The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-21

The I&Idy III Black, who had up to this time not uttered a word, arose trembling to her feet.
 Do you mean." she breathed. her eyes filled with agonized apprehension, "that Larsan is now among usT'
 "I am sure of it." Rouletabille re- piled graveIy.
 There was an awful silence. during which none Of us dared look at each other.
 ''I am sure of it. and there is no req son why the idea should surprise you. madame. since it has not for a mo- ment left your own mind. As to the rest of us. is it not true. gentlemen, that the idea has occurred to each one of us at the same moment on the day when we took luncheon on the Terrace of the Bold when all our eyes were hidden by the black glasses! If I except Mrs. Rance. who is there among us that did not feel the pres ence of Larsan at that tIme?"
 That Is a question which ought to be propouuded to Professor Sanger son as well as to the rest of us." in- terposed Arthur Rance instantly. flor from the moment when we begin any course of reasoning along these lines I can see no object in not having the professor. who was at the table at luncheon with us on that day, here at this time also"
 Mir. Rance!' cried the Lady in Black.
 "Yes. I must repeat 1t. if you will pardon me- replied Edith's husband s.NF t~;I to generalize when he said. All the members of the house party "-
 Professor Stangerson is so far from us in spirit that l have no need of his presence here. Although Pro lessor Stangerson had lived with us in the chateau. he was not one of us in regard to feeling the presence of Lzrsan on that day. And Larsan is here among us."
 But 1 launched out. and. forgetting that l had promised Mine. Edith to defend Old Rob. started in to attack him for the pleasure of proving Rou- Ietabille iu the wrong. and. besides. felt Edith would not bear rancor against me for very long.
 "Old Bob l began. was also at
  ake him entirely out of your calcu itions op account of this little rub. in. But of what use is this little pin prove to us that Old Bob wa owed away by Tullio. who waite, IT him at the orifice of a galler ading from the shaft to the sea. e cannot discover how Old Be ould. as be said. have gone by wa the shaft. which we found close rom above and on the outsider
 Which you found closed. yr ienn." returned RorleiabllIe. ixi; is eyes upon me with a strange e ression. which somehow embarrassc re. ''l. on the conrrury. found ti haft open. But I had had time In to the shnfi and find out that i'd been opened"
 And to close it agninw I erie. And why did you close it? Whoi i'd you wish to deceive?"
 You. monsieur"
 He pronounced these two words wit
 contempt so crushing that the blou ushed to my face. 1 arose. Ever. ye was turned upon me. and as re nembered the rudeness with which -iouletabille had treated me httl, while ago before Darzac I had the horrible feeling that. every eye was suspecting me-accusing me Yes; l felt myself entirely wrapped around by the atrocious fancy in the mind of each and all that 1 might be Larsan. l, Larsan.
 looked at each one in turn.
 ''Rouletabille"' l cried madly, feeling my voice almost smothered in my throat. You do not. you cannot sus- pect"-
 20 be Continued.)