Evidentlynot，forthetougholdpoliticianoftheFifteenthWardwaslaughing，atoneofhisownjokesprobably，andlookingupinthefaceofMr。Blake，whosebackwasturnedtome，inawaythatentirelyprecludedallthoughtofanytragicexpressioninthatquarter。Somewhatdisgusted，Iwithdrewandfollowedthelady。
　　Icouldnotgetverynear。Bythistimethepresenceofalivecountessintheassemblyhadbecomeknown，andIfoundhersurroundedbyaswarmofhalf-fledgedyouths。ButIcaredlittleforthis；allI
　　wantedtoknowwaswhetherMr。Blakewouldapproachherornotduringtheevening。Tediouslythemomentspassed；butadetectiveonduty，oronfanciedduty，succumbstonoweariness。Ihadawomanbeforemeworthstudyingandthetimecouldnotbethrownaway。Ilearnedtoknowherbeauty；thepoiseofherhead，theflushofhercheek，thecurlofherlip，theglance——yes，theglanceofhereye，thoughthatwasmoredifficulttounderstand，forshehadawayofdroopingherlidsattimesthat，whileexceedinglyeffectiveuponthepoorwretchtowardwhomshemightbedirectingthathalf-veiledshaftoflight，wasanythingbutconducivetomypurposes。
　　Atlengthwitharestlessshrugofherhaughtyshoulderssheturnedawayfromhercrowdofadorers，herbreastheavingunderitsrobingofgarnetvelvet，andherwholefaceflaringwithalightthatmightmeanresolveandmightmeansimplylove。Ihadnoneedtoturnmyheadtoseewhowasadvancingtowardsher；herstatelyattitudeascountess，herthrillingglanceaswoman，betrayedonlytooreadily。
　　Hewasthemorecomposedofthetwo。BowingoverherhandwithafewwordsIcouldnothear，hedrewbackastepandbeganutteringtheusualcommon-placesentimentsoftheoccasion。
　　Shedidnotrespond。Withasplendorofindifferencenotoftenseeneveninthemannerofourgrandestladies，shewaited，openingandshuttingherrichlyfeatheredfan，asonewhowouldsay，"Iknowallthishastobegonethroughwith，thereforeIwillbepatient。"Butasthemomentspassed，andhistoneremainedunchanged，Icoulddetectaslightgleamofimpatienceflashinthedepthsofherdarkeyes，andachangecomeintotheconventionalsmilethathadhithertolighted，withoutilluminatinghercountenance。Drawingstillfurtherbackfromthecrowdthatwasnottobeawedfrompressinguponher，shelookedaroundasifseekingarefuge。Herglancefelluponacertainwindow，withagleamofsatisfaction。Seeingtheywouldstraightwaywithdrawthere，Itookadvantageofthemomentandmadehastetoconcealmyselfbehindacurtainasnearthatvicinityaspossible。InanotherinstantIheardthemapproaching。
　　"Youseemtoberatheroverwhelmedwithattentionto-night，"werethefirstwordsIcaught，utteredinMr。Blake'scalmestandmostcourteoustones。
　　"Doyouthinkso?"wastheslightlysarcasticreply。"Iwasjustdecidingtothecontrarywhenyoucameup。"
　　Therewasapause。Takingoutmyknife，Irippedopenaseaminthecurtainhangingbeforeme，andlookedthrough。Hewaseyeingherintently，afirmlookuponhisfacethatmadeitsreservemoremarkedthancommon。Isawhimgazeatherhandsomeheadpiledwithitsmidnighttressesamidwhichthejewels，doubtlessofherdeadlord，burnedwithafierceandominousglare，athersmootholivebrow，herpartlyveiledeyeswherethefirepassionatelyblazed，atherscarletlipstremblingwithanemotionherrapidlyflushingcheekswouldnotallowhertoconceal。Isawhisglancesfallandembraceherwholeelegantformwithitscasingofrubyvelvetandornamentationoflaceanddiamonds，andanexpectantthrillpassedthroughmealmostasifIalreadybeheldthemaskofhisreservefalling，andthetruemanflashoutinresponsetothewooingbeautyofthisfull-blownrose，evidentlyinwaitingforhim。ButitdiedawayandadeeperfeelingseizedmeasIsawhisglancesreturnunkindledtohercountenance，andheardhimsayinstillmoremeasuredaccentsthanbefore:
　　"IsitpossiblethenthattheCountessDeMiraccandesiretheadulationofuspoorAmericanplebeians?Ihadnotthoughtit，madame。"
　　Slowlyherdarkeyesturnedtowardshim；shestoodastatue。
　　"ButIforget，"hewenton，atingeofbitternessforamomentshowingitselfinhissmile:"perhapsinreturningtoherowncountry，EvelynBlakehassofarforgottenthelasttwoyearsastofindpleasureagaininthetoysandfoiblesofheryouth。Suchthingshavebeen，I
　　hear。"Andhebowedalmosttothegroundinhishalfsarcastichomage。
　　"EvelynBlake!ItislongsinceIhaveheardthatname，"shemurmured。
　　Hecouldnotrestrainthequickflushfrommountingtohisbrow。
　　"Pardonme，"saidhe，"ifitbringsyousadnessorunwelcomememories。IpromiseyouIwillnotsotransgressagain。"
　　Awansmilecrossedherlipsgrownsuddenlypallid。
　　"Youmistake，"saidshe；"ifmynamebringsupapastladenwithbittermemoriesandshadowedbyregret，italsorecallsmuchthatispleasantandnevertobeforgotten。Idonotobjecttohearingmygirlhood'snameuttered——bymynearestrelative。"
　　Theanswerwasdignityitself。"YournameisCountessDeMirac，yourrelativesmustbeproudtoutterit。"
　　Agleamnotunlikethelightning'squickflashshotfromtheeyesshedroopedbeforehim。
　　"IsitHolmanBlakeIamlisteningto，"saidshe；"Idonotrecognizemyoldfriendinthecoolandsarcasticmanoftheworldnowbeforeme。"
　　"Weoftenfailtorecognizetheworkofourhands，madame，afterithasfallenfromourgrasp。"
　　"What，"shecried，"doyoumean——wouldyousaythat——"
　　"Iwouldsaynothing，"interruptedhecalmly，stoopingforthefanshehaddropped。"Ataninterviewwhichisatonceameetingandaparting，Iwouldgiveutterancetonothingwhichwouldseemlikerecrimination。I——"
　　"Wait，"suddenlyexclaimedshe，reachingoutherhandforherfanwithagestureloftyasitwasresolute。"Youhavespokenawordwhichdemandsexplanation；whathaveIeverdonetoyouthatyoushouldspeakthewordrecriminationtome?"
