The Crystal Stopper

Name: The Crystal Stopper
Author: Maurice Leblanc

by Maurice Leblanc

Pages: about 270
Category: Literature & Fiction
Language: English
Reading time: 5 h at 250 wpm

Start readingThe whole book, as cards or one word at a time. 2.8 h at 450 wpm in Read mode.

From the opening

The two boats fastened to the little pier that jutted out from the garden lay rocking in its shadow. Here and there lighted windows showed through the thick mist on the margins of the lake. The Enghien Casino opposite blazed with light, though it was late in the season, the end of September. A few stars appeared through the clouds. A light breeze ruffled the surface of the water.
Arsène Lupin left the summer-house where he was smoking a cigar and, bending forward at the end of the pier:
A man rose from each of the boats, and one of them answered:
He crossed the garden, walked round a house in process of construction, the scaffolding of which loomed overhead, and cautiously opened the door on the Avenue de Ceinture. He was not mistaken: a bright light flashed round the bend and a large, open motor-car drew up, whence sprang two men in great-coats, with the collars turned up, and caps.
It was Gilbert and Vaucheray: Gilbert, a young fellow of twenty or twenty-two, with an attractive cast of features and a supple and sinewy frame; Vaucheray, older, shorter, with grizzled hair and a pale, sickly face.
“Yes, governor,” said Gilbert, “we saw him take the 7.40 tram for Paris, as we knew he would.”
“Absolutely. The Villa Marie-Thérèse is ours to do as we please with.”
“Don’t wait here. It might attract attention. Be back at half-past nine exactly, in time to load the car unless the whole business falls through.”
The motor drove away; and Lupin, taking the road to the lake with his two companions, replied:
“Why? Because I didn’t prepare the plan; and, when I don’t do a thing myself, I am only half-confident.”
“Nonsense, governor! I’ve been working with you for three years now.... I’m beginning to know the ropes!”

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The Crystal Stopper

From the opening

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