“”Whatmayyoubewantin”？”sheaskedinaNorthernaccent。
　　“”Iamyourneighbouroveryonder”saidI，noddingtowards。my
　　house。”Iseethatyouhaveonlyjustmovedin，soIthoughtthatifI
　　couldbeofanyhelptoyouinany-”
　　“”Ay，we”lljustaskyewhenwewantye”saidshe，andshutthe
　　doorinmyface。Annoyedatthechurlishrebuff，Iturnedmyback
　　andwalkedhome。Allevening，thoughItriedtothinkofother
　　thinesmymindwouldstillturntotheapparitionatthewindowand
　　therudenessofthewoman。Ideterminedtosaynothingaboutthe
　　formertomywife，forsheisanervous，highlystrungwoman，andI
　　hadnowishthatsheshouldsharetheunpleasantimpressionwhich
　　hadbeenproduceduponmyself。Iremarkedtoher，however，beforeI
　　fellasleep，thatthecottagewasnowoccupied，towhichshe
　　returnednoreply。
　　“Iamusuallyanextremelysoundsleeper。Ithasbeenastanding
　　jestinthefamilythatnothingcouldeverwakemeduringthenight。
　　Andyetsomehowonthatparticularnight，whetheritmayhavebeenthe
　　slightexcitementproducedbymylittleadventureornotIknownot，
　　butIsleptmuchmorelightlythanusual。HalfinmydreamsIwas
　　dimlyconsciousthatsomethingwasgoingonintheroom，andgradually
　　becameawarethatmywifehaddressedherselfandwasslippingon
　　hermantleandherbonnet。Mylipswerepartedtomurmuroutsome
　　sleepywordsofsurpriseorremonstranceatthisuntimelypreparation，
　　whensuddenlymyhalf-openedeyesfelluponherface，illuminatedby
　　thecandle-light，andastonishmentheldmedumb。Sheworean
　　expressionsuchasIhadneverseenbefore-suchasIshouldhave
　　thoughtherincapableofassuming。Shewasdeadlypaleandbreathing
　　fast，glancingfurtivelytowardsthebedasshefastenedhermantleto
　　seeifshehaddisturbedme。Then，thinkingthatIwasstillasleep，
　　sheslippednoiselesslyfromtheroom，andaninstantlaterIheard
　　asharpcreakingwhichcouldonlycomefromthehingesofthefront
　　door。Isatupinbedandrappedmyknucklesagainsttherailto
　　makecertainthatIwastrulyawake。ThenItookmywatchfromunder
　　thepillow。Itwasthreeinthemorning。Whatonthisearthcouldmy
　　wifebedoingoutonthecountryroadatthreeinthemorning？
　　“Ihadsatforabouttwentyminutesturningthethingoverinmy
　　mindandtryingtofindsomepossibleexplanation。ThemoreIthought，
　　themoreextraordinaryandinexplicablediditappear。Iwasstill
　　puzzlingoveritwhenIheardthedoorgentlycloseagain，andher
　　footstepscomingupthestairs。
　　“”Whereintheworldhaveyoubeen，Effie？”Iaskedassheentered。
　　“ShegaveaviolentstartandakindofgaspingcrywhenIspoke，
　　andthatcryandstarttroubledmemorethanalltherest，forthere
　　wassomethingindescribablyguiltyaboutthem。Mywifehadalwaysbeen
　　awomanofafrank，opennature，anditgavemeachilltoseeher
　　slinkingintoherownroomandcryingoutandwincingwhenherown
　　husbandspoketoher。
　　“”Youawake，Jack！”shecriedwithanervouslaugh。”Why，I
　　thoughtthatnothingcouldawakeyou。”
　　“”Wherehaveyoubeen？”Iasked，moresternly。
　　“”Idon”twonderthatyouaresurprised”saidshe，andIcould
　　seethatherfingersweretremblingassheundidthefasteningsofher
　　mantle。”Why，Ineverrememberhavingdonesuchathinginmylife
　　before。ThefactisthatIfeltasthoughIwerechokingandhada
　　perfectlongingforabreathoffreshair。IreallythinkthatI
　　shouldhavefaintedifIhadnotgoneout。Istoodatthedoorfora
