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About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911 | View Entire Issue (March 25, 1909)
Ihe Mystery The Yellow By GASTON LEROUX V, CHAPTER XIX HowlefabilU Invites Me to 8rk fast l Ike Donon Inn. m IT was nut until Inter that Roule- I I I In which be bud written ot length the story of the phe nomenon of the Inexplicable gallery. On the day I arrived at the Glandler and joined hlra In bis room he recount ed to me, with tbe greatest detull. all that I have related, telling me also how be. bad spent several hour in Paris, where he had learned nothlug that could be of any help to hl:u. The event of the Inexplicable gal lery bad occurred on the night between the 291 h and 30th of October that is to say, 'three days before my return to the chateau. It was on tbe 2d of November, then, that 1 went back to the Glandler, summoned there by my friend's telegram and taking the re volvers with me. I am now in Rouletabllle's room, and he has finished his recital. While be had been telling me tbe story I noticed him continually rubbing the glass of the eyeglasses be had found on the Bide table. From the evi dent pleasure he was taking in ban dllng them I felt they must be one of those sensible evidences destined to en ter what be had called tbe circle of the right end of bis reason. . When he had finished bis recital he asked me what I thought of it 1 re plied that I was much puzzled by bis question. Then he begged me to try. In my turn, to take my reason in hand "by the right end." "Very well," I said. "It seems to me that the point of departure of my rea son would be this there can be no doubt that the murderer you pursued was to the gallery." I paused. "After making bo good n start, you might not Jo stop bo soon," he exclaim ed. "Come, make another effort" "I'll try. Since be disappeared from the galiery without, passing through any door or window, be must have es caped by some other opening." . Rouletabllle 'looked nt me pityingly, smiled carelessly and remarked that I was reasoning, like a postman or like Frederic Larsan. Rouletabllle had alternate fits of ad miration and disdain for the great Fred. It all depended as to whether Larsan's discoveries tallied with Roule tabllle's reasoning or not When they aid he would exclaim. "He is really great!" When they did not. he would grunt and mutter, "What an assr It was a petty side of the noble character of this strange youth. We had risen, and he led me into the park. When we reached the court and were making toward the gate, the sound of blinds thrown back against the wall made us turn our heads, nnd we saw at a window on the first floor of tbe ehutenu tbe ruddy and clean 8hnven face of a person I d'.d not rec ognize. . ' , "Hello!" muttered Rouletabllle. "Ar thur Rnnce!" He lowered his head, quickened bis pace, and I beard him flak himself between bis teeth: "Was be In the chateau that night? What Is he doing here?" We had gone some distance from the chateau when I asked him who this Arthur Ranee was and bow he had come to know him. He referred to bis story of that morning, and I remem bered that Mr. Arthur W. Ranee was the American from Philadelphia with whom be bad bad so many drinks at the Elysee reception. "But was he not to have left France almost Immediately?" I asked. "No doubt; that's why I am sur prised to find bim here still and not only in Franca, but above all. at the Glandler. He did not arrive this morning, and be did not get here last Might He must have got here before dinner, then. Why didn't the con cierges tell me?" I reminded my friend, apropos of the concierges, that be had not yet told me what had led him to get them set at liberty. We were close to their lodge. " Ji. and Mme. Bernier saw us coming. A frank nille lit up their happy faces. They aeeroed to harbor no 111 feeling because of their detention. - My young friend asked them at what hour Mr. Arthur Ranee had arrived. Tbey answered that they did not know be was at. the cha teau. He must have come during the evening of the previous night but they had not bad to open tbe gate for him, because, being a great walker and not Wishing that a carriage should be sent to meet hlra, be was accustomed to get off at the little hamlet of Saint Michel, from which be came to the chatoau by wy of the forest He reached the park by the