Tummas”seyesburnedtroublously。
　　“I”vegotreetdowntakenwi”th”otherun，“heanswered。“He”snoangentry，buthe”sth”reetmak”。I——Idunnotbelieveashimaswaskilledhascoomback。”
　　“NeitherdoI，“Palliseranswered，withamiabletolerance。“TheAmericangentlemanhadbettercomebackhimselfanddisproveit。WhenyouusedtotalkabouttheKlondike，heneversaidanythingtomakeyoufeelasifhedoubtedthattheothermanwasdead？“
　　“Nothim，“answeredTummas。
　　“Eh！Tummas，whatartthatalkin”about？“exclaimedMrs。
　　Hibblethwaite，whowasmendingattheotherendoftheroom。“Iheerdhimsaymysel，`Supposeth”storyhadn”tbeentruean”hewasalivesomewherenow，it”dmakeabigchange，wouldna”it？”An”helaughed。”
　　“Ineverheerdhim，“saidTummas，instoutdenial。
　　“Tha”slosin”thamoind，“commentedhismother。“AssoonasIheerdth”talkabouthimrunnin”awayan”takin”th”madgentlemanwi”himI
　　rememberedit。An”Irememberedashesatstillafteritandsaidnowtforaminuteorso，sameasifhewasthinkin”thingsover。Theerwassummatabitqueeraboutit。”
　　“Ineverheerdhim，“Tummasasserted，obstinately，andshuthismouth。
　　“Hewereasreadytotalkaboutth”poorgentlemanasmetwithth”
　　accidentasthawertthysel”，Tummas，“Mrs。Hibblethwaiteproceeded，movedbytheopportunityofferedforpresentingherviewsontheexcitingtopic。“He”daxtheeawsortso”questionsaboutwhattha”dfoundoutwi”pumpin”foak。He”daxmequestionsnowan”agenaboutwhathewasloiketolookat，an”howtallhewur。OnctheaxedmeifIrememberedwhatsoarto”chinhehadan”howhespoke。”
　　“Itwurtosettheegoin”an”pleaseme，“volunteeredTummas，grudgingly。“Hediditsameashe”dlookatth”maptopleasemean”
　　tellmetalesaboutth”news-ladsi”NewYork。”
　　Ithadnotseemedimprobablethatavillagecrippletiedtoasofawouldbereadyenoughtorelateallheknew，andperhapssomuchmorethatitwouldbenecessarytousediscretioninselectingstatementsofvalue。Todropinandgivehimasovereignandlethimtalkhadappearedsimple。Ladsofhisclasslikedtobelistenedto，enjoyedenlarginguponandrenderingdramaticsuchmaterialashadfallenintotheirhands。ButTummaswasaneccentric，andinstinctledhimtocloselikeanoysterbeforearemotesenseofsubtlyapproachingattack。Itwashismother，nothe，whohadprovidedinformation；butitwasnotsufficientlyspecializedtobeworthmuch。
　　“Whatdidthasayhe”drunawayfur？“Tummassaidtohisparentlater。
　　“He”snotoneo”th”runnin”awaysoart。”
　　“Hehasprobablybeencalledawaybybusiness，“remarkedCaptainPalliser，asherosetogoafterafewminutes”casualtalkwithMrs。
　　Hibblethwaite。“Itwasamistakenottoleaveanaddressbehindhim。
　　Yourmotherismistakeninsayingthathetookthemadgentlemanwithhim。Hehadhimremovedlateatnightsometimebeforehewenthimself。”
　　“Takthasov”rin”，“saidTummas，asPallisermovedaway。“Ididnashowtheeth”atlas。Thadidnawanttoseeit。”
　　“Iwillleavethesovereignforyourmother，“saidPalliser。“I”msorryyouarenotinabetterhumor。”
　　Hisinterestintheatlashadindeedbeenlimitedtohisideathatitwouldleadtosubjectsoftalkwhichmightcastilluminatingside-
　　lightsandpossiblyopenupavenuesandvistas。Tummas，however，havinginstinctivelyfoundhimdispleasing，hehadgainedbutlittle。
　　Avenuesandvistaswerenecessary——avenuesthroughwhichthestepsofPalfordandGrimbymightwander，vistaswhichtheymightexplorewithhesitating，investigatingglances。Sofar，thesceneremainedunpromisinglyblank。TheAmericanTempleBarholmhadsimplydisappeared，ashadhismysteriouscharge。Stepslikelytoleadtodefiniteresultscanscarcelybetakenhopefullyinthecaseofapersonwhohasseemedtemporarilytoceasetoexist。Youcannotinterrogatehim，youcannotdemandinformation，whatsoeverthefoundationsuponwhichrestyouraccusations，ifsuchaccusationcanbelaunchedonlyintothinairandthefactthatthereisnobodytoreplyto——toacknowledgeorindignantlyrefutethem——isinitselfaseriousbarriertoaccomplishment。Itwasalsotruethatonlyafewweekshadelapsedsincetheaccusedhad，sotospeak，dematerialized。
　　ItwasalsoimpossibletocalculateuponwhatanAmericanofhisclassandpeculiaritieswouldbelikelytodoinanycircumstanceswhatever。
　　Inprivateconference，PalfordandGrimbyfranklyadmittedtoeachotherthattheywouldalmosthavepreferredthatCaptainPallisershouldhavekepthisremarkablesuspicionstohimself，forthetimebeingatleast。Yetwhentheyhadadmittedthistheywereconfrontedbythedisturbingpossibility——suggestedbyPalliser——thatactualcrimehadbeenormightbecommitted。Theyhadheardunpleasantstoriesofprivatelunaticasylumsandtheirlike。Thingstoshudderatmightbegoingonattheverymomenttheyspoketoeachother。
　　Underthispossibility，nosupinenesswouldbeexcusable。Effortstotracethemissingmanmustatleastbemade。Effortsweremade，butwithnoresult。Painfulasitwastoreflectonthesubjectoftheasylums，carefulprivateinquirywasmade，informationwasquietlycollected，therewereevenvisitstogruesomelyquietplacesonvariouspolitepretexts。
　　“Ifalongerperiodoftimehadelapsed，“Mr。Palfordremarkedseveraltimes，withsomestiffnessofmanner，“weshouldfeelthatwehadmoresolidfoundationforourpremises。”
　　“Perfectlyright，“CaptainPalliseragreedwithhim，“butitislapseoftimewhichmaymeanlifeordeathtoJemTempleBarholm；soit”sperhapsaswelltobeonthesafesideandgoonquietlyfollowingsmallclues。Idaresayyouwouldfeelmorecomfortableyourselves。”
　　BothMr。PalfordandMr。Grimby，havingmadeanappointmentwithMissAlicia，arrivedoneafternoonatTempleBarholmtotalktoherprivately，therebycastingherintoastateofagonizedanxietywhichreducedhertopallor。
　　“Ourvisitismerelyoneofinquiry，MissTempleBarholm，“Mr。Palfordbegan。“Thereisperhapsnothingalarminginourclient”sabsence。”
　　“Inthenotewhichheleftmeheaskedmeto——feelnoanxiety，“MissAliciasaid。
　　“Heleftyouanoteofexplanation？Iwishwehadknownthisearlier！“
　　Mr。Palford”stonehadthenoteofrelievedexclamation。Perhapstherewasanentirelysimplesolutionofthepainfuldifficulty。
　　Buthishopehadbeentoosanguine。
　　“Itwasnotanoteofexplanation，exactly。Hewentawaytoosuddenlytohavetimetoexplain。”
　　Thetwomenlookedateachotherdisturbedly。
　　“Hehadnotmentionedtoyouhisintentionofgoing？“askedMr。
　　Grimby。
　　“Ifeelsurehedidnotknowhewasgoingwhenhesaidgood-night。HeremainedwithCaptainPallisertalkingforsometime。”MissAlicia”seyesheldwaveringandanxiousquestionasshelookedfromonetotheother。Shewonderedhowmuchmorethanherselfhervisitorsknew。“Hefoundatelegramwhenhewenttohisroom。ItcontainedmostdisquietingnewsaboutMr。Strangeways。He——hehadgotawayfromtheplacewhere”
　　“Gotaway！“Mr。Palfordwasagainexclamatory。“Washeinsomeinstitutionwherehewaskeptunderrestraint？“
　　MissAliciawaswhollyunabletoexplaintoherselfwhysomequalityinhismannerfilledherwithsuddendistress。
　　“Oh，Ithinknot！Surelynot！Surelynothingofthatsortwasnecessary。Hewasveryquietalways，andhewasgettingbettereveryday。Butitwasimportantthatheshouldbewatchedover。Hewasnodoubtunderthecareofaphysicianinsomequietsanatorium。”
　　“Somequietsanatorium！“Mr。Palford”sdisturbanceofmindwasmanifest。“Butyoudidnotknowwhere？“
　　“No。Indeed，Mr。TempleBarholmtalkedverylittleofMr。Strangeways。
　　IbelieveheknewthatitdistressedmetofeelthatIcouldbeofnorealassistanceas——asthecasewassopeculiar。”