　　fewminutes，andnowIamquitemyselfagain。”
　　“Allthetimethatshewastellingmethisstorysheneveronce
　　lookedinmydirection，andhervoicewasquiteunlikeherusual
　　tones。Itwasevidenttomethatshewassayingwhatwasfalse。Isaid
　　nothinginreply，butturnedmyfacetothewall，sickatheart，
　　withmymindfilledwithathousandvenomousdoubtsandsuspicions。
　　Whatwasitthatmywifewasconcealingfromme？Wherehadshebeen
　　duringthatstrangeexpedition？IfeltthatIshouldhavenopeace
　　untilIknew，andyetIshrankfromaskingheragainafteronceshe
　　hadtoldmewhatwasfalse。AlltherestofthenightItossedand
　　tumbled，framingtheoryaftertheory，eachmoreunlikelythanthe
　　last。
　　“IshouldhavegonetotheCitythatday，butIwastoodisturbedin
　　mymindtobeabletopayattentiontobusinessmatters。Mywife
　　seemedtobeasupsetasmyself，andIcouldseefromthelittle
　　questioningglanceswhichshekeptshootingatmethatshe
　　understoodthatIdisbelievedherstatement，andthatshewasather
　　wit”sendwhattodo。Wehardlyexchangedawordduringbreakfast，and
　　immediatelyafterwardsIwentoutforawalkthatImightthinkthe
　　matteroutinthefreshmorningair。
　　“IwentasfarastheCrystalPalace，spentanhourinthe
　　grounds，andwasbackinNorburybyoneo”clock。Ithappenedthatmy
　　waytookmepastthecottage，andIstoppedforaninstanttolook
　　atthewindowsandtoseeifIcouldcatchaglimpseofthestrange
　　facewhichhadlookedoutatmeonthedaybefore。AsIstoodthere，
　　imaginemysurprise，Mr。Holmes，whenthedoorsuddenlyopenedand
　　mywifewalkedout。
　　“Iwasstruckdumbwithastonishmentatthesightofher，butmy
　　emotionswerenothingtothosewhichshowedthemselvesuponherface
　　whenoureyesmet。Sheseemedforaninstanttowishtoshrinkback
　　insidethehouseagain；andthen，seeinghowuselessallconcealment
　　mustbe，shecameforward，withaverywhitefaceandfrightened
　　eyeswhichbeliedthesmileuponherlips。
　　“”Ah，Jack”shesaid，”IhavejustbeenintoseeifIcanbeof
　　anyassistancetoournewneighbours。Whydoyoulookatmelikethat，
　　Jack？Youarenotangrywithme？”
　　“”So”saidI，”thisiswhereyouwentduringthenight。”
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”shecried。
　　“”Youcamehere。Iamsureofit。Whoarethesepeoplethatyou
　　shouldvisitthematsuchanhour？”
　　“”Ihavenotbeenherebefore。”
　　“”Howcanyoutellmewhatyouknowisfalse？”Icried。”Yourvery
　　voicechangesasyouspeak。WhenhaveIeverhadasecretfromyou？
　　Ishallenterthatcottage，andIshallprobethemattertothe
　　bottom。”
　　“”No，no，Jack，forGod”ssake！”shegaspedinuncontrollable
　　emotion。Then，asIapproachedthedoor，sheseizedmysleeveand
　　pulledmebackwithconvulsivestrength。
　　“”Iimploreyounottodothis，Jack”shecried。”IswearthatI
　　willtellyoueverythingsomeday，butnothingbutmiserycancome
　　ofitifyouenterthatcottage。”Then，asItriedtoshakeheroff，
　　sheclungtomeinafrenzyofentreaty。
　　“”Trustme，Jack！”shecried。”Trustmeonlythisonce。Youwill
　　neverhavecausetoregretit。YouknowthatIwouldnothaveasecret
　　fromyouifitwerenotforyourownsake。Ourwholelivesareat
　　stakeinthis。Ifyoucomehomewithmeallwillbewell。Ifyouforce
　　yourwayintothatcottageallisoverbetweenus。”
　　“Therewassuchearnestness，suchdespair，inhermannerthather
　　wordsarrestedme，andIstoodirresolutebeforethedoor。
