The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-26

hhu lueH lueiE pOdCulUS might 20 Oh
as usual. They could always confess
later. ], however, fastened their con-
fesdon by means of the document NJ.
Stangerson signed. They gave all the
necessary proofs were set at liberty
and have now lively gratitude for
me. Why did l not get them released
sooner? Because / was not sure that
nothing more than poaching was
against them. / wanted to study the
ground. AS the days went by, my con-
viction became more and more certain.
The days after the events of the mex
plicable gallery l had need of help
could rely on, so l resolved to have
them released ut once"
We reached the Donjon inn and en-
tered it.
This time we did not see the land
lord, but were received with q pleas
ant smile by the charming hostess.
"How's Daddy Matthews" asked
Rouletabille.
mot much better, not much better.
He is still confined to his bed"
His rheumatism still sticks to him,
thenT
Eyes. Last night i was again
obliged to give him morphine, the only
drug that gives him any relief"
She spoke In a soft voice. Every
thing about her expressed gentleness.
She was, indeed, beautiful woman,
somewhat with an air of Incidence,
with great eyes seemingly black and
blue, amorous eyes. Was she happy
with her grabbed, rheumatic husband?
The scene at which we had once been
she was. Yet there was something in
her bearing that was not suggestive
of despair She disappeared into the
kitchen to prepare our repast, leaving
on the table bottle of excellent cider.
Rouletabille filled our earthenware
mugs. loaded his pipe and quietly ex-
planned 10 me his reason for asking
me 10 come to the Chandler with re-
volvers.
YES" he said contemplatively, look
ing at the clouds of smoke he was
putting out. ''yes. my dear boy, ] ex-
pect the assassin tonight"
A BRIEF silence followed. which
look care not to interrupt, and then
he went on:
last night just as ! was going to
bed NJ Robert Darzac knocked ut my
room. When he came IN he confidcd
to me that he was compelled TO go to
Paris the next day-that is. this morn
inU Tho Nxltiah I1a.In thi. ipItp
ney necessary was at once peremptory
and mysterious. Ii was not possible
for him 10 cXplain its Object TO me. 4
90, and yet he added. 4 would give
my life not to leave Nile. Stangerson
at this moment He did not try TO
hide that lie believed her to be once
more in danger. 1t will not greatly
astonish me if something happens to-
morrow night he avowed, and yet !
must be absent. | cannot be back at
the Chandler before the morning Of the
day after tomorrow
81 asked him to explain himself. and
this is all he would tell me. His antici
patton of coming danger had come TO
him solely from the coincidence that
Mile. Stangerson had been twice at
tackled. and both times when he had
been absent. Now q man so moved
who should still go away must be act
ing under cOmpulsion-must he obey
ing will stronger than his own. That
was how l reasoned, and told him So
He replied Perhaps l asked him If
Nile. Stangerson was compelling him.
He protested that she was not. His de-
termination to go to Paris had been
taken without any conference with
Mile. Stangerson.
"To cut the story short, he repeated
that his belief in the possibility of q
fresh attack was founded entirely on
the extraordinary coincidence. If any
thing happens TO Mile. Stangerson,' he
said, 1T would be terrible for both of
us-for her, because her life would be
in danger; for me- because l could nei-
ther defend her from the attack nor
tell of where had been. am perfect
ly aware of the suspicious cast on me.
The examining magistrate and NJ. Lar
san are both on the point Of believing
in my guilt. Larsan tracked me the
last time / went to Paris, and had all
the trouble in the world to get rid of
him.
"'Why do you not tell me the name
of the murderer now II you know it,
| cried
M. Darzac appeared extremely trorI-
bled by my question and replied to me
in a hesitating tone:
81? / know the name Of the MUIR
derer? Why, how could l know his
Il at once replied, From Mile Stan
gerson.'
HE grew SO pale that l thought he
was about TO faint, and | saw that !
had hit the right nail on the head.
and he knew the name
Of the murderer! When he recovered
he said to me: j am going to
leave you. Since you have been here
| haveappreciated your exceptional in
tcllgencc and your unequaled inge
nuity. But ask this service of you
Perhaps ] am wrong to fear an attack
during the coming night, but as
must act with foresight count on you
10 Illustrate any attempt that may he
made.