The
examination appeared to give him perfect satisfaction.
But I was not so well satisfied. I do not speak of the twelve
thousand francs of which I had been unduly deprived: that was only
a temporary loss, because I was certain that I would recover
possession of that money after a very brief delay, together with
the important papers contained in my wallet: plans, specifications,
addresses, lists of correspondents, and compromising letters.
But, for the moment, a more immediate and more serious question
troubled me: How would this affair end? What would be the outcome
of this adventure?
As you can imagine, the disturbance created by my passage through
the Saint-Lazare station has not escaped my notice. Going to visit
friends who knew me under the name of Guillaume Berlat, and
amongst whom my resemblance to Arsene Lupin was a subject of many
innocent jests, I could not assume a disguise, and my presence had
been remarked. So, beyond question, the commissary of police at
Rouen, notified by telegraph, and assisted by numerous agents,
would be awaiting the train, would question all suspicious
passengers, and proceed to search the cars.
Of course, I had foreseen all that, but it had not disturbed me,
as I was certain that the police of Rouen would not be any
shrewder than the police of Paris and that I could escape
recognition; would it not be sufficient for me to carelessly
display my card as "depute," thanks to which I had inspired
complete confidence in the gate-keeper at Saint-Lazare?--But the
situation was greatly changed.
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