force Lupin to take identical measures for the rescue
of both his accomplices.

Gilbert, on the other hand, whose frank countenance and dreamy,
melancholy eyes won every sympathy, was unable to protect himself
against the traps laid for him by the judge or to counteract Vaucheray's
lies. He burst into tears, talked too much, or else did not talk when
he should have talked. Moreover, his counsel, one of the Leaders of the
bar, was taken ill at the last moment--and here again Lupin saw the hand
of Daubrecq--and he was replaced by a junior who spoke badly, muddied
the whole case, set the jury against him and failed to wipe out the
impression produced by the speeches of the advocate-general and of
Vaucheray's counsel.

Lupin, who had the inconceivable audacity to be present on the last day
of the trial, the Thursday, had no doubt as to the result. A verdict of
guilty was certain in both cases.

It was certain because all the efforts of the prosecution, thus
supporting Vaucheray's tactics, had tended to link the two prisoners
closely together. It was certain, also and above all, because it
concerned two of Lupin's accomplices. From the opening of the inquiry
before the magistrate until the delivery of the verdict, all the
proceedings had been directed against Lupin; and this in spite of the
fact that the prosecution, for want of sufficient evidence and also in
order not to scatter its efforts over too wide an area, had decided not
to include Lupin in the indictment. He was the adversary aimed at, the
leader who must be punished in the person of his friends, the famous
and popular scoundrel whose fascination in the eyes of the crowd must be
destroyed for good and all. With Gilbert and Vaucheray executed, Lupin's
halo would fade away and the legend would be exploded.

Lupin... Lupin... Arsene Lupin: it was the one name heard throughout
the four days. The advocate-general, the presiding judge, the jury, the
counsel, the witnesses had no other words on their lips. Every moment,
Lupin was mentioned and cursed at, scoffed at, insulted and held
responsible for all the crimes committed. It was as though Gilbert
and Vaucheray figured only as supernumeraries, while the real criminal
undergoing trial was he, Lupin, Master Lupin, Lupin the burglar, the
leader of a gang of thieves, the forger, the incendiary, the hardened
offender, the ex-convict, Lupin the murderer, Lupin stained with the
blood of his victim, Lupin lurking in the sh