The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-01-15
EXCUSE me. gentlemen. this com.

Excuse me, gentlemen. TINS com-
partment Is reserved"
| IL am a journalist, monsieur. engag-
ed on the EpCque." said my young
friend. with great show OF gesture
/ ana politeness. "and l have 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 a matter of indifference
TO me. l am no scavenger OF odds
| ard ends" he went on, with infinite
contempt In his lower lip; II am a the
| atrical reporter. and this evening 1
shall have to give little account or
the play at the Scala"
"Get in. sir, please" said the regis
trar
Rouletabille was already In the COM
partment l 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 de-
sire to have the honor of speaking. but
with M. 'Castigat Ridendo' Permit me
to congratulate you--personally, as well
as the writer for the EpoQue." And
Rouletabille, having first introduced
me, introduced himself.
NJ. de Marquet, with a nervous GEES
ture. caressed his beard into a point.
THE work Of the dramatic author
may interfere" he said, after slight
hesitation, with that of the magis-
trate, especially In a province where
ones labors are little more than rou-
tine"
"Oh, you may rely on my discretion"
cried Rouletabille.
The train was In motion.
I'VE have startedv said the examin-
ing magistrate, surprised at seeing us
still in the carriage.
"Yes, monsieur, truth has started"
said Rouletabille, smiling amiably, ION
its way to the Chateau du Chandler. A
fine case, M. de Marquet, fine easel!
"An obscure, incredible, unfathom-
able, inexplicable affair, and there is
only one thing / fear, M. Rouletabille,
that the journalists will be trying to-
explain it."
My friend felt this rap on his
knuckles.
YES" he said simply, that is to be
feared. They NEEDLE In everything. AS
for my interest, monsieur, only re-
ferred to 1t 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, then" asked
M. de Marquet.
ITO the Chateau du Chandler" re-
piled Rouleta billie, without turning.
you'll not get in, Nj. Rouletabille"'
Twill you prevent me?" said my
friend, already prepared to fight.
Not 1! like the press and jour-
nalists too well to be in any way dis
agreeable to them, but NJ. Stanger-
son has given orders for his door to
be closed against everybody, and it is
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 into
obstinate silence. He only relaxed
little when Rouletabille no longer left
him In ignorance Of the fact that we
were going to the Chandler for the
purpose of shaking hands with an "old
and intimate friend" Nj. Robert Oar
Zac-a man whom Rouletabille had
perhaps seen once in his life.
"Poor Robert!' continued the young
reporter, 'this dreadful affair may be
his death-he is so deeply in love with
Mile. Stangerson. 1t is to be hoped
that Mile. Stangerson's life will be
saved"
"Let us hope so. Her father told me
yesterday that If she does not recover
1t will not be long before he joins her
in the grave. What an incalculable
loss to science his death would bev'
1.-THE wound on her temple is serious,
is it not?"
Evidently, but by wonderful
chance 1t has not proved mortal. The
blow was given with great force"
"Then it was not with the revolver
she was wounded" said Rouletabille,
glancing at me In triumph.
M. de Marquet appeared greatly en-
barrassed.
81 didn't say anything. I don't want
to say anything. will not say any
thing" he said And he turned toward
his registrar as IL he no longer knew
us.
But Rouletabille was not to be so
easily shaken off. He moved nearer to
the examining magistrate and, draw
ing copy of the Matin from his pock-
ct, he showed it to him and said;
There Is one thing. monsieur. which
I may inquire Of you without commit
ting an indiscretion. You have, of
course, seen the account given In the
Matin? 1t Is absurd, is 1t notY'
"Not in the slightest. monsieur"
What! The yellow room has but
one barred window. the bars Of which
have not been moved, and only one
door. which had to be broken open,
and the assassin was not foundv'
That's so, monsieur; that's so.
That's how the matter stands"
Rouletabi,le said no more, but plung-