Chapter 13 epilogue arlette and jean

Everyone remembers that day, which was marked by many tragic events, culminating in two suicides.Those events were for the most part known to the public; the rest were guessed, or tried to guess, and especially stimulated their curiosity.The suicides of the Madames put an end to a crime that had aroused great interest in public opinion for weeks, and solved a difficult mystery which had been brought up several times in disturbing circumstances over the centuries. Coming out of that also finally relieved the great pain that fate had caused the Melamar family for a long time. One thing that was unforeseen, yet natural: Detective Captain Beschuh seemed supposed to derive moral and professional benefit from that day's ordeal, and got none.All attention was directed to Denelis, that is to say, to Arsene Lupin, because first the press, then the police, were concerned only with the same man who used both names.Luo Ping immediately became a great hero in solving the case. He solved the mysteries of history, debunked the secrets of two similar mansions, revealed the entire history of the actress Varneri, rescued the Meramar family, and found out the criminals.Beishu was reduced to a subordinate and a dumb character ridiculed by Luo Ping. He and the unlovable Van Houben also provided all conveniences for Luo Ping's comical escape to the Belgian border.

However, the public, more than the press and the police, immediately blamed Luo Ping for the loss of the diamond.Since Luo Ping took care of everything, from preparation, execution to success, he did it alone, obviously he put the spoils in his pocket.What none of Beschuy, Van Houben, and Melamar could have imagined, and the public immediately accepted it as true, because it was logical, and because no conclusion is more interesting than a last-minute bait. Beshu was furious.He is too perceptive not to admit his lack of foresight, and he does not want to evade for a minute the truth of the spontaneous public announcement.However, he went to Van Holpen and lashed out at him with censure and sarcasm.

"Hmph! I told you quite a bit about him at the beginning! The devil will find the Diamond, but you will never see the Diamond, Van Holborn. All my efforts were to serve him, and As usual. He worked with the police, got all the help, got all the doors open to him, and when the end came and went—and it was thanks to him, I admit—he turned on tiptoe, Fleeing with the stake of this gamble." Van Houben, ill, exhausted, and bedridden, muttered: "So, it's over? No more trying to find it?" Beschuw admitted his despair, and said humbly and nobly: "You should leave it to fate. There is nothing you can do about this man. He carries out his own plans, with infinite cunning and endless energy. He told me that the Madan's family had The secret exit, using the strategy of diverting the tiger away from the mountain to send me away, but he put his hands in his pockets and walked away from the other side, this is a genius. It is absurd to fight with him. I think it is better to give up."

"What?! I won't give up!" cried Van Houben, sitting up.Beschuw said to him, "A question, Mr. Van Holpen, are you completely bankrupt from the loss of these diamonds?" "No," said Van Holpen, rather candidly. "Well, be content with what you have left, and trust me, forget your diamonds. You'll never see them again." "Give up my diamonds! Never see them! Horrible idea! Hey, are the police still investigating?" "Unfortunate." "But what about you?" "I won't interfere any more." "Where's the pre-trial judge?"

"He will close the case." "Hateful. What's the reason?" "The Madan father and daughter are dead, and Farjero cannot be charged with any definite charges." "Let people chase after Cha Luoping!" "why?" "To find him." "Luo Ping can't be found." "And from Miss Arlette Mazur? Robin is in love with her. He'll hang around her house." "We've thought about it too. Some police officers have been deployed to watch." "Just surveillance?" "Arlette has escaped. It is speculated that she fled abroad to join Luo Ping."

"Damn it, I'm out of luck!" exclaimed Van Holpen.Arlette did not escape. She didn't go to meet Luo Ping either.However, she was so excited and tired that it was impossible to return to the fashion company, so she went to rest in a beautiful villa on the outskirts of Paris.The villa is surrounded by trees, and the flower beds of the garden stretch to the banks of the Seine. Arlette comes to visit Regina Aubrey one day and apologizes for losing her temper with the beautiful actress one night.Regina was especially busy at the moment, getting ready to play a gossip in a big cabaret.The two young women embraced warmly. Regina noticed that Arlette was pale and preoccupied, and without asking her, she suggested that she stay and rest in this villa that belonged to her.

