第8章

ButMr。Greyheldhisown，thoughhemadenomove，anddidnotventuretospeak。Nervedbyhiscourage，Isummonedupallmyown。Thismanmustnotescape，normustMr。Greysuffer。Thepistoldirectedagainsthimmustbedivertedtomyself。SuchamendsweredueonewhosegoodnameIhadsodeeplyifsecretlyinsulted。Ihadbuttoscream，tocalloutfortheinspector，butaremembranceofthenecessitywewerenowunderofpreservingoursecret，ofkeepingfromMr。Greythefactthathehadbeenundersurveillance，wasevenatthatmomentsurroundedbythepolice，deterredme，andIthrewmyselftowardthebellinstead，cryingoutthatIwouldraisethehouseifhemoved，andlaidmyfingeronthebutton。

Thepistolswervedmyway。Thefaceaboveitsmiled。Iwatchedthatsmile。Beforeitbroadenedtoitsfullextent，Ipressedthebutton。

Fairbrotherstared，droppedhispistol，andburstforthwiththesetwowords：

"Bravegirl！"

ThetoneIcanneverconvey。

Thenhemadeforthedoor。

Ashelaidhishandontheknob，hecalledback：

"Ihavebeeninworsestraitsthanthis！"

Butheneverhad；whenheopenedthedoor，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeinspector。

XXIII

THEGREATMOGUL

Later，itwasallexplained。Mr。Grey，lookinglikeanotherman，cameintotheroomwhereIwasendeavoringtosoothehisstartleddaughteranddevourinsecretmyownjoy。Takingthesweetgirlinhisarms，hesaid，withacalmignoringofmypresence，atwhichIsecretlysmiled：

"Thisisthehappiestmomentofmyexistence，Helen。IfeelasifIhadrecoveredyoufromthebrinkofthegrave。"

"Me？Why，Ihaveneverbeensoillasthat。"

"Iknow；butIhavefeltasifyouweredoomedeversinceI

heard，orthoughtIheard，inthiscity，andundernoordinarycircumstances，thepeculiarcrywhichhauntsourhouseontheeveofanygreatmisfortune。Ishallnotapologizeformyfears；youknowthatIhavegoodcauseforthem，butto-day，onlyto-day，I

haveheardfromthelipsofthemostarrantknaveIhaveeverknown，thatthiscrysprangfromhimselfwithintenttodeceiveme。Heknewmyweakness；knewthecry；hewasinDarlingtonManorwhenCeciliadied；and，wishingtostartlemeintodroppingsomethingwhichIheld，madeuseofhisventriloquialpowers（hehadbeenamountebankonce，poorwretch！）andwithsucheffect，thatIhavenotbeenahappymansince，inspiteofyourdailyimprovementandcontinuedpromiseofrecovery。ButIamhappynow，relievedandjoyful；andthismiserablebeing，——wouldyouliketohearhisstory？Areyoustrongenoughforanythingsotragic？Heisathiefandamurderer，buthehasfeelings，andhislifehasbeenacuriousone，andstrangelyinterwovenwithours。Doyoucaretohearaboutit？Heisthemanwhostoleourdiamond。"

Mypatientutteredalittlecry。

"Oh，tellme，"sheentreated，excited，butnotunhealthfully；

whileIwasinananguishofcuriosityIcouldwithdifficultyconceal。

Mr。Greyturnedwithcourtesytowardmeandaskedifafewfamilydetailswouldboreme。Ismiledandassuredhimtothecontrary。

AtwhichhesettledhimselfinthechairhelikedbestandbeganatalewhichIwillpermitmyselftopresenttoyoucompleteandfromotherpointsofviewthanhisown。

Somefiveyearsbefore，oneofthegreatdiamondsoftheworldwasofferedforsaleinanEasternmarket。Mr。Grey，whostoppedatnoexpenseinthegratificationofhistasteinthisdirection，immediatelysenthisagenttoEgypttoexaminethisstone。Iftheagentdiscoveredittobeallthatwasclaimedforit，andwithinthereachofawealthycommoner’spurse，hewastobuyit。Uponinspection，itwasfoundtobeallthatwasclaimed，withoneexception。Inthecenterofoneofthefacetswasaflaw，but，asthiswasconsideredtomarkthediamond，andratheraddtothandetractfromitsvalueasatraditionalstonewithmanyhistoricalassociations，itwasfinallypurchasedbyMr。

Greyandplacedamonghistreasuresinhismanor-houseinKent。

Neverasuspiciousman，hetookdelightinexhibitingthisacquisitiontosuchofhisfriendsandacquaintancesaswerelikelytofeelanyinterestinit，anditwasnotanuncommonthingforhimtoallowittopassfromhandtohandwhilehepotteredoverhisothertreasuresanddisplayedthisandthattosuchashadnoeyesforthediamond。

Itwasafteronesuchoccasionthathefound，ontakingthestoneinhishandtoreplaceitinthesafehehadhadbuiltforitinoneofhiscabinets，thatitdidnotstrikehiseyewithitsusualforceandbrilliancy，and，onexaminingitclosely，hediscoveredtheabsenceofthetelltaleflaw。Struckwithdismay，hesubmittedittoastillmorerigidinspection，whenhefoundthatwhatheheldwasnotevenadiamond，butaworthlessbitofglass，whichhadbeensubstitutedbysomecunningknaveforhisinvaluablegem。

Forthemomenthishumiliationalmostequaledhissenseofloss；

hehadbeensooftenwarnedofthedangerheraninlettingsopricelessanobjectpassaroundunderalleyesbuthisown。Hiswifeandfriendshadprophesiedsomesuchlossasthis，notonce，butmanytimes，andhehadalwayslaughedattheirfears，sayingthatheknewhisfriends，andtherewasnotascampamongstthem。

Butnowhesawitprovedthateventheintuitionofamanwell-versedinhumannatureisnotalwaysinfallible，and，ashamedofhispastlaxnessandmoreashamedyetofthedoubtswhichthisexperiencecalledupinregardtoallhisfriends，heshutupthefalsestonewithhisusualcareandburiedhislossinhisownbosom，tillhecouldsifthisimpressionsandrecallwithsomedegreeofprobabilitythecircumstancesunderwhichthisexchangecouldhavebeenmade。

Ithadnotbeenmadethatevening。Ofthishewaspositive。Theonlypersonspresentonthisoccasionwerefriendsofsuchstandingandreputethatsuspicionintheirregardwassimplymonstrous。whenandtowhom，then，hadheshownthediamondlast？

