第7章

Inrealityitwasacollectionofthreestoresunderoneroof：

twoofthemwereshutupandevidentlyunoccupied，thethirdshowedalightedwindow。Thiswasthemanufactory。Itoccupiedthemiddleplaceandpresentedatolerablydecentappearance。Itshowed，besidesthelightedlampIhavementioned，suchsignsoflifeasafewpacking-boxestumbledoutonthesmallplatforminfront，andawhinnyinghorseattachedtoanemptybuggy，tiedtoapostontheoppositesideoftheroad。

"I’mgladtoseethelamp，"mutteredSweetwater。"Now，whatshallwedo？Isitlightenoughforyoutoseehisface，ifIcanmanagetobringhimtothedoor？"

Mr。Greyseemedstartled。

"It’sdarkerthanIthought，"saidhe。"ButcallthemanandifI

cannotseehimplainly，I’llshouttothehorsetostand，whichyouwilltakeasasignaltobringthisWellgoodnearer。ButdonotbesurprisedifIrideoffbeforehereachesthebuggy。I’llcomebackagainandtakeyouupfartherdowntheroad。"

"Allright，sir，"answeredSweetwater，withasideglanceatthespeaker’sinscrutablefeatures。"It’sago！"Andleapingtothegroundheadvancedtothemanufactorydoorandknockedloudly。

Nooneappeared。

Hetriedthelatch；itlifted，butthedoordidnotopen；itwasfastenedfromwithin。

"Strange！"hemuttered，castingaglanceatthewaitinghorseandbuggy，thenatthelightedwindow，whichwasonthesecondfloordirectlyoverhishead。"GuessI’llsingout。"

Hereheshoutedtheman’sname。"Wellgood！Isay，Wellgood！"

Noresponsetothiseither。

"Looksbad！"heacknowledgedtohimself；and，takingastepback，helookedupatthewindow。

Itwasclosed，buttherewasneithershadenorcurtaintoobstructtheview。

"Doyouseeanything？"heinquiredofMr。Grey，whosatwithhiseyeatthesmallwindowinthebuggytop。

"Nothing。"

"Nomovementintheroomabove？Noshadowatthewindow？"

"Nothing。"

"Well，it’sconfoundedstrange！"Andhewentback，stillcallingWellgood。

Thetied-uphorsewhinnied，andthewavesgaveasoftsplashandthatwasall，——ifIexceptSweetwater’smutteredoath。

Comingback，helookedagainatthewindow，then，withagesturetowardMr。Grey，turnedthecornerofthebuildingandbegantoedgehimselfalongitssideinanendeavortoreachtherearandseewhatitoffered。Buthecametoasuddenstandstill。Hefoundhimselfontheedgeofthebankbeforehehadtakentwentysteps。

Yetthebuildingprojectedon，andhesawwhyithadlookedsolargefromacertainpointoftheapproach。Itsrearwasbuiltoutonpiles，makingitsdepthevengreaterthantheunitedwidthofthethreestores。Atlowtidethismightbeaccessiblefrombelow，butjustnowthewaterwasalmostonalevelwiththetopofthepiles，makingallapproachimpossiblesavebyboat。

Disgustedwithhisfailure，Sweetwaterreturnedtothefront，and，findingthesituationunchanged，tookanewresolve。Aftermeasuringwithhiseyetheheightofthefirststory，hecoollywalkedovertothestrangehorse，and，slippinghisbridle，broughtitbackandcastitoveraprojectionofthedoor；byitsaidhesucceededinclimbinguptothewindow，whichwasthesoleeyetotheinterior，Mr。Greysatfarbackinhisbuggy，watchingeverymovement。

Therewerenoshadesatthewindow，asIhavebeforesaid，and，onceSweetwater’seyehadreachedthelevelofthesill，hecouldseetheinteriorwithouttheleastdifficulty。Therewasnobodythere。Thelampburnedonagreattablelitteredwithpapers，buttherudecane-chairbeforeitwasempty，andsowastheroom。Hecouldseeintoeverycornerofitandtherewasnotevenahiding-placewhereanybodycouldremainconcealed。Sweetwaterwasstilllooking，whenthelamp，whichhadbeenburningwithconsiderablesmoke，flaredupandwentout。Sweetwaterutteredanejaculation，and，findinghimselffacetofacewithutterdarkness，slidfromhisperchtotheground。

ApproachingMr。Greyforthesecondtime，hesaid：

"Icannotunderstandit。Thefellowiseitherlyinglow，orhe’sgoneout，leavinghislamptogoout，too。Butwhoseisthehorse——justexcusemewhileItiehimupagain。Itlooksliketheonehewasdrivingto-day。Itistheone。Well，hewon’tleavehimhereallnight。Shallwelielowandwaitforhimtocomeandunhitchthisanimal？Ordoyouprefertoreturntothehotel？"

Mr。Greywasslowinanswering。Finallyhesaid：

"Themanmaysuspectourintention。Youcannevertellanythingaboutsuchfellowsashe。HemayhavecaughtsomeunexpectedglimpseofmeorsimplyheardthatIwasintown。Ifhe’sthemanIthinkhim，hehasreasonsforavoidingmewhichIcanverywellunderstand。Letusgoback，——nottothehotel，Imustseethisadventurethroughtonight，——butfarenoughforhimtothinkwehavegivenupallideaofroutinghimoutto-night。Perhapsthatisallheiswaitingfor。Youcanstealback——"

