Itshowedsuchanirresistibledesiretocrossthethresholdbeyondwhichsomeprodigiousmysteryhadoccurred；itappealedwithsomucheloquence，notonlyofthemouthandeyes，butwithallitsfeatures，thatIcouldnotrefrainfromburstingintolaughter。FredericLarsan，nomorethanmyself，couldretainhisgravity。Meanwhile，standingontheothersideofthegate，hecalmlyputthekeyinhispocket。Icloselyscrutinisedhim。
Hemightbeaboutfiftyyearsofage。Hehadafinehead，hishairturninggrey；acolourlesscomplexion，andafirmprofile。Hisforeheadwasprominent，hischinandcheekscleanshaven。Hisupperlip，withoutmoustache，wasfinelychiselled。Hiseyeswererathersmallandround，withalookinthemthatwasatoncesearchinganddisquieting。Hewasofmiddleheightandwellbuilt，withageneralbearingelegantandgentlemanly。Therewasnothingabouthimofthevulgarpoliceman。Inhisway，hewasanartist，andonefeltthathehadahighopinionofhimself。Thescepticaltoneofhisconversationwasthatofamanwhohadbeentaughtbyexperience。
Hisstrangeprofessionhadbroughthimintocontactwithsomanycrimesandvillaniesthatitwouldhavebeenremarkableifhisnaturehadnotbeenalittlehardened。
Larsanturnedhisheadatthesoundofavehiclewhichhadcomefromthechateauandreachedthegatebehindhim。WerecognisedthecabwhichhadconveyedtheexaminingmagistrateandhisRegistrarfromthestationatEpinay。
\"Ah！\"saidFredericLarsan，\"ifyouwanttospeakwithMonsieurRobertDarzac，heishere。\"
ThecabwasalreadyattheparkgateandRobertDarzacwasbeggingFredericLarsantoopenitforhim，explainingthathewaspressedfortimetocatchthenexttrainleavingEpinayforParis。Thenherecognisedme。WhileLarsanwasunlockingthegate，MonsieurDarzacinquiredwhathadbroughtmetotheGlandieratsuchatragicmoment。
Inoticedthathewasfrightfullypale，andthathisfacewaslinedasiffromtheeffectsofsometerriblesuffering。
\"IsMademoisellegettingbetter？\"Iimmediatelyasked。
\"Yes，\"hesaid。\"Shewillbesavedperhaps。Shemustbesaved！\"
Hedidnotadd\"oritwillbemydeath\"；butIfeltthatthephrasetrembledonhispalelips。
Rouletabilleintervened：
\"Youareinahurry，Monsieur；butImustspeakwithyou。Ihavesomethingofthegreatestimportancetotellyou。\"
FredericLarsaninterrupted：
\"MayIleaveyou？\"heaskedofRobertDarzac。\"Haveyouakey，ordoyouwishmetogiveyouthisone。\"
\"Thankyou。Ihaveakeyandwilllockthegate。\"
Larsanhurriedoffinthedirectionofthechateau，theimposingpileofwhichcouldbeperceivedafewhundredyardsaway。
RobertDarzac，withknitbrow，wasbeginningtoshowimpatience。I
presentedRouletabilleasagoodfriendofmine，but，assoonashelearntthattheyoungmanwasajournalist，helookedatmeveryreproachfully，excusedhimself，underthenecessityofhavingtoreachEpinayintwentyminutes，bowed，andwhippeduphishorse。
ButRouletabillehadseizedthebridleand，tomyutterastonishment，stoppedthecarriagewithavigoroushand。Thenhegaveutterancetoasentencewhichwasutterlymeaninglesstome。
\"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。\"
ThewordshadnosoonerleftthelipsofRouletabillethanIsawRobertDarzacquail。Paleashewas，hebecamepaler。Hiseyeswerefixedontheyoungmaninterror，andheimmediatelydescendedfromthevehicleinaninexpressiblestateofagitation。
\"Come！-comein！\"hestammered。
hen，suddenly，andwithasortoffury，herepeated：
\"Letusgo，monsieur。\"
Heturnedupbytheroadhehadcomefromthechateau，Rouletabillestillretaininghisholdonthehorse\'sbridle。IaddressedafewwordstoMonsieurDarzac，buthemadenoanswer。MylooksquestionedRouletabille，buthisgazewaselsewhere。
CHAPTERVI
intheHeartoftheOakGroveWereachedthechateau，and，asweapproachedit，sawfourgendarmespacinginfrontofalittledoorinthegroundfloorofthedonjon。Wesoonlearnedthatinthisgroundfloor，whichhadformerlyservedasaprison，MonsieurandMadameBernier，theconcierges，wereconfined。MonsieurRobertDarzacledusintothemodernpartofthechateaubyalargedoor，protectedbyaprojectingawning-a\"marquise\"asitiscalled。Rouletabille，whohadresignedthehorseandthecabtothecareofaservant，nevertookhiseyesoffMonsieurDarzac。IfollowedhislookandperceivedthatitwasdirectedsolelytowardstheglovedhandsoftheSorbonneprofessor。Whenwewereinatinysitting-roomfittedwitholdfurniture，MonsieurDarzacturnedtoRouletabilleandsaidsharply：
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
Thereporteransweredinanequallysharptone：
\"Toshakeyoubythehand。\"
Darzacshrankback。
\"Whatdoesthatmean？\"
Evidentlyheunderstood，whatIalsounderstood，thatmyfriendsuspectedhimoftheabominableattemptonthelifeofMademoiselleStangerson。Theimpressionoftheblood-stainedhandonthewallsofTheYellowRoomwasinhismind。Ilookedatthemanclosely。Hishaughtyfacewithitsexpressionordinarilysostraightforwardwasatthismomentstrangelytroubled。Heheldouthisrighthandand，referringtome，said：
\"AsyouareafriendofMonsieurSainclairwhohasrenderedmeinvaluableservicesinajustcause，monsieur，Iseenoreasonforrefusingyoumyhand-\"
Rouletabilledidnottaketheextendedhand。Lyingwiththeutmostaudacity，hesaid：
\"Monsieur，IhavelivedseveralyearsinRussia，whereIhaveacquiredthehabitofnevertakinganybutanunglovedhand。\"
IthoughtthattheSorbonneprofessorwouldexpresshisangeropenly，but，onthecontrary，byavisiblyviolenteffort，hecalmedhimself，tookoffhisgloves，andshowedhishands；theywereunmarkedbyanycicatrix。
\"Areyousatisfied？\"
\"No！\"repliedRouletabille。\"Mydearfriend，\"hesaid，turningtome，\"Iamobligedtoaskyoutoleaveusaloneforamoment。\"
Ibowedandretired；stupefiedbywhatIhadseenandheard。I
couldnotunderstandwhyMonsieurRobertDarzachadnotalreadyshownthedoortomyimpertinent，insulting，andstupidfriend。
IwasangrymyselfwithRouletabilleatthatmoment，forhissuspicions，whichhadledtothissceneofthegloves。
ForsometwentyminutesIwalkedaboutinfrontofthechateau，tryingvainlytolinktogetherthedifferenteventsoftheday。
