\"SinceMadameMathieu，\"hesaid，\"hasfreelyadmittedherintimacywiththekeeper-\"
\"Why，it\'stheboy！\"exclaimedDaddyMathieu。
\"Removethatman！\"orderedthePresident。
Mathieuwasremovedfromthecourt。Rouletabillewenton：
\"Sinceshehasmadethisconfession，Iamfreetotellyouthatsheoftenmetthekeeperatnightonthefirstfloorofthedonjon，intheroomwhichwasonceanoratory。Thesemeetingsbecamemorefrequentwhenherhusbandwaslaidupbyhisrheumatism。Shegavehimmorphinetoeasehispainandtogiveherselfmoretimeforthemeetings。MadameMathieucametothechateauthatnight，envelopedinalargeblackshawlwhichservedalsoasadisguise。ThiswasthephantomthatdisturbedDaddyJacques。SheknewhowtoimitatethemewingofMotherAngenoux\'catandshewouldmakethecriestoadvisethekeeperofherpresence。Therecentrepairsofthedonjondidnotinterferewiththeirmeetingsinthekeeper\'soldroom，inthedonjon，sincethenewroomassignedtohimattheendoftherightwingwasseparatedfromthesteward\'sroombyapartitiononly。
\"PrevioustothetragedyinthecourtyardMadameMathieuandthekeeperleftthedonjontogether。Ilearntthesefactsfrommyexaminationofthefootmarksinthecourtthenextmorning。Bemier，theconcierge，whomIhadstationedbehindthedonjon-ashewillexplainhimself-couldnotseewhatpassedinthecourt。Hedidnotreachthecourtuntilheheardtherevolvershots，andthenhefired。Whenthewomanpartedfromthemanshewenttowardstheopengateofthecourt，whilehereturnedtohisroom。
\"Hehadalmostreachedthedoorwhentherevolversrangout。Hehadjustreachedthecornerwhenashadowboundedby。Meanwhile，MadameMathieu，surprisedbytherevolvershotsandbytheentranceofpeopleintothecourt，crouchedinthedarkness。Thecourtisalargeoneand，beingnearthegate，shemighteasilyhavepassedoutunseen。Butsheremainedandsawthebodybeingcarriedaway。
IngreatagonyofmindshenearedthevestibuleandsawthedeadbodyofherloveronthestairslitupbyDaddyJacques\'lantern。
Shethenfled；andDaddyJacquesjoinedher。
\"Thatsamenight，beforethemurder，DaddyJacqueshadbeenawakenedbythecat\'scry，and，lookingthroughhiswindow，hadseentheblackphantom。Hastilydressinghimselfhewentoutandrecognisedher。HeisanoldfriendofMadameMathieu，andwhenshesawhimshehadtotellhimofherrelationswiththekeeperandbeggedhisassistance。DaddyJacquestookpityonherandaccompaniedherthroughtheoakgroveoutofthepark，pasttheborderofthelaketotheroadtoEpinay。Fromthereitwasbutaveryshortdistancetoherhome。
\"DaddyJacquesreturnedtothechateau，and，seeinghowimportantitwasforMadameMathieu\'spresenceatthechateautoremainunknown，hedidallhecouldtohideit。IappealtoMonsieurLarsan，whosawme，nextmorning，examinethetwosetsoffootprints。\"
HereRouletabilleturningtowardsMadameMathieu，withabow，said：
\"ThefootprintsofMadamebearastrangeresemblancetotheneatfootprintsofthemurderer。\"
MadameMathieutrembledandlookedathimwithwideeyesasifinwonderatwhathewouldsaynext。
\"Madamehasashapelyfoot，longandratherlargeforawoman。Theimprint，withitspointedtoe，isverylikethatofthemurderer\'s。\"
AmovementinthecourtwasrepressedbyRouletabille。Heheldtheirattentionatonce。
\"Ihastentoadd，\"hewenton，\"thatIattachnoimportancetothis。
Outwardsignsliketheseareoftenliabletoleadusintoerror，ifwedonotreasonrightly。MonsieurRobertDarzac\'sfootprintsarealsolikethemurderer\'s，andyetheisnotthemurderer！\"
ThePresidentturningtoMadameMathieuasked：
\"Isthatinaccordancewithwhatyouknowoccurred？\"
\"Yes，MonsieurPresident，\"shereplied，\"itisasifMonsieurRouletabillehadbeenbehindus。\"
\"Didyouseethemurdererrunningtowardstheendoftherightwing？\"
\"Yes，asclearlyasIsawthemafterwardscarryingthekeeper\'sbody。\"
\"Whatbecameofthemurderer？-Youwereinthecourtyardandcouldeasilyhaveseen。
\"Isawnothingofhim，MonsieurPresident。Itbecamequitedarkjustthen。\"
\"ThenMonsieurRouletabille，\"saidthePresident，\"mustexplainhowthemurderermadehisescape。\"
Rouletabillecontinued：
\"Itwasimpossibleforthemurderertoescapebythewayhehadenteredthecourtwithoutourseeinghim；orifwecouldn\'tseehimwemustcertainlyhavefelthim，sincethecourtisaverynarrowoneenclosedinhighironrailings。\"
\"Thenifthemanwashemmedinthatnarrowsquare，howisityoudidnotfindhim？-Ihavebeenaskingyouthatforthelasthalfhour。\"
\"MonsieurPresident，\"repliedRouletabille，\"Icannotanswerthatquestionbeforehalf-pastsix！\"
Bythistimethepeopleinthecourt-roomwerebeginningtobelieveinthisnewwitness。Theywereamusedbyhismelodramaticactioninthusfixingthehour；buttheyseemedtohaveconfidenceintheoutcome。AsforthePresident，itlookedasifhealsohadmadeuphismindtotaketheyoungmaninthesameway。HehadcertainlybeenimpressedbyRouletabille\'sexplanationofMadameMathieu\'spart。
\"Well，MonsieurRouletabille，\"hesaid，\"asyousay；butdon\'tletusseeanymoreofyoubeforehalf-pastsix。\"
RouletabillebowedtothePresident，andmadehiswaytothedoorofthewitnesses\'room。
IquietlymademywaythroughthecrowdandleftthecourtalmostatthesametimeasRouletabille。Hegreetedmeheartily，andlookedhappy。
\"I\'llnotaskyou，mydearfellow，\"Isaid，smiling，\"whatyou\'vebeendoinginAmerica；becauseI\'venodoubtyou\'llsayyoucan\'ttellmeuntilafterhalf-pastsix。\"
\"No，mydearSainclair，I\'lltellyourightnowwhyIwenttoAmerica。Iwentinsearchofthenameoftheotherhalfofthemurderer！\"
\"Thenameoftheotherhalf？\"
\"Exactly。WhenwelastlefttheGlandierIknewthereweretwohalvestothemurdererandthenameofonlyoneofthem。IwenttoAmericaforthenameoftheotherhalf。\"
Iwastoopuzzledtoanswer。Justthenweenteredthewitnesses\'
room，andRouletabillewasimmediatelysurrounded。HeshowedhimselfveryfriendlytoallexceptArthurRancetowhomheexhibitedamarkedcoldnessofmanner。FredericLarsancameinalso。Rouletabillewentupandshookhimheartilybythehand。
Hismannertowardthedetectiveshowedthathehadgotthebetterofthepoliceman。LarsansmiledandaskedhimwhathehadbeendoinginAmerica，Rouletabillebeganbytellinghimsomeanecdotesofhisvoyage。Theythenturnedasidetogetherapparentlywiththeobjectofspeakingconfidentially。I，therefore，discreetlyleftthemand，beingcurioustoheartheevidence，returnedtomyseatinthecourt-roomwherethepublicplainlyshoweditslackofinterestinwhatwasgoingonintheirimpatienceforRouletabille\'sreturnattheappointedtime。
Onthestrokeofhalf-pastsixJosephRouletabillewasagainbroughtin。Itisimpossibleformetopicturethetenseexcitementwhichappearedoneveryface，ashemadehiswaytothebar。Darzacrosetohisfeet，frightfullypale。
ThePresident，addressingRouletabille，saidgravely：
\"Iwillnotaskyoutotaketheoath，becauseyouhavenotbeenregularlysummoned；butItrustthereisnoneedtourgeuponyouthegravityofthestatementyouareabouttomake。\"
RouletabillelookedthePresidentquitecalmlyandsteadilyintheface，andreplied：
\"Yes，Monsieur。\"
