第7章

"Atlastitwasfinishedandshestoodbeforemelife-likeandrealintheverygarmentsandwithalmosttheveryaspectofthatnevertobeforgottenmoment。EventheroseswhichinthesecretuneasinessofmyconscienceIhadputinherhandonourdeparturefromTroy，asasortofvisibletokenthatIregardedherasmybride，andwhichthroughallherinterviewwithmyfathershehadneverdropped，blossomedbeforemeonthecanvas。Nothingthatcouldgiverealitytothelikeness，waslacking；thevisionofmydreamsstoodembodiedinmysight，andIlookedforpeace。Alas，thatpicturenowbecamemydream。

"InsertingitbehindthatofEvelynwhichfortwoyearshadhelditsplaceabovemyarmchair，IturneditsfacetothewallwhenIroseinthemorning。Butatnightitbeamedeveruponme，becomingasthemonthspassed，theonethingtoholdtoandmuseoverwhentheworldgrewalittlenoisyinmyearsandtheneverceasingconflictoftheagesbeatatrifletooloudlyonheartandbrain。

"Meanwhilenowordofher，onlyofhervillainousfatherandbrother；

notokenthatshehadescapedevilorwasremovedfromwant。IfIhadlovedherIcouldnothavesuccoredher，forIdidnotknowwheretofindher。Hercountenanceilluminedmywall，butherfairyoungselflayforallIknewshelteredwithinthedarknessandsilenceofthetomb。

"Atlengthmymorbidbroodingsworkedouttheirnaturalresult。A

dullmelancholysettleduponmewhichnothingcouldbreak。Eventhenewsthatmycousinwhohadlostherhusbandamonthaftermarriage，hadreturnedtoAmericawithexpectationtoremain，scarcelycausedarippleinmyapathy。WasIsinkingintoahypochrondriac?orwasmypassionforthebeautifulbrunettedead?Ideterminedtosolvethedoubt。

"SeekingherwhereIknewshewouldbefound，Igazedagainuponherbeauty。Itwasabsolutelynothingtome。AfairyoungfacewithhighthoughtsineveryglancefloatedlikesunshinebetweenusandIleftthehaughtyCountess，withtheknowledgeburneddeepintomybrain，thattheloveIhadconsideredslainwasaliveanddemanding，butthattheobjectofitpastrecall，wasmylostyoungwife。

"Onceassuredofthis，myapathyvanishedlikemistbeforeakindledtorch。Henceforththefutureheldahope，andlifeapurpose。IwouldseekmywifethroughouttheworldandbringherbackifIfoundherinprisonbetweenthemenwhoseexistencewasacursetomypride。ButwhereshouldIturnmysteps?Whatgoldenthreadhadsheleftinmyhandbywhichtotraceherthroughthelabyrinthofthisworld?I

couldthinkofbutone，andthatwasthelovewhichwouldrestrainherfromgoingawayfrommetoofar。TheLuttraofoldwouldnotleavethecitywhereherhusbandlived。Ifshewasnotchanged，IoughttobeabletofindhersomewherewithinthisgreatBabylonofours。

Wisdomtoldmetosetthepoliceuponhertrack，butpridebademetryeveryothermeansfirst。Sowiththefeverishenergyofoneleadingaforlornhope，IbegantopacethestreetsifhaplyImightseeherfaceshineuponmefromthecrowdofpassersby；afoolishfancy，unproductiveofresult!Inotonlyfailedtoseeher，butanyonelikeher。

Inthemidstofthedespairoccasionedbythisfailureathoughtflashedacrossmeorratheraremembrance。Onenightnotlongsince，beinguncommonlyrestless，Ihadrisenfrommybed，dressedmeandgoneoutintotheyardbackofmyhouseforalittleair。ItwasanunusualthingformetodobutIseemedtobesuffocatingwhereI

was，andnothingelsewouldsatisfyme。Asyoualreadysurmise，itwasthenightonwhichdisappearedthesewinggirlofwhichyouhavesooftenspoken，butIknewnothingofthat，mythoughtswerefarfrommyownhomeanditsconcerns。YoumayjudgewhatastateofmindIwasinwhenItellyouthatIeventhoughtatonemomentwhileIpausedbeforethegateleadinginto——StreetthatIsawthefaceofherwithwhommythoughtswereeverbusy，peeringuponmethroughthebars。

"YoutellmethatIdidseeagirlthere，andthatitwastheonewhohadlivedassewingwomaninmyhouse；itmaybeso，butatthetimeIconsidereditavisionofmywife，andtheremembranceofit，comingasitdidaftermyrepeatedfailurestoencounterherinthestreet，workedachangeinmyplans。Forregarditasweaknessornot，therecollectionthatthevisionIhadseenworethegarmentsofaworking-womanratherthanalady，acteduponmelikeawarningnottosearchforheranylongeramongtheresortsofthewelldressed，butintheregionsofpovertyandtoil。IthereforetooktowanderingssuchasIhavenohearttodescribe。NordoIneedto，if，asyouhaveinformedme，Ihavebeenfollowed。

"Theresultwasalmostmadness。ThoughdeepinmyheartIfeltasteadfasttrustinthepurityofherintentions，thefearofwhatshemighthavebeendriventobytheawfulpovertyanddespairIeverydaysawseethingaboutme，waslikehotsteelinbrainandheart。Thenherfatherandherbrother!Towhatmighttheynothaveforcedher，innocentandlovingsoulthoughshewas!DrinkingthedregsofacupsuchasIhadneverconsidereditpossibleformetotaste，IgotsofarastobelievethathereyeswouldyetflashuponmefrombeneathsomeofthetatteredshawlsIsawsullyingtheformsoftheyounggirlsuponwhichIhourlystumbled。Yes，andevenmadeamovetoseemycousin，ifhaplyIcouldsowinuponhercompassionastogainherconsenttoshelterthepoorcreatureofmydreamsincasethenecessitycame。Butmyheartfailedmeatthesightofhercoldfaceabovethesplendorshehadboughtwithhercharms，andIwassavedahumiliationImightneverhaverisenabove。