WhatwasinRouletabile\'smind？WasitpossiblethathethoughtMonsieurRobertDarzactobethemurderer？Howcoulditbethoughtthatthisman，whowastohavemarriedMademoiselleStangersoninthecourseofafewdays，hadintroducedhimselfintoTheYellowRoomtoassassinatehisfiancee？IcouldfindnoexplanationastohowthemurdererhadbeenabletoleaveTheYellowRoom；andsolongasthatmystery，whichappearedtomesoinexplicable，remainedunexplained，Ithoughtitwasthedutyofallofustorefrainfromsuspectinganybody。But，then，thatseeminglysenselessphrase-\"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness\"-stillranginmyears。Whatdiditmean？IwaseagertorejoinRouletabilleandquestionhim。
AtthatmomenttheyoungmancameoutofthechateauinthecompanyofMonsieurRobertDarzac，and，extraordinarytorelate，Isaw，ataglance，thattheywerethebestoffriends。\"WearegoingtoTheYellowRoom。Comewithus，\"Rouletabillesaidtome。\"Youknow，mydearboy，Iamgoingtokeepyouwithmeallday。We\'llbreakfasttogethersomewhereabouthere-\"
\"You\'llbreakfastwithme，here，gentlemen-\"
\"No，thanks，\"repliedtheyoungman。\"WeshallbreakfastattheDonjonInn。\"
\"You\'llfareverybadlythere；you\'llnotfindanything-\"
\"Doyouthinkso？Well，Ihopetofindsomethingthere，\"repliedRouletabille。\"Afterbreakfast，we\'llsettoworkagain。I\'llwritemyarticleandifyou\'llbesogoodastotakeittotheofficeforme-\"
\"Won\'tyoucomebackwithmetoParis？\"
\"No；Ishallremainhere。\"
IturnedtowardsRouletabille。Hespokequiteseriously，andMonsieurRobertDarzacdidnotappeartobeintheleastdegreesurprised。
Wewerepassingbythedonjonandheardwailingvoices。Rouletabilleasked：
\"Whyhavethesepeoplebeenarrested？\"
\"Itisalittlemyfault，\"saidMonsieurDarzac。\"Ihappenedtoremarktotheexaminingmagistrateyesterdaythatitwasinexplicablethattheconciergeshadhadtimetoheartherevolvershots，todressthemselves，andtocoversogreatadistanceasthatwhichliesbetweentheirlodgeandthepavilion，inthespaceoftwominutes；
fornotmorethanthatintervaloftimehadelapsedafterthefiringoftheshotswhentheyweremetbyDaddyJacques。\"
\"Thatwassuspiciousevidently，\"acquiescedRouletabille。\"Andweretheydressed？\"
\"Thatiswhatissoincredible-theyweredressed-completely-notonepartoftheircostumewanting。Thewomanworesabots，butthemanhadonlacedboots。Nowtheyassertthattheywenttobedathalf-pastnine。Onarrivingthismorning，theexaminingmagistratebroughtwithhimfromParisarevolverofthesamecalibreasthatfoundintheroomforhecouldn\'tusetheoneheldforevidence，andmadehisRegistrarfiretwoshotsinTheYellowRoomwhilethedoorsandwindowswereclosed。Wewerewithhiminthelodgeoftheconcierges，andyetweheardnothing，notasound。
Theconciergeshavelied，ofthattherecanbenodoubt。Theymusthavebeenalreadywaiting，notfarfromthepavilion，waitingforsomething！Certainlytheyarenottobeaccusedofbeingtheauthorsofthecrime，buttheircomplicityisnotimprobable。ThatwaswhyMonsieurdeMarquethadthemarrestedatonce。\"
\"Iftheyhadbeenaccomplices，\"saidRouletabille，\"theywouldnothavebeenthereatall。Whenpeoplethrowthemselvesintothearmsofjusticewiththeproofsofcomplicityonthem，youcanbesuretheyarenotaccomplices。Idon\'tbelievethereareanyaccomplicesinthisaffair。\"
\"Then，whyweretheyabroadatmidnight？Whydon\'ttheysay？\"
\"Theyhavecertainlysomereasonfortheirsilence。Whatthatreasonis，hastobefoundout；for，eveniftheyarenotaccomplices，itmaybeofimportance。Everythingthattookplaceonsuchanightisimportant。\"
WehadcrossedanoldbridgethrownovertheDouveandwereenteringthepartoftheparkcalledtheOakGrove，Theoaksherewerecenturiesold。Autumnhadalreadyshrivelledtheirtawnyleaves，andtheirhighbranches，blackandcontorted，lookedlikehorridheadsofhair，mingledwithquaintreptilessuchastheancientsculptorshavemadeontheheadofMedusa。Thisplace，whichMademoisellefoundcheerfulandinwhichshelivedinthesummerseason，appearedtousassadandfunerealnow。Thesoilwasblackandmuddyfromtherecentrainsandtherottingofthefallenleaves；thetrunksofthetreeswereblackandtheskyaboveuswasnow，asifinmourning，chargedwithgreat，heavyclouds。
Anditwasinthissombreanddesolateretreatthatwesawthewhitewallsofthepavilionasweapproached。Aqueer-lookingbuildingwithoutawindowvisibleonthesidebywhichwenearedit。Alittledooralonemarkedtheentrancetoit。Itmighthavepassedforatomb，avastmausoleuminthemidstofathickforest。Aswecamenearer，wewereabletomakeoutitsdisposition。Thebuildingobtainedallthelightitneededfromthesouth，thatistosay，fromtheopencountry。Thelittledoorclosedonthepark。MonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonmusthavefounditanidealseclusionfortheirworkandtheirdreams。
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doorenclosingwallHereisthegroundplanofthepavilion。Ithadaground-floorwhichwasreachedbyafewsteps，andaboveitwasanattic，withwhichweneednotconcernourselves。Theplanoftheground-flooronly，sketchedroughly，iswhatIheresubmittothereader。
1。TheYellowRoom，withitsonewindowanditsonedooropeningintothelaboratory。
2。Laboratory，withitstwolarge，barredwindowsanditsdoors，oneservingforthevestibule，theotherforTheYellowRoom。
3。Vestibule，withitsunbarredwindowanddooropeningintothepark。
4。Lavatory。
5。Stairsleadingtotheattic。
6。Largeandtheonlychimneyinthepavilion，servingfortheexperimentsofthelaboratory。
TheplanwasdrawnbyRouletabille，andIassuredmyselfthattherewasnotalineinitthatwaswantingtohelptothesolutionoftheproblemthensetbeforethepolice。Withthelinesofthisplanandthedescriptionofitspartsbeforethem，myreaderswillknowasmuchasRouletabilleknewwhenheenteredthepavilionforthefirsttime。Withhimtheymaynowask：HowdidthemurdererescapefromTheYellowRoom？Beforemountingthethreestepsleadinguptothedoorofthepavilion，RouletabillestoppedandaskedMonsieurDarzacpointblank：
