第7章

"ImetDetectiveFergusononmywayhere，"hestated。"HetoldmethatthepolicewerelookingforRochester。"

"What？"Hardinglookedup，startled。"Whydidn’tyouinformmeofthat？"

"Well，Ithoughtwe’dbetterhearfromMr。ClymerthetruestateofRochester’sfinances，"respondedTaylor。"Ineveranticipatedsuchfactsashehasgivenus。"

"ButifyouknewthepolicewereafterRochester—"objectedHarding。

Clymerbrokeintotheconversation;therewasaheavyfrownonhisusuallyplacidcountenance。"IjudgedfromDetectiveFerguson’sconfidencestous，Kent，attheClubdeVingtthathewaswantedbythepoliceinconnectionwiththeTurnbulltragedy，butthefactsbroughtoutthroughHarding’sactiontoattachRochester’sbankaccount，putsadifferentconstructiononRochester’sdisappearance。"

"WhathadRochestertodowithJimmieTurnbull？"questionedHarding，beforeKentcouldanswerClymer。

"Theylivedtogether，"herepliedshortly。

"Andonediesandtheotherdisappears，"Hardingwhistleddolefully。

"Wasn’tMr。Turnbullanofficialofthisbank，Mr。Clymer？"

"Yes，ourcashier。"

"Werehisaffairsinvolved？"

"Notintheleast，"Clymerspokewithemphasis。"Amosthonorablefellow，JimmieTurnbull;hismurderwasashockingaffair。"

"Havethepolicefoundanymotiveforthecrime，Kent？"askedTaylor。

"Ibelievenot。"

Harding，whohadbeenruminatinginsilence，leanedforward，hisexpressionalightwithasuddenidea。

"CoulditbethatTurnbullfoundoutthatRochesterwaspassingforgedchecks，andRochesterinsuredhissilencebyPoisoninghim？"

heasked。

ClymerandKentexchangedglances，asKent’sthoughtsrevertedtotheforgedletterpresentedbyTurnbulltothebank’streasurer，wherebyhehadbeengivenMcIntyre’svaluablenegotiablesecurities。

CoulditbethatRochesterhadwrittentheletter，givenittohisroom—mate，Turnbull，andthelatter，thinkingitgenuine，hadsecuredtheMcIntyresecuritiesandhandedthemovertoRochester？TheideatookKent’sbreathaway;andyet，themorehecontemplatedit，themorefeasibleitappeared。

"What’sthedateonthosechecks？"demandedKent。

"Tuesdayofthisweek—thedayJimmieTurnbulldied。"Clymerturnedthemover。"Theyaredrawnpayabletocash，andbearnoendorsement，whichshowsRochestermusthavepresentedthemhimself。"

HardingandTaylorglancedsignificantlyateachother，butneitherspoke。SuddenlyKentpushedbackhischairandrosewithoutceremony。

"Don’tgo，Kent。"Clymertookupsomepapers。"There’samatter—"

"Itwillkeep。"Kent’smouthwassetanddetermined。"IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatallRochester’shonestdebtswillbepaidbythefirmifnecessary;Iwillobligatemyselftothatextent，"hepaused。"Asforyoufellows，"turningtoHardingandTaylorwhohadalsorisen。"Givemetwenty—fourhours—"

"Whatfor？"theychorused。

"To1ocatePhilipRochester，"andwaitingfornoanswerKentboltedoutoftheoffice。

CHAPTERXV

WHENTHELIGHTFAILED

ThecitylightswerespringingupblockTafterblockalongPennsylvaniaAvenueasDetectiveFergusonleftthatbusythoroughfareandhurriedtotheSaratoga。Hesteppedinsidethelobbyoftheapartmenthouseafullminutebeforehisappointmentwithitsmanager，andwentatoncetolookhimup。BeforehecouldcarryouthispurposehewasjoinedbyHarryKent。

"Finleyhadtogoout，"thelatterexplained。

"ItoldhimIwouldgouptoRochester’sapartmentwithyou。"

Fergusonthoughtfullycaressedhisclean—shavenjawforasecond，thencametoarapiddecision。

"Leadtheway，sir，"hesaid。"I’llfollow。"KentfoundhimasilentcompanionwhileintheelevatorandwhenwalkingdownthecorridortoRochester’sapartment，butonceinsidethelivingroom，withtheouterdoortightlyclosed，Fergusontosseddownhishatandhiswholedemeanorchanged。

"Sitdown，Mr。Kent。"HeselectedachairnearRochester’sdeskforhimself，asKentfoundanother。"Let’sthrashthisthingout;

areyouworkingwithmeoragainstme？"

"Whydoyouask？"Kent’ssurpriseatthequestionwasevident。

"BecauseeverytimeIarrangetoexaminethisapartmentorinquireintoRochester’swhereaboutsyoushowup。"Ferguson’ssmalleyesweretryingtoout—stareKent，butthelatter’scleargazedidnotdropbeforehis。"AreyouaidingPhilipRochesterinhiseffortstoeludearrest？"

