\"WhenIhadsworntohimthathisdaughterwasnotintheroom，andinnodanger，heconqueredhisimpatienceandleftmetodirecttheoperations。ItoldthemthattheymustcometomethemomentIcalledtothem，orwhenIfiredmyrevolver。IthensentDaddyJacquestoplacehimselfbeforethewindowattheendofthe\'right\'
gallery。No。2onmyplan。Ichosethatposition\'forDaddyJacquesbecauseIbelievedthatthemurderer，tracked，onleavingtheroom，wouldrunthroughthegallerytowardsthewindowwhichhehadleftopen，and，instantlyseeingthatitwasguardedbyLarsan，wouldpursuehiscoursealongthe\'right\'gallery。TherehewouldencounterDaddyJacques，whowouldpreventhisspringingoutofthewindowintothepark。Underthatwindowtherewasasortofbuttress，whilealltheotherwindowsinthegallerieswereatsuchaheightfromthegroundthatitwasalmostimpossibletojumpfromthemwithoutbreakingone\'sneck。Allthedoorsandwindows，includingthoseofthelumber-roomattheendofthe\'right\'gallery-asIhadrapidlyassuredmyself-werestronglysecured。
\"HavingindicatedtoDaddyJacquestheposthewastooccupy，andhavingseenhimtakeuphisposition，IplacedMonsieurStangersononthelandingattheheadofthestairsnotfarfromthedoorofhisdaughter\'sante-room，ratherthantheboudoir，wherethewomenwere，andthedoorofwhichmusthavebeenlockedbyMademoiselleStangersonherselfif，asIthought，shehadtakenrefugeintheboudoirforthepurposeofavoidingthemurdererwhowascomingtoseeher。Inanycase，hemustreturntothegallerywheremypeoplewereawaitinghimateverypossibleexit。
\"Oncomingthere，hewouldseeonhisleft，MonsieurStangerson；hewouldturntotheright，towardsthe\'off-turning\'gallery-thewayhehadpre-arrangedforflight，where，attheintersectionofthetwogalleries，hewouldseeatonce，asIhaveexplained，onhisleft，FredericLarsanattheendofthe\'off-turning\'gallery，andinfront，DaddyJacques，attheendofthe\'right\'gallery。MonsieurStangersonandmyselfwouldarrivebywayofthebackofthechateau-
Heisours！-Hecannolongerescapeus！Iwassureofthat。
\"TheplanIhadformedseemedtomethebest，thesurest，andthemostsimple。Itwould，nodoubt，havebeensimplerstill，ifwehadbeenabletoplacesomeonedirectlybehindthedoorofMademoiselle\'sboudoir，whichopenedoutofherbedchamber，and，inthatway，hadbeeninapositiontobesiegethetwodoorsoftheroominwhichthemanwas。Butwecouldnotpenetratetheboudoirexceptbywayofthedrawing-room，thedoorofwhichhadbeenlockedontheinsidebyMademoiselleStangerson。ButevenifIhadhadthefreedispositionoftheboudoir，IshouldhaveheldtotheplanIhadformed；becauseanyotherplanofattackwouldhaveseparatedusatthemomentofthestrugglewiththeman，whilemyplanunitedusallfortheattack，ataspotwhichIhadselectedwithalmostmathematicalprecision，-theintersectionofthetwogalleries。
\"Havingsoplacedmypeople，Iagainleftthechateau，hurriedtomyladder，and，replacingit，climbedup，revolverinhand。
\"Iftherebeanyinclinedtosmileatmytakingsomanyprecautionarymeasures，IreferthemtothemysteryofTheYellowRoom，andtoalltheproofswehaveoftheweirdcunningofthemurderer。Further，iftherebesomewhothinkmyobservationsneedlesslyminuteatamomentwhentheyoughttobecompletelyheldbyrapidityofmovementanddecisionofaction，IreplythatIhavewishedtoreporthere，atlengthandcompletely，allthedetailsofaplanofattackconceivedsorapidlythatitisonlytheslownessofmypenthatgivesanappearanceofslownesstotheexecution。Ihavewished，bythisslownessandprecision，tobecertainthatnothingshouldbeomittedfromtheconditionsunderwhichthestrangephenomenonwasproduced，which，untilsomenaturalexplanationofitisforthcoming，seemstometoprove，evenbetterthanthetheoriesofProfessorStangerson，theDissociationofMatter-Iwillevensay，theinstantaneousDissociationofMatter。\"
ChapterXVI
StrangePhenomenonoftheDissociationofMatterEXTRACTFROMTHENOTE-BOOKOFJOSEPHROULETABILLE，continued
\"Iamagainatthewindow-sill，\"continuesRouletabille，\"andoncemoreIraisemyheadaboveit。Throughanopeninginthecurtains，thearrangementofwhichhasnotbeenchanged，Iamreadytolook，anxioustonotethepositioninwhichIamgoingtofindthemurderer，-whetherhisbackwillstillbeturnedtowardsme！-whetherheisstillseatedatthedeskwriting！Butperhaps-perhaps-heisnolongerthere！-Yethowcouldhehavefled？-WasInotinpossessionofhisladder？Iforcemyselftobecool。Iraisemyheadyethigher。Ilook-heisstillthere。Iseehismonstrousback，deformedbytheshadowthrownbythecandle。Heisnolongerwritingnow，andthecandleisontheparquet，overwhichheisbending-apositionwhichservesmypurpose。
\"Iholdmybreath。Imounttheladder。Iamontheuppermostrungofit，andwithmylefthandseizeholdofthewindow-sill。Inthismomentofapproachingsuccess，Ifeelmyheartbeatingwildly。I
putmyrevolverbetweenmyteeth。Aquickspring，andIshallbeonthewindow-ledge。But-theladder！Ihadbeenobligedtopressonitheavily，andmyfoothadscarcelyleftit，whenIfeltitswayingbeneathme。Itgratedonthewallandfell。But，already，mykneesweretouchingthewindow-sill，and，byamovementquickaslightning，Igotontoit。
\"ButthemurdererhadbeenevenquickerthanIhadbeen。Hehadheardthegratingoftheladderonthewall，andIsawthemonstrousbackofthemanraiseitself。Isawhishead。DidIreallyseeit？-
Thecandleontheparquetlituphislegsonly。Abovetheheightofthetablethechamberwasindarkness。Isawamanwithlonghair，afullbeard，wild-lookingeyes，apaleface，framedinlargewhiskers，-aswellasIcoulddistinguish，and，asIthink-redincolour。Ididnotknowtheface。Thatwas，inbrief，thechiefsensationIreceivedfromthatfaceinthedimhalf-lightinwhichI
sawit。Ididnotknowit-or，atleast，Ididnotrecogniseit。
\"Nowforquickaction！Itwasindeedtimeforthat，forasIwasabouttoplacemylegsthroughthewindow，themanhadseenme，hadboundedtohisfeet，hadsprung-asIforesawhewould-tothedooroftheante-chamber，hadtimetoopenit，andfled。ButIwasalreadybehindhim，revolverinhand，shouting\'Help！\'
\"LikeanarrowIcrossedtheroom，butnoticedaletteronthetableasIrushed。Ialmostcameupwiththemanintheante-room，forhehadlosttimeinopeningthedoortothegallery。Iflewonwings，andinthegallerywasbutafewfeetbehindhim。Hehadtaken，asIsupposedhewould，thegalleryonhisright，-thatistosay，theroadhehadpreparedforhisflight。\'Help，Jacques！-help，Larsan！\'
Icried。Hecouldnotescapeus！Iraisedashoutofjoy，ofsavagevictory。ThemanreachedtheintersectionofthetwogallerieshardlytwosecondsbeforemeforthemeetingwhichIhadprepared-thefatalshockwhichmustinevitablytakeplaceatthatspot！Weallrushedtothecrossing-place-MonsieurStangersonandIcomingfromoneendoftherightgallery，DaddyJacquescomingfromtheotherendofthesamegallery，andFredericLarsancomingfromthe\'off-turning\'gallery。
\"Themanwasnotthere！
\"Welookedateachotherstupidlyandwitheyesterrified。Themanhadvanishedlikeaghost。\'Whereishe-whereishe？\'weallasked。
