The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1910-09-02

] am now 81 Rouletabnle's room. and
he has finished his recital
While be had heen telling me ths
story I noticed him continually rubbing
the glass Of the eyeglasses he had
found on the side table. From the evi
dent pleasure he was taking IN han
ding them felt they must be one OF
those sensible evidences destined to en-.
ter what he had called the circle OF the
right end OF his reason.
When he had finished his recital he
asked me what | thought OF IT, re-
piled that was much puzzled by his
question Then he begged me to try.
in my turn. to take my reason In hand
Shy the right end"
VERY we'll" | said. 1T seems TO me
that the point of departure of my rea-
I son would be this-there can be no
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"
"I'll try. Since he disappeared from
the gallery without passing through
any door or window, he must have es-
capped by some other opening"
Rouletabille looked at me pityingly,
smiled carelessly and remarked that
was reasoning like postman lor-like
Frederic Larsan.
Rouletsbille had alternate cts of ad-
e.
Fred 1t all depended as to whether
Larsan's discoveries tailed with Roule
tabille's 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 1t
was a 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 window on the first floor
Of the chateau the ruddy and clean
shaven face of a person I did not rec
ognize.
"Hellor' muttered Rouletabille. "Ar-
thur Rancer' He lowered his head
quickened mis- pace, and ! heard him
ask himself between his teeth: WAS
he in the chateau that night7 What
is he doing here?"
We had gone some distance from the
chateau when | asked him who this
A rtbur pauoa xvaS and how no had
come to know him. He referred to his
story of that morning, and | remem-
bered that Mr. Arthur W Rance was
the American from Philadelphia with |
whom he had had so many drinks at
the Elysee reception.
But was he not to have left France |
almost immediately asked
mo doubt; that's why | am sur
prised to find him here still and not
only in France. but above all. at the
Chandler He did not arrive this
and he did not get here last
night He must have got here before
Inner, then, Why didn't the con-
.ierges tell me?'
reminded my friend. apropos of the
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
dme. Bernier saw US coming A frank
mile lit up their happy faces. They
eemed to harbor no III feeling because
# their detention My young friend
sked them at what hour Mr. Arthur
lance had arrived They answered that
hey did not know be was at the cha
eau. He must have come during the
vening of the previous night. but they
ad not had to open the gate for him,
ecause, being great walker and not
fishing that carriage should be sent
D meet him. he was accustomed to get
ff at the little hamlet of Saint Michel,
rom which he came to the chateau by
ray of the forest He reached the
ark by the grotto of Sainte Gene
ieve over the little gate of which.
living on to the park. he climbed.
AS the concierges spoke ! saw Roule- /
abille's face cloud over and exhibit dis
ppointment IA disappointment, no
oubt, with himself Evidently he was
little vexed. after having worked so
uch on the spot, with so minute =
udy Of the people and events at the
that he had to learn now
,at Arthur Rance was accustomed to >
sit the chateau. U
you say that M. Arthur Rance is
,customed to come to the chateau. I
hen did he come here last?"
1--WE can't tell you exactly" replied
me. Bernier. "We couldn't know
lille they were keeping Us In prison.
esides, as the gentleman comes to
e chateau without passing through =
If gate he goes away by the way he -
mes" -
do you know when he came the h,
st timer
'Oh, yes. monsieur Nine years of
o." ra
'He was In France nine years ago, ga
en-" said Rouletabille, "and since W
at time. as far as you know. how w