The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1909-03-20
The Mystery of
The Yellow Room

COPYRIGHT. 1908.
BY BRENTANO'S

he pretended was shared by the con-
cierges-led me easily to think of
poaching. Now. as all the evidence
showed the concierges had not been in
bed at the time of the tragedy. why
were they abroad that night? AS par
ticipants in the crime? | was not dis
posed to think so. | had already ar
rived at the conclusion, by steps Of
which | will tell you later-that the as
sassin had had no accomplice and that
the tragedy held mystery between
Mile. Stangerson and the murderer, a
mystery with which the concierges
had nothing to do.
with that theory in my mind.
searched for proof in their lodge,
which. as you know, entered
found there under their bed some
springs and brass wire. 'Ah,'
thought, these things explain why
they were out in the park at nightv
was not surprised at the dogged ST.
lence they maintained before the eX-
amtning magistrate, even under the ac-
cusation so grave as that Of being ac
conplices in the crime. Poaching
would cave them from the assize court,
but 1t would lose them their places.
and as they were perfectly sure of
their innocence of the crime they
hoped 1t would soon be established,
and then their poaching might go on
as usual. They could always confess
later |, however, FASTENED their con-
:ession by means of the document M.
| Stangerson signed. They gave all the
| necessary proofs were set at liberty
and have now lively gratitude for
me. Why did not get them released
sooner? Because | was not sure that
nothing more than poaching was
against them. wanted to study the
ground AS the days went by. my con-
viction became more and more certain.
The days after the events Of the inex.
plicable gallery had need of help
could rely on, so resolved to have
them released at once"
We reached the Donjon inn and en-
tered 1t.
This time we did not see the land
lord, but were received with a pleas
ant smile by the charming hostess.
"How's Daddy Matthew" asked
Rouletabille.
mot much better, not much better.
He is still confined to his bed"
His rheumatism still sticks to him.
then?"
"Yes. Last night was again
obliged to give him morphine, the only
drug that gives him any relief"
She spoke in a soft voice. Every
thing about her expressed gentleness.
somewhat with an air of Incidence,
with great eyes seemingly black and
blue. anorous eyes. Was she happy
with her grabbed, rheumatic husband
The scene at which we had once been
present did not lead us to believe that
she was. Yet there was something In
her bearing that was not suggestive
Of despair. She disappeared into the
kitchen to prepare our repast. leaving
on the table bottle of excellent cider
Rouletabille filed our earthenware
mugs loaded his pipe and quietly ex.
planned to me his reason for asking
me to come to the Chandler with re-
volvers.
"Yes," he said contemplatively, look
ing at the clouds Of smoke he was
putting out. 'yes, my dear boy, l ex
pect the assassin tonight"
A brief silence followed, which
took care not to interrupt, and ther
he went on:
Last night just as / was going tc
bed NJ. Robert Darzac knocked at my
room. When he came In he confidet
to me that he was compelled to 60 Il
Paris the next day-that is. this morn
ing. The reason which made this jour
ney necessary was at once peremptory
and mysterious 1t was not possibl,
for him to explain its object to me. :
go. and yet he added. L would Civ,
my life not to leave Mile. stangersoI
at this moment He did not try Il
hide that he believed her to be ono,
more In danger 1t will not great.
astonish me If something happens to
morrow night he avowed. and yet
must be absent. ! cannot be back a
the Chandler before the morning of th
day after tomorrow
II asked him to explain himself. ant
this Is all he would tell me. His anticl
patton Of coming danger had come t
him solely from the coincidence tha
Mile Stangerson had been twice al
tackled. and both times when he hat
been absent Now a man so move,
who should still go away must be act
ing under compulsion-must be obey
ing will stronger than his own. Tina
was how I reasoned, and told him SC
He replied Perhaps asked him
Mile. Stangerson was compelling hin
He protested that she was not. His dc
termination to go to Paris had bee
taken without any conference wit
Mile. Stangerson.
ITO cut the story short, he repeate
that his belief In the possibility of
fresh attack was founded entirely o
the extraordinary coincidence. If ans
thing happens to Mile. Stangerson,' b
! said, 1t would be terrible for both O
: us-fcr her. because her life would
In danger: for me, because could ne
ther defend her from the attack nc
! 4oIf - n 4.