\'Itisimpossiblehecanhaveescaped！\'Icried，myterrormasteredbymyanger。
\"\'Itouchedhim！\'exclaimedFredericLarsan。
\"\'Ifelthisbreathonmyface！\'criedDaddyJacques。
\"\'Whereishe？\'-whereishe？\'weallcried。
\"Weracedlikemadmenalongthetwogalleries；wevisiteddoorsandwindows-theywereclosed，hermeticallyclosed。Theyhadnotbeenopened。Besides，theopeningofadoororwindowbythismanwhomwewerehunting，withoutourhavingperceivedit，wouldhavebeenmoreinexplicablethanhisdisappearance。
\"Whereishe？-whereishe？-Hecouldnothavegotawaybyadoororawindow，norbyanyotherway。Hecouldnothavepassedthroughourbodies！
\"Iconfessthat，forthemoment，Ifelt\'donefor。\'Forthegallerywasperfectlylighted，andtherewasneithertrap，norsecretdoorinthewalls，noranysortofhiding-place。Wemovedthechairsandliftedthepictures。Nothing！-nothing！Wewouldhavelookedintoaflower-pot，iftherehadbeenonetolookinto！\"
Whenthismystery，thankstoRouletabille，wasnaturallyexplained，bythehelpaloneofhismasterfulmind，wewereabletorealisethatthemurdererhadgotawayneitherbyadoor，awindow，northestairs？afactwhichthejudgeswouldnotadmit。
CHAPTERXVII
TheInexplicableGallery\"MademoiselleStangersonappearedatthedoorofherante-room，\"
continuesRouletabille\'snote-book。\"Wewerenearherdoorinthegallerywherethisincrediblephenomenonhadtakenplace。Therearemomentswhenonefeelsasifone\'sbrainwereabouttoburst。
Abulletinthehead，afractureoftheskull，theseatofreasonshattered？withonlythesecanIcomparethesensationwhichexhaustedandleftmevoidofsense。
\"Happily，MademoiselleStangersonappearedonthethresholdofherante-room。Isawher，andthathelpedtorelievemychaoticstateofmind。Ibreathedher？Iinhaledtheperfumeoftheladyinblack，whomIshouldneverseeagain。Iwouldhavegiventenyearsofmylife？halfmylife？toseeoncemoretheladyinblack！Alas！
Inomoremeetherbutfromtimetotime，？andyet！？andyet！
howthememoryofthatperfume？feltbymealone？carriesmebacktothedaysofmychildhood。*Itwasthissharpreminderfrommybelovedperfume，oftheladyinblack，whichmademegotoher？dressedwhollyinwhiteandsopale？sopaleandsobeautiful！？onthethresholdoftheinexplicablegallery。Herbeautifulgoldenhair，gatheredintoaknotonthebackofherneck，leftvisibletheredstaronhertemplewhichhadsonearlybeenthecauseofherdeath。WhenIfirstgotontherighttrackofthemysteryofthiscaseIhadimaginedthat，onthenightofthetragedyinTheYellowRoom，MademoiselleStangersonhadwornherhairinbands。Butthen，howcouldIhaveimaginedotherwisewhenIhadnotbeeninTheYellowRoom！
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*WhenIwrotetheselines，JosephRouletabillewaseighteenyearsofage，梐ndhespokeofhis\"youth。\"Ihavekeptthetextofmyfriend，butIinformthereaderherethattheepisodeofthemysteryofTheYellowRoomhasnoconnectionwiththatoftheperfumeoftheladyinblack。Itisnotmyfaultif，inthedocumentwhichIhavecited，Rouletabillethoughtfittorefertohischildhood。
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\"Butnow，sincetheoccurrenceoftheinexplicablegallery，Ididnotreasonatall。Istoodthere，stupid，beforetheapparition-sopaleandsobeautiful-ofMademoiselleStangerson。Shewascladinadressing-gownofdreamywhite。Onemighthavetakenhertobeaghost-alovelyphantom。Herfathertookherinhisarmsandkissedherpassionately，asifhehadrecoveredherafterbeinglonglosttohim。Idarednotquestionher。Hedrewherintotheroomandwefollowedthem，-forwehadtoknow！-Thedooroftheboudoirwasopen。Theterrifiedfacesofthetwonursescranedtowardsus。MademoiselleStangersoninquiredthemeaningofallthedisturbance。Thatshewasnotinherownroomwasquiteeasilyexplained-quiteeasily。Shehadafancynottosleepthatnightinherchamber，butintheboudoirwithhernurses，lockingthedooronthem。Sincethenightofthecrimeshehadexperiencedfeelingsofterror，andfearscameoverherthatareeasilytobecomprehended。
\"Butwhocouldimaginethatonthatparticularnightwhenhewastocome，shewould，byamerechance，determinetoshutherselfinwithherwomen？Whowouldthinkthatshewouldactcontrarytoherfather\'swishtosleepinthedrawing-room？Whocouldbelievethattheletterwhichhadsorecentlybeenonthetableinherroomwouldnolongerbethere？Hewhocouldunderstandallthis，wouldhavetoassumethatMademoiselleStangersonknewthatthemurdererwascoming-shecouldnotpreventhiscomingagain-unknowntoherfather，unknowntoallbuttoMonsieurRobertDarzac。Forhemustknowitnow-perhapshehadknownitbefore！DidherememberthatphraseintheElyseegarden：\'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？\'
Againstwhomthecrime，ifnotagainsttheobstacle，againstthemurderer？\'Ah，Iwouldkillhimwithmyownhand！\'AndIreplied，\'Youhavenotansweredmyquestion。\'Thatwastheverytruth。Intruth，intruth，MonsieurDarzacknewthemurderersowellthat-whilewishingtokillhimhimself-hewasafraidIshouldfindhim。Therecouldbebuttworeasonswhyhehadassistedmeinmyinvestigation。First，becauseIforcedhimtodoit；and，second，becauseshewouldbethebetterprotected。
\"Iaminthechamber-herroom。Ilookather，alsoattheplacewheretheletterhadjustnowbeen。Shehaspossessedherselfofit；itwasevidentlyintendedforher-evidently。Howshetrembles！-
Tremblesatthestrangestoryherfatheristellingher，ofthepresenceofthemurdererinherchamber，andofthepursuit。Butitisplainlytobeseenthatsheisnotwhollysatisfiedbytheassurancegivenheruntilshehadbeentoldthatthemurderer，bysomeincomprehensiblemeans，hadbeenabletoeludeus。
\"Thenfollowsasilence。Whatasilence！Weareallthere-lookingather-herfather，Larsan，DaddyJacquesandI。Whatwereweallthinkingofinthesilence？Aftertheeventsofthatnight，ofthemysteryoftheinexplicablegallery，oftheprodigiousfactofthepresenceofthemurdererinherroom，itseemedtomethatallourthoughtsmighthavebeentranslatedintothewordswhichwereaddressedtoher。\'Youwhoknowofthismystery，explainittous，andweshallperhapsbeabletosaveyou。HowIlongedtosaveher-forherself，and，fromtheother！-Itbroughtthetearstomyeyes。
\"Sheisthere，sheddingabouthertheperfumeoftheladyinblack。
Atlast，Iseeher，inthesilenceofherchamber。SincethefatalhourofthemysteryofTheYellowRoom，wehavehungaboutthisinvisibleandsilentwomantolearnwhatsheknows。Ourdesires，ourwishtoknowmustbeatormenttoher。Whocantellthat，shouldwelearnthesecretofhermystery，itwouldnotprecipitatearagedymoreterriblethanthatwhichhadalreadybeenenactedhere？
Whocantellifitmightnotmeanherdeath？Yetithadbroughtherclosetodeath，-andwestillknewnothing。Or，rather，therearesomeofuswhoknownothing。ButI-ifIknewwho，Ishouldknowall。Who？-Who？-Notknowingwho，Imustremainsilent，outofpityforher。ForthereisnodoubtthatsheknowshowheescapedfromTheYellowRoom，andyetshekeepsthesecret。WhenIknowwho，Iwillspeaktohim-tohim！\"
