第5章

"BeforeIgo，"saidhe，"Ihavearequesttomake——Imayaswellsayacautiontogiveyou。Donot，Ipray，eithernoworatanyfuturetime，carryorallowanyoneelsetocarrynewspapersintoMissGrey’sroom。Theyarejustnowtooalarming。Therehasbeen，asyouknow，adreadfulmurderinthiscity。Ifshecaughtoneglimpseoftheheadlines，orsawsomuchasthenameofFairbrother——which——whichisanamesheknows，theresultmightbeveryhurtfultoher。Sheisnotonlyextremelysensitivefromillnessbutfromtemperament。Willyoubecareful？"

"Ishallbecareful。"

Itwassuchaneffortformetosaythesewords，tosayanythinginthestateofmindintowhichIhadbeenthrownbyhisunexpectedallusiontothissubject，thatIunfortunatelydrewhisattentiontomyselfanditwaswithwhatIfelttobeaglanceofdoubtthatheaddedwithdecidedemphasis：

"Youmustconsiderthiswholesubjectasaforbiddenoneinthisfamily。Onlycheerfultopicsaresuitableforthesick-room。IfMissGreyattemptstointroduceanyother，stopher。Donotlethertalkaboutanythingwhichwillnotbeconducivetoherspeedyrecovery。ThesearetheonlyinstructionsIhavetogiveyou；allothersmustcomefromherphysician。"

Imadesomereplywithaslittleshowofemotionaspossible。Itseemedtosatisfyhim，forhisfaceclearedashekindlyobserved：

"Youhaveaverytrustworthylookforonesoyoung。Ishallresteasywhileyouarewithher，andIshallexpectyoutobealwayswithherwhenIamnot。Everymoment，mind。Sheisnevertobeleftalonewithgossipingservants。Ifawordismentionedinherhearingaboutthiscrimewhichseemstobeineverybody’smouth，Ishallfeelforced，greatlyasIshouldregretthefad，toblameyou。"

Thiswasaheart-stroke，butIkeptupbravely，changingcolorperhaps，butnottosuchamarkeddegreeastoarouseanydeepersuspicioninhismindthanthatIhadbeenwoundedinmyamourpropre。

"Sheshallbewellguarded，"saidI。"Youmaytrustmetokeepfromherallavoidableknowledgeofthiscrime。"

HebowedandIwasabouttoleavehispresence，whenhedetainedmebyremarkingwiththeairofonewhofeltthatsomeexplanationwasnecessary：

"Iwasattheballwherethiscrimetookplace。Naturallyithasmadeadeepimpressiononmeandwouldonherifsheheardofit。"

"Assuredly，"Imurmured，wonderingifhewouldsaymoreandhowI

shouldhavethecouragetostandthereandlistenifhedid。

"ItisthefirsttimeIhaveevercomeincontactwithcrime，"hewentonwithwhat，inoneofhisreservednature，seemedahardlynaturalinsistence。"Icouldwellhavebeensparedtheexperience。Atragedywithwhichonehasbeeneventhusremotelyconnectedproducesalastingeffectuponthemind。"

"Ohyes，ohyes！"Imurmured，edginginvoluntarilytowardthedoor。DidInotknow？HadInotbeenthere，too；I，littleI，whomhestoodgazingdownuponfromsuchaheight，littlerealizingthefatalitywhichunitedusand，whatwasevenamoreoverwhelmingthoughttomeatthemoment，thefactthatofallpersonsintheworldtheshrinkinglittlebeing，intowhoseeyeshewasthenlooking，was，perhaps，hisgreatestenemyandtheoneperson，greatorsmall，fromwhomhehadthemosttofear。

ButIwasnoenemytohisgentledaughterandthereliefIfeltatfindingmyselfthuscutoffbymyownpromisefromeventheremotestcommunicationwithheronthisforbiddensubjectwasgenuineandsincere。

Butthefather！WhatwasItothinkofthefather？Alas！Icouldhavebutonethought，admirableasheappearedinalllightssavetheoneinwhichhistooevidentconnectionwiththiscrimehadplacedhim。Ispentthehoursoftheafternooninalternatelywatchingthesleepingfaceofmypatient，toosweetlycalminitsrepose，orsoitseemed，forthemindbeneathtoharborsuchdoubtsaswereshowninthewarningIhadascribedtoher，andvaineffortstoexplainbyanyotherhypothesisthanthatofguilt，theextraordinaryevidencewhichlinkedthismanofgreataffairsandtheloftiestreputetoacrimeinvolvingboththeftandmurder。

Nordidthestruggleendthatnight。Itwasrenewedwithstillgreaterpositivenessthenextday，asIwitnessedtheglanceswhichfromtimetotimepassedbetweenthisfatheranddaughter，——glancesfullofdoubtandquestiononbothsides，butnotexactlysuchdoubtorsuchquestionasmysuspicionscalledfor。OrsoIthought，andspentanotherdayortwohesitatingverymuchovermyduty，when，comingunexpectedlyuponMr。Greyoneevening，Ifeltallmydoubtsreviveinviewoftheextraordinaryexpressionofdread——Imightwithstillgreatertruthsayfear——whichinformedhisfeaturesandmadethem，tomyunaccustomedeyes，almostunrecognizable。

Hewassittingathisdeskinreverieoversomepaperswhichheseemednottohavetouchedforhours，andwhen，atsomemovementImade，hestartedupandmetmyeye，Icouldswearthathischeekwaspale，thefirmcarriageofhisbodyshaken，andthewholemanavictimtosomestrongandsecretapprehensionhevainlysoughttohide。whenIventuredtotellhimwhatIwanted，hemadeaneffortandpulledhimselftogether，butIhadseenhimwithhismaskoff，andhisusuallycalmvisageandself-possessedmiencouldnotagaindeceiveme。

MydutieskeptmemainlyatMissGrey’sbedside，butIhadbeenprovidedwithalittleroomacrossthehall，andtothisroomI

retiredverysoonafterthis，forrestandanecessaryunderstandingwithmyself。

For，inspiteofthisexperienceandmynowsettledconvictions，mypurposerequiredwhetting。Theindescribablecharm，theextremerefinementandnobilityofmannerobservableinbothMr。

Greyandhisdaughterwereproducingtheireffect。Ifeltguilty；

constrained。whatevermyconvictions，theimpetustoactwasleavingme。HowcouldIrecoverit？BythinkingofAnsonDurandandhispresentdisgracefulposition。

