第6章

AsTom，quakingaswithapalsy，passedoutatthegate，threewomencameflyingfromthehouseontheoppositesideofthelane。

Theyrushedbyhimandinatthegate，askinghimwhatthetroublewasthere，butnotwaitingforananswer。

Tomsaidtohimself，"Thoseoldmaidswaitedtodress——theydidthesamethingthenightStevens’shouseburneddownnextdoor。"

Inafewminuteshewasinthehauntedhouse。Helightedacandleandtookoffhisgirl—clothes。Therewasbloodonhimalldownhisleftside，andhisrighthandwasredwiththestainsoftheblood—soakednoteswhichhehascrushedinit;butotherwisehewasfreefromthissortofevidence。Hecleansedhishandonthestraw，andcleanedmostofthesmutfromhisface。Thenheburnedthemaleandfemaleattiretoashes，scatteredtheashes，andputonadisguiseproperforatramp。Heblewouthislight，wentbelow，andwassoonloafingdowntheriverroadwiththeintenttoborrowanduseoneofRoxy’sdevices。Hefoundacanoeandpaddleddowndownstream，settingthecanoeadriftasdawnapproached，andmakinghiswaybylandtothenextvillage，wherehekeptoutofsighttillatransientsteamercamealong，andthentookdeckpassageforSt。Louis。HewasillateaseDawson’sLandingwasbehindhim;thenhesaidtohimself，"Allthedetectivesonearthcouldn’ttracemenow;there’snotavestigeofaclueleftintheworld;thathomicidewilltakeitsplacewiththepermanentmysteries，andpeoplewon’tgetdonetryingtoguessoutthesecretofitforfiftyyears。"

InSt。Louis，nextmorning，hereadthisbrieftelegraminthepapers——datedatDawson’sLanding：

JudgeDriscoll，anoldandrespectedcitizen，wasassassinatedhereaboutmidnightbyaprofligateItaliannoblemanorabarberonaccountofaquarrelgrowingoutoftherecentelection。

Theassassinwillprobablybelynched。

"Oneofthetwins！"soliloquizedTom。"Howlucky！

Itistheknifethathasdonehimthisgrace。Weneverknowwhenfortuneistryingtofavorus。IactuallycursedPudd’nheadWilsoninmyheartforputtingitoutofmypowertosellthatknife。

Itakeitbacknow。"

Tomwasnowrichandindependent。Hearrangedwiththeplanter，andmailedtoWilsonthenewbillofsalewhichsoldRoxanatoherself;thenhetelegraphedhisAuntPratt：

Haveseentheawfulnewsinthepapersandamalmostprostratedwithgrief。Shallstartbypackettoday。

TrytobearuptillIcome。

WhenWilsonreachedthehouseofmourningandhadgatheredsuchdetailsasMrs。Prattandtherestofthecrowdcouldtellhim，hetookcommandasmayor，andgaveordersthatnothingshouldbetouched，buteverythingleftasitwasuntilJusticeRobinsonshouldarriveandtakethepropermeasuresascorner。

Heclearedeverybodyoutoftheroombutthetwinsandhimself。

Thesheriffsoonarrivedandtookthetwinsawaytojail。

Wilsontoldthemtokeepheart，andpromisedtodoitbestintheirdefensewhenthecaseshouldcometotrial。JusticeRobinsoncamepresently，andwithhimConstableBlake。Theyexaminedtheroomthoroughly。Theyfoundtheknifeandthesheath。

Wilsonnoticedthattherewerefingerprintsontheknife’shandle。

Thatpleasedhim，forthetwinshadrequiredtheearliestcomerstomakeascrutinyoftheirhandsandclothes，andneitherthesepeoplenorWilsonhimselfhadfoundanybloodstainsuponthem。

Couldtherebeapossibilitythatthetwinshadspokenthetruthwhentheyhadsaidtheyfoundthemandeadwhentheyranintothehouseinanswertothecryforhelp？Hethoughtofthatmysteriousgirlatonce。Butthiswasnotthesortofworkforagirltobeengagedin。Nomatter;TomDriscoll’sroommustbeexamined。

Afterthecoroner’sjuryhadviewedthebodyanditssurroundings，Wilsonsuggestedasearchupstairs，andhewentalong。

ThejuryforcedanentrancetoTom’sroom，butfoundnothing，ofcourse。

Thecoroner’sjuryfoundthatthehomicidewascommittedbyLuigi，andthatAngelowasaccessorytoit。

Thetownwasbitteragainsthemisfortunates，andforthefirstfewdaysafterthemurdertheywereinconstantdangerofbeinglynched。ThegrandjurypresentlyindictedLuigiformurderinthefirstdegree，andAngeloasaccessorybeforethefact。

Thetwinsweretransferredfromthecityjailtothecountyprisontoawaittrial。

Wilsonexaminedthefingermarksontheknifehandleandsaidtohimself，"Neitherofthetwinsmadethosemarks。"

Thenmanifestlytherewasanotherpersonconcerned，eitherinhisowninterestorashiredassassin。"

Butwhocoulditbe？That，hemusttrytofindout。

Thesafewasnotopened，thecashboxwasclosed，andhadthreethousanddollarsinit。Thenrobberywasnotthemotive，andrevengewas。WherehadthemurderedmananenemyexceptLuigi？

Therewasbutthatonepersonintheworldwithadeepgrudgeagainsthim。

Themysteriousgirl！ThegirlwasagreattrialtoWilson。

Ifthemotivehadbeenrobbery，thegirlmightanswer;buttherewasn’tanygirlthatwouldwanttotakethisoldman’slifeforrevenge。

Hehadnoquarrelswithgirls;hewasagentleman。

Wilsonhadperfecttracingsofthefingermarksoftheknifehandle;

andamonghisglassrecordshehadagreatarrayoffingerprintsofwomenandgirls，collectedduringthelastfifteenoreighteenyears，buthescannedtheminvain，theysuccessfullywithstoodeverytest;amongthemwerenoduplicatesoftheprintsontheknife。

ThepresenceoftheknifeonthestageofthemurderwasaworryingcircumstanceforWilson。AweekpreviouslyhehadasgoodasadmittedtohimselfthathebelievedLuigihadpossessedsuchaknife，andthathestillpossesseditnotwithstandinghispretensethatithadbeenstolen。Andnowherewastheknife，andwithitthetwins。Halfthetownhadsaidthetwinswerehumbuggingwhentheclaimedtheyhadlosttheirknife，andnowthesepeoplewerejoyful，andsaid，"Itoldyouso！"

Iftheirfingerprintshadbeenonthehandle——butuselesstobotheranyfurtheraboutthat;thefingerprintsonthehandlewereNOTtheirs——thatheknewperfectly。

WilsonrefusedtosuspectTom;forfirst，Tomcouldn’tmurderanybody——hehadn’tcharacterenough;secondly，ifhecouldmurderapersonhewouldn’tselecthisdotingbenefactorandnearestrelative;thirdly，self—interestwasintheway;

forwhiletheunclelived，Tomwassureofafreesupportandachancetogetthedestroyedwillrevivedagain，butwiththeunclegone，thatchancewasgonetoo。Itwastruethewillhadreallybeenrevived，aswasnowdiscovered，butTomcouldnothavebeenawareofit，orhewouldhavespokenofit，inhisnativetalky，unsecretiveway。Finally，TomwasinSt。Louiswhenthemurderwasdone，andgotthenewsoutofthemorningjournals，aswasshownbyhistelegramtohisaunt。Thesespeculationswereumemphasizedsensationsratherthanarticulatedthoughts，forWilsonwouldhavelaughedattheideaofseriouslyconnectingTomwiththemurder。

