The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1909-05-06

floor of the dOnJOn In the room winch
was once an Oratory. Nine. Matthew
came to the chateau that night en-
yeloped in IL large black shawl, which
served also as a disguise. This was
Jacques. She knew how to initiate
the mewing Of Mother ~Angenoux's cat,
and she would make the cries to ad-
wise the keeper Of her presence.
Previous to the tragedy in the court
Nine. Matthew and the keeper left the
donjon together. | learned these facts
from my examination of the footmarks
in the court the next morning. Ber-
nier, the concierge, whom l had sta
toned behind the d~onjon-as he will
explain himself-could not see what
passed in the court. He did not reach
the court until he heard the revolver
shots, and then he fired. When the
woman parted from the man she went
toward the open gate Of the court,
while he returned to his room.
"He had almost reached the door
when the revolvers rang out. He had
just reached the corne when a shad-
ow bounded by. Meanwhile Nine.
Matthew, surprised by the revolver
shots and by the entrance Of people
into the court, crouched In the dark
ness. The court is a large one, and,
being near the gate, she might easily
have passed out unseen. But she re-
NAMED and saw the body being car
ried away. In great agony Of mind
she neared the vestibule and saw the
dead body of her lover on the stairs lit
up by Daddy Jacques lantern. She
then fed, and Daddy Jacques joined
her.
THAT same night before the muir
der Daddy Jacques had been awak-
ened by the cats cry and, looking
through his window. had seen the
black phantom. Hastily dressing him
self, he went out and recognized her.
He Is an old friend of Nine. Matthew.
and when she saw him she begged his
assistance. Daddy Jacques took pity
on her n accompanied her through
the oak grove out Of the park, past
the border of the lake to the road to
Epinay. From there it was but q very
distance to her home.
Daddy Jacques returned to the cha
teau, and, seeing how important it was
for Nine. Matthews presence at the
to remain unknown, he had
done all he could to hide it. l appeal
to Nj. Larsan. who saw me next morn
Ing, examine the two sets Of foot
prints"
Here Rouletabille, turning toward
Nine. Matthew, with a bow, said:
THE footprints of madame bear a
strange resemblance to the neat foot
prints Of the murderer"
Nine. Matthew trembled and looked
at him with wide eyes as in wonder at
what he would say next.
Madame has a shapely foot, long
and rather large for a woman. The
imprint. with it's pointed toe, is very
Ike that Of the murderer's."
A movement in the court was re.
pressed by Rouletabille. He held their
attention at once.
Il hasten to add" he went on, that
l attach no Importance to this. Out
ward signs like these are often liable
to lead us into error if we do not rea-
rightly. Nj. Robert Darzac's foot
prints are also like the murderer's, ana
yet he is not the murderer"
The president. turning to Nine. Ma
thieu. asked:
us that in accordance with what you
know occurred?"
"ies. NJ. President" she replied; lit
Is as If NJ. R~Ouletabille had been be-
hind US
Did you see the murderer running
the end of the right wing?'
Yes, as clearly as | saw them after
ward carrying the keepers body"
What became of the murderer? You
were In the court and could easily have
." saw nothing of him, NJ. President.
1t became quite dark just then"
"Then NJ. Rouletabille." said the
president. must explain how the muir
derer mad his escape"
ROuletabille continued:
"ao AibpoSSlDle LOT tue Il
to escape by the way he had entered
the court without our seeing him. or il
we couldn't see him we must certainly
felt him. since the court is a very
narrow one. Enclosed in high iron rail.
Then IL the mar was hemmed in
that narrow square how Is it you did
not find him? l have been asking you
that for the last half hour"
m. President" replied Rouletabille.
Il cannot answer that question before
half past 6r'
The president had certainly been i'm
pressed by R%ouletabille's explanation
OF Nine. Matthews part.
"Well, NJ. Rouletabille," he said. "as
you say. But don't let us see any
more of you before half past G."
Rouletabille bowed to the president
and made his way to the door Of the
witness room.
(To be continued.)
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