\"ImetDetectiveFergusononmywayhere，\"hestated。\"HetoldmethatthepolicewerelookingforRochester。\"
\"What？\"Hardinglookedup，startled。\"Whydidn’tyouinformmeofthat？\"
\"Well，Ithoughtwe’dbetterhearfromMr。ClymerthetruestateofRochester’sfinances，\"respondedTaylor。\"Ineveranticipatedsuchfactsashehasgivenus。\"
\"ButifyouknewthepolicewereafterRochester—\"objectedHarding。
Clymerbrokeintotheconversation;therewasaheavyfrownonhisusuallyplacidcountenance。\"IjudgedfromDetectiveFerguson’sconfidencestous，Kent，attheClubdeVingtthathewaswantedbythepoliceinconnectionwiththeTurnbulltragedy，butthefactsbroughtoutthroughHarding’sactiontoattachRochester’sbankaccount，putsadifferentconstructiononRochester’sdisappearance。\"
\"WhathadRochestertodowithJimmieTurnbull？\"questionedHarding，beforeKentcouldanswerClymer。
\"Theylivedtogether，\"herepliedshortly。
\"Andonediesandtheotherdisappears，\"Hardingwhistleddolefully。
\"Wasn’tMr。Turnbullanofficialofthisbank，Mr。Clymer？\"
\"Yes，ourcashier。\"
\"Werehisaffairsinvolved？\"
\"Notintheleast，\"Clymerspokewithemphasis。\"Amosthonorablefellow，JimmieTurnbull;hismurderwasashockingaffair。\"
\"Havethepolicefoundanymotiveforthecrime，Kent？\"askedTaylor。
\"Ibelievenot。\"
Harding，whohadbeenruminatinginsilence，leanedforward，hisexpressionalightwithasuddenidea。
\"CoulditbethatTurnbullfoundoutthatRochesterwaspassingforgedchecks，andRochesterinsuredhissilencebyPoisoninghim？\"
heasked。
ClymerandKentexchangedglances，asKent’sthoughtsrevertedtotheforgedletterpresentedbyTurnbulltothebank’streasurer，wherebyhehadbeengivenMcIntyre’svaluablenegotiablesecurities。
CoulditbethatRochesterhadwrittentheletter，givenittohisroom—mate，Turnbull，andthelatter，thinkingitgenuine，hadsecuredtheMcIntyresecuritiesandhandedthemovertoRochester？TheideatookKent’sbreathaway;andyet，themorehecontemplatedit，themorefeasibleitappeared。
\"What’sthedateonthosechecks？\"demandedKent。
\"Tuesdayofthisweek—thedayJimmieTurnbulldied。\"Clymerturnedthemover。\"Theyaredrawnpayabletocash，andbearnoendorsement，whichshowsRochestermusthavepresentedthemhimself。\"
HardingandTaylorglancedsignificantlyateachother，butneitherspoke。SuddenlyKentpushedbackhischairandrosewithoutceremony。
\"Don’tgo，Kent。\"Clymertookupsomepapers。\"There’samatter—\"
\"Itwillkeep。\"Kent’smouthwassetanddetermined。\"IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatallRochester’shonestdebtswillbepaidbythefirmifnecessary;Iwillobligatemyselftothatextent，\"hepaused。\"Asforyoufellows，\"turningtoHardingandTaylorwhohadalsorisen。\"Givemetwenty—fourhours—\"
\"Whatfor？\"theychorused。
\"To1ocatePhilipRochester，\"andwaitingfornoanswerKentboltedoutoftheoffice。
CHAPTERXV
WHENTHELIGHTFAILED
ThecitylightswerespringingupblockTafterblockalongPennsylvaniaAvenueasDetectiveFergusonleftthatbusythoroughfareandhurriedtotheSaratoga。Hesteppedinsidethelobbyoftheapartmenthouseafullminutebeforehisappointmentwithitsmanager，andwentatoncetolookhimup。BeforehecouldcarryouthispurposehewasjoinedbyHarryKent。
\"Finleyhadtogoout，\"thelatterexplained。
\"ItoldhimIwouldgouptoRochester’sapartmentwithyou。\"
Fergusonthoughtfullycaressedhisclean—shavenjawforasecond，thencametoarapiddecision。
\"Leadtheway，sir，\"hesaid。\"I’llfollow。\"KentfoundhimasilentcompanionwhileintheelevatorandwhenwalkingdownthecorridortoRochester’sapartment，butonceinsidethelivingroom，withtheouterdoortightlyclosed，Fergusontosseddownhishatandhiswholedemeanorchanged。
\"Sitdown，Mr。Kent。\"HeselectedachairnearRochester’sdeskforhimself，asKentfoundanother。\"Let’sthrashthisthingout;
areyouworkingwithmeoragainstme？\"
\"Whydoyouask？\"Kent’ssurpriseatthequestionwasevident。
\"BecauseeverytimeIarrangetoexaminethisapartmentorinquireintoRochester’swhereaboutsyoushowup。\"Ferguson’ssmalleyesweretryingtoout—stareKent，butthelatter’scleargazedidnotdropbeforehis。\"AreyouaidingPhilipRochesterinhiseffortstoeludearrest？\"
