door to be closed against everybody, and it is well guarded. Not a journalist was able to pass through the gate of the Glandier yesterday."
Monsieur de Marquet compressed his lips and seemed ready to relapse into obstinate silence. He only relaxed a little when Rouletabille no longer left him in ignorance of the fact that we were going to the Glandier for the purpose of shaking hands with an "old and intimate friend," Monsieur Robert Darzac—a man whom Rouletabille had perhaps seen once in his life.
"Poor Robert!" continued the young reporter, "this dreadful affair may be his death,—he is so deeply in love with Mademoiselle Stangerson."
"His sufferings are truly painful to witness," escaped like a regret from the lips of Monsieur de Marquet.
"But it is to be hoped that Mademoiselle Stangerson's life will be saved."
"Let us hope so. Her father told me yesterday that, if she does not recover, it will not be long before he joins her in the grave. What an incalculable loss to science his death would be!"
"The wound on her temple is serious, is it not?"
"Evidently; but, by a wonderful chance, it has not proved mortal. The blow was given with great force."
"Then it was not with the revolver she was wounded," said Rouletabille, glancing at me in triumph.
Monsieur de Marquet appeared greatly embarrassed.
26