Wilsonregardedthecaseofthetwinsasdesperate——infact，abouthopeless。Forhearguedthatifaconfederatewasnotfound，anenlightenedMissourijurywouldhangthem;sure;

ifaconfederatewasfound，thatwouldnotimprovethematter，butsimplyfurnishonemorepersonforthesherifftohang。

Nothingcouldsavethetwinsbutthediscoveryofapersonwhodidthemurderonhissolepersonalaccount——anundertakingwhichhadalltheaspectoftheimpossible。Still，thepersonwhomadethefingerprintsmustbesought。ThetwinsmighthavenocaseWITHthem，buttheycertainlywouldhavenonewithouthim。

SoWilsonmoonedaround，thinking，thinking，guessing，guessing，dayandnight，andarrivingnowhere。Wheneverheranacrossagirlorawomanhewasnotacquaintedwith，hegotherfingerprints，ononepretextoranother;andtheyalwayscosthimasighwhenhegothome，fortheynevertalliedwiththefingermarksontheknifehandle。

Astothemysteriousgirl，Tomsworeheknewnosuchgirl，anddidnotremembereverseeingagirlwearingadressliketheonedescribedbyWilson。Headmittedthathedidnotalwayslockhisroom，andthatsometimestheservantsforgottolockthehousedoors;still，inhisopinionthegirlmusthavemadebutfewvisitsorshewouldhavebeendiscovered。WhenWilsontriedtoconnectherwiththestealingraid，andthoughtshemighthavebeentheoldwoman’confederate，ifnottheverythiefdisguisedasanoldwoman，Tomseemedstuck，andalsomuchinterested，andsaidhewouldkeepasharpeyeoutforthispersonorpersons，althoughhewasafraidthatsheortheywouldbetoosmarttoventureagainintoatownwhereeverybodywouldnowbeonthewatchforagoodwhiletocome。

EverybodywaspityingTom，helookedsoquietandsorrowful，andseemedtofeelhisgreatlosssodeeply。Hewasplayingapart，butitwasnotallapart。Thepictureofhisallegeduncle，ashehadlastseenhim，wasbeforehiminthedarkprettyfrequently，whenhewasaway，andcalledagaininhisdreams，whenhewasasleep。Hewouldn’tgointotheroomwherethetragedyhadhappened。ThischarmedthedotingMrs。Pratt，whorealizednow，"asshehadneverdonebefore，"shesaid，whatasensitiveanddelicatenatureherdarlinghad，andhowheadoredhispooruncle。

CHAPTER20

TheMurdererChucklesEventheclearestandmostperfectcircumstantialevidenceislikelytobeatfault，afterall，andthereforeoughttobereceivedwithgreatcaution。Takethecaseofanypencil，sharpenedbyanywoman;ifyouhavewitnesses，youwillfindshediditwithaknife;butifyoutakesimplytheaspectofthepencil，youwillsayshediditwithherteeth。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarTheweeksdraggedalong，nofriendvisitingthejailedtwinsbuttheircounselandAuntPatsyCooper，andthedayoftrialcameatlast——theheaviestdayinWilson’slife;forwithallhistirelessdiligencehehaddiscoverednosignortraceofthemissingconfederate。"Confederate"wasthetermhehadlongagoprivatelyacceptedforthatperson——notasbeingunquestionablytherightterm，butasbeingtheleastpossiblytherightone，thoughhewasneverabletounderstandwhythetwinsdidnotvanishandescape，astheconfederatehaddone，insteadofremainingbythemurderedmanandgettingcaughtthere。

Thecourthousewascrowded，ofcourse，andwouldremainsotothefinish，fornotonlyinthetownitself，butinthecountryformilesaround，thetrialwastheonetopicofconversationamongthepeople。Mrs。Pratt，indeepmourning，andTomwithaweedonhishat，hadseatsnearPembrokeHoward，thepublicprosecutor，andbackofthemsatagreatarrayoffriendsofthefamily。Thetwinshadbutonefriendpresenttokeeptheircounselincountenance，theirpooroldsorrowinglandlady。

ShesatnearWilson，andlookedherfriendliest。Inthe"niggercorner"satChambers;alsoRoxy，withgoodclotheson，andherbillofsaleinherpocket。Itwashermostpreciouspossession，andsheneverpartedwithit，dayornight。Tomhadallowedherthirty—fivedollarsamontheversincehecameintohisproperty，andhadsaidtheheandsheoughttobegratefultothetwinsformakingthemrich;buthadrousedsuchatemperinherbythisspeechthathedidnotrepeattheargumentafterward。Shesaidtheoldjudgehadtreatedherchildathousandtimesbetterthanhedeserved，andhadneverdoneheranunkindnessinhislife;

soshehatedtheseoutlandishdevilsforkillinghim，andshouldn’teversleepsatisfiedtillshesawthemhangedforit。

Shewasheretowatchthetrialnow，andwasgoingtoliftupjustone"hooraw"overitifthecountyjudgeputherinjailayearforit。

Shegaveherturbanedheadatossandsaid，"Whendatverdic’comes，I’sgwinetolif’datROOF，now，ITELLyou。"

PembrokeHowardbrieflysketchedthestate’scase。

Hesaidhewouldshowbyachainofcircumstantialevidencewithoutbreakorfaultinitanywhere，thattheprincipalprisoneratthebarcommittedthemurder;thatthemotivewaspartlyrevenge，andpartlyadesiretotakehisownlifeoutofjeopardy，andthathisbrother，byhispresence，wasaconsentingaccessorytothecrime;

acrimewhichwasthebasestknowntothecalendarofhumanmisdeeds——assassination;thatitwasconceivedbytheblackestofheartsandconsummatedbythecowardliestofhands;

acrimewhichhadbrokenalovingsister’sheart，blightedthehappinessofayoungnephewwhowasasdearasason，broughtinconsolablegrieftomanyfriends，andsorrowandlosstothewholecommunity。Theutmostpenaltyoftheoutragedlawwouldbeexacted，andupontheaccused，nowpresentatthebar，thatpenaltywouldunquestionablybeexecuted。Hewouldreservefurtherremarkuntilhisclosingspeech。

Hewasstronglymoved，andsoalsowasthewholehouse;

Mrs。Prattandseveralotherwomenwereweepingwhenhesatdown，andmanyaneyethatwasfullofhatewasrivetedupontheunhappyprisoners。

Witnessafterwitnesswascalledbythestate，andquestionedatlength;butthecrossquestioningwasbrief。

Wilsonknewtheycouldfurnishnothingvaluableforhisside。

PeopleweresorryforPudd’nheadWilson;hisbuddingcareerwouldgethurtbythistrial。

SeveralwitnessessworetheyheardJudgeDriscollsayinhispublicspeechthatthetwinswouldbeabletofindtheirlostknifeagainwhentheyneededittoassassinatesomebodywith。

Thiswasnotnews，butnowitwasseentohavebeensorrowfullyprophetic，andaprofoundsensationquiveredthroughthehushedcourtroomwhenthosedismalwordswererepeated。

Thepublicprosecutorroseandsaidthatitwaswithinhisknowledge，throughaconversationheldwithJudgeDriscollonthelastdayofhislife，thatcounselforthedefensehadbroughthimachallengefromthepersonchargedatthebarwithmurder;

thathehadrefusedtofightwithaconfessedassassin——

"thatis，onthefieldofhonor，"buthadaddedsignificantly，thatwouldwouldbereadyforhimelsewhere。PresumablythepersonherechargedwithmurderwaswarnedthathemustkillorbekilledthefirsttimeheshouldmeetJudgeDriscoll。Ifcounselforthedefensechosetoletthestatementstandso，hewouldnotcallhimtothewitnessstand。Mr。Wilsonsaidhewouldoffernodenial。

[Murmursinthehouse："ItisgettingworseandworseforWilson’scase。"]

