promenade on the Boulevard Saint Michel, the incident at the
cafe Soufflot, everything was disclosed. It was known that the search of
the restaurant and its waiters by Inspector Dieuzy had been fruitless.
And the public also learned an extraordinary thing which demonstrated
the infinite variety of resources that Lupin possessed: the prison-van,
in which he was being carried, was prepared for the occasion and
substituted by his accomplices for one of the six vans which did service
at the prison.

The next escape of Arsene Lupin was not doubted by anyone. He announced
it himself, in categorical terms, in a reply to Mon. Bouvier on the day
following his attempted escape. The judge having made a jest about
the affair, Arsene was annoyed, and, firmly eyeing the judge, he said,
emphatically:

"Listen to me, monsieur! I give you my word of honor that this attempted
flight was simply preliminary to my general plan of escape."

"I do not understand," said the judge.

"It is not necessary that you should understand."

And when the judge, in the course of that examination which was reported
at length in the columns of the `Echo de France,' when the judge sought
to resume his investigation, Arsene Lupin exclaimed, with an assumed air
of lassitude:

"Mon Dieu, Mon Dieu, what's the use! All these questions are of no
importance!"

"What! No importance?" cried the judge.

"No; because I shall not be present at the trial."

"You will not be present?"

"No; I have fully decided on that, and nothing will change my mind."

Such assurance combined with the inexplicable indiscretions that Arsene
committed every day served to annoy and mystify the officers of the law.
There were secrets known only to Arsene Lupin; secrets that he alone
could divulge. But for what purpose did he reveal them? And how?

Arsene Lupin was changed to another cell. The judge closed his
preliminary investigation. No further proceedings were taken in his case
for a period of two months, during which time Arsene was seen almost
constantly lying on his bed with his face turned toward the wall. The
changing of his cell seemed to discourage him. He refused to see his
advocate. He exchanged only a few necessary words with his keepers.

During the fortnight preceding his trial, he resumed his vigorous life.
He complained of want of air. Consequently, early every morning he was
allowed to exercise in the courtyard, guarded by two men.

Public curiosity had n