ButMr。Greyheldhisown，thoughhemadenomove，anddidnotventuretospeak。Nervedbyhiscourage，Isummonedupallmyown。Thismanmustnotescape，normustMr。Greysuffer。Thepistoldirectedagainsthimmustbedivertedtomyself。SuchamendsweredueonewhosegoodnameIhadsodeeplyifsecretlyinsulted。Ihadbuttoscream，tocalloutfortheinspector，butaremembranceofthenecessitywewerenowunderofpreservingoursecret，ofkeepingfromMr。Greythefactthathehadbeenundersurveillance，wasevenatthatmomentsurroundedbythepolice，deterredme，andIthrewmyselftowardthebellinstead，cryingoutthatIwouldraisethehouseifhemoved，andlaidmyfingeronthebutton。
Thepistolswervedmyway。Thefaceaboveitsmiled。Iwatchedthatsmile。Beforeitbroadenedtoitsfullextent，Ipressedthebutton。
Fairbrotherstared，droppedhispistol，andburstforthwiththesetwowords：
\"Bravegirl！\"
ThetoneIcanneverconvey。
Thenhemadeforthedoor。
Ashelaidhishandontheknob，hecalledback：
\"Ihavebeeninworsestraitsthanthis！\"
Butheneverhad；whenheopenedthedoor，hefoundhimselffacetofacewiththeinspector。
XXIII
THEGREATMOGUL
Later，itwasallexplained。Mr。Grey，lookinglikeanotherman，cameintotheroomwhereIwasendeavoringtosoothehisstartleddaughteranddevourinsecretmyownjoy。Takingthesweetgirlinhisarms，hesaid，withacalmignoringofmypresence，atwhichIsecretlysmiled：
\"Thisisthehappiestmomentofmyexistence，Helen。IfeelasifIhadrecoveredyoufromthebrinkofthegrave。\"
\"Me？Why，Ihaveneverbeensoillasthat。\"
\"Iknow；butIhavefeltasifyouweredoomedeversinceI
heard，orthoughtIheard，inthiscity，andundernoordinarycircumstances，thepeculiarcrywhichhauntsourhouseontheeveofanygreatmisfortune。Ishallnotapologizeformyfears；youknowthatIhavegoodcauseforthem，butto-day，onlyto-day，I
haveheardfromthelipsofthemostarrantknaveIhaveeverknown，thatthiscrysprangfromhimselfwithintenttodeceiveme。Heknewmyweakness；knewthecry；hewasinDarlingtonManorwhenCeciliadied；and，wishingtostartlemeintodroppingsomethingwhichIheld，madeuseofhisventriloquialpowers（hehadbeenamountebankonce，poorwretch！）andwithsucheffect，thatIhavenotbeenahappymansince，inspiteofyourdailyimprovementandcontinuedpromiseofrecovery。ButIamhappynow，relievedandjoyful；andthismiserablebeing，——wouldyouliketohearhisstory？Areyoustrongenoughforanythingsotragic？Heisathiefandamurderer，buthehasfeelings，andhislifehasbeenacuriousone，andstrangelyinterwovenwithours。Doyoucaretohearaboutit？Heisthemanwhostoleourdiamond。\"
Mypatientutteredalittlecry。
\"Oh，tellme，\"sheentreated，excited，butnotunhealthfully；
whileIwasinananguishofcuriosityIcouldwithdifficultyconceal。
Mr。Greyturnedwithcourtesytowardmeandaskedifafewfamilydetailswouldboreme。Ismiledandassuredhimtothecontrary。
AtwhichhesettledhimselfinthechairhelikedbestandbeganatalewhichIwillpermitmyselftopresenttoyoucompleteandfromotherpointsofviewthanhisown。
Somefiveyearsbefore，oneofthegreatdiamondsoftheworldwasofferedforsaleinanEasternmarket。Mr。Grey，whostoppedatnoexpenseinthegratificationofhistasteinthisdirection，immediatelysenthisagenttoEgypttoexaminethisstone。Iftheagentdiscoveredittobeallthatwasclaimedforit，andwithinthereachofawealthycommoner’spurse，hewastobuyit。Uponinspection，itwasfoundtobeallthatwasclaimed，withoneexception。Inthecenterofoneofthefacetswasaflaw，but，asthiswasconsideredtomarkthediamond，andratheraddtothandetractfromitsvalueasatraditionalstonewithmanyhistoricalassociations，itwasfinallypurchasedbyMr。
Greyandplacedamonghistreasuresinhismanor-houseinKent。
Neverasuspiciousman，hetookdelightinexhibitingthisacquisitiontosuchofhisfriendsandacquaintancesaswerelikelytofeelanyinterestinit，anditwasnotanuncommonthingforhimtoallowittopassfromhandtohandwhilehepotteredoverhisothertreasuresanddisplayedthisandthattosuchashadnoeyesforthediamond。
Itwasafteronesuchoccasionthathefound，ontakingthestoneinhishandtoreplaceitinthesafehehadhadbuiltforitinoneofhiscabinets，thatitdidnotstrikehiseyewithitsusualforceandbrilliancy，and，onexaminingitclosely，hediscoveredtheabsenceofthetelltaleflaw。Struckwithdismay，hesubmittedittoastillmorerigidinspection，whenhefoundthatwhatheheldwasnotevenadiamond，butaworthlessbitofglass，whichhadbeensubstitutedbysomecunningknaveforhisinvaluablegem。
Forthemomenthishumiliationalmostequaledhissenseofloss；
hehadbeensooftenwarnedofthedangerheraninlettingsopricelessanobjectpassaroundunderalleyesbuthisown。Hiswifeandfriendshadprophesiedsomesuchlossasthis，notonce，butmanytimes，andhehadalwayslaughedattheirfears，sayingthatheknewhisfriends，andtherewasnotascampamongstthem。
Butnowhesawitprovedthateventheintuitionofamanwell-versedinhumannatureisnotalwaysinfallible，and，ashamedofhispastlaxnessandmoreashamedyetofthedoubtswhichthisexperiencecalledupinregardtoallhisfriends，heshutupthefalsestonewithhisusualcareandburiedhislossinhisownbosom，tillhecouldsifthisimpressionsandrecallwithsomedegreeofprobabilitythecircumstancesunderwhichthisexchangecouldhavebeenmade。
Ithadnotbeenmadethatevening。Ofthishewaspositive。Theonlypersonspresentonthisoccasionwerefriendsofsuchstandingandreputethatsuspicionintheirregardwassimplymonstrous。whenandtowhom，then，hadheshownthediamondlast？
Alas，ithadbeenalongmonthsincebehadshownthejewel。
Cecilia，hisyoungestdaughter，haddiedintheinterim；