"Atlast，onedayIsawagirl——no，itwasnotshe，butherhairwassimilartohersinhue，andtheimpulsetofollowherwasirresistible。Ididmorethanthat，Ispoketoher。Iaskedherifshecouldtellmeanythingofonewhoselocksweregoldenredlikehers——ButIneednottellyouwhatIsaidnorwhatsherepliedwithagentledelicacythatwasalmostashocktomeasshowingfromwhatheightstowhatdepthsawomancanfall。EnoughthatnothingpassedbetweenusbeyondwhatIhaveintimated，andthatinallshesaidshegavemenonewsofLuttra。

"NextdayIstartedfortheramblingoldhouseinVermont，ifhaplyinthespotwhereIfirstsawher，Imightcomeuponsomecluetoherpresentwhereabouts。Buttheoldinnwasdeserted，andwhateverhopeImayhavehadinthatdirection，perishedwiththerest。

"Concerningthecontentsofthatbureau-drawerabove，Icansaynothing。If，asIscarcelydaretohope，theyshouldprovetohavebeenindeedbroughtherebythegirlwhohassincedisappearedsostrangely，whoknowsbutwhatinthosefoldedgarmentsaclueisgivenwhichwillleadmeatlasttotheknowledgeforwhichIwouldnowbarterallIpossess。Mywife——ButIcanmentionhernamenomoretillthequestionthatnowassailsusissetatrest。Mrs。Danielsmust——"

ButatthatmomentthedooropenedandMrs。Danielscamein。

CHAPTERXIV

MRS。DANIELS

Shestillworeherbonnetandshawlandherfacewaslikemarble。

"Youwantme?"saidshewithahurriedlooktowardsMr。Blakethathadasmuchfearassurpriseinit。

"Yes，"murmuredthatgentlemanmovingtowardsherwithaneffortwecouldverywellappreciate。"Mrs。Daniels，whowasthegirlyouharboredinthatroomaboveusforsolong?Speak；whatwashernameandwheredidshecomefrom?"

Thehousekeepertremblingineverylimb，castusonehurriedappeal。

"Speak!"reechoedMr。Gryce；"thetimeforsecrecyhaspassed。"

"O，"criedshe，sinkingintoachairfromsheerinabilitytostand，"itwasyourwife，Mr。Blake，theyoungcreatureyou——"

"Ah!"

Alltheagony，thehopelessness，thelove，thepassionofthoselastfewmonthsflashedupinthatword。Shestoppedasifshehadbeenshot，butseeingthehandwhichhehadhurriedlyraised，fallslowlybeforehim，wentonwithaburst，"Osir，shemademeswearonmykneesIwouldneverbetrayher，nomatterwhathappened。Whennottwoweeksafteryourfatherdiedshecametothehouseandaskingforme，toldmeallherstoryandallherlove；howshecouldnotreconcileitwithherideaofawife"sdutytoliveunderanyotherroofthanthatofherhusband，andliftingofftheblackwigwhichshewore，showedmehowalteredshehadmadeherselfbythatsimplechange——inhercasemoremarkedbythefactthathereyeswereinkeepingwithblackhair，whilewithherownbrightlockstheyalwaysgaveyouashockasofsomethingstrangeandhaunting——Igaveupmywillasifforcedbyamagneticpower，andnotonlyopenedthehousetoherbutmyheartaswell；

swearingtoallshedemandedandkeepingmyoathtoo，asIwouldpreservemysoulfromsinandmylifefromtheknifeofthedestroyer。"

"But，whenshewent，"brokefromthepallidlipsofthemanbeforeher，"whenshewastakenawayfromthehouse，whatthen?"

"Ah，"returnedtheagitatedwoman。"whatthen!DoyounotthinkI

suffered?Tobeheldbymyoath，anoathIwassatisfiedshewouldwishkeptevenatthiscrisis，yetknowingallthewhileshewasdriftingawayintosomeevilthatyou，ifyouknewwhoshewas，wouldgiveyourlifetoavertfromyourhonorifnotfromherinnocenthead!Toseeyoucold，indifferent，absorbedinotherthings，whileshe，whowouldhaveperishedanydayforyourhappiness，waslosingherlifeperhapsintheclutchesofthosehorriblevillains!DonotaskmetotellyouwhatIhavesufferedsinceshewent；Icannevertellyou，——innocent，tender，noble-heartedcreaturethatshewas。"

"Was?"Hishandclutchedhisheartasifithadbeenseizedbyadeathlyspasm。"Whydoyousaywas?"

"BecauseIhavejustcomefromtheMorguewheresheliesdead。"

"No，no，"cameinalowshriekfromhislips，"thatisnotshe；thatisanotherwoman，likeherperhaps，butnotshe。"

"WouldtoGodyouwereright；butthelonggoldenbraids!SuchhairashersIneversawonanyonebefore。"

"Mr。Blakeisright，"Ibrokein，forIcouldnotendurethissceneanylonger。"ThewomantakenoutoftheEastriverto-dayhasbeenbothseenandspokentobyhimandthatnotlongsince。Heshouldknowifitishiswife。"

"Andisn"tit?"

