第4章

Violetcontinuedtolookatthem，thenslowlystretchedoutherhand，butsoonletitfallagainwithanairofdiscouragement。

Certainlythemissingdocumentwasnotintheink-potorthemucilagebottle。Yetsomethingmadeherstoopagainoverthepadandsubjectittotheclosestscrutiny。

“Ifonlynothinghadbeentouched！“sheinwardlysighed。Butsheletnosignofherdiscontentescapeherlips，simplyexclaimingassheglancedupatthetoweringspacesoverhead：“Thebooks！

thebooks！Nothingremainsbutforyoutocallupalltheservants，orgetmenfromtheoutsideand，beginningatoneend——

Ishouldsaytheupperone——takedowneverybookstandingwithinreachofawomanofMrs。Quintard”sheight。”

“HearfirstwhatMrs。Quintardhastosayaboutthat，“

interruptedthewomanasthatladyenteredinaflutterofemotionspringingfrommorethanonecause。

“Theyoungladythinksthatweshouldremovethebooks，“Hettyobserved，ashermistress”seyewanderedtohersfromViolet”sabstractedcountenance。

“Useless。Ifweweretoundertaketodothat，Carloswouldbeherebeforehalfthejobwasfinished。Besides，Hettymusthavetoldyoumyextremeaversiontonicelyboundbooks。IwillnotsaythatwhenawakeIneverplacemyhandonone，butonceinastateofsomnambulism，wheneverynaturalwhimhasfullcontrol，IamsurethatIneverwould。Thereisareasonformyprejudice。

Iwasnotalwaysrich。Ioncewasverypoor。ItwaswhenIwasfirstmarriedandlongbeforeClementhadbeguntomakehisfortune。IwassopoorthenthatfrequentlyIwenthungry，andwhatwasworsesawmylittledaughtercryforfood。Andwhy？

Becausemyhusbandwasabibliomaniac。Hewouldspendonfineeditionswhatwouldhavekeptthefamilycomfortable。Itishardtobelieve，isn”tit？IhaveseenhimbringhomeaGrolierwhenthelarderwasasemptyasthatbox；anditmademehatebooksso，especiallythoseofextrafinebinding，thatIhavetotearthecoversoffbeforeIcanfindcouragetoreadthem。”

0life！life！howfastVioletwaslearningit！

“Icanunderstandyouridea，Mrs。Quintard，butaseverythingelsehasfailed，Ishouldmakeamistakenottoexaminetheseshelves。Itisjustpossiblethatwemaybeabletoshortenthetaskverymaterially；thatwemaynothavetocallinhelp，even。

Towhatextenthavetheybeenapproached，orthebookshandled，sinceyoudiscoveredthelossofthepaperwearelookingfor？

“Notatall。Neitherofuswentnearthem。”ThisfromHetty。

“Noranyoneelse？“

“Nooneelsehasbeenadmittedtotheroom。Welockedbothdoorsthemomentwefeltsatisfiedthatthewillhadbeenlefthere。”

“That”sarelief。NowImaybeabletodosomething。Hetty，youlooklikeaverystrongwoman，andI，asyousee，amverylittle。

Wouldyoumindliftingmeuptotheseshelves？Iwanttolookatthem。Notatthebooks，butattheshelvesthemselves。”

Thewonderingwomanstoopedandraisedhertotheleveloftheshelfshehadpointedout。Violetpeeredcloselyatitandthenattheonesjustbeneath。

“AmIheavy？“sheasked；“ifnot，letmeseethoseontheothersideofthedoor。

Hettycarriedherover。

VioletinspectedeachshelfashighasawomanofMrs。

Quintard”sstaturecouldreach，andwhenonherfeetagain，knelttoinspecttheonesbelow。

“Noonehastouchedordrawnanythingfromtheseshelvesintwenty-fourhours，“shedeclared。“Thesmallaccumulationofdustalongtheiredgeshasnotbeendisturbedatanypoint。Itwasverydifferentwiththetable-top。Thatshowsveryplainlywhereyouhadmovedthingsandwhereyouhadnot。”

“Wasthatwhatyouwerelookingfor？Well，Inever！“

Violetpaidnoheed；shewasthinkingandthinkingverydeeply。

Hettyturnedtowardshermistress，thenquicklybacktoViolet，whomsheseizedbythearm。

“What”sthematterwithMrs。Quintard？“shehurriedlyasked。“Ifitwerenight，Ishouldthinkthatshewasinoneofherspells。”

VioletstartedandglancedwhereHettypointed。Mrs。Quintardwaswithinafewfeetofthem，butasobliviousoftheirpresenceasthoughshestoodaloneintheroom。Possibly，shethoughtshedid。Withfixedeyesandmechanicalstepshebegantomovestraighttowardsthetable，herwholeappearanceofanaturetomakeHetty”sbloodruncold，buttocausethatofViolet”stoboundthroughherveinswithrenewedhope。

“TheonethingIcouldhavewished！“shemurmuredunderherbreath。“Shehasfallenintoatrance。Sheisagainunderthedominionofheridea。Ifwewatchanddonotdisturbhershemayrepeatheractionoflastnight，andherselfshowwhereshehasputthispreciousdocument。”

MeanwhileMrs。Quintardcontinuedtoadvance。Amomentmore，andhersmoothwhitelockscaughttheruddyglowcentreduponthechairstandinginthehollowofthetable。Wordswereleavingherlips，andherhand，reachingoutovertheblotter，gropedamongthearticlesscatteredtheretillitsettledonalargepairofshears。

“Listen，“mutteredViolettothewomanpressingclosetoherside。“Youareacquaintedwithhervoice；catchwhatshesaysifyoucan。”

Hettycouldnot；anundistinguishablemurmurwasallthatcametoherears。

Violettookastepnearer。Mrs。Quintard”shandhadlefttheshearsandwashoveringuncertainlyintheair。Herdistresswasevident。Herhead，nolongersteadyonhershoulders，wasturningthiswayandthat，andhertonesbecominginarticulate。

“Paper！Iwantpaper“burstfromherlipsinashrillunnaturalcry。

Butwhentheylistenedformoreandwatchedtoseetheuncertainhandsettlesomewhere，shesuddenlycametoherselfandturneduponthemastartledglance，whichspeedilychangedintooneoftheutmostperplexity。

“WhatamIdoinghere？“sheasked。“IhaveafeelingasifIhadalmostseen——almosttouched——oh，it”sgone！andallisblankagain。Whycouldn”tIkeepittillIknew”Thenshecamewhollytoherselfand，forgettingeventhedoubtsofamomentsince，remarkedtoVioletinheroldtremulousfashion：

“Youaskedustopulldownthebooks？Butyou”veevidentlythoughtbetterofit。”

“Yes，Ihavethoughtbetterofit。”Then，withalastdesperatehopeofre-arousingthevisionslyingsomewherebackinMrs。

Quintard”stroubledbrain，Violetventuredtoobserve：“Thisislikelytoresolveitselfintoapsychologicalproblem，Mrs。

Quintard。Doyousupposethatifyoufellagainintotheconditionoflastnight，youwouldrepeatyouractionandsoleadusyourselftowherethewilllieshidden？“

“Possibly；butitmaybeweeksbeforeIwalkagaininmysleep，andmeanwhileCarloswillhavearrived，andClement，possibly，died。Mynephewissolowthatthedoctoriscomingbackatmidnight。MissStrange，Clementisamaninathousand。Hesayshewantstoseeyou。Wouldyoubewillingtoaccompanymetohisroomforamoment？HewillnotmakemanymorerequestsandIwilltakecarethattheinterviewisnotprolonged。”

“Iwillgowillingly。Butwoulditnotbebettertowait”

“Thenyoumayneverseehimatall。”

“Verywell；butIwishIhadsomebetternewstogive。”

“Thatwillcomelater。ThishousewasnevermeantforCarlos。

Hetty，youwillstayhere。MissStrange，letusgonow。”

“Youneednotspeak；justlethimseeyou。”

VioletnoddedandfollowedMrs。Quintardintothesick-room。

Thesightwhichmethereyestriedheryoungemotionsdeeply。

Staringatherfromthebed，shesawtwopiercingeyesoverwhosebrilliancedeathasyethadgainednocontrol。Clements”ssoulwasinthatgaze；Clementhaltingatthebrinkofdissolutiontosoundthedepthsbehindhimforthehopewhichwouldmakedepartureeasy。Wouldheseeinher，amereslipofagirldressedinfashionableclothesandbearingaboutherallthemarksofsocialdistinction，thesortofpersonneededforthetaskuponthesuccessofwhichdependedhisdarlings”future？Shecouldhardlyexpectit。Yetasshecontinuedtomeethisgazewithalltheseriousnessthemomentdemanded，shebeheldthoseburningorbslosesomeoftheirdemandandthefingers，whichhadlaininertuponthebedspread，fluttergentlyandmoveasiftodrawattentiontohiswifeandthethreebeautifulchildrenclusteredatthefoot-board。

