The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1909-03-19
CHAPTER xxvI.
In Which Joseph Rovletabille APP
pears In All His Glory.


Cries from fainting women
were to be heard amid the ex-
~ traordinary hustle and stir.
The majesty of the law" was utterly
forgotten. The president tried in vain
to make himself heard. Rouletabille
made his way forward with difficulty.
but by dint Of much elbowing reached
his manager and greeted him cordial
ly. He was dressed exactly as on the
day he left me, even to the ulster over
his arm. Turning to the president, he
said:
II beg your pardon, NJ. President,
but 1 have only just arrived from
America. The steamer was late. My
name Is Joseph Rouletabille"
The silence which followed his step
ping into the witness box was broken
by laughter when his words were
heard. Everybody seemed relieved
and glad to find him there, as If in the
expectation of hearing the truth at
last.
But the president was extremely in
censed.
$50 you are Joseph Rouletabille?'
he replied. We'll, young man, I'll
teach you what comes of making u
farce of justice. BY virtue of my dis
cretionary power I hold you at the
courts disposition. Take him away
Maitre Henri Robert interviewed. He
began by apologizing for the young
man, who, he said, was moved only by
the best intentions. He made the. pres
ident understand that the evidence Of
witness who had slept at the Clan
der during the whole of that event
full week could not be omitted, and the
present witness, moreover, had come
to name the real murderer.
"Are you going to tell US who the
murderer WASP" asked the president,
somewhat convinced, though still skep.
teal.
II have come for that purpose, NJ.
President! replied Rouletabille.
An attempt at applause was silenced
by the usher.
Joseph Rouletabille," said Maitre
subpoenaed as witness, but l hope,
M. President, you will examine him in
virtue Of your discretionary powers"
A pin drop could have been heard.
Rouletabille stood silent, looking sym
pathetically at Darzac, who for the
first time since the opening of the trial
showed himself agitated.
"Well," cried the president, 1--WE wait
for the name Of the murderer
Rouletabille, feeling in his waistcoat
pocket, drew bis watch and, looking at
It, said:
IN. President, l cannot name the
murderer before half past 6 o'clock
Loud murmurs of disappointment
filed the room. Some of the lawyers
were heard to say, Hes making fun
Of us.'
The president in stern voice said:
'This joke has gone far enough. You
may retire, monsieur, into the wit
nesses' room. ] hold you at our dis
position"
Rouletabille protested.
II assure you, NJ. President" he
cried in his sharp, clear voice, that
when do name the murderer you will
understand why l could not speak be-
fore half past 6. | assert this on my
honor. l can, however, give you now
some explanation Of the murder of the
keeper. NJ. Frederic Larsan, who has
tell you with what care / studied this
case. found myself compelled to diff
fer with him in arresting M. Robert
Darzac. who is innocent. NJ. Larsan
knows of my good faith and knows
that some Importance may be attached
to my discoveries, which have often
corroborated his own"
Frederic Larsan said:
m. President, it will be interesting
to hear M. Joseph Rouletabille, espe-
cially as he differs from me- We agree
that the murderer of the keeper was
the assailant Of Mile. Stangerson, but
as we are not agreed as to how the
murderer escaped am curious to hear
NJ. Rouletabille's explanation
II have no doubt you are" said my
friend.
General laughter followed this re-
mark. The president angrily declared
that II 1t was repeated he would have
the court cleared.
"Now, young man." said the presi-
dent, "you have heard NJ. Frederic
Larsan. How did the murderer get
away from the court"
Rouletabille looked at Nine. Matthew,
who smiled back at him sadly.
"Since Nine. Matthew" he said, "has
freely admitted her affair with the
keeper
"why. it's the boyw exclaimed Dad
dy Matthew.
"Remove that man. ordered the
president.
Matthew was removed from the
court. Rouietabille went on:
sSince she has made this confession
I am free to tell you that she often
met the keeper at night on the first
noor Of the donjon in the room which
was once an oratory. Nine. Matthew
came to the chateau that night en-
yeloped In large black shawl. which