CHAPTERIX
ReporterandDetectiveThethreeofuswentbacktowardsthepavilion。Atsomedistancefromthebuildingthereportermadeusstopand，pointingtoasmallclumpoftreestotherightofus，said：
\"That\'swherethemurderercamefromtogetintothepavilion。\"
Astherewereotherpatchesoftreesofthesamesortbetweenthegreatoaks，Iaskedwhythemurdererhadchosenthatone，ratherthananyoftheothers。Rouletabilleansweredmebypointingtothepathwhichranquiteclosetothethickettothedoorofthepavilion。
\"Thatpathisasyousee，toppedwithgravel，\"hesaid；\"themanmusthavepassedalongitgoingtothepavilion，sincenotracesofhisstepshavebeenfoundonthesoftground。Themandidn\'thavewings；hewalked；buthewalkedonthegravelwhichleftnoimpressionofhistread。Thegravelhas，infact，beentroddenbymanyotherfeet，sincethepathisthemostdirectwaybetweenthepavilionandthechateau。Astothethicket，madeofthesortofshrubsthatdon\'tflourishintheroughseason-laurelsandfuchsias-itofferedthemurdererasufficienthiding-placeuntilitwastimeforhimtomakehiswaytothepavilion。ItwaswhilehidinginthatclumpoftreesthathesawMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson，andthenDaddyJacques，leavethepavilion。Gravelhasbeenspreadnearly，verynearly，uptothewindowsofthepavilion。
Thefootprintsofaman，parallelwiththewall-markswhichwewillexaminepresently，andwhichIhavealreadyseen-provethatheonlyneededtomakeonestridetofindhimselfinfrontofthevestibulewindow，leftopenbyDaddyJacques。Themandrewhimselfupbyhishandsandenteredthevestibule。\"
\"Afterallitisverypossible，\"Isaid。
\"Afterallwhat？Afterallwhat？\"criedRouletabille。
Ibeggedofhimnottobeangry；buthewastoomuchirritatedtolistentomeanddeclared，ironically，thatheadmiredtheprudentdoubtwithwhichcertainpeopleapproachedthemostsimpleproblems，riskingnothingbysaying\"thatisso，or\'thatisnotso。\"Theirintelligencewouldhaveproducedaboutthesameresultifnaturehadforgottentofurnishtheirbrain-panwithalittlegreymatter。
AsIappearedvexed，myyoungfriendtookmebythearmandadmittedthathehadnotmeantthatforme；hethoughtmoreofmethanthat。
\"IfIdidnotreasonasIdoinregardtothisgravel，\"hewenton，\"Ishouldhavetoassumeaballoon！-Mydearfellow，thescienceoftheaerostationofdirigibleballoonsisnotyetdevelopedenoughformetoconsideritandsupposethatamurdererwoulddropfromtheclouds！Sodon\'tsayathingispossible，whenitcouldnotbeotherwise。Weknownowhowthemanenteredbythewindow，andwealsoknowthemomentatwhichheentered，-duringthefiveo\'clockwalkoftheprofessorandhisdaughter。Thefactofthepresenceofthechambermaid-whohadcometocleanupTheYellowRoom-inthelaboratory，whenMonsieurStangersonandhisdaughterreturnedfromtheirwalk，athalf-pastone，permitsustoaffirmthatathalf-pastonethemurdererwasnotinthechamberunderthebed，unlesshewasincollusionwiththechambermaid。Whatdoyousay，MonsieurDarzac？
MonsieurDarzacshookhisheadandsaidhewassureofthechambermaid\'sfidelity，andthatshewasathoroughlyhonestanddevotedservant。
\"Besides，\"headded，\"atfiveo\'clockMonsieurStangersonwentintotheroomtofetchhisdaughter\'shat\"
\"Thereisthatalso，\"saidRouletabille。
\"Thatthemanenteredbythewindowatthetimeyousay，Iadmit，\"
Isaid；\"butwhydidheshutthewindow？Itwasanactwhichwouldnecessarilydrawtheattentionofthosewhohadleftitopen\"
\"Itmaybethewindowwasnotshutatonce，\"repliedtheyoungreporter。\"Butifhedidshutthewindow，itwasbecauseofthebendinthegravelpath，adozenyardsfromthepavilion，andonaccountofthethreeoaksthataregrowingatthatspot。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？\"askedMonsieurDarzac，whohadfollowedusandlistenedwithalmostbreathlessattentiontoallthatRouletabillehadsaid。
\"I\'llexplainalltoyoulateron，Monsieur，whenIthinkthemomenttoberipefordoingso；butIdon\'tthinkIhaveanythingofmoreimportancetosayonthisaffair，ifmyhypothesisisjustified\"
\"Andwhatisyourhypothesis？\"
\"Youwillneverknowifitdoesnotturnouttobethetruth。Itisofmuchtoograveanaturetospeakofit，solongasitcontinuestobeonlyahypothesis。\"
\"Haveyou，atleast，someideaastowhothemurdereris？\"
\"No，monsieur，Idon\'tknowwhothemurdereris；butdon\'tbeafraid，MonsieurRobertDarzac-Ishallknow。\"
IcouldnotbutobservethatMonsieurDarzacwasdeeplymoved；andIsuspectedthatRouletabille\'sconfidentassertionwasnotpleasingtohim。Why，Iaskedmyself，ifhewasreallyafraidthatthemurderershouldbediscovered，washehelpingthereportertofindhim？Myyoungfriendseemedtohavereceivedthesameimpression，forhesaid，bluntly：
\"MonsieurDarzac，don\'tyouwantmetofindoutwhothemurdererwas？\"
\"Oh！-Ishouldliketokillhimwithmyownhand！\"criedMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiance，withavehemencethatamazedme。
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidRouletabillegravely；\"butyouhavenotansweredmyquestion。\"
Wewerepassingbythethicket，ofwhichtheyoungreporterhadspokentousaminutebefore。Ientereditandpointedoutevidenttracesofamanwhohadbeenhiddenthere。Rouletabille，oncemore，wasright。
\"Yes，yes！\"hesaid。\"Wehavetodowithathingoffleshandblood，whousesthesamemeansthatwedo。It\'llallcomeoutonthoselines。\"
Havingsaidthis，heaskedmeforthepaperpatternofthefootprintwhichhehadgivenmetotakecareof，andappliedittoaveryclearfootmarkbehindthethicket。\"Aha！\"hesaid，rising。
Ithoughthewasnowgoingtotracebackthetrackofthemurderer\'sfootmarkstothevestibulewindow；butheledusinstead，fartotheleft，sayingthatitwasuselessferretinginthemud，andthathewassure，now，oftheroadtakenbythemurderer。
\"Hewentalongthewalltothehedgeanddryditch，overwhichhejumped。See，justinfrontofthelittlepathleadingtothelake，thatwashisnearestwaytogetout。\"
\"Howdoyouknowhewenttothelake？\"-
\"BecauseFredericLarsanhasnotquittedthebordersofitsincethismorning。Theremustbesomeimportantmarksthere。\"
Afewminuteslaterwereachedthelake。
Itwasalittlesheetofmarshywater，surroundedbyreeds，onwhichfloatedsomedeadwater-lilyleaves。ThegreatFredmayhaveseenusapproaching，butweprobablyinterestedhimverylittle，forhetookhardlyanynoticeofusandcontinuedtobestirringwithhiscanesomethingwhichwecouldnotsee。
\"Look！\"saidRouletabille，\"hereagainarethefootmarksoftheescapingman；theyskirtthelakehereandfinallydisappearjustbeforethispath，whichleadstothehighroadtoEpinay。ThemancontinuedhisflighttoParis。\"
\"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？\"Iasked，\"sincethesefootmarksarenotcontinuedonthepath？\"
\"Whatmakesmethinkthat？-Whythesefootprints，whichIexpectedtofind！\"hecried，pointingtothesharplyoutlinedimprintofaneatboot。\"See！\"-andhecalledtoFredericLarsan。
\"MonsieurFred，theseneatfootprintsseemtohavebeenmadesincethediscoveryofthecrime。\"
