第6章

"Ihadaknife，anexceedinglygoodknife，inmypocket——andforthefirstfewstepsIshouldhavethelightofmyelectrictorch。

Thedifficulty（thatis，thefirstdifficulty）wastoreachtheshaftfromthefloorwhereIstood。Therewasbutonearticleoffurnitureintheroom，andthatwassomethingbetweenatableandadesk。Nochairs，andthedeskwasnothighenoughtoenablemetoreachthemouthoftheshaft。IfIcouldturnitonendtheremightbesomehope。Butthisdidnotlookfeasible。However，I

threwoffmycoatandwentatthethingwithavengeance，andwhetherIwasgivensuperhumanpowerorwhethertheclumsythingwasnotasheavyasitlooked，Ididfinallysucceedinturningitonitsendcloseundertheopeningfromwhichtheshaftrose。

Thenextthingwastogetonitstop。Thatseemedaboutasimpossibleasclimbingthebarewallitself，butpresentlyI

bethoughtmeofthedrawers，and，thoughtheywerelocked，Ididsucceedbytheaidofmykeystogetenoughofthemopentomakeformyselfaverygoodpairofstairs。

"Icouldnowseemywaytothemouthoftheshaft，butafterthat！Takingoutmyknife，Ifelttheedge。Itwasagoodone，sowasthepoint，butwasitgoodenoughtoworkholesinplaster？

Itdependedsomewhatupontheplaster。Hadthemasons，infinishingthatshaft，anythoughtofthepoorwretchwhoonedaywouldhavetopithislifeagainstthehardnessofthefinalcovering？Myfirstdigatitwouldtell。IownItrembledviolentlyattheprospectofwhatthatfirsttestwouldmeantome，andwonderediftheperspirationwhichIfeltstartingateveryporewastheresultoftheeffortIhadbeenengagedinorjustplainfear。

"Inspector，Idonotintendtohaveyoulivewithmethroughthefivemortalhourswhichfollowed。Iwasenabledtopiercethatplasterwithmyknife，andeventopenetratedeepenoughtoaffordaplaceforthetipsofmyfingersandafterwardforthepointofmytoes，digging，prying，sweating，panting，listening，firstforasuddenopeningofthedoorsbeneath，thenforsomeshoutorwickedinterferencefromaboveasIworkedmywayupinchbyinch，footbyfoot，towhatmightnotbesafetyafteritwasattained。

"Fivehours——six。ThenIstrucksomethingwhichprovedtobeawindow；andwhenIrealizedthisandknewthatwithbutonemoreeffortIshouldbreathefreelyagain，IcameasnearfallingasI

hadatanytimebeforeIbeganthisterribleclimb。

"Happily，Ihadsomepremonitionofmydanger，andthrewmyselfintoapositionwhichheldmetillthedizzyminutepassed。ThenIwentcalmlyonwithmywork，andinanotherhalf-hourhadreachedthewindow，which，fortunatelyforme，notonlyopenedinward，butwasoffthelatch。ItwaswithasenseofinexpressiblereliefthatIclamberedthroughthiswindowandforabriefmomentbreathedinthepungentodorofcedar。Butitcouldhavebeenonlyforamoment。Itwasthreeo’clockintheafternoonbeforeIfoundmyselfagainintheouterair。TheonlywayIcanaccountforthelapseoftimeisthatthestraintowhichbothbodyandnervehadbeensubjectedwastoomuchforevenmyhardybodyandthatIfelltothefloorofthecedarclosetandfromafaintwentintoasleepthatlasteduntiltwo。

Icaneasilyaccountforthelasthourbecauseittookmethatlongtocutthethickpanelingfromthedoorofthecloset。

However，Iamherenow，sir，andinverymuchthesameconditioninwhichIleftthathouse。IthoughtmyfirstdutywastotellyouthatIhadseenHiramSearsinthathouselastnightandputyouonhistrack。"

Idrewalongbreath，——Ithinktheinspectordid。Ihadbeenalmostrigidfromexcitement，andIdon’tbelievehewasquitefreefromiteither。ButhisvoicewascalmerthanIexpectedwhenhefinallysaid：

"I’llrememberthis。Itwasagoodnight’swork。"Thentheinspectorputtohimsomequestions，whichseemedtofixthefactthatSearshadleftthehousebeforeSweetwaterdid，afterwhichhebadehimsendcertainmentohimandthengoandfixhimselfup。

Ibelievehehadforgottenme。Ihadalmostforgottenmyself。

XV

SEARSORWELLGOOD

NottilltheinspectorhadgivenseveralorderswasIagainsummonedintohispresence。Hesmiledasoureyesmet，butdidnotallude，anymorethanIdid，towhathadjustpassed。

Nevertheless，weunderstoodeachother。

WhenIwasagainseated，hetookuptheconversationwherewehadleftit。

"ThedescriptionIwasjustabouttoreadtoyou，"hewenton；

"willyoulistentoitnow？"

"Gladly，"saidI；"itisWellgood’s，Ibelieve。"

Hedidnotanswersavebyacuriousglancefromunderhisbrows，but，takingthepaperagainfromhisdesk，wentonreading：

"Amanoffifty-fivelookinglikeoneofsixty。Mediumheight，insignificantfeatures，headbaldsaveforaringofscantydarkhair。Nobeard，aheavynose，longmouthandsleepyhalf-shuteyescapableofshootingstrangeglances。Nothingdistinctiveinfaceorfiguresavethedepthofhiswrinklesandascarcelyobservablestoopinhisrightshoulder。DoyouseeWellgoodinthat？"hesuddenlyasked。

"Ihaveonlythefaintestrecollectionofhisappearance，"wasmydoubtfulreply。"ButtheimpressionIgetfromthisdescriptionisnotexactlytheoneIreceivedofthatwaiterinthemomentaryglimpseIgotofhim。"