grotto of Sainte Gene vieve, over the little gate of which, giving on to the park, be climbed. As the concierges spoke I saw Roule tabllle's face cloud over and exhibit dis appointment a disappointment no doubt with himself. Evidently be was ' llttIe vexed, after having worked so much on the spot with so minute a tudy of the people and events at the Glandler, that he had to learn now that Arthur Ranee was accustomed to visit tbe chateau. "Ton say that M. Arthur Ranee is accustomed to come to the chateau. When did he come here last?" "We can't tell you exactly," replied Mme. Bernier. "We couldn't know wnne they were keeping us in prison. Besides, as tbe gentleman comes to me chateau without passing tbroneh onr gate he goes away by the way be comes." "Do you know when he came the iirsi time?" "Oh, yes, monBleur! Nine ago." years "Hp was In France nine years ago. then." said Bnnletahllia an - " . ... u uu DUKV that time, as far as you know, bow many times has he been at the GTu- GlerT" "Three times." "When did he come the last time, as rar as you know?" "A week before tbe attempt In the yenow room." KouietaDiiie put another question, this time addressing himself particular ly to the woman: "In the grove of the parquet?" "In the grove of the parquet" ihe replied. "Thanks!" said Rouletabllle. "Be ready for me this evening." He spoke the last words with a finger on bis lips as if to command silence and discretion. We left the park and took tbe way to the Donjon inn. "Do you often eat here?" "Sometimes." "But you also take your meals at tbe chateau?" . "lea, Larsan and I are sometimes served In one of our rooms." "Hasn't M. Stangerson ever Invited you to his own table?" "Never." "Does your presence at the chateau displease him?" "I don't know; but In any case, be does not make us feel that we are In his way." "Doesn't he question yon?" "Never. He Is in tbe same state of mind as he was In at tbe door of the yellow room when his daughter waa being murdered and when be broke open the door and did not find tbe murderer. He is persuaded since he could discover nothing that there's no renson why we should be able to dis cover more than he did. But be has made it his duty since Larsan ex pressed bis theory not to oppose us." Rouletabllle buried himself In thought again for some time. He aropsed him self later to tell me of bow be came to set tbe two concierges free. "I went lately to see M. Stangerson and took with me a piece of paper on which was written, 'I promise, what ever others may say, to keep in my service my two faithful servants, Ber nier nnd his wife.' I explained to him tbnt by signing that document be would enable me to compel those two people to speak out and I declared my own assurance of their Innocence of any part In tbe crime. That was also his opinion. Tbe examining mag istrate after it was signed presented the document to tbe Bernlera, who then did speak Tbey said what I was certain they would soy as soon as.they were sure they would not lose their places. .' "Tbey confessed to poaching on M. Stangerson's estates, and it was while tbey were poaching, on the night of the crime, that they were found not far from the pavilion at the moment when the outrage was being committed. Some rabbits they caught in that way were sold by tbem to tbe landlord of the Donjon inn, who served them to his customers or sent them to Paris. That was the truth, as I bad guessed from the first Do.you remember what I said on entering the Donjon inn? 'We shall have to eat red meat now!" had heard the words on the same morning when we arrived at tbe park gate. You heard them also, but you did tiot attach any Importance to thetn. You recollect when we reached the park gate that we stopped to look at a man who was running by the side of the wall, looking every minute at bis watch. That was Larsan. Well, be bind tin the landlord of the Donjon Inn. standing on bis doorstep, said to some one Inside, 'We shall have to eat red meat now.' "Why that mow?" When you are. as I am, lu search of some hidden secret you can't afford to have anything es cape you. You've got to know the meaning of everything. We had come Into a rather out of the way part of the couutry which had- been turned topsy turvy by a crime, and my reason led me to susjiect every phrase that could bear upon tbe event of the day. Now.' I took to meani 'since