ItstruckmethatmysafestwayofintroducingmyselfwouldbetotellDoctorDulciferthatIhadcometotheneighborhoodforalittlefishing，andsotopreventhimfromfancyingthatIwassuspiciouslypromptinavailingmyselfofhisofferedhospitality。Iputup，ofcourse，attheinn——stuckalargeparchmentbookofflieshalfinandhalfoutofthepocketofmyshooting-jacket——andsetoffatoncetothedoctor's。ThewaiterofwhomIaskedmywaystareddistrustfullywhilehedirectedme。
Thepeopleattheinnhadevidentlyheardofmynewfriend，andwerenotfavorablydisposedtowardthecauseofscientificinvestigation。
Thehousestoodaboutamileoutofthetown，inadipofgroundnearthefamousfishing-stream。Itwasalonely，old-fashionedred-brickbuilding，surroundedbyhighwalls，withagardenandplantationbehindit。
AsIrangatthegate-bell，Ilookedupatthehouse。Sureenoughallthetopwindowsinfrontwereclosedwithshuttersandbarred。Iwasletinbyamaninlivery；who，however，inmannersandappearance，lookedmuchmorelikeaworkmanindisguisethanafootman。Hehadaverysuspiciouseye，andhefixeditonmeunpleasantlywhenIhandedhimmycard。
Iwasshownintoamorning-roomexactlylikeothermorning-roomsincountryhouses。
Afteralongdelaythedoctorcamein，withscientificbutchers'
sleevesonhisarms，andanaprontiedroundhisportlywaist。Heapologizedforcomingdowninhisworkingdress，andsaideverythingthatwascivilandproperaboutthepleasureofunexpectedlyseeingmeagainsosoon。Therewassomethingratherpreoccupied，Ithought，inthosebrightlyresoluteeyesofhis；
butInaturallyattributedittotheengrossinginfluenceofhisscientificinquiries。HewasevidentlynotatalltakeninbymystoryaboutcomingtoBarkinghamtofish；buthesaw，aswellasIdid，thatitwoulddotokeepupappearances，andcontrivedtolookhighlyinterestedimmediatelyinmyparchment-book。Iaskedafterhisdaughter。Hesaidshewasinthegarden，andproposedthatweshouldgoandfindher。Wedidfindher，withapairofscissorsinherhand，outbloomingtheflowersthatshewastrimming。Shelookedreallygladtoseeme——herbrowneyesbeamedclearandkindly——shegavemyhandanotherinestimableshake——thesummerbreezeswavedherblackcurlsgentlyupwardfromherwaist——shehadonastrawhatandabrownHollandgardeningdress。Ieyeditwithallthepracticalinterestofalinendraper。OBrownHollandyouarebutacoarseandcheapfabric，yethowsoftandpricelessyoulookwhenclothingthefigureofAlicia!
Ilunchedwiththem。Thedoctorrecurredtothesubjectofmyanglingintentions，andaskedhisdaughterifshehadheardwhatpartsofthestreamatBarkinghamwerebestforfishingin。
Shereplied，withamixtureofmodestevasivenessandadorablesimplicity，thatshehadsometimesseengentlemenanglingfromameadow-bankaboutaquarterofamilebelowherflower-garden。I
riskedeverythinginmyusualventuresomeway，andaskedifshewouldshowmewheretheplacewas，incaseIcalledthenextmorningwithmyfishing-rod。Shelookeddutifullyatherfather。
Hesmiledandnodded。Inestimableparent!
