The news=record., January 20, 1909, Wednesday Edition, Image 3

t
The Mystery
of
TheYellow Room
By GASTON LEROUX
Copyright. 1908. by Brentano's
CHAPTER IV.
"In the Bosom of Wild Nature."
mUE Chateau du Glandler is one
of the oldest chateaux in the
He de France, where so many
building remains of the feudal
period are still standing. Built origin
ally in the heart of the forest in the
reign of Philip le Bel, it now could be
seen a few hundred yards from the
road leading from the Tillage of Salnte
Genevieve to Montbery. A mass of
Inharmonious structures, it is dominat
ed by a donjon.
It was In this place, seemingly be
longing entirely to the past, that Pro
fessor Stangerson and his daughter In
stalled themselves to lay the founda-
tlons for the science of the future.
When M. Stangerson bought the es
tate, fifteen years before the tragedy
with which we are engaged occurred,
the Chateau du Glandler had for a
long time been unoccupied. Another
old chateau In the neighborhood, built
In the fourteenth century by Jean de
Eelmont, was also abandoned, so that
that part of the country was very lit
tle Inhabited. Some small houses on
the side of the road leading to Corbell,
an inn, called the Auberge du Don
Jon, which offered passing hospitality
to wagoners these were about all to
represent civilization in this out of the
way part of the country, but a few
leagues from the capital.
But thts deserted condition of the
place had been the determining reason
for the choice made by M. Stangerson
and his daughter. M. Stangerson was
already celebrated. He had .returned
from America, where his works bad
made a great stir. The book which be
had published at. Philadelphia, on the
"Dissociation of Matter by Electric
Action," had aroused opposition
throughout the whole scientific world.
M. Stangerson was a Frenchman, but
of American origin. Important mat
ters relating to a legacy bad kept him
for several years in the United States,
' where be bad continued the work be
gun by blm In France, whither he had
returned in possession of a large for
tune. ' Allle. Stangerson was at the time
when her father returned from Amer
Ica and bought the Glandler estate
twenty years of age. She was ex
ceedingly pretty, having at once the
Parisian grace of her mother, who had'
died in giving her birth, and all the
splendor, all the riches of the young
American blood of her parental grand
father, William Stangerson. A citizen
of Philadelphia, William Stangerson
had been obliged to become natural
ized in obedience to family exigencies
at the time of his marriage with a
French lady.
Twenty years of age, a charming
trtond, with blue eyes, milk white
complexion , and radiant with divine
health, Mfltbllde Stangerson was one
of the most beautiful marriageable
girls In either the old or the new world.
Jt was her father's duty. In spite of
(the inevitable pain which a separation
from ber would cause him, t think of
feer marriage, and be was fully pre
pared for It Nevertheless he burftd
himself and Ms child at the Glandler
At the moment when bis friends were
expecting him to bring ber out Into so
ciety. Questioned by her friends, the young
glrj replied calmly, "Where could we
work better than in this solitude?"
For Mile. Stangerson bad already be
gun to collaborate with her father In
bis work. It could not at the time be
Imagined that her passion for science
wonld lead her so far as to refuse all
the suitors who presented themselves
to her for over fifteen years. The
young girl's extreme reserve did not at
first discourage suitors, but at the end
of a few years they tired of their
guest.
One alone persisted with tender te
nacity and deserved the name of "eter
nal fiance," a name he accepted with
melancholy resignation; that was M.
Robert Darzac, Mile. Stungerson was
now no longer young, and it seemed
that having found no reason for mar
rying at five and thirty, she would nev
er find one.
Suddenly some weeks before the
events with which we are occupied a
report to which nobody attached any
Importance, so Incredible did it sound
was spread about Parts that Mile.
Stangerson bad at last consented to
"crown" the Inextinguishable flame of
M. Robert Darzac! It needed that M.
Robert Darzac blmeelf should not deny
this matrimonial rumor to give It an
appearance of truth, so unlikely did It
Mem to be well founded. One day.
however, M- Stangerson, as he was
leaving the Academy of Science, an
Bounced that the marriage of his
; daughter and M. Robert Darzac would
be celebrated in the privacy of the
Chateau du Glandler as soon as he and
bis daughter bad put the finishing
touches to their report summing up
their labors on the "Dissociation of
, Matter." The new household would In-
stall itself In the Glandler, and the son-in-law
would lend his assistance In the
work to which the father and daughter
bad dedicated their lives.
