Arsene Lupin must escape. It was his inevitable fate. The
public expected it, and was surprised that the event had been
delayed so long. Every morning the Prefect of Police asked his
secretary:
"Well, has he escaped yet?"
"No, Monsieur le Prefect."
"To-morrow, probably."
And, on the day before the trial, a gentleman called at the office
of the `Grand Journal,' asked to see the court reporter, threw his
card in the reporter's face, and walked rapidly away. These words
were written on the card: "Arsene Lupin always keeps his
promises."
* * * * *
It was under these conditions that the trial commenced. An
enormous crowd gathered at the court. Everybody wished to see the
famous Arsene Lupin. They had a gleeful anticipation that the
prisoner would play some audacious pranks upon the judge.
Advocates and magistrates, reporters and men of the world,
actresses and society women were crowded together on the benches
provided for the public.
It was a dark, sombre day, with a steady downpour of rain. Only a
dim light pervaded the courtroom, and the spectators caught a very
indistinct view of the prisoner when the guards brought him in.
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