\"Atyourlastappearancehere，\"saidthePresident，\"wehadarrivedatthepointwhereyouweretotellushowthemurdererescaped，andalsohisname。Now，MonsieurRouletabille，weawaityourexplanation。\"
\"Verywell，Monsieur，\"beganmyfriendamidstaprofoundsilence。
\"Ihadexplainedhowitwasimpossibleforthemurderertogetawaywithoutbeingseen。Andyethewastherewithusinthecourtyard。\"
\"Andyoudidnotseehim？Atleastthatiswhattheprosecutiondeclares。\"
\"No！Weallofussawhim，MonsieurlePresident！\"criedRouletabille。
\"Thenwhywashenotarrested？\"
\"Becausenoone，besidesmyself，knewthathewasthemurderer。Itwouldhavespoiledmyplanstohavehadhimarrested，andIhadthennoproofotherthanmyownreasoning。Iwasconvincedwehadthemurdererbeforeusandthatwewereactuallylookingathim。I
havenowbroughtwhatIconsidertheindisputableproof。\"
\"Speakout，Monsieur！Tellusthemurderer\'sname。\"
\"Youwillfinditonthelistofnamespresentinthecourtonthenightofthetragedy，\"repliedRouletabille。
Thepeoplepresentinthecourt-roombeganshowingimpatience。
Someofthemevencalledforthename，andweresilencedbytheusher。
\"ThelistincludesDaddyJacques，Bemiertheconcierge，andMr。
ArthurRance，\"saidthePresident。\"Doyouaccuseanyofthese？\"
\"No，Monsieur！\"
\"ThenIdonotunderstandwhatyouaredrivingat。Therewasnootherpersonattheendofthecourt。\"
\"Yes，Monsieur，therewas，notattheend，butabovethecourt，whowasleaningoutofthewindow。\"
\"DoyoumeanFredericLarsan！\"exclaimedthePresident。
\"Yes！FredericLarsan！\"repliedRouletabilleinaringingtone。
\"FredericLarsanisthemurderer！\"
Thecourt-roombecameimmediatelyfilledwithloudandindignantprotests。SoastonishedwashethatthePresidentdidnotattempttoquietit。ThequicksilencewhichfollowedwasbrokenbythedistinctlywhisperedwordsfromthelipsofRobertDarzac：
\"It\'simpossible！He\'smad！\"
\"YoudaretoaccuseFredericLarsan，Monsieur？\"askedthePresident。
\"Ifyouarenotmad，whatareyourproofs？\"
\"Proofs，Monsieur？-Doyouwantproofs？Well，hereisone，\"criedRouletabilleshrilly。\"LetFredericLarsanbecalled！\"
\"Usher，callFredericLarsan。\"
Theusherhurriedtothesidedoor，openedit，anddisappeared。Thedoorremainedopen，whilealleyesturnedexpectantlytowardsit。
Theclerkre-appearedand，steppingforward，said：
\"MonsieurPresident，FredericLarsanisnothere。Heleftataboutfouro\'clockandhasnotbeenseensince。\"
\"Thatismyproof！\"criedRouletabille，triumphantly。
\"Explainyourself？\"demandedthePresident。
\"MyproofisLarsan\'sflight，\"saidtheyoungreporter。\"Hewillnotcomeback。YouwillseenomoreofFredericLarsan。\"
\"Unlessyouareplayingwiththecourt，Monsieur，whydidyounotaccusehimwhenhewaspresent？Hewouldthenhaveansweredyou。\"
\"Hecouldgivenootheranswerthantheonehehasnowgivenbyhisflight。\"
\"WecannotbelievethatLarsanhasfled。Therewasnoreasonforhisdoingso。Didheknowyou\'dmakethischarge？\"
\"Hedid。ItoldhimIwould。\"
\"DoyoumeantosaythatknowingLarsanwasthemurdereryougavehimtheopportunitytoescape？\"
\"Yes，MonsieurPresident，Idid，\"repliedRouletabille，proudly。
\"Iamnotapoliceman，Iamajournalist；andmybusinessisnottoarrestpeople。Mybusinessisintheserviceoftruth，andisnotthatofanexecutioner。Ifyouarejust，Monsieur，youwillseethatIamright。YoucannowunderstandwhyIrefraineduntilthishourtodivulgethename。IgaveLarsantimetocatchthe4：17trainforParis，wherehewouldknowwheretohidehimself，andleavenotraces。YouwillnotfindFredericLarsan，\"declaredRouletabille，fixinghiseyesonMonsieurRobertDarzac。\"Heistoocunning。Heisamanwhohasalwaysescapedyouandwhomyouhavelongsearchedforinvain。Ifhedidnotsucceedinoutwittingme，hecanyeteasilyoutwitanypolice。Thismanwho，fouryearsago，introducedhimselftotheSurete，andbecamecelebratedasFredericLarsan，isnotoriousunderanothername-anamewellknowntocrime。FredericLarsan，MonsieurPresident，isBallmeyer！\"
\"Ballmeyer！\"criedthePresident。
\"Ballmeyer！\"exclaimedRobertDarzac，springingtohisfeet。
\"Ballmeyer！-Itwastrue，then！\"
\"Ah！MonsieurDarzac；youdon\'tthinkIammad，now！\"criedRouletabille。
Ballmeyer！Ballmeyer！Nootherwordcouldbeheardinthecourtroom。ThePresidentadjournedthehearing。
ThoseofmyreaderswhomaynothaveheardofBallmeyerwillwonderattheexcitementthenamecaused。Andyetthedoingsofthisremarkablecriminalformthesubject-matterofthemostdramaticnarrativesofthenewspapersandcriminalrecordsofthepasttwentyyears。Ithadbeenreportedthathewasdead，andthushadeludedthepoliceashehadeludedthemthroughoutthewholeofhiscareer。
Ballmeyerwasthebestspecimenofthehigh-class\"gentlemanswindler。\"Hewasadeptatsleightofhandtricks，andnobolderormoreruthlesscrookeverlived。Hewasreceivedinthebestsociety，andwasamemberofsomeofthemostexclusiveclubs。Onmanyofhisdepredatoryexpeditionshehadnothesitatedtousetheknifeandthemutton-bone。Nodifficultystoppedhimandno\"operation\"wastoodangerous。Hehadbeencaught，butescapedontheverymorningofhistrial，bythrowingpepperintotheeyesoftheguardswhowereconductinghimtoCourt。Itwasknownlaterthat，inspiteofthekeenhuntafterhimbythemostexpertofdetectives，hehadsatthatsameeveningatafirstperformanceintheTheatreFrancais，withouttheslightestdisguise。
HeleftFrance，later，to\"work\"America，Thepolicetheresucceededincapturinghimonce，buttheextraordinarymanescapedthenextday。Itwouldneedavolumetorecounttheadventuresofthismaster-criminal。AndyetthiswasthemanRouletabillehadallowedtogetaway！Knowingallabouthimandwhohewas，heaffordedthecriminalanopportunityforanotherlaughatthesocietyhehaddefied！Icouldnothelpadmiringtheboldstrokeoftheyoungjournalist，becauseIfeltcertainhismotivehadbeentoprotectbothMademoiselleStangersonandridDarzacofanenemyatthesametime。
Thecrowdhadbarelyrecoveredfromtheeffectoftheastonishingrevelationwhenthehearingwasresumed。Thequestionineverybody\'smindwas：AdmittingthatLarsanwasthemurderer，howdidhegetoutofTheYellowRoom？
Rouletabillewasimmediatelycalledtothebarandhisexaminationcontinued。
\"Youhavetoldus，\"saidthePresident，\"thatitwasimpossibletoescapefromtheendofthecourt。SinceLarsanwasleaningoutofhiswindow，hehadleftthecourt。Howdidhedothat？\"
\"Heescapedbyamostunusualway。Heclimbedthewall，sprangontotheterrace，and，whilewewereengagedwiththekeeper\'sbody，reachedthegallerybythewindow。Hethenhadlittleelsetodothantoopenthewindow，getinandcallouttous，asifhehadjustcomefromhisownroom。ToamanofBallmeyer\'sstrengthallthatwasmerechild\'splay。Andhere，Monsieur，istheproofofwhatIsay。\"
Rouletabilledrewfromhispocketasmallpacket，fromwhichheproducedastrongironpeg。
