第4章

"Cristel！whatdoesitmean？"

"Poison，"sheanswered。"And_he_hassufferedtoo。"

Tomyastonishment，therewasnoangerinhertone：shespokeofhimasquietlyasifshehadbeenalludingtoaninnocentman。

"Doyoumeanthathehasbeenatdeath’sdoor，likeme？"

"Yes，thankGod——orIshouldneverhavefoundyouhere。PooroldGloodycametous，insearchofhelp。"Mymaster’sinaswoon，andIcan’tbringhimto。"DirectlyIheardthat，Irememberedthatyouhaddrunkwhathehaddrunk。Whathadhappenedtohim，musthavehappenedtoyou。Don’taskmehowlongitwasbeforeIfoundyou，andwhatIfeltwhenIdidfindyou。Idosowanttoenjoymyhappiness！Onlyletmeseeyousafelyhome，andIasknomore。"

Shehelpedmetorise，withtheencouragingwordswhichshemighthaveusedtoachild。Sheputmyarminhers，andledmecarefullyalongthroughthewood，asifIhadbeenanoldman。

Cristelhadsavedmylife——butshewouldhearofnoallusiontoit。Sheknewhowthepoisonerhadplottedtogetridofme——butnothingthatI

couldsayinducedhertotellmehowshehadmadethediscovery。InviewofTrimleyDeen，myguardianangeldroppedmyarm。

"Goon，"shesaid，"andletmeseetheservantletyouin，beforeIrunhome。"

IfshehadnotbeenoncemorewiserthanIwas，Ishouldhavetakenherwithmetothehouse;Ishouldhavepositivelyrefusedtolethergobackbyherself。NothingthatIcouldsayordohadtheslightesteffectonherresolution。Doesthemanlivewhocouldhavetakenleaveofhercalmly，inmyplace？Shetoreherselfawayfromme，withasighofbitternessthatwasdreadfultohear。

"Oh，mydarling，"Isaid，"doIdistressyou？"

"Horribly，"sheanswered;"butyouarenottoblame。"

Thosewereherfarewellwords。Icalledafterher。Itriedtofollowher。

Shewaslosttomeinthedarkness。

CHAPTERXIV

GLOODYSETTLESTHEACCOUNT

Anightoffever;anight，whenIdidslumberforafewminutes，ofhorriddreams——thiswaswhatImighthaveexpected，andthisiswhatreallyhappened。Thefreshmorningair，flowingthroughmyopenwindow，cooledandcomposedme;themercyofsleepfoundme。WhenIwoke，andlookedatmywatch，Iwasanewman。Thehourwasnoon。

Irangmybell。Theservantannouncedthatamanwaswaitingtoseeme。

"Thesameman，sir，whowasfoundinthegarden，lookingatyourflowers。"Iatoncegavedirectionstohavehimshownupintomybedroom。

ThedelayofdressingwasmorethanIhadpatiencetoencounter。UnlessI

wascompletelymistaken，herewastheverypersonwhomIwantedtoenlightenme。

Gloodyshowedhimselfatthedoor，withafaceominouslywretched，aswellasugly。IinstantlythoughtofCristel。

"Ifyoubringmebadnews，"Isaid，"don’tkeepmewaitingforit。"

"It’snothingthatneedtroubleYou，sir。I’mdismissedfrommymaster’sservice——that’sall。"

Itwasplainlynot"all。"Relievedevenbythatguardedreply，Ipointedtoachairbythebedside。

"DoyoubelievethatImeanwellbyyou？"Iasked。

"Ido，sir，withallmyheart。"

"Thensitdown，Gloody，andmakeacleanbreastofit。"

Heliftedhisenormousfist，bywayofemphasizinghisanswer。

"Iwaswithinahair’sbreadth，sir，ofstrikinghim。IfIhadn’tkeptmytemper，Imighthavekilledhim。"

"Whatdidhedo？"

"Flewintoafuriousrage。Idon’tcomplainofthat;IdaresayIdeservedit。Pleasetoexcusemygettingupagain。Ican’tlookyouintheface，andtellyouofit。"Hewalkedawaytothewindow。"Evenapoordevil，likeme，doessometimesfeelitwhenheisinsulted。Mr。Roylake，hekickedme。Saynomoreaboutit，sir！Iwouldneverhavementionedit，ifIhadn’thadsomethingelsetotellyou;onlyIdon’tknowhow。"Inthisdifficulty，hecamebacktomybedside。"Lookhere，sir！WhatIsayis——thatkickhaswipedoutthedebtofthanksIowehim。Yes。Isaytheaccountbetweenustwoissettlednow，onbothsides。Intwowords，sir，ifyoumeantochargehimbeforethemagistrateswithattemptingyourlife，I’lltakemyBibleoathhedidattemptit，andyoumaycallmeasyourwitness。There！Nowit’sout。"

Whathismasterhadnodoubtinferred，waswhatIsawplainlytoo。

Cristelhadsavedmylife，andhadbeendirectedhowtodoitbythepoorfellowwhohadsufferedinmycause。

"Wewillwaitalittlebeforewetalkofsettingthelawinforce，"I

said。"Inthemeantime，Gloody，IwantyoutotellmewhatyouwouldtellthemagistrateifIcalledyouasawitness。"

Heconsideredalittle。"Themagistratewouldputquestionstome——wouldn’the，sir？Verygood。Youputquestionstome，andI’llanswerthemtothebestofmyability。"

Theinvestigationthatfollowedwasfartoolongandtoowearisometoberelatedhere。IfIgivethesubstanceofit，Ishallhavedoneenough。

Sometimeswhenhewasawake，andsupposedthathewasalone——sometimeswhenhewasasleepanddreaming——theCurhadbetrayedhimself。（Itwasapaltryvengeance，Iown，togratifyamaliciouspleasure——asIdidnow——inthinkingofhimandspeakingofhimbythedegradingnamewhichhismorbidhumilityhadsuggested。Butarethedemandsofaman’sdignityalwayspaidinthereadymoneyofpromptsubmission？）Anyway，itappearedthatGloodyhadheardenough，inthesleepingmomentsandthesolitarymomentsofhismaster，togivehimsomeideaofthejealoushatredwithwhichtheCurregardedme。Hehaddonehisbesttowarnme，withoutactuallybetrayingthemanwhohadrescuedhimfromstarvationortheworkhouse——andhehadfailed。

Buthisresolutiontodomegoodservice，inreturnformykindnesstohim，farfrombeingshaken，wasconfirmedbycircumstances。

Whenhismasterreturnedtothechemicalstudieswhichhavebeenalreadymentioned，Gloodywasemployedasassistant，totheextentofhislimitedcapacityformakinghimselfuseful。HehadnoreasontosupposethatI

wastheobjectofanyoftheexperiments，untilthedaybeforethetea-party。Then，hesawthedogenticedintothenewcottage，andapparentlykilledbytheadministrationofpoisonofsomesort。Afteraninterval，adoseofanotherkindwaspoureddownthepoorcreature’sthroat，andhebegantorevive。Alapseofaquarterofanhourfollowed;

thelastdosewasrepeated;andthedogsoonsprangtohisfeetagain，aslivelyasever。Gloodywasthereupontoldtosettheanimalfree;andwasinformedatthesametimethathewouldbeinstantlydismissed，ifhementionedtoanylivingcreaturewhathehadjustseen。

Bywhatprocesshearrivedatthesuspicionthatmysafetymightbethreatened，bytheexperimentonthedog，hewasentirelyunabletoexplain。

"Itwasborneinonmymind，sir;andthat’sallIcantellyou，"hesaid。"Ididn’tdarespeaktoyouaboutit;youwouldn’thavebelievedme。Or，ifyoudidbelieveme，youmighthavesentforthepolice。Theonewayofputtingastoptomurderingmischief（ifmurderingmischiefitmightbe）wastotrustMissCristel。Thatshewasfondofyou——Idon’tmeananyoffence，sir——Iprettywellguessed。Thatshewastrueassteel，andnoteasilyfrightened，Ididn’tneedtoguess;Iknewit。"

GloodyhaddonehisbesttoprepareCristelfortheterribleconfidencewhichhehaddeterminedtoreposeinher，andhadnotsucceeded。Whatthepoorgirlmusthavesuffered，Icouldbuttooreadilyunderstand，onrecallingthestartlingchangesinherlookandmannerwhenwemetattheriver-marginofthewood。Shewaspledgedtosecrecy，underpenaltyofruiningthemanwhowastryingtosaveme;andtoherpresenceofmindwastrustedthewholeresponsibilityofpreservingmylife。Whatasituationforagirlofeighteen！

