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Updated: June 21, 2025
"Oh, if only somebody could hear you!" gasped Guerchard. "Now, don't excite yourself," said the Duke. "That won't produce any proofs for you.... The fact is, M. Formery told you the truth when he said that, when it is a case of Lupin, you lose your head. Ah, that Formery there is an intelligent man if you like." "At all events, the coronet is safe ... to-night "
"Well, then," said Guerchard. "Perhaps you're right," said the Duke. Guerchard turned to Dieusy and said, in a quieter voice, "And when the scavenger had picked up the cigarette, did he follow the motorist?" "Yes, he followed him for about a hundred yards. He went down into Sureau Street, and turned westwards. Then a motor-car came along; he got into it, and went off."
Guerchard looked at him with a faint, ironical smile, and said in his gentle voice, "I was following the real track of the burglars." M. Formery gasped: "The real track?" he muttered. "Let me show you," said Guerchard. And he led him to the fireplace, and showed him the opening between the two houses. "I must go into this myself!" cried M. Formery in wild excitement.
"I thought we knew how they got it out of the house." And he waved his hand towards the window. "Oh, that! that's childish," said Guerchard contemptuously. "Those are traces for an examining magistrate. The ladder, the table on the window-sill, they lead nowhere. The only people who came up that ladder were the two men who brought it from the scaffolding. You can see their footsteps.
Then he drew himself up; and said a little haughtily: "You've certainly found the way to make me stay, M. Guerchard." "Yes, yes; stay, stay," said M. Gournay-Martin hastily. "It's an excellent idea, excellent. You're the very man to help M. Guerchard, Duke. You're an intrepid explorer, used to danger and resourceful, absolutely fearless."
Then he cried triumphantly: "I HAVE it; now then, have I won? Have I been fooled this time? Has Lupin got the coronet?" "It doesn't look like it. But are you quite sure?" said the Duke gaily. "Sure?" cried Guerchard. "It's only the weight of it," said the Duke, repressing a laugh. "Doesn't it strike you that it's just a trifle light?" "What?" cried Guerchard.
"It looks very like it. You're pretty quick on a scent, I must say," said Guerchard. "What a detective you would have made! Only ... nothing is certain." "But it IS. Whatever more do you want? Was he at Charmerace yesterday, or was he not? Did he, or did he not, arrange the theft of the motor-cars?" "Certainly he did.
"In three minutes from now the coronet will have been stolen; and you will not arrest me," said the Duke, in a tone of chilling certainty. "But I will! I swear I will!" cried Guerchard. "Don't swear any foolish oaths! ... THERE ARE ONLY TWO MINUTES LEFT," said the Duke; and he drew a revolver from his pocket. "No, you don't!" cried Guerchard, drawing a revolver in his turn.
"They think that Lupin's letter announcing the burglary and these signatures on the walls are only a ruse." "Is that so?" said Guerchard. "Is there any way I can help you, sir?" said policeman. "Yes," said Guerchard. "Take up your post outside that door and admit no one but M. Formery, the inspector, Bonavent, or Dieusy, without consulting me." And he pointed to the drawing-room door.
"After all, it's pitiful heartrending, you must admit it, that, on the very eve of his marriage, he was such a fool as to throw off the mask. And yet at bottom it's quite logical; it's Lupin coming out through Charmerace. He had to grab at the dowry at the risk of losing the girl," said Guerchard, in a reflective tone; but his eyes were intent on the face of the Duke.
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