Thenpointingtothehandkerchiefintheoldman\'shand，FredericLarsansaid：
\"That\'sahandkerchiefastonishinglyliketheonefoundinTheYellowRoom。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidDaddyJacques，trembling，\"theyarealmostalike。\"
\"Andthen，\"continuedFredericLarsan，\"theoldBasquecapalsofoundinTheYellowRoommightatonetimehavebeenwornbyDaddyJacqueshimself。Allthis，gentlemen，proves，Ithink，thatthemurdererwishedtodisguisehisrealpersonality。Hediditinaveryclumsyway-or，atleast，soitappearstous。Don\'tbealarmed，DaddyJacques；wearequitesurethatyouwerenotthemurderer；youneverleftthesideofMonsieurStangerson。ButifMonsieurStangersonhadnotbeenworkingthatnightandhadgonebacktothechateauafterpartingwithhisdaughter，andDaddyJacqueshadgonetosleepinhisattic，noonewouldhavedoubtedthathewasthemurderer。Heoweshissafety，therefore，tothetragedyhavingbeenenactedtoosoon，-themurderer，nodoubt，fromthesilenceinthelaboratory，imaginedthatitwasempty，andthatthemomentforactionhadcome。ThemanwhohadbeenabletointroducehimselfheresomysteriouslyandtoleavesomanyevidencesagainstDaddyJacques，was，therecanbenodoubt，familiarwiththehouse。Atwhathourexactlyheentered，whetherintheafternoonorintheevening，Icannotsay。OnefamiliarwiththeproceedingsandpersonsofthispavilioncouldchoosehisowntimeforenteringTheYellowRoom。\"
\"Hecouldnothaveentereditifanybodyhadbeeninthelaboratory，\"
saidMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"Howdoweknowthat？\"repliedLarsan。\"Therewasthedinnerinthelaboratory，thecomingandgoingoftheservantsinattendance。
Therewasachemicalexperimentbeingcarriedonbetweentenandeleveno\'clock，withMonsieurStangerson，hisdaughter，andDaddyJacquesengagedatthefurnaceinacornerofthehighchimney。
Whocansaythatthemurderer-anintimate！-afriend！-didnottakeadvantageofthatmomenttoslipintoTheYellowRoom，afterhavingtakenoffhisbootsinthelavatory？\"
\"Itisveryimprobable，\"saidMonsieurStangerson。
\"Doubtless-butitisnotimpossible。Iassertnothing。Astotheescapefromthepavilion-that\'sanotherthing，themostnaturalthingintheworld。\"
ForamomentFredericLarsanpaused，-amomentthatappearedtousaverylongtime。Theeagernesswithwhichweawaitedwhathewasgoingtotellusmaybeimagined。
\"IhavenotbeeninTheYellowRoom，\"hecontinued，\"butItakeitforgrantedthatyouhavesatisfiedyourselvesthathecouldhavelefttheroomonlybywayofthedoor；itisbythedoor，then，thatthemurderermadehiswayout。Atwhattime？Atthemomentwhenitwasmosteasyforhimtodoso；atthemomentwhenitbecamemostexplainable-socompletelyexplainablethattherecanbenootherexplanation。Letusgooverthemomentswhichfollowedafterthecrimehadbeencommitted。Therewasthefirstmoment，whenMonsieurStangersonandDaddyJacqueswereclosetothedoor，readytobartheway。Therewasthesecondmoment，duringwhichDaddyJacqueswasabsentandMonsieurStangersonwasleftalonebeforethedoor。
Therewasathirdmoment，whenMonsieurStangersonwasjoinedbytheconcierge。Therewasafourthmoment，duringwhichMonsieurStangerson，theconciergeandhiswifeandDaddyJacqueswerebeforethedoor。Therewasafifthmoment，duringwhichthedoorwasburstopenandTheYellowRoomentered。Themomentatwhichtheflightisexplainableistheverymomentwhentherewastheleastnumberofpersonsbeforethedoor。Therewasonemomentwhentherewasbutoneperson，-MonsieurStangerson。UnlessacomplicityofsilenceonthepartofDaddyJacquesisadmitted-inwhichIdonotbelieve-thedoorwasopenedinthepresenceofMonsieurStangersonaloneandthemanescaped。
\"HerewemustadmitthatMonsieurStangersonhadpowerfulreasonsfornotarresting，ornotcausingthearrestofthemurderer，sinceheallowedhimtoreachthewindowinthevestibuleandcloseditafterhim！-Thatdone，MademoiselleStangerson，thoughhorriblywounded，hadstillstrengthenough，andnodoubtinobediencetotheentreatiesofherfather，torefastenthedoorofherchamber，withboththeboltandthelock，beforesinkingonthefloor。Wedonotknowwhocommittedthecrime；wedonotknowofwhatwretchMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonarethevictims，butthereisnodoubtthattheybothknow！Thesecretmustbeaterribleone，forthefatherhadnothesitatedtoleavehisdaughtertodiebehindadoorwhichshehadshutuponherself，-terribleforhimtohaveallowedtheassassintoescape。Forthereisnootherwayintheworldtoexplainthemurderer\'sflightfromTheYellowRoom！\"
Thesilencewhichfollowedthisdramaticandlucidexplanationwasappalling。Weallofusfeltgrievedfortheillustriousprofessor，drivenintoacornerbythepitilesslogicofFredericLarsan，forcedtoconfessthewholetruthofhismartyrdomortokeepsilent，andthusmakeayetmoreterribleadmission。Themanhimself，averitablestatueofsorrow，raisedhishandwithagesturesosolemnthatwebowedourheadstoitasbeforesomethingsacred。Hethenpronouncedthesewords，inavoicesoloudthatitseemedtoexhausthim：
\"IswearbytheheadofmysufferingchildthatIneverforaninstantleftthedoorofherchamberafterhearinghercriesforhelp；thatthatdoorwasnotopenedwhileIwasaloneinthelaboratory；andthat，finally，whenweenteredTheYellowRoom，mythreedomesticsandI，themurdererwasnolongerthere！IswearIdonotknowthemurderer！\"
MustIsayit，-inspiteofthesolemnityofMonsieurStangerson\'swords，wedidnotbelieveinhisdenial。FredericLarsanhadshownusthetruthanditwasnotsoeasilygivenup。
MonsieurdeMarquetannouncedthattheconversationwasatanend，andaswewereabouttoleavethelaboratory，JosephRouletabilleapproachedMonsieurStangerson，tookhimbythehandwiththegreatestrespect，andIheardhimsay：
\"Ibelieveyou，Monsieur。\"
IhereclosethecitationwhichIhavethoughtitmydutytomakefromMonsieurMaleine\'snarrative。IneednottellthereaderthatallthatpassedinthelaboratorywasimmediatelyandfaithfullyreportedtomebyRouletabille。
CHAPTERXII
FredericLarsan\'sCaneItwasnottillsixo\'clockthatIleftthechateau，takingwithmethearticlehastilywrittenbymyfriendinthelittlesitting-roomwhichMonsieurRobertDarzachadplacedatourdisposal。Thereporterwastosleepatthechateau，takingadvantageofthetomeinexplicablehospitalityofferedhimbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，towhomMonsieurStangerson，inthatsadtime，leftthecareofallhisdomesticaffairs。NeverthelessheinsistedonaccompanyingmetothestationatEpinay。Incrossingthepark，hesaidtome：
\"Fredericisreallyverycleverandhasnotbeliedhisreputation。
DoyouknowhowhecametofindDaddyJacques\'sboots？-Nearthespotwherewenoticedthetracesoftheneatbootsandthedisappearanceoftheroughones，therewasasquarehole，freshlymadeinthemoistground，whereastonehadevidentlybeenremoved。
Larsansearchedforthatstonewithoutfindingit，andatonceimaginedthatithadbeenusedbythemurdererwithwhichtosinkthebootsinthelake。Fred\'scalculationwasanexcellentone，asthesuccessofhissearchproves。Thatescapedme；butmymindwasturnedinanotherdirectionbythelargenumberoffalseindicationsofhistrackwhichthemurdererleft，andbythemeasureoftheblackfoot-markscorrespondingwiththatofDaddyJacques\'sboots，whichIhadestablishedwithouthissuspectingit，onthefloorofTheYellowRoom。Allwhichwasaproof，inmyeyes，thatthemurdererhadsoughttoturnsuspicionontotheoldservant。Uptothatpoint，LarsanandIareinaccord；butnofurther。Itisgoingtobeaterriblematter；forItellyouheisworkingonwronglines，andI-I，mustfighthimwithnothing！\"
Iwassurprisedattheprofoundlygraveaccentwithwhichmyyoungfriendpronouncedthelastwords。
Herepeated：
\"Yesterrible！-terrible！Foritisfightingwithnothing，whenyouhaveonlyanideatofightwith。\"