Alas，ithadbeenalongmonthsincebehadshownthejewel。

Cecilia，hisyoungestdaughter，haddiedintheinterim；

thereforehismindhadnotbeenonjewels。Amonth！timeforhispreciousdiamondtohavebeencarriedbacktotheEast！Timeforittohavebeenrecut！Surelyitwaslosttohimforever，unlesshecouldimmediatelylocatethepersonwhohadrobbedhimofit。

Butthispromiseddifficulties。Hecouldnotrememberjustwhatpersonshehadentertainedonthatespecialdayinhislittlehallofcabinets，and，whenhedidsucceedingettingalistofthemfromhisbutler，hewasbynomeanssurethatitincludedthefullnumberofhisguests。Hisownmemorywasexecrable，and，inshort，hehadbutfewfactstooffertothediscreetagentsentupfromScotlandYardonemorningtohearhiscomplaintandactsecretlyinhisinterests。Hecouldgivehimcarteblanchetocarryonhisinquiriesinthediamondmarket，butlittleelse。

Andwhilethisseemedtosatisfytheagent，itdidnotleadtoanygratifyingresulttohimself，andhehadthoroughlymadeuphismindtoswallowhislossandsaynothingaboutit，whenonedayayoungcousinofhis，livingingreatstyleinanadjoiningcounty，informedhimthatinsomemysteriouswayhehadlostfromhiscollectionofarmsauniqueandhighly-prizedstilettoofItalianworkmanship。

Startledbythiscoincidence，Mr。Greyventureduponaquestionortwo，whichledtohiscousin’sconfidingtohimthefactthatthisarticlehaddisappearedafteralargesuppergivenbyhimtoanumberoffriendsandgentlemenfromLondon。Thispieceofknowledge，stillfurthercoincidingwithhisownexperience，causedMr。Greytoaskforalistofhisguests，inthehopeoffindingamongthemonewhohadbeeninhisownhouse。

Hiscousin，quiteunsuspiciousofthemotivesunderlyingthisrequest，hastenedtowriteoutthislist，andtogethertheyporedoverthenames，crossingoutsuchaswereabsolutelyabovesuspicion。Whentheyhadreachedtheendofthelist，buttwonamesremaineduncrossed。Onewasthatofarattle-patedyouthwhohadcomeinthewakeofahighlyreputedconnectionoftheirs，andtheotherthatofanAmericantouristwhogavealltheevidencesofgreatwealthandhadpresentedletterstoleadingmeninLondonwhichhadinsuredhimattentionsnotusuallyaccordedtoforeigners。Thisman’snamewasFairbrother，and，themomentMr。Greyheardit，herecalledthefactthatanAmericanwithapeculiarname，butwithareputationforwealth，hadbeenamonghisguestsonthesuspectedevening。

Hidingtheeffectproduceduponhimbythisdiscovery，heplacedhisfingeronthisnameandbeggedhiscousintolookupitsowner’santecedentsandpresentreputationinAmerica；but，notcontentwiththis，hesenthisownagentovertoNewYork——

whither，ashesoonlearned，thisgentlemanhadreturned。TheresultwasanapparentvindicationofthesuspectedAmerican。Hewasfoundtobeawell-knowncitizenofthegreatmetropolis，movinginthehighestcirclesandwithareputationforwealthwonbyanextraordinarybusinessinstinct。

Tobesure，hehadnotalwaysenjoyedthesedistinctions。Likemanyanotherself-mademan，hehadrisenfromamenialpositioninaWesternminingcamp，tobetheownerofaminehimself，andsoupthroughthevariousgradationsofasuccessfullifetoapositionamongtheforemostbusinessmenofNewYork。Inallthesechangeshehadmaintainedanameforhonest，ifnotgenerous，dealing。Helivedingreatstyle，hadmarriedandwasknowntohavebutoneextravagantfancy。Thiswasfortheuniqueandcuriousinart，——atastewhich，ifreportspoketrue，costhimmanythousandseachyear。

ThislastwastheonlyclauseinthereportwhichpointedinanywaytowardthismanbeingthepossibleabstractoroftheGreatMogul，asMr。Grey’sfamousdiamondwascalled，andthelatterwastoojustamanandtoomuchofafancierinthislinehimselftoletafactofthiskindweighagainstthefavorablenatureoftherest。Soherecalledhisagent，double-lockedhiscabinetsandcontinuedtoconfinehisdisplayofvaluablestoarticleswhichdidnotsuggestjewels。Thusthreeyearspassed，whenonedayheheardmentionmadeofawonderfuldiamondwhichhadbeenseeninNewYork。Fromitsdescriptionhegatheredthatitmustbetheonesurreptitiouslyabstractedfromhiscabinet，andwhen，aftersomecarefulinquiries，helearnedthatthenameofitspossessorwasFairbrother，heawoketohisoldsuspicionsanddeterminedtoprobethismattertothebottom。Butsecretly。Hestillhadtoomuchconsiderationtoattackamaninhighpositionwithoutfullproof。

Knowingofnoonehecouldtrustwithsodelicateaninquiryasthishadnowbecome，hedecidedtoundertakeithimself，andforthispurposeembracedthefirstopportunitytocrossthewater。

Hetookhisdaughterwithhimbecausehehadresolvednevertolethisoneremainingchildoutofhissight。Butsheknewnothingofhisplansorreasonfortravel。Noonedid。Indeed，onlyhislawyerandthepolicewereawareofthelossofhisdiamond。

HisfirstsurpriseonlandingwastolearnthatMr。Fairbrother，ofwhosemarriagehehadheard，hadquarreledwithhiswifeandthat，intheseparationwhichhadoccurred，thediamondhadfallentohershareandwasconsequentlyinherpossessionatthepresentmoment。

Thischangedmatters，andMr。Grey’sonlythoughtnowwastosurpriseherwiththediamondonherpersonandbyoneglanceassurehimselfthatitwasindeedtheGreatMogul。SinceMrs。

Fairbrotherwasreportedtobeabeautifulwomanandagreatsocietybelle，hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotmeetherpublicly，andthatverysoon。Hethereforeacceptedinvitationsandattendedtheatersandballs，thoughhisdaughterhadsufferedfromhervoyageandwasnotabletoaccompanyhim。Butalas！hesoonlearnedthatMrs。Fairbrotherwasneverseenwithherdiamondand，oneeveningafteranintroductionattheopera，thatshenevertalkedaboutit。Sotherehewas，balkedontheverythresholdofhisenterprise，and，recognizingthefact，waspreparingtotakehisnowseriouslyailingdaughtersouth，whenhereceivedaninvitationtoaballofsuchaselectcharacterthathedecidedtoremainforit，inthehopethatMrs。

