A timely shotgun blast from the Comte de Rougerac (alias Lupin) stops a train under which the beautiful Amélie is about to throw herself. Her only possession, a painting by Van Beuken, “La danseuse aux sabots”, has been stolen. The expert, Denger, having certified to the insurer, Blatt, that the painting was a copy, Amélie received only a ridiculous sum to compensate her for the theft. Lupin loves pretty women too much not to intervene in this dubious affair.