Inhisdespairhehadnotnoticedthatthependulumhungmotionless，orthatthehandsstoodatrestonthedial。Ifhehad，hemighthavewaitedlongenoughtohaveseenthecarefulopeningofthegreatclock”stalldoorandthesteppingforthofthelittleladywhohadplayedsodeftlyuponhissuperstition。
Hewaswanderingthecorridorslikeahelplesschild，whenagentlehandfellonhisarmandasoftvoicewhisperedinhisear：
“Youhaveastorytotell。Willyoutellittome？ItmaysaveMissPostlethwaite”slife。”
Didheunderstand？Wouldherespondifhedid；orwouldtheshockofherappealrestorehimtoasenseofthedangerattendingdisloyalty？Foramomentshedoubtedthewisdomofthisstartlingmeasure，thenshesawthathehadpassedthepointofsurpriseandthat，strangerasshewas，shehadbuttoleadthewayforhimtofollow，tellhisstory，anddie。
Therewasnolightinthedrawing-roomwhentheyentered。ButoldMr。Dunbardidnotseemtomindthat。Indeed，heseemedtohavelostallconsciousnessofpresentsurroundings；hewasevenobliviousofher。Thisbecamequiteevidentwhenthelamp，inflaringupagaininthehall，gaveamomentaryglimpse，ofhiscrouching，half-kneelingfigure。Inthepleadinggestureofhistrembling，outreachingarms，Violetbeheldanappeal，nottoherself，buttosomephantomofhisimagination；andwhenhespoke，ashepresentlydid，itwaswiththefreedomofonetowhomspeechislife”slastboon，andtheearofthelistenerquiteforgotteninthepassionofconfessionlongsuppressed。
“Shehasneverlovedme，“hebegan，“butIhavealwayslovedher。
Formenootherwomanhaseverexisted，thoughIwassixty-fiveyearsofagewhenIfirstsawher，andhadlonggivenuptheideathattherelivedawomanwhocouldswaymefrommyevenlifeandfixedlinesofduty。Sixty-five！andsheayouthfulbride！Wasthereeversuchfolly！HappilyIrealizeditfromthefirst，andpiledashesonmyhiddenflame。PerhapsthatiswhyIadorehertothisdayandonlygiveherovertoreprobationbecauseFateisstrongerthanmyage——strongereventhanmylove。
“Sheisnotagoodwoman，butImighthavebeenagoodmanifI
hadneverknownthesinwhichdrewalineofisolationabouther，andwithinwhichI，andonlyI，havestoodwithherinsilentcompanionship。Whatwasthissin，andinwhatdidithaveitsbeginning？Ithinkitsbeginningwasinthepassionshehadforherhusband。Itwasnottheevery-daypassionofhersexinthislandofequableaffections，butoneofforeignfierceness，jealousy，andinsatiabledemand。Yethewasaveryordinaryman。
IwasoncehistutorandIknow。Shecametoknowittoo，when——
butIamrushingontoofast，IhavemuchtotellbeforeIreachthatpoint。
“Fromthefirst，Iwasintheirconfidence。Notthateitherheorsheputmethere，butthatIlivedwiththemandwasalwaysaround，andcouldnothelpseeingandhearingwhatwentonbetweenthem。Whyhecontinuedtowantmeinthehouseandathistable，whenIcouldnolongerbeofservicetohim，Ihaveneverknown。Possiblyhabitexplainsall。Hewasaccustomedtomypresenceandsowasshe；soaccustomedtheyhardlynoticedit，ashappenedonenight，whenafteralittleattemptatconversation，hethrewdownthebookhehadcaughtupand，addressingherbyname，saidwithoutaglancemyway，andquiteasifhewerealonewithher：
“”Arabella，thereissomethingIoughttotellyou。Ihavetriedtofindthecouragetodosomanytimesbeforenowbuthavealwaysfailed。TonightImust。”Andthenhemadehisgreatdisclosure，——how，unknownto，hisfriendsandtheworld，hewasawidowerwhenhemarriedher，andthefatherofalivingchild。
“Withsomewomenthismighthavepassedwithameasureofregret，andsomepossiblecontemptforhissilence，butnotsowithher。
Sherosetoherfeet——Icanseeheryet——andforamomentstoodfacinghiminthestill，overpoweringmannerofonewhofeelstheicypangofhateenterwherelovehasbeen。Neverwasmomentmorecharged。Icouldnotbreathewhileitlasted；andwhenatlastshespoke，itwaswithanimpetuosityofconcentratedpassion，hardlylessdreadfulthanhersilencehadbeen。
“”Youafather！Afatheralready！”shecried，allhersweetnessswallowedupinungovernablewrath。”YouwhomIexpectedtomakesohappywithachild？Icurseyouandyourbrat。I——”
“Hestrovetoplacateher，toexplain。Butragehasnoears，andbeforeIrealizedmyownposition，thescenebecameopenlytempestuous。Thatherchildshouldbesecondtoanotherwoman”sseemedtoawakendemoninstinctswithinher。Whenheventuredtohintthathislittlegirlneededamother”scare，herironybitlikecorrodingacid。Hebecamespeechlessbeforeitandhadnotaprotesttoraisewhenshedeclaredthatthesecrethehadkeptsolongandsosuccessfullyhemustcontinuetokeeptohisdyingday。Thatthechildhehadfailedtoowninhisfirstwife”slifetimeshouldremaindisownedinhers，andifpossiblebeforgotten。Sheshouldnevergivethegirlathoughtnoracknowledgeherinanyway。
“ShewasFuryembodied；butthefurywasofthatgrandorderwhichalluresratherthanrepels。AsIfeltmyselfsuccumbingtoitsfascinationandbeheldhowhewasweakeningunderitevenmoreperceptiblythanmyself，Istartedfrommychair，andsoughttoglideawaybeforeIshouldhearhimutterafatalacquiescence。
“ButthemovementImadeunfortunatelydrewtheirattentiontome，andafteraninstantofsilentcontemplationofmydistractedcountenance，Franksaid，asthoughheweretheelderbythefortyyearswhichseparatedus：
“”YouhavelistenedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”swishes。Youwillrespectthemofcourse。”“
Thatwasall。HeknewandsheknewthatIwastobetrusted；butneitherofthemhaseverknownwhy。
Amonthlaterherchildcame，andwaswelcomedasthoughitwerethefirsttobearhisname。Itwasaboy，andtheirsatisfactionwassogreatthatIlookedtoseetheiroldaffectionrevive。Butithadbeencleftattheroot，andnothingcouldrestoreittolife。Theylovedthechild；Ihaveneverseenevidenceofgreaterparentalpassionthantheybothdisplayed，buttheretheirfeelingsstopped。Towardseachothertheywerecold。Theydidnotevenuniteinworshipoftheirtreasure。Theygloatedoverhimandplannedforhim，butalwaysapart。Hewasachildinathousand，andashedeveloped，themotherespecially，nursedallherenergiesforthepurposeofensuringforhimafuturecommensuratewithhistalents。Neveraveryconscientiouswoman，andalivetotheadvantagesofwealthasdemonstratedbythepowerwieldedbyherrichbrother-in-law，sheassociatedalltheboy”sprospectswithmoney，greatmoney，suchmoneyasAndrewhadaccumulated，andnowhadathisdisposalforhisnaturalheirs。
“Hencecamehergreattemptation，——atemptationtowhichsheyielded，tothelastingtroubleofusall。OfthisImustnowmakeconfessionthoughitkillsmetodoso，andwillsoonkillher。Thedeedsofthepastdonotremainburied，howeverdeepwedigtheirgraves，butriseinanawfulresurrectionwhenweareold——old”
Silence。Thenatremulousrenewalofhispainfulspeech。
Violetheldherbreathtolisten。Possiblythedoctor，hiddeninthedarkestcorneroftheroom，didsoalso。
“Ineverknewhowshebecameacquaintedwiththetermsofherbrother-in-law”swill。Hecertainlyneverconfidedthemtoher，andascertainlythelawyerwhodrewupthedocumentneverdid。
ButthatshewaswellawareofitstenorisaspositiveafactasthatIamthemostwretchedmanalivetonight。Otherwise，whythedarksomedeedintowhichshewasbetrayedwhenboththebrotherslaydyingamongstrangers，ofadreadfulaccident？“
“Iwaswitnesstothatdeed。IhadaccompaniedheronherhurriedrideandwasathersidewhensheenteredtheinnwherethetwoPostlethwaiteslay。Iwasalwaysathersideingreatjoyoringreattrouble，thoughsheprofessednoaffectionformeandgavemebutscantythanks。”
“DuringourrideshehadbeensilentandIhadnotdisturbedthatsilence。Ihadmuchtothinkof。Shouldwefindhimliving，orshouldwefindhimdead？Ifdead，woulditsevertherelationsbetweenustwo？WouldIeverridewithheragain？“
