Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-01-14


ing so much as the chance Of M. stan
gerson knowing that his daughter was
held by her assailant. ! made n.
Darzac understand that he had ex-
planned himself sufficiently and that
he might refrain from telling me any
more than he had already told me- l
promised him to watch through the
night lie insisted that | should es-
tablish an absolutely impossible bar
rier about Mile Stangerson's cham
Der, around the boudoir where the
nurses were sleeping and around the
drawing room where since the affair
Of the inexplicable gallery Nj. Stanger-
son had slept. In short, was to put
Gordon round the whole apartment.
From his insistence gathered that
M. Darzac intended not only to make
It impossible for the expected man to
reach the chamber of Mile. Stanger-
son, but TO make that impossibility so
visibly clear that, seeing himself ex-
pected, be would at once go away.
That was how l interpreted his final
words when we parted, you may men
ton your own suspicious of the expect
ed attack to N. Stangerson, to Daddy
Jacques, to Frederic Larsan and to
anybody in the chateau
"When he was gone began to think
that / should have to use even a great
er cunning than his so that If the man
should come that night he might not
for a moment suspect that his coming
had been expected. Certainly
would allow him to get in far enough,
so that. dead or alive, / might see his
face clearly. He must be got rid of.
Mile. StangersOn must be freed from
this continual impending danger"
The landlady reappeared at that mo-
ment, bringing in the traditional bacon
omelet, Rouletabille chaffed her lit
tie, and she took the chat with the
most charming good humor
"She is much jollier when Daddy
Matthew is in bed with his rheuma-
tism" Rouletabille said to me.
When he had finished his omelet
and we were again alone 2ouletabille
continued the tale of his condolences.
when I sent you my telegram this
morning." he said, 1T had only the
word of NJ. Darzac that perhaps the
assassin would come tonight. l can
now say that he will certainly come.
l expect him"
what has made you feel this GER
tainty?"
II have been sure since half past 10
o'clock this morning that he would
come. l knew that before we saw
Arthur Rance at the window in the
court"
"Ahp' l said. But, again. what
made you so sure? And why since
half past 10 this morning?"
Because at half past 10 had proof
that Mile, Stangerson was making as
many efforts to permit of the murder
er's entrance as M. Robert Darzac had
taken precautions against it."
as that posslbleT' cried. Haven't
you told me that Mile. Stangerson
loves NJ. Robert DarzacY
Il told you so because it is the
truth"
''Then do you see nothing strange
Everything in this business is
strange, my friend; but take my word
for it, the strangeness you now feel is
nothing to the strangeness that's to
conner
1T must be admitted, then, | said,
that Mile. Stangerson and her muir
derer are in communication-at any
rate in writing?"
admit it, my friend; admit it, You
don't risk anything! l told you about
the letter left on her table on the
night of the inexplicable gallery at
fair-the letter that disappeared into
the pocket of Mile, Stangerson. Why
should ii not have been a summons to
a meeting? Might he not, as soon as
he was sure Of Darzacs absence, APP
point the meeting for the coming
night?"
And my friend laughed silently.
There are moments when | ask myself
if he is not laughing at me.
The door of the inn opened. Roule-
tabille was on his feet so suddenly
that one might have thought he had
received an electric shock.
"Mr. Arthur Rancep he cried.
Mr. Arthur Rance stood before us
calmly bowling.