Mrs。Pratttestifiedthatsheheardnooutcry，anddidnotknowwhatwokeherup，unlessitwasthesoundofrapidfootstepsapproachingthefrontdoor。Shejumpedupandranoutinthehalljustasshewas，andheardthefootstepsflyingupthefrontstepsandthenfollowingbehindherassherantothesittingroom。

Thereshefoundtheaccusedstandingoverhermurderedbrother。

[Hereshebrokedownandsobbed。Sensationinthecourt。]

Resuming，shesaidthepersonsenteredbehindherwereMr。RogersandMr。Buckstone。

Cross—examinedbyWilson，shesaidthetwinsproclaimedtheirinnocence;declaredthattheyhadbeentakingawalk，andhadhurriedtothehouseinresponsetoacryforhelpwhichwassoloudandstrongthattheyhadhearditataconsiderabledistance;thattheybeggedherandthegentlemenjustmentionedtoexaminetheirhandsandclothes——whichwasdone，andnobloodstainsfound。

ConfirmatoryevidencefollowedfromRogersandBuckstone。

Thefindingoftheknifewasverified，theadvertisementminutelydescribingitandofferingarewardforitwasputinevidence，anditsexactcorrespondencewiththatdescriptionproved。

Thenfollowedafewminordetails，andthecaseforthestatewasclosed。

Wilsonsaidthathehadthreewitnesses，theMissesClarkson，whowouldtestifythattheymetaveiledyoungwomanleavingJudgeDriscoll’spremisesbythebackgateafewminutesafterthecriesforhelpwereheard，andthattheirevidence，takenwithcertaincircumstantialevidencewhichhewouldcalltothecourt’sattentionto，wouldinhisopinionconvincethecourtthattherewasstillonepersonconcernedinthiscrimewhohadnotyetbeenfound，andalsothatastayofproceedingsoughttobegranted，injusticetohisclients，untilthatpersonshouldbediscovered。Asitwaslate，hewouldaskleavetodefertheexaminationofhisthreewitnessesuntilthenextmorning。

Thecrowdpouredoutoftheplaceandwentflockingawayinexcitedgroupsandcouples，takingtheeventsofthesessionoverwithvivacityandconsuminginterest，andeverybodyseemedtohavehadasatisfactoryandenjoyabledayexcepttheaccused，theircounsel，andtheiroldladyfriend。Therewasnocheeramongthese，andnosubstantialhope。

InpartingwiththetwinsAuntPatsydidattemptagood—nightwithagaypretenseofhopeandcheerinit，butbrokedownwithoutfinishing。

AbsolutelysecureasTomconsideredhimselftobe，theopeningsolemnitiesofthetrialhadneverthelessoppressedhimwithavagueuneasiness，hisbeinganaturesensitivetoeventhesmallestalarms;butfromthemomentthatthepovertyandweaknessofWilson’scaselayexposedtothecourt，hewascomfortableoncemore，evenjubilant。HeleftthecourtroomsarcasticallysorryforWilson。"TheClarksonsmetanunknownwomaninthebacklane，"hesaidtohimself，"THATishiscase！

I’llgivehimacenturytofindherin——acoupleofthemifhelikes。

Awomanwhodoesn’texistanylonger，andtheclothesthatgaveherhersexburntupandtheashesthrownaway——

oh，certainly，he’llfindHEReasyenough！"Thisreflectionsethimtoadmiring，forthehundredthtime，theshrewdingenuitiesbywhichhehadinsuredhimselfagainstdetection——more，againstevensuspicion。

"Nearlyalwaysincaseslikethisthereissomelittledetailorotheroverlooked，someweelittletrackortraceleftbehind，anddetectionfollows;butherethere’snoteventhefaintestsuggestionofatraceleft。Nomorethanabirdleaveswhenitfliesthroughtheair——yes，throughthenight，youmaysay。

Themanthatcantrackabirdthroughtheairinthedarkandfindthatbirdisthemantotrackmeoutandfindthejudge’sassassin——nootherneedapply。AndthatisthejobthathasbeenlaidoutforpoorPudd’nheadWilson，ofallpeopleintheworld！

Lord，itwillbepatheticallyfunnytoseehimgrubbingandgropingafterthatwomanthatdon’texist，andtherightpersonsittingunderhisverynoseallthetime！"

Themorehethoughtthesituationover，themorethehumorofitstruckhim。Finallyhesaid，"I’llneverlethimhearthelastofthatwoman。EverytimeIcatchhimincompany，tohisdyingday，I’llaskhimintheguilelessaffectionatewaythatusedtogravelhimsowhenIinquiredhowhisunbornlawbusinesswascomingalong，’Gotonhertrackyet——hey，Pudd’nhead？’"Hewantedtolaugh，butthatwouldnothaveanswered;therewerepeopleabout，andhewasmourningforhisuncle。HemadeuphismindthatitwouldbegoodentertainmenttolookinonWilsonthatnightandwatchhimworryoverhisbarrenlawcaseandgoadhimwithanexasperatingwordortwoofsympathyandcommiserationnowandthen。

Wilsonwantednosupper，hehadnoappetite。Hegotoutallthefingerprintsofgirlsandwomeninhiscollectionofrecordsandporedgloomilyoverthemanhourormore，tryingtoconvincehimselfthatthattroublesomegirl’smarksweretheresomewhereandhadbeenoverlooked。Butitwasnotso。Hedrewbackhischair，claspedhishandsoverhishead，andgavehimselfuptodullandaridmusings。

TomDriscolldroppedin，anhourafterdark，andsaidwithapleasantlaughashetookaseat：

"Hello，we’vegonebacktotheamusementsofourdaysofneglectandobscurityforconsolation，havewe？"andhetookuponeoftheglassstripsandhelditagainstthelighttoinspectit。

"Come，cheerup，oldman;there’snouseinlosingyourgripandgoingbacktothischild’splaymerelybecausethisbigsunspotisdriftingacrossyourshinynewdisk。It’llpass，andyou’llbeallrightagain"——andhelaidtheglassdown。

"Didyouthinkyoucouldwinalways？"

"Oh，no，"saidWilson，withasigh，"Ididn’texpectthat，butIcan’tbelieveLuigikilledyouruncle，andIfeelverysorryforhim。Itmakesmeblue。AndyouwouldfeelasIdo，Tom，ifyouwerenotprejudicedagainstthoseyoungfellows。"

"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"andTom’scountenancedarkened，forhismemoryrevertedtohiskicking。"Iowethemnogoodwill，consideringthebrunetone’streatmentofmethatnight。

Prejudiceornoprejudice，Pudd’nhead，Idon’tlikethem，andwhentheygettheirdesertsyou’renotgoingtofindmesittingonthemourner’sbench。"

Hetookupanotherstripofglass，andexclaimed：

"Why，here’soldRoxy’slabel！Areyougoingtoornamenttheroyalpalaceswithniggerpawmarks，too？Bythedatehere，Iwassevenmonthsoldwhenthiswasdone，andshewasnursingmeandherlittleniggercub。There’salinestraightacrossherthumbprint。

Howcomesthat？"andTomheldoutthepieceofglasstoWilson。

"Thatiscommon，"saidtheboredman，wearily。

"Scarofacutorascratch，usually"——andhetookthestripofglassindifferently，andraisedittowardthelamp。

Allthebloodsanksuddenlyoutofhisface;hishandquaked，andhegazedatthepolishedsurfacebeforehimwiththeglassystareofacorpse。

"Greatheavens，what’sthematterwithyou，Wilson？

Areyougoingtofaint？"

Tomsprangforaglassofwaterandofferedit，butWilsonshrankshudderingfromhimandsaid：

"No，no！——takeitaway！"Hisbreastwasrisingandfalling，andhemovedhisheadaboutinadullandwanderingway，likeapersonwhohadbeenstunned。Presentlyhesaid，"IshallfeelbetterwhenIgettobed;Ihavebeenoverwroughttoday;

yes，andoverworkedformanydays。"

