第3章

Shedidthisbysayingtentativelyandwithaslittleshowofemotionaspossible：

“Youfearedthattheeventcalledforvengeanceandthatvengeancewouldmeanincreasedsufferingtoyourselfaswellastoanother？“

“Yes；greatsuffering。ButImaybeunderamostlamentablemistake。Iamnotsureofmyconclusions。Ifmydoubtshavenorealfoundation——iftheyaresimplytheoffspringofmyowndiseasedimagination，whataninsulttooneIrevere！Whatahorrorofingratitudeandmisunderstanding”

“Relatethefacts，“cameinstartledtonesfromViolet。“Theymayenlightenus。”

Hegaveonequickshudder，buriedhisfaceforonemomentinhishands，thenlifteditandspokeupquicklyandwithunexpectedfirmness：

“IcameheretodosoanddosoIwill。Butwherebegin？MissStrange，youcannotbeignorantofthecircumstances，openandavowed，whichattendedmywife”sdeath。Buttherewereotherandsecreteventsinitsconnectionwhichhappilyhavebeenkeptfromtheworld，butwhichImustnowdisclosetoyouatanycosttomyprideandso-calledhonour。Thisisthefirstone：OnthemorningprecedingthedayofMrs。Upjohn”sdeath，aninterviewtookplacebetweenusatwhichmyfatherwaspresent。Youdonotknowmyfather，MissStrange。Astrongmanandasternone，withaholduponoldtraditionswhichnothingcanshake。IfhehasaweaknessitisformylittleboyRogerinwhosepromisingtraitsheseestheonehopewhichhassurvivedtheshipwreckofallforwhichournamehasstood。Knowingthis，andrealizingwhatthechild”spresenceinthehousemeanttohisoldage，Ifeltmyheartturnsickwithapprehension，wheninthemidstofthediscussionastothetermsonwhichmywifewouldconsenttoapermanentseparation，thelittlefellowcamedancingintotheroom，hiscurlsatossandhiswholefacebeamingwith11feandjoy。

“Shehadnotmentionedthechild，butIknewherwellenoughtobesurethatatthefirstshowofpreferenceonhispartforeitherhisgrandfatherormyself，shewouldraiseaclaimtohimwhichshewouldneverrelinquish。Idarednotspeak，butImethiseagerlookswithmymostforbiddingfrownandhopedbythisshowofseveritytoholdhimback。Buthislittleheartwasfulland，ignoringheroutstretchedarms，heboundedtowardsminewithhismostaffectionatecry。Shesawandutteredherultimatum。Thechildshouldgowithherorshewouldnotconsenttoaseparation。Itwasuselessforustotalk；shehadsaidherlastword。Theblowstruckmehard，orsoIthought，tillIlookedatmyfather。NeverhadIbeheldsuchachangeasthatonemomenthadmadeinhim。Hestoodasbefore；hefaceduswiththesamesilentreprobation；buthishearthadrunfromhimlikewater。

“Itwasasighttocallupallmyresources。Toallowhertoremainnow，withmyfeelingstowardsherallchangedandmyfather”seyesfullyopenedtoherstonynature，wasimpossible。

NorcouldIappealtolaw。Anopenscandalwasmyfather”sgreatestdreadanddivorceproceedingshishorror。ThechildwouldhavetogounlessIcouldfindawaytoinfluenceherthroughherownnature。Iknewofbutone——donotlookatme，MissStrange。Itwasdishonouringtousboth，andI”mhorrifiednowwhenIthinkofit。Buttomeatthattimeitwasnaturalenoughasalastresort。Therewasbutonedebtwhichmywifeeverpaid，butonepromisesheeverkept。Itwasthatmadeatthegaming-table。Ioffered，assoonasmyfather，realizingthehopelessnessofthesituation，hadgonetotteringfromtheroom，togamblewithherforthechild。

“Andsheaccepted。”

Theshameandhumiliationexpressedinthisfinalwhisper；thesuddendarkness——forastormwascomingup——shookViolettothesoul。Withstrainedgazefixedonthemanbeforeher，nowlittlemorethanashadowintheprevailinggloom，shewaitedforhimtoresume，andwaitedinvain。Theminutespassed，thedarknessbecameintolerable，andinstinctivelyherhandcrepttowardstheelectricbuttonbeneathwhichshewassitting。Butshefailedtopressit。Atalesodarkcalledforanatmosphereofitsownkind。Shewouldcastnolightuponit。Yetsheshiveredasthesilencecontinued，andstartedinuncontrollabledismaywhenatlengthherstrangevisitorrose，andstill，withoutspeaking，walkedawayfromhertotheotherendoftheroom。Onlysocouldhegoonwiththeshamefultale；andpresentlysheheardhisvoiceoncemoreinthesewords：

“Ourhouseislargeanditsroomsmany；butforsuchworkaswetwocontemplatedtherewasbutonespotwherewecouldcommandabsoluteseclusion。Youmayhaveheardofit，afamousnaturalgrottohiddeninourownportionofthecoastandsofittedupastoformaretreatforourmiserableselveswhenescapefrommyfather”seyeseemeddesirable。Itwasnoteasyofaccess，andnoone，sofarasweknew，hadeverfollowedusthere。

Buttoensureourselvesagainstanypossibleinterruption，wewaitedtillthewholehousewasabedbeforeweleftitforthegrotto。Wewentbyboatandoh！thedipofthoseoars！Ihearthemyet。Andthewitcheryofherfaceinthemoonlight；andthemockeryofherlowfitfullaugh！AsIcaughtthesinisternoteinitssilveryriseandfall，IknewwhatwasbeforemeifIfailedtoretainmycomposure。AndIstrovetoholditandtomeethercalmnesswithstoicismandthetauntofherexpressionwithamaskofimmobility。Buttheeffortwashopeless，andwhenthetimecamefordealingoutthecards，myeyeswereburningintheirsocketsandmyhandsshiveringlikeleavesinarisinggale。

“Weplayedonegame——andmywifelost。Weplayedanother——andmywifewon。Weplayedthethird——andthefateIhadforeseenfromthefirstbecamemine。Theluckwaswithher，andIhadlostmyboy！“

Agasp——apause，duringwhichthethunderspokeandthelightningflashed，——thenahurriedcatchingofhisbreathandthetalewenton。

“Aburstoflaughter，risinggailyabovetheboomofthesea，announcedhervictory——herlaughandthetauntingwords：”Youplaybadly，Roger。Thechildismine。NeverfearthatIshallfailtoteachhimtoreverehisfather。”HadIawordtothrowback？No。WhenIrealizedanythingbutmydishonouredmanhood，I

foundmyselfinthegrotto”smouthstaringhelplesslyoutuponthesea。Theboatwhichhadfloatedusinathightidelaystrandedbutafewfeetaway，butIdidnotreachforit。Escapewasquickerovertherocks，andImadefortherocks。

“ThatitwasacowardlyacttoleavehertheretofindherwaybackaloneatmidnightbythesameroughroadIwastaking，didnotstrikemymindforaninstant。Iwasinflightfrommyownpast；inflightfrommyselfandthehauntingdreadofmadness。

WhenIawoketorealityagainitwastofindthesmalldoor，bywhichwehadleftthehouse，standingslightlyajar。Iwastroubledbythis，forIwassureofhavingclosedit。Buttheimpressionwasbrief，andentering，Iwentstumblinguptomyroom，leavingthewayopenbehindmemorefromsheerinabilitytoexercisemywillthanfromanythoughtofher。

“MissStrange“(hehadcomeoutoftheshadowsandwasstandingnowdirectlybeforeher)，“ImustaskyoutotrustimplicitlyinwhatItellyouofmyfurtherexperiencesthatfatalnight。Itwasnotnecessaryformetopassmylittleson”sdoorinordertoreachtheroomIwasmakingfor；butanguishtookmethereandheldmegluedtothepanelsforwhatseemedalong，longtime。

WhenIfinallycreptawayitwastogototheroomIhadchoseninthetopofthehouse，whereIhadmyhourofhellandfacedmydesolatedfuture。DidIhearanythingmeantimeinthehallsbelow？No。DidIevenlistenforthesoundofherreturn？No。I

wascalloustoeverything，deadtoeverythingbutmyownmisery。

Ididnotevenheedtheapproachofmorning，tillsuddenly，withashrillnessnoearcouldignore，thererose，tearingthroughthesilenceofthehouse，thatgreatscreamfrommywife”sroomwhichannouncedthediscoveryofherbodylyingstarkandcoldinherbed。