"Wemadeitoutbetweenus，sir，intwoways，"Gloodyproceeded。"Firstandforemost，shewastoinviteherselftotea。And，beingatthetable，shewastowatchmymaster。Whatevershesawhimdrink，shewastoinsistonyourdrinkingittoo。Youheardmeaskleavetomakethetea？"

"Yes。"

"Well，thatwasoneofthesignalsagreedonbetweenus。Whenhesentmeaway，wewerecertainofwhathehaditinhismindtodo。"

"AndwhenyoulookedatMissCristel，andshewastoobusywithherbroochtonoticeyou，wasthatanothersignal？"

"Itwas，sir。Whenshehandledhersilverornament，shetoldmethatI

mightdependonhertoforgetnothing，andtobeafraidofnothing。"

Irememberedthequietfirmnessinherface，aftertheprayerthatshehadsaidinherownroom。Hersteadyresolutionnolongersurprisedme。

"Didyouwonder，sir，whatpossessedher，"Gloodywenton，"whensheburstoutsinging？Thatwasasignaltome。Wewantedhimoutofourway，whileyouweremadetodrinkwhathehaddrunkoutofthejug。"

"Howdidyouknowthathewouldnotdrinkthewholecontentsofthejug？"

"Youforget，sir，thatIhadseenthedogrevivedbytwodoses，givenwithaspaceoftimebetweenthem。"

Ioughttohaverememberedthis，afterwhathehadalreadytoldme。MyintelligencebrightenedalittleasIwenton。

"Andyouraccidentinthenextroomwasplanned，ofcourse？"Isaid。"Doyouthinkhesawthroughit？Ishouldsay，No;judgingbyhislooks。Heturnedpalewhenhefeltthefloorshakenbyyourfall。Foronceinaway，hewashonest——honestlyfrightened。"

"Inoticedthesamething，sir，whenhepickedmeup，offthefloor。A

manwhocanchangehiscomplexion，atwill，isamanwehav’n’theardofyet，Mr。Roylake。"

Ihadbeendressingforsometimepast;longingtoseeCristel，itisneedlesstosay。

"Isthereanythingmore，"Iasked，"thatIoughttoknow？"

"Onlyonething，Mr。Roylake，thatIcanthinkof，"Gloodyreplied。"I’mafraidit’sMissCristel’sturnnext。"

"Whatdoyoumean？"

"Whilethedeafmanlodgesatthecottage，hemeansmischief，andhiseyeisonMissCristel。Earlythismorning，sir，Ihappenedtobeattheboat-house。Somebody（Ileaveyoutoguesswhoitis）hasstolentheoars。"

Iwasdressedbythistime，andsoeagertogettothecottage，thatI

hadalreadyopenedmydoor。WhatIhadjustheardbroughtmebackintotheroom。Asamatterofcourse，webothsuspectedthesamepersonofstealingtheoars。Hadweanyprooftojustifyus？

Gloodyatonceacknowledgedthatwehadnoproof。"Ihappenedtolookattheboat，"hesaid，"andImissedtheoars。Oh，yes;Isearchedtheboat-house。Nooars！nooars！"

"Andnothingmorethatyouhaveforgotten，andoughttotellme？"

"Nothing，sir。"

IleftGloodytowaitmyreturn;beingcarefultoplacehimundertheprotectionoftheupperservants——whowouldseethathewastreatedwithrespectbythehouseholdgenerally。

CHAPTERXV

THEMILLER’SHOSPITALITY

OnthewaytoToller’scottage，myfearsforCristelweighedheavilyonmymind。

Thatthemanwhohadtriedtopoisonmewascapableofcommittinganyotheroutrage，providedhesawaprospectofescapingwithimpunity，nosanepersoncouldhesitatetoconclude。Butthecauseofmyalarmwasnottobetracedtothisconviction。Itwasadoubtthatmademetremble。

AfterwhatIhadmyselfseen，andwhatGloodyhadtoldme，couldIhopetomatchmypenetration，orthepenetrationofanypersonaboutmewhomI

couldtrust，againstthefathomlesscunning，theSatanicwickedness，ofthevillainwhowasstillaninmatewithCristel，underherfather’sroof？

Ihavespokenofhisfathomlesscunning，andhisSatanicwickedness。Themannerinwhichthecrimehadbeenpreparedandcarriedoutwouldjustifystrongerexpressionsstill。SuchwasthedeliberateopinionofthelawyerwhomIprivatelyconsulted，undercircumstancesstilltoberelated。

"Letusarriveatajustappreciationofthedangerousscoundrelwhomwehavetodealwith，"thisgentlemansaid。"Hispreliminaryexperimentwiththedog;hisresolutiontomakesuspicionanimpossibility，bydrinkingfromthesameteawhichhehadmadereadyforyou;hisskilledpreparationofanantidote，thecolorofwhichmightcourtappearancesbyimitatingwater——aretheremanypoisonerscleverenoughtoprovidethemselvesbeforehandwithsuchadefenceasthis？Howareyoutosetthecircumstancesintheirtruelight，onyourside？Youmaysaythatyouthrewoutthecalculations，onwhichhehadreliedforsecuringhisownsafety，bydrinkinghisseconddoseoftheantidotewhilehewasoutoftheroom;andyoucanappealtothefainting-fitsfromwhichyouandhesufferedonthesameevening，asaproofthattheactionofthepoisonwaspartiallysuccessful;inyourcaseandinhis，becauseyouandhewereinsufficientlyprotectedbyhalfdosesonlyoftheantidote。AbenchofJesuitswouldunderstandtheserefinements。AbenchofBritishmagistrateswouldlookateachother，andsay：Whereisthemedicalevidence？No，Mr。Roylake，wemustwait。Youcan’teventurnhimoutofthecottagebeforehehashadthecustomarynoticetoquit。Theonethingtotakecareof——incasesomeothersuspicionsofoursturnouttobewellfounded——isthatourmanshallnotgiveustheslip。Oneofmyclerks，andoneofyourgamekeepersshallkeepwatchonhislodgings，turnandturnabout，tillhistimeisup。Gowherehemayafterthat，heshallnotescapeus。"

Imaynowtakeupthechainofeventsagain。

OnreachingToller’scottage，Iwasdistressed（buthardlysurprised）tohearthatCristel，exhaustedafterawakefulnight，stillkeptherbed，inthehopeofgettingsomesleep。Iwassoanxioustoknowifshewasatrest，thatherfatherwentupstairstolookather。

Ifollowedhim——andsawPontowatchingonthematoutsideherdoor。DidthisindicateawisedistrustoftheCur？"AguardianIcantrust，sir，"

theoldmanwhispered，"whileI’matthemill。"

HelookedintoCristel’sroom，andpermittedmetolookoverhisshoulder。Mypoordarlingwaspeacefullyasleep。Judgingbythemiller’smanner，whichwasascoolandcomposedasusual，IgatheredthatCristelhadwiselykepthiminignoranceofwhathadhappenedonthepreviousevening。

TheinquirywhichIhadnextinmymindwasforestalledbyoldToller。

"Ourdeaf-devil，Mr。Gerard，hasdoneathingthismorningwhichpuzzlesme，"hebegan;"andIshouldliketohearwhatyouthinkofit。Forthefirsttimesincewehavehadhimhere，hehasopenedhisdoortoavisitor。And——whatasurpriseforyou！——it’stheotherdevilwiththehatandfeatherwhogotatmyCristy，andmadehercry。"

Thatthismeetingwouldbeonlytoolikelytohappen，induecourseoftime，Ihadneverdoubted。Thatithadhappened，now，confirmedmeinmyresolutiontokeepguardoverCristelatthecottage，tilltheCurleftit。

Iasked，ofcourse，howthosetwoenemiesofminehadfirstseeneachother。

"Shewasjustgoingtoknockatourdoor，Mr。Gerard，whenshehappenedtolookup。Therehewas，airinghimselfathiswindowasusual。Doyouthinkshewastoomuchstaggeredatthesightofhimtospeak？Atanyrate，hegotthestartofher。"WaittillIcomedown，"sayshe——andtherehewas，almostassoonashesaidit。Theywentintohisplacetogether;andforbestpartofanhourtheywereineachother’scompany。