Atthatmomentwepassedbythebackofthechateau。Nighthadcome。
Awindowonthefirstfloorwaspartlyopen。Afeeblelightcamefromitaswellassomesoundswhichdrewourattention。Weapproacheduntilwehadreachedthesideofadoorthatwassituatedjustunderthewindow。Rouletabille，inalowtone，mademeunderstand，thatthiswasthewindowofMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber。Thesoundswhichhadattractedourattentionceased，thenwererenewedforamoment，andthenweheardstifledsobs。Wewereonlyabletocatchthesewords，whichreachedusdistinctly：\"MypoorRobert！\"-Rouletabillewhisperedinmyear：
\"Ifweonlyknewwhatwasbeingsaidinthatchamber，myinquirywouldsoonbefinished。\"
Helookedabouthim。Thedarknessoftheeveningenvelopedus；wecouldnotseemuchbeyondthenarrowpathborderedbytrees，whichranbehindthechateau。Thesobshadceased。
\"Ifwecan\'thearwemayatleasttrytosee，\"saidRouletabille。
And，makingasigntometodeadenthesoundofmysteps，heledmeacrossthepathtothetrunkofatallbeechtree，thewhiteboleofwhichwasvisibleinthedarkness。Thistreegrewexactlyinfrontofthewindowinwhichweweresomuchinterested，itslowerbranchesbeingonalevelwiththefirstfloorofthechateau。
>FromtheheightofthosebranchesonemightcertainlyseewhatwaspassinginMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber。EvidentlythatwaswhatRouletabillethought，for，enjoiningmetoremainhidden，heclaspedthetrunkwithhisvigorousarmsandclimbedup。Isoonlostsightofhimamidthebranches，andthenfollowedadeepsilence。Infrontofme，theopenwindowremainedlighted，andI
sawnoshadowmoveacrossit。Ilistened，andpresentlyfromabovemethesewordsreachedmyears：
\"Afteryou！\"
\"Afteryou，pray！\"
Somebodywasoverhead，speaking，-exchangingcourtesies。Whatwasmyastonishmenttoseeontheslipperycolumnofthetreetwohumanformsappearandquietlyslipdowntotheground。Rouletabillehadmountedalone，andhadreturnedwithanother。
\"Goodevening，MonsieurSainclair！\"
ItwasFredericLarsan。Thedetectivehadalreadyoccupiedthepostofobservationwhenmyyoungfriendhadthoughttoreachitalone。
Neithernoticedmyastonishment。IexplainedthattomyselfbythefactthattheymusthavebeenwitnessesofsometenderanddespairingscenebetweenMademoiselleStangerson，lyinginherbed，andMonsieurDarzaconhiskneesbyherpillow。Iguessedthateachhaddrawndifferentconclusionsfromwhattheyhadseen。ItwaseasytoseethatthescenehadstronglyimpressedRouletabilleinfavourofMonsieurRobertDarzac；while，toLarsan，itshowednothingbutconsummatehypocrisy，actedwithfinishedartbyMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiance。
Aswereachedtheparkgate，Larsanstoppedus。
\"Mycane！\"hecried。\"Ileftitnearthetree。\"
Heleftus，sayinghewouldrejoinuspresently。
\"HaveyounoticedFredericLarsan\'scane？\"askedtheyoungreporter，assoonaswewerealone。\"Itisquiteanewone，whichIhaveneverseenhimusebefore。Heseemstotakegreatcareofit-itneverleaveshim。Onewouldthinkhewasafraiditmightfallintothehandsofstrangers。Ineversawitbeforeto-day。Wheredidhefindit？Itisn\'tnaturalthatamanwhohadneverbeforeusedawalking-stickshould，thedayaftertheGlandiercrime，nevermoveastepwithoutone。Onthedayofourarrivalatthechateau，assoonashesawus，heputhiswatchinhispocketandpickeduphiscanefromtheground-aproceedingtowhichIwasperhapswrongnottoattachsomeimportance。\"
Wewerenowoutofthepark。Rouletabillehaddroppedintosilence。
HisthoughtswerecertainlystilloccupiedwithFredericLarsan\'snewcane。Ihadproofofthatwhen，aswecameneartoEpinay，hesaid：
\"FredericLarsanarrivedattheGlandierbeforeme；hebeganhisinquirybeforeme；hehashadtimetofindoutthingsaboutwhichIknownothing。Wheredidhefindthatcane？\"Thenheadded：\"Itisprobablethathissuspicion-morethanthat，hisreasoning-hasledhimtolayhishandonsomethingtangible。Hasthiscaneanythingtodowithit？Wherethedeucecouldhehavefoundit？\"
AsIhadtowaittwentyminutesforthetrainatEpinay，weenteredawineshop。AlmostimmediatelythedooropenedandFredericLarsanadehisappearance，brandishinghisfamouscane。
\"Ifoundit！\"hesaidlaughingly。
Thethreeofusseatedourselvesatatable。Rouletabillenevertookhiseyesoffthecane；hewassoabsorbedthathedidnotnoticeasignLarsanmadetoarailwayemploye，ayoungmanwithachindecoratedbyatinyblondandill-keptbeard。Onthesignherose，paidforhisdrink，bowed，andwentout。Ishouldnotmyselfhaveattachedanyimportancetothecircumstance，ifithadnotbeenrecalledtomymind，somemonthslater，bythereappearanceofthemanwiththebeardatoneofthemosttragicmomentsofthiscase。
IthenlearnedthattheyouthwasoneofLarsan\'sassistantsandhadbeenchargedbyhimtowatchthegoingandcomingoftravellersatthestationofEpinay-sur-Orge。Larsanneglectednothinginanycaseonwhichhewasengaged。
IturnedmyeyesagainonRouletabille。
\"Ah，-MonsieurFred！\"hesaid，\"whendidyoubegintouseawalking-stick？Ihavealwaysseenyouwalkingwithyourhandsinyourpockets！\"
\"Itisapresent，\"repliedthedetective。
\"Recent？\"insistedRouletabille。
\"No，itwasgiventomeinLondon。\"
\"Ah，yes，Iremember-youhavejustcomefromLondon。MayIlookatit？\"
\"Oh！-certainly！\"
FredpassedthecanetoRouletabille。Itwasalargeyellowbamboowithacrutchhandleandornamentedwithagoldring。Rouletabille，afterexaminingitminutely，returnedittoLarsan，withabanteringexpressiononhisface，saying：
\"YouweregivenaFrenchcaneinLondon！\"
\"Possibly，\"saidFred，imperturbably。
\"Readthemarkthere，intinyletters：Cassette，6a，Opera。\"
\"CannotEnglishpeoplebuycanesinParis？\"
WhenRouletabillehadseenmeintothetrain，hesaid：
\"You\'llremembertheaddress？\"
\"Yes，-Cassette，6a，Opera。Relyonme；youshallhavewordtomorrowmorning。\"
Thatevening，onreachingParis，IsawMonsieurCassette，dealerinwalking-sticksandumbrellas，andwrotetomyfriend：
\"AmanunmistakablyansweringtothedescriptionofMonsieurRobertDarzac-sameheight，slightlystooping，putty-colouredovercoat，bowlerhat-purchasedacanesimilartotheoneinwhichweareinterested，ontheeveningofthecrime，abouteighto\'clock。
MonsieurCassettehadnotsoldanothersuchcaneduringthelasttwoyears。Fred\'scaneisnew。Itisquiteclearthatit\'sthesamecane。Freddidnotbuyit，sincehewasinLondon。Likeyou，I
thinkthathefounditsomewherenearMonsieurRobertDarzac。Butif，asyousuppose，themurdererwasinTheYellowRoomforfive，orevensixhours，andthecrimewasnotcommitteduntiltowardsmidnight，thepurchaseofthiscaneprovesanincontestablealibiforDarzac。\"
CHAPTERXIII
\"ThePresbyteryHasLostNothingofItsCharm，NortheGardenItsBrightness\"
AweekaftertheoccurrenceoftheeventsIhavejustrecounted-onthe2ndofNovember，tobeexact-IreceivedatmyhomeinParisthefollowingtelegraphicmessage：\"CometotheGlandierbytheearliesttrain。Bringrevolvers。Friendlygreetings。Rouletabille。\"
Ihavealreadysaid，Ithink，thatatthatperiod，beingayoungbarristerwithbutfewbriefs，IfrequentedthePalaisdeJusticeratherforthepurposeoffamiiarisingmyselfwithmyprofessionaldutiesthanforthedefenceofthewidowandorphan。Icould，therefore，feelnosurpriseatRouletabilledisposingofmytime。
Moreover，heknewhowkeenlyinterestedIwasinhisjournalisticadventuresingeneraland，aboveall，inthemurderattheGlandier。
Ihadnotheardfromhimforaweek，noroftheprogressmadewiththatmysteriouscase，exceptbytheinnumerableparagraphsinthenewspapersandbytheverybriefnotesofRouletabilleinthe\"Epoque。\"Thosenoteshaddivulgedthefactthattracesofhumanbloodhadbeenfoundonthemuttonbone，aswellasfreshtracesofthebloodofMademoiselleStangerson-theoldstainsbelongedtoothercrimes，probablydatingyearsback。
