InWhichWeBeginNottoUnderstandItisnotwithoutacertainemotionthatIbegintorecountheretheextraordinaryadventuresofJosephRouletabille。DowntothepresenttimehehadsofirmlyopposedmydoingitthatIhadcometodespairofeverpublishingthemostcuriousofpolicestoriesofthepastfifteenyears。IhadevenimaginedthatthepublicwouldneverknowthewholetruthoftheprodigiouscaseknownasthatofTheYellowRoom，outofwhichgrewsomanymysterious，cruel，andsensationaldramas，withwhichmyfriendwassocloselymixedup，if，proposofarecentnominationoftheillustriousStangersontothegradeofgrandcrossoftheLegionofHonour，aneveningjournal-inanarticle，miserableforitsignorance，oraudaciousforitsperfidy-hadnotresuscitatedaterribleadventureofwhichJosephRouletabillehadtoldmehewishedtobeforeverforgotten。
TheYellowRoom！Whonowremembersthisaffairwhichcausedsomuchinktoflowfifteenyearsago？EventsaresoquicklyforgotteninParis。HasnottheverynameoftheNayvestrialandthetragichistoryofthedeathoflittleMenaldopassedoutofmind？Andyetthepublicattentionwassodeeplyinterestedinthedetailsofthetrialthattheoccurrenceofaministerialcrisiswascompletelyunnoticedatthetime。NowTheYellowRoomtrial，which，precededthatoftheNayvesbysomeyears，madefarmorenoise。Theentireworldhungformonthsoverthisobscureproblem-themostobscure，itseemstome，thathaseverchallengedtheperspicacityofourpoliceortaxedtheconscienceofourjudges。
Thesolutionoftheproblembaffledeverybodywhotriedtofindit。
ItwaslikeadramaticrebuswithwhicholdEuropeandnewAmericaalikebecamefascinated。Thatis，intruth-Iampermittedtosay，becausetherecannotbeanyauthor\'svanityinallthis，sinceI
donothingmorethantranscribefactsonwhichanexceptionaldocumentationenablesmetothrowanewlight-thatisbecause，intruth，Idonotknowthat，inthedomainofrealityorimagination，onecandiscoverorrecalltomindanythingcomparable，initsmystery，withthenaturalmysteryofTheYellowRoom。
Thatwhichnobodycouldfindout，JosephRouletabille，agedeighteen，thenareporterengagedonaleadingjournal，succeededindiscovering。Butwhen，attheAssizeCourt，hebroughtinthekeytothewholecase，hedidnottellthewholetruth。Heonlyallowedsomuchofittoappearassufficedtoensuretheacquittalofaninnocentman。Thereasonswhichhehadforhisreticencenolongerexist。Betterstill，thetimehascomeformyfriendtospeakoutfully。Youaregoingtoknowall；and，withoutfurtherpreamble，IamgoingtoplacebeforeyoureyestheproblemofTheYellowRoomasitwasplacedbeforetheeyesoftheentireworldonthedayfollowingtheenactmentofthedramaattheChateauduGlandier。
Onthe25thofOctober，1892，thefollowingnoteappearedinthelatesteditionofthe\"Temps\"：
\"AfrightfulcrimehasbeencommittedattheGlandier，ontheborderoftheforestofSainte-Genevieve，aboveEpinay-sur-Orge，atthehouseofProfessorStangerson。Onthatnight，whilethemasterwasworkinginhislaboratory，anattemptwasmadetoassassinateMademoiselleStangerson，whowassleepinginachamberadjoiningthislaboratory。ThedoctorsdonotanswerforthelifeofMdlle。
Stangerson。\"
TheimpressionmadeonParisbythisnewsmaybeeasilyimagined。
Already，atthattime，thelearnedworldwasdeeplyinterestedinthelaboursofProfessorStangersonandhisdaughter。Theselabours-thefirstthatwereattemptedinradiography-servedtoopenthewayforMonsieurandMadameCurietothediscoveryofradium。
ItwasexpectedtheProfessorwouldshortlyreadtotheAcademyofSciencesasensationalpaperonhisnewtheory，-theDissociationofMatter，-atheorydestinedtooverthrowfromitsbasethewholeofofficialscience，whichbaseditselfontheprincipleoftheConservationofEnergy。Onthefollowingday，thenewspaperswerefullofthetragedy。The\"Matin，\"amongothers，publishedthefollowingarticle，entitled：\"ASupernaturalCrime\"：
\"Thesearetheonlydetails，\"wrotetheanonymouswriterinthe\"Matin\"-\"wehavebeenabletoobtainconcerningthecrimeoftheChateauduGlandier。ThestateofdespairinwhichProfessorStangersonisplunged，andtheimpossibilityofgettinganyinformationfromthelipsofthevictim，haverenderedourinvestigationsandthoseofjusticesodifficultthat，atpresent，wecannotformtheleastideaofwhathaspassedinTheYellowRoominwhichMdlle。Stangerson，inhernight-dress，wasfoundlyingonthefloorintheagoniesofdeath。Wehave，atleast，beenabletointerviewDaddyJacques-asheiscalledinthecountry-aoldservantintheStangersonfamily。DaddyJacquesenteredTheRoomatthesametimeastheProfessor。Thischamberadjoinsthelaboratory。LaboratoryandYellowRoomareinapavilionattheendofthepark，aboutthreehundredmetresathousandfeetfromthechateau。
\"\'Itwashalf-pasttwelveatnight，\'thishonestoldmantoldus，\'andIwasinthelaboratory，whereMonsieurStangersonwasstillworking，whenthethinghappened。IhadbeencleaningandputtinginstrumentsinorderalltheeveningandwaswaitingforMonsieurStangersontogotobed。MademoiselleStangersonhadworkedwithherfatheruptomidnight；whenthetwelvestrokesofmidnighthadsoundedbythecuckoo-clockinthelaboratory，sherose，kissedMonsieurStangersonandbadehimgood-night。Tomeshesaid\"bonsoir，DaddyJacques\"asshepassedintoTheYellowRoom。Weheardherlockthedoorandshootthebolt，sothatIcouldnothelplaughing，andsaidtoMonsieur：\"There\'sMademoiselledouble-lockingherselfin，-shemustbeafraidofthe\'BetedubonDieu！\'\"
Monsieurdidnotevenhearme，hewassodeeplyabsorbedinwhathewasdoing。Justthenweheardthedistantmiawingofacat。\"Isthatgoingtokeepusawakeallnight？\"Isaidtomyself；forI
musttellyou，Monsieur，that，totheendofOctober，IliveinanatticofthepavilionoverTheYellowRoom，sothatMademoiselleshouldnotbeleftalonethroughthenightinthelonelypark。ItwasthefancyofMademoiselletospendthefineweatherinthepavilion；nodoubt，shefounditmorecheerfulthanthechateauand，forthefouryearsithadbeenbuilt，shehadneverfailedtotakeupherlodgingthereinthespring。Withthereturnofwinter，Mademoisellereturnstothechateau，forthereisnofireplaceinTheYellowRoom。
\"\'Wewerestayinginthepavilion，then-MonsieurStangersonandme。Wemadenonoise。Hewasseatedathisdesk。Asforme，I
wassittingonachair，havingfinishedmyworkand，lookingathim，Isaidtomyself：\"Whataman！-whatintelligence！-whatknowledge！\"Iattachimportancetothefactthatwemadenonoise；
for，becauseofthat，theassassincertainlythoughtthatwehadlefttheplace。And，suddenly，whilethecuckoowassoundingthehalfaftermidnight，adesperateclamourbrokeoutinTheYellowRoom。ItwasthevoiceofMademoiselle，crying\"Murder！-murder！-
help！\"Immediatelyafterwardsrevolvershotsrangoutandtherewasagreatnoiseoftablesandfurniturebeingthrowntotheground，asifinthecourseofastruggle，andagainthevoiceofMademoisellecalling，\"Murder！-help！-Papa！-Papa！-\"