　　Eachperturbedsolicitorlookedagainwithrapidquestionattheother。MissAliciasawtheexchangeofglancesand，sotospeak，brokedownunderthepressureoftheirunconcealedanxiety。Thelastfewweekswiththeirsuggestionofaccusationtoovaguetobemethadbeentoomuchforher。
　　“Iamafraid——IfeelsureyouknowsomethingIdonot，“shebegan。“I
　　ammostanxiousandunhappy。Ihavenotlikedtoaskquestions，becausethatwouldhaveseemedtoimplyadoubtofMr。TempleBarholm。
　　IhaveevenremainedathomebecauseIdidnotwishtohearthingsI
　　couldnotunderstand。Idonotknowwhathasbeensaid。Pearson，inwhomIhavethegreatestconfidence，feltthatMr。TempleBarholmwouldpreferthatIshouldwaituntilhereturned。”
　　“Doyouthinkhewillreturn？“saidMr。Grimby，amazedly。
　　“Oh！“thegentlecreatureejaculated。“Canyoupossiblythinkhewillnot？Why？Why？“
　　Mr。Palfordhadsharedhispartner”samazement。ItwasobviousthatshewasasignorantasababeofthedetailsofPalliser”sextraordinarystory。InheraffectionateconsiderationforTempleBarholmshehadactuallyshutherselfuplestsheshouldhearanythingsaidagainsthimwhichshecouldnotrefute。Shestoodinnocentlyobedienttohiswishes，liketheboyupontheburningdeck，awaitinghisreturnandhisversionofwhatsoeverhehadbeenaccusedof。Therewassomethingdelicatelyheroicinthelittle，slenderoldthing，withhertroubledeyesandhercapandherquiveringsideringlets。
　　“You，“sheappealed，“arehislegaladvisers，andwillbeabletotellmeifthereisanythinghewouldwishmetoknow。Icouldnotallowmyselftolistentovillagersorservants；butImayaskyou。”
　　“Wearefarfromknowingasmuchaswedesiretoknow，“Mr。Palfordreplied。
　　“Wecamehere，infact，“addedGrimby，“toaskquestionsofyou，MissTempleBarholm。”
　　“ThefactthatMissTempleBarholmhasnotallowedherselftobeprejudicedbyvillagegossip，whichisinvariablylargelyunreliable，willmakeheranexcellentwitness，“Mr。Palfordsaidtohispartner，withadeliberationwhichheldsuggestivesignificance。Eachman，infact，hadsuddenlyrealizedthatherignorancewouldleaveherabsolutelyunbiasedinheranswerstoanyquestionstheymightput，andthatitwasmuchbetterincross-examininganemotionalelderlyladythatsuchshouldbethecase。
　　“Witness！“MissAliciafoundthewordalarming。Mr。Palford”sbowwasapologeticallypalliative。
　　“Amerefigureofspeech，madam，“hesaid。
　　“Ireallyknowsolittleeveryoneelsedoesn”tknow。”MissAlicia”sprotesthadatouchofbewildermentinit。Whatcouldtheywishtoaskher？
　　“But，asweunderstandit，yourrelationswithMr。TempleBarholmweremostaffectionateandconfidential。”
　　“Wewereveryfondofeachother，“sheanswered。
　　“Forthatreasonhenodoubttalkedtoyoumorefreelythantootherpeople，“Mr。Grimbyputit。“Perhaps，Palford，itwouldbeaswelltoexplaintoMissTempleBarholmthatacuriousfeatureofthismatteristhatit——inaway——involvescertainpointsconcerningthelateMr。
　　TempleBarholm。”
　　MissAliciautteredapatheticexclamation。
　　“PoorJem——whodiedsocruelly！“
　　Mr。Palfordbenthisheadinacquiescence。
　　“PerhapsyoucantellmewhatthepresentMr。TempleBarholmknewofhim——howmuchheknew？“
　　“Itoldhimthewholestorythefirsttimewetookteatogether，“MissAliciareplied；and，betweenherrecollectionofthatstrangelyhappyafternoonandherwonderatitsconnectionwiththepresentmoment，shebegantofeeltimidanduncertain。
　　“Howdiditseemtoimpresshim？“
　　Sheremembereditallsowell——hisqueer，dearNewYorkwayofexpressinghiswarm-heartedindignationatthecrueltyofwhathadhappened。
　　“Oh，hewasverymuchexcited。Hewassosorryforhim。Hewantedtoknoweverythingabouthim。Heaskedmewhathelookedlike。”
　　“Oh！“saidPalford。“Hewantedtoknowthat？“
　　“Hewassofullofsympathy，“shereplied，herexplanationgainingwarmth。“WhenItoldhimthatthepictureofMilesHugointhegallerywassaidtolooklikeJemasaboy，hewantedverymuchtoseeit。
　　Afterwardwewentandsawittogether。Ishallalwaysrememberhowhestoodandlookedatit。Mostyoungmenwouldnothavecared。ButhealwayshadsuchatouchinginterestinpoorJem。”
　　“Youmeanthatheaskedquestionsabouthim——abouthisdeath，andsoforth？“wasMr。Palford”sinquiry。
　　“Aboutallthatconcernedhim。Hewasinterestedespeciallyinhislooksandmannerofspeakingandpersonality，sotospeak。Andintheawfulaccidentwhichendedhislife，thoughhewouldnotletmetalkaboutthatafterhehadaskedhisfirstquestions。”
　　“Whatkindofquestions？“suggestedGrimby。
　　“Onlyaboutwhatwasknownofthetimeandplace，andhowthesadstoryreachedEngland。Itusedtotouchmetothinkthattheonlypersonwhoseemedtocarewastheonewho——mighthavebeenexpectedtobealmostgladthetragicthinghadhappened。Buthewasnot。”
　　Mr。PalfordwatchedMr。Grimby，andMr。GrimbygavemorethanonedubiousanddistressedglanceatPalford。
　　“Hisinterestwasevident，“remarkedPalford，thoughtfully。“Andunusualunderthecircumstances。”
　　Foramomenthehesitated，thenputanotherquestion：“Didheeverseem——Ishouldsay，doyourememberanyoccasionwhenheappearedtothinkthat——theremightbeanyreasontodoubtthatMr。JamesTempleBarholmwasoneofthemenwhodiedintheKlondike？“
　　HefeltthatthroughthiswildquestioningtheyhadatleastreachedacertaintestimonysupportingCaptainPalliser”sviews；andhisinterestreluctantlyincreased。Itwasreluctantbecausetherecouldbenoshadowofaquestionthatthisinnocentspinsterladytoldtheabsolutetruth；and，thisbeingthecase，oneseemedtobedraggedtothevergeofdepthswhichmustinevitablybeexplored。MissAlicia”sexpressionwasthatofonewhoconscientiouslysearchedmemory。
　　“Idonotrememberthathereallyexpresseddoubt，“sheanswered，carefully。“Notexactlythat，but”
　　“Butwhat？“promptedPalfordasshehesitated。“Pleasetrytorecallexactlywhathesaid。Itismostimportant。”
　　Thefactthathismannerwasalmosteager，andthateagernesswasnothishabit，madehercatchherbreathandlookmorequestioningandpuzzledthanbefore。
　　“Onedayhecametomysitting-roomwhenheseemedratherexcited，“
　　sheexplained。“HehadbeenwithMr。Strangeways，whohadbeenworsethanusual。Perhapshewantedtodistracthimselfandforgetaboutit。
　　HeaskedmequestionsandtalkedaboutpoorJemforaboutanhour。Andatlasthesaid，`Doyousupposethere”sanysortofchancethatitmightn”tbetrue——thatstorythatcamefromtheKlondike？”HesaiditsothoughtfullythatIwasstartledandsaid，`Doyouthinktherecouldbesuchachance——doyou？”Andhedrewalongbreathandanswered，`Youwanttobesureaboutthingslikethat；you”vegottobesure。”Iwasalittleexcited，sohechangedthesubjectverysoonafterward，andIneverfeltquitecertainofwhathewasreallythinking。Youseewhathesaidwasnotsomuchanexpressionofdoubtasasortofquestion。”
　　AtouchoftheloftycondemnatorymadeMr。Palfordimpressive。
　　“IamcompelledtoadmitthatIfearthatitwasaquestionofwhichhehadalreadyguessedtheanswer，“hesaid。
　　AtthispointMissAliciaclaspedherhandsquitetightlytogetheruponherknees。
　　“Ifyouplease，“sheexclaimed，“Imustaskyoutomakethingsalittlecleartome。Whatdreadfulthinghashappened？Iwillregardanycommunicationasamostsacredconfidence。”
　　“Ithinkwemayaswell，Palford？“Mr。Grimbysuggestedtohispartner。
　　“Yes，“Palfordacquiesced。Hefeltthedifficultyofablankexplanation。“Weareinvolvedinamosttryingposition，“hesaid。“Wefeelthatgreatdiscretionmustbeuseduntilwehavereachedmoredefinitecertainty。Anextraordinary——infact，astartlingthinghasoccurred。Wearebeginning，asaresultofcumulativeevidence，tofeelthattherewasreasontobelievethattheKlondikestorywastobedoubted”
