Chapter 7 7. Giraffe Edith

"Arson Lupin, what do you think of Detective Gannimar?" "Very well, my dear friend." "Very well? But why do you play tricks on him every chance you get?" "Bad habits, I often feel guilty. But what can be done? That's the way it is. That's an honest policeman. Those are some honest people. They are responsible for maintaining social order, protecting us from bad people, and even killing us. .But instead, we give them only sarcasm and contempt. That's stupid." "Very well, Arson Lupin. You talk like a good property man." "Then who am I? I have a slightly peculiar view of other people's property, but I swear to you a very different view of my own. Of course! No one will touch my things." If anyone touches it, I will become fierce. Ah! Ah! My purse, my wallet, my watch... are not allowed to be touched! My dear friend, my soul is very reserved. I have a It is the nature of a man who lives on a meager pension. I follow tradition and respect authority. That is why I have great respect and admiration for Ganymar."

"But I don't admire it." "I also admire it very much. In addition to the indomitable courage that everyone in the Security Bureau has, Ganimar has many advantages: he is serious in his work, decisive, sharp in his eyes, and accurate in his judgment. I have seen him solve cases. This is a talent. You listen Have you ever heard the story about the long-necked Edith?" "I've heard it like everyone else." "That is to say, I have heard part of it. To be honest, this may be the most well-planned and cautious operation I have ever done. I have been confused and suspicious. When I do it myself, I feel like I am facing an abyss and walking on thin ice. This is A real game of chess, a game of wits, courage, and cunning. Ganimard, however, managed to sort out the mess. Thanks to him, the people of Aufevre River Street learned the truth .I can assure you that this fact is extraordinary."

"Can you tell me?" "Of course I can... Someday... I have time... But Brunelli is dancing at the Opera tonight, and it will be terrible if she finds out that I'm not in my seat!" And even if he is happy, he doesn't confide in his affairs easily.I just jotted down the true feelings he confides slowly from here to there, so that I understood the various stages of the matter and sorted out the story in detail.Everyone remembers the origin of the matter.I'll just mention some facts.Three years ago, when the train from Brest pulled into Lena Station, people found that the door of a freight car rented by Colonel Spalmianto, a wealthy Brazilian, had been broken.The Colonel himself traveled with his wife in the passenger compartment of the same train.

There was a batch of tapestries in the pryed-out freight car.One of the tapestry boxes had been pried open, and the tapestry inside was missing. Colonel Spalmianto sued the railway company and demanded huge damages, because if the tapestry was lost, the whole set would be worthless.The police launched an investigation.The railway company promised a large reward.Two weeks later, after an unsealed letter was opened by the post office, it was learned that the theft was directed by Arsen Lupin, and that a package would be sent to North America the next day.The tapestry was found that night in a box in the luggage storage of Gare Saint-Lazare.

Thus, the theft was missed.Arsen Lupin was greatly disappointed, and in a letter to Spalmianto, he was furious and wrote very bluntly: I was merciful and only took one.Next time, I will take all twelve.It won't hurt to hear what I say. Arthur Robin. For some months Colonel Spalmianto lived in a mansion on the corner of the Rue Fissandry and the Rue Dufleiroi.Outside the mansion is a small garden.He was strong, broad-shouldered, black-haired, tanned, and dressed in modest elegance.His wife was a young Englishwoman of great beauty, but of weak health.The theft of the tapestry was a great thrill to her.From the first day she begged her husband to sell the remaining tapestry quickly, at any price.But the colonel had his own mind and was too stubborn to give in to what he had the right to call a woman's capricious demands.He didn't sell any of them.However, he strengthened his precautions and took various measures to prevent the thieves from getting their hands on them.

First, he had the windows of the first and second floors facing the Rue Dufleiroi shut.In this way, only the front windows facing the garden have to be guarded.Second, he turned to a specialized agency for the protection of private property. The institution installed alarms on the windows of the room where he hung the tapestry, which was invisible on the surface, and only he knew where it was installed. As long as he touched it, the lights in the mansion would light up and the bell would ring loudly. In addition, he applies for coverage from the insurance company.Several companies agreed to cover, but on one condition: the insurance company sent three people to be on duty at night on the ground floor, at the colonel's expense.The insurance company picked three former detectives.They were dependable, tried, and had a deep hatred for Arson Robin.