AnsonDurand！Oh，howthefeelingsurgedupinmybreastasthatnameslippedfrommylipsoncrossingthethresholdofmylittleroom！AnsonDurand，whomIbelievedinnocent，whomIloved，butwhomIwasbetrayingwitheverymomentofhesitationinwhichI

allowedmyselftoindulge！whatiftheHonorableMr。Greyisaneminentstatesman，adignified，scholarly，andtoallappearance，high-mindedman？whatifmypatientissweet，dove-eyedandaffectionate？HadnotAnsonqualitiesasexcellentintheirway，rightsascertain，andaholduponmyselfsuperiortoanyclaimswhichanothermightadvance？Drawingamuch-crumpledlittlenotefrommypocket，Ieagerlyreadit。ItwastheonlyoneIhadofhiswriting，theonlyletterhehadeverwrittenme。Ihadalreadyre-readitahundredtimes，butasIoncemorerepeatedtomyselfitswell-knownlines，Ifeltmyheartgrowstrongandfixedinthedeterminationwhichhadbroughtmeintothisfamily。

Restoringthelettertoitsplace，IopenedmygripsackandfromitsinmostrecessesdrewforthanobjectwhichIhadnosoonerinhandthananaturalsenseofdisquietudeledmetoglanceapprehensively，firstatthedoor，thenatthewindow，thoughI

hadlockedtheoneandshadedtheother。ItseemedasifsomeothereyebesidesmyownmustbegazingatwhatIheldsogingerlyinhand；thatthewallswerewatchingme，ifnothingelse，andthesensationthisproducedwassoexactlylikethatofguilt（orwhatIimaginedtobeguilt），thatIwasforcedtorepeatoncemoretomyselfthatitwasnotagoodman’soverthrowIsought，orevenabadman’simmunityfrompunishment，butthetruth，theabsolutetruth。NoshamecouldequalthatwhichI

shouldfeelif，byanyover-delicacynow，Ifailedtosavethemanwhotrustedme。

ThearticlewhichIheld——haveyouguessedit？——wasthestilettowithwhichMrs。Fairbrotherhadbeenkilled。Ithadbeenintrustedtomebythepoliceforadefinitepurpose。Thetimefortestingthatpurposehadcome，orsonearlycome，thatIfeltImustbethinkingaboutthenecessarywaysandmeans。

Unwindingthefoldsoftissuepaperinwhichthestilettowaswrapped，Iscrutinizedtheweaponverycarefully。Hitherto，Ihadseenonlypicturesofit，now，Ihadthearticleitselfinmyhand。Itwasnotanaturaloneforayoungwomantohold，awomanwhosetasteranmoretowardhealingthaninflictingwounds，butI

forcedmyselftoforgetwhytheendofitsbladewasrusty，andlookedmainlyatthedeviceswhichornamentedthehandle。Ihadnotbeenmistakeninthem。TheybelongedtothehouseofGrey，andtononeother。ItwasalegitimateinquiryIhadundertaken。

Howeverthematterended，Ishouldalwayshavethesehistoricdevicesformyexcuse。

MyplanwastolaythisdaggeronMr。Grey’sdeskatamomentwhenhewouldbesuretoseeitandItoseehim。Ifhebetrayedaguiltyknowledgeofthisfatalsteel；if，unconsciousofmypresence，heshowedsurpriseandapprehension，——thenweshouldknowhowtoproceed；justicewouldbeloosedfromconstraintandthepolicefeelatlibertytoapproachhim。Itwasadelicatetask，this。Irealizedhowdelicate，whenIhadthrustthestilettooutofsightundermynurse’sapronandstartedtocrossthehall。ShouldIfindthelibraryclear？Wouldtheopportunitybegivenmetoapproachhisdesk，orshouldIhavetocarrythisguiltywitnessofaworld-famouscrimeonintoMissGrey’sroom，andwithitsunholyoutlinepressingasemblanceofitselfuponmybreast，sitatthatinnocentpillow，meetthoseinnocenteyes，andanswerthegentleinquirieswhichnowandthenfellfromthesweetestlipsIhaveeverseensmileintothefaceofalonely，preoccupiedstranger？

Thearrangementoftheroomswassuchasmadeitnecessaryformetopassthroughthissittting-roominordertoreachmypatient’sbedroom。

Withcarefultread，sotimedasnottoappearstealthy，I

accordinglyadvancedandpushedopenthedoor。Theroomwasempty。Mr。GreywasstillwithhisdaughterandIcouldcrossthefloorwithoutfear。ButneverhadIentereduponataskrequiringmorecourageoronemoreobnoxioustomynaturalinstincts。I

hatedeachstepItook，butIlovedthemanforwhomItookthosesteps，andmovedresolutelyon。Only，asIreachedthechairinwhichMr。Greywasaccustomedtosit，Ifoundthatitwaseasiertoplananactionthantocarryitout。Homelifeandthedomesticvirtueshadalwaysappealedtomemorethanaman’sgreatness。Thepositionwhichthismanheldinhisowncountry，hisusefulnessthere，evenhisprestigeasstatesmanandscholar，werefacts，butverydreamyfacts，tome，whilehisfeelingsasafather，theplaceheheldinhisdaughter’sheart——thesewererealtome，theseIcouldunderstand；anditwasoftheseandnotofhisplaceasaman，thatthishisfavoriteseatspoketome。

HowoftenhadIbeheldhimsitbythehourwithhiseyeonthedoorbehindwhichhisonedarlinglayill！Evennow，itwaseasyformetorecallhisfaceasIhadsometimescaughtaglimpseofitthroughthecrackofthesuddenlyopeneddoor，andIfeltmybreastheaveandmyhandfalterasIdrewforththestilettoandmovedtoplaceitwherehiseyewouldfalluponitonhisleavinghisdaughter’sbedside。

Butmyhandreturnedquicklytomybreastandfellhackagainempty。Apileofletterslaybeforemeontheopenlidofthedesk。Thetoponewasaddressedtomewiththeword"Important"

writteninthecorner。Ididnotknowthewriting，butIfeltthatIshouldopenandreadthisletterbeforecommittingmyselforthosewhostoodbackofmetothisdesperateundertaking。