“WhenIwasnotdwellingonthistheme，Iwasthinkingofthepartinglookshegaveherboy；alookwhichhadsomestrangepromiseinit。WhathadthatlookmeantandwhydidmyfleshcreepandmymindhoverbetweendreadandafearsomecuriositywhenIrecalledit？Alas！TherewasreasonforallthesesensationsasIwassoontolearn。
Wefoundtheinnseethingwithterrorandthefactsworsethanhadbeenrepresentedinthetelegram。Herhusbandwasdying。Shehadcomejustintimetowitnesstheend。Thistheytoldherbeforeshehadtakenoffherveil。Iftheyhadwaited——ifIhadbeengivenafullglimpseofherface——Butitwashidden，andI
couldonlyjudgeofthenatureofheremotionsbythesternwayinwhichsheheldherself。
“”Takemetohim”wasthequietcommand，withwhichshemetthisdisclosure。Then，beforeanyofthemcouldmove：
“”Andhisbrother，Mr。AndrewPostlethwaite？Ishefatallyinjuredtoo？”
“Thereplywasunequivocal。Thedoctorswereuncertainwhichofthetwowouldpassawayfirst。
“YoumustrememberthatatthistimeIwasignorantoftherichman”swill，andconsequentlyofhowthefateofapoorchildofwhomIhadheardonlyonemention，hunginthebalanceatthatawfulmoment。ButinthebreathlessnesswhichseizedMrs。
Postlethwaiteatthissentenceofdoubledeath，Irealizedfrommyknowledgeofherthatsomethingmorethangriefwasatpreyuponherimpenetrableheart，andshudderedtothecoreofmybeingwhensherepeatedinthatvoicewhichwassoterriblebecausesoexpressionless：
“”Takemetothem。”“
Theywerelyinginoneroom，herhusbandnearestthedoor，theotherinasmallalcovesometenfeetaway。Bothwereunconscious；bothweresurroundedbygroupsoffrightenedattendantswhofellbackassheapproached。Adoctorstoodatthebed-headofherhusband，butashereyemethishesteppedasidewithashakeoftheheadandlefttheplaceemptyforher。
“Theactionwassignificant。Isawthatsheunderstoodwhatitmeant，andwithconstrictedheartwatchedherasshebentoverthedyingmanandgazedintohiswide-openeyes，alreadysightlessandstaring。Calculationwasinherlookandcalculationonly；andcalculation，orsomethingequallyunintelligible，senthernextglanceinthedirectionofhisbrother。Whatwasinhermind？IcouldunderstandherindifferencetoFrankevenatthecrisisofhisfate，butnottheinterestsheshowedinAndrew。Itwasanabsorbingone，alteringherwholeexpression。Inolongerknewherformydearyoungmadam，andthejealousyIhadneverfelttowardsFrankrosetofranticresentmentinmybreastasIbeheldwhatverylikelymightbeatardyrecognitionoftheother”swell-knownpassion，forcedintodisclosurebytheexigenciesofthemoment。
“Alarmedbythestrengthofmyfeelings，andfearinganequaldisclosureonmyownpart，Isoughtforarefugefromalleyesandfounditinalittlebalconyopeningoutatmyright。OntothisbalconyIsteppedandfoundmyselffacetofacewithastar-
litheaven。HadIonlybeencontentwithmyisolationandthesplendourofthespectaclespreadoutbeforeme！Butno，Imustlookbackuponthatbedandthesolitarywomanstandingbesideit！ImustwatchthesettlingofherbodyintorigidityasavoicerosefrombesidetheotherPostlethwaitesaying，”Itisamatterofminutesnow”andthen——andthen——theslowcreepingofherhandtoherhusband”smouth，theoutspreadingofherpalmacrossthelividlips——itssteadyclingingthere，smotheringthefeeblegaspsofonealreadymoribund，tillthequiveringformgrewstill，andFrankPostlethwaitelaydeadbeforemyeyes！
“Isaw，andmadenooutcry，butshedid，bringingthedoctorbacktohersidewiththestartledexclamation：
“”Dead？Ithoughthehadanhour”slifeleftinhim，andhehaspassedbeforehisbrother。”
“Ithoughtithate——themurderousimpulseofawomanwhoseesherenemyathermercyandcannolongerrestrainthepassionofherlong-cherishedantagonism；andwhilesomethingwithinmerebelledattheact，Icouldnotbetrayher，thoughsilencemadeamurdererofmetoo。Icouldnot。Herspellwasuponmeasinanotherinstantitwasuponeveryoneelseintheroom。Nosuspicionofonesoself-repressedinhersadnessdisturbedtheuniversalsympathy；andencouragedbythisblindnessofthecrowd，Ivowedwithinmyselfnevertorevealhersecret。Themanwasdead，orasgoodasdead，whenshetouchedhim；andnowthatherhatewasexpendedshewouldgrowgentleandgood。
“ButIknewtheworthlessnessofthishopeaswellasmymisconceptionofhermotive，whenFrank”schildbyanotherwifereturnedtomymemory，andBella”ssinstoodexposed。”
“Butonlytomyself。Ialoneknewthatthefortunenowwhollyhers，andinconsequenceherboy”s，hadbeenwonbyacrime。Thatifherhandhadfallenincomfortonherhusband”sforeheadinsteadofinpressureonhismouth，hewouldhaveoutlivedhisbrotherlongenoughtohavebecomeownerofhismillions；inwhichcasearightfulportionwouldhavebeeninsuredtohisdaughter，nowleftapennilesswaif。Thethoughtmademyhairrise，astheproceedingsover，Ifacedherandmademyfirstandlastefforttoridmyconscienceofitsnewandintolerableburden。
ButthewomanIhadknownandlovedwasnolongerbeforeme。Thecrownhadtouchedherbrows，andhercharmwhichhadbeenmainlysexualuptothishourhadmergedintoanintellectualforce，withwhichfewmen”smentalitycouldcope。Mineyieldedatoncetoit。Fromthefirstinstant，Iknewthataslaveryofspirit，aswellasofheart，washenceforthtobemine。”
Shedidnotwaitformetospeak；shehadassumedthedictator”sattitudeatonce。
“”Iknowofwhatyouarethinking，“”saidshe，”anditisasubjectyoumaydismissatoncefromyourmind。Mr。
Postlethwaite”schildbyhisfirstwifeiscomingtolivewithus。Ihaveexpressedmywishesinthisregardtomylawyer，andthereisnothinglefttobesaid。You，withyourclosemouthanddependablenature，aretoremainhereasbefore，andoccupythesamepositiontowardsmyboythatyoudidtowardshisfather。Weshallmovesoonintoalargerhouse，andthenatureofourdutieswillbechangedandtheirscopegreatlyincreased；butIknowthatyoucanbetrustedtoenlargewiththemandmeeteveryrequirementIshallseefittomake。Donottrytoexpressyourthanks。Iseetheminyourface。”
“Didshe，orjustthelastfeeblestrugglemyconsciencewasmakingtobreakthebondsinwhichsheheldme，andwinbackmyownrespect？Ishallneverknow，forsheleftmeoncompletionofthisspeech，nottoresumethesubject，thenorever。
“ButthoughIsuccumbedoutwardlytoherdemands，Ihadnotpassedthepointwhereinnerconflictendsandpeacebegins。HerrecognitionofHelenaandherreceptionintothefamilycalmedmeforawhile，andgavemehopethatallwouldyetbewell。ButI
hadneversoundedthefullbitter-nessofmadam”smorbidheart，wellasIthoughtIknewit。Thehatredshehadfeltfromthefirstforherhusband”schildripenedintofrenzieddislikewhenshefoundheralivingimageofthemotherwhosepictureshehadcomeacrossamongFrank”spersonaleffects。Towinatearfromthosemeekeyesinsteadofasmiletothesensitivelipswasherdailyplay。Sheseemedtoexultinthejoyofimpressinguponthegirlbyhowlittleshehadmissedagreatfortune，andIhaveoftenthought，muchasItriedtokeepmymindfreefromallextravagantandunnecessaryfancies，thathalfofthemoneyshespentinbeautifyingthishouseandmaintainingartindustriesandevengreatcharitableinstitutionswasspentwiththebasepurposeofdemonstratingtothischildthepowerofimmensewealth，andinwhatwaysshemightexpecttoseeherlittlebrotherexpendthemillionsinwhichshehadbeendeniedallshare。”
“IwassosureofthisthatonenightwhileIwaswindinguptheclockswithwhichMrs。Postlethwaiteinherfondnessforoldtimepieceshasfilledthehouse，Istoppedtolookatthelittlefiguretoilingsowearilyupstairs，tobed，withoutamother”skiss。Therewasanappealinthesmallwistfulfacewhichsmotemyhardoldheart，andpossiblyatearwelledupinmyowneyewhenIturnedbacktomyduty。”