"Soothershavetoldmebefore；’heremarked，lookingverydisappointed。"ThedescriptionisofSearsgivenmebyamanwhoknewhimwell，andifwecouldfitthedescriptionoftheonetothatoftheother，weshouldhaveiteasy。ButthefewpersonswhohaveseenWellgooddiffergreatlyintheirremembranceofhisfeatures，andevenofhiscoloring。Itisastonishinghowsuperficiallymostpeopleseeaman，evenwhentheyarethrownintodailycontactwithhim。Mr。Jonessaystheman’seyesaregray，hishairawiganddark，hisnosepudgy，andhisfacewithoutmuchexpression。Hisland-lady，thathiseyesareblue，hishair，whetherwigornot，adustyauburn，andhislookquickandpiercing，——alookwhichalwaysmadeherafraid。Hisnoseshedon’tremember。Bothagree，orratherallagree，thatheworenobeard——Searsdid，butabeardcanbeeasilytakenoff——andallofthemdeclarethattheywouldknowhiminstantlyiftheysawhim。

Andsothematterstands。Evenyoucangivemenodefinitedescription，——one，Imean，assatisfactoryorunsatisfactoryasthisofSears。"

Ishookmyhead。Liketheothers，IfeltthatIshouldknowhimifIsawhim，butIcouldgonofurtherthanthat。Thereseemedtobesolittlethatwasdistinctiveabouttheman。

Theinspector，hoping，perhaps，thatallthiswouldservetorousemymemory，shruggedhisshouldersandputthebestfacehecouldonthematter。

"Well，well，"saidhe，"weshallhavetobepatient。Adaymaymakeallthedifferencepossibleinouroutlook。Ifwecanlayhandsoneitherofthesemen——"

Heseemedtorealizehehadsaidawordtoomuch，forheinstantlychangedthesubjectbyaskingifIhadsucceededingettingasampleofMissGrey’swriting。Iwasforcedtosayno；

thateverythinghadbeenverycarefullyputaway。"ButIdonotknowwhatmomentImaycomeuponit，"Iadded。"Idonotforgetitsimportanceinthisinvestigation。"

"Verygood。ThoselineshandeduptoMrs。Fairbrotherfromthewalkoutsidearethesecondmostvaluablecluewepossess。"

Ididnotaskhimwhatthefirstwas。Iknew。Itwasthestiletto。

"Strangethatnoonehastestifiedtothathandwriting，"I

remarked。

Helookedatmeinsurprise。

"Fiftypersonshavesentinsamplesofwritingwhichtheythinklikeit，"heobserved。"OftenofpersonswhoneverheardoftheFairbrothers。Wehavebeenbotheredgreatlywiththebusiness。

Youknowlittleofthedifficultiesthepolicelaborunder。"

"Iknowtoomuch，"Isighed。

Hesmiledandpattedmeonthehand。

"Gobacktoyourpatient，"hesaid。"Forgeteveryotherdutybutthatofyourcallinguntilyougetsomedefinitewordfromme。I

shallnotkeepyouinsuspenseoneminutelongerthanisabsolutelynecessary。"

Hehadrisen。Irosetoo。ButIwasnotsatisfied。Icouldnotleavetheroomwithmyideas（Imightsaywithmyconvictions）insuchaturmoil。

"Inspector，"saidI，"youwillthinkmeveryobstinate，butallyouhavetoldmeaboutSears，allIhaveheardabouthim，infact，"——thisIemphasized，——"doesnotconvincemeoftheentirefollyofmyownsuspicions。Indeed，Iamafraidthat，ifanything，theyarestrengthened。Thissteward，whoisadoubtfulcharacter，Iacknowledge，mayhavehadhisreasonsforwishingMrs。Fairbrother’sdeath，mayevenhavehadahandinthematter；

butwhatevidencehaveyoutoshowthathe，himself，enteredthealcove，struckthebloworstolethediamond？Ihavelistenedeagerlyforsomesuchevidence，butIhavelistenedinvain。"

"Iknow，"hemurmured，"Iknow。Butitwillcome；atleastI

thinkso。"

Thisshouldhavereassuredme，nodoubt，andsentmeawayquietandhappy。Butsomething——thetenacityofadeepconviction，possibly——keptmelingeringbeforetheinspectorandfinallygavemethecouragetosay：

"IknowIoughtnottospeakanotherword；thatIamputtingmyselfatadisadvantageindoingso；butIcannothelpit，Inspector；IcannothelpitwhenIseeyoulayingsuchstressuponthefewindirectcluesconnectingthesuspiciousSearswiththiscrime，andignoringthedirectclueswehaveagainstonewhomweneednotname。"

HadIgonetoofar？Hadmypresumptiontransgressedallboundsandwouldheshowaverynaturalanger？No，hesmiledinstead，anenigmaticalsmile，nodoubt，whichIfounditdifficulttounderstand，butyetasmile。

"Youmean，"hesuggested，"thatSears’possibleconnectionwiththecrimecannoteliminateMr。Grey’sverypositiveone；norcanthefactthatWellgood’shandcameincontactwithMr。Grey’s，atornearthetimeoftheexchangeofthefalsestonewiththereal，makeitanylessevidentwhowastheguiltyauthorofthisexchange？"

Theinspector’shandwasonthedoor-knob，buthedroppeditatthis，andsurveyingmeveryquietlysaid：

"IthoughtthatafewdaysspentatthebedsideofMissGreyinthesocietyofsorenownedandculturedagentlemanasherfatherwoulddisabuseyouofthesedamagingsuspicions。"

"Idon’twonderthatyouthoughtso，"Iburstout。"Youwouldthinksoallthemore，ifyouknewhowkindhecanbeandwhatsolicitudeheshowsforallabouthim。ButIcannotgetoverthefacts。Theyallpoint，itseemstome，straightinonedirection。"

"All？Youheardwhatwassaidinthisroom——Isawitinyoureye——howtheman，whosurprisedthestewardinhisownroomlastnight，heardhimtalkingofloveanddeathinconnectionwithMrs。Fairbrother。’TokisswhatIhate！ItisalmostasbadastokillwhatIlove’——hesaidsomethinglikethat。"

"Yes，Iheardthat。Butdidhemeanthathehadbeenheractualslayer？Couldyouconvicthimonthosewords？"

