第9章

CHAPTERXIX

THEREDSEALAGAIN

HarryKentinsertedhiskeyinhisofficedoorwithmorevigorthangoodjudgment，andspentsomesecondsinre—adjustingitinthelock。Onceinsidetheofficeheputupthelatchandclosedthedoor。AglancearoundtheemptyofficeshowedhimthatSylvesterhadobeyedhistelephoneinstructionsandgoneouttoluncheon。

KentnotedwithsatisfactionasheputhishatandcaneinthecoatclosetthathehadovertwohoursbeforeMrs。Brewster’sexpectedarrival;ampletimeinwhichtoconsiderinquietudetheeventsofthepastfewdays，andplanforhisinterviewwiththeprettywidow。

HehadspentthetimebetweenRochester’ssuddenreappearanceandahastilyswallowedlunchatadowntowncaf，inarrangingbailforRochester。FergusonhadprovedobdurateandhadpersistedintakingthelawyertoPoliceHeadquarters。

Dr。Stonehadaccompaniedthetrio，andhistestimony，supportedbytwochemists，regardingthetimerequiredforaconitinepoisontoact，hadgonefartoweakenthedetective’scaseagainstRochester。

Rochester，toKent’sunboundedastonishment，hadappearedindifferenttothewholeproceedings;andtohispartner’surgentinquiriesastowherehehadspentthepastfourdays，andwhyhehaddisappeared，hehadreturnedoneinvariableanswer。

"I’llexplainingoodtime，Harry，"anditwasnotuntiltheywereleavingPoliceHeadquartersthathisapathyvanished。

"WhenareyoutoseeMrs。Brewster？"heasked。

"Shewillbeatourofficeatfouro’clock。Say，Phil"—butRochester，shakingoffhisdetaininghand，dartedacrossthestreetandsprangintoapassingtaxibearingthesign，"ForHire，"andthatwasthelastKenthadseenofhiselusivepartner。

Kentdroppedintohischairandglancedaskanceatthemailpiledinneatarrayonhisdesk;hewasnotinaframeofmindtohandleroutineofficebusiness。Otherclientswouldhavetowaituntillaterintheday。Amemorandumpad，bearingamessageinSylvester’sprecisepenmanshipattractedhiswanderingattentionandhepickeditup。

"Mr。Kent："heread。"ColonelMcIntyrecalledjustafterItalkedwithyouonthe’phone;hewaitedinyourofficeforhalfanhour，thenleft，statinghewouldcomeback。MissBarbaraMcIntyrecalledimmediatelyafterwards，butwouldnotwaitmorethanfiveminutes。

Mr。Clymercameasshewasgoingoutandleftanoteonyourdesk。

Iwillreturnsoon。

"SYLVESTER。"

Kentlaiddownthepadandpickedupatwistedthree—cornerednotebearinghisnameinpencil。Unfoldingit，hescannedthehurriedlywrittenlines：

"DearKent—McIntyretelephonedtherewerenewdevelopmentsintheTurnbullaffair。Willbebacklater。"Yours—

"B。A。CLYMER。"

KentjudgedfromtheuseofhisinitialsthatClymerwasstirredoutofhisordinarycalm，nothingelseexplainedhisfailuretosignhisfullname，andhewonderedwhatconfidencesMcIntyrehadmadetothebankpresident。

Tossingdownthenote，Kentlightedhispipe，tiltedbackinhisswivelchair，andreviewedthefactswhichimplicatedRochesterinJimmieTurnbull’smurder。Rochester’squarrelswithJimmie，hispersistentassertionthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，hisunexplaineddisappearanceonTuesdaynight，thefaketelegramfromClevelandstatinghewasthere，thewithdrawalofhisbankdeposits，theforgedchecks，hismysteriousvisitstohisownapartment，whenconsideredtogether，presentedachainofcircumstantialevidenceconnectinghimwiththecrime。ButinthelightofDr。Stone’stestimony，thepoison"couldnothavebeenadministeredintheglassofwaterRochesterhadgivenJimmieinthepolicecourt。

Fourhoursatleasthadtoelapsebeforethefataldoseofaconitinecouldtakeeffect—fourhours！Kenttoldthemoffonhisfingers;

itplacedthecrimeintheMcIntyrehouse。WhichoneofitsinmatesadministeredthepoisontoJimmieandhowhaditbeendone？Whatmotivehadpromptedthecashier’smurder？

Itwaspreposteroustothinkthateitherofthetwinswasguiltyofthecrime。Helen’sdevotiontoJimmie，herinsistenceuponanautopsybeingheldindicatedherinnocence。Shehadstatedattheinquestthatshehadnotknowntheburglar’sidentity;Kentpausedasthethoughtoccurredtohim—thetwinshadswappedidentitiesonthewitnessstand，andthereforeHelenhadnotbeencalledupontoanswerthatquestion！TothebestofhisrecollectionshehadonlybeenaskedifshehadrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroomandnotatherhome。ButHelenitwaswhohadsummonedOfficerO’Ryanondiscoveringtheburglarandhadhimarrested。Shesurelywouldneverhavedonesohadsheguessedhisidentity。

AsforBarbaraMcIntyre—Kent’sheartbeatfasteratthoughtofthegirlhelovedsowell。Circumstantialevidencehadseemedforatimetoinvolveherinthecrime。Grimes’outrageousinsinuationthathehadbeenassaultedonaccountofconfidingtoherthattheboxofaconitinepillshadbeenleftonthehalltablewhereanyonecouldgetthem，wastheoutcomeofhisbatteredcondition。Whenphysicalstrengthreturned，thebutlerwouldforgethishallucinations。Thehandkerchiefwithitsembroideredletter"B，"

usedbyJimmietoinhalethefumesfromhisamylnitritecapsules，wasfinallytracedtoitsrightfulowner—Mrs。Brewster。