Onrisingtotakeleave，Iwasrathercurioustoknowwhetherhewouldoffermeabedinthehouse，ornot。Hedetectedthedirectionofmythoughtsinmyfaceandmanner，andapologizedfornothavingabedtoofferme；everyspareroominthehousebeingoccupiedbyhischemicalassistants，andbythelumberoflaboratories。Evenwhilehewasspeakingthosefewwords，Alicia'sfacechangedjustasIhadseenitchangeatourfirstinterview。Thedowncast，gloomyexpressionoverspreaditagain。
Herfather'seyewanderedtowardherwhenminedid，andsuddenlyassumedthesamedistrustfullookwhichIremembereddetectinginit，undersimilarcircumstances，atDuskydale。Whatcouldthismean？
Thedoctorshookhandswithmeinthehall，leavingtheworkman-likefootmantoopenthedoor。
Istoppedtoadmireafinepairofstag'santlers。Thefootmancoughedimpatiently。Istilllingered，hearingthedoctor'sfootstepsascendingthestairs。Theysuddenlystopped；andthentherewasalowheavyclang，likethesoundofaclosingdoormadeofiron，orofsomeotherunusuallystrongmaterial；thentotalsilence，interruptedbyanotherimpatientcoughfromtheworkman-likefootman。Afterthat，Ithoughtmywisestproceedingwouldbetogoawaybeforemymysteriousattendantwasdriventopracticalextremities。
BetweenthoughtsofAlicia，andinquisitiveyearningstoknowmoreaboutthedoctor'sexperiments，Ipassedratherarestlessnightatmyinn。
Thenextmorning，Ifoundthelovelymistressofmydestiny，withthesoftestofshawlsonhershoulders，thebrightestofparasolsinherhand，andthesmartlittlestrawhatofthedaybeforeonherhead，readytoshowmethewaytothefishing-place。IfI
couldbesurebeforehandthatthesepageswouldonlybereadbypersonsactuallyoccupiedinthemakingoflove——thatoldestandlongest-establishedofallbranchesofmanufacturingindustry——I
couldgointosomeverytenderandinterestingparticularsonthesubjectofmyfirstday'sfishing，undertheadorableauspicesofAlicia。ButasIcannothopeforawhollysympatheticaudience——astheremaybemonks，misogynists，politicaleconomists，andotherprofessedlyhard-heartedpersonspresentamongthosewhomInowaddress——Ithinkitbesttokeeptosafegeneralities，andtodescribemylove-makinginasfewsentencesasthevast，thoughsoft，importanceofthesubjectwillallowmetouse。
Letmeconfess，then，thatIassumedthecharacterofafastidiousangler，andmanagedtobeaweekindiscoveringtherightplacetofishin——always，itisunnecessarytosay，underAlicia'sguidance。Wewentupthestreamanddownthestream，ononeside。Wecrossedthebridge，andwentupthestreamanddownthestreamontheother。Wegotintoapunt，andwentupthestreamwithgreatdifficulty，anddownthestreamwithgreatease。Welandedonalittleisland，andwalkedallroundit，andinspectedthestreamattentivelyfromacentralpointofview。Wefoundtheislanddamp，andwentbacktothebank，andupthestream，andoverthebridge，anddownthestreamagain；andthen，forthefirsttime，thesweetgirlturnedappealinglytome，andconfessedthatshehadexhaustedherartlessknowledgeofthelocality。ItwasexactlyaweekfromthedaywhenIhadfirstfollowedherintothefieldswithmyfishing-rodovermyshoulder；andIhadneveryetcaughtanythingbutAlicia'shand，andthatnotwithmyhook。
Wesatdownclosetogetheronthebank，entirelyinconsequenceofourdespairatnotfindingagoodfishing-place。Ilookedatthebrowneyes，andtheyturnedawayobservantlydownthestream。
Ifollowedthem，andtheyturnedawayinquiringlyupthestream。
Wasthisangelofpatienceandkindnessstilllookingforafishingplace？Andwasit_up_thestream，afterall？No!——shesmiledandshookherheadwhenIaskedthequestion，andthebrowneyessuddenlystolealookatme。IcouldholdoutnolongerInonebreathlessmomentIcaughtholdofbothherhands——inonestammeringsentenceIaskedherifshewouldbemywife。
Shetriedfaintlytofreeherhands——gaveuptheattempt——smiled——madeanefforttolookgrave——gavethatup，too——sighedsuddenly——checkedherselfsuddenly——saidnothing。
PerhapsIoughttohavetakenmyanswerforgranted；buttheleastbusiness-likemanthateverlivedbecomesaneminentlypracticalcharacterinmattersoflove。Irepeatedmyquestion。
Shelookedawayconfusedly；hereyelightedonacornerofherfather'sred-brickhouse，peepingthroughagapintheplantationalreadymentioned；andherblushingcheekslosttheircolorinstantly。Ifeltherhandsgrowcold；shedrewthemresolutelyoutofmine，androsewiththetearsinhereyes。HadIoffendedher？
"No，"shesaidwhenIaskedherthequestion，andturnedtomeagain，andheldoutherhandwithsuchfrank，fearlesskindness，thatIalmostfellonmykneestothankherforit。
MightIhopeevertohearhersay"Yes"tothequestionthatI
hadaskedontheriverbank？
Shesighedbitterly，andturnedagaintowardthered-brickhouse。
Wasthereanyfamilyreasonagainsthersaying"Yes"？AnythingthatImustnotinquireinto？Anyoppositiontobedreadedfromherfather？
ThemomentImentionedherfather，sheshrankawayfrommeandburstintoaviolentfitofcrying。
"Don'tspeakofitagain!"shesaidinabrokenvoice。"I
mustn't——youmustn't——ah，don't，don'tsayawordmoreaboutit!