"Excuseme，"saidSweetwater，"butIknowabetterdodgethanthat。We’llcircumventhim。Wepassedaboat-houseonourwaydownhere。I’lljustdriveyouup，procureaboat，andbringyoubackherebywater。Idon’tbelievethathewillexpectthat，andifheisinthehouseweshallseehimorhislight。"

"Meanwhilehecanescapebytheroad。"

"Escape？Doyouthinkheisplanningtoescape？"

ThedetectivespokewithbecomingsurpriseandMr。Greyansweredwithoutapparentsuspicion。

"Itispossibleifhesuspectsmypresenceintheneighborhood。"

"Doyouwanttostophim？"

"Iwanttoseehim。"

"Oh，Iremember。Well，sir，wewilldriveon，——thatis，afteramoment。"

"Whatareyougoingtodo？"

"Oh，nothing。Yousaidyouwantedtoseethemanbeforeheescaped。"

"Yes，but——"

"Andthathemightescapebytheroad。"

"Yes——"

"Well，Iwasjustmakingthatalittlebitimpracticable。Asmallpebbleinthekeyholeand——why，seenow，hishorseiswalkingoff！Gee！Imusthavefastenedhimbadly。Ishouldn’twonderifhetrottedallthewaytotown。Butitcan’tbehelped。Icannotbesupposedtoraceafterhim。Areyoureadynow，sir？I’llgiveanothershout，thenI’llgetin。"Andoncemorethelonelyregionaboutechoedwiththecry："Wellgood！Isay，Wellgood！"

Therewasnoanswer，andtheyoungdetective，maskingforthenonceasMr。Grey’sconfidentialservant，jumpedintothebuggy，andturnedthehorse’sheadtowardC——。

XIX

THEFACE

ThemoonwaswellupwhenthesmallboatinwhichouryoungdetectivewasseatedwithMr。Greyappearedinthebayapproachingtheso-calledmanufactoryofWellgood。Thelooked-forlightonthewatersidewasnotthere。Allwasdarkexceptwherethewindowsreflectedthelightofthemoon。

ThiswasadecideddisappointmenttoSweetwater，ifnottoMr。

Grey。Hehadexpectedtodetectsignsoflifeinthisquarter，andthisadditionalproofofWellgood’sabsencefromhomemadeitlookasiftheyhadcomeoutonafool’serrandandmightmuchbetterhavestucktotheroad。

"Nopromisethere，"cameinamutterfromhislips。"ShallIrowin，sir，andtrytomakealanding？"

"Youmayrownearer。Ishouldlikeacloserview。Idon’tthinkweshallattractanyattention。Therearemoreboatsthanoursonthewater。"

Sweetwaterwasstartled。Lookinground，hesawalaunch，orsomesuchsmallsteamer，ridingatanchornotfarfromthemouthofthebay。Butthatwasnotall。Betweenitandthemwasarowboatliketheirown，restingquietlyinthewakeofthemoon。

"Idon’tlikesomuchcompany，"hemuttered。"Something’sbrewing；somethinginwhichwemaynotwanttotakeapart。"

"Verylikely，"answeredMr。Greygrimly。"Butwemustnotbedeterred——nottillIhaveseen——"therestSweetwaterdidnothear。Mr。Greyseemedtorememberhimself。"Rownearer，"henowbade。"Getundertheshadowoftherocksifyoucan。Iftheboatisforhim，hewillshowhimself。YetIhardlyseehowhecanboardfromthatbank。"

Itdidnotlookfeasible。Nevertheless，theywaitedandwatchedwithmuchpatienceforseverallongminutes。Theboatbehindthemdidnotadvance，norwasanymovementdiscernibleinthedirectionofthemanufactory。Anothershortperiod，thensuddenlyalightflashedfromawindowhighupinthecentralgable，sparkledforaninstantandwasgone。Sweetwatertookitforasignaland，withaslightmotionofthewrist，begantoworkhiswayintowardshoretilltheylayalmostattheedgeofthepiles。

"Hark！"

ItwasSweetwaterwhospoke。

Bothlistened，Mr。GreywithhisheadturnedtowardthelaunchandSweetwaterwithhiseyeonthecavernousspace，sharplyoutlinedbythepiles，whichthefallingtidenowdisclosedundereachcontiguousbuilding。Goodshadbeendirectlyshippedfromthesestoresintheolddays。Thishehadlearnedinthevillage。

Howshippedhehadnotbeenabletounderstandfromhisprevioussurveyofthebuilding。Buthethoughthecouldseenow。Atlowtide，orbetter，athalf-tide，accesscouldbegottotheflooroftheextensionand，ifthisfloorheldatrap，themysterywouldbeexplainable。Sowouldbethehoveringboat——thesignal-lightand——yes！thissoundoverheardofstepsonarattlingplanking。

"Ihearnothing，"whisperedMr。Greyfromtheotherend。"Theboatisstillthere，butnotamanhasdippedanoar。"

"Theywillsoon，"returnedSweetwaterasasmotheredsoundofclankingironreachedhisearsfromthehollowspacesbeforehim。

"Duckyourhead，sir；I’mgoingtorowinunderthisportionofthehouse。"

Mr。Greywouldhaveprotestedandwithverygoodreason。Therewasscarcelyaspaceofthreefeetbetweenthemandtheboardsoverhead。ButSweetwaterhadsoimmediatelysuitedactiontowordthathehadnochoice。

