ThenextmorningIawokewithalighterbreast，rejoicinginthecautionwhichhaddelayedmefromanyrashmanifestationofsuspicionsnowseentobeabsurd。Ismiledasthethoughtarose:
whatifthissuspectedstrangershouldalsobepesteredbyanactiveimagination，andshouldentertainsimilarsuspicionsofme？
HemusthaveseeninmyeyesthelookofrecognitionwhichIsawinhis。Onhearingofthemurder，ourmeetingmayalsohaverecurredtohim；andhissuspicionswouldhavethiscolor，wantingtomine，thatIhappentoinheritwithmyItalianbloodasomewhattruculentappearance，whichhasgainedformeamongmyfriendstheplayfulsobriquetof”thebrigand。”
Anxioustoatoneatonceformyfolly，andtoremovefrommymindanymisgiving——ifitexisted——atmyquittinghimsosoonafterthedisclosuresofthemasqueradingdetails，IwenttoBourgonefassoonasIwasdressedandproposedarambletillthediligencestartedforMunich。Hewassympatheticinhisinquiriesaboutmycolic，whichIassuredhimhadquitepassedaway，andoutwewent。
ThesharpmorningairofMarchmadeuswalkbriskly，andgaveapleasantanimationtoourthoughts。Ashediscussedtheactsoftheprovisionalgovernment，sowise，temperate，andenergetic，thefervorandgenerosityofhissentimentsstoodoutinsuchstrikingcontrastwiththedeedIhadlastnightrecklesslyimputedtohimthatIfeltdeeplyashamed，andwasnearlycarriedawaybymingledadmirationandself-reproachtoconfesstheabsurdvagrancyofmythoughtsandhumblyaskhispardon。Butyoucanunderstandthereluctanceataconfessionsoinsultingtohim，sodegradingtome。
Itisatalltimesdifficulttotellaman，facetoface，eyetoeye，theevilyouhavethoughtofhim，unlesstherecklessnessofangerseizesonitasaweaponwithwhichtostrike；andIhadnowsocompletelyunsaidtomyselfallthatIoncehadthoughtofevil，thattoputitinwordsseemedagratuitousinjurytomeandinsulttohim。
AdayortwoafterourarrivalinMunichareactionbegansteadilytosetin。AshamedasIwasofmysuspicions，Icouldnotaltogetherbanishfrommymindtheincidentwhichhadawakenedthem。Theimageofthatfalsebeardwouldminglewithmythoughts。
IwasvaguelyuncomfortableattheideaofBourgonef’scarryingaboutwithhimobviousmaterialsofdisguise。Initselfthiswouldhavehadlittlesignificance；butcoupledwiththefactthathisdevotedservantwas——inspiteofallBourgonef’seulogies——
repulsivelyferociousinaspect，capable，asIcouldnothelpbelieving，ofanybrutality，——thesuggestionwasunpleasant。YouwillunderstandthathavingemphaticallyacquittedBourgonefinmymind，Ididnotagaindistinctlychargehimwithanycomplicityinthemysteriousmurder；onthecontrary，Ishouldindignantlyhaverepelledsuchathought；buttheuneasysenseofsomemysteryabouthim，coupledwiththeaccessoriesofdisguise，andtheaspectoftheservant，gaverisetodim，shadowyforebodingswhicheverandanonpassedacrossmymind。
Diditeveroccurtoyou，reader，toreflectonthedepthsofdeceitwhichliestillanddarkeveninthehonestestminds？
Societyreposesonathincrustofconvention，underneathwhichliefathomlesspossibilitiesofcrime，andconsequentlysuspicionsofcrime。Friendship，howevercloseanddear，isnotfreefromitsreserves，unspokenbeliefs，moreorlesssuppressedopinions。Themanwhomyouwouldindignantlydefendagainstanyaccusationbroughtbyanother，soconfidentareyouinhisunshakableintegrity，youmayyourselfmomentarilysuspectofcrimesfarexceedingthosewhichyourepudiate。Indeed，Ihaveknownsagaciousmenholdthatperfectfranknessinexpressingthethoughtsisasuresignofimperfectfriendship；somethingisalwayssuppressed；anditisnothewholovesyouthat”tellsyoucandidlywhathethinks”ofyourperson，yourpretensions，yourchildren，oryourpoems。Perfectcandorisdictatedbyenvy，orsomeotherunfriendlyfeeling，makingfriendshipastalking-horse，undercoverofwhichitshootsthearrowwhichwillrankle。
Friendshipiscandidonlywhenthecandorisurgent——meanttoavertimpendingdangerortorectifyanerror。Thecandorwhichisanimpertinenceneverspringsfromfriendship。Loveissympathetic。
Idonot，ofcourse，meantointimatethatmyfeelingforBourgonefwasofthatdeepkindwhichjustifiesthenameoffriendship。I
onlywanttosaythatinoursocialrelationsweareconstantlyhidingfromeachother，underthesmilesandcourtesiesoffriendlyinterest，thoughtswhich，ifexpressed，woulddestroyallpossiblecommunion——andthat，nevertheless，wearenotinsincereinoursmilesandcourtesies；andthereforethereisnothingparadoxicalinmyhavingfeltgreatadmirationforBourgonef，andgreatpleasureinhissociety，whileallthetimetherewasdeepdownintherecessesofmythoughtsanuneasysenseofadarkmysterywhichpossiblyconnectedhimwithadreadfulcrime。
Thisfeelingwasrousedintogreateractivitybyanincidentwhichnowoccurred。OnemorningIwenttoBourgonef’sroom，whichwasatsomedistancefrommineonthesamefloor，intendingtoproposeavisittothesculptureattheGlyptothek。TomysurpriseIfoundIvantheserfstandingbeforethecloseddoor。Helookedatmelikeamastiffabouttospring；andintimatedbysignificantgesturesthatIwasnotallowedtoentertheroom。Concludingthathismasterwasoccupiedinsomeway，anddesirednottobedisturbed，Imerelysignifiedbyanodthatmyvisitwasofnoconsequence，andwentout。OnreturningaboutanhourafterwardsI
sawIvanputtingthreepinklettersintotheletter-boxofthehotel。Iattachednosignificancetothisveryordinaryfactatthetime，butwentuptomyroomandbeganwritingmyletters，oneofwhichwastomylawyer，sendinghimanimportantreceipt。Thedinner-bellsoundedbeforeIhadhalffinishedthisletter；butI
wroteon，determinedtohavedonewithitatonce，incasetheafternoonshouldofferanyexpeditionwithBourgonef。
AtdinnerhequietlyintimatedthatIvanhadinformedhimofmyvisit，andapologizedfornothavingbeenabletoseeme。I，ofcourse，assuredhimthatnoapologywasnecessary，andthatwehadplentyoftimetovisitsculpturetogetherwithoutintrudingonhisprivatehours。HeinformedmethathewasthatafternoongoingtopayavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，andifIdesiredit，hewouldaskpermissiononanotheroccasiontotakemewithhim。I
jumpedattheproposal，asmaybesupposed。
Dinnerover，IstrolledintotheEnglischeGarten，andhadmycoffeeandcigarthere。OnmyreturnIwasvexedtofindthatinthehurryoffinishingmylettersIhadsealedtheonetomylawyer，andhadnotenclosedthereceiptwhichhadbeentheobjectofwriting。Fortunatelyitwasnottoolate。Descendingtothebureauofthehotel，Iexplainedmymistaketothehead-waiter，whounlockedtheletter-boxtosearchformyletter。Itwasfoundatonce，fortherewereonlysevenoreightinthebox。AmongthesemyeyenaturallycaughtthethreepinkletterswhichIhadthatmorningseenIvandropintothebox；butalthoughtheywereSEENbymetheywerenotNOTICEDatthetime，mymindbeingsolelyoccupiedwithrectifyingthestupidblunderIhadmade。
