第5章

Inhisdespairhehadnotnoticedthatthependulumhungmotionless，orthatthehandsstoodatrestonthedial。Ifhehad，hemighthavewaitedlongenoughtohaveseenthecarefulopeningofthegreatclock”stalldoorandthesteppingforthofthelittleladywhohadplayedsodeftlyuponhissuperstition。

Hewaswanderingthecorridorslikeahelplesschild，whenagentlehandfellonhisarmandasoftvoicewhisperedinhisear：

“Youhaveastorytotell。Willyoutellittome？ItmaysaveMissPostlethwaite”slife。”

Didheunderstand？Wouldherespondifhedid；orwouldtheshockofherappealrestorehimtoasenseofthedangerattendingdisloyalty？Foramomentshedoubtedthewisdomofthisstartlingmeasure，thenshesawthathehadpassedthepointofsurpriseandthat，strangerasshewas，shehadbuttoleadthewayforhimtofollow，tellhisstory，anddie。

Therewasnolightinthedrawing-roomwhentheyentered。ButoldMr。Dunbardidnotseemtomindthat。Indeed，heseemedtohavelostallconsciousnessofpresentsurroundings；hewasevenobliviousofher。Thisbecamequiteevidentwhenthelamp，inflaringupagaininthehall，gaveamomentaryglimpse，ofhiscrouching，half-kneelingfigure。Inthepleadinggestureofhistrembling，outreachingarms，Violetbeheldanappeal，nottoherself，buttosomephantomofhisimagination；andwhenhespoke，ashepresentlydid，itwaswiththefreedomofonetowhomspeechislife”slastboon，andtheearofthelistenerquiteforgotteninthepassionofconfessionlongsuppressed。

“Shehasneverlovedme，“hebegan，“butIhavealwayslovedher。

Formenootherwomanhaseverexisted，thoughIwassixty-fiveyearsofagewhenIfirstsawher，andhadlonggivenuptheideathattherelivedawomanwhocouldswaymefrommyevenlifeandfixedlinesofduty。Sixty-five！andsheayouthfulbride！Wasthereeversuchfolly！HappilyIrealizeditfromthefirst，andpiledashesonmyhiddenflame。PerhapsthatiswhyIadorehertothisdayandonlygiveherovertoreprobationbecauseFateisstrongerthanmyage——strongereventhanmylove。

“Sheisnotagoodwoman，butImighthavebeenagoodmanifI

hadneverknownthesinwhichdrewalineofisolationabouther，andwithinwhichI，andonlyI，havestoodwithherinsilentcompanionship。Whatwasthissin，andinwhatdidithaveitsbeginning？Ithinkitsbeginningwasinthepassionshehadforherhusband。Itwasnottheevery-daypassionofhersexinthislandofequableaffections，butoneofforeignfierceness，jealousy，andinsatiabledemand。Yethewasaveryordinaryman。

IwasoncehistutorandIknow。Shecametoknowittoo，when——

butIamrushingontoofast，IhavemuchtotellbeforeIreachthatpoint。

“Fromthefirst，Iwasintheirconfidence。Notthateitherheorsheputmethere，butthatIlivedwiththemandwasalwaysaround，andcouldnothelpseeingandhearingwhatwentonbetweenthem。Whyhecontinuedtowantmeinthehouseandathistable，whenIcouldnolongerbeofservicetohim，Ihaveneverknown。Possiblyhabitexplainsall。Hewasaccustomedtomypresenceandsowasshe；soaccustomedtheyhardlynoticedit，ashappenedonenight，whenafteralittleattemptatconversation，hethrewdownthebookhehadcaughtupand，addressingherbyname，saidwithoutaglancemyway，andquiteasifhewerealonewithher：

“”Arabella，thereissomethingIoughttotellyou。Ihavetriedtofindthecouragetodosomanytimesbeforenowbuthavealwaysfailed。TonightImust。”Andthenhemadehisgreatdisclosure，——how，unknownto，hisfriendsandtheworld，hewasawidowerwhenhemarriedher，andthefatherofalivingchild。

“Withsomewomenthismighthavepassedwithameasureofregret，andsomepossiblecontemptforhissilence，butnotsowithher。

Sherosetoherfeet——Icanseeheryet——andforamomentstoodfacinghiminthestill，overpoweringmannerofonewhofeelstheicypangofhateenterwherelovehasbeen。Neverwasmomentmorecharged。Icouldnotbreathewhileitlasted；andwhenatlastshespoke，itwaswithanimpetuosityofconcentratedpassion，hardlylessdreadfulthanhersilencehadbeen。

“”Youafather！Afatheralready！”shecried，allhersweetnessswallowedupinungovernablewrath。”YouwhomIexpectedtomakesohappywithachild？Icurseyouandyourbrat。I——”

“Hestrovetoplacateher，toexplain。Butragehasnoears，andbeforeIrealizedmyownposition，thescenebecameopenlytempestuous。Thatherchildshouldbesecondtoanotherwoman”sseemedtoawakendemoninstinctswithinher。Whenheventuredtohintthathislittlegirlneededamother”scare，herironybitlikecorrodingacid。Hebecamespeechlessbeforeitandhadnotaprotesttoraisewhenshedeclaredthatthesecrethehadkeptsolongandsosuccessfullyhemustcontinuetokeeptohisdyingday。Thatthechildhehadfailedtoowninhisfirstwife”slifetimeshouldremaindisownedinhers，andifpossiblebeforgotten。Sheshouldnevergivethegirlathoughtnoracknowledgeherinanyway。

“ShewasFuryembodied；butthefurywasofthatgrandorderwhichalluresratherthanrepels。AsIfeltmyselfsuccumbingtoitsfascinationandbeheldhowhewasweakeningunderitevenmoreperceptiblythanmyself，Istartedfrommychair，andsoughttoglideawaybeforeIshouldhearhimutterafatalacquiescence。

“ButthemovementImadeunfortunatelydrewtheirattentiontome，andafteraninstantofsilentcontemplationofmydistractedcountenance，Franksaid，asthoughheweretheelderbythefortyyearswhichseparatedus：

“”YouhavelistenedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”swishes。Youwillrespectthemofcourse。”“

Thatwasall。HeknewandsheknewthatIwastobetrusted；butneitherofthemhaseverknownwhy。

Amonthlaterherchildcame，andwaswelcomedasthoughitwerethefirsttobearhisname。Itwasaboy，andtheirsatisfactionwassogreatthatIlookedtoseetheiroldaffectionrevive。Butithadbeencleftattheroot，andnothingcouldrestoreittolife。Theylovedthechild；Ihaveneverseenevidenceofgreaterparentalpassionthantheybothdisplayed，buttheretheirfeelingsstopped。Towardseachothertheywerecold。Theydidnotevenuniteinworshipoftheirtreasure。Theygloatedoverhimandplannedforhim，butalwaysapart。Hewasachildinathousand，andashedeveloped，themotherespecially，nursedallherenergiesforthepurposeofensuringforhimafuturecommensuratewithhistalents。Neveraveryconscientiouswoman，andalivetotheadvantagesofwealthasdemonstratedbythepowerwieldedbyherrichbrother-in-law，sheassociatedalltheboy”sprospectswithmoney，greatmoney，suchmoneyasAndrewhadaccumulated，andnowhadathisdisposalforhisnaturalheirs。

“Hencecamehergreattemptation，——atemptationtowhichsheyielded，tothelastingtroubleofusall。OfthisImustnowmakeconfessionthoughitkillsmetodoso，andwillsoonkillher。Thedeedsofthepastdonotremainburied，howeverdeepwedigtheirgraves，butriseinanawfulresurrectionwhenweareold——old”

Silence。Thenatremulousrenewalofhispainfulspeech。

Violetheldherbreathtolisten。Possiblythedoctor，hiddeninthedarkestcorneroftheroom，didsoalso。

“Ineverknewhowshebecameacquaintedwiththetermsofherbrother-in-law”swill。Hecertainlyneverconfidedthemtoher，andascertainlythelawyerwhodrewupthedocumentneverdid。

ButthatshewaswellawareofitstenorisaspositiveafactasthatIamthemostwretchedmanalivetonight。Otherwise，whythedarksomedeedintowhichshewasbetrayedwhenboththebrotherslaydyingamongstrangers，ofadreadfulaccident？“

“Iwaswitnesstothatdeed。IhadaccompaniedheronherhurriedrideandwasathersidewhensheenteredtheinnwherethetwoPostlethwaiteslay。Iwasalwaysathersideingreatjoyoringreattrouble，thoughsheprofessednoaffectionformeandgavemebutscantythanks。”

“DuringourrideshehadbeensilentandIhadnotdisturbedthatsilence。Ihadmuchtothinkof。Shouldwefindhimliving，orshouldwefindhimdead？Ifdead，woulditsevertherelationsbetweenustwo？WouldIeverridewithheragain？“