"ThenI’llleaveyouandletyougettoyourrest。

Goodnight，oldman。"ButasTomwentouthecouldn’tdenyhimselfasmallpartinggibe："Don’ttakeitsohard;abodycan’twineverytime;you’llhangsomebodyyet。"

Wilsonmutteredtohimself，"ItisnolietosayIamsorryIhavetobeginwithyou，miserabledogthoughyouare！"

Hebracedhimselfupwithaglassofcoldwhisky，andwenttoworkagain。HedidnotcomparethenewfingermarksunintentionallyleftbyTomafewminutesbeforeonRoxy’sglasswiththetracingsofthemarksleftontheknifehandle，therebeingnoneedforthat（forhistrainedeye），butbusiedhimselfwithanothermatter，mutteringfromtimetotime，"IdiotthatIwas！——

NothingbutaGIRLwoulddome——amaningirl’sclothesneveroccurredtome。"First，hehuntedouttheplatecontainingthefingerprintsmadebyTomwhenhewastwelveyearsold，andlaiditbyitself;thenhebroughtforththemarksmadebyTom’sbabyfingerswhenhewasasucklingofsevenmonths，andplacedthesetwoplateswiththeonecontainingthissubject’snewly（andunconsciously）maderecord"Nowtheseriesiscomplete，"hesaidwithsatisfaction，andsatdowntoinspectthesethingsandenjoythem。

Buthisenjoymentwasbrief。Hestaredaconsiderabletimeatthethreestrips，andseemedstupefiedwithastonishment。

Atlastheputthemdownandsaid，"Ican’tmakeitoutatall——

hangit，thebaby’sdon’ttallywiththeothers！"

Hewalkedthefloorforhalfanhourpuzzlingoverhisenigma，thenhehuntedouttheotherglassplates。

Hesatdownandpuzzledoverthesethingsagoodwhile，butkeptmuttering，"It’snouse;Ican’tunderstandit。

Theydon’ttallyright，andyetI’llswearthenamesanddatesareright，andsoofcoursetheyOUGHTtotally。Ineverlabeledoneofthesethingcarelesslyinmylife。Thereisamostextraordinarymysteryhere。"

Hewastiredoutnow，andhisbrainswerebeginningtoclog。

Hesaidhewouldsleephimselffresh，andthenseewhathecoulddowiththisriddle。Hesleptthroughatroubledandunrestfulhour，thenunconsciousnessbegantoshredaway，andpresentlyherosedrowsilytoasittingposture。"Nowwhatwasthatdream？"

hesaid，tryingtorecallit。"Whatwasthatdream？Itseemedtounravelthatpuz——"

Helandedinthemiddleoftheflooratabound，withoutfinishingthesentence，andranandturneduphislightandseizedhis"records。"Hetookasingleswiftglanceatthemandcriedout：

"It’sso！Heavens，whatarevelation！Andfortwenty—threeyearsnomanhaseversuspectedit！"

CHAPTER21

DoomHeisuselessontopoftheground;heoughttobeunderit，inspiringthecabbages。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAPRIL1。Thisisthedayuponwhichweareremindedofwhatweareontheotherthreehundredandsixty—four。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWilsonputonenoughclothesforbusinesspurposesandwenttoworkunderahighpressureofsteam。Hewasawakeallover。

Allsenseofwearinesshadbeensweptawaybytheinvigoratingrefreshmentofthegreatandhopefuldiscoverywhichhehadmade。

Hemadefineandaccuratereproductionsofanumberofhis"records，"andthenenlargedthemonascaleoftentoonewithhispantograph。Hedidthesepantographenlargementsonsheetsofwhitecardboard，andmadeeachindividuallineofthebewilderingmazeofwhorlsorcurvesorloopswhichconsistedofthe"pattern"ofa"record"standoutboldandblackbyreinforcingitwithink。Totheuntrainedeyethecollectionofdelicateoriginalsmadebythehumanfingerontheglassplateslookedaboutalike;butwhenenlargedtentimestheyresembledthemarkingsofablockofwoodthathasbeensawedacrossthegrain，andthedullesteyecoulddetectataglance，andatadistanceofmanyfeet，thatnotwoofthepatternswerealike。

WhenWilsonhadatlastfinishedhistediousanddifficultwork，hearrangedhisresultsaccordingtoaplaninwhichaprogressiveorderandsequencewasaprincipalfeature;thenheaddedtothebatchseveralpantographenlargementswhichhehadmadefromtimetotimeinbygoneyears。

Thenightwasspentandthedaywelladvancednow。Bythetimehehadsnatchedatrifleofbreakfast，itwasnineo’clock，andthecourtwasreadytobeginitssitting。Hewasinhisplacetwelveminuteslaterwithhis"records。"

TomDriscollcaughtaslightglimpseoftherecords，andnudgedhisnearestfriendandsaid，withawink，"Pudd’nhead’sgotarareeyetobusiness——thinksthataslongashecan’twinhiscaseit’satleastanoblegoodchancetoadvertisehiswindowpalacedecorationswithoutanyexpense。"Wilsonwasinformedthathiswitnesseshadbeendelayed，butwouldarrivepresently;butheroseandsaidheshouldprobablynothaveoccasiontomakeuseoftheirtestimony。[Anamusedmurmurranthroughtheroom："It’sacleanbackdown！hegivesupwithouthittingalick！"]Wilsoncontinued："Ihaveothertestimony——

andbetter。[Thiscompelledinterest，andevokedmurmursofsurprisethathadadetectableingredientofdisappointmentinthem。]

IfIseemtobespringingthisevidenceuponthecourt，Iofferasmyjustificationforthis，thatIdidnotdiscoveritsexistenceuntillatelastnight，andhavebeenengagedinexaminingandclassifyingiteversince，untilhalfanhourago。

Ishallofferitpresently;butfirstIwithtosayafewpreliminarywords。

"Mayitpleasethecourt，theclaimgiventhefrontplace，theclaimmostpersistentlyurged，theclaimmoststrenuouslyandImayevensayaggressivelyanddefiantlyinsisteduponbytheprosecutionisthis——thatthepersonwhosehandleftthebloodstainedfingerprintsuponthehandleoftheIndianknifeisthepersonwhocommittedthemurder。"Wilsonpaused，duringseveralmoments，togiveimpressivenesstowhathewasabouttosay，andthenaddedtranquilly，"WEGRANTTHATCLAIM。"

Itwasanelectricalsurprise。Noonewaspreparedforsuchanadmission。Abuzzofastonishmentroseonallsides，andpeoplewereheardtointimatethattheoverworkedlawyerhadlosthismind。Eventheveteranjudge，accustomedashewastolegalambushesandmaskedbatteriesincriminalprocedure，wasnotsurethathisearswerenotdeceivinghim，andaskedcounselwhatitwashehadsaid。Howard’simpassivefacebetrayednosign，buthisattitudeandbearinglostsomethingoftheircarelessconfidenceforamoment。Wilsonresumed：

"Wenotonlygrantthatclaim，butwewelcomeitandstronglyendorseit。Leavingthatmatterforthepresent，wewillnowproceedtoconsiderotherpointsinthecasewhichweproposetoestablishbyevidence，andshallincludethatoneinthechaininitsproperplace。"

Hehadmadeuphismindtotryafewhardyguesses，inmappingouthistheoryoftheoriginandmotiveofthemurder——

guessesdesignedtofillupgapsinit——guesseswhichcouldhelpiftheyhit，andwouldprobablydonoharmiftheydidn’t。