Arlette immediately took the advice and told her mum.The next day she went to say good-bye to the Melamars and found them happy, free from the morbid resignation to the past whose secret and terrible shadows had been expelled by Jean Denéris.They had already drawn up plans to make the mansion in Ulfie Street young and lively.That night, without telling everyone, Arlette set off by car. Two weeks have passed, lazy and peaceful.Arlette arose from peace and solitude, and in the radiant July sun she regained her delicate complexion.Attended by trustworthy servants, she never went out of the garden, dreaming on a bench under the shade of the blossoming lindens by the Seine.Sometimes a small boat carries a couple down the river.Almost every day an old farmer comes to fish in his skiff, tied to the nearby shore, among the mud-flowing stones.She chatted with him, her eyes fixed on the corks that leaped in the fine waves, or she delighted in looking at the profile of the good old gentleman with his hooked nose and bushy chin under his big straw bell hat. The beard is like thatch.One afternoon, she approached him.He motioned her not to speak, and she sat gently beside him.At the end of the long fishing rod, the float bobs and jumps up and down.A fish tries to bite the bait.

It seemed to be on guard, and the wooden top-like float stopped moving again.Arlette happily said to his companion, "Didn't catch any fish today, huh? Nothing." "On the contrary, much to gain, miss," he whispered. "However," Arlette said, pointing to the empty netting bag on the slope of the embankment, "you caught nothing." "No." "What did you catch?" "A very pretty little Arlette." She didn't understand at first, and thought he meant "Abright" (the bream).Does he know her name? The misunderstanding did not last long.Because he repeated: "A very pretty little Arlette, she comes to take the bait." And suddenly she understood: he was Jean Denéris!He probably conspired with the old farmer and asked to fish for a day instead of the old farmer.

Terrified, she stammered: "You! You! Come on... Ah! I beg you to go away." He took off his big straw hat and said with a smile: "But why do you want me to go, Arlette?" "I'm afraid...I beg you..." "afraid of what?" "Afraid of those who search for you! . . . those who hang around my house in Paris!" "So, that's why you disappeared?" "Yes... I'm afraid! I don't want you to fall into the trap because of me. You go!" she burst into tears.She took his hands, very sad.At this time, he said to her gently: "Don't worry. They see that there is very little hope of finding me, so they won't search."

"They know they can find you by following me." "Why can I be found near you?" "Because they know..." Arlette blushed.He went on to say: "Because they know that I love you and can't live without seeing you, can't they?" She stepped back on the bench and sat down, not afraid this time, Jean Denéris's peaceful appearance had made her rest assured. "Don't talk...don't mention these things...or I'm going." They looked at each other. She was surprised to see how young he was, much younger than before.He was wearing an old farmer's overalls, with a bare neck, and looked about her age.Denelis hesitated for a moment, suddenly terrified by the serious eyes that looked at him.What is she thinking?

