第6章
CHAPTERXII
THEECHOOFALAUGH
ColonelMcIntyretrampedthedeserteddiningroominexasperation。
Nineo’clockandthetwinshadnotcometobreakfast，norwasthereanyevidencethatMrs。Brewsterintendedtakingthatmealdownstairs。
"Willyouwaitanylonger，sir？"inquiredGrimes，whohoveredsolicitouslyinthebackground。"I’mafraid，sir，youreggswillbeover—done。"
"Bringthemalong，"directedMcIntyre，andflunghimselfintohischairatthefootofthetable。HehadbeenseatedbutafewminuteswhenBarbaraappearedanddutifullypresentedhercheektobekissed，thenshetrippedlightlytoHelen’splaceoppositeherfather，andpressedtheelectricbellforGrimes。
"Coffee，please，"shesaidasthatworthyappeared，andbusiedherselfinarrangingthecupsandsaucers。"Helenistakingherbreakfastupstairs，"sheexplainedtoherfather。
"HowaboutMrs。Brewster？"
"Stillasleep。"Barbarapouredoutherfather’scoffeewithcarefulattentiontodetail。"Ipeekedintoherroomamomentagoandshelookedso’comfy’Ihadn’tthehearttoawakenher。Youmusthavebeenverylateattheclublastnight。"
"Wegothomealittleafteroneo’clock。"
McIntyrehelpedhimselftopoachedeggsandbacon。"Whatdidyoudolastnight？"
"Wenttobedearly，"answeredBarbarawithbrevity。"Helenwasn’tfeelingwell。"
McIntyre’shandsomefaceshowedconcernasheglancedacrossthetable。"HaveyousentforDr。Stone？"
"No。"
"Whynot？"
"Helen—I—we"—Barbarastumbledinherspeech。"WehavetakenanaversiontoDr。Stone。"
McIntyresetdownhiscoffeecupwithunwontedforce，therebyspillingsomeofitscontents。
"What！"heexclaimedincompleteastonishment，andregardedherfixedlyforamoment。Histolerantmanner，whichhefrequentlyassumedtowardBarbara，grewstern。"Dr。Stoneismypersonalfriend，aswellasourfamilyphysician—"
"AndacousinofMargaretBrewster，"putinBarbaramildly。
"Well，whatofit？"trenchantly，awarethathehadcoloredatmentionofthewidow’sname。"Nothing，"Barbara’seyesopenedinnocently。"Ionlyrecalledthefactofhisrelationshipasyouenumeratedhisvirtues。"
ColonelMcIntyretransferredhisregardfromhertothebutler。
"Youneednotwait，Grimes。"Heremainedsilentuntiltheservantwassafelyinthepantry，andthenaddressedhisdaughter。"Noneofyourtricks，Barbara，"hecautioned。"IfHelenisillenoughtorequiremedicalattention，Dr。Stoneistobesentfor，regardlessofyoursuddendisliketohim，forwhich，bytheway，youhavegivennocause。"
"Haven’tI？"Barbarafoldedhernapkinwithneatexactness。"It’s—it’sintangible。"
"Pooh！"McIntyregaveashortlaugh，ashepushedbackhischair。
"I’mgoingtoseeHelen。AndBarbara，"stoppingonhiswaytothedoor，"don’tbeafool。"
Barbararubbedthetinymoleunderthelobeofherear，atrickshehadwhenabsent—mindedorindeepthought。"Helen，"sheannounced，unawarethatshespokeloud，"shallhaveaphysician，butitwon’tbe—why，Grimes，"awakeningtotheservant’snoiselessreturn。"Youcantakethebreakfastdishes。DidMissHeleneatanything？"
"Notverymuch，miss。"Grimesshookatroubledhead。"Butshedonebetterthanatdinnerlastnight，soshe’spickingup，anddon’tyoubeworriedoverher，"withemphasis，ashesidlednearer。"Tellme，miss，isthecolonelcourtin’Mrs。Brewster？"
"Askhim，"shesuggestedandsmiledattheconsternationwhichspreadoverthebutler’sface。
"Me，miss！"heexclaimedinhorror。"Itwouldbeasmuchasmyplaceisworth;thecolonel’sthatquick—tempered。Why，miss，justbecauseItidieduphisdeskandputhispaperstorightsheflewintoaterriblepassion。"
"Whenwasthat？"
"Earlythismorning，miss;andhesoupsetThomas，miss，thathegavenotice。"
"Oh，that’stoobad。"Barbaralikedthesecondman。"Perhapsfatherwillreconsiderandpersuadehimtostay。"
Thebutlerlookedunconvinced。"Itwasaboutthepolicedogs，"heconfidedtoher。"ThomastoldhimthatMissHelenwantedthembroughtback，andthecolonelsworeathim—’twasmorethanThomascouldstandandheupsandgoes。"Barbarahaltedhalfwaytothedoor。"DidThomasgetthedogs？"
