Audran was the name under which Clarisse was staying at the hotel.
“But the lady has been,” said the proprietor.
“What’s that?”
“She came some time ago and, as the gentlemen were not there, left a letter in her room. Didn’t the porter tell you?”
Lupin and his friends hurried upstairs. There was a letter on the table.
“Hullo!” said Lupin. “It’s been opened! How is that? And why has it been cut about with scissors?”
The letter contained the following lines:
“Daubrecq has spent the week at the Hôtel Central. This morning he had his luggage taken to the Gare de —— and telephoned to reserve a berth in the sleeping-car —— for ——
“I do not know when the train starts. But I shall be at the station all the afternoon. Come as soon as you can, all three of you. We will arrange to kidnap him.”
“What next?” said the Masher. “At which station? And where’s the sleeping-car for? She has cut out just the words we wanted!”