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