\"\'YoumaybesurethatwequicklysprangupandthatMonsieurStangersonandIthrewourselvesuponthedoor。Butalas！itwaslocked，fastlocked，ontheinside，bythecareofMademoiselle，asIhavetoldyou，withkeyandbolt。Wetriedtoforceitopen，butitremainedfirm。MonsieurStangersonwaslikeamadman，andtruly，itwasenoughtomakehimone，forweheardMademoisellestillcalling\"Help！-help！\"MonsieurStangersonshoweredterribleblowsonthedoor，andweptwithrageandsobbedwithdespairandhelplessness。
\"\'ItwasthenthatIhadaninspiration。\"Theassassinmusthaveenteredbythewindow！\"Icried；-\"Iwillgotothewindow！\"andIrushedfromthepavilionandranlikeoneoutofhismind。
\"\'TheinspirationwasthatthewindowofTheYellowRoomlooksoutinsuchawaythattheparkwall，whichabutsonthepavilion，preventedmyatoncereachingthewindow。Togetuptoitonehasfirsttogooutofthepark。Irantowardsthegateand，onmyway，metBernierandhiswife，thegate-keepers，whohadbeenattractedbythepistolreportsandbyourcries。InafewwordsItoldthemwhathadhappened，anddirectedtheconciergetojoinMonsieurStangersonwithallspeed，whilehiswifecamewithmetoopentheparkgate。FiveminuteslatersheandIwerebeforethewindowofTheYellowRoom。
\"\'ThemoonwasshiningbrightlyandIsawclearlythatnoonehadtouchedthewindow。Notonlywerethebarsthatprotectitintact，buttheblindsinsideofthemweredrawn，asIhadmyselfdrawnthemearlyintheevening，asIdideveryday，thoughMademoiselle，knowingthatIwastiredfromtheheavyworkIhadbeendoing，hadbeggedmenottotroublemyself，butleavehertodoit；andtheywerejustasIhadleftthem，fastenedwithanironcatchontheinside。Theassassin，therefore，couldnothavepassedeitherinoroutthatway；butneithercouldIgetin。
\"\'Itwasunfortunate，-enoughtoturnone\'sbrain！Thedooroftheroomlockedontheinsideandtheblindsontheonlywindowalsofastenedontheinside；andMademoisellestillcallingforhelp！-No！shehadceasedtocall。Shewasdead，perhaps。ButIstillheardherfather，inthepavilion，tryingtobreakdownthedoor。
\"\'WiththeconciergeIhurriedbacktothepavilion。Thedoor，inspiteofthefuriousattemptsofMonsieurStangersonandBerniertoburstitopen，wasstillholdingfirm；butatlength，itgavewaybeforeourunitedefforts，-andthenwhatasightmetoureyes！
Ishouldtellyouthat，behindus，theconciergeheldthelaboratorylamp-apowerfullamp，thatlitthewholechamber。
\"\'Imustalsotellyou，monsieur，thatTheYellowRoomisaverysmallroom。Mademoisellehadfurnisheditwithafairlylargeironbedstead，asmalltable，anight-commode；adressing-table，andtwochairs。Bythelightofthebiglampwesawallataglance。
Mademoiselle，inhernight-dress，waslyingonthefloorinthemidstofthegreatestdisorder。Tablesandchairshadbeenoverthrown，showingthattherehadbeenaviolentstruggle。
Mademoisellehadcertainlybeendraggedfromherbed。Shewascoveredwithbloodandhadterriblemarksoffinger-nailsonherthroat，-thefleshofherneckhavingbeenalmosttornbythenails。Fromawoundontherighttempleastreamofbloodhadrundownandmadealittlepoolonthefloor。WhenMonsieurStangersonsawhisdaughterinthatstate，hethrewhimselfonhiskneesbesideher，utteringacryofdespair。Heascertainedthatshestillbreathed。Astous，wesearchedforthewretchwhohadtriedtokillourmistress，andIsweartoyou，monsieur，that，ifwehadfoundhim，itwouldhavegonehardwithhim！
\"\'Buthowtoexplainthathewasnotthere，thathehadalreadyescaped？Itpassesallimagination！-Nobodyunderthebed，nobodybehindthefurniture！-Allthatwediscoveredweretraces，blood-stainedmarksofaman\'slargehandonthewallsandonthedoor；abighandkerchiefredwithblood，withoutanyinitials，anoldcap，andmanyfreshfootmarksofamanonthefloor，-footmarksofamanwithlargefeetwhoseboot-soleshadleftasortofsootyimpression。Howhadthismangotaway？Howhadhevanished？Don\'tforget，monsieur，thatthereisnochimneyinTheYellowRoom。Hecouldnothaveescapedbythedoor，whichisnarrow，andonthethresholdofwhichtheconciergestoodwiththelamp，whileherhusbandandIsearchedforhimineverycornerofthelittleroom，whereitisimpossibleforanyonetohidehimself。Thedoor，whichhadbeenforcedopenagainstthewall，couldnotconcealanythingbehindit，asweassuredourselves。Bythewindow，stillineverywaysecured，noflighthadbeenpossible。Whatthen？-IbegantobelieveintheDevil。
\"\'Butwediscoveredmyrevolveronthefloor！-Yes，myrevolver！
Oh！thatbroughtmebacktothereality！TheDevilwouldnothaveneededtostealmyrevolvertokillMademoiselle。ThemanwhohadbeentherehadfirstgoneuptomyatticandtakenmyrevolverfromthedrawerwhereIkeptit。Wethenascertained，bycountingthecartridges，thattheassassinhadfiredtwoshots。Ah！itwasfortunateformethatMonsieurStangersonwasinthelaboratorywhentheaffairtookplaceandhadseenwithhisowneyesthatI
wastherewithhim；forotherwise，withthisbusinessofmyrevolver，Idon\'tknowwhereweshouldhavebeen，-Ishouldnowbeunderlockandbar。Justicewantsnomoretosendamantothescaffold！\'\"
Theeditorofthe\"Matin\"addedtothisinterviewthefollowinglines：
\"Wehave，withoutinterruptinghim，allowedDaddyJacquestorecounttousroughlyallheknowsaboutthecrimeofTheYellowRoom。Wehavereproduceditinhisownwords，onlysparingthereaderthecontinuallamentationswithwhichhegarnishedhisnarrative。Itisquiteunderstood，DaddyJacques，quiteunderstood，thatyouareveryfondofyourmasters；andyouwantthemtoknowit，andneverceaserepeatingit-especiallysincethediscoveryofyourrevolver。Itisyourright，andweseenoharminit。WeshouldhavelikedtoputsomefurtherquestionstoDaddyJacques-Jacques-LouisMoustier-buttheinquiryoftheexaminingmagistrate，whichisbeingcarriedonatthechateau，makesitimpossibleforustogainadmissionattheGlandier；and，astotheoakwood，itisguardedbyawidecircleofpolicemen，whoarejealouslywatchingalltracesthatcanleadtothepavilion，andthatmayperhapsleadtothediscoveryoftheassassin。\"Wehavealsowishedtoquestiontheconcierges，buttheyareinvisible。Finally，wehavewaitedinaroadsideinn，notfarfromthegateofthechateau，forthedepartureofMonsieurdeMarquet，themagistrateofCorbeil。Athalf-pastfivewesawhimandhisclerkand，beforehewasabletoenterhiscarriage，hadanopportunitytoaskhimthefollowingquestion：
\"\'Canyou，MonsieurdeMarquet，giveusanyinformationastothisaffair，withoutinconveniencetothecourseofyourinquiry？\'
\"\'Itisimpossibleforustodoit，\'repliedMonsieurdeMarquet。
\'IcanonlysaythatitisthestrangestaffairIhaveeverknown。
Themorewethinkweknowsomething，thefurtherwearefromknowinganything！\'
\"WeaskedMonsieurdeMarquettobegoodenoughtoexplainhislastwords；andthisiswhathesaid，-theimportanceofwhichnoonewillfailtorecognise：
\"\'Ifnothingisaddedtothematerialfactssofarestablished，I
