Saturday news. (Watertown, S.D.) 19??-19??, 1909-03-19

doubt that the murderer you pursued
was in the gallery" paused.
After making so good start, you
ought not to stop SO soon," he exclaim,
ed. Come, make another effort
IN try. Since he disappeared from
the gallery without passing through
any door or window. he must have es-
capped by some other opening"
Rouletabile looked at me pityingly,
smiled carelessly and remarked that
was reasoning like postman or--like
Frederic Larsan.
Rouletabile had alternate fits Of ad-
miration and disdain for the great
Fred. 1t all depended as to whether
Larsan's discoveries tailed with Roule
Tables reasoning or not. When they
did he would exclaim. He is really
greatw When they did not, he would
grunt and mutter. What an ASST IT
was petty side of the noble character
of this strange youth.
We had risen. and he led me into the
park. When we reached the court and
were making toward the gate, the
sound of blinds thrown back against
the wall made us turn our heads, and
we saw at a window on the first floor
of the chateau the ruddy and clean
shaver face Of person | did not rec
ognize
"Hellow muttered Rouletabille. CAR
thur Rancew He lowered his head
quickened his pace. and ! heard him
ask himself between his teeth: WAS
he in the chateau that night? What
is he doing here?'
We had gone some distance from the
chateau when | asked him who this
Arthur Rance was and how he had
come to know him. He referred to his
story of that morning, and I remem-
bered that Mr.. Arthur W. Rance was
the American from Philadelphia with
whom be had had so many drinks at
the Elysee reception.
But was he not to have left France
almost immediately I asked.
mo doubt; that's why am sur
priscd to find him here still and not
only in France, but above all, at the
Chandler. He did not arrive this
morning, and he did not get here last
night. He must have got here before
dinner, then. Why didn't the con-
cierges tell meT
reminded my friend, apropos of the
concierges that he had not yet told me
what had led him to get them set at
liberty.
We were close to their lodge. NJ and
Nine. Bernier saw US coming. A frank
smile lit up their happy faces. They
seemed to harbor no Ill feeling because
Of their detention. Ny young friend
asked them at what hour Nj. Arthur
Rance had arrived. They answered that
they did not know he was at the cha
teau. He must have come during the
evening of the previous night, but they
had not had to open the gate for him,
because, being a great walker and not
wishing that carriage should be sent
to meet him, he was accustomed to get
of at the little hamlet of Saint Michel,
from which he came to the chateau by
way Of the forest. he reached the
park by the. grotto Of Sainte Gene.
We've, over the little gate Of which,
giving ON to the park, he climbed.
As the concierges spoke I saw ,Roule-
tabtlle's face cloud over and exhibit dis
appointment "a disappointment, no
doubt, with himself. Evidently he was
little vexed, after having worked 30
much on the spot, With 80 minute a
study Of the people and events at the
Chandler, that She had to learn now
that Arthur Rance was accustomed to
visit the chateau. %a-. H.,
you say that III. Arthur Rance Ia
accustomed to. come to the chateau.
When, did he come here lestr'
Eve can't tell you, exactly" replied
Nine. Bernier. I'VE couldn't know
while they were keeping us In prison
Besides as the gentleman comes 10
the chateau without passing through
cur gate be gees away ~ the way be
comes.'' a,4sg Sl'2 q u 1T"
5n''Do you know when he came the
6rststirne ?, s. u ST. j ~. 4,
"oh. yes, monsieur: Nine years
ago"
HE was In France nine years ago
then, !" said Rouletabille, aand since
that time as far as you know. how
--------->-----~ ~--~~~-
many times has he been at the Clan
dierr" IN z
Three times"
when did he come the last time, as
| f8rFaH va1r knnyy S's ..r...s ts,f5
"a week before the attempt in the
yellow room ..
sRouletabille put another question
this time addressing himself particular
\ ly to the woman:
I'm the grove Of the parquet?"
In the grove Of the parquet," she
replied
Thanks!" said Rouletabille. "Be
ready for me this evening""
| He spoke the last words with finger
on his lips as il to command silence
and discretion.
We left the park and took the way
to the Donjon Inn. .i5$
sTlO syn1, nf%ar, an i,,,..n ~, 3iagtE