Democrats could pass out literature on one corner, the Young Republicans on the opposite, then the two meet for pizza at Pizza Bobs on State Street afterward.  It truly was an eclectic place. 
    Dr. William Rousseau, the man Shilling had recommended, had agreed to see them late in the afternoon that Monday.  Dr. Rousseau was an expert on French history and specialized in what he called the “transitional period” from King Louis XIV, through the end of the Bourbon Restoration and the fall of Louis-Philippe I.  He had written several well-respected books and, as is increasingly the norm, had published many articles in various blogs and other web sites devoted to his particular area of expertise.  They found his small office in the basement of Rackham Hall.  The office, contrary to the image most have of a university professor, was neat and tidy with a pair of plain chairs facing a moderate sized desk.  Behind him was a credenza with his computer monitor ensconced in a fairly good-sized bookcase.  The three other walls were lined with bookcases as well. 
    Bill, as he preferred to be called, appeared to be near fifty years old and of average build with a salt and pepper beard and hair.  They shook hands all-round and were directed to the two chairs.  Bill listened closely to their story, stopping them only twice to ask a question and never interrupting the flow of the narrative.  Finally, the story at its current end, he sat back in his chair and asked to see the tube and the Royal Patent. 
    Eve reached to the floor, picked up her large, oversized purse and pulled out, what appeared to be a cardboard tube.  Removing the top she turned to Jim and waited.  Jim, feeling a bit embarrassed by the procedure, removed a pair of white cotton gloves from his pocket and put them on.  Simultaneously, Eve took a rolled up piece of cloth from her purse.  Bill removed a few items from his otherwise neat