\"Shelookedatusnow-withafar-awaylookinhereyes-asifwewerenotinthechamber。MonsieurStangersonbrokethesilence。
Hedeclaredthat，henceforth，hewouldnomoreabsenthimselffromhisdaughter\'sapartments。Shetriedtoopposehiminvain。Headheredfirmlytohispurpose。Hewouldinstallhimselftherethisverynight，hesaid。Solelyconcernedforthehealthofhisdaughter，hereproachedherforhavingleftherbed。Thenhesuddenlybegantalkingtoherasifshewerealittlechild。Hesmiledatherandseemednottoknoweitherwhathesaidorwhathedid。Theillustriousprofessorhadlosthishead。MademoiselleStangersoninatoneoftenderdistresssaid：\'Father！-father！\'
DaddyJacquesblowshisnose，andFredericLarsanhimselfisobligedtoturnawaytohidehisemotion。Formyself，Iamableneithertothinkorfeel。Ifeltaninfinitecontemptformyself。
\"ItwasthefirsttimethatFredericLarsan，likemyself，foundhimselffacetofacewithMademoiselleStangersonsincetheattackinTheYellowRoom。Likeme，hehadinsistedonbeingallowedtoquestiontheunhappylady；buthehadnot，anymorethanhadI，beenpermitted。Tohim，astome，thesameanswerhadalwaysbeengiven：
MademoiselleStangersonwastooweaktoreceiveus。Thequestioningsoftheexaminingmagistratehadover-fatiguedher。Itwasevidentlyintendednottogiveusanyassistanceinourresearches。Iwasnotsurprised；butFredericLarsanhadalwaysresentedthisconduct。ItistruethatheandIhadatotallydifferenttheoryofthecrime。
\"Istillcatchmyselfrepeatingfromthedepthsofmyheart：\'Saveher！-saveherwithouthisspeaking！\'Whoishe-themurderer？
Takehimandshuthismouth。ButMonsieurDarzacmadeitclearthatinordertoshuthismouthhemustbekilled。HaveItherighttokillMademoiselleStangerson\'smurderer？No，Ihadnot。Butlethimonlygivemethechance！Letmefindoutwhetherheisreallyacreatureoffleshandblood！-Letmeseehisdeadbody，sinceitcannotbetakenalive。
\"IfIcouldbutmakethiswoman，whodoesnotevenlookatus，understand！Sheisabsorbedbyherfearsandbyherfather\'sdistressofmind。AndIcandonothingtosaveher。Yes，Iwillgotoworkoncemoreandaccomplishwonders。
\"Imovetowardsher。Iwouldspeaktoher。Iwouldentreathertohaveconfidenceinme。Iwould，inaword，makeherunderstand-shealone-thatIknowhowthemurdererescapedfromTheYellowRoom-thatIhaveguessedthemotivesforhersecrecy-andthatI
pityherwithallmyheart。Butbyhergesturesshebeggedustoleaveheralone，expressingwearinessandtheneedforimmediaterest。MonsieurStangersonaskedustogobacktoourroomsandthankedus。FredericLarsanandIbowedtohimand，followedbyDaddyJacques，weregainedthegallery。IheardLarsanmurmur：
\'Strange！strange！\'Hemadeasigntometogowithhimintohisroom。OnthethresholdheturnedtowardsDaddyJacques。
\"\'Didyouseehimdistinctly？\'heasked。
\"\'Who？\'
\"\'Theman？\'
\"\'Sawhim！-why，hehadabigredbeardandredhair。\'
\"\'That\'showheappearedtome，\'Isaid。
\"\'Andtome，\'saidLarsan。
\"ThegreatFredandIwerealoneinhischamber，now，totalkoverthisthing。Wetalkedforanhour，turningthematteroverandviewingitfromeveryside。Fromthequestionsputbyhim，fromtheexplanationwhichhegivesme，itiscleartomethat-inspiteofalloursenses-heispersuadedthemandisappearedbysomesecretpassageinthechateauknowntohimalone。
\"\'Heknowsthechateau，\'hesaidtome；\'heknowsitwell。\'
\"\'Heisarathertallman-well-built，\'Isuggested。
\"\'Heisastallashewantstobe，\'murmuredFred。
\"\'Iunderstand，\'Isaid；\'buthowdoyouaccountforhisredhairandbeard？\'
\"\'Toomuchbeard-toomuchhair-false，\'saysFred。
\"\'That\'seasilysaid。YouarealwaysthinkingofRobertDarzac。
Youcan\'tgetridofthatidea？Iamcertainthatheisinnocent。\'
\"\'Somuchthebetter。Ihopeso；buteverythingcondemnshim。Didyounoticethemarksonthecarpet？-Comeandlookatthem。\'
\"\'Ihaveseenthem；theyarethemarksoftheneatboots，thesameasthosewesawontheborderofthelake。\'
\"\'CanyoudenythattheybelongtoRobertDarzac？\'
\"\'Ofcourse，onemaybemistaken。\'
\"\'Haveyounoticedthatthosefootprintsonlygoinonedirection？-
thattherearenoreturnmarks？Whenthemancamefromthechamber，pursuedbyallofus，hisfootstepsleftnotracesbehindthem。\'
\"\'Hehad，perhaps，beeninthechamberforhours。Themudfromhisbootshaddried，andhemovedwithsuchrapidityonthepointsofhistoes-Wesawhimrunning，butwedidnothearhissteps。\'
\"Isuddenlyputanendtothisidlechatter-voidofanylogic，andmadeasigntoLarsantolisten。
\"\'There-below；someoneisshuttingadoor。\'
\"Irise；Larsanfollowsme；wedescendtotheground-floorofthechateau。Ileadhimtothelittlesemi-circularroomundertheterracebeneaththewindowofthe\'off-turning\'gallery。Ipointtothedoor，nowclosed，openashorttimebefore，underwhichashaftoflightisvisible。
\"\'Theforest-keeper！\'saysFred。
\"\'Comeon！\'Iwhisper。
\"Prepared-Iknownotwhy-tobelievethatthekeeperistheguiltyman-Igotothedoorandrapsmartlyonit。\"Somemightthinkthatwewereratherlateinthinkingofthekeeper，sinceourfirstbusiness，afterhavingfoundthatthemurdererhadescapedusinthegallery，oughttohavebeentosearcheverywhereelse，-aroundthechateau，-inthepark-
\"Hadthiscriticismbeenmadeatthetime，wecouldonlyhaveansweredthattheassassinhaddisappearedfromthegalleryinsuchawaythatwethoughthewasnolongeranywhere！Hehadeludeduswhenweallhadourhandsstretchedoutreadytoseizehim-whenwewerealmosttouchinghim。Wehadnolongeranygroundforhopingthatwecouldclearupthemysteryofthatnight。
\"AssoonasIrappedatthedooritwasopened，andthekeeperaskedusquietlywhatwewanted。Hewasundressedandpreparingtogotobed。Thebedhadnotyetbeendisturbed。
\"WeenteredandIaffectedsurprise。
\"\'Notgonetobedyet？\'
\"\'No，\'herepliedroughly。\'Ihavebeenmakingaroundoftheparkandinthewoods。Iamonlyjustback-andsleepy。Good-night！\'
\"\'Listen，\'Isaid。\'Anhourorsoago，therewasaladderclosebyyourwindow。\'
\"\'Whatladder？-Ididnotseeanyladder。Good-night！\'
\"Andhesimplyputusoutoftheroom。WhenwewereoutsideI
lookedatLarsan。Hisfacewasimpenetrable。
\'Well？\'Isaid。
\"\'Well？\'herepeated。
\"\'Doesthatopenoutanynewviewtoyou？\'
\"TherewasnomistakingLarsan\'sbadtemper。Onre-enteringthechateau，Iheardhimmutter：
\"\'Itwouldbestrange-verystrange-ifIhaddeceivedmyselfonthatpoint！\'
\"Heseemedtobetalkingtomeratherthantohimself。Headded：
\"\'Inanycase，weshallsoonknowwhattothink。Themorningwillbringlightwithit。\'\"
CHAPTERXVIII
RouletabilleHasDrawnaCircleBetweentheTwoBumpsonHisForeheadEXTRACTFROMTHENOTE-BOOKOFJOSEPHROULETABILLE，continued
