The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1908-12-31

tion 10 us. The face Of that genflc.
man clouded, and as he saw Roule-
tabille approaching, hat I'm hand. he
sprang into one of the empty carriages.
saying half aloud to his registrar as
he did sc, above all. no journaiists!~
Nj. Maleine replied in the ga IN tone.
II understand" and then tried TO pre.
ven Rouletabille from entering the
same compartment with the examining
magistrate.
Excuse me, gentlemen. this com
3artment Is reserved"
II am a journalist, monsieur, engag-
ed on the Epoque," said my young
friend, with n great show of gesture
and politeness, and l have a word OF
two to say to Nj. de Marquet."
Monsieur is very much engaged
with the inquiry he has in hand"
"Ah. His inquiry, pray believe me,
is absolutely Il matter of indifference
to me. | am no scavenger OF odds
and ends" he went on, with infinite
contempt in his lower lip: Il am a the
atrical reporter, and this evening l
shall have TO give n little account OF
the play at the Scala
Get In. sir, please" said the regis
trar.
Rouletabille was already in the com
partmcnt. | 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" Rouletabille began, you
must not be angry with NJ. Maleine.
1t is not with NJ. de Marquet that l 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 Epo1ue." And
Rouletabille, having first introduced
me, introduced himself.
NJ. de Marquet, with Il nervous geS
ture, caressed his beard into q point.
The work of the dramatic author
hesitation, with that of the magis-
trate, especially in a province where
ones labors are little more than rou
tine"
ooh, you may rely on my discretion
cried R~ouletabille.
The train was in motion.
I'VE have started!' said the examin
ing magistrate. surprised at seeing us
still in the carriage.
Eyes. monsieur, truth has started
said Rouletabille. smiling amiably, "on
it's way to the Chateau du Chandler. 4
fine case, NJ. de Marquet, a fine case!'
AN obscure, incredible. unfathOnt
able. inexplicable affair, and there Is
only one thing | fear, NJ. ROuletabilles
that the journalists will be trying to
explain it,"
My friend felt this a rap on hh
knuckles.
Yes" he said simply. that Is - bs
feared. They NEEDLE In everything. Az
for my interest, monsieur, l only re-
ferred to 1t by mere chance-the mers
chance of finding myself in the SAINT
train with you and In the anne coin
partment OF the same carriage
where are you going, them" asked
NJ. de Marquet.
"To the Chateau du Chandler re
piled RouIetabille. without turning.
you'll not get in. NJ. ROuietabille"
will you prevent me?' said mp
friend. already prepared to fight.
mot I! | like the press and jour
nalists too well to be In any way dis
agreeable to them, but NJ. Stranger
son has given orders for his door to
be closed against everybody, and it In
well guarded. Not a journalist was
able to pass through the gate Of the
Chandler yesterday"
NJ. de Marquet compressed his lips
and seemed ready to relapse int
obstinate silence. He only relaxed q
little when R~ouletabille no longer left
him In ignorance Of the fact that we
were going to the Chandler for the
purpose Of shaking hands with an "olt
and intimate friend" NJ. Robert Oar
zac-a man whom Rouletabille had
perhaps seen once I'm his life.
Poor Robert" continued the yOuns
reporter, this dreadful affair MAJ be
his death-he is so deeply in love with
Mile. StangersOn. 1t Is to be hoped
that Mile. Stangcrson's life will be
saved"
LET us hope SO. Her father told ms
yesterday that IL she does not recove,
1T will not be long before he joins hei
in the grave. What an incalculabls
loss to science his death would be-"
THE wound on her temple is serious
is 1t not?"
Evidently, but by a wonderful
chance 1t has not proved mortal. Th,
blow was given with great force"
"Then 1t was not with the revolvei
she was wounded" said R%ouletabille
glancing at me in triumph.
NJ. de Marquet appeared greatly EN-
barrassed.
81 didn't say anything, l don't wan;
to say anything, l will not say any
thing" he said. And he turned toward
his registrar as II he no longer kne
Us.
But Rouletabille was not to be sc
easily shaken of. He moved nearer tr
tho nyamininD ma Dictrofn ond draw