"Tomymind，certaincircumstancesofthecasebeforethecourtseemtosuggestamotiveforthehomicidequitedifferentfromtheoneinsistedonbythestate。Itismyconvictionthatthemotivewasnotrevenge，butrobbery。Ithasbeenurgedthatthepresenceoftheaccusedbrothersinthatfatalroom，justafternotificationthatoneofthemmusttakethelifeofJudgeDriscollorlosehisownthemomentthepartiesshouldmeet，clearlysignifiesthatthenaturalofself—preservationmovedmyclientstogotheresecretlyandsaveCountLuigibydestroyinghisadversary。

"Thenwhydidtheystaythere，afterthedeedwasdone？

Mrs。Pratthadtime，althoughshedidnothearthecryforhelp，butwokeupsomemomentslater，toruntothatroom——andthereshefoundthesemenstandingandmakingnoefforttoescape。

Iftheywereguilty，theyoughttohavebeenrunningoutofthehouseatthesametimethatshewasrunningtothatroom。

Iftheyhadhadsuchastronginstincttowardself—preservationastomovethemtokillthatunarmedman，whathadbecomeofitnow，whenitshouldhavebeenmorealertthanever。Wouldanyofushaveremainedthere？Letusnotslanderourintelligencetothatdegree。

"Muchstresshasbeenlaiduponthefactthattheaccusedofferedaverylargerewardfortheknifewithwhichthismurderwasdone;thatnothiefcameforwardtoclaimthatextraordinaryreward;thatthelatterfactwasgoodcircumstantialevidencethattheclaimthattheknifehadbeenstolenwasavanityandafraud;thatthesedetailstakeninconnectionwiththememorableandapparentlypropheticspeechofthedeceasedconcerningthatknife，andthefinallydiscoveryofthatveryknifeinthefatalroomwherenolivingpersonwasfoundpresentwiththeslaughteredmanbuttheowneroftheknifeandhisbrother，formanindestructiblechainofevidencewhichfixedthecrimeuponthoseunfortunatestrangers。

"ButIshallpresentlyasktobesworn，andshalltestifythattherewasalargerewardofferedfortheTHIEF，also;

anditwasofferedsecretlyandnotadvertised;thatthisfactwasindiscreetlymentioned——oratleasttacitlyadmitted——inwhatwassupposedtobesafecircumstances，butmayNOThavebeen。

Thethiefmayhavebeenpresenthimself。[TomDriscollhadbeenlookingatthespeaker，butdroppedhiseyesatthispoint。]

Inthatcasehewouldretaintheknifeinhispossession，notdaringtoofferitforsale，orforpledgeinapawnshop。[Therewasanoddingofheadsamongtheaudiencebywayofadmissionthatthiswasnotabadstroke。]IshallprovetothesatisfactionofthejurythatthereWASapersoninJudgeDriscoll’sroomseveralminutesbeforetheaccusedenteredit。[Thisproducedastrongsensation;thelastdrowsyheadinthecourtroomrousedupnow，andmadepreparationtolisten。]Ifitshallseemnecessary，IwillprovebytheMissesClarksonthattheymetaveiledperson——

ostensiblyawoman——comingoutofthebackgateafewminutesafterthecryforhelpwasheard。Thispersonwasnotawoman，butamandressedinwoman’sclothes。"Anothersensation。

WilsonhadhiseyeonTomwhenhehazardedthisguess，toseewhateffectitwouldproduce。Hewassatisfiedwiththeresult，andsaidtohimself，"Itwasasuccess——he’shit！"

Theobjectofthatpersoninthathousewasrobbery，notmurder。Itistruethatthesafewasnotopen，buttherewasanordinarycashboxonthetable，withthreethousanddollarsinit。

Itiseasilysupposablethatthethiefwasconcealedinthehouse;thatheknewofthisbox，andofitsowner’shabitofcountingitscontentsandarranginghisaccountsatnight——ifhehadthathabit，whichIdonotassert，ofcourse——thathetriedtotaketheboxwhileitsownerslept，butmadeanoiseandwasseized，andhadtousetheknifetosavehimselffromcapture;

andthathefledwithouthisbootybecauseheheardhelpcoming。

"Ihavenowdonewithmytheory，andwillproceedtotheevidencesbywhichIproposetotrytoproveitssoundness。"

Wilsontookupseveralofhisstripsofglass。WhentheaudiencerecognizedthesefamiliarmementosofPudd’nhead’soldtimechildish"puttering"andfolly，thetenseandfunerealinterestvanishedoutoftheirfaces，andthehouseburstintovolleysofrelievingandrefreshinglaughter，andTomchirkedupandjoinedinthefunhimself;butWilsonwasapparentlynotdisturbed。

Hearrangedhisrecordsonthetablebeforehim，andsaid：

"IbegtheindulgenceofthecourtwhileImakeafewremarksinexplanationofsomeevidencewhichIamabouttointroduce，andwhichIshallpresentlyasktobeallowedtoverifyunderoathonthewitnessstand。Everyhumanbeingcarrieswithhimfromhiscradletohisgravecertainphysicalmarkswhichdonotchangetheircharacter，andbywhichhecanalwaysbeidentified——andthatwithoutshadeofdoubtorquestion。

Thesemarksarehissignature，hisphysiologicalautograph，sotospeak，andthisautographcannotbecounterfeited，norcanhedisguiseitorhideitaway，norcanitbecomeillegiblebythewearandmutationsoftime。

Thissignatureisnothisface——agecanchangethatbeyondrecognition;itisnothishair，forthatcanfallout;itisnothisheight，forduplicatesofthatexist;itisnothisform，forduplicatesofthatexistalso，whereasthissignatureiseachman’sveryown——thereisnoduplicateofitamongtheswarmingpopulationsoftheglobe！[Theaudiencewereinterestedoncemore。]

"ThisautographconsistsofthedelicatelinesorcorrugationswithwhichNaturemarkstheinsidesofthehandsandthesolesofthefeet。Ifyouwilllookattheballsofyourfingers——

youthathaveverysharpeyesight——youwillobservethatthesedaintycurvinglineslieclosetogether，likethosethatindicatethebordersofoceansinmaps，andthattheyformvariousclearlydefinedpatterns，suchasarches，circles，longcurves，whorls，etc。，andthatthesepattersdifferonthedifferentfingers。[Everymanintheroomhadhishanduptothelightnow，andhisheadcantedtooneside，andwasminutelyscrutinizingtheballsofhisfingers;therewerewhisperedejaculationsof"Why，it’sso——Inevernoticedthatbefore！"]

Thepatternsontherighthandarenotthesameasthoseontheleft。

[Ejaculationsof"Why，that’sso，too！"]Takenfingerforfinger，yourpatternsdifferfromyourneighbor’s。[Comparisonsweremadealloverthehouse——eventhejudgeandjurywereabsorbedinthiscuriouswork。]Thepatternsofatwin’srighthandarenotthesameasthoseonhisleft。Onetwin’spattersareneverthesameashisfellowtwin’spatters——thejurywillfindthatthepatternsuponthefingerballsofthetwins’handsfollowthisrule。[Anexaminationofthetwins’handswasbegunatonce。]

Youhaveoftenheardoftwinswhoweresoexactlyalikethatwhendressedaliketheirownparentscouldnottellthemapart。

Yettherewasneveratwinbornintothisworldthatdidnotcarryfrombirthtodeathasureidentifierinthismysteriousandmarvelousnatalautograph。Thatonceknowntoyou，hisfellowtwincouldneverpersonatehimanddeceiveyou。"

