The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-09-16


American extended his hand.
and Rouletabille, relaxing his
frown, shook 1t and introduced Mr.
Arthur Rance to me. He invited him
to share our meal.
"No, thanks. I breakfasted with NJ.
StangeFsOl."
Arthur Rance spoke French perfect
y. almost without an accent
81 did not expect to have the pleas
ure of seeing you again. monsieur.
thought you were to have left France
the day after the reception at the
Elysee."
Rouletabille and |. Outwardly indif-
ferent, listened most intently for every
word the American would say.
The mans purplish red face, his
heavy eyelids, the nervous rwitchings,
all spoke of his addiction TO drink
How came it that so sorry a specimen
of a man should be so intimate with
NJ Stangerson?
Some days later learned from Fred
eric Larsan- who. like ourselves. was
surprised and mystified by RANGES
teau-that Mr.. Rance had been an in
ebriate for about fifteen years only
that 1t is to say. since the professor
and his daughter left Philadelphia
During the time the Stangersons lived
In America they were very intimate
with Arthur Rance. who was one OF
the most distinguished phrenologists OF
kbn WON, vvOrI1 OwtnU to now nYnpTt-
ments he had made enormous strides
beyond the science of Gall and Lava
ter The friendlness with which he
was received at the Chandler may be
explained by the fact that he had rem
dered Mile. Stangerson a great service
by stopping, at the peril of bis own
life, the runaway horses of her car
riage. The immediate result of that
could. however, have been no more
than a mere friendly association with
the Stangersons, certainly not love
affair
where he had picked up this informa-
ton, but he appeared to be quite sure
of what he said.
The American must have been at
least forty-five years old. He spoke In
a perfectly natural tone In reply TO
Rouletabille's question.
ut put off my return to America
when l heard Of the attack on Mile
stangerson. / wanted to be certain
the lady had not been killed, and
shall not go away until she is perfectly
recovered"
Like Larsan, Rance thought that
Robert Darzac had something to 90
with the natter He did not mention
him by name, but there was no room to
doubt whom be meant. He told us ne
was aware of the efforts young Roule-
tabille was making to unravel the
tangled skein of the yellow room mys-
terry. He explained that NJ. Stanger-
son had related to him all that nau
taken place in the inexplicable gallery. /
He several times expressed his regret
at NJ. Darzac's absence from the cha
teau on all these occasions and thought
that NJ. Darzac had done cleverly In
allving himself with NJ. Joseph Roule-
tabille who could not fail sooner or
later to discover the murderer lie
smoke the last sentence with uncon-
realed irony. Then he rose, bowed to
US and left the inn.
Rouletabille watched him through
the window.
AN odd fish. thatr' he said. !
"Do you think he'll pass the night al
the Glandler?" | asked.
To my amazement the young report.
ar answered that It was q matter OF
entire Indifference to him whether ne
did or not.
As to how we spent our time during
the afternoon. all need say Is that
Rouletabile led me to the grotto OF
Eainte Genevieye and all the time
talked Of ever subject but the one
with which we we're most Interested
Toward evening | was surprised 10
find Rouletabille making none OF the
preparations had expected him TO
make. | spoke 10 him about 1t when
night had come on and we were once
more in his room. He replied that all