\"Weseparatedonthethresholdsofourrooms，withamelancholyshakeofthehands。Iwasgladtohavearousedinhimasuspicionoferror。Hiswasanoriginalbrain，veryintelligentbut-withoutmethod。Ididnotgotobed。Iawaitedthecomingofdaylightandthenwentdowntothefrontofthechateau，andmadeadetour，examiningeverytraceoffootstepscomingtowardsitorgoingfromit。These，however，weresomixedandconfusingthatIcouldmakenothingofthem。HereImaymakearemark，-Iamnotaccustomedtoattachanexaggeratedimportancetoexteriorsignsleftinthetrackofacrime。
\"Themethodwhichtracesthecriminalbymeansofthetracksofhisfootstepsisaltogetherprimitive。Somanyfootprintsareidentical。
However，inthedisturbedstateofmymind，IdidgointothedesertedcourtanddidlookatallthefootprintsIcouldfindthere，seekingforsomeindication，asabasisforreasoning。
\"IfIcouldbutfindarightstarting-point！IndespairIseatedmyselfonastone。ForoveranhourIbusiedmyselfwiththecommon，ordinaryworkofapoliceman。LiketheleastintelligentofdetectivesIwentonblindlyoverthetracesoffootprintswhichtoldmejustnomorethantheycould。
\"IcametotheconclusionthatIwasafool，lowerinthescaleofintelligencethaneventhepoliceofthemodernromancer。Novelistsbuildmountainsofstupidityoutofafootprintonthesand，orfromanimpressionofahandonthewall。That\'sthewayinnocentmenarebroughttoprison。Itmightconvinceanexaminingmagistrateortheheadofadetectivedepartment，butit\'snotproof。Youwritersforgetthatwhatthesensesfurnishisnotproof。IfIamtakingcognisanceofwhatisofferedmebymysensesIdosobuttobringtheresultswithinthecircleofmyreason。Thatcirclemaybethemostcircumscribed，butifitis，ithasthisadvantage-itholdsnothingbutthetruth！Yes，IswearthatIhaveneverusedtheevidenceofthesensesbutasservantstomyreason。Ihaveneverpermittedthemtobecomemymaster。Theyhavenotmadeofmethatmonstrousthing，-worsethanablindman，-amanwhoseesfalsely。
AndthatiswhyIcantriumphoveryourerrorandyourmerelyanimalintelligence，FredericLarsan。
\"Beofgoodcourage，then，friendRouletabille；itisimpossiblethattheincidentoftheinexplicablegalleryshouldbeoutsidethecircleofyourreason。Youknowthat！Thenhavefaithandtakethoughtwithyourselfandforgetnotthatyoutookholdoftherightendwhenyoudrewthatcircleinyourbrainwithinwhichtounravelthismysteriousplayofcircumstance。
\"Toit，onceagain！Go-backtothegallery。TakeyourstandonyourreasonandrestthereasFredericLarsanrestsonhiscane。
YouwillthensoonprovethatthegreatFredisnothingbutafool-
30thOctober。Noon。
JOSEPHROULETABILLE。\"
\"IactedasIplanned。Withheadonfire，Iretracedmywaytothegallery，andwithouthavingfoundanythingmorethanIhadseenonthepreviousnight，therightholdIhadtakenofmyreasondrewmetosomethingsoimportantthatIwasobligedtoclingtoittosavemyselffromfalling。
\"Nowforthestrengthandpatiencetofindsensibletracestofitinwithmythinking-andthesemustcomewithinthecircleIhavedrawnbetweenthetwobumpsonmyforehead！-
30thofOctober。Midnight。\"
\"JOSEPHROULETABILLE。\"
CHAPTERXIX
RouletabilleInvitesMetoBreakfastattheDonjonInnItwasnotuntillaterthatRouletabillesentmethenote-bookinwhichhehadwrittenatlengththestoryofthephenomenonoftheinexplicablegallery。OnthedayIarrivedattheGlandierandjoinedhiminhisroom，herecountedtome，withthegreatestdetail，allthatIhavenowrelated，tellingmealsohowhehadspentseveralhoursinPariswherehehadlearnednothingthatcouldbeofanyhelptohim。
Theeventoftheinexplicablegalleryhadoccurredonthenightetweenthe29thand30thofOctober，thatistosay，threedaysbeforemyreturntothechateau。Itwasonthe2ndofNovember，then，thatIwentbacktotheGlandier，summonedtherebymyfriend\'stelegram，andtakingtherevolverswithme。
IamnowinRouletabille\'sroomandhehasfinishedhisrecital。
WhilehehadbeentellingmethestoryInoticedhimcontinuallyrubbingtheglassoftheeyeglasseshehadfoundonthesidetable。
>FromtheevidentpleasurehewastakinginhandlingthemIfelttheymustbeoneofthosesensibleevidencesdestinedtoenterwhathehadcalledthecircleoftherightendofhisreason。Thatstrangeanduniquewayofhis，toexpresshimselfintermswonderfullyadequateforhisthoughts，nolongersurprisedme。
Itwasoftennecessarytoknowhisthoughttounderstandthetermsheused；anditwasnoteasytopenetrateintoRouletabille\'sthinking。
Thislad\'sbrainwasoneofthemostcuriousthingsIhaveeverobserved。Rouletabillewentontheeventenorofhiswaywithoutsuspectingtheastonishmentandevenbewildermentherousedinothers。Iamsurehewasnothimselfintheleastconsciousoftheoriginalityofhisgenius。Hewashimselfandateasewhereverhehappenedtobe。
WhenhehadfinishedhisrecitalheaskedmewhatIthoughtofit。
IrepliedthatIwasmuchpuzzledbyhisquestion。Thenhebeggedmetotry，inmyturn，totakemyreasoninhand\"bytherightend。\"
\"Verywell，\"Isaid。\"Itseemstomethatthepointofdepartureofmyreasonwouldbethis-therecanbenodoubtthatthemurdereryoupursuedwasinthegallery。\"Ipaused。
\"Aftermakingsogoodastart，yououghtnottostopsosoon，\"heexclaimed。\"Come，makeanothereffort。\"
\"I\'lltry。Sincehedisappearedfromthegallerywithoutpassingthroughanydoororwindow，hemusthaveescapedbysomeotheropening。\"
Rouletabillelookedatmepityingly，smiledcarelessly，andremarkedthatIwasreasoninglikeapostman，or-likeFredericLarsan。
RouletabillehadalternatefitsofadmirationanddisdainforthegreatFred。ItalldependedastowhetherLarsan\'sdiscoveriestalliedwithRouletabille\'sreasoningornot。Whentheydidhewouldexclaim：\"Heisreallygreat！\"Whentheydidnothewouldgruntandmutter，\"Whatanass！\"Itwasapettysideofthenoblecharacterofthisstrangeyouth。
Wehadrisen，andheledmeintothepark。Whenwereachedthecourtandweremakingtowardsthegate，thesoundofblindsthrownbackagainstthewallmadeusturnourheads，andwesaw，atawindowonthefirstfloorofthechateau，theruddyandcleanshavenfaceofapersonIdidnotrecognise。
\"Hullo！\"mutteredRouletabille。\"ArthurRance！\"-Heloweredhishead，quickenedhispace，andIheardhimaskhimselfbetweenhiseeth：\"Washeinthechateauthatnight？Whatishedoinghere？\"
WehadgonesomedistancefromthechateauwhenIaskedhimwhothisArthurRancewas，andhowhehadcometoknowhim。HereferredtohisstoryofthatmorningandIrememberedthatMr。ArthurW。
RancewastheAmericanfromPhiladelphiawithwhomhehadhadsomanydrinksattheElyseereception。
\"ButwashenottohaveleftFrancealmostimmediately？\"Iasked。
\"Nodoubt；that\'swhyIamsurprisedtofindhimherestill，andnotonlyinFrance，butaboveall，attheGlandier。Hedidnotarrivethismorning；andhedidnotgetherelastnight。Hemusthavegotherebeforedinner，then。Whydidn\'ttheconciergestellme？\"
Iremindedmyfriend，aproposoftheconcierges，thathehadnotyettoldmewhathadledhimtogetthemsetatliberty。