Oncemoreinmyownroomasuddenrevelationstartledme。Everyoneknowswhatitistohavedetailscomeundertheeyewhichthemindfirstinterpretslongaftertheeyeceasestorestuponthem。Theimpressionsarereceivedpassively；buttheyareregistered，andcanbecalmlyreadwheneverthemindisinactivity。Itwassonow。Isuddenly，asifnowforthefirsttime，sawthattheaddressesonBourgonef’sletterswerewritteninafluent，masterlyhand，boldincharacter，andwithacertainsweepwhichmighthavecomefromapainter。ThethrillwhichthisvisiongavewillbeintelligiblewhenyourememberthatBourgonefhadlostorpretendedtohavelosthisrightarm，andwas，asIbeforeintimated，farfromdexterouswithhisleft。Thatnomanrecentlythrownupontheuseofalefthandcouldhavewrittenthoseaddresseswastooevident。What，then，wasthealternative？Theemptysleevewasanimposture！Atoncetheoldhorriblesuspicionreturned，andthistimewithtenfoldviolence，andwithdamnatoryconfirmation。
Pressingmytemplesbetweenmyhands，Itriedtobecalmandtosurveytheevidencewithoutprecipitation；butforsometimetheconflictofthoughtswastooviolent。Whatevermightbetheexplanation，clearitwasthatBourgonef，forsomepurposes，waspractisingadeception，andhad，asIknew，othermeansofdisguisinghisappearance。This，onthemostfavorableinterpretation，brandedhimwithsuspicion。Thisexcludedhimfromthecircleofhonestmen。
ButdiditconnecthimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt？Inmythoughtitdidsoindubitably；butIwasawareofthedifficultyofmakingthiscleartoanyoneelse。
VI
FIRSTLOVE
Ifthereaderfeelsthatmysuspicionswerenotwhollyunwarranted，wereindeedinevitable，hewillnotlaughatmeonlearningthatoncemorethesesuspicionsweresetaside，andthefact——thedamnatoryfact，asIregardedit——discoveredbymesoaccidentally，and，Ithought，providentially，wasrobbedofallitssignificancebyBourgonefhimselfcasuallyandcarelesslyavowingitinconversation，justasonemayavowasecretinfirmity，withsomebitterness，butwithoutanyimplicationofdeceitinitsconcealment。
Iwasthemorepreparedforthisrevulsionoffeeling，bythedifficultyIfeltinmaintainingmysuspicionsinthepresenceofonesogentleandsorefined。HehadcomeintomyroomthateveningtotellmeofhisvisittoSchwanthaler，andofthesculptor’sflatteringdesiretomakemypersonalacquaintance。HespokeofSchwanthaler，andhisearnesteffortsinart，withsomuchenthusiasm，andwasaltogethersocharming，thatIfeltabashedbeforehim，incapableofriddingmyselfofthedreadfulsuspicions，yetincapableoffirmlybelievinghimtobewhatIthought。Butmorethanthis，therecamethenewinterestawakenedinmebyhisstory；andwhen，inthecourseofhisstory，heaccidentallydisclosedthefactthathehadnotlosthisarm，allmysuspicionsvanishedatonce。
Wehadgot，asusual，uponpolitics，andweredifferingmorethanusual，becausehegavegreaterprominencetohissympathywiththeRedRepublicans。Heaccusedmeofnotbeing”thorough-going，”
whichIadmitted。Thisheattributedtothefactofmygivingadividedhearttopolitics——aconditionnaturalenoughatmyage，andwithmyhopes。”Well，”saidI，laughing，”youdon’tmeantotakealoftystanduponyourfewyears’seniority。Ifmyagerendersitnatural，doesyoursprofoundlyaltersuchaconviction？””Myage，no。Butyouhavethehopesofyouth。Ihavenone。Iambanishedforeverfromthejoysandsorrowsofdomesticlife；andtherefore，toliveatall，mustconsecratemysoultogreatabstractionsandpublicaffairs。””Butwhybanished，unlessself-banished？””Woman’sloveisimpossible。Youlookincredulous。Idonotalludetothis，”hesaid，takinguptheemptysleeve，andbysodoingsendingashiverthroughme。”Thelossofyourarm，”Isaid——andmyvoicetrembledslightly，forIfeltthatacrisiswasathand——”althoughamisfortunetoyou，wouldreallybeanadvantageingainingawoman’saffections。
Womenaresoromantic，andtheirimaginationsaresoeasilytouched！””Yes，”herepliedbitterly；”butthetroubleisthatIhavenotlostmyarm。”
Istarted。Hespokebitterly，yetcalmly。Iawaitedhisexplanationingreatsuspense。”Tohavelostmyarminbattle，orevenbyanaccident，wouldperhapshavelentmeacharminwoman’seyes。But，asIsaid，myarmhangsbymyside——withered，unpresentable。”
Ibreathedagain。Hecontinuedinthesametone，andwithoutnoticingmylooks。”Butitisnotthiswhichbanishesme。Woman’slovemightbehopedfor，hadIfarworseinfirmities。Thecauseliesdeeper。Itliesinmyhistory。Awallofgranitehasgrownupbetweenmeandthesex。””But，mydearfellow，doyou——wounded，asIpresumetoguess，bysomeunworthywoman——extendthefaultofonetothewholesex？Doyoudespairoffindinganothertrue，becauseafirstwasfalse？””Theyareallfalse，”heexclaimedwithenergy。”Not，perhaps，allfalsefrominherentviciousness，thoughmanyarethat，butfalsebecausetheirinherentweaknessrendersthemincapableoftruth。
Oh！Iknowthecatalogueoftheirgoodqualities。Theyareoftenpitiful，self-devoting，generous；buttheyaresobyfitsandstarts，justastheyarecruel，remorseless，exacting，byfitsandstarts。Theyhavenoconstancy——theyaretooweaktobeconstanteveninevil；theirmindsareallimpressions；theiractionsarealltheissueofimmediatepromptings。Swayedbythefleetingimpulsesofthehour，theyhaveonlyonepersistent，calculablemotiveonwhichreliancecanalwaysbeplaced——thatmotiveisvanity；youarealwayssureofthemthere。Itisfromvanitytheyaregood——fromvanitytheyareevil；theirdevotionandtheirdesertionequallyvanity。Iknowthem。Tometheyhavedisclosedtheshallowsoftheirnatures。God！howIhavesufferedfromthem！”
Adeep，lowexclamation，halfsob，halfcurse，closedhistirade。
Heremainedsilentforafewminutes，lookingonthefloor，then，suddenlyturninghiseyesuponme，said:”WereyoueverinHeidelberg？””Never。””Ithoughtallyourcountrymenwentthere？Thenyouwillneverhaveheardanythingofmystory。ShallItellyouhowmyyouthwasblighted？Willyoucaretolisten？””Itwouldinterestmemuch。””Ihadreachedtheageofseven-and-twenty，”hebegan，”withouthavingonceknowneventhevaguestirringsofthepassionoflove。
Iadmiredmanywomen，andcourtedtheadmirationofthemall；butI
wasasyetnotonlyheart-whole，but，touseyourShakespeare’sphrase，Cupidhadnottappedmeontheshoulder。”Thisdetailisnotunimportantinmystory。Youmaypossiblyhaveobservedthatinthosepassionatenatureswhichreservetheirforce，anddonotfritterawaytheirfeelingsinscatteredflirtationsortriviallove-affairs，thereisavelocityandmomentum，whenthemovementofpassionisonceexcited，greatlytranscendingallthatiseverfeltbyexpansiveandexpressivenatures。Slowtobemoved，whentheydomoveitiswiththewholemassoftheheart。Soitwaswithme。Ipurchasedmyimmunityfromearlierentanglementsbythepriceofmywholelife。IamnotwhatIwas。Betweenmypastandpresentselfthereisagulf；thatgulfisdark，stormy，andprofound。Onthefarsidestandsayouthofhope，energy，ambition，anduncloudedhappiness，withgreatcapacitiesforloving；onthissideablightedmanhood，withnoprospectsbutsufferingandstorm。”
