to us roughly all he knows about the crime of The Yellow Room. We
have reproduced it in his own words, only sparing the reader the
continual lamentations with which he garnished his narrative. It is
quite understood, Daddy Jacques, quite understood, that you are very
fond of your masters; and you want them to know it, and never cease
repeating it--especially since the discovery of your revolver. It
is your right, and we see no harm in it. We should have liked to
put some further questions to Daddy Jacques--Jacques--Louis
Moustier--but the inquiry of the examining magistrate, which is
being carried on at the chateau, makes it impossible for us to gain
admission at the Glandier; and, as to the oak wood, it is guarded
by a wide circle of policemen, who are jealously watching all traces
that can lead to the pavilion, and that may perhaps lead to the
discovery of the assassin. "We have also wished to question the
concierges, but they are invisible. Finally, we have waited in a
roadside inn, not far from the gate of the chateau, for the departure
of Monsieur de Marquet, the magistrate of Corbeil. At half-past
five we saw him and his clerk and, before he was able to enter his
carriage, had an opportunity to ask him the following question:

"'Can you, Monsieur de Marquet, give us any information as to this
affair, without inconvenience to the course of your inquiry?'

"'It is impossible for us to do it,' replied Monsieur de Marquet.
'I can only say that it is the strangest affair I have ever known.
The more we think we know something, the further we are from knowing
anything!'

"We asked Monsieur de Marquet to be good enough to explain his last
words; and this is what he said,--the importance of which no one