Wewereclosetotheirlodge。MonsieurandMadameBemiersawuscoming。Afranksmilelituptheirhappyfaces。Theyseemedtoharbournoill-feelingbecauseoftheirdetention。MyyoungfriendaskedthematwhathourMr。ArthurRancehadarrived。Theyansweredthattheydidnotknowhewasatthechateau。Hemusthavecomeduringtheeveningofthepreviousnight，buttheyhadnothadtoopenthegateforhim，because，beingagreatwalker，andnotwishingthatacarriageshouldbesenttomeethim，hewasaccustomedtogetoffatthelittlehamletofSaint-Michel，fromwhichhecametothechateaubywayoftheforest。HereachedtheparkbythegrottoofSainte-Genevieve，overthelittlegateofwhich，givingontothepark，heclimbed。
Astheconciergesspoke，IsawRouletabille\'sfacecloudoverandexhibitdisappointment-adisappointment，nodoubt，withhimself。
Evidentlyhewasalittlevexed，afterhavingworkedsomuchonthespot，withsominuteastudyofthepeopleandeventsattheGlandier，thathehadtolearnnowthatArthurRancewasaccustomedtovisitthechateau。
\"YousaythatMonsieurArthurRanceisaccustomedtocometothechateau。Whendidhecomeherelast？\"
\"Wecan\'ttellyouexactly，\"repliedMadameBemier-thatwasthenameoftheconcierge-\"wecouldn\'tknowwhiletheywerekeepingusinprison。Besides，asthegentlemancomestothechateauwithoutpassingthroughourgatehegoesawaybythewayhecomes。\"
\"Doyouknowwhenhecamethefirsttime？\"
\"Ohyes，Monsieur！-nineyearsago。\"
\"HewasinFrancenineyearsago，then，\"saidRouletabille，\"and，sincethattime，asfarasyouknow，howmanytimeshashebeenattheGlandier？\"
\"Threetimes。\"
\"Whendidhecomethelasttime，asfarasyouknow？\"
\"AweekbeforetheattemptinTheYellowRoom。\"
Rouletabilleputanotherquestion-thistimeaddressinghimselfparticularlytothewoman：
\"Inthegroveoftheparquet？\"
\"Inthegroveoftheparquet，\"shereplied。
\"Thanks！\"saidRouletabille。\"Bereadyformethisevening。\"
Hespokethelastwordswithafingeronhislipsasiftocommandsilenceanddiscretion。
WelefttheparkandtookthewaytotheDonjonInn。
\"Doyouofteneathere？\"
\"Sometimes。\"
\"Butyoualsotakeyourmealsatthechateau？\"
\"Yes，LarsanandIaresometimesservedinoneofourrooms。\"
\"Hasn\'tMonsieurStangersoneverinvitedyoutohisowntable？\"
\"Never。\"
\"Doesyourpresenceatthechateaudispleasehim？\"
\"Idon\'tknow；but，inanycase，hedoesnotmakeusfeelthatweareinhisway。\"
\"Doesn\'thequestionyou？\"
\"Never。HeisinthesamestateofmindashewasinatthedoorofTheYellowRoomwhenhisdaughterwasbeingmurdered，andwhenhebrokeopenthedooranddidnotfindthemurderer。Heispersuaded，sincehecoulddiscovernothing，thatthere\'snoreasonwhyweshouldbeabletodiscovermorethanhedid。Buthehasmadeithisduty，sinceLarsanexpressedhistheory，nottoopposeus。
Rouletabilleburiedhimselfinthoughtagainforsometime。Hearousedhimselflatertotellmeofhowhecametosetthetwoconciergesfree。
\"IwentrecentlytoseeMonsieurStangerson，andtookwithmeapieceofpaperonwhichwaswritten：\'Ipromise，whateverothersmaysay，tokeepinmyservicemytwofaithfulservants，Bernierandhiswife。\'Iexplainedtohimthat，bysigningthatdocument，hewouldenablemetocompelthosetwopeopletospeakout；andI
declaredmyownassuranceoftheirinnocenceofanypartinthecrime。Thatwasalsohisopinion。Theexaminingmagistrate，afteritwassigned，presentedthedocumenttotheBerniers，whothendidspeak。Theysaid，whatIwascertaintheywouldsay，assoonastheyweresuretheywouldnotlosetheirplace。
\"TheyconfessedtopoachingonMonsieurStangerson\'sestates，anditwaswhiletheywerepoaching，onthenightofthecrime，thattheywerefoundnotfarfromthepavilionatthemomentwhentheoutragewasbeingcommitted。SomerabbitstheycaughtinthatwayweresoldbythemtothelandlordoftheDonjonInn，whoservedthemtohiscustomers，orsentthemtoParis。Thatwasthetruth，asI
hadguessedfromthefirst。DoyourememberwhatIsaid，onenteringtheDonjonInn？-\'Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now！\'
Ihadheardthewordsonthesamemorningwhenwearrivedattheparkgate。Youheardthemalso，butyoudidnotattachanyimportancetothem。Yourecollect，whenwereachedtheparkgate，thatwestoppedtolookatamanwhowasrunningbythesideofthewall，lookingeveryminuteathiswatch。ThatwasLarsan。Well，behindusthelandlordoftheDonjonInn，standingonhisdoorstep，saidtosomeoneinside：\'Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now。\'
\"Whythat\'now\'？Whenyouare，asIam，insearchofsomehiddensecret，youcan\'taffordtohaveanythingescapeyou。You\'vegottoknowthemeaningofeverything。Wehadcomeintoaratherout-of-the-waypartofthecountrywhichhadbeenturnedtopsy-turveybyacrime，andmyreasonledmetosuspecteveryphrasethatcouldbearupontheeventoftheday。\'Now，\'Itooktomean，\'sincetheoutrage。\'Inthecourseofmyinquiry，therefore，Isoughttofindarelationbetweenthatphraseandthetragedy。WewenttotheDonjonInnforbreakfast；Irepeatedthephraseandsaw，bythesurpriseandtroubleonDaddyMathieu\'sface，thatIhadnotexaggerateditsimportance，sofarashewasconcerned。
\"Ihadjustlearnedthattheconciergeshadbeenarrested。DaddyMathieuspokeofthemasofdearfriends-peopleforwhomoneissorry。Thatwasarecklessconjunctionofideas，Isaidtomyself。
\'Now，\'thattheconciergesarearrested，\'weshallhavetoeatredmeat。\'Nomoreconcierges，nomoregame！ThehatredexpressedbyDaddyMathieuforMonsieurStangerson\'sforest-keeper-ahatredhepretendedwassharedbytheconciergesledmeeasilytothinkofpoaching。Nowasalltheevidenceshowedtheconciergeshadnotbeeninbedatthetimeofthetragedy，whyweretheyabroadthatnight？Asparticipantsinthecrime？Iwasnotdisposedtothinkso。Ihadalreadyarrivedattheconclusion，bystepsofwhichI
willtellyoulater-thattheassassinhadhadnoaccomplice，andthatthetragedyheldamysterybetweenMademoiselleStangersonandthemurderer，amysterywithwhichtheconciergeshadnothingtodo。
\"Withthattheoryinmymind，Isearchedforproofintheirlodge，which，asyouknow，Ientered。Ifoundthereundertheirbed，somespringsandbrasswire。\'Ah！\'Ithought，\'thesethingsexplainwhytheywereoutintheparkatnight！\'Iwasnotsurprisedatthedoggedsilencetheymaintainedbeforetheexaminingmagistrate，evenundertheaccusationsograveasthatofbeingaccomplicesinthecrime。PoachingwouldsavethemfromtheAssizeCourt，butitwouldlosethemtheirplaces；and，astheywereperfectlysureoftheirinnocenceofthecrimetheyhopeditwouldsoonbeestablished，andthentheirpoachingmightgoonasusual。Theycouldalwaysconfesslater。I，however，hastenedtheirconfessionbymeansofthedocumentMonsieurStangersonsigned。Theygaveallthenecessary\'proofs，\'weresetatliberty，andhavenowalivelygratitudeforme。
WhydidInotgetthemreleasedsooner？BecauseIwasnotsurethatnothingmorethanpoachingwasagainstthem。Iwantedtostudytheground。Asthedayswentby，myconvictionbecamemoreandmorecertain。ThedayaftertheeventsoftheinexplicablegalleryIhadneedofhelpIcouldrelyon，soIresolvedtohavethemreleasedatonce。\"
ThatwashowJosephRouletabilleexplainedhimself。OncemoreI