\"Yes，youngman，yes，theyhavebeencarefullymade，\"repliedFredwithoutraisinghishead。\"Yousee，therearestepsthatcome，andstepsthatgoback。\"
\"Andthemanhadabicycle！\"criedthereporter。
Here，afterlookingatthemarksofthebicycle，whichfollowed，goingandcoming，theneatfootprints，IthoughtImightintervene。
\"Thebicycleexplainsthedisappearanceofthemurderer\'sbigfoot-prints，\"Isaid。\"Themurderer，withhisroughboots，mountedabicycle。Hisaccomplice，theweareroftheneatboots，hadcometowaitforhimontheedgeofthelakewiththebicycle。Itmightbesupposedthatthemurdererwasworkingfortheother。\"
\"No，no！\"repliedRouletabillewithastrangesmile。\"Ihaveexpectedtofindthesefootmarksfromtheverybeginning。Thesearenotthefootmarksofthemurderer！\"
\"Thenthereweretwo？\"
\"No-therewasbutone，andhehadnoaccomplice。\"
\"Verygood！-Verygood！\"criedFredericLarsan。
\"Look！\"continuedtheyoungreporter，showingusthegroundwhereithadbeendisturbedbybigandheavyheels；\"themanseatedhimselfthere，andtookoffhishobnailedboots，whichhehadwornonlyforthepurposeofmisleadingdetection，andthennodoubt，takingthemawaywithhim，hestoodupinhisownboots，andquietlyandslowlyregainedthehighroad，holdinghisbicycleinhishand，forhecouldnotventuretorideitonthisroughpath。Thataccountsforthelightnessoftheimpressionmadebythewheelsalongit，inspiteofthesoftnessoftheground。Iftherehadbeenamanonthebicycle，thewheelswouldhavesunkdeeplyintothesoil。No，no；therewasbutonemanthere，themurdereronfoot。\"
\"Bravo！-bravo！\"criedFredagain，andcomingsuddenlytowardsusand，plantinghimselfinfrontofMonsieurRobertDarzac，hesaidtohim：
\"Ifwehadabicyclehere，wemightdemonstratethecorrectnessoftheyoungman\'sreasoning，MonsieurRobertDarzac。Doyouknowwhetherthereisoneatthechateau？\"
\"No！\"repliedMonsieurDarzac。\"Thereisnot。Itookmine，fourdaysago，toParis，thelasttimeIcametothechateaubeforethecrime。\"
\"That\'sapity！\"repliedFred，verycoldly。Then，turningtoRouletabille，hesaid：\"Ifwegoonatthisrate，we\'llbothcometothesameconclusion。Haveyouanyidea，astohowthemurderergotawayfromTheYellowRoom？\"
\"Yes，\"saidmyyoungfriend；\"Ihaveanidea。\"
\"SohaveI，\"saidFred，\"anditmustbethesameasyours。Therearenotwowaysofreasoninginthisaffair。Iamwaitingforthearrivalofmychiefbeforeofferinganyexplanationtotheexaminingmagistrate。\"
\"Ah！IstheChiefoftheSuretecoming？\"
\"Yes，thisafternoon。Heisgoingtosummon，beforethemagistrate，inthelaboratory，allthosewhohaveplayedanypartinthistragedy。Itwillbeveryinteresting。Itisapityyouwon\'tbeabletobepresent。\"
\"Ishallbepresent，\"saidRouletabilleconfidently。
\"Really-youareanextraordinaryfellow-foryourage！\"repliedthedetectiveinatonenotwhollyfreefromirony。\"You\'dmakeawonderfuldetective-ifyouhadalittlemoremethod-ifyoudidn\'tfollowyourinstinctsandthatbumponyourforehead。AsI
havealreadyseveraltimesobserved，MonsieurRouletabille，youreasontoomuch；youdonotallowyourselftobeguidedbywhatyouhaveseen。Whatdoyousaytothehandkerchieffullofblood，andtheredmarkofthehandonthewall？Youhaveseenthestainonthewall，butIhaveonlyseenthehandkerchief。\"
\"Bah！\"criedRouletabille，\"themurdererwaswoundedinthehandbyMademoiselleStangerson\'srevolver！\"
\"Ah！-asimplyinstinctiveobservation！Takecare！-Youarebecomingtoostrictlylogical，MonsieurRouletabille；logicwillupsetyouifyouuseitindiscriminately。Youareright，whenyousaythatMademoiselleStangersonfiredherrevolver，butyouarewrongwhenyousaythatshewoundedthemurdererinthehand。\"
\"Iamsureofit，\"criedRouletabille。
Fred，imperturbable，interruptedhim：
\"Defectiveobservation-defectiveobservation！-theexaminationofthehandkerchief，thenumberlesslittleroundscarletstains，theimpressionofdropswhichIfoundinthetracksofthefootprints，atthemomentwhentheyweremadeonthefloor，provetomethatthemurdererwasnotwoundedatall。MonsieurRouletabille，themurdererbledatthenose！\"
ThegreatFredspokequiteseriously。However，Icouldnotrefrainfromutteringanexclamation。
ThereporterlookedgravelyatFred，wholookedgravelyathim。
AndFredimmediatelyconcluded：
\"Themanallowedthebloodtoflowintohishandandhandkerchief，anddriedhishandonthewall。Thefactishighlyimportant，\"headded，\"becausethereisnoneedofhisbeingwoundedinthehandforhimtobethemurderer。\"
Rouletabilleseemedtobethinkingdeeply。Afteramomenthesaid：
\"Thereissomething-asomething，MonsieurFredericLarsan，muchgraverthanthemisuseoflogicthedispositionofmindinsomedetectiveswhichmakesthem，inperfectgoodfaith，twistlogictothenecessitiesoftheirpreconceivedideas。You，already，haveyourideaaboutthemurderer，MonsieurFred。Don\'tdenyit；andyourtheorydemandsthatthemurderershouldnothavebeenwoundedinthehand，otherwiseitcomestonothing。Andyouhavesearched，andhavefoundsomethingelse。It\'sdangerous，verydangerous，MonsieurFred，togofromapreconceivedideatofindtheproofstofitit。ThatmethodmayleadyoufarastrayBewareofjudicialerror，MonsieurFred，itwilltripyouup！\"
Andlaughingalittle，inaslightlybanteringtone，hishandsinhispockets，RouletabillefixedhiscunningeyesonthegreatFred。
FredericLarsansilentlycontemplatedtheyoungreporterwhopretendedtobeaswiseashimself。Shrugginghisshoulders，hebowedtousandmovedquicklyaway，hittingthestonesonhispathwithhisstoutcane。
Rouletabillewatchedhisretreat，andthenturnedtowardus，hisfacejoyousandtriumphant。
\"Ishallbeathim！\"hecried。\"IshallbeatthegreatFred，cleverasheis；Ishallbeatthemall！\"
Andhedancedadoubleshuffle。Suddenlyhestopped。Myeyesfollowedhisgaze；theywerefixedonMonsieurRobertDarzac，whowaslookinganxiouslyattheimpressionleftbyhisfeetsidebysidewiththeelegantfootmarks。Therewasnotaparticleofdifferencebetweenthem！
Wethoughthewasabouttofaint。Hiseyes，bulgingwithterror，avoidedus，whilehisrighthand，withaspasmodicmovement，twitchedatthebeardthatcoveredhishonest，gentle，andnowdespairingface。Atlengthregaininghisself-possession，hebowedtous，andremarking，inachangedvoice，thathewasobligedtoreturntothechateau，leftus。
\"Thedeuce！\"exclaimedRouletabille。
He，also，appearedtobedeeplyconcerned。Fromhispocket-bookhetookapieceofwhitepaperasIhadseenhimdobefore，andwithhisscissors，cutouttheshapeoftheneatbootmarksthatwereontheground。Thenhefittedthenewpaperpatternwiththeonehehadpreviouslymade-thetwowereexactlyalike。Rising，Rouletabilleexclaimedagain：\"Thedeuce！\"Presentlyheadded：
\"YetIbelieveMonsieurRobertDarzactobeanhonestman。\"HethenledmeontheroadtotheDonjonInn，whichwecouldseeonthehighway，bythesideofasmallclumpoftrees。
CHAPTERX
WeShallHavetoEatRedMeat-Now\"