the out rage.' In the course of my inquiry, therefore, I sought to find a relation between tbnt phrase and tbe tragedy. We went to the Donjon Inn for break fast I repeated the phrase and saw by the surprise and trouble ou Daddy Matbleu's face that I bad not exagger ated its Importance so far as be was concerned. "I bad just learned that tbe con clerges had been arrested. Daddy Mathleu spoke of tbem as of dear friends people for whom one is sorry. That was a reckless conjunction of Ideas. I said to myself. .'Now,' that the concierges are arrested, 'we shall. of V-n Room copYRicirr. i9oa. BY BRENT ANO'S have to eat red' meat No more con- lerges. no more game! The hatred ex pressed by Daddy Matbieu for M. Stangersouc forest keeper a hatred he pretended was shared by the con cierges led me easily to think of poaching. Now. as all the evidence showed the concierges bad not been in bed at tbe time of the tragedy, why were they abroad that night? As par ticipants in the crime? I was not dis posed to think so. I had already ar rived at the conclusion, by steps of which I will tell you later that the as sassin bad had no accomplice and that the-tragedy held a mystery between Mile. Stangerson and the murderer, a mystery with which the concierges had nothing to do. "With that theory in my mind, I searched for proof in their lodge, which, as you know. I entered. I found there under their bed some springs and brass wire. 'Ah,' I thought thes things explain why they were out In tbe park at night? I was not surprised at tbe dogged si lence tbey maintained before the ex amining magistrate, even under the ac cusation so grave as that of being ac con.pllees in the crime. Poaching would save them from the assize court but It would iose them their places, and as tbey were perfectly sure of their Innocence of the crime tbey hoped it would soon be established, and then tbelr poaching might go ou as usual. They could always confess later. I, however, hastened their con !essIon by means of tbe document M. Stangerson signed. They gave all the necessary proofs.' were set at liberty and ha-ve now a lively gratitude for me. Why did I not get tbem released sooner? Because I was not sure that nothing more than poaching was against then. J wanted to study the ground. As the days went hy, my con viction became more and more certain The days after the events of the inex-. pllcable gallery I had need of help I could rely on. so 1 resolved to have them released at once." We reached tbe Ponjon Inn and en tered it This time we did not see the land lord, but were received with a pleas ant smile by the charming hostess. "How's Daddy Matbieu?" asked Rouletabllle. "Not much better, not much better. He Is still coirfined to his bed." "His rheumatism still sticks to him. then?" "Yes. Last night I was again pbllged to give him morphine, tbe only drug that gives him any relief." She spoke in a soft voice. Every thing about her expressed gentleness. She was. Indeed, a beautiful woman, somewhat with an air of indolefoce, with great eyes seemingly black and blue, amorous eyes. Was she happy with her crabbed, rheumatic husband? The scene at which we had once been present did cot lead us to believe that she was. Yet there was something in ber bearing that was not suggestive of despair. She disappeared into the kitchen to prepare our repast, leaving on tbe table a bottle of excellent cider. Rouletabllle tilled our earthenware mugs, loaded his pipe and quietly ex plained to me bis reason for asking me to come to the Glandler with re volvers. . "Yes," be said contemplatively, look ing at the clouds of smoke he was puffing out "yes, my dear boy, I ex pect the assassin tonight" A brief slience followed, which 1 took care not to Interrupt and then he went on: "Last pight Just as 1 was going to bed M- Robert Darzac knocked at my room. When be came lu be confided to me that be was compelled to go to Paris the next day that Is, this morn ing. The reason which wade this Jour ney necessary was at once peremptory and mysterious. It was not possible for blra to explain Its object to me. 'I go. and yet. be added. I would give my life not to leave Mile. Stangerson at this moment' He did not try to hide that be believed her to be once more in danger. 