"Youwaitandsee，miss。"Grimeswasguiltyofamostundignifiedwink。"Thomasain’tforgivenhimselffornotbeinghereMondaynight，miss;thoughitwouldn’tadonehimanygood;hewouldn’taheardMr。
Turnbullclimbinginorhisarrest，awayupstairsintheservants’
quarters。"
"Grimes，"Barbararetractedherfootstepsandplacedherlipsveryclosetotheoldservant’sear。
"WhenIcameinonTuesdaymorningIfoundthedoortotheatticstairwaystandingpartlyopen……
"Didyounow，miss？"Thetworegardedeachotherwarily。"Andwhathourmaythathavebeen？"
Thebutlercockedhisearforheranswer—’hewassometimesalittlehardofhearing;buthewaitedinvain，Barbarahaddisappearedinsidethelibrary。
ColonelMcIntyrehadnotgoneatoncetoseehisdaughterHelen，asBarbarahadsupposedfromhisremark，insteadhewentdownthestaircaseandintothereceptionroomonthegroundfloor。Itwasgenerallyusedasasmokingroomandlounge，butwhenentertainingwasdone，cloaksandwrapswereleftthere。McIntyrelookedovertheprettilyupholsteredfurniture，thenstrolledtothewindowandcarefullyinspectedthelock;itappearedinperfectorderashetestedit。Pushingthecatchbackasfarasitwouldgo，heraisedthewindow—thesashmovedupwardwithoutasound，andheleanedoutandlookedupanddownthepathwhichranthedepthofthehousetothekitchendoorandservants’entrance。
Therewasanirongateseparatingthepathfromthesidewalk，alwayskeptlockedatnight，andMcIntyrehadthoughtthatsufficientprotectionandhadnotputanirongrilleinthewindow。
McIntyreclosedandlockedthewindow，thenpullingoutthegiltchairwhichstoodinfrontofthedesk，hesatdown，selectedsomemonogrammedpaperandpennedafewlinesinhischaracteristicthoughlegiblewriting。Pickingupsomeredsealingwax，helightedthesmallcandleinitsbrassholderwhichmatchedtherestofthedeskornaments，butbeforeheatingthewaxhelookedforhissignetring，andfrownedwhenherecalledleavingitonhisdresser。
Hehesitatedamoment，thencatchingsightofasilverseallyingatthebackofthedeskhepickeditupandmoistenedtheinitial。
Afewminuteslaterheblewoutthecandle，returnedthewaxandsealtoapigeonhole，andcarefullyplacedtheenvelopewithitswellstampedletter"B"inhiscoatpocket，andtrampedupstairs。
Helenheardhisheavytreadcomingdownthehalltowardherroom，andscrambledbacktobed。Shehadbuttimetoarrangeherdressingsacquewhenherfatherwalkedin。
"Goodmorning，mydear，"hesaidand，stoopingover，kissedher。
Ashestraightenedup，thesideofhissingle—breastedcoatturnedbackandexposedtoHelen’sbrighteyestheendofawhiteenvelope。"Barbaratoldmeyouarenotwell，"hewheeledforwardachairandsatdownbythebed。"Hadn’tIbettersendforDr。
Stone？""Oh，no，"herreply，thoughsomewhatfaint，wasemphatic，andhefrowned。
"Whynot？"aggressively。"ItrustyoudonotshareBarbara’ssuddenlydevelopedprejudiceagainstthegooddoctor。"
"Idonotrequireaphysician，"shesaidevasively。"Iamwell。"
McIntyreregardedhervexedly。Hecouldnotdecidewhetherherflushedcheekswerefromfeverortheresultofexertionorexcitement。Excitementoverwhat？Helookedabouttheroom;itreflectedthetasteofitsdaintyownerinitsfurnishings，butnowheredidhefindananswertohisunspokenquestion，untilhiseyelightedonaboxofrougeundertheelectriclamponherbedstand。
"Don’tusethat，"hesaid，touchingthebox。
"YouknowIdetestmake—up。"
"Oh，that！"Sheturnedtoseewhathewastalkingabout。"ThatrougebelongstoMargaretBrewster。"
McIntyrepromptlychangedtheconversation。"Haveyouhadyourbreakfast？"heasked。
"Yes;Grimestookthetraydownsometimeago。"Helenwatchedherfatherfidgetwithhiswatchfobforseveralminutes，thenaskedwithcharacteristicdirectness。"Whatdoyouwish？"
"Toseethatyouhavepropermedicalattentionifyouareill，"hereturnedpromptly。"HowwouldaweekortendaysatAtlanticCitysuityouandBarbara？"
"Notatall。"Helensatupfromherrecliningpositiononthepillows。"Youforget，father，thatwehaveahouse—guest;MargaretBrewsterisnotleavinguntilMay。"