“WasthatwhyIfeltthehandofProvidenceuponme，wheninmyhaltbeforetheoneclocktowhichanysuperstitiousinterestwasattached——thegreatoneatthefootofthestairs——Isawthatithadstoppedandattheoneminuteofallminutesinourwretchedlives：Fourminutespasttwo？Thehour，theminuteinwhichFrankPostlethwaitehadgaspedhislastunderthepressureofhiswife”shand！Iknewit——theexactminuteImean——becauseProvidencemeantthatIshouldknowit。TherehadbeenaclockonthemantelpieceofthehotelroomwhereheandhisbrotherhaddiedandIhadseenherglancestealtowardsitattheinstantshewithdrewherpalmfromherhusband”slips。ThestareofthatdialandthepositionofitshandshadlivedstillinmymindasIbelieveditdidinhers。
“Fourminutespasttwo！HowcameouroldtimepieceheretostopatthatexactmomentonadaywhenDutywasmakingitslastdemanduponmetorememberFrank”sunhappychild？Therewasnoonetoanswer；butasIlookedandlooked，Ifelttheimpulseofthemomentstrengthenintopurposetoleavethosehandsundisturbedintheirsilentaccusation。Shemightsee，and，movedbythecoincidence，trembleathertreatmentofHelena。
“Butifthishappened——ifshesawandtrembled——shegavenosign。
Theworkswerestartedupbysomeotherhand，andtheincidentpassed。Butitleftmewithanidea。Thatclocksoonhadawayofstoppingandalwaysatthatoneinstantoftime。Shewasforcedatlengthtonoticeit，andIremember，anoccasionwhenshestoodstock-stillwithhereyesonthosehands，andfailedtofindthebanisterwithherhand，thoughshegropedforitinherfranticneedforsupport。
“Butnocommandcamefromhertoremovetheworn-outpiece，andsoonitstricks，andeverylesserthing，wereforgotteninthecrushingcalamitywhichbefellusinthesicknessanddeathoflittleRichard。
“Oh，thosedaysandnights！Andoh，thefaceofthemotherwhenthedoctorstoldherthatthecasewashopeless！Iaskedmyselfthen，andIhaveaskedmyselfahundredtimessince，whichofalltheemotionsIsawpicturedtherebitthedeepest，andmadethemostlastingimpressiononherguiltyheart？Wasitremorse？Ifso，sheshowednochangeinherattitudetowardsHelena，unlessitwasbyanaddedbitterness。ThesweetlooksandgentlewaysofFrank”syoungdaughtercouldnotwinagainstahatesharpenedbydisappointment。Uselessformetohopeforit。Releasefromtheremorseofyearswasnottocomeinthatway。AsIrealizedthis，Igrewdesperateandresortedagaintotheoldtrickofstoppingtheclockatthefatalhour。Thistimeherguiltyheartresponded。Sheacknowledgedthestabandletallhermiseriesappear。Buthow？Inawaytowringmyheartalmosttomadness，andnotbenefitthechildatall。Shehadherfirststrokethatnight。Ihadmadeherahelplessinvalid。”
“Thatwaseightyearsago，andsincethenwhat？Stagnation。Shelivedwithhermemories，andIwithmine。Helenaonlyhadarighttohope，andhopeperhapsshedid，till——Isthatthegreatclocktalking？Listen！Theyalltalk，butIheedonlytheone。Whatdoesitsay？Tell！tell！tell！DoesitthinkIwillbesilentnowwhenIcometomyownguilt？ThatIwillseektohidemyweaknesswhenIcouldnothidehersin？“
“Explain！“ItwasVioletspeaking，andhertonewassterninitscommand。“Ofwhatguiltdoyouspeak？NotofguilttowardsHelena；youpitiedhertoomuch”
“ButIpitiedmydearmadammore。Itwasthatwhichaffectedmeanddrewmeintocrimeagainstmywill。Besides，Ididnotknow——
notatfirst——whatwasinthelittlebowlofcurdsandcreamI
carriedtothegirleachday。Shehadeatentheminherstep-
mother”sroom，andunderherstep-mother”seyeaslongasshehadstrengthtopassfromroomtoroom，andhowwasItoguessthatitwasnotwholesome？Becauseshefailedinhealthfromdaytoday？Wasnotmydearmadamfailinginhealthalso；andwastherepoisoninhercup？Innocentatthattime，whyamInotinnocentnow？Because——Oh，Iwilltellitall；asthoughatthebarofGod。Iwilltellallthesecretsofthatday。”
“ShewassittingwithherhandtremblingonthetrayfromwhichI
hadjustliftedthebowlshehadbidmecarrytoHelena。Ihadseenhersoahundredtimesbefore，butnotwithjustthatlookinhereyes，orjustthatairofdesolationinherstonyfigure。
Somethingmademespeak；somethingmademeaskifshewerenotquitesowellasusual，andsomethingmadeherreplywiththedreadfultruththatthedoctorhadgivenherjusttwomonthsmoretolive。Myfrightandmadanguishstupefiedme；forIwasnotpreparedforthis，no，notatall；——andunconsciouslyIstareddownatthebowlIheld，unabletobreatheormoveoreventomeetherlook。”
Asusualshemisinterpretedmyemotion。
“”Whydoyoustandlikethat？”Iheardhersayinatoneofgreatirritation。”Andwhydoyoustareintothatbowl？DoyouthinkI
meantoleavethatchildtowalkthesehallsafterIamcarriedoutofthemforever？Doyoumeasuremyhatebysuchapettyyard-
stickasthat？ItellyouthatIwouldrotabovegroundratherthanenteritbeforeshedid？”
“IhadbelievedIknewthiswoman；butwhatsouleverknowsanother”s？Whatsouleverknowsitself？
“”Bella！”Icried；thefirsttimeIhadeverpresumedtoaddresshersointimately。”Wouldyoupoisonthegirl？”Andfromsheerweaknessmyfingerslosttheirclutch，andthebowlfelltothefloor，breakingintoadozenpieces。
Foraminuteshestareddownatthesefromoverhertray，andthensheremarkedverylowandveryquietly：
“”Anotherbowl，Humphrey，andfreshcurdsfromthekitchen。I
willdotheseasoning。Thedosesaretoosmalltobeskipped。Youwon”t？”——Ihadshakenmyhead——”Butyouwill！Itwillnotbethefirsttimeyouhavegonedownthehallwiththismixture。”
“”ButthatwasbeforeIknew——”Ibegan。
“”Andnowthatyoudo，youwillgojustthesame。”ThenasI
stoodhesitating，athousandmemoriesoverwhelmingmeinaninstant，sheaddedinavoicetoteartheheart，”Donotmakemehatetheonlybeingleftinthisworldwhounderstandsandlovesme。”
Shewasahelplessinvalid，andIabrokenman，butwhenthatword”love”fellfromherlips，Ifeltthebloodstartburninginmyveins，andallthecrustofhabitandyearsofself-controlloosenaboutmyheart，andmakemeyoungagain。Whatifherthoughtsweredarkandherwishesmurderous！Shewasborntoruleandswaymentoherwilleventotheirownundoing。””IwishImightkissyourhand”waswhatImurmured，gazingatherwhitefingersgropingoverhertray。
“”Youmay”sheanswered，andhellbecameheaventomeforabriefinstant。ThenIliftedmyselfandwentobedientlyaboutmytask。
“ButpuppetthoughIwas，Iwasnotutterlywithoutsympathy。
WhenIenteredHelena”sroomandsawhowherstartledeyesfellshrinkinglyonthebowlIsetdownbeforeher，myconscienceleapedtolifeandIcouldnothelpsaying：
“Don”tyoulikethecurds，Helena？Yourbrotherusedtolovethemverymuch。”
“”Hiswere——”
“”What，Helena？”
“”Whatthesearenot”shemurmured。
“Istaredather，terror-stricken。Sosheknew，andyetdidnotseizethebowlandemptyitoutofthewindow！Instead，herhandmovedslowlytowardsitanddrewitintoplacebeforeher。
“”YetImusteat”shesaid，liftinghereyestomineinasortofpatientdespair，whichyetwaswithoutaccusation。
“Butmyhandhadinstinctivelygonetohersandgraspedit。
“”Whymustyoueatit？”Iasked。”If——ifyoudonotfinditwholesome，whydoyoutouchit？”
“”Becausemystep-motherexpectsmeto”shecried，”andIhavenootherwillthanhers。WhenIwasalittle，littlechild，myfathermademepromisethatifIevercametolivewithherI
wouldobeyhersimplestwish。AndIalwayshave。Iwillnotdisappointthetrustheputinme。”
“”Evenifyoudieofit？”
“IdonotknowwhetherIwhisperedthesewordsoronlythoughtthem。SheansweredasthoughIhadspoken。
“”Iamnotafraidtodie。Iammoreafraidtolive。ShemayaskmesomedaytodosomethingIfeeltobewrong。”
“WhenIfleddownthehallthatnight，Iheardoneofthesmallclocksspeaktome。Tell！itcried，tell！tell！tell！tell！I
rushedawayfromitwithbeadedforeheadandrisinghair。
“Thenanother”snotepipedup。Noitdroned。No！no！no！no！I
stoppedandtookheart。DisgracethewomanIloved，onthebrinkofthegrave？I——，whoaskednootherboonfromheaventhantoseeherhappy，gracious，andgood？Impossible。Iwouldobeythegreatclock”svoice；theothersweremerechatterboxes。”