"No，athousandtimesno；thegirlwasaperfectstranger。"

Theassuranceseemedtoliftaleadenweightfromherheart。"OthankGod，"shemurmureddroppingwithanirresistibleimpulseonherknees。Thenwithasuddenreturnofheroldtremble，"ButIwasonlytorevealhersecretincaseofherdeath!WhathaveIdone，OwhathaveIdone!Heronlyhopelayinmyfaithfulness。"

Mr。Blakeleaningheavilyonthetablebeforehim，lookedinherface。

"Mrs。Daniels，"saidhe，"Ilovemywife；herhopenowliesinme。"

Sheleapedtoherfeetwithajoyousbound。"Youloveher?OthankGod!"sheagainreiteratedbutthistimeinalowmurmurtoherself。

"ThankGod!"andweepingwithunrestrainedjoy，shedrewbackintoacorner。

Ofcourseafterthat，allthatremainedforustodowastolayourheadstogetherandconsultastothebestmethodofrenewingoursearchaftertheunhappygirl，nowrenderedofdoubleinteresttousbythefactswithwhichwehadjustbeenmadeacquainted。Thatshehadbeenforcedawayfromtheroofthatshelteredherbythepowerofherfatherandbrotherwasofcoursenolongeropentodoubt。Todiscoverthem，therefore，meanttorecoverher。Doyouwonder，then，thatfromthemomentweleftMr。Blake"shouse，thecaptureofthatbraceofthievesbecametheleadingpurposeofourtwolives?

CHAPTERXV

ACONFAB

NextmorningMr。GryceandImetinseriousconsultation。How，andinwhatdirectionshouldweextendtheinquiriesnecessarytoadiscoveryoftheseSchoenmakers?

"IadviseathoroughoverhaulingoftheGermanquarter，"saidmysuperior。"Schmidt，andRosenthalwillhelpusandtheresultoughttobesatisfactory。"

ButIshookmyheadatthis。"Idon"tbelieve，"saidI，"thattheywillhideamongtheirownpeople。Youmustremembertheyarenotalone，buthavewiththemayoungwomanofasomewhatdistinguishedappearance，whosepresenceinacrowdeddistrict，likethat，wouldbesuretoawakengossip；somethingwhichaboveallelsetheymustwanttoavoid。"

"Thatistrue；theGermansareadreadfulraceforgossip。"

"Iftheydaredtoill-dressherorill-treather，itwouldbedifferent。Butsheisavaluablepieceofpropertytothemyousee，achoicelotofgoodswhichitisfortheirinteresttopreserveinfirst-classconditiontillthedaycomesforitsdisposal。ForI

presumeyouhavenodoubtthatitisforthepurposeofextortingmoneyfromMr。Blakethattheyhavecarriedoffhisyoungwife。"

"Forthatreasonoronesimilar。Heisamanofresources，theymayhavehopedhewouldhelpthemtoescapethecountry。"

"Iftheydon"thideintheGermanquartertheycertainlywon"tintheItalian，FrenchorIrish。Whattheywantistookeepcloseandrousenoquestions。Ithinktheywillbefoundtohavegoneuptheriversomewhere，orovertoJersey。Hobokenwould"ntbeabadplacetosendSchmidtto。"

"Youforgetwhatitisthey"vegotontheirminds；besidesnoconspicuouspartysuchastheycouldliveinaruraldistrictwithoutattractingmoreattentionthaninthemostcrowdedtenementhouseinthecity。"

"Wheredoyouthink，then，theywouldbeliabletogo?"

"Wellmymostmaturedthoughtonthesubject，"returnedMr。Gryce，afteramoment"sdeliberation，"isthis，——yousay，andIagree，thattheyhavehamperedthemselveswiththiswomanatthistimeforthepurposeofusingherhereafterinaschemeofblack-mailuponMr。

Blake。He，then，mustbetheobjectaboutwhichtheirthoughtsrevolveandtowardwhichwhateveroperationsorplanstheymaybeengageduponmusttend。Whatfollows?Whenacompanyofmenhavemadeuptheirmindstorobabank，whatisthefirstthingtheydo?Theyhire，ifpossible，ahousenexttotheespecialbuildingtheyintendtoenter，andformonthsworkuponthesecretpassagethroughwhichtheyhopetoreachthesafeanditscontents；ortheymakefriendswiththewatchmanthatguardsitstreasures，andthejanitorwhoopensandshutsthedoors。Inshorttheyhangabouttheirpreybeforetheypounceuponit。AndsowilltheseSchoenmakersdointhesomewhatdifferentrobberywhichtheyplansoonerorlatertoeffect。Whatevermaykeepthemcloseatthismoment，Mr。BlakeandMr。Blake"shouseisthepointtowardwhichtheireyesareturned，andifwehadtime——"

"Butwehave"nt，"Ibrokeinimpetuously。"Itishorribletothinkofthatgrandwomanlanguishingawayinthepowerofsuchrascals。"

"Ifwehadtime，"Mr。Grycepersisted，"allitwouldbenecessarytodowouldbetowait，theywouldcomeintoourhandsaseasilyandnaturallyasahawkintothesnareofthefowler。Butasyousaywehavenot，andtherefore，IwouldrecommendalittlebeatingofthebushdirectlyaboutMr。Blake"shouse；forifallmyexperienceisnotatfault，thosemenarealreadywithineye-shotofthepreytheyintendtorundown。"

"But，"saidI，"Ihavebeenlivingmyselfinthatveryneighborhoodandknowbythistimethewaysofeveryhouseinthevicinity。ThereisnotaspotupanddowntheAvenuefortenblockswheretheycouldhideawayfortwodaysmuchlesstwoweeks。Andasforthesidestreets，——whyIcouldtellyouthenamesofthosewholiveineachhouseforaconsiderabledistance。YetifyousaysoIwillgotowork——"

"Do，andmeanwhileSchmidtandRosenthalshallrummagetheGermanquarterandevengothroughWilliamsburghandHoboken。Theendjustifiesanyamountoflaborthatcanbespentuponthismatter。"

