2
1910, by Maurice Leblanc Published, June, 1910
This book appeared in England under the title of Arsène Lupin versus Holmlock Shears
CONTENTS
FIRST EPISODE: THE BLONDE LADY
CHAPTER PAGE
I. Number 514, Series 23 3
II. The Blue Diamond 49
III. Holmlock Shears Opens Hostilities 91
IV. A Glimmer in the Darkness 131
V. Kidnapped 166
VI. The Second Arrest of Arsène Lupin 207
SECOND EPISODE: THE JEWISH LAMP
I. 249
II. 296
FIRST EPISODE
CHAPTER I
NUMBER 514, SERIES 23
On the 8th of December last, M. Gerbois, professor of mathematics at Versailles College, rummaging among the stores at a second-hand dealer's, discovered a small mahogany writing-desk, which took his fancy because of its many drawers.
"That's just what I want for Suzanne's birthday," he thought.
M. Gerbois' means were limited and, anxious as he was to please his daughter, he felt it his duty to beat the dealer down. He ended by paying sixty-five francs. As he was writing down his address, a well-groomed and well-dressed young man, who had been hunting through the shop in every direction, caught sight of the writing-desk and asked:
"How much for this?"
"It's sold," replied the dealer.
"Oh ... to this gentleman?"
M. Gerbois bowed and, feeling all the happier that one of his fellow-men envied him his purchase, left the shop. But he had not taken ten steps in the street before the young man caught him up and, raising his hat, said, very politely:
"I beg a thousand pardons, sir.... I am going to ask you an indiscreet question.... Were you looking for this desk rather than anything else?"
"No. I went to the shop to see if I could find a cheap set of scales for my experiments."
"Therefore, you do not want it very part