“Madame, I do not know where M. Darzac went last night, but it is necessary that you should know one thing; and that is the reason why M. and Mme. Darzac have ceased to run any danger. Your husband, Madame, has told you of the frightful tragedy of the Glandier two years ago and of the villainous part played in it by----” “Frederic Larsan--yes, monsieur, I know all that.” “You know also, of course, that the reason why we have placed such a strong guard here around M. Darzac and his wife was because we had seen this man again?” “I do.” “Well, M. and Mme. Darzac are no longer in danger because this man cannot appear again ever.” “What has become of him?” “He is dead.” “When did he die?” “Last night.” “And how did he die last night?” “He was killed, madame.” “And where was he killed?” “In the Square Tower.” We all sprang to our feet at this declaration in the greatest agitation. M. and Mme. Rance seemed completely stupefied by the words which they had heard and M. and Mme. Darzac and myself were plunged into the most profound agitation by the fact that Rouletabille had not hesitated to reveal the secret. “In the Square Tower?” cried Mme. Edith. “And who, then, has killed him?” “M. Robert Darzac,” replied Rouletabille. “And he entreats everyone to sit down.” It was astonishing how we seated ourselves with one accord, as though, at such a moment, we had nothing to do except to obey this youngster. But almost immediately Mme. Edith arose and seizing M. Darzac by the hand, she exclaimed with an emphasis which made me decide that I had judged her wrongly when I called her affected: “Bravo, Monsieur Robert! All right! You are a gentleman!” Then she paid some exaggerated compliments--for after all, it was her nature to exaggerate things--to Mme. Darzac. She swore eternal friendship for her; she declared that she and her husband were ready, under all circumstances, to stand by the Darzacs and that the latter might count upon their zeal and their devotion and that they would swear whatever one liked before all the judges in the tribunal.