thereforehismindhadnotbeenonjewels。Amonth！timeforhispreciousdiamondtohavebeencarriedbacktotheEast！Timeforittohavebeenrecut！Surelyitwaslosttohimforever，unlesshecouldimmediatelylocatethepersonwhohadrobbedhimofit。
Butthispromiseddifficulties。Hecouldnotrememberjustwhatpersonshehadentertainedonthatespecialdayinhislittlehallofcabinets，and，whenhedidsucceedingettingalistofthemfromhisbutler，hewasbynomeanssurethatitincludedthefullnumberofhisguests。Hisownmemorywasexecrable，and，inshort，hehadbutfewfactstooffertothediscreetagentsentupfromScotlandYardonemorningtohearhiscomplaintandactsecretlyinhisinterests。Hecouldgivehimcarteblanchetocarryonhisinquiriesinthediamondmarket，butlittleelse。
Andwhilethisseemedtosatisfytheagent，itdidnotleadtoanygratifyingresulttohimself，andhehadthoroughlymadeuphismindtoswallowhislossandsaynothingaboutit，whenonedayayoungcousinofhis，livingingreatstyleinanadjoiningcounty，informedhimthatinsomemysteriouswayhehadlostfromhiscollectionofarmsauniqueandhighly-prizedstilettoofItalianworkmanship。
Startledbythiscoincidence，Mr。Greyventureduponaquestionortwo，whichledtohiscousin’sconfidingtohimthefactthatthisarticlehaddisappearedafteralargesuppergivenbyhimtoanumberoffriendsandgentlemenfromLondon。Thispieceofknowledge，stillfurthercoincidingwithhisownexperience，causedMr。Greytoaskforalistofhisguests，inthehopeoffindingamongthemonewhohadbeeninhisownhouse。
Hiscousin，quiteunsuspiciousofthemotivesunderlyingthisrequest，hastenedtowriteoutthislist，andtogethertheyporedoverthenames，crossingoutsuchaswereabsolutelyabovesuspicion。Whentheyhadreachedtheendofthelist，buttwonamesremaineduncrossed。Onewasthatofarattle-patedyouthwhohadcomeinthewakeofahighlyreputedconnectionoftheirs，andtheotherthatofanAmericantouristwhogavealltheevidencesofgreatwealthandhadpresentedletterstoleadingmeninLondonwhichhadinsuredhimattentionsnotusuallyaccordedtoforeigners。Thisman’snamewasFairbrother，and，themomentMr。Greyheardit，herecalledthefactthatanAmericanwithapeculiarname，butwithareputationforwealth，hadbeenamonghisguestsonthesuspectedevening。
Hidingtheeffectproduceduponhimbythisdiscovery，heplacedhisfingeronthisnameandbeggedhiscousintolookupitsowner’santecedentsandpresentreputationinAmerica；but，notcontentwiththis，hesenthisownagentovertoNewYork——
whither，ashesoonlearned，thisgentlemanhadreturned。TheresultwasanapparentvindicationofthesuspectedAmerican。Hewasfoundtobeawell-knowncitizenofthegreatmetropolis，movinginthehighestcirclesandwithareputationforwealthwonbyanextraordinarybusinessinstinct。
Tobesure，hehadnotalwaysenjoyedthesedistinctions。Likemanyanotherself-mademan，hehadrisenfromamenialpositioninaWesternminingcamp，tobetheownerofaminehimself，andsoupthroughthevariousgradationsofasuccessfullifetoapositionamongtheforemostbusinessmenofNewYork。Inallthesechangeshehadmaintainedanameforhonest，ifnotgenerous，dealing。Helivedingreatstyle，hadmarriedandwasknowntohavebutoneextravagantfancy。Thiswasfortheuniqueandcuriousinart，——atastewhich，ifreportspoketrue，costhimmanythousandseachyear。
ThislastwastheonlyclauseinthereportwhichpointedinanywaytowardthismanbeingthepossibleabstractoroftheGreatMogul，asMr。Grey’sfamousdiamondwascalled，andthelatterwastoojustamanandtoomuchofafancierinthislinehimselftoletafactofthiskindweighagainstthefavorablenatureoftherest。Soherecalledhisagent，double-lockedhiscabinetsandcontinuedtoconfinehisdisplayofvaluablestoarticleswhichdidnotsuggestjewels。Thusthreeyearspassed，whenonedayheheardmentionmadeofawonderfuldiamondwhichhadbeenseeninNewYork。Fromitsdescriptionhegatheredthatitmustbetheonesurreptitiouslyabstractedfromhiscabinet，andwhen，aftersomecarefulinquiries，helearnedthatthenameofitspossessorwasFairbrother，heawoketohisoldsuspicionsanddeterminedtoprobethismattertothebottom。Butsecretly。Hestillhadtoomuchconsiderationtoattackamaninhighpositionwithoutfullproof。
Knowingofnoonehecouldtrustwithsodelicateaninquiryasthishadnowbecome，hedecidedtoundertakeithimself，andforthispurposeembracedthefirstopportunitytocrossthewater。
Hetookhisdaughterwithhimbecausehehadresolvednevertolethisoneremainingchildoutofhissight。Butsheknewnothingofhisplansorreasonfortravel。Noonedid。Indeed，onlyhislawyerandthepolicewereawareofthelossofhisdiamond。
HisfirstsurpriseonlandingwastolearnthatMr。Fairbrother，ofwhosemarriagehehadheard，hadquarreledwithhiswifeandthat，intheseparationwhichhadoccurred，thediamondhadfallentohershareandwasconsequentlyinherpossessionatthepresentmoment。
Thischangedmatters，andMr。Grey’sonlythoughtnowwastosurpriseherwiththediamondonherpersonandbyoneglanceassurehimselfthatitwasindeedtheGreatMogul。SinceMrs。
Fairbrotherwasreportedtobeabeautifulwomanandagreatsocietybelle，hesawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotmeetherpublicly，andthatverysoon。Hethereforeacceptedinvitationsandattendedtheatersandballs，thoughhisdaughterhadsufferedfromhervoyageandwasnotabletoaccompanyhim。Butalas！hesoonlearnedthatMrs。Fairbrotherwasneverseenwithherdiamondand，oneeveningafteranintroductionattheopera，thatshenevertalkedaboutit。Sotherehewas，balkedontheverythresholdofhisenterprise，and，recognizingthefact，waspreparingtotakehisnowseriouslyailingdaughtersouth，whenhereceivedaninvitationtoaballofsuchaselectcharacterthathedecidedtoremainforit，inthehopethatMrs。
