\"That\'sawful！\"
\"Itis！\"
\"Andwhatwesawherdowasdonetosendherfathertosleep？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thentherearebuttwoofusforto-night\'swork？\"
\"Four；theconciergeandhiswifewillwatchatallhazards。I
don\'tsetmuchvalueonthembefore-buttheconciergemaybeusefulafter-ifthere\'stobeanykilling！\"
\"Thenyouthinktheremaybe？\"
\"Ifhewishesit。\"
\"Whyhaven\'tyoubroughtinDaddyJacques？-Haveyoumadenouseofhimto-day？\"
\"No，\"repliedRouletabillesharply。
Ikeptsilenceforawhile，then，anxioustoknowhisthoughts，I
askedhimpointblank：
\"WhynottellArthurRance？-Hemaybeofgreatassistancetous？\"
\"Oh！\"saidRouletabillecrossly，\"thenyouwanttoleteverybodyintoMademoiselleStangerson\'ssecrets？-Come，letusgotodinner；
itistime。ThiseveningwedineinFredericLarsan\'sroom，-atleast，ifheisnotontheheelsofDarzac。Hestickstohimlikealeech。But，anyhow，ifheisnottherenow，Iamquitesurehewillbe，to-night！He\'stheoneIamgoingtoknockover！\"
Atthismomentweheardanoiseintheroomnearus。
\"Itmustbehe，\"saidRouletabille。
\"Iforgottoaskyou，\"Isaid，\"ifwearetomakeanyallusiontoto-night\'sbusinesswhenwearewiththispoliceman。Itakeitwearenot。Isthatso？\"
\"Evidently。Wearegoingtooperatealone，onourownpersonalaccount。\"
\"Sothatalltheglorywillbeours？\"
Rouletabillelaughed。
WedinedwithFredericLarsaninhisroom。Hetoldushehadjustcomeinandinvitedustobeseatedattable。Weateourdinnerinthebestofhumours，andIhadnodifficultyinappreciatingthefeelingsofcertaintywhichbothRouletabilleandLarsanfelt。
RouletabilletoldthegreatFredthatIhadcomeonachancevisit，andthathehadaskedmetostayandhelphimintheheavybatchofwritinghehadtogetthroughforthe\"Epoque。\"IwasgoingbacktoParis，hesaid，bytheeleveno\'clocktrain，takinghis\"copy，\"
whichtookastoryform，recountingtheprincipalepisodesinthemysteriesoftheGlandier。Larsansmiledattheexplanationlikeamanwhowasnotfooledandpolitelyrefrainsfrommakingtheslightestremarkonmatterswhichdidnotconcernhim。
Withinfiniteprecautionsastothewordstheyused，andevenastothetonesoftheirvoices，LarsanandRouletabillediscussed，foralongtime，Mr。ArthurRance\'sappearanceatthechateau，andhispastinAmerica，aboutwhichtheyexpressedadesiretoknowmore，atanyrate，sofarashisrelationswiththeStangersons。Atonetime，Larsan，whoappearedtometobeunwell，said，withaneffort：
\"Ithink，MonsieurRouletabille，thatwe\'venotmuchmoretodoattheGlandier，andthatwesha\'n\'tsleepheremanymorenights。\"
\"Ithinkso，too，MonsieurFred。\"
\"Thenyouthinktheconclusionofthematterhasbeenreached？\"
\"Ithink，indeed，thatwehavenothingmoretofindout，\"repliedRouletabille。
\"Haveyoufoundyourcriminal？\"askedLarsan。
\"Haveyou？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"SohaveI，\"saidRouletabille。
\"Canitbethesameman？\"
\"Idon\'tknowifyouhaveswervedfromyouroriginalidea，\"saidtheyoungreporter。Thenheadded，withemphasis：\"MonsieurDarzacisanhonestman！\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"askedLarsan。\"Well，Iamsureheisnot。
Soit\'safightthen？\"
\"Yes，itisafight。ButIshallbeatyou，MonsieurFredericLarsan。\"
\"Youthneverdoubtsanything，\"saidthegreatFredlaughingly，andheldouthishandtomebywayofconclusion。
Rouletabille\'sanswercamelikeanecho：
\"Notanything！\"
SuddenlyLarsan，whohadrisentowishusgoodnight，pressedbothhishandstohischestandstaggered。HewasobligedtoleanonRouletabilleforsupport，andtosavehimselffromfalling。
\"Oh！Oh！\"hecried。\"Whatisthematterwithme？-HaveIbeenpoisoned？\"
Helookedatuswithhaggardeyes。Wequestionedhimvainly；hedidnotanswerus。Hehadsunkintoanarmchairandwecouldgetnotawordfromhim。Wewereextremelydistressed，bothonhisaccountandonourown，forwehadpartakenofallthedisheshehadeaten。Heseemedtobeoutofpain；buthisheavyheadhadfallenonhisshoulderandhiseyelidsweretightlyclosed。Rouletabillebentoverhim，listeningforthebeatingsoftheheart。
Myfriend\'sface，however，whenhestoodup，wasascalmasithadbeenamomentbeforeagitated。
\"Heisasleep，\"hesaid。
Heledmetohischamber，afterclosingLarsan\'sroom。
\"Thedrug？\"Iasked。\"DoesMademoiselleStangersonwishtoputeverybodytosleep，to-night？\"
\"Perhaps，\"repliedRouletabille；butIcouldseehewasthinkingofsomethingelse。
\"Butwhataboutus？\"Iexclaimed。\"Howdoweknowthatwehavenotbeendrugged？\"
\"Doyoufeelindisposed？\"Rouletabilleaskedmecoolly。
\"Notintheleast。\"
\"Doyoufeelanyinclinationtogotosleep？\"
\"Nonewhatever。\"
\"Well，then，myfriend，smokethisexcellentcigar。\"
AndhehandedmeachoiceHavana，oneMonsieurDarzachadgiven，him，whilehelithisbriarwood-hiseternalbriarwood。
Weremainedinhisroomuntilaboutteno\'clockwithoutawordpassingbetweenus。BuriedinanarmchairRouletabillesatandsmokedsteadily，hisbrowinthoughtandafar-awaylookinhiseyes。Onthestrokeoftenhetookoffhisbootsandsignalledtometodothesame。Aswestoodinoursockshesaid，insolowatonethatIguessed，ratherthanheard，theword：
\"Revolver。\"
Idrewmyrevolverfrommyjacketpocket。
\"Cockit！\"hesaid。
Ididashedirected。
Thenmovingtowardsthedoorofhisroom，heopeneditwithinfiniteprecaution；itmadenosound。Wewereinthe\"off-turning\"gallery。
RouletabillemadeanothersigntomewhichIunderstoodtomeanthatIwastotakeupmypostinthedarkcloset。
WhenIwassomedistancefromhim，herejoinedmeandembracedme；
andthenIsawhim，withthesameprecaution，returntohisroom。
Astonishedbyhisembrace，andsomewhatdisquietedbyit，Iarrivedattherightgallerywithoutdifficulty，crossingthelanding-place，andreachingthedarkcloset。
BeforeenteringitIexaminedthecurtain-cordofthewindowandfoundthatIhadonlytoreleaseitfromitsfasteningwithmyfingersforthecurtaintofallbyitsownweightandhidethesquareoflightfromRouletabille-thesignalagreedupon。ThesoundofafootstepmademehaltbeforeArthurRance\'sdoor。Hewasnotyetinbed，then！Howwasitthat，beinginthechateau，hehadnotdinedwithMonsieurStangersonandhisdaughter？Ihadnotseenhimattablewiththem，atthemomentwhenwelookedin。
Iretiredintothedarkcloset。Ifoundmyselfperfectlysituated。
