ios, tending
wholly to mystery and intrigue, who dreads nothing so much as the
explanatory final act.

So that, at the moment of meeting him, I heard Monsieur de Marquet say
to the Registrar with a sigh:

"I hope, my dear Monsieur Maleine, this builder with his pickaxe will
not destroy so fine a mystery."

"Have no fear," replied Monsieur Maleine, "his pickaxe may demolish the
pavilion, perhaps, but it will leave our case intact. I have sounded the
walls and examined the ceiling and floor and I know all about it. I am
not to be deceived."

Having thus reassured his chief, Monsieur Maleine, with a discreet
movement of the head, drew Monsieur de Marquet's attention to us. The
face of that gentleman clouded, and, as he saw Rouletabille approaching,
hat in hand, he sprang into one of the empty carriages saying, half
aloud to his Registrar, as he did so, "Above all, no journalists!"

Monsieur Maleine replied in the same tone, "I understand!" and then
tried to prevent Rouletabille from entering the same compartment with
the examining magistrate.

"Excuse me, gentlemen,--this compartment is reserved."

"I am a journalist, Monsieur, engaged on the 'Epoque,'" said my young
friend with a great show of gesture and politeness, "and I have a word
or two to say to Monsieur de Marquet."

"Monsieur is very much engaged with the inquiry he has in hand."

"Ah! his inquiry, pray believe me, is absolutely a matter of
indifference to me. I am no scavenger of odds and ends," he went on,
with infinite contempt in his lower lip, "I am a theatrical reporter;
and this evening I shall have to give a little account of the play at
the Scala."

"Get in, sir, please," said the Registrar.

Rouletabille was already in the compartment. I went in after him
and seated myself by his side. The Registrar followed and closed the
carriage door.

Monsieur de Marquet looked at him.

"Ah, sir," Rouletabille began, "You must not be angry with Monsieur de
Maleine. It is not with Monsieur de Marquet that I desire to have the
honour of speaking, but with Monsieur 'Castigat Ridendo.' Permit me to
congratulate you--personally, as well as the writer for the 'Epoque.'"
And Rouletabille, having first introduced me, introduced himself.

Monsieur de Marquet, with a nervous gesture, caressed his beard into a
point, and explained to Rouletabille, in a few words, that he was too
modest an author to desire that the veil of his pseudonym should be
publicly rai