Shedidthisbysayingtentativelyandwithaslittleshowofemotionaspossible：
　　“Youfearedthattheeventcalledforvengeanceandthatvengeancewouldmeanincreasedsufferingtoyourselfaswellastoanother？“
　　“Yes；greatsuffering。ButImaybeunderamostlamentablemistake。Iamnotsureofmyconclusions。Ifmydoubtshavenorealfoundation——iftheyaresimplytheoffspringofmyowndiseasedimagination，whataninsulttooneIrevere！Whatahorrorofingratitudeandmisunderstanding”
　　“Relatethefacts，“cameinstartledtonesfromViolet。“Theymayenlightenus。”
　　Hegaveonequickshudder，buriedhisfaceforonemomentinhishands，thenlifteditandspokeupquicklyandwithunexpectedfirmness：
　　“IcameheretodosoanddosoIwill。Butwherebegin？MissStrange，youcannotbeignorantofthecircumstances，openandavowed，whichattendedmywife”sdeath。Buttherewereotherandsecreteventsinitsconnectionwhichhappilyhavebeenkeptfromtheworld，butwhichImustnowdisclosetoyouatanycosttomyprideandso-calledhonour。Thisisthefirstone：OnthemorningprecedingthedayofMrs。Upjohn”sdeath，aninterviewtookplacebetweenusatwhichmyfatherwaspresent。Youdonotknowmyfather，MissStrange。Astrongmanandasternone，withaholduponoldtraditionswhichnothingcanshake。IfhehasaweaknessitisformylittleboyRogerinwhosepromisingtraitsheseestheonehopewhichhassurvivedtheshipwreckofallforwhichournamehasstood。Knowingthis，andrealizingwhatthechild”spresenceinthehousemeanttohisoldage，Ifeltmyheartturnsickwithapprehension，wheninthemidstofthediscussionastothetermsonwhichmywifewouldconsenttoapermanentseparation，thelittlefellowcamedancingintotheroom，hiscurlsatossandhiswholefacebeamingwith11feandjoy。
　　“Shehadnotmentionedthechild，butIknewherwellenoughtobesurethatatthefirstshowofpreferenceonhispartforeitherhisgrandfatherormyself，shewouldraiseaclaimtohimwhichshewouldneverrelinquish。Idarednotspeak，butImethiseagerlookswithmymostforbiddingfrownandhopedbythisshowofseveritytoholdhimback。Buthislittleheartwasfulland，ignoringheroutstretchedarms，heboundedtowardsminewithhismostaffectionatecry。Shesawandutteredherultimatum。Thechildshouldgowithherorshewouldnotconsenttoaseparation。Itwasuselessforustotalk；shehadsaidherlastword。Theblowstruckmehard，orsoIthought，tillIlookedatmyfather。NeverhadIbeheldsuchachangeasthatonemomenthadmadeinhim。Hestoodasbefore；hefaceduswiththesamesilentreprobation；buthishearthadrunfromhimlikewater。
　　“Itwasasighttocallupallmyresources。Toallowhertoremainnow，withmyfeelingstowardsherallchangedandmyfather”seyesfullyopenedtoherstonynature，wasimpossible。
　　NorcouldIappealtolaw。Anopenscandalwasmyfather”sgreatestdreadanddivorceproceedingshishorror。ThechildwouldhavetogounlessIcouldfindawaytoinfluenceherthroughherownnature。Iknewofbutone——donotlookatme，MissStrange。Itwasdishonouringtousboth，andI”mhorrifiednowwhenIthinkofit。Buttomeatthattimeitwasnaturalenoughasalastresort。Therewasbutonedebtwhichmywifeeverpaid，butonepromisesheeverkept。Itwasthatmadeatthegaming-table。Ioffered，assoonasmyfather，realizingthehopelessnessofthesituation，hadgonetotteringfromtheroom，togamblewithherforthechild。
　　“Andsheaccepted。”