“TheysaidIshowedlittlefeeling。”Hehadmovedoffagainandspokefromsomewhereintheshadows。“DoyouwonderatthisaftersuchamanifeststrokebyabenevolentProvidence？Mywifebeingdead，Rogerwassavedtous！Itwastheonesongofmystillundisciplinedsoul，andIhadtoassumecoldnesslesttheyshouldseethegreatnessofmyjoy。Awickedandguiltyrejoicingyouwillsay，andyouareright。ButIhadnomemorythenofthepartIhadplayedinthisfatality。Ihadforgottenmyrecklessflightfromthegrotto，whichleftherwithnoaidbutthatofherowntriumphantspirittohelpheroverthosetreacherousrocks。Thenecessityforkeepingsecretthispartofourdisgracefulstoryledmetoexertmyselftokeepitoutofmyownmind。Ithasonlycomebacktomeinallitsforcesinceanewhorror，anewsuspicion，hasdrivenmetoreviewcarefullyeveryincidentofthatawfulnight。

“Iwasneveramanofmuchlogic，andwhentheycametomeonthatmorningofwhichIhavejustspokenandtookmeinwhereshelayandpointedtoherbeautifulcoldbodystretchedoutinseemingpeaceunderthesatincoverlet，andthentothepileofdaintyclotheslyingneatlyfoldedonachairwithjustonefairyslipperontop，Ishudderedatherfatebutaskednoquestions，notevenwhenoneofthewomenofthehousementionedthecircumstanceofthesingleslipperandsaidthatasearchshouldbemadeforitsmate。NorwasIasmuchimpressedasonewouldnaturallyexpectbythewhisperdroppedinmyearthatsomethingwasthematterwithherwrists。ItistruethatIliftedthelacetheyhadcarefullyspreadoverthemandexaminedthediscolorationwhichextendedlikearingabouteachpearlyarm；

buthavingnomemoriesofanyviolenceofferedher(Ihadnotsomuchaslaidhanduponherinthegrotto)，thesemarksfailedtorousemyinterest。But——andnowImustleapayearinmystory——

therecameatimewhenbothofthesefactsrecurredtomymindwithstartlingdistinctnessandclamouredforexplanation。

“Ihadrisenabovetheshockwhichsuchadeathfollowingsucheventswouldnaturallyoccasioneveninoneofmybluntedsensibilities，andwasstrivingtoliveanewlifeundertheencouragementofmynowfullyreconciledfather，whenaccidentforcedmetore-enterthegrottowhereIhadneversteppedfootsincethatnight。Afavouritedoginchaseofsomeinnocentpreyhadescapedtheleashandrunintoitsdimrecessesandwouldnotcomeoutatmycall。AsIneededhimimmediatelyforthehunt，I

followedhimoverthepromontoryand，swallowingmyrepugnance，slidintothegrottotogethim。Betteraplungetomydeathfromtheheightoftherockstoweringaboveit。Forthereinaremotecorner，lightedupbyareflectionfromthesea，IbeheldmysettercrouchedaboveanobjectwhichinanothermomentI

recognizedasmydeadwife”smissingslipper。Here！Notinthewatersoftheseaorintheintersticesoftherocksoutside，buthere！Proofthatshehadneverwalkedbacktothehousewhereshewasfoundlyingquietlyinherbed；proofpositive；forIknewthepathtoowellandthemorethanusualtendernessofherfeet。

“Howthen，didshegetthere；andbywhoseagency？Wasshelivingwhenshewent，orwasshealreadydead？Ayearhadpassedsincethatdelicateshoehadborneherfromtheboatintothesedimrecesses；butitmighthavebeenonlyaday，sovividlydidI

liveoverinthismomentofawfulenlightenmentalltheeventsofthehourinwhichwesatthereplayingforthepossessionofourchild。AgainIsawhergleamingeyes，herrosy，workingmouth，herslim，whitehand，loadedwithdiamonds，clutchingthecards。

AgainIheardthelapoftheseaonthepebblesoutsideandsmelttheodourofthewineshehadpouredoutforusboth。Thebottlewhichhadheldit；theglassfromwhichshehaddrunklaynowinpiecesontherockyfloor。ThewholescenewasmineagainandasIfollowedtheeventtoitsdespairingclose，Iseemedtoseemyownwildfigurespringingawayfromhertothegrotto”smouthandsoovertherocks。Butherefancyfaltered，caughtbyaquickrecollectiontowhichIhadnevergivenathoughttillnow。AsI

mademywayalongthoserocks，asoundhadstruckmyearfromwheresomestuntedbushesmadeashadowinthemoonlight。Thewindmighthavecauseditorsomesmallnightcreaturehustlingawayatmyapproach；andtosomesuchcauseImustatthetimehaveattributedit。Butnow，withbrainfiredbysuspicion，itseemedmorelikethequickintakeofahumanbreath。Someonehadbeenlyingthereinwait，listeningattheoneloopholeintherockswhereitwaspossibletohearwhatwassaidanddoneintheheartofthegrotto。Butwho？who？andforwhatpurposethislistening；andtowhatenddiditlead？

“ThoughInolongerlovedeventhememoryofmywife，Ifeltmyhairlift，asIaskedmyselfthesequestions。Thereseemedtobebutonelogicalanswertothelast，anditwasthis：Astrugglefollowedbydeath。Theshoefallenfromherfoot，theclothesfoundfoldedinherroom(mywifewasneverorderly)，andthedimlyblackenedwristswhichweresnow-whitewhenshedealtthecards——allseemedtopointtosuchaconclusion。Shemayhavediedfromheart-failure，butastrugglehadprecededherdeath，duringwhichsomeman”sstrongfingershadbeenlockedaboutherwrists。Andagainthequestionrose，Whose？

“Ifanyplacewaseverhatedbymortalmanthatgrottowashatedbyme。Iloatheditswalls，itsfloor，itseveryvisibleandinvisiblecomer。Tolingerthere——tolook——almosttoremysoulfrommybody；yetIdidlingeranddidlookandthisiswhatI

foundbywayofreward。

“Behindaprojectingledgeofstonefromwhichatatteredrugstillhung，Icameupontwonailsdrivenafewfeetapartintoafissureoftherock。Ihaddriventhosenailsmyselflongbeforeforacertaingymnasticattachmentmuchinvogueatthetime，andonlookingcloser，Idiscoveredhangingfromthemtherope-endsbywhichIwaswonttopullmyselfabout。Sofartherewasnothingtorouseanybutinnocentreminiscences。ButwhenIheardthedog”slowmoanandsawhimleapatthecurled-upends，andnosethemwithaneagerlookmyway，IrememberedthedarkmarkscirclingthewristsaboutwhichIhadsooftenclaspedmymother”sbracelets，andtheworldwentblackbeforeme。

“Whenconsciousnessreturned——whenIcouldoncemoremoveandseeandthink，Inotedanotherfact。Cardswerestrewnaboutthefloor，faceupandinafixedorderasiflaidinamockingmoodtobelookeduponbyreluctanteyes；andneartheominoushalf-

circletheymade，acushionfromthelounge，stainedhorriblywithwhatIthenthoughttobeblood，butwhichIafterwardsfoundtobewine。Vengeancespokeinthoseropesandinthecarefullyspread-outcards，andmurderinthesmotheringpillow。

ThevengeanceofonewhohadwatchedhercorrodinginfluenceeatthelifeoutofmyhonourandwhoseloveforourlittleRogerwassuchthatanydeedwhichensuredhiscontinuedpresenceinthehomeappearednotonlywarrantablebutobligatory。Alas！Iknewofbutonepersoninthewholeworldwhocouldcherishfeelingtothisextentorpossesssufficientwillpowertocarryherlifelessbodybacktothehouseandlayitinherbedandgivenosignoftheabominableactfromthatdayontothis。

“MissStrange，therearemenwhohaveapeculiarconceptionofduty。Myfather”

“Youneednotgoon。”Howgently，howtenderlyourVioletspoke。

“Iunderstandyourtrouble”

Didshe？Shepausedtoaskherselfifthiswereso，andhe，deafperhapstoherwords，caughtuphisbrokensentenceandwenton：

