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_Title:_ The Mélamare Mystery
_Date of first publication:_ 1929
_Author:_ Maurice Leblanc (1864-1941)
_Date first posted:_ Oct. 8, 2018
_Date last updated:_ Oct. 8, 2018
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[Cover Illustration]
THE MÉLAMARE
MYSTERY
BY
MAURICE LEBLANC
Author of “Arsène Lupin,” “Jim Barnett Intervenes,”
etc. etc.
SECOND EDITION
MILLS & BOON, LIMITED
49 RUPERT STREET
LONDON, W.1
_Published_ _August, 1929_
_Second Edition_ _August, 1930_
Made and Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and
London
CONTENTS
CHAP. PAGE
INTRODUCTION………………………………………… 7
I ENTER RÉGINE!……………………………………….. 9
II INTRODUCING ARLETTE………………………………….. 25
III D’ENNERIS DETECTS……………………………………. 41
IV BÉCHOUX THE BLOODHOUND……………………………….. 59
V THE HUNT IS UP!……………………………………… 80
VI THE MÉLAMARE SECRET………………………………….. 96
VII FAGERAULT TAKES A HAND……………………………….. 113
VIII FIRE!………………………………………………. 132
IX ARLETTE ENGAGED……………………………………… 153
X WITH THE GLOVES OFF………………………………….. 173
XI IN LA VALNÉRY’S DAY………………………………….. 191
XII ARSÈNE LUPIN………………………………………… 213
EPILOGUE: ARLETTE AND JEAN……………………………. 238
INTRODUCTION
ALL the world knows the exploits of Arsène Lupin, man of mystery,
adventurer, and private detective—when it suits him! But of Lupin’s own
personality not so much is known. He is obviously a man of infinite
ingenuity; of iron will and determination; of irresponsible gaiety and
imperturbable good-humour. He has a genuine fondness for poetic justice,
as opposed to the brand represented by the Paris police force. He is
whimsical, ironical, curiously detached—in fact, that’s half the secret
of his success, that he never allows his life to be linked with the
lives of other people. He is always the free-lance, playing a lone hand,
trusting no one, relying solely on his own wits to extricate himself
from the most perilous situation. For other people, including the public
who delight to read of his escapades, he is always an urbane enigma,
taking foul weather and fair with the same bland unconcern.
But now, a corner of the veil of mystery is lifted. For the first time,
readers will find in this new adventure of the master-crook some
indication of the Man behind the Mask. Arsène Lupin goes through life
under a hundred aliases, a shadowy figure. But he is a human being like
his fellows and can be moved by love and fear like other men.
As “Jean d’Enneris,” Lupin finds himself engaged in a curious duel with
his old opponent, Chief Inspector Béchoux. The Mélamare Mystery finds
Lupin working both for and against the police—rather in his “Barnett”
manner. But whereas in previous cases of the kind he has had no personal
interest in the protagonists, this time he finds himself losing his
heart to the delightful little mannequin, Arlette Mazolle. At once, the
case is much more than an affair of missing diamonds. Lupin must solve
the mystery, but in doing so, he must protect Arlette. He is distraught
to realize that she shares the dangers of the game. He is further
harassed by the advent of a rival, almost as enigmatical as himself, on
whom Arlette appears to bestow her affections!
So, though the beginning of the story finds “Jean d’Enneris” gaily
flirting with Régine the actress in a box at the Opéra, the end finds
him in a boat on the Seine with quite a different companion. But to
arrive at this happy issue, he has had to wander in a maze of
misunderstanding and dark intrigue; to solve a grim secret; and himself
to face death with his beloved—to be rescued therefrom by his hated
rival!
The Curse of a Century overshadowed the House of Mélamare, and struck
chill on all who strove to thwart its purpose of evil—on “Jean
d’Enneris” and Inspector Béchoux; on Van Houben, the diamond merchant,
and Régine; on the Adrien and Gilberte de Mélamare; and—on Arlette.
THE MÉLAMARE MYSTERY
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