Thenpointingtothehandkerchiefintheoldman'shand，FredericLarsansaid：
"That'sahandkerchiefastonishinglyliketheonefoundinTheYellowRoom。"
"Iknow，"saidDaddyJacques，trembling，"theyarealmostalike。"
"Andthen，"continuedFredericLarsan，"theoldBasquecapalsofoundinTheYellowRoommightatonetimehavebeenwornbyDaddyJacqueshimself。Allthis，gentlemen，proves，Ithink，thatthemurdererwishedtodisguisehisrealpersonality。Hediditinaveryclumsyway-or，atleast，soitappearstous。Don'tbealarmed，DaddyJacques；wearequitesurethatyouwerenotthemurderer；youneverleftthesideofMonsieurStangerson。ButifMonsieurStangersonhadnotbeenworkingthatnightandhadgonebacktothechateauafterpartingwithhisdaughter，andDaddyJacqueshadgonetosleepinhisattic，noonewouldhavedoubtedthathewasthemurderer。Heoweshissafety，therefore，tothetragedyhavingbeenenactedtoosoon，-themurderer，nodoubt，fromthesilenceinthelaboratory，imaginedthatitwasempty，andthatthemomentforactionhadcome。ThemanwhohadbeenabletointroducehimselfheresomysteriouslyandtoleavesomanyevidencesagainstDaddyJacques，was，therecanbenodoubt，familiarwiththehouse。Atwhathourexactlyheentered，whetherintheafternoonorintheevening，Icannotsay。OnefamiliarwiththeproceedingsandpersonsofthispavilioncouldchoosehisowntimeforenteringTheYellowRoom。"
"Hecouldnothaveentereditifanybodyhadbeeninthelaboratory，"
saidMonsieurdeMarquet。
"Howdoweknowthat？"repliedLarsan。"Therewasthedinnerinthelaboratory，thecomingandgoingoftheservantsinattendance。
Therewasachemicalexperimentbeingcarriedonbetweentenandeleveno'clock，withMonsieurStangerson，hisdaughter，andDaddyJacquesengagedatthefurnaceinacornerofthehighchimney。
Whocansaythatthemurderer-anintimate！-afriend！-didnottakeadvantageofthatmomenttoslipintoTheYellowRoom，afterhavingtakenoffhisbootsinthelavatory？"
"Itisveryimprobable，"saidMonsieurStangerson。
"Doubtless-butitisnotimpossible。Iassertnothing。Astotheescapefromthepavilion-that'sanotherthing，themostnaturalthingintheworld。"
ForamomentFredericLarsanpaused，-amomentthatappearedtousaverylongtime。Theeagernesswithwhichweawaitedwhathewasgoingtotellusmaybeimagined。
"IhavenotbeeninTheYellowRoom，"hecontinued，"butItakeitforgrantedthatyouhavesatisfiedyourselvesthathecouldhavelefttheroomonlybywayofthedoor；itisbythedoor，then，thatthemurderermadehiswayout。Atwhattime？Atthemomentwhenitwasmosteasyforhimtodoso；atthemomentwhenitbecamemostexplainable-socompletelyexplainablethattherecanbenootherexplanation。Letusgooverthemomentswhichfollowedafterthecrimehadbeencommitted。Therewasthefirstmoment，whenMonsieurStangersonandDaddyJacqueswereclosetothedoor，readytobartheway。Therewasthesecondmoment，duringwhichDaddyJacqueswasabsentandMonsieurStangersonwasleftalonebeforethedoor。
Therewasathirdmoment，whenMonsieurStangersonwasjoinedbytheconcierge。Therewasafourthmoment，duringwhichMonsieurStangerson，theconciergeandhiswifeandDaddyJacqueswerebeforethedoor。Therewasafifthmoment，duringwhichthedoorwasburstopenandTheYellowRoomentered。Themomentatwhichtheflightisexplainableistheverymomentwhentherewastheleastnumberofpersonsbeforethedoor。Therewasonemomentwhentherewasbutoneperson，-MonsieurStangerson。UnlessacomplicityofsilenceonthepartofDaddyJacquesisadmitted-inwhichIdonotbelieve-thedoorwasopenedinthepresenceofMonsieurStangersonaloneandthemanescaped。
"HerewemustadmitthatMonsieurStangersonhadpowerfulreasonsfornotarresting，ornotcausingthearrestofthemurderer，sinceheallowedhimtoreachthewindowinthevestibuleandcloseditafterhim！-Thatdone，MademoiselleStangerson，thoughhorriblywounded，hadstillstrengthenough，andnodoubtinobediencetotheentreatiesofherfather，torefastenthedoorofherchamber，withboththeboltandthelock，beforesinkingonthefloor。Wedonotknowwhocommittedthecrime；wedonotknowofwhatwretchMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonarethevictims，butthereisnodoubtthattheybothknow！Thesecretmustbeaterribleone，forthefatherhadnothesitatedtoleavehisdaughtertodiebehindadoorwhichshehadshutuponherself，-terribleforhimtohaveallowedtheassassintoescape。Forthereisnootherwayintheworldtoexplainthemurderer'sflightfromTheYellowRoom！"
Thesilencewhichfollowedthisdramaticandlucidexplanationwasappalling。Weallofusfeltgrievedfortheillustriousprofessor，drivenintoacornerbythepitilesslogicofFredericLarsan，forcedtoconfessthewholetruthofhismartyrdomortokeepsilent，andthusmakeayetmoreterribleadmission。Themanhimself，averitablestatueofsorrow，raisedhishandwithagesturesosolemnthatwebowedourheadstoitasbeforesomethingsacred。Hethenpronouncedthesewords，inavoicesoloudthatitseemedtoexhausthim：
"IswearbytheheadofmysufferingchildthatIneverforaninstantleftthedoorofherchamberafterhearinghercriesforhelp；thatthatdoorwasnotopenedwhileIwasaloneinthelaboratory；andthat，finally，whenweenteredTheYellowRoom，mythreedomesticsandI，themurdererwasnolongerthere！IswearIdonotknowthemurderer！"
MustIsayit，-inspiteofthesolemnityofMonsieurStangerson'swords，wedidnotbelieveinhisdenial。FredericLarsanhadshownusthetruthanditwasnotsoeasilygivenup。
MonsieurdeMarquetannouncedthattheconversationwasatanend，andaswewereabouttoleavethelaboratory，JosephRouletabilleapproachedMonsieurStangerson，tookhimbythehandwiththegreatestrespect，andIheardhimsay：
"Ibelieveyou，Monsieur。"
IhereclosethecitationwhichIhavethoughtitmydutytomakefromMonsieurMaleine'snarrative。IneednottellthereaderthatallthatpassedinthelaboratorywasimmediatelyandfaithfullyreportedtomebyRouletabille。
CHAPTERXII
FredericLarsan'sCaneItwasnottillsixo'clockthatIleftthechateau，takingwithmethearticlehastilywrittenbymyfriendinthelittlesitting-roomwhichMonsieurRobertDarzachadplacedatourdisposal。Thereporterwastosleepatthechateau，takingadvantageofthetomeinexplicablehospitalityofferedhimbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，towhomMonsieurStangerson，inthatsadtime，leftthecareofallhisdomesticaffairs。NeverthelessheinsistedonaccompanyingmetothestationatEpinay。Incrossingthepark，hesaidtome：
"Fredericisreallyverycleverandhasnotbeliedhisreputation。
DoyouknowhowhecametofindDaddyJacques'sboots？-Nearthespotwherewenoticedthetracesoftheneatbootsandthedisappearanceoftheroughones，therewasasquarehole，freshlymadeinthemoistground，whereastonehadevidentlybeenremoved。
Larsansearchedforthatstonewithoutfindingit，andatonceimaginedthatithadbeenusedbythemurdererwithwhichtosinkthebootsinthelake。Fred'scalculationwasanexcellentone，asthesuccessofhissearchproves。Thatescapedme；butmymindwasturnedinanotherdirectionbythelargenumberoffalseindicationsofhistrackwhichthemurdererleft，andbythemeasureoftheblackfoot-markscorrespondingwiththatofDaddyJacques'sboots，whichIhadestablishedwithouthissuspectingit，onthefloorofTheYellowRoom。Allwhichwasaproof，inmyeyes，thatthemurdererhadsoughttoturnsuspicionontotheoldservant。Uptothatpoint，LarsanandIareinaccord；butnofurther。Itisgoingtobeaterriblematter；forItellyouheisworkingonwronglines，andI-I，mustfighthimwithnothing！"
Iwassurprisedattheprofoundlygraveaccentwithwhichmyyoungfriendpronouncedthelastwords。
Herepeated：
"Yesterrible！-terrible！Foritisfightingwithnothing，whenyouhaveonlyanideatofightwith。"
