Arsène Lupin Versus Herlock Sholmes · Chapter
Herlock Sholmes Opens Hostilities explained
Herlock Sholmes and Wilson are lured to an empty house on Avenue Henri-Martin by a forged letter from Lupin, where they are locked in overnight.
What happens
Herlock Sholmes and Wilson are lured to an empty house on Avenue Henri-Martin by a forged letter from Lupin, where they are locked in overnight. The next morning, Sholmes discovers chalk marks and figures left by Lupin, which Wilson had examined the previous night. Sholmes then meets the Count and Countess de Crozon on a train, examines the ring, and reveals that the diamond is a manufactured substitute, promising to recover the real one within ten days. He leaves the train at Creil to return to Paris and continue his pursuit of Lupin.
Themes in this chapter
Duel of Wits
Sholmes and Lupin engage in a strategic battle: Lupin sets a trap with a forged letter to delay Sholmes, while Sholmes outmaneuvers him by leaving the train at Creil to return to Paris.
Cunning vs. Brute Force
Lupin's cunning trap (forged letter, locked gate) contrasts with Sholmes's physical struggle with Wilson and his analytical approach to the chalk marks.
Characters to notice
- Herlock Sholmes
Lured to the house on Avenue Henri-Martin by a forged letter; locked in overnight; discovers chalk marks; meets the Count and Countess de Crozon on the train and identifies the diamond as a fake.
- Wilson
Receives a forged letter from Lupin, goes to the house, and is locked in with Sholmes; examined the chalk marks the previous night.
- Arsène Lupin
Sends the forged letter to Wilson; sets the trap to lock Sholmes and Wilson in the house; observed by the narrator at the restaurant.
- Madame de Crozon
Travels with her husband on the train; shows Sholmes the ring; learns the diamond is a manufactured substitute.
- Count de Crozon
Travels with his wife; present when Sholmes examines the ring.
Key passages
“Why had the man not made his escape, which he could have done so easily? Had he remained in order to watch the movements of the intruder who had disturbed him in his mysterious work?”
Sholmes wondered why the man hadn't fled and instead stayed to observe the intruder.
Sholmes's internal reasoning about Wilson's presence in the garden.
“I can see it all now—it is Lupin. He foresaw that I would leave the train at Creil, and he prepared this neat little trap for me in case I should commence my investigation this evening.”
Sholmes realizes Lupin anticipated his move and set a trap to delay him.
Sholmes deduces Lupin's plan after finding the gate locked.
“It is a manufactured diamond.”
Sholmes declares the ring's stone is a synthetic diamond.
Sholmes's key revelation to the Countess about the fake diamond.