"What's the matter with you, my little Arlette? I almost think you're not happy to see me?" She made no reply.Then he went on: "Explain it. There is something between us that is embarrassing us, which I scarcely expected!" Arlette said, not in the tone of a young girl, but in a more thoughtful, defensive seriousness: "There is only one question: why are you here?" "To see you." "There are other reasons, I'm sure." After a while he admitted: "Well, yes, Arlette, there are other reasons... Let me tell you. You will understand. In exposing Fargeiro, I shattered all your plans, Beautiful proposal from a brave woman, for you are trying to do good. I believe it is my duty to support you in your continued efforts...” She listened casually.What he said did not match what she expected.Finally, she asked: "You have the diamonds, don't you?" He murmured, "Ah! So this matter made you worry? Why didn't you tell me?" He smiled, a half-smile, showing his true nature again. "Indeed I did. I found the diamond on the chandelier the night before. I like to keep it a secret and put the blame on the Madames. My role in this investigation is probably yours." It's clear. I don't think the public will guess the truth... The truth makes you unhappy, doesn't it, Arlette." The girl continued, "But will you return the diamonds?" "Return it to whom?" "Return to Van Holpen." "Return to Van Holborn? Absolutely not!" "The diamond is his." "no." "However……" "Van Houben stole a diamond from an old Jew while traveling in Constantinople some years ago. I have proof." "Then the diamond belongs to the Jew." "He died in despair." "In that case, it should belong to his family." "He has no family. His name and place of birth are unknown." "So you are the one who keeps the diamond now?" Deneris wanted to reply with a smile: "Of course! I don't have the right to keep it?" However, he changed his words: "In this whole case, I only seek the truth, only to save the Meramar brothers and sisters, let Antoine fail, and I will keep him away from you. As for the diamonds, they will serve your cause. Serve all the causes you will instruct me." She nodded and said, "I don't want... I don't want anything..." "why?" "Because now I give up all my ambitious plans." "Is it possible? Are you discouraged?" "No, but I thought about it. I found myself rushing. I was so carried away by small accomplishments that I thought I had to keep my feet on the ground in order to succeed." "Why did you change your mind?" "I'm too young. First of all, I should work and contribute more to good deeds. At my age, I don't have the right..." Jean Denéris approached her. "If you refuse, Arlette, it may be because you don't want the money ... because you blame me ... you have a point ... a man of sincerity and integrity like you should be offended by some of what is said about me . . . I don't disprove rumors." She cried quickly: "Don't dispel rumors, I beg you. I don't know anything and don't want to know." It was obvious that the secrets of Jean Denéris's life were confusing her.She longed to know the truth, but she preferred not to reveal the secret that both fascinated and frightened her. "You don't want to know who I am?" he asked. "I know who you are, Jean." "who am I?" "You were the one who sent me home one night and kissed me on the cheek . . . so tenderly, in a way I'll never forget." "What did you say? Arlette." Denelis said excitedly.Her face flushed again.But without bowing her head, she said, "I say what I cannot hide. I say what has ruled my life, and I am not ashamed to admit it, since it is the truth. That is what I think of you. The rest is not important. You are Jean." He whispered: "You love me, Arlette, then?" "Yes," she said. "You love me...you love me..." he repeated, and the outpouring of love seemed to overwhelm him as he tried to make sense of the words. "You love me... maybe this is your secret?" "My God, yes," she answered, smiling, "there was the secret of the Meramar family, . "But why have you never admitted it? . . . " "I didn't trust you then... I saw how kind you were to Regina!...how kind to Madame de Melamar!...and especially to Regina...I was so jealous of Regina, Out of pride, out of pain, I kept silent. Only once did I disappoint her . . . but she didn't know why—and you don't either." "But, I never loved Regina," he exclaimed. "I thought you loved, and I was so unhappy that I accepted the marriage proposal of Antoine Fargeiro... out of resentment... out of anger... besides, he told me about you and about Regina Many lies of yours. It was only when I saw you again at the Meramar mansion that I gradually understood the truth." "You realize I love you. Don't you, Arlette?" "Yes, I have felt it several times. What you have said to them I believe to be true, and all the pain you have suffered... all the dangers you have run... is due to me. I got rid of Antoine so that you could conquer me... But at this moment, it was too late... Due to the situation, I succumbed." Listening to this kind and touching inner confession, Denelis became more and more excited. "It's my turn to