AndMrs。Brewsterwasdueinhisofficewithinaveryshorttime。

Kent’ssquarejawbecamemorepronounced;sheshouldnotleaveuntilshehadeitherconfessedherconnectionwithTurnbull’sdeath，orestablishedherinnocence。SurelyitwouldbeeasyforMrs。

Brewstertodoso，but—aconitinehadbeenprescribedforher;shewasfamiliarwiththepoison，shehaditathand，shewenttothepolicecourt，andkepthertripasecret，andshehadlaughedwhenJimmiewascarrieddyingfromthecourtroom。ButwhatmotivecouldhaveinspiredhertomurderJimmie？Washeanoldlover—Kent，unabletokeepquietanylonger，roseandpacedupanddowntheoffice，stoppingamomenttoglanceoutofthewindow。Ashepassedthesafehesawthedoorwasajar。Kentpausedabruptly。

Whohadopenedthesafe？

Crossingtotheouterofficehelookedaround;noonewasthere。

ItflashedintoKent’smindthathehadseenRochester’slighttopcoatandwalkingstickinthecoatclosetashehunguphishatonhisarrival，andheagainopenedtheclosetdoor。Thecoatandstickwerestillthere;soRochesterhadcometotheofficeimmediatelyafterleavinghim，andcarelesslyleftthesafeopen！Kentsmiledinspiteofhisvexation;theactwastypicalofhiseccentricpartner。

GoingbacktohisownofficeKentopenedthesafeandglancedinside。Thepigeonholesandcompartmentsappeareduntouched，exceptthedoorofonesmallcompartmentonRochester’sside。Anenvelopewaswedgedinsuchamannerthatthesmalldoorwouldnotshutandthathadpreventedtheclosingoftheoutersafedoor。

Kent，preparatorytoshuttingthesafe，drewouttheenvelopeintendingtoplaceitinanotherpigeon—holewheretherewasmoreroom。AsheturnedtheenvelopeoverhewasthunderstrucktorecognizeitastheonewhichHelenMcIntyrehadplacedinthesafeonWednesdaymorning。HehadlastseentheenvelopelyingonthetableinthesmokingporchoftheClubdeVingt，fromwhenceithadmysteriouslydisappeared，andnowitwasbackagaininRochester’ssafe！

Haditeverbeenmissingfromthesafe？ThequestionforceditselfonKentashereturnedtohischair，envelopeinhand，andsatdownbeforehisdesk。HehadacceptedDetectiveFerguson’sstatementthathehadremovedtheenvelopefromthesafe，andthereforehadneverlookedinthecompartmentwhereHelenhadputittoverifyitsdisappearance。

Fergusonhadremovedit，Kentconcludedasheexaminedtheenvelopewithmorecare;itwastheidenticalone，unaddressed，withthesameredsealholdingdowntheflap。Thesameredseal，butwithadifference—acornerwasmissing。

Kentstaredatthesealforamomentindoubt，thenhisfingerssoughthisvestpocketandfumbledaboutforaminute。TakingoutMrs。Brewster’scheck，helaiditonthedeskalongsidetheenvelope，unfoldedit，andpickedoutapieceofredsealingwaxwhichhadslidinsidethecheck。Kentplacedtheredwaxonthebrokensectionoftheseal—itfittedexactly，formingaperfectletter"B。"

Kentsatindumbfoundedsilence，regardingtheredsealandtheenvelope。ThepieceofwaxbrokenofffromthesealhadcaughtonhiscoatsleevewhenhehadbeenintheVenetiancasketinthelibraryattheMcIntyrehouse。Itwasproofpositivethatnotonlyhehadbeeninthecasket，butthesealedenvelopealso。HelenMcIntyrehadlefttheenvelopeinhiscare。Mrs。BrewsterandColonelMcIntyrehadbothbeenpresentwhentheenvelopewasstolenfromhim。Whichofthemhadtakenit？WhichonehadafterwardssecreteditintheVenetiancasket？Andwhichhadbroughtitbacktothesafeinhisoffice？

ColonelMcIntyrehadbeeninhisofficewithinthehour—thequestionwasanswered，andKent’seyesbrightened，thenclouded—Barbarahadbeenthereaswell，andGrimeshadstatedthatbeforehereceivedaknock—outblowintheMcIntyrelibraryheheardtheswishofskirts！

Kentlaidhishandontheenvelope。Itwastimethathefoundoutwhatitcontained;buthisfinger，insertedundertheflap，pausedashiseyesfellonthecheckbearingMrs。Brewster’ssignature。

ItwasthecheckhehadpickedupfromtheflooroftheMcIntyrelimousinethatmorningandinadvertentlycarriedawaywithhim。

>FromhersignaturehisglancewanderedtoSylvester’smemorandumpad;itwasuncannythewayhiseyepickedouttheletter"B"ashestaredatClymer’snoteanditssignature。Slowlyhishanddroppedawayfromtheenvelopeandheleftitlyingforgottenonthedeskashepickeduppieceafterpieceofblottingpaper，glancingintentlyateachandfinally，pullingopenadrawerofhisdesk，hehuntedinfeverishhasteforahand—mirror。

SometenminuteslaterKentrose，placedthepapershehadbeenexaminingintheinsidepocketofhiscoatand，usingtheprivateentrancefromhisofficeintothecorridor，hehurriedaway。

WhenHelenMcIntyreenteredtheofficeofRochesterandKentforthesecondtimethatafternoonshefoundSylvestertranscribingstenographicnotesonhistypewriter。

"Mr。Kentisexpectingyou，miss，"hesaid，holdingopentheinnerofficedoor，andwithacourteouswordofthanks，Helenpassedtheclerkandthedoorclosedbehindher。Kentroseatherapproachandbowedformally。

