Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-01-23
[coNTINUED.l
CHAPTER XIV.
In Which Joseph ROuletsbille Is
Awaited With Impatienee.


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
mails of crime There never has been
q case with so many obscure, incom-
prehensible and inexplicable points.
And yet the prosecution has not hest
kated to put into the prisoners dock
a 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-Oise
the man she wishes to make her hus-
band and whom the prosecution would
send TO the scaffold. 1t is to be hoped
that Mile. Stangerson will shortly re-
cover her reason, which has been tenn
pOrarily unhinged by the horrible mys-
terry at the Chandler. The question
before the jury is the one we propose
20 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
NJ Robert Darzac in the magisterial
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 Rouletabille, 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-the whole world
must know-that on the very evening
on which NJ Darzac was arrested
young Rouletabille entered our edito-
rial office and informed us that he
was about TO go away on a journey
How long | shall be away he said.
4 cannot say; perhaps a month, per
haps two, perhaps three. Perhaps !
may never return. Here IS a letter
If I am not back 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 have been heard Arrange 1t
with NJ. Darzac's counsel. NJ. Darzac
Is innocent In 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 evil
dence of the murderer's guilt Our
reporter departed For a long time we
were without news from him. But
week ago a stranger called upon our
manager and said: Act in accordance
with the instructions Of Joseph Roule-
tabille if it 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. 1t may be we shall
never see him again. The press also
counts its heroes its martyrs TO duty.
1t may be he is no longer living We
shall know how to avenge 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 6ocked 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 over by
NJ. de Rocouz, a 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 10 find seals
on the steps Behind the bench Of jus
tees were representatives from other
benches. NJ. Robert Darzac stood in
the prisoners dock between police
men, tall, handsome and calm. A muir
muir 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 busily turning over the
folios OF his brief
Many expected that M. stangerson
after giving bis evidence would have
gone over to the prisoner and shaken
hands with him. but be left the court
without another word II wns remark
ca that the jurors appeared 10 be deep |
~ interested IN rapid conversation |
which the manager OF The EpoQue was
49,