Fairbrotherwouldbetemptedtoputonallhersplendorforsomagnificentafunctionandthusgratifyhimwithasightofhisowndiamond。Duringthedaysthatintervenedhesawherseveraltimesandverysoondecidedthat，inspiteofherreticenceinregardtothisgem，shewasnotsufficientlyinherhusband’sconfidencetoknowthesecretofitsrealownership。Thisencouragedhimtoattemptpiquingherintowearingthediamondonthisoccasion。Hetalkedofpreciousstonesandfinallyofhisown，declaringthathehadaconnoisseur’seyeforafinediamond，buthadseennoneasyetinAmericatocompetewithaspecimenortwohehadinhisowncabinets。Hereyeflashedatthisand，thoughshesaidnothing，hefeltsurethatherpresenceatMr。Ramsdell’shousewouldbeenlivenedbyhergreatjewel。

SomuchforMr。Grey’sattitudeinthismatteruptothenightoftheball。Itisinterestingenough，butthatofAbnerFairbrotherismoreinterestingstillandmuchmoreserious。

HiswasindeedthehandwhichhadabstractedthediamondfromMr。

Grey’scollection。Underordinaryconditionshewasanhonestman。Heprizedhisgoodnameandwouldnotwillinglyriskit，buthehadlittlerealconscience，andoncehispassionswerearousednothingshortoftheobjectdesiredwouldcontenthim。Atonceforcefulandsubtle，hehadathiscommandinfiniteresourceswhichhiswanderingandeventfullifehadheightenedalmosttothepointofgenius。Hesawthisstone，andatoncefeltaninordinatedesiretopossessit。Hehadcovetedothermen’streasuresbefore，butnotashecovetedthis。Whathadbeenlonginginothercaseswasmaniainthis。TherewasawomaninAmericawhomheloved。Shewasbeautifulandshewassplendor-loving。Toseeherwiththisgloryonherbreastwouldbeworthalmostanyriskwhichhisimaginationcouldpictureatthemoment。Beforethediamondhadlefthishandhehadmadeuphismindtohaveitforhisown。Heknewthatitcouldnotbebought，sohesetaboutobtainingitbyanacthedidnothesitatetoacknowledgetohimselfascriminal。Buthedidnotactwithoutprecautions。Havingakeeneyeandapropersenseorsizeandcolor，hecarriedawayfromhisfirstviewofitatrueimageofthestone，andwhenhewasnextadmittedtoMr。Grey’scabinetroomhehadprovidedthemeansfordeceivingtheownerwhosecharacterhehadsounded。

Hemighthavefailedinhisdaringattemptifhehadnotbeenfavoredbyacircumstancenoonecouldhaveforeseen。Adaughterofthehouse，Ceciliabyname，laycriticallyillatthetime，andMr。Grey’sattentionwasmoreorlessdistracted。Stilltheprobabilitiesarethathewouldhavenoticedsomethingamisswiththestonewhenhecametorestoreittoitsplace，if，justashetookitinhishand，therehadnotrisenintheairoutsideaweirdandwailingcrywhichatonceseizedupontheimaginationofthedozengentlemenpresent，andsonearlyprostratedtheirhostthathethrusttheboxheheldunopenedintothesafeandfelluponhisknees，atotallyunnervedman，crying：

"Thebanshee！thebanshee！Mydaughterwilldie！"

Anotherhandthanhislockedthesafeanddroppedthekeyintothedistractedfather’spocket。

Thusasuperhumandaringconjoinedwithaspecialinterventionoffatehadmadetheenterpriseasuccessfulone；andFairbrother，believingmorethaneverinhisstar，carriedthisinvaluablejewelbackwithhimtoNewYork。Thestiletto——well，thetakingofthatwasafolly，forwhichhehadneverceasedtoblush。Hehadnotstolenit；hewouldnotstealsoinconsiderableanobject。Hehadmerelyputitinhispocketwhenhesawitforgotten，passedover，giventohim，asitwere。Thattherisk，contrarytothatinvolvedinthetakingofthediamond，wasfarinexcessofthegratificationobtained，herealizedalmostimmediately，but，havingmadethebreak，andacquiredthecurio，hesparedhimselfallfurtherthoughtortheconsequences，andpresentlyresumedhisoldlifeinNewYork，nonetheworse，toallappearances，fortheseescapadesfromvirtueandhisusualcourseoffairandopendealing。

Buthewassoontheworsefromjealousyofthewifewhichhisnewpossessionhadpossiblywonforhim。Shehadansweredallhisexpectationsasmistressofhishomeandtheexponentofhiswealth；andforayear，nay，fortwo，hehadbeenperfectlyhappy。Indeed，hehadbeenmorethanthat；hehadbeentriumphant，especiallyonthatmemorableeveningwhen，afteracautiousdelayofmonths，hehaddaredtopinthatunapproachablesparklertoherbreastandpresentherthusbedeckedtothesmartset——herwhomhistalents，andespeciallyhisfar-reachingbusinesstalents，hadmadehisown。

RecallingtheolddaysofbarterandsaleacrossthepinecounterinColorado，hefeltthathisstarrodehigh，andforatimewassatisfiedwithhiswife’smagnificenceandtheprestigeshegavehisestablishment。Butprideisnotall，eventoamanofhisdaringambition。Graduallyhebegantorealize，first，thatshewasindifferenttohim，next，thatshedespisedhim，and，lastly，thatshehatedhim。Shehaddozensatherfeet，anyofwhomwasmoreagreeabletoherthanherownhusband；and，thoughhecouldnotputhisfingeronanydefinitefault，hesoonweariedofabeautythatonlyglowedforothers，andmadeuphismindtopartwithherratherthanlethisheartbeeatenoutbyunappeasablelongingforwhathisowngoodsensetoldhimwouldneverbehis。

Yet，beingnaturallygenerous，hewassatisfiedwithaseparation，and，findingitimpossibletothinkofherasotherthanextravagantlyfed，waitedonandclothed，heallowedheragoodshareofhisfortunewiththeoneproviso，thatsheshouldnotdisgracehim。Butthediamondshestole，orrathercarriedoffinhernaturallyhigh-handedmannerwiththerestofherjewels。HehadnevergivenittohenSheknewthevaluehesetonit，butnothowhecamebyit，andwouldhavewornitquitefreelyifhehadnotverysoongivenhertounderstandthatthepleasureofdoingsoceasedwhenshelefthishouse。Asshecouldnotbeseenwithitwithoutoccasioningpublicremark，shewasforced，thoughmuchagainstherwill，toheedhiswishes，andenjoyitsbrilliancyinprivate。Butonce，whenhewasoutoftown，shedaredtoappearwiththisfortuneonherbreast，andagainwhileonavisitWest，——andherhusbandheardofit。