　　“”Iwilltrustyouononecondition，andononeconditiononly”
　　saidIatlast。”Itisthatthismysterycomestoanendfromnow。You
　　areatlibertytopreserveyoursecret，butyoumustpromisemethat
　　thereshallbenomorenightlyvisits，nomoredoingswhicharekept
　　frommyknowledge。Iamwillingtoforgetthosewhicharepastif
　　youwillpromisethatthereshallbenomoreinthefuture。”
　　“”Iwassurethatyouwouldtrustme”shecriedwithagreatsigh
　　ofrelief。”Itshallbejustasyouwish。Comeaway-oh，comeawayup
　　tothehouse。”
　　“Stillpullingatmysleeve，sheledmeawayfromthecottage。Aswe
　　wentIglancedback，andtherewasthatyellowlividfacewatching
　　usoutoftheupperwindow。Whatlinkcouldtherebebetweenthat
　　creatureandmywife？Orhowcouldthecoarse，roughwomanwhomI
　　hadseenthedaybeforebeconnectedwithher？Itwasastrange
　　puzzle，andyetIknewthatmymindcouldneverknoweaseagain
　　untilIhadsolvedit。
　　“FortwodaysafterthisIstayedathome，andmywifeappearedto
　　abideloyallybyourengagement，for，asfarasIknow，shenever
　　stirredoutofthehouse。onthethirdday，however，Ihadample
　　evidencethathersolemnpromisewasnotenoughtoholdherback
　　fromthissecretinfluencewhichdrewherawayfromherhusbandand
　　herduty。
　　“Ihadgoneintotownonthatday，butIreturnedbythe2：40
　　insteadofthe3：36，whichismyusualtrain。AsIenteredthehouse
　　themaidranintothehallwithastartledface。
　　“”Whereisyourmistress？”Iasked。
　　“”Ithinkthatshehasgoneoutforawalk”sheanswered。
　　“Mymindwasinstantlyfilledwithsuspicion。Irushedupstairsto
　　makesurethatshewasnotinthehouse。AsIdidsoIhappenedto
　　glanceoutofoneoftheupperwindowsandsawthemaidwithwhomI
　　hadjustbeenspeakingrunningacrossthefieldinthedirectionof
　　thecottage。ThenofcourseIsawexactlywhatitallmeant。Mywife
　　hadgoneoverthereandhadaskedtheservanttocallherifI
　　shouldreturn。Tinglingwithanger，Irusheddownandhurried
　　across，determinedtoendthematteronceandforever。Isawmywife
　　andthemaidhurryingbackalongthelane，butIdidnotstoptospeak
　　withthem。Inthecottagelaythesecretwhichwascastingashadow
　　overmylife。Ivowedthat，comewhatmight，itshouldbeasecret
　　nolonger。IdidnotevenknockwhenIreachedit，butturnedthe
　　handleandrushedintothepassage。
　　“Itwasallstillandquietuponthegroundfloor。Inthekitchen
　　akettlewassingingonthefire，andalargeblackcatlaycoiled
　　upinthebasket；buttherewasnosignofthewomanwhomIhadseen
　　before。Iranintotheotherroom，butitwasequallydeserted。ThenI
　　rushedupthestairsonlytofindtwootherroomsemptyanddeserted
　　atthetop。Therewasnooneatallinthewholehouse。The
　　furnitureandpictureswereofthemostcommonandvulgardescription，
　　saveintheonechamberatthewindowofwhichIhadseenthe
　　strangeface。Thatwascomfortableandelegant，andallmy
　　suspicionsroseintoafierce，bitterflamewhenIsawthatonthe
　　mantelpiecestoodacopyofafull-lengthphotographofmywife，which
　　hadbeentakenatmyrequestonlythreemonthsago。
　　“Istayedlongenoughtomakecertainthatthehousewas
　　absolutelyempty。ThenIleftit，feelingaweightatmyheartsuchas
　　Ihadneverhadbefore。MywifecameoutintothehallasIenteredmy
　　house；butIwastoohurtandangrytospeakwithher，and，pushing
　　pasther，Imademywayintomystudy。Shefollowedme，however，
