第6章
“Constant！“Whatlovewasinthecry！Itseemedtomovehimandturnhisthoughtsforamomentintoadifferentchannel。
“Poorchild！“hemurmured，stretchingouthishandsbyanirresistibleimpulsetowardsher。Butthechangewasbutmomentary，andhewassoonagainthestemanddeterminedself-
accuser。“Areyougoingtotakemebeforeamagistrate？“heasked。“Ifso，Ihaveafewdutiestoperformwhichyouarewelcometowitness。”
Thiswastoomuch；Ifeltthatthetimehadcomeformetodisabusehismindoftheimpressionhehadunwittinglyformedofme。IthereforesaidasconsideratelyasIcould：
“Youmistakemyposition，Dr。Zabriskie。Thoughadetectiveofsomeexperience，Ihavenoconnectionwiththepoliceandnorighttointrudemyselfinamatterofsuchtragicimportance。
If，however，youareasanxiousasyousaytosubjectyourselftopoliceexamination，Iwillmentionthesametotheproperauthorities，andleavethemtotakesuchactionastheythinkbest。”
“Thatwillbestillmoresatisfactorytome，“saidhe；“forthoughIhavemanytimescontemplatedgivingmyselfup，IhavestillmuchtodobeforeIcanleavemyhomeandpracticewithoutinjurytoothers。Good-day；whenyouwantmeyouwillfindmehere。”
Hewasgone，andthepooryoungwifewasleftcrouchingontheflooralone。Pityinghershameandterror，Iventuredtoremarkthatitwasnotanuncommonthingforamantoconfesstoacrimehehadnevercommitted，andassuredherthatthematterwouldbeinquiredintoverycarefullybeforeanyattemptwasmadeuponhisliberty。
Shethankedme，andslowlyrising，triedtoregainherequanimity；butthemanneraswellasthematterofherhusband”sself-condemnationwastoooverwhelminginitsnatureforhertorecoverreadilyfromheremotions。
“Ihavelongdreadedthis，“sheacknowledged。“FormonthsIhaveforeseenthathewouldmakesomerashcommunicationorinsaneavowal。IfIhaddared，Iwouldhaveconsultedsomephysicianaboutthishallucinationofhis；buthewassosaneonotherpointsthatIhesitatedtogivemydreadfulsecrettotheworld。
Ikepthopingthattimeandhisdailypursuitswouldhavetheireffectandrestorehimtohimself。Buthisillusiongrows，andnowIfearthatnothingwilleverconvincehimthathedidnotcommitthedeedofwhichheaccuseshimself。IfhewerenotblindIwouldhavemorehope，buttheblindhavesomuchtimeforbrooding。”
“Ithinkhehadbetterbeindulgedinhisfanciesforthepresent，“Iventured。“Ifheislabouringunderanillusionitmightbedangeroustocrosshim。”
“If？“sheechoedinanindescribabletoneofamazementanddread。
“Canyouforamomentharbourtheideathathehasspokenthetruth？“
“Madam，“Ireturned，withsomethingofthecynicismofmycalling，“whatcausedyoutogivesuchanunearthlyscreamjustbeforethismurderwasmadeknowntotheneighbourhood？“
Shestared，paled，andfinallybegantotremble，not，asInowbelieve，attheinsinuationlatentinmywords，butatthedoubtswhichmyquestionarousedinherownbreast。
“DidI？“sheasked；thenwithaburstofcandourwhichseemedinseparablefromhernature，shecontinued：“WhydoItrytomisleadyouordeceivemyself？Ididgiveashriekjustbeforethealarmwasraisednextdoor；butitwasnotfromanyknowledgeIhadofacrimehavingbeencommitted，butbecauseI
unexpectedlysawbeforememyhusbandwhomIsupposedtobeonhiswaytoPoughkeepsie。Hewaslookingverypaleandstrange，andforamomentIthoughtIstoodfacetofacewithhisghost。
Buthesoonexplainedhisappearancebysayingthathehadfallenfromthetrainandhadonlybeensavedbyamiraclefrombeingdismembered；andIwasjustbemoaninghismishapandtryingtocalmhimandmyself，whenthatterribleshoutwasheardnextdoorof”Murder！murder！”Comingsosoonaftertheshockhehadhimselfexperienced，itquiteunnervedhim，andIthinkwecandatehismentaldisturbancefromthatmoment。Forhebeganimmediatelytotakeamorbidinterestintheaffairnextdoor，thoughitwasweeks，ifnotmonths，beforeheletawordfallofthenatureofthoseyouhavejustheard。IndeeditwasnottillI
repeatedtohimsomeoftheexpressionshewascontinuallylettingfallinhissleep，thathecommencedtoaccusehimselfofcrimeandtalkofretribution。”
“YousaythatyourhusbandfrightenedyouonthatnightbyappearingsuddenlyatthedoorwhenyouthoughthimonhiswaytoPoughkeepsie。IsDr。Zabriskieinthehabitofthusgoingandcomingaloneatanhoursolateasthismusthavebeen？“
“Youforgetthattotheblind，nightislessfullofperilsthantheday。Oftenandoftenhasmyhusbandfoundhiswaytohispatients”housesaloneaftermidnight；butonthisespecialeveninghehadLeonardwithhim。Leonardwashischauffeur，andalwaysaccompaniedhimwhenhewentanydistance。”
“Well，then，“saidI，“allwehavetodoistosummonLeonardandhearwhathehastosayconcerningthisaffair。Hewillsurelyknowwhetherornothismasterwentintothehousenextdoor。”
“Leonardhasleftus，“shesaid。“Dr。Zabriskiehasanotherchauffeurnow。Besides(Ihavenothingtoconcealfromyou)，Leonardwasnotwithhimwhenhereturnedtothehousethateveningorthedoctorwouldnothavebeenwithouthisportmanteautillthenextday。Something——Ihaveneverknownwhat——causedthemtoseparate，andthatiswhyIhavenoanswertogivethedoctorwhenheaccuseshimselfofcommittingadeedthatnightsowhollyoutofkeepingwitheveryotheractofhislife。”
“AndhaveyouneveraskedLeonardwhytheyseparatedandwhyheallowedhismastertocomehomealoneaftertheshockhehadreceivedatthestation？“
“Ididnotknowtherewasanyreasonformydoingsotilllongafterhehadleftus。”
“Andwhendidheleave？“
“ThatIdonotremember。Afewweeksorpossiblyafewdaysafterthatdreadfulnight。”
“Andwhereishenow？“
“Ah，thatIhavenottheleastmeansofknowing。But，“sheobjected，insuddendistrust，“whatdoyouwantofLeonard？IfhedidnotfollowDr。Zabriskietohisowndoor，hecouldtellusnothingthatwouldconvincemyhusbandthatheislabouringunderanillusion。”
“ButhemighttellussomethingwhichwouldconvinceusthatDr。
Zabriskiewasnothimselfaftertheaccident；thathe”
“Hush！“camefromherlipsinimperioustones。“IwillnotbelievethatheshotMr。Hasbrouckevenifyouprovehimtohavebeeninsaneatthetime。Howcouldhe？Myhusbandisblind。Itwouldtakeamanofverykeensighttoforcehimselfintoahouseclosedforthenight，andkillamaninthedarkatoneshot。”
“Onthecontrary，itisonlyablindmanwhocoulddothis，“
criedavoicefromthedoorway。“Thosewhotrusttoeyesightmustbeabletocatchaglimpseofthemarktheyaimat，andthisroom，asIhavebeentold，waswithoutaglimmeroflight。Buttheblindtrusttosound，andasMr。Hasbrouckspoke”
“Oh！“burstfromthehorrifiedwife，“istherenoonetostophimwhenhespeakslikethat？“
III
Asyouwillsee，thismatter，sorecklesslyenteredinto，hadprovedtobeoftooseriousanatureformetopursueitfartherwithoutthecognizanceofthepolice。HavingafriendontheforceinwhosediscretionIcouldrely，Itookhimintomyconfidenceandaskedforhisadvice。Hepooh-poohedthedoctor”sstatements，butsaidthathewouldbringthemattertotheattentionofthesuperintendentandletmeknowtheresult。I
agreedtothis，andwepartedwiththemutualunderstandingthatmumwasthewordtillsomeofficialdecisionhadbeenarrivedat。
Ihadnotlongtowait。Atanearlydayhecameinwiththeinformationthattherehadbeen，asmightbeexpected，adivisionofopinionamonghissuperiorsastotheimportanceofDr。
Zabriskie”sso-calledconfession，butinonepointtheyhadbeenunanimousandthatwasthedesirabilityofhisappearingbeforethematHeadquartersforapersonalexamination。As，however，inthemindoftwooutofthreeofthemhisconditionwasattributedentirelytoacutemania，ithadbeenthoughtbesttoemployastheiremissaryoneinwhomhehadalreadyconfidedandsubmittedhiscaseto，——inotherwords，myself。Thetimewassetforthenextafternoonatthecloseofhisusualofficehours。
Hewentwithoutreluctance，hiswifeaccompanyinghim。IntheshorttimewhichelapsedbetweentheirleavinghomeandenteringHeadquarters，Iembracedtheopportunityofobservingthem，andI
