Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes

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CHAPTER I.

LOTTERY TICKET NO. 514.


On the eighth day of last December, Mon. Gerbois, professor of
mathematics at the College of Versailles, while rummaging in an old
curiosity-shop, unearthed a small mahogany writing-desk which pleased
him very much on account of the multiplicity of its drawers.

"Just the thing for Suzanne's birthday present," thought he. And as he
always tried to furnish some simple pleasures for his daughter,
consistent with his modest income, he enquired the price, and, after
some keen bargaining, purchased it for sixty-five francs. As he was
giving his address to the shopkeeper, a young man, dressed with elegance
and taste, who had been exploring the stock of antiques, caught sight
of the writing-desk, and immediately enquired its price.

"It is sold," replied the shopkeeper.

"Ah! to this gentleman, I presume?"

Monsieur Gerbois bowed, and left the store, quite proud to be the
possessor of an article which had attracted the attention of a gentleman
of quality. But he had not taken a dozen steps in the street, when he
was overtaken by the young man who, hat in hand and in a tone of perfect
courtesy, thus addressed him:

"I beg your pardon, monsieur; I am going to ask you a question that you
may deem impertinent. It is this: Did you have any special object in
view when you bought that writing-desk?"