　　Theshameandhumiliationexpressedinthisfinalwhisper；thesuddendarkness——forastormwascomingup——shookViolettothesoul。Withstrainedgazefixedonthemanbeforeher，nowlittlemorethanashadowintheprevailinggloom，shewaitedforhimtoresume，andwaitedinvain。Theminutespassed，thedarknessbecameintolerable，andinstinctivelyherhandcrepttowardstheelectricbuttonbeneathwhichshewassitting。Butshefailedtopressit。Atalesodarkcalledforanatmosphereofitsownkind。Shewouldcastnolightuponit。Yetsheshiveredasthesilencecontinued，andstartedinuncontrollabledismaywhenatlengthherstrangevisitorrose，andstill，withoutspeaking，walkedawayfromhertotheotherendoftheroom。Onlysocouldhegoonwiththeshamefultale；andpresentlysheheardhisvoiceoncemoreinthesewords：
　　“Ourhouseislargeanditsroomsmany；butforsuchworkaswetwocontemplatedtherewasbutonespotwherewecouldcommandabsoluteseclusion。Youmayhaveheardofit，afamousnaturalgrottohiddeninourownportionofthecoastandsofittedupastoformaretreatforourmiserableselveswhenescapefrommyfather”seyeseemeddesirable。Itwasnoteasyofaccess，andnoone，sofarasweknew，hadeverfollowedusthere。
　　Buttoensureourselvesagainstanypossibleinterruption，wewaitedtillthewholehousewasabedbeforeweleftitforthegrotto。Wewentbyboatandoh！thedipofthoseoars！Ihearthemyet。Andthewitcheryofherfaceinthemoonlight；andthemockeryofherlowfitfullaugh！AsIcaughtthesinisternoteinitssilveryriseandfall，IknewwhatwasbeforemeifIfailedtoretainmycomposure。AndIstrovetoholditandtomeethercalmnesswithstoicismandthetauntofherexpressionwithamaskofimmobility。Buttheeffortwashopeless，andwhenthetimecamefordealingoutthecards，myeyeswereburningintheirsocketsandmyhandsshiveringlikeleavesinarisinggale。
　　“Weplayedonegame——andmywifelost。Weplayedanother——andmywifewon。Weplayedthethird——andthefateIhadforeseenfromthefirstbecamemine。Theluckwaswithher，andIhadlostmyboy！“
　　Agasp——apause，duringwhichthethunderspokeandthelightningflashed，——thenahurriedcatchingofhisbreathandthetalewenton。
　　“Aburstoflaughter，risinggailyabovetheboomofthesea，announcedhervictory——herlaughandthetauntingwords：”Youplaybadly，Roger。Thechildismine。NeverfearthatIshallfailtoteachhimtoreverehisfather。”HadIawordtothrowback？No。WhenIrealizedanythingbutmydishonouredmanhood，I
　　foundmyselfinthegrotto”smouthstaringhelplesslyoutuponthesea。Theboatwhichhadfloatedusinathightidelaystrandedbutafewfeetaway，butIdidnotreachforit。Escapewasquickerovertherocks，andImadefortherocks。
　　“ThatitwasacowardlyacttoleavehertheretofindherwaybackaloneatmidnightbythesameroughroadIwastaking，didnotstrikemymindforaninstant。Iwasinflightfrommyownpast；inflightfrommyselfandthehauntingdreadofmadness。
　　WhenIawoketorealityagainitwastofindthesmalldoor，bywhichwehadleftthehouse，standingslightlyajar。Iwastroubledbythis，forIwassureofhavingclosedit。Buttheimpressionwasbrief，andentering，Iwentstumblinguptomyroom，leavingthewayopenbehindmemorefromsheerinabilitytoexercisemywillthanfromanythoughtofher。
　　“MissStrange“hehadcomeoutoftheshadowsandwasstandingnowdirectlybeforeher，“ImustaskyoutotrustimplicitlyinwhatItellyouofmyfurtherexperiencesthatfatalnight。Itwasnotnecessaryformetopassmylittleson”sdoorinordertoreachtheroomIwasmakingfor；butanguishtookmethereandheldmegluedtothepanelsforwhatseemedalong，longtime。
