"Atlastitwasfinishedandshestoodbeforemelife-likeandrealintheverygarmentsandwithalmosttheveryaspectofthatnevertobeforgottenmoment。EventheroseswhichinthesecretuneasinessofmyconscienceIhadputinherhandonourdeparturefromTroy，asasortofvisibletokenthatIregardedherasmybride，andwhichthroughallherinterviewwithmyfathershehadneverdropped，blossomedbeforemeonthecanvas。Nothingthatcouldgiverealitytothelikeness，waslacking；thevisionofmydreamsstoodembodiedinmysight，andIlookedforpeace。Alas，thatpicturenowbecamemydream。
"InsertingitbehindthatofEvelynwhichfortwoyearshadhelditsplaceabovemyarmchair，IturneditsfacetothewallwhenIroseinthemorning。Butatnightitbeamedeveruponme，becomingasthemonthspassed，theonethingtoholdtoandmuseoverwhentheworldgrewalittlenoisyinmyearsandtheneverceasingconflictoftheagesbeatatrifletooloudlyonheartandbrain。
"Meanwhilenowordofher，onlyofhervillainousfatherandbrother；
notokenthatshehadescapedevilorwasremovedfromwant。IfIhadlovedherIcouldnothavesuccoredher，forIdidnotknowwheretofindher。Hercountenanceilluminedmywall，butherfairyoungselflayforallIknewshelteredwithinthedarknessandsilenceofthetomb。
"Atlengthmymorbidbroodingsworkedouttheirnaturalresult。A
dullmelancholysettleduponmewhichnothingcouldbreak。Eventhenewsthatmycousinwhohadlostherhusbandamonthaftermarriage，hadreturnedtoAmericawithexpectationtoremain，scarcelycausedarippleinmyapathy。WasIsinkingintoahypochrondriac?orwasmypassionforthebeautifulbrunettedead?Ideterminedtosolvethedoubt。
"SeekingherwhereIknewshewouldbefound，Igazedagainuponherbeauty。Itwasabsolutelynothingtome。AfairyoungfacewithhighthoughtsineveryglancefloatedlikesunshinebetweenusandIleftthehaughtyCountess，withtheknowledgeburneddeepintomybrain，thattheloveIhadconsideredslainwasaliveanddemanding，butthattheobjectofitpastrecall，wasmylostyoungwife。
"Onceassuredofthis，myapathyvanishedlikemistbeforeakindledtorch。Henceforththefutureheldahope，andlifeapurpose。IwouldseekmywifethroughouttheworldandbringherbackifIfoundherinprisonbetweenthemenwhoseexistencewasacursetomypride。ButwhereshouldIturnmysteps?Whatgoldenthreadhadsheleftinmyhandbywhichtotraceherthroughthelabyrinthofthisworld?I
couldthinkofbutone，andthatwasthelovewhichwouldrestrainherfromgoingawayfrommetoofar。TheLuttraofoldwouldnotleavethecitywhereherhusbandlived。Ifshewasnotchanged，IoughttobeabletofindhersomewherewithinthisgreatBabylonofours。
Wisdomtoldmetosetthepoliceuponhertrack，butpridebademetryeveryothermeansfirst。Sowiththefeverishenergyofoneleadingaforlornhope，IbegantopacethestreetsifhaplyImightseeherfaceshineuponmefromthecrowdofpassersby；afoolishfancy，unproductiveofresult!Inotonlyfailedtoseeher，butanyonelikeher。
Inthemidstofthedespairoccasionedbythisfailureathoughtflashedacrossmeorratheraremembrance。Onenightnotlongsince，beinguncommonlyrestless，Ihadrisenfrommybed，dressedmeandgoneoutintotheyardbackofmyhouseforalittleair。ItwasanunusualthingformetodobutIseemedtobesuffocatingwhereI
was，andnothingelsewouldsatisfyme。Asyoualreadysurmise，itwasthenightonwhichdisappearedthesewinggirlofwhichyouhavesooftenspoken，butIknewnothingofthat，mythoughtswerefarfrommyownhomeanditsconcerns。YoumayjudgewhatastateofmindIwasinwhenItellyouthatIeventhoughtatonemomentwhileIpausedbeforethegateleadinginto——StreetthatIsawthefaceofherwithwhommythoughtswereeverbusy，peeringuponmethroughthebars。
"YoutellmethatIdidseeagirlthere，andthatitwastheonewhohadlivedassewingwomaninmyhouse；itmaybeso，butatthetimeIconsidereditavisionofmywife，andtheremembranceofit，comingasitdidaftermyrepeatedfailurestoencounterherinthestreet，workedachangeinmyplans。Forregarditasweaknessornot，therecollectionthatthevisionIhadseenworethegarmentsofaworking-womanratherthanalady，acteduponmelikeawarningnottosearchforheranylongeramongtheresortsofthewelldressed，butintheregionsofpovertyandtoil。IthereforetooktowanderingssuchasIhavenohearttodescribe。NordoIneedto，if，asyouhaveinformedme，Ihavebeenfollowed。