As for the colonel's servants, they have been used for many years. The colonel knows it well and guarantees that there will be no problems. After taking the above measures, the mansion is as fortified as a military fortress.The colonel held a grand opening ceremony, which can be regarded as the top exhibition.Invited were members of his two clubs, ladies, journalists, art collectors and art critics. As soon as you enter the garden gate, it is like entering a prison.Three detectives stood at the bottom of the stairs, examining invitations and eyeing guests suspiciously, as if to search them or demand fingerprints.

The colonel received the guests on the second floor, apologized to everyone with a smile, and happily explained the measures he had come up with to protect the safety of the tapestry. His wife stood beside him, young, beautiful, and elegant.She was fair-haired, fair-skinned, gentle and submissive, with a melancholy and gentle air, and, like all those whose fate is threatened, she has an expression of resignation. When all the guests had arrived, the garden gate and the vestibule door were closed.Everyone came to the central exhibition room.To get there, you have to go through two doors with steel plates, and the windows have thick shutters and iron bars.In this hall, twelve tapestries are hung.These are unrivaled works of art inspired by the famous Peyer tapestry woven for Queen Mathilde, and depicting the story of the conquest of England.These tapestries were ordered by a descendant of a warrior who traveled with the conqueror Guillaume across the sea in the 16th century. They were woven by Jean Gosse, a famous tapestry maker in Arras. Four hundred years later, they were sold in Brittany. Found in the corner of an ancient castle.After the colonel learned about it, he bid 50,000 francs to buy them.In fact they were worth twenty times that price.Of the twelve tapestries in this set, the most extraordinary one happened to be the one that was stolen by Arsene Lupin and later recovered, although Queen Mathilde did not show this subject.It shows the scene where the long-necked Edith is looking for his sweetheart, Harold, the last Saxon king, among the dead in Hastings.

Standing in front of this tapestry, facing the natural and beautiful picture, watching the bleak colors, lifelike characters, and tragic and tragic scenes, the guests were deeply moved... The unfortunate queen Edith with long neck bent The body is like a heavy lily.The white robe set off her tired body, and the slender hands stretched forward, making a terrifying beseeching gesture.That smiling face, full of sadness and despair, looked sadder than anything else. "It's a heart-breaking smile," said one critic, to whom everyone listened respectfully. "Also, it's a smile of its own. Colonel, it reminds me of Madame Sparmiento's smile." .”

This view seems to be correct.He insisted: "I immediately noticed other similarities. For example, the graceful curve of the nape of the neck, the slender hands...the figure, the posture, there are also some similarities..." "Indeed," the Colonel admitted, "it was the resemblance that prompted me to buy the tapestry. There was another reason, a curious coincidence, that my wife happened to be called Edith... long-necked Edith. Buy it That's what I'll call her from now on." The colonel added with a smile: "I hope the resemblance ends there; my dear Edith will not be like that poor woman in history, looking for the dead body of her sweetheart. Thank God! I am alive and don't want to die at all .unless these tapestries are lost... if so, really, I can't promise not to think about it for a while..."