Butithasatlastchangeditstune，forsomereason，quitechangeditstune。Now，itisYes！Yes！insteadofNo！andinobeyingitIsaveHelena。ButwhatofBella？and0God，whatofmyself？“
Asigh，agroan，thenalongandheavysilence，intowhichtherefinallybrokethepealingofthevariousclocksstrikingthehour。WhenallwerestillagainandViolethaddrawnasidetheportiere，itwastoseetheoldmanonhisknees，andbetweenherandthethinstreakoflightenteringfromthehall，thefigureofthedoctorhasteningtoHelena”sbedside。
Whenwithinducementsneedlesstoname，theyfinallypersuadedtheyounggirltoleaveherunholyhabitation，itwasinthearmswhichhadupheldheroncebefore，andtoalifewhichpromisedtocompensateherforhertwentyyearsoflonelinessandunsatisfiedlonging。
Butablackshadowyetremainedwhichshemustcrossbeforereachingthesunshine！
Itlayatherstep-mother”sdoor。
IntheplansmadeforHelena”srelease，Mrs。Postlethwaite”sconsenthadnotbeenobtainednorwasshesupposedtobeacquaintedwiththedoctor”sintentionstowardsthechildwhosedeathshewashourlyawaiting。
Itwasthereforewithanastonishment，borderingonawe，thatontheirwaydownstairs，theysawthedoorofherroomopenandherselfstandingaloneanduprightonthethreshold——shewhohadnotbeenseentotakeastepinyears。Inthewonderofthismiracleofsuddenlyrestoredpower，thelittleprocessionstopped，——thedoctorwithhishandupontherail，theloverwithhisburdenclaspedyetmoreprotectinglytohisbreast。Thatalittlespeechawaitedthemcouldbeseenfromtheforceandfuryofthegazewhichtheindomitablewomanbentuponthelaxandhalf-unconsciousfigureshebeheldthusshelteredandconveyed。
Havingbutonearrowleftinherexhaustedquiver，shelauncheditstraightattheinnocentbreastwhichhadneverharbouredagainstheradefiantthought。
“Ingrate！“wasthewordshehurledinavoicefromwhichallitsseductivemusichadgoneforever。“Whereareyougoing？Aretheycarryingyoualivetoyourgrave？“
AmoanfromHelena”spalelips，thensilence。Shehadfaintedatthatbarbedattack。Buttherewasonetherewhodaredtoanswerforherandhespokerelentlessly。Itwasthemanwholovedher。
“No，madam。Wearecarryinghertosafety。YoumustknowwhatI
meanbythat。Lethergoquietlyandyoumaydieinpeace。
Otherwise”
Sheinterruptedhimwithaloudcall，startlingintolifetheechoesofthathauntedhall：
“Humphrey！Cometome，Humphrey！“
ButnoHumphreyappeared。
Anothercall，louderandmoreperemptorythanbefore：
“Humphrey！Isay，Humphrey！“
Buttheanswerwasthesame——silence，andonlysilence。Asthehorrorofthisgrew，thedoctorspoke：
“Mr。HumphreyDunbar”searsareclosedtoallearthlysummons。Hediedlastnightattheveryhourhesaidhewould——fourminutesaftertwo。”
“Fourminutesaftertwo！“Itcamefromherlipsinawhisper，butwitharevelationofherbrokenheartandlife。“Fourminutesaftertwo！“Anddefianttothelast，herheadrose，andforaninstant，foramerebreathoftime，theysawherasshehadlookedinherprime，regalinform，attitude，andexpression；
thenthewillwhichhadsustainedherthroughsomuch，falteredandsuccumbed，andwithafinalreiterationofthewords“Fourminutesaftertwo！“shebrokeintoarattlinglaugh，andfellbackintothearmsofheroldnurse。
Andbelow，oneclockstruckthehourandthenanother。Butnotthebigoneatthefootofthestairs。Thatstillstoodsilent，withitshandspointingtothehourandminuteofFrankPostlethwaite”shasteneddeath。
ENDOFPROBLEMVI
PROBLEMVII
THEDOCTOR，HISWIFE，ANDTHECLOCK
Violethadgonetoherroom。Shehadataskbeforeher。Thatafternoon，apackethadbeenleftatthedoor，which，fromacertainletterscribbledinonecorner，sheknewtobefromheremployer。Thecontentsofthatpacketmustberead，andshehadmadeherselfcomfortablewiththeintentionofsettingtoworkatonce。Butteno”clockstruckandthenelevenbeforeshecouldbringherselftogiveanyattentiontothemanuscriptawaitingherperusal。Inherpresentmood，aquietsittingbythefire，withhereyesuponthechangefulflame，waspreferabletothestudyofanyaffairheremployermightsendher。Yet，becauseshewasconsciousofthedutyshethusopenlyneglected，shesatcrouchedoverherdeskwithherhandonthemysteriouspacket，thestringofwhich，however，shemadenoefforttoloosen。
Whatwasshethinkingof？
Wearenotaloneinourcuriosityonthissubject。HerbrotherArthur，comingunperceivedintotheroom，givestokensofasimilarinterest。Neverbeforehadheseenheroblivioustoanapproachingstep；andafteramomentarycontemplationofherabsorbedfigure，sogirlishlysweetandyetsodeeplyintent，headvancestoherside，andpeeringearnestlyintoherface，observeswithaseriousnessquiteunusualtohim：
“Puss，youarelookingworried，——notlikeyourselfatall。I”venoticeditforsometime。What”sup。Gettingtiredofthebusiness？“
“No——notaltogether——thatis，it”snotthat，ifit”sanything。
I”mnotsurethatit”sanything。I”
Shehadturnedbacktoherdeskandwaspushingaboutthevariousarticleswithwhichitwasplentifullybespread；butthisdidnothidetheflushwhichhadcreptintohercheeksandevendyedthesnowywhitenessofherneck。Arthur”sastonishmentatthisevidenceofemotionwasverygreat；buthesaidnothing，onlywatchedherstillmoreclosely，aswithalightlaughsheregainedherself-possession，andwiththepracticalairofaphilosopherutteredthistriteremark：
“Everyonehashissobermoments。Iwasonlythinking”
“Ofsomenewcase？
“Notexactly。”ThewordscamesoftlybutwithatouchofmingledhumourandgravitywhichmadeArthurstareagain。
“Seehere，Puss！“hecried。Histonehadchanged。“I”vejustcomeupfromtheden。FatherandIhavehadarow——abeastlyrow。”
“Arow？Youandfather？Oh，Arthur，Idon”tlikethat。Don”tquarrelwithfather。Don”t，don”t。SomedayheandImayhaveaseriousdifferenceaboutwhatIamdoing。Don”tlethimfeelthathehaslostusall。”
“That”sallright，Puss；butI”vegottothinkofyouabit。I
can”tseeyouspoilallyourgoodtimeswiththesepolicehorrorsandnotdosomethingtohelp。To-morrowIbeginlifeasasalesmaninClarke&Stebbin”s。Thesalaryisnotgreat，buteverylittlehelpsandIdon”tdislikethebusiness。Butfatherdoes。Hehadratherseemeloafingabouttownsettingthefashionsforfellowsasidleasmyselfthansoilmyhandswithhandlingmerchandise。That”swhywequarreled。Butdon”tworry。
Yournamedidn”tcomeup，or——or——youknowwhose。Hehasn”tanideaofwhyIwanttowork——There，Violetthere！“
TwosoftarmswerearoundhisneckandVioletwaslettingherheartoutinasuccessionofsisterlykisses。
“0，Arthur，yougood，goodboy！Togetherwe”llsoonmakeuptheamount，andthen”
“Thenwhat？“
Asweetsoftlookrobbedherfaceofitspiquancy，butgaveitanaspectofindescribablebeautyquitenewtoArthur”seyes。
Tappinghislipswithathoughtfulforefinger，heasked：
“Whowasthatsombre-lookingchapIsawbowingtoyouaswecameoutofchurchlastSunday？“
Sheawokefromherdreamystatewithanastonishingquickness。
“He？Surelyyourememberhim。HaveyouforgottenthateveninginMassachusetts——thegrotto——and”
“Oh，it”sUpjohn，isit？Yes，Irememberhim。He”sfondofchurch，isn”the？Thatis，whenhe”sinNewYork。”
Herlipstookaroguishcurvethenaveryseriousone；butshemadenoanswer。
“Ihavenoticedthathe”salwaysinhisseatandalwayslookingyourway。”
“That”sveryoddofhim，“shedeclared，herdimplescomingandgoinginamostbewilderingfashion。“Ican”timaginewhyheshoulddothat。”
“NorI”retortedArthurwithasmile。“Buthe”shuman，I
suppose。Onlydobecareful，Violet。Amansomelancholywillneedadealofcheering。”
Hewasgonebeforehehadfullyfinishedthisdaringremark，andViolet，leftagainwithherthoughts，lostherglowingcolourbutnotherpreoccupation。Thehandwhichlayuponthepacketalreadyalludedtodidnotmoveformanyminutes，andwhensherousedatlasttothedemandsofheremployer，itwaswithastartandaguiltylookatthesmallgoldclocktickingoutitsinexorablereminder。