GlancingbehindmeandseeingthatthedoorintoMissGrey’sroomwasajar，Icaughtupthisletterandrushedwithitbackintomyownroom。AsIsurmised，itwasfromtheinspector，andasIreaditIrealizedthatIhadreceiveditnotonemomenttoosoon。Inlanguagepurposelynon-committal，butofameaningnottobemistaken，itadvisedmethatsomeunforeseenfactshadcometolightwhichalteredallformersuspicionsandmadethelittlesurpriseIhadplannednolongernecessary。

TherewasnoallusiontoMr。Durandbutthefinalsentenceran：

"Dropallcareandgiveyourundividedattentiontoyourpatient。"

XIII

THEMISSINGRECOMMENDATION

Mypatientsleptthatnight，butIdidnot。TheshockgivenbythissuddencryofHalt！attheverymomentIwasabouttomakemygreatmove，theuncertaintyastowhatitmeantandmydoubtofitseffectuponMr。Durand’sposition，putmeontheanxiousseatandkeptmythoughtsfullyoccupiedtillmorning。

Iwasverytiredandmusthaveshownit，when，withthefirstraysofaverymeagersun，MissGreysoftlyunclosedhereyesandfoundmelookingather，forhersmilehadasweetcompassioninit，andshesaidasshepressedmyhand：

"Youmusthavewatchedmeallnight。Ineversawanyonelooksotired，——orsogood，"shesoftlyfinished。

Ihadrathershehadnotutteredthatlastphrase。Itdidnotfitmeatthemoment，——didnotfitme，perhaps，atanytime。Good！I！

whenmythoughtshadnotbeenwithher，butwithMr。Durand；whenthedominatingfeelinginmybreastwasnotthatofrelief，butavagueregretthatIhadnotbeenallowedtomakemygreattestandsoestablish，tomyownsatisfaction，atleast，theperfectinnocenceofmyloverevenatthecostofuntoldanguishtothisconfidinggirluponwhosegentlespirittheverythoughtofcrimewouldcastadeadlyblight。

Imusthaveflushed；certainlyIshowedsomeembarrassment，forhereyesbrightenedwithshylaughterasshewhispered：

"Youdonotliketobepraised，——anotherofyourvirtues。Youhavetoomany。Ihaveonlyone——Ilovemyfriends。"

Shedid。Onecouldseethatlovewaslifetoher。

ForaninstantItrembled。HownearIhadbeentowreckingthisgentlesoul！Wasshesafeyet？Iwasnotsure。Myowndoubtswerenotsatisfied。Iawaitedthepaperswithfeverishimpatience。

Theyshouldcontainnews。Newsofwhat？Ah，thatwasthequestion！

"Youwillletmeseemymailthismorning，willyounot？"sheasked，asIbusiedmyselfabouther。

"Thatisforthedoctortosay，"Ismiled。"Youarecertainlybetterthismorning。"

"Itissohardformenottobeabletoreadhisletters，ortowriteawordtorelievehisanxiety。"

Thusshetoldmeherheart’ssecret，andunconsciouslyaddedanotherburdentomyalreadytooheavyload。

Iwasonmywaytogivesomeordersaboutmypatient’sbreakfast，whenMr。Greycameintothesitting-roomandmetmefacetoface。

HehadanewspaperinhishandandmyheartstoodstillasI

notedhisalteredlooksanddisturbedmanner。Weretheseduetoanythinghehadfoundinthosecolumns？ItwaswithdifficultythatIkeptmyeyesfromthepaperwhichheheldinsuchamannerastodiscloseitsglaringhead-lines。TheseIdarednotreadwithhiseyesfixedonmine。

"HowisMissGrey？Howismydaughter？"heaskedingreathasteanduneasiness。"Isshebetterthismorning，or——worse？"

"Better，"Iassuredhim，andwasgreatlyastonishedtoseehisbrowinstantlyclear。

"Really？"heasked。"Youreallyconsiderherbetter？Thedoctorssayso’butIhavenotverymuchfaithindoctorsinacaselikethis，"headded。

"Ihaveseennoreasontodistrustthem，"Iprotested。"MissGrey’sillness，whilesevere，doesnotappeartobeofanalarmingnature。ButthenIhavehadverylittleexperienceoutofthehospital。Iamyoungyet，Mr。Grey。"

Helookedasifhequiteagreedwithmeinthisestimateofmyself，and，withabrowstillclouded，passedintohisdaughter’sroom，thepaperinhishand。BeforeIjoinedthemI

foundandscannedanotherjournal。Expectinggreatthings，IwasbothsurprisedanddisappointedtofindonlyasmallparagraphdevotedtotheFairbrothercase。Inthisitwasstatedthattheauthoritieshopedfornewlightonthismysteryassoonastheyhadlocatedacertainwitness，whoseconnectionwiththecrimetheyhadjustdiscovered。Nomore，nolessthanwascontainedinInspectorDalzell’sletter。HowcouldIbearit，——thesuspense，thedoubt，——anddomydutytomypatient！Happily，Ihadnochoice。IhadbeenadjudgedequaltothisbusinessandImustprovemyselftobeso。PerhapsmycouragewouldreviveafterI

hadhadmybreakfast；perhapsthenIshouldbeabletofixupontheidentityofthenewwitness，——somethingwhichIfoundmyselfincapableofatthismoment。

ThesethoughtswereonmymindasIcrossedtheroomsonmywaybacktoMissGrey’sbedside。BythetimeIreachedherdoorIwasoutwardlycalm，asherfirstwordsshowed：

"Oh，thecheerfulsmile！Itmakesmefeelbetterinspiteofmyself。"

Ifshecouldhaveseenintomyheart！

Mr。Grey，whowasleaningoverthefootofthebed，castmeaquickglancewhichwasnotwithoutitssuspicion。Hadhedetectedmeplayingapart，orweresuchdoubtsashedisplayedtheproductsimplyofhisownuneasiness？Iwasnotabletodecide，and，withthisunansweredquestionaddedtothenumberalreadytroublingme，Iwasforcedtofacethedaywhich，foraughtI

knew，mightbetheprecursorofmanyothersequallytryingandunsatisfactory。

Buthelpwasnear。BeforenoonIreceivedamessagefrommyuncletotheeffectthatifIcouldbesparedhewouldbegladtoseemeathishomeasnearthreeo’clockaspossible。Whatcouldhewantofme？Icouldnotguess，anditwaswithgreatinnerperturbationthat，havingwonMr。Grey’spermission，Irespondedtohissummons。

