The Great God Pan

第2章

Buttherewerepositivelynoothermarksofviolenceabouthim，certainlynonethatwouldaccountforhisdeath；andwhentheycametotheautopsytherewasn’tatraceofpoisonofanykind。

OfcoursethepolicewantedtoknowallaboutthepeopleatNumber20，andhereagain，soIhaveheardfromprivatesources，oneortwootherverycuriouspointscameout。ItappearsthattheoccupantsofthehousewereaMr。andMrs。CharlesHerbert；

hewassaidtobealandedproprietor，thoughitstruckmostpeoplethatPaulStreetwasnotexactlytheplacetolookforcountrygentry。AsforMrs。Herbert，nobodyseemedtoknowwhoorwhatshewas，and，betweenourselves，Ifancythediversafterherhistoryfoundthemselvesinratherstrangewaters。Ofcoursetheybothdeniedknowinganythingaboutthedeceased，andindefaultofanyevidenceagainstthemtheyweredischarged。

Butsomeveryoddthingscameoutaboutthem。Thoughitwasbetweenfiveandsixinthemorningwhenthedeadmanwasremoved，alargecrowdhadcollected，andseveraloftheneighboursrantoseewhatwasgoingon。Theywereprettyfreewiththeircomments，byallaccounts，andfromtheseitappearedthatNumber20wasinverybadodourinPaulStreet。Thedetectivestriedtotracedowntheserumourstosomesolidfoundationoffact，butcouldnotgetholdofanything。PeopleshooktheirheadsandraisedtheireyebrowsandthoughttheHerbertsrather’queer，’’wouldrathernotbeseengoingintotheirhouse，’andsoon，buttherewasnothingtangible。Theauthoritiesweremorallycertainthemanmethisdeathinsomewayoranotherinthehouseandwasthrownoutbythekitchendoor，buttheycouldn’tproveit，andtheabsenceofanyindicationsofviolenceorpoisoningleftthemhelpless。Anoddcase，wasn’tit？Butcuriouslyenough，there’ssomethingmorethatIhaven’ttoldyou。Ihappenedtoknowoneofthedoctorswhowasconsultedastothecauseofdeath，andsometimeaftertheinquestImethim，andaskedhimaboutit。’Doyoureallymeantotellme，’Isaid，’thatyouwerebaffledbythecase，thatyouactuallydon’tknowwhatthemandiedof？’’Pardonme，’

hereplied，’Iknowperfectlywellwhatcauseddeath。Blankdiedoffright，ofsheer，awfulterror；Ineversawfeaturessohideouslycontortedintheentirecourseofmypractice，andI

haveseenthefacesofawholehostofdead。’Thedoctorwasusuallyacoolcustomerenough，andacertainvehemenceinhismannerstruckme，butIcouldn’tgetanythingmoreoutofhim。

IsupposetheTreasurydidn’tseetheirwaytoprosecutingtheHerbertsforfrighteningamantodeath；atanyrate，nothingwasdone，andthecasedroppedoutofmen’sminds。DoyouhappentoknowanythingofHerbert？"

"Well，"repliedVilliers，"hewasanoldcollegefriendofmine。"

"Youdon’tsayso？Haveyoueverseenhiswife？"

"No，Ihaven’t。IhavelostsightofHerbertformanyyears。"

"It’squeer，isn’tit，partingwithamanatthecollegegateoratPaddington，seeingnothingofhimforyears，andthenfindinghimpopuphisheadinsuchanoddplace。ButIshouldliketohaveseenMrs。Herbert；peoplesaidextraordinarythingsabouther。"

"Whatsortofthings？"

"Well，Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou。Everyonewhosawheratthepolicecourtsaidshewasatoncethemostbeautifulwomanandthemostrepulsivetheyhadeverseteyeson。Ihavespokentoamanwhosawher，andIassureyouhepositivelyshudderedashetriedtodescribethewoman，buthecouldn’ttellwhy。Sheseemstohavebeenasortofenigma；andIexpectifthatonedeadmancouldhavetoldtales，hewouldhavetoldsomeuncommonlyqueerones。Andthereyouareagaininanotherpuzzle；whatcouldarespectablecountrygentlemanlikeMr。

Blank（we’llcallhimthatifyoudon’tmind）wantinsuchaveryqueerhouseasNumber20？It’saltogetheraveryoddcase，isn’tit？"

"Itisindeed，Austin；anextraordinarycase。I

didn’tthink，whenIaskedyouaboutmyoldfriend，Ishouldstrikeonsuchstrangemetal。Well，Imustbeoff；good-day。"

Villierswentaway，thinkingofhisownconceitoftheChineseboxes；herewasquaintworkmanshipindeed。

THEDISCOVERYINPAULSTREET

AfewmonthsafterVillers’meetingwithHerbert，Mr。

Clarkewassitting，asusual，byhisafter-dinnerhearth，resolutelyguardinghisfanciesfromwanderinginthedirectionofthebureau。Formorethanaweekhehadsucceededinkeepingawayfromthe"Memoirs，"andhecherishedhopesofacompleteself-reformation；but，inspiteofhisendeavours，hecouldnothushthewonderandthestrangecuriositythatthelastcasehehadwrittendownhadexcitedwithinhim。Hehadputthecase，orrathertheoutlineofit，conjecturallytoascientificfriend，whoshookhishead，andthoughtClarkegettingqueer，andonthisparticulareveningClarkewasmakinganefforttorationalizethestory，whenasuddenknockatthedoorrousedhimfromhismeditations。

"Mr。Villierstoseeyousir。"

"Dearme，Villiers，itisverykindofyoutolookmeup；Ihavenotseenyouformanymonths；Ishouldthinknearlyayear。Comein，comein。Andhowareyou，Villiers？Wantanyadviceaboutinvestments？"

