第3章

Evidentlynot，forthetougholdpoliticianoftheFifteenthWardwaslaughing，atoneofhisownjokesprobably，andlookingupinthefaceofMr。Blake，whosebackwasturnedtome，inawaythatentirelyprecludedallthoughtofanytragicexpressioninthatquarter。Somewhatdisgusted，Iwithdrewandfollowedthelady。

Icouldnotgetverynear。Bythistimethepresenceofalivecountessintheassemblyhadbecomeknown，andIfoundhersurroundedbyaswarmofhalf-fledgedyouths。ButIcaredlittleforthis；allI

wantedtoknowwaswhetherMr。Blakewouldapproachherornotduringtheevening。Tediouslythemomentspassed；butadetectiveonduty，oronfanciedduty，succumbstonoweariness。Ihadawomanbeforemeworthstudyingandthetimecouldnotbethrownaway。Ilearnedtoknowherbeauty；thepoiseofherhead，theflushofhercheek，thecurlofherlip，theglance——yes，theglanceofhereye，thoughthatwasmoredifficulttounderstand，forshehadawayofdroopingherlidsattimesthat，whileexceedinglyeffectiveuponthepoorwretchtowardwhomshemightbedirectingthathalf-veiledshaftoflight，wasanythingbutconducivetomypurposes。

Atlengthwitharestlessshrugofherhaughtyshoulderssheturnedawayfromhercrowdofadorers，herbreastheavingunderitsrobingofgarnetvelvet，andherwholefaceflaringwithalightthatmightmeanresolveandmightmeansimplylove。Ihadnoneedtoturnmyheadtoseewhowasadvancingtowardsher；herstatelyattitudeascountess，herthrillingglanceaswoman，betrayedonlytooreadily。

Hewasthemorecomposedofthetwo。BowingoverherhandwithafewwordsIcouldnothear，hedrewbackastepandbeganutteringtheusualcommon-placesentimentsoftheoccasion。

Shedidnotrespond。Withasplendorofindifferencenotoftenseeneveninthemannerofourgrandestladies，shewaited，openingandshuttingherrichlyfeatheredfan，asonewhowouldsay，"Iknowallthishastobegonethroughwith，thereforeIwillbepatient。"Butasthemomentspassed，andhistoneremainedunchanged，Icoulddetectaslightgleamofimpatienceflashinthedepthsofherdarkeyes，andachangecomeintotheconventionalsmilethathadhithertolighted，withoutilluminatinghercountenance。Drawingstillfurtherbackfromthecrowdthatwasnottobeawedfrompressinguponher，shelookedaroundasifseekingarefuge。Herglancefelluponacertainwindow，withagleamofsatisfaction。Seeingtheywouldstraightwaywithdrawthere，Itookadvantageofthemomentandmadehastetoconcealmyselfbehindacurtainasnearthatvicinityaspossible。InanotherinstantIheardthemapproaching。

"Youseemtoberatheroverwhelmedwithattentionto-night，"werethefirstwordsIcaught，utteredinMr。Blake"scalmestandmostcourteoustones。

"Doyouthinkso?"wastheslightlysarcasticreply。"Iwasjustdecidingtothecontrarywhenyoucameup。"

Therewasapause。Takingoutmyknife，Irippedopenaseaminthecurtainhangingbeforeme，andlookedthrough。Hewaseyeingherintently，afirmlookuponhisfacethatmadeitsreservemoremarkedthancommon。Isawhimgazeatherhandsomeheadpiledwithitsmidnighttressesamidwhichthejewels，doubtlessofherdeadlord，burnedwithafierceandominousglare，athersmootholivebrow，herpartlyveiledeyeswherethefirepassionatelyblazed，atherscarletlipstremblingwithanemotionherrapidlyflushingcheekswouldnotallowhertoconceal。Isawhisglancesfallandembraceherwholeelegantformwithitscasingofrubyvelvetandornamentationoflaceanddiamonds，andanexpectantthrillpassedthroughmealmostasifIalreadybeheldthemaskofhisreservefalling，andthetruemanflashoutinresponsetothewooingbeautyofthisfull-blownrose，evidentlyinwaitingforhim。ButitdiedawayandadeeperfeelingseizedmeasIsawhisglancesreturnunkindledtohercountenance，andheardhimsayinstillmoremeasuredaccentsthanbefore:

"IsitpossiblethenthattheCountessDeMiraccandesiretheadulationofuspoorAmericanplebeians?Ihadnotthoughtit，madame。"

Slowlyherdarkeyesturnedtowardshim；shestoodastatue。

"ButIforget，"hewenton，atingeofbitternessforamomentshowingitselfinhissmile:"perhapsinreturningtoherowncountry，EvelynBlakehassofarforgottenthelasttwoyearsastofindpleasureagaininthetoysandfoiblesofheryouth。Suchthingshavebeen，I

hear。"Andhebowedalmosttothegroundinhishalfsarcastichomage。

"EvelynBlake!ItislongsinceIhaveheardthatname，"shemurmured。

Hecouldnotrestrainthequickflushfrommountingtohisbrow。

"Pardonme，"saidhe，"ifitbringsyousadnessorunwelcomememories。IpromiseyouIwillnotsotransgressagain。"

Awansmilecrossedherlipsgrownsuddenlypallid。

"Youmistake，"saidshe；"ifmynamebringsupapastladenwithbittermemoriesandshadowedbyregret，italsorecallsmuchthatispleasantandnevertobeforgotten。Idonotobjecttohearingmygirlhood"snameuttered——bymynearestrelative。"

Theanswerwasdignityitself。"YournameisCountessDeMirac，yourrelativesmustbeproudtoutterit。"

Agleamnotunlikethelightning"squickflashshotfromtheeyesshedroopedbeforehim。

"IsitHolmanBlakeIamlisteningto，"saidshe；"Idonotrecognizemyoldfriendinthecoolandsarcasticmanoftheworldnowbeforeme。"

"Weoftenfailtorecognizetheworkofourhands，madame，afterithasfallenfromourgrasp。"

"What，"shecried，"doyoumean——wouldyousaythat——"

"Iwouldsaynothing，"interruptedhecalmly，stoopingforthefanshehaddropped。"Ataninterviewwhichisatonceameetingandaparting，Iwouldgiveutterancetonothingwhichwouldseemlikerecrimination。I——"

"Wait，"suddenlyexclaimedshe，reachingoutherhandforherfanwithagestureloftyasitwasresolute。"Youhavespokenawordwhichdemandsexplanation；whathaveIeverdonetoyouthatyoushouldspeakthewordrecriminationtome?"

"What?Youshookmyfaithinwomankind；youshowedmethatawomanwhohadoncetoldamanshelovedhim，couldsofarforgetthatloveastomarryoneshecouldneverrespect，forthesakeoftitlesandjewels。Youshowedme——"

"Hold，"saidsheagain，thistimewithoutgestureoranymovement，savethatofherlipsgrownpallidasmarb!e[sic]，"andwhatdidyoushowme?"

Hestarted，coloredprofoundly，andforamomentstoodbeforeherunmaskedofhissternself-possession。"Ibegyourpardon，"saidhe，"Itakebackthatword，recrimination。"

Itwasnowherturntoliftherheadandsurveyhim。Withglancelesscoolthanhis，butfullyasdeliberate，shelookedathisproudheadbendingbeforeher；studyinghisface，linebyline，fromthesternbrowtothecloselycompressedlipsonwhichmelancholyseemedtohavesetitseverlastingseal，andachangepassedoverhercountenance。

"Holman，"saidshe，withasuddenrushoftenderness，"ifinthetimesgoneby，webothbehavedwithtoomuchworldlyprudenceforitnowtobeanygreatpleasureforeitherofustolookback，isthatanyreasonwhyweshouldmarourwholefuturebydwellingtoolonguponwhatwearesurelystillyoungenoughtoburyifnotforget?I

acknowledgethatIwouldhavebehavedinamoreidealfashion，if，afterIhadbeenforsakenbyyou，Ihadturnedmyfacefromsociety，andletthecanker-wormofdespairslowlydestroywhateverlifeandbloomIhadleft。ButIwasyoung，andsocietyhaditscharms，sodidtheprospectofwealthandposition，howeverhollowtheymayhaveproved；youwhoarethemasterofboththisday，becausetwelvemonthsagoyouforsookEvelynBlake，shouldbethelasttoreproachmewiththem。Idonotreproachyou；Ionlysayletthepastbeforgotten——"

"Impossible，"exclaimedhe，hiswholefacedarkeningwithanexpressionIcouldnotfathom。"Whatwasdoneatthattimecannotbeundone。Foryouandmethereisnofuture。Yes，"hesaidturningtowardsherasshemadeaslightflutteringmoveofdissent，"nofuture；wecanburythepast，butwecannotresurrectit。Idoubtifyouwouldwishtoifwecould；aswecannot，ofcourseyouwillnotdesireeventoconverseuponthesubjectagain。EvelynIwantedtoseeyouonce，butIdonotwishtoseeyouagain；willyoupardonmyplainspeaking，andreleaseme?"

"Iwillpardonyourplainspeaking，but——"Herlooksaidshewouldnotreleasehim。

Heseemedtounderstanditso，andsmiled，butverybitterly。Inanothermomenthehadbowedandgone，andshehadreturnedtohercrowdofadoringsycophants。

CHAPTERVI

ABITOFCALICO

ItwasaboutthistimethatItookupmyresidenceinasortoflodging-housethatoccupiedtheoppositecornertothatofMr。Blake。

Myroom，asItookpainstohaveit，overlookedtheavenue，andfromitswindowsIcouldeasilywatchthegoingsandcomingsofthegentlemanwhosemovementsweredailybecomingofmoreandmoreinteresttome。Forsetitdowntocaprice——andmenareoftenascapriciousaswomen——oraccountforitasyouwill，hisrestlessnessatthisperiodwastrulyremarkable。Notadaythathedidnotspendhistimeinwalkingthestreets，andthatnotinhisusualaimlessgentlemanlyfashion，buteagerlyandwithanintentgazethatroamedhereandthere，likeabirdseekingitsprey。Itwouldoftenbeaslateasfiveo"clockbeforehecamein，andif，asnowfrequentlyhappened，hedidnothavecompanytodinner，hewasevenknowntostartoutagainafterseveno"clockandgooverthesamegroundasinthemorning，lookingwithstrainedgaze，thatvainlyendeavoredtoappearunconcerned，intothefacesofthewomenthathepassed。InotunfrequentlyfollowedhimatthesetimesasmuchformyownamusementasfromanyhopeIhadofcominguponanythingthatshouldaidmeintheworkbeforeme。ButwhenhesuddenlychangedhisrouteoftravelfromapromenadeinthefashionablethoroughfaresofBroadwayandFourteenthStreettoawalkthroughChathamSquareandthedark，narrowstreetsoftheEastside，Ibegantoscentwhomthepreymightbethathewasseeking，andputtingeveryotherconsiderationaside，regularlysetmyselftodoghissteps，asonlyI，withmyinnumerabledisguises，knewhowtodo。ForthreeseparatedaysIkeptathisheelswhereverhewent，eachdaygrowingmoreandmoreastonishedifnottosayhopeful，asIfoundmyselftreadingthenarrowestandmostdisreputablestreetsofthecity；haltingattheshopsofpawnbrokers；peeringintotheback-roomsofliquorshops；mixingwiththecrowdsthatinfestthecornergroceriesatnightfall，andevenslinkingwithhandonthetriggerofthepistolIcarriedinmypocket，updarkalleyswhereeverydoorthatswungnoiselesslytoandfroaswepassed，shutuponhauntsofsuchvillainyasonlyisknowntousofthepolice，ortothosegoodsoulsthatforthesakeofOnewhoseexampletheyfollow，layasidetheirfearsandsensitivenesstocarrylightintothedimpitsofthiswretchedworld。AtfirstI

thoughtMr。Blakemighthavesomesuchreasonforthepeculiarcoursehetook。Buthisindifferencetoallcrowdswhereonlymenwerecollected，hissilencewhereawordwouldhavebeenwellreceived，convincedmeitwasawomanhewasseekingandthatwithanintentnesswhichblindedhimtothecommonestneedsofthehour。Ievensawhimonceinhishurryandabstraction，stepacrossthebodyofachildwhohadfallenfacedownwardonthestones，andthatwithanexpressionshowinghewasutterlyunconsciousofanythingbutanobstacleinhispath。Thestrangestpartofitallwasthatheseemedtohavenofear。Tobesurehetookpainstoleavehiswatchathome；

butwithsuchafigureandcarriageashepossessed，theabsenceofjewelrycouldneverdeceivetheeyeforamomentastothefactofhisbeingamanofwealth，andthosehewentamongwoulddoanythingformoney。Perhaps，likeme，hecarriedapistol。Atalleventsheshunnednospotwhereeitherpovertylayhidordeviltryreigned，hisproudsternheadbendingtoenterthelowestdoorswithoutatrembleofthehaughtylipsthatremainedcompressedasbyanironforce；

exceptwhensomepoorforlorncreaturewithflauntinghead-gear，andtremuloushands，attractedbyhisbearingwouldhastilybrushagainsthim，whenhewouldturnandlook，perhapsspeak，thoughwhathesaidIalwaysfailedtocatch；afterwhichhewouldhurryonasifpossessedbysevendevils。Theeveningsofthosethreedayswerenotablealso。TwoofthemhespentinthemannerIhavedescribed；

thethirdhewenttotheWindsorHouse——wheretheCountessDeMirachadtakenrooms——goinguptotheladies"entranceandactuallyringingthebell，onlytostartbackandwalkupanddownontheoppositesideoftheway，withhishandsbehindhisback，andhisheadbent，evidentlydeliberatingastowhetherheshouldorshouldnotcarryouthisoriginalintentionofentering。Thearrivalofacarriagewiththestatelysubjectofhisdeliberations，whofromherelaboratecostumehadseeminglybeentosomekettledrumorprivatereception，speedilyputanendtohisdoubts。Asthedooropenedtoadmither，Isawhimcastonelookatherheavilydrapedperson，withitssnowyopera-cloakdrawntightlyoverthesweepingfoldsofhermaizecoloredsilk，andshrinkbackwithwhatsoundedlikeasighofangerordistrust，andwithoutwaitingfortheclosingofthedooruponher，turntowardhomewithastepthathesitatednolonger。

Thefourthdaytomyinfinitechagrin，Iwassickandcouldnotgowithhim。AllIcoulddowastowrapmyselfinblanketsandsitinmywindowfromwhichIhadthesatisfactionofviewinghimstartasI

supposeduponhisusualcourse。Therestofthedaywasemployedinalong，dullwaitingforhisreturn，onlyrelievedbycasualglimpsesofMrs。Daniels"troubledfaceassheappearedatonewindoworanotheroftheold-fashionedmansionbeforeme。Sheseemed，too，tobeunusuallyrestless，openingthewindowsandlookingoutwithforlorncraningsofherneckasifshetoowerewatchingforhermaster。IndeedIhavenodoubtfromwhatIafterwardslearned，thatshewasinastateofconstantsuspenseduringthesedays。Herfrequentappearanceatthestationhouse，wheresheinvainsoughtforsomenewsofthegirlinwhosefateshewassoabsorbed，confirmedthis。OnlythedaybeforeIgavemyselfuptomyunreservedespionageofMr。Blake，shehadhadaninterviewwithMr。Gryceinwhichshehadletfallherapprehensionsthatthegirlwasdead，andaskedwhetherifthatwerethecase，thepolicewouldbelikelytocomeintoaknowledgeofthefact。Uponbeingassuredthatifshehadnotbeenprivatelymadewaywith，therewaseverychanceintheirfavor，shehadgrownalittlecalmer，butbeforegoingawayhadsofarforgottenherselfastointimatethatifsomeresultwasnotreachedbeforeanotherfortnighthadelapsed，sheshouldtakethematterintoherownhandsand——Shedidnotsaywhatshewoulddo，butherlookswereofaverymenacingcharacter。Itwasnowonder，then，thathercountenanceboremarksofthekeenestanxietyasshetrodthehallsofthatdimoldmansion，withitsduskycornersrichwithbronzesandtheglimmeringshineofancientbrocades，breathingsuggestionsoflossandwrong；orbentherwrinkledforeheadtogazefromthewindowsforthecomingofonewhosefootstepswereeverdelayed。Shehappenedtobelookingout，whenafteralongerstrollthanusualthemasterofthehousereturned。Ashemadehisappearanceatthecorner，Isawherhurriedlywithdrawherheadandhideherselfbehindthecurtain，fromwhichpositionshewatchedhimaswithtiredstepsandsomewhatdejectedmien，hepassedupthestepsandenteredthehouse。

Nottillthedoorcloseduponhim，didsheventuretoissueforthandwithahurriedmovementshuttheblindsanddisappear。Thisanxietyonherpartredoubledmine，andthankfulenoughwasIwhenonthenextdayIfoundmyselfwellenoughtorenewmyoperations。Toferretoutthismystery，ifmysteryitwas，——Istillfoundmyselfforcedtoadmitthepossibilityoftherebeingnone——hadnowbecometheoneambitionofmylife；andallbecauseitwasnotonlyanunusuallyblindone，butofanaturethatinvolveddangertomypositionasdetective，Ientereduponitwithazestrareeventomewholovemyworkandallitinvolveswithanundividedpassion。

Toequipmyself，then，inafreshdisguiseandtojoinMr。Blakeshortlyafterhehadlefthisowncorner，wasanythingbutahardshiptomethatbrightwintermorning，thoughIknewfrompastexperience，alongandwearisomewalkwasbeforemewithnothinginallprobabilityattheendbutreiterateddisappointment。Butforoncethefateshadwilleditotherwise。WhetherMr。Blake，discouragedatthefailureofhisownattempts，whatevertheywere，feltlesshearttoprosecutethemthanusualIcannotsay，butwehadscarcelyentereduponthelowerendoftheBowery，beforehesuddenlyturnedwithalookofdisgust，andgazinghurriedlyabouthim，hailedaMadisonAvenuecarthatwasrapidlyapproaching。Iwasatthatmomentontheothersideoftheway，butIhurriedforwardtoo，andsignaledthesamecar。ButjustasIwasonthepointofenteringitI

perceivedMr。Blakestephastilybackandwithhiseyesuponagirlthatwashurryingpasthimwithabasketonherarm，regainthesidewalkwithaswiftnessthatarguedhisdesiretostopher。OfcourseIletthecarpassme，thoughIdidnotdareapproachhimtoocloselyaftermylateconspiciousattempttoenteritwithhim。Butfrommystandontheoppositecurb-stoneIsawhimdrawasidethegirl，whofromhergarmentsmighthavebeenthedaughterorwifeofanyoneoftheshiftless，drinkingwretchesloungingaboutonthefourcornerswithinmyview，andaftertalkingearnestlywithherforafewmoments，saunterathersidedownBroomeStreet，stilltalking。

RecklessatthissightoftheconsequenceswhichmightfollowhisdetectionofthepartIwasplaying，Ihastedafterthem，whenIwassuddenlydisconcertedbyobservinghimhurriedlyseparatefromthegirlandturntowardsmewithintentionasitweretoregainthecornerhehadleft。Weighinginaninstanttheprobablegoodtobeobtainedbyfollowingeitherparty，IdeterminedtoleaveMr。Blakeforonedaytohimself，andturnmyattentiontothegirlhehadaddressed，especiallyasshewastallandthinandboreherselfwithsomethinglikegrace。

Barelybestowingaglanceuponhim，then，ashepassed，inavainattempttoreadthesombreexpressionofhisinscrutablefacegrownfiveyearsolderinthelastfivedays，IshuffledafterthegirlnowflittingbeforemedownBroomeStreet。AsIdidso，Inoticedherdresstoitsminutestdetails，somewhatsurprisedtofindhowraggedanduncouthitwas。ThatMr。Blakeshouldstopagirlwhereverseen，cladinablackalpacafrock，astripedshawlandaBoweryhattrimmedwithfeathers，Icouldeasilyunderstand；butthatthiscreaturewithherfadedcalicodress，dingycapethrowncarelesslyoverherhead，andraggedbasket，shouldarresthisattention，wasariddletome。Ihastenedforwardwithintenttocatchaglimpseofhercountenenceifpossible；butsheseemedtohaveacquiredwingstoherfeetsinceherinterviewwithMr。Blake。DartingintoacrowdofhootingurchinsthatwererushingfromCentreStreetafterabrokenwagonandrunawayhorse，shespedfrommysightwithsuchrapidity，I

soonsawthatmyonlyhopeofovertakingherlayinrunning。I

accordinglyquickenedmystepswhenthosesamehootingyoungstersgettinginthewayofmyfeet，Itrippedupand——well，IownI

retiredfromthatfieldbaffled。Notentirelyso，however。JustasI

wasgoingdown，Icaughtsightofthegirltearingawayfromaboxofgarbageonthecurb-stone；andwhenorderhavingbeenrestored，bywhichloftystatementImeantosaywhenyourhumbleservanthadregainedhisequilibrium，Iawoketothefactthatshehadeffectuallydisappeared，IhurriedtothatboxandsucceededinfindinghangingtoitabitofrageasilyrecognizedasapieceoftheoldcalicofrockofnamelesscolorwhichIhadbeenfollowingamomentbefore。

Regardingitasthesolespoilsofaveryunsatisfactoryday"swork，Iputitcarefullyawayinmypocketbook，whereitlaytill——Butwithallmyzealforcompression，Imustnotanticipate。

WhenIcamehomethatafternoonIfoundmyselfunexpectedlyinvolvedinamatterthatfortheremainderofthedayatleast，preventedmefromfurtherattendingtotheaffairIhadinhand。ThenextmorningMr。Blakedidnotstartoutasusual，andatnoonIreceivedintimationfromFannythathewaspreparingtotakeajourney。Where，shecouldnotinformme，norwhen，thoughshethoughtitprobablehewouldtakeanearlytrain。Mrs。Danielswasfeelingdreadfully，sheinformedme；andthehousewaslikeagrave。GreatlyexcitedatthisunexpectedmoveonMr。Blake"spart，Iwenthomeandpackedmyvalisewithsomethingofthespiritofherwhooncesaid，undersomewhatdifferentcircumstancesIallow，"WhitherthougoestIwillgo。"

Thetruthwas，Ihadtravelledsofarandlearnedsolittle，thatmyprofessionalpridewaspiqued。ThatexpressionofMr。Grycestillrankled，andnothingcouldsoothemyinjuredspiritnowbutsuccess。

AccordinglywhenMr。BlakesteppeduptotheticketofficeoftheHudsonRiverRailroadnextmorning，tobuyaticketforPutney，asmalltowninthenorthernpartofVermont，hefoundbesidehimaspruceyoungdrummer，orwhatcertainlyappearedsuch，whobysomestrangecoincidence，wantedaticketforthesameplace。Thefactdidnotseemintheleasttosurprisehim，nordidhecastmealookbeyondtheordinaryglanceofonestrangeratanother。IndeedMr。

Blakehadnoappearanceofbeingasuspiciousman，nordoIthinkatthistime，hehadtheremotestideathathewaseitherwatchedorfollowed；anignoranceofthetruthwhichItookcaretopreservebytakingmyseatinadifferentcarfromhimandnotshowingmyselfagainduringthewholeridefromNewYorktoPutney。

CHAPTERVII

THEHOUSEATTHEGRANBYCROSSROADS

WhyMr。Blakeshouldtakeajourneyatallatthistime，andwhyofallplacesintheworldheshouldchoosesuchaninsignificanttownasPutneyforhisdestination，wasofcoursethemysteryuponwhichI

broodedduringtheentiredistance。ButwhensomewherenearfiveintheafternoonIsteppedfromthecarsontotheplatformatPutneyStationonlytohearMr。Blakemakinginquiriesinregardtoacertainstagerunningbetweenthattownandastillsmallervillagefurthereast，IownIwasnotonlysurprisedbutwell-nighnonplussed。

Especiallyasheseemedgreatlydisappointedtohearthatitonlyranonceaday，andthenforanearliertraininthemorning。

"Youwillhavetowaittillto-morrowIfear，"saidtheticketagent，"unlessthelandlordofthehoteldownyonder，canharnessyouupateam。Thereisafuneraloutwestto-dayand——"

Ididnotwaittohearmorebuthurrieddowntothehotelhehadpointedout，andhuntingupthelandlordinquiredifforloveormoneyhecouldgetmeanysortofaconveyanceforMelvillethatafternoon。Heassuredmeitwouldbeimpossible，theliverystableaswellashisownbeingentirelyempty。

"Suchathingdon"thappenhereonceinfiveyears，"saidhetome。

"Buttheoldcodgerwhoisdead，thoughaqueerdickwasanotedpersonageintheseparts，andnotaman，womanorchild，whocouldfindahorse，muleordonkey，butwhatavailedhimselfoftheprivilege。Eventhedoctor"sspavinedmarewaspressedintoservice，thoughshehaltsononelegandstopstogetherbreathhalfadozentimesingoinguponeshorthill。Youwillhavetowaitforthestage，sir。"

"ButIaminahurry，"saidIasIsawMr。Blakeenter。"IhavebusinessinMelvilletonight，andIwouldpayanythinginreasontogetthere。"

Butthelandlordonlyshookhishead；anddrawingbackwiththeairofanabusedman，ItookupmystandinthedoorwaywhereIcouldhearthesamecolloquyenteredintowithMr。Blake，withthesameunsatisfactorytermination。HedidnottakeitquiteascalmlyasI

did，thoughhewasoftooreservedanaturetodisplaymuchemotionoveranything。Theprospectofalongtediouseveningspentinacountryhotelseemedalmostunendurabletohim，buthefinallysuccumbedtotheforceofcircumstances，asindeedheseemedobligedtodo，andpartakingofsuchrefreshmentastheratherpoorlymanagedhotelafforded，retiredwithoutceremonytohisroom，fromwhichhedidnotemergeagaintillnextmorning。Inallthishehadsomehowmanagednottogivehisname；andbymeansofsomeinquiriesI

succeededinmakingthatevening，Ifoundhispersonwasunknowninthetown。

ByalittlemanagementIsecuredthenextroomtohis，bywhicharrangementIsucceededinpassingasleeplessnight，Mr。Blakespendingmostoftheweesma"hoursinpacingthefloorofhisroom，withanunremittingregularitythathadanythingbutasoothingeffectuponmynerves。Earlythenextmorningwetookthestage，hesittingonthebackseat，andIinfrontwiththedriver。Therewereotherpassengers，butInoticedheneverspoketoanyofthem，northroughallthelongdrivedidheoncelookupfromthecornerwherehehadensconcedhimself。Itwastwelveo"clockwhenwereachedtheendoftheroute，asmalltownofsomewhatlessthantheusualpretensionsofmountainvillages；soinsignificantindeed，thatIfounditmoreandmoredifficulttoimaginewhatthewealthyex-Congressmancouldfindinsuchaspotasthis，tomakeamendsforajourneyofsuchlengthanddiscomfort；whentomyincreasingwonderIheardhimgiveordersforahorsetobesaddledandbroughtroundtotheinndoordirectlyafterdinner。ThiswasamoveIhadnotexpectedanditthrewmealittleaback，foralthoughIhadthusfarmanagedtoholdmyselfsoalooffromMr。Blake，evenwhilekeepinghimundermyeye，thatnosuspicionofmyinterestinhismovementshadasyetbeenawakened，howcouldIthusforthethirdtimefollowhisorderwithonepreciselysimilar，withoutattractinganattentionthatwouldbefataltomyplans。Yettolethimrideoffalonenow，wouldbetodropthetrailattheverymomentthescentbecameofimportance。

Thelandlord，abustling，wirylittlemanallnervousnessandquestions，unwittinglyhelpedmeatthiscrisis。

"AreyougoingontoPerry，sir?"inquiredheofthatgentleman，"I

havebeenexpectingamanalongthesethreedaysboundforPerry。"

"Iamthatman，"Ibrokein，steppingforwardwithsomeappearanceofasperity，"andIhopeyouwon"tkeepmewaiting。Ahorseassoonasdinnerisover，doyouhear?Iamtwodayslatenow，andwon"tstandanynonsense。"

Andtoescapethequestionssuretofollow，Istrodeintothedining-roomwithahalf-fierce，half-sullencountenance，thateffectuallyprecludedalladvances。DuringthemealIsawMr。Blake"seyeroammorethanoncetowardsmyface；butIdidnotreturnhisgaze，ornoticehiminanyway；hurryingthroughmydinner，andmountingthefirsthorsebroughtaround，asiftimeweremyonlyconsideration。ButonceontheroadItookthefirstopportunitytodrawreinandwait，suddenlyrememberingthatIhadnotheardMr。

Blakegiveanyintimationofthedirectionheintendedtaking。Afewminutesrevealedtomehiselegantformwellmountedandshowingtoperfectioninhiscloselybuttonedcoat，slowlyapproachinguptheroad。Takingadvantageofariseintheground，Ilingeredtillhewasalmostuponme，whenIcanteredquicklyon，fearingtoarousehisapprehensionsifIallowedhimtopassmeonaroadsosolitaryasthatwhichnowstretchedoutbeforeus:amoveprovocativeofmuchembarassmenttome，asIdarednotturnmyheadforthesamereason，anxiousasIwastokeephiminsight。

Theroadsdividingbeforeme，atlengthgavememyfirstopportunitytopauseandlookback。Hewassomefiftypacesbehind。Waitingtillhecameup，IbowedwiththesurlycourtesyIthoughtinkeepingwiththecharacterIhadassumed，andaskedifheknewwhichroadledtowardsPerry，sayingIhadcomeoffinsuchhasteIhadforgottentoinquiremyway。Hereturnedmybow，pointedtowardsthelefthandroadandsaying，"Iknowthisdoesnot，"calmlytookit。

Nowherewasadilemma。IfinfaceofthiscurtresponseIproceededtofollowhim，myhandwasrevealedatonce；yetthecircumstanceswouldadmitofnoothercourse。Ideterminedtocompromisemattersbypretendingtotaketherighthandroadtillhewasoutofsight，whenIwouldreturnandfollowhimswiftlyupontheleft。AccordinglyI

reinedmyhorsetotheright，andforsomefifteenminutesgallopedslowlyawaytowardsthenorth；butanotherfifteensawmefacingthewest，andridingwithaforceandfuryofwhichIhadnotthoughttheoldmaretheyhadgivenmecapable，tillIputhertothetest。ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawmyfinegentlemantrottinginfrontofmeupalongbutgentleslopethatroseinthedistance；andslackeningmyownrein，Iwithdrewintotheforestatthesideoftheroad，tillhehadpasseditssummitanddisappeared，whenIagaingallopedforward。

Andthuswewentonforanhour，overthemostunevencountryIevertraversed，healwaysonehillahead；whensuddenly，bywhatinstinctIcannotdetermine，Ifeltmyselfapproachingtheend，andhasteningtothetopoftheascentupwhichIwasthenlaboring，lookeddownintotheshallowvalleyspreadoutbeforeme。

WhatasightmetmyeyesifIhadbeenintentonanythinglesspracticalthanthemovementsofthesolitaryhorsemanbelow!Hillsonhillspiledaboutaverdantbasininwhosedepthsnestledascantycollectionofhouses，innumbersosmalltheycouldbetolduponthefingersoftherighthand，butwhichnotwithstandinglentanindescribableaspectofcomforttothisremoteregionofhillandforest。

ButthevisionofMr。Blakepausinghalfwaydowntheslopebeforeme，examining，yesexaminingapistolwhichheheldinhishand，soonputanendtoallideasofromance。SomewhatalarmedIreinedback；buthisactionhadevidentlynoconnectionwithme，forhedidnotonceglancebehindhim，butkepthiseyeontheroadwhichInowobservedtookashortturntowardsahouseofsoweirdandominousanappearancethatIscarcelymarvelledathisprecaution。

Situatedonaleveltrackoflandatthecrossingofthreeroads，itsspaciousfront，rudeandunpaintedasitwas，presentedeveryappearanceofaninn，butfromitsmoss-grownchimneysnosmokearose，norcouldIdetectanysignoflifeinitsshutterlesswindowsandcloseddoors，acrosswhichshiveredthedarkshadowoftheonegauntandagedpine，thatstoodlikeaguardbesideitstumbled-downporch。

Mr。Blakeseemedtohavebeenstruckbythesamefactconcerningitsloneliness，forhurriedlyreplacinghispistolinhisbreastpocket，herodeslowlyforward。Iinstantlyconceivedtheplanofstrikingacrossthebeltofunderbrushthatseparatedmefromthisolddwelling，andbytakingmystandoppositeitsfront，interceptaviewofMr。Blakeasheapproached。Hastilydismounting，therefore，Iledmyhorseintothebushesandtiedhertoatree，proceedingtocarryoutmyplanonfoot。Iwassofarsuccessfulastoarriveatthefurtheredgeofthewood，whichwasthickenoughtoconcealmypresencewithoutbeingtoodensetoobstructmyvision，justasMr。

Blakepassedonhiswaytothissolitarydwelling。Hewaslookingveryanxious，butdetermined。Turningmyeyesfromhim，Itookanotherglanceatthehouse，whichbythismovementIhadbroughtdirectlybeforeme。Itwasevenmoredeserted-lookingthanIhadthought；itsunpaintedfrontwithitsdoublerowofblankwindowsmeetingyourgazewithoutaresponse，whilethehugeoldpinewithhalfitslimbsdismantledoffoliage，rattleditsoldbonesagainstitssidesandmoanedinitsagedfashionlikethesolitaryretainerofadeadrace。

IownIfeltthecoldshiverscreepdownmybackasthatcreakingsoundstruckmyears，thoughasthedaywaschillwithaneastwindI

daresayitwasmoretheeffectofmysuddencessationfromexercise，thanofanysuperstitiousaweIfelt。Mr。Blakeseemedtolaborundernosuchimpressions。Ridinguptothefrontdoorheknockedwithoutdismounting，onitsdismalpanelswithhisridingwhip。Noresponsewasheard。Knittinghisbrowsimpatiently，hetriedthelatch:thedoorwaslocked。Hastilyrunninghiseyeoverthefaceofthebuilding，hedrewreinandproceededtoridearoundthehouse，whichhecouldeasilydoowingtotheabsenceofeveryobstructioninthewayoffenceorshrubbery。Findingnomeansofentrancehereturnedagaintothefrontdoorwhichheshookwithanimpatienthandthathoweverproducednoimpressionuponthetrustylock，andrecognizing，doubtless，thefutilityofhisendeavors，hedrewback，andmerelypausingtogiveoneotherlookatitsdesertedfront，turnedhishorse"shead，andtomygreatamazement，proceededwithsombremienandcloudedbrowtoretaketheroadtoMelville。

Thisoldinnordecayedhomesteadwasthentheobjectofhislengthenedandtediousjourney；thisancienthouserottingawayamongthebleakhillsofVermont，thebournetowardswhichhisstepshadbeentendingforthesepasttwodays。Icouldnotunderstandit。

RapidlyemergingfromthespotwhereIhadsecretedmyself，Iinmyturnmadeacircuitofthehouse，ifhappilyIshoulddiscoversomeloopholeofentrancewhichhadescapedhisattention。Buteverydoorandwindowwassecurelybarred，andIwasabouttofollowhisexampleandleavethespot，whenIsawtwoorthreechildrenadvancingtowardsmedownthecrossroads，gailyswingingtheirschoolbooks。Inoticedtheyhesitatedandhuddledtogetherastheyapproachedandsawme，butnotheedingthis，Iaccostedthemwithapleasantwordorso，thenpointingovermyshouldertothehousebehind，askedwholivedthere。

Instantlytheiralreadypalefacesgrewpaler。

"Why，"criedone，aboy，"don"tyouknow?ThatiswherethetwowickedmenlivedwhostolethemoneyoutoftheRutlandbank。Theywereputinprison，buttheygotawayand——"

Here，theother，alittlegirl，pluckedhimbythesleevewithsuchaffright，thathehimselftookalarmandjustgivingmeonequickstareoutofhiswideeyes，graspedhiscompanionbythehandandtooktohisheels。AsformyselfIstoodrootedtothegroundinmyastonishment。Thisblank，sleepyoldhousethehomeofthenotoriousSchoenmakersafterwhomhalfofthedetectivesofthecountryweresearching?Icouldscarcelycreditmyownears。TrueInowrememberedtheyhadcomefromtheseparts，still——

TurningroundIeyedthehouseoncemore。Howaltereditlookedtome!

Whatamurderousaspectitwore，andhowdismallysecretwerethetightshutwindowsandcloselyfasteneddoors，ononeofwhicharudecrossscrawledinredchalkmettheeyewithamysterioussignificance。Eventheoldpinehadacquiredthevillainousairoftheuncannyrepositorofsecretstoodreadfultoreveal，asitgroanedandmurmuredtoitselfinthekeeneastwind。Darkdeedsandfoulwrongseemedwrittenalloverthefearfulplace，fromthelongstringsofblackmossthatclungtotheworm-eateneaves，tothewornstonewithitsgreatblotchofsomething，——couldithavebeenblood?——thatservedasathresholdtothedoor。Suddenlywiththequicknessoflightningthethoughtflashedacrossme，whatcouldMr。

Blake，thearistocraticrepresentativeofNewYork"soldestfamily，havewantedinthisnestofinfamy?Whaterrandofhope，fear，despair，avariceorrevenge，couldhavebroughtthissuperiorgentlemanwithhisrefinedtastesandproudlyreticentmanners，somanymilesfromhome，totheforsakendenofabraceofhardyvillainswhosenamefortwoyearsnow，hadstoodasthetypeofallthatwasbold，badandlawless，andforwhomduringthelastsixweekstheprisonhadyawned，andthegallowshungered。Contemplationbroughtnoreply，andshockedatmyownthoughts，Iputthequestionbyforsteadierbrainsthanmine；andinsteadoftryingfurthertosolveit，castabouthowIwastogainentranceintothisdesertedbuilding；

fortoenteritIwasmorethaneverdetermined，nowthatIhadheardtowhomithadoncebelonged。

ExaminingwithaglancetheseveralroadsthatbranchedoffineverydirectionfromwhereIstood，Ifoundthemallequallydeserted。Eventheschoolchildrenhaddisappearedinsomeoneofthefourorfivehousesscatteredintheremotedistance。

IfIwaswillingtoenteruponanydaringexploit，therewasnoonetoobserveorinterrupt。Iresolvedtomaketheattemptwithwhichmymindwasfull。Thiswastoclimbtheoldtree，andfromoneofthetwoorthreebranchesthatbrushedagainstthehouse，gainentranceatanopengarretwindowthatstaredatmefromamidthepine"sdarkneedles。Takingoffmycoatwithasighovertheimmaculateconditionofmynewcassimeretrousers，Ibentmyenergiestothetask。A

difficultoneyouwillsayforacitylad，butthankstofortuneI

wasnotbroughtupinNewYork，andknowhowtoclimbtreeswiththebest。Withlittlemorethanascratchorso，IreachedthewindowofwhichIhavespoken，andafteramomentspentinregainingmybreath，gaveonespringandaccomplishedmypurpose。Ialighteduponaheapofbrokenglassinalargebareroom。Anominouschillatoncestrucktomyheart。ThoughIamanythingbutasensitivemanasfarasphysicalimpressionsareconcerned，therewassomethinginthehollowechothatarosefromthefourblankwallsaboutmeasmyfeetalightedonthatrough，uncarpetedfloor，thatstruckavaguechillthroughmyblood，andIactuallyhesitatedforthemomentwhethertopursuetheinvestigationsIhadpromisedmyself，orbeatahastyretreat。Aglanceatthehugedistortedlimbsswayingacrossthesquareoftheopenwindowdecidedme。Itwaseasytoenterbymeansofthatunsteadysupport，butitwouldbeextremelyunsafetoventureforthinthatway。IfIprizedlifeandlimbImustseeksomeothermethodofegress。Iatonceputmyapprehensionsinmypocketandentereduponmyselfimposedtask。

AsingleglancewassufficienttoexhausttheresourcesoftheemptygarretinwhichIfoundmyself。Twoorthreeoldchairspiledinonecorner，arustystoveorso，aheapoftatteredanddecayingclothing，wereallthatmetmygaze。Takingmyway，then，atoncetotheladder，whosenarrowendsprojectingaboveaholeinthegarretfloor，seemedtoprofferthemeansofreachingtheroomsbelow，I

proceededtodescendintowhattomyexcitedimaginationlookedlikeagulfofdarkness。Itproved，however，tobenothingmorenorlessthananunlightedhallofsmalldimensions，withastair-caseatoneendandadoorattheother，which，uponopeningIfoundmyselfinalarge，squareroomwhoseimmensefour-postbedsteadentirelydenudedofitsusualaccompanimentsofbedandbolsteratoncestruckmyeyeandforamomenthelditenchained。Therewereotherarticlesintheroom；adisusedbureau，arockingchair，evenatable，butnothinghadsuchaghostlylookasthatantiquebedsteadwithitscurtainsofcalicotiedbackoveritsnakedframework，likeragsdrapedfromthebarebonesofaskeleton。Passinghurriedlyby，Itriedaclosetdoororso，findinglittle，however，torewardmysearch；andeagertobedonewithwhatwaseverymomentbecomingmoreandmoredrearisome，I

hastenedacrossthefloortothefrontofthehousewhereIfoundanotherhallandarowofroomsthat，whilenotentirelystrippedoffurniture，wereyetsufficientlybarrentoofferlittleencourgementtomycuriosity。Oneonly，asmallbutnotuncomfortableapartment，showedanysignsofhavingbeenoccupiedwithinareasonablelengthoftime；andasIpausedbeforeitshastilyspreadbed，throwntogetherasonlyamanwoulddoit，andwonderingwhytheroomwassodark，lookedupandsawthatthewindowwasentirelycoveredbyanoldshawlandacoupleofheavycoatsthathadbeenhastilynailedacrossit，I

ownIfeltmyhandgotomybreastpocketalmostasifIexpectedtoseethewildfacesofthedreadedSchoenmakersstartupallaglarefromoneofthedimcornersbeforeme。Rushingtothewindow，Itoredownwithonesweepofmyarmbothcoatandshawl，andwithastartdiscoveredthatthewindowstillpossesseditsdraperiesintheshapeofapairofdiscoloredandtatteredcurtainstiedwithribbonsthatmustoncehavebeenbrilliantandcheeryofcolor。

Norwasthistheonlysignintheroomofabygonepresencethathadpossessedatasteforsomethingbeyondthemerenecessitiesoflife。

Onthegrimcoarselypaperedwallhungmorethanonepicture；cutfrompictorialnewspaperstobesure，buteachandeveryone，ifImaybecalledajudgeofsuchmatters，possessingsomequalityofexpressiontocommendittoacertainorderoftaste。Theywereallstrongpictures。Vividfacesofmenandwomenindaringpositions；ahunterholdingbackajaguarfromhisthroat；asoldierprotectinghiscomradefromthestroke；andmoststrikingofall，awomanlissomeasshewaspowerful，startingaghastandhorrorstrickenfrom——what?

Icouldnottell；aroughhandhadstrippedtheremainderofthepicturefromthewall。

Abitofcandleandahalfsheetofanewspaperlayonthefloor。I

pickedupthepaper。ItwasaRutlandHeraldandborethedateoftwodaysbefore。AsIreadIrealizedwhatIhaddone。Ifthesedaringrobberswerenotatthisverymomentinthehouse，theyhadbeenthere，andthatwithintwoorthreedays。Thebrokenpanesofglassinthegarretabovewerenowexplained。Iwasnotthefirstonewhohadclimbedthatcreakingpinetreethisfall。

Somethinglikeasensibledreadofaverypossibledangernowseizedholdofme。IfIhadstumbleduponthesestranglysubtile，yetdevilishlyboldcreaturesintheirsecretlair，thepistolIcarriedwasnotgoingtosaveme。Shutinlikeafoxinahole，Ihadlittletohopefor，iftheyoncemadetheirappearanceatthestairheadorcameuponmefromanyofthedimhallsofthecrazyolddwelling，whichInowbegantofindaltogethertoolargeformycomfort。

StealingcautiouslyforthfromtheroominwhichIhadfoundsomuchtodisconcertme，Icrepttowardsthefrontstaircaseandlistened。

Allwasdeathlyquiet。Theoldpinetreemoanedandtwistedwithout，andfromtimetotimethewindcamesweepingdownthechimneywithanunearthlyshriekingsoundthatwasweirdlyinkeepingwiththeplace。