“Hewillwantananswerthefirstthinginthemorning，“shecomplainedtoherself。Andopeningthepacket，shetookoutfirstaletter，andthenamassoftypewrittenmanuscript。
Shebeganwiththeletterwhichwasascharacteristicofthewriterasalltheothersshehadhadfromhishand；aswitness：
YouprobablyremembertheHasbrouckmurder，——or，perhaps，youdon”t；itbeingoneofatimeprevioustoyourinterestinsuchmatters。Butwhetheryourememberitornot，Ibegyoutoreadtheaccompanyingsummarywithduecareandattentiontobusiness。
Whenyouhavewellmastereditwithallitsdetails，pleasecommunicatewithmeinanymannermostconvenienttoyourself，forIshallhaveawordtosaytoyouthen，whichyoumaybegladtohear，ifasyouhavelatelyintimatedyouneedtoearnbutoneortwomoresubstantialrewardsinordertocryhalttothepursuitforwhichyouhaveprovedyourselfsowellqualified。
Thestory，indeferencetoyourselfasayoungandmuchpreoccupiedwoman，hasbeenwritteninawaytointerest。Thoughtheworkofaneverydaypolicedetective，youwillfindinitnolackofmysteryorromance；andifattheendyouperceivethatitruns，assuchcasesfrequentlydo，upagainstaperfectlyblankwall，youmustrememberthatopeningscanbemadeinwalls，andthatthelooseningofoneweakstonefromitsappointedplace，sometimesleadstothedownfallofall。
Somuchfortheletter。
Layingitaside，withashrugofherexpressiveshoulders，Violettookupthemanuscript。
Letustakeituptoo。Itrunsthus：
Onthe17thofJuly，19——，atragedyofnolittleinterestoccurredinoneoftheresidencesoftheColonnadeinLafayettePlace。
Mr。Hasbrouck，awellknownandhighlyrespectedcitizen，wasattackedinhisroombyanunknownassailant，andshotdeadbeforeassistancecouldreachhim。Hismurdererescaped，andtheproblemofferedtothepolicewashowtoidentifythispersonwho，bysomehappychanceorbytheexerciseofthemostremarkableforethought，hadleftnotracesbehindhim，oranycluebywhichhecouldbefollowed。
Thedetailsoftheinvestigationwhichendedsounsatisfactorilyareheregivenbythemansentfromheadquartersatthefirstalarm。
When，sometimeaftermidnightonthedateabovementioned，I
reachedLafayettePlace，Ifoundtheblocklightedfromendtoend。Groupsofexcitedmenandwomenpeeredfromtheopendoorways，andmingledtheirshadowswiththoseofthehugepillarswhichadornthefrontofthispicturesqueblockofdwellings。
Thehouseinwhichthecrimehadbeencommittedwasnearthecentreoftherow，and，longbeforeIreachedit，Ihadlearnedfrommorethanonesourcethatthealarmwasfirstgiventothestreetbyawoman”sshriek，andsecondlybytheshoutsofanoldman-servantwhohadappeared，inahalf-dressedcondition，atthewindowofMr。Hasbrouck”sroom，crying“Murder！murder！“
ButwhenIhadcrossedthethreshold，Iwasastonishedatthepaucityoffactstobegleanedfromtheinmatesthemselves。Theoldservant，whowasthefirsttotalk，hadonlythisaccountofthecrimetogive：
Thefamily，whichconsistedofMr。Hasbrouck，hiswife，andthreeservants，hadretiredforthenightattheusualhourandundertheusualauspices。Ateleveno”clockthelightswereallextinguished，andthewholehouseholdasleep，withthepossibleexceptionofMr。Hasbrouckhimself，who，beingamanoflargebusinessresponsibilities，wasfrequentlytroubledwithinsomnia。
SuddenlyMrs。Hasbrouckwokewithastart。Hadshedreamedthewordsthatwereringinginherears，orhadtheybeenactuallyutteredinherhearing？Theywereshort，sharpwords，fullofterrorandmenace，andshehadnearlysatisfiedherselfthatshehadimaginedthem，whentherecame，fromsomewherenearthedoor，asoundsheneitherunderstoodnorcouldinterpret，butwhichfilledherwithinexplicableterror，andmadeherafraidtobreathe，oreventostretchforthherhandtowardsherhusband，whomshesupposedtobesleepingatherside。Atlengthanotherstrangesound，whichshewassurewasnotduetoherimagination，drovehertomakeanattempttorousehim，whenshewashorrifiedtofindthatshewasaloneinbed，andherhusbandnowherewithinreach。
Fillednowwithsomethingmorethannervousapprehension，sheflungherselftothefloor，andtriedtopenetratewithfrenziedglances，thesurroundingdarkness。ButtheblindsandshuttersbothhavingbeencarefullyclosedbyMr。Hasbrouckbeforeretiring，shefoundthisimpossible，andshewasabouttosinkinterrortothefloor，whensheheardalowgaspontheothersideoftheroomfollowedbyasuppressedcry。
“God！whathaveIdone！“
Thevoicewasastrangeone，butbeforethefeararousedbythisfactcouldculminateinashriekofdismay，shecaughtthesoundofretreatingfootsteps，and，eagerlylistening，sheheardthemdescendthestairsanddepartbythefrontdoor。
Hadsheknownwhathadoccurred——hadtherebeennodoubtinhermindastowhatlayinthedarknessontheothersideoftheroom——
itislikelythat，atthenoisecausedbytheclosingfrontdoor，shewouldhavemadeatonceforthebalconythatopenedoutfromthewindowbeforewhichshewasstanding，andtakenonelookattheflyingfigurebelow。Butheruncertaintyastowhatlayhiddenfromherbythedarknesschainedherfeettothefloor，andthereisnoknowingwhenshewouldhavemoved，ifacarriagehadnotatthatmomentpasseddownAstorPlace，bringingwithitasenseofcompanionshipwhichbrokethespellholdingher，andgaveherstrengthtolightthegaswhichwasinreadyreachofherhand。
Asthesuddenblazeilluminatedtheroom，revealinginabursttheoldfamiliarwallsandwell-knownpiecesoffurniture，shefeltforamomentasifreleasedfromsomeheavynightmareandrestoredtothecommonexperiencesoflife。Butinanotherinstantherformerdreadreturned，andshefoundherselfquakingattheprospectofpassingaroundthefootofthebedintothatpartoftheroomwhichwasasyethiddenfromhereyes。
Butthedesperationwhichcomeswithgreatcrisesfinallydroveherfromherretreat；and，creepingslowlyforward，shecastoneglanceatthefloorbeforeher，whenshefoundherworstfearsrealizedbythesightofthedeadbodyofherhusbandlyingpronebeforetheopendoorway，withabullet-holeinhisforehead。
Herfirstimpulsewastoshriek，but，byapowerfulexerciseofwill，shecheckedherself，andringingfranticallyfortheservantswhosleptonthetopfloorofthehouse，flewtothenearestwindowandendeavouredtoopenit。ButtheshuttershadbeenboltedsosecurelybyMr。Hasbrouck，inhisendeavourtoshutoutalllightandsound，thatbythetimeshehadsucceededinunfasteningthem，alltraceoftheflyingmurdererhadvanishedfromthestreet。
Sickwithgriefandterror，shesteppedbackintotheroomjustasthethreefrightenedservantsdescendedthestairs。Astheyappearedintheopendoorway，shepointedatherhusband”sinanimateform，andthen，asifsuddenlyrealizinginitsfullforcethecalamitywhichhadbefallenher，shethrewupherarms，andsankforwardtothefloorinadeadfaint。
Thetwowomenrushedtoherassistance，buttheoldbutler，boundingoverthebed，sprangtothewindow，andshriekedhisalarmtothestreet。
Intheinterimthatfollowed，Mrs。Hasbrouckwasrevived，andthemaster”sbodylaiddecentlyonthebed；butnopursuitwasmade，noranyinquiriesstartedlikelytoassistmeinestablishingtheidentityoftheassailant。
Indeed，everyonebothinthehouseandout，seemeddazedbytheunexpectedcatastrophe，andasnoonehadanysuspicionstoofferastotheprobablemurderer，Ihadadifficulttaskbeforeme。
Ibeganintheusualway，byinspectingthesceneofthemurder。
Ifoundnothingintheroom，orintheconditionofthebodyitself，whichaddedaniotatotheknowledgealreadyobtained。
ThatMr。Hasbrouckhadbeeninbed；thathehadrisenuponhearinganoise；andthathehadbeenshotbeforereachingthedoor，wereself-evidentfacts。Buttherewasnothingtoguidemefurther。Theverysimplicityofthecircumstancescausedadearthofclues，whichmadethedifficultyofprocedureasgreatasanyIhadeverencountered。