\"Iamnot，\"declaredKentemphatically。\"Whatpromptsthequestion？\"
\"ThefactthatyouareRochester’spartner，\"Fergusonpointedout;
hismannerwasstillstiff。\"Itwouldbeonlynaturalforyoutohelphimdisappearoutoffriendship，or\"—withasidelongglance—\"fromadesiretohushupascandal。\"
\"OnthecontraryIwantRochesterfoundandeverybitofevidenceagainsthimsiftedoutandaired，\"retortedKent。\"Twoheadsarebetterthanone，Ferguson;letusworktogether。Rochestermustbelocatedwithinthenexttwenty—fourhours。\"
Fergusondebatedamoment，butKent’sspeechaswellashismannerindicatedhissincerity，andthedetectiveshookoffhissuspicions。
\"Haveyouhadanyfurthernewsofyourpartner？\"heasked。
\"No;thatis\"—recallingthesceneinthebankearlythatafternoon—\"nothingthatrelatestoRochester’spresentwhereabouts。Now，Ferguson，toputyourchargesagainstRochesterinconcreteform，youbelievethathewasinsanelyjealousofJimmieTurnbull，thatherecognizedhiminthePoliceCourtinhisburglardisguise，slippedadoseofaconitineinaglassofwaterwhichTurnbulldrank，andafterdeclaringthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，disappeared。Isthatallthecaseyouhaveagainsthim？\"
\"Atpresent，yes，\"admittedthedetectivecautiously。
\"Allcircumstantialevidence—\"
\"Butitwillholdincourt—\"
\"Ah，willit？\"questionedKent。\"There’sonebigflawinyourcase，Ferguson;thepoisonusedtokillTurnbull。\"
\"Aconitine？\"
\"Exactly。YourtheoryisthatRochesterslippedthepoisonintheglassofwateronrecognizingTurnbullinthepolicecourt;now，itisstretchingprobabilitytosupposethatRochester，astronghealthyman，wascarryingthatdrugaroundinhisvestpocket。\"
Fergusonsatforwardinhischair，hiseyesglittering。\"DoyoumeantosaythatyouthinkthemurderofTurnbullwaspremeditatedandnotcommittedonthespurofthemoment？\"heasked。
\"Thefactthataconitinewasusedconvincesmeofthat，\"answeredKent。
Fergusonthoughtamoment。\"Ifthatisthecase，\"hesaid，grudgingly，\"itsortofsquashesthechargeagainstPhilipRochester。\"
\"Itwouldseemto，\"agreedKent。\"ButeveryshredofevidenceI
findpointstoRochesterastheguiltyman。\"
Fergusonedgedhischairforward。\"Whathaveyoudiscovered？\"hedemandedeagerly。
\"This，\"Kentspokewithincreasedearnestness。\"ThatPhilipRochesterisapparentlyabankrupt，thathehasover—drawnhisprivateaccountattheMetropolisTrustCompany，andwithdrawnourpartnershipfundsfromthesamebank。\"
\"Yourpartnershipfunds！\"echoedthedetective，eyeingKentsharply。
\"Howdidyoucometolethimdothat？\"
\"IwasnotawarethathehaddonesountilMr。Clymertoldmeofthetransactionthisafternoon，\"answeredKent。
\"Youdidnotknow\"—Fergusonlookedathimindawningcomprehension。
\"YoumeanRochesterabscondedwiththefunds？\"
\"Someoneforgedmynametochecksdrawnonthefirm’saccount，\"
Kentcontinued。\"IunderstoodtheyweremadepayabletocashandpresentedbyRochesteronthedayofTurnbull’sdeath。\"
Fergusonwhistledasaslightventtohisfeelings。\"SoyoususpectRochesterofbeingaforger？\"Kentmadenoreply，andheadded;
afteramoment’sdeliberation，\"WhatbearinghasthisdiscoveryonTurnbull’sdeath，asidefromRochester’sneedoffundstomakeacleandisappearance？\"
\"IfitistruethatRochesterwasfinanciallyembarrassedandforgedchecksontheMetropolisTrustCompany，itestablishesanothermotiveforthekillingofTurnbull，\"arguedKent。\"Turnbullwascashierofthatbank。\"
\"Isee;hemayhavediscoveredtheforgeries—butholdon。\"
Fergusoncheckedhisrapidspeech。\"Whenweretheseforgedcheckspresentedatthebank？\"
\"Tuesdayafternoon。\"
Ferguson’sfacefell。\"Pshaw！man;thatwasafterTurnbull’sdeath—howcouldhedetecttheforgeries？\"
Kentdidnotreplyatonce;instead，heglancedkeenlyaboutthelivingroom。Thedetectivehadonlyswitchedononeofthereadinglampsandthegreaterpartwasinshadow。Itwasapleasantandhome—likeroom，andKentwasconsciousofakeenerpangforthelossofJimmieTurnbullandthedisappearanceofPhilipRochester，ashegazedaround。Thelawyerandthebankcashierhadbeen，untilthatwinter，congenialcomrades，sharingtheirbusinesssuccessandtheirapartmentincompleteaccord;andnowashadowasblackasthatenvelopingtheunlightedapartmenthungovertheirgoodnames，threateningoneortheotherwiththechargeofforgeryandofmurder。Kentsighedandturnedbacktothesilentdetective。