Theywerenowinutterdarkness，andMr。Grey’sthoughtsmusthavebeenpeculiarashecrouchedoverthestern，hardlyknowingwhattoexpectorwhetherthissuddenlaunchintodarknesswasforthepurposeofflightorpursuit。Butenlightenmentcamesoon。Thesoundofaman’streadinthebuildingabovewaseverymomentbecomingmoreperceptible，andwhilewondering，possibly，athisposition，Mr。Greynaturallyturnedhisheadasnearlyashecouldinthedirectionofthesesounds，andwasstaringwithblankeyesintothedarkness，whenSweetwater，leaningtowardhim，whispered：

"Lookup！There’satrap。Inaminutehe’llopenit。Markhim，butdon’tbreatheaword，andI’llgetyououtofthisallright。"

Mr。Greyattemptedsomeanswer，butitwaslostintheprolongedcreakofslowly-movinghingessomewhereovertheirheads。Spaces，whichhadlookeddark，suddenlylookeddarker；hearingwassatisfied，butnottheeye。Aman’sbreathpantingwithexertiontestifiedtoanear-bypresence；butthatmanwasworkingwithoutalightinaroomwithshutteredwindows，andMr。Greyprobablyfeltthatheknewverylittlemorethanbefore，whensuddenly，mostunexpectedly，tohimatleast，afacestartedoutofthatoverheaddarkness；afacesowhite，witheveryfeaturemadesostartlinglydistinctbythestronglightSweetwaterhadthrownuponit，thatitseemedtheonlythingintheworldtothetwomenbeneath。Inanothermomentithadvanished，orratherthelightwhichhadrevealedit。

"What’sthat？Areyouthere？"camedownfromaboveinhoarseandnonetooencouragingtones。

Therewasnonetoanswer；Sweetwater，withaquickpullontheoars，hadalreadyshottheboatoutofitsdangerousharbor。

XX

MOONLIGHT——ANDACLUE

"Areyousatisfied？Haveyougotwhatyouwanted？"askedSweetwater，whentheywerewellawayfromtheshoreandthevoicetheyhadheardcallingatintervalsfromthechasmtheyhadleft。

"Yes。You’reagoodfellow。Itcouldnothavebeenbettermanaged。"Then，afterapausetooprolongedandthoughtfultopleaseSweetwater，whowasburningwithcuriosityifnotwithsomedeeperfeeling："Whatwasthatlightyouburned？Amatch？"

Sweetwaterdidnotanswer。Hedarednot。Howspeakoftheelectrictorchheasadetectivecarriedinhispocket？Thatwouldbetogivehimselfaway。Hethereforeletthisquestionslipbyandputinoneofhisown。

"Areyoureadytogobacknow，sir？Arewealldonehere？"Thiswithhisearturnedandhiseyebentforward；fortheadventuretheyhadinterruptedwasnotatanend，whethertheirpartinitwasornot。

Mr。Greyhesitated，hisglancesfollowingthoseofSweetwater。

"Letuswait，"saidhe，inatonewhichsurprisedSweetwater。"Ifheismeditatinganescape，Imustspeaktohimbeforehereachesthelaunch。Atallhazards，"headdedafteranothermoment’sthought。

"Allright，sir——Howdoyoupropose——"

Hiswordswereinterruptedbyashrillwhistlefromthedirectionofthebank。Promptly，andasifawaitingthissignal，thetwomenintherowboatbeforethemdippedtheiroarsandpulledfortheshore，takingthedirectionofthemanufactory。

Sweetwatersaidnothing，butheldhimselfinreadiness。

Mr。Greywasequallysilent，butthelinesofhisfaceseemedtodeepeninthemoonlightastheboat，glidingrapidlythroughthewater，passedthemwithinadozenboat-lengthsandslippedintotheopeningunderthemanufactorybuilding。

"Nowrow！"hecried。"Makeforthelaunch。We’llinterceptthemontheirreturn。"

Sweetwater，glowingwithanticipation，benttohiswork。Theboatbeneaththemgaveaboundandinafewminutestheywerefaroutonthewatersofthebay。

"They’recoming！"hewhisperedeagerly，ashesawMr。Greylookinganxiouslyback。"HowmuchfarthershallIgo？"

"Justwithinhailingdistanceofthelaunch，"wasMr。Grey’sreply。

Sweetwater，gagingthedistancewithaglance，stoppedattheproperpointandrestedonhisoars。Buthisthoughtsdidnotrest。Herealizedthathewasabouttowitnessaninterviewwhoseimportanceheeasilyrecognized。Howmuchofitwouldhehear？

Whatwouldbetheupshotandwhatwashisfulldutyinthecase？

HeknewthatthismanWellgoodwaswantedbytheNewYorkpolice，buthewaspossessedwithnoauthoritytoarresthim，evenifhehadthepower。

"SomethingmorethanIbargainedfor，"heinwardlycommented。

"ButIwantedexcitement，andnowIhavegotit。IfonlyIcankeepmyheadlevel，Imaygetsomethingoutofthis，ifnotallI

couldwish。"

Meantimethesecondboatwasverynearlyonthem。HecouldmarkthethreefiguresandpickoutWellgood’sheadfromamongtherest。Ithadaresoluteair；thefaceonwhich，tohisevidentdiscomfiture，themoonshone，worealookwhichconvincedthedetectivethatthiswasnopatent-medicinemanufacturer，norevenacaterer’sassistant，butamanofnerveandresources，thesame，indeed，whomhehadencounteredinMr。Fairbrother’shouse，withsuchdisastrous，almostfatal，resultstohimself。

Thediscovery，thoughanunexpectedone，didnotlessenhissenseoftheextremehelplessnessofhisownposition。Hecouldwitness，buthecouldnotact；followMr。Grey’sorders，butindulgeinnoneofhisown。Thedetectivemustcontinuetobelostinthevalet，thoughitcamehardandwokeasenseofshameinhisambitiousbreast。

