PROBLEMVIII
MISSING：PAGETHIRTEEN
“Onemore！justonemorewellpayingaffair，andIpromisetostop；reallyandtrulytostop。”
“But，Puss，whyonemore？Youhaveearnedtheamountyousetforyourself，——orverynearly，——andthoughmyhelpisnotgreat，inthreemonthsIcanaddenough”
“No，youcannot，Arthur。Youaredoingwell；Iappreciateit；infact，Iamjustdelightedtohaveyouworkformeinthewayyoudo，butyoucannot，inyourpresentposition，makeenoughinthreemonths，orinsix，tomeetthesituationasIseeit。
Enoughdoesnotsatisfyme。Themeasuremustbefull，heapedup，andrunningover。Possiblefailurefollowingpromisemustbeprovidedfor。NevermustIfeelmyselfcalledupontodothiskindofthingagain。Besides，IhavenevergotovertheZabriskietragedy。Ithauntsmecontinually。Somethingnewmayhelptoputitoutofmyhead。Ifeelguilty。Iwasresponsible”
“No，Puss。Iwillnothaveitthatyouwereresponsible。Somesuchendwasboundtofollowacomplicationlikethat。Soonerorlaterhewouldhavebeendriventoshoothimself”
“Butnother。”
“No，nother。Butdoyouthinkshewouldhavegiventhosefewminutesofperfectunderstandingwithherblindhusbandforafewyearsmoreofmiserablelife？“
Violetmadenoanswer；shewastooabsorbedinhersurprise。WasthisArthur？Hadafewweeks”workandacloseconnectionwiththereallyseriousthingsoflifemadethischangeinhim？Herfacebeamedatthethought，whichseeing，butnotunderstandingwhatunderlaythisevidenceofjoy，hebentandkissedher，sayingwithsomeofhisoldnonchalance：
“Forgetit，Violet；onlydon”tletanyoneoranythingleadyoutointerestyourselfinanotheraffairofthekind。Ifyoudo，I
shallhavetoconsultacertainfriendofyoursastothebestwayofstoppingthisfolly。Imentionnonames。Oh！youneednotlooksofrightened。Onlybehave；that”sall。”
“He”sright，“sheacknowledgedtoherself，ashesaunteredaway；
“altogetherright。”
Yetbecauseshewantedtheextramoney——
Thesceneinvitedalarm，——thatis，forsoyoungagirlasViolet，surveyingitfromanautomobilesometimeafterthestrokeofmidnight。Anunknownhouseattheendofaheavilyshadedwalk，intheopendoorwayofwhichcouldbeseenthesilhouetteofawoman”sformleaningeagerlyforwardwitharmsoutstretchedinanappealforhelp！Itvanishedwhileshelooked，buttheeffectremained，holdinghertoherseatforonestartledmoment。Thisseemedstrange，forshehadanticipatedadventure。Oneisnotsummonedfromaprivateballtorideadozenmilesintothecountryonanerrandofinvestigation，withoutsomeexpectationofencounteringthemysteriousandthetragic。ButVioletStrange，forallhermanyexperiences，wasofamostsusceptiblenature，andfortheinstantinwhichthatdoorstoodopen，withonlythememoryofthatexpectantfiguretodisturbthefaintlylitvistaofthehallbeyond，shefeltthatgripuponthethroatwhichcomesfromanindefinablefearwhichnowordscanexplainandnoplummetsound。
Butthissoonpassed。Withthesettingofherfoottoground，conditionschangedandheremotionstookonamorenormalcharacter。Thefigureofamannowstoodintheplaceheldbythevanishedwoman；anditwasnotonlythatofonesheknewbutthatofonewhomshetrusted——afriendwhoseverypresencegavehercourage。Withthisrecognitioncameabetterunderstandingofthesituation，anditwaswithabeamingeyeanduncloudedfeaturesthatshetrippedupthewalktomeettheexpectantfigureandoutstretchedhandofRogerUpjohn。
“Youhere！“sheexclaimed，amidsmilesandblushes，ashedrewherintothehall。
Heatoncelaunchedforthintoexplanationsmingledwithapologiesforthepresumptionhehadshowninputtinghertothisinconvenience。Therewastroubleinthehouse——greattrouble。
Somethinghadoccurredforwhichanexplanationmustbefoundbeforemorning，orthehappinessandhonourofmorethanonepersonnowunderthisunhappyroofwouldbewrecked。Heknewitwaslate——thatshehadbeenobligedtotakealonganddrearyridealone，buthersuccesswiththeproblemwhichhadoncecomenearwreckinghisownlifehademboldenedhimtotelephonetotheofficeand”Butyouareinball-dress，“hecriedinamazement。
“Didyouthink”
“Icamefromaball。Wordreachedmebetweenthedances。Ididnotgohome。Ihadbeenbiddentohurry。”
Helookedhisappreciation，butwhenhespokeitwastosay：
“Thisisthesituation。MissDigby”
“Theladywhoistobemarriedtomorrow？“
“Whohopestobemarriedtomorrow。”
“How，hopes？“
“Whowillbemarriedtomorrow，ifacertainarticlelostinthishousetonightcanbefoundbeforeanyofthepersonswhohavebeendininghereleavefortheirhomes。”
Violetutteredanexclamation。
“Then，Mr。Cornell，“shebegan——
“Mr。Cornellhasourutmostconfidence，“Rogerhastenedtointerpose。“Butthearticlemissingisonewhichhemightreasonablydesiretopossessandwhichhealoneofallpresenthadtheopportunityofsecuring。Youcanthereforeseewhyhe，withhispride——theprideoffamannotrich，engagedtomarryawomanwhois——shoulddeclarethatunlesshisinnocenceisestablishedbeforedaybreak，thedoorsofSt。Bartholomewwillremainshutto-morrow。”
“Butthearticlelost——whatisit？“
“MissDigbywillgiveyoutheparticulars。Sheiswaitingtoreceiveyou，“headdedwithagesturetowardsahalf-opendoorattheirright。
Violetglancedthatway，thencastherlooksupanddownthehallinwhichtheystood。
“DoyouknowthatyouhavenottoldmeinwhosehouseIam？Nothers，Iknow。Shelivesinthecity。”
“AndyouaretwelvemilesfromHarlem。MissStrange，youareintheVanBroecklynmansion，famousenoughyouwillacknowledge。
Haveyouneverbeenherebefore？“
“Ihavebeenbyhere，butIrecognizednothinginthedark。Whatanexcitingplaceforaninvestigation！“
“AndMr。VanBroecklyn？Haveyounevermethim？“
“Once，whenachild。Hefrightenedmethen。”
“Andmayfrightenyounow；thoughIdoubtit。Timehasmellowedhim。Besides，Ihavepreparedhimforwhatmightotherwiseoccasionhimsomeastonishment。NaturallyhewouldnotlookforjustthesortofladyinvestigatorIamabouttointroducetohim。”
Shesmiled。VioletStrangewasaverycharmingyoungwoman，aswellasakeenproberofoddmysteries。
ThemeetingbetweenherselfandMissDigbywasasympatheticone。