Wilsonstoppedandstoodsilent。Inattentiondiesaquickandsuredeathwhenaspeakerdoesthat。Thestillnessgiveswarningthatsomethingiscoming。Allpalmsandfingerballswentdownnow，allslouchingformsstraightened，allheadscameup，alleyeswerefasteneduponWilson’sface。Hewaitedyetone，two，threemoments，tolethispausecompleteandperfectitsspelluponthehouse;then，whenthroughtheprofoundhushhecouldhearthetickingoftheclockonthewall，heputouthishandandtooktheIndianknifebythebladeandhelditaloftwhereallcouldseethesinisterspotsuponitsivoryhandle;

thenhesaid，inalevelandpassionlessvoice：

"Uponthishaftstandstheassassin’snatalautograph，writteninthebloodofthathelplessandunoffendingoldmanwholovedyouandwhomyouallloved。Thereisbutonemaninthewholeearthwhosehandcanduplicatethatcrimsonsign"——

hepausedandraisedhiseyestothependulumswingingbackandforth——

"andpleaseGodwewillproducethatmaninthisroombeforetheclockstrikesnoon！"

Stunned，distraught，unconsciousofitsownmovement，thehousehalfrose，asifexpectingtoseethemurdererappearatthedoor，andabreezeofmutteredejaculationsswepttheplace。

"Orderinthecourt！——sitdown！"Thisfromthesheriff。Hewasobeyed，andquietreignedagain。WilsonstoleaglanceatTom，andsaidtohimself，"Heisflyingsignalsofdistressnow;evenpeoplewhodespisehimarepityinghim;theythinkthisisahardordealforayoungfellowwhohaslosthisbenefactorbysocruelastroke——andtheyareright。"Heresumedhisspeech：

"FormorethantwentyyearsIhaveamusedmycompulsoryleisurewithcollectingthesecuriousphysicalsignaturesinthistown。

AtmyhouseIhavehundredsuponhundredsofthem。

Eachandeveryoneislabeledwithnameanddate;notlabeledthenextdayoreventhenexthour，butintheveryminutethattheimpressionwastaken。WhenIgouponthewitnessstandIwillrepeatunderoaththethingswhichIamnowsaying。Ihavethefingerprintsofthecourt，thesheriff，andeverymemberofthejury。

Thereishardlyapersoninthisroom，whiteorblack，whosenatalsignatureIcannotproduce，andnotoneofthemcansodisguisehimselfthatIcannotpickhimoutfromamultitudeofhisfellowcreaturesandunerringlyidentifyhimbyhishands。

AndifheandIshouldlivetobeahundredIcouldstilldoit。

[Theinterestoftheaudiencewassteadilydeepeningnow。]

"IhavestudiedsomeofthesesignaturessomuchthatIknowthemaswellasthebankcashierknowstheautographofhisoldestcustomer。WhileIturnmybacknow，Ibegthatseveralpersonswillbesogoodastopasstheirfingersthroughtheirhair，andthenpressthemupononeofthepanesofthewindownearthejury，andthatamongthemtheaccusedmaysetTHEIR

fingermarks。Also，Ibegthattheseexperimenters，orothers，willsettheirfingersuponanotherpane，andaddagainthemarksoftheaccused，butnotplacingtheminthesameorderorrelationtotheothersignaturesasbefore——for，byonechanceinamillion，apersonmighthappenupontherightmarksbypureguesswork，ONCE，thereforeIwishtobetestedtwice。"

Heturnedhisback，andthetwopaneswerequicklycoveredwithdelicatelylinedovalspots，butvisibleonlytosuchpersonsascouldgetadarkbackgroundforthem——thefoliageofatree，outside，forinstance。Thenuponcall，Wilsonwenttothewindow，madehisexamination，andsaid：

"ThisisCountLuigi’srighthand;thisone，threesignaturesbelow，ishisleft。HereisCountAngelo’sright;

downhereishisleft。Howfortheotherpane：hereandhereareCountLuigi’s，hereandherearehisbrother’s。"Hefacedabout。

"AmIright？"

Adeafeningexplosionofapplausewastheanswer。

Thebenchsaid：

"Thiscertainlyapproachesthemiraculous！"

Wilsonturnedtothewindowagainandremarked，pointingwithhisfinger：

"ThisisthesignatureofMr。JusticeRobinson。[Applause。]

This，ofConstableBlake。[Applause。]ThisofJohnMason，juryman。

[Applause。]This，ofthesheriff。[Applause。]

Icannotnametheothers，butIhavethemallathome，namedanddated，andcouldidentifythemallbymyfingerprintrecords。"

Hemovedtohisplacethroughastormofapplause——whichthesheriffstopped，andalsomadethepeoplesitdown，fortheywereallstandingandstrugglingtosee，ofcourse。Court，jury，sheriff，andeverybodyhadbeentooabsorbedinobservingWilson’sperformancetoattendtotheaudienceearlier。

"Nowthen，"saidWilson，"Ihaveherethenatalautographsofthetwochildren——thrownuptotentimesthenaturalsizebythepantograph，sothatanyonewhocanseeatallcantellthemarkingsapartataglance。WewillcallthechildrenAandB。

HereareA’sfingermarks，takenattheageoffivemonths。

Heretheyareagaintakenatsevenmonths。[Tomstarted。]

Theyarealike，yousee。HereareB’satfivemonths，andalsoatsevenmonths。They，too，exactlycopyeachother，butthepatternsarequitedifferentfromA’s，youobserve。Ishallrefertotheseagainpresently，butwewillturnthemfacedownnow。

"Here，thrownuptensizes，arethenatalautographsofthetwopersonswhoareherebeforeyouaccusedofmurderingJudgeDriscoll。

Imadethesepantographcopieslastnight，andwillsoswearwhenIgouponthewitnessstand。Iaskthejurytocomparethemwiththefingermarksoftheaccuseduponthewindowpanes，andtellthecourtiftheyarethesame。"

Hepassedapowerfulmagnifyingglasstotheforeman。

Onejurymanafteranothertookthecardboardandtheglassandmadethecomparison。Thentheforemansaidtothejudge：

"Yourhonor，weareallagreedthattheyareidentical。"

Wilsonsaidtotheforeman：

"Pleaseturnthatcardboardfacedown，andtakethisone，andcompareitsearchingly，bythemagnifier，withthefatalsignatureupontheknifehandle，andreportyourfindingtothecourt。"

Againthejurymademinuteexaminations，andagainreported：

"Wefindthemtobeexactlyidentical，yourhonor。"

Wilsonturnedtowardthecounselfortheprosecution，andtherewasaclearlyrecognizablenoteofwarninginhisvoicewhenhesaid：

"Mayitpleasethecourt，thestatehasclaimed，strenuouslyandpersistently，thatthebloodstainedfingerprintsuponthatknifehandlewerelefttherebytheassassinofJudgeDriscoll。

Youhaveheardusgrantthatclaim，andwelcomeit。"Heturnedtothejury："Comparethefingerprintsoftheaccusedwiththefingerprintsleftbytheassassin——andreport。"

Thecomparisonbegan。Asitproceeded，allmovementandallsoundceased，andthedeepsilenceofanabsorbedandwaitingsuspensesettleduponthehouse;andwhenatlastthewordscame，"THEYDONOTEVENRESEMBLE，"athundercrashofapplausefollowedandthehousesprangtoitsfeet，butwasquicklyrepressedbyofficialforceandbroughttoorderagain。Tomwasalteringhispositioneveryfewminutesnow，butnoneofhischangesbroughtreposenoranysmalltrifleofcomfort。Whenthehouse’sattentionwasbecomefixedoncemore，Wilsonsaidgravely，indicatingthetwinswithagesture：

"Thesemenareinnocent——Ihavenofurtherconcernwiththem。

[Anotheroutbreakofapplausebegan，butwaspromptlychecked。]

Wewillnowproceedtofindtheguilty。[Tom’seyeswerestartingfromtheirsockets——yes，itwasacrueldayforthebereavedyouth，everybodythought。]WewillreturntotheinfantautographsofAandB。IwillaskthejurytotaketheselargepantographfacsimiliesofA’smarkedfivemonthsandsevenmonths。

