Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-03-11

W
and made his way to the door Of the
witness roon
/ quietly made my way through the
crowd and left the court almost Mt the
same time as Rouletabillc He greeted
Inc heartily and looked happy.
"1l! not ask you. my dear fellow" I
said. smiling, what you've been doing
In America, because I've no doubt
you'll say you can't tell me until after
half past g."
"No. my dear Sainclair, I'll tell you
right now why | went to America.
went In search Of the name of the 9th
or half Of the murderer
"The name Of the other half?"
Exactly! When we last left the
Chandler knew there were two
halves to the murderer and the name
of only one Of them went to Amer
lea for the name Of the other half"
was too puzzled TO answer. Just
then we entered the witness room,
and Eoulctabilc was Immediately sur
rounded. He showed himself very
friendly TO all except Arthur Rance.
to whom he exhibited IL marked cold
ness Of manner Frederic Larsan
fame In also. Roulctabille went up
md shook him heartily by the hand
His manner toward the detective
showed that he had got the better Of
the policeman. I.arsan smiled and
asked him what he had been doing in
America. Roulctabille began by tell
ing him some anecdotes OF his voyage
They then turned aside together, APP
parcntly with the object of speaking
aonfidcntlally.
On the stroke of half past G Joseph
Rouletabille was again brought in. 1t
/ is impossible fof me to picture the
| tense excitement which appeared on
every face as he made his way to the
bar. Darzac rose to his feet. frghtful.
~ pale.
The president, addressing Rouleta
| bile. said graycly:
II will not ask you to take the OATH
because you have not been regularly
summoned. but trust there is no need
to urge upon you the gravity of the
statement you are about to make"
Rouletabile looked the president
| quite calmly and steadily in the face
and replied:
Yes, monsieur"
AT your last appearance here said
| the president, I'VE had arrived at the
point where you were to tell us how
! the murderer escaped and also his
name. Now, NJ. Rouletabille. we await
your explanation"
Very well. monsieur" began my
friend amidst a profound silence. Il
had explained how it was impossible
for the murderer to get away without
being seen. And yet he was there
with us in the court"
And you did not see him? At least
that is what the prosecution declares"
NO. We all of us saw him, NJ. lie
President" cried Roulctablle.
"Then why was he not arrestcd?'
"Because no one besides myself
knew that he was the murderer. 1t
would have spoiled my plans to have
had him arrested. and l had then no
proof other than my own reasoning. I
was convinced we had the murderer
before us and that we were actually
looking at him. have now brought
what l consider the indisputable
proof"
Speak out. monsieur. Tel US the
murdcrer's name"
you will find it on the list Of names
present in the court on the night OF
the tragedy replied Roulctabil!c.
The people present In the courtroom
began showing impatencc. Some Of
them even called for the name and
were silenccd by the usher.
"The list includes Daddy jacques
Bernier. the concierge, and Mr.. Arthur
Rance" said the president. do you
accuse any of these?'
"No. monsieur"
"Then I do not understand what you
are driving at There was no other
person ut the end Of the court"
Yes. monsieur. there was. not at the
end. but above the court, who was
leaning out of the window"
"Do YOU mean Frederic Larsan:" ex
claimed the president.
Yes, Frederic I.arsau" replied Roule
tabille N ringing tone. "FrederiC
Larsan IS Tho inurdcrcr'
The courtroom became Immediately
filed with loud and indignant protests
So astonished was he that the presi
dent did not attempt to quic, 1t. The
quick silence which followed was bro
ken ny the distinctly whispered words
!. from the lips OF Robert DarZAc:
ITS impossible. He's mad
You dare to accuse Frederic Larsan
monsieur asked the president IL
you are not mad. what are YOU
proofs"
proofs, monsieur? DO YOU wan
>. proofs? We'll, here is one" cried Roule
tabille shrilly. let Frederic Larsal
. be called"'
FISHER, call Frederic I.arsan,"
The usher hurried to the side door
opened it and disappeared The doc
remained open, while all eyes turned
, expectantly toward it. The clerk re
appeared and. stepping forward, said:
M. President, Frederic Larsan Il
not here. He left at about o'clocl
and has not been seen since"
THAT Is my proof cried Rouleta
billie triumphantly.
y Explain yourself" demanded th'
president.
=, MY proof Is I.arsan's flight" sale
the young reporter He will not conn