第2章

Now，whathavewetogoupon？“

“Youareright，butnotexpectingtohaveanydifficultyabouttheinsurancemoneyIthoughtitwouldbegenerousinmetokeepstill。Besides，thisisonlysurmiseonmypart。Ifeelcertainthatmyhusbandwasshotbyanotherhandthanhisown，butIknowofnowayofprovingit。Doyou？“

ThenViolettalkedseriouslywithher，explaininghowtheironlyhopelayinthediscoveryofasecondbulletintheroomwhichhadalreadybeenransackedforthisverypurposeandwithouttheshadowofaresult。

Atea，amusicale，andaneveningdancekeptVioletStrangeinawhirlfortheremainderoftheday。Nobrightereyenormorecontagiouswitlentbrilliancetotheseoccasions，butwiththepassingofthemidnighthournoonewhohadseenherintheblazeofelectriclightswouldhaverecognizedthisfavouredchildoffortuneintheearnestfiguresittingintheobscurityofanup-townapartment，studyingthewalls，theceilings，andthefloorsbythedimlightofaloweredgas-jet。VioletStrangeinsocietywasaverydifferentpersonfromVioletStrangeunderthetensionofhersecretandpeculiarwork。

Shehadtoldthemathomethatshewasgoingtospendthenightwithafriend；butonlyheroldcoachmanknewwhothatfriendwas。Thereforeaverynaturalsenseofguiltmingledwithheremotionsatfindingherselfaloneonascenewhosegruesomemysteryshecouldsolveonlybyidentifyingherselfwiththeplaceandthemanwhohadperishedthere。

Dismissingfromhermindallthoughtofself，shestrovetothinkashethought，andactasheactedonthenightwhenhefoundhimself(amanofbutlittlecourage)leftinthisroomwithanailingchild。

Atoddswithhimself，hiswife，andpossiblywiththechildscreamingawayinitscrib，whatwouldhebeapttodoinhispresentemergency？Nothingatfirst，butasthescreamingcontinuedhewouldremembertheoldtalesoffatherswalkingtheflooratnightwithcryingbabies，andhastentofollowsuit。

Violet，inheranxietytoreachhisinmostthought，crossedtowherethecribhadstood，and，takingthatasastart，beganpacingtheroominsearchofthespotfromwhichabullet，ifshot，wouldglanceasidefromthemirrorinthedirectionofthewindow。(NotthatshewasreadytoacceptthistheoryofMrs。

Hammond，butthatshedidnotwishtoentirelydismissitwithoutputtingittothetest。)

Shefounditinanunexpectedquarteroftheroomandmuchnearerthebed-headthanwherehisbodywasfound。This，whichmightseemtoconfusematters，served，onthecontrarytoremovefromthecaseoneofitsmostseriousdifficulties。Standinghere，hewaswithinreachofthepillowunderwhichhispistollayhidden，andifstartled，ashiswifebelievedhimtohavebeenbyanoiseattheotherendoftheroom，hadbuttocrouchandreachbehindhiminordertofindhimselfarmedandreadyforapossibleintruder。

Imitatinghisactioninthisasinotherthings，shehadherselfcrouchedlowatthebedsideandwasonthepointofwithdrawingherhandfromunderthepii1ow，whenanewsurprisecheckedhermovementandheldherfixedinherposition，witheyesstaringstraightattheadjoiningwall。Shehadseentherewhathemusthaveseeninmakingthissameturn——thedarkbarsoftheoppositewindow-frameoutlinedinthemirror——andunderstoodatoncewhathadhappened。Inthenervousnessandterrorofthemoment，GeorgeHammondhadmistakenthisreflectionofthewindowforthewindowitself，andshotimpulsivelyatthemanheundoubtedlysawcoveringhimfromthetrelliswithout。Butwhilethisexplainedtheshatteringofthemirror，howabouttheotherandstillmorevitalquestion，ofwherethebulletwentafterward？Wastheangleatwhichithadbeenfiredacuteenoughtosenditoutofawindowdiagonallyopposed？No；evenifthepistolhadbeenheldclosertothemanfiringitthanshehadreasontobelieve，theanglestillwouldbeobliqueenoughtocarryitontothefurtherwall。

Butnosignofanysuchimpacthadbeendiscoveredonthiswall。

Consequently，theforceofthebullethadbeenexpendedbeforereachingit，andwhenitfell——

Here，herglance，slowlytravelingalongthefloor，impetuouslypaused。Ithadreachedthespotwherethetwobodieshadbeenfound，andunconsciouslyhereyesrestedthere，conjuringupthepictureofthebleedingfatherandthestrangledchild。Howpiteousandhowdreadfulitallwas。Ifshecouldonlyunderstand——Suddenlysherosestraightup，staringandimmovableinthedimlight。Hadtheidea——theexplanation——theonlypossibleexplanationcoveringthewholephenomenacometoheratlast？

Itwouldseemso，forasshesostood，alookofconvictionsettledoverherfeatures，andwiththislook，evidencesofahorrorwhichforallherfastaccumulatingknowledgeoflifeanditspossibilitiesmadeherappearverysmallandveryhelpless。

Ahalf-hourlater，whenMrs。Hammond，inheranxietyathearingnothingmorefromMissStrange，openedthedoorofherroom，itwastofind，lyingontheedgeofthesill，thelittledetective”scardwiththesewordshastilywrittenacrossit：

IdonotfeelaswellasIcouldwish，andsohavetelephonedtomyowncoachmantocomeandtakemehome。Iwilleitherseeorwriteyouwithinafewdays。Butdonotallowyourselftohope。

Iprayyoudonotallowyourselftheleasthope；theoutcomeisstillveryproblematical。

WhenViolet”semployerenteredhisofficethenextmorningitwastofindaveiledfigureawaitinghimwhichheatoncerecognizedasthatofhislittledeputy。Shewasslowinliftingherveilandwhenitfinallycamefreehefeltamomentarydoubtastohiswisdomingivingherjustsuchamatterasthistoinvestigate。Hewasquitesureofhismistakewhenhesawherface，itwassodrawnandpitiful。

“Youhavefailed，“saidhe。

“Ofthatyoumustjudge，“sheanswered；anddrawingnearshewhisperedinhisear。

“No！“hecriedinhisamazement。

“Think，“shemurmured，“think。Onlysocanallthefactsbeaccountedfor。”

“Iwilllookintoit；Iwillcertainlylookintoit，“washisearnestreply。“Ifyouareright——Butnevermindthat。GohomeandtakeahorsebackrideinthePark。WhenIhavenewsinregardtothisIwillletyouknow。Tillthenforgetitall。Hearme，I

chargeyoutoforgeteverythingbutyourballsandyourparties。”

AndVioletobeyedhim。

Somefewdaysafterthis，thefollowingstatementappearedinallthepapers：

“Owingtosomeremarkableworkdonebythefirmof——&——，thewell-knownprivatedetectiveagency，theclaimmadebyMrs。

GeorgeHammondagainsttheShulerLifeInsuranceCompanyislikelytobeallowedwithoutfurtherlitigation。Asourreaderswillremember，thecontestanthasinsistedfromthefirstthatthebulletcausingherhusband”sdeathcamefromanotherpistolthantheonefoundclutchedinhisownhand。Butwhilereasonswerenotlackingtosubstantiatethisassertion，thefailuretodiscovermorethanthedisputedtrackofasecondbulletledtoaverdictofsuicide，andarefusalofthecompanytopay。

“Butnowthatbullethasbeenfound。Andwhere？Inthemoststartlingplaceintheworld，viz。：inthelarynxofthechildfoundlyingdeaduponthefloorbesidehisfather，strangledaswassupposedbytheweightofthatfather”sarm。Thetheoryis，andthereseemstobenoneother，thatthefather，hearingasuspiciousnoiseatthewindow，setdownthechildhewasendeavouringtosootheandmadeforthebedandhisownpistol，and，mistakingareflectionoftheassassinfortheassassinhimself，senthisshotsidewiseatamirrorjustastheotherletgothetriggerwhichdroveasimilarbulletintohisbreast。Thecourseoftheonewasstraightandfatalandthatoftheotherdeflected。Strikingthemirroratanobliqueangle，thebulletfelltothefloorwhereitwaspickedupbythecrawlingchild，and，aswasmostnatural，thrustatonceintohismouth。Perhapsitfelthottothelittletongue；perhapsthechildwassimplyfrightenedbysomeconvulsivemovementofthefatherwhoevidentlyspenthislastmomentinanendeavourtoreachthechild，but，whateverthecause，inthequickgaspitgave，thebulletwasdrawnintothelarynx，stranglinghim。

