An Arsène Lupin Omnibus by Maurice Leblanc

Author:Maurice Leblanc [Leblanc, Maurice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Wordsworth Editions Ltd
Published: 2012-09-12T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Before the Flames

Little Mother Coralie! Coralie concealed in this house into which her assailants had forced their way and in which she herself was hiding, through force of circumstances which were incapable of explanation.

His first idea, which would at least have solved one of the riddles, was that she also had entered from the lane, gone into the house by the steps and in this way opened a passage for him. But, in that case, how had she procured the means of carrying out this enterprise? And, above all, what brought her here?

All these questions occurred to Captain Belval’s mind without his trying to reply to them. He was far too much impressed by the absorbed expression on Coralie’s face. Moreover, a second cry, even wilder than the first, came from below; and he saw the victim’s face writhing before the red curtain of fire from the hearth.

But this time Patrice, held back by Coralie’s presence, had no inclination to go to the sufferer’s assistance. He decided to model himself entirely upon her and not to move or do anything to attract her attention.

‘Easy!’ the leader commanded. ‘Pull him back. I expect he’s had enough.’

He went up to the victim.

‘Well, my dear Essarès,’ he asked, ‘what do you think of it? Are you happy? And, you know, we’re only beginning. If you don’t speak, we shall go on to the end, as the real chauffeurs used to do in the days of the Revolution. So it’s settled, I presume: you’re going to speak?’

There was no answer. The leader rapped out an oath and went on: ‘What do you mean? Do you refuse? But, you obstinate brute, don’t you understand the situation? Or have you a glimmer of hope? Hope, indeed! You’re mad. Who would rescue you? Your servants? The porter, the footman and the butler are in my pay. I gave them a week’s notice. They’re gone by now. The housemaid? The cook? They sleep at the other end of the house; and you yourself have told me, time after time, that one can’t hear anything over there. Who else? Your wife? Her room also is far away; and she hasn’t heard anything either? Siméon, your old secretary? We made him fast when he opened the front door to us just now. Besides, we may as well finish the job here. Bournef!’

The man with the big mustache, who was still holding the chair, drew himself up.

‘Bournef, where did you lock up the secretary?’

‘In the porter’s lodge.’

‘You know where to find Mme Essarès’ bedroom?’

‘Yes, you told me the way.’

‘Go, all four of you, and bring the lady and the secretary here!’

The four men went out by a door below the spot where Coralie was standing. They were hardly out of sight when the leader stooped eagerly over his victim and said: ‘We’re alone, Essarès. It’s what I intended. Let’s make the most of it.’

He bent still lower and whispered so that Patrice found it difficult to hear what he said.

‘Those men are fools.

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