第4章

Crouchingclose，andlayingmyearagainstthecanvas，I

listened。

Thenursewasspeakinginagentlypersuasivetone。Iimaginedherkneelingbytheheadofthepatientandbreathingwordsintohisear。ThesewerewhatIheard：

"Youlovediamonds。Ihaveoftennoticedthat；youlooksolongattheringonyourhand。ThatiswhyIhaveletitstaythere，thoughattimesIhavefeareditwoulddropoffandrollawayovertheadobedownthemountain-side。WasIright？"

"Yes，yes。"Thewordscamewithdifficulty，buttheywereclearenough。"It’sofsmallvalue。Ilikeitbecause——"

Heappearedtobetooweaktofinish。

Apause，duringwhichsheseemedtoedgenearertohim。

"Weallhavesomepetkeepsake，"saidshe。"ButIshouldneverhavesupposedthisstoneofyoursaninexpensiveone。ButI

forgetthatyouaretheownerofaverylargeandremarkablediamond，adiamondthatisspokenofsometimesinthepapers。Ofcourse，ifyouhaveagemlikethat，thisonemustappearverysmallandvaluelesstoyou。"

"Yes，thisisnothing，nothing。"Andheappearedtoturnawayhishead。

"Mr。Fairbrother！Pardonme，butIwanttotellyousomethingaboutthatbigdiamondofyours。Youhavebeeninandhavenotbeenabletoreadyourletters，sodonotknowthatyourwifehashadsometroublewiththatdiamond。Peoplehavesaidthatitisnotarealstone，butawell-executedimitation。MayIwritetoherthatthisisamistake，thatitisallyouhaveeverclaimedforit——thatis，anunusuallylargediamondofthefirstwater？"

Ilistenedinamazement。Surely，thiswasaninsidiouswaytogetatthetruth，——awoman’sway，butwhowouldsayitwasnotawiseone，thewisest，perhaps，whichcouldbetakenunderthecircumstances？Whatwouldhisreplybe？Woulditshowthathewasasignorantofhiswife’sdeathaswasgenerallybelieved，bothbythoseabouthimhereandthosewhoknewhimwellinNewYork？

Orwouldthequestionconveynothingfurthertohimthanthedoubt——initselfaninsultofthegenuinenessofthatgreatstonewhichhadbeenhispride？

Amurmur——thatwasallitcouldbecalled——brokefromhisfever-driedlipsanddiedawayinaninarticulategasp。Then，suddenly，sharply，acrybrokefromhim，anintelligiblecry，andweheardhimsay：

"Noimitation！noimitation！Itwasasun！aglory！Nootherlikeit！Itlittheair！itblazed，itburned！Iseeitnow！Isee——"

Therethepassionsuccumbed，thestrengthfailed；anothermurmur，another，andthegreatvoidofnightwhichstretchedover——I

mightalmostsayunderus——wasnomorequietorseeminglyimpenetrablethanthesilenceofthatmoon-envelopedtentWouldhespeakagain？Ididnotthinkso。Wouldsheeventrytomakehim？Ididnotthinkthis，either。ButIdidnotknowthewoman。

Softlyhervoiceroseagain。Therewasadominatinginsistenceinhertones，gentleastheywere；theinsistenceofahealthymindwhichseekstocontrolaweakenedone。

"Youdonotknowofanyimitation，then？Itwastherealstoneyougaveher。Youaresureofit；youwouldbereadytosweartoitif——sayjustyesorno，"shefinishedingentleurgency。

Evidentlyhewassinkingagainintounconsciousness，andshewasjustholdinghimbacklongenoughforthenecessaryword。

Itcameslowlyandwithadraggingintonation，buttherewasnomistakingtheringoftruthwithwhichhespoke。

"Yes，"saidhe，WhenIheardthedoctor’svoiceandfeltamovementinthecanvasagainstwhichIleaned，Itookthewarningandstolebackhurriedlytomyquarters。

Iwasscarcelysettled，whenthesamegroupofthreeIhadbeforewatchedsilhouetteditselfagainagainstthemoonlight。Therewassometalk，aminglingandseparatingofshadows；thenthenurseglidedbacktoherdutiesandthetwomenwenttowardtheclumpoftreeswherethehorsehadbeentethered。

Tenminutesandthedoctorwasbackinhisbunk。Wasitimagination，ordidIfeelhishandonmyshoulderbeforehefinallylaydownandcomposedhimselftosleep？Icannotsay；I

onlyknowthatIgavenosign，andthatsoonallstirceasedinhisdirectionandIwaslefttoenjoymytriumphandtolistenwithanxiousinteresttothestrangeandunintelligiblesoundswhichaccompaniedthedescentofthehorsemandownthefaceofthecliff，andfinallytowatchwithafascination，whichdrewmetomyknees，thepassageofthatsparklingstaroflighthangingfromhissaddle。Itcrepttoandfroacrossthesideoftheoppositemountainashethreadeditsendlesszigzagsandfinallydisappearedoverthebrowintotheinvisiblecanyonsbeyond。

Withthedisappearanceofthisbeaconcamelassitudeandsleep，throughwhosehazyatmospherefloatedwildsentencesfromthesicktent，whichshowedthatthepatientwasbackagaininNevada，quarrelingoverthepriceofahorsewhichwastocarryhimbeyondthereachofsomethreateningavalanche。

WhennextmorningIcametodepart，thedoctortookmebybothhandsandlookedmestraightintheeyes。

"Youheard，"hesaid。

"Howdoyouknow？"Iasked。

"IcantellasatisfiedmanwhenIseehim，"hegrowled，throwingdownmyhandswiththatsamehumoroustwinkleinhiseyeswhichhadencouragedmefromthefirst。

Imadenoanswer，butIshallrememberthelesson。

Onedetailmore。WhenIstaredonmyowndescentIfoundwhytheleggings，withwhichIhadbeenprovided，weresoindispensable。

Iwasnotallowedtoride；indeed，ridingdownthosesteepdeclivitieswasimpossible。Nohorsecouldpreservehisbalancewitharideronhisback。Islid，sodidmyhorse，andonlyinthevalleybeneathdidwecometogetheragain。

