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In Which Joseph Rouletabille Is Awaited with Impatience.
On the 15th of January, that is to say, two months and a half after the tragic events I have narrated, the "Epoque" printed, as the first column of the front page, the following sensational article: "The Seine-et-Oise jury is summoned to-day to give its verdict on one of the most mysterious affairs in the annals of crime.

There never has been a case with so many obscure, incomprehensible, and inexplicable points.

And yet the prosecution has not hesitated to put into the prisoner's dock a man who is respected, esteemed, and loved by all who knew him--a young savant, the hope of French science, whose whole life has been devoted to knowledge and truth.

When Paris heard of Monsieur Robert Darzac's arrest a unanimous cry of protest arose from all sides.