The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar | Page 4

concealed anywhere, except
in the thief's own room.
"I suppose they will find out something soon," remarked Miss Nelly to me. "He may be a
wizard, but he cannot make diamonds and pearls become invisible."
"Certainly not," I replied, "but he should examine the lining of our hats and vests and
everything we carry with us."
Then, exhibiting my Kodak, a 9x12 with which I had been photographing her in various
poses, I added: "In an apparatus no larger than that, a person could hide all of Lady
Jerland's jewels. He could pretend to take pictures and no one would suspect the game."
"But I have heard it said that every thief leaves some clue behind him."
"That may be generally true," I replied, "but there is one exception: Arsène Lupin."
"Why?"
"Because he concentrates his thoughts not only on the theft, but on all the circumstances
connected with it that could serve as a clue to his identity."
"A few days ago, you were more confident."
"Yes, but since I have seen him at work."
"And what do you think about it now?" she asked.
"Well, in my opinion, we are wasting our time."
And, as a matter of fact, the investigation had produced no result. But, in the meantime,
the captain's watch had been stolen. He was furious. He quickened his efforts and
watched Rozaine more closely than before. But, on the following day, the watch was
found in the second officer's collar box.
This incident caused considerable astonishment, and displayed the humorous side of
Arsène Lupin, burglar though he was, but dilettante as well. He combined business with
pleasure. He reminded us of the author who almost died in a fit of laughter provoked by
his own play. Certainly, he was an artist in his particular line of work, and whenever I
saw Rozaine, gloomy and reserved, and thought of the double role that he was playing, I
accorded him a certain measure of admiration.

On the following evening, the officer on deck duty heard groans emanating from the
darkest corner of the ship. He approached and found a man lying there, his head
enveloped in a thick gray scarf and his hands tied together with a heavy cord. It was
Rozaine. He had been assaulted, thrown down and robbed. A card, pinned to his coat,
bore these words: "Arsène Lupin accepts with pleasure the ten thousand francs offered by
Mon. Rozaine." As a matter of fact, the stolen pocket-book contained twenty thousand
francs.
Of course, some accused the unfortunate man of having simulated this attack on himself.
But, apart from the fact that he could not have bound himself in that manner, it was
established that the writing on the card was entirely different from that of Rozaine, but,
on the contrary, resembled the handwriting of Arsène Lupin as it was reproduced in an
old newspaper found on board.
Thus it appeared that Rozaine was not Arsène Lupin; but was Rozaine, the son of a
Bordeaux merchant. And the presence of Arsène Lupin was once more affirmed, and that
in a most alarming manner.
Such was the state of terror amongst the passengers that none would remain alone in a
stateroom or wander singly in unfrequented parts of the vessel. We clung together as a
matter of safety. And yet the most intimate acquaintances were estranged by a mutual
feeling of distrust. Arsène Lupin was, now, anybody and everybody. Our excited
imaginations attributed to him miraculous and unlimited power. We supposed him
capable of assuming the most unexpected disguises; of being, by turns, the highly
respectable Major Rawson or the noble Marquis de Raverdan, or even--for we no longer
stopped with the accusing letter of R--or even such or such a person well known to all of
us, and having wife, children and servants.
The first wireless dispatches from America brought no news; at least, the captain did not
communicate any to us. The silence was not reassuring.
Our last day on the steamer seemed interminable. We lived in constant fear of some
disaster. This time, it would not be a simple theft or a comparatively harmless assault; it
would be a crime, a murder. No one imagined that Arsène Lupin would confine himself
to those two trifling offenses. Absolute master of the ship, the authorities powerless, he
could do whatever he pleased; our property and lives were at his mercy.
Yet those were delightful hours for me, since they secured to me the confidence of Miss
Nelly. Deeply moved by those startling events and being of a highly nervous nature, she
spontaneously sought at my side a protection and security that I was pleased to give her.
Inwardly, I blessed Arsène Lupin. Had he not been the means of bringing me and Miss
Nelly closer to