第5章

Youenterthegirl"sroom；whatisthefirstthingyouobserve?Whythatitisnotonlyoneofthebestinthehouse，butthatitisconspicuousforitscomfortsifnotforitselegancies。Morethanthat，thattherearebooksofpoetryandhistorylyingaround，showingthatthewomanwhoinhabiteditwasaboveherstation；afactwhichthehousekeeperispresentlybroughttoacknowledge。Younoticealsothatthewildsurmiseofherabductionbymeansofthewindow，hassomegroundinappearance，thoughthefactthatshewentwithentireunwillingnessisnotmadesoapparent。Thehousekeeper，however，insistsinawaythatmusthavehadsomespecialknowledgeofthegirl"scharacterorcircumstancestobackit，thatsheneverwentwithoutcompulsion；astatementwhichthetorncurtainsandthetrackofbloodovertheroofoftheextension，wouldseemtoemphasize。Afewotherfactsaremadeknown。First，apen-knifeispickedupfromthegrassplotintheyardbeneath，showingwithwhatinstrumentthewoundwasinflicted，whosedrippingsmadethosemarksofbloodalludedto。Itwasapearl-handledknifebelongingtothewritingdeskfoundopenonhertable，anditsfrailanddaintycharacterprovedindisputably，thatitwasemployedbythegirlherself，andthatagainstmanifestenemies；

nomanbeinglikelytosnatchupanysuchpunyweaponforthepurposeeitherofoffenceordefence。Thattheseenemiesweretwoandwerebothmen，wasinsisteduponbyMrs。Danielswhooverheardtheirvoicesthenightbefore。

"Mr。Blake，suchfactsasthesearousecuriosity，especiallywhenthemasterofthehousebeingintroduceduponthescene，hefailstomanifestcommonhumaninterest，whilehishousekeeperbetraysineveryinvoluntarygestureandexpressionshemakesuseof，herhorrorifnotherfearofhispresence，andherreliefathisdeparture。

Yes，"heexclaimed，unheedingthesuddenlookherecasthimbyMr。

Blake，"andcuriositybegetsinquiry，andinquiryelucidatedfurtherfactssuchasthese，thatthemysteriousmasterofthehousewasinhisgardenatthehourofthegirl"sdeparture，wasevenlookingthroughthebarsofhisgatewhenshe，havingevidentlyescapedfromhercaptors，camebackwitheveryapparentdesiretoreenterherhome，butseeinghim，betrayedanunreasonableamountoffearandfledbackevenintotheveryarmsofthemenshehadendeavoredtoavoid。

Didyouspeaksir?"askedMr。Grycesuddenlystopping，withaslylookathisleftboottip。

Mr。Blakeshookhishead。"No，"saidheshortly，"goon。"ButthatlastremarkofMr。Grycehadevidentlymadeitsimpression。

"Inquiryrevealed，also，twoorthreeotherinterestingfacts。First，thatthisgentlemanqualifiedthoughhewastoshineinladies"

society，neverobtrudedhimselfthere，butemployedhisleisuretimeinstead，inwalkingthelowerstreetsofthecity，wherehewasseenmorethanonceconversingwithcertainpoorgirlsatstreetcornersandinblindalleys。Thelastonehetalkedwith，believedfromhercharacteristicstobethesameonethatwasabductedfromhishouse——"

"Holdthere，"saidMr。Blakewithsomeauthorityinhistone，"thereyouaremistaken；thatisimpossible。"

"Ah，andwhy?"

"Thegirlyoualludetohadbrightgoldenhair，somethingwhichthewomanwholivedinmyhousedidnotpossess。"

"Indeed。Ithoughtyouhadnevernoticedthewomanwhosewedforyou，sir，——didnotknowhowshelooked?"