The scientific world had barely had
time to recover from the effect of tWaj
news when it learned of the attempt
ed assassination of mademoiselle.
CHAPTER V.
In Which Joseph Rouletabille Makes
(l Remark to M. Robert Danae
Which Produces Its Little Effect.
DULETABILLE and I bad been
wulking for several minutes by
the side of a long wall bound
ing the vast property Of M.
Stungerson uud had already come
within sight of the entrance gate when
our attention was drawn to an indi
vidual who, half bent to the ground,
seemed to be so completely absorbed
in what he was doing as not to have
seen us coming toward him. At one
time he stooped so low as almost to
touch the ground. At another he drew
himself up and attentively examined
the wull. 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 band. RouletabUle had
brought me to a standstill by a ges
ture. "Hush! Frederic Larsan Is nt work!
Don't let us disturb him!"
RouletabUle had a great admiration
for the celebrated detective. I had
never before seen him, but I knew him
well by reputation. At that time, be
fore RouletabUle bad given proof of
his unique talent, Larsan was reputed
as the most skillful unraveler of the
most mysterious and complicated
crimes. His reputation was world
wide, and the police of London and
even of America often called him
to tbclr aid when their own national
Inspectors and detectives found them
selves at the end of their wits and re
sources. No one was astonished, then, that
the head of the Paris police had at
the outset of the mystery of the yel
low room telegraphed his precious
subordinate in London, where he bad
been sent on a big case of stolen se
curities, to return with all haste.. Fred
eric had made all speed, doubtless
knowing by experience that if he was
Interrupted In what he was doing It
was because his services were urgent
ly needed In another direction, so, as
RouletabUle said, be was that morning
already "at work." We oon found
out in what It consisted.
What be was continually looking at
in the palm of bis right band was
nothing but his watch, the minute
hand of which he appeared to be not
ing 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 bis pocket, shrugging his
shoulders with a gesture of discourage
ment. He pushed open the park gate,
reclosed and locked it, raised his head
And through the bars perceived us,
RouletabUle rushed after him, end I
followed. Frederic Larsan waited foe
us.
"M. Fred," said RouletabUle, raising
his hnt and showing the profound
.respect based on admiration, which
the young reporter felt for the cele
brated detective, "can you tell me
whether M. 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, M. Rouleta
bllle," replied Fred, shaking bands
with my friend, whom he had several
times met In the course of .bis difficult
Investigations. "J have' not seen him."
"The concierges will be able to In
form us, no doubt?" snld RouletabUle,
pointing to the lodge, the door and
windows of which were close shut.
"The concierges will not be able to
give you any information, M. Rouleta
bUle.". "Why notr
"Because they were arrested half
hour ago."
"Arrested!" cried RouletabUle. "Theu
they are the murderers!"
Frederic Larsan shrugged his shoul
ders.
"When yon can't arrest, the real mur
derer," he snld, with an air of supreme
Irony, "yon can always Indulge in the
luxury of discovering accomplices."
. "Did yon have them arrested, M.
Fred?"
"Not I! I haven't had them arrest
ed. In the first place, I am pretty
sure that they have pot had anything
to do with the affair and then be
cause" "Because of what?" asked Rouleta
bUle eagerly.
"Because of nothing," said Larsan,
shaking his head.
"Because there were DO accom
plices!" said RouletabUle.
"Aha! Tou have an Idea, then, about
this matter?" said Larsan, looking at
RouletabUle intently, "yet you have
seen nothing, young man yon have
not yet gained admission here!"
"I shall get admission."
"I doubt It. The orders ore strict"
"I shall gain admission If yon let
me see M. Robert Darzac. Do that
for me. You know we are old friends.
I beg of you. M. Fred. Do you re
memlier the article I wrote about yon
on the gold bar case?"
to be coifTirrcxn.
SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I A mysterious at
Umpt Is made at midnight to mur
der Mile. Stangerson, daughter and
assistant of Prof. Stangerson, who Is
at work on his theory of the dlssocl
a Ion of matter In a pavilion near his
chateau. Pistol shots and the young
woman's cries for help are heard
behind the lock el and bolted door of
ber chamber, the yellow room. The
cries are answered by Professor Stan
A DadJr JCJUM. e1
servan t Aided by the concierges,
Bernl'-r and his wife, they break open
the joor and find Mile. Stangerson
swoc ning and half strangled, with a
wound ' la hsr temple, but find no
trace of ber assailant. The only
poscible outlet from the yellow room
is the doDr. The weird cry of the
"b-ete du bon Dieu," a cat belonging
t -Mother Angenoux, a recluse, is
beard Just before Mile. Stangerson's
cries. II Joseph RouletabUle, a reporter-detective,
is introduced to the
reader by M. Salnclair, the narrator
of the story. RouletabUle declares
the revolver was fired by Mile. Stan
gerson, wounding her assailant in
the hand. Salnclair Is to use his
friendship with M. Darzac, Mile. Stan
gerson's lover, to introduce Roulcta
Ulle Into the chateau. Ill Rouleta
bUle Induces M. de Marquet, the ex
amining magistrate, and M. de Ma
lelne, his registrar, to talk about Jhe
case. The only posisble point of
egress from the pavilion for the j
murderer has been the window of the :
pavilion's vestibule, near which blood- j
stains have been found. The win
dow, however, was found latched af-1
ter the assassin's escape. A bullet ;
hole Is found In the celling of the j
yellow room. i
OUR NATIONAL CAPITAL
Interesting Events of the Week lii
Washington, D. C.
Washington By a vote of 212 "to
35, the house adopted resolutions re
ported by a special committee laying
on the table the part of the Presi
dent's annual message relating to the
secret service and also the message
of January 4 replying to the inquiries
of the house on the subject. This
was taken on the ground that the
messages are not respectful and are,
therefore, a breach of the privileges
of congress.
President Roosevelt has made pub
lic details of an investigation by
postoffice Inspectors and secret ser
vice agents of Senator Tillman's con
nection with an alleged "land grab"
in Oregon. The President undertakes
to show:
That Mr. Tillman used his influ
ence as a senator in an effort to force '
the government to compel a rail
road corporation to relinquish its
control of land grants from the
United States in order that he and
his family and his secretary, J. B.
Knight, might profit through the pur
chase of some of the land.
That the Senator used his govern
ment franking privilege in numerous!
instances for the conduct of private!
business, ,
In the preparation of his speech In
reply to the President's charge. Sen
ator Tillman has failed to find a
number of papers bearing upon the
Oregon land case, In connection with
which the present controversy arose.
The Senator does not charge that
the papers have been abstracted by a
government detective who may have
been shadowing him, but does not
say that it would be impossible for
such official to gain access to his
room and to his desk.
Senator Fulton has prepared and
Will offer an amendment to the pos
tal savlnga bank bill authorizing the
postmaster-general to deposit postal
savings funds In other than national
banks when he U satisfied with the
security offered by them. Fulton says
there Is much demand for such an
amendment, as it will permit a wider
distribution of savings deposits.
Representative Hawjey, of Oregon,
bos introduced a bill appropriating
$150,000 for operatin the new dredge
"Oregon," recently constructed for
use in the harbors along the Oregon
and Washington coast. The bill pro
rides that the dredge shall operate
at Coos Bay, Coqullle, Tillamook har
bor! Grays Harbor, Wlllapa Bay and
such other joints as may be desig
nated by the secretary of war.
Both Women Free,
Media, Pa., Jan. 10. Mrs. M.
Florence Erb, wife of Captain J.
Clayton Erb, who was well known
in political circles all over Pennsyl
vania, and ber sister, Mrs, Catherine
Belsel, who were charged with the
sensational murder of Captain Erb on
the night of October 6, 1908, walked
from the Delaware county courthouse
free women. After the jury had been
out nearly. 18 hours It brought in a
verdict of not guilty in the case of
each woman.