He smiled when he said these words, but his smile was not echoed.In the next few days, when everyone talked about the situation that night, they still felt embarrassed and kept silent.Those present didn't know what to say. One wanted to joke: "Colonel, isn't your name Harold?" "Hey, don't bark!" he answered loudly, still jovially. "No, my name is not Harold. I bear no resemblance to King Saxon." Afterwards it was generally believed that, just as the Colonel had finished speaking, there came from the other side of the window (whether it was the right or the middle window, opinions differ on this point.) There was a short, sharp, monotonous ringing of a bell.Madame Sparmianto seized her husband's arm and gave a cry of terror."What's the matter?" cried the colonel. "What does it mean?" The guests were motionless, all looking towards the windows.The colonel asked again: "What does this mean? I really don't understand. No one but me knows where the alarm bell is placed..." Just then—and on this the witnesses were unanimous—the hall suddenly fell into darkness.Immediately, from the top to the bottom of the mansion, all the living rooms, rooms, and all the windows, all the alarm bells rang, and there was a lot of noise. In a few seconds, the mansion was in chaos and terror.The women screamed.The men pounded on the door with their fists.Everyone pushed and fought.When someone falls, others step on him.Like a house on fire or a cannonball exploding, the crowd is terrified and scrambles to flee.The colonel yelled, over the din: "Quiet!...don't move!...I promise you'll be fine!...the light switch is right there...in the corner...here, here..." He squeezed his way through the crowd and walked to the corner of the exhibition hall.Then the light came on again.The bell also stopped. The sudden light illuminated a particular scene: the two ladies fainted; Madame Sparmianto, hanging from her husband's arms, fell to her knees, pale as if dead.The men looked pale and their ties were disheveled, as if they had just been in a fight. "The tapestry is still there!" someone shouted. Everyone was amazed, as if the tapestry disappeared as an inevitable consequence of turning off the lights and ringing the bell, as if that was the only way things could make sense. But nothing moved in the exhibition hall.Several valuable oil paintings on the walls still hang in place.Moreover, although the mansion was dark and noisy just now, the three detectives did not find anyone entering or attempting to enter the mansion... "Besides," said the colonel, "only the windows of the exhibition hall have alarms. And I'm the only one who knows how to use them. But I haven't connected them yet!" Everyone laughed loudly at the alarm, but very much. False, and a little ashamed.Because everyone felt that their behavior just now was too rude. What everyone was anxious to do was to get out of the house as quickly as possible.In any case, there is always a feeling of uneasiness and apprehension here.However, two reporters stayed. The colonel took care of Edith, handed her over to the maid, and came to the reporter.Together with the detective, the three of them inspected it carefully, but found nothing worth noting.Then the colonel opened a bottle of champagne.Reporters until late at night— To be precise, it was 2:45 in the morning-they left, the colonel returned to his suite, and the detectives returned to their duty rooms on the first floor.Several detectives took turns standing guard.Originally, they were only asked not to sleep and to pay attention to the movement upstairs, but now they have to patrol the garden and visit the exhibition hall upstairs. This order was strictly enforced.They didn't go on patrol except between five and seven in the morning, because they were too sleepy.But by this time, it was already dawn outside.Besides, if the alarm bell rang, they would wake up with a start. But at seven-twenty, when a detective opened the hall door and pushed back the shutters, he found twelve tapestry missing. Later, the detective and his companions were accused of not calling the police immediately, not informing the colonel, and starting the search without calling the police station.Still, the delay is forgivable.Where does it hinder the action of the