\"IcanbestansweryourquestionbytellingyouthatthedayafterJimmieTurnbulldiedMr。Clymersentforme，\"hebegan。\"IfoundColonelMcIntyrewithhimandwastoldthattheColonelhadlostvaluablesecuritiesleftatthebank。ThesesecuritieshadbeengivenbythetreasurerofthebanktoJimmieTurnbullwhenhepresentedaletterfromColonelMcIntyreinstructingthebanktosurrenderthesecuritiestoJimmie。\"
\"Well？\"questionedFerguson。\"Goon，sir。\"
\"Thatletterwasaforgery。\"Kentsatbackandwatchedthedetective’srapidlychangingexpression。\"AndnotracehasbeenfoundoftheColonel’ssecurities，lastknowntobeinthepossessionofTurnbull。\"
\"Greatheavens！\"ejaculatedFerguson。
\"Whichwastheforger—TurnbullorRochester？\"
Kentshookapuzzledhead。\"Thatisforustodiscover，\"hesaidsoberly。\"ColonelMcIntyrecontendsthatTurnbullforgedtheletterandstolethesecurities，thenfearinghisguiltwouldbecomeknown，committedstillanothercrime—thatofsuicide，hecouldhaveswallowedadoseofaconitinewhileatthepolicecourt。\"
\"Well，I’llbe—blessed！\"ejaculatedFerguson。\"ButifhewastheforgerhowdoesthatsquarewithRochester’speculiarbehavior？
Thechecksbearingyourforgedsignatureswerepresented，mindyou，byRochesterafterTurnbull’sdeath？\"
\"Itdoesn’tsquare，\"acknowledgedKentfrankly。\"ThereisthistobesaidforTurnbull：hewasthesoulofhonor，hisaffairswerefoundtobeinexcellentcondition，hewasdrawingagoodsalary，hisinvestmentspayingwell—hedidnotneedtoacquiresecuritiesormoneybyresortingtoforgery。\"
\"WhereasPhilipRochesterwasonthepointofbankruptcy，\"remarkedFerguson。\"DoyousupposeheforgedColonelMcIntyre’sletterandgaveittoTurnbull，andthelattergotthesecuritiesfromthebanktreasurerandhandedthemovertoRochesteringoodfaith，supposinghisroom—matewouldgivethepaperstoColonelMcIntyre？\"
Kentnoddedinagreement。\"Itlooksthatwaytome，\"hesaidgloomily。\"PhilipRochesterstoodwellinthecommunity，hislawpracticeislargeandlucrative，andifithadnotbeenforhisperiodsofidlenessand—and\"—hesitating—\"passionforgoodliving，hewouldneverhaverunintodebt。\"
\"Buthegotthere。\"Ferguson’slaughwascontemptuous。\"A
desperatemanwilldoanything，Mr。Kent。\"
\"Iknow，\"Kentlookeddubious。\"Iwouldbelievehimguiltyifitwerenotfortheuseofaconitine—thatshowspremeditationonthepartofthemurderer。\"
\"Andwhyshouldn’tRochesterplanTurnbull’smurderaheadofthesceneinthepolicecourt？\"arguedFerguson。\"Wasn’thelivingindeadlyfearofexposure？Ifhedidnotcommitthemurder，whydidherunaway？Andifheisinnocent，whydoesn’thecomeforwardandproveit？\"
\"Hemaynotknowthatheissuspectedofthecrime，\"retortedKent，rising。\"ItisforustofindRochester，andIsuggestthatwesearchthisapartmentthoroughly。\"
\"Ihavealreadydoneso，\"objectedFerguson。\"Andtherewasn’tthefaintestclewtohishidingplace。\"
\"ForallthatIamnotsatisfied。\"Kentwalkedoverandswitchedonanotherlight。\"WhenIcamehereonWednesdaynightIhadatusslewithsomeman，butheescapedinthedarkwithoutmyseeinghim。IbelievehewasRochester。\"
\"Youareprobablyright。\"Fergusoncrossedtheroom。\"Andifhecamebackonce，hemayreturnagain。Comeahead，\"andheplungedintothefirstbedroom。Thetwomensubjectedeachroomtoanexhaustivesearch，buttheirlaborsweretheironlyreward;exceptforanaccumulationofdust，theapartmentwasundisturbed。Theyhadreachedthekitchenette—pantrywhenthegongovertheirheadssoundedloudly，andKent，withamutteredexclamationhastenedtowardthefrontdooroftheapartment。Ferguson，intentonstudyingthe\"L\"ofthebuildingasseenfromthewindow，washardlyconsciousofhisdeparture，andsomesecondselapsedbeforeheturnedtowardthedoor。Ashegainedit，hesawadarkshapedartdownthehall。WithaboundFergusonstartedinpursuit，andthenextsecondgrappledwiththeflyingmanjustastheelectriclightswentoutandtheywereplungedindarkness。
SuddenlyKent’svoiceechoeddownthehall。\"Comeherequick，Ferguson！\"