"Iamnot，"declaredKentemphatically。"Whatpromptsthequestion？"

"ThefactthatyouareRochester’spartner，"Fergusonpointedout;

hismannerwasstillstiff。"Itwouldbeonlynaturalforyoutohelphimdisappearoutoffriendship，or"—withasidelongglance—"fromadesiretohushupascandal。"

"OnthecontraryIwantRochesterfoundandeverybitofevidenceagainsthimsiftedoutandaired，"retortedKent。"Twoheadsarebetterthanone，Ferguson;letusworktogether。Rochestermustbelocatedwithinthenexttwenty—fourhours。"

Fergusondebatedamoment，butKent’sspeechaswellashismannerindicatedhissincerity，andthedetectiveshookoffhissuspicions。

"Haveyouhadanyfurthernewsofyourpartner？"heasked。

"No;thatis"—recallingthesceneinthebankearlythatafternoon—"nothingthatrelatestoRochester’spresentwhereabouts。Now，Ferguson，toputyourchargesagainstRochesterinconcreteform，youbelievethathewasinsanelyjealousofJimmieTurnbull，thatherecognizedhiminthePoliceCourtinhisburglardisguise，slippedadoseofaconitineinaglassofwaterwhichTurnbulldrank，andafterdeclaringthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，disappeared。Isthatallthecaseyouhaveagainsthim？"

"Atpresent，yes，"admittedthedetectivecautiously。

"Allcircumstantialevidence—"

"Butitwillholdincourt—"

"Ah，willit？"questionedKent。"There’sonebigflawinyourcase，Ferguson;thepoisonusedtokillTurnbull。"

"Aconitine？"

"Exactly。YourtheoryisthatRochesterslippedthepoisonintheglassofwateronrecognizingTurnbullinthepolicecourt;now，itisstretchingprobabilitytosupposethatRochester，astronghealthyman，wascarryingthatdrugaroundinhisvestpocket。"

Fergusonsatforwardinhischair，hiseyesglittering。"DoyoumeantosaythatyouthinkthemurderofTurnbullwaspremeditatedandnotcommittedonthespurofthemoment？"heasked。

"Thefactthataconitinewasusedconvincesmeofthat，"answeredKent。

Fergusonthoughtamoment。"Ifthatisthecase，"hesaid，grudgingly，"itsortofsquashesthechargeagainstPhilipRochester。"

"Itwouldseemto，"agreedKent。"ButeveryshredofevidenceI

findpointstoRochesterastheguiltyman。"

Fergusonedgedhischairforward。"Whathaveyoudiscovered？"hedemandedeagerly。

"This，"Kentspokewithincreasedearnestness。"ThatPhilipRochesterisapparentlyabankrupt，thathehasover—drawnhisprivateaccountattheMetropolisTrustCompany，andwithdrawnourpartnershipfundsfromthesamebank。"

"Yourpartnershipfunds！"echoedthedetective，eyeingKentsharply。

"Howdidyoucometolethimdothat？"

"IwasnotawarethathehaddonesountilMr。Clymertoldmeofthetransactionthisafternoon，"answeredKent。

"Youdidnotknow"—Fergusonlookedathimindawningcomprehension。

"YoumeanRochesterabscondedwiththefunds？"

"Someoneforgedmynametochecksdrawnonthefirm’saccount，"

Kentcontinued。"IunderstoodtheyweremadepayabletocashandpresentedbyRochesteronthedayofTurnbull’sdeath。"

Fergusonwhistledasaslightventtohisfeelings。"SoyoususpectRochesterofbeingaforger？"Kentmadenoreply，andheadded;

afteramoment’sdeliberation，"WhatbearinghasthisdiscoveryonTurnbull’sdeath，asidefromRochester’sneedoffundstomakeacleandisappearance？"

"IfitistruethatRochesterwasfinanciallyembarrassedandforgedchecksontheMetropolisTrustCompany，itestablishesanothermotiveforthekillingofTurnbull，"arguedKent。"Turnbullwascashierofthatbank。"

"Isee;hemayhavediscoveredtheforgeries—butholdon。"

Fergusoncheckedhisrapidspeech。"Whenweretheseforgedcheckspresentedatthebank？"

"Tuesdayafternoon。"

Ferguson’sfacefell。"Pshaw！man;thatwasafterTurnbull’sdeath—howcouldhedetecttheforgeries？"

Kentdidnotreplyatonce;instead，heglancedkeenlyaboutthelivingroom。Thedetectivehadonlyswitchedononeofthereadinglampsandthegreaterpartwasinshadow。Itwasapleasantandhome—likeroom，andKentwasconsciousofakeenerpangforthelossofJimmieTurnbullandthedisappearanceofPhilipRochester，ashegazedaround。Thelawyerandthebankcashierhadbeen，untilthatwinter，congenialcomrades，sharingtheirbusinesssuccessandtheirapartmentincompleteaccord;andnowashadowasblackasthatenvelopingtheunlightedapartmenthungovertheirgoodnames，threateningoneortheotherwiththechargeofforgeryandofmurder。Kentsighedandturnedbacktothesilentdetective。