“MyfatherwasinthehallthedayIcamestaggeringinfrommyvisittothegrotto。Nowordspassed，butoureyesmetandfromthathourIhaveseendeathinhiscountenanceandhehasseenitinmine，liketwoopponents，eachstrucktotheheart，whostandfacingeachotherwithsimulatedsmilestilltheyfall。Myfatherwilldropfirst。Heisold——veryoldsincethatdayfiveweeksago；andtoseehimdieandnotbesure——toseethegravecloseoverapossibleinnocence，andIlefthereinignoranceoftheblissfulfacttillmyowneyescloseforever，ismorethanIcanholdupunder；morethananysoncould。Cannotyouhelpmethentoapositiveknowledge？Think！think！Awoman”smindisstrangelypenetrating，andyours，Iamtold，hasanintuitivefacultymoretoberelieduponthanthereasoningofmen。Itmustsuggestsomemeansofconfirmingmydoubtsorofdefinitelyendingthem。”

ThenVioletstirredandlookedaboutathimandfinallyfoundvoice。

“Tellmesomethingaboutyourfather”sways。Whatarehishabits？

Doeshesleepwellorishewakefulatnight？“

“Hehaspoornights。IdonotknowhowpoorbecauseIamnotoftenwithhim。Hisvalet，whohasalwaysbeeninourfamily，shareshisroomandactsashisconstantnurse。HecanwatchoverhimbetterthanIcan；hehasnodistractingtroubleonhismind。”

“AndlittleRoger？DoesyourfatherseemuchoflittleRoger？

Doeshefondlehimandseemhappyinhispresence？“

“Yes；yes。Ihaveoftenwonderedatit，buthedoes。Theyaregreatchums。Itisapleasuretoseethemtogether。”

“Andthechildclingstohim——showsnofear——sitsonhislaporonthebedandplaysaschildrendoplaywithhisbeardorwithhiswatch-chain？“

“Yes。OnlyoncehaveIseenmylittlechapshrink，andthatwaswhenmyfathergavehimalookofunusualintensity，——lookingforhismotherinhimperhaps。”

“Mr。Upjohn，forgivemethequestion；itseemsnecessary。Doesyourfather——orratherdidyourfatherbeforehefellill——everwalkinthedirectionofthegrottoorhauntinanywaytherockswhichsurroundit？“

“Icannotsay。Theseaisthere；henaturallylovesthesea。ButIhaveneverseenhimstandingonthepromontory。”

“Whichwaydohiswindowslook？“

“Towardsthesea。”

“Thereforetowardsthepromontory？“

“Yes。”

“Canheseeitfromhisbed？“

“No。Perhapsthatisthecauseofapeculiarhabithehas。”

“Whathabit？“

“Everynightbeforeheretires(heisnotyetconfinedtohisbed)hestandsforafewminutesinhisfrontwindowlookingout。

Hesaysit”shisgood-nighttotheocean。Whenhenolongerdoesthis，weshallknowthathisendisverynear。”

ThefaceofVioletbegantoclear。Rising，sheturnedontheelectriclight，andthen，reseatingherself，remarkedwithanaspectofquietcheer：

“Ihavetwoideas；buttheynecessitatemypresenceatyourplace。Youwillnotmindavisit？Mybrotherwillaccompanyme。”

RogerUpjohndidnotneedtospeak，hardlytomakeagesture；hisexpressionwassoeloquent。

Shethankedhimasifhehadansweredinwords，addingwithanairofgentlereserve：“Providenceassistsusinthismatter。I

aminvitedtoBeverlynextweektoattendawedding。Iwasintendingtostaytwodays，butIwillmakeitthreeandspendtheextraonewithyou。”

“Whatareyourrequirements，MissStrange？Ipresumeyouhavesome。”

VioletturnedfromtheimposingportraitofMr。Upjohnwhichshehadbeengravelycontemplating，andmetthetroubledeyeofheryounghostwithanenigmaticalflashofherown。Butshemadenoanswerinwords。Instead，sheliftedherrighthandandranoneslenderfingerthoughtfullyupthecasingofthedoornearwhichtheystoodtillitstruckanickintheoldmahoganyalmostonalevelwithherhead。

“IsyoursonRogeroldenoughtoreachsofar？“sheaskedwithanothershortlookathimassheletherfingerrestwhereithadstrucktheroughenedwood。“Ithoughthewasalittlefellow。”

“Heis。Thatcutwasmadeby——bymywife；asampleofhercapriciouswillfulness。Shewishedtoleavearecordofherselfinthesubstanceofourhouseaswellasinourlives。Thatnickmarksherheight。Shelaughedwhenshemadeit。”Tillthewallscaveinorburn”iswhatshesaid。AndIthoughtherlaughandsmilecaptivating。”

Cuttingshorthisownlaughwhichwasmuchtoosardonicforalady”sears，hemadeamoveasiftoleadthewayintoanotherportionoftheroom。ButVioletfailedtonoticethis，andlingeringinquietcontemplationofthissuggestivelittlenick，——

theonlyblemishinaroomofancientcolonialmagnificence，——

shethoughtfullyremarked：

“Thenshewasasmallwoman？“addingwithseemingirrelevance——

“likemyself。”

Rogerwinced。Somethinginthesuggestionhurthim，andinthenodhegavetherewasanairofcoldnesswhichunderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavedeterredherfrompursuingthissubjectfurther。Butthecircumstanceswerenotordinary，andsheallowedherselftosay：

“Wasshesoverydifferentfromme，——infigure，Imean？“

“No。Whydoyouask？Shallwenotjoinyourbrotherontheterrace？“

“NottillIhaveansweredthequestionyouputmeamomentago。

Youwishedtoknowmyrequirements。Oneofthemostimportantyouhavealreadyfulfilled。Youhavegivenyourservantsahalf-

holidayandbysodoingensuredtousfulllibertyofaction。

WhatelseIneedintheattemptIproposetomake，youwillfindlistedinthismemorandum。”Andtakingaslipofpaperfromherbag，sheofferedittohimwithahand，thetremblingofwhichhewouldhavenotedhadhebeenfreerinmind。

Asheread，shewatchedhim，herfingersnervouslyclutchingherthroat。

“CanyousupplywhatIask？“shefaltered，ashefailedtoraisehiseyesormakeanymoveoreventoutterthegroanshesawsurginguptohislips。“Willyou？“sheimpetuouslyurged，ashisfingersclosedspasmodicallyonthepaper，inevidencethatheunderstoodatlastthetrendofherdaringpurpose。

Theanswercameslowly，butitcame。“Iwill。Butwhat”

Herhandroseinapleadinggesture。

“Donotaskme，buttakeArthurandmyselfintothegardenandshowustheflowers。Afterwards，Ishouldlikeaglimpseofthesea。”

HebowedandtheyjoinedArthurwhohadalreadybeguntostrollthroughthegrounds。

Violetwasseldomatalossfortalkevenatthemostcriticalmoments。Butshewasstrangelytongue-tiedonthisoccasion，aswasRogerhimself。SaveforafewobservationscasuallythrownoutbyArthur，thethreepassedinadisquietingsilencethroughpergolaafterpergola，andaroundbedsgorgeouswitheveryvarietyoffallflowers，tilltheyturnedasharpcornerandcameinfullviewofthesea。

“Ah！“fellinanadmiringmurmurfromViolet”slipsashereyessweptthehorizon。Thenastheysettledonamassofrockjuttingoutfromtheshoreinagreatcurve，sheleanedtowardsherhostandsoftlywhispered：

“Thepromontory？“

Henodded，andVioletventurednofarther，butstoodforalittlewhilegazingatthetumbledrocks。Then，withaquicklookbackatthehouse，sheaskedhimtopointouthisfather”swindow。

Hedidso，andasshenotedhowopenlyitfacedthesea，herexpressionrelaxedandhermannerlostsomeofitsconstraint。Astheyturnedtore-enterthehouse，shenoticedanoldmanpickingflowersfromavineclamberingoveroneendofthepiazza。

“Whoisthat？“sheasked。

“Ouroldestservant，andmyfather”sownman，“wasRoger”sreply。

“Heispickingmyfather”sfavouriteflowers，afewlatehoneysuckles。”

“Howfortunate！Speaktohim，Mr。Upjohn。Askhimhowyourfatheristhisevening。”

“AccompanymeandIwill；anddonotbeafraidtoenterintoconversationwithhim。Heisthemildestofcreaturesanddevotedtohispatient。Helikesnothingbetterthantotalkabouthim。”

Violet，withameaninglookatherbrother，ranupthestepsatRoger”sside。Asshedidso，theoldmanturnedandVioletwasastonishedatthewistfulnesswithwhichheviewedher。

“Whatadearoldcreature！“shemurmured。“Seehowhestaresthisway。Youwouldthinkheknewme。”

