The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-01-16
CHAPTER III.
"A Man Has Passed Like a Shadow
Through the Blinds"

I'LL the Orleans station, awaiting
4A the departure Of the train
which was to take us to Epinay-sur-
Orge.
On the platform we found NJ. de
Marquet and his registrar. who repre-
sented the judicial court of Corbeil.
M. de Marquet had spent the night in
Paris, assisting in the final rehearsal
at the Scala of little play of which
he was the unknown author, signing
himself simply "Castigat Ridendo"
M. Marquet was beginning to be q
noble old gentleman" Generally he
was extremely polite and full of gay
humor and in all his life had had but
one passion-that of dramatic art
Because Of the mystery which
shrouded it the case of the yellow
room was certain to fascinate so the
atrical mind.
At the moment Of meeting him l
heard M. de Marquet say to the regis
trar with a sigh:
II hope, my dear NJ. Maleine, this
builder with his pickax will 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."
Having thus reassured his chief, NJ.
Maleine, with a discreet moy ement of
the head. drew NJ de Marquet's atten-
tion 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 Journalistic"
NJ. Maleine replied in the same tone,
81 understand" and then tried to pre-
vent Rouletabille from entering the
same compartment with the examining
magistrate.
Excuse me, gentlemen. this COM
partment is reserved"
~ am journalist, monsieur, engag-
ed on the Epoque," said my young
friend, with great show Of gesture
and politeness, land | have a word or
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 matter Of Indifference
to me. l am no scavenger Of odds
and ends" he went on, with infinite
contempt in his lower lip; 81 am a the
atrical reporter, and this evening 1
shall have to give little account OF
the play at the Scala"
"Get in, sir, please" said the regis
trar.
Rouletabille 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" Rouletabille began, "you
must not be angry with M. Maleine.
1t 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
Rouletabille, having first introduced
me, introduced himself.
M. de Niarquet, with q nervous ges-
ture, caressed his beard into point.
1.-The work Of the dramatic author
may interfere" he said. after a slight
hesitation, with that of the magis-
trate. especially in province where
ones labOrs are little more than rou-
tine"
"Oh, you may rely on my discredon!'
cried Rouletabille.
The train was III motion.
1--WE have started" said the examin-
ing magistrate, surprised at seeing us
still in the carriage.
"Yes, monsieur, truth has started,
said Rouleta billie, smiling amiably, ION
its way to the Chateau du Chandler A
fine case, NJ. de Marquet, fine case"
IAN obscure. incredible, unfathom
able. inexplicable affair. and there is
only one thing / fear, NJ. Rouletabille
IudI u1e JOuIuuiioto WAL ~ 80 -
explain it."
My friend felt this a rap on his
knuckles.
"Yes," he said simply. "that is to be
feared. They meddle in everything. Al
for my interest, monsieur, ] only re
ferred to it 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, them" asked
NJ. de Marquet.
ITO the Chateau du Chandler re
piled Rouletabille. without turning.
you'll not get in, NJ. Rouletabille!
"Wnl you prevent me?" said m!
friend. already prepared to fight.
mot I! l like the press ana jour
nalists too well to be in any way dis
agreeable to them, but NJ. Stanger
son has given orders for his door t
be closed against everybody. and 1t
well guarded. Not a journalist wa
able TO pass through the gate OF tn
Chandler yesterday"
II. de Marquet compressed his up