"Takethischair，"hesuggested，andnotuntilshewasseateddidHelenrealizehehadplacedherwherethelightfellfulluponher。

"Iaskedyoutocomehere，"hebegan，asshewaitedforhimtospeak，"BecauseImusthaveyourconfidence—ifIamtoaidyou。Didyoumeet，recognize，andtalktoJimmieTurnbullinyourhousesometimebetweenMondaymidnightandhisarrestonTuesdaymorning？"

Shecoloredhotly，thenpaled。"Mytestimonyattheinquest，"

—shecommenced，buthegavehernoopportunitytoaddmore。

"Yourtestimonytheredoesnotcoverthequestion，"heexplained。

"YoustatedthenthatyouhadnotrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroom。Hadyoualreadypenetratedhisdisguiseatyourhouse？"

"AndifIhad？"

"Didyou？"Kentwasdoggedlypersistent，andHelen’sfingersclosedaroundherhandbagwithconvulsiveforce。WhyhadshenotsentBarbaratoseeKentinherplace？

"DidIwhat？"sheparried。

"DidyourecognizeandtalkwithJimmieTurnbullinyourhouse？"

"Italkedwithhim，yes，"sheadmitted，andhervoicedroppedalmosttoawhisper。

"AsJimmieTurnbullorSmiththeburglar？"

"AsJimmie"—sheconfessed，afteraslightpause。

"ThenwhydidyougothroughthefarceofhavingJimmiearrestedasaburglar？"Kentdemanded。

"SothatBarbaramightwinherwager，"promptly。Kentstaredatherincredulously。

"Doyoumeanthat，notwithstandingtherisktowhichyouweresubjectinghimwithhisweakheart，youkeptupthefarcesimplythatBarbaramightwinanidioticwager？"Kentasked。

Helenpassedonenervoushandovertheother;herpalmswerehotanddry，andtwohecticspotshadappearedineachwhitecheek。

"JimmiewasquitewellMondaynight，"sheprotested。"He—he—hadsomeheartmedicinewithhim。"

Amylnitrite？"

"No。"

"Nitro—glycerine？"

"I—Ithinkthatwasit，Iamnotquitesure，"shespokewithuncertainty，andKentknewthatshelied。Hisheartsank。

"Didheswallowanymedicineinyourpresence？"

Sheshookherheadvigorously。"No，hedidnot。"

Kentloweredhisvoice。"DidyouseehimtakeMrs。Brewster’saconitinepillsoffthehalltable？"

Helenshiftedhergazetohisfaceandthenbacktohereverrestlesshands。"No，"shesaid。"Ididnotseehimtakethepills。"

Kentstudiedherinasilencewhich，toher，seemednever—ending。

"Iwantthetrueanswertothisquestion，"heannouncedwithmeaningemphasis。"WhydidJimmiegoindisguisetoyourhouseonMondaynight？"

Helenblanched。"HowshouldIknow，"shemutteredevasively。"He—hedidn’tcometoseeme—theadmissionwasbarelyaboveawhisper。

"ButyouknowwhattranspiredinyourhouseonMondaynight？"

demandedKenteagerly。

Hisquestionmetwithnoresponse，andherepeatedit，butstillthegirlremainedsilent。Kentgaveheramoment’sgrace，thendrawingouttheunaddressedenvelopefromhispocketheheldittowardher。Alowcrybrokefromher，andherexpressionchangedasshecaughtsightofthebrokenseal。

"Youhaveopenedit！"

"Notyet，"Kentheldtheenvelopejustbeyondherreach。"Iwillonlygiveittoyouwiththeunderstandingthatyouopentheenvelopenowinmypresenceandletmeseeitscontents。"

Helendrewback，thenimpulsivelyextendedherhand。

"Iagree，"shesaid。"Givemetheenvelope。"

"Stop！"Thewordrangout，startlingKentaswellasHelen，andMrs。

Brewster，whosenoiselessentranceafewsecondsbeforehadgoneunobserved，hurriedtothem。"Theenvelopeismine。

CHAPTERXX

THEUNKNOWNEQUATION

No，no，"protestedHelenvehemently。"YoushallnotgivetheenvelopetoMargaret—youmustnot。"

"Itismine，"insistedthewidowwithequalvehemence。

"Mrs。Brewster。"Kentwithheldtheenvelopefrombothwomen。"Willyoutellmethecontentsofthisenvelope？"

"No，"curtly。"Itisnotyouraffair。"

"Itismyaffair，"retortedKentwithequallyshortnessofmanner。

"Iinsistonananswertomyquestionsinthelimousinethismorning。

HowcameyourhandkerchiefinJimmie’spossession，andwhydidyougotothepolicecourtand，yetkeepyourpresencethereasecret？"

"JimmiemusthavepickedupthehandkerchiefwhenintheMcIntyrehouse，"sheansweredsullenly。"Ipresumeheforgottoprovidehimselfwithoneinhismake—upasburglar。AsregardsyoursecondquestionIadmitIdidgotothepolicecourtoutofcuriosity—I

wantedtofindoutwhatwasgoingon。You，"witharesentfulglanceatHelen，"treatedmeasanoutsider，andIwasdeterminedtofindoutformyselfhowtheburglarfarcewouldend。"

"Ah，youtermitafarce—isthatwhyyoulaughedincourt？"askedKentquickly。

Mrs。Brewsterchangedcolor。"Ifeelbadlyaboutthat，"shestammered。"ImeantnodisrespecttoJimmie，butIhaveanervousinclinationtolaugh—almosthysteria—whenexcitedandoverwrought。"