"IcanbestansweryourquestionbytellingyouthatthedayafterJimmieTurnbulldiedMr。Clymersentforme，"hebegan。"IfoundColonelMcIntyrewithhimandwastoldthattheColonelhadlostvaluablesecuritiesleftatthebank。ThesesecuritieshadbeengivenbythetreasurerofthebanktoJimmieTurnbullwhenhepresentedaletterfromColonelMcIntyreinstructingthebanktosurrenderthesecuritiestoJimmie。"

"Well？"questionedFerguson。"Goon，sir。"

"Thatletterwasaforgery。"Kentsatbackandwatchedthedetective’srapidlychangingexpression。"AndnotracehasbeenfoundoftheColonel’ssecurities，lastknowntobeinthepossessionofTurnbull。"

"Greatheavens！"ejaculatedFerguson。

"Whichwastheforger—TurnbullorRochester？"

Kentshookapuzzledhead。"Thatisforustodiscover，"hesaidsoberly。"ColonelMcIntyrecontendsthatTurnbullforgedtheletterandstolethesecurities，thenfearinghisguiltwouldbecomeknown，committedstillanothercrime—thatofsuicide，hecouldhaveswallowedadoseofaconitinewhileatthepolicecourt。"

"Well，I’llbe—blessed！"ejaculatedFerguson。"ButifhewastheforgerhowdoesthatsquarewithRochester’speculiarbehavior？

Thechecksbearingyourforgedsignatureswerepresented，mindyou，byRochesterafterTurnbull’sdeath？"

"Itdoesn’tsquare，"acknowledgedKentfrankly。"ThereisthistobesaidforTurnbull：hewasthesoulofhonor，hisaffairswerefoundtobeinexcellentcondition，hewasdrawingagoodsalary，hisinvestmentspayingwell—hedidnotneedtoacquiresecuritiesormoneybyresortingtoforgery。"

"WhereasPhilipRochesterwasonthepointofbankruptcy，"remarkedFerguson。"DoyousupposeheforgedColonelMcIntyre’sletterandgaveittoTurnbull，andthelattergotthesecuritiesfromthebanktreasurerandhandedthemovertoRochesteringoodfaith，supposinghisroom—matewouldgivethepaperstoColonelMcIntyre？"

Kentnoddedinagreement。"Itlooksthatwaytome，"hesaidgloomily。"PhilipRochesterstoodwellinthecommunity，hislawpracticeislargeandlucrative，andifithadnotbeenforhisperiodsofidlenessand—and"—hesitating—"passionforgoodliving，hewouldneverhaverunintodebt。"

"Buthegotthere。"Ferguson’slaughwascontemptuous。"A

desperatemanwilldoanything，Mr。Kent。"

"Iknow，"Kentlookeddubious。"Iwouldbelievehimguiltyifitwerenotfortheuseofaconitine—thatshowspremeditationonthepartofthemurderer。"

"Andwhyshouldn’tRochesterplanTurnbull’smurderaheadofthesceneinthepolicecourt？"arguedFerguson。"Wasn’thelivingindeadlyfearofexposure？Ifhedidnotcommitthemurder，whydidherunaway？Andifheisinnocent，whydoesn’thecomeforwardandproveit？"

"Hemaynotknowthatheissuspectedofthecrime，"retortedKent，rising。"ItisforustofindRochester，andIsuggestthatwesearchthisapartmentthoroughly。"

"Ihavealreadydoneso，"objectedFerguson。"Andtherewasn’tthefaintestclewtohishidingplace。"

"ForallthatIamnotsatisfied。"Kentwalkedoverandswitchedonanotherlight。"WhenIcamehereonWednesdaynightIhadatusslewithsomeman，butheescapedinthedarkwithoutmyseeinghim。IbelievehewasRochester。"

"Youareprobablyright。"Fergusoncrossedtheroom。"Andifhecamebackonce，hemayreturnagain。Comeahead，"andheplungedintothefirstbedroom。Thetwomensubjectedeachroomtoanexhaustivesearch，buttheirlaborsweretheironlyreward;exceptforanaccumulationofdust，theapartmentwasundisturbed。Theyhadreachedthekitchenette—pantrywhenthegongovertheirheadssoundedloudly，andKent，withamutteredexclamationhastenedtowardthefrontdooroftheapartment。Ferguson，intentonstudyingthe"L"ofthebuildingasseenfromthewindow，washardlyconsciousofhisdeparture，andsomesecondselapsedbeforeheturnedtowardthedoor。Ashegainedit，hesawadarkshapedartdownthehall。WithaboundFergusonstartedinpursuit，andthenextsecondgrappledwiththeflyingmanjustastheelectriclightswentoutandtheywereplungedindarkness。

SuddenlyKent’svoiceechoeddownthehall。"Comeherequick，Ferguson！"

