"Not Arsène Lupin, but Prince Sernine, who, he says, saved his life, and M. Lenormand, with whom, he says, he began a conversation. . . ."
"At the time when I was chief of the detective-service," Lupin broke in. "So you consent to admit."
"Mr. Steinweg," said the magistrate, "do you recognize M. Lenormand?"
"No, but I know that Arsène Lupin and he are one."
"So you consent to speak?"
"Yes . . . but . . . we are not alone."
"How do you mean? There is only my clerk here . . . and the guard . . ."
"Monsieur le Juge d'Instruction, the secret which I am about to reveal is so important that you yourself would be sorry . . ."
"Guard, go outside, please," said M. Formerie. "Come back at once, if I call. Do you object to my clerk, Steinweg?"