foundthestudyequallyexcitingandinteresting。Hisfacewascalmbuthopeless，andhiseye，darkandunfathomable，butneitherfrenziednoruncertain。Hespokebutonceandlistenedtonothing，thoughnowandthenhiswifemovedasiftoattracthisattention，andonceevenstoleherhandtowardshis，inthetenderhopethathewouldfeelitsapproachandaccepthersympathy。Buthewasdeafaswellasblind；andsatwrappedupinthoughtswhichshe，Iknow，wouldhavegivenworldstopenetrate。
Hercountenancewasnotwithoutitsmysteryalso。Sheshowedineverylineamentpassionateconcernandmisery，andadeeptendernessfromwhichtheelementoffearwasnotabsent。Butshe，aswellashe，betrayedthatsomemisunderstandingdeeperthananyIhadpreviouslysuspecteddrewitsintangibleveilbetweenthemandmadethenearproximityinwhichtheysatatonceaheart-piercingdelightandanunspeakablepain。Whatwasthemisunderstanding；andwhatwasthecharacterofthefearthatmodifiedhereverylookofloveinhisdirection？Herperfectindifferencetomypresenceprovedthatitwasnotconnectedwiththepositioninwhichhehadplacedhimselftowardsthepolicebyhisvoluntaryconfessionofcrime，norcouldIthusinterprettheexpression，offranticquestionwhichnowandthencontractedherfeatures，assheraisedhereyestowardshissightlessorbs，andstrovetoreadinhisfirmsetlipsthemeaningofthoseassertionsshecouldonlyascribetolossofreason。
Thestoppingofthecarriageseemedtoawakenbothfromthoughtsthatseparatedratherthanunitedthem。Heturnedhisfaceinherdirection，andshestretchingforthherhand，preparedtoleadhimfromthecarriage，withoutanyofthatdisplayoftimiditywhichhadpreviouslybeenevidentinhermanner。
Ashisguidesheseemedtofearnothing；ashislover，everything。
“Thereisanotherandadeepertragedyunderlyingtheoutwardandobviousone，“wasmyinwardconclusion，asIfollowedthemintothepresenceofthegentlemenawaitingthem。
Dr。Zabriskie”squietappearancewasinitselfashocktothosewhohadanticipatedthefeverishunrestofamadman；sowashisspeech，whichwascalm，straightforward，andquietlydetermined。
“IshotMr。Hasbrouck，“washissteadyaffirmation，givenwithoutanyshowoffrenzyordesperation。“IfyouaskmewhyIdidit，I
cannotanswer；ifyouaskmehow，IamreadytostateallthatI
knowconcerningthematter。”
“But，Dr。Zabriskie，“interposedoneoftheinspectors，“thewhyisthemostimportantthingforustoconsiderjustnow。Ifyoureallydesiretoconvinceusthatyoucommittedthisdreadfulcrimeofkillingatotallyinoffensiveman，youshouldgiveussomereasonforanactsoopposedtoallyourinstinctsandgeneralconduct。”
Butthedoctorcontinuedunmoved：
“IhadnoreasonformurderingMr。Hasbrouck。Ahundredquestionscanelicitnootherreply；youhadbetterkeeptothehow。”
Adeep-drawnbreathfromthewifeansweredthelooksofthethreegentlementowhomthissuggestionwasoffered。“Yousee，“thatbreathseemedtoprotest，“thatheisnotinhisrightmind。”
Ibegantowaverinmyownopinion，andyettheintuitionwhichhasservedmeincasesseeminglyasimpenetrableasthisbademebewareoffollowingthegeneraljudgment。
“Askhimtoinformyouhowhegotintothehouse，“IwhisperedtoInspectorD——，whosatnearestme。
ImmediatelytheinspectorputthequestionwhichIhadsuggested：
“BywhatmeansdidyouenterMr。Hasbrouck”shouseatsolateanhourasthismurderoccurred？“
Theblinddoctor”sheadfellforwardonhisbreast，andhehesitatedforthefirstandonlytime。
“Youwillnotbelieveme，“saidhe；“butthedoorwasajarwhenI
cametoit。Suchthingsmakecrimeeasy；itistheonlyexcuseI
havetoofferforthisdreadfuldeed。”
Thefrontdoorofarespectablecitizen”shouseajarathalf-
pastelevenatnight！Itwasastatementthatfixedinallmindstheconvictionofthespeaker”sirresponsibility。Mrs。
Zabriskie”sbrowcleared，andherbeautybecameforamomentdazzlingassheheldoutherhandsinirrepressiblerelieftowardsthosewhowereinterrogatingherhusband。Ialonekeptmyimpassibility。Apossibleexplanationofthiscrimehadflashedlikelightningacrossmymind；anexplanationfromwhichI
inwardlyrecoiled，evenwhileIfeltforcedtoconsiderit。
“Dr。Zabriskie，“remarkedtheinspectorformerlymentionedasfriendlytohim，“sucholdservantsasthosekeptbyMr。
Hasbrouckdonotleavethefrontdoorajarattwelveo”clockatnight。”
“Yetajaritwas，“repeatedtheblinddoctor，withquietemphasis；“andfindingitso，Iwentin。WhenIcameoutagain，I
closedit。DoyouwishmetosweartowhatIsay？Ifso，Iamready。”
Whatreplycouldtheygive？Toseethissplendid-lookingman，hallowedbyanafflictionsogreatthatinitselfitcalledforththecompassionofthemostindifferent，accusinghimselfofacold-bloodedcrime，intoneswhichsoundeddispassionatebecauseofthewillforcingtheirutterance，wastoopainfulinitselfforanyonetoindulgeinunnecessarywords。Compassiontooktheplaceofcuriosity，andeachandallofusturnedinvoluntarylooksofpityupontheyoungwifepressingsoeagerlytohisside。
“Forablindman，“venturedone，“theassaultwasbothdeftandcertain。AreyouaccustomedtoMr。Hasbrouck”shouse，thatyoufoundyourwaywithsolittledifficultytohisbedroom？“
“Iamaccustomed”hebegan。
Butherehiswifebrokeinwithirrepressiblepassion：
“Heisnotaccustomedtothathouse。Hehasneverbeenbeyondthefirstfloor。Why，whydoyouquestionhim？Doyounotsee”
Hishandwasonherlips。
“Hush！“hecommanded。“Youknowmyskillinmovingaboutahouse；
howIsometimesdeceivethosewhodonotknowmeintobelievingthatIcansee，bythereadinesswithwhichIavoidobstaclesandfindmywayeveninstrangeanduntriedscenes。DonottrytomakethemthinkIamnotinmyrightmind，oryouwilldrivemeintotheveryconditionyouattributetome。”
Hisface，rigid，cold，andset，lookedlikethatofamask。Hers，drawnwithhorrorandfilledwithquestionthatwasfasttakingtheformofdoubt，bespokeanawfultragedyfromwhichmorethanoneofusrecoiled。
“Canyoushootamandeadwithoutseeinghim？“askedtheSuperintendent，withpainfuleffort。
“GivemeapistolandIwillshowyou，“wasthequickreply。
Alowcrycamefromthewife。Inadrawerneartoeveryoneofustherelayapistol，butnoonemovedtotakeitout。Therewasalookinthedoctor”seyewhichmadeusfeartotrusthimwithapistoljustthen。
“Wewillacceptyourassurancethatyoupossessaskillbeyondthatofmostmen，“returnedtheSuperintendent。Andbeckoningmeforward，hewhispered：“Thisisacaseforthedoctorsandnotforthepolice。Removehimquietly，andnotifyDr。SouthyardofwhatIsay。”
ButDr。Zabriskie，whoseemedtohaveanalmostsupernaturalacutenessofhearing，gaveaviolentstartatthis，andspokeupforthefirsttimewithrealpassioninhisvoice：
“No，no，Iprayyou。Icanbearanythingbutthat。Remember，gentlemen，thatIamblind；thatIcannotseewhoisaboutme；
thatmylifewouldbeatortureifIfeltmyselfsurroundedbyspieswatchingtocatchsomeevidenceofmadnessinme。Ratherconvictionatonce，death，dishonour，andobloquy。TheseIhaveincurred。TheseIhavebroughtuponmyselfbycrime，butnotthisworsefate——oh！notthisworsefate。”
Hispassionwassointenseandyetsoconfinedwithintheboundsofdecorum，thatwefeltstrangelyimpressedbyit。Onlythewifestoodtransfixed，withthedreadgrowinginherheart，tillherwhite，waxenvisageseemedevenmoreterribletocontemplatethanhispassion-distortedone。
“Itisnotstrangethatmywifethinksmedemented，“thedoctorcontinued，asifafraidofthesilencethatansweredhim。“Butitisyourbusinesstodiscriminate，andyoushouldknowasanemanwhenyouseehim。”
InspectorD——nolongerhesitated。
“Verywell，“saidhe，“givemetheleastproofthatyourassertionsaretrue，andwewilllayyourcasebeforetheprosecutingattorney。”
“Proof？Isnotaman”sword”
“Noman”sconfessionisworthmuchwithoutsomeevidencetosupportit。Inyourcasethereisnone。Youcannotevenproducethepistolwithwhichyouassertyourselftohavecommittedthedeed。”
