“And if he happens to read in a country newspaper that a celebrated detective is spending his vacation in a neighboring town⁠—”

“He will seek that detective.”

“Of course. But, on the other hand, let us presume that, having foreseen that state of affairs, the said Arsène Lupin has requested one of his friends to visit Caudebec, make the acquaintance of the editor of the Réveil , a newspaper to which the baron is a subscriber, and let said editor understand that such person is the celebrated detective⁠—then, what will happen?”

“The editor will announce in the Réveil the presence in Caudebec of said detective.”

“Exactly; and one of two things will happen: either the fish⁠—I mean Cahorn⁠—will not bite, and nothing will happen; or, what is more likely, he will run and greedily swallow the bait. Thus, behold my Baron Cahorn imploring the assistance of one of my friends against me.”