Mr。Fairbrotherhadhadthejewelsettosuithim，notinFlorence，asSearshadsaid，butbyaskilfulworkmanhehadpickedupingreatpovertyinaremotecornerofWilliamsburg。

Alwaysindreadofsomecomplication，hehadprovidedhimselfwithasecondfacsimileinpaste，thistimeofanastonishingbrightness，andthisfacsimilehehadhadsetpreciselylikethetruestone。ThenhegavetheworkmanathousanddollarsandsenthimbacktoSwitzerland。Thisimitationinpasteheshowednobody，buthekeptitalwaysinhispocket；why，hehardlyknew。

Meantime，hehadoneconfidant，notofhiscrime，butofhissentimentstowardhiswife，andthedeterminationhehadsecretlymadetoproceedtoextremitiesifshecontinuedtodisobeyhim。

Thiswasamanofhisownageorolder，whohadknownhiminhisearlydays，andhadfollowedallhisfortunes。HehadbeenthemasterofFairbrotherthen，buthewashisservantnow，andasdevotedtohisinterestsasiftheywerehisown，——which，inaway，theywere。Foreighteenyearshehadstoodatthelatter’srighthand，satisfiedtolooknofurther，but，forthelastthree，hisglanceshadstrayedafootortwobeyondhismaster，andtakeninhismaster’swife。

ThefeelingswhichthismanhadforMrs。Fairbrotherwerepeculiar。Shewasamereadjuncttohergreatlord，butshewasaverygorgeousone，and，whilehecouldnotimaginehimselfdoinganythingtothwarthimwhosebreadheate，andtowhoserisehehadhimselfcontributed，yetifhecouldremaintruetohimwithoutinjuringhe；hewouldaccounthimselfhappy。Thedaycamewhenhehadtodecidebetweenthem，and，againstallchances，againsthisownpreconceivednotionofwhathewoulddounderthesecircumstances，hechosetoconsiderher。

Thisdaycamewhen，inthemidstofgrowingcomplacencyandanintenseinterestinsomenewschemewhichdemandedallhispowers，AbnerFairbrotherlearnedfromthepapersthatMr。Grey，ofEnglishParliamentaryfame，hadarrivedinNewYorkonanindefinitevisit。Asnocausewasassignedforthevisitbeyondanaturaldesireonthepartofthiseminentstatesmantoseethisgreatcountry，Mr。Fairbrother’sfearsreachedasuddenclimax，andhesawhimselfruinedandforeverdisgracedifthediamondnowsounhappilyoutofhishandsshouldfallundertheeyesofitsowner，whoseseemingquietunderitslosshadnotforamomentdeceivedhim。Waitingonlylongenoughtomakesurethatthedistinguishedforeignerwaslikelytoacceptsocialattentions，andsoinallprobabilitywouldbebroughtincontactwithMrs。Fairbrother，hesentherbyhisdevotedservantaperemptorymessage，inwhichhedemandedbackhisdiamond；and，uponherrefusingtoheedthis，followeditupbyanother，inwhichheexpresslystatedthatifshetookitoutofthesafedepositinwhichhehadbeentoldshewaswiseenoughtokeepit，orworeitsomuchasonceduringthenextthreemonths，shewouldpayforherpresumptionwithherlife。

Thiswasnoidlethreat，thoughshechosetoregarditassuch，laughingintheoldservant’sfaceanddeclaringthatshewouldruntheriskifthenotionseizedher。Butthenotiondidnotseemtoseizeheratonce，andherhusbandwasbeginningtotakeheart，whenheheardofthegreatballabouttobegivenbytheRamsdellsandrealizedthatifsheweregoingtobetemptedtowearthediamondatall，itwouldbeatthisbrilliantfunctiongiveninhonoroftheonemanhehadmostcausetofearinthewholeworld。

Sears，seeingtheemotionhewasunder，watchedhimclosely。TheyhadbothbeenonthepointofstartingforNewMexicotovisitamineinwhichMr。Fairbrotherwasinterested，andhewaitedwithinconceivableanxietytoseeifhismasterwouldchangehisplans。ItwaswhilehewasinthisconditionofmindthathewasseentoshakehisfistatMrs。Fairbrother’spassingfigure；amenacenaturallyinterpretedasdirectedagainsther，butwhich，ifweknowtheman，wasrathertheexpressionofhisangeragainstthehusbandwhocouldrebukeandthreatensobeautifulacreature。Meanwhile，Mr。Fairbrother’spreparationswentonand，threeweeksbeforetheball，theystarted。Mr。FairbrotherhadbusinessinChicagoandbusinessinDenver。ItwastwoweeksandmorebeforehereachedLaJunta。Searscountedthedays。AtLaJuntatheyhadalongconversation；orratherMr。FairbrothertalkedandSearslistened。Thesumofwhathesaidwasthis：Hehadmadeuphismindtohavebackhisdiamond。HewasgoingtoNewYorktogetit。Hewasgoingalone，andashewishednoonetoknowthathehadgoneorthathisplanshadbeeninanywayinterrupted，theotherwastocontinueontoElMoro，and，passinghimselfoffasFairbrother，hirearoomatthehotelandshuthimselfupinitfortendaysonanypleahisingenuitymightsuggest。IfattheendofthattimeFairbrothershouldrejoinhim，wellandgood。TheywouldgoontogethertoSantaFe。

Butifforanyreasontheformershoulddelayhisreturn，thenSearswastoexercisehisownjudgmentastothelengthoftimeheshouldretainhisborrowedpersonality；alsoastotheadvisabilityofpushingontothemineandenteringontheworkthere，ashadbeenplannedbetweenthem。