　　beforeIcouldclosethedoor。
　　“”IamsorrythatIbrokemypromise，Jack”saidshe，”butifyou
　　knewallthecircumstancesIamsurethatyouwouldforgiveme。”
　　“”Tellmeeverything，then”saidI。
　　“”Icannot，Jack，Icannot”shecried。
　　“”Untilyoutellmewhoitisthathasbeenlivinginthat
　　cottage，andwhoitistowhomyouhavegiventhatphotograph，there
　　canneverbeanyconfidencebetweenus”saidI，andbreakingaway
　　fromherIleftthehouse。Thatwasyesterday，Mr。Holmes，andI
　　havenotseenhersince，nordoIknowanythingmoreaboutthis
　　strangebusiness。Itisthefirstshadowthathascomebetweenus，and
　　ithassoshakenmethatIdonotknowwhatIshoulddoforthe
　　best。Suddenlythismorningitoccurredtomethatyouwerethemanto
　　adviseme，soIhavehurriedtoyounow，andIplacemyself
　　unreservedlyinyourhands。IfthereisanypointwhichIhavenot
　　madeclear，prayquestionmeaboutit。But，aboveall，tellmequickly
　　whatIamtodo，forthismiseryismorethanIcanbear。”
　　HolmesandIhadlistenedwiththeutmostinteresttothis
　　extraordinarystatement，whichhadbeendeliveredinthejerky，broken
　　fashionofamanwhoisundertheinfluenceofextremeemotion。My
　　companionsatsilentnowforsometime，withhischinuponhishand，
　　lostinthought。
　　“Tellme，“saidheatlast，“couldyouswearthatthiswasaman”s
　　facewhichyousawatthewindow？“
　　“EachtimethatIsawitIwassomedistanceawayfromit，sothat
　　itisimpossibleformetosay。”
　　“Youappear，however，tohavebeendisagreeablyimpressedbyit。”
　　“Itseemedtobeofanunusualcolourandtohaveastrangerigidity
　　aboutthefeatures。WhenIapproacheditvanishedwithajerk。”
　　“Howlongisitsinceyourwifeaskedyouforahundredpounds？“
　　“Nearlytwomonths。”
　　“Haveyoueverseenaphotographofherfirsthusband？“
　　“No，therewasagreatfireatAtlantaveryshortlyafterhisdeath，
　　andallherpapersweredestroyed。”
　　“Andyetshehadacertificateofdeath。Yousaythatyousawit。”
　　“Yes，shegotaduplicateafterthefire。”
　　“DidyouevermeetanyonewhoknewherinAmerica？“
　　“No。”
　　“Didsheevertalkofrevisitingtheplace？“
　　“No。”
　　“Orgetlettersfromit？“
　　“No。”
　　“Thankyou。Ishouldliketothinkoverthematteralittlenow。
　　Ifthecottageisnowpermanentlydesertedwemayhavesome
　　difficulty。If，ontheotherhand，asIfancyismorelikely，the
　　inmateswerewarnedofyourcomingandleftbeforeyouentered
　　yesterday，thentheymaybebacknow，andweshouldclearitallup
　　easily。Letmeadviseyou，then，toreturntoNorburyandtoexamine
　　thewindowsofthecottageagain。Ifyouhavereasontobelievethat
　　itisinhabited，donotforceyourwayin，butsendawiretomy
　　friendandme。Weshallbewithyouwithinanhourofreceivingit，
　　andweshallthenverysoongettothebottomofthebusiness。”
　　“Andifitisstillempty？“
　　“InthatcaseIshallcomeoutto-morrowandtalkitoverwith
　　you。Good-bye，and，aboveall，donotfretuntilyouknowthatyou
　　reallyhaveacauseforit。”
　　“Iamafraidthatthisisabadbusiness，Watson，“saidmycompanion
　　ashereturnedafteraccompanyingMr。GrantMunrotothedoor。“What
　　doyoumakeofit？“
　　“Ithadanuglysound，“Ianswered。
　　“Yes。There”sblackmailinit，orIammuchmistaken。”
　　“Andwhoistheblackmailer？“
　　“Well，itmustbethecreaturewholivesintheonlycomfortable
　　roomintheplaceandhasherphotographabovehisfireplace。Upon