Hepaused。Withaneffortheseemedtomasterthesuggestionswhichcrowdeduponhismemory，andcontinuedhisnarrativeinanequabletone。”IhadbeenforseveralweeksatHeidelberg。OneofmyintimatecompanionswasKestner，thearchitect，andheonedayproposedtointroducemetohissister-in-law，Ottilie，ofwhomhehadrepeatedlyspokentomeintermsofgreataffectionandesteem。”Wewent，andweweremostcordiallyreceived。OttiliejustifiedKestner’spraises。Pretty，butnotstrikinglyso——clever，butnotobtrusivelyso；hersoftdarkeyeswerefrankandwinning；hermannerwasgentleandretiring，withthatdashofsentimentalismwhichseemsnativetoallGermangirls，butwithoutanyoftheridiculousextravagancetoooftenseeninthem。IlikedherallthemorebecauseIwasperfectlyatmyeasewithher，andthiswasrarelythecaseinmyrelationstoyoungwomen。Idon’tenjoytheirsociety。”Youleapatoncetotheconclusionthatwefellinlove。Yourconclusionisprecipitate。Seeinghercontinually，Igrewtoadmireandrespecther；butthesignificantsmiles，winks，andhintsoffriends，pointingunmistakablyatasupposedunderstandingexistingbetweenus，onlymadememoreseriouslyexaminethestateofmyfeelings，andassuredmethatIwasnotinlove。ItistruethatIfeltaserenepleasureinhersociety，andthatwhenawayfromhersheoccupiedmuchofmythoughts。ItistruethatIoftenthoughtofherasawife；andinthesemeditationssheappearedasoneeminentlycalculatedtomakeahappyhome。ButitisnolesstruethatduringatemporaryabsenceofhersofafewweeksIfeltnosortofuneasiness，noyearningforherpresence，novacancyinmylife。Iknew，therefore，thatitwasnotlovewhichIfelt。”Somuchformyfeelings。Whatofhers？Theyseemedverylikemyown。Thatsheadmiredme，andwaspleasedtobewithme，wascertain。ThatshehadaparticleoffieryloveformeIdidnot，couldnotbelieve。Anditwasprobablythisverysenseofhercalmnesswhichkeptmyfeelingsquiet。Forloveisaflamewhichoftencanbekindledonlybycontactwithflame。Certainlythisissoinproud，reservednatures，whicharechilledbyanycontactwithtemperaturenothigherthantheirown。”Onherreturn，however，fromthatabsenceIhavementioned，Iwasnotalittleflutteredbyanobviouschangeinhermanner；animpressionwhichsubsequentmeetingsonlyservedtoconfirm。
Althoughstillveryquiet，hermannerhadbecomemoretender，andithadthatdeliciousshynesswhichisthemostexquisiteofflatteries，asitisoneofthemostenchantingofgraces。Isawhertrembleslightlybeneathmyvoice，andblushbeneathmygaze。”Therewasnomistakingthesesigns。Itwasclearthatshelovedme；anditwasnolessclearthatI，takingfireatthisdiscovery，wasmyselfrapidlyfallinginlove。Iwillnotkeepyoufrommystorybyidlereflections。Takeanothercigar。”Heroseandpacedupanddowntheroominsilence。
VII
AGALMA”AtthisjuncturetherearrivedfromParisthewomantowhomthegreatsorrowofmylifeisdue。Afatalistmightreadinherappearanceatthisparticularmomentthesignsofaprearrangeddoom。Afewweekslater，andherarrivalwouldhavebeenharmless；
Ishouldhavebeenshieldedfromallexternalinfluencebytheabsorbingforceoflove。But，alas！thiswasnottobe。Myfatehadtakenanotherdirection。Thewomanhadarrivedwhoseshadowwastodarkentherestofmyexistence。ThatwomanwasAgalmaLiebenstein。”Howisitthattheheadwhichwecanonlyseesurroundedwithahalo，orashadow，whenthesplendorsofachievementortheinfamyofshameinstructoureyes，isbytheuninstructedeyeobservedaswhollyvulgar？Weallprofesstobephysiognomists；howisitwearesolamentablymistakeninourjudgments？Herewasawomaninwhommyignoranteyessawnothingatallremarkableexceptgoldenhairofunusualbeauty。WhenIsaygolden，Iamnotspeakingloosely。Idonotmeanredorflaxenhair，buthairactuallyresemblingburnishedgoldmorethananythingelse。Itsripplesonherbrowcaughtthelightlikeacoronet。Thiswasheronebeauty，anditwassuperb。Fortherest，herfeatureswerecharacterless。
Herfigurewastallandfull；notgraceful，butsweepinglyimposing。AtfirstInoticednothingaboutherexceptthebraidedsplendorofherglorioushair。”
Herose，andwentintohisbedroom，fromwhichhereturnedwithasmalltrinket-boxinhishand。Thishelaidopenonthetable，disclosingalongstrandofexquisitefairhairlyingonacushionofdark-bluevelvet。”Lookatthat，”hesaid。”Mightitnothavebeencutfromanangel’shead？””Itiscertainlywonderful。””ItmusthavebeenhairlikethiswhichcrownedtheinfamousheadofLucreziaBorgia，”hesaid，bitterly。”She，too，hadgoldenhair；buthersmusthavebeenofpalertint，likehernature。”
Heresumedhisseat，and，fixinghiseyesuponthelock，continued:”ShewasoneofOttilie’sfriends——dearfriends，theycalledeachother，——whichmeantthattheykissedeachotherprofusely，andtoldeachotheralltheirsecrets，orasmuchasthelyingnatureofthesexpermittedandsuggested。Itis，ofcourse，impossibleformetodisentanglemypresentknowledgefrommypastimpressionssoastogiveyouacleardescriptionofwhatIthenthoughtofAgalma。
Enoughthat，asamatteroffact，Idistinctlyremembernottohaveadmiredher，andtohavetoldOttilieso；andwhenOttilie，insurpriseatmyinsensibility，assuredmethatmenwereingeneralwonderfullycharmedwithher(though，forherpart，shehadneverunderstoodwhy)，Ianswered，andansweredsincerely，thatitmightbetruewiththelessrefinedorderofmen，butmenoftastewouldcertainlyberatherrepelledfromher。”Thisopinionofmine，orsomereportofit，reachedAgalma。”Itmayhavebeentheproximatecauseofmysorrows。Withoutthisstimulustohervanity，shemighthaveleftmeundisturbed。I
don’tknow。AllIknowis，thatovermanymenAgalmaexercisedgreatinfluence，andthatovermesheexercisedthespelloffascination。Nootherwordwillexplainherinfluence；foritwasnotbasedonexcellencessuchasthemindcouldrecognizetobeattractions；itwasbasedonamysteriouspersonalpower，somethingawfulinitsmysteriousness，asalldemoniacpowersare。OnesourceofherinfluenceovermenIthinkIcanexplain:sheatoncecaptivatedandrepelledthem。Byartfulappealstotheirvanity，shemadetheminterestedinherandinheropinionofthem，andyetkeptherselfinaccessiblebyapridewhichwasthemorefascinatingbecauseitalwaysseemedabouttogiveway。Herinstinctfastenedupontheweakpointinthosesheapproached。Thismadeherseductivetomen，becausesheflatteredtheirweakpoints；andhatefultowomen，becauseshefloutedanddisclosedtheirweakpoints。”Herinfluenceovermebeganinthefollowingway。Oneday，atapicnic，havingbeenledbyherintoaconversationrespectingtherelativeinferiorityofthefeminineintellect，Iwasforcedtospeakrathermoreearnestlythanusual，whensuddenlysheturnedtomeandexclaimedinalowervoice:”’Iamwillingtocreditanythingyousay；onlypraydon’tcontinuetalkingtomesoearnestly。’”’Whynot？’Iasked，surprised。”Shelookedatmewithpeculiarsignificance，butremainedsilent。”’MayIaskwhynot？’Iasked。”’Because，ifyoudo，somebodymaybejealous。’Therewasalaughingdefianceinhereyeasshespoke。”’Andpray，whohasarighttobejealousofme？’”’Oh！youknowwellenough。’”Itwastrue；Ididknow；andsheknewthatIknewit。TomyshamebeitsaidthatIwasweakenoughtoyieldtoanequivocationwhichInowseetohavebeendisloyal，butwhichIthenpretendedtohavebeennomorethandelicacytoOttilie。As，inpointoffact，therehadneverbeenawordpassedbetweenusrespectingourmutualfeelings，Iconsideredmyselfboundinhonortoassumethattherewasnothingtacitlyacknowledged。”Piquedbyhertoneandlook，Idisavowedtheexistenceofanyclaimsuponmyattention；andtoprovethesincerityofmywords，I