VIII

ARREST

ThesuccessofthisinterviewprovokedotherattemptsonthepartofthereporterswhonowflockedintotheSouthwest。ErelongparticularsbegantopourinofMr。Fairbrother’spainfuljourneysouth，afterhisillnesssetin。TheclerkofthehotelinElMoro，wherethegreatmine-owner’snamewasfoundregisteredatthetimeofthemurder，toldastorywhichmadeverygoodreadingforthosewhoweremoreinterestedinthesufferingsandexperiencesofthemillionairehusbandofthemurderedladythaninthoseoftheunhappybutcomparativelyinsignificantmanuponwhompublicopinionhadcasttheodiumofherdeath。

ItseemsthatwhenthefirstnewscameofthegreatcrimewhichhadtakenplaceinNewYork，Mr。Fairbrotherwasabsentfromthehotelonaprospectingtourthroughtheadjacentmountains。

Couriershadbeensentafterhim，anditwasoneofthesewhofinallybroughthimintotown。Hehadbeenfoundwanderingaloneonhorsebackamongthedefilesofanuntraveledregion，sickandalmostincoherentfromfever。Indeed，hisconditionwassuchthatneitherthecouriernorsuchothersassawhimhadthehearttotellhimthedreadfulnewsfromNewYork，oreventoshowhimthepapers。Totheirgreatrelief，hebetrayednocuriosityinthem。

Allhewantedwasaberthinthefirsttraingoingsouth，andthiswasaneasywayforthemoutofagreatresponsibility。Theylistenedtohiswishesandsawhimsafelyaboard，withsuchalacrityandwithsomanyprecautionsagainsthisbeingdisturbedthattheyhaveneverdoubtedthatheleftElMorointotalignorance，notonlyofthecircumstancesofhisgreatbereavement，butofthebereavementitself。

Thisignorance，whichheappearedtohavecarriedwithhimtothePlacide，wasregardedbythosewhoknewhimbestasprovingthetruthoftheaffirmationelicitedfromhiminthepausesofhisdeliriumofthegenuinenessofthestonewhichhadpassedfromhishandstothoseofhiswifeatthetimeoftheirseparation；

and，furtherdespatchescomingin，someprivateandsomeofficial，butallinsistinguponthefactthatitwouldbeweeksbeforehewouldbeinaconditiontosubmittoanysortofexaminationonasubjectsopainful，theauthoritiesinNewYorkdecidedtowaitnolongerforhistestimony，buttoproceedatoncewiththeinquest。

Greatasisthetemptationtogiveadetailedaccountofproceedingswhichwereofsuchmomenttomyself，andtoeverywordofwhichIlistenedwiththeeagernessofanoviceandtheanguishofawomanwhoseesherlover’sreputationatthemercyofaverdictwhichmaystigmatizehimasapossiblecriminal，I

seenoreasonforencumberingmynarrativewithwhat，forthemostpart，wouldbeamererepetitionoffactsalreadyknowntoyou。

Mr。Durand’sintimateandsuggestiveconnectionwiththiscrime，theexplanationshehadtogiveofthisconnection，frequentlybizarreand，Imustacknowledge，notalwaysconvincing，——nothingcouldalterthesenorchangethefactoftheundoubtedcowardicehedisplayedinhidingMrs。Fairbrother’sglovesinmyunfortunatelittlebag。

Asforthemysteryofthewarning，itremainedasmuchofamysteryasever。Nordidanybettersuccessfollowanattempttofixtheownershipofthestiletto，thoughahalf-daywasexhaustedinanendeavortoshowthatthelattermighthavecomeintoMr。Durand’spossessioninsomeofthemanyvisitshewasshowntohavemadeoflatetovariouscurio-shopsinandoutofNewYorkCity。*

Ihadexpectedallthis，justasIhadexpectedMr。Greytobeabsentfromtheproceedingsandhistestimonyignored。Butthisexpectationdidnotmaketheordealanyeasier，andwhenI

noticedtheeffectofwitnessafterwitnessleavingthestandwithouthavingimprovedMr。Durand’spositionbyajotorofferinganynewcluecapableofturningsuspicionintootherdirections，IfeltmyspirithardenandmypurposestrengthentillIhardlyknewmyself。Imusthavefrightenedmyuncle，forhishandwasalwaysonmyarmandhischidingvoiceinmyear，biddingmebeware，notonlyformyownsakeandhis，butforthatofMr。Durand，whoseeyewasseldomawayfrommyface。

Theverdict，however，wasnottheoneIhadsodeeplydreaded。

WhileitdidnotexonerateMr。Durand，itdidnotopenlyaccusehim，andIwasonthepointofgivinghimasmileofcongratulationandrenewedhopewhenIsawmylittledetective——

theonewhohadspiedtheglovesinmybagattheball——advanceandplacehishanduponhisarm。

Thepolicehadgoneastepfurtherthanthecoroner’sjury，andMr。Durandwasarrested，beforemyeyes，onachargeofmurder。

*Mr。Durand’svisitstothecurio-shops，asexplainedbyhim，weremadewithaviewoffindingacasketinwhichtoplacehisdiamond。Thisexplanationwaslookeduponwithasmuchdoubtastheothershehadofferedwherethesituationseemedtobeofacompromisingcharacter。

IX

THEMOUSENIBBLESATTHENET

Thenextdaysawmeatpoliceheadquartersbegginganinterviewfromtheinspector，withtheintentionofconfidingtohimatheorywhichmusteithercostmehissympathyoropenthewaytoanewinquiry，whichIfeltsurewouldleadtoMr。Durand’scompleteexoneration。

Ichosethisgentlemanformyconfidant，fromamongallthosewithwhomIhadbeenbroughtincontactbymypositionaswitnessinacaseofthismagnitude，first，becausehehadbeenpresentatthemosttragicmomentofmylife，andsecondly，becauseIwasconsciousofasympatheticbondbetweenuswhichwouldinsuremeakindhearing。Howeverridiculousmyideamightappeartohim，I

wasassuredthathewouldtreatmewithconsiderationandnotvisitwhateverfollyImightbeguiltyofontheheadofhimforwhomIriskedmyreputationforgoodsense。