“WhenIwasnotdwellingonthistheme，Iwasthinkingofthepartinglookshegaveherboy；alookwhichhadsomestrangepromiseinit。WhathadthatlookmeantandwhydidmyfleshcreepandmymindhoverbetweendreadandafearsomecuriositywhenIrecalledit？Alas！TherewasreasonforallthesesensationsasIwassoontolearn。

Wefoundtheinnseethingwithterrorandthefactsworsethanhadbeenrepresentedinthetelegram。Herhusbandwasdying。Shehadcomejustintimetowitnesstheend。Thistheytoldherbeforeshehadtakenoffherveil。Iftheyhadwaited——ifIhadbeengivenafullglimpseofherface——Butitwashidden，andI

couldonlyjudgeofthenatureofheremotionsbythesternwayinwhichsheheldherself。

“”Takemetohim”wasthequietcommand，withwhichshemetthisdisclosure。Then，beforeanyofthemcouldmove：

“”Andhisbrother，Mr。AndrewPostlethwaite？Ishefatallyinjuredtoo？”

“Thereplywasunequivocal。Thedoctorswereuncertainwhichofthetwowouldpassawayfirst。

“YoumustrememberthatatthistimeIwasignorantoftherichman”swill，andconsequentlyofhowthefateofapoorchildofwhomIhadheardonlyonemention，hunginthebalanceatthatawfulmoment。ButinthebreathlessnesswhichseizedMrs。

Postlethwaiteatthissentenceofdoubledeath，Irealizedfrommyknowledgeofherthatsomethingmorethangriefwasatpreyuponherimpenetrableheart，andshudderedtothecoreofmybeingwhensherepeatedinthatvoicewhichwassoterriblebecausesoexpressionless：

“”Takemetothem。”“

Theywerelyinginoneroom，herhusbandnearestthedoor，theotherinasmallalcovesometenfeetaway。Bothwereunconscious；bothweresurroundedbygroupsoffrightenedattendantswhofellbackassheapproached。Adoctorstoodatthebed-headofherhusband，butashereyemethishesteppedasidewithashakeoftheheadandlefttheplaceemptyforher。

“Theactionwassignificant。Isawthatsheunderstoodwhatitmeant，andwithconstrictedheartwatchedherasshebentoverthedyingmanandgazedintohiswide-openeyes，alreadysightlessandstaring。Calculationwasinherlookandcalculationonly；andcalculation，orsomethingequallyunintelligible，senthernextglanceinthedirectionofhisbrother。Whatwasinhermind？IcouldunderstandherindifferencetoFrankevenatthecrisisofhisfate，butnottheinterestsheshowedinAndrew。Itwasanabsorbingone，alteringherwholeexpression。Inolongerknewherformydearyoungmadam，andthejealousyIhadneverfelttowardsFrankrosetofranticresentmentinmybreastasIbeheldwhatverylikelymightbeatardyrecognitionoftheother”swell-knownpassion，forcedintodisclosurebytheexigenciesofthemoment。

“Alarmedbythestrengthofmyfeelings，andfearinganequaldisclosureonmyownpart，Isoughtforarefugefromalleyesandfounditinalittlebalconyopeningoutatmyright。OntothisbalconyIsteppedandfoundmyselffacetofacewithastar-

litheaven。HadIonlybeencontentwithmyisolationandthesplendourofthespectaclespreadoutbeforeme！Butno，Imustlookbackuponthatbedandthesolitarywomanstandingbesideit！ImustwatchthesettlingofherbodyintorigidityasavoicerosefrombesidetheotherPostlethwaitesaying，”Itisamatterofminutesnow”andthen——andthen——theslowcreepingofherhandtoherhusband”smouth，theoutspreadingofherpalmacrossthelividlips——itssteadyclingingthere，smotheringthefeeblegaspsofonealreadymoribund，tillthequiveringformgrewstill，andFrankPostlethwaitelaydeadbeforemyeyes！

“Isaw，andmadenooutcry，butshedid，bringingthedoctorbacktohersidewiththestartledexclamation：

“”Dead？Ithoughthehadanhour”slifeleftinhim，andhehaspassedbeforehisbrother。”

“Ithoughtithate——themurderousimpulseofawomanwhoseesherenemyathermercyandcannolongerrestrainthepassionofherlong-cherishedantagonism；andwhilesomethingwithinmerebelledattheact，Icouldnotbetrayher，thoughsilencemadeamurdererofmetoo。Icouldnot。Herspellwasuponmeasinanotherinstantitwasuponeveryoneelseintheroom。Nosuspicionofonesoself-repressedinhersadnessdisturbedtheuniversalsympathy；andencouragedbythisblindnessofthecrowd，Ivowedwithinmyselfnevertorevealhersecret。Themanwasdead，orasgoodasdead，whenshetouchedhim；andnowthatherhatewasexpendedshewouldgrowgentleandgood。

“ButIknewtheworthlessnessofthishopeaswellasmymisconceptionofhermotive，whenFrank”schildbyanotherwifereturnedtomymemory，andBella”ssinstoodexposed。”

“Butonlytomyself。Ialoneknewthatthefortunenowwhollyhers，andinconsequenceherboy”s，hadbeenwonbyacrime。Thatifherhandhadfallenincomfortonherhusband”sforeheadinsteadofinpressureonhismouth，hewouldhaveoutlivedhisbrotherlongenoughtohavebecomeownerofhismillions；inwhichcasearightfulportionwouldhavebeeninsuredtohisdaughter，nowleftapennilesswaif。Thethoughtmademyhairrise，astheproceedingsover，Ifacedherandmademyfirstandlastefforttoridmyconscienceofitsnewandintolerableburden。

ButthewomanIhadknownandlovedwasnolongerbeforeme。Thecrownhadtouchedherbrows，andhercharmwhichhadbeenmainlysexualuptothishourhadmergedintoanintellectualforce，withwhichfewmen”smentalitycouldcope。Mineyieldedatoncetoit。Fromthefirstinstant，Iknewthataslaveryofspirit，aswellasofheart，washenceforthtobemine。”

Shedidnotwaitformetospeak；shehadassumedthedictator”sattitudeatonce。

“”Iknowofwhatyouarethinking，“”saidshe，”anditisasubjectyoumaydismissatoncefromyourmind。Mr。

Postlethwaite”schildbyhisfirstwifeiscomingtolivewithus。Ihaveexpressedmywishesinthisregardtomylawyer，andthereisnothinglefttobesaid。You，withyourclosemouthanddependablenature，aretoremainhereasbefore，andoccupythesamepositiontowardsmyboythatyoudidtowardshisfather。Weshallmovesoonintoalargerhouse，andthenatureofourdutieswillbechangedandtheirscopegreatlyincreased；butIknowthatyoucanbetrustedtoenlargewiththemandmeeteveryrequirementIshallseefittomake。Donottrytoexpressyourthanks。Iseetheminyourface。”

“Didshe，orjustthelastfeeblestrugglemyconsciencewasmakingtobreakthebondsinwhichsheheldme，andwinbackmyownrespect？Ishallneverknow，forsheleftmeoncompletionofthisspeech，nottoresumethesubject，thenorever。

“ButthoughIsuccumbedoutwardlytoherdemands，Ihadnotpassedthepointwhereinnerconflictendsandpeacebegins。HerrecognitionofHelenaandherreceptionintothefamilycalmedmeforawhile，andgavemehopethatallwouldyetbewell。ButI

hadneversoundedthefullbitter-nessofmadam”smorbidheart，wellasIthoughtIknewit。Thehatredshehadfeltfromthefirstforherhusband”schildripenedintofrenzieddislikewhenshefoundheralivingimageofthemotherwhosepictureshehadcomeacrossamongFrank”spersonaleffects。Towinatearfromthosemeekeyesinsteadofasmiletothesensitivelipswasherdailyplay。Sheseemedtoexultinthejoyofimpressinguponthegirlbyhowlittleshehadmissedagreatfortune，andIhaveoftenthought，muchasItriedtokeepmymindfreefromallextravagantandunnecessaryfancies，thathalfofthemoneyshespentinbeautifyingthishouseandmaintainingartindustriesandevengreatcharitableinstitutionswasspentwiththebasepurposeofdemonstratingtothischildthepowerofimmensewealth，andinwhatwaysshemightexpecttoseeherlittlebrotherexpendthemillionsinwhichshehadbeendeniedallshare。”

“IwassosureofthisthatonenightwhileIwaswindinguptheclockswithwhichMrs。Postlethwaiteinherfondnessforoldtimepieceshasfilledthehouse，Istoppedtolookatthelittlefiguretoilingsowearilyupstairs，tobed，withoutamother”skiss。Therewasanappealinthesmallwistfulfacewhichsmotemyhardoldheart，andpossiblyatearwelledupinmyowneyewhenIturnedbacktomyduty。”