"No，thanks，IfancyeverythingIhaveinthatwayisprettysafe。No，Clarke，Ihavereallycometoconsultyouaboutarathercuriousmatterthathasbeenbroughtundermynoticeoflate。IamafraidyouwillthinkitallratherabsurdwhenItellmytale。Isometimesthinksomyself，andthat’sjustwhatImadeupmymindtocometoyou，asIknowyou’reapracticalman。"

Mr。Villierswasignorantofthe"MemoirstoprovetheExistenceoftheDevil。"

"Well，Villiers，Ishallbehappytogiveyoumyadvice，tothebestofmyability。Whatisthenatureofthecase？"

"It’sanextraordinarythingaltogether。Youknowmyways；Ialwayskeepmyeyesopeninthestreets，andinmytimeIhavechanceduponsomequeercustomers，andqueercasestoo，butthis，Ithink，beatsall。Iwascomingoutofarestaurantonenastywinternightaboutthreemonthsago；IhadhadacapitaldinnerandagoodbottleofChianti，andIstoodforamomentonthepavement，thinkingwhatamysterythereisaboutLondonstreetsandthecompaniesthatpassalongthem。Abottleofredwineencouragesthesefancies，Clarke，andIdaresayI

shouldhavethoughtapageofsmalltype，butIwascutshortbyabeggarwhohadcomebehindme，andwasmakingtheusualappeals。OfcourseIlookedround，andthisbeggarturnedouttobewhatwasleftofanoldfriendofmine，amannamedHerbert。Iaskedhimhowhehadcometosuchawretchedpass，andhetoldme。WewalkedupanddownoneofthoselonganddarkSohostreets，andthereIlistenedtohisstory。Hesaidhehadmarriedabeautifulgirl，someyearsyoungerthanhimself，and，asheputit，shehadcorruptedhimbodyandsoul。Hewouldn’tgointodetails；hesaidhedarenot，thatwhathehadseenandheardhauntedhimbynightandday，andwhenIlookedinhisfaceIknewhewasspeakingthetruth。

Therewassomethingaboutthemanthatmademeshiver。Idon’tknowwhy，butitwasthere。Igavehimalittlemoneyandsenthimaway，andIassureyouthatwhenhewasgoneIgaspedforbreath。Hispresenceseemedtochillone’sblood。"

"Isn’tthisalljustalittlefanciful，Villiers？I

supposethepoorfellowhadmadeanimprudentmarriage，and，inplainEnglish，gonetothebad。"

"Well，listentothis。"VillierstoldClarkethestoryhehadheardfromAustin。

"Yousee，"heconcluded，"therecanbebutlittledoubtthatthisMr。Blank，whoeverhewas，diedofsheerterror；hesawsomethingsoawful，soterrible，thatitcutshorthislife。

Andwhathesaw，hemostcertainlysawinthathouse，which，somehoworother，hadgotabadnameintheneighbourhood。I

hadthecuriositytogoandlookattheplaceformyself。It’sasaddeningkindofstreet；thehousesareoldenoughtobemeananddreary，butnotoldenoughtobequaint。AsfarasIcouldseemostofthemareletinlodgings，furnishedandunfurnished，andalmosteverydoorhasthreebellstoit。Hereandtherethegroundfloorshavebeenmadeintoshopsofthecommonestkind；

it’sadismalstreetineveryway。IfoundNumber20wastolet，andIwenttotheagent’sandgotthekey。OfcourseI

shouldhaveheardnothingoftheHerbertsinthatquarter，butIaskedtheman，fairandsquare，howlongtheyhadleftthehouseandwhethertherehadbeenothertenantsinthemeanwhile。

Helookedatmequeerlyforaminute，andtoldmetheHerbertshadleftimmediatelyaftertheunpleasantness，ashecalledit，andsincethenthehousehadbeenempty。"

Mr。Villierspausedforamoment。

"Ihavealwaysbeenratherfondofgoingoveremptyhouses；there’sasortoffascinationaboutthedesolateemptyrooms，withthenailsstickinginthewalls，andthedustthickuponthewindow-sills。ButIdidn’tenjoygoingoverNumber20，PaulStreet。IhadhardlyputmyfootinsidethepassagewhenI

noticedaqueer，heavyfeelingabouttheairofthehouse。Ofcourseallemptyhousesarestuffy，andsoforth，butthiswassomethingquitedifferent；Ican’tdescribeittoyou，butitseemedtostopthebreath。Iwentintothefrontroomandthebackroom，andthekitchensdownstairs；theywerealldirtyanddustyenough，asyouwouldexpect，buttherewassomethingstrangeaboutthemall。Icouldn’tdefineittoyou，IonlyknowIfeltqueer。Itwasoneoftheroomsonthefirstfloor，though，thatwastheworst。Itwasalargishroom，andonceonatimethepapermusthavebeencheerfulenough，butwhenIsawit，paint，paper，andeverythingweremostdoleful。Buttheroomwasfullofhorror；IfeltmyteethgrindingasIputmyhandonthedoor，andwhenIwentin，IthoughtIshouldhavefallenfaintingtothefloor。However，Ipulledmyselftogether，andstoodagainsttheendwall，wonderingwhatonearththerecouldbeabouttheroomtomakemylimbstremble，andmyheartbeatasifIwereatthehourofdeath。Inonecornertherewasapileofnewspaperslitteredonthefloor，andIbeganlookingatthem；theywerepapersofthreeorfouryearsago，someofthemhalftorn，andsomecrumpledasiftheyhadbeenusedforpacking。Iturnedthewholepileover，andamongstthemIfoundacuriousdrawing；Iwillshowittoyoupresently。ButIcouldn’tstayintheroom；Ifeltitwasoverpoweringme。Iwasthankfultocomeout，safeandsound，intotheopenair。PeoplestaredatmeasIwalkedalongthestreet，andonemansaidIwasdrunk。Iwasstaggeringaboutfromonesideofthepavementtotheother，anditwasasmuchasIcoulddototakethekeybacktotheagentandgethome。I

wasinbedforaweek，sufferingfromwhatmydoctorcallednervousshockandexhaustion。OneofthosedaysIwasreadingtheeveningpaper，andhappenedtonoticeaparagraphheaded：