Icouldseealongthewholelengthofthegallery。Nothing，absolutelynothingcouldpasstherewithoutmyseeingit。Butwhatwasgoingtopassthere？Rouletabille\'sembracecamebacktomymind。Iarguedthatpeopledon\'tpartfromeach，otherinthatwayunlessonanimportantordangerousoccasion。WasIthenindanger？
MyhandclosedonthebuttofmyrevolverandIwaited。Iamnotahero；butneitheramIacoward。
Iwaitedaboutanhour，andduringallthattimeIsawnothingunusual。Therain，whichhadbeguntocomedownstronglytowardsnineo\'clock，hadnowceased。
Myfriendhadtoldmethat，probably，nothingwouldoccurbeforemidnightoroneo\'clockinthemorning。Itwasnotmorethanhalf-pasteleven，however，whenIheardthedoorofArthurRance\'sroomopenveryslowly。Thedoorremainedopenforaminute，whichseemedtomealongtime。Asitopenedintothegallery，thatistosay，outwards，Icouldnotseewhatwaspassingintheroombehindthedoor。
AtthatmomentInoticedastrangesound，threetimesrepeated，comingfromthepark。OrdinarilyIshouldnothaveattachedanymoreimportancetoitthanIwouldtothenoiseofcatsontheroof。
Butthethirdtime，themewwassosharpandpenetratingthatI
rememberedwhatIhadheardaboutthecryoftheBetedubonDieu。
AsthecryhadaccompaniedalltheeventsattheGlandier，Icouldnotrefrainfromshudderingatthethought。
DirectlyafterwardsIsawamanappearontheoutsideofthedoor，andcloseitafterhim。AtfirstIcouldnotrecognisehim，forhisbackwastowardsmeandhewasbendingoveraratherbulkypackage。Whenhehadclosedthedoorandpickedupthepackage，heturnedtowardsthedarkcloset，andthenIsawwhohewas。Hewastheforest-keeper，theGreenMan。HewaswearingthesamecostumethathehadwornwhenIfirstsawhimontheroadinfrontoftheDonjonInn。Therewasnodoubtabouthisbeingthekeeper。
AsthecryoftheBeteduBonDieucameforthethirdtime，heputdownthepackageandwenttothesecondwindow，countingfromthedarkcloset。Idarednotriskmakinganymovement，fearingImightbetraymypresence。
Arrivingatthewindow，hepeeredoutontothepark。Thenightwasnowlight，themoonshowingatintervals。TheGreenManraisedhisarmstwice，makingsignswhichIdidnotunderstand；then，leavingthewindow，heagaintookuphispackageandmovedalongthegallerytowardsthelanding-place。
Rouletabillehadinstructedmetoundothecurtain-cordwhenIsawanything。WasRouletabilleexpectingthis？Itwasnotmybusinesstoquestion。AllIhadtodowasobeyinstructions。Iunfastenedthewindow-cord；myheartbeatingthewhileasifitwouldburst。
Themanreachedthelanding-place，but，tomyuttersurprise-I
hadexpectedtoseehimcontinuetopassalongthegallery-Isawhimdescendthestairsleadingtothevestibule。
WhatwasItodo？Ilookedstupidlyattheheavycurtainwhichhadshutthelightfromthewindow。Thesignalhadbeengiven，andI
didnotseeRouletabilleappearatthecorneroftheoff-turninggallery。Nobodyappeared。Iwasexceedinglyperplexed。Halfanhourpassed，anagetome。WhatwasItodonow，evenifIsawsomething？ThesignaloncegivenIcouldnotgiveitasecondtime。
ToventureintothegallerymightupsetallRouletabille\'splans。
Afterall，Ihadnothingtoreproachmyselffor，andifsomethinghadhappenedthatmyfriendhadnotexpectedhecouldonlyblamehimself。Unabletobeofanyfurtherassistancetohimbymeansofasignal，Ileftthedarkclosetand，stillinmysocks，mademywaytothe\"off-turning\"gallery。
Therewasnoonethere。IwenttothedoorofRouletabille\'sroomandlistened。Icouldhearnothing。Iknockedgently。Therewasnoanswer。Iturnedthedoor-handleandthedooropened。Ientered。
Rouletabillelayextendedatfulllengthonthefloor。
CHAPTERXXII
TheIncredibleBodyIbentingreatanxietyoverthebodyofthereporterandhadthejoytofindthathewasdeeplysleeping，thesameunhealthysleepthatIhadseenfalluponFredericLarsan。Hehadsuccumbedtotheinfluenceofthesamedrugthathadbeenmixedwithourfood。Howwasitthen，thatI，also，hadnotbeenovercomebyit？Ireflectedthatthedrugmusthavebeenputintoourwine；becausethatwouldexplainmycondition。Ineverdrinkwheneating。Naturallyinclinedtoobesity，Iamrestrictedtoadrydiet。IshookRouletabille，butcouldnotsucceedinwakinghim。This，nodoubt，wastheworkofMademoiselleStangerson。
Shehadcertainlythoughtitnecessarytoguardherselfagainstthisyoungmanaswellasherfather。Irecalledthatthesteward，inservingus，hadrecommendedanexcellentChabliswhich，nodoubt，hadcomefromtheprofessor\'stable。
More-thanaquarterofanhourpassed。Iresolved，underthepressingcircumstances，toresorttoextrememeasures。IthrewapitcherofcoldwateroverRouletabille\'shead。Heopenedhiseyes。
Ibeathisface，andraisedhimup。Ifelthimstiffeninmyarmsandheardhimmurmur：\"Goon，goon；butdon\'tmakeanynoise。\"I
pinchedhimandshookhimuntilhewasabletostandup。Weweresaved！
\"Theysentmetosleep，\"hesaid。\"Ah！Ipassedanawfulquarterofanhourbeforegivingway。Butitisovernow。Don\'tleaveme。\"
Hehadnosoonerutteredthosewordsthanwewerethrilledbyafrightfulcrythatrangthroughthechateau，-averitabledeathcry。
\"Malheur！\"roaredRouletabille；\"weshallbetoolate！\"
Hetriedtorushtothedoor，buthewastoodazed，andfellagainstthewall。Iwasalreadyinthegallery，revolverinhand，rushinglikeamadmantowardsMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom。ThemomentI
arrivedattheintersectionofthe\"offturning\"galleryandthe\"right\"gallery，Isawafigureleavingherapartment，which，inafewstrideshadreachedthelanding-place。
Iwasnotmasterofmyself。Ifired。Thereportfromtherevolvermadeadeafeningnoise；butthemancontinuedhisflightdownthestairs。Iranbehindhim，shouting：\"Stop！-stop！orIwillkillyou！\"AsIrushedafterhimdownthestairs，IcamefacetofacewithArthurRancecomingfromtheleftwingofthechateau，yelling：
\"Whatisit？Whatisit？\"Wearrivedalmostatthesametimeatthefootofthestaircase。Thewindowofthevestibulewasopen。
Wedistinctlysawtheformofamanrunningaway。Instinctivelywefiredourrevolversinhisdirection。Hewasnotmorethantenpacesinfrontofus；hestaggeredandwethoughthewasgoingtofall。Wehadsprungoutofthewindow，butthemandashedoffwithrenewedvigour。Iwasinmysocks，andtheAmericanwasbarefooted。
Therebeingnohopeofovertakinghim，wefiredourlastcartridgesathim。Buthestillkeptonrunning，goingalongtherightsideofthecourttowardstheendoftherightwingofthechateau，whichhadnootheroutletthanthedoorofthelittlechamberoccupiedbytheforest-keeper。Theman，thoughhewasevidentlywoundedbyourbullets，wasnowtwentyyardsaheadofus。Suddenly，behindus，andaboveourheads，awindowinthegalleryopenedandweheardthevoiceofRouletabillecryingoutdesperately：