NorwasIdisappointedinthis。InspectorDalzell’sairwasfatherlyandhistonealtogethergentleas，inreplytomyexcusesfortroublinghimwithmyopinions，hetoldmethatinacaseofsuchimportancehewasgladtoreceivetheimpressionsevenofsuchaprejudicedlittlepartizanasmyself。Thewordfiredme，andIspoke。

"YouconsiderMr。Durandguilty，andsodomanyothers，Ifear，inspiteofhislongrecordforhonestyanduprightness。Andwhy？

Becauseyouwillnotadmitthepossibilityofanotherperson’sguilt，——apersonstandingsohighinprivateandpublicestimationthattheveryideaseemspreposterousandlittleshortofinsultingtothecountryofwhichheisanacknowledgedornament。"

"Mydear！"

Theinspectorhadactuallyrisen。Hisexpressionandwholeattitudeshowedshock。ButIdidnotquail；Ionlysubduedmymannerandspokewithquieterconviction。

"Iamaware，"saidI，"howwordssodaringmustimpressyou。Butlisten，sir；listentowhatIhavetosaybeforeyouutterlycondemnme。IacknowledgethatitisthefrightfulpositionintowhichIthrewMr。DurandbymyofficiousattempttorighthimwhichhasdrivenmetomakethissecondefforttofixthecrimeontheonlyothermanwhohadpossibleaccesstoMrs。Fairbrotheratthefatalmoment。HowcouldIliveininaction？Howcouldyouexpectmetoweighforamomentthisforeigner’sreputationagainstthatofmyownlover？IfIhavereasons——"

"Reasons！"

"——reasonswhichwouldappealtoall；ifinsteadofthisperson’shavinganinternationalreputationathisbackhehadbeenasimplegentlemanlikeMr。Durand，——wouldyounotconsidermeentitledtospeak？"

"Certainly，but——"

"Youhavenoconfidenceinmyreasons，Inspector；theymaynotweighagainstthatsplashofbloodonMr。Durand’sshirt-front，butsuchastheyareImustgivethem。Butfirst，itwillbenecessaryforyoutoacceptforthenonceMr。Durand’sstatementsastrue。Areyouwillingtodothis？"

"Iwilltry。"

"Then，aharderthingyet，——toputsomeconfidenceinmyjudgment。Isawthemananddidnotlikehimlongbeforeanyintimationoftheevening’stragedyhadturnedsuspiciononanyone。IwatchedhimasIwatchedothers。IsawthathehadnotcometotheballtopleaseMr。Ramsdellorforanypleasurehehimselfhopedtoreapfromsocialintercourse，butforsomepurposemuchmoreimportant，andthatthispurposewasconnectedwithMrs。Fairbrother’sdiamond。Indifferent，almostmorosebeforeshecameuponthescene，hebrightenedtoasurprisingextentthemomenthefoundhimselfinherpresence。Notbecauseshewasabeautifulwoman，forhescarcelyhonoredherfaceorevenhersuperbfigurewithalook。Allhisglanceswerecenteredonherlargefan，which，inswayingtoandfro，alternatelyhidandrevealedthesplendoronherbreast；andwhenbychanceithungsuspendedforamomentinherforgetfulhandandhecaughtafullglimpseofthegreatgem，Iperceivedsuchachangeinhisfacethat，ifnothingmorehadoccurredthatnighttogiveprominencetothiswomanandherdiamond，Ishouldhavecarriedhometheconvictionthatinterestsofnocommonimportlaybehindafeelingsoextraordinarilydisplayed。"

"Fanciful，mydearMissVanArsdaleIInteresting，butfanciful。"

"Iknow。Ihavenotyettouchedonfact。Butfactsarecoming，Inspector。"

Hestared。Evidentlyhewasnotaccustomedtohearthelawlaiddowninthisfashionbyamidgetofmyproportions。

"Goon，"saidhe；"happily，Ihavenoclerkheretolisten。"

"Iwouldnotspeakifyouhad。Thesearewordsforbutoneearasyet。Notevenmyunclesuspectsthedirectionofmythoughts。"

"Proceed，"heagainenjoined。

UponwhichIplungedintomysubject。

"Mrs。Fairbrotherworetherealdiamond，andnoimitation，totheball。OfthisIfeelsure。Thebitofglassorpastedisplayedtothecoroner’sjurywasbrightenough，butitwasnotthestaroflightIsawburningonherbreastasshepassedmeonherwaytothealcove。"

"MissVanArsdale！"

"TheinterestwhichMr。Duranddisplayedinit，themarkedexcitementintowhichhewasthrownbyhisfirstviewofitssizeandsplendor，confirminmymindtheevidencewhichhegaveonoath（andheisawell-knowndiamondexpert，youknow，andmusthavebeenverywellawarethathewouldinjureratherthanhelphiscausebythisadmission）thatatthattimehebelievedthestonetoberealandofimmensevalue。Wearingsuchagem，then，sheenteredthefatalalcove，and，withasmileonherface，preparedtoemployherfascinationsonwhoeverchancedtocomewithintheirreach。Butnowsomethinghappened。Pleaseletmetellitmyownway。Ashoutfromthedriveway，orabitofsnowthrownagainstthewindow，drewherattentiontoamanstandingbelow，holdingupanotefastenedtotheendofawhip-handle。I

donotknowwhetherornotyouhavefoundthatman。Ifyouhave——

"Theinspectormadenosign。"Ijudgethatyouhavenot，soI

maygoonwithmysuppositions。Mrs。Fairbrothertookinthisnote。Shemayhaveexpecteditandforthisreasonchosethealcovetositin，oritmayhavebeenasurprisetoher。Probablyweshallneverknowthewholetruthaboutit；butwhatwecanknowanddo，ifyouarestillholdingtoourcompactandviewingthiscrimeinthelightofMr。Durand’sexplanations，isthatitmadeachangeinherandmadeheranxioustoridherselfofthediamond。Ithasbeendecidedthatthehurriedscrawlshouldread，’Takewarning。Hemeanstobeattheball。Expecttroubleifyoudonotgivehimthediamond，’orsomethingtothateffect。Butwhywasitpasseduptoherunfinished？Wasthehastetoogreat？