Afterthefirstinevitableshockwhichthelatterfeltatsightofthebeautyandfashionableappearanceofthemysteriouslittlebeingwhowastosolveherdifficulties，herglance，which，underothercircumstances，mighthavelingeredundulyuponthepiquantfeaturesandexquisitedressingofthefairy-likefigurebeforeher，passedatoncetoViolet”seyes，inwhosesteadydepthsbeamedanintelligencequiteatoddswiththecoquettishdimpleswhichsooftenmisledthecasualobserverinhisestimationofacharactersingularlysubtleandwell-poised。
AsfortheimpressionsheherselfmadeuponViolet，itwasthesameshemadeuponeveryone。NoonecouldlooklongatFlorenceDigbyandnotrecognizetheloftinessofherspiritandthegenerousnatureofherimpulses。InpersonshewastallandassheleanedtotakeViolet”shand，thedifferencebetweenthembroughtoutthesalientpointsineach，tothegreatadmirationoftheoneonlooker。
Meantime，forallherinterestinthecaseinhand，Violetcouldnothelpcastingahurriedlookabouther，ingratificationofthecuriosityincitedbyherentranceintoahousesignalizedfromitsfoundationbysuchaseriesoftragicevents。Theresultwasdisappointing。Thewallswereplain，thefurnituresimple。
Nothingsuggestiveineither，unlessitwasthefactthatnothingwasnew，nothingmodern。AsitlookedinthedaysofBurrandHamiltonsoitlookedto-day，eventotheratherstartlingdetailofcandleswhichdiddutyoneverysideinplaceofgas。
AsVioletrecalledthereasonforthis，thefascinationofthepastseizeduponherimagination。Therewasnoknowingwherethismighthavecarriedher，hadnotthefeverishgleaminMissDigby”seyeswarnedherthatthepresenthelditsownexcitement。
Instantly，shewasallattentionandlisteningwithundividedmindtothatlady”sdisclosures。
Theywerebriefandtothefollowingeffect：
Thedinnerwhichhadbroughtsomehalf-dozenpeopletogetherinthishousehadbeengivenincelebrationofherimpendingmarriage。Butitwasalsoinawaymeantasacomplimenttooneoftheotherguests，aMr。Spielhagen，who，duringtheweek，hadsucceededindemonstratingtoafewexpertsthevalueofadiscoveryhehadmadewhichwouldtransformagreatindustry。
Inspeakingofthisdiscovery，MissDigbydidnotgointoparticulars，thewholematterbeingfarbeyondherunderstanding；
butinstatingitsvaluesheopenlyacknowledgedthatitwasinthelineofMr。Cornell”sownwork，andonewhichinvolvedcalculationsandaformulawhich，ifprematurelydisclosed，wouldinvalidatethecontractMr。Spielhagenhopedtomake，andthusdestroyhispresenthopes。
Ofthisformulabuttwocopiesexisted。OnewaslockedupinasafedepositvaultinBoston，theotherhehadbroughtintothehouseonhisperson，anditwasthelatterwhichwasnowmissing，havingbeenabstractedduringtheeveningfromamanuscriptofsixteenormoresheets，undercircumstanceswhichshewouldnowendeavourtorelate。
Mr。VanBroecklyn，theirhost，hadinhismelancholylifebutoneinterestwhichcouldbeatallabsorbing。Thiswasforexplosives。Asconsequence，muchofthetalkatthedinner-tablehadbeenonMr。Spielhagen”sdiscovery，andpossiblechangesitmightintroduceintothisespecialindustry。Asthese，workedoutfromaformulakeptsecretfromthetrade，couldnotbutaffectgreatlyMr。Cornell”sinterests，shefoundherselflisteningintently，whenMr。VanBroecklyn，withanapologyforhisinterference，venturedtoremarkthatifMr。Spielhagenhadmadeavaluablediscoveryinthisline，sohadhe，andonewhichhehadsubstantiatedbymanyexperiments。Itwasnotamarketableone，suchasMr。Spielhagen”swas，butinhisworkuponthesame，andinthetestswhichhehadbeenledtomake，hehaddiscoveredcertaininstanceshewouldgladlyname，whichdemandedexceptionalproceduretobesuccessful。IfMr。Spielhagen”smethoddidnotallowfortheseexceptions，normakesuitableprovisionforthem，thenMr。Spielhagen”smethodwouldfailmoretimesthanitwouldsucceed。Diditsoallowandsoprovide？Itwouldrelievehimgreatlytolearnthatitdid。
Theanswercamequickly。Yes，itdid。Butlaterandaftersomefurtherconversation，Mr。Spielhagen”sconfidenceseemedtowane，andbeforetheyleftthedinner-table，heopenlydeclaredhisintentionoflookingoverhismanuscriptagainthatverynight，inordertobesurethattheformulathereincontaineddulycoveredalltheexceptionsmentionedbyMr。VanBroecklyn。
IfMr。Cornell”scountenanceshowedanychangeatthismoment，sheforonehadnotnoticedit；butthebitternesswithwhichheremarkedupontheother”sgoodfortuneinhavingdiscoveredthisformulaofwhoseentiresuccesshehadnodoubt，wasapparenttoeverybody，andnaturallygavepointtothecircumstanceswhichashorttimeafterwardassociatedhimwiththedisappearanceofthesame。
Theladies(thereweretwoothersbesidesherself)havingwithdrawninabodytothemusic-room，thegentlemenallproceededtothelibrarytosmoke。Here，conversationloosedfromtheonetopicwhichhadhithertoengrossedit，wasproceedingbriskly，whenMr。Spielhagen，withnervousgesture，impulsivelylookedabouthimandsaid：
“IcannotresttillIhaverunthroughmythesisagain。WherecanIfindaquietspot？Iwon”tbelong；Ireadveryrapidly。”
ItwasforMr。VanBroecklyntoanswer，butnowordcomingfromhim，everyeyeturnedhisway，onlytofindhimsunkinoneofthosefitsofabstractionsowellknowntohisfriends，andfromwhichnoonewhohasthisstrangeman”speaceofmindathearteverpresumestorousehim。
Whatwastobedone？Thesemoodsoftheirsingularhostsometimeslastedhalfanhour，andMr。Spielhagenhadnottheappearanceofamanofpatience。Indeedhepresentlygaveproofofthegreatuneasinesshewaslabouringunder，fornoticingadoorstandingajarontheothersideoftheroom，heremarkedtothosearoundhim：
“Aden！andlighted！Doyouseeanyobjectiontomyshuttingmyselfinthereforafewminutes？“
Nooneventuringtoreply，herose，andgivingaslightpushtothedoor，disclosedasmallroomexquisitelypanelledandbrightlylighted，butwithoutonearticleoffurnitureinit，notevenachair。
“Theveryplace，“quothMr。Spielhagen，andliftingalightcane-
bottomedchairfromthemanystandingabout，hecarrieditinsideandshutthedoorbehindhim。
Severalminutespassedduringwhichthemanwhohadservedattableenteredwithatrayonwhichwereseveralsmallglassesevidentlycontainingsomechoiceliqueur。Findinghismasterfixedinoneofhisstrangemoods，hesetthetraydownand，pointingtooneoftheglasses，said：
“ThatisforMr。VanBroecklyn。Itcontainshisusualquietingpowder。”Andurgingthegentlementohelpthemselves，hequietlylefttheroom。Mr。Upjohnliftedtheglassnearesthim，andMr。
