Lupin, therefore, had met with a check. The public felt almost disappointed and the police triumphed loudly. On the next day, Saturday, an incredible rumour spread through the Palais and the newspaper-offices: Jérôme the messenger had disappeared. Was it possible? Although the special editions confirmed the news, people refused to believe it. But, at six o'clock, a note published by the _Dépêche du Soir_ made it official: "We have received the following communication signed by Arsène Lupin. The special stamp affixed to it, in accordance with the circular which Lupin recently sent to the press, guarantees the genuineness of the document: "'_To the Editor of the_ Dépêche du Soir. "SIR, "'Pray make my apologies to the public for not keeping my word yesterday. I remembered, at the last moment, that the 31st of May fell on a Friday! Could I set my friend at liberty on a Friday? I did not think it right to assume that responsibility. "'I must also apologize for not on this occasion explaining, with my customary frankness, how this little event was managed. My process is so ingenious and so simple that I fear lest, if I revealed it, every criminal should be inspired by it. How surprised people will be on the day when I am free to speak! "Is that all?" I shall be asked. That is all; but it had to be thought of. "'Permit me to be, Sir, "'Your obedient servant, "'ARSÈNE LUPIN.'" An hour later, M. Lenormand was rung up on the telephone and informed that Valenglay, the prime minister, wished to see him at the Ministry of the Interior. * * * * * "How well you're looking, my dear Lenormand! And I who thought that you were ill and dared not leave your room!" "I am not ill, Monsieur le Président." "So you were sulking in your tent! . . . But you were always a bad-tempered fellow." "I confess to the bad temper, Monsieur le Président, but not to the sulking." "But you stay at home! And Lupin takes advantage of it to release his friends. . . ." "How could I stop him?" "How? Why, Lupin's trick was of the plainest. In accordance with his usual method, he announced the date of the escape beforehand; everybody believed in it; an apparent attempt was planned; the escape was not made; and, on the next day, when nobody is thinking about it--whoosh!--the bird takes flight." "Monsieur le Président," said the chief of the detective-service, solemnly, "Lupin disposes of such means that we are not in a position to prevent what he has decided on. The escape was mathematically certain. I preferred to pass the hand . . . and leave the laughter for others to face." Valenglay chuckled: