CHAPTERIX
　　ReporterandDetectiveThethreeofuswentbacktowardsthepavilion。Atsomedistancefromthebuildingthereportermadeusstopand，pointingtoasmallclumpoftreestotherightofus，said：
　　"That'swherethemurderercamefromtogetintothepavilion。"
　　Astherewereotherpatchesoftreesofthesamesortbetweenthegreatoaks，Iaskedwhythemurdererhadchosenthatone，ratherthananyoftheothers。Rouletabilleansweredmebypointingtothepathwhichranquiteclosetothethickettothedoorofthepavilion。
　　"Thatpathisasyousee，toppedwithgravel，"hesaid；"themanmusthavepassedalongitgoingtothepavilion，sincenotracesofhisstepshavebeenfoundonthesoftground。Themandidn'thavewings；hewalked；buthewalkedonthegravelwhichleftnoimpressionofhistread。Thegravelhas，infact，beentroddenbymanyotherfeet，sincethepathisthemostdirectwaybetweenthepavilionandthechateau。Astothethicket，madeofthesortofshrubsthatdon'tflourishintheroughseason-laurelsandfuchsias-itofferedthemurdererasufficienthiding-placeuntilitwastimeforhimtomakehiswaytothepavilion。ItwaswhilehidinginthatclumpoftreesthathesawMonsieurandMademoiselleStangerson，andthenDaddyJacques，leavethepavilion。Gravelhasbeenspreadnearly，verynearly，uptothewindowsofthepavilion。
　　Thefootprintsofaman，parallelwiththewall-markswhichwewillexaminepresently，andwhichIhavealreadyseen-provethatheonlyneededtomakeonestridetofindhimselfinfrontofthevestibulewindow，leftopenbyDaddyJacques。Themandrewhimselfupbyhishandsandenteredthevestibule。"
　　"Afterallitisverypossible，"Isaid。
　　"Afterallwhat？Afterallwhat？"criedRouletabille。
　　Ibeggedofhimnottobeangry；buthewastoomuchirritatedtolistentomeanddeclared，ironically，thatheadmiredtheprudentdoubtwithwhichcertainpeopleapproachedthemostsimpleproblems，riskingnothingbysaying"thatisso，or'thatisnotso。"Theirintelligencewouldhaveproducedaboutthesameresultifnaturehadforgottentofurnishtheirbrain-panwithalittlegreymatter。
　　AsIappearedvexed，myyoungfriendtookmebythearmandadmittedthathehadnotmeantthatforme；hethoughtmoreofmethanthat。
　　"IfIdidnotreasonasIdoinregardtothisgravel，"hewenton，"Ishouldhavetoassumeaballoon！-Mydearfellow，thescienceoftheaerostationofdirigibleballoonsisnotyetdevelopedenoughformetoconsideritandsupposethatamurdererwoulddropfromtheclouds！Sodon'tsayathingispossible，whenitcouldnotbeotherwise。Weknownowhowthemanenteredbythewindow，andwealsoknowthemomentatwhichheentered，-duringthefiveo'clockwalkoftheprofessorandhisdaughter。Thefactofthepresenceofthechambermaid-whohadcometocleanupTheYellowRoom-inthelaboratory，whenMonsieurStangersonandhisdaughterreturnedfromtheirwalk，athalf-pastone，permitsustoaffirmthatathalf-pastonethemurdererwasnotinthechamberunderthebed，unlesshewasincollusionwiththechambermaid。Whatdoyousay，MonsieurDarzac？
　　MonsieurDarzacshookhisheadandsaidhewassureofthechambermaid'sfidelity，andthatshewasathoroughlyhonestanddevotedservant。
　　"Besides，"headded，"atfiveo'clockMonsieurStangersonwentintotheroomtofetchhisdaughter'shat"
　　"Thereisthatalso，"saidRouletabille。
　　"Thatthemanenteredbythewindowatthetimeyousay，Iadmit，"
　　Isaid；"butwhydidheshutthewindow？Itwasanactwhichwouldnecessarilydrawtheattentionofthosewhohadleftitopen"
　　"Itmaybethewindowwasnotshutatonce，"repliedtheyoungreporter。"Butifhedidshutthewindow，itwasbecauseofthebendinthegravelpath，adozenyardsfromthepavilion，andonaccountofthethreeoaksthataregrowingatthatspot。"
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbythat？"askedMonsieurDarzac，whohadfollowedusandlistenedwithalmostbreathlessattentiontoallthatRouletabillehadsaid。
　　"I'llexplainalltoyoulateron，Monsieur，whenIthinkthemomenttoberipefordoingso；butIdon'tthinkIhaveanythingofmoreimportancetosayonthisaffair，ifmyhypothesisisjustified"
　　"Andwhatisyourhypothesis？"
　　"Youwillneverknowifitdoesnotturnouttobethetruth。Itisofmuchtoograveanaturetospeakofit，solongasitcontinuestobeonlyahypothesis。"
　　"Haveyou，atleast，someideaastowhothemurdereris？"
　　"No，monsieur，Idon'tknowwhothemurdereris；butdon'tbeafraid，MonsieurRobertDarzac-Ishallknow。"
　　IcouldnotbutobservethatMonsieurDarzacwasdeeplymoved；andIsuspectedthatRouletabille'sconfidentassertionwasnotpleasingtohim。Why，Iaskedmyself，ifhewasreallyafraidthatthemurderershouldbediscovered，washehelpingthereportertofindhim？Myyoungfriendseemedtohavereceivedthesameimpression，forhesaid，bluntly：
　　"MonsieurDarzac，don'tyouwantmetofindoutwhothemurdererwas？"
　　"Oh！-Ishouldliketokillhimwithmyownhand！"criedMademoiselleStangerson'sfiance，withavehemencethatamazedme。
　　"Ibelieveyou，"saidRouletabillegravely；"butyouhavenotansweredmyquestion。"
　　Wewerepassingbythethicket，ofwhichtheyoungreporterhadspokentousaminutebefore。Ientereditandpointedoutevidenttracesofamanwhohadbeenhiddenthere。Rouletabille，oncemore，wasright。
　　"Yes，yes！"hesaid。"Wehavetodowithathingoffleshandblood，whousesthesamemeansthatwedo。It'llallcomeoutonthoselines。"
　　Havingsaidthis，heaskedmeforthepaperpatternofthefootprintwhichhehadgivenmetotakecareof，andappliedittoaveryclearfootmarkbehindthethicket。"Aha！"hesaid，rising。
　　Ithoughthewasnowgoingtotracebackthetrackofthemurderer'sfootmarkstothevestibulewindow；butheledusinstead，fartotheleft，sayingthatitwasuselessferretinginthemud，andthathewassure，now，oftheroadtakenbythemurderer。
　　"Hewentalongthewalltothehedgeanddryditch，overwhichhejumped。See，justinfrontofthelittlepathleadingtothelake，thatwashisnearestwaytogetout。"
　　"Howdoyouknowhewenttothelake？"-
　　"BecauseFredericLarsanhasnotquittedthebordersofitsincethismorning。Theremustbesomeimportantmarksthere。"
　　Afewminuteslaterwereachedthelake。
　　Itwasalittlesheetofmarshywater，surroundedbyreeds，onwhichfloatedsomedeadwater-lilyleaves。ThegreatFredmayhaveseenusapproaching，butweprobablyinterestedhimverylittle，forhetookhardlyanynoticeofusandcontinuedtobestirringwithhiscanesomethingwhichwecouldnotsee。
　　"Look！"saidRouletabille，"hereagainarethefootmarksoftheescapingman；theyskirtthelakehereandfinallydisappearjustbeforethispath，whichleadstothehighroadtoEpinay。ThemancontinuedhisflighttoParis。"
　　"Whatmakesyouthinkthat？"Iasked，"sincethesefootmarksarenotcontinuedonthepath？"
　　"Whatmakesmethinkthat？-Whythesefootprints，whichIexpectedtofind！"hecried，pointingtothesharplyoutlinedimprintofaneatboot。"See！"-andhecalledtoFredericLarsan。
　　"MonsieurFred，theseneatfootprintsseemtohavebeenmadesincethediscoveryofthecrime。"
　　"Yes，youngman，yes，theyhavebeencarefullymade，"repliedFredwithoutraisinghishead。"Yousee，therearestepsthatcome，andstepsthatgoback。"
　　"Andthemanhadabicycle！"criedthereporter。
　　Here，afterlookingatthemarksofthebicycle，whichfollowed，goingandcoming，theneatfootprints，IthoughtImightintervene。
　　"Thebicycleexplainsthedisappearanceofthemurderer'sbigfoot-prints，"Isaid。"Themurderer，withhisroughboots，mountedabicycle。Hisaccomplice，theweareroftheneatboots，hadcometowaitforhimontheedgeofthelakewiththebicycle。Itmightbesupposedthatthemurdererwasworkingfortheother。"
　　"No，no！"repliedRouletabillewithastrangesmile。"Ihaveexpectedtofindthesefootmarksfromtheverybeginning。Thesearenotthefootmarksofthemurderer！"
　　"Thenthereweretwo？"
　　"No-therewasbutone，andhehadnoaccomplice。"
　　"Verygood！-Verygood！"criedFredericLarsan。
　　"Look！"continuedtheyoungreporter，showingusthegroundwhereithadbeendisturbedbybigandheavyheels；"themanseatedhimselfthere，andtookoffhishobnailedboots，whichhehadwornonlyforthepurposeofmisleadingdetection，andthennodoubt，takingthemawaywithhim，hestoodupinhisownboots，andquietlyandslowlyregainedthehighroad，holdinghisbicycleinhishand，forhecouldnotventuretorideitonthisroughpath。Thataccountsforthelightnessoftheimpressionmadebythewheelsalongit，inspiteofthesoftnessoftheground。Iftherehadbeenamanonthebicycle，thewheelswouldhavesunkdeeplyintothesoil。No，no；therewasbutonemanthere，themurdereronfoot。"
　　"Bravo！-bravo！"criedFredagain，andcomingsuddenlytowardsusand，plantinghimselfinfrontofMonsieurRobertDarzac，hesaidtohim：
　　"Ifwehadabicyclehere，wemightdemonstratethecorrectnessoftheyoungman'sreasoning，MonsieurRobertDarzac。Doyouknowwhetherthereisoneatthechateau？"
　　"No！"repliedMonsieurDarzac。"Thereisnot。Itookmine，fourdaysago，toParis，thelasttimeIcametothechateaubeforethecrime。"
　　"That'sapity！"repliedFred，verycoldly。Then，turningtoRouletabille，hesaid："Ifwegoonatthisrate，we'llbothcometothesameconclusion。Haveyouanyidea，astohowthemurderergotawayfromTheYellowRoom？"
　　"Yes，"saidmyyoungfriend；"Ihaveanidea。"
　　"SohaveI，"saidFred，"anditmustbethesameasyours。Therearenotwowaysofreasoninginthisaffair。Iamwaitingforthearrivalofmychiefbeforeofferinganyexplanationtotheexaminingmagistrate。"
　　"Ah！IstheChiefoftheSuretecoming？"
　　"Yes，thisafternoon。Heisgoingtosummon，beforethemagistrate，inthelaboratory，allthosewhohaveplayedanypartinthistragedy。Itwillbeveryinteresting。Itisapityyouwon'tbeabletobepresent。"
　　"Ishallbepresent，"saidRouletabilleconfidently。
　　"Really-youareanextraordinaryfellow-foryourage！"repliedthedetectiveinatonenotwhollyfreefromirony。"You'dmakeawonderfuldetective-ifyouhadalittlemoremethod-ifyoudidn'tfollowyourinstinctsandthatbumponyourforehead。AsI
　　havealreadyseveraltimesobserved，MonsieurRouletabille，youreasontoomuch；youdonotallowyourselftobeguidedbywhatyouhaveseen。Whatdoyousaytothehandkerchieffullofblood，andtheredmarkofthehandonthewall？Youhaveseenthestainonthewall，butIhaveonlyseenthehandkerchief。"
　　"Bah！"criedRouletabille，"themurdererwaswoundedinthehandbyMademoiselleStangerson'srevolver！"
　　"Ah！-asimplyinstinctiveobservation！Takecare！-Youarebecomingtoostrictlylogical，MonsieurRouletabille；logicwillupsetyouifyouuseitindiscriminately。Youareright，whenyousaythatMademoiselleStangersonfiredherrevolver，butyouarewrongwhenyousaythatshewoundedthemurdererinthehand。"
　　"Iamsureofit，"criedRouletabille。
　　Fred，imperturbable，interruptedhim：
　　"Defectiveobservation-defectiveobservation！-theexaminationofthehandkerchief，thenumberlesslittleroundscarletstains，theimpressionofdropswhichIfoundinthetracksofthefootprints，atthemomentwhentheyweremadeonthefloor，provetomethatthemurdererwasnotwoundedatall。MonsieurRouletabille，themurdererbledatthenose！"
　　ThegreatFredspokequiteseriously。However，Icouldnotrefrainfromutteringanexclamation。
　　ThereporterlookedgravelyatFred，wholookedgravelyathim。
　　AndFredimmediatelyconcluded：
　　"Themanallowedthebloodtoflowintohishandandhandkerchief，anddriedhishandonthewall。Thefactishighlyimportant，"headded，"becausethereisnoneedofhisbeingwoundedinthehandforhimtobethemurderer。"
　　Rouletabilleseemedtobethinkingdeeply。Afteramomenthesaid：
　　"Thereissomething-asomething，MonsieurFredericLarsan，muchgraverthanthemisuseoflogicthedispositionofmindinsomedetectiveswhichmakesthem，inperfectgoodfaith，twistlogictothenecessitiesoftheirpreconceivedideas。You，already，haveyourideaaboutthemurderer，MonsieurFred。Don'tdenyit；andyourtheorydemandsthatthemurderershouldnothavebeenwoundedinthehand，otherwiseitcomestonothing。Andyouhavesearched，andhavefoundsomethingelse。It'sdangerous，verydangerous，MonsieurFred，togofromapreconceivedideatofindtheproofstofitit。ThatmethodmayleadyoufarastrayBewareofjudicialerror，MonsieurFred，itwilltripyouup！"
　　Andlaughingalittle，inaslightlybanteringtone，hishandsinhispockets，RouletabillefixedhiscunningeyesonthegreatFred。
　　FredericLarsansilentlycontemplatedtheyoungreporterwhopretendedtobeaswiseashimself。Shrugginghisshoulders，hebowedtousandmovedquicklyaway，hittingthestonesonhispathwithhisstoutcane。
　　Rouletabillewatchedhisretreat，andthenturnedtowardus，hisfacejoyousandtriumphant。
　　"Ishallbeathim！"hecried。"IshallbeatthegreatFred，cleverasheis；Ishallbeatthemall！"
　　Andhedancedadoubleshuffle。Suddenlyhestopped。Myeyesfollowedhisgaze；theywerefixedonMonsieurRobertDarzac，whowaslookinganxiouslyattheimpressionleftbyhisfeetsidebysidewiththeelegantfootmarks。Therewasnotaparticleofdifferencebetweenthem！
　　Wethoughthewasabouttofaint。Hiseyes，bulgingwithterror，avoidedus，whilehisrighthand，withaspasmodicmovement，twitchedatthebeardthatcoveredhishonest，gentle，andnowdespairingface。Atlengthregaininghisself-possession，hebowedtous，andremarking，inachangedvoice，thathewasobligedtoreturntothechateau，leftus。
　　"Thedeuce！"exclaimedRouletabille。
　　He，also，appearedtobedeeplyconcerned。Fromhispocket-bookhetookapieceofwhitepaperasIhadseenhimdobefore，andwithhisscissors，cutouttheshapeoftheneatbootmarksthatwereontheground。Thenhefittedthenewpaperpatternwiththeonehehadpreviouslymade-thetwowereexactlyalike。Rising，Rouletabilleexclaimedagain："Thedeuce！"Presentlyheadded：
　　"YetIbelieveMonsieurRobertDarzactobeanhonestman。"HethenledmeontheroadtotheDonjonInn，whichwecouldseeonthehighway，bythesideofasmallclumpoftrees。
　　CHAPTERX
　　WeShallHavetoEatRedMeat-Now"
　　TheDonjonInnwasofnoimposingappearance；butIlikethesebuildingswiththeirraftersblackenedwithageandthesmokeoftheirhearths-theseinnsofthecoaching-days，crumblingerectionsthatwillsoonexistinthememoryonly。Theybelongtothebygonedays，theyarelinkedwithhistory。TheymakeusthinkoftheRoad，ofthosedayswhenhighwaymenrode。
　　IsawatoncethattheDonjonInnwasatleasttwocenturiesold-perhapsolder。Underitssign-board，overthethreshold，amanwithacrabbed-lookingfacewasstanding，seeminglyplungedinunpleasantthought，ifthewrinklesonhisforeheadandtheknittingofhisbrowswereanyindication。
　　Whenwewereclosetohim，hedeignedtoseeusandaskedus，inatoneanythingbutengaging，whetherwewantedanything。Hewas，nodoubt，thenotveryamiablelandlordofthischarmingdwelling-place。
　　Asweexpressedahopethathewouldbegoodenoughtofurnishuswithabreakfast，heassuredusthathehadnoprovisions，regardingus，ashesaidthis，withalookthatwasunmistakablysuspicious。
　　"Youmaytakeusin，"Rouletabillesaidtohim，"wearenotpolicemen。"
　　"I'mnotafraidofthepolice-I'mnotafraidofanyone！"repliedtheman。
　　Ihadmademyfriendunderstandbyasignthatweshoulddobetternottoinsist；but，beingdeterminedtoentertheinn，heslippedbythemanonthedoorstepandwasinthecommonroom。
　　"Comeon，"hesaid，"itisverycomfortablehere。"
　　Agoodfirewasblazinginthechimney，andweheldourhandstothewarmthitsentout；itwasamorninginwhichtheapproachofwinterwasunmistakable。Theroomwasatolerablylargeone，furnishedwithtwoheavytables，somestools，acounterdecoratedwithrowsofbottlesofsyrupandalcohol。Threewindowslookedoutontotheroad。Acolouredadvertisementlaudedthemanymeritsofanewvermouth。Onthemantelpiecewasarrayedtheinnkeeper'scollectionoffiguredearthenwarepotsandstonejugs。
　　"That'safinefireforroastingachicken，"saidRouletabille。
　　"Wehavenochicken-notevenawretchedrabbit，"saidthelandlord。
　　"Iknow，"saidmyfriendslowly；"Iknow-Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now。"
　　IconfessIdidnotintheleastunderstandwhatRouletabillemeantbywhathehadsaid；butthelandlord，assoonasheheardthewords，utteredanoath，whichheatoncestifled，andplacedhimselfatourordersasobedientlyasMonsieurRobertDarzachaddone，whenheheardRouletabille'spropheticsentence-"Thepresbyteryhaslostnothingofitscharm，northegardenitsbrightness。"Certainlymyfriendknewhowtomakepeopleunderstandhimbytheuseofwhollyincomprehensiblephrases。Iobservedasmuchtohim，buthemerelysmiled。Ishouldhaveproposedthathegivemesomeexplanation；
　　butheputafingertohislips，whichevidentlysignifiedthathehadnotonlydeterminednottospeak，butalsoenjoinedsilenceonmypart。
　　Meantimethemanhadpushedopenalittlesidedoorandcalledtosomebodytobringhimhalfadozeneggsandapieceofbeefsteak。
　　Thecommissionwasquicklyexecutedbyastrongly-builtyoungwomanwithbeautifulblondehairandlarge，handsomeeyes，whoregardeduswithcuriosity。
　　Theinnkeepersaidtoherroughly：
　　"Getout！-andiftheGreenMancomes，don'tletmeseehim。"
　　Shedisappeared。Rouletabilletooktheeggs，whichhadbeenbroughttohiminabowl，andthemeatwhichwasonadish，placedallcarefullybesidehiminthechimney，unhookedafrying-panandagridiron，andbegantobeatupouromelettebeforeproceedingtogrillourbeefsteak。Hethenorderedtwobottlesofcider，andseemedtotakeaslittlenoticeofourhostasourhostdidofhim。
　　Thelandlordletusdoourowncookingandsetourtablenearoneofthewindows。
　　SuddenlyIheardhimmutter：
　　"Ah！-thereheis。"
　　Hisfacehadchanged，expressingfiercehatred。Hewentandgluedhimselftooneofthewindows，watchingtheroad。TherewasnoneedformetodrawRouletabille'sattention；hehadalreadyleftouromeletteandhadjoinedthelandlordatthewindow。Iwentwithhim。
　　Amandressedentirelyingreenvelvet，hisheadcoveredwithahuntsman'scapofthesamecolour，wasadvancingleisurely，lightingapipeashewalked。Hecarriedafowling-pieceslungathisback。
　　Hismovementsdisplayedanalmostaristocraticease。Heworeeye-glassesandappearedtobeaboutfiveandfortyyearsofage。
　　Hishairaswellashismoustacheweresaltgrey。Hewasremarkablyhandsome。Ashepassedneartheinn，hehesitated，asifaskinghimselfwhetherornoheshouldenterit；gaveaglancetowardsus，tookafewwhiffsathispipe，andthenresumedhiswalkatthesamenonchalantpace。
　　RouletabilleandIlookedatourhost。Hisflashingeyes，hisclenchedhands，histremblinglips，toldusofthetumultuousfeelingsbywhichhewasbeingagitated。
　　"Hehasdonewellnottocomeinhereto-day！"hehissed。
　　"Whoisthatman？"askedRouletabille，returningtohisomelette。
　　"TheGreenMan，"growledtheinnkeeper。"Don'tyouknowhim？Thenallthebetterforyou。Heisnotanacquaintancetomake-Well，heisMonsieurStangerson'sforest-keeper。"
　　"Youdon'tappeartolikehimverymuch？"askedthereporter，pouringhisomeletteintothefrying-pan。
　　"Nobodylikeshim，monsieur。He'sanupstartwhomustoncehavehadafortuneofhisown；andheforgivesnobodybecause，inordertolive，hehasbeencompelledtobecomeaservant。Akeeperisasmuchaservantasanyother，isn'the？Uponmyword，onewouldsaythatheisthemasteroftheGlandier，andthatallthelandandwoodsbelongtohim。He'llnotletapoorcreatureeatamorselofbreadonthegrasshisgrass！"
　　"Doesheoftencomehere？"
　　"Toooften。ButI'vemadehimunderstandthathisfacedoesn'tpleaseme，and，foramonthpast，hehasn'tbeenhere。TheDonjonInnhasneverexistedforhim！-hehasn'thadtime！-beentoomuchengagedinpayingcourttothelandladyoftheThreeLiliesatSaint-Michel。Abadfellow！-Thereisn'tanhonestmanwhocanbearhim。Why，theconciergesofthechateauwouldturntheireyesawayfromapictureofhim！"
　　"Theconciergesofthechateauarehonestpeople，then？"
　　"Yes，theyare，astrueasmyname'sMathieu，monsieur。Ibelievethemtobehonest。"
　　"Yetthey'vebeenarrested？"
　　"Whatdoesthatprove？-ButIdon'twanttomixmyselfupinotherpeople'saffairs。"
　　"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthemurder？"
　　"OfthemurderofpoorMademoiselleStangerson？-Agoodgirlmuchlovedeverywhereinthecountry。That'swhatIthinkofit-andmanythingsbesides；butthat'snobody'sbusiness。"
　　"Notevenmine？"insistedRouletabille。
　　Theinnkeeperlookedathimsidewaysandsaidgruffly：
　　"Notevenyours。"
　　Theomeletteready，wesatdownattableandweresilentlyeating，whenthedoorwaspushedopenandanoldwoman，dressedinrags，leaningonastick，herheaddoddering，herwhitehairhanginglooselyoverherwrinkledforehead，appearedonthethreshold。
　　"Ah！-thereyouare，MotherAngenoux！-It'slongsincewesawyoulast，"saidourhost。
　　"Ihavebeenveryill，verynearlydying，"saidtheoldwoman。"IfeveryoushouldhaveanyscrapsfortheBeteduBonDieu-？"
　　Andsheentered，followedbyacat，largerthananyIhadeverbelievedcouldexist。ThebeastlookedatusandgavesohopelessamiauthatIshuddered。Ihadneverheardsolugubriousacry。
　　Asifdrawnbythecat'scryamanfollowedtheoldwomanin。ItwastheGreenMan。Hesalutedbyraisinghishandtohiscapandseatedhimselfatatableneartoours。
　　"Aglassofcider，DaddyMathieu，"hesaid。
　　AstheGreenManentered，DaddyMathieuhadstartedviolently；butvisiblymasteringhimselfhesaid：
　　"I'venomorecider；Iservedthelastbottlestothesegentlemen。"
　　"Thengivemeaglassofwhitewine，"saidtheGreenMan，withoutshowingtheleastsurprise。
　　"I'venomorewhitewine-nomoreanything，"saidDaddyMathieu，surlily。
　　"HowisMadameMathieu？"
　　"Quitewell，thankyou。"
　　SotheyoungWomanwiththelarge，tendereyes，whomwehadjustseen，wasthewifeofthisrepugnantandbrutalrustic，whosejealousyseemedtoemphasisehisphysicalugliness。
　　Slammingthedoorbehindhim，theinnkeeperlefttheroom。MotherAngenouxwasstillstanding，leaningonherstick，thecatatherfeet。
　　"You'vebeenill，MotherAngenoux？-Isthatwhywehavenotseenyouforthelastweek？"askedtheGreenMan。
　　"Yes，Monsieurkeeper。Ihavebeenabletogetupbutthreetimes，togotopraytoSainte-Genevieve，ourgoodpatroness，andtherestofthetimeIhavebeenlyingonmybed。TherewasnoonetocareformebuttheBetedubonDieu！"
　　"Didshenotleaveyou？"
　　"Neitherbydaynorbynight。"
　　"Areyousureofthat？"
　　"AsIamofParadise。"
　　"Thenhowwasit，MadameAngenoux，thatallthroughthenightofthemurdernothingbutthecryoftheBetedubonDieuwasheard？"
　　MotherAngenouxplantedherselfinfrontoftheforest-keeperandstruckthefloorwithherstick。
　　"Idon'tknowanythingaboutit，"shesaid。"ButshallItellyousomething？Therearenotwocatsintheworldthatcrylikethat。
　　Well，onthenightofthemurderIalsoheardthecryoftheBetedubonDieuoutside；andyetshewasonmyknees，anddidnotmewonce，Iswear。IcrossedmyselfwhenIheardthat，asifIhadheardthedevil。"
　　Ilookedatthekeeperwhenheputthelastquestion，andIammuchmistakenifIdidnotdetectanevilsmileonhislips。Atthatmoment，thenoiseofloudquarrellingreachedus。Weeventhoughtweheardadullsoundofblows，asifsomeonewasbeingbeaten。
　　TheGreenManquicklyroseandhurriedtothedoorbythesideofthefireplace；butitwasopenedbythelandlordwhoappeared，andsaidtothekeeper：
　　"Don'talarmyourself，Monsieur-itismywife；shehasthetoothache。"Andhelaughed。"Here，MotherAngenoux，herearesomescrapsforyourcat。"
　　Heheldoutapackettotheoldwoman，whotookiteagerlyandwentoutbythedoor，closelyfollowedbyhercat。
　　"Thenyouwon'tserveme？"askedtheGreenMan。
　　DaddyMathieu'sfacewasplacidandnolongerretaineditsexpressionofhatred。
　　"I'venothingforyou-nothingforyou。Takeyourselfoff。"
　　TheGreenManquietlyrefilledhispipe，litit，bowedtous，andwentout。NosoonerwasheoverthethresholdthanDaddyMathieuslammedthedoorafterhimand，turningtowardsus，witheyesbloodshot，andfrothingatthemouth，hehissedtous，shakinghisclenchedfistatthedoorhehadjustshutonthemanheevidentlyhated：
　　"Idon'tknowwhoyouarewhotellme'Weshallhavetoeatredmeat-now'；butifitwillinterestyoutoknowit-thatmanisthemurderer！"
　　WithwhichwordsDaddyMathieuimmediatelyleftus。Rouletabillereturnedtowardsthefireplaceandsaid：
　　"Nowwe'llgrilloursteak。Howdoyoulikethecider？-It'salittletart，butIlikeit。"
　　WesawnomoreofDaddyMathieuthatday，andabsolutesilencereignedintheinnwhenweleftit，afterplacingfivefrancsonthetableinpaymentforourfeast。
　　RouletabilleatoncesetoffonathreemilewalkroundProfessorStangerson'sestate。Hehaltedforsometenminutesatthecornerofanarrowroadblackwithsoot，neartosomecharcoal-burners'
　　hutsintheforestofSainte-Genevieve，whichtouchesontheroadfromEpinaytoCorbeil，totellmethatthemurdererhadcertainlypassedthatway，beforeenteringthegroundsandconcealinghimselfinthelittleclumpoftrees。
　　"Youdon'tthink，then，thatthekeeperknowsanythingofit？"I
　　asked。
　　"Weshallseethat，later，"hereplied。"ForthepresentI'mnotinterestedinwhatthelandlordsaidabouttheman。Thelandlordhateshim。Ididn'ttakeyoutobreakfastattheDonjonInnforthesakeoftheGreenMan。"
　　ThenRouletabille，withgreatprecautionglided，followedbyme，towardsthelittlebuildingwhich，standingneartheparkgate，servedforthehomeoftheconcierges，whohadbeenarrestedthatmorning。Withtheskillofanacrobat，hegotintothelodgebyanupperwindowwhichhadbeenleftopen，andreturnedtenminuteslater。Hesaidonly，"Ah！"-awordwhich，inhismouth，signifiedmanythings。
　　Wewereabouttotaketheroadleadingtothechateau，whenaconsiderablestirattheparkgateattractedourattention。A
　　carriagehadarrivedandsomepeoplehadcomefromthechateautomeetit。Rouletabillepointedouttomeagentlemanwhodescendedfromit。
　　"That'stheChiefoftheSurete"hesaid。"NowweshallseewhatFredericLarsanhasuphissleeve，andwhetherheissomuchclevererthananybodyelse。"
　　ThecarriageoftheChiefoftheSuretewasfollowedbythreeothervehiclescontainingreporters，whowerealsodesirousofenteringthepark。Buttwogendarmesstationedatthegatehadevidentlyreceivedorderstorefuseadmissiontoanybody。TheChiefoftheSuretecalmedtheirimpatiencebyundertakingtofurnishtothepress，thatevening，alltheinformationhecouldgivethatwouldnotinterferewiththejudicialinquiry。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　InWhichFredericLarsanExplainsHowtheMurdererWasAbletoGetOutofTheYellowRoomAmongthemassofpapers，legaldocuments，memoirs，andextractsfromnewspapers，whichIhavecollected，relatingtothemysteryofTheYellowRoom，thereisoneveryinterestingpiece；itisadetailofthefamousexaminationwhichtookplacethatafternoon，inthelaboratoryofProfessorStangerson，beforetheChiefoftheSurete。ThisnarrativeisfromthepenofMonsieurMaleine，theRegistrar，who，liketheexaminingmagistrate，hadspentsomeofhisleisuretimeinthepursuitofliterature。Thepiecewastohavemadepartofabookwhich，however，hasneverbeenpublished，andwhichwastohavebeenentitled："MyExaminations。"ItwasgiventomebytheRegistrarhimself，sometimeaftertheastonishingdenouementtothiscase，andisuniqueinjudicialchronicles。
　　Hereitis。Itisnotameredrytranscriptionofquestionsandanswers，becausetheRegistraroftenintersperseshisstorywithhisownpersonalcomments。
　　THEREGISTRAR'SNARRATIVE
　　TheexaminingmagistrateandIthewriterrelatesfoundourselvesinTheYellowRoominthecompanyofthebuilderwhohadconstructedthepavilionafterProfessorStangerson'sdesigns。Hehadaworkmanwithhim。MonsieurdeMarquethadhadthewallslaidentirelybare；
　　thatistosay，hehadhadthemstrippedofthepaperwhichhaddecoratedthem。Blowswithapick，hereandthere，satisfiedusoftheabsenceofanysortofopening。Thefloorandtheceilingwerethoroughlysounded。Wefoundnothing。Therewasnothingtobefound。MonsieurdeMarquetappearedtobedelightedandneverceasedrepeating：
　　"Whatacase！Whatacase！Weshallneverknow，you'llsee，howthemurdererwasabletogetoutofthisroom！"
　　Thensuddenly，witharadiantface，hecalledtotheofficerinchargeofthegendarmes。
　　"Gotothechateau，"hesaid，"andrequestMonsieurStangersonandMonsieurRobertDarzactocometomeinthelaboratory，alsoDaddyJacques；andletyourmenbringherethetwoconcierges。"
　　Fiveminuteslaterallwereassembledinthelaboratory。TheChiefoftheSurete，whohadarrivedattheGlandier，joinedusatthatmoment。IwasseatedatMonsieurStangerson'sdeskreadyforwork，whenMonsieurdeMarquetmadeusthefollowinglittlespeech-asoriginalasitwasunexpected：
　　"Withyourpermission，gentlemen-asexaminationsleadtonothing-wewill，foronce，abandontheoldsystemofinterrogation。I
　　willnothaveyoubroughtbeforemeonebyone，butwewillallremainhereasweare，-MonsieurStangerson，MonsieurRobertDarzac，DaddyJacquesandthetwoconcierges，theChiefoftheSurete，theRegistrar，andmyself。Weshallallbeonthesamefooting。Theconciergesmay，forthemoment，forgetthattheyhavebeenarrested。
　　Wearegoingtoconfertogether。Weareonthespotwherethecrimewascommitted。Wehavenothingelsetodiscussbutthecrime。Soletusdiscussitfreely-intelligentlyorotherwise，solongaswespeakjustwhatisinourminds。Thereneedbenoformalityormethodsincethiswon'thelpusinanyway。"
　　Then，passingbeforeme，hesaidinalowvoice：
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofthat，eh？Whatascene！Couldyouhavethoughtofthat？I'llmakealittlepieceoutofitfortheVaudeville。"Andherubbedhishandswithglee。
　　IturnedmyeyesonMonsieurStangerson。Thehopehehadreceivedfromthedoctor'slatestreports，whichstatedthatMademoiselleStangersonmightrecoverfromherwounds，hadnotbeenabletoeffacefromhisnoblefeaturesthemarksofthegreatsorrowthatwasuponhim。Hehadbelievedhisdaughtertobedead，andhewasstillbrokenbythatbelief。Hisclear，soft，blueeyesexpressedinfinitesorrow。Ihadhadoccasion，manytimes，toseeMonsieurStangersonatpublicceremonies，andfromthefirsthadbeenstruckbyhiscountenance，whichseemedaspureasthatofachild-thedreamygazewiththesublimeandmysticalexpressionoftheinventorandthinker。
　　Onthoseoccasionshisdaughterwasalwaystobeseeneitherfollowinghimorbyhisside；fortheyneverquittedeachother，itwassaid，andhadsharedthesamelaboursformanyyears。Theyounglady，whowasthenfiveandthirty，thoughshelookednomorethanthirty，haddevotedherselfentirelytoscience。Shestillwonadmirationforherimperialbeautywhichhadremainedintact，withoutawrinkle，withstandingtimeandlove。WhowouldhavedreamedthatIshouldonedaybeseatedbyherpillowwithmypapers，andthatI
　　shouldseeher，onthepointofdeath，painfullyrecountingtousthemostmonstrousandmostmysteriouscrimeIhaveheardofinmycareer？WhowouldhavethoughtthatIshouldbe，thatafternoon，listeningtothedespairingfathervainlytryingtoexplainhowhisdaughter'sassailanthadbeenabletoescapefromhim？Whyburyourselveswithourworkinobscureretreatsinthedepthsofwoods，ifitmaynotprotectusagainstthosedangerousthreatstolifewhichmeetusinthebusycities？
　　"Now，MonsieurStangerson，"saidMonsieurdeMarquet，withsomewhatofanimportantair，"placeyourselfexactlywhereyouwerewhenMademoiselleStangersonleftyoutogotoherchamber。"
　　MonsieurStangersonroseand，standingatacertaindistancefromthedoorofTheYellowRoom，said，inanevenvoiceandwithouttheleasttraceofemphasis-avoicewhichIcanonlydescribeasadeadvoice：
　　"Iwashere。Abouteleveno'clock，afterIhadmadeabriefchemicalexperimentatthefurnacesofthelaboratory，needingallthespacebehindme，IhadmydeskmovedherebyDaddyJacques，whospenttheeveningincleaningsomeofmyapparatus。Mydaughterhadbeenworkingatthesamedeskwithme。Whenitwashertimetoleavesherose，kissedme，andbadeDaddyJacquesgoodnight。Shehadtopassbehindmydeskandthedoortoenterherchamber，andshecoulddothisonlywithsomedifficulty。Thatistosay，Iwasveryneartheplacewherethecrimeoccurredlater。"
　　"Andthedesk？"Iasked，obeying，inthusmixingmyselfintheconversation，theexpressordersofmychief，"assoonasyouheardthecryof'murder'followedbytherevolvershots，whatbecameofthedesk？"
　　DaddyJacquesanswered。
　　"Wepusheditbackagainstthewall，here-closetowhereitisatthepresentmoment-soastobeabletogetatthedooratonce。"
　　Ifollowedupmyreasoning，towhich，however，Iattachedbutlittleimportance，regardingitasonlyaweakhypothesis，withanotherquestion。
　　"Mightnotamanintheroom，thedeskbeingsoneartothedoor，bystoopingandslippingunderthedesk，haveleftitunobserved？"
　　"Youareforgetting，"interruptedMonsieurStangersonwearily，"thatmydaughterhadlockedandboltedherdoor，thatthedoorhadremainedfastened，thatwevainlytriedtoforceitopenwhenweheardthenoise，andthatwewereatthedoorwhilethestrugglebetweenthemurdererandmypoorchildwasgoingon-immediatelyafterweheardherstifledcriesasshewasbeingheldbythefingersthathavelefttheirredmarkuponherthroat。Rapidastheattackwas，wewerenolessrapidinourendeavorstogetintotheroomwherethetragedywastakingplace。"
　　Irosefrommyseatandoncemoreexaminedthedoorwiththegreatestcare。ThenIreturnedtomyplacewithadespairinggesture。
　　"Ifthelowerpanelofthedoor，"Isaid，"couldberemovedwithoutthewholedoorbeingnecessarilyopened，theproblemwouldbesolved。
　　But，unfortunately，thatlasthypothesisisuntenableafteranexaminationofthedoor-it'sofoak，solidandmassive。Youcanseethatquiteplainly，inspiteoftheinjurydoneintheattempttoburstitopen。"
　　"Ah！"criedDaddyJacques，"itisanoldandsoliddoorthatwasbroughtfromthechateau-theydon'tmakesuchdoorsnow。Wehadtousethisbarofirontogetitopen，allfourofus-fortheconcierge，bravewomansheis，helpedus。Itpainsmetofindthembothinprisonnow。"
　　DaddyJacqueshadnosoonerutteredthesewordsofpityandprotestationthantearsandlamentationsbrokeoutfromtheconcierges。Ineversawtwoaccusedpeoplecryingmorebitterly。
　　Iwasextremelydisgusted。Eveniftheywereinnocent，Icouldnotunderstandhowtheycouldbehavelikethatinthefaceofmisfortune。Adignifiedbearingatsuchtimesisbetterthantearsandgroans，which，mostoften，arefeigned。
　　"Nowthen，enoughofthatsniveling，"criedMonsieurdeMarquet；
　　"and，inyourinterest，telluswhatyouweredoingunderthewindowsofthepavilionatthetimeyourmistresswasbeingattacked；foryouwereclosetothepavilionwhenDaddyJacquesmetyou。"
　　"Wewerecomingtohelp！"theywhined。
　　"Ifwecouldonlylayhandsonthemurderer，he'dnevertastebreadagain！"thewomangurgledbetweenhersobs。
　　Asbeforewewereunabletogettwoconnectingthoughtsoutofthem。
　　Theypersistedintheirdenialsandswore，byheavenandallthesaints，thattheywereinbedwhentheyheardthesoundoftherevolvershot。
　　"Itwasnotone，buttwoshotsthatwerefired！-Yousee，youarelying。Ifyouhadheardone，youwouldhaveheardtheother。"
　　"MonDieu！Monsieur-itwasthesecondshotweheard。Wewereasleepwhenthefirstshotwasfired。"
　　"Twoshotswerefired，"saidDaddyJacques。"Iamcertainthatallthecartridgeswereinmyrevolver。Wefoundafterwardthattwohadbeenexploded，andweheardtwoshotsbehindthedoor。Wasnotthatso，MonsieurStangerson？"
　　"Yes，"repliedtheProfessor，"thereweretwoshots，onedull，andtheothersharpandringing。"
　　"Whydoyoupersistinlying？"criedMonsieurdeMarquet，turningtotheconcierges。"Doyouthinkthepolicearethefoolsyouare？
　　Everythingpointstothefactthatyouwereoutofdoorsandnearthepavilionatthetimeofthetragedy。Whatwereyoudoingthere？
　　SofarasIamconcerned，"hesaid，turningtoMonsieurStangerson，"Icanonlyexplaintheescapeofthemurdererontheassumptionofhelpfromthesetwoaccomplices。Assoonasthedoorwasforcedopen，andwhileyou，MonsieurStangerson，wereoccupiedwithyourunfortunatechild，theconciergeandhiswifefaciitatedtheflightofthemurderer，who，screeninghimselfbehindthem，reachedthewindowinthevestibule，andsprangoutofitintothepark。Theconciergeclosedthewindowafterhimandfastenedtheblinds，whichcertainlycouldnothaveclosedandfastenedofthemselves。ThatistheconclusionIhavearrivedat。Ifanyoneherehasanyotheridea，lethunstateit。"
　　MonsieurStangersonintervened：
　　"Whatyousaywasimpossible。Idonotbelieveeitherintheguiltorintheconnivanceofmyconcierges，thoughIcannotunderstandwhattheyweredoingintheparkatthatlatehourofthenight。
　　Isayitwasimpossible，becauseMadameBernierheldthelampanddidnotmovefromthethresholdoftheroom；becauseI，assoonasthedoorwasforcedopen，threwmyselfonmykneesbesidemydaughter，andnoonecouldhaveleftorenteredtheroombythedoor，withoutpassingoverherbodyandforcinghiswaybyme！
　　DaddyJacquesandtheconciergehadbuttocastaglanceroundthechamberandunderthebed，asIhaddoneonentering，toseethattherewasnobodyinitbutmydaughterlyingonthefloor。"
　　"Whatdoyouthink，MonsieurDarzac？"askedthemagistrate。
　　MonsieurDarzacrepliedthathehadnoopiniontoexpress。MonsieurDax，theChiefoftheSuretewho，sofar，hadbeenlisteningandexaminingtheroom，atlengthdeignedtoopenhislips：
　　"Whilesearchisbeingmadeforthecriminal，wehadbettertrytofindoutthemotiveforthecrime；thatwilladvanceusalittle，"
　　hesaid。urningtowardsMonsieurStangerson，hecontinued，intheeven，intelligenttoneindicativeofastrongcharacter，"I
　　understandthatMademoisellewasshortlytohavebeenmarried？"
　　TheprofessorlookedsadlyatMonsieurRobertDarzac。
　　"Tomyfriendhere，whomIshouldhavebeenhappytocallmyson-toMonsieurRobertDarzac。"
　　"MademoiselleStangersonismuchbetterandisrapidlyrecoveringfromherwounds。Themarriageissimplydelayed，isitnot，Monsieur？"insistedtheChiefoftheSurete。
　　"Ihopeso。
　　"What！Isthereanydoubtaboutthat？"
　　MonsieurStangersondidnotanswer。MonsieurRobertDarzacseemedagitated。Isawthathishandtrembledasitfingeredhiswatchchain。MonsieurDaxcoughed，asdidMonsieurdeMarquet。
　　Bothwereevidentlyembarrassed。
　　"Youunderstand，MonsieurStangerson，"hesaid，"thatinanaffairsoperplexingasthis，wecannotneglectanything；wemustknowall，eventhesmallestandseeminglymostfutilethingconcerningthevictim-informationapparentlythemostinsignificant。Whydoyoudoubtthatthismarriagewilltakeplace？Youexpressedahope；butthehopeimpliesadoubt。Whydoyoudoubt？"
　　MonsieurStangersonmadeavisibleefforttorecoverhimself。
　　"Yes，Monsieur，"hesaidatlength，"youareright。Itwillbebestthatyoushouldknowsomethingwhich，ifIconcealedit，mightappeartobeofimportance；MonsieurDarzacagreeswithmeinthis。"
　　MonsieurDarzac，whosepalloratthatmomentseemedtometobealtogetherabnormal，madeasignofassent。Igatheredhewasunabletospeak。
　　"Iwantyoutoknowthen，"continuedMonsieurStangerson，"thatmydaughterhasswornnevertoleaveme，andadheresfirmlytoheroath，inspiteofallmyprayersandallthatIhavearguedtoinducehertomarry。WehaveknownMonsieurRobertDarzacmanyyears。Helovesmychild；andIbelievedthatshelovedhim；becausesheonlyrecentlyconsentedtothismarriagewhichIdesirewithallmyheart。
　　Iamanoldman，Monsieur，anditwasahappyhourtomewhenIknewthat，afterIhadgone，shewouldhaveatherside，onewholovedherandwhowouldhelpherincontinuingourcommonlabours。IloveandesteemMonsieurDarzacbothforhisgreatnessofheartandforhisdevotiontoscience。But，twodaysbeforethetragedy，forIknownotwhatreason，mydaughterdeclaredtomethatshewouldnevermarryMonsieurDarzac。"
　　AdeadsilencefollowedMonsieurStangerson'swords。Itwasamomentfraughtwithsuspense。
　　"DidMademoisellegiveyouanyexplanation，-didshetellyouwhathermotivewas？"askedMonsieurDax。
　　"Shetoldmeshewastoooldtomarry-thatshehadwaitedtoolong。Shesaidshehadgivenmuchthoughttothematterandwhileshehadagreatesteem，evenaffection，forMonsieurDarzac，shefeltitwouldbebetterifthingsremainedastheywere。Shewouldbehappy，shesaid，toseetherelationsbetweenourselvesandMonsieurDarzacbecomecloser，butonlyontheunderstandingthattherewouldbenomoretalkofmarriage。"
　　"Thatisverystrange！"mutteredMonsieurDax。
　　"Strange！"repeatedMonsieurdeMarquet。
　　"You'llcertainlynotfindthemotivethere，MonsieurDax，"MonsieurStangersonsaidwithacoldsmile。
　　"Inanycase，themotivewasnottheft！"saidtheChiefimpatiently。
　　"Oh！wearequiteconvincedofthat！"criedtheexaminingmagistrate。
　　Atthatmomentthedoorofthelaboratoryopenedandtheofficerinchargeofthegendarmesenteredandhandedacardtotheexaminingmagistrate。MonsieurdeMarquetreaditandutteredahalfangryexclamation：
　　"Thisisreallytoomuch！"hecried。
　　"Whatisit？"askedtheChief。
　　"It'sthecardofayoungreporterengagedonthe'Epoque，'aMonsieurJosephRouletabille。Ithasthesewordswrittenonit：
　　"Oneofthemotivesofthecrimewasrobbery。"
　　TheChiefsmiled。
　　"Ah，-youngRouletabille-I'veheardofhimheisconsideredratherclever。Lethimcomein。"
　　MonsieurJosephRouletabillewasallowedtoenter。IhadmadehisacquaintanceinthetrainthatmorningonthewaytoEpinay-sur-Orge。
　　Hehadintroducedhimselfalmostagainstmywishintoourcompartment。Ihadbettersayatoncethathismanners，andthearrogancewithwhichheaissumedtoknowwhatwasincomprehensibleeventous，impressedhimunfavourablyonmymind。Idonotlikejournalists。Theyareaclassofwriterstobeavoidedasthepest。
　　Theythinkthateverythingispermissibleandtheyrespectnothing。
　　Grantthemtheleastfavour，allowthemeventoapproachyou，andyounevercantellwhatannoyancetheymaygiveyou。Thisoneappearstobescarcelytwentyyearsold，andtheeffronterywithwhichhedaredtoquestionusanddiscussthematterwithusmadehimparticularlyobnoxioustome。Besides，hehadawayofexpressinghimselfthatleftusguessingastowhetherhewasmockingusornot。Iknowquitewellthatthe'Epoque'isaninfluentialpaperwithwhichitiswelltobeongoodterms，butthepaperoughtnottoallowitselftoberepresentedbysneakingreporters。