“Thatthefather”sarm，inhislaststruggle，shouldhavefallendirectlyacrossthelittlethroatisoneofthoseanomalieswhichconfoundsreasonandmisleadsjusticebystoppinginvestigationattheverypointwheretruthliesandmysterydisappears。

“Mrs。Hammondistobecongratulatedthattherearedetectiveswhodonotgivetoomuchcredencetooutwardappearances。”

Weexpectsoontohearofthecaptureofthemanwhospedhomethedeath-dealingbullet。

ENDOFPROBLEMII

PROBLEMIII

ANINTANGIBLECLUE

“Haveyoustudiedthecase？“

“NotI。”

“Notstudiedthecasewhichforthelastfewdayshasprovidedthepaperswithsuchconspicuousheadlines？“

“Idonotreadthepapers。Ihavenotlookedatoneinawholeweek。”

“MissStrange，yoursocialengagementsmustbeofaverypressingnaturejustnow？“

“Theyare。”

“Andyourbusinesssenseinabeyance？“

“Howso？“

“Youwouldnotaskifyouhadreadthepapers。”

Tothisshemadenoreplysavebyaslighttossofherprettyhead。Ifheremployerfeltnettledbythisshowofindifference，hedidnotbetrayitsavebytherapidityofhistonesas，withoutfurtherpreambleandpossiblywithoutrealexcuse，heproceededtolaybeforeherthecaseinquestion。“LastTuesdaynightawomanwasmurderedinthiscity；anoldwoman，inalonelyhousewhereshehaslivedforyears。Perhapsyourememberthishouse？ItoccupiesanotinconspicuoussiteinSeventeenthStreet——ahouseoftheoldentime？“

“No，Idonotremember。”

TheextremecarelessnessofMissStrange”stonewouldhavebeenfataltohersocially；butthen，shewouldneverhaveuseditsocially。Thistheybothknew，yethesmiledwithhiscustomaryindulgence。

“ThenIwilldescribeit。”

Shelookedaroundforachairandsankintoit。Hedidthesame。

“Ithasafanlightoverthefrontdoor。”

Sheremainedimpassive。

“Andtwoold-fashionedstripsofparti-colouredglassoneitherside。”

“Andaknockerbetweenitspanelswhichmaybringmoneysomeday。”

“Oh，youdoremember！Ithoughtyouwould，MissStrange。”

“Yes。FanlightsoverdoorsarebecomingveryrareinNewYork。”

“Verywell，then。ThathousewasthesceneofTuesday”stragedy。

Thewomanwhohaslivedthereinsolitudeforyearswasfoullymurdered。Ihavesinceheardthatthepeoplewhoknewherbesthavealwaysanticipatedsomesuchviolentendforher。Sheneverallowedmaidorfriendtoremainwithherafterfiveintheafternoon；yetshehadmoney——somethinkagreatdeal——alwaysinthehouse。”

“Iaminterestedinthehouse，notinher。”

“Yet，shewasacharacter——asfullofwhimsandcrotchetsasanutisofmeat。Herdeathwashorrible。Shefought——herdresswastornfromherbodyinrags。Thishappened，yousee，beforeherhourforretiring；somethinkasearlyassixintheafternoon。

And“——herehemadearapidgesturetocatchViolet”swanderingattention”inspiteofthisstruggle；inspiteofthefactthatshewasdraggedfromroomtoroom——thatherpersonwassearched——

andeverythinginthehousesearched——thatdrawerswerepulledoutofbureaus——doorswrenchedoffofcupboards——chinasmasheduponthefloor——wholeshelvesdenudedandnotaspotfromcellartogarretleftunransacked，nodirectcluetotheperpetratorhasbeenfound——nothingthatgivesanyideaofhispersonalitysavehisdisplayofstrengthandgreatcupidity。Thepolicehaveevendeignedtoconsultme，——anunusualprocedure——butIcouldfindnothing，either。Evidencesoffiendishpurposeabound——ofrelentlesssearch——butnocluetothemanhimself。It”suncommon，isn”tit，nottohaveanyclue？“

“Isupposeso。”MissStrangehatedmurdersanditwaswithdifficultyshecouldbebroughttodiscussthem。Butshewasnotgoingtobeletoff；notthistime。

“Yousee，“heproceededinsistently，“it”snotonlymortifyingtothepolicebutdisappointingtothepress，especiallyasfewreportersbelieveintheNo-thoroughfarebusiness。Theysay，andwecannotbutagreewiththem，thatnosuchstrugglecouldtakeplaceandnosuchrepeatedgoingstoandfrothroughthehousewithoutsomevestigebeingleftbywhichtoconnectthiscrimewithitsdaringperpetrator。”

Stillshestareddownatherhands——thoselittlehandssowhiteandfluttering，soseeminglyhelplessundertheweightoftheirmanyrings，andyetsoslylycapable。

“Shemusthavequeerneighbours，“cameatlast，fromMissStrange”sreluctantlips。“Didn”ttheyhearorseeanythingofallthis？“

“Shehasnoneighbours——thatis，afterhalf-pastfiveo”clock。

There”saprintingestablishmentononesideofher，adesertedmansionontheotherside，andnothingbutwarehousesbackandfront。Therewasnoonetonoticewhattookplaceinhersmalldwellingaftertheprintinghousewasclosed。Shewasthemostcourageousorthemostfoolishofwomentoremainthereasshedid。Butnothingexceptdeathcouldbudgeher。Shewasbornintheroomwhereshedied；wasmarriedintheonewheresheworked；

sawhusband，father，mother，andfivesisterscarriedoutinturntotheirgravesthroughthedoorwiththefanlightoverthetop——

andthesememoriesheldher。”

“Youaretryingtointerestmeinthewoman。Don”t。”

“No，I”mnottryingtointerestyouinher，onlytryingtoexplainher。Therewasanotherreasonforherremainingwhereshedidsolongafterallresidentshadlefttheblock。Shehadabusiness。”

“Oh！“

“Sheembroideredmonogramsforfineladies。”

“Shedid？Butyouneedn”tlookatmelikethat。Sheneverembroideredanyforme。”

“No？Shedidfirst-classwork。Isawsomeofit。MissStrange，ifIcouldgetyouintothathousefortenminutes——nottoseeherbuttopickupthelooseintangiblethreadwhichIamsureisfloatingaroundinitsomewhere——wouldn”tyougo？“

Violetslowlyrose——amovementwhichhefollowedtotheletter。

“MustIexpressinwordsthelimitIhavesetformyselfinouraffair？“sheasked。“When，forreasonsIhaveneverthoughtmyselfcalledupontoexplain，Iconsentedtohelpyoualittlenowandthenwithsomematterwhereawoman”stactandknowledgeofthesocialworldmighttellwithoutoffencetoherselforothers，Ineverthoughtitwouldbenecessaryformetostatethattemptationmuststopwithsuchcases，orthatIshouldnotbeaskedtotouchthesordidorthebloody。ButitseemsIwasmistaken，andthatImuststooptobeexplicit。ThewomanwhowaskilledonTuesdaymighthaveinterestedmegreatlyasanembroiderer，butasavictim，notatall。Whatdoyouseeinme，ormissinme，thatyoushoulddragmeintoanatmosphereoflow-

downcrime？“

“Nothing，MissStrange。Youarebynature，aswellasbybreeding，veryfarremovedfromeverythingofthekind。Butyouwillallowmetosuggestthatnocrimeislow-downwhichmakesimperativedemandupontheintellectandintuitivesenseofitsinvestigator。OnlythemostdelicatetouchcanfeelandholdthethreadI”vejustspokenof，andyouhavethemostdelicatetouchIknow。”

“Donotattempttoflatterme。Ihavenofancyforhandlingbefouledspiderwebs。Besides，ifIhad——ifsuchelusivefilamentsfascinatedme——howcouldI，well-knowninpersonandname，enteruponsuchascenewithoutprejudicetoourmutualcompact？“

“MissStrange“——shehadreseatedherself，butsofarhehadfailedtofollowherexample(anignoringofthesubtlehintthatherinterestmightyetbecaught，whichseemedtoannoyheratrifle)，“IshouldnotevenhavesuggestedsuchapossibilityhadInotseenawayofintroducingyoutherewithoutrisktoyourpositionormine。AmongtheboxespileduponMrs。

Doolittle”stable——boxesoffinishedwork，mostofthemaddressedandreadyfordelivery——wasoneonwhichcouldbeseenthenameof——shallImentionit？“