\"Whatwasthemotiveforthecrime？\"
\"Speakingformyself，Monsieur，therecanbenodoubtonthematter，\"saidMademoiselleStangerson\'sfiance，greatlydistressed。
\"Thenailsofthefingers，thedeepscratchesonthechestandthroatofMademoiselleStangersonshowthatthewretchwhoattackedherattemptedtocommitafrightfulcrime。Themedicalexpertswhoexaminedthesetracesyesterdayaffirmthattheyweremadebythesamehandasthatwhichleftitsredimprintonthewall；anenormoushand，Monsieur，muchtoolargetogointomygloves，\"headdedwithanindefinablesmile。
\"Couldnotthatblood-stainedhand，\"Iinterrupted，\"havebeenthehandofMademoiselleStangersonwho，inthemomentoffalling，hadpresseditagainstthewail，and，inslipping，enlargedtheimpression？\"
\"Therewasnotadropofbloodoneitherofherhandswhenshewasliftedup，\"repliedMonsieurDarzac。
\"Wearenowsure，\"saidI，\"thatitwasMademoiselleStangersonwhowasarmedwithDaddyJacques\'srevolver，sinceshewoundedthehandofthemurderer。Shewasinfear，then，ofsomebodyorsomething。\"
\"Probably。\"
\"Doyoususpectanybody？\"
\"No，\"repliedMonsieurDarzac，lookingatRouletabille。Rouletabillethensaidtome：
\"Youmustknow，myfriend，thattheinquiryisalittlemoreadvancedthanMonsieurdeMarquethaschosentotellus。HenotonlyknowsthatMademoiselleStangersondefendedherselfwiththerevolver，butheknowswhattheweaponwasthatwasusedtoattackher。
MonsieurDarzactellsmeitwasamutton-bone。WhyisMonsieurdeMarquetsurroundingthismutton-bonewithsomuchmystery？NodoubtforthepurposeoffacilitatingtheinquiriesoftheagentsoftheSurete？Heimagines，perhaps，thattheownerofthisinstrumentofcrime，themostterribleinvented，isgoingtobefoundamongstthosewhoarewell-knownintheslumsofPariswhouseit。Butwhocaneversaywhatpassesthroughthebrainofanexaminingmagistrate？\"
Rouletabilleaddedwithcontemptuousirony。
\"Hasamutton-bonebeenfoundinTheYellowRoom？\"Iaskedhim。
\"Yes，Monsieur，\"saidRobertDarzac，\"atthefootofthebed；butI
begofyounottosayanythingaboutit。\"Imadeagestureofassent。\"Itwasanenormousmutton-bone，thetopofwhich，orratherthejoint，wasstillredwiththebloodofthefrightfulwound。Itwasanoldbone，whichmay，accordingtoappearances，haveservedinothercrimes。That\'swhatMonsieurdeMarquetthinks。HehashaditsenttothemunicipallaboratoryatParistobeanalysed。Infact，hethinkshehasdetectedonit，notonlythebloodofthelastvictim，butotherstainsofdriedblood，evidencesofpreviouscrimes。\"
\"Amutton-boneinthehandofaskilledassassinisafrightfulweapon，\"saidRouletabille，\"amorecertainweaponthanaheavyhammer。\"
\"Thescoundrelhasprovedittobeso，\"saidMonsieurRobertDarzac，sadly。\"Thejointofthebonefoundexactlyfitsthewoundinflicted。
Mybeliefisthatthewoundwouldhavebeenmortal，ifthemurderer\'sblowhadnotbeenarrestedintheactbyMademoiselleStangerson\'srevolver。Woundedinthehand，hedroppedthemutton-boneandfled。
Unfortunately，theblowhadbeenalreadygiven，andMademoisellewasstunnedafterhavingbeennearlystrangled。Ifshehadsucceededinwoundingthemanwiththefirstshotoftherevolver，shewould，doubtless，haveescapedtheblowwiththebone。Butshehadcertainlyemployedherrevolvertoolate；thefirstshotdeviatedandlodgedintheceiling；itwasthesecondonlythattookeffect。\"
Havingsaidthis，MonsieurDarzacknockedatthedoorofthepavilion。
Imustconfesstofeelingastrongimpatiencetoreachthespotwherethecrimehadbeencommitted。ItwassometimebeforethedoorwaspenedbyamanwhomIatoncerecognisedasDaddyJacques。
Heappearedtobewelloversixtyyearsofage。Hehadalongwhitebeardandwhitehair，onwhichheworeaflatBasquecap。Hewasdressedinacompletesuitofchestnut-colouredvelveteen，wornatthesides；sabotswereonhisfeet。Hehadratherawaspish-lookingface，theexpressionofwhichlightened，however，assoonashesawMonsieurDarzac。
\"Friends，\"saidourguide。\"Nobodyinthepavilion，DaddyJacques？\"
\"Ioughtnottoallowanybodytoenter，MonsieurRobert，butofcoursetheorderdoesnotapplytoyou。Thesegentlemenofjusticehaveseeneverythingthereistobeseen，andmadeenoughdrawings，anddrawnupenoughreports-\"
\"Excuseme，MonsieurJacques，onequestionbeforeanythingelse，\"
saidRouletabille。
\"Whatisit，youngman？IfIcananswerit-\"
\"Didyourmistresswearherhairinbands，thatevening？YouknowwhatImean-overherforehead？\"
\"No，youngman。Mymistressneverworeherhairinthewayyousuggest，neitheronthatdaynoronanyother。Shehadherhairdrawnup，asusual，sothatherbeautifulforeheadcouldbeseen，pureasthatofanunbornchild！\"
Rouletabillegruntedandsettoworkexaminingthedoor，findingthatitfasteneditselfautomatically。Hesatisfiedhimselfthatitcouldneverremainopenandneededakeytoopenit。Thenweenteredthevestibule，asmall，well-litroompavedwithsquareredtiles。
\"Ah！Thisisthewindowbywhichthemurdererescaped！\"saidRouletabille。
\"Sotheykeeponsaying，monsieur，sotheykeeponsaying！Butifhehadgoneoffthatway，weshouldhavebeensuretohaveseenhim。
Wearenotblind，neitherMonsieurStangersonnorme，northeconciergeswhoareinprison。Whyhavetheynotputmeinprison，too，onaccountofmyrevolver？\"
Rouletabillehadalreadyopenedthewindowandwasexaminingtheshutters。
\"Weretheseclosedatthetimeofthecrime？\"
\"Andfastenedwiththeironcatchinside，\"saidDaddyJacques，\"andIamquitesurethatthemurdererdidnotgetoutthatway。\"
\"Arethereanybloodstains？\"
\"Yes，onthestonesoutside；butbloodofwhat？\"
\"Ah！\"saidRouletabille，\"therearefootmarksvisibleonthepath-thegroundwasverymoist。Iwilllookintothatpresently。\"
\"Nonsense！\"interruptedDaddyJacques；\"themurdererdidnotgothatway。\"
\"Whichwaydidhego，then？\"
\"HowdoIknow？\"
Rouletabillelookedateverything，smelledeverything。Hewentdownonhiskneesandrapidlyexaminedeveryoneofthepavingtiles。
DaddyJacqueswenton：
