the murderer brought back
the papers stolen from Monsieur Stangerson?--How do you explain how the
murderer gained entrance into Mademoiselle Stangerson's locked room?"

"The last question is easily answered. A man like Larsan, or Ballmeyer,
could have had made duplicate keys. As to the documents, I think Larsan
had not intended to steal them, at first. Closely watching Mademoiselle
with the purpose of preventing her marriage with Monsieur Robert Darzac,
he one day followed her and Monsieur into the Grands Magasins de la
Louvre. There he got possession of the reticule which she lost, or left
behind. In that reticule was a key with a brass head. He did not know
there was any value attached to the key till the advertisement in
the newspapers revealed it. He then wrote to Mademoiselle, as the
advertisement requested. No doubt he asked for a meeting, making known
to her that he was also the person who had for some time pursued her
with his love. He received no answer. He went to the Post Office and
ascertained that his letter was no longer there. He had already taken
complete stock of Monsieur Darzac, and, having decided to go to any
lengths to gain Mademoiselle Stangerson, he had planned that, whatever
might happen, Monsieur Darzac, his hated rival, should be the man to be
suspected.

"I do not think that Larsan had as yet thought of murdering Mademoiselle
Stangerson; but whatever he might do, he made sure that Monsieur Darzac
should suffer for it. He was very nearly of the same height as Monsieur
Darzac and had almost the same sized feet. It would not be difficult,
to take an impression of Monsieur Darzac's footprints, and have similar
boots made for himself. Such tricks were mere child's play for Larsan,
or Ballmeyer.

"Receiving no reply to his letter, he determined, since Mademoiselle
Stangerson would not come to him, that he would go to her. His plan had
long been formed. He had made himself master of the plans of the
chateau and the pavilion. So that, one afternoon, while Monsieur and
Mademoiselle Stangerson were out for a walk, and while Daddy Jacques was
away, he entered the latter by the vestibule window. He was alone, and,
being in no hurry, he began examining the furniture. One of the pieces,
resembling a safe, had a very small keyhole. That interested him! He had
with him the little key with the brass head, and, associating one with
the other, he tried the key in the lock. The door opened. He saw nothing
but