Hehadnotspokennorcouldshespeak，butthesolemnitywithwhichsheraisedherrighthandastoalisteningHeavencalledforthuponhislipswhatwaspossiblyhislastsmile，andwiththememoryofthisfaintexpressionofconfidenceonhispart，shelefttheroom，tomakeherfinalattempttosolvethemysteryofthemissingdocument。

Facingtheelderlyladyinthehall，sheaddressedherwiththeforceandsobernessofoneleadingaforlornhope：

“IwantyoutoconcentrateyourminduponwhatIhavetosaytoyou。Doyouthinkyoucandothis？“

“Iwilltry，“repliedthepoorwomanwithabackwardglanceatthedoorwhichhadjustbeencloseduponher。

“Whatwewant，“saidshe，“is，asIstatedbefore，aninsightintotheworkingsofyourbrainatthetimeyoutookthewillfromthesafe。TryandfollowwhatIhavetosay，Mrs。Quintard。

Dreamsarenolongerregardedbyscientistsaspropheciesofthefutureorevenasspontaneousandirrelevantconditionsofthought，butasreflectionsofanearpast，whichcanalmostwithoutexceptionbetracedbacktotheoccurrenceswhichcausedthem。Youractionwiththewillhaditsbirthinsomepreviouslineofthoughtafterwardsforgotten。Letustryandfindthatthought。Recall，ifyoucan，justwhatyoudidorreadyesterday。”

Mrs。Quintardlookedfrightened。

“But，Ihavenomemory，“sheobjected。“Iforgetquickly，soquicklythatinordertofulfillmyengagementsIhavetokeepamemorandumofeveryday”sevents。Yesterday？yesterday？WhatdidIdoyesterday？Iwentdowntownforonething，butIhardlyknowwhere。”

“Perhapsyourmemorandumofyesterday”sdoingswillhelpyou。”

“Iwillgetit。Butitwon”tgiveyoutheleasthelp。Ikeepitonlyformyowneye，and”

“Nevermind；letmeseeit。”

Andshewaitedimpatientlyforittobeputinherhands。

Butwhenshecametoreadtherecordofthelasttwodays，thiswasallshefound：

Saturday：Mauretanianearlydue。ImustletMr。Delahuntknowtodaythathe”swantedhereto-morrow。Hettywilltryonmydresses。Saysshehastoalterthem。Mrs。Peabodycametolunch，andweinsuchtrouble！Hadtogodownstreet。ErrandforClement。Thewill，thewill！Ithinkofnothingelse。Isitsafewhereitis？Nopeaceofmindtillto-morrow。Clementbetterthisafternoon。SayshemustlivetillCarlosgetsback；nottotriumphoverhim，buttodowhathecantolessenhisdisappointment。MygoodClement！

Sonervous，Iwenttopastingphotographs，andwasforgettingallmytroubleswhenHettybroughtinanotherdresstotryon。

Quietinthegreathouse，duringwhichtheclockonthestaircasesentforthsevenmusicalpeals。ToVioletwaitingaloneinthelibrary，theyactedasasummons。Shewasjustleavingtheroom，whenthesoundofhubbubinthehallbelowheldhermotionlessinthedoorway。Anautomobilehadstoppedinfront，andseveralpersonswereenteringthehouse，inagayandunseemlyfashion。

Asshestoodlistening，uncertainofherduty，sheperceivedthefrenziedfigureofMrs。Quintardapproaching。Asshepassedby，shedroppedoneword：“Carlos！“Thenshewentstaggeringon，todisappearamomentlaterdownthestairway。

Thisvisionlost，anothercame。ThistimeitwasthatofClements”swifeleaningfromthemarblebalustradeabove，theshadowofapproachinggriefbattlingwiththepresentterrorinherperfectfeatures。ThenshetoowithdrewfromviewandViolet，leftforthemomentaloneinthegreathall，steppedbackintothelibraryandbegantoputonherhat。

ThelightshadbeenturnedupinthegrandsalonanditwasinthissceneofgorgeouscolourthatMrs。QuintardcamefacetofacewithCarlosPelacios。Thosewhowerewitnesstoherentrancesaythatshepresentedanobleappearance，aswiththeresolutionofextremedesperationshestoodwaitingforhisfirstangryattack。

He，ashort，thick-set，darkman，showingbothinfeaturesandexpressiontheSpanishbloodofhispaternalancestors，startedtoaddressherintonesofviolence，butchangedhisnote，ashemethereye，toonesimplysardonic。

“Youhere！“hebegan。“Iassureyou，madame，thatitisapleasurewhichisnotwithoutitsinconveniences。Didyounotreceivemycable-gramrequestingthishousetobemadereadyformyoccupancy？“

“Idid。”

“ThenwhydoIfindguestshere？Theydonotusuallyprecedethearrivaloftheirhost。”

“Clementisveryill”

“Somuchthegreaterreasonthatheshouldhavebeenremoved”

“Youwerenotexpectedfortwodaysyet。YoucabledthatyouwerecomingontheMauretania。”

“Yes，Icabledthat。Elisabetta，“——thistohiswifestandingsilentlyinthebackground”wewillgotothePlazafortonight。

Atthreeo”clocktomorrowweshallexpecttofindthishouseinreadinessforourreturn。Later，ifMrs。Quintarddesirestovisitusweshallbepleasedtoreceiveher。But“——thistoMrs。

Quintardherself”youmustcomewithoutClementandthekids。”

Mrs。Quintard”srigidhandstoleuptoherthroat。

“Clementisdying。Heisfailinghourly，“shemurmured。“Hemaynotlivetillmorning。”

EvenCarloswastakenabackbythis。“Oh，well！“saidhe，“wewillgiveyoutwodays。”

Mrs。Quintardgasped，thenshewalkedstraightuptohim。“Youwillgiveusallthetimehisconditionrequiresandmore，muchmore。Heistherealownerofthishouse，notyou。Mybrotherleftawillbequeathingittohim。Youaremynephew”sguests，andnotheyours。AshisrepresentativeIentreatyouandyourwifetoremainhereuntilyoucanfindahometoyourmind。”

Thesilenceseethed。Carloshadatemperoffireandsohadhiswife。Butneitherspoke，tillhehadgainedsufficientcontroloverhimselftoremarkwithoutunduerancour：

“Ididnotthinkyouhadthewittoinfluenceyourbrothertothisextent；otherwise，Ishouldhavecutmytravelsshort。”Thenharshly：“Whereisthiswill？“

“Itwillbeproduced。”Butthewordsfaltered。

Carlosglancedatthemanstandingbehindhiswife；thenbackatMrs。Quintard。

“Willsarenotscribbledoffondeathbeds；oriftheyare，itneedssomethingmorethanasignaturetolegalizethem。Idon”tbelieveinthistrickofalaterwill。Mr。Cavanagh“——hereheindicatedthegentlemanaccompanyingthem”hasdonemyfather”sbusinessforyears，andheassuredmethatthepaperheholdsinhispocketisthefirst，last，andonlyexpressionofyourbrother”swishes。Ifyouareinapositiontodenythis，showusthedocumentyoumention；showusitatonce，orinformuswhereandinwhosehandsitcanbefound。”

“That，for——forreasonsIcannotgive，Imustrefusetodoatpresent。ButIamreadytoswear”

Amockinglaughcuthershort。Diditissuefromhislipsorfromthoseofhishighstrungandunfeelingwife？Itmighthavecomefromeither；therewascauseenough。

“Oh！“shefaltered，“mayGodhavemercy！“andwassinkingbeforetheireyes，whensheheardhername，calledfromthethreshold，and，lookingthatway，sawHettybeaminguponher，backedbyalittlefigurewithafacesoradiantthatinstinctivelyherhandwentouttograspthefoldedsheetofpaperHettywasseekingtothrustuponher。

“Ah！“shecried，inagreatvoice，“youwillnothavetowait，norClementeither。Hereisthewill！Thechildrenhavecomeintotheirown。”Andshefellattheirfeetinadeadfaint。

“Wheredidyoufindit？Oh！wheredidyoufindit？Ihavewaitedaweektoknow。When，afterCarlos”ssuddendeparture，IstoodbesideClement”sdeath-bedandsawfromthelookhegavemethathecouldstillfeelandunderstand，Itoldhimthatyouhadsucceededinyourtaskandthatallwaswellwithus。ButIwasnotabletotellhimhowyouhadsucceededorinwhatplacethewillhadbeenfound；andhedied，unknowing。Butwemayknow，maywenot，nowthatheislaidawayandthereisnomoretalkofourleavingthishouse？“