I'mnotdistressedwithyou——itisnotyourfault。Don'tsayanything——leavemequietforaminute。Ishallsoonbebetterityouleavemequiet。”
Shedriedhereyesdirectly，withashiverasifitwascold，andtookmyarm。Iledherbacktothehouse-gate；andthen，feelingthatIcouldnotgointolunchasusual，afterwhathadhappened，saidIwouldreturntothefishing-place。
"ShallIcometodinnerthisevening？"Iasked，asIrangthegate-bellforher。
"Oh，yes——yes!——docome，orhe——"
Themysteriousman-servantopenedthedoor，andwepartedbeforeshecouldsaythenextwords。
CHAPTERVIII。
IWENTbacktothefishing-placewithaheavyheart，overcomebymournfulthoughts，forthefirsttimeinmylife。Itwasplainthatshedidnotdislikeme，andequallyplainthattherewassomeobstacleconnectedwithherfather，whichforbadehertolistentomyofferofmarriage。Fromthetimewhenshehadaccidentallylookedtowardthered-brickhouse，somethinginhermannerwhichitisquiteimpossibletodescribe，hadsuggestedtomymindthatthisobstaclewasnotonlysomethingshecouldnotmention，butsomethingthatshewaspartlyashamedof，partlyafraidof，andpartlydoubtfulabout。Whatcoulditbe？Howhadshefirstknownit？Inwhatwaywasherfatherconnectedwithit？
Inthecourseofourwalksshehadtoldmenothingaboutherselfwhichwasnotperfectlysimpleandunsuggestive。
HerchildhoodhadbeenpassedinEngland。Afterthat，shehadlivedwithherfatherandmotheratParis，wherethedoctorhadmanyfriends——forallofwhomsherememberedfeelingmoreorlessdislike，withoutbeingabletotellwhy。TheyhadthencometoEngland，andhadlivedinlodgingsinLondon。Foratimetheyhadbeenmiserablypoor。But，afterhermother'sdeath——asuddendeathfromheartdisease——therehadcomeachangeintheiraffairs，whichshewasquiteunabletoexplain。Theyhadremovedtotheirpresentabode，togivethedoctorfullaccommodationforthecarryingonofhisscientificpursuits。HeoftenhadoccasiontogotoLondon；butnevertookherwithhim。Theonlywomanathomenow，besideherself，wasanelderlyperson，whoactedascookandhousekeeper，andwhohadbeenintheirserviceformanyyears。Itwasverylonelysometimesnothavingacompanionofherownageandsex；butshehadgottolerablyusedtobearit，andtoamuseherselfwithherbooks，andmusic，andflowers。
Thusfarshechattedaboutherselfquitefreely；butwhenI
tried，eveninthevaguestmanner，toleadherintodiscussingthecausesofherstrangelysecludedlife，shelookedsodistressed，andbecamesosuddenlysilent，thatInaturallyrefrainedfromsayinganotherwordonthattopic。Oneconclusion，however，IfelttolerablysurethatIhaddrawncorrectlyfromwhatshesaid:herfather'sconducttowardher，thoughnotabsolutelyblamableorgrosslyneglectfulonanypoint，hadstillneverbeenofanaturetomakeherardentlyfondofhim。Heperformedtheordinaryparentaldutiesrigidlyandrespectablyenough；buthehadapparentlynotcaredtowinallthefiliallovewhichhisdaughterwouldhavebestowedonamoreaffectionateman。
When，afterreflectingonwhatAliciahadtoldme，IbegantocalltomindwhatIhadbeenabletoobserveformyself，Ifoundamplematerialstoexcitemycuriosityinrelationtothedoctor，ifnotmydistrust。
IhavealreadydescribedhowIheardtheclangoftheheavydoor，ontheoccasionofmyfirstvisittothered-brickhouse。Thenextday，whenthedoctoragaintookleaveofmeinthehall，I
hitonaplanforseeingthedooraswellashearingit。I
dawdledonmywayout，tillIheardtheclangagain；thenpretendedtoremembersomeimportantmessagewhichIhadforgottentogivetothedoctor，andwithalookofinnocenthurryranupstairstoovertakehim。Thedisguisedworkmanranaftermewithashoutof"Stop!"Iwasconvenientlydeaftohim——reachedthefirstfloorlanding——andarrivedatadoorwhichshutoffthewholestaircasehigherup；anirondoor，assolidasifitbelongedtoabanker'sstrong-room，andguardedmillionsofmoney。Ireturnedtothehall，inattentivetotheservant'snotover-civilremonstrances，and，sayingthatIwouldwaittillI