"Andyou，"Iasked。

"Willdomypartwhenyouhavedoneyours。"

CHAPTERXVI

THEMARKOFTHEREDCROSS

AndwhatsuccessdidImeet?Thebestintheworld。AndbywhatmeansdidIattainit?Bythatofthesimplest，prettiestclueIevercameupon。Butletmeexplain。

Whenafterawearisomedayspentinanineffectualsearchthroughtheneighborhood，Iwenthometomyroom，whichasyourememberwasafrontoneinalodging-houseontheoppositecornerfromMr。Blake，I

wassoabsorbedinmindandperhapsImaysayshakeninnerve，bythestrainunderwhichIhadbeenlaboringforsometimenow，thatI

stumbledupanextraflightofstairs，andwithoutanysuspicionofthefact，triedthedooroftheroomdirectlyovermine。ItisawondertomenowthatIcouldhavemadethemistake，forthehallsweretotallydissimilar，theoneabovebeingmuchmorecutupthantheonebelow，besidesbeingflankedbyagreaternumberofdoors。Buttheintoxicationofthemindisnotfarremovedfromthatofthebody，andasIsayitwasnottillIhadtriedthedoorandfounditlocked，thatIbecameawareofthemistakeIhadmade。

Withthefoolishsenseofshamethatalwaysovercomesusatthecommittalofanysuchtrivialerror，Istumbledhastilyback，whenmyfoottroduponsomethingthatbrokeundermyweight。Ineverletevensmallthingspasswithoutsomenotice。Stooping，then，forwhatIhadthusinadvertentlycrushed，Icarriedittowhereasinglegasjetturneddownverylow，madeapartiallightinthelonghall，andexaminingit，foundittobeapieceofredchalk。

Whatwasthereinthatsimplefacttomakemestartandhastilyrecalloneortwohalf-forgottenincidentswhich，oncebroughttomind，awokeatrainofthoughtthatledtothediscoveryandcaptureofthosetwodesperatethieves?Iwilltellyou。

Idon"tremembernowwhetherinmyaccountofthevisitIpaidtotheSchoenmakers"houseinVermont，Iinformedyouofthered

noticedscrawledonthepanelofoneofthedoors。Itseemedatrivialthingatthetimeandmadelittleornoimpressionuponme，thechancesbeingthatIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain，ifI

hadnotcomeuponthearticlejustmentionedatamomentwhenmymindwasfullofthoseverySchoenmakers。Butrememberednow，togetherwithanotherhalf-forgottenfact，——thatsomedayspreviousIhadbeentoldbythewomanwhokeptthehouseIwasin，thatthepartiesovermyhead(twomenandawomanIbelieveshesaid)weregivinghersometrouble，butthattheypaidwellandthereforeshedidnotliketoturnthemout，——itarousedavaguesuspicioninmymind，andledtomywalkingbacktothedoorIhadendeavoredtoopeninmyabstraction，andcarefullylookingatit。

Itwasplainandwhite，ratherruderofmakethanthosebelow，butofferingnoinducementsforprolongedscrutiny。Butnotsowiththeonethatstoodatrightanglestoitontheleft。Fullinthecentreofthat，Ibehelddistinctlyscrawled，probablywiththeverypieceofchalkIthenheld，aredcrosspreciselysimilarinoutlinetotheoneIhadseenafewdaysbeforeonthepaneloftheSchoenmakers"

dooratGranby。

Thediscoverysentathrillovermethatalmostraisedmyhaironend。

Was，then，thisfamoustriotobefoundintheveryhouseinwhichI

hadbeenmyselflivingforaweekormore?overmyheadinfact?I

couldnotwithdrawmygazefromthemysteriouslookingobject。Ibentnear，Ilistened，Iheardwhatsoundedlikethesuppressedsnoreofapowerfulman，andalmosthadtolayholdofmyselftopreventmyhandfrompushingopenthatcloseddoorandmyfeetfromentering。AsitwasIdidfingertheknobalittle，butanextraloudsnorefromwithinremindedmebyitssuggestionofstrengththatIwasbutasmallmanandthatinthiscaseandatthishour，discretionwasthebetterpartofvalor。

Ithereforewithdrew，butforthewholenightlayawakelisteningtocatchanysoundsthatmightcomefromabove，andgoingsofarastoplanwhatIwoulddoifitshouldbeprovedthatIwasindeeduponthetrailofthemenIwassoanxioustoencounter。

WiththebreakingofdayIwasuponmyfeet。ArudestephadgoneupthestairsafewminutesbeforeandIwasallalerttofollow。ButI

presentlyconsideredthatmywisestcoursewouldbetosoundthelandladyandlearnifpossiblewithwhatsortofcharactersIhadtodeal。Routingheroutofthekitchen，whereatthatearlyhourshewasalreadyengagedindomesticduties，Idrewherintoaretiredcornerandputmyquestions。Shewasnotbackwardinreplying。ShehadconceivedaninnocentlikingformeintheshorttimeIhadbeenwithher——adisplayofweaknessforwhichIwasmyself，perhaps，asmuchtoblameasshe——andwasonlytooreadytopourouthergriefsintomysympathizingear。Forthosemenwereagrieftoher，acceptableaswasthemoneytheywerecarefultoprovideherwith。

Theywerenotonlyalwaysinthehouse，thatisoneofthem，smokinghisoldpipeandblackeningupthewalls，buttheylookedsoshabby，andkeptthegirlsoclose，andiftheydidgoout，cameinatsuchunheardofhours。Itwasenoughtodrivehercrazy；yetthemoney，themoney——

"Yes，"saidI，"Iknow；andthemoneyoughttomakeyouoverlookallthesmalldisagreeablenessesyoumention。Whatisalandladywithoutpatience。"AndIurgedhernottoturnthemout。