　　MonsieurJosephRouletabilleenteredthelaboratory，bowedtous，andwaitedforMonsieurdeMarquettoaskhimtoexplainhispresence。
　　"Youpretend，Monsieur，thatyouknowthemotiveforthecrime，andthatthatmotive-inthefaceofalltheevidencethathasbeenforthcoming-wasrobbery？"
　　"No，Monsieur，Idonotpretendthat。Idonotsaythatrobberywasthemotiveforthecrime，andIdon'tbelieveitwas。"
　　"Then，whatisthemeaningofthiscard？"
　　"Itmeansthatrobberywasoneofthemotivesforthecrime。"
　　"Whatleadsyoutothinkthat？"
　　"Ifyouwillbegoodenoughtoaccompanyme，Iwillshowyou。"
　　Theyoungmanaskedustofollowhimintothevestibule，andwedid。
　　HeledustowardsthelavatoryandbeggedMonsieurdeMarquettokneelbesidehim。Thislavatoryislitbytheglassdoor，and，whenthedoorwasopen，thelightwhichpenetratedwassufficienttolightitperfectly。MonsieurdeMarquetandMonsieurJosephRouletabillekneltdownonthethreshold，andtheyoungmanpointedtoaspotonthepavement。
　　"ThestonesofthelavatoryhavenotbeenwashedbyDaddyJacquesforsometime，"hesaid；"thatcanbeseenbythelayerofdustthatcoversthem。Now，noticehere，themarksoftwolargefootprintsandtheblackashtheyleftwheretheyhavebeen。Thatashisnothingelsethanthecharcoaldustthatcoversthepathalongwhichyoumustpassthroughtheforest，inordertogetdirectlyfromEpinaytotheGlandier。Youknowthereisalittlevillageofcharcoal-burnersatthatplace，whomakelargequantitiesofcharcoal。Whatthemurdererdidwastocomehereatmidday，whentherewasnobodyatthepavilion，andattempthisrobbery。"
　　"Butwhatrobbery？-Wheredoyouseeanysignsofrobbery？Whatprovestoyouthatarobberyhasbeencommitted？"weallcriedatonce。"Whatputmeonthetraceofit，"continuedthejournalist……
　　"Wasthis？"interruptedMonsieurdeMarquet，stillonhisknees。
　　"Evidently，"saidRouletabille。
　　AndMonsieurdeMarquetexplainedthattherewereonthedustofthepavementmarksoftwofootsteps，aswellastheimpression，freshly-made，ofaheavyrectangularparcel，themarksofthecordwithwhichithadbeenfastenedbeingeasilydistinguished。
　　"Youhavebeenhere，then，MonsieurRouletabille？IthoughtIhadgivenorderstoDaddyJacques，whoWasleftinchargeofthepavilion，nottoallowanybodytoenter。"
　　"Don'tscoldDaddyJacques，IcameherewithMonsieurRobertDarzac。"
　　"Ah，-Indeed！"exclaimedMonsieurdeMarquet，disagreeably，castingaside-glanceatMonsieurDarzac，whoremainedperfectlysilent。
　　"WhenIsawthemarkoftheparcelbythesideofthefootprints，I
　　hadnodoubtastotherobbery，"repliedMonsieurRouletabile。"Thethiefhadnotbroughtaparcelwithhim；hehadmadeonehere-aparcelwiththestolenobjects，nodoubt；andheputitinthiscornerintendingtotakeitawaywhenthemomentcameforhimtomakehisescape。Hehadalsoplacedhisheavybootsbesidetheparcel，-for，see-therearenomarksofstepsleadingtothemarksleftbytheboots，whichwereplacedsidebyside。ThataccountsforthefactthatthemurdererleftnotraceofhisstepswhenhefledfromTheYellowRoom，noranyinthelaboratory，norinthevestibule。AfterenteringTheYellowRoominhisboots，hetookthemoff，findingthemtroublesome，orbecausehewishedtomakeaslittlenoiseaspossible。ThemarksmadebyhimingoingthroughthevestibuleandthelaboratoryweresubsequentlywashedoutbyDaddyJacques。Having，forsomereasonorother，takenoffhisboots，themurderercarriedtheminhishandandplacedthembythesideoftheparcelhehadmade，-bythattimetherobberyhadbeenaccomplished。ThemanthenreturnedtoTheYellowRoomandslippedunderthebed，wherethemarkofhisbodyisperfectlyvisibleonthefloorandevenonthemat，whichhasbeenslightlymovedfromitsplaceandcreased。Fragmentsofstrawalso，recentlytorn，bearwitnesstothemurderer'smovementsunderthebed。"
　　"Yes，yes，-weknowallaboutthat，"saidMonsieurdeMarquet。
　　"Therobberhadanothermotiveforreturningtohideunderthebed，"
　　continuedtheastonishingboy-journalist。"Youmightthinkthathewastryingtohidehimselfquicklyonseeing，throughthevestibulewindow，MonsieurandMademoiselleStangersonabouttoenterthepavilion。Itwouldhavebeenmucheasierforhimtohaveclimbeduptotheatticandhiddenthere，waitingforanopportunitytogetaway，ifhispurposehadbeenonlyflight-No！No！-hehadtobeinTheYellowRoom。"
　　HeretheChiefintervened。
　　"That'snotatallbad，youngman。Icomplimentyou。Ifwedonotknowyethowthemurderersucceededingettingaway，wecanatanyrateseehowhecameinandcommittedtherobbery。Butwhatdidhesteal？"
　　"Somethingveryvaluable，"repliedtheyoungreporter。
　　Atthatmomentweheardacryfromthelaboratory。WerushedinandfoundMonsieurStangerson，hiseyeshaggard，hislimbstrembling，pointingtoasortofbookcasewhichhehadopened，andwhich，wesaw，wasempty。Atthesameinstanthesankintothelargearmchairthatwasplacedbeforethedeskandgroaned，thetearsrollingdownhischeeks，"Ihavebeenrobbedagain！ForGod'ssake，donotsayawordofthistomydaughter。ShewouldbemorepainedthanIam。"Heheavedadeepsighandadded，inatoneI
　　shallneverforget："Afterall，whatdoesitmatter，-solongasshelives！"
　　"Shewilllive！"saidMonsieurDarzac，inavoicestrangelytouching。
　　"Andwewillfindthestolenarticles，"saidMonsieurDax。"Butwhatwasinthecabinet？"
　　"Twentyyearsofmylife，"repliedtheillustriousprofessorsadly，"orratherofourlives-thelivesofmyselfandmydaughter！Yes，ourmostpreciousdocuments，therecordsofoursecretexperimentsandourlaboursoftwentyyearswereinthatcabinet。Itisanrreparablelosstousand，Iventuretosay，toscience。AlltheprocessesbywhichIhadbeenabletoarriveatthepreciousproofofthedestructibilityofmatterwerethere-all。Themanwhocamewishedtotakeallfromme，-mydaughterandmywork-myheartandmysoul。"
　　Andthegreatscientistweptlikeachild。
　　Westoodaroundhiminsilence，deeplyaffectedbyhisgreatdistress。MonsieurDarzacpressedcloselytohisside，andtriedinvaintorestrainhistears-asightwhich，forthemoment，almostmademelikehim，inspiteofaninstinctiverepulsionwhichhisstrangedemeanourandhisinexplicableanxietyhadinspiredme。
　　MonsieurRouletabillealone，-asifhisprecioustimeandmissiononearthdidnotpermithimtodwellinthecontemplationonhumansuffering-had，verycalmly，steppeduptotheemptycabinetand，pointingatit，brokethealmostsolemnsilence。Heenteredintoexplanations，forwhichtherewasnoneed，astowhyhehadbeenledtobelievethatarobberyhadbeencommitted，whichincludedthesimultaneousdiscoveryhehadmadeinthelavatory，andtheemptypreciouscabinetinthelaboratory。Thefirstthingthathadstruckhim，hesaid，wastheunusualformofthatpieceoffurniture。Itwasverystronglybuiltoffire-proofiron，clearlyshowingthatitwasintendedforthekeepingofmostvaluableobjects。Thenhenoticedthatthekeyhadbeenleftinthelock。"Onedoesnotordinarilyhaveasafeandleaveitopen！"hehadsaidtohimself。
　　Thislittlekey，withitsbrassheadandcomplicatedwards，hadstronglyattractedhim，-itspresencehadsuggestedrobbery。
