"
"In an hour?"
"Yes; within that time, Arsene Lupin solved the problem that you
placed before him."
"I....placed before him--"
"Yes, Arsene Lupin or Horace Velmont--same thing."
"I thought so. Ah! the scoundrel!"
"Now, let us see," said Holmes, "last night at ten o'clock, you
furnished Lupin with the information that he lacked, and that he
had been seeking for many weeks. During the night, he found time
to solve the problem, collect his men, and rob the castle. I shall
be quite as expeditious."
He walked from end to end of the room, in deep thought, then sat
down, crossed his long legs and closed his eyes.
Devanne waited, quite embarrassed. Thought he: "Is the man asleep?
Or is he only meditating?" However, he left the room to give some
orders, and when he returned he found the detective on his knees
scrutinizing the carpet at the foot of the stairs in the gallery.
"What is it?" he enquired.
"Look....there....spots from a candle."
"You are right--and quite fresh."
"And you will also find them at the top of the stairs, and around
the cabinet that Arsene Lupin broke into, and from which he took
the bibelots that he afterward placed in this armchair.
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