“True，true。IwasfrightenedbywhatIhaddone，andtheinstinctofself-preservationledmetoridmyselfoftheweaponinanywayIcould。Butsomeonefoundthispistol；someonepickeditupfromthesidewalkofLafayettePlaceonthatfatalnight。
Advertiseforit。Offerareward。Iwillgiveyouthemoney。”
Suddenlyheappearedtorealizehowallthissounded。“Alas！“
criedhe，“Iknowthestoryseemsimprobable；butitisnottheprobablethingsthathappeninthislife，as，youshouldknow，whoeverydaydigdeepintotheheartofhumanaffairs。”
Werethesetheravingsofinsanity？Ibegantounderstandthewife”sterror。
“Iboughtthepistol，“hewenton，“of——alas！Icannottellyouhisname。Everythingisagainstme。Icannotadduceoneproof；
yetevensheisbeginningtofearthatmystoryistrue。Iknowitbyhersilence，asilencethatyawnsbetweenuslikeadeepandunfathomablegulf。”
Butatthesewordshervoicerangoutwithpassionatevehemence。
“No，no，itisfalse！Iwillneverbelievethatyourhandshavebeenplungedinblood。Youaremyownpure-heartedConstant，cold，perhaps，andstern，butwithnoguiltuponyourconsciencesaveinyourownwildimagination。”
“Zulma，youarenofriendtome，“hedeclared，pushinghergentlyaside。“Believemeinnocent，butsaynothingtoleadtheseotherstodoubtmyword。”
Andshesaidnomore，butherlooksspokevolumes。
Theresultwasthathewasnotdetained，thoughheprayedforinstantcommitment。Heseemedtodreadhisownhome，andthesurveillancetowhichheinstinctivelyknewhewouldhenceforthbesubjected。Toseehimshrinkfromhiswife”shandasshestrovetoleadhimfromtheroomwassufficientlypainful；butthefeelingthusarousedwasnothingtothatwithwhichweobservedthekeenandagonizedexpectancyofhislookasheturnedandlistenedforthestepsoftheofficerwhofollowedhim。
“FromthistimeonIshallneverknowwhetherornotIamalone，“
washisfinalobservationasheleftthebuilding。
Hereiswherethematterrestsandhere，MissStrange，iswhereyoucomein。Thepolicewereforsendinganexpertalienistintothehouse；butagreeingwithme，and，infact，withthedoctorhimself，thatifhewerenotalreadyoutofhismind，thiswouldcertainlymakethemso，they，atmyearnestintercession，haveleftthenextmovetome。
Thatmoveasyoumustbythistimeunderstandinvolvesyou。YouhaveadvantagesformakingMrs。Zabriskie”sacquaintanceofwhichIbegyoutoavailyourself。Asfriendorpatient，youmustwinyourwayintothathome？Youmustsoundtoitsdepthsoneorbothofthesetwowretchedhearts。Notsomuchnowforanypossiblerewardwhichmayfollowtheelucidationofthismysterywhichhascomesonearbeingshelved，butforpity”ssakeandthepossiblesettlementofaquestionwhichisfastdrivingalovelymemberofyoursexdistracted。
MayIrelyonyou？Ifso——
Variousinstructionsfollowed，overwhichVioletmusedwithadeprecatoryshakingofherheadtillthelittleclockstrucktwo。
Whyshouldshe，alreadyinastateofsecretdespondency，intrudeherselfintoanaffairatoncesopainfulandsohopeless？
IV
Butbymorninghermoodchanged。Thepathosofthesituationhadseizeduponherinherdreams，andbeforethedaywasover，shewastobeseen，asaprospectivepatient，inDr。Zabriskie”soffice。Shehadaslightcomplaintasherexcuse，andshemadethemostofit。Thatis，atfirst，butasthepersonalityofthisextraordinarymanbegantomakeitsusualimpression，shefoundherselfforgettingherownconditionintheintensityofinterestshefeltinhis。Indeed，shehadtopullherselftogethermorethanoncelestheshouldsuspectthedoublenatureofhererrand，andsheactuallycaughtherselfattimesrejoicinginhisafflictionsinceitleftherwithonlyhervoicetothinkof，inherhatedbutnecessarytaskofdeception。
Thatshesucceededinthiseffort，evenwithoneofhisniceear，wasevidentfromtheinterestedwayinwhichhedilateduponhermalady，andtheminuteinstructionshewascarefultogiveher——
thephysicianbeingalwaysuppermostinhisstrangedualnature，whenhewasinhisofficeoratthebedsideofthesick；——andhadshenotbeenadeepreaderofthehumansoulshewouldhavelefthispresenceinsimplewonderathisskillandentireabsorptioninanexactingprofession。
Butasitwas，shecarriedwithheranimageofsubduedsuffering，whichdroveher，fromthatmomenton，toaskherselfwhatshecoulddotoaidhiminhisfightagainsthisownillusion；fortoassociatesuchamanwithasenselessandcruelmurderwaspreposterous。
Whatthiswish，helpedbynocommondetermination，ledherinto，itwasnotinhermindtoconceive。Shewasmakingheronegreatmistake，butasyetshewasinhappyignoranceofit，andpursuedthecourselaidoutforherwithoutadoubtoftheultimateresult。
Havingseenandmadeuphermindaboutthehusband，shenextsoughttoseeandgaugethewife。Thatshesucceededindoingthisbymeansofoneofherslylittletricksisnottothepoint；butwhatfollowedinnaturalconsequenceisverymuchso。
Amutualinterestsprangupbetweenthemwhichledveryspeedilytoactualfriendship。Mrs。Zabriskie”shungryheartopenedtothesympatheticlittlebeingwhoclungtoherinsuchevidentadmiration；whileViolet，broughtfacetofacewitharealwoman，succumbedtofeelingswhichmadeitnoimpositiononherparttospendmuchofherleisureinZulmaZabriskie”scompany。
Theresultwerethefollowingnaivereportswhichdriftedintoheremployer”sofficefromdaytoday，asthisintimacydeepened。
Thedoctorissettlingintoadeepmelancholy，fromwhichhetriestoriseattimes，butwithonlyindifferentsuccess。
Yesterdayherodearoundtoallhispatientsforthepurposeofwithdrawinghisservicesonthepleaofillness。Buthestillkeepshisofficeopen，andtodayIhadtheopportunityofwitnessinghisreceptionandtreatmentofthemanysuffererswhocametohimforaid。Ithinkhewasconsciousofmypresence，thoughanattempthadbeenmadetoconcealit。Forthelisteninglookneverlefthisfacefromthemomentheenteredtheroom，andonceheroseandpassedquicklyfromwalltowall，gropingwithout-stretchedhandsintoeverynookandcorner，andbarelyescapingcontactwiththecurtainbehindwhichIwashidden。Butifhesuspectedmypresence，heshowednodispleasureatit，wishingperhapsforawitnesstohisskillinthetreatmentofdisease。
AndtrulyIneverbeheldafinermanifestationofpracticalinsightincasesofamoreorlessbafflingnature。Heiscertainlyamostwonderfulphysician，andIfeelboundtorecordthathismindisasclearforbusinessasifnoshadowhadfallenuponit。
Dr。Zabriskieloveshiswife，butinawaytorturingtohimselfandtoher。Ifsheisgonefromthehouseheiswretched，andyetwhenshereturnsheoftenforbearstospeaktoher，orifhedoesspeakitiswithaconstraintthathurtshermorethanhissilence。Iwaspresentwhenshecameintoday。Herstep，whichhadbeeneageronthestairway，flaggedassheapproachedtheroom，andhenaturallynotedthechangeandgavehisowninterpretationtoit。Hisface，whichhadbeenverypale，flushedsuddenly，andanervoustremblingseizedhimwhichhesoughtinvaintohide。Butbythetimehertallandbeautifulfigurestoodinthedoorway，hewashisusualselfagaininallbuttheexpressionofhiseyes，whichstaredstraightbeforehiminanagonyoflongingonlytobeobservedinthosewhohaveonceseen。
“Wherehaveyoubeen，Zulma？“heasked，ascontrarytohiswont，hemovedtomeether。
“Tomymother”s，toArnold&Constable”s，andtothehospital，asyourequested，“washerquickanswer，madewithoutfalteringorembarrassment。
Hesteppedstillnearerandtookherhand，andashedidsomyeyefellonhisandInotedthathisfingerlayoverherpulseinseemingunconsciousness。
“Nowhereelse？“hequeried。
Shesmiledthesaddestkindofsmileandshookherhead；then，rememberingthathecouldnotseethismovement，shecriedinawistfultone：
“Nowhereelse，Constant；Iwastooanxioustogetback。”
Iexpectedhimtodropherhandatthis，buthedidnot；andhisfingerstillrestedonherpulse。
