he was a little vexed, after having worked so much on the
spot, with so minute a study of the people and events at the Glandier,
that he had to learn now that Arthur Rance was accustomed to visit the
chateau.

"You say that Monsieur Arthur Rance is accustomed to come to the
chateau. When did he come here last?"

"We can't tell you exactly," replied Madame Bernier--that was the
name of the concierge--"we couldn't know while they were keeping us in
prison. Besides, as the gentleman comes to the chateau without passing
through our gate he goes away by the way he comes."

"Do you know when he came the first time?"

"Oh yes, Monsieur!--nine years ago."

"He was in France nine years ago, then," said Rouletabille, "and,
since that time, as far as you know, how many times has he been at the
Glandier?"

"Three times."

"When did he come the last time, as far as you know?"

"A week before the attempt in The Yellow Room."

Rouletabille put another question--this time addressing himself
particularly to the woman:

"In 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 a finger on his lips as if to command
silence and discretion.

We left the park and took the way to the Donjon Inn.

"Do you often eat here?"

"Sometimes."

"But you also take your meals at the chateau?"

"Yes, Larsan and I are sometimes served in one of our rooms."

"Hasn't Monsieur Stangerson ever invited you to his own table?"

"Never."

"Does your presence at the chateau displease him?"

"I don't know; but, in any case, he does not make us feel that we are in
his way."

"Doesn't he question you?"

"Never. He is in the same state of mind as he was in at the door of The
Yellow Room when his daughter was being murdered, and when he broke open
the door and did not find the murderer. He is persuaded, since he
could discover nothing, that there's no reason why we should be able
to discover more than he did. But he has made it his duty, since Larsan
expressed his theory, not to oppose us."

Rouletabille buried himself in thought again for some time. He aroused
himself later to tell me of how he came to set the two concierges free.

"I went recently to see Monsieur Stangerson, and took with me a piece of
paper on which was written: 'I promise, whatever others may say, to
keep in my service my two faithful servants, Bernier and