police? In any case, the Colonel was not called to the police until half past eight.He was dressed and ready to go out. The news didn't seem to overstimulate him, or, at least, he restrained his emotions. However, this incident hit him too hard.He collapsed suddenly on a chair, in genuine despair. He was originally a very strong person on the outside, but now he has become like this, which is very uncomfortable to see. Then, he restrained himself, came to the exhibition hall, looked at the bare walls, sat at a table, wrote a letter in a hurry, put it in an envelope and sealed it, and said: "Here, I have something urgent... one is urgent Appointment . . . this is a letter to the Superintendent of Police." As the detectives were watching him, he added: "I'm telling the sub-chief my impressions...a sudden suspicion...he's got to know...for my part, I'm going to fight..." He set off at a run.Detectives remember that his movements gave the appearance of being disturbed. After a while, the police chief arrived.Everyone handed the letter to him.The letter reads: Please forgive my beloved wife for the pain I will bring her.Until the last moment of my life, I was chanting her name. In this way, a night of high tension, Colonel Spalmianto was stimulated, his head became hot, and he couldn't figure it out for a while, so he committed suicide.Does he have the courage to kill himself?Or, at the last minute, will sanity save him? Someone reported this to Madame Spalmianto. Investigations began, and efforts were made to find traces of the Colonel.In the meantime Madame Spalmianto awaited news of her husband with trepidation. Towards evening, a call was received from the town of Darfrey, saying that railway workers had found a body at the exit of a tunnel after a train had passed.The body was incomplete, and the face was no longer human.There were no papers in the body pockets, but his features were that of the Colonel.At seven o'clock in the evening, Mrs. Spalmianto arrived in Davry by car.She was led to a room at the station.When the sheet covering the body was removed, Edith, the long-necked Edith, recognized her husband's body. In this way, according to the usual parlance, Arsen Lupine got a bad name. "Tell him to watch out!" wrote one satirical columnist, summing up the general opinion. It would not take a few such outrages to spoil our hitherto unsparing affection for him.He was acceptable only if he played tricks on unjust bankers, German barons, dubious foreign rich men, and financial corporations to their detriment.Especially since he can't kill!It is okay to be a thief, but not to be a murderer!This time, although he didn't kill anyone, the death was caused by him.He has blood on his hands.His money smells like blood... Edith's pale face aroused sympathy and public anger and revulsion.Last night's guests spoke.They know the details that make a big impression.Thus, a legend formed around the British blonde.This legend has the tragic character of the folk tale of the Queen with the Long Neck. However, people couldn't help but marvel at the extraordinary ability of the thieves.As for the modus operandi of the theft, the police quickly explained: the three detectives discovered at the beginning, and later confirmed, that one of the three windows in the exhibition hall was wide open, so Arsen Lupin and his accomplices must have opened the door through the window. Infiltrated. This assumption is plausible.But first, how come they come in and go out through the garden gate without being noticed?Second, walk through the garden, and put a ladder in the flower bed, how can it not leave a trace?Thirdly, the shutters and windows were opened, why didn't the alarm bell be rung and the lights up and down the mansion be turned on? The public accused those three detectives of having problems.The examining magistrate questioned them for a long time, made a detailed investigation into their private life, and finally declared that there was nothing suspicious about them. As for the tapestry, there is no indication that they will ever be recovered.At this time, Inspector Ganimar just came back from the hinterland of India.He had followed Arsen Lupin there after the theft of the crown and the disappearance of Sonia Kriknov, on the basis of