"Monsieur President, it will be interesting to hear Monsieur Joseph
Rouletabille, especially as he differs from me."

A murmur of approbation greeted the detective's speech. He was a
good sportsman and accepted the challenge. The struggle between
the two promised to be exciting.

As the President remained silent, Frederic Larsan continued:

"We agree that the murderer of the keeper was the assailant of
Mademoiselle Stangerson; but as we are not agreed as to how the
murderer escaped, I am curious to hear Monsieur Rouletabille's
explanation."

"I have no doubt you are," said my friend.

General laughter followed this remark. The President angrily
declared that if it was repeated, he would have the court cleared.

"Now, young man," said the President, "you have heard Monsieur
Frederic Larsan; how did the murderer get away from the court?"

Rouletabille looked at Madame Mathieu, who smiled back at him sadly.

"Since Madame Mathieu," he said, "has freely admitted her intimacy
with the keeper--"

"Why, it's the boy!" exclaimed Daddy Mathieu.

"Remove that man!" ordered the President.