“WasthatwhyIfeltthehandofProvidenceuponme，wheninmyhaltbeforetheoneclocktowhichanysuperstitiousinterestwasattached——thegreatoneatthefootofthestairs——Isawthatithadstoppedandattheoneminuteofallminutesinourwretchedlives：Fourminutespasttwo？Thehour，theminuteinwhichFrankPostlethwaitehadgaspedhislastunderthepressureofhiswife”shand！Iknewit——theexactminuteImean——becauseProvidencemeantthatIshouldknowit。TherehadbeenaclockonthemantelpieceofthehotelroomwhereheandhisbrotherhaddiedandIhadseenherglancestealtowardsitattheinstantshewithdrewherpalmfromherhusband”slips。ThestareofthatdialandthepositionofitshandshadlivedstillinmymindasIbelieveditdidinhers。

“Fourminutespasttwo！HowcameouroldtimepieceheretostopatthatexactmomentonadaywhenDutywasmakingitslastdemanduponmetorememberFrank”sunhappychild？Therewasnoonetoanswer；butasIlookedandlooked，Ifelttheimpulseofthemomentstrengthenintopurposetoleavethosehandsundisturbedintheirsilentaccusation。Shemightsee，and，movedbythecoincidence，trembleathertreatmentofHelena。

“Butifthishappened——ifshesawandtrembled——shegavenosign。

Theworkswerestartedupbysomeotherhand，andtheincidentpassed。Butitleftmewithanidea。Thatclocksoonhadawayofstoppingandalwaysatthatoneinstantoftime。Shewasforcedatlengthtonoticeit，andIremember，anoccasionwhenshestoodstock-stillwithhereyesonthosehands，andfailedtofindthebanisterwithherhand，thoughshegropedforitinherfranticneedforsupport。

“Butnocommandcamefromhertoremovetheworn-outpiece，andsoonitstricks，andeverylesserthing，wereforgotteninthecrushingcalamitywhichbefellusinthesicknessanddeathoflittleRichard。

“Oh，thosedaysandnights！Andoh，thefaceofthemotherwhenthedoctorstoldherthatthecasewashopeless！Iaskedmyselfthen，andIhaveaskedmyselfahundredtimessince，whichofalltheemotionsIsawpicturedtherebitthedeepest，andmadethemostlastingimpressiononherguiltyheart？Wasitremorse？Ifso，sheshowednochangeinherattitudetowardsHelena，unlessitwasbyanaddedbitterness。ThesweetlooksandgentlewaysofFrank”syoungdaughtercouldnotwinagainstahatesharpenedbydisappointment。Uselessformetohopeforit。Releasefromtheremorseofyearswasnottocomeinthatway。AsIrealizedthis，Igrewdesperateandresortedagaintotheoldtrickofstoppingtheclockatthefatalhour。Thistimeherguiltyheartresponded。Sheacknowledgedthestabandletallhermiseriesappear。Buthow？Inawaytowringmyheartalmosttomadness，andnotbenefitthechildatall。Shehadherfirststrokethatnight。Ihadmadeherahelplessinvalid。”

“Thatwaseightyearsago，andsincethenwhat？Stagnation。Shelivedwithhermemories，andIwithmine。Helenaonlyhadarighttohope，andhopeperhapsshedid，till——Isthatthegreatclocktalking？Listen！Theyalltalk，butIheedonlytheone。Whatdoesitsay？Tell！tell！tell！DoesitthinkIwillbesilentnowwhenIcometomyownguilt？ThatIwillseektohidemyweaknesswhenIcouldnothidehersin？“

“Explain！“ItwasVioletspeaking，andhertonewassterninitscommand。“Ofwhatguiltdoyouspeak？NotofguilttowardsHelena；youpitiedhertoomuch”

“ButIpitiedmydearmadammore。Itwasthatwhichaffectedmeanddrewmeintocrimeagainstmywill。Besides，Ididnotknow——

notatfirst——whatwasinthelittlebowlofcurdsandcreamI

carriedtothegirleachday。Shehadeatentheminherstep-

mother”sroom，andunderherstep-mother”seyeaslongasshehadstrengthtopassfromroomtoroom，andhowwasItoguessthatitwasnotwholesome？Becauseshefailedinhealthfromdaytoday？Wasnotmydearmadamfailinginhealthalso；andwastherepoisoninhercup？Innocentatthattime，whyamInotinnocentnow？Because——Oh，Iwilltellitall；asthoughatthebarofGod。Iwilltellallthesecretsofthatday。”

“ShewassittingwithherhandtremblingonthetrayfromwhichI

hadjustliftedthebowlshehadbidmecarrytoHelena。Ihadseenhersoahundredtimesbefore，butnotwithjustthatlookinhereyes，orjustthatairofdesolationinherstonyfigure。

Somethingmademespeak；somethingmademeaskifshewerenotquitesowellasusual，andsomethingmadeherreplywiththedreadfultruththatthedoctorhadgivenherjusttwomonthsmoretolive。Myfrightandmadanguishstupefiedme；forIwasnotpreparedforthis，no，notatall；——andunconsciouslyIstareddownatthebowlIheld，unabletobreatheormoveoreventomeetherlook。”

Asusualshemisinterpretedmyemotion。

“”Whydoyoustandlikethat？”Iheardhersayinatoneofgreatirritation。”Andwhydoyoustareintothatbowl？DoyouthinkI

meantoleavethatchildtowalkthesehallsafterIamcarriedoutofthemforever？Doyoumeasuremyhatebysuchapettyyard-

stickasthat？ItellyouthatIwouldrotabovegroundratherthanenteritbeforeshedid？”

“IhadbelievedIknewthiswoman；butwhatsouleverknowsanother”s？Whatsouleverknowsitself？

“”Bella！”Icried；thefirsttimeIhadeverpresumedtoaddresshersointimately。”Wouldyoupoisonthegirl？”Andfromsheerweaknessmyfingerslosttheirclutch，andthebowlfelltothefloor，breakingintoadozenpieces。

Foraminuteshestareddownatthesefromoverhertray，andthensheremarkedverylowandveryquietly：

“”Anotherbowl，Humphrey，andfreshcurdsfromthekitchen。I

willdotheseasoning。Thedosesaretoosmalltobeskipped。Youwon”t？”——Ihadshakenmyhead——”Butyouwill！Itwillnotbethefirsttimeyouhavegonedownthehallwiththismixture。”

“”ButthatwasbeforeIknew——”Ibegan。

“”Andnowthatyoudo，youwillgojustthesame。”ThenasI

stoodhesitating，athousandmemoriesoverwhelmingmeinaninstant，sheaddedinavoicetoteartheheart，”Donotmakemehatetheonlybeingleftinthisworldwhounderstandsandlovesme。”

Shewasahelplessinvalid，andIabrokenman，butwhenthatword”love”fellfromherlips，Ifeltthebloodstartburninginmyveins，andallthecrustofhabitandyearsofself-controlloosenaboutmyheart，andmakemeyoungagain。Whatifherthoughtsweredarkandherwishesmurderous！Shewasborntoruleandswaymentoherwilleventotheirownundoing。””IwishImightkissyourhand”waswhatImurmured，gazingatherwhitefingersgropingoverhertray。

“”Youmay”sheanswered，andhellbecameheaventomeforabriefinstant。ThenIliftedmyselfandwentobedientlyaboutmytask。

“ButpuppetthoughIwas，Iwasnotutterlywithoutsympathy。

WhenIenteredHelena”sroomandsawhowherstartledeyesfellshrinkinglyonthebowlIsetdownbeforeher，myconscienceleapedtolifeandIcouldnothelpsaying：

“Don”tyoulikethecurds，Helena？Yourbrotherusedtolovethemverymuch。”

“”Hiswere——”

“”What，Helena？”

“”Whatthesearenot”shemurmured。

“Istaredather，terror-stricken。Sosheknew，andyetdidnotseizethebowlandemptyitoutofthewindow！Instead，herhandmovedslowlytowardsitanddrewitintoplacebeforeher。

“”YetImusteat”shesaid，liftinghereyestomineinasortofpatientdespair，whichyetwaswithoutaccusation。

“Butmyhandhadinstinctivelygonetohersandgraspedit。

“”Whymustyoueatit？”Iasked。”If——ifyoudonotfinditwholesome，whydoyoutouchit？”

“”Becausemystep-motherexpectsmeto”shecried，”andIhavenootherwillthanhers。WhenIwasalittle，littlechild，myfathermademepromisethatifIevercametolivewithherI

wouldobeyhersimplestwish。AndIalwayshave。Iwillnotdisappointthetrustheputinme。”

“”Evenifyoudieofit？”

“IdonotknowwhetherIwhisperedthesewordsoronlythoughtthem。SheansweredasthoughIhadspoken。

“”Iamnotafraidtodie。Iammoreafraidtolive。ShemayaskmesomedaytodosomethingIfeeltobewrong。”

“WhenIfleddownthehallthatnight，Iheardoneofthesmallclocksspeaktome。Tell！itcried，tell！tell！tell！tell！I

rushedawayfromitwithbeadedforeheadandrisinghair。

“Thenanother”snotepipedup。Noitdroned。No！no！no！no！I

stoppedandtookheart。DisgracethewomanIloved，onthebrinkofthegrave？I——，whoaskednootherboonfromheaventhantoseeherhappy，gracious，andgood？Impossible。Iwouldobeythegreatclock”svoice；theothersweremerechatterboxes。”