　　“ThatpoorJem——！“criedMissAlicia。
　　“Onebeginstobegravelyuncertainastowhetherhehasnotbeeninthishouseformonths，whetherhewasnotthemysteriousMr。
　　Strangeways！“
　　“Jem！Jem！“gaspedpoorlittleMissTempleBarholm，quitewhitewithshock。
　　“AndifhewasthemysteriousStrangeways，“Mr。Grimbyassistedtoshortenthematter，“theAmericanTempleBarholmapparentlyknewthefact，broughthimhereforthatreason，andforthesamereasonkepthimsecretedandunderrestraint。”
　　“No！No！“criedMissAlicia。“Never！Never！Ibegyounottosaysuchathing。Excuseme——Icannotlisten！Itwouldbewrong——ungrateful。
　　Excuseme！“Shegotupfromherseat，tremblingwithactualangerinhersenseofoutrage。Itwasaremarkablethingtoseethesmall，elderlycreatureangry，butthisremarkablethinghadhappened。Itwasasthoughshewereamotherdefendingheryoung。
　　“IlovedpoorJemandIloveTemple，and，thoughIamonlyawomanwhoneverhasbeentheleastclever，Iknowthemboth。Iknowneitherofthemcouldlieordoawicked，cunningthing。Templeisthesoulofhonor。”
　　Itwasquiteaninspirationaloutburst。Shehadneverbeforeinherlifesaidsomuchatonetime。Ofcoursetearsbegantostreamdownherface，whileMr。PalfordandMr。Grimbygazedatheringreatembarrassment。
　　“IfMr。StrangewayswaspoorJemcomebackalive，Templedidnotknow——
　　heneverknew。Allhedidforhimwasdoneforkindness”sake。I——I——
　　“Itwasinevitablethatsheshouldstammerbeforegoingtothislengthofviolence，andthatthewordsshouldburstfromher：“Iwouldswearit！“
　　ItwasreallyashocktobothPalfordandGrimby。ThataladyofMissTempleBarholm”sageandtrainingshouldvolunteertosweartoathingwasalmostalarming。Itwasalsoinratherunpleasingtaste。
　　“CaptainPalliserobligedMr。TempleTempleBarholmtoconfessthathehadknownforsometime，“Mr。Palfordsaidwithcoldregret。“Healsoinformedhimthatheshouldcommunicatewithuswithoutdelay。”
　　“CaptainPalliserisabadman。”MissAliciachokedbackagasptomaketheprotest。
　　“ItwasaftertheirinterviewthatMr。TempleBarholmalmostimmediatelyleftthehouse。”
　　“Withoutanyexplanationwhatever，“addedGrimby。
　　“Heleftafewlinesforme，“defendedMissAlicia。
　　“Wehavenotseenthem。”Mr。Palfordwasstillaswellascold。PoorlittleMissAliciatookthemoutofherpocketwithanunsteadyhand。
　　Theywerealwayswithher，andshecouldnotonsuchachallengeseemafraidtoallowthemtoberead。Mr。Palfordtookthemfromherwithaslightbowofthanks。Headjustedhisglassesandreadaloud，withpausesbetweenphraseswhichseemedsomewhattopuzzlehim。
　　“DearlittleMissAlicia：
　　“I”vegottolightoutofhereasquickasIcanmakeit。Ican”tevenstoptotellyouwhy。There”sjustonething——don”tgetrattled，MissAlicia。Whateveranyonesaysordoes，don”tgetrattled。
　　“Yoursaffectionately，“T。TEMBAROM。”
　　Therewasasilence，Mr。Palfordpassedthepapertohispartner，whogaveitcarefulstudy。AfterwardherefoldeditandhandeditbacktoMissAlicia。
　　“Inacourtoflaw，“wasMr。Palford”ssoleremark，“itwouldnotberegardedasevidenceforthedefendant。”
　　MissAlicia”stearswerestillstreaming，butsheheldherringletedheadwellup。
　　“Icannotstay！Ibegyourpardon，Idoindeed！“shesaid。“ButImustleaveyou。Yousee，“sheadded，withherfinelittletouchofdignity，“asyetthishouseisstillMr。TempleBarholm”shome，andIamthegratefulrecipientofhisbounty。Burrillwillattendyouandmakeyouquitecomfortable。”Withanobeisancewhichwaslikeaslightcurtsey，sheturnedandfled。
　　Inlessthananhourshewalkeduptheneatbrickedpath，andoldMrs。
　　Hutchinson，lookingout，sawherthroughthetiersofflower-potsinthewindow。HutchinsonhimselfwasinLondon，butAnnwasreadingattheothersideoftheroom。
　　“Here”spoorlittleowdMissTempleBarholmawinaflutter，“remarkedhergrandmother。“Tha”sgotsomeworkcutoutfortheeiftha”sgoingtoquiether。Oppenth”door，lass。”
　　Annopenedthedoor，andstoodbyitwithcalmthoughwelcomingdimples。
　　“MissHutchinson“——MissAliciabeganallatoncetorealizethattheydidnotknoweachother，andthatshehadflowntotherefugeofheryouthwithoutbeingatallawareofwhatshewasabouttosay。“Oh！
　　LittleAnn！“shebrokedownwithfranktears。“Mypoorboy！Mypoorboy！“
　　LittleAnndrewherinsideandclosedthedoor。
　　“There，MissTempleBarholm，“shesaid。“TherenowJustcomeinandsitdown。I”llgetyouagoodcupoftea。Youneedone。”
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　TheDukeofStonehadbeensufficientlyoccupiedwithoneofhisslighterattacksofrheumaticgouttohavebeen，sotospeak，outoftherunninginthepastweeks。Hisindispositionhadnotcondemnedhimtotheusualdullness，however。Hehadsufferedlesspainthanwascustomary，andMrs。Braddlehadbeenmorethanusuallyinterestinginconversationonthoseoccasionswhen，inmakinghimverycomfortableinonewayoranother，shefeltthatameasureofentertainmentwouldaddtohiswell-being。Hisepicureanhabitofmindtendedtowardcausinghimtofindasubtlepleasureinthehearingofvariousversionsofanystorywhatever。HisintimacywithT。Tembaromhadfurnishedforthmanyanagreeablementalrepastforhim。HehadhadT。
　　Tembarom”sversionofhimself，theversionofthecounty，theversionoftheuneducatedclass，andhisownversion。Allofthesehadhadvaryingshadesoftheirown。HehadfoundacynicallyfineflavorinPalliser”sversion，whichhehadgatheredthroughtalkandprocessesofexclusionandinclusion。
　　“Thereisagooddealtobesaidforit，“hesummeditup。“It”splausibleonordinarysophisticatedgrounds。T。Tembaromwouldsay，`Itlookssortofthatway。””
　　AsMrs。Braddlehaddonewhatshecouldinthematterofexpoundingherviewsoftheuncertaintiesofthevillageattitude，hehadlistenedwithstimulatinginterest。Mrs。Braddle”sversiononthepassingofT。Tembaromstoodoutpicturesquelyagainstthebackgroundoftheversionwhichwashisown——theonefoundedonthesingularfactshehadsharedknowledgeofwiththechiefcharacterintheepisode。Hehadnot，likeMissAlicia，receivedacommunicationfromTembarom。Thisseemedtohimoneoftheattractivefeaturesoftheincident。Itprovidedopportunityforspeculation。Somewilddevelopmenthadcalledtheyoungsterawayinarattlinghurry。Ofwhathadhappenedsincehisdepartureheknewnomorethanthevillagersknew。Whathadhappenedforsomemonthsbeforehisgoinghehadwatchedwiththefeelingofanintelligentlyobservantspectatorataplay。Hehadbeenprovidedwithvariedemotionsbythefantasticdrama。Hehadsmiled；hehadfoundhimselfmovedonceortwice，andhehadfeltagooddealofthethrillofcuriousuncertaintyastowhatthecurtainwouldriseandfallon。Thesituationwassuchthatitwasimpossibletoguess。Resultscouldseemonlytofloatintheair。Onethingmighthappen；somightanother，somightadozenmore。WhathewishedreallytoattainwassomedegreeofcertaintyastowhatwaslikelytooccurinanycasetotheAmericanTempleBarholm。
　　Hefelt，thefirsttimehedroveovertocallonMissAlicia，thathisindispositionandconfinementtohisownhousehadrobbedhimofsomething。Theyhaddeprivedhimoftheopportunitytoobserveshadesofdevelopmentandtoheartheexpressingofviewsofthesituationasitstood。Hedroveoverwithviewsofhisownandwithanticipations。
　　Hehadreasontoknowthathewouldencounterinthedearladyindicationsofthefeelingthatshehadreachedacrisis。Therewasasenseofthiscrisisimpendingasonemountedtheterracestepsandenteredthehall。Themen-servantsendeavoredtowipefromtheircountenancesanyexpressiondenotingevenavagueknowledgeofit。Herecognizedtheirlaudabledeterminationtodoso。Burrillwasmonumentalintheunconsciousnessofhisoutwardbearing。