Searsknewwhatallthismeant。Heunderstoodwhatwasinhismaster’smind，aswellasifhehadbeentakenintohisfullconfidence，andopenlyacceptedhispartofthebusinesswithseemingalacrity，eventothepointofsupplyingFairbrotherwithsuitablereferencesastotheabilityofoneJamesWellgoodtofillawaiter’splaceatfashionablefunctions。Itwasnotthefirsthehadgivenhim。Seventeenyearsbeforehehadwrittenthesame，minusthelastphrase。ThatwaswhenhewasthemasterandFairbrothertheman。Buthedidnotmeantoplaythepartlaidoutforhim，forallhisapparentacquiescence。Hebeganbyfollowingtheother’sinstructions。Heexchangedclotheswithhimandothernecessaries，andtookthetrainforLaJuntaatornearthetimethatFairbrotherstartedeast。ButonceatElMoro——onceregisteredthereasAbnerFairbrotherfromNewYork——hetookadifferentcoursefromtheonelaidoutforhim，——acoursewhichfinallybroughthimintohismaster’swakeandlandedhimatthesamehourinNewYork。

Thisiswhathedid。Insteadofshuttinghimselfupinhisroomheexpressedanimmediatedesiretovisitsomeneighboringmines，and，procuringagoodhorse，startedoffatthefirstavailablemoment。Herodenorth，losthimselfinthemountains，andwanderedtillhefoundaguideintelligentenoughtolendhimselftohisplans。Tothisguideheconfidedhishorseforthefewdaysheintendedtobegone，payinghimwellandpromisinghimadditionalmoneyif，duringhisabsence，hesucceededincirculatingthereportthathe，AbnerFairbrother，hadgonedeepintothemountains，boundforsuchandsuchacamp。

Havingthusprovidedanalibi，notonlyforhimself，butforhismaster，too，incaseheshouldneedit，hetookthedirectroadtothenearestrailwaystation，andstartedonhislongrideeast。Hedidnotexpecttoovertakethemanhehadbeenpersonating，butfortunewaskinderthanisusualinsuchcases，and，owingtoadelaycausedbysomeaccidenttoafreighttrain，hearrivedinChicagowithinacoupleofhoursofMr。

Fairbrother，andstartedoutofthatcityonthesametrain。Butnotonthesamecar。SearshadcaughtaglimpseofFairbrotherontheplatform，andwascarefultokeepoutofhissight。Thiswaseasyenough。HeboughtacompartmentinthesleeperandstayedinittilltheyarrivedattheGrandCentralStation。Thenhehastenedoutand，fortunefavoringhimwithanotherglimpseofthemaninwhosemovementshewassointerested，followedhimintothestreets。

FairbrotherhadshavedoffhisbeardbeforeleavingElMoro。

Searshadshavedhisoffonthetrain。Bothwerechanged，theformerthemore，owingtoapeculiarityofhismouthwhichuptillnowhehadalwaysthoughtbesttocover。Sears，therefore，walkedbehindhimwithoutfear，andwasalmostathisheelswhenthisownerofoneofNewYork’smostnotablemansions，entered，withaspruceair，thedoorsofaprominentcaterer。

Understandingtheplotnow，andhavingeverythingtofearforhismistress，hewalkedthestreetsforsomehoursinastateofgreatindecision。Thenhewentuptoherapartment。Buthehadnosoonercomewithinsightofitthanasenseofdisloyaltystruckhimandheslunkaway，onlytocomesidlingbackwhenitwastoolateandshehadstartedfortheball。

Tremblingwithapprehension，butstillstrangelydividedinhisimpulses，wishingtoservemasterandmistressboth，withoutdisloyaltytotheoneorinjurytotheother，hehesitatedandarguedwithhimself，tillhisfearsforthelatterdrovehimtoMr。Ramsdell’shouse。

Thenightwasastormyone。TheheaviestsnowoftheseasonwasfallingwithahighgaleblowingdowntheSound。Asheapproachedthehouse，which，asweknow，isoneofthemodernonesintheRiversidedistrict，hefelthisheartfailhim。Butashecamenearerandgotthefulleffectofglancinglights，seductivemusic，andthecheerybustleofcrowdingcarriages，hesawinhismind’seyesuchapictureofhisbeautifulmistress，threatened，unknowntoherself，inaquartershelittlerealized，thathelostallsenseofwhathadhithertodeterredhim。Makingthenandtherehisgreatchoice，helookedaboutfortheentrance，withthefullintentionofseeingandwarningher。

Butthis，hepresentlyperceived，wastotallyimpracticable。Hecouldneithergotohernorexpecthertocometohim；meanwhile，timewaspassing，andifhismasterwasthere——Thethoughtmadehisheaddizzy，and，situatedashewas，amongthecarriages，hemighthavebeenrunoverinhisconfusionifhiseyeshadnotsuddenlyfallenonalightedwindow，theshadeofwhichhadbeeninadvertentlyleftup。

Withinthiswindow，whichwasonlyafewfeetabovehishead，stoodtheglowingimageofawomancladinpinkandsparklingwithjewels。Herfacewasturnedfromhim，butherecognizedhersplendorasthatoftheonewomanwhocouldneverbetoogorgeousforhistaste；and，alivetothisunexpectedopportunity，hemadeforthiswindowwiththeintentionofshoutinguptoherandsoattractingherattention。

Butthisprovedfutile，and，drivenatlasttotheendofhisresources，hetoreoutaslipofpaperfromhisnote-bookand，inthedarkandwiththeblindingsnowinhiseyes，wrotethefewbrokensentenceswhichhethoughtwouldbestwarnher，withoutcompromisinghismaster。ThemeanshetooktoreachherwiththisnoteIhavealreadyrelated。Assoonashesawitinherhandshefledtheplaceandtookthefirsttrainwest。Hewasinapitiablecondition，when，threedayslater，hereachedthesmallstationfromwhichhehadoriginallysetout。Thehaste，theexposure，thehorrorofthecrimehehadfailedtoavert，hadunderminedhishithertoexcellentconstitution，andthesymptomsofaseriousillnesswerebeginningtomakethemselvesmanifest。

Buthe，likehisindomitablemaster，possessedagreatfundofenergyandwillpower。HesawthatifhewastosaveAbnerFairbrother（andnowthatMrs。Fairbrotherwasdead，hisoldmasterwasalltheworldtohim）hemustmakeFairbrother’salibigoodbycarryingonthedeceptionasplannedbythelatter，andgettingassoonaspossibletohiscampintheNewMexicomountains。Heknewthathewouldhavestrengthtodothisandhewentaboutitwithoutsparinghimself。

Makinghiswayintothemountains，hefoundtheguideandhishorseattheplaceagreeduponand，payingtheguideenoughforhisservicestoinsureaquiettongue，rodebacktowardElMorowherehewasmetandsentontoSantaFeasalreadyrelated。

