Page:Mystery of the Yellow Room (Grosset Dunlap 1908).djvu/200

 feelings of terror, and fears came over her that are easily to be comprehended.

"But who could imagine that on that particular night when he was to come, she would, by a mere chance, determine to shut herself in with her women? Who would think that she would act contrary to her father's wish to sleep in the drawing-room?  Who could believe that the letter which had so recently been on the table in her room would no longer be there?  He who could understand all this, would have to assume that Mademoiselle Stangerson knew that the murderer was coming—she could not prevent his coming again—unknown to her father, unknown to all but to Monsieur Robert Darzac.  For he must know it now—perhaps he had known it before!  Did he remember that phrase in the Elysée garden: 'Must I commit a crime, then, to win you?' Against whom the crime, if not against the obstacle, against the murderer?  'Ah, I would kill him with my own hand!'—And I replied, 'You have not answered my question.' That was the very truth. In truth, in truth, Monsieur Darzac knew the murderer so well that—while wishing to kill him himself—he was afraid I should find him. There could be but two reasons why he had assisted me in my investigation. First, because I forced him to do it; and, second, because she would be the better protected.

"I am in the chamber—her room. I look at her, also at the place where the letter had just now been.  She has possessed herself of it; it was evidently intended for her—evidently.  How she trembles!—Trembles at the strange story her