\"This，Monsieur，\"hesaid，\"isaspikewhichperfectlyfitsaholestilltobeseeninthecornicesupportingtheterrace。Larsan，whothoughtandpreparedforeverythingincaseofanyemergency，hadfixedthisspikeintothecornice。Allhehadtodotomakehisescapegoodwastoplantonefootonastonewhichisplacedatthecornerofthechateau，anotheronthissupport，onehandonthecorniceofthekeeper\'sdoorandtheotherontheterrace，andLarsanwasclearoftheground。Therestwaseasy。Hisactingafterdinnerasifhehadbeendruggedwasmakebelieve。Hewasnotdrugged；buthediddrugme。Ofcoursehehadtomakeitappearasifhealsohadbeendruggedsothatnosuspicionshouldfallonhimformycondition。HadInotbeenthusoverpowered，LarsanwouldneverhaveenteredMademoiselleStangerson\'schamberthatnight，andtheattackonherwouldnothavetakenplace。\"
AgroancamefromDarzac，whoappearedtobeunabletocontrolhissuffering。
\"Youcanunderstand，\"addedRouletabile，\"thatLarsanwouldfeelhimselfhamperedfromthefactthatmyroomwassoclosetohis，andfromasuspicionthatIwouldbeonthewatchthatnight。Naturally，hecouldnotforamomentbelievethatIsuspectedhim！ButImightseehimleavinghisroomwhenhewasabouttogotoMademoiselleStangerson。HewaitedtillIwasasleep，andmyfriendSainclairwasbusytryingtorouseme。TenminutesafterthatMademoisellewascallingout，\"Murder！\"
\"HowdidyoucometosuspectLarsan？\"askedthePresident。
\"Mypurereasonpointedtohim。ThatwaswhyIwatchedhim。ButIdidnotforeseethedrugging。Heisverycunning。Yes，mypurereasonpointedtohim；butIrequiredtangibleproofsothatmyeyescouldseehimasmypurereasonsawhim。\"
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyyourpurereason？\"
\"Thatpowerofone\'smindwhichadmitsofnodisturbingelementstoaconclusion。Thedayfollowingtheincidentof\'theinexplicablegallery，\'Ifeltmyselflosingcontrolofit。Ihadallowedmyselftobedivertedbyfallaciousevidence；butI
recoveredandagaintookholdoftherightend。Isatisfiedmyselfthatthemurderercouldnothaveleftthegallery，eithernaturallyorsupernaturally。Inarrowedthefieldofconsiderationtothatsmallcircle，sotospeak。Themurderercouldnotbeoutsidethatcircle。Nowwhowasinit？Therewas，first，themurderer。ThentherewereDaddyJacques，MonsieurStangerson，FredericLarsan，andmyself。Fivepersonsinall，countinginthemurderer。Andyet，inthegallery，therewerebutfour。Nowsinceithadbeendemonstratedtomethatthefifthcouldnothaveescaped，itwasevidentthatoneofthefourpresentinthegallerymustbeadouble-hemustbehimselfandthemurdereralso。WhyhadInotseenthisbefore？Simplybecausethephenomenonofthedoublepersonalityhadnotoccurredbeforeinthisinquiry。
\"Nowwhoofthefourpersonsinthegallerywasboththatpersonandtheassassin？IwentoverinmymindwhatIhadseen。Ihadseenatoneandthesametime，MonsieurStangersonandthemurderer，DaddyJacquesandthemurderer，myselfandthemurderer；sothatthemurderer，then，couldnotbeeitherMonsieurStangerson，DaddyJacques，ormyself。HadIseenFredericLarsanandthemurdereratthesametime？-No！-Twosecondshadpassed，duringwhichI
lostsightofthemurderer；for，asIhavenotedinmypapers，hearrivedtwosecondsbeforeMonsieurStangerson，DaddyJacques，andmyselfatthemeeting-pointofthetwogalleries。ThatwouldhavegivenLarsantimetogothroughthe\'off-turning\'gallery，snatchoffhisfalsebeard，return，andhurrywithusasif，likeus，inpursuitofthemurderer。IwassurenowIhadgotholdoftherightendinmyreasoning。WithFredericLarsanwasnowalwaysassociated，inmymind，thepersonalityoftheunknownofwhomI
wasinpursuit-themurderer，inotherwords。
\"Thatrevelationstaggeredme。Itriedtoregainmybalancebygoingovertheevidencespreviouslytraced，butwhichhaddivertedmymindandledmeawayfromFredericLarsan。Whatweretheseevidences？
\"1st。IhadseentheunknowninMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber。
OngoingtoFredericLarsan\'sroom，IhadfoundLarsansoundasleep。
\"2nd。Theladder。
\"3rd。IhadplacedFredericLarsanattheendofthe\'off-turning\'
galleryandhadtoldhimthatIwouldrushintoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroomtotrytocapturethemurderer。ThenIreturnedtoMademoiselleStangerson\'schamberwhereIhadseentheunknown。
\"Thefirstevidencedidnotdisturbmemuch。Itislikelythat，whenIdescendedfrommyladder，afterhavingseentheunknowninMademoiselleStangerson\'schamber，Larsanhadalreadyfinishedwhathewasdoingthere。Then，whileIwasre-enteringthechateau，Larsanwentbacktohisownroomand，undressinghimself，wenttosleep。
\"Nordidthesecondevidencetroubleme。IfLarsanwerethemurderer，hecouldhavenouseforaladder；buttheladdermighthavebeenplacedtheretogiveanappearancetothemurderer\'sentrancefromwithoutthechateau；especiallyasLarsanhadaccusedDarzacandDarzacwasnotinthechateauthatnight。Further，theladdermighthavebeenplacedtheretofacilitateLarsan\'sflightincaseofabsolutenecessity。
\"Butthethirdevidencepuzzledmealtogether。HavingplacedLarsanattheendofthe\'off-turninggallery，\'IcouldnotexplainhowhehadtakenadvantageofthemomentwhenIhadgonetotheleftwingofthechateautofindMonsieurStangersonandDaddyJacques，toreturntoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom。Itwasaverydangerousthingtodo。Heriskedbeingcaptured，-andheknewit。Andhewasverynearlycaptured。Hehadnothadtimetoregainhispost，ashehadcertainlyhopedtodo。Hehadthenaverystrongreasonforreturningtohisroom。Asformyself，whenIsentDaddyJacquestotheendofthe\'rightgallery，\'InaturallythoughtthatLarsanwasstillathispost。DaddyJacques，ingoingtohispost，hadnotlooked，whenhepassed，toseewhetherLarsanwasathispostornot。
\"What，then，wastheurgentreasonwhichhadcompelledLarsantogototheroomasecondtime？Iguessedittobesomeevidenceofhispresencethere。Hehadleftsomethingveryimportantinthatroom。Whatwasit？Andhadherecoveredit？IbeggedMadameBernierwhowasaccustomedtocleantheroomtolook，andshefoundapairofeye-glasses-thispair，MonsieurPresident！\"
AndRouletabilledrewtheeye-glasses，ofwhichweknow，fromhispocket。
\"WhenIsawtheseeye-glasses，\"hecontinued，\"Iwasutterlynonplussed。IhadneverseenLarsanweareye-glasses。Whatdidtheymean？SuddenlyIexclaimedtomyself：\'Iwonderifheislong。sighted？\'IhadneverseenLarsanwrite。Hemight，then，belong-sighted。TheywouldcertainlyknowattheSurete，andalsoknowiftheglasseswerehis。Suchevidencewouldbedamning。
ThatexplainedLarsan\'sreturn。IknownowthatLarsan，orBallmeyer，islong-sightedandthattheseglassesbelongedtohim。
\"Inowmadeonemistake。IwasnotsatisfiedwiththeevidenceI
hadobtained。Iwishedtoseetheman\'sface。HadIrefrainedfromthis，thesecondterribleattackwouldnothaveoccurred。\"
\"But，\"askedthePresident，\"whyshouldLarsangotoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom，atall？Whyshouldhetwiceattempttomurderher？\"
\"Becausehelovesher，MonsieurPresident。\"
\"Thatiscertainlyareason，but-\"
\"Itistheonlyreason。Hewasmadlyinlove，andbecauseofthat，nd-otherthings，hewascapableofcommittinganycrime。\"
\"DidMademoiselleStangersonknowthis？\"