MeanwhileWellgoodhadseenthemandorderedhismentoceaserowing。

"Giveway，there，"heshouted。"We’reforthelaunchandinahurry。"

"There’ssomeoneherewhowantstospeaktoyou，Mr。Wellgood，"

Sweetwatercalledout，asrespectfullyashecould。"ShallI

mentionyourname？"heaskedofMr。Grey。

"No，Iwilldothatmyself。"Andraisinghisvoice，heaccostedtheotherwiththesewords："Iamtheman，PercivalGrey，ofDarlingtonManor，England。Ishouldliketosayawordtoyoubeforeyouembark。"

Achange，quickaslightningandalmostasdangerous，passedoverthefaceSweetwaterwaswatchingwithsuchpainfulanxiety；butastheotheraddednothingtohiswordsandseemedtobemerelywaiting，heshruggedhisshouldersandmutteredanordertohisrowerstoproceed。

Inanothermomentthesternsofthetwosmallcraftswungtogether，butinsuchawaythat，bydintofalittleskilfulmanipulationonthepartofWellgood’smen，thelatter’sbackwastowardthemoon。

Mr。GreyleanedtowardWellgood，andhisfacefellintoshadowalso。

"Bah！"thoughtthedetective，"Ishouldhavemanagedthatmyself。

ButifIcannotseeIshallatleasthear。"

Buthedeceivedhimselfinthis。Thetwomenspokeinsuchlowwhispersthatonlytheirintensitywasmanifest。NotawordcametoSweetwater’sears。

"Bah！"hethoughtagain，"thisisbad。"

Buthehadtoswallowhisdisappointment，andmore。Forpresentlythetwomen，sodifferentinculture，stationandappearance，came，asitseemed，toanunderstanding，andWellgood，takinghishandfromhisbreast，fumbledinoneofhispocketsanddrewoutsomethingwhichhehandedtoMr。Grey。

ThismadeSweetwaterstartandpeerwithstillgreateranxietyateverymovement，whentohissurprisebothbentforward，eachoverhisownknee，doingsomethingsomysterioushecouldgetnocluetoitsnaturetilltheyagainstretchedforththeirhandstoeachotherandhecaughtthegleamofpaperandrealizedthattheywereexchangingmemorandaornotes。

Thesemusthavebeenimportant，foreachmadeanimmediateendeavortoreadhisslipbyturningittowardthemoon’srays。

Thatbothweresatisfiedwasshownbytheiraftermovements。

Wellgoodputhisslipintohispocket，andwithoutfurtherwordtoMr。Greymotionedhismentorowaway。Theydidsowithawill，leavingalineofsilverintheirwake。Mr。Grey，onthecontrary，gavenoorders。Hestillheldhisslipandseemedtobedreaming。Buthiseyewasontheshore，andhedidnoteventurnwhensoundsfromthelaunchdenotedthatshewasunderway。

Sweetwater；lookingatthismorselofpaperwithgreedyeyes，dippedhisoarsandbeganpullingsoftlytowardthatportionofthebeachwhereasmallandtwinklinglightdefinedtheboat-house。HehopedMr。Greywouldspeak，hopedthatinsomeway，bysomemeans，hemightobtainacluetohispatron’sthoughts。ButtheEnglishgentlemansatlikeanimageanddidnotmovetillaslightbutsuddenbreeze，blowingin-shore，seizedthepaperinhishandandcarrieditaway，pastSweetwater，whovainlysoughttocatchitasitwentflutteringby，intothewaterahead，whereitshoneforamoment，thensoftlydisappeared。

Sweetwaterutteredacry，sodidMr。Grey。

"Isitanythingyouwanted？"calledouttheformer，leaningoverthebowoftheboatandmakingadiveatthepaperwithhisoar。

"Yes；butifit’sgone，it’sgone，"returnedtheotherwithsomefeeling。"Carelessofme，verycareless，——butIwasthinkingof——

"

Hestopped；hewasgreatlyagitated，buthedidnotencourageSweetwaterinanyfurtherattemptstorecoverthelostmemorandum。Indeed，suchaneffortwouldhavebeenfruitless；thepaperwasgone，andtherewasnothingleftforthembuttocontinuetheirway。Astheydidsoitwouldhavebeenhardtotellinwhichbreastchagrinmountedhigher。Sweetwaterhadlostaclueinathousand，andMr。Greywell，nooneknewwhathehadlost。Hesaidnothingandplainlyshowedbyhischangedmannerthathewasinhastetolandnowandbedonewiththisdoubtfuladventure。

Whentheyreachedtheboat-houseMr。GreyleftSweetwatertopayfortheboatandstartedatonceforthehotel。

Themaninchargehadthebowoftheboatinhand，preparatorytopullingitupontheboards。AsSweetwaterturnedtowardhimhecaughtsightofthesideoftheboat，shiningbrightlyinthemoonlight。Hegaveastartand，withamutteredejaculation，dartedforwardandpickedoffasmallpieceofpaperfromthedrippingkeel。Itseparatedinhishandandapartofitescapedhim，buttheresthemanagedtokeepbysecretingitinhispalm，whereitstillclung，wetandpossiblyillegible，whenhecameuponMr。Greyagaininthehoteloffice。

"Here’syourpay，"saidthatgentleman，givinghimabill。"IamverygladImetyou。Youhaveservedmeremarkablywell。"

