“Pardon me⁠ ⁠… a bad habit. Because they have taken mine is no reason why I should take yours. Besides, I have a chronometer here that satisfies me fairly well.”

He took from the drawer a large gold watch and heavy chain.

“From whose pocket did that come?” asked Ganimard.

Arsène Lupin gave a hasty glance at the initials engraved on the watch.

“ J. B. ⁠ ⁠… Who the devil can that be?⁠ ⁠… Ah! yes, I remember. Jules Bouvier, the judge who conducted my examination. A charming fellow!⁠ ⁠…”