"Yes, I am the person known as Arsène Lupin, at present a prisoner in the Santé, cell 14, second division."
"Was it you," continued the visitor, "who published in the Grand Journal a series of more or less fanciful notes, in which there is a question of a so-called collection of letters . . . ?"
Lupin interrupted him.
"I beg your pardon, sir, but, before pursuing this conversation, the object of which, between ourselves, is none too clear to me, I should be much obliged if you would tell me to whom I have the honour of speaking."
"Absolutely unnecessary," replied the stranger.
"Absolutely essential," declared Lupin.
"Why?"
"For reasons of politeness, sir. You know my name and I do not know yours; this implies a disregard of good form which I cannot suffer."
The stranger lost patience:
"The mere fact that the governor of the prison brought us here shows . . ."