\"Fire，Bernier！-Fire！\"
Atthatmomenttheclearmoonlightnightwasfurtherlitbyabroadflash。ByitslightwesawDaddyBernierwithhisgunonthethresholdofthedonjondoor。
Hehadtakengoodaim。Theshadowfell。Butasithadreachedtheendoftherightwingofthechateau，itfellontheothersideoftheangleofthebuilding；thatistosay，wesawitabouttofall，butnottheactualsinkingtotheground。Bernier，ArthurRanceandmyselfreachedtheothersidetwentysecondslater。Theshadowwaslyingdeadatourfeet。
Arousedfromhislethargybythecriesandreports，Larsanopenedthewindowofhischamberandcalledouttous。Rouletabille，quiteawakenow，joinedusatthesamemoment，andIcriedouttohim：
\"Heisdead！-isdead！\"
\"Somuchthebetter，\"hesaid。\"Takehimintothevestibuleofthechateau。\"Thenasifonsecondthought，hesaid：\"No！-no！Letusputhiminhisownroom。\"
Rouletabilleknockedatthedoor。Nobodyanswered。Naturally，thisdidnotsurpriseme。
\"Heisevidentlynotthere，otherwisehewouldhavecomeout，\"saidthereporter。\"Letuscarryhimtothevestibulethen。\"
Sincereachingthedeadshadow，athickcloudhadcoveredthemoonanddarkenedthenight，sothatwewereunabletomakeoutthefeatures。DaddyJacques，whohadnowjoinedus，helpedustocarrythebodyintothevestibule，wherewelaiditdownonthelowerstepofthestairs。Ontheway，Ihadfeltmyhandswetfromthewarmbloodflowingfromthewounds。
DaddyJacquesflewtothekitchenandreturnedwithalantern。Hehelditclosetothefaceofthedeadshadow，andwerecognisedthekeeper，themancalledbythelandlordoftheDonjonInntheGreenMan，whom，anhourearlier，IhadseencomeoutofArthurRance\'schambercarryingaparcel。ButwhatIhadseenIcouldonlytellRouletabillelater，whenwewerealone。
RouletabilleandFredericLarsanexperiencedacrueldisappointmentattheresultofthenight\'sadventure。TheycouldonlylookinconsternationandstupefactionatthebodyoftheGreenMan。
DaddyJacquesshowedastupidlysorrowfulfaceandwithsillylamentationskeptrepeatingthatweweremistaken-thekeepercouldnotbetheassailant。Wewereobligedtocompelhimtobequiet。
Hecouldnothaveshowngreatergriefhadthebodybeenthatofhisownson。Inoticed，whilealltherestofusweremoreorlessundressedandbarefooted，thathewasfullyclothed。
Rouletabillehadnotleftthebody。KneelingontheflagstonesbythelightofDaddyJacques\'slanternheremovedtheclothesfromthebodyandlaidbareitsbreast。ThensnatchingthelanternfromDaddyJacques，hehelditoverthecorpseandsawagapingwound。
Risingsuddenlyheexclaimedinavoicefilledwithsavageirony：
\"Themanyoubelievetohavebeenshotwaskilledbythestabofaknifeinhisheart！\"
IthoughtRouletabillehadgonemad；but，bendingoverthebody，I
quicklysatisfiedmyselfthatRouletabillewasright。Notasignofabulletanywhere-thewound，evidentlymadebyasharpblade，hadpenetratedtheheart。
CHAPTERXXIII
TheDoubleScentIhadhardlyrecoveredfromthesurpriseintowhichthisnewdiscoveryhadplungedme，whenRouletabilletouchedmeontheshoulderandaskedmetofollowhimintohisroom。
\"Whatarewegoingtodothere？\"
\"Tothinkthematterover。\"
IconfessIwasinnoconditionfordoingmuchthinking，norcouldIunderstandhowRouletabillecouldsocontrolhimselfastobeablecalmlytositdownforreflectionwhenhemusthaveknownthatMademoiselleStangersonwasatthatmomentalmostonthepointofdeath。Buthisself-controlwasmorethanIcouldexplain。Closingthedoorofhisroom，hemotionedmetoachairand，seatinghimselfbeforeme，tookouthispipe。WesatthereforsometimeinsilenceandthenIfellasleep。
WhenIawokeitwasdaylight。Itwaseighto\'clockbymywatch。
Rouletabillewasnolongerintheroom。Irosetogooutwhenthedooropenedandmyfriendre-entered。Hehadevidentlylostnotime。
\"HowaboutMademoiselleStangerson？\"Iaskedhim。
\"Hercondition，thoughveryalarming，isnotdesperate。\"
\"Whendidyouleavethisroom？\"
\"Towardsdawn。\"
\"Iguessyouhavebeenhardatwork？\"
\"Rather！\"
\"Haveyoufoundoutanything？\"
\"Twosetsoffootprints！\"
\"Dotheyexplainanything？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Havetheyanythingtodowiththemysteryofthekeeper\'sbody？\"
\"Yes；themysteryisnolongeramystery。Thismorning，walkingroundthechateau，Ifoundtwodistinctsetsoffootprints，madeatthesametime，lastnight。Theyweremadebytwopersonswalkingsidebyside。Ifollowedthemfromthecourttowardstheoakgrove。
Larsanjoinedme。TheywerethesamekindoffootprintsasweremadeatthetimeoftheassaultinTheYellowRoom-onesetwasfromclumsybootsandtheotherwasmadebyneatones，exceptthatthebigtoeofoneofthesetswasofadifferentsizefromtheonemeasuredinTheYellowRoomincident。IcomparedthemarkswiththepaperpatternsIhadpreviouslymade。
\"Stillfollowingthetracksoftheprints，LarsanandIpassedoutoftheoakgroveandreachedtheborderofthelake。TheretheyturnedofftoalittlepathleadingtothehighroadtoEpinaywherewelostthetracesinthenewlymacadamisedhighway。
\"Wewentbacktothechateauandpartedatthecourtyard。Wemetagain，however，inDaddyJacques\'sroomtowhichourseparatetrainsofthinkinghadledusboth。Wefoundtheoldservantinbed。Hisclothesonthechairwerewetthroughandhisbootsverymuddy。Hecertainlydidnotgetintothatstateinhelpingustocarrythebodyofthekeeper。Itwasnotrainingthen。Thenhisfaceshowedextremefatigueandhelookedatusoutofterror-strickeneyes。
\"Onourfirstquestioninghimhetoldusthathehadgonetobedimmediatelyafterthedoctorhadarrived。Onpressinghim，however，foritwasevidenttoushewasnotspeakingthetruth，heconfessedthathehadbeenawayfromthechateau。Heexplainedhisabsencebysayingthathehadaheadacheandwentoutintothefreshair，buthadgonenofurtherthantheoakgrove。Whenwethendescribedtohimthewholeroutehehadfollowed，hesatupinbedtrembling。
\"\'Andyouwerenotalone！\'criedLarsan。
\"\'Didyouseeitthen？\'gaspedDaddyJacques。
\'What？\'Iasked。
\"\'Thephantom-theblackphantom！\'
\"Thenhetoldusthatforseveralnightshehadseenwhathekeptcallingtheblackphantom。Itcameintotheparkatthestrokeofmidnightandglidedstealthilythroughthetrees；itappearedtohimtopassthroughthetrunksofthetrees。Twicehehadseenitfromhiswindow，bythelightofthemoonandhadrisenandfollowedthestrangeapparition。Thenightbeforelasthehadalmostovertakenit；butithadvanishedatthecornerofthedonjon。Lastnight，however，hehadnotleftthechateau，hismindbeingdisturbedbyapresentimentthatsomenewcrimewouldbeattempted。Suddenlyhesawtheblackphantomrushoutfromsomewhereinthemiddleofthecourt。HefollowedittothelakeandtothehighroadtoEpinay，wherethephantomsuddenlydisappeared。
