第4章

Butwithinandbelowallwasstillasthetomb，andthoughinnowaysreassured，Ideterminedtodescendandhavethesuspenseoveratonce。Ididso，pistolinhandandearsstretchedtotheirutmosttocatchtheslightestrustle，butnosoundcametodisturbme，nordidImeetonthislowerfloorthesignofanyotherpresenceinthehousebutmyown。Passinghastilythroughwhatappearedtobeasortofrudeparlor，Isteppedintothekitchenandtriedoneofthewindows。FindingIcouldeasilyliftitfromtheinside，IdrewmybreathwitheaseforthefirsttimesinceIhadalightedamongthebrokenglassabove，andturningback，deliberatelyopenedthedoorofthekitchenstove，andlookedin。AsIhalfexpected，Ifoundapileofpartlycharredrags，showingwherethewretcheshadburnedtheirprisonclothing，andproceedingfurther，pickedupfromtheashesaringwhichwhetherornottheywereconsciousofhavingattemptedtodestroyinthiswayIcannotsay，butwhichIthankfullyputinmypocketagainstthedayitmightberequiredasproof。

Discerningnothingmoreinthatquarterinvitinginterest，IaskedmyselfifIhadnervetodescendintothecellar。Finallyconcludingthatthatwasmorethancouldbeexpectedfromanymaninmyposition，Igaveonelookoffarewelltothedampanddesolatewallsaboutme，thenwithabreathofreliefjumpedfromthekitchenwindowagainintothelightandairofday。AsIdidsoIcouldswearIheardadoorwithinthatoldhouseswingonitshingesandsoftlyclose。WithathrillIrecognizedthefactthatitcamefromthecellar。

****

MythoughtsontheroadbacktoMelvilleweremanyandconflicting。

Chiefabovethemall，however，rosethecomfortableconclusionthatinthepursuitofonemysteriousaffair，Ihadstumbled，asisoftenthecase，uponthecluetoanotherofyetgreaterimportance，andbysodoinggotastartthatmightyetredoundgreatlytomyadvantage。

FortherewardofferedfortherecaptureoftheSchoenmakerswaslarge，andthepossibilityofmybeingtheonetoputtheauthoritiesupontheirtrack，certainlyappearedafterthisday"sdevelopements，openatleasttoaveryreasonablehope。AtalleventsIdeterminednottoletthegrassgrowundermyfeettillIhadinformedtheSuperintendentofwhatIhadseenandheardthatdayintheoldhauntofthesetwoescapedconvicts。

ArrivedatthepublichouseinMelville，andlearningthatMr。Blakehadsafelyreturnedthereanhourbefore，IdrewthelandlordtoonesideandaskedwhathecouldtellmeaboutthatoldhouseofthetwonotedrobbersSchoenmaker，Ihadpassedonmywaybackamongthehills。

"Wa"alnow，"repliedhe，"thisiscurious。HereI"vejustbeenansweringthegentlemanupstairsaheapofquestionsconcerningthatselfsameoldplace，andnowyoucomealongwithanotherbatchofthem；justasifthatricketyolddenwastheonlyspotofinterestwehadintheseparts。"

"Perhapsthatmaybethetruth，"Ilaughed。"Justnowwhenthepapersarefulloftheserogues，anythingconcerningthemmustbeofsuperiorinterestofcourse。"AndIpressedhimagaintogivemeahistoryofthehouseandthetwothieveswhohadinhabitedit。

"Wa"al，"drawledhe""taintmuchweknowaboutthem，yetafterallitmaybeatrifletoomuchfortheirneckssomeday。Timewaswhennobodythoughtespecialillofthembeyondasuspicionorsooftheirbeingsomewhatmeanaboutmoney。Thatwaswhentheykeptaninnthere，butwhentherobberyoftheRutlandbankwassoclearlytracedtothem，morethanonemanaboutherestartedupandsaidashowtheyhadalwayssuspectedthemShoenmakersofbeingvillains，andevenhintedatsomethingworsethanrobbery。Butnothingbeyondthatonerascalityhasyetbeenprovedagainstthem，andforthattheyweresenttojailfortwentyyearsasyouknow。Twomonthsagotheyescaped，andthatisthelastknownofthem。Apreciousset，too，theyare；thefatherbeingonlysomuchthegreaterroguethanthesonasheisyearsolder。"

"Andtheinn?Whenwasthatclosed?"

"Justaftertheirarrest。"

"Has"ntitbeenopenedsince?"

"OnlyoncewhenabraceofdetectivescameupfromTroytoinvestigate，astheycalledit。"

"Whohasthekey?"

"Ah，that"smorethanIcantellyou。"

IdarednotaskhowmyquestionsdifferedfromthoseofMr。Blake，norindeedtouchuponthatpointinanyway。IwaschieflyanxiousnowtoreturntoNewYorkwithoutdelay；sopayingmybillIthankedthelandlord，andwithoutwaitingforthestage，remountedmyhorseandproceededatoncetoPutneywhereIwasfortunateenoughtocatchtheeveningtrain。Byfiveo"clocknextmorningIwasinNewYorkwhereI

proceededtocarryoutmyprogrammebyhasteningatoncetoheadquartersandreportingmysuspicionsregardingthewhereaboutsoftheSchoenmakers。TheinformationwasreceivedwithinterestandI

hadthesatisfactionofseeingtwomendespatchednorththatverydaywithorderstoprocurethearrestofthetwonotablevillainswhereverfound。

CHAPTERVIII

AWORDOVERHEARD

ThateveningIhadatalkwithFannyovertheareagate。Shecameoutwhenshesawmeapproach，withhereyesstaringandherwholeforminaflutter。

"O，"shecried，"suchthingsasIhaveheardthisday!"

"Well，"saidI，"what?letmeheartoo。"Sheputherhandonherheart。"Ineverwassofrightened，"whisperedshe，"IthoughtI

shouldhavefaintedrightaway。Tohearthatelegantladyusesuchawordascrime，——"

"Whatelegantlady?"interruptedI。"Don"tbegininthemiddleofyourstory，that"sagoodgirl；Iwanttohearitall。"

"Well，"saidshe，calmingdownalittle，"Mrs。Danielshadavisitorto-day，alady。Shewasdressed——"

"O，now，"interruptedIforthesecondtime，"youcanleavethatout。

Tellmewhathernamewasandletthefol-de-rolsgo。"

"Hername?"exclaimedthegirlwithsomesharpness，"howshouldIknowhername；shedid"ntcometoseeme。"

"Howdidshelookthen?YousawherIsuppose?"

"Andwas"ntthatwhatIwastellingyou，whenyoustoppedme。Shelookedlikeaqueen，thatshedid；asgrandaladyaseverIsee，inhervelvetdresssweepingoverthefloor，andherdiamondsasbigas——"

"Wassheadarkwoman?"Iasked。

"Herhairwasblackandsowerehereyes，ifthatiswhatyoumean。"

"Andwassheverytallandproudlooking?"

Thegirlnodded。"Youknowher?"whisperedshe。

"No，"saidI，"notexactly；butIthinkIcantellwhosheis。Andsoshecalledto-dayonMrs。Daniels，didshe。"

"Yes，butIguesssheknewmasterwouldbehomebeforeshegotaway。"

"Come，"saidI，"tellmeallaboutit；I"mgettingimpatient。"

"Andain"tItellingyou?"saidshe。"Itwasaboutthreeo"clockthisafternoon，thetimeIgoupstairstodress，soIjusthangsaboutinthehallabit，neartheparlordoor，andIhearhergossipingwithMrs。Danielsalmostasifshewasanoldfriend，andMrs。Danielsansweringhermightystifflyandasifshewas"ntgladtoseeheratall。Buttheladydidn"tseemtomind，butwentontalkingassweetashoney，andwhentheycameout，youwouldhavethoughtshelovedtheoldwomanlikeasistertoseeherlookintoherfaceandsaysomethingaboutknowinghowbusyshewas，butthatitwouldgivehersomuchpleasureifshewouldcomesomedaytoseeherandtalkoveroldtimes。ButMrs。Danielswas"ntpleasedabitandshowedplainenoughshedid"ntlikethelady，fineasshewasinherways。Shewasgoingtoanswerhertoo，butjustthenthefrontdooropenedandMr。

Blakewithhissatchelinhishand，cameintothehouse。Andhowhedidstart，tobesure，whenhesawthem，thoughhetriedtosaysomethingperlitewhichshedid"ntseemtotaketoatall，foraftermutteringsomethingaboutnotexpectingtoseehim，sheputherhandontheknobandwasgoingrightout。ButhestoppedherandtheywentintotheparlortogetherwhileMrs。Danielsstoodstaringafterthemlikeonemad，herhandheldoutwithhisbagandumbrellainit，stiffasastatterintheCentralPark。Shedid"ntstandsolong，though，butcamerunningdownthehall，asifshewasbewitched。I

wasdreadfulflustered，forthoughIwashidbehindthewallthatjutsouttherebythebackstairs，IwasafraidshewouldseemeandshamemebeforeMr。Blake。Butshepassedrightbyandneverlookedup。

"Thereissomethingdreadfulmysteriousinthis，"thoughtI，andI

justmadeupmymindtostaywhereIwastillMr。Blakeandtheladyshouldcomeoutagainfromtheparlor。Idid"nthavetowaitverylong。Inafewminutesthedooropenedandtheysteppedout，heaheadandshecomingafter。Ithoughtthiswasqueer，heisalwayssodreadfulperliteinhisways，butIthoughtitwasadealqueererwhenIsawhimgoupthefrontstairs，shehurryingafter，lookingI

cannottellyouhow，butawfultroubledandanxious，Ishouldsay。

"TheywentintothatroomofhishecallshisstudioandthoughIknewitmightcostmemyplaceifIwasfoundout，Icould"nthelpfollowingandlisteningatthekeyhole。"

"Andwhatdidyouhear?"Iasked，forshepausedtotakebreath。

"Well，thefirstthingIheardwasacryofpleasurefromher，andthewords，"Youkeepthatalwaysbeforeyou?Youcannotdislikeme，then，asmuchasyoupertend。"Idon"tknowwhatshemeantnorwhathedid，buthesteppedacrosstheroomandIheardhercryoutthistimeasifshewashurtaswellasawfulsurprised；andhetalkedandtalked，andIcould"ntcatchaword，hespokesolow；andbyandbyshesobbedjustalittle，andIgotscaredandwouldhaverunawaybutshecriedoutwithakindofshriek，"O，don"tsayanymore；tothinkthatcrimeshouldcomeintoourfamily，theproudestintheland。Howcouldyou，Holman，howcouldyou。"Yes，"thegirlwenton，flushinginherexcitementtillshewasasredasthecherryribbonsinhercap，"thoseweretheverywordssheused:"Tothinkthatcrimeshouldcomeintoourfamily!theproudestoneintheland!"Andshecalledhimbyhisfirstname，andaskedhimhowhecoulddoit。"

"AndwhatdidMr。Blakesay"returnedI，alittletakenbackmyselfatthisresultofmyeffortswithFanny。

"O，Idid"ntwaittohear。Idid"ntwaitforanything。Iffolkswasgoingtotalkaboutsuchthingsasthat，IthoughtIhadbetterbeanywherethanlisteningatthekeyhole。IwentrightupstairsIcantellyou。"

"Andwhomhaveyoutoldofwhatyouheardinthehalfdozenhoursthathavegoneby?"

"Nobody；howcouldyouthinksomeanofmewhenIpromised，and——"

Itisnotnecessarytogoanyfurtherintothisportionoftheinterview。

TheCountessDeMiracpossessedtoitsfullestextentthepresentfinelady"stasteforbric-a-brac。SomuchIhadlearnedinmyinquiriesconcerningher。Rememberingthis，Itooktheboldresolutionofprofitingbythisweaknessofherstogainadmissiontoherpresence，shebeingtheonlyonesharingMr。Blake"smysterioussecret。

Borrowingavaluableantiquefromafriendofmineatthattimeinthebusiness，Imademyappearancetheverynextdayatherapartments，andsendinginanurgentrequesttoseeMadame，bythetrimnegresswhoansweredmysummons，waitedinsomedoubtforherreply。

Itcamealltoosoon；Madamewasillandcouldseenoone。Iwasnot，however，tobebaffledbyonerebuff。HandingthebasketIheldtothegirl，Iurgedhertotakeitinandshowhermistresswhatitcontained，sayingitwasararearticlewhichmightneveragaincomeherway。

Thegirlcomplied，thoughwithadoubtfulshakeoftheheadwhichwasanythingbutencouraging。Herincredulity，however，musthavebeenspeedilyrebuked，forshealmostimmediatelyreturnedwithoutthebasket，sayingMadamewouldseeme。

Myfirstthoughtsuponenteringthegrandlady"spresence，wasthatthegirlhadbeenmistaken，forIfoundtheCountesswalkingthefloorinanabstractedway，dryingalettershehadevidentlybutjustcompleted，byshakingittoandfrowithanunsteadyhand；theplacqueIhadbrought，lyingneglectedonthetable。

Butatsightofmyrespectfulformstandingwithbentheadinthedoorway，shehurriedlythrusttheletterintoabookandtookuptheplacque。AsshedidsoImarkedherwellandalmoststartedatthechangeIobservedinhersincethateveningattheAcademy。ItwasnotonlythatshewasdressedinsomesortofloosedishabillethatwasineminentcontrasttothesweepingsilksandsatinsinwhichI

hadhithertobeheldheradorned；orthatshewaslaboringundersomephysicaldisabilitythatrobbedherdarkcheekofthebloomthatwasitschiefestcharm。ThechangeIobservedwentdeeperthanthat；itwasmoreasifalighthadbeenextinguishedinhercountenance。ItwasthesamewomanIhadbeheldstandinglikeaglowingcolumnofwillandstrengthbeforethemelancholyformofMr。Blake，butwiththewillandstrengthgone，andwiththemalltheglow。

"Shenolongerhopes，"thoughtI，andalreadyfeltrepaidformytrouble。

"Thisisaveryprettyarticleyouhavebroughtme，"saidshewithsomethingoftheunrestrainedloveofartwhichsheundoubtedlypossessed，showingitselfthroughallherlanguor。"Wherediditcomefrom，andwhatrecommendationshaveyou，toproveitisanhonestsaleyouofferme?"

"None，"returnedI，ignoringwithareassuringsmilethefirstquestion，"exceptthatIshouldnotbeafraidifallthepoliceinNewYorkknewIwasherewiththisfineplacqueforsale。"

ShegaveashrugofherproudshoulderthatbespoketheFrenchCountessandsoftlyranherfingerroundtheedgeoftheplacque。

"Idon"tneedanythingmoreofthiskind，"saidshelanguidly；

"besides，"andshesetitdownwithafretfulair，"Iaminnomoodtobuythisafternoon。"Thenshortly，"Whatdoyouaskforit?"

Inamedafabulousprice。

Shestartedandcastmeakeenglance。"Youhadbettertakeittosomeoneelse；Ihavenomoneytothrowaway。"

WithahesitatinghandIliftedtheplacquetowardsthebasket。"I

wouldverymuchliketosellittoyou，"saidI。"Perhaps——"

Justthenalady"sflutteringvoicerosefromtheroombeyondinquiringfortheCountess，andhurriedlytakingtheplacquefrommyhandwithanimpulsive"Othere"sAmy，"shepassedintotheadjoiningapartment，leavingthedooropenbehindher。

Isawaquickinterchangeofgreetingsbetweenherandafashionablydressedlady，thentheywithdrewtoonesidewiththeornamentIhadbrought，evidentlyconsultinginregardtoitsmerits。Nowwasmytime。Thebookinwhichshehadplacedthelettershehadbeenwritinglayonthetablerightbeforeme，nottwoinchesfrommyhand。Ihadonlytothrowbackthecoverandmycuriositywouldbesatisfied。

Takingadvantageofamomentwhentheirbackswerebothturned，I

pressedopenthebookwithacarefulhand，andwithoneeyeonthemandoneonthesheetbeforeme，managedtoreadthesewords:——

MYDEARESTCECILIA。

IhavetriedinvaintomatchthesampleyousentmeatStewart"s，Arnold"sandMcCreery"s。Ifyoustillinsistuponmakingupthedressinthewayyoupropose，IwillseewhatMadameDudevantcandoforus，thoughIcannotbutadviseyoutoalteryourplansandmakethedarkershadeofvelvetdo。IwenttotheCaryreceptionlastnightandmetLuluChittenden。Shehasactuallygrownold，butwasaslivelyasever。ShecreatedagreatstirinPariswhenshewasthere；butahusbandwhocomeshometwoo"clockinthemorningwithblearedeyesandemptypockets，isnotconducivetothepreservationofawoman"sbeauty。HowshemanagestoretainherspiritsIcannotimagine。YouaskmenewsofcousinHolman。I

meethimoccasionallyandhelookswell，buthasgrownintothemostsombremanyoueversaw。Inregardtocertainhopesofwhichyouhavesometimesmademention，letmeassureyoutheyarenolongerpracticable。Hehasdonewhat——

Heretheconversationceasedintheotherroom，theCountessmadeamovementofadvanceandIclosedthebookwithaninwardgroanovermyill-luck。

"Itisverypretty，"saidshewithawearyair；"butasIremarkedbefore，Iamnotinthebuyingmood。Ifyouwilltakehalfyoumention，Imayconsiderthesubject，but——"

"Pardonme，Madame，"Iinterrupted，beinginnowiseanxioustoleavetheplacquebehindme，"IhavebeenconsideringthematterandIholdtomyoriginalprice。Mr。BlakeofSecondAvenuemaygiveittomeifyoudonot。"

"Mr。Blake!"Sheeyedmesuspiciously。"Doyouselltohim?"

"IselltoanyoneIcan，"repliedI；"andashehasanartist"seyeforsuchthings——"

Herbrowsknittedandsheturnedaway。"Idonotwantit；"saidshe，"sellittowhomyouplease。"

Itookuptheplacqueandlefttheroom。

CHAPTERIX

AFEWGOLDENHAIRS

WhenafewdaysfromthatImademyappearancebeforeMr。Gryce，itwastofindhimlookingsomewhatsober。"ThoseSchoenmakers，"saidhe，"aremakingadealoftrouble。Itseemstheyescapedthefellowsupnorthandarenowsomewhereinthiscity，butwhere——"

Anexpressivegesturefinishedthesentence。

"Isthatso?"exclaimedI。"Thenwearesuretonabthem。Giventimeandapairoflow，restlessGermanthieves，Iwillwageranything，ourhandswillbeuponthembeforethemonthisover。Ionlyhope，whenwedocomeacrossthem，itwillnotbetofindtheirbetterstoomuchmixedupwiththeirdevilishpractices。"AndIrelatedtohimwhatFannyhadtoldmeafeweveningsbefore。

"Thecoilistightening，"saidhe。"WhattheendwillbeIdon"tknow。

Crime，saidshe?IwishIknewinwhatblindholeoftheearththatgirlweareafterlieshidden。

Asifinanswertothiswishthedooropenedandoneofourmencameinwithaletterinhishand。"Ha!"exclaimedMr。Gryce，afterhehadperusedit，"lookatthat。"

Itooktheletterfromhishandandread:

ThedeadbodyofagirlsuchasyoudescribewasfoundintheEastriveroffFiftiethStreetthismorning。Fromappearancehasbeendeadsometime。HavetelegraphedtoPoliceHeadquartersfororders。ShouldyouwishtoseethebodybeforeitisremovedtotheMorgueorotherwisedisturbed，pleasehastentoPier48E。R。

GRAHAM。

"Come，"saidI，"let"sgoandseeforourselves。Ifitshouldbetheone——"

"ThedinnerpartyproposedbyMr。Blakeforto-night，mayhaveitsinterruptions，"heremarked。

Idonotwishtomakemystoryanylongerthanisnecessary，butI

mustsaythatwheninanhourorsolater，IstoodwithMr。GrycebeforetheunconsciousformofthatpoordrownedgirlIfeltanunusualdegreeofawestealingoverme:therewassomuchmysteryconnectedwiththisaffair，andthepartiesimplicatedwereofsuchstandingandrepute。

IalmostdreadedtoseethecoveringremovedfromherfacelestI

shouldbehold，what?IcouldnothavetoldifIhadtried。

"Atrimmadebodyenough，"criedtheofficialinchargeasMr。Gryceliftedanendofthecloththatenvelopedherandthrewitback。

"Pitythefeaturesarenotbetterpreserved。"

"Noneedforustoseethefeatures，"exclaimedI，pointingtothelocksofgoldenredhairthathungintangledmassesabouther。"Thehairisenough；sheisnottheone。"AndIturnedaside，askingmyselfifitwasreliefIfelt。

TomysurpriseMr。Grycedidnotfollow。

"Tall，thin，whiteface，blackeyes。"Iheardhimwhispertohimself。

"Itisapitythefeaturesarenotbetterpreserved。"

"But，"saidI，takinghimbythearm，"Fannyspokeparticularlyofherhairbeingblack，whilethisgirl"s——Goodheavens!"IsuddenlyejaculatedasIlookedagainattheprostrateformbeforeme。"Yellowhairorblack，thisisthegirlIsawhimspeakingtothatdayinBroomeStreet。Irememberherclothesifnothingmore。"Andopeningmypocketbook，ItookoutthemorselofclothIhadpluckedthatdayfromtheashbarrel，liftedupthediscoloredragsthathungaboutthebodyandcomparedthetwo。Thepattern，textureandcolorwerethesame。

"Well，"saidMr。Gryce，pointingtocertaincontusions，likemarksfromtheblowofsomeheavyinstrumentontheheadandbaredarmsofthegirlbeforeus；"hewillhavetoanswermeonequestionanyhow，andthatis，whothispoorcreatureiswholiesherethevictimoftreacheryordespair。"Andturningtotheofficialheaskediftherewereanyothersignsofviolenceonthebody。

Theanswercamedeliberately，"Yes，shehasevidentlybeenbatteredtodeath。"

Mr。Gryce"slipsclosedwithgrimdecision。"Amostbrutalmurder，"

saidheandliftinguptheclothwithahandthatvisiblytrembled，hesoftlycoveredherface。

"Well，"saidIasweslowlypacedbackupthepier，"thereisonethingcertain，sheisnottheonewhodisappearedfromMr。Blake"shouse。"

"Iamnotsosureofthat。"

"How!"saidI。"YoubelievedFannyliedwhenshegavethatdescriptionofthemissinggirluponwhichwehavegonetillnow?"

Mr。Grycesmiled，andturningback，beckonedtotheofficialbehindus。"Letmehavethatdescription，"saidhe，"whichIdistributedamongtheHarborPolicesomedaysagofortheidentificationofacertaincorpseIwasonthelookoutfor。"

ThemanopenedhiscoatanddrewoutaprintedpaperwhichatMr。

Gryce"swordheputintomyhand。Itranasfollows:

Lookoutforthebodyofayounggirl，tall，wellshapedbutthin，offaircomplexionandgoldenhairofapeculiarbrightandbeautifulcolor，andwhenfound，acquaintmeatonce。

G。

"Idon"tunderstand，"beganI。

ButMr。Grycetappingmeonthearmsaidinhismostdeliberatetones，"Nexttimeyouexaminearoominwhichanythingofamysteriousnaturehasoccurred，lookunderthebureauandifyoufindacombtherewithseverallonggoldenhairstangledinit，beverysurebeforeyoudrawanydefiniteconclusions，thatyourFannysknowwhattheyaretalkingaboutwhentheydeclarethegirlwhousedthatcombhadblackhaironherhead。"

CHAPTERX

THESECRETOFMR。BLAKE"SSTUDIO

"Mr。Blakeisatdinner，sir，withcompany，butIwillcallhimifyousayso。"

"No，"returnedMr。Gryce；"showusintosomeroomwherewecanbecomfortableandwewillwaittillhehasfinished。"

Theservantbowed，andsteppingforwarddownthehall，openedthedoorofasmallandcosyroomheavilyhungwithcrimsoncurtains。"Iwilllethimknowthatyouarehere，"saidhe，andvanishedtowardsthedining-room。

"IdoubtifMr。Blakewillenjoythelatterhalfofhisbilloffareasmuchasthefirst，"saidI，drawinguponeoftheluxuriousarm-chairstothesideofmyprincipal。"Iwonderifhewillbreakawayfromhisguestsandcomeinhere?"

"No；ifIamnotmistakenweshallfindMr。Blakeamanofnerve。Notamuscleofhisfacewillshowthatheisdisturbed。"

"Well，"saidI，"Idreadit。"

Mr。Grycelookedaboutonthegorgeouswallsandthericholdfashionedfurniturethatsurroundedhim，andsmiledoneofhisgrimmestsmiles。

"Well，youmay，"saidhe。

Thenextinstantaservantstoodinthedoorway，bearingtoourgreatastonishment，atraywellsetwithdecanterandglasses。

"Mr。Blake"scompliments，gentlemen，"saidhe，settingitdownonthetablebeforeus。"Hehopesyouwillmakeyourselvesathomeandhewillseeyouassoonaspossible。"

Thehumph!ofMr。Grycewhentheservanthadgonewouldhavedoneyoursoulgood，alsothelookhecastattheprettyDresdenShepherdessonthemantel-piece，asIreachedoutmyhandtowardsthedecanter。

Somehowitmademedrawback。

"Ithinkwehadbetterleavehiswinealone，"saidhe。

Andforhalfanhourwesatthere，thewineuntouchedbetweenus，listeningalternatelytothesoundofspeech-makingandlaughterthatcamefromthedining-room，andthesolemntickingoftheclockasitcountedoutthesecondsonthemantel-piece。Thentheguestscameinfromthetable，filingbeforeuspasttheopendoorontheirwaytotheparlors。Theywereallgentlemenofcourse——Mr。Blakeneverinvitedladiestohishouse——andgentlemenofwellknownrepute。Thedinnerhadbeengiveninhonorofacertaincelebratedstatesman，andthecharacterofhisguestswasinkeepingwiththatoftheonethuscomplimented。

Astheywentbyusgailyindulginginthejokesandlightbanterwithwhichsuchmenseasonasocialdinner，IsawMr。Gryce"sfacegrowsoberbymanyashade；andwheninthemidstofitall，weheardthevoiceofMr。Blakeriseinthatcourteousandmeasuredtoneforwhichitisdistinguished，IsawhimreachforwardandgrasphiscanewithanuneasinessIhadneverseendisplayedbyhimbefore。Butwhensometimelater，theguestshavingdeparted，thedignifiedhostadvancedwithsomeapologytowherewewere，IneverbeheldafirmerlookonMr。Gryce"sfacethanthatwithwhichheroseandconfrontedhim。Mr。

Blake"sownhadnotmorecharacterinit。

"Youhavecalledataratherinauspicioustime，Mr。Gryce，"saidthelatter，glancingatthecardwhichheheldinhishand。"Whatmayyourbusinessbe?Somethingtodowithpolitics，Isuppose。"

Isurveyedthemaninamazement。Wasthisgreatpoliticianstoopingtoactapart，orhadheforgottenourphysiognomiesascompletelyasappeared。

"Ourbusinessisnotpolitics，"repliedMr。Gryce；"butfullyasimportant。MayIrequestthedoorsbeclosed?"

IthoughtMr。Blakelookedsurprised，butheimmediatelysteppedtothedoorandshutit。Thencomingback，helookedatMr。Grycemorecloselyandachangetookplaceinhismanner。

"IthinkIhaveseenyoubefore，"saidhe。

Mr。Grycebowedwithjustthesuspicionofasmile。"Ihavehadthehonorofconsultingyoubeforeinthisveryhouse，"observedhe。

Alookoffullrecognitionpassedoverthedignifiedcountenanceofthemanbeforeus。

"Iremember，"saidhe，shrugginghisshouldersintheoldway。"Youareinterestedinsomeservantgirlorotherwhoranawayfromthishouseaweekorsoago。Haveyoufoundher?"Thiswithnoapparentconcern。

"Wethinkwehave，"rejoinedMr。Grycewithsomesolemnity。"Therivergivesupitspreynowandthen，Mr。Blake。"

Stillonlythatlookofnaturalsurprise。

"Indeed!Youdonotmeantosayshehasdrownedherself?Iamsorryforthat，agirlwhohadoncelivedinmyhouse。Whattroublecouldshehavehadtodrivehertosuchanact?"

Mr。Gryceadvancedastepnearerthegentleman。

"Thatiswhatwehavecomeheretolearn，"saidhewithadeliberationthatyetwasnotlackingintherespectduetoamansouniversallyesteemedasMr。Blake。"Youwhohaveseenhersolatelyoughttobeabletothrowsomelightuponthesubjectatleast。"

"Mr——"heagainglancedatthecard，"Mr。Gryce，——excuseme——I

believeItoldyouwhenyouwereherebeforethatIhadnoremembranceofthisgirlatall。ThatifsuchapersonwasinmyhouseIdidnotknowit，andthatallquestionsputtomeonthatsubjectwouldbesomuchlaborthrownaway。"

Mr。Grycebowed。"Iremember，"saidhe。"Iwasnotalludingtoanyconnectionyoumayhavehadwiththegirlinthishouse，buttotheinterviewyouwereseentohavewithheronthecornerofBroomeStreetsomedaysago。Youhadsuchaninterview，didyounot?"

Aflush，deepasitwassudden，sweptoverMr。Blake"susuallyunmovedcheek。"Youaretransgressingsir，"saidheandstopped。Thoughamanofintensepersonalpride，hehadbutlittleofthatqualitycalledtemper，orperhapsifhehad，thoughtitunwisetodisplayitonthisoccasion。"Isawandspoketoagirlonthecornerofthatstreetsomedaysago，"hewentonmoremildly，"butthatshewastheonewholivedhere，Ineitherknewatthetimenorfeelwillingtobelievenowwithoutpositiveproof。"Theninadeepringingtonethestatelinessofwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe，heinquired，"Havethecityauthoritiespresumedtoputaspyonmymovements，thatthefactofmyspeakingtoapoorforsakencreatureonthecornerofthestreetshouldbenotonlynotedbutremembered?"

"Mr。Blake，"observedMr。Gryce，andIdeclareIwasproudofmysuperioratthatmoment，"nomanwhoisatruecitizenandaChristianshouldobjecttohavehisstepsfollowed，whenbyhisownthoughtlessness，perhaps，hehasincurredasuspicionwhichdemandsit。"

"AnddoyoumeantosaythatIhavebeenfollowed，"inquiredhe，clenchinghishandandlookingsteadily，butwithablanchingcheek，firstatMr。Grycethenatme。

"Itwasindispensable，"quoththatfunctionarygently。

Theoutragedgentlemanrivetedhisgazeuponme。"Intownandoutoftown?"demandedhe。

IletMr。Grycereply。"ItisknownthatyouhavelatelysoughttovisittheSchoenmakers，"saidhe。

Mr。Blakedrewadeepbreath，casthiseyesaboutthehandsomeapartmentinwhichwewere，letthemrestforamomentuponaportraitthatgracedonesideofthewall，andwhichwasIhavesincelearnedapictureofhisfather，andslowlydrewforwardachair。

"Letmehearwhatyoursuspicionsare，"saidhe。

InoticedMr。Grycecoloredatthis；hehadevidentlybeenmetinadifferentwayfromwhatheexpected。"Excuseme，"saidhe，"IdonotsayIhaveanysuspicions；myerrandissimplytonotifyyouofthedeathofthegirlyouwereseentospeakwith，andtoaskwhetherornotyoucangiveusanyinformationthatcanaidusinthematterbeforethecoroner。"

"YouknowIhavenot。IfIhavebeenascloselyfollowedasyousay，youmustknowwhyIspoketothatgirlandothers，whyIwenttothehouseoftheSchoenmakersand——Doyouknow?"hesuddenlyinquired。

Mr。Grycewasnotthemantoanswersuchaquestionasthat。Heeyedtherichsignetringthatadornedthehandofthegentlemanbeforehimandsuavelysmiled。"Iamreadytolistentoanyexplanations，"

saidhe。

Mr。Blake"shaughtycountenancebecamealmoststern。"Youconsideryouhavearighttodemandthem；letmehearwhy。"

"Well，"saidMr。Grycewithachangeoftone，"youshall。

Unprofessionalasitis，IwilltellyouwhyI，amemberofthepoliceforce，dareenterthehouseofsuchamanasyouare，andputhimthequestionsIhaveconcerninghisdomesticaffairs。Mr。Blake，imagineyourselfinadetective"soffice。Awomancomesin，thehousekeeperofarespectedcitizen，andinformsusthatagirlemployedbyherasseamstresshasdisappearedinaveryunaccountablewayfromhermaster"shousethenightbefore；infactbeenabductedasshethinksfromcertainevidences，throughthewindow。Hermannerisagitated，herappealforassistanceurgent，thoughsheacknowledgesnorelationshiptothegirlorexpressesanyespecialcauseforherinterestbeyondthatofcommonhumanity。"Shemustbefound，"shedeclares，andhintsthatanysumnecessarywillbeforthcoming，thoughfromwhatsourceafterherownpittanceisexpendedshedoesnotstate。Whenaskedifhermasterhasnointerestinthematter，shechangescolorandputsusoff。Henevernoticedhisservants，leftallsuchconcernstoher，etc。；butshowsfearwhenapropositionismadetoconsulthim。Nextimagineyourselfwiththedetectivesinthatgentleman"shouse。