CornellseemedabouttodothesamewhenhesuddenlyreachedforwardandcatchinguponefartheroffstartedfortheroominwhichMr。Spielhagenhadsodeliberatelysecludedhimself。
Whyhedidallthis——why，aboveallthings，heshouldreachacrossthetrayforaglassinsteadoftakingtheoneunderhishand，hecannomoreexplainthanwhyhehasfollowedmanyanotherunhappyimpulse。NordidheunderstandthenervousstartgivenbyMr。Spielhagenathisentrance，orthestarewithwhichthatgentlemantooktheglassfromhishandandmechanicallydrankitscontents，tillhesawhowhishandhadstretcheditselfacrossthesheetofpaperhewasreading，inanopenattempttohidethelinesvisiblebetweenhisfingers。Thenindeedtheintruderflushedandwithdrewingreatembarrassment，fullyconsciousofhisindiscretionbutnotdeeplydisturbedtillMr。
VanBroecklyn，suddenlyarousingandglancingdownatthetrayplacedverynearhishandremarkedinsomesurprise：“Dobbsseemstohaveforgottenme。”Thenindeed，theunfortunateMr。Cornellrealizedwhathehaddone。Itwastheglassintendedforhishostwhichhehadcaughtupandcarriedintotheotherroom——theglasswhichhehadbeentoldcontainedadrug。Ofwhatfollyhehadbeenguilty，andhowtamewouldbeanyeffortatexcuse！
Attemptingnone，heroseandwithahurriedglanceatMr。Upjohnwhoflushedinsympathyathisdistress，hecrossedtothedoorhehadlatelycloseduponMr。Spielhagen。Butfeelinghisshouldertouchedashishandpressedtheknob，heturnedtomeettheeyeofMr。VanBroecklynfixeduponhimwithanexpressionwhichutterlyconfoundedhim。
“Whereareyougoing？“thatgentlemanasked。
Thequestioningtone，theseverelook，expressiveatonceofdispleasureandastonishment，weremostdisconcerting，butMr。
Cornellmanagedtostammerforth：
“Mr。Spielhagenisinhereconsultinghisthesis。Whenyourmanbroughtinthecordial，Iwasawkwardenoughtocatchupyourglassandcarryitinto。Mr。Spielhagen。HedrankitandI——Iamanxioustoseeifitdidhimanyharm。”
AsheutteredthelastwordhefeltMr。VanBroecklyn”shandslipfromhisshoulder，butnowordaccompaniedtheaction，nordidhishostmaketheleastmovetofollowhimintotheroom。
Thiswasamatterofgreatregrettohimlater，asitlefthimforamomentoutoftherangeofeveryeye，duringwhichhesayshesimplystoodinastateofshockatseeingMr。Spielhagenstillsittingthere，manuscriptinhand，butwithheadfallenforwardandeyesclosed；dead，asleepor——hehardlyknewwhat；
thesightsoparalysedhim。
Whetherornotthiswastheexacttruthandthewholetruth，Mr。
CornellcertainlylookedveryunlikehimselfashesteppedbackintoMr。VanBroecklyn”spresence；andhewasonlypartiallyreassuredwhenthatgentlemanprotestedthattherewasnorealharminthedrug，andthatMr。Spielhagenwouldbeallrightiflefttowakenaturallyandwithoutshock。However，ashispresentattitudewasoneofgreatdiscomfort，theydecidedtocarryhimbackandlayhimonthelibrarylounge。Butbeforedoingthis，Mr。Upjohndrewfromhisflaccidgrasp，thepreciousmanuscript，andcarryingitintothelargerroomplaceditonaremotetable，whereitremainedundisturbedtillMr。Spielhagen，suddenlycomingtohimselfattheendofsomefifteenminutes，missedthesheetsfromhishand，andboundingup，crossedtheroomtorepossesshimselfofthem。
Hisface，asheliftedthemupandrapidlyranthroughthemwithever-accumulatinganxiety，toldthemwhattheyhadtoexpect。
Thepagecontainingtheformulawasgone！
Violetnowsawherproblem。
II
TherewasnodoubtaboutthelossIhavementioned；allcouldseethatpage13wasnotthere。Invainasecondhandlingofeverysheet，theonesonumberedwasnottobefound。Page14mettheeyeonthetopofthepile，andpage12finisheditoffatthebottom，butnopage13inbetween，oranywhereelse。
Wherehaditvanished，andthroughwhoseagencyhadthismisadventureoccurred？Noonecouldsay，or，atleast，noonetheremadeanyattempttodoso，thougheverybodystartedtolookforit。
Butwherelook？Theadjoiningsmallroomofferednofacilitiesforhidingacigar-end，muchlessasquareofshiningwhitepaper。Barewalls，abarefloor，andasinglechairforfurniture，comprisedallthatwastobeseeninthisdirection。
Norcouldtheroominwhichtheythenstoodbethoughttoholdit，unlessitwasonthepersonofsomeoneofthem。Couldthisbetheexplanationofthemystery？Nomanlookedhisdoubts；butMr。Cornell，possiblydiviningthegeneralfeeling，steppeduptoMr。VanBroecklynandinacoolvoice，butwiththeredburninghotlyoneithercheek，said，soastobeheardbyeveryonepresent：
“Idemandtobesearched——atonceandthoroughly。”
Amoment”ssilence，thenthecommoncry：
“Wewillallbesearched。”
“IsMr。Spielhagensurethatthemissingpagewaswiththeotherswhenhesatdownintheadjoiningroomtoreadhisthesis？“askedtheirperturbedhost。
“Verysure，“cametheemphaticreply。“Indeed，IwasjustgoingthroughtheformulaitselfwhenIfellasleep。”
“Youarereadytoassertthis？“
“Iamreadytoswearit。”
Mr。Cornellrepeatedhisrequest。
“Idemandthatyoumakeathoroughsearchofmyperson。Imustbecleared，andinstantly，ofeverysuspicion，“hegravelyasserted，“orhowcanImarryMissDigbyto-morrow。”
Afterthattherewasnofurtherhesitation。Oneandallsubjectedthemselvestotheordealsuggested；evenMr。Spielhagen。Butthiseffortwasasfutileastherest。Thelostpagewasnotfound。
Whatweretheytothink？Whatweretheytodo？
Thereseemedtobenothinglefttodo，andyetsomefurtherattemptmustbemadetowardstherecoveryofthisimportantformula。Mr。Cornell”smarriageandMr。Spielhagen”sbusinesssuccessbothdependeduponitsbeinginthelatter”shandsbeforesixinthemorning，whenhewasengagedtohanditovertoacertainmanufacturersailingforEuropeonanearlysteamer。
Fivehours！
HadMr。VanBroecklynasuggestiontooffer？No，hewasasmuchatseaastherest。
Simultaneouslylookcrossedlook。Blanknesswasoneveryface。
“Letuscalltheladies，“suggestedone。
Itwasdone，andhowevergreatthetensionhadbeenbefore，itwasevengreaterwhenMissDigbysteppeduponthescene。Butshewasnotawomantobeshakenfromherpoiseevenbyacrisisofthisimportance。Whenthedilemmahadbeenpresentedtoherandthefullsituationgrasped，shelookedfirstatMr。CornellandthenatMr。Spielhagen，andquietlysaid：
“Thereisbutoneexplanationpossibleofthismatter。Mr。