Ifoundmyuncleawaitingmeinacarriagebeforehisowndoor，andItookmyseatathissidewithouttheleastideaofhispurpose。Isupposedthathehadplannedthisridethathemighttalktomeunreservedlyandwithoutfearofinterruption。ButI

soonsawthathehadsomeverydifferentobjectinview，fornotonlydidhestartdowntowninsteadofup，buthisconversation，suchasitwas，confineditselftogeneralitiesandstudiouslyavoidedtheonetopicofsupremeinteresttousboth。

Atlast，asweturnedintoBleeckerStreet，Iletmyastonishmentandperplexityappear。

"Wherearewebound？"Iasked。"ItcannotbethatyouaretakingmetoseeMr。Durand？"

"No，"saidhe，andsaidnomore。

"Ah，PoliceHeadquarters！"IfalteredasthecarriagemadeanotherturnanddrewupbeforeabuildingIhadreasontoremember。"Uncle，whatamItodohere？"

"Seeafriend，"heanswered，ashehelpedmetoalight。ThenasI

followedhiminsomebewilderment，hewhisperedinmyear：

"InspectorDalzell。Hewantsafewminutesconversationwithyou。"

Oh，theweightwhichfellfrommyshouldersatthesewords！Iwastohear，then，whathadintervenedbetweenmeandmypurpose。ThewearingnightIhadanticipatedwastobelightenedwithsomesmallsparkofknowledge。Ihadconfidenceenoughinthekind-heartedinspectortobesureofthat。Icaughtatmyuncle’sarmandsqueezeditdelightedly，quiteobliviousofthecuriousglancesImusthavereceivedfromthevariousofficialswepassedonourwaytotheinspector’soffice。

Wefoundhimwaitingforus，andIexperiencedsuchpleasureatsightofhiskindandearnestfacethatIhardlynoticeduncle’sslyretreattillthedoorclosedbehindhim。

"Oh，Inspector，whathashappened？"Iimpetuouslyexclaimedinanswertohisgreeting。"SomethingthatwillhelpMr。DurandwithoutdisturbingMr。Grey——haveyouasgoodnewsformeasthat？"

"Hardly，"heanswered，movingupachairandseatingmeinitwithafatherlyairwhich，underthecircumstances，wasmorediscouragingthanconsolatory。"Wehavesimplyheardofanewwitness，orratherafacthascometolightwhichhasturnedourinquiriesintoanewdirection。"

"And——and——youcannottellmewhatthisfactis？"Ifalteredasheshowednointentionofaddinganythingtothisveryunsatisfactoryexplanation。

"Ishouldnot，butyouwerewillingtodosomuchforusImustsetasidemyprinciplesalittleanddosomethingforyou。Afterall，itisonlyforestallingthereportersbyaday。MissVanArsdale，thisisthestory：Yesterdaymorningamanwasshownintothisroom，andsaidthathehadinformationtogivewhichmightpossiblyprovetohavesomebearingontheFairbrothercase。Ihadseenthemanbeforeandrecognizedhimatthefirstglanceasoneofthewitnesseswhomadetheinquestunnecessarilytedious。DoyourememberJones，thecaterer，whohadonlytwoorthreefactstogiveandyetwhousedupthewholeafternoonintryingtostatethosefacts？"

"Ido，indeed，"Ianswered。

"Well，hewastheman，andIownthatIwasnonetoodelightedtoseehim。ButhewasmoreathiseasewithmethanIexpected，andIsoonlearnedwhathehadtotell。Itwasthis：Oneofhismenhadsuddenlylefthim，oneofhisverybestmen，oneofthosewhohadbeenwithhiminthecapacityofwaiterattheRamsdellball。

Itwasnotuncommonforhismentoleavehim，buttheyusuallygavenotice。Thismangavenonotice；hesimplydidnotshowupattheusualhour。Thiswasaweekortwoago。Jones，havingalikingfortheman，whowasanexcellentwaiter，sentamessengertohislodging-housetoseeifhewereill。Buthehadlefthislodgingswithaslittleceremonyashehadleftthecaterer。

"This，underordinarycircumstances，wouldhaveendedthebusiness，buttherebeingsomegreatfunctioninprospect，Jonesdidnotfeellikelosingsogoodamanwithoutmakinganefforttorecoverhim，sohelookeduphisreferencesinthehopeofobtainingsomecluetohispresentwhereabouts。

"Hekeptallsuchmattersinaspecialbookandexpectedtohavenotroubleinfindingtheman’sname，JamesWellgood，orthatofhisformeremployerButwhenhecametoconsultthisbook，hewasastonishedtofindthatnothingwasrecordedagainstthisman’snamebutthedateofhisfirstemployment——March15。

"Hadhehiredhimwithoutarecommendation？Hewouldnotbelikelyto，yetthepagewasclearofallreference；onlythenameandthedate。Butthedate！Youhavealreadynoteditssignificance，andlaterhedid，too。ThedayoftheRamsdellball！Thedayofthegreatmurder！AsherecalledtheincidentsofthatdayheunderstoodwhytherecordofWellgood’snamewasunaccompaniedbytheusualreference。Ithadbeenadifficultdayallround。Thefunctionwasanimportantone，andtheweatherbad。Therewas，besides，anunusualshortageinhisnumberofassistants。Twomenhadthatverymorningbeenlaidupwithsickness，andwhenthisable-looking，self-confidentWellgoodpresentedhimselfforimmediateemployment，hetookhimoutofhandwiththemerestglanceatwhatlookedlikeaverysatisfactoryreference。Later，hehadintendedtolookupthisreference，whichhehadbeencarefultopreservebystickingit，alongwithotherpapers，onhisspike-file。Butinthedistractionsfollowingtheuntowardeventsoftheevening，hehadneglectedtodoso，feelingperfectlysatisfiedwiththeman’sworkandgeneralbehavior。Nowitwasadifferentthing。Themanhadlefthimsummarily，andhefeltimpelledtohuntupthepersonwhohadrecommendedhimandseewhetherthiswasthefirsttimethatWellgoodhadrepaidgoodtreatmentwithbad。Runningthroughthepaperswithwhichhisfilewasnowfull，hefoundthattheonehesoughtwasnotthere。Thisrousedhimingoodearnest，forhewascertainthathehadnotremovedithimselfandtherewasnooneelsewhohadtherighttodoso。Hesuspectedtheculprit，——ayoungladwhooccasionallyhadaccesstohisdesk。Butthisboywasnolongerintheoffice。Hehaddismissedhimforsomepettyfaultthepreviousweek，andittookhimseveraldaystofindhimagain。Meantimehisangergrewandwhenhefinallycamefacetofacewiththelad，heaccusedhimofthesuspectedtrickwithsomuchvehemencethattheinevitablehappened，andtheboyconfessed。Thisiswhatheacknowledged。Hehadtakenthereferenceoffthefile，butonlytogiveittoWellgoodhimself，whohadofferedhimmoneyforit。Whenaskedhowmuchmoney，theboyadmittedthatthesumwastendollars，——