iron evidence given by some of her former associates.As a result, he was once again teased by this rival.The inspector guessed that the fellow had sent him to the Far East in order to get rid of him in order to steal the tapestry, so he asked his superiors for a fortnight's leave to see Mrs. Spalmianto, promising to avenge her husband. Edith was so numb that even the thought of "revenge" didn't ease her pain. On the night of the funeral she dismissed the three detectives, hired only one footman and an old housemaid, and sent all the servants away.Because when she saw them, she thought sadly of the past.She is indifferent to everything and shuts herself in her room, leaving Ganymar free to move about. Ganimar settled down on the first floor of the mansion and immediately inspected the scene carefully.He resumed his investigation, surveying the surrounding neighborhoods, studying the layout of the mansion, and making each alarm bell ring twenty or thirty times. Half a month later, he continued his leave.Mr. Didui, who was the chief of security at the time, came to see him and caught him standing on the top of a ladder leading to the exhibition hall.On this day, the Inspector admitted that his investigation had turned up nothing. On the third day, Mr. Didui passed by there again, and found that Ganimard was frowning, with a lot of newspapers in front of him. Finally, unable to withstand repeated inquiries, he replied in a low voice: "I don't know anything. , Commissioner. I don’t know anything. But there’s one idea that keeps haunting me. . . . It’s just ridiculous! . . . Besides, it doesn’t explain the case . . . "So?" "Then, Commissioner, I beg you to be patient...let me get on with it. But if I call you out of the blue one day and you have to jump in the car without delay...that means the case is open. gone." Another forty-eight hours passed.One morning Mr. Didui received an express letter: "What the hell is he going to do up there?" wondered the Chief of Security. There was no news that day, and another day passed. But Mr. Didui believed him.He knew Ganymar, knew that the old detective was not a casually impulsive man.Ganymar "walks" because there are serious reasons to move. Sure enough, the next night, Mr. Didui was called to answer the phone. "Is that you, Chief?" "Is that you, Ganimar?" Both of them are cautious people, so let's confirm each other's identity first.Afterwards, Ganimar was relieved, and said hastily: "Send ten people here immediately, Director. You also come in person, I beg you." "Where are you?" "In the mansion, on the first floor. But I will wait for you at the garden gate." "I'll come. Of course, by car?" "Yes, Commissioner. Park the car a hundred paces away. Just whistle a little, and I'll open the door for you." Things went as Gannimar said.Before midnight, the upstairs lights were turned off.Ganimard quietly went to the street to meet Mr. Didui.They had a quick conversation in secret.The police obeyed Ganimar's orders.Then the Chief and the Inspector entered the mansion together, walked quietly through the garden, entered the room cautiously, and shut the door behind them. "Well, what's the matter?" asked Mr. Didoy. "What does all this mean? It looks like we're up to something." But Ganimard did not laugh.His superiors had never seen him so excited, never heard his voice so flustered. "Is there something wrong, Ganimar?" "Yes, Chief. This time! . . . I can hardly believe it . . . but I'm not mistaken . . . I know the whole truth . It can't be anything else...it can only be this thing, nothing else." He wiped sweat from his brow.Mr. Didui kept asking him.He suppressed the excitement in his heart, drank a glass of water, and began to say: "Arson Lupin often plays tricks on me..." "Tell me, Ganimard?" M. Didui interrupted. "Can't you be straightforward? Briefly, what happened?" "No, Chief," retorted the Inspector. "You should be aware of the various stages I've been through. Excuse me, I think it's necessary." He repeated again: "As I said just now, Director, Arsen Lupin often played tricks on me and tried his best. In this contest, although I have always been on the wrong side...but at least I have gained experience and become familiar with him. gimmick, knowing his methods. Regarding