“That isn’t true. You know quite well that I keep my promises. If you hesitate--but you do not hesitate. In your heart of hearts, you have made your decision; and it is the right one.” She remained thoughtful for a moment, then with a gesture which signified: “After all, I shall lay my hands on the girl again. My vengeance is only postponed,” she said: “By the memory of your mother?” “By the memory of my mother, by all that is left me of honesty and honor, I will throw complete light on the matter.” “So be it,” she said. “But you and that girl will not exchange a single word apart.” “Not a word,” he said readily. “Besides, I’ve nothing to say to her that anyone may not hear. Set her free--that’s all I want.” She gave the order: “Loose the girl, Leonard, and take those ropes off him.” Leonard’s face wore an expression of strong disapproval. But he was too well-disciplined to protest. He left Clarice and cut the bonds which still crippled Ralph. Ralph’s behavior was not of the most fitting considering the seriousness of the occasion. He stretched his legs, performed two or three exercises with his arms, and took several deep breaths. “I like this better,” he said cheerfully. “I’ve no vocation for playing at prisoners. To deliver the good and punish the evil, that’s what really interests me. Tremble, Leonard.” He turned to Clarice and said: “I beg you to forgive me for all that has happened. It shall never occur again, you may be sure of it. Henceforth you’re under my protection. Do you feel strong enough to get home?” “Yes--yes,” she said. “But what about you?” “Oh, me--I do not run any risk. Your safety was the essential thing. But I’m afraid that you won’t be able to walk far.” “I haven’t far to walk. Yesterday my father brought me to stay with one of my friends; and he is to fetch me to-morrow.” “Is it near here?” “Yes.” “Well, say no more about it. Any information you give will be used against you.” He conducted her to the door and told Leonard to unlock the padlock and open the gate. When Leonard had done so, Ralph said to Clarice: “Be prudent, and fear nothing, absolutely nothing, either on your own account or on mine. We shall meet again when the right hour strikes; and it will not be long striking whatever be the obstacles which separate us now.” He shut the door after her. Clarice was saved. Then he had the cheek to say: “What an adorable creature!” * * * * * In after days, when Arsène Lupin related this incident in his great struggle with Josephine Balsamo, he could not refrain from laughing. “Yes,” he would say. “I laugh now as I laughed at the moment; and I remember that for the first time I executed one of those little dances which have often served me since to mark most difficult victories ... and that victory was devilishly difficult.