Violetsmiled，butverytenderly，andinawaynottooffendthemourner。Theyweresittinginthelibrary——thegreatlibrarywhichwastoremaininClement”sfamilyafterall——anditamusedhertofollowthedreaminglady”sglancesastheyraninirrepressiblecuriosityoverthewalls。HadVioletwished，shecouldhavekepthersecretforever。Theseeyeswouldneverhavediscoveredit。

Butshewasofasympathetictemperament，ourViolet，soafteramoment”sdelay，duringwhichshesatisfiedherselfthatlittle，ifanything，hadbeentouchedintheroomsinceherdeparturefromitaweekbefore，shequietlyobserved：

“Youwererightinpersistingthatyouhiditinthisroom。ItwashereIfoundit。Doyounoticethatphotographonthemantelwhichdoesnotstandexactlystraightonitseasel？“

“Yes。”

“Supposingyoutakeitdown。Youcanreachit，canyounot？“

“Oh，yes。Butwhat”

“Liftitdown，dearMrs。Quintard；andthenturnitroundandlookatitsback。”

Agitatedandquestioning，theladydidasshewasbid，andatthefirstglancegaveacryofsurprise，ifnotofunderstanding。Thesquareofbrownpaper，actingasabackingtothepicture，wasslitacross，disclosingasimilaronebehinditwhichwasstillintact。

“Oh！wasithiddeninhere？“sheasked。

“Verycompletely，“assentedViolet。“Pastedinoutofsightbyaladywhoamusesherselfwithmountingandframingphotographs。

Usually，sheisconsciousofherwork，butthistimesheperformedhertaskinadream。”

Mrs。Quintardwasallamazement。

“Idon”tremembertouchingthesepictures，“shedeclared。“I

nevershouldhaveremembered。Youareawonderfulperson，MissStrange。Howcameyoutothinkthesephotographsmighthavetwobackings？Therewasnothingtoshowthatthiswasso。”

“Iwilltellyou，Mrs。Quintard。Youhelpedme。”

“Ihelpedyou？“

“Yes。Yourememberthememorandumyougaveme？Inityoumentionedpastingphotographs。Butthiswasnotenoughinitselftoleadmetoexaminethoseonthemantel，ifyouhadnotgivenmeanothersuggestionalittlewhilebefore。Wedidnottellyouthis，Mrs。Quintard，atthetime，butduringthesearchweweremakingherethatday，youhadalapseintothatpeculiarstatewhichinducesyoutowalkinyoursleep。Itwasashortone，lastingbutamoment，butinamomentonecanspeak，and，thisyoudid”

“Spoke？Ispoke？“

“Yes，youutteredtheword”paper！”notthepaper，but”paper！”

andreachedouttowardstheshears。ThoughIhadnotmuchtimetothinkofitthen，afterwardsuponreadingyourmemorandumI

recalledyourwords，andaskedmyselfifitwasnotpapertocut，ratherthantohide，youwanted。Ifitwastocut，andyouwerebutrepeatingtheexperienceofthenightbefore，thentheroomshouldcontainsomeremnantsofcutpaper。Hadweseenany？Yes，inthebasket，underthedeskwehadtakenoutandthrownbackagainastriporsoofwrappingpaper，which，ifmymemorydidnotfailme，showedaclean-cutedge。Topullthisstripoutagainandspreaditflatuponthedeskwastheworkofaminute，andwhatIsawledmetolookallovertheroom，notnowforthefoldeddocument，butforasquareofbrownpaper，suchashadbeentakenoutofthislargersheet。WasIsuccessful？Notforalongwhile，butwhenIcametothephotographsonthemantelandsawhownearlytheycorrespondedinshapeandsizetowhatIwaslookingfor，Irecalledagainyourfancyformountingphotographsandfeltthatthemysterywassolved。

“Aglanceatthebackofoneofthembroughtdisappointment，butwhenIturnedaboutitsmate——YouknowwhatIfoundunderneaththeouterpaper。Youhadlaidthewillagainsttheoriginalbackingandsimplypastedanotheroneoverit。

“Thatthediscoverycameintimetocutshortaverypainfulinterviewhasmademejoyfulforaweek。

“AndnowmayIseethechildren？“

ENDOFPROBLEMV

PROBLEMVI

THEHOUSEOFCLOCKS

MissStrangewasnotinaresponsivemood。Thisheremployerhadobservedonfirstentering；yetheshowednohesitationinlayingonthetablebehindwhichshehadensconcedherselfintheattitudeofonebesieged，anenvelopethickwithenclosedpapers。

“There，“saidhe。“Telephonemewhenyouhavereadthem。”

“Ishallnotreadthem。”

“No？“hesmiled；and，repossessinghimselfoftheenvelope，hetoreoffoneend，extractedthesheetswithwhichitwasfilled，andlaidthemdownstillunfolded，intheirformerplaceonthetable-top。

ThesuggestivenessoftheactioncausedthecornersofMissSrange”sdelicatelipstotwitchwistfully，beforesettlingintoanironicsmile。

Calmlytheotherwatchedher。

“Iamonavacation，“sheloftilyexplained，asshefinallymethisstudiouslynon-quizzicalglance。“Oh，IknowthatIaminmyownhome！“shepetulantlyacknowledged，ashisgazetookintheroom；“andthattheautomobileisatthedoor；andthatI”mdressedforshopping。ButforallthatI”monavacation——amentalone，“sheemphasized；“andbusinessmustwait。Ihaven”tgotoverthelastaffair，“sheprotested，ashemaintainedadiscreetsilence，“andtheseasonissogayjustnow——somanyballs，somany——Butthatisn”ttheworst。Fatherisbeginningtowakeup——andifheeversuspects”Asignificantgestureendedthisappeal。

Thepersonageknewherfather——everyonedid——andthewonderhadalwaysbeenthatshedaredruntheriskofdispleasingonesoimplacable。Thoughshewashisfavouritechild，PeterStrangewasknowntobequitecapableofcuttingheroffwithashilling，oncehisclose，prejudicedmindconceivedittobehisduty。Andthathewouldsointerpretthesituation，ifheevercametolearnthesecretofhisdaughter”sfitsofabstractionandtheslybankaccountshewasslowlyaccumulating，thepersonageholdingoutthisdangerouslurehadnodoubtatall。Yetheonlysmiledatherwordsandremarkedincasualsuggestion：

“It”soutoftownthistime——”wayout。Yourhealthcertainlydemandsachangeofair。”

“Myhealthisgood。Fortunately，orunfortunately，asonemaychoosetolookatit，itfurnishesmewithnoexcuseforanouting，“shesteadilyretorted，turningherbackonthetable。

“Ah，excuseme！“theinsidiousvoiceapologized，“yourpalenessmisledme。Surelyanightortwo”schangemightbebeneficial。”

Shegavehimaquicksidelook，andbegantoadjustherboa。

Tothishinthepaidnoattention。

“Theaffairisquiteoutoftheordinary，“hepursuedinthetoneofonerehearsingapart。Buttherehestopped。Forsomereason，notaltogetherapparenttothemasculinemind，thepinofflashingstones(realstones)whichheldherhatinplacehadtobetakenoutandthrustbackagain，notonce，buttwice。Itwastowatchthisperformancehehadpaused。Whenhewasreadytoproceed，hetookthemusingtoneofonemarshallingfactsforanother”senlightenment：

“Awomanofunknowninstincts”

“Pshaw！“TheendofthepinwouldstrikeagainstthecombholdingViolet”schestnut-colouredlocks。

“Livinginahouseasmysteriousasthesecretitcontains。But——

“hereheallowedhispatienceapparentlytoforsakehim，“Iwillboreyounolonger。Gotoyourteasandballs；Iwillstrugglewithmydarkaffairsalone。”

Hishandwenttothepacketofpaperssheaffectedsoostentatiouslytodespise。Hecouldbeasnonchalantasshe。Buthedidnotliftthem；heletthemlie。Yettheyoungheiresshadnotmadeamovementoreventurnedtheslightestglancehisway。

“Awomandifficulttounderstand！Amysterioushouse——possiblyamysteriouscrime！“

ThusVioletkeptrepeatinginsilentself-communion，asflushedwithdancingshesatthateveninginahighly-scentedconservatory，dividingherattentionbetweenthecomplimentsofherpartnerandthesplashofafountainbubblingintheheartofthismassoftropicalfoliage；andwhensomehourslatershesatdowninherchintz-furnishedbedroomforafewminutes”thoughtbeforeretiring，itwastodrawfromalittleoakboxatherelbowthehalf-dozenorsofoldedsheetsofcloselywrittenpaperwhichhadbeenleftforherperusalbyherpersistentemployer。

Glancingfirstatthesignatureandfindingittobeonealreadyfavourablyknownatthebar，shereadwithaviditythestatementofeventsthusvouchedfor，findingthemcuriousenoughinallconsciencetokeepherawakeforanotherfullhour。