　　"What?Youshookmyfaithinwomankind；youshowedmethatawomanwhohadoncetoldamanshelovedhim，couldsofarforgetthatloveastomarryoneshecouldneverrespect，forthesakeoftitlesandjewels。Youshowedme——"
　　"Hold，"saidsheagain，thistimewithoutgestureoranymovement，savethatofherlipsgrownpallidasmarb!e[sic]，"andwhatdidyoushowme?"
　　Hestarted，coloredprofoundly，andforamomentstoodbeforeherunmaskedofhissternself-possession。"Ibegyourpardon，"saidhe，"Itakebackthatword，recrimination。"
　　Itwasnowherturntoliftherheadandsurveyhim。Withglancelesscoolthanhis，butfullyasdeliberate，shelookedathisproudheadbendingbeforeher；studyinghisface，linebyline，fromthesternbrowtothecloselycompressedlipsonwhichmelancholyseemedtohavesetitseverlastingseal，andachangepassedoverhercountenance。
　　"Holman，"saidshe，withasuddenrushoftenderness，"ifinthetimesgoneby，webothbehavedwithtoomuchworldlyprudenceforitnowtobeanygreatpleasureforeitherofustolookback，isthatanyreasonwhyweshouldmarourwholefuturebydwellingtoolonguponwhatwearesurelystillyoungenoughtoburyifnotforget?I
　　acknowledgethatIwouldhavebehavedinamoreidealfashion，if，afterIhadbeenforsakenbyyou，Ihadturnedmyfacefromsociety，andletthecanker-wormofdespairslowlydestroywhateverlifeandbloomIhadleft。ButIwasyoung，andsocietyhaditscharms，sodidtheprospectofwealthandposition，howeverhollowtheymayhaveproved；youwhoarethemasterofboththisday，becausetwelvemonthsagoyouforsookEvelynBlake，shouldbethelasttoreproachmewiththem。Idonotreproachyou；Ionlysayletthepastbeforgotten——"
　　"Impossible，"exclaimedhe，hiswholefacedarkeningwithanexpressionIcouldnotfathom。"Whatwasdoneatthattimecannotbeundone。Foryouandmethereisnofuture。Yes，"hesaidturningtowardsherasshemadeaslightflutteringmoveofdissent，"nofuture；wecanburythepast，butwecannotresurrectit。Idoubtifyouwouldwishtoifwecould；aswecannot，ofcourseyouwillnotdesireeventoconverseuponthesubjectagain。EvelynIwantedtoseeyouonce，butIdonotwishtoseeyouagain；willyoupardonmyplainspeaking，andreleaseme?"
　　"Iwillpardonyourplainspeaking，but——"Herlooksaidshewouldnotreleasehim。
　　Heseemedtounderstanditso，andsmiled，butverybitterly。Inanothermomenthehadbowedandgone，andshehadreturnedtohercrowdofadoringsycophants。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　ABITOFCALICO
　　ItwasaboutthistimethatItookupmyresidenceinasortoflodging-housethatoccupiedtheoppositecornertothatofMr。Blake。
　　Myroom，asItookpainstohaveit，overlookedtheavenue，andfromitswindowsIcouldeasilywatchthegoingsandcomingsofthegentlemanwhosemovementsweredailybecomingofmoreandmoreinteresttome。Forsetitdowntocaprice——andmenareoftenascapriciousaswomen——oraccountforitasyouwill，hisrestlessnessatthisperiodwastrulyremarkable。Notadaythathedidnotspendhistimeinwalkingthestreets，andthatnotinhisusualaimlessgentlemanlyfashion，buteagerlyandwithanintentgazethatroamedhereandthere，likeabirdseekingitsprey。Itwouldoftenbeaslateasfiveo'clockbeforehecamein，andif，asnowfrequentlyhappened，hedidnothavecompanytodinner，hewasevenknowntostartoutagainafterseveno'clockandgooverthesamegroundasinthemorning，lookingwithstrainedgaze，thatvainlyendeavoredtoappearunconcerned，intothefacesofthewomenthathepassed。InotunfrequentlyfollowedhimatthesetimesasmuchformyownamusementasfromanyhopeIhadofcominguponanythingthatshouldaidmeintheworkbeforeme。ButwhenhesuddenlychangedhisrouteoftravelfromapromenadeinthefashionablethoroughfaresofBroadwayandFourteenthStreettoawalkthroughChathamSquareandthedark，narrowstreetsoftheEastside，Ibegantoscentwhomthepreymightbethathewasseeking，andputtingeveryotherconsiderationaside，regularlysetmyselftodoghissteps，asonlyI，withmyinnumerabledisguises，knewhowtodo。ForthreeseparatedaysIkeptathisheelswhereverhewent，eachdaygrowingmoreandmoreastonishedifnottosayhopeful，asIfoundmyselftreadingthenarrowestandmostdisreputablestreetsofthecity；haltingattheshopsofpawnbrokers；peeringintotheback-roomsofliquorshops；mixingwiththecrowdsthatinfestthecornergroceriesatnightfall，andevenslinkingwithhandonthetriggerofthepistolIcarriedinmypocket，updarkalleyswhereeverydoorthatswungnoiselesslytoandfroaswepassed，shutuponhauntsofsuchvillainyasonlyisknowntousofthepolice，ortothosegoodsoulsthatforthesakeofOnewhoseexampletheyfollow，layasidetheirfearsandsensitivenesstocarrylightintothedimpitsofthiswretchedworld。AtfirstI