Butithasatlastchangeditstune，forsomereason，quitechangeditstune。Now，itisYes！Yes！insteadofNo！andinobeyingitIsaveHelena。ButwhatofBella？and0God，whatofmyself？“

Asigh，agroan，thenalongandheavysilence，intowhichtherefinallybrokethepealingofthevariousclocksstrikingthehour。WhenallwerestillagainandViolethaddrawnasidetheportiere，itwastoseetheoldmanonhisknees，andbetweenherandthethinstreakoflightenteringfromthehall，thefigureofthedoctorhasteningtoHelena”sbedside。

Whenwithinducementsneedlesstoname，theyfinallypersuadedtheyounggirltoleaveherunholyhabitation，itwasinthearmswhichhadupheldheroncebefore，andtoalifewhichpromisedtocompensateherforhertwentyyearsoflonelinessandunsatisfiedlonging。

Butablackshadowyetremainedwhichshemustcrossbeforereachingthesunshine！

Itlayatherstep-mother”sdoor。

IntheplansmadeforHelena”srelease，Mrs。Postlethwaite”sconsenthadnotbeenobtainednorwasshesupposedtobeacquaintedwiththedoctor”sintentionstowardsthechildwhosedeathshewashourlyawaiting。

Itwasthereforewithanastonishment，borderingonawe，thatontheirwaydownstairs，theysawthedoorofherroomopenandherselfstandingaloneanduprightonthethreshold——shewhohadnotbeenseentotakeastepinyears。Inthewonderofthismiracleofsuddenlyrestoredpower，thelittleprocessionstopped，——thedoctorwithhishandupontherail，theloverwithhisburdenclaspedyetmoreprotectinglytohisbreast。Thatalittlespeechawaitedthemcouldbeseenfromtheforceandfuryofthegazewhichtheindomitablewomanbentuponthelaxandhalf-unconsciousfigureshebeheldthusshelteredandconveyed。

Havingbutonearrowleftinherexhaustedquiver，shelauncheditstraightattheinnocentbreastwhichhadneverharbouredagainstheradefiantthought。

“Ingrate！“wasthewordshehurledinavoicefromwhichallitsseductivemusichadgoneforever。“Whereareyougoing？Aretheycarryingyoualivetoyourgrave？“

AmoanfromHelena”spalelips，thensilence。Shehadfaintedatthatbarbedattack。Buttherewasonetherewhodaredtoanswerforherandhespokerelentlessly。Itwasthemanwholovedher。

“No，madam。Wearecarryinghertosafety。YoumustknowwhatI

meanbythat。Lethergoquietlyandyoumaydieinpeace。

Otherwise”

Sheinterruptedhimwithaloudcall，startlingintolifetheechoesofthathauntedhall：

“Humphrey！Cometome，Humphrey！“

ButnoHumphreyappeared。

Anothercall，louderandmoreperemptorythanbefore：

“Humphrey！Isay，Humphrey！“

Buttheanswerwasthesame——silence，andonlysilence。Asthehorrorofthisgrew，thedoctorspoke：

“Mr。HumphreyDunbar”searsareclosedtoallearthlysummons。Hediedlastnightattheveryhourhesaidhewould——fourminutesaftertwo。”

“Fourminutesaftertwo！“Itcamefromherlipsinawhisper，butwitharevelationofherbrokenheartandlife。“Fourminutesaftertwo！“Anddefianttothelast，herheadrose，andforaninstant，foramerebreathoftime，theysawherasshehadlookedinherprime，regalinform，attitude，andexpression；

thenthewillwhichhadsustainedherthroughsomuch，falteredandsuccumbed，andwithafinalreiterationofthewords“Fourminutesaftertwo！“shebrokeintoarattlinglaugh，andfellbackintothearmsofheroldnurse。

Andbelow，oneclockstruckthehourandthenanother。Butnotthebigoneatthefootofthestairs。Thatstillstoodsilent，withitshandspointingtothehourandminuteofFrankPostlethwaite”shasteneddeath。

ENDOFPROBLEMVI

PROBLEMVII

THEDOCTOR，HISWIFE，ANDTHECLOCK

Violethadgonetoherroom。Shehadataskbeforeher。Thatafternoon，apackethadbeenleftatthedoor，which，fromacertainletterscribbledinonecorner，sheknewtobefromheremployer。Thecontentsofthatpacketmustberead，andshehadmadeherselfcomfortablewiththeintentionofsettingtoworkatonce。Butteno”clockstruckandthenelevenbeforeshecouldbringherselftogiveanyattentiontothemanuscriptawaitingherperusal。Inherpresentmood，aquietsittingbythefire，withhereyesuponthechangefulflame，waspreferabletothestudyofanyaffairheremployermightsendher。Yet，becauseshewasconsciousofthedutyshethusopenlyneglected，shesatcrouchedoverherdeskwithherhandonthemysteriouspacket，thestringofwhich，however，shemadenoefforttoloosen。

Whatwasshethinkingof？

Wearenotaloneinourcuriosityonthissubject。HerbrotherArthur，comingunperceivedintotheroom，givestokensofasimilarinterest。Neverbeforehadheseenheroblivioustoanapproachingstep；andafteramomentarycontemplationofherabsorbedfigure，sogirlishlysweetandyetsodeeplyintent，headvancestoherside，andpeeringearnestlyintoherface，observeswithaseriousnessquiteunusualtohim：

“Puss，youarelookingworried，——notlikeyourselfatall。I”venoticeditforsometime。What”sup。Gettingtiredofthebusiness？“

“No——notaltogether——thatis，it”snotthat，ifit”sanything。

I”mnotsurethatit”sanything。I”

Shehadturnedbacktoherdeskandwaspushingaboutthevariousarticleswithwhichitwasplentifullybespread；butthisdidnothidetheflushwhichhadcreptintohercheeksandevendyedthesnowywhitenessofherneck。Arthur”sastonishmentatthisevidenceofemotionwasverygreat；buthesaidnothing，onlywatchedherstillmoreclosely，aswithalightlaughsheregainedherself-possession，andwiththepracticalairofaphilosopherutteredthistriteremark：

“Everyonehashissobermoments。Iwasonlythinking”

“Ofsomenewcase？

“Notexactly。”ThewordscamesoftlybutwithatouchofmingledhumourandgravitywhichmadeArthurstareagain。

“Seehere，Puss！“hecried。Histonehadchanged。“I”vejustcomeupfromtheden。FatherandIhavehadarow——abeastlyrow。”

“Arow？Youandfather？Oh，Arthur，Idon”tlikethat。Don”tquarrelwithfather。Don”t，don”t。SomedayheandImayhaveaseriousdifferenceaboutwhatIamdoing。Don”tlethimfeelthathehaslostusall。”

“That”sallright，Puss；butI”vegottothinkofyouabit。I

can”tseeyouspoilallyourgoodtimeswiththesepolicehorrorsandnotdosomethingtohelp。To-morrowIbeginlifeasasalesmaninClarke&Stebbin”s。Thesalaryisnotgreat，buteverylittlehelpsandIdon”tdislikethebusiness。Butfatherdoes。Hehadratherseemeloafingabouttownsettingthefashionsforfellowsasidleasmyselfthansoilmyhandswithhandlingmerchandise。That”swhywequarreled。Butdon”tworry。

Yournamedidn”tcomeup，or——or——youknowwhose。Hehasn”tanideaofwhyIwanttowork——There，Violetthere！“

TwosoftarmswerearoundhisneckandVioletwaslettingherheartoutinasuccessionofsisterlykisses。

“0，Arthur，yougood，goodboy！Togetherwe”llsoonmakeuptheamount，andthen”

“Thenwhat？“

Asweetsoftlookrobbedherfaceofitspiquancy，butgaveitanaspectofindescribablebeautyquitenewtoArthur”seyes。

Tappinghislipswithathoughtfulforefinger，heasked：

“Whowasthatsombre-lookingchapIsawbowingtoyouaswecameoutofchurchlastSunday？“

Sheawokefromherdreamystatewithanastonishingquickness。

“He？Surelyyourememberhim。HaveyouforgottenthateveninginMassachusetts——thegrotto——and”

“Oh，it”sUpjohn，isit？Yes，Irememberhim。He”sfondofchurch，isn”the？Thatis，whenhe”sinNewYork。”

Herlipstookaroguishcurvethenaveryseriousone；butshemadenoanswer。

“Ihavenoticedthathe”salwaysinhisseatandalwayslookingyourway。”

“That”sveryoddofhim，“shedeclared，herdimplescomingandgoinginamostbewilderingfashion。“Ican”timaginewhyheshoulddothat。”

“NorI”retortedArthurwithasmile。“Buthe”shuman，I

suppose。Onlydobecareful，Violet。Amansomelancholywillneedadealofcheering。”