Itmaybeeasilyimaginedthatthecrimeengagedtheattentionofthepressthroughouttheworld。Nocrimeknownhadmoreabsorbedthemindsofpeople。Itappearedtome，however，thatthejudicialinquirywasmakingbutverylittleprogress；andIshouldhavebeenveryglad，if，onthereceiptofmyfriend\'sinvitationtorejoinhimattheGlandier，thedespatchhadnotcontainedthewords，\"Bringrevolvers。\"
Thatpuzzledmegreatly。Rouletabilletelegraphingforrevolversmeantthattheremightbeoccasiontousethem。Now，Iconfessitwithoutshame，Iamnotahero。Butherewasafriend，evidentlyindanger，callingonmetogotohisaid。Ididnothesitatelong；
andafterassuringmyselfthattheonlyrevolverIpossessedwasproperlyloaded，IhurriedtowardstheOrleansstation。OnthewayIrememberedthatRouletabillehadaskedfortworevolvers；I
thereforeenteredagunsmith\'sshopandboughtanexcellentweaponformyfriend。
IhadhopedtofindhimatthestationatEpinay；buthewasnotthere。However，acabwaswaitingformeandIwassoonattheGlandier。Nobodywasatthegate，anditwasonlyonthethresholdofthechateauthatImettheyoungman。Hesalutedmewithafriendlygestureandthrewhisarmsaboutme，inquiringwarmlyastothestateofmyhealth。
Whenwewereinthelittlesitting-roomofwhichIhavespoken，Rouletabillemademesitdown。
\"It\'sgoingbadly，\"hesaid。
\"What\'sgoingbadly？\"Iasked。
\"Everything。\"
Hecamenearertomeandwhispered：
\"FredericLarsanisworkingwithmightandmainagainstDarzac。\"
Thisdidnotastonishme。IhadseenthepoorshowMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiancehadmadeatthetimeoftheexaminationofthefootprints。However，Iimmediatelyasked：
\"Whataboutthatcane？\"
\"ItisstillinthehandsofFredericLarsan。Heneverletsgoofit。\"
\"Butdoesn\'titprovethealibiforMonsieurDarzac？\"
\"Notatall。Gentlyquestionedbyme，Darzacdeniedhaving，onthatevening，oronanyother，purchasedacaneatCassette\'s。
However，\"saidRouletabille，\"I\'llnotsweartoanything；MonsieurDarzachassuchstrangefitsofsilencethatonedoesnotknowexactlywhattothinkofwhathesays。\"
\"ToFredericLarsanthiscanemustmeanapieceofverydamagingevidence。Butinwhatway？Thetimewhenitwasboughtshowsitcouldnothavebeeninthemurderer\'spossession。\"
\"Thetimedoesn\'tworryLarsan。HeisnotobligedtoadoptmytheorywhichassumesthatthemurderergotintoTheYellowRoombetweenfiveandsixo\'clock。Butthere\'snothingtopreventhimassumingthatthemurderergotinbetweentenandeleveno\'clockatnight。AtthathourMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson，assistedbyDaddyJacques，wereengagedinmakinganinterestingchemicalexperimentinthepartofthelaboratorytakenupbythefurnaces。Larsansays，unlikelyasthatmayseem，thatthemurderermayhaveslippedbehindthem。Hehasalreadygottheexaminingmagistratetolistentohim。Whenonelookscloselyintoit，thereasoningisabsurd，seeingthatthe\'intimate\'-ifthereisone-musthaveknownthattheprofessorwouldshortlyleavethepavilion，andthatthe\'friend\'hadonlytoputoffoperatingtillaftertheprofessor\'sdeparture。Whyshouldhehaveriskedcrossingthelaboratorywhiletheprofessorwasinit？Andthen，whenhehadgotintoTheYellowRoom？
\"TherearemanypointstobeclearedupbeforeLarsan\'stheorycanbeadmitted。Isha\'n\'twastemytimeoverit，formytheorywon\'tallowmetooccupymyselfwithmereimagination。Only，asIamobligedforthemomenttokeepsilent，andLarsansometimestalks，hemayfinishbycomingoutopenlyagainstMonsieurDarzac，-ifI\'mnotthere，\"addedtheyoungreporterproudly。\"FortherearesurfaceevidencesagainstDarzac，muchmoreconvincingthanthatcane，whichremainsincomprehensibletome，allthemoresoasLarsandoesnotintheleasthesitatetoletDarzacseehimwithit！-IunderstandmanythingsinLarsan\'stheory，butIcan\'tmakeanythingofthatcane。
\"Ishestillatthechateau？\"
\"Yes；hehardlyeverleavesit！-Hesleepsthere，asIdo，attherequestofMonsieurStangerson，whohasdoneforhimwhatMonsieurRobertDarzachasdoneforme。InspiteoftheaccusationmadebyLarsanthatMonsieurStangersonknowswhothemurdererisheyetaffordshimeveryfacilityforarrivingatthetruth，-justasDarzacisdoingforme。\"
\"ButyouareconvincedofDarzac\'sinnocence？\"
\"AtonetimeIdidbelieveinthepossiblityofhisguilt。Thatwaswhenwearrivedhereforthefirsttime。ThetimehascomeformetotellyouwhathaspassedbetweenMonsieurDarzacandmyself。\"
HereRouletabilleinterruptedhimselfandaskedmeifIhadbroughttherevolvers。Ishowedhimthem。Havingexaminedboth，hepronouncedthemexcellent，andhandedthembacktome。
\"Shallwehaveanyuseforthem？\"Iasked。
\"Nodoubt；thisevening。Weshallpassthenighthere-ifthatwon\'ttireyou？\"
\"Onthecontrary，\"IsaidwithanexpressionthatmadeRouletabillelaugh。
\"No，no，\"hesaid，\"thisisnotimeforlaughing。Yourememberthephrasewhichwasthe\'opensesame\'ofthischateaufullofmystery？\"
\"Yes，\"Isaid，\"perfectly，-\'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。\'Itwasthephrasewhichyoufoundonthehalf-burnedpieceofpaperamongsttheashesinthelaboratory。\"
\"Yes；atthebottomofthepaper，wheretheflamehadnotreached，wasthisdate：23rdofOctober。Rememberthisdate，itishighlyimportant。Iamnowgoingtotellyouaboutthatcuriousphrase。
Ontheeveningbeforethecrime，thatistosay，onthe23rd，MonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonwereatareceptionattheElysee。Iknowthat，becauseIwasthereonduty，havingtointerviewoneofthesavantsoftheAcademyofPhiladelphia，whowasbeingfetedthere。IhadneverbeforeseeneitherMonsieurorMademoiselleStangerson。IwasseatedintheroomwhichprecedestheSalondesAmbassadeurs，and，tiredofbeingjostledbysomanynoblepersonages，Ihadfallenintoavaguereverie，whenIscentednearmetheperfumeoftheladyinblack。
\"Doyouaskmewhatisthe\'perfumeoftheladyinblack\'？ItmustsufficeforyoutoknowthatitisaperfumeofwhichIamveryfond，becauseitwasthatofaladywhohadbeenverykindtomeinmychildhood，-aladywhomIhadalwaysseendressedinblack。Theladywho，thatevening，wasscentedwiththeperfumeoftheladyinblack，wasdressedinwhite。Shewaswonderfullybeautiful。I
couldnothelprisingandfollowingher。Anoldmangaveherhisarmand，astheypassed，Iheardvoicessay：\'ProfessorStangersonandhisdaughter。\'ItwasinthatwayIlearnedwhoitwasIwasfollowing。
\"TheymetMonsieurRobertDarzac，whomIknewbysight。ProfessorStangerson，accostedbyMr。ArthurWilliamRance，oneoftheAmericansavants，seatedhimselfinthegreatgallery，andMonsieurRobertDarzacledMademoiselleStangersonintotheconservatory。I
followed。Theweatherwasverymildthatevening；thegardendoorswereopen。MademoiselleStangersonthrewafichushawloverhershouldersandIplainlysawthatitwasshewhowasbeggingMonsieurDarzactogowithherintothegarden。Icontinuedtofollow，interestedbytheagitationplainlyexhibitedbythebearingofMonsieurDarzac。TheyslowlypassedalongthewallabuttingontheAvenueMarigny。Itookthecentralalley，walkingparallelwiththem，andthencrossedoverforthepurposeofgettingnearertothem。Thenightwasdark，andthegrassdeadenedthesoundofmysteps。TheyhadstoppedunderthevacillatinglightofagasjetandappearedtobebothbendingoverapaperheldbyMademoiselleStangerson，readingsomethingwhichdeeplyinterestedthem。I
stoppedinthedarknessandsilence。
\"Neitherofthemsawme，andIdistinctlyheardMademoiselleStangersonrepeat，asshewasrefoldingthepaper：\'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness！\'-Itwassaidinatoneatoncemockinganddespairing，andwasfollowedbyaburstofsuchnervouslaughterthatIthinkherwordswillneverceasetosoundinmyears。ButanotherphrasewasutteredbyMonsieurRobertDarzac：\'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？\'