Fairbrotherwouldbetemptedtoputonallhersplendorforsomagnificentafunctionandthusgratifyhimwithasightofhisowndiamond。Duringthedaysthatintervenedhesawherseveraltimesandverysoondecidedthat，inspiteofherreticenceinregardtothisgem，shewasnotsufficientlyinherhusband’sconfidencetoknowthesecretofitsrealownership。Thisencouragedhimtoattemptpiquingherintowearingthediamondonthisoccasion。Hetalkedofpreciousstonesandfinallyofhisown，declaringthathehadaconnoisseur’seyeforafinediamond，buthadseennoneasyetinAmericatocompetewithaspecimenortwohehadinhisowncabinets。Hereyeflashedatthisand，thoughshesaidnothing，hefeltsurethatherpresenceatMr。Ramsdell’shousewouldbeenlivenedbyhergreatjewel。
SomuchforMr。Grey’sattitudeinthismatteruptothenightoftheball。Itisinterestingenough，butthatofAbnerFairbrotherismoreinterestingstillandmuchmoreserious。
HiswasindeedthehandwhichhadabstractedthediamondfromMr。
Grey’scollection。Underordinaryconditionshewasanhonestman。Heprizedhisgoodnameandwouldnotwillinglyriskit，buthehadlittlerealconscience，andoncehispassionswerearousednothingshortoftheobjectdesiredwouldcontenthim。Atonceforcefulandsubtle，hehadathiscommandinfiniteresourceswhichhiswanderingandeventfullifehadheightenedalmosttothepointofgenius。Hesawthisstone，andatoncefeltaninordinatedesiretopossessit。Hehadcovetedothermen’streasuresbefore，butnotashecovetedthis。Whathadbeenlonginginothercaseswasmaniainthis。TherewasawomaninAmericawhomheloved。Shewasbeautifulandshewassplendor-loving。Toseeherwiththisgloryonherbreastwouldbeworthalmostanyriskwhichhisimaginationcouldpictureatthemoment。Beforethediamondhadlefthishandhehadmadeuphismindtohaveitforhisown。Heknewthatitcouldnotbebought，sohesetaboutobtainingitbyanacthedidnothesitatetoacknowledgetohimselfascriminal。Buthedidnotactwithoutprecautions。Havingakeeneyeandapropersenseorsizeandcolor，hecarriedawayfromhisfirstviewofitatrueimageofthestone，andwhenhewasnextadmittedtoMr。Grey’scabinetroomhehadprovidedthemeansfordeceivingtheownerwhosecharacterhehadsounded。
Hemighthavefailedinhisdaringattemptifhehadnotbeenfavoredbyacircumstancenoonecouldhaveforeseen。Adaughterofthehouse，Ceciliabyname，laycriticallyillatthetime，andMr。Grey’sattentionwasmoreorlessdistracted。Stilltheprobabilitiesarethathewouldhavenoticedsomethingamisswiththestonewhenhecametorestoreittoitsplace，if，justashetookitinhishand，therehadnotrisenintheairoutsideaweirdandwailingcrywhichatonceseizedupontheimaginationofthedozengentlemenpresent，andsonearlyprostratedtheirhostthathethrusttheboxheheldunopenedintothesafeandfelluponhisknees，atotallyunnervedman，crying：
\"Thebanshee！thebanshee！Mydaughterwilldie！\"
Anotherhandthanhislockedthesafeanddroppedthekeyintothedistractedfather’spocket。
Thusasuperhumandaringconjoinedwithaspecialinterventionoffatehadmadetheenterpriseasuccessfulone；andFairbrother，believingmorethaneverinhisstar，carriedthisinvaluablejewelbackwithhimtoNewYork。Thestiletto——well，thetakingofthatwasafolly，forwhichhehadneverceasedtoblush。Hehadnotstolenit；hewouldnotstealsoinconsiderableanobject。Hehadmerelyputitinhispocketwhenhesawitforgotten，passedover，giventohim，asitwere。Thattherisk，contrarytothatinvolvedinthetakingofthediamond，wasfarinexcessofthegratificationobtained，herealizedalmostimmediately，but，havingmadethebreak，andacquiredthecurio，hesparedhimselfallfurtherthoughtortheconsequences，andpresentlyresumedhisoldlifeinNewYork，nonetheworse，toallappearances，fortheseescapadesfromvirtueandhisusualcourseoffairandopendealing。
Buthewassoontheworsefromjealousyofthewifewhichhisnewpossessionhadpossiblywonforhim。Shehadansweredallhisexpectationsasmistressofhishomeandtheexponentofhiswealth；andforayear，nay，fortwo，hehadbeenperfectlyhappy。Indeed，hehadbeenmorethanthat；hehadbeentriumphant，especiallyonthatmemorableeveningwhen，afteracautiousdelayofmonths，hehaddaredtopinthatunapproachablesparklertoherbreastandpresentherthusbedeckedtothesmartset——herwhomhistalents，andespeciallyhisfar-reachingbusinesstalents，hadmadehisown。
RecallingtheolddaysofbarterandsaleacrossthepinecounterinColorado，hefeltthathisstarrodehigh，andforatimewassatisfiedwithhiswife’smagnificenceandtheprestigeshegavehisestablishment。Butprideisnotall，eventoamanofhisdaringambition。Graduallyhebegantorealize，first，thatshewasindifferenttohim，next，thatshedespisedhim，and，lastly，thatshehatedhim。Shehaddozensatherfeet，anyofwhomwasmoreagreeabletoherthanherownhusband；and，thoughhecouldnotputhisfingeronanydefinitefault，hesoonweariedofabeautythatonlyglowedforothers，andmadeuphismindtopartwithherratherthanlethisheartbeeatenoutbyunappeasablelongingforwhathisowngoodsensetoldhimwouldneverbehis。
Yet，beingnaturallygenerous，hewassatisfiedwithaseparation，and，findingitimpossibletothinkofherasotherthanextravagantlyfed，waitedonandclothed，heallowedheragoodshareofhisfortunewiththeoneproviso，thatsheshouldnotdisgracehim。Butthediamondshestole，orrathercarriedoffinhernaturallyhigh-handedmannerwiththerestofherjewels。HehadnevergivenittohenSheknewthevaluehesetonit，butnothowhecamebyit，andwouldhavewornitquitefreelyifhehadnotverysoongivenhertounderstandthatthepleasureofdoingsoceasedwhenshelefthishouse。Asshecouldnotbeseenwithitwithoutoccasioningpublicremark，shewasforced，thoughmuchagainstherwill，toheedhiswishes，andenjoyitsbrilliancyinprivate。Butonce，whenhewasoutoftown，shedaredtoappearwiththisfortuneonherbreast，andagainwhileonavisitWest，——andherhusbandheardofit。