\"\'Didyouseehisface？\'demandedLarsan。
\"\'No！-Isawnothingbutblackveils。\'
\"\'Didyougooutafterwhatpassedonthegallery？\'
\"\'Icouldnot！-Iwasterrified。\'
\"\'DaddyJacques，\'Isaid，inathreateningvoice，\'youdidnotfollowit；youandthephantomwalkedtoEpinaytogether-arminarm！\'
\"\'No！\'hecried，turninghiseyesaway，\'Ididnot。Itcameontopour，and-Iturnedback。Idon\'tknowwhatbecameoftheblackphantom。\"
\"Welefthim，andwhenwewereoutsideIturnedtoLarsan，lookinghimfullintheface，andputmyquestionsuddenlytotakehimoffhisguard：
\"\'Anaccomplice？\'
\"\'HowcanItell？\'hereplied，shrugginghisshoulders。\'Youcan\'tbesureofanythinginacaselikethis。Twenty-fourhoursagoI
wouldhaveswornthattherewasnoaccomplice！\'HeleftmesayinghewasofftoEpinay。\"
\"Well，whatdoyoumakeofit？\"IaskedRouletabille，afterhehadendedhisrecital。\"PersonallyIamutterlyinthedark。Ican\'tmakeanythingoutofit。Whatdoyougather？\"
\"Everything！Everything！\"heexclaimed。\"But，\"hesaidabruptly，\"let\'sfindoutmoreaboutMademoiselleStangerson。\"
CHAPTERXXIV
RouletabilleKnowstheTwoHalvesoftheMurdererMademoiselleStangersonhadbeenalmostmurderedforthesecondtime。Unfortunately，shewasintooweakastatetobearthesevererinjuriesofthissecondattackaswellasshehadthoseofthefirst。Shehadreceivedthreewoundsinthebreastfromthemurderer\'sknife，andshelaylongbetweenlifeanddeath。Herstrongphysique，however，savedher；butthoughsherecoveredphysicallyitwasfoundthathermindhadbeenaffected。Theslightestallusiontotheterribleincidentsentherintodelirium，andthearrestofRobertDarzacwhichfollowedonthedayfollowingthetragicdeathofthekeeperseemedtosinkherfineintelligenceintocompletemelancholia。
RobertDarzacarrivedatthechateautowardshalf-pastnine。Isawhimhurryingthroughthepark，hishairandclothesindisorderandhisfaceadeadlywhite。RouletabilleandIwerelookingoutofawindowinthegallery。Hesawus，andgaveadespairingcry：\"I\'mtoolate！\"
Rouletabilleanswered：\"Shelives！\"
AminutelaterDarzachadgoneintoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroomand，throughthedoor，wecouldhearhisheart-rendingsobs。
\"There\'safateaboutthisplace！\"groanedRouletabille。\"Someinfernalgodsmustbewatchingoverthemisfortunesofthisfamily！-
IfIhadnotbeendrugged，IshouldhavesavedMademoiselleStangerson。Ishouldhavesilencedhimforever。Andthekeeperwouldnothavebeenkilled！\"
MonsieurDarzaccameintospeakwithus。Hisdistresswasterrible。
Rouletabilletoldhimeverything：hispreparationsforMademoiselleStangerson\'ssafety；hisplansforeithercapturingorfordisposingoftheassailantforever；andhowhewouldhavesucceededhaditnotbeenforthedrugging。
\"Ifonlyyouhadtrustedme！\"saidtheyoungman，inalowtone。
\"IfyouhadbutbeggedMademoiselleStangersontoconfideinme！-
But，then，everybodyheredistrustseverybodyelse，thedaughterdistrustsherfather，andevenherlover。Whileyouaskmetoprotecthersheisdoingallshecantofrustrateme。ThatwaswhyIcameonthescenetoolate！\"
AtMonsieurRobertDarzac\'srequestRouletabilledescribedthewholescene。Leaningonthewall，topreventhimselffromfalling，hehadmadehiswaytoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom，whilewewererunningafterthesupposedmurderer。Theante-roomdoorwasopenandwhenheenteredhefoundMademoiselleStangersonlyingpartlythrownoverthedesk。Herdressing-gownwasdyedwiththebloodflowingfromherbosom。Stillundertheinfluenceofthedrug，hefelthewaswalkinginahorriblenightmare。
Hewentbacktothegalleryautomatically，openedawindow，shoutedhisordertofire，andthenreturnedtotheroom。Hecrossedthedesertedboudoir，enteredthedrawing-room，andtriedtorouseMonsieurStangersonwhowaslyingonasofa。MonsieurStangersonrosestupidlyandlethimselfbedrawnbyRouletabilleintotheroomwhere，onseeinghisdaughter\'sbody，heutteredaheart-rendingcry。
Bothunitedtheirfeeblestrengthandcarriedhertoherbed。
OnhiswaytojoinusRouletabillepassedbythedesk。Onthefloor，nearit，hesawalargepacket。Hekneltdownand，findingthewrapperloose，heexaminedit，andmadeoutanenormousquantityofpapersandphotographs。Ononeofthepapersheread：\"Newdifferentialelectroscopiccondenser。Fundamentalpropertiesofsubstanceintermediarybetweenponderablematterandimponderableether。\"Strangeironyoffatethattheprofessor\'spreciouspapersshouldberestoredtohimattheverytimewhenanattemptwasbeingmadetodeprivehimofhisdaughter\'slife！Whatarepapersworthtohimnow？
ThemorningfollowingthatawfulnightsawMonsieurdeMarquetoncemoreatthechateau，withhisRegistrarandgendarmes。Ofcoursewewereallquestioned。RouletabilleandIhadalreadyagreedonwhattosay。Ikeptbackanyinformationastomybeinginthedarkclosetandsaidnothingaboutthedrugging。WedidnotwishtosuggestinanywaythatMademoiselleStangersonhadbeenexpectinghernocturnalvisitor。Thepoorwomanmight，perhaps，neverrecover，anditwasnoneofourbusinesstolifttheveilofasecretthepreservationofwhichshehadpaidforsodearly。
ArthurRancetoldeverybody，inamannersonaturalthatitastonishedme，thathehadlastseenthekeepertowardseleveno\'clockofthatfatalnight。Hehadcomeforhisvalise，hesaid，whichhewastotakeforhimearlynextmorningtotheSaint-Michelstation，andhadbeenkeptoutlaterunningafterpoachers。ArthurRancehad，indeed，intendedtoleavethechateauand，accordingtohishabit，towalktothestation。
MonsieurStangersonconfirmedwhatRancehadsaid，addingthathehadnotaskedRancetodinewithhimbecausehisfriendhadtakenhisfinalleaveofthembothearlierintheevening。MonsieurRancehadhadteaservedhiminhisroom，becausehehadcomplainedofaslightindisposition。