"Well，weshallfindout。Then，astoWellgood’spartinthelittlebusiness，youchoosetoconsiderthatittookplaceatthetimethestonefellfromMr。Grey’shand。Whatproofhaveyouthatthesubstitutionyoubelieveinwasnotmadebyhim？HecouldeasilyhavedoneitwhilecrossingtheroomtoMr。Grey’sside。"

"Inspector！"Thenhotly，astheabsurdityofthesuggestionstruckmewithfullforce："Hedothis！Awaiter，orasyouthink，Mr。Fairbrother’ssteward，tobeprovidedwithsohard-to-come-byanarticleasthiscounterpartofagreatstone？

Isn’tthatalmostasincredibleasuppositionasanyIhavemyselfpresumedtoadvance？"

"Possibly，buttheaffairisfullofincredibilities，thegreatestofwhich，tomymind，isthepersistencewithwhichyou，akind-heartedenoughlittlewoman，persevereinascribingthedeepestguilttooneyouprofesstoadmireandcertainlywouldbegladtofindinnocentofanycomplicitywithagreatcrime。"

IfeltthatImustjustifymyself。

"Mr。Durandhashadnosuchconsiderationshownhim，"saidI。

"Iknow，mychild，Iknow；butthecasesdiffer。Wouldn’titbewellforyoutoseethisandbesatisfiedwiththeturnwhichthingshavetaken，withoutcontinuingtoinsistuponinvolvingMr。Greyinyoursuspicions？"

Asmiletookofftheedgeofthisrebuke，yetIfeltitkeenly；

andonlytheconfidenceIhadinhisfairnessasamanandpublicofficialenabledmetosay：

"ButIamtalkingquiteconfidentially。Andyouhavebeensogoodtome，sowillingtolistentoallIhadtosay，thatIcannothelpbutspeakmywholemind。Itismyonlysafetyvalve。

RememberhowIhavetositinthepresenceofthismanwithmythoughtsallchokedup。Itiskillingme。ButIthinkIshouldgobackcontentifyouwilllistentoonemoresuggestionIhavetomake。Itismylast。"

"SayitIamnothingifnotindulgent。"

Hehadspokentheword。Indulgent，thatwasit。Heletmespeak，probablyhadletmespeakfromthefirst，frompurekindness。Hedidnotbelieveonelittlebitinmygoodsenseorlogic。ButI

wasnottobedeterred。Iwouldemptymymindoftheuglythingthatlaythere。Iwouldleavetherenomiserabledregsofdoubttofermentandworktheirevilwaywithmeinthedeadwatchesofthenight，whichIhadyettoface。SoItookhimathisword。

"Ionlywanttoaskthis。IncaseSearsisinnocentofthecrime，whowrotethewarningandwheredidtheassassingetthestilettowiththeGreyarmschasedintoitshandle？Andthediamond？Stillthediamond！Youhintthathestolethat，too。Thatwithsomeideaofitsprovingusefultohimonthisgalaoccasion，hehadprovidedhimselfwithanimitationstone，settingandall，——hewhohasnevershown，sofaraswehaveheard，anyinterestinMrs。Fairbrother’sdiamond，onlyinMrs。Fairbrotherherself。IfWellgoodisSearsandSearsthemediumbywhichthefalsestonewasexchangedforthereal，thenhemadethisexchangeinMr。

Grey’sinterestsandnothisown。ButIdon’tbelievehehadanythingtodowithit。IthinkeverythinggoestoshowthattheexchangewasmadebyMr。Greyhimself。"

"AsecondDaniel，"mutteredtheinspectorlightly。"Goon，littlelawyer！"Butforallthisattemptatbanteronhispart，I

imaginedthatIsawthebeginningofaverynaturalanxietytoclosetheconversation。IthereforehastenedwithwhatIhadyettosay，cuttingmywordsshortandalmoststammeringinmyeagerness。

"Remembertheperfectionofthatimitationstone，acopysoexactthatitextendstothesetting。Thatshowsplan——forgivemeifI

repeatmyself——preparation，aknowledgeofstones，aparticularknowledgeofthisone。Mr。Fairbrother’sstewardmayhavehadtheknowledge，buthewouldhavebeenafooltohaveusedhisknowledgetosecureforhimselfavaluablehecouldneverhavefoundapurchaserforinanymarket。Butafancier——onewhohashispleasureinthemerepossessionofauniqueandinvaluablegem——ah！thatisdifferent！Hemightriskacrime——historytellsusofseveral。"

HereIpausedtotakebreath，whichgavetheinspectorchancetosay：

"Inotherwords，thisiswhatyouthink。TheEnglishman，desirousofcoveringuphistracks，conceivedtheideaofhavingthisimitationonhand，incaseitmightbeofuseinthedaringanddisgracefulundertakingyouascribetohim。Recognizinghisowninabilitytodothishimself，hedelegatedthetasktoonewhoinsomeway，hehadbeenledtothink，cherishedasecretgrudgeagainstitspresentpossessor——amanwhohadhadsomeopportunityforseeingthestoneandstudyingthesetting。Thecopythusprocured，Mr。Greywenttotheball，and，relyingonhisownseeminglyunassailableposition，attackedMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcoveandwouldhavecarriedoffthediamond，ifhehadfounditwherehehadseenitearlierblazingonherbreast。Butitwasnotthere。Thewarningreceivedbyher——awarningyouascribetohisdaughter，afactwhichisyettobeproved——hadledhertoridherselfofthejewelinthewayMr。Duranddescribes，andhefoundhimselfburdenedwithadastardlycrimeandwithnothingtoshowforit。Later，however，tohisintensesurpriseandpossiblesatisfaction，hesawthatdiamondinmyhands，and，recognizinganopportunity，ashethought，ofyetsecuringit，heaskedtoseeit，helditforaninstant，andthen，makinguseofanalmostincredibleexpedientfordistractingattention，dropped，nottherealstonebutthefalseone，retainingtherealoneinhishand。

This，inplainEnglish，asItakeit，isyourpresentideaofthesituation。"

Astonishedattheclearnesswithwhichhereadmymind，I

answered："Yes，Inspector，thatiswhatwasinmymind。"

