h and whistled.

The contrast was delicious between the venerable appearance of this
elderly Massiban and the schoolboy ways and accent which Lupin was
putting on. Beautrelet could not help laughing.

"He's laughed! He's laughed!" cried Lupin, jumping for joy. "You see,
baby, what you fall short in is the power of smiling; you're a trifle
serious for your age. You're a very likeable boy, you have a charming
candor and simplicity--but you have no sense of humor." He placed
himself in front of him. "Look here, bet you I make you cry! Do you
know how I was able to follow up all your inquiry, how I knew of the
letter Massiban wrote you and his appointment to meet you this morning
at the Chateau de Velines? Through the prattle of your friend, the one
you're staying with. You confide in that idiot and he loses no time,
but goes and tells everything to his best girl. And his best girl has
no secrets for Lupin.--What did I tell you? I've made you feel, anyhow;
your eyes are quite wet!--Friendship betrayed: that upsets you, eh?
Upon my word, you're wonderful! I could take you in my arms and hug
you! You always wear that look of astonishment which goes straight to
my heart.--I shall never forget the other evening at Gaillon, when you
consulted me.--Yes, I was the old notary!--But why don't you laugh,
youngster? As I said, you have no sense of a joke. Look here, what you
want is--what shall I call it?--imagination, imaginative impulse. Now,
I'm full of imaginative impulse."

A motor was heard panting not far off. Lupin seized Beautrelet roughly
by the arm and in a cold voice, looking him straight in the eyes:

"You're going to keep quiet now, aren't you? You can see there's
nothing to be done. Then what's the use of wasting your time and
energy? There are plenty of highway robbers in the world. Run after
them and let me be--if not!--It's settled, isn't it?"

He shook him as though to enforce his will upon him. Then he grinned:

"Fool that I am! You leave me alone? You're not one of those who let
go! Oh, I don't know what restrains me! In half a dozen turns of the
wrist, I could have you bound and gagged--and, in two hours, safe under
lock and key, for some months to come. And then I could twist my thumbs
in all security, withdraw to the peaceful retreat prepared for me by my
ancestors, the Kings of France, and enjoy the treasures which they have
been good enough to accumulate for me. But no, it is doomed that I must
go on bl