“Notmine？Youdon”tmeanmine？Thatwouldbetooodd——tooridiculouslyodd。Ishouldnotunderstandacoincidenceofthatkind；no，Ishouldnot，notwithstandingthefactthatIhavelatelysentoutsuchworktobedone。”

“Yetitwasyourname，veryclearlyandpreciselywritten——yourwholename，MissStrange。Isawandreaditmyself。”

“ButIgavetheordertoMadamePirotonFifthAvenue。Howcamemythingstobefoundinthehouseofthiswomanofwhosehorribledeathwehavebeentalking？“

“DidyousupposethatMadamePirotdidsuchworkwithherownhands？——orevenhaditdoneinherownestablishment？Mrs。

Doolittlewasuniversallyemployed。Sheworkedforadozenfirms。

Youwillfindthebiggestnamesonmostofherpackages。Butonthisone——Ialludetotheoneaddressedtoyou——therewasmoretobeseenthanthename。Thesewordswerewrittenonitinanotherhand。Sendwithoutopening。Thisstruckthepoliceassuspicious；

sufficientlyso，atleast，forthemtodesireyourpresenceatthehouseassoonasyoucanmakeitconvenient。”

“Toopenthebox？“

“Exactly。”

ThecurlofMissStrange”sdisdainfullipwasasighttosee。

“Youwrotethosewordsyourself，“shecoollyobserved。“Whilesomeone”sbackwasturned，youwhippedoutyourpenciland”

“Resortedtoaverypardonablesubterfugehighlyconducivetothepublic”sgood。Butnevermindthat。Willyougo？“

MissStrangebecamesuddenlydemure。

“IsupposeImust，“shegrudginglyconceded。“Howeverobtained，asummonsfromthepolicecannotbeignoredevenbyPeterStrange”sdaughter。”

Anothermanmighthavedisplayedhistriumphbysmileorgesture；

butthisonehadlearnedhisroletoowell。Hesimplysaid：

“Verygood。Shallitbeatonce？Ihaveataxiatthedoor。”

Butshefailedtoseethenecessityofanysuchhurry。Withsuddendignityshereplied：

“Thatwon”tdo。IfIgotothishouseitmustbeundersuitableconditions。Ishallhavetoaskmybrothertoaccompanyme。”

“Yourbrother！“

“Oh，he”ssafe。He——heknows。”

“Yourbrotherknows？“Hervisitor，withlesscontrolthanusual，betrayedveryopenlyhisuneasiness。

“Hedoesand——approves。Butthat”snotwhatinterestsusnow，onlysofarasitmakesitpossibleformetogowithproprietytothatdreadfulhouse。”

Aformalbowfromtheotherandthewords：

“Theymayexpectyou，then。Canyousaywhen？“

“Withinthenexthour。Butitwillbeauselessconcessiononmypart，“shepettishlycomplained。“Aplacethathasbeengoneoverbyadozendetectivesisapttobebrushedcleanofitscobwebs，evenifsucheverexisted。”

“That”sthedifficulty，“heacknowledged；anddidnotdaretoaddanotherword；shewasatthatparticularmomentsoverymuchthegreatlady，andsolittlehisconfidentialagent。

Hemighthavebeenlessimpressed，however，bythissuddenassumptionofmanner，hadhebeensofortunateastohaveseenhowsheemployedthethreequartersofanhour”sdelayforwhichshehadasked。

Shereadthoseneglectednewspapers，especiallytheonecontainingthefollowinghighlycolourednarrationofthisghastlycrime：

“Adoorajar——anemptyhall——alineofsinisterlookingblotchesmarkingaguiltystepdiagonallyacrosstheflagging——silence——

andanunmistakableodourrepugnanttoallhumanity，——suchweretheindicationswhichmettheeyesofOfficerO”Learyonhisfirstroundlastnight，andledtothediscoveryofamurderwhichwilllongthrillthecitybyitsmysteryandhorror。

“Boththehouseandthevictimarewellknown。”HerefollowedadescriptionofthesameandofMrs。Doolittle”smanneroflifeinherancienthome，whichViolethurriedlypassedovertocometothefollowing：

“Asfarasonecanjudgefromappearances，thecrimehappenedinthiswise：Mrs。Doolittlehadbeeninherkitchen，asthetea-

kettlefoundsingingonthestovegoestoprove，andwascomingbackthroughherbedroom，whenthewretch，whohadstoleninbythefrontdoorwhich，tosavesteps，shewasunfortunatelyinthehabitofleavingonthelatchtillallpossibilityofcustomersforthedaywasover，spranguponherfrombehindanddealtheraswingingblowwiththepokerhehadcaughtupfromthehearthstone。

“Whetherthestrugglewhichensuedfollowedimmediatelyuponthisfirstattackorcamelater，itwilltakemedicalexpertstodetermine。But，wheneveritdidoccur，thefiercenessofitscharacterisshownbythegriptakenuponherthroatandthetracesofbloodwhicharetobeseenalloverthehouse。Ifthewretchhadluggedherintoherworkroomandthencetothekitchen，andthencebacktothespotoffirstassault，theevidencescouldnothavebeenmoreghastly。Bitsofherclothingtornoffbyaruthlesshand，layscatteredoverallthesefloors。

Inherbedroom，whereshefinallybreathedherlast，therecouldbeseenmingledwiththeseanumberoflargebutworthlessglassbeads；andcloseagainstoneofthebase-boards，thestringwhichhadheldthem，asshownbythefewremainingbeadsstillclingingtoit。Ifinpullingthestringfromherneckhehadhopedtolightuponsomevaluablebooty，hisfuryathisdisappointmentisevident。Youcanalmostseethefrenzywithwhichheflungthewould-benecklaceatthewall，andkickedaboutandstampeduponitsrapidlyrollingbeads。

“Booty！Thatwaswhathewasafter；tofindandcarryawaythepoorneedlewoman”ssupposedhoardings。Ifthescenebafflesdescription——if，assomebelieve，hedraggedheryetlivingfromspottospot，demandinginformationastoherplacesofconcealmentunderthreatofrepeatedblows，and，finallybaffled，dealtthefinishingstrokeandproceededonthesearchalone，nogreaterdevastationcouldhavetakenplaceinthispoorwoman”shouseoreffects。Yetsuchwashisprecautionandcareforhimselfthatheleftnofinger-printbehindhimnoranyothertokenwhichcouldleadtopersonalidentification。EventhoughhisfootstepscouldbetracedinmuchtheorderIhavementioned，theywereofsoindeterminateandshapelessacharacterastoconveylittletotheintelligenceoftheinvestigator。

“Thatthesesmears(theycouldnotbecalledfootprints)notonlycrossedthehallbutappearedinmorethanoneplaceonthestaircaseprovesthathedidnotconfinehissearchtothelowerstorey；andperhapsoneofthemostinterestingfeaturesofthecaseliesintheindicationsgivenbythesemarksoftheragingcoursehetookthroughtheseupperrooms。Astheaccompanyingdiagramwillshow[weomitthediagram]hewentfirstintothelargefrontchamber，thencetotherearwherewefindtworooms，oneunfinishedandfilledwithaccumulatedstuffmostofwhichheleftlyinglooseuponthefloor，andtheotherplastered，andcontainingawindowopeninguponanalley-wayattheside，butemptyofallfurnitureandwithoutevenacarpetonthebareboards。

“Whyheshouldhaveenteredthelatterplace，andwhy，havingenteredheshouldhavecrossedtothewindow，willbeplaintothosewhohavestudiedtheconditions。Thefrontchamberwindowsweretightlyshuttered，theatticonescumberedwithboxesandshieldedfromapproachbyoldbureausanddiscardedchairs。Thisoneonlywasfreeand，althoughdarkenedbytheproximityofthehouseneighbouringitacrossthealley，wastheonlyspotonthestoreywheresufficientlightcouldbehadatthislatehourfortheexaminationofanyobjectofwhosevaluehewasdoubtful。

Thathehadcomeacrosssuchanobjectandhadbroughtittothiswindowforsomesuchpurposeisverysatisfactorilydemonstratedbythediscoveryofawornoutwalletofancientmakelyingonthefloordirectlyinfrontofthiswindow——aproofofhiscupiditybutalsoproofofhisill-luck。Forthiswallet，whenliftedandopened，wasfoundtocontaintwohundredormoredollarsinoldbills，which，ifnotthefullhoardoftheirindustriousowner，wascertainlyworththetakingbyonewhohadriskedhisneckforthesolepurposeoftheft。

“Thiswallet，andtheflightOfthemurdererwithoutit，givetothisaffair，otherwisesimplybrutal，adramaticinterestwhichwillbeappreciatednotonlybytheveryabledetectivesalreadyhotuponthechase，butbyallotherinquiringmindsanxioustosolveamysteryofwhichsoestimableawomanhasbeentheunfortunatevictim。Aproblemispresentedtothepolice”