persistedinaddressingmyattentionstoher。OnceortwiceI
fanciedIcaughtflyingglances，inwhichsomeofthecompanycriticisedmyconduct，andOttiliealsoseemedtomeunusuallyquiet。Buthermanner，thoughquiet，wasuntroubledandunchanged。
Italkedlesstoherthanusual，partlybecauseItalkedsomuchtoAgalma，andpartlybecauseIfeltthatAgalma’seyeswereonus。
Butnoshadowof’temper’orreservedarkenedourinterchangeofspeech。”Onourwayback，IknownotwhatdevilpromptedmetoaskAgalmawhethershehadreallybeeninearnestinherformerallusionto’somebody。’”’Yes，’shesaid，’Iwasinearnestthen。’”’Andnow？’”’NowIhavedoubts。Imayhavebeenmisinformed。It’snoconcernofmine，anyway；butIhadbeengiventounderstand。However，I
admitthatmyowneyeshavenotconfirmedwhatmyearsheard。’”Thisspeechwasirritatingontwoseparategrounds。Itimpliedthatpeopleweretalkingfreelyofmyattachment，which，untilI
hadformallyacknowledgedit，Iresentedasanimpertinence；anditimpliedthat，frompersonalobservation，AgalmadoubtedOttilie’sfeelingsforme。Thisalarmedmyquick-retreatingpride！I，too，begantodoubt。Onceletlooseonthatfield，imaginationsoonsawshapesenoughtoconfirmanydoubt。Ottilie’smannercertainlyhadseemedlesstender——nay，somewhatindifferent——duringthelastfewdays。Hadthearrivalofthatheavylout，hercousin，anythingtodowiththischange？”Nottowearyyoubyrecallingalltheunfoldingstagesofthismiserablestorywiththeminutenessofdetailwhichmyownmemorymorbidlylingerson，Iwillhurrytothecatastrophe。IgrewmoreandmoredoubtfuloftheexistenceinOttilie’smindofanyfeelingstrongerthanfriendshipforme；andasthisdoubtstrengthened，therearosetheflatteringsuspicionthatIwasbecominganobjectofgreaterinteresttoAgalma，whohadquitechangedhertonetowardsme，andhadbecomeseriousinherspeechandmanner。Weekspassed。Ottiliehadfallenfromherpedestal，andhadtakenherplaceamongagreeableacquaintances。OnedayIsuddenlylearnedthatOttiliewasengagedtohercousin。”YouwillnotwonderthatAgalma，whobeforethishadexercisedgreatfascinationoverme，nowdoublybecameanobjectofthemosttenderinterest。Ifellmadlyinlove。HithertoIhadneverknownthatpassion。MyfeelingforOttilieIsawwasbuttheinarticulatestammeringsofthemightyvoicewhichnowsoundedthroughtthedepthsofmynature。Thephrase，madlyinlove，isnoexaggeration；madnessaloneknowssuchafeverofthebrain，suchatumultoftheheart。Itwasnotthatreasonwasoverpowered；onthecontrary，reasonwasintenselyactive，butactivewiththatlogicofflameswhichlightsupthevisionofmaniacs。”Although，ofcourse，mypassionwasbuttooevidenttoeveryone，Idreadeditsprematureavowal，lestIshouldloseher；andalmostequallydreadeddelay，lestIshouldsufferfromthatalso。AtlengththeavowalwasextortedfrommebyjealousyofabrilliantPole——Korinski——whohadrecentlyappearedinourcircle，andwasobviouslycastingmeintheshadebyhissuperioradvantagesofnovelty，ofpersonalattraction，andofaromantichistory。Sheacceptedme；andnow，foratime，Iwasthehappiestofmortals。
Thefeverofthelastfewweekswasabating；itgaveplacetoadeeptideofhopefuljoy。CouldIhavediedthen！CouldIhaveevendiedshortlyafterwards，whenIknewthedeliciousmysteryofajealousynottooabsorbing！Foryoumustknowthatmyhappinesswasbrief。Jealousy，towhichallpassionofadeepandexactingpowerisinevitablyallied，soonbegantodisturbmycontent。
Agalmahadnotenderness。Shepermittedcaresses，neverreturnedthem。Shewasreadyenoughtolistentoallmyplansforthefuture，solongastherecitalmovedamiddetailsoffortuneandherpositioninsociety——thatis，solongashervanitywasinterested；butIbegantoobservewithpainthatherthoughtsneverrestedontenderdomesticitiesandpoeticanticipations。
Thisvexedmemoreandmore。Theveryspellwhichsheexercisedovermemadeherwantoftendernessmoreintolerable。Iyearnedforherlove——forsomesympathywiththevehementpassionwhichwasburningwithinme；andshewasasmarble。”YouwillnotbesurprisedtohearthatIreproachedherbitterlyforherindifference。Thatistheinvariableandfatalfollyoflovers——theyseemtoimaginethataheartcanbescoldedintotenderness！Tomyreproachessheatfirstansweredimpatientlythattheywereunjust；thatitwasnotherfaultifhernaturewaslessexpansivethanmine；andthatitwasinsultingtobetoldshewasindifferenttothemanwhomshehadconsentedtomarry。Latersheansweredmyreproacheswithhaughtydefiance，onedayintimatingthatifIreallythoughtwhatIsaid，andrepentedourengagement，itwouldbemostprudentforustoseparateereitwastoolate。Thisquietedmeforawhile。Butitbroughtnobalmtomywounds。”Andnowfreshtortureswereadded。KorinskibecamequitemarkedinhisattentionstoAgalma。Theseshereceivedwithevidentdelight；somuchso，thatIsawbytheglancesofothersthattheywerescandalizedatit；andthis，ofcourse，increasedmypain。Myrenewedreproachesonlymadehermannercoldertome；toKorinskiitbecamewhatIwouldgladlyhaveseentowardsmyself。”Thestressandagitationofthosedaysweretoomuchforme。I
fellill，andforsevenweekslayutterlyprostrate。Onrecovering，thisnotewashandedtome。ItwasfromAgalma。”
Bourgonefhereheldouttomeacrumpledletter，andmotionedthatIshouldopenitandread。Itranthus:”Ihavethoughtmuchofwhatyouhavesooftensaid，thatitwouldbeforthehappinessofbothifourunfortunateengagementweresetaside。ThatyouhavearealaffectionformeIbelieve，andbeassuredthatIoncehadarealaffectionforyou；not，perhaps，thepassionatelovewhichanaturesoexactingasyoursdemands，andwhichIearnestlyhopeitmayonedayfind，butagenuineaffectionnevertheless，whichwouldhavemademeproudtoshareyourlot。
Butitwouldbeuncandidinmetopretendthatthisnowexists。
Yourincessantjealousy，theangryfeelingsexcitedbyyourreproaches，thefretfulirritationinwhichforsometimewehavelivedtogether，hascompletelykilledwhatloveIhad，andInolongerfeelpreparedtoriskthehappinessofbothofusbyamarriage。Whatyousaidtheothernightconvincesmethatitisevenyourdesireourengagementshouldcease。Itiscertainlymine。Letustrytothinkkindlyofeachotherandmeetagainasfriends。
AGALMALIEBENSTEIN。”
WhenIhadreadthisandreturnedittohim，hesaid:”YouseethatthiswaswrittenonthedayIwastakenill。WhethersheknewthatIwashelplessIknownot。Atanyrate，sheneversenttoinquireafterme。ShewentofftoParis；Korinskifollowedher；and——asIquicklylearnedongoingoncemoreintosociety——
theyweremarried！Didyouever，inthewholecourseofyourexperience，hearofsuchheartlessconduct？”
Bourgonefaskedthiswithaferocitywhichquitestartledme。I
didnotanswerhim；for，intruth，IcouldnotseethatAgalmahadbeenverymuchtoblame，evenashetoldthestory，andfeltsurethatcouldIhaveheardherversionitwouldhavewornaverydifferentaspect。Thatshewascold，anddisappointedhim，mightbetrueenough，buttherewasnocrime；andIperfectlyunderstoodhowthoroughlyodioushemusthavemadehimselftoherbyhisexactionsandreproaches。Iunderstoodthis，perhaps，allthebetter，becauseinthecourseofhisnarrativeBourgonefhadrevealedtomeaspectsofhisnaturewhichweresomewhatrepulsive。
