for a few days. I am Arsène Lupin.” 

 The proprietor looked at him, thinking he was joking. But Arsène repeated: 

 “Lupin, prisoner at the Santé, but now a fugitive. I venture to assume that the name inspires you with perfect confidence in me.” 

 And he walked away, amidst shouts of laughter, whilst the proprietor stood amazed. 

 Lupin strolled along the rue Soufflot, and turned into the rue Saint Jacques. He pursued his way slowly, smoking his cigarettes and looking into the shop-windows. At the Boulevard de Port Royal he took his bearings, discovered where he was, and then walked in the direction of the rue de la Santé. The high forbidding walls of the prison were now before him. He pulled his hat forward to shade his face; then, approaching the sentinel, he asked: 

 “Is this the prison de la Santé?” 

 “Yes.” 

 “I wish to regain my cell. The van left me on the way, and I would not abuse—” 

 “Now, young man, move along—quick!” growled the sentinel. 

 “Pardon me, but I must pass through that gate. And if you prevent Arsène Lupin from entering the prison it will cost you dear, my friend.” 

 “Arsène Lupin! What are you talking about!” 

 “I am sorry I haven’t a card with me,” said Arsène, fumbling in his pockets. 

 The sentinel eyed him from head to foot, in astonishment. Then, without a word, he rang a bell. The iron gate was partly opened, and Arsène stepped inside. Almost immediately he encountered the keeper of the prison, gesticulating and feigning a violent anger. Arsène smiled and said: 

 “Come, monsieur, don’t play that game with me. What! they take the precaution to carry me alone in the van, prepare a nice little obstruction, and imagine I am going to take to my heels and rejoin my friends. Well, and what about the twenty agents of the Sûreté who accompanied us on foot, in fiacres and on bicycles? No, the arrangement did not please me. I should not have got away alive. Tell me, monsieur, did they count on that?” 

 He shrugged his shoulders, and added: 

 “I beg of you, monsieur, not to worry about me. When I wish to escape I shall not require any assistance.” 

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