ThereVioletstopped。

When，notlongafter，thesuperblimousineofPeterStrangestoppedbeforethelittlehouseinseventeenthStreet，itcausedaveritablesensation，notonlyinthecuriosity-mongerslingeringonthesidewalk，buttothetwopersonswithin——theofficeronguardandabelatedreporter。

Thoughdressedinherplainestsuit，VioletStrangelookedmuchtoofashionableandfartooyoungandthoughtlesstobeobserved，withoutemotion，enteringasceneofhideousandbrutalcrime。

Eventheyoungmanwhoaccompaniedherpromisedtobringamostincongruouselementintothisatmosphereofguiltandhorror，and，asthedetectiveonguardwhisperedtothemanbesidehim，mightmuchbetterhavebeenleftbehindinthecar。

ButVioletwasgreatfortheproprietiesandyoungArthurfollowedherin。

Herentrancewasacoupdutheatre。Shehadliftedherveilincrossingthesidewalkandherinterestingfeaturesandgeneralairoftimiditywereveryfetching。Asthemanholdingopenthedoornotedtheimpressionmadeuponhiscompanion，hemutteredwithslyfacetiousness：

“Youthinkyou”llshowhernothing；butI”mreadytobetafiverthatshe”llwanttoseeitallandthatyou”llshowittoher。”

Thedetective”sgrinwasexpressive，notwithstandingtheshrugwithwhichhetriedtocarryitoff。

AndViolet？Thehallintowhichshenowsteppedfromthemostvividsunlighthadneverbeenconsideredeveninitspalmiestdaysaspossessingcheerevenofthestatelykind。Theghastlygreenlightinfusedthroughitbythecolouredglassoneithersideofthedoorwayseemedtopromiseyetmoredismalthingsbeyond。

“MustIgointhere？“sheasked，pointing，withanadmirablesimulationofnervousexcitement，toahalf-shutdooratherleft。“Istherewhereithappened？Arthur，doyousupposethatthereiswhereithappened？“

“No，no，Miss，“theofficermadehastetoassureher。“IfyouareMissStrange“(Violetbowed)，“Ineedhardlysaythatthewomanwasstruckinherbedroom。Thedoorbesideyouleadsintotheparlour，orasshewouldhavecalledit，herwork-room。Youneedn”tbeafraidofgoinginthere。Youwillseenothingbutthedisorderofherboxes。Theywereprettywellpulledabout。Notallofthemthough，“headded，watchingherascloselyasthedimlightpermitted。“Thereisonewhichgivesnosignofhavingbeentamperedwith。Itwasdoneupinwrappingpaperandisaddressedtoyou，whichinitselfwouldnothaveseemedworthyofourattentionhadnottheselinesbeenscribbledonitinaman”shandwriting：”Sendwithoutopening。”“

“Howodd！“exclaimedthelittleminxwithwidelyopenedeyesandanairofguilelessinnocence。“Whatevercanitmean？NothingseriousIamsure，forthewomandidnotevenknowme。ShewasemployedtodothisworkbyMadamePirot。”

“Didn”tyouknowthatitwastobedonehere？“

“No。IthoughtMadamePirot”sowngirlsdidherembroideryforher。”

“Sothatyouweresurprised”

“Wasn”tI！“

“Togetourmessage。”

“Ididn”tknowwhattomakeofit。”

Theearnest，half-injuredlookwithwhichsheutteredthisdisclaimer，diditsappointedwork。Thedetectiveacceptedherforwhatsheseemedand，oblivioustothereporter”ssatiricalgesture，crossedtothework-roomdoor，whichhethrewwideopenwiththeremark：

“Ishouldbegladtohaveyouopenthatboxinourpresence。Itisundoubtedlyallright，butwewishtobesure。Youknowwhattheboxshouldcontain？“

“Oh，yes，indeed；pillow-casesandsheets，withabigS

embroideredonthem。”

“Verywell。ShallIundothestringforyou？“

“Ishallbemuchobliged，“saidshe，hereyeflashingquicklyabouttheroombeforesettlingdownupontheknothewasdeftlyloosening。

Herbrother，gazingindifferentlyinfromthedoorway，hardlynoticedthislook；butthereporterathisbackdid，thoughhefailedtodetectitspenetratingquality。

“Yournameisontheotherside，“observedthedetectiveashedrewawaythestringandturnedthepackageover。

Thesmilewhichjustliftedthecomerofherlipswasnotinanswertothisremark，buttoherrecognitionofheremployer”shandwritinginthewordsunderhername：Sendwithoutopening。

Shehadnotmisjudgedhim。

“Thecoveryoumayliketotakeoffyourself，“suggestedtheofficer，asheliftedtheboxoutofitswrapper。

“Oh，Idon”tmind。There”snothingtobeashamedofinembroideredlinen。Orperhapsthatisnotwhatyouarelookingfor？“

Nooneanswered。Allwerebusywatchingherwhipoffthelidandliftoutthepileofsheetsandpillow-caseswithwhichtheboxwascloselypacked。

“ShallIunfoldthem？“sheasked。

Thedetectivenodded。

Takingoutthetopmostsheet，sheshookitopen。Thenthenextandthenexttillshereachedthebottomofthebox。Nothingofacriminatingnaturecametolight。Theboxaswellasitscontentswaswithoutmysteryofanykind。Thiswasnotanunexpectedresultofcourse，butthesmilewithwhichshebegantorefoldthepiecesandthrowthembackintothebox，revealedoneofherdimpleswhichwasalmostasdangeroustothecasualobserveraswhenitrevealedboth。

“There，“sheexclaimed，“yousee！HouseholdlinenexactlyasI

said。NowmayIgohome？“

“Certainly，MissStrange。”

Thedetectivestoleaslyglanceatthereporter。Shewasnotgoinginforthehorrorsthenafterall。

Butthereporterabatednothingofhisknowingair，forwhileshespokeofgoing，shemadenomovetowardsdoingso，butcontinuedtolookabouttheroomtillherglancesfinallysettledonalongdarkcurtainshuttingoffanadjoiningroom。

“There”swhereshelies，Isuppose，“shefeelinglyexclaimed。

“Andnotoneofyouknowswhokilledher。Somehow，Icannotunderstandthat。Whydon”tyouknowwhenthat”swhatyou”rehiredfor？“Theinnocencewithwhichsheutteredthiswasastonishing。Thedetectivebegantolooksheepishandthereporterturnedasidetohidehissmile。Whetherinanothermomenteitherwouldhavespokennoonecansay，for，withamockconsciousnessofhavingsaidsomethingfoolish，shecaughtupherparasolfromthetableandmadeastartforthedoor。

Butofcourseshelookedback。

“Iwaswondering，“sherecommenced，withahalfwistful，halfspeculativeair，“whetherIshouldasktohaveapeepattheplacewhereitallhappened。”

Thereporterchuckledbehindthepencil-endhewaschewing，buttheofficermaintainedhissolemnair，forwhichactofself-

restrainthewasundoubtedlygratefulwheninanotherminuteshegaveaquickimpulsiveshuddernotaltogetherassumed，andvehementlyadded：“ButIcouldn”tstandthesight；no，I

couldn”t！I”manawfulcowardwhenitcomestothingslikethat。

Nothinginalltheworldwouldinducemetolookatthewomanorherroom。ButIshouldlike”herebothherdimplescameintoplaythoughshecouldnotbesaidexactlytosmile”justonelittlelookupstairs，wherehewentpokingaboutsolongwithoutanyfearitseemsofbeinginterrupted。EversinceI”vereadaboutitIhaveseen，inmymind，apictureofhiswickedfiguresneakingfromroomtoroom，tearingopendrawersandflingingoutthecontentsofclosetsjusttofindalittlemoney——alittle，littlemoney！Ishallnotsleepto-nightjustforwonderinghowthosehighupatticroomsreallylook。”

Whocoulddreamthatbackofthisdisplayofmingledchildishnessandaudacitytherelayhiddenpurpose，intellect，andakeenknowledgeofhumannature。Notthetwomenwholistenedtothisseeminglyirresponsiblechatter。Tothemshewasachildtobehumouredandhumourhertheydid。Thedaintyfeetwhichhadalreadyfoundtheirwaytothatgloomystaircasewereallowedtoascend，followeditistruebythoseoftheofficerwhodidnotdaretosmilebackatthereporterbecauseofthebrother”swatchfulandnonetooconciliatoryeye。