'It will not greatly astonish me If something happens to morrow night he avowed, 'and yet I must be absent I cannot be back at tbe Glandler before the morning of the day after tomorrow.' "I asked him to explain himself, and this Is all he would tell me. His antici pation of coming danger bad come to him solely from the coincidence that Mile. Stangerson bad been twice at tacked, and both times When be bad been absent Now a man so moved who should still gj away, must be act ing under compulsion must be obey ing a will stronger than bis own. That was bow I reasoned, and I told him so. He replied 'Perhaps.' I asked him If Mile. Stangerson was compelling him. He protested that she was not His de termination to go to Paris bad been taken without 'any conference with Mile. Stangerson. "To cut the story short be repeated that bis belief in the possibility of a fresh attack waa founded entirely on tbe extraordinary coincidence. 'If any thing happens to Mile. Stangerson.' he said. It would be terrible for both of us for ber, because ber life would be in danger; for me. because I could nei ther defeud her from tbe attack nor tell of where I had been. I am perfect ly, aware of the suspicions cost on me. Professional Directory of Wallowa County THOS. M. DILL iTTnpvrviT i in Office first door south of New Fraternal BIdg, Euterprise, Ore. BURLEIGH & BOYD t ATTOHNEYS-AT-LAW Practice lu all State Courts and J Interior Department Careful at- i ten Hon to all business." 7' D. W. SHEAHAN I LAWYER - ENTERPRISE X lil OUlll OUU rCUBLM t Courts and Interior Department. X C. T. HOCKETT. M. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Office upstairs in Bank Build- tag. Ind. Home phone in office t and residence. X The examining magistrate and M. Lar san are both on the point of bellevlug In my guilt Larsan tracked me the Inst time I went to Paris, and I bad all the trouble in the world to get rid of him.' " 'Why do you not tell me the name of the murderer now If you know It? I cried. "M. Darzac appeared extremely trou bled by my question and replied to me In a hesitating tone: "'I? I know tbe name of tbe mur derer? Why, how could I know his name? "I nt once replied. 'From Mile. Stan gerson.' "He grew so pale that I thought he was about to faint and 1 saw that I had hit the right nail on the bead. Mademoiselle and he knew the name of the murderer! When he recovered himself, he said to me: '1 am going to leave you. Since you have been here I have appreciated your exceptional In telligence and your unequaled Inge nuity. But 1 ask this service of you. Perhaps I am wrong to fear an attack during the coming night " but as I must act with foresight I count on you to frustrate any attempt that may be made.' "'Have you spoken of all this to M. Stangerson? " 'No. I do not wlsb blin to ask me. as you Just now did, for tbe name of the murderer. I tell you all this. M. Rouletabllle, because 1 have great very great confidence lu you. 1 know that you do not suspect me.' "The poor man spoke lu Jerks. He was evidently suffering. 1 pitied blm. the more because I felt sure that he would rather allow himself to be kill ed than tel! me who the murderer was. As for Mile. Stangerson, I felt that she would rather allow herself to be murdered than denouuee the man f the yellow room and of tbe Inexplica ble gallery. The man must be doml n;itltig bor or both by some Inscruta ble power Tbey were dreading flotb 1PK SO much ns th chance or M Krnn. gerson knowing that bis daughter was 'iicio. uy.ner asMliuut, l mnue M. pttrzac understand Hint be had ex plained himself sufficiently and that he might refrain from telling nie uDy more than be bad alreadr (old me. I promised bim to watch through the uigut. ue insisted that 1 should es tablish an absolutely Impassable bar rier about Mile. Stangerson's cham ber, around the boudoir where the UUrsos wore sleenluir and nronml rha drawing room where since the affair or the inexplicable gallery M. Stanger son had slept. In short. I was to nut a cordon round the whole apiirtmeut "From his Insistence 1 gathered that M. Darzac luteudod not only to make It Impossible for the expected man to reach the chamber of Mile. Stanger son. but to make that Impossibility so visibly clear that, seeing himself ex- peetea. ne wouia ot omo go iiwuy. That was bow I Interpreted his final words when we ported, -you may men tion your own suvpi. 