be afraid, Arlette." "Afraid of what, Jean?" "Afraid of my happiness... and afraid of your unhappiness, Arlette." "Why am I unhappy?" "Because I can give you nothing worthy of your devotion, my little Arlette." He added in a very low voice: "You don't marry Denelis... you don't marry Barnet, and you don't..." She put her hand on his mouth.She didn't want to hear the name Arsen Lupin.The name Barnett displeased her too, and the name Denelis perhaps equally distasteful.To her, his name was Jean, nothing more to add. She said clearly: "Arlette Mazur is not married." "No, no! You are the most admirable woman, and I have no right to waste your life." "You won't waste my life, Jean. It doesn't matter what happens to me in the future. No. Let's not talk about the future. Let's not look forward to the future... and things outside of us... and our friendship other things." "What you want to talk about is our friendship?" "Don't talk about our friendship either," she insisted. "So, what shall we talk about?" he said, with an anxious smile, for a few words from Arlette could cause him pain as well as ecstasy. "What are we talking about? What do you want me to do?" She whispered: "Jean, first of all stop addressing me with you." "What a strange idea!" "Yes...'to match you', which means intimacy...and I hope..." "You wish us to part, Arlette?" asked Jean, terribly distressed. "Instead, we should be close, so that... just like a friend who doesn't 'worth you', has no right to 'worth you' now, and never will." He sighed: "What you're asking me to do is too difficult! Are you no longer... are you my little Arlette? Anyway, I'll try. What more do you want, Arlette?" "A very presumptuous thing." "Speak." "Take your few weeks and let ... two months, three months, live freely in nature ... Is it impossible? ... two friends to other beautiful countries Going on a trip? When I'm done with vacation, I go back to work. But, I need this vacation...and this happiness..." "My little Arlette..." "You are not joking, Jean? I used to be afraid... What a petty request I made to you, such a humble seamstress! Don't you? You will not waste your time, in the moonlight, in the sunset Here, form a happy friendship with me?" Denelis turned pale.He stared at the girl's moist lips, pink cheeks, round shoulders, and soft waist.Should he give up sweet hope?In Arlette's bright eyes, he sees the beautiful dream of pure friendship between two lovers, which is difficult to realize.But he also felt that she didn't want to think too much about it, and didn't really want to know what promises he was making.The request she made was so sincere and innocent that he didn't want to lift the veil of mystery. "What do you think, Jean?" she asked. "Two things come to mind. First of all, these diamonds. You are not pleased that I keep them?" "very unhappy." "I'm going to give them to Beshu so that he can enjoy the benefits of discovering it. I should give him that compensation." She thanked him, and then said: "What about your other concern, Jean?" He said gravely: "That's a terrible question, Arlette." "What's the problem? I'm freaking out. Is it an obstacle?" "No, not exactly. But that's a difficulty to overcome..." "about what?" "About our trip." "What do you say? This trip will be impossible?" "No. But..." "Ah! Speak, I beseech you!" "Well, here it is, Arlette, what shall we wear? For me, a flannel shirt, blue overalls, and a straw hat... You, Arlette, in a percale Tulle pleated skirt." She laughed and shook her body. "Oh! Well, Jean, I like to see you like this... You are so happy! Sometimes people look at you and think: 'How sad and incomprehensible he is!' You frighten people. Yet your laughter can dissolve everything." He leaned over her, kissed her fingers with respect, and said: "You know, young friend Arlette, the journey has begun." She was surprised to see the trees on the river bank facing their Step back quickly behind you.Before she knew it, Jean had untied the cable, and the boat floated away. "Ah!" she said, "where shall we go?" "To far away. Far far away." "But it's impossible! What will people say if I don't come home? Regina? And the boat doesn't belong to you?" "You have nothing to worry about. Live your own life. It was Regina herself who told me about your seclusion. I bought a boat, a cloche, overalls, and everything was arranged. Since you want to go on vacation, Why delay?" She had nothing to say.She lay down and looked up at the sky.He paddled with oars in hand.An hour later, they approached a small boat, and were received by an old woman, who introduced them: "Victoire, my old nurse." The interior of the dinghy was arranged in two separate cabins, well lit and lovely. "You're at your house, this way, Arlette." They ate dinner together.Then Jean gave the order to lift the anchor. The motor rumbled.They sailed through rivers and canals to the ancient cities and scenic spots of France. In the dead of night, Arlette was lying alone on the deck.She confides to the stars and the rising moon, and enjoys sweet thoughts and dreams, full of solemn and quiet joy.