"Butthegirl，"shewenton，"sonice，soquiet，sosick-looking!I

cannotstandittoseehercoopedupinthatsmallroom，alwayswatchedoverbyoneorbothofthoseburlywretches。Theoldmansayssheishisdaughterandshedoesnotdenyit，butIwouldassoonthinkofthatlittlerosychildyouseecooinginthewindowovertheway，belongingtothebeggargoinginatthegate，asofherwithherlady-likewayshavinganyconnectionwithhimandhisrough-actingson。Yououghttoseeher——"

"ThatisjustwhatIwanttodo，"interruptedI。"Notbecauseyouhavetemptedmyfancybyarecitalofhercharms，"Ihastenedtoadd，"butbecausesheis，ifIdon"tmistake，awomanforwhosediscoveryandrescue，alargesumofmoneyhasbeenoffered。"

AndwithoutfurtherdisguiseIacquaintedthestartledwomanbeforemewiththefactthatIwasnot，asshehadalwaysconsidered，theclerkoutofemploymentwhosedailybusinessitwastosallyforthinquestofasituation，butamemberofthecitypolice。

Shewasdulyimpressedandeasilypersuadedtosecondallmyoperationsasfarasherpoorwitswouldallow，givingmefreerangeofherupperstory，andaboveall，promisingthatsecrecywithoutwhichallmyfinelylaidplansforcapturingtherogueswithoutraisingascandal，wouldfallheadlongtotheground。

Beholdme，then，bynoonofthatsamedaydomiciledinanapartmentnexttotheonewhosedoorborethatscarletsignwhichhadarousedwithinmesuchfeverishhopesthenightbefore。CladintheseedygarmentsofabrokendownFrenchartistwhoseacquaintanceIhadoncemade，withsomethingofhisairandgeneralappearanceandwithafewofhiswretcheddaubshungaboutonthewhitewashedwall，IcommencedwitheveryprospectofsuccessasIthought，thatquietespionageofthehallanditsinhabitantswhichIconsiderednecessarytoaproperattainmentoftheendIhadinview。

Arackingcoughwasoneofthepeculiaritiesofmyfriend，anddeterminedtoassumethecharacterintoto，Iallowedmyselftostartlethesilencenowandthenwithaseriesofgaspsandchokingsthatwhetheragreeableornot，certainlywereofacharactertoshowthatIhadnodesiretoconcealmypresencefromthoseIhadcomeamong。Indeeditwasmydesiretoacquaintthemasfullyandassoonaspossiblewiththefactoftheirhavinganeighbor:aweak-eyedhalf-aliveinnocenttobesure，butyetaneighborwhowouldkeephisdooropennightandday——forthewarmthofthehallofcourse——andwhowiththefretfulhabitofanoldmanwhohadoncebeenagentlemanandabeau，wentramblingaboutthroughthehallspeakingtothosehemetandexpectingacivilwordinreturn。Whenhewasnotramblingorcoughinghemadearchitecturalmonstersoutofcardboard，wherewithtotemptthepenniesoutofthepocketsofunwarychildren，anemploymentthatkepthimchainedtoasmalltableinthecentreofhisroomdirectlyoppositetheopendoor。

AsIexpectedIhadscarcelygivenwaytothreeseparatefitsofcoughing，whenthedoornextmeopenedwithajerkandaroughvoicecalledout，"Who"sthatmakingallthattodoabouthere?Ifyoudon"tstopthatinfernalnoiseinahurry——"

Asoftvoiceinterruptedhimandhedrewback。"Iwillgosee，"saidthosegentletones，andLuttraBlake，forIknewitwasshebeforetheskirtofherrobehadadvancedbeyondthedoor，steppedoutintothehall。

Iwasyetbentovermyworkwhenshepausedbeforeme。ThefactisI

didnotdarelookup，themomentwasoneofsuchimportancetome。

"Youhaveadreadfulcough，"saidshewiththatlowringofsympathyinhervoicethatgoesunconsciouslytotheheart。"Istherenohelpforit?"

Ipushedbackmywork，drewmyhandovermyeyes，(Ididnotneedtomakeittremble)andglancedup。"No，"saidIwithashakeofmyhead，"butitisnotalwayssobad。Ibegyourpardon，miss，ifitdisturbsyou。"

Shethrewbacktheshawlwhichshehadhelddrawntightlyoverherhead，andadvancedwithaneasyglidingstepclosetomyside。"Youdonotdisturbme，butmyfatheris——is，wellatriflecrosssometimes，andifheshouldspeakupalittleharshnowandthen，youmustnotmind。Iamsorryyouaresoill。"

Whatisthereinsomewomen"slook，somewomen"stouchthatmorethanallbeautygoestotheheartandsubduesit。Asshestoodtherebeforemeinherdarkworsteddressandcoarseshawl，withherlockssimplybraidedandherwholepersonundignifiedbyartandungracedbyornament，sheseemedjustbythepowerofherexpressionandthewitcheryofhermanner，theloveliestwomanIhadeverbeheld。

"Youarevereekind，vereegood，"Imurmured，halfashamedofmydisguise，thoughitwasassumedforthepurposeofrescuingher。

"Yoursympathygoestomyheart。"Thenasadeepgrowlofimpatiencerosefromtheroomatmyside，Imotionedhertogoandnotirritatethemanwhoseemedtohavesuchcontroloverher。

"Inaminute，"answeredshe，"firsttellmewhatyouaremaking。"

