Final answer:
The question pertains to Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Purloined Letter,' where Minister D--- ingeniously steals a letter and later switches it with a facsimile to evade detection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Minister D--- from Edgar Allan Poe's story The Purloined Letter. Minister D--- exploits a moment of distraction to steal a letter and later uses a clever ruse involving a noisy diversion to switch the stolen letter with a fake one.
This masterful story of deception and cunning takes place within Poe's fictional world of C. Auguste Dupin, a character known for using psychological insight to solve mysteries. Dupin's investigation reveals the Minister's intelligent yet immoral actions, providing a critical look at the themes of power and the fallibility of even the most clever individuals.
In the story, Dupin seeks to recover this important letter without causing a scandal, highlighting the intricate dance of wit and strategy between the detective and the minister. This tale remains a powerful example of detective fiction and the complexities of human intellect and ethics.