　　thoughtMr。Blakemighthavesomesuchreasonforthepeculiarcoursehetook。Buthisindifferencetoallcrowdswhereonlymenwerecollected，hissilencewhereawordwouldhavebeenwellreceived，convincedmeitwasawomanhewasseekingandthatwithanintentnesswhichblindedhimtothecommonestneedsofthehour。Ievensawhimonceinhishurryandabstraction，stepacrossthebodyofachildwhohadfallenfacedownwardonthestones，andthatwithanexpressionshowinghewasutterlyunconsciousofanythingbutanobstacleinhispath。Thestrangestpartofitallwasthatheseemedtohavenofear。Tobesurehetookpainstoleavehiswatchathome；
　　butwithsuchafigureandcarriageashepossessed，theabsenceofjewelrycouldneverdeceivetheeyeforamomentastothefactofhisbeingamanofwealth，andthosehewentamongwoulddoanythingformoney。Perhaps，likeme，hecarriedapistol。Atalleventsheshunnednospotwhereeitherpovertylayhidordeviltryreigned，hisproudsternheadbendingtoenterthelowestdoorswithoutatrembleofthehaughtylipsthatremainedcompressedasbyanironforce；
　　exceptwhensomepoorforlorncreaturewithflauntinghead-gear，andtremuloushands，attractedbyhisbearingwouldhastilybrushagainsthim，whenhewouldturnandlook，perhapsspeak，thoughwhathesaidIalwaysfailedtocatch；afterwhichhewouldhurryonasifpossessedbysevendevils。Theeveningsofthosethreedayswerenotablealso。TwoofthemhespentinthemannerIhavedescribed；
　　thethirdhewenttotheWindsorHouse——wheretheCountessDeMirachadtakenrooms——goinguptotheladies'entranceandactuallyringingthebell，onlytostartbackandwalkupanddownontheoppositesideoftheway，withhishandsbehindhisback，andhisheadbent，evidentlydeliberatingastowhetherheshouldorshouldnotcarryouthisoriginalintentionofentering。Thearrivalofacarriagewiththestatelysubjectofhisdeliberations，whofromherelaboratecostumehadseeminglybeentosomekettledrumorprivatereception，speedilyputanendtohisdoubts。Asthedooropenedtoadmither，Isawhimcastonelookatherheavilydrapedperson，withitssnowyopera-cloakdrawntightlyoverthesweepingfoldsofhermaizecoloredsilk，andshrinkbackwithwhatsoundedlikeasighofangerordistrust，andwithoutwaitingfortheclosingofthedooruponher，turntowardhomewithastepthathesitatednolonger。
　　Thefourthdaytomyinfinitechagrin，Iwassickandcouldnotgowithhim。AllIcoulddowastowrapmyselfinblanketsandsitinmywindowfromwhichIhadthesatisfactionofviewinghimstartasI
　　supposeduponhisusualcourse。Therestofthedaywasemployedinalong，dullwaitingforhisreturn，onlyrelievedbycasualglimpsesofMrs。Daniels'troubledfaceassheappearedatonewindoworanotheroftheold-fashionedmansionbeforeme。Sheseemed，too，tobeunusuallyrestless，openingthewindowsandlookingoutwithforlorncraningsofherneckasifshetoowerewatchingforhermaster。IndeedIhavenodoubtfromwhatIafterwardslearned，thatshewasinastateofconstantsuspenseduringthesedays。Herfrequentappearanceatthestationhouse，wheresheinvainsoughtforsomenewsofthegirlinwhosefateshewassoabsorbed，confirmedthis。OnlythedaybeforeIgavemyselfuptomyunreservedespionageofMr。Blake，shehadhadaninterviewwithMr。Gryceinwhichshehadletfallherapprehensionsthatthegirlwasdead，andaskedwhetherifthatwerethecase，thepolicewouldbelikelytocomeintoaknowledgeofthefact。Uponbeingassuredthatifshehadnotbeenprivatelymadewaywith，therewaseverychanceintheirfavor，shehadgrownalittlecalmer，butbeforegoingawayhadsofarforgottenherselfastointimatethatifsomeresultwasnotreachedbeforeanotherfortnighthadelapsed，sheshouldtakethematterintoherownhandsand——Shedidnotsaywhatshewoulddo，butherlookswereofaverymenacingcharacter。Itwasnowonder，then，thathercountenanceboremarksofthekeenestanxietyasshetrodthehallsofthatdimoldmansion，withitsduskycornersrichwithbronzesandtheglimmeringshineofancientbrocades，breathingsuggestionsoflossandwrong；orbentherwrinkledforeheadtogazefromthewindowsforthecomingofonewhosefootstepswereeverdelayed。Shehappenedtobelookingout，whenafteralongerstrollthanusualthemasterofthehousereturned。Ashemadehisappearanceatthecorner，Isawherhurriedlywithdrawherheadandhideherselfbehindthecurtain，fromwhichpositionshewatchedhimaswithtiredstepsandsomewhatdejectedmien，hepassedupthestepsandenteredthehouse。
　　Nottillthedoorcloseduponhim，didsheventuretoissueforthandwithahurriedmovementshuttheblindsanddisappear。Thisanxietyonherpartredoubledmine，andthankfulenoughwasIwhenonthenextdayIfoundmyselfwellenoughtorenewmyoperations。Toferretoutthismystery，ifmysteryitwas，——Istillfoundmyselfforcedtoadmitthepossibilityoftherebeingnone——hadnowbecometheoneambitionofmylife；andallbecauseitwasnotonlyanunusuallyblindone，butofanaturethatinvolveddangertomypositionasdetective，Ientereduponitwithazestrareeventomewholovemyworkandallitinvolveswithanundividedpassion。