　　WhenIfinallycreptawayitwastogototheroomIhadchoseninthetopofthehouse，whereIhadmyhourofhellandfacedmydesolatedfuture。DidIhearanythingmeantimeinthehallsbelow？No。DidIevenlistenforthesoundofherreturn？No。I
　　wascalloustoeverything，deadtoeverythingbutmyownmisery。
　　Ididnotevenheedtheapproachofmorning，tillsuddenly，withashrillnessnoearcouldignore，thererose，tearingthroughthesilenceofthehouse，thatgreatscreamfrommywife”sroomwhichannouncedthediscoveryofherbodylyingstarkandcoldinherbed。
　　“TheysaidIshowedlittlefeeling。”Hehadmovedoffagainandspokefromsomewhereintheshadows。“DoyouwonderatthisaftersuchamanifeststrokebyabenevolentProvidence？Mywifebeingdead，Rogerwassavedtous！Itwastheonesongofmystillundisciplinedsoul，andIhadtoassumecoldnesslesttheyshouldseethegreatnessofmyjoy。Awickedandguiltyrejoicingyouwillsay，andyouareright。ButIhadnomemorythenofthepartIhadplayedinthisfatality。Ihadforgottenmyrecklessflightfromthegrotto，whichleftherwithnoaidbutthatofherowntriumphantspirittohelpheroverthosetreacherousrocks。Thenecessityforkeepingsecretthispartofourdisgracefulstoryledmetoexertmyselftokeepitoutofmyownmind。Ithasonlycomebacktomeinallitsforcesinceanewhorror，anewsuspicion，hasdrivenmetoreviewcarefullyeveryincidentofthatawfulnight。
　　“Iwasneveramanofmuchlogic，andwhentheycametomeonthatmorningofwhichIhavejustspokenandtookmeinwhereshelayandpointedtoherbeautifulcoldbodystretchedoutinseemingpeaceunderthesatincoverlet，andthentothepileofdaintyclotheslyingneatlyfoldedonachairwithjustonefairyslipperontop，Ishudderedatherfatebutaskednoquestions，notevenwhenoneofthewomenofthehousementionedthecircumstanceofthesingleslipperandsaidthatasearchshouldbemadeforitsmate。NorwasIasmuchimpressedasonewouldnaturallyexpectbythewhisperdroppedinmyearthatsomethingwasthematterwithherwrists。ItistruethatIliftedthelacetheyhadcarefullyspreadoverthemandexaminedthediscolorationwhichextendedlikearingabouteachpearlyarm；
　　buthavingnomemoriesofanyviolenceofferedherIhadnotsomuchaslaidhanduponherinthegrotto，thesemarksfailedtorousemyinterest。But——andnowImustleapayearinmystory——
　　therecameatimewhenbothofthesefactsrecurredtomymindwithstartlingdistinctnessandclamouredforexplanation。
　　“Ihadrisenabovetheshockwhichsuchadeathfollowingsucheventswouldnaturallyoccasioneveninoneofmybluntedsensibilities，andwasstrivingtoliveanewlifeundertheencouragementofmynowfullyreconciledfather，whenaccidentforcedmetore-enterthegrottowhereIhadneversteppedfootsincethatnight。Afavouritedoginchaseofsomeinnocentpreyhadescapedtheleashandrunintoitsdimrecessesandwouldnotcomeoutatmycall。AsIneededhimimmediatelyforthehunt，I
　　followedhimoverthepromontoryand，swallowingmyrepugnance，slidintothegrottotogethim。Betteraplungetomydeathfromtheheightoftherockstoweringaboveit。Forthereinaremotecorner，lightedupbyareflectionfromthesea，IbeheldmysettercrouchedaboveanobjectwhichinanothermomentI
