e and satisfying.
A murmur of approbation was heard.

"And the murderer? What became of him?" asked the President.

"He was evidently hidden in an obscure corner at the end of the court.
After the people had left the court carrying with them the body of the
keeper, the murderer quietly made his escape."

The words had scarcely left Larsan's mouth when from the back of the
court came a youthful voice:

"I agree with Frederic Larsan as to the death of the keeper; but I do
not agree with him as to the way the murderer escaped!"

Everybody turned round, astonished. The clerks of the court sprang
towards the speaker, calling out silence, and the President angrily
ordered the intruder to be immediately expelled. The same clear voice,
however, was again heard:

"It is I, Monsieur President--Joseph Rouletabille!"

CHAPTER XXVII. In Which Joseph Rouletabille Appears in All His Glory

The excitement was extreme. Cries from fainting women were to be heard
amid the extraordinary bustle and stir. The "majesty of the law" was
utterly forgotten. The President tried in vain to make himself heard.
Rouletabille made his way forward with difficulty, but by dint of much
elbowing reached his manager and greeted him cordially. The letter was
passed to him and pocketing it he turned to the witness-box. He was
dressed exactly as on the day he left me even to the ulster over his
arm. Turning to the President, he said:

"I beg your pardon, Monsieur President, but I have only just arrived
from America. The steamer was late. My name is Joseph Rouletabille!"

The silence which followed his stepping into the witness-box was broken
by laughter when his words were heard. Everybody seemed relieved and
glad to find him there, as if in the expectation of hearing the truth at
last.

But the President was extremely incensed:

"So, you are Joseph Rouletabille," he replied; "well, young man, I'll
teach you what comes of making a farce of justice. By virtue of my
discretionary power, I hold you at the court's disposition."

"I ask nothing better, Monsieur President. I have come here for that
purpose. I humbly beg the court's pardon for the disturbance of which
I have been the innocent cause. I beg you to believe that nobody has
a greater respect for the court than I have. I came in as I could." He
smiled.

"Take him away!" ordered the President.

Maitre Henri Robert intervened. He began by apologising for the young
man, who, he said