He had the audacity to leave the visitor standing on the threshold of the little entrance-hall, at a place from which he could see a portion of the sitting-room through the open door, and, slowly, without so much as turning round, he entered the room, went to his confederate by Mr. Kesselbach's side and whispered: "We're done! It's Gourel, the detective. . . ." The other drew his knife. He caught him by the arm: "No nonsense! I have an idea. But, for God's sake, Marco, understand me and speak in your turn. Speak _as if you were Kesselbach_. . . . You hear, Marco! You _are_ Kesselbach." He expressed himself so coolly, so forcibly and with such authority that Marco understood, without further explanation, that he himself was to play the part of Kesselbach. Marco said, so as to be heard: "You must apologize for me, my dear fellow. Tell M. Gourel I'm awfully sorry, but I'm over head and ears in work. . . . I will see him to-morrow morning, at nine . . . yes, at nine o'clock punctually." "Good!" whispered the other. "Don't stir." He went back to the lobby, found Gourel waiting, and said: "Mr. Kesselbach begs you to excuse him. He is finishing an important piece of work. Could you possibly come back at nine o'clock to-morrow morning?" There was a pause. Gourel seemed surprised, more or less bothered and undecided. The other man's hand clutched the handle of a knife at the bottom of his pocket. At the first suspicious movement, he was prepared to strike. At last, Gourel said: "Very well. . . . At nine o'clock to-morrow. . . . But, all the same . . . However, I shall be here at nine to-morrow. . . ." And, putting on his hat, he disappeared down the passage of the hotel. Marco, in the sitting-room, burst out laughing: "That was jolly clever of you, governor! Oh, how nicely you spoofed him!" "Look alive, Marco, and follow him. If he leaves the hotel, let him be, meet Jérôme at the omnibus-office as arranged . . . and telephone." Marco went away quickly. Then the man took a water-bottle on the chimneypiece, poured himself out a tumblerful, which he swallowed at a draught, wetted his handkerchief, dabbed his forehead, which was covered with perspiration, and then sat down beside his prisoner and, with an affectation of politeness, said: "But I must really have the honor, Mr. Kesselbach, of introducing myself to you." And, taking a card from his pocket, he said: "Allow me. . . . Arsène Lupin, gentleman-burglar." * * * * * The name of the famous adventurer seemed to make the best of impressions upon Mr. Kesselbach. Lupin did not fail to observe the fact and exclaimed: