Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1909-01-14


riage The immediate result Of that
could, however. have been no more
than mere friendly association with
the Stangersons, certainly not a love
affair.
Frederic Larsan did not tell me
whore he had picked up this informa-
ton, but he appeared to be quite sure
of what he said.
The American must have been at
least forty-fve years old. He spoke in
perfectly natural tone in reply to
Rouletabille's question
1T put Off my return to America
when I heard of the attack on Mile
Stangerson. wanted to be certain
the lady had not been killed, and
shall not go away until she is perfectly
recovered"
Like Larsan, Rance thought that
Robert Darzac had something to do
with the matter He did not mention
him by name, but there was no room to
doubt whom he meant. He told us he
was aware of the efforts young Roule-
tabille was making to unravel the
terry. He explained that NJ. Stanger-
son had related to him all that had
taken place in the inexplicable gallery
He several times expressed his regret
at NJ. Darzac's absence from the cha
teau on all these occasions and thought
that NJ Darzac had done cleverly in
allying himself with NJ. Joseph Roule-
a.. 70 cr
later to discover the murderer. He
spoke the last sentence with uncon-
cealed irony Then he rose, bowed to
us and left the inn.
Rouletabille watched him through
the window
Gan odd fish, thatw he said.
"Do you think he'll pass the night at
the Glandier" 1 asked
To my amazement the young report
er answered that it was q matter of
entire indifference to him whether he
did or not.
As to how we spent our time during
the afternoon, all 1 need say is that
Rouletabille led me to the grotto of
Sainte Genevieve and all the time
talked of every subject but the one
with which we were most interested.
Toward evening / was surprised to
find Rouletabille making none Of the
preparations 1 had expected him to
make / spoke to him about 1t when
night had come on and we were once
more in his room. He replied that all
his arrangements had already been
made, and this time the murderer
would not get away from him.
1 expressed some doubt on this, re-
minding him of his disappearance in
the gallery, and suggested that the
same phenomenon might occur again.
He answered that he hoped it would.
He desired nothing more. 1 did not
insist knowing by experience how use
less that would have been. He told
me that, with the help of the con-
cierges the chateau had since early
dawn been watched in such a way
that nobody could approach it without
his knowing it and that he had no con-
Germ for those who might have left 1t
and remained without.
It was then o'clock by his watch.
Rising. he made q sign to me to follow
him. and. without in the least trying
to conceal his movements or the sound
of his footsteps, he led me through the
gallery. We reached the right gal
lery and came to the landing place,
which we crossed. We then continued
our way in the gallery Of the left wing,
passing Professor Stangerson's apart
ment
At the far end of the gallery, before
coming to the donjon, is the room &C.
cupied by Arthur Rance. We knew
that, because we had seen him at the
window looking on to the court. The
door Of the room opens on to the end
Of the gallery, exactly facing the east
window, at the extremity of the
fright" gallery, where Rouletabille had
placed Daddy Jacques, and commands
an uninterrupted view of the gallery
from end to end of the chateau.
"That of turning gallery" said
Rouletabinc, 81 reserve for myself.
When I tell you you'll come and take
your place here"
And he made me enter q little dark,
triangular closet built in bend OK the
wall to the left of the door of Arthur
RANGES room From this recess /
could see ali that occurred in the gal
lery as well as If I had been standing
in front of Arthur RANGES door, and !
could watch that door too. The door
Of the closet, which was to be my
place of observation, was fitted with
panels OF transparent glass. In the
gallery, where all the lamps had been
lit it was quite light In the closet,
however, it was quite dark. 1t was a
splendid place from which to observe
and remain unobserved.
We returned along the gallery. On
reaching the door Of Mile. Stangerson's
apartment it opened from a push
given by the steward who was waiting
at the dinner table on. Stangerson
hod for fba last three DAYS dined