“Andwhomdidyouseewhileyouweregone？“hecontinued。
Shetoldhim，namingoverseveralnames。
“Youmusthaveenjoyedyourself，“washiscoldcomment，asheletgoherhandandturnedaway。Buthismannershowedrelief，andI
couldnotbutsympathizewiththepitiablesituationofamanwhofoundhimselfforcedintomeanslikethisforprobingtheheartofhisyoungwife。
YetwhenIturnedtowardsher，Irealizedthatherpositionwasbutlittlehappierthanhis。Tearsarenostrangerstohereyes，butthosewhichwelledupatthismomentseemedtopossessabitternessthatpromisedbutlittlepeaceforherfuture。Yetshequicklydriedthemandbusiedherselfwithministrationsforhiscomfort。
IfIamanyjudgeofwoman，ZulmaZabriskieissuperiortomostofhersex。Thatherhusbandmistrustsherisevident，butwhetherthisistheresultofthestandshehastakeninhisregard，oronlyamanifestationofdementia，Ihaveasyetbeenunabletodetermine。Idreadtoleavethemalonetogether，andyetwhenIpresumetosuggestthatsheshouldbeonherguardinherinterviewswithhim，shesmilesveryplacidlyandtellsmethatnothingwouldgivehergreaterjoythantoseehimlifthishandagainsther，forthatwouldarguethatheisnotaccountableforhisdeedsorassertions。
Yetitwouldbeagrieftoseeherinjuredbythispassionateandunhappyman。
YouhavesaidthatyouwantedallthedetailsIcouldgive；soI
feelboundtosaythatDr。Zabriskietriestobeconsiderateofhiswife，thoughheoftenfailsintheattempt。Whensheoffersherselfashisguide，orassistshimwithhismailorperformsanyofthemanyactsofkindnessbywhichshecontinuallymanifestshersenseofhisaffliction，hethanksherwithcourtesyandoftenwithkindness，yetIknowshewouldwillinglyexchangeallhissetphrasesforonefondembraceorimpulsivesmileofaffection。Itwouldbetoomuchtosaythatheisnotinthefullpossessionofhisfaculties，andyetuponwhatotherhypothesiscanweaccountfortheinconsistenciesofhisconduct？
Ihavebeforemetwovisionsofmentalsuffering。AtnoonI
passedtheofficedoor，andlookingwithin，sawthefigureofDr。
Zabriskieseatedinhisgreatchair，lostinthoughtordeepinthosememorieswhichmakeanabyssinone”sconsciousness。Hishands，whichwereclenched，resteduponthearmsofhischair，andinoneofthemIdetectedawoman”sglove，whichIhadnodifficultyinrecognizingasoneofthepairwornbyhiswifethismorning。Hehelditasatigermightholdhispreyoramiserhisgold，buthissetfeaturesandsightlesseyesbetrayedthataconflictofemotionswasbeingwagedwithinhim，amongwhichtendernesshadbutlittleshare。Thoughaliveasheusuallyistoeverysound，hewastooabsorbedatthismomenttonoticemypresence，thoughIhadtakennopainstoapproachquietly。I
thereforestoodforafullminutewatchinghim，tillanirresistiblesenseoftheshameatthusspyinguponablindmaninhismomentsofsecretanguishcompelledmetowithdraw。ButnotbeforeIsawhisfeaturesrelaxinastormofpassionatefeeling，asherainedkissesafterkissesonthesenselesskidhehadsolongheldinhismotionlessgrasp。Yetwhenanhourlaterheenteredthedining-roomonhiswife”sarm，therewasnothinginhismannertoshowthathehadinanywaychangedinhisattitudetowardsher。
Theotherpicturewasmoretragicstill。IwasseekingMrs。
Zabriskieinherownroom，whenIcaughtafleetingvisionofhertallform，withherarmsthrownupoverherheadinaparoxysmoffeelingwhichmadeherasoblivioustomypresenceasherhusbandhadbeenseveralhoursbefore。Werethewordsthatescapedherlips“ThankGodwehavenochildren！“orwasthisexclamationsuggestedtomebythepassionandunrestrainedimpulseofheraction？
Somuchuptodate。Interestingenough，orsoheremployerseemedtothink，ashewenthurriedlythroughthewholestory，onespecialafternooninhisoffice，tappingeachsheetashelaiditasidewithhissagaciousforefinger，asthoughhewouldsay，“Enough！Mytheorystillholdsgood；nothingcontradictoryhere；
onthecontrarycompleteandundisputableconfirmationoftheoneandonlyexplanationofthisastoundingcrime。”
Whatwasthattheory；andinwhatwayandthroughwhoseeffortshadhebeenenabledtoformone？Thefollowingnotesmayenlightenus。Thoughwritteninhisownhand，andundoubtedlyamemorandumofhisownactivities，heevidentlythinksitworthwhiletoreperusetheminconnectionwiththosehehadjustlaidaside。
Wecandonobetterthanreadthemalso。
Weomitdates。
WatchedtheZabriskiemansionforfivehoursthismorning，fromthesecondstorywindowofanadjoininghotel。Sawthedoctorwhenhedroveawayonhisroundofvisits，andsawhimwhenhereturned。Acolouredmanaccompaniedhim。
TodayIfollowedMrs。Zabriskie。ShewentfirsttoahouseinWashingtonPlacewhereIamtoldhermotherlives。Hereshestayedsometime，afterwhichshedrovedowntoCanalStreet，whereshedidsomeshopping，andlaterstoppedatthehospital，intowhichItookthelibertyoffollowingher。Sheseemedtoknowmanythere，andpassedfromcottocotwithasmileinwhichIalonediscernedthesadnessofabrokenheart。Whensheleft，I
leftalso，withouthavinglearnedanythingbeyondthefactthatMrs。Zabriskieisonewhodoesherdutyinsorrowasinjoy。A
rare，andtrustworthywomanIshouldsay，andyetherhusbanddoesnottrusther。Why？
IhavespentthisdayinaccumulatingdetailsinregardtoDr。
andMrs。Zabriskie”slifeprevioustothedeathofMr。Hasbrouck。
Ilearnedfromsourcesitwouldbeunwisetoquotejusthere，thatMrs。Zabriskiehadnotlackedenemiestochargeherwithcoquetry；thatwhileshehadneversacrificedherdignityinpublic，morethanonepersonhadbeenheardtodeclarethatDr。
Zabriskiewasfortunateinbeingblind，sincethesightofhiswife”sbeautywouldhavebutpoorlycompensatedhimforthepainhewouldhavesufferedinseeinghowthatbeautywasadmired。
ThatallgossipismoreorlesstingedwithexaggerationIhavenodoubt，yetwhenanameismentionedinconnectionwithsuchstories，thereisusuallysometruthatthebottomofthem。Andanameismentionedinthiscase，thoughIdonotthinkitworthmywhiletorepeatithere；andlothasIamtorecognizethefact，itisanamethatcarrieswithitdoubtsthatmighteasilyaccountforthehusband”sjealousy。True，Ihavefoundnoonewhodareshintthatshestillcontinuestoattractattentionortobestowsmilesinanydirectionsavewheretheylegallybelong。
Forsinceacertainmemorablenightwhichweallknow，neitherDr。Zabriskienorhiswifehavebeenseensaveintheirowndomesticcircle，anditisnotintosuchscenesthatthisserpent，towhomIhavejustalluded，everintrudes，norisitinplacesofsorroworsufferingthathissmileshines，orhisfascinationsflourish。
Andsooneportionofmytheoryisprovedtobesound。Dr。
Zabriskieisjealousofhiswife；whetherwithgoodcauseorbadIamnotpreparedtodecide；sinceherpresentattitude，cloudedasitisbythetragedyinwhichsheandherhusbandarebothinvolved，mustdifferverymuchfromthatwhichsheheldwhenherlifewasunshadowedbydoubt，andheradmirerscouldbecountedbythescore。
IhavejustfoundoutwhereLeonardis。Asheisinservicesomemilesuptheriver，Ishallhavetobeabsentfrommypostforseveralhours，butIconsiderthegamewellworththecandle。
Lightatlast。IhavenotonlyseenLeonard，butsucceededinmakinghimtalk。Hisstoryissubstantiallythis：Thatonthenightsooftenmentioned，hepackedhismaster”sportmanteauateighto”clockandattencalledataxiandrodewiththedoctortotheCentralstation。HewastoldtobuyticketstoPoughkeepsiewherehismasterhadbeencalledinconsultation，andhavingdonethis，hurriedbacktojoinDr。Zabriskieontheplatform。Theyhadwalkedtogetherasfarasthecars，andDr。
Zabriskiewasjuststeppingontothetrain，whenamanpushedhimselfhurriedlybetweenthemandwhisperedsomethingintohismaster”sear，whichcausedhimtofallbackandlosehisfooting。