1 a n t the expect ed attack to M Stan:erm. to Daddy Jacques, to Frederic 1-nrniin and to anybody in the chateau ' "When he wns gone I bewin to think that I uhou'.d have to use even a great er cunning than his so thai If the man should come that night he might not for a moment suspect that bis coming had been expected erf;i!nly' I wou!d allow him to eet In fur einin-li that, dead or alive. I might see his fac clearly. He uin- be got rid of. Mile. Stangerson must lie freed from this continual Impending d usger." The hitidludy reappeared at Unit mo ment. l.-rlnlns In ttu traditional Imcon omelet. Rouletabllle chuffed ber a IK. tie, and she took tbe chaff wltb the most charming good humor "She Is much Jollier when Daddy Matbieu is in bed wltb bU rheuma tism," Rouletabllle said to me. When he bad finished bis omelet and we were again alone Rouletabllle continued tbe tale of his confidences. "When I sent you my telegram this morning." he said. "I bad only tbe word of M. Dariac that 'perhaps' the assassin would c.nue tonight. I can now say that be will certainly come. I expect bim." "What has made you feel this cer tainty?" "I have been sure since half nnat tn o'clock this morning that be would SUGAR FACTORY TO STAY. The Bugar factory will remain an- ' other year at La Grande, the owner, i - biks, a wiring manager fllor. It is not known yet whether the company wiji plant beets in this I county. The options ; ed recently. were extend I New Suits Filed. March If? P r xi,.ri.it rvc Geo. 1I. and AddleR. Russell. ! March 18 Delia L. Moxley vs. J A. Moxley. j , Buys German Coach Stud. R. F. Stubble'ietd bought the splen. did German Coach stallion brought here recently by McDanlel and White The price paid was $1300, and a five acre tract of suburban property and other horses figured in the deal. A Pleasant Physic, When you want a pleasant physic give Chamberlains Stomach and Liver Tablets a trial. They are mild and gentle in their action and al ways produce a pie want cathartic effect. Call at Burnaugh & May field's drug store for a free sample. Highest market price paid in cash for live chickens at Enterprise Meat Market. Price & Homan come. I knew thai before we saw Arthur Rame at the window In the court." ' "Ah!" I said. "But again, what mnde you so sure? And why slucp half past 10 this morning?" "Because nt half past 10 I had proof that Mile. Stangerson was making ns many efforts to penult of the murder er's entrance as M. Robert Darzac had taken precautions against it." "Is that possible!" I cried. "Usren'l you told me that Mile. Stangerson loves M. Robert Darzac?" ' "I told you so because It la the truth." - "Then do you see nothing strange"- "Everythlng In thla business Is strange, my friend: but take my word for It, the strangeness you now feel Is nothing to the strangeness that's to come." "It must bo admitted, then." I snld. "that Mile. Stangerson and her mur derer are In communication nt any rate In writing?" "Admit It. my friend; admit it! You don't risk anything'. 1 told you about the letter left on her table on the night of the Inexplicable gallery af fairthe letter that disappeared Into the pocket of MIlo. Stangerson. Why should It not have been a summons to a meeting?. Might he not as soon as he was sure of Durznc's absence, ap point tbe meeting for the coming night?" And my friend laughed silently. There are moments when I ask myself If he Is not laughing at me. The door of the Inn opened. Roule tabllle was on bis feet so suddenly that one might have thought be had received an electric shock. "Mr. Arthur Ranee!" he cried. Mr. Arthur Ranee stood before us calmly bowing. CHAPTER XX. An Act of Mile. Stangerson. "It jrlOU remember me. monsieur?" I Y I a k 1 Houletabllle. The I X I Auierk'ai extended bis hand. I and Rouletabllle, relaxing hla frown, shook It and introduced Mr. Arthur Ranee to me. He Invited bim to share our meal. "No, thanks. I breakfasted with M. 8tangerson."