He picked up the ball, unfolded it and read, with ever-increasing stupefaction:
My dear Maître:
"You know my admiration for you and the interest which I take in your reputation. Well, accept my advice and have nothing to do with the case in which you are asked to assist. Your interference would do a great deal of harm, all your efforts would only bring about a pitiable result and you would be obliged publicly to acknowledge your defeat.
"I am exceedingly anxious to spare you this humiliation and I beg you, in the name of our mutual friendship, to remain very quietly by your fireside.
"Give my kind remembrances to Dr. Wilson and accept for yourself the respectful compliments of
"Yours most sincerely,
"Arsène Lupin."
"Arsène Lupin!" repeated Wilson, in bewilderment.
Shears banged the table with his fist:
"Oh, I'm getting sick of the brute! He laughs at me as if I were a schoolboy! I am publicly to acknowledge my defeat, am I? Didn't I compel him to give up the blue diamond?"
"He's afraid of you," suggested Wilson.