"Good！thenitisjustaswellthatitisout。Yourmindisnowfreeandyoucangiveitentirelytoyourduties。"Then，ashelaidhishandonthedoor-knob，headded："Instudyingsointentlyyourownpointofview，youseemtohaveforgottenthatthelastthingwhichMr。Greywouldbelikelytodo，underthosecircumstances，wouldbetocallattentiontothefalsityofthegemuponwhosesimilaritytotherealstonehewasdepending。Notevenhisconfidenceinhisownposition，asanhonoredandhighly-esteemedguest，wouldleadhimtodothat。"

"Notifhewereawell-knownconnoisseur，"Ifaltered，"withtheprideofonewhohashandledthebestgems？Hewouldknowthatthedeceptionwouldbesoondiscoveredandthatitwouldnotdoforhimtofailtorecognizeitforwhatitwas，whenthemake-believewasinhishands。"

"Forced，mydearchild，forced；andaschimericalasalltherest。Itcannotstandputtingintowords。Iwillgofurther，——

youareagoodgirlandcanbeartohearthetruthfromme。I

don’tbelieveinyourtheory；Ican’t。Ihavenotbeenabletofromthefirst，norhaveanyofmymen；butifyourideasaretrueandMr。Greyisinvolvedinthismatter，youwillfindthattherehasbeenmoreofahitchaboutthatdiamondthanyou，inyoursimplicity，believe。IfMr。Greywereinactualpossessionofthisvaluable，hewouldshowlesscarethanyousayhedoes。

SowouldheifitwereinWellgood’shandswithhisconsentandagoodprospectofitscomingtohiminthenearfuture。ButifitisinWellgood’shandswithouthisconsent，oranynearprospectofhisregainingit，thenwecaneasilyunderstandhispresentapprehensionsandthegrowinguneasinesshebetrays。"

"True，"Imurmured。

"If，then，"theinspectorpursued，givingmeapartingglancenotwithoutitshumor，probablynotwithoutsomethingreallyseriousunderlyingitshumor，"weshouldfind，infollowingupourpresentclue，thatMr。GreyhashaddealingswiththisWellgoodorthisSears；orifyou，withyouradvantagesforlearningthefact，shoulddiscoverthatheshowsanyextraordinaryinterestineitherofthem，thematterwilltakeonadifferentaspect。Butwehavenotgotthatfaryet。Atpresentourtaskistofindoneortheotherofthesemen。Ifwearelucky，weshalldiscoverthatthewaiterandthestewardareidentical，inspiteoftheirseeminglydifferentappearance。Arogue，suchasthisSearshasshownhimselftobe，wouldbeanadeptatdisguise。"

"Youareright，"Iacknowledged。"Hehascertainlytheheartofacriminal。IfhehadnohandinMrs。Fairbrother’smurder，hecamenearhavingoneinthatofyourdetective。YouknowwhatImean。

Icouldnothelphearing，Inspector。"

Hesmiled，lookedmesteadfastlyinthefaceforamoment，andthenbowedmeout。

Theinspectortoldmeafterwardthat，inspiteofthecavaliermannerwithwhichhehadtreatedmysuggestions，hespentaveryserioushalf-hour，headtoheadwiththedistrictattorney。TheresultwasthefollowingordertoSweetwater，thedetective。

"YouaretogototheSt。Regis；makeyourselfsolidthere，andgradually，asyoucanmanageit，workyourselfintoapositionforknowingallthatgoesoninRoom——。Ifthegentleman（mindyou，thegentleman；wecarenothingaboutthewomen）shouldgoout，youaretofollowhimifittakesyouto——。Wewanttoknowhissecret；buthemustneverknowourinterestinitandyouaretobeassilentinthismatterasifpossessedofneitherearnortongue。Iwilladdmemory，forifyoufindthissecrettobeoneinwhichwehavenolawfulinterest，youaretoforgetitabsolutelyandforever。YouwillunderstandwhywhenyouconsulttheStRegisregister。"

Buttheyexpectednothingfromit；absolutelynothing。

XVI

DOUBT

IprayedunclethatwemightbedrivenhomebythewayofEighty-sixthStreet。IwantedtolookattheFairbrotherhouse。I

hadseenitmanytimes，butIfeltthatIshouldseeitwithneweyesafterthestoryIhadjustheardintheinspector’soffice。

ThatanadventureofthisnaturecouldtakeplaceinaNewYorkhousetaxedmycredulity。ImighthavebelieveditofParis，wicked，mysteriousParis，thehomeofintrigueandeveryredoubtablecrime，butofourownhomely，commonplacemetropolis——thehousemustbeseenformetobeconvincedofthefactrelated。

Manyofyouknowthebuilding。Itisusuallyspokenofwithashrug，thesolereasonforwhichseemstobethatthereisnootherjustlikeitinthecity。Imyselfhavealwaysconsidereditimposingandmajestic；buttotheaveragemanitistoosuggestiveofOld-Worldfeudallifetobepleasing。Onthisafternoon——adull，depressingone——itlookedundeniablyheavyasweapproachedit；butinterestinginaverynewwaytome，becauseofthegreatturretatoneangle，thesceneofthatmidnightdescentoftwomen，eachindeadlyfearoftheother，yetquailingnotintheirpurpose，——theoneofflight，theotherofpursuit。

Therewasnorailinginfrontofthehouse。Itmayhaveseemedanunnecessarysafeguardtotheaudaciousowner。Consequently，thesmalldoorintheturretopeneddirectlyuponthestreet，makingentranceandexiteasyenoughforanyonewhohadthekey。Buttheshaftandthesmallroomatthebottom——wherewerethey？