Mr。Fairbrotherhadhadthejewelsettosuithim，notinFlorence，asSearshadsaid，butbyaskilfulworkmanhehadpickedupingreatpovertyinaremotecornerofWilliamsburg。
Alwaysindreadofsomecomplication，hehadprovidedhimselfwithasecondfacsimileinpaste，thistimeofanastonishingbrightness，andthisfacsimilehehadhadsetpreciselylikethetruestone。ThenhegavetheworkmanathousanddollarsandsenthimbacktoSwitzerland。Thisimitationinpasteheshowednobody，buthekeptitalwaysinhispocket；why，hehardlyknew。
Meantime，hehadoneconfidant，notofhiscrime，butofhissentimentstowardhiswife，andthedeterminationhehadsecretlymadetoproceedtoextremitiesifshecontinuedtodisobeyhim。
Thiswasamanofhisownageorolder，whohadknownhiminhisearlydays，andhadfollowedallhisfortunes。HehadbeenthemasterofFairbrotherthen，buthewashisservantnow，andasdevotedtohisinterestsasiftheywerehisown，——which，inaway，theywere。Foreighteenyearshehadstoodatthelatter’srighthand，satisfiedtolooknofurther，but，forthelastthree，hisglanceshadstrayedafootortwobeyondhismaster，andtakeninhismaster’swife。
ThefeelingswhichthismanhadforMrs。Fairbrotherwerepeculiar。Shewasamereadjuncttohergreatlord，butshewasaverygorgeousone，and，whilehecouldnotimaginehimselfdoinganythingtothwarthimwhosebreadheate，andtowhoserisehehadhimselfcontributed，yetifhecouldremaintruetohimwithoutinjuringhe；hewouldaccounthimselfhappy。Thedaycamewhenhehadtodecidebetweenthem，and，againstallchances，againsthisownpreconceivednotionofwhathewoulddounderthesecircumstances，hechosetoconsiderher。
Thisdaycamewhen，inthemidstofgrowingcomplacencyandanintenseinterestinsomenewschemewhichdemandedallhispowers，AbnerFairbrotherlearnedfromthepapersthatMr。Grey，ofEnglishParliamentaryfame，hadarrivedinNewYorkonanindefinitevisit。Asnocausewasassignedforthevisitbeyondanaturaldesireonthepartofthiseminentstatesmantoseethisgreatcountry，Mr。Fairbrother’sfearsreachedasuddenclimax，andhesawhimselfruinedandforeverdisgracedifthediamondnowsounhappilyoutofhishandsshouldfallundertheeyesofitsowner，whoseseemingquietunderitslosshadnotforamomentdeceivedhim。Waitingonlylongenoughtomakesurethatthedistinguishedforeignerwaslikelytoacceptsocialattentions，andsoinallprobabilitywouldbebroughtincontactwithMrs。Fairbrother，hesentherbyhisdevotedservantaperemptorymessage，inwhichhedemandedbackhisdiamond；and，uponherrefusingtoheedthis，followeditupbyanother，inwhichheexpresslystatedthatifshetookitoutofthesafedepositinwhichhehadbeentoldshewaswiseenoughtokeepit，orworeitsomuchasonceduringthenextthreemonths，shewouldpayforherpresumptionwithherlife。
Thiswasnoidlethreat，thoughshechosetoregarditassuch，laughingintheoldservant’sfaceanddeclaringthatshewouldruntheriskifthenotionseizedher。Butthenotiondidnotseemtoseizeheratonce，andherhusbandwasbeginningtotakeheart，whenheheardofthegreatballabouttobegivenbytheRamsdellsandrealizedthatifsheweregoingtobetemptedtowearthediamondatall，itwouldbeatthisbrilliantfunctiongiveninhonoroftheonemanhehadmostcausetofearinthewholeworld。
Sears，seeingtheemotionhewasunder，watchedhimclosely。TheyhadbothbeenonthepointofstartingforNewMexicotovisitamineinwhichMr。Fairbrotherwasinterested，andhewaitedwithinconceivableanxietytoseeifhismasterwouldchangehisplans。ItwaswhilehewasinthisconditionofmindthathewasseentoshakehisfistatMrs。Fairbrother’spassingfigure；amenacenaturallyinterpretedasdirectedagainsther，butwhich，ifweknowtheman，wasrathertheexpressionofhisangeragainstthehusbandwhocouldrebukeandthreatensobeautifulacreature。Meanwhile，Mr。Fairbrother’spreparationswentonand，threeweeksbeforetheball，theystarted。Mr。FairbrotherhadbusinessinChicagoandbusinessinDenver。ItwastwoweeksandmorebeforehereachedLaJunta。Searscountedthedays。AtLaJuntatheyhadalongconversation；orratherMr。FairbrothertalkedandSearslistened。Thesumofwhathesaidwasthis：Hehadmadeuphismindtohavebackhisdiamond。HewasgoingtoNewYorktogetit。Hewasgoingalone，andashewishednoonetoknowthathehadgoneorthathisplanshadbeeninanywayinterrupted，theotherwastocontinueontoElMoro，and，passinghimselfoffasFairbrother，hirearoomatthehotelandshuthimselfupinitfortendaysonanypleahisingenuitymightsuggest。IfattheendofthattimeFairbrothershouldrejoinhim，wellandgood。TheywouldgoontogethertoSantaFe。
Butifforanyreasontheformershoulddelayhisreturn，thenSearswastoexercisehisownjudgmentastothelengthoftimeheshouldretainhisborrowedpersonality；alsoastotheadvisabilityofpushingontothemineandenteringontheworkthere，ashadbeenplannedbetweenthem。
Searsknewwhatallthismeant。Heunderstoodwhatwasinhismaster’smind，aswellasifhehadbeentakenintohisfullconfidence，andopenlyacceptedhispartofthebusinesswithseemingalacrity，eventothepointofsupplyingFairbrotherwithsuitablereferencesastotheabilityofoneJamesWellgoodtofillawaiter’splaceatfashionablefunctions。Itwasnotthefirsthehadgivenhim。Seventeenyearsbeforehehadwrittenthesame，minusthelastphrase。ThatwaswhenhewasthemasterandFairbrothertheman。Buthedidnotmeantoplaythepartlaidoutforhim，forallhisapparentacquiescence。Hebeganbyfollowingtheother’sinstructions。Heexchangedclotheswithhimandothernecessaries，andtookthetrainforLaJuntaatornearthetimethatFairbrotherstartedeast。ButonceatElMoro——onceregisteredthereasAbnerFairbrotherfromNewYork——hetookadifferentcoursefromtheonelaidoutforhim，——acoursewhichfinallybroughthimintohismaster’swakeandlandedhimatthesamehourinNewYork。