Berniertestified，instructedbyRouletabille，thatthekeeperhadorderedhimtomeetataspotneartheoakgrove，forthepurposeoflookingoutforpoachers。Findingthatthekeeperdidnotkeephisappointment，he，Bernier，hadgoneinsearchofhim。Hehadalmostarrivedatthedonjon，whenhesawafigurerunningswiftlyinadirectionoppositetohim，towardstherightwingofthechateau。HeheardrevolvershotsfrombehindthefigureandsawRouletabilleatoneofthegallerywindows。HeheardRouletabillecallouttohimtofire，andhehadfired。Hebelievedhehadkilledthemanuntilhelearned，afterRouletabillehaduncoveredthebody，thatthemanhaddiedfromaknifethrust。Whohadgivenithecouldnotimagine。\"Nobodycouldhavebeennearthespotwithoutmyseeinghim。\"Whentheexaminingmagistrateremindedhimthatthespotwherethebodywasfoundwasverydarkandthathehimselfhadnotbeenabletorecognisethekeeperbeforefiring，DaddyBernierrepliedthatneitherhadtheyseentheotherbody；
norhadtheyfoundit。Inthenarrowcourtwherefivepeoplewerestandingitwouldhavebeenstrangeiftheotherbody，haditbeenthere，couldhaveescaped。Theonlydoorthatopenedintothecourtwasthatofthekeeper\'sroom，andthatdoorwasclosed，andthekeyofitwasfoundinthekeeper\'spocket。
Howeverthatmightbe，theexaminingmagistratedidnotpursuehisinquiryfurtherinthisdirection。Hewasevidentlyconvincedthatwehadmissedthemanwewerechasingandwehadcomeuponthekeeper\'sbodyinourchase。Thismatterofthekeeperwasanothermatterentirely。Hewantedtosatisfyhimselfaboutthatwithoutanyfurtherdelay。ProbablyitfittedinwiththeconclusionshehadalreadyarrivedatastothekeeperandhisintrigueswiththewifeofMathieu，thelandlordoftheDonjonInn。ThisMathieu，laterintheafternoon，wasarrestedandtakentoCorbeilinspiteofhisrheumatism。Hehadbeenheardtothreatenthekeeper，andthoughnoevidenceagainsthimhadbeenfoundathisinn，theevidenceofcarterswhohadheardthethreatswasenoughtojustifyhisretention。
Theexaminationhadproceededthusfarwhen，tooursurprise，FredericLarsanreturnedtothechateau。Hewasaccompaniedbyoneoftheemployesoftherailway。AtthatmomentRanceandIwereinthevestibulediscussingMathieu\'sguiltorinnocence，whileRouletabillestoodapartburied，apparently，inthought。TheexaminingmagistrateandhisRegistrarwereinthelittlegreendrawing-room，whileDarzacwaswiththedoctorandStangersoninthelady\'schamber。AsFredericLarsanenteredthevestibulewiththerailwayemployed，RouletabilleandIatoncerecognisedhimbythesmallblondbeard。Weexchangedmeaningfulglances。LarsanhadhimselfannouncedtotheexaminingmagistratebythegendarmeandenteredwiththerailwayservantasDaddyJacquescameout。
SometenminuteswentbyduringwhichRouletabilleappearedextremelyimpatient。Thedoorofthedrawing-roomwasthenopenedandweheardthemagistratecallingtothegendarmewhoentered。
Presentlyhecameout，mountedthestairsand，comingbackshortly，wentintothemagistrateandsaid：
\"Monsieur，-MonsieurRobertDarzacwillnotcome！\"
\"What！Notcome！\"criedMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"HesayshecannotleaveMademoiselleStangersoninherpresentstate。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidMonsieurdeMarquet；\"thenwe\'llgotohim。\"
MonsieurdeMarquetandthegendarmemountedthestairs。HemadeasigntoLarsanandtherailroademployetofollow。RouletabilleandIwentalongtoo。
OnreachingthedoorofMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber，MonsieurdeMarquetknocked。Achambermaidappeared。ItwasSylvia，withherhairallindisorderandconsternationshowingonherface。
\"IsMonsieurStangersonwithin？\"askedthemagistrate。
\"Yes，Monsieur。\"
\"TellhimthatIwishtospeakwithhim。\"
Stangersoncameout。Hisappearancewaswretchedintheextreme。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"hedemandedofthemagistrate。\"MayInotbeleftinpeace，Monsieur？\"
\"Monsieur，\"saidthemagistrate，\"itisabsolutelynecessarythatI
shouldseeMonsieurDarzacatonce。Ifyoucannotinducehimtocome，Ishallbecompelledtousethehelpofthelaw。\"
Theprofessormadenoreply。Helookedatusalllikeamanbeingledtoexecution，andthenwentbackintotheroom。
AlmostimmediatelyafterMonsieurRobertDarzaccameout。Hewasverypale。Helookedatusand，hiseyesfallingontherailwayservant，hisfeaturesstiffenedandhecouldhardlyrepressagroan。
Wewereallmuchmovedbytheappearanceoftheman。WefeltthatwhatwasabouttohappenwoulddecidethefateofMonsieurRobertDarzac。FredericLarsan\'sfacealonewasradiant，showingajoyasofadogthathadatlastgotitsprey。
Pointingtotherailwayservant，MonsieurdeMarquetsaidtoMonsieurDarzac：
\"Doyourecognisethisman，Monsieur？\"
\"Ido，\"saidMonsieurDarzac，inatonewhichhevainlytriedtomakefirm。\"HeisanemployeatthestationatEpinay-sur-Orge。\"
\"Thisyoungman，\"wentonMonsieurdeMarquet，\"affirmsthathesawyougetoffthetrainatEpinay-sur-Orge-\"
\"Thatnight，\"saidMonsieurDarzac，interrupting，\"athalf-pastten-itisquitetrue。\"
Anintervalofsilencefollowed。
\"MonsieurDarzac，\"themagistratewentoninatoneofdeepemotion，\"MonsieurDarzac，whatwereyoudoingthatnight，atEpinay-sur-Orge-atthattime？\"
MonsieurDarzacremainedsilent，simplyclosinghiseyes。
\"MonsieurDarzac，\"insistedMonsieurdeMarquet，\"canyoutellmehowyouemployedyourtime，thatnight？\"
MonsieurDarzacopenedhiseyes。Heseemedtohaverecoveredhisself-control。
\"No，Monsieur。\"
\"Think，Monsieur！For，ifyoupersistinyourstrangerefusal，I
shallbeunderthepainfulnecessityofkeepingyouatmydisposition。\"
\"Irefuse。\"
\"MonsieurDarzac！-inthenameofthelaw，Iarrestyou！\"
ThemagistratehadnosoonerpronouncedthewordsthanIsawRouletabillemovequicklytowardsMonsieurDarzac。Hewouldcertainlyhavespokentohim，butDarzac，byagesture，heldhimoff。Asthegendarmeapproachedhisprisoner，adespairingcryrangthroughtheroom：
\"Robert！-Robert！\"
WerecognisedthevoiceofMademoiselleStangerson。Weallshuddered。Larsanhimselfturnedpale。MonsieurDarzac，inresponsetothecry，hadflownbackintotheroom。
Themagistrate，thegendarme，andLarsanfollowedcloselyafter。
RouletabilleandIremainedonthethreshold。Itwasaheart-breakingsightthatmetoureyes。MademoiselleStangerson，withafaceofdeathlypallor，hadrisenonherbed，inspiteoftherestrainingeffortsoftwodoctorsandherfather。ShewasholdingouthertremblingarmstowardsRobertDarzac，onwhomLarsanandthegendarmehadlaidhands。Herdistendedeyessaw-sheunderstood-herlipsseemedtoformaword，butnobodymadeitout；andshefellbackinsensible。
MonsieurDarzacwashurriedoutoftheroomandplacedinthevestibuletowaitforthevehicleLarsanhadgonetofetch。WewereallovercomebyemotionandevenMonsieurdeMarquethadtearsinhiseyes。RouletabilletookadvantageoftheopportunitytosaytoMonsieurDarzac：