Atthatmomentwepassedbythebackofthechateau。Nighthadcome。
Awindowonthefirstfloorwaspartlyopen。Afeeblelightcamefromitaswellassomesoundswhichdrewourattention。Weapproacheduntilwehadreachedthesideofadoorthatwassituatedjustunderthewindow。Rouletabille，inalowtone，mademeunderstand，thatthiswasthewindowofMademoiselleStangerson'schamber。Thesoundswhichhadattractedourattentionceased，thenwererenewedforamoment，andthenweheardstifledsobs。Wewereonlyabletocatchthesewords，whichreachedusdistinctly："MypoorRobert！"-Rouletabillewhisperedinmyear：
"Ifweonlyknewwhatwasbeingsaidinthatchamber，myinquirywouldsoonbefinished。"
Helookedabouthim。Thedarknessoftheeveningenvelopedus；wecouldnotseemuchbeyondthenarrowpathborderedbytrees，whichranbehindthechateau。Thesobshadceased。
"Ifwecan'thearwemayatleasttrytosee，"saidRouletabille。
And，makingasigntometodeadenthesoundofmysteps，heledmeacrossthepathtothetrunkofatallbeechtree，thewhiteboleofwhichwasvisibleinthedarkness。Thistreegrewexactlyinfrontofthewindowinwhichweweresomuchinterested，itslowerbranchesbeingonalevelwiththefirstfloorofthechateau。
>FromtheheightofthosebranchesonemightcertainlyseewhatwaspassinginMademoiselleStangerson'schamber。EvidentlythatwaswhatRouletabillethought，for，enjoiningmetoremainhidden，heclaspedthetrunkwithhisvigorousarmsandclimbedup。Isoonlostsightofhimamidthebranches，andthenfollowedadeepsilence。Infrontofme，theopenwindowremainedlighted，andI
sawnoshadowmoveacrossit。Ilistened，andpresentlyfromabovemethesewordsreachedmyears：
"Afteryou！"
"Afteryou，pray！"
Somebodywasoverhead，speaking，-exchangingcourtesies。Whatwasmyastonishmenttoseeontheslipperycolumnofthetreetwohumanformsappearandquietlyslipdowntotheground。Rouletabillehadmountedalone，andhadreturnedwithanother。
"Goodevening，MonsieurSainclair！"
ItwasFredericLarsan。Thedetectivehadalreadyoccupiedthepostofobservationwhenmyyoungfriendhadthoughttoreachitalone。
Neithernoticedmyastonishment。IexplainedthattomyselfbythefactthattheymusthavebeenwitnessesofsometenderanddespairingscenebetweenMademoiselleStangerson，lyinginherbed，andMonsieurDarzaconhiskneesbyherpillow。Iguessedthateachhaddrawndifferentconclusionsfromwhattheyhadseen。ItwaseasytoseethatthescenehadstronglyimpressedRouletabilleinfavourofMonsieurRobertDarzac；while，toLarsan，itshowednothingbutconsummatehypocrisy，actedwithfinishedartbyMademoiselleStangerson'sfiance。
Aswereachedtheparkgate，Larsanstoppedus。
"Mycane！"hecried。"Ileftitnearthetree。"
Heleftus，sayinghewouldrejoinuspresently。
"HaveyounoticedFredericLarsan'scane？"askedtheyoungreporter，assoonaswewerealone。"Itisquiteanewone，whichIhaveneverseenhimusebefore。Heseemstotakegreatcareofit-itneverleaveshim。Onewouldthinkhewasafraiditmightfallintothehandsofstrangers。Ineversawitbeforeto-day。Wheredidhefindit？Itisn'tnaturalthatamanwhohadneverbeforeusedawalking-stickshould，thedayaftertheGlandiercrime，nevermoveastepwithoutone。Onthedayofourarrivalatthechateau，assoonashesawus，heputhiswatchinhispocketandpickeduphiscanefromtheground-aproceedingtowhichIwasperhapswrongnottoattachsomeimportance。"
Wewerenowoutofthepark。Rouletabillehaddroppedintosilence。
HisthoughtswerecertainlystilloccupiedwithFredericLarsan'snewcane。Ihadproofofthatwhen，aswecameneartoEpinay，hesaid：
"FredericLarsanarrivedattheGlandierbeforeme；hebeganhisinquirybeforeme；hehashadtimetofindoutthingsaboutwhichIknownothing。Wheredidhefindthatcane？"Thenheadded："Itisprobablethathissuspicion-morethanthat，hisreasoning-hasledhimtolayhishandonsomethingtangible。Hasthiscaneanythingtodowithit？Wherethedeucecouldhehavefoundit？"
AsIhadtowaittwentyminutesforthetrainatEpinay，weenteredawineshop。AlmostimmediatelythedooropenedandFredericLarsanadehisappearance，brandishinghisfamouscane。
"Ifoundit！"hesaidlaughingly。
Thethreeofusseatedourselvesatatable。Rouletabillenevertookhiseyesoffthecane；hewassoabsorbedthathedidnotnoticeasignLarsanmadetoarailwayemploye，ayoungmanwithachindecoratedbyatinyblondandill-keptbeard。Onthesignherose，paidforhisdrink，bowed，andwentout。Ishouldnotmyselfhaveattachedanyimportancetothecircumstance，ifithadnotbeenrecalledtomymind，somemonthslater，bythereappearanceofthemanwiththebeardatoneofthemosttragicmomentsofthiscase。
IthenlearnedthattheyouthwasoneofLarsan'sassistantsandhadbeenchargedbyhimtowatchthegoingandcomingoftravellersatthestationofEpinay-sur-Orge。Larsanneglectednothinginanycaseonwhichhewasengaged。
IturnedmyeyesagainonRouletabille。
"Ah，-MonsieurFred！"hesaid，"whendidyoubegintouseawalking-stick？Ihavealwaysseenyouwalkingwithyourhandsinyourpockets！"
"Itisapresent，"repliedthedetective。
"Recent？"insistedRouletabille。
"No，itwasgiventomeinLondon。"
"Ah，yes，Iremember-youhavejustcomefromLondon。MayIlookatit？"
"Oh！-certainly！"
FredpassedthecanetoRouletabille。Itwasalargeyellowbamboowithacrutchhandleandornamentedwithagoldring。Rouletabille，afterexaminingitminutely，returnedittoLarsan，withabanteringexpressiononhisface，saying：
"YouweregivenaFrenchcaneinLondon！"
"Possibly，"saidFred，imperturbably。
"Readthemarkthere，intinyletters：Cassette，6a，Opera。"
"CannotEnglishpeoplebuycanesinParis？"
WhenRouletabillehadseenmeintothetrain，hesaid：
"You'llremembertheaddress？"
"Yes，-Cassette，6a，Opera。Relyonme；youshallhavewordtomorrowmorning。"
Thatevening，onreachingParis，IsawMonsieurCassette，dealerinwalking-sticksandumbrellas，andwrotetomyfriend：
"AmanunmistakablyansweringtothedescriptionofMonsieurRobertDarzac-sameheight，slightlystooping，putty-colouredovercoat，bowlerhat-purchasedacanesimilartotheoneinwhichweareinterested，ontheeveningofthecrime，abouteighto'clock。
MonsieurCassettehadnotsoldanothersuchcaneduringthelasttwoyears。Fred'scaneisnew。Itisquiteclearthatit'sthesamecane。Freddidnotbuyit，sincehewasinLondon。Likeyou，I
thinkthathefounditsomewherenearMonsieurRobertDarzac。Butif，asyousuppose，themurdererwasinTheYellowRoomforfive，orevensixhours，andthecrimewasnotcommitteduntiltowardsmidnight，thepurchaseofthiscaneprovesanincontestablealibiforDarzac。"
CHAPTERXIII
"ThePresbyteryHasLostNothingofItsCharm，NortheGardenItsBrightness"
AweekaftertheoccurrenceoftheeventsIhavejustrecounted-onthe2ndofNovember，tobeexact-IreceivedatmyhomeinParisthefollowingtelegraphicmessage："CometotheGlandierbytheearliesttrain。Bringrevolvers。Friendlygreetings。Rouletabille。"
Ihavealreadysaid，Ithink，thatatthatperiod，beingayoungbarristerwithbutfewbriefs，IfrequentedthePalaisdeJusticeratherforthepurposeoffamiiarisingmyselfwithmyprofessionaldutiesthanforthedefenceofthewidowandorphan。Icould，therefore，feelnosurpriseatRouletabilledisposingofmytime。
Moreover，heknewhowkeenlyinterestedIwasinhisjournalisticadventuresingeneraland，aboveall，inthemurderattheGlandier。
Ihadnotheardfromhimforaweek，noroftheprogressmadewiththatmysteriouscase，exceptbytheinnumerableparagraphsinthenewspapersandbytheverybriefnotesofRouletabilleinthe"Epoque。"Thosenoteshaddivulgedthefactthattracesofhumanbloodhadbeenfoundonthemuttonbone，aswellasfreshtracesofthebloodofMademoiselleStangerson-theoldstainsbelongedtoothercrimes，probablydatingyearsback。