Weheresubscribeit：

IamalawyerwithanofficeintheTimesSquareBuilding。Mybusinessismainlylocal，butsometimesIamcalledoutoftown，aswitnessthefollowingsummonsreceivedbymeonthefifthoflastOctober。

DEARSIR，——

Iwishtomakemywill。Iamaninvalidandcannotleavemyroom。

Willyoucometome？Theenclosedreferencewillanswerformyrespectability。Ifitsatisfiesyouandyoudecidetoaccommodateme，pleasehastenyourvisit；Ihavenotmanydaystolive。A

carriagewillmeetyouatHighlandStationatanyhouryoudesignate。Telegraphreply。

A。Postlethwaite，GloomCottage，——N。J。

ThereferencegivenwasaMr。WeedofEighty-sixthStreet——awell-

knownmanofunimpeachablereputation。

Callinghimupathisbusinessoffice，IaskedhimwhathecouldtellmeaboutMr。PostlethwaiteProblem6forVioletStrange189

ofGloomCottage，——，N。J。Theanswerastonishedme：

“ThereisnoMr。Postlethwaitetobefoundatthataddress。Hediedyearsago。ThereisaMrs。Postlethwaite——aconfirmedparalytic。Doyoumeanher？“

Iglancedattheletterstilllyingopenatthesideofthetelephone：

“ThesignaturereadsA。Postlethwaite。”

“Thenit”sshe。HernameisArabella。Shehatesthename，beingawomanofnosentiment。Usesherinitialsevenonhercheques。

Whatdoesshewantofyou？“

“Todrawherwill。”

“Obligeher。It”llbeexperienceforyou。”Andheslammedhomethereceiver。

Idecidedtofollowthesuggestionsoforciblyemphasized；andthenextdaysawmeatHighlandStation。Asuperannuatedhorseandastillmoresuperannuatedcarriageawaitedme——bothtoooldtoserveabusymaninthesedaysofswiftconveyance。CouldthisbeasampleoftheestablishmentIwasabouttoenter？ThenI

rememberedthatthewomanwhohadsentformewasahelplessinvalid，andprobablyhadnouseforanysortofturnout。

Thedriverwasinkeepingwiththevehicle，andasnoncommittalastheploddingbeasthedrove。IfIventureduponaremark，hegavemealongandcuriouslook；ifIwentsofarastoattackhimwithadirectquestion，herespondedwithahitchoftheshoulderoradubioussmilewhichconveyednothing。Washedeaforjustunpleasant？Isoonlearnedthathewasnotdeaf；forsuddenly，afterajog-trotofamileorsothroughawoodedroadwhichwehadenteredfromthemainhighway，hedrewinhishorse，and，withoutglancingmyway，spokehisfirstword：

“Thisiswhereyougetout。Thehouseisbackthereinthebushes。”

Asnohousewasvisibleandthebushesroseinanunbrokenbarrieralongtheroad，Istaredathiminsomedoubtofhissanity。

“But”Ibegan；aprotestintowhichheatoncebroke，withthesharpdirection：

“Takethepath。It”llleadyoustraighttothefrontdoor。”

“Idon”tseeanypath。”

Forthishehadnoanswer；andconfidentfromhisexpressionthatitwouldbeuselesstoexpectanythingfurtherfromhim，I

droppedacoinintohishand，andjumpedtotheground。HewasoffbeforeIcouldturnmyselfabout。

“”SomethingisrottenintheStateofDenmark”“Iquotedinstartledcommenttomyself；andnotknowingwhatelsetodo，stareddownattheturfatmyfeet。

Abitofflaggingmetmyeye，protrudingfromalayerofthickmoss。FartheronIespiedanother——thesecond，probably，ofmany。

This，nodoubt，wasthepathIhadbeenbiddentofollow，andwithoutfurtherthoughtonthesubject，IplungedintothebusheswhichwithdifficultyImadegivewaybeforeme。

Foramomentallfurtheradvancelookedhopeless。Amoretangled，uninvitingapproachtoaso-calledhome，Ihadneverseenoutsideofthetropics；andthecompleteneglectthusdisplayedshouldhavepreparedmefortheappearanceofthehouseIunexpectedlycameupon，justas，thewayseemedonthepointofclosingupbeforeme。

ButnothingcouldwellprepareoneforafirstviewofGloomCottage。Itslocationinahollowwhichhadgraduallyfilleditselfupwithtreesandsomekindofpricklybrush，itsdeeplystainedwalls，oncepicturesqueenoughintheirgroupingbuttoodeeplyhiddennowamidrottingboughstoproduceanyothereffectthanthatofshroudeddesolation，thesoughofthesesameboughsastheyrappedadevil”stattooagainsteachother，andtheabsenceofeventherisingcolumnofsmokewhichbespeaksdomesticlifewhereverseen——allgavetoonewhorememberedthecognomenCottageandforgotthepre-cognomenofGloom，asenseofburiedlifeassepulchralasthatwhichemanatesfromthemouthofsomefreshlyopenedtomb。

Buttheseimpressions，naturalenoughtomyyouth，werenecessarilytransient，andsoongavewaytoothersmorebusiness-

like。Perceivingthecurveofanarchrisingabovetheundergrowthstillblockingmyapproach，Ipushedmywayresolutelythrough，andpresentlyfoundmyselfstumblinguponthestepsofanunexpectedlyspaciousdomicile，builtnotofwood，asitsnameofCottagehadledmetoexpect，butofcarefullycutstonewhich，whileshowingeverymarkoftime，proclaimeditselfoneofthoseearly，carefullyerectedColonialresidenceswhichittakesmorethanacenturytodestroy，oreventoweartothepointofdilapidation。

Somewhatencouraged，thoughfailingtodetectanysignsofactivelifeintheheavilyshutteredwindowsfrowninguponmefromeitherside，Iranupthestepsandrangthebellwhichpulledashardasifnohandhadtoucheditinyears。

ThenIwaited。

Butnottoringagain；forjustasmyhandwasapproachingthebellasecondtime，thedoorfellbackandIbeheldintheblackgapbeforemetheoldestmanIhadevercomeuponinmywholelife。HewassooldIwasastonishedwhenhisdrawnlipsopenedandheaskedifIwasthelawyerfromNewYork。IwouldassoonhaveexpectedamummytowagitstongueandutterEnglish，helookedsothinanddriedandremovedfromthislifeandallworldlyconcerns。

ButwhenIhadansweredhisquestionandhehadturnedtomarshalmedownthehalltowardsadoorIcoulddimlyseestandingopeninthetwilightofanabsolutelysunlessinterior，Inoticedthathisstepwasnotwithoutsomevigour，despitethefeeblebendofhiswitheredbodyandtheincessantswayingofhishead，whichseemedtobecontinuallysayingNo！

“Iwillpreparemadam，“headmonishedme，afterdrawingaponderouscurtaintwoinchesorlessasidefromoneofthewindows。“Sheisveryill，butshewillseeyou。”

Thetonewassenile，butitwasthesenilityofaneducatedman，andasthecultivatedaccentswaveredforth，mymindchangedin，regardtothepositionheheldinthehouse。Interestedanew，I

soughttogivehimanotherlook，buthehadalreadyvanishedthroughthedoorway，andsonoiselessly，itwasmorelikeashadow”sflittingthanaman”swithdrawal。

ThedarknessinwhichIsatwasabsolute；butgradually，asI

continuedtolookaboutme，thespaceslightenedandcertaindetailscameout，whichtomyastonishmentwereofacharactertoshowthattheplainifsubstantialexteriorofthishousewithitschoked-upapproachesandweedygardenswasnosampleofwhatwastobefoundinside。Thoughthewallssurroundingmeweredismalbecauseunlighted，theybetrayedasplendourunusualinanycountryhouse。Thefrescoesandpaintingswereofanancientorder，datingfromdayswhenlifeandnotdeathreignedinthisisolateddwelling；butinthemhighartreignedsupreme，anartsohighandsofinishedthatonlygreatwealth，combinedwiththemostcultivatedtaste，couldhaveproducedsucheffects。Iwasstillabsorbedinthewonderofitall，whenthequietvoiceoftheoldgentlemanwhohadletmeinreachedmeagainfromthedoorway，andIheard：

“Madamisreadyforyou。MayItroubleyoutoaccompanymetoherroom。”

Irosewithalacrity。Iwasanxioustoseemadam，ifonlytosatisfymyselfthatshewasasinterestingasthehouseinwhichshewasself-immured。