"Ihadnotforgotten，"curtly。"Iproposethatshegowithus。"
Afaint"Oh！"escapedHelen，otherwiseshemadenocomment，andMcIntyre，aftercontemplatingherforaminute，lookedaway。
"EithergotoAtlanticCitywithus，Helen，orresumeyournormal，everydaylife，"hesaidshortly。"Iamtiredofheroics;JimmieTurnbullwashardlythemantoinspirethem。"
"Stop！"Helen’svoicerangoutimperiously。"IwillnotpermitonewordsaidindisparagementofJimmie，leastofallfromyou，father。
Wait，"asheattemptedtospeak。"IdonotknowwhattraitsofcharacterImayhaveinheritedfromyou，butIhaveallmother’sloyalty，and—thatloyaltybelongstoJimmie。"
McIntyre’seyesshiftedunderhergaze。
"Iregretverymuchthisobsession，"hesaidrising。"Iwillnotattempttoreasonwithyouagain，Helen，but"—hemadenoefforttolowerhisvoice，"theworld—ourworldwillsoonknowwhatmannerofmanJamesTurnbullwas，ofthatIamdetermined。"
"AndI"—Helenfacedherfatherproudly—"Iwillleavenostoneunturnedtodefendhismemory。"
Herfatherwheeledabout。"Indoingso，seethatyoudonotcompromiseyourself，"heremarkedcoldly，andbeforetheinfuriatedgirlcouldanswer，heslammedthedoorshutandstalkeddownstairs。
SomehalfhourlaterheopenedthedoorofRochesterandKent’slawofficeandwouldhavewalkedunceremoniouslyintoKent’sprivateofficehadnotJohnSylvestersteppedforwardfrombehindhisdeskinthecorner。
"Goodmorning，Colonel，"hesaidcivilly。"Mr。Kentisnothere。
Doyouwishtoleaveanymessage？"
"Oh，goodmorning，Sylvester，"McIntyre’smannerwasbrusque。"WhendoyouexpectMr。Kent？"
"Inabouttwentyminutes，Colonel。"Sylvesterglancedatthewallclock。"Won’tyousitdown？"
McIntyretookthechairandplanteditbythewindow。Neveraverypatientman，hewaitedforKentwithincreasingirritation，andattheendofhalfanhourhistemperwasuppermost。"Givemesomethingtowritewith，"hedemandedofSylvester。Acceptingtheclerk’sfountainpenwithoutthanks，hewalkedovertothecentertableand，drawingouthisleatherwallet，tookfromitavisitingcardand，stoopingover，wroteYouhavebutthirty—sixhoursremaining。
McIntyre。
"SeethatMr。Kentgetsthiscard，"hedirected。"No，don’tputitthere，"irascibly，astheclerklaidthecardontopofapileofletters。"TakeitintoMr。Kent’sofficeandputitonhisdesk。"
TherewasthataboutColonelMcIntyrewhichinspiredcompleteobediencetohiswishes，andSylvesterfollowedhisdirectionswithoutfurtherquestion。
AstheclerksteppedintoKent’sofficeMcIntyresawawomansittingbytheemptydesk。Sheturnedherheadonhearingfootstepsandtheirglancesmet。Afaintexclamationbrokefromher。
"Margaret！"McIntyrestrodepastSylvester。"Whatareyoudoinghere？"
Mrs。Brewster’sreadylaughhidallsignofembarrassment。"Mustyouknow？"sheaskedarchly。"ThatishardlyfairtoBarbara。"
"SoBarbarasentyouherewithamessage！"Mrs。Brewstertreatedhisremarkasastatementandnotaquestion，andbrisklychangedthesubject。
"Ican’twaitanylonger，"shepouted。"PleasetellMr。KentthatIamsorrynottohaveseenhim。"
"Iwill，madam。"SylvesterplacedMcIntyre’scardinthecenterofKent’sdeskandflewtoopenthedoorforMrs。Brewster。
Asthewidowsteppedintothecorridorshebrushedbyanover—dressedwoman，whosecheapfinerygaveclearindicationofhertastes。Hardlynoticinganother’spresencesheturnedandtookMcIntyre’sarmandtheystrolledofftogether，hersoftlaughfloatingbacktowhereMrs。Sylvesterstoodtalkingtoherhusband。
CHAPTERXIII
THEFACEATTHEWINDOW
HarryKentrangthedoorbellattheMcIntyreresidenceforthefifthtime，andwonderedwhathadbecomeofthefaithfulGrimes;thebutlerwasusuallythesoulofpromptness，andtokeepacallerwaitingonthedoorstepwould，inhiscategory，rankastheheightofimpropriety。AsKentagainraisedhishandtowardthebell，thedoorswungopensuddenlyandBarbarabeckonedtohimtocomeinside。
"Thebellisoutoforder，"sheexplained。"Isawyoufromthewindow。Hurry，andGrimeswon’tknowthatyouarehere，"andshedartedaheadofhimintothereceptionroom。Kentfollowedmoreslowly;hewashurtthatshehadhadnoothergreetingforhim。