Hewasinanextraordinarilyagitatedstate。HetookthehandofMademoiselleStangersonandhelditforalongtimetohislips，andIthought，fromthemovementofhisshoulders，thathewascrying。Thentheywentaway。
\"WhenIreturnedtothegreatgallery，\"continuedRouletabille，\"I
sawnomoreofMonsieurRobertDarzac，andIwasnottoseehimagainuntilafterthetragedyattheGlandier。MademoisellewasnearMr。Rance，whowastalkingwithmuchanimation，hiseyes，duringtheconversation，glowingwithasingularbrightness。
MademoiselleStangerson，Ithought，wasnotevenlisteningtowhathewassaying，herfaceexpressingperfectindifference。Hisfacewastheredfaceofadrunkard。WhenMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonleft，hewenttothebarandremainedthere。Ijoinedhim，andrenderedhimsomelittleserviceinthemidstofthepressingcrowd。HethankedmeandtoldmehewasreturningtoAmericathreedayslater，thatistosay，onthe26ththedayafterthecrime。ItalkedwithhimaboutPhiladelphia；hetoldmehehadlivedthereforfive-and-twentyyears，andthatitwastherehehadmettheillustriousProfessorStangersonandhisdaughter。Hedrankagreatdealofchampagne，andwhenIlefthimhewasverynearlydrunk。
\"Suchweremyexperiencesonthatevening，andIleaveyoutoimaginewhateffectthenewsoftheattemptedmurderofMademoiselleStangersonproducedonme，-withwhatforcethosewordspronouncedbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，\'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？\'
recurredtome。Itwasnotthisphrase，however，thatIrepeatedtohim，whenwemethereatGlandier。Thesentenceofthepresbyteryandthebrightgardensufficedtoopenthegateofthechateau。IfyouaskmeifIbelievenowthatMonsieurDarzacisthemurderer，I
mustsayIdonot。IdonotthinkIeverquitethoughtthat。AtthetimeIcouldnotreallythinkseriouslyofanything。Ihadsolittleevidencetogoon。ButIneededtohaveatoncetheproofthathehadnotbeenwoundedinthehand。
\"Whenwewerealonetogether，ItoldhimhowIhadchancedtooverhearapartofhisconversationwithMademoiselleStangersoninthegardenoftheElysee；andwhenIrepeatedtohimthewords，\'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？\'hewasgreatlytroubled，thoughmuchlesssothanhehadbeenbyhearingmerepeatthephraseaboutthepresbytery。WhatthrewhimintoastateofrealconsternationwastolearnfrommethatthedayonwhichhehadgonetomeetMademoiselleStangersonattheElysee，wastheverydayonwhichshehadgonetothePostOfficefortheletter。Itwasthatletter，perhaps，whichendedwiththewords：\'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。\'Mysurmisewasconfirmedbymyfinding，ifyouremember，intheashesofthelaboratory，thefragmentofpaperdatedOctoberthe23rd。
TheletterhadbeenwrittenandwithdrawnfromthePostOfficeonthesameday。
\"Therecanbenodoubtthat，onreturningfromtheElyseethatnight，MademoiselleStangersonhadtriedtodestroythatcompromisingpaper。
ItwasinvainthatMonsieurDarzacdeniedthatthatletterhadanythingwhatevertodowiththecrime。Itoldhimthatinanaffairsofilledwithmysteryasthis，hehadnorighttohidethisletter；thatIwaspersuadeditwasofconsiderableimportance；thatthedesperatetoneinwhichMademoiselleStangersonhadpronouncedthepropheticphrase，-thathisowntears，andthethreatofacrimewhichhehadprofessedaftertheletterwasread-allthesefactstendedtoleavenoroomformetodoubt。MonsieurDarzacbecamemoreandmoreagitated，andIdeterminedtotakeadvantageoftheeffectIhadproducedonhim。\'Youwereonthepointofbeingmarried，Monsieur，\'Isaidnegligentlyandwithoutlookingathim，\'andsuddenlyyourmarriagebecomesimpossiblebecauseofthewriterofthatletter；becauseassoonashisletterwasread，youspokeofthenecessityforacrimetowinMademoiselleStangerson。Thereforethereissomeonebetweenyouandhersomeonewhohasattemptedtokillher，sothatsheshouldnotbeabletomarry！\'AndIconcludedwiththesewords：\'Now，monsieur，youhaveonlytotellmeinconfidencethenameofthemurderer！\'-ThewordsIhadutteredmusthavestruckhimominously，forwhenIturnedmyeyesonhim，Isawthathisfacewashaggard，theperspirationstandingonhisforehead，andterrorshowinginhiseyes。
\"\'Monsieur，\'hesaidtome，\'Iamgoingtoaskofyousomethingwhichmayappearinsane，butinexchangeforwhichIplacemylifeinyourhands。YoumustnottellthemagistratesofwhatyousawandheardinthegardenoftheElysee，-neithertothemnortoanybody。Isweartoyou，thatIaminnocent，andIknow，Ifeel，thatyoubelieveme；butIwouldratherbetakenfortheguiltymanthanseejusticegoastrayonthatphrase，\"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。\"Thejudgesmustknownothingaboutthatphrase。Allthismatterisinyourhands。Monsieur，Ileaveitthere；butforgettheeveningattheElysee。Ahundredotherroadsareopentoyouinyoursearchforthecriminal。Iwillopenthemforyoumyself。Iwillhelpyou。
Willyoutakeupyourquartershere？-Youmayremainheretodoasyouplease-Eat-sleephere-watchmyactions-theactionsofallhere。YoushallbemasteroftheGlandier，Monsieur；butforgettheeveningattheElysee。\'
Rouletabilleherepausedtotakebreath。InowunderstoodwhathadappearedsounexplainableinthedemeanourofMonsieurRobertDarzactowardsmyfriend，andthefacilitywithwhichtheyoungreporterhadbeenabletoinstallhimselfonthesceneofthecrime。MycuriositycouldnotfailtobeexcitedbyallIhadheard。IaskedRouletabilletosatisfyitstillfurther。Whathadhappenedatthelandierduringthepastweek？-HadhenottoldmethatthereweresurfaceindicationsagainstMonsieurDarzacmuchmoreterriblethanthatofthecanefoundbyLarsan？
\"Everythingseemstobepointingagainsthim，\"repliedmyfriend，\"andthesituationisbecomingexceedinglygrave。MonsieurDarzacappearsnottominditmuch；butinthatheiswrong。IwasinterestedonlyinthehealthofMademoiselleStangerson，whichwasdailyimproving，whensomethingoccurredthatisevenmoremysteriousthan-thanthemysteryofTheYellowRoom！\"
\"Impossible！\"Icried，\"Whatcouldbemoremysteriousthanthat？\"
\"LetusfirstgobacktoMonsieurRobertDarzac，\"saidRouletabille，calmingme。\"Ihavesaidthateverythingseemstobepointingagainsthim。ThemarksoftheneatbootsfoundbyFredericLarsanappeartobereallythefootprintsofMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiance。Themarksmadebythebicyclemayhavebeenmadebyhisbicycle。Hehadusuallyleftitatthechateau；whydidhetakeittoParisonthatparticularoccasion？Wasitbecausehewasnotgoingtoreturnagaintothechateau？Wasitbecause，owingtothebreakingoffofhismarriage，hisrelationswiththeStangersonsweretocease？Allwhoareinterestedinthematteraffirmthatthoserelationsweretocontinueunchanged。
\"FredericLarsan，however，believesthatallrelationswereatanend。FromthedaywhenMonsieurDarzacaccompaniedMademoiselleStangersontotheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvreuntilthedayafterthecrime，hehadnotbeenattheGlandier。RememberthatMademoiselleStangersonlostherreticulecontainingthekeywiththebrassheadwhileshewasinhiscompany。FromthatdaytotheeveningattheElysee，theSorbonneprofessorandMademoiselleStangersondidnotseeoneanother；buttheymayhavewrittentoeachother。MademoiselleStangersonwenttothePostOfficetogetaletter，whichLarsansayswaswrittenbyRobertDarzac；forknowingnothingofwhathadpassedattheElysee，LarsanbelievesthatitwasMonsieurDarzachimselfwhostolethereticulewiththekey，withthedesignofforcingherconsent，bygettingpossessionofthepreciouspapersofherfather-paperswhichhewouldhaverestoredtohimonconditionthatthemarriageengagementwastobefulfilled。