( Arthur Ranee spoke French perfect ly, almost without an accent "I did not expect to have the pleas ure of seeing you again, monsieur. I thought you were to have left France the day after the reception at the Elysee." Rouletabllle and I. nutn-nnllv indif ferent, listened most intently for every j wuru lutf American wouici say. The man's purplish red face, hi heavy eyelids, the nervous twltchlnga, all spoke of bis addiction to drink, How came it that so sorry a specimen of a man should be so intimate with M. Stangerson? Some days later I learned from Fred eric Larsan-who. like ourselves, was surprised ond mystified bv Rnr'a appearance and reception at the cha teau that Mr. Rauce had been an In ebriate f.ir about flft pen I'Mn mil v that It Is to say, since the professoi I ana uis anughter left Philadelphia. , During the time Ihe fitaogersons lived t In America they were very Intimate : with Arthur Runce, who was one of ' tbe most distinguished phreuologlsts of i ine new woria. Owing to new expert 1 tnents be had made enormous stride , beyond the science of Gall and Lava I er. 'The friendliness with which he . was received nt the Glandler may be explained by the fact that he bad r j, dered Mile. Stangerson a great service by stopping, at the peril of bis own life, the runaway horses of ber car j I'lage. The immediate- result of that j could, however, hove been no more j than a mere friendly association with the Stangersons, certainly not a love l affair. , i Frederic Larsan did not tell me where be had picked up this informa tion, but be appeared to be quite sure of what he said. The Ameri;aa must have bean at 'leist fort-Ire years old. He spo'.ie In a perfectly natural tone in reply ) to Rouletabllle's question. "It put off my return to America j t W. C. KETCHUM DENTIST - ENTERPRISE ji ii e Portend Building. Home Independent Phone. COLON R. EBERHARD ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR Practlcna In all fonrtu and In. ? t f terlor Dept. Notary Public, i Ind. Home phone. Joseph. -$M-:'JMKij.j,,..j.-i,3,.-,.5 t E. T. ANDERSON. M. D. . I PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON t Calls attended to day or night. j. noiue pnone. Enterprise, Oro. .3, K-4'-w.'-. . DR. C. A. AULT PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON Office lu Tank Building. Home phone both office and residence. when I heard of t'.io attxek ou MKo. (Stangerson. I-antad ta be cortain the lady bad nat boen killod, nnd I shall not go away until se li per fectly recovered. " - (Coutluued next woeU.v , An Ideal Cough Medielne. "As an Ideal cough medicine I re Rard Chamberlain's Cough Re.noJy In a class by Itsef," says Dr. R. A. Wiltshire, of Gwynnevllle, Iud, "I take groat pleasure In testifying Vj the results of Chamberlain's Cough Medicine. In fact, I know of no oth er preparation that meets so fully expectations of the most exacting in cases of croup and coughs of chil dren. As it contains no opium, chlo roform or morphine- it certainly makes a most safe, pleasant and ef flcacous remedy for the Ills it la, intended." For sale by Burnaugh & May f laid. A. B. Conaway. O. M. Corklns. CONAWAY & COUKINS. LAWYERS Enterprise, Oregon. SMITH A 8MITH. TRANSFER Home Phone, Blue 47. BALED HAY FOR SALE. LODUE MRE;T0;tY. i 0 0 F jterpkisb ixdqs no KMUltAtD U12BEKAH LODdE. No. UB K Of P NTEUPniSB LOJX3B, Nu JUANITA TEMPLE, No. f, Pythian Sisters. IlinOulllUNo. 30. .Royal Ar.'h M,..,r. meets first and third Tuexday of i-ai-ti month In Masonlo Halt. All vtsitlup Royal Arch Maaons welcomed. J. R OLMSTED, UlKh rri !. D. W. SHEAHAN, Secretary. WALLOWA LODGE, No. 82, A. K. . A. M meets second and founh ,'nt -r days of each month In Masonl- Hut) V In! ting Masons welcomed J. A. BURLHIQH, W. M. W. C. BOATMAN, Secretary. WALLOWA VALLEY CHAPTER, No 60, O. 11 S. meets first and third Sat urdays of each month, in Masonlo Mali VlKltlnir Stars are always wolcotnel. MRS. ELVA U FRENCH, W. M. MRP. MARY K. STEEL, Seo. ff III I EAGLE CAMP, No. 10497, M III. 11,8. W. A Meets first and thtrt Thui:,jRy (n each month, tn new Fra lernal ImlL Visiting Neighbors aina-v welcome. J. W. RODQER3 ConsuU T. M. DILI., Clerk. ANEUOID CAMP, No. 8542, H N of Wfl III ENTEHi HlSE CAMP, .U.lf . fi35, . if W. ALJIOTA CiRCLE, No. 278. W. of V Gophers, Sage Rats and Prairie Dogs annually devastate our fields of growing grain. Their numbers may be greatly diminished by a systematic warfare "upon them. ' "Woodlark" Squirrel Poison is the most reliable and destructive agent yet devised for their extermination. It U absolutely certain in its action and every kernel is warranted to kill. Climatic changes or moisture of the earth do not destroy its strength. It requires no mixing or preparation, and is always ready for use. No other is so good. Dealers will refund the purchase price if not as claimed. Pamphlet free. Hoyt Chkmicai, Co.. Portland, Oregon,