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