TheDonjonInnwasofnoimposingappearance；butIlikethesebuildingswiththeirraftersblackenedwithageandthesmokeoftheirhearths-theseinnsofthecoaching-days，crumblingerectionsthatwillsoonexistinthememoryonly。Theybelongtothebygonedays，theyarelinkedwithhistory。TheymakeusthinkoftheRoad，ofthosedayswhenhighwaymenrode。
IsawatoncethattheDonjonInnwasatleasttwocenturiesold-perhapsolder。Underitssign-board，overthethreshold，amanwithacrabbed-lookingfacewasstanding，seeminglyplungedinunpleasantthought，ifthewrinklesonhisforeheadandtheknittingofhisbrowswereanyindication。
Whenwewereclosetohim，hedeignedtoseeusandaskedus，inatoneanythingbutengaging，whetherwewantedanything。Hewas，nodoubt，thenotveryamiablelandlordofthischarmingdwelling-place。
Asweexpressedahopethathewouldbegoodenoughtofurnishuswithabreakfast，heassuredusthathehadnoprovisions，regardingus，ashesaidthis，withalookthatwasunmistakablysuspicious。
\"Youmaytakeusin，\"Rouletabillesaidtohim，\"wearenotpolicemen。\"
\"I\'mnotafraidofthepolice-I\'mnotafraidofanyone！\"repliedtheman。
Ihadmademyfriendunderstandbyasignthatweshoulddobetternottoinsist；but，beingdeterminedtoentertheinn，heslippedbythemanonthedoorstepandwasinthecommonroom。
\"Comeon，\"hesaid，\"itisverycomfortablehere。\"
Agoodfirewasblazinginthechimney，andweheldourhandstothewarmthitsentout；itwasamorninginwhichtheapproachofwinterwasunmistakable。Theroomwasatolerablylargeone，furnishedwithtwoheavytables，somestools，acounterdecoratedwithrowsofbottlesofsyrupandalcohol。Threewindowslookedoutontotheroad。Acolouredadvertisementlaudedthemanymeritsofanewvermouth。Onthemantelpiecewasarrayedtheinnkeeper\'scollectionoffiguredearthenwarepotsandstonejugs。
\"That\'safinefireforroastingachicken，\"saidRouletabille。
\"Wehavenochicken-notevenawretchedrabbit，\"saidthelandlord。
\"Iknow，\"saidmyfriendslowly；\"Iknow-Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now。\"
IconfessIdidnotintheleastunderstandwhatRouletabillemeantbywhathehadsaid；butthelandlord，assoonasheheardthewords，utteredanoath，whichheatoncestifled，andplacedhimselfatourordersasobedientlyasMonsieurRobertDarzachaddone，whenheheardRouletabille\'spropheticsentence-\"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。\"Certainlymyfriendknewhowtomakepeopleunderstandhimbytheuseofwhollyincomprehensiblephrases。Iobservedasmuchtohim，buthemerelysmiled。Ishouldhaveproposedthathegivemesomeexplanation；
butheputafingertohislips，whichevidentlysignifiedthathehadnotonlydeterminednottospeak，butalsoenjoinedsilenceonmypart。
Meantimethemanhadpushedopenalittlesidedoorandcalledtosomebodytobringhimhalfadozeneggsandapieceofbeefsteak。
Thecommissionwasquicklyexecutedbyastrongly-builtyoungwomanwithbeautifulblondehairandlarge，handsomeeyes，whoregardeduswithcuriosity。
Theinnkeepersaidtoherroughly：
\"Getout！-andiftheGreenMancomes，don\'tletmeseehim。\"
Shedisappeared。Rouletabilletooktheeggs，whichhadbeenbroughttohiminabowl，andthemeatwhichwasonadish，placedallcarefullybesidehiminthechimney，unhookedafrying-panandagridiron，andbegantobeatupouromelettebeforeproceedingtogrillourbeefsteak。Hethenorderedtwobottlesofcider，andseemedtotakeaslittlenoticeofourhostasourhostdidofhim。
Thelandlordletusdoourowncookingandsetourtablenearoneofthewindows。
SuddenlyIheardhimmutter：
\"Ah！-thereheis。\"
Hisfacehadchanged，expressingfiercehatred。Hewentandgluedhimselftooneofthewindows，watchingtheroad。TherewasnoneedformetodrawRouletabille\'sattention；hehadalreadyleftouromeletteandhadjoinedthelandlordatthewindow。Iwentwithhim。
Amandressedentirelyingreenvelvet，hisheadcoveredwithahuntsman\'scapofthesamecolour，wasadvancingleisurely，lightingapipeashewalked。Hecarriedafowling-pieceslungathisback。
Hismovementsdisplayedanalmostaristocraticease。Heworeeye-glassesandappearedtobeaboutfiveandfortyyearsofage。
Hishairaswellashismoustacheweresaltgrey。Hewasremarkablyhandsome。Ashepassedneartheinn，hehesitated，asifaskinghimselfwhetherornoheshouldenterit；gaveaglancetowardsus，tookafewwhiffsathispipe，andthenresumedhiswalkatthesamenonchalantpace。
RouletabilleandIlookedatourhost。Hisflashingeyes，hisclenchedhands，histremblinglips，toldusofthetumultuousfeelingsbywhichhewasbeingagitated。
\"Hehasdonewellnottocomeinhereto-day！\"hehissed。
\"Whoisthatman？\"askedRouletabille，returningtohisomelette。
\"TheGreenMan，\"growledtheinnkeeper。\"Don\'tyouknowhim？Thenallthebetterforyou。Heisnotanacquaintancetomake-Well，heisMonsieurStangerson\'sforest-keeper。\"
\"Youdon\'tappeartolikehimverymuch？\"askedthereporter，pouringhisomeletteintothefrying-pan。
\"Nobodylikeshim，monsieur。He\'sanupstartwhomustoncehavehadafortuneofhisown；andheforgivesnobodybecause，inordertolive，hehasbeencompelledtobecomeaservant。Akeeperisasmuchaservantasanyother，isn\'the？Uponmyword，onewouldsaythatheisthemasteroftheGlandier，andthatallthelandandwoodsbelongtohim。He\'llnotletapoorcreatureeatamorselofbreadonthegrasshisgrass！\"
\"Doesheoftencomehere？\"
\"Toooften。ButI\'vemadehimunderstandthathisfacedoesn\'tpleaseme，and，foramonthpast，hehasn\'tbeenhere。TheDonjonInnhasneverexistedforhim！-hehasn\'thadtime！-beentoomuchengagedinpayingcourttothelandladyoftheThreeLiliesatSaint-Michel。Abadfellow！-Thereisn\'tanhonestmanwhocanbearhim。Why，theconciergesofthechateauwouldturntheireyesawayfromapictureofhim！\"
\"Theconciergesofthechateauarehonestpeople，then？\"
\"Yes，theyare，astrueasmyname\'sMathieu，monsieur。Ibelievethemtobehonest。\"
\"Yetthey\'vebeenarrested？\"
\"Whatdoesthatprove？-ButIdon\'twanttomixmyselfupinotherpeople\'saffairs。\"
\"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthemurder？\"
\"OfthemurderofpoorMademoiselleStangerson？-Agoodgirlmuchlovedeverywhereinthecountry。That\'swhatIthinkofit-andmanythingsbesides；butthat\'snobody\'sbusiness。\"
\"Notevenmine？\"insistedRouletabille。
Theinnkeeperlookedathimsidewaysandsaidgruffly：
\"Notevenyours。\"
Theomeletteready，wesatdownattableandweresilentlyeating，whenthedoorwaspushedopenandanoldwoman，dressedinrags，leaningonastick，herheaddoddering，herwhitehairhanginglooselyoverherwrinkledforehead，appearedonthethreshold。
\"Ah！-thereyouare，MotherAngenoux！-It\'slongsincewesawyoulast，\"saidourhost。
\"Ihavebeenveryill，verynearlydying，\"saidtheoldwoman。\"IfeveryoushouldhaveanyscrapsfortheBeteduBonDieu-？\"
Andsheentered，followedbyacat，largerthananyIhadeverbelievedcouldexist。ThebeastlookedatusandgavesohopelessamiauthatIshuddered。Ihadneverheardsolugubriousacry。
Asifdrawnbythecat\'scryamanfollowedtheoldwomanin。ItwastheGreenMan。Hesalutedbyraisinghishandtohiscapandseatedhimselfatatableneartoours。