　　Toequipmyself，then，inafreshdisguiseandtojoinMr。Blakeshortlyafterhehadlefthisowncorner，wasanythingbutahardshiptomethatbrightwintermorning，thoughIknewfrompastexperience，alongandwearisomewalkwasbeforemewithnothinginallprobabilityattheendbutreiterateddisappointment。Butforoncethefateshadwilleditotherwise。WhetherMr。Blake，discouragedatthefailureofhisownattempts，whatevertheywere，feltlesshearttoprosecutethemthanusualIcannotsay，butwehadscarcelyentereduponthelowerendoftheBowery，beforehesuddenlyturnedwithalookofdisgust，andgazinghurriedlyabouthim，hailedaMadisonAvenuecarthatwasrapidlyapproaching。Iwasatthatmomentontheothersideoftheway，butIhurriedforwardtoo，andsignaledthesamecar。ButjustasIwasonthepointofenteringitI
　　perceivedMr。Blakestephastilybackandwithhiseyesuponagirlthatwashurryingpasthimwithabasketonherarm，regainthesidewalkwithaswiftnessthatarguedhisdesiretostopher。OfcourseIletthecarpassme，thoughIdidnotdareapproachhimtoocloselyaftermylateconspiciousattempttoenteritwithhim。Butfrommystandontheoppositecurb-stoneIsawhimdrawasidethegirl，whofromhergarmentsmighthavebeenthedaughterorwifeofanyoneoftheshiftless，drinkingwretchesloungingaboutonthefourcornerswithinmyview，andaftertalkingearnestlywithherforafewmoments，saunterathersidedownBroomeStreet，stilltalking。
　　RecklessatthissightoftheconsequenceswhichmightfollowhisdetectionofthepartIwasplaying，Ihastedafterthem，whenIwassuddenlydisconcertedbyobservinghimhurriedlyseparatefromthegirlandturntowardsmewithintentionasitweretoregainthecornerhehadleft。Weighinginaninstanttheprobablegoodtobeobtainedbyfollowingeitherparty，IdeterminedtoleaveMr。Blakeforonedaytohimself，andturnmyattentiontothegirlhehadaddressed，especiallyasshewastallandthinandboreherselfwithsomethinglikegrace。
　　Barelybestowingaglanceuponhim，then，ashepassed，inavainattempttoreadthesombreexpressionofhisinscrutablefacegrownfiveyearsolderinthelastfivedays，IshuffledafterthegirlnowflittingbeforemedownBroomeStreet。AsIdidso，Inoticedherdresstoitsminutestdetails，somewhatsurprisedtofindhowraggedanduncouthitwas。ThatMr。Blakeshouldstopagirlwhereverseen，cladinablackalpacafrock，astripedshawlandaBoweryhattrimmedwithfeathers，Icouldeasilyunderstand；butthatthiscreaturewithherfadedcalicodress，dingycapethrowncarelesslyoverherhead，andraggedbasket，shouldarresthisattention，wasariddletome。Ihastenedforwardwithintenttocatchaglimpseofhercountenenceifpossible；butsheseemedtohaveacquiredwingstoherfeetsinceherinterviewwithMr。Blake。DartingintoacrowdofhootingurchinsthatwererushingfromCentreStreetafterabrokenwagonandrunawayhorse，shespedfrommysightwithsuchrapidity，I
　　soonsawthatmyonlyhopeofovertakingherlayinrunning。I
　　accordinglyquickenedmystepswhenthosesamehootingyoungstersgettinginthewayofmyfeet，Itrippedupand——well，IownI
　　retiredfromthatfieldbaffled。Notentirelyso，however。JustasI
　　wasgoingdown，Icaughtsightofthegirltearingawayfromaboxofgarbageonthecurb-stone；andwhenorderhavingbeenrestored，bywhichloftystatementImeantosaywhenyourhumbleservanthadregainedhisequilibrium，Iawoketothefactthatshehadeffectuallydisappeared，IhurriedtothatboxandsucceededinfindinghangingtoitabitofrageasilyrecognizedasapieceoftheoldcalicofrockofnamelesscolorwhichIhadbeenfollowingamomentbefore。
　　Regardingitasthesolespoilsofaveryunsatisfactoryday'swork，Iputitcarefullyawayinmypocketbook，whereitlaytill——Butwithallmyzealforcompression，Imustnotanticipate。
　　WhenIcamehomethatafternoonIfoundmyselfunexpectedlyinvolvedinamatterthatfortheremainderofthedayatleast，preventedmefromfurtherattendingtotheaffairIhadinhand。ThenextmorningMr。Blakedidnotstartoutasusual，andatnoonIreceivedintimationfromFannythathewaspreparingtotakeajourney。Where，shecouldnotinformme，norwhen，thoughshethoughtitprobablehewouldtakeanearlytrain。Mrs。Danielswasfeelingdreadfully，sheinformedme；andthehousewaslikeagrave。GreatlyexcitedatthisunexpectedmoveonMr。Blake'spart，Iwenthomeandpackedmyvalisewithsomethingofthespiritofherwhooncesaid，undersomewhatdifferentcircumstancesIallow，"WhitherthougoestIwillgo。"
　　Thetruthwas，Ihadtravelledsofarandlearnedsolittle，thatmyprofessionalpridewaspiqued。ThatexpressionofMr。Grycestillrankled，andnothingcouldsoothemyinjuredspiritnowbutsuccess。
　　AccordinglywhenMr。BlakesteppeduptotheticketofficeoftheHudsonRiverRailroadnextmorning，tobuyaticketforPutney，asmalltowninthenorthernpartofVermont，hefoundbesidehimaspruceyoungdrummer，orwhatcertainlyappearedsuch，whobysomestrangecoincidence，wantedaticketforthesameplace。Thefactdidnotseemintheleasttosurprisehim，nordidhecastmealookbeyondtheordinaryglanceofonestrangeratanother。IndeedMr。
