Excerpt 3 from the Exclusive Episode of Lazare Donatien’s Adventures

Discover below the promised excerpt from the exclusive episode of Lazare Donatien’s adventures:

Lazare’s Gift

Chapter 3

The next morning, the warm rays of a gentle October sunrise accompanied my steps to my distant cousin’s shop, where I discovered, to my surprise, a bright and well-stocked establishment.

The deeper I delved into the inventory, the clearer it became that my cousin hadn’t become an antiquarian just to show off. He knew his trade, and judging by the meticulous state of his bookkeeping, I surmised the old codger had been a bit of a miser on the side. My tour of the premises complete, I set about dusting the place a little.

I was halfway through the task when a man, who had clearly taken my leaving the door open to air out the room as an invitation, strode into the shop. He clutched a somewhat battered cardboard box to his chest and fixed me with a faintly bewildered gaze.
— Are you the new owner? he inquired dubiously, eyeing my attire with a critical glance.

What did this fellow expect? That I’d be dusting in a three-piece suit? Personally, I found my trusty jeans-t-shirt-sneakers combo far more suitable. I bit back the sharp retort rising to my lips, wiped my hands on a rag lying nearby, and approached him.

— That’s me, I confirmed with a smile that, if not entirely sincere, was as polished as any shopkeeper’s. I’m Lazare Donatien. To whom do I have the pleasure?

— I’m Gaétan Roussel, but… you seem awfully young… Are you sure you know your way around antiques?

So, it wasn’t just my clothes that bothered him—my appearance, too, apparently. Truth be told, I’d often been told I looked younger than my thirty years, a curse more often than a blessing, if you ask me. Still, I kept my thoughts to myself and maintained my smile.

— I can assure you I have all the skills needed to appraise what’s in that box, if that’s your real question, Mr. Roussel.

After a moment’s surprise, the man seemed to relax a bit and set a handsome casket on the freshly dusted counter.

— I found this in my grandparents’ attic. I don’t know why, but I can’t get it open, so I thought I’d bring it to you. If it’s beyond your expertise, though, I can always take it to La Rochelle another day.

I turned my tongue seven times in my mouth and used the moment to extract the object from its makeshift packaging. This man in his threadbare suit, oozing arrogance and the air of a penniless bourgeois, was starting to get on my nerves with his thinly veiled insults.

Yet, the instant my fingers brushed the silken surface of the delicate casket, a familiar shiver ran down my spine. My peculiar gift sensed an ancient energy pulsing subtly from the object.

Glancing discreetly at the dour figure before me, I made an initial observation: this uninvited guest hadn’t encountered any strange phenomena from this object—at least, not yet—and deemed it entirely ordinary. If he wanted to sell, fine by me, but I’d have to find a way to keep this casket with me for a while.

— You have here a magnificent jewelry casket, and judging by this marquetry, the copper, and the patina, I’d say it dates back to at least the mid-or late Louis XIII period. This is, of course, a preliminary estimate. A closer examination would allow me to date it precisely, if that’s what you wish. So, here’s my next question: do you want to have it restored and keep it, or are you looking to sell?

— I just want to get it open for now. I’ll decide what to do with it after that.

I made a show of inspecting the casket from every angle. I had to play the part of a freshly minted antiquarian, didn’t I?

— Very well, leave it with me overnight,I declared at last, adopting a scholarly tone. I’ll see what I can do to unstick this lock, and you’ll be able to open your casket. Does that suit you?

— I suppose so. I’ll come back tomorrow, then, the boor replied, exiting the shop without bothering with the usual courtesies.

No sooner had the ill-mannered fellow crossed the threshold of my humble establishment than a faint clinking sound echoed from the casket.

— Hmm, I suppose it’s time we got better acquainted? I quipped into the void, tapping the casket with a grin.