Spielhagenwillexcuseme，butheisevidentlymistakeninthinkingthathesawthelostpageamongtherest。Theconditionintowhichhewasthrownbytheunaccustomeddrughehaddrank，madehimliabletohallucinations。Ihavenottheleastdoubthethoughthehadbeenstudyingtheformulaatthetimehedroppedofftosleep。Ihaveeveryconfidenceinthegentleman”scandour。
ButsohaveIinthatofMr。Cornell，“shesupplemented，withasmile。
AnexclamationfromMr。VanBroecklynandasubduedmurmurfromallbutMr。Spielhagentestifiedtotheeffectofthissuggestion，andthereisnosayingwhatmighthavebeentheresultifMr。Cornellhadnothurriedlyputinthisextraordinaryandmostunexpectedprotest：
“MissDigbyhasmygratitude，“saidhe，“foraconfidencewhichI
hopetoprovetobedeserved。ButImustsaythisforMr。
Spielhagen。HewascorrectinstatingthathewasengagedinlookingoverhisformulawhenIsteppedintohispresencewiththeglassofcordial。Ifyouwerenotinapositiontoseethehurriedwayinwhichhishandinstinctivelyspreaditselfoverthepagehewasreading，Iwas；andifthatdoesnotseemconclusivetoyou，thenIfeelboundtostatethatinunconsciouslyfollowingthismovementofhis，Iplainlysawthenumberwrittenonthetopofthepage，andthatnumberwas——13。”
Aloudexclamation，thistimefromSpielhagenhimself，announcedhisgratitudeandcorrespondingchangeofattitudetowardthespeaker。
“Whereverthatdamnedpagehasgone，“heprotested，advancingtowardsCornellwithoutstretchedhand，“youhavenothingtodowithitsdisappearance。”
Instantlyallconstraintfled，andeverycountenancetookonarelievedexpression。Buttheproblemremained。
Suddenlythoseverywordspassedsomeone”slips，andwiththeirutteranceMr。Upjohnrememberedhowatanextraordinarycrisisinhisownlifehehadbeenhelpedandanequallydifficultproblemsettled，byalittleladysecretlyattachedtoaprivatedetectiveagency。Ifshecouldonlybefoundandhurriedherebeforemorning，allmightyetbewell。Hewouldmaketheeffort。
Suchwildschemessometimeswork。Hetelephonedtotheofficeand——
WasthereanythingelseMissStrangewouldliketoknow？
III
MissStrange，thusappealedto，askedwherethegentlemenwerenow。
Shewastoldthattheywerestillalltogetherinthelibrary；
theladieshadbeensenthome。
“Thenletusgotothem，“saidViolet，hidingunderasmilehergreatfearthatherewasanaffairwhichmightveryeasilyspellforherthatdismalword，failure。
Sogreatwasthatfearthatunderallordinarycircumstancesshewouldhavehadnothoughtforanythingelseintheshortinterimbetweenthisstatingoftheproblemandherspeedyentranceamongthepersonsinvolved。Butthecircumstancesofthiscaseweresofarfromordinary，orratherletmeputitinthisway，thesettingofthecasewassoveryextraordinary，thatshescarcelythoughtoftheproblembeforeher，inhergreatinterestinthehousethroughwhoseramblinghallsshewasbeingsocarefullyguided。Somuchthatwastragicandheartrendinghadoccurredhere。TheVanBroecklynname，theVanBroecklynhistory，abovealltheVanBroecklyntradition，whichmadethehouseuniqueinthecountry”sannals(ofwhichmorehereafter)，allmadeanappealtoherimagination，andcentredherthoughtsonwhatshesawabouther。Therewasdoorwhichnomaneveropened——hadneveropenedsinceRevolutionarytimes——shouldsheseeit？Shouldsheknowitifshedidseeit？ThenMr。VanBroecklynhimself！justtomeethim，underanyconditionsandinanyplace，wasanevent。
Buttomeethimhere，underthepallofhisownmystery！Nowondershehadnowordsforhercompanions，orthatherthoughtsclungtothisanticipationinwonderandalmostfearsomedelight。
Hisstorywasawell-knownone。Abachelorandamisanthrope，helivedabsolutelyalonesaveforalargeentourageofservants，allmenandelderlyonesatthat。Henevervisited。Thoughhenowandthen，asonthisoccasion，entertainedcertainpersonsunderhisroof，hedeclinedeveryinvitationforhimself，avoidingeven，withequalstrictness，alleveningamusementsofwhateverkind，whichwoulddetainhiminthecityaftertenatnight。
Perhapsthiswastoensurenobreakinhisruleoflifenevertosleepoutofhisownbed。Thoughhewasamanwelloverfiftyhehadnotspent，accordingtohisownstatement，buttwonightsoutofhisownbedsincehisreturnfromEuropeinearlyboyhood，andthosewereinobediencetoajudicialsummonswhichtookhimtoBoston。
Thiswashismaineccentricity，buthehadanotherwhichisapparentenoughfromwhathasalreadybeensaid。Heavoidedwomen。Ifthrowninwiththemduringhisshortvisitsintotown，hewasinvariablypoliteandattimescompanionable，butheneversoughtthemout，norhadgossip，contrarytoitsusualhabit，everlinkedhisnamewithoneofthesex。
Yethewasamanofmorethanordinaryattraction。Hisfeatureswerefineandhisfigureimpressive。Hemighthavebeenthecynosureofalleyeshadhechosentoentercrowdeddrawing-
rooms，oreventofrequentpublicassemblages，buthavingturnedhisbackuponeverythingofthekindinhisyouth，hehadfounditimpossibletoalterhishabitswithadvancingyears；norwashenowexpectedto。Thepositionhehadtakenwasrespected。
LeonardVanBroecklynwasnolongercriticized。
Wasthereanyexplanationforthisstrangelyself-centredlife？
Thosewhoknewhimbestseemedtothinkso。Inthefirstplacehehadsprungfromanunfortunatestock。Eventsofunusualandtragicnaturehadmarkedthefamilyofbothparents。Norhadhisparentsthemselvesbeenexemptfromthisseemingfatality。
Antagonisticintastesandtemperament，theyhaddraggedonanunhappyexistenceintheoldhome，tillbothnaturesrebelled，andaseparationensuedwhichnotonlydisunitedtheirlivesbutsentthemtooppositesidesoftheglobenevertoreturnagain，Atleast，thatwastheinferencedrawnfromthepeculiarcircumstancesattendingtheevent。Onthemorningofonenever-
to-be-forgottenday，JohnVanBroecklyn，thegrandfatherofthepresentrepresentativeofthefamily，foundthefollowingnotefromhissonlyingonthelibrarytable：
“FATHER：
“Lifeinthishouse，oranyhouse，withherisnolongerendurable。Oneofusmustgo。Themothershouldnotbeseparatedfromherchild。ThereforeitisIwhomyouwillneverseeagain。
Forgetme，butbeconsiderateofherandtheboy。
“WILLIAM。”
Sixhourslateranothernotewasfound，thistimefromthewife：
“FATHER：