"Isee，"answeredKentslowly。Hewasdistinctlypuzzled;Mrs。

Brewster’sairofcandordisarmedsuspicion，but—"YousawandtalkedwithJimmieTurnbullonMondaynight？"

"Ididnot。"Herdenialwasfirm。

"Thenhowdidyoulearnofhisarrest？"askedKentswiftly。

"Ioverheardhimconversing—"

"Withwhom？"Kentdemandedeagerlyasshepausedasiftoreconsiderherconfidences。Helen，onehandonthedeskandtheotheronthearmofherchair，triedtorise，butherstrengthhaddesertedher。

"Withwhom？"repeatedKentasthewidowremainedsilent。

"JimmiewastalkingwithGrimes，"Mrs。Brewsterstatedslowly。

"FromwhatIoverheard，hepaidGrimestolethiminsidethehouse。"

KentlookedperplexedashegazedfirstatthewidowandthenatHelen，whohadsunkbackinherchair。

"Mrs。Brewster，"hebeganafterapause。"WhogaveJimmieyouraconitinepillswhichGrimesleftonthehalltable？"

"Themurderer。"

"Yes，ofcourse。"Kentwaswatchinghercloselyandhedetectedthetinybeadsofperspirationwhichweregatheringonherupperlip。

"Andwho，inyouropinion，wasthemurderer？"

Mrs。Brewster’sexpressionchanged—shelookedhunted，andhereyesfellbeforeKent’s;abruptlysheturnedherbackonhim，tofindColonelMcIntyreatherelbowandBarbarajustenteringtheroom。HereyestraveledpastthegirluntiltheyrestedonPhilipRochesterandDetectiveFergusonhoveringbehindhim。Herfacealtered。

"IsawPhilipRochester，"pointingdramaticallytowardhim，"crawloutofthereceptionroomwindowanddartintothestreetjustasO’RyancameinthefrontdoorwithHelen。"

DetectiveFergusoncouldnotrestrainajoyfulexclamation。"Sothatwasit！"hecried。"YouwereattheMcIntyrehouse，andgavethepoisontoTurnbullthere—andnotinthecourtroom—fourhoursbeforehedied。You’llswingforthatcrime，mybuck，inspiteofyourglibtongueandslipperyways。"

AsheceasedspeakingFerguson’severreadyhandcuffsswungsuggestivelyfromhishand，butHelen’sagonizedcrycheckedhisapproachtowardRochester，whostoodstolidlywaitingforhim。

"Father！Youcannotpermitthismonstrousinjustice，Philipshallnotsufferforanother。No，Barbara，"ashersisterstrovetoquiether，wemusttellthetruth。"

"SupposeItellitforColonelMcIntyre，"RochesteradvancedasthedooropenedandSylvesterusheredinBenjaminClymer。"Youhavecomeintime，Clymer，"hisvoicedeepened，thevoiceofamanaccustomedtopresentacaseandswayacourt。"Wait，Sylvester，sitatthattableandtakedownthesecharges—"

"Charges？"questionedKent，watchinghispartnernarrowly;hetossedastenographicpadtoSylvesterandmadeaplaceforhimathisdesk。"Goon，Rochester;chargesagainstwhom？"

"Chargesagainstthemanwho，occupyingapositionoftrust，plannedtoswindletheMetropolisTrustCompanythroughforgednotesandchecks，"Rochesterstatedwithslowemphasis。"JimmieTurnbulllearnedthatyou，Clymer，weretovisitColonelMcIntyreonMondaynight，andhewentthereindisguisetofindoutifhissuspicionswerecorrect。Theinvestigationcosthimhislife。"

Clymer，whohadfollowedRochester’sstatement，firstwithbewildermentandthenwithrisingwrath，foundhisvoice。

"Youdrunkenscoundrel！"heroared。"Howdareyou！"

"Dare！"Rochesterlaughedrecklessly。"Jimmiekepthiswitstothelast;hismindwasclear;herecognizedyouintheprisoner’spenandhetriedtocallyou，buthispalsiedtonguecouldnotsayBen，butstuttered—B—b—b。"

"Andwhatdidhewishtotellme？"gaspedClymer，downwhosecolorlessfaceperspirationtrickled。

"Aye，what？"brokeinKentsignificantly。

"Jimmiemaynothavegottentheinformationhewishedatyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，buthispresencethereonMondaynightshowedtheforgerhewasindanger，andlikethehumansnakeheis，hepoisonedwithoutwarning。Don’tmove—Sylvester！"

WithabackwardspringKentcaughthisclerkashespedforthedoor。

"Don’tmakeanymistakeinputtingonthehandcuffsthistime，Ferguson，"heshouted。"Aforgerandacontortionistmakeabadcustomertoreckonwith。"

CHAPTERXXI

THERIDDLEANSWERED

Therewasabsolutestillnessintheroom;thenababbleofexclamationsbrokeoutasSylvester，hisexpressionofdumbsurprisegivingplacetooneoffury，struggledtofreehimselffromthedetective’sfirmgrip。

"Youcannotescape，Sylvester，"declaredKent，observinghisefforts。

"YourcarelessnessinusingyourpeculiargiftofpenmanshipincopyingBarbaraMcIntyre’ssignatureinthismemorandumofhervisithere"—Kentheldupasheettornfromhispad，"gavemethefirstclew。These，thesecond，"heshowedseveralpiecesofblottingpaperfreshlyused。"See，inthemirrorhereisreflectedtheimpressionfromyourcleverimitationsofthehandwritingsofBarbara，ColonelMcIntyre，andMrs。Brewster。"

TheycrowdedaboutKent，allbutFergusonandhisprisoner，whohadsubsidedinhischairwithwhatthedetectiveconcludedwasdangerousquietude。

