ing at in the palm of his right hand was
nothing but his watch, the minute hand of which he appeared to be noting
intently. Then he turned back still running, stopping only when he
reached the park gate, where he again consulted his watch and then
put it away in his pocket, shrugging his shoulders with a gesture of
discouragement. He pushed open the park gate, reclosed and locked it,
raised his head and, through the bars, perceived us. Rouletabille rushed
after him, and I followed. Frederic Larsan waited for us.

"Monsieur Fred," said Rouletabille, raising his hat and showing the
profound respect, based on admiration, which the young reporter felt
for the celebrated detective, "can you tell me whether Monsieur Robert
Darzac is at the chateau at this moment? Here is one of his friends, of
the Paris Bar, who desires to speak with him."

"I really don't know, Monsieur Rouletabille," replied Fred, shaking
hands with my friend, whom he had several times met in the course of his
difficult investigations. "I have not seen him."

"The concierges will be able to inform us no doubt?" said Rouletabille,
pointing to the lodge the door and windows of which were close shut.

"The concierges will not be able to give you any information, Monsieur
Rouletabille."

"Why not?"

"Because they were arrested half an hour ago."

"Arrested!" cried Rouletabille; "then they are the murderers!"

Frederic Larsan shrugged his shoulders.

"When you can't arrest the real murderer," he said with an air of
supreme irony, "you can always indulge in the luxury of discovering
accomplices."

"Did you have them arrested, Monsieur Fred?"

"Not I!--I haven't had them arrested. In the first place, I am pretty
sure that they have not had anything to do with the affair, and then
because--"

"Because of what?" asked Rouletabille eagerly.

"Because of nothing," said Larsan, shaking his head.

"Because there were no accomplices!" said Rouletabille.

"Aha!--you have an idea, then, about this matter?" said Larsan, looking
at Rouletabille intently, "yet you have seen nothing, young man--you
have not yet gained admission here!"

"I shall get admission."

"I doubt it. The orders are strict."

"I shall gain admission, if you let me see Monsieur Robert Darzac. Do
that for me. You know we are old friends. I beg of you, Monsieur Fred.
Do you remember the article I wrote about you on the gold bar case?"

The face of Rouletabille at the moment was reall