, was moved only by the best intentions. He made the
President understand that the evidence of a witness who had slept at the
Glandier during the whole of that eventful week could not be omitted,
and the present witness, moreover, had come to name the real murderer.

"Are you going to tell us who the murderer was?" asked the President,
somewhat convinced though still sceptical.

"I have come for that purpose, Monsieur President!" replied
Rouletabille.

An attempt at applause was silenced by the usher.

"Joseph Rouletabille," said Maitre Henri Robert, "has not been regularly
subpoenaed as a witness, but I hope, Monsieur President, you will
examine him in virtue of your discretionary powers."

"Very well!" said the President, "we will question him. But we must
proceed in order."

The Advocate-General rose:

"It would, perhaps, be better," he said, "if the young man were to tell
us now whom he suspects."

The President nodded ironically:

"If the Advocate-General attaches importance to the deposition of
Monsieur Joseph Rouletabille, I see no reason why this witness should
not give us the name of the murderer."

A pin drop could have been heard. Rouletabille stood silent looking
sympathetically at Darzac, who, for the first time since the opening of
the trial, showed himself agitated.

"Well," cried the President, "we wait for the name of the murderer."
Rouletabille, feeling in his waistcoat pocket, drew his watch and,
looking at it, said:

"Monsieur President, I cannot name the murderer before half-past six
o'clock!"

Loud murmurs of disappointment filled the room. Some of the lawyers were
heard to say: "He's making fun of us!"

The President in a stern voice, said:

"This joke has gone far enough. You may retire, Monsieur, into the
witnesses' room. I hold you at our disposition."

Rouletabille protested.

"I assure you, Monsieur President," he cried in his sharp, clear voice,
"that when I do name the murderer you will understand why I could not
speak before half-past six. I assert this on my honour. I can, however,
give you now some explanation of the murder of the keeper. Monsieur
Frederic Larsan, who has seen me at work at the Glandier, can tell you
with what care I studied this case. I found myself compelled to differ
with him in arresting Monsieur Robert Darzac, who is innocent. Monsieur
Larsan knows of my good faith and knows that some importance may be
attached to my discoveries, which have of