"And he makes one condition, does he not? An abominable condition, such as would suggest itself to a wretch like that? I am right, am I not?"Clarisse did not reply.She seemed exhausted by her protracted struggle with a man who was gaining ground daily and against whom it was impossible for her to fight.Lupin saw in her the prey conquered in advance, delivered to the victor's whim.Clansse Mergy, the loving wife of that Mergy whom Daubrecq had really murdered, the terrified mother of that Gilbert whom Daubrecq had led astray, Clarisse Mergy, to save her son from the scaffold, must, come what may and however ignominious the position, yield to Daubrecq's wishes.She would be the mistress, the wife, the obedient slave of Daubrecq, of that monster with the appearance and the ways of a wild beast, that unspeakable person of whom Lupin could not think without revulsion and disgust.
Sitting down beside her, gently, with gestures of pity, he made her lift her head and, with his eyes on hers, said:
"Listen to me.I swear that I will save your son: I swear it...Your son shall not die, do you understand?...There is not a power on earth that can allow your son's head to be touched as long as I am alive.""I believe you...I trust your word."
"Do.It is the word of a man who does not know defeat.I shall succeed.
Only, I entreat you to make me an irrevocable promise.""What is that?"
"You must not see Daubrecq again."
"I swear it."
"You must put from your mind any idea, any fear, however obscure, of an understanding between yourself and him...of any sort of bargain...""I swear it."
She looked at him with an expression of absolute security and reliance;and he, under her gaze, felt the joy of devotion and an ardent longing to restore that woman's happiness, or, at least, to give her the peace and oblivion that heal the worst wounds:
"Come," he said, in a cheerful tone, rising from his chair, "all will yet be well.We have two months, three months before us.It is more than I need...on condition, of course, that I am unhampered in my movements.And, for that, you will have to withdraw from the contest, you know.""How do you mean?"
"Yes, you must disappear for a time; go and live in the country.Have you no pity for your little Jacques? This sort of thing would end by shattering the poor little man's nerves...And he has certainly earned his rest, haven't you, Hercules?
The next day Clarisse Mergy, who was nearly breaking down under the strain of events and who herself needed repose, lest she should fall seriously ill, went, with her son, to hoard with a friend who had a house on the skirt of the Forest of Saint-Germain.She felt very weak, her brain was haunted by visions and her nerves were upset by troubles which the least excitement aggravated.She lived there for some days in a state of physical and mental inertia, thinking of nothing and forbidden to see the papers.
One afternoon, while Lupin, changing his tactics, was working out a scheme for kidnapping and confining Daubrecq; while the Growler and the Masher, whom he had promised to forgive if he succeeded, were watching the enemy's movements; while the newspapers were announcing the forthcoming trial for murder of Arsene Lupin's two accomplices, one afternoon, at four o'clock, the telephone-bell rang suddenly in the flat in the Rue Chateaubriand.
Lupin took down the receiver:
"Hullo!"
A woman's voice, a breathless voice, said:
"M.Michel Beaumont?"
"You are speaking to him, madame.To whom have Ithe honour...""Quick, monsieur, come at once; Madame Mergy has taken poison."Lupin did not wait to hear detai1s.He rushed out, sprang into his motor-car and drove to Saint-Germain.
Clarisse's friend was waiting for him at the door of the bedroom.
"Dead?" he asked.
"No," she replied, "she did not take sufficient.The doctor has just gone.He says she will get over it.""And why did she make the attempt?"
"Her son Jacques has disappeared."
"Carried off?"
"Yes, he was playing just inside the forest.A motor-car was seen pulling up.Then there were screams.Clarisse tried to run, but her strength failed and she fell to the ground, moaning, 'It's he...it's that man...all is lost!' She looked like a madwoman.
Suddenly, she put a little bottle to her lips and swallowed the contents.""What happened next?"
"My husband and I carried her to her room.She was in great pain.""How did you know my address, my name?"
"From herself, while the doctor was attending to her.Then I telephoned to you.""Has any one else been told?"
"No, nobody.I know that Clarisse has had terrible things to bear...
and that she prefers not to be talked about.""Can I see her?"
"She is asleep just now.And the doctor has forbidden all excitement.""Is the doctor anxious about her?"
"He is afraid of a fit of fever, any nervous strain, an attack of some kind which might cause her to make a fresh attempt on her life.And that would be...""`What is needed to avoid it?"
A week or a fortnight of absolute quiet, which is impossible as long as her little Jacques..."Lupin interrupted her:
"You think that, if she got her son back...""Oh, certainly, there would be nothing more to fear!"You're sure? You're sure?...Yes, of course you are!...Well, when Madame Mergy wakes, tell her from me that I will bring her back her son this evening, before midnight.This evening, before midnight: it's a solemn promise."With these words, Lupin hurried out of the house and, stepping into his car, shouted to the driver:
"Go to Paris, Square Lamartine, Daubrecq the deputy's!"