fearthatthemysterywhichsurroundstheabominablecrimeofwhichMademoiselleStangersonhasbeenthevictimwillneverbebroughttolight；butitistobehoped，forthesakeofourhumanreason，thattheexaminationofthewails，andoftheceilingofTheYellowRoom-anexaminationwhichIshallto-morrowintrusttothebuilderwhoconstructedthepavilionfouryearsago-willaffordustheproofthatmaynotdiscourageus。Fortheproblemisthis：weknowbywhatwaytheassassingainedadmission，-heenteredbythedoorandhidhimselfunderthebed，awaitingMademoiselleStangerson。Buthowdidheleave？Howdidheescape？Ifnotrap，nosecretdoor，nohidingplace，noopeningofanysortisfound；iftheexaminationofthewalls-eventothedemolitionofthepavilion-doesnotrevealanypassagepracticable-notonlyforahumanbeing，butforanybeingwhatsoever-iftheceilingshowsnocrack，ifthefloorhidesnoundergroundpassage，onemustreallybelieveintheDevil，asDaddyJacquessays！\'\"
Andtheanonymouswriterinthe\"Matin\"addedinthisarticle-whichIhaveselectedasthemostinterestingofallthosethatwerepublishedonthesubjectofthisaffair-thattheexaminingmagistrateappearedtoplaceapeculiarsignificancetothelastsentence：\"OnemustreallybelieveintheDevil，asJacquessays。
Thearticleconcludedwiththeselines：\"WewantedtoknowwhatDaddyJacquesmeantbythecryoftheBeteDuBonDieu。\"ThelandlordoftheDonjonInnexplainedtousthatitistheparticularlysinistercrywhichisutteredsometimesatnightbythecatofanoldwoman，-MotherAngenoux，assheiscalledinthecountry。MotherAngenouxisasortofsaint，wholivesinahutintheheartoftheforest，notfarfromthegrottoofSainte-Genevieve。
\"TheYellowRoom，theBeteDuBonDieu，MotherAngenoux，theDevil，Sainte-Genevieve，DaddyJacques，-hereisawellentangledcrimewhichthestrokeofapickaxeinthewallmaydisentangleforusto-morrow。Letusatleasthopethat，forthesakeofourhumanreason，astheexaminingmagistratesays。Meanwhile，itisexpectedthatMademoiselleStangerson-whohasnotceasedtobedeliriousandonlypronouncesoneworddistinctly，\'Murderer！Murderer！\'-
willnotlivethroughthenight。\"
Inconclusion，andatalatehour，thesamejournalannouncedthattheChiefoftheSuretehadtelegraphedtothefamousdetective，FredericLarsan，whohadbeensenttoLondonforanaffairofstolensecurities，toreturnimmediatelytoParis。
CHAPTERII
InWhichJosephRouktabilleAppearsfortheFirstTimeIrememberaswellasifithadoccurredyesterday，theentryofyoungRouletabilleintomybedroomthatmorning。Itwasabouteighto\'clockandIwasstillinbedreadingthearticleinthe\"Matin\"relativetotheGlandiercrime。
But，beforegoingfurther，itistimethatIpresentmyfriendtothereader。
IfirstknewJosephRouletabillewhenhewasayoungreporter。AtthattimeIwasabeginnerattheBarandoftenmethiminthecorridorsofexaminingmagistrates，whenIhadgonetogeta\"permittocommunicate\"fortheprisonofMazas，orforSaint-Lazare。Hehad，astheysay，\"agoodnut。\"Heseemedtohavetakenhishead-roundasabullet-outofaboxofmarbles，anditisfromthat，Ithink，thathiscomradesofthepress-alldeterminedbilliard-players-hadgivenhimthatnickname，whichwastosticktohimandbemadeillustriousbyhim。Hewasalwaysasredasatomato，nowgayasalark，nowgraveasajudge。How，whilestillsoyoung-hewasonlysixteenandahalfyearsoldwhenIsawhimforthefirsttime-hadhealreadywonhiswayonthepress？Thatwaswhateverybodywhocameintocontactwithhimmighthaveasked，iftheyhadnotknownhishistory。AtthetimeoftheaffairofthewomancutinpiecesintheRueOberskampf-anotherforgottenstory-hehadtakentooneoftheeditorsofthe\"Epoque，\"-apaperthenrivallingthe\"Matin\"forinformation，-theleftfoot，whichwasmissingfromthebasketinwhichthegruesomeremainswerediscovered。Forthisleftfootthepolicehadbeenvainlysearchingforaweek，andyoungRouletabillehadfounditinadrainwherenobodyhadthoughtoflookingforit。Todothathehaddressedhimselfasanextrasewer-man，oneofanumberengagedbytheadministrationofthecityofParis，owingtoanoverflowoftheSeine。
Whentheeditor-in-chiefwasinpossessionofthepreciousfootandinformedastothetrainofintelligentdeductionstheboyhadbeenledtomake，hewasdividedbetweentheadmirationhefeltforsuchdetectivecunninginabrainofaladofsixteenyears，anddelightatbeingabletoexhibit，inthe\"morguewindow\"ofhispaper，theleftfootoftheRueOberskampf。
\"Thisfoot，\"hecried，\"willmakeagreatheadline。\"
Then，whenhehadconfidedthegruesomepackettothemedicallawyerattachedtothejournal，heaskedthelad，whowasshortlytobecomefamousasRouletabille，whathewouldexpecttoearnasageneralreporteronthe\"Epoque\"？
\"Twohundredfrancsamonth，\"theyoungsterrepliedmodestly，hardlyabletobreathefromsurpriseattheproposal。
\"Youshallhavetwohundredandfifty，\"saidtheeditor-in-chief；
onlyyoumusttelleverybodythatyouhavebeenengagedonthepaperforamonth。Letitbequiteunderstoodthatitwasnotyoubutthe\'Epoque\'thatdiscoveredtheleftfootoftheRueOberskampf。Here，myyoungfriend，themanisnothing，thepapereverything。\"
Havingsaidthis，hebeggedthenewreportertoretire，butbeforetheyouthhadreachedthedoorhecalledhimbacktoaskhisname。
Theotherreplied：
\"JosephJosephine。\"
\"That\'snotaname，\"saidtheeditor-in-chief，\"butsinceyouwillnotberequiredtosignwhatyouwriteitisofnoconsequence。\"
Theboy-facedreporterspeedilymadehimselfmanyfriends，forhewasserviceableandgiftedwithagoodhumourthatenchantedthemostsevere-temperedanddisarmedthemostzealousofhiscompanions。
AttheBarcafe，wherethereportersassembledbeforegoingtoanyofthecourts，ortothePrefecture，insearchoftheirnewsofcrime，hebegantowinareputationasanunravellerofintricateandobscureaffairswhichfounditswaytotheofficeoftheChiefoftheSurete。WhenacasewasworththetroubleandRouletabille-hehadalreadybeengivenhisnickname-hadbeenstartedonthescentbyhiseditor-in-chief，heoftengotthebetterofthemostfamousdetective。
ItwasattheBarcafethatIbecameintimatelyacquaintedwithhim。
Criminallawyersandjournalistsarenotenemies，theformerneedadvertisement，thelatterinformation。Wechattedtogether，andI
soonwarmedtowardshim。Hisintelligencewassokeen，andsooriginal！-andhehadaqualityofthoughtsuchasIhaveneverfoundinanyotherperson。
SometimeafterthisIwasputinchargeofthelawnewsofthe\"CriduBoulevard。\"MyentryintojournalismcouldnotbutstrengthenthetieswhichunitedmetoRouletabille。Afterawhile，mynewfriendbeingallowedtocarryoutanideaofajudicialcorrespondencecolumn，whichhewasallowedtosign\"Business，\"inthe\"Epoque，\"Iwasoftenabletofurnishhimwiththelegalinformationofwhichhestoodinneed。
Nearlytwoyearspassedinthisway，andthebetterIknewhim，themoreIlearnedtolovehim；for，inspiteofhiscarelessextravagance，Ihaddiscoveredinhimwhatwas，consideringhisage，anextraordinaryseriousnessofmind。AccustomedasIwastoseeinghimgayand，indeed，oftentoogay，Iwouldmanytimesfindhimplungedinthedeepestmelancholy。Itriedthentoquestionhimastothecauseofthischangeofhumour，buteachtimehelaughedandmademenoanswer。Oneday，havingquestionedhimabouthisparents，ofwhomheneverspoke，heleftme，pretendingnottohaveheardwhatIsaid。