Hewasgonebeforehehadfullyfinishedthisdaringremark，andViolet，leftagainwithherthoughts，lostherglowingcolourbutnotherpreoccupation。Thehandwhichlayuponthepacketalreadyalludedtodidnotmoveformanyminutes，andwhensherousedatlasttothedemandsofheremployer，itwaswithastartandaguiltylookatthesmallgoldclocktickingoutitsinexorablereminder。

“Hewillwantananswerthefirstthinginthemorning，“shecomplainedtoherself。Andopeningthepacket，shetookoutfirstaletter，andthenamassoftypewrittenmanuscript。

Shebeganwiththeletterwhichwasascharacteristicofthewriterasalltheothersshehadhadfromhishand；aswitness：

YouprobablyremembertheHasbrouckmurder，——or，perhaps，youdon”t；itbeingoneofatimeprevioustoyourinterestinsuchmatters。Butwhetheryourememberitornot，Ibegyoutoreadtheaccompanyingsummarywithduecareandattentiontobusiness。

Whenyouhavewellmastereditwithallitsdetails，pleasecommunicatewithmeinanymannermostconvenienttoyourself，forIshallhaveawordtosaytoyouthen，whichyoumaybegladtohear，ifasyouhavelatelyintimatedyouneedtoearnbutoneortwomoresubstantialrewardsinordertocryhalttothepursuitforwhichyouhaveprovedyourselfsowellqualified。

Thestory，indeferencetoyourselfasayoungandmuchpreoccupiedwoman，hasbeenwritteninawaytointerest。Thoughtheworkofaneverydaypolicedetective，youwillfindinitnolackofmysteryorromance；andifattheendyouperceivethatitruns，assuchcasesfrequentlydo，upagainstaperfectlyblankwall，youmustrememberthatopeningscanbemadeinwalls，andthatthelooseningofoneweakstonefromitsappointedplace，sometimesleadstothedownfallofall。

Somuchfortheletter。

Layingitaside，withashrugofherexpressiveshoulders，Violettookupthemanuscript。

Letustakeituptoo。Itrunsthus：

Onthe17thofJuly，19——，atragedyofnolittleinterestoccurredinoneoftheresidencesoftheColonnadeinLafayettePlace。

Mr。Hasbrouck，awellknownandhighlyrespectedcitizen，wasattackedinhisroombyanunknownassailant，andshotdeadbeforeassistancecouldreachhim。Hismurdererescaped，andtheproblemofferedtothepolicewashowtoidentifythispersonwho，bysomehappychanceorbytheexerciseofthemostremarkableforethought，hadleftnotracesbehindhim，oranycluebywhichhecouldbefollowed。

Thedetailsoftheinvestigationwhichendedsounsatisfactorilyareheregivenbythemansentfromheadquartersatthefirstalarm。

When，sometimeaftermidnightonthedateabovementioned，I

reachedLafayettePlace，Ifoundtheblocklightedfromendtoend。Groupsofexcitedmenandwomenpeeredfromtheopendoorways，andmingledtheirshadowswiththoseofthehugepillarswhichadornthefrontofthispicturesqueblockofdwellings。

Thehouseinwhichthecrimehadbeencommittedwasnearthecentreoftherow，and，longbeforeIreachedit，Ihadlearnedfrommorethanonesourcethatthealarmwasfirstgiventothestreetbyawoman”sshriek，andsecondlybytheshoutsofanoldman-servantwhohadappeared，inahalf-dressedcondition，atthewindowofMr。Hasbrouck”sroom，crying“Murder！murder！“

ButwhenIhadcrossedthethreshold，Iwasastonishedatthepaucityoffactstobegleanedfromtheinmatesthemselves。Theoldservant，whowasthefirsttotalk，hadonlythisaccountofthecrimetogive：

Thefamily，whichconsistedofMr。Hasbrouck，hiswife，andthreeservants，hadretiredforthenightattheusualhourandundertheusualauspices。Ateleveno”clockthelightswereallextinguished，andthewholehouseholdasleep，withthepossibleexceptionofMr。Hasbrouckhimself，who，beingamanoflargebusinessresponsibilities，wasfrequentlytroubledwithinsomnia。

SuddenlyMrs。Hasbrouckwokewithastart。Hadshedreamedthewordsthatwereringinginherears，orhadtheybeenactuallyutteredinherhearing？Theywereshort，sharpwords，fullofterrorandmenace，andshehadnearlysatisfiedherselfthatshehadimaginedthem，whentherecame，fromsomewherenearthedoor，asoundsheneitherunderstoodnorcouldinterpret，butwhichfilledherwithinexplicableterror，andmadeherafraidtobreathe，oreventostretchforthherhandtowardsherhusband，whomshesupposedtobesleepingatherside。Atlengthanotherstrangesound，whichshewassurewasnotduetoherimagination，drovehertomakeanattempttorousehim，whenshewashorrifiedtofindthatshewasaloneinbed，andherhusbandnowherewithinreach。

Fillednowwithsomethingmorethannervousapprehension，sheflungherselftothefloor，andtriedtopenetratewithfrenziedglances，thesurroundingdarkness。ButtheblindsandshuttersbothhavingbeencarefullyclosedbyMr。Hasbrouckbeforeretiring，shefoundthisimpossible，andshewasabouttosinkinterrortothefloor，whensheheardalowgaspontheothersideoftheroomfollowedbyasuppressedcry。

“God！whathaveIdone！“

Thevoicewasastrangeone，butbeforethefeararousedbythisfactcouldculminateinashriekofdismay，shecaughtthesoundofretreatingfootsteps，and，eagerlylistening，sheheardthemdescendthestairsanddepartbythefrontdoor。

Hadsheknownwhathadoccurred——hadtherebeennodoubtinhermindastowhatlayinthedarknessontheothersideoftheroom——

itislikelythat，atthenoisecausedbytheclosingfrontdoor，shewouldhavemadeatonceforthebalconythatopenedoutfromthewindowbeforewhichshewasstanding，andtakenonelookattheflyingfigurebelow。Butheruncertaintyastowhatlayhiddenfromherbythedarknesschainedherfeettothefloor，andthereisnoknowingwhenshewouldhavemoved，ifacarriagehadnotatthatmomentpasseddownAstorPlace，bringingwithitasenseofcompanionshipwhichbrokethespellholdingher，andgaveherstrengthtolightthegaswhichwasinreadyreachofherhand。

Asthesuddenblazeilluminatedtheroom，revealinginabursttheoldfamiliarwallsandwell-knownpiecesoffurniture，shefeltforamomentasifreleasedfromsomeheavynightmareandrestoredtothecommonexperiencesoflife。Butinanotherinstantherformerdreadreturned，andshefoundherselfquakingattheprospectofpassingaroundthefootofthebedintothatpartoftheroomwhichwasasyethiddenfromhereyes。

Butthedesperationwhichcomeswithgreatcrisesfinallydroveherfromherretreat；and，creepingslowlyforward，shecastoneglanceatthefloorbeforeher，whenshefoundherworstfearsrealizedbythesightofthedeadbodyofherhusbandlyingpronebeforetheopendoorway，withabullet-holeinhisforehead。

Herfirstimpulsewastoshriek，but，byapowerfulexerciseofwill，shecheckedherself，andringingfranticallyfortheservantswhosleptonthetopfloorofthehouse，flewtothenearestwindowandendeavouredtoopenit。ButtheshuttershadbeenboltedsosecurelybyMr。Hasbrouck，inhisendeavourtoshutoutalllightandsound，thatbythetimeshehadsucceededinunfasteningthem，alltraceoftheflyingmurdererhadvanishedfromthestreet。

Sickwithgriefandterror，shesteppedbackintotheroomjustasthethreefrightenedservantsdescendedthestairs。Astheyappearedintheopendoorway，shepointedatherhusband”sinanimateform，andthen，asifsuddenlyrealizinginitsfullforcethecalamitywhichhadbefallenher，shethrewupherarms，andsankforwardtothefloorinadeadfaint。

Thetwowomenrushedtoherassistance，buttheoldbutler，boundingoverthebed，sprangtothewindow，andshriekedhisalarmtothestreet。

Intheinterimthatfollowed，Mrs。Hasbrouckwasrevived，andthemaster”sbodylaiddecentlyonthebed；butnopursuitwasmade，noranyinquiriesstartedlikelytoassistmeinestablishingtheidentityoftheassailant。

Indeed，everyonebothinthehouseandout，seemeddazedbytheunexpectedcatastrophe，andasnoonehadanysuspicionstoofferastotheprobablemurderer，Ihadadifficulttaskbeforeme。

Ibeganintheusualway，byinspectingthesceneofthemurder。

Ifoundnothingintheroom，orintheconditionofthebodyitself，whichaddedaniotatotheknowledgealreadyobtained。