Itmaybeeasilyimaginedthatthecrimeengagedtheattentionofthepressthroughouttheworld。Nocrimeknownhadmoreabsorbedthemindsofpeople。Itappearedtome，however，thatthejudicialinquirywasmakingbutverylittleprogress；andIshouldhavebeenveryglad，if，onthereceiptofmyfriend'sinvitationtorejoinhimattheGlandier，thedespatchhadnotcontainedthewords，"Bringrevolvers。"
Thatpuzzledmegreatly。Rouletabilletelegraphingforrevolversmeantthattheremightbeoccasiontousethem。Now，Iconfessitwithoutshame，Iamnotahero。Butherewasafriend，evidentlyindanger，callingonmetogotohisaid。Ididnothesitatelong；
andafterassuringmyselfthattheonlyrevolverIpossessedwasproperlyloaded，IhurriedtowardstheOrleansstation。OnthewayIrememberedthatRouletabillehadaskedfortworevolvers；I
thereforeenteredagunsmith'sshopandboughtanexcellentweaponformyfriend。
IhadhopedtofindhimatthestationatEpinay；buthewasnotthere。However，acabwaswaitingformeandIwassoonattheGlandier。Nobodywasatthegate，anditwasonlyonthethresholdofthechateauthatImettheyoungman。Hesalutedmewithafriendlygestureandthrewhisarmsaboutme，inquiringwarmlyastothestateofmyhealth。
Whenwewereinthelittlesitting-roomofwhichIhavespoken，Rouletabillemademesitdown。
"It'sgoingbadly，"hesaid。
"What'sgoingbadly？"Iasked。
"Everything。"
Hecamenearertomeandwhispered：
"FredericLarsanisworkingwithmightandmainagainstDarzac。"
Thisdidnotastonishme。IhadseenthepoorshowMademoiselleStangerson'sfiancehadmadeatthetimeoftheexaminationofthefootprints。However，Iimmediatelyasked：
"Whataboutthatcane？"
"ItisstillinthehandsofFredericLarsan。Heneverletsgoofit。"
"Butdoesn'titprovethealibiforMonsieurDarzac？"
"Notatall。Gentlyquestionedbyme，Darzacdeniedhaving，onthatevening，oronanyother，purchasedacaneatCassette's。
However，"saidRouletabille，"I'llnotsweartoanything；MonsieurDarzachassuchstrangefitsofsilencethatonedoesnotknowexactlywhattothinkofwhathesays。"
"ToFredericLarsanthiscanemustmeanapieceofverydamagingevidence。Butinwhatway？Thetimewhenitwasboughtshowsitcouldnothavebeeninthemurderer'spossession。"
"Thetimedoesn'tworryLarsan。HeisnotobligedtoadoptmytheorywhichassumesthatthemurderergotintoTheYellowRoombetweenfiveandsixo'clock。Butthere'snothingtopreventhimassumingthatthemurderergotinbetweentenandeleveno'clockatnight。AtthathourMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson，assistedbyDaddyJacques，wereengagedinmakinganinterestingchemicalexperimentinthepartofthelaboratorytakenupbythefurnaces。Larsansays，unlikelyasthatmayseem，thatthemurderermayhaveslippedbehindthem。Hehasalreadygottheexaminingmagistratetolistentohim。Whenonelookscloselyintoit，thereasoningisabsurd，seeingthatthe'intimate'-ifthereisone-musthaveknownthattheprofessorwouldshortlyleavethepavilion，andthatthe'friend'hadonlytoputoffoperatingtillaftertheprofessor'sdeparture。Whyshouldhehaveriskedcrossingthelaboratorywhiletheprofessorwasinit？Andthen，whenhehadgotintoTheYellowRoom？
"TherearemanypointstobeclearedupbeforeLarsan'stheorycanbeadmitted。Isha'n'twastemytimeoverit，formytheorywon'tallowmetooccupymyselfwithmereimagination。Only，asIamobligedforthemomenttokeepsilent，andLarsansometimestalks，hemayfinishbycomingoutopenlyagainstMonsieurDarzac，-ifI'mnotthere，"addedtheyoungreporterproudly。"FortherearesurfaceevidencesagainstDarzac，muchmoreconvincingthanthatcane，whichremainsincomprehensibletome，allthemoresoasLarsandoesnotintheleasthesitatetoletDarzacseehimwithit！-IunderstandmanythingsinLarsan'stheory，butIcan'tmakeanythingofthatcane。
"Ishestillatthechateau？"
"Yes；hehardlyeverleavesit！-Hesleepsthere，asIdo，attherequestofMonsieurStangerson，whohasdoneforhimwhatMonsieurRobertDarzachasdoneforme。InspiteoftheaccusationmadebyLarsanthatMonsieurStangersonknowswhothemurdererisheyetaffordshimeveryfacilityforarrivingatthetruth，-justasDarzacisdoingforme。"
"ButyouareconvincedofDarzac'sinnocence？"
"AtonetimeIdidbelieveinthepossiblityofhisguilt。Thatwaswhenwearrivedhereforthefirsttime。ThetimehascomeformetotellyouwhathaspassedbetweenMonsieurDarzacandmyself。"
HereRouletabilleinterruptedhimselfandaskedmeifIhadbroughttherevolvers。Ishowedhimthem。Havingexaminedboth，hepronouncedthemexcellent，andhandedthembacktome。
"Shallwehaveanyuseforthem？"Iasked。
"Nodoubt；thisevening。Weshallpassthenighthere-ifthatwon'ttireyou？"
"Onthecontrary，"IsaidwithanexpressionthatmadeRouletabillelaugh。
"No，no，"hesaid，"thisisnotimeforlaughing。Yourememberthephrasewhichwasthe'opensesame'ofthischateaufullofmystery？"
"Yes，"Isaid，"perfectly，-'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。'Itwasthephrasewhichyoufoundonthehalf-burnedpieceofpaperamongsttheashesinthelaboratory。"
"Yes；atthebottomofthepaper，wheretheflamehadnotreached，wasthisdate：23rdofOctober。Rememberthisdate，itishighlyimportant。Iamnowgoingtotellyouaboutthatcuriousphrase。
Ontheeveningbeforethecrime，thatistosay，onthe23rd，MonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonwereatareceptionattheElysee。Iknowthat，becauseIwasthereonduty，havingtointerviewoneofthesavantsoftheAcademyofPhiladelphia，whowasbeingfetedthere。IhadneverbeforeseeneitherMonsieurorMademoiselleStangerson。IwasseatedintheroomwhichprecedestheSalondesAmbassadeurs，and，tiredofbeingjostledbysomanynoblepersonages，Ihadfallenintoavaguereverie，whenIscentednearmetheperfumeoftheladyinblack。
"Doyouaskmewhatisthe'perfumeoftheladyinblack'？ItmustsufficeforyoutoknowthatitisaperfumeofwhichIamveryfond，becauseitwasthatofaladywhohadbeenverykindtomeinmychildhood，-aladywhomIhadalwaysseendressedinblack。Theladywho，thatevening，wasscentedwiththeperfumeoftheladyinblack，wasdressedinwhite。Shewaswonderfullybeautiful。I
couldnothelprisingandfollowingher。Anoldmangaveherhisarmand，astheypassed，Iheardvoicessay：'ProfessorStangersonandhisdaughter。'ItwasinthatwayIlearnedwhoitwasIwasfollowing。
"TheymetMonsieurRobertDarzac，whomIknewbysight。ProfessorStangerson，accostedbyMr。ArthurWilliamRance，oneoftheAmericansavants，seatedhimselfinthegreatgallery，andMonsieurRobertDarzacledMademoiselleStangersonintotheconservatory。I
followed。Theweatherwasverymildthatevening；thegardendoorswereopen。MademoiselleStangersonthrewafichushawloverhershouldersandIplainlysawthatitwasshewhowasbeggingMonsieurDarzactogowithherintothegarden。Icontinuedtofollow，interestedbytheagitationplainlyexhibitedbythebearingofMonsieurDarzac。TheyslowlypassedalongthewallabuttingontheAvenueMarigny。Itookthecentralalley，walkingparallelwiththem，andthencrossedoverforthepurposeofgettingnearertothem。Thenightwasdark，andthegrassdeadenedthesoundofmysteps。TheyhadstoppedunderthevacillatinglightofagasjetandappearedtobebothbendingoverapaperheldbyMademoiselleStangerson，readingsomethingwhichdeeplyinterestedthem。I
stoppedinthedarknessandsilence。
"Neitherofthemsawme，andIdistinctlyheardMademoiselleStangersonrepeat，asshewasrefoldingthepaper：'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness！'-Itwassaidinatoneatoncemockinganddespairing，andwasfollowedbyaburstofsuchnervouslaughterthatIthinkherwordswillneverceasetosoundinmyears。ButanotherphrasewasutteredbyMonsieurRobertDarzac：'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？'
