closed up for time immemorial?"

"Yes."

"Then, unless there is some other entrance, known only to Arsene
Lupin, we are quite safe."

He placed three chairs together, stretched himself upon them,
lighted his pipe and sighed:

"Really, Monsieur le Baron, I feel ashamed to accept your money
for such a sinecure as this. I will tell the story to my friend
Lupin. He will enjoy it immensely."

The baron did not laugh. He was anxiously listening, but heard
nothing save the beating of his own heart. From time to time, he
leaned over the tunnel and cast a fearful eye into its depths. He
heard the clock strike eleven, twelve, one.

Suddenly, he seized Ganimard's arm. The latter leaped up,
awakened from his sleep.

"Do you hear?" asked the baron, in a whisper.

"Yes."

"What is it?"

"I was snoring, I suppose."