Dr。Zabriskie”sbodyslidhalfunderthecar，buthewaswithdrawnbeforeanyharmwasdone，thoughthecarsgavealurchatthatmomentwhichmusthavefrightenedhimexceedingly，forhisfacewaswhitewhenherosetohisfeet，andwhenLeonardofferedtoassisthimagainonthetrain，herefusedtogoandsaidhewouldreturnhomeandnotattempttoridetoPoughkeepsiethatnight。
Thegentleman，whomLeonardnowsawtobeMr。Stanton，anintimatefriendofDr。Zabriskie，smiledveryqueerlyatthis，andtakingthedoctor”sarmledhimbacktohisownauto。Leonardnaturallyfollowedthem，butthedoctor，hearinghissteps，turnedandbadehim，inaveryperemptorytone，totakethecarshome，andthen，asifonsecondthought，toldhimtogotoPoughkeepsieinhissteadandexplaintothepeopletherethathewastooshakenupbyhismissteptodohisduty，andthathewouldbewiththemnextmorning。ThisseemedstrangetoLeonard，buthehadnoreasonsfordisobeyinghismaster”sorders，andsorodetoPoughkeepsie。Wtthedoctordidnotfollowhimthenextday；onthecontraryhetelegraphedforhimtoreturn，andwhenhegotbackdismissedhimwithamonth”swages。ThisendedLeonard”sconnectionwiththeZabriskiefamily。
Asimplestorybearingoutwhatthewifehasalreadytoldus；butitfurnishesalinkwhichmayproveinvaluable。Mr。Stanton，whosefirstnameisTheodore，knowstherealreasonwhyDr。
ZabriskiereturnedhomeonthenightoftheseventeenthofJuly，19。Mr。Stanton，consequently，isthemantosee，andthisshallbemybusinesstomorrow。
Checkmate！TheodoreStantonisnotinthiscountry。ThoughthispointshimoutasthemanfromwhomDr。Zabriskieboughtthepistol，itdoesnotfacilitatemywork，whichisbecomingmoreandmoredifficult。
Mr。Stanton”swhereaboutsarenotevenknowntohismostintimatefriends。HesailedfromthiscountrymostunexpectedlyontheeighteenthofJulyayearago，whichwasthedayafterthemurderofMr。Hasbrouck。Itlookslikeaflight，especiallyashehasfailedtomaintainopencommunicationevenwithhisrelatives。
WashethemanwhoshotMr。Hasbrouck？No；buthewasthemanwhoputthepistolinDr。Zabriskie”shandthatnight，andwhetherhedidthiswithpurposeornot，wasevidentlysoalarmedatthecatastrophewhichfollowedthathetookthefirstoutgoingsteamertoEurope。Sofar，allisclear，buttherearemysteriesyettobesolved，whichwillrequiremyutmosttact。WhatifI
shouldseekoutthegentlemanwithwhosenamethatofMrs。
Zabriskiehasbeenlinked，andseeifIcaninanywayconnecthimwithMr。Stantonortheeventsofthatnight。
Eureka！IhavediscoveredthatMr。Stantoncherishedamortalhatredforthegentlemanabovementioned。Itwasacovertfeeling，butnolessdeadlyonthataccount；andwhileitneverledhimintoanyextravagances，itwasofforcesufficienttoaccountformanyasecretmisfortuneoccurringtothatgentleman。
NowifIcanprovethatheistheMephistopheleswhowhisperedinsinuationsintotheearofourblindFaust，Imaystrikeafactthatwillleadmeoutofthismaze。
ButhowcanIapproachsecretssodelicatewithoutcompromisingthewomanIfeelboundtorespectifonlyforthedevotedloveshemanifestsforherunhappyhusband！
IshallhavetoappealtoJoeSmithers。ThisissomethingwhichI
alwayshatetodo，butaslongashewilltakemoney，andaslongasheisfertileinresourcesforobtainingthetruthfrompeopleIammyselfunabletoreach，Imustmakeuseofhiscupidityandhisgenius。Heisanhonourablefellowinoneway，andneverretailsasgossipwhatheacquiresforouruse。Howwillheproceedinthiscase，andbywhattacticswillhegaintheverydelicateinformationwhichweneed？IownthatIamcurioustosee。
Ishallreallyhavetoputdownatlengththeincidentsofthisnight。IalwaysknewthatJoeSmitherswasinvaluablenotonlytomyselfbuttothepolice，butIreallydidnotknowhepossessedtalentsofsohighanorder。HewrotemethismorningthathehadsucceededingettingMr。T-”spromisetospendtheeveningwithhim，andadvisedmethatifIdesiredtobepresentaswell，hisownservantwouldnotbeathome，andthatanopenerofbottleswouldberequired。
AsIwasveryanxioustoseeMr。T-withmyowneyes，Iacceptedthisinvitationtoplaythespy，andwentattheproperhourtoMr。Smithers”srooms。Ifoundthempicturesqueintheextreme。
Pilesofbooksstackedhereandtheretotheceilingmadenooksandcornerswhichcouldbequiteshutoffbyacoupleofoldpicturessetintomovableframescapableofswingingoutorinatthewhimorconvenienceoftheowner。
AsIhaduseforthedarkshadowscastbythesepictures，I
pulledthembothout，andmadesuchotherarrangementsasappearedlikelytofacilitatethepurposeIhadinview；thenI
satdownandwaitedforthetwogentlemenwhowereexpectedtocomeintogether。
Theyarrivedalmostimmediately，whereuponIroseandplayedmypartwithallnecessarydiscretion。WhileriddingMr。T-ofhisovercoat，Istolealookathisface。Itisnotahandsomeone，butitboastsofagay，devil-may-careexpressionwhichdoubtlessmakesitdangeroustomanywomen，whilehismannersareespeciallyattractive，andhisvoicetherichestandmostpersuasivethatIeverheard。Icontrastedhim，almostagainstmywill，withDr。Zabriskie，anddecidedthatwithmostwomentheformer”sundoubtedfascinationsofspeechandbearingwouldoutweighthelatter”sgreatbeautyandmentalendowments；butI
doubtediftheywouldwithher。
Theconversationwhichimmediatelybeganwasbrilliantbutdesultory，forMr。Smithers，withanairylightnessforwhichheisremarkable，introducedtopicaftertopic，perhapsforthepurposeofshowingoffMr。T-”sversatility，andperhapsforthedeeperandmoresinisterpurposeofshakingthekaleidoscopeoftalksothoroughly，thattherealtopicwhichweweremettodiscussshouldnotmakeanundueimpressiononthemindofhisguest。
Meanwhileone，two，threebottlespassed，andIhadthepleasureofseeingJoeSmithers”seyegrowcalmerandthatofMr。T-morebrilliantandmoreuncertain。Asthelastbottlewasbeingpassed，Joecastmeameaningglance，andtherealbusinessoftheeveningbegan。
IshallnotattempttorelatethehalfdozenfailureswhichJoemadeinendeavouringtoelicitthefactswewereinsearchof，withoutarousingthesuspicionofhisvisitor。Iamonlygoingtorelatethesuccessfulattempt。Theyhadbeentalkingnowforsomehours，andI，whohadlongbeforebeenwavedasidefromtheirimmediatepresence，washidingmycuriosityandgrowingexcitementbehindoneofthepictures，whenIsuddenlyheardJoesay：
“HehasthemostremarkablememoryIevermet。Hecantelltoadaywhenanynotableeventoccurred。”
“Pshaw！“answeredhiscompanion，who，bytheway，wasknowntopridehimselfuponhisownmemoryfordates，“IcanstatewhereI
wentandwhatIdidoneverydayintheyear。Thatmaynotembracewhatyoucall”notableevents”butthememoryrequiredisallthemoreremarkable，isitnot？“
“Pooh！“washisfriend”sprovokingreply，“youarebluffing，Ben；
Iwillneverbelievethat。”
Mr。T-，whohadpassedbythistimeintothatstageofintoxicationwhichmakespersistenceinanassertionadutyaswellasapleasure，threwbackhishead，andasthewreathsofsmokeroseinairyspiralsfromhislips，reiteratedhisstatement，andofferedtosubmittoanytestofhisvauntedpowerswhichtheothermightdictate。
“Youkeepadiary”beganJoe。
“Whichatthepresentmomentisathome，“completedtheother。
“Willyouallowmetorefertoittomorrow，ifIamsuspiciousoftheaccuracyofyourrecollections？“
“Undoubtedly，“returnedtheother。
“Verywell，then，IwillwageryouacoolfiftythatyoucannottellwhereyouwerebetweenthehoursoftenandelevenonacertainnightwhichIwillname。”
“Done！“criedtheother，bringingouthispocket-bookandlayingitonthetablebeforehim。
Joefollowedhisexampleandthensummonedme。
“Writeadatedownhere，“hecommanded，pushingapieceofpapertowardsme，withalookkeenastheflashofablade。“Anydate，man，“headded，asIappearedtohesitateintheembarrassmentI
thoughtnaturalunderthecircumstances。“Putdownday，month，andyear，onlydon”tgotoofarback；notfartherthantwoyears。”
Smilingwiththeairofaflunkeyadmittedtothesportsofhissuperiors，IwrotealineandlaiditbeforeMr。Smithers，whoatoncepusheditwithacarelessgesturetowardshiscompanion。YoucanofcourseguessthedateImadeuseof：July17，19。Mr。T-
