f my cell, but they
never imagine that Arsene Lupin would be foolish enough to choose such a
simple hiding place."

Ganimard laughed, as he said:

"What a droll fellow you are! Really, you bewilder me. But, come now,
tell me about the Cahorn affair."

"Oh! oh! not quite so fast! You would rob me of all my secrets; expose
all my little tricks. That is a very serious matter."

"Was I wrong to count on your complaisance?"

"No, Ganimard, and since you insist---"

Arsene Lupin paced his cell two or three times, then, stopping before
Ganimard, he asked:

"What do you think of my letter to the baron?"

"I think you were amusing yourself by playing to the gallery."

"Ah! playing to the gallery! Come, Ganimard, I thought you knew me
better. Do I, Arsene Lupin, ever waste my time on such puerilities?
Would I have written that letter if I could have robbed the baron
without writing to him? I want you to understand that the letter was
indispensable; it was the motor that set the whole machine in motion.
Now, let us discuss together a scheme for the robbery of the Malaquis
castle. Are you willing?"

"Yes, proceed."

"Well, let us suppose a castle carefully closed and barricaded like
that of the Baron Cahorn. Am I to abandon my scheme and renounce the
treasures that I covet, upon the pretext that the castle which holds
them is inaccessible?"

"Evidently not."

"Should I make an assault upon the castle at the head of a band of
adventurers as they did in ancient times?"

"That would be foolish."

"Can I gain admittance by stealth or cunning?"

"Impossible."

"Then there is only one way open to me. I must have the owner of the
castle invite me to it."

"That is surely an original method."

"And how easy! Let us suppose that one day the owner receives a letter
warning him that a notorious burglar known as Arsene Lupin is plotting
to rob him. What will he do?"

"Send a letter to the Procureur."

"Who will laugh at him, *because the said Arsene Lupin is actually in
prison.* Then, in his anxiety and fear, the simple man will ask the
assistance of the first-comer, will he not?"

"Very likely."

"And if he happens to read in a country newspaper that a celebrated
detective is spending his vacation in a neighboring town---"

"He will seek that detective."

"Of course. But, on the other hand, let us presume that, having foreseen
that state of affairs, the said Arsene Lupin has requested one of his
friends to