　　MissAlicia，sittingwaitingonFateinthelibrary，worepreciselytheaspecthehadknownshewouldwear。Shehadbeenlyingawakeatnightandshehadofcourseweptatintervals，sinceshebelongedtotheperiodthepopularfemaleviewofwhichhadbeenthatonlytheunfeelingdidnotsorelievethemselvesincrisesoftheaffections。
　　Hereyelidswereratherpinkandhernicelittlefacewastired。
　　“Itisvery，verykindofyoutocome，“shesaid，whentheyshookhands。“Iwonder“——herhesitancewastouchinginitsobviousappealtohimnottotakethewrongside”IwonderifyouknowhowdeeplytroubledIhavebeen？“
　　“Yousee，Ihavehadatouchofmyabominablegout，andmytreasureofaBraddlehasbeennursingmeandgossiping，“heanswered。“So，ofcourseIknowagreatdeal。Noneofittrue，Idaresay。IfeltImustcomeandseeyou，however。”
　　Helookedsoneatandentirelywithintheboundariesoffinishedandwell-dressedmodernityandevery-dayoccurrence，inhisperfectlyfittingclothes，beautifullyshiningboots，anddelicatefawngaiters，thatshefeltasortofsupportinhismereaspect。Themindconnectedsuchalmostdapperfreshnessandexcellenttasteonlywithunexaggeratedincidentsandabehaviorwhichalmostplacedthestampofabsurdityupontheimprobableincircumstance。Thevisionofdisorderlyandillegalpossibilitiesseemedactuallytofadeintoanunreality。
　　“IfMr。PalfordandMr。GrimbyknewhimasIknowhim——as——asyouknowhim”sheaddedwithafainthopefulness。
　　“Yes，iftheyknewhimasweknowhimthatwouldmakeadifferentmatterofit，“admittedtheduke，amiably。But，thoughtMissAlicia，hemightonlyhaveputitthatwaythroughconsiderationforherfeelings，andbecausehewasanextremelypolishedmanwhocouldnoteasilyrevealtoaladyadisagreeabletruth。Hedidnotspeakwiththenoteofnaturalindignationwhichshethoughtshemusthavedetectedifhehadfeltasshefeltherself。Hewasofcourseamanwhosemannerhadalwaysthefinishofcomposure。Hedidnotseemdisturbedorevenverycurious——onlykindandmostpolite。
　　“Ifweonlyknewwherehewas！“shebeganagain。“IfweonlyknewwhereMr。Strangewayswas！“
　　“MyimpressionisthatMessrs。Palford&Grimbywillprobablyfindthembothbeforelong，“heconsoledher。“Theyarenodoubtexcitingthemselvesunnecessarily。”
　　Hewasnotagitatedatall；shefelt。itwouldhavebeenkinderifhehadbeenalittleagitated。Hewasreallynotthekindofpersonwhosefeelingsappearedverydeep，beinggiventoalightandgracefulcynicismofspeechwhichdelightedpeople；soperhapsitwasnotnaturalthatheshouldexpressanyparticularemotioneveninacaseaffectingafriend——surelyhehadbeenTemple”sfriend。Butifhehadseemedalittledistressed，ordoubtfulorannoyed，shewouldhavefeltthatsheunderstoodbetterhisattitude。Asitwas，hemightalmosthavebeenontheotherside——abelieveroradisbeliever——ormerelyapersonlookingontoseewhatwouldhappen。Whentheysatdown，hisglanceseemedtoincludeherwithaninterestwhichwassympatheticbutratherasifshewereachildwhomhewouldliketopacify。Thisseemedespeciallysowhenshefeltshemustmakecleartohimthenatureofthecrisiswhichwaspending，ashehadfeltwhenheenteredthehouse。
　　“Youperhapsdonotknow“——theappealwhichhadshownitselfinhereyeswasinhervoice”thatthesolicitorshavedecided，afteragreatdealofseriousdiscussionandprivateinquiryinLondon，thatthetimehascomewhentheymusttakeopensteps。”
　　“Inthematterofinvestigation？“heinquired。
　　“TheyarecomingherethisafternoonwithCaptainPalliserto——toquestiontheservants，andsomeofthevillagers。Theywillquestionme，“alarmedly。
　　“Theywouldbesuretodothat，“——hereallyseemedquitetoenvelopherwithkindness”butIbegofyounottobealarmed。NothingyoucouldhavetosaycouldpossiblydoharmtoTempleBarholm。”Heknewitwasherfearofthiscontingencywhichterrifiedher。
　　“Youdofeelsureofthat？“sheburstforth，relievedly。“Youdo——
　　becauseyouknowhim？“
　　“Ido。Letusbecalm，dearlady。Letusbecalm。”
　　“Iwill！Iwill！“sheprotested。“ButCaptainPalliserhasarrangedthataladyshouldcomehere——aladywhodislikedpoorTempleverymuch。Shewasmostunjusttohim。”
　　“LadyJoanFayre？“hesuggested，andthenpausedwitharemotesmileasiflendinghimselfforthemomenttosomehumorhealonedetectedinthesituation。
　　“Shewillnotinjurehiscause，IthinkIcanassureyou。”
　　“Sheinsistedonmisunderstandinghim。Iamsoafraid”
　　TheappearanceofPearsonatthedoorinterruptedherandcausedhertorisefromherseat。Theneatyoungmanwaspaleandspokeinanervouslyloweredvoice。
　　“Ibegpardon，Miss。IbegyourGrace”spardonforintruding，but”
　　MissAliciamovedtowardhiminsuchamannerthathehimselfseemedtofeelthathemightadvance。
　　“Whatisit，Pearson？Haveyouanythingspecialtosay？“
　　“IhopeIamnottakingtoogreataliberty，Miss，butIdidcomeinforapurpose，knowingthathisGracewaswithyouandthinkingyoumightbothkindlyadviseme。ItisaboutMr。TempleBarholm，yourGrace”addressinghimasifininvoluntaryrecognitionofthefactthathemightpossiblyprovethegreatersupport。
　　“OurMr。TempleBarholm，Pearson？Wearebeingtoldtherearetwoofthem。”Theduke”sdelicateemphasisonthepossessivepronounwasdelightful，anditsomovedandencouragedsensitivelittlePearsonthathewasemboldenedtoanswerwithmodestfirmness：
　　“Yes，——ours。Thankyou，yourGrace。”
　　“Youfeelhimyourstoo，Pearson？“ashademoredelightfullystill。
　　“I——Itaketheliberty，yourGrace，ofbeingdeeplyattachedtohim，andmorethangrateful。”
　　“Whatdidyouwanttoaskadviceabout？“
　　“Thefamilysolicitors。CaptainPalliserandLadyJoanFayreandMr。
　　andMissHutchinsonaretobehereshortly，andIhavebeentoldIamtobequestioned。WhatIwanttoknow，yourGrace，is”Hepaused，andlookednolongerpalebutpainfullyredashegatheredhimselftogetherforhisanxiousoutburst”MustIspeakthetruth？“
　　MissAliciastartedalarmedly。
　　Thedukelookeddownatthedelicatefawngaiterscoveringhisfineinstep。Hisfleetingsmilewasnotthistimeanexternalone。
　　“Doyounotwishtospeakthetruth，Pearson？“
　　Pearson”smannercouldhavebeendescribedonlyasoneofobstinatefrankness。
　　“No，yourGrace。Idonot！YourGracemaymisunderstandme——butIdonot！“
　　HisGracetappedthegaiterswiththeslightebonycaneheheldinhishand。
　　“Isthis“——heputitwithimpartialcuriosity”becausethetruthmightbedetrimentaltoourMr。TempleBarholm？“
　　“Ifyouplease，yourGrace，“Pearsonmadeafirmstepforward，“whatisthetruth？“
　　“ThatiswhatMessrs。Palford&Grimbyseemdeterminedtofindout。
　　ProbablyonlyourMr。TempleBarholmcantellthem。”
　　“YourGrace，whatI”mthinkingofisthatifItellthetruthitmayseemtoprovesomethingthat”snotthetruth。”
　　“Whatkindsofthings，Pearson？“stillimpartially。
　　“IcanbeplainwithyourGrace。Thingslikethis：IwaswithMr。
　　TempleBarholmandMr。Strangewaysagreatdeal。They”llaskmeaboutwhatIheard。They”llaskmeifMr。Strangewayswaswillingtogoawaytothedoctor；ifhehadtobepersuadedandarguedwith。Well，hehadandhehadn”t，yourGrace。Atfirst，justthementionofitwouldupsethimsothatMr。TempleBarholmwouldhavetostoptalkingaboutitandquiethimdown。Butwhenheimproved——andhedidimprovewonderfully，yourGrace——hegotintothewayofsittingandthinkingitoverandlisteningquitequiet。ButifI”maskedsuddenly”
