Maurice Leblanc

“ The car was only two or three hundred yards behind.
He said to his men, pointing to Lupin.
"Bind him. If he resists...- ."
He drew his revolver.
"Why should I resist, O gentle Teuton?" chuckled Lupin. And he added, while they were fastening his hands, "It is really curious to see how people take precautions when they need not and don't when they ought to. What the devil do you care about that motor? Accomplices of mine? What an idea!"
Without replying, the German gave orders to the driver:
"To the right!... Slow down!... Let them pass.... If they slow down also, stop!" ”

“ A powerful covered car was waiting in the paved yard outside the villa. Two men got into the driver's seat, two others inside, with their backs to the motor. Lupin and the stranger sat down on the front seat.
"Vorworts!" cried Lupin, in German. "Vorworts nach Veldenz!"
The stranger said:
"Silence! Those men must know nothing. Speak French. They don't know French. But why speak at all?"
"Quite right," said Lupin to himself. "Why speak at all?" ”

“ Our relations have been so very pleasant and cordial! But all good things must come to an end. My cure at the Sante Palace is finished. Other duties call me. I have resolved to make my escape tonight."
"Then I wish you good luck, M. Lupin."
"A thousand thanks, M. le Juge d'Instruction."
Arsene Lupin waited patiently for the hour of his escape, not without asking himself how it would be contrived and by what means France and Germany, uniting for the joint performance of this deserving work, would succeed in effecting it without creating too great a scandal. ”

“ Lupin was not put out of countenance. He said, quite calmly:
"They are in Veldenz Castle."
"We are in the out-buildings of the castle. Those are the ruins of Veldenz, over there."
"The papers are in the ruins."
"Let us go to them. Show me the way."
Lupin did not budge.
"Well?"
"Well, Sire, it is not as simple as you think. It takes some time to bring into play the elements which are needed to open that hiding-place." ”

“ It is a question of confidence, Sire. I should have considered myself quite as much bound to produce the papers if I had been free on leaving prison; and Your Imperial Majesty may be sure that I should not have walked off with them. The only difference is that they would now be in your possession. For we have lost a day, Sire. And a day, in this business... is a day too much.... ”

“ You will go wherever he thinks fit to go, you will do whatever he tells you to do. In short, you are at his disposal. At twelve o'clock, I will join you. If, at the last stroke of twelve, he has not handed me the bundle of letters, you will put him back in your car and, without losing a second, take him straight to the Sante Prison."
"If he tries to escape...."
"Take your own course."
He went out.
Lupin helped himself to a cigar from the table and threw himself into an easy chair:
"Good! I just love that way of going to work. It is frank and explicit."
The count had brought in his men. ”