"Theresultwasalmostmadness。ThoughdeepinmyheartIfeltasteadfasttrustinthepurityofherintentions，thefearofwhatshemighthavebeendriventobytheawfulpovertyanddespairIeverydaysawseethingaboutme，waslikehotsteelinbrainandheart。Thenherfatherandherbrother!Towhatmighttheynothaveforcedher，innocentandlovingsoulthoughshewas!DrinkingthedregsofacupsuchasIhadneverconsidereditpossibleformetotaste，IgotsofarastobelievethathereyeswouldyetflashuponmefrombeneathsomeofthetatteredshawlsIsawsullyingtheformsoftheyounggirlsuponwhichIhourlystumbled。Yes，andevenmadeamovetoseemycousin，ifhaplyIcouldsowinuponhercompassionastogainherconsenttoshelterthepoorcreatureofmydreamsincasethenecessitycame。Butmyheartfailedmeatthesightofhercoldfaceabovethesplendorshehadboughtwithhercharms，andIwassavedahumiliationImightneverhaverisenabove。
"Atlast，onedayIsawagirl——no，itwasnotshe，butherhairwassimilartohersinhue，andtheimpulsetofollowherwasirresistible。Ididmorethanthat，Ispoketoher。Iaskedherifshecouldtellmeanythingofonewhoselocksweregoldenredlikehers——ButIneednottellyouwhatIsaidnorwhatsherepliedwithagentledelicacythatwasalmostashocktomeasshowingfromwhatheightstowhatdepthsawomancanfall。EnoughthatnothingpassedbetweenusbeyondwhatIhaveintimated，andthatinallshesaidshegavemenonewsofLuttra。
"NextdayIstartedfortheramblingoldhouseinVermont，ifhaplyinthespotwhereIfirstsawher，Imightcomeuponsomecluetoherpresentwhereabouts。Buttheoldinnwasdeserted，andwhateverhopeImayhavehadinthatdirection，perishedwiththerest。
"Concerningthecontentsofthatbureau-drawerabove，Icansaynothing。If，asIscarcelydaretohope，theyshouldprovetohavebeenindeedbroughtherebythegirlwhohassincedisappearedsostrangely，whoknowsbutwhatinthosefoldedgarmentsaclueisgivenwhichwillleadmeatlasttotheknowledgeforwhichIwouldnowbarterallIpossess。Mywife——ButIcanmentionhernamenomoretillthequestionthatnowassailsusissetatrest。Mrs。Danielsmust——"
ButatthatmomentthedooropenedandMrs。Danielscamein。
CHAPTERXIV
MRS。DANIELS
Shestillworeherbonnetandshawlandherfacewaslikemarble。
"Youwantme?"saidshewithahurriedlooktowardsMr。Blakethathadasmuchfearassurpriseinit。
"Yes，"murmuredthatgentlemanmovingtowardsherwithaneffortwecouldverywellappreciate。"Mrs。Daniels，whowasthegirlyouharboredinthatroomaboveusforsolong?Speak；whatwashernameandwheredidshecomefrom?"
Thehousekeepertremblingineverylimb，castusonehurriedappeal。
"Speak!"reechoedMr。Gryce；"thetimeforsecrecyhaspassed。"
"O，"criedshe，sinkingintoachairfromsheerinabilitytostand，"itwasyourwife，Mr。Blake，theyoungcreatureyou——"
"Ah!"
Alltheagony，thehopelessness，thelove，thepassionofthoselastfewmonthsflashedupinthatword。Shestoppedasifshehadbeenshot，butseeingthehandwhichhehadhurriedlyraised，fallslowlybeforehim，wentonwithaburst，"Osir，shemademeswearonmykneesIwouldneverbetrayher，nomatterwhathappened。Whennottwoweeksafteryourfatherdiedshecametothehouseandaskingforme，toldmeallherstoryandallherlove；howshecouldnotreconcileitwithherideaofawife'sdutytoliveunderanyotherroofthanthatofherhusband，andliftingofftheblackwigwhichshewore，showedmehowalteredshehadmadeherselfbythatsimplechange——inhercasemoremarkedbythefactthathereyeswereinkeepingwithblackhair，whilewithherownbrightlockstheyalwaysgaveyouashockasofsomethingstrangeandhaunting——Igaveupmywillasifforcedbyamagneticpower，andnotonlyopenedthehousetoherbutmyheartaswell；
swearingtoallshedemandedandkeepingmyoathtoo，asIwouldpreservemysoulfromsinandmylifefromtheknifeofthedestroyer。"
"But，whenshewent，"brokefromthepallidlipsofthemanbeforeher，"whenshewastakenawayfromthehouse，whatthen?"
"Ah，"returnedtheagitatedwoman。"whatthen!DoyounotthinkI
suffered?Tobeheldbymyoath，anoathIwassatisfiedshewouldwishkeptevenatthiscrisis，yetknowingallthewhileshewasdriftingawayintosomeevilthatyou，ifyouknewwhoshewas，wouldgiveyourlifetoavertfromyourhonorifnotfromherinnocenthead!Toseeyoucold，indifferent，absorbedinotherthings，whileshe，whowouldhaveperishedanydayforyourhappiness，waslosingherlifeperhapsintheclutchesofthosehorriblevillains!DonotaskmetotellyouwhatIhavesufferedsinceshewent；Icannevertellyou，——innocent，tender，noble-heartedcreaturethatshewas。"
"Was?"Hishandclutchedhisheartasifithadbeenseizedbyadeathlyspasm。"Whydoyousaywas?"
"BecauseIhavejustcomefromtheMorguewheresheliesdead。"
"No，no，"cameinalowshriekfromhislips，"thatisnotshe；thatisanotherwoman，likeherperhaps，butnotshe。"
"WouldtoGodyouwereright；butthelonggoldenbraids!SuchhairashersIneversawonanyonebefore。"
"Mr。Blakeisright，"Ibrokein，forIcouldnotendurethissceneanylonger。"ThewomantakenoutoftheEastriverto-dayhasbeenbothseenandspokentobyhimandthatnotlongsince。Heshouldknowifitishiswife。"
"Andisn'tit?"