Ifoundheragreatdealmoreso。ButbeforeIenteruponourinterview，letmementionafactwhichhadattractedmyattentioninmypassagetoherroom。Duringhisabsencemyguideevidentlyhadpulledasideothercurtainsthanthoseoftheroominwhichhehadleftme。Thehall，nolongeratunnelofdarkness，gavemeaglimpseaswewentby，ofvarioussecludedcomers，anditseemedasifeverywhereIlookedIsaw——aclock。IcountedfourbeforeIreachedthestaircase，allstandingonthefloorandallofancientmake，thoughdifferingmuchinappearanceandvalue。A

fifthonerosegrimandtallatthestairfoot，andunderanimpulseIhaveneverunderstoodIstopped，whenIreachedit，tonotethetime。Butithadpausedinitstask，andfacedmewithmotionlesshandsandsilentworks——afactwhichsomehowstartledme；perhaps，becausejustthenIencounteredtheoldman”seyewatchingmewithanexpressionaschallengingasitwasunintelligible。

Ihadexpectedtoseeawomaninbed。Isawinstead，awomansittingup。Youfeltherinfluencethemomentyouenteredherpresence。Shewasnotyoung；shewasnotbeautiful；——neverhadbeenIshouldjudge，——shehadnoteventheusualmarksaboutherofanultrastrongpersonality；butthatherwillwaslaw，hadalwaysbeen，andwouldcontinuetobelawsolongasshelived，waspatenttoanyeyeatthefirstglance。Sheexactedobedienceconsciouslyandunconsciously，andsheexacteditwithcharm。

Somefewpeopleintheworldpossessthispower。Theyfrown，andtheopposingwillweakens；theysmile，andallheartssuccumb。I

washersfromthemomentIcrossedthethresholdtill——ButIwillrelatethehappeningsofthatinstantwhenitcomes。

Shewasalone，orsoIthought，whenImademyfirstbowtohersternbutnotunpleasingpresence。Seatedinagreatchair，withasilvertraybeforehercontainingsuchlittlemattersasshestoodinhourlyneedof，sheconfrontedmewithapiercinggazestartlingtobeholdineyessocolourless。Thenshesmiled，andinobediencetothatsmileIseatedmyselfinachairplacedverynearherown。Wasshetooparalysedtoexpressherselfclearly？I

waitedinsomeanxietytillshespoke，whenthisfearvanished。

Hervoicebetrayedthecharacterherfeaturesfailedtoexpress。

Itwasfirm，resonant，andinstinctwithcommand。Notloud，butpenetrating，andofaqualitywhichmadeonelistenwithhisheartaswellaswithhisears。Whatshesaidisimmaterial。I

wasthereforacertainpurposeandweenteredimmediatelyuponthebusinessofthatpurpose。ShetalkedandIlistened，mostlywithoutcomment。OnlyoncedidIinterruptherwithasuggestion；

andasthisledtodefiniteresults，Iwillproceedtorelatetheoccurrenceinfull。

InthefewhoursremainingtomebeforeleavingNewYork，Ihadlearned(nomatterhow)someadditionalparticularsconcerningherselfandfamily；andwhenaftersomeminorbequests，sheproceededtonamethepartiestowhomshedesiredtoleavethebulkofherfortune，Iventured，withsomeastonishmentatmyowntemerity，toremark：

“Butyouhaveayoungrelative！Isshenottobeincludedinthispartitionofyourproperty？“

Ahush。Thenasmilecametolifeonherstifflips，suchasisseldomseen，thankGod，onthefaceofanywoman，andIheard：

“Theyoungrelativeofwhomyouspeak，isintheroom。ShehasknownforsometimethatIhavenointentionofleavinganythingtoher。Thereis，infact，smallchanceofhereverneedingit。”

Thelattersentencewasamutteredone，butthatitwasloudenoughtobeheardinallpartsoftheroomIwassoonassured。

Foraquicksigh，whichwasalmostagasp，followedfromacornerIhadhithertoignored，anduponglancingthatway，Iperceived，peeringuponusfromtheshadows，thewhitefaceofayounggirlinwhosedrawnfeaturesandwide，staringeyesIbeheldsuchevidencesofterror，thatinaninstant，whateverpredilectionI

hadhithertofeltformyclient，vanishedindistrust，ifnotpositiveaversion。

Iwasstillundertheswayofthisnewimpression，whenMrs。

Postlethwaite”svoiceroseagain，thistimeaddressingtheyounggirl：

“Youmaygo，“shesaid，withsuchforceinthecommandforallitshoneyedmodulation，thatIexpectedtoseeitsobjectflytheroominfrightenedobedience。

Butthoughthestartledgirlhadlostnoneoftheterrorwhichhadmadeherfacelikeamask，nopowerofmovementremainedtoher。Apictureofhopelessmisery，shestoodforonebreathlessmoment，withhereyesfixedinunmistakableappealonmine；thenshebegantoswaysohelplesslythatIleapedwithboundinghearttocatchher。AsshefellintomyarmsIheardhersighasbefore。Nocommonanguishspokeinthatsigh。Ihadstumbledunwittinglyuponatragedy，tothemeaningofwhichIheldbutadoubtfulkey。

“Sheseemsveryill，“Iobservedwithsomeemphasis，asIturnedtolaymyhelplessburdenonanear-bysofa。

“She”sdoomed。”

Thewordswerespokenwithgloomandwithanattemptatcommiserationwhichnolongerrangtrueinmyears。

“SheisassickawomanasIammyself“；continuedMrs。

Postlethwaite。“ThatiswhyImadetheremarkIdid，neverimaginingshewouldhearmeatthatdistance。Donotputherdown。Mynursewillbehereinamomenttorelieveyouofyourburden。”

Atinkleaccompaniedthesewords。Theresolutewomanhadstretchedoutafinger，ofwhoseuseshewasnotquitedeprived，andtouchedalittlebellstandingonthetraybeforeher，aninchortwofromherhand。

Pleasedtoobeyhercommand，Ipausedatthesofa”sedge，andtakingadvantageofthemomentarydelay，studiedtheyouthfulcountenancepressedunconsciouslytomybreast。

Itwasonewhoseappeallaylessinitsbeauty，thoughthatwasofatouchingquality，thaninthestoryittold，——astory，whichforsomeunaccountablereason——Ididnotpausetodeterminewhatone——Ifeltittobemyimmediatedutytoknow。ButIaskednoquestionsthen；Ididnotevenventureacomment；andyieldedherupwithseemingreadinesswhenastrongbutnonetoointelligentwomancamerunninginwitharmsoutstretchedtocarryheroff。

Whenthedoorhadcloseduponthesetwo，thesilenceofmyclientdrewmyattentionbacktoherself。

“Iamwaiting，“washerquietobservation，andwithoutanyfurtherreferencetowhathadjusttakenplaceunderoureyes，shewentonwiththebusinesspreviouslyoccupyingus。

Iwasabletodomypartwithoutanytoogreatdisplayofmyowndisturbance。Theclearnessofmyremarkableclient”sinstructions，thedefinitenesswithwhichhermindwasmadeupastothedisposalofeverydollarofhervastproperty，madeiteasyformetomastereachdetailandmakecarefulnoteofeverywish。Butthisdidnotpreventtheebbandflowwithinmeofanundercurrentofthoughtfullofquestionanduneasiness。WhathadbeentherealpurportofthescenetowhichIhadjustbeenmadeasurprisedwitness？Thefew，butcertainlyunusual，factswhichhadbeengivenmeinregardtotheextraordinaryrelationsexistingbetweenthesetwocloselyconnectedwomenwillexplaintheintensityofmyinterest。Thosefactsshallbeyours。

ArabellaMerwin，whenyoung，wasgiftedwithapeculiarfascinationwhich，aswehaveseen，hadnotaltogethervanishedwithage。Consequentlyshehadmanylovers，amongthemtwobrothers，FrankandAndrewPostlethwaite。Thelatterwastheolder，thehandsomer，andthemostprosperous(hisnameisrememberedyetinconnectionwithSouthAmericanschemesoflargeimportance)，butitwasFrankshemarried。

Thatreallove，ardentifunreasonable，layatthebottomofherchoice，isevidentenoughtothosewhofollowedthecareeroftheyoungcouple。Butitwasajealouslovewhichbrookednorival，andasFrankPostlethwaitewasofanimpulsiveanderraticnature，scenessoonoccurredbetweenthemwhich，whilerevealingtheextraordinaryforceoftheyoungwife”scharacter，ledtonoseriousbreaktillafterhersonwasborn，andthis，notwithstandingthefactthatFrankhadlonggivenupmakingaliving，andthattheywereopenlydependentontheirwealthybrother，nowfastapproachingthemillionairestatus。

Thisbrother——thePeruvianKing，assomecalledhim——musthavebeenanextraordinaryman。ThoughcherishinghisaffectionforthespiritedArabellatothepointofremainingabachelorforhersake，hebetrayednoneoftheusualsignsofdisappointedlove；butonthecontrarymadeeveryefforttoadvanceherhappiness，notonlybyassuringtoherselfandhusbandanadequateincome，butbydoingallhecouldinotherandlessopenwaystolessenanysenseshemightentertainofhermistakeinpreferringforherlifematehisself-centredandunstablebrother。Sheshouldhaveadoredhim；butthoughsheevincedgratitudeenough，thereisnothingtoprovethatsheevergaveFrankPostlethwaitetheleastcausetocherishanyothersentimenttowardshisbrotherthanthatofhonestloveandunqualifiedrespect。Perhapsheneverdidcherishanyother。

