The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-28

success.
1t was after his return that he sent
for Chief Inspector Ganimard, whose
services he had SO often had occasion
to value.
Ganimard listened in silence to the
instructions of his superior. and then,
tossing his head. said:
Il think we shall he on false
scent while we continue to search the
castle. The solution lies elsewhere"
with Arsene Lupin. II you think
that, then you believe that he took
part i'm the burglary"
II do think so. I go further: / con-
slider il certain"
Come Ganimard, this is ridiculous
Arscne Lupin is in prison.
"Arsene Lupin is In prison, I agree.
He is being watched. j grant you. But
if he had his legs in irons. his hands
bound. and his mouth gagged | should
still he of the same opinion"
"And what do you conclude"
81 conclude by asking you straight
to let me spend an hour with Lupin."
I'm his cell?"
Yes We were on excellent terms
during the crossing from America. and
7 venture to think that he is not
without n friendly feeling for the man
who arrested him. II he can tell me
what l want to know, without COM
promising himself. he will be quite
willing to spare me an unnecessary
journey"
1t was just after midday when Can
imard was shown into Arsene Lupin's
cell. Lupin, who was lying on his bed
raised his head. and uttered an ex
clamation of delight.
We'll, this is surprise DSRr old
Ganimard here
Himself"
Ganimard smiled and sat down. and
the prisoner, glad of the opportunity
of speaking, continued:
by Jove, what treat to see
decent mans face, i am sick of the
looks of all those spies who go
through my cell and my pockets ten
times a day. to make sure that am
not planning an escape. Cad. how
fond the government must be of me-"
They show their tasre.-
NO. no. ] should be so happy II
they would let me lead my quiet lit
tie life"
"On other peoples money"
Just SO. 1t would be so simple. But
I'm letting my tongue run on. I'm
talking nonsense. and | dare say
tell me to what I owe the honor Of
this visit"
The cahorh case" said Ganimard.
straight out.
stop, Wait bit You see. 7
have SO many on hand. First, let me
search my brain for the Cahorn
pigeonhole. All. have it! Cahorn
case. Chateau du MalaTuis. Seine-In-
ferieure. =. Two Rubcns, a Vatican,
and few minor trifles."
''Trines.'
"Oh yes; all this is of small i'm
portance. I have bigger things on
hand. However. you're interested IN
the case, and that's enough for me.
!. Go ahead, Ganimard. I am en-
tircly at your service"
FIRST of all. the thing was done
by you. was il not?'
From start to finish"
The registered letter? The tele-
gram"
Were sent by yours truly; in fact,
l ought to have the receipts some
where"
Arsene opened the drawer of a lit
tie deal table which. with the bed
and the stool, composed all the furni-
ture of his cell. took out two scraps
of paper, and handed them to CANT
mard.
Hello" cried the latter why.
thought you were being kept under
the slightest pretext. And il appears
that you read the papers and collect
postoffice receipts. -
Bah, Those men are such fools,
They rip up the lining of my waist
coat, explore the soleS of my boots.
listen at the walls or my cell; but not
one of them ever thought that Arsene
Lupin would be silly enough to choose
SO obvious a hiding place. That's just
what I reCkoned on"
Ganimard exclaimed, in amusement:
What a funny chap you are! You're
beyond me. Come, tell me the story"
oh. I say. Not so fast! Initiate you
into all my secrets r-vcar my nv-
tie tricks to you? That's a serious
matter"
WAS I wrong in thinking that I
could rely on you to oblige me-"
NO. Ganimard, and, as you insist
upon il -
Arsenc Lurin took two or three
strides across his cell. Then, stop
ping:
What do you think of my letter to
the baron" he asked
Il think you wanted to have some
fun. TO tickle the gallery n bit"
"Ah. there you go! Tickle the gall
lery. indeed! Upon my word, Ganimard.
gave you credit for more sense, Do
you really imagine that I. hrsene
LupiR, waste my time with such child
ish pranks as that: Is it likely thatI
should have written the letter il |
could have rifled the baron without it,
Do try and understand that the letter
was the Indispensable starting point
the handspring that set the whole
machine in motion. Look here. let us
proceed in order. and. if you like. pre-
pare the Malaquis burglary together"
Very we'll"
an imprcCnable and closely guarded
castle. Am ! to throw up the game
and give up the treasures which |
covet because the castle that contains
them happens to be inaccessible"
CLEARLY not"
Am | to try to carry II by assault.
as in the old days. at the head of a
band OF adventurers?"
THAT would he childish
Am I TO enter it by STEALTH"
Impossible"
There remains only ono way. which
is to get myself invited by the owner
of the aforesaid castle
ITS an original idea
And SO easy! Suppose that one, day
the said owner receives letter. warn
ing him of n plot Matched against him
by one Arsene Lupin. a notorious
housebreaker. What is he sure to do
Send the letter TO the public pros
ecutor"
who will laugh at him. because the
said Lupin is actually locked up, The
natural consequence is the utter be-
wilderment of the worthy man, who Is
ready and anxious to ask the assist