"Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Thief"

He was a fictional rogue, a thief, a con man who could plan and execute a daring burglary while imprisoned, a Robin Hood-type, an adventurer, even occasionally a detective, and his popularity rivalled that of Sherlock Holmes himself. Arsene Lupin, the creation of French writer Maurice Leblanc, has remained in print in France for a century, and his popularity keeps him in print in the United States as well, fitting tribute to a man who believed, as he said, that "adventure is everywhere."

Leblanc's stories about Arsene Lupin, many of which have been gathered into a new anthology called "Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Thief," are the subject of discussion on this week's "Classic Mysteries" podcast. Please follow the link to listen. As always, it's free. The Lupin stories are funny, witty, adventure-filled, heart-warming and quite thoroughly enjoyable.

Oh - and in one story Lupin did, in fact, meet Sherlock Holmes.

And stole his pocket watch...