The Washington herald., 1915-05-02
Copyright. lI5)

The door opened. A group OF
guests. men and women, came out
into the street Four carriages drove
off to right and left, and there re-
manned upon the pavement only two
gentlemen, who parted company at
the Rue de Courcellcs, where one
of them lived. The other decided to
go home to the PorteMaillot on
foot.
He therefore crossed the Avenue
de Nilliers and continued his road
on the side opposite the fortifica-
tions. He found it pleasant walk
ing in this bright and frosty winter
night The sound of his footsteps
echoed gayly as he went.
But after some minutes he began
to have the disagreeable impression
that ne was being followed; and, in
fact, on turning round he perceived
the shadow of man gliding be-
tween the trees.
He was not OF timid habit; never
theless, he fastened his steps in Or
der 20 reach the Octroi des Tcrnes
as quickly as possible But the man
behind him broke into a run; and
feeling more or less anxious, he
thought it better to face him and to
take his revolver from his pocket.
He did not have time to complete
his purpose. The man attacked him
violently, and then and there a fight
commenced on the deserted boule-
vard-a fight at close quarters in
which he at once felt that he had
the disadvantage.
He shouted for help, struggled and
was knocked down upon a heap OF
flint stones, caught by the throat and
gagged with a handkerchief, which
his adversary stuffed into his mouth
His eyes closed, his cars buzzcd, and
he was on the point OF losing con-
seriousness when suddenly the pres
sure was relieved, and the man who
had been sitting him with the
weight OF his body rose to defend
himself in his turn against an I'M
expected attack.
A blow on the wrist from walk
ing stick. a kick on the ankle. and !
the man gave two groans OF pain and
ran away. limping and swearing as
he went.
Without condescending to 90 in
pursuit, the newcomer stopped and |
asked:
Arc Won hurt. sir"
The victim was not hurt. but quite
dazed and unable to stand.
As luck would have it. one OF the
officials OF the octrOi. attracted by |
the shouts. came Fastening UP. A
cab was hailed, and the gentleman
stepped into it, accompanied by his
rescuer. and was driven to his house
in the Avenue de la Grandc-Armee.
On arriving at his door. now quite
recovered. he was lost in thanks.
Il owe YOU my life. sir. and YOU
may be sure that I shall never ior-
get it. | do not wish to alarm my
wife at this time OF night. but | want
her to thank YOU herself before the
day is out"
He begged the other to come to
lunch, and told him his name-Lu-
dovic lmbcrt; adding:
MAY l know to whom l have the
honor"
certainly" said the other, intro
ducing himself. "Arsenc Lupin."
At that time-this was five years
ago-Arscne Lupin had not vet at
tanned the celebrity which he owed
to the Cahorn case. his escape from
the Santc and number OF other
rcsounding exploits.
He was not even called Arscnc {
Lupin. This name. for which the
future held such brilliant renown
in store. was specially invented to /
denote NJ. lmbcrt's rescuer. who may
be said to have won his spurs in this
encounter. Ready for the fray, it is
true, armed at all points, but with t
out resources, without the authority I
which success lends. Arscnc was but T
an apprentice in profession of t
which he was. erelong, to become a
past master. v
1t was only natural that he should a
feel an emotion OF delight when he a
woke up and remembered the invita- v
ton OF the night before The goal II
was within reach at last, At last he f
was undertaking a work worthy of c
his powers and OF his talent. The "
Imbert millions-what a magnificent
prey for an appetite such as his, v
He made a special toilet-a thread t
bare frock coat, shabby trousers. a @
rusty silk hat, frayed shirt collar
and cuffs, the whole very clean, but c
having all the appearance of poverty. f
Thus dressed out, he walked down +
the staircase of his lodgings at Mont Hil
martre. On reaching the third floor, W
without stopping he tapped at e