Therewasanoteofurgencyabouthisappeal，andFergusonstraininghismusclesuntilthebloodpoundedinhistemples，threwthestrugglingmanintoatuftedarm—chairwhichstoodbytheentrancetothesmalldiningroom，anddrawingouthishandcuffs，slippedthemonsecurely。\"Staythere，\"Fergusonadmonishedhisprisoner。
\"Ortherewillbeworsecomingtoyou，\"andhethrustthemuzzleofhisrevolveragainsttheman’sheavingchesttoillustratehismeaning;thenasKentcalledagain，hespeddownthehallandbroughtupbreathlessatthefrontdoor。Thelightwasstillburninginthecorridor，thoughnotverybrightly，andhesawKenthandthegrinningmessengerboyashinyquarter。Touchinghisbatteredcaptheboywentwhistlingaway。\"TelltheelevatorboytoreportthatafusehasburnedoutinMr。Rochester’sapartment，\"
Fergusoncalledafterhim，andtheladwavedhishandashedashedintotheelevator。
Payingnoattentiontothedetective’scall，Kentshowedhimawhiteenvelopewhichborethesimpleaddress：
PHILIPROCHESTER，ESQ。
THESARATOGA
\"It’stheidenticalenvelopeIfoundinyoursafe，\"declaredFerguson。
\"AndwhichdisappearedlastnightattheClubdeVingt。\"Kentturnedovertheenvelope。\"See，theredseal。\"
Foraminutethemencontemplatedthesealwiththelargedistinctiveletter\"B\"inthecenter。
\"Opentheletter，sir，\"FergusonurgedandKent，hisfingersfairlytrembling，jerkedandtoreatthelinenincasedenvelope;theflaprippedawayandheopenedtheenvelope—itwasempty。
Instinctivelythetwomenglanceddownattheparquetryflooring;
nothingbutathincoatingofdustlaythere，andKentlookedupanddownthecorridor;itwasdeserted。
\"Doyourecognizethehandwriting？\"askedFerguson。
\"No。\"Kentregardedtheenvelopeinbewilderment。\"Whatshallwedo？\"
\"Do？CalluptheDimeMessengerServiceandseewheretheenvelopecamefrom;butfirstcomeandseemyprisoner。
\"Yourprisoner？\"inprofoundastonishment。
\"Yes。Icaughthimchasingupthehallafteryou，\"explainedFergusonastheyhurriedlyretracedtheirsteps。\"Iputhandcuffsonhimandthenwenttoyou。Ah，here’sthelight！\"
\"Thelight，yes;butwhere’syourprisoner？\"andKent，whowasatrifleinadvanceofhiscompanioninreachingthediningroom，stoodasidetoletFergusonpasshim。
Thedetectivehaltedabruptly。Thechairintowhichhehadthrusthisprisonerwasvacant。Themanhaddisappeared。
WithoneaccordFergusonandKentadvancedclosetothechair，andanoathbrokefrom。thedetective。Onthecushionofthechair，stillbearingtheimpressofahumanbody，layapairofshiningnewhandcuffs。
DazedlyFergusonstoopedoverandexaminedthem。Theywerestillsecurelylocked。WheelingaroundKentdashedthroughthedoortohisrightandFerguson，collectinghiswits，searchedtherestoftheapartmentwithminutecare。FiveminuteslaterhecamefacetofacewithKentinthelivingroom。\"Notatraceofanykind，\"
declaredKent。\"It’sthesameastheothernight;theman’sgone。
It’s—it’spositivelyuncanny。\"
Ferguson’sfacewasredfrommortificationandhisexertionscombined。
\"Thefellowmusthaveslippedfromtheroombythatotherdoorandoutthroughthelivingroomaswecamedownthehail，\"hesaid。
\"Didyoushutthedooroftheapartment，Mr。Kent，beforecomingdownheretolookattheprisoner？\"
\"Yes。\"Kentledthewaybacktothediningroom。\"Didyourecognizetheman，Ferguson？\"
\"No。\"Thedetectivesworesoftlyashestaredabouttheroom。
\"ThelightswentoutjustasItackledhim。\"
\"Itwasbeastlyluckthatthefuseburnedoutatthatsecond，\"
groanedKent。\"Fortunewaswithhiminthat;buthowdidthemangetfreeofthehandcuffs？\"pointingtothemstilllyinginthechair。\"Wecan’tattributethattoluck，unless\"—staringkeenlyatFerguson—\"unlessyoudidnotsnapthemontheman’swrists，afterall。\"
\"Idid;Iswearit，\"declaredFerguson。\"I’mnonoviceatthatbusiness。Here，don’ttouchthem，Mr。Kent，\"ashiscompanionbenttowardthechair。\"Theremaybefingermarksonthesteel;ifso\"
—hedrewouthishandkerchief，andtakingcarenottohandletheburnishedmetal，hefoldedthehandcuffscarefullyinitandputtheminhiscoatpocket。\"There’snouselingeringhere，Mr。Kent;
thisapartmentisvacantnowexceptforus。ImustgettoHeadquarters。\"
\"Hadn’tyoubettertelephoneforanoperativeandstationhimhere？\"
suggestedKent。
\"Ididsowhileyouweresearchingthebackrooms，\"repliedFerguson。
\"There，\"asthegongsounded。\"That’sNelson，now。\"