　　Blakehadnoappearanceofbeingasuspiciousman，nordoIthinkatthistime，hehadtheremotestideathathewaseitherwatchedorfollowed；anignoranceofthetruthwhichItookcaretopreservebytakingmyseatinadifferentcarfromhimandnotshowingmyselfagainduringthewholeridefromNewYorktoPutney。
　　CHAPTERVII
　　THEHOUSEATTHEGRANBYCROSSROADS
　　WhyMr。Blakeshouldtakeajourneyatallatthistime，andwhyofallplacesintheworldheshouldchoosesuchaninsignificanttownasPutneyforhisdestination，wasofcoursethemysteryuponwhichI
　　broodedduringtheentiredistance。ButwhensomewherenearfiveintheafternoonIsteppedfromthecarsontotheplatformatPutneyStationonlytohearMr。Blakemakinginquiriesinregardtoacertainstagerunningbetweenthattownandastillsmallervillagefurthereast，IownIwasnotonlysurprisedbutwell-nighnonplussed。
　　Especiallyasheseemedgreatlydisappointedtohearthatitonlyranonceaday，andthenforanearliertraininthemorning。
　　"Youwillhavetowaittillto-morrowIfear，"saidtheticketagent，"unlessthelandlordofthehoteldownyonder，canharnessyouupateam。Thereisafuneraloutwestto-dayand——"
　　Ididnotwaittohearmorebuthurrieddowntothehotelhehadpointedout，andhuntingupthelandlordinquiredifforloveormoneyhecouldgetmeanysortofaconveyanceforMelvillethatafternoon。Heassuredmeitwouldbeimpossible，theliverystableaswellashisownbeingentirelyempty。
　　"Suchathingdon'thappenhereonceinfiveyears，"saidhetome。
　　"Buttheoldcodgerwhoisdead，thoughaqueerdickwasanotedpersonageintheseparts，andnotaman，womanorchild，whocouldfindahorse，muleordonkey，butwhatavailedhimselfoftheprivilege。Eventhedoctor'sspavinedmarewaspressedintoservice，thoughshehaltsononelegandstopstogetherbreathhalfadozentimesingoinguponeshorthill。Youwillhavetowaitforthestage，sir。"
　　"ButIaminahurry，"saidIasIsawMr。Blakeenter。"IhavebusinessinMelvilletonight，andIwouldpayanythinginreasontogetthere。"
　　Butthelandlordonlyshookhishead；anddrawingbackwiththeairofanabusedman，ItookupmystandinthedoorwaywhereIcouldhearthesamecolloquyenteredintowithMr。Blake，withthesameunsatisfactorytermination。HedidnottakeitquiteascalmlyasI
　　did，thoughhewasoftooreservedanaturetodisplaymuchemotionoveranything。Theprospectofalongtediouseveningspentinacountryhotelseemedalmostunendurabletohim，buthefinallysuccumbedtotheforceofcircumstances，asindeedheseemedobligedtodo，andpartakingofsuchrefreshmentastheratherpoorlymanagedhotelafforded，retiredwithoutceremonytohisroom，fromwhichhedidnotemergeagaintillnextmorning。Inallthishehadsomehowmanagednottogivehisname；andbymeansofsomeinquiriesI
　　succeededinmakingthatevening，Ifoundhispersonwasunknowninthetown。
　　ByalittlemanagementIsecuredthenextroomtohis，bywhicharrangementIsucceededinpassingasleeplessnight，Mr。Blakespendingmostoftheweesma'hoursinpacingthefloorofhisroom，withanunremittingregularitythathadanythingbutasoothingeffectuponmynerves。Earlythenextmorningwetookthestage，hesittingonthebackseat，andIinfrontwiththedriver。Therewereotherpassengers，butInoticedheneverspoketoanyofthem，northroughallthelongdrivedidheoncelookupfromthecornerwherehehadensconcedhimself。Itwastwelveo'clockwhenwereachedtheendoftheroute，asmalltownofsomewhatlessthantheusualpretensionsofmountainvillages；soinsignificantindeed，thatIfounditmoreandmoredifficulttoimaginewhatthewealthyex-Congressmancouldfindinsuchaspotasthis，tomakeamendsforajourneyofsuchlengthanddiscomfort；whentomyincreasingwonderIheardhimgiveordersforahorsetobesaddledandbroughtroundtotheinndoordirectlyafterdinner。ThiswasamoveIhadnotexpectedanditthrewmealittleaback，foralthoughIhadthusfarmanagedtoholdmyselfsoalooffromMr。Blake，evenwhilekeepinghimundermyeye，thatnosuspicionofmyinterestinhismovementshadasyetbeenawakened，howcouldIthusforthethirdtimefollowhisorderwithonepreciselysimilar，withoutattractinganattentionthatwouldbefataltomyplans。Yettolethimrideoffalonenow，wouldbetodropthetrailattheverymomentthescentbecameofimportance。
　　Thelandlord，abustling，wirylittlemanallnervousnessandquestions，unwittinglyhelpedmeatthiscrisis。
　　"AreyougoingontoPerry，sir?"inquiredheofthatgentleman，"I
　　havebeenexpectingamanalongthesethreedaysboundforPerry。"
　　"Iamthatman，"Ibrokein，steppingforwardwithsomeappearanceofasperity，"andIhopeyouwon'tkeepmewaiting。Ahorseassoonasdinnerisover，doyouhear?Iamtwodayslatenow，andwon'tstandanynonsense。"
