moment Rance and I were in the
vestibule discussing Mathieu's guilt or innocence, while Rouletabille
stood apart buried, apparently, in thought. The examining magistrate and
his Registrar were in the little green drawing-room, while Darzac was
with the doctor and Stangerson in the lady's chamber. As Frederic Larsan
entered the vestibule with the railway employed, Rouletabille and I at
once recognised him by the small blond beard. We exchanged meaningful
glances. Larsan had himself announced to the examining magistrate by the
gendarme and entered with the railway servant as Daddy Jacques came out.
Some ten minutes went by during which Rouletabille appeared extremely
impatient. The door of the drawing-room was then opened and we heard the
magistrate calling to the gendarme who entered. Presently he came out,
mounted the stairs and, coming back shortly, went in to the magistrate
and said:

"Monsieur,--Monsieur Robert Darzac will not come!"

"What! Not come!" cried Monsieur de Marquet.

"He says he cannot leave Mademoiselle Stangerson in her present state."

"Very well," said Monsieur de Marquet; "then we'll go to him."

Monsieur de Marquet and the gendarme mounted the stairs. He made a sign
to Larsan and the railroad employe to follow. Rouletabille and I went
along too.

On reaching the door of Mademoiselle Stangerson's chamber, Monsieur de
Marquet knocked. A chambermaid appeared. It was Sylvia, with her hair
all in disorder and consternation showing on her face.

"Is Monsieur Stangerson within?" asked the magistrate.

"Yes, Monsieur."

"Tell him that I wish to speak with him."

Stangerson came out. His appearance was wretched in the extreme.

"What do you want?" he demanded of the magistrate. "May I not be left in
peace, Monsieur?"

"Monsieur," said the magistrate, "it is absolutely necessary that I
should see Monsieur Darzac at once. If you cannot induce him to come, I
shall be compelled to use the help of the law."

The professor made no reply. He looked at us all like a man being led to
execution, and then went back into the room.

Almost immediately after Monsieur Robert Darzac came out. He was very
pale. He looked at us and, his eyes falling on the railway servant, his
features stiffened and he could hardly repress a groan.

We were all much moved by the appearance of the man. We felt that what
was about to happen would decide the fate of Monsieur Robert Darzac.
Frederic Larsan's face alone was radi