took the cane and followed the directions. As he did so, the head of the cane divided and disclosed a cavity which contained a small ball of wax which, in turn, enclosed a diamond. He examined it. It was the blue diamond.
"Monsieur Lupin, Mademoiselle Destange is free."
"Is her future safety assured? Has she nothing to fear from you?"
"Neither from me, nor anyone else."
"How can you manage it?"
"Quite easily. I have forgotten her name and address."
"Thank you. And au revoir—for I will see you again, sometime, Monsieur Sholmes?"
"I have no doubt of it."
Then followed an animated conversation between Sholmes and Ganimard, which was abruptly terminated by the Englishman, who said:
"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