Ihardlythinkso。Ibelieveinanotherexplanation，whichpointswithstartlingdirectnesstothepossibilitythatthepersonreferredtointhisbrokencommunicationwasnotMr。Durand，butonewhomIneednotname；andthatthereasonyouhavefailedtofindthemessenger，ofwhoseappearanceyouhavereceiveddefiniteinformation，isthatyouhavenotlookedamongtheservantsofacertaindistinguishedvisitorintown。Oh，"Iburstforthwithfeverishvolubility，asIsawtheinspector’slipsopeninwhatcouldnotfailtobeasarcasticutterance，"Iknowwhatyoufeeltemptedtoreply。Whyshouldaservantdeliverawarningagainsthisownmaster？Ifyouwillbepatientwithmeyouwillsoonsee；butfirstIwishtomakeitclearthatMrs。

Fairbrother，havingreceivedthiswarningjustbeforeMr。Durandappearedinthealcove，——reckless，schemingwomanthatshewas！——

soughttoridherselfoftheobjectagainstwhichitwasdirectedinthewaywehavetemporarilyacceptedastrue。Relyingonherarts，andpossiblymisconceivingthenatureofMr。Durand’sinterestinher，shehandsoverthediamondhiddeninherrolled-upgloves，whichhe，withoutsuspicion，carriesawaywithhim，thuslinkinghimselfindissolublytoagreatcrimeofwhichanotherwastheperpetrator。Thatother，orsoIbelievefrommyveryheartofhearts，wasthemanIsawleaningagainstthewallatthefootofthealcoveafewminutesbeforeIpassedintothesupper-room。"

Istoppedwithagasp，hardlyabletomeetthesternandforbiddinglookwithwhichtheinspectorsoughttorestrainwhatheevidentlyconsideredthesenselessravingsofachild。ButI

hadcometheretospeak，andIhastilyproceededbeforetherebukethusexpressedcouldformulateitselfintowords。

"Ihavesomeexcuseforadeclarationsomonstrous。PerhapsIamtheonlypersonwhocansatisfyyouinregardtoacertainfactaboutwhichyouhaveexpressedsomecuriosity。Inspector，haveyoueversolvedthemysteryofthetwobrokencoffee-cupsfoundamongstthedebrisatMrs。Fairbrother’sfeet？Itdidnotcomeoutintheinquest，Inoticed。"

"Notyet，"hecried，"but——youcannottellmeanythingaboutthem！"

"Possiblynot。ButIcantellyouthis：WhenIreachedthesupper-roomdoorthateveningIlookedbackand，providentiallyorotherwise——onlythefuturecandeterminethat——detectedMr。

Greyintheactofliftingtwocupsfromatrayleftbysomewaiteronatablestandingjustoutsidethereception-roomdoor。

Ididnotseewherehecarriedthem；Ionlysawhisfaceturnedtowardthealcove；andastherewasnootherladythere，oranywherenearthere，Ihavedaredtothink——"

Heretheinspectorfoundspeech。

"YousawMr。Greylifttwocupsandturntowardthealcoveatamomentweallknowtohavebeencritical？Youshouldhavetoldmethisbefore。Hemaybeapossiblewitness。"

Iscarcelylistened。Iwastoofullofmyownargument。

"Therewereotherpeopleinthehall，especiallyatmyendofit。

Aperfectthrongwascomingfromthebilliard-room，wherethedancinghadbeen，anditmighteasilybethathecouldbothenterandleavethatsecludedspotwithoutattractingattention。Hehadshowntooearlyandmuchtoounmistakablyhislackofinterestinthegeneralcompanyforhiseverymovementtobewatchedasathisfirstarrival。Butthisissimpleconjecture；whatIhavetosaynextisevidence。Thestiletto——haveyoustudiedit，sir？I

have，fromthepictures。Itisveryquaint；andamongthedevicesonthehandleisonethatespeciallyattractedmyattention。See！

ThisiswhatImean。"AndIhandedhimadrawingwhichIhadmadewithsomecareinexpectationofthisveryinterview。

Hesurveyeditwithsomeastonishment。

"Iunderstand，"Ipursuedintremblingtones，forIwasmuchaffectedbymyowndaring，"thatnoonehassofarsucceededintracingthisweapontoitsowner。Whydidn’tyourexpertsstudyheraldryandthedevicesofgreathouses？TheywouldhavefoundthatthisoneisnotunknowninEngland。Icantellyouonwhoseblazonitcanoftenbeseen，andsocould——Mr。Grey。"

X

IASTONISHTHEINSPECTOR

Iwasnottheonlyonetotremblenow。ThismanofinfiniteexperienceanddailycontactwithcrimehadturnedaspaleaseverImyselfhaddoneinfaceofathreateningcalamity。

"Ishallseeaboutthis，"hemuttered，crumplingthepaperinhishand。"Butthisisaveryterriblebusinessyouareplungingmeinto。Isincerelyhopethatyouarenotheedlesslymisleadingme。"

"Iamcorrectinmyfacts，ifthatiswhatyoumean，"saidI。

"ThestilettoisanEnglishheirloom，andbearsonitsblade，amongotherdevices，thatofMr。Grey’sfamilyonthefemaleside。ButthatisnotallIwanttosay。Iftheblowwasstrucktoobtainthediamond，theshockofnotfindingitonhisvictimmusthavebeenterrible。NowMr。Grey’sheart，ifmywholetheoryisnotutterlyfalse，wassetuponobtainingthisstone。Youreyewasnotonhimasminewaswhenyoumadeyourappearanceinthehallwiththerecoveredjewel。Heshowedastonishment，eagerness，andadeterminationwhichfinallyledhimforward，asyouknow，withtherequesttotakethediamondinhishand。Whydidhewanttotakeitinhishand？Andwhy，havingtakenit，didhedropit——adiamondsupposedtobeworthanordinaryman’sfortune？