SoItoldherandinthecourseoftelling，letdropsuchotherfactsaboutmyfanciedlifeasIwishedtohaveknowntoherandthroughhertoherfather。Shelookedsweetlyinterestedandmorethanonceturneduponmethatdarkeye，ofwhichIhadheardsomuch，fulloftearsthatwereasmuchforme，scampthatIwas，asforherownsecrettrouble。Butthegrowlsbecomingmoreandmoreimpatientshespeedilyturnedtogo，repeating，however，asshedidso，"NowrememberwhatIsay，youarenottobetroublediftheydospeakcrosstoyou。Theymakenoiseenoughthemselvessometimes，asyouwilldoubtlessbeassuredofto-night。"

Andthelipswhichseemedtohavegrownstiffandcoldwithhermisery，actuallysoftenedintosomethinglikeasmile。

ThenodwhichIgaveherinreturnhadthesolemityofavowinit。

Mymindthusassuredastothecorrectnessofmysuspicions，andthewaythuspavedtothecarryingoutofmyplans，Iallowedsomefewdaystoelapsewithoutfurtheractiononmypart。Mymotivewastoacquaintmyselfasfullyaspossiblewiththehabitsandwaysofthesetwodesperatemen，beforemakingtheattempttocapturethemuponwhichsomanyinterestshung。ForwhileIfeltitwouldbehighlycreditabletomysagacity，aswellasvaluabletomyreputationasadetective，torestoretheseescapedconvictsinanywaypossibleintothehandsofjustice，mychiefambitionafterallwastosomanagetheaffairastosavethewifeofMr。Blake，notonlyfromtheconsequencesoftheirdespair，butfromthepublicityandscandalattendantupontheopenarrestoftwoheavilyarmedmen。Strategy，therefore，ratherthanforcewastobeemployed，andstrategytobesuccessfulmustbefoundeduponthemostthoroughknowledgeofthematterwithwhichonehastodeal。Threedays，then，didIgivetotheacquiringofthatknowledge，theresultofwhichwasthepossessionofthefollowingfacts。

1。Thatthelandladywasrightwhenshetoldmethegirlwasneverleftalone，oneofthemen，ifnotthefatherthentheson，alwaysremainingwithher。

2。Thatwhilethusguarded，shewasnotsorestrictedbutthatshehadthelibertyofwalkinginthehall，thoughneverforanylengthoftime。

3。Thatthecrossonthedoorseemedtopossesssomesecretmeaningconnectedwiththeirpresenceinthehouse，ithavingbeenerasedoneeveningwhenthewholethreewentoutonsomematterorother，onlytobechalkedonagainwheninanhourorsolater，fatheranddaughterreturnedalone。

4。Thatitwasthefatherandnotthesonwhomadesuchpurchasesaswereneeded，whileitwasthesonandnotthefatherwhocarriedonwhateveroperationstheyhadonhand；nightfallbeingthefavoritehourfortheoneandmidnightfortheother；thoughitnotinfrequentlyhappenedthatthelattersaunteredoutforashorttimealsointheafternoon，probablyforthedrinkhecouldnotgolongwithout。

5。Thattheyweremenofgreatstrengthbutlittlealertness；thestrayglimpsesIhadhadofthem，revealingabreadthofbackthatwastrulyformidable，ifithadnotbeenjoinedtoaheavinessofmotionthatproclaimedacertainstolidityofmindthatwaseminentlyinourfavor。

Howbesttousethesefactsinthebuildingupofamaturedplanofaction，was，then，theproblem。BynoonofacertaindayIbelievedittohavebeensolved，andreluctantasIwastoleavethespotofmyespionageevenforthehourortwonecessarytoavisittoheadquarters，Ifoundmyselfcompelledtodoso。PackingupinasmallbasketIhadforthepurpose，thelittlearticlesIhadbeenengagedduringthelastfewdaysinmaking，Igavewaytoafinalfitofcoughingsohollowaudsepulchuralinitstone，thatitawokeacursefromthenextroomdeepasthegrowlofawildbeast，andstillcontinuing，finallybroughtLuttratothedoorwiththatlookofcompassiononherfacethatalwayscalledupaflushtomycheekwhetherIwisheditorno。

"Ah，Monsieur，Iamafraidyourcoughisverybadto-day。OIsee；youhavebeengettingreadytogoout——"

"Comebackhere，"brokeinaheavyvoicefromtheroomshehadleft。

"Whatdoyoumeanbyrunningofftopalaverwiththatoldrascaleverytimeheopenshis——batteryofacough?"

Asmilethatwentthroughmelikethecutofaknife，flashedforamomentonherface。

"Myfatherisinoneofhisimpatientmoods，"saidshe，"youhadbettergo。Ihopeyouwillbesuccessful，"shemurmured，glancingwistfullyatmybasket。

"Whatisthat?"againcamethunderingonourears。"Successful?Whatareyoutwoupto?"Andweheardtheroughclatterofadvancingsteps。

"Go，"saidshe；"youareweakandold；andwhenyoucomeback，tryandnotcough。"Andshegavemeagentlepushtowardsthedoor。

"WhenIcomeback，"Ibegan，butwasforcedtopause，theelderSchoenmakerhavingbythistimereachedtheopendoorwaywherehestoodfrowninginuponusinawaythatmademyheartstandstillforher。

"Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?"saidhe；"andwhathaveyougotinyourbasketthere?"hecontinuedwithastrideforwardthatshookthefloor。

"Onlysomelittletoysthathehasbeenmaking，andisnowgoingouttosell，"washerlowanswergivenwithaquickdeprecatorygesturesuchasIdoubtifsheeverusedforherself。

"Nothingmore?"askedheinGermanwitharedglareintheeyeheturnedtowardsher。

"Nothingmore，"repliedsheinthesametongue。"Youmaybelieveme。"