"Babs，aren’tyougladtoseeme？"heaskedwistfully。
Foraninstanthereyeswerelightedbyheroldsunnysmile。
"YouknowIam，"shewhisperedsoftly。Ashisarmsclosedaroundherandtheirlipsmetinatenderkisssheaddedfervently，"Oh，Harry，whydidn’tyoumakememarryyouinthehappybygonedays？"
"Iaskedyouoftenenough，"hedeclared。
"WillyougowithmetoRockvilleatonce？"Herfacechangedandshedrewbackfromhim。"No，"shesaid。"Itisselfishofmetothinkofmyownhappinessnow。"
"Howaboutmine？"demandedKentwithwarmth。"Ifyouwon’tconsideryourself，considerme。"
"Ido。"Shelookedoutofthewindowtoconcealsuddenblindingtears。TherewasahintofhiddentragedyinherlovelyfacewhichwenttoKent’sheart。
"Sweetheart，"hisvoicewasverytender，"istherenothingIcandoforyou？"
"Nothing，"sheshookherheaddrearily。"Thisfamilymust’dreeitsweir。’
Kentstudiedherinsilence;thatshewasindeadlyearnestherecognized，shewasnohystericalfoolorgiventosentimentaltwaddle。
"YoucametomeonWednesdaytoaskmyaidinsolvingJimmieTurnbull’sdeath，"hesaid。"Ihavelearnedcertainfacts—"
Barbarasprangtoherfeet。"Wait，"shecautioned。"Letmeclosethedoor。Now，goon—"withhercustomaryimpetuosityshereseatedherself。
"BeforeIdoso，Imusttellyou，Babs，thatIrecognizedthefraudyouandHelenperpetratedatthecoroner’sinquestyesterdayafternoon。"
"Fraud？"
"Yes，"quietly。"IamawarethatyouimpersonatedHelenonthewitnessstandandviceversa。Youtookafrightfulrisk。"
"Idon’tseewhy，"sheprotested。"InmytestimonyItoldnothingbutthetruth。"
"IneverdoubtedyoutoldthetruthregardingtheeventsofMondaynightasyousawthem，butthecoroner’squestionswereputtoyouundertheimpressionthatyouwereHelen。"Kentscrutinizedherkeenly。"WouldHelenhavebeenabletogivethesameanswersthatyoudidwithoutperjuringherself？"
Barbarastartedandherfacepaled。"AreyouinsinuatingthatHelenkilledJimmie？"shecried。
"No，"hisemphaticdenialwasprompt。"ButIdobelievethatsheknowsmoreofwhattranspiredMondaynightthansheiswillingtoadmit。Isthatnotso，Barbara？"
"Yes，"sheacknowledgedreluctantly。
"DoessheknowwhopoisonedJimmie？"
"No—no！"Barbararestedafirmhandonhisshoulder。"IswearHelendoesnotknow。Youmustbelieveme，Harry。"
"Shemaynotknow，"Kentspokeslowly。"Butareyousureshedoesnotsuspectsomeone？"
"Well，whatifIdo？"askedHelenquietly，andKent，lookingaround，foundherstandingjustinsidethedoor。Herentrancehadbeennoiseless。
"Youshouldtelltheauthorities，Helen。"Kentroseasshepassedhimandselectedaseatwhichbroughtherfacesomewhatinshadow。
"Ifyoudonotyoumayretardjustice。"
"ButifIspeakImayinvolvetheinnocent，"sheretorted。"I—"
hereyesshiftedfromhimtoBarbaraandbackagain。"Icannotundertakethatresponsibility。"
"Betterthatthanlettheguiltyescapethroughyoursilence，"
protestedKent。"Possiblythetheoriesofthepolicemaycoincidewithyours。
"Whatarethey？"askedBarbaraimpetuously。
Kentconsideredbeforereplying。IfDetectiveFergusonhadgonesofarastosecureasearchwarranttogothroughRochester’sapartmentandofficeitwouldnotbelongbeforethefactofhisbeinga"suspect"wouldbecommonproperty;therecould，therefore，benoharminhisrepeatingFerguson’sconversationtothetwins。
Infact，astheirlegalrepresentative，theywereentitledtoknowthelatestdevelopmentsfromhim。
"DetectiveFergusonbelievesthatthepoisonwasadministeredbyPhilipRochester，"hesaidfinally，andwatchedtoseehowtheannouncementwouldaffectthem。Barbara’seyesopenedtotheirwidestextent，andbackinhercorner，intowhichshehadgraduallyedgedherchair，Helenemittedalong，longbreathashertautmusclesrelaxed。
"WhatmakesFergusonthinkPhilipguilty？"demandedBarbara。
"ItisknownthatheandJimmiewerenotongoodterms，"repliedKent。"ThenRochester’sdisappearanceafterJimmie’sdeathlendscolortothetheory。"
