The Crystal Stopper

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

The Crystal Stopper

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

In this thrilling installment of the Arsène Lupin series, the gentleman thief faces a deadly complication when a burglary at Deputy Daubrecq's home goes wrong. With accomplices arrested and a mysterious kidnapping unfolding, Lupin must outwit political enemies, a ruthless police chief, and a traitorous servant to save his friend and expose a conspiracy involving the infamous List of the Twenty-Seven.

Summary up to 500 words

In Maurice Leblanc's *The Crystal Stopper*, the narrative begins with Arsène Lupin and his accomplices, Gilbert and Vaucheray, planning a burglary at the Enghien villa of Deputy Daubrecq. Their goal is to steal valuable items left behind after Daubrecq departs for Paris. However, the operation collapses when the valet, Leonard, unexpectedly returns. A violent struggle ensues, resulting in Leonard's death at the hands of Vaucheray. The theft is further interrupted by masked kidnappers who seize Daubrecq, leaving behind a crucial clue: a fragment of ivory carved with the profile of Napoleon I. Lupin, suspecting foul play, investigates the scene and deduces that the kidnappers are likely Bonapartists seeking to use Daubrecq's possession of the 'List of the Twenty-Seven'—a document containing the names of those who benefited from Napoleon's fall—to blackmail the government. The police, led by the determined but flawed Secretary-General Prasville, join the hunt. They are aided by Clarisse Mergy, Daubrecq's daughter, and her tutor, M. Nicole, who is actually Lupin in disguise. M. Nicole identifies the fifth kidnapper as the Marquis d'Albufex, a disgraced Bonapartist. Despite Lupin's efforts to track the Marquis, the situation escalates tragically. Daubrecq is eventually found dead, having taken his own life after being blackmailed by the Marquis, who had sold the letters to Lupin. Meanwhile, Gilbert, Lupin's friend and the original target of the blackmail, is sentenced to penal servitude. In a daring escape sequence, Lupin orchestrates a complex plan involving a train station ambush and a confrontation with Stanislas Vorenglade, the man who holds the letters. Through clever manipulation and a final confrontation, Lupin ensures the letters are returned to the authorities, effectively disarming the blackmailers. Gilbert escapes from prison shortly after, and the immediate threat is neutralized. The story concludes with Lupin reflecting on his feelings for Clarisse, acknowledging the emotional distance between them due to his nature as a thief versus her honesty, and hinting at his future life as a nun, while maintaining his status as the world's greatest gentleman thief.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks2/maurice-leblanc_crystal-stopper.epub

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data/epubs/url-0921437ac47fccbe.epub

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