Taking inspiration from the infamous Panama scandals of 1892 and 1893-the biggest corruption bust of the nineteenth century-and Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Purloined Letter," Leblanc hurls Arsène Lupin headlong into a high stakes quest for the truth that threatens his honor and his life.

Two of Lupin's accomplices are present during a burglary at the home of Deputy Daubrecq. One is guilty and the other innocent but both will be sentenced to death. Through theft, deception, murder, and blackmail, the ingenious criminal manages to outwit his pursuers on a hair-trigger chase full of twists and surprises that put Lupin's brilliance and courage to the ultimate test.

Lupin has been depicted in countless film and stage adaptions, most recently as the inspiration of the Netflix series, Lupin, starring Omar Sy. This Warbler Classics edition includes a detailed chronology of Leblanc's life and work.