"No，athousandtimesno；thegirlwasaperfectstranger。"
Theassuranceseemedtoliftaleadenweightfromherheart。"OthankGod，"shemurmureddroppingwithanirresistibleimpulseonherknees。Thenwithasuddenreturnofheroldtremble，"ButIwasonlytorevealhersecretincaseofherdeath!WhathaveIdone，OwhathaveIdone!Heronlyhopelayinmyfaithfulness。"
Mr。Blakeleaningheavilyonthetablebeforehim，lookedinherface。
"Mrs。Daniels，"saidhe，"Ilovemywife；herhopenowliesinme。"
Sheleapedtoherfeetwithajoyousbound。"Youloveher?OthankGod!"sheagainreiteratedbutthistimeinalowmurmurtoherself。
"ThankGod!"andweepingwithunrestrainedjoy，shedrewbackintoacorner。
Ofcourseafterthat，allthatremainedforustodowastolayourheadstogetherandconsultastothebestmethodofrenewingoursearchaftertheunhappygirl，nowrenderedofdoubleinteresttousbythefactswithwhichwehadjustbeenmadeacquainted。Thatshehadbeenforcedawayfromtheroofthatshelteredherbythepowerofherfatherandbrotherwasofcoursenolongeropentodoubt。Todiscoverthem，therefore，meanttorecoverher。Doyouwonder，then，thatfromthemomentweleftMr。Blake'shouse，thecaptureofthatbraceofthievesbecametheleadingpurposeofourtwolives?
CHAPTERXV
ACONFAB
NextmorningMr。GryceandImetinseriousconsultation。How，andinwhatdirectionshouldweextendtheinquiriesnecessarytoadiscoveryoftheseSchoenmakers?
"IadviseathoroughoverhaulingoftheGermanquarter，"saidmysuperior。"Schmidt，andRosenthalwillhelpusandtheresultoughttobesatisfactory。"
ButIshookmyheadatthis。"Idon'tbelieve，"saidI，"thattheywillhideamongtheirownpeople。Youmustremembertheyarenotalone，buthavewiththemayoungwomanofasomewhatdistinguishedappearance，whosepresenceinacrowdeddistrict，likethat，wouldbesuretoawakengossip；somethingwhichaboveallelsetheymustwanttoavoid。"
"Thatistrue；theGermansareadreadfulraceforgossip。"
"Iftheydaredtoill-dressherorill-treather，itwouldbedifferent。Butsheisavaluablepieceofpropertytothemyousee，achoicelotofgoodswhichitisfortheirinteresttopreserveinfirst-classconditiontillthedaycomesforitsdisposal。ForI
presumeyouhavenodoubtthatitisforthepurposeofextortingmoneyfromMr。Blakethattheyhavecarriedoffhisyoungwife。"
"Forthatreasonoronesimilar。Heisamanofresources，theymayhavehopedhewouldhelpthemtoescapethecountry。"
"Iftheydon'thideintheGermanquartertheycertainlywon'tintheItalian，FrenchorIrish。Whattheywantistookeepcloseandrousenoquestions。Ithinktheywillbefoundtohavegoneuptheriversomewhere，orovertoJersey。Hobokenwould'ntbeabadplacetosendSchmidtto。"
"Youforgetwhatitisthey'vegotontheirminds；besidesnoconspicuouspartysuchastheycouldliveinaruraldistrictwithoutattractingmoreattentionthaninthemostcrowdedtenementhouseinthecity。"
"Wheredoyouthink，then，theywouldbeliabletogo?"
"Wellmymostmaturedthoughtonthesubject，"returnedMr。Gryce，afteramoment'sdeliberation，"isthis，——yousay，andIagree，thattheyhavehamperedthemselveswiththiswomanatthistimeforthepurposeofusingherhereafterinaschemeofblack-mailuponMr。
Blake。He，then，mustbetheobjectaboutwhichtheirthoughtsrevolveandtowardwhichwhateveroperationsorplanstheymaybeengageduponmusttend。Whatfollows?Whenacompanyofmenhavemadeuptheirmindstorobabank，whatisthefirstthingtheydo?Theyhire，ifpossible，ahousenexttotheespecialbuildingtheyintendtoenter，andformonthsworkuponthesecretpassagethroughwhichtheyhopetoreachthesafeanditscontents；ortheymakefriendswiththewatchmanthatguardsitstreasures，andthejanitorwhoopensandshutsthedoors。Inshorttheyhangabouttheirpreybeforetheypounceuponit。AndsowilltheseSchoenmakersdointhesomewhatdifferentrobberywhichtheyplansoonerorlatertoeffect。Whatevermaykeepthemcloseatthismoment，Mr。BlakeandMr。Blake'shouseisthepointtowardwhichtheireyesareturned，andifwehadtime——"
"Butwehave'nt，"Ibrokeinimpetuously。"Itishorribletothinkofthatgrandwomanlanguishingawayinthepowerofsuchrascals。"
"Ifwehadtime，"Mr。Grycepersisted，"allitwouldbenecessarytodowouldbetowait，theywouldcomeintoourhandsaseasilyandnaturallyasahawkintothesnareofthefowler。Butasyousaywehavenot，andtherefore，IwouldrecommendalittlebeatingofthebushdirectlyaboutMr。Blake'shouse；forifallmyexperienceisnotatfault，thosemenarealreadywithineye-shotofthepreytheyintendtorundown。"
