"
"But you, patron?"
"Leave me the motor-cycle."
When the man had disappeared, Arsene Lupin pushed the section of
the bookcase back into its place, carefully effaced the traces of
the men's footsteps, raised a portiere, and entered a gallery,
which was the only means of communication between the tower and the
castle. In the center of this gallery there was a glass cabinet
which had attracted Lupin's attentions. It contained a valuable
collection of watches, snuff-boxes, rings, chatelaines and
miniatures of rare and beautiful workmanship. He forced the lock
with a small jimmy, and experienced a great pleasure in handling
those gold and silver ornaments, those exquisite and delicate works
of art.
He carried a large linen bag, specially prepared for the removal of
such knick-knacks. He filled it. Then he filled the pockets of
his coat, waistcoat and trousers. And he was just placing over his
left arm a number of pearl reticules when he heard a slight sound.
He listened. No, he was not deceived. The noise continued. Then
he remembered that, at one end of the gallery, there was a stairway
leading to an unoccupied apartment, but which was probably occupied
that night by the young lady whom Mon.
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