EspeciallywasIstruckwithhismorbidvanity，andhisreadinesstoimputelowmotivestoothers。Thisunpleasantviewofhischaracter——acharacterinmanyrespectssoadmirableforitsgenerosityandrefinement——wasdeepenedashewenton，insteadofawaitingmyreplytohisquestion。”Forawrongsomeasureless，youwillnaturallyaskwhatmeasurelessrevengeIsought。”
Theideahadnotoccurredtome；indeedIcouldseenowrong，andthisnotionofrevengewassomewhatstartlinginsuchacase。”Idebateditlong，”hecontinued。”IfeltthatsinceIwaspreventedfromarrestinganyoftheeviltomyself，Icouldatleastmaturemyplansforanadequatedischargeofjustretributionsonher。Itrevealstheimpotenceresultingfromthetrammelsofmoderncivilization，thatwhilethepossibilitiesofwrongareinfinite，theopeningsforvengeancearefewandcontemptible。Onlywhenamanisthrownuponthenecessitiesofthis’wildjustice’doeshediscoverhowdifficultvengeancereallyis。HadAgalmabeenmywife，Icouldhavewreakedmywrathuponher，withassurancethatsomeofthetorturesheinflictedonmewastofallonher。NothavingthispowerwhatwasItodo？Killher？Thatwouldhaveaffordedonemomentofexquisitesatisfaction——buttoheritwouldhavebeensimplydeath——andI
wantedtokilltheheart。”
Heseemedworkingwithaninsanepassion，sothatIregardedhimwithdisgust，mingledwithsomedoubtsastowhathorrorshewasabouttorelate。”Myplanwaschosen。Theonlywaytoreachherheartwastostrikethroughherhusband。ForseveralhoursdailyIpractisedwiththepistol，until——inspiteofonlyhavingalefthand——Iacquiredfatalskill。Butthiswasnotenough。Firingatamarkissimplework。Firingataman——especiallyoneholdingapistolpointedatyou——isaltogetherdifferent。Ihadtoooftenheardof’crackshots’missingtheirmen，torelyconfidentlyonmyskillintheshootinggallery。Itwasnecessarythatmyeyeandhandshouldbeeducatedtofamiliaritywiththerealobject。Partofthecausewhyduelistsmisstheirmanisfromthetrepidationoffear。Iwaswithoutfear。AtnomomentinmylifehaveIbeenafraid；andthechanceofbeingshotbyKorinskiIcountedasnothing。Theothercauseisunfamiliaritywiththemark。ThisIsecuredmyselfagainstbygettingalayfigureofKorinski’sheight，dressingittoresemblehim，placingapistolinitshand，andthenpractisingatthismarkinthewoods。AfterashorttimeIcouldsendabulletthroughthethoraxwithouttakingmorethanahastyglanceatthefigure。”Thusprepared，IstartedforParis。Butyouwillfeelformewhenyoulearnthatmyhungryheartwasbaffledofitsvengeance，andbaffledforever。Agalmahadbeencarriedoffbyscarletfever。
KorinskihadleftParis，andIfeltnostrongpromptingstofollowhim，andwreakonhimafutilevengeance。ItwasonHERmywrathhadbeenconcentrated，andIgnashedmyteethatthethoughtthatshehadescapedme。”Mystoryisended。Themonthsofgloomydepressionwhichsucceeded，nowthatIwasnolongersustainedbythehopeofvengeance，Ineednotspeakof。Myexistencewasdesolate，andevennowthedesolationcontinuesoverthewholeregionoftheemotions。Icarryadeadheartwithinme。”
VIII
ASECONDVICTIM
Bourgonef’sstoryhasbeennarratedwithsomefullness，thoughinlessdetailthanhetoldit，inorderthatthereadermayunderstanditsrealbearingsonMYstory。Withoutit，themotiveswhichimpelledthestrangepertinacityofmypursuitwouldhavebeenunintelligible。Ihavesaidthataverydisagreeableimpressionremainedonmymindrespectingcertainaspectsofhischaracter，andIfeltsomewhatashamedofmyimperfectsagacityinhavinguptothisperiodbeenentirelyblindtothoseaspects。Thetruthis，everyhumanbeingisamystery，andremainssotothelast。Wefancyweknowacharacter；weformadistinctconceptionofit；foryearsthatconceptionremainsunmodified，andsuddenlythestrainofsomeemergency，oftheincidentalstimulusofnewcircumstances，revealsqualitiesnotsimplyunexpected，butflatlycontradictoryofourpreviousconception。Wejudgeofamanbytheanglehesubtendstooureye——onlythusCANwejudgeofhim；andthisangledependsontherelationhisqualitiesandcircumstancesbeartoourinterestsandsympathies。Bourgonefhadcharmedmeintellectually；morallyIhadnevercomeclosertohimthaninthesympathiesofpublicquestionsandabstracttheories。Hisstoryhaddisclosedhiddendepths。
Myoldsuspicionsreappeared，andaconversationwehadtwodaysafterwardshelpedtostrengthenthem。
WehadgoneonavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，athistinylittlecastleofSchwaneck，afewmilesfromMunich。Theartistwasoutforawalk，butwewereinvitedtocomeinandawaithisreturn，whichwouldbeshortly；andmeanwhileBourgonefundertooktoshowmeoverthecastle，interestingasabitofmodernGothic，realizingonadiminutivescaleayouthfuldreamofthesculptor’s。
Whenoursurveywascompleted——anditdidnottakelong——wesatatoneofthewindowsandenjoyedamagnificentprospect。”Itiscurious，”saidBourgonef，”tobeshutuphereinthisimitationofmedievalmasonry，whereeverydetailspeaksofthedeadpast，andtothinkoftheeventsnowgoingoninPariswhichmustfindimitatorsalloverEurope，andwhichopentothemindsuchvistasofthefuture。WhatagrotesqueanachronismisthisGothiccastle，builtinthesameageasthatwhichseesareformingpope！””Yes；butisnotthereformingpopehimselfananachronism？””AsaCatholic，”herehesmiled，intimatingthathisorthodoxywasnotverystringent，”Icannotadmitthat；asaProtestant，youmustadmitthatiftheremustbeapope，hemustinthesedaysbeareformer，or——giveuphistemporalpower。NotthatIlookonPioNonoasmorethanaprecursor；hemaybreakground，andpointtheway，butheisnotthemantoleadEuropeoutofitspresentsloughofdespond，andundertheheadshipoftheChurchfoundanewandlastingrepublic。WewantaHildebrand，onewhowillbetothenineteenthcenturyasGregorywastotheeleventh。””Doyoubelieveinsuchapossibility？DoyouthinktheRomanpontiffcaneveragainswaythedestiniesofEurope？””IcanhardlysayIbelieveit；yetIseethepossibilityofsuchanopeningiftherightmanweretoarise。ButIfearhewillnotarise；orifheshould，theConclavewillstiflehim。Yetthereisbutonealternative:eitherEuropemustoncemorejoininacrusadewithapopeatthehead，oritmusthoisttheredflag。Thereisnootherissue。””Heavenpreserveusfromboth！AndIthinkweshallbepreservedfromthePopebytherottennessoftheChurch；fromthedrapeaurougebytheindignationandhorrorofallhonestmen。YouseehowtheProvisionalGovernmenthasresistedtheinsaneattemptofthefanaticstomaketheredflagacceptedasthenationalbanner？””Yes；anditistheonethingwhichdashesmypleasureinthenewrevolution。ItistheoneactofweaknesswhichtheGovernmenthasexhibited；aconcessionwhichwillbefatalunlessitbehappilysetasidebytheenergeticpartyofaction。””Anactofweakness？sayratheranactofstrength。Aconcession？
sayrathertherepudiationofanarchy，theassertionoflawandjustice。””Notabit。Itwasconcessiontothefearsofthetimid，andtothevanityoftheFrenchpeople。ThetricolorisaFrenchflag——