“Tiedtoarottingcorpsewhatdoesonedo？Lopoffone”sarmifnecessarytoridoneofthecontact。Asalllovebetweenyoursonandmyselfisdead，Icannolongerlivewithinthesoundofhisvoice。Asthisishishome，heistheonetoremaininit。
Mayourchildreapthebenefitofhismother”slossandhisfather”saffection。
“RHODA。”
Bothweregone，andgoneforever。Simultaneousintheirdeparture，theypreservedeachhisownsilenceandsentnowordback。Iftheonewenteastandtheotherwest，theymayhavemetontheothersideoftheglobe，butneveragaininthehomewhichshelteredtheirboy。Forhimandforhisgrandfathertheyhadsunkfromsightinthegreatseaofhumanity，leavingthemstrandedonanisolatedandmournfulshore。Thegrand-fathersteeledhimselftothedoubleloss，forthechild”ssake；buttheboyofelevensuccumbed。Fewoftheworld”sgreatsufferers，ofwhateverageorcondition，havemournedasthischildmourned，orshowntheeffectsofhisgriefsodeeplyorsolong。Nottillhehadpassedhismajoritydidtheline，carvedinonedayinhisbabyforehead，loseanyofitsintensity；andtherearethosewhodeclarethatevenlaterthanthat，themidnightstillnessofthehousewasdisturbedfromtimetotimebyhismuffledshriekof“Mother！Mother！“，sendingtheservantsfromthehouse，andaddingonemorehorrortothemanywhichclungaboutthisaccursedmansion。
OfthiscryViolethadheard，anditwasthatandthedoor——ButI
havealreadytoldyouaboutthedoorwhichshewasstilllookingfor，whenhertwocompanionssuddenlyhalted，andshefoundherselfonthethresholdofthelibrary，infullviewofMr。VanBroecklynandhistwoguests。
Slightandfairy-likeinfigure，withanairofmodestreservemoreinkeepingwithheryouthanddaintydimplingbeautythanwithhererrand，herappearanceproducedanastonishmentnoneofwhichthegentlemenwereabletodisguise。Thisthecleverdetective，withageniusforsocialproblemsandoddelusivecases！Thisdarlingoftheball-roominsatinandpearls！Mr。
SpielhagenglancedatMr。Cornell，andMr。CornellatMr。
Spielhagen，andbothatMr。Upjohn，inveryevidentdistrust。AsforViolet，shehadeyesonlyforMr。VanBroecklynwhostoodbeforeherinasurpriseequaltothatoftheothersbutwithmorerestraintinitsexpression。
Shewasnotdisappointedinhim。Shehadexpectedtoseeaman，reservedalmosttothepointofausterity。Andshefoundhisfirstlookevenmoreawe-compellingthanherimaginationhadpictured；somuchsoindeed，thatherresolutionfaltered，andshetookaquickstepbackward；whichseeing，hesmiledandherheartandhopesgrewwarmagain。Thathecouldsmile，andsmilewithabsolutesweetness，washergreatcomfortwhenlater——ButI
amintroducingyoutoohurriedlytothecatastrophe。Thereismuchtobetoldfirst。
Ipassoverthepreliminaries，andcomeatoncetothemomentwhenViolet，havinglistenedtoarepetitionofthefullfacts，stoodwithdowncasteyesbeforethesegentlemen，complaininginsomealarmtoherself：“Theyexpectmetotellthemnowandwithoutfurthersearchorparleyjustwherethismissingpageis。
Ishallhavetobalkthatexpectationwithoutlosingtheirconfidence。Buthow？“
Summoninguphercourageandmeetingeachinquiringeyewithalookwhichseemedtocarryadifferentmessagetoeach，sheremarkedveryquietly：
“Thisisnotamattertoguessat。ImusthavetimeandImustlookalittledeeperintothefactsjustgivenme。IpresumethatthetableIseeoverthereistheoneuponwhichMr。UpjohnlaidthemanuscriptduringMr。Spielhagen”sunconsciousness。”
Allnodded。
“Isit——Imeanthetable——inthesameconditionitwasthen？Hasnothingbeentakenfromitexceptthemanuscript？“
“Nothing。”
“Thenthemissingpageisnotthere，“shesmiled，pointingtoitsbaretop。Apause，duringwhichshestoodwithhergazefixedonthefloorbeforeher。Shewasthinkingandthinkinghard。
Suddenlyshecametoadecision。AddressingMr。UpjohnsheaskedifhewerequitesurethatintakingthemanuscriptfromMr。
Spielhagen”shandhehadneitherdisarrangednordroppedoneofitspages。
Theanswerwasunequivocal。
“Then，“shedeclared，withquietassuranceandasteadymeetingwithherownofeveryeye，“asthethirteenthpagewasnotfoundamongtheotherswhentheyweretakenfromthistable，noronthepersonsofeitherMr。CornellorMr。Spielhagen，itisstillinthatinnerroom。”
“Impossible！“camefromeverylip，eachinadifferenttone。
“Thatroomisabsolutelyempty。”
“MayIhavealookatitsemptiness？“sheasked，withanaiveglanceatMr。VanBroecklyn。
“ThereispositivelynothingintheroombutthechairMr。
Spielhagensaton，“objectedthatgentlemanwithanoticeableairofreluctance。
“Still，mayInothavealookatit？“shepersisted，withthatdisarmingsmileshekeptforgreatoccasions。
Mr。VanBroecklynbowed。Hecouldnotrefusearequestsourged，buthisstepwasslowandhismannernexttoungraciousasheledthewaytothedooroftheadjoiningroomandthrewitopen。
Justwhatshehadbeentoldtoexpect！Barewallsandfloorsandanemptychair！Yetshedidnotinstantlywithdraw，butstoodsilentlycontemplatingthepanelledwainscotingsurroundingher，asthoughshesuspecteditofcontainingsomesecrethiding-
placenotapparenttotheeye。
Mr。VanBroecklyn，notingthis，hastenedtosay：
“Thewallsaresound，MissStrange。Theycontainnohiddencupboards。”
“Andthatdoor？“sheasked，pointingtoaportionofthewainscotingsoexactlyliketherestthatonlythemostexperiencedeyecoulddetectthelineofdeepercolourwhichmarkedanopening。
ForaninstantMr。VanBroecklynstoodrigid，thentheimmovablepallor，whichwasoneofhischiefcharacteristics，gavewaytoadeepflushasheexplained：
“Therewasadoorthereonce；butithasbeenpermanentlyclosed。
Withcement，“heforcedhimselftoadd，hiscountenancelosingitsevanescentcolourtillitshoneghastlyagaininthestronglight。
WithdifficultyVioletpreservedhershowofcomposure。“Thedoor！“shemurmuredtoherself。“Ihavefoundit。Thegreathistoricdoor！“Buthertonewaslightassheventuredtosay：
“Thenitcannolongerbeopenedbyyourhandoranyother？“
“Itcouldnotbeopenedwithanaxe。”
Violetsighedinthemidstofhertriumph。Hercuriosityhadbeensatisfied，buttheproblemshehadbeensettosolvelookedinexplicable。Butshewasnotonetoyieldeasilytodiscouragement。MarkingthedisappointmentapproachingtodisdainineveryeyebutMr。Upjohn”s，shedrewherselfup——(shehadnotfartodraw)andmadethisfinalproposal。
