Chapter 1382: The Swindlers and the Benefactor
Not far from Versailles Palace, in an upscale residence, a slightly portly middle-aged man stared at the front page of the Paris Business Journal, then sprang to his feet and exclaimed, "Quick, we have to go too, or Tanguy will snatch all the benefits!"
The newspaper featured yesterday's interview with the "Benefactor who Facilitated Bern's Personal Union," personally hosted by Deputy Minister Baron Cambaceres of the Ministry of Justice. The spectacle was truly grand.
Furthermore, the Deputy Minister confirmed before all the journalists that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince would bestow upon Tanguy the hereditary title of Baron.
Other newspapers also reported that Tanguy had been invited to a dinner party at Versailles.
The blond man looked at Forget and said anxiously, "That title should be ours too; we can't delay any longer."
Previously, Forget, for caution's sake, hadn't allowed Tanguy to mention the three of them. Now, however, the lowest-ranking member of their group was about to claim the title for himself.
Forget meticulously reviewed all the details again, finding no suspicious inconsistencies, and finally nodded. "We'll go to Versailles first thing tomorrow morning."
Things went unexpectedly smoothly, and they received a grand reception.
The Commissioner of the French Police Bureau accompanied them throughout, and after hearing about their "chance encounter" with Count Erlach, he highly praised their cleverness.
Forget bowed to him, pressing a hand to his chest. "It will be me, esteemed sir. There will be no further changes."
A hereditary title was exceedingly valuable, and naturally, there could only be one. No one in the group dared to contend with their leader for it.
After the Viscount of Besançon left the room, he immediately instructed his subordinates, "It must be him. Begin the next phase of the operation."
"Have men keep a close eye on them. If anyone tries to leave, detain them with a journalist's interview or an invitation to a banquet."
"Yes, my lord!"
The next day, as a court official was teaching the four men the etiquette for an audience with the Crown Prince, the Commissioner of the Police Bureau suddenly knocked and entered, whispering something into the official's ear.
The court official was immediately startled. "Such a thing actually happened? I must inform His Highness at once."
Forget frowned, looking at Besançon. "What happened?"
The latter hesitated before replying, "Just now, two people claimed they were the ones who brought the Bernese delegates to France. So we need to ascertain who is lying."
"These damned swindlers!" Forget roared in anger. Clearly, someone was after his noble title and had come to impersonate him. "Allow me to expose them!"
"That... I'm afraid that won't do. Many journalists are currently interviewing them."
Soon, the court official returned and informed Forget that the ennoblement ceremony would be postponed until the matter was thoroughly investigated.
To Forget's surprise, the number of impostors grew steadily. By the afternoon of the next day, three more groups arrived, 'claiming' responsibility for swindling the Bernese delegates.
In truth, these individuals were all Security Bureau agents arranged by Joseph, whose purpose was to dilute public attention on Forget, thus obviating the need for him to actually ennoble a swindler.
Forget's swindler's intuition told him that something felt off.
However, when he tried to leave the opulent mansion where he was staying, he was politely stopped by a group of servants, who stated that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince might summon 'distinguished guests' at any moment, and therefore, they could not go out.
Fortunately, the Viscount of Besançon soon delivered good news, saying that Versailles had already invited Count Erlach to Paris to publicly confirm who the true 'Benefactor of the Personal Union' was.
Thus, the group of swindlers waited for nearly another half month before finally receiving notification of a meeting with the Bernese delegates.
The next day at noon, in the Police Bureau hall, Forget and his associates, along with several other groups 'claiming credit,' were encircled by dozens of journalists. Outside, hundreds of curious citizens had gathered to watch the spectacle.
Forget glared fiercely at the 'swindlers' beside him, stating in a deep voice, "Idiots, you'll soon be exposed and arrested for 'fraud'! When that happens, I'll pay you a 'visit' in prison."
The 'swindlers,' however, kept their composure, loudly retaliating even as their downfall loomed. "You're the fakes!"
"We'll soon be granted an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!"
"Just you wait, you damned impostors..."
Soon, Count Erlach, Baron Fred, and their entourage entered the hall.
The Viscount of Besançon first made a brief introduction to the assembly, then pointed at the alleged swindlers and addressed the Swiss delegates. "Now, please tell everyone, who were the individuals who first contacted you in Baden?"
Count Erlach's gaze swept over the closest group of people. He shook his head. "It wasn't them."
Fred and the others also shook their heads.
Forget quickly craned his neck forward, boasting, "Count, it's an honor to see you again."
Count Erlach, however, furrowed his brow. "Who are you? I don't recognize you at all."
Forget froze, suddenly remembering that he wasn't the one who had impersonated "Viscount Nobert" at the time. He quickly waved at the blond youth. "Esprit, come here!"
However, Erlach and the others still shook their heads as they looked at the blond youth's face. "No, it certainly wasn't him."
"We've never seen them."
Even the Swiss servants stated that they hadn't seen Forget or his associates.
As Count Erlach turned to look at the next group of alleged swindlers, Forget's face turned ashen.
'Without confirmation from the Swiss, then I'm not the 'Benefactor of the Personal Union,' but a swindler who falsely claimed a noble title!'
He frantically grabbed the back of Erlach's collar, shouting, "Look closely! He said at the Karlsruhe Royal Palace that he could help you get a French noble title, and your mistress was there!"
"What are you doing? Stop that!" The Viscount of Besançon forcefully pulled him away. A group of police officers immediately rushed forward and restrained Forget and his associates.
More than ten minutes later, Count Erlach identified all the individuals who claimed to be the 'Benefactors of the Personal Union' and then announced to the gathered journalists, "Everyone here is a fraud. I have never seen any of them."
Yes, this was Joseph's entire plan.
He had declared that he would pardon the person who swindled the Bernese delegates and grant them a noble title, and he would certainly do so.
The Crown's credibility could never be compromised.
But as for swindlers who falsely claimed credit, they could only be handed over to the Police Bureau.
Furthermore, all subsequent newspapers would focus their attention on a group of 'impostors' arranged by the Security Bureau, and Forget and his associates would soon be forgotten by everyone.
As for the 'Benefactor of the Personal Union' never appearing?
Oh, that was truly regrettable.
Two days later.
Versailles.
Joseph was speaking with Archbishop Beaumont and several other high-ranking church officials when Eman gently tapped on the door, entered, and whispered a few words to him.
Joseph immediately smiled. "Excellent. The money will be used to purchase dozens of steam irrigation machines and sent to the Bernese villages."
Eman had just informed him that after the group of swindlers was sent to the First Prison, they quickly divulged the whereabouts of the 340,000 francs they had swindled under 'rigorous interrogation' — currently, 337,000 francs remained.
And the Bern Parliament, at Count Erlach's suggestion, had decided to present this money to the great and wise Crown Prince.
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