　　recognizedasmydeadwife”smissingslipper。Here！Notinthewatersoftheseaorintheintersticesoftherocksoutside，buthere！Proofthatshehadneverwalkedbacktothehousewhereshewasfoundlyingquietlyinherbed；proofpositive；forIknewthepathtoowellandthemorethanusualtendernessofherfeet。
　　“Howthen，didshegetthere；andbywhoseagency？Wasshelivingwhenshewent，orwasshealreadydead？Ayearhadpassedsincethatdelicateshoehadborneherfromtheboatintothesedimrecesses；butitmighthavebeenonlyaday，sovividlydidI
　　liveoverinthismomentofawfulenlightenmentalltheeventsofthehourinwhichwesatthereplayingforthepossessionofourchild。AgainIsawhergleamingeyes，herrosy，workingmouth，herslim，whitehand，loadedwithdiamonds，clutchingthecards。
　　AgainIheardthelapoftheseaonthepebblesoutsideandsmelttheodourofthewineshehadpouredoutforusboth。Thebottlewhichhadheldit；theglassfromwhichshehaddrunklaynowinpiecesontherockyfloor。ThewholescenewasmineagainandasIfollowedtheeventtoitsdespairingclose，Iseemedtoseemyownwildfigurespringingawayfromhertothegrotto”smouthandsoovertherocks。Butherefancyfaltered，caughtbyaquickrecollectiontowhichIhadnevergivenathoughttillnow。AsI
　　mademywayalongthoserocks，asoundhadstruckmyearfromwheresomestuntedbushesmadeashadowinthemoonlight。Thewindmighthavecauseditorsomesmallnightcreaturehustlingawayatmyapproach；andtosomesuchcauseImustatthetimehaveattributedit。Butnow，withbrainfiredbysuspicion，itseemedmorelikethequickintakeofahumanbreath。Someonehadbeenlyingthereinwait，listeningattheoneloopholeintherockswhereitwaspossibletohearwhatwassaidanddoneintheheartofthegrotto。Butwho？who？andforwhatpurposethislistening；andtowhatenddiditlead？
　　“ThoughInolongerlovedeventhememoryofmywife，Ifeltmyhairlift，asIaskedmyselfthesequestions。Thereseemedtobebutonelogicalanswertothelast，anditwasthis：Astrugglefollowedbydeath。Theshoefallenfromherfoot，theclothesfoundfoldedinherroommywifewasneverorderly，andthedimlyblackenedwristswhichweresnow-whitewhenshedealtthecards——allseemedtopointtosuchaconclusion。Shemayhavediedfromheart-failure，butastrugglehadprecededherdeath，duringwhichsomeman”sstrongfingershadbeenlockedaboutherwrists。Andagainthequestionrose，Whose？
　　“Ifanyplacewaseverhatedbymortalmanthatgrottowashatedbyme。Iloatheditswalls，itsfloor，itseveryvisibleandinvisiblecomer。Tolingerthere——tolook——almosttoremysoulfrommybody；yetIdidlingeranddidlookandthisiswhatI
　　foundbywayofreward。
　　“Behindaprojectingledgeofstonefromwhichatatteredrugstillhung，Icameupontwonailsdrivenafewfeetapartintoafissureoftherock。Ihaddriventhosenailsmyselflongbeforeforacertaingymnasticattachmentmuchinvogueatthetime，andonlookingcloser，Idiscoveredhangingfromthemtherope-endsbywhichIwaswonttopullmyselfabout。Sofartherewasnothingtorouseanybutinnocentreminiscences。ButwhenIheardthedog”slowmoanandsawhimleapatthecurled-upends，andnosethemwithaneagerlookmyway，IrememberedthedarkmarkscirclingthewristsaboutwhichIhadsooftenclaspedmymother”sbracelets，andtheworldwentblackbeforeme。
　　“Whenconsciousnessreturned——whenIcouldoncemoremoveandseeandthink，Inotedanotherfact。Cardswerestrewnaboutthefloor，faceupandinafixedorderasiflaidinamockingmoodtobelookeduponbyreluctanteyes；andneartheominoushalf-