Mysearchthroughthehallanddownthestairselicitednothing；
andaninvestigationoftheboltsandbarsbywhichthehousewassecured，assuredmethattheassassinhadeitherenteredbythefrontdoor，orhadalreadybeensecretedinthehousewhenitwaslockedupforthenight。
“IshallhavetotroubleMrs。Hasbrouckforashortinterview，“I
hereuponannouncedtothetremblingoldservant，whohadfollowedmelikeadogaboutthehouse。
Hemadenodemur，andinafewminutesIwasusheredintothepresenceofthenewlymadewidow，whosatquitealone，inalargechamberintherear。AsIcrossedthethresholdshelookedup，andIencounteredagood，plainface，withouttheshadowofguileinit。
“Madam，“saidI，“Ihavenotcometodisturbyou。Iwillasktwoorthreequestionsonly，andthenleaveyoutoyourgrief。Iamtoldthatsomewordscamefromtheassassinbeforehedeliveredhisfatalshot。Didyouhearthesedistinctlyenoughtotellmewhattheywere？“
“Iwassoundasleep，“saidshe，“anddreamt，asIthought，thatafierce，strangevoicecriedsomewheretosomeone：”Ah！youdidnotexpectme！”ButIdarenotsaythatthesewordswerereallyutteredtomyhusband，forhewasnotthemantocallforthhate，andonlyamanintheextremityofpassioncouldaddresssuchanexclamationinsuchatoneasringsinmymemoryinconnectionwiththefatalshotwhichwokeme。”
“Butthatshotwasnottheworkofafriend，“Iargued。“If，asthesewordsseemtoprove，theassassinhadsomeothermotivethanplunderinhisassault，thenyourhusbandhadanenemy，thoughyouneversuspectedit。”
“Impossible！“washersteadyreply，utteredinthemostconvincingtone。“Themanwhoshothimwasacommonburglar，andfrightenedathavingbeenbetrayedintomurder，fledwithoutlookingforbooty。IamsureIheardhimcryoutinterrorandremorse：”God！whathaveIdone！”“
“Wasthatbeforeyouleftthesideofthebed？“
“Yes；IdidnotmovefrommyplacetillIheardthefrontdoorclose。Iwasparalysedbyfearanddread。”
“Areyouinthehabitoftrustingtothesecurityofalatch-
lockonlyinthefasteningofyourfrontdooratnight？Iamtoldthatthebigkeywasnotinthelock，andthattheboltatthebottomofthedoorwasnotdrawn。”
“Theboltatthebottomofthedoorisneverdrawn。Mr。Hasbrouckwassogoodamanthathenevermistrustedanyone。Thatiswhythebiglockwasnotfastened。Thekey，notworkingwell，hetookitsomedaysagotothelocksmith，andwhenthelatterfailedtoreturnit，helaughed，andsaidhethoughtnoonewouldeverthinkofmeddlingwithhisfrontdoor。”
“Istheremorethanonenight-keytoyourhouse？“Inowasked。
Sheshookherhead。
“AndwhendidMr。Hasbroucklastusehis？“
“To-night，whenhecamehomefromprayermeeting，“sheanswered，andburstintotears。
HergriefwassorealandherlosssorecentthatIhesitatedtoafflictherbyfurtherquestions。Soreturningtothesceneofthetragedy，Isteppedoutuponthebalconywhichraninfront。
Softvoicesinstantlystruckmyears。Theneighboursoneithersideweregroupedinfrontoftheirownwindows，andwereexchangingtheremarksnaturalunderthecircumstances。Ipaused，asindutybound，andlistened。ButIheardnothingworthrecording，andwouldhaveinstantlyreenteredthehouse，ifIhadnotbeenimpressedbytheappearanceofaverygracefulwomanwhostoodatmyright。Shewasclingingtoherhusband，whowasgazingatoneofthepillarsbeforehiminastrangefixedwaywhichastonishedmetillheattemptedtomove，andthenIsawthathewasblind。Irememberedthattherelivedinthisrowablinddoctor，equallycelebratedforhisskillandforhisuncommonpersonalattractions，andgreatlyinterestednotonlybyhisaffliction，butinthesympathyevincedbyhisyoungandaffectionatewife，Istoodstill，tillIheardhersayinthesoftandappealingtonesoflove：
“Comein，Constant；youhaveheavydutiesforto-morrow，andyoushouldgetafewhours”restifpossible。”
Hecamefromtheshadowofthepillar，andforoneminuteIsawhisfacewiththelamplightshiningfulluponit。ItwasasregularoffeatureasasculpturedAdonis，anditwasaswhite。
“Sleep！“herepeated，inthemeasuredtonesofdeepbutsuppressedfeeling。“Sleep！withmurderontheothersideofthewall！“AndhestretchedouthisarmsinadazedwaythatinsensiblyaccentuatedthehorrorImyselffeltofthecrimewhichhadsolatelytakenplaceintheroombehindme。
She，notingthemovement，tookoneofthegropinghandsinherownanddrewhimgentlytowardsher。
“Thisway，“sheurged；and，guidinghimintothehouse，sheclosedthewindowanddrewdowntheshades。
Ihavenoexcusetoofferformycuriosity，buttheinterestexcitedinmebythistotallyirrelevantepisodewassogreatthatIdidnotleavetheneighbourhoodtillIhadlearnedsomethingofthisremarkablecouple。
Thestorytoldmewasverysimple。Dr。Zabriskiehadnotbeenbornblind，buthadbecomesoafteragrievousillnesswhichhadstrickenhimdownsoonafterhereceivedhisdiploma。Insteadofsuccumbingtoanafflictionwhichwouldhavedauntedmostmen，heexpressedhisintentionofpractisinghisprofession，andsoonbecamesosuccessfulinitthathefoundnodifficultyinestablishinghimselfinoneofthebestpayingquartersofthecity。Indeed，hisintuitionseemedtohavedevelopedinaremarkabledegreeafterthelossofhissight，andheseldom，ifever，madeamistakeindiagnosis。Consideringthisfact，andthepersonalattractionswhichgavehimdistinction，itwasnowonderthathesoonbecameapopularphysicianwhosepresencewasabenefactionandwhosewordlaw。
Hehadbeenengagedtobemarriedatthetimeofhisillness，andwhenhelearnedwhatwaslikelytobeitsresult，hadofferedtoreleasetheyoungladyfromallobligationtohim。Butshewouldnotbereleased，andtheyweremarried。ThishadtakenplacesomefiveyearsprevioustoMr。Hasbrouck”sdeath，threeofwhichhadbeenspentbytheminLafayettePlace。
Somuchforthebeautifulwomannextdoor。
TherebeingabsolutelynocluetotheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck，Inaturallylookedforwardtotheinquestforsomeevidenceuponwhichtowork。Butthereseemedtobenounderlyingfactstothistragedy。Themostcarefulstudyintothehabitsandconductofthedeceasedbroughtnothingtolightsavehisgeneralbeneficenceandrectitude，norwasthereinhishistoryorinthatofhiswife，anysecretorhiddenobligationcalculatedtoprovokeanysuchactofrevengeasmurder。Mrs。Hasbrouck”ssurmisethattheintruderwassimplyaburglar，andthatshehadratherimaginedthanheardthewordswhichpointedtotheshootingasadeedofvengeance，soongainedgeneralcredence。
Butthoughthepoliceworkedlongandarduouslyinthisnewdirectiontheireffortswerewithoutfruitandthecasebidsfairtoremainanunsolvablemystery。
Thatwasall。AsVioletdroppedthelastpagefromherhand，sherecalledacertainphraseinheremployer”sletter。“Ifattheendyoucomeuponaperfectlyblankwall”Well，shehadcomeuponthiswall。Didheexpecthertomakeanopeninginit？Orhadhealreadydonesohimself，andwasmerelytestinghermuchvaunteddiscernment。
Piquedbythethought，shecarefullyrereadthemanuscript，andwhenshehadagainreacheditsuncompromisingend，shegaveherselfuptoafewminutesofconcentratedthought，then，takingasheetofpaperfromtherackbeforeher，shewroteuponitasinglesentence，andfoldingthesheet，putitinanenvelopewhichsheleftunaddressed。Thisdone，shewenttobedandsleptlikethechildshereallywas。
Atanearlyhourthenextmorningsheenteredheremployer”soffice。Acknowledgingwithanodhissomewhatceremoniousbow，shehandedhimtheenvelopeinwhichshehadenclosedthatonemysterioussentence。
Hetookitwithasmile，openeditoffhand，glancedatwhatshehadwritten，andflushedavividred。
“Youarea——brick，“hewasgoingtosay，butchangedthelastwordtoonemoreinkeepingwithhercharacterandappearance。
“Lookhere。Iexpectedthisfromyouandsopreparedmyself。”