　　“Whatyouareafraidofisthatyoumaybeaskedpoint-blankquestionswithoutwarning？“hisGraceputitwiththeperspicacityofexperience。
　　“That”swhyIshouldbegratefulforadvice。MustItellthetruth，yourGrace，whenitwillmakethembelievethingsI”dsweararelies——
　　I”dswearit，yourGrace。”
　　“SowouldI，Pearson。”Hisserenelightnesswasofthemostbaffling，butcuriouslysupporting，order。“Thisbeingthecase，myadvicewouldbenottogointodetail。Letustellwhitelies——allofus——withoutashadowofhesitancy。MissTempleBarholm，evenyoumustdoyourbest。”
　　“Iwilltry——indeed，Iwilltry！“AndtheDukefelthertremulouslyardentassentactuallydelicious。
　　“There！we”llconsiderthatsettled，Pearson，“hesaid。
　　“Thankyou，yourGrace。Thankyou，Miss，“Pearson”srelievedgratitudevergedonthedevout。Heturnedtogo，andashedidsohisattentionwasarrestedbyanapproachheremarkedthroughawindow。
　　“Mr。andMissHutchinsonarearrivingnow，Miss，“heannounced，hastily。
　　“Theyaretobebroughtinhere，“saidMissAlicia。
　　Thedukequietlylefthisseatandwenttolookthroughthewindowwithfrankandunembarrassedinterestintheapproach。Hewent，infact，tolookatLittleAnn，andashewatchedherwalkuptheavenue，herfatherlumberingbesideher，heevidentlyfoundheraspectsufficientlyarresting。
　　“Ah！“heexclaimedsoftly，andpaused。“Whatalotofveryniceredhair，“hesaidnext。Andthen，“Nowonder！Nowonder！“
　　“That，Ishouldsay，“heremarkedasMissAliciadrewnear，“iswhatI
　　onceheardabadyoungmancall`adeservingcase。”“
　　Hewasconsciousthatshemighthavebeenprivatelyalittleshockedbysuchagedflippancy，butshewasatthemomentperturbedbysomethingelse。
　　“ThefactisthatIhaveneverspokentoHutchinson，“shefluttered。
　　“Thesechangesareveryconfusing。IsupposeIoughttosayMr。
　　Hutchinson，nowthatheissuchasuccessfulperson，andTemple”
　　“Withoutashadowofadoubt！“Thedukeseemedstruckbythehappinessoftheidea。“Theywillmakehimapeerpresently。Hemayaddressmeas”Stone”atanymoment。Onemustlearntoadjustone”sselfwithagility。`Theoldorderchangeth。”Ah！sheissmilingathimandIseethedimples。”
　　MissAliciamadeacleanbreastofit。
　　“Iwenttoher——Icouldnothelpit！“sheconfessed。“Iwasinsuchdistressanddarenotspeaktoanybody。Templehadtoldmethatshewassowonderful。Hesaidshealwaysunderstoodandknewwhattodo。”
　　“Didsheinthiscase？“heasked，smiling。
　　MissAlicia”smannerwasthatofonewhocouldexpresstheextentofheradmirationonlyindisconnectedphrases。
　　“Shewaslikealittlerock。Suchaquiet，firmway！Suchcalmcertainty！Oh，thecomfortshehasbeentome！Ibeggedhertocomehereto-day。Ididnotknowherfatherhadreturned。”
　　“Nodoubthewillhavetestimonytogivewhichwillbeofthegreatestassistance，“thedukesaidmostencouragingly。“Perhapshewillbeasortofrock。”
　　“I——Idon”tintheleastknowwhathewillbe！“sighedMissAlicia，evidentlyuncertaininherviews。
　　ButwhenthefatheranddaughterwereannouncedshefeltthathisGracewasreallyenchantinginthehappyfacilityofhismanner。Heatleastadjustedhimselfwithagility。Hutchinsonwasofcourselumbering。LackingthesupportofT。Tembarom”spresenceandincongruity，hehimselfwastheincongruousfeature。Hewouldhavebeenobligedtoblusterbywayofsustaininghimself，evenifhehadonlyfoundhimselfbeingpresentedtoMissAlicia；butwhenitwasrevealedtohimthathewasalsoconfrontedwiththegreatestpersonageoftheneighborhood，hebecameashotandredashehadbecomeduringcertainfatefulbusinessinterviews。Moreso，indeed。
　　“Th”otherchapshadn”tbeendukes；“andtoHutchinsontheoldorderhadnotyetsochangedthatadukewasnotanawkwardlyimpressivepersontofaceunexpectedly。
　　Theduke”smannerofshakinghandswithhim，however，waseventouchedwithanamiablesuggestionofappreciationofthevalueofamanofgenius。Hehadheardoftheinvention，infactknewsomequitetechnicalthingsaboutit。Herealizeditsimportance。Hehadcongratulationsfortheinventorandtheworldofinventionssogreatlybenefited。
　　“Lancashiremustbeproudofyoursuccess，Mr。Hutchinson。”Howagreeablyandwithwhateasehesaidit！
　　“Aye，it”sasuccessnow，yourGrace，“Hutchinsonanswered，“butI
　　mighthavewaitedagoodbitlongerifithadn”tbeenforthatladan”
　　hisboldbackingofme。”
　　“Mr。TempleBarholm？“saidtheduke。
　　“Aye。He”sgotth”wayofmakingfolksseethingsthattheycan”tseeevenwhenthey”rehittingtheminth”eyes。I”dthatlostheartI
　　couldneverhavedoneitmyself。”
　　“Butnowitisdone，“smiledhisGrace。“Delightful！“
　　“I”vegotthere——sameastheysayinNewYork——I”vegotthere，“saidHutchinson。
　　HesatdowninresponsetoMissAlicia”sinvitation。Hisuneasewaswonderfullydispelled。Hefelthimselfapersonofsufficientimportancetoaddressevenadukeasmantoman。
　　“What”sallthisromancin”talkaboutth”otherTempleBarholmcomin”
　　back，an”ourladknowin”an”hidin”himaway？An”Palliseran”th”
　　lawyersan”th”policebein”after”emboth？“
　　“Youhaveheardthewholestory？“fromtheduke。
　　“I”veheardnaughtelsesinceIcomeback。”
　　“Grandmotherknewagreatdealbeforewecamehome，“saidLittleAnn。
　　Theduketurnedhisattentiontoherwithanengagedsmile。Hislook，hisbow，hisbearing，inthemomentoftheirbeingpresentedtoeachother，hadseemedtoMissAliciathemostperfectthing。Hisfineeyehadnotobviouslywanderedwhilehetalkedtoherfather，butithadinfactbeentakingherinwithaninclusivenessnotlikelytomissagreeablepointsofdetail。
　　“Whatisheropinion，mayIask？“hesaid。“Whatdoesshesay？“
　　“Grandmotherisverysetinherways，yourGrace。”Thelimpidityofherblueeyeandaflickeringdimpleaddedmuchtothequaintcomprehensivenessofheranswer。“Shesaystheworld”sthatfulloffoolsthatiftheywereallkilledtheLordwouldhavetobeginagainwithanewAdamandEve。”
　　“ShehasentirefaithinMr。TempleBarholm——asyouhave，“putforwardhisGrace。
　　“Mine”snotfaithexactly。Iknowhim，“LittleAnnanswered，hertoneaslimpidashereyes。
　　“There”smorethanherhasfaithinhim，“brokeforthHutchinson。
　　“DangedifIdon”tliketh”waythemvillagechapsaretakingit。
　　They”rereadytofightoverit。Sincethey”vefoundoutwhatit”scometo，an”aboutth”lawyerscomin”down，they”retalkin”aboutgettin”
　　upakindo”demonstration。”
　　“Delightful！“ejaculatedhisGraceagain。Heleanedforward。“QuitewhatIshouldhaveexpected。There”sagooddealofbeerdrunk，I
　　suppose。”
　　“Plentyo”beer，butit”lldonoharm。”Hutchinsonbegantochuckle。
　　“They”retalkin”o”gettin”outth”fifean”drumbandan”marchin”
　　roundth”villagewithacalicobannerwith`VoteforT。Tembarom”
　　paintedonit，toshowwhattheythinkofhim。”
　　Thedukechuckledalso。
　　“Iwonderhowhe”smanagedit？“helaughed。“Theywouldn”tdoitforanyoftherestofus，youknow，thoughI”venodoubtwe”requiteasdeserving。Iam，Iknow。”
　　HutchinsonstoppedlaughingandturnedonMissAlicia。
　　“What”sthatyoungwomancomin”downherefor？“heinquired。
　　“LadyJoanwasengagedtoMr。JamesTempleBarholm，“MissAliciaanswered。
　　“Eh！Eh！“Hutchinsonjerkedout。“That”llturnherintoawildcat，I”llwarrant。She”lldoallth”harmshecan。I”mmuchobligedtoyouforlettin”uscome，ma”am。IwanttobewhereIcanstandbyhim。”
　　“Father，“saidLittleAnn，“whatyouhavegottorememberisthatyoumustn”tflyintoapassion。Youknowyou”vealwayssaiditneverdidanygood，anditonlysendsthebloodtoyourhead。”
　　“Youarenotnervous，MissHutchinson？“thedukesuggested。
　　“AboutMr。TempleBarholm？Icouldn”tbe，yourGrace。IfIwastoseetwopolicemenbringinghiminhandcuffedIshouldn”tbenervous。I