Therewasanoteofurgencyabouthisappeal，andFergusonstraininghismusclesuntilthebloodpoundedinhistemples，threwthestrugglingmanintoatuftedarm—chairwhichstoodbytheentrancetothesmalldiningroom，anddrawingouthishandcuffs，slippedthemonsecurely。"Staythere，"Fergusonadmonishedhisprisoner。

"Ortherewillbeworsecomingtoyou，"andhethrustthemuzzleofhisrevolveragainsttheman’sheavingchesttoillustratehismeaning;thenasKentcalledagain，hespeddownthehallandbroughtupbreathlessatthefrontdoor。Thelightwasstillburninginthecorridor，thoughnotverybrightly，andhesawKenthandthegrinningmessengerboyashinyquarter。Touchinghisbatteredcaptheboywentwhistlingaway。"TelltheelevatorboytoreportthatafusehasburnedoutinMr。Rochester’sapartment，"

Fergusoncalledafterhim，andtheladwavedhishandashedashedintotheelevator。

Payingnoattentiontothedetective’scall，Kentshowedhimawhiteenvelopewhichborethesimpleaddress：

PHILIPROCHESTER，ESQ。

THESARATOGA

"It’stheidenticalenvelopeIfoundinyoursafe，"declaredFerguson。

"AndwhichdisappearedlastnightattheClubdeVingt。"Kentturnedovertheenvelope。"See，theredseal。"

Foraminutethemencontemplatedthesealwiththelargedistinctiveletter"B"inthecenter。

"Opentheletter，sir，"FergusonurgedandKent，hisfingersfairlytrembling，jerkedandtoreatthelinenincasedenvelope;theflaprippedawayandheopenedtheenvelope—itwasempty。

Instinctivelythetwomenglanceddownattheparquetryflooring;

nothingbutathincoatingofdustlaythere，andKentlookedupanddownthecorridor;itwasdeserted。

"Doyourecognizethehandwriting？"askedFerguson。

"No。"Kentregardedtheenvelopeinbewilderment。"Whatshallwedo？"

"Do？CalluptheDimeMessengerServiceandseewheretheenvelopecamefrom;butfirstcomeandseemyprisoner。

"Yourprisoner？"inprofoundastonishment。

"Yes。Icaughthimchasingupthehallafteryou，"explainedFergusonastheyhurriedlyretracedtheirsteps。"Iputhandcuffsonhimandthenwenttoyou。Ah，here’sthelight！"

"Thelight，yes;butwhere’syourprisoner？"andKent，whowasatrifleinadvanceofhiscompanioninreachingthediningroom，stoodasidetoletFergusonpasshim。

Thedetectivehaltedabruptly。Thechairintowhichhehadthrusthisprisonerwasvacant。Themanhaddisappeared。

WithoneaccordFergusonandKentadvancedclosetothechair，andanoathbrokefrom。thedetective。Onthecushionofthechair，stillbearingtheimpressofahumanbody，layapairofshiningnewhandcuffs。

DazedlyFergusonstoopedoverandexaminedthem。Theywerestillsecurelylocked。WheelingaroundKentdashedthroughthedoortohisrightandFerguson，collectinghiswits，searchedtherestoftheapartmentwithminutecare。FiveminuteslaterhecamefacetofacewithKentinthelivingroom。"Notatraceofanykind，"

declaredKent。"It’sthesameastheothernight;theman’sgone。

It’s—it’spositivelyuncanny。"

Ferguson’sfacewasredfrommortificationandhisexertionscombined。

"Thefellowmusthaveslippedfromtheroombythatotherdoorandoutthroughthelivingroomaswecamedownthehail，"hesaid。

"Didyoushutthedooroftheapartment，Mr。Kent，beforecomingdownheretolookattheprisoner？"

"Yes。"Kentledthewaybacktothediningroom。"Didyourecognizetheman，Ferguson？"

"No。"Thedetectivesworesoftlyashestaredabouttheroom。

"ThelightswentoutjustasItackledhim。"

"Itwasbeastlyluckthatthefuseburnedoutatthatsecond，"

groanedKent。"Fortunewaswithhiminthat;buthowdidthemangetfreeofthehandcuffs？"pointingtothemstilllyinginthechair。"Wecan’tattributethattoluck，unless"—staringkeenlyatFerguson—"unlessyoudidnotsnapthemontheman’swrists，afterall。"

"Idid;Iswearit，"declaredFerguson。"I’mnonoviceatthatbusiness。Here，don’ttouchthem，Mr。Kent，"ashiscompanionbenttowardthechair。"Theremaybefingermarksonthesteel;ifso"

—hedrewouthishandkerchief，andtakingcarenottohandletheburnishedmetal，hefoldedthehandcuffscarefullyinitandputtheminhiscoatpocket。"There’snouselingeringhere，Mr。Kent;

thisapartmentisvacantnowexceptforus。ImustgettoHeadquarters。"

"Hadn’tyoubettertelephoneforanoperativeandstationhimhere？"

suggestedKent。

"Ididsowhileyouweresearchingthebackrooms，"repliedFerguson。

"There，"asthegongsounded。"That’sNelson，now。"