Hewasinanextraordinarilyagitatedstate。HetookthehandofMademoiselleStangersonandhelditforalongtimetohislips，andIthought，fromthemovementofhisshoulders，thathewascrying。Thentheywentaway。
"WhenIreturnedtothegreatgallery，"continuedRouletabille，"I
sawnomoreofMonsieurRobertDarzac，andIwasnottoseehimagainuntilafterthetragedyattheGlandier。MademoisellewasnearMr。Rance，whowastalkingwithmuchanimation，hiseyes，duringtheconversation，glowingwithasingularbrightness。
MademoiselleStangerson，Ithought，wasnotevenlisteningtowhathewassaying，herfaceexpressingperfectindifference。Hisfacewastheredfaceofadrunkard。WhenMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonleft，hewenttothebarandremainedthere。Ijoinedhim，andrenderedhimsomelittleserviceinthemidstofthepressingcrowd。HethankedmeandtoldmehewasreturningtoAmericathreedayslater，thatistosay，onthe26ththedayafterthecrime。ItalkedwithhimaboutPhiladelphia；hetoldmehehadlivedthereforfive-and-twentyyears，andthatitwastherehehadmettheillustriousProfessorStangersonandhisdaughter。Hedrankagreatdealofchampagne，andwhenIlefthimhewasverynearlydrunk。
"Suchweremyexperiencesonthatevening，andIleaveyoutoimaginewhateffectthenewsoftheattemptedmurderofMademoiselleStangersonproducedonme，-withwhatforcethosewordspronouncedbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？'
recurredtome。Itwasnotthisphrase，however，thatIrepeatedtohim，whenwemethereatGlandier。Thesentenceofthepresbyteryandthebrightgardensufficedtoopenthegateofthechateau。IfyouaskmeifIbelievenowthatMonsieurDarzacisthemurderer，I
mustsayIdonot。IdonotthinkIeverquitethoughtthat。AtthetimeIcouldnotreallythinkseriouslyofanything。Ihadsolittleevidencetogoon。ButIneededtohaveatoncetheproofthathehadnotbeenwoundedinthehand。
"Whenwewerealonetogether，ItoldhimhowIhadchancedtooverhearapartofhisconversationwithMademoiselleStangersoninthegardenoftheElysee；andwhenIrepeatedtohimthewords，'MustIcommitacrime，then，towinyou？'hewasgreatlytroubled，thoughmuchlesssothanhehadbeenbyhearingmerepeatthephraseaboutthepresbytery。WhatthrewhimintoastateofrealconsternationwastolearnfrommethatthedayonwhichhehadgonetomeetMademoiselleStangersonattheElysee，wastheverydayonwhichshehadgonetothePostOfficefortheletter。Itwasthatletter，perhaps，whichendedwiththewords：'Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。'Mysurmisewasconfirmedbymyfinding，ifyouremember，intheashesofthelaboratory，thefragmentofpaperdatedOctoberthe23rd。
TheletterhadbeenwrittenandwithdrawnfromthePostOfficeonthesameday。
"Therecanbenodoubtthat，onreturningfromtheElyseethatnight，MademoiselleStangersonhadtriedtodestroythatcompromisingpaper。
ItwasinvainthatMonsieurDarzacdeniedthatthatletterhadanythingwhatevertodowiththecrime。Itoldhimthatinanaffairsofilledwithmysteryasthis，hehadnorighttohidethisletter；thatIwaspersuadeditwasofconsiderableimportance；thatthedesperatetoneinwhichMademoiselleStangersonhadpronouncedthepropheticphrase，-thathisowntears，andthethreatofacrimewhichhehadprofessedaftertheletterwasread-allthesefactstendedtoleavenoroomformetodoubt。MonsieurDarzacbecamemoreandmoreagitated，andIdeterminedtotakeadvantageoftheeffectIhadproducedonhim。'Youwereonthepointofbeingmarried，Monsieur，'Isaidnegligentlyandwithoutlookingathim，'andsuddenlyyourmarriagebecomesimpossiblebecauseofthewriterofthatletter；becauseassoonashisletterwasread，youspokeofthenecessityforacrimetowinMademoiselleStangerson。Thereforethereissomeonebetweenyouandhersomeonewhohasattemptedtokillher，sothatsheshouldnotbeabletomarry！'AndIconcludedwiththesewords：'Now，monsieur，youhaveonlytotellmeinconfidencethenameofthemurderer！'-ThewordsIhadutteredmusthavestruckhimominously，forwhenIturnedmyeyesonhim，Isawthathisfacewashaggard，theperspirationstandingonhisforehead，andterrorshowinginhiseyes。
"'Monsieur，'hesaidtome，'Iamgoingtoaskofyousomethingwhichmayappearinsane，butinexchangeforwhichIplacemylifeinyourhands。YoumustnottellthemagistratesofwhatyousawandheardinthegardenoftheElysee，-neithertothemnortoanybody。Isweartoyou，thatIaminnocent，andIknow，Ifeel，thatyoubelieveme；butIwouldratherbetakenfortheguiltymanthanseejusticegoastrayonthatphrase，"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。"Thejudgesmustknownothingaboutthatphrase。Allthismatterisinyourhands。Monsieur，Ileaveitthere；butforgettheeveningattheElysee。Ahundredotherroadsareopentoyouinyoursearchforthecriminal。Iwillopenthemforyoumyself。Iwillhelpyou。
Willyoutakeupyourquartershere？-Youmayremainheretodoasyouplease-Eat-sleephere-watchmyactions-theactionsofallhere。YoushallbemasteroftheGlandier，Monsieur；butforgettheeveningattheElysee。'
Rouletabilleherepausedtotakebreath。InowunderstoodwhathadappearedsounexplainableinthedemeanourofMonsieurRobertDarzactowardsmyfriend，andthefacilitywithwhichtheyoungreporterhadbeenabletoinstallhimselfonthesceneofthecrime。MycuriositycouldnotfailtobeexcitedbyallIhadheard。IaskedRouletabilletosatisfyitstillfurther。Whathadhappenedatthelandierduringthepastweek？-HadhenottoldmethatthereweresurfaceindicationsagainstMonsieurDarzacmuchmoreterriblethanthatofthecanefoundbyLarsan？
"Everythingseemstobepointingagainsthim，"repliedmyfriend，"andthesituationisbecomingexceedinglygrave。MonsieurDarzacappearsnottominditmuch；butinthatheiswrong。IwasinterestedonlyinthehealthofMademoiselleStangerson，whichwasdailyimproving，whensomethingoccurredthatisevenmoremysteriousthan-thanthemysteryofTheYellowRoom！"
"Impossible！"Icried，"Whatcouldbemoremysteriousthanthat？"
"LetusfirstgobacktoMonsieurRobertDarzac，"saidRouletabille，calmingme。"Ihavesaidthateverythingseemstobepointingagainsthim。ThemarksoftheneatbootsfoundbyFredericLarsanappeartobereallythefootprintsofMademoiselleStangerson'sfiance。Themarksmadebythebicyclemayhavebeenmadebyhisbicycle。Hehadusuallyleftitatthechateau；whydidhetakeittoParisonthatparticularoccasion？Wasitbecausehewasnotgoingtoreturnagaintothechateau？Wasitbecause，owingtothebreakingoffofhismarriage，hisrelationswiththeStangersonsweretocease？Allwhoareinterestedinthematteraffirmthatthoserelationsweretocontinueunchanged。
"FredericLarsan，however，believesthatallrelationswereatanend。FromthedaywhenMonsieurDarzacaccompaniedMademoiselleStangersontotheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvreuntilthedayafterthecrime，hehadnotbeenattheGlandier。RememberthatMademoiselleStangersonlostherreticulecontainingthekeywiththebrassheadwhileshewasinhiscompany。FromthatdaytotheeveningattheElysee，theSorbonneprofessorandMademoiselleStangersondidnotseeoneanother；buttheymayhavewrittentoeachother。MademoiselleStangersonwenttothePostOfficetogetaletter，whichLarsansayswaswrittenbyRobertDarzac；forknowingnothingofwhathadpassedattheElysee，LarsanbelievesthatitwasMonsieurDarzachimselfwhostolethereticulewiththekey，withthedesignofforcingherconsent，bygettingpossessionofthepreciouspapersofherfather-paperswhichhewouldhaverestoredtohimonconditionthatthemarriageengagementwastobefulfilled。