Becausehewasstartledbyacryhechosetoconsiderthetraditionaloneofhisfamilyproclaimingdeath？Isitlikely，sir？Isitconceivableeventhatanysuchcryasweheardcould，inthisdayandgeneration，ringthroughsuchanassemblage，unlessitcamewithventriloquialpowerfromhisownlips？Youobservedthatheturnedhisback；thathisfacewashiddenfromus。Discreetandreticentaswehaveallbeen，andcarefulinourcriticismsofsobizarreanevent，therestillmustbemanytoquestiontherealityofsuchsuperstitiousfears，andsometoaskifsuchasoundcouldbewithouthumanagency，andaveryguiltyagency，too。Inspector，Iambutachildinyourestimation，andIfeelmypositioninthismattermuchmorekeenlythanyoudo，butIwouldnotbetruetothemanwhomIhaveunwittinglyhelpedtoplaceinhispresentunenviablepositionifIdidnottellyouthat，inmyjudgment，thiscrywasaspuriousone，employedbythegentlemanhimselfasanexcusefordroppingthestone。"

"Andwhyshouldhewishtodropthestone？"

"Becauseofthefraudhemeditated。Becauseitofferedhimanopportunityforsubstitutingafalsestoneforthereal。Didyounotnoticeachangeintheaspectofthisjeweldatingfromthisverymoment？Diditshinewithasmuchbrilliancyinyourhandwhenyoureceiveditbackaswhenyoupasseditover？"

"Nonsense！Idonotknow；itisalltooabsurdforargument。"Yethedidstoptoargue，sayinginthenextbreath："Youforgetthatthestonehasasetting。Wouldyouclaimthatthisgentlemanoffamily，placeandpoliticaldistinctionhadplannedthishideouscrimewithsufficientpremeditationtohaveprovidedhimselfwiththeexactcounterpartofabroochwhichitishighlyimprobableheeversaw？YouwouldmakehimoutaCagliostroorsomethingworse。MissVanArsdale，Ifearyourtheorywilltoppleoverofitsownweight。"

Hewasverypatientwithme；hedidnotshowmethedoor。

"Yetsuchasubstitutiontookplace，andtookplacethatevening，"Iinsisted。"ThebitofpasteshownusattheinquestwasneverthegemMrs。Fairbrotherworeonenteringthealcove。

Besides，whereallissensation，whycavilatonemoreimprobability？Mr。GreymayhavecomeovertoAmericafornootherreason。Heisknownasacollector，andwhenamanhasapassionfordiamond-getting——"

"Heisknownasacollector？"

"Inhisowncountry。"

"Iwasnottoldthat。"

"NorI。ButIfounditout。"

"How，mydearchild，how？"

"Byacablegramorso。"

"You——cabled——hisname——toEngland？"

"No，Inspector；unclehasacode，andImadeuseofittoaskafriendinLondonforalistofthemost。noteddiamondfanciersinthecountry。Mr。Grey’snamewasthirdonthelist。"

Hegavemealookinwhichadmirationwasstrangelyblendedwithdoubtandapprehension。

"Youaremakingabravestruggle，"saidhe，"butitisahopelessone。"

"Ihaveonemoreconfidencetoreposeinyou。ThenursewhohaschargeofMissGreywasinmyclassinthehospital。Weloveeachother，andtoherIdaredappealononepoint。Inspector——"heremyvoiceunconsciouslyfellasheimpetuouslydrewnearer——"anotewassentfromthatsickchamberonthenightoftheball，——anotesurreptitiouslywrittenbyMissGrey，whilethenursewasinanadjoiningroom。ThemessengerwasMr。Grey’svalet，anditsdestinationthehouseinwhichherfatherwasenjoyinghispositionaschiefguest。Shesaysthatitwasmeantforhim，butIhavedaredtothinkthatthevaletwouldtelladifferentstory。Myfrienddidnotseewhatherpatientwrote，butsheacknowledgedthatifherpatientwrotemorethantwowordstheresultmusthavebeenanunintelligiblescrawl，sinceshewastooweaktoholdapencilfirmly，andsonearlyblindthatshewouldhavehadtofeelherwayoverthepaper。"

Theinspectorstarted，and，risinghastily，wenttohisdesk，fromwhichhepresentlybroughtthescrapofpaperwhichhadalreadyfiguredintheinquestasthemysteriouscommunicationtakenfromMrs。Fairbrother’shandbythecoroner。Pressingitoutflat，hetookanotherlookatit，thenglancedupinvisiblediscomposure。

"Ithasalwayslookedtousasifwritteninthedark，byanagitatedhand；but——"

Isaidnothing；thebrokenandunfinishedscrawlwassufficientlyeloquent。

"DidyourfrienddeclareMissGreytohavewrittenwithapencilandonasmallpieceofunruledpaper？"

"Yes，thepencilwasatherbedside；thepaperwastornfromabookwhichlaythere。Shedidnotputthenotewhenwritteninanenvelope，butgaveittothevaletjustasitwas。Heisanoldmanandhadcometoherroomforsomefinalorders。"

"Thenursesawallthis？Hasshethatbook？"

"No，itwentoutnextmorning，withthescraps。Itwassomepamphlet，Ibelieve。"

Theinspectorturnedthemorselofpaperoverandoverinhishand。

"Whatisthisnurse’sname？"

"HenriettaPierson。"

"Doessheshareyourdoubts？"

"Icannotsay。"

"Youhaveseenheroften？"

"No，onlytheonetime。"

"Isshediscreet？"

"Very。Onthissubjectshewillbelikethegraveunlessforcedbyyoutospeak。"

"AndMissGrey？"

"Sheisstillill，tooilltobedisturbedbyquestions，especiallyonsodelicateatopic。Butsheisgettingwellfast。

Herfather’sfearsasweheardthemexpressedononememorableoccasionwereillfounded，sir。"