Hegaveadeepgrowlandturnedaway。"Iftherewas，"saidhe，"youknowwhatwouldhappen。"Andunheedingthewildkeenshudderthatseizedherattheword，makingherinsensibleforthemomenttoallandeverythingabouther，helaidoneheavyhanduponherslightshoulderandledherfromtheroom。

Iwaitednolongerthanwasnecessarytocarrymyfeebleandfalteringstepsappropriatelydownthestairs，toreachthefloorbelowandgainthelandlady"spresence。

"Doyougoup，"saidI，"andsitonthosestairstillIcomeback。Ifyouheartheleastcryofpainorsoundofstrugglefromthatyounggirl"sroom，doyoucallatonceforhelp。Iwillhaveapolicemanstandingonthecornerbelow。"

Thegoodwomannoddedandproceededatoncetotakeupherwork-basket。"Luckythere"sawindowupthere，soIcansee，"I

heardhermutter。"I"venotimetothrowawayevenondeedsofcharity。"

Notwithstandingwhichprecaution，Iwasinconstantanxietyduringmyabsence；anabsencenecessarilyprolongedasIhadtostopandexplainmatterstotheSuperintendent，aswellashuntupMr。Gryceandgethisconsenttoassistmeinthematteroftheimpendingarrest。

Ifoundthelatterinhisownhomeandmorethanenthusiasticuponthesubject。

"Well，"saidheafterIhadinformedhimofthediscoveriesIhadmade，"thefatesseemtoprosperyouinthis。IhavenotreceivedaninklingoflightuponthemattersinceIpartedfromyouatMr。

Blake"shouse。BythewayIsawthatgentlemanthismorningandI

tellyouwewillfindhimagratefulmanifthisaffaircanberesolvedsatisfactorily，"

"Thatisgood，"saidI，"gratitudeiswhatwewant。"Thenshortly，"Perhapsitisnomorethanourdutytolethimknowthathiswifeissafeandundermyeye；thoughIwouldbynomeansadvocatehisknowingjusthownearhimsheis，tillthemomentcomeswhenheiswanted，orweshallhavealover"simpetuositytodealwithaswellasalltherest。"Thenwithahurriedrememberanceofapossiblecontingency，wentontosay，"But，bytheway，incaseweshouldneedthecooperationofMrs。Blakeinwhatwehavebeforeus，youhadbettergetalinewritteninFrenchfromMrs。Daniels，expressiveofherbeliefinMr。Blake"spresentaffectionforhiswife。Thelatterwillnototherwisetrustus，orunderstandthatwearetobeobeyedinwhateverwemaydemand。Letitbeunsignedandwithoutnamesincaseofaccident；andifthehousekeeperdon"tunderstandFrench，tellhertogetsomeonetohelpherthatdoes，onlybesurethatthehandwritingemployedisherown。

Mr。Gryceseemedtoperceivethewisdomofthisprecautionandpromisedtoprocuremesuchanotebyacertainhour，afterwhichI

relatedtohimthevariousotherdetailsofthecapturesuchasIhadplannedit，meetingtomysecretgratificationanunqualifiedapprovalthatwentfartowardsalleviatingthatwoundtomypridewhichIhadreceivedfromhiminthebeginningofthisaffair。

"Letallthingsproceedasyouhavedetermined，andweshallaccomplishsomethingthatitwillbealife-longsatisfactiontoremember，"saidhe；"butyoumustbepreparedforsometwistofthescrewwhichyoudonotanticipate。Ineverknewanythingtogooffjustasoneprognosticatesitmust，exceptonce，"headdedthoughtfully，"andthenitwaswithasurpriseattachedtoitthatwellnighupsetmenotwithstandingallmypreparations。"

"Youwonagreatsuccessthatday，"remarkedI。"Ihopethefateswillbeaspropitioustometo-morrow。Failurenowwouldbreakmyheart。"

"Butyouwon"tfail，"exclaimedhe。"Imyselfamresolvedtoseeyouthroughthismatterwithcredit。"

AndinthisassuranceIreturnedtomylodgingswhereIfoundthelandladysittingwhereIhadlefther，darninghertwenty-thirdsock。

"Ihavetomendforadozenmenandthreeboys，"saidshe，"andtheboysaretheworstbyaheapsight。Lookatthat，willyou，"holdingupadarnwithabitofstockingattached。"Thatholewasmadeplayingshinny。"

Iutteredmycondolencesandaskedifanysoundordisturbancehadreachedherearsfromabove。

"Ono，allisrightupthere；I"vescarcelyheardawhispersinceyou"vebeengone。"

Igaveherapatonthechinscarcelyconsistentwithmyagedandtotteringmienandproceededtoshamblepainfullytomyroom。

CHAPTERXVII

Promptlynextmorningatthedesignatedhour，camethelittlenotepromisedmebyMr。Gryce。Itwasputinmyhandwithmanyslywinksbythelandladyherself，whodevelopedatthiscrisisquiteanadaptationfor，ifnotabsoluteloveofintrigueandmystery。Glancingoverit——itwasunsealed——andfindingitentirelyunintelligible，I

tookitforgranteditwasallrightandputitbytillchance，orifthatfailed，strategy，shouldgivemeanopportunitytocommunicatewithMrs。Blake。Anhourpassed；thedoorsoftheirroomsremainedunclosed。Ahalfhourmoredraggeditsslowminutesaway，andnosoundhadcomefromtheirprecinctssavenowandthenamumbledwordofparleybetweenthefatherandson，ashortcommandtothedaughter，oranot-to-be-restrainedoathofannoyancefromoneorbothoftheheavy-limbedbrutesassomethingwassaidordonetodisturbthemintheirindolentrepose。Atlastmyimpatiencewastobenolongerrestrained。Rising，Itookaboldresolution。IfthemountainwouldnotcometoMahomet，Mahometwouldgotothemountain。Takingmyletterinthehand，Ideliberatelyproceededtothedoormarkedwiththeominousredcrossandknocked。