"HasPhilipreallydisappeared？"askedHelen。"Youshowedmeatelegram—"
"Apparentlythetelegramwasafake，"admittedKent。"TheClevelandpolicereportthatheisnotattheaddressgiveninthetelegram。"
"Butwhocouldhaveanobjectinsendingsuchatelegram？"askedBarbaraslowly。
"Rochester，inthehopeofthrowingthepoliceoffhistrack，ifhereallykilledJimmie。"KentlookedstraightatHelen。"ItwaswhilesearchingourofficesafefortraceofRochester’spresentaddressthatFergusonobtainedpossessionofyoursealedenvelope。"
Helenpluckednervouslyattheribbononhergown。"Didthedetectiveopentheenvelope"sheasked。
"No。"
"Areyousure？"
"Positive;theredsealwasunbroken。"
"Tellushowtheenvelopecametobestolenfromyou，"coaxedBarbara。
"WewereinthelittlesmokingporchoffthediningroomattheClubdeVingt。"Barbarasmiledherremembranceofit，andmotionedKenttocontinue。"FergusonhadjustputdowntheenvelopeonthetableandIstartedtopickitupwhencheeringinthediningroomdistractedmyattentionandI，withtheothers，wenttoseewhatitwasabout。WhenIreturnedtotheporchtheenvelopewasnolongeronthetable。"
"Whowerewithyou？"questionedHelen。
"Yourfather，Mrs。Brewster—"
"Ofcourse，"murmuredBarbara。"Goon，Harry。"
"DetectiveFergusonandBenGlymer，"Barbaramadeawryface，"and"
—wentonKent，notheedingher，"eachofthesepersonsdenyanyfurtherknowledgeoftheenvelope，excepttheydeclareitwaslyingonthetablewhenweallmadeadashforthediningroom。
"Whowasthelasttoleavetheporch？"askedHelen。
"BenClymer。"
"Andhesawnoonetaketheenvelope？"
"Hedeclaresthathehadhisbacktothetable，partofthetime，buttothebestofhisknowledgenoonetooktheenvelope。"
"Oneofthemmusthave，"insistedBarbara。
"Theenvelopehadn’tlegsorwings。"
"Oneofthemdidtakeit，"agreedKent。
"Butwhichoneisthequestion。Frankly，tofindtheanswer，Imustknowthecontentsoftheenvelope，Helen。"
"Why？"
"BecausethenIwillhavesomeideawhowouldbeenoughinterestedintheenvelopetostealit。"
Helenconsideredhimlongandthoughtfully。"Icannotansweryourquestion，"sheannouncedfinally。Shesawhisfaceharden，andhastenedtoexplain。"Notthroughanylackofconfidenceinyou，Harry，b—b—but，"shestumbledinherspeech。"I—Idonotknowwhattheenvelopecontains。"
Kentstaredatheropen—mouthed。"ThenwhorequestedyoutolocktheenvelopeinRochester’ssafe？"hedemanded，andreceivingnoreply，askedsuddenly："WasitRochester？"
"Iamnotatlibertytotellyou，"sheresponded;hermouthsetinobstinatelinesandbeforehecouldpresshisrequestasecondtime，sheasked："PhilipRochesterdefendedJimmieincourtwheneveryonethoughthimaburglar;whythen，shouldPhiliphavepickedhimouttoattack—heisnotahomicidalmaniac？"
"No，butthepolicecontendthatRochesterrecognizedJimmieinhismake—upanddecidedtokillhim;hopinghisdeathwouldbeattributedtoanginapectoris，andnopost—mortemheld，"woundupKent。
"Idontquiteunderstand"—Helenraisedherhandkerchieftoherforeheadandremovedadropofmoisture。"HowdidPhilipkillJimmiethereincourtbeforeusall？"
"FergusonbelievesthatheputthedoseofaconitineintheglassofwaterwhichJimmieaskedfor，"explainedKent，andwouldhavecontinuedhisremarks，butascreamfromBarbarastartledhim。
"There，lookatthewindow，"shecried。"Isawafacepeeringin。
Lookquick，Harry，look！"
Kentneedednosecondbidding，butalthoughhecranedhisheadfaroutsidetheopenwindowandgazedbothupanddownthestreetandalongthepathtothekitchendoor，hefailedtoseeanyone。"Wasitamanorwoman？"heasked，turningbacktotheroom。
"I—Icouldn’ttell;itwasjustaglimpse。"Barbarastoodrestingonehandonthetable，herweightleaninguponit。NotforwordswouldshehavehadKentknowthatherkneeswereshakingunderher。
"Didyouseetheface，Helen？"AsheputthequestionKentlookedaroundatthesilentgirlinthecorner;shehadslippedbackinherchairand，withclosedeyes，laywhite—lippedandlimp。WithaleapKentgainedhersideandhishandsoughtherpulse。
