Page:Mystery of the Yellow Room (Grosset Dunlap 1908).djvu/276

 discretionary power, I hold you at the court's disposition."

"I ask nothing better, Monsieur President. I have come here for that purpose.  I humbly beg the court's pardon for the disturbance of which I have been the innocent cause.  I beg you to believe that nobody has a greater respect for the court than I have.  I came in as I could." He smiled.

"Take him away!" ordered the President.

Maître Henri Robert intervened. He began by apologising for the young man, who, he said, was moved only by the best intentions. He made the President understand that the evidence of a witness who had slept at the Glandier during the whole of that eventful week could not be omitted, and the present witness, moreover, had come to name the real murderer.

"Are you going to tell us who the murderer was?" asked the President, somewhat convinced though still sceptical.

"I have come for that purpose, Monsieur President!" replied Rouletabille.

An attempt at applause was silenced by the usher.

"Joseph Rouletabille," said Maître Henri Robert, "has not been regularly subpoenaed as a witness, but I hope, Monsieur President, you will examine him in virtue of your discretionary powers."

"Very well!" said the President, "we will question him. But we must proceed in order."

The Advocate-General rose:

"It would, perhaps, be better," he said, "if