Everymanhashisfailings;Idon’tdenythatI’malittleinquisitivebynature。Betweenourselves，Igotundertheopenwindowandlistened。Atagreatdisadvantage，Ineedn’ttellyou;forshewasobligedtowritewhatshehadtosay。But_he_talked。Iwastoolateforthecreamofit;I

onlyheardhimwishhergood-bye。’Ifyourladyshiptelegraphsthismorning，’sayshe，’whenwillthemancometome？’Nowwhatdoyousaytothat？"

"MorethanIhavetimetosaynow，Mr。Toller。CanyoufindmeamessengertotakeanotetoTrimleyDeen？"

"Wehavenomessengersinthislonesomeplace，sir。"

"Verywell。ThenImusttakemyownmessage。Youwillseemeagain，assoonasIcangetback。"

Mr。Toller’sreadycuriositywasrousedinamoment。

"Perhaps，youwishtohavealookattherepairs？"hesuggestedinhismostinsinuatingmanner。

"Iwishtoseewhatherladyship’stelegrambringsforth，"Isaid;andmeantobeherewhen’theman’arrives。"

Myvenerabletenantwasdelighted。"Turnhiminsideout，sir，andgetathissecrets。I’llhelpyou。"

ReturningtoTrimleyDeen，Iorderedthepony-chaisetobegotready，andasmallportmanteautobepacked——speakinginthehall。ThesoundofmyvoicebroughtMrs。Roylakeoutofthemorning-room。ShewasfollowedbyLadyRachel。IfIcouldonlyhaveheardtheirprivateconference，I

shouldhaveseenthedangeroussideoftheCur’scharacterunderanewaspect。

"Gerard！"criedmystepmother，"whatdidIhearjustnow？Youcan’tbegoingbacktoGermany！"

"Certainlynot，"Ianswered。

"Goingtostaywithsomefriendsperhaps？"LadyRachelsuggested。"I

wonderwhetherIknowthem？"

Itwasspitefullydone——but，inrespectoftoneandmanner，donetoperfection。

Thepony-chaisedrewupatthedoor。ThiswasanotheroftherareoccasionsinmylifeonwhichIacteddiscreetly。Itwasnecessaryformetosaysomething。Isaid，"Goodmorning。"

Nothinghadhappenedatthecottage，duringtheintervalofmyabsence。

Cleverashewas，oldTollerhadneversuspectedthatIshouldreturntohim（withluggage！）inthecharacterofaself-invitedguest。Hisjawdropped，andhiswickedlittleeyesappealedtothesky。MercifulProvidence！whathaveIdonetodeservethis？There，asIreadhim，wasthethoughtinthemiller’smind，expressedinmybestEnglish。

"Haveyougotasparebedinthehouse？"Iasked。

Mr。Tollerforgottherespectduetothepersonwhocouldstoptherepairsatamoment’snotice。Heansweredinthetoneofamanwhohadbeengrosslyinsulted："No！"

Butfortheanxietiesthatoppressedme，IshouldhaveonlyperceivedthehumoroussideofoldToller’soutbreakoftemper。Hehadchosenhistimebadly，andhegotaseriousreply。

"Understandthis，"Isaid："eitheryoureceivemecivilly——oryoumakeupyourmindtofindaflour-millonsomeotherpropertythanmine。"

Thishaditseffect。Themiller’sservilitymorethanequalledhisinsolence。Withprofuseapologies，heofferedmehisownbedroom。I

preferredalargeold-fashionedarmchairwhichstoodinacornerofthekitchen。Listeninginastateofprofoundbewilderment——longingtoputinquisitivequestions，andafraidtodoso——Tollersilentlyappealedtomycompassion。Ihadnothingtoconceal;Imentionedmymotive。Withoutintendingit，Ihadwoundedhiminoneofhismosttenderplaces;theplaceoccupiedbyhisgoodopinionofhimself。Hesaidwithsulkysubmission：

"Muchobliged，Mr。Gerard。Mygirlissafeundermyprotection。Leaveittome，sir——leaveittome。"

IhadjustremindedoldTollerofhisage，andoftheinfirmitieswhichagebringswithit，whenhisdaughter——paleandlanguid，withsignsofrecenttearsinhereyes——enteredthekitchen。WhenIapproachedher，shetrembledanddrewback;apparentlydesigningtoleavetheroom。Herfatherstoppedher。"Mr。Gerardhassomethingtotellyou，"hesaid。"I’mofftothemill。"Hetookuphishat，andleftus。

Submittingsadly，sheletmetakeherinmyarms，andtrytocheerher。

ButwhenIalludedtowhatIowedtoheradmirabledevotionandcourage，sheentreatedmetobesilent。"Don’tbringitallback！"shecried，shudderingattheremembranceswhichIhadawakened，"Fathersaidyouhadsomethingtotellme。Whatisit？"

Irepeated（inlanguagemoregentleandmoreconsiderate）whatIhadalreadysaidtoherfather。Shetookmyhand，andkisseditgratefully。

"Youhaveyourmother’sface，andyourmother’sheart，"shesaid;"youarealwaysgood，youareneverselfish。Butitmustn’tbe。HowcanIletyousufferthediscomfortofstayinghere？Indeed，Iaminnodanger;youarealarmingyourselfwithoutacause。"

"Howcanyoubesureofthat？"Iasked。

Shelookedreluctantlyatthedoorofcommunication。

"MustIspeakofhim？"

"Onlytotellme，"Ipleaded，"whetheryouhaveseenhimsincelastnight。"

Shehadbothseenhimandheardfromhim，onreachinghome。"Heopenedthatdoor，"shetoldme，"andthrewontheflooroneoftheleavesoutofhisbook。Afterdoingthat，herelievedmefromthesightofhim。"

"Showmetheleaf，Cristel。"

"Fatherhasgotit。Ithoughthewasasleepinthearmchair。Hesnatcheditoutofmyhand。Itisn’tworthreading。"

Sheturnedpale，nevertheless，whensherepliedinthoseterms。IcouldseethatIwasdisturbingher，whenIaskedifsherememberedwhattheCurhadwritten。Butourpositionwasfartooserioustobetrifledwith。

"Isupposehethreatenedyou？"Isaid，tryingtoleadheron。"Whatdidhesay？"

"Hesaid，ifanyattemptwasmadetoremovemeoutofhisreach，afterwhathadhappenedthatevening，myfatherwouldfindhimonthewatchdayandnight，andwouldregretittotheendofhislife。Thewretchthinksmecruelenoughtohavetoldmyfatherofthehorrorswewentthrough！

Youknowthathehasdismissedhispooroldservant？WasIwronginadvisingGloodytogotoyou？"

"Youwerequiteright。Heisatmyhouse——andIshouldliketokeephimatTrimleyDeen;butIamafraidheandtheotherservantsmightnotgetonwelltogether？"

"Willyoulethimcomehere？"

Shespokeearnestly;remindingmethatIhadthoughtitwrongtoleaveherfather，athisage，withoutsomeonetohelphim。

"Ifanaccidentseparatedmefromhim，"shewenton，"hewouldbeleftaloneinthiswretchedplace。"

"Whataccidentareyouthinkingof？"Iasked。"Istheresomethinggoingon，Cristel，thatIdon’tknowof？"

HadIstartledher？orhadIoffendedher？

"Canwetellwhatmayormaynothappentous，inthetimetocome？"sheaskedabruptly。"Idon’tliketothinkofmyfatherbeingleftwithoutacreaturetotakecareofhim。Gloodyissogoodandsotrue;andtheyalwaysgetonwelltogether。Ifyouhavenothingbetterinviewforhim——？"

"Mydear，Ihavenothinghalfsogoodinview;andGloody，Iamsure，willthinksotoo。"Iprivatelyresolvedtoinsureafavorablereceptionforthepoorfellow，bymakinghimthemiller’spartner。BanknotesinToller’spocket！WhataplacereservedforGloodyinToller’sestimation！

ButIconfessthatCristel’sallusiontoapossibleaccidentratheroppressedmymind，situatedaswewereatthattime。Whatwetalkedofnexthasslippedfrommymemory。Ionlyrecollectthatshemadeanexcusetogobacktoherroom，andthatnothingIcouldsayordoavailedtorestorehercustomarycheerfulness。