Suchistherealexplanationofthewell-nighunintelligiblescrawlfoundinMrs。Fairbrother’shandafterherdeath。AstotheonewhichleftMissGrey’sbedsideforthissamehouse，itwas，alikeinthewritingandsending，thelovingfreakofaverysickbuttender-heartedgirl。ShehadnotedthelookwithwhichMr。Greyhadlefther，and，inherdeliriousstate，thoughtthatalineinherownhandwouldconvincehimofhergoodconditionandmakeitpossibleforhimtoenjoytheevening。Shewas，however，toomuchafraidofhernursetowriteitopenly，andthoughweneverfoundthatscrawl，itwasdoubtlessnotverydifferentinappearancefromtheonewithwhichIhadconfoundedit。ThemantowhomitwasintrustedstoppedfortoomanywarmingdrinksonhiswayforitevertoreachMr。Ramsdell’shouse。Hedidnotevenreturnhomethatnight，andwhenhedidputinanappearancethenextmorning，hewasdismissed。

ThistakesmebacktotheballandMrs。Fairbrother。Shehadneverhadmuchfearofherhusbandtillshereceivedhisoldservant’snoteinthepeculiarmanneralreadymentioned。This，comingthroughthenightandthewetandwithallthemarksofhurryuponit，didimpresshergreatlyandledhertotakethefirstmeanswhichofferedofriddingherselfofherdangerousornament。Thestoryofthisweknow。

Meanwhile，aburningheartandaschemingbrainwerekeepinguptheirdeadlyworkafewpacesoffundertheimpassiveaspectandactivemovementsofthecaterer’snewly-hiredwaiter。AbnerFairbrother，whoserealcharacternoonehadeverbeenabletosound，unlessitwasthemanwhohadknownhiminhisdaysofstruggle，wasoneofthosedangerousmenwhocanconcealunderastillbrowandanoiselessmannerthemostviolentpassionsandthemostdesperateresolves。Hewasangrywithhiswife，whowasdeliberatelyjeopardizinghisgoodname，andhehadcometheretokillherifhefoundherflauntingthediamondinMr。Grey’seyes；andthoughnoonecouldhavedetectedanychangeinhislookandmannerashepassedthroughtheroomwherethesetwowerestanding，thedoomofthatfairwomanwasstruckwhenhesawtheeagerscrutinyandindescribableairofrecognitionwithwhichthislong-defraudedgentlemaneyedhisowndiamond。

Hehadmeanttoattackheropenly，seizethediamond，flingitatMr。Grey’sfeet，andthenkillhimself。Thathadbeenhisplan。

Butwhenhefound，afteraroundortwoamongtheguests，thatnobodylookedathim，andnobodyrecognizedthewell-knownmillionaireintheautomaton-likefigurewiththeformally-arrangedwhiskersandsleekly-combedhair，colderpurposesintervened，andheaskedhimselfifitwouldnotbepossibletocomeuponheralone，strikehisblow，possesshimselfofthediamond，andmakeforpartsunknownbeforehisidentitycouldbediscovered。Helovedlifeevenwithoutthecharmcastoveritbythiswoman。Itsstrugglesanditshard-boughtluxuriesfascinatedhim。IfMr。Greysuspectedhim，why，Mr。GreywasEnglish，andhearesourcefulAmerican。Ifitcametoanissue，thesubtleAmericanwouldwinifMr。Greywerenotabletopointtotheflawwhichmarkedthisdiamondashisown。Andthis，Fairbrotherhadprovidedagainst，andwouldsucceedinifhecouldholdhispassionsincheckandbereadywithallhiswitwhenmattersreachedaclimax。

Suchwerethethoughtsandsuchtheplansofthequiet，attentivemanwho，withhistrayladenwithcoffeeandices，cameandwentanunnoticedunitamongtwentyotherunitssimilarlyquietandsimilarlyattentive。Hewaitedonladyafterlady，andwhen，onthereissuingofMr。Durandfromthealcove，hepassedintherewithhistrayandhistwocupsofcoffee，nobodyheededandnobodyremembered。

Itwasalloverinaminute，andhecameout，stillunnoted，andwenttothesupper-roomformorecupsofcoffee。Butthatminutehadsetitssealonhisheartforever。Shewassittingtherealonewithhersidetotheentrance，sothathehadtopassaroundinordertofaceher。Hereleganceandacertainairshehadofremotenessfromthesceneofwhichshewastheglowingcenterwhenshesmiled，awedhimandmadehishandloosenalittleontheslenderstilettoheheldcloseagainstthebottomofthetray。Butsuchresolutiondoesnoteasilyyield，andhisfingerssoontightenedagain，thistimewithadeadlygrip。

Hehadexpectedtomeettheflashofthediamondashebentoverher，anddreadeddoingsoforfearitwouldattracthiseyefromherfaceandsocosthimthesightofthatstartledrecognitionwhichwouldgivethedesiredpointtohisrevenge。Butthetray，asheheldit，shieldedherbreastfromview，andwhenheloweredittostrikehisblow，hethoughtofnothingbutaimingsotrulyastoneednosecondblow。Hehadhadhisexperienceinthoseoldyearsinaminingcamp，andhedidnotfearfailureinthis。Whathedidfearwasherutteranceofsomecry，——possiblyhisname。

Butshewasstunnedwithhorror，anddidnotshriek，——horrorofhimwhoseeyesshemetwithherglassyandstaringonesasheslowlydrewforththeweapon。

Whyhedrewitforthinsteadofleavingitinherbreasthecouldnotsay。Possiblybecauseitgavehimhismomentofgloatingrevenge。Wheninanotherinstant，herhandsflewup，andthetraytipped，andthechinafell，therevulsioncame，andhiseyesopenedtotwofacts：theinstrumentofdeathwasstillinhisgrasp，andthediamond，onwhosepossessionhecounted，wasgonefromhiswife’sbreast。

Itwasahorriblemoment。Voicescouldbeheardapproachingthealcove，——laughingvoicesthatinaninstantwouldtakeonthenoteofhorror。Andthemusic，——ah！howlowithadsunk，asiftogiveplacetothedyingmurmurhenowheardissuingfromherlips。Buthewasamanofiron。Thrustingthestilettointothefirstplacethatoffered，hedrewthecurtainsoverthestaringwindows，thenslidoutwithhistray，calm，specklessandattentiveasever，deadtothought，deadtofeeling，butaware，quiteawareinthesecretdepthsofhisbeingthatsomethingbesideshiswifehadbeenkilledthatnight，andthatsleepandpeaceofmindandallpleasureinthepastweregoneforever。