\"Aglassofcider，DaddyMathieu，\"hesaid。
AstheGreenManentered，DaddyMathieuhadstartedviolently；butvisiblymasteringhimselfhesaid：
\"I\'venomorecider；Iservedthelastbottlestothesegentlemen。\"
\"Thengivemeaglassofwhitewine，\"saidtheGreenMan，withoutshowingtheleastsurprise。
\"I\'venomorewhitewine-nomoreanything，\"saidDaddyMathieu，surlily。
\"HowisMadameMathieu？\"
\"Quitewell，thankyou。\"
SotheyoungWomanwiththelarge，tendereyes，whomwehadjustseen，wasthewifeofthisrepugnantandbrutalrustic，whosejealousyseemedtoemphasisehisphysicalugliness。
Slammingthedoorbehindhim，theinnkeeperlefttheroom。MotherAngenouxwasstillstanding，leaningonherstick，thecatatherfeet。
\"You\'vebeenill，MotherAngenoux？-Isthatwhywehavenotseenyouforthelastweek？\"askedtheGreenMan。
\"Yes，Monsieurkeeper。Ihavebeenabletogetupbutthreetimes，togotopraytoSainte-Genevieve，ourgoodpatroness，andtherestofthetimeIhavebeenlyingonmybed。TherewasnoonetocareformebuttheBetedubonDieu！\"
\"Didshenotleaveyou？\"
\"Neitherbydaynorbynight。\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"
\"AsIamofParadise。\"
\"Thenhowwasit，MadameAngenoux，thatallthroughthenightofthemurdernothingbutthecryoftheBetedubonDieuwasheard？\"
MotherAngenouxplantedherselfinfrontoftheforest-keeperandstruckthefloorwithherstick。
\"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutit，\"shesaid。\"ButshallItellyousomething？Therearenotwocatsintheworldthatcrylikethat。
Well，onthenightofthemurderIalsoheardthecryoftheBetedubonDieuoutside；andyetshewasonmyknees，anddidnotmewonce，Iswear。IcrossedmyselfwhenIheardthat，asifIhadheardthedevil。\"
Ilookedatthekeeperwhenheputthelastquestion，andIammuchmistakenifIdidnotdetectanevilsmileonhislips。Atthatmoment，thenoiseofloudquarrellingreachedus。Weeventhoughtweheardadullsoundofblows，asifsomeonewasbeingbeaten。
TheGreenManquicklyroseandhurriedtothedoorbythesideofthefireplace；butitwasopenedbythelandlordwhoappeared，andsaidtothekeeper：
\"Don\'talarmyourself，Monsieur-itismywife；shehasthetoothache。\"Andhelaughed。\"Here，MotherAngenoux，herearesomescrapsforyourcat。\"
Heheldoutapackettotheoldwoman，whotookiteagerlyandwentoutbythedoor，closelyfollowedbyhercat。
\"Thenyouwon\'tserveme？\"askedtheGreenMan。
DaddyMathieu\'sfacewasplacidandnolongerretaineditsexpressionofhatred。
\"I\'venothingforyou-nothingforyou。Takeyourselfoff。\"
TheGreenManquietlyrefilledhispipe，litit，bowedtous，andwentout。NosoonerwasheoverthethresholdthanDaddyMathieuslammedthedoorafterhimand，turningtowardsus，witheyesbloodshot，andfrothingatthemouth，hehissedtous，shakinghisclenchedfistatthedoorhehadjustshutonthemanheevidentlyhated：
\"Idon\'tknowwhoyouarewhotellme\'Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now\'；butifitwillinterestyoutoknowit-thatmanisthemurderer！\"
WithwhichwordsDaddyMathieuimmediatelyleftus。Rouletabillereturnedtowardsthefireplaceandsaid：
\"Nowwe\'llgrilloursteak。Howdoyoulikethecider？-It\'salittletart，butIlikeit。\"
WesawnomoreofDaddyMathieuthatday，andabsolutesilencereignedintheinnwhenweleftit，afterplacingfivefrancsonthetableinpaymentforourfeast。
RouletabilleatoncesetoffonathreemilewalkroundProfessorStangerson\'sestate。Hehaltedforsometenminutesatthecornerofanarrowroadblackwithsoot，neartosomecharcoal-burners\'
hutsintheforestofSainte-Genevieve，whichtouchesontheroadfromEpinaytoCorbeil，totellmethatthemurdererhadcertainlypassedthatway，beforeenteringthegroundsandconcealinghimselfinthelittleclumpoftrees。
\"Youdon\'tthink，then，thatthekeeperknowsanythingofit？\"I
asked。
\"Weshallseethat，later，\"hereplied。\"ForthepresentI\'mnotinterestedinwhatthelandlordsaidabouttheman。Thelandlordhateshim。Ididn\'ttakeyoutobreakfastattheDonjonInnforthesakeoftheGreenMan。\"
ThenRouletabille，withgreatprecautionglided，followedbyme，towardsthelittlebuildingwhich，standingneartheparkgate，servedforthehomeoftheconcierges，whohadbeenarrestedthatmorning。Withtheskillofanacrobat，hegotintothelodgebyanupperwindowwhichhadbeenleftopen，andreturnedtenminuteslater。Hesaidonly，\"Ah！\"-awordwhich，inhismouth，signifiedmanythings。
Wewereabouttotaketheroadleadingtothechateau，whenaconsiderablestirattheparkgateattractedourattention。A
carriagehadarrivedandsomepeoplehadcomefromthechateautomeetit。Rouletabillepointedouttomeagentlemanwhodescendedfromit。
\"That\'stheChiefoftheSurete\"hesaid。\"NowweshallseewhatFredericLarsanhasuphissleeve，andwhetherheissomuchclevererthananybodyelse。\"
ThecarriageoftheChiefoftheSuretewasfollowedbythreeothervehiclescontainingreporters，whowerealsodesirousofenteringthepark。Buttwogendarmesstationedatthegatehadevidentlyreceivedorderstorefuseadmissiontoanybody。TheChiefoftheSuretecalmedtheirimpatiencebyundertakingtofurnishtothepress，thatevening，alltheinformationhecouldgivethatwouldnotinterferewiththejudicialinquiry。
CHAPTERXI
InWhichFredericLarsanExplainsHowtheMurdererWasAbletoGetOutofTheYellowRoomAmongthemassofpapers，legaldocuments，memoirs，andextractsfromnewspapers，whichIhavecollected，relatingtothemysteryofTheYellowRoom，thereisoneveryinterestingpiece；itisadetailofthefamousexaminationwhichtookplacethatafternoon，inthelaboratoryofProfessorStangerson，beforetheChiefoftheSurete。ThisnarrativeisfromthepenofMonsieurMaleine，theRegistrar，who，liketheexaminingmagistrate，hadspentsomeofhisleisuretimeinthepursuitofliterature。Thepiecewastohavemadepartofabookwhich，however，hasneverbeenpublished，andwhichwastohavebeenentitled：\"MyExaminations。\"ItwasgiventomebytheRegistrarhimself，sometimeaftertheastonishingdenouementtothiscase，andisuniqueinjudicialchronicles。
Hereitis。Itisnotameredrytranscriptionofquestionsandanswers，becausetheRegistraroftenintersperseshisstorywithhisownpersonalcomments。
THEREGISTRAR\'SNARRATIVE
TheexaminingmagistrateandIthewriterrelatesfoundourselvesinTheYellowRoominthecompanyofthebuilderwhohadconstructedthepavilionafterProfessorStangerson\'sdesigns。Hehadaworkmanwithhim。MonsieurdeMarquethadhadthewallslaidentirelybare；
thatistosay，hehadhadthemstrippedofthepaperwhichhaddecoratedthem。Blowswithapick，hereandthere，satisfiedusoftheabsenceofanysortofopening。Thefloorandtheceilingwerethoroughlysounded。Wefoundnothing。Therewasnothingtobefound。MonsieurdeMarquetappearedtobedelightedandneverceasedrepeating：
\"Whatacase！Whatacase！Weshallneverknow，you\'llsee，howthemurdererwasabletogetoutofthisroom！\"
Thensuddenly，witharadiantface，hecalledtotheofficerinchargeofthegendarmes。
