Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-01-19

 led me to suspect every phrase that could bear upon the event of the day. Now took to mean, since the out rage' Tn the course of my inquiry, therefore. I sought to find relation between that phrase and the tragedy. We went to the Donjon inn for break fast I repeated the phrase and saw by the surprise and trouble on Daddy Mathieu's face that had not exagger- ated it's importance so far as he was concerned
 q had just learned that the con cierges had been arrested. Daddy Mathieu spoke of them as of dear friends-people for whom one Is sorry. That was reckless conjunction of ideas, l said to myself. Now that the concierges are arrested, we shall have to eat red meat No more con- cierges. no more game. The hatred ex- pressed by Daddy Mafhieu for M. Stangerson's forest keeper-a hatred he pretended was shared by the csn- cierges- led me easily 10 think of poachlng. Now. as all the evidence showed the concierges had moi been in bed at the time of the tragedy. why were they abroad that mighty As par tIcipants in the crime? l was not dis posed 10 think so. l had already ar rived at the conclusion. by steps of which l will tell you later--that the as- sassin had had no accomplIce and that the tragedy held a mystery between Mile Stangerson and the murderer, mystery with which the concierges had nothing to do.
 "with that theory in my mind. searched for proof in their lodge, which. as you know. l entered. springs and brass wire. An l thought. these things explain why they were out in the park at nightg I was not surprised at the dogged si- lence they maintained before the ex- amining magistrate. even under the ac- cusation so grave as that of being ac- compllces in the crime. Teaching would save them from the assize court. but it would lose them their places, and as they were perfeo tly sure of their innocence of tbe crime they hoped 1t would soon be established. and then their poaching might go on as usual. They could always confess later. 1. however, hastened their csA- fession by means of the document Nj. Stangerson signed They gave all the necessary proofs, were set al liberty and have now lively gratitude for me. Why did not get them released sooner? Because I was not sure that nothing more than poaching was against them. l 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 had need of help could rely on. so 1 resolved to have them released at once"
 We reached the Donjon inn and en- tered it.
 This time we did not see the Iand- lord. but were received with pleas ant smile by the charming hostess.
 "How's Daddy Mathieu" asked Rouletabille
 Not much better. not much better. He is still confined to his bed" His rheumatism still sticks to him. then?'
 "Yes. Last night was again obliged to give him morphine, the only drug that gives him any relief"
 
 thing about her expressed gentieness. She was. indeed, beautiful woman. somewhat with an air Of indolence, 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 present did not lead us to believe that 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- plained to me his reason for asking me to 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, l ex- pect the assassin tonight" A brief silence followed. which took care not to interrupt, and then he went on:
 Last night just as was going to bed M Robert Darzac knocked at my room. When he came in he confided to me that he was compelled to go to Paris the next day-that is, this morn- ing. The reason which made this jour ney necessary was at once peremptory and mysterious. It was not possible for him to explain its object to me. I go. and yet. he added. I would give my life not to leave Mile. Stangerson at this moment He did not try to hide that he believed her to be once more in danger. It 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