\"Ah！-youcan\'tfindanything，monsieur。Nothinghasbeenfound。
Andnowitisalldirty；toomanypersonshavetrampedoverit。
Theywouldn\'tletmewashit，butonthedayofthecrimeIhadwashedthefloorthoroughly，andifthemurdererhadcrosseditwithhishobnailedboots，Ishouldnothavefailedtoseewherehehadbeen；hehasleftmarksenoughinMademoiselle\'schamber。\"
Rouletabillerose。
\"Whenwasthelasttimeyouwashedthesetiles？\"heasked，andhefixedonDaddyJacquesamostsearchinglook。
\"Why-asItoldyou-onthedayofthecrime，towardshalf-pastfive-whileMademoiselleandherfatherweretakingalittlewalkbeforedinner，hereinthisroom：theyhaddinedinthelaboratory。
Thenextday，theexaminingmagistratecameandsawallthemarkstherewereonthefloorasplainlyasiftheyhadbeenmadewithinkonwhitepaper。Well，neitherinthelaboratorynorinthevestibule，whichwerebothascleanasanewpin，werethereanytracesofaman\'sfootmarks。Sincetheyhavebeenfoundnearthiswindowoutside，hemusthavemadehiswaythroughtheceilingofTheYellowRoomintotheattic，thencuthiswaythroughtheroofanddroppedtothegroundoutsidethevestibulewindow。But-there\'snohole，neitherintheceilingofTheYellowRoomnorintheroofofmyattic-that\'sabsolutelycertain！Soyouseeweknownothing-nothing！Andnothingwilleverbeknown！It\'samysteryoftheDevil\'sownmaking。\"
Rouletabillewentdownuponhiskneesagainalmostinfrontofasmalllavatoryatthebackofthevestibule。Inthatpositionheremainedforaboutaminute。
\"Well？\"Iaskedhimwhenhegotup。
\"Oh！nothingveryimportant，-adropofblood，\"hereplied，turningtowardsDaddyJacquesashespoke。\"Whileyouwerewashingthelaboratoryandthisvestibule，wasthevestibulewindowopen？\"
heasked。
\"No，Monsieur，itwasclosed；butafterIhaddonewashingthefloor，IlitsomecharcoalforMonsieurinthelaboratoryfurnace，and，asIlititwitholdnewspapers，itsmoked，soIopenedboththewindowsinthelaboratoryandthisone，tomakeacurrentofair；thenIshutthoseinthelaboratoryandleftthisoneopenwhenIwentout。WhenIreturnedtothepavilion，thiswindowhadbeenclosedandMonsieurandMademoisellewerealreadyatworkinthelaboratory。\"
\"MonsieurorMademoiselleStangersonhad，nodoubt，shutit？\"
\"Nodoubt。\"
\"Youdidnotaskthem？\"
Afteraclosescrutinyofthelittlelavatoryandofthestaircaseleadinguptotheattic，Rouletabille-towhomweseemednolongertoexist-enteredthelaboratory。Ifollowedhim。Itwas，I
confess，inastateofgreatexcitement。RobertDarzaclostnoneofmyfriend\'smovements。Asforme，myeyesweredrawnatoncetothedoorofTheYellowRoom。Itwasclosedand，asIimmediatelysaw，partiallyshatteredandoutofcommission。
Myfriend，whowentabouthisworkmethodically，silentlystudiedtheroominwhichwewere。Itwaslargeandwell-lighted。Twobigwindows-almostbays-wereprotectedbystrongironbarsandlookedoutuponawideextentofcountry。Throughanopeningintheforest，theycommandedawonderfulviewthroughthelengthofthevalleyandacrosstheplaintothelargetownwhichcouldbeclearlyseeninfairweather。To-day，however，amisthungovertheground-andbloodinthatroom！
Thewholeofonesideofthelaboratorywastakenupwithalargechimney，crucibles，ovens，andsuchimplementsasareneededforchemicalexperiments；tables，loadedwithphials，papers，reports，anelectricalmachine，-anapparatus，asMonsieurDarzacinformedme，employedbyProfessorStangersontodemonstratetheDissociationofMatterundertheactionofsolarlight-andotherscientificimplements。
Alongthewallswerecabinets，plainorglass-fronted，throughwhichwerevisiblemicroscopes，specialphotographicapparatus，andalargequantityofcrystals。
Rouletabille，whowasferretinginthechimney，puthisfingersintooneofthecrucibles。Suddenlyhedrewhimselfup，andheldupapieceofhalf-consumedpaperinhishand。Hesteppeduptowhereweweretalkingbyoneofthewindows。
\"Keepthatforus，MonsieurDarzac，\"hesaid。
IbentoverthepieceofscorchedpaperwhichMonsieurDarzactookfromthehandofRouletabille，andreaddistinctlytheonlywordsthatremainedlegible：
\"Presbytery-lostnothing-charm，northegar-itsbrightness。\"
Twicesincethemorningthesesamemeaninglesswordshadstruckme，and，forthesecondtime，IsawthattheyproducedontheSorbonneprofessorthesameparalysingeffect。MonsieurDarzac\'sfirstanxietyshoweditselfwhenheturnedhiseyesinthedirectionofDaddyJacques。But，occupiedashewasatanotherwindow，hehadseennothing。Thentremblinglyopeninghispocket-bookheputthepieceofpaperintoit，sighing：\"MyGod！\"
Duringthistime，Rouletabillehadmountedintotheopeningofthefire-grate-thatistosay，hehadgotuponthebricksofafurnace-andwasattentivelyexaminingthechimney，whichgrewnarrowertowardsthetop，theoutletfromitbeingclosedwithsheetsofiron，fastenedintothebrickwork，throughwhichpassedthreesmallchimneys。
\"Impossibletogetoutthatway，\"hesaid，jumpingbackintothelaboratory。\"Besides，evenifhehadtriedtodoit，hewouldhavebroughtallthatironworkdowntotheground。No，no；itisnotonthatsidewehavetosearch。\"
Rouletabillenextexaminedthefurnitureandopenedthedoorsofthecabinet。Thenhecametothewindows，throughwhichhedeclarednoonecouldpossiblyhavepassed。AtthesecondwindowhefoundDaddyJacquesincontemplation。
\"Well，DaddyJacques，\"hesaid，\"whatareyoulookingat？\"
\"Thatpolicemanwhoisalwaysgoingroundandroundthelake。
Anotherofthosefellowswhothinktheycanseebetterthananybodyelse！\"
\"Youdon\'tknowFredericLarsan，DaddyJacques，oryouwouldn\'tspeakofhiminthatway，\"saidRouletabilleinamelancholytone。
\"Ifthereisanyonewhowillfindthemurderer，itwillbehe。\"
AndRouletabilleheavedadeepsigh。
\"Beforetheyfindhim，theywillhavetolearnhowtheylosthim，\"
saidDaddyJacques，stolidly。
AtlengthwereachedthedoorofTheYellowRoomitself。
\"Thereisthedoorbehindwhichsometerriblescenetookplace，\"
saidRouletabille，withasolemnitywhich，underanyothercircumstances，wouldhavebeencomical。
CHAPTERVII
