"No; because I shall not be present at the trial."
"You will not be present?"
"No; I have fully decided on that, and nothing will change my
mind."
Such assurance combined with the inexplicable indiscretions that
Arsene committed every day served to annoy and mystify the
officers of the law. There were secrets known only to Arsene
Lupin; secrets that he alone could divulge. But for what purpose
did he reveal them? And how?
Arsene Lupin was changed to another cell. The judge closed his
preliminary investigation. No further proceedings were taken in
his case for a period of two months, during which time Arsene was
seen almost constantly lying on his bed with his face turned
toward the wall. The changing of his cell seemed to discourage
him. He refused to see his advocate. He exchanged only a few
necessary words with his keepers.
During the fortnight preceding his trial, he resumed his vigorous
life. He complained of want of air. Consequently, early every
morning he was allowed to exercise in the courtyard, guarded by
two men.
Public curiosity had not died out; every day it expected to be
regaled with news of his escape; and, it is true, he had gained a
considerable amount of public sympathy by reason of his verve, his
gayety, his diversity, his inventive genius and the mystery of his
life.
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