We ate our dinner in the best of humours, and I had no difficulty in appreciating the feelings of certainty which both Rouletabille and Larsan felt.

Rouletabille told the great Fred that I had come on a chance visit, and that he had asked me to stay and help him in the heavy batch of writing he had to get through for the "Epoque." I was going back to Paris, he said, by the eleven o'clock train, taking his "copy," which took a story form, recounting the principal episodes in the mysteries of the Glandier.

Larsan smiled at the explanation like a man who was not fooled and politely refrains from making the slightest remark on matters which did not concern him.
With infinite precautions as to the words they used, and even as to the tones of their voices, Larsan and Rouletabille discussed, for a long time, Mr.Arthur Rance's appearance at the chateau, and his past in America, about which they expressed a desire to know more, at any rate, so far as his relations with the Stangersons.

At one time, Larsan, who appeared to me to be unwell, said, with an effort: "I think, Monsieur Rouletabille, that we've not much more to do at the Glandier, and that we sha'n't sleep here many more nights." "I think so, too, Monsieur Fred." "Then you think the conclusion of the matter has been reached ?" "I think, indeed, that we have nothing more to find out," replied Rouletabille.
"Have you found your criminal ?" asked Larsan.
"Have you ?" "Yes." "So have I," said Rouletabille.
"Can it be the same man ?" "I don't know if you have swerved from your original idea," said the young reporter.

Then he added, with emphasis: "Monsieur Darzac is an honest man!" "Are you sure of that ?" asked Larsan.