\"Yes，Monsieur；butshewasignorantofthefactthatthemanwhowaspursuingherwasFredericLarsan，otherwise，ofcourse，hewouldnothavebeenallowedtobeatthechateau。Inoticed，whenhewasinherroomaftertheincidentinthegallery，thathekepthimselfintheshadow，andthathekepthisheadbentdown。Hewaslookingforthelosteye-glasses。MademoiselleStangersonknewLarsanunderanothername。\"
\"MonsieurDarzac，\"askedthePresident，\"didMademoiselleStangersoninanywayconfideinyouonthismatter？Howisitthatshehasneverspokenaboutittoanyone？Ifyouareinnocent，shewouldhavewishedtospareyouthepainofbeingaccused。\"
\"MademoiselleStangersontoldmenothing，\"replledMonsieurDarzac。
\"Doeswhatthisyoungmansaysappearprobabletoyou？\"thePresidentasked。
\"MademoiselleStangersonhastoldmenothing，\"herepliedstolidly。
\"Howdoyouexplainthat，onthenightofthemurderofthekeeper，\"
thePresidentasked，turningtoRouletabille，\"themurdererbroughtbackthepapersstolenfromMonsieurStangerson？-HowdoyouexplainhowthemurderergainedentranceintoMademoiselleStangerson\'slockedroom？\"
\"Thelastquestioniseasilyanswered。AmanlikeLarsan，orBallmeyer，couldhavehadmadeduplicatekeys。Astothedocuments，IthinkLarsanhadnotintendedtostealthem，atfirst。CloselywatchingMademoisellewiththepurposeofpreventinghermarriagewithMonsieurRobertDarzac，heonedayfollowedherandMonsieurintotheGrandsMagasinsdeIaLouvre。Therehegotpossessionofthereticulewhichshelost，orleftbehind。Inthatreticulewasakeywithabrasshead。Hedidnotknowtherewasanyvalueattachedtothekeytilltheadvertisementinthenewspapersrevealedit。HethenwrotetoMademoiselle，astheadvertisementrequested。
Nodoubtheaskedforameeting，makingknowntoherthathewasalsothepersonwhohadforsometimepursuedherwithhislove。
Hereceivednoanswer。HewenttothePostOfficeandascertainedthathisletterwasnolongerthere。HehadalreadytakencompletestockofMonsieurDarzac，and，havingdecidedtogotoanylengthstogainMademoiselleStangerson，hehadplannedthat，whatevermighthappen，MonsieurDarzac，hishatedrival，shouldbethemantobesuspected。
\"IdonotthinkthatLarsanhadasyetthoughtofmurderingMademoiselleStangerson；butwhateverhemightdo，hemadesurethatMonsieurDarzacshouldsufferforit。HewasverynearlyofthesameheightasMonsieurDarzacandhadalmostthesamesizedfeet。
Itwouldnotbedifficult，totakeanimpressionofMonsieurDarzac\'sfootprints，andhavesimilarbootsmadeforhimself。Suchtricksweremerechild\'splayforLarsan，orBallmeyer。
\"Receivingnoreplytohisletter，hedetermined，sinceMademoiselleStangersonwouldnotcometohim，thathewouldgotoher。Hisplanhadlongbeenformed。Hehadmadehimselfmasteroftheplansofthechateauandthepavilion。Sothat，oneafternoon，whileMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonwereoutforawalk，andwhileDaddyJacqueswasaway，heenteredthelatterbythevestibulewindow。Hewasalone，and，beinginnohurry，hebeganexaminingthefurniture。
Oneofthepieces，resemblingasafe，hadaverysmallkeyhole。
Thatinterestedhim！Hehadwithhimthelittlekeywiththebrasshead，and，associatingonewiththeother，hetriedthekeyinthelock。Thedooropened。Hesawnothingbutpapers。Theymustbeveryvaluabletohavebeenputawayinasafe，andthekeytowhichtobeofsomuchimportance。PerhapsathoughtofblackmailoccurredtohimasausefulpossibilityinhelpinghiminhisdesignsonMademoiselleStangerson。Hequicklymadeaparcelofthepapersandtookittothelavatoryinthevestibule。Betweenthetimeofhisfirstexaminationofthepavilionandthenightofthemurderofthekeeper，Larsanhadhadtimetofindoutwhatthosepaperscontained。
Hecoulddonothingwiththem，andtheywererathercompromising。
Thatnighthetookthembacktothechateau。Perhapshehopedthat，byreturningthepapershemightobtainsomegratitudefromMademoiselleStangerson。Butwhatevermayhavebeenhisreasons，hetookthepapersbackandsoridhimselfofanencumbrance。
Rouletabillecoughed。Itwasevidenttomethathewasembarrassed。
HehadarrivedatapointwherehehadtokeepbackhisknowledgeofLarsan\'struemotive。Theexplanationhehadgivenhadevidentlybeenunsatisfactory。Rouletabillewasquickenoughtonotethebadimpressionhehadmade，for，turningtothePresident，hesaid：
\"AndnowwecometotheexplanationoftheMysteryofTheYellowRoom！\"
Amovementofchairsinthecourtwitharustlingofdressesandanenergeticwhisperingof\"Hush！\"showedthecuriositythathadbeenaroused。
\"Itseemstome，\"saidthePresident，\"thattheMysteryofTheYellowRoom，MonsieurRouletabille，iswhollyexplainedbyyourhypothesis。FredericLarsanistheexplanation。WehavemerelytosubstitutehimforMonsieurRobertDarzac。EvidentlythedoorofTheYellowRoomwasopenatthetimeMonsieurStangersonwasalone，andthatheallowedthemanwhowascomingoutofhisdaughter\'schambertopasswithoutarrestinghim-perhapsatherentreatytoavoidallscandal。\"
\"No，MonsieurPresident，\"protestedtheyoungman。\"Youforgetthat，stunnedbytheattackmadeonher，MademoiselleStangersonwasnotinaconditiontohavemadesuchanappeal。Norcouldshehavelockedandboltedherselfinherroom。YoumustalsorememberthatMonsieurStangersonhasswornthatthedoorwasnotopen。\"
\"That，however，istheonlywayinwhichitcanbeexplained。TheYellowRoomwasascloselyshutasanironsafe。Touseyourownexpression，itwasimpossibleforthemurderertomakehisescapeeithernaturallyorsupernaturally。Whentheroomwasbrokenintohewasnotthere！Hemust，therefore，haveescaped。\"
\"Thatdoesnotfollow。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Therewasnoneedforhimtoescape-ifhewasnotthere！\"
\"Notthere！\"
\"Evidently，not。Hecouldnothavebeenthere，ifhewerenotfoundthere。\"
\"But，whatabouttheevidencesofhispresence？\"askedthePresident。
\"That，MonsieurPresident，iswherewehavetakenholdofthewrongend。FromthetimeMademoiselleStangersonshutherselfintheroomtothetimeherdoorwasburstopen，itwasimpossibleforthemurderertoescape。Hewasnotfoundbecausehewasnotthereduringthattime。\"
\"Buttheevidences？\"
\"Theyhaveledusastray。Inreasoningonthismysterywemustnottakethemtomeanwhattheyapparentlymean。Whydoweconcludethemurdererwasthere？-Becausehelefthistracksintheroom？Good！
Butmayhenothavebeentherebeforetheroomwaslocked。Nay，hemusthavebeentherebefore！Letuslookintothematterofthesetracesandseeiftheydonotpointtomyconclusion。
\"Afterthepublicationofthearticleinthe\'Matin\'andmyconversationwiththeexaminingmagistrateonthejourneyfromParistoEpinaysur-Orge，IwascertainthatTheYellowRoomhadbeenhermeticallysealed，sotospeak，andthatconsequentlythemurdererhadescapedbeforeMademoiselleStangersonhadgoneintoherchamberatmidnight。
\"AtthetimeIwasmuchpuzzled。MademoiselleStangersoncouldnothavebeenherownmurderer，sincetheevidencespointedtosomeotherperson。Theassassin，then，hadcomebefore。Ifthatwereso，howwasitthatMademoisellehadbeenattackedafter？orrather，thatsheappearedtohavebeenattackedafter？Itwasnecessaryformetoreconstructtheoccurrenceandmakeofittwophases-eachseparatedfromtheother，intime，bythespaceofseveralhours。