anextraordinaryamountfromapoormanforsosimpleaservice，ifthemanmerelywishedtosecurehisreferenceforfutureuse；

soextraordinarythatMr。Jonesgrewmoreandmorepertinentinhisinquiries，elicitingfinallywhathesurelycouldnothavehopedforinthebeginning，——theexactaddressofthepartyreferredtointhepaperhehadstolen，andwhich，forsomereason，theboyremembered。Itwasanuptownaddress，and，assoonasthecaterercouldleavehisbusiness，hetooktheelevatedandproceededtothespecifiedstreetandnumber。

"MissVanArsdale，asurpriseawaitedhim，andawaiteduswhenhetoldtheresultofhissearch。Thenameattachedtotherecommendationhadbeen——’HiramSears，Steward。’Hedidnotknowofanysuchman——perhapsyoudo——butwhenhereachedthehousefromwhichtherecommendationwasdated，hesawthatitwasoneofthegreathousesofNewYork，thoughhecouldnotattheinstantrememberwholivedthere。Buthesoonfoundout。Thefirstpasser-bytoldhim。MissVanArsdale，perhapsyoucandothesame。Thenumberwas——Eighty-sixthStreet。"

"——！"Irepeated，quiteaghast。"Why，Mr。Fairbrotherhimself！

Thehusbandof——"

"Exactlyso，andHiramSears，whosenameyoumayhaveheardmentionedattheinquest，thoughforaverygoodreasonhewasnotthereinperson，ishisstewardandgeneralfactotum。"

"Oh！anditwashewhorecommendedWellgood？"

"Yes。"

"AnddidMr。Jonesseehim？"

"No。Thehouse，youremember，isclosed。Mr。Fairbrother，onleavingtown，gavehisservantsavacation。Hisstewardhetookwithhim，——thatis，theystartedtogether。ButwehearnomentionmadeofhiminourtelegramsfromSantaFe。HedoesnotseemtohavefollowedMr。Fairbrotherintothemountains。"

"Yousaythatinapeculiarway，"Iremarked。

"Becauseithasstruckuspeculiarly。WhereisSearsnow？AndwhydidhenotgoonwithMr。FairbrotherwhenhelefthomewitheveryapparentintentionofaccompanyinghimtothePlacidemine？

MissVanArsdale，wewereimpressedwiththisfactwhenweheardofMr。Fairbrother’slonelytripfromwherehewastakenilltohismineoutsideofSantaFe；butwehaveonlygivenititsdueimportancesincehearingwhathascometousto-day。

"MissVanArsdale，"continuedtheinspector，asIlookedupquickly，"Iamgoingtoshowgreatconfidenceinyou。IamgoingtotellyouwhatourmenhavelearnedaboutthisSears。AsIhavesaidbefore，itisbutforestallingthereportersbyaday，anditmayhelpyoutounderstandwhyIsentyousuchperemptoryorderstostop，whenyourwholeheartwasfixedonanattemptbywhichyouhopedtorightMr。Durand。Wecannotaffordtodisturbsodistinguishedapersonastheoneyouhaveunderyoureye，whiletheleasthoperemainsoffixingthiscrimeelsewhere。Andwehavesuchhope。Thisman，thisSears，isbynomeansthesimplecharacteronewouldexpectfromhisposition。Consideringtheshorttimewehavehad（itwasonlyyesterdaythatJonesfoundhiswayintothisoffice），wehaveunearthedsomeveryinterestingfactsinhisregard。HisdevotiontoMr。Fairbrotherwasneveranysecret，andweknewasmuchaboutthatthedayafterthemurderaswedonow。ButthefeelingswithwhichheregardedMrs。Fairbrother——well，thatisanotherthing——anditwasnottilllastnightweheardthattheattachmentwhichboundhimtoherwasofthesortwhichtakesnoaccountofyouthorage，fitnessorunfitness。HewasnoAdonis，andoldenough，wearetold，tobeherfather；butforallthatwehavealreadyfoundseveralpersonswhocantellstrangestoriesofthepersistencewithwhichhiseageroldeyeswouldfollowherwheneverchancethrewthemtogetherduringthetimesheremainedunderherhusband’sroof；andotherswhorelate，withevenmoreavidity，how，afterherremovaltoapartmentsofherown，heusedtospendhoursintheadjoiningparkjusttocatchaglimpseofherfigureasshecrossedthesidewalkonherwaytoandfromhercarriage。Indeed，hissenseless，almostsenilepassionforthismagnificentbeautybecameaby-wordinsomemouths，anditonlyescapedbeingmentionedattheinquestfromrespecttoMr。

Fairbrother，whohadneverrecognizedthisweaknessinhissteward，andfromitslackofvisibleconnectionwithherhorribledeathandthestealingofhergreatjewel。Nevertheless，wehaveawitnessnow——itisastonishinghowmanywitnesseswecanscareupbyalittleeffort，whoneverthoughtofcomingforwardthemselves——whocansweartohavingseenhimonenightshakinghisfistatherretreatingfigureasshesteppedhaughtilybyhimintoherapartmenthouse。ThiswitnessissurethatthemanhesawthusgesticulatingwasSears，andheissurethewomanwasMrs。Fairbrother。Theonlythingheisnotsureofishowhisownwifewillfeelwhenshehearsthathewasinthatparticularneighborhoodonthatparticularevening，whenhewasevidentlysupposedtobesomewhereelse。"Andtheinspectorlaughed。

"Isthesteward’sdispositionabadone。"Iasked，"thatthisdisplayoffeelingshouldimpressyousomuch？"