Slowlytheinspectorinsertedthisscrapofpaperbetweenthefoldsofhispocketbook。Hedidnotgivemeanotherlook，thoughIstoodtremblingbeforehim。Washeinanywayconvincedorwashesimplyseekingforthemostconsideratewayinwhichtodismissmeandmyabominabletheory？Icouldnotgatherhisintentionsfromhisexpression，andwasfeelingveryfaintandheart-sickwhenhesuddenlyturneduponmewiththeremark：

"AgirlasillasyousayMissGreywasmusthavehadsomeverypressingmatteronhermindtoattempttowriteandsendamessageundersuchdifficulties。Accordingtoyouridea，shehadsomenotionofherfather’sdesignsandwishedtowarnMrs。

Fairbrotheragainstthem。Butdon’tyouseethatsuchconductasthiswouldbepreposterous，nay，unparalleledinpersonsoftheirdistinction？YoumustfindsomeotherexplanationforMissGrey’sseeminglymysteriousaction，andIanagentofcrimeotherthanoneofEngland’smostreputablestatesmen。"

"SothatMr。Durandisshownthesameconsideration，Iamcontent，"saidI。"ItisthetruthandthetruthonlyIdesire。I

amwillingtotrustmycausewithyou。"

Helookednonetoogratefulforthisconfidence。Indeed，nowthatIlookbackonthisscene，Idonotwonderthatheshrankfromtheresponsibilitythusfoisteduponhim。

"Whatdoyouwantmetodo？"heasked。

"Provesomething。ProvethatIamaltogetherwrongoraltogetherright。Orifproofisnotpossible，prayallowmetheprivilegeofdoingwhatIcanmyselftoclearupthematter。"

"You？"

Therewasapprehension，disapprobation，almostmenaceinhistone。Iboreitwithassteadyandmodestaglanceaspossible，saying，whenIthoughthewasabouttospeakagain：

"Iwilldonothingwithoutyoursanction。Irealizethedangersofthisinquiryandthedisgracethatwouldfollowifourattemptwassuspectedbeforeproofreachedapointsufficienttojustifyit。ItisnotanopenattackImeditate，butone——"

HereIwhisperedinhisearforseveralminutes。whenIhadfinishedhegavemeaprolongedstare，thenhelaidhishandonmyhead。

"Youarealittlewonder，"hedeclared。"Butyourideasareveryquixotic，very。However，"headded，suddenlygrowinggrave，"something，Imustadmit，maybeexcusedayounggirlwhofindsherselfforcedtochoosebetweentheguiltofherloverandthatofamanesteemedgreatbytheworld，butaltogetherremovedfromherandhernaturalsympathies。"

"Youacknowledge，then，thatitliesbetweenthesetwo？"

"Iseenothird，"saidhe。

Idrewabreathofrelief。

"Don’tdeceiveyourself，MissVanArsdale；itisnotamongthepossibilitiesthatMr。Greyhashadanyconnectionwiththiscrime。Heisaneccentricman，that’sall。"

"But——but——"

"Ishalldomyduty。Ishallsatisfyyouandmyselfoncertainpoints，andif——"Ihardlybreathed"——thereistheleastdoubt，Iwillseeyouagainand——"

Thechangehesawinmefrightenedawaytheendofhissentence。

Turninguponmewithsomeseverity，hedeclared："Thereareninehundredandninety-ninechancesinathousandthatmynextwordtoyouwillbetoprepareyourselfforMr。Durand’sarraignmentandtrial。Butaninfinitesimalchanceremainstothecontrary。

Ifyouchoosetotrusttoit，Icanonlyadmireyourpluckandthegreatconfidenceyoushowinyourunfortunatelover。"

Andwiththishalf-heartedencouragementIwasforcedtobecontent，notonlyforthatday，butformanydays，when——

XI

THEINSPECTORASTONISHESME

ButbeforeIproceedtorelatewhathappenedattheendofthosetwoweeks，Imustsayawordortwoinregardtowhathappenedduringthem。

NothinghappenedtoimproveMr。Durand’sposition，andnothingopenlytocompromiseMr。Grey’s。Mr。Fairbrother，fromwhosetestimonymanyofushopedsomethingwouldyetbegleanedcalculatedtogiveaturntothesuspicionnowcenteredononeman，continuedillinNewMexico；andallthatcouldbelearnedfromhimofanyimportancewascontainedinashortletterdictatedfromhisbed，inwhichheaffirmedthatthediamond，whenitlefthim，wasinauniquesettingprocuredbyhimselfinFrance；thatheknewofnootherjewelsimilarlymounted，andthatifthefalsegemwassetaccordingtohisowndescription，theprobabilitieswerethattheimitationstonehadbeenputinplaceoftherealoneunderhiswife’sdirectionandinsomeworkshopinNewYork，asshewasnotthewomantotakethetroubletosendabroadforanythingshecouldgetdoneinthiscountry。Thedescriptionfollowed。Itcoincidedwiththeoneweallknew。

Thiswassomethingofablowtome。Publicopinionwouldnaturallyreflectthatofthehusband，anditwouldrequireverystrongevidenceindeedtocombatalogicalsuppositionofthiskindwithonesoforcedandseeminglyextravagantasthatuponwhichmyowntheorywasbased。Yettruthoftentranscendsimagination，and，havingconfidenceintheinspector’sintegrity，Isubduedmyimpatienceforaweek，almostfortwo，whenmysuspenseandrapidlyculminatingdreadofsomeactionbeingtakenagainstMr。Durandweresuddenlycutshortbyamessagefromtheinspector，followedbyhisspeedypresenceinmyuncle’shouse。

Wehavealittleroomonourparlorfloor，verysnugandsecluded，andinthisroomIreceivedhim。SeldomhaveIdreadedameetingmoreandseldomhaveIbeenmetwithgreaterkindnessandconsideration。HewassokindthatIfearedhehadonlydisappointingnewstocommunicate，buthisfirstwordsreassuredme。Hesaid：

