Certainly, he accomplished the trick with an ease and skill that
revealed the hand of a master; he was, no doubt, a professional
thief. Not a word, not a nervous movement; only coolness and
audacity. And I was there, lying on the bench, bound like a mummy,
I--Arsene Lupin!
It was anything but a laughing matter, and yet, despite the
gravity of the situation, I keenly appreciated the humor and irony
that it involved. Arsene Lupin seized and bound like a novice!
robbed as if I were an unsophisticated rustic--for, you must
understand, the scoundrel had deprived me of my purse and wallet!
Arsene Lupin, a victim, duped, vanquished....What an adventure!
The lady did not move. He did not even notice her. He contented
himself with picking up her traveling-bag that had fallen to the
floor and taking from it the jewels, purse, and gold and silver
trinkets that it contained. The lady opened her eyes, trembled
with fear, drew the rings from her fingers and handed them to the
man as if she wished to spare him unnecessary trouble. He took the
rings and looked at her. She swooned.
Then, quite unruffled, he resumed his seat, lighted a cigarette,
and proceeded to examine the treasure that he had acquired.
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