"Mynextstep，nowthatsuspicionwasdirectedagainstSylvester，wastomakepersonalinquiriesregardinghim，"wentonKent。"JudgeHildebrand，whohadjustreturnedtoWashington，saidthathefirstmetSylvesteratacircussideshowwherehegaveexhibitionsasacontortionist。Oneofhisspecialstuntswastoslipoutofhandcuffsandropes。"

"Sothatexplainslastnight，"Fergusongrinned。"You’llnotdoitagain，Sylvester，"andheshookanadmonitoryfingerattheerstwhileclerk。

"JudgeHildebrandbecameinterestedinSylvester，foundhewashandywithhispenandtiredoftheshowbusiness，andgavehimanopeningbyengaginghimasconfidentialclerk，"continuedKent。"Youwillrecall，ColonelMcIntyre，thatyousentbusinesspapersinyourhandwritingandthatofyourdaughterstoJudgeHildebrand’sofficetobetypedbyhisstaff。ThatishowSylvesterbecamesowellacquaintedwithyourwritingandwasabletoforgealettertothebanktreasurerdirectinghimtoturnoveryournegotiablesecuritiestoJimmieTurnbull。"

"ButhowintheworlddidSylvesterinduceJimmietopresenttheforgedletter？"askedColonelMcIntyre。

Kentturnedtothesullenprisoner。"Answerthatquestion，Sylvester，"hecommanded，andthemanrousedhimselffromhisdejectedattitude。

"AnythinginitformeifIdo？"heaskedwithacunningleer。

"That’sforthecourtstodecide，"declaredKent。

Themanthoughtaminute。"I’lltakeachance，"hesaidfinally。

"ButthatIwaitedforanopportunitytogetmyswagoutofthissafe，Iwouldn’thavebeencaught—curseyou！"andhescowledatKent。

"Cutthatout，"admonishedFergusonwithanonetoogentledigintheribs，andSylvestercontinuedhisstatement。

"IoverheardColonelMcIntyretellJudgeHildebrandabouthissecuritiesandtheirpresentvalue，andthenextdayhecametoconsultthejudgeaboutengagingasecretary。IfixedupcredentialsandwenttoMr。Turnbull;hebelievedmystorythatI

wasthecolonel’snewsecretaryandgotthesecurities。"

Sylvesterpaused。"IfI’drestedcontentwiththatsuccessI’dbeenallright，"headded。"ButIwasintoogreatahurryandforgedMr。Clymer’ssignaturetoacheckforfivethousanddollarsandpresenteditattheMetropolisTrustCompany。AsluckwouldhaveitMr。Turnbullcasheditformehimself。"

"Butdidn’thesuspectyou？"exclaimedClymer。HehadgraduallyrecoveredfromtheshockofRochester’schargesonhisarrival，andwaslisteningwithkeenattentiontoSylvester’sconfession。

"No。ImadethecheckpayabletoColonelMcIntyreandforgedhisendorsement，"Sylvesterspokewithanairofpride，andhesmiledinmaliciousenjoymentas，catchinghiseye，BarbarashrankbackandshelteredherselfbehindKent。"Mr。Turnbullacceptedthecheck;latersomethingmusthavearousedhissuspicions，andI

foundwhenhequestionedmethathebelievedColonelMcIntyrehadforgedthecheck。"

"Goodheavens！Youlethimthinkthat？"gaspedMcIntyre;thenwrathgainedthemastery。"Youscoundrel！"

"Oh，Iencouragedhimtothinkit，"Sylvestergrinnedagain。"YoumusthavehandedMr。Turnbullarawdeal;hewassoreadytothinkevilofyou。"

"Thatisalie！"exclaimedHelenhotly。"WhenIwentdownstairstoinvestigatethenoiseIheardinthelibrary，father，Jimmietoldmewhohewastoquietmyfright。Heshowedmealetter，whichhehadjustfoundonyourdeskinthelibrary，confessingthatyouhadforgedMr。Clymer’snameonthecheck，andbeggingJimmietoconcealyourcrimeandsaveBarbaraandmefromtheshameofhavingyouexposedasaforgerandathief。"

"Ineverwrotesuchaletter！"shoutedMcIntyre，deeplyincensed。

"No，itwasacleverplan，"acknowledgedSylvester。"Ononeofmytripstoyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，Isecuredwaximpressionsofyourfrontdoorlock。IwenttoyourhouseMondaynightandputtheletteramongyourpapersjustbeforeTurnbullwasadmittedbyyourfoolofabutler。"

"AndyougaveJimmieTurnbulladoseofpoison—chargedKent，butSylvester，hislipsgonedry，raisedhismanacledhandsinprotest。

"Ididnotpoisonhim，"hecried。"IwaitedjusttoseeifTurnbullgottheletterandtofindoutwhathe’ddowiththesecurities，whichhehadrefusedtoturnovertome。AfterhehadreadtheforgedletterMr。Turnbullactedsortoffaintandwentoutinthehall。Icouldjustseehimputdownaboxonthehalltableandleanagainstthewall。Thenhewentintothediningroomandcamebackasecondlatercarryingaglassofwater，andIsawhimtakeupandopenasmallboxandtosssomewhitepillsintohismouth;

thenhetookagooddrink，and，pickingupahandkerchieflyingonthetable，hewentbackintothelibrary。"

TherewassilenceasSylvester’scallousrecitalofthetragedyended。Helen，hereyestearlessanddarkwithsuffering，sankslowlybackinherchairandrestedherheadagainstBarbara’ssympatheticshoulder。

"SoTurnbull’sdeathwasaccidentalafterall，"exclaimedFerguson。

"Orwasitsuicide？"

"Accident，"answeredKent。"Ifoundsomenitro—glycerinepillsintheumbrellastandbythehalltable。"ColonelMcIntyrenodded。

