The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar | Page 8

cam at once to the effect that Arsène Lupin was in custody in the Prison de la
Santé, under close surveillance, with no opportunity to write such a letter, which was, no
doubt, the work of some imposter. But, as an act of precaution, the Procurer had
submitted the letter to an expert in handwriting, who declared that, in spite of certain
resemblances, the writing was not that of the prisoner.
But the words "in spite of certain resemblances" caught the attention of the baron; in
them, he read the possibility of a doubt which appeared to him quite sufficient to warrant
the intervention of the law. His fears increased. He read Lupin's letter over and over again.
"I shall be obliged to remove them myself." And then there was the fixed date: the night
of 27 September.
To confide in his servants was a proceeding repugnant to his nature; but now, for the first
time in many years, he experienced the necessity of seeking counsel with some one.
Abandoned by the legal official of his own district, and feeling unable to defend himself
with his own resources, he was on the point of going to Paris to engage the services of a
detective.
Two days passed; on the third day, he was filled with hope and joy as he read the
following item in the `Reveil de Caudebec', a newspaper published in a neighboring
town:
"We have the pleasure of entertaining in our city, at the present time, the veteran
detective Mon. Ganimard who acquired a world- wide reputation by his clever capture of
Arsène Lupin. He has come here for rest and recreation, and, being an enthusiastic

fisherman, he threatens to capture all the fish in our river."
Ganimard! Ah, here is the assistance desired by Baron Cahorn! Who could baffle the
schemes of Arsène Lupin better than Ganimard, the patient and astute detective? He was
the man for the place.
The baron did not hesitate. The town of Caudebec was only six kilometers from the castle,
a short distance to a man whose step was accelerated by the hope of safety.
After several fruitless attempts to ascertain the detective's address, the baron visited the
office of the `Reveil,' situated on the quai. There he found the writer of the article who,
approaching the window, exclaimed:
"Ganimard? Why, you are sure to see him somewhere on the quai with his fishing-pole. I
met him there and chanced to read his name engraved on his rod. Ah, there he is now,
under the trees."
"That little man, wearing a straw hat?"
"Exactly. He is a gruff fellow, with little to say."
Five minutes later, the baron approached the celebrated Ganimard, introduced himself,
and sought to commence a conversation, but that was a failure. Then he broached the real
object of his interview, and briefly stated his case. The other listened, motionless, with
his attention riveted on his fishing-rod. When the baron had finished his story, the
fisherman turned, with an air of profound pity, and said:
"Monsieur, it is not customary for thieves to warn people they are about to rob. Arsène
Lupin, especially, would not commit such a folly."
"But---"
"Monsieur, if I had the least doubt, believe me, the pleasure of again capturing Arsène
Lupin would place me at your disposal. But, unfortunately, that young man is already
under lock and key."
"He may have escaped."
"No one ever escaped from the Santé."
"But, he---"
"He, no more than any other."
"Yet---"
"Well, if he escapes, so much the better. I will catch him again. Meanwhile, you go home
and sleep soundly. That will do for the present. You frighten the fish."

The conversation was ended. The baron returned to the castle, reassured to some extent
by Ganimard's indifference. He examined the bolts, watched the servants, and, during the
next forty-eight hours, he became almost persuaded that his fears were groundless.
Certainly, as Ganimard had said, thieves do not warn people they are about to rob.
The fateful day was close at hand. It was now the twenty-sixth of September and nothing
had happened. But at three o'clock the bell rang. A boy brought this telegram:
"No goods at Batignolles station. Prepare everything for tomorrow night. Arsène."
This telegram threw the baron into such a state of excitement that he even considered the
advisability of yielding to Lupin's demands.
However, he hastened to Caudebec. Ganimard was fishing at the same place, seated on a
campstool. Without a word, he handed him the telegram.
"Well, what of it?" said the detective.
"What of it? But it is tomorrow."
"What is tomorrow?"
"The robbery! The pillage of my collections!"
Ganimard laid down his fishing-rod, turned to the baron, and exclaimed, in a tone of
impatience:
"Ah! Do you think I am