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。