Thisiswhathedid。Insteadofshuttinghimselfupinhisroomheexpressedanimmediatedesiretovisitsomeneighboringmines，and，procuringagoodhorse，startedoffatthefirstavailablemoment。Herodenorth，losthimselfinthemountains，andwanderedtillhefoundaguideintelligentenoughtolendhimselftohisplans。Tothisguideheconfidedhishorseforthefewdaysheintendedtobegone，payinghimwellandpromisinghimadditionalmoneyif，duringhisabsence，hesucceededincirculatingthereportthathe，AbnerFairbrother，hadgonedeepintothemountains，boundforsuchandsuchacamp。
Havingthusprovidedanalibi，notonlyforhimself，butforhismaster，too，incaseheshouldneedit，hetookthedirectroadtothenearestrailwaystation，andstartedonhislongrideeast。Hedidnotexpecttoovertakethemanhehadbeenpersonating，butfortunewaskinderthanisusualinsuchcases，and，owingtoadelaycausedbysomeaccidenttoafreighttrain，hearrivedinChicagowithinacoupleofhoursofMr。
Fairbrother，andstartedoutofthatcityonthesametrain。Butnotonthesamecar。SearshadcaughtaglimpseofFairbrotherontheplatform，andwascarefultokeepoutofhissight。Thiswaseasyenough。HeboughtacompartmentinthesleeperandstayedinittilltheyarrivedattheGrandCentralStation。Thenhehastenedoutand，fortunefavoringhimwithanotherglimpseofthemaninwhosemovementshewassointerested，followedhimintothestreets。
FairbrotherhadshavedoffhisbeardbeforeleavingElMoro。
Searshadshavedhisoffonthetrain。Bothwerechanged，theformerthemore，owingtoapeculiarityofhismouthwhichuptillnowhehadalwaysthoughtbesttocover。Sears，therefore，walkedbehindhimwithoutfear，andwasalmostathisheelswhenthisownerofoneofNewYork’smostnotablemansions，entered，withaspruceair，thedoorsofaprominentcaterer。
Understandingtheplotnow，andhavingeverythingtofearforhismistress，hewalkedthestreetsforsomehoursinastateofgreatindecision。Thenhewentuptoherapartment。Buthehadnosoonercomewithinsightofitthanasenseofdisloyaltystruckhimandheslunkaway，onlytocomesidlingbackwhenitwastoolateandshehadstartedfortheball。
Tremblingwithapprehension，butstillstrangelydividedinhisimpulses，wishingtoservemasterandmistressboth，withoutdisloyaltytotheoneorinjurytotheother，hehesitatedandarguedwithhimself，tillhisfearsforthelatterdrovehimtoMr。Ramsdell’shouse。
Thenightwasastormyone。TheheaviestsnowoftheseasonwasfallingwithahighgaleblowingdowntheSound。Asheapproachedthehouse，which，asweknow，isoneofthemodernonesintheRiversidedistrict，hefelthisheartfailhim。Butashecamenearerandgotthefulleffectofglancinglights，seductivemusic，andthecheerybustleofcrowdingcarriages，hesawinhismind’seyesuchapictureofhisbeautifulmistress，threatened，unknowntoherself，inaquartershelittlerealized，thathelostallsenseofwhathadhithertodeterredhim。Makingthenandtherehisgreatchoice，helookedaboutfortheentrance，withthefullintentionofseeingandwarningher。
Butthis，hepresentlyperceived，wastotallyimpracticable。Hecouldneithergotohernorexpecthertocometohim；meanwhile，timewaspassing，andifhismasterwasthere——Thethoughtmadehisheaddizzy，and，situatedashewas，amongthecarriages，hemighthavebeenrunoverinhisconfusionifhiseyeshadnotsuddenlyfallenonalightedwindow，theshadeofwhichhadbeeninadvertentlyleftup。
Withinthiswindow，whichwasonlyafewfeetabovehishead，stoodtheglowingimageofawomancladinpinkandsparklingwithjewels。Herfacewasturnedfromhim，butherecognizedhersplendorasthatoftheonewomanwhocouldneverbetoogorgeousforhistaste；and，alivetothisunexpectedopportunity，hemadeforthiswindowwiththeintentionofshoutinguptoherandsoattractingherattention。
Butthisprovedfutile，and，drivenatlasttotheendofhisresources，hetoreoutaslipofpaperfromhisnote-bookand，inthedarkandwiththeblindingsnowinhiseyes，wrotethefewbrokensentenceswhichhethoughtwouldbestwarnher，withoutcompromisinghismaster。ThemeanshetooktoreachherwiththisnoteIhavealreadyrelated。Assoonashesawitinherhandshefledtheplaceandtookthefirsttrainwest。Hewasinapitiablecondition，when，threedayslater，hereachedthesmallstationfromwhichhehadoriginallysetout。Thehaste，theexposure，thehorrorofthecrimehehadfailedtoavert，hadunderminedhishithertoexcellentconstitution，andthesymptomsofaseriousillnesswerebeginningtomakethemselvesmanifest。
Buthe，likehisindomitablemaster，possessedagreatfundofenergyandwillpower。HesawthatifhewastosaveAbnerFairbrother（andnowthatMrs。Fairbrotherwasdead，hisoldmasterwasalltheworldtohim）hemustmakeFairbrother’salibigoodbycarryingonthedeceptionasplannedbythelatter，andgettingassoonaspossibletohiscampintheNewMexicomountains。Heknewthathewouldhavestrengthtodothisandhewentaboutitwithoutsparinghimself。
Makinghiswayintothemountains，hefoundtheguideandhishorseattheplaceagreeduponand，payingtheguideenoughforhisservicestoinsureaquiettongue，rodebacktowardElMorowherehewasmetandsentontoSantaFeasalreadyrelated。