Takingoutasimilarpieceofpaperfromhisownpocket-book，helaiditdownbesidehersonthedeskbeforehim。Italsoheldasinglesentenceand，barringaslightdifferenceofexpression，theonewasthecounterpartoftheother。“Theoneloosestone，“
hemurmured。
“Seenandnotedbyboth。”
“Whynot？“heasked。Thenassheglancedexpectantlyhisway，heearnestlyadded：“Togetherwemaybeabletodosomething。TherewardofferedbyMrs。Hasbrouckforthedetectionofthemurdererwasaverylargeone。Sheisawomanofmeans。Ihaveneverheardofitsbeingwithdrawn。”
“Thenitneverhasbeen，“wasViolet”semphaticconclusion，herdimplesenforcingthestatementasonlysuchdimplescan。“But——
whatdoyouwantofmeinanaffairofthiskind？Somethingmorethantohelpyoulocatetheonepossiblecluetofurtherenlightenment。Youwouldnothavementionedthebigrewardjustforthat。”
“Perhapsnot。ThereisasequeltothestoryIsentyou。Ihavewrittenitout，withmyownhand。Takeithomeandreaditatyourleisure。Whenyouseeintowhatanunhappymazemyowninquirieshaveledme，possiblyyouwillbegladtoassistmeinclearingupasituationwhichisinflictinggreatsufferingononewhomyouwillbethefirsttopity。Ifso，alinementioningthefactwillbemuchappreciatedbyme。”Anddisregardingherstartledlookandtheimpetuousshakingofherhead，hebowedheroutwithsomethingmorethanhisaccustomedsuavitybutalsowithaseriousnesswhichaffectedherinspiteofherselfandeffectuallyheldbacktheprotestitwasinherhearttomake。
Shewasgladofthiswhenshereadhisstory；butlateron——
However，itisnotformetointrudeViolet，orViolet”sfeelingsintoanaffairwhichsheissoanxioustoforget。Ishallthereforefromthismomenton，leaveherascompletelyoutofthistaleofcrimeandretributionasispossibleandkeepafullrecordofherwork。Whensheisnecessarytothestory，youwillseeheragain。Meanwhile，readwithher，thisrelationofheremployer”sunhappyattempttopursueaninvestigationsoopenlydroppedbythepolice。Youwillperceive，fromitsgeneralstyleandtheaccentuationputuponthehumansideofthissombrestory，alikenesstotheformermanuscriptwhichmayprovetoyou，asitcertainlydidtoViolet，towhoseconsiderationshewasindebtedforthereadablenessofthepoliceman”sreport，whichinallprobabilityhadbeenasimplestatementoffacts。
Butthere，IamspeakingofVioletagain。Topreventafurthermischanceofthisnature，Iwillintroduceatoncetheabovementionedaccount。
II
NomaninallNewYorkwasevermoreinterestedthanmyselfintheHasbrouckaffair，whenitwastheoneandonlytopicofinterestataperiodwhennewswasunusuallyscarce。But，togetherwithmanysuchinexplicablemysteries，ithadpassedalmostcompletelyfrommymind，whenitwasforciblybroughtback，oneday，byawalkItookthroughLafayettePlace。
Atsightofthelongrowofuniformbuildings，withtheirpillaredfrontsandconnectingbalconieseverydetailofthecrimewhichhadfilledthepapersatthetimewithinnumerableconjecturesreturnedtomewithextraordinaryclearness，and，beforeIknewit，IfoundmyselfstandingstockstillinthemiddleoftheblockwithmyeyeraisedtotheHasbrouckhouseandmyears——orrathermyinnerconsciousness，fornoonespokeIamsure——ringingwithaquestionwhich，whethertheechoofsomeoldthoughtortheexpressionofanewone，soaffectedmebythepromiseitheldofsomehithertounsuspectedclue，thatI
hesitatedwhethertopushthisnewinquirythenortherebyanattemptedinterviewwithMrs。Hasbrouck，ortowaittillIhadgivenitthethoughtwhichsuchastirringofdeadbonesrightfullydemanded。
Youknowwhatthatquestionwas。Ishallhavecommunicatedittoyou，ifyouhavenotalreadyguessedit，beforeperusingtheselines：
“WhoutteredthescreamwhichgavethefirstalarmofMr。
Hasbrouck”sviolentdeath？“
IwasinastateofsuchexcitementasIwalkedaway——forI
listenedtomybetterjudgmentastotheinadvisabilityofmydisturbingMrs。Hasbrouckwiththesenewinquiries——thattheperspirationstoodoutonmyforehead。Thetestimonyshehadgivenattheinquestrecurredtome，andIrememberedasdistinctlyasifshewerethenspeaking，thatshehadexpresslystatedthatshedidnotscreamwhenconfrontedbythesightofherhusband”sdeadbody。Butsomeonehadscreamedandthatveryloudly。Whowasit，then？Oneofthemaids，startledbythesuddensummonsfrombelow，orsomeoneelse——someinvoluntarywitnessofthecrime，whosetestimonyhadbeensuppressedattheinquest，byfearorinfluence？
ThepossibilityofhavingcomeuponaclueevenatthislatedaysofiredmyambitionthatItookthefirstopportunityofrevisitingLafayettePlace。ChoosingsuchpersonsasIthoughtmostopentomyquestions，Ilearnedthatthereweremanywhocouldtestifytohavingheardawoman”sshrillscreamonthatmemorablenight，justpriortothealarmgivenbyoldCyrus，butnoonewhocouldtellfromwhoselipsithadcome。Onefact，however，wasimmediatelysettled。Ithadnotbeentheresultoftheservant-women”sfears。Bothofthegirlswerepositivethattheyhadutterednosound，norhadtheythemselvesheardanytillCyrusrushedtothewindowwithhiswildcries。Asthescream，bywhomevergiven，wasutteredbeforetheydescendedthestairs，I
wasconvincedbytheseassurancesthatithadissuedfromoneofthefrontwindows，andnotfromtherearofthehouse，wheretheirownroomslay。Coulditbethatithadsprungfromtheadjoiningdwelling，andthat——
Irememberedwhohadlivedthereandwasforringingthebellatonce。But，missingthedoctor”ssign，Imadeinquiriesandfoundthathehadmovedfromtheblock。However，adoctorissoonfound，andinlessthanfifteen，minutesIwasatthedoorofhisnewhome，whereIasked，notforhim，butforMrs。Zabriskie。
Itrequiredsomecouragetodothis，forIhadtakenparticularnoticeofthedoctor”swifeattheinquest，andherbeauty，atthattime，hadwornsuchanaspectofmingledsweetnessanddignitythatIhesitatedtoencounteritunderanycircumstanceslikelytodisturbitspureserenity。Butaclueoncegraspedcannotbelightlysetasidebyatruedetective，anditwouldhavetakenmorethanawoman”sfrownstostopmeatthispoint。
However，itwasnotwithfrownsshereceivedme，butwithadisplayofemotionforwhichIwasevenlessprepared。IhadsentupmycardandIsawittremblinginherhandassheenteredtheroom。Asshenearedme，sheglancedatit，andwithashowofgentleindifferencewhichdidnotintheleastdisguiseherextremeanxiety，shecourteouslyremarked：
“Yournameisanunfamiliaronetome。Butyoutoldmymaidthatyourbusinesswasoneofextremeimportance，andsoIhaveconsentedtoseeyou。Whatcananagentfromaprivatedetectiveofficehavetosaytome？“
Startledbythisevidenceoftheexistenceofsomehiddenskeletoninherowncloset，Imadeanimmediateattempttoreassureher。
“Nothingwhichconcernsyoupersonally，“saidI。“IsimplywishtoaskyouaquestioninregardtoasmallmatterconnectedwithMr。Hasbrouck”sviolentdeathinLafayettePlace，acoupleofyearsago。YouwerelivingintheadjoininghouseatthetimeI
believe，andithasoccurredtomethatyoumightonthataccountbeabletosettleapointwhichhasneverbeenfullyclearedup。”
InsteadofshowingthereliefIexpected，herpallorincreasedandherfineeyes，whichhadbeenfixedcuriouslyuponme，sankinconfusiontothefloor。
“Greatheaven！“thoughtI。“Shelooksasifatonemorewordfromme，shewouldfallatmyfeetinafaint。WhatisthisIhavestumbledupon！“
“Idonotseehowyoucanhaveanyquestiontoaskmeonthatsubject，“shebeganwithaneffortatcomposurewhichforsomereasondisturbedmemorethanherpreviousopendisplayoffear。
“Yetifyouhave，“shecontinued，witharapidchangeofmannerthattouchedmyheartinspiteofmyself，“Ishall，ofcourse，domybesttoansweryou。”
Therearewomenwhosesweetesttonesandmostcharmingsmilesonlyservetoawakendistrustinmenofmycalling；butMrs。
Zabriskiewasnotofthisnumber。Herfacewasbeautiful，butitwasalsocandidinitsexpression，andbeneaththeagitationwhichpalpablydisturbedher，Iwassuretherelurkednothingeitherwickedorfalse。YetIheldfastbythecluewhichIhadgraspedasitwereinthedark，andwithoutknowingwhitherIwastending，muchlesswhitherIwasleadingher，Iproceededtosay：