"EvidentlyTurnbullputdownhispillboxbeforegettingaglassofwater，andinhisattackofgiddinessaccidentallyopenedyourboxofaconitinepills，Mrs。Brewster，insteadofhisown，andswallowedafataldose，thinkingtheywerenitroglycerine。"

Mrs。Brewsterbowedherheadinagreement。Thatmusthavebeenit，"

shesaid。"However，IsawColonelMcIntyretearoffthepaperwrappingandopenmypackageofpillsjustbeforedinner，andwhenIheardthatJimmiehaddiedfromaconitineI—I—"shestammeredandstoppedshort。

"YoususpectedIhadmurderedhim？"askedMcIntyresoftly。

"Yes，"shelookedappealinglyathim。"Forgiveme，Ishouldneverhavesuspectedyou，butthepills，boxandall，weremissingthenextmorningfromthehalltable。"

"Turnbullmusthavethrowntheboxintotheumbrellastand，"

explainedKent。"ThatwaswhereIfoundit。Didyougetthesecurities，Sylvester？"turningtotheprisoner。

"No，"sullenly。"Shedid，"andajerkofhisthumbindicatedHelenMcIntyre。

Helenraisedherheadandaddressedthemslowly。

"JimmieandIexpectedBarbaratocomeinatanymoment，andhestartedtoleavewhenwesawyoucomingdownstairs，"sheturnedtoMrs。Brewster。"JimmiedeclaredthatifwewerefoundtogetherI

mightbecompromised。Hecouldn’texplainhispresencewithoutexposingfather—weboththoughtyouaforger，father，"sheinterpolated，asMcIntyretookherhandandpresseditunderstandingly。"SoheinsistedthatIshouldtreathimlikeanordinaryburglar—wehadbothforgottenBarbara’ssillywagerinourhorroraboutfather。Jimmiedidn’tdaretakethesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionwithhimforfearhe’dbesearchedatthepolicestation，andthescandalwouldhavecomeoutthen。"

"True，"agreedMcIntyre。"Goon，Helen。"

"SoJimmiethrustthesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionintoanenvelopeandsealeditwithredwax，usingBarbara’sseal，"

explainedHelen。"Hehadn’ttimetowriteanaddressormessageonit，buthetoldmetoreturntheenvelopetohimlaterinthedayorgiveittoPhilipRochesterandaskhisaid。IbroughtithereonWednesdaymorningandwithHarry’spermissionputtheenvelopeinthesafe。"

"Itriedtogetitfromthere，"volunteeredSylvester，"forI

overheardTurnbull’splan，beforeIleftbythereceptionroomwindow。"

"SoitwasyouandnotMr。RochesterwhomIsawstealoutofthewindow，"exclaimedMrs。Brewster。

"It’snotthefirsttimeI’vebeenmistakenforhim，"exclaimedSylvestercalmly。

Kentstartedand，gazingatRochesterandtheclerk，sawtherewasageneralresemblanceincoloringandphysique。

"DidyoupresentthecheckstoMcDonaldattheMetropolisTrustCompanybearingRochester’sandmyforgedsignatures？"heasked。

"Idid，"acknowledgedSylvester。"Mr。Rochester’swardrobecameinveryhandyfordeceivingthecasualglance。Youknow，’clothesmaketheman，andwantofitthefellow。’"

Kentlookedupquickly，struckbyanidea。

"Sylvester，didyoustealtheenvelopecontainingthesecuritiesfrommeattheClubdeVingt？"heasked。

Sylvestershookhishead。"No，butshedid，"pointingtoMrs。

Brewster。"It’snolie，"asMcIntyreutteredanindignantdenial。

"WhenFergusonleftherecarryingoffthesecuritiesfromundermynosealmost—Ihadspentthewholedaytryingtolearnthesafe’scombination;ItrailedhimtotheClubdeVingt，andheardtheheadwaitertellhimyou，Mr。Kent，weresittinginthesmallsmokingporch，soIclimbedupthetrumpetvine;oh，itwasstrongandnoclimbforonewhohasdonethefeatsIhaveinthecircus。

IreachedtheporchjustintimetoseeMrs。Brewsterdropherfan，andwhenthemenbenttopickitupshe’lifted’theenvelopeandconcealeditunderherscarf。"

"Don’t，"Mrs。BrewsterlaidadetaininghandonMcIntyreashesteppedforward。"Themanistellingthetruth。Ithoughtitwastheenvelopeyougavemeearlierintheevening—itwasunaddressedandtheredsealwasthesame。"

"Justamoment，"interruptedKent。"Whatdidyoudowiththeenvelope？"

"WhenIreturnedhomeIdroppeditinsideoneoftheVenetiancaskets，"Mrs。Brewsterreplied。"Nooneeverwentnearthem，andI

thoughtitwouldbesafethere。Yousee，Iwaspuzzledtoknowhowithaddisappearedfromthedeskinthereceptionroom，whereIhadleftitinoneofthepigeonholes，intendingtotakeitlatertomyroom。"

"Itooktheenvelope—yourenvelope—outofthedesk，"confessedMcIntyre。"Iwouldhavespokenofit，Margaret，butwashurtthatyouhadleftourmarriagecertificatelyingaroundsocarelessly。"

"Yourwhat？"Barbarasprangup，astounded。

"Ourmarriagecertificate，"repeatedMcIntyrefirmly。"MargaretandIweremarriedlastweekinBaltimore。Wewouldhavetoldyou，Helen，butyourpeculiarconductandBarbara’s，soangeredmethatIforbadeMargarettotakeyouintoourconfidence。"