TherewasananxietyinhisfaceandahurryinhismovementswhichstruckSweetwater。

"Doesthismeanthatyouarethroughwithme？"askedSweetwater。

"Thatyouhavenofurthercallformyservices？"

"Quiteso，"saidthegentleman。"I’mgoingtotakethetrainto-night。IfindthatIstillhavetime。"

Sweetwaterbegantolookalive。

Utteringhastythanks，herushedawaytohisownroomand，turningonthegas，peeledoffthemorselofpaperwhichhadbeguntodryonhishand。Ifitshouldprovetobetheblankend！

Ifthewrittenpartweretheonewhichhadfloatedoff！Suchdisappointmentshadfallentohislot！Hewasnotunusedtothem。

Buthewasdestinedtobetterluckthistime。Thewrittenendhadindeeddisappeared，buttherewasonewordleft，whichhehadnosoonerreadthanhegavealowcryandpreparedtoleaveforNewYorkonthesametrainasMr。Grey。

Thewordwas——diamond。

XXI

GRIZEL！GRIZEL！

IindulgedinsomeveryseriousthoughtsafterMr。Grey’sdeparture。AfactwasborneinuponmetowhichIhadhithertoclosedmyprejudicedeyes，butwhichIcouldnolongerignore，whateverconfusionitbroughtorhoweveritcausedmetochangemymindonasubjectwhichhadformedoneofthestrongestbasestotheargumentbywhichIhadsoughttosaveMr。Durand。MissGreycherishednosuchdistrustofherfatherasI，inmyignoranceoftheirrelations，hadimputedtoherintheearlyhoursofmyministrations。Thisyouhavealreadyseeninmyaccountoftheirparting。Whateverhisdread，fearorremorse，therewasnoevidencethatshefelttowardhimanythingbutloveandconfidence：butloveandconfidencefromhertohimwereindirectcontradictiontothedoubtsIhadbelievedhertohaveexpressedinthehalf-writtennotehandedtoMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcove。HadIbeenwrong，then，inattributingthisscrawltoher？Itbegantolookso。Thoughforbiddentoallowhertospeakontheonetabooedsubject，Ihadwitenoughtoknowthatnothingwouldkeepherfromit，ifthefateofMrs。Fairbrotheroccupiedanyrealplaceinherthoughts。

Yetwhentheopportunitywasgivenmeonemorningofsettlingthisfactbeyondalldoubt，Iownthatmymainfeelingwasoneofdread。Ifearedtoseethisarticleinmycreeddestroyed，lestI

shouldloseconfidenceinthewhole。Yetconsciencebademefacethematterboldly，forhadInotboastedtomyselfthatmyonedesirewasthetruth？

IalludetothedispositionwhichMissGreyshowedonthemorningofthethirddaytodoalittlesurreptitiouswriting。Yourememberthataspecimenofherhandwritinghadbeenaskedforbytheinspector，andoncehadbeenearnestlydesiredbymyself。NowIseemedlikelytohaveit，ifIdidnotopenmyeyestoowidelytothemeaningofherseeminglychancerequests。Alittlepencildangledattheendofmywatch-chain。WouldIletherseeit，letherholditinherhandforaminute？itwassolikeonesheusedtohave。OfcourseItookitoff，ofcourseIletherretainitalittlewhileinherhand。Butthepencilwasnotenough。Afewminuteslatersheaskedforabooktolookat——Isometimesletherlookatpictures。Butthebookbotheredher——shewouldlookatitlater；wouldIgivehersomethingtomarktheplace——thatpostaloverthere。Igaveherthepostal。SheputitinthebookandI，whounderstoodherthoroughly，wonderedwhatexcuseshewouldnowfindforsendingmeintotheotherroom。Shefoundoneverysoon，andwithaheavily-beatingheartIleftherwiththatpencilandpostal。Asoftlaughfromherlipsdrewmeback。Shewasholdingupthepostal。

"See！Ihavewrittenalinetohim！Oh，yougood，goodnurse，toletme！Youneedn’tlooksoalarmed。Ithasn’thurtmeonebit。"

Iknewthatithadnot；knewthatsuchanexertionwaslikelytobemorebeneficialthanhurtfultoher，orIshouldhavefoundsomeexcusefordeterringher。Iendeavoredtomakemyfacemorenatural。AssheseemedtowantmetotakethepostalinmyhandI

drewnearandtookit。

"Theaddresslooksveryshaky，"shelaughed。"Ithinkyouwillhavetoputitinanenvelope。"

Ilookedatit，——Icouldnothelpit，——hereyewasonme，andI

couldnotevenpreparemymindfortheshockofseeingitlikeortotallyunlikethewritingofthewarning。Itwastotallyunlike；

sodistinctlyunlikethatitwasnolongerpossibletoattributethoselinestoherwhich，accordingtoMr。Durand’sstory，hadcausedMrs。Fairbrothertotakeoffherdiamond。

"Why，why！"shecried。"Youactuallylookpale。Areyouafraidthedoctorwillscoldus？Ithasn’thurtmenearlysomuchaslyinghereandknowingwhathewouldgiveforonewordfromme。"

"Youareright，andIamfoolish，"Iansweredwithallthespiritleftinme。"Ishouldbeglad——Iamgladthatyouhavewrittenthesewords。Iwillcopytheaddressonanenvelopeandsenditoutinthefirstmail。"

"Thankyou，"shemurmured，givingmebackmypencilwithaslysmile。"NowIcansleep。Imusthaverosesinmycheekswhenpapacomeshome。"