“ThequestionwhichIpresumetoputtoyouasthenextdoorneighbourofMr。Hasbrouckisthis：Whowasthewomanwhoonthenightofthatgentleman”sassassinationscreamedoutsoloudlythatthewholeneighbourhoodheardher？“
Thegaspshegaveansweredmyquestioninawayshelittlerealized，andstruckasIwasbytheimpalpablelinksthathadledmetothethresholdofthishithertounsolvablemystery，I
wasabouttopressmyadvantageandaskanotherquestion，whenshequicklystartedforwardandlaidherhandonmylips。
Astonished，Ilookedatherinquiringly，butherheadwasturnedaside，andhereyes，fixeduponthedoor，showedthegreatestanxiety。InstantlyIrealizedwhatshefeared。Herhusbandwasenteringthehouse，andshedreadedlesthisearsshouldcatchawordofourconversation。
Notknowingwhatwasinhermind，andunabletorealizetheimportanceofthemomenttoher，Iyetlistenedtotheadvanceofherblindhusbandwithanalmostpainfulinterest。Wouldheentertheroomwherewewere，orwouldhepassimmediatelytohisofficeintherear？Sheseemedtowondertoo，andalmostheldherbreathashenearedthedoor，paused，andstoodintheopendoorway，withhisearturnedtowardsus。
Asformyself，Iremainedperfectlystill，gazingathisfaceinmingledsurpriseandapprehension。Forbesidesitsbeauty，whichwasofamarkedorder，asIhavealreadyobserved，ithadatouchingexpressionwhichirresistiblyarousedbothpityandinterestinthespectator。Thismayhavebeentheresultofhisaffliction，oritmayhavesprungfromsomedeepercause；but，whateveritssource，thislookinhisfaceproducedastrongimpressionuponmeandinterestedmeatonceinhispersonality。
Wouldheenter；orwouldhepasson？Herlookofsilentappealshowedmeinwhichdirectionherwisheslay，butwhileIansweredherglancebycompletesilence，IwasconsciousinsomeindistinctwaythatthebusinessIhadundertakenwouldbebetterfurtheredbyhisentrance。
Theblindhaveoftenbeensaidtopossessasixthsenseinplaceoftheonetheyhavelost。ThoughIamsurewemadenonoise，I
soonperceivedthathewasawareofourpresence。Steppinghastilyforwardhesaid，inthehighandvibratingtoneofrestrainedpassion：
“Zulma，areyouthere？“
ForamomentIthoughtshedidnotmeantoanswer，butknowingdoubtlessfromexperiencetheimpossibilityofdeceivinghim，sheansweredwithacheerfulassent，droppingherhandasshedidsofrombeforemylips。
Heheardtheslightrustlewhichaccompaniedthemovement，andalookIfoundithardtocomprehendflashedoverhisfeatures，alteringhisexpressionsocompletelythatheseemedanotherman。
“Youhavesomeonewithyou，“hedeclared，advancinganotherstep，butwithnoneoftheuncertaintywhichusuallyaccompaniesthemovementsoftheblind。“Somedearfriend，“hewenton，withanalmostsarcasticemphasisandaforcedsmilethathadlittleofgaietyinit。
Theagitatedanddistressedblushwhichansweredhimcouldhavebutoneinterpretation。Hesuspectedthatherhandhadbeenclaspedinmine，andsheperceivedhisthoughtandknewthatI
perceiveditalso。
Drawingherselfup，shemovedtowardshim，sayinginasweetwomanlytone：
“Itisnofriend，Constant，notevenanacquaintance。ThepersonwhomInowpresenttoyouisarepresentativefromsomedetectiveagency。Heishereuponatrivialerrandwhichwillsoonbefinished，whenIwilljoinyouintheoffice。”
Iknewshewasbuttakingachoicebetweentwoevils，thatshewouldhavesavedherhusbandtheknowledgeofmycallingaswellasofmypresenceinthehouse，ifherself-respectwouldhaveallowedit；butneithershenorIanticipatedtheeffectwhichthisintroductionofmyselfinmybusinesscapacitywouldproduceuponhim。
“Adetective，“herepeated，staringwithhissightlesseyes，asif，inhiseagernesstosee，hehalfhopedhislostsensewouldreturn。“Hecanhavenotrivialerrandhere；hehasbeensentbyGodHimselfto”
“Letmespeakforyou，“hastilyinterposedhiswife，springingtohissideandclaspinghisarmwithafervourthatwasequallyexpressiveofappealandcommand。Thenturningtome，sheexplained：“SinceMr。Hasbrouck”sunaccountabledeath，myhusbandhasbeenlabouringunderanhallucinationwhichIhaveonlytomention，foryoutorecognizeitsperfectabsurdity。Hethinks——
oh！donotlooklikethat，Constant；youknowitisanhallucinationwhichmustvanishthemomentwedragitintobroaddaylight——thathe——he，thebestmaninalltheworld，washimselftheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck。”
“GoodGod！“
“Isaynothingoftheimpossibilityofthisbeingso，“shewentoninafeverofexpostulation。“Heisblind，andcouldnothavedeliveredsuchashotevenifhehaddesiredto；besides，hehadnoweapon。Buttheinconsistencyofthethingspeaksforitself，andshouldassurehimthathismindisunbalancedandthatheismerelysufferingfromashockthatwasgreaterthanwerealized。
Heisaphysicianandhashadmanysuchinstancesinhisownpractice。Why，hewasverymuchattachedtoMr。Hasbrouck！Theywerethebestoffriends，andthoughheinsiststhathekilledhim，hecannotgiveanyreasonforthedeed。”
Atthesewordsthedoctor”sfacegrewstern，andhespokelikeanautomatonrepeatingsomefearfullesson：
“Ikilledhim。Iwenttohisroomanddeliberatelyshothim。I
hadnothingagainsthim，andmyremorseisextreme。Arrestmeandletmepaythepenaltyofmycrime。ItistheonlywayinwhichI
canobtainpeace。”
Shockedbeyondallpowerofself-controlbythisrepetitionofwhatsheevidentlyconsideredtheunhappyravingsofamadman，sheletgohisarmandturneduponmeinfrenzy。
“Convincehim！“shecried。“Convincehimbyyourquestionsthathenevercouldhavedonethisfearfulthing。”
Iwaslabouringundergreatexcitementmyself，forasaprivateagentwithnoofficialauthoritysuchasheevidentlyattributedtomeintheblindnessofhispassion，Ifelttheincongruityofmypositioninthefaceofamatterofsuchtragicconsequence。
Besides，Iagreedwithherthathewasinadistemperedstateofmind，andIhardlyknewhowtodealwithonesofixedinhishallucinationandwithsomuchintelligencetosupportit。Buttheemergencywasgreat，forhewasholdingouthiswristsintheevidentexpectationofmytakinghimintoinstantcustody；andthesightwaskillinghiswife，whohadsunkonthefloorbetweenus，interrorandanguish。
“YousayyoukilledMr。Hasbrouck，“Ibegan。“Wheredidyougetyourpistol，andwhatdidyoudowithitafteryoulefthishouse？“
“Myhusbandhadnopistol；neverhadanypistol，“putinMrs。
Zabriskie，withvehementassertion。“IfIhadseenhimwithsuchaweapon”
“Ithrewitaway。WhenIleftthehouse，Icastitasfarfrommeaspossible，forIwasfrightenedatwhatIhaddone，horriblyfrightened。”
“Nopistolwaseverfound，“Iansweredwithasmile，forgettingforthemomentthathecouldnotsee。“Ifsuchaninstrumenthadbeenfoundinthestreetafteramurderofsuchconsequence，itcertainlywouldhavebeenbroughttothepolice。”
“Youforgetthatagoodpistolisvaluableproperty，“hewentonstolidly。“Someonecamealongbeforethegeneralalarmwasgiven；
andseeingsuchatreasurelyingonthesidewalk，pickeditupandcarrieditoff。Notbeinganhonestman，hepreferredtokeepittodrawingtheattentionofthepoliceuponhimself。”
“Hum，perhaps，“saidI；“butwheredidyougetit。Surelyyoucantellwhereyouprocuredsuchaweapon，if，asyourwifeintimates，youdidnotownone。”
“Iboughtitthatselfsamenightofafriend；afriendwhomI
willnotname，sinceheresidesnolongerinthiscountry。I”
Hepaused；intensepassionwasinhisface；heturnedtowardshiswife，andalowcryescapedhim，whichmadeherlookupinfear。
“Idonotwishtogointoanyparticulars，“saidhe。“GodforsookmeandIcommittedahorriblecrime。WhenIampunished，perhapspeacewillreturntomeandhappinesstoher。Iwouldnotwishhertosuffertoolongortoobitterlyformysin。”
