I was no longer free. It was
impossible to attempt one of my usual tricks. In one of the
compartments, the commissary of police would find Mon. Arsene
Lupin, bound hand and foot, as docile as a lamb, packed up, all
ready to be dumped into a prison-van. He would have simply to
accept delivery of the parcel, the same as if it were so much
merchandise or a basket of fruit and vegetables. Yet, to avoid
that shameful denouement, what could I do?--bound and gagged, as I
was? And the train was rushing on toward Rouen, the next and only
station.
Another problem was presented, in which I was less interested, but
the solution of which aroused my professional curiosity. What were
the intentions of my rascally companion? Of course, if I had been
alone, he could, on our arrival at Rouen, leave the car slowly and
fearlessly. But the lady? As soon as the door of the compartment
should be opened, the lady, now so quiet and humble, would scream
and call for help. That was the dilemma that perplexed me! Why had
he not reduced her to a helpless condition similar to mine? That
would have given him ample time to disappear before his double
crime was discovered.
He was still smoking, with his eyes fixed upon the window that was
now being streaked with drops of rain.
Pages:
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103