"But，"saidI，"Ihavebeenlivingmyselfinthatveryneighborhoodandknowbythistimethewaysofeveryhouseinthevicinity。ThereisnotaspotupanddowntheAvenuefortenblockswheretheycouldhideawayfortwodaysmuchlesstwoweeks。Andasforthesidestreets，——whyIcouldtellyouthenamesofthosewholiveineachhouseforaconsiderabledistance。YetifyousaysoIwillgotowork——"
"Do，andmeanwhileSchmidtandRosenthalshallrummagetheGermanquarterandevengothroughWilliamsburghandHoboken。Theendjustifiesanyamountoflaborthatcanbespentuponthismatter。"
"Andyou，"Iasked。
"Willdomypartwhenyouhavedoneyours。"
CHAPTERXVI
THEMARKOFTHEREDCROSS
AndwhatsuccessdidImeet?Thebestintheworld。AndbywhatmeansdidIattainit?Bythatofthesimplest，prettiestclueIevercameupon。Butletmeexplain。
Whenafterawearisomedayspentinanineffectualsearchthroughtheneighborhood，Iwenthometomyroom，whichasyourememberwasafrontoneinalodging-houseontheoppositecornerfromMr。Blake，I
wassoabsorbedinmindandperhapsImaysayshakeninnerve，bythestrainunderwhichIhadbeenlaboringforsometimenow，thatI
stumbledupanextraflightofstairs，andwithoutanysuspicionofthefact，triedthedooroftheroomdirectlyovermine。ItisawondertomenowthatIcouldhavemadethemistake，forthehallsweretotallydissimilar，theoneabovebeingmuchmorecutupthantheonebelow，besidesbeingflankedbyagreaternumberofdoors。Buttheintoxicationofthemindisnotfarremovedfromthatofthebody，andasIsayitwasnottillIhadtriedthedoorandfounditlocked，thatIbecameawareofthemistakeIhadmade。
Withthefoolishsenseofshamethatalwaysovercomesusatthecommittalofanysuchtrivialerror，Istumbledhastilyback，whenmyfoottroduponsomethingthatbrokeundermyweight。Ineverletevensmallthingspasswithoutsomenotice。Stooping，then，forwhatIhadthusinadvertentlycrushed，Icarriedittowhereasinglegasjetturneddownverylow，madeapartiallightinthelonghall，andexaminingit，foundittobeapieceofredchalk。
Whatwasthereinthatsimplefacttomakemestartandhastilyrecalloneortwohalf-forgottenincidentswhich，oncebroughttomind，awokeatrainofthoughtthatledtothediscoveryandcaptureofthosetwodesperatethieves?Iwilltellyou。
Idon'tremembernowwhetherinmyaccountofthevisitIpaidtotheSchoenmakers'houseinVermont，Iinformedyouofthered
noticedscrawledonthepanelofoneofthedoors。Itseemedatrivialthingatthetimeandmadelittleornoimpressionuponme，thechancesbeingthatIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain，ifI
hadnotcomeuponthearticlejustmentionedatamomentwhenmymindwasfullofthoseverySchoenmakers。Butrememberednow，togetherwithanotherhalf-forgottenfact，——thatsomedayspreviousIhadbeentoldbythewomanwhokeptthehouseIwasin，thatthepartiesovermyheadtwomenandawomanIbelieveshesaidweregivinghersometrouble，butthattheypaidwellandthereforeshedidnotliketoturnthemout，——itarousedavaguesuspicioninmymind，andledtomywalkingbacktothedoorIhadendeavoredtoopeninmyabstraction，andcarefullylookingatit。
Itwasplainandwhite，ratherruderofmakethanthosebelow，butofferingnoinducementsforprolongedscrutiny。Butnotsowiththeonethatstoodatrightanglestoitontheleft。Fullinthecentreofthat，Ibehelddistinctlyscrawled，probablywiththeverypieceofchalkIthenheld，aredcrosspreciselysimilarinoutlinetotheoneIhadseenafewdaysbeforeonthepaneloftheSchoenmakers'
dooratGranby。
Thediscoverysentathrillovermethatalmostraisedmyhaironend。
Was，then，thisfamoustriotobefoundintheveryhouseinwhichI
hadbeenmyselflivingforaweekormore?overmyheadinfact?I
couldnotwithdrawmygazefromthemysteriouslookingobject。Ibentnear，Ilistened，Iheardwhatsoundedlikethesuppressedsnoreofapowerfulman，andalmosthadtolayholdofmyselftopreventmyhandfrompushingopenthatcloseddoorandmyfeetfromentering。AsitwasIdidfingertheknobalittle，butanextraloudsnorefromwithinremindedmebyitssuggestionofstrengththatIwasbutasmallmanandthatinthiscaseandatthishour，discretionwasthebetterpartofvalor。
Ithereforewithdrew，butforthewholenightlayawakelisteningtocatchanysoundsthatmightcomefromabove，andgoingsofarastoplanwhatIwoulddoifitshouldbeprovedthatIwasindeeduponthetrailofthemenIwassoanxioustoencounter。
WiththebreakingofdayIwasuponmyfeet。ArudestephadgoneupthestairsafewminutesbeforeandIwasallalerttofollow。ButI