Aclcerman Opposes Plan,
Balem Believing that the rural
schools are most urgently In need of
attention and strengthening at the
present time, Superintendent of Pub
lic Instruction J. H. Ackerman hat
declined to aid In promoting legisla
tion having for Its purpose establish
ment of a system of Inspection and
uniform examinations in Hlgb
Schools.
There are two movements on foot
for the creation of the office of High
School Inspector. One plan is that
the High School Inspector shall he
appointed by the State University
and shall bring the High Schools of
the slate to such a standard of work
as shall harmonize with the work of
the University. The other plan in
that the Inspector shall be appointed
by the State Board of Education and
shall bring the High Schools to such
a standard as the board may deem
best for the students.
Never slip horseshoes at Keltner's.
PROOSEVELT'S
and the NATIONAL MUSEUM
Tj&Mi&mi filial mt00mmf
NATIONAli MUSEUM, WAS lNTON
LTHOUGH the Roosevelt hunt In
Africa is entirely a private af
fair. It takes on somewhat of
an official character now that
It Is known that the Smithsonian Insti
tution is to benefit from the enterprise.
The Smithsonian Institution is under
the direction of the United States gov
ernment. It was founded under a be
quest of an Englishman, James Smith
son, who died In Italy in lS'J'J. It is
ndmlnlstorcd by a board nt'lhe head
of wlilch Is t; president of the Unit
id States, although the practical bend
of the Institution Is the secretary, who
has always been a man distinguished
for scientific acquirements. The first
secretary was Joseph Henry, noted for
his epoch making discoveries. The
present secretary is Charles D. Wal
I'ott, former head of the geological sur
vey. To most visitors to Washington
that part of the Smithsonian institu
tion known as the National museum
proves of great Interest, ond its mil
lions of specimens nre viewed by thou
sands of persons every year. One of
the Important departments of the In
stitution is n bureau of ethnology, and
another Is the library. The work of
the institution as a whole embraces a
broad field of scientific and historical
effort.
Trofessor Walcott, who Is a native
of New York Btatc. fifty-eight years of
age and n graduate of Hamilton col
lege, has made an International repu
tation by his achievements In geology
and paleontology. Twenty years ago
he made a special study of the Cam-
flWi. --:?:-::: ss.-s,. j
1
if
I. AbPT-.N lOIUNa ANT) CBAntBS D. WAL
OU'VT. Man rocks nnd fauna of the United
States and presented the results of his
researches to the international geo
graphical congress In London. Since
then his services In scientific, matters
have been In frequent ileum ud, uud he
Is the author of numerous works in
Ills chosen field of research.
Some time ago an unnamed donor
made a contribution to the Smithso
nian institution for the purpose of ob
taining natural history specimens
from Africa. Last summer Professor
Walcott learned that the president
would be agreeable to having several
representatives of the Institution uc
compuny him on his hunt, so it was
decided to Join forces. Three repre
sentatives of the Smithsonian were
delegated to accompany the president
and bis son Kermtt, eueh having some
special qualifications for his Individual
part in the enterprise.
Although the Smithsonian Institution
is to get the benefit of thu additions
to scientific lore accruing from the
Roosevelt hunt, no part of the cost of
the hunting trip Is to come out of the
funds appropriated each year by the
govqrninent. The Institution has a
fund of $SO(.C(W entirely separate from
the allot me'.itH by congreiis, and from
this source In part the money for
the hunters Is to come. The president
and his son will pay their own ex
neusex, and the Institution will outfit
the expedition and defray the expenses
of the three scientists and the guide.
'o estimate has been made of what
the total cost will lie. It Is Muted that
while the Institution frequently pays
large sums of money for specimens it
does not expect to puiehase the Itoose
velt collection. It excctft to get the
zoological, botanical and other secl
mens free of charge save for the cost
of outfitting the exi-edltlon and the
traveling expenses of the naturalists
ind guide. The big game which the
1
1
JT
i
3
HUNT
president will kill will be given with
out charge.