ButthepersonwhostoodintheoutercorridorwhentheyopenedthefrontdoorwasnotNelson，theoperative，butDr。Stone。

"CanIseeMr。Rochester？"heasked，thencatchingsightofKentstandingjustbackofthedetective，headded，"Hello，Kent;I

thoughtIheardsomeonewalkingaboutinherefrommyapartmentnextdoor，andconcludedRochesterhadreturned。CanIseehim？"

"N—no，"Kentspokeslowly，withaside—glanceatthesilentdetective。"Rochesterhasbeenhere—andleft。"

CHAPTERXVI

THECRIMSONOUTLINE

BarbaraMcIntyremadetheroundofthelibraryforthefifthtime，testingeachofthesevendoorsopeningintoittoseethattheyereclosedbehindtheirportieres，thensheturnedbacktohersister，whosatcross—loggedbeforeasmallsafe。

"Anyluck？"sheaskedInsteadofreplyingHelenremovedthekeyfromthelockofthesteeldoorandregardeditattentively。Thesafewasofanobsoletepatternandinplaceofthecustomarycombinationlock，wasopenedbymeansofakey，uniqueinappearance。

"Itiscertainlythekeywhichfathermislaidsixmonthsago，"shedeclared。"Grimesfounditjustafterfatherhadanewkeymadeandgaveittome。AndyetIcan’tgetthedooropen。"

"Letmetry。"Barbaracroucheddownbyhersisterandinsertedthekeyagaininthelock，buthereffortsmetwithnoresults，andafterfiveminutes’steadymanipulationshegaveuptheattempt。

"Iamafraiditisimpossible，"sheadmitted。"SeemstomeIhaveheardthatthelostkeywillnotopenasafeafteranewkeyhasbeensupplied。"

Helenroseslowlytoherfeet，stretchinghercrampedlimbscarefullyasshedidso，andsankdowninthenearestchair。Herattitudeindicateddejection。

"Thenwecan’tfindtheenvelope，"shemuttered。"Hurry，Babs，andclosetheouterdoor;fathermayreturnatanymoment。"

Barbaraobeyedtheinjunctionwithsuchalacritythatthedoor，concealingthespaceinthewallwherestoodthesafe，flewtowithabangandthetwinsjumpednervously。

"Takecare！"exclaimedHelensharply。"Doyouwishtoarousethehousehold？"

"Nodangerofthat。"ButBarbaraglancedapprehensivelyaboutthelibraryinspiteofherreassuringstatement。"Theservantsareeitheroutorupstairs，andMargaretBrewsteriswritinglettersinoursittingroom。"

"Hadn’tyoubettergoupstairsandjoinher？"Helensuggested。"Do，Babs，"ashersisterhesitated。"Icannotfeelsurethatshewillnotinterruptus。"

"Butmyjoiningherwon’tkeepMargaretupstairs，"objectedBarbara。

"No，butyoucancallandwarnmeifsheisonherwaydown，andthatwillgivemetimeto—tostraightenfather’spapers，"goingovertoalargecarvedtablelitteredwithmagazines，letters，andsilverornaments。Hersisterdidnotmove，andsheglancedatherwithanirritatedair，veryforeigntohercustomarymanner。

"Go，Barbara。"

ThecurtcommandbroughtastarefromBarbara，butitdidnotaccelerateherhaltingfootsteps;insteadshemovedwithevengreaterslownesstowardthehalldoor;heractivebraintormentedwithanunspokenandunansweredquestion。WhywasHelensoanxiousforherdeparture？ShehadacceptedherofferofassistanceinhersearchofthelibrarywithsuchmarkedreluctancethatBarbarahadmarveledatthetime，andnow……

"Areyouquitesure，Helen，thatfatherhadtheenvelopeinhispocketthismorning？"sheaskedforthethirdtimesincethesearchbegan。

"Hehadanenvelope—Icaughtaglimpseoftheredseal，"answeredHelen。"Then，justbeforedinnerhewasputtingsomepapersinthesafe。Oh，ifGrimeshadonlycomeinamomentsoonertoannouncedinner，Imighthavehadachancetolookinthesafebeforefatherclosedthedoor。"

WhateverreplyBarbaraintendedmakingwascheckedbytherattlingoftheknobofthehalldoor;itturnedslowly，thedooropenedand，pushingasidetheportieresdrawnacrosstheentrance，MargaretBrewsterglidedin。"Sogladtofindyou，"shecooed。"Butwhyhaveyoucloseduptheroomandturnedonallthelights？"

"Toseebetter，"retortedBarbarapromptlyasthewidow’seyesrovedaroundthelargeroom，takingsilentnoteofthedrawncurtainsandportieres，andthesomewhatdisarrangedfurniture。"Comeinside，Margaret，andhelpusinoursearch。"

"Forwhat？"Thewidowtriedtokeephertonenatural，butacertainshrillalertnesscreptintoitandBarbara，whowaswatchingherclosely，wasquicktodetectthechange。Helen’scoloralteredatthequestion，andsheobservedthewidow’sentrancewithveiledhostility。