Asthetwilightwasbeginningtofade，weheardthesoundofacarriage。

Thenewmanhadarrivedinaflyfromthestation。Beforebedtime，hemadehisappearanceinthekitchen，toreceivethedomesticinstructionsofwhichastrangerstoodinneed。Aquietmanandacivilman：evenmyprejudicedexaminationcoulddiscovernothinginhimthatlookedsuspicious。Isawawell-trainedservant——andIsawnothingmore。

OldTollermadealastattempttopersuademethatitwasnotworthagentleman’swhiletoaccepthishospitality，andfoundmeimmovable。I

wasequallyobstinatewhenCristelaskedleavetomakeupabedformeinthecounting-houseatthemill。

WiththepurposethatIhadinview，ifIacceptedherproposalImightaswellhavebeenatTrimleyDeen。

Leftalone，Iplacedthearmchairandanotherchairformyfeet，acrossthedoorofcommunication。Thatdone，Iexaminedalittledoorbehindthestairs（usedIbelievefordomesticpurposes）whichopenedonanarrowpathway，runningalongtheriver-sideofthehouse。Itwasproperlylocked。Ihaveonlytoaddthatnothinghappenedduringthenight。

Thenextdayshowednoalterationforthebetter，inCristel。ShemadeanexcusewhenIproposedtotakeheroutwithmeforawalk。Herfather’sbusinesskepthimawayfromthecottage，andthusgavememanyopportunitiesofspeakingtoherinprivate。Iwassouneasy，orsoreckless——Ihardlyknowwhich——thatInolongerleftittobemerelyinferredthatIhadresolvedtoproposemarriagetoher。

"Mysweetgirl，youaresowretched，andsounlikeyourself，inthisplace，thatIentreatyoutoleaveit。ComewithmetoLondon，andletmemakeyousafeandhappyasmywife。"

"Oh，Mr。Roylake！"

"Whydoyoucallme，’MrRoylake’？HaveIdoneanythingtooffendyou？

Thereseemstobesomeestrangementbetweenus。DoyoubelievethatI

loveyou？"

"IwishIcoulddoubtit！"sheanswered。

"Why？"

"Youknowwhy。"

"Cristel！HaveImadesomedreadfulmistake？Thetruth！Iwantthetruth！

Doyouloveme？"

Alowcryofmiseryburstfromher。Wasshemasteredbylove，orbydespair？Shethrewherselfonmybreast。Ikissedher。Shemurmured，"Ohdon’ttemptme！Don’ttemptme！"Againandagain，Ikissedher。"Ah，"I

brokeout，intheecstasyofmysenseofrelief，"Iknowthatyouloveme，now！"

"Yes，"shesaid，simplyandsadly，"Idoloveyou。"

Myselfishpassionaskedformoreeventhanthis。

"Proveitbybeingmywife，"Ianswered。

Sheputmebackfromher，firmlyandgently。

"Iwillproveit，Gerard，bynotlettingyoudisgraceyourself。"

Withthosehorriblewords——putintohermouth，beyondalldoubtbythewomanwhohadinterferedbetweenus——sheleftme。Thelonghoursofthedaypassed：Isawhernomore。

PeoplewhoareunabletoimaginewhatIsuffered，arenotthepeopletowhomInowaddressmyself。Afteralltheyearsthathavepassed——afterageandcontactwiththeworldhavehardenedme——itisstillatrialtomyself-controltolookbacktothatday。EventsIcanrememberwithcomposure。Toevents，therefore，letmereturn。

NocommunicationofanysortreachedusfromtheCur。Towardsevening，I

sawhimpacingupanddownontheroadbeforethecottage，andspeakingtohisnewservant。Theman（listeningattentively）hadthemaster’sbookofleavesinhishand，andwroteinitfromtimetotimeasreplieswerewantedfromhim。Hewasprobablyreceivinginstructions。TheCur’sdiscretionwasabadsign。Ishouldhavefeltmoreatease，ifhehadtriedtoannoyCristel，ortoinsultme。

Towardsbedtime，oldToller’ssenseofhospitalityexhibitedmarkedimprovement。Hewashonoredandhappytohavemeunderhispoorroof——aroof，bytheway，whichwasalsoinneedofrepairs——butheprotestedagainstmyencounteringtheneedlesshardshipofsleepinginachair，whenabedcouldbesetupformeinthecounting-house。"Notwhatyou’reusedto，Mr。Gerard。Emptybarrels，andsamplesofflour，andaccount-bookssmellingstrongofleather，insteadofvelvetcurtainsandpaintedceilings;butbetterthanachair，sir——betterthanachair！"

Iwasasobstinateasever。Withthanks，Iinsistedonthechair。

Feverish，anxious，oppressedinmybreathing——withnervesunstrung，asadoctorwouldhaveputit——Idisturbedtheorderofthehouseholdtowardstwelveo’clockbyinterferingwitholdTollerintheactoflockingupthehouse-door。

"Letmegetabreathoffreshair，"Isaidtohim，"ortherewillbenosleepformeto-night。"

Heopenedthedoorwitharesignationtocircumstances，soexemplarythatitclaimedsomereturn。Ipromisedtobebackinaquarterofanhour。

OldTollerstifledayawn。"Icallthattrulyconsiderate，"hesaid——andstifledanotheryawn。Dearoldman！

Steppingintotheroad，IfirstexaminedtheCur’spartofthecottage。

Notasoundwasaudibleinside;notacreaturewasvisibleoutside。Theusualdimlightwasburningbehindthewindowthatlookedoutontheroad。Nothing，absolutelynothing，thatwassuspiciouscouldIeitherhearorsee。

Iwalkedon，bywhatwecalledtheupperbankoftheriver;leadingfromthevillageofKylam。Thenightwascloudyandclose。Nowthemoonlightreachedtheearthatintervals;nowagainitwasveiledindarkness。Thetrees，atthispartofthewood，soencroachedonthebankofthestreamasconsiderablytonarrowanddarkenthepath。SeeingapossibilityofwalkingintotheriverifIwentonmuchfarther，IturnedbackagaininthemoreopendirectionofKylam，andkeptonbriskly（asIreckon）foraboutfiveminutesmore。

Ihadjuststoppedtolookatmywatch，whenIsawsomethingdarkfloatingtowardsme，urgedbytheslowcurrentoftheriver。Asitcamenearer，IthoughtIrecognizedthemill-boat。

Itwasoneofthedarkintervalswhenthemoonwasovercast。Iwassufficientlyinterestedtofollowtheboat，onthechancethatareturnofthemoonlightmightshowmewhocouldpossiblybeinit。Afternoverylonginterval，theyellowlightforwhichIwaswaitingpouredthroughtheliftingclouds。

Themill-boat，beyondalldoubt——andnobodyinit！Theemptyinsideoftheboatwasperfectlyvisibletome。EvenifIhadfeltinclinedtodoso，itwouldhavebeenuselesstojumpintothewaterandswimtotheboat。Therewerenooarsinit，andthereforenomeansoftakingitbacktothemill。TheonethingIcoulddowastoruntooldTollerandtellhimthathisboatwasadrift。

Onmywaytothecottage，IthoughtIheardasoundliketheshuttingofadoor。Iwasprobablymistaken。Inexpectationofmyreturn，thedoorwassecuredbythelatchonly;andthemiller，lookingoutofhisbedroomwindow，said："Don’tforgettolockit，sir;thekey’sinside。"

Ifollowedmyinstructions，andascendedthestairs。Surprisedtohearmeinthatpartofthehouse，hecameoutonthelandinginhisnightgown。

"Whatisit？"heasked。

"Nothingveryserious，"Isaid。"Theboat’sadrift。Isupposeitwillrunonshoresomewhere。"

"Itwilldothat，Mr。Gerard;everybodyalongtheriverknowstheboat。"

Hehelduphisleantremblinghand。"Oldfingersdon’talwaystiefastknots。"

Hewentbackintohisbed。Itwasoppositethewindow;andthewindow，beingatthesideoftheoldcottage，lookedoutonthegreatopenspaceabovetheriver。Whenthemoonlightappeared，itshonestraightintohiseyes。Iofferedtopulldowntheblind。

"Thankyoukindly，sir;pleasetoletitbe。Iwakeofteninthenight，andIliketoseetheheavenswhenIopenmyeyes。"