Atthestairheadshepausedtolookback。

“Idon”tseethosehorriblemarkswhichthepapersdescribeasrunningallalongthelowerhallandupthesestairs。”

“No，MissStrange；theyhavegraduallybeenrubbedout，butyouwillfindsomestillshowingontheseupperfloors。”

“Oh！oh！where？Youfrightenme——frightenmehorribly！But——but——

ifyoudon”tmind，Ishouldliketosee。”

Whyshouldnotamanonatediousjobamusehimself？Pilotingherovertothesmallroomintherear，hepointeddownattheboards。Shegaveonelookandthensteppedgingerlyin。

“Justlook！“shecried；“awholestringofmarksgoingstraightfromdoortowindow。Theyhavenoshape，havethey，——justblotches？Iwonderwhyoneofthemissomuchlargerthantherest？“

Thiswasnonewquestion。Itwasonewhicheverybodywhowentintotheroomwassuretoask，therewassuchadifferenceinthesizeandappearanceofthemarknearestthewindow。Thereason——

well，mindsweredividedaboutthat，andnoonehadasatisfactorytheory。Thedetectivethereforekeptdiscreetlysilent。

ThisdidnotseemtooffendMissStrange。Onthecontraryitgaveheranopportunitytobabbleawaytoherheart”scontent。

“One，two，three，four，five，six，“shecounted，withashudderateverycount。“Andoneofthembiggerthantheothers。”Shemighthaveadded，“Itisthetrailofonefoot，andstrangely，intermingledatthat，“butshedidnot，thoughwemaybequitesurethatshenotedthefact。“Andwhere，justwheredidtheoldwalletfall？Here？orhere？“

Shehadmovedasshespoke，sothatinutteringthelast“here，“

shestooddirectlybeforethewindow。Thesurpriseshereceivedtherenearlymadeherforgetthepartshewasplaying。Fromthecharacterofthelightintheroom，shehadexpected，onlookingout，toconfrontanear-bywall，butnotawindowinthatwall。

Yetthatwaswhatshesawdirectlyfacingherfromacrosstheold-

fashionedalleyseparatingthishousefromitsneighbour；twelveunshutteredanduncurtainedpanesthroughwhichshecaughtadarkenedviewofaroomalmostasforlornanddevoidoffurnitureastheoneinwhichshethenstood。

Whenquitesureofherself，sheletacertainportionofhersurpriseappear。

“Why，look！“shecried，“ifyoucan”tseerightinnextdoor！

Whatalonesome-lookingplace！FromitsdesolateappearanceI

shouldthinkthehousequiteempty。”

“Anditis。That”stheoldShafferhomestead。It”sbeenemptyforayear。”

“Oh，empty！“Andsheturnedaway，withthemostinconsequentairintheworld，cryingoutashernamerangupthestair，“There”sArthurcalling。IsupposehethinksI”vebeenherelongenough。

I”msureI”mverymuchobligedtoyou，officer。Ireallyshouldn”thavesleptawinkto-night，ifIhadn”tbeengivenapeepattheserooms，whichIhadimaginedsodifferent。”Andwithoneadditionalglanceoverhershoulder，thatseemedtopenetratebothwindowsandthedesolatespacebeyond，sheranquicklyoutanddowninresponsetoherbrother”sreiteratedcall。

“Drivequickly！——asquicklyasthelawallows，toHiramBrown”sofficeinDuaneStreet。”

Arrivedattheaddressnamed，shewentinalonetoseeMr。Brown。

Hewasherfather”slawyerandafamilyfriend。

Hardlywaitingforhisaffectionategreeting，shecriedoutquickly。“TellmehowIcanlearnanythingabouttheoldShafferhouseinSeventeenthStreet。Now，don”tlooksosurprised。I

haveverygoodreasonsformyrequestand——and——I”minanawfulhurry。”

“But”

“Iknow，Iknow；there”sbeenadreadfultragedynextdoortoit；butit”sabouttheShafferhouseitselfIwantsomeinformation。Hasitanagent，a”

“Ofcourseithasanagent，andhereishisname。”

Mr。Brownpresentedherwithacardonwhichhehadhastilywrittenbothnameandaddress。

Shethankedhim，droppedhimamockingcurtseyfullofcharm，whispered“Don”ttellfather，“andwasgone。

Hermannertothemanshenextinterviewedwasverydifferent。Assoonasshesawhimshesubsidedintoherusualsocietymanner。

Withjustatouchoftheconceitofthesuccessfuldebutante，sheannouncedherselfasMissStrangeofSeventy-secondStreet。HerbusinesswithhimwasinregardtothepossiblerentingoftheShafferhouse。Shehadanoldladyfriendwhowasdesirousoflivingdowntown。

InpassingthroughSeventeenthStreet，shehadnoticedthattheoldShafferhousewasstandingemptyandhadbeenimmediatelystruckwiththeadvantagesitpossessedforherelderlyfriend”soccupancy。Coulditbethatthehousewasforrent？Therewasnosignonittothateffect，but——etc。

Hisanswerlefthernothingtohopefor。

“Itisgoingtobetorndown，“hesaid。

“Oh，whatapity！“sheexclaimed。“Realcolonial，isn”tit！I

wishIcouldseetheroomsinsidebeforeitisdisturbed。Suchdoorsandsuchdearold-fashionedmantelpiecesasitmusthave！

IjustdoteontheColonial。Itbringsupsuchpicturesoftheolddays；weddings，youknow，andparties；——allsodifferentfromoursandsomuchmoreinteresting。”

Isitthechanceshotthattells？Sometimes。Violethadnoespecialintentioninwhatshesaidsaveasapreludetoapendingrequest，butnothingcouldhaveservedherpurposebetterthanthatoneword，wedding。Theagentlaughedandgivingherhisfirstindulgentlook，remarkedgenially：

“Romanceisnotconfinedtothoseancienttimes。Ifyouweretoenterthathouseto-dayyouwouldcomeacrossevidencesofaweddingasromanticasanywhichevertookplaceinalltheseventyoddyearsofitsexistence。Amanandawomanweremarriedtheredaybeforeyesterdaywhodidtheirfirstcourtingunderitsrooffortyyearsago。Hehasbeenmarriedtwiceandsheonceintheinterval；buttheoldloveheldfirmandnowattheageofsixtyandovertheyhavecometogethertofinishtheirdaysinpeaceandhappiness。Orsowewillhope。”

“Married！marriedinthathouseandonthedaythat”

Shecaughtherselfupintime。Hedidnotnoticethebreak。

“Yes，inmemoryofthoseolddaysofcourtship，Isuppose。Theycamehereaboutfive，gotthekeys，droveoff，wentthroughtheceremonyinthatemptyhouse，returnedthekeystomeinmyownapartment，tookthesteamerforNaples，andwereontheseabeforemidnight。Doyounotcallthatquickworkaswellashighlyromantic？“

“Very。”MissStrange”scheekhadpaled。Itwasapttowhenshewasgreatlyexcited。“ButIdon”tunderstand，“sheadded，themomentafter。“Howcouldtheydothisandnobodyknowaboutit？I

shouldhavethoughtitwouldhavegotintothepapers。”

“Theyarequietpeople。Idon”tthinktheytoldtheirbestfriends。Asimpleannouncementinthenextday”sjournalstestifiedtothefactoftheirmarriage，butthatwasall。I

wouldnothavefeltatlibertytomentionthecircumstancesmyself，ifthepartieswerenotwellontheirwaytoEurope。”

“Oh，howgladIamthatyoudidtellme！Suchastoryofconstancyandtheholdwhicholdassociationshaveuponsensitiveminds！But”

“Why，Miss？What”sthematter？Youlookverymuchdisturbed。”

“Don”tyouremember？Haven”tyouthought？Somethingelsehappenedthatverydayandalmostatthesametimeonthatblock。Somethingverydreadful”

“Mrs。Doolittle”smurder？“

“Yes。Itwasasnearasnextdoor，wasn”tit？Oh，ifthishappycouplehadknown”

“Butfortunatelytheydidn”t。Noraretheylikelyto，tilltheyreachtheotherside。Youneedn”tfearthattheirhoneymoonwillbespoiledthatway。”

“Buttheymayhaveheardsomethingorseensomethingbeforeleavingthestreet。Didyounoticehowthegentlemanlookedwhenhereturnedyouthekeys？“

“Idid，andtherewasnocloudonhissatisfaction。”

“Oh，howyourelieveme！“One——twodimplesmadetheirappearanceinMissStrange”sfresh，youngcheeks。“Well！Iwishthemjoy。Doyoumindtellingmetheirnames？Icannotthinkofthemasactualpersonswithoutknowingtheirnames。”