the tapestry case, I can ask two questions right away: first, Arsen Lupin did not expect the consequences, so he should have expected that Sparmianto would commit suicide after the tapestry was lost. He stole the tapestry despite his aversion to bloodshed." "That's because they're worth five or six hundred thousand francs," pointed out M. Dudoy. "No, Director, I'll say it again, no matter how attractive the opportunity is, even if it's worth tens of millions, Arsen Luoping will not kill, or even cause death. This is the first question. "Second, why was there such a fuss at the opening ceremony last night? It was obviously to scare people, right? To create an atmosphere of uneasiness and terror for this matter within a few minutes, and ultimately to divert Everyone's suspicion. Because if you don't come here, others may suspect this... You still don't understand, Director?" "Really, I don't understand yet." "Indeed..." said Ganimard, "indeed, it's not clear. I myself don't quite understand it when I put the question in this way... But I think I'm on the right track... Yes, without a doubt , Arsen Luopin wants to divert attention, to make everyone doubt themselves, doubt him, Arsen Luopin, understand?... so that the person who directed this matter will not be known." "Is there an accomplice?" interposed M. Didoy, "an accomplice who mingled with the guests, sounded the alarm... and hid himself in the mansion after they had left?" "Exactly...exactly...you almost guessed it, Director. The tapestry was stolen not by someone who sneaked into the mansion, but by someone who stayed there. Just study the guest list, yes Everyone can do some research and be sure to..." "What can I do?" "I'm sure, Chief, there is one person. But... the three detectives hold the list in their hands, and when the guests come, they check one by one. When the guests leave, they also check one by one. A total of sixty-three guests came in, six Thirteen guests are out. So..." "A servant?" "no." "The three detectives?" "no." "But...but..." the director said impatiently, "Since it was done from within..." "It is indisputable that the crime was committed from within," the Inspector affirmed, seeming even more agitated. "I am sure of that without hesitation. All my investigations have proved it. I am becoming more and more convinced of it." This fact, one day, at last gave rise to the astonishing argument that, both theoretically and practically, the theft could have been accomplished only with the assistance of an inner agent. But there was no such an inner agent." "Absurd," said Mr. Didui. "Yes, it is absurd," said Ganimard, "but just as I uttered this absurd statement, I suddenly realized the truth." "Ok?" "Of course, this fact is still vague and incomplete, but it is enough to explain the problem. With this clue, I can find out the whole thing. Do you understand, Director?" Mr. Didui was silent.What happened to Ganimar, happened to him again.He murmured: "If it's not a guest, a servant, or a detective, then there's no one..." "Yes, Director, there is one more person..." Mr. Diduis shook as if he had been shocked.His voice showed how excited he was: "No, it doesn't make sense." "why?" "Think about it..." "Say it, Chief... let's talk." "What! . . . Impossible, isn't it?" "Go on, Chief." "Impossible! What are you talking about! Spalmianto will be Arson Lupin's accomplice!" Ganimar sneered, "Very good...Arson Lupin's accomplice... This way, things will be fine Explained. That night, while the detectives were on watch downstairs, or rather, sleeping downstairs—because Colonel Spalmianto made them drink champagne that might not be pure—the Colonel took down the tapestry to send them out through the window of his bedroom. His bedroom is on the third floor, and the window looks on to another street. That street is unguarded, because the windows below are blocked." Didui thought for a moment, then shrugged. Shrugged, said: "This is unreasonable!" "why?" "Why? Because the Colonel wouldn't have killed himself after the fact had he been an accomplice of Arson Lupin." "Who told you he committed suicide?" "What? He was found dead!" "I told you that Arsen Lupin will not kill anyone when he commits a crime." "But the man is really dead! And Mrs. Spalmianto