The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-04-17
The Mystery Of
The Yellow Room

BY GASTON LEROUX

I quietly made my way through the
crowd and left the court almost at the
same time as Rouletabille. He greeted
me heartily and looked happy
I'll not ask you. my dear fellow"
said. smiling. what you've been doing
In America. because I've no doubt
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
er 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 Rouletabille was Immediately sur
rounded He showed himself very
friendly to all except Arthur Rance.
to whom he exhibited marked cold
ness of manner. Frederic Larsan
came in also. Rouletabille went mp
and shook him heartily by the hand.
His manner toward the detective
showed that he had got the better of
the policeman. Larsan smiled and
asked him what he had been doing in
America. Rouletabille began by tell
ing him some anecdotes of his voyage.
They then turned aside together, ap-
parently with the object Of speaking
confidentially.
On the stroke of half past Joseph
Rohletabille was again brought in. 1t
is impossible for me to picture the
tense excitement which appeared on
every face as he made his way to the
bar Darzac rose to his feet, frightful-
ly pale.
The president, addressing Rouleta-
bile. said gravely:
u 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"
Rouletabilie looked the president
quite calmly and steadily In the face
and replied:
Yes, monsieur"
lat 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, III. Rouletabille. we await
your explanation"
Every well. monsieur" began my
friend amidst O profound silence. ~
had explained how 1t 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"
mo! We all Of us saw him, NJ. lie
PRESIDENT: cried Rouletabille.
"Then why was he not arrested"
because no one besides myself
knew that be was the murderer. 1t
would have spoiled my plans to have
had him arrested. and / had then no
proof other than my own reasoning. l
was convinced we had the murderer
before us and that we were actually
looking at him. l have now brought
what consider the indisputable
proof"
Speak out, monsieur. Tell US the
murderer,s name."
"You will find 1t on the list Of names
present in the court on the night Of
the tragedy" replied Rouletabille.
The people present in the courtroom
began showing lmpatience. Some Of
them even called for the name and
were silenced by the usher.
1.-The list includes Daddy Jacques,
Berpier. the concierge, and Mr.. Arthur
Rance" said the president. "Do you
accuse any of these?"
.No. monsieur
Then l do not understand what you
are driving at. There was no other
person at 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.
Eyes. Frederic Larsan" replied Roule,
tabiiie In q ringing tone. Frederic
Larsan Is the murderer"
The courtroom became Immediately
filed with loud and indignant protests.
So astopjshed was he that the presi-
dent did not attempt to quiet 1t. The
quick silence which followed was bro
ken by the distinctly whispered words
from the lips of Robert Darzac:
"Its impossible. He's mad"
~You dare to accuse Frederic Larsap,
monsieur2" asked the president. IT
you are not mad. what are your
pfoofsT
proofs, Monsieur? Do you want
proofs? Well, here is one" cried Rouls'
tabiile shriliy. Let Frederic Larsan
be calledr
Usher, call Frederic Larsan."
The usher hurried to the side door,
opened it and disappeared. The door
remained open. while all eyes turned
expectantly toward 1t. The clerk re-
appeared and. stepping forward. said:
M. President. Frederic Larsan Is
not here. He left at about 4 O'CLOCK
and has not been seen since"
That is my proofr' cried Rouieta'
bile triumphantiy.