Naturallyinthecenterofthegreatmass，theroombeingwithoutwindows。

Itwas，therefore，uselesstolookforit，andyetmyeyeranalongthepeaksandpinnaclesoftheroof，searchingfortheskylightinwhichitundoubtedlyended。AtlastIespiedit，and，mycuriositysatisfiedonthisscore，Iletmyeyesrunoverthesideandfaceofthebuildingforanopenwindoworaliftedshade。Butallweretightlyclosedandgavenomoresignoflifethandidtheboarded-updoor。ButIwasnotdeceivedbythis。Aswedroveaway，IthoughthowonthemorrowtherewouldbearegularprocessionpassingthroughthisstreettoseejustthelittleIhadseento-day。Thedetective’sadventurewasliketomakethehousenotorious。ForseveralminutesafterIhadleftitsneighborhoodmyimaginationpicturedroomafterroomshutupfromthelightofday，butbearingwithinthemtheimpalpableauraofthosetwoshadowsflittingthroughthemliketheghostsofghosts，asthedetectivehadtellinglyputit。

Thehearthasitsstrangesurprises。ThroughmywholerideandtheindulgenceinthesethoughtsIwasconsciousofagreatinnerrevulsionagainstallIhadintimatedandevenhonestlyfeltwhiletalkingwiththeinspector。Perhapsthisiswhatthiswiseoldofficialexpected。Hehadletmetalk，andtheinevitablereactionfollowed。IcouldnowseeonlyMr。Grey’sgoodnessandclaimstorespect，andbegantohatemyselfthatIhadnotbeenimmediatelyimpressedbytheinspector’sviews，andshownmyselfmorewillingtodropeverysuspicionagainsttheaugustpersonageIhadpresumedtoassociatewithcrime。Whathadgivenmethestrengthtopersist？Loyaltytomylover？Hisinnocencehadnotbeeninvolved。Indeed，everywordutteredintheinspector’sofficehadgonetoprovethathenolongeroccupiedaleadingplaceinpolicecalculations：thattheireyeswereturnedelsewhere，andthatIhadonlytobepatienttoseeMr。Durandquiteclearedintheirminds。

Butwasthisreallyso？Washeassafeasthat？Whatifthisnewcluefailed？WhatiftheyfailedtofindSearsorlayhandsonthedoubtfulWellgood？WouldMr。Durandbereleasedwithoutatrial？Shouldwehearnothingmoreofthestrangeandtomanythesuspiciouscircumstanceswhichlinkedhimtothiscrime？Itwouldbeexpectingtoomuchfromeitherpoliceorofficialdiscrimination。

No；Mr。Durandwouldneverbecompletelyexoneratedtillthetrueculpritwasfoundandallexplanationsmade。IhadthereforebeensimplyfightinghisbattleswhenIpointedoutwhatIthoughttobetheweakplaceintheirpresenttheory，and，soreasIfeltincontemplationofmyseeminglyheartlessaction，Iwasnottheunimpressionable，addle-patednonentityImusthaveseemedtotheinspector。

YetmycomfortwassmallandtheeffortittooktofaceMr。GreyandmyyoungpatientwasmuchgreaterthanIhadanticipated。I

blushedasIapproachedtotakemyplaceatMissGrey’sbedside，and，hadherfatherbeenassuspiciousofmeatthatmomentasI

wasofhim，IamsurethatIshouldhavefaredbadlyinhisthoughts。

Buthewasnotonthewatchformyemotions。Hewassimplyrelievedtoseemeback。Inoticedthisimmediately，alsothatsomethinghadoccurredduringmyabsencewhichabsorbedhisthoughtandfilledhimwithanxiety。

AWesternUnionenvelopelayathisfeet，——proofthathehadjustreceivedatelegram。This，underordinarycircumstances，wouldnothaveoccasionedmeasecondthought，suchamanbeingnaturallytherecipientofallsortsofcommunicationsfromallpartsoftheworld；butatthiscrisis，withthewormofahalf-stifleddoubtstillgnawingatmyheart，everythingthatoccurredtohimtookonimportanceandrousedquestions。

Whenhehadlefttheroom，MissGreynestleduptomewiththeseeminglyingenuousremark：

"Poorpapa！somethingdisturbshim。Hewillnottellmewhat。I

supposehethinksIamnotstrongenoughtosharehistroubles。

ButIshallbesoon。Don’tyouseeIamgainingeveryday？"

"IndeedIdo，"wasmyheartyresponse。InfaceofsuchasweetconfidenceandopenaffectiondoubtvanishedandIwasabletogiveallmythoughtstoher。

"Iwishpapafeltassureofthisasyoudo，"shesaid。"Forsomereasonhedoesnotseemtotakeanycomfortfrommyimprovement。

WhenDoctorFrelighsays，’Well，well！wearegettingonfinelyto-day，’Inoticethathedoesnotlooklessanxious，nordoesheevenmeettheseencouragingwordswithasmile。Haven’tyounoticedit？Helooksascare-wornandtroubledaboutmenowashedidthefirstdayIwastakensick。Whyshouldhe？Isitbecausehehaslostsomanychildrenhecannotbelieveinhisgoodfortuneathavingthemostinsignificantofalllefttohim？"

"Idonotknowyourfatherverywell，"Iprotested；"andcannotjudgewhatisgoingoninhismind。Buthemustseethatyouarequiteadifferentgirlfromwhatyouwereaweekago，andthat，ifnothingunforeseenhappens，yourrecoverywillonlybeamatterofaweekortwolonger。"

"Oh，howIlovetohearyousaythat！Tobewellagain！Toreadletters！"shemurmured，"andtowritethem！"AndIsawthedelicatehandfalteruptopinchthepreciouspacketawaitingthathappyhour。Ididnotliketodiscussherfatherwithher，sotookthisopportunitytoturntheconversationasideintosaferchannels。ButwehadnotproceededfarbeforeMr。Greyreturnedand，takinghisstandatthefootofthebed，remarked，afteramoment’sgloomycontemplationofhisdaughter’sface：

"Youarebettertoday，thedoctorsays，——Ihavejustbeentelephoningtohim。Butdoyoufeelwellenoughformetoleaveyouforafewdays？ThereisamanImustsee——mustgoto，ifyouhavenodreadofbeingleftalonewithyourgoodnurseandthedoctor’sconstantattendance。"

MissGreylookedstartled。Doubtlessshefounditdifficulttounderstandwhatmaninthisstrangecountrycouldinterestherfatherenoughtoinducehimtoleaveherwhilehewasyetlaboringundersuchsolicitude。Butasmilespeedilytooktheplaceofherlookofsurprisedinquiryandsheaffectionatelyexclaimed：

