the name of the murderer; and--that is all I have to say. I am
leaving to get my proofs--for the irrefutable evidence of the
murderer's guilt.' Our reporter departed. For a long time we
were without news from him; but, a week ago, a stranger called
upon our manager and said: 'Act in accordance with the instructions
of Joseph Rouletabille, if it becomes necessary to do so. The
letter left by him holds the truth.' The gentleman who brought us
this message would not give us his name.

"To-day, the 15th of January, is the day of the trial. Joseph
Rouletabille has not returned. It may be we shall never see him
again. The press also counts its heroes, its martyrs to duty. It
may be he is no longer living. We shall know how to avenge him.
Our manager will, this afternoon, be at the Court of Assize at
Versailles, with the letter--the letter containing the name of
the murderer!"

Those Parisians who flocked to the Assize Court at Versailles, to
be present at the trial of what was known as the "Mystery of The
Yellow Room," will certainly remember the terrible crush at the
Saint-Lazare station. The ordinary trains were so full that special
trains had to be made up. The article in the "Epoque" had so
excited the populace that discussion was rife everywhere even to
the verge of blows. Partisans of Rouletabille fought with the
supporters of Frederic Larsan. Curiously enough the excitement
was due less to the fact that an innocent man was in danger of a
wrongful conviction than to the interest taken in their own ideas
as to the Mystery of The Yellow Room. Each had his explanation to
which each held fast. Those who explained the crime on Frederic
Larsan's theory would not admit that there could be any doubt as