“ThegentlemanwasConstantinAmidon；thelady，MarianShaffer。

YouwillhavetothinkofthemnowasMr。andMrs。Amidon。”

“AndIwill。Thankyou，Mr。Hutton，thankyouverymuch。Nexttothepleasureofgettingthehouseformyfriend，isthatofhearingthischarmingbitofnewsitsconnection。

Sheheldoutherhandand，ashetookit，remarked：

“Theymusthavehadaclergymanandwitnesses。”

“Undoubtedly。”

“IwishIhadbeenoneofthewitnesses，“shesighedsentimentally。

“Theyweretwooldmen。”

“Oh，no！Don”ttellmethat。”

“Fogies；nothingless。”

“Buttheclergyman？Hemusthavebeenyoung。Surelytherewassomeonetherecapableofappreciatingthesituation？“

“Ican”tsayaboutthat；Ididnotseetheclergyman。”

“Oh，well！itdoesn”tmatter。”MissStrange”smannerwasasnonchalantasitwascharming。“Wewillthinkofhimasbeingveryyoung。”

Andwithamerrytossofherheadsheflittedaway。

Butshesoberedveryrapidlyuponenteringherlimousine。

“Hello！“

“Ah，isthatyou？“

“Yes，IwantaMarconisent。”

“AMarconi？“

“Yes，totheCretic，whichleftdocktheverynightinwhichwearesodeeplyinterested。”

“Good。Whomto？TheCaptain？“

“No，toaMrs。ConstantinAmidon。Butfirstbesurethereissuchapassenger。”

“Mrs。！Whatideahaveyouthere？“

“Excusemynotstatingoverthetelephone。Themessageistobetothiseffect。DidsheatanytimeimmediatelybeforeorafterhermarriagetoMr。Amidongetaglimpseofanyoneintheadjoininghouse？Noremarks，please。IusethetelephonebecauseIamnotreadytoexplainmyself。Ifshedid，lethersendawrittendescriptiontoyouofthatpersonassoonasshereachestheAzores。”

“Yousurpriseme。MayInotcallorhopeforalinefromyouearlyto-morrow？“

“Ishallbebusytillyougetyouranswer。”

Hehungupthereceiver。Herecognizedtheresolutetone。

Butthetimecamewhenthependingexplanationwasfullygiventohim。Ananswerhadbeenreturnedfromthesteamer，favourabletoViolet”shopes。Mrs。Amidonhadseensuchapersonandwouldsendafulldescriptionofthesameatthefirstopportunity。ItwasnewstofillViolet”sheartwithpride；thefilamentofacluewhichhadledtothisgreatresulthadbeensonearlyinvisibleandhadfeltsolikenothinginhergrasp。

Toheremployershedescribeditasfollows：

“WhenIhearorreadofacasewhichcontainsanybafflingfeatures，Iamapttofeelsomehiddenchordinmynaturethrilltoonefactinitandnottoanyoftheothers。Inthiscasethesinglefactwhichappealedtomyimaginationwasthedroppingofthestolenwalletinthatupstairsroom。Whydidtheguiltymandropit？andwhy，havingdroppedit，didhenotpickitupagain？

butoneanswerseemedpossible。Hehadheardorseensomethingatthespotwhereitfellwhichnotonlyalarmedhimbutsenthiminflightfromthehouse。”

“Verygood；anddidyousettletoyourownmindthenatureofthatsoundorthatsight？“

“Idid。”Hermannerwasstrangelybusinesslike。Noshowofdimplesnow。“Satisfiedthatifanypossibilityremainedofmyeverdoingthis，itwouldhavetobeontheexactplaceofthisoccurrenceornotatall，Iembracedyoursuggestionandvisitedthehouse。”

“Andthatroomnodoubt。”

“Andthatroom。Women，somehow，seemtomanagesuchthings。”

“SoI”venoticed，MissStrange。Andwhatwastheresultofyourvisit？Whatdidyoudiscoverthere？“

“This：thatoneofthebloodspotsmarkingthecriminal”sstepsthroughtheroomwasdecidedlymorepronouncedthantherest；

and，whatwasevenmoreimportant，thatthewindowoutofwhichI

waslookinghaditscounterpartinthehouseontheoppositesideofthealley。IngazingthroughtheoneIwasgazingthroughtheother；andnotonlythat，butintothedarkenedareaoftheroombeyond。InstantlyIsawhowthelatterfactmightbemadetoexplaintheformerone。ButbeforeIsayhow，letmeaskifitisquitesettledamongyouthatthesmearsonthefloorandstairsmarkthepassageofthecriminal”sfootsteps！“

“Certainly；andverybloodyfeettheymusthavebeentoo。Hisshoes——orratherhisoneshoe——fortheproofisplainthatonlytherightoneleftitsmark——musthavebecomethoroughlysaturatedtocarryitstracessofar。”

“Doyouthinkthatanyamountofsaturationwouldhavedonethis？

Or，ifyouarenotreadytoagreetothat，thatashoesocoveredwithbloodcouldhavefailedtoleavebehinditsomehintofitsshape，someimprint，howeverfaint，ofheelortoe？Butnowherediditdothis。Weseeasmear——andthatisall。”

“Youareright，MissStrange；youarealwaysright。Andwhatdoyougatherfromthis？“

Shelookedtoseehowmuchheexpectedfromher，and，meetinganeyenotquiteasfreefromironicsuggestionashiswordshadledhertoexpect，falteredalittleassheproceededtosay：

“Myopinionisagirl”sopinion，butsuchasitisyouhavetherighttohaveit。FromtheindicationsmentionedIcoulddrawbutthisconclusion：thatthebloodwhichaccompaniedthecriminal”sfootstepswasnotcarriedthroughthehousebyhisshoes；——heworenoshoes；hedidnotevenwearstockings；probablyhehadnone。Forreasonswhichappealedtohisjudgment，hewentabouthiswickedworkbarefoot；anditwasthebloodfromhisownveinsandnotfromthoseofhisvictimwhichmadethetrailwehavefollowedwithsomuchinterest。Doyouforgetthosebrokenbeads；——

howhekickedthemaboutandstampedupontheminhisfury？Oneofthempiercedtheballofhisfoot，andthatsosharplythatitnotonlyspurtedbloodbutkeptonbleedingwitheverystephetook。Otherwise，thetrailwouldhavebeenlostafterhispassageupthestairs。”

“Fine！“Therewasnoironyinthebureau-chief”seyenow。“Youareprogressing，MissStrange。Allowme，Ipray，tokissyourhand。ItisalibertyIhavenevertaken，butonewhichwouldgreatlyrelievemypresentstressoffeeling。”

Sheliftedherhandtowardhim，butitwasingesture，notinrecognitionofhishomage。

“Thankyou，“saidshe，“butIclaimnomonopolyondeductionssosimpleasthese。Ihavenottheleastdoubtthatnotonlyyourselfbuteverymemberoftheforcehasmadethesame。Butthereisalittlematterwhichmayhaveescapedthepolice，mayevenhaveescapedyou。TothatIwouldnowcallyourattentionsincethroughitIhavebeenenabled，afteralittlenecessarygroping，toreachtheopen。Youremembertheonelargeblotchontheupperfloorwherethemandroppedthewallet？Thatblotch，moreorlesscommingledwithafainterone，possessedgreatsignificanceformefromthefirstmomentIsawit。Howcamehisfoottobleedsomuchmoreprofuselyatthatonespotthanatanyother？Therecouldbebutoneanswer：becausehereasurprisemethim——asurprisesostartlingtohiminhispresentstateofmind，thathegaveaquickspringbackward，withtheresultthathiswoundedfootcamedownsuddenlyandforciblyinsteadofeasilyasinhispreviouswarytread。Andwhatwasthesurprise？Imadeitmybusinesstofindout，andnowIcantellyouthatitwasthesightofawoman”sfacestaringuponhimfromtheneighbouringhousewhichhehadprobablybeentoldwasempty。Theshockdisturbedhisjudgment。Hesawhiscrimediscovered——hisguiltysecretread，andfledinunreasoningpanic。Hemightbetterhaveheldontohiswits。Itwasthisdisplayoffearwhichledmetosearchafteritscause，andconsequentlytodiscoverthatatthisespecialhourmorethanonepersonhadbeenintheShafferhouse；

that，infact，amarriagehadbeencelebratedthereundercircumstancesasromanticasanywereadofinbooks，andthatthismarriage，privatelycarriedout，hadbeenfollowedbyanimmediatevoyageofthehappycoupleononeoftheWhiteStarsteamers。Withtherestyouareconversant。IdonotneedtosayanythingaboutwhathasfollowedthesendingofthatMarconi。”