"Allthatwouldhavebeenaverydoubtfulandalmostabsurdhypothesis，asLarsanadmittedtome，butforanotherandmuchgravercircumstance。InthefirstplacehereissomethingwhichI
havenotbeenabletoexplain-MonsieurDarzachadhimself，onthe24th，gonetothePostOfficetoaskfortheletterwhichMademoisellehadcalledforandreceivedonthepreviousevening。
ThedescriptionofthemanwhomadeapplicationtalliesineveryrespectwiththeappearanceofMonsieurDarzac，who，inanswertothequestionsputtohimbytheexaminingmagistrate，deniesthathewenttothePostOffice。Nowevenadmittingthattheletterwaswrittenbyhim-whichIdonotbelieve-heknewthatMademoiselleStangersonhadreceivedit，sincehehadseenitinherhandsinthegardenattheElysee。Itcouldnothavebeenhe，then，whohadgonetothePostOffice，thedayafterthe24th，toaskforaletterwhichheknewwasnolongerthere。
"Tomeitappearsclearthatsomebody，stronglyresemblinghim，stoleMademoiselleStangerson'sreticuleandinthatletter，haddemandedofhersomethingwhichshehadnotsenthim。Hemusthavebeensurprisedatthefailureofhisdemand，hencehisapplicationatthePostOffice，tolearnwhetherhisletterhadbeendeliveredtothepersontowhomithadbeenaddressed。Findingthatithadbeenclaimed，hehadbecomefurious。Whathadhedemanded？NobodybutMademoiselleStangersonknows。Then，onthedayfollowing，itisreportedthatshehadbeenattackedduringthenight，and，thenextday，IdiscoveredthattheProfessorhad，atthesametime，beenrobbedbymeansofthekeyreferredtointheposterestanteletter。Itwouldseem，then，thatthemanwhowenttothePostOfficetoinquireforthelettermusthavebeenthemurderer。AlltheseargumentsLarsanappliesasagainstMonsieurDarzac。Youmaybesurethattheexaminingmagistrate，Larsan，andmyself，havedoneourbesttogetfromthePostOfficeprecisedetailsrelativetothesingularpersonagewhoappliedthereonthe24thofOctober。
Butnothinghasbeenlearned。Wedon'tknowwherehecamefrom-orwherehewent。BeyondthedescriptionwhichmakeshimresembleMonsieurDarzac，weknownothing。
"IhaveannouncedintheleadingjournalsthatahandsomerewardwillbegiventoadriverofanypublicconveyancewhodroveafaretoNo。40，PostOffice，aboutteno'clockonthemorningofthe24thofOctober。Informationtobeaddressedto'M。R。，'attheofficeofthe'Epoque'；butnoanswerhasresulted。Themanmayhavewalked；but，ashewasmostlikelyinahurry，therewasachancethathemighthavegoneinacab。Who，Ikeepaskingmyselfnightandday，isthemanwhosostronglyresemblesMonsieurRobertDarzac，andwhoisalsoknowntohaveboughtthecanewhichhasfallenintoLarsan'shands？
"ThemostseriousfactisthatMonsieurDarzacwas，attheverysametimethathisdoublepresentedhimselfatthePostOffice，scheduledforalectureattheSorbonne。Hehadnotdeliveredthatlecture，andoneofhisfriendstookhisplace。WhenIquestionedhimastohowhehademployedthetime，hetoldmethathehadgoneforastrollintheBoisdeBoulogne。Whatdoyouthinkofaprofessorwho，insteadofgivinghislecture，obtainsasubstitutetogoforastrollintheBoisdeBoulogne？WhenFredericLarsanaskedhimforinformationonthispoint，hequietlyrepliedthatitwasnobusinessofhishowhespenthistimeinParis。OnwhichFredsworealoudthathewouldfindout，withoutanybody'shelp。
"AllthisseemstofitinwithFred'shypothesis，namely，thatMonsieurStangersonallowedthemurderertoescapeinordertoavoidascandal。ThehypothesisisfurthersubstantiatedbythefactthatDarzacwasinTheYellowRoomandwaspermittedtogetaway。ThathypothesisIbelievetobeafalseone-Larsanisbeingmisledbyit，thoughthatwouldnotdispleaseme，diditnotaffectaninnocentperson。NowdoesthathypothesisreallymisleadFredericLarsan？
Thatisthequestion-thatisthequestion。"
"Perhapsheisright，"Icried，interruptingRouletabille。"AreyousurethatMonsieurDarzacisinnocent？-Itseemstomethattheseareextraordinarycoincidences-"
"Coincidences，"repliedmyfriend，"aretheworstenemiestotruth。"
"Whatdoestheexaminingmagistratethinknowofthematter？"
"MonsieurdeMarquethesitatestoaccuseMonsieurDarzac，intheabsenceofabsoluteproofs。Notonlywouldhehavepublicopinionwhollyagainsthim，tosaynothingoftheSorbonne，butMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson。SheadoresMonsieurRobertDarzac。
Indistinctlyasshesawthemurderer，itwouldbehardtomakethepublicbelievethatshecouldnothaverecognisedhim，ifDarzachadbeenthecriminal。NodoubtTheYellowRoomwasverydimlylit；butanight-light，howeversmall，givessomelight。Here，myboy，ishowthingsstoodwhen，threedays，orratherthreenightsago，anextraordinarilystrangeincidentoccurred。"
CHAPTERXIV
"IExpecttheAssassinThisEvening"
"Imusttakeyou，"saidRouletabille，"soastoenableyoutounderstand，tothevariousscenes。ImyselfbelievethatIhavediscoveredwhateverybodyelseissearchingfor，namely，howthemurdererescapedfromTheYellowRoom，withoutanyaccomplice，andwithoutMademoiselleStangersonhavinghadanythingtodowithit。
ButsolongasIamnotsureoftherealmurderer，IcannotstatethetheoryonwhichIamworking。IcanonlysaythatIbelieveittobecorrectand，inanycase，aquitenaturalandsimpleone。
Astowhathappenedinthisplacethreenightsago，Imustsayitkeptmewonderingforawholedayandanight。Itpassesallbelief。
ThetheoryIhaveformedfromtheincidentissoabsurdthatIwouldrathermattersremainedasyetunexplained。"
Sayingwhichtheyoungreporterinvitedmetogoandmakethetourofthechateauwithhim。Theonlysoundtobeheardwasthecrunchingofthedeadleavesbeneathourfeet。Thesilencewassointensethatonemighthavethoughtthechateauhadbeenabandoned。
Theoldstones，thestagnantwateroftheditchsurroundingthedonjon，thebleakgroundstrewnwiththedeadleaves，thedark，skeleton-likeoutlinesofthetrees，allcontributedtogivetothedesolateplace，nowfilledwithitsawfulmystery，amostfunerealaspect。Aswepassedroundthedonjon，wemettheGreenMan，theforest-keeper，whodidnotgreetus，butwalkedbyasifwehadnotexisted。HewaslookingjustasIhadformerlyseenhimthroughthewindowoftheDonjonInn。Hehadstillhisfowling-pieceslungathisback，hispipewasinhismouth，andhiseye-glassesonhisnose。
"Anoddkindoffish！"Rouletabillesaidtome，inalowtone。
"Haveyouspokentohim？"Iasked。
"Yes，butIcouldgetnothingoutofhim。Hisonlyanswersaregruntsandshrugsoftheshoulders。Hegenerallylivesonthefirstfloorofthedonjon，abigroomthatonceservedforanoratory。Heliveslikeabear，nevergoesoutwithouthisgun，andisonlypleasantwiththegirls。Thewomen，fortwelvemilesround，areallsettingtheircapsforhim。Forthepresent，heispayingattentiontoMadameMathieu，whosehusbandiskeepingalynxeyeuponherinconsequence。"
Afterpassingthedonjon，whichissituatedattheextremeendoftheleftwing，wewenttothebackofthechateau。Rouletabille，pointingtoawindowwhichIrecognisedastheonlyonebelongingtoMademoiselleStangerson'sapartment，saidtome：
"Ifyouhadbeenhere，twonightsago，youwouldhaveseenyourhumbleservantatthetopofaladder，abouttoenterthechateaubythatwindow。"
AsIexpressedsomesurpriseatthispieceofnocturnalgymnastics，hebeggedmetonoticecarefullytheexteriordispositionofthechateau。Wethenwentbackintothebuilding。
"Imustnowshowyouthefirstfloorofthechateau，whereIamliving，"saidmyfriend。
Toenablethereaderthebettertounderstandthedispositionofthesepartsofthedwelling，Iannexaplanofthefirstflooroftherightwing，drawnbyRouletabillethedayaftertheextraordinaryphenomenonoccurred，thedetailsofwhichIamabouttorelate。
***
boudoir_________________________\___________4__________________________