“Heisgladtoseeawomanabouttheplace。Hehasfeltourisolation——Goodevening，Abram。Letthisyoungladyhaveasprayofyoursweetesthoneysuckle。And，Abram，beforeyougo，howisFatherto-night？Stillsittingup？“

“Yes，sir。Heisveryregularinhisways。Nineishishour；notaminutebeforeandnotaminutelater。Idon”thavetolookattheclockwhenhesays：”There，Abram，I”vesatuplongenough。”“

“Whenmyfatherretiresbeforehistimeorgoestobedwithoutafinallookatthesea，hewillbeaverysickman，Abram。”

“Thathewill，Mr。Roger；thathewill。Buthe”sveryfeebleto-

night，veryfeeble。Inoticedthathegavetheboyfewerkissesthanusual。Perhapshewasputoutbecausethechildwasbroughtinahalf-hourearlierthanthestatedtime。Hedon”tlikechanges；youknowthat，Mr。Roger；hedon”tlikechanges。I

hardlydaredtotellhimthattheservantswereallgoingoutinabunchto-night。”

“I”msorry，“mutteredRoger。“Buthe”llforgetitbyto-morrow。I

couldn”tbeartokeepasingleonefromtheconcert。They”llbebackingoodseasonandmeantimewehaveyou。Abramisworthhalfadozenofthem，MissStrange。Weshallmissnothing。”

“Thankyou，Mr。Roger，thankyou，“falteredtheoldman。“Itrytodomyduty。”AndwithanotherwistfulglanceatViolet，wholookedverysweetandyouthfulinthehalf-light，hepotteredaway。

ThesilencewhichfollowedhisdeparturewasaspainfultoherastoRogerUpjohn。Whenshebrokeititwaswiththisdecisiveremark：

“Thatmanmustnotspeakofmetoyourfather。Hemustnotevenmentionthatyouhaveaguestto-night。Runafterhimandtellhimso。Itisnecessarythatyourfather”smindshouldnotbetakenupwithpresenthappenings。Run。”

Rogermadehastetoobeyher。Whenhecamebackshewasonthepointofjoiningherbrotherbutstoppedtoutterafinalinjunction：

“Ishallleavethelibrary，orwhereverwemaybesitting，justastheclockstrikeshalf-pasteight。Arthurwilldothesame，asbythattimehewillfeellikesmokingontheterrace。Donotfolloweitherhimormyself，buttakeyourstandhereonthepiazzawhereyoucangetafullviewoftheright-handwingwithoutattractinganyattentiontoyourself。Whenyouhearthebigclockinthehallstrikenine，lookupquicklyatyourfather”swindow。Whatyouseemaydetermine——oh，Arthur！stilladmiringtheprospect？Idonotwonder。ButIfinditchilly。

Letusgoin。”

RogerUpjohn，sittingbyhimselfinthelibrary，waswatchingthehandsofthemantelclockslowlyapproachingthehourofnine。

Neverhadsilenceseemedmoreoppressivenorhissenseoflonelinessgreater。Yettheboomoftheoceanwasdistincttotheear，andhumanpresencenofartherawaythantheterracewhereArthurStrangecouldbeseensmokingouthiscigarinsolitude。

ThesilenceandthelonelinesswereinRoger”sownsoul；and，infaceoftheexpectedrevelationwhichwouldmakeorunmakehisfuture，thedesolationtheywroughtwasmeasureless。

Tocuthissuspenseshort，heroseatlengthandhurriedouttothespotdesignatedbyMissStrangeasthebestpointfromwhichtokeepwatchuponhisfather”swindow。Itwasattheendofthepiazzawherethehoneysucklehung，andtheodouroftheblossoms，sopleasingtohisfather，well-nighoverpoweredhimnotonlybyitssweetnessbutbythemanymemoriesitcalledup。Visionsofthatfatherashelookedatallstagesoftheirrelationshippassedinabewilderingmazebeforehim。Hesawhimasheappearedtohischildisheyesinthoseearlydaysofconfidencewhenthelossofthemothercasttheminmutualdependenceuponeachother。Thenasternerpictureoftherelentlessparentwhoseesbutonestraightcoursetosuccessinthisworldandthenext。Thentheteacherandthematuredadviser；andthen——oh，bitterchange！themanwhosehopeshehadcrossed——whoselifehehadundone，andallforherwhonowcamestealinguponthescenewithherslim，white，jewelledhandforeverliftedupbetweenthem。Andshe！Hadheeverseenhermoreclearly？Oncemorethedaintyfiguresteppedfromfairy-land，beauteouswitheverygracethatcanallureandfinallydestroyaman。Andashesaw，hetrembledandwishedthatthesemomentsofawfulwaitingmightpassandthetestbeoverwhichwouldlaybarehisfather”sheartandjustifyhisfearsordispelthemforever。

Butthecrisis，ifcrisisitwas，wasoneofhisownmakingandnottobehastenedorevaded。Withonequickglanceathisfather”swindow，heturnedinhisimpatiencetowardstheseawhoserestlessandcontinuousmoaninghadatlengthstruckhisear。Whatwasinitscallto-nightthatheshouldthusswaytowardsitasthoughdrawnbysomedreadmagneticforce？Hehadbeenborntothedashingofitswavesandknewitseverymoodandallthepassionofitssongfromfrolicsomerippletomelancholydirge。Buttherewassomethingoddandinexplicableinitseffectuponhisspiritashefaceditatthishour。Grimandimplacable——

asoundratherthanasight——itseemedtoholdwithinitsinvisibledistancestheimageofhisfuturefate。Whatthisimagewasandwhyheshouldseekforitinthisimpenetrablevoid，hedidnotknow。Hefelthimselfheldandwasstrugglingwiththisinfluenceaswithanunknownenemywhenthererangout，fromthehallwithin，thepreparatorychimesforwhichhisearwaswaiting，andthenthenineslowstrokeswhichsignalizedthemomentwhenhewastolookforhisfather”spresenceatthewindow。

Hadhewished，hecouldnothaveforbornethatlook。Hadhiseyesbeenclosingindeath，orsohefelt，thetremblinglidswouldhaveburstapartatthiscallandtherevelationsitpromised。

Andwhatdidhesee？Whatdidthatwindowholdforhim？

Nothingthathemightnothaveseenthereanynightatthishour。

Hisfather”sfiguredrawnupbehindthepanesinwistfulcontemplationofthenight。Novisiblechangeinhisattitude，nothingforcedorunusualinhismanner。Eventhehand，liftedtopulldowntheshade，moveswithitsfamiliarhesitation。Inamomentmorethatshadewillbedownand——Butno！theliftedhandfallsback；theeasyattitudebecomesstrained，fixed。Heisstaringnow——notmerelygazingoutuponthewastesofskyandsea；andRoger，followingthedirectionofhisglance，staresalsoinbreathlessemotionatwhatthosedistances，butnowsoimpenetrable，aregivingtotheeye。

Aspectrefloatingintheairabovethepromontory！Thespectreofawoman——ofhiswife，clad，asshehadbeencladthatfatalnight！Outlinedinsupernaturallight，itfacesthemwithliftedarmsshowingtheendsofropedanglingfromeitherwrist。Asightawfultoanyeye，buttothemanofguiltyheart——

Ah！itcomes——thecryforwhichtheagonizedsonhadbeenlistening！Anoldman”sshriek，hoarsewiththeremorseofsleeplessnightsanddaysofunimaginableregretandforeboding！

Itcutsthenight。Itcutsitswayintohisheart。Hefeelshissensesfailinghim，yethemustglanceoncemoreatthewindowandseewithhislastconsciouslook——Butwhatisthis！achangehastakenplaceinthepictureandhebeholds，notthedistortedformofhisfathersinkingbackinshameandterrorbeforethisvisibleimageofhissecretsin，butthatofanotherweak，oldmanfallingtothefloorbehindhisback！Abram！theattentive，seeminglyharmless，guardianofthehousehold！Abram！whohadneverspokenawordorgivenalookinanywaysuggestiveofhishavingplayedanyotherpartinthehideousdramaoftheirlivesthanthatofthehumbleandsympatheticservant！

Theshockwastoogreat，therelieftooabsoluteforcredence。

He，thelisteneratthegrotto？He，theavengerofthefamily”shonour？He，theinsureroflittleRoger”scontinuancewiththefamilyatacosttheonewholovedhimbestwouldratherhavediedhimselfthanpay？Yes！thereisnomisdoubtingthisoldservitor”sattitudeofabjectappeal，orthemeaningofHomerUpjohn”sjoyfullyupliftedcountenanceandoutspreadingarms。Theservantbegsformercyfromman，andthemasterisgivingthankstoHeaven。Whygivingthanks？Hashebeenthepreyofcankeringdoubtsalso？Hasthefatherdreadedtodiscoverthatinthesonwhichthesonhasdreadedtodiscoverinthefather？