"Father！"Barbaragotnofurther，forHelenhadrisen。Shespokewithquietdignity。

"Youforget，father，thatsinceMondaynightwehavethoughtyouaforgerand，worse，amurderer，"hervoicefaltered。"Inourefforttoguardyouwehavebecomeestranged。Margaret"—sheheldoutherhandwithanaffectionategestureandwithasobherstep—motherkissedher。

"Howdidthisenvelopegetbackinsideoursafe？"askedKentamomentlater，pickingitupanddisplayingtheredseal，intactsaveforthebrokencorner。

"Iwentdownstairsaboutmidnightoralittlelaterandintothelibrary，"confessedHelen。"WhatwasmysurpriseandterrortoseeGrimesholdingtheenvelope。Tomeitmeantfather’sexposureasaforger。IhadarevolverinmyhandandstruckbeforeIthought。

ThenImusttemporarilyhavelostmyreason。ItwasonlymythoughttosavefatherthatlentmecourageandstrengthtothrustGrimesinsidethecasketwhereBabsandIusedtohide。Ithenreturnedtomyroom，andwasjustcomingdownstairsagainaftersecretingtheenvelope，toreleaseGrimesandgetmedicalassistanceifneedbe，whenMargaret’sscreamsarousedthehousehold。"

McIntyreinterruptedhisdaughterwithahastygesture，andaddressedhiswife。"WhenDetectiveFergusonquestionedmeastoyourreasonforbeinginthelibrary，Margaret，IstatedyouhadgonedowntogetabookleftlyingontheVenetiancasket，"hesaid。"Iwaitedforyoutovolunteeranexplanationofyourpresencethere，butyounevermadeany。"

"Iwentdowntogetourmarriagecertificate。"Margaretforgotthepresenceofothersandspokeonlytohim，thelove—lightinhereyespleadingagainstthecensureshedreaded，asshemadeherbriefconfession。"Mr。Clymersentmeanote，inclosingacanceledcheck，statingthebankofficialshaddecidedmysignaturewasaforgery。

ThecheckwasdrawntoBarbara，andonexaminingitInoticedthepeculiarformationoftheletter’B’;itischaracteristicofyourhandwritingandHelen’s。"Shepaused，andadded：

"Iwasatalosswhattothink。IknewyouandHelenwrotealike;

Helen’sextraordinarybehaviortomeledmetobelievethatperhapsshehadbeenshortoffunds，andforgedmynametoacheckindesperation。ThenIrememberedseeingyou，Charles，opentheboxcontainingmyaconitinepills，thebox’sdisappearance，andJimmie’sdeathfromthatpoison"—sheraisedherhandsinanexpressivegesture。"Althoughmyreasontoldmethatyoumightbeguilty，myloyaltyandloverefutedtheaccusation。"

"Margaret！"McIntyre’svoiceshookwithemotion;thencontrollinghimselfheturnedtoSylvester。"Ipresumethischeckwassomemoreofyourdeviltry？"

Helenansweredfortheclerk。RemovingasoiledpaperfromherbagshelaiditonKent’sdesk。"ThisnotewashandedtomebyGrimes，"

sheexplained。"Itreads：’Helen，pleasecashthischeckandgivemoneytoMrs。Brewster’sdressmaker。Father。’Ifollowedtheinstructions。"

"Andgavethemoneytomysister，"Sylvesterchuckledattheirsurprise。"MysisterwastaughtinaFrenchconvent，andsheisanexcellentseamstress，whensheisn’tdrunk，asMrs。McIntyreknows。"

"Seehere，Sylvester，"Clymerbrokehislongsilence。"YouwereinthepolicecourtonachargeofassaultandbatterybroughtbyyourwifeonTuesdaymorning，andyouwereintheprisoner’scageatthemomentTurnbulldied。HowthenwasitpossibleforyoutobeattheMcIntyre’satmidnightonMonday？"

"Iwasoutonbailandappearedinthecourtroomjustintimeformytrial，"Sylvesterexplained。"Ididnothavetositinthecage，butrecognizingTurnbullIwenttheretobewithhim。"

KentplacedtheforgedcheckbearingMargaretBrewster’ssignatureonthedesk。"Itakeitthischeckisyourwork，Sylvester，"hesaid。"Youreapedthebenefitbyhavingthemoneypaidtoyoursister。DidyoualsohavethefaketelegramdeliveredtomestatingMr。RochesterwasinCleveland？"

"Ifakedthat，"brokeinRochester，beforetheclerkcouldmakeadisclaimer。"IthoughtitbesttodisappearforafewdaysdowninVirginia，whereIcouldthinkthingsoverinpeace。"

"Soitwasyou，Sylvester，andnotMr。RochesterwhomIencounteredinhisapartment，"exclaimedKent。"Howdidyougetintheapartment？"

"Fromthefire—escapeandalongthewindowledgetothebathroomwindow。"Sylvesterhitchedhisshoulders。"Itwasnothingforamanofmyagility。"

Fergusoneyedhimwithdoubtfulrespect。

"Youhavecourage，"headmittedgrudgingly。"Come，wemustgettoHeadquarters，"andheaidedSylvestertohisfeet，butoncestanding，Sylvesterrefusedtomove。InsteadheturnedtoHelen。

"WhatwasthatyoupassedtoMr。RochesterinthepolicecourtandhelatergavetoMr。Turnbull？"heasked。"Oh，don’tdenyit，I

sawyoupalmanote，Mr。Rochester，fromtheyounglady。"

"Thereisnothingnowtoconceal，"declaredHelen。"AfterO’RyanandJimmieleftthehouseforthepolicestationIgrewfearfulthatJimmiemightover—taxhisstrengthincarryingoutthefarceofhisarrest。SoassoonasIcouldItelephonedtoPhiliptomeetmeatthepolicecourtandtobringsomeamylnitritecapsuleswithhim。"