ButthepersonwhostoodintheoutercorridorwhentheyopenedthefrontdoorwasnotNelson，theoperative，butDr。Stone。
\"CanIseeMr。Rochester？\"heasked，thencatchingsightofKentstandingjustbackofthedetective，headded，\"Hello，Kent;I
thoughtIheardsomeonewalkingaboutinherefrommyapartmentnextdoor，andconcludedRochesterhadreturned。CanIseehim？\"
\"N—no，\"Kentspokeslowly，withaside—glanceatthesilentdetective。\"Rochesterhasbeenhere—andleft。\"
CHAPTERXVI
THECRIMSONOUTLINE
BarbaraMcIntyremadetheroundofthelibraryforthefifthtime，testingeachofthesevendoorsopeningintoittoseethattheyereclosedbehindtheirportieres，thensheturnedbacktohersister，whosatcross—loggedbeforeasmallsafe。
\"Anyluck？\"sheaskedInsteadofreplyingHelenremovedthekeyfromthelockofthesteeldoorandregardeditattentively。Thesafewasofanobsoletepatternandinplaceofthecustomarycombinationlock，wasopenedbymeansofakey，uniqueinappearance。
\"Itiscertainlythekeywhichfathermislaidsixmonthsago，\"shedeclared。\"Grimesfounditjustafterfatherhadanewkeymadeandgaveittome。AndyetIcan’tgetthedooropen。\"
\"Letmetry。\"Barbaracroucheddownbyhersisterandinsertedthekeyagaininthelock，buthereffortsmetwithnoresults，andafterfiveminutes’steadymanipulationshegaveuptheattempt。
\"Iamafraiditisimpossible，\"sheadmitted。\"SeemstomeIhaveheardthatthelostkeywillnotopenasafeafteranewkeyhasbeensupplied。\"
Helenroseslowlytoherfeet，stretchinghercrampedlimbscarefullyasshedidso，andsankdowninthenearestchair。Herattitudeindicateddejection。
\"Thenwecan’tfindtheenvelope，\"shemuttered。\"Hurry，Babs，andclosetheouterdoor;fathermayreturnatanymoment。\"
Barbaraobeyedtheinjunctionwithsuchalacritythatthedoor，concealingthespaceinthewallwherestoodthesafe，flewtowithabangandthetwinsjumpednervously。
\"Takecare！\"exclaimedHelensharply。\"Doyouwishtoarousethehousehold？\"
\"Nodangerofthat。\"ButBarbaraglancedapprehensivelyaboutthelibraryinspiteofherreassuringstatement。\"Theservantsareeitheroutorupstairs，andMargaretBrewsteriswritinglettersinoursittingroom。\"
\"Hadn’tyoubettergoupstairsandjoinher？\"Helensuggested。\"Do，Babs，\"ashersisterhesitated。\"Icannotfeelsurethatshewillnotinterruptus。\"
\"Butmyjoiningherwon’tkeepMargaretupstairs，\"objectedBarbara。
\"No，butyoucancallandwarnmeifsheisonherwaydown，andthatwillgivemetimeto—tostraightenfather’spapers，\"goingovertoalargecarvedtablelitteredwithmagazines，letters，andsilverornaments。Hersisterdidnotmove，andsheglancedatherwithanirritatedair，veryforeigntohercustomarymanner。
\"Go，Barbara。\"
ThecurtcommandbroughtastarefromBarbara，butitdidnotaccelerateherhaltingfootsteps;insteadshemovedwithevengreaterslownesstowardthehalldoor;heractivebraintormentedwithanunspokenandunansweredquestion。WhywasHelensoanxiousforherdeparture？ShehadacceptedherofferofassistanceinhersearchofthelibrarywithsuchmarkedreluctancethatBarbarahadmarveledatthetime，andnow……
\"Areyouquitesure，Helen，thatfatherhadtheenvelopeinhispocketthismorning？\"sheaskedforthethirdtimesincethesearchbegan。
\"Hehadanenvelope—Icaughtaglimpseoftheredseal，\"answeredHelen。\"Then，justbeforedinnerhewasputtingsomepapersinthesafe。Oh，ifGrimeshadonlycomeinamomentsoonertoannouncedinner，Imighthavehadachancetolookinthesafebeforefatherclosedthedoor。\"
WhateverreplyBarbaraintendedmakingwascheckedbytherattlingoftheknobofthehalldoor;itturnedslowly，thedooropenedand，pushingasidetheportieresdrawnacrosstheentrance，MargaretBrewsterglidedin。\"Sogladtofindyou，\"shecooed。\"Butwhyhaveyoucloseduptheroomandturnedonallthelights？\"
\"Toseebetter，\"retortedBarbarapromptlyasthewidow’seyesrovedaroundthelargeroom，takingsilentnoteofthedrawncurtainsandportieres，andthesomewhatdisarrangedfurniture。\"Comeinside，Margaret，andhelpusinoursearch。\"
\"Forwhat？\"Thewidowtriedtokeephertonenatural，butacertainshrillalertnesscreptintoitandBarbara，whowaswatchingherclosely，wasquicktodetectthechange。Helen’scoloralteredatthequestion，andsheobservedthewidow’sentrancewithveiledhostility。