\"Allthatwouldhavebeenaverydoubtfulandalmostabsurdhypothesis，asLarsanadmittedtome，butforanotherandmuchgravercircumstance。InthefirstplacehereissomethingwhichI
havenotbeenabletoexplain-MonsieurDarzachadhimself，onthe24th，gonetothePostOfficetoaskfortheletterwhichMademoisellehadcalledforandreceivedonthepreviousevening。
ThedescriptionofthemanwhomadeapplicationtalliesineveryrespectwiththeappearanceofMonsieurDarzac，who，inanswertothequestionsputtohimbytheexaminingmagistrate，deniesthathewenttothePostOffice。Nowevenadmittingthattheletterwaswrittenbyhim-whichIdonotbelieve-heknewthatMademoiselleStangersonhadreceivedit，sincehehadseenitinherhandsinthegardenattheElysee。Itcouldnothavebeenhe，then，whohadgonetothePostOffice，thedayafterthe24th，toaskforaletterwhichheknewwasnolongerthere。
\"Tomeitappearsclearthatsomebody，stronglyresemblinghim，stoleMademoiselleStangerson\'sreticuleandinthatletter，haddemandedofhersomethingwhichshehadnotsenthim。Hemusthavebeensurprisedatthefailureofhisdemand，hencehisapplicationatthePostOffice，tolearnwhetherhisletterhadbeendeliveredtothepersontowhomithadbeenaddressed。Findingthatithadbeenclaimed，hehadbecomefurious。Whathadhedemanded？NobodybutMademoiselleStangersonknows。Then，onthedayfollowing，itisreportedthatshehadbeenattackedduringthenight，and，thenextday，IdiscoveredthattheProfessorhad，atthesametime，beenrobbedbymeansofthekeyreferredtointheposterestanteletter。Itwouldseem，then，thatthemanwhowenttothePostOfficetoinquireforthelettermusthavebeenthemurderer。AlltheseargumentsLarsanappliesasagainstMonsieurDarzac。Youmaybesurethattheexaminingmagistrate，Larsan，andmyself，havedoneourbesttogetfromthePostOfficeprecisedetailsrelativetothesingularpersonagewhoappliedthereonthe24thofOctober。
Butnothinghasbeenlearned。Wedon\'tknowwherehecamefrom-orwherehewent。BeyondthedescriptionwhichmakeshimresembleMonsieurDarzac，weknownothing。
\"IhaveannouncedintheleadingjournalsthatahandsomerewardwillbegiventoadriverofanypublicconveyancewhodroveafaretoNo。40，PostOffice，aboutteno\'clockonthemorningofthe24thofOctober。Informationtobeaddressedto\'M。R。，\'attheofficeofthe\'Epoque\'；butnoanswerhasresulted。Themanmayhavewalked；but，ashewasmostlikelyinahurry，therewasachancethathemighthavegoneinacab。Who，Ikeepaskingmyselfnightandday，isthemanwhosostronglyresemblesMonsieurRobertDarzac，andwhoisalsoknowntohaveboughtthecanewhichhasfallenintoLarsan\'shands？
\"ThemostseriousfactisthatMonsieurDarzacwas，attheverysametimethathisdoublepresentedhimselfatthePostOffice，scheduledforalectureattheSorbonne。Hehadnotdeliveredthatlecture，andoneofhisfriendstookhisplace。WhenIquestionedhimastohowhehademployedthetime，hetoldmethathehadgoneforastrollintheBoisdeBoulogne。Whatdoyouthinkofaprofessorwho，insteadofgivinghislecture，obtainsasubstitutetogoforastrollintheBoisdeBoulogne？WhenFredericLarsanaskedhimforinformationonthispoint，hequietlyrepliedthatitwasnobusinessofhishowhespenthistimeinParis。OnwhichFredsworealoudthathewouldfindout，withoutanybody\'shelp。
\"AllthisseemstofitinwithFred\'shypothesis，namely，thatMonsieurStangersonallowedthemurderertoescapeinordertoavoidascandal。ThehypothesisisfurthersubstantiatedbythefactthatDarzacwasinTheYellowRoomandwaspermittedtogetaway。ThathypothesisIbelievetobeafalseone-Larsanisbeingmisledbyit，thoughthatwouldnotdispleaseme，diditnotaffectaninnocentperson。NowdoesthathypothesisreallymisleadFredericLarsan？
Thatisthequestion-thatisthequestion。\"
\"Perhapsheisright，\"Icried，interruptingRouletabille。\"AreyousurethatMonsieurDarzacisinnocent？-Itseemstomethattheseareextraordinarycoincidences-\"
\"Coincidences，\"repliedmyfriend，\"aretheworstenemiestotruth。\"
\"Whatdoestheexaminingmagistratethinknowofthematter？\"
\"MonsieurdeMarquethesitatestoaccuseMonsieurDarzac，intheabsenceofabsoluteproofs。Notonlywouldhehavepublicopinionwhollyagainsthim，tosaynothingoftheSorbonne，butMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson。SheadoresMonsieurRobertDarzac。
Indistinctlyasshesawthemurderer，itwouldbehardtomakethepublicbelievethatshecouldnothaverecognisedhim，ifDarzachadbeenthecriminal。NodoubtTheYellowRoomwasverydimlylit；butanight-light，howeversmall，givessomelight。Here，myboy，ishowthingsstoodwhen，threedays，orratherthreenightsago，anextraordinarilystrangeincidentoccurred。\"
CHAPTERXIV
\"IExpecttheAssassinThisEvening\"
\"Imusttakeyou，\"saidRouletabille，\"soastoenableyoutounderstand，tothevariousscenes。ImyselfbelievethatIhavediscoveredwhateverybodyelseissearchingfor，namely，howthemurdererescapedfromTheYellowRoom，withoutanyaccomplice，andwithoutMademoiselleStangersonhavinghadanythingtodowithit。
ButsolongasIamnotsureoftherealmurderer，IcannotstatethetheoryonwhichIamworking。IcanonlysaythatIbelieveittobecorrectand，inanycase，aquitenaturalandsimpleone。
Astowhathappenedinthisplacethreenightsago，Imustsayitkeptmewonderingforawholedayandanight。Itpassesallbelief。
ThetheoryIhaveformedfromtheincidentissoabsurdthatIwouldrathermattersremainedasyetunexplained。\"
Sayingwhichtheyoungreporterinvitedmetogoandmakethetourofthechateauwithhim。Theonlysoundtobeheardwasthecrunchingofthedeadleavesbeneathourfeet。Thesilencewassointensethatonemighthavethoughtthechateauhadbeenabandoned。
Theoldstones，thestagnantwateroftheditchsurroundingthedonjon，thebleakgroundstrewnwiththedeadleaves，thedark，skeleton-likeoutlinesofthetrees，allcontributedtogivetothedesolateplace，nowfilledwithitsawfulmystery，amostfunerealaspect。Aswepassedroundthedonjon，wemettheGreenMan，theforest-keeper，whodidnotgreetus，butwalkedbyasifwehadnotexisted。HewaslookingjustasIhadformerlyseenhimthroughthewindowoftheDonjonInn。Hehadstillhisfowling-pieceslungathisback，hispipewasinhismouth，andhiseye-glassesonhisnose。
\"Anoddkindoffish！\"Rouletabillesaidtome，inalowtone。
\"Haveyouspokentohim？\"Iasked。
\"Yes，butIcouldgetnothingoutofhim。Hisonlyanswersaregruntsandshrugsoftheshoulders。Hegenerallylivesonthefirstfloorofthedonjon，abigroomthatonceservedforanoratory。Heliveslikeabear，nevergoesoutwithouthisgun，andisonlypleasantwiththegirls。Thewomen，fortwelvemilesround，areallsettingtheircapsforhim。Forthepresent，heispayingattentiontoMadameMathieu，whosehusbandiskeepingalynxeyeuponherinconsequence。\"
Afterpassingthedonjon，whichissituatedattheextremeendoftheleftwing，wewenttothebackofthechateau。Rouletabille，pointingtoawindowwhichIrecognisedastheonlyonebelongingtoMademoiselleStangerson\'sapartment，saidtome：
\"Ifyouhadbeenhere，twonightsago，youwouldhaveseenyourhumbleservantatthetopofaladder，abouttoenterthechateaubythatwindow。\"
AsIexpressedsomesurpriseatthispieceofnocturnalgymnastics，hebeggedmetonoticecarefullytheexteriordispositionofthechateau。Wethenwentbackintothebuilding。
\"Imustnowshowyouthefirstfloorofthechateau，whereIamliving，\"saidmyfriend。
Toenablethereaderthebettertounderstandthedispositionofthesepartsofthedwelling，Iannexaplanofthefirstflooroftherightwing，drawnbyRouletabillethedayaftertheextraordinaryphenomenonoccurred，thedetailsofwhichIamabouttorelate。
***
boudoir_________________________\\___________4__________________________
