The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-02-20

tl0n ceased, tnen were renewed TOT
moment. and then we heard stifled
sobs. We were only able to catch
these words. which reached us dis
tinctly. "My poor Robertv' Rouleta-
billie whispered in my ear:
"If we only knew what was being
said In that chamber my inquiry would
soon be finished"
He looked about him. The darkness
Of the evening enveloped us. We could
not see much beyond the narrow path
bordered by trees which ran behind
the chateau. The sobs had ceased.
IF we can't hear we may at least
try to see." said Rouletabille.
And, making sign to me to deaden
the sound Of my steps. he led me
across the path to the trunk of tall
beech tree. the white bole Of which
was visible In the darkness. This
| tree grew exactly in front of the win
dow in which we were so much inter
level with the first floor Of the cha
teau. From the height of those
branches one might certainly see what
was passing In Mile. Stangerson's
chamber. Evidently that was what
Rouletabille thought. for. enjoining me
to remain hidden. he clasped the trunk
with his vigorous arms and climbed
up. soon lost sight of him amid the
branches. and then followed deep
silence.
In front of me the open window
remained lighted, and saw no shadow
move across 1t. listened. and pres
emily from above me these words
reached my ears:
"After you!"
"After you. pray"
Somebody was overhead. speaking
exchanging courtesies. What was my
astonishment to see on the slippery col
umn Of the tree two human forms ap-
pear and quietly slip down to the
ground. Rouletabille had mounted
alone and had returned with another.
"Good evening. NJ. Sainclair!'
1t was Frederic Larsan. The detec-
tive had already occupied the post of
observation when my young friend had
thought to reach 1t alone, Neither no
ticed my establishment | explained
that to myself by the fact that they
must have been witnesses Of some ten
der and despairing scene between Mile.
Stangerson. lying In her bed. and NJ.
Darzac on his knees by her pillow.
guessed that each had drawn different
conclusions from what they had seen,
| 10 hat thn had
strongly impressed Rouletabille in ia
vor Of NJ. Robert DarZac. while to Lar
san 1t showed nothing but consummate
hypocrisy acted with finished art by
Mile Stangerson's fiance.
AS we reached the park gate Larsan
stopped us.
my canew he cried. 81 left 1t near
the tree"
He left us. saying he would rejoin us
presently.
"Have you noticed Frederic Larsans
cane?" asked the young reporter as
soon as we were alone. "It is quite a
new one which have never seen him
use before He seems to take great
care of tit never leaves him. One
would think he was afraid it might fall
into the hands of strangers. never
saw 1t before today. Where did he
find It? 1t isn't natural that man
who had never before used a walking
stick should the day after the Chandler
crime never move step without one
On the day Of our arrival at the cha
teau, as soon rs he saw us. he put his
watch in his pocket and picked up his
cane from the ground, proceeding to
which | was perhaps wrong not to at
tach some Importance"
We were now out Of the park. Roule
tabille had dropped into silence. Hi
thoughts were certainly still occupied
with Frederic Larsan's new cane.
had proof Of that when, as we came
near to Epinay, he said;
,, "Frederic Larsan arrived at thu
!, Chandler before me. He began his In
quiry before me. He has had time t
find out things about which l know
nothing. Where did he find that cane?'
Then he added; "It Is probable tina
, his suspicion-more than that. his rea
: soning-has led him to lay his hand oil
, something tangible. Has this can,
anything to do with It? Where tn,
, deuce could he have found it?'
, AS had to wait twenty minutes 70
, the train at Epinay. we entered a cab
. aret. Almost Immediately the doc
? opened, and Frederic Larsan made hi
I appearance, brandishing his famou
. cane.
= II found It," he said laughingiy.
o The three Of us seated ourselves at
l table. Rouletabille never took his eye
I Off the cane. He was SO absorbed tina
+ lie did not notice q sign Larsan mad
o to railway employee, young ma
}. with chin decorated by tiny blon
Q and Ill kept beard. On the sign tn
s young man rose. paid for his drinl
I bowed and went out. I should not my
self have attached any importance I
Q. the circumstance II It had not been n
}. called to my mind some months late
y by the temperance Of the man wit
8 the beard at one of the most tragic mt
r ments Of this case. then learned tha
e the youth was one of Larsans assis
t ants and had been charged by him
!. watch the going and coming of traye