　　myword，Watson，thereissomethingveryattractiveaboutthatlivid
　　faceatthewindow，andIwouldnothavemissedthecaseforworlds。”
　　“Youhaveatheory？“
　　“Yes，aprovisionalone。ButIshallbesurprisedifitdoesnot
　　turnouttobecorrect。Thiswoman”sfirsthusbandisinthat
　　cottage。”
　　“Whydoyouthinkso？“
　　“Howelsecanweexplainherfrenziedanxietythathersecondone
　　shouldnotenterit？Thefacts，asIreadthem，aresomethinglike
　　this：ThiswomanwasmarriedinAmerica。Herhusbanddevelopedsome
　　hatefulqualities，orshallwesayhecontractedsomeloathsome
　　diseaseandbecamealeperoranimbecile？Shefliesfromhimatlast，
　　returnstoEngland，changeshername，andstartsherlife，asshe
　　thinks，afresh。Shehasbeenmarriedthreeyearsandbelievesthather
　　positionisquitesecure，havingshownherhusbandthedeath
　　certificateofsomemanwhosenameshehasassumed，whensuddenly
　　herwhereaboutsisdiscoveredbyherfirsthusband，or，wemay
　　suppose，bysomeunscrupulouswomanwhohasattachedherselftothe
　　invalid。Theywritetothewifeandthreatentocomeandexposeher。
　　Sheasksforahundredpoundsandendeavourstobuythemoff。They
　　comeinspiteofit，andwhenthehusbandmentionscasuallytothe
　　wifethattherearenewcomersinthecottage，sheknowsinsomeway
　　thattheyareherpursuers。Shewaitsuntilherhusbandisasleep，and
　　thensherushesdowntoendeavourtopersuadethemtoleaveherin
　　peace。Havingnosuccess，shegoesagainnextmorning，andherhusband
　　meetsher，ashehastoldus，asshecomesout。Shepromiseshim
　　thennottogothereagain，buttwodaysafterwardsthehopeof
　　gettingridofthosedreadfulneighbourswastoostrongforher，and
　　shemadeanotherattempt，takingdownwithherthephotographwhich
　　hadprobablybeendemandedfromher。Inthemidstofthisinterview
　　themaidrushedintosaythatthemasterhadcomehome，onwhich
　　thewife，knowingthathewouldcomestraightdowntothecottage，
　　hurriedtheinmatesoutatthebackdoor，intothegroveoffir-trees，
　　probably，whichwasmentionedasstandingnear。Inthiswayhefound
　　theplacedeserted。Ishallbeverymuchsurprised，however，ifit
　　isstillsowhenhereconnoitresitthisevening。Whatdoyouthinkof
　　mytheory？“
　　“Itisallsurmise。”
　　“Butatleastitcoversallthefacts。Afternewfactscometoour
　　knowledgewhichcannotbecoveredbyit，itwillbetimeenoughto
　　reconsiderit。Wecandonothingmoreuntilwehaveamessagefromour
　　friendatNorbury。”
　　Butwehadnotaverylongtimetowaitforthat。Itcamejustaswe
　　badfinishedourtea。
　　Thecottageisstilltenanted[itsaid]。Haveseentheface
　　againatthewindow。Willmeettheseven-o”clocktrainandwilltake
　　nostepsuntilyouarrive。
　　Hewaswaitingontheplatformwhenwesteppedout，andwecouldsee
　　inthelightofthestationlampsthathewasverypale，andquivering
　　withagitation。
　　“Theyarestillthere，Mr。Holmes，“saidhe，layinghishandhard
　　uponmyfriend”ssleeve。“IsawlightsinthecottageasIcame
　　down。Weshallsettleitnowonceandforall。”
　　“Whatisyourplan，then？“askedHolmesashewalkeddownthedark
　　tree-linedroad。
　　“Iamgoingtoforcemywayinandseeformyselfwhoisinthe
　　house。Iwishyoubothtobethereaswitnesses。”
　　“Youarequitedeterminedtodothisinspiteofyourwife”swarning
　　thatitisbetterthatyoushouldnotsolvethemystery？“
　　“Yes，Iamdetermined。”
　　“Well，Ithinkthatyouareintheright。Anytruthisbetterthan