Whilethingswereinthisstatebetweenus，thefamouscaseofTheYellowRoomtookplace。Itwasthiscasewhichwastorankhimastheleadingnewspaperreporter，andtoobtainforhimthereputationofbeingthegreatestdetectiveintheworld。Itshouldnotsurpriseustofindintheonemantheperfectionoftwosuchlinesofactivityifwerememberthatthedailypresswasalreadybeginningtotransformitselfandtobecomewhatitisto-day-thegazetteofcrime。
Morose-mindedpeoplemaycomplainofthis；formyselfIregarditamatterforcongratulation。Wecanneverhavetoomanyarms，publicorprivate，againstthecriminal。Tothissomepeoplemayanswerthat，bycontinuallypublishingthedetailsofcrimes，thepressendsbyencouragingtheircommission。Butthen，withsomepeoplewecanneverdoright。Rouletabille，asIhavesaid，enteredmyroomthatmorningofthe26thofOctober，1892。Hewaslookingredderthanusual，andhiseyeswerebulgingoutofhishead，asthephraseis，andaltogetherheappearedtobeinastateofextremeexcitement。Hewavedthe\"Matin\"withatremblinghand，andcried：
\"Well，mydearSainclair，-haveyoureadit？\"
\"TheGlandiercrime？\"
\"Yes；TheYellowRoom！-Whatdoyouthinkofit？\"
\"IthinkthatitmusthavebeentheDevilortheBeteduBonDieuthatcommittedthecrime。\"
\"Beserious！\"
\"Well，Idon\'tmuchbelieveinmurderers*whomaketheirescapethroughwallsofsolidbrick。IthinkDaddyJacquesdidwrongtoleavebehindhimtheweaponwithwhichthecrimewascommittedand，asheoccupiedtheatticimmediatelyaboveMademoiselleStangerson\'sroom，thebuilder\'sjoborderedbytheexaminingmagistratewillgiveusthekeyoftheenigmaanditwillnotbelongbeforewelearnbywhatnaturaltrap，orbywhatsecretdoor，theoldfellowwasabletoslipinandout，andreturnimmediatelytothelaboratorytoMonsieurStangerson，withouthisabsencebeingnoticed。That，ofcourse，isonlyanhypothesis。\"
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*AlthoughtheoriginalEnglishtranslationoftenusesthewords\"murder\"and\"murderer，\"thereadermaysubstitute\"attack\"and\"attacker\"sincenomurderisactuallycommitted。
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Rouletabillesatdowninanarmchair，lithispipe，whichhewasneverwithout，smokedforafewminutesinsilence-nodoubttocalmtheexcitementwhich，visibly，dominatedhim-andthenreplied：
\"Youngman，\"hesaid，inatonethesadironyofwhichIwillnotattempttorender，\"youngman，youarealawyerandIdoubtnotyourabilitytosavetheguiltyfromconviction；butifyouwereamagistrateonthebench，howeasyitwouldbeforyoutocondemninnocentpersons！-Youarereallygifted，youngman！\"
Hecontinuedtosmokeenergetically，andthenwenton：
\"Notrapwillbefound，andthemysteryofTheYellowRoomwillbecomemoreandmoremysterious。That\'swhyitinterestsme。
Theexaminingmagistrateisright；nothingstrangerthanthiscrimehaseverbeenknown。\"
\"Haveyouanyideaofthewaybywhichthemurdererescaped？\"I
asked。
\"None，\"repliedRouletabille-\"none，forthepresent。ButIhaveanideaastotherevolver；themurdererdidnotuseit。\"
\"GoodHeavens！Bywhom，then，wasitused？\"
\"Why-byMademoiselleStangerson。\"
\"Idon\'tunderstand，-orrather，Ihaveneverunderstood，\"Isaid。
Rouletabilleshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Istherenothinginthisarticleinthe\'Matin\'bywhichyouwereparticularlystruck？\"
\"Nothing，-Ihavefoundthewholeofthestoryittellsequallystrange。\"
\"Well，but-thelockeddoor-withthekeyontheinside？\"
\"That\'stheonlyperfectlynaturalthinginthewholearticle。\"
\"Really！-Andthebolt？\"
\"Thebolt？\"
\"Yes，thebolt-alsoinsidetheroom-astillfurtherprotectionagainstentry？MademoiselleStangersontookquiteextraordinaryprecautions！Itiscleartomethatshefearedsomeone。Thatwaswhyshetooksuchprecautions-evenDaddyJacques\'srevolver-withouttellinghimofit。Nodoubtshedidn\'twishtoalarmanybody，andleastofall，herfather。Whatshedreadedtookplace，andshedefendedherself。Therewasastruggle，andsheusedtherevolverskilfullyenoughtowoundtheassassininthehand-whichexplainstheimpressiononthewallandonthedoorofthelarge，blood-stainedhandofthemanwhowassearchingforameansofexitfromthechamber。Butshedidn\'tfiresoonenoughtoavoidtheterribleblowontherighttemple。\"
\"Thenthewoundonthetemplewasnotdonewiththerevolver？\"
\"Thepaperdoesn\'tsayitwas，andIdon\'tthinkitwas；becauselogicallyitappearstomethattherevolverwasusedbyMademoiselleStangersonagainsttheassassin。Now，whatweapondidthemurdereruse？TheblowonthetempleseemstoshowthatthemurdererwishedtostunMademoiselleStangerson，-afterhehadunsuccessfullytriedtostrangleher。HemusthaveknownthattheatticwasinhabitedbyDaddyJacques，andthatwasoneofthereasons，Ithink，whyhemusthaveusedaquietweapon，-alife-preserver，orahammer。\"
\"Allthatdoesn\'texplainhowthemurderergotoutofTheYellowRoom，\"Iobserved。
\"Evidently，\"repliedRouletabille，rising，\"andthatiswhathastobeexplained。IamgoingtotheChateauduGlandier，andhavecometoseewhetheryouwillgowithme。\"
\"I？\"-
\"Yes，myboy。Iwantyou。The\'Epoque\'hasdefinitelyentrustedthiscasetome，andImustclearitupasquicklyaspossible。\"
\"ButinwhatwaycanIbeofanyusetoyou？\"
\"MonsieurRobertDarzacisattheChateauduGlandier。\"
\"That\'strue。Hisdespairmustbeboundless。\"
\"Imusthaveatalkwithhim。\"
Rouletabillesaiditinatonethatsurprisedme。
\"Isitbecause-youthinkthereissomethingtobegotoutofhim？\"
Iasked。
\"Yes。\"
Thatwasallhewouldsay。Heretiredtomysitting-room，beggingmetodressquickly。
IknewMonsieurRobertDarzacfromhavingbeenofgreatservicetohiminacivilaction，whileIwasactingassecretarytoMaitreBarbetDelatour。MonsieurRobertDarzac，whowasatthattimeaboutfortyyearsofage，wasaprofessorofphysicsattheSorbonne。HewasintimatelyacquaintedwiththeStangersons，and，afteranassiduoussevenyears\'courtshipofthedaughter，hadbeenonthepointofmarryingher。Inspiteofthefactthatshehasbecome，asthephrasegoes，\"apersonofacertainage，\"shewasstillremarkablygood-looking。WhileIwasdressingIcalledouttoRouletabille，whowasimpatientlymovingaboutmysitting-room：
\"Haveyouanyideaastothemurderer\'sstationinlife？\"
\"Yes，\"hereplied；\"Ithinkifheisn\'tamaninsociety，heis，atleast，amanbelongingtotheupperclass。Butthat，again，isonlyanimpression。\"
\"Whathasledyoutoformit？\"
\"Well，-thegreasycap，thecommonhandkerchief，andthemarksoftheroughbootsonthefloor，\"hereplied。
\"Iunderstand，\"Isaid；\"murderersdon\'tleavetracesbehindthemwhichtellthetruth。\"
\"Weshallmakesomethingoutofyouyet，mydearSainclair，\"
concludedRouletabilleCHAPTERIII
\"AManHasPassedLikeaShadowThroughtheBlinds\"
HalfanhourlaterRouletabilleandIwereontheplatformoftheOrleansstation，awaitingthedepartureofthetrainwhichwastotakeustoEpinay-sur-Orge。
OntheplatformwefoundMonsieurdeMarquetandhisRegistrar，whorepresentedtheJudicialCourtofCorbeil。MonsieurMarquethadspentthenightinParis，attendingthefinalrehearsal，attheScala，ofalittleplayofwhichhewastheunknownauthor，signinghimselfsimply\"CastigatRidendo。\"
MonsieurdeMarquetwasbeginningtobea\"nobleoldgentleman。\"