InWhichRouletabilleSetsOutonanExpeditionUndertheBedRouletabillehavingpushedopenthedoorofTheYellowRoompausedonthethresholdsaying，withanemotionwhichIonlylaterunderstood，\"Ah，theperfumeoftheladyinblack！\"
Thechamberwasdark。DaddyJacqueswasabouttoopentheblindswhenRouletabillestoppedhim。
\"Didnotthetragedytakeplaceincompletedarkness？\"heasked。
\"No，youngman，Idon\'tthinkso。Mademoisellealwayshadanightlightonhertable，andIlititeveryeveningbeforeshewenttobed。Iwasasortofchambermaid，youmustunderstand，whentheeveningcame。Therealchambermaiddidnotcomeheremuchbeforethemorning。Mademoiselleworkedlate-farintothenight。\"
\"Wheredidthetablewiththenight-lightstand，-farfromthebed？\"
\"Somewayfromthebed。\"
\"Canyoulighttheburnernow？\"
\"Thelampisbrokenandtheoilthatwasinitwasspilledwhenthetablewasupset。Alltherestofthethingsintheroomremainjustastheywere。Ihaveonlytoopentheblindsforyoutosee。\"
\"Wait。\"
Rouletabillewentbackintothelaboratory，closedtheshuttersofthetwowindowsandthedoorofthevestibule。
Whenwewereincompletedarkness，helitawaxvesta，andaskedDaddyJacquestomovetothemiddleofthechamberwithittotheplacewherethenight-lightwasburningthatnight。
DaddyJacqueswhowasinhisstockings-heusuallylefthissabotsinthevestibule-enteredTheYellowRoomwithhisbitofavesta。
Wevaguelydistinguishedobjectsoverthrownonthefloor，abedinonecorner，and，infrontofus，totheleft，thegleamofalooking-glasshangingonthewall，neartothebed。
\"Thatwilldo！-youmaynowopentheblinds，\"saidRouletabille。
\"Don\'tcomeanyfurther，\"DaddyJacquesbegged，\"youmaymakemarkswithyourboots，andnothingmustbederanged；it\'sanideaofthemagistrate\'s-thoughhehasnothingmoretodohere。\"
Andhepushedopentheshutter。Thepaledaylightenteredfromwithout，throwingasinisterlightonthesaffron-colouredwalls。
Thefloor-forthoughthelaboratoryandthevestibuleweretiled，TheYellowRoomhadaflooringofwood-wascoveredwithasingleyellowmatwhichwaslargeenoughtocovernearlythewholeroom，underthebedandunderthedressing-table-theonlypieceoffurniturethatremainedupright。Thecentreroundtable，thenight-tableandtwochairshadbeenoverturned。Thesedidnotpreventalargestainofbloodbeingvisibleonthemat，made，asDaddyJacquesinformedus，bythebloodwhichhadflowedfromthewoundonMademoiselleStangerson\'sforehead。Besidesthesestains，dropsofbloodhadfalleninalldirections，inlinewiththevisibletracesofthefootsteps-largeandblack-ofthemurderer。
Everythingledtothepresumptionthatthesedropsofbloodhadfallenfromthewoundofthemanwhohad，foramoment，placedhisredhandonthewall。Therewereothertracesofthesamehandonthewall，butmuchlessdistinct。
\"See！-seethisbloodonthewall！\"Icouldnothelpexclaiming。
\"Themanwhopressedhishandsoheavilyuponitinthedarknessmustcertainlyhavethoughtthathewaspushingatadoor！That\'swhyhepressedonitsohard，leavingontheyellowpapertheterribleevidence。Idon\'tthinktherearemanyhandsintheworldofthatsort。Itisbigandstrongandthefingersarenearlyalloneaslongastheother！Thethumbiswantingandwehaveonlythemarkofthepalm；butifwefollowthetraceofthehand，\"I
continued，\"weseethat，afterleavingitsimprintonthewall，thetouchsoughtthedoor，foundit，andthenfeltforthelock-\"
\"Nodoubt，\"interruptedRouletabille，chuckling，-\"onlythereisnoblood，eitheronthelockoronthebolt！\"
\"Whatdoesthatprove？\"IrejoinedwithagoodsenseofwhichIwasproud；\"hemighthaveopenedthelockwithhislefthand，whichwouldhavebeenquitenatural，hisrighthandbeingwounded。\"
\"Hedidn\'topenitatall！\"DaddyJacquesagainexclaimed。\"Wearenotfools；andtherewerefourofuswhenweburstopenthedoor！\"
\"Whataqueerhand！-Lookwhataqueerhanditis！\"Isaid。
\"Itisavery\'naturalhand，\"saidRouletabille，\"ofwhichtheshapehasbeendeformedbyitshavingslippedonthewall。Themandriedhishandonthewall。Hemustbeamanaboutfivefeeteightinheight。\"
\"Howdoyoucomeatthat？\"
\"Bytheheightofthemarksonthewall。\"
Myfriendnextoccupiedhimselfwiththemarkofthebulletinthewall。Itwasaroundhole。
\"Thisballwasfiredstraight，notfromabove，andconsequently，notfrombelow。\"
Rouletabillewentbacktothedoorandcarefullyexaminedthelockandthebolt，satisfyinghimselfthatthedoorhadcertainlybeenburstopenfromtheoutside，and，further，thatthekeyhadbeenfoundinthelockontheinsideofthechamber。Hefinallysatisfiedhimselfthatwiththekeyinthelock，thedoorcouldnotpossiblybeopenedfromwithoutwithanotherkey。Havingmadesureofallthesedetails，heletfallthesewords：\"That\'sbetter！\"-
Thensittingdownontheground，hehastilytookoffhisbootsand，inhissocks，wentintotheroom。
Thefirstthinghedidwastoexamineminutelytheoverturnedfurniture。Wewatchedhiminsilence。
\"Youngfellow，youaregivingyourselfagreatdealoftrouble，\"
saidDaddyJacquesironically。
Rouletabilleraisedhisheadandsaid：
\"Youhavespokenthesimpletruth，DaddyJacques；yourmistressdidnothaveherhairinbandsthatevening。Iwasadonkeytohavebelievedshedid。\"
Then，withthesupplenessofaserpent，heslippedunderthebed。
Presentlyweheardhimask：
\"Atwhattime，MonsieurJacques，didMonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonarriveatthelaboratory？\"
\"Atsixo\'clock。\"
ThevoiceofRouletabillecontinued：
\"Yes，-he\'sbeenunderhere，-that\'scertain；infact，therewasnowhereelsewherehecouldhavehiddenhimself。Here，too，arethemarksofhishobnails。Whenyouentered-allfourofyou-didyoulookunderthebed？\"
\"Atonce，-wedrewitrightoutofitsplace-\"
\"Andbetweenthemattresses？\"
\"Therewasonlyoneonthebed，andonthatMademoisellewasplaced；
andMonsieurStangersonandtheconciergeimmediatelycarrieditintothelaboratory。Underthemattresstherewasnothingbutthemetalnetting，whichcouldnotconcealanythingoranybody。
Remember，monsieur，thattherewerefourofusandwecouldn\'tfailtoseeeverything-thechamberissosmallandscantilyfurnished，andallwaslockedbehindinthepavilion。\"