Andshebadefairtohaveruddierrosesthanmyself，forconsciencewasworkinghavocinmybreast。ThetheoryIhadbuiltupwithsuchcare，thetheoryIhadpersistedinurgingupontheinspectorinspiteofhisrebuke，wasslowlycrumblingtopiecesinmymindwiththefallingofoneofitsmainpillars。WiththewarningunaccountedforinthemannerIhavestated，therewasaweaknessinmyargumentwhichnothingcouldmakegood。HowcouldItelltheinspector，ifeverIshouldbesohappyorsomiserableastomeethiseyeagain？Humiliatedtothedust，I

couldseenoworthnowinanyoftheargumentsIhadadvanced。I

flewfromoneextremetotheother，andwasimputingperfectprobitytoMr。Greyandanhonorableifmysteriousreasonforallhisacts，whenthedooropenedandhecamein。Instantlymylastdoubtvanished。Ihadnotexpectedhimtoreturnsosoon。

Hewasgladtobeback；thatIcouldsee，buttherewasnoothergladnessinhim。Ihadlookedforsomechangeinhismannerandappearance，——thatis，ifhereturnedatall，——buttheoneIsawwasnotacheerfulone，evenafterhehadapproachedhisdaughter’sbedsideandfoundhergreatlyimproved。Shenoticedthisandscrutinizedhimstrangely。Hedroppedhiseyesandturnedtoleavetheroom，butwasstoppedbyherlovingcry；hecamebackandleanedoverher。

"Whatisit，father？Youarefatigued，worried——"

"No，no，quitewell，"hehastilyassuredher。"Butyou！areyouaswellasyouseem？"

"Indeed，yes。Iamgainingeveryday。See！see！Ishallsoonbeabletositup。YesterdayIreadafewwords。"

Hestarted，withasideglanceatmewhichtookinatablenearbyonwhichalittlebookwaslying。

"Oh，abook？"

"Yes，and——andArthur’sletters。"

Thefatherflushed，liftedhimself，pattedherarmtenderlyandhastenedintoanotherroom。

MissGrey’seyesfollowedhimlongingly，andIheardhergiveutterancetoasoftsigh。Afewhoursbefore，thiswouldhaveconveyedtomysuspiciousminddeepandmysteriousmeanings；butIwasseeingeverythingnowinadifferentlight，andIfoundmyselfnolongerinclinedeithertoexaggerateortomisinterprettheselittlemarksoffilialsolicitude。Tryingtorejoiceoverthepresentconditionofmymind，IwassearchinginthehiddendepthsofmynatureforthepatienceofwhichIstoodinsuchneed，wheneverythoughtandfeelingwereagainthrownintoconfusionbythereceiptofanothercommunicationfromtheinspector，inwhichhestatedthatsomethinghadoccurredtobringtheauthoritiesroundtomywayofthinkingandthatthetestwiththestilettowastobemadeatonce。

Couldtheironyoffategofurther！Idroppedtheletterhalfread，queryingifitweremydutytolettheinspectorknowoftheflawIhaddiscoveredinmyowntheory，beforeIproceededwiththeattemptIhadsuggestedwhenIbelievedinitscompletesoundness。IhadnotsettledthequestionwhenItooktheletterupagain。Re-readingitsopeningsentence，Iwascaughtbytheword"something。"Itwasaveryindefiniteone，yetwascapableofcoveringalargefield。Itmustcoveralargefield，oritcouldnothaveproducedsuchachangeinthemindsofthesemen，conservativefromprincipleandinthisinstancefromdiscretion。

Iwouldbesatisfiedwiththatwordsomethingandquitfurtherthinking。Iwaswearyofit。Theinspectorwasnowtakingtheinitiative，andIwassatisfiedtobehissimpleinstrumentandnomore。Arrivedatthisconclusion，however，Ireadtherestoftheletter。Thetestwastogoon，butunderdifferentconditions。Itwasnolongertobemadeatmyowndiscretionandintheup-stairsroom；itwastobemadeatluncheonhourandinMr。Grey’sprivatedining-room，where，ifbyanychanceMr。Greyfoundhimselfoutragedbytheplacingofthisnotoriousweaponbesidehisplate，theblamecouldbelaidonthewaiter，who，mistakinghisdirections，hadplaceditonMr。Grey’stablewhenitwasmeantforInspectorDalzell’s，whowaslunchingintheadjoiningroom。ItwasI，however，whowastodotheplacing。

Withwhatprecautionsandunderwhatcircumstanceswillpresentlyappear。

Fortunately，thehoursetwasverynear。OtherwiseIdonotknowhowIcouldhaveenduredthecontinuedstrainofgazingonmypatient’ssweetface，lookingupatmefromherpillow，withashadowoveritsbeautywhichhadnotbeentherebeforeherfather’sreturn。

Andthatfather！Icouldhearhimpacingthelibraryfloorwitharestlessnessthatstruckmeasbeingstrangelyakintomyowninwardanguishofimpatienceanddoubt。Whatwashedreading？

WhatwasitIhadseendarkeninghisfaceanddisturbinghismanner，whenfromtimetotimehepushedopenthecommunicatingdoorandcastananxiousglanceourway，onlytowithdrawagainwithoututteringaword。Didherealizethatacrisiswasapproaching，thatdangermenacedhim，andfromme？No，notthelatter，forhisglanceneverstrayedtome，butrestedsolelyonhisdaughter。Iwas，therefore，notconnectedwiththedisturbanceinhisthoughts。AsfarasthatwasconcernedIcouldproceedfearlessly；Ihadnothimtodread，onlytheevent。ThatIdiddread，asanyonemustwhosawMissGrey’sfaceduringthesepainfulmomentsandheardthatrestlesstrampintheroombeyond。

