Know then, my worthy friend, that no one,
not even you, could have placed a hand upon me if a much more
important event had not occupied my attention at that critical
moment."
"You astonish me."
"A woman was looking at me, Ganimard, and I loved her. Do you
fully understand what that means: to be under the eyes of a woman
that one loves? I cared for nothing in the world but that. And
that is why I am here."
"Permit me to say: you have been here a long time."
"In the first place, I wished to forget. Do not laugh; it was a
delightful adventure and it is still a tender memory. Besides, I
have been suffering from neurasthenia. Life is so feverish these
days that it is necessary to take the `rest cure' occasionally,
and I find this spot a sovereign remedy for my tired nerves."
"Arsene Lupin, you are not a bad fellow, after all."
"Thank you," said Lupin. "Ganimard, this is Friday. On Wednesday
next, at four o'clock in the afternoon, I will smoke my cigar at
your house in the rue Pergolese."
"Arsene Lupin, I will expect you."
They shook hands like two old friends who valued each other at
their true worth; then the detective stepped to the door.
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