The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-10-07
CHAPTER XVI.
In Which Joseph RoUIetRbiIle APP
pears In All His Glory.

P&hS 80 TNAA hAS SAOfys
T1HE excitement was extreme
Cries from fainting womeI
were to be heard amid the ex
- traordinary hustle and stir
The majesty of the law was utterly
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
bis arm Turning to the president. he
said:
II beg your pardon. M President,
but | have only just arrived from
America. The steamer was late Ny
name is Joseph RouletabilleY'
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.
$50 you are Joseph RouletabilleT
! he replied well. young man, I'll
! teach you what comes of making Il
farce of justice. By virtue of my dis
cretionary power | hold you at the
courts disposition Take him away"
Maitre Henri Robert interviewed He
began by apologizing for the young
man, who, he said. was moved only by
the best intentions He made the pres
ident understand that the evidence of
witness who had slept at the Clan
der during the whole of that event
full 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 was?" asked the president.
somewhat convinced, though still skep-
tical
Il have come for that purpose. NJ
President" replied Roul8tabille
An attempt at applause was silenced
by the usher.
OOHtpn 1GDulGLd DlllGs -SdIu
Henri Robert has not been regularly
subpoenaed as witness. but | hope.
NJ President, you will examine him In
virtue of your discretionary powers"
A pin drop could have been heard
Rouletabile stood silent looking SYN
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"
Roulerabi billie, feeling in his waistcoat
pocket drew his watch and. looking at
1t, said:
IN President, cannot name the
murderer before half past o'clockr'
Loud murmurs of disappointment
Glled the room. Some of the lawyers
were heard to say. He's making fun
Of usr'
The president in stern voice said:
This joke has gone far enough. You }
may retire. monsieur, into the wit
1esses' room. hold you at our dis
position"
Rouletabille protested.
II assure you NJ. President" he
:ried in his sharp clear voice, that \
when do name the murderer you will
Understand why could not speak be-
ore half past 9. | assert this on my I
'onor. can. however, give you now
ONE explanation of the murder Of the
.eeper. M. Frederic Larsan. who has
cen me at work at the Chandler, can
ell you with what care ] studied this St
ase. found myself compelled to diff
err with him in arresting M. Robert II
,arzac, who is innocent. NJ Larsan
nows of my good faith and knows p
hat some Importance may be attached u
} my discoveries, which have often
orroborated his own"
Frederic Larsan said: "
an President, 1t will be interesting u
hear NJ. Joseph Rouletabille, espe- /"
ally as he differs from me- We agree u
lat the murderer Of the keeper was "a
he assailant OF Mile. Stangerson, but III
we are not agreed as to how the
urderer escaped am curious to hear ia
/. Rouletabille's explanation" NJ
81 have no doubt you are" said my III
lend.
General laughter followed this re- ~
ark. The president angrily declared ba
at If II was repeated he would have
e court cleared. mr.
Nov, young man." said the presi- of
mt. "you have heard NJ. Frederic .
lrsan How did the murderer get vo
yay from the court ?" -,
Rouletabille looked at Nine. Matthew,
ho smiled back at him sadly, an
since Nine Matthew" he said, has wI
sely admitted her affair with the
eper''-
why. It's the boyr' exclaimed Dad
Matthew.