"Formyseal，"Barbaraanswered。"Theonewiththebigletter’B。’

Haveyouseenit？"

"I？—No。"ThewidowtookachairuninvitednearHelen。"Youlooktired，Helendear;whydon’tyougotobed？"

"IcouldnotsleepifIdid。"Helenpassedanervousfingeracrosshereyes。"Butdon’tletmekeepyouandBabsup;itwon’ttakemelongtoarrangeto—morrow’smarketorderforGrimes。"

UnderpretenseofsearchingforpencilandpaperHelencontrivedtoseetheaddressofeveryletterlyingonthetable，buttheenvelopeshesought，withitsredseal，wasnotamongthem。Whenshelookedupagain，pencilandpaperinhand，shefoundMrs。Brewsterleaninglazilybackandregardingherfromunderhalf—closedlids。"Youareverylikeyourfather，Helen，"shecommentedsoftly。

Thegirlstiffened。"AmI？BabsandIaregenerallythoughttoresembleourmother。"

"Inappearance，yes;butImeanmannerisms—forinstance，thewayofholdingyourpencil，yourhandwriting，even，closelyresemblesyourfather’s。"Mrs。BrewsterpointedtothenotesHelenwasscribblingonthepaperandtoanopenletterbearingColonelMcIntyre’ssignatureatthebottomofthesheetlyingbesidethepadtoillustratehermeaning。"Thesearealmostidentical。"

"Youareacloseobserver。"Helencompletedhermemorandumandlaiditaside。"Whatbecameoffather？"

"HewenttoastagsupperattheWillard，"chimedinBarbara，stoppingheraimlesswalkaboutthelibrary。"Hesaidwewerenottowaitupforhim。"

Helenpushedbackherchairandrosewithsomeabruptness。

"IammoretiredthanIrealized，"sheremarkedandinvoluntarilystretchedherwearymuscles。"Come，Margaret，"layingapersuasivehandonthewidow’sshoulder。"BeatrumpandrubmyforeheadwithcologneasyouusedtodoabroadwhenIhadaheadache。Italwaysputmetosleepthen;and，oh，howIlongforsleepnow！"

TherewasinfinitepathosinhervoiceandMrs。Brewstersprangupandthrewherarmaboutherinreadysympathy。

"Youpoordarling！"sheexclaimed。"Letmeputyoutobed;Mammytaughtmetheartofsoothingfrayednerves。Comewithus，Babs，"

holdingoutherlefthandtoBarbara。Butthelatter，withadexteroustwist，slippedawayfromhertouch。

"Imuststayandstraightenthelibrary，"sheannounced。

Mrs。Brewster’sdelicatecolorhaddeepened。"Itwouldbeaswelltoopensomeofthedoors，"sheagreedcoldly。"Thelibrarylooksodd，nottosayfunereal，"sheglanceddownthespaciousroomandshiveredeversoslightly。"Do，Babs，putoutsomeofthelights;

theyareblinding。"

"Oh，I’llturnthemallout"—Barbarasoughttheelectricswitch。

"Butyourfather—"

"Noneedtoworryaboutfather;hecanfindhiswayaboutinthedarklikeacat，"respondedBarbarawithunabatedcheerfulness。

"Seemstome，Margaret，youandfatheraregettingmightychummythesedays。"

ThesuddendarknessintowhichBarbara’simpatientfingers，pressingagainsttheelectriclightbuttons，plungedthelibraryanditsoccupants，preventedherseeingthecuriousglancewhichMrs。

Brewstershotather。Helen，whohadlistenedtotheirchatterwithgrowingimpatience，lookedbackoverhershoulder。

"Hurry，Barbara，andcomeupstairs。Now，Margaret，"andshepilotedthewidowalongthehalltowardthestaircasewithoutgivingheranopportunitytoanswerBarbara’slastremark。Barbara，pausingonlylongenoughtopullbacktheportieresofthehalldoorandarrangethemastheyhungcustomarily，turnedtogoupstairsjustasGrimescamedownthehallfromthediningroomcarryingalargetraywithpitchersoficewaterandglasses。

"Ithoughtyouhadgonetoyourroom，Grimes，"sheremarked，asthebutlerwaitedrespectfullyforhertopasshim。

"I’vejustcomein，miss，andfoundMurrayhadleftthetrayinthediningroom，"explainedGrimeshurriedly。"Ihope，miss，I’llnotdisturbtheladiesbyknockingattheirdoorsnowwiththisicewater。"

"Oh，no，Mrs。BrewsterandMissHelenhaveonlyjustgoneupstairs。"

Barbarapausedinfrontofthebutlerandpouredoutaglassofwater。

"Ican’twait，Grimes，Iamtoothirsty。"

"Certainly，miss，that’sallright。"Grimescranedhisheadaroundandlookedupanddownthehail，thenleaningoverheplacedthetrayonaconvenienttableandsteppedclosetoBarbara。

"I’vebeenreadingthenewspapersverycarefully，miss，"hebegan，takingcaretokeephisvoicelowered。"EspeciallythatpartofMr。