notthebannerofhumanity。ItisbecausethetricolorhasbeenidentifiedwiththevictoriesofFrancethatitappealstothevanityofthevainestofpeople。Theyforgetthatitistheflagofarevolutionwhichfailed，andofanempirewhichwasoneperpetualoutragetohumanity。Whereastheredisnew；itisthesymbolofanenergetic，thorough-goingcreed。Ifitcarriesterrorwithit，somuchthebetter。Thetyrantsandthetimidshouldbemadetotremble。””Ihadnoideayouweresobloodthirsty，”saidI，laughingathisvehemence。”Iamnotbloodthirstyatall；Iamonlylogicalandconsistent。
Thereisamassofsophistrycurrentintheworldwhichsickensme。
PeopletalkofRobespierreandSt。Just，twoofthemostvirtuousmenthateverlived——andofDominicandTorquemada，twoofthemostsingle-minded——asiftheywerecruelandbloodthirsty，whereastheywereonlyconvinced。””Isitfromloveofparadoxthatyoudefendthesetigers？””Tigers，again——howthosebeastsarecalumniated！”
Hesaidthiswithaseriousnesswhichwasirresistiblycomic。I
shoutedwithlaughter；buthecontinuedgravely:”YouthinkIamjoking。Butletmeaskyouwhyyouconsiderthetigermorebloodthirstythanyourself？Hespringsuponhisfood——
youbuyyoursfromthebutcher。Hecannotlivewithoutanimalfood:itisaprimalnecessity，andheobeystheordainedinstinct。
Youcanliveonvegetables；yetyouslaughterbeastsofthefieldandbirdsoftheair(orbuythemwhenslaughtered)，andconsideryourselfamodelofvirtue。Thetigeronlykillshisfoodorhisenemies；younotonlykillboth，butyoukilloneanimaltomakegravyforanother！ThetigerislessbloodthirstythantheChristian！””Idon’tknowhowmuchofthattiradeismeanttobeserious；buttowaivethequestionofthetiger’smorality，doyoureally——I
willnotsaysympathize，——butjustifyRobespierre，Dominic，St。
Just，andtherestofthefanaticswhohavewadedtotheirendsthroughblood。””HewhowillstheEND，willstheMEANS。””Adevil’smaxim。””Butatruth。Whatthefoolishworldshrinksatasbloodthirstinessandcrueltyisveryoftenmereforceandconstancyofintellect。Itisnotthatfanaticsthirstforblood——farfromit，——buttheythirstforthetriumphoftheircause。Whateverobstacleliesontheirpathmustberemoved；ifatorrentofbloodistheonlythingthatwillsweepitaway——thetorrentmustsweep。””Andsweepwithitallthesentimentsofpity，mercy，charity，love？””No；thesesentimentsmaygiveasadnesstothenecessity；theymakethedeedasacrifice，buttheycannotpreventthesoulfromseeingtheaimtowhichittends。””Thisisdetestabledoctrine！Itisthesophismwhichhasdestroyedfamilies，devastatedcities，andretardedthemoralprogressoftheworldmorethananythingelse。Nosingleactofinjusticeiseverdoneonthisearthbutittendstoperpetuatethereignofiniquity。Bythefeelingsitcallsforthitkeepsupthenativesavageryoftheheart。Itbreedsinjustice，partlybyhardeningthemindsofthosewhoassent，andpartlybyexcitingthepassionofrevengeinthosewhoresist。””Youarewrong。Thegreatdrag-chainonthecarofprogressisthefalteringinconsistencyofman。Weaknessismorecruelthansternness。Sentimentismoredestructivethanlogic。”
ThearrivalofSchwanthalerwastimely，formyindignationwasrising。Thesculptorreceiveduswithgreatcordiality，andinthepleasureofthesubsequenthourIgotovertosomeextenttheirritationBourgonef’stalkhadexcited。
ThenextdayIleftMunichfortheTyrol。MypartingwithBourgonefwasmanydegreeslessfriendlythanitwouldhavebeenaweekbefore。Ihadnowishtoseehimagain，andthereforegavehimnoaddressorinvitationincaseheshouldcometoEngland。AsIrolledawayintheMalleposte，mybusythoughtsreviewedallthedetailsofouracquaintance，andthefartherIwascarriedfromhispresence，themoreobtrusivebecamethesuspicionswhichconnectedhimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt。How，oruponwhatmotive，wasindeedanuttermystery。HehadnotmentionedthenameofLehfeldt。HehadnotmentionedhavingbeforebeenatNuremberg。
AtHeidelbergthetragedyoccurred——orwasHeidelbergonlyamask？
ItoccurredtomethathehadfirstascertainedthatIhadneverbeenatHeidelbergbeforeheplacedthesceneofhisstorythere。
Thoughtssuchasthesetormentedme。Imagine，then，thehorrorwithwhichIheard，soonaftermyarrivalatSalzburg，thatamurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe——oneoftheprettyenvironsofMunichmuchresortedtobyholidayfolk——correspondinginallessentialfeatureswiththemurderatNuremberg！Inbothcasesthevictimwasyoungandpretty。Inbothcasesshewasfoundquietlylyingontheground，stabbedtotheheart，withoutanyothertracesofviolence。Inbothcasesshewasabetrothedbride，andthemotiveoftheunknownassassinamystery。
Suchacorrespondenceintheessentialfeaturesinevitablysuggestedanappallingmysteryofunityinthesecrimes，——eitherasthecrimesofoneman，committedundersomeimpulseofmotivelessmalignityandthirstforinnocentblood——orastheequallyappallingeffectofIMITATIONactingcontagiouslyuponacriminalimagination；ofwhichcontagiontherehavebeen，unfortunately，toomanyexamples——horriblecrimespromptingcertainweakandfeverishimaginations，bytheveryhorrortheyinspire，firsttodwellon，andfinallytorealizetheirimitations。
Itwasthislatterhypothesiswhichfoundgeneralacceptance。
Indeeditwastheonlyonewhichresteduponanygroundofexperience。Thedisastrousinfluenceofimitation，especiallyunderthefascinationofhorror，waswellknown。Theideaofanydiabolicalmalicemovingonemantopassfromcitytocity，andtherequietlysingleouthisvictims——bothofthem，bytheveryhypothesis，unrelatedtohim，bothofthemattheepochoftheirlives，when”Thebosom’slordsitslightlyonitsthrone，”
whenthepeaceoftheheartisassured，andthefutureisradiantlybeckoningtothem，——thatanymanshouldchoosesuchvictimsforsuchcrimeswastoopreposterousanidealongtobeentertained。
Unlessthemanweremad，theideawasinconceivable；andevenamonomaniacmustbetrayhimselfinsuchacourse，becausehewouldnecessarilyconceivehimselftobeaccomplishingsomesupremeactofjustice。
ItwasthusIargued；andindeedIshouldmuchhavepreferredtobelievethatonemaniacwereinvolved，ratherthanthecontagionofcrime，——sinceonemaniacmustinevitablybesoondetected；whereastherewerenoassignablelimitstothecontagionofimitation。AndthisitwaswhichsoprofoundlyagitatedGermansociety。Ineveryfamilyinwhichtherehappenedtobeabride，vaguetremorscouldnotbeallayed；andtheabsolutepowerlessnesswhichresultedfromtheutteruncertaintyastothequarterinwhichthisdreadedphantommightnextappear，justifiedandintensifiedthosetremors。
Againstsuchanapparitiontherewasnoconceivablesafeguard。
Fromacitystrickenwiththeplague，fromadistrictsostricken，flightispossible，andtherearetheresourcesofmedicalaid。
Butfromamoralplaguelikethis，whatescapewaspossible？
Sopassionateandprofoundbecametheterror，thatIbegantosharetheopinionwhichIheardexpressed，regrettingthewidespreadpublicityofthemodernpress，since，withmanyundeniablebenefits，itcarriedalsothefatalcurseofdistributingthroughhouseholds，andkeepingconstantlyundertheexcitementofdiscussion，imagesofcrimeandhorrorwhichwouldtendtoperpetuateandextendtheexcessesofindividualpassion。Themeredwellinglongonsuchatopicasthiswasfraughtwithevil。