The youngest member of the Smith
sonian representation on the trip is
Edmund Heller, a graduate of .Stan
ford university, class of 1!K)1, a thor
oughly trained naturalist, whose spe
cial work will be the preparation and
preservation of specimens of large ani
mals. Mr. Heller Is about thirty years
of age. His former experience, when
associated with D. G. Eliot and Mr.
Ackley of the Field Columbian mu
seum in collecting big game animals
MAJOR EDO AH A. M EARNS, tT.
TIHKD.
S. A., B
In the same portions of Africa which
Mr. Roosevelt will visit, will bo a val
uable asset to the expedition. Mr. Hel
ler has had large experience1 In ani
mal collecting In Alaska, British Co
lumbia, the United States, Mexico, Cen
tral America and South America. In
the year 18!i8 ho made a collecting trip
of eleven months to Galapagos is
lands, starting from Son Francisco.
He is nn enthusiastic collector as well
as a well equipped naturalist. lie is
nlso the author of scientific papers on
nulmals, birds, reptiles and fishes. At
present he is assistant curator of the
museum of vertebrate zoology of the
University of California.
Another member of the delegation,
J. Alden Lorlng, is a field naturalist
whose training comprises service In
the biological survey of the depart
ment of agriculture and in the Bronx
zoological park. New York city, as well
as on numerous collecting trips through
firltlsh America, Mexico and the Unit
ed States. He Is about thirty-eight
years old. of ardent temperament nnd
Intensely energetic. In August, Sep
tember ond October, 181)8, he made the
highest record for n traveling collector,
having sent to the United States Na
tional museum 000 well prepared spec
imens of small mammals In the three
months' journey from London, through
Sweden, Germany, Switzerland ' and
Belgium.
The other representative of the
Smithsonian Institution who will ac
company the president Is Major Edgur
A. Mcnrns, medical corps, U. S. A., re
tired. Major Menrns will be the physi
cian of the trip. He has had twenty-
five years' experience as an army doc
tor and is well known as a naturalist
and collector of natural history speci
mens. He is a dead shot. Major
Menrns Is about fifty-three years of
age and Is the oldest member of the
party. For this reason perhaps he has
tho honor of having charge of the
Smithsonian portion of the delegation.
While each and every one of the party,
Including the president's son Kermit,
official photographer, has special du
ties assigned him, all will naturally
net together In many respects, and It
Is anticipated that the scientific results
of the expedition. In view of the un
usual opportunities offered, will be of
much value.
An Adventurous Explorer.
Some strange adventures have been
experienced by Erwln Clurkson Gar
rett, University of Pennsylvania man,
who with two native servants recently
penetrated the Jungles of Borneo. He
was the first white man to do this.
Sir. uorrett was
heavily armed, but
had no occuslon to
use his guns, al
though there were
times, he declared,
when he had to sit
up nights and be on
the lookout for the
treacherous Dyaks,
who Infest tho for
ests of Borneo.
There were times,
E. c. oaiiuett. he sold, when Dutch
troop went through the dense forests
"armed to Hie tooth." but never be
fore, he added, had u while man mude
'he trip alone. I luring the Filipino In
Mirrectlon Garrett served In the regu
lar army In the Philippines and made
a careful study of the habits and char
acter of the natives.
Horrid Thing.
"Why do you hate Mr. Wendell so?"
the sweet young mother was asked.
"The horrid thing refused to kiss
my baby because he was afraid of
latching sooit-thlng." Houston Post.
The Greatest Geologist.
The royal name in geology Is un
doubtedly that of Charles Lyell. It
was Lyell who did for geology what
Copernicus did for the heavens and
Darwin for the realm of biology
gave It true rendering by finding out
nnd btntlng its true laws. Befcre Ly
ell's time geology was largely romance,
but In "The Principles of Geology," '
published In 1SS0. the old cutastrophb
view of the formation of the earth
heard Its deathknell, and from the
publication of that great work we nre
to date tho birth of real geology. New
York American.
Hides In Its Own Feathers.
It is worthy of note that, although
the prairie cock when in the lists Is a
strikingly conspicuous creature, he
wears no adornment which cannot be
Doucealed at n moment's notice. The
sight of a passing hawk changes the
grotesque, beplumed, beorauged bird
into nn almost Invisible squatting
brownish lump, so quickly cau the
feathers be dropped and air sack de
flated. With woodland birds so great
a change is unnecessary, but the prai
rie hen cnu hide only uuder her own
feathers. Outing Magazine.