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LumberSangerson\'sSangerson\'s_________Sangerson\'sRoomSittingBedRoom_________RoomRoom_________stair-case
bathanteroom
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2——RightGalleryRightWing——3RightGalleryLeftWing________________________________________________________
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tabille\'sIARightWingLeftWingRoomNLofthe_________DLChateauFredericIE
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Rouletabillemotionedmetofollowhimupamagnificentflightofstairsendinginalandingonthefirstfloor。Fromthislandingonecouldpasstotherightorleftwingofthechateaubyagalleryopeningfromit。Thisgallery，highandwide，extendedalongthewholelengthofthebuildingandwaslitfromthefrontofthechateaufacingthenorth。Therooms，thewindowsofwhichlookedtothesouth，openedoutofthegallery。ProfessorStangersoninhabitedtheleftwingofthebuilding。MademoiselleStangersonhadherapartmentintherightwing。
Weenteredthegallerytotheright。Anarrowcarpet，laidonthewaxedoakenfloor，whichshonelikeglass，deadenedthesoundofourfootsteps。Rouletabilleaskedme，inalowtone，towalkcarefully，aswewerepassingthedoorofMademoiselleStangerson\'sapartment。
Thisconsistedofabed-room，anante-room，asmallbath-room，aboudoir，andadrawing-room。Onecouldpassfromonetoanotheroftheseroomswithouthavingtogobywayofthegallery。Thegallerycontinuedstraighttothewesternendofthebuilding，whereitwaslitbyahighwindowwindow2ontheplan。Atabouttwo-thirdsofitslengththisgallery，atarightangle，joinedanothergalleryfollowingthecourseoftherightwing。
Thebettertofollowthisnarrative，weshallcallthegalleryleadingfromthestairstotheeasternwindow，the\"right\"galleryandthegalleryquittingitatarightangle，the\"off-turning\"
gallerywindinggalleryintheplan。ItwasatthemeetingpointofthetwogalleriesthatRouletabillehadhischamber，adjoiningthatofFnedericLarsan，thedoorofeachopeningontothe\"off-turning\"gallery，whilethedoorsofMademoiselleStangerson\'sapartmentopenedintothe\"right\"gallery。Seetheplan。
Rouletabilleopenedthedoorofhisroomandafterwehadpassedin，carefullydrewthebolt。Ihadnothadtimetoglanceroundtheplaceinwhichhehadbeeninstalled，whenheutteredacryofsurpriseandpointedtoapairofeye-glassesonaside-table。
\"Whatarethesedoinghere？\"heasked。
Ishouldhavebeenpuzzledtoanswerhim。
\"Iwonder，\"hesaid，\"IwonderifthisiswhatIhavebeensearchingfor。Iwonderifthesearetheeye-glassesfromthepresbytery！\"
Heseizedthemeagerly，hisfingerscaressingtheglass。Thenlookingatme，withanexpressionofterroronhisface，hemurmured，\"Oh！-Oh！\"
Herepeatedtheexclamationagainandagain，asifhisthoughtshadsuddenlyturnedhisbrain。
Heroseand，puttinghishandonmyshoulder，laughedlikeonedementedashesaid：
\"Thoseglasseswilldrivemesilly！Mathematicallyspeakingthethingispossible；buthumanlyspeakingitisimpossible-orafterwards-orafterwards-\"
Twolightknocksstruckthedoor。Rouletabilleopenedit。Afigureentered。Irecognisedtheconcierge，whomIhadseenwhenshewasbeingtakentothepavilionforexamination。Iwassurprised，thinkingshewasstillunderlockandkey。Thiswomansaidinaverylowtone：
\"Inthegroveoftheparquet。\"
Rouletabillereplied：\"Thanks。\"-Thewomanthenleft。Heagainturnedtome，hislookhaggard，afterhavingcarefullyrefastenedthedoor，mutteringsomeincomprehensiblephrases。
\"Ifthethingismathematicallypossible，whyshoulditnotbehu-
manly！-Andifitishumanlypossible，thematterissimplyawful。\"
Iinterruptedhiminhissoliloquy：
\"Havetheysettheconciergesatliberty，then？\"Iasked。
\"Yes，\"hereplied，\"Ihadthemliberated，IneededpeopleIcouldtrust。Thewomanisthoroughlydevotedtome，andherhusbandwouldlaydownhislifeforme。\"
\"Oho！\"Isaid，\"whenwillhehaveoccasiontodoit？\"
\"Thisevening，-forthiseveningIexpectthemurderer。\"
\"Youexpectthemurdererthisevening？Thenyouknowhim？\"
\"Ishallknowhim；butIshouldbemadtoaffirm，categorically，atthismomentthatIdoknowhim。ThemathematicalideaIhaveofthemurderergivesresultssofrightful，somonstrous，thatIhopeitisstillpossiblethatIammistaken。Ihopeso，withallmyheart！\"
\"Fiveminutesago，youdidnotknowthemurderer；howcanyousaythatyouexpecthimthisevening？\"
\"BecauseIknowthathemustcome。\"
Rouletabilleveryslowlyfilledhispipeandlitit。Thatmeantaninterestingstory。Atthatmomentweheardsomeonewalkinginthegalleryandpassingbeforeourdoor。Rouletabillelistened。Thesoundofthefootstepdiedawayinthedistance。
\"IsFredericLarsaninhisroom？\"Iasked，pointingtothepartition。
\"No，\"myfriendanswered。\"HewenttoParisthismorning，-stillonthescentofDarzac，whoalsoleftforParis。Thatmatterwillturnoutbadly。IexpectthatMonsieurDarzacwillbearrestedinthecourseofthenextweek。Theworstofitisthateverythingseemstobeinleagueagainsthim，-circumstances，things，people。
Notanhourpasseswithoutbringingsomenewevidenceagainsthim。
Theexaminingmagistrateisoverwhelmedbyit-andblind。\"
\"FredericLarsan，however，isnotanovice，\"Isaid。
\"Ithoughtso，\"saidRouletabile，withaslightlycontemptuousturnofhislips，\"Ifanciedhewasamuchablerman。Ihad，indeed，agreatadmirationforhim，beforeIgottoknowhismethodofworking。
It\'sdeplorable。Heoweshisreputationsolelytohisability；buthelacksreasoningpower，-themathematicsofhisideasareverypoor。\"
IlookedcloselyatRouletabilleandcouldnothelpsmiling，onhearingthisboyofeighteeentalkingofamanwhohadprovedtotheworldthathewasthefinestpolicesleuthinEurope。
\"Yousmile，\"hesaid？\"youarewrong！IswearIwilloutwithim-andinastrikingway！ButImustmakehasteaboutit，forhehasanenormousstartonme-givenhimbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，whoisthiseveninggoingtoincreaseitstillmore。Thinkofit！-
everytimethemurderercomestothechateau，MonsieurDarzac，byastrangefatality，absentshimselfandrefusestogiveanyaccountofhowheemployshistime。\"
\"Everytimetheassassincomestothechateau！\"Icried。\"Hashereturnedthen-？\"
\"Yes，duringthatfamousnightwhenthestrangephenomenonoccurred。\"
IwasnowgoingtolearnabouttheastonishingphenomenontowhichRouletabillehadmadeallusionhalfanhourearlierwithoutgivingmeanyexplanationofit。ButIhadlearnednevertopressRouletabilleinhisnarratives。Hespokewhenthefancytookhimandwhenhejudgedittoberight。Hewaslessconcernedaboutmycuriositythanhewasformakingacompletesummingupforhimselfofanyimportantmatterinwhichhewasinterested。
Atlast，inshortrapidphrases，heacquaintedmewiththingswhichplungedmeintoastateborderingoncompletebewilderment。Indeed，theresultsofthatstillunknownscienceknownashypnotism，forexample，werenotmoreinexplicablethanthedisappearanceofthe\"matter\"ofthemurdereratthemomentwhenfourpersonswerewithintouchofhim。IspeakofhypnotismasIwouldofelectricity，forofthenatureofbothweareignorantandweknowlittleoftheirlaws。Icitetheseexamplesbecause，atthetime，thecaseappearedtometobeonlyexplicablebytheinexplicable，-thatistosay，byaneventoutsideofknownnaturallaws。Andyet，ifIhadhadRouletabille\'sbrain，Ishould，likehim，havehadapresentimentofthenaturalexplanation；forthemostcuriousthingaboutallthemysteriesoftheGlandiercasewasthenaturalmannerinwhichheexplainedthem。
Ihaveamongthepapersthatweresentmebytheyoungman，aftertheaffairwasover，anote-bookofhis，inwhichacompleteaccountisgivenofthephenomenonofthedisappearanceofthe\"matter\"oftheassassin，andthethoughtstowhichitgaveriseinthemindofmyyoungfriend。Itispreferable，Ithink，togivethereaderthisaccount，ratherthancontinuetoreproducemyconversationwithRouletabille；forIshouldbeafraid，inahistoryofthisnature，toaddawordthatwasnotinaccordancewiththestrictesttruth。
