complices! The execution of Arsene Lupin's
accomplices! What a fine spectacle! And what a crowd there will be to
witness it! Sorry, gentlemen, but the curtain will not rise. Theatre
closed by order of the authorities. And the authorities are myself!"

He struck his chest violently, with an arrogant gesture:

"The authorities are myself!"

At twelve o'clock Lupin received a telegram which the Masher had sent
from Lyons:

"All well. Goods will arrive without damage."

At three o'clock Clarisse woke. Her first words were:

"Is it to be to-morrow?"

He did not answer. But she saw him look so calm and smiling that she
felt herself permeated with an immense sense of peace and received the
impression that everything was finished, disentangled, settled according
to her companion's will.

They left the house at ten minutes past four. Prasville's secretary, who
had received his chief's instructions by telephone, showed them into the
office and asked them to wait. It was a quarter to five.

Prasville came running in at five o'clock exactly and, at once, cried:

"Have you the list?"

"Yes."

"Give it me."

He put out his hand. Clarisse, who had risen from her chair, did not
stir.

Prasville looked at her for a moment, hesitated and sat down. He
understood. In pursuing Daubrecq, Clarisse Mergy had not acted only
from hatred and the desire for revenge. Another motive prompted her. The
paper would not be handed over except upon conditions.

"Sit down, please," he said, thus showing that he accepted the
discussion.

Clarisse resumed her seat and, when she remained silent, Prasville said:

"Speak, my friend, and speak quite frankly. I do not scruple to say that
we wish to have that paper."

"If it is only a wish," remarked Clarisse, whom Lupin had coached in
her part down to the least detail, "if it is only a wish, I fear that we
shall not be able to come to an arrangement."

Prasville smiled:

"The wish, obviously, would lead us to make certain sacrifices."

"Every sacrifice," said Mme. Mergy, correcting him.

"Every sacrifice, provided, of course, that we keep within the bounds of
acceptable requirements."

"And even if we go beyond those bounds," said Clarisse, inflexibly.

Prasville began to lose patience:

"Come, what is it all about? Explain yourself."

"Forgive me, my friend, but I wanted above all to mark the great
importance which you attach to that paper and, in view of the immediate
transact