　　Andtoescapethequestionssuretofollow，Istrodeintothedining-roomwithahalf-fierce，half-sullencountenance，thateffectuallyprecludedalladvances。DuringthemealIsawMr。Blake'seyeroammorethanoncetowardsmyface；butIdidnotreturnhisgaze，ornoticehiminanyway；hurryingthroughmydinner，andmountingthefirsthorsebroughtaround，asiftimeweremyonlyconsideration。ButonceontheroadItookthefirstopportunitytodrawreinandwait，suddenlyrememberingthatIhadnotheardMr。
　　Blakegiveanyintimationofthedirectionheintendedtaking。Afewminutesrevealedtomehiselegantformwellmountedandshowingtoperfectioninhiscloselybuttonedcoat，slowlyapproachinguptheroad。Takingadvantageofariseintheground，Ilingeredtillhewasalmostuponme，whenIcanteredquicklyon，fearingtoarousehisapprehensionsifIallowedhimtopassmeonaroadsosolitaryasthatwhichnowstretchedoutbeforeus:amoveprovocativeofmuchembarassmenttome，asIdarednotturnmyheadforthesamereason，anxiousasIwastokeephiminsight。
　　Theroadsdividingbeforeme，atlengthgavememyfirstopportunitytopauseandlookback。Hewassomefiftypacesbehind。Waitingtillhecameup，IbowedwiththesurlycourtesyIthoughtinkeepingwiththecharacterIhadassumed，andaskedifheknewwhichroadledtowardsPerry，sayingIhadcomeoffinsuchhasteIhadforgottentoinquiremyway。Hereturnedmybow，pointedtowardsthelefthandroadandsaying，"Iknowthisdoesnot，"calmlytookit。
　　Nowherewasadilemma。IfinfaceofthiscurtresponseIproceededtofollowhim，myhandwasrevealedatonce；yetthecircumstanceswouldadmitofnoothercourse。Ideterminedtocompromisemattersbypretendingtotaketherighthandroadtillhewasoutofsight，whenIwouldreturnandfollowhimswiftlyupontheleft。AccordinglyI
　　reinedmyhorsetotheright，andforsomefifteenminutesgallopedslowlyawaytowardsthenorth；butanotherfifteensawmefacingthewest，andridingwithaforceandfuryofwhichIhadnotthoughttheoldmaretheyhadgivenmecapable，tillIputhertothetest。ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawmyfinegentlemantrottinginfrontofmeupalongbutgentleslopethatroseinthedistance；andslackeningmyownrein，Iwithdrewintotheforestatthesideoftheroad，tillhehadpasseditssummitanddisappeared，whenIagaingallopedforward。
　　Andthuswewentonforanhour，overthemostunevencountryIevertraversed，healwaysonehillahead；whensuddenly，bywhatinstinctIcannotdetermine，Ifeltmyselfapproachingtheend，andhasteningtothetopoftheascentupwhichIwasthenlaboring，lookeddownintotheshallowvalleyspreadoutbeforeme。
　　WhatasightmetmyeyesifIhadbeenintentonanythinglesspracticalthanthemovementsofthesolitaryhorsemanbelow!Hillsonhillspiledaboutaverdantbasininwhosedepthsnestledascantycollectionofhouses，innumbersosmalltheycouldbetolduponthefingersoftherighthand，butwhichnotwithstandinglentanindescribableaspectofcomforttothisremoteregionofhillandforest。
　　ButthevisionofMr。Blakepausinghalfwaydowntheslopebeforeme，examining，yesexaminingapistolwhichheheldinhishand，soonputanendtoallideasofromance。SomewhatalarmedIreinedback；buthisactionhadevidentlynoconnectionwithme，forhedidnotonceglancebehindhim，butkepthiseyeontheroadwhichInowobservedtookashortturntowardsahouseofsoweirdandominousanappearancethatIscarcelymarvelledathisprecaution。
　　Situatedonaleveltrackoflandatthecrossingofthreeroads，itsspaciousfront，rudeandunpaintedasitwas，presentedeveryappearanceofaninn，butfromitsmoss-grownchimneysnosmokearose，norcouldIdetectanysignoflifeinitsshutterlesswindowsandcloseddoors，acrosswhichshiveredthedarkshadowoftheonegauntandagedpine，thatstoodlikeaguardbesideitstumbled-downporch。
　　Mr。Blakeseemedtohavebeenstruckbythesamefactconcerningitsloneliness，forhurriedlyreplacinghispistolinhisbreastpocket，herodeslowlyforward。Iinstantlyconceivedtheplanofstrikingacrossthebeltofunderbrushthatseparatedmefromthisolddwelling，andbytakingmystandoppositeitsfront，interceptaviewofMr。Blakeasheapproached。Hastilydismounting，therefore，Iledmyhorseintothebushesandtiedhertoatree，proceedingtocarryoutmyplanonfoot。Iwassofarsuccessfulastoarriveatthefurtheredgeofthewood，whichwasthickenoughtoconcealmypresencewithoutbeingtoodensetoobstructmyvision，justasMr。
　　Blakepassedonhiswaytothissolitarydwelling。Hewaslookingveryanxious，butdetermined。Turningmyeyesfromhim，Itookanotherglanceatthehouse，whichbythismovementIhadbroughtdirectlybeforeme。Itwasevenmoredeserted-lookingthanIhadthought；itsunpaintedfrontwithitsdoublerowofblankwindowsmeetingyourgazewithoutaresponse，whilethehugeoldpinewithhalfitslimbsdismantledoffoliage，rattleditsoldbonesagainstitssidesandmoanedinitsagedfashionlikethesolitaryretainerofadeadrace。
　　IownIfeltthecoldshiverscreepdownmybackasthatcreakingsoundstruckmyears，thoughasthedaywaschillwithaneastwindI