’StarvedtoDeath。’Itwastheusualstyleofthing；amodellodging-houseinMarlyebone，adoorlockedforseveraldays，andadeadmaninhischairwhentheybrokein。’Thedeceased，’saidtheparagraph，’wasknownasCharlesHerbert，andisbelievedtohavebeenonceaprosperouscountrygentleman。HisnamewasfamiliartothepublicthreeyearsagoinconnectionwiththemysteriousdeathinPaulStreet，TottenhamCourtRoad，thedeceasedbeingthetenantofthehouseNumber20，intheareaofwhichagentlemanofgoodpositionwasfounddeadundercircumstancesnotdevoidofsuspicion。’Atragicending，wasn’tit？Butafterall，ifwhathetoldmeweretrue，whichIamsureitwas，theman’slifewasallatragedy，andatragedyofastrangersortthantheyputontheboards。"

"Andthatisthestory，isit？"saidClarkemusingly。

"Yes，thatisthestory。"

"Well，really，Villiers，Iscarcelyknowwhattosayaboutit。Thereare，nodoubt，circumstancesinthecasewhichseempeculiar，thefindingofthedeadmanintheareaofHerbert’shouse，forinstance，andtheextraordinaryopinionofthephysicianastothecauseofdeath；but，afterall，itisconceivablethatthefactsmaybeexplainedinastraightforwardmanner。Astoyourownsensations，whenyouwenttoseethehouse，Iwouldsuggestthattheywereduetoavividimagination；youmusthavebeenbrooding，inasemi-consciousway，overwhatyouhadheard。Idon’texactlyseewhatmorecanbesaidordoneinthematter；youevidentlythinkthereisamysteryofsomekind，butHerbertisdead；wherethendoyouproposetolook？"

"Iproposetolookforthewoman；thewomanwhomhemarried。Sheisthemystery。"

Thetwomensatsilentbythefireside；Clarkesecretlycongratulatinghimselfonhavingsuccessfullykeptupthecharacterofadvocateofthecommonplace，andVillierswrappedinhisgloomyfancies。

"IthinkIwillhaveacigarette，"hesaidatlast，andputhishandinhispockettofeelforthecigarette-case。

"Ah！"hesaid，startingslightly，"IforgotIhadsomethingtoshowyou。YouremembermysayingthatIhadfoundarathercurioussketchamongstthepileofoldnewspapersatthehouseinPaulStreet？Hereitis。"

Villiersdrewoutasmallthinparcelfromhispocket。

Itwascoveredwithbrownpaper，andsecuredwithstring，andtheknotsweretroublesome。InspiteofhimselfClarkefeltinquisitive；hebentforwardonhischairasVillierspainfullyundidthestring，andunfoldedtheoutercovering。Insidewasasecondwrappingoftissue，andVillierstookitoffandhandedthesmallpieceofpapertoClarkewithoutaword。

Therewasdeadsilenceintheroomforfiveminutesormore；thetwomansatsostillthattheycouldhearthetickingofthetallold-fashionedclockthatstoodoutsideinthehall，andinthemindofoneofthemtheslowmonotonyofsoundwokeupafar，farmemory。Hewaslookingintentlyatthesmallpen-and-inksketchofthewoman’shead；ithadevidentlybeendrawnwithgreatcare，andbyatrueartist，forthewoman’ssoullookedoutoftheeyes，andthelipswerepartedwithastrangesmile。Clarkegazedstillattheface；itbroughttohismemoryonesummerevening，longago；hesawagainthelonglovelyvalley，theriverwindingbetweenthehills，themeadowsandthecornfields，thedullredsun，andthecoldwhitemistrisingfromthewater。Heheardavoicespeakingtohimacrossthewavesofmanyyears，andsaying"Clarke，MarywillseethegodPan！"andthenhewasstandinginthegrimroombesidethedoctor，listeningtotheheavytickingoftheclock，waitingandwatching，watchingthefigurelyingonthegreencharbeneaththelamplight。Maryroseup，andhelookedintohereyes，andhisheartgrewcoldwithinhim。

"Whoisthiswoman？"hesaidatlast。Hisvoicewasdryandhoarse。

"ThatisthewomanwhoHerbertmarried。"

Clarkelookedagainatthesketch；itwasnotMaryafterall。TherecertainlywasMary’sface，buttherewassomethingelse，somethinghehadnotseenonMary’sfeatureswhenthewhite-cladgirlenteredthelaboratorywiththedoctor，noratherterribleawakening，norwhenshelaygrinningonthebed。Whateveritwas，theglancethatcamefromthoseeyes，thesmileonthefulllips，ortheexpressionofthewholeface，Clarkeshudderedbeforeitathisinmostsoul，andthought，unconsciously，ofDr。Phillip’swords，"themostvividpresentmentofevilIhaveeverseen。"Heturnedthepaperovermechanicallyinhishandandglancedattheback。

"GoodGod！Clarke，whatisthematter？Youareaswhiteasdeath。"

Villiershadstartedwildlyfromhischair，asClarkefellbackwithagroan，andletthepaperdropfromhishands。

"Idon’tfeelverywell，Villiers，Iamsubjecttotheseattacks。Pourmeoutalittlewine；thanks，thatwilldo。

Ishallfeelbetterinafewminutes。"

VillierspickedupthefallensketchandturneditoverasClarkehaddone。

"Yousawthat？"hesaid。"That’showIidentifieditasbeingaportraitofHerbert’swife，orIshouldsayhiswidow。Howdoyoufeelnow？"

