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Updated: May 19, 2025
"I give you my word of honour," said Prasville, formally. Clarisse underwent a momentary agitation that made her turn paler still. Then, mastering herself, with her eyes fixed on Prasville's eyes, she said: "You shall have the list of the Twenty-seven in exchange for the pardon of Gilbert and Vaucheray." "Eh? What?"
"Look out!... Look out!... There's a notion passing through that red-tape-merchant's skull: a confused notion which he can't put into words. Hang it all, he mustn't suspect M. Lupin under M. Nicole! The thing's complicated enough as it is, in all conscience!..." But there was a welcome interruption. Prasville's secretary came to say that the audience would take place in an hour's time.
"I said, not yet." "But you're mad! Prasville's on his way!" "He can wait. I've not done." "Why, what more do you want? Clarisse shall have her brat. Isn't that enough for you?" "No." "Why not?" "There is another son." "Gilbert." "Yes." "Well?" "I want you to save Gilbert." "What are you saying? I save Gilbert!" "You can, if you like; it only means taking a little trouble."
"The house in the Square Lamartine is occupied by Prasville's men." "Don't worry, Sebastiani. I shall get in. If they don't open the door, there's always the window. And, if the window won't open, I shall arrange with one of Prasville's men. It's a question of money, that's all. And, thank goodness, I shan't be short of that, henceforth! Good-night, Daubrecq."
Prasville's secretary, who had received his chief's instructions by telephone, showed them into the office and asked them to wait. It was a quarter to five. Prasville came running in at five o'clock exactly and, at once, cried: "Have you the list?" "Yes." "Give it me." He put out his hand. Clarisse, who had risen from her chair, did not stir.
If Lupin had acted so daringly, it showed that the letters existed and that he relied upon buying them from Stanislas Vorenglade. But, as, on the other hand, Vorenglade was not in Paris, Prasville's business was simply to forestall Lupin's steps with regard to Vorenglade and obtain the restitution of those dangerous letters from Vorenglade at all costs. The first to arrive would be the victor.
So, in M. Prasville's absence, I telephoned to the police-office and I am waiting. The disappearance of Daubrecq the deputy caused a great stir, as you know, and our presence here has a reason, in the eyes of the public, as long as that disappearance continues. But, now that Daubrecq has returned, now that we have proofs that he is neither under restraint nor dead, how can we stay in the house?"
It was impossible to discover who had gone in or out during Prasville's absence. There was not a trace found of any kind: nothing, absolutely nothing." "But Prasville..." "There was no doubt of the truth in Prasville's mind or ours.
He put his hand on Prasville's shoulder and, speaking with great deliberation, said: "If, within an hour from now, you are not back from the Elysee, bringing with you a line to say that the decree of pardon has been signed; if, within one hour and ten minutes, I, Arsene Lupin, do not walk out of this building safe and sound and absolutely free, this evening four Paris newspapers will receive four letters selected from the correspondence exchanged between Stanislas Vorenglade and yourself, the correspondence which Stanislas Vorenglade sold me this morning.
"Very odd, very odd," said Lupin, who remained plunged in thought, while continuing to observe Prasville's movements. At seven o'clock Prasville's group of men moved away a few yards, in the direction of the Avenue Henri-Martin. The door of a small garden on the right of the house opened and Daubrecq appeared.
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