ItwasnotheIsawenterthealcoveandcomeoutwithnewsofthecrime。Heleftthisroletoonewhoseantecedentscouldbetterbearinvestigation。Hispartwastoplay，withjusttheproperdisplayofhorrorandcuriosity，theordinarymenialbroughtfacetofacewithacrimeinhighlife。Hecoulddothis。

Hecouldevensustainhisshareinthegossip，andforthispurposekeptneartheotherwaiters。Theabsenceofthediamondwasallthattroubledhim。Thatbroughthimattimestothepointofvertigo。HadMr。Greyrecognizedandclaimedit？Ifso，he，AbnerFairbrother，mustremainJamesWellgood，thewaiter，indefinitely。Thiswouldrequiremorebeliefinhisstarthaneverhehadhadyet。Butasthemomentspassed，andnocontradictionwasgiventotheuniversally-receivedimpressionthatthesamehandwhichhadstrucktheblowhadtakenthediamond，eventhiscauseofanxietylefthisbreastandhefacedpeoplewithmoreandmorecouragetillthemomentwhenhesuddenlyheardthatthediamondhadbeenfoundinthepossessionofamanperfectlystrangetohim，andsawtheinspectorpassitoverintothehandsofMr。Grey。

Instantlyherealizedthatthecrisisofhisfatewasonhim。IfMr。Greyweregiventimetoidentifythisstone，he，AbnerFairbrother，waslostandthediamondaswell。Couldhepreventthis？Therewasbutoneway，andthatwayhetook。Makinguseofhisventriloquialpowers——hehadspentayearonthepublicstageinthoseearlydays，playingjustsuchtricksasthese——heraisedtheonecrywhichheknewwouldstartleMr。Greymorethananyotherintheworld，andwhenthediamondfellfromhishand，asheknewitwould，herushedforwardand，intheactofpickingitup，madethatexchangewhichnotonlybaffledthesuspicionsofthestatesman，butrestoredtohimthediamond，forwhosepossessionhewasnowreadytobarterhalfhisremainingdays。

MeanwhileMr。Greyhadhadhisownanxieties。Duringthiswholelongevening，hehadbeensustainedbytheconvictionthatthediamondofwhichhehadcaughtbutonepassingglimpsewastheGreatMogulofhisoncefamouscollection。Sosurewasheofthis，thatatonemomenthefoundhimselftemptedtoenterthealcove，demandaclosersightofthediamondandsettlethequestionthenandthere。Heevenwentsofarastotakeinhishandsthetwocupsofcoffeewhichshouldserveashisexcuseforthisintrusion，buthisnaturallychivalrousinstinctsagainintervened，andhesetthecupsdownagain——thisIdidnotsee——

andturnedhisstepstowardthelibrarywiththeintentionofwritingheranoteinstead。Butthoughhefoundpaperandpentohand，hecouldfindnowordsforsodaringarequest，andhecamebackintothehall，onlytohearthatthewomanhehadcontemplatedaddressinghadjustbeenmurderedandhergreatjewelstolen。

Theshockwastoomuch，andastherewasnoleavingthehousethen，heretreatedagaintothelibrarywherehedevouredhisanxietiesinsilencetillhoperevivedagainatsightofthediamondintheinspector’shand，onlytovanishunderthemachinationsofonehedidnotevenrecognizewhenhetookthefalsejewelfromhishand。

TheAmericanhadoutwittedtheEnglishmanandthetriumphofevilwascomplete。

Orsoitseemed。ButiftheEnglishmanisslow，heissure。

Thrownoffthetrackforthetimebeing，Mr。Greyhadonlytoseeapictureofthestilettointhepapers，tofeelagainthat，despiteallappearances，Fairbrotherwasreallynotonlyatthebottomofthetheftsfromwhichhiscousinandhimselfhadsuffered，butofthisfrightfulmurderaswell。Hemadenoopenmove——hewasastrangerinastrangelandandmuchdisturbed，besides，byhisfearsforhisdaughter——buthestartedasecretinquirythroughhisoldvalet，whomheranacrossinthestreet，andwhosepeculiaradaptabilityforthiskindofworkhewellknew。

Theaimoftheseinquirieswastodetermineiftheperson，whomtwophysiciansandthreeassistantswereendeavoringtonursebacktohealthonthetopofawildplateauinaremotedistrictofNewMexico，wasthemanhehadonceentertainedathisownboardinEngland，andtheadventuresthusincurredwouldmakeastoryinitself。Buttheresultseemedtojustifythem。Wordcameafterinnumerabledelays，verytryingtoMr。Grey，thatbewasnotthesame，thoughheborethenameofFairbrother，andwasconsideredbyeveryonearoundtheretobeFairbrother。Mr。Grey，ignorantoftherelationsbetweenthemillionairemasterandhismanwhichsometimesledtothelatter’spersonifyingtheformer，wasconfidentofhisownmistakeandbitterlyashamedofhisownsuspicions。

Butasecondmessagesethimright。AdeceptionwasbeingpractiseddowninNewMexico，andthiswashowhisspyhadfounditout。Certainletterswhichwentintothesicktentweresentawayagain，andalwaystooneaddress。Hehadlearnedtheaddress。ItwasthatofJamesWellgood，C——，Maine。IfMr。GreywouldlookupthisWellgoodhewoulddoubtlesslearnsomethingofthemanhewassointerestedin。

ThisgaveMr。Greypersonallysomethingtodo，forhewouldtrustnosecondpartywithamessageinvolvingthehonorofapossiblyinnocentman。Astheplacewasaccessiblebyrailroadandhisdutyclear，hetookthejourneyinvolvedandsucceededingettingaglimpseinthemannerweknowofthemanJamesWellgood。ThistimeherecognizedFairbrotherand，satisfiedfromthecircumstancesofthemomentthathewouldbemakingnomistakeinaccusinghimofhavingtakentheGreatMogul，heinterceptedhiminhisflight，asyouhavealreadyread，anddemandedtheimmediatereturnofhisgreatdiamond。

AndFairbrother？Weshallhavetogobackalittletobringhishistoryuptothiscriticalinstant。