\"Areyougoingtoputinanydefense？\"
\"No！\"repliedtheprisoner。
\"Verywell，thenIwill，Monsieur。\"
\"Youcannotdoit，\"saidtheunhappymanwithafaintsmile。
\"Ican-andIwill。\"
Rouletabille\'svoicehadinitastrangestrengthandconfidence。
\"Icandoit，MonsieurRobertDarzac，becauseIknowmorethanyoudo！\"
\"Come！Come！\"murmuredDarzac，almostangrily。
\"Havenofear！Ishallknowonlywhatwillbenefityou。\"
\"Youmustknownothing，youngman，ifyouwantmetobegrateful。\"
Rouletabilleshookhishead，goingcloseuptoDarzac。
\"ListentowhatIamabouttosay，\"hesaidinalowtone，\"andletitgiveyouconfidence。Youdonotknowthenameofthemurderer。
MademoiselleStangersonknowsit；butonlyhalfofit；butIknowhistwohalves；Iknowthewholeman！\"
RobertDarzacopenedhiseyes，withalookthatshowedhehadnotunderstoodawordofwhatRouletabillehadsaidtohim。Atthatmomenttheconveyancearrived，drivenbyFredericLarsan。Darzacandthegendarmeenteredit，Larsanremainingonthedriver\'sseat。
TheprisonerwastakentoCorbeil。
CHAPTERXXVCHAPTERXXVI
RouletabilleGoesonaJourneyThatsameeveningRouletabilleandIlefttheGlandier。Wewereverygladtogetawayandtherewasnothingmoretokeepusthere。
Ideclaredmyintentiontogiveupthewholematter。Ithadbeentoomuchforme。Rouletabille，withafriendlytaponmyshoulder，confessedthathehadnothingmoretolearnattheGlandier；hehadlearnedthereallithadtotellhim。WereachedParisabouteighto\'clock，dined，andthen，tiredout，weseparated，agreeingtomeetthenextmorningatmyrooms。
Rouletabillearrivednextdayatthehouragreedon。HewasdressedinasuitofEnglishtweed，withanulsteronhisarm，andavaliseinhishand。Evidentlyhehadpreparedhimselfforajourney。
\"Howlongshallyoubeaway？\"Iasked。
\"Amonthortwo，\"hesaid。\"Italldepends。\"
Iaskedhimnomorequestions。
\"Doyouknow，\"heasked，\"whatthewordwasthatMademoiselleStangersontriedtosaybeforeshefainted？\"
\"No-nobodyheardit。\"
\"Iheardit！\"repliedRouletabille。\"Shesaid\'Speak！\'\"
\"DoyouthinkDarzacwillspeak？\"
\"Never。\"
Iwasabouttomakesomefurtherobservations，buthewrungmyhandwarmlyandwishedmegood-bye。Ihadonlytimetoaskhimonequestionbeforeheleft。
\"Areyounotafraidthatotherattemptsmaybemadewhileyou\'reaway？\"
\"No！NotnowthatDarzacisinprison，\"heanswered。
Withthisstrangeremarkheleft。IwasnottoseehimagainuntilthedayofDarzac\'strialatthecourtwhenheappearedtoexplaintheinexplicable。
CHAPTERXXVI
InWhichJosephRouletabilleIsAwaitedwithImpatienceOnthe15thofJanuary，thatistosay，twomonthsandahalfafterthetragiceventsIhavenarrated，the\"Epoque\"printed，asthefirstcolumnofthefrontpage，thefollowingsensationalarticle：
\"TheSeine-et-Oisejuryissummonedto-daytogiveitsverdictononeofthemostmysteriousaffairsintheannalsofcrime。Thereneverhasbeenacasewithsomanyobscure，incomprehensible，andinexplicablepoints。Andyettheprosecutionhasnothesitatedtoputintotheprisoner\'sdockamanwhoisrespected，esteemed，andlovedbyallwhoknewhim-ayoungsavant，thehopeofFrenchscience，whosewholelifehasbeendevotedtoknowledgeandtruth。
WhenParisheardofMonsieurRobertDarzac\'sarrestaunanimouscryofprotestarosefromallsides。ThewholeSorbonne，disgracedbythisactoftheexaminingmagistrate，asserteditsbeliefintheinnocenceofMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiance。MonsieurStangersonwasloudinhisdenunciationofthismiscarriageofjustice。ThereisnodoubtinthemindofanybodythatcouldthevictimspeakshewouldclaimfromthejurorsofSeine-et-Oisethemanshewishestomakeherhusbandandwhomtheprosecutionwouldsendtothescaffold。
ItistobehopedthatMademoiselleStangersonwillshortlyrecoverherreason，whichhasbeentemporarilyunhingedbythehorriblemysteryattheGlandier。Thequestionbeforethejuryistheoneweproposetodealwiththisveryday。
\"Wehavedecidednottopermittwelveworthymentocommitadisgracefulmiscarriageofjustice。Weconfessthattheremarkablecoincidences，themanyconvictingevidences，andtheinexplicablesilenceonthepartoftheaccused，aswellasatotalabsenceofanyevidenceforanalibi，wereenoughtowarrantthebenchofjudgesinassumingthatinthismanalonewascenteredthetruthoftheaffair。Theevidencesare，inappearance，sooverwhelmingagainstMonsieurRobertDarzacthatadetectivesowellinformed，sointelligent，andgenerallysosuccessful，asMonsieurFredericLarsan，maybeexcusedforhavingbeenmisledbythem。UptonoweverythinghasgoneagainstMonsieurRobertDarzacinthemagisterialinquiry。To-day，however，wearegoingtodefendhimbeforethejury，andwearegoingtobringtothewitnessstandalightthatwillilluminethewholemysteryoftheGlandier。Forwepossessthetruth。
\"Ifwehavenotspokensooner，itisbecausetheinterestsofcertainpartiesinthecasedemandthatweshouldtakethatcourse。
Ourreadersmayremembertheunsignedreportswepublishedrelatingtothe\'LeftfootoftheRueOberkampf，\'atthetimeofthefamousrobberyoftheCreditUniversel，andthefamouscaseofthe\'GoldIngotsoftheMint。\'InboththosecaseswewereabletodiscoverthetruthlongbeforeeventheexcellentingenuityofFredericLarsanhadbeenabletounravelit。Thesereportswerewrittenbyouryoungestreporter，JosephRouletabille，ayouthofeighteen，whosefameto-morrowwillbeworld-wide。WhenattentionwasfirstdrawntotheGlandiercase，ouryouthfulreporterwasonthespotandinstalledinthechateau，wheneveryotherrepresentativeofthepresshadbeendeniedadmission。HeworkedsidebysidewithFredericLarsan。Hewasamazedandterrifiedatthegravemistakethecelebrateddetectivewasabouttomake，andtriedtodiverthimfromthefalsescenthewasfollowing；butthegreatFredrefusedtoreceiveinstructionsfromthisyoungjournalist。WeknownowwhereitbroughtMonsieurRobertDarzac。
\"Butnow，Francemustknow-thewholeworldmustknow，that，ontheveryeveningonwhichMonsieurDarzacwasarrested，youngRouletabilleenteredoureditorialofficeandinformedusthathewasabouttogoawayonajourney。\'HowlongIshallbeaway，\'