Mlle。Mlle。_________Mr。
LumberSangerson'sSangerson's_________Sangerson'sRoomSittingBedRoom_________RoomRoom_________stair-case
bathanteroom
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2——RightGalleryRightWing——3RightGalleryLeftWing________________________________________________________
Roulet-WG
tabille'sIARightWingLeftWingRoomNLofthe_________DLChateauFredericIE
Larsan'sNR
RoomGY
_________1_。5……6……
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Rouletabillemotionedmetofollowhimupamagnificentflightofstairsendinginalandingonthefirstfloor。Fromthislandingonecouldpasstotherightorleftwingofthechateaubyagalleryopeningfromit。Thisgallery，highandwide，extendedalongthewholelengthofthebuildingandwaslitfromthefrontofthechateaufacingthenorth。Therooms，thewindowsofwhichlookedtothesouth，openedoutofthegallery。ProfessorStangersoninhabitedtheleftwingofthebuilding。MademoiselleStangersonhadherapartmentintherightwing。
Weenteredthegallerytotheright。Anarrowcarpet，laidonthewaxedoakenfloor，whichshonelikeglass，deadenedthesoundofourfootsteps。Rouletabilleaskedme，inalowtone，towalkcarefully，aswewerepassingthedoorofMademoiselleStangerson'sapartment。
Thisconsistedofabed-room，anante-room，asmallbath-room，aboudoir，andadrawing-room。Onecouldpassfromonetoanotheroftheseroomswithouthavingtogobywayofthegallery。Thegallerycontinuedstraighttothewesternendofthebuilding，whereitwaslitbyahighwindowwindow2ontheplan。Atabouttwo-thirdsofitslengththisgallery，atarightangle，joinedanothergalleryfollowingthecourseoftherightwing。
Thebettertofollowthisnarrative，weshallcallthegalleryleadingfromthestairstotheeasternwindow，the"right"galleryandthegalleryquittingitatarightangle，the"off-turning"
gallerywindinggalleryintheplan。ItwasatthemeetingpointofthetwogalleriesthatRouletabillehadhischamber，adjoiningthatofFnedericLarsan，thedoorofeachopeningontothe"off-turning"gallery，whilethedoorsofMademoiselleStangerson'sapartmentopenedintothe"right"gallery。Seetheplan。
Rouletabilleopenedthedoorofhisroomandafterwehadpassedin，carefullydrewthebolt。Ihadnothadtimetoglanceroundtheplaceinwhichhehadbeeninstalled，whenheutteredacryofsurpriseandpointedtoapairofeye-glassesonaside-table。
"Whatarethesedoinghere？"heasked。
Ishouldhavebeenpuzzledtoanswerhim。
"Iwonder，"hesaid，"IwonderifthisiswhatIhavebeensearchingfor。Iwonderifthesearetheeye-glassesfromthepresbytery！"
Heseizedthemeagerly，hisfingerscaressingtheglass。Thenlookingatme，withanexpressionofterroronhisface，hemurmured，"Oh！-Oh！"
Herepeatedtheexclamationagainandagain，asifhisthoughtshadsuddenlyturnedhisbrain。
Heroseand，puttinghishandonmyshoulder，laughedlikeonedementedashesaid：
"Thoseglasseswilldrivemesilly！Mathematicallyspeakingthethingispossible；buthumanlyspeakingitisimpossible-orafterwards-orafterwards-"
Twolightknocksstruckthedoor。Rouletabilleopenedit。Afigureentered。Irecognisedtheconcierge，whomIhadseenwhenshewasbeingtakentothepavilionforexamination。Iwassurprised，thinkingshewasstillunderlockandkey。Thiswomansaidinaverylowtone：
"Inthegroveoftheparquet。"
Rouletabillereplied："Thanks。"-Thewomanthenleft。Heagainturnedtome，hislookhaggard，afterhavingcarefullyrefastenedthedoor，mutteringsomeincomprehensiblephrases。
"Ifthethingismathematicallypossible，whyshoulditnotbehu-
manly！-Andifitishumanlypossible，thematterissimplyawful。"
Iinterruptedhiminhissoliloquy：
"Havetheysettheconciergesatliberty，then？"Iasked。
"Yes，"hereplied，"Ihadthemliberated，IneededpeopleIcouldtrust。Thewomanisthoroughlydevotedtome，andherhusbandwouldlaydownhislifeforme。"
"Oho！"Isaid，"whenwillhehaveoccasiontodoit？"
"Thisevening，-forthiseveningIexpectthemurderer。"
"Youexpectthemurdererthisevening？Thenyouknowhim？"
"Ishallknowhim；butIshouldbemadtoaffirm，categorically，atthismomentthatIdoknowhim。ThemathematicalideaIhaveofthemurderergivesresultssofrightful，somonstrous，thatIhopeitisstillpossiblethatIammistaken。Ihopeso，withallmyheart！"
"Fiveminutesago，youdidnotknowthemurderer；howcanyousaythatyouexpecthimthisevening？"
"BecauseIknowthathemustcome。"
Rouletabilleveryslowlyfilledhispipeandlitit。Thatmeantaninterestingstory。Atthatmomentweheardsomeonewalkinginthegalleryandpassingbeforeourdoor。Rouletabillelistened。Thesoundofthefootstepdiedawayinthedistance。
"IsFredericLarsaninhisroom？"Iasked，pointingtothepartition。
"No，"myfriendanswered。"HewenttoParisthismorning，-stillonthescentofDarzac，whoalsoleftforParis。Thatmatterwillturnoutbadly。IexpectthatMonsieurDarzacwillbearrestedinthecourseofthenextweek。Theworstofitisthateverythingseemstobeinleagueagainsthim，-circumstances，things，people。
Notanhourpasseswithoutbringingsomenewevidenceagainsthim。
Theexaminingmagistrateisoverwhelmedbyit-andblind。"
"FredericLarsan，however，isnotanovice，"Isaid。
"Ithoughtso，"saidRouletabile，withaslightlycontemptuousturnofhislips，"Ifanciedhewasamuchablerman。Ihad，indeed，agreatadmirationforhim，beforeIgottoknowhismethodofworking。
It'sdeplorable。Heoweshisreputationsolelytohisability；buthelacksreasoningpower，-themathematicsofhisideasareverypoor。"
IlookedcloselyatRouletabilleandcouldnothelpsmiling，onhearingthisboyofeighteeentalkingofamanwhohadprovedtotheworldthathewasthefinestpolicesleuthinEurope。
"Yousmile，"hesaid？"youarewrong！IswearIwilloutwithim-andinastrikingway！ButImustmakehasteaboutit，forhehasanenormousstartonme-givenhimbyMonsieurRobertDarzac，whoisthiseveninggoingtoincreaseitstillmore。Thinkofit！-
everytimethemurderercomestothechateau，MonsieurDarzac，byastrangefatality，absentshimselfandrefusestogiveanyaccountofhowheemployshistime。"
"Everytimetheassassincomestothechateau！"Icried。"Hashereturnedthen-？"
"Yes，duringthatfamousnightwhenthestrangephenomenonoccurred。"
IwasnowgoingtolearnabouttheastonishingphenomenontowhichRouletabillehadmadeallusionhalfanhourearlierwithoutgivingmeanyexplanationofit。ButIhadlearnednevertopressRouletabilleinhisnarratives。Hespokewhenthefancytookhimandwhenhejudgedittoberight。Hewaslessconcernedaboutmycuriositythanhewasformakingacompletesummingupforhimselfofanyimportantmatterinwhichhewasinterested。
Atlast，inshortrapidphrases，heacquaintedmewiththingswhichplungedmeintoastateborderingoncompletebewilderment。Indeed，theresultsofthatstillunknownscienceknownashypnotism，forexample，werenotmoreinexplicablethanthedisappearanceofthe"matter"ofthemurdereratthemomentwhenfourpersonswerewithintouchofhim。IspeakofhypnotismasIwouldofelectricity，forofthenatureofbothweareignorantandweknowlittleoftheirlaws。Icitetheseexamplesbecause，atthetime，thecaseappearedtometobeonlyexplicablebytheinexplicable，-thatistosay，byaneventoutsideofknownnaturallaws。Andyet，ifIhadhadRouletabille'sbrain，Ishould，likehim，havehadapresentimentofthenaturalexplanation；forthemostcuriousthingaboutallthemysteriesoftheGlandiercasewasthenaturalmannerinwhichheexplainedthem。
Ihaveamongthepapersthatweresentmebytheyoungman，aftertheaffairwasover，anote-bookofhis，inwhichacompleteaccountisgivenofthephenomenonofthedisappearanceofthe"matter"oftheassassin，andthethoughtstowhichitgaveriseinthemindofmyyoungfriend。Itispreferable，Ithink，togivethereaderthisaccount，ratherthancontinuetoreproducemyconversationwithRouletabille；forIshouldbeafraid，inahistoryofthisnature，toaddawordthatwasnotinaccordancewiththestrictesttruth。