，whohadevidentlylookeduponthismatterasmereplay，flushedscarletashereadthesewords，andforoneinstantlookedasifhehadratherflythehousethananswerJoeSmithers”snonchalantglanceofinquiry。
“Ihavegivenmywordandwillkeepit，“hesaidatlast，butwithalookinmydirectionthatsentmereluctantlybacktomyretreat。“Idon”tsupposeyouwantnames，“hewenton；“thatis，ifanythingIhavetotellisofadelicatenature？“
“Oh，no，“answeredtheother，“onlyfactsandplaces。”
“Idon”tthinkplacesarenecessaryeither，“hereturned。“IwilltellyouwhatIdidandthatmustserveyou。Ididnotpromisetogivenumberandstreet。”
“Well，well，“Joeexclaimed；“earnyourfifty，thatisall。Showthatyourememberwhereyouwereonthenightof“——andwithanadmirableshowofindifferencehepretendedtoconsultthepaperbetweenthem”theseventeenthofJuly，twoyearsago，andI
shallbesatisfied。”
“Iwasattheclubforonething，“saidMr。T-；“thenIwenttoseealadyfriend，whereIstayeduntileleven。Sheworeabluemuslin——Whatisthat？“
Ihadbetrayedmyselfbyaquickmovementwhichsentaglasstumblercrashingtothefloor。ZulmaZabriskiehadwornabluemuslinonthatsamenight。Youwillfinditnotedinthereportgivenmebythepolicemanwhosawherontheirbalcony。
“Thatnoise？“ItwasJoewhowasspeaking。“Youdon”tknowReubenaswellasIdooryouwouldn”task。Itishispractice，Iamsorrytosay，toaccentuatehispleasureindrainingmybottlesbydroppingaglassateverythirdone。”
Mr。T-wenton。
“ShewasamarriedwomanandIthoughtshelovedme；but——andthisisthegreatestproofIcanofferyouthatIamgivingyouatrueaccountofthatnight——shehadnottheslightestideaoftheextentofmypassion，andonlyconsentedtoseemeatallbecauseshethought，poorthing，thatawordfromherwouldsetmestraight，andridherofattentionssheevidentlyfailedtoappreciate。Asorryfigureforafellowlikemetocut；butyoucaughtmeonthemostdetestabledateinmycalendarand”
ThereheceasedbeinginterestingandIanxious。Thesecretofacrimeforwhichthereseemedtobenoreasonableexplanationisnolongeramysterytome。IhavebuttowarnMissStrange——
Hehadgotthusfarwhenasoundintheroombehindhimledhimtolookup。Aladyhadentered；aladyheavilyveiledandtremblingwithwhatappearedtobeanintenseexcitement。
Hethoughtheknewthefigure，buttheperson，whoeveritwas，stoodsostillandremainedsosilent，hehesitatedtoaddressher；whichseeing，shepushedupherveilandalldoubtvanished。
ItwasVioletherself。Indisregardofherusualpracticeshehadcomealonetotheoffice。Thismeanturgencyofsomekind。Hadshetoosoundedthismystery？No，orheraspectwouldnothavewornthislookoftriumph。Whathadhappenedthen？Hemadeaninstantendeavourtofindout。
“Youhavenews，“hequietlyremarked。“Goodnews，Ishouldjudge，byyourverycheerysmile。”
“Yes；IthinkIhavefoundthewayofbringingDr。Zabriskietohimself。”
Astonishedbeyondmeasure，solittledidthesewordsharmonizewiththeimpressionsandconclusionsatwhichhehadjustarrived，somethingverylikedoubtspokeinhisvoiceasheansweredwiththesimpleexclamation：
“Youdo！“
“Yes。Heisobsessedbyafixedidea，andmustbegivenanopportunitytotestthetruthofthatidea。Theshockoffindingitafalseonemayrestorehimtohisnormalcondition。HebelievesthatheshotMr。Hasbrouckwithnootherguidancethanhissenseofhearing。Nowifitcanbeprovedthathishearingisaninsufficientguideforsuchanact(asofcourseitis)theshockofthediscoverymayclearhisbrainofitscobwebs。Mrs。
Zabriskiethinksso，andthepolice”
“What”sthat？Thepolice？“
“Yes，Dr。Zabriskiewouldbetakenbeforethemagainthismorning。Noentreatiesonthepartofhiswifewouldprevail；heinsisteduponhisguiltandaskedhertoaccompanyhimthere；andthepoorwomanfoundherselfforcedtogo。Ofcourseheencounteredagainthesamedivisionofopinionamongthemenhetalkedwith。Threeoutofthefourjudgedhiminsane，whichobserving，hebetrayedgreatagitationandreiteratedhisformerwishtobeallowedanopportunitytoprovehissanitybyshowinghisskillinshooting。Thismadeanimpression；andadispositionwasshowntogranthisrequestthenandthere。ButMrs。Zabriskiewouldnotlistentothis。Sheapprovedoftheexperimentbutbeggedthatitmightbedeferredtillanotherdayandthentakeplaceinsomespotremotefromthecity。Forsomereasontheyheededher，andshehasjusttelephonedmethatthisattemptofhisistotakeplacetomorrowintheNewJerseywoods。Iamsorrythatthisshouldhavebeenputthroughwithoutyou；andwhenI
tellyouthattheideaoriginatedwithme——thatfromsomewordI
purposelyletfalloneday，theybothconceivedthisplanofendingtheuncertaintythatwasdevouringtheirlives，youwillunderstandmyexcitementandtheneedIhaveofyoursupport。
TellmethatIhavedonewell。Donotshowmesuchaface——youfrightenme”
“Idonotwishtofrightenyou。Imerelywishtoknowjustwhoaregoingonthisexpedition。”
“Somemembersofthepolice，Dr。Zabriskie，hiswife，and——andmyself。Shebegged”
“Youmustnotgo。”
“Why？Theaffairistobekeptsecret。Thedoctorwillshoot，fail——Oh！“shesuddenlybrokein，alarmedbyhisexpression，“youthinkhewillnotfail”
“Ithinkthatyouhadbetterheedmyadviceandstayoutofit。
Theaffairisnowinthehandsofthepolice，andyourplaceisanywherebutwheretheyare。”
“ButIgoasherparticularfriend。Theyhavegivenhertheprivilegeoftakingwithheroneofherownsexandshehaschosenme。Ishallnotfailher。Fatherisaway，andiftheawfuldisappointmentyousuggestawaitsher，thereisallthemorereasonwhysheshouldhavesomesympatheticsupport？
Thiswassotrue，thatthefreshprotesthewasabouttoutterdiedonhislips。Instead，hesimplyremarkedashebowedherout：
“Iforeseethatweshallnotworkmuchlongertogether。Youarenearingtheendofyourendurance。”
Heneverforgotthesmileshethrewbackathim。
V
Therearesomeeventswhichimpressthehumanmindsodeeplythattheirmemorymingleswithallafter-experiences。ThoughViolethadmadeitaruletoforgetassoonaspossiblethetragicepisodesincidenttothestrangecareeruponwhichshehadsomysteriouslyembarked，therewasdestinedtobeonescene，ifnotmore，whichshehasneverbeenabletodismissatwill。
ThiswasthesightwhichmethereyesfromthebowofthesmallboatinwhichDr。ZabriskieandhiswifewererowedovertoJerseyontheafternoonwhichsawtheendofthismostsombredrama。
Thoughitwasbynomeanslateintheday，thesunwasalreadysinking，andthebrightredglarewhichfilledthewestandshonefulluponthefacesofthehalfdozenpeoplebeforeheraddedmuchtothetragicnatureofthescene，thoughshewasfarfromcomprehendingitsfullsignificance。
ThedoctorsatwithhiswifeinthesternanditwasupontheirfacesViolet”sglancewasfixed。Theglareshoneluridlyonhissightlesseyeballs，andasshenoticedhisunwinkinglids，sherealizedasneverbeforewhatitwastobeblindinthemidstofsunshine。Hiswife”seyes，onthecontrary，werelowered，buttherewasalookofhopelessmiseryinhercolourlessfacewhichmadeherappearanceinfinitelypathetic，andVioletfeltconfidentthatifhecouldonlyhaveseenher，hewouldnothavemaintainedthecoldandunresponsivemannerwhichchilledthewordsonhispoorwife”slipsandmadealladvanceonherpartimpossible。
Ontheseatinfrontofthemsataninspectorandfromsomequarter，possiblyfromundertheinspector”scoat，therecamethemonotonoustickingofthesmallclock，whichwastoserveasatargetfortheblindman”saim。
ThistickingwasallVioletheard，thoughtheriverwasalivewithtrafficandlargeandsmallboatsweresteamingbythemoneveryside。AndIamsureitwasallthatMrs。Zabriskieheardalso，aswithhandpressedtoherheart，andeyesfixedontheoppositeshore，shewaitedfortheeventwhichwastodeterminewhetherthemanshelovedwasacriminaloronlyabeingafflictedofGodandworthyofherunceasingcareanddevotion。