"Idon’tknowwhattosayaboutthatyet。Opinionsdifferonthispoint。Hisfriendsspeakofhimasthemildestkindofamanwho，withoutnativeexecutiveskill，couldnotmanagethegreathouseholdhehasincharge。Hisenemies，andwehaveunearthedafew，say，onthecontrary，thattheyhaveneverhadanyconfidenceinhisquietways；thatthesewerenotinkeepingwiththefactorhishavingbeenaCaliforniaminerintheearlyfifties。

"YoucanseeIamputtingyouverynearlywhereweareourselves。

NordoIseewhyIshouldnotaddthatthispassionoftheseeminglysubduedbutreallyhot-headedstewardforawoman，whonevershowedhimanythingbutwhathemightcallaninsultingindifference，struckusasacluetobeworkedup，especiallyafterwereceivedthisanswertoatelegramwesentlatelastnighttothenursewhoiscaringforMr。FairbrotherinNewMexico。"

HehandedmeasmallyellowslipandIread：

"ThestewardleftMr。FairbrotheratElMoro。Hehasnotheardfromhimsince。

"ANNETTALASERRA

"ForAbnerFairbrother。"

"AtElMoro？"Icried。"Why，thatwaslongenoughago"

"ForhimtohavereachedNewYorkbeforethemurder。Exactlyso，ifhetookadvantageofeverycloseconnection。"

XIV

TRAPPED

Icaughtmybreathsharply。Ididnotsayanything。IfeltthatI

didnotunderstandtheinspectorsufficientlyyettospeak。Heseemedtobepleasedwithmyreticence。Atallevents，hismannergrewevenkinderashesaid：

"ThisSearsisawitnesswemusthave。Heisbeinglookedfornow，highandlow，andwehopetogetsomecluetohiswhereaboutsbeforenight。Thatis，ifheisinthiscity。

Meanwhile，weareallglad——Iamsureyouarealso——tosparesodistinguishedagentlemanasMr。Greytheslightestannoyance。"

"AndMr。Durand？Whatofhiminthisinterim？"

"Hewillhavetoawaitdevelopments。Iseenootherway，mydear。"

Itwaskindlysaid，butmyheaddrooped。Thiswaitingwaswhatwaskillinghimandkillingme。Theinspectorsawandgentlypattedmyhand。

"Come，"saidhe，"youhaveheadenoughtoseethatitisneverwisetoforcematters。"Then，possiblywithanintentionofrousingme，heremarked："Thereisanothersmallfactwhichmayinterestyou。Itconcernsthewaiter，Wellgood，recommended，asyouwillremember，bythisSears。InmytalkwithJonesitleakedoutasamatterofsmallmoment，andsoitwastohim，thatthisWellgoodwasthewaiterwhoranandpickedupthediamondafteritfellfromMr。Grey’shand。"

"Ah！"

"Thismaymeannothing——itmeantnothingtoJones——butIinformyouofitbecausethereisaquestionIwanttoputtoyouinthisconnection。Yousmile。"

"DidI？"Imeeklyanswered。"Idonotknowwhy。"

Thiswasnottrue。Ihadbeenwaitingtoseewhytheinspectorhadsohonoredmewithallthesedisclosures，almostwithhisthoughts。NowIsaw。Hedesiredsomethinginreturn。

"Youwereonthesceneatthisverymoment，"heproceeded，afterabriefcontemplationofmyface，"andyoumusthaveseenthismanwhenheliftedthejewelandhandeditbacktoMr。Grey。Didyouremarkhisfeatures？"

"No，sir；Iwastoofaroff；besides，myeyeswereonMr。Grey。"

"Thatisapity。Iwasinhopesyoucouldsatisfymeonaveryimportantpoint。"

"Whatpointisthat，InspectorDalzell？"

"Whetherheansweredthefollowingdescription。"And，takingupanotherpaper，hewasabouttoreaditaloudtome，whenaninterruptionoccurred。Amanshowedhimselfatthedoor，whomtheinspectornosoonerrecognizedthanheseemedtoforgetmeinhiseagernesstointerrogatehim。Perhapstheappearanceofthelatterhadsomethingtodowithit；helookedasifhehadbeenrunning，orhadbeenthevictimofsomeextraordinaryadventure。

Atallevents，theinspectoraroseasheentered，andwasabouttoquestionhimwhenherememberedme，and，castingaboutforsomemeansofriddinghimselfofmypresencewithoutinjurytomyfeelings，hesuddenlypushedopenthedoorofanadjoiningroomandrequestedmetostepinsidewhilehetalkedamomentwiththisman。

OfcourseIwent，butIcasthimanappealinglookasIdidso。

Itevidentlyhaditseffect，forhisexpressionchangedashisbandfellonthedoorknob。Wouldhesnapthelocktight，andsoshutmeoutfromwhatconcernedmeasmuchasitdidanyoneinthewholeworld？Orwouldherecognizemyanxiety——thenecessityIwasunderofknowingjustthegroundIwasstandingon——andletmehearwhatthismanhadtoreport？

Iwatchedthedoor。Itclosedslowly，tooslowlytolatch。Wouldhecatchitanewbytheknob？No；heleftitthus，and，whilethecrackwashardlyperceptible，IfeltconfidentthattheleastshakeofthefloorwouldwidenitandgivemetheopportunityI

sought。ButIdidnothavetowaitforthis。ThetwomenintheofficeIhadjustleftbegantospeak，andtomyunboundedreliefweresufficientlyintelligible，evennow，towarrantmeingivingthemmyfullestattention。

Aftersomeexpressionsofastonishmentonthepartoftheinspectorastotheplightinwhichtheotherpresentedhimself，thelatterbrokeout：

"I’vejustescapeddeath！I’lltellyouaboutthatlater。WhatI

wanttotellyounowisthatthemanwewantisintown。Isawhimlastnight，orhisshadow，whichisthesamething。ItwasinthehouseinEighty-sixthStreet，——thehousetheyallthinkclosed。Hecameinwithakeyand——"

"Wait！Youhavehim？"

"No。It’salongstory，sir——"

"Tellit！"

