Arsène Lupin Versus Herlock Sholmes, Maurice Leblanc [i read a book txt] 📗

“I am very sorry, Monsieur Ganimard, that we cannot agree on that point, but I have no time to waste trying to convince you. I leave for England within an hour.”

“But⁠ ⁠… the blonde Lady?”

“I do not know such a person.”

“And yet, a moment ago⁠—”

“You must take the affair as it stands. I have delivered Arsène Lupin into your hands. Here is the blue diamond, which you will have the pleasure of returning to the Countess de Crozon. What more do you want?”

“The blonde Lady.”

“Find her.”

Sholmes pulled his cap down over his forehead and walked rapidly away, like a man who is accustomed to go as soon as his business is finished.

“Bon voyage, monsieur,” cried Lupin, “and, believe me, I shall never forget the friendly way in which our little business affairs have been arranged. My regards to Monsieur Wilson.”

Not receiving any reply, Lupin added, sneeringly:

“That is what is called ‘taking British leave.’ Ah! their insular dignity lacks the flower of courtesy by which we are distinguished. Consider for a moment, Ganimard, what a charming exit a Frenchman would have made under similar circumstances! With what exquisite courtesy he would have masked his triumph!⁠ ⁠… But, God bless me, Ganimard, what are you doing? Making a search? Come, what’s the use? There is nothing left⁠—not even a scrap of paper. I assure you my archives are in a safe place.”

“I am not so sure of that,” replied Ganimard. “I must search everything.”

Lupin submitted to the operation. Held by two detectives and surrounded by the others, he patiently endured the proceedings for twenty minutes, then he said:

“Hurry up, Ganimard, and finish!”

“You are in a hurry.”

“Of course I am. An important appointment.”

“At the police station?”

“No; in the city.”

“Ah! at what time?”

“Two o’clock.”

“It is three o’clock now.”

“Just so; I will be late. And punctuality is one of my virtues.”

“Well, give me five minutes.”

“Not a second more,” said Lupin.

“I am doing my best to expedite⁠—”

“Oh! don’t talk so much.⁠ ⁠… Still searching that cupboard? It is empty.”

“Here are some letters.”

“Old invoices, I presume!”

“No; a packet tied with a ribbon.”

“A red ribbon? Oh! Ganimard, for God’s sake, don’t untie it!”

“From a woman?”

“Yes.”

“A woman of the world?”

“The best in the world.”

“Her name?”

“Madame Ganimard.”

“Very funny! very funny!” exclaimed the detective.

At that moment the men, who had been sent to search the other rooms, returned and announced their failure to find anything. Lupin laughed and said:

“Parbleu! Did you expect to find my visiting list, or evidence of my business relations with the Emperor of Germany? But I can tell you what you should investigate, Ganimard: All the little mysteries of this apartment. For instance, that gas-pipe is a speaking tube. That chimney contains a stairway. That wall is hollow. And the marvellous system of bells! Ah! Ganimard, just press that button!”

Ganimard obeyed.

“Did you hear anything?” asked Lupin.

“No.”

“Neither did I. And yet you notified my aeronaut to prepare the dirigible balloon which will soon carry us into the clouds.”

“Come!” said Ganimard, who had completed his search; “we’ve had enough nonsense⁠—let’s be off.”

He started away, followed by his men. Lupin did not move. His guardians pushed him in vain.

“Well,” said Ganimard, “do you refuse to go?”

“Not at all. But it depends.”

“On what?”

“Where you want to take me.”

“To the station-house, of course.”

“Then I refuse to go. I have no business there.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Did I not tell you that I had an important appointment?”

“Lupin!”

“Why, Ganimard, I have an appointment with the blonde Lady, and do you suppose I would be so discourteous as to cause her a moment’s anxiety? That would be very ungentlemanly.”

“Listen, Lupin,” said the detective, who was becoming annoyed by this persiflage; “I have been very patient with you, but I will endure no more. Follow me.”

“Impossible; I have an appointment and I shall keep it.”

“For the last time⁠—follow me!”

“Im-pos-sible!”

At a sign from Ganimard two men seized Lupin by the arms; but they released him at once, uttering cries of pain. Lupin had thrust two long needles into them. The other men now rushed at Lupin with cries of rage and hatred, eager to avenge their comrades and to avenge themselves for the many affronts he had heaped upon them; and now they struck and beat him to their heart’s desire. A violent blow on the temple felled Lupin to the floor.

“If you hurt him you will answer to me,” growled Ganimard, in a rage.

He leaned over Lupin to ascertain his condition. Then, learning that he was breathing freely, Ganimard ordered his men to carry the prisoner by the head and feet, while he himself supported the body.

“Go gently, now!⁠ ⁠… Don’t jolt him. Ah! the brutes would have killed him.⁠ ⁠… Well, Lupin, how goes it?”

“None too well, Ganimard⁠ ⁠… you let them knock me out.”

“It was your own fault; you were so obstinate,” replied Ganimard. “But I hope they didn’t hurt you.”

They had left the apartment and were now on the landing. Lupin groaned and stammered:

“Ganimard⁠ ⁠… the elevator⁠ ⁠… they are breaking my bones.”

“A good idea, an excellent idea,” replied Ganimard. “Besides, the stairway is too narrow.”

He summoned the elevator. They placed Lupin on the seat with the greatest care. Ganimard took his place beside him and said to his men:

“Go down the stairs and wait for me below. Understand?”

Ganimard closed the door of the elevator. Suddenly the elevator shot upward like a balloon released from its cable. Lupin burst into a fit of sardonic laughter.

“Good God!” cried Ganimard, as he made a frantic search in the dark for the button of descent. Having found it, he cried:

“The fifth floor! Watch the door of the fifth floor.”

His assistants clambered up the stairs, two and three steps at a time. But this strange circumstance happened: The elevator seemed to break through the ceiling of the last floor, disappeared from the sight of Ganimard’s assistants, suddenly made its appearance on the upper floor⁠—the servants’ floor⁠—and stopped. Three men were there waiting for it. They opened the door. Two of them seized Ganimard, who, astonished at the sudden attack, scarcely made any defence. The other