\"Gotothechateau，\"hesaid，\"andrequestMonsieurStangersonandMonsieurRobertDarzactocometomeinthelaboratory，alsoDaddyJacques；andletyourmenbringherethetwoconcierges。\"
Fiveminuteslaterallwereassembledinthelaboratory。TheChiefoftheSurete，whohadarrivedattheGlandier，joinedusatthatmoment。IwasseatedatMonsieurStangerson\'sdeskreadyforwork，whenMonsieurdeMarquetmadeusthefollowinglittlespeech-asoriginalasitwasunexpected：
\"Withyourpermission，gentlemen-asexaminationsleadtonothing-wewill，foronce，abandontheoldsystemofinterrogation。I
willnothaveyoubroughtbeforemeonebyone，butwewillallremainhereasweare，-MonsieurStangerson，MonsieurRobertDarzac，DaddyJacquesandthetwoconcierges，theChiefoftheSurete，theRegistrar，andmyself。Weshallallbeonthesamefooting。Theconciergesmay，forthemoment，forgetthattheyhavebeenarrested。
Wearegoingtoconfertogether。Weareonthespotwherethecrimewascommitted。Wehavenothingelsetodiscussbutthecrime。Soletusdiscussitfreely-intelligentlyorotherwise，solongaswespeakjustwhatisinourminds。Thereneedbenoformalityormethodsincethiswon\'thelpusinanyway。\"
Then，passingbeforeme，hesaidinalowvoice：
\"Whatdoyouthinkofthat，eh？Whatascene！Couldyouhavethoughtofthat？I\'llmakealittlepieceoutofitfortheVaudeville。\"Andherubbedhishandswithglee。
IturnedmyeyesonMonsieurStangerson。Thehopehehadreceivedfromthedoctor\'slatestreports，whichstatedthatMademoiselleStangersonmightrecoverfromherwounds，hadnotbeenabletoeffacefromhisnoblefeaturesthemarksofthegreatsorrowthatwasuponhim。Hehadbelievedhisdaughtertobedead，andhewasstillbrokenbythatbelief。Hisclear，soft，blueeyesexpressedinfinitesorrow。Ihadhadoccasion，manytimes，toseeMonsieurStangersonatpublicceremonies，andfromthefirsthadbeenstruckbyhiscountenance，whichseemedaspureasthatofachild-thedreamygazewiththesublimeandmysticalexpressionoftheinventorandthinker。
Onthoseoccasionshisdaughterwasalwaystobeseeneitherfollowinghimorbyhisside；fortheyneverquittedeachother，itwassaid，andhadsharedthesamelaboursformanyyears。Theyounglady，whowasthenfiveandthirty，thoughshelookednomorethanthirty，haddevotedherselfentirelytoscience。Shestillwonadmirationforherimperialbeautywhichhadremainedintact，withoutawrinkle，withstandingtimeandlove。WhowouldhavedreamedthatIshouldonedaybeseatedbyherpillowwithmypapers，andthatI
shouldseeher，onthepointofdeath，painfullyrecountingtousthemostmonstrousandmostmysteriouscrimeIhaveheardofinmycareer？WhowouldhavethoughtthatIshouldbe，thatafternoon，listeningtothedespairingfathervainlytryingtoexplainhowhisdaughter\'sassailanthadbeenabletoescapefromhim？Whyburyourselveswithourworkinobscureretreatsinthedepthsofwoods，ifitmaynotprotectusagainstthosedangerousthreatstolifewhichmeetusinthebusycities？
\"Now，MonsieurStangerson，\"saidMonsieurdeMarquet，withsomewhatofanimportantair，\"placeyourselfexactlywhereyouwerewhenMademoiselleStangersonleftyoutogotoherchamber。\"
MonsieurStangersonroseand，standingatacertaindistancefromthedoorofTheYellowRoom，said，inanevenvoiceandwithouttheleasttraceofemphasis-avoicewhichIcanonlydescribeasadeadvoice：
\"Iwashere。Abouteleveno\'clock，afterIhadmadeabriefchemicalexperimentatthefurnacesofthelaboratory，needingallthespacebehindme，IhadmydeskmovedherebyDaddyJacques，whospenttheeveningincleaningsomeofmyapparatus。Mydaughterhadbeenworkingatthesamedeskwithme。Whenitwashertimetoleavesherose，kissedme，andbadeDaddyJacquesgoodnight。Shehadtopassbehindmydeskandthedoortoenterherchamber，andshecoulddothisonlywithsomedifficulty。Thatistosay，Iwasveryneartheplacewherethecrimeoccurredlater。\"
\"Andthedesk？\"Iasked，obeying，inthusmixingmyselfintheconversation，theexpressordersofmychief，\"assoonasyouheardthecryof\'murder\'followedbytherevolvershots，whatbecameofthedesk？\"
DaddyJacquesanswered。
\"Wepusheditbackagainstthewall，here-closetowhereitisatthepresentmoment-soastobeabletogetatthedooratonce。\"
Ifollowedupmyreasoning，towhich，however，Iattachedbutlittleimportance，regardingitasonlyaweakhypothesis，withanotherquestion。
\"Mightnotamanintheroom，thedeskbeingsoneartothedoor，bystoopingandslippingunderthedesk，haveleftitunobserved？\"
\"Youareforgetting，\"interruptedMonsieurStangersonwearily，\"thatmydaughterhadlockedandboltedherdoor，thatthedoorhadremainedfastened，thatwevainlytriedtoforceitopenwhenweheardthenoise，andthatwewereatthedoorwhilethestrugglebetweenthemurdererandmypoorchildwasgoingon-immediatelyafterweheardherstifledcriesasshewasbeingheldbythefingersthathavelefttheirredmarkuponherthroat。Rapidastheattackwas，wewerenolessrapidinourendeavorstogetintotheroomwherethetragedywastakingplace。\"
Irosefrommyseatandoncemoreexaminedthedoorwiththegreatestcare。ThenIreturnedtomyplacewithadespairinggesture。
\"Ifthelowerpanelofthedoor，\"Isaid，\"couldberemovedwithoutthewholedoorbeingnecessarilyopened，theproblemwouldbesolved。
But，unfortunately，thatlasthypothesisisuntenableafteranexaminationofthedoor-it\'sofoak，solidandmassive。Youcanseethatquiteplainly，inspiteoftheinjurydoneintheattempttoburstitopen。\"
\"Ah！\"criedDaddyJacques，\"itisanoldandsoliddoorthatwasbroughtfromthechateau-theydon\'tmakesuchdoorsnow。Wehadtousethisbarofirontogetitopen，allfourofus-fortheconcierge，bravewomansheis，helpedus。Itpainsmetofindthembothinprisonnow。\"
DaddyJacqueshadnosoonerutteredthesewordsofpityandprotestationthantearsandlamentationsbrokeoutfromtheconcierges。Ineversawtwoaccusedpeoplecryingmorebitterly。
Iwasextremelydisgusted。Eveniftheywereinnocent，Icouldnotunderstandhowtheycouldbehavelikethatinthefaceofmisfortune。Adignifiedbearingatsuchtimesisbetterthantearsandgroans，which，mostoften，arefeigned。
\"Nowthen，enoughofthatsniveling，\"criedMonsieurdeMarquet；
\"and，inyourinterest，telluswhatyouweredoingunderthewindowsofthepavilionatthetimeyourmistresswasbeingattacked；foryouwereclosetothepavilionwhenDaddyJacquesmetyou。\"
\"Wewerecomingtohelp！\"theywhined。
\"Ifwecouldonlylayhandsonthemurderer，he\'dnevertastebreadagain！\"thewomangurgledbetweenhersobs。
Asbeforewewereunabletogettwoconnectingthoughtsoutofthem。
Theypersistedintheirdenialsandswore，byheavenandallthesaints，thattheywereinbedwhentheyheardthesoundoftherevolvershot。
\"Itwasnotone，buttwoshotsthatwerefired！-Yousee，youarelying。Ifyouhadheardone，youwouldhaveheardtheother。\"
\"MonDieu！Monsieur-itwasthesecondshotweheard。Wewereasleepwhenthefirstshotwasfired。\"