ThatMr。Hasbrouckhadbeeninbed；thathehadrisenuponhearinganoise；andthathehadbeenshotbeforereachingthedoor，wereself-evidentfacts。Buttherewasnothingtoguidemefurther。Theverysimplicityofthecircumstancescausedadearthofclues，whichmadethedifficultyofprocedureasgreatasanyIhadeverencountered。

Mysearchthroughthehallanddownthestairselicitednothing；

andaninvestigationoftheboltsandbarsbywhichthehousewassecured，assuredmethattheassassinhadeitherenteredbythefrontdoor，orhadalreadybeensecretedinthehousewhenitwaslockedupforthenight。

“IshallhavetotroubleMrs。Hasbrouckforashortinterview，“I

hereuponannouncedtothetremblingoldservant，whohadfollowedmelikeadogaboutthehouse。

Hemadenodemur，andinafewminutesIwasusheredintothepresenceofthenewlymadewidow，whosatquitealone，inalargechamberintherear。AsIcrossedthethresholdshelookedup，andIencounteredagood，plainface，withouttheshadowofguileinit。

“Madam，“saidI，“Ihavenotcometodisturbyou。Iwillasktwoorthreequestionsonly，andthenleaveyoutoyourgrief。Iamtoldthatsomewordscamefromtheassassinbeforehedeliveredhisfatalshot。Didyouhearthesedistinctlyenoughtotellmewhattheywere？“

“Iwassoundasleep，“saidshe，“anddreamt，asIthought，thatafierce，strangevoicecriedsomewheretosomeone：”Ah！youdidnotexpectme！”ButIdarenotsaythatthesewordswerereallyutteredtomyhusband，forhewasnotthemantocallforthhate，andonlyamanintheextremityofpassioncouldaddresssuchanexclamationinsuchatoneasringsinmymemoryinconnectionwiththefatalshotwhichwokeme。”

“Butthatshotwasnottheworkofafriend，“Iargued。“If，asthesewordsseemtoprove，theassassinhadsomeothermotivethanplunderinhisassault，thenyourhusbandhadanenemy，thoughyouneversuspectedit。”

“Impossible！“washersteadyreply，utteredinthemostconvincingtone。“Themanwhoshothimwasacommonburglar，andfrightenedathavingbeenbetrayedintomurder，fledwithoutlookingforbooty。IamsureIheardhimcryoutinterrorandremorse：”God！whathaveIdone！”“

“Wasthatbeforeyouleftthesideofthebed？“

“Yes；IdidnotmovefrommyplacetillIheardthefrontdoorclose。Iwasparalysedbyfearanddread。”

“Areyouinthehabitoftrustingtothesecurityofalatch-

lockonlyinthefasteningofyourfrontdooratnight？Iamtoldthatthebigkeywasnotinthelock，andthattheboltatthebottomofthedoorwasnotdrawn。”

“Theboltatthebottomofthedoorisneverdrawn。Mr。Hasbrouckwassogoodamanthathenevermistrustedanyone。Thatiswhythebiglockwasnotfastened。Thekey，notworkingwell，hetookitsomedaysagotothelocksmith，andwhenthelatterfailedtoreturnit，helaughed，andsaidhethoughtnoonewouldeverthinkofmeddlingwithhisfrontdoor。”

“Istheremorethanonenight-keytoyourhouse？“Inowasked。

Sheshookherhead。

“AndwhendidMr。Hasbroucklastusehis？“

“To-night，whenhecamehomefromprayermeeting，“sheanswered，andburstintotears。

HergriefwassorealandherlosssorecentthatIhesitatedtoafflictherbyfurtherquestions。Soreturningtothesceneofthetragedy，Isteppedoutuponthebalconywhichraninfront。

Softvoicesinstantlystruckmyears。Theneighboursoneithersideweregroupedinfrontoftheirownwindows，andwereexchangingtheremarksnaturalunderthecircumstances。Ipaused，asindutybound，andlistened。ButIheardnothingworthrecording，andwouldhaveinstantlyreenteredthehouse，ifIhadnotbeenimpressedbytheappearanceofaverygracefulwomanwhostoodatmyright。Shewasclingingtoherhusband，whowasgazingatoneofthepillarsbeforehiminastrangefixedwaywhichastonishedmetillheattemptedtomove，andthenIsawthathewasblind。Irememberedthattherelivedinthisrowablinddoctor，equallycelebratedforhisskillandforhisuncommonpersonalattractions，andgreatlyinterestednotonlybyhisaffliction，butinthesympathyevincedbyhisyoungandaffectionatewife，Istoodstill，tillIheardhersayinthesoftandappealingtonesoflove：

“Comein，Constant；youhaveheavydutiesforto-morrow，andyoushouldgetafewhours”restifpossible。”

Hecamefromtheshadowofthepillar，andforoneminuteIsawhisfacewiththelamplightshiningfulluponit。ItwasasregularoffeatureasasculpturedAdonis，anditwasaswhite。

“Sleep！“herepeated，inthemeasuredtonesofdeepbutsuppressedfeeling。“Sleep！withmurderontheothersideofthewall！“AndhestretchedouthisarmsinadazedwaythatinsensiblyaccentuatedthehorrorImyselffeltofthecrimewhichhadsolatelytakenplaceintheroombehindme。

She，notingthemovement，tookoneofthegropinghandsinherownanddrewhimgentlytowardsher。

“Thisway，“sheurged；and，guidinghimintothehouse，sheclosedthewindowanddrewdowntheshades。

Ihavenoexcusetoofferformycuriosity，buttheinterestexcitedinmebythistotallyirrelevantepisodewassogreatthatIdidnotleavetheneighbourhoodtillIhadlearnedsomethingofthisremarkablecouple。

Thestorytoldmewasverysimple。Dr。Zabriskiehadnotbeenbornblind，buthadbecomesoafteragrievousillnesswhichhadstrickenhimdownsoonafterhereceivedhisdiploma。Insteadofsuccumbingtoanafflictionwhichwouldhavedauntedmostmen，heexpressedhisintentionofpractisinghisprofession，andsoonbecamesosuccessfulinitthathefoundnodifficultyinestablishinghimselfinoneofthebestpayingquartersofthecity。Indeed，hisintuitionseemedtohavedevelopedinaremarkabledegreeafterthelossofhissight，andheseldom，ifever，madeamistakeindiagnosis。Consideringthisfact，andthepersonalattractionswhichgavehimdistinction，itwasnowonderthathesoonbecameapopularphysicianwhosepresencewasabenefactionandwhosewordlaw。

Hehadbeenengagedtobemarriedatthetimeofhisillness，andwhenhelearnedwhatwaslikelytobeitsresult，hadofferedtoreleasetheyoungladyfromallobligationtohim。Butshewouldnotbereleased，andtheyweremarried。ThishadtakenplacesomefiveyearsprevioustoMr。Hasbrouck”sdeath，threeofwhichhadbeenspentbytheminLafayettePlace。

Somuchforthebeautifulwomannextdoor。

TherebeingabsolutelynocluetotheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck，Inaturallylookedforwardtotheinquestforsomeevidenceuponwhichtowork。Butthereseemedtobenounderlyingfactstothistragedy。Themostcarefulstudyintothehabitsandconductofthedeceasedbroughtnothingtolightsavehisgeneralbeneficenceandrectitude，norwasthereinhishistoryorinthatofhiswife，anysecretorhiddenobligationcalculatedtoprovokeanysuchactofrevengeasmurder。Mrs。Hasbrouck”ssurmisethattheintruderwassimplyaburglar，andthatshehadratherimaginedthanheardthewordswhichpointedtotheshootingasadeedofvengeance，soongainedgeneralcredence。

Butthoughthepoliceworkedlongandarduouslyinthisnewdirectiontheireffortswerewithoutfruitandthecasebidsfairtoremainanunsolvablemystery。

Thatwasall。AsVioletdroppedthelastpagefromherhand，sherecalledacertainphraseinheremployer”sletter。“Ifattheendyoucomeuponaperfectlyblankwall”Well，shehadcomeuponthiswall。Didheexpecthertomakeanopeninginit？Orhadhealreadydonesohimself，andwasmerelytestinghermuchvaunteddiscernment。

Piquedbythethought，shecarefullyrereadthemanuscript，andwhenshehadagainreacheditsuncompromisingend，shegaveherselfuptoafewminutesofconcentratedthought，then，takingasheetofpaperfromtherackbeforeher，shewroteuponitasinglesentence，andfoldingthesheet，putitinanenvelopewhichsheleftunaddressed。Thisdone，shewenttobedandsleptlikethechildshereallywas。

Atanearlyhourthenextmorningsheenteredheremployer”soffice。Acknowledgingwithanodhissomewhatceremoniousbow，shehandedhimtheenvelopeinwhichshehadenclosedthatonemysterioussentence。

Hetookitwithasmile，openeditoffhand，glancedatwhatshehadwritten，andflushedavividred。

“Youarea——brick，“hewasgoingtosay，butchangedthelastwordtoonemoreinkeepingwithhercharacterandappearance。

“Lookhere。Iexpectedthisfromyouandsopreparedmyself。”