"Ringforbrandyandwater，"hedirectedasBarbaracametohisaid。
"Helenhasfainted。"
TwentyminuteslaterKenthastenedoutoftheMcIntyrehouseand，turningintoConnecticutAvenue，boardedastreetcarheadedsouth。
AftercarryingHelentothetwins’sittingroomhehadassistedBarbarainrevivingher。HehadwonderedatthetimewhyBarbarahadnotsummonedtheservants，thenconcludedthatneithersisterwishedascene。ThatHelenwasworsethanshewouldadmitheappreciated，andadvisedBarbaratosendforDr。Stone。Thewell—meantsuggestionhadapparentlyfallenondeafears，fornophysicianhadappearedduringthetimehewasinthehouse，norhadBarbarausedthetelephone，almostatherelbowasshesatbyhersister’scouch，tosummonDr。Stone。KenthadonlywaitedlongenoughtoconvincehimselfthatHelenwasoutofdanger，andthenhaddeparted。
Itwasnearlyoneo’clockwhenhefinallysteppedinsidehisoffice，andhefoundhisclerkandadressyfemalebendingeagerlyoveranewspaper。TheylookedupathisapproachandSylvestercameforward。
"Thisismywife，sir，"heexplained，andKentbowedcourteouslytoMrs。Sylvester。"WewerejustreadingthisaccountofMr。Rochester’sdisappearance;it’sdreadful，sir，tothinkthatthepolicebelievehimguiltyofMr。Turnbull’smurder。"
"Dreadful，indeed，"agreedKent;thenewshadbeenpublishedevensoonerthanhehadimagined。"Whatpaperisthat？"
"ThenooneditionoftheTimes。"Sylvesterhandedittohim。
"Thanks，"Kentflungdownhishatandspreadopenthepaper。"Whohavebeenhereto—day？"
"ColonelMcIntyre，sir;heleftacardforyou。"SylvesterhurriedintoKent’soffice，toreturnamomentlaterwithavisitingcard。
"Heleftthis，sir，foryouwithmostparticulardirectionsthatitbehandedtoyouatonceonyourarrival。"
Kentreadthecurtmessageonthecardwithoutcommentandtorethepaste—boardintotinybits。
"Anyoneelsebeeninthismorning？"heasked。
"Yes，sir。"Sylvesterconsultedawrittenmemorandum。"Mr。Blackcalled，alsoColonelThorne，SenatorHarris，andMrs。Brewster。"
"Mrs。Brewster！"ThenewspaperslippedfromKent’sfingersinhisastonishment。"Whatdidshewanthere？"
"Toseeyou，sir，soshesaid，butshefirstaskedforMr。
Rochester，"explainedSylvester，stoopingovertopickuptheinsidesheetoftheTimeswhichhadseparatedfromtheothers。"I
toldherthatMr。RochesterwasunavoidablydetainedinCleveland;
thenshesaidshewouldconsultyouandIletherwaitinyourofficeforthegoodpartofanhour。"
Kentthoughtamomentthenwalkedtowardhisdoor;onitsthresholdhepaused，struckbyasuddenidea。
"DidColonelMcIntyrecomewithMrs。Brewster？"heasked。
"No，Mr。Kent;hecameinwhileshewashere。"
"Andtheywentofftogether，"volunteeredMrs。Sylvester，whohadbeenasilentlistenertotheirconversation。Kentstarted;hehadforgottenthewoman。"Excuseme，Mr。Kent，"shecontinued，andsteppedtowardhim。"Ipresume，likely，thatyouareveryinterestedinthischargeofmurderagainstyourpartner，Mr。Rochester。"
"Iam，"affirmedKent，asMrs。Sylvesterpaused。
"Iamtoo，sir，"sheconfidedtohim。"CauseyouseeIwasinthecourtroomwhenMr。TurnbulldiedandI’mnaturallyinterested。"
"Naturally，"agreedKentwithacommiseratingglanceathisclerk;
thelatter’swifethreatenedtobeloquacious，andhejudgedfromherlooksthatitwasahabitwhichhadgrownwiththeyears。Asageneralruleheabhorredtalkativewomen，but—"AndwhattookyoutothepolicecourtonTuesdaymorning？"
"Why，meandMr。Sylvesterhaveourlittledifferenceslikeothermarriedcouples，"sheexplained。"AndsometimesweasktheCourttosettlethem。"ShecaughtKent’slookofimpatienceandhurriedherspeech。"Theburglarcasecameonjustafterourswasremanded，andseeingtheMcIntyretwins，whomI’veoftenreadabout，IjustthoughtI’dstay。Letmehavethatpaperaminute。"
"Certainly，"KentgaveherthenewspaperandsheranherfingerdownthecolumnsdevotedtotheTurnbullcasewithaslownessthatsethisalreadyexcitednervesonedge。
"Here’swhatI’mlookingfor，"sheexclaimedtriumphantly，aminutelater，andpointedtotheparagraph：