hesaid，\'Icannotsay；perhapsamonth-perhapstwo-perhapsthreeperhapsImayneverreturn。Hereisaletter。IfIamnotbackonthedayonwhichMonsieurDarzacistoappearbeforetheAssizeCourt，havethisletteropenedandreadtothecourt，afterallthewitnesseshavebeenheard。ArrangeitwithMonsieurDarzac\'scounsel。MonsieurDarzacisinnocent。Inthisletteriswrittenthenameofthemurderer；and-thatisallIhavetosay。Iamleavingtogetmyproofs-fortheirrefutableevidenceofthemurderer\'sguilt。\'Ourreporterdeparted。Foralongtimewewerewithoutnewsfromhim；but，aweekago，astrangercalleduponourmanagerandsaid：\'ActinaccordancewiththeinstructionsofJosephRouletabille，ifitbecomesnecessarytodoso。Theletterleftbyhimholdsthetruth。\'Thegentlemanwhobroughtusthismessagewouldnotgiveushisname。
\"To-day，the15thofJanuary，isthedayofthetrial。JosephRouletabillehasnotreturned。Itmaybeweshallneverseehimagain。Thepressalsocountsitsheroes，itsmartyrstoduty。Itmaybeheisnolongerliving。Weshallknowhowtoavengehim。
Ourmanagerwill，thisafternoon，beattheCourtofAssizeatVersailles，withtheletter-thelettercontainingthenameofthemurderer！\"
ThoseParisianswhoflockedtotheAssizeCourtatVersailles，tobepresentatthetrialofwhatwasknownasthe\"MysteryofTheYellowRoom，\"willcertainlyremembertheterriblecrushattheSaint-Lazarestation。Theordinarytrainsweresofullthatspecialtrainshadtobemadeup。Thearticleinthe\"Epoque\"hadsoexcitedthepopulacethatdiscussionwasrifeeverywhereeventothevergeofblows。PartisansofRouletabillefoughtwiththesupportersofFredericLarsan。CuriouslyenoughtheexcitementwasduelesstothefactthataninnocentmanwasindangerofawrongfulconvictionthantotheinteresttakenintheirownideasastotheMysteryofTheYellowRoom。Eachhadhisexplanationtowhicheachheldfast。ThosewhoexplainedthecrimeonFredericLarsan\'stheorywouldnotadmitthattherecouldbeanydoubtastotheperspicacityofthepopulardetective。Otherswhohadarrivedatadifferentsolution，naturallyinsistedthatthiswasRouletabille\'sexplanation，thoughtheydidnotasyetknowwhatthatwas。
Withtheday\'s\"Epoque\"intheirhands，the\"Larsans\"andthe\"Rouletabilles\"foughtandshovedeachotheronthestepsofthePalaisdeJustice，rightintothecourtitself。Thosewhocouldnotgetinremainedintheneighbourhooduntileveningandwere，withgreatdifficulty，keptbackbythesoldieryandthepolice。
Theybecamehungryfornews，welcomingthemostabsurdrumours。
AtonetimetherumourspreadthatMonsieurStangersonhimselfhadbeenarrestedinthecourtandhadconfessedtobeingthemurderer。
Thisgoestoshowtowhatapitchofmadnessnervousexcitementmaycarrypeople。Rouletabillewasstillexpected。Somepretendedtoknowhim；andwhenayoungmanwitha\"pass\"crossedtheopenspacewhichseparatedthecrowdfromtheCourtHouse，ascuffletookplace。Crieswereraisedof\"Rouletabille！-there\'sRouletabille！\"Thearrivalofthemanagerofthepaperwasthesignalforagreatdemonstration。Someapplauded，othershissed。
ThetrialitselfwaspresidedoverbyMonsieurdeRocouz，ajudgefilledwiththeprejudiceofhisclass，butamanhonestatheart。
Thewitnesseshadbeencalled。Iwasthere，ofcourse，aswereallwhohad，inanyway，beenintouchwiththemysteriesoftheGlandier。MonsieurStangerson-lookingmanyyearsolderandalmostunrecognisable-Larsan，ArthurRance，withhisfaceruddyasever，DaddyJacques，DaddyMathieu，whowasbroughtintocourthandcuffedbetweentwogendarmes，MadameMathieu，intears，thetwoBerniers，hetwonurses，thesteward，allthedomesticsofthechateau，theemployeoftheParisPostOffice，therailwayemployefromEpinay，somefriendsofMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson，andallMonsieurDarzac\'switnesses。Iwasluckyenoughtobecalledearlyinthetrial，sothatIwasthenabletowatchandbepresentatalmostthewholeoftheproceedings。
Thecourtwassocrowdedthatmanylawyerswerecompelledtofindseatsonthesteps。Behindthebenchofjusticeswererepresentativesfromotherbenches。MonsieurRobertDarzacstoodintheprisoner\'sdockbetweenpolicemen，tall，handsome，andcalm。
Amurmurofadmirationratherthanofcompassiongreetedhisappearance。Heleanedforwardtowardshiscounsel，MaitreHenriRobert，who，assistedbyhischiefsecretary，MaitreAndreHesse，wasbusilyturningoverthefoliosofhisbrief。
ManyexpectedthatMonsieurStangerson，aftergivinghisevidence，wouldhavegoneovertotheprisonerandshakenhandswithhim；butheleftthecourtwithoutanotherword。Itwasremarkedthatthejurorsappearedtobedeeplyinterestedinarapidconversationwhichthemanagerofthe\"Epoque\"washavingwithMaitreHenriRobert。Themanager，later，satdowninthefrontrowofthepublicseats。Someweresurprisedthathewasnotaskedtoremainwiththeotherwitnessesintheroomreservedforthem。
Thereadingoftheindictmentwasgotthrough，asitalwaysis，withoutanyincident。IshallnotherereportthelongexaminationtowhichMonsieurDarzacwassubjected。Heansweredallthequestionsquicklyandeasily。Hissilenceastotheimportantmattersofwhichweknowwasdeadagainsthim。Itwouldseemasifthisreticencewouldbefatalforhim。HeresentedthePresident\'sreprimands。Hewastoldthathissilencemightmeandeath。
\"Verywell，\"hesaid；\"Iwillsubmittoit；butIaminnocent。\"
Withthatsplendidabilitywhichhasmadehisfame，MaitreRoberttookadvantageoftheincident，andtriedtoshowthatitbroughtoutinnoblereliefhisclient\'scharacter；foronlyheroicnaturescouldremainsilentformoralreasonsinfaceofsuchadanger。
Theeminentadvocatehowever，onlysucceededinassuringthosewhowerealreadyassuredofDarzac\'sinnocence。AttheadjournmentRouletabillehadnotyetarrived。Everytimeadooropened，alleyesthereturnedtowardsitandbacktothemanagerofthe\"Epoque，\"
whosatimpassiveinhisplace。Whenheoncewasfeelinginhispocketaloudmurmurofexpectationfollowed。Theletter！
Itisnot，however，myintentiontoreportindetailthecourseofthetrial。MyreadersaresufficientlyacquaintedwiththemysteriessurroundingtheGlandiercasetoenablemetogoontothereallydramaticdenouementofthisever-memorableday。
Whenthetrialwasresumed，MaitreHenriRobertquestionedDaddyMathieuastohiscomplicityinthedeathofthekeeper。Hiswifewasalsobroughtinandwasconfrontedbyherhusband。Sheburstintotearsandconfessedthatshehadbeenthekeeper\'smistress，andthatherhusbandhadsuspectedit。Sheagain，however，affirmedthathehadhadnothingtodowiththemurderofherlover。
MaitreHenriRobertthereuponaskedthecourttohearFredericLarsanonthispoint。