Takingoutasimilarpieceofpaperfromhisownpocket-book，helaiditdownbesidehersonthedeskbeforehim。Italsoheldasinglesentenceand，barringaslightdifferenceofexpression，theonewasthecounterpartoftheother。“Theoneloosestone，“

hemurmured。

“Seenandnotedbyboth。”

“Whynot？“heasked。Thenassheglancedexpectantlyhisway，heearnestlyadded：“Togetherwemaybeabletodosomething。TherewardofferedbyMrs。Hasbrouckforthedetectionofthemurdererwasaverylargeone。Sheisawomanofmeans。Ihaveneverheardofitsbeingwithdrawn。”

“Thenitneverhasbeen，“wasViolet”semphaticconclusion，herdimplesenforcingthestatementasonlysuchdimplescan。“But——

whatdoyouwantofmeinanaffairofthiskind？Somethingmorethantohelpyoulocatetheonepossiblecluetofurtherenlightenment。Youwouldnothavementionedthebigrewardjustforthat。”

“Perhapsnot。ThereisasequeltothestoryIsentyou。Ihavewrittenitout，withmyownhand。Takeithomeandreaditatyourleisure。Whenyouseeintowhatanunhappymazemyowninquirieshaveledme，possiblyyouwillbegladtoassistmeinclearingupasituationwhichisinflictinggreatsufferingononewhomyouwillbethefirsttopity。Ifso，alinementioningthefactwillbemuchappreciatedbyme。”Anddisregardingherstartledlookandtheimpetuousshakingofherhead，hebowedheroutwithsomethingmorethanhisaccustomedsuavitybutalsowithaseriousnesswhichaffectedherinspiteofherselfandeffectuallyheldbacktheprotestitwasinherhearttomake。

Shewasgladofthiswhenshereadhisstory；butlateron——

However，itisnotformetointrudeViolet，orViolet”sfeelingsintoanaffairwhichsheissoanxioustoforget。Ishallthereforefromthismomenton，leaveherascompletelyoutofthistaleofcrimeandretributionasispossibleandkeepafullrecordofherwork。Whensheisnecessarytothestory，youwillseeheragain。Meanwhile，readwithher，thisrelationofheremployer”sunhappyattempttopursueaninvestigationsoopenlydroppedbythepolice。Youwillperceive，fromitsgeneralstyleandtheaccentuationputuponthehumansideofthissombrestory，alikenesstotheformermanuscriptwhichmayprovetoyou，asitcertainlydidtoViolet，towhoseconsiderationshewasindebtedforthereadablenessofthepoliceman”sreport，whichinallprobabilityhadbeenasimplestatementoffacts。

Butthere，IamspeakingofVioletagain。Topreventafurthermischanceofthisnature，Iwillintroduceatoncetheabovementionedaccount。

II

NomaninallNewYorkwasevermoreinterestedthanmyselfintheHasbrouckaffair，whenitwastheoneandonlytopicofinterestataperiodwhennewswasunusuallyscarce。But，togetherwithmanysuchinexplicablemysteries，ithadpassedalmostcompletelyfrommymind，whenitwasforciblybroughtback，oneday，byawalkItookthroughLafayettePlace。

Atsightofthelongrowofuniformbuildings，withtheirpillaredfrontsandconnectingbalconieseverydetailofthecrimewhichhadfilledthepapersatthetimewithinnumerableconjecturesreturnedtomewithextraordinaryclearness，and，beforeIknewit，IfoundmyselfstandingstockstillinthemiddleoftheblockwithmyeyeraisedtotheHasbrouckhouseandmyears——orrathermyinnerconsciousness，fornoonespokeIamsure——ringingwithaquestionwhich，whethertheechoofsomeoldthoughtortheexpressionofanewone，soaffectedmebythepromiseitheldofsomehithertounsuspectedclue，thatI

hesitatedwhethertopushthisnewinquirythenortherebyanattemptedinterviewwithMrs。Hasbrouck，ortowaittillIhadgivenitthethoughtwhichsuchastirringofdeadbonesrightfullydemanded。

Youknowwhatthatquestionwas。Ishallhavecommunicatedittoyou，ifyouhavenotalreadyguessedit，beforeperusingtheselines：

“WhoutteredthescreamwhichgavethefirstalarmofMr。

Hasbrouck”sviolentdeath？“

IwasinastateofsuchexcitementasIwalkedaway——forI

listenedtomybetterjudgmentastotheinadvisabilityofmydisturbingMrs。Hasbrouckwiththesenewinquiries——thattheperspirationstoodoutonmyforehead。Thetestimonyshehadgivenattheinquestrecurredtome，andIrememberedasdistinctlyasifshewerethenspeaking，thatshehadexpresslystatedthatshedidnotscreamwhenconfrontedbythesightofherhusband”sdeadbody。Butsomeonehadscreamedandthatveryloudly。Whowasit，then？Oneofthemaids，startledbythesuddensummonsfrombelow，orsomeoneelse——someinvoluntarywitnessofthecrime，whosetestimonyhadbeensuppressedattheinquest，byfearorinfluence？

ThepossibilityofhavingcomeuponaclueevenatthislatedaysofiredmyambitionthatItookthefirstopportunityofrevisitingLafayettePlace。ChoosingsuchpersonsasIthoughtmostopentomyquestions，Ilearnedthatthereweremanywhocouldtestifytohavingheardawoman”sshrillscreamonthatmemorablenight，justpriortothealarmgivenbyoldCyrus，butnoonewhocouldtellfromwhoselipsithadcome。Onefact，however，wasimmediatelysettled。Ithadnotbeentheresultoftheservant-women”sfears。Bothofthegirlswerepositivethattheyhadutterednosound，norhadtheythemselvesheardanytillCyrusrushedtothewindowwithhiswildcries。Asthescream，bywhomevergiven，wasutteredbeforetheydescendedthestairs，I

wasconvincedbytheseassurancesthatithadissuedfromoneofthefrontwindows，andnotfromtherearofthehouse，wheretheirownroomslay。Coulditbethatithadsprungfromtheadjoiningdwelling，andthat——

Irememberedwhohadlivedthereandwasforringingthebellatonce。But，missingthedoctor”ssign，Imadeinquiriesandfoundthathehadmovedfromtheblock。However，adoctorissoonfound，andinlessthanfifteen，minutesIwasatthedoorofhisnewhome，whereIasked，notforhim，butforMrs。Zabriskie。

Itrequiredsomecouragetodothis，forIhadtakenparticularnoticeofthedoctor”swifeattheinquest，andherbeauty，atthattime，hadwornsuchanaspectofmingledsweetnessanddignitythatIhesitatedtoencounteritunderanycircumstanceslikelytodisturbitspureserenity。Butaclueoncegraspedcannotbelightlysetasidebyatruedetective，anditwouldhavetakenmorethanawoman”sfrownstostopmeatthispoint。

However，itwasnotwithfrownsshereceivedme，butwithadisplayofemotionforwhichIwasevenlessprepared。IhadsentupmycardandIsawittremblinginherhandassheenteredtheroom。Asshenearedme，sheglancedatit，andwithashowofgentleindifferencewhichdidnotintheleastdisguiseherextremeanxiety，shecourteouslyremarked：

“Yournameisanunfamiliaronetome。Butyoutoldmymaidthatyourbusinesswasoneofextremeimportance，andsoIhaveconsentedtoseeyou。Whatcananagentfromaprivatedetectiveofficehavetosaytome？“

Startledbythisevidenceoftheexistenceofsomehiddenskeletoninherowncloset，Imadeanimmediateattempttoreassureher。

“Nothingwhichconcernsyoupersonally，“saidI。“IsimplywishtoaskyouaquestioninregardtoasmallmatterconnectedwithMr。Hasbrouck”sviolentdeathinLafayettePlace，acoupleofyearsago。YouwerelivingintheadjoininghouseatthetimeI

believe，andithasoccurredtomethatyoumightonthataccountbeabletosettleapointwhichhasneverbeenfullyclearedup。”

InsteadofshowingthereliefIexpected，herpallorincreasedandherfineeyes，whichhadbeenfixedcuriouslyuponme，sankinconfusiontothefloor。

“Greatheaven！“thoughtI。“Shelooksasifatonemorewordfromme，shewouldfallatmyfeetinafaint。WhatisthisIhavestumbledupon！“

“Idonotseehowyoucanhaveanyquestiontoaskmeonthatsubject，“shebeganwithaneffortatcomposurewhichforsomereasondisturbedmemorethanherpreviousopendisplayoffear。

“Yetifyouhave，“shecontinued，witharapidchangeofmannerthattouchedmyheartinspiteofmyself，“Ishall，ofcourse，domybesttoansweryou。”

Therearewomenwhosesweetesttonesandmostcharmingsmilesonlyservetoawakendistrustinmenofmycalling；butMrs。