　　indefinitedoubt。Wehadbettergoupatonce。Ofcourse，legally，
　　weareputtingourselveshopelesslyinthewrong；butIthinkthat
　　itisworthit。”
　　Itwasaverydarknight，andathinrainbegantofallasweturned
　　fromthehighroadintoanarrowlane，deeplyrutted，withhedgeson
　　eitherside。Mr。GrantMunropushedimpatientlyforward，however，
　　andwestumbledafterhimasbestwecould。
　　“Therearethelightsofmyhouse，“hemurmured，pointingtoa
　　glimmeramongthetrees。“AndhereisthecottagewhichIamgoing
　　toenter。”
　　Weturnedacornerinthelaneashespoke，andtherewasthe
　　buildingclosebesideus。Ayellowbarfallingacrosstheblack
　　foregroundshowedthatthedoorwasnotquiteclosed，andonewindow
　　intheupperstorywasbrightlyilluminated。Aswelooked，wesawa
　　darkblurmovingacrosstheblind。
　　“Thereisthatcreature！“criedGrantMunro。“Youcanseefor
　　yourselvesthatsomeoneisthere。Nowfollowme，andweshallsoon
　　knowall。”
　　Weapproachedthedoor，butsuddenlyawomanappearedoutofthe
　　shadowandstoodinthegoldentrackofthelamplight。Icouldnotsee
　　herfaceinthedarkness，butherarmswerethrownoutinan
　　attitudeofentreaty。
　　“ForGod”ssake，don”t，Jack！“shecried。“Ihadapresentimentthat
　　youwouldcomethisevening。Thinkbetterofit，dear！Trustmeagain，
　　andyouwillneverhavecausetoregretit。”
　　“Ihavetrustedyoutoolong，Effie，“hecriedsternly。“Leavegoof
　　me！Imustpassyou。MyfriendsandIaregoingtosettlethis
　　matteronceandforever！“Hepushedhertooneside，andwefollowed
　　closelyafterhim。Ashethrewthedooropenanoldwomanranoutin
　　frontofhimandtriedtobarhispassage，buthethrustherback，and
　　aninstantafterwardswewerealluponthestairs。GrantMunro
　　rushedintothelightedroomatthetop，andweenteredathisheels。
　　Itwasacosy，well-furnishedapartment，withtwocandlesburning
　　uponthetableandtwouponthemantelpiece。Inthecorner，stooping
　　overadesk，theresatwhatappearedtobealittlegirl。Herfacewas
　　turnedawayasweentered，butwecouldseethatshewasdressedin
　　aredfrock，andthatshehadlongwhitegloveson。Asshewhisked
　　roundtous，Igaveacryofsurpriseandhorror。Thefacewhichshe
　　turnedtowardsuswasofthestrangestlividtint，andthefeatures
　　wereabsolutelydevoidofanyexpression。Aninstantlaterthemystery
　　wasexplained。Holmes，withalaugh，passedhishandbehindthe
　　child”sear，amaskpeeledofffromhercountenance，andtherewasa
　　littlecoal-blacknegress，withallherwhiteteethflashingin
　　amusementatouramazedfaces。Iburstoutlaughing，outofsympathy
　　withhermerriment；butGrantMunrostoodstaring，withhishand
　　clutchinghisthroat。
　　“MyGod！“hecried。“Whatcanbethemeaningofthis？“
　　“Iwilltellyouthemeaningofit，“criedthelady，sweepinginto
　　theroomwithaproud，setface。“Youhaveforcedme，againstmyown
　　judgment，totellyou，andnowwemustbothmakethebestofit。My
　　husbanddiedatAtlanta。Mychildsurvived。”
　　“Yourchild？“
　　Shedrewalargesilverlocketfromherbosom。“Youhavenever
　　seenthisopen。”
　　“Iunderstoodthatitdidnotopen。”
　　Shetouchedaspring，andthefronthingedback。Therewasa
　　portraitwithinofamanstrikinglyhandsomeand
　　intelligent-looking，butbearingunmistakablesignsuponhis
　　featuresofhisAfricandescent。
　　“ThatisJohnHebron，ofAtlanta，“saidthelady，“andanobler
