I was about to make some further observations, but he wrung my hand
warmly and wished me good-bye. I had only time to ask him one
question before he left.

"Are you not afraid that other attempts may be made while you're
away?"

"No! Not now that Darzac is in prison," he answered.

With this strange remark he left. I was not to see him again until
the day of Darzac's trial at the court when he appeared to explain
the inexplicable.




CHAPTER XXVI

In Which Joseph Rouletabille Is Awaited with Impatience


On the 15th of January, that is to say, two months and a half after
the tragic events I have narrated, the "Epoque" printed, as the
first column of the front page, the following sensational article:
"The Seine-et-Oise jury is summoned to-day to give its verdict on
one of the most mysterious affairs in the annals of crime. There
never has been a case with so many obscure, incomprehensible, and
inexplicable points. And yet the prosecution has not hesitated to
put into the prisoner's dock a man who is respected, esteemed, and