presentlyconsideredthatmywisestcoursewouldbetosoundthelandladyandlearnifpossiblewithwhatsortofcharactersIhadtodeal。Routingheroutofthekitchen，whereatthatearlyhourshewasalreadyengagedindomesticduties，Idrewherintoaretiredcornerandputmyquestions。Shewasnotbackwardinreplying。ShehadconceivedaninnocentlikingformeintheshorttimeIhadbeenwithher——adisplayofweaknessforwhichIwasmyself，perhaps，asmuchtoblameasshe——andwasonlytooreadytopourouthergriefsintomysympathizingear。Forthosemenwereagrieftoher，acceptableaswasthemoneytheywerecarefultoprovideherwith。
Theywerenotonlyalwaysinthehouse，thatisoneofthem，smokinghisoldpipeandblackeningupthewalls，buttheylookedsoshabby，andkeptthegirlsoclose，andiftheydidgoout，cameinatsuchunheardofhours。Itwasenoughtodrivehercrazy；yetthemoney，themoney——
"Yes，"saidI，"Iknow；andthemoneyoughttomakeyouoverlookallthesmalldisagreeablenessesyoumention。Whatisalandladywithoutpatience。"AndIurgedhernottoturnthemout。
"Butthegirl，"shewenton，"sonice，soquiet，sosick-looking!I
cannotstandittoseehercoopedupinthatsmallroom，alwayswatchedoverbyoneorbothofthoseburlywretches。Theoldmansayssheishisdaughterandshedoesnotdenyit，butIwouldassoonthinkofthatlittlerosychildyouseecooinginthewindowovertheway，belongingtothebeggargoinginatthegate，asofherwithherlady-likewayshavinganyconnectionwithhimandhisrough-actingson。Yououghttoseeher——"
"ThatisjustwhatIwanttodo，"interruptedI。"Notbecauseyouhavetemptedmyfancybyarecitalofhercharms，"Ihastenedtoadd，"butbecausesheis，ifIdon'tmistake，awomanforwhosediscoveryandrescue，alargesumofmoneyhasbeenoffered。"
AndwithoutfurtherdisguiseIacquaintedthestartledwomanbeforemewiththefactthatIwasnot，asshehadalwaysconsidered，theclerkoutofemploymentwhosedailybusinessitwastosallyforthinquestofasituation，butamemberofthecitypolice。
Shewasdulyimpressedandeasilypersuadedtosecondallmyoperationsasfarasherpoorwitswouldallow，givingmefreerangeofherupperstory，andaboveall，promisingthatsecrecywithoutwhichallmyfinelylaidplansforcapturingtherogueswithoutraisingascandal，wouldfallheadlongtotheground。
Beholdme，then，bynoonofthatsamedaydomiciledinanapartmentnexttotheonewhosedoorborethatscarletsignwhichhadarousedwithinmesuchfeverishhopesthenightbefore。CladintheseedygarmentsofabrokendownFrenchartistwhoseacquaintanceIhadoncemade，withsomethingofhisairandgeneralappearanceandwithafewofhiswretcheddaubshungaboutonthewhitewashedwall，IcommencedwitheveryprospectofsuccessasIthought，thatquietespionageofthehallanditsinhabitantswhichIconsiderednecessarytoaproperattainmentoftheendIhadinview。
Arackingcoughwasoneofthepeculiaritiesofmyfriend，anddeterminedtoassumethecharacterintoto，Iallowedmyselftostartlethesilencenowandthenwithaseriesofgaspsandchokingsthatwhetheragreeableornot，certainlywereofacharactertoshowthatIhadnodesiretoconcealmypresencefromthoseIhadcomeamong。Indeeditwasmydesiretoacquaintthemasfullyandassoonaspossiblewiththefactoftheirhavinganeighbor:aweak-eyedhalf-aliveinnocenttobesure，butyetaneighborwhowouldkeephisdooropennightandday——forthewarmthofthehallofcourse——andwhowiththefretfulhabitofanoldmanwhohadoncebeenagentlemanandabeau，wentramblingaboutthroughthehallspeakingtothosehemetandexpectingacivilwordinreturn。Whenhewasnotramblingorcoughinghemadearchitecturalmonstersoutofcardboard，wherewithtotemptthepenniesoutofthepocketsofunwarychildren，anemploymentthatkepthimchainedtoasmalltableinthecentreofhisroomdirectlyoppositetheopendoor。
AsIexpectedIhadscarcelygivenwaytothreeseparatefitsofcoughing，whenthedoornextmeopenedwithajerkandaroughvoicecalledout，"Who'sthatmakingallthattodoabouthere?Ifyoudon'tstopthatinfernalnoiseinahurry——"
Asoftvoiceinterruptedhimandhedrewback。"Iwillgosee，"saidthosegentletones，andLuttraBlake，forIknewitwasshebeforetheskirtofherrobehadadvancedbeyondthedoor，steppedoutintothehall。
Iwasyetbentovermyworkwhenshepausedbeforeme。ThefactisI
didnotdarelookup，themomentwasoneofsuchimportancetome。
"Youhaveadreadfulcough，"saidshewiththatlowringofsympathyinhervoicethatgoesunconsciouslytotheheart。"Istherenohelpforit?"