Generallyhewasextremelypoliteandfullofgayhumour，andinallhislifehadhadbutonepassion，-thatofdramaticart。
Throughouthismagisterialcareerhewasinterestedsolelyincasescapableoffurnishinghimwithsomethinginthenatureofadrama。
Thoughhemightverywellhaveaspiredtothehighestjudicialpositions，hehadneverreallyworkedforanythingbuttowinasuccessattheromanticPorte-Saint-Martin，oratthesombreOdeon。
Becauseofthemysterywhichshroudedit，thecaseofTheYellowRoomwascertaintofascinatesotheatricalamind。Itinterestedhimenormously，andhethrewhimselfintoit，lessasamagistrateeagertoknowthetruth，thanasanamateurofdramaticembroglios，tendingwhollytomysteryandintrigue，whodreadsnothingsomuchastheexplanatoryfinalact。
Sothat，atthemomentofmeetinghim，IheardMonsieurdeMarquetsaytotheRegistrarwithasigh：
\"Ihope，mydearMonsieurMaleine，thisbuilderwithhispickaxewillnotdestroysofineamystery。\"
\"Havenofear，\"repliedMonsieurMaleine，\"hispickaxemaydemolishthepavilion，perhaps，butitwillleaveourcaseintact。IhavesoundedthewallsandexaminedtheceilingandfloorandIknowallaboutit。Iamnottobedeceived。\"
Havingthusreassuredhischief，MonsieurMaleine，withadiscreetmovementofthehead，drewMonsieurdeMarquet\'sattentiontous。
Thefaceofthatgentlemanclouded，and，ashesawRouletabilleapproaching，hatinhand，hesprangintooneoftheemptycarriagessaying，halfaloudtohisRegistrar，ashedidso，\"Aboveall，nojournalists！\"
MonsieurMaleinerepliedinthesametone，\"Iunderstand！\"andthentriedtopreventRouletabillefromenteringthesamecompartmentwiththeexaminingmagistrate。
\"Excuseme，gentlemen，-thiscompartmentisreserved。\"
\"Iamajournalist，Monsieur，engagedonthe\'Epoque，\'\"saidmyyoungfriendwithagreatshowofgestureandpoliteness，\"andI
haveawordortwotosaytoMonsieurdeMarquet。\"
\"Monsieurisverymuchengagedwiththeinquiryhehasinhand。\"
\"Ah！hisinquiry，praybelieveme，isabsolutelyamatterofindifferencetome。Iamnoscavengerofoddsandends，\"hewenton，withinfinitecontemptinhislowerlip，\"Iamatheatricalreporter；andthiseveningIshallhavetogivealittleaccountoftheplayattheScala。\"
\"Getin，sir，please，\"saidtheRegistrar。
Rouletabillewasalreadyinthecompartment。Iwentinafterhimandseatedmyselfbyhisside。TheRegistrarfollowedandclosedthecarriagedoor。
MonsieurdeMarquetlookedathim。
\"Ah，sir，\"Rouletabillebegan，\"YoumustnotbeangrywithMonsieurdeMaleine。ItisnotwithMonsieurdeMarquetthatIdesiretohavethehonourofspeaking，butwithMonsieur\'CastigatRidendo。\'
Permitmetocongratulateyou-personally，aswellasthewriterforthe\'Epoque。\'AndRouletabille，havingfirstintroducedme，introducedhimself。
MonsieurdeMarquet，withanervousgesture，caressedhisbeardintoapoint，andexplainedtoRouletabille，inafewwords，thathewastoomodestanauthortodesirethattheveilofhispseudonymshouldbepubliclyraised，andthathehopedtheenthusiasmofthejournalistforthedramatist\'sworkwouldnotleadhimtotellthepublicthatMonsieur\"CastigatRidendo\"andtheexaminingmagistrateofCorbeilwereoneandthesameperson。
\"Theworkofthedramaticauthormayinterfere，\"hesaid，afteraslighthesitation，\"withthatofthemagistrate，especiallyinaprovincewhereone\'slaboursarelittlemorethanroutine。\"
\"Oh，youmayrelyonmydiscretion！\"criedRouletabille。
Thetrainwasinmotion。
\"Wehavestarted！\"saidtheexaminingmagistrate，surprisedatseeingusstillinthecarriage。
\"Yes，Monsieur，-truthhasstarted，\"saidRouletabile，smilingamiably，-\"onitswaytotheChateauduGlandier。Afinecase，MonsieurdeMarquet，-afinecase！\"
\"Anobscure-incredible，unfathomable，inexplicableaffair-andthereisonlyonethingIfear，MonsieurRouletabille，-thatthejournalistswillbetryingtoexplainit。\"
Myfriendfeltthisaraponhisknuckles。
\"Yes，\"hesaidsimply，\"thatistobefeared。Theymeddleineverything。Asformyinterest，monsieur，Ionlyreferredtoitbymerechance，-themerechanceoffindingmyselfinthesametrainwithyou，andinthesamecompartmentofthesamecarriage。\"
\"Whereareyougoing，then？\"askedMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"TotheChateauduGlandier，\"repliedRouletabille，withoutturnimg。
\"You\'llnotgetin，MonsieurRouletabile！\"
\"Willyoupreventme？\"saidmyfriend，alreadypreparedtofight。
\"NotI！-Ilikethepressandjournaliststoowelltobeinanywaydisagreeabletothem；butMonsieurStangersonhasgivenordersforhisdoortobeclosedagainsteverybody，anditiswellguarded。
NotajournalistwasabletopassthroughthegateoftheGlandieryesterday。\"
MonsieurdeMarquetcompressedhislipsandseemedreadytorelapseintoobstinatesilence。HeonlyrelaxedalittlewhenRouletabillenolongerlefthiminignoranceofthefactthatweweregoingtotheGlandierforthepurposeofshakinghandswithan\"oldandintimatefriend，\"MonsieurRobertDarzac-amanwhomRouletabillehadperhapsseenonceinhislife。
\"PoorRobert！\"continuedtheyoungreporter，\"thisdreadfulaffairmaybehisdeath，-heissodeeplyinlovewithMademoiselleStangerson。\"
\"Hissufferingsaretrulypainfultowitness，\"escapedlikearegretfromthelipsofMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"ButitistobehopedthatMademoiselleStangerson\'slifewillbesaved。\"
\"Letushopeso。Herfathertoldmeyesterdaythat，ifshedoesnotrecover，itwillnotbelongbeforehejoinsherinthegrave。Whatanincalculablelosstosciencehisdeathwouldbe！\"
\"Thewoundonhertempleisserious，isitnot？\"
\"Evidently；but，byawonderfulchance，ithasnotprovedmortal。
Theblowwasgivenwithgreatforce。\"
\"Thenitwasnotwiththerevolvershewaswounded，\"saidRouletabille，glancingatmeintriumph。
MonsieurdeMarquetappearedgreatlyembarrassed。
\"Ididn\'tsayanything-Idon\'twanttosayanything-Iwillnotsayanything，\"hesaid。AndheturnedtowardshisRegistrarasifhenolongerknewus。
ButRouletabillewasnottobesoeasilyshakenoff。Hemovednearertotheexaminingmagistrateand，drawingacopyofthe\"Matin\"fromhispocket，heshowedittohimandsaid：
\"Thereisonething，Monsieur，whichImayenquireofyouwithoutcommittinganindiscretion。Youhave，ofcourse，seentheaccountgiveninthe\'Matin\'？Itisabsurd，isitnot？\"
\"Notintheslightest，Monsieur。\"
\"What！TheYellowRoomhasbutonebarredwindow-thebarsofwhichhavenotbeenmoved-andonlyonedoor，whichhadtobebrokenopen-andtheassassinwasnotfound！\"
\"That\'sso，monsieur，-that\'sso。That\'showthematterstands。\"
Rouletabillesaidnomorebutplungedintothought。Aquarterofanhourthuspassed。
Comingbacktohimselfagainhesaid，addressingthemagistrate：
\"HowdidMademoiselleStangersonwearherhaironthatevening？\"
\"Idon\'tknow，\"repliedMonsieurdeMarquet。
\"That\'saveryimportantpoint，\"saidRouletabile。\"Herhairwasdoneupinbands，wasn\'tit？Ifeelsurethatonthatevening，theeveningofthecrime，shehadherhairarrangedinbands。\"