Dotheytally？"

Theforemanresponded："Perfectly。"

"Nowexaminethispantograph，takenateightmonths，andalsomarkedA。Doesittallywiththeothertwo？"

Thesurprisedresponsewas：

"NO——THEYDIFFERWIDELY！"

"Youarequiteright。NowtakethesetwopantographsofB’sautograph，markedfivemonthsandsevenmonths。Dotheytallywitheachother？"

"Yes——perfectly。"

"TakethisthirdpantographmarkedB，eightmonths。

DoesittallywithB’sothertwo？"

"BYNOMEANS！"

"Doyouknowhowtoaccountforthosestrangediscrepancies？

Iwilltellyou。Forapurposeunknowntous，butprobablyaselfishone，somebodychangedthosechildreninthecradle。"

Thisproducedavastsensation，naturally;Roxanawasastonishedatthisadmirableguess，butnotdisturbedbyit。

Toguesstheexchangewasonething，toguesswhodiditquiteanother。

Pudd’nheadWilsoncoulddowonderfulthings，nodoubt，buthecouldn’tdoimpossibleones。Safe？Shewasperfectlysafe。

Shesmiledprivately。

"Betweentheagesofsevenmonthsandeightmonthsthosechildrenwerechangedinthecradle"——hemadeoneofthiseffect—

collectingpauses，andadded——"andthepersonwhodiditisinthishouse！"

Roxy’spulsesstoodstill！Thehousewasthrilledaswithanelectricshock，andthepeoplehalfroseasiftoseekaglimpseofthepersonwhohadmadethatexchange。Tomwasgrowinglimp;thelifeseemedoozingoutofhim。Wilsonresumed：

"AwasputintoB’scradleinthenursery;BwastransferredtothekitchenandbecameaNegroandaslave[Sensation——

confusionofangryejaculations]——butwithinaquarterofanhourhewillstandbeforeyouwhiteandfree！[Burstofapplause，checkedbytheofficers。]Fromsevenmonthsonwarduntilnow，Ahasstillbeenausurper，andinmyfingerrecordhebearsB’sname。

Hereishispantographattheageoftwelve。

Compareitwiththeassassin’ssignatureupontheknifehandle。

Dotheytally？"

Theforemananswered：

"TOTHEMINUTESTDETAIL！"

Wilsonsaid，solemnly：

"Themurdererofyourfriendandmine——YorkDriscollofthegeneroushandandthekindlyspirit——sitsinamongyou。

ValetdeChambre，Negroandslave——falselycalledThomasaBecketDriscoll——makeuponthewindowthefingerprintsthatwillhangyou！"

Tomturnedhisashenfaceimploringtowardthespeaker，madesomeimpotentmovementswithhiswhitelips，thenslidlimpandlifelesstothefloor。

Wilsonbroketheawedsilencewiththewords：

"Thereisnoneed。Hehasconfessed。"

Roxyflungherselfuponherknees，coveredherfacewithherhands，andoutthroughhersobsthewordsstruggled：

"DeLordhavemercyonme，po’misasblesinnerdatIis！"

Theclockstrucktwelve。

Thecourtrose;thenewprisoner，handcuffed，wasremoved。

CONCLUSION

Itisoftenthecasethatthemanwhocan’ttellaliethinksheisthebestjudgeofone。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarOCTOBER12，THEDISCOVERY。ItwaswonderfultofindAmerica，butitwouldhavebeenmorewonderfultomissit。

——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThetownsatupallnighttodiscusstheamazingeventsofthedayandswapguessesastowhenTom’strialwouldbegin。

TroopaftertroopofcitizenscametoserenadeWilson，andrequireaspeech，andshoutthemselveshoarseovereverysentencethatfellfromhislips——forallhissentencesweregolden，now，allweremarvelous。Hislongfightagainsthardluckandprejudicewasended;hewasamademanforgood。

Andaseachoftheseroaringgangsofenthusiastsmarchedaway，someremorsefulmemberofitwasquitesuretoraisehisvoiceandsay：

"Andthisisthemanthelikesofushavecalledapudd’nheadformorethantwentyyears。Hehasresignedfromthatposition，friends。"

"Yes，butitisn’tvacant——we’reelected。"

Thetwinswereheroesofromance，now，andwithrehabilitatedreputations。ButtheywerewearyofWesternadventure，andstraightwayretiredtoEurope。

Roxy’sheartwasbroken。Theyoungfellowuponwhomshehadinflictedtwenty—threeyearsofslaverycontinuedthefalseheir’spensionofthirty—fivedollarsamonthtoher，butherhurtsweretoodeepformoneytoheal;thespiritinhereyewasquenched，hermartialbearingdepartedwithit，andthevoiceofherlaughterceasedintheland。Inherchurchanditsaffairsshefoundheronlysolace。

Therealheirsuddenlyfoundhimselfrichandfree，butinamostembarrassingsituation。Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite，andhisspeechwasthebasestdialectoftheNegroquarter。

Hisgait，hisattitudes，hisgestures，hisbearing，hislaugh——

allwerevulgaranduncouth;hismannerswerethemannersofaslave。

Moneyandfineclothescouldnotmendthesedefectsorcoverthemup;

theyonlymadethemmoreglaringandthemorepathetic。

Thepoorfellowcouldnotenduretheterrorsofthewhiteman’sparlor，andfeltathomeandatpeacenowherebutinthekitchen。

Thefamilypewwasamiserytohim，yethecouldnevermoreenterintothesolacingrefugeofthe"niggergallery"——thatwasclosedtohimforgoodandall。Butwecannotfollowhiscuriousfatefurther——

thatwouldbealongstory。

Thefalseheirmadeafullconfessionandwassentencedtoimprisonmentforlife。Butnowacomplicationcameup。

ThePercyDriscollestatewasinsuchacrippledshapewhenitsownerdiedthatitcouldpayonlysixtypercentofitsgreatindebtedness，andwassettledatthatrate。Butthecreditorscameforwardnow，andcomplainedthatinasmuchasthroughanerrorforwhichTHEYwereinnowaytoblamethefalseheirwasnotinventoriedatthetimewiththerestoftheproperty，greatwrongandlosshadtherebybeeninflicteduponthem。

Theyrightlyclaimedthat"Tom"waslawfullytheirpropertyandhadbeensoforeightyears;thattheyhadalreadylostsufficientlyinbeingdeprivedofhisservicesduringthatlongperiod，andoughtnottoberequiredtoaddanythingtothatloss;thatifhehadbeendelivereduptotheminthefirstplace，theywouldhavesoldhimandhecouldnothavemurderedJudgeDriscoll;thereforeitwasnotthathehadreallycommittedthemurder，theguiltlaywiththeerroneousinventory。Everybodysawthattherewasreasoninthis。Everybodygrantedthatif"Tom"werewhiteandfreeitwouldbeunquestionablyrighttopunishhim——itwouldbenolosstoanybody;buttoshutupavaluableslaveforlife——

thatwasquiteanothermatter。

AssoonastheGovernorunderstoodthecase，hepardonedTomatonce，andthecreditorssoldhimdowntheriver。

Author’sNotetoTHOSEEXTRAORDINARYTWINS

Amanwhoisnotbornwiththenovel—writinggifthasatroublesometimeofitwhenhetriestobuildanovel。

Iknowthisfromexperience。Hehasnoclearideaofhisstory;

infacthehasnostory。Hemerelyhassomepeopleinhismind，andanincidentortwo，alsoalocality，andhetrustshecanplungethosepeopleintothoseincidentswithinterestingresults。

Sohegoestowork。Towriteanovel？No——thatisathoughtwhichcomeslater;inthebeginningheisonlyproposingtotellalittletale，averylittletale，asix—pagetale。Butasitisatalewhichheisnotacquaintedwith，andcanonlyfindoutwhatitisbylisteningasitgoesalongtellingitself，itismorethanapttogoonandonandontillitspreadsitselfintoabook。

