The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-06-24
aas4
CHAPTER III.
"a Man Has Passed Like . Shadow
Through the Blinds"

I'LL the Orleans station. awaiting
the departure of the train
Which was to take US to Epinay-sur-
0rge
On the platform we found NJ. de
Marquet and his registrar, who repre-
sented the judicial court OF Corben-
n. de Marquet had spent the night In
Paris. assisting in the final rehearsal
Mt the Scala of little play Of which
he was the unknown author, signing
himself simply "Castigat Ridendo.'
NJ. Marquet was beginning to be
mobile old gentleman" Generally he
was extremely polite and full of gay
humor and in all his life had had but
enc passion-that of dramatic art.
Because of the mystery which
mhrouded it the case of the yellow
room was certain to fascinate so the
a&rical mind.
At the moment Of meeting him
heard M. de Marquet say to the regis
tyar with a sigh:
II hope, my dear M. Maleine, this
builder with his pickax viii not de-
Sixoy SO fine a mystery"
"Have no fear" replied M. Maleine.
sHis pickax may demolish the pavilion
perhaps, but 1t will leave our case IN
hct. / have sounded the walls and
examined the ceiling and foori and
know all about it. l am not to be de-
eadved."
Having thus treasured his chief, NJ.
Maleine. with a discreet movement or
the head, drew M. de Marquet's atten-
zion to us. The face Of that gentle
man clouded, and as he saw Roule-
snbiLIe approaching, hat in hand, he
uprang into one Of the empty carriages.
saying half aloud to his registrar as
o. did so, "Above all, no Journalistic"
N. Maleine replied in the same tone,
sT understand" and then tried to pre-
vent Rouletabille from entering the
same compartment with the examining
magistrate.
excuse me, gentlemen, tiHis com
Dartment Is reserved"
II am a journalist, monsieur, engag-
cd on the Epoque,' said my young
friend, with great show OF gesture
and politeness, "and l have a word or
two to say to M. de Marquet."
Monsieur is very much engaged
with the inquiry he has In hand"
@Ahl His inquiry pray believe me.
As absolutely matter OF 1ndlHerence
to me. l am no scavenger Of odds
and ends" he went on, with infinite
contempt in his lower lip; Il am the
atrical reporter, and this evening
shall have to give little account OF
the play at the Scala"
Get in, sir please" said the regis
trar.
{ Rouletabille was already in the com
partment | went in after him ana
seated myself by his side The regis
trar followed and closed the carriage
door
M. de Marquet looked at him.
"Ah. sir" Rouletabille began, you
must not be angry with NJ. Malelne.
1t is not with NJ de Marquet that de-
sire TO have the honor Of speaking, but
with M 'Castigat Ridendo.' Permit me
TO congratulate you-personally, as wei
as the writer for the Epoque. An0
Rouietabille. having first introduced
me. introduced himself.
NJ de Marquet, with nervous ges-
ture. caressed his beard into point.
"The work of the dramatic author
NAV Interfere" he said, after slight
hesitation. with that of the magls-
trate, especially in a province where
ones iabors are little more than rou-
tine"
ooh you may rely on my discretion!'
cried Rouletabille.
The train was in motion.
eve have started" said the examin-
ing magistrate, surprised at seeing US
still In the carriage.
Eyes. monsieur, truth has started
said Rouetabille. smiling amiaoly' ON
its way to the Chateau du Chandler. A
fine case. NJ. de Marquet, hne case!
"An obscure Incredible, unfathom'
able, inexplicable affair, and there Is
only one thing fear, M. Rouietapllle'
thai the journalists will be trying &c
explain It. "a.
knuckles.
eyes" he said simply, "that Is to DC
feared. They NEEDLE in everything At
for my interest, monsieur, ! only TO
ferred to 1t by mere chance-the mere
chance of finding myself in the same
train with you and In the same com
partmcnt Of the same carriage"
"Where are you going, then" asked
NJ. de Marquet.
''To the Chateau du Chandler" re
plled Rouletabille, without turning. =.
"You'll not get in, NJ. RouletabiileF
"Wn you prevent meT" said M
friend, already prepared to fight
mot I! | like the press ana jour
nalists too well to be In any way dis
agreeable to them, but NJ. Stranger
aon has given orders for his door =
be closed against everybody, and 1t i
well guarded. Not Journalist wa
able to pass through the gate OF TN
Chandler yesterday"