Turnbull’sinquestwhichtellsaboutthepost—mortem。"

"Well，whatthen？"askedBarbaraquicklyasthebutlerpausedandagainglancedupanddownthehall。

"Justthis，miss，"hespokealmostinawhisper。"ThedoctorsdosaypoorMr。Turnbullwaspoisonedbyacca—aconitine，"stumblingovertheword。"It’sacuriousthing，miss，thatIbroughtsomeofthatverydrugintothishouselastSunday。"

"Youdid！"Barbara’sfreshyoungvoiceroseinastonishment。

"Hush，miss！"Thebutlerraisedbothhands。"Hush！"Heglancedcautiouslyaround，thencontinued。"ColonelMcIntyresentmetothedruggistwithaprescriptionfromDr。StoneforMrs。Brewsterwhenshehadromanticneuralgia。"

"Hadwhat？"Barbaralookedpuzzled，thengiggled，buthermirthquicklyalteredtoseriousnessatsightofthebutler’sexpression。

"Mrs。Brewsterhadatouchofrheumaticneuralgiathefirstofthemonth;doyourefertothat？"

"Yes，miss。"Grimesspokemorerapidly，butkepthisvoicelowered。

"ThedruggisttoldmewhatthepillswerewhenIexclaimedattheirsize—regularlittlepellets，nobiggerthanthat，"hedemonstratedthesizewiththetipofhislittlefinger，andwouldhaveaddedmorebutthegongoverthefrontdoorrangoutwithsuchsuddennessthatbothheandBarbarastartedviolently。

"Justamoment，miss，"andhehurriedtothefrontbell，toreturnafterabriefcolloquywithamessengerboy，bearingaletter。

"It’sforMrs。Brewster，miss，"heexplained，asBarbaraheldoutherhand。

"I’llgiveittoherandthisalso，"Barbaratooktheenvelopeandasmallicepitcherandglass。"Goodnight，Grimes。Oh，"shestoppedmidwayupthestaircaseandwaitedforthebutlertoovertakeher，"Grimes，towhomdidyougivetheaconitineonSunday？"

"Ididn’tgiveittonobody，miss。"Thebutlerwasatrifleshortofbreath;hisyearsdidnotpermithimtokeeppacewiththetwins。

"Iwasinagreathurryasthedruggistkeptmewaiting，andIhadtoserveteaatonce。"

"Butwhatdidyoudowiththeaconitinepills？"demandedBarbara。

"Ilefttheboxonthehailtable，miss—"

"Greatheavens！"Barbarastaredatthebutler，thenwithoutawordsheracedupthestaircaseanddisappearedthroughtheopendoorofMrs。Brewster’sbedroom。

Thelightfromthehallshonethroughthetransomanddoorwayinsufficientvolumetoclearlyindicatethedifferentpiecesoffurniture，andBarbaraputthepitcherandglassonthebedstandandlaidtheletterwhichGrimeshadgivenheronthedressingtable，thenwentslowlyintoherownbedroom。Shecouldhearvoices，whichsherecognizedasthoseofhersisterandMrs。Brewster，comingfromHelen’sbedroom，butabsorbedinherownthoughtssheundressedinthedarkandcreptintobedjustasMrs。Brewsterpasseddownthehallwayandenteredherownroom。Thewidowhadtakenoffhereveninggownandslippersanddonnedabecomingwrapperbeforeshediscoveredtheletterlyingonthedresser。

Drawingupachairshedroppedintoit，letdownherlongdarkhair，andsettledbackinluxuriantcomfortagainstthetuftedupholsterybeforesheranherwell—manicuredfingerundertheflapoftheenvelope。AslipofpaperfellintoherlapasshetookoutthecontentsoftheenvelopeandsheletitresttherewhilescanningthecloselytypewrittenlinesontheMetropolisTrustCompanystationery。

DearMrs。Brewster，sheread。Ourbankteller，Mr。McDonald，hasquestionedthegenuinenessofthesignatureontheinclosedcheck。

Animportantbusinessengagementpreventsmycallingto—night，butpleasestopatthebankearlyto—morrowmorning。

Ifeelthatyouwouldprefertohaveapersonalinvestigationmaderatherthanhaveusplacethematterinthehandsofthepolice。

Yoursfaithfully，BENJAMINA。CLYMER。

Thewidowreadthenoteanumberoftimes，thenbethinkingherself，shepickedupthecanceledcheckstilllyinginherlap，andturneditover。Longandintentlyshestudiedthesignature—thepeculiarlycharacteristicformationoftheletter"B"caughtandheldherattention。Asthesecondstickedthemselvesintominutesshesatimmovable，herfaceaswhiteasthehandonwhichshehadbowedherhead。

AcrossthehallHelenMcIntyretossedfromonesidetotheotherinhersoftbed;herrestlesslongingtogetupwasgrowingstrongerandstronger。WhileMrs。Brewster’sdeftfingersandthecoolingcolognehadstoppedthethrobbinginhertemples，theyhadbroughtonlytemporaryreliefintheirtrainandnotthesleepwhichHelencraved。