Iventuredonahypothesis：
\"Perhapshegotawaywiththemattress-inthemattress！-Anythingispossible，inthefaceofsuchamystery！IntheirdistressofmindMonsieurStangersonandtheconciergemaynothavenoticedtheywerebearingadoubleweight；especiallyiftheconciergewereanaccomplice！Ithrowoutthishypothesisforwhatitisworth，butitexplainsmanythings，-andparticularlythefactthatneitherthelaboratorynorthevestibulebearanytracesofthefootmarksfoundintheroom。If，incarryingMademoiselleonthemattressfromthelaboratoryofthechateau，theyrestedforamoment，theremighthavebeenanopportunityforthemaninittoescape。
\"Andthen？\"askedRouletabille，deliberatelylaughingunderthebed。
Ifeltrathervexedandreplied：
\"Idon\'tknow，-butanythingappearspossible\"-
\"Theexaminingmagistratehadthesameidea，monsieur，\"saidDaddyJacques，\"andhecarefullyexaminedthemattress。Hewasobligedtolaughattheidea，monsieur，asyourfriendisdoingnow，-forwhoeverheardofamattresshavingadoublebottom？\"
Iwasmyselfobligedtolaugh，onseeingthatwhatIhadsaidwasabsurd；butinanaffairlikethisonehardlyknowswhereanabsurditybeginsorends。
Myfriendaloneseemedabletotalkintelligently。Hecalledoutfromunderthebed。
\"Thematherehasbeenmovedoutofplace，-whodidit？\"
\"Wedid，monsieur，\"explainedDaddyJacques。\"Whenwecouldnotfindtheassassin，weaskedourselveswhethertherewasnotsomeholeinthefloor-\"
\"Thereisnot，\"repliedRouletabille。\"Isthereacellar？\"
\"No，there\'snocellar。Butthathasnotstoppedoursearching，andhasnotpreventedtheexaminingmagistrateandhisRegistrarfromstudyingthefloorplankbyplank，asiftherehadbeenacellarunderit。\"
Thereporterthenreappeared。Hiseyesweresparklingandhisnostrilsquivered。Heremainedonhishandsandknees。Hecouldnotbebetterlikenedthantoanadmirablesportingdogonthescentofsomeunusualgame。And，indeed，hewasscentingthestepsofaman，-themanwhomhehassworntoreporttohismaster，themanagerofthe\"Epoque。\"ItmustnotbeforgottenthatRouletabillewasfirstandlastajournalist。
Thus，onhishandsandknees，hemadehiswaytothefourcornersoftheroom，sotospeak，sniffingandgoingroundeverything-everythingthatwecouldsee，whichwasnotmuch，andeverythingthatwecouldnotsee，whichmusthavebeeninfinite。
Thetoilettetablewasasimpletablestandingonfourlegs；therewasnothingaboutitbywhichitcouldpossiblybechangedintoatemporaryhiding-place。Therewasnotaclosetorcupboard。
MademoiselleStangersonkeptherwardrobeatthechateau。
Rouletabilleliterallypassedhisnoseandhandsalongthewalls，constructedofsolidbrickwork。Whenhehadfinishedwiththewalls，andpassedhisagilefingersovereveryportionoftheyellowpapercoveringthem，hereachedtotheceiling，whichhewasabletotouchbymountingonachairplacedonthetoilettetable，andbymovingthisingeniouslyconstructedstagefromplacetoplaceheexaminedeveryfootofit。Whenhehadfinishedhisscrutinyoftheceiling，wherehecarefullyexaminedtheholemadebythesecondbullet，heapproachedthewindow，and，oncemore，examinedtheironbarsandblinds，allofwhichweresolidandintact。Atlast，hegaveagruntofsatisfactionanddeclared\"NowIamatease！\"
\"Well，-doyoubelievethatthepoordearyoungladywasshutupwhenshewasbeingmurdered-whenshecriedoutforhelp？\"wailedDaddyJacques。
\"Yes，\"saidtheyoungreporter，dryinghisforehead，\"TheYellowRoomwasastightlyshutasanironsafe。\"
\"That，\"Isaid，\"iswhythismysteryisthemostsurprisingIknow。
EdgarAllanPoe，in\'TheMurdersintheRueMorgue，\'inventednothinglikeit。Theplaceofthatcrimewassufficientlyclosedtopreventtheescapeofaman；buttherewasthatwindowthroughwhichthemonkey，theperpetratorofthemurder，couldslipaway！
Buthere，therecanbenoquestionofanopeningofanysort。Thedoorwasfastened，andthroughthewindowblinds，secureastheywere，notevenaflycouldenterorgetout。\"
\"True，true，\"assentedRouletabilleashekeptondryinghisforehead，whichseemedtobeperspiringlessfromhisrecentbodilyexertionthanfromhismentalagitation。\"Indeed，it\'sagreat，abeautiful，andaverycuriousmystery。\"
\"TheBetedubonDieu，\"mutteredDaddyJacques，\"theBetedubonDieuherself，ifshehadcommittedthecrime，couldnothaveescaped。
Listen！Doyouhearit？Hush！\"
DaddyJacquesmadeusasigntokeepquietand，stretchinghisarmtowardsthewailnearesttheforest，listenedtosomethingwhichwecouldnothear。
\"It\'sanswering，\"hesaidatlength。\"Imustkillit。Itistoowicked，butit\'stheBetedubonDieu，and，everynight，itgoestoprayonthetombofSainte-Genevieveandnobodydarestotouchher，forfearthatMotherAngenouxshouldcastanevilspellonthem。\"
\"HowbigistheBetedubonDieu？\"
\"Nearlyasbigasasmallretriever，-amonster，Itellyou。Ah！-
IhaveaskedmyselfmorethanoncewhetheritwasnotherthattookourpoorMademoisellebythethroatwithherclaws。ButtheBetedubonDieudoesnotwearhobnailedboots，norfirerevolvers，norhassheahandlikethat！\"exclaimedDaddyJacques，againpointingouttoustheredmarkonthewall。\"Besides，weshouldhaveseenheraswellaswewouldhaveseenaman-\"
\"Evidently，\"Isaid。\"BeforewehadseenthisYellowRoom，IhadalsoaskedmyselfwhetherthecatofMotherAngenoux-\"
\"Youalso！\"criedRouletabille。
\"Didn\'tyou？\"Iasked。
\"Notforamoment。Afterreadingthearticleinthe\'Matin，\'Iknewthatacathadnothingtodowiththematter。ButIswearnowthatafrightfultragedyhasbeenenactedhere。YousaynothingabouttheBasquecap，orthehandkerchief，foundhere，DaddyJacques？\"
\"Ofcourse，themagistratehastakenthem，\"theoldmananswered，hesitatingly。
\"Ihaven\'tseeneitherthehandkerchieforthecap，yetIcantellyouhowtheyaremade，\"thereportersaidtohimgravely。
\"Oh，youareveryclever，\"saidDaddyJacques，coughingandembarrassed。
\"Thehandkerchiefisalargeone，bluewithredstripesandthecapisanoldBasquecap，liketheoneyouarewearingnow。\"