Thetonewasdry。Theinspectorwasevidentlydisappointed。

"Don’tblamemetillyouhear，"saidtheother。"Heisnocommoncrook。Thisishowitwas：Youwantedthesuspect’sphotographandaspecimenofhiswriting。IknewnobetterplacetolookforthemthaninhisownroominMr。Fairbrother’shouse。I

accordinglygotthenecessarywarrantandlatelasteveningundertookthejob。IwentaloneIwasalwaysanegotisticalchap，more’sthepity——andwithnofurtherprecautionthanapassingexplanationtotheofficerImetatthecorner，IhasteneduptheblocktotherearentranceonEighty-seventhStreet。TherearethreedoorstotheFairbrotherhouse，asyouprobablyknow。TwoonEighty-sixthStreet（thelargefrontoneandasmalloneconnectingdirectlywiththeturretstairs），andoneonEighty-seventhStreet。ItwastothelatterIhadakey。Idonotthinkanyonesawmegoin。Itwasraining，andsuchpeopleaswentbyweremoreconcernedinkeepingtheirumbrellasproperlyovertheirheadsthaninwatchingmenskulkingaboutindoorways。

"Igotin，then，allright，and，beingcarefultoclosethedoorbehindme，wentupthefirstshortflightofstepstowhatIknewmustbethemainhall。Ihadbeengivenaplanoftheinterior，andIhadstudieditmoreorlessbeforestartingout，butIknewthatIshouldgetlostifIdidnotkeeptotherearstaircase，atthetopofwhichIexpectedtofindthesteward’sroom。Therewasafaintlightinthehouse，inspiteofitsclosedshuttersandtightly-drawnshades；and，havingacertaindreadofusingmytorch，knowingmyweaknessforprettythingsandhowharditwouldbeformetopasssomanyfineroomswithoutlookingin，I

mademywayupstairs，withnootherguidethanthehand-rail。

WhenIhadreachedwhatItooktobethethirdfloorIstopped。

Findingitverydark，Ifirstlistened——anaturalinstinctwithus——thenIlitupandlookedaboutme。

"Iwasinalargehall，emptyasavaultandalmostasdesolate。

Blankdoorsmetmyeyesinalldirections，withhereandthereanopenpassageway。Ifeltmyselfinamaze。IhadnoideawhichwasthedoorIsought，anditisnotpleasanttoturnunaccustomedknobsinashut-uphouseatmidnight，withtherainpouringintorrentsandthewindmakingpandemoniuminahalf-dozengreatchimneys。

"Butithadtobedone，andIwentatitinregularordertillI

cametoalittlenarrowoneopeningontheturret-stair。Thisgavememybearings。Sears’roomadjoinedthestaircase。Therewasnodifficultyinspottingtheexactdoornowand，merelystoppingtoclosetheopeningIhadmadetothislittlestaircase，Icrossedtothisdoorandflungitopen。Ihadbeenrightinmycalculations。Itwasthesteward’sroom，andImadeatonceforthedesk。"

"Andyoufound——？"

"Mostlylockeddrawers。Butakeyonmybunchopenedsomeoftheseandmyknifetherest。HerearethespecimensofhishandwritingwhichIcollected。Idoubtifyouwillgetmuchoutofthem。Isawnothingcompromisinginthewholeroom，butthenI

hadn’ttimetogothroughhistrunks，andoneofthemlookedveryinteresting，——oldasthehillsand——"

"Youhadn’ttime？Whyhadn’tyoutime？Whathappenedtocutitshort？"

"Well，sir，I’lltellyou。"Thetoneinwhichthiswassaidrousedmeifitdidnottheinspector。"Ihadjustcomefromthedeskwhichhaddisappointedme，andwascastingalookabouttheroom，whichwasasbareasmyhandofeverythinglikeornament——I

mightalmostsaycomfort——whenIheardanoisewhichwasnotthatofswishingrainorevengustywind——thesehadnotbeenabsentfrommyearsforamoment。Ididn’tlikethatnoise；ithadasneakishsound，andIshutmylightoffinahurry。AfterthatI

crepthastilyoutoftheroom，forIdon’tlikeaset-toinatrap。

"Itwasdarkerthanevernowinthehall，orsoitseemed，andasIbackedawayIcameuponajoginthewall，behindwhichI

crept。ForthesoundIhadheardwasnofancy。Someonebesidesmyselfwasinthehouse，andthatsomeonewascomingupthelittleturret-stair，strikingmatchesasheapproached。Whocoulditbe？Adetectivefromthedistrictattorney’soffice？Ihardlythoughtso。Hewouldhavebeenprovidedwithsomethingbetterthanmatchestolighthisway。Aburglar？No，notonthethirdfloorofahouseasrichasthis。Somefellowontheforce，then，whohadseenmecomeinand，bysometrickofhisown，hadmanagedtofollowme？Iwouldsee。MeantimeIkeptmyplacebehindthejogandwatched，notknowingwhichwaytheintruderwouldgo。

"Whoeverhewas，hewasevidentlyastonishedtoseetheturretdoorajar，forhelitanothermatchashethrewitopenand，thoughIfailedtogetaglimpseofhisfigure，Isucceededingettingaverygoodoneofhisshadow。Itwasonetoarouseadetective’sinstinctatonce。Ididnotsaytomyself，thisisthemanIwant，butIdidsay，thisisnobodyfromheadquarters，andIsteadiedmyselfforwhatevermightturnup。

"Thefirstthingthathappenedwasthesuddengoingoutofthematchwhichhadmadethisshadowvisible。Theintruderdidnotlightanother。Iheardhimmoveacrossthefloorwiththerapidstepofonewhoknowshiswaywell，andthenextminuteagas-jetflaredupinthesteward’sroom，andIknewthatthemanthewholeforcewaslookingforhadtrappedhimself。

"Youwillagreethatitwasnotmydutytotakehimthenandtherewithoutseeingwhathewasafter。Hewasthoughttobeintheeasternstates，orsouthorwest，andhewashere；butwhyhere？ThatiswhatIknewyouwouldwanttoknow，anditwasjustwhatIwantedtoknowmyself。SoIkeptmyplace，whichwasgoodenough，andjustlistened，forIcouldnotsee。

"Whatwashiserrand？Whatdidhewantinthisemptyhouseatmidnight？Papersfirst，andthenclothes。Iheardhimathisdesk，Iheardhiminthecloset，andafterwardpotteringintheoldtrunkIhadbeensoanxioustolookintomyself。Hemusthavebroughtthekeywithhim，foritwasnotimebeforeIheardhimthrowingoutthecontentsinawildsearchforsomethinghewantedinagreathurry。Hefounditsoonerthanyouwouldbelieve，andbeganthrowingthethingsback，whensomethinghappened。Expectedlyorunexpectedly，hiseyefellonsomeobjectwhichrousedallhispassions，andhebrokeintoloudexclamationsendingingroans。Finallyhefelltokissingthisobjectwithafervorsuggestingrage，andaragesuggestingtendernesscarriedtothepointofagony。Ihaveneverheardthelike；mycuriositywassoarousedthatIwasonthepointofriskingeverythingforalook，whenhegaveasuddensnarlandcriedout，loudenoughformetohear：’KisswhatI’vehated？