sawthedoctoragain，leftthehouse。
Thenextdaytwopale-lookingmen，inartisancostume，cameuptothegateatthesametimeasIdid，eachcarryingalongwoodenboxunderhisarm，stronglyboundwithiron。Itriedtomakethemtalkwhilewewerewaitingforadmission，butneitherofthemwouldgobeyond"Yes，"or"No"；andbothhad，tomyeyes，someunmistakablysinisterlinesintheirfaces。Thenextdaythehouskeepingcookcametothedoor——abuxomoldwomanwithalookandareadysmile，andsomethinginhermannerwhichsuggestedthatshehadnotbegunlifequitesorespectablyasshewasnowendingit。Sheseemedtobedecidedlysatisfiedwithmypersonalappearance；talkedtomeonindifferentmatterswithgreatglibness；butsuddenlybecamesilentanddiplomaticthemomentI
lookedtowardthestairandaskedinnocentlyifshehadtogoupanddownthemofteninthecourseoftheday。Asforthedoctorhimselfhewasunapproachableonthesubjectofthemysteriousupperregions。IfIintroducedchemistryingeneralintotheconversationhebeggedmenottospoilhishappyholidayhourswithhisdaughterandme，byleadinghimbacktohiswork-a-daythoughts。IfIreferredtohisownexperimentsinparticularhealwaysmadeajokeaboutbeingafraidofmychemicalknowledge，andofmywishingtoanticipatehiminhisdiscoveries。Inbrief，afteraweek'srunofthelowerregions，theupperpartofthered-brickhouseandtheactualnatureofitsowner'soccupationsstillremainedimpenetrablemysteriestome，pry，ponder，andquestionasImight。
Thinkingofthisontheriver-bank，inconnectionwiththedistressingscenewhichIhadjusthadwithAlicia，Ifoundthatthemysteriousobstacleatwhichshehadhinted，themysteriouslifeledbyherfather，andthemysterioustopofthehousethathadhithertodefiedmycuriosity，allthreeconnectedthemselvesinmymindaslinksofthesamechain。TheobstacletomymarryingAliciawasthethingthatmosttroubledme。IfIonlyfoundoutwhatitwas，andifImadelightofitwhichIwasresolvedbeforehandtodo，letitbewhatitmight，Ishouldmostprobablyendbyovercomingherscruples，andtakingherawayfromtheominousred-brickhouseinthecharacterofmywife。ButhowwasItomaketheall-importantdiscovery？
Cudgelingmybrainsforananswertothisquestion，Ifellatlastintoreasoninguponit，byaprocessofnaturallogic，somethingafterthisfashion:Themysterioustopofthehouseisconnectedwiththedoctor，andthedoctorisconnectedwiththeobstaclewhichhasmadewretchednessbetweenAliciaandme。IfI
canonlygettothetopofthehouse，Imaygetalsototherootoftheobstacle。Itisadangerousandanuncertainexperiment；
but，comewhatmayofit，Iwilltryandfindout，ifhumaningenuitycancompassthemeans，whatDoctorDulcifer'soccupationreallyis，ontheothersideofthatirondoor。
Havingcometothisresolutionandderiving，letmeadd，parenthetically，greatconsolationfromit，thenextsubjectofconsiderationwasthebestmethodofgettingsafelyintothetopregionsofthehouse。
Pickingthelockoftheirondoorwasoutofthequestion，fromtheexposednatureofthesituationwhichthatmysteriousironbarrieroccupied。Myonlypossiblewaytothesecondfloorlaybythebackofthehouse。Ihadlookedupatittwoorthreetimes，whilewalkinginthegardenafterdinnerwithAlicia。WhathadI
broughtawayinmymemoryastheresultofthatcasualinspectionofmyhost'sbackpremises？Severalfragmentsofusefulinformation。