　　circletheymade，acushionfromthelounge，stainedhorriblywithwhatIthenthoughttobeblood，butwhichIafterwardsfoundtobewine。Vengeancespokeinthoseropesandinthecarefullyspread-outcards，andmurderinthesmotheringpillow。
　　ThevengeanceofonewhohadwatchedhercorrodinginfluenceeatthelifeoutofmyhonourandwhoseloveforourlittleRogerwassuchthatanydeedwhichensuredhiscontinuedpresenceinthehomeappearednotonlywarrantablebutobligatory。Alas！Iknewofbutonepersoninthewholeworldwhocouldcherishfeelingtothisextentorpossesssufficientwillpowertocarryherlifelessbodybacktothehouseandlayitinherbedandgivenosignoftheabominableactfromthatdayontothis。
　　“MissStrange，therearemenwhohaveapeculiarconceptionofduty。Myfather”
　　“Youneednotgoon。”Howgently，howtenderlyourVioletspoke。
　　“Iunderstandyourtrouble”
　　Didshe？Shepausedtoaskherselfifthiswereso，andhe，deafperhapstoherwords，caughtuphisbrokensentenceandwenton：
　　“MyfatherwasinthehallthedayIcamestaggeringinfrommyvisittothegrotto。Nowordspassed，butoureyesmetandfromthathourIhaveseendeathinhiscountenanceandhehasseenitinmine，liketwoopponents，eachstrucktotheheart，whostandfacingeachotherwithsimulatedsmilestilltheyfall。Myfatherwilldropfirst。Heisold——veryoldsincethatdayfiveweeksago；andtoseehimdieandnotbesure——toseethegravecloseoverapossibleinnocence，andIlefthereinignoranceoftheblissfulfacttillmyowneyescloseforever，ismorethanIcanholdupunder；morethananysoncould。Cannotyouhelpmethentoapositiveknowledge？Think！think！Awoman”smindisstrangelypenetrating，andyours，Iamtold，hasanintuitivefacultymoretoberelieduponthanthereasoningofmen。Itmustsuggestsomemeansofconfirmingmydoubtsorofdefinitelyendingthem。”
　　ThenVioletstirredandlookedaboutathimandfinallyfoundvoice。
　　“Tellmesomethingaboutyourfather”sways。Whatarehishabits？
　　Doeshesleepwellorishewakefulatnight？“
　　“Hehaspoornights。IdonotknowhowpoorbecauseIamnotoftenwithhim。Hisvalet，whohasalwaysbeeninourfamily，shareshisroomandactsashisconstantnurse。HecanwatchoverhimbetterthanIcan；hehasnodistractingtroubleonhismind。”
　　“AndlittleRoger？DoesyourfatherseemuchoflittleRoger？
　　Doeshefondlehimandseemhappyinhispresence？“
　　“Yes；yes。Ihaveoftenwonderedatit，buthedoes。Theyaregreatchums。Itisapleasuretoseethemtogether。”
　　“Andthechildclingstohim——showsnofear——sitsonhislaporonthebedandplaysaschildrendoplaywithhisbeardorwithhiswatch-chain？“
　　“Yes。OnlyoncehaveIseenmylittlechapshrink，andthatwaswhenmyfathergavehimalookofunusualintensity，——lookingforhismotherinhimperhaps。”
　　“Mr。Upjohn，forgivemethequestion；itseemsnecessary。Doesyourfather——orratherdidyourfatherbeforehefellill——everwalkinthedirectionofthegrottoorhauntinanywaytherockswhichsurroundit？“
　　“Icannotsay。Theseaisthere；henaturallylovesthesea。ButIhaveneverseenhimstandingonthepromontory。”
　　“Whichwaydohiswindowslook？“
　　“Towardsthesea。”
　　“Thereforetowardsthepromontory？“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Canheseeitfromhisbed？“
　　“No。Perhapsthatisthecauseofapeculiarhabithehas。”
　　“Whathabit？“
　　“Everynightbeforeheretiresheisnotyetconfinedtohisbedhestandsforafewminutesinhisfrontwindowlookingout。