recognized his body." "I expected you to say this, Commander. I am troubled by this reason too. Suddenly there were three persons in front of me from one person: one was the thief Arsyn Lupin; the other was his accomplice Spalmian. Colonel Toto; three is a dead body. Three is enough: God, don't throw me any more!" Ganimard grabbed a stack of newspapers, untied their ties, and handed one to Didui. gentlemen. "Do you remember, Commissioner... that day when you came, I was flipping through the papers... I wanted to see if any incidents occurred during that time that were relevant to your statement and would support my hypothesis. Would you please Read this tidbit." M. Didui picked up the newspaper and read aloud: According to the report of our correspondent in Lille, a body was found missing yesterday morning in the morgue of the city.The name of the deceased was unknown, and he threw himself under the wheels of a tram the night before... The public made various speculations about it... Mr. Didui was lost in thought, and then asked: "So . . . do you think?" "I have just returned from Lille," Ganymar replied, "and my investigations have made the case beyond doubt. The body was taken from the night of the inauguration at Spalmyanto, in a car. To Freytown. The car was parked by the railway line till night." "In other words, stop near the tunnel entrance." Mr. Didui finished. "It's right next to the tunnel entrance, Chief." "Therefore, the body that was later found was exactly this one. Only in the clothes of Colonel Spalmianto." "Exactly, Chief." "So Spalmianto is alive?" "Live as you and I do, Chief." "But why does he do all this stuff? Why steal one, find it again, and then steal twelve? Why do that opening, all that panic? Why do that? You Your assumption is untenable, Ganimar." "Sir, it doesn't hold water because you, like me, stopped halfway, because, as bizarre as this incident is, it should be thought of further, more astonishing and less realistic. All in all, why not think so? Aren't we dealing with Arson Robin? Shouldn't we be dealing with him to think things that are incredible and startling? Shouldn't we be the most daring The assumption? I use the most daring word, which is certainly not accurate. Because on the contrary, it is all very logical and extremely simple. Collusion? They will betray you. Collaboration? A man with his own hands, his own way, When it is so convenient and normal to act, why do you need any accomplices!" "What are you talking about? . Ganimar sneered again. "It surprises you, doesn't it, Chief? I did, too, the day you came here. It was haunting me at the time. I was terrified by it, too. But I'm used to him, I know what he's up to... except this time it's unbelievable." "Impossible! Impossible!" whispered Mr. Didui. "On the contrary, Director, it's so probable, so logical, so normal, as clear as the secret of the Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It's one person, three incarnations of the same person! One child with one In a few minutes, the problem can be solved by subtraction. First remove the dead body, leaving Sparmianto and Arsen Lupin. Then remove Sparmianto..." "The only one left is Arsen Luoping." The security chief said softly. "That's right, Director. There's only Arsen Robin left. This Arsen Robin with a few syllables and a few letters is left. Arsen Robin stripped of the brazilian disguise, resurrected from the dead Arson Lupin, who for six months traveled in Brittany in the guise of Colonel Spalmianto, bought twelve tapestries he had found, and concocted the most beautiful of them all. In order to draw attention to him, Arson Lupine, and to make a big splash in front of a stunned public, he arranged a duel between Arson Lupine and Sparmianto, plotted And directed that opening scene, scaring the guests. Everything was ready, as Arsin Lupin, who stole Spalmianto's tapestry, and as Sparmianto, after being After the theft, disappeared and died. He was not suspected, and could not have aroused. Friends miss him, the public sympathizes with him. One remains..." At this point, Ganimar stopped, looked at his boss, and finished speaking in an emphatic tone: "There is also a grieving widow left to gain the benefits of this case." "Madame Sparmianto! Do you