how the murderer made his escape."

Rouletabille continued:

"It was impossible for the murderer to escape by the way he had
entered the court without our seeing him; or if we couldn't see him
we must certainly have felt him, since the court is a very narrow
one enclosed in high iron railings."

"Then if the man was hemmed in that narrow square, how is it you
did not find him?--I have been asking you that for the last
half hour."

"Monsieur President," replied Rouletabille, "I cannot answer that
question before half-past six!"

By this time the people in the court-room were beginning to believe
in this new witness. They were amused by his melodramatic action
in thus fixing the hour; but they seemed to have confidence in the
outcome. As for the President, it looked as if he also had made up
his mind to take the young man in the same way. He had certainly
been impressed by Rouletabille's explanation of Madame Mathieu's part.

"Well, Monsieur Rouletabille," he said, "as you say; but don't let
us see any more of you before half-past six."

Rouletabille bowed to the President, and made his way to the door
of the witnesses' room.

I quietly made my way through the crowd and left the court almost