Inthefirstplace，oneofthemostmagnificentvinesIhadeverseengrewagainstthebackwallofthehouse，trainedcarefullyonastrongtrellis-work。Inthesecondplace，themiddlefirst-floorbackwindowlookedoutonalittlestonebalcony，builtonthetopoftheporchoverthegardendoor。Inthethirdplace，thebackwindowsofthesecondfloorhadbeenopen，oneachoccasionwhenIhadseenthem——mostprobablytoairthehouse，whichcouldnotbeventilatedfromthefrontduringthehotsummerweather，inconsequenceoftheshut-upconditionofallthewindowsthereabouts。Inthefourthplace，hardbythecoach-houseinwhichDoctorDulcifer'sneatgigwasputup，therewasatool-shed，inwhichthegardenerkepthisshortpruning-ladder。Inthefifthandlastplace，outsidethestableinwhichDoctorDulcifer'sbloodmarelivedinluxurioussolitude，wasadog-kennelwithalargemastiffchainedtoitnightandday。IfIcouldonlyridmyselfofthedog——agaunt，half-starvedbrute，madesavageandmangybyperpetualconfinement——Ididnotseeanyreasontodespairofgettinginundiscoveredatoneofthesecond-floorwindows——providedI
waiteduntilasufficientlylatehour，andsucceededinscalingthegardenwallatthebackofthehouse。
LifewithoutAliciabeingnotworthhaving，Ideterminedtoriskthethingthatverynight。
GoingbackatoncetothetownofBarkingham，Iprovidedmyselfwithashortbitofrope，alittlebull's-eyelantern，asmallscrewdriver，andanicebitofbeefchemicallyadaptedforthesoothingoftroublesomedogs。Ithendressed，disposedofthesethingsneatlyinmycoatpockets，andwenttothedoctor'stodinner。Inonerespect，Fortunefavoredmyaudacity。Itwasthesultriestdayofthewholeseason——surelytheycouldnotthinkofshuttingupthesecond-floorbackwindowsto-night!
Aliciawaspaleandsilent。Thelovelybrowneyes，whentheylookedatme，saidasplainlyasinwords，"Wehavebeencryingagreatdeal，Frank，sincewesawyoulast。”Thelittlewhitefingersgavemineasignificantsqueeze——andthatwasallthereferencethatpassedbetweenustowhathappenedinthemorning。
Shesatthroughthedinnerbravely；but，whenthedessertcame，leftusforthenight，withafewshy，hurriedwordsabouttheexcessiveheatoftheweatherbeingtoomuchforher。Irosetoopenthedoor，andexchangedalastmeaninglookwithher，asshebowedandwentbyme。LittledidIthinkthatIshouldhavetoliveuponnothingbuttheremembranceofthatlookformanywearydaysthatwereyettocome。
Thedoctorwasinexcellentspirits，andalmostoppressivelyhospitable。Wesatsociablychattingoverourclarettillpasteighto'clock。Thenmyhostturnedtohisdesktowritealetterbeforethepostwantout；andIstrolledawaytosmokeacigarinthegarden。
Second-floorbackwindowsallopen，atmosphereassultryasever，gardener'spruning-ladderquitesafeinthetool-shed，savagemastiffinhiskennelcrunchinghisbonesforsupper。Good。Thedogwillnotbevisitedagaintonight:Imaythrowmymedicatedbitofbeefatonceintohiskennel。Iactedontheideaimmediately；thedogseizedhispieceofbeef；Iheardasnap，awheeze，achoke，andagroan——andtherewasthemastiffdisposedof，insidethekennel，wherenobodycouldfindoutthathewasdeadtillthetimecameforfeedinghimthenextmorning。
Iwentbacktothedoctor；wehadasocialglassofcoldbrandy-and-watertogether；Ilightedanothercigar，andtookmyleave。Myhostbeingtoorespectableamannottokeepearlycountryhours，Iwentaway，asusual，aboutten。Themysteriousman-servantlockedthegatebehindme。IsaunteredontheroadbacktoBarkinghamforaboutfiveminutes，thenstruckoffsharpfortheplantation，lightedmylanternwiththehelpofmycigarandabrimstonematchofthatbarbarousperiod，shutdowntheslideagain，andmadeforthegardenwall。
Itwasformidablyhigh，andgarnishedhorriblywithbrokenbottles；butitwasalsoold，andwhenIcametopickatthemortarwithmyscrew-driver，Ifounditreasonablyrottenwithageanddamp。
Iremovedfourbrickstomakefootholesindifferentpositionsupthewall。Itwasdesperatelyhardandlongwork，easyasitmaysoundindescription——especiallywhenIhadtoholdonbythetopofthewall，withmyflatoperahatasweusedtocallitinthosedayslaid，asaguard，betweenmyhandandtheglass，whileIclearedawaythroughthesharpbottle-endsformyotherhandandmyknees。Thisdone，mygreatdifficultywasvanquished；