Somethingtouchedmebehind：itwasthedog。Likehisnobleandbeautifulrace，Pontoknewhisfriends。Helickedmyhand，andthenhewalkedoutthroughthebedroomdoor。Insteadoftakinghisusualplace，onthematbeforeCristel’sroom，hesmeltforamomentunderthedoor——whinedsoftly——andwalkedupanddownthelanding。

"What’sthematterwiththedog？"Iasked。

"Restlessto-night，"saidoldToller。"Dogs_are_restlesssometimes。Liedown！"hecalledthroughthedoorway。

Thedogobeyed，butonlyforamoment。Hewhinedatthedooragain——andthen，oncemore，hewalkedupanddownthelanding。

Iwenttothebedside。Theoldmanwasjustgoingtosleep。Ishookhimbytheshoulder。

"There’ssomethingwrong，"Isaid。"ComeoutandlookatPonto。"

Hegrumbled——buthecameout。"Bettergetthewhip，"hesaid。

"Beforeyoudothat，"Ianswered，"knockatyourdaughter’sdoor。"

"Andwakeher？"heaskedinamazement。

Iknockedatthedoormyself。Therewasnoreply。Iknockedagain，withthesameresult。

"Openthedoor，"Isaid，"orIwilldoitmyself。"

Heobeyedme。Theroomwasempty;andthebedhadnotbeensleptin。

Standinghelplessonthethresholdofthedoor，Ilookedintotheemptyroom;hearingnothingbutmyheartthumpingheavily，seeingnothingbutthebedwiththeclothesonitundisturbed。

Thesuddengrowlingofthedogshookmeback（ifImaysayso）intothepossessionofmyself。Hewaslookingthroughthebalustersthatguardedthelanding。Theheadofamanappeared，slowlyascendingthestairs。

Actingmechanically，Iheldthedogback。Thinkingmechanically，Iwaitedfortheman。Thefaceofthenewservantshoweditself。Thedogfrightenedhim：hespokeintonesthattrembled，standingstillonthestairs。

"Mymasterhassentme，sir——"

Avoicebelowinterruptedhim。"Comeback，"IheardtheCursay;"I’lldoitmyself。Toller！whereisToller？"

Theenrageddog，barkingfuriously，struggledtogetawayfromme。I

draggedhim——thegoodhonestcreaturewhowasincapableofconcealmentsandtreacheries！——intohismaster’sroom。InthemomentbeforeIclosedthedooragain，IsawTollerdownonhiskneeswithhisarmslaidhelplesslyonthewindow-sill，staringupattheskyasifhehadgonemad。Therewasnotimeforquestions;IdrovepoorPontobackintotheroom，andshutthedoor。

Onthelanding，IfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeCur。

"_You！_"hesaid。

Iliftedmyhand。Theservantranbetweenus。"ForGod’ssake，controlyourself，sir！Wemeannoharm。It’sonlytotellMr。Tollerthathisboatismissing。"

"Mr。Tollerknowsitalready，"Isaid。"Nohonestmanwouldtouchyourmasterifhecouldhelpit。Iwarnhimtogo;andImakehimunderstandmebyasign。"Ipointeddownthestairs，andturnedmyheadtolookathim。

Hewasnolongerbeforeme。Hisface，hideouslydistortedbyrageandterror，showeditselfatthedoorofCristel’semptyroom。Herushedoutonme;hisvoicerosetothedetestablescreechwhichIhadheardoncealready。

"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？Giveherbacktome——oryoudie。"Hedrewapistoloutofthebreast-pocketofhiscoat。Iseizedtheweaponbythebarrel，andsnatcheditawayfromhim。Asthechargeexplodedharmlesslybetweenus，Istruckhimontheheadwiththebutt-endofthepistol。Hedroppedonthelanding。

ThedoorofToller’sroomopenedbehindme。Hestoodspeechless;thereportofthepistolhadterrifiedhim。IntheinstantwhenIlookedattheoldman，Isaw，throughthewindowofhisroom，arocketsoarintothesky，frombehindthepromontorybetweenusandKylam。

Somecryofsurprisemust，Isuppose，haveescapedme。Tollersuddenlylookedroundtowardsthewindow，justasthelastfieryparticlesoftherocketwerefloatingslowlydownwardsagainsttheblackclouds。

Ihadbarelytimeenoughtoseethis，beforeatremblinghandwaslaidonmyshoulder，frombehind。Theservant，whitewithterror，pointedtohismaster。

"Haveyoukilledhim？"themansaid。

Thesamequestionmusthavebeeninthemindofthedog。Hewasquietnow。Doubtfully，reluctantly，hewassmellingattheprostratehumancreature。Ikneltdown，andputmyhandonthewretch’sheart。Ponto，findingusbothonaleveltogether，gavemethedog’skiss;Ireturnedthecaresswithmyfreehand。Theservantsawme，withmyattentiondividedinthiswaybetweentheanimalandtheman。

"Damnit，sir，"heburstoutindignantly，"isn’taChristianofmoreimportancethanadog？"

AChristian！——butIwasinnohumortowastewords。"Areyoustrongenoughtocarryhimtohisownsideofthehouse？"Iasked。

"Iwon’ttouchhim，ifhe’sdead！"

"Heis_not_dead。Takehimaway！"

Allthistimemymindwaspre-occupiedbytheextraordinaryappearanceoftherocket，risingfromtheneighborhoodofalonelylittlevillagebetweenmidnightandoneinthemorning。HowIconnectedthatmysterioussignalwithapossibilityoftracingCristel，itisuselesstoinquire。

Thatwasthethoughtinme，whenIledmylostdarling’sfatherbacktohisroom。Withoutstoppingtoexplainmyself，Iremindedhimthatthecottagewasquietagain，andtoldhimtowaitmyreturn。

Inthekitchen，Iovertooktheservantandhisburden。Thedoorofcommunication（bywhichtheyhadentered）wasstillopen。

"Lockthatdoor，"Isaid。

"Lockityourself"heanswered;"I’llhavenothingtodowiththisbusiness。"Hepassedthroughthedoorway，andalongthepassage，andascendedhismaster’sstairs。

ItstruckmedirectlythatthemanhadsuggestedasurewayofprotectingToller，duringmyabsence。Themiller’sowndoorwasalreadysecured;I

tookthekey，soastobeabletoletmyselfinagain——thenpassedthroughthedoorofcommunication——fastenedit——andputthekeyinmypocket。Thethirddoor，bywhichtheCurenteredhislodgings，wasofcourseatmydisposal。Ihadjustclosedit，whenIdiscoveredthatIhadacompanion。Pontohadfollowedme。

Ifeltatoncethatthedog’ssuperiorpowersofdivinationmightbeofuse，onsuchanerrandasminewas。WesetouttogetherforKylam。

Wildlyhurried——withoutanyfixedideainmymind——IrantoKylam，forthegreaterpartoftheway。Itwasnowverydark。Onasandycreek，belowthevillage，Icameincontactwithsomethingsolidenoughtohurtmeforthemoment。Itwasthestrandedboat。

Asmokergenerallyhasmatchesabouthim。Helpedbymylittleshort-livedlights，Iexaminedtheinterioroftheboat。Therewasabsolutelynothinginitbutastripofoldtarpaulin——used，asIguessed，toprotecttheboat，orsomethingthatitcarried，inrainyweather。

Thevillagepopulationhadlongsincebeeninbed。Silenceanddarknessmercilesslydefiedmetodiscoveranything。ForawhileIwaited，encouragingthedogtocircleroundmeandexercisehissenseofsmell。

Anysuspiciouspersonorobjecthewouldhavecertainlydiscovered。

Nothing——noteventhefallenstickoftherocket——rewardedourpatience。

Determinedtoleavenothinguntried，Igroped，ratherthanfound，mywaytothevillagealehouse，andsucceededatlastinrousingthelandlord。

Hehailedmefromthewindow（naturallyenough）innofriendlyvoice。I

calledoutmyname。Withinmyownlittlelimits，itwasthenameofacelebratedperson。Thelandlordopenedhisdoordirectly;eagertoanswermyquestionsifhecoulddoit。NothingintheleastoutofthecommonwayhadhappenedatKylam。Nostrangershadbeenseenin，ornear，theplace。Thestrandedboathadnotbeendiscovered;andthecrashingflightoftherocketintotheairhadfailedtodisturbthesoundly-sleepingvillagers。