　　Hesaysit”shisgood-nighttotheocean。Whenhenolongerdoesthis，weshallknowthathisendisverynear。”
　　ThefaceofVioletbegantoclear。Rising，sheturnedontheelectriclight，andthen，reseatingherself，remarkedwithanaspectofquietcheer：
　　“Ihavetwoideas；buttheynecessitatemypresenceatyourplace。Youwillnotmindavisit？Mybrotherwillaccompanyme。”
　　RogerUpjohndidnotneedtospeak，hardlytomakeagesture；hisexpressionwassoeloquent。
　　Shethankedhimasifhehadansweredinwords，addingwithanairofgentlereserve：“Providenceassistsusinthismatter。I
　　aminvitedtoBeverlynextweektoattendawedding。Iwasintendingtostaytwodays，butIwillmakeitthreeandspendtheextraonewithyou。”
　　“Whatareyourrequirements，MissStrange？Ipresumeyouhavesome。”
　　VioletturnedfromtheimposingportraitofMr。Upjohnwhichshehadbeengravelycontemplating，andmetthetroubledeyeofheryounghostwithanenigmaticalflashofherown。Butshemadenoanswerinwords。Instead，sheliftedherrighthandandranoneslenderfingerthoughtfullyupthecasingofthedoornearwhichtheystoodtillitstruckanickintheoldmahoganyalmostonalevelwithherhead。
　　“IsyoursonRogeroldenoughtoreachsofar？“sheaskedwithanothershortlookathimassheletherfingerrestwhereithadstrucktheroughenedwood。“Ithoughthewasalittlefellow。”
　　“Heis。Thatcutwasmadeby——bymywife；asampleofhercapriciouswillfulness。Shewishedtoleavearecordofherselfinthesubstanceofourhouseaswellasinourlives。Thatnickmarksherheight。Shelaughedwhenshemadeit。”Tillthewallscaveinorburn”iswhatshesaid。AndIthoughtherlaughandsmilecaptivating。”
　　Cuttingshorthisownlaughwhichwasmuchtoosardonicforalady”sears，hemadeamoveasiftoleadthewayintoanotherportionoftheroom。ButVioletfailedtonoticethis，andlingeringinquietcontemplationofthissuggestivelittlenick，——
　　theonlyblemishinaroomofancientcolonialmagnificence，——
　　shethoughtfullyremarked：
　　“Thenshewasasmallwoman？“addingwithseemingirrelevance——
　　“likemyself。”
　　Rogerwinced。Somethinginthesuggestionhurthim，andinthenodhegavetherewasanairofcoldnesswhichunderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavedeterredherfrompursuingthissubjectfurther。Butthecircumstanceswerenotordinary，andsheallowedherselftosay：
　　“Wasshesoverydifferentfromme，——infigure，Imean？“
　　“No。Whydoyouask？Shallwenotjoinyourbrotherontheterrace？“
　　“NottillIhaveansweredthequestionyouputmeamomentago。
　　Youwishedtoknowmyrequirements。Oneofthemostimportantyouhavealreadyfulfilled。Youhavegivenyourservantsahalf-
　　holidayandbysodoingensuredtousfulllibertyofaction。
　　WhatelseIneedintheattemptIproposetomake，youwillfindlistedinthismemorandum。”Andtakingaslipofpaperfromherbag，sheofferedittohimwithahand，thetremblingofwhichhewouldhavenotedhadhebeenfreerinmind。
　　Asheread，shewatchedhim，herfingersnervouslyclutchingherthroat。
　　“CanyousupplywhatIask？“shefaltered，ashefailedtoraisehiseyesormakeanymoveoreventoutterthegroanshesawsurginguptohislips。“Willyou？“sheimpetuouslyurged，ashisfingersclosedspasmodicallyonthepaper，inevidencethatheunderstoodatlastthetrendofherdaringpurpose。
　　Theanswercameslowly，butitcame。“Iwill。Butwhat”
　　Herhandroseinapleadinggesture。