OnephaseinwhichMademoiselleStangersonhadreallybeenattacked-theotherphaseinwhichthosewhoheardhercriesthoughtshewasbeingattacked。IhadnotthenexaminedTheYellowRoom。WhatwerethemarksonMademoiselleStangerson？Thereweremarksofstrangulationandthewoundfromahardblowonthetemple。Themarksofstrangulationdidnotinterestmemuch；theymighthavebeenmadebefore，andMademoiselleStangersoncouldhaveconcealedthembyacollarette，oranysimilararticleofapparel。IhadtosupposethisthemomentIwascompelledtoreconstructtheoccurrencebytwophases。MademoiselleStangersonhad，nodoubt，herownreasonsforsodoing，sinceshehadtoldherfathernothingofit，andhadmadeitunderstoodtotheexaminingmagistratethattheattackhadtakenplaceinthenight，duringthesecondphase。Shewasforcedtosaythat，otherwiseherfatherwouldhavequestionedherastoherreasonforhavingsaidnothingaboutit。
\"ButIcouldnotexplaintheblowonthetemple。IunderstooditevenlesswhenIlearnedthatthemutton-bonehadbeenfoundinherroom。Shecouldnothidethefactthatshehadbeenstruckonthehead，andyetthatwoundappearedevidentlytohavebeeninflictedduringthefirstphase，sinceitrequiredthepresenceofthemurderer！IthoughtMademoiselleStangersonhadhiddenthewoundbyarrangingherhairinbandsonherforehead。
\"Astothemarkofthehandonthewall，thathadevidentlybeenmadeduringthefirstphase-whenthemurdererwasreallythere。
Allthetracesofhispresencehadnaturallybeenleftduringthefirstphase；themutton-bone，theblackfootprints，theBasquecap，thehandkerchief，thebloodonthewall，onthedoor，andonthefloor。Ifthosetraceswerestillallthere，theyshowedthatMademoiselleStangerson-whodesiredthatnothingshouldbeknown-hadnotyethadtimetoclearthemaway。Thisledmetotheconclusionthatthetwophaseshadtakenplaceoneshortlyaftertheother。Shehadnothadtheopportunity，afterleavingherroomandgoingbacktothelaboratorytoherfather，togetbackagaintoherroomandputitinorder。Herfatherwasallthetimewithher，working。Sothatafterthefirstphaseshedidnotre-enterherchambertillmidnight。DaddyJacqueswasthereatteno\'clock，ashewaseverynight；buthewentinmerelytoclosetheblindsandlightthenight-light。OwingtoherdisturbedstateofmindshehadforgottenthatDaddyJacqueswouldgointoherroomandhadbeggedhimnottotroublehimself。Allthiswassetforthinthearticleinthe\'Matin。\'DaddyJacquesdidgo，however，and，inthedimlightoftheroom，sawnothing。
\"MademoiselleStangersonmusthavelivedsomeanxiousmomentswhileDaddyJacqueswasabsent；butIthinkshewasnotawarethatsomanyevidenceshadbeenleft。Aftershehadbeenattackedshehadonlytimetohidethetracesoftheman\'sfingersonherneckandtohurrytothelaboratory。Hadsheknownofthebone，thecap，andthehandkerchief，shewouldhavemadeawaywiththemaftershehadgonebacktoherchamberatmidnight。Shedidnotseethem，andundressedbytheuncertainglimmerofthenightlight。Shewenttobed，worn-outbyanxietyandfear-afearthathadmadeherremaininthelaboratoryaslateaspossible。
\"Myreasoninghadthusbroughtmetothesecondphaseofthetragedy，whenMademoiselleStangersonwasaloneintheroom。Ihadnowtoexplaintherevolvershotsfiredduringthesecondphase。Criesof\'Help！-Murder！\'hadbeenheard。Howtoexplainthese？Astothecries，Iwasinnodifficulty；sinceshewasaloneinherroomthesecouldresultfromnightmareonly。Myexplanationofthestruggleandnoisethatwereheardissimplythatinhernightmareshewashauntedbytheterribleexperienceshehadpassedthroughintheafternoon。
Inherdreamsheseesthemurdererabouttospringuponherandshecries，\'Help！Murder！\'Herhandwildlyseekstherevolvershehadplacedwithinherreachonthenight-tablebythesideofherbed，butherhand，strikingthetable，overturnsit，andtherevolver，fallingtothefloor，dischargesitself，thebulletlodgingintheceiling。Iknewfromthefirstthatthebulletintheceilingmusthaveresultedfromanaccident。Itsverypositionsuggestedanaccidenttomymind，andsofellinwithmytheoryofanightmare。
InolongerdoubtedthattheattackhadtakenplacebeforeMademoisellehadretiredforthenight。Afterwakeningfromherrightfuldreamandcryingaloudforhelp，shehadfainted。
\"Mytheory，basedontheevidenceoftheshotsthatwereheardatmidnight，demandedtwoshots-onewhichwoundedthemurdereratthetimeofhisattack，andonefiredatthetimeofthenightmare。
TheevidencegivenbytheBerniersbeforetheexaminingmagistratewastotheeffectthatonlyoneshothadbeenheard。MonsieurStangersontestifiedtohearingadullsoundfirstfollowedbyasharpringingsound。ThedullsoundIexplainedbythefallingofthemarble-toppedtable；theringingsoundwastheshotfromtherevolver。IwasnowconvincedIwasright。TheshotthathadwoundedthehandofthemurdererandhadcausedittobleedsothatheleftthebloodyimprintonthewallwasfiredbyMademoiselleinself-defence，beforethesecondphase，whenshehadbeenreallyattacked。TheshotintheceilingwhichtheBerniersheardwastheaccidentalshotduringthenightmare。
\"Ihadnowtoexplainthewoundonthetemple。Itwasnotsevereenoughtohavebeenmadebymeansofthemutton-bone，andMademoisellehadnotattemptedtohideit。Itmusthavebeenmadeduringthesecondphase。ItwastofindthisoutthatIwenttoTheYellowRoom，andIobtainedmyanswerthere。\"
Rouletabilledrewapieceofwhitefoldedpaperfromhispocket，anddrewoutofitanalmostinvisibleobjectwhichheheldbetweenhisthumbandforefinger。
\"This，MonsieurPresident，\"hesaid，\"isahair-ablondhairstainedwithblood；-itisahairfromtheheadofMademoiselleStangerson。Ifounditstickingtooneofthecornersoftheoverturnedtable。Thecornerofthetablewasitselfstainedwithblood-atinystain-hardlyvisible；butittoldmethat，onrisingfromherbed，MademoiselleStangersonhadfallenheavilyandhadstruckherheadonthecornerofitsmarbletop。
\"Istillhadtolearn，inadditiontothenameoftheassassin，whichIdidlater，thetimeoftheoriginalattack。IlearnedthisfromtheexaminationofMademoiselleStangersonandherfather，thoughtheanswersgivenbytheformerwerewellcalculatedtodeceivetheexaminingmagistrate-MademoiselleStangersonhadstatedveryminutelyhowshehadspentthewholeofhertimethatday。Weestablishedthefactthatthemurdererhadintroducedhimselfintothepavilionbetweenfiveandsixo\'clock。Ataquarterpastsixtheprofessorandhisdaughterhadresumedtheirwork。Atfivetheprofessorhadbeenwithhisdaughter，andsincetheattacktookplaceintheprofessor\'sabsencefromhisdaughter，Ihadtofindoutjustwhenhelefther。Theprofessorhadstatedthatatthetimewhenheandhisdaughterwereabouttore-enterthelaboratoryhewasmetbythekeeperandheldinconversationaboutthecuttingofsomewoodandthepoachers。MademoiselleStangersonwasnotwithhimthensincetheprofessorsaid：\'Ileftthekeeperandrejoinedmydaughterwhowasatworkinthelaboratory。\'
