Free Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes by Maurice Leblanc

believe that his career of theft, his mode of existence, the logical result of such a life, had drawn that man into more serious crimes, including murder? I looked at him. He was so calm, and his eyes had such a frank expression! I observed his hands: they had been formed from a model of exceeding delicacy, long and slender; inoffensive, truly; and the hands of an artist. …
    “Ganimard has pipe-dreams,” I said.
    “No, no!” protested Lupin. “Ganimard has some cleverness; and, at times, almost inspiration.”
    “Inspiration!”
    “Yes. For instance, that interview is a master-stroke. In the first place, he announces the coming of his English rival in order to put me on my guard, and make his task more difficult. In the second place, he indicates the exact point to which he has conducted the affair in order that Sholmes will not get credit for the work already done by Ganimard. That is good warfare.”
    “Whatever it may be, you have two adversaries to deal with, and such adversaries!”
    “Oh! One of them doesn’t count.”
    “And the other?”
    “Sholmes? Oh! I confess he is a worthy foe; and that explains my present good humor. In the first place, it is a question of self-esteem; I am pleased to know that they consider me a subject worthy the attention of the celebrated English detective. In the next place, just imagine the pleasure a man, such as I, must experience in the thought of a duel with Herlock Sholmes. But I shall be obliged to strain every muscle; he is a clever fellow, and will contest every inch of the ground.”
    “Then you consider him a strong opponent?”
    “I do. As a detective, I believe, he has never had an equal. But I have one advantage over him; he is making the attack and I am simply defending myself. My rôle is the easier one. Besides, I am familiar with his method of warfare, and he does not know mine. I am prepared to show him a few new tricks that will give him something to think about.”
    He tapped the table with his fingers as he uttered the following sentences, with an air of keen delight:
    “Arsène Lupin against Herlock Sholmes … France against England … Trafalgar will be revenged at last … Ah! The rascal … he doesn’t suspect that I am prepared … and a Lupin warned—”
    He stopped suddenly, seized with a fit of coughing, and hid his face in his napkin, as if something had stuck in his throat.
    “A bit of bread?” I enquired. “Drink some water.”
    “No, it isn’t that,” he replied, in a stifled voice.
    “Then, what is it?”
    “The want of air.”
    “Do you wish a window opened?”
    “No, I shall go out. Give me my hat and overcoat, quick! I must go.”
    “What’s the matter?”
    “The two gentlemen who came in just now … Look at the taller one … now, when we go out, keep to my left, so he will not see me.”
    “The one who is sitting behind you?”
    “Yes. I will explain it to you, outside.”
    “Who is it?”
    “Herlock Sholmes.”
    He made a desperate effort to control himself, as if he were ashamed of his emotion, replaced his napkin, drank a glass of water, and, quite recovered, said to me, smiling:
    “It is strange, hein, that I should be affected so easily, but that unexpected sight—”
    “What have you to fear, since no one can recognize you, on account of your many transformations? Every time I see you it seems to me your face is changed; it’s not at all familiar. I don’t know why.”“But   he   would recognize me,” said Lupin. “He has seen me only once; but, at that time, he made a mental photograph of me—not of my external appearance but of my very soul—not what I appear to be but just what I am. Do you understand? And then … and then … I did not expect to meet him here … Such a strange encounter! … In this little restaurant … ”
    “Well, shall we go out?”
    “No, not now,” said Lupin.
    “What are you going to do?”
    “The better way is to act frankly … to have confidence in