\"Twoshotswerefired，\"saidDaddyJacques。\"Iamcertainthatallthecartridgeswereinmyrevolver。Wefoundafterwardthattwohadbeenexploded，andweheardtwoshotsbehindthedoor。Wasnotthatso，MonsieurStangerson？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedtheProfessor，\"thereweretwoshots，onedull，andtheothersharpandringing。\"
\"Whydoyoupersistinlying？\"criedMonsieurdeMarquet，turningtotheconcierges。\"Doyouthinkthepolicearethefoolsyouare？
Everythingpointstothefactthatyouwereoutofdoorsandnearthepavilionatthetimeofthetragedy。Whatwereyoudoingthere？
SofarasIamconcerned，\"hesaid，turningtoMonsieurStangerson，\"Icanonlyexplaintheescapeofthemurdererontheassumptionofhelpfromthesetwoaccomplices。Assoonasthedoorwasforcedopen，andwhileyou，MonsieurStangerson，wereoccupiedwithyourunfortunatechild，theconciergeandhiswifefaciitatedtheflightofthemurderer，who，screeninghimselfbehindthem，reachedthewindowinthevestibule，andsprangoutofitintothepark。Theconciergeclosedthewindowafterhimandfastenedtheblinds，whichcertainlycouldnothaveclosedandfastenedofthemselves。ThatistheconclusionIhavearrivedat。Ifanyoneherehasanyotheridea，lethunstateit。\"
MonsieurStangersonintervened：
\"Whatyousaywasimpossible。Idonotbelieveeitherintheguiltorintheconnivanceofmyconcierges，thoughIcannotunderstandwhattheyweredoingintheparkatthatlatehourofthenight。
Isayitwasimpossible，becauseMadameBernierheldthelampanddidnotmovefromthethresholdoftheroom；becauseI，assoonasthedoorwasforcedopen，threwmyselfonmykneesbesidemydaughter，andnoonecouldhaveleftorenteredtheroombythedoor，withoutpassingoverherbodyandforcinghiswaybyme！
DaddyJacquesandtheconciergehadbuttocastaglanceroundthechamberandunderthebed，asIhaddoneonentering，toseethattherewasnobodyinitbutmydaughterlyingonthefloor。\"
\"Whatdoyouthink，MonsieurDarzac？\"askedthemagistrate。
MonsieurDarzacrepliedthathehadnoopiniontoexpress。MonsieurDax，theChiefoftheSuretewho，sofar，hadbeenlisteningandexaminingtheroom，atlengthdeignedtoopenhislips：
\"Whilesearchisbeingmadeforthecriminal，wehadbettertrytofindoutthemotiveforthecrime；thatwilladvanceusalittle，\"
hesaid。urningtowardsMonsieurStangerson，hecontinued，intheeven，intelligenttoneindicativeofastrongcharacter，\"I
understandthatMademoisellewasshortlytohavebeenmarried？\"
TheprofessorlookedsadlyatMonsieurRobertDarzac。
\"Tomyfriendhere，whomIshouldhavebeenhappytocallmyson-toMonsieurRobertDarzac。\"
\"MademoiselleStangersonismuchbetterandisrapidlyrecoveringfromherwounds。Themarriageissimplydelayed，isitnot，Monsieur？\"insistedtheChiefoftheSurete。
\"Ihopeso。
\"What！Isthereanydoubtaboutthat？\"
MonsieurStangersondidnotanswer。MonsieurRobertDarzacseemedagitated。Isawthathishandtrembledasitfingeredhiswatchchain。MonsieurDaxcoughed，asdidMonsieurdeMarquet。
Bothwereevidentlyembarrassed。
\"Youunderstand，MonsieurStangerson，\"hesaid，\"thatinanaffairsoperplexingasthis，wecannotneglectanything；wemustknowall，eventhesmallestandseeminglymostfutilethingconcerningthevictim-informationapparentlythemostinsignificant。Whydoyoudoubtthatthismarriagewilltakeplace？Youexpressedahope；butthehopeimpliesadoubt。Whydoyoudoubt？\"
MonsieurStangersonmadeavisibleefforttorecoverhimself。
\"Yes，Monsieur，\"hesaidatlength，\"youareright。Itwillbebestthatyoushouldknowsomethingwhich，ifIconcealedit，mightappeartobeofimportance；MonsieurDarzacagreeswithmeinthis。\"
MonsieurDarzac，whosepalloratthatmomentseemedtometobealtogetherabnormal，madeasignofassent。Igatheredhewasunabletospeak。
\"Iwantyoutoknowthen，\"continuedMonsieurStangerson，\"thatmydaughterhasswornnevertoleaveme，andadheresfirmlytoheroath，inspiteofallmyprayersandallthatIhavearguedtoinducehertomarry。WehaveknownMonsieurRobertDarzacmanyyears。Helovesmychild；andIbelievedthatshelovedhim；becausesheonlyrecentlyconsentedtothismarriagewhichIdesirewithallmyheart。
Iamanoldman，Monsieur，anditwasahappyhourtomewhenIknewthat，afterIhadgone，shewouldhaveatherside，onewholovedherandwhowouldhelpherincontinuingourcommonlabours。IloveandesteemMonsieurDarzacbothforhisgreatnessofheartandforhisdevotiontoscience。But，twodaysbeforethetragedy，forIknownotwhatreason，mydaughterdeclaredtomethatshewouldnevermarryMonsieurDarzac。\"
AdeadsilencefollowedMonsieurStangerson\'swords。Itwasamomentfraughtwithsuspense。
\"DidMademoisellegiveyouanyexplanation，-didshetellyouwhathermotivewas？\"askedMonsieurDax。
\"Shetoldmeshewastoooldtomarry-thatshehadwaitedtoolong。Shesaidshehadgivenmuchthoughttothematterandwhileshehadagreatesteem，evenaffection，forMonsieurDarzac，shefeltitwouldbebetterifthingsremainedastheywere。Shewouldbehappy，shesaid，toseetherelationsbetweenourselvesandMonsieurDarzacbecomecloser，butonlyontheunderstandingthattherewouldbenomoretalkofmarriage。\"
\"Thatisverystrange！\"mutteredMonsieurDax。
\"Strange！\"repeatedMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"You\'llcertainlynotfindthemotivethere，MonsieurDax，\"MonsieurStangersonsaidwithacoldsmile。
\"Inanycase，themotivewasnottheft！\"saidtheChiefimpatiently。
\"Oh！wearequiteconvincedofthat！\"criedtheexaminingmagistrate。
Atthatmomentthedoorofthelaboratoryopenedandtheofficerinchargeofthegendarmesenteredandhandedacardtotheexaminingmagistrate。MonsieurdeMarquetreaditandutteredahalfangryexclamation：
\"Thisisreallytoomuch！\"hecried。
\"Whatisit？\"askedtheChief。
\"It\'sthecardofayoungreporterengagedonthe\'Epoque，\'aMonsieurJosephRouletabille。Ithasthesewordswrittenonit：
\"Oneofthemotivesofthecrimewasrobbery。\"
TheChiefsmiled。
\"Ah，-youngRouletabille-I\'veheardofhimheisconsideredratherclever。Lethimcomein。\"
MonsieurJosephRouletabillewasallowedtoenter。IhadmadehisacquaintanceinthetrainthatmorningonthewaytoEpinay-sur-Orge。
Hehadintroducedhimselfalmostagainstmywishintoourcompartment。Ihadbettersayatoncethathismanners，andthearrogancewithwhichheaissumedtoknowwhatwasincomprehensibleeventous，impressedhimunfavourablyonmymind。Idonotlikejournalists。Theyareaclassofwriterstobeavoidedasthepest。
Theythinkthateverythingispermissibleandtheyrespectnothing。
Grantthemtheleastfavour，allowthemeventoapproachyou，andyounevercantellwhatannoyancetheymaygiveyou。Thisoneappearstobescarcelytwentyyearsold，andtheeffronterywithwhichhedaredtoquestionusanddiscussthematterwithusmadehimparticularlyobnoxioustome。Besides，hehadawayofexpressinghimselfthatleftusguessingastowhetherhewasmockingusornot。Iknowquitewellthatthe\'Epoque\'isaninfluentialpaperwithwhichitiswelltobeongoodterms，butthepaperoughtnottoallowitselftoberepresentedbysneakingreporters。