　　MonsieurdeMarquetappearedtobegreatlyperplexed，asifhedidnotknowwhetherheoughttobegladofthenewdirectiongiventotheinquirybytheyoungreporter，orsorrythatithadnotbeendonebyhimself。Inourprofessionandforthegeneralwelfare，wehavetoputupwithsuchmortificationsandburyselfishfeelings。
　　ThatwaswhyMonsieurdeMarquetcontrolledhimselfandjoinedhiscomplimentswiththoseofMonsieurDax。AsforMonsieurRouletabille，hesimplyshruggedhisshouldersandsaid："There'snothingatallinthat！"Ishouldhavelikedtoboxhisears，especiallywhenheadded："Youwilldowell，Monsieur，toaskMonsieurStangersonwhousuallykeptthatkey？"
　　"Mydaughter，"repliedMonsieurStangerson，"shewasneverwithoutit。
　　"Ah！thenthatchangestheaspectofthingswhichnolongercorrespondswithMonsieurRouletabille'sideas！"criedMonsieurdeMarquet。"IfthatkeyneverleftMademoiselleStangerson，themurderermusthavewaitedforherinherroomforthepurposeofstealingit；andtherobberycouldnothavebeencommitteduntilaftertheattackhadbeenmadeonher。Butaftertheattackfourpersonswereinthelaboratory！Ican'tmakeitout！"
　　"Therobbery，"saidthereporter，"couldonlyhavebeencommittedbeforetheattackuponMademoiselleStangersoninherroom。Whenthemurdererenteredthepavilionhealreadypossessedthebrass-headedkey。"
　　"Thatisimpossible，"saidMonsieurStangersoninalowvoice。
　　"Itisquitepossible，Monsieur，asthisproves。"
　　Andtheyoungrascaldrewacopyofthe"Epoque"fromhispocket，datedthe21stofOctoberIrecallthefactthatthecrimewascommittedonthenightbetweenthe24thand25th，andshowingusanadvertisement，heread：
　　"'YesterdayablacksatinreticulewaslostintheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvre。Itcontained，amongstotherthings，asmallkeywithabrasshead。Ahandsomerewardwillbegiventothepersonwhohasfoundit。Thispersonmustwrite，posterestante，bureau40，tothisaddress：M。A。T。H。S。N。'DonottheseletterssuggestMademoiselleStangerson？"continuedthereporter。"The'keywithabrasshead'-isnotthisthekey？Ialwaysreadadvertisements。
　　Inmybusiness，asinyours，Monsieur，oneshouldalwaysreadthepersonals。'Theyareoftenthekeystointrigues，thatarenotlwaysbrass-headed，butwhicharenonethelessinteresting。Thisdvertisementinterestedmespecially；thewomanofthekeysurroundeditwithakindofmystery。Evidentlyshevaluedthekey，sinceshepromisedabigrewardforitsrestoration！AndIthoughtonthesesixletters：M。A。T。H。S。N。ThefirstfouratoncepointedtoaChristianname；evidentlyIsaidMathisMathilde。ButIcouldmakenothingofthetwolastletters。SoIthrewthejournalasideandoccupiedmyselfwithothermatters。Fourdayslater，whentheeveningpaperappearedwithenormoushead-linesannouncingthemurderofMademoiselleStangerson，thelettersintheadvertisementmechanicallyrecurredtome。Ihadforgottenthetwolastletters，S。N。WhenIsawthemagainIcouldnothelpexclaiming，'Stangerson！'IjumpedintoacabandrushedintothebureauNo。
　　40，asking：'HaveyoualetteraddressedtoM。A。T。H。S。N。？'
　　Theclerkrepliedthathehadnot。Iinsisted，beggedandentreatedhimtosearch。HewantedtoknowifIwereplayingajokeonhim，andthentoldmethathehadhadaletterwiththeinitialsM。A。T。H。S。N，buthehadgivenitupthreedaysago，toaladywhocameforit。'Youcometo-daytoclaimtheletter，andthedaybeforeyesterdayanothergentlemanclaimedit！I'vehadenoughofthis，'heconcludedangrily。Itriedtoquestionhimastothetwopersonswhohadalreadyclaimedtheletter；butwhetherhewishedtoentrenchhimselfbehindprofessionalsecrecy，-hemayhavethoughtthathehadalreadysaidtoomuch，-orwhetherhewasdisgustedatthejokethathadbeenplayedonhim-hewouldnotansweranyofmyquestions。"
　　Rouletabillepaused。Weallremainedsilent。Eachdrewhisownconclusionsfromthestrangestoryoftheposterestanteletter。
　　Itseemed，indeed，thatwenowhadathreadbymeansofwhichweshouldbeabletofollowupthisextraordinarymystery。
　　"Thenitisalmostcertain，"saidMonsieurStangerson，"thatmydaughterdidlosethekey，andthatshedidnottellmeofit，wishingtospareanyanxiety，andthatshebeggedwhoeverhadfoundittowritetotheposterestante。Sheevidentlyfearedthat，bygivingouraddress，inquirieswouldhaveresultedthatwouldhaveapprisedmeofthelossofthekey。Itwasquitelogical，quitenaturalforhertohavetakenthatcourse-forIhavebeenrobbedoncebefore。"
　　"Wherewasthat，andwhen？"askedtheChiefoftheSurete。
　　"Oh！manyyearsago，inAmerica，inPhiladelphia。Therewerestolenfrommylaboratorythedrawingsoftwoinventionsthatmighthavemadethefortuneofaman。NotoulyhaveIneverlearntwhothethiefwas，butIhaveneverheardevenawordoftheobjectoftherobbery，doubtlessbecause，inordertodefeattheplansofthepersonwhohadrobbedme，Imyselfbroughtthesetwoinventionsbeforethepublic，andsorenderedtherobberyofnoavail。FromthattimeonIhavebeenverycarefultoshutmyselfinwhenIamatwork。Thebarstothesewindows，thelonelysituationofthispavilion，thiscabinet，whichIhadspeciallyconstructed，thisspeciallock，thisuniquekey，allareprecautionsagainstfearsinspiredbyasadexperience。"
　　"Mostinteresting！"remarkedMonsieurDax。
　　MonsieurRouletabilleaskedaboutthereticule。NeitherMonsieurStangersonnorDaddyJacqueshadseenitforseveraldays，butafewhourslaterwelearnedfromMademoiselleStangersonherselfthatthereticulehadeitherbeenstolenfromher，orshehadlostit。Shefurthercorroboratedallthathadpassedjustasherfatherhadstated。Shehadgonetotheposterestanteand，onthe23rdofOctober，hadreceivedaletterwhich，sheaffirmed，containednothingbutavulgarpleasantry，whichshehadimmediatelyburned。
　　Toreturntoourexamination，orrathertoourconversation。ImuststatethattheChiefoftheSuretehavinginquiredofMonsieurStangersonunderwhatconditionshisdaughterhadgonetoParisonthe20thofOctober，welearnedthatMonsieurRobertDarzachadaccompaniedher，andDarzachadnotbeenagainseenatthechateaufromthattimetothedayafterthecrimehadbeencommitted。ThefactthatMonsieurDarzacwaswithherintheGrandsMagasinsdelaLouvrewhenthereticuledisappearedcouldnotpassunnoticed，and，itmustbesaid，stronglyawakenedourinterest。
　　Thisconversationbetweenmagistrates，accused，victim，witnessesandjournalist，wascomingtoaclosewhenquiteatheatricalsensation-anincidentofakinddispleasingtoMonsieurdeMarquet-wasproduced。TheofficerofthegendarmescametoannouncethatFredericLarsanrequestedtobeadmitted，-arequestthatwasatoncecompliedwith。Heheldinhishandaheavypairofmuddyboots，whichhethrewonthepavementofthelaboratory。
　　"Here，"hesaid，"arethebootswornbythemurderer。Doyourecognisethem，DaddyJacques？"
　　DaddyJacquesbentoverthemand，stupefied，recognisedapairofoldbootswhichhehad，sometimeback，thrownintoacornerofhisattic。Hewassotakenabackthathecouldnothidehisagitation。