"Better，thanks，itwasonlyapassingfaintness。I

don’tthinkIquitecatchyourmeaning。Whatdidyousayenabledyoutoidentifythepicture？"

"Thisword——’Helen’——waswrittenontheback。

Didn’tItellyouhernamewasHelen？Yes；HelenVaughan。"

Clarkegroaned；therecouldbenoshadowofdoubt。

"Now，don’tyouagreewithme，"saidVilliers，"thatinthestoryIhavetoldyouto-night，andinthepartthiswomanplaysinit，therearesomeverystrangepoints？"

"Yes，Villiers，"Clarkemuttered，"itisastrangestoryindeed；astrangestoryindeed。Youmustgivemetimetothinkitover；ImaybeabletohelpyouorImaynot。Mustyoubegoingnow？Well，good-night，Villiers，good-night。Comeandseemeinthecourseofaweek。"

THELETTEROFADVICE

"Doyouknow，Austin，"saidVilliers，asthetwofriendswerepacingsedatelyalongPiccadillyonepleasantmorninginMay，"doyouknowIamconvincedthatwhatyoutoldmeaboutPaulStreetandtheHerbertsisamereepisodeinanextraordinaryhistory？ImayaswellconfesstoyouthatwhenI

askedyouaboutHerbertafewmonthsagoIhadjustseenhim。"

"Youhadseenhim？Where？"

"Hebeggedofmeinthestreetonenight。Hewasinthemostpitiableplight，butIrecognizedtheman，andIgothimtotellmehishistory，oratleasttheoutlineofit。Inbrief，itamountedtothis——hehadbeenruinedbyhiswife。"

"Inwhatmanner？"

"Hewouldnottellme；hewouldonlysaythatshehaddestroyedhim，bodyandsoul。Themanisdeadnow。

"Andwhathasbecomeofhiswife？"

"Ah，that’swhatIshouldliketoknow，andImeantofindhersoonerorlater。IknowamannamedClarke，adryfellow，infactamanofbusiness，butshrewdenough。Youunderstandmymeaning；notshrewdinthemerebusinesssenseoftheword，butamanwhoreallyknowssomethingaboutmenandlife。Well，Ilaidthecasebeforehim，andhewasevidentlyimpressed。Hesaiditneededconsideration，andaskedmetocomeagaininthecourseofaweek。AfewdayslaterIreceivedthisextraordinaryletter。"

Austintooktheenvelope，drewouttheletter，andreaditcuriously。Itranasfollows：——

"MYDEARVILLIERS，——Ihavethoughtoverthematteronwhichyouconsultedmetheothernight，andmyadvicetoyouisthis。Throwtheportraitintothefire，blotoutthestoryfromyourmind。Nevergiveitanotherthought，Villiers，oryouwillbesorry。Youwillthink，nodoubt，thatIaminpossessionofsomesecretinformation，andtoacertainextentthatisthecase。ButIonlyknowalittle；Iamlikeatravellerwhohaspeeredoveranabyss，andhasdrawnbackinterror。WhatIknowisstrangeenoughandhorribleenough，butbeyondmyknowledgetherearedepthsandhorrorsmorefrightfulstill，moreincrediblethananytaletoldofwinternightsaboutthefire。

Ihaveresolved，andnothingshallshakethatresolve，toexplorenowhitfarther，andifyouvalueyourhappinessyouwillmakethesamedetermination。

"Comeandseemebyallmeans；butwewilltalkonmorecheerfultopicsthanthis。"

Austinfoldedthelettermethodically，andreturnedittoVilliers。

"Itiscertainlyanextraordinaryletter，"hesaid，"whatdoeshemeanbytheportrait？"

"Ah！IforgottotellyouIhavebeentoPaulStreetandhavemadeadiscovery。"

VillierstoldhisstoryashehadtoldittoClarke，andAustinlistenedinsilence。Heseemedpuzzled。

"Howverycuriousthatyoushouldexperiencesuchanunpleasantsensationinthatroom！"hesaidatlength。"I

hardlygatherthatitwasamerematteroftheimagination；afeelingofrepulsion，inshort。"

"No，itwasmorephysicalthanmental。ItwasasifI

wereinhalingateverybreathsomedeadlyfume，whichseemedtopenetratetoeverynerveandboneandsinewofmybody。Ifeltrackedfromheadtofoot，myeyesbegantogrowdim；itwasliketheentranceofdeath。"

"Yes，yes，verystrangecertainly。Yousee，yourfriendconfessesthatthereissomeveryblackstoryconnectedwiththiswoman。Didyounoticeanyparticularemotioninhimwhenyouweretellingyourtale？"

"Yes，Idid。Hebecameveryfaint，butheassuredmethatitwasamerepassingattacktowhichhewassubject。"

"Didyoubelievehim？"

"Ididatthetime，butIdon’tnow。HeheardwhatI

hadtosaywithagooddealofindifference，tillIshowedhimtheportrait。ItwasthenthathewasseizedwiththeattackofwhichIspoke。Helookedghastly，Iassureyou。"

"Thenhemusthaveseenthewomanbefore。Buttheremightbeanotherexplanation；itmighthavebeenthename，andnottheface，whichwasfamiliartohim。Whatdoyouthink？"

"Icouldn’tsay。Tothebestofmybeliefitwasafterturningtheportraitinhishandsthathenearlydroppedfromthechair。Thename，youknow，waswrittenontheback。"

"Quiteso。Afterall，itisimpossibletocometoanyresolutioninacaselikethis。Ihatemelodrama，andnothingstrikesmeasmorecommonplaceandtediousthantheordinaryghoststoryofcommerce；butreally，Villiers，itlooksasifthereweresomethingveryqueeratthebottomofallthis。"