\"Itwasduringthatshortintervaloftimethatthetragedytookplace。Thatiscertain。Inmymind\'seyeIsawMademoiselleStangersonre-enterthepavilion，gotoherroomtotakeoffherhat，andfindherselffacedbythemurderer。Hehadbeeninthepavilionforsometimewaitingforher。Hehadarrangedtopassthewholenightthere。HehadtakenoffDaddyJacques\'sboots；hehadremovedthepapersfromthecabinet；andhadthenslippedunderthebed。Findingthetimelong，hehadrisen，goneagainintothelaboratory，thenintothevestibule，lookedintothegarden，andhadseen，comingtowardsthepavilion，MademoiselleStangerson-alone。Hewouldneverhavedaredtoattackheratthathour，ifhehadnotfoundheralone。Hismindwasmadeup。HewouldbemoreateasealonewithMademoiselleStangersoninthepavilion，thanhewouldhavebeeninthemiddleofthenight，withDaddyJacquessleepingintheattic。Soheshutthevestibulewindow。
ThatexplainswhyneitherMonsieurStangerson，northekeeper，whowereatsomedistancefromthepavilion，hadheardtherevolvershot。
\"ThenhewentbacktoTheYellowRoom。MademoiselleStangersoncamein。Whatpassedmusthavetakenplaceveryquickly。Mademoiselletriedtocallforhelp；butthemanhadseizedherbythethroat。
Herhandhadsoughtandgraspedtherevolverwhichshehadbeenkeepinginthedrawerofhernight-table，sinceshehadcometofearthethreatsofherpursuer。Themurdererwasabouttostrikeherontheheadwiththemutton-bone-aterribleweaponinthehandsofaLarsanorBallmeyer；butshefiredintime，andtheshotwoundedthehandthatheldtheweapon。Thebonefelltothefloorcoveredwiththebloodofthemurderer，whostaggered，clutchedatthewallforsupport-imprintingonittheredmarks-and，fearinganotherbullet，fled。
\"Shesawhimpassthroughthelaboratory，andlistened。Hewaslongatthewindow。Atlengthhejumpedfromit。Sheflewtoitandshutit。Thedangerpast，allherthoughtswereofherfather。Hadheeitherseenorheard？Atanycosttoherselfshemustkeepthisfromhim。ThuswhenMonsieurStangersonreturned，hefoundthedoorofTheYellowRoomclosed，andhisdaughterinthelaboratory，bendingoverherdesk，atwork！\"
TurningtowardsMonsieurDarzac，Rouletabillecried：\"Youknowthetruth！Tellus，then，ifthatisnothowthingshappened。\"
\"Idon\'tknowanythingaboutit，\"repliedMonsieurDarzac。
\"Iadmireyouforyoursilence，\"saidRouletabille，\"butifMademoiselleStangersonknewofyourdanger，shewouldreleaseyoufromyouroath。Shewouldbegofyoutotellallshehasconfidedtoyou。Shewouldbeheretodefendyou！\"
MonsieurDarzacmadenomovement，norutteredaword。HelookedatRouletabillesadly。
\"However，\"saidtheyoungreporter，\"sinceMademoiselleisnothere，Imustdoitmyself。But，believeme，MonsieurDarzac，theonlymeanstosaveMademoiselleStangersonandrestorehertoherreason，istosecureyouracquittal。\"
\"WhatisthissecretmotivethatcompelsMademoiselleStangersontohideherknowledgefromherfather？\"askedthePresident。
\"That，Monsieur，Idonotknow，\"saidRouletabile。\"Itisnobusinessofmine。\"
ThePresident，turningtoMonsieurDarzac，endeavouredtoinducehimtotellwhatheknew。
\"Doyoustillrefuse，Monsieur，totellushowyouemployedyourtimeduringtheattemptsonthelifeofMademoiselleStangerson？\"
\"Icannottellyouanything，Monsieur。\"
ThePresidentturnedtoRouletabilleasifappealingforanexplanation。
\"Wemustassume，MonsieurPresident，thatMonsieurRobertDarzac\'sabsensionsarecloselyconnectedwithMademoiselleStangerson\'ssecret，andthatMonsieurDarzacfeelshimselfinhonourboundtoremainsilent。ItmaybethatLarsan，who，sincehisthreeattempts，hashadeverythingintrainingtocastsuspiciononMonsieurDarzac，hadfixedonjustthoseoccasionsforameetingwithMonsieurDarzacataspotmostcompromising。Larsaniscunningenoughtohavedonethat。\"
ThePresidentseemedpartlyconvinced，butstillcurious，heasked：
\"ButwhatisthissecretofMademoiselleStangerson？\"
\"ThatIcannottellyou，\"saidRouletabille。\"Ithink，however，youknowenoughnowtoacquitMonsieurRobertDarzac！UnlessLarsanshouldreturn，andIdon\'tthinkhewill，\"headded，withalaugh。
\"Onequestionmore，\"saidthePresident。\"Admittingyourexplanation，weknowthatLarsanwishedtoturnsuspiciononMonsieurRobertDarzac，butwhyshouldhethrowsuspiciononDaddyJacquesalso？\"
\"Therecameintheprofessionaldetective，Monsieur，whoproveshimselfanunravellerofmysteries，byannihilatingtheveryproofshehadaccumulated。He\'saverycunningman，andasimilartrickhadoftenenabledhimtoturnsuspicionfromhimself。Heprovedtheinnocenceofonebeforeaccusingtheother。Youcaneasilybelieve，Monsieur，thatsocomplicatedaschemeasthismusthavebeenlongandcarefullythoughtoutinadvancebyLarsan。Icantellyouthathehadlongbeenengagedonitselaboration。Ifyoucaretolearnhowhehadgatheredinformation，youwillfindthathehad，ononeoccasion，disguisedhimselfasthecommissionairebetweenthe\'LaboratoryoftheSurete\'andMonsieurStangerson，ofwhom\'experiments\'weredemanded。Inthiswayhehadbeenablebeforethecrime，ontwooccasionstotakestockofthepavilion。
Hehad\'madeup\'sothatDaddyJacqueshadnotrecognisedhim。AndyetLarsanhadfoundtheopportunitytorobtheoldmanofapairofoldbootsandacast-offBasquecap，whichtheservanthadtiedupinahandkerchief，withtheintentionofcarryingthemtoafriend，acharcoal-burnerontheroadtoEpinay。Whenthecrimewasdiscovered，DaddyJacqueshadimmediatelyrecognisedtheseobjectsashis。Theywereextremelycompromising，whichexplainshisdistressatthetimewhenwespoketohimaboutthem。Larsanconfesseditalltome。Heisanartistatthegame。Hedidasimilarthingintheaffairofthe\'CreditUniversel，\'andinthatofthe\'GoldIngotsoftheMint。\'Boththesecasesshouldberevised。SinceBallmeyerorLarsanhasbeenintheSureteanumberofinnocentpersonshavebeensenttoprison。\"
CHAPTERXXVIII
InWhichItIsProvedThatOneDoesNotAlwaysThinkofEverythingGreatexcitementprevailedwhenRouletabillehadfinished。Thecourt-roombecameagitatedwiththemurmuringsofsuppressedapplause。MaitreHenriRobertcalledforanadjournmentofthetrialandwassupportedinhismotionbythepublicprosecutorhimself。Thecasewasadjourned。ThenextdayMonsieurRobertDarzacwasreleasedonbail，whileDaddyJacquesreceivedtheimmediatebenefitofa\"nocauseforaction。\"SearchwaseverywheremadeforFredericLarsan，butinvain。MonsieurDarzacfinallyescapedtheawfulcalamitywhich，atonetime，hadthreatenedhim。AfteravisittoMademoiselleStangerson，hewasledtohopethatshemight，bycarefulnursing，onedayrecoverherreason。
Rouletabille，naturally，becamethe\"manofthehour。\"OnleavingthePalaisdeJustice，thecrowdborehimaloftintriumph。Thepressofthewholeworldpublishedhisexploitsandhisphotograph。
He，whohadinterviewedsomanyillustriouspersonages，hadhimselfbecomeillustriousandwasinterviewedinhisturn。Iamgladtosaythattheenormoussuccessinnowayturnedhishead。
WeleftVersaillestogether，afterhavingdinedat\"TheDogThatSmokes。\"InthetrainIputanumberofquestionstohimwhich，duringourmeal，hadbeenonthetipofmytongue，butwhichIhadrefrainedfromuttering，knowinghedidnotliketotalk\"shop\"
whileeating。
\"Myfriend，\"Isaid，\"thatLarsancaseiswonderful。Itisworthyofyou。
Hebeggedmetosaynomore，andhumorouslypretendedananxietyformeshouldIgivewaytosillypraiseofhimbecauseofapersonaladmirationforhisability。