Suchistherealexplanationofthewell-nighunintelligiblescrawlfoundinMrs。Fairbrother’shandafterherdeath。AstotheonewhichleftMissGrey’sbedsideforthissamehouse，itwas，alikeinthewritingandsending，thelovingfreakofaverysickbuttender-heartedgirl。ShehadnotedthelookwithwhichMr。Greyhadlefther，and，inherdeliriousstate，thoughtthatalineinherownhandwouldconvincehimofhergoodconditionandmakeitpossibleforhimtoenjoytheevening。Shewas，however，toomuchafraidofhernursetowriteitopenly，andthoughweneverfoundthatscrawl，itwasdoubtlessnotverydifferentinappearancefromtheonewithwhichIhadconfoundedit。ThemantowhomitwasintrustedstoppedfortoomanywarmingdrinksonhiswayforitevertoreachMr。Ramsdell’shouse。Hedidnotevenreturnhomethatnight，andwhenhedidputinanappearancethenextmorning，hewasdismissed。
ThistakesmebacktotheballandMrs。Fairbrother。Shehadneverhadmuchfearofherhusbandtillshereceivedhisoldservant’snoteinthepeculiarmanneralreadymentioned。This，comingthroughthenightandthewetandwithallthemarksofhurryuponit，didimpresshergreatlyandledhertotakethefirstmeanswhichofferedofriddingherselfofherdangerousornament。Thestoryofthisweknow。
Meanwhile，aburningheartandaschemingbrainwerekeepinguptheirdeadlyworkafewpacesoffundertheimpassiveaspectandactivemovementsofthecaterer’snewly-hiredwaiter。AbnerFairbrother，whoserealcharacternoonehadeverbeenabletosound，unlessitwasthemanwhohadknownhiminhisdaysofstruggle，wasoneofthosedangerousmenwhocanconcealunderastillbrowandanoiselessmannerthemostviolentpassionsandthemostdesperateresolves。Hewasangrywithhiswife，whowasdeliberatelyjeopardizinghisgoodname，andhehadcometheretokillherifhefoundherflauntingthediamondinMr。Grey’seyes；andthoughnoonecouldhavedetectedanychangeinhislookandmannerashepassedthroughtheroomwherethesetwowerestanding，thedoomofthatfairwomanwasstruckwhenhesawtheeagerscrutinyandindescribableairofrecognitionwithwhichthislong-defraudedgentlemaneyedhisowndiamond。
Hehadmeanttoattackheropenly，seizethediamond，flingitatMr。Grey’sfeet，andthenkillhimself。Thathadbeenhisplan。
Butwhenhefound，afteraroundortwoamongtheguests，thatnobodylookedathim，andnobodyrecognizedthewell-knownmillionaireintheautomaton-likefigurewiththeformally-arrangedwhiskersandsleekly-combedhair，colderpurposesintervened，andheaskedhimselfifitwouldnotbepossibletocomeuponheralone，strikehisblow，possesshimselfofthediamond，andmakeforpartsunknownbeforehisidentitycouldbediscovered。Helovedlifeevenwithoutthecharmcastoveritbythiswoman。Itsstrugglesanditshard-boughtluxuriesfascinatedhim。IfMr。Greysuspectedhim，why，Mr。GreywasEnglish，andhearesourcefulAmerican。Ifitcametoanissue，thesubtleAmericanwouldwinifMr。Greywerenotabletopointtotheflawwhichmarkedthisdiamondashisown。Andthis，Fairbrotherhadprovidedagainst，andwouldsucceedinifhecouldholdhispassionsincheckandbereadywithallhiswitwhenmattersreachedaclimax。
Suchwerethethoughtsandsuchtheplansofthequiet，attentivemanwho，withhistrayladenwithcoffeeandices，cameandwentanunnoticedunitamongtwentyotherunitssimilarlyquietandsimilarlyattentive。Hewaitedonladyafterlady，andwhen，onthereissuingofMr。Durandfromthealcove，hepassedintherewithhistrayandhistwocupsofcoffee，nobodyheededandnobodyremembered。
Itwasalloverinaminute，andhecameout，stillunnoted，andwenttothesupper-roomformorecupsofcoffee。Butthatminutehadsetitssealonhisheartforever。Shewassittingtherealonewithhersidetotheentrance，sothathehadtopassaroundinordertofaceher。Hereleganceandacertainairshehadofremotenessfromthesceneofwhichshewastheglowingcenterwhenshesmiled，awedhimandmadehishandloosenalittleontheslenderstilettoheheldcloseagainstthebottomofthetray。Butsuchresolutiondoesnoteasilyyield，andhisfingerssoontightenedagain，thistimewithadeadlygrip。
Hehadexpectedtomeettheflashofthediamondashebentoverher，anddreadeddoingsoforfearitwouldattracthiseyefromherfaceandsocosthimthesightofthatstartledrecognitionwhichwouldgivethedesiredpointtohisrevenge。Butthetray，asheheldit，shieldedherbreastfromview，andwhenheloweredittostrikehisblow，hethoughtofnothingbutaimingsotrulyastoneednosecondblow。Hehadhadhisexperienceinthoseoldyearsinaminingcamp，andhedidnotfearfailureinthis。Whathedidfearwasherutteranceofsomecry，——possiblyhisname。
Butshewasstunnedwithhorror，anddidnotshriek，——horrorofhimwhoseeyesshemetwithherglassyandstaringonesasheslowlydrewforththeweapon。
Whyhedrewitforthinsteadofleavingitinherbreasthecouldnotsay。Possiblybecauseitgavehimhismomentofgloatingrevenge。Wheninanotherinstant，herhandsflewup，andthetraytipped，andthechinafell，therevulsioncame，andhiseyesopenedtotwofacts：theinstrumentofdeathwasstillinhisgrasp，andthediamond，onwhosepossessionhecounted，wasgonefromhiswife’sbreast。
Itwasahorriblemoment。Voicescouldbeheardapproachingthealcove，——laughingvoicesthatinaninstantwouldtakeonthenoteofhorror。Andthemusic，——ah！howlowithadsunk，asiftogiveplacetothedyingmurmurhenowheardissuingfromherlips。Buthewasamanofiron。Thrustingthestilettointothefirstplacethatoffered，hedrewthecurtainsoverthestaringwindows，thenslidoutwithhistray，calm，specklessandattentiveasever，deadtothought，deadtofeeling，butaware，quiteawareinthesecretdepthsofhisbeingthatsomethingbesideshiswifehadbeenkilledthatnight，andthatsleepandpeaceofmindandallpleasureinthepastweregoneforever。
