Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-02-04

ALE an hour later Roulctahl,c
E-Hk and | were on tho platform OF
I'LL the Orleans station, awaiting
the departure OF the train
which was to take us to Epinay-sur-
Orge
ON the platform we found NJ. dc
Marquct and his registrar who repre-
scented the judicial court OF Corbeil
NJ 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.'
NJ Marquet was beginning to be q
noble old gentleman" Generally be
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 10 fasc'nate so the
atrical Il mind.
At the moment of meeting him
heard NJ. de MARQUEE say to the regis.
trar with sigh.
Il hope, my dear NJ. Maleine this
builder with his pickay will not &c
stroY so fine mystery
Have no fear. replied ". Maleine
Ills pickax may demolish the pavilion
perhaps. but it will leave our case In
tact, | have sounded the walls and
examined the ceiling and floor and
know all about 1t. | am not to be de
ceivcd."
Having thus treasured his chief. Nj
Maleinc with n discreet movement of
the head, drew NJ de Marquet's atten
ton to us. The face of that gentle
man cloudcd and as he saw Roule-
tabille approaching, hat In hand. he
sprang into one of the empty carriages
saying half aloud 70 his registrar as
he did SO, above all no journalists"
NJ Malone replied in the same tone
81 understand" ard then tried TO pre-.
vent Roulctabillc from entering the
same compartment with the examining
magistrate.
Excuse me. gentlemen, this com-
partment Is reserved"
II am n journalist, monsieur, encaG.
cd on tie Epoque," said my young
friend, with a great show of gesture
and politeness. and ! have word or
two TO say to NJ. de MarQuct.'
"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. | am 10 scaVenGcr Of odds
and ends" he went on. with infinite
contempt in his lower lip; Il am the
atrical reporter. and this evening
shall have to give a little account of
the play at the Scala"
Get in, sir please" said the regis
trar.
Rouetabille 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 NJ. Maleine.
1t is not with NJ de Marquet that de-
sire to have the honor OF speaking, but
with NJ 'Castigat RideuGo' Permit me
to congratulate You personally, as we'll
ms the writer for the Epoque." And
Rouletabille. having first introduced
me, introduced himself.
NJ. do MarQuet with nervous ges-
ture, caresscd his beard into a point.
The WORT; OF the dramatic author
may interfere" lie said, after 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 discretion"
cried Rouletabile.
The train was il motion.
I'VE have started said tho eXamin-
Ing magistrate. surprised at seeing Us
still in the carriage
Yes, monsieur, truth has started"
said Roulctabillc. smiling amiably, ION
its way to the Chateau du Chandler. a
fine case. NJ. de Marquee, fine case
AN obscure. incredible, unfathon-
able, ineXplicable affair. and there is
only one thing | fear, NJ. Rouletabiile,
mat lic JpuIlli.lS Will NC u! lhS ~
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 I'm 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.'
"Will YOU prevent me?' said my
friend, already prepared to fight
Not !! like the press and jour
nalists too well to be in any way dis
agreeable to them, but NJ. Stranger
son has given orders for his door to
he closed against everybody. and it is
well guarded. Not journalist was