"Oh，Ihaven’ttheleastdreadintheworld，notnow。See，Icanholdupmyarms。Go，papa，go；itwillgivemeachancetosurpriseyouwithmygoodlookswhenyoucomeback。"

Heturnedabruptlyaway。Hewassufferingfromanemotiondeeperthanhecaredtoacknowledge。Buthegainedcontroloverhimselfspeedilyand，comingback，announcedwithforceddecision：

"Ishallhavetogoto-night。Ihavenochoice。Promisemethatyouwillnotgobackinmyabsence；thatyouwillstrivetogetwell；thatyouwillputallyourmindintostrivingtogetwell。"

"Indeed，Iwill，"sheanswered，alittlefrightenedbythefeelingheshowed。"Don’tworrysomuch。Ihavemorethanonereasonforliving，papa。"

Heshookhisheadandwentimmediatelytomakehispreparationsfordeparture。Hisdaughtergaveonesob，thencaughtmebythehand。

"Youlookdumfounded，"saidshe。"Butnevermind，weshallgetonverywelltogether。Ihavethemostperfectconfidenceinyou。"

WasitmydutytolettheinspectorknowthatMr。Greyanticipatedabsentinghimselffromthecityforafewdays？I

decidedthatIwouldonlybeimpressingmyowndoubtsuponhimafterarebukewhichshouldhaveallayedthem。

Yet，whenMr。GreycametotakehisdepartureIwishedthattheinspectormighthavebeenawitnesstohisemotion，ifonlytogivemeoneofhisveryexcellentexplanations。Thepartingwasmorelikethatofonewhoseesnoimmediatepromiseofreturnthanofatravelerwhointendstolimithisstaytoafewdays。

Helookedherintheeyesandkissedheradozentimes，eachtimewithanairofheartbreakwhichwasgoodneitherforhernorforhimself，andwhenhefinallytorehimselfawayitwastolookbackatherfromthedoorwithanexpressionIwasgladshedidnotsee，oritwouldcertainlyhaveinterferedwiththepromiseshehadmadetoconcentrateallherenergiesongettingwell。

Whatwasattherootofhisextremegriefatleavingher？Didhefearthepersonhewasgoingtomeet，orwerehisplanssuchasinvolvedamuchlongerstaythanhehadmentioned？Didheevenmeantoreturnatall？

Ah，thatwasthequestion！Didheintendtoreturn，orhadIbeentheunconsciouswitnessofaflight？

XVII

SWEETWATERINANEWROLE

Afewdayslaterthreemenwereclosetedinthedistrictattorney’soffice。Twoofthemwereofficials——thedistrictattorneyhimself，andouroldfriend，theinspector。Thethirdwasthedetective，Sweetwater，chosenbythemtokeepwatchonMr。Grey。

Sweetwaterhadjustcometotown，——thiswasevidentfromthegripsackhehadsetdowninacorneronentering，alsofromacertaintousledappearancewhichbespokehastyrisingandbutfewfacilitiesforproperattentiontohisperson。Thesedetailscountedlittle，however，intheastonishmentcreatedbyhismanner。Forahardychaphelookedstrangelynervousandindisposed，somuchsothat，afterthefirstshortgreeting，theinspectoraskedhimwhatwasup，andifhehadhadanotherFairbrother-houseexperience。

Herepliedwithadecidedno；thatitwasnothisadventurewhichhadupsethim，butthenewshehadtobring。

Hereheglancedateverydoorandwindow；andthen，leaningforwardoverthetableatwhichthetwoofficialssat，hebroughthisheadasnearlytothemaspossibleandwhisperedfivewords。

Theyproducedamostunhappysensation。Boththemen，hardenedastheywerebydutieswhichsoonsapthesensibilities，startedandturnedaspaleasthespeakerhimself。Thenthedistrictattorney，withoneglanceattheinspector，roseandlockedthedoor。

ItwasapreludetothistalewhichIgive，notasitcamefromhismouth，butasitwasafterwardrelatedtome。Thelanguage，I

fear，ismostlymyown。

ThedetectivehadjustbeenwithMr。GreytothecoastofMaine。

Whythere，willpresentlyappear。Histaskhadbeentofollowthisgentleman，andfollowhimhedid。

Mr。Greywasaverystatelyman，difficultofapproach，andwasabsorbed，besides，bysomeoverwhelmingcare。Butthisfellowwasoneinathousandandsomehow，duringthetrip，hemanagedtodohimsomelittleservice，whichdrewtheattentionofthegreatmantohimself。Thisdone，hesoimprovedhisopportunitythatthetwoweresoononthebestofterms，andhelearnedthattheEnglishmanwaswithoutavalet，and，beingunaccustomedtomoveaboutwithoutone，felttheawkwardnessofhispositionverymuch。ThisgaveSweetwaterhiscue，andwhenhefoundthattheservicesofsuchamanwerewantedonlyduringthepresenttripandforthehandlingofaffairsquiteapartfrompersonaltendanceuponthegentlemanhimself，heshowedsuchanhonestdesiretofilltheplace，andmadeouttogivesuchagoodaccountofhimself，thathefoundhimselfengagedfortheworkbeforereachingC——。

Thiswasagreatstrokeofluck，hethought，buthelittleknewhowbigastrokeorintowhataseriesofadventuresitwasgoingtoleadhim。

OnceontheplatformofthesmallstationatwhichMr。Greyhadbiddenhimtostop，henoticedtwothings：theutterhelplessnessofthemaninallpracticalmatters，andhisextremeanxietytoseeallthatwasgoingonabouthimwithoutbeinghimselfseen。

Therewasmethodinthiscuriosity，toomuchmethod。Womendidnotinteresthimintheleast。Theycouldpassandrepasswithoutarousinghisattention，butthemomentamansteppedhisway，heshrankfromhimonlytobetraythegreatestcuriosityconcerninghimthemomenthefeltitsafetoturnandobservehim。AllofwhichconvincedSweetwaterthattheEnglishman’serrandwasinconnectionwithamanwhomheequallydreadedanddesiredtomeet。