　　shouldknowthehandcuffsdidn”tbelongtohim，andthepolicemenwouldlookright-downsillytome。”
　　MissAliciaflutteredovertofoldherinherarms。
　　“Doletmekissyou，“shesaid。“Doletme，LittleAnn！“
　　LittleAnnhadrisenatoncetomeetherembrace。Sheputahandonherarm。
　　“Wedon”tknowanythingaboutthisreally，“shesaid。“We”veonlyheardwhatpeoplesay。Wehaven”theardwhathesays。I”mgoingtowait。”Theywerealllookingather，——thedukewithsuchmarkedinterestthatsheturnedtowardhimassheended。“AndifIhadtowaituntilIwasasoldasgrandmotherI”dwait——andnothingwouldchangemymind。”
　　“AndI”vebeenlyingawakeatnight！“softlywailedMissAlicia。
　　CHAPTERXXXIX
　　ItwasMr。Hutchinsonwho，havinganeyeonthewindow，firstannouncedanarrivingcarriage。
　　“Someof”em”scomin”fromthestation，“heremarked。“There”snoyoungwomanwith”em，thatIcanseefromhere。”
　　“IthoughtIheardwheels。”MissAliciawenttolookout，agitatedly。
　　“Itisthegentlemen。PerhapsLadyJoan”sheturneddesperatelytotheduke。“Idon”tknowwhattosaytoLadyJoan。Idon”tknowwhatshewillsaytome。Idon”tknowwhatsheiscomingfor，LittleAnn，dokeepnearme！“
　　ItwasaprettythingtoseeLittleAnnstrokeherhandandsootheher。
　　“Don”tbefrightened，MissTempleBarholm。Allyou”vegottodoistoanswerquestions，“shesaid。
　　“ButImightsaythingsthatwouldbewrong——thingsthatwouldharmhim。”
　　“No，youmightn”t，MissTempleBarholm。He”snotdoneanythingthatcouldbringharmonhim。”
　　TheDukeofStone，whohadseatedhimselfinT。Tembarom”sfavoritechair，whichoccupiedapointofvantage，seemedtoMr。PalfordandMr。Grimbywhentheyenteredtheroomtoweartheaspectofasortofpresidiaryaudience。Thesightofhiserectheadandclear-cut，ivory-
　　tintedoldface，withitsalert，whilewhollyunbiased，expression，somewhatstartledthemboth。Theyhadindeednotexpectedtoseehim，anddidnotknowwhyhehadchosentocome。Hispresencemightmeananyoneofseveralthings，andthefactthatheenjoyedareputationforquitealarmingastutenessofabrilliantkindpresentedelementsofprobableembarrassment。Ifhethoughtthattheyhadallowedthemselvestobeleduponawild-goosechase，hewouldexpresshisopinionswithtryingreadinessofphrase。
　　Hismannerofgreetingthem，however，expressednomorethanalightlyagreeabledetachmentfromanyviewwhatsoever。CaptainPalliserfeltthiscuriously，thoughhecouldnothavesaidwhathewouldhaveexpectedfromhimifhehadknownitwouldbehiswhimtoappear。
　　“Howdoyoudo？Howd”youdo？“HisGraceshookhandswiththeamiableeasewhichscarcelycommitsamaneventocasualinterest，afterwhichhetookhisseatagain。
　　“Howd”do，MissHutchinson？“saidPalliser。“Howd”do，Mr。
　　Hutchinson？Mr。Palfordwillbegladtofindyouhere。”
　　Mr。Palfordshookhandswithcorrectcivility。
　　“Iam，indeed，“hesaid。“ItwasinyourroominNewYorkthatIfirstsawMr。TempleTempleBarholm。”
　　“Aye，itwas，“respondedHutchinson，dryly。
　　“IthoughtLadyJoanwascoming，“MissAliciasaidtoPalliser。
　　“Shewillbeherepresently。Shecamedowninourtrain，butnotwithus。”
　　“What——whatisshecomingfor？“falteredMissAlicia。
　　“Yes，“putintheduke，“what，bytheway，isshecomingfor？“
　　“Iwroteandaskedhertocome，“wasPalliser”sreply。“Ihavereasontobelieveshemaybeabletorecallsomethingofvaluetotheinquirywhichisbeingmade。”
　　“That”sinteresting，“saidhisGrace，butwithnoairofparticipatingparticularly。Shedoesn”tlikehim，though，doesshe？Wouldn”tdotoputheronthejury。”
　　Hedidnotwaitforanyreply，butturnedtoMr。Palford。
　　“Allthisisdelightfullyportentous。Doyouknowitremindsmeofasceneinoneofthosenumerousplayswherethewrongmanhasmurderedsomebody——orhasn”tmurderedsomebody——andthewholecompanymustbecross-examinedbecausethecurtaincannotbebroughtdownuntiltherightmanisunmasked。Doletuscomeintothis，Mr。Palford；whatweknowseemssoinadequate。”
　　Mr。PalfordandMr。Grimbyeachfeltthattherelurkedinthismannerapossibilitythattheywerebeingregardedlightly。Alltheobjectionstotheirsituationloomedannoyinglylarge。
　　“Itis，ofcourse，anextraordinarystory，“Mr。Palfordsaid，“butifwearenotmistakeninourdeductions，wemayfindourselvesinvolvedinacausecelebrewhichwillsetallEnglandtalking。”
　　“Iamnotmistaken，“Palliserpresentedthecommentwithashortanddrylaugh。
　　“Thaseemsprettycock-sure！“Hutchinsonthrustin。
　　“Iam。NooneknewJemTempleBarbolmbetterthanIdidinthepast。
　　Wewereintimate——enemies。”Andhelaughedagain。
　　“Thasaystha”llswearth”chapthasawthroughth”windowwashim？“
　　saidHutchinson。
　　“I”dswearit，“withcomposure。
　　Thedukewasreflecting。Hewasagaintappingwithhiscanethegaitercoveringhisslender，shiningboot。
　　“IfMr。TempleTempleBarholmhadremainedherehisactionswouldhaveseemedlesssuspicious？“hesuggested。
　　ItwasPalliserwhoreplied。
　　“Orifhehadn”twhiskedtheothermanaway。Helosthisheadandplayedthefool。”
　　“Hedidn”tlosehishead，thatchap。It”sscrewedonth”rightway——
　　hisheadis，“gruntedHutchinson。
　　“Thecuriousfellowhasanumberoffriends，“thedukeremarkedtoPalfordandGrimby，inhisimpartialtone。“Iamhopingyouarenotthinkingofcross-examiningme。Ihavealwaysbeenconvincedthatundercross-examinationIcouldbeinducedtoinnocentlygiveevidencecondemnatorytobothsidesofanycasewhatever。Butwouldyoumindtellingmewhattheexactevidenceissofar？“
　　Mr。Palfordhadbeenopeningabudgetofpapers。
　　“Itisevidencewhichiscumulative，yourGrace，“hesaid。“Mr。TempleTempleBarholm”spositionwouldhavebeenafarlesssuspiciousone——
　　asyouyourselfsuggested——ifhehadremained，orifhehadn”tsecretlyremovedMr——Mr。Strangeways。”
　　“ThelastwasCaptainPalliser”ssuggestion，Ibelieve，“smiledtheduke。“Didheremovehimsecretly？Howsecretly，forinstance？“
　　“Atnight，“answeredPalliser。“MissTempleBarholmherselfdidnotknowwhenithappened。Didyou？“turningtoMissAlicia，whoatonceflushedandpaled。
　　“HeknewthatIwasrathernervouswhereMr。Strangewayswasconcerned。Iamsorrytosayhefoundthatoutalmostatonce。HeeventoldmeseveraltimesthatImustnotthinkofhim——thatIneedhearnothingabouthim。”Sheturnedtotheduke，herairofappealplainlyrepresentingafeelingthathewouldunderstandherconfession。“I
　　scarcelyliketosayit，butwrongasitwasIcouldn”thelpfeelingthatitwaslikehavinga——alunaticinthehouse。Iwasafraidhemightbemore——ill——thanTemplerealized，andthathemightsometimebecomeviolent。Ineveradmittedsomuchofcourse，butIwas。”
　　“Yousee，shewasnottold，“Pallisersummeditupsuccinctly。
　　“Evidently，“thedukeadmitted。“Iseeyourpoint。”Butheseemedtodisengagehimselffromallsenseofadmittingimplicationswithentirecalmness，asheturnedagaintoMr。Palfordandhispapers。
　　“Youweresayingthattheexactevidencewas——？“
　　Mr。Palfordreferredtoasheetofnotes。
　　“That——whetherbeforeorshortlyafterhisarrivalhereisnotatallcertain——Mr。TempleTempleBarholmbeganstronglytosuspecttheidentityofthepersonthenknownasStrangeways”
　　Palliseragainemittedtheshortanddrylaugh，andboththedukeandMr。Palfordlookedathiminquiringly。
　　“Hehad`gotonto”itbeforehebroughthim，“heansweredtheirglances。“Besureofthat。”
　　“Thenwhydidhebringhim？“thedukesuggestedlightly。
　　“Oh，well，“takinghiscuefromtheduke，andassumingcasuallightnessalso，“hewasobligedtocomehimself，andwasjollywellconvincedthathehadbetterkeephishandontheman，alsohiseye。