"Mrs。MargaretPerryBrewster，thefascinatingwidow，addednothingmaterialtothecaseinhertestimony，andshewasquicklyexcused，afterstatingthatshewastoldaboutthetragedybytheMcIntyretwinsupontheirreturnfromthePoliceCourt。"
"Wellwhatofit？"askedKent。
"Onlythis，Mr。Kent;"Mrs。Sylvesterenjoyednothingsomuchastalkingtoagoodlookingman，especiallyinthepresenceofherhusband，andshecouldnotrefrainfromatriumphantlookathimasshewentonwithherremarks。"TherewasafemalesittingonthebenchnexttomeinCourt;infact，sheandIweretheonlywomenonthatside，andIkindernoticedheronthataccount，andthenIsawshewasalldoneupinveils—Icouldn’tseeherface。
"Icaughtherpeeringthiswayandthatduringtheburglar’shearing;Idon’treckonshecouldseewellthroughalltheveils。
Now，don’tgetimpatient，Mr。Kent;I’mgettingtomypoint—thatwomansittingnexttomeinthepolicecourtwasthewidowBrewster。"
"What！"Kentlaughedunbelievingly。"Oh，come，youaremistaken。"
"Iamnot，sir。"Mrs。Sylvesterspokewithconviction。"Now，whydoesMrs。Brewsterdeclareatthecoroner’sinquestthatsheonlyheardoftheTurnbulltragedyfromtheMcIntyretwinsontheirreturnhome？"
"Youmustbemistaken，"arguedKent。
"Why，youadmityourselfthatthewomanwassoswathedinveilsthatyoucouldnotseeherface。"
"No，butIheardherlaughincourt，"Mrs。SylvesterspokeindeepearnestnessandKentplacedfaithinherstatementinspiteofhisoutwardskepticism。"AndIheardherlaughinthiscorridorthismorningandIplacedherasthesamewoman。IaskedMr。Sylvesterwhoshewas，andhetoldme。I’dbeenreadingthisaccountoftheTurnbullinquest，andIrecollectedseeingMrs。Brewster’sname，andmyhusbandandIwerejustreadingtheaccountoverwhenyoucamein。"
KentgazedinperplexityatMrs。Sylvester。"WhydidMrs。Brewsterlaughinthepolicecourt？"heasked。
"WhenDr。Stoneexclaimedtothedeputymarshal—’Yourprisonerappearsill！’"declaredMrs。Sylvester;sheenjoyedthedramatic，andthatKentwashangingonherwordsshewasfullyaware，inspiteofhisexpressionlessface。"Dr。StoneliftedtheburglarinhisarmsandthenMrs。Brewsterlaughedasshelaughedinthecorridorto—day—asoftgurglinglaugh。"
CHAPTERXIV
PAYCASH
ItwastherushhourattheMetropolisTrustCompanyandthebusypayingtellercountedoutsilverandgoldandtreasurynotesofvaryingdenominationswiththemechanicalprecisionandexactnesswhichexperiencegives。Suddenlyhishandstoppedmidwaytowardthemoneydrawer，hisattentionarrestedbythesignatureonacheck。
Aswiftglanceupwardshowedhimagirl’sfaceatthegrilleofthewindow。Therewasaninstant’spause，thensheaddressedhim。
"Dohurry，Mr。McDonald;fatheriswaitingforme。"
"Pardonme，MissMcIntyre。"Hestampedthecheckandlaidittooneside。"howdoyouwantthemoney？"
"Oh，Iforgot。"Sheglancedatamemorandumonthebackofanenvelope。"Mrs。Brewsterwishestentens，fivetwenties，andtenones。
Thankyou，goodafternoon，"andcountingoverthemoneyshethrustitinsideherbagandhurriedaway。
ShehadbeengoneabarefiveminuteswhenKentreachedthewindowandpushedseveralcheckstowardtheteller。
"IsMr。Clymerinhisoffice，McDonald？"heasked，placingthebanknotesgiven，himinhiswallet。
"I’mnotsure。"Thetellerglancedaroundattheclock;thehandsstoodattenminutesofthree。"It’sprettynearclosingtime，Kent;
still，hemaybethere。"
"I’llgoandsee，"andwithanodoffarewellKentturnedonhisheelandwalkedoffinthedirectionoftheofficeofthebankpresident。Onreachingtherehesaw，throughtheglasspartitionofthedoor，Clymerseatedinearnestconclavewithtwomen。
HappeningtoglanceupClymerrecognizedKentandbeckonedtohimtocomeinside。"YouknowTaylor，"hesaidbywayofintroduction。
"AndthisisMr。HardingofNewYork—Mr。Kent，"heturnedaroundinhisswivelchairtofacethethreemen。"Drawupachair，Kent;
wewerejustgoingovertoseeyou。
"Yes？"Kentlookedinquiringlyatthebankpresident，thegravityofhismannerbetokenedserioustidings。"Whatisit，Mr。Clymer？"