Perhapsthechangewhicheveryonesawintheyoungcoupleimmediatelyafterthebirthoftheironlychildwasduetoanothercause。Gossipissilentonthispoint。AllthatitinsistsuponisthatfromthistimeevidencesofagrowingestrangementbetweenthembecamesoobviousthateventheindulgentAndrewcouldnotblindhimselftoit；showinghissenseoftrouble，notbylesseningtheirincome，forthathedoubled，butbyspendingmoretimeinPeruandlessinNewYorkwherethetwowereliving。

However，——andhereweenteruponthosedetailswhichIhaveventuredtocharacterizeasuncommon，hewasinthiscountryandintheactualcompanyofhisbrotherwhentheaccidentoccurredwhichterminatedboththeirlives。Itwastheoldstoryofaskiddingmotor，andMrs。Postlethwaite，havingbeensentforingreathastetothesmallinnintowhichthetwoinjuredmenhadbeencarried，arrivedonlyintimetowitnesstheirlastmoments。

FrankdiedfirstandAndrewsomefewminuteslater——animportantfact，aswasafterwardsshownwhenthelatter”swillcametoberead。

Thiswillwasapeculiarone。ByitsprovisionsthebulkoftheKing”sgreatpropertywaslefttohisbrotherFrank，butwiththisespecialstipulationthatincasehisbrotherfailedtosurvivehim，thefulllegacyasbequeathedtohimshouldbegivenunconditionallytohiswidow。Frank”sdemise，asIhavealreadystated，precededhisbrother”sbyseveralminutesandconsequentlyArabellabecamethechieflegatee；andthatishowsheobtainedhermillions。But——andhereastartlingfeaturecomesin——whenthewillcametobeadministered，thesecretunderlyingthebreakbetweenFrankandhiswifewasbroughttolightbyarevelationofthefactthathehadpractisedagreatdeceptionuponheratthetimeofhismarriage。Insteadofbeingabacheloraswascurrentlybelieved，hewasinrealityawidower，andthefatherofachild。Thisfact，solongheldsecret，hadbecomeherswhenherownchildwasborn；andconstitutedasshewas，shenotonlyneverforgavethefather，butconceivedsuchahatredfortheinnocentobjectoftheirquarrelthatsherefusedtoadmititsclaimsoreventoacknowledgeitsexistence。

Butlater——afterhisdeath，infact——sheshowedsomesenseofobligationtowardsonewhounderordinaryconditionswouldhavesharedherwealth。Whenthewholestorybecameherd，andshediscoveredthatthissecrethadbeenkeptfromhisbrotheraswellasfromherself，andthatconsequentlynoprovisionhadbeenmadeinanywayforthechildthusthrowndirectlyuponhermercy，shedidthegenerousthingandtooktheforsakengirlintoherownhome。Butsheneverbetrayedtheleastloveforher，herwholeheartbeingboundupinherboy，whowas，asallagree，aprodigyoftalent。

Butthisboy，forallhispromiseandseemingstrengthofconstitution，diedwhenbarelysevenyearsold，andthedesolatemotherwasleftwithnothingtofillherheartbuttheuncongenialdaughterofherhusband”sfirstwife。Thefactthatthischild，slightedasithadhithertobeen，would，intheeventofherunclehavingpassedawaybeforeherfather，havebeentheundisputedheiressofalargeportionofthewealthnowatthedisposalofherarrogantstep-mother，ledmanytoexpect，nowthattheboywasnomore，thatMrs。PostlethwaitewouldproceedtoacknowledgethelittleHelenaasherheir，andgiveherthatplaceinthehouseholdtowhichhernaturalclaimsentitledher。

Butnosuchresultfollowed。Thepassionofgriefintowhichthemotherwasthrownbytheshipwreckofallherhopesleftherhardandimplacable，andwhen，asverysoonhappened，shefellavictimtothediseasewhichtiedhertoherchairandmadethewealthwhichhadcometoherbysuchapeculiarorderingofcircumstanceslittleelsethanamockeryeveninherowneyes，itwasuponthischildsheexpendedthefullfundofhersecretbitterness。

Andthechild？Whatofher？Howdidshebearherunhappyfatewhenshegrewoldenoughtorealizeit？Witharesignationwhichwasthewonderofallwhoknewher。Nomurmursescapedherlips，norwasthedevotionsheinvariablydisplayedtotheexactinginvalidwhoruledheraswellasalltherestofherhouseholdwitharodofironeverdisturbedbytheleastsignofreproach。

Thoughtheriches，whichinthoseearlydayspouredintothehomeinameasurefarbeyondtheneedsofitsmistress，wereexpendedinmakingthehousebeautifulratherthaninmakingtheoneyounglifewithinithappy，sheneverwasheardtouttersomuchasawishtoleavethewallswithinwhichfatehadimmuredher。

Content，orseeminglycontent，withtheonlyhomesheknew，sheneveraskedforchangeordemandedfriendsoramusements。

Visitorsceasedcoming；desolationfollowedneglect。Thegarden，onceaglory，succumbedtoariotofweedsandundesirablebrush，tillatoweringwallseemedtobedrawnaboutthehousecuttingitofffromtheactivitiesoftheworldasitcutitofffromtheapproachofsunshinebyday，andthecomfortofastar-litheavenbynight。Andyettheyounggirlcontinuedtosmile，thoughwithapitifulnessoflate，whichsomethoughtbetokenedsecretterrorandothersthewastingofabodytoosensitiveforsuchunwholesomeseclusion。

Thesewerethefacts，knownifnotconsciouslyspecialized，whichgavetothelatterpartofmyinterviewwithMrs。Postlethwaiteapoignancyofinterestwhichhadneverattendedanyofmyformerexperiences。ThepeculiarattitudeofMissPostlethwaitetowardsherinduratetormentorawakenedinmyagitatedmindsomethingmuchdeeperthancuriosity，butwhenIstrovetospeakhernamewiththeintentofinquiringmoreparticularlyintohercondition，suchalookconfrontedmefromthesteadyeyeimmovablyfixeduponmyown，thatmycourage——orwasitmynaturalprecaution——bademesubduetheimpulseandrisknoattemptwhichmightbetraythedepthofmyinterestinonesocompletelyoutsidethescopeofthepresentmoment”sbusiness。

PerhapsMrs。Postlethwaiteappreciatedmystruggle；perhapsshewaswhollyblindtoit。Therewasnoreadingthemindofthiswomanofsentimentalnamebutinflexiblenature，andrealizingthefactmorefullywitheverywordsheutteredIleftheratlastwithnofurtherbetrayalofmyfeelingsthanmightbeevincedbytheearnestnesswithwhichIpromisedtoreturnforhersignatureattheearliestpossiblemoment。

Thisshehadherselfrequested，sayingasIrose：

“Icanstillwritemynameifthepaperispushedcarefullyalongundermyhand。Seetoitthatyoucomewhilethepowerremainstome。”

IhadhopedthatinmypassagedownstairsImightrunuponsomeonewhowouldgivemenewsofMissPostlethwaite，butthewomanwhoapproachedtoconductmedownstairswasnotofanappearancetoinviteconfidence，andIfeltforcedtoleavethehousewithmydoubtsunsatisfied。

Twomemories，equallydistinct，followedme。OnewasapictureofMrs。Postlethwaite”sfingersgropingamongherbelongingsonthelittletraypercheduponherlap，andanotheroftheintentandstrangelybentfigureoftheoldmanwhohadactedasmyusher，listeningtothetickingofoneofthegreatclocks。SoabsorbedwasheinthisoccupationthathenotonlyfailedtonoticemewhenIwentby，buthedidnotevenlifthisheadatmycheerygreeting。Suchmysteriesweretoomuchforme，andledmetopostponemydeparturefromtowntillIhadsoughtoutMrs。

Postlethwaite”sdoctorandpropoundedtohimoneortwoleadingquestions。First，wouldMrs。Postlethwaite”spresentconditionbelikelytoholdgoodtillMonday；andsecondly，wastheyoungladylivingwithherasillasherstep-mothersaid。

Hewasamildoldmanoftheeasy-goingtype，andtheanswersI

gotfromhimwerefarfromsatisfactory。YetheshowedsomesurprisewhenImentionedtheextentofMrs。Postlethwaite”sanxietyaboutherstep-daughter，andpaused，inthedubiousshakingofhishead，togivemeashortstareinwhichIreadasmuchdeterminationasperplexity。