"Ishouldhavenoticedherifshehadhadsuchhairasthegirlyouspeakof。"

Mr。Grycesmiledandopenedhispocketbook。

"Thereisasampleofherhair，sir，"saidhe，takingoutathinstrandofbrillianthairandshowingittothegentlemanbeforehim。

"Brightyousee，andgoldenasthatoftheunfortunatecreatureyoutalkedwiththeothernight。"

Mr。Blakestoopedforwardandlifteditwithahandthatvisiblytrembled。"Wheredidyougetthis?"askedheatlast，clenchingittohisbreastwithsuddenpassion。

"Fromoutofthecombwhichthegirlhadbeenusingthenightbefore。"

Theimperiousmanflungithastilyfromhim。

"Wewasteourtime，"saidhe，lookingMr。Gryceintentlyintheface。

"Allthatyouhavesaiddoesnotaccountforyourpresenceherenorthetoneyouhaveusedwhileaddressingme。Whatareyoukeepingback?Iamnotamantobetrifledwith。"

Mr。Grycerosetohisfeet。"Youareright，"saidhe，andhegaveashortglanceinmydirection。"AllthatIhavesaidwouldnotperhapsjustifymeinthisintrusion，if——"helookedagaintowardsme。"Doyouwishmetocontinue?"heasked。

Mr。Blake"sintentlookdeepened。"Iseenoreasonwhyyoushouldnotutterthewhole，"saidhe。"Agoodstorylosesnothingbybeingtoldtotheend。YouwishtosaysomethingaboutmyjourneytoSchoenmaker"shouse，Isuppose。"

Mr。Grycegravelyshookhishead。

"What，youcanletsuchamysteryasthatgowithoutaword?"

"Iamnotheretodiscussmysteriesthathavenoconnectionwiththesewing-girlinwhosecauseIaminterested。"

"Then，"saidMr。Blake，turningforthefirsttimeuponmysuperiorwithallthedignifiedcomposureforwhichhewaseminent，"itisnolongernecessaryforustoprolongthisinterview。Ihaveallowed，nayencouragedyoutostateintheplainesttermswhatitwasyouhadorimaginedyouhadagainstme，knowingthatmyactionsoflate，seenbythosewhodidnotpossessthekeytothem，musthaveseemedalittlepeculiar。Butwhenyousayyouhavenointerestinanymysterydisconnectedwiththegirlwhohaslivedthelastfewmonthsinmyhouse，Icanwithassurancesaythatitistimewequittedthisunprofitableconversation，asnothingwhichIhavelatelydone，saidorthoughthereorelsewherehasinanywayhadeventheremotestbearinguponthatindividual；shehavingbeenastrangertomewhileinmyhouse，andquiteforgottenbyme，afterherunaccountabledeparturehence。"

Mr。Gryce"shandwhichhadbeenstretchedouttowardsthehithertountoucheddecanterbeforehim，suddenlydropped。"Youdenythen，"

saidhe，"allconnectionbetweenyourselfandthewoman，ladyorsewing-girl，whooccupiedthatroomaboveourheadsforelevenmonthsprevioustotheSundaymorningIfirsthadthehonortomakeyouracquaintance。"

"Iamnotinthehabitofrepeatingmyassertions，"saidMr。Blakewithsomeseverity，"evenwhentheyrelatetoalessdisagreeablematterthantheoneunderdiscussion。"

Mr。Grycebowed，andslowlyreachedoutforhishat；Ihadneverseenhimsodisturbed。"Iamsorry，"hebeganandstopped，fingeringhishat-brimnervously。Suddenlyhelaidhishatback，anddrewuphisformintoasnearasemblanceofdignityasitsportlinesswouldallow。

"Mr。Blake，"saidhe，"IhavetoomuchrespectforthemanIbelievedyoutobewhenIenteredthishouseto-night，togowiththethingunsaidwhichislyingatpresentlikeadeadweightuponmylips。I

darenotleaveyoutotheconsequenceofmysilence；fordutywillcompelmetospeaksomedayandinsomepresencewhereyoumaynothavetheopportunitywhichyoucanhavehere，toexplainyourselfwithsatisfaction。Mr。BlakeIcannotbelieveyouwhenyousaythegirlwholivedinthishousewasastrangertoyou。"