andIhadonlytodropluxuriouslyintoaflower-bedontheothersideofthewall。
Perfectstillnessinthegarden:nosignofalightanywhereatthebackofthehouse:first-floorwindowsallshut:second-floorwindowsstillopen。Ifetchedthepruning-ladder；putitagainstthesideoftheporch；tiedoneendofmybitofropetothetoproundofit；tooktheotherendinmymouth，andpreparedtoclimbtothebalconyovertheporchbythethickvinebranchesandthetrellis-work。
Nomanwhohashadanyrealexperienceoflifecanhavefailedtoobservehowamazinglyclose，incriticalsituations，thegrotesqueandtheterrible，thecomicandtheserious，contrivetotreadoneachother'sheels。Atsuchtimes，thelastthingweoughtproperlytothinkofcomesintoourheads，ortheleastconsistenteventthatcouldpossiblybeexpectedtohappendoesactuallyoccur。WhenIputmylifeindangeronthatmemorablenight，byputtingmyfootonthetrellis-work，Iabsolutelythoughtofthenever-dyingLadyMalkinshawplungedinrefreshingslumber，andofthefranticexclamationsMr。Batterburywouldutterifhesawwhatherladyship'sgrandsonwasdoingwithhispreciouslifeandlimbsatthatcriticalmoment。Iamnohero——I
wasfullyawareofthedangertowhichIwasexposingmyself；andyetIprotestthatIcaughtmyselflaughingundermybreath，withthemostoutrageousinconsistency，attheinstantwhenIbegantheascentofthetrellis-work。
Ireachedthebalconyovertheporchinsafety，dependingmoreuponthetoughvinebranchesthanthetrellis-workduringmyascent。Mynextemploymentwastopullupthepruning-ladder，assoftlyaspossible，bytheropewhichIheldattachedtoit。Thisdone，Iputtheladderagainstthehousewall，listened，measuredthedistancetotheopensecond-floorwindowwithmyeye，listenedagain——and，findingallquiet，beganmysecondandlastascent。Theladderwascomfortablylong，andIwasconvenientlytall；myhandwasonthewindow-sill——Imountedanothertworounds——andmyeyeswerelevelwiththeinterioroftheroom。
Supposeanyoneshouldbesleepingthere!
IlistenedatthewindowattentivelybeforeIventuredontakingmylanternoutofmycoatpocket。Thenightwassoquiteandairlessthattherewasnotthefaintestrustleamongtheleavesinthegardenbeneathmetodistractmyattention。Ilistened。
Thebreathingofthelightestofsleepersmusthavereachedmyear，throughthatintensestillness，iftheroomhadbeenabedroom，andthebedwereoccupied。Iheardnothingbutthequickbeatofmyownheart。Theminutesofsuspensewerepassingheavily——Ilaidmyotherhandoverthewindow-sill，thenamomentofdoubtcame——doubtwhetherIshouldcarrytheadventureanyfurther。Imasteredmyhesitationdirectly——itwastoolateforsecondthoughts。"Nowforit!"Iwhisperedtomyself，andgotinatthewindow。
Towait，listeningagain，inthedarknessofthatunknownregion，wasmorethanIhadcouragefor。ThemomentIwasdownonthefloor，Ipulledthelanternoutofmypocketandraisedtheshade。
Sofar，sogood——Ifoundmyselfinadirtylumber-room。Largepans，someofthemcrackedandmoreofthembroken；emptyboxesboundwithiron，ofthesamesortasthoseIhadseentheworkmenbringinginatthefrontgate；oldcoalsacks；apacking-casefullofcoke；andahuge，cracked，mouldyblacksmith'sbellows——theseweretheprincipalobjectsthatIobservedinthelumber-room。Theonedoorleadingoutofitwasopen，asIhadexpecteditwouldbe，inordertolettheairthroughthebackwindowintothehouse。Itookoffmyshoes，andstoleintothepassage。Myfirstimpulse，themomentIlookedalongit，wastoshutdownmylantern-shade，andlistenagain。
StillIheardnothing；butatthefarendofthepassageIsawabrightlightpouringthroughthehalf-openeddoorofoneofthemysteriousfrontrooms。
Icreptsoftlytowardit。Adecidedlychemicalsmellbegantostealintomynostrils——and，listeningagain，IthoughtIheardaboveme，andinsomedistantroom，anoiselikethelowgrowlofalargefurnace，muffledinsomepeculiarmanner。ShouldI