Itmighteasilybe；andasRogerrecognizesthistruthandthefulltragedyoftheirmutuallives，hedropstohiskneesamidthehoneysuckles。

“Violet，youareawonder。Buthowdidyoudare？“

ThisfromArthurasthetworodetothetrainintheearlymorning。

Theanswercameabitwaveringly。

“Idonotknow。Iamastonishedyet，atmyowndaring。Lookatmyhands。Theyhavenotceasedtremblingsincethemomentyouthrewthelightuponmeontherocks。ThefigureofoldMr。Upjohninthewindowlookedsoaugust。”

Arthur，withashortglanceatthelittlehandssheheldout，shruggedhisshouldersimperceptibly。Itstruckhimthatthetremulousnessshecomplainedofwasduemoretosomepartingwordfromtheiryounghost，thanfromprolongedaweatherowndaring。

Buthemadenoremarktothiseffect，onlyobserved：

“Abramhasconfessedhisguilt，Ihear。”

“Yes，andwilldieofit。Themasterwillburytheman，andnotthemanthemaster。”

“AndRoger？Notthelittlefellow，butthefather？“

“Wewillnottalkofhim，“saidshe，hereyesseekingtheseawherethesuninitsrisingwasbattlingwithatroopofloweringcloudsandslowlygainingthevictory。

ENDOFPROBLEMIV

PROBLEMV

THEDREAMINGLADY

“Andthisisallyoumeantotellme？“

“Ithinkyouwillfinditquiteenough，MissStrange。”

“Justtheaddress”

“Andthisadvice：thatyourcallbespeedy。Distractednervescannotwait。”

Violet，acrosswhosewontedpiquancytherelayanindefinableshadow，eyedheremployerwithadoubtfulairbeforeturningawaytowardthedoor。Shehadaskedhimforacasetoinvestigate(somethingshehadneverdonebefore)，andshehadevengonesofarastoparticularizethesortofcaseshedesired：“Itmustbeaninterestingone，“shehadstipulated，“butdifferent，quitedifferentfromthelastone。Itmustnotinvolvedeathoranykindofhorror。Ifyouhaveacaseofsubtletywithoutcrime，onetoengagemypowerswithoutdepressingmyspirits，Ibegyoutoletmehaveit。I——IhavenotfeltquitelikemyselfsinceIcamefromMassachusetts。”Whereupon，withoutfurthercomment，butwithasmileshedidnotunderstand，hehadhandedherasmallslipofpaperonwhichhehadscribbledanaddress。Sheshouldhavefeltsatisfied，butforsomereasonshedidnot。Sheregardedhimascapableofplungingherintoanaffairquitethereverseofwhatshefeltherselfinaconditiontoundertake。

“Ishouldliketoknowalittlemore，“shepursued，makingamovetounfoldthesliphehadgivenher。

Buthestoppedherwithagesture。

“Readitinyourlimousine，“saidhe。“Ifyouaredisappointedthen，letmeknow。ButIthinkyouwillfindyourselfquitereadyforyourtask。”

“Andmyfather？“

“Wouldapproveifhecouldbegottoapprovethebusinessatall。

Youdonotevenneedtotakeyourbrotherwithyou。”

“Oh，then，it”swithwomenonlyIhavetodeal？“

“ReadtheaddressafteryouareheadedupFifthAvenue。”

Butwhen，withherdoubtsnotyetentirelyremoved，sheopenedthesmallsliphehadgivenher，thenumberinsidesuggestednothingbutthefactthatherdestinationlaysomewherenearEightiethStreet。Itwasthereforewiththekeenestsurpriseshebeheldhermotorstopbeforetheconspicuoushouseofthegreatfinancierwhoselatedeathhadsoaffectedthemoney-market。Shehadnothadanyacquaintancewiththismanherself，butsheknewhishouse。Everyoneknewthat。Itwasoneofthemostprincelyinthewholecity。C。DudleyBrookshadknownhowtospendhismillions。Indeed，hehadknownhowtodothissowellthatitwasofhimherfather，alsoafinancierofsomenote，hadoncesaidhewastheonlysuccessfulAmericanheenvied。

Shewasexpected；thatshesawtheinstantthedoorwasopened。

Thismadeherentranceeasy——anentrancefurtherbrightenedbythedelightfulglimpseofachild”scherubicfacelookingatherfromadistantdoorway。Itwasaninstantaneousvision，goneassoonasseen；butitseffectwastorobthepillaredspacesofthewonderfulhallwayofsomeoftheirchill，andtomodifyinsomeslightdegreetheformalityofaservicewhichdemandedthreementousherherintoasmallreception-roomnottwentyfeetfromthedoorofentrance。

Leftinthissecludedspot，shehadtimetoaskherselfwhatmemberofthehouseholdshewouldbecalledupontomeet，andwassurprisedtofindthatshedidnotevenknowofwhomthehouseholdconsisted。ShewassureofthefactthatMr。Brookshadbeenawidowerformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，butbeyondthatsheknewnothingofhisdomesticlife。Hisson——butwasthereason？ShehadneverheardanymentionmadeofayoungerMr。

Brooks，yettherewascertainlysomeoneofhisconnectionwhoenjoyedtherightsofanheir。Himshemustbepreparedtomeetwithaduecomposure，whateverastonishmenthemightshowatthesightofaslipofagirlinsteadoftheexperienceddetectivehehadeveryrighttoexpect。

Butwhenthedooropenedtoadmitthepersonshewasawaiting，thesurprisewashers。Itwasawomanwhostoodbeforeher，awomanandanoddity。Yet，injustwhatherodditylay，Violetfounditdifficulttodecide。Wasitinthesmoothnessofherwhitelocksdrawncarefullydownoverherears，orinthecontrastaffordedbyhereagereyesandherweakandtremulousmouth？Shewasdressedintheheaviestofmourningandveryexpensively，buttherewasthatinherbearingandexpressionwhichmadeitimpossibletobelievethatshetookanyinterestinhergarmentsorevenknewinwhichofherdressesshehadbeenattired。

“Iamthepersonyouhavecomeheretosee，“shesaid。“Yournameisnotunfamiliartome，butyoumaynotknowmine。ItisQuintard；Mrs。Quintard。Iamindifficulty。Ineedassistance——

secretassistance。Ididnotknowwheretogoforitexcepttoadetectiveagency；soItelephonedtothefirstoneIsawadvertised；and——andIwastoldtoexpectMissStrange。ButI

didn”tthinkitwouldbeyouthoughIsupposeit”sallright。Youhavecomehereforthispurpose，haven”tyou，thoughitdoesseemalittlequeer？“

“Certainly，Mrs。Quintard；andifyouwilltellme”

“Mydear，it”sjustthis——yes，Iwillsitdown。Lastweekmybrotherdied。Youhaveheardofhimnodoubt，C。DudleyBrooks？“

“Oh，yes；myfatherknewhim——weallknewhimbyreputation。Donothurry，Mrs。Quintard。Ihavesentmycaraway。Youcantakeallthetimeyouwish。”

“No，no，Icannot。I”mindesperatehaste。He——butletmegoonwithmystory。Mybrotherwasawidower，withnochildrentoinherit。Thateverybodyknows。Buthiswifeleftbehindherasonbyaformerhusband，andthissonofhersmybrotherhadinameasureadopted，andevenmadehissoleheirinawillhedrewupduringthelifetimeofhiswife。Butwhenhefound，asheverysoondid，thatthisyoungmanwasnotdevelopinginawaytomeetsuchgreatresponsibilities，hemadeanewwill——thoughunhappilywithouttheknowledgeofthefamily，orevenofhismostintimatefriends——inwhichhegavethebulkofhisgreatestatetohisnephewClement，whohasbetteredthepromiseofhisyouthandwhobesideshaschildrenofgreatbeautywhommybrotherhadlearnedtolove。Andthiswill——thishoardedscrapofpaperwhichmeanssomuchtousall，islost！lost！andI”herehervoicewhichhadrisenalmosttoascream，sanktoahorrifiedwhisper，“amtheonewholostit。”

“Butthere”sacopyofitsomewhere——thereisalwaysacopy”

“Oh，butyouhaven”theardall。Mynephewisaninvalid；hasbeenaninvalidforyears——that”swhysolittleisknownabouthim。