Thetwomenhad，withoutnoticingit，turnedupAshleyStreet，leadingnorthwardfromPiccadilly。Itwasalongstreet，andratheragloomyone，buthereandthereabrightertastehadilluminatedthedarkhouseswithflowers，andgaycurtains，andacheerfulpaintonthedoors。VilliersglancedupasAustinstoppedspeaking，andlookedatoneofthesehouses；geraniums，redandwhite，droopedfromeverysill，anddaffodil-colouredcurtainsweredrapedbackfromeachwindow。

"Itlookscheerful，doesn’tit？"hesaid。

"Yes，andtheinsideisstillmorecheery。Oneofthepleasantesthousesoftheseason，soIhaveheard。Ihaven’tbeentheremyself，butI’vemetseveralmenwhohave，andtheytellmeit’suncommonlyjovial。"

"Whosehouseisit？"

"AMrs。Beaumont’s。"

"Andwhoisshe？"

"Icouldn’ttellyou。IhaveheardshecomesfromSouthAmerica，butafterall，whosheisisoflittleconsequence。Sheisaverywealthywoman，there’snodoubtofthat，andsomeofthebestpeoplehavetakenherup。Ihearshehassomewonderfulclaret，reallymarvellouswine，whichmusthavecostafabuloussum。LordArgentinewastellingmeaboutit；hewastherelastSundayevening。Heassuresmehehasnevertastedsuchawine，andArgentine，asyouknow，isanexpert。Bytheway，thatremindsme，shemustbeanoddishsortofwoman，thisMrs。Beaumont。Argentineaskedherhowoldthewinewas，andwhatdoyouthinkshesaid？’Aboutathousandyears，Ibelieve。’LordArgentinethoughtshewaschaffinghim，youknow，butwhenhelaughedshesaidshewasspeakingquiteseriouslyandofferedtoshowhimthejar。Ofcourse，hecouldn’tsayanythingmoreafterthat；butitseemsratherantiquatedforabeverage，doesn’tit？Why，hereweareatmyrooms。Comein，won’tyou？"

"Thanks，IthinkIwill。Ihaven’tseenthecuriosity-shopforawhile。"

Itwasaroomfurnishedrichly，yetoddly，whereeveryjarandbookcaseandtable，andeveryrugandjarandornamentseemedtobeathingapart，preservingeachitsownindividuality。

"Anythingfreshlately？"saidVilliersafterawhile。

"No；Ithinknot；yousawthosequeerjugs，didn’tyou？

Ithoughtso。Idon’tthinkIhavecomeacrossanythingforthelastfewweeks。"

Austinglancedaroundtheroomfromcupboardtocupboard，fromshelftoshelf，insearchofsomenewoddity。

Hiseyesfellatlastonanoddchest，pleasantlyandquaintlycarved，whichstoodinadarkcorneroftheroom。

"Ah，"hesaid，"Iwasforgetting，Ihavegotsomethingtoshowyou。"Austinunlockedthechest，drewoutathickquartovolume，laiditonthetable，andresumedthecigarhehadputdown。

"DidyouknowArthurMeyrickthepainter，Villiers？"

"Alittle；Imethimtwoorthreetimesatthehouseofafriendofmine。Whathasbecomeofhim？Ihaven’theardhisnamementionedforsometime。"

"He’sdead。"

"Youdon’tsayso！Quiteyoung，wasn’the？"

"Yes；onlythirtywhenhedied。"

"Whatdidhedieof？"

"Idon’tknow。Hewasanintimatefriendofmine，andathoroughlygoodfellow。Heusedtocomehereandtalktomeforhours，andhewasoneofthebesttalkersIhavemet。Hecouldeventalkaboutpainting，andthat’smorethancanbesaidofmostpainters。Abouteighteenmonthsagohewasfeelingratheroverworked，andpartlyatmysuggestionhewentoffonasortofrovingexpedition，withnoverydefiniteendoraimaboutit。IbelieveNewYorkwastobehisfirstport，butI

neverheardfromhim。ThreemonthsagoIgotthisbook，withaverycivilletterfromanEnglishdoctorpractisingatBuenosAyres，statingthathehadattendedthelateMr。Meyrickduringhisillness，andthatthedeceasedhadexpressedanearnestwishthattheenclosedpacketshouldbesenttomeafterhisdeath。

Thatwasall。"

"Andhaven’tyouwrittenforfurtherparticulars？"

"Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingso。Youwouldadvisemetowritetothedoctor？"

"Certainly。Andwhataboutthebook？"

"ItwassealedupwhenIgotit。Idon’tthinkthedoctorhadseenit。"

"Itissomethingveryrare？Meyrickwasacollector，perhaps？"

"No，Ithinknot，hardlyacollector。Now，whatdoyouthinkoftheseAinujugs？"

"Theyarepeculiar，butIlikethem。Butaren’tyougoingtoshowmepoorMeyrick’slegacy？"

"Yes，yes，tobesure。Thefactis，it’sratherapeculiarsortofthing，andIhaven’tshownittoanyone。I

wouldn’tsayanythingaboutitifIwereyou。Thereitis。"

Villierstookthebook，andopeneditathaphazard。

"Itisn’taprintedvolume，then？"hesaid。

"No。ItisacollectionofdrawingsinblackandwhitebymypoorfriendMeyrick。"

Villiersturnedtothefirstpage，itwasblank；thesecondboreabriefinscription，whichheread：

Siletperdiemuniversus，necsinehorroresecretusest；lucetnocturnisignibus，chorusAegipanumundiquepersonatur：audiunturetcantustibiarum，ettinnituscymbalorumperorammaritimam。

OnthethirdpagewasadesignwhichmadeVilliersstartandlookupatAustin；hewasgazingabstractedlyoutofthewindow。Villiersturnedpageafterpage，absorbed，inspiteofhimself，inthefrightfulWalpurgisNightofevil，strangemonstrousevil，thatthedeadartisthadsetforthinhardblackandwhite。ThefiguresofFaunsandSatyrsandAegipansdancedbeforehiseyes，thedarknessofthethicket，thedanceonthemountain-top，thescenesbylonelyshores，ingreenvineyards，byrocksanddesertplaces，passedbeforehim：aworldbeforewhichthehumansoulseemedtoshrinkbackandshudder。

Villierswhirledovertheremainingpages；hehadseenenough，butthepictureonthelastleafcaughthiseye，ashealmostclosedthebook。

"Austin！"

"Well，whatisit？"

"Doyouknowwhothatis？"

Itwasawoman’sface，aloneonthewhitepage。

"Knowwhoitis？No，ofcoursenot。"

"Ido。"

"Whoisit？"

"ItisMrs。Herbert。"

"Areyousure？"

"Iamperfectlysureofit。PoorMeyrick！Heisonemorechapterinherhistory。"

"Butwhatdoyouthinkofthedesigns？"

"Theyarefrightful。Lockthebookupagain，Austin。

IfIwereyouIwouldburnit；itmustbeaterriblecompanioneventhoughitbeinachest。"

"Yes，theyaresingulardrawings。ButIwonderwhatconnectiontherecouldbebetweenMeyrickandMrs。Herbert，orwhatlinkbetweenherandthesedesigns？"

"Ah，whocansay？Itispossiblethatthemattermayendhere，andweshallneverknow，butinmyownopinionthisHelenVaughan，orMrs。Herbert，isonlythebeginning。ShewillcomebacktoLondon，Austin；dependonit，shewillcomeback，andweshallhearmoreaboutherthen。Idoubtitwillbeverypleasantnews。"

THESUICIDES

LordArgentinewasagreatfavouriteinLondonSociety。Attwentyhehadbeenapoorman，deckedwiththesurnameofanillustriousfamily，butforcedtoearnalivelihoodasbesthecould，andthemostspeculativeofmoney-lenderswouldnothaveentrustedhimwithfiftypoundsonthechanceofhiseverchanginghisnameforatitle，andhispovertyforagreatfortune。Hisfatherhadbeennearenoughtothefountainofgoodthingstosecureoneofthefamilylivings，buttheson，evenifhehadtakenorders，wouldscarcelyhaveobtainedsomuchasthis，andmoreoverfeltnovocationfortheecclesiasticalestate。Thushefrontedtheworldwithnobetterarmourthanthebachelor’sgownandthewitsofayoungerson’sgrandson，withwhichequipmenthecontrivedinsomewaytomakeaverytolerablefightofit。Attwenty-fiveMr。CharlesAubernonsawhimselfstillamanofstrugglesandofwarfarewiththeworld，butoutofthesevenwhostoodbeforehimandthehighplacesofhisfamilythreeonlyremained。Thesethree，however，were"goodlives，"butyetnotproofagainsttheZuluassegaisandtyphoidfever，andsoonemorningAubernonwokeupandfoundhimselfLordArgentine，amanofthirtywhohadfacedthedifficultiesofexistence，andhadconquered。Thesituationamusedhimimmensely，andheresolvedthatrichesshouldbeaspleasanttohimaspovertyhadalwaysbeen。Argentine，aftersomelittleconsideration，cametotheconclusionthatdining，regardedasafineart，wasperhapsthemostamusingpursuitopentofallenhumanity，andthushisdinnersbecamefamousinLondon，andaninvitationtohistableathingcovetouslydesired。AftertenyearsoflordshipanddinnersArgentinestilldeclinedtobejaded，stillpersistedinenjoyinglife，andbyakindofinfectionhadbecomerecognizedasthecauseofjoyinothers，inshort，asthebestofcompany。Hissuddenandtragicaldeaththereforecausedawideanddeepsensation。

Peoplecouldscarcelybelieveit，eventhoughthenewspaperwasbeforetheireyes，andthecryof"MysteriousDeathofaNobleman"cameringingupfromthestreet。Buttherestoodthebriefparagraph："LordArgentinewasfounddeadthismorningbyhisvaletunderdistressingcircumstances。Itisstatedthattherecanbenodoubtthathislordshipcommittedsuicide，thoughnomotivecanbeassignedfortheact。Thedeceasednoblemanwaswidelyknowninsociety，andmuchlikedforhisgenialmannerandsumptuoushospitality。Heissucceededby，"

etc。，etc。

Byslowdegreesthedetailscametolight，butthecasestillremainedamystery。Thechiefwitnessattheinquestwasthedeceased’svalet，whosaidthatthenightbeforehisdeathLordArgentinehaddinedwithaladyofgoodposition，whosenamedwassuppressedinthenewspaperreports。Atabouteleveno’clockLordArgentinehadreturned，andinformedhismanthatheshouldnotrequirehisservicestillthenextmorning。A

littlelaterthevalethadoccasiontocrossthehallandwassomewhatastonishedtoseehismasterquietlylettinghimselfoutatthefrontdoor。Hehadtakenoffhiseveningclothes，andwasdressedinaNorfolkcoatandknickerbockers，andworealowbrownhat。ThevalethadnoreasontosupposethatLordArgentinehadseenhim，andthoughhismasterrarelykeptlatehours，thoughtlittleoftheoccurrencetillthenextmorning，whenheknockedatthebedroomdoorataquartertonineasusual。Hereceivednoanswer，and，afterknockingtwoorthreetimes，enteredtheroom，andsawLordArgentine’sbodyleaningforwardatananglefromthebottomofthebed。Hefoundthathismasterhadtiedacordsecurelytooneoftheshortbed-posts，and，aftermakingarunningnooseandslippingitroundhisneck，theunfortunatemanmusthaveresolutelyfallenforward，todiebyslowstrangulation。Hewasdressedinthelightsuitinwhichthevalethadseenhimgoout，andthedoctorwhowassummonedpronouncedthatlifehadbeenextinctformorethanfourhours。Allpapers，letters，andsoforthseemedinperfectorder，andnothingwasdiscoveredwhichpointedinthemostremotewaytoanyscandaleithergreatorsmall。Heretheevidenceended；nothingmorecouldbediscovered。Severalpersonshadbeenpresentatthedinner-partyatwhichLordAugustinehadassisted，andtoalltheseheseemedinhisusualgenialspirits。Thevalet，indeed，saidhethoughthismasterappearedalittleexcitedwhenhecamehome，butconfessedthatthealterationinhismannerwasveryslight，hardlynoticeable，indeed。Itseemedhopelesstoseekforanyclue，andthesuggestionthatLordArgentinehadbeensuddenlyattackedbyacutesuicidalmaniawasgenerallyaccepted。

Itwasotherwise，however，whenwithinthreeweeks，threemoregentlemen，oneofthemanobleman，andthetwoothersmenofgoodpositionandamplemeans，perishedmiserablyinthealmostpreciselythesamemanner。LordSwanleighwasfoundonemorninginhisdressing-room，hangingfromapegaffixedtothewall，andMr。Collier-StuartandMr。HerrieshadchosentodieasLordArgentine。Therewasnoexplanationineithercase；afewbaldfacts；alivingmanintheevening，andabodywithablackswollenfaceinthemorning。ThepolicehadbeenforcedtoconfessthemselvespowerlesstoarrestortoexplainthesordidmurdersofWhitechapel；butbeforethehorriblesuicidesofPiccadillyandMayfairtheyweredumbfoundered，fornoteventhemereferocitywhichdiddutyasanexplanationofthecrimesoftheEastEnd，couldbeofserviceintheWest。Eachofthesemenwhohadresolvedtodieatorturedshamefuldeathwasrich，prosperous，andtoallappearancesinlovewiththeworld，andnottheacutestresearchshouldferretoutanyshadowofalurkingmotiveineithercase。Therewasahorrorintheair，andmenlookedatoneanother’sfaceswhentheymet，eachwonderingwhethertheotherwastobethevictimofthefifthnamelesstragedy。

Journalistssoughtinvainfortheirscrapbooksformaterialswhereoftoconcoctreminiscentarticles；andthemorningpaperwasunfoldedinmanyahousewithafeelingofawe；nomanknewwhenorwherethenextblowwouldlight。

Ashortwhileafterthelastoftheseterribleevents，AustincametoseeMr。Villiers。HewascurioustoknowwhetherVilliershadsucceededindiscoveringanyfreshtracesofMrs。

Herbert，eitherthroughClarkeorbyothersources，andheaskedthequestionsoonafterhehadsatdown。

"No，"saidVilliers，"IwrotetoClarke，butheremainsobdurate，andIhavetriedotherchannels，butwithoutanyresult。Ican’tfindoutwhatbecameofHelenVaughanaftersheleftPaulStreet，butIthinkshemusthavegoneabroad。Buttotellthetruth，Austin，Ihaven’tpaidmuchattentiontothematterforthelastfewweeks；IknewpoorHerriesintimately，andhisterribledeathhasbeenagreatshocktome，agreatshock。"

"Icanwellbelieveit，"answeredAustingravely，"youknowArgentinewasafriendofmine。IfIrememberrightly，wewerespeakingofhimthatdayyoucametomyrooms。"

"Yes；itwasinconnectionwiththathouseinAshleyStreet，Mrs。Beaumont’shouse。YousaidsomethingaboutArgentine’sdiningthere。"

"Quiteso。OfcourseyouknowitwasthereArgentinedinedthenightbefore——beforehisdeath。"

"No，Ihadnotheardthat。"

"Oh，yes；thenamewaskeptoutofthepaperstospareMrs。Beaumont。Argentinewasagreatfavouriteofhers，anditissaidshewasinaterriblestateforsometimeafter。"

AcuriouslookcameoverVilliers’face；heseemedundecidedwhethertospeakornot。Austinbeganagain。

"IneverexperiencedsuchafeelingofhorroraswhenI

readtheaccountofArgentine’sdeath。Ididn’tunderstanditatthetime，andIdon’tnow。Iknewhimwell，anditcompletelypassesmyunderstandingforwhatpossiblecausehe——oranyoftheothersforthematterofthat——couldhaveresolvedincoldbloodtodieinsuchanawfulmanner。Youknowhowmenbabbleawayeachother’scharactersinLondon，youmaybesureanyburiedscandalorhiddenskeletonwouldhavebeenbroughttolightinsuchacaseasthis；butnothingofthesorthastakenplace。Asforthetheoryofmania，thatisverywell，ofcourse，forthecoroner’sjury，buteverybodyknowsthatit’sallnonsense。Suicidalmaniaisnotsmall-pox。"

Austinrelapsedintogloomysilence。Villierssatsilent，also，watchinghisfriend。Theexpressionofindecisionstillfleetedacrosshisface；heseemedasifweighinghisthoughtsinthebalance，andtheconsiderationshewasresolvinglefthimstillsilent。AustintriedtoshakeofftheremembranceoftragediesashopelessandperplexedasthelabyrinthofDaedalus，andbegantotalkinanindifferentvoiceofthemorepleasantincidentsandadventuresoftheseason。

"ThatMrs。Beaumont，"hesaid，"ofwhomwewerespeaking，isagreatsuccess；shehastakenLondonalmostbystorm。ImethertheothernightatFulham’s；sheisreallyaremarkablewoman。"

"YouhavemetMrs。Beaumont？"

"Yes；shehadquiteacourtaroundher。Shewouldbecalledveryhandsome，Isuppose，andyetthereissomethingaboutherfacewhichIdidn’tlike。Thefeaturesareexquisite，buttheexpressionisstrange。AndallthetimeIwaslookingather，andafterwards，whenIwasgoinghome，Ihadacuriousfeelingthatveryexpressionwasinsomewayoranotherfamiliartome。"

"YoumusthaveseenherintheRow。"

"No，IamsureIneverseteyesonthewomanbefore；itisthatwhichmakesitpuzzling。AndtothebestofmybeliefI

haveneverseenanyonelikeher；whatIfeltwasakindofdimfar-offmemory，vaguebutpersistent。TheonlysensationIcancompareitto，isthatoddfeelingonesometimeshasinadream，whenfantasticcitiesandwondrouslandsandphantompersonagesappearfamiliarandaccustomed。"

Villiersnoddedandglancedaimlesslyroundtheroom，possiblyinsearchofsomethingonwhichtoturntheconversation。Hiseyesfellonanoldchestsomewhatlikethatinwhichtheartist’sstrangelegacylayhidbeneathaGothicscutcheon。

"HaveyouwrittentothedoctoraboutpoorMeyrick？"heasked。

"Yes；Iwroteaskingforfullparticularsastohisillnessanddeath。Idon’texpecttohaveananswerforanotherthreeweeksoramonth。IthoughtImightaswellinquirewhetherMeyrickknewanEnglishwomannamedHerbert，andifso，whetherthedoctorcouldgivemeanyinformationabouther。Butit’sverypossiblethatMeyrickfellinwithheratNewYork，orMexico，orSanFrancisco；Ihavenoideaastotheextentordirectionofhistravels。"

"Yes，andit’sverypossiblethatthewomanmayhavemorethanonename。"

"Exactly。IwishIhadthoughtofaskingyoutolendmetheportraitofherwhichyoupossess。ImighthaveencloseditinmylettertoDr。Matthews。"

"Soyoumight；thatneveroccurredtome。Wemightsenditnow。Hark！whatarethoseboyscalling？"

Whilethetwomenhadbeentalkingtogetheraconfusednoiseofshoutinghadbeengraduallygrowinglouder。ThenoiserosefromtheeastwardandswelleddownPiccadilly，drawingnearerandnearer，averytorrentofsound；surgingupstreetsusuallyquiet，andmakingeverywindowaframeforaface，curiousorexcited。ThecriesandvoicescameechoingupthesilentstreetwhereVillierslived，growingmoredistinctastheyadvanced，and，asVilliersspoke，ananswerrangupfromthepavement：

"TheWestEndHorrors；AnotherAwfulSuicide；FullDetails！"

AustinrusheddownthestairsandboughtapaperandreadouttheparagraphtoVilliersastheuproarinthestreetroseandfell。Thewindowwasopenandtheairseemedfullofnoiseandterror。

"AnothergentlemanhasfallenavictimtotheterribleepidemicofsuicidewhichforthelastmonthhasprevailedintheWestEnd。Mr。SidneyCrashaw，ofStokeHouse，Fulham，andKing’sPomeroy，Devon，wasfound，afteraprolongedsearch，hangingdeadfromthebranchofatreeinhisgardenatoneo’clocktoday。ThedeceasedgentlemandinedlastnightattheCarltonClubandseemedinhisusualhealthandspirits。Helefttheclubataboutteno’clock，andwasseenwalkingleisurelyupSt。James’sStreetalittlelater。Subsequenttothishismovementscannotbetraced。Onthediscoveryofthebodymedicalaidwasatoncesummoned，butlifehadevidentlybeenlongextinct。Sofarasisknown，Mr。Crashawhadnotroubleoranxietyofanykind。Thispainfulsuicide，itwillberemembered，isthefifthofthekindinthelastmonth。TheauthoritiesatScotlandYardareunabletosuggestanyexplanationoftheseterribleoccurrences。"

Austinputdownthepaperinmutehorror。

"IshallleaveLondonto-morrow，"hesaid，"itisacityofnightmares。Howawfulthisis，Villiers！"

Mr。Villierswassittingbythewindowquietlylookingoutintothestreet。Hehadlistenedtothenewspaperreportattentively，andthehintofindecisionwasnolongeronhisface。

"Waitamoment，Austin，"hereplied，"Ihavemadeupmymindtomentionalittlematterthatoccurredlastnight。Itstated，Ithink，thatCrashawwaslastseenaliveinSt。

James’sStreetshortlyafterten？"

"Yes，Ithinkso。Iwilllookagain。Yes，youarequiteright。"

"Quiteso。Well，Iaminapositiontocontradictthatstatementatallevents。Crashawwasseenafterthat；

considerablylaterindeed。"

"Howdoyouknow？"

"BecauseIhappenedtoseeCrashawmyselfatabouttwoo’clockthismorning。"

"YousawCrashaw？You，Villiers？"

"Yes，Isawhimquitedistinctly；indeed，therewerebutafewfeetbetweenus。"

"Where，inHeaven’sname，didyouseehim？"

"Notfarfromhere。IsawhiminAshleyStreet。Hewasjustleavingahouse。"

"Didyounoticewhathouseitwas？"

"Yes。ItwasMrs。Beaumont’s。"

"Villiers！Thinkwhatyouaresaying；theremustbesomemistake。HowcouldCrashawbeinMrs。Beaumont’shouseattwoo’clockinthemorning？Surely，surely，youmusthavebeendreaming，Villiers；youwerealwaysratherfanciful。"

"No；Iwaswideawakeenough。EvenifIhadbeendreamingasyousay，whatIsawwouldhaverousedmeeffectually。"

"Whatyousaw？Whatdidyousee？WasthereanythingstrangeaboutCrashaw？ButIcan’tbelieveit；itisimpossible。"

"Well，ifyoulikeIwilltellyouwhatIsaw，orifyouplease，whatIthinkIsaw，andyoucanjudgeforyourself。"

"Verygood，Villiers。"