\"Youareawizard！\"saidDaddyJacques，tryingtolaughandnotquitesucceeding。\"Howdoyouknowthatthehandkerchiefisbluewithredstripes？\"
\"Because，ifithadnotbeenbluewithredstripes，itwouldnothavebeenfoundatall。\"
WithoutgivinganyfurtherattentiontoDaddyJacques，myfriendtookapieceofpaperfromhispocket，andtakingoutapairofscissors，bentoverthefootprints。Placingthepaperoveroneofthemhebegantocut。Inashorttimehehadmadeaperfectpatternwhichhehandedtome，beggingmenottoloseit。
Hethenreturnedtothewindowand，pointingtothefigureofFredericLarsan，whohadnotquittedthesideofthelake，askedDaddyJacqueswhetherthedetectivehad，likehimself，beenworkinginTheYellowRoom？
\"No，\"repliedRobertDarzac，who，sinceRouletabillehadhandedhimthepieceofscorchedpaper，hadnotutteredaword，\"HepretendsthathedoesnotneedtoexamineTheYellowRoom。Hesaysthatthemurderermadehisescapefromitinquiteanaturalway，andthathewill，thisevening，explainhowhedidit。\"
AshelistenedtowhatMonsieurDarzachadtosay，Rouletabilleturnedpale。
\"HasFredericLarsanfoundoutthetruth，whichIcanonlyguessat？\"hemurmured。\"Heisveryclever-veryclever-andIadmirehim。Butwhatwehavetodoto-dayissomethingmorethantheworkofapoliceman，somethingquitedifferentfromtheteachingsofexperience。Wehavetotakeholdofourreasonbytherightend。\"
Thereporterrushedintotheopenair，agitatedbythethoughtthatthegreatandfamousFredmightanticipatehiminthesolutionoftheproblemofTheYellowRoom。
Imanagedtoreachhimonthethresholdofthepavilion。\"Calmyourself，mydearfellow，\"Isaid。\"Aren\'tyousatisfied？\"
\"Yes，\"heconfessedtome，withadeepsigh。\"Iamquitesatisfied。
Ihavediscoveredmanythings。\"
\"Moralormaterial？\"
\"Severalmoral，-onematerial。This，forexample。\"
Andrapidlyhedrewfromhiswaistcoatpocketapieceofpaperinwhichhehadplacedalight-colouredhairfromawoman\'shead。
CHAPTERVIII
TheExaminingMagistrateQuestionsMademoiselleStangersonTwominuteslater，asRouletabillewasbendingoverthefootprintsdiscoveredinthepark，underthewindowofthevestibule，aman，evidentlyaservantatthechateau，cametowardsusrapidlyandcalledouttoMonsieurDarzacthencomingoutofthepavilion：
\"MonsieurRobert，themagistrate，youknow，isquestioningMademoiselle。\"
MonsieurDarzacutteredamutteredexcusetousandsetoffrunningtowardsthechateau，themanrunningafterhim。
\"Ifthecorpsecanspeak，\"Isaid，\"itwouldbeinterestingtobethere。\"
\"Wemustknow，\"saidmyfriend。\"Let\'sgotothechateau。\"Andhedrewmewithhim。But，atthechateau，agendarmeplacedinthevestibuledeniedusadmissionupthestaircaseofthefirstfloor。
Wewereobligedtowaitdownstairs。
Thisiswhatpassedinthechamberofthevictimwhilewewerewaitingbelow。
Thefamilydoctor，findingthatMademoiselleStangersonwasmuchbetter，butfearingarelapsewhichwouldnolongerpermitofherbeingquestioned，hadthoughtithisdutytoinformtheexaminingmagistrateofthis，whodecidedtoproceedimmediatelywithabriefexamination。Atthisexamination，theRegistrar，MonsieurStangerson，andthedoctorwerepresent。Later，Iobtainedthetextofthereportoftheexamination，andIgiveithere，inallitslegaldryness：
\"Question。Areyouable，mademoiselle，withouttoomuchfatiguingyourself，togivesomenecessarydetailsofthefrightfulattackofwhichyouhavebeenthevictim？
\"Answer。Ifeelmuchbetter，monsieur，andIwilltellyouallI
know。WhenIenteredmychamberIdidnotnoticeanythingunusualthere。
\"Q。Excuseme，mademoiselle，-ifyouwillallowme，Iwillaskyousomequestionsandyouwillanswerthem。Thatwillfatigueyoulessthanmakingalongrecital。
\"A。Doso，monsieur。
\"Q。Whatdidyoudoonthatday？-Iwantyoutobeasminuteandpreciseaspossible。Iwishtoknowallyoudidthatday，ifitisnotaskingtoomuchofyou。
\"A。Iroselate，atteno\'clock，formyfatherandIhadreturnedhomelateonthenightpreviously，havingbeentodinneratthereceptiongivenbythePresidentoftheRepublic，inhonouroftheAcademyofScienceofPhiladelphia。WhenIleftmychamber，athalf-pastten，myfatherwasalreadyatworkinthelaboratory。Weworkedtogethertillmidday。Wethentookhalf-an-hour\'swalkinthepark，aswewereaccustomedtodo，beforebreakfastingatthechateau。Afterbreakfast，wetookanotherwalkforhalfanhour，andthenreturnedtothelaboratory。Therewefoundmychambermaid，whohadcometosetmyroominorder。IwentintoTheYellowRoomtogivehersomeslightordersandshedirectlyafterwardsleftthepavilion，andIresumedmyworkwithmyfather。Atfiveo\'clock，weagainwentforawalkintheparkandafterwardhadtea。
\"Q。Beforeleavingthepavilionatfiveo\'clock，didyougointoyourchamber？
\"A。No，monsieur，myfatherwentintoit，atmyrequesttobringmemyhat。
\"Q。Andhefoundnothingsuspiciousthere？
\"A。Evidentlyno，monsieur。
\"0。Itis，then，almostcertainthatthemurdererwasnotyetconcealedunderthebed。Whenyouwentout，wasthedooroftheroomlocked？
\"A。No，therewasnoreasonforlockingit。
\"Q。Youwereabsentfromthepavilionsomelengthoftime，MonsieurStangersonandyou？
\"A。Aboutanhour。
\"Q。Itwasduringthathour，nodoubt，thatthemurderergotintothepavilion。Buthow？Nobodyknows。Footmarkshavebeenfoundinthepark，leadingawayfromthewindowofthevestibule，butnonehasbeenfoundgoingtowardsit。Didyounoticewhetherthevestibulewindowwasopenwhenyouwentout？
\"A。Idon\'tremember。
\"MonsieurStangerson。Itwasclosed。
\"Q。Andwhenyoureturned？
\"MademoiselleStangerson。Ididnotnotice。
\"M。Stangerson。Itwasstillclosed。Irememberremarkingaloud：
\'DaddyJacquesmustsurelyhaveopeneditwhilewewereaway。\'
\"Q。Strange！-Doyourecollect，MonsieurStangerson，ifduringyourabsence，andbeforegoingout，hehadopenedit？Youreturnedtothelaboratoryatsixo\'clockandresumedwork？
\"MademoiselleStangerson。Yes，monsieur。
\"Q。Andyoudidnotleavethelaboratoryfromthathouruptothemomentwhenyouenteredyourchamber？
\"M。Stangerson。NeithermydaughternorI，monsieur。Wewereengagedonworkthatwaspressing，andwelostnotamoment，-neglectingeverythingelseonthataccount。