\"Formyseal，\"Barbaraanswered。\"Theonewiththebigletter’B。’
Haveyouseenit？\"
\"I？—No。\"ThewidowtookachairuninvitednearHelen。\"Youlooktired，Helendear;whydon’tyougotobed？\"
\"IcouldnotsleepifIdid。\"Helenpassedanervousfingeracrosshereyes。\"Butdon’tletmekeepyouandBabsup;itwon’ttakemelongtoarrangeto—morrow’smarketorderforGrimes。\"
UnderpretenseofsearchingforpencilandpaperHelencontrivedtoseetheaddressofeveryletterlyingonthetable，buttheenvelopeshesought，withitsredseal，wasnotamongthem。Whenshelookedupagain，pencilandpaperinhand，shefoundMrs。Brewsterleaninglazilybackandregardingherfromunderhalf—closedlids。\"Youareverylikeyourfather，Helen，\"shecommentedsoftly。
Thegirlstiffened。\"AmI？BabsandIaregenerallythoughttoresembleourmother。\"
\"Inappearance，yes;butImeanmannerisms—forinstance，thewayofholdingyourpencil，yourhandwriting，even，closelyresemblesyourfather’s。\"Mrs。BrewsterpointedtothenotesHelenwasscribblingonthepaperandtoanopenletterbearingColonelMcIntyre’ssignatureatthebottomofthesheetlyingbesidethepadtoillustratehermeaning。\"Thesearealmostidentical。\"
\"Youareacloseobserver。\"Helencompletedhermemorandumandlaiditaside。\"Whatbecameoffather？\"
\"HewenttoastagsupperattheWillard，\"chimedinBarbara，stoppingheraimlesswalkaboutthelibrary。\"Hesaidwewerenottowaitupforhim。\"
Helenpushedbackherchairandrosewithsomeabruptness。
\"IammoretiredthanIrealized，\"sheremarkedandinvoluntarilystretchedherwearymuscles。\"Come，Margaret，\"layingapersuasivehandonthewidow’sshoulder。\"BeatrumpandrubmyforeheadwithcologneasyouusedtodoabroadwhenIhadaheadache。Italwaysputmetosleepthen;and，oh，howIlongforsleepnow！\"
TherewasinfinitepathosinhervoiceandMrs。Brewstersprangupandthrewherarmaboutherinreadysympathy。
\"Youpoordarling！\"sheexclaimed。\"Letmeputyoutobed;Mammytaughtmetheartofsoothingfrayednerves。Comewithus，Babs，\"
holdingoutherlefthandtoBarbara。Butthelatter，withadexteroustwist，slippedawayfromhertouch。
\"Imuststayandstraightenthelibrary，\"sheannounced。
Mrs。Brewster’sdelicatecolorhaddeepened。\"Itwouldbeaswelltoopensomeofthedoors，\"sheagreedcoldly。\"Thelibrarylooksodd，nottosayfunereal，\"sheglanceddownthespaciousroomandshiveredeversoslightly。\"Do，Babs，putoutsomeofthelights;
theyareblinding。\"
\"Oh，I’llturnthemallout\"—Barbarasoughttheelectricswitch。
\"Butyourfather—\"
\"Noneedtoworryaboutfather;hecanfindhiswayaboutinthedarklikeacat，\"respondedBarbarawithunabatedcheerfulness。
\"Seemstome，Margaret，youandfatheraregettingmightychummythesedays。\"
ThesuddendarknessintowhichBarbara’simpatientfingers，pressingagainsttheelectriclightbuttons，plungedthelibraryanditsoccupants，preventedherseeingthecuriousglancewhichMrs。
Brewstershotather。Helen，whohadlistenedtotheirchatterwithgrowingimpatience，lookedbackoverhershoulder。
\"Hurry，Barbara，andcomeupstairs。Now，Margaret，\"andshepilotedthewidowalongthehalltowardthestaircasewithoutgivingheranopportunitytoanswerBarbara’slastremark。Barbara，pausingonlylongenoughtopullbacktheportieresofthehalldoorandarrangethemastheyhungcustomarily，turnedtogoupstairsjustasGrimescamedownthehallfromthediningroomcarryingalargetraywithpitchersoficewaterandglasses。
\"Ithoughtyouhadgonetoyourroom，Grimes，\"sheremarked，asthebutlerwaitedrespectfullyforhertopasshim。
\"I’vejustcomein，miss，andfoundMurrayhadleftthetrayinthediningroom，\"explainedGrimeshurriedly。\"Ihope，miss，I’llnotdisturbtheladiesbyknockingattheirdoorsnowwiththisicewater。\"
\"Oh，no，Mrs。BrewsterandMissHelenhaveonlyjustgoneupstairs。\"
Barbarapausedinfrontofthebutlerandpouredoutaglassofwater。
\"Ican’twait，Grimes，Iamtoothirsty。\"
\"Certainly，miss，that’sallright。\"Grimescranedhisheadaroundandlookedupanddownthehail，thenleaningoverheplacedthetrayonaconvenienttableandsteppedclosetoBarbara。
\"I’vebeenreadingthenewspapersverycarefully，miss，\"hebegan，takingcaretokeephisvoicelowered。\"EspeciallythatpartofMr。
