Bernier the concierge, and Mr. Arthur
Rance," said the President. "Do you accuse any of these?"

"No, Monsieur!"

"Then I do not understand what you are driving at. There was no other
person at the end of the court."

"Yes, Monsieur, there was, not at the end, but above the court, who was
leaning out of the window."

"Do you mean Frederic Larsan!" exclaimed the President.

"Yes! Frederic Larsan!" replied Rouletabille in a ringing tone.
"Frederic Larsan is the murderer!"

The court-room became immediately filled with loud and indignant
protests. So astonished was he that the President did not attempt to
quiet it. The quick silence which followed was broken by the distinctly
whispered words from the lips of Robert Darzac:

"It's impossible! He's mad!"

"You dare to accuse Frederic Larsan, Monsieur?" asked the President. "If
you are not mad, what are your proofs?"

"Proofs, Monsieur?--Do you want proofs? Well, here is one," cried
Rouletabille shrilly. "Let Frederic Larsan be called!"

"Usher, call Frederic Larsan."

The usher hurried to the side door, opened it, and disappeared. The door
remained open, while all eyes turned expectantly towards it. The clerk
re-appeared and, stepping forward, said:

"Monsieur President, Frederic Larsan is not here. He left at about four
o'clock and has not been seen since."

"That is my proof!" cried Rouletabille, triumphantly.

"Explain yourself?" demanded the President.

"My proof is Larsan's flight," said the young reporter. "He will not
come back. You will see no more of Frederic Larsan."

"Unless you are playing with the court, Monsieur, why did you not accuse
him when he was present? He would then have answered you."

"He could give no other answer than the one he has now given by his
flight."

"We cannot believe that Larsan has fled. There was no reason for his
doing so. Did he know you'd make this charge?"

"He did. I told him I would."

"Do you mean to say that knowing Larsan was the murderer you gave him
the opportunity to escape?"

"Yes, Monsieur President, I did," replied Rouletabille, proudly. "I am
not a policeman, I am a journalist; and my business is not to arrest
people. My business is in the service of truth, and is not that of an
executioner. If you are just, Monsieur, you will see that I am right.
You can now understand why I refrained until this hour to divulge the
name. I gave Larsan time to catch the 4:17 train for Paris, where he
would kn