Asurprisedsnarlfromwithin，followedbyasuddenshufflingoffeetasthetwomenleapeduprightfromwhatIpresumehadbeenarecumbentposition，warnedmetobereadytofacedefianceifnotthefuryofdespair；andcurbingwithadeterminedefforttheslightsinkingofheartnaturaltoamanofmymakeonthethresholdofaverydoubtfuladventure，Iawaitedwithasmuchapparentunconcernaspossible，thequickadvanceofthatlightfootwhichseemedtobereadytoperformallthebiddingsofthesehardenedwretches，muchasitshrunkfromfollowinginthewaysoftheirinfamy。

"Ahmiss，"saidI，asthedooropenedrevealinginthegapherwhitefacecloudedwithsomenewandsuddenapprehension，"IbegyourpardonbutIamanoldman，andIgotaletterto-dayandmyeyesaresoweakwiththeworkI"vebeendoingthatIcannotreadit。ItisfromsomeoneIlove，andwouldyoubesokindastoreadoffthewordsformeandsorelieveanoldmanfromhisanxiety。"

Themurmurofsuspicionbehindher，warnedhertothrowwideopenthedoor。"Certainly，"saidshe，"ifIcan，"takingthepaperinherhand。

"Justletmegetasquintatthatfirst，"saidasullenvoicebehindher；andtheyoungestofthetwoSchoenmakerssteppedforwardandtorethepaperoutofhergrasp。

"Youaretoosuspicious，"murmuredshe，lookingafterhimwiththefirstassumptionofthatairofpoweranddeterminationwhichIhadheardsoeloquentlydescribedbythemanwholovedher。"Thereisnothinginthoselineswhichconcernsus；letmehavethemback。"

"Youholdyourtongue，"wasthebrutalreplyastheroughmanopenedthefoldedpaperandreadortriedtoreadwhatwaswrittenwithin。

"Blastit!it"sFrench，"washisslowexclamationafteramomentspentinthisway。"See，"andhethrustittowardshisfatherwhostoodfrowningheavilyafewfeetoff。

"Ofcourse，it"sFrench，"criedthegirl。"WouldyouwriteanoteinEnglishtofatherthere?Theman"sfriendsareFrenchlikehimself，andmustwriteintheirownlanguage。"

"Heretakeitandreaditout，"commandedherfather；"andmindyoutelluswhatitmeans。I"llhavenothinggoingonherethatIdon"tunderstand。"

"ReadmetheFrenchwordsfirst，miss，"saidI。"ItismyletterandI

wanttoknowwhatmyfriendhastosaytome。"

Noddingatmewithagentlelook，shecasthereyesonthepaperandbegantoread:

"Calmezvous，monamie，ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Allousducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。"

"Thanks!"Iexclaimedinacalmmatter-of-factwayasIperceivedthesuddentremorthatseizedherassherecognizedthehandwritingandrealizedthatthewordswereforher。"Myfriendsayshewillpaymyweek"srentandbidsmebeathometoreceivehim，"saidI，turninguponthetwoferociousfacespeeringoverhershoulder，withalookofmeekunsuspiciousnessinmyeye，thatinatheatrewouldhavebroughtdownthehouse。

"Isthatwhatthosewordssay，you?"askedthefather，pointingoverhershouldertothepapersheheld。

"Iwilltranslateforyouwordbywordwhatitsays，"repliedshe，nervingherselfforthecrisistillherfacewaslikemarble，thoughIcouldseeshecouldnotpreventthegleamofsecretrapturethathadvisitedher，fromflashingfitfullyacrossit。"Calmezvous，monamie。Donotbeafraid，myfriend。Ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。

Helovesyouandishuntingforyou。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Infourhoursyouwillbehappy。Allonsducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。Thentakecourageandaboveallpreserveyourself-possession。ItistheFrenchwayofexpressingone"sself，"observedshe。"Iamgladyourfriendisdisposedtohelpyou，"shecontinued，givingmebacktheletterwithasmile。"Iamafraidyouneededit。"

InasortofmazeIfoldeduptheletter，bowedmyveryhumblethankstoherandshuffledslowlyback。ThefactisIhadnowords；Iwasutterlydumbfounded。Halfwaythroughthatletter，withwhosecontentsyoumustrememberIwasunacquainted，Iwouldhavegivenmywholechanceofexpectedrewardtohavestoppedher。Readoutsuchwordsasthosebeforethesemen!Wasshecrazy?ButhownaturallyattheconclusiondidshewithawordmakeitslanguageseemconsistentwiththemeaningIhadgivenit。Withafreshsenseofmyobligationtoher，Ihurriedtomyroom，theretocountouttheminutesofanotherlonghourinanxiousexpectationofhermakingthatendeavortocommunicatewithme，whichhernewhopesandfearsmustforcehertofeelalmostnecessarytoherexistence。Atlength，myconfidenceinherwasrewarded。Comingoutintothehall，shehurriedpastmydoor，herfingeronherlip。Iimmediatelyroseandstoodonthethresholdwithanotherpaperinmyhand，whichIhadpreparedagainstthisopportunity。Assheglidedback，Iputitinherhand，andwarningherwithalooknottospeak，resumedmyusualoccupation。ThewordsIhadwrittenwereasfollows:

Atorasnearthetimeaspossibleofyourbrother"sgoingout，youaretocometothisroomwrappedinanextraskirtandwithyourshawloveryourhead。Leavetheskirtandshawlbehindyou，andwithdrawatoncetotheroomattheheadofthestairs。Youarenottospeak，andyouarenottovaryfromtheplanthuslaiddown。Yourbrotherandfatheraretobearrested，whetherorno；