MonsieurJosephRouletabilleenteredthelaboratory，bowedtous，andwaitedforMonsieurdeMarquettoaskhimtoexplainhispresence。
\"Youpretend，Monsieur，thatyouknowthemotiveforthecrime，andthatthatmotive-inthefaceofalltheevidencethathasbeenforthcoming-wasrobbery？\"
\"No，Monsieur，Idonotpretendthat。Idonotsaythatrobberywasthemotiveforthecrime，andIdon\'tbelieveitwas。\"
\"Then，whatisthemeaningofthiscard？\"
\"Itmeansthatrobberywasoneofthemotivesforthecrime。\"
\"Whatleadsyoutothinkthat？\"
\"Ifyouwillbegoodenoughtoaccompanyme，Iwillshowyou。\"
Theyoungmanaskedustofollowhimintothevestibule，andwedid。
HeledustowardsthelavatoryandbeggedMonsieurdeMarquettokneelbesidehim。Thislavatoryislitbytheglassdoor，and，whenthedoorwasopen，thelightwhichpenetratedwassufficienttolightitperfectly。MonsieurdeMarquetandMonsieurJosephRouletabillekneltdownonthethreshold，andtheyoungmanpointedtoaspotonthepavement。
\"ThestonesofthelavatoryhavenotbeenwashedbyDaddyJacquesforsometime，\"hesaid；\"thatcanbeseenbythelayerofdustthatcoversthem。Now，noticehere，themarksoftwolargefootprintsandtheblackashtheyleftwheretheyhavebeen。Thatashisnothingelsethanthecharcoaldustthatcoversthepathalongwhichyoumustpassthroughtheforest，inordertogetdirectlyfromEpinaytotheGlandier。Youknowthereisalittlevillageofcharcoal-burnersatthatplace，whomakelargequantitiesofcharcoal。Whatthemurdererdidwastocomehereatmidday，whentherewasnobodyatthepavilion，andattempthisrobbery。\"
\"Butwhatrobbery？-Wheredoyouseeanysignsofrobbery？Whatprovestoyouthatarobberyhasbeencommitted？\"weallcriedatonce。\"Whatputmeonthetraceofit，\"continuedthejournalist……
\"Wasthis？\"interruptedMonsieurdeMarquet，stillonhisknees。
\"Evidently，\"saidRouletabille。
AndMonsieurdeMarquetexplainedthattherewereonthedustofthepavementmarksoftwofootsteps，aswellastheimpression，freshly-made，ofaheavyrectangularparcel，themarksofthecordwithwhichithadbeenfastenedbeingeasilydistinguished。
\"Youhavebeenhere，then，MonsieurRouletabille？IthoughtIhadgivenorderstoDaddyJacques，whoWasleftinchargeofthepavilion，nottoallowanybodytoenter。\"
\"Don\'tscoldDaddyJacques，IcameherewithMonsieurRobertDarzac。\"
\"Ah，-Indeed！\"exclaimedMonsieurdeMarquet，disagreeably，castingaside-glanceatMonsieurDarzac，whoremainedperfectlysilent。
\"WhenIsawthemarkoftheparcelbythesideofthefootprints，I
hadnodoubtastotherobbery，\"repliedMonsieurRouletabile。\"Thethiefhadnotbroughtaparcelwithhim；hehadmadeonehere-aparcelwiththestolenobjects，nodoubt；andheputitinthiscornerintendingtotakeitawaywhenthemomentcameforhimtomakehisescape。Hehadalsoplacedhisheavybootsbesidetheparcel，-for，see-therearenomarksofstepsleadingtothemarksleftbytheboots，whichwereplacedsidebyside。ThataccountsforthefactthatthemurdererleftnotraceofhisstepswhenhefledfromTheYellowRoom，noranyinthelaboratory，norinthevestibule。AfterenteringTheYellowRoominhisboots，hetookthemoff，findingthemtroublesome，orbecausehewishedtomakeaslittlenoiseaspossible。ThemarksmadebyhimingoingthroughthevestibuleandthelaboratoryweresubsequentlywashedoutbyDaddyJacques。Having，forsomereasonorother，takenoffhisboots，themurderercarriedtheminhishandandplacedthembythesideoftheparcelhehadmade，-bythattimetherobberyhadbeenaccomplished。ThemanthenreturnedtoTheYellowRoomandslippedunderthebed，wherethemarkofhisbodyisperfectlyvisibleonthefloorandevenonthemat，whichhasbeenslightlymovedfromitsplaceandcreased。Fragmentsofstrawalso，recentlytorn，bearwitnesstothemurderer\'smovementsunderthebed。\"
\"Yes，yes，-weknowallaboutthat，\"saidMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"Therobberhadanothermotiveforreturningtohideunderthebed，\"
continuedtheastonishingboy-journalist。\"Youmightthinkthathewastryingtohidehimselfquicklyonseeing，throughthevestibulewindow，MonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonabouttoenterthepavilion。Itwouldhavebeenmucheasierforhimtohaveclimbeduptotheatticandhiddenthere，waitingforanopportunitytogetaway，ifhispurposehadbeenonlyflight-No！No！-hehadtobeinTheYellowRoom。\"
HeretheChiefintervened。
\"That\'snotatallbad，youngman。Icomplimentyou。Ifwedonotknowyethowthemurderersucceededingettingaway，wecanatanyrateseehowhecameinandcommittedtherobbery。Butwhatdidhesteal？\"
\"Somethingveryvaluable，\"repliedtheyoungreporter。
Atthatmomentweheardacryfromthelaboratory。WerushedinandfoundMonsieurStangerson，hiseyeshaggard，hislimbstrembling，pointingtoasortofbookcasewhichhehadopened，andwhich，wesaw，wasempty。Atthesameinstanthesankintothelargearmchairthatwasplacedbeforethedeskandgroaned，thetearsrollingdownhischeeks，\"Ihavebeenrobbedagain！ForGod\'ssake，donotsayawordofthistomydaughter。ShewouldbemorepainedthanIam。\"Heheavedadeepsighandadded，inatoneI
shallneverforget：\"Afterall，whatdoesitmatter，-solongasshelives！\"
\"Shewilllive！\"saidMonsieurDarzac，inavoicestrangelytouching。
\"Andwewillfindthestolenarticles，\"saidMonsieurDax。\"Butwhatwasinthecabinet？\"
\"Twentyyearsofmylife，\"repliedtheillustriousprofessorsadly，\"orratherofourlives-thelivesofmyselfandmydaughter！Yes，ourmostpreciousdocuments，therecordsofoursecretexperimentsandourlaboursoftwentyyearswereinthatcabinet。Itisanrreparablelosstousand，Iventuretosay，toscience。AlltheprocessesbywhichIhadbeenabletoarriveatthepreciousproofofthedestructibilityofmatterwerethere-all。Themanwhocamewishedtotakeallfromme，-mydaughterandmywork-myheartandmysoul。\"
Andthegreatscientistweptlikeachild。
Westoodaroundhiminsilence，deeplyaffectedbyhisgreatdistress。MonsieurDarzacpressedcloselytohisside，andtriedinvaintorestrainhistears-asightwhich，forthemoment，almostmademelikehim，inspiteofaninstinctiverepulsionwhichhisstrangedemeanourandhisinexplicableanxietyhadinspiredme。
MonsieurRouletabillealone，-asifhisprecioustimeandmissiononearthdidnotpermithimtodwellinthecontemplationonhumansuffering-had，verycalmly，steppeduptotheemptycabinetand，pointingatit，brokethealmostsolemnsilence。Heenteredintoexplanations，forwhichtherewasnoneed，astowhyhehadbeenledtobelievethatarobberyhadbeencommitted，whichincludedthesimultaneousdiscoveryhehadmadeinthelavatory，andtheemptypreciouscabinetinthelaboratory。Thefirstthingthathadstruckhim，hesaid，wastheunusualformofthatpieceoffurniture。Itwasverystronglybuiltoffire-proofiron，clearlyshowingthatitwasintendedforthekeepingofmostvaluableobjects。Thenhenoticedthatthekeyhadbeenleftinthelock。\"Onedoesnotordinarilyhaveasafeandleaveitopen！\"hehadsaidtohimself。
Thislittlekey，withitsbrassheadandcomplicatedwards，hadstronglyattractedhim，-itspresencehadsuggestedrobbery。