Ipushedbackmywork，drewmyhandovermyeyes，Ididnotneedtomakeittrembleandglancedup。"No，"saidIwithashakeofmyhead，"butitisnotalwayssobad。Ibegyourpardon，miss，ifitdisturbsyou。"
Shethrewbacktheshawlwhichshehadhelddrawntightlyoverherhead，andadvancedwithaneasyglidingstepclosetomyside。"Youdonotdisturbme，butmyfatheris——is，wellatriflecrosssometimes，andifheshouldspeakupalittleharshnowandthen，youmustnotmind。Iamsorryyouaresoill。"
Whatisthereinsomewomen'slook，somewomen'stouchthatmorethanallbeautygoestotheheartandsubduesit。Asshestoodtherebeforemeinherdarkworsteddressandcoarseshawl，withherlockssimplybraidedandherwholepersonundignifiedbyartandungracedbyornament，sheseemedjustbythepowerofherexpressionandthewitcheryofhermanner，theloveliestwomanIhadeverbeheld。
"Youarevereekind，vereegood，"Imurmured，halfashamedofmydisguise，thoughitwasassumedforthepurposeofrescuingher。
"Yoursympathygoestomyheart。"Thenasadeepgrowlofimpatiencerosefromtheroomatmyside，Imotionedhertogoandnotirritatethemanwhoseemedtohavesuchcontroloverher。
"Inaminute，"answeredshe，"firsttellmewhatyouaremaking。"
SoItoldherandinthecourseoftelling，letdropsuchotherfactsaboutmyfanciedlifeasIwishedtohaveknowntoherandthroughhertoherfather。Shelookedsweetlyinterestedandmorethanonceturneduponmethatdarkeye，ofwhichIhadheardsomuch，fulloftearsthatwereasmuchforme，scampthatIwas，asforherownsecrettrouble。Butthegrowlsbecomingmoreandmoreimpatientshespeedilyturnedtogo，repeating，however，asshedidso，"NowrememberwhatIsay，youarenottobetroublediftheydospeakcrosstoyou。Theymakenoiseenoughthemselvessometimes，asyouwilldoubtlessbeassuredofto-night。"
Andthelipswhichseemedtohavegrownstiffandcoldwithhermisery，actuallysoftenedintosomethinglikeasmile。
ThenodwhichIgaveherinreturnhadthesolemityofavowinit。
Mymindthusassuredastothecorrectnessofmysuspicions，andthewaythuspavedtothecarryingoutofmyplans，Iallowedsomefewdaystoelapsewithoutfurtheractiononmypart。Mymotivewastoacquaintmyselfasfullyaspossiblewiththehabitsandwaysofthesetwodesperatemen，beforemakingtheattempttocapturethemuponwhichsomanyinterestshung。ForwhileIfeltitwouldbehighlycreditabletomysagacity，aswellasvaluabletomyreputationasadetective，torestoretheseescapedconvictsinanywaypossibleintothehandsofjustice，mychiefambitionafterallwastosomanagetheaffairastosavethewifeofMr。Blake，notonlyfromtheconsequencesoftheirdespair，butfromthepublicityandscandalattendantupontheopenarrestoftwoheavilyarmedmen。Strategy，therefore，ratherthanforcewastobeemployed，andstrategytobesuccessfulmustbefoundeduponthemostthoroughknowledgeofthematterwithwhichonehastodeal。Threedays，then，didIgivetotheacquiringofthatknowledge，theresultofwhichwasthepossessionofthefollowingfacts。
1。Thatthelandladywasrightwhenshetoldmethegirlwasneverleftalone，oneofthemen，ifnotthefatherthentheson，alwaysremainingwithher。
2。Thatwhilethusguarded，shewasnotsorestrictedbutthatshehadthelibertyofwalkinginthehall，thoughneverforanylengthoftime。
3。Thatthecrossonthedoorseemedtopossesssomesecretmeaningconnectedwiththeirpresenceinthehouse，ithavingbeenerasedoneeveningwhenthewholethreewentoutonsomematterorother，onlytobechalkedonagainwheninanhourorsolater，fatheranddaughterreturnedalone。
4。Thatitwasthefatherandnotthesonwhomadesuchpurchasesaswereneeded，whileitwasthesonandnotthefatherwhocarriedonwhateveroperationstheyhadonhand；nightfallbeingthefavoritehourfortheoneandmidnightfortheother；thoughitnotinfrequentlyhappenedthatthelattersaunteredoutforashorttimealsointheafternoon，probablyforthedrinkhecouldnotgolongwithout。
5。Thattheyweremenofgreatstrengthbutlittlealertness；thestrayglimpsesIhadhadofthem，revealingabreadthofbackthatwastrulyformidable，ifithadnotbeenjoinedtoaheavinessofmotionthatproclaimedacertainstolidityofmindthatwaseminentlyinourfavor。
Howbesttousethesefactsinthebuildingupofamaturedplanofaction，was，then，theproblem。BynoonofacertaindayIbelievedittohavebeensolved，andreluctantasIwastoleavethespotofmyespionageevenforthehourortwonecessarytoavisittoheadquarters，Ifoundmyselfcompelledtodoso。PackingupinasmallbasketIhadforthepurpose，thelittlearticlesIhadbeenengagedduringthelastfewdaysinmaking，Igavewaytoafinalfitofcoughingsohollowaudsepulchuralinitstone，thatitawokeacursefromthenextroomdeepasthegrowlofawildbeast，andstillcontinuing，finallybroughtLuttratothedoorwiththatlookofcompassiononherfacethatalwayscalledupaflushtomycheekwhetherIwisheditorno。
"Ah，Monsieur，Iamafraidyourcoughisverybadto-day。OIsee；youhavebeengettingreadytogoout——"
"Comebackhere，"brokeinaheavyvoicefromtheroomshehadleft。
"Whatdoyoumeanbyrunningofftopalaverwiththatoldrascaleverytimeheopenshis——batteryofacough?"
