第8章

Shefeltforthematch-box，andpausedafterfindingit。

Avaguesenseofconfusionwasstillinhermind。Shewasinnohurrytolightthematch。Thepauseinthedarknesswas，forthemoment，agreeabletoher。

Inthequieterflowofherthoughtsduringthisinterval，shecouldaskherselfthenaturalquestion：——Whatcausehadawakenedhersosuddenly，andhadsostrangelyshakenhernerves？

Haditbeentheinfluenceofadream？Shehadnotdreamedatall——or，tospeakmorecorrectly，shehadnowakingremembranceofhavingdreamed。Themysterywasbeyondherfathoming：

thedarknessbegantooppressher。Shestruckthematchonthebox，andlithercandle。

Asthewelcomelightdiffuseditselfovertheroom，sheturnedfromthetableandlookedtowardstheothersideofthebed。

Inthemomentwhensheturned，thechillofasuddenterrorgrippedherroundtheheart，aswiththeclaspofanicyhand。

Shewasnotaloneinherroom！

There——inthechairatthebedside——there，suddenlyrevealedundertheflowoflightfromthecandle，wasthefigureofawoman，reclining。

Herheadlaybackoverthechair。Herface，turneduptotheceiling，hadtheeyesclosed，asifshewaswrappedinadeepsleep。

TheshockofthediscoveryheldAgnesspeechlessandhelpless。

Herfirstconsciousaction，whenshewasinsomedegreemistressofherselfagain，wastoleanoverthebed，andtolookcloseratthewomanwhohadsoincomprehensiblystolenintoherroominthedeadofnight。

Oneglancewasenough：shestartedbackwithacryofamazement。

ThepersoninthechairwasnootherthanthewidowofthedeadMontbarry——

thewomanwhohadwarnedherthattheyweretomeetagain，andthattheplacemightbeVenice！

Hercouragereturnedtoher，stungintoactionbythenaturalsenseofindignationwhichthepresenceoftheCountessprovoked。

’Wakeup！’shecalledout。’Howdareyoucomehere？Howdidyougetin？

Leavetheroom——orIwillcallforhelp！’

Sheraisedhervoiceatthelastwords。Itproducednoeffect。

Leaningfartheroverthebed，sheboldlytooktheCountessbytheshoulderandshookher。Noteventhiseffortsucceededinrousingthesleepingwoman。Shestilllaybackinthechair，possessedbyatorporlikethetorporofdeath——insensibletosound，insensibletotouch。Wasshereallysleeping？Orhadshefainted？

Agneslookedcloserather。Shehadnotfainted。Herbreathingwasaudible，risingandfallingindeepheavygasps。Atintervalsshegroundherteethsavagely。Beadsofperspirationstoodthicklyonherforehead。Herclenchedhandsroseandfellslowlyfromtimetotimeonherlap。Wassheintheagonyofadream？orwasshespirituallyconsciousofsomethinghiddenintheroom？

Thedoubtinvolvedinthatlastquestionwasunendurable。

Agnesdeterminedtorousetheservantswhokeptwatchinthehotelatnight。

Thebell-handlewasfixedtothewall，onthesideofthebedbywhichthetablestood。

SheraisedherselffromthecrouchingpositionwhichshehadassumedinlookingcloseattheCountess；and，turningtowardstheothersideofthebed，stretchedoutherhandtothebell。Atthesameinstant，shestoppedandlookedupward。Herhandfellhelplesslyatherside。

Sheshuddered，andsankbackonthepillow。

Whathadsheseen？

Shehadseenanotherintruderinherroom。

Midwaybetweenherfaceandtheceiling，therehoveredahumanhead——

severedattheneck，likeaheadstruckfromthebodybytheguillotine。

Nothingvisible，nothingaudible，hadgivenheranyintelligiblewarningofitsappearance。Silentlyandsuddenly，theheadhadtakenitsplaceaboveher。Nosupernaturalchangehadpassedovertheroom，orwasperceptibleinitnow。Thedumbly-torturedfigureinthechair；thebroadwindowoppositethefootofthebed，withtheblacknightbeyondit；thecandleburningonthetable——

these，andallotherobjectsintheroom，remainedunaltered。

Oneobjectmore，unutterablyhorrid，hadbeenaddedtotherest。

Thatwastheonlychange——nomore，noless。

Bytheyellowcandlelightshesawtheheaddistinctly，hoveringinmid-airaboveher。Shelookedatitsteadfastly，spell-boundbytheterrorthatheldher。

Thefleshofthefacewasgone。Theshrivelledskinwasdarkenedinhue，liketheskinofanEgyptianmummy——exceptattheneck。

Thereitwasofalightercolour；thereitshowedspotsandsplashesofthehueofthatbrownspotontheceiling，whichthechild’sfancifulterrorhaddistortedintothelikenessofaspotofblood。

Thinremainsofadiscolouredmoustacheandwhiskers，hangingovertheupperlip，andoverthehollowswherethecheekshadoncebeen，madetheheadjustrecognisableastheheadofaman。Overallthefeaturesdeathandtimehaddonetheirobliteratingwork。

Theeyelidswereclosed。Thehairontheskull，discolouredlikethehairontheface，hadbeenburntawayinplaces。Thebluishlips，partedinafixedgrin，showedthedoublerowofteeth。

Byslowdegrees，thehoveringhead（perfectlystillwhenshefirstsawit）begantodescendtowardsAgnesasshelaybeneath。

Byslowdegrees，thatstrangedoubly-blendedodour，whichtheCommissionershaddiscoveredinthevaultsoftheoldpalace——

whichhadsickenedFrancisWestwickinthebed-chamberofthenewhotel——spreaditsfetidexhalationsovertheroom。

Downwardanddownwardthehideousapparitionmadeitsslowprogress，untilitstoppedcloseoverAgnes——stopped，andturnedslowly，sothatthefaceofitconfrontedtheupturnedfaceofthewomaninthechair。

Therewasapause。Then，asupernaturalmovementdisturbedtherigidreposeofthedeadface。

Theclosedeyelidsopenedslowly。Theeyesrevealedthemselves，brightwiththeglassyfilmofdeath——andfixedtheirdreadfullookonthewomaninthechair。

Agnessawthatlook；sawtheeyelidsofthelivingwomanopenslowlyliketheeyelidsofthedead；sawherrise，asifinobediencetosomesilentcommand——andsawnomore。

Hernextconsciousimpressionwasofthesunlightpouringinatthewindow；ofthefriendlypresenceofLadyMontbarryatthebedside；

andofthechildren’swonderingfacespeepinginatthedoor。

CHAPTERXXIII

’……YouhavesomeinfluenceoverAgnes。Trywhatyoucando，Henry，tomakehertakeasensibleviewofthematter。

Thereisreallynothingtomakeafussabout。Mywife’smaidknockedatherdoorearlyinthemorning，withthecustomarycupoftea。

Gettingnoanswer，shewentroundtothedressing-room——foundthedooronthatsideunlocked——anddiscoveredAgnesonthebedinafaintingfit。

Withmywife’shelp，theybroughthertoherselfagain；andshetoldtheextraordinarystorywhichIhavejustrepeatedtoyou。

Youmusthaveseenforyourselfthatshehasbeenover-fatigued，poorthing，byourlongrailwayjourneys：hernervesareoutoforder——

andsheisjustthepersontobeeasilyterrifiedbyadream。

Sheobstinatelyrefuses，however，toacceptthisrationalview。

Don’tsupposethatIhavebeenseverewithher！AllthatamancandotohumourherIhavedone。IhavewrittentotheCountess（inherassumedname）offeringtorestoretheroomtoher。

Shewritesback，positivelydecliningtoreturntoit。

Ihaveaccordinglyarranged（soasnottohavethethingknowninthehotel）tooccupytheroomforoneortwonights，andtoleaveAgnestorecoverherspiritsundermywife’scare。

IsthereanythingmorethatIcando？WhateverquestionsAgneshasaskedofmeIhaveansweredtothebestofmyability；sheknowsallthatyoutoldmeaboutFrancisandtheCountesslastnight。

ButtryasImayIcan’tquiethermind。Ihavegivenuptheattemptindespair，andleftherinthedrawing-room。Go，likeagoodfellow，andtrywhatyoucandotocomposeher。’

Inthosewords，LordMontbarrystatedthecasetohisbrotherfromtherationalpointofview。Henrymadenoremark，hewentstraighttothedrawing-room。

HefoundAgneswalkingrapidlybackwardsandforwards，flushedandexcited。’Ifyoucomeheretosaywhatyourbrotherhasbeensayingtome，’shebrokeout，beforehecouldspeak，’spareyourselfthetrouble。Idon’twantcommonsense——

Iwantatruefriendwhowillbelieveinme。’

’Iamthatfriend，Agnes，’Henryansweredquietly，’andyouknowit。’

’YoureallybelievethatIamnotdeludedbyadream？’

Iknowthatyouarenotdeluded——inoneparticular，atleast。’

’Inwhatparticular？’

’InwhatyouhavesaidoftheCountess。Itisperfectlytrue——’

Agnesstoppedhimthere。’WhydoIonlyhearthismorningthattheCountessandMrs。Jamesareoneandthesameperson？’

sheaskeddistrustfully。’WhywasInottoldofitlastnight？’

’YouforgetthatyouhadacceptedtheexchangeofroomsbeforeI

reachedVenice，’Henryreplied。’Ifeltstronglytemptedtotellyou，eventhen——butyoursleepingarrangementsforthenightwereallmade；Ishouldonlyhaveinconveniencedandalarmedyou。

Iwaitedtillthemorning，afterhearingfrommybrotherthatyouhadyourselfseentoyoursecurityfromanyintrusion。

Howthatintrusionwasaccomplisheditisimpossibletosay。

IcanonlydeclarethattheCountess’spresencebyyourbedsidelastnightwasnodreamofyours。OnherownauthorityIcantestifythatitwasareality。’

’Onherownauthority？’Agnesrepeatedeagerly。’Haveyouseenherthismorning？’

’Ihaveseenhernottenminutessince。’

’Whatwasshedoing？’

Shewasbusilyengagedinwriting。IcouldnotevengethertolookatmeuntilIthoughtofmentioningyourname。’

’Sherememberedme，ofcourse？’

’Sherememberedyouwithsomedifficulty。Findingthatshewouldn’tanswermeonanyotherterms，IquestionedherasifIhadcomedirectfromyou。

Thenshespoke。ShenotonlyadmittedthatshehadthesamesuperstitiousmotiveforplacingyouinthatroomwhichshehadacknowledgedtoFrancis——sheevenownedthatshehadbeenbyyourbedside，watchingthroughthenight，"toseewhatyousaw，"assheexpressedit。

Hearingthis，Itriedtopersuadehertotellmehowshegotintotheroom。Unluckily，hermanuscriptonthetablecaughthereye；

shereturnedtoherwriting。"TheBaronwantsmoney，"shesaid；

"Imustgetonwithmyplay。"Whatshesawordreamedwhileshewasinyourroomlastnight，itisatpresentimpossibletodiscover。

Butjudgingbymybrother’saccountofher，aswellasbywhatI

rememberofhermyself，somerecentinfluencehasbeenatworkwhichhasproducedamarkedchangeinthiswretchedwomanfortheworse。

Hermind（sincelastnight，perhaps）ispartiallyderanged。

OneproofofitisthatshespoketomeoftheBaronasifhewerestillalivingman。WhenFrancissawher，shedeclaredthattheBaronwasdead，whichisthetruth。TheUnitedStatesConsulatMilanshowedustheannouncementofthedeathinanAmericannewspaper。

SofarasIcansee，suchsenseasshestillpossessesseemstobeentirelyabsorbedinoneabsurdidea——theideaofwritingaplayforFrancistobringoutathistheatre。Headmitsthatheencouragedhertohopeshemightgetmoneyinthisway。Ithinkhedidwrong。

Don’tyouagreewithme？’

Withoutheedingthequestion，Agnesroseabruptlyfromherchair。

’Domeonemorekindness，Henry，’shesaid。’TakemetotheCountessatonce。’

Henryhesitated。’Areyoucomposedenoughtoseeher，aftertheshockthatyouhavesuffered？’heasked。

Shetrembled，theflushonherfacediedaway，andleftitdeadlypale。

Butsheheldtoherresolution。’YouhaveheardofwhatIsawlastnight？’

shesaidfaintly。

’Don’tspeakofit！’Henryinterposed。’Don’tuselesslyagitateyourself。’

’Imustspeak！Mymindisfullofhorridquestionsaboutit。

IknowIcan’tidentifyit——andyetIaskmyselfoverandoveragain，inwhoselikenessdiditappear？WasitinthelikenessofFerrari？

orwasit——？’shestopped，shuddering。’TheCountessknows，ImustseetheCountess！’sheresumedvehemently。’Whethermycouragefailsmeornot，Imustmaketheattempt。TakemetoherbeforeIhavetimetofeelafraidofit！’

Henrylookedatheranxiously。’Ifyouarereallysureofyourownresolution，’hesaid，’Iagreewithyou——thesooneryouseeherthebetter。Yourememberhowstrangelyshetalkedofyourinfluenceoverher，whensheforcedherwayintoyourroominLondon？’

’Irememberitperfectly。Whydoyouask？’

’Forthisreason。Inthepresentstateofhermind，Idoubtifshewillbemuchlongercapableofrealizingherwildideaofyouastheavengingangelwhoistobringhertoareckoningforherevildeeds。

Itmaybewelltotrywhatyourinfluencecandowhilesheisstillcapableoffeelingit。’

HewaitedtohearwhatAgneswouldsay。Shetookhisarmandledhiminsilencetothedoor。

Theyascendedtothesecondfloor，and，afterknocking，enteredtheCountess’sroom。

Shewasstillbusilyengagedinwriting。Whenshelookedupfromthepaper，andsawAgnes，avacantexpressionofdoubtwastheonlyexpressioninherwildblackeyes。Afterafewmoments，thelostremembrancesandassociationsappearedtoreturnslowlytohermind。

Thependroppedfromherhand。Haggardandtrembling，shelookedcloseratAgnes，andrecognisedheratlast。’Hasthetimecomealready？’

shesaidinlowawe-strucktones。’Givemealittlelongerrespite，Ihaven’tdonemywritingyet！’

Shedroppedonherknees，andheldoutherclaspedhandsentreatingly。

Agneswasfarfromhavingrecovered，aftertheshockthatshehadsufferedinthenight：hernerveswerefarfrombeingequaltothestrainthatwasnowlaidonthem。ShewassostartledbythechangeintheCountess，thatshewasatalosswhattosayortodonext。

Henrywasobligedtospeaktoher。’Putyourquestionswhileyouhavethechance，’hesaid，loweringhisvoice。’See！thevacantlookiscomingoverherfaceagain。’

Agnestriedtorallyhercourage。’Youwereinmyroomlastnight——’

shebegan。Beforeshecouldaddawordmore，theCountessliftedherhands，andwrungthemaboveherheadwithalowmoanofhorror。

Agnesshrankback，andturnedasiftoleavetheroom。Henrystoppedher，andwhisperedtohertotryagain。Sheobeyedhimafteraneffort。

’Isleptlastnightintheroomthatyougaveuptome，’sheresumed。

’Isaw——’

TheCountesssuddenlyrosetoherfeet。’Nomoreofthat，’shecried。

’Oh，JesuMaria！doyouthinkIwanttobetoldwhatyousaw？

DoyouthinkIdon’tknowwhatitmeansforyouandforme？

Decideforyourself，Miss。Examineyourownmind。Areyouwellassuredthatthedayofreckoninghascomeatlast？Areyoureadytofollowmeback，throughthecrimesofthepast，tothesecretsofthedead？’

Shereturnedagaintothewriting-table，withoutwaitingtobeanswered。

Hereyesflashed；shelookedlikeheroldselfoncemoreasshespoke。

Itwasonlyforamoment。Theoldardourandimpetuositywerenearlywornout。Herheadsank；shesighedheavilyassheunlockedadeskwhichstoodonthetable。Openingadrawerinthedesk，shetookoutaleafofvellum，coveredwithfadedwriting。

Someraggedendsofsilkenthreadwerestillattachedtotheleaf，asifithadbeentornoutofabook。

’CanyoureadItalian？’sheasked，handingtheleaftoAgnes。

Agnesansweredsilentlybyaninclinationofherhead。

’Theleaf，’theCountessproceeded，’oncebelongedtoabookintheoldlibraryofthepalace，whilethisbuildingwasstillapalace。

Bywhomitwastornoutyouhavenoneedtoknow。Forwhatpurposeitwastornoutyoumaydiscoverforyourself，ifyouwill。

Readitfirst——atthefifthlinefromthetopofthepage。’

Agnesfelttheseriousnecessityofcomposingherself。

’Givemeachair，’shesaidtoHenry；’andIwilldomybest。’

Heplacedhimselfbehindherchairsothathecouldlookoverhershoulderandhelphertounderstandthewritingontheleaf。

RenderedintoEnglish，itranasfollows：——

Ihavenowcompletedmyliterarysurveyofthefirstfloorofthepalace。Atthedesireofmynobleandgraciouspatron，thelordofthisgloriousedifice，Inextascendtothesecondfloor，andcontinuemycatalogueordescriptionofthepictures，decorations，andothertreasuresofartthereincontained。

Letmebeginwiththecornerroomatthewesternextremityofthepalace，calledtheRoomoftheCaryatides，fromthestatueswhichsupportthemantel-piece。Thisworkisofcomparativelyrecentexecution：

itdatesfromtheeighteenthcenturyonly，andrevealsthecorrupttasteoftheperiodineverypartofit。Still，thereisacertaininterestwhichattachestothemantel-piece：itconcealsacleverlyconstructedhiding-place，betweentheflooroftheroomandtheceilingoftheroombeneath，whichwasmadeduringthelastevildaysoftheInquisitioninVenice，andwhichisreportedtohavesavedanancestorofmygraciouslordpursuedbythatterribletribunal。

Themachineryofthiscuriousplaceofconcealmenthasbeenkeptingoodorderbythepresentlord，asaspeciesofcuriosity。

Hecondescendedtoshowmethemethodofworkingit。

ApproachingthetwoCaryatides，restyourhandontheforehead（midwaybetweentheeyebrows）ofthefigurewhichisonyourleftasyoustandoppositetothefireplace，thenpresstheheadinwardsasifyouwerepushingitagainstthewallbehind。Bydoingthis，yousetinmotionthehiddenmachineryinthewallwhichturnsthehearthstoneonapivot，anddisclosesthehollowplacebelow。

Thereisroomenoughinitforamantolieeasilyatfulllength。

Themethodofclosingthecavityagainisequallysimple。Placebothyourhandsonthetemplesofthefigures；pullasifyouwerepullingittowardsyou——andthehearthstonewillrevolveintoitsproperpositionagain。

’Youneedreadnofarther，’saidtheCountess。’Becarefultorememberwhatyouhaveread。’

Sheputbackthepageofvelluminherwriting-desk，lockedit，andledthewaytothedoor。

’Come！’shesaid；’andseewhatthemockingFrenchmancalled"Thebeginningoftheend。"’

Agneswasbarelyabletorisefromherchair；shetrembledfromheadtofoot。Henrygaveherhisarmtosupporther。’Fearnothing，’

hewhispered；’Ishallbewithyou。’

TheCountessproceededalongthewestwardcorridor，andstoppedatthedoornumberedThirty-eight。ThiswastheroomwhichhadbeeninhabitedbyBaronRivarintheolddaysofthepalace：

itwassituatedimmediatelyoverthebedchamberinwhichAgneshadpassedthenight。Forthelasttwodaystheroomhadbeenempty。

Theabsenceofluggageinit，whentheyopenedthedoor，showedthatithadnotyetbeenlet。

’Yousee？’saidtheCountess，pointingtothecarvedfigureatthefire-place；’andyouknowwhattodo。HaveIdeservedthatyoushouldtemperjusticewithmercy？’shewentoninlowertones。

’Givemeafewhoursmoretomyself。TheBaronwantsmoney——

Imustgetonwithmyplay。’

Shesmiledvacantly，andimitatedtheactionofwritingwithherrighthandasshepronouncedthelastwords。TheeffortofconcentratingherweakenedmindonotherandlessfamiliartopicsthantheconstantwantofmoneyintheBaron’slifetime，andthevagueprospectofgainfromthestillunfinishedplay，hadevidentlyexhaustedherpoorreservesofstrength。Whenherrequesthadbeengranted，sheaddressednoexpressionsofgratitudetoAgnes；sheonlysaid，’Feelnofear，miss，ofmyattemptingtoescapeyou。Whereyouare，thereImustbetilltheendcomes。’

Hereyeswanderedroundtheroomwithalastwearyandstupefiedlook。

Shereturnedtoherwritingwithslowandfeeblesteps，likethestepsofanoldwoman。

CHAPTERXXIV

HenryandAgneswereleftaloneintheRoomoftheCaryatides。

Thepersonwhohadwrittenthedescriptionofthepalace——

probablyapoorauthororartist——hadcorrectlypointedoutthedefectsofthemantel-piece。Badtaste，exhibitingitselfonthemostcostlyandsplendidscale，wasvisibleineverypartofthework。Itwasneverthelessgreatlyadmiredbyignoranttravellersofallclasses；partlyonaccountofitsimposingsize，andpartlyonaccountofthenumberofvariously-colouredmarbleswhichthesculptorhadcontrivedtointroduceintohisdesign。

Photographsofthemantel-piecewereexhibitedinthepublicrooms，andfoundareadysaleamongEnglishandAmericanvisitorstothehotel。

HenryledAgnestothefigureontheleft，astheystoodfacingtheemptyfire-place。’ShallItrytheexperiment，’heasked，’orwillyou？’

Sheabruptlydrewherarmawayfromhim，andturnedbacktothedoor。

’Ican’tevenlookatit，’shesaid。’Thatmercilessmarblefacefrightensme！’

Henryputhishandontheforeheadofthefigure。’Whatistheretoalarmyou，mydear，inthisconventionallyclassicalface？’

heaskedjestingly。Beforehecouldpresstheheadinwards，Agneshurriedlyopenedthedoor。’WaittillIamoutoftheroom！’

shecried。’Thebareideaofwhatyoumayfindtherehorrifiesme！’

Shelookedbackintotheroomasshecrossedthethreshold。

’Iwon’tleaveyoualtogether，’shesaid，’Iwillwaitoutside。’

Sheclosedthedoor。Leftbyhimself，Henryliftedhishandoncemoretothemarbleforeheadofthefigure。

Forthesecondtime，hewascheckedonthepointofsettingthemachineryofthehiding-placeinmotion。Onthisoccasion，theinterruptioncamefromanoutbreakoffriendlyvoicesinthecorridor。Awoman’svoiceexclaimed，’DearestAgnes，howgladIamtoseeyouagain！’Aman’svoicefollowed，offeringtointroducesomefriendto’MissLockwood。’Athirdvoice（whichHenryrecognisedasthevoiceofthemanagerofthehotel）

becameaudiblenext，directingthehousekeepertoshowtheladiesandgentlementhevacantapartmentsattheotherendofthecorridor。

’Ifmoreaccommodationiswanted，’themanagerwenton，’Ihaveacharmingroomtolethere。’Heopenedthedoorashespoke，andfoundhimselffacetofacewithHenryWestwick。

’Thisisindeedanagreeablesurprise，sir！’saidthemanagercheerfully。

’Youareadmiringourfamouschimney-piece，Isee。MayIask，Mr。Westwick，howyoufindyourselfinthehotel，thistime？

Havethesupernaturalinfluencesaffectedyourappetiteagain？’

’Thesupernaturalinfluenceshavesparedme，thistime，’Henryanswered。

’Perhapsyoumayyetfindthattheyhaveaffectedsomeothermemberofthefamily。’Hespokegravely，resentingthefamiliartoneinwhichthemanagerhadreferredtohispreviousvisittothehotel。

’Haveyoujustreturned？’heasked，bywayofchangingthetopic。

’Justthisminute，sir。Ihadthehonouroftravellinginthesametrainwithfriendsofyourswhohavearrivedatthehotel——

Mr。andMrs。ArthurBarville，andtheirtravellingcompanions。

MissLockwoodiswiththem，lookingattherooms。Theywillbeherebeforelong，iftheyfinditconvenienttohaveanextraroomattheirdisposal。’

ThisannouncementdecidedHenryonexploringthehiding-place，beforetheinterruptionoccurred。Ithadcrossedhismind，whenAgneslefthim，thatheoughtperhapstohaveawitness，inthenotveryprobableeventofsomealarmingdiscoverytakingplace。

Thetoo-familiarmanager，suspectingnothing，wasthereathisdisposal。

HeturnedagaintotheCaryanfigure，maliciouslyresolvingtomakethemanagerhiswitness。

’Iamdelightedtohearthatourfriendshavearrivedatlast，’hesaid。

’BeforeIshakehandswiththem，letmeaskyouaquestionaboutthisqueerworkofarthere。Iseephotographsofitdownstairs。

Aretheyforsale？’

’Certainly，Mr。Westwick！’

’Doyouthinkthechimney-pieceisassolidasitlooks？’

Henryproceeded。’Whenyoucamein，Iwasjustwonderingwhetherthisfigureherehadnotaccidentallygotloosenedfromthewallbehindit。’

Helaidhishandonthemarbleforehead，forthethirdtime。

’Tomyeye，itlooksalittleoutoftheperpendicular。

IalmostfanciedIcouldjogtheheadjustnow，whenItouchedit。’

Hepressedtheheadinwardsashesaidthosewords。

Asoundofjarringironwasinstantlyaudiblebehindthewall。

Thesolidhearthstoneinfrontofthefire-placeturnedslowlyatthefeetofthetwomen，anddisclosedadarkcavitybelow。

Atthesamemoment，thestrangeandsickeningcombinationofodours，hithertoassociatedwiththevaultsoftheoldpalaceandwiththebed-chamberbeneath，nowfloatedupfromtheopenrecess，andfilledtheroom。

Themanagerstartedback。’GoodGod，Mr。Westwick！’heexclaimed，’whatdoesthismean？’

Remembering，notonlywhathisbrotherFrancishadfeltintheroombeneath，butwhattheexperienceofAgneshadbeenonthepreviousnight，Henrywasdeterminedtobeonhisguard。

’Iamasmuchsurprisedasyouare，’washisonlyreply。

’Waitformeonemoment，sir，’saidthemanager。’Imuststoptheladiesandgentlemenoutsidefromcomingin。’

Hehurriedaway——notforgettingtoclosethedoorafterhim。

Henryopenedthewindow，andwaitedtherebreathingthepurerair。

Vagueapprehensionsofthenextdiscoverytocome，filledhismindforthefirsttime。Hewasdoublyresolved，now，nottostirastepintheinvestigationwithoutawitness。

Themanagerreturnedwithawaxtaperinhishand，whichhelightedassoonasheenteredtheroom。

’Weneedfearnointerruptionnow，’hesaid。’Besokind，Mr。Westwick，astoholdthelight。Itismybusinesstofindoutwhatthisextraordinarydiscoverymeans。’

Henryheldthetaper。Lookingintothecavity，bythedimandflickeringlight，theybothdetectedadarkobjectatthebottomofit。

’IthinkIcanreachthething，’themanagerremarked，’ifIliedown，andputmyhandintothehole。’

Hekneltonthefloor——andhesitated。’MightIaskyou，sir，togivememygloves？’hesaid。’Theyareinmyhat，onthechairbehindyou。’

Henrygavehimthegloves。’Idon’tknowwhatImaybegoingtotakeholdof，’themanagerexplained，smilingratheruneasilyasheputonhisrightglove。

Hestretchedhimselfatfulllengthonthefloor，andpassedhisrightarmintothecavity。’Ican’tsayexactlywhatIhavegotholdof，’

hesaid。’ButIhavegotit。’

Halfraisinghimself，hedrewhishandout。

Thenextinstant，hestartedtohisfeetwithashriekofterror。

Ahumanheaddroppedfromhisnervelessgrasponthefloor，androlledtoHenry’sfeet。ItwasthehideousheadthatAgneshadseenhoveringaboveher，inthevisionofthenight！

Thetwomenlookedateachother，bothstruckspeechlessbythesameemotionofhorror。Themanagerwasthefirsttocontrolhimself。

’Seetothedoor，forGod’ssake！’hesaid。’Someofthepeopleoutsidemayhaveheardme。’

Henrymovedmechanicallytothedoor。

Evenwhenhehadhishandonthekey，readytoturnitinthelockincaseofnecessity，hestilllookedbackattheappallingobjectonthefloor。Therewasnopossibilityofidentifyingthosedecayedanddistortedfeatureswithanylivingcreaturewhomhehadseen——

and，yet，hewasconsciousoffeelingavagueandawfuldoubtwhichshookhimtothesoul。ThequestionswhichhadtorturedthemindofAgnes，werenowhisquestionstoo。Heaskedhimself，’InwhoselikenessmightIhaverecogniseditbeforethedecaysetin？

ThelikenessofFerrari？orthelikenessof——？’Hepausedtrembling，asAgneshadpausedtremblingbeforehim。Agnes！Thename，ofallwomen’snamesthedearesttohim，wasaterrortohimnow！

Whatwashetosaytoher？Whatmightbetheconsequenceifhetrustedherwiththeterribletruth？

Nofootstepsapproachedthedoor；novoiceswereaudibleoutside。

Thetravellerswerestilloccupiedintheroomsattheeasternendofthecorridor。

Inthebriefintervalthathadpassed，themanagerhadsufficientlyrecoveredhimselftobeabletothinkoncemoreofthefirstandforemostinterestsofhislife——theinterestsofthehotel。

HeapproachedHenryanxiously。

’Ifthisfrightfuldiscoverybecomesknown，’hesaid，’theclosingofthehotelandtheruinoftheCompanywillbetheinevitableresults。

IfeelsurethatIcantrustyourdiscretion，sir，sofar？’

’Youcancertainlytrustme，’Henryanswered。’Butsurelydiscretionhasitslimits，’headded，’aftersuchadiscoveryaswehavemade？’

Themanagerunderstoodthatthedutywhichtheyowedtothecommunity，ashonestandlaw-abidingmen，wasthedutytowhichHenrynowreferred。

’Iwillatoncefindthemeans，’hesaid，’ofconveyingtheremainsprivatelyoutofthehouse，andIwillmyselfplacetheminthecareofthepoliceauthorities。Willyouleavetheroomwithme？ordoyounotobjecttokeepwatchhere，andhelpmewhenIreturn？’

Whilehewasspeaking，thevoicesofthetravellersmadethemselvesheardagainattheendofthecorridor。Henryinstantlyconsentedtowaitintheroom。HeshrankfromfacingtheinevitablemeetingwithAgnesifheshowedhimselfinthecorridoratthatmoment。

Themanagerhastenedhisdeparture，inthehopeofescapingnotice。

Hewasdiscoveredbyhisguestsbeforehecouldreachtheheadofthestairs。Henryheardthevoicesplainlyasheturnedthekey。

Whiletheterribledramaofdiscoverywasinprogressononesideofthedoor，trivialquestionsabouttheamusementsofVenice，andfacetiousdiscussionsontherelativemeritsofFrenchandItaliancookery，wereproceedingontheother。Littlebylittle，thesoundofthetalkinggrewfainter。Thevisitors，havingarrangedtheirplansofamusementfortheday，wereontheirwayoutofthehotel。

Inaminuteortwo，therewassilenceoncemore。

Henryturnedtothewindow，thinkingtorelievehismindbylookingatthebrightviewoverthecanal。Hesoongrewweariedofthefamiliarscene。Themorbidfascinationwhichseemstobeexercisedbyallhorriblesights，drewhimbackagaintotheghastlyobjectonthefloor。

Dreamorreality，howhadAgnessurvivedthesightofit？

Asthequestionpassedthroughhismind，henoticedforthefirsttimesomethinglyingonthefloornearthehead。Lookingcloser，heperceivedathinlittleplateofgold，withthreefalseteethattachedtoit，whichhadapparentlydroppedout（loosenedbytheshock）

whenthemanagerlettheheadfallonthefloor。

Theimportanceofthisdiscovery，andthenecessityofnottooreadilycommunicatingittoothers，instantlystruckHenry。

Heresurelywasachance——ifanychanceremained——ofidentifyingtheshockingrelicofhumanitywhichlaybeforehim，thedumbwitnessofacrime！Actingonthisidea，hetookpossessionoftheteeth，purposingtousethemasalastmeansofinquirywhenotherattemptsatinvestigationhadbeentriedandhadfailed。

Hewentbackagaintothewindow：thesolitudeoftheroombegantoweighonhisspirits。Ashelookedoutagainattheview，therewasasoftknockatthedoor。Hehastenedtoopenit——

andcheckedhimselfintheact。Adoubtoccurredtohim。Wasitthemanagerwhohadknocked？Hecalledout，’Whoisthere？’

ThevoiceofAgnesansweredhim。’Haveyouanythingtotellme，Henry？’

Hewashardlyabletoreply。’Notjustnow，’hesaid，confusedly。

’ForgivemeifIdon’topenthedoor。Iwillspeaktoyoualittlelater。’

Thesweetvoicemadeitselfheardagain，pleadingwithhimpiteously。

’Don’tleavemealone，Henry！Ican’tgobacktothehappypeopledownstairs。’

Howcouldheresistthatappeal？Heheardhersigh——heheardtherustlingofherdressasshemovedawayindespair。Theverythingthathehadshrunkfromdoingbutafewminutessincewasthethingthathedidnow！

HejoinedAgnesinthecorridor。Sheturnedassheheardhim，andpointed，trembling，inthedirectionoftheclosedroom。

’Isitsoterribleasthat？’sheaskedfaintly。

Heputhisarmroundhertosupporther。Athoughtcametohimashelookedather，waitingindoubtandfearforhisreply。

’YoushallknowwhatIhavediscovered，’hesaid，’ifyouwillfirstputonyourhatandcloak，andcomeoutwithme。’

Shewasnaturallysurprised。’Canyoutellmeyourobjectingoingout？’

sheasked。

Heownedwhathisobjectwasunreservedly。’Iwant，beforeallthings，’

hesaid，’tosatisfyyourmindandmine，onthesubjectofMontbarry’sdeath。Iamgoingtotakeyoutothedoctorwhoattendedhiminhisillness，andtotheconsulwhofollowedhimtothegrave。’

HereyesrestedonHenrygratefully。’Oh，howwellyouunderstandme！’

shesaid。Themanagerjoinedthematthesamemoment，onhiswayupthestairs。Henrygavehimthekeyoftheroom，andthencalledtotheservantsinthehalltohaveagondolareadyatthesteps。

’Areyouleavingthehotel？’themanagerasked。’Insearchofevidence，’

Henrywhispered，pointingtothekey。’Iftheauthoritieswantme，Ishallbebackinanhour。’

CHAPTERXXV

Thedayhadadvancedtoevening。LordMontbarryandthebridalpartyhadgonetotheOpera。Agnesalone，pleadingtheexcuseoffatigue，remainedatthehotel。Havingkeptupappearancesbyaccompanyinghisfriendstothetheatre，HenryWestwickslippedawayafterthefirstact，andjoinedAgnesinthedrawing-room。

’HaveyouthoughtofwhatIsaidtoyouearlierintheday？’

heasked，takingachairatherside。’Doyouagreewithmethattheonedreadfuldoubtwhichoppressedusbothisatleastsetatrest？’

Agnesshookherheadsadly。’IwishIcouldagreewithyou，Henry——

IwishIcouldhonestlysaythatmymindisatease。’

Theanswerwouldhavediscouragedmostmen。Henry’spatience（whereAgneswasconcerned）wasequaltoanydemandsonit。

’Ifyouwillonlylookbackattheeventsoftheday，’hesaid，’youmustsurelyadmitthatwehavenotbeencompletelybaffled。

RememberhowDr。Brunodisposedofourdoubts：——"Afterthirtyyearsofmedicalpractice，doyouthinkIamlikelytomistakethesymptomsofdeathbybronchitis？"Ifevertherewasanunanswerablequestion，thereitis！Wastheconsul’stestimonydoubtfulinanypartofit？

Hecalledatthepalacetoofferhisservices，afterhearingofLordMontbarry’sdeath；hearrivedatthetimewhenthecoffinwasinthehouse；

hehimselfsawthecorpseplacedinit，andthelidscreweddown。

Theevidenceofthepriestisequallybeyonddispute。Heremainedintheroomwiththecoffin，recitingtheprayersforthedead，untilthefuneralleftthepalace。Bearallthesestatementsinmind，Agnes；andhowcanyoudenythatthequestionofMontbarry’sdeathandburialisaquestionsetatrest？Wehavereallybutonedoubtleft：wehavestilltoaskourselveswhethertheremainswhichIdiscoveredaretheremainsofthelostcourier，ornot。Thereisthecase，asIunderstandit。HaveIstateditfairly？’

Agnescouldnotdenythathehadstateditfairly。

"ThenwhatpreventsyoufromexperiencingthesamesenseofreliefthatIfeel？’Henryasked。

’WhatIsawlastnightpreventsme，’Agnesanswered。’Whenwespokeofthissubject，afterourinquirieswereover，youreproachedmewithtakingwhatyoucalledthesuperstitiousview。Idon’tquiteadmitthat——butIdoacknowledgethatIshouldfindthesuperstitiousviewintelligibleifIhearditexpressedbysomeotherperson。

RememberingwhatyourbrotherandIonceweretoeachotherinthebygonetime，Icanunderstandtheapparitionmakingitselfvisibletome，toclaimthemercyofChristianburial，andthevengeanceduetoacrime。Icanevenperceivesomefaintpossibilityoftruthintheexplanationwhichyoudescribedasthemesmerictheory——

thatwhatIsawmightbetheresultofmagneticinfluencecommunicatedtome，asIlaybetweentheremainsofthemurderedhusbandabovemeandtheguiltywifesufferingthetorturesofremorseatmybedside。

ButwhatIdonotunderstandis，thatIshouldhavepassedthroughthatdreadfulordeal；havingnopreviousknowledgeofthemurderedmaninhislifetime，oronlyknowinghim（ifyousupposethatIsawtheapparitionofFerrari）throughtheinterestwhichItookinhiswife。

Ican’tdisputeyourreasoning，Henry。ButIfeelinmyheartofheartsthatyouaredeceived。Nothingwillshakemybeliefthatwearestillasfarfromhavingdiscoveredthedreadfultruthasever。’

Henrymadenofurtherattempttodisputewithher。Shehadimpressedhimwithacertainreluctantrespectforherownopinion，inspiteofhimself。

’Haveyouthoughtofanybetterwayofarrivingatthetruth？’

heasked。’Whoistohelpus？NodoubtthereistheCountess，whohasthecluetothemysteryinherownhands。But，inthepresentstateofhermind，ishertestimonytobetrusted——evenifshewerewillingtospeak？Judgingbymyownexperience，Ishouldsaydecidedlynot。’

’Youdon’tmeanthatyouhaveseenheragain？’Agneseagerlyinterposed。

’Yes。Idisturbedheroncemoreoverherendlesswriting；

andIinsistedonherspeakingoutplainly。’

’Thenyoutoldherwhatyoufoundwhenyouopenedthehiding-place？’

’OfcourseIdid！’Henryreplied。’IsaidthatIheldherresponsibleforthediscovery，thoughIhadnotmentionedherconnectionwithittotheauthoritiesasyet。ShewentonwithherwritingasifIhadspokeninanunknowntongue！Iwasequallyobstinate，onmyside。

Itoldherplainlythattheheadhadbeenplacedunderthecareofthepolice，andthatthemanagerandIhadsignedourdeclarationsandgivenourevidence。Shepaidnottheslightestheedtome。

Bywayoftemptinghertospeak，Iaddedthatthewholeinvestigationwastobekeptasecret，andthatshemightdependonmydiscretion。

ForthemomentIthoughtIhadsucceeded。Shelookedupfromherwritingwithapassingflashofcuriosity，andsaid，"Whataretheygoingtodowithit？"——meaning，Isuppose，thehead。

Iansweredthatitwastobeprivatelyburied，afterphotographsofithadfirstbeentaken。Ievenwentthelengthofcommunicatingtheopinionofthesurgeonconsulted，thatsomechemicalmeansofarrestingdecompositionhadbeenusedandhadonlypartiallysucceeded——

andIaskedherpoint-blankifthesurgeonwasright？Thetrapwasnotabadone——butitcompletelyfailed。Shesaidinthecoolestmanner，"Nowyouarehere，Ishouldliketoconsultyouaboutmyplay；

Iamatalossforsomenewincidents。"Mind！therewasnothingsatiricalinthis。Shewasreallyeagertoreadherwonderfulworktome——evidentlysupposingthatItookaspecialinterestinsuchthings，becausemybrotheristhemanagerofatheatre！

Ilefther，makingthefirstexcusethatoccurredtome。

SofarasIamconcerned，Icandonothingwithher。

Butitispossiblethatyourinfluencemaysucceedwithheragain，asithassucceededalready。Willyoumaketheattempt，tosatisfyyourownmind？Sheisstillupstairs；andIamquitereadytoaccompanyyou。’

AgnesshudderedatthebaresuggestionofanotherinterviewwiththeCountess。

’Ican’t！Idaren’t！’sheexclaimed。’Afterwhathashappenedinthathorribleroom，sheismorerepellenttomethanever。

Don’taskmetodoit，Henry！Feelmyhand——youhaveturnedmeascoldasdeathonlywithtalkingofit！’

Shewasnotexaggeratingtheterrorthatpossessedher。

Henryhastenedtochangethesubject。

’Letustalkofsomethingmoreinteresting，’hesaid。’Ihaveaquestiontoaskyouaboutyourself。AmIrightinbelievingthatthesooneryougetawayfromVenicethehappieryouwillbe？’

’Right？’sherepeatedexcitedly。’Youaremorethanright！

NowordscansayhowIlongtobeawayfromthishorribleplace。

ButyouknowhowIamsituated——youheardwhatLordMontbarrysaidatdinner-time？’

’Supposehehasalteredhisplans，sincedinner-time？’Henrysuggested。

Agneslookedsurprised。’IthoughthehadreceivedlettersfromEnglandwhichobligedhimtoleaveVeniceto-morrow，’shesaid。

’Quitetrue，’Henryadmitted。’HehadarrangedtostartforEnglandto-morrow，andtoleaveyouandLadyMontbarryandthechildrentoenjoyyourholidayinVenice，undermycare。

Circumstanceshaveoccurred，however，whichhaveforcedhimtoalterhisplans。Hemusttakeyouallbackwithhimto-morrowbecauseIamnotabletoassumethechargeofyou。IamobligedtogiveupmyholidayinItaly，andreturntoEnglandtoo。’

Agneslookedathiminsomelittleperplexity：shewasnotquitesurewhethersheunderstoodhimornot。

’Areyoureallyobligedtogoback？’sheasked。

Henrysmiledasheansweredher。’Keepthesecret，’hesaid，’orMontbarrywillneverforgiveme！’

Shereadtherestinhisface。’Oh！’sheexclaimed，blushingbrightly，’youhavenotgivenupyourpleasantholidayinItalyonmyaccount？’

’IshallgobackwithyoutoEngland，Agnes。Thatwillbeholidayenoughforme。’

Shetookhishandinanirrepressibleoutburstofgratitude。

’Howgoodyouaretome！’shemurmuredtenderly。’WhatshouldIhavedoneinthetroublesthathavecometome，withoutyoursympathy？

Ican’ttellyou，Henry，howIfeelyourkindness。’

Shetriedimpulsivelytolifthishandtoherlips。Hegentlystoppedher。’Agnes，’hesaid，’areyoubeginningtounderstandhowtrulyIloveyou？’

Thatsimplequestionfounditsownwaytoherheart。Sheownedthewholetruth，withoutsayingaword。Shelookedathim——

andthenlookedawayagain。

Hedrewhernearertohim。’Myowndarling！’hewhispered——

andkissedher。Softlyandtremulously，thesweetlipslingered，andtouchedhislipsinreturn。Thenherheaddrooped。

Sheputherarmsroundhisneck，andhidherfaceonhisbosom。

Theyspokenomore。

Thecharmedsilencehadlastedbutalittlewhile，whenitwasmercilesslybrokenbyaknockatthedoor。

Agnesstartedtoherfeet。Sheplacedherselfatthepiano；

theinstrumentbeingoppositetothedoor，itwasimpossible，whensheseatedherselfonthemusic-stool，foranypersonenteringtheroomtoseeherface。Henrycalledoutirritably，’Comein。’

Thedoorwasnotopened。Thepersonontheothersideofitaskedastrangequestion。