MonsieurdeMarquetappearedtobegreatlyperplexed，asifhedidnotknowwhetherheoughttobegladofthenewdirectiongiventotheinquirybytheyoungreporter，orsorrythatithadnotbeendonebyhimself。Inourprofessionandforthegeneralwelfare，wehavetoputupwithsuchmortificationsandburyselfishfeelings。
ThatwaswhyMonsieurdeMarquetcontrolledhimselfandjoinedhiscomplimentswiththoseofMonsieurDax。AsforMonsieurRouletabille，hesimplyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid：\"There\'snothingatallinthat！\"Ishouldhavelikedtoboxhisears，especiallywhenheadded：\"Youwilldowell，Monsieur，toaskMonsieurStangersonwhousuallykeptthatkey？\"
\"Mydaughter，\"repliedMonsieurStangerson，\"shewasneverwithoutit。
\"Ah！thenthatchangestheaspectofthingswhichnolongercorrespondswithMonsieurRouletabille\'sideas！\"criedMonsieurdeMarquet。\"IfthatkeyneverleftMademoiselleStangerson，themurderermusthavewaitedforherinherroomforthepurposeofstealingit；andtherobberycouldnothavebeencommitteduntilaftertheattackhadbeenmadeonher。Butaftertheattackfourpersonswereinthelaboratory！Ican\'tmakeitout！\"
\"Therobbery，\"saidthereporter，\"couldonlyhavebeencommittedbeforetheattackuponMademoiselleStangersoninherroom。Whenthemurdererenteredthepavilionhealreadypossessedthebrass-headedkey。\"
\"Thatisimpossible，\"saidMonsieurStangersoninalowvoice。
\"Itisquitepossible，Monsieur，asthisproves。\"
Andtheyoungrascaldrewacopyofthe\"Epoque\"fromhispocket，datedthe21stofOctoberIrecallthefactthatthecrimewascommittedonthenightbetweenthe24thand25th，andshowingusanadvertisement，heread：
\"\'YesterdayablacksatinreticulewaslostintheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvre。Itcontained，amongstotherthings，asmallkeywithabrasshead。Ahandsomerewardwillbegiventothepersonwhohasfoundit。Thispersonmustwrite，posterestante，bureau40，tothisaddress：M。A。T。H。S。N。\'DonottheseletterssuggestMademoiselleStangerson？\"continuedthereporter。\"The\'keywithabrasshead\'-isnotthisthekey？Ialwaysreadadvertisements。
Inmybusiness，asinyours，Monsieur，oneshouldalwaysreadthepersonals。\'Theyareoftenthekeystointrigues，thatarenotlwaysbrass-headed，butwhicharenonethelessinteresting。Thisdvertisementinterestedmespecially；thewomanofthekeysurroundeditwithakindofmystery。Evidentlyshevaluedthekey，sinceshepromisedabigrewardforitsrestoration！AndIthoughtonthesesixletters：M。A。T。H。S。N。ThefirstfouratoncepointedtoaChristianname；evidentlyIsaidMathisMathilde。ButIcouldmakenothingofthetwolastletters。SoIthrewthejournalasideandoccupiedmyselfwithothermatters。Fourdayslater，whentheeveningpaperappearedwithenormoushead-linesannouncingthemurderofMademoiselleStangerson，thelettersintheadvertisementmechanicallyrecurredtome。Ihadforgottenthetwolastletters，S。N。WhenIsawthemagainIcouldnothelpexclaiming，\'Stangerson！\'IjumpedintoacabandrushedintothebureauNo。
40，asking：\'HaveyoualetteraddressedtoM。A。T。H。S。N。？\'
Theclerkrepliedthathehadnot。Iinsisted，beggedandentreatedhimtosearch。HewantedtoknowifIwereplayingajokeonhim，andthentoldmethathehadhadaletterwiththeinitialsM。A。T。H。S。N，buthehadgivenitupthreedaysago，toaladywhocameforit。\'Youcometo-daytoclaimtheletter，andthedaybeforeyesterdayanothergentlemanclaimedit！I\'vehadenoughofthis，\'heconcludedangrily。Itriedtoquestionhimastothetwopersonswhohadalreadyclaimedtheletter；butwhetherhewishedtoentrenchhimselfbehindprofessionalsecrecy，-hemayhavethoughtthathehadalreadysaidtoomuch，-orwhetherhewasdisgustedatthejokethathadbeenplayedonhim-hewouldnotansweranyofmyquestions。\"
Rouletabillepaused。Weallremainedsilent。Eachdrewhisownconclusionsfromthestrangestoryoftheposterestanteletter。
Itseemed，indeed，thatwenowhadathreadbymeansofwhichweshouldbeabletofollowupthisextraordinarymystery。
\"Thenitisalmostcertain，\"saidMonsieurStangerson，\"thatmydaughterdidlosethekey，andthatshedidnottellmeofit，wishingtospareanyanxiety，andthatshebeggedwhoeverhadfoundittowritetotheposterestante。Sheevidentlyfearedthat，bygivingouraddress，inquirieswouldhaveresultedthatwouldhaveapprisedmeofthelossofthekey。Itwasquitelogical，quitenaturalforhertohavetakenthatcourse-forIhavebeenrobbedoncebefore。\"
\"Wherewasthat，andwhen？\"askedtheChiefoftheSurete。
\"Oh！manyyearsago，inAmerica，inPhiladelphia。Therewerestolenfrommylaboratorythedrawingsoftwoinventionsthatmighthavemadethefortuneofaman。NotoulyhaveIneverlearntwhothethiefwas，butIhaveneverheardevenawordoftheobjectoftherobbery，doubtlessbecause，inordertodefeattheplansofthepersonwhohadrobbedme，Imyselfbroughtthesetwoinventionsbeforethepublic，andsorenderedtherobberyofnoavail。FromthattimeonIhavebeenverycarefultoshutmyselfinwhenIamatwork。Thebarstothesewindows，thelonelysituationofthispavilion，thiscabinet，whichIhadspeciallyconstructed，thisspeciallock，thisuniquekey，allareprecautionsagainstfearsinspiredbyasadexperience。\"
\"Mostinteresting！\"remarkedMonsieurDax。
MonsieurRouletabilleaskedaboutthereticule。NeitherMonsieurStangersonnorDaddyJacqueshadseenitforseveraldays，butafewhourslaterwelearnedfromMademoiselleStangersonherselfthatthereticulehadeitherbeenstolenfromher，orshehadlostit。Shefurthercorroboratedallthathadpassedjustasherfatherhadstated。Shehadgonetotheposterestanteand，onthe23rdofOctober，hadreceivedaletterwhich，sheaffirmed，containednothingbutavulgarpleasantry，whichshehadimmediatelyburned。
Toreturntoourexamination，orrathertoourconversation。ImuststatethattheChiefoftheSuretehavinginquiredofMonsieurStangersonunderwhatconditionshisdaughterhadgonetoParisonthe20thofOctober，welearnedthatMonsieurRobertDarzachadaccompaniedher，andDarzachadnotbeenagainseenatthechateaufromthattimetothedayafterthecrimehadbeencommitted。ThefactthatMonsieurDarzacwaswithherintheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvrewhenthereticuledisappearedcouldnotpassunnoticed，and，itmustbesaid，stronglyawakenedourinterest。
Thisconversationbetweenmagistrates，accused，victim，witnessesandjournalist，wascomingtoaclosewhenquiteatheatricalsensation-anincidentofakinddispleasingtoMonsieurdeMarquet-wasproduced。TheofficerofthegendarmescametoannouncethatFredericLarsanrequestedtobeadmitted，-arequestthatwasatoncecompliedwith。Heheldinhishandaheavypairofmuddyboots，whichhethrewonthepavementofthelaboratory。
\"Here，\"hesaid，\"arethebootswornbythemurderer。Doyourecognisethem，DaddyJacques？\"
DaddyJacquesbentoverthemand，stupefied，recognisedapairofoldbootswhichhehad，sometimeback，thrownintoacornerofhisattic。Hewassotakenabackthathecouldnothidehisagitation。