“Asheetofpaper，“sheremarked，“ofthesizeofthisonecannotbespiritedaway，ordissolvedintothinair。Itexists；itishere；andallwewantissomehappythoughtinordertofindit。
Iacknowledgethatthathappythoughthasnotcometomeyet，butsometimesIgetitinwhatmayseemtoyouaveryoddway。
Forgettingmyself，Itrytoassumetheindividualityofthepersonwhohasworkedthemystery。IfIcanthinkwithhisthoughts，Ipossiblymayfollowhiminhisactions。InthiscaseIshouldliketomakebelieveforafewmomentsthatIamMr。
Spielhagen“(withwhatadelicioussmileshesaidthis)“IshouldliketoholdhisthesisinmyhandandbeinterruptedinmyreadingbyMr。Cornellofferinghisglassofcordial；thenI
shouldliketonodandslipoffmentallyintoadeepsleep。
Possiblyinthatsleepthedreammaycomewhichwillclarifythewholesituation。Willyouhumourmesofar？“
Aridiculousconcession，butfinallyshehadherway；thefarcewasenactedandtheyleftherasshehadrequestedthemtodo，alonewithherdreamsinthesmallroom。
Suddenlytheyheardhercryout，andinanothermomentsheappearedbeforethem，thepictureofexcitement。
“IsthischairstandingexactlyasitdidwhenMr。Spielhagenoccupiedit？“sheasked。
“No，“saidMr。Upjohn，“itfacedtheotherway。”
Shesteppedbackandtwirledthechairaboutwithherdisengagedhand。
“So？“
Mr。UpjohnandMr。Spielhagenbothnodded，sodidtheotherswhensheglancedatthem。
Withasignofill-concealedsatisfaction，shedrewtheirattentiontoherself；theneagerlycried：
“Gentlemen，lookhere！“
Seatingherself，sheallowedherwholebodytorelaxtillshepresentedthepictureofonecalmlyasleep。Then，astheycontinuedtogazeatwithfascinatedeyes，notknowingwhattoexpect，theysawsomethingwhiteescapefromherlapandslideacrossthefloortillittouchedandwasstayedbythewainscot。
Itwasthetoppageofthemanuscriptsheheld，andassomeinklingofthetruthreachedtheirastonishedminds，shesprangimpetuouslytoherfeetand，pointingtothefallensheet，cried：
“Doyouunderstandnow？Lookwhereitliesandthenlookhere！“
Shehadboundedtowardsthewallandwasnowonherkneespointingtothebottomofthewainscot，justafewinchestotheleftofthefallenpage。
“Acrack！“shecried，“underwhatwasoncethedoor。It”saverythinone，hardlyperceptibletotheeye。Butsee！“Hereshelaidherfingeronthefallenpaperanddrawingittowardsher，pusheditcarefullyagainsttheloweredgeofthewainscot。Halfofitatoncedisappeared。
“Icouldeasilyslipitallthrough，“sheassuredthem，withdrawingthesheetandleapingtoherfeetintriumph。“Youknownowwherethemissingpagelies，Mr。Spielhagen。AllthatremainsisforMr。VanBroecklyntogetitforyou。”
IV
Thecriesofmingledastonishmentandreliefwhichgreetedthissimpleelucidationofthemysterywerebrokenbyacuriouslychoked，almostunintelligible，cry。Itcamefromthemanthusappealedto，who，unnoticedbythemall，hadstartedatherfirstwordandgradually，asactionfollowedaction，withdrawnhimselftillhenowstoodaloneandinanattitudealmostofdefiancebehindthelargetableinthecentreofthelibrary。
“Iamsorry，“hebegan，withabrusquenesswhichgraduallytoneddownintoaforcedurbanityashebeheldeveryeyefixeduponhiminamazement，“thatcircumstancesforbidmybeingofassistancetoyouinthisunfortunatematter。Ifthepaperlieswhereyousay，andIseenootherexplanationofitsloss，Iamafraiditwillhavetoremainthereforthisnightatleast。Thecementinwhichthatdoorisembeddedisthickasanywall；itwouldtakemenwithpickaxes，possiblywithdynamite，tomakeabreachtherewideenoughforanyonetoreachin。Andwearefarfromanysuchhelp。”
Inthemidstoftheconsternationcausedbythesewords，theclockonthemantelbehindhisbackrangoutthehour。Itwasbutadoublestroke，butthatmeanttwohoursaftermidnightandhadtheeffectofaknellintheheartsofthosemostinterested。
“ButIamexpectedtogivethatformulaintothehandsofourmanagerbeforesixo”clockinthemorning。Thesteamersailsataquarterafter。”
“Can”tyoureproduceacopyofitfrommemory？“someoneasked；
“andinsertitinitsproperplaceamongthepagesyouholdthere？“
Thepaperwouldnotbethesame。Thatwouldleadtoquestionsandthetruthwouldcomeout。Asthechiefvalueoftheprocesscontainedinthatformulaliesinitssecrecy，noexplanationI
couldgivewouldrelievemefromthesuspicionswhichanacknowledgmentoftheexistenceofathirdcopy，howeverwellhidden，wouldentail。Ishouldlosemygreatopportunity。”
Mr。Cornell”sstateofmindcanbeimagined。Inanaccessofmingledregretanddespair，hecastaglanceatViolet，who，withanodofunderstanding，leftthelittleroominwhichtheystillstood，andapproachedMr。VanBroecklyn。
Liftingupherhead，——forhewasverytall，——andinstinctivelyrisingonhertoesthenearertoreachhisear，sheaskedinacautiouswhisper：
“Istherenootherwayofreachingthatplace？“
Sheacknowledgedafterwards，thatforonemomentherheartstoodstillfromfear，suchachangetookplaceinhisface，thoughshesayshedidnotmoveamuscle。Then，justwhenshewasexpectingfromhimsomeharshorforbiddingword，hewheeledabruptlyawayfromherandcrossingtoawindowathisside，liftedtheshadeandlookedout。Whenhereturned，hewashisusualselfsofarasshecouldsee。
“Thereisaway，“henowconfidedtoherinatoneaslowasherown，“butitcanonlybetakenbyachild。”
“Notbyme？“sheasked，smilingdownatherownchildishproportions。
Foraninstantheseemedtakenaback，thenshesawhishandbegintotrembleandhislipstwitch。Somehow——sheknewnotwhy——shebegantopityhim，andaskedherselfasshefeltratherthansawthestruggleinhismind，thatherewasatroublewhichifonceunderstoodwouldgreatlydwarfthatofthetwomenintheroombehindthem。
“Iamdiscreet，“shewhisperinglydeclared。“Ihaveheardthehistoryofthatdoor——howitwasagainstthetraditionofthefamilytohaveitopened。Theremusthavebeensomeverydreadfulreason。Butoldsuperstitionsdonotaffectme，andifyouwillallowmetotakethewayyoumention，Iwillfollowyourbiddingexactly，andwillnottroublemyselfaboutanythingbuttherecoveryofthispaper，whichmustlieonlyalittlewayinsidethatblocked-updoor。”
Washislookoneofrebukeatherpresumption，orjusttheconstrainedexpressionofaperturbedmind？Probably，thelatter，forwhileshewatchedhimforsomeunderstandingofhismood，hereachedouthishandandtouchedoneofthesatinfoldscrossinghershoulder。