Asmilethatwentthroughmelikethecutofaknife，flashedforamomentonherface。
"Myfatherisinoneofhisimpatientmoods，"saidshe，"youhadbettergo。Ihopeyouwillbesuccessful，"shemurmured，glancingwistfullyatmybasket。
"Whatisthat?"againcamethunderingonourears。"Successful?Whatareyoutwoupto?"Andweheardtheroughclatterofadvancingsteps。
"Go，"saidshe；"youareweakandold；andwhenyoucomeback，tryandnotcough。"Andshegavemeagentlepushtowardsthedoor。
"WhenIcomeback，"Ibegan，butwasforcedtopause，theelderSchoenmakerhavingbythistimereachedtheopendoorwaywherehestoodfrowninginuponusinawaythatmademyheartstandstillforher。
"Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?"saidhe；"andwhathaveyougotinyourbasketthere?"hecontinuedwithastrideforwardthatshookthefloor。
"Onlysomelittletoysthathehasbeenmaking，andisnowgoingouttosell，"washerlowanswergivenwithaquickdeprecatorygesturesuchasIdoubtifsheeverusedforherself。
"Nothingmore?"askedheinGermanwitharedglareintheeyeheturnedtowardsher。
"Nothingmore，"repliedsheinthesametongue。"Youmaybelieveme。"
Hegaveadeepgrowlandturnedaway。"Iftherewas，"saidhe，"youknowwhatwouldhappen。"Andunheedingthewildkeenshudderthatseizedherattheword，makingherinsensibleforthemomenttoallandeverythingabouther，helaidoneheavyhanduponherslightshoulderandledherfromtheroom。
Iwaitednolongerthanwasnecessarytocarrymyfeebleandfalteringstepsappropriatelydownthestairs，toreachthefloorbelowandgainthelandlady'spresence。
"Doyougoup，"saidI，"andsitonthosestairstillIcomeback。Ifyouheartheleastcryofpainorsoundofstrugglefromthatyounggirl'sroom，doyoucallatonceforhelp。Iwillhaveapolicemanstandingonthecornerbelow。"
Thegoodwomannoddedandproceededatoncetotakeupherwork-basket。"Luckythere'sawindowupthere，soIcansee，"I
heardhermutter。"I'venotimetothrowawayevenondeedsofcharity。"
Notwithstandingwhichprecaution，Iwasinconstantanxietyduringmyabsence；anabsencenecessarilyprolongedasIhadtostopandexplainmatterstotheSuperintendent，aswellashuntupMr。Gryceandgethisconsenttoassistmeinthematteroftheimpendingarrest。
Ifoundthelatterinhisownhomeandmorethanenthusiasticuponthesubject。
"Well，"saidheafterIhadinformedhimofthediscoveriesIhadmade，"thefatesseemtoprosperyouinthis。IhavenotreceivedaninklingoflightuponthemattersinceIpartedfromyouatMr。
Blake'shouse。BythewayIsawthatgentlemanthismorningandI
tellyouwewillfindhimagratefulmanifthisaffaircanberesolvedsatisfactorily，"
'Thatisgood，"saidI，"gratitudeiswhatwewant。"Thenshortly，"Perhapsitisnomorethanourdutytolethimknowthathiswifeissafeandundermyeye；thoughIwouldbynomeansadvocatehisknowingjusthownearhimsheis，tillthemomentcomeswhenheiswanted，orweshallhavealover'simpetuositytodealwithaswellasalltherest。"Thenwithahurriedrememberanceofapossiblecontingency，wentontosay，"But，bytheway，incaseweshouldneedthecooperationofMrs。Blakeinwhatwehavebeforeus，youhadbettergetalinewritteninFrenchfromMrs。Daniels，expressiveofherbeliefinMr。Blake'spresentaffectionforhiswife。Thelatterwillnototherwisetrustus，orunderstandthatwearetobeobeyedinwhateverwemaydemand。Letitbeunsignedandwithoutnamesincaseofaccident；andifthehousekeeperdon'tunderstandFrench，tellhertogetsomeonetohelpherthatdoes，onlybesurethatthehandwritingemployedisherown。
Mr。Gryceseemedtoperceivethewisdomofthisprecautionandpromisedtoprocuremesuchanotebyacertainhour，afterwhichI
relatedtohimthevariousotherdetailsofthecapturesuchasIhadplannedit，meetingtomysecretgratificationanunqualifiedapprovalthatwentfartowardsalleviatingthatwoundtomypridewhichIhadreceivedfromhiminthebeginningofthisaffair。
"Letallthingsproceedasyouhavedetermined，andweshallaccomplishsomethingthatitwillbealife-longsatisfactiontoremember，"saidhe；"butyoumustbepreparedforsometwistofthescrewwhichyoudonotanticipate。Ineverknewanythingtogooffjustasoneprognosticatesitmust，exceptonce，"headdedthoughtfully，"andthenitwaswithasurpriseattachedtoitthatwellnighupsetmenotwithstandingallmypreparations。"
"Youwonagreatsuccessthatday，"remarkedI。"Ihopethefateswillbeaspropitioustometo-morrow。Failurenowwouldbreakmyheart。"
"Butyouwon'tfail，"exclaimedhe。"Imyselfamresolvedtoseeyouthroughthismatterwithcredit。"
AndinthisassuranceIreturnedtomylodgingswhereIfoundthelandladysittingwhereIhadlefther，darninghertwenty-thirdsock。
"Ihavetomendforadozenmenandthreeboys，"saidshe，"andtheboysaretheworstbyaheapsight。Lookatthat，willyou，"holdingupadarnwithabitofstockingattached。"Thatholewasmadeplayingshinny。"
Iutteredmycondolencesandaskedifanysoundordisturbancehadreachedherearsfromabove。
"Ono，allisrightupthere；I'vescarcelyheardawhispersinceyou'vebeengone。"
Igaveherapatonthechinscarcelyconsistentwithmyagedandtotteringmienandproceededtoshamblepainfullytomyroom。
CHAPTERXVII
Promptlynextmorningatthedesignatedhour，camethelittlenotepromisedmebyMr。Gryce。Itwasputinmyhandwithmanyslywinksbythelandladyherself，whodevelopedatthiscrisisquiteanadaptationfor，ifnotabsoluteloveofintrigueandmystery。Glancingoverit——itwasunsealed——andfindingitentirelyunintelligible，I
