Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-01-21


 oh said Rouletabille grossly, then you want to let everybody into Mile. Stangerson's secrets? Cone. let us go 10 dinner. If is time. This evening we dine in Frederic Larsan's room at least if he Is not on the heels of Darzac. He sticks to him like ieech. But. anyhow, if he Is not there now l am quite sure he will be to- night. He's the one am going to knock over!'
 At this moment we heard noise in the room near us.
 Tt must be he" said Rouleabille.
 T forgot to ask you" said, If we are to make any aliusion to tonigh's business when we are with this police man take It we are not. Is that sor'
 Evidently. We are going to operate alone, on our own personal account"
 go that all the glory will be oursy'
 Rouletsbille laughed.
 We dined with Frederic Larsan in hfs room He told us he had just come in and invited us to be seated at table. We ate our dinner in the best of humors, and I had no difficulty in appreciatiug the feelings of certainty which both Rouletabille and Larsan felt Rouletabille told the great Fred that had come on a chance visit and that he had asked me to stay and help hffr. i'm ths haf fets ..f x-fs h.. had to get through for the Epoque. was going back tc Paris. he said, by the II o'clock train. taking his copy. which took a story form. recounting the principal episodes in the mysteries of the Chandler. Larsan smiled at the explanation like n man who was not fooled and politely rcfraiped from mak- ing the slightest remark on matters which did not concern him.
 With infinite precautions as to the words they used and even as to the tones of their voices. I.arsan and RouIetabille discussed for long time Mir. Arthur Rance's appearance at the chateau and his past in America, about which they expressed desire to know more. at any rate so far as his relations with the Stangersons. At one time Larsan, who appeared to rue to he unwell. said. with an effort
 "I think, M. Rouletabille. that we've not much more to d6 at the Chandler and that we shant sleep here many more nights
 q think so. too. NJ. Fred''
 Then you think the conclusion of the matter has been reachedy''
 T think. indeed. that we have noth- ing more to find out" replied Rouleta. billie.
 Have you found your criminal," asked Larsan.
 Have youT
 Yes"
 50 have IT. said Rouietabille.
 Can it bc the same manT'
 'I don't know if you have swerved from your original idea" said the young reporter Then he added with emphasis, "M. Darsac is an honest manr'
 Are you sure of that?" asked Lar san, Well. am sure he is not. So it's fight. then?"
 Yes. it is fight. But shall beat you, NJ Frederic I.arsan."
 Youth never doubts anything" said the great Fred laughingly and held out his hand to me by way of conclusion.
 Rouletabille's answer came like an echo:
 Not anything
 Suddenly Iarsan. who had risen to wish us good night, pressed both his hands to his chest and staggered He was obliged to lean on Rouletabille for support and to save himself from fall ing.
 "Oh. oh!" ne cried What is the matter with me? Have been poison ed?'
 He looked at us with haggard eyes. We questioned him vainly. He did not answer us He had sunk into an armchair, and we could not get a word from him. We were extremely distressed, both on his account and on our own. for we had partaken of all the dishes he had eaten. He seemed to be out of pain, but his heavy head had fallen on his shoulder and his eye lids were tightly closed. Rouletabilie bent over him. listening for the beat ings of the heart.
 My friends face, however. when he stood up. was as calm as 1t had been