Wellington's Sense of Duty.
A most interesting anecdote of Wel
lington, illustrating the high sense of
duty in nil things, Is told ou the au
thority of the duke's housekeeper at
Walir.er castle. The huge blue book
of 800 pages on the studies and disci
pline of the University of Oxford had
been sent to him as chancellor. He
was engaged on it the night before his
death. He was going to bed. ns it was
late. He left the blue book, with his
pencil in It, and snld to Lord Charles
Wellcslcy, who was with blm, "1 shall
never get through It, Charles, but I
must work on."
What He Meant.
An old sea captain was visiting a
certain exhibition and was greatly In
terested In the mechanical section,
where a fine army of steam whistles
was ou show. "How fur cun that one
he heard?" he asked, pointing to a
huge "buzzer." The young man in at
tendance was only a deputy, but be
promptly replied, "Sixteen miles."
"Sixteen miles?" said the old salt lu
creduously. "When I say sixteen
miles," elaborated the youth, "I menu
eight miles this way and eight miles
that way." Dundee Advertiser.
Publio Elopements.
The Bulgarian is perhaps the most
simple minded and industrious peas
ant in Europe, and, paradoxical us It
may appeur, his standard of morality
is extremely high, although elopements
are more numerous thnu iu any other
country. But these ure generally lnno.
cent affairs, being simply the device of
young couples to get married without
the expense a regular Bulgarian wed
ding entails. Iu most cases not only is
tho consent of both parents obtained,
but all friends are Informed and as
semble outside the bride's bouse to
witness the elopement.
Fairy Floral Stssds.
The airship is one of many modern
Inventions that were long ago antici
pated by the fulry tule. For instance,
If you tread on St. John's wort after
sunset ou St. John's eve a horse will
spring out of tho eurth and carry you
round the world among the stars all
night. But you must be careful to be
near earth at sunrise, for it will un
horse you theu wherever you are. An
other botuulcal fulry steed is the rag
wort, now flourishing In the country
tilde, which is riddou by witches Iu
England nnd by leprechauns
cobblers, in Ireland. Loudon MaU.
Quick Coffee Cake.
Cream oue-fourth cupful of butter,
three-fourths cupful of sugar and oue
egg until very light and creamy, add
oue cupful of milk and two nnd one
half cupfuls of sifted flour In which
two teaspoonfuls of bnklnir nowilor
have boon sifted; beat smooth, then
uaue in two round layer cake or pie
tlus. When the top has begun to crust,
but not brown, brush with melted but
ter aud sprlukle with sugar and cinna
mon. Buke a golden brown. Can be
baked the day before. All measures
must bo level and one-half pint cup
used.--Chicago Record-Herald.
Women and the Old Olymplo Games.
One rule of thu original Olympic
games could not bo followed nowadays
without provoking serious troubles.
Women were not allowed to be preiient
or even to be anywhere in the district
when tho games were being celebrated
on pain of being burled from a precipi
tous rock. This rule Is believed to
have been defied only once, when the
offender was pardoned In consideration
of the fact that her father, brothers
and son hud been victors In the games.
Ono particular priestess, however, was
uot only exempt from this luw, but
was accommodated with a special front
seat on au altar of white marble, and
women woro allowed to enter chariots
for the races, though they might not be
present to see them win.
That Date Engaged.
Some time ugo a rich hut Ignorant
woman wrote to the weutber bureau
lu Washlugtou suytug that she was to
give a lawn party ou a certaiu day and
asking the bureau to see that It was
clear ou that day. To make her com
munication more impressive she In
closed a list of the names of several
prominent people she Intended to In
vite. "I entered Into the humor of the
thing." said the weather chief, "and
sent her an answer to the effect that
the afternoon she designated bad al
ready been bespoken by a poor wash
erwoman who wanted to obtain some
rainwater with which to wash clothes
nd that on this account I could not
possibly make It clear on that date."