The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Crystal Stopper, by Maurice LeBlanc

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Title: The Crystal Stopper

Author: Maurice LeBlanc

Posting Date: August 16, 2008 [EBook #1563]
Release Date: December, 1998

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRYSTAL STOPPER ***

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THE CRYSTAL STOPPER

by Maurice LeBlanc

CHAPTER I. THE ARRESTS

The two boats fastened to the little pier that jutted out from the
garden lay rocking in its shadow. Here and there lighted windows showed
through the thick mist on the margins of the lake. The Enghien Casino
opposite blazed with light, though it was late in the season, the end
of September. A few stars appeared through the clouds. A light breeze
ruffled the surface of the water.

Arsene Lupin left the summer-house where he was smoking a cigar and,
bending forward at the end of the pier:

"Growler?" he asked. "Masher?... Are you there?"

A man rose from each of the boats, and one of them answered:

"Yes, governor."

"Get ready. I hear the car coming with Gilbert and Vaucheray."

He crossed the garden, walked round a house in process of construction,
the scaffolding of which loomed overhead, and cautiously opened the door
on the Avenue de Ceinture. He was not mistaken: a bright light flashed
round the bend and a large, open motor-car drew up, whence sprang two
men in great-coats, with the collars turned up, and caps.

It was Gilbert and Vaucheray: Gilbert, a young fellow of twenty or
twenty-two, with an attractive cast of features and a supple and sinewy
frame; Vaucheray, older, shorter, with grizzled hair and a pale, sickly
face.

"Well," asked Lupin, "did you see him, the deputy?"

"Yes, governor," said Gilbert, "we saw him take the 7.40 tram for Paris,
as we knew he would."

"Then we are free to act?"

"Absolutely. The Villa Marie-Therese is ours to do as we please with."

The chauffeur had kept his seat. Lupin gave him his orders:

"Don't wait here. It might attract attention. Be back at half-past
nine exactly, in time to load the car unless the whole business falls
through."

"Why should it fall through?"