He”sdyingofconsumption。Thedoctorsholdoutnohopeforhim，andnow，withthefearpreyinguponhimofleavinghiswifeandchildrenpenniless，heiswearingawaysofastthatanyhourmayseehisend。AndIhavetomeethiseyes——suchpitifuleyes——andthelookinthemiskillingme。Yet，Iwasnottoblame。Icouldnothelp——Oh，MissStrange，“shesuddenlybrokeinwiththeinconsequenceofextremefeeling，“thewillisinthehouse！I

nevercarrieditoffthefloorwhereIsleep。Findit；findit，I

pray，or”

ThemomenthadcomeforViolet”ssofttouch，forViolet”sencouragingword。

“Iwilltry，“sheansweredher。

Mrs。Quintardgrewcalmer。

“But，first，“theyounggirlcontinued，“Imustknowmoreabouttheconditions。Whereisthisnephewofyours——themanwhoisill？“

“Inthishouse，wherehehasbeenforthelasteightmonths。”

“WasthechildhisofwhomIcaughtaglimpseinthehallasI

camein？“

“Yes，and”

“Iwillfightforthatchild！“Violetcriedoutimpulsively。“I

amsurehisfather”scauseisgood。Whereistheotherclaimant——

theoneyoudesignateasCarlos？“

“Oh，there”swherethetroubleis！CarlosisontheMauretania，andsheisduehereinacoupleofdays。HecomesfromtheEastwherehehasbeentouringwithhiswife。MissStrange，thelostwillmustbefoundbeforethen，ortheotherwillbeopenedandreadandCarlosmademasterofthishouse，whichwouldmeanourquickdepartureandClement”scertaindeath。”

“Moveasickman？——arelativeaslowasyousayheis？Ohno，Mrs。Quintard；noonewoulddothat，werethehouseacabinanditsownerspaupers。”

“YoudonotknowCarlos；youdonotknowhiswife。Weshouldnotbegivenaweekinwhichtopack。TheyhavenochildrenandtheyenvyClementwhohas。Ouronlyhopeliesindiscoveringthepaperwhichgivesustherighttoremainhereinfaceofallopposition。Thatorpenury。Nowyouknowmytrouble。”

“Anditistrouble；onefromwhichIshallmakeeveryefforttorelieveyou。Butfirstletmeaskifyouarenotworryingunnecessarilyaboutthismissingdocument？IfitwasdrawnupbyMr。Brooks”slawyer”

“Butitwasnot，“thatladyimpetuouslyinterrupted。“HislawyerisCarlos”snearrelative，andhasneverbeentoldofthechangeinmybrother”sintentions。Clement(Iamspeakingnowofmybrotherandnotofmynephew)wasagreatmoney-getter，butwhenitcametostandingupforhisrightsindomesticmatters，hewasmoretimidthanachild。Hewassubjecttohiswifewhileshelived，andwhenshewasgone，toherrelatives，whoareallofadominatingcharacter。WhenhefinallymadeuphismindtodousjusticeandeliminateCarlos，hewentoutoftown——IwishIcouldrememberwhere——andhadthiswilldrawnupbyastranger，whosenameIcannotrecall。”

Hershakingtones，hernervousmannerbetrayedaweaknessequalling，ifnotsurpassing，thatofthebrotherwhodaredinsecretwhathehadnotstrengthtoacknowledgeopenly，anditwaswithsomehesitationVioletpreparedtoaskthosedefinitequestionswhichwouldelucidatethecauseandmannerofalossseeminglysoimportant。Shedreadedtohearsomecommonplacetaleofinexcusablecarelessness。Somethingsubtlerthanthis——thepresenceofsomeunsuspectedagencyopposedtoyoungClement”sinterest；somepartisanofCarlos；somesecretunderminingforceinahousefullofservantsanddependants，seemednecessaryforthedevelopmentofsoordinaryasituationintoadramajustifyingtheexerciseofherspecialpowers。

“IthinkIunderstandnowyourexactpositioninthehouse，aswellasthevalueofthepaperwhichyousayyouhavelost。Thenextthingformetohearishowyoucametohavechargeofthispaper，andunderwhatcircumstancesyouwereledtomislayit。Doyounotfeelquitereadytotellme？“

“Is——isthatnecessary？“Mrs。Quintardfaltered。

“Very，“repliedViolet，watchinghercuriously。

“Ididn”texpect——thatis，Ihopedyouwouldbeabletopointout，bysomepowerwecannotofcourseexplain，justthespotwherethepaperlies，withouthavingtotellallthat。Somepeoplecan，youknow。”

“Ah，Iunderstand。Youregardedmeasunfitforpracticalwork，andsocreditedmewithoccultpowers。Butthatiswhereyoumadeamistake，Mrs。Quintard；I”mnothingifnotpractical。Andletmeadd，thatI”massecretasthegraveconcerningwhatmyclientstellme。IfIamtobeofanyhelptoyou，Imustbemadeacquaintedwitheveryfactinvolvedinthelossofthisvaluablepaper。Relatethewholecircumstanceordismissmefromthecase。Youcanhavedonenothingmorefoolishorwrongthanmany——

“

“Oh，don”tsaythingslikethat！“brokeinthepoorwomaninatoneofgreatindignation。“Ihavedonenothinganyonecouldcalleitherfoolishorwicked。Iamsimplyveryunfortunate，andbeingsensitive——Butthisisn”ttellingthestory。I”lltrytomakeitallclear；butifIdonot，andshowanyconfusion，stopmeandhelpmeoutwithquestions。I——I——oh，whereshallIbegin？“

“Withyourfirstknowledgeofthissecondwill。”

“Thankyou，thankyou；nowIcangoon。Onenight，shortlyaftermybrotherhadbeengivenupbythephysicians，Iwascalledtohisbedsideforaconfidentialtalk。Ashehadreceivedthatdayaverylargeamountofmoneyfromthebank，IthoughthewasgoingtohanditovertomeforClement，butitwasforsomethingmuchmoreseriousthanthishehadsummonedme。Whenhewasquitesurethatwewerealoneandnobodyanywherewithinhearing，hetoldmethathehadchangedhismindastothedisposalofhispropertyandthatitwastoClementandhischildren，andnottoCarlos，hewasgoingtoleavethishouseandthebulkofhismoney。Thathehadhadanewwilldrawnupwhichheshowedme”

“Showedyou？“

“Yes；hemademebringittohimfromthesafewherehekeptit；

and，feebleashewas，hewassointerestedinpointingoutcertainportionsofitthatheliftedhimselfinbedandwassostrongandanimatedthatIthoughthewasgettingbetter。Butitwasafalsestrengthduetotheexcitementofthemoment，asI

sawnextdaywhenhesuddenlydied。”

“Youweresayingthatyoubroughtthewilltohimfromhissafe。

Wherewasthesafe？“

“Inthewalloverhishead。Hegavemethekeytoopenit。Thiskeyhetookfromunderhispillow。Ihadnotroubleinfittingitorinturningthelock。”

“Andwhathappenedafteryoulookedatthewill？“

“Iputitback。Hetoldmeto。ButthekeyIkept。HesaidIwasnottopartwithitagaintillthetimecameformetoproducethewill。”

“Andwhenwasthattobe？“

“Immediatelyafterthefuneral，ifitsohappenedthatCarloshadarrivedintimetoattendit。Butifforanyreasonhefailedtobehere，Iwastoletitlietillwithinthreedaysofhisreturn，whenIwastotakeitoutinthepresenceofaMr。

Delahuntwhowastohavefullchargeofitfromthattime。Oh，I

rememberallthatwellenough！andImeantmostearnestlytocarryouthiswishes，but”

“Goon，Mrs。Quintard，praygoon。Whathappened？Whycouldn”tyoudowhatheasked？“

“BecausethewillwasgonewhenIwenttotakeitout。TherewasnothingtoshowMr。Delahuntbuttheemptyshelf。”

“Oh，atheft！justacommontheft！Someoneoverheardthetalkyouhadwithyourbrother。Buthowaboutthekey？Youhadthat？“

“Yes，Ihadthat。”

“Thenitwastakenfromyouandreturned？

Youmusthavebeencarelessastowhereyoukeptit”

“No，Iworeitonachainaboutmyneck。ThoughIhadnoreasontomistrustanyoneinthehouse，IfeltthatIcouldnotguardthiskeytoocarefully。Ievenkeptitonatnight。Infactitneverleftme。ItwasstillonmypersonwhenIwentintotheroomwithMr。Delahunt。Butthesafehadbeenopenedforallthat。”