Ofthishewasmadeabsolutelycertainalittlelater。Astheywereleavingthedepotwiththerestofthearrivals，Mr。Greysaid：

"Iwantyoutogetmearoomataveryquiethotel。Thisdone，youaretohuntupthemanwhosenameyouwillfindwritteninthispaper，andwhenyouhavefoundhim，makeupyourmindhowitwillbepossibleformetogetagoodlookathimwithouthisgettinganysortofalookatme。Dothisandyouwillearnaweek’ssalaryinoneday。"

Sweetwater，withhisheadinairandhisheartonfire——formatterswerelookingverypromisingindeed——tookthepaperandputitinhispocket；thenhebegantohuntforahotel。Nottillhebadfoundwhathewished，andinstalledtheEnglishmaninhisroom，didheventuretoopenthepreciousmemorandumandreadthenamehehadbeenspeculatingoverforanhour。Itwasnottheonehehadanticipated，butitcameneartoit。ItwasthatofJamesWellgood。

Satisfiednowthathehadaticklishmattertohandle，hepreparedforit，withhisusualenthusiasmandcircumspection。

Saunteringoutintothestreet，hestrolledfirsttowardthepost-office。Thetrainonwhichhehadjustcomehadbeenamail-train，andhecalculatedthathewouldfindhalfthetownthere。

Hiscalculationwasacorrectone。Thestorewascrowdedwithpeople。Takinghisplaceinthelinedrawnupbeforethepost-officewindow，heawaitedhisturn，andwhenitcameshoutedoutthenamewhichwashisonetalisman——JamesWellgood。

Themanbehindtheboxeswasusedtothenameandreachedoutahandtowardaboxunusuallywellstacked，butstoppedhalf-waythereandgaveSweetwaterasharplook。

"Whoareyou？"heasked。

"Astranger，"thatyoungmanputinvolubly，"lookingforJamesWellgood。Ithought，perhaps，youcouldtellmewheretofindhim。Iseethathisletterspassthroughthisoffice。"

"You’retakingupanotherman’stime，"complainedthepostmaster。

HeprobablyalludedtothemanwhoseelbowSweetwaterfeltboringintohisback。"AskDickoverthere；heknowshim。"

ThedetectivewasgladenoughtoescapeandaskDick。ButhewasbetterpleasedyetwhenDick——afellowwithasquintwhosehandwasalwaysinthesugar——toldhimthatMr。Wellgoodwouldprobablybeinforhismailinafewmoments。"Thatishisbuggystandingbeforethedrug-storeontheoppositesideoftheway。"

So！hehadnettedJones’quondamwaiteratthefirstcast！

"Lucky！"waswhathesaidtohimself，"stilllucky！"

Saunteringtothedoor，hewatchedfortheownerofthatbuggy。

Hehadlearned，assuchfellowsdo，thattherewasasecrethueandcryafterthisverymanbytheNewYorkpolice；thathewassupposedbysometobeSearshimself。InthiswayhewouldsoonbelookingupontheverymanwhosestepshehadfollowedthroughtheFairbrotherhouseafewnightsbefore，andthroughwhoseresoluteactionhehadverynearlyruntheriskofalingeringdeathfromstarvation。

"Adangerouscustomer，"thoughthe。"Iwonderifmyinstinctwillgosofarastomakemerecognizehispresence。Ishouldn’twonder。Ithasservedmealmostaswellasthatmanytimesbefore。"

Itappearedtoservehimnow，forwhenthemanfinallyshowedhimselfonthecross-walkseparatingthetwobuildingsheexperiencedasuddenindecisionnotunlikethatofdread，andtherebeingnothingintheman’sappearancetowarrantapprehension，hetookitfortheinstinctiverecognitionitundoubtedlywas。

Hethereforewatchedhimnarrowlyandsucceededingettingoneglancefromhiseye。Itwasenough。Themanwascommonplace，——

commonplaceinfeature，dressandmanner，buthiseyegavehimaway。Therewasnothingcommonplaceinthat。Itwasaneyetobewareof。

HehadtakeninSweetwaterashepassed，butSweetwaterwasofacommonplacetype，too，andwokenocorrespondingdreadintheother’smind；forhewentwhistlingintothestore，fromwhichhepresentlyreissuedwithabundleofmailinhishand。Thedetective’sfirstinstinctwastotakehimintocustodyasasuspectmuchwantedbytheNewYorkpolice；butreasonassuredhimthathenotonlyhadnowarrantforthis，butthathewouldbetterservetheendsofjusticebyfollowingouthispresenttaskofbringingthismanandtheEnglishmantogetherandwatchingtheresult。Buthow，withtheconditionslaidonhimbyMr。Grey，wasthistobedone？Heknewnothingoftheman’scircumstancesorofhispositioninthetown。How，then，gotoworktosecurehiscooperationinaschemepossiblyasmysterioustohimasitwastohimself？Hecouldstopthisstrangerinmid-street，withsomeplausibleexcuse，butitdidnotfollowthathewouldsucceedinluringhimtothehotelwhereMr。Greycouldseehim。Wellgood，or，ashebelieved，Sears，knewtoomuchoflifetobebeguiledbyanyopenclap-trap，andSweetwaterwasobligedtoseehimdriveoffwithouthavingmadetheleastadvanceinthepurposeengrossinghim。

Butthatwasnothing。Hehadalltheeveningbeforehim，andreenteringthestore，hetookuphisstandnearthesugarbarrel。

Hehadperceivedthatinthepausesofweighingandtasting，Dicktalked；ifhewereguidedwithsuitablediscretion，whyshouldhenottalkofWellgood？

Hewasguided，andhedidtalkandtosomeeffect。Thatis，hegaveinformationofthemanwhichsurprisedSweetwater。IfinthepastandinNewYorkhehadbeenknownasawaiter，orshouldI

saysteward，hewasknownhereasamanufacturerofpatentmedicinedesignedtorejuvenatethehumanrace。Hehadnotbeenlongintownandwassomewhatofastrangeryet，buthewouldn’tbesolong。Hewasgoingtomakethingshum，hewas。Moneyforthis，moneyforthat，ahorsewhereanothermanwouldwalk，andmail——well，thatalonewouldmakethispost-officeworthwhile。

