Rouletabille's return at the appointed time.

On the stroke of half-past six Joseph Rouletabille was again brought
in. It is impossible for me to picture the tense excitement which
appeared on every face, as he made his way to the bar. Darzac rose
to his feet, frightfully pale.

The President, addressing Rouletabille, said gravely:

"I will not ask you to take the oath, because you have not been
regularly summoned; but I trust there is no need to urge upon you
the gravity of the statement you are about to make."

Rouletabille looked the President quite calmly and steadily in the
face, and replied:

"Yes, Monsieur."

"At your last appearance here," said the President, "we had arrived
at the point where you were to tell us how the murderer escaped,
and also his name. Now, Monsieur Rouletabille, we await your
explanation."

"Very well, Monsieur," began my friend amidst a profound silence.
"I had explained how it was impossible for the murderer to get away
without being seen. And yet he was there with us in the courtyard."

"And you did not see him? At least that is what the prosecution
declares."