Turnbull’sinquestwhichtellsaboutthepost—mortem。\"
\"Well，whatthen？\"askedBarbaraquicklyasthebutlerpausedandagainglancedupanddownthehall。
\"Justthis，miss，\"hespokealmostinawhisper。\"ThedoctorsdosaypoorMr。Turnbullwaspoisonedbyacca—aconitine，\"stumblingovertheword。\"It’sacuriousthing，miss，thatIbroughtsomeofthatverydrugintothishouselastSunday。\"
\"Youdid！\"Barbara’sfreshyoungvoiceroseinastonishment。
\"Hush，miss！\"Thebutlerraisedbothhands。\"Hush！\"Heglancedcautiouslyaround，thencontinued。\"ColonelMcIntyresentmetothedruggistwithaprescriptionfromDr。StoneforMrs。Brewsterwhenshehadromanticneuralgia。\"
\"Hadwhat？\"Barbaralookedpuzzled，thengiggled，buthermirthquicklyalteredtoseriousnessatsightofthebutler’sexpression。
\"Mrs。Brewsterhadatouchofrheumaticneuralgiathefirstofthemonth;doyourefertothat？\"
\"Yes，miss。\"Grimesspokemorerapidly，butkepthisvoicelowered。
\"ThedruggisttoldmewhatthepillswerewhenIexclaimedattheirsize—regularlittlepellets，nobiggerthanthat，\"hedemonstratedthesizewiththetipofhislittlefinger，andwouldhaveaddedmorebutthegongoverthefrontdoorrangoutwithsuchsuddennessthatbothheandBarbarastartedviolently。
\"Justamoment，miss，\"andhehurriedtothefrontbell，toreturnafterabriefcolloquywithamessengerboy，bearingaletter。
\"It’sforMrs。Brewster，miss，\"heexplained，asBarbaraheldoutherhand。
\"I’llgiveittoherandthisalso，\"Barbaratooktheenvelopeandasmallicepitcherandglass。\"Goodnight，Grimes。Oh，\"shestoppedmidwayupthestaircaseandwaitedforthebutlertoovertakeher，\"Grimes，towhomdidyougivetheaconitineonSunday？\"
\"Ididn’tgiveittonobody，miss。\"Thebutlerwasatrifleshortofbreath;hisyearsdidnotpermithimtokeeppacewiththetwins。
\"Iwasinagreathurryasthedruggistkeptmewaiting，andIhadtoserveteaatonce。\"
\"Butwhatdidyoudowiththeaconitinepills？\"demandedBarbara。
\"Ilefttheboxonthehailtable，miss—\"
\"Greatheavens！\"Barbarastaredatthebutler，thenwithoutawordsheracedupthestaircaseanddisappearedthroughtheopendoorofMrs。Brewster’sbedroom。
Thelightfromthehallshonethroughthetransomanddoorwayinsufficientvolumetoclearlyindicatethedifferentpiecesoffurniture，andBarbaraputthepitcherandglassonthebedstandandlaidtheletterwhichGrimeshadgivenheronthedressingtable，thenwentslowlyintoherownbedroom。Shecouldhearvoices，whichsherecognizedasthoseofhersisterandMrs。Brewster，comingfromHelen’sbedroom，butabsorbedinherownthoughtssheundressedinthedarkandcreptintobedjustasMrs。Brewsterpasseddownthehallwayandenteredherownroom。Thewidowhadtakenoffhereveninggownandslippersanddonnedabecomingwrapperbeforeshediscoveredtheletterlyingonthedresser。
Drawingupachairshedroppedintoit，letdownherlongdarkhair，andsettledbackinluxuriantcomfortagainstthetuftedupholsterybeforesheranherwell—manicuredfingerundertheflapoftheenvelope。AslipofpaperfellintoherlapasshetookoutthecontentsoftheenvelopeandsheletitresttherewhilescanningthecloselytypewrittenlinesontheMetropolisTrustCompanystationery。
DearMrs。Brewster，sheread。Ourbankteller，Mr。McDonald，hasquestionedthegenuinenessofthesignatureontheinclosedcheck。
Animportantbusinessengagementpreventsmycallingto—night，butpleasestopatthebankearlyto—morrowmorning。
Ifeelthatyouwouldprefertohaveapersonalinvestigationmaderatherthanhaveusplacethematterinthehandsofthepolice。
Yoursfaithfully，BENJAMINA。CLYMER。
Thewidowreadthenoteanumberoftimes，thenbethinkingherself，shepickedupthecanceledcheckstilllyinginherlap，andturneditover。Longandintentlyshestudiedthesignature—thepeculiarlycharacteristicformationoftheletter\"B\"caughtandheldherattention。Asthesecondstickedthemselvesintominutesshesatimmovable，herfaceaswhiteasthehandonwhichshehadbowedherhead。
AcrossthehallHelenMcIntyretossedfromonesidetotheotherinhersoftbed;herrestlesslongingtogetupwasgrowingstrongerandstronger。WhileMrs。Brewster’sdeftfingersandthecoolingcolognehadstoppedthethrobbinginhertemples，theyhadbroughtonlytemporaryreliefintheirtrainandnotthesleepwhichHelencraved。