　　manneverwalkedtheearth。Icutmyselfofffrommyraceinorder
　　towedhim，butneveroncewhileheliveddidIforaninstant
　　regretit。Itwasourmisfortunethatouronlychildtookafterhis
　　peopleratherthanmine。Itisoftensoinsuchmatches，andlittle
　　Lucyisdarkerfarthaneverherfatherwas。Butdarkorfair，she
　　ismyowndearlittlegirlie，andhermother”spet。”Thelittle
　　creatureranacrossatthewordsandnestledupagainstthelady”s
　　dress。“WhenIleftherinAmerica，“shecontinued，“itwasonly
　　becauseherhealthwasweak，andthechangemighthavedoneher
　　harm。ShewasgiventothecareofafaithfulScotchwomanwhohad
　　oncebeenourservant。NeverforaninstantdidIdreamofdisowning
　　herasmychild。Butwhenchancethrewyouinmyway，Jack，andI
　　learnedtoloveyou，Ifearedtotellyouaboutmychild。God
　　forgiveme，IfearedthatIshouldloseyou，andIhadnotthecourage
　　totellyou。Ihadtochoosebetweenyou，andinmyweaknessI
　　turnedawayfrommyownlittlegirl。ForthreeyearsIhavekepther
　　existenceasecretfromyou，butIheardfromthenurse，andIknew
　　thatallwaswellwithher。Atlast，however，therecamean
　　overwhelmingdesiretoseethechildoncemore。Istruggledagainst
　　it，butinvain。ThoughIknewthedanger，Ideterminedtohavethe
　　childover，ifitwerebutforafewweeks。Isentahundredpoundsto
　　thenurse，andIgaveherinstructionsaboutthiscottage，sothatshe
　　mightcomeasaneighbour，withoutmyappearingtobeinanyway
　　connectedwithher。Ipushedmyprecautionssofarastoorderher
　　tokeepthechildinthe。phouseduringthedaytime，andtocoverup
　　herlittlefaceandhandssothateventhosewhomightseeherat
　　thewindowshouldnotgossipabouttherebeingablackchildinthe
　　neighbourhood。IfIhadbeenlesscautiousImighthavebeenmore
　　wise，butIwashalfcrazywithfearthatyoushouldlearnthetruth。
　　“Itwasyouwhotoldmefirstthatthecottagewasoccupied。I
　　shouldhavewaitedforthemorning，butIcouldnotsleepfor
　　excitement，andsoatlastIslippedout，knowinghowdifficultit
　　istoawakeyou。Butyousawmego，andthatwasthebeginningofmy
　　troubles。Nextdayyouhadmysecretatyourmercy，butyounobly
　　refrainedfrompursuingyouradvantage。Threedayslater，however，the
　　nurseandchildonlyjustescapedfromthebackdoorasyourushed
　　inatthefrontone。Andnowto-nightyouatlastknowall，andI
　　askyouwhatistobecomeofus，mychildandme？“Sheclaspedher
　　handsandwaitedforananswer。
　　ItwasalongtenminutesbeforeGrantMunrobrokethesilence，
　　andwhenhisanswercameitwasoneofwhichIlovetothink。He
　　liftedthelittlechild，kissedher，andthen，stillcarryingher，
　　heheldhisotherhandouttohiswifeandturnedtowardsthedoor。
　　“Wecantalkitovermorecomfortablyathome，“saidhe。“Iamnota
　　verygoodman，Effie，butIthinkthatIamabetteronethanyouhave
　　givenmecreditforbeing。”
　　HolmesandIfollowedthemdownthelane，andmyfriendpluckedat
　　mysleeveaswecameout。
　　“Ithink，“saidhe，“thatweshallbeofmoreuseinLondonthan
　　inNorbury。”
　　Notanotherworddidhesayofthecaseuntillatethatnight，
　　whenhewasturningaway，withhislightedcandle，forhisbedroom。
　　“Watson，“saidhe，“ifitshouldeverstrikeyouthatIamgettinga
　　littleoverconfidentinmypowers，orgivinglesspainstoacasethan
　　itdeserves，kindlywhisper”Norbury”inmyear，andIshallbe
　　infinitelyobligedtoyou。”
　　THEEND