Mademoiselle Stangerson's murderer, flying
through the court, was fired on; it was thought he was struck,
perhaps killed. As a matter of fact, he only stumbled at the
moment of his disappearance behind the corner of the right wing
of the chateau. There he encountered the keeper who, no doubt,
tried to seize him. The murderer had in his hand the knife with
which he had stabbed Mademoiselle Stangerson and with this he
killed the keeper."
This very simple explanation appeared at once plausible and
satisfying. A murmur of approbation was heard.
"And the murderer? What became of him?" asked the President.
"He was evidently hidden in an obscure corner at the end of the
court. After the people had left the court carrying with them the
body of the keeper, the murderer quietly made his escape."
The words had scarcely left Larsan's mouth when from the back of
the court came a youthful voice:
"I agree with Frederic Larsan as to the death of the keeper; but I
do not agree with him as to the way the murderer escaped!"
Everybody turned round, astonished.
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