ItwasnotheIsawenterthealcoveandcomeoutwithnewsofthecrime。Heleftthisroletoonewhoseantecedentscouldbetterbearinvestigation。Hispartwastoplay，withjusttheproperdisplayofhorrorandcuriosity，theordinarymenialbroughtfacetofacewithacrimeinhighlife。Hecoulddothis。
Hecouldevensustainhisshareinthegossip，andforthispurposekeptneartheotherwaiters。Theabsenceofthediamondwasallthattroubledhim。Thatbroughthimattimestothepointofvertigo。HadMr。Greyrecognizedandclaimedit？Ifso，he，AbnerFairbrother，mustremainJamesWellgood，thewaiter，indefinitely。Thiswouldrequiremorebeliefinhisstarthaneverhehadhadyet。Butasthemomentspassed，andnocontradictionwasgiventotheuniversally-receivedimpressionthatthesamehandwhichhadstrucktheblowhadtakenthediamond，eventhiscauseofanxietylefthisbreastandhefacedpeoplewithmoreandmorecouragetillthemomentwhenhesuddenlyheardthatthediamondhadbeenfoundinthepossessionofamanperfectlystrangetohim，andsawtheinspectorpassitoverintothehandsofMr。Grey。
Instantlyherealizedthatthecrisisofhisfatewasonhim。IfMr。Greyweregiventimetoidentifythisstone，he，AbnerFairbrother，waslostandthediamondaswell。Couldhepreventthis？Therewasbutoneway，andthatwayhetook。Makinguseofhisventriloquialpowers——hehadspentayearonthepublicstageinthoseearlydays，playingjustsuchtricksasthese——heraisedtheonecrywhichheknewwouldstartleMr。Greymorethananyotherintheworld，andwhenthediamondfellfromhishand，asheknewitwould，herushedforwardand，intheactofpickingitup，madethatexchangewhichnotonlybaffledthesuspicionsofthestatesman，butrestoredtohimthediamond，forwhosepossessionhewasnowreadytobarterhalfhisremainingdays。
MeanwhileMr。Greyhadhadhisownanxieties。Duringthiswholelongevening，hehadbeensustainedbytheconvictionthatthediamondofwhichhehadcaughtbutonepassingglimpsewastheGreatMogulofhisoncefamouscollection。Sosurewasheofthis，thatatonemomenthefoundhimselftemptedtoenterthealcove，demandaclosersightofthediamondandsettlethequestionthenandthere。Heevenwentsofarastotakeinhishandsthetwocupsofcoffeewhichshouldserveashisexcuseforthisintrusion，buthisnaturallychivalrousinstinctsagainintervened，andhesetthecupsdownagain——thisIdidnotsee——
andturnedhisstepstowardthelibrarywiththeintentionofwritingheranoteinstead。Butthoughhefoundpaperandpentohand，hecouldfindnowordsforsodaringarequest，andhecamebackintothehall，onlytohearthatthewomanhehadcontemplatedaddressinghadjustbeenmurderedandhergreatjewelstolen。
Theshockwastoomuch，andastherewasnoleavingthehousethen，heretreatedagaintothelibrarywherehedevouredhisanxietiesinsilencetillhoperevivedagainatsightofthediamondintheinspector’shand，onlytovanishunderthemachinationsofonehedidnotevenrecognizewhenhetookthefalsejewelfromhishand。
TheAmericanhadoutwittedtheEnglishmanandthetriumphofevilwascomplete。
Orsoitseemed。ButiftheEnglishmanisslow，heissure。
Thrownoffthetrackforthetimebeing，Mr。Greyhadonlytoseeapictureofthestilettointhepapers，tofeelagainthat，despiteallappearances，Fairbrotherwasreallynotonlyatthebottomofthetheftsfromwhichhiscousinandhimselfhadsuffered，butofthisfrightfulmurderaswell。Hemadenoopenmove——hewasastrangerinastrangelandandmuchdisturbed，besides，byhisfearsforhisdaughter——buthestartedasecretinquirythroughhisoldvalet，whomheranacrossinthestreet，andwhosepeculiaradaptabilityforthiskindofworkhewellknew。
Theaimoftheseinquirieswastodetermineiftheperson，whomtwophysiciansandthreeassistantswereendeavoringtonursebacktohealthonthetopofawildplateauinaremotedistrictofNewMexico，wasthemanhehadonceentertainedathisownboardinEngland，andtheadventuresthusincurredwouldmakeastoryinitself。Buttheresultseemedtojustifythem。Wordcameafterinnumerabledelays，verytryingtoMr。Grey，thatbewasnotthesame，thoughheborethenameofFairbrother，andwasconsideredbyeveryonearoundtheretobeFairbrother。Mr。Grey，ignorantoftherelationsbetweenthemillionairemasterandhismanwhichsometimesledtothelatter’spersonifyingtheformer，wasconfidentofhisownmistakeandbitterlyashamedofhisownsuspicions。
Butasecondmessagesethimright。AdeceptionwasbeingpractiseddowninNewMexico，andthiswashowhisspyhadfounditout。Certainletterswhichwentintothesicktentweresentawayagain，andalwaystooneaddress。Hehadlearnedtheaddress。ItwasthatofJamesWellgood，C——，Maine。IfMr。GreywouldlookupthisWellgoodhewoulddoubtlesslearnsomethingofthemanhewassointerestedin。
ThisgaveMr。Greypersonallysomethingtodo，forhewouldtrustnosecondpartywithamessageinvolvingthehonorofapossiblyinnocentman。Astheplacewasaccessiblebyrailroadandhisdutyclear，hetookthejourneyinvolvedandsucceededingettingaglimpseinthemannerweknowofthemanJamesWellgood。ThistimeherecognizedFairbrotherand，satisfiedfromthecircumstancesofthemomentthathewouldbemakingnomistakeinaccusinghimofhavingtakentheGreatMogul，heinterceptedhiminhisflight，asyouhavealreadyread，anddemandedtheimmediatereturnofhisgreatdiamond。
AndFairbrother？Weshallhavetogobackalittletobringhishistoryuptothiscriticalinstant。