“Thereweretwokeystoit，then？“

“No；ingivingmethekey，mybrotherhadstrictlywarnedmenottoloseit，asithadnoduplicate。”

“Mrs。Quintard，haveyouaspecialconfidantormaid？“

“Yes，myHetty。”

“Howmuchdidsheknowaboutthiskey？“

“Nothing，butthatitdidn”thelpthefitofmydress。Hettyhascaredformeforyears。There”snomoredevotedwomaninallNewYork，noronewhocanbemorereliedupontotellthetruth。SheissohonestwithhertonguethatIamboundtobelieveherevenwhenshesays”

“What？“

“ThatitwasIandnobodyelsewhotookthewilloutofthesafelastnight。Thatshesawmecomefrommybrother”sroomwithafoldedpaperinmyhand，passwithitintothelibrary，andcomeoutagainwithoutit。ifthisisso，thenthatwillissomewhereinthatgreatroom。Butwe”velookedineveryconceivableplaceexcepttheshelves，whereitisuselesstosearch。Itwouldtakedaystogothroughthemall，andmeanwhileCarlos”

“WewillnotwaitforCarlos。Wewillbeginworkatonce。Butjustoneotherquestion。HowcameHettytoseeyouinyourwalkthroughtherooms？Didshefollowyou？“

“Yes。It”s——it”snotthefirsttimeIhavewalkedinmysleep。

Lastnight——butshewilltellyou。It”sapainfulsubjecttome。

Iwillsendforhertomeetusinthelibrary。”

“Whereyoubelievethisdocumenttoliehidden？“

“Yes。”

“Iamanxioustoseetheroom。Itisupstairs，Ibelieve。”

“Yes。”

Shehadrisenandwasmovingrapidlytowardthedoor。Violeteagerlyfollowedher。

Letusaccompanyherinherpassageupthepalatialstairway，andrealizetheeffectuponherofasplendourwhosefutureownershippossiblydependedentirelyuponherself。

Itwasacoldsplendour。Themerryvoicesofchildrenwerelackinginthesegreathalls。Deathpastandtocomeinfusedtheairwithsolemnityandmockedthepompwhichyetappearedsomuchapartofthelifeherethatonecouldhardlyimaginethehugepillaredspaceswithoutit。

ToViolet，moreorlessaccustomedtofineinteriors，thechiefinterestofthisonelayinitsconnectionwiththemysterythenoccupyingher。Stoppingforamomentonthestair，sheinquiredofMrs。Quintardifthelossshesodeploredhadbeenmadeknowntotheservants，andwasmuchrelievedtofindthat，withthe，exceptionofMr。Delahunt，shehadnotspokenofittoanyonebutClement。“Andhewillnevermentionit，“shedeclared，“noteventohiswife。Shehastroublesenoughtobearwithoutknowinghownearshestoodtoafortune。”

“Oh，shewillhaveherfortune！“Violetconfidentlyreplied。“Intime，thelawyerwhodrewupthewillwillappear。ButwhatyouwantisanimmediatetriumphoverthecoldCarlos，andIhopeyoumayhaveit。Ah！“

Thisexpletivewasasighofsheersurprise。

Mrs。QuintardhadunlockedthelibrarydoorandViolethadbeengivenherfirstglimpseofthis，thefinestroominNewYork。

Sherememberednowthatshehadoftenhearditsocharacterized，and，indeed，haditbeentakenbodilyfromsomehistoricabbeyoftheoldworld，itcouldnothaveexpressedmorefully，instructureandornamentation，theGothicideaatitsbest。Allthatitlackedweretheassociationsofvanishedcenturies，andthese，inameasure，weresuppliedtotheimaginationbythestudiedmellownessofitstintsandthesuggestionofageinitscarvings。

Somuchfortheroomitself，whichwasbutashellforholdingthegreattreasureofvaluablebooksrangedalongeveryshelf。AsViolet”seyesspedovertheirranksandthencetothefivewindowsofdeeplystainedglasswhichfacedherfromthesouthernend，Mrs。Quintardindignantlyexclaimed：

“AndCarloswouldturnthisintoabilliardroom！“

“IdonotlikeCarlos，“Violetreturnedhotly；thenrememberingherself，hastenedtoaskwhetherMrs。Quintardwasquitepositiveastothisroombeingtheoneinwhichshehadhiddenthepreciousdocument。

“YouhadbettertalktoHetty，“saidthatlady，asastoutwomanofmostprepossessingappearanceenteredtheirpresenceandpausedrespectfullyjustinsidethedoorway。“Hetty，youwillansweranyquestionsthisyoungladymayput。Ifanyonecanhelpus，shecan。Butfirst，whatnewsfromthesick-room？“

“Nothinggood。Thedoctorhasjustcomeforthethirdtimetoday。

Mrs。Brooksiscryingandeventhechildrenaredumbwithfear。”

“Iwillgo。Imustseethedoctor。ImusttellhimtokeepClementalivebyanymeanstill”

Shedidnotwaittosaywhat；butVioletunderstoodandfeltherheartgrowheavy。Coulditbethatheremployerconsideredthisthegayandeasytaskshehadaskedfor？

Thenextminuteshewasputtingherfirstquestion：

“Hetty，whatdidyouseeinMrs。Quintard”sactionlastnight，tomakeyouinferthatsheleftthemissingdocumentinthisroom？“

Thewoman”seyes，whichhadbeenrespectfullystudyingherface，brightenedwithareliefwhichmadehercommunicative。Withtheself-possessionofaperfectlycandidnature，sheinquiringlyremarked：

“Mymistresshasspokenofherinfirmity？“

“Yes，andveryfrankly。”

“Shewalksinhersleep。”

“Soshesaid。”

“Andsometimeswhenothersareasleep，andsheisnot。”

“Shedidnottellmethat。”

“Sheisaverynervouswomanandcannotalwayskeepstillwhensherousesupatnight。WhenIhearherrise，Igetuptoo；but，neverbeingquitesurewhethersheissleepingornot，Iamcarefultofollowheratacertaindistance。LastnightIwassofarbehindherthatshehadbeentoherbrother”sroomandleftitbeforeIsawherface。”

“Whereishisroomandwhereishers？“

“Hersisinfrontonthissamefloor。Mr。Brooks”sisintherear，andcanbereachedeitherbythehallorbypassingthroughthisroomintoasmallonebeyond，whichwecalledhisden……”

“Describeyourencounter。Wherewereyoustandingwhenyousawherfirst？“

“InthedenIhavejustmentioned。TherewasabrightlightinthehallbehindmeandIcouldseeherfigurequiteplainly。Shewasholdingafoldedpaperclenchedagainstherbreast，andhermovementwassomechanicalthatIwassureshewasasleep。Shewascomingthisway，andinanothermomentsheenteredthisroom。

Thedoor，whichhadbeenopen，remainedso，andinmyanxietyI

crepttoitandlookedinafterher。Therewasnolightburninghereatthathour，butthemoonwasshiningininlongraysofvariouslycolouredlight。IfIhadfollowedher——butIdidnot。I

juststoodandwatchedherlongenoughtoseeherpassthroughablueray，thenthroughagreenone，andtheninto，ifnotthrough，aredone。Expectinghertowalkstraighton，andhavingsomefearsofthestaircaseonceshegotintothehall，Ihurriedaroundtothedoorbehindyoutheretoheadheroff。Butshehadnotyetleftthisroom。Iwaitedandwaitedandstillshedidnotcome。Fearingsomeaccident，Ifinallyventuredtoapproachthedoorandtryit。Itwaslocked。Thisalarmedme。ShehadneverlockedherselfinanywherebeforeandIdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Somepersonswouldhaveshoutedhername，butIhadbeenwarnedagainstdoingthat，soIsimplystoodwhereIwas，andeventuallyIheardthekeyturninthelockandsawhercomeout。

Shewasstillwalkingstiffly，butherhandswereemptyandhangingatherside。”

“Andthen？“

“ShewentstraighttoherroomandIafterher。Iwassureshewasdeadasleepbythistime。”

“Andshewas？“

“Yes，Miss；butstillfullofwhatwasonhermind。Iknowthisbecauseshestoppedwhenshereachedthebedsideandbeganfumblingwiththewaistofherwrapper。Itwasforthekeyshewassearching，andwhenherfingersencounteredithangingontheoutside，sheopenedherwrapperandthrustitinonherbareskin。”

