As the concierges spoke, I saw Rouletabille’s face cloud over and exhibit disappointment—a disappointment, no doubt, with himself. Evidently he was a little vexed, after having worked so much on the spot, with so minute a study of the people and events at the Glandier, that he had to learn now that Arthur Rance was accustomed to visit the château. “You say that Monsieur Arthur Rance is accustomed to come to the château. When did he come here last?” “We can’t tell you exactly,” replied Madame Bernier—that was the name of the concierge—“we couldn’t know while they were keeping us in prison. Besides, as the gentleman comes to the château without passing through our gate he goes away by the way he comes.” “Do you know when he came the _first_ time?” “Oh yes, Monsieur!—nine years ago.” “He was in France nine years ago, then,” said Rouletabille, “and, since that time, as far as you know, how many times has he been at the Glandier?” “Three times.” “When did he come the last time, as far as you know?” “A week before the attempt in The Yellow Room.” Rouletabille put another question—this time addressing himself particularly to the woman:— “In the grove of the parquet?” “In the grove of the parquet,” she replied. “Thanks!” said Rouletabille. “Be ready for me this evening.” He spoke the last words with a finger on his lips as if to command silence and discretion. We left the park and took the way to the Donjon Inn. “Do you often eat here?” “Sometimes.” “But you also take your meals at the château?” “Yes, Larsan and I are sometimes served in one of our rooms.” “Hasn’t Monsieur Stangerson ever invited you to his own table?” “Never.” “Does your presence at the château displease him?” “I don’t know; but, in any case, he does not make us feel that we are in his way.” “Doesn’t he question you?” “Never. He is in the same state of mind as he was in at the door of The Yellow Room when his daughter was being murdered, and when he broke open the door and did not find the murderer. He is persuaded, since he could discover nothing, that there’s no reason why we should be able to discover more than he did. But he has made it his duty, since Larsan expressed his theory, not to oppose us.” Rouletabille buried himself in thought again for some time. He aroused himself later to tell me of how he came to set the two concierges free.