Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-01-24
CHAPTER xxV.
Tn Winch Joseph RouletabilIe Is Awaited With Impatience.

0N the 10th of January--that Is to say, two months and a half after the tragic events l have narrated the Epoque printed as the first column of the front page the following sensational article: ''The Seine-et-Oise jury is summon ed today to give its verdict on one of | the most mysterious affairs in the an nals of crime. There never has been case with so many obscure, incom- prehensible and incxplicable points. And yet the prosecution has not hesi- tated to put into the prisoners dock | man who Is respected, esteemed and loved by all who knew him-a young savant, NJ. Robert Darzac. There is no doubt in the mind of anybody that could the victim speak she would claim from the jurors of Seine-et-O Disc the man she wishes to make her hus- hand and whom the prosecution would l send to the scaffold It is to be hoped that Mile. Stangerson will shortly re cover her reason. which has been tenn porarily unhlnged by the horrible mys- tery at the Chandler. The question before the jury is the one we propose to deal with this very day.
 We have decided not to permit twelve worthy men to commit a dis graceful miscarriage of justice. Up to now everything has gone against M Robert Darzac in the nagisterial Inquiry. Today, however, we are go ing to defend him before the jury, and we are going to bring to the witness stand light that will illumine the whole mystery of the Chandler, for we possess the truth.
 When attention was first drawn to the Chandler case our youthful re- porter. Joseph Rouietabille. was on the spot and installed in the chateau when every other representative of the press had been denied admission. He worked side by side with Frederic Larsan. He was amazed and terrified at the grave mistake the celebrated detective was about to make.
 France must know-tne whole world must know-ttat on the very evening on which M Darzac was arrested young Rouletabille entered our edlto- ria! office and informed us that he was about to go away on a journey. How long shall be away he said, I cannot say: perhaps A month, per haps two, perhaps three. Perhaps ! may never return Here Is letter. If am not hack on the day on which M Darzac Is to appear before the assize court. have this letter opened and read to the court after all the wit nesses lave been heard. Arrange it with NJ. DarZac's counsel. M Darzac Is innocent Tn this letter is written the name of the murderer. and-that Is all have to say. am leaving to get my proofs-for the irrefutable evi- dence of the murderer's guilt Our reporter departed. For long time we were without news from him. But a week ago stranger called upon our manager and said Act in accordance with the instructions of Joseph Roule- tabille If 1t becomes necessary to do so. The letter left by him holds the truth The gentleman who brought us this message would not give us his name.
 To-day. the 18th of January. is the day of the trial. Joseph Rouletabille has not returned. It may be we shall never see him again The press also counts its heroes. its martyrs to duty. It may be he Is no longer living. We shall know how 10 ayenge him. Our manager will this afternoon be at the court of assize at Versailles with the letter-the letter containing the name of the murderer
 Those Parisians who nockef to the assize court at Versailles to be present at the trial of what was known as the mystery of the yellow room" will certainly remember the terrible crush In the courtroom.
 The trial itself was presided oyer by NJ. de Rocouz. judge filled with the prejudice of his class but man hon. est at heart. The witnesses had been called. was there. of course. as were all who had In any way been in touch with the mysteries of the Chandler. was lucky enough to be called early in the trial. so that was then able to watch and be present at almost the whole of the proceedings.
 The court was so crowded that many lawyers were compelled to find seats on the steps. Behind the bench of jus tices were representatives from other benches. NJ. Robert Darzac stood in the prisoners dock between police men. tall. handsome and calm. A mur- mur of admiration rather than of com passion greeted his appearance. He leaned forward toward his counsel, Maitre Henri Robert. who. assisted by his chief secretary, Maitre Andre Hesse. was gbusily turning over the folios of his brief
 Many expected that M. Stangerson after giving his evidence would have gone over to the prisoner and shaken hands with him. but he left the court without another word. It was remark ed that the jurors appeared to be deep ly interested in rapid conversation