The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-02-26
By CASTOR LEROUX

Ter what ne mad called the circle OF the
right end OF his reason.
When he had finished his recital he
asked me what 1 thought of it. / re-
piled that was much puzzled by his
question. Then he begged me to try,
in my turn. to take my reason in hand
"by the right end"
VERY WELL" said. at seems to me
that the point Of departure Of my rea
son would be this-there can be no
doubt that the murderer you pursued
was in the gallery" Ipaused
AFTER making so good start, you
ought not to stop so soon," he exclaim-
ed. Come, make another effort"
"I'll try. Since he disappeared from
the gallery without passing through
any door or window. he must have es-
capped by some other opening"
Rouletabille looked at me pityingly,
smiled carelessly and remarked that l
was reasoning like postman or-like
Frederic Larsan.
Rouletabille had alternate fits of ad-
miration and disdain for the great
Fred. 1t all depended as to whether
Larsans discoveries tailed with Roulc.
tabille's reasoning or not. When they
did he would exclaim, 'He Is really
greatw When they did not, he would
grunt and mutter, what an ASST 1t
was petty side of the noble character
of this strange youth.
We had risen. and he led me into the
park. When we reached the court and
were making toward the gate. the
sound of l.linds thrown back against
the wall made us turn our heads, and
we saw at Il window on the first floor
of the chateau the ruddy and clean
shaven face of person did not rec
ogniZe.
Hello muttered Rouletabille. "Ar-
thur Rance He lowered his head
quickened his, pace. and | heard him
ask himself between his teeth: Was
he in the chateau that night? What
is he doing here?'
We had gone some distance from the
chateau when l asked him who this
Arthur Rance was and how he had
come TO know him. He referred to his
story of that morning, and | remem-
bered that Mr.. Arthur w. Rance was
the American from Philadelphia with
whom he had had so many drinks at
the Elysee reception.
But was he not to have left France
almost immediately" | asked
mo doubt; that's why am sur
'prised to find him here still and not
only in France, but above all, at the
Chandler He did not arrive this
morning and he did not get here last
nightA Vie must have got here before
dinner, then. Why didn't the con
cierges tell me?'
reminded my friend, apropos Of the
concierges, that he had not yet told me
what had led him to get them set at
liberty.
We were close to their lodge. NJ and
Nine. Bernier saw us coming. frank
smile lit up their happy faces. They
seemed to harbOr no i'll feeling because
Of their detention. My young friend
asked them at what hour Mr.. Arthur
Rance had arrived. They answered that
they did not know he was at the cha
teau. He must have come during the
evening of the previous night. but they
had not had to open the gate for him,
because, being a great walker and not
wishing that carriage should be sent
off at the little hamlet of Saint Michel,
from which he came to the chateau by
way of the forest. He reached the
park by the grotto Of Salnte Gene
We've, over the little gate Of which.
giving OH to the park, he climbed.
AS the concierges spoke saw Roule-
Tables face cloud over and exhibit dis
appointment disappointment, no
doubt. with himself. Evidently he was
a little vexed, after having worked so
much on the spot, with so minute a
study Of the people and events at the
Chandler, that he had to learn now
that Arthur Rance was accustomed to
visit the chateau.
"You say that NJ. Arthur Rance Is
accustomed to come to the chateau.
When did he come here lastT'
1--WE can't tell you exactly" replied
Nine. Bernier. 1--WE couldn't know
while they were keeping us In prison.
Besides, as the gentleman comes to
the chateau without passing through
our gate he goes away by the way hc
comes"
"Do you know when he came the
first timer"
"Oh. yes. monsieur. Nine years
ago"
"He was In France nine years ago.
then" said Rouletabllle. "and since
that time as far as yon know. how
many times las he been at the Clan
iierT'
"Three tines
when did he come the last time, as
far as you know
"a week before the attempt In the
(ellow ROOM
Rouletabille put another question.
this time addressing himself, particular
" to the woman:
''In the grove Of the parquet?'
"In the grove Of the parquet," she
replied.
"Thanks! said Rouletsbllle. BE