Asthesuncastitslastscarletgleamoverthewater，theboatgrounded，andVioletwasenabledtohaveonepassingwordwithMrs。Zabriskie。Shehardlyknewwhatshesaidbutthelookshereceivedinreturnwaslikethatofafrightenedchild。
ButtherewasalwaystobeseeninMrs。Zabriskie”scountenancethischaracteristicblendingofthesevereandthechildlike，andbeyondanaddedpangofpityforthisbeautifulbutafflictedwoman，Violetletthemomentpasswithoutgivingittheweightitperhapsdemanded。
“Thedoctorandhiswifehadalongtalklastnight，“waswhisperedinherearasshewoundherwaywiththerestintotheheartofthewoods。Withastartsheturnedandperceivedheremployerfollowingclosebehindher。Hehadcomebyanotherboat。
“Butitdidnotseemtohealwhateverbreachliesbetweenthem，“
heproceeded。Then，inaquick，anxioustone，hewhispered：
“Whateverhappens，donotliftyourveil。IthoughtIsawareporterskulkingintherear。”
“Iwillbecareful，“Violetassuredhim，andcouldsaynomore，astheyhadalreadyreachedthegroundwhichhadbeenselectedforthistrialatarms，andthevariousmembersofthepartywerebeingplacedintheirseveralpositions。
Thedoctor，towhomlightanddarknesswerealike，stoodwithhisfacetowardsthewesternglow，andathissideweregroupedtheinspectorandthetwophysicians。OnthearmofoneofthelatterhungDr。Zabriskie”sovercoat，whichhehadtakenoffassoonashereachedthefield。
Mrs。Zabriskiestoodattheotherendoftheopeningnearatallstump，uponwhichithadbeendecidedthattheclockshouldbeplacedwhenthemomentcameforthedoctortoshowhisskill。Shehadbeenaccordedtheprivilegeofsettingtheclockonthisstump，andVioletsawitshininginherhandasshepausedforamomenttoglancebackatthecircleofgentlemenwhowereawaitinghermovements。Thehandsoftheclockstoodatfiveminutestofive，thoughVioletscarcelynoteditatthetime，forMrs。Zabriskiewaspassingherandhadstoppedtosay：
“Ifheisnothimself，hecannotbetrusted。Watchhimcarefullyandseethathedoesnomischieftohimselforothers。Askoneoftheinspectorstostandathisrighthand，andstophimifhedoesnothandlehispistolproperly。”
Violetpromised，andshepassedon，settingtheclockuponthestumpandimmediatelydrawingbacktoasuitabledistanceattheright，whereshestood，wrappedinherlongdarkcloak。Herfaceshoneghastlywhite，eveninitsenvironmentofsnow-coveredboughs，andnotingthis，Violetwishedtheminutesfewerbetweenthepresentmomentandthehouroffive，atwhichtimehewastodrawthetrigger。
“Dr。Zabriskie，“quoththeinspector，“wehaveendeavouredtomakethistrialaperfectlyfairone。Youaretohaveashotatasmallclockwhichhasbeenplacedwithinasuitabledistance，andwhichyouareexpectedtohit，guidedonlybythesoundwhichitwillmakeinstrikingthehouroffive。Areyousatisfiedwiththearrangement？“
“Perfectly。Whereismywife？“
“Ontheothersideofthefieldsometenpacesfromthestumpuponwhichtheclockisfixed。”Hebowed，andhisfaceshowedsatisfaction。
“MayIexpecttheclocktostrikesoon？“
“Inlessthanfiveminutes，“wastheanswer。
“Thenletmehavethepistol；Iwishtobecomeacquaintedwithitssizeandweight。”
Weglancedateachother，thenacrossather。
Shemadeagesture；itwasoneofacquiescence。
Immediatelytheinspectorplacedtheweaponintheblindman”shand。Itwasatonceapparentthatheunderstoodtheinstrument，andViolet”shopeswhichhadbeenstronguptothismoment，sankathisairofconfidence。
“ThankGodIamblindthishourandcannotseeher，“fellfromhislips，then，beforetheechoofthesewordshaddiedaway，heraisedhisvoiceandobservedcalmlyenough，consideringthathewasabouttoprovehimselfacriminalinordertosavehimselffrombeingthoughtamadman：
“Letnoonemove。Imusthavemyearsfreeforcatchingthefirststrokeoftheclock。”Andheraisedthepistolbeforehim。
Therewasamomentoftorturingsuspenseanddeep，unbrokensilence。Violet”seyeswereonhimsoshedidnotwatchtheclock，butshewassuddenlymovedbysomeirresistibleimpulsetonotehowMrs。Zabriskiewasbearingherselfatthiscriticalmoment，andcastingahurriedglanceinherdirectionsheperceivedhertallfigureswayingfromsidetoside，asifunderanintolerablestrainoffeeling。Hereyeswereontheclock，thehandsofwhichseemedtocreepwithsnail-likepacealongthedial，whenunexpectedly，andafullminutebeforetheminutehandhadreachedthestrokeoffive，Violetcaughtamovementonherpart，sawtheflashofsomethingroundandwhiteshowforaninstantagainstthedarknessofhercloak，andwasabouttoshriekwarningtothedoctor，whentheshrill，quickstrokeofaclockrangoutonthefrostyair，followedbythepingandflashofapistol。
Asoundofshatteredglass，followedbyasuppressedcry，toldthebystandersthatthebullethadstruckthemark，butbeforeanyonecouldmove，ortheycouldridtheireyesofthesmokewhichthewindhadblownintotheirfaces，therecameanothersoundwhichmadetheirhairstandonendandsentthebloodbackinterrortotheirhearts。Anotherclockwasstriking，whichtheynowperceivedwasstillstandinguprightonthestumpwhereMrs。
Zabriskiehadplacedit。
Whencecametheclock，then，whichhadstruckbeforethetimeandbeenshatteredforitspains？Onequicklooktoldthem。Ontheground，tenpacestotheright，layZulmaZabriskie，abrokenclockatherside，andinherbreastabulletwhichwasfastsappingthelifefromhersweeteyes。
Theyhadtotellhim，therewassuchpleadinginherlooks；andneverwillanyofthehearersforgetthescreamwhichrangfromhislipsasherealizedthetruth。Breakingfromtheirmidst，herushedforward，andfellatherfeetasifguidedbysomesupernaturalinstinct。
“Zulma，“heshrieked，“whatisthis？Werenotmyhandsdyeddeepenoughinbloodthatyoushouldmakemeanswerableforyourlifealso？“
Hereyeswereclosedbutsheopenedthem。Lookinglongandsteadilyathisagonizedface，shefalteredforth：
“Itisnotyouwhohavekilledme；itisyourcrime。HadyoubeeninnocentofMr。Hasbrouck”sdeathyourbulletwouldneverhavefoundmyheart。DidyouthinkIcouldsurvivetheproofthatyouhadkilledthatgoodman？“
“Ididitunwittingly。I”
“Hush！“shecommanded，withanawfullook，whichhappilyhecouldnotsee。“Ihadanothermotive。Iwishedtoprovetoyou，evenatthecostofmylife，thatIlovedyou，hadalwayslovedyou，andnot”
Itwasnowhisturntosilenceher。Hishandcrepttoherlips，andhisdespairingfaceturneditselfblindlytowardsthoseaboutthem。
“Go！“hecried；“leaveus！Letmetakealastfarewellofmydyingwife，withoutlistenersorspectators。”
Consultingtheeyeofheremployerwhostoodclosebesideher，andseeingnohopeinit，Violetfellslowlyback。Theothers，followed，andthedoctorwasleftalonewithhiswife。Fromthedistantpositiontheytook，theysawherarmscreeproundhisneck，sawherheadfallconfidinglyonhisbreast，thensilencesettleduponthem，anduponallnature，thegatheringtwilightdeepening，tillthelastglowdisappearedfromtheheavensaboveandfromthecircleofleaflesstreeswhichenclosedthistragedyfromtheoutsideworld。
Butatlasttherecameastir，andDr。Zabriskie，risingupbeforethemwiththedeadbodyofhiswifeheldcloselytohisbreast，confrontedthemwithacountenancesorapturousthathelookedlikeamantransfigured。
“Iwillcarryhertotheboat，“saidhe。“Notanotherhandshalltouchher。Shewasmytruewife，mytruewife！“Andhetoweredintoanattitudeofsuchdignityandpassionthatforamomenthetookonheroicproportionsandtheyforgotthathehadjustprovedhimselftohavecommittedacold-bloodedandghastlycrime。
Thestarswereshiningwhenthepartyagaintooktheirseatsintheboat；andifthesceneoftheircrossingtoJerseywasimpressive，whatshallbesaidofthereturn？
Thedoctor，asbefore，satinthestern，anawesomefigure，uponwhichthemoonshonewithawhiteradiancethatseemedtolifthisfaceoutofthesurroundingdarknessandsetitlikeanimageoffrozenhorrorbeforetheireyes。Againsthisbreastheheldtheformofhisdeadwife，andnowandthenVioletsawhimstoopasifhewerelisteningforsometokenoflifefromhersetlips。