Onmymelancholywayback，fatigueofbody——and，farworse，fatigueofmind——forcedmetotakeafewminutes’rest。

Thedimly-flowingriverwasatmyfeet;theriveronwhichIhadseenCristelagain，forthefirsttimesincewewerechildren。Thusfar，thedreadfullossofherhadbeenacalamity，heldawayfrommeinsomedegreebyeventswhichhadimperativelytakenpossessionofmymind。Inthedarknessandthestillness，themiseryofhavinglostherwasfreetocrushme。Myheaddroppedontheneckofthedog，nestlingcloseatmyside。"Oh，Ponto！"Isaidtohim，"she’sgone！"Nobodycouldseeme;

nobodycoulddespiseme——Iburstoutcrying。

CHAPTERXVI

BRIBERYANDCORRUPTION

Twice，IlookedintoToller’sroomduringtheremainderofthenight，andfoundhimsleeping。Whenthesunrose，Icouldendurethedelaynolonger。Iwokehim。

"Whatisit？"heaskedpeevishly。

"YoumustbethelastpersonwhosawCristel，"Ianswered。"Iwanttoknowallthatyoucantellme。"

Hisangercompletelymasteredhim;heburstoutwithafuriousreply。

"It’syoutwo——youmylandlord，andhimmylodger——whohavedrivenCristyawayfromherhome。Shesaidshewouldgo，andshehasgone。Getoutofmyplace，sir！Yououghttobeashamedtolookatme。"

Itwasuselesstoreasonwithhim，anditwasofvitalimportancetolosenotimeininstitutingasearch。AfterthereceptionIhadmetwith，I

tookcaretorestorethekeyofthedoorleadingintothenewcottage，beforeIlefthim。Itwashiskey;andthepoordistractedoldmanmightchargemewithtakingawayhispropertynext。

AsIsetforthonmywayhome，Ifoundthenewman-servantonthelook-out。

Hisfirstwordsshowedthathewasactingunderorders。HeaskedifIhadfoundtheyounglady;andhenextinformedmethathismasterhadrevivedsomehourssince，and"borenomalice。"Thisoutrageousassertionsuddenlyfiredmewithsuspicion。IbelievedthattheCurhadbeenactingapartwhenhethreatenedmewithhispistol，andthathewasanswerableforthedisappearanceofCristel。Myfirstimpulsenowwastogetthehelpofalawyer。

ThemenatmystableswerejuststirringwhenIgothome。Intenminutesmore，Iwasdrivingtoourtown。

ThesubstanceoftheprofessionalopinionwhichIreceivedhasbeenalreadystatedinthesepages。

Oneamongmyanswerstothemanyquestionswhichmylegaladviserputtomeledhimtoaconclusionthatmademyheartache。Hewasofopinionthatmybriefabsence，whileIwastakingthatfatal"breathofair"onthebanksoftheriver，hadofferedtoCristelheropportunityofgettingawaywithoutdiscovery。"Heroldfather，"thelawyersaid，"wasnodoubtinhisbed，andyouyourselffoundnobodywatching，intheneighborhoodofthecottage。"

"Employmeinsomeway！"Iburstout。"Ican’tenduremylife，ifI’mnothelpingtotraceCristel。"

Hewasmostkind。"Iunderstand，"hesaid。"Trywhatyoucangetthosetwoladiestotellyou——andyoumayhelpusmaterially。"

Mrs。Roylakewasnearesttome。Iappealedtoherwomanlysympathies，andwasansweredbytears。Imadeanotherattempt;IsaidIwaswillingtobelievethatshemeantwell，andthatIshouldbesorrytooffendher。

Shegotup，andindignantlylefttheroom。

IwenttoLadyRachelnext。

Shewasathome，buttheservantreturnedtomewithanexcuse：herladyshipwasparticularlyengaged。Isentamessageupstairs，askingwhenImighthopetobereceived。Theservantwaschargedwiththedeliveryofanotherexcuse：herladyshipwouldwrite。AfterwaitingathomeforhoursIwasfoolishenoughtowrite，onmyside;and（howcouldIhelpit？）toexpressmyselfstrongly。Theshe-socialist’sreplyiseasytoremember：

"DearMr。Roylake，whenyouhaverecoveredyourtemper，youwillhearfrommeagain。"

Evenmystepmothergainedbycomparisonwiththis。

Torest，anddonothing，wastoexerciseacontrolovermyselfofwhichI

wasperfectlyincapable。Iwentbacktothecottage。Havingnohopefulprospectinanyotherquarter，IpersistedinbelievingthatTollermusthaveseensomethingorheardsomethingthatmighteitherhelpme，orsuggestanideatomylegaladviser。

Onenteringthekitchen，Ifoundthedoorofcommunicationwideopen，andthenewservantestablishedinthelargearmchair。

"I’mwaitingformymaster，sir。"

Hehadgotoverhisfright，andhadrecoveredhistemper。Therespectfulsideofhimwasturnedtomeagain。

"YourmasteriswithMr。Toller？"

"Yes，sir。"

WhatIfelt，amplyjustifiedthelawyerinhavingexactedapromisefrommetokeepcarefullyoutoftheCur’spresence。"Youmightknockhimontheheadagain，Mr。Roylake，andmighthitalittletoohardnexttime。"

ButIhadanideaofmyown。Isaid，asifspeakingtomyself："Iwouldgiveafivepoundnotetoknowwhatisgoingonupstairs。"

"Ishallbegladtoearnit，sir，"thefellowsaid。"IfImakeacleanbreastofwhatIknowalready，andifItellyouto-morrowwhatIcanfindout——willitbeworththemoney？"

Ibegantofeeldegradedinmyownestimation。ButInoddedtohim，forallthat。

"Iamtheinnocentcause，sir，ofwhathappenedlastnight，"hecoollyresumed。"Wekeptalook-outontheroadandsawyou，thoughyoudidn’tseeus。Butmymasterneversuspectedyou（forreasonswhichhekepttohimself）ofmakinguseoftheboat。Iremindedhimthatoneofushadbetterhaveaneyeontheslipofpathway，betweenthecottageandtheriver。Thisledtohissendingmetotheboathouse——andyouknowwhathappenedafterwards。Mymaster，asIsuppose，ispumpingMr。Toller。

That’sall，sir，forto-night。WhenmayIhavethehonorofexpectingyouto-morrowmorning？"

Iappointedanhour，andlefttheplace。

AsIenteredthewoodagain，Ifoundamanonthewatch。Hetouchedhishat，andsaid："I’mtheclerk，sir。Yourgamekeeperiswantedforhisowndutiesto-night;hewillrelievemeinthemorning。"

Iwenthomewithmymindinafermentofdoubt。IfIcouldbelievetheservant，theCurwasasinnocentoftheabductionofCristelasIwas。

ButcouldItrusttheservant？

Theeventsofthenextmorningalteredthewholecomplexionofaffairsfatallyfortheworse。

Arrivingatthecottage，Ifoundamanprostateontheroad，deaddrunk——andtheCur’sservantlookingathim。

"MayIasksomething？"themansaid。"Haveyoubeenhavingmymasterwatched？"

"Yes。"

"Badnews，inthatcase，sir。Yourmanthereisadrunkenvagabond;andmymasterhasgonetoLondonbythefirsttrain。

WhenIhadrecoveredtheshock，Idenied，forthesakeofmyowncredit，thatthebruteontheroadcouldbeaservantofmine。

"Whynot，sir？"

"DoyouthinkIshouldhavebeenkeptinignoranceofit，ifmygamekeeperhadbeenadrunkard？Hisfellowservantswouldhavewarnedme。"

Themansmiled。"I’mafraid，sir，youdon’tknowmuchaboutservants。

It’sapointofhonoramongusnevertotelltalesofeachothertoourmasters。"

IbegantowishthatIhadneverleftGermany。Theonecoursetotakenowwastotellthelawyerwhathadhappened。Iturnedawaytogetback，anddriveatoncetothetown。Theservantremembered，whatIhadforgotten——thefivepoundnote。