\"Thenyouaremistaken，MonsieurRouletabile，\"repliedthemagistrate；\"MademoiselleStangersonthateveninghadherhairdrawnupinaknotonthetopofherhead，-herusualwayofarrangingit-herforeheadcompletelyuncovered。Icanassureyou，forwehavecarefullyexaminedthewound。Therewasnobloodonthehair，andthearrangementofithasnotbeendisturbedsincethecrimewascommitted。\"
\"Youaresure！Youaresurethat，onthenightofthecrime，shehadnotherhairinbands？\"
\"Quitesure，\"themagistratecontinued，smiling，\"becauseI
remembertheDoctorsayingtome，whilehewasexaminingthewound，\'ItisagreatpityMademoiselleStangersonwasinthehabitofdrawingherhairbackfromherforehead。Ifshehadwornitinbands，theblowshereceivedonthetemplewouldhavebeenweakened。\'
Itseemsstrangetomethatyoushouldattachsomuchimportancetothispoint。\"
\"Oh！ifshehadnotherhairinbands，Igiveitup，\"saidRouletabille，withadespairinggesture。
\"Andwasthewoundonhertempleabadone？\"heaskedpresently。
\"Terrible。\"
\"Withwhatweaponwasitmade？\"
\"Thatisasecretoftheinvestigation。\"
\"Haveyoufoundtheweapon-whateveritwas？\"
Themagistratedidnotanswer。
\"Andthewoundinthethroat？\"
Heretheexaminingmagistratereadilyconfirmedthedecisionofthedoctorthat，ifthemurdererhadpressedherthroatafewsecondslonger，MademoiselleStangersonwouldhavediedofstrangulation。
\"Theaffairasreportedinthe\'Matin，\'\"saidRouletabilleeagerly，\"seemstomemoreandmoreinexplicable。Canyoutellme，Monsieur，howmanyopeningsthereareinthepavilion？Imeandoorsandwindows。\"
\"Therearefive，\"repliedMonsieurdeMarquet，afterhavingcoughedonceortwice，butnolongerresistingthedesirehefelttotalkofthewholeoftheincrediblemysteryoftheaffairhewasinvestigating。\"Therearefive，ofwhichthedoorofthevestibuleistheonlyentrancetothepavilion，-adooralwaysautomaticallyclosed，whichcannotbeopened，eitherfromtheouterorinside，exceptwiththetwospecialkeyswhichareneveroutofthepossessionofeitherDaddyJacquesorMonsieurStangerson。
MademoiselleStangersonhadnoneedforone，sinceDaddyJacqueslodgedinthepavilionandbecause，duringthedaytime，sheneverleftherfather。Whenthey，allfour，rushedintoTheYellowRoom，afterbreakingopenthedoorofthelaboratory，thedoorinthevestibuleremainedclosedasusualand，ofthetwokeysforopeningit，DaddyJacqueshadoneinhispocket，andMonsieurStangersontheother。Astothewindowsofthepavilion，therearefour；theonewindowofTheYellowRoomandthoseofthelaboratorylookingoutontothecountry；thewindowinthevestibulelookingintothepark。\"
\"Itisbythatwindowthatheescapedfromthepavilion！\"criedRouletabille。
\"Howdoyouknowthat？\"demandedMonsieurdeMarquet，fixingastrangelookonmyyoungfriend。
\"We\'llseelaterhowhegotawayfromTheYellowRoom，\"repliedRouletabille，\"buthemusthaveleftthepavilionbythevestibulewindow。\"
\"Oncemore，-howdoyouknowthat？\"
\"How？Oh，thethingissimpleenough！Assoonashefoundhecouldnotescapebythedoorofthepavilionhisonlywayoutwasbythewindowinthevestibule，unlesshecouldpassthroughagratedwindow。
ThewindowofTheYellowRoomissecuredbyironbars，becauseitlooksoutupontheopencountry；thetwowindowsofthelaboratoryhavetobeprotectedinlikemannerforthesamereason。Asthemurderergotaway，Iconceivethathefoundawindowthatwasnotbarred，-thatofthevestibule，whichopensontothepark，-thatistosay，intotheinterioroftheestate。There\'snotmuchmagicinallthat。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMonsieurdeMarquet，\"butwhatyouhavenotguessedisthatthissinglewindowinthevestibule，thoughithasnoironbars，hassolidironblinds。Nowtheseironblindshaveremainedfastenedbytheirironlatch；andyetwehaveproofthatthemurderermadehisescapefromthe，pavilionbythatwindow！Tracesofbloodontheinsidewallandontheblindsaswellasonthefloor，andfootmarks，ofwhichIhavetakenthemeasurements，attestthefactthatthemurderermadehisescapethatway。Butthen，howdidhedoit，seeingthattheblindsremainedfastenedontheinside？Hepassedthroughthemlikeashadow。ButwhatismorebewilderingthanallisthatitisimpossibletoformanyideaastohowthemurderergotoutofTheYellowRoom，orhowhegotacrossthelaboratorytoreachthevestibule！Ah，yes，MonsieurRouletabille，itisaltogetherasyousaid，afinecase，thekeytowhichwillnotbediscoveredforalongtime，Ihope。\"
\"Youhope，Monsieur？\"
MonsieurdeMarquetcorrectedhimself。
\"Idonothopeso，-Ithinkso。\"
\"Couldthatwindowhavebeenclosedandrefastenedaftertheflightoftheassassin？\"askedRouletabille。
\"Thatiswhatoccurredtomeforamoment；butitwouldimplyanaccompliceoraccomplices，-andIdon\'tsee-\"
Afterashortsilenceheadded：
\"Ah-ifMademoiselleStangersonwereonlywellenoughto-daytobequestioned！\"
Rouletabillefollowinguphisthought，asked：
\"Andtheattic？-Theremustbesomeopeningtothat？\"
\"Yes；thereisawindow，orratherskylight，init，which，asitlooksouttowardsthecountry，MonsieurStangersonhashadbarred，liketherestofthewindows。Thesebars，asintheotherwindows，haveremainedintact，andtheblinds，whichnaturallyopeninwards，havenotbeenunfastened。Fortherest，wehavenotdiscoveredanythingtoleadustosuspectthatthemurdererhadpassedthroughtheattic。\"
\"Itseemscleartoyou，then，Monsieur，thatthemurdererescaped-nobodyknowshow-bythewindowinthevestibule？\"
\"Everythinggoestoproveit。\"
\"Ithinkso，too，\"confessedRouletabillegravely。
Afterabriefsilence，hecontinued：
\"Ifyouhavenotfoundanytracesofthemurdererintheattic，suchasthedirtyfootmarkssimilartothoseonthefloorofTheYellowRoom，youmustcometotheconclusionthatitwasnothewhostoleDaddyJacques\'srevolver。\"
\"TherearenofootmarksintheatticotherthanthoseofDaddyJacqueshimself，\"saidthemagistratewithasignificanttumofhishead。Then，afteranapparentdecision，headded：\"DaddyJacqueswaswithMonsieurStangersoninthelaboratory-anditwasluckyforhimhewas。\"
\"Thenwhatpartdidhisrevolverplayinthetragedy？-ItseemsveryclearthatthisweapondidlessharmtoMademoiselleStangersonthanitdidtothemurderer。\"
Themagistratemadenoreplytothisquestion，whichdoubtlessembarrassedhim。\"MonsieurStangerson，\"hesaid，\"tellsusthatthetwobulletshavebeenfoundinTheYellowRoom，oneembeddedinthewallstainedwiththeimpressionofaredhand-aman\'slargehand-andtheotherintheceiling。\"
\"Oh！oh！intheceiling！\"mutteredRouletabille。\"Intheceiling！
That\'sverycurious！-Intheceiling！\"
Hepuffedawhileinsilenceathispipe，envelopinghimselfinthesmoke。WhenwereachedSavigny-sur-Orge，Ihadtotaphimontheshouldertoarousehimfromhisdreamandcomeoutontotheplatformofthestation。
There，themagistrateandhisRegistrarbowedtous，andbyrapidlygettingintoacabthatwasawaitingthem，madeusunderstandthattheyhadseenenoughofus。
\"HowlongwillittaketowalktotheChateauduGlandier？\"
Rouletabilleaskedoneoftherailwayporters。
\"Anhourandahalforanhourandthreequarters-easywalking，\"
themanreplied。
Rouletabillelookedupattheskyand，nodoubt，findingitsappearancesatisfactory，tookmyarmandsaid：
