Discussion: I ON THE TOP OF THE TOWER

It appears this book will be short stories but with a single female protagonist--I'm excited! Here are some prompts, but feel free to talk about whatever you want. 

1. We begin in mid-elopement and learn that Lupin (under his alias Serge Rénine) is already on site. What were you expecting at this point?
2. The car is disabled, and the girl runs off to find her suspected culprit, Serge Rénine. Did you think this was the end for Rossigny's hopes of elopement?
3. As usual, Lupin assumes the woman will be charmed by his presence. What would be your reaction to such an assumption?
4. Did the ticking of the clock creep you out? And what about the hidden telescope? What did you make of that? And the date on the calendar?
5. In the tower, with some finagling, they discover a macabre sight. Any ideas?
6. Lupin, of course, almost immediately unraveled the mystery. Did you get any part of it correct?
7. Hortense agrees to a contract with Lupin in exchange for his recovery of something it seems impossible for him to recover. Any thoughts about this?
8. Anything else you'd like to comment on?

Last line of the chapter: "I will find it," Rénine declared, "and you shall be happy."