Whenherealizedthetrendofpublicopinion；whenhesawaperfectlyinnocentmancommittedtotheTombsforhiscrime，hewasfirstastonishedandthenamusedatwhathecontinuedtoregardasthetriumphofhisstar。ButhedidnotstartforElMoro，wiseashefeltitwouldbetodoso。Somethingofthefascinationusualwithcriminalskepthimnearthesceneofhiscrime，——that，andananxietytoseehowSearswouldconducthimselfintheSouthwest。ThatSearshadfollowedhimtoNewYork，knewhiscrime，andwasthestrongestwitnessagainsthim，wasasfarfromhisthoughtsasthatheowedhimthewarningwhichhadallbutbalkedhimofhisrevenge。Whenthereforehereadinthepapersthat"AbnerFairbrother"hadbeenfoundsickinhiscampatSantaFe，hefeltthatnothingnowstoodinthewayofhisenteringontheplanshehadframedforultimateescape。OnhisdeparturefromElMorohehadtakentheprecautionofgivingSearsthenameofacertainsmalltownonthecoastofMainewherehismailwastobesentincaseofagreatemergency。

Hehadchosenthistownfortworeasons。First，becauseheknewallaboutit，havinghadayoungmanfromthereinhisemploy；

secondly，becauseofitsneighborhoodtotheinletwhereanoldlaunchofhishadbeendockedforthewinter。Alwaysastute，alwaysprecautionary，hehadgivenorderstohavethislaunchfloatedandprovisioned，sothatnowhehadonlytosendwordtothecaptain，tohaveathiscommandthebestpossiblemeansofescape。

Meanwhile，hemustmakegoodhispositioninC——。Hediditinthewayweknow。SatisfiedthattheonlydangerheneedfearwasthediscoveryofthefraudpractisedinNewMexico，hehadconfidenceenoughinSears，eveninhispresentdisabledstate，totakehistimeandmakehimselfsolidwiththepeopleofC——whilewaitingfortheicetodisappearfromtheharbor。Thisaccomplishedandcruisingmadepossible，hetookaflyingtriptoNewYorktosecuresuchpapersandvaluablesashewishedtocarryoutofthecountrywithhim。Theywereinsafedeposit，butthatsafedepositwasinhisstrongroominthecenterofhishouseinEighty-sixthStreet（aroomwhichyouwillrememberinconnectionwithSweetwater’sadventure）。Toenterhisowndoorwithhisownlatch-key，inthesecurityanddarknessofastormynight，seemedtothisself-confidentmanamatterofnogreatrisk。Nordidhefinditso。Hereachedhisstrongroom，procuredhissecuritiesandwasleavingthehouse，withouthavingsufferedanalarm，whensomeinstinctofself-preservationsuggestedtohimtheadvisabilityofarminghimselfwithapistol。HisownwasinMaine，butherememberedwhereSearskepthis；hehadseenitoftenenoughinthatoldtrunkhehadbroughtwithhimfromtheSierras。Heaccordinglywentupstairstothesteward’sroom，foundthepistolandbecamefromthatinstantinvincible。Butinrestoringthearticleshehadpulledouthecameacrossaphotographofhiswifeandlosthimselfoveritandwentmad，aswehaveheardthedetectivetell。Thatlater，heshouldsucceedintrappingthisdetectiveandshouldleavethehousewithoutaqualmastohisfateshowswhatsortofmanhewasinmomentsofextremedanger。Idoubt，fromwhatIhaveheardofhimsince，ifheevergavetwothoughtstothemanafterhehadsprungthedoublelockonhim；which，consideringhisextremeignoranceofwhohisvictimwasorwhatrelationheboretohisownfate，wascertainlyremarkable。

BackagaininC——，hemadehisfinalpreparationsfordeparture。

Hehadalreadycommunicatedwiththecaptainofthelaunch，whomayormaynothaveknownhispassenger’srealname。HesaysthathesupposedhimtobesomeagentofMr。Fairbrother’s；thatamongthefirstordershereceivedfromthatgentlemanwasonetotheeffectthathewastofollowtheinstructionsofoneWellgoodasiftheycamefromhimself；thathehaddoneso，andnottillhehadMr。Fairbrotheronboardhadheknownwhomhewasexpectedtocarryintootherwaters。However，therearemanywhodonotbelievethecaptain。Fairbrotherhadageniusforrousingdevotioninthemenwhoworkedforhim，andprobablythismanwasanotherSears。

Toleavespeculation，allwasintrain，then，andfreedombutaquarterofamileaway，whentheboathewasinwasstoppedbyanotherandheheardMr。Grey’svoicedemandingthejewel。

Theshockwassevereandhehadneedofallthenervewhichhadhithertomadehiscareersoprosperous，tosustaintheencounterwiththecalmnesswhichalonecouldcarryoffthesituation。

DeclaringthatthediamondwasinNewYork，hepromisedtorestoreitiftheotherwouldmakethesacrificeworthwhilebycontinuingtopreservehishithertoadmirablesilenceconcerninghim：Mr。Greyrespondedbygrantinghimjusttwenty-fourhours；

andwhenFairbrothersaidthetimewasnotlongenoughandallowedhishandtostealominouslytohisbreast，herepeatedstillmoredecisively，"Twenty-fourhours。"

Theex-minerhonoredbravery。Withdrawinghishandfromhisbreast，hebroughtoutanote-bookinsteadofapistoland，inatonefullyasdetermined，replied："Thediamondisinaplaceinaccessibletoanyonebutmyself。Ifyouwillputyournametoapromisenottobetraymeforthethirty-sixhoursIask，Iwillsignonetorestoreyouthediamondbeforeone-thirtyo’clockonFriday。"

"Iwill，"saidMr。Grey。

Sothepromiseswerewrittenanddulyexchanged。Mr。GreyreturnedtoNewYorkandFairbrotherboardedhislaunch。

ThediamondreallywasinNewYork，andtohimitseemedmorepolitictouseitasameansofsecuringMr。Grey’spermanentsilencethantoflythecountry，leavingamanbehindhimwhoknewhissecretandcouldprecipitatehisdoomwithaword。Hewould，therefore，gotoNewYork，playhislastgreatcardand，ifhelost，benoworseoffthanhewasnow。Hedidnotmeantolose。

Buthehadnotcalculatedonanyinherentweaknessinhimself，——

hadnotcalculatedonProvidence。Adishtumbledandwithitfellintochaosthefairstructureofhisdreams。Withthecryof"Grizel！Grizel！"hegaveuphissecret，hishopesandhislife。

Therewasnoretrievalpossibleafterthat。ThestarofAbnerFairbrotherhadset。

Mr。GreyandhisdaughterlearnedverysoonofmyrelationstoMr。Durand，butthroughtheprecautionsoftheinspectorandmyownpowersofself-control，nosuspicionhasevercrossedtheirmindsofthepartIonceplayedinthematterofthestiletto。

ThiswasamplyprovedbytheinvitationMr。DurandandIhavejustreceivedtospendourhoneymoonatDarlingtonManor。