“IwilllookintoMissPostlethwaite”scasemoreparticularly，“

werehispartingwords。AndwiththisonegleamofcomfortIhadtobecontent。

Monday”sinterviewwasabriefoneandcontainednothingworthrepeating。Mrs。PostlethwaitelistenedwithstoicalsatisfactiontothereadingofthewillIhaddrawnup，anduponitscompletionrangherbellforthetwowitnessesawaitinghersummons，inanadjoiningroom。Theywerenotofherhousehold，buttoallappearancehonestvillagerswithbutonenoticeablecharacteristic，anoverweeningideaofMrs。Postlethwaite”simportance。Perhapsthespellshehadsoliberallywovenforothersinotherandhappierdayswasfeltbythematthishour。

Itwouldnotbestrange；Ihadalmostfallenunderitmyself，sogreatwasthefascinationofhermannereveninthiswreckofherbodilypowers，whentriumphassured，shefacedusallinastateofcompletesatisfaction。

ButbeforeIwasagainquitoftheplace，allmydoubtsreturnedandinfullerforcethanever。Ihadlingeredinmygoingasmuchasdecencywouldpermit，hopingtohearasteponthestairorseeafaceinsomedoorwaywhichwouldcontradictMrs。

Postlethwaite”scoldassurancethatMissPostlethwaitewasnobetter。ButnosuchstepdidIhear，andnofacedidIseesavetheold，oldoneoftheancientfriendorrelative，whosebentframeseemedcontinuallytohauntthehalls。Asbefore，hestoodlisteningtothemonotonoustickingofoneoftheclocks，mutteringtohimselfandquiteobliviousofmypresence。

However，thistimeIdecidednottopasshimwithoutamorepersistentattempttogainhisnotice。Pausingathisside，I

askedhiminthefriendlytoneIthoughtbestcalculatedtoattracthisattention，howMissPostlethwaitewasto-day。Hewassointentuponhistask，whateverthatwas，thatwhileheturnedmyway，itwaswithaglanceasblankasthatofastoneimage。

“Listen！“headmonishedme。“ItstillsaysNo！No！Idon”tthinkitwilleversayanythingelse。”

Istaredathiminsomeconsternation，thenattheclockitselfwhichwasthetalloneIhadfoundrundownatmyfirstvisit。

Therewasnothingunusualinitsquiettick，sofarasIcouldhear，andwithacompassionateglanceattheoldmanwhohadturnedbreathlesslyagaintolisten，proceededonmywaywithoutanotherword。

Theoldfellowwasdaft。Acenturyold，anddaft。

Ihadworkedmywayoutthroughthevineswhichstillencumberedtheporch，andwastakingmyfirststepsdownthewalk，whensomeimpulsemademeturnandglanceupatoneofthewindows。

DidIblesstheimpulse？IthoughtIhadeveryreasonfordoingso，whenthroughanetworkofinterlacingbranchesIbeheldtheyounggirlwithwhommymindwaswhollyoccupied，standingwithherheadthrustforward，watchingthedescentofsomethingsmallandwhitewhichshehadjustreleasedfromherhand。

Anote！Anotewrittenbyherandmeantforme！Withagratefullookinherdirection(whichwasprobablylostuponherasshehadalreadydrawnbackoutofsight)，Isprangforitonlytomeetwithdisappointment。Foritwasnobillet-douxIreceivedfromamidtheclusteringbrushwhereithadfallen；butasmallsquareofwhiteclothshowingalineoffantasticembroidery。

Annoyedbeyondmeasure，Iwasabouttoflingitdownagain，whenthethoughtthatithadcomefromherhanddeterredme，andI

thrustitintomyvestpocket。WhenItookitoutagain——whichwassoonafterIhadtakenmyseatinthecar——IdiscoveredwhatamistakeIshouldhavemadeifIhadfollowedmyfirstimpulse。

For，uponexaminingthestitchesmorecarefully，IperceivedthatwhatIhadconsideredameredecorativepatternwasinfactastringofletters，andthattheselettersmadewords，andthatthesewordswere：

IDONOTWANTTODIEBUTISURELYWILLIF

Or，inplainwriting：

“Idonotwanttodie，butIsurelywillif”

Finishthesentenceforme。ThatistheproblemIofferyou。Itisnotacaseforthepolicebutonewellworthyourattention，ifyousucceedinreachingtheheartofthismysteryandsavingthisyounggirl。

Only，letnodelayoccur。Thedoom，ifdoomitis，isimmanent。

Rememberthatthewillissigned。

“Sheistoosmall；Ididnotaskyoutosendmeamidget。”

ThusspokeMrs。Postlethwaitetoherdoctor，asheintroducedintoherpresencealittlefigureinnurse”scapandapron。“YousaidIneededcare，——morecarethanIwasreceiving。Iansweredthatmyoldnursecouldgiveit，andyouobjectedthatsheorsomeoneelsemustlookafterMissPostlethwaite。Ididnotseethenecessity，butInevercontradictadoctor。SoIyieldedtoyourwishes，butnotwithouttheproviso(yourememberthatI

madeaproviso)thatwhateversortofyoungwomanyouchosetointroduceintothisroom，sheshouldnotbefreshfromthetrainingschools，andthatsheshouldbestrong，silent，andcapable。Andyoubringmethismiteofawoman——issheawoman？

shelooksmorelikeachild，ofpleasingcountenanceenough，butwhocannomoreliftme”

“Pardonme！“LittleMissStrangehadadvanced。“Ithink，ifyouwillallowmetheprivilege，madam，thatIcanshiftyouintoamuchmorecomfortableposition。”Andwithadeftnessandeasecertainlynottobeexpectedfromoneofherslightphysique，Violetraisedthehelplessinvalidatriflemoreuponherpillow。

Theact，itsmanner，andthesmileaccompanyingit，couldnotfailtoplease，andundoubtedlydid，thoughnowordrewardedherfromlipsnotmuchgiventospeechsavewhentheoccasionwasimperative。ButMrs。Postlethwaitemadenofurtherobjectiontoherpresence，and，seeingthis，thedoctor”scountenancerelaxedandhelefttheroomwithamuchlighterstepthanthatwithwhichhehadenteredit。

AndthusitwasthatVioletStrange——anadeptinmorewaysthanone——becameinstalledatthebedsideofthismysteriouswoman，whosedays，ifnumbered，stillheldpossibilitiesofactionwhichthoseinterestedinyoungHelenaPostlethwaite”sfatewoulddowelltorecognize。

MissStrangehadbeenatherpostfortwodays，andhadgatheredupthefollowing：

ThatMrs。Postlethwaitemustbeobeyed。

Thatherstep-daughter(whodidnotwishtodie)woulddieifsheknewittobethewishofthisdomineeringbutapparentlyidolizedwoman。

Thattheoldmanoftheclocks，whilesenileinsomeregards，wasveryalertandquiteyouthfulinothers。Ifacenturyold——whichshebegangreatlytodoubt——hehadthelanguageandmannerofoneinhisprime，whenunaffectedbytheneighbourhoodoftheclocks，whichseemedinsomenon-understandablewaytoexerciseanoccultinfluenceoverhim。Attablehewasanentertaininghost；butneithertherenorelsewherewouldhediscussthefamily，ordilateinanywayuponthepeculiaritiesofahouseholdofwhichhemanifestlyregardedhimselfastheleastimportantmember。Yetnooneknewthembetter，andwhenVioletbecamequiteassuredofthis，aswellasofthefutilityoflookingforexplanationofanykindfromeitherofhertwopatients，sheresolveduponanefforttosurpriseonefromhim。

Shewentaboutitinthisway。Notinghiscustomofmakingacompleteroundoftheclockseachnightafterdinner，shetookadvantageofMrs。Postlethwaite”sinclinationtosleepatthishour，tofollowhimfromclocktoclockinthehopeofoverhearingsomeportionofthemonologuewithwhichhebenthisheadtotheswingingpendulum，orputhiseartothehiddenworks。Soft-footedanddiscreet，shetrippedalongathisback，andateachpausehemade，pausedherselfandturnedherearhisway。Theextremedarknessofthehalls，whichweremoresombrebynightthanbyday，favouredthisattempt，andshewasable，afterafailureortwo，tocatchtheNo！no！no！no！whichfellfromhislipsinseemingrepetitionofwhatheheardthemostofthemsay。

Thesatisfactioninhistoneprovedthatthedenialtowhichhelistened，chimedinwithhishopesandgaveeasetohismind。Buthelookedhisoldestwhen，afterpausingatanotherofthemanytime-pieces，heechoedinanswertoitsspecialrefrain，Yes！

yes！yes！yes！andfledthespotwithshakingbodyandadistractedair。

Thesamefearandthesameshrinkingwereobservableinhimashereturnedfromlisteningtotheleastconspicuousone，standinginashortcorridor，whereVioletcouldnotfollowhim。Butwhen，afterahesitationwhichenabledhertoslipbehindthecurtainhidingthedrawing-roomdoor，heapproachedandlaidhisearagainstthegreatonestanding，asifonguard，atthefootofthestairs，shesawbytherenewedvigourhedisplayedthattherewascomfortforhiminitsmessage，evenbeforeshecaughtthewhisperwithwhichheleftitandproceededtomountthestairs：