"Ihavecometoyouonamatterofimportance。Wehavefoundenoughtruthinthesuppositionsyouadvancedatourlastinterviewtowarrantusintheattemptyouyourselfproposedfortheelucidationofthismystery。ThatthisisthemostriskyandaltogetherthemostunpleasantdutywhichIhaveencounteredduringmyseveralyearsofservice，Iamwillingtoacknowledgetoonesosensibleandatthesametimeofsomuchmodestyasyourself。ThisEnglishgentlemanhasareputationwhichliftshimfaraboveanyunworthysuspicion，andwereitnotforthefavorableimpressionmadeuponusbyMr。Durandinalongtalkwehadwithhimlastnight，Iwouldsoonerresignmyplacethanpursuethismatteragainsthim。Successwouldcreateahorroronbothsidesthewaterunprecedentedduringmycareer，whilefailurewouldbringdownridiculeonuswhichwoulddestroytheprestigeofthewholeforce。Doyouseemydifficulty，MissVanArsdale？WecannotevenapproachthishaughtyandhighlyreputableEnglishmanwithquestionswithoutcallingdownonusthewrathofthewholeEnglishnation。Wemustbesurebeforewemakeamove，andforustobesurewheretheevidenceisallcircumstantial，Iknowofnobetterplanthantheoneyouwerepleasedtosuggest，which，atthetime，Iwaspleasedtocallquixotic。"

DrawingalongbreathIsurveyedhimtimidly。NeverhadIsorealizedmypresumptionorexperiencedsuchathrillofjoyinmyfrightenedyetelatedheart。TheybelievedinAnson’sinnocenceandtheytrustedme。InsignificantasIwas，itwastomyexertionsthisgreatresultwasdue。AsIrealizedthis，Ifeltmyheartswellandmythroatclose。IndespairofspeakingIheldoutmyhands。Hetookthemkindlyandseemedtobequitesatisfied。

"Suchalittle，trembling，tear-filledAmazon！"hecried。"Shallyouhavecouragetoundertakethetaskbeforeyou？Ifnot——"

"Oh，butIhave，"saidI。"Itisyourgoodnessandthesurpriseofitallwhichunnervesme。IcangothroughwhatwehaveplannedifyouthinkthesecretofmypersonalityandinterestinMr。DurandcanbekeptfromthepeopleIgoamong。"

"Itcanifyouwillfollowouradviceimplicitly。YousaythatyouknowthedoctorandthathestandsreadytorecommendyouincaseMissPiersonwithdrawsherservices。"

"Yes，heiseagertogivemeachance。Hewasacollegemateofmyfather’s。"

"Howwillyouexplaintohimyourwishtoenteruponyourdutiesunderanothername？"

"Verysimply。Ihavealreadytoldhimthatthepublicitygivenmynameinthelateproceedingshasmademeveryuncomfortable；thatmyfirstcaseofnursingwouldrequireallmyself-possessionandthatifhedidnotthinkitwrongIshouldliketogotoitundermymother’sname。HemadenodissentandIthinkIcanpersuadehimthatIwoulddomuchbetterworkasMissAyersthanasthetoowell-knownMissVanArsdale。"

"Youhavegreatpowersofpersuasion。Butmayyounotmeetpeopleatthehotelwhoknowyou？"

"Ishalltrytoavoidpeople；and，ifmyidentityisdiscovered，itseffectornon-effectupononewefinditdifficulttomentionwillgiveusourclue。Ifhehasnoguiltyinterestinthecrime，myconnectionwithitasawitnesswillnotdisturbhim。Besides，twodaysofunsuspiciousacceptanceofmeasMissGrey’snurseareallIwant。Ishalltakeimmediateopportunity，Iassureyou，tomakethetestImentioned。Buthowmuchconfidenceyouwillhavetoreposeinme！Icomprehendalltheimportanceofmyundertaking，andshallworkasifmyhonor，aswellasyours，wereatstake。"

"Iamsureyouwill。"ThenforthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasgladthatIwassmallandplainratherthantallandfascinatinglikesomanyofmyfriends，forhesaid："Ifyouhadbeenatriumphantbeauty，dependingonyourcharmsasawomantowinpeopletoyourwill，weshouldneverhavelistenedtoyourpropositionorriskedourreputationinyourhands。Itisyourwit，yourearnestnessandyourquietdeterminationwhichhaveimpressedus。YouseeIspeakplainly。IdosobecauseIrespectyou。Andnowtobusiness。"

Detailsfollowed。Afterthesewerewellunderstoodbetweenus，I

venturedtosay："Doyouobject——woulditbeaskingtoomuch——ifIrequestedsomeenlightenmentastowhatfactsyouhavediscoveredaboutMr。Greywhichgotosubstantiatemytheory？I

mightworkmoreintelligently。"

"No，MissVanArsdale，youwouldnotworkmoreintelligently，andyouknowit。Butyouhavethenaturalcuriosityofonewhoseveryheartisboundupinthisbusiness。IcoulddenyyouwhatyouaskbutIwon’t，forIwantyoutoworkwithquietconfidence，whichyouwouldnotdoifyourmindweretakenupwithdoubtsandquestions。MissVanArsdale，onesurmiseofyourswascorrect。A

manwassentthatnighttotheRamsdellhousewithanotefromMissGrey。Weknowthisbecauseheboastedofittooneofthebell-boysbeforehewentout，sayingthathewasgoingtohaveaglimpseofoneoftheswellestpartiesoftheseason。ItisalsotruethatthismanwasMr。Grey’svalet，anoldservantwhocameoverwithhimfromEngland。Butwhataddsweighttoallthisandmakesusregardthewholeaffairwithsuspicion，istheadditionalfactthatthismanreceivedhisdismissalthefollowingmorningandhasnotbeenseensincebyanyonewecouldreach。Thislooksbadtobeginwith，likethesuppressionofevidence，youknow。ThenMr。Greyhasnotbeenthesamemansincethatnight。Heisfullofcareandthiscareisnotentirelyinconnectionwithhisdaughter，whoisdoingverywellandbidsfairtobeupinafewdays。ButallthiswouldbenothingifwehadnotreceivedadvicesfromEnglandwhichprovethatMr。Grey’svisitherehasanelementofmysteryinit。Therewaseveryreasonforhisremaininginhisowncountry，whereapoliticalcrisisisapproaching，yethecrossedthewater，bringinghissicklydaughterwithhim。Theexplanationasvolunteeredbyonewhoknewhimwellwasthis：Thatonlyhisdesiretoseeoracquiresomepreciousobjectforhiscollectioncouldhavetakenhimacrosstheoceanatthistime，nothingelserivalinghisinterestingovernmentalaffairs。Stillthiswouldbenothingifastilettosimilartotheoneemployedinthiscrimehadnotonceformedpartofacollectionofcuriosbelongingtoacousinofhiswhomheoftenvisited。Thisstilettohasbeenmissingforsometime，stolen，astheownerdeclared，bysomeunknownperson。