"Andthenote，Sylvester，whichyousawMissMcIntyregivemeincourt，"concludedRochester，asHelenpaused，"toldmetohandthecapsulestotheburglarandtodefendhimincourt。Ididboth，althoughbadlypuzzledbytherequest。"Rochesterhesitated。"I

carriedoutyourwishes，Helen，withoutquestion;butwhentheburglar’sidentitywasrevealed，Ijumpedtotheconclusionthatyouhadusedmeasaninstrumenttokillhim，forIknewsomethingoftheeffectsofamylnitrite。"

"GreatHeavens！"exclaimedHelen，aghast。

Rochesterlookedatherandbithislip;heknewofheraffectionforJimmieandherattachmenttohismemory，buthecouldnotkillthehopethatwhenTimehadhealedtheloss，hisdevotionmightsomedaywinherforhisown。

"Ididyougreatinjustice，"headmittedhumbly。"ButIwasfearfullyshockedbythescene。IstrovetodivertsuspicionbyinsistingthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris，andthenyoucame，Helen，anddemandedanautopsy。

"Ihadto，"Helenbrokein。"IcouldnotbelievethatJimmie’sdeathwasduetonaturalcauses，"hervoicequivered。"Hehadbeensoloyal—sofaithful—Icouldnotbelesstruetohim，evenif，asIfeared，myowndearfatherwasguiltyofthecrime。

KentturnedandfacedSylvester，whohadmadeafewshufflingstepstowardthedoor。

"Youhavedoneincalculableharmbyyourcriminalacts，"hesaidsternly。"ButforyourlyingandtrickeryJimmieTurnbullwouldbealiveto—day。ItrusttheCourtwillgiveyouthemaximumsentence。"

Sylvestereyedhiminsolently。"I’vehadarunformymoney，andIstoodtowinlargesumsifthingshadonlygoneright，"heannounced;thenaddressedHelendirectly。"Whatdidyoudowiththesecurities？"

"IputtheenvelopebackintheopensafewhenIwashereearlythisafternoon，"sheexplained。

AnoathrippedfromSylvester。"Imistookyouforyoursister，"

hesnarled。"HadIknownitwasyou，I’dhavewrungthesecuritiesfromyou。"

Helenstaredathissuddenlycontortedface。"Ah，youarethemanwholookedinatthewindowofthereceptionroomyesterdaymorningwhenIwastalkingtoMr。Kent，"shecried。"Irecognizeyounow。"

Hecontinuedtoglareather。"IalsosentyouanotebyyoursisteroutsidetheCafSt。Markstosecretetheletter’B’，"hisvoicerosealmostintoashoutinhisungovernablerage。"IheardTurnbulltellyoutotaketheenvelopetoRochester，andIbankedonyourbringingithereortohisapartment。D—mnyou！You’vethwartedmeateveryturn。"

Rochester’spowerfulhandwasclappedacrosshismouthwithsuchforcethattheclerkstaggeredagainstFerguson。

"Hereyou，outyougo。"ThedetectiveshovedthestrugglingmantowardthedoorleadingintothecorridorandClymersprangtohisassistance;asecondlaterRochesterclosedthedoorontheirrecedingfiguresandfoundHelenstandingbyhiselbow。

"Imustgo，"shesaid，turningbacktolookatherfatherandhisbride。

"Waitaminute。"Kentheldupanenvelopewithitsfatefulredseal。

"ThiswasdeliveredemptyatRochester’sapartmentlastnight—itisaddressedtohim。Whowroteit？"

"Idid，"exclaimedMrs。McIntyre。"IfeltImustconsulteitheryou，Mr。Kent，orMr。Rochester，soIsentthenotetohisapartment，butthemessengerboyhurriedme，anditwasnotuntilhourslaterthatIfoundthenotelyingonthedeskinthereceptionroomandrealizedIhadsentanemptyenvelope。"

"Isee。"Kentheldupanotherenvelope，theredsealbrokenatthecorner。"Thisisyours，Helen。"

Helenhesitatedperceptiblybeforetakingtheenvelopeandtearingitopen。Shehandedthesecuritiestoherfather。

"Hereisfather’sforgedconfession，"shesaidasshetooktheremainingpaperfromtheenvelope。

"Itisamarvelousimitationofmyhandwriting，"declaredMcIntyre，lookingatitcarefully，thentearingitintotinybitsheflungthemintothescrap—basketandpocketedthesecurities。

"AndtothinkthatIaidedSylvester’splottogainthesecuritiesbyengaginghimasourclerk，"groanedRochester。

"Itwascleverofhimtoseekemploymenthere，"agreedKent。"Butlikemanycrooksheover—reachedhimselfthroughover—confidence。

Mustyougo，ColonelMcIntyre？"

"Yes。"McIntyrewalkedovertoHelen。

"Mydearlittlegirl，"hebeganandhisvoicewashuskywithfeeling。"HowcanIshowmyappreciationofyourloyaltytome？"

"BybeingkindtoHarryandBarbara。"Helensmiledbravely，althoughherlipsweretremblingandforamomentshecouldnottrustherselftospeak。"Myromanceisover;Barbara’sisjustbeginning。And，father，willyouandMargaretcomehomewithme—Iamsolonely;"thenturningblindlyawayshefairlyranoutoftheoffice。

"Gowithher，"saidRochester，atrifleunsteadily。"Ithasbeenaterribleordeal;Godhelphertoforget！"HisvoicefailedandheswepthishandacrosshiseyesasheheldopenthedoorintothecorridorandfollowedMcIntyreandhiswifeoutside。

KentturnedimpulsivelytoBarbara，andhisarmsclosedaroundherassheraisedhereyestomeethis，forsheknewthatthepromisetheyspokewouldbeloyallyfulfilled，andthatherhavenofloveandhappinesswasreachedatlast。