Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1909-03-26

him in the heavy batch of writing he
had to get through for the Epoque.
! was going back to Paris, he said, by
the II O'Clock train taking his copy,
which took story form, recounting
the principal episodes in the mysteries
Of the Chandler. Larsan smiled at the
explanation like a man who was not
fooled and politely refrained from max
ing the slightest remark on matters
which did not concern him.
With infinite precautions as to the
words they used and even as to the
tones of their voices, Larsan and
Rouletabille discussed for long time
MI Arthur RANGES appearance at the
chateau and his past in America,
about which they expressed desire
to know more, at any rate so far as
his relations with the Stangersons. At
one time Iarsan. who appeared to me
to be unwell said, with an effort:
Il think, NJ. Rouletabille. that we've
rot much more to do at the Chandler
and that we shan't sleep here many
more nights
II think 50. too, NJ. Fred"
Then you think the conclusion of
the matter has been reached?
Il think, indeed that we have moth
ing more to find OUT replied Rouleta-
billie
Have You found your criminal?"
asked I.arsan.
Have YOU"
Yes"
$50 have l." said Rouletahille.
'Can it hc the same MANI:
81 don't know if you have swerved
from your original idea" said the
young reporter. Then he added with
emphasis, M Darsac is an honest
man.
Are you sure of that" asked Lar
san. We'll l am sure he is not So
it's fight them
eyes, it IS a fight. But | shall beat
you, NJ. Frederic Larsan."
Youth never doubts anything" said
the great Fred laughingly and held out
his hand to me by way Of conclusion
Rouletabl answer came like an
echo:
mot anything"
Suddenly Larsan, who had risen to
wish us good night. pressed both his
hands to his chest and staggered. He
was obliged to lean on Rouleta bile for
support and to save himself from fall
ing.
ooh, OH" he cried. What is the
matter with me? Have I been poison
edo"
He looked at us with haggard eyes
We questioned him vainly He did
not answer us. He had sunk into an
armchair, and we could not get a
word from him. We were extremely
distressed, both on his account and on
our own, for we had partaken Of all
the dishes he had eaten. He seemed
to be out of pain, but his heavy head
had fallen on his shoulder and his eye
lids were tightly closed. Rouletabille
bent over him, listening for the beat
ings Of the heart.
My friends face, however, when he
stood up, was as calm as it had been
a moment before agitated.
He is asleep" he said.
Lie ieo n1e W A1S CAam OeT, aIter CLOS
Ing sLarsan's room. ~ ga" ht
THE drug?" 1 asked. Does Mile.
Stangerson wish to put everybody to
sleep tonight"
Perhaps" replied Rouleta billie. But
could see he was thinking Of some
thing else.
But what about us?' 1 exclaimed.
I>
been drugged?'
DO you feel indisposed?" Rouleta-
billie asked me coolly.
mot in the least"
"Do you feel any inclination to go to
sleepY'
None whatever" ~.- y
Well, then, my friend, smoke this
excellent cigar" ~ -r@~
And he handed me choice Havana,
one M. DarZac had given him, while
he lit his brierwood-his eternal brier-
wood
We remained in his room until about
10 O'clock without word passing be-
tween us. Buried in an armchair, Roule-
tabiile sat and smoked steadily, his
brow in thought and faraway look
in his eyes. On the stroke Of 10 he
took of his boots and signed me to do
the same. Standing in our socks, he
said In SO low a tone that 1 guessed
rather than heard the word:
Revolver
drew my revolver from my jacket
pocket.
Cock it, he said.
did as he directed.
Then, moving toward the door Of his
room, he opened it with infinite pre-
caution; 1t made no sound. We were
in the "off turning" gallery. Rouleta-
bile made another sign to me which
I understood to- mean that was to
take up my post in the dark closet.
When was some distance from him
he rejoined me and embraced me- and
then / saw him, with the same precau-
ton, return to his room. Astonished
by his embrace and somewhat disquiet-