retracemystepsinthatdirection？No——nottillIhadseensomethingoftheroomwiththebrightlight，outsideofwhichI
wasnowstanding。Ibentforwardsoftly；lookingbylittleandlittlefurtherandfurtherthroughtheopeningofthedoor，untilmyheadandshoulderswerefairlyinsidetheroom，andmyeyeshadconvincedmethatnolivingsoul，sleepingorwaking，wasinanypartofitatthatparticularmoment。Impelledbyafatalcuriosity，Ienteredimmediately，andbegantolookaboutmewitheagereyes。
Isawironladles，pansfullofwhitesand，fileswithwhitemetalleftglitteringintheirteeth，moldsofplasterofParis，bagscontainingthesamematerialinpowder，apowerfulmachinewiththenameanduseofwhichIwastheoreticallynotunacquainted，whitemetalinapartially-fusedstate，bottlesofaquafortis，diesscatteredoveradresser，crucibles，sandpaper，barsofmetal，andedgedtoolsinplenty，ofthestrangestconstruction。Iwasnotatallascrupulousman，asthereaderknowsbythistime；butwhenIlookedattheseobjects，andthoughtofAlicia，Icouldnotforthelifeofmehelpshuddering。Therewasnottheleastdoubtaboutit，evenafterthelittleIhadseen:theimportantchemicalpursuitstowhichDoctorDulciferwasdevotinghimself，meant，inplainEnglishandinoneword——Coining。
DidAliciaknowwhatIknewnow，ordidsheonlysuspectit？
WhicheverwayIansweredthatquestioninmyownmind，Icouldbenolongeratanylossforanexplanationofherbehaviorinthemeadowbythestream，orofthatunnaturallygloomy，downcastlookwhichoverspreadherfacewhenherfather'spursuitswerethesubjectofconversation。DidIfalterinmyresolutiontomarryher，nowthatIhaddiscoveredwhattheobstaclewaswhichhadmademysteryandwretchednessbetweenus？Certainlynot。I
wasaboveallprejudices。Iwastheleastparticularofmankind。
Ihadnofamilyaffectioninmyway——and，greatestfactofall，I
wasinlove。UnderthosecircumstanceswhatRogueofanyspiritwouldhavefaltered？Afterthefirstshockofthediscoverywasover，myresolutiontobeAlicia'shusbandwassettledmorefirmlythanever。
Therewasalittleroundtableinacorneroftheroomfurthestfromthedoor，whichIhadnotyetexamined。Afeverishlongingtolookateverythingwithinmyreach——topenetratetotheinnermostrecessesofthelabyrinthinwhichIhadinvolvedmyself——consumedme。Iwenttothetable，andsawuponit，rangedsymmetricallysidebyside，fourobjectswhichlookedlikethickrulerswrappedupinsilverpaper。Iopenedthepaperattheendofoneoftherulers，andfoundthatitwascomposedofhalf-crowns。Ihadclosedthepaperagain，andwasjustraisingmyheadfromthetableoverwhichithadbeenbent，whenmyrightcheekcameincontactwithsomethinghardandcold。Istartedback——lookedup——andconfrontedDoctorDulcifer，holdingapistolatmyrighttemple。
CHAPTERIX。
THEdoctorlikemehadhisshoesoff。Thedoctorlikemehadcomeinwithoutmakingtheleastnoise。Hecockedthepistolwithoutsayingaword。IfeltthatIwasprobablystandingfacetofacewithdeath，andItoosaidnotaword。WetwoRogueslookedeachothersteadilyandsilentlyintheface——he，themightyandprosperousvillain，withmylifeinhishands:I，theabjectandpoorscamp，waitinghismercy。
ItmusthavebeenatleastaminuteafterIheardtheclickofthecockedpistolbeforehespoke。
"Howdidyougethere？"heasked。
Thequietcommonplacetermsinwhichheputhisquestion，andtheperfectcomposureandpolitenessofhismanner，remindedmealittleofGentlemanJones。Butthedoctorwasmuchthemorerespectable-lookingmanofthetwo；hisbaldnesswasmoreintellectualandbenevolent；therewasadelicacyandproprietyinthepulpinessofhisfatwhitechin，ablandbagginessinhisunwhiskeredcheeks，areverentroughnessabouthiseyebrowsandafullnessinhislowereyelids，whichraisedhimfarhigher，physiognomicallyspeaking，inthesocialscale，thanmyoldprisonacquaintance。Putashovel-hatonGentlemanJones，andtheeffectwouldonlyhavebeeneccentric；putthesamecoveringontheheadofDoctorDulcifer，andtheeffectwouldhavebeenstrictlyepiscopal。