Whenherealizedthetrendofpublicopinion；whenhesawaperfectlyinnocentmancommittedtotheTombsforhiscrime，hewasfirstastonishedandthenamusedatwhathecontinuedtoregardasthetriumphofhisstar。ButhedidnotstartforElMoro，wiseashefeltitwouldbetodoso。Somethingofthefascinationusualwithcriminalskepthimnearthesceneofhiscrime，——that，andananxietytoseehowSearswouldconducthimselfintheSouthwest。ThatSearshadfollowedhimtoNewYork，knewhiscrime，andwasthestrongestwitnessagainsthim，wasasfarfromhisthoughtsasthatheowedhimthewarningwhichhadallbutbalkedhimofhisrevenge。Whenthereforehereadinthepapersthat\"AbnerFairbrother\"hadbeenfoundsickinhiscampatSantaFe，hefeltthatnothingnowstoodinthewayofhisenteringontheplanshehadframedforultimateescape。OnhisdeparturefromElMorohehadtakentheprecautionofgivingSearsthenameofacertainsmalltownonthecoastofMainewherehismailwastobesentincaseofagreatemergency。
Hehadchosenthistownfortworeasons。First，becauseheknewallaboutit，havinghadayoungmanfromthereinhisemploy；
secondly，becauseofitsneighborhoodtotheinletwhereanoldlaunchofhishadbeendockedforthewinter。Alwaysastute，alwaysprecautionary，hehadgivenorderstohavethislaunchfloatedandprovisioned，sothatnowhehadonlytosendwordtothecaptain，tohaveathiscommandthebestpossiblemeansofescape。
Meanwhile，hemustmakegoodhispositioninC——。Hediditinthewayweknow。SatisfiedthattheonlydangerheneedfearwasthediscoveryofthefraudpractisedinNewMexico，hehadconfidenceenoughinSears，eveninhispresentdisabledstate，totakehistimeandmakehimselfsolidwiththepeopleofC——whilewaitingfortheicetodisappearfromtheharbor。Thisaccomplishedandcruisingmadepossible，hetookaflyingtriptoNewYorktosecuresuchpapersandvaluablesashewishedtocarryoutofthecountrywithhim。Theywereinsafedeposit，butthatsafedepositwasinhisstrongroominthecenterofhishouseinEighty-sixthStreet（aroomwhichyouwillrememberinconnectionwithSweetwater’sadventure）。Toenterhisowndoorwithhisownlatch-key，inthesecurityanddarknessofastormynight，seemedtothisself-confidentmanamatterofnogreatrisk。Nordidhefinditso。Hereachedhisstrongroom，procuredhissecuritiesandwasleavingthehouse，withouthavingsufferedanalarm，whensomeinstinctofself-preservationsuggestedtohimtheadvisabilityofarminghimselfwithapistol。HisownwasinMaine，butherememberedwhereSearskepthis；hehadseenitoftenenoughinthatoldtrunkhehadbroughtwithhimfromtheSierras。Heaccordinglywentupstairstothesteward’sroom，foundthepistolandbecamefromthatinstantinvincible。Butinrestoringthearticleshehadpulledouthecameacrossaphotographofhiswifeandlosthimselfoveritandwentmad，aswehaveheardthedetectivetell。Thatlater，heshouldsucceedintrappingthisdetectiveandshouldleavethehousewithoutaqualmastohisfateshowswhatsortofmanhewasinmomentsofextremedanger。Idoubt，fromwhatIhaveheardofhimsince，ifheevergavetwothoughtstothemanafterhehadsprungthedoublelockonhim；which，consideringhisextremeignoranceofwhohisvictimwasorwhatrelationheboretohisownfate，wascertainlyremarkable。
BackagaininC——，hemadehisfinalpreparationsfordeparture。
Hehadalreadycommunicatedwiththecaptainofthelaunch，whomayormaynothaveknownhispassenger’srealname。HesaysthathesupposedhimtobesomeagentofMr。Fairbrother’s；thatamongthefirstordershereceivedfromthatgentlemanwasonetotheeffectthathewastofollowtheinstructionsofoneWellgoodasiftheycamefromhimself；thathehaddoneso，andnottillhehadMr。Fairbrotheronboardhadheknownwhomhewasexpectedtocarryintootherwaters。However，therearemanywhodonotbelievethecaptain。Fairbrotherhadageniusforrousingdevotioninthemenwhoworkedforhim，andprobablythismanwasanotherSears。
Toleavespeculation，allwasintrain，then，andfreedombutaquarterofamileaway，whentheboathewasinwasstoppedbyanotherandheheardMr。Grey’svoicedemandingthejewel。
Theshockwassevereandhehadneedofallthenervewhichhadhithertomadehiscareersoprosperous，tosustaintheencounterwiththecalmnesswhichalonecouldcarryoffthesituation。
DeclaringthatthediamondwasinNewYork，hepromisedtorestoreitiftheotherwouldmakethesacrificeworthwhilebycontinuingtopreservehishithertoadmirablesilenceconcerninghim：Mr。Greyrespondedbygrantinghimjusttwenty-fourhours；
andwhenFairbrothersaidthetimewasnotlongenoughandallowedhishandtostealominouslytohisbreast，herepeatedstillmoredecisively，\"Twenty-fourhours。\"
Theex-minerhonoredbravery。Withdrawinghishandfromhisbreast，hebroughtoutanote-bookinsteadofapistoland，inatonefullyasdetermined，replied：\"Thediamondisinaplaceinaccessibletoanyonebutmyself。Ifyouwillputyournametoapromisenottobetraymeforthethirty-sixhoursIask，Iwillsignonetorestoreyouthediamondbeforeone-thirtyo’clockonFriday。\"
\"Iwill，\"saidMr。Grey。
Sothepromiseswerewrittenanddulyexchanged。Mr。GreyreturnedtoNewYorkandFairbrotherboardedhislaunch。
ThediamondreallywasinNewYork，andtohimitseemedmorepolitictouseitasameansofsecuringMr。Grey’spermanentsilencethantoflythecountry，leavingamanbehindhimwhoknewhissecretandcouldprecipitatehisdoomwithaword。Hewould，therefore，gotoNewYork，playhislastgreatcardand，ifhelost，benoworseoffthanhewasnow。Hedidnotmeantolose。
Buthehadnotcalculatedonanyinherentweaknessinhimself，——
hadnotcalculatedonProvidence。Adishtumbledandwithitfellintochaosthefairstructureofhisdreams。Withthecryof\"Grizel！Grizel！\"hegaveuphissecret，hishopesandhislife。
Therewasnoretrievalpossibleafterthat。ThestarofAbnerFairbrotherhadset。
Mr。GreyandhisdaughterlearnedverysoonofmyrelationstoMr。Durand，butthroughtheprecautionsoftheinspectorandmyownpowersofself-control，nosuspicionhasevercrossedtheirmindsofthepartIonceplayedinthematterofthestiletto。
ThiswasamplyprovedbytheinvitationMr。DurandandIhavejustreceivedtospendourhoneymoonatDarlingtonManor。