　　daresayitwasmoretheeffectofmysuddencessationfromexercise，thanofanysuperstitiousaweIfelt。Mr。Blakeseemedtolaborundernosuchimpressions。Ridinguptothefrontdoorheknockedwithoutdismounting，onitsdismalpanelswithhisridingwhip。Noresponsewasheard。Knittinghisbrowsimpatiently，hetriedthelatch:thedoorwaslocked。Hastilyrunninghiseyeoverthefaceofthebuilding，hedrewreinandproceededtoridearoundthehouse，whichhecouldeasilydoowingtotheabsenceofeveryobstructioninthewayoffenceorshrubbery。Findingnomeansofentrancehereturnedagaintothefrontdoorwhichheshookwithanimpatienthandthathoweverproducednoimpressionuponthetrustylock，andrecognizing，doubtless，thefutilityofhisendeavors，hedrewback，andmerelypausingtogiveoneotherlookatitsdesertedfront，turnedhishorse'shead，andtomygreatamazement，proceededwithsombremienandcloudedbrowtoretaketheroadtoMelville。
　　Thisoldinnordecayedhomesteadwasthentheobjectofhislengthenedandtediousjourney；thisancienthouserottingawayamongthebleakhillsofVermont，thebournetowardswhichhisstepshadbeentendingforthesepasttwodays。Icouldnotunderstandit。
　　RapidlyemergingfromthespotwhereIhadsecretedmyself，Iinmyturnmadeacircuitofthehouse，ifhappilyIshoulddiscoversomeloopholeofentrancewhichhadescapedhisattention。Buteverydoorandwindowwassecurelybarred，andIwasabouttofollowhisexampleandleavethespot，whenIsawtwoorthreechildrenadvancingtowardsmedownthecrossroads，gailyswingingtheirschoolbooks。Inoticedtheyhesitatedandhuddledtogetherastheyapproachedandsawme，butnotheedingthis，Iaccostedthemwithapleasantwordorso，thenpointingovermyshouldertothehousebehind，askedwholivedthere。
　　Instantlytheiralreadypalefacesgrewpaler。
　　"Why，"criedone，aboy，"don'tyouknow?ThatiswherethetwowickedmenlivedwhostolethemoneyoutoftheRutlandbank。Theywereputinprison，buttheygotawayand——"
　　Here，theother，alittlegirl，pluckedhimbythesleevewithsuchaffright，thathehimselftookalarmandjustgivingmeonequickstareoutofhiswideeyes，graspedhiscompanionbythehandandtooktohisheels。AsformyselfIstoodrootedtothegroundinmyastonishment。Thisblank，sleepyoldhousethehomeofthenotoriousSchoenmakersafterwhomhalfofthedetectivesofthecountryweresearching?Icouldscarcelycreditmyownears。TrueInowrememberedtheyhadcomefromtheseparts，still——
　　TurningroundIeyedthehouseoncemore。Howaltereditlookedtome!
　　Whatamurderousaspectitwore，andhowdismallysecretwerethetightshutwindowsandcloselyfasteneddoors，ononeofwhicharudecrossscrawledinredchalkmettheeyewithamysterioussignificance。Eventheoldpinehadacquiredthevillainousairoftheuncannyrepositorofsecretstoodreadfultoreveal，asitgroanedandmurmuredtoitselfinthekeeneastwind。Darkdeedsandfoulwrongseemedwrittenalloverthefearfulplace，fromthelongstringsofblackmossthatclungtotheworm-eateneaves，tothewornstonewithitsgreatblotchofsomething，——couldithavebeenblood?——thatservedasathresholdtothedoor。Suddenlywiththequicknessoflightningthethoughtflashedacrossme，whatcouldMr。
　　Blake，thearistocraticrepresentativeofNewYork'soldestfamily，havewantedinthisnestofinfamy?Whaterrandofhope，fear，despair，avariceorrevenge，couldhavebroughtthissuperiorgentlemanwithhisrefinedtastesandproudlyreticentmanners，somanymilesfromhome，totheforsakendenofabraceofhardyvillainswhosenamefortwoyearsnow，hadstoodasthetypeofallthatwasbold，badandlawless，andforwhomduringthelastsixweekstheprisonhadyawned，andthegallowshungered。Contemplationbroughtnoreply，andshockedatmyownthoughts，Iputthequestionbyforsteadierbrainsthanmine；andinsteadoftryingfurthertosolveit，castabouthowIwastogainentranceintothisdesertedbuilding；
　　fortoenteritIwasmorethaneverdetermined，nowthatIhadheardtowhomithadoncebelonged。
　　ExaminingwithaglancetheseveralroadsthatbranchedoffineverydirectionfromwhereIstood，Ifoundthemallequallydeserted。Eventheschoolchildrenhaddisappearedinsomeoneofthefourorfivehousesscatteredintheremotedistance。
　　IfIwaswillingtoenteruponanydaringexploit，therewasnoonetoobserveorinterrupt。Iresolvedtomaketheattemptwithwhichmymindwasfull。Thiswastoclimbtheoldtree，andfromoneofthetwoorthreebranchesthatbrushedagainstthehouse，gainentranceatanopengarretwindowthatstaredatmefromamidthepine'sdarkneedles。Takingoffmycoatwithasighovertheimmaculateconditionofmynewcassimeretrousers，Ibentmyenergiestothetask。A
　　difficultoneyouwillsayforacitylad，butthankstofortuneI