“ButIamgoingtosaysomethingaboutyourworkinthismatter，MissStrange。Thebigdetectivesaboutherewillhavetolooksharpif”

“Don”t，please！Notyet。”Asmilesoftenedtheasperityofthisinterruption。“Themanhasyettobecaughtandidentified。TillthatisdoneIcannotenjoyanyone”scongratulations。Andyouwillseethatallthismaynotbesoeasy。Ifnoonehappenedtomeetthedesperatewretchbeforehehadanopportunitytoretiehisshoe-laces，therewillbelittleforyouorevenforthepolicetogouponbuthiswoundedfoot，hisundoubtedlycarefullypreparedalibi，andlater，awoman”sconfuseddescriptionofafaceseenbutforamomentonlyandthatunderapersonalexcitementprecludingminuteattention。Ishouldnotbesurprisedifthewholethingcametonothing。”

Butitdidnot。AssoonasthedescriptionwasreceivedfromMrs。

Amidon(adescription，bytheway，whichwasunusuallyclearandprecise，owingtothepeculiarandcontradictoryfeaturesoftheman)，thepolicewereabletorecognizehimamongthemanysuspectsalwaysundertheireye。Arrested，hepleaded，justasMissStrangehadforetold，analibiofaseeminglyunimpeachablecharacter；butneitherit，northeplausibleexplanationwithwhichheendeavouredtoaccountforafreshlyhealedscaramidthecallousesofhisrightfoot，couldstandbeforeMrs。Amidon”sunequivocaltestimonythathewasthesamemanshehadseeninMrs。Doolittle”supperroomontheafternoonofherownhappinessandofthatpoorwoman”smurder。

Themomentwhen，athistrial，thetwofacesagainconfrontedeachotheracrossaspacenowiderthanthatwhichhadseparatedthemonthedreadoccasioninSeventeenthStreet，issaidtohavebeenoneofthemostdramaticintheannalsofthatancientcourtroom。

ENDOFPROBLEMIII

PROBLEMIV

THEGROTTOSPECTRE

MissStrangewasnotoftenpensive——atleastnotatlargefunctionsorwhenunderthepubliceye。ButshecertainlyforgotherselfatMrs。Provost”smusicaleandthat，too，withoutapparentreason。Hadthemusicbeenofahighorderonemighthaveunderstoodherabstraction；butitwasofadecidedlymediocrequality，andViolet”searwasmuchtoofineandhermusicalsensetoocultivatedforhertobebeguiledbyanythinglessthantheverybest。

Norhadshetheexcuseofadullcompanion。Herescortfortheeveningwasamanofunusualconversationalpowers；butsheseemedtobealmostobliviousofhispresence；andwhen，throughsomepassingcourteousimpulse，shedidturnherearhisway，itwaswithjustthattingeofpreoccupationwhichbetraysthedividedmind。

Wereherthoughtswithsomesecretproblemyetunsolved？Itwouldscarcelyseemsofromthegayremarkwithwhichshehadlefthome。Shewasspeakingtoherbrotherandherwordswere：“Iamgoingouttoenjoymyself。I”venotacareintheworld。Theslateisquiteclean。”Yetshehadneverseemedmoreoutoftunewithhersurroundingsnorshownamoodfurtherremovedfromtrivialentertainment。Whathadhappenedtobecloudhergaietyintheshorttimewhichhadsinceelapsed？

Wecananswerinasentence。

Shehadseen，amongagroupofyoungmeninadistantdoorway，onewithafacesoindividualandofanexpressionsoextraordinarythatallinterestinthepeopleaboutherhadstoppedasaclockstopswhenthependulumisheldback。Shecouldseenothingelse，thinkofnothingelse。Notthatitwassoveryhandsome——thoughnootherhadeverapproacheditinitspoweroverherimagination——butbecauseofitsexpressionofhauntingmelancholy，——amelancholysosettledandsoevidentlytheresultoflong-continuedsorrowthatherinteresthadbeenreachedandherheartstringsshakenasneverbeforeinherwholelife。

ShewouldneverbethesameVioletagain。

Yetmovedassheundoubtedlywas，shewasnotconsciousoftheleastdesiretoknowwhotheyoungmanwas，oreventobemadeacquaintedwithhisstory。Shesimplywantedtodreamherdreamundisturbed。

Itwasthereforewithasenseofunwelcomeshockthat，inthecourseofthereceptionfollowingtheprogramme，sheperceivedthisfineyoungmanapproachingherself，withhisrighthandtouchinghisleftshoulderinthepeculiarwaywhichcommittedhertoaninterviewwithorwithoutaformalintroduction。

Shouldsheflytheordeal？Beblindanddeaftowhateverwassignificantinhisaction，andgoherwaybeforehereachedher；

thuskeepingherdreamintact？Impossible。Hiseyepreventedthat。Hisglancehadcaughthersandshefeltforcedtoawaithisadvanceandgivehimherfirstsparemoment。

Itcamesoon，andwhenitcameshegreetedhimwithasmile。Itwasthefirstshehadeverbestowedinwelcomeofaconfidenceofwhosetenorshewasentirelyignorant。

Toherreliefheshowedhisappreciationofthedazzlinggiftthoughhemadenoefforttoreturnit。Scorningallpreliminariesinhiseagernesstodischargehimselfofaburdenwhichwasfastbecomingintolerable，headdressedheratonceinthesewords：

“Youareverygood，MissStrange，toreceivemeinthisunconventionalfashion。Iaminthatdesperatestateofmindwhichprecludesetiquette。Willyoulistentomypetition？Iamtold——youknowbywhom”(andheagaintouchedhisshoulder)

“thatyouhaveresourcesofintelligencewhichespeciallyfityoutomeettheextraordinarydifficultiesofmyposition。MayIbegyoutoexercisetheminmybehalf？Nomanwouldbemoregratefulif——ButIseethatyoudonotrecognizeme。IamRogerUpjohn。

ThatIamadmittedtothisgatheringisowingtothefactthatourhostessknewandlovedmymother。Inmyanxietytomeetyouandproffermyplea，Iwaswillingtobravethecoldlooksyouhaveprobablynoticedonthefacesofthepeopleaboutus。ButI

havenorighttosubjectyoutocriticism。I”

“Remain。”Violet”svoicewastroubled，herself-possessiondisturbed；buttherewasacommandinhertonewhichhewasonlytoogladtoobey。“Iknowthename“(whodidnot！)“andpossiblymydutytomyselfshouldmakemeshunaconfidencewhichmayburdenmewithoutrelievingyou。ButyouhavebeensenttomebyonewhosebehestsIfeelboundtorespectand”

Mistrustinghervoice，shestopped。Thesufferingwhichmadeitselfapparentinthefacebeforeherappealedtoherheartinawaytorobherofherjudgment。Shedidnotwishthistobeseen，andsofellsilent。

Hewasquicktotakeadvantageofherobviousembarrassment。

“ShouldIhavebeensenttoyouifIhadnotfirstsecuredtheconfidenceofthesender？Youknowthescandalattachedtomyname，someofitjust，someofitveryunjust。Ifyouwillgrantmeaninterviewto-morrow，IwillmakeanendeavourtorefutecertainchargeswhichIhavehithertoletgounchallenged。Willyoudomethisfavour？WillyoulisteninyourownhousetowhatIhavetosay？“

Instinctcriedoutagainstanysuchconcessiononherpart，biddingherbewareofonewhocharmedwithoutexcellenceandconvincedwithoutreason。Butcompassionurgedcomplianceandcompassionwontheday。Thoughconsciousofweakness，——she，VioletStrangeonwhomstrongmenhadcometorelyincriticalhourscallingforwell-balancedjudgment，——shedidnotletthisconcernher，orallowherselftoindulgeinuselessregretsevenafterthefirsteffectofhispresencehadpassedandshehadsucceededinrecallingthefactswhichhadcastacloudabouthisname。

RogerUpjohnwasawidower，andthescandalaffectinghimwasconnectedwithhiswife”sdeath。

Thoughadegenerateinsomerespects，lackingthedomineeringpresence，thestrongmentalqualities，andinflexiblecharacterofhisprogenitors，thewealthyMassachusettsUpjohnswhosegreatplaceonthecoasthadahistoryasoldastheStateitself，heyethadgiftsandattractionsofhisownwhichwouldhavemadehimaworthyrepresentativeofhisrace，ifonlyhehadnotfixedhisaffectionsonawomansocoldandheedlessthatshewouldhaveinspireduniversalaversioninsteadoflove，hadshenotbeendoweredwiththebeautyandphysicalfascinationwhichsometimesaccompanyahardheartandaschemingbrain。Itwasthisbeautywhichhadcaughtthelad；andoneday，justasthecarefulfatherhadmappedoutacourseofstudycalculatedtomakeamanofhisson，thatsondroveuptothegateswiththisladywhomheintroducedashiswife。