ThisandmoreIhearddiscussedasIhurriedbacktoMunich。ToMunich？Yes；thitherIwaspostingwithallspeed。Notashadowofdoubtnowremainedinmymind。Iknewtheassassin，andwasresolvedtotrackandconvicthim。DonotsupposethatTHIStimeI
wasledawaybythevagrantactivityofmyconstructiveimagination。Ihadsomethinglikepositiveproof。NosoonerhadI
learnedthatthemurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe，thanmythoughtsatoncecarriedmetoanowmemorablevisitIhadmadethereincompanywithBourgonefandtwoyoungBavarians。Atthehotelwherewedined，wewerewaitedonbythenieceofthelandlord，agirlofremarkablebeauty，whonaturallyexcitedtheattentionoffouryoungmen，andfurnishedthemwithatopicofconversation。OneoftheBavarianshadtoldusthatshewouldonedaybeperhapsoneofthewealthiestwomeninthecountry，forshewasengagedtobemarriedtoayoungfarmerwhohadrecentlyfoundhimself，byarapidsuccessionofdeaths，soleheirtoagreatbrewer，whosewealthwasknowntobeenormous。
AtthismomentSophieenteredbringingwine，andIsawBourgonefslowlyturnhiseyesuponherwithalookwhichthenwasmysterioustome，butwhichnowspoketooplainlyitsdreadfulmeaning。
Whatisthereinalook，youwillsay？Perhapsnothing；oritmaybeeverything。Tomyunsuspecting，unenlightenedperception，Bourgonef’sgazewassimplythemelancholyandhalf-curiousgazewhichsuchamanmightbesupposedtocastuponayoungwomanwhohadbeenmadethetopicofaninterestingdiscourse。Buttomymind，enlightenedastohischaracter，andinstructedastohispeculiarfeelingsarisingfromhisownstory，thegazewaschargedwithhorror。Itmarkedavictim。Thewholesuccessionofeventsrosebeforemeinvividdistinctness；theseparatedetailsofsuspiciongatheredintounity。
GreataswasBourgonef’scommandoverhisfeatures，hecouldnotconcealuneasinessaswellassurpriseatmyappearanceatthetabled’hoteinMunich。Ishookhandswithhim，puttingonasfriendlyamaskasIcould，andrepliedtohisquestionaboutmysuddenreturnbyattributingittounexpectedintelligencereceivedatSalzburg。”Nothingserious，Ihope？””Well，I’mafraiditwillproveveryserious，”Isaid。”Butweshallsee。MeanwhilemyvisittotheTyrolmustbegivenuporpostponed。””Doyouremainhere，then？””Idon’tknowwhatmymovementswillbe。”
ThusIhadpreparedhimforanyreserveorstrangenessinmymanner；andIhadconcealedfromhimthecourseofmymovements；
foratwhatevercost，Iwasresolvedtofollowhimandbringhimtojustice。
Buthow？EvidenceIhadnonethatcouldsatisfyanyoneelse，howeverconvincingitmightbetomyownmind。NordidthereseemanyevidenceforthcomingfromGrosshesslohe。Sophie’sbodyhadbeenfoundintheafternoonlyingasifasleepinoneoftheby-
pathsofthewood。Nomarksofastruggle；notracesofthemurderer。Heraffiancedlover，whowasatAugsburg，onhearingofherfate，hurriedtoGrosshesslohe，butcouldthrownolightonthemurder，couldgivenohintastoapossiblemotiveforthedeed。
Butthisentireabsenceofevidence，orevengroundofsuspicion，onlymadeMYcasethestronger。ItwasthemotivelessmalignityofthedeedwhichfasteneditonBourgonef；orrather，itwastheabsenceofanyknownmotiveelsewherewhichassuredmethatIhaddetectedthemotiveinhim。
ShouldIcommunicatemyconvictiontothepolice？ItwaspossiblethatImightimpressthemwithatleastsufficientsuspiciontowarranthisexamination——andinthatcasethetruthmightbeelicited；foramongthemanybarbaritiesandiniquitiesofthecriminalprocedureinContinentalStateswhichoftenpressheavilyontheinnocent，thereisthiscompensatingadvantage，thatthepressureontheguiltyistenfoldheavier。Iftheinnocentareoftenunjustlypunished——imprisonedandmaltreatedbeforetheirinnocencecanbeestablished——theguiltyseldomescape。InEnglandwegivethecriminalnotonlyeverychanceofescape，butmanyadvantages。Theloveoffair-playiscarriedtoexcess。Itseemsattimesasifthewholearrangementsofourprocedurewereestablishedwithaviewtogivingacriminalnotonlythebenefitofeverydoubt，butofeveryloopholethroughwhichhecanslip。
Insteadofthis，theContinentalproceduregoesontheprincipleofclosingupeveryloophole，andofinventingendlesstrapsintowhichtheaccusedmayfall。Wewarntheaccusednottosayanythingthatmaybeprejudicialtohim。Theyentanglehimincontradictionsandconfessionswhichdisclosehisguilt。
Knowingthis，Ithoughtitverylikelythat，howeverartfulBourgonefmightbe，asevereexaminationmightextortfromhimsufficientconfirmationofmysuspiciontowarrantfurtherprocedure。ButknowingalsothatTHISresortwasopentomewhenallothershadfailed，Iresolvedtowaitandwatch。
IX
FINALE
Twodayspassed，andnothingoccurred。Mywatchingseemedhopeless，andIresolvedtotrytheeffectofadisguisedinterrogatory。Itmighthelptoconfirmmyalreadysettledconviction，ifitdidnotelicitanynewevidence。
SeatedinBourgonef’sroom，intheoldplace，eachwithacigar，andchattingasofoldonpublicaffairs，Igraduallyapproachedthesubjectoftherecentmurder。”Isitnotstrange，”Isaid，”thatboththesecrimesshouldhavehappenedwhilewewerecasuallystayinginbothplaces？””Perhapswearethecriminals，”hereplied，laughing。Ishiveredslightlyatthisaudacity。Helaughedashespoke，buttherewasahard，metallic，andalmostdefianttoneinhisvoicewhichexasperatedme。”Perhapsweare，”Ianswered，quietly。Helookedfullatme；butI
wasprepared，andmyfacetoldnothing。Iadded，asinexplanation，”Thecrimebeingapparentlycontagious，wemayhavebroughttheinfectionfromNuremberg。””Doyoubelieveinthathypothesisofimitation？””Idon’tknowwhattobelieve。Doyoubelieveintherebeingonlyonemurderer？Itseemssuchapreposterousidea。Wemustsupposehim，atanyrate，tobeamaniac。””Notnecessarily。Indeedthereseemstohavebeentoomuchartfulcontrivanceinbothaffairs，notonlyintheselectionofthevictims，butintheexecutionoftheschemes。Cunningasmaniacsoftenaretheyarestillmaniacs，andbetraythemselves。””Ifnotamaniac，”saidI，hopingtopiquehim，”hemustbeamanofstupendousandpitiablevanity，——perhapsoneofyourconstant-