\"Comeon！-Ineedawalk。\"
\"Arethingsgettinglessentangled？\"Iasked。
\"Notabitofit！\"hesaid，\"moreentangledthanever！It\'strue，Ihaveanidea-\"
\"What\'sthat？\"Iasked。
\"Ican\'ttellyouwhatitisjustatpresent-it\'sanideainvolvingthelifeordeathoftwopersonsatleast。\"
\"Doyouthinktherewereaccomplices？\"
\"Idon\'tthinkit-\"
Wefellintosilence。Presentlyhewenton：
\"Itwasabitofluck，ourfallinginwiththatexaminingmagistrateandhisRegistrar，eh？WhatdidItellyouaboutthatrevolver？\"
Hisheadwasbentdown，hehadhishandsinhispockets，andhewaswhistling。AfterawhileIheardhimmurmur：
\"Poorwoman！\"
\"IsitMademoiselleStangersonyouarepitying？\"
\"Yes；she\'sanoblewomanandworthyofbeingpitied！-awomanofagreat，averygreatcharacter-Iimagine-Iimagine。\"
\"Youknowherthen？\"
\"Notatall。Ihaveneverseenher。\"
\"Why，then，doyousaythatsheisawomanofgreatcharacter？\"
\"Becauseshebravelyfacedthemurderer；becauseshecourageouslydefendedherself-and，aboveall，becauseofthebulletintheceiling。\"
IlookedatRouletabilleandinwardlywonderedwhetherhewasnotmockingme，orwhetherhehadnotsuddenlygoneoutofhissenses。
ButIsawthathehadneverbeenlessinclinedtolaugh，andthebrightnessofhiskeenlyintelligenteyesassuredmethatheretainedallhisreason。Then，too，Iwasusedtohisbrokenwayoftalking，whichonlyleftmepuzzledastohismeaning，till，withaveryfewclear，rapidlyutteredwords，hewouldmakethedriftofhisideascleartome，andIsawthatwhathehadpreviouslysaid，andwhichhadappearedtomevoidofmeaning，wassothoroughlylogicalthatIcouldnotunderstandhowitwasIhadnotunderstoodhimsooner。
CHAPTERIV
\"IntheBosomofWildNature\'
TheChateauduGlandierisoneoftheoldestchateauxintheIledeFrance，wheresomanybuildingremainsofthefeudalperiodarestillstanding。Builtoriginallyintheheartoftheforest，inthereignofPhilipleBel，itnowcouldbeseenafewhundredyardsfromtheroadleadingfromthevillageofSainte-GenevievetoMonthery。Amassofinharmoniousstructures，itisdominatedbyadonjon。Whenthevisitorhasmountedthecrumblingstepsofthisancientdonjon，hereachesalittleplateauwhere，intheseventeenthcentury，GeorgesPhilibertdeSequigny，LordoftheGlandier，Maisons-Neuvesandotherplaces，builttheexistingtowninanabominablyrococostyleofarchitecture。
Itwasinthisplace，seeminglybelongingentirelytothepast，thatProfessorStangersonandhisdaughterinstalledthemselvestolaythefoundationsforthescienceofthefuture。Itssolitude，inthedepthsofwoods，waswhat，morethanall，hadpleasedthem。
Theywouldhavenonetowitnesstheirlaboursandintrudeontheirhopes，buttheagedstonesandgrandoldoaks。TheGlandier-ancientGlandierum-wassocalledfromthequantityofglandsacornswhich，inalltimes，hadbeengatheredinthatneighbourhood。Thisland，ofpresentmournfulinterest，hadfallenback，owingtothenegligenceorabandonmentofitsowners，intothewildcharacterofprimitivenature。Thebuildingsalone，whichwerehiddenthere，hadpreservedtracesoftheirstrangemetamorphoses。Everyagehadleftonthemitsimprint；abitofarchitecturewithwhichwasbounduptheremembranceofsometerribleevent，somebloodyadventure。Suchwasthechateauinwhichsciencehadtakenrefuge-aplaceseeminglydesignedtobethetheatreofmysteries，terror，anddeath。
Havingexplainedsofar，Icannotrefrainfrommakingonefurtherreflection。IfIhavelingeredalittleoverthisdescriptionoftheGlandier，itisnotbecauseIhavereachedtherightmomentforcreatingthenecessaryatmospherefortheunfoldingofthetragedybeforetheeyesofthereader。Indeed，inallthismatter，myfirstcarewillbetobeassimpleasispossible。Ihavenoambitiontobeanauthor。Anauthorisalwayssomethingofaromancer，andGodknows，themysteryofTheYellowRoomisquitefullenoughofrealtragichorrortorequirenoaidfromliteraryeffects。Iam，andonlydesiretobe，afaithful\"reporter。\"Mydutyistoreporttheevent；andIplacetheeventinitsframe-thatisall。Itisonlynaturalthatyoushouldknowwherethethingshappened。
IreturntoMonsieurStangerson。Whenheboughttheestate，fifteenyearsbeforethetragedywithwhichweareengagedoccurred，theChateauduGlandierhadforalongtimebeenunoccupied。Anotheroldchateauintheneighbourhood，builtinthefourteenthcenturybyJeandeBelmont，wasalsoabandoned，sothatthatpartofthecountrywasverylittleinhabited。SomesmallhousesonthesideoftheroadleadingtoCorbeil，aninn，calledthe\"AubergeduDonjon，\"whichofferedpassinghospitalitytowaggoners；thesewereaboutalltorepresentciviisationinthisout-of-thewaypartofthecountry，butafewleaguesfromthecapital。
ButthisdesertedconditionoftheplacehadbeenthedeterminingreasonforthechoicemadebyMonsieurStangersonandhisdaughter。
MonsieurStangersonwasalreadycelebrated。HehadreturnedfromAmerica，wherehisworkshadmadeagreatstir。ThebookwhichhehadpublishedatPhiladelphia，onthe\"DissociationofMatterbyElectricAction，\"hadarousedoppositionthroughoutthewholescientificworld。MonsieurStangersonwasaFrenchman，butofAmericanorigin。ImportantmattersrelatingtoalegacyhadkepthimforseveralyearsintheUnitedStates，wherehehadcontinuedtheworkbegunbyhiminFrance，whitherhehadreturnedinpossessionofalargefortune。Thisfortunewasagreatboontohim；for，thoughhemighthavemademillionsofdollarsbyexploitingtwoorthreeofhischemicaldiscoveriesrelativetonewprocessesofdyeing，itwasalwaysrepugnanttohimtouseforhisownprivategainthewonderfulgiftofinventionhehadreceivedfromnature。Heconsideredheowedittomankind，andallthathisgeniusbroughtintotheworldwent，bythisphilosophicalviewofhisduty，intothepubliclap。
Ifhedidnottrytoconcealhissatisfactionatcomingintopossessionofthisfortune，whichenabledhimtogivehimselfuptohispassionforpurescience，hehadequallytorejoice，itseemedtohim，foranothercause。MademoiselleStangersonwas，atthetimewhenherfatherreturnedfromAmericaandboughttheGlandierestate，twentyyearsofage。Shewasexceedinglypretty，havingatoncetheParisiangraceofhermother，whohaddiedingivingherbirth，andallthesplendour，alltherichesoftheyoungAmericanbloodofherparentalgrandfather，WilliamStangerson。AcitizenofPhiladelphia，WilliamStangersonhadbeenobligedtobecomenaturalisedinobediencetofamilyexigenciesatthetimeofhismarriagewithaFrenchlady，shewhowastobethemotheroftheillustriousStangerson。Inthatwaytheprofessor\'sFrenchnationalityisaccountedfor。
Twentyyearsofage，acharmingblonde，withblueeyes，milk-whitecomplexion，andradiantwithdivinehealth，MathildeStangersonwasoneofthemostbeautifulmarriageablegirlsineithertheoldorthenewworld。Itwasherfather\'sduty，inspiteoftheinevitablepainwhichaseparationfromherwouldcausehim，tothinkofhermarriage；andhewasfullypreparedforit。Nevertheless，heburiedhimselfandhischildattheGlandieratthemomentwhenhisfriendswereexpectinghimtobringheroutintosociety。Someofthemexpressedtheirastonishment，andtotheirquestionsheanswered：\"Itismydaughter\'swish。Icanrefusehernothing。