"Waitandhearmyreport，sir，"hesuggested。

Thereportinformedme：First，thatMr。Tollerwasatthemill，andhadbeenthereforsometimepast。Secondly：thattheCurhadbeenalone，forawhile，onMr。Toller’ssideofthecottage，inMr。Toiler’sabsence——forwhatpurposehisservanthadnotdiscovered。Thirdly：thattheCurhadreturnedtohisroominahurry，andhadpackedafewthingsinhistravelling-bag。Fourthly：thathehadorderedtheservanttofollow，withhisluggage，inaflywhichhewouldsendfromtherailwaystation，andtowaitattheLondonterminusforfurtherorders。Fifthly，andlastly：thatitwasimpossibletosaywhetherthedrunkennessofthegamekeeperwasduetohisownhabits，ortotemptationprivatelyofferedbytheverypersonwhosemovementshehadbeenappointedtowatch。

Ipaidthemoney。Themanpocketedit，andpaidmeacomplimentinreturn："IwishIwasyourservant，sir。"

CHAPTERXVII

UTTERFAILURE

Mylawyertookaseriousviewofthedisasterthathadovertakenus。Hewouldtrustnobodybuthisheadclerktoactinmyinterests，aftertheservanthadbeenfollowedtotheLondonterminus，andwhenitbecameaquestionofmatchingourselvesagainstthedeadlycunningofthemanwhohadescapedus。

Providedwithmoney，andwithalettertothepoliceauthoritiesinLondon，theheadclerkwenttothestation。Iaccompaniedhimtopointouttheservant（withoutbeingallowedtoshowmyself），andthenreturnedtowaitfortelegraphicinformationatthelawyer’soffice。

Thiswasthefirstreporttransmittedbythetelegram：

TheCurhadbeenfoundwaitingforhisservantattheterminus;andthetwohadbeeneasilyfollowedtotherailwayhotelcloseby。Theclerkhadsenthisletterofintroductiontothepolice——hadconsultedwithpickedmenwhojoinedhimatthehotel——hadgiventhenecessaryinstructions——andwouldreturntousbythelasttrainintheevening。

Intwodays，thesecondtelegramarrived。

OurmanhadbeentracedtotheThamesYachtClubinAlbemarleStreet——hadconsultedayachtinglistinthehall——andhadthentravelledtotheIsleofWight。There，hehadmadeinquiriesattheSquadronYachtClub，andtheVictoriaYachtClub——andhadreturnedtoLondon，andtherailwayhotel。

Thethirdtelegramannouncedtheutterdestructionofallourhopes。AsfarasMarseilles，theCurhadbeenfollowedsuccessfully，andinthatcitythedetectiveofficershadlostsightofhim。

Mylegaladviserinsistedonhavingthemensenttohimtoexplainthemselves。Nothingcameofitbutonemorerepetitionofanolddiscovery。Whenthedetectivepoliceforceencountersintelligenceinsteadofstupidity，insevencasesoutoftenthedetectivepoliceforceisbeaten。

Therewerestilltwopersonsatourdisposal。LadyRachelmighthelpus，asIbelieved，ifshechosetodoit。AsforoldToller，Isuggested（onreflection）thatthelawyershouldexaminehim。Thelawyerdeclinedtowasteanymoreofmymoney。IcalledagainonLadyRachel。Thistime，I

wasletin。IfoundthenobleladysmokingacigaretteandreadingaFrenchnovel。

"Thisisgoingtobeadisagreeableinterview，"shesaid。"Letusgetitover，Mr。Roylake，assoonaspossible。Tellmewhatyouwant——andspeakasfreelyasifyouwereinthecompanyofaman。"

Iobeyedhertotheletter;andIgotthesereplies：

"Yes;Ididhaveatalk，inyourbestinterests，withMissToller。Sheisassensibleassheischarming，andasgoodassheissensible。Weentirelyagreedthatthesacrificemustbeonherside;andthatitwasduetoherownself-respecttopreventagentlemanofyourrankfromruininghimselfbymarryingamiller’sdaughter。"

ThenextreplywasequallyfreefromthesmallestatomofsympathyonLadyRachel’spart。

"Youarequiteright——yourdeafmanwasathiswindowwhenIwentby。Werecognizedeachotherandhadalongtalk。IfIremembercorrectly，hesaidyouknewofhisreasonsforconcealinghisname。Igavemypromise（beingamatterofperfectindifferencetome）toconcealittoo。Onethingledtoanother，andIdiscoveredthatyouwerehishatedrivalintheaffectionsofMissToller。Iprovedworthyofhisconfidenceinme。

Thatistosay，ItoldhimthatMrs。RoylakeandIwouldbeonlytooglad，asrepresentingyourinterests，ifhesucceededinwinningtheyounglady。Iaskedifhehadanyplans。Hesaidoneofhisplanshadfailed。Whatitwas，andhowithadfailed，hedidnotmention。Iaskedifhecoulddevisenothingelse。Hesaid，"Yes，ifIwasnotapoorman。"

Inmyplace，youwouldhaveoffered，asIdid，tofindthemoneyiftheplanwasapprovedof。Heproducedsomemanuscriptstoryofanabductionofalady，whichhehadwrittentoamusehimself。Thepointofitwasthattheloversuccessfullycarriedawaythelady，bymeansofaboat，whilethefuriousfather’sattentionwasabsorbedinwatchingthehighroad。Itseemedtometobeanewidea。"Ifyouthinkyoucancarryitout，"Isaid，"sendyourestimateofexpensestomeandMrs。Roylake，andwewillsubscribe。"Wereceivedtheestimate。Buttheplanhasfailed，andthemanisoff。IamquitecertainmyselfthatMissTollerhasdonewhatshepromisedtodo。Wherevershemaybenow，shehassacrificedherselfforyoursake。Whenyouhavegotoverit，youwillmarrymysister。Iwishyougoodmorning。"

BetweenLadyRachel’shardinsolence，andMrs。Roylake’ssentimentalhypocrisy，IwasinsuchastateofirritationthatIleftTrimleyDeenthenextmorning，tofindforgetfulness，asIrashlysupposed，inthegayworldofLondon。

Ihadbeentryingmyexperimentforsomethinglikethreeweeks，andwasbeginningtogetheartilywearyofit，whenIreceivedaletterfromthelawyer。

"DearSir，——Youroddtenant，oldMr。Toller，hasdiedsuddenlyofruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain，asthedoctorthinks。Thereistobeaninquest，asIneedhardlytellyou。Whatdoyousaytohavingthereportoftheproceedingslargelycopiedinthenewspapers？Ifitcatcheshisdaughter’seye，importantresultsmayfollow。"

Tospeculateinthiswayontheimpulsewhichmighttakeitsriseinmypoorgirl’sgrief——tosurpriseher，asitwere，atherfather’sgrave——revoltedme。Idirectedthelawyertotakenostepswhateverinthematter，andtopaythepooroldfellow’sfuneralexpenses，onmyaccount。Hehaddiedintestate。Thelawtookcareofhismoneyuntilhisdaughterappeared;andthemill，beingmyproperty，IgavetoToller’ssurvivingpartner——ourgoodGloody。

AndwhatdidIdonext？Iwentawaytravelling;oneofthewretchedestmenwhoevercarriedhismiserywithhimtoforeigncountries。GowhereI

mightonthecontinentofEurope，thedreadfulideapursuedmethatCristelmightbedead。

CHAPTERXVIII

THEMISTRESSOFTRIMLEYDEEN

Threewearymonthshadpassed，whenanewideawasputintomyheadbyanEnglishmanwhomImetatTrieste。HeadvisedturningmybackonEurope，andtryingtheeffectofscenesoflifethatwouldbenewtome。Ihiredavessel，andsailedoutofthecivilizedworld。WhenInextstoodon_terrafirma，_myfeetwereonthelovelybeachofoneofthePacificIslands。

WhatIsufferedIhavenottoldyet，anddonotdesigntotell。Thebitternessofthosedayshiditselffromviewatthetime——andshallkeepitsconcealmentstill。EvenifIcoulddwellonmysorrowswiththeeloquenceofapractisedwriter，someobstinateinnerreluctancewouldpersistinholdingmedumb。

MorethanayearhadpassedbeforeIreturnedtoTrimleyDeen，andalarmedmystepmotherby"lookinglikeaforeignsailor。"

Theirregularnatureofmylatertravelshadmadeitimpossibletoforwardthefewlettersthathadarrivedforme。Theywereneatlylaidoutonthelibrarytable。

ThesecondletterthatItookupborethepostmarkofGenoa。Iopenedit，anddiscoveredthatthe——

No！Icannotwriteofhimbythatmeanname;andhisownnameisstillunknowntome。Letmecallhim——and，oh，don’tthinkthatIamdeceivedagain！——letmecallhimthePenitent。

