The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-03-12
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which Joseph Rouletabille Is
Awaited With Impotence.

TIN the 18th of January-that is
I'M to say, two months and hall
after the tragic events / have
narrated-the Epoque printed
as the first column Of the front page
the following sensational article:
"The Seine-et- Disc jury is summon
ed today to give its verdict on one OF
the most mysterious affairs in the an
mails of crime. There never has been
case with so many obscure, incom-
prehensible and inexplicable points.
And yet the prosecution has not hest
tated to put into the prisoners dock
q man who is respected, esteemed and
loved by oil who knew him-a young
savant, NJ. Robert DarZac. There is
no doubt in the mind of anybody that
could the victim speak she would
claim from the jurors of Seine-et-Oise
the man she wishes to make her hus-
band and whom the prosecution would
send 10 the scaffold. 1t is to be hoped
that Mile. Stangerson will shortly re-
cover her reason. which has been tenn
porarily unhinged by the horrible mys-
terry at the Chandler. The question
before the jury is the one we propose
to deal .xSjkh this very day.
I'VE have decided not to permit
twelve worthy men to commit dis
graceful miscarriage of justice. Up
to now everything has gone against
NJ. Robert Dar2ac in the magisterial
inquiry. Today. however, we are go
Ing to defend him before the jury, ana
we are going to bring to the witness
stand n light that will illumine the
whole mystery Of the Chandler, for we
possess the truth.
"When attention was first drawn to
the Chandler case our youthful re-
porter, Joseph Rouletabilc. was on
the spot and Installed in the chateau
when every other representative Of
the press had been denied admission.
He worked side by side with Frederic
Larsan. He was amazed and terrified
at the grave mistake the celebrated
detective was about to make.
France must know-the whole world
must know-that on the very evening
IN which NJ. DarZac was arrested
young Rouletabille entered our edito-
rial Office and informed us that he
was about to go away on a journey.
How long l shall be away he said,
j cannot say; perhaps a month, per-
haps two. perhaps three. Perhaps !
may never return. Here is letter.
II l am not back on the day on which
NJ. narzac is to appear before the
'H7'.e court, have this letter opened
lnU rn3d to the court after all the wit
p eS nave been heard. Arrange il
with NJ. Darzac's counsel NJ. Darzac
Is innocent. In this letter is written
The name of the murderer, and-that
Is all / have to say. i am leaving to
get my proofs-for the irrefutable evil
1ence of the murderer's guilt Our
departed, For long time we
were without news from him But
week ago stranger called upon our
and said: Act in accordance
with the instructions Of Joseph Roule-
.abille if it becomes necessary to do
20. The letter left by him holds the
ruth The gentleman who brought
Is this message would not give us his
zane.
To-day, the 18th of January, is the
lay of tho trial. Joseph Rouletabille
has not returned. 1t may be we shall
lever see him again. The press also
cunts Its heroes, its martyrs to duty.
{ may be he is no longer living. We
hall know how to avenge him. Our
will this afternoon be at the
curt of assize at Versailles with the
letter containing the name
f the murderer
Those Parisians who fiocked to the
ssize court at Versailles to be present
t the trial Of what was known as the |
mystery of the yellow room" will |
ertainly remember t3 terrible crush
o the courtroom.
The trial itself was presided over by |
4. de RocouZ, a judge filed with the
rejudice of his class. but man hon.
st at heart. The witnesses had been |
allied. I.was there, of course. as were |
II who had i'm any way been in touch
Nth the mysteries Of the Chandler.
7as lucky enough TO be called early |
] the trial, so that was then able to
7atch and be present at almost the
1hole Of the proceedings.
The court was so crowded that many
,wyers were compelled to find seats
n the steps. Behind the bench of JUS
ces were representatives from other
enches. NJ. Robert DarZac stood In
be prisoners dock between police
len. tall. handsome and calm. A muir
lur Of admiration rather than Of COM
assion greeted his appearance. He
,aned forward toward his counsel,
Iaitre Henri Robert. who, assisted by
Is chief secretary. Maitre Andre
Jesse. was busily turning over the
,lios Of his brief.
Many expected that NJ. Stangerson
fter giving his evidence would have
one over TO the prisoner and shaken
nnds with him, but he left the court
ithout another word. 1t was remark
! that the jurors appeared to be deep
interested In rapid conversation
hich the manager Of the Epoque was
aving with Maitre Henri Robert. The
anager later sat down In the front