Shestrainedherearstodiscoverthetimebythetickingofherclock，buteitheritwasbetweenthehalforquartersofanhour，orithadstopped，fornochimessounded。Withagaspofexasperation，Helenflungbackthebedclothesandsatup。Switchingonthelightbythesideofherbedshehuntedforabook，butnotfindingany，shecontemplatedforashortspaceoftimeapairofrubber—heeledshoesjustshowingthemselvesundertheedgeofachair。

Withsuddendecisionsheleftthebedanddressedrapidly。Itwasnotuntilshehadputonherrubber—heeledshoesthatshepaused。

Herhesitation，however，wasbutbrief。Steppingtothebureau，shepulledoutalowerdrawerandrunningherhandinside，touchedaconcealedspring。Fromthecavitythusexposedshetookasmallautomaticpistol，andwithastealthyglanceabouther，creptfromtheroom。

Thelibraryhadbeenvacantfullyanhourwhenamouse，intentonmakingaraidonthecandywhichBarbarahadcarelesslyleftlyinglooseononeofthetables，pausedasafaintcreakingsoundbrokethestillness，thenasthenoiseincreased，themousescurriedbacktoitshole。Thenoiseresembledtheturningofrustyhingesandthesoftthudofonepieceofwoodstrikinganother。Therewasastrainedsilence，then，fromoutofthedarknessappearedatinystreamoflightdirectedfullonawhiteenvelopebearingalargeredseal。

Thenextinstanttheenvelopewaspluckedfromthehandholdingit，andafigurelaycrumpledonthefloorfromtheblowofadescendingweapon。

Itwascloselyapproachingoneo’clockinthemorningbeforeMrs。

Brewsterstirredfromhercomfortablebedroomchair。Takingupherelectrictorch，whichshekeptalwaysbythesideofherbed，shewalkedquicklydownthestaircaseandintothepitchdarklibrary。

Directinghertorch—lightsothatshesteeredasafecourseamongthechairsandtables，sheapproachedoneofthepiecesofcarvedVenetianfurnitureandreachedoutherhandtotouchatrap—door。

Asshelookedforthespringshewashorrifiedtoseeathinstreamofbloodoozingthroughthecarvinguntil，reachingtheletter"B，"itoutlinedthatinitialinsinisterred。

ScreamafterscreambrokefromMrs。Brewster。ShewasswayinguponherfeetbythetimeColonelMcIntyreandhisdaughterHelenreachedthelibrary。

"Margaret！Whatisit？"McIntyredemanded。"Calmyourself，mydarling。"

Thefrenziedwomanshookoffhissoothinghand。

"See，see！"shecriedandpointedwithhertorch。

"ShemeanstheVenetiancasket，"explainedHelen，whohadpausedbeforejoiningthemtoswitchonthelight。

ColonelMcIntyregazedinamazementatthepieceoffurniture;

thencatchingsightoftheblood—stain，heraisedthesmalltrap—doororpeephole，inthetopoftheoblongboxwhichstoodbreasthigh，supportedonabeautifullycarvedbase。

Therewasabreathlesspause;thenMcIntyreunceremoniouslyjerkedtheelectrictorchfromMrs。Brewster’snervousfingersandturneditsraysoftheinteriorofthecasket。Stretchedatfulllengthlaythefigureofaman，andfromawoundinhistempleflowedasteadystreamofblood。

"GoodGod！"McIntyrestaggeredbackagainstHelen。"Grimes！"

CHAPTERXVII

AQUESTIONOFH0USE—BREAKING

ThegenialpresidentoftheMetropolisTrustCompanywaslate。

Mrs。Brewster，waitinginhiswell—appointedoffice，restrainedherill—temperonlybyanexertionofwill—power。Shedetestedbeingkeptwaiting，andthatmorningshehadmanyerrandstoattendtobeforetheluncheonhour。

"MayIuseyourtelephone？"sheaskedMr。Clymer’ssecretary，andtheyoungmanrosewithalacrityfromhisdesk。Mrs。Brewsterneverknewwhatitwastolackattention，evenherownsexwereknownonoccasionstogivehergownsand，（whatcaptiouscriticstermedher"frivolousconduct"）undividedattention。

"CanIlookupthenumberforyou？"thesecretaryaskedasMrs。

Brewstertookupthetelephonebookandfumbledforthegoldchainofherlorgnette。

"Oh，thankyou，"hersmileshowedeachprettydimple。"IwishtospeaktoMr。Kent，ofthefirmofRochesterandKent。"

"HarryKent？"Theyoungsecretarydroppedthebookwithoutlookingatit，andgaveanumbertotheoperator，andthenhandedtheinstrumenttoMrs。Brewster。

"Mr。Kentnotin，didyousay？"askedthewidow。"Whoisspeaking？

Ah，Mr。Sylvester—hasMr。Rochesterreturned？—Bothpartnersaway"……shepaused……"I’llcalllater—Mrs。Brewster，goodmorning。"

Mrs。Brewsterhungupthereceiverandturnedtothesecretary。