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