really think that..." "Hey!" said the Inspector. "One can't concoct such a plot and end up with nothing... nothing." "It's ludicrous, I think he sold this batch of tapestries with a lot of lucrative ... selling them to the United States or other places." "I agree with you. But it would be even more appropriate that Colonel Spalmiento should have come forward to sell the shipment. So there must be some other reason." "Any other reason?" "Think about it, Commissioner. Don't you forget that Colonel Spalmianto was robbed and lost a lot. Although he is dead, at least his wife is alive. So his widow can claim it." "Get what?" "Why, what do you get? Of course they should pay...the insurance money." Mr. Didui was dumbfounded.The real intention of the whole case suddenly dawned on him.He just heard him mumble: "Yes... yes... the colonel insured his tapestry..." "Of course! It's a lot of money." "How many?" "Eight hundred thousand francs." "Eight hundred thousand francs!" "Yes. In five insurance companies." "So, did Madame Spalmianto get the money?" "I received 150,000 yuan yesterday, and another 200,000 yuan when I was away today. The rest will be collected in batches within this week." "It's horrible! It should have..." "What, chief? First of all, they went to collect the money while I was away. When I came back, I ran into a manager of an insurance company I knew well, and I found out after asking some questions." The chief of security was dumbfounded and didn't say a word , it took a long time before he muttered: "Anyway, it's a powerful character!" Ganimar nodded and said: "Yes, Director, a bastard. But I have to admit that he is a strong man. In order to make his plot succeed, he will have to work hard to prevent anyone To show even the slightest suspicion of Colonel Spalmianto; to focus the outrage and the police investigation on Arson Lupin alone. Finally, to face a sad, poor long-necked Edith. This elegant, legendary figure, this charming woman, the gentlemen of the insurance company are almost willing to put a little money in her hand to alleviate her pain. That's how it is." Very close, looking at each other. The director asked, "Who is this woman?" "Sonia Kriknov!" "Sonia Kriknov?" "Yes, it is the Russian woman who was arrested by me in the crown case last year and later released by Arsen Robin." "Are you sure?" "Absolutely. I was as bewildered by Arsen Robin's tricks as anyone else, and I didn't pay attention to this woman. But when I knew the part this woman was playing, I remembered. She was Sonia, and now装成英国女人……就是索妮亚，爱亚森·罗平爱到不惜一死的索妮亚。” 迪杜伊先生称赞道：“一个大猎物，加尼玛尔。” “我还有大的要献给您呢，局长。” “哦！是什么呢？” “亚森·罗平的老乳母。” “维克图瓦？” “她从斯帕尔米延托夫人扮演寡妇那天起就来了。就是那个厨娘。” “啊！啊！祝贺您，加尼玛尔！”迪杜伊先生说。“我还有更大的要献给您呢，局长！” 迪杜伊先生听了一震。探长的手颤抖着，又搭在他的手上。“您想说什么，加尼玛尔？” “您想，局长，光为她们这两只猎物，我会这么晚还来惊动您吗？索妮亚和维克图瓦，呸！她们本不用这么急。” “那么？”迪杜伊小声问，终于明白了探长为什么这样激动。“那么，您猜到了，局长！” “他在这里？” "He's here." “藏在里面？” “谈不上藏，只是乔装改扮了。就是那个男仆。”这一次迪杜伊先生没有做任何动作，没有说一句话。亚森·罗平的胆量使他困惑。 加尼玛尔嘲弄道：“三位一体又加上了第四位。因为长颈埃迪特可能做出蠢事，所以主人有必要在场。他也真有胆量，竟敢跑回来。三个星期以来，他看着我进行调查，不慌不忙地注视着事情的进展！” “您认出他来了吗？” “亚森·罗平是认不出的。他精于化装易容，使别人认不出来。再说，我压根儿没想到……但今晚，我在楼梯暗处监视着索妮亚，听到维克图瓦跟那个仆人说话，称他'孩子'。我脑子里一亮。'孩子'，她一直是这样称呼他。于是我就认准是他！”这位经常被追缉、却总是逮不着的敌人就在这里，迪杜伊先生似乎也激动不安起来。 “这回可把他逮着了……可把他逮着了！”他低沉地说，“他再也逃不掉了。” “对，局长。他再也逃不掉了。他，还有那两个女人……” "Where are they?" “索妮亚和维克图瓦在三楼，亚森·罗平在四楼。” “可是，”迪杜伊先生忽然担心地说，“上次挂毯不就是从这几个房间的窗子搬走的吗？” "good." “那么，亚森·罗平也可以从这些窗子逃走，因为它们是朝迪弗莱鲁瓦街开的。” “显然是这样，局长。但我采取了措施。您一到，我就派了四个人去迪弗莱鲁瓦街，守在那几个窗子下面。命令很明确：只要有人在窗口出现，想下来，他们就开枪。第一次放空枪，第二枪用实弹。” “不错，加尼玛尔。您什么都考虑到了，等天一亮……” “还等吗，局长？跟这个混蛋打交道，还讲什么礼节，什么规定，合法的时间等等愚蠢的东西？他要是在此期间不辞而别怎么办？他要是耍一个他特有的花招又怎么办？啊！不行。别开玩笑！我们要抓住他，扑上去按住他，而且要马上动手。” 加尼玛尔来了气，心急火燎，走出房间，穿过花园，叫进六个人来。 “行了，局长！我已经命令看守迪弗莱鲁瓦街的人子弹上膛，瞄准窗户。我们走吧。” 他们来回走动弄出了一些声响，难免被住在公馆里的人听到。迪杜伊先生觉得不动手不行了，就下了决心：“走。” 他们立即行动。 他们八个人，手握勃朗宁手枪，匆匆上了楼，并没有多加小心，只想出其不意，攻其不备，抓住亚森·罗平。“开门！”加尼玛尔吼道，朝斯帕尔米延托夫人的房门冲过去。一名警察用肩膀一顶，就把那扇门顶开了。 房间里空无一人。维克图瓦的房间里也是空无一人！“她们在楼上！” 加尼玛尔喊道：“她们到亚森·罗平的阁楼间去了。当心点！” 八个人又上了四楼。加尼玛尔看到阁楼间的门敞开着，里面空无一人，不觉大吃一惊。公馆其他房间也都是空的。“妈的！”他大骂一声，“他们变化成什么东西了？”这时局长喊他。迪杜伊先生刚才又下到三层，发现其中一个窗子根本没关，只是虚掩着的。 “喏，”他对加尼玛尔说，“他们就是从这里走的，挂毯也是从这里送出去的。我刚才说过……迪弗莱鲁瓦街。”加尼玛尔大为恼怒，咬牙切齿地反驳：“可街上有人守着，应该开枪的呀。” “他们在街道被人看守之前就走了。” “我给您打电话时，他们三人都呆在各自的房间里，局长。” “他们可能是趁您在花园那边等我时走的。” “可那是为什么？为什么？他们没有任何理由非得今天，而不是明天，或者下星期，领了全部保险赔偿再走……” 其实，有一个理由。加尼玛尔看到桌子上有一封信，是写给他的。他打开信，读了，就知道了这个理由。信的行文口气，像是辞退满意的仆人时，写的品行证明：