ShehaschosentheGlandier。\"
Interrogatedinherturn，theyounggirlrepliedcalmly：\"Wherecouldweworkbetterthaninthissolitude？\"ForMademoiselleStangersonhadalreadybeguntocollaboratewithherfatherinhiswork。Itcouldnotatthetimebeimaginedthatherpassionforsciencewouldleadhersofarastorefuseallthesuitorswhopresentedthemselvestoherforoverfifteenyears。Sosecludedwasthelifeledbythetwo，fatheranddaughter，thattheyshowedthemselvesonlyatafewofficialreceptionsand，atcertaintimesintheyear，intwoorthreefriendlydrawing-rooms，wherethefameoftheprofessorandthebeautyofMathildemadeasensation。Theyounggirl\'sextremereservedidnotatfirstdiscouragesuitors；
butattheendofafewyears，theytiredoftheirquest。
Onealonepersistedwithtendertenacityanddeservedthenameof\"eternalfiance，\"anameheacceptedwithmelancholyresignation；
thatwasMonsieurRobertDarzac。MademoiselleStangersonwasnownolongeryoung，anditseemedthat，havingfoundnoreasonformarryingatfive-and-thirty，shewouldneverfindone。ButsuchanargumentevidentlyfoundnoacceptancewithMonsieurRobertDarzac。
Hecontinuedtopayhiscourt-ifthedelicateandtenderattentionwithwhichheceaselesslysurroundedthiswomanoffive-and-thirtycouldbecalledcourtship-infaceofherdeclaredintentionnevertomarry。
Suddenly，someweeksbeforetheeventswithwhichweareoccupied，areport-towhichnobodyattachedanyimportance，soincrediblediditsound-wasspreadaboutParis，thatMademoiselleStangersonhadatlastconsentedto\"crown\"theinextinguishableflameofMonsieurRobertDarzac！ItneededthatMonsieurRobertDarzachimselfshouldnotdenythismatrimonialrumourtogiveitanappearanceoftruth，sounlikelydiditseemtobewellfounded。
Oneday，however，MonsieurStangerson，ashewasleavingtheAcademyofScience，announcedthatthemarriageofhisdaughterandMonsieurRobertDarzacwouldbecelebratedintheprivacyoftheChateauduGlandier，assoonasheandhisdaughterhadputthefinishingtouchestotheirreportsumminguptheirlaboursonthe\"DissociationofMatter。\"ThenewhouseholdwouldinstallitselfintheGlandier，andtheson-in-lawwouldlendhisassistanceintheworktowhichthefatheranddaughterhaddedicatedtheirlives。
Thescientificworldhadbarelyhadtimetorecoverfromtheeffectofthisnews，whenitlearnedoftheattemptedassassinationofMademoiselleundertheextraordinaryconditionswhichwehavedetailedandwhichourvisittothechateauwastoenableustoascertainwithyetgreaterprecision。Ihavenothesitatedtofurnishthereaderwithalltheseretrospectivedetails，knowntomethroughmybusinessrelationswithMonsieurRobertDarzac。OncrossingthethresholdofTheYellowRoomhewasaswellpostedasIwas。
CHAPTERV
InWhichJosephRouletabilleMakesaRemarktoMonsieurRobertDarzacWhichProducesItsLittleEffectRouletabilleandIhadbeenwalkingforseveralminutes，bythesideofalongwallboundingthevastpropertyofMonsieurStangersonandhadalreadycomewithinsightoftheentrancegate，whenourattentionwasdrawntoanindividualwho，halfbenttotheground，seemedtobesocompletelyabsorbedinwhathewasdoingasnottohaveseenuscomingtowardshim。Atonetimehestoopedsolowasalmosttotouchtheground；atanotherhedrewhimselfupandattentivelyexaminedthewall；thenhelookedintothepalmofoneofhishands，andwalkedawaywithrapidstrides。Finallyhesetoffrunning，stilllookingintothepalmofhishand。Rouletabillehadbroughtmetoastandstillbyagesture。
\"Hush！FredericLarsanisatwork！Don\'tletusdisturbhim！\"
Rouletabillehadagreatadmirationforthecelebrateddetective。
Ihadneverbeforeseenhim，butIknewhimwellbyreputation。
Atthattime，beforeRouletabillehadgivenproofofhisuniquetalent，Larsanwasreputedasthemostskilfulunravellerofthemostmysteriousandcomplicatedcrimes。Hisreputationwasworld-wide，andthepoliceofLondon，andevenofAmerica，oftencalledhimintotheiraidwhentheirownnationalinspectorsanddetectivesfoundthemselvesattheendoftheirwitsandresources。
Noonewasastonished，then，thattheheadoftheSuretehad，attheoutsetofthemysteryofTheYellowRoom，telegraphedhisprecioussubordinatetoLondon，wherehehadbeensentonabigcaseofstolensecurities，toreturnwithallhaste。Fredericwho，attheSurete，wascalledthe\"greatFrederic，\"hadmadeallspeed，doubtlessknowingbyexperiencethat，ifhewasinterruptedinwhathewasdoing，itwasbecausehisserviceswereurgentlyneededinanotherdirection；so，asRouletabillesaid，hewasthatmorningalready\"atwork。\"Wesoonfoundoutinwhatitconsisted。
Whathewascontinuallylookingatinthepalmofhisrighthandwasnothingbuthiswatch，theminutehandofwhichheappearedtobenotingintently。Thenheturnedbackstillrunning，stoppingonlywhenhereachedtheparkgate，whereheagainconsultedhiswatchandthenputitawayinhispocket，shrugginghisshoulderswithagestureofdiscouragement。Hepushedopentheparkgate，reclosedandlockedit，raisedhisheadand，throughthebars，perceivedus。Rouletabillerushedafterhim，andIfollowed。
FredericLarsanwaitedforus。
\"MonsieurFred，\"saidRouletabille，raisinghishatandshowingtheprofoundrespect，basedonadmiration，whichtheyoungreporterfeltforthecelebrateddetective，\"canyoutellmewhetherMonsieurRobertDarzacisatthechateauatthismoment？Hereisoneofhisfriends，oftheParisBar，whodesirestospeakwithhim。\"
\"Ireallydon\'tknow，MonsieurRouletabille，\"repliedFred，shakinghandswithmyfriend，whomhehadseveraltimesmetinthecourseofhisdifficultinvestigations。\"Ihavenotseenhim。\"
\"Theconciergeswillbeabletoinformusnodoubt？\"saidRouletabille，pointingtothelodgethedoorandwindowsofwhichwerecloseshut。
\"Theconciergeswillnotbeabletogiveyouanyinformation，MonsieurRouletabille。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Becausetheywerearrestedhalfanhourago。\"
\"Arrested！\"criedRouletabille；\"thentheyarethemurderers！\"
FredericLarsanshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Whenyoucan\'tarresttherealmurderer，\"hesaidwithanairofsupremeirony，\"youcanalwaysindulgeintheluxuryofdiscoveringaccomplices。\"
\"Didyouhavethemarrested，MonsieurFred？\"
\"NotI！-Ihaven\'thadthemarrested。Inthefirstplace，Iamprettysurethattheyhavenothadanythingtodowiththeaffair，andthenbecause-\"
\"Becauseofwhat？\"askedRouletabilleeagerly。
\"Becauseofnothing，\"saidLarsan，shakinghishead。
\"Becausetherewerenoaccomplices！\"saidRouletabille。
\"Aha！-youhaveanidea，then，aboutthismatter？\"saidLarsan，lookingatRouletabilleintently，\"yetyouhaveseennothing，youngman-youhavenotyetgainedadmissionhere！\"
\"Ishallgetadmission。\"
\"Idoubtit。Theordersarestrict。\"
\"Ishallgainadmission，ifyouletmeseeMonsieurRobertDarzac。
Dothatforme。Youknowweareoldfriends。Ibegofyou，MonsieurFred。DoyourememberthearticleIwroteaboutyouonthegoldbarcase？\"
ThefaceofRouletabilleatthemomentwasreallyfunnytolookat。