Theshock，notofherbeauty，thoughthatwasofthedazzlingqualitywhichcatchesamaninthethroatandmakesaslaveofhimwhilethefirstsurpriselasts，butoftheoverthrowofallhishopesandplans，nearlyprostratedHomerUpjohn。Hesaw，asmostmendidthemomentjudgmentreturned，thatforallhersatinskinandrosyflush，thewonderofherhairandthesmilewhichpiercedlikearrowsandwarmedlikewine，shewasmorelikelytobringacurseintothehousethanablessing。

Andsoitproved。Inlessthanayeartheyounghusbandhadlostallhisambitionsandmanyofhisbestimpulses。Nolongerinclinedtostudy，hespenthisdaysinsatisfyinghiswife”swhimsandhiseveningsincarousingwiththefriendswithwhichshehadprovidedhim。ThisinBostonwhithertheyhadfledfromtheoldgentleman”sdispleasure；butaftertheirlittlesoncamethefatherinsistedupontheirreturninghome，whichledtogreatdeceptions，andprecipitatedatragedynooneeverunderstood。

Theywerenaturalgamblers——thiscouple——asallBostonsocietyknew；andasHomerUpjohnloathedcards，theyfoundlifeslowinthegreathouseandgrewcorrespondinglyrestlesstilltheymadeadiscovery——orshallIsayarediscovery——oftheoncefamousgrottohiddenintherocksliningtheirportionofthecoast。

Heretheyfoundaretreatwheretheycouldhidethemselves(oftenwhentheywerethoughttobeabedandasleep)andplaytogetherformoneyorforasupperinthecityorforanythingelsethatfoolishfancysuggested。Thiswaswhiletheirlittlesonremainedaninfant；later，theywerelesseasilysatisfied。Bothcravedcompany，excitement，andgamblingonalargescale；sotheytooktoinvitingfriendstomeettheminthisgrottowhich，throughtheagencyofoneoldservantdevotedtoRogertothepointoffolly，hadbeenfittedupandlightedinamannernotonlycomfortablebutluxurious。Asmallbutshelteredhavenhiddeninthecurveoftherocksmadeanapproachbyboatfeasibleathightide；andatlowtheconnectioncouldbemadebymeansofapathoverthepromontoryinwhichthisgrottolayconcealed。ThefortunewhichRogerhadinheritedfromhismothermadetheseexcessespossible，butmanythousands，letalonethefewhecouldcallhis，soondisappearedunderthewitcheryofanirresponsiblewoman，andthehalf-dozenfriendswhoknewhissecrethadtostandbyandseehisruin，withoutdaringtoutterawordtotheonewhoalonecouldstayit。ForHomerUpjohnwasnotamantobeapproachedlightly，norwasheonetolistentochargeswithoutocularprooftosupportthem；andthiscalledforcourage，morecouragethanwaspossessedbyanyonewhoknewthemboth。

HewasahardmanwasHomerUpjohn，butwithaheartofgoldforthoseheloved。This，evenhiswarydaughter-in-lawwaswiseenoughtodetect，andforalongwhileafterthebirthofherchildshebesiegedhimwithhercoaxingwaysandbewitchinggraces。Butheneverchangedhisfirstopinionofher，andonceshebecamefullyconvincedofthefollyofherefforts，shegaveupallattempttopleasehimandshowedanopenindifference。

Thisintimegraduallyextendedtillitembracednotonlyherchildbutherhusbandaswell。Yes，ithadcometothat。Hislovenolongercontentedher。Hervanityhadgrownbywhatitdailyfedon，andnowcalledfortheadmirationofthefastmenwhosometimescameupfromBostontoplaywiththemintheirunholyretreat。Towinthis，shedressedlikesomedemonqueenorwitch，thoughitdroveherhusbandintodeeperplayandthreatenedanexposurewhichwouldmeandisasternotonlytoherselfbuttothewholefamily。

Inallthis，asanyonecouldsee，Rogerhadbeenherslaveandthewillingvictimofallhercaprices。Whatwasit，then，whichsocompletelychangedhimthataseparationbegantobetalkedofandevenitstermsdiscussed？Onerumourhaditthatthefatherhaddiscoveredthesecretofthegrottoandexactedthisasapenaltyfromthesonwhohaddishonouredhim。Another，thatRogerhimselfwastheonetotaketheinitiativeinthismatter：That，onreturningunexpectedlyfromNewYorkoneeveningandfindinghermissingfromthehouse，hehadtracedhertothegrottowherehecameuponherplayingadesperategamewiththeonemanhehadthegreatestreasontodistrust。

Butwhatevertheexplanationofthissuddenchangeintheirrelations，thereisbutlittledoubtthatalegalseparationbetweenthisill-assortedcouplewaspending，whenonebleakautumnmorningshewasdiscovereddeadinherbedundercircumstancespeculiarlyopentocomment。

Thephysicianswhomadeoutthecertificateascribedherdeathtoheart-disease，symptomsofwhichhadlatelymuchalarmedthefamilydoctor；butthatapersonalstruggleofsomekindhadprecededthefatalattackwasevidentfromthebruiseswhichblackenedherwrists。Hadtherebeenthelikeuponherthroatitmighthavegonehardwiththeyounghusbandwhowasknowntobecontemplatingherdismissalfromthehouse。Butthediscolorationofherwristswasall，andasbruisedwristsdonotkillandtherewasbesidesnoevidenceforthcomingofthetwohavingspentonemomenttogetherforatleasttenhoursprecedingthetragedybutratherfullandsatisfactorytestimonytothecontrary，thematterlapsedandallcriminalproceedingswereavoided。

Butnotthescandalwhichalwaysfollowstheunexplained。Astimepassedandthepeculiarlookwhichbetraysthehauntedsoulgraduallybecamevisibleintheyoungwidower”seyes，doubtsaroseandreportscirculatedwhichcaststrangereflectionsuponthetragicendofhismistakenmarriage。Storiesofthedisreputableusetowhichtheoldgrottohadbeenputweremingledwithvaguehintsofconjugalviolenceneverproperlyinvestigated。Theresultwashisgeneralavoidancenotonlybythesocialsetdominatedbyhishigh-mindedfather，butbyhisownlessreputablecoterie，which，howeverlaxinitsmoralcode，hadverylittleuseforacoward。

SuchwasthegossipwhichhadreachedViolet”searsinconnectionwiththisnewclient，prejudicingheraltogetheragainsthimtillshecaughtthatbeamofdeepandconcentratedsufferinginhiseyeandrecognizedaninnocencewhichensuredhersympathyandledhertogranthimtheinterviewforwhichhesoearnestlyentreated。

Hecameprompttothehour，andwhenshesawhimagainwiththemarksofasleeplessnightuponhimandallthesignsofsufferingintensifiedinhisunusualcountenance，shefeltherheartsinkwithinherinawayshefailedtounderstand。Adreadofwhatshewasabouttohearrobbedherofallsemblanceofself-

possession，andshestoodlikeoneinadreamasheutteredhisfirstgreetingsandthenpausedtogatheruphisownmoralstrengthbeforehebeganhisstory。Whenhedidspeakitwastosay：

“IfindmyselfobligedtobreakavowIhavemadetomyself。YoucannotunderstandmyneedunlessIshowyoumyheart。Mytroubleisnottheonewithwhichmenhavecreditedme。Ithasanothersourceandisinfinitelyhardertobear。PersonaldishonourI

havedeservedinagreaterorlessdegree，butthetrialwhichhascometomenowinvolvesapersonmoredeartomethanmyself，andistotallywithoutalleviationunlessyou”Hepaused，choked，thenrecommencedabruptly：“Mywife“——Violetheldherbreath”wassupposedtohavediedfromheart-diseaseor——orsomestrangespeciesofsuicide。Therewerereasonsforthisconclusion——reasonswhichIacceptedwithoutseriousquestiontillsomefiveweeksagowhenImadeadiscoverywhichledmetofear”

Thebrokensentencehungsuspended。Violet，notwithstandinghishurriedgesture，couldnotrestrainherselffromstealingalookathisface。Itwassetinhorrorand，thoughpartiallyturnedaside，madeanappealtohercompassiontofillthevoidmadebyhissilence，withoutfurthersuggestionfromhim。