Atlastthehourstruck，——thehouratwhichMr。Greyalwaysdescendedtolunch。Hewaspunctualityitself，andunderordinarycircumstancesIcoulddependuponhisleavingtheroomwithinfiveminutesofthestrokeofone。Butwouldhebeaspromptto-day？Washeinthemoodforluncheon？Wouldhegodownstairsatall？Yes，forthetramp，trampstopped；Iheardhimapproachinghisdaughter’sdoorforalastlookinandmanagedtoescapejustintimetoprocurewhatIwantedandreachtheroombelowbeforehecame。

Myopportunitywasshort，butIhadtimetoseetwothings：

first，thatthelocationofhisseathadbeenchangedsothathisbackwastothedoorleadingintotheadjoiningroom；secondly，thatthisdoorwasajar。Theusualwaiterwasintheroomandshowednosurpriseatmyappearance，IhavingbeencarefultohaveitunderstoodthathereafterMissGrey’sappetitewastobeencouragedbyhavinghersoupservedfromherfather’stablebyherfather’sownhands，andthatIshouldbetheretoreceiveit。

"Mr。Greyiscoming，"saidI，approachingthewaiterandhandinghimthestilettolooselywrappedintissuepaper。"Willyoubekindenoughtoplacethisathisplate，justasitis？AmangaveittomeforMr。Grey；saidweweretoplaceitthere。"

Thewaiter，suspectingnothing，didashewasbidden，andIhadhardlytimetocatchupthetrayladenwithdishes，whichIsawawaitingmeonaside-table，whenMr。Greycameinandwasusheredtohisseat。

Thesoupwasnotthere，butIadvancedwithmytrayandstoodwaiting；nottoonear，lesttheviolentbeatingofmyheartshouldbetrayme。AsIdidsothewaiterdisappearedandthedoorbehindusopened。ThoughMr。Grey’seyehadfallenonthepackage，andIsawhimstart，Idartedoneglanceattheroomthusdisclosed，andsawthatitheldtwotables。Atone，theinspectorandsomeoneIdidnotknowsateating；attheotheramanalone，whosebackwastousall，andwhoseeminglywasentirelydisconnectedwiththeinterestsofthistragicmoment。

AllthisIsawinaninstant，——thenextmyeyeswerefixedonMr。

Grey’sface。

HehadreachedouthishandtothepackageandhisfeaturesshowedanemotionIhardlyunderstood。

"What’sthis？"hemurmured，feelingitwithwonder，Ishouldalmostsayanger。Suddenlyhepulledoffthewrapper，andmyheartstoodstillinexpectancy。Ifhequailed——andhowcouldhehelpdoingsoifguilty——whatadoubtwouldberemovedfrommyownbreast，whatanimpedimentfrompoliceaction！Buthedidnotquail；hesimplyutteredanexclamationofintenseanger，andlaidtheweaponbackonthetablewithouteventakingtheprecautionofcoveringitup。Ithinkhemutteredanoath，buttherewasnofearinit，notaparticle。

Mydisappointmentwassogreat，myhumiliationsounbounded，that，forgettingmyselfinmydismay，Istaggeredbackandletthetraywithallitscontentsslipfrommyhands。ThecrashthatfollowedstoppedMr。Greyintheactofrising。Butitdidsomethingmore。ItawokeacryfromtheadjoiningroomwhichI

shallneverforget。Whilewebothstartedandturnedtoseefromwhomthisgrievoussoundhadsprung，amancamestumblingtowarduswithhishandsbeforehiseyesandthisnamewildonhislips：

"Grizel！Grizel！"

Mrs。Fairbrother’sname！andtheman——

XXII

GUILT

WasheWellgood？Sears？Who？Aloverofthewomancertainly；thatwasborneinonusbythepassionofhiscry：

"Grizel！Grizel！"

Buthowhere？andwhysuchfuryinMr。Grey’sfaceandsuchamazementinthatoftheinspector？

Thisquestionwasnottobeansweredoffhand。Mr。Grey，advancing，laidafingerontheman’sshoulder。"Come，"saidhe，"wewillhaveourconversationinanotherroom。"

Theman，who，indressandappearancelookedoddlyoutofplaceinthosegorgeousrooms，shookoffthestuporintowhichhehadfallenandstartedtofollowtheEnglishman。Awaitercrossedtheirtrackwiththesoupforourtable。Mr。Greymotionedhimaside。

"Takethatback，"saidhe。"IhavesomebusinesstotransactwiththisgentlemanbeforeIeat。I’llringwhenIwantyou。"

ThentheyenteredwhereIwas。AsthedoorclosedIcaughtsightoftheinspector’sfaceturnedearnestlytowardme。InhiseyesI

readmyduty，andgirdedupmyheart，asitwere，tomeet——what？

Inthatmomentitwasimpossibletotell。

Thenextenlightenedme。Withatotalignoringofmypresence，dueprobablytohisgreatexcitement，Mr。Greyturnedonhiscompanionthemomenthehadclosedthedoorand，seizinghimbythecollar，cried：

"Fairbrother，youvillain，whyhaveyoucalledonyourwifelikethis？Areyoumurdereraswellasthief？"

Fairbrother！thisman？ThenwhowashewhowasbeingnursedbacktolifeonthemountainsbeyondSantaFe？Sears？Anythingseemedpossibleinthatmoment。

Meanwhile，droppinghishandfromtheother’sthroatassuddenlyashehadseizedit，Mr。Greycaughtupthestilettofromthetablewherehehadflungit，crying："Doyourecognizethis？"