ThatisasbadastokillwhatI’veloved。’Thosewerethewords。

IamsurehesaidkissandIamsurehesaidkill。"

"Thisisveryinteresting。Goonwithyourstory。Whydidn’tyoucollarhimwhilehewasinthismood？Youwouldhavewonbythesurprise。

"Ihadnopistol，sir，andhehad。Iheardhimcockit。Ithoughthewasgoingtotakehisownlife，andheldmybreathforthereport。Butnothinglikethatwasinhismind。Instead，helaidthepistoldownanddeliberatelytoreintwotheobjectofhisanger。Thenwithasmotheredcursehemadeforthedoorandturretstaircase。

"Iwasforfollowing，butnottillIhadseenwhathehaddestroyedinsuchanexcessoffeeling。IthoughtIknew，butI

wantedtofeelsure。So，beforeriskingmyselfintheturret，I

crepttotheroomhehadleftandfeltaboutonthefloortillI

cameuponthese。"

"Atornphotograph！Mrs。Fairbrother’s！"

"Yes。Haveyounotheardhowhelovedher？Afoolishpassion，butevidentlysincereand——"

"Nevermindcomments，Sweetwater。Sticktofacts。"

"Iwill，sir。Theyareinterestingenough。AfterIhadpickedupthesescrapsIstolebacktotheturretstaircase。AndhereI

mademyfirstbreak。Istumbledinthedarkness，andthemanbelowheardme，forthepistolclickedagain。Ididnotlikethis，andhadsomethoughtsofbackingoutofmyjob。ButI

didn’t。ImerelywaitedtillIheardhisstepagain；thenI

followed。

"Butverywarilythistime。Itwasnotanagreeableventure。Itwaslikedescendingintoawellwithpossibledeathatthebottom。Icouldseenothingandpresentlycouldhearnothingbutthealmostimperceptibleslidingofmyownfingersdownthecurveofthewall，whichwasallIhadtoguideme。Hadhestoppedmidway，andwouldmyfirstintimationofhispresencebethetouchofcoldsteelortheflingingaroundmeoftwomurderousarms？Ihadmetwithnobreakinthesmoothsurfaceofthewall，socouldnothavereachedthesecondstory。WhenIshouldgettherethequestionwouldbewhethertoleavethestaircaseandseekhiminthemazesofitsgreatrooms，ortokeepondowntotheparlorfloorandsotothestreet，whitherhewaspossiblybound。IownthatIwasalmosttemptedtoturnonmylightandhavedonewithit，butIrememberedofhowlittleuseIshouldbetoyoulyinginthiswellofastairwaywithabulletinme，andsoImanagedtocomposemyselfandgoonasIhadbegun。Nextinstantmyfingersslippedroundtheedgeofanopening，andI

knewthatthemomentofdecisionhadcome。Realizingthatnoonecanmovesosoftlythathewillnotgiveawayhispresenceinsomeway，IpausedforthesoundwhichIknewmustcome，andwhenaclickrosefromthedepthsofthehallbeforemeIplungedintothathallandthusintothehouseproper。

"Hereitwasnotsodark；yetIcouldmakeoutnoneoftheobjectsInowandthenranagainst。Ipassedamirror（IhardlyknowhowIknewittobesuch），andinthatmirrorIseemedtoseetheghostofaghostflitbyandvanish。Itwastoomuch。I

mutteredasuppressedoathandplungedforward，whenIstruckagainstaclosingdoor。ItflewopenagainandIrushedin，turningonmylightinmyextremedesperation，when，insteadofhearingthesharpreportofapistol，asIexpected，Isawaseconddoorfalltobeforeme，thistimewithasoundlikethesnapofaspringlock。Findingthatthiswasso，andthatalladvancewasbarredthatway，IwheeledhurriedlybacktowardthedoorbywhichIhadenteredtheplace，tofindthatthathadfallentosimultaneouslywiththeother，asinglespringactingforboth。Iwastrapped——aprisonerinthestrangestsortofpassagewayorcloset；and，asaspeedylookaboutpresentlyassuredme，aprisonerwithverylittlehopeofimmediateescape，forthedoorswerenotonlyimmovable，withoutevenlockstopickorpanelstobreakin，buttheplacewasbareofwindows，andtheonlycommunicationwhichitcouldbesaidtohavewiththeoutsideworldatallwasashaftrisingfromtheceilingalmosttothetopofthehouse。Whetherthisservedasaventilator，orameansoflightinguptheholewhenbothdoorswereshut，itwasmuchtooinaccessibletoofferanyapparentwayofescape。

"Neverwasamanmorethoroughlyboxedin。AsIrealizedhowlittlechancetherewasofanyoutsideinterference，howmycaptor，evenifhewasseenleavingthehousebytheofficeronduty，wouldbetakenformyselfandsoallowedtoescape，IownthatIfeltmypositionahopelessone。Butangerisapowerfulstimulant，andIwasmortallyangry，notonlywithSears，butwithmyself。SowhenIwasdoneswearingItookanotherlookaround，and，findingthattherewasnogettingthroughthewalls，turnedmyattentionwhollytotheshaft，whichwouldcertainlyleadmeoutoftheplaceifIcouldonlyfindmeanstomountit。

"AndhowdoyouthinkImanagedtodothisatlast？Alookatmybedraggled，lime-coveredclothesmaygiveyousomeidea。IcutapassageformyselfupthoseperpendicularwallsastheboydidupthefaceofthenaturalbridgeinVirginia。DoyourememberthatoldstoryintheReader？ItcametomelikeaninspirationasI

stoodlookingupfrombelow，andthoughIknewthatIshouldhavetoworkmostofthewayinperfectdarkness，Idecidedthataman’slifewasworthsomerisk，andthatIhadratherfallandbreakmyneckwhiledoingsomethingthantospendhoursinmaddeninginactivity，onlytofacedeathatlastfromslowstarvation。