Zabriskiewasnotofthisnumber。Herfacewasbeautiful，butitwasalsocandidinitsexpression，andbeneaththeagitationwhichpalpablydisturbedher，Iwassuretherelurkednothingeitherwickedorfalse。YetIheldfastbythecluewhichIhadgraspedasitwereinthedark，andwithoutknowingwhitherIwastending，muchlesswhitherIwasleadingher，Iproceededtosay：

“ThequestionwhichIpresumetoputtoyouasthenextdoorneighbourofMr。Hasbrouckisthis：Whowasthewomanwhoonthenightofthatgentleman”sassassinationscreamedoutsoloudlythatthewholeneighbourhoodheardher？“

Thegaspshegaveansweredmyquestioninawayshelittlerealized，andstruckasIwasbytheimpalpablelinksthathadledmetothethresholdofthishithertounsolvablemystery，I

wasabouttopressmyadvantageandaskanotherquestion，whenshequicklystartedforwardandlaidherhandonmylips。

Astonished，Ilookedatherinquiringly，butherheadwasturnedaside，andhereyes，fixeduponthedoor，showedthegreatestanxiety。InstantlyIrealizedwhatshefeared。Herhusbandwasenteringthehouse，andshedreadedlesthisearsshouldcatchawordofourconversation。

Notknowingwhatwasinhermind，andunabletorealizetheimportanceofthemomenttoher，Iyetlistenedtotheadvanceofherblindhusbandwithanalmostpainfulinterest。Wouldheentertheroomwherewewere，orwouldhepassimmediatelytohisofficeintherear？Sheseemedtowondertoo，andalmostheldherbreathashenearedthedoor，paused，andstoodintheopendoorway，withhisearturnedtowardsus。

Asformyself，Iremainedperfectlystill，gazingathisfaceinmingledsurpriseandapprehension。Forbesidesitsbeauty，whichwasofamarkedorder，asIhavealreadyobserved，ithadatouchingexpressionwhichirresistiblyarousedbothpityandinterestinthespectator。Thismayhavebeentheresultofhisaffliction，oritmayhavesprungfromsomedeepercause；but，whateveritssource，thislookinhisfaceproducedastrongimpressionuponmeandinterestedmeatonceinhispersonality。

Wouldheenter；orwouldhepasson？Herlookofsilentappealshowedmeinwhichdirectionherwisheslay，butwhileIansweredherglancebycompletesilence，IwasconsciousinsomeindistinctwaythatthebusinessIhadundertakenwouldbebetterfurtheredbyhisentrance。

Theblindhaveoftenbeensaidtopossessasixthsenseinplaceoftheonetheyhavelost。ThoughIamsurewemadenonoise，I

soonperceivedthathewasawareofourpresence。Steppinghastilyforwardhesaid，inthehighandvibratingtoneofrestrainedpassion：

“Zulma，areyouthere？“

ForamomentIthoughtshedidnotmeantoanswer，butknowingdoubtlessfromexperiencetheimpossibilityofdeceivinghim，sheansweredwithacheerfulassent，droppingherhandasshedidsofrombeforemylips。

Heheardtheslightrustlewhichaccompaniedthemovement，andalookIfoundithardtocomprehendflashedoverhisfeatures，alteringhisexpressionsocompletelythatheseemedanotherman。

“Youhavesomeonewithyou，“hedeclared，advancinganotherstep，butwithnoneoftheuncertaintywhichusuallyaccompaniesthemovementsoftheblind。“Somedearfriend，“hewenton，withanalmostsarcasticemphasisandaforcedsmilethathadlittleofgaietyinit。

Theagitatedanddistressedblushwhichansweredhimcouldhavebutoneinterpretation。Hesuspectedthatherhandhadbeenclaspedinmine，andsheperceivedhisthoughtandknewthatI

perceiveditalso。

Drawingherselfup，shemovedtowardshim，sayinginasweetwomanlytone：

“Itisnofriend，Constant，notevenanacquaintance。ThepersonwhomInowpresenttoyouisarepresentativefromsomedetectiveagency。Heishereuponatrivialerrandwhichwillsoonbefinished，whenIwilljoinyouintheoffice。”

Iknewshewasbuttakingachoicebetweentwoevils，thatshewouldhavesavedherhusbandtheknowledgeofmycallingaswellasofmypresenceinthehouse，ifherself-respectwouldhaveallowedit；butneithershenorIanticipatedtheeffectwhichthisintroductionofmyselfinmybusinesscapacitywouldproduceuponhim。

“Adetective，“herepeated，staringwithhissightlesseyes，asif，inhiseagernesstosee，hehalfhopedhislostsensewouldreturn。“Hecanhavenotrivialerrandhere；hehasbeensentbyGodHimselfto”

“Letmespeakforyou，“hastilyinterposedhiswife，springingtohissideandclaspinghisarmwithafervourthatwasequallyexpressiveofappealandcommand。Thenturningtome，sheexplained：“SinceMr。Hasbrouck”sunaccountabledeath，myhusbandhasbeenlabouringunderanhallucinationwhichIhaveonlytomention，foryoutorecognizeitsperfectabsurdity。Hethinks——

oh！donotlooklikethat，Constant；youknowitisanhallucinationwhichmustvanishthemomentwedragitintobroaddaylight——thathe——he，thebestmaninalltheworld，washimselftheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck。”

“GoodGod！“

“Isaynothingoftheimpossibilityofthisbeingso，“shewentoninafeverofexpostulation。“Heisblind，andcouldnothavedeliveredsuchashotevenifhehaddesiredto；besides，hehadnoweapon。Buttheinconsistencyofthethingspeaksforitself，andshouldassurehimthathismindisunbalancedandthatheismerelysufferingfromashockthatwasgreaterthanwerealized。

Heisaphysicianandhashadmanysuchinstancesinhisownpractice。Why，hewasverymuchattachedtoMr。Hasbrouck！Theywerethebestoffriends，andthoughheinsiststhathekilledhim，hecannotgiveanyreasonforthedeed。”

Atthesewordsthedoctor”sfacegrewstern，andhespokelikeanautomatonrepeatingsomefearfullesson：

“Ikilledhim。Iwenttohisroomanddeliberatelyshothim。I

hadnothingagainsthim，andmyremorseisextreme。Arrestmeandletmepaythepenaltyofmycrime。ItistheonlywayinwhichI

canobtainpeace。”

Shockedbeyondallpowerofself-controlbythisrepetitionofwhatsheevidentlyconsideredtheunhappyravingsofamadman，sheletgohisarmandturneduponmeinfrenzy。

“Convincehim！“shecried。“Convincehimbyyourquestionsthathenevercouldhavedonethisfearfulthing。”

Iwaslabouringundergreatexcitementmyself，forasaprivateagentwithnoofficialauthoritysuchasheevidentlyattributedtomeintheblindnessofhispassion，Ifelttheincongruityofmypositioninthefaceofamatterofsuchtragicconsequence。

Besides，Iagreedwithherthathewasinadistemperedstateofmind，andIhardlyknewhowtodealwithonesofixedinhishallucinationandwithsomuchintelligencetosupportit。Buttheemergencywasgreat，forhewasholdingouthiswristsintheevidentexpectationofmytakinghimintoinstantcustody；andthesightwaskillinghiswife，whohadsunkonthefloorbetweenus，interrorandanguish。

“YousayyoukilledMr。Hasbrouck，“Ibegan。“Wheredidyougetyourpistol，andwhatdidyoudowithitafteryoulefthishouse？“

“Myhusbandhadnopistol；neverhadanypistol，“putinMrs。

Zabriskie，withvehementassertion。“IfIhadseenhimwithsuchaweapon”

“Ithrewitaway。WhenIleftthehouse，Icastitasfarfrommeaspossible，forIwasfrightenedatwhatIhaddone，horriblyfrightened。”

“Nopistolwaseverfound，“Iansweredwithasmile，forgettingforthemomentthathecouldnotsee。“Ifsuchaninstrumenthadbeenfoundinthestreetafteramurderofsuchconsequence，itcertainlywouldhavebeenbroughttothepolice。”

“Youforgetthatagoodpistolisvaluableproperty，“hewentonstolidly。“Someonecamealongbeforethegeneralalarmwasgiven；

andseeingsuchatreasurelyingonthesidewalk，pickeditupandcarrieditoff。Notbeinganhonestman，hepreferredtokeepittodrawingtheattentionofthepoliceuponhimself。”

“Hum，perhaps，“saidI；“butwheredidyougetit。Surelyyoucantellwhereyouprocuredsuchaweapon，if，asyourwifeintimates，youdidnotownone。”

“Iboughtitthatselfsamenightofafriend；afriendwhomI

willnotname，sinceheresidesnolongerinthiscountry。I”

Hepaused；intensepassionwasinhisface；heturnedtowardshiswife，andalowcryescapedhim，whichmadeherlookupinfear。

“Idonotwishtogointoanyparticulars，“saidhe。“GodforsookmeandIcommittedahorriblecrime。WhenIampunished，perhapspeacewillreturntomeandhappinesstoher。Iwouldnotwishhertosuffertoolongortoobitterlyformysin。”