couldnotbutbeastonishedatthesimplicityofthereasoningwhichhadbroughthimtothetruthofthematter。Certainlythiswasnobigthing；butIthink，myself，thattheyoungmanwill，oneofthesedays，explainwiththesamesimplicity，thefearfultragedyinTheYellowRoomaswellasthephenomenonoftheinexplicablegallery。
WereachedtheDonjonInnandenteredit。
Thistimewedidnotseethelandlord，butwerereceivedwithapleasantsmilebythehostess。Ihavealreadydescribedtheroominwhichwefoundourselves，andIhavegivenaglimpseofthecharmingblondewomanwiththegentleeyeswhonowimmediatelybegantoprepareourbreakfast。
\"How\'sDaddyMathieu？\"askedRouletabille。
\"Notmuchbetter-notmuchbetter；heisstillconfinedtohisbed。\"
\"Hisrheumatismstillstickstohim，then？\"
\"Yes。LastnightIwasagainobligedtogivehimmorphine-theonlydrugthatgiveshimanyrelief。\"
Shespokeinasoftvoice。Everythingaboutherexpressedgentleness。Shewas，indeed，abeautifulwoman；somewhatwithanairofindolence，withgreateyesseeminglyblackandblue-amorouseyes。Wasshehappywithhercrabbed，rheumatichusband？Thesceneatwhichwehadoncebeenpresentdidnotleadustobelievethatshewas；yettherewassomethinginherbearingthatwasnotsuggestiveofdespair。Shedisappearedintothekitchentoprepareourrepast，leavingonthetableabottleofexcellentcider。
Rouletabillefilledourearthenwaremugs，loadedhispipe，andquietlyexplainedtomehisreasonforaskingmetocometotheGlandierwithrevolvers。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，contemplativelylookingatthecloudsofsmokehewaspuffingout，\"yes，mydearboy，Iexpecttheassassinto-night。\"
Abriefsilencefollowed，whichItookcarenottointerrupt，andthenhewenton：
\"Lastnight，justasIwasgoingtobed，MonsieurRobertDarzacknockedatmyroom。WhenhecameinheconfidedtomethathewascompelledtogotoParisthenextday，thatis，thismorning。Thereasonwhichmadethisjourneynecessarywasatonceperemptoryandmysterious；itwasnotpossibleforhimtoexplainitsobjecttome。
\'Igo，andyet，\'headded，\'IwouldgivemylifenottoleaveMademoiselleStangersonatthismoment。\'Hedidnottrytohidethathebelievedhertobeoncemoreindanger。\'Itwillnotgreatlyastonishmeifsomethinghappensto-morrownight，\'heavowed，\'andyetImustbeabsent。IcannotbebackattheGlandierbeforethemorningofthedayafterto-morrow。\'
\"Iaskedhimtoexplainhimself，andthisisallhewouldtellme。
HisanticipationofcomingdangerhadcometohimsolelyfromthecoincidencethatMademoiselleStangersonhadbeentwiceattacked，andbothtimeswhenhehadbeenabsent。OnthenightoftheincidentoftheinexplicablegalleryhehadbeenobligedtobeawayfromtheGlandier。OnthenightofthetragedyinTheYellowRoomhehadalsonotbeenabletobeattheGlandier，thoughthiswasthefirsttimehehaddeclaredhimselfonthematter。Nowamansomovedwhowouldstillgoawaymustbeactingundercompulsion-mustbeobeyingawillstrongerthanhisown。ThatwashowIreasoned，andItoldhimso。Hereplied\'Perhaps。\'-IaskedhimifMademoiselleStangersonwascompellinghim。Heprotestedthatshewasnot。HisdeterminationtogotoParishadbeentakenwithoutanyconferencewithMademoiselleStangerson。
\"Tocutthestoryshort，herepeatedthathisbeliefinthepossibilityofafreshattackwasfoundedentirelyontheextraordinarycoincidence。\'IfanythinghappenstoMademoiselleStangerson，\'hesaid，\'itwouldbeterribleforbothofus。Forher，becauseherlifewouldbeindanger；formebecauseIcouldneitherdefendherfromtheattacknortellofwhereIhadbeen。Iamperfectlyawareofthesuspicionscastonme。TheexaminingmagistrateandMonsieurLarsanarebothonthepointofbelievinginmyguilt。LarsantrackedmethelasttimeIwenttoParis，andIhadallthetroubleintheworldtogetridofhim。\'
\"\'Whydoyounottellmethenameofthemurderernow，ifyouknowit？\'Icried。
\"MonsieurDarzacappearedextremelytroubledbymyquestion，andrepliedtomeinahesitatingtone：
\"\'I？-Iknowthenameofthemurderer？Why，howcouldIknowhisname？\'
\"Iatoncereplied：\'FromMademoiselleStangerson。\'
\"HegrewsopalethatIthoughthewasabouttofaint，andIsawthatIhadhitthenailrightonthehead。Mademoiselleandheknewthenameofthemurderer！Whenherecoveredhimself，hesaidtome：\'Iamgoingtoleaveyou。SinceyouhavebeenhereIhaveappreciatedyourexceptionalintelligenceandyourunequalledingenuity。ButIaskthisserviceofyou。PerhapsIamwrongtofearanattackduringthecomingnight；but，asImustactwithforesight，Icountonyoutofrustrateanyattemptthatmaybemade。
TakeeverystepneedfultoprotectMademoiselleStangerson。Keepamostcarefulwatchofherroom。Don\'tgotosleep，norallowyourselfonemomentofrepose。Themanwedreadisremarkablycunning-withacunningthathasneverbeenequalled。Ifyoukeepwatchhisverycunningmaysaveher；becauseit\'simpossiblethatheshouldnotknowthatyouarewatching；andknowingit，hemaynotventure。\'
\"\'HaveyouspokenofallthistoMonsieurStangerson？\'
\"\'No。Idonotwishhimtoaskme，asyoujustnowdid，forthenameofthemurderer。Itellyouallthis，MonsieurRouletabille，becauseIhavegreat，verygreat，confidenceinyou。Iknowthatyoudonotsuspectme。\'
\"Thepoormanspokeinjerks。Hewasevidentlysuffering。Ipitiedhim，themorebecauseIfeltsurethathewouldratherallowhimselftobekilledthantellmewhothemurdererwas。AsforMademoiselleStangerson，IfeltthatshewouldratherallowherselftobemurderedthandenouncethemanofTheYellowRoomandoftheinexplicablegallery。Themanmustbedominatingher，orboth，bysomeinscrutablepower。TheyweredreadingnothingsomuchasthechanceofMonsieurStangersonknowingthathisdaughterwas\'held\'byherassailant。ImadeMonsieurDarzacunderstandthathehadexplainedhimselfsufficiently，andthathemightrefrainfromtellingmeanymorethanhehadalreadytoldme。Ipromisedhimtowatchthroughthenight。HeinsistedthatIshouldestablishanabsolutelyimpassablebarrieraroundMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber，aroundtheboudoirwherethenursesweresleeping，andaroundthedrawing-roomwhere，sincetheaffairoftheinexplicablegallery，MonsieurStangersonhadslept。Inshort，Iwastoputacordonroundthewholeapartment。
\"FromhisinsistenceIgatheredthatMonsieurDarzacintendednotonlytomakeitimpossiblefortheexpectedmantoreachthechamberofMademoiselleStangerson，buttomakethatimpossibilitysovisiblyclearthat，seeinghimselfexpected，hewouldatoncegoaway。ThatwashowIinterpretedhisfinalwordswhenweparted：
\'YoumaymentionyoursuspicionsoftheexpectedattacktoMonsieurStangerson，toDaddyJacques，toFredericLarsan，andtoanybodyinthechateau。\'
\"Thepoorfellowleftmehardlyknowingwhathewassaying。MysilenceandmyeyestoldhimthatIhadguessedalargepartofhissecret。And，indeed，hemusthavebeenathiswits\'end，tohavecometomeatsuchatime，andtoabandonMademoiselleStangersoninspiteofhisfixedideaastotheconsequence。