Theletterhadbeenaddressedtomefromhisdeathbed，andhadbeenwrittenunderdictation。Itcontainedanextraordinaryenclosure——asmalltornfragmentofpaperwithwritingonit。

"ReadthepoormorselthatIsendtoyoufirst"（theletterbegan）。"Mytimeonearthisshort;youwillsavemeexplanationswhichmaybetoomuchformystrength。"

Ononesideofthefragment，Ifoundthesewords：

"……cruisetotheMediterraneanformywife’shealth。IfCristelisn’tafraidofpassingsomemonthsatsea……"

Ontheotherside，therewasafragmentofconclusion：

"……thoroughlyunderstand。Allready。Writewordwhatnight，andwhat……lovingbrother，StephenToller。"

Iinstantlyrememberedthemiller’srichbrother;thinkingofhimforthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninmymindforamoment，onthenightofmymeetingwithCristel。OnthefourteenthpageofthisnarrativeToller’sbrotherwillbefoundbrieflyalludedtoinafewlines。

Ireturnedeagerlytotheletter。Thusitwascontinued：

"ThatbitoftornpaperIfoundunderthebed，whileIwassecretlysearchingMr。Toller’sroom。IhadpreviouslysuspectedYou。Frommyownexaminationofhisface，whenherefusedtohumormydeafnessbywritingwhatIaskedhimtotellme，IsuspectedMr。Tollernext。Youwillseeinthefragment，whatIsaw——thatTollerthebrotherhadayacht，andwasgoingtotheMediterranean;andthatTollerthemillerhadwritten，askinghimtofavourCristel’sescape。Therest，Cristelherselfcantellyou。

"Iknowyouhadmefollowed。AtMarseilles，Igottiredofit，andgaveyourmentheslip。AteveryportintheMediterraneanIinquiredfortheyacht，andheardnothingofher。Theymusthavechangedtheirmindsonboard，andgonesomewhereelse。IreferyoutoCristelagain。

"ArrivedatGenoa，onmywaybacktoEngland，ImetwithaskilledItaliansurgeon。Hedeclaredthathecouldrestoremyhearing——buthewarnedmethatIwasinaweakstateofhealth，andherefusedtoanswerfortheresultoftheoperation。Withouthesitatingforamoment，Itoldhimtooperate。Iwouldhavegivenfiftylivesforoneexquisiteweekofperfecthearing。Ihavehadthreeweeksofperfecthearing。Otherwise，I

havehadalifeofenjoymentbeforeIdie。

"Itisuselesstoaskyourpardon。Myconductwastooinfamousforthat。

Willyourememberthefamilytaint，developedbyadeafman’sisolationamonghisfellow-creatures？ButIhadsomedayswhenmymother’ssweetnaturetriedtomakeitselffeltinme，anddidnotwhollyfail。Iamgoingtomymothernow：herspirithasbeenwithmeeversincemyhearingwasrestored;herspiritsaidtomelastnight："Atone，myson！Givethemanwhomyouhavewronged，thewomanwhomheloves。"Ihadfoundouttheuncle’saddressinEngland（whichInowenclose）atoneoftheYachtClubs。Ihadintendedtogotothehouse，andwelcomeheronherreturn。

Youmustgoinsteadofme;youwillseethatlovelyfacewhenIaminmygrave。Good-bye，Roylake。Thecoldhandthattouchesusall，soonerorlater，isveryneartome。Bemercifultothenextscoundrelyoumeet，forthesakeofTheCur。"

Isaythere_was_goodinthatsufferingman;andIthankGodIwasnotquitewrongabouthimafterall。ArrivingatMr。StephenToller’scountryseat，bytheearliesttrainthatwouldtakemethere，Ifoundalasttrialofenduranceinstoreforme。Cristelwasawaywithheruncle，visitingsomefriends。

Cristel’sauntreceivedmewithkindnesswhichIcanneverforget。"WehavenoticedlatelythatCristelwasindepressedspirits;nouncommonthing，"Mrs。StephenTollercontinued，lookingatmewithagentlesmile，"sinceapartingwhichIknowyoumusthavefeltdeeplytoo。No，Mr。

Roylake，sheisnotengagedtobemarried——andshewillneverbemarried，unlessyouforgiveher。Ah，youforgiveherbecauseyouloveher！Shethoughtofwritingtotellyouhermotives，whenshevisitedherfather’sgraveonourreturntoEngland。ButIwasunabletoobtainyouraddress。

Perhaps，Imayspeakforhernow？"

IknewhowLadyRachel’sinterferencehadappealedtoCristel’ssenseofdutyandsenseofself-respect;Ihadheardfromherownlipsthatshedistrustedherself，ifsheallowedmetopressher。Butshehadsuccessfullyconcealedfrommetheterrorwithwhichsheregardedherrejectedlover，andtheinfluenceoverherwhichherfatherhadexercised。Alwaysmindfulofhisowninterests，themillerknewthathewouldbethepersonblamedifheallowedhisdaughtertomarryme。"TheywillsayIdidit，withaneyetomyson-in-law’smoney;andgentlefolksmayruinamanwholivesbysellingflour。"Thatwashowheexpressedhimselfinalettertohisbrother。

ThewholeofthecorrespondencewasshowntomebyMrs。StephenToller。

Afteralludingtohiswealthybrother’sdesirethatheshouldretirefrombusiness，themillercontinuedasfollows：

"Whatyouarereadytodoforme，IwantyoutodoforCristy。Sheisindanger，inmorewaysthanone，andIamobligedtogetherawayfrommyhouseasifIwasasmuggler，andmygirlcontrabandgoods。Iamabadhandatwriting，soIleaveCristytotellyoutheparticulars。Willyoureceiveher，brotherStephen？andtakecareofher？anddoitassoonaspossible？"

Mr。StephenToller’scordialreplymentionedthathisvesselwasreadytosail，andwouldpassthemouthofTheLokeonhersouthwardvoyage。Hisbrothercaughtattheideathussuggested。

IhavealludedtoGilesToller’sslylooktohislodger，whenIreturnedthemanuscriptoftheconfession。Theoldman’sunscrupulouscuriosityhadalreadyappliedasecondkeytothecupboardinthelodger’sroom。

Therehehadfoundthe"criminalstories"mentionedinthejournal——includingthestoryofabductionreferredtobyLadyRachel。

ThisgavehimtheveryideawhichhislodgerhadalreadyreliedonforcarryingCristelawaybytheriver（undertheinfluence，ofcourse，ofasoporificdrug），whileherfatherwaskeepingwatchontheroad。Thesecretingoftheoarswiththispurposeinview，hadfailedasameasureofsecurity。Themiller’sknowledgeofthestream，andhisdaughter’sreadycourage，hadsuggestedtheideaoflettingtheboatdrift，withCristelhiddeninit。Twooftheyacht’screw，hiddenamongthetrees，watchedtheprogressoftheboatuntilitroundedthepromontory，andstrucktheshore。There，theyacht’sboatwaswaiting。Therocketwasfiredtore-assureherfather;andCristelwasrowedtothemouthoftheriver，andsafelyreceivedonboardtheyacht。Thus（withhisgoodbrother’shelp）themillerhadmadetheRiverhisGuiltyaccompliceintheabductionofhisownchild！

WhenIhadreadthecorrespondence，wespokeagainofCristel。

"Tosavetime，"Mrs。StephenTollersaid，"Iwillwritetomyhusbandto-day，byamountedmessenger。HeshallonlytellCristelthatyouhavecomebacktoEngland，andyoushallarrangetomeetherinourgroundswhenshereturns。Iamachildlesswoman，Mr。Roylake——andIloveherasIshouldhavelovedadaughterofmyown。Whereimprovement（inexternalmattersonly）hasseemedtobepossible，ithasbeenmydelighttoimproveher。YourstepmotherandLadyRachelwillacknowledge，evenfromtheirpointofview，thatthereisamistresswhoisworthyofherpositionatTrimleyDeen。"

WhenCristelreturnedthenextday，shefoundthatherunclehaddesertedher，andsuddenlydiscoveredamanintheshrubbery。Whatthatmansaidanddid，andwhattheresultofitwas，maybeinferredifIrelatearemarkableevent。Mrs。RoylakehasretiredfromthedomesticsuperintendenceofTrimleyDeen。