"Howdidyougethere？"herepeated，stillwithoutshowingtheleastirritation。
ItoldhimhowIhadgotinatthesecond-floorwindow，withoutconcealingawordofthetruth。Thegravityofthesituation，andthesharpnessofthedoctor'sintellects，asexpressedinhiseyes，madeanythinglikeasuppressionoffactsonmypartadesperatelydangerousexperiment。
"YouwantedtoseewhatIwasaboutuphere，didyou？"saidhe，whenIhadendedmyconfession。"Doyouknow？"
Thepistolbarreltouchedmycheekashesaidthelastwords。I
thoughtofallthesuspiciousobjectsscatteredabouttheroom，oftheprobabilitythathewasonlyputtingthisquestiontotrymycourage，oftheverylikelychancethathewouldshootmeforthwith，ifIbegantoprevaricate。Ithoughtofthesethings，andboldlyanswered:
"Yes，Idoknow。”
Helookedatmereflectively；thensaid，inlow，thoughtfultones，speaking，nottome，butentirelytohimself:
"SupposeIshoothim？"
Isawinhiseye，thatifIflinched，hewoulddrawthetrigger。
"Supposeyoutrustme？"Isaid，withoutmovingamuscle。
"Itrustedyou，asanhonestman，downstairs，andIfindyou，likeathief，uphere，"returnedthedoctor，withaself-satisfiedsmileattheneatnessofhisownretort。"No，"hecontinued，relapsingintosoliloquy:"thereisriskeveryway；
buttheleastriskperhapsistoshoothim。”
"Wrong，"saidI。"Therearerelationsofminewhohaveapecuniaryinterestinmylife。Iamthemainconditionofacontingentreversionintheirfavor。IfIammissed，Ishallbeinquiredafter。”Ihavewonderedsinceatmyowncoolnessinthefaceofthedoctor'spistol；butmylifedependedonmykeepingmyself-possession，andthedesperatenatureofthesituationlentmeadesperatecourage。
"HowdoIknowyouarenotlying？"heasked。
"HaveInotspokenthetruth，hitherto？"
Thosewordsmadehimhesitate。Heloweredthepistolslowlytohisside。Ibegantobreathefreely。
"Trustme，"Irepeated。"Ifyoudon'tbelieveIwouldholdmytongueaboutwhatIhaveseenhere，foryoursake，youmaybecertainthatIwouldfor——"
"Formydaughter's，"heinterposed，withasarcasticsmile。
Ibowedwithallimaginablecordiality。Thedoctorwavedhispistolintheaircontemptuously。
"Therearetwowaysofmakingyouholdyourtongue，"hesaid。
"Thefirstisshootingyou；thesecondismakingafelonofyou。
Onconsideration，afterwhatyouhavesaid，theriskineithercaseseemsaboutequal。Iamnaturallyahumaneman；yourfamilyhavedonemenoinjury；Iwillnotbethecauseoftheirlosingmoney；Iwon'ttakeyourlife，I'llhaveyourcharacter。Weareallfelonsonthisfloorofthehouse。Youhavecomeamongus——youshallbeoneofus。Ringthatbell。”
Hepointedwiththepistoltoabell-handlebehindme。Ipulleditinsilence。
Felon!Thewordhasanuglysound——averyuglysound。But，consideringhowneartheblackcurtainhadbeentofallingovertheadventurousdramaofmylife，hadIanyrighttocomplainoftheprolongationofthescene，howeverdarklyitmightlookatfirst？Besides，someofthebestfeelingsofourcommonnatureputtingoutofallquestionthevaluewhichmensounaccountablypersistinsettingontheirownlives，impelledme，ofnecessity，tochoosethealternativeoffeloniousexistenceinpreferencetothatofrespectabledeath。LoveandHonorbademelivetomarryAlicia；andasenseoffamilydutymademeshrinkfromoccasioningalossofthreethousandpoundstomyaffectionatesister。Perishthefar-fetchedscrupleswhichwouldbreaktheheartofonelovelywoman，andscattertothewindsthepin-moneyofanother!
"IfyouutteronewordincontradictionofanythingIsaywhenmyworkmencomeintotheroom，"saidthedoctor，uncockinghispistolassoonasIhadrungthebell，"Ishallchangemymindaboutleavingyourlifeandtakingyourcharacter。Rememberthat；