Thenthedrugsorderedbywholesale。Thoseboxesovertherewerehis，readytobecartedouttohismanufactory。Countthem，someone，andthinkofthebottlesandbottlesofstufftheystandfor。Ifitsellsashesaysitwill——thenhewillsoonberich：

andsoon，tillSweetwaterbroughtthegarrulousDicktoastandstillbyaskingwhetherWellgoodhadbeenawayforanypurposesincehefirstcametotown。HereceivedthereplythathehadjustcomehomefromNewYork，wherehehadbeenforsomearticlesneededinhismanufactory。Sweetwaterfeltallhisconvictionsconfirmed，andendedthecolloquywiththefinalquestion：

"Andwhereishismanufactory？Mightbeworthvisiting，perhaps。"

Theothermadeagesture，saidsomethingaboutnorthwestandrushedtohelpacustomer。Sweetwatertooktheopportunitytoslideaway。Moreexplicitdirectionscouldeasilybegotelsewhere，andhefeltanxioustoreturntoMr。Greyanddiscover，ifpossible，whetheritwouldproveasmuchamatterofsurprisetohimastoSweetwaterhimselfthatthemanwhoansweredtothenameofWellgoodwastheownerofamanufactoryandabarrelortwoofdrugs，outofwhichheproposedtomakeacompoundthatwouldrobthedoctorsoftheirbusinessandmakehimselfandthislittlevillagerich。

SweetwatermadeonlyonestoponhiswaytoMr。Grey’shotelrooms，andthatwasatthestables。Herehelearnedwhateverelsetherewastoknow，and，armedwithdefiniteinformation，heappearedbeforeMr。Grey，who，tohisastonishment，wasdininginhisownroom。

Hehaddismissedthewaiterandwasratherbroodingthaneating。

Helookedupeagerly，however，whenSweetwaterentered，andaskedwhatnews。

Thedetective，withsomesemblanceofrespect，answeredthathehadseenWellgood，butthathehadbeenunabletodetainhimorbringhimwithinhisemployer’sobservation。

"Heisapatent-medicineman，"hethenexplained，"andmanufactureshisownconcoctionsinahousehehasrentedhereonalonelyroadsomehalf-mileoutoftown。"

"Wellgooddoes？themannamedWellgood？"Mr。Greyexclaimedwithalltheastonishmenttheothersecretlyexpected。

"Yes；Wellgood，JamesWellgood。Thereisnootherintown。"

"Howlonghasthismanbeenhere？"thestatesmaninquired，afteramomentofapparentlygreatdiscomfiture。

"Justtwenty-fourhours，thistime。Hewashereoncebefore，whenherentedthehouseandmadeallhisplans。"

"Ah！"

Mr。Greyroseprecipitately。Hismannerhadchanged。

"Imustseehim。Whatyoutellmemakesitallthemorenecessaryformetoseehim。Howcanyoubringitabout？"

"Withouthisseeingyou？"Sweetwaterasked。

"Yes，yes；certainlywithouthisseeingme。Couldn’tyouraphimupathisowndoor，andholdhimintalkaminute，whileIlookedonfromthecarriageorwhatevervehiclewecangettocarryusthere？Theleastglimpseofhisfacewouldsatisfyme。Thatis，to-night。"

"I’lltry，"saidSweetwater，notverysanguineastotheprobableresultofthiseffort。

Returningtothestables，heorderedtheteam。Withthelastrayofthesuntheysetout，thereinsinSweetwater’shands。

Theyheadedforthecoast-road。

XVIII

THECLOSEDDOOR

Theroadwasoncethehighway，butthetidehavingplayedsomanytrickswithitsnumberlessbridgesanewonehadbeenbuiltfartherupthecliff，carryingwithitthelifeandbusinessofthesmalltown。Manyoldlandmarksstillremained——shops，warehousesandevenafewscattereddwellings。Butmostoftheseweredeserted，andthosethatwerestillinuseshowedsuchneglectthatitwasveryevidentthewholeregionwouldsoonbegivenuptotheencroachingseaandsuchinterestsasareinseparablefromit。

Thehourwasthatmysteriousoneoflatetwilight，whenoutlineslosetheirdistinctnessandseaandshoremeltintoonemassofuniformgray。Therewasnowindandthewavescameinwithasoftplash，butsoneartotheleveloftheroadthatitwasevident，eventothesestrangers，thatthetidewasatitsheightandwouldpresentlybegintoebb。

Soontheyhadpassedthelastforsakendwelling，andthetownproperlaybehindthem。Sandandafewrockswereallthatlaybetweenthemnowandtheopenstretchoftheocean，which，atthispoint，approachedthelandinasmallbay，well-guardedoneithersidebyembracingrockyheads。ThiswaswhatmadetheharboratC——。

Itwasverystill。Theypassedoneteamandonlyone。Sweetwaterlookedverysharplyatthisteamandatitsdriver，butsawnothingtoarousesuspicion。Theywerenowahalf-milefromC——，and，seemingly，inaperfectlydesolateregion。

"Amanufactoryhere！"exclaimedMr。Grey。Itwasthefirstwordhehadutteredsincestarting。

"Notfarfromhere，"wasSweetwater’sequallylaconicreply；and，theroadtakingaturnalmostatthemomentofhisspeaking，heleanedforwardandpointedoutabuildingstandingontheright-handsideoftheroad，withitsfeetinthewater。"That’sit。"saidhe。"TheydescribeditwellenoughformetoknowitwhenIseeit。Lookslikearobber’sholeatthistimeofnight，"

helaughed；"butwhatcanyouexpectfromamanufactoryofpatentmedicine？"

Mr。Greywassilent。Hewaslookingveryearnestlyatthebuilding。

"ItislargerthanIexpected，"heremarkedatlast。

Sweetwaterhimselfwassurprised，butastheyadvancedandtheirpointofviewchangedtheyfoundittobereallyaninsignificantstructure，andMr。Wellgood’sportionofitmoreinsignificantstill。