Clymerdidnotreplyatonce。"It’sthis，"hesaidfinally，withbluntdirectness。"Yourpartner，PhilipRochester，appearstobeabankrupt。HardingandTaylorcameinheretoattachhisprivatebankaccounttocoverindebtednesstotheirbusinessfirms。"
AnexclamationbrokefromKent。"Impossible！"hegasped。
"Iwouldhavesaidthesamethismorning，"declaredClymer。"ButoninvestigationIfindthatRochesterhasover—drawnhisaccounthereforalargeamountandborrowedheavily。ThefurtherIlookintohisfinancialaffairsthemoreinvolvedIfindthem。"
"But"—Kentwaswhite—lipped。"IknowforanabsolutefactthatRochesterwaspaidsomeexceedinglylargefeeslastweek，totalingoverfiftythousanddollars。"
"Hehasneverdepositedsuchasum，oranywherelikethatamountinthisbankeitherlastweekorthis，"statedClymer，runninghiseyesdownabankstatementwhich，withseveralpassbooks，layonhisdesk。
"Doeshecarryaccountsatotherbanks？"inquiredHarding。
"NotthatIcandiscover，"respondedTaylor。"IhavebeentoeverynationalandprivatebankinghouseinWashington，butalldenyhavinghimasadepositor。DidRochestereverbankoutoftown，Kent？"
"Nottomyknowledge。"Kentdrewoutabankbook。"Hereisthefirm’sbalance，Mr。Clymer;webankhere，youknow。"
"Yes。"Clymer’slookofanxietydeepened。
"DidyouseeMcDonaldasyoucamein？"
"Yes，hecashedsomechecksforme。"
"Yourpersonalchecks？"
"Yes。"KentlookedquestioninglyatClymer。Whatdoyoumean？"
"Onlythis;thatallmoneysdepositedhereinthefirmnameofRochesterandKenthavebeendrawnout。"
"That’snotpossible！"Kentstartedup。
"ChecksonthataccountmustbearbothRochester’ssignatureandmine。"
"Checksbearingbothsignatureshavebeenpresentedforthetotalsumdepositedtoyourcredit，"statedClymerandhepickedupfourcanceledchecks。"Seeforyourself。"
Kentstaredatthechecksindumbfoundedsilence;thencarryingthemtothelightheexaminedthemwithminutecarebeforebringingthembacktothebankpresident。
"ThisisthefirstIhaveheardofthesetransactions，"hesaid。
"Youmean—"
"Thatthesignaturesarecleverforgeries。"Hisstatementwasheardwithgravity。TaylorexchangedameaninglookwiththeNewYorker。
"Youmeanyoursignatureisaforgery，"hesuggested。"Rochesterhadapeculiargiftofpenmanship。"
Kentsprangup。"DoyouaccusePhilipRochesterofsigningthesechecksandinsertingmynametothem？"
"Ido，"calmly。"Iamnotfamiliarwithyoursignature，Kent，butthatRochesterwrotethebodyofthosefourchecksandputhisownsignatureatthebottomIwillsweartoinanycourtoflaw。Tomakethemvalidhehadtoaddyourname。"
"But，d—mnit，man！"Kentstaredinbewildermentathisthreecompanions。"Rochesterwashonorableandstraight—forward—"
"Andaddictedtodrink，"putinHarding。"Butnotaforger，"
retortedKentfirmly。Harding’sonlyrejoinderwasaskepticalsmileasheturnedtoaddressClymer。
"SoRochesternotonlyhastakenhisownmoney，butwithdrawnthatbelongingtothefirmofRochesterandKentwithouttheknowledgeofhisjuniorpartner;itlooksblack，Mr。Clymer，"heremarked。
"Especiallywhentakeninconsiderationwithhisotherinvolvedfinancialtransactions。"
"WherewillwefindRochester，Kent？"askedTaylor，beforethebankpresidentcouldanswertheNewYorker。
Kentpausedinindecision。WhatreplycouldhemakewithoutfurtherinvolvingRochesterintrouble？HehadnotthefaintestideawhereRochesterwas，buttostatethathewasmissingcouldnotbutaddtothebeliefthathehadmadeawaywithallthemoneyhecouldlayhishandson。ThenooneditionoftheTimeshadhintedatRochester’sdisappearancebuthadstatedtheycouldnotgetthestatementconfirmedfromPoliceHeadquarters;
obviouslyHardingandTaylorhadnotseenthenewspaper。
Wasitjusttothemenbeforehimtokeeptheminthedark？Iftheirclaimsweretrue，andKentneverdoubtedthattheywere，theyhadalreadylostmoneythroughRochester’sextraordinarybehavior。
Kentturnedsickatthethoughtofhisownloss—hissavingssweptaway。WouldBarbarawaitforhim—wasitfairtoaskher？
Taylorbroketheprolongedsilence。