learned of the attempted assassination of
Mademoiselle under the extraordinary conditions which we have detailed
and which our visit to the chateau was to enable us to ascertain with
yet greater precision. I have not hesitated to furnish the reader
with all these retrospective details, known to me through my business
relations with Monsieur Robert Darzac. On crossing the threshold of The
Yellow Room he was as well posted as I was.

CHAPTER V. In Which Joseph Rouletabille Makes a Remark to Monsieur
Robert Darzac Which Produces Its Little Effect

Rouletabille and I had been walking for several minutes, by the side of
a long wall bounding the vast property of Monsieur Stangerson and had
already come within sight of the entrance gate, when our attention was
drawn to an individual who, half bent to the ground, seemed to be so
completely absorbed in what he was doing as not to have seen us coming
towards him. At one time he stooped so low as almost to touch the
ground; at another he drew himself up and attentively examined the wall;
then he looked into the palm of one of his hands, and walked away with
rapid strides. Finally he set off running, still looking into the palm
of his hand. Rouletabille had brought me to a standstill by a gesture.

"Hush! Frederic Larsan is at work! Don't let us disturb him!"

Rouletabille had a great admiration for the celebrated detective. I had
never before seen him, but I knew him well by reputation. At that time,
before Rouletabille had given proof of his unique talent, Larsan was
reputed as the most skilful unraveller of the most mysterious and
complicated crimes. His reputation was world-wide, and the police of
London, and even of America, often called him in to their aid when their
own national inspectors and detectives found themselves at the end of
their wits and resources.

No one was astonished, then, that the head of the Surete had, at the
outset of the mystery of The Yellow Room, telegraphed his precious
subordinate to London, where he had been sent on a big case of stolen
securities, to return with all haste. Frederic who, at the Surete, was
called the "great Frederic," had made all speed, doubtless knowing by
experience that, if he was interrupted in what he was doing, it was
because his services were urgently needed in another direction; so, as
Rouletabille said, he was that morning already "at work." We soon found
out in what it consisted.

What he was continually look