　　Itwasagood-enoughidea。Hecouldn”tleaveathinglikethatwanderingabouttheStates。Hecouldplaybenefactorsafelyinahouseofthesizeofthisuntilhewasreadyforaction。”
　　Thedukegaveamomenttoconsideringthematter——stilldetachedly。
　　“Itis，onthewhole，notunlikelythatsomethingofthesortmightsuggestitselftothecriminalmind，“hesaid。AndhisglanceatMr。
　　Palfordintimatedthathemightresumehisstatement。
　　“Wehavesecuredproofthatheappliedhimselftosecretinvestigation。HeisknowntohaveemployedScotlandYardtomakecertaininquiriesconcerningthemansaidtohavebeenkilledintheKlondike。HavingevidentlyreachedmorethansuspicionhebegantoendeavortopersuadeMr。StrangewaystolethimtakehimtoLondon。
　　Thisapparentlytooksometime。Themeresuggestionofremovalthrewtheinvalidintoastateofpainfulexcitement”
　　“DidPearsontellyouthat？“thedukeinquired。
　　“CaptainPalliserhimselfinpassingthedooroftheroomonedayheardcertainexpressionsofterrifiedpleading，“wasMr。Palford”sexplanation。
　　“Iheardenough，“Pallisertookitupcarelessly，“tomakeitworthwhiletoquestionPearson——whomusthaveheardagreatdealmore。
　　Pearsonwasorderedtoholdhistonguefromthefirst，buthewillhavetotellthetruthwhenheisasked。”
　　Thedukedidnotappeartoresenthisview。
　　“Pearsonwouldbelikelytoknowwhatwenton，“heremarked。“He”sanintelligentlittlefellow。”
　　“ThefactremainsthatinspiteofhisdistressandreluctanceMr。
　　Strangewayswasremovedprivately，andthereourknowledgeends。Hehasnotbeenseensince——andafewhoursafter，CaptainPalliserexpressedhisconviction，thatthepersonhehadseenthroughtheWestRoomwindowwasMr。JamesTempleBarholm，Mr。TempleTempleBarholmleftthehousetakingamidnighttrain，andleavingnoclueastohiswhere-aboutsorintentions。”
　　“Disappeared！“saidtheduke。“Wherehashebeenlookedfor？“
　　ThecountenanceofbothMr。Palfordandhispartyexpressedacertaindegreeofhesitance。
　　“Principallyinasylumsandso-calledsanatoriums，“Mr。Grimbyadmittedwithahintofreluctance。
　　“Placeswherethecuriosityofoutsidersisnotencouraged，“saidPalliserlanguidly。“Andwhereifapatientdiesinafitofmaniatherearealwaysrespectablewitnessestoexplainthathiscasewashopelessfromthefirst。”
　　Mr。Hutchinsonhadbeenbreathinghardoccasionallyashesatandlistened，andnowhespranguputteringasounddangerouslynearaviolentsnort。
　　“Artthaaccusin”thatlado”bein”blackvillainenoughtobereadytodobloodymurder？“hecriedout。
　　“Hewasinaverytightplace，Hutchinson，“Pallisershruggedhisshouldersashesaidit。“Butonemakessuggestionsatthisstage——notaccusations。”
　　ThatHutchinsonhadlosthisheadwasapparenttohisdaughteratleast。
　　“Tha”dbeinatightplace，myfinechap，ifIhadmyway，“heflungforthirately。“I”dliketogetthyheadundermyarm。”
　　TherollofapproachingwheelsreachedMissAlicia。
　　“There”sanothercarriage，“washeragitatedexclamation。“Oh，dear！
　　ItmustbeLadyJoan！“
　　LittleAnnleftherseattomakeherfatherreturntohis。
　　“Father，you”dbettersitdown，“shesaid，gentlypushinghimintherightdirection。“Whenyoucan”tproveathing”salie，it”sjustaswelltokeepquietuntilyoucan。”Andshekeptquietherself，thoughsheturnedandstoodbeforePalliserandspokewithcleardeliberateness。“Whatyoupretendtobelieveisnottrue，CaptainPalliser。It”sjustnottrue，“shegavetohim。
　　TheywerefacingandlookingateachotherwhenBurrillannouncedLadyJoanFayre。Sheenteredratherquicklyandlookedroundtheroomwithasweepingglance，takingthemallin。Shewenttothedukefirst，andtheyshookhands。
　　“Iamgladyouarehere！“shesaid。
　　“Iwouldnothavebeenoutofit，mydearyounglady，“heanswered，“`forafarm”That”saquotation。”
　　“Iknow，“shereplied，givingherhandtoMissAlicia，andtakinginPalliserandthesolicitorswithabowwhichwaslittlemorethananod。ThenshesawLittleAnn，andwalkedovertohertoshakehands。
　　“Iamgladyouarehere。Iratherfeltyouwouldbe，“washergreeting。“Iamgladtoseeyou。”
　　“Whethertha”rtgladtoseemeornotI”mgladI”mhere，“saidHutchinsonbluntly。“I”vejustbeenspeakingabito”mymind。”
　　“Now，Fatherlove！“LittleAnnputherhandonhisarm。
　　LadyJoanlookedhimover。Herhungryeyesweremorehungrythanever。
　　Shelookedlikeacreatureinafeverandwornbyit。
　　“IthinkIamgladyouareheretoo，“sheanswered。
　　Pallisersaunteredovertoher。Hehadapprovedtheduke”sairofbeingatoncedetachedandinquiring，andhedidnotintendtoweartheaspectofthepersonagewhoplaystheunpleasantpartofthepursuerandavenger。Whathesaidwas：
　　“Itwasgoodofyoutocome，LadyJoan。”
　　“DidyouthinkIwouldstayaway？“washeranswer。“ButIwilltellyouthatIdon”tbelieveitistrue。”
　　“Youthinkthatitistoogoodtobetrue？“
　　Herhoteyeshadrecordsinthemitwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtoreadorunderstand。Shehadbeensotorn；shehadpassedthroughsuchhourssinceshehadbeentoldthiswildthing。
　　“PardonmynottellingyouwhatIthink，“shesaid。“Nothingmatters，afterall，ifheisalive！“
　　“Exceptthatwemustfindhim，“saidPalliser。
　　“IfheisinthesameworldwithmeIshallfindhim，“fiercely。ThensheturnedagaintoAnn。“YouarethegirlT。Tembaromloves？“sheputittoher。
　　“Yes，mylady。”
　　“Ifhewaslost，andyouknewhewasontheearthwithyou，don”tyouknowthatyouwouldfindhim？“
　　“Ishouldknowhe”dcomebacktome，“LittleAnnansweredher。“That”swhat”hersmallfacelookedveryfineasinhersecondofhesitationaspiritedflushranoverit，“that”swhatyourmanwilldo，“quitefirmly。
　　Itwasamazingtoseehowthebitterfacechanged，asifonewordhadbroughtbackapassionatesofteningmemory。
　　“Myman！“Hervoicemelloweduntilitwasdeepandlow。“DidyoucallT。Tembaromthat，too？Oh，Iunderstandyou！KeepnearmewhileItalktothesepeople。”Shemadehersitdownbyher。
　　“Iknoweverydetailofyourletters。”SheaddressedPalliseraswellasPalford&Grimby，sweepingalldetailsaside。“Whatisityouwanttoaskme？“
　　“Thisisourposition，yourladyship，“Mr。Palfordfumbledalittlewithhispapersinspeaking。“Mr。TempleTempleBarholmandthepersonknownasMr。Strangewayshavebeensearchedforsofarwithoutresult。
　　InthemeantimewerealizethatthemoreevidenceweobtainthatMr。
　　TempleTempleBarholmidentifiedStrangewaysandactedfrommotive，themoresolidthefoundationuponwhichCaptainPalliser”sconvictionrests。Uptothispointwehaveonlyhisstatementwhichheispreparedtomakeonoath。Fortunately，however，heononeoccasionoverheardsomethingsaidtoyouwhichhebelieveswillbecorroborativeevidence。”
　　“Whatdidyouoverhear？“sheinquiredofPalliser。
　　Hertonewasnotpacificconsideringthat，logically，shemustbeonthesideoftheinvestigators。Butitwasherhabit，asCaptainPalliserremembered，toseemtoputmostpeopleonthedefensive。Hemeanttolookasuninvolvedastheduke，butitwasnotquitewithinhispower。Hismannerwassufficientlydeliberate。
　　“Oneevening，beforeyouleftforLondon，Iwasreturningfromthebilliard-room，andheardyouengagedinanimatedconversationwith——
　　ourhost。Myattentionwasarrested，firstbecause”asketchofasmileill-concealeditself，“youusuallyscarcelydeignedtospeaktohim，andsecondlybecauseIheardJemTempleBarholm”sname。”
　　“Andyou——？“neithereyesnormanneromittedthewordlistened。
　　Buttheslightliftofhisshoulderswasindifferentenough。
　　“Ilisteneddeliberately。Iwasconvincedthatthefellowwasacriminalimpostor，andIwantedevidence。”