　　“Donotaskme，buttakeArthurandmyselfintothegardenandshowustheflowers。Afterwards，Ishouldlikeaglimpseofthesea。”
　　HebowedandtheyjoinedArthurwhohadalreadybeguntostrollthroughthegrounds。
　　Violetwasseldomatalossfortalkevenatthemostcriticalmoments。Butshewasstrangelytongue-tiedonthisoccasion，aswasRogerhimself。SaveforafewobservationscasuallythrownoutbyArthur，thethreepassedinadisquietingsilencethroughpergolaafterpergola，andaroundbedsgorgeouswitheveryvarietyoffallflowers，tilltheyturnedasharpcornerandcameinfullviewofthesea。
　　“Ah！“fellinanadmiringmurmurfromViolet”slipsashereyessweptthehorizon。Thenastheysettledonamassofrockjuttingoutfromtheshoreinagreatcurve，sheleanedtowardsherhostandsoftlywhispered：
　　“Thepromontory？“
　　Henodded，andVioletventurednofarther，butstoodforalittlewhilegazingatthetumbledrocks。Then，withaquicklookbackatthehouse，sheaskedhimtopointouthisfather”swindow。
　　Hedidso，andasshenotedhowopenlyitfacedthesea，herexpressionrelaxedandhermannerlostsomeofitsconstraint。Astheyturnedtore-enterthehouse，shenoticedanoldmanpickingflowersfromavineclamberingoveroneendofthepiazza。
　　“Whoisthat？“sheasked。
　　“Ouroldestservant，andmyfather”sownman，“wasRoger”sreply。
　　“Heispickingmyfather”sfavouriteflowers，afewlatehoneysuckles。”
　　“Howfortunate！Speaktohim，Mr。Upjohn。Askhimhowyourfatheristhisevening。”
　　“AccompanymeandIwill；anddonotbeafraidtoenterintoconversationwithhim。Heisthemildestofcreaturesanddevotedtohispatient。Helikesnothingbetterthantotalkabouthim。”
　　Violet，withameaninglookatherbrother，ranupthestepsatRoger”sside。Asshedidso，theoldmanturnedandVioletwasastonishedatthewistfulnesswithwhichheviewedher。
　　“Whatadearoldcreature！“shemurmured。“Seehowhestaresthisway。Youwouldthinkheknewme。”
　　“Heisgladtoseeawomanabouttheplace。Hehasfeltourisolation——Goodevening，Abram。Letthisyoungladyhaveasprayofyoursweetesthoneysuckle。And，Abram，beforeyougo，howisFatherto-night？Stillsittingup？“
　　“Yes，sir。Heisveryregularinhisways。Nineishishour；notaminutebeforeandnotaminutelater。Idon”thavetolookattheclockwhenhesays：”There，Abram，I”vesatuplongenough。”“
　　“Whenmyfatherretiresbeforehistimeorgoestobedwithoutafinallookatthesea，hewillbeaverysickman，Abram。”
　　“Thathewill，Mr。Roger；thathewill。Buthe”sveryfeebleto-
　　night，veryfeeble。Inoticedthathegavetheboyfewerkissesthanusual。Perhapshewasputoutbecausethechildwasbroughtinahalf-hourearlierthanthestatedtime。Hedon”tlikechanges；youknowthat，Mr。Roger；hedon”tlikechanges。I
　　hardlydaredtotellhimthattheservantswereallgoingoutinabunchto-night。”
　　“I”msorry，“mutteredRoger。“Buthe”llforgetitbyto-morrow。I
　　couldn”tbeartokeepasingleonefromtheconcert。They”llbebackingoodseasonandmeantimewehaveyou。Abramisworthhalfadozenofthem，MissStrange。Weshallmissnothing。”
　　“Thankyou，Mr。Roger，thankyou，“falteredtheoldman。“Itrytodomyduty。”AndwithanotherwistfulglanceatViolet，wholookedverysweetandyouthfulinthehalf-light，hepotteredaway。
　　ThesilencewhichfollowedhisdeparturewasaspainfultoherastoRogerUpjohn。Whenshebrokeititwaswiththisdecisiveremark：
　　“Thatmanmustnotspeakofmetoyourfather。Hemustnotevenmentionthatyouhaveaguestto-night