After escaping from the police van, Arsène Lupin had run for a few steps, but once he was on the sidewalk, he walked leisurely, like a casual stroller in the city. He whistled happily, greeted other pedestrians with nods, and headed to a nearby sidewalk cafe. The beautiful autumn day attracted many to these outdoor restaurants, but Lupin found a seat right away and ordered a glass of the most expensive wine. When his glass was almost empty, Lupin called for the cafe owner.
"Yes, monsieur, what can I do for you?" the owner asked when he arrived at Lupin’s table.
In a voice loud enough for all to hear, Lupin said, "I regret to say that I have forgotten my wallet. Perhaps, because my name is very recognizable, you will accept an IOU. My name is Arsène Lupin."
The owner thought he was joking.
"I am Lupin, once a prisoner at Santé Prison but now a fugitive," said Lupin emphatically. "I’m sure my name inspires your complete confidence in me." Then he got up and walked away as the other diners burst into laughter and the owner stood there amazed.
Later that afternoon Monsieur Dudouis, chief of the Paris police, stood staring blankly at the awards on an office wall at Santé Prison. "Those awards won’t mean anything if Lupin is not found," he thought.
Dudouis had come to the prison to investigate how Arsène Lupin had accomplished the impossible when a miracle happened. A guard burst into the office, shouting, "He has returned! Lupin has turned himself in!"
Dudouis shoved the guard aside and ran outside to see Lupin being escorted by two other guards. Lupin smiled when he saw Dudouis.
"I suppose it’s pointless to ask you how and why?" said the police chief through clenched teeth.
"I did it because I could do it," Lupin retorted with a sly smile.
"I will not be mocked!" cried Dudouis angrily. "Go explain yourself to Judge Bouvier!" The chief then ordered Lupin to be taken to the judge immediately. After Lupin had left, Dudouis thought, "Perhaps the public does not know of Lupin’s escape and we can avoid any embarrassment."
But, at that precise moment, Paris was hungrily devouring a special edition of the newspaper Echo de France. This newspaper seemed to concentrate exclusively on the exploits of Arsène Lupin. In this edition the Echo printed every detail of Lupin’s escape, including the messages exchanged between the prisoner and his mysterious friend, the incident at the outdoor cafe, and even the fact that the police and the judge knew of the escape plans beforehand. The information had been submitted to the Echo by an anonymous writer, and everything had been disclosed!
While everyone was reading about the escape, Lupin was giving a firsthand account of his escape to Judge Bouvier. But rather than being impressed, the judge laughed scornfully.
"Why are you laughing?" Lupin demanded. He was annoyed that the judge didn’t seem to know that even the great detective Ganimard had applauded Lupin’s intelligence.
The judge wiped tears from his bulging eyes. "You are an impudent and egotistical maniac."
Lupin’s eyes flashed angrily for a second, but he quickly calmed himself. "I promise, Judge, that this escape was but a preliminary to something grander. My great escape will take place shortly."
"Well, don’t forget you have a trial coming up," said the judge sarcastically.
"Perhaps I did not make myself clear," Lupin said, staring directly into the judge’s eyes. "I will not be present at my trial."
"Oh, you won’t?" sneered the judge.
"Nothing can change my mind now," declared Lupin. "It has been decided."
Lupin’s confidence, combined with the inexplicable crimes that he had committed, annoyed and mystified the officers of the law. Only Lupin knew why he did such things, and he revealed his secrets only when he wanted to.
Upon returning to Santé Prison, Lupin was transferred to another cell and two new guards were posted to watch his every move. The judge closed the investigation and no further action was taken for two months. Lupin did not raise any objections, and after his return, he seemed cheerless and subdued, spending most of his time lying on his cot with his face to the wall. He hardly spoke and rarely even ate. He seemed to have lost his zest for life.
Public curiosity had only become stronger as the date of Lupin’s trial neared, and everyone thought the infamous prisoner would indeed escape again. People anticipated a lively trial bubbling with Lupin’s charisma and genius. On the opening day of the trial, enormous crowds gathered on benches in the courtroom, anxious to see the dashing gentleman burglar. But the prisoner who walked in was a complete contrast to what the public expected. He walked in slowly with his head bent down, long hair covering his face, and his clothes hanging loosely on his thin body. Then he sat down solemnly next to his lawyer.
"The prisoner will rise and state his name," said the court clerk.
The prisoner rose but said nothing.
"Your name?" Judge Bouvier repeated.
In a slow and deep voice, the prisoner replied, "Baudru, Désiré."
A confused murmur spread through the courtroom. The judge burst out laughing.
"Baudru? Is that your new alias? Fine. Then I shall state your name for the record: Arsène Lupin."
The courtroom buzzed with excitement.
Bouvier banged his gavel and continued, "As for your real name and identity, that is a mystery. You appeared in our city three years ago, and we believe you were a man called Rostat, who worked alongside the great magician Hugo. We also believe you were a Russian student named Vladimir, who worked with the famed bacteriologist Dr. Altier. You were the professor who introduced Japanese martial arts to the people of Paris, the cyclist who won the Grand Prix━who, after receiving his prize, was never seen again━and the person who saved many people from a deadly fire while picking their pockets. We have evidence that all these people are one and the same━Arsène Lupin."
The people in the courtroom whispered to each other.
"As you see, you are not as clever as you think," said the judge. "This, I’m afraid, is the end of your journey."
The prisoner remained silent, his shoulders drooping, and he shifted from one foot to the other.
Detective Ganimard was in the courtroom too, and he observed the actions of the prisoner closely. "This doesn’t look like the man I arrested," he thought.
The judge read the various charges against Lupin and then demanded, "Do you confess that you are Arsène Lupin and that you committed these crimes?"
The prisoner lifted his head, revealing his hollow cheeks and sunken eyes. The crowd leaned forward, and many thought that this man couldn’t be the vibrant, youthful man with twinkling eyes so often described in the newspapers.
The prisoner spoke. "No. My name is Baudru."
The entire courtroom erupted in laughter, except for Detective Ganimard, and as the trial proceeded, he continued to scrutinize the prisoner. He felt uneasy and deeply suspicious, and before he was called to testify, he interrupted the trial.
"Your Honor? I seek permission to speak," said Ganimard boldly.
"What is it?" asked Bouvier.
Ganimard pointed to the prisoner and declared in a strong voice: "The man before you is not Arsène Lupin!"