Iknowaboutthis，becauseithashappenedtomesomanytimes。

AndIhavenoticedanotherthing：thatastheshorttalegrowsintothelongtale，theoriginalintention（ormotif）

isapttogetabolishedandfinditselfsupersededbyaquitedifferentone。ItwassointhecaseofamagazinesketchwhichIoncestartedtowrite——afunnyandfantasticsketchaboutaprinceanapauper;itpresentlyassumedagravecastofitsownaccord，andinthatnewshapespreaditselfoutintoabook。

MuchthesamethinghappenedwithPUDD’NHEADWILSON。Ihadasufficientlyhardtimewiththattale，becauseitchangeditselffromafarcetoatragedywhileIwasgoingalongwithit——amostembarrassingcircumstance。Butwhatwasagreatdealworsewas，thatitwasnotonestory，buttwostoriestangledtogether;andtheyobstructedandinterruptedeachotherateveryturnandcreatednoendofconfusionandannoyance。Icouldnotofferthebookforpublication，forIwasafraiditwouldunseatthereader’sreason，Ididnotknowwhatwasthematterwithit，forIhadnotnoticed，asyet，thatitwastwostoriesinone。

Ittookmemonthstomakethatdiscovery。IcarriedthemanuscriptbackandforthacrosstheAtlantictwoorthreetimes，andreaditandstudiedoveritonshipboard;andatlastIsawwherethedifficultylay。Ihadnofurthertrouble。Ipulledoneofthestoriesoutbytheroots，andlefttheother——akindofliteraryCaesareanoperation。

WouldthereadercaretoknowsomethingaboutthestorywhichIpulledout？Hehasbeentoldmanyatimehowtheborn—

and—trainednovelistworks;won’theletmeroundandcompletehisknowledgebytellinghimhowthejacklegdoesit？

OriginallythestorywascalledTHOSEEXTRAORDINARYTWINS。

Imeanttomakeitveryshort。IhadseenapictureofayouthfulItalian"freak"——or"freaks"——whichwas——orwhichwere——

onexhibitioninourcities——acombinationconsistingoftwoheadsandfourarmsjoinedtoasinglebodyandasinglepairoflegs——

andIthoughtIwouldwriteanextravagantlyfantasticlittlestorywiththisfreakofnatureforhero——orheroes——

asillyyoungmissforheroine，andtwooldladiesandtwoboysfortheminorparts。Ilavishlyelaboratedthesepeopleandtheirdoings，ofcourse。Butthetakekeptspreadingalongandspreadingalong，andotherpeoplegottointrudingthemselvesandtakingupmoreandmoreroomwiththeirtalkandtheiraffairs。

AmongthemcameastrangernamedPudd’nheadWilson，andwomannamedRoxana;andpresentlythedoingsofthesetwopushedupintoprominenceayoungfellownamedTomDriscoll，whoseproperplacewasawayintheobscurebackground。Beforethebookwashalffinishedthosethreeweretakingthingsalmostentirelyintotheirownhandsandworkingthewholetaleasaprivateventureoftheirown——atalewhichtheyhadnothingatalltodowith，byrights。

WhenthebookwasfinishedandIcametolookaroundtoseewhathadbecomeoftheteamIhadoriginallystartedoutwith——

AuntPatsyCooper，AuntBetsyHale，andtwoboys，andRowenathelightweightheroine——theywerenowheretobeseen;theyhaddisappearedfromthestorysometimeorother。Ihuntedaboutandfoundthem——foundthemstranded，idle，forgotten，andpermanentlyuseless。Itwasveryawkward。Itwasawkwardallaround，butmoreparticularlyinthecaseofRowena，becausetherewasalovematchon，betweenherandoneofthetwinsthatconstitutedthefreak，andIhadworkedituptoablisteringheatandthrowninaquitedramaticlovequarrel，whereinRowenascathinglydenouncedherbetrothedforgettingdrunk，andscoffedathisexplanationofhowithadhappened，andwouldn’tlistentoit，andhaddrivenhimfromherintheusual"forever"way;

andnowhereshesatcryingandbrokenhearted;forshehadfoundthathehadspokenonlythetruth;thatiswasnothe，buttheotherofthefreakthathaddrunktheliquorthatmadehimdrunk;

thatherhalfwasaprohibitionistandhadneverdrunkadropinhislife，andaltogethertightasabrickthreedaysintheweek，waswhollyinnocentofblame;andindeed，whensober，wasconstantlydoingallhecouldtoreformhisbrother，theotherhalf，whonevergotanysatisfactionoutofdrinking，anyway，becauseliquorneveraffectedhim。Yes，hereshewas，strandedwiththatdeepinjusticeofherstorturingherpoortornheart。

Ididn’tknowwhattodowithher。Iwasassorryforherasanybodycouldbe，butthecampaignwasover，thebookwasfinished，shewassidetracked，andtherewasnopossiblewayofcrowdingherin，anywhere。Icouldnotleaveherthere，ofcourse;itwouldnotdo。Afterspreadingheroutso，andmakingsuchato—dooverheraffairs，itwouldbeabsolutelynecessarytoaccounttothereaderforher。Ithoughtandthoughtandstudiedandstudied;butIarrivedatnothing。Ifinallysawplainlythattherewasreallynowaybutone——Imustsimplygiveherthegrandbounce。Itgrievedmetodoit，forafterassociatingwithhersomuchIhadcometokindoflikeherafterafashion，notwithstandingthingsandwassonauseatinglysentimental。

Stillithadtobedone。SoatthetopofChapterXVIIIputa"Calendar"remarkconcerningJulytheFourth，andbeganthechapterwiththisstatistic：

"Rowenawentoutinthebackyardaftersuppertoseethefireworksandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。"

Itseemedabrupt，butIthoughtmaybethereaderwouldn’tnoticeit，becauseIchangedthesubjectrightawaytosomethingelse。

AnywayitloosenedupRowenafromwhereshewasstuckandgotheroutoftheway，andthatwasthemainthing。Itseemedapromptgoodwayofweedingoutpeoplethathadgotstalled，andaplentygoodenoughwayforthoseothers;soIhuntedupthetwoboysandsaid，"Theywentoutbackonenighttostonethecatandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。"NextIsearchedaroundandfoundoldAuntPatsyandAuntBetsyHalewheretheywerearound，andsaid，"Theywentoutbackonenighttovisitthesickandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。"Iwasgoingtodrownsomeothers，butIgaveuptheidea，partlybecauseIbelievedthatifIkeptthatupitwouldaroseattention，andperhapssympathywiththosepeople，andpartlybecauseitwasnotalargewellandwouldnotholdanymoreanyway。

Stillthestorywasunsatisfactory。Herewasasetofnewcharacterswhowerebecomeinordinatelyprominentandwhopersistedinremainingsototheend;andbackyonderwasanoldersetwhomadealargenoiseandagreatto—doforalittlewhileandthensuddenlyplayedoututterlyandfelldownthewell。

Therewasaradicaldefectsomewhere，andImustsearchitoutandcureit。

Thedefectturnedouttobetheonealreadyspokenof——

twostoriesinone，afarceandatragedy。SoIpulledoutthefarceandleftthetragedy。Thislefttheoriginalteamin，butonlyasmerenames，notascharacters。Theirprominencewaswhollygone;

theywerenotevenworthdrowning;soIremovedthatdetail。

AlsoItookthetwinsapartandmadetwoseparatemenofthem。

Theyhadnooccasiontohaveforeignnamesnow，butitwastoomuchtroubletoremovethemallthrough，soIleftthemchristenedastheywereandmadenoexplanation。