\"InashortconversationwhichIhavehadwithFredericLarsan，duringtheadjournment，\"declaredtheadvocate，\"hehasmademeunderstandthatthedeathofthekeepermayhavebeenbroughtaboutotherwisethanbythehandofMathieu。ItwillbeinterestingtohearFredericLarsan\'stheory。\"
FredericLarsanwasbroughtin。Hisexplanationwasquiteclear。
\"Iseenonecessity，\"hesaid，\"forbringingMathieuinthis。I
havetoldMonsieurdeMarquetthattheman\'sthreatshadbiassedtheexaminingmagistrateagainsthim。TometheattempttomurderMademoiselleandthedeathofthekeeperaretheworkofoneandthesameperson。MademoiselleStangerson\'smurderer，flyingthroughthecourt，wasfiredon；itwasthoughthewasstruck，perhapskilled。Asamatteroffact，heonlystumbledatthemomentofhisdisappearancebehindthecorneroftherightwingofthechateau。Thereheencounteredthekeeperwho，nodoubt，triedtoseizehim。ThemurdererhadinhishandtheknifewithwhichhehadstabbedMademoiselleStangersonandwiththishekilledthekeeper。\"
Thisverysimpleexplanationappearedatonceplausibleandsatisfying。Amurmurofapprobationwasheard。
\"Andthemurderer？Whatbecameofhim？\"askedthePresident。
\"Hewasevidentlyhiddeninanobscurecornerattheendofthecourt。Afterthepeoplehadleftthecourtcarryingwiththemthebodyofthekeeper，themurdererquietlymadehisescape。\"
ThewordshadscarcelyleftLarsan\'smouthwhenfromthebackofthecourtcameayouthfulvoice：
\"IagreewithFredericLarsanastothedeathofthekeeper；butI
donotagreewithhimastothewaythemurdererescaped！\"
Everybodyturnedround，astonished。Theclerksofthecourtsprangtowardsthespeaker，callingoutsilence，andthePresidentangrilyorderedtheintrudertobeimmediatelyexpelled。Thesameclearvoice，however，wasagainheard：
\"ItisI，MonsieurPresident-JosephRouletabille！\"
CHAPTERXXVII
InWhichJosephRouletabilleAppearsinAllHisGloryTheexcitementwasextreme。Criesfromfaintingwomenweretobeheardamidtheextraordinarybustleandstir。The\"majestyofthelaw\"wasutterlyforgotten。ThePresidenttriedinvaintomakehimselfheard。Rouletabillemadehiswayforwardwithdifficulty，butbydintofmuchelbowingreachedhismanagerandgreetedhimcordially。Theletterwaspassedtohimandpocketingitheturnedtothewitness-box。Hewasdressedexactlyasonthedayheleftmeeventotheulsteroverhisarm。TurningtothePresident，hesaid：
\"Ibegyourpardon，MonsieurPresident，butIhaveonlyjustarrivedfromAmerica。Thesteamerwaslate。MynameisJosephRouletabille！\"
Thesilencewhichfollowedhissteppingintothewitness-boxwasbrokenbylaughterwhenhiswordswereheard。Everybodyseemedrelievedandgladtofindhimthere，asifintheexpectationofhearingthetruthatlast。
ButthePresidentwasextremelyincensed：
\"So，youareJosephRouletabille，\"hereplied；\"well，youngman，I\'llteachyouwhatcomesofmakingafarceofjustice。Byvirtueofmydiscretionarypower，Iholdyouatthecourt\'sdisposition。\"
\"Iasknothingbetter，MonsieurPresident。Ihavecomehereforthatpurpose。Ihumblybegthecourt\'spardonforthedisturbanceofwhichIhavebeentheinnocentcause。IbegyoutobelievethatnobodyhasagreaterrespectforthecourtthanIhave。IcameinasIcould。\"Hesmiled。
\"Takehimaway！\"orderedthePresident。
MaitreHenriRobertintervened。Hebeganbyapologisingfortheyoungman，who，hesaid，wasmovedonlybythebestintentions。
HemadethePresidentunderstandthattheevidenceofawitnesswhohadsleptattheGlandierduringthewholeofthateventfulweekcouldnotbeomitted，andthepresentwitness，moreover，hadcometonametherealmurderer。
\"Areyougoingtotelluswhothemurdererwas？\"askedthePresident，somewhatconvincedthoughstillsceptical。
\"Ihavecomeforthatpurpose，MonsieurPresident！\"repliedRouletabille。
Anattemptatapplausewassilencedbytheusher。
\"JosephRouletabille，\"saidMaitreHenriRobert，\"hasnotbeenregularlysubpoenaedasawitness，butIhope，MonsieurPresident，youwillexaminehiminvirtueofyourdiscretionarypowers。\"
\"Verywell！\"saidthePresident，\"wewillquestionhim。Butwemustproceedinorder。\"
TheAdvocate-Generalrose：
\"Itwould，perhaps，bebetter，\"hesaid，\"iftheyoungmanweretotellusnowwhomhesuspects。\"
ThePresidentnoddedironically：
\"IftheAdvocate-GeneralattachesimportancetothedepositionofMonsieurJosephRouletabille，Iseenoreasonwhythiswitnessshouldnotgiveusthenameofthemurderer。\"
Apindropcouldhavebeenheard。RouletabillestoodsilentlookingsympatheticallyatDarzac，who，forthefirsttimesincetheopeningofthetrial，showedhimselfagitated。
\"Well，\"criedthePresident，\"wewaitforthenameofthemurderer。\"
Rouletabille，feelinginhiswaistcoatpocket，drewhiswatchand，lookingatit，said：
\"MonsieurPresident，Icannotnamethemurdererbeforehalf-pastsixo\'clock！\"
Loudmurmursofdisappointmentfilledtheroom。Someofthelawyerswereheardtosay：\"He\'smakingfunofus！\"
ThePresidentinasternvoice，said：
\"Thisjokehasgonefarenough。Youmayretire，Monsieur，intothewitnesses\'room。Iholdyouatourdisposition。\"
Rouletabilleprotested。
\"Iassureyou，MonsieurPresident，\"hecriedinhissharp，clearvoice，\"thatwhenIdonamethemurdereryouwillunderstandwhyIcouldnotspeakbeforehalf-pastsix。Iassertthisonmyhonour。
Ican，however，giveyounowsomeexplanationofthemurderofthekeeper。MonsieurFredericLarsan，whohasseenmeatworkattheGlandier，cantellyouwithwhatcareIstudiedthiscase。IfoundmyselfcompelledtodifferwithhiminarrestingMonsieurRobertDarzac，whoisinnocent。MonsieurLarsanknowsofmygoodfaithandknowsthatsomeimportancemaybeattachedtomydiscoveries，whichhaveoftencorroboratedhisown。\"
FredericLarsansaid：
\"MonsieurPresident，itwillbeinterestingtohearMonsieurJosephRouletabille，especiallyashediffersfromme。\"
Amurmurofapprobationgreetedthedetective\'sspeech。Hewasagoodsportsmanandacceptedthechallenge。Thestrugglebetweenthetwopromisedtobeexciting。
AsthePresidentremainedsilent，FredericLarsancontinued：
\"WeagreethatthemurdererofthekeeperwastheassailantofMademoiselleStangerson；butaswearenotagreedastohowthemurdererescaped，IamcurioustohearMonsieurRouletabille\'sexplanation。\"
\"Ihavenodoubtyouare，\"saidmyfriend。
Generallaughterfoliowedthisremark。ThePresidentangrilydeclaredthatifitwasrepeated，hewouldhavethecourtcleared。
\"Now，youngman，\"saidthePresident，\"youhaveheardMonsieurFredericLarsan；howdidthemurderergetawayfromthecourt？\"
RouletabillelookedatMadameMathieu，whosmiledbackathimsadly。