\"Q。Didyoudineinthelaboratory？
\"A。Forthatreason。
\"Q。Areyouaccustomedtodineinthelaboratory？
\"A。Werarelydinethere。
\"Q。Couldthemurdererhaveknownthatyouwoulddinetherethatevening？
\"M。Stangerson。GoodHeavens！-Ithinknot。Itwasonlywhenwereturnedtothepavilionatsixo\'clock，thatwedecided，mydaughterandI，todinethere。AtthatmomentIwasspokentobymygamekeeper，whodetainedmeamoment，toaskmetoaccompanyhimonanurgenttourofinspectioninapartofthewoodswhichI
haddecidedtothin。Iputthisoffuntilthenextday，andbeggedhim，ashewasgoingbythechateau，totellthestewardthatweshoulddineinthelaboratory。Heleftme，toexecutetheerrandandIrejoinedmydaughter，whowasalreadyatwork。
\"Q。Atwhathour，mademoiselle，didyougotoyourchamberwhileyourfathercontinuedtoworkthere？
\"A。Atmidnight。
\"Q。DidDaddyJacquesenterTheYellowRoominthecourseoftheevening？
\"A。Toshuttheblindsandlightthenight-light。
\"Q。Hesawnothingsuspicious？
\"A。Hewouldhavetoldusifhehadseen。DaddyJacquesisanhonestmanandveryattachedtome。
\"Q。Youaffirm，MonsieurStangerson，thatDaddyJacquesremainedwithyouallthetimeyouwereinthelaboratory？
\"M。Stangerson。Iamsureofit。Ihavenodoubtofthat。
\"Q。Whenyouenteredyourchamber，mademoiselle，youimmediatelyshutthedoorandlockedandboltedit？Thatwastakingunusualprecautions，knowingthatyourfatherandyourservantwerethere？
Wereyouinfearofsomething，then？
\"A。MyfatherwouldbereturningtothechateauandDaddyJacqueswouldbegoingtohisbed。And，infact，Ididfearsomething。
\"Q。YouweresomuchinfearofsomethingthatyouborrowedDaddyJacques\'srevolverwithouttellinghimyouhaddoneso？
\"A。Thatistrue。Ididnotwishtoalarmanybody，-themore，becausemyfearsmighthaveprovedtohavebeenfoolish。
\"Q。Whatwasityoufeared？
\"A。Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou。Forseveralnights，Iseemedtohear，bothintheparkandoutofthepark，roundthepavilion，unusualsounds，sometimesfootsteps，atothertimesthecrackingofbranches。Thenightbeforetheattackonme，whenIdidnotgettobedbeforethreeo\'clockinthemorning，onourreturnfromtheElysee，Istoodforamomentbeforemywindow，andIfeltsureIsawshadows。
\"Q。Howmany？
\"A。Two。Theymovedroundthelake，-thenthemoonbecamecloudedandIlostsightofthem。Atthistimeoftheseason，everyyear，I
havegenerallyreturnedtomyapartmentinthechateauforthewinter；butthisyearIsaidtomyselfthatIwouldnotquitthepavilionbeforemyfatherhadfinishedtheresumeofhisworksonthe\'DissociationofMatter\'fortheAcademy。Ididnotwishthatthatimportantwork，whichwastohavebeenfinishedinthecourseofafewdays，shouldbedelayedbyachangeinourdailyhabit。
YoucanwellunderstandthatIdidnotwishtospeakofmychildishfearstomyfather，nordidIsayanythingtoDaddyJacqueswho，I
knew，wouldnothavebeenabletoholdhistongue。Knowingthathehadarevolverinhisroom，Itookadvantageofhisabsenceandborrowedit，placingitinthedrawerofmynight-table。
\"Q。Youknowofnoenemiesyouhave？
\"A。None。
\"Q。Youunderstand，mademoiselle，thattheseprecautionsarecalculatedtocausesurprise？
\"M。Stangerson。Evidently，mychild，suchprecautionsareverysurprising。
\"A。No；-becauseIhavetoldyouthatIhadbeenuneasyfortwonights。
\"M。Stangerson。Yououghttohavetoldmeofthat！Thismisfortunewouldhavebeenavoided。
\"Q。ThedoorofTheYellowRoomlocked，didyougotobed？
\"A。Yes，and，beingverytired，Iatoncewenttosleep。
\"Q。Thenight-lightwasstillburning？
\"A。Yes，butitgaveaveryfeeblelight。
\"Q。Then，mademoiselle，telluswhathappened。
\"A。IdonotknowwhetherIhadbeenlongasleep，butsuddenlyI
awoke-andutteredaloudcry。
\"M。Stangerson。Yes-ahorriblecry-\'Murder！\'-Itstillringsinmyears。
\"Q。Youutteredaloudcry？
\"A。Amanwasinmychamber。Hesprangatmeandtriedtostrangleme。IwasnearlystifledwhensuddenlyIwasabletoreachthedrawerofmynight-tableandgrasptherevolverwhichIhadplacedinit。Atthatmomentthemanhadforcedmetothefootofmybedandbrandishedinovermyheadasortofmace。ButIhadfired。Heimmediatelystruckaterribleblowatmyhead。
Allthat，monsieur，passedmorerapidlythanIcantellit，andIknownothingmore。
\"Q。Nothing？-Haveyounoideaastohowtheassassincouldescapefromyourchamber？
\"A。Nonewhatever-Iknownothingmore。Onedoesnotknowwhatispassingaroundone，whenoneisunconscious。
\"Q。Wasthemanyousawtallorshort，littleorbig？
\"A。Ionlysawashadowwhichappearedtomeformidable。
\"Q。Youcannotgiveusanyindication？
\"A。Iknownothingmore，monsieur，thanthatamanthrewhimselfuponmeandthatIfiredathim。Iknownothingmore。\"
HeretheinterrogationofMademoiselleStangersonconcluded。
RouletabillewaitedpatientlyforMonsieurRobertDarzac，whosoonappeared。
>FromaroomnearthechamberofMademoiselleStangerson，hehadheardtheinterrogatoryandnowcametorecountittomyfriendwithgreatexactitude，aidedbyanexcellentmemory。Hisdocilitystillsurprisedme。Thankstohastypencil-notes，hewasabletoreproduce，almosttextually，thequestionsandtheanswersgiven。
ItlookedasifMonsieurDarzacwerebeingemployedasthesecretaryofmyyoungfriendandactedasifhecouldrefusehimnothing；nay，more，asifunderacompulsiontodoso。
Thefactoftheclosedwindowstruckthereporterasithadstruckthemagistrate。RouletabilleaskedDarzactorepeatoncemoreMademoiselleStangerson\'saccountofhowsheandherfatherhadspenttheirtimeonthedayofthetragedy，asshehadstatedittothemagistrate。Thecircumstanceofthedinnerinthelaboratoryseemedtointeresthiminthehighestdegree；andhehaditrepeatedtohimthreetimes。Healsowantedtobesurethattheforest-keeperknewthattheprofessorandhisdaughterweregoingtodineinthelaboratory，andhowhehadcometoknowit。
WhenMonsieurDarzachadfinished，Isaid：\"Theexaminationhasnotadvancedtheproblemmuch。\"
\"Ithasputitback，\"saidMonsieurDarzac。
\"Ithasthrownlightuponit，\"saidRouletabille，thoughtfully。