Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes Read Online Free PDF

unhappy—”
    “Unhappy! Why, I should have been very happy, indeed, if it hadn’t been for leaving my poor father.”
    “Then all is for the best. Kiss him again, and take advantage of the opportunity—it is an excellent one—to speak to him about your cousin.”
    “My cousin! What do you mean? I don’t understand.”
    “Of course, you understand. Your cousin Philippe. The young man whose letters you kept so carefully.”
    Suzanne blushed; but, following Lupin’s advice, she again threw herself into her father’s arms. Lupin gazed upon them with a tender look.
    “Ah! Such is my reward for a virtuous act! What a touching picture! A happy father and a happy daughter! And to know that their joy is your work, Lupin! Hereafter these people will bless you, and reverently transmit your name unto their descendants, even unto the fourth generation. What a glorious reward, Lupin, for one act of kindness!”
    He walked to the window.
    “Is dear old Ganimard still waiting? … He would like very much to be present at this charming domestic scene! … Ah! He is not there … Nor any of the others … I don’t see anyone. The deuce! The situation is becoming serious. I dare say they are already under the porte-cochère … talking to the concierge, perhaps … or, even, ascending the stairs!”
    Mon. Gerbois made a sudden movement. Now, that his daughter had been restored to him, he saw the situation in a different light. To him, the arrest of his adversary meant half-a-million francs. Instinctively, he made a step forward. As if by chance, Lupin stood in his way.
    “Where are you going, Monsieur Gerbois! To defend me against them! That is very kind of you, but I assure you it is not necessary. They are more worried than I.”
    Then he continued to speak, with calm deliberation:
    “But, really, what do they know! That you are here, and, perhaps, that Mlle. Gerbois is here, for they may have seen her arrive with an unknown lady. But they do not imagine that I am here. How is it possible that I could be in a house that they ran-sacked from cellar to garret this morning! They suppose that the unknown lady was sent by me to make the exchange, and they will be ready to arrest her when she goes out—”
    At that moment, the bell rang. With a brusque movement, Lupin seized Mon. Gerbois, and said to him, in an imperious tone:
    “Do not move! Remember your daughter, and be prudent—otherwise—As to you, Monsieur Detinan, I have your promise.”
    Mon. Gerbois was rooted to the spot. The lawyer did not stir. Without the least sign of haste, Lupin picked up his hat and brushed the dust from off it with his sleeve.
    “My dear Monsieur Detinan, if I can ever be of service to you … My best wishes, Mademoiselle Suzanne, and my kind regards to Monsieur Philippe.”
    He drew a heavy gold watch from his pocket.
    “Monsieur Gerbois, it is now forty-two minutes past three. At forty-six minutes past three, I give you permission to leave this room. Not one minute sooner than forty-six minutes past three.”
    “But they will force an entrance,” suggested Mon. Detinan.
    “You forget the law, my dear monsieur! Ganimard would never venture to violate the privacy of a French citizen. But, pardon me, time flies, and you are all slightly nervous.”
    He placed his watch on the table, opened the door of the room and addressing the Blonde Lady he said:
    “Are you ready my dear?”
    He drew back to let her pass, bowed respectfully to Mlle. Gerbois, and went out, closing the door behind him. Then they heard him in the vestibule, speaking, in a loud voice: “Good-day, Ganimard, how goes it? Remember me to Madame Ganimard. One of these days, I shall invite her to breakfast. Au revoir, Ganimard.”
    The bell rang violently, followed by repeated rings, and voices on the landing.
    “Forty-five minutes,” muttered Mon. Gerbois.
    After a few seconds, he left the room and stepped into the vestibule. Arsène Lupin and the Blonde Lady had