CHAPTERXV
TheTrapEXTRACTFROMTHENOTE-BOOKOFJOSEPHROULETABILLE
\"Lastnight？thenightbetweenthe29thand30thofOctober？\"wroteJosephRouletabille，\"Iwokeuptowardsoneo\'clockinthemorning。
Wasitsleeplessness，ornoisewithout？？ThecryoftheBeteduBonDieurangoutwithsinisterloudnessfromtheendofthepark。
Iroseandopenedthewindow。Coldwindandrain；opaquedarkness；
silence。Ireclosedmywindow。Againthesoundofthecat\'sweirdcryinthedistance。Ipartlydressedinhaste。Theweatherwastoobadforevenacattobeturnedoutinit。Whatdiditmean，then？thatimitatingofthemewingofMotherAngenoux\'catsonearthechateau？Iseizedagood-sizedstick，theonlyweaponIhad，and，withoutmakinganynoise，openedthedoor。
\"ThegalleryintowhichIwentwaswelllitbyalampwithareflector。Ifeltakeencurrentofairand，onturning，foundthewindowopen，attheextremeendofthegallery，whichIcallthe\'off-turning\'gallery，todistinguishitfromthe\'right\'gallery，ontowhichtheapartmentofMademoiselleStangersonopened。Thesetwogalleriescrosseachotheratrightangles。Whohadleftthatwindowopen？Or，whohadcometoopenit？Iwenttothewindowandleanedout。Fivefeetbelowmetherewasasortofterraceoverthesemi-circularprojectionofaroomontheground-floor。Onecould，ifonewanted，jumpfromthewindowontotheterrace，andallowoneselftodropfromitintothecourtofthechateau。Whoeverhadenteredbythisroadhad，evidently，nothadakeytothevestibuledoor。ButwhyshouldIbethinkingofmypreviousnight\'sattemptwiththeladder？？Becauseoftheopenwindow？leftopen，perhaps，bythenegligenceofaservant？Ireclosedit，smilingattheeasewithwhichIbuiltadramaonthemeresuggestionofanopenwindow。
\"AgainthecryoftheBeteduBonDieu！？andthensilence。Therainceasedtobeatonthewindow。Allinthechateauslept。I
walkedwithinfiniteprecautiononthecarpetofthegallery。Onreachingthecornerofthe\'right\'gallery，Ipeeredrounditcautiously。Therewasanotherlamptherewithareflectorwhichquitelituptheseveralobjectsinit，？threechairsandsomepictureshangingonthewall。WhatwasIdoingthere？Perfectsilencereignedthroughout。Everythingwassunkinrepose。WhatwastheinstinctthaturgedmetowardsMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber？Whydidavoicewithinmecry：\'Goon，tothechamberofMademoiselleStangerson！\'IcastmyeyesdownuponthecarpetonwhichIwastreadingandsawthatmystepswerebeingdirectedtowardsMademoiselleStangerson\'schamberbythemarksofstepsthathadalreadybeenmadethere。Yes，onthecarpetweretracesoffootstepsstainedwithmudleadingtothechamberofMademoiselleStangerson。Horror！Horror！？Irecognisedinthosefootprintstheimpressionoftheneatbootsofthemurderer！Hehadcome，then，fromwithoutinthiswretchednight。Ifyoucoulddescendfromthegallerybywayofthewindow，bymeansoftheterrace，thenyoucouldgetintothechateaubythesamemeans。
\"Themurdererwasstillinthechateau，forhereweremarksasofreturningfootsteps。Hehadenteredbytheopenwindowattheextremityofthe\'off-turning\'gallery；hehadpassedFredericLarsan\'sdoorandmine，hadturnedtotheright，andhadenteredMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom。Iambeforethedoorofherante-room？itisopen。Ipushit，withoutmakingtheleastnoise。
UnderthedooroftheroomitselfIseeastreakoflight。I
listen？nosound？notevenofbreathing！Ah！？ifIonlyknewwhatwaspassinginthesilencethatisbehindthatdoor！Ifindthedoorlockedandthekeyturnedontheinnerside。Andthemurdereristhere，perhaps。Hemustbethere！Willheescapethistime？？Alldependsonme！？Imustbecalm，andaboveall，Imustmakenofalsesteps。Imustseeintothatroom。IcanenteritbyMademoiselleStangerson\'sdrawing-room；but，todothatIshouldhavetocrossherboudoir；andwhileIamthere，themurderermayescapebythegallerydoor？thedoorinfrontofwhichIamnowstanding。
\"Iamsurethatnoothercrimeisbeingcommitted，onthisnight；
forthereiscompletesilenceintheboudoir，wheretwonursesaretakingcareofMademoiselleStangersonuntilsheisrestoredtohealth。
\"AsIamalmostsurethatthemurdereristhere，whydoInotatoncegivethealarm？Themurderermay，perhaps，escape；but，perhaps，ImaybeabletosaveMademoiselleStangerson\'slife。
Supposethemurdereronthisoccasionisnotheretomurder？Thedoorhasbeenopenedtoallowhimtoenter；bywhom？？Andithasbeenrefastened？bywhom？？MademoiselleStangersonshutsherselfupinherapartmentwithhernurseseverynight。Whoturnedthekeyofthatchambertoallowthemurderertoenter？？Thenurses，？twofaithfuldomestics？Theoldchambermaid，Sylvia？Itisveryimprobable。Besides，theysleptintheboudoir，andMademoiselleStangerson，verynervousandcareful，MonsieurRobertDarzactoldme，seestoherownsafetysinceshehasbeenwellenoughtomoveaboutinherroom，whichIhavenotyetseenherleave。Thisnervousnessandsuddencareonherpart，whichhadstruckMonsieurDarzac，hadgivenme，also，foodforthought。AtthetimeofthecrimeinTheYellowRoom，therecanbenodoubtthatsheexpectedthemurderer。Washeexpectedthisnight？？Wasitsheherselfwhohadopenedherdoortohim？Hadshesomereasonfordoingso？
Wassheobligedtodoit？？Wasitameetingforpurposesofcrime？？Certainlyitwasnotalover\'smeeting，forIbelieveMademoiselleStangersonadoresMonsieurDarzac。
\"Allthesereflectionsranthroughmybrainlikeaflashoflightning。WhatwouldInotgivetoknow！
\"Itispossiblethattherewassomereasonfortheawfulsilence。
Myinterventionmightdomoreharmthangood。HowcouldItell？
HowcouldIknowImightnotanymomentcauseanothercrime？IfIcouldonlyseeandknow，withoutbreakingthatsilence！
\"Ilefttheante-roomanddescendedthecentralstairstothevestibuleand，assilentlyaspossible，mademywaytothelittleroomontheground-floorwhereDaddyJacqueshadbeensleepingsincetheattackmadeatthepavilion。
\"Ifoundhimdressed，hiseyeswideopen，almosthaggard。Hedidnotseemsurprisedtoseeme。HetoldmethathehadgotupbecausehehadheardthecryoftheBetedubonDieu，andbecausehehadheardfootstepsinthepark，closetohiswindow，outofwhichhehadlookedand，justthen，hadseenablackshadowpassby。Iaskedhimwhetherhehadafirearmofanykind。No，henolongerkeptone，sincetheexaminingmagistratehadtakenhisrevolverfromhim。
Wewentouttogether，byalittlebackdoor，intothepark，andstolealongthechateautothepointwhichisjustbelowMademoiselleStangerson\'swindow。
\"IplacedDaddyJacquesagainstthewall，orderinghimnottostirfromthespot，whileI，takingadvantageofamomentwhenthemoonwashiddenbyacloud，movedtothefrontofthewindow，outofthepatchoflightwhichcamefromit，？forthewindowwashalf-open！
IfIcouldonlyknowwhatwaspassinginthatsilentchamber！I
returnedtoDaddyJacquesandwhisperedtheword\'ladder\'inhisear。
AtfirstIhadthoughtofthetreewhich，aweekago，servedmeforanobservatory；butIimmediatelysawthat，fromthewaythewindowwashalf-opened，Ishouldnotbeabletoseefromthatpointofviewanythingthatwaspassingintheroom；andIwanted，notonlytosee，buttohear，and？toact。
\"Greatlyagitated，almosttrembling，PaddyJacquesdisappearedforamomentandreturnedwithouttheladder，butmakingsignstomewithhisarms，assignalstometocomequicklytohim。WhenIgotnearhimhegasped：\'Come！\'
\"\'Iwenttothedonjoninsearchofmyladder，andinthelowerpartofthedonjonwhichservesmeandthegardenerforalumberroom，I
foundthedooropenandtheladdergone。Oncomingout，that\'swhatIcaughtsightofbythelightofthemoon。