　　wasnotbroughtupinNewYork，andknowhowtoclimbtreeswiththebest。Withlittlemorethanascratchorso，IreachedthewindowofwhichIhavespoken，andafteramomentspentinregainingmybreath，gaveonespringandaccomplishedmypurpose。Ialighteduponaheapofbrokenglassinalargebareroom。Anominouschillatoncestrucktomyheart。ThoughIamanythingbutasensitivemanasfarasphysicalimpressionsareconcerned，therewassomethinginthehollowechothatarosefromthefourblankwallsaboutmeasmyfeetalightedonthatrough，uncarpetedfloor，thatstruckavaguechillthroughmyblood，andIactuallyhesitatedforthemomentwhethertopursuetheinvestigationsIhadpromisedmyself，orbeatahastyretreat。Aglanceatthehugedistortedlimbsswayingacrossthesquareoftheopenwindowdecidedme。Itwaseasytoenterbymeansofthatunsteadysupport，butitwouldbeextremelyunsafetoventureforthinthatway。IfIprizedlifeandlimbImustseeksomeothermethodofegress。Iatonceputmyapprehensionsinmypocketandentereduponmyselfimposedtask。
　　AsingleglancewassufficienttoexhausttheresourcesoftheemptygarretinwhichIfoundmyself。Twoorthreeoldchairspiledinonecorner，arustystoveorso，aheapoftatteredanddecayingclothing，wereallthatmetmygaze。Takingmyway，then，atoncetotheladder，whosenarrowendsprojectingaboveaholeinthegarretfloor，seemedtoprofferthemeansofreachingtheroomsbelow，I
　　proceededtodescendintowhattomyexcitedimaginationlookedlikeagulfofdarkness。Itproved，however，tobenothingmorenorlessthananunlightedhallofsmalldimensions，withastair-caseatoneendandadoorattheother，which，uponopeningIfoundmyselfinalarge，squareroomwhoseimmensefour-postbedsteadentirelydenudedofitsusualaccompanimentsofbedandbolsteratoncestruckmyeyeandforamomenthelditenchained。Therewereotherarticlesintheroom；adisusedbureau，arockingchair，evenatable，butnothinghadsuchaghostlylookasthatantiquebedsteadwithitscurtainsofcalicotiedbackoveritsnakedframework，likeragsdrapedfromthebarebonesofaskeleton。Passinghurriedlyby，Itriedaclosetdoororso，findinglittle，however，torewardmysearch；andeagertobedonewithwhatwaseverymomentbecomingmoreandmoredrearisome，I
　　hastenedacrossthefloortothefrontofthehousewhereIfoundanotherhallandarowofroomsthat，whilenotentirelystrippedoffurniture，wereyetsufficientlybarrentoofferlittleencourgementtomycuriosity。Oneonly，asmallbutnotuncomfortableapartment，showedanysignsofhavingbeenoccupiedwithinareasonablelengthoftime；andasIpausedbeforeitshastilyspreadbed，throwntogetherasonlyamanwoulddoit，andwonderingwhytheroomwassodark，lookedupandsawthatthewindowwasentirelycoveredbyanoldshawlandacoupleofheavycoatsthathadbeenhastilynailedacrossit，I
　　ownIfeltmyhandgotomybreastpocketalmostasifIexpectedtoseethewildfacesofthedreadedSchoenmakersstartupallaglarefromoneofthedimcornersbeforeme。Rushingtothewindow，Itoredownwithonesweepofmyarmbothcoatandshawl，andwithastartdiscoveredthatthewindowstillpossesseditsdraperiesintheshapeofapairofdiscoloredandtatteredcurtainstiedwithribbonsthatmustoncehavebeenbrilliantandcheeryofcolor。
　　Norwasthistheonlysignintheroomofabygonepresencethathadpossessedatasteforsomethingbeyondthemerenecessitiesoflife。
　　Onthegrimcoarselypaperedwallhungmorethanonepicture；cutfrompictorialnewspaperstobesure，buteachandeveryone，ifImaybecalledajudgeofsuchmatters，possessingsomequalityofexpressiontocommendittoacertainorderoftaste。Theywereallstrongpictures。Vividfacesofmenandwomenindaringpositions；ahunterholdingbackajaguarfromhisthroat；asoldierprotectinghiscomradefromthestroke；andmoststrikingofall，awomanlissomeasshewaspowerful，startingaghastandhorrorstrickenfrom——what?
　　Icouldnottell；aroughhandhadstrippedtheremainderofthepicturefromthewall。
　　Abitofcandleandahalfsheetofanewspaperlayonthefloor。I
　　pickedupthepaper。ItwasaRutlandHeraldandborethedateoftwodaysbefore。AsIreadIrealizedwhatIhaddone。Ifthesedaringrobberswerenotatthisverymomentinthehouse，theyhadbeenthere，andthatwithintwoorthreedays。Thebrokenpanesofglassinthegarretabovewerenowexplained。Iwasnotthefirstonewhohadclimbedthatcreakingpinetreethisfall。
　　Somethinglikeasensibledreadofaverypossibledangernowseizedholdofme。IfIhadstumbleduponthesestranglysubtile，yetdevilishlyboldcreaturesintheirsecretlair，thepistolIcarriedwasnotgoingtosaveme。Shutinlikeafoxinahole，Ihadlittletohopefor，iftheyoncemadetheirappearanceatthestairheadorcameuponmefromanyofthedimhallsofthecrazyolddwelling，whichInowbegantofindaltogethertoolargeformycomfort。
　　StealingcautiouslyforthfromtheroominwhichIhadfoundsomuchtodisconcertme，Icrepttowardsthefrontstaircaseandlistened。
　　Allwasdeathlyquiet。Theoldpinetreemoanedandtwistedwithout，andfromtimetotimethewindcamesweepingdownthechimneywithanunearthlyshriekingsoundthatwasweirdlyinkeepingwiththeplace。