mindedfriends，whomyourefusetocallbloodthirsty。””Constant-minded，perhaps；butwhypitiablyvain？””Why？Becauseonlyadiseasedatrocityofimagination，stimulatinganatureessentiallybaseandweakinitsdesiretomakeitselfconspicuous，wouldorcouldsuggestsuchthings。Thesillyyouthwho’firedtheEphesiandome，’thevainidiotwhosetfiretoYorkMinster，themiserableFrenchmenwhohavecommittedmurderandsuicidewithaviewofmakingtheirexitstrikingfromaworldinwhichtheirappearancehadbeencontemptible，wouldallsinkintoinsignificancebesidethetoweringinfamyofbasenesswhich——forthemereloveofproducinganeffectonthemindsofmen，andthusdrawingtheirattentionuponhim，whichotherwisewouldneverhavemarkedhimatall——couldschemeandexecutecrimessohorribleandinexcusable。Incommoncharitytohumannature，letussupposethewretchismad；becauseotherwisehismiserablevanitywouldbetooloathsome。”Ispokewithwarmthandbitterness，whichincreasedasIperceivedhimwincingunderthedegradationofmycontempt。”IfhismotiveWEREvanity，”hesaid，”nodoubtitwouldbehorrible；butmayitnothavebeenrevenge？””Revenge！”Iexclaimed；”what！oninnocentwomen？””Youassumetheirinnocence。””GoodGod！doyouknowanythingtothecontrary？””NotI。Butasweareconjecturing，Imayaswellconjectureittohavebeenthedesiretoproduceastartlingeffect。””Howdoyoujustifyyourconjecture？””Simplyenough。Wehavetosupposeamotive；letussayitwasrevenge，andseewhetherthatwillfurnishaclue。””Butitcan’t。Thetwovictimswerewhollyunconnectedwitheachotherbyanyintermediateacquaintances，consequentlytherecanhavebeennocommonwrongorcommonenmityinexistencetofurnishfoodforvengeance。””Thatmaybeso；itmayalsobethattheavengermadethemvicariousvictims。””Howso？””Itishumannature。Didyoueverobserveathwartedchildstrikinginitsangertheunoffendingnurse，destroyingitstoystodischargeitswrath？Didyoueverseeaschoolboy，unabletowreakhisangeronthebiggerboywhohasjuststruckhim，turnagainstthenearestsmallerboyandbeathim？Didyoueverknowaschoolmaster，angeredbyoneoftheboy’sparents，venthispent-upspleenupontheunoffendingclass？Didyoueverseeasubalternpunishedbecauseanofficerhadbeenreprimanded？Thesearefamiliarexamplesofvicariousvengeance。Whenthesoulisstungtofury，itmustsolaceitselfbythedischargeofthatfury——itmustrelieveitspainbythesightofpaininothers。Wearesoconstituted。Weneedsympathyaboveallthings。Injoywecannotbeartoseeothersindistress；indistressweseethejoyofotherswithdismalenvywhichsharpensourpain。Thatishumannature。””And，”Iexclaimed，carriedawaybymyindignation，”yousupposethatthesightofthesetwohappygirls，beamingwiththequietjoyofbrides，wastorturetosomemiserablewretchwhohadlosthisbride。”
Ihadgonetoofar。Hiseyeslookedintomine。Ireadinhisthathedivinedthewholedriftofmysuspicion——theallusionmadetohimself。Thereoftenpassesintoalookmorethanwordscanventuretoexpress。Inthatlookhereadthathewasdiscovered，andIreadthathehadrecognizedit。Withperfectcalmness，butwithametallicringinhisvoicewhichwasliketheclashofswords，hesaid:”IdidnotsaythatIsupposedthis；butaswewereonthewidefieldofconjecture——utterlywithoutevidenceonewayortheother，havingnoclueeithertothemanorhismotives——Idrewfromthegeneralprinciplesofhumannatureaconclusionwhichwasjustasplausible——orabsurdifyoulike——astheconclusionthatthemotivemusthavebeenvanity。””Asyousay，weareutterlywithoutevidence，andconjecturedriftsaimlesslyfromonethingtoanother。Afterall，themostplausibleexplanationisthatofacontagionofimitation。”
Isaidthisinordertocovermypreviousimprudence。Hewasnotdeceived——thoughforafewmomentsIfanciedhewas——butreplied:”Iamnotpersuadedofthateither。Thewholethingisamystery，andIshallstayheresometimeinthehopeofseeingitclearedup。Meanwhile，forasubjectofconjecture，letmeshowyousomethingonwhichyouringenuitymayprofitablybeemployed。”
Heroseandpassedintohisbedroom。Iheardhimunlockingandrummagingthedrawers，andwassilentlyreproachingmyselfformywantofcautioninhavingspokenasIhaddone，thoughitwasnowbeyondalldoubtthathewasthemurderer，andthathismotivehadbeenrightlyguessed；butwiththisself-reproachtherewasmingledaself-gratulationatthewayIhadgotoutofthedifficulty，asI
fancied。
Hereturned，andashesatdownInoticedthatthelowerpartofhissurtoutwasopen。Healwaysworealongfroggedandbraidedcoatreachingtotheknees——asInowknow，forthepurposeofconcealingthearmwhichhung(ashesaid，withered)athisside。
Thetwolastfasteningswerenowundone。
Heheldinhishandatinychainmadeofverydelicatewire。Thishegaveme，saying:”Nowwhatwouldyouconjecturethattobe？””Haditcomeintomyhandswithoutanyremark，Ishouldhavesaiditwassimplyaveryexquisitebitofironwork；butyourquestionpointstosomethingmoreoutoftheway。””ItISiron-work，”hesaid。
CouldIbedeceived？Athirdfasteningofhissurtoutwasundone！
Ihadseenbuttwoamomentago。”AndwhatamItoconjecture？”Iasked。”Wherethatironcamefrom？ItwasNOTfromamine。”Ilookedatitagain，andexamineditattentively。Onraisingmyeyesininquiry——fortunatelywithanexpressionofsurprise，sincewhatmetmyeyeswouldhavestartledacoolerman——Isawthefourthfasteningundone！”Youlooksurprised，”hecontinued，”andwillbemoresurprisedwhenItellyouthattheironinyourhandsoncefloatedinthecirculationofaman。Itismadefromhumanblood。””Humanblood！”Imurmured。
Hewentonexpoundingthephysiologicalwondersoftheblood，——howitcarried，dissolvedinitscurrents，aproportionofironandearths；howthisironwasextractedbychemistsandexhibitedasacuriosity；andhowthischainhadbeenmanufacturedfromsuchextracts。Iheardeveryword，butmythoughtswerehurryingtoandfrointheagitationofasuprememoment。Thattherewasadaggerunderneaththatcoat——thatinafewmomentsitwouldflashforth——
thatadeath-strugglewasathand，——Iknewwell。Mysafetydependedonpresenceofmind。Thatincalculablerapiditywithwhich，incriticalmoments，themindsurveysalltheopeningsandresourcesofanemergency，hadassuredmethattherewasnoweaponwithinreach——thatbeforeIcouldgiveanalarmthetigerwouldbeatmythroat，andthatmyonlychancewastokeepmyeyesfixeduponhim，readytospringonhimthemomentthenextfasteningwasundone，andbeforehecouldusehisarm。
Atlasttheideaoccurredtome，thatas，withawildbeast，safetyliesinattackinghimjustbeforeheattacksyou，sowiththisbeastmybestchancewasaudacity。Lookingsteadilyintohisface，Isaidslowly:”Andyouwouldliketohavesuchachainmadefrommyblood。”I
roseasIspoke。Heremainedsitting，butwasevidentlytakenaback。”Whatdoyoumean？”hesaid。”Imean，”saidI，sternly，”thatyourcoatisunfastened，andthatifanotherfasteningisloosenedinmypresence，Ifellyoutotheearth。””You’reafool！”heexclaimed。
Imovedtowardsthedoor，keepingmyeyefixeduponhimashesatpaleandglaringatme。”YOUareafool，”Isaid——”andworse，ifyoustir。”
Atthismoment，Iknownotbywhatsense，asifIhadeyesatthebackofmyhead，Iwasawareofsomeonemovingbehindme，yetI
darednotlookaside。Suddenlytwomightyfoldsofdarknessseemedtoenvelopmelikearms。Apowerfulscentascendedmynostrils。
Therewasaringinginmyears，abeatingatmyheart。Darknesscameon，deeperanddeeper，likehugewaves。Iseemedgrowingtogiganticstature。Thewavesrolledonfasterandfaster。Theringingbecamearoaring。Thebeatingbecameathrobbing。Lightsflashedacrossthedarkness。Formsmovedbeforeme。Oncamethewaveshurryinglikeatide，andIsankdeeperanddeeperintothismightyseaofdarkness。Thenallwassilent。Consciousnesswasstill……
HowlongIremainedunconscious，Icannottell。Butitmusthavebeensomeconsiderabletime。Whenconsciousnessoncemorebegantodawnwithinme，Ifoundmyselflyingonabedsurroundedbyagroupofeager，watchingfaces，andbecameawareofaconfusedmurmurofwhisperinggoingonaroundme。”ErLebt”(helives)werethewordswhichgreetedmyopeningeyes——wordswhichIrecognizedascomingfrommylandlord。