\"Andhepointedtothefurtherendofthechateau，wherealadderstoodrestingagainstthestonebracketssupportingtheterrace，underthewindowwhichIhadfoundopen。Theprojectionoftheterracehadpreventedmyseeingit。Thankstothatladder，itwasquiteeasytogetintothe\'off-turning\'galleryofthefirstfloor，andIhadnodoubtofithavingbeentheroadtakenbytheunknown。
\"Werantotheladder，butatthemomentofreachingit，DaddyJacquesdrewmyattentiontothehalf-opendoorofthelittlesemi-circularroom，situatedundertheterrace，attheextremityoftherightwingofthechateau，havingtheterraceforitsroof。
DaddyJacquespushedthedooropenalittlefurtherandlookedin。
\"\'He\'snotthere！\"hewhispered。
\"Whoisnotthere？\"
\"Theforest梜eeper。\"
Withhislipsoncemoretomyear，headded：
\"\'Doyouknowthathehassleptintheupperroomofthedonjoneversinceitwasrestored？\'Andwiththesamegesturehepointedtothehalf-opendoor，theladder，theterrace，andthewindowsinthe\'off-turning\'gallerywhich，alittlewhilebefore，Ihadre-closed。
\"Whatweremythoughtsthen？Ihadnotimetothink。IfeltmorethanIthought。
\"Evidently，Ifelt，iftheforest-keeperisupthereinthechamberIsay，if，becauseatthismoment，apartfromthepresenceoftheladderandhisvacantroom，therearenoevidenceswhichpermitmeeventosuspecthim？ifheisthere，hehasbeenobligedtopassbytheladder，andtheroomswhichliebehindhis，inhisnewlodging，areoccupiedbythefamilyofthestewardandbythecook，andbythekitchens，whichbarthewaybythevestibuletotheinteriorofthechateau。Andifhehadbeenthereduringtheeveningonanypretext，itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtogointothegalleryandseethatthewindowcouldbesimplypushedopenfromtheoutside。Thisquestionoftheunfastenedwindoweasilynarrowedthefieldofsearchforthemurderer。Hemustbelongtothehouse，unlesshehadanaccomplice，whichIdonotbelievehehad；unless？unlessMademoiselleStangersonherselfhadseenthatthatwindowwasnotfastenedfromtheinside。But，then，？whatcouldbethefrightfulsecretwhichputherunderthenecessityofdoingawaywithobstaclesthatseparatedherfromthemurderer？
\"Iseizedholdoftheladder，andwereturnedtothebackofthechateautoseeifthewindowofthechamberwasstillhalf-open。
Theblindwasdrawnbutdidnotjoinandallowedabrightstreamoflighttoescapeandfalluponthepathatourfeet。Iplantedtheladderunderthewindow。IamalmostsurethatImadenonoise；
andwhileDaddyJacquesremainedatthefootoftheladder，I
mountedit，veryquietly，mystoutstickinmyhand。Iheldmybreathandliftedmyfeetwiththegreatestcare。Suddenlyaheavyclouddischargeditselfatthatmomentinafreshdownpourofrain。
\"AtthesameinstantthesinistercryoftheBetedubonDieuarrestedmeinmyascent。Itseemedtometohavecomefromclosebyme？onlyafewyardsaway。Wasthecryasignal？？Hadsomeaccompliceofthemanseenmeontheladder！？Wouldthecrybringthemantothewindow？？Perhaps！Ah，therehewasatthewindow！
Ifelthisheadaboveme。Iheardthesoundofhisbreath！Icouldnotlookuptowardshim；theleastmovementofmyhead，and？I
mightbelost。Wouldheseeme？？Wouldhepeerintothedarkness？
No；hewentaway。Hehadseennothing。Ifelt，ratherthanheard，himmovingontip-toeintheroom；andImountedafewstepshigher。
Myheadreachedtothelevelofthewindow-sill；myforeheadroseaboveit；myeyeslookedbetweentheopeningintheblinds？andI
saw？\"AmanseatedatMademoiselleStangerson\'slittledesk，writing。Hisbackwasturnedtowardme。Acandlewaslitbeforehim，andhebentovertheflame，thelightfromitprojectingshapelessshadows。Isawnothingbutamonstrous，stoopingback。
\"MademoiselleStangersonherselfwasnotthere！？Herbedhadnotbeenlainon！Where，then，wasshesleepingthatnight？Doubtlessintheside-roomwithherwomen。Perhapsthiswasbutaguess。I
mustcontentmyselfwiththejoyoffindingthemanalone。Imustbecalmtopreparemytrap。
\"Butwho，then，isthismanwritingtherebeforemyeyes，seatedatthedesk，asifhewereinhisownhome？Iftherehadnotbeenthatladderunderthewindow；iftherehadnotbeenthosefootprintsonthecarpetinthegallery；iftherehadnotbeenthatopenwindow，Imighthavebeenledtothinkthatthismanhadarighttobethere，andthathewasthereasamatterofcourseandforreasonsaboutwhichasyetIknewnothing。ButtherewasnodoubtthatthismysteriousunknownwasthemanofTheYellowRoom，？themantowhosemurderousassaultMademoiselleStangerson？withoutdenouncinghim？hadhadtosubmit。IfIcouldbutseehisface！Surpriseandcapturehim！
\"IfIspringintotheroomatthismoment，hewillescapebytheright-handdooropeningintotheboudoir，？orcrossingthedrawing-room，hewillreachthegalleryandIshalllosehim。I
havehimnowandinfiveminutesmorehe\'llbesaferthanifIhadhiminacage。？Whatishedoingthere，aloneinMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom？？Whatishewriting？Idescendandplacetheladderontheground。DaddyJacquesfollowsme。Were-enterthechateau。IsendDaddyJacquestowakeMonsieurStangerson，andinstructhimtoawaitmycominginMademoiselleStangerson\'sroomandtosaynothingdefinitetohimbeforemyarrival。IwillgoandawakenFredericLarsan。It\'saboretohavetodoit，forI
shouldhavelikedtoworkaloneandtohavecarriedoffallthehonorsofthisaffairmyself，rightundertheverynoseofthesleepingdetective。ButDaddyJacquesandMonsieurStangersonareoldmen，andIamnotyetfullydeveloped。Imightnotbestrongenough。Larsanisusedtowrestlingandputtingonthehandcuffs。
Heopenedhiseyesswollenwithsleep，readytosendmeflying，withoutintheleastbelievinginmyreporter\'sfancies。Ihadtoassurehimthatthemanwasthere！
\"\'That\'sstrange！\'hesaid；\'IthoughtIlefthimthisafternooninParis。\'
\"Hedressedhimselfinhasteandarmedhimselfwitharevolver。Westolequietlyintothegallery。
\"\'Whereishe？\'Larsanasked。
\"\'InMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom。
\"\'And？MademoiselleStangerson？\'
\"\'Sheisnotinthere。\'
\'Let\'sgoin。\'
\"\'Don\'tgothere！Ontheleastalarmthemanwillescape。Hehasfourwaysbywhichtodoit？thedoor，thewindow，theboudoir，ortheroominwhichthewomenaresleeping。\'
\"\'I\'lldrawhimfrombelow。\'
\"\'Andifyoufail？？Ifyouonlysucceedinwoundinghim？he\'llescapeagain，withoutreckoningthatheiscertainlyarmed。No，letmedirecttheexpedition，andI\'llanswerforeverything。\'
\"\'Asyoulike，\'hereplied，withfairlygoodgrace。
\"Then，aftersatisfyingmyselfthatallthewindowsofthetwogallerieswerethoroughlysecure，IplacedFredericLarsanattheendofthe\'off-turning\'gallery，beforethewindowwhichIhadfoundopenandhadreclosed。
\"\'Undernoconsideration，\'Isaidtohim，\'mustyoustirfromthisposttillIcallyou。Thechancesareeventhattheman，whenheispursued，willreturntothiswindowandtrytosavehimselfthatway；foritisbythatwayhecameinandmadeawayreadyforhisflight。Youhaveadangerouspost。\'
\"\'Whatwillbeyours？\'askedFred。
\"\'Ishallspringintotheroomandknockhimoverforyou。\'
\"\'Takemyrevolver，\'saidFred，\'andI\'lltakeyourstick。\'
\'Thanks，\'Isaid；\'Youareabraveman。\'
\"Iacceptedhisoffer。Iwasgoingtobealonewiththemanintheroomwritingandwasreallythankfultohavetheweapon。
\"IleftFred，havingpostedhimatthewindowNo。5ontheplan，and，withthegreatestprecaution，wenttowardsMonsieurStangerson\'sapartmentintheleftwingofthechateau。IfoundhimwithDaddyJacques，whohadfaithfullyobeyedmydirections，confininghimselftoaskinghismastertodressasquicklyaspossible。InafewwordsIexplainedtoMonsieurStangersonwhatwaspassing。Hearmedhimselfwitharevolver，followedme，andwewereallthreespeedilyinthegallery。SinceIhadseenthemurdererseatedatthedesktenminuteshadelapsed。MonsieurStangersonwishedtospringupontheassassinatonceandkillhim。Imadehimunderstandthat，aboveall，hemustnot，inhisdesiretokillhim，misshim。