Detective Pierre LaRoche was tired but jubilant as he trudged up the steps leading to the top of the old castle's parapet. For years, he had been hoping to arrest the notorious jewel thief Jules Bijoux, and now the moment of triumph was imminent.
After Bijoux stole gems from several celebrities at the Cannes International Film Festival, LeRoche pursued the miscreant to this remote ruin near Vence. The Inspector was confident that Bijoux was carrying the jewels, so now the rascal was trapped. But why had Bijoux run to the top of the tower when the old, worn staircase was the only way up or down? LaRoche shook his head and slid his revolver from its holster as he took the final three steps up into the sunlight. His squinting blue eyes surveyed the area. There was no conceivable hiding place and there was also no Jules Bijoux!
"Sacrebleu," LaRoche muttered. "C'est impossible! I myself saw the rogue go up the stairs just moments before I mounted them. Yet he is not here!"
The Inspector raised his eyes as he heard a voice from above. "Au revoir, Rocky, mon vieux." LaRoche saw Bijoux smile and wave as he peered down from the basket suspended from the hot air balloon that was drifting rapidly toward the Italian border.
William F. Smith's stories, humorous verse and photographs have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Mike Shane Mystery Magazine and Reader’s Digest. His stories have been included in several anthologies.
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