\"I\'llcometothepoint，then，\"Isaid，notalittlenettled。\"I
amstillinthedarkastoyourreasonforgoingtoAmerica。WhenyoulefttheGlandieryouhadfoundout，ifIrightlyunderstand，allaboutFredericLarsan；youhaddiscoveredtheexactwayhehadattemptedthemurder？\"
\"Quiteso。Andyou，\"hesaid，turningtheconversation，\"didyoususpectnothing？\"
\"Nothing！\"
\"It\'sincredible！\"
\"Idon\'tseehowIcouldhavesuspectedanything。Youtookgreatpainstoconcealyourthoughtsfromme。HadyoualreadysuspectedLarsanwhenyousentformetobringtherevolvers？\"
\"Yes！Ihadcometothatconclusionthroughtheincidentofthe\'inexplicablegallery。\'Larsan\'sreturntoMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom，however，hadnotthenbeenclearedupbytheeye-glasses。Mysuspicionsweretheoutcomeofmyreasoningonly；andtheideaofLarsanbeingthemurdererseemedsoextraordinarythatIresolvedtowaitforactualevidencebeforeventuringtoact。Nevertheless，thesuspicionworriedme，andIsometimesspoketothedetectiveinawaythatoughttohaveopenedyoureyes。Ispokedisparaginglyofhismethods。ButuntilIfoundtheeye-glassesIcouldbutlookuponmysuspicionofhiminthelightofanabsurdhypothesisonly。
YoucanimaginemyelationafterIhadexplainedLarsan\'smovements。
Irememberwellrushingintomyroomlikeamad-manandcryingtoyou：\'I\'llgetthebetterofthegreatFred。I\'llgetthebetterofhiminawaythatwillmakeasensation！\'
\"IwasthenthinkingofLarsan，themurderer。ItwasthatsameeveningthatDarzacbeggedmetowatchoverMademoiselleStangerson。
ImadenoeffortsuntilafterwehaddinedwithLarsan，untilteno\'clock。Hewasrighttherebeforeme，andIcouldaffordtowait。
Yououghttohavesuspected，becausewhenweweretalkingofthemurderer\'sarrival，Isaidtoyou：\'IamquitesureLarsanwillbehereto-night。\'
\"Butoneimportantpointescapedusboth。ItwasonewhichoughttohaveopenedoureyestoLarsan。Doyourememberthebamboocane？
IwassurprisedtofindLarsanhadmadenouseofthatevidenceagainstRobertDarzac。HaditnotbeenpurchasedbyamanwhosedescriptiontalliedexactlywiththatofDarzac？Well，justbeforeIsawhimoffatthetrain，aftertherecessduringthetrial，I
askedhimwhyhehadn\'tusedthecaneevidence。Hetoldmehehadneverhadanyintentionofdoingso；thatourdiscoveryofitinthelittleinnatEpinayhadmuchembarrassedhim。Ifyouwillremember，hetoldusthenthatthecanehadbeengivenhiminLondon。
Whydidwenotimmediatelysaytoourselves：\'Fredislying。HecouldnothavehadthiscaneinLondon。HewasnotinLondon。HeboughtitinParis\'？Thenyoufoundout，oninquiryatCassette\'s，thatthecanehadbeenboughtbyapersondressedverylikeRobertDarzac，though，aswelearnedlater，fromDarzachimself，itwasnothewhohadmadethepurchase。Couplethiswiththefactwealreadyknew，fromtheletterattheposterestante，thattherewasactuallyamaninPariswhowaspassingasRobertDarzac，whydidwenotimmediatelyfixonFredhimself？
\"Ofcourse，hispositionattheSuretewasagainstus；butwhenwesawtheevidenteagernessonhisparttofindconvictingevidenceagainstDarzac，nay，eventhepassionhedisplayedinhispursuitoftheman，thelieaboutthecaneshouldhavehadanewmeaningforus。IfyouaskwhyLarsanboughtthecane，ifhehadnointentionofmanufacturingevidenceagainstDarzacbymeansofit，theanswerisquitesimple。HehadbeenwoundedinthehandbyMademoiselleStangerson，sothatthecanewasusefultoenablehimtoclosehishandincarryingit。YourememberInoticedthathealwayscarriedit？
\"AllthesedetailscamebacktomymindwhenIhadoncefixedonLarsanasthecriminal。Buttheyweretoolatethentobeofanyusetome。OntheeveningwhenhepretendedtobedruggedIlookedathishandandsawathinsilkbandagecoveringthesignsofaslighthealingwound。HadwetakenaquickerinitiativeatthetimeLarsantoldusthatlieaboutthecane，Iamcertainhewouldhavegoneoff，toavoidsuspicion。Allthesame，weworriedLarsanorBallmeyerwithoutourknowingit。\"
\"But，\"Iinterrupted，\"ifLarsanhadnointentionofusingthecaneasevidenceagainstDarzac，whyhadhemadehimselfuptolooklikethemanwhenhewentintobuyit？\"
\"Hehadnotspecially\'madeup\'asDarzactobuythecane；hehadcomestraighttoCassette\'simmediatelyafterhehadattackedMademoiselleStangerson。Hiswoundwastroublinghimand，ashewaspassingalongtheAvenuedel\'Opera，theideaofthecanecametohismindandheactedonit。Itwastheneighto\'clock。AndI，whohadhitupontheveryhouroftheoccurrenceofthetragedy，almostconvincedthatDarzacwasnotthecriminal，andknowingofthecane，IstillneversuspectedLarsan。Therearetimes……\"
\"Therearetimes，\"Isaid，\"whenthegreatestintellects……\"
Rouletabilleshutmymouth。Istillcontinuedtochidehim，but，findinghedidnotreply，IsawhewasnolongerpayinganyattentiontowhatIwassaying。Ifoundhewasfastasleep。
CHAPTERXXIX
TheMysteryofMademoiselleStangersonDuringthedaysthatfollowedIhadseveralopportunitiestoquestionhimastohisreasonforhisvoyagetoAmerica，butIobtainednomorepreciseanswersthanhehadgivenmeontheeveningoftheadjournmentofthetrial，whenwewereonthetrainforParis。Oneday，however，onmystillpressinghim，hesaid：
\"Can\'tyouunderstandthatIhadtoknowLarsan\'struepersonality？\"
\"Nodoubt，\"Isaid，\"butwhydidyougotoAmericatofindthatout？\"
Hesatsmokinghispipe，andmadenofurtherreply。IbegantoseethatIwastouchingonthesecretthatconcernedMademoiselleStangerson。RouletabilleevidentlyhadfounditnecessarytogotoAmericatofindoutwhatthemysterioustiewasthatboundhertoLarsanbysostrangeandterribleabond。InAmericahehadlearnedwhoLarsanwasandhadobtainedinformationwhichclosedhismouth。
HehadbeentoPhiladelphia。
Andnow，whatwasthismysterywhichheldMademoiselleStangersonandMonsieurRobertDarzacinsoinexplicableasilence？Aftersomanyyearsandthepublicitygiventhecasebyacuriousandshamelesspress；nowthatMonsieurStangersonknowsallandhasforgivenall，allmaybetold。IneveryphaseofthisremarkablestoryMademoiselleStangersonhadalwaysbeenthesufferer。
Thebeginningdatesfromthetimewhen，asayounggirl，shewaslivingwithherfatherinPhiladelphia。Avisitoratthehouse，aFrenchman，hadsucceededbyhiswit，graceandpersistentattention，ingainingheraffections。Hewassaidtoberichandhadaskedherofherfather。MonsieurStangerson，onmakinginquiriesastoMonsieurJeanRoussel，foundthatthemanwasaswindlerandanadventurer。JeanRousselwasbutanotherofthemanynamesunderwhichthenotoriousBallmeyer，afugitivefromFrance，triedtohidehimself。MonsieurStangersondidnotknowofhisidentitywithBallmeyer；helearnedthatthemanwassimplyundesirableforhisdaughter。Henotonlyrefusedtogivehisconsenttothemarriagebutdeniedhimadmissionintothehouse。
MathildeStangerson，however，hadfalleninlove。ToherJeanRousselwaseverythingthatherlovepaintedhim。Shewasindignantatherfather\'sattitude，anddidnotconcealherfeelings。HerfathersenthertostaywithanauntinCincinnati。ThereshewasjoinedbyJeanRousseland，inspiteofthereverenceshefeltforherfather，ranawaywithhimtogetmarried。