\"Whenhewasgone，IbegantothinkthatIshouldhavetouseevenagreatercunningthanhissothatifthemanshouldcomethatnight，hemightnotforamomentsuspectthathiscominghadbeenexpected。Certainly！Iwouldallowhimtogetinfarenough，sothat，deadoralive，Imightseehisfaceclearly！Hemustbegotridof。MademoiselleStangersonmustbefreedfromthiscontinualimpendingdanger。
\"Yes，myboy，\"saidRouletabille，afterplacinghispipeonthetable，andemptyinghismugofcider，\"Imustseehisfacedistinctly，soastomakesuretoimpressitonthatpartofmybrainwhereIhavedrawnmycircleofreasoning。\"
Thelandladyre-appearedatthatmoment，bringinginthetraditionalbaconomelette。Rouletabillechaffedheralittle，andshetookthechaffwiththemostcharminggoodhumour。
\"SheismuchjollierwhenDaddyMathieuisinbedwithhisrheumatism，\"Rouletabillesaidtome。
ButIhadeyesneitherforRouletabillenorforthelandlady\'ssmiles。IwasentirelyabsorbedoverthelastwordsofmyyoungfriendandinthinkingoverMonsieurRobertDarzac\'sstrangebehaviour。
Whenhehadfinishedhisomeletteandwewereagainalone，Rouletabillecontinuedthetaleofhisconfidences。
\"WhenIsentyoumytelegramthismorning，\"hesaid，\"IhadonlythewordofMonsieurDarzac，that\'perhaps\'theassassinwouldcometo-night。Icannowsaythathewillcertainlycome。I
expecthim。\"
\"Whathasmadeyoufeelthiscertainty？\"
\"Ihavebeensuresincehalf-pastteno\'clockthismorningthathewouldcome。IknewthatbeforewesawArthurRanceatthewindowinthecourt。\"
\"Ah！\"Isaid，\"But，again-whatmadeyousosure？Andwhysincehalf-pasttenthismorning？\"
\"Because，athalf-pastten，IhadproofthatMademoiselleStangersonwasmakingasmanyeffortstopermitofthemurderer\'sentranceasMonsieurRobertDarzachadtakenprecautionsagainstit。\"
\"Isthatpossible！\"Icried。\"Haven\'tyoutoldmethatMademoiselleStangersonlovesMonsieurRobertDarzac？\"
\"Itoldyousobecauseitisthetruth。\"
\"Thendoyouseenothingstrange-\"
\"Everythinginthisbusinessisstrange，myfriend；buttakemywordforit，thestrangenessyounowfeelisnothingtothestrangenessthat\'stocome！\"
\"Itmustbeadmitted，then，\"Isaid，\"thatMademoiselleStangersonandhermurdererareincommunication-atanyrateinwriting？\"
\"Admitit，myfriend，admitit！Youdon\'triskanything！Itoldyouabouttheletterleftonhertable，onthenightoftheinexplicablegalleryaffair，-theletterthatdisappearedintothepocketofMademoiselleStangerson。Whyshoulditnothavebeenasummonstoameeting？Mighthenot，assoonashewassureofDarzac\'sabsence，appointthemeetingfor\'thecomingnight？\"
Andmyfriendlaughedsilently。TherearemomentswhenIaskmyselfifheisnotlaughingatme。
Thedooroftheinnopened。Rouletabillewasonhisfeetsosuddenlythatonemighthavethoughthehadreceivedanelectricshock。
\"Mr。ArthurRance！\"hecried。
Mr。ArthurRancestoodbeforeuscalmlybowing。
CHAPTERXX
AnActofMademoiselleStangerson\"Yourememberme，Monsieur？\"askedRouletabile。
\"Perfectly！\"repliedArthurRance。\"Irecogniseyouastheladatthebar。[ThefaceofRouletabillecrimsonedatbeingcalleda\"lad。\"]Iwanttoshakehandswithyou。Youareabrightlittlefellow。\"
TheAmericanextendedhishandandRouletabille，relaxinghisfrown，shookitandintroducedMr。ArthurRancetome。Heinvitedhimtoshareourmeal。
\"Nothanks。IbreakfastedwithMonsieurStangerson。\"
ArthurRancespokeFrenchperfectly，-almostwithoutanaccent。
\"Ididnotexpecttohavethepleasureofseeingyouagain，Monsieur。IthoughtyouweretohaveleftFrancethedayafterthereceptionattheElysee。\"
RouletabilleandI，outwardlyindifferent，listenedmostintentlyforeverywordtheAmericanwouldsay。
Theman\'spurplishredface，hisheavyeyelids，thenervoustwitchings，allspokeofhisaddictiontodrink。HowcameitthatsosorryaspecimenofamanshouldbesointimatewithMonsieurStangerson？
Somedayslater，IlearnedfromFredericLarsan-who，likeourselves，wassurprisedandmystifiedbyhisappearanceandreceptionatthechateau-thatMr。Rancehadbeenaninebriateforonlyaboutfifteenyears；thatistosay，sincetheprofessorandhisdaughterleftPhiladelphia。DuringthetimetheStangersonslivedinAmericatheywereveryintimatewithArthurRance，whowasoneofthemostdistinguishedphrenologistsofthenewworld。Owingtonewexperiments，hehadmadeenormousstridesbeyondthescienceofGallandLavater。ThefriendlinesswithwhichhewasreceivedattheGlandiermaybeexplainedbythefactthathehadoncerenderedMademoiselleStangersonagreatservicebystopping，attheperilofhisownlife，therunawayhorsesofhercarriage。Theimmediateresultofthatcould，however，havebeennomorethanamerefriendlyassociationwiththeStangersons；certainly，notaloveaffair。
FredericLarsandidnottellmewherehehadpickedupthisinformation；butheappearedtobequitesureofwhathesaid。
HadweknownthesefactsatthetimeArthurRancemetusattheDonjonInn，hispresenceatthechateaumightnothavepuzzledus，buttheycouldnothavefailedtoincreaseourinterestinthemanhimself。TheAmericanmusthavebeenatleastforty-fiveyearsold。
HespokeinaperfectlynaturaltoneinreplytoRouletabille\'squestion。
\"IputoffmyreturntoAmericawhenIheardoftheattackonMademoiselleStangerson。Iwantedtobecertaintheladyhadnotbeenkilled，andIshallnotgoawayuntilsheisperfectlyrecovered。\"
ArthurRancethentooktheleadintalk，payingnoheedtosomeofRouletabille\'squestions。Hegaveus，withoutourinvitinghim，hispersonalviewsonthesubjectofthetragedy，-viewswhich，aswellasIcouldmakeout，werenotfarfromthoseheldbyFredericLarzan。
TheAmericanalsothoughtthatRobertDarzachadsomethingtodowiththematter。Hedidnotmentionhimbyname，buttherewasnoroomtodoubtwhomhemeant。HetoldushewasawareoftheeffortsyoungRouletabillewasmakingtounravelthetangledskeinofTheYellowRoommystery。HeexplainedthatMonsieurStangersonhadrelatedtohimallthathadtakenplaceintheinexplicablegallery。
HeseveraltimesexpressedhisregretatMonsieurDarzac\'sabsencefromthechateauonalltheseoccasions，andthoughtthatMonsieurDarzachaddonecleverlyinallyinghimselfwithMonsieurJosephRouletabille，whocouldnotfail，soonerorlater，todiscoverthemurderer。Hespokethelastsentencewithunconcealedirony。Thenherose，bowedtous，andlefttheinn。
Rouletabillewatchedhimthroughthewindow。
\"Anoddfish，that！\"hesaid。
\"Doyouthinkhe\'llpassthenightattheGlandier？\"Iasked。
Tomyamazementtheyoungreporteransweredthatitwasamatterofentireindifferencetohimwhetherhedidornot。
Astohowwespentourtimeduringtheafternoon，allIneedsayisthatRouletabilleledmetothegrottoofSainte-Genevieve，and，allthetime，talkedofeverysubjectbuttheoneinwhichweweremostinterested。TowardseveningIwassurprisedtofindRouletabillemakingnoneofthepreparationsIhadexpectedhimtomake。Ispoketohimaboutitwhennighthadcomeon，andwewereoncemoreinhisroom。Herepliedthatallhisarrangementshadalreadybeenmade，andthistimethemurdererwouldnotgetawayfromhim。