“Youwouldsoilthisirretrievably，“saidhe。
“Thereisstuffinthestoresforanother，“shesmiled。Slowlyhistouchdeepenedintopressure。Watchinghimshesawthecrustofsomeoldfearordominantsuperstitionmeltunderhereyes，andwasquiteprepared，whenheremarked，withwhatforhimwasalightsomeair：
“Iwillbuythestuff，ifyouwilldarethedarknessandintricaciesofouroldcellar。Icangiveyounolight。Youwillhavetofeelyourwayaccordingtomydirection。”
“Iamreadytodareanything。”
Heleftherabruptly。
“IwillwarnMissDigby，“hecalledback。“Sheshallgowithyouasfarasthecellar。”
V
Violetinhershortcareerasaninvestigatorofmysterieshadbeeninmanyasituationcallingformorethanwomanlynerveandcourage。Butnever——orsoitseemedtoheratthetime——hadsheexperiencedagreaterdepressionofspiritthanwhenshestoodwithMissDigbybeforeasmalldoorattheextremeendofthecellar，andunderstoodthatherewasherroad——aroadwhichonceentered，shemusttakealone。
First，itwassuchasmalldoor！Nochildolderthanelevencouldpossiblysqueezethroughit。Butshewasofthesizeofachildofelevenandmightpossiblymanagethatdifficulty。
Secondly：therearealwayssomeunforeseenpossibilitiesineverysituation，andthoughshehadlistenedcarefullytoMr。VanBroecklyn”sdirectionsandwassurethatsheknewthembyheart，shewishedshehadkissedherfathermoretenderlyinleavinghimthatnightfortheball，andthatshehadnotpoutedsoundutifullyatsomeharshstricturehehadmade。Didthismeanfear？Shedespisedthefeelingifitdid。
Thirdly：Shehateddarkness。Sheknewthiswhensheofferedherselfforthisundertaking；butshewasinabrightroomatthemomentandonlyimaginedwhatshemustnowfaceasareality。Butonejethadbeenlitinthecellarandthatneartheentrance。
Mr。VanBroecklynseemednottoneedlight，eveninhisunfasteningofthesmalldoorwhichVioletwassurehadbeenprotectedbymorethanonelock。
Doubt，shadow，andasolitaryclimbbetweenunknownwalls，withonlyastreakoflightforhergoal，andtheclingingpressureofFlorenceDigby”shandonherownforsolace——surelytheprospectwasonetotaxthecourageofheryounghearttoitslimit。Butshehadpromised，andshewouldfulfill。Sowithabravesmileshestoopedtothelittledoor，andinanothermomenthadstartedherjourney。
Forjourneytheshortestdistancemayseemwheneveryinchmeansaheart-throbandonegrowsoldintraversingafoot。Atfirstthewaywaseasy；shehadbuttocrawlupaslightinclinewiththecomfortingconsciousnessthattwopeoplewerewithinreachofhervoice，almostwithinsoundofherbeatingheart。Butpresentlyshecametoaturn，beyondwhichherfingersfailedtoreachanywallonherleft。Thencameastepupwhichshestumbled，andfartheronashortflight，eachtreadofwhichshehadbeentoldtotestbeforesheventuredtoclimbit，lestthedecayofinnumerableyearsshouldhaveweakenedthewoodtoomuchtobearherweight。One，two，three，four，fivesteps！Thenalandingwithanopenspacebeyond。Halfofherjourneywasdone。
Hereshefeltshecouldgiveaminutetodrawingherbreathnaturally，iftheair，unchangedinyears，wouldallowhertodoso。Besides，hereshehadbeenenjoinedtodoacertainthingandtodoitaccordingtoinstructions。Threematcheshadbeengivenherandalittlenightcandle。Deniedalllightuptonow，itwasatthispointshewastolighthercandleandplaceitonthefloor，sothatinreturningsheshouldnotmissthestaircaseandgetafall。Shehadpromisedtodothis，andwasonlytoohappytoseeasparkoflightscintillateintolifeintheimmeasurabledarkness。
Shewasnowinagreatroomlongclosedtotheworld，whereonceofficersinColonialwarshadfeasted，andmorethanonecouncilhadbeenheld。Aroom，too，whichhadseenmorethanonetragichappening，asitsalmostunparalleledisolationproclaimed。SomuchMr。VanBroecklynhadtoldher；butshewaswarnedtobecarefulintraversingitandnotuponanypretexttoswerveasidefromtheright-handwalltillshecametoahugemantelpiece。
Thispassed，andasharpcornerturned，sheoughttoseesomewhereinthedimspacesbeforeherastreakofvividlightshiningthroughthecrackatthebottomoftheblocked-updoor。
Thepapershouldbesomewherenearthisstreak。
Allsimple，alleasyofaccomplishment，ifonlythatstreakoflightwereallshewaslikelytoseeorthinkof。Ifthehorrorwhichwasgrippingherthroatshouldnottakeshape！Ifthingswouldremainshroudedinimpenetrabledarkness，andnotforcethemselvesinshadowysuggestionuponherexcitedfancy！Buttheblacknessofthepassage-waythroughwhichshehadjuststruggledwasnottobefoundhere。Whetheritwasteffectofthatsmallflameflickeringatthetopofthestaircasebehindher，orofsomechangeinherownpowersofseeing，surelytherewasadifferenceinherpresentoutlook。Tallshapeswerebecomingvisible——theairwasnolongerblank——shecouldsee——Thensuddenlyshesawwhy。Inthewallhighuponherrightwasawindow。Itwassmallandallbutinvisible，beingcoveredontheoutsidewithvines，andontheinsidewiththecobwebsofacentury。Butsomesmallgleamsfromthestar-lightnightcamethrough，makingphantasmsoutofordinarythings，whichunseenwerehorribleenough，andhalfseenchokedherheartwithterror。
“Icannotbearit，“shewhisperedtoherselfevenwhilecreepingforward，herhanduponthewall。“Iwillclosemyeyes“washernextthought。“Iwillmakemyowndarkness，“andwithaspasmodicforcingofherlidstogether，shecontinuedtocreepon，passingthemantelpiece，wheresheknockedagainstsomethingwhichfellwithanawfulclatter。
Thissound，followedasitwasbythatofsmotheredvoicesfromtheexcitedgroupawaitingtheresultofherexperimentfrombehindtheimpenetrablewallsheshouldbenearingnowifshehadfollowedherinstructionsaright，freedherinstantlyfromherfancies；andopeninghereyesoncemore，shecastalookahead，andtoherdelight，sawbutafewstepsaway，thethinstreakofbrightlightwhichmarkedtheendofherjourney。
Ittookherbutamomentafterthattofindthemissingpage，andpickingitupinhastefromthedustyfloor，sheturnedherselfquicklyaboutandjoyfullybegantoretracehersteps。Whythen，wasitthatinthecourseofafewminutesmorehervoicesuddenlybrokeintoawild，unearthlyshriek，whichringingwithterrorbursttheboundsofthatdungeon-likeroom，andsank，abarbedshaft，intothebreastsofthoseawaitingtheresultofherdoubtfuladventure，ateitherendofthisdreadno-