　　“Ah！comenow，“remarkedthedukeamiably。“Nowwearegettingon。Didyougainany？“
　　“Ithoughtso。Merelyofthecumulativeorder，ofcourse，“Palliseransweredwithmoderation。“Thosewereearlydays。Heaskedyou，“
　　turningtoLadyJoanagain，“ifyouknewanyone——anyone——whohadanysortofaphotographofJem。Youhadoneandyoushowedittohim！“
　　Shewasquitesilentforamoment。Thehourcamebacktoher——theextraordinaryhourwhenhehadstoodinhisloungingfashionbeforeher，andthroughsomeodd，uncivilizedbutabsolutelyhumanforceofhisownhadmadeherlistentohim——andhadgoneontalkinginhisnasalvoiceuntilwithonecommon，crude，grotesquephrasehehadturnedherhideousworldupsidedown——changedthewholefaceofit——
　　sentthestonewallrisingbeforehercrumblingintodust，andseemedsomehowtosetherfree。Forthemomenthehadliftedaloadfromherthenatureofwhichshedidnotthinkhecouldunderstand——aloadofhatredandsilence。Shehadclutchedhishand，shehadpassionatelyweptonit，shecouldhavekissedit。Hehadtoldhershecouldcomebackandnotbeafraid。Asthestrangeepisoderosebeforeherdetailbydetail，sheliterallystaredatPalliser。
　　“Youdid，didn”tyou？“heinquired。
　　“Yes，“sheanswered。
　　Hermindwasinariot，becauseinthemidstofthingswhichmustbetrue，somethingwasfalse。Butwiththememoryofamyriadsubtleduplicitiesinherbrain，shehadneverseenanythingwhichcouldhaveapproachedathinglikethat。Hehadmadeherfeelmorehumanthananyoneintheworldhadevermadeherfeel——butJem。Hehadbeenabletodoitbecausehewashumanhimself——human。“I”mfriendly，“hehadsaidwithhisboy”slaugh”justfriendly。”
　　“Isawhimstart，thoughyoudidnot，“Pallisercontinued。“Hestoodandstudiedthelocketintently。”
　　Sherememberedperfectly。Hehadexamineditsocloselythathehadunconsciouslyknithisbrows。
　　“Hesaidsomethinginaratherlowvoice，“Pallisertookitup。“I
　　couldnotquitecatchitall。Itwassomethingabout`knowingthefaceagain。”Icanseeyouremember，LadyJoan。Canyourepeattheexactwords？“
　　Hedidnotunderstandthestrugglehesawinherface。Itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforhimtounderstandit。Whatshefeltwasthatifshelostholdonherstrangebeliefinthehonestyofthisonedecentthingshehadseenandfeltsoclosetoherthatitclearedtheairshebreathed，itwouldbeasifshehadfallenintoabottomlessabyss。Withoutknowingwhyshedidit，shegotupfromherchairasifshewereawitnessinacourt。
　　“Yes，Ican，“shesaid。“Yes，Ican；butIwishtomakeastatementformyself。WhetherJemTempleBarholmisaliveordead，CaptainPalliser，T。Tembaromhasdonehimnoharm。”
　　Thedukesatupdelicatelyalert。Hehadevidentlyfoundherworthlookingatandlisteningtofromtheoutset。
　　“Hear！Hear！“hesaidpleasantly。
　　“Whatweretheexactwords？“suggestedPalliser。
　　MissAliciawhohadbeenweepingonLittleAnn”sshoulder——almostonherlap——liftedherheadtolisten。Hutchinsonsethisjawandgrunted，andMr。Palfordclearedhisthroatmechanically。
　　“Hesaid，“andnoonebetterthanherselfrealizedhowominously“cumulative“thewordssounded，“thatamanwouldknowafacelikethatagain——whereverhesawit。”
　　“Whereverhesawit！“ejaculatedMr。Grimby。
　　Thereensuedamomentofentirepause。Itwasinevitable。Havingreachedthispointatakingofbreathwasnecessary。Eventhedukeceasedtoappearentirelydetached。AsMr。Palfordturnedtohispapersagaintherewasperhapsaslightfeelingofawkwardnessintheair。MissAliciahaddropped，terrorsmitten，intonewtears。
　　Theslightawkwardnesswas，onthewhole，ratheraddedtobyT。
　　Tembarom——asifserenelyintroducedbythehandofdramaitself——
　　openingthedoorandwalkingintotheroom。Hecameinwithamatter-
　　of-fact，butratherobstinate，air，andstoppedintheirmidst，lookingroundatthemasifcollectedlytakingthemallin。
　　Hutchinsonsprangtohisfeetwithakindofroar，hisbighandsplungingdeepintohistrouserspockets。
　　“Hereheis！Dangedifheisn”t！“hebellowed。“Now，lad，thalet”emhaveit！“
　　Whathewastoletthemhavedidnotensue，becausehisattitudewasnotoneofassault。
　　“Say，youareallhere，ain”tyou！“heremarkedobviously。“Goodbusiness！“
　　MissAliciagotupfromthesofaandcametremblingtowardhimasoneapproachesonerisenfromthedead，andhemadeabigstridetowardherandtookherinhisarms，pattinghershoulderinreproachfulconsolation。
　　“Say，youhaven”tdonewhatItoldyou——haveyou？“hesoothed。“You”veletyourselfgetrattled。”
　　“ButIknewitwasn”ttrue，“shesobbed。“Iknewitwasn”t。”
　　“Ofcourseyoudid，butyougotrattledallthesame。”Andhepattedheragain。
　　Thedukecameforwardwithadelightfullyeasyand——coulditbealmostjocose？——airofbearinghimself。PalfordandGrimbyremarkeditwithpaineddismay。Hewassounswervinginhisreadinessasheshookhands。
　　“Howwelldoneofyou！“hesaid。“Howwellarranged！ButI”mafraidyoudidn”tarrangeitatall。Ithasmerelyhappened。Wheredidyoucomefrom？“
　　“FromAmerica；gotbackyesterday。”T。Tembarom”shand-shakewasarobustheartygreeting。“It”sallright。”
　　“FromAmerica！“Theunitedvoicesofthesolicitorsexclaimedit。
　　JosephHutchinsonbrokeintoahugeguffaw，andhestampedinexultation。
　　“I”mdangedifbehasna”beentoAmerica！“hecriedout。“ToAmerica！“
　　“Oh！“MissAliciagaspedhysterically，“theygobackwardandforwardtoAmericalike——likelightning！“
　　LittleAnnhadnotrisenathisentrance，butsatstillwithherhandsclaspedtightlyonherlap。Herfacehadsomehowtheeffectofaflowergraduallybreakingintoextraordinarybloom。Theireyeshadoncemetandthensheremained，hersoulinherswhichwereuponhim，asshedrankineverywordheuttered。Hertimehadnotyetcome。
　　LadyJoanhadremainedstandingbythechair，whichafewmomentsbeforehermannerhadseemedtotransformintosomethinglikeawitnessstandinacourtofjustice。Herhungryeyeshadgrownhungriereachsecond，andherbreathcameandwentquickly。TheveryfaceshehadlookedupatonherlasttalkwithT。Tembarom——theoddlyhumanface——turnedonherashecametoher。Itwasjustasithadbeenthatnight——justascommonlyuncommonandbelievable。
　　“Say，LadyJoan！Youdidn”tbelieveallthatguff，didyou——Youdidn”t？“hesaid。
　　“No——no——no！Icouldn”t！“shecriedfiercely。
　　Hesawshewasshakingwithsuspense，andhepushedhergentlyintoachair。
　　“You”dbettersitdownaminute。You”reaboutallin，“hesaid。
　　Shemighthavebeenawomanwithanagueasshecaughthisarm，shakingitbecauseherhandsthemselvessoshook。
　　“Isittrue？“washerlowcry。“Ishealive——ishealive？“
　　“Yes，he”salive。”Andasheansweredhedrewcloseandsoplacedhimselfbeforeherthatheshieldedherfromtheothersintheroom。
　　Heseemedtomanagetoshutthemout，sothatwhenshedroppedherfaceonherarmsagainstthechair-backhershuddering，silentsobbingwashiddendecently。Itwasnotonlyhisbodywhichdidit，butsomeprotectingpowerwhichwasalmostphysicallyvisible。Shefeltitspreadbeforeher。
　　“Yes，he”salive，“hesaid，“andhe”sallright——thoughit”sbeenalongtimecoming，bygee！“
　　“He”salive。”Theyallheardit。ForamanofPalliser”smaketostandsilentinthemidstofmysteriousslowlyaccumulatingconvictionsthatsomeone——perilouslyofhisownrarelyinepttype——wasonthevergeoffeelingappallinglylikeafool——wasmomentarilyunendurable。Andnothinghadbeenexplained，afterall。
　　“Isthiswhatyoucall`bluff”inNewYork？“hedemanded。“You”vegotalottoexplain。YouadmitthatJemTempleBarholmisalive？“andrealizedhisasinineerrorbeforethewordswerefullyspoken。