Iexpressedsomedoubtonthis，remindinghimofhisdisappearanceinthegallery，andsuggestedthatthesamephenomenonmightoccuragain。Heansweredthathehopeditwould。Hedesirednothingmore。
Ididnotinsist，knowingbyexperiencehowuselessthatwouldhavebeen。Hetoldmethat，withthehelpoftheconcierges，thechateauhadsinceearlydawnbeenwatchedinsuchawaythatnobodycouldapproachitwithouthisknowingit，andthathehadnoconcernforthosewhomighthaveleftitandremainedwithout。
Itwasthensixo\'clock。byhiswatch。Rising，hemadeasigntometofollowhim，and，withoutintheleasttyingtoconcealhismovementsorthesoundofhisfootsteps，heledmethroughthegallery。Wereachedthe\'right\'galleryandcametothelanding-placewhichwecrossed。Wethencontinuedourwayinthegalleryoftheleftwing，passingProfessorStangerson\'sapartment。
Atthefarendofthegallery，beforecomingtothedonjon，istheroomoccupiedbyArthurRance。Weknewthat，becausewehadseenhimatthewindowlookingontothecourt。Thedooroftheroomopensontotheendofthegallery，exactlyfacingtheeastwindow，attheextremityofthe\'right\'gallery，whereRouletabillehadplacedDaddyJacques，andcommandsanuninterruptedviewofthegalleryfromendtoendofthechateau。
\"That\'off-turning\'gallery，\"saidRouletabille，\"Ireserveformyself；whenItellyouyou\'llcomeandtakeyourplacehere。\"
Andhemademeenteralittledark，triangularclosetbuiltinabendofthewall，totheleftofthedoorofArthurRance\'sroom。
>FromthisrecessIcouldseeallthatoccurredinthegalleryaswellasifIhadbeenstandinginfrontofArthurRance\'sdoor，andIcouldwatchthatdoor，too。Thedoorofthecloset，whichwastobemyplaceofobservation，wasfittedwithpanelsoftransparentglass。Inthegallery，whereallthelampshadbeenlit，itwasquitelight。Inthecloset，however，itwasquitedark。Itwasasplendidplacefromwhichtoobserveandremainunobserved。
Iwassoontoplaythepartofaspy-acommonpoliceman。I
wonderwhatmyleaderatthebarwouldhavesaidhadheknown！I
wasnotaltogetherpleasedwithmyduties，butIcouldnotrefuseRouletabilletheassistancehehadbeggedmetogivehim。ItookcarenottomakehimseethatIintheleastobjected，andforseveralreasons。Iwantedtoobligehim；Ididnotwishhimtothinkmeacoward；Iwasfilledwithcuriosity；anditwastoolateformetodrawback，evenhadIdeterminedtodoso。ThatIhadnothadthesescruplessoonerwasbecausemycuriosityhadquitegotthebetterofme。ImightalsourgethatIwashelpingtosavethelifeofawoman，andevenalawyermaydothatconscientiously。
Wereturnedalongthegallery。OnreachingthedoorofMademoiselleStangerson\'sapartment，itopenedfromapushgivenbythestewardwhowaswaitingatthedinner-table。MonsieurStangersonhad，forthelastthreedays，dinedwithhisdaughterinthedrawing-roomonthefirstfloor。Asthedoorremainedopen，wedistinctlysawMademoiselleStangerson，takingadvantageofthesteward\'sabsence，andwhileherfatherwasstoopingtopickupsomethinghehadletfall，pourthecontentsofaphialintoMonsieurStangerson\'sglass。
CHAPTERXXI
OntheWatchTheact，whichstaggeredme，didnotappeartoaffectRouletabillemuch。Wereturnedtohisroomand，withoutevenreferringtowhatwehadseen，hegavemehisfinalinstructionsforthenight。Firstweweretogotodinner；afterdinner，Iwastotakemystandinthedarkclosetandwaitthereaslongasitwasnecessary-tolookoutforwhatmighthappen。
\"IfyouseeanythingbeforeIdo，\"heexplained，\"youmustletmeknow。Ifthemangetsintothe\'right\'gallerybyanyotherwaythanthe\'off-tuming\'gallery，youwillseehimbeforeIshall，becauseyouhaveaviewalongthewholelengthofthe\'right\'
gallery，whileIcanonlycommandaviewofthe\'off-turning\'
gallery。Allyouneeddotoletmeknowistoundothecordholdingthecurtainofthe\'right\'gallerywindow，nearesttothedarkcloset。Thecurtainwillfallofitselfandimmediatelyleaveasquareofshadowwherepreviouslytherehadbeenasquareoflight。
Todothis，youneedbutstretchyourhandoutofthecloset，I
shallunderstandyoursignalperfectly。\"
\"Andthen？\"
\"Thenyouwillseemecomingroundthecornerofthe\'off-turning\'
gallery。\"
\"WhatamItodothen？\"
\"Youwillimmediatelycometowardsme，behindtheman；butIshallalreadybeuponhim，andshallhaveseenhisface。\"
Iattemptedafeeblesmile。
\"Whydoyousmile？Well，youmaysmilewhileyouhavethechance，butIswearyou\'llhavenotimeforthatafewhoursfromnow。
\"Andifthemanescapes？\"
\"Somuchthebetter，\"saidRouletabille，coolly，\"Idon\'twanttocapturehim。Hemaytakehimselfoffanywayhecan。Iwilllethimgo-afterIhaveseenhisface。That\'sallIwant。IshallknowafterwardswhattodosothatasfarasMademoiselleStangersonisconcernedheshallbedeadtohereventhoughhecontinuestolive。IfItookhimalive，MademoiselleStangersonandRobertDarzacwould，perhaps，neverforgiveme！AndIwishtoretaintheirgood-willandrespect。
\"Seeing，asIhavejustnowseen，MademoiselleStangersonpouranarcoticintoherfather\'sglass，sothathemightnotbeawaketointerrupttheconversationsheisgoingtohavewithhermurderer，youcanimagineshe&ouldnotbegratefultomeifIbroughtthemanofTheYellowRoomandtheinexplicablegallery，boundandgagged，toherfather。IrealisenowthatifIamtosavetheunhappylady，Imustsilencethemanandnotcapturehim。Tokillahumanbeingisnosmallthing。Besides，that\'snotmybusiness，unlessthemanhimselfmakesitmybusiness。Ontheotherhand，torenderhimforeversilentwithoutthelady\'sassentandconfidenceistoactonone\'sowninitiativeandassumesaknowledgeofeverythingwithnothingforabasis。Fortunately，myfriend，Ihaveguessed，no，Ihavereasoneditallout。AllthatIaskofthemanwhoiscomingto-nightistobringmehisface，sothatitmayenter-\"
\"Intothecircle？\"
\"Exactly！Andhisfacewon\'tsurpriseme！\"
\"ButIthoughtyousawhisfaceonthenightwhenyousprangintothechamber？\"
\"Onlyimperfectly。Thecandlewasonthefloor；and，hisbeard-\"
\"Willhewearhisbeardthisevening？\"
\"IthinkIcansayforcertainthathewill。Butthegalleryislightand，now，Iknow-or-atleast，mybrainknows-andmyeyeswillsee。\"
\"Ifwearehereonlytoseehimandlethimescape，whyarewearmed？\"
\"Because，ifthemanofTheYellowRoomandtheinexplicablegalleryknowsthatIknow，heiscapableofdoinganything！Weshouldthenhavetodefendourselves。\"
\"Andyouaresurehewillcometo-night？\"
\"Assureasthatyouarestandingthere！Thismorning，athalf-pastteno\'clock，MademoiselleStangerson，inthecleverestwayintheworld，arrangedtohavenonursesto-night。Shegavethemleaveofabsencefortwenty-fourhours，undersomeplausiblepretexts，anddidnotdesireanybodytobewithherbutherfather，whiletheyareaway。Herfather，whoistosleepintheboudoir，hasgladlyconsentedtothearrangement。Darzac\'sdepartureandwhathetoldme，aswellastheextraordinaryprecautionsMademoiselleStangersonistakingtobealoneto-nightleavesmenoroomfordoubt。ShehaspreparedthewayforthecomingofthemanwhomDarzacdreads。\"