Daily Arizona silver belt., 1908-12-22
CHAPTER HI.
"A Man Has Passed Like Shadow
 Through the Blinds."

On the platform we found M. d. Marquet and his registrar who repre- sented the judicial court of Corbeil M. de Marquet had spent the night fl | Paris. assisting in the final rehearsa at the Scala of little play of whici he was the unknown author. signing himself simply 'Castigat Ridendo."
 NJ. Marquet was beginning to be 7 noble old gentleman" Generally ht was extremely polite and full of gay humor and in all his life had had but l one passion-that of dramatic art. l Because of the mystery which shrouded it the case of the yellow room was certain to fascinate 80 the atrical a mind
 l At the moment of meeting him heard NJ. de Marquet say to the regis. trar with sigh:
 Il hope. my dear M. Maleine. this builder with his pickax win not de stroy so fine a mystery" | Have no fear" replied M. Maleine "HIs pickax may demolish the pavilion perhaps. but 1t will leave our case in- tact. have sounded the walls and examined the ceiling and floor. and l know all about it. l am not to be de ceived'
 l Having thus reassured his chief, M. Maleine. with discreet movement of the head drew M. de Marquet's atten- ton to us. The face of that gentle. man clouded, and as he saw Roule- tabille approaching, hat in hand, he sprang into one of the empty carriages, saying half aloud to his registrar as he did so. "Above all. no journalistsw NJ Maleine replied in the same tone, T understand" and then tried to pre- vent Rouletabille from entering tho same compartment with the examining magistrate
 Excuse me, gentlemen. this com partment is reserved"
 T am a journalist. monsieur, engag- ed on the Epoque." said my young friend, with a great show of gesture and politeness. ''and I have word or two to say to M. de Marquet.' Monsieur is very much engaged with the inquiry he has in hand.'
 "Ah, His inquiry, pray believe me, is absolutely matter of indifference to me l am no scavenger of odds and ends," he went on, with infinite contempt in his lower lip; T am the atrical reporter. and this evening shall have to give little account of the play at the Seala.'
 "Get in. sir, please" said the regis trar
 Rouletabile was already in the com partment. went in after him and seated myself by his side. The regis trar followed and closed the carriage door.
 Nj. de Marquet looked at him.
 "Ah, sir" Rouetabile began, you must not be angry with M Maleine. It is not with NJ. de Marquet that de sire to have the honor of speaking. but with Nj. Castigat Ridendo.' Permit me to congratulate you-personally, as well as the writer for the Epoque." And Rouletabile. having first introduced me, introduced himself.
 NJ. de Marquet, with a nervous ges- ture, caressed his beard into point.
 "The work of the dramatic author may interfere" he said. after slight hesitation. with that of the magis- trate. especially in a province where ones labors are little more than rou- tine"
 ''Oh, you may rely on my discretionw cried Rouletabille.
 The train was i'll motion.
 We have startedw said the examin- ing magistrate. surprised at seeing us still in the carriage.
 "Yes. monsieur. truth has started" said Rouletabille. smiling amiably, ''on It's way to the Chateau du Chandler. A fine case, NJ. de Marquet, fine case!'
 "An obscure, incredible. unfathoni- able, inexplicable affair, and there is only one thing I fear, M. Rouletabille, that the journalists will be trying to explain it."
 My friend felt this rap on his knuckles.
 "Yes," he said simply, "that is to be feared. They meddle in everything. As for my interest, monsieur, l only re- ferred to 1t by mere chance-the mere chance of finding myself in the same train with you and in the same com partment of the same carriage"
 Where are you going, thenY' asked M. de Marquet.
 s 'To the Chateau du Chandler" re- piled R0uletabille, without turning.
 "You'll not get in, NJ. Rouletabillew
 "Will you prevent me?" said my friend, already prepared to fight
 "Not I! like the press and jour- nalists too well to be in any way dis agreeable to them, but NJ. Sanger son has given orders for his door to be closed against everybody. and it is well guarded Not journalist was able to pass through the gate of the Chandler yesterday"
 M. de Marquet compressed his lips and seemed ready to, relapse into obstinate silence, He only relaxed Q