Shestrainedherearstodiscoverthetimebythetickingofherclock，buteitheritwasbetweenthehalforquartersofanhour，orithadstopped，fornochimessounded。Withagaspofexasperation，Helenflungbackthebedclothesandsatup。Switchingonthelightbythesideofherbedshehuntedforabook，butnotfindingany，shecontemplatedforashortspaceoftimeapairofrubber—heeledshoesjustshowingthemselvesundertheedgeofachair。
Withsuddendecisionsheleftthebedanddressedrapidly。Itwasnotuntilshehadputonherrubber—heeledshoesthatshepaused。
Herhesitation，however，wasbutbrief。Steppingtothebureau，shepulledoutalowerdrawerandrunningherhandinside，touchedaconcealedspring。Fromthecavitythusexposedshetookasmallautomaticpistol，andwithastealthyglanceabouther，creptfromtheroom。
Thelibraryhadbeenvacantfullyanhourwhenamouse，intentonmakingaraidonthecandywhichBarbarahadcarelesslyleftlyinglooseononeofthetables，pausedasafaintcreakingsoundbrokethestillness，thenasthenoiseincreased，themousescurriedbacktoitshole。Thenoiseresembledtheturningofrustyhingesandthesoftthudofonepieceofwoodstrikinganother。Therewasastrainedsilence，then，fromoutofthedarknessappearedatinystreamoflightdirectedfullonawhiteenvelopebearingalargeredseal。
Thenextinstanttheenvelopewaspluckedfromthehandholdingit，andafigurelaycrumpledonthefloorfromtheblowofadescendingweapon。
Itwascloselyapproachingoneo’clockinthemorningbeforeMrs。
Brewsterstirredfromhercomfortablebedroomchair。Takingupherelectrictorch，whichshekeptalwaysbythesideofherbed，shewalkedquicklydownthestaircaseandintothepitchdarklibrary。
Directinghertorch—lightsothatshesteeredasafecourseamongthechairsandtables，sheapproachedoneofthepiecesofcarvedVenetianfurnitureandreachedoutherhandtotouchatrap—door。
Asshelookedforthespringshewashorrifiedtoseeathinstreamofbloodoozingthroughthecarvinguntil，reachingtheletter\"B，\"itoutlinedthatinitialinsinisterred。
ScreamafterscreambrokefromMrs。Brewster。ShewasswayinguponherfeetbythetimeColonelMcIntyreandhisdaughterHelenreachedthelibrary。
\"Margaret！Whatisit？\"McIntyredemanded。\"Calmyourself，mydarling。\"
Thefrenziedwomanshookoffhissoothinghand。
\"See，see！\"shecriedandpointedwithhertorch。
\"ShemeanstheVenetiancasket，\"explainedHelen，whohadpausedbeforejoiningthemtoswitchonthelight。
ColonelMcIntyregazedinamazementatthepieceoffurniture;
thencatchingsightoftheblood—stain，heraisedthesmalltrap—doororpeephole，inthetopoftheoblongboxwhichstoodbreasthigh，supportedonabeautifullycarvedbase。
Therewasabreathlesspause;thenMcIntyreunceremoniouslyjerkedtheelectrictorchfromMrs。Brewster’snervousfingersandturneditsraysoftheinteriorofthecasket。Stretchedatfulllengthlaythefigureofaman，andfromawoundinhistempleflowedasteadystreamofblood。
\"GoodGod！\"McIntyrestaggeredbackagainstHelen。\"Grimes！\"
CHAPTERXVII
AQUESTIONOFH0USE—BREAKING
ThegenialpresidentoftheMetropolisTrustCompanywaslate。
Mrs。Brewster，waitinginhiswell—appointedoffice，restrainedherill—temperonlybyanexertionofwill—power。Shedetestedbeingkeptwaiting，andthatmorningshehadmanyerrandstoattendtobeforetheluncheonhour。
\"MayIuseyourtelephone？\"sheaskedMr。Clymer’ssecretary，andtheyoungmanrosewithalacrityfromhisdesk。Mrs。Brewsterneverknewwhatitwastolackattention，evenherownsexwereknownonoccasionstogivehergownsand，（whatcaptiouscriticstermedher\"frivolousconduct\"）undividedattention。
\"CanIlookupthenumberforyou？\"thesecretaryaskedasMrs。
Brewstertookupthetelephonebookandfumbledforthegoldchainofherlorgnette。
\"Oh，thankyou，\"hersmileshowedeachprettydimple。\"IwishtospeaktoMr。Kent，ofthefirmofRochesterandKent。\"
\"HarryKent？\"Theyoungsecretarydroppedthebookwithoutlookingatit，andgaveanumbertotheoperator，andthenhandedtheinstrumenttoMrs。Brewster。
\"Mr。Kentnotin，didyousay？\"askedthewidow。\"Whoisspeaking？
Ah，Mr。Sylvester—hasMr。Rochesterreturned？—Bothpartnersaway\"……shepaused……\"I’llcalllater—Mrs。Brewster，goodmorning。\"
Mrs。Brewsterhungupthereceiverandturnedtothesecretary。