Thenhewouldlifthimselfagainwithhopelessnessstampeduponhisfeatures，onlytoleanforwardinrenewedhopethatwasagaindestinedtodisappointment。
Violethadbeensoovercomebythistragicendtoallherhopes，thatheremployerhadbeenallowedtoentertheboatwithher。
Seatedathersideintheseatdirectlyinfrontofthedoctor，hewatchedwithherthesesimpletokensofabreakingheart，sayingnothingtilltheyreachedmidstream，whentruetohisinstinctsforallhisaweandcompassion，hesuddenlybenttowardshimandsaid：
“Dr。Zabriskie，themysteryofyourcrimeisnolongeramysterytome。ListenandseeifIdonotunderstandyourtemptation，andhowyou，aconscientiousandGod-fearingman，cametoslayyourinnocentneighbour。
“Afriendofyours，orsohecalledhimself，hadforalongtimefilledyourearswithtalestendingtomakeyoususpiciousofyourwifeandjealousofacertainmanwhomIwillnotname。Youknewthatyourfriendhadagrudgeagainstthisman，andsoformanymonthsturnedadeafeartohisinsinuations。Butfinallysomechangewhichyoudetectedinyourwife”sbearingorconversationrousedyourownsuspicions，andyoubegantodoubthertruthandtocurseyourblind-ness，whichinameasurerenderedyouhelpless。Thejealousfevergrewandhadrisentoahighpointwhenonenight——amemorablenight——thisfriendmetyoujustasyouwereleavingtown，andwithcruelcraftwhisperedinyourearthatthemanyouhatedwaseventhenwithyourwifeandthatifyouwouldreturnatoncetoyourhomeyouwouldfindhiminhercompany。
“Thedemonthatlurksattheheartofallmen，goodorbad，thereupontookcompletepossession，ofyou，andyouansweredthisfalsefriendbysayingthatyouwouldnotreturnwithoutapistol。Whereuponheofferedtotakeyoutohishouseandgiveyouhis。Youconsented，andgettingridofyourservantbysendinghimtoPoughkeepsiewithyourexcuses，youenteredyourfriend”sautomobile。
“Yousayyouboughtthepistol，andperhapsyoudid，but，howeverthatmaybe，youlefthishousewithitinyourpocket，anddecliningcompanionship，walkedhome，arrivingattheColonnadealittlebeforemidnight。
“Ordinarilyyouhavenodifficultyinrecognizingyourowndoorstep。But，beinginaheatedframeofmind，youwalkedfasterthanusualandsopassedyourownhouseandstoppedatthatofMr。Hasbrouck，onedoorbeyond。Astheentrancesofthesehousesareallalike，therewasbutonewaybywhichyoucouldhavemadeyourselfsurethatyouhadreachedyourowndwelling，andthatwasbyfeelingforthedoctor”ssignatthesideofthedoor。Butyouneverthoughtofthat。Absorbedindreamsofvengeance，yoursoleimpulsewastoenterbythequickestmeanspossible。Takingoutyournightkey，youthrustitintothelock。Itfitted，butittookstrengthtoturnit，somuchstrengththatthekeywastwistedandbentbytheeffort。Butthisincident，whichwouldhaveattractedyourattentionatanothertime，waslostuponyouatthismoment。Anentrancehadbeeneffected，andyouwereintooexcitedaframeofmindtonoticeatwhatcost，ortodetectthesmalldifferencesapparentintheatmosphereandfurnishingsofthetwohouses，trifleswhichwouldhavearrestedyourattentionunderothercircumstances，andmadeyoupausebeforetheupperfloorhadbeenreached。
“Itwaswhilegoingupthestairsthatyoutookoutyourpistol，sothatbythetimeyouarrivedatthefrontroomdooryouhelditalreadydrawnandcockedinyourhand。For，beingblind，youfearedescapeonthepartofyourvictim，andsowaitedfornothingbutthesoundofaman”svoicebeforefiring。When，therefore，theunfortunateMr。Hasbrouck，rousedbythissuddenintrusion，advancedwithanexclamationofastonishment，youpulledthetrigger，andkilledhimonthespot。Itmusthavebeenimmediatelyuponhisfallthatyourecognizedfromsomewordheuttered，orfromsomecontactyoumayhavehadwithyoursurroundings，thatyouwereinthewronghouseandhadkilledthewrongman；foryoucriedout，inevidentremorse，”God！whathaveIdone！”andfledwithoutapproachingyourvictim。
“Descendingthestairs，yourushedfromthehouse，closingthefrontdoorbehindyouandregainingyourownwithoutbeingseen。
Buthereyoufoundyourselfbaffledinyourattemptedescape，bytwothings。First，bythepistolyoustillheldinyourhand，andsecondly，bythefactthatthekeyuponwhichyoudependedforenteringyourowndoorwassotwistedoutofshapethatyouknewitwouldbeuselessforyoutoattempttouseit。Whatdidyoudointhisemergency？Youhavealreadytoldus，thoughthestoryseemedsoimprobableatthetime，youfoundnobodytobelieveitbutmyself。Thepistolyouflungfarawayfromyoudownthepavement，fromwhich，byoneofthoserarechanceswhichsometimeshappeninthisworld，itwaspresentlypickedupbysomelatepasser-byofmoreorlessdoubtfulcharacter。Thedoorofferedlessofanobstaclethanyouhadanticipated；forwhenyouturnedagainyoufoundit，ifIamnotgreatlymistaken，ajar，leftso，aswehavereasontobelieve，byonewhohadgoneoutofitbutafewminutesbeforeinastatewhichlefthimbutlittlemasterofhisactions。ItwasthisfactwhichprovidedyouwithananswerwhenyouwereaskedhowyousucceededingettingintoMr。Hasbrouck”shouseafterthefamilyhadretiredforthenight。
“Astonishedatthecoincidence，buthailingwithgladnessthedeliverancewhichitoffered，youwentinandascendedatonceintoyourwife”spresence；anditwasfromherlips，andnotfromthoseofMrs。Hasbrouck，thatthecryarosewhichstartledtheneighbourhoodandpreparedmen”smindsforthetragicwordswhichwereshoutedamomentlaterfromthenexthouse。
“Butshewhoutteredthescreamknewofnotragedysavethatwhichwastakingplaceinherownbreast。Shehadjustrepulsedadastardlysuitor，andseeingyouentersounexpectedlyinastateofunaccountablehorrorandagitation，wasnaturallystrickenwithdismay，andthoughtshesawyourghost，orwhatwasworse，apossibleavenger；whileyou，havingfailedtokillthemanyousought，andhavingkilledamanyouesteemed，letnosurpriseonherpartlureyouintoanydangerousself-betrayal。Youstroveinsteadtosootheher，andevenattemptedtoexplaintheexcitementunderwhichyoulaboured，byanaccountofyournarrowescapeatthestation，tillthesuddenalarmfromnextdoordistractedherattention，andsentbothyourthoughtsandhersinadifferentdirection。Nottillconsciencehadfullyawakenedandthehorrorofyouracthadhadtimetotelluponyoursensitivenature，didyoubreatheforththosevagueconfessions，which，notbeingsupportedbytheonlyexplanationswhichwouldhavemadethemcredible，ledher，aswellasthepolice，toconsideryouaffectedinyourmind。Yourprideasamanandyourconsiderationforherasawomankeptyousilent，butdidnotkeepthewormfrompreyinguponyourheart。
“AmInotcorrectinmysurmises，Dr。Zabriskie，andisnotthisthetrueexplanationofyourcrime？“
Withastrangelook，helifteduphisface。
“Hush！“saidhe；“youwillwakenher。Seehowpeacefullyshesleeps！Ishouldnotliketohaveherwakenednow，sheissotired，andI——IhavenotwatchedoverherasIshould。”
Appalledathisgesture，hislook，histone，Violetdrewback，andforafewminutesnosoundwastobeheardbutthesteadydip-
dipoftheoarsandthelap-lapofthewatersagainsttheboat。
Thentherecameaquickuprising，theswayingbeforeherofsomethingdarkandtallandthreatening，andbeforeshecouldspeakormove，orevenstretchforthherhandstostayhim，theseatbeforeherwasemptyanddarknesshadfilledtheplacewherebutaninstantprevioushehadsat，afearsomefigure，erectandrigidasasphinx。
Whatlittlemoonlighttherewas，onlyservedtoshowafewrisingbubbles，markingthespotwheretheunfortunatemanhadsunkwithhismuch-lovedburden。Asthewideningcirclesfledfartherandfartherout，thetidedriftedtheboataway，andthespotwaslostwhichhadseentheterminationofoneofearth”ssaddesttragedies。
ENDOFPROBLEMVII