We felt that what was about to happen would decide the fate of Monsieur Robert Darzac.
Frederic Larsan's face alone was radiant, showing a joy as of a dog that had at last got its prey.
Pointing to the railway servant, Monsieur de Marquet said to Monsieur Darzac: "Do you recognise this man, Monsieur ?" "I do," said Monsieur Darzac, in a tone which he vainly tried to make firm.

"He is an employe at the station at Epinay-sur-Orge." "This young man," went on Monsieur de Marquet, "affirms that he saw you get off the train at Epinay-sur-Orge--" "That night," said Monsieur Darzac, interrupting, "at half-past ten--it is quite true." An interval of silence followed.
"Monsieur Darzac," the magistrate went on in a tone of deep emotion, "Monsieur Darzac, what were you doing that night, at Epinay-sur-Orge--at that time ?" Monsieur Darzac remained silent, simply closing his eyes.
"Monsieur Darzac," insisted Monsieur de Marquet, "can you tell me how you employed your time, that night ?" Monsieur Darzac opened his eyes.

He seemed to have recovered his self-control.
"No, Monsieur." "Think, Monsieur! For, if you persist in your strange refusal, I shall be under the painful necessity of keeping you at my disposition." "I refuse." "Monsieur Darzac!--in the name of the law, I arrest you!" The magistrate had no sooner pronounced the words than I saw Rouletabille move quickly towards Monsieur Darzac.

He would certainly have spoken to him, but Darzac, by a gesture, held him off.

As the gendarme approached his prisoner, a despairing cry rang through the room: "Robert!--Robert!" We recognised the voice of Mademoiselle Stangerson.