Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-01-26
CHAPTER xxvI.
In Which Joseph Rovletabille Ap-
 pears In All His Glory.

Cries from fainting women lI1 were to be heard amid the ex- lo traordinary hustle and stir. The majesty of the law" was utterly l 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:
 '1 beg your pardon. NJ. President. but l have only just arrived from America. The steamer was late. My name is Joseph Rouletablllew 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
 "So you are Joseph Rouletabille" he replied. Well. young man. m teach you what comes of making q farce of justice By virtue of my dis cretionary power hold you at the courts disposition. Take him away
 Maitre Henri Robert intervened. He began by apologizing for the young man. who. he said. was moved only by the best intentions. He made the I-es- ideDt understand that the eviuencc oI witness who had slept at the Clan dier during the whole of that event ful 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- tical.
 T have come for that purpose, Nj. President" replied Rouletabille.
 An attempt at applause was silenced by the usher.
 Joseph Rouletabille." said Maitre Henri Robert. has not been regularly 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 i've wait for the name of the murderer"
 Rouletabille. feeling in his waistcoat pocket drew his watch and, looking at 1t. said:
 M. President. I cannot name the murderer before half past 6 o'clock!'
 Loud murmurs of disappointment flied 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.
 "I assure you. NJ. President" he cried fin his sharp. clear voice. that when do name the murderer you will understand why could not speak be- fore half past c. 1 assert this on my honor. can. however. give you now some explanation of the murder of the keeper. NJ. Frederic Larsan. who has seen me at work at the Chandler. can tell you with what care studied this case. found myself compelled to diff fer with him in arresting NJ. Robert Darzac. who is innocent. NJ. Larsap 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. cspe- 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 She murderer escaped am curious to hear M. Rouletabille's explanation
 "I have no doubt you are said my friend.
 General laughter followed this re- mark. The president angrily declared that if 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 Mme. Mathieu, who smiled back at him sadly.
 "Since Mime. Mathieu," he said. has freely admitted her affair with the keeper"-
 Why. it's the boyv' exclaimed Dad dy Mathieu.
 Remove that man" ordered the president.
 Hathieu was removed from the court. Rouletabille went on:
 "Since she has made this confession l am free to tell you that she often met the keeper at night on the first floor of the donjon in the room which was once an oratory. Mime. Mathieu came to the chateau that night en- veloped in large black shawl. which .l-