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。
　　___________________________________________________
　　ditch
　　________________________________________________
　　enclosingwall
　　___1d
　　bedi
　　PARK___________t
　　：：：：：4c
　　：：5：：2h
　　oooo：：：：____
　　Tracesoo
　　ofoooooo
　　Footsteps
　　3_________________________
　　6ditch____________________________________
　　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。