tookitforgranteditwasallrightandputitbytillchance，orifthatfailed，strategy，shouldgivemeanopportunitytocommunicatewithMrs。Blake。Anhourpassed；thedoorsoftheirroomsremainedunclosed。Ahalfhourmoredraggeditsslowminutesaway，andnosoundhadcomefromtheirprecinctssavenowandthenamumbledwordofparleybetweenthefatherandson，ashortcommandtothedaughter，oranot-to-be-restrainedoathofannoyancefromoneorbothoftheheavy-limbedbrutesassomethingwassaidordonetodisturbthemintheirindolentrepose。Atlastmyimpatiencewastobenolongerrestrained。Rising，Itookaboldresolution。IfthemountainwouldnotcometoMahomet，Mahometwouldgotothemountain。Takingmyletterinthehand，Ideliberatelyproceededtothedoormarkedwiththeominousredcrossandknocked。
Asurprisedsnarlfromwithin，followedbyasuddenshufflingoffeetasthetwomenleapeduprightfromwhatIpresumehadbeenarecumbentposition，warnedmetobereadytofacedefianceifnotthefuryofdespair；andcurbingwithadeterminedefforttheslightsinkingofheartnaturaltoamanofmymakeonthethresholdofaverydoubtfuladventure，Iawaitedwithasmuchapparentunconcernaspossible，thequickadvanceofthatlightfootwhichseemedtobereadytoperformallthebiddingsofthesehardenedwretches，muchasitshrunkfromfollowinginthewaysoftheirinfamy。
"Ahmiss，"saidI，asthedooropenedrevealinginthegapherwhitefacecloudedwithsomenewandsuddenapprehension，"IbegyourpardonbutIamanoldman，andIgotaletterto-dayandmyeyesaresoweakwiththeworkI'vebeendoingthatIcannotreadit。ItisfromsomeoneIlove，andwouldyoubesokindastoreadoffthewordsformeandsorelieveanoldmanfromhisanxiety。"
Themurmurofsuspicionbehindher，warnedhertothrowwideopenthedoor。"Certainly，"saidshe，"ifIcan，"takingthepaperinherhand。
"Justletmegetasquintatthatfirst，"saidasullenvoicebehindher；andtheyoungestofthetwoSchoenmakerssteppedforwardandtorethepaperoutofhergrasp。
"Youaretoosuspicious，"murmuredshe，lookingafterhimwiththefirstassumptionofthatairofpoweranddeterminationwhichIhadheardsoeloquentlydescribedbythemanwholovedher。"Thereisnothinginthoselineswhichconcernsus；letmehavethemback。"
"Youholdyourtongue，"wasthebrutalreplyastheroughmanopenedthefoldedpaperandreadortriedtoreadwhatwaswrittenwithin。
"Blastit!it'sFrench，"washisslowexclamationafteramomentspentinthisway。"See，"andhethrustittowardshisfatherwhostoodfrowningheavilyafewfeetoff。
"Ofcourse，it'sFrench，"criedthegirl。"WouldyouwriteanoteinEnglishtofatherthere?Theman'sfriendsareFrenchlikehimself，andmustwriteintheirownlanguage。"
"Heretakeitandreaditout，"commandedherfather；"andmindyoutelluswhatitmeans。I'llhavenothinggoingonherethatIdon'tunderstand。"
"ReadmetheFrenchwordsfirst，miss，"saidI。"ItismyletterandI
wanttoknowwhatmyfriendhastosaytome。"
Noddingatmewithagentlelook，shecasthereyesonthepaperandbegantoread:
"Calmezvous，monamie，ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Allousducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。"
"Thanks!"Iexclaimedinacalmmatter-of-factwayasIperceivedthesuddentremorthatseizedherassherecognizedthehandwritingandrealizedthatthewordswereforher。"Myfriendsayshewillpaymyweek'srentandbidsmebeathometoreceivehim，"saidI，turninguponthetwoferociousfacespeeringoverhershoulder，withalookofmeekunsuspiciousnessinmyeye，thatinatheatrewouldhavebroughtdownthehouse。
"Isthatwhatthosewordssay，you?"askedthefather，pointingoverhershouldertothepapersheheld。
"Iwilltranslateforyouwordbywordwhatitsays，"repliedshe，nervingherselfforthecrisistillherfacewaslikemarble，thoughIcouldseeshecouldnotpreventthegleamofsecretrapturethathadvisitedher，fromflashingfitfullyacrossit。"Calmezvous，monamie。Donotbeafraid，myfriend。Ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。
Helovesyouandishuntingforyou。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Infourhoursyouwillbehappy。Allonsducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。Thentakecourageandaboveallpreserveyourself-possession。ItistheFrenchwayofexpressingone'sself，"observedshe。"Iamgladyourfriendisdisposedtohelpyou，"shecontinued，givingmebacktheletterwithasmile。"Iamafraidyouneededit。"
InasortofmazeIfoldeduptheletter，bowedmyveryhumblethankstoherandshuffledslowlyback。ThefactisIhadnowords；Iwasutterlydumbfounded。Halfwaythroughthatletter，withwhosecontentsyoumustrememberIwasunacquainted，Iwouldhavegivenmywholechanceofexpectedrewardtohavestoppedher。Readoutsuchwordsasthosebeforethesemen!Wasshecrazy?ButhownaturallyattheconclusiondidshewithawordmakeitslanguageseemconsistentwiththemeaningIhadgivenit。Withafreshsenseofmyobligationtoher，Ihurriedtomyroom，theretocountouttheminutesofanotherlonghourinanxiousexpectationofhermakingthatendeavortocommunicatewithme，whichhernewhopesandfearsmustforcehertofeelalmostnecessarytoherexistence。Atlength，myconfidenceinherwasrewarded。Comingoutintothehall，shehurriedpastmydoor，herfingeronherlip。Iimmediatelyroseandstoodonthethresholdwithanotherpaperinmyhand，whichIhadpreparedagainstthisopportunity。Assheglidedback，Iputitinherhand，andwarningherwithalooknottospeak，resumedmyusualoccupation。ThewordsIhadwrittenwereasfollows:
Atorasnearthetimeaspossibleofyourbrother'sgoingout，youaretocometothisroomwrappedinanextraskirtandwithyourshawloveryourhead。Leavetheskirtandshawlbehindyou，andwithdrawatoncetotheroomattheheadofthestairs。Youarenottospeak，andyouarenottovaryfromtheplanthuslaiddown。Yourbrotherandfatheraretobearrested，whetherorno；