“ItsaysNo！ItalwayssaysNo！IwillheeditasthevoiceofHeaven。”

ButoneconclusioncouldbetheresultofsuchanexperimenttoamindlikeViolet”s。Thispartlytouchedoldmannotonlyheldthekeytothesecretofthishouse，butwasinamoodtodivulgeitifoncehecouldbeinducedtohearcommandinsteadofdisuasioninthetickofthisonelargeclock。Buthowcouldhebeinduced？

VioletreturnedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”sbedsideinamoodofextremethoughtfulness。

Anotherdaypassed，andshehadnotyetseenMissPostlethwaite。

Shewashopingeachhourtobesentonsomeerrandtothatyounglady”sroom，butnosuchopportunitywasgrantedher。Oncesheventuredtoaskthedoctor，whosevisitswerenowveryfrequent，whathethoughtoftheyounglady”scondition。ButasthisquestionwasnecessarilyputinMrs。Postlethwaite”spresence，theanswerwasnaturallyguarded，andpossiblynotaltogetherfrank。

“Ouryoungladyisweaker，“heacknowledged。“Muchweaker，“headdedwithmarkedemphasisandhismostprofessionalair，“orshewouldbehereinsteadofinherownroom。Itgrieveshernottobeabletowaituponhergenerousbenefactress。”

Thewordfellheavily。Haditbeenusedasatest？Violetgavehimalook，thoughshehadmuchratherhaveturnedherdiscriminatingeyeuponthefacestaringupatthemfromthepillow。Hadthealarmexpressedbyotherscommunicateditselfatlasttothephysician？Wasthecharmwhichhadheldhimsubservienttothemother，dissolvingunderthepitiablestateofthechild，andwashetryingtoaidthelittledetective-nurseinherefforttosoundthemysteryofhercondition？

Hislookexpressedbenevolence，buthetookcarenottomeetthegazeofthewomanhehadjustlauded，possiblybecausethatgazewasfixeduponhiminawaytotaxhismoralcourage。ThesilencewhichensuedwasbrokenbyMrs。Postlethwaite：

“Shewilllive——thispoorHelena——howlong？“sheasked，withnobreakinhervoice”swontedmusic。

Thedoctorhesitated，thenwithacandourhardlytobeexpectedfromhim，answered：

“IdonotunderstandMissPostlethwaite”scase。Ishouldlike，withyourpermission，toconsultsomeNewYorkphysician。”

“Indeed！“

Asingleword，butasitleftthiswoman”sthinlipsVioletrecoiled，and，perhaps，thedoctordid。Ragecanspeakinonewordaswellasinadozen，andtheragewhichspokeinthisonewasofnocommonorder，thoughitwasquicklysuppressed，aswasallothershowoffeelingwhensheadded，withatouchofheroldcharm：

“Ofcourseyouwilldowhatyouthinkbest，asyouknowIneverinterferewithadoctor”sdecisions。But“andherehernaturalascendancyoftoneandmannerreturnedinallitspotency，“itwouldkillmetoknowthatastrangerwasapproachingHelena”sbedside。Itwouldkillher。She”stoosensitivetosurvivesuchashock。”

Violetrecalledthewordsworkedwithsomuchcarebythisyounggirlonaminutepieceoflinen，Idonotwanttodie，andwatchedthedoctor”sfaceforsomesignofresolution。Butembarrassmentwasallshesawthere，andallsheheardhimsaywastheconventionalreply：

“IamdoingallIcanforher。Wewillwaitanotherdayandnotetheeffectofmylatestprescription。”

Anotherday！

ThedeathlycalmwhichoverspreadMrs。Postlethwaite”sfeaturesasthiswordleftthephysician”slipswarnedVioletnottoletanotherdaygobywithoutsomeaction。Butshemadenoremark，and，indeed，betrayedbutlittleinterestinanythingbeyondherownpatient”scondition。Thatseemedtooccupyherwholly。WithconsummateartshegavetheappearanceofbeingunderMrs。

Postlethwaite”scompletethrall，andwatchedwithfascinatedeyeseverymovementoftheoneunstrickenfingerwhichcoulddosomuch。

Thislittledetectiveofourscouldbeanexcellentactorwhenshechose。

III

Tomaketheoldmanspeak！Toforcethisconscience-strickenbutrebellioussoultorevealwhattheclockforbade！Howcoulditbedone？

ThiscontinuedtobeViolet”sgreatproblem。Shepondereditsodeeplyduringalltheremainderofthedaythatalittlepuckersettledonherbrow，whichsomeone(Iwillnotmentionwho)wouldhavebeenpainedtosee。Mrs。Postlethwaite，ifshenoticeditatall，probablyascribedittoheranxietiesasnurse，forneverhadVioletbeenmoreassiduousinherattentions。ButMrs。

Postlethwaitewasnolongerthewomanshehadbeen，andpossiblynevernoteditatall。

Atfiveo”clockVioletsuddenlylefttheroom。Slippingdownintothelowerhall，shewenttheroundoftheclocksherself，listeningtoeveryone。Therewasnoperceptibledifferenceintheirtick。Satisfiedofthisandthatitwassimplytheoldman”simaginationwhichhadsuppliedthemeachwithseparatespeech，shepausedbeforethehugeoneatthefootofthestairs，——

theonewhosedictatehehadpromisedhimselftofollow，——andwithaneyeuponitsbroad，staringdial，mutteredwistfully：

“Oh！foranidea！Foranidea！“

Didthiscumbrousrelicofold-timeprecisionturntraitoratthisingenuousplea？Thedialcontinuedtostare，theworkstosing，butViolet”sfacesuddenlylostitsperplexity。Withawarylookaboutherandalisteningearturnedtowardsthestairtop，shestretchedoutherhandandpulledopenthedoorguardingthependulum，andpeeredinattheworks，smilingslylytoherselfasshepusheditbackintoplaceandretreatedupstairstothesickroom。

WhenthedoctorcamethatnightshehadaquietwordwithhimoutsideMrs。Postlethwaite”sdoor。WasthatwhyhewasonhandwhenoldMr。Dunbarstolefromhisroomtomakehisnightlycircuitofthehallsbelow？Somethingquitebeyondtheordinarywasinthegoodphysician”smind，forthelookhecastattheoldmanwasquiteunlikeanyhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore，andwhenhespokeitwastosaywithmarkedurgency：

“OurbeautifulyoungladywillnotliveaweekunlessIgetattheseatofhermalady。PraythatImaybeenabledtodoso，Mr。

Dunbar。”

Ablowtotheagedman”sheartwhichcalledforthafeeble“Yes，yes，“followedbyawildstarewhichimprinteditselfuponthedoctor”smemoryasthelookofonehopelesslyold，whohearsforthefirsttimeadistinctcallfromthegravewhichhaslongbeenawaitinghim！

Asolitarylampstoodinthelowerhall。Astheoldmanpickedhisslowwaydown，itssmall，hesitatingflameflaredupasinasuddengust，thensankdownflickeringandfaintasifit，too，hadheardacallwhichsummonedittoextinction。

Noothersignoflifewasvisibleanywhere。Sunkintwilightshadows，thecorridorsbranchedawayoneithersidetonoplaceinparticularandserving，toallappearance(asmanymusthavethoughtindaysgoneby)，asamerehiding-placeforclocks。

Tolistentotheirunitedhum，theoldmanpaused，lookingatfirstalittledistraught，butsettlingatlastintohisusualselfashestartedforwarduponhiscourse。Didsomewhisper，hithertounheard，warnhimthatitwasthelasttimehewouldtreadthatwearyround？Whocantell？Hewastremblingverymuchwhenwithhistasknearlycompleted，hesteppedoutagainintothemainhallandcreptratherthanwalkedbacktotheonegreatclocktowhosedictumhemadeitapracticetolistenlast。

Chatteringtheaccustomedwords，“TheysayYes！TheyareallsayingYes！now；butthisonewillsayNo！“hebenthisstiffoldbackandlaidhiseartotheunresponsivewood。Butthetimefornohadpassed。ItwasYes！yes！yes！yes！now，andashisstrainingearstookintheword，heappearedtoshrinkwherehestoodandafteramomentofanguishedsilence，brokeforthintoalowwail，amidwhoselamentationsonecouldhear：

“Thetimehascome！Eventheclockshelovesbestbidsmespeak。

Oh！Arabella，Arabella！“