you're too big a fool. And to think that they couldn't hit upon
any one better than you to make me bite the dust. Poor old France!
"Good-bye, Prasville. But, if I catch you in the act, it will be a
bad lookout for you: my maxim is to shoot at sight.

"DAUBRECQ"

"Within reach of your hand," repeated Lupin, after reading the note.
"And to think that the rogue may be writing the truth! The most
elementary hiding-places are the safest. We must look into this, all
the same. And, also, we must find out why Daubrecq is the object of
such strict supervision and obtain a few particulars about the fellow
generally."

The information supplied to Lupin by a private inquiry-office consisted
of the following details:

"ALEXIS DAUBRECQ, deputy of the Bouches-du-Rhone for the past two
years; sits among the independent members. Political opinions not
very clearly defined, but electoral position exceedingly strong,
because of the enormous sums which he spends in nursing his
constituency. No private income. Nevertheless, has a house in
Paris, a villa at Enghien and another at Nice and loses heavily at
play, though no one knows where the money comes from. Has great
influence and obtains all he wants without making up to ministers
or, apparently, having either friends or connections in political
circles."

"That's a trade docket," said Lupin to himself. "What I want is a
domestic docket, a police docket, which will tell me about the gentleman's