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Updated: June 18, 2025
When you look at the knob in a certain way, you end by seeing that the outline represents the profile of the Little Corporal. What you have in your hand, monsieur le secretaire-general, is a bit of the ivory knob at the top of a half-pay officer's life-preserver." "Yes," said Prasville, examining the exhibit, "yes, I can make out a profile... but I don't see the inference..."
And, if possible, let's collar both. Lupin and the list of the Twenty-seven, on the same day, especially after the scandal of this morning, would be a scoop in a thousand." There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" said Prasville. And, rising from his seat: "Come in, M. Nicole, come in."
I want to speak to M. Prasville, the secretary-general ... Do you say he's not there?... Yes, yes, he is: he's always in his office at this time... Tell him it's M. Daubrecq... M. Daubrecq the deputy... a most important communication." "Perhaps I'm in the way?" Lupin suggested. "Not at all, doctor, not at all," said Daubrecq. "Besides, what I have to say has a certain bearing on your errand."
And, among these new arrivals, Lupin was vastly astonished to recognize, by his figure and bearing, the famous Prasville, the erstwhile barrister, sportsman and explorer, now favourite at the Elysee, who, for some mysterious reason, had been pitchforked into the headquarters of police as secretary-general, with the reversion of the prefecture.
So Arsene Lupin possessed no proof at all; and, when he was threatening and commanding and treating Prasville with that airy insolence, it was all a farce, all bluff! "No, no, it's impossible," thought the secretary-general. "I have the sealed envelope.... It's here.... I have only to open it." He dared not open it.
Prasville leapt from his chair, looking absolutely dumbfounded: "The pardon of Gilbert and Vaucheray? Of Arsene Lupin's accomplices?" "Yes," she said. "The murderers of the Villa Marie-Therese? The two who are due to die to-morrow?" "Yes, those two," she said, in a loud voice. "I ask? I demand their pardon." "But this is madness! Why? Why should you?"
Prasville is not only beneath contempt as a detective: he has but one aim in life, which is to destroy his old enemy, Daubrecq. To achieve that aim, all means are equally good; and he will not waste time in verifying the identity of a M. Nicole who promises him Daubrecq. Not to mention that I was brought by you and that, when all is said, my little gifts did dazzle him to some extent.
And, suddenly, Lupin remembered: two years ago, Prasville and Daubrecq the deputy had had a personal encounter on the Place du Palais-Bourbon. The incident made a great stir at the time. No one knew the cause of it. Prasville had sent his seconds to Daubrecq on the same day; but Daubrecq refused to fight. A little while later, Prasville was appointed secretary-general.
He has his meals out and the portress keeps the house as best she can. The woman is devoted to us..." Prasville persisted in his investigations for nearly an hour and a half, shifting and fingering all the knick-knacks, but taking care to put everything back exactly where he found it. At nine o'clock, however, the two detectives who had followed Daubrecq burst into the study: "He's coming back!"
"Forgive me, my friend, but I wanted above all to mark the great importance which you attach to that paper and, in view of the immediate transaction which we are about to conclude, to specify what shall I say? the value of my share in it. That value, which has no limits, must, I repeat, be exchanged for an unlimited value." "Agreed," said Prasville, querulously.
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