TheywenttoLouisvilleandlivedthereforsometime。Onemorning，however，aknockcameatthedoorofthehouseinwhichtheywereandthepoliceenteredtoarrestJeanRoussel。ItwasthenthatMathildeStangerson，orRoussel，learnedthatherhusbandwasnootherthanthenotoriousBallmeyer！
Theyoungwomaninherdespairtriedtocommitsuicide。Shefailedinthis，andwasforcedtorejoinherauntinCincinnati，Theoldladywasoverjoyedtoseeheragain。ShehadbeenanxiouslysearchingforherandhadnotdaredtotellMonsieurStangersonofherdisappearance。Mathildesworehertosecrecy，sothatherfathershouldnotknowshehadbeenaway。Amonthlater，MademoiselleStangersonreturnedtoherfather，repentant，herheartdeadwithinher，hopingonlyonething：thatshewouldneveragainseeherhusband，thehorribleBallmeyer。Areportwasspread，afewweekslater，thathewasdead，andshenowdeterminedtoatoneforherdisobediencebyalifeoflabouranddevotionforherfather。Andshekeptherword。
AllthisshehadconfessedtoRobertDarzac，and，believingBallmeyerdead，hadgivenherselftothejoyofaunionwithhim。ButfatehadresuscitatedJeanRoussel-theBallmeyerofheryouth。HehadtakenstepstoletherknowthathewouldneverallowhertomarryDarzac-thathestilllovedher。
MademoiselleStangersonneverforonemomenthesitatedtoconfideinMonsieurDarzac。SheshowedhimtheletterinwhichJeanRousselaskedhertorecallthefirsthoursoftheirunionintheirbeautifulandcharmingLouisvillehome。\"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness，\"hehadwritten。ThescoundrelpretendedtoberichandclaimedtherightoftakingherbacktoLouisville。ShehadtoldDarzacthatifherfathershouldknowofherdishonour，shewouldkillherself。MonsieurDarzachadsworntosilenceherpersecutor，evenifhehadtokillhim。HewasoutwittedandwouldhavesuccumbedhaditnotbeenforthegeniusofRouletabille。
MademoiselleStangersonwasherselfhelplessinthehandsofsuchavillain。ShehadtriedtokillhimwhenhehadfirstthreatenedandthenattackedherinTheYellowRoom。Shehad，unfortunately，failed，andfeltherselfcondemnedtobeforeveratthemercyofthisunscrupulouswretchwhowascontinuallydemandingherpresenceatclandestineinterviews。WhenhesenthertheletterthroughthePostOffice，askinghertomeethim，shehadrefused。TheresultofherrefusalwasthetragedyofTheYellowRoom。Thesecondtimehewroteaskingforameeting，theletterreachingherinhersickchamber，shehadavoidedhimbysleepingwithherservants。Inthatletterthescoundrelhadwarnedherthat，sinceshewastooilltocometohim，hewouldcometoher，andthathewouldbeinherchamberataparticularhouronaparticularnight。KnowingthatshehadeverythingtofearfromBallmeyer，shehadleftherchamberonthatnight。Itwasthenthattheincidentofthe\"inexplicablegallery\"occurred。
Thethirdtimeshehaddeterminedtokeeptheappointment。Heaskedforitintheletterhehadwritteninherownroom，onthenightoftheincidentinthegallery，whichheleftonherdesk。
Inthatletterhethreatenedtoburnherfather\'spapersifshedidnotmeethim。Itwastorescuethesepapersthatshemadeuphermindtoseehim。Shedidnotforonemomentdoubtthatthewretchwouldcarryouthisthreatifshepersistedinavoidinghim，andinthatcasethelaboursofherfather\'slifetimewouldbeforeverlost。Sincethemeetingwasthusinevitable，sheresolvedtoseeherhusbandandappealtohisbetternature。Itwasforthisinterviewthatshehadpreparedherselfonthenightthekeeperwaskilled。Theydidmeet，andwhatpassedbetweenthemmaybeimagined。
HeinsistedthatsherenounceDarzac。She，onherpart，affirmedherloveforhim。Hestabbedherinhisanger，determinedtoconvictDarzacofthecrime。AsLarsanhecoulddoit，andhadsomanagedthingsthatDarzaccouldneverexplainhowhehademployedthetimeofhisabsencefromthechateau。Ballmeyer\'sprecautionsweremostcunninglytaken。
LarsanhadthreatenedDarzacashehadthreatenedMathilde-withthesameweapon，andthesamethreats。HewroteDarzacurgentletters，declaringhimselfreadytodeliverupthelettersthathadpassedbetweenhimandhiswife，andtoleavethemforever，ifhewouldpayhimhisprice。HeaskedDarzactomeethimforthepurposeofarrangingthematter，appointingthetimewhenLarsanwouldbewithMademoiselleStangerson。WhenDarzacwenttoEpinay，expectingtofindBallmeyerorLarsanthere，hewasmetbyanaccompliceofLarsan\'s，andkeptwaitinguntilsuchtimeasthe\"coincidence\"couldbeestablished。
ItwasalldonewithMachiavelliancunning；butBallmeyerhadreckonedwithoutJosephRouletabille。
NowthattheMysteryofTheYellowRoomhasbeenclearedup，thisisnotthetimetotellofRouletabile\'sadventuresinAmerica。
Knowingtheyoungreporteraswedo，wecanunderstandwithwhatacumenhehadtraced，stepbystep，thestoryofMathildeStangersonandJeanRoussel。AtPhiladelphiahehadquicklyinformedhimselfastoArthurWilliamRance。TherehelearnedofRance\'sactofdevotionandtherewardhethoughthimselfentitledtoforit。A
rumourofhismarriagewithMademoiselleStangersonhadoncefounditswayintothedrawing-roomsofPhiladelphia。HealsolearnedofRance\'scontinuedattentionstoherandhisimportunitiesforherhand。Hehadtakentodrink，hehadsaid，todrownhisgriefathisunrequitedlove。ItcannowbeunderstoodwhyRouletabillehadshownsomarkedacoolnessofdemeanourtowardsRancewhentheymetinthewitnesses\'room，onthedayofthetrial。
ThestrangeRoussel-Stangersonmysteryhadnowbeenlaidbare。WhowasthisJeanRoussel？RouletabillehadtracedhimfromPhiladelphiatoCincinnati。InCincinnatihebecameacquaintedwiththeoldaunt，andhadfoundmeanstoopenhermouth。ThestoryofBallmeyer\'sarrestthrewtherightlightonthewholestory。Hevisitedthe\"presbytery\"-asmallandprettydwellingintheoldcolonialstyle-whichhad，indeed，\"lostnothingofitscharm。\"Then，abandoninghispursuitoftracesofMademoiselleStangerson，hetookupthoseofBallmeyer。Hefollowedthemfromprisontoprison，fromcrimetocrime。Finally，ashewasaboutleavingforEurope，helearnedinNewYorkthatBallmeyerhad，fiveyearsbefore，embarkedforFrancewithsomevaluablepapersbelongingtoamerchantofNewOrleanswhomhehadmurdered。
Andyetthewholeofthismysteryhasnotbeenrevealed。
MademoiselleStangersonhadachild，byherhusband，-ason。Theinfantwasbornintheoldaunt\'shouse。Nooneknewofit，sowellhadtheauntmanagedtoconcealtheevent。
Whatbecameofthatson？-Thatisanotherstorywhich，sofar，I
amnotpermittedtorelate。
Abouttwomonthsaftertheseevents，IcameuponRouletabillesittingonabenchinthePalaisdeJustice，lookingverydepressed。
\"What\'sthematter，oldman？\"Iasked。\"Youarelookingverydown。
cast。Howareyourfriendsgettingon？\"
\"Apartfromyou，\"hesaid，\"Ihavenofriends。\"
\"IhopethatMonsieurDarzac-\"
\"Nodoubt。\"
\"AndMademoiselleStangerson-Howisshe？\"
\"Better-muchbetter。\"
\"Thenyououghtnottobesad。\"
\"Iamsad，\"hesaid，\"becauseIamthinkingoftheperfumeoftheladyinblack-\"
\"Theperfumeoftheladyinblack！-Ihaveheardyouoftenrefertoit。Tellmewhyittroublesyou。\"
\"Perhaps-someday；someday，\"saidRouletabille。
Andheheavedaprofoundsigh。
End