Ah，thenIsawguilt！

Inasilenceworsethananycry，thisso-calledhusbandofthemurderedwoman，themanonwhomnosuspicionhadfallen，themanwhomallhadthoughtathousandmilesawayatthetimeofthedeed，staredattheweaponthrustunderhiseyes，whileoverhisfacepassedallthoseexpressionsoffear，abhorrenceanddetectedguiltwhich，foolthatIwas，IhadexpectedtoseereflectedinresponsetothesametestinMr。Grey’sequablecountenance。

Thesurpriseandwonderofitheldmechainedtothespot。Iwasinastateofstupefaction，sothatIscarcelynotedthebrokenfragmentsatmyfeet。Buttheintrudernoticedthem。WrenchinghisgazefromthestilettowhichMr。Greycontinuedtoholdout，hepointedtothebrokencupandsaucer，muttering：

"Thatiswhatstartledmeintothisbetrayal——thenoiseofbreakingchina。Icannotbearitsince——"

Hestopped，bithislipandlookedaroundhimwithanairofsuddenbravado。

"Sinceyoudroppedthecupsatyourwife’sfeetinMr。Ramsdell’salcove，"finishedMr。Greywithadmirableself-possession。

"Iseethatexplanationsfrommyselfarenotinorder，"wasthegrimretort，launchedwiththebitterestsarcasm。Thenasthefullweightofhispositioncrushedinonhim，hisfaceassumedanaspectstartlingtomyunaccustomedeyes，and，thrustinghishandintohispockethedrewforthasmallboxwhichheplacedinMr。Grey’shands。

"TheGreatMogul，"hedeclaredsimply。

ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardthisdiamondsonamed。

Withoutawordthatgentlemanopenedthebox，tookonelookatthecontents，assumedasatisfiedair，andcarefullydepositedtherecoveredgeminhisownpocket。Ashiseyesreturnedtothemanbeforehim，allthepassionofthelatterburstforth。

"ItwasnotforthatIkilledher！"criedhe。"Itwasbecauseshedefiedmeandflauntedherdisobedienceinmyveryface。Iwoulddoitagain，yet——"

Herehisvoicebrokeanditwasinadifferenttoneandwithatotalchangeofmannerheadded："Youstandappalledatmydepravity。Youhavenotlivedmylife。"Thenquicklyandwithatouchofsullenness："Yoususpectedmebecauseofthestiletto。

Itwasamistake，usingthatstiletto。Otherwise，theplanwasgood。IdoubtifyouknownowhowIfoundmywayintothealcove，possiblyunderyourveryeyes；certainly，undertheeyesofmanywhoknewme。"

"Idonot。Itisenoughthatyouenteredit；thatyouconfessyourguilt。"

HereMr。Greystretchedhishandtowardtheelectricbutton。

"No，itisnotenough。"Thetonewasfierce，authoritative。"Donotringthebell，notyet。IhaveafancytotellyouhowI

managedthatlittleaffair。"

Glancingabout，hecaughtupfromanear-bytableasmallbrasstray。Emptyingitofitscontents，heturnedonuswithdrawn-downfeaturesandanobsequiousairsoopposedtohisnaturalmannerthatitwasasifanothermanstoodbeforeus。

"Pardonmyblacktie，"hemuttered，holdingoutthetraytowardMr。Grey。

Wellgood！

Theroomturnedwithme。Itwashe，then，thegreatfinancier，themultimillionaire，thehusbandofthemagnificentGrizel，whohadenteredMr。Ramsdell’shouseasawaiter！

Mr。Greydidnotshowsurprise，buthemadeagesture，wheninstantlythetraywasthrownasideandthemanresumedhisordinaryaspect。

"Iseeyouunderstandme，"hecried。"Iwhohaveplayedhostatmanyaball，passedmyselfoffthatnightasoneofthewaiters。

Icameandwentandnoonenoticedme。Itissuchanaturalsighttoseeawaiterpassingicesthatmygoinginandoutofthealcovedidnotattracttheleastattention。IneverlookatwaiterswhenIattendballs。Ineverlookhigherthantheirtrays。Noonelookedatmehigherthanmytray。IheldthestilettounderthetrayandwhenIstruckhershethrewupherhandsandtheyhitthetrayandthecupsfell。Ihaveneverbeenabletobearthesoundofbreakingchinasince。Ilovedher——"

Agaspandherecoveredhimself。

"Thatisneitherherenorthere，"hemuttered。"Yousummonedmeunderthreattopresentmyselfatyourdoorto-day。Ihavedoneso。Imeanttorestoreyouyourdiamond，simply。Ithasbecomeworthlesstome。Butfateexactedmore。Surpriseforcedmysecretfromme。Thatyoungladywithherdamnableawkwardnesshasputmyheadinanoose。Butdonotthinktoholditthere。Ididnotriskthisinterviewwithoutprecautions，Iassureyou，andwhenI

leavethishotelitwillbeasafreeman。"

Withoneofhisrapidchanges，wonderfulandinexplicabletomeatthemoment，heturnedtowardmewithabow，sayingcourteouslyenough：

"Wewillexcusetheyounglady。"

Nextmomentthebarrelofapistolgleamedinhishand。

Themomentwascritical。Mr。Greystooddirectlyinthelineoffire，andtheaudaciousmanwhothusheldhimathismercywasscarcelyafootfromthedoorleadingintothehall。Markingthedesperationofhislookandthesteadinessofhisfingeronthetrigger，IexpectedtoseeMr。Greyrecoilandthemanescape。