"

They parted. Lupin walked straight to the house and rang the bell.

A detective opened the door and recognized him:

"M. Nicole, I believe?"

"Yes," he said. "Is Chief-inspector Blanchon here?"

"He is."

"Can I speak to him?"

The man took him to the study, where Chief-inspector Blanchon welcomed
him with obvious pleasure.

"Well, chief-inspector, one would say there was something new?"

"M. Nicole, my orders are to place myself entirely at your disposal; and
I may say that I am very glad to see you to-day."

"Why so?"

"Because there is something new."

"Something serious?"

"Something very serious."

"Quick, speak."

"Daubrecq has returned."

"Eh, what!" exclaimed Lupin, with a start. "Daubrecq returned? Is he
here?"

"No, he has gone."

"And did he come in here, in the study?"

"Yes."

"This morning."

"And you did not prevent him?"

"What right had I?"

"And you left him alone?"

"By his positive orders, yes, we left him alone."

Lupin felt himself turn pale. Daubrecq had come back to fetch the
crystal stopper!

He was silent for some time and repeated to himself:

"He came back to fetch it... He was afraid that it would be found and he
has taken it... Of course, it was inevitable... with d'Albufex arrested,
with d'Albufex accused and accusing him, Daubrecq was bound to defend
himself. It's a difficult game for him. After months and months of
mystery, the public is at last learning that the infernal being who
contrived the whole tragedy of the Twenty-Seven and who ruins and kills
his adversaries is he, Daubrecq. What would become of him if, by a
miracle, his talisman did not protect him? He has taken it back."

And, trying to make his voice sound firm, he asked:

"Did he stay long?"

"Twenty seconds, perhaps."

"What! Twenty seconds? No longer?"

"No longer."

"What time was it?"

"Ten o'clock."

"Could he have known of the Marquis d'Albufex' suicide by then?"

"Yes. I saw the special edition of the Paris-Midi in his pocket."

"That's it, that's it," said Lupin. And he asked, "Did M. Prasville give
you no special instructions in case Daubrecq should return?"

"No. So, in M. Prasville's absence, I telephoned to the police-office
and I am waiting. The disappearance of Daubrecq the deputy caused a
great stir, as you know, and our presence here has a reason, in the eyes
of the public, as long as that disappearance continues. But, now that
Daubrecq has returned,