thoroughfare。
Whathadhappened？
Iftheyhadthoughttolookout，theywouldhaveseenthatthemoon——heldincheckbyabankofcloudoccupyinghalftheheavens——
hadsuddenlyburstitsboundsandwassendinglongbarsofrevealinglightintoeveryuncurtainedwindow。
VI
FlorenceDigby，inhershortandshelteredlife，hadpossiblyneverknownanyverygreatordeepemotion。Butshetouchedthebottomofextremeterroratthatmoment，aswithherearsstillthrillingwithViolet”spiercingcry，sheturnedtolookatMr。
VanBroecklyn，andbeheldtheinstantaneouswreckithadmadeofthisseeminglystrongman。Nottillhecametolieinhiscoffinwouldheshowamoreghastlycountenance；andtremblingherselfalmosttothepointoffalling，caughthimbythearmandsoughttoreadhisfacewhathadhappened。Somethingdisastrousshewassure；somethingwhichhehadfearedandwaspartiallypreparedfor，yetwhichinhappeninghadcrushedhim。Wasitapitfallintowhichthepoorlittleladyhadfallen？Ifso——Butheisspeaking——mumblinglowwordstohimself。Someofthemshecanhear。Heisreproachinghimself——repeatingoverandoverthatheshouldneverhavetakensuchachance；thatheshouldhaverememberedheryouth——theweaknessofayounggirl”snerve。Hehadbeenmad，andnow——andnow——
Withtherepetitionofthiswordhismurmuringceased。Allhisenergieswerenowabsorbedinlisteningatthelowdoorseparatinghimfromwhathewasagonizingtoknow——adoorimpossibletoenter，impossibletoenlarge——abarriertoallhelp——
anopeningwherebysoundmightpassbutnothingelse，saveherownsmallbody，nowlying——where？
“Isshehurt？“falteredFlorence，stooping，herself，tolisten。
“Canyouhearanything——anything？“
Foraninstanthedidnotanswer；everyfacultywasabsorbedintheonesense；thenslowlyandingaspshebegantomutter：
“Ithink——Ihear——something。Herstep——no，no，nostep。Allisasquietasdeath；notasound，notabreath——shehasfainted。0
God！0God！Whythiscalamityontopofall！“
Hehadsprungtohisfeetattheutterancethisinvocation，butnextmomentwasdownonkneesagain，listening——listening。
Neverwassilencemoreprofound；theywerehearkeningformurmursfromatomb。Florencebegantosensethefullhorrorofitall，andwasswayinghelplesslywhenMr。VanBroecklynimpulsivelyliftedhishandinanadmonitoryHush！andthroughthedazeofherfacultiesasmallfarsoundbegantomakeitselfheard，growinglouderasshewaited，thenbecomingfaintagain，thenaltogetherceasingonlytorenewitselfoncemore，tillitresolvedintoanapproachingstep，falteringinitscourse，butcomingevernearerandnearer。
“She”ssafe！She”snothurt！“sprangfromFlorence”slipsininexpressiblerelief；andexpectingMr。VanBroecklyntoshowanequaljoy，sheturnedtowardshim，withthecheerfulcry“Nowifshehasbeensofortunateastothatmissingpage，weshallallberepaidforourfright。”
Amovementonhispart，ashiftingofpositionwhichbroughthimfinallytohisfeet，buthegavenootherproofofhavingheardher，nordidhiscountenancemirrorherrelief。“Itisasifhedreaded，insteadofhailed，herreturn，“wasFlorence”sinwardcommentasshewatchedhiminvoluntarilyrecoilateachfreshtokenofViolet”sadvance。
Yetbecausethisseemedsoveryunnatural，shepersistedinhereffortstolightenthesituation，andwhenhemadenoattempttoencourageVioletinherapproach，sheherselfstoopedandcalledoutacheerfulwelcomewhichmusthaverungsweetlyinthepoorlittledetective”sears。
AsorrysightwasViolet，when，helpedbyFlorence，shefinallycrawledintoviewthroughthenarrowopeningandstoodonceagainonthecellarfloor。Pale，trembling，andsoiledwiththedustofyears，shepresentedahelplessfigureenough，tillthejoyinFlorence”sfacerecalledsomeofherspirit，and，glancingdownatherhandinwhichasheetofpaperwasvisible，sheaskedforMr。Spielhagen。
“I”vegottheformula，“shesaid。“Ifyouwillbringhim，Iwillhanditovertohimhere。”
Notawordofheradventure；norsomuchasoneglanceatMr。VanBroecklyn，standingfarbackintheshadows。
Norwasshemorecommunicative，when，theformularestoredandeverythingmaderightwithMr。Spielhagen，theyallcametogetheragaininthelibraryforafinalword。“Iwasfrightenedbythesilenceandthedarkness，andsocriedout，“sheexplainedinanswertotheirquestions。“Anyonewouldhavedonesowhofoundhimselfaloneinsomustyaplace，“sheadded，withanattemptatlightsomenesswhichdeepenedthepalloronMr。VanBroecklyn”scheek，alreadysufficientlynoticeabletohavebeenremarkeduponbymorethanone。
“Noghosts？“laughedMr。Cornell，toohappyinthereturnofhishopestobefullysensibleofthefeelingsofthoseabouthim。
“Nowhispersfromimpalpablelipsortouchesfromspectrehands？
NothingtoexplainthemysteryofthatroomlongshutupthatevenMr。VanBroecklyndeclareshimselfignorantofitssecret？“
“Nothing，“returnedViolet，showingherdimplesinfullforcenow。
“IfMissStrangehadanysuchexperiences——ifshehasanythingtotellworthyofsomarkedacuriosity，shewilltellitnow，“camefromthegentlemanjustalludedto，intonessosternandstrangethatallshowoffrivolityceasedontheinstant。“Haveyouanythingtotell，MissStrange？“
Greatlystartled，sheregardedhimwithwideningeyesforamoment，thenwithamovetowardsthedoor，remarked，withagenerallookabouther：
“Mr。VanBroecklynknowshisownhouse，anddoubtlesscanrelateitshistoriesifhewill。Iamabusylittlebodywhohavingfinishedmyworkamnowreadytoreturnhome，theretowaitforthenextproblemwhichanindulgentfatemayofferme。”
Shewasnearthethreshold——shewasabouttotakeherleave，whensuddenlyshefelttwohandsfallonhershoulder，andturning，mettheeyesofMr。VanBroecklynburningintoherown。
“Yousaw！“droppedinanalmostinaudiblewhisperfromhislips。
Theshiverwhichshookheransweredhimbetterthananyword。
Withanexclamationofdespair，hewithdrewhishands，andfacingtheothersnowstandingtogetherinastartledgroup，hesaid，assoonashecouldrecoversomeofhisself-possession：
“Imustaskforanotherhourofyourcompany。Icannolongerkeepmysorrowtomyself。Adividinglinehasjustbeendrawnacrossmylife，andImusthavethesympathyofsomeonewhoknowsmypast，orIshallgomadinmyself-imposedsolitude。
Comeback，MissStrange。Youofallothershavethepriorrighttohear。”
