The evening world., 1910-12-27

"a returned from the realms OF
es21 darkness. since Il appears
hat | expired and passed away IN n
crypt' Arsene Lurin. alive ana kicking.
Yin tho full exercise OF his viii. harpy
ana FREQ and more thar ever resolved
to enjoy that happy freedom In n world
whore hitherto no has received nothing
but favors and privileges"
II was my turn to laugh:
We'll. ia certainly you. and ~ilvelicr
this time than on tho day when I had
tho pleasure of seeing you. last year
{ congratulate you"
! WAS abiding to his last visit. the
Visit following on the famous adventure
Of tho diadcm. his interrupted mar
riage. his flight with sonia Kirchnorr
and tho Russian girls horrible death.
ON That day | had seen an Arscnc Lupin
whom I did not know. weak. DOWN
hearted. with eyes tired with weeping.
seeking for n little sympathy and af-
fociion.
- quiet" he said. Tho past is far
away"
at was a year ago." 7 observed.
ut was ten years ago" he declared.
"Arsenc Lupin's years count for ten
timcs MS much as another mans"
did not insist and. changing the con-
versltion:
"HOw did you get in?'
"Why. how do you think Through
tho door. of course. Then, as | saw no
body. I walked across the drawing room
and out by the balcony. and here I am"
Yes. but the key OF the doorY'-
There are no doors for me. ns you
know. l wanted your fiat ma l came
n"
1T is ut your disposal. Am I to
leave you?"
"Oh, not at all, You won't he In the
way. In fact. I can promise you al
interesting evening""
"Aro you expecting some oneT"
"ycs, I have given him an appoint
nent here nj ten o'clock" lie took ont
his watch. ut Ii ten now. II tho tsle-
gram -feaohed him. he Ought to be here
soon,"
The ftont-door bell rang.
What did I tell you? No, don't
trouble to get up; III go"
with WHOM ON earth could he have
made an appointment? And what sort
of scene was | about TO assist at:
dramatic or comic? For Lupln him
self to consider II worthy OF interest,
the situation must be somewhat excep-
ional.
lie returned IN n moment and stood
back to make a. for n young man,
tall and thin ana very pale IN the face.
Without a word and with a certain
solemnity about his movements that
made mo feel III Mt ease. Lupin
switched on all the electric lamps, ore
after the other, TIL the room was
flooded with light. Then the two men
looked at each other. exchanged pro-
found ana penetrating ~glancos. a. II.
with all tho effort Of their cleaning
eyes, they were trying TO pierce into
each others souls.
1t was an impressive sight TO see them
thus grave and silent. But who could
the newcomer be7
! was on tho point Of guessing the
truth, through his resemblance TO a
Photograph whlGh had recently appear
ID In the papers, when Lupln turned
10 me:
My dear chap. let me Introduce NJ.
Isidore Belutrclct." And. addressing
he young man. he continued, Il have
10 thank you, NJ, B%eautrclct. nrst. for
being good enough, on receipt 90 n let
'rr from me, To postpone your rcycla-
lions until after this interview and,
secondly, for granting me This inter-
vicw with 50 good n grace"
Beautrclct smiled.
ALLOW me 10 remark that my good
grace consists, above all, In obeying
}our orders. The threat which you
made to mo In the letter In question
vas the moro perez ptory in being
aimed not at me. but at my father"
My word, - said Lupin. laughing. I'VE
must do the best We can and make use
II the means OF action vOuchslfcd 20
MS. | know by experience that your
IS safety was indifferent to you. Sec
NIX that you resisted the ~
Mister BredouN. There remained your
ttthur-yolr father FOR whon YOU have
a great Affection played on that
string"
And hero am said Bcautrclot, ap-
prpyins1y.
/ motioned them 10 be seated. They
consented ana I.up,n resumed. in that
ton" 81 lnperc"Alblc banter which is all
Ills own;
In any case. W., Gcautrelct. II you
will not accept my thanks, YOU will at
least not refuse my apologies
Apologies Bless my soul. what
fur?"
"Tor the brutality which Master Bre-
douX showed You"
Il confess that tlc act surprised me.
II was not L1pin's usual way OF bchav-
ing, \ stab
Il assure you | had no hand IN Il.
BredoqN In a new recruit. Ny friends.
during the time THAT they had the man
AZ Went 81 our AFFAIRS, thought that II
might be useful 70 win over to our cause
he clerk OF the magistrate himself who
was conducting the inquiry"
your friends were right"
"BredOux. who was specially attached
10 your person. WIS, In fact, most val
uablc TO W, But, with the ardor peculiar
! to any ~neophyte who wishes TO dis,
- tlngulsh himself. no pushed his zeal to,
far AMI thwnrtcd my plans by permit