“Yousawherdoallthat？“

“AsplainlyasIseeyounow。Thelightinherroomwasburningbrightly。”

“Andafterthat？“

“Shegotintobed。ItwasIwhoturnedoffthelight。”

“Hasthatwrapperofhersapocket？“

“No，Miss。”

“Norhergown？“

“No，Miss。”

“Soshecouldnothavebroughtthepaperintoherroomconcealedaboutherperson？“

“No，Miss；sheleftithere。Itneverpassedbeyondthisdoorway。”

“Butmightshenothavecarrieditbacktosomeplaceofconcealmentintheroomsshehadleft？“

Thewoman”sfacechangedandaslightflushshowedthroughthenaturalbrownofhercheeks。

“No，“shedisclaimed；“shecouldnothavedonethat。IwascarefultolockthelibrarydoorbehindherbeforeIranoutintothehall。”

“Then，“concludedViolet，withalltheemphasisofconviction，“itishere，andnowhereelsewemustlookforthatdocumenttillwefindit。”

Thusassuredofthefirststepinthetaskshehadbeforeher，MissStrangesettleddowntobusiness。

Theroom，whichtoweredtotheheightoftwostories，wasintheshapeofahugeoval。Thisoval，separatedintonarrowdivisionsforthepurposeofaccommodatingtheshelveswithwhichitwaslined，narrowedasitroseabovethegreatGothicchimney-pieceandthefivegorgeouswindowslookingtowardsthesouth，tillitmetandwaslostinthetraceryoftheceiling，whichwasofthatexquisiteandsoul-satisfyingorderwhichweseeintheHenryVII

chapelinWestminsterAbbey。Whatbreakotherwiseoccurredinthecirclingroundofbooksreachingthusthirtyfeetormoreabovetheheadwasmadebythetwodoorsalreadyspokenofandanarrowstripofwallateitherendofthespaceoccupiedbythewindows。

Nofurniturewastobeseenthereexceptacoupleofstallstakenfromsomeoldcathedral，whichstoodinthetwobareplacesjustmentioned。

Butwithin，ontheextensivefloor-space，severalarticlesweregrouped，andViolet，recognizingthepossibilitieswhichanyoneofthemaffordedfortheconcealmentofsosmallanobjectasafoldeddocument，decidedtousemethodinhersearch，andtothatend，mentallydividedthespacebeforeherintofoursegments。

Thefirsttookinthedoor，communicatingwiththesuiteendinginMr。Brooks”sbedroom。Adiagramofthissegmentwillshowthattheonlyarticleoffurnitureinitwasacabinet。

ItwasatthiscabinetMissStrangemadeherfirststop。

“Youhavelookedthiswellthrough？“sheaskedasshebentovertheglasscaseontoptoexaminetherowofmediaevalmissalsdisplayedwithininamannertoshowtheirwonderfulilluminations。

“Notthecase，“explainedHetty。“Itislockedyouseeandnoonehasasyetsucceededinfindingthekey。Butwesearchedthedrawersunderneathwiththegreatestcare。Hadwesiftedthewholecontentsthroughourfingers，Icouldnotbemorecertainthatthepaperisnotthere。”

Violetsteppedintothenextsegment。

Thiswastheonedominatedbythehugefire-place。Aruglaybeforethehearth。TothisVioletpointed。

Quicklythewomananswered：“Wenotonlyliftedit，butturneditover。”

“Andthatboxattheright？“

“Isfullofwoodandwoodonly。”

“Didyoutakeoutthiswood？“

“Everystick。”

“Andthoseashesinthefire-place？Somethinghasbeenburnedthere。”

“Yes；butnotlately。Besides，thoseashesareallwoodashes。Iftheleastbitofcharredpaperhadbeenmixedwiththem，weshouldhaveconsideredthemattersettled。Butyoucanseeforyourselfthatnosuchparticlecanbefound。”Whilesayingthis，shehadputthepokerintoViolet”shand。“Rakethemabout，Miss，andmakesure。”

Violetdidso，withtheresultthatthepokerwassoonputbackintoplace，andsheherselfdownonherkneeslookingupthechimney。

“Hadshethrustitupthere，“Hettymadehastetoremark，“therewouldhavebeensomesignsofsootonhersleeves。Theyarewhiteandverylongandarealwaysgettinginherwaywhenshetriestodoanything。”

Violetleftthefire-placeafteraglanceatthemantel-shelfonwhichnothingstoodbutacasketofopenfretwork，andtwocolouredphotographsmountedonsmalleasels。Thecasketwastooopentoconcealanythingandthephotographsliftedtoohighabovetheshelfforeventhesmallestpaper，letaloneadocumentofanysize，tohidebehindthem。

Thechairs，ofwhichtherewereseveralinthispartoftheroom，shepassedwithjustaninquiringlook。Theywereallofsolidoak，withoutanyattemptatupholstery，andalthoughcarvedtomatchthestallsontheothersideoftheroom，offerednoplaceforsearch。

Herdelayinthethirdsegmentwasbrief。Heretherewasabsolutelynothingbutthedoorbywhichshehadentered，andthebooks。Assheflittedon，followingtheovalofthewall，asmallfrownappearedonherusuallysmoothforehead。Shefelttheoppressionofthebooks——thecountlessbooks。Ifindeed，sheshouldfindherselfobligedtogothroughthem。Whatahopelessoutlook！

Butshehadstillasegmenttoconsider，andafterthattheimmensetableoccupyingthecentreoftheroom，atablewhichinitsdoublecapacity(foritwasasmuchdeskastable)gavemorepromiseofholdingthesolutionofthemysterythananythingtowhichshehadhithertogivenherattention。

Thequarterinwhichshenowstoodwasthemostbeautiful，and，possibly，themostpreciousofthemall。Initblazedthefivegreatwindowswhichwerethegloryoftheroom；buttherearenohiding-placesinwindows，andmuchassherevelledincolour，shedarednotwasteamomentonthem。Therewasmorehopeforherinthetoweringstalls，withtheirpossibledrawersforbooks。

ButHettywasbeforeherintheattemptshemadetoliftthelidsofthetwogreatseats。

“Nothingineither，“saidshe；andViolet，withasigh，turnedtowardsthetable。

Thiswasanimmenseaffair，madetoaccommodateitselftotheshapeoftheroom，butwithahollowed-outspaceonthewindow-

sidelargeenoughtoholdachairforthesitterwhowoulduseitstopasadesk。Onitwerevariousarticlessuitabletoitsdoubleuse。Withoutbeingcrowded，itdisplayedapileofmagazinesandpamphlets，boxesforstationery，awritingpadwithitsaccompaniments，alamp，andsomefewornaments，amongwhichwasalargebox，richlyinlaidwithpearlandivory，thelidofwhichstoodwideopen。

“Don”ttouch，“admonishedViolet，asHettystretchedoutherhandtomovesomelittleobjectaside。“Youhavealreadyworkedherebusilyinthesearchyoumadethismorning。”

“Wehandledeverything。”

“Didyougothroughthesepamphlets？

“Weshookopeneachone。Wewereespeciallyparticularhere，sinceitwasatthistableIsawMrs。Quintardstop。”

“Withheadlevelordrooped？“

“Drooped。”

“Likeonelookingdown，ratherthanup，oraround？“

“Yes。Arayofredlightshoneonhersleeve。Itseemedtomethesleevemovedasthoughshewerereachingout。”

“Willyoutrytostandasshedidandasnearlyinthesameplaceaspossible？“

Hettyglanceddownatthetableedge，markedwherethegulesdominatedtheblueandgreen，andmovedtothatspot，andpausedwithherheadsinkingslowlytowardsherbreast。

“Verygood，“exclaimedViolet。“Butthemoonwasprobablyinaverydifferentpositionfromwhatthesunisnow。”

“Youareright；itwashigherup；Ichancedtonoticeit。”

“Letmecome，“saidViolet。

Hettymoved，andViolettookherplacebutinaspotasteportwofartherfront。Thisbroughtherveryneartothecentreofthetable。Hangingherhead，justasHettyhaddone，shereachedoutherrighthand。

“Haveyoulookedunderthisblotter？“sheasked，pointingtowardsthepadshetouched。“Imean，betweentheblotterandtheframewhichholdsit？“

“Icertainlydid，“answeredHetty，withsomepride。

Violetremainedstaringdown。“Thenyoutookoffeverythingthatwaslyingonit？“

“Oh，yes。”

Violetcontinuedtostaredownattheblotter。Thenimpetuously：

“Putthembackintheiraccustomedplaces。”

Hettyobeyed。