Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-04

evening we dine In Frederic Larsan's
room-at least II he is not on the heels
Of. Darzac. He sticks to him like a
leech. But, anyhow, IL he Is not there
now am quite sure he will be to.
night. Hes the one I am going ia
knock overw
At this moment we heard a noise IL
the room near us.
1T must be he" said Rouletabille.
II forgot to ask you" I said, III wa
are TO make any allusion to tonights
business when we are with this police.
man. / take 1t We are not. Is that
sou
Evidently. We are going to operate
alone. on our own personal account"
so that all the glory will be oursr'
Rouletsbille laughed.
We dined with Frederic Larsan IN
his room He told us he had just
come IN and invited us to be seated at
table. We ate our dinner in the best
OF humors, and I had no difficulty in
appreciating the feelings Of certainty
which both Rouletabile and Larsan
felt. Rouletabille told the great Fred
that ! had come on chance visit and
that he had asked me to stay and help
him In the heavy batch Of writing he
had to get through for the Epoaue,
1 was going back to Paris, he said. BY
the IL o'clock train, taking his COPY.
which took a story form, recountins
the principal episodes in the mysteries
~ Clpv
explanation like a man who was not
fooled and politely refrained from max.
ing the slightest remark on matters
which did not concern him.
With Infinite precautions as to the
words they used and even as to tho
tones OF their voices, Larsan and
Rouletabille discussed for long time
Mr.. Arthur RANGES appearance at the
chateau and his past IN America,
about which they expressed a desire
TO know more, at any rate so far as
his relations with the Stangersons. At
ore time Larsan. who appeared to me
to be unwell said, with an effort:
II think. NJ. Rouletabille. that we've
not much more to do at the Chandler
and that we shan't sleep here many
more nights"
II think so. too. NJ. Fred"
Then you think the conclusion Of
the matter has been reached"
II think. indeed. that we have moth.
ing more to find out" replied Rouleta.
billie.
Have you found your criminal7"
asked Larsan.
Have your"
ayes"
$50 have l." said Rouletabille.
"Can it be the same man.
II don't know II you have swerved
from your original idea" said the
young reporter. Then he added with
emphasis, M. Darsac is an honest
man.
Are you sure Of that:" asked Lar.
san. We'll, 1 am sure he is not. So
It'll fight. them"
Yes. IT is fight. But shall beat
you. NJ. Frederic Larsan."
Youth never doubts anything" said
the great Fred laughingy and held out
his hand to me by way Of conclusion
Rouleta bille's answer came like an
echo:
mot anythingw
Suddenly I.arsan, who had risen to
wish us good night, pressed both his
hands to his chest and staggered He
was obliged to lean on Rouletab billie for
support and to save himself from fall
ing.
ooh, OH" he cried What Is the
matter with me? Have l been poison
ed:"
He looked at US with haggard eyes.
We questioned him vanly. He did
not answer us. He had sunk into an
armchair. and we could not get a
word from him. We were extremely
distressed. both on his account and on
our own, for we had partaken Of all
the dishes ne had eaten. He seemed
to he out o! pain, but his heavy head
had fallen on his shoulder and his eye
lids were tightly closed. Roulctabillu
bent over him, listening for the beat
ings OF the heart.
Ny friends face. however, when he
stood up was rs calm as 1t had been
moment before agltated.
"Hc is asleep" he said.
He led me to his cha nber, after clos
ing Larsan's room.
The drug" I asked. Does Mile.
Stangerson wish to put everybody to
sleep tonight"
Perhaps" replied Rouletabille. Rut
I could see he was thinking of some
thing else.
But what about us?" I exclaimed
"How do we know that we have not
been drusged?
do you feel indisposed:" Rouleta.
billie asked me coolly.
Not in the least"
do you feel any inclination to 60 to
sleep"
None whatever"
"Well, then. my friend. smoke this
excellent cigar
And he handed me choice Havana,
one NJ Darzac had given him. while
be lit his brierwood-his eternal brier.
wood.
We remained in his room until about
10 O'Clock without a word passing be-
tween US. Buried in an armchair, Roule.
tabile sat and smoked steadily, his
brow in thought and a faraway look
In his eyes. On the stroke of 10 he
took Off his boots and signed me to do
the same. Standing In our socks, he
snid in so low a tone that guessed