CHAPTERXV
TheTrapEXTRACTFROMTHENOTE-BOOKOFJOSEPHROULETABILLE
"Lastnight？thenightbetweenthe29thand30thofOctober？"wroteJosephRouletabille，"Iwokeuptowardsoneo'clockinthemorning。
Wasitsleeplessness，ornoisewithout？？ThecryoftheBeteduBonDieurangoutwithsinisterloudnessfromtheendofthepark。
Iroseandopenedthewindow。Coldwindandrain；opaquedarkness；
silence。Ireclosedmywindow。Againthesoundofthecat'sweirdcryinthedistance。Ipartlydressedinhaste。Theweatherwastoobadforevenacattobeturnedoutinit。Whatdiditmean，then？thatimitatingofthemewingofMotherAngenoux'catsonearthechateau？Iseizedagood-sizedstick，theonlyweaponIhad，and，withoutmakinganynoise，openedthedoor。
"ThegalleryintowhichIwentwaswelllitbyalampwithareflector。Ifeltakeencurrentofairand，onturning，foundthewindowopen，attheextremeendofthegallery，whichIcallthe'off-turning'gallery，todistinguishitfromthe'right'gallery，ontowhichtheapartmentofMademoiselleStangersonopened。Thesetwogalleriescrosseachotheratrightangles。Whohadleftthatwindowopen？Or，whohadcometoopenit？Iwenttothewindowandleanedout。Fivefeetbelowmetherewasasortofterraceoverthesemi-circularprojectionofaroomontheground-floor。Onecould，ifonewanted，jumpfromthewindowontotheterrace，andallowoneselftodropfromitintothecourtofthechateau。Whoeverhadenteredbythisroadhad，evidently，nothadakeytothevestibuledoor。ButwhyshouldIbethinkingofmypreviousnight'sattemptwiththeladder？？Becauseoftheopenwindow？leftopen，perhaps，bythenegligenceofaservant？Ireclosedit，smilingattheeasewithwhichIbuiltadramaonthemeresuggestionofanopenwindow。
"AgainthecryoftheBeteduBonDieu！？andthensilence。Therainceasedtobeatonthewindow。Allinthechateauslept。I
walkedwithinfiniteprecautiononthecarpetofthegallery。Onreachingthecornerofthe'right'gallery，Ipeeredrounditcautiously。Therewasanotherlamptherewithareflectorwhichquitelituptheseveralobjectsinit，？threechairsandsomepictureshangingonthewall。WhatwasIdoingthere？Perfectsilencereignedthroughout。Everythingwassunkinrepose。WhatwastheinstinctthaturgedmetowardsMademoiselleStangerson'schamber？Whydidavoicewithinmecry：'Goon，tothechamberofMademoiselleStangerson！'IcastmyeyesdownuponthecarpetonwhichIwastreadingandsawthatmystepswerebeingdirectedtowardsMademoiselleStangerson'schamberbythemarksofstepsthathadalreadybeenmadethere。Yes，onthecarpetweretracesoffootstepsstainedwithmudleadingtothechamberofMademoiselleStangerson。Horror！Horror！？Irecognisedinthosefootprintstheimpressionoftheneatbootsofthemurderer！Hehadcome，then，fromwithoutinthiswretchednight。Ifyoucoulddescendfromthegallerybywayofthewindow，bymeansoftheterrace，thenyoucouldgetintothechateaubythesamemeans。
"Themurdererwasstillinthechateau，forhereweremarksasofreturningfootsteps。Hehadenteredbytheopenwindowattheextremityofthe'off-turning'gallery；hehadpassedFredericLarsan'sdoorandmine，hadturnedtotheright，andhadenteredMademoiselleStangerson'sroom。Iambeforethedoorofherante-room？itisopen。Ipushit，withoutmakingtheleastnoise。
UnderthedooroftheroomitselfIseeastreakoflight。I
listen？nosound？notevenofbreathing！Ah！？ifIonlyknewwhatwaspassinginthesilencethatisbehindthatdoor！Ifindthedoorlockedandthekeyturnedontheinnerside。Andthemurdereristhere，perhaps。Hemustbethere！Willheescapethistime？？Alldependsonme！？Imustbecalm，andaboveall，Imustmakenofalsesteps。Imustseeintothatroom。IcanenteritbyMademoiselleStangerson'sdrawing-room；but，todothatIshouldhavetocrossherboudoir；andwhileIamthere，themurderermayescapebythegallerydoor？thedoorinfrontofwhichIamnowstanding。
"Iamsurethatnoothercrimeisbeingcommitted，onthisnight；
forthereiscompletesilenceintheboudoir，wheretwonursesaretakingcareofMademoiselleStangersonuntilsheisrestoredtohealth。
"AsIamalmostsurethatthemurdereristhere，whydoInotatoncegivethealarm？Themurderermay，perhaps，escape；but，perhaps，ImaybeabletosaveMademoiselleStangerson'slife。
Supposethemurdereronthisoccasionisnotheretomurder？Thedoorhasbeenopenedtoallowhimtoenter；bywhom？？Andithasbeenrefastened？bywhom？？MademoiselleStangersonshutsherselfupinherapartmentwithhernurseseverynight。Whoturnedthekeyofthatchambertoallowthemurderertoenter？？Thenurses，？twofaithfuldomestics？Theoldchambermaid，Sylvia？Itisveryimprobable。Besides，theysleptintheboudoir，andMademoiselleStangerson，verynervousandcareful，MonsieurRobertDarzactoldme，seestoherownsafetysinceshehasbeenwellenoughtomoveaboutinherroom，whichIhavenotyetseenherleave。Thisnervousnessandsuddencareonherpart，whichhadstruckMonsieurDarzac，hadgivenme，also，foodforthought。AtthetimeofthecrimeinTheYellowRoom，therecanbenodoubtthatsheexpectedthemurderer。Washeexpectedthisnight？？Wasitsheherselfwhohadopenedherdoortohim？Hadshesomereasonfordoingso？
Wassheobligedtodoit？？Wasitameetingforpurposesofcrime？？Certainlyitwasnotalover'smeeting，forIbelieveMademoiselleStangersonadoresMonsieurDarzac。
"Allthesereflectionsranthroughmybrainlikeaflashoflightning。WhatwouldInotgivetoknow！
"Itispossiblethattherewassomereasonfortheawfulsilence。
Myinterventionmightdomoreharmthangood。HowcouldItell？
HowcouldIknowImightnotanymomentcauseanothercrime？IfIcouldonlyseeandknow，withoutbreakingthatsilence！
"Ilefttheante-roomanddescendedthecentralstairstothevestibuleand，assilentlyaspossible，mademywaytothelittleroomontheground-floorwhereDaddyJacqueshadbeensleepingsincetheattackmadeatthepavilion。
"Ifoundhimdressed，hiseyeswideopen，almosthaggard。Hedidnotseemsurprisedtoseeme。HetoldmethathehadgotupbecausehehadheardthecryoftheBetedubonDieu，andbecausehehadheardfootstepsinthepark，closetohiswindow，outofwhichhehadlookedand，justthen，hadseenablackshadowpassby。Iaskedhimwhetherhehadafirearmofanykind。No，henolongerkeptone，sincetheexaminingmagistratehadtakenhisrevolverfromhim。
Wewentouttogether，byalittlebackdoor，intothepark，andstolealongthechateautothepointwhichisjustbelowMademoiselleStangerson'swindow。
"IplacedDaddyJacquesagainstthewall，orderinghimnottostirfromthespot，whileI，takingadvantageofamomentwhenthemoonwashiddenbyacloud，movedtothefrontofthewindow，outofthepatchoflightwhichcamefromit，？forthewindowwashalf-open！
IfIcouldonlyknowwhatwaspassinginthatsilentchamber！I
returnedtoDaddyJacquesandwhisperedtheword'ladder'inhisear。
AtfirstIhadthoughtofthetreewhich，aweekago，servedmeforanobservatory；butIimmediatelysawthat，fromthewaythewindowwashalf-opened，Ishouldnotbeabletoseefromthatpointofviewanythingthatwaspassingintheroom；andIwanted，notonlytosee，buttohear，and？toact。
"Greatlyagitated，almosttrembling，PaddyJacquesdisappearedforamomentandreturnedwithouttheladder，butmakingsignstomewithhisarms，assignalstometocomequicklytohim。WhenIgotnearhimhegasped：'Come！'
"'Iwenttothedonjoninsearchofmyladder，andinthelowerpartofthedonjonwhichservesmeandthegardenerforalumberroom，I
foundthedooropenandtheladdergone。Oncomingout，that'swhatIcaughtsightofbythelightofthemoon。
"Andhepointedtothefurtherendofthechateau，wherealadderstoodrestingagainstthestonebracketssupportingtheterrace，underthewindowwhichIhadfoundopen。Theprojectionoftheterracehadpreventedmyseeingit。Thankstothatladder，itwasquiteeasytogetintothe'off-turning'galleryofthefirstfloor，andIhadnodoubtofithavingbeentheroadtakenbytheunknown。
"Werantotheladder，butatthemomentofreachingit，DaddyJacquesdrewmyattentiontothehalf-opendoorofthelittlesemi-circularroom，situatedundertheterrace，attheextremityoftherightwingofthechateau，havingtheterraceforitsroof。
DaddyJacquespushedthedooropenalittlefurtherandlookedin。
"'He'snotthere！"hewhispered。
"Whoisnotthere？"
"Theforest梜eeper。"
Withhislipsoncemoretomyear，headded：
"'Doyouknowthathehassleptintheupperroomofthedonjoneversinceitwasrestored？'Andwiththesamegesturehepointedtothehalf-opendoor，theladder，theterrace，andthewindowsinthe'off-turning'gallerywhich，alittlewhilebefore，Ihadre-closed。
"Whatweremythoughtsthen？Ihadnotimetothink。IfeltmorethanIthought。
"Evidently，Ifelt，iftheforest-keeperisupthereinthechamberIsay，if，becauseatthismoment，apartfromthepresenceoftheladderandhisvacantroom，therearenoevidenceswhichpermitmeeventosuspecthim？ifheisthere，hehasbeenobligedtopassbytheladder，andtheroomswhichliebehindhis，inhisnewlodging，areoccupiedbythefamilyofthestewardandbythecook，andbythekitchens，whichbarthewaybythevestibuletotheinteriorofthechateau。Andifhehadbeenthereduringtheeveningonanypretext，itwouldhavebeeneasyforhimtogointothegalleryandseethatthewindowcouldbesimplypushedopenfromtheoutside。Thisquestionoftheunfastenedwindoweasilynarrowedthefieldofsearchforthemurderer。Hemustbelongtothehouse，unlesshehadanaccomplice，whichIdonotbelievehehad；unless？unlessMademoiselleStangersonherselfhadseenthatthatwindowwasnotfastenedfromtheinside。But，then，？whatcouldbethefrightfulsecretwhichputherunderthenecessityofdoingawaywithobstaclesthatseparatedherfromthemurderer？
"Iseizedholdoftheladder，andwereturnedtothebackofthechateautoseeifthewindowofthechamberwasstillhalf-open。
Theblindwasdrawnbutdidnotjoinandallowedabrightstreamoflighttoescapeandfalluponthepathatourfeet。Iplantedtheladderunderthewindow。IamalmostsurethatImadenonoise；
andwhileDaddyJacquesremainedatthefootoftheladder，I
mountedit，veryquietly，mystoutstickinmyhand。Iheldmybreathandliftedmyfeetwiththegreatestcare。Suddenlyaheavyclouddischargeditselfatthatmomentinafreshdownpourofrain。
"AtthesameinstantthesinistercryoftheBetedubonDieuarrestedmeinmyascent。Itseemedtometohavecomefromclosebyme？onlyafewyardsaway。Wasthecryasignal？？Hadsomeaccompliceofthemanseenmeontheladder！？Wouldthecrybringthemantothewindow？？Perhaps！Ah，therehewasatthewindow！
Ifelthisheadaboveme。Iheardthesoundofhisbreath！Icouldnotlookuptowardshim；theleastmovementofmyhead，and？I
mightbelost。Wouldheseeme？？Wouldhepeerintothedarkness？
No；hewentaway。Hehadseennothing。Ifelt，ratherthanheard，himmovingontip-toeintheroom；andImountedafewstepshigher。
Myheadreachedtothelevelofthewindow-sill；myforeheadroseaboveit；myeyeslookedbetweentheopeningintheblinds？andI
saw？"AmanseatedatMademoiselleStangerson'slittledesk，writing。Hisbackwasturnedtowardme。Acandlewaslitbeforehim，andhebentovertheflame，thelightfromitprojectingshapelessshadows。Isawnothingbutamonstrous，stoopingback。
"MademoiselleStangersonherselfwasnotthere！？Herbedhadnotbeenlainon！Where，then，wasshesleepingthatnight？Doubtlessintheside-roomwithherwomen。Perhapsthiswasbutaguess。I
mustcontentmyselfwiththejoyoffindingthemanalone。Imustbecalmtopreparemytrap。
"Butwho，then，isthismanwritingtherebeforemyeyes，seatedatthedesk，asifhewereinhisownhome？Iftherehadnotbeenthatladderunderthewindow；iftherehadnotbeenthosefootprintsonthecarpetinthegallery；iftherehadnotbeenthatopenwindow，Imighthavebeenledtothinkthatthismanhadarighttobethere，andthathewasthereasamatterofcourseandforreasonsaboutwhichasyetIknewnothing。ButtherewasnodoubtthatthismysteriousunknownwasthemanofTheYellowRoom，？themantowhosemurderousassaultMademoiselleStangerson？withoutdenouncinghim？hadhadtosubmit。IfIcouldbutseehisface！Surpriseandcapturehim！
"IfIspringintotheroomatthismoment，hewillescapebytheright-handdooropeningintotheboudoir，？orcrossingthedrawing-room，hewillreachthegalleryandIshalllosehim。I
havehimnowandinfiveminutesmorehe'llbesaferthanifIhadhiminacage。？Whatishedoingthere，aloneinMademoiselleStangerson'sroom？？Whatishewriting？Idescendandplacetheladderontheground。DaddyJacquesfollowsme。Were-enterthechateau。IsendDaddyJacquestowakeMonsieurStangerson，andinstructhimtoawaitmycominginMademoiselleStangerson'sroomandtosaynothingdefinitetohimbeforemyarrival。IwillgoandawakenFredericLarsan。It'saboretohavetodoit，forI
shouldhavelikedtoworkaloneandtohavecarriedoffallthehonorsofthisaffairmyself，rightundertheverynoseofthesleepingdetective。ButDaddyJacquesandMonsieurStangersonareoldmen，andIamnotyetfullydeveloped。Imightnotbestrongenough。Larsanisusedtowrestlingandputtingonthehandcuffs。
Heopenedhiseyesswollenwithsleep，readytosendmeflying，withoutintheleastbelievinginmyreporter'sfancies。Ihadtoassurehimthatthemanwasthere！
"'That'sstrange！'hesaid；'IthoughtIlefthimthisafternooninParis。'
"Hedressedhimselfinhasteandarmedhimselfwitharevolver。Westolequietlyintothegallery。
"'Whereishe？'Larsanasked。
"'InMademoiselleStangerson'sroom。
"'And？MademoiselleStangerson？'
"'Sheisnotinthere。'
'Let'sgoin。'
"'Don'tgothere！Ontheleastalarmthemanwillescape。Hehasfourwaysbywhichtodoit？thedoor，thewindow，theboudoir，ortheroominwhichthewomenaresleeping。'
"'I'lldrawhimfrombelow。'
"'Andifyoufail？？Ifyouonlysucceedinwoundinghim？he'llescapeagain，withoutreckoningthatheiscertainlyarmed。No，letmedirecttheexpedition，andI'llanswerforeverything。'
"'Asyoulike，'hereplied，withfairlygoodgrace。
"Then，aftersatisfyingmyselfthatallthewindowsofthetwogallerieswerethoroughlysecure，IplacedFredericLarsanattheendofthe'off-turning'gallery，beforethewindowwhichIhadfoundopenandhadreclosed。
"'Undernoconsideration，'Isaidtohim，'mustyoustirfromthisposttillIcallyou。Thechancesareeventhattheman，whenheispursued，willreturntothiswindowandtrytosavehimselfthatway；foritisbythatwayhecameinandmadeawayreadyforhisflight。Youhaveadangerouspost。'
"'Whatwillbeyours？'askedFred。
"'Ishallspringintotheroomandknockhimoverforyou。'
"'Takemyrevolver，'saidFred，'andI'lltakeyourstick。'
'Thanks，'Isaid；'Youareabraveman。'
"Iacceptedhisoffer。Iwasgoingtobealonewiththemanintheroomwritingandwasreallythankfultohavetheweapon。
"IleftFred，havingpostedhimatthewindowNo。5ontheplan，and，withthegreatestprecaution，wenttowardsMonsieurStangerson'sapartmentintheleftwingofthechateau。IfoundhimwithDaddyJacques，whohadfaithfullyobeyedmydirections，confininghimselftoaskinghismastertodressasquicklyaspossible。InafewwordsIexplainedtoMonsieurStangersonwhatwaspassing。Hearmedhimselfwitharevolver，followedme，andwewereallthreespeedilyinthegallery。SinceIhadseenthemurdererseatedatthedesktenminuteshadelapsed。MonsieurStangersonwishedtospringupontheassassinatonceandkillhim。Imadehimunderstandthat，aboveall，hemustnot，inhisdesiretokillhim，misshim。