Allthislooksbadenough，butwhenItellyouthataweekbeforethefatalballatMr。Ramsdell’s，Mr。GreymadeatourofthejewelersonBroadwayand，withthepretextofbuyingadiamondforhisdaughter，enteredintoatalkaboutfamousstones，endingalwayswithsomequestionabouttheFairbrothergem，youwillseethathisinterestinthatstoneisestablishedandthatitonlyremainsforustodiscoverifthatinterestisaguiltyone。I

cannotbelievethispossible，butyouhaveourleavetomakeyourexperimentandsee。Onlydonotcounttoomuchonhissuperstition。Ifheisthedeep-dyedcriminalyouimagine，thecrywhichstartledusallatacertaincriticalinstantwasraisedbyhimselfandforthepurposeyousuggested。Noneofthesensitivenessoftenshownbyamanwhohasbeensurprisedintocrimewillbehis。Relyingonhisreputationandtheprestigeofhisgreatname，hewill，ifhethinkshimselfunderfire，faceeveryshockunmoved。"

"Isee；Iunderstand。Hemustbelievehimselfallalone；then，thenaturalmanmayappear。Ithankyou，Inspector。Thatideaisofinestimablevaluetome，andIshallactonit。Idonotsayimmediately；notonthefirstday，andpossiblynotonthesecond，butassoonasopportunityoffersformydoingwhatI

haveplannedwithanychanceofsuccess。Andnow，advisemehowtocircumventmyuncleandaunt，whomustneverknowtowhatanundertakingIhavecommittedmyself。"

InspectorDalzellsparedmeanotherfifteenminutes，andthislastdetailwasarranged。Thenherosetogo。Asheturnedfrommehesaid：

"To-morrow？"

AndIansweredwithafullheart，butavoiceclearasmypurpose：

"To-morrow。"

XII

ALMOST

"Thisisyourpatient。Yournewnurse，mydear。Whatdidyousayyournameis？MissAyers？"

"Yes，Mr。Grey，AliceAyers。"

"Oh，whatasweetname！"

Thisexpressivegreeting，fromthepatientherself，wasthefirstheart-stingIreceived，——astingwhichbroughtaflushintomycheekwhichIwouldfainhavekeptdown。

"Sinceachangeofnurseswasnecessary，Iamgladtheysentmeonelikeyou，"thefeeble，butmusicalvoicewenton，andIsawawastedbuteagerhandstretchedout。

InawhirlofstrongfeelingIadvancedtotakeit。Ihadnotcountedonsuchareception。Ihadnotexpectedanybondofcongenialitytospringupbetweenthishigh-feelingEnglishgirlandmyselftomakemypurposehatefultome。Yet，asIstoodtherelookingdownatherbrightifwastedface，Ifeltthatitwouldbeveryeasytolovesogentleandcordialabeing，anddreadedraisingmyeyestothegentlemanatmysidelestIshouldseesomethinginhimtohamperme，andmakethisattempt，whichI

hadundertakeninsuchloyaltyofspirit，amiserytomyselfandineffectualtothemanIhadhopedtosavebyit。WhenIdidlookupandcatchthefirstbeamsofMr。Grey’skeenblueeyesfixedinquiringlyonme，Ineitherknewwhattothinknorhowtoact。

Hewastallandfirmlyknit，andhadanintellectualaspectaltogether。Iwasconsciousofregardinghimwithadecidedfeelingofawe，andfoundmyselfforgettingwhyIhadcomethere，andwhatmysuspicionswere，——suspicionswhichhadcarriedhopewiththem，hopeformyselfandhopeformylover，whowouldneverescapetheopprobrium，evenifhedidthepunishment，ofthisgreatcrime，werethis，theonlyotherpersonwhocouldpossiblybeassociatedwithit，foundtobethefine，clear-souledmanheappearedtobeinthismyfirstinterviewwithhim。

PerceivingverysoonthathisapprehensionsinmyregardwerelimitedtoafearlestIshouldnotfeelateaseinmynewhomeundertherestraintofapresencemoreaccustomedtointimidatethanattractstrangers，Ithrewasidealldoubtsofmyselfandmettheadvancesofbothfatheranddaughterwiththatquietconfidencewhichmypositiontheredemanded。

Theresultbothgratifiedandgrievedme。AsanurseenteringonherfirstcaseIwashappy；asawomanwithanulteriorobjectinviewvergingontheaudaciousandunspeakable，Iwaswretchedandregretfulandjustalittleshakenintheconvictionwhichhadhithertoupheldme。

Iwasthereforebutpoorlypreparedtomeettheordealwhichawaitedme，when，alittlelaterintheday，Mr。Greycalledmeintotheadjoiningroom，and，aftersayingthatitwouldaffordhimgreatrelieftogooutforanhourorso，askedifIwereafraidtobeleftalonewithmypatient。

"Ono，sir——"Ibegan，butstoppedinsecretdismay。Iwasafraid，butnotonaccountofhercondition；ratheronaccountofmyown。WhatifIshouldbeledintobetrayingmyfeelingsonfindingmyselfundernoothereyethanherown！Whatifthetemptationtoprobeherpoorsickmindshouldprovestrongerthanmydutytowardherasanurse！

MytoneswerehesitatingbutMr。Greypaidlittleheed；hismindwastoofixedonwhathewishedtosayhimself。