Mr。Blakedrewhisproudformupinadisdainthatwasonlyheldincheckbytheveryevidenthonestyofthemanbeforehim。"Youarecourageousatleast，"saidhe。"Iregretyouarenotequallydiscriminating。"AndraisingMr。Gryce"shatheplaceditinhishand。

"Pardonme，"saidthatgentleman，"IwouldliketojustifymyselfbeforeIgo。Notwithwords，"heproceededastheotherfoldedhisarmswithasarcasticbow。"Iamdonewithwords；actionaccomplishestherest。Mr。BlakeIbelieveyouconsidermeanhonestofficerandareliableman。Willyouaccompanymetoyourprivateroomforamoment?ThereissomethingtherewhichmayconvinceyouIwasneitherplayingthefoolnorthebravadowhenIutteredthephraseIdidaninstantago。"

Iexpectedtohearthehaughtymasterofthehouserefusearequestsopeculiar。Butheonlybowed，thoughinasurprisedwaythatshowedhiscuriosityifnomorewasaroused。"Myroomandcompanyareatyourdisposal，"saidhe，"butyouwillfindnothingtheretojustifyyouinyourassertions。"

"Letmeatleastmaketheeffort，"entreatedmysuperior。

Mr。Blakesmilingbitterlyimmediatelyledthewaytothedoor。"Themanmaycome，"heremarkedcarelesslyasMr。Grycewavedhishandinmydirection。"Yourjustificationifnotminemayneedwitnesses。"

Rejoicedatthepermission，formycuriositywasbythistimeraisedtofeverpitch，Iatoncefollowed。Notwithoutanxiety。TheassuredpoiseofMr。Blake"sheadseemedtoarguethattheconfidencebetrayedbymysuperiormightreceiveashock；andIfeltitwouldbeaseriousblowtohispridetofailnow。Butoncewithintheroomabove，mydoubtsspeedilyfled。TherewasthatinMr。Gryce"sfacewhichanyoneacquaintedwithhimcouldnoteasilymistake。Whatevermightbethemysterioussomethingwhichtheroomcontained，itwasevidentlysufficientinhiseyestojustifyhiswholeconduct。

"Nowsir，"saidMr。Blake，turninguponmysuperiorwithhissternestexpression，"theroomanditscontentsarebeforeyou；whathaveyoutosayforyourself。"

Mr。Gryceequallystern，ifnotequallycomposed，castoneofhisinscrutableglancesroundtheapartmentandwithoutawordsteppedbeforethepicturethatwasasIhavesaid，theonlyornamentationoftheotherwisebareandunattractiveroom。

IthoughtMr。Blakelookedsurprised，buthisfacewasnotonethatlightlyexpressedemotion。

"AportraitofmycousintheCountessDeMirac，"saidhewithacertaindrynessoftonehardtointerpret。

Mr。Grycebowedandforamomentstoodlookingwithastrangelackofinterestattheproudlybrilliantfaceofthepaintingbeforehim，thentoourgreatamazementsteppedforwardandwithaquickgestureturnedthepicturerapidlytothewall，when——Graciousheavens!whatavisionstartedoutbeforeusfromthereversesideofthatpaintedcanvas!Noluxuriousbrunettecountenancenow，steepedinprideandlanguor，butaface——LetmeseeifIcandescribeit。Butno，itwasoneofthosefacesthatareindescribable。Youdrawyourbreathasyouviewit；youfeelasifyouhadhadanelectricshock；butasforknowingtenminuteslaterwhethertheeyesthatsoenthralledyouwereblueorblack，orthelocksthatclusteredhalo-likeaboutaforeheadalmostawfulinitsexpressionofweird，unfathomablepower，werebrownorred，youcouldnotnorwouldyoupretendtosay。Itwasthecharacterofthecountenanceitselfthatimpressedyou。Youdidnotevenknowifthiswomanwhomighthavebeenanythingwonderfulorgrandyoueverreadof，werebeautifulornot。Youdidnotcare；itwasasifyouhadbeengazingonatranquileveningskyandalightningflashhadsuddenlystartledyou。Isthelightningbeautiful?

Whoasks!ButIknowfromwhatpresentlytranspired，thatthefacewasivorypaleincomplexion，theeyesdeeplydark，andthehair，——

strangeanduncannycombination，——ofabrightandpeculiargoldenhue。

"Youdare!"cameforthinstrangebrokentonesfromMr。Blake"slips。

Iinstantlyturnedtowardshim。Hewasgazingwithalookthatwashalfindignant，halfmenacingatthesilentdetectivewhowitheyesdroopedandfingerdirectedtowardsthepicture，seemedtobewaitingforhimtofinish。

"Idonotunderstandanaudacitythatallowsyouto——to——"Wasthisthehaughtygentlemanwehadknown，thishesitatingtroubledmanwithbloodlesslipsandtremblinghands?

"Ideclaredmydesiretojustifymyself，"saidmyprincipalwitharespectfulbow。"Thisismyjustification。Doyounotethecolorofthewoman"shairwhoseportraithangswithitsfaceturnedtothewallinyourroom?Isitlikeorunlikethatofthestrandyouheldinyourhandafewmomentsago；astrandtakenasIswear，hairbyhairfromthecombofthepoorcreaturewhooccupiedtheroomabove。

Butthatisnotall，"hecontinuedasMr。Blakefellatrifleaback；

"justobservethedressinwhichthiswomanispainted；bluesilkyousee，darkandrich；awidecollarcunninglyexecuted，youcanalmosttracethepattern；abrooch；thentherosesinthehand，doyousee?

Nowcomewithmeupstairs。"

Toomuchstartledtospeak，Mr。Blake，haughtyaristocratashewas，turnedlikealittlechildandfollowedthedetectivewhowithanassuredstepandunembarassedmienledthewayintothedesertedroomabove。

"Youaccusemeofinsultingyou，whenIexpressdisbeliefofyourassertionthattherewasnoconnectionbetweenyouandthegirlEmily，"saidMr。Gryceashelitthegasandunlockedthatfamousbureaudrawer。"Willyoudosoanylongerinfaceofthese?"Anddrawingoffthetowelthatlayuppermost，herevealedtheneatlyfoldeddress，widecollar，broochandfadedrosesthatlaybeneath。

"Mrs。Danielsassuresusthesearticlesbelongedtothesewing-womanEmily；werebroughtherebyher。Dareyousaytheyarenottheonesreproducedintheportraitbelow?"

Mr。Blakeutteringacrysankonhiskneesbeforethedrawer。"MyGod!

MyGod!"washisonlyreply，"whatarethese?"Suddenlyherose，hiswholeformquivering，hiseyesburning。"WhereisMrs。Daniels?"hecried，hastilyadvancingandpullingthebell。"Imustseeheratonce。Sendthehouse-keeperhere，"heorderedasFannysmilingdemurelymadeherappearanceatthedoor。

"Mrs。Danielsisout，"returnedthegirl，"wentoutassoonaseveryougotupfromdinner，sir。"

"Goneoutatthishour?"

"Yessir；shegoesoutveryoftennowadays，sir。"

Hermasterfrowned。"Sendhertomeassoonasshereturns，"hecommanded，anddismissedthegirl。

"Idon"tknowwhattomakeofthis，"henowsaidinastrangetone，approachingagainthetouchingcontentsofthatopenbureaudrawerwithalookinwhichlonginganddoubtseemedinsomewaytobestrangelycommingled。"Icannotexplainthepresenceofthesearticlesinthisroom；butifyouwillcomebelowIwillseewhatIcandotomakeothermattersintelligibletoyou。Disagreeableasitisformetotakeanyoneintomyconfidence，affairshavegonetoofarformetohopeanylongertopreservesecrecyastomyprivateconcerns。"

CHAPTERXI

LUTTRA

"Gentlemen，"saidheasheusheredusoncemoreintohisstudio，"youhavepresumed，andnotwithoutreasonIshouldsay，toinferthattheoriginalofthisportraitandthewomanwhohassolongoccupiedthepositionofsewing-womaninmyhouse，areoneandthesame。YouwillnolongerretainthatopinionwhenIinformyouthatthispicture，strangeasitmayappeartoyou，isthelikenessofmywife。"

"Wife!"WebothwereastonishedasItakeit，butitwasmyvoicewhichspoke。"Wewereignorantyoueverhadawife。"

"Nodoubt，"continuedourhostsmilingbitterly，"thatatleasthasevadedtheknowledgeevenofthedetectives。"Thenwithareturntohisnaturallycourteousmanner，"Shewasneveracknowledgedbymeasmywife，norhaveweeverlivedtogether，butifpriestlybenedictioncanmakeamanandwomanone，thatwomanasyouseeherthereismylawfulwife。"

Rising，hesoftlyturnedthelovely，potentfacebacktothewall，leavingusoncemoreconfrontedbythedarkandglowingcountenanceofhiscousin。

"Iamnotcalledupon，"saidhe，"togoanyfurtherwithyouthanthis。Ihavetoldyouwhatnomantillthishourhaseverheardfrommylips，anditshouldservetoexoneratemefromanyunjustsuspicionsyoumayhaveentertained。Buttooneofmytemperament，secretscandalandthegossipitengendersisonlylesspainfulthanopennotoriety。IfIleavethesubjecthere，athousandconjectureswillatonceseizeuponyou，andmynameifnotherswillbecome，beforeIknowit，thefootballofgossipifnotofworseanddeepersuspicionthanhasyetassailedme。GentlemanItakeyoutobehonestmen；husbands，perhaps，andfathers；proud，too，inyourwayandjealousofyourownreputationandthatofthosewithwhomyouareconnected。IfIsucceedinconvincingyouthatmymovementsoflatehavebeentotallydisconnectedwiththegirlwhosecauseyouprofesssolelytobeinterestedin，mayIcountuponyoursilenceasregardsthoseactionsandtherealmotivethatledtothem?"

"Youmaycountuponmydiscretionasregardsallmattersthatdonotcomeunderthescopeofpoliceduty，"returnedMr。Gryce。"Ihaven"tmuchtimeforgossip。"

"Andyourmanhere?"

"O，he"ssafewhereitprofitshimtobe。"

"Verywell，then，Ishallcountuponyou。"

Andwiththeknittedbrowsandclinchedhandsofaproudlyreticentmanwho，perhapsforthefirsttimeinhislifefindshimselfforcedtorevealhisinnernaturetotheworld，hebeganhisstoryinthesewords:

"Difficultasitisformetointroduceintoarelationlikethisthenameofmyfather，Ishallbeobligedtodosoinordertomakemyconductatamomentouscrisisofmylifeintelligibletoyou。Myfather，then，wasamanofstrongwillandafewbutdeterminedprejudices。ResolvedthatIshouldsustainthereputationofthefamilyforwealthandrespectability，hegavemetounderstandfrommyearliestyears，thataslongasIpreservedmymanhoodfromreproach，Ihadonlytomakemywishesknown，tohavethemimmediatelygratified；whileifIcrossedhiswilleitherbyindulgingindissipationorengaginginpursuitsunworthyofmyname，Inolongerneedexpectthefavorofhiscountenanceortheassistanceofhispurse。

"When，therefore，atacertainperiodofmylife，IfoundthatthecharmsofmycousinEvelynweremakingrathertoostronganimpressionuponmyfancyforasecuredpeaceofmind，Ifirstinquiredhowsuchaunionwouldaffectmyfather，andlearningthatitwouldbeindirectoppositiontohisviews，castaboutinmymindwhatI

shoulddotoovercomemypassion。Travelsuggesteditself，andItookatriptoEurope。Butthesightofnewfacesonlyawakenedinmecomparisonsanythingbutdetrimentaltothebeautyofherwhowasatthattimemystandardoffeminineloveliness。Natureandthesportsconnectedwithawildlifeweremynextresort。IwentoverlandtoCalifornia，roamedtheorangegrovesofFlorida，andprobedthewildernessesofCanadaandourNorthernstates。Itwasduringtheselastexcursionsthataneventoccurredwhichhasexercisedthemostmaterialinfluenceuponmyfate，thoughatthetimeitseemedtomenomorethanthematterofaday。

"IhadjustreturnedfromCanadaandwasrestingintolerableenjoymentofaverybeautifulautumnatLakeGeorge，whenaletterreachedmefromafriendthenloiteringinthevicinity，urgingmetojoinhiminacertainsmalltowninVermontwheretroutstreamsaboundedandwhatisnotsooftenthecaseunderthecircumstances，fisherswerefew。

"BeinginasomewhatrecklessmoodIatoncewroteaconsent，andbeforeanotherdaywasover，startedfortheremotevillagewhencehisletterwaspostmarked。Ifounditbynomeanseasyofaccess。

Situatedinthemidstofhillssometwentymilesorsodistantfromanyrailroad，Idiscoveredthatinordertoreachit，alongrideinastage-coachwasnecessary，followedbyasomewhatshorterjourneyonhorseback。Notbeingacquaintedwiththeroute，Itimedmyconnectionswrong，sothatwheneveningcameIfoundmyselfridingoverastrangeroadinthedarkestnightIhadeverknown。Asifthiswasnotenough，myhorsesuddenlybegantolimpandpresentlybecamesolameIfounditimpossibletourgeherbeyondaslowwalk。ItwasthereforewithnoordinarysatisfactionthatIpresentlybeheldalightedbuildinginthedistance，whichasIapproachedresolveditselfintoaninn。Stoppinginfrontofthehouse，whichwasclosedagainstthechillnightair，Icalledoutlustilyforsomeonetotakemyhorse，whereuponthedooropenedandamanappearedonthethresholdwithalanterninhishand。Iatoncemademywishesknown，receivinginturnasomewhatgruff，""Wellitisanastynightanditwillbenastierbeforeit"sover；"

anopinioninstantlyendorsedbyasuddenswoopofwindthatrushedbyatthatmoment，slammingthedoorbehindhimandawakeningovermyheadalugubriousgroaningasfromthetwistingboughsofsomeoldtree，thatwasalmostthreateninginitscharacter。

""Youhadbettergoin，"saidhe，"therainwillcomenext。"

"Iatonceleapedfrommyhorseandpushingopenthedoorwithmainstrength，enteredthehouse。Anothermanmetmeonthethresholdwhomerelypointingoverhisshouldertoalightedroominhisrear，passedoutwithoutaword，tohelpthesomewhatyoungerman，whohadfirstappeared，inputtingupmyhorse。Iatonceacceptedhissilentinvitationandsteppedintotheroombeforeme。InstantlyI

foundmyselfconfrontedbytheratherstartlingvisionofayounggirlofauniqueandhauntingstyleofbeauty，whorisingatmyapproachnowstoodwithhereyesonmyfaceandherhandsrestingonthedealtablebeforewhichshehadbeensitting，inanattitudeexpressiveofmingledsurpriseandalarm。Toseeawomaninthatplacewasnotsostrange；butsuchawoman!EveninthefirstcasualglanceIgaveher，Iatonceacknowledgedtomyselfherextraordinarypower。Nottheslightnessofherform，thepalorofhercountenance，orthefairnessofthelocksofgoldenredhairthatfellintwolongbraidsoverherbosom，couldforamomentcounteracttheeffectofherdarkglanceorthevividalmostunearthlyforceofherexpression。Itwasasifyousawaflameupstartingbeforeyou，wavingtremulouslyhereandthere，butburningandresistlessinitswhiteheat。Itookoffmyhatwithdeference。

"Ashudderpassedoverher，butshemadenoefforttoreturnmyacknowledgement。Aswecastoureyesdilatingwithhorror，downsomehorriblepituponwhosevergewesuddenlyfindourselves，sheallowedhergazeforamomenttodwelluponmyface，thenwithasuddenliftingofherhand，pointedtowardsthedoorasiftobidmedepart——whenitswungopenwiththatshrillrushingofwindthatinvoluntarilyawakesashudderwithinyou，andthetwomenenteredandcamestampinguptomyside。Instantlyherhandsunk，notfeeblyaswithfear，butcalmlyasifatthebiddingofherwill，andwithoutwaitingforthemtospeak，sheturnedawayandquietlylefttheroom。

AsthedoorcloseduponherInoticedthatsheworeacalicofrockandthatherfacedidnotownoneperfectfeature。

""GoafterLuttraandtellhertomakeupthebedinthenorthwestroom，"saidtheelderofthetwoindeepgutteraltonesunmistakablyGermanintheiraccent，totheotherwhostoodshakingthewetoffhiscoatintotheleapingflamesofasmallwoodfirethatburnedonthehearthbeforeus。

""O，she"lldowithoutmybothering，"wasthesullenreturn。"I"mwetthrough。"

"Theelderman，alargepowerfullyframedfellowofsomefiftyyearsorso，frowned。Itwasanevilfrown，andtheyoungeroneseemedtofeelit。Heimmediatelytossedhiscoatontoachairandlefttheroom。

""Boysaresoobstropolousnow-a-days，"remarkedhiscompaniontomewithwhatheevidentlyintendedforaconciliatorynod。"Inmytimetheywerebrokein，didwhattheyweretoldandaskednoquestions。"

"Ismiledtomyselfathiscallingthebroadshoulderedsix-footerwhohadjustleftusaboy，butmerelyremarking，"Heisyoursonishenot!"seatedmyselfbeforetheblazewhichshotupatongueofwhiteflameatmyapproach，thatirresistiblyrecalledtomyfancytheappearanceofthegirlwhohadgoneoutamomentbefore。

""O，yes，heismyson，andthatgirlyousawherewasmydaughter；I

keepthisinnandtheyhelpme，butitisaslowwaytolive，Icantellyou。Travelontheseroadsisslim。"

""Ishouldthinklikely，"Ireturned，rememberingthehalfdozenorsohillsupwhichIhadclamberedsinceItooktomyhorse。"HowfararewefromPentonville?"

""O，twoorthreemiles，"hereplied，butinahurriedkindofaway。

"Notfarinthedaytimebutaregularjourneyinanightlikethis?"

""Yes，"saidI，asthehouseshookunderafreshgust；"itisfortunateIhaveaplaceinwhichtoputup。"

"Heglanceddownatmybaggagewhichconsistedofasmallhandbag，anover-coatandafishingpole，withsomethinglikeagleamofdisappointment。

""Goingfishing?"heasked。

""Yes，"Ireturned。

""Goodtroutupthosestreamsandplentyofthem，"hewenton。"Goingalone?"

"Ididnothalflikehisimportunity，butconsideringIhadnothingbettertodo，repliedasaffablyaspossible。"No，IexpecttomeetafriendinPentonvillewhowillaccompanyme。"

"Hishandwenttohisbeardinathoughtfulattitudeandhecastmewhat，withmyincreasedexperienceoftheworld，Ishouldnowconsiderasinisterglance。"Thenyouareexpected?"saidhe。

"Notconsideringthisworthreply，Istretchedoutmyfeettotheblazeandbegantowarmthem，forIfeltchilledthrough。

""Beenontheroadlong?"henowasked，glancingattheblueflannelsuitIwore。

""Allsummer，"Ireturned，"Iagainthoughthelookeddisappointed。

""FromTroyorNewYork?"hewentonwithavagueendeavortoappeargoodnaturallyoffhand。

""NewYork。"

""Abigplacethat，"hecontinued。"Iwasthereonce，lotsofmoneystoredawayinthembigbuildingsdowninWallStreet，eh?"

"Iassented，andhedrewachairuptomyside，aproceedingthatwasinterrupted，however，bythereentranceofhisson，whowithoutanyapologycrowdedintotheothersideofthefire-placeinawaytosandwichmebetweenthem。NotfancyingthisarrangementwhichI，however，imputedtoignorance，Idrewbackandaskedifmyroomwasready。Itseemeditwasnot，andunpleasantlyasitpromised，Ifeltforcedtoreseatmyselfandjoinin，ifnotsupport，theconversationthatfollowed。

"Ahalfhourpassedaway，duringwhichthewindincreasedtillitalmostamountedtoagale。Spurtsofraindashedagainstthewindowswithasharpcracklingsoundthatsuggestedhail，whileeverandanonadistantrollasofrousingthunder，rumbledawayamongthehillsinalongandreverberatingpeal，thatmademefeelgladtobehousedevenundertheroofoftheserudeanduncongenialcreatures。

Suddenlytheconversationturneduponthetimeandtime-pieces，wheninaloweventoneIheardmurmuredbehindme，""Thegentleman"sroomisready；"andturning，Isawstandinginthedoorwaytheslightfigureoftheyounggirlwhoseappearancehadpreviouslysoimpressedme。

"Iimmediatelyarose。"ThenIwillproceedtoitatonce，"saidI，takingupmytrapsandadvancingtowardsher。

""Donotbealarmedifyouhearcreaksandcracklingsalloverthehouse，"observedthelandlordasIdeparted。"Thewindowsarelooseandthedoorsill-fitting。Insuchastormasthistheymakenoiseenoughtokeepanarmyawake。Thehouseissafeenoughthoughandifyoudon"tmindnoise——"

""OIdon"tmindnoise，"rejoinedI，feelingatthatmomenttiredenoughtofallintoadozeonthestaircase。"Ishallsleep，neverfear，"andwithoutfurtheradofollowedthegirlupstairsintoalargeclumsilyfurnishedroomwhoseenormousbeddrapedwithheavycurtainsatonceattractedmyattention。

""OIcannotsleepunderthosethings，"remarkedI，withagesturetowardsthedismaldraperieswhichtomewereanothernameforsuffocation。

"Withasinglearm-sweepshethrewthemback。"IsthereanythingmoreIcandoforyou?"askedshe，glancinghastilyabouttheroom。

"Ithankedherandsaid"no，"atwhichsheatoncedepartedwithalookofstilldeterminationuponhercountenancethatIfoundithardtoexplain。

Leftaloneinthatlarge，bareanddimlylightedroom，withthewindshriekinginthechimneyandthepowerfullimbsofsomehugetreebeatingagainstthewallswithout，withaheavythudinexpressiblymournful，Ifoundtomysurpriseandsomethinglikedismay，thatthesleepinesswhichhadhithertooppressedme，hadinsomeunaccountablewayentirelyfled。InvainIcontemplatedthebed，comfortableenoughnowinitsappearancethatthestiflingcurtainswerewithdrawn；notemptationtoinvadeitcametoarousemefromthechairintowhichI

hadthrownmyself。ItwasasifIfeltmyselfunderthespellofsomeinvisibleinfluencethatliketheeyeofabasilisk，heldmeenchained。IrememberturningmyheadtowardsacertainquarterofthewallasifIhalfexpectedtoencountertherethebewilderingglanceofaserpent。Yetfarfrombeingapprehensiveofanydanger，I

onlywonderedovertheweaknessofmindthatmadesuchfanciespossible。

"Anextraloudswirlofthefoliagewithout，accompaniedbyaquickvibrationofthehouse，arousedmeatlast。IfIwastolosethesenseofthisfuriousstormcareeringovermyhead，Imustcourtsleepatonce。Rising，Idrewoffmycoat，unloosenedmyvestandwasabouttothrowitoff，whenIbethoughtmeofacertainwalletitcontained。GoingtothedoorinsomeunconsciousimpulseofprecautionIsuppose，Ilockedmyselfin，andthendrawingoutmywallet，tookfromitarollofbillswhichIputintoasmallsidepocket，returningthewallettoitsoldplace。

"WhyIdidthisIcanscarcelysay。AsIhavebeforeintimated，Iwasundernospecialapprehension。Iwasatthattimeanythingbutasuspiciousman，andthemannerandappearanceofthemenbelowstruckmeasunpleasantlydisagreeablebutnothingmore。ButInotonlydidwhatIhaverelated，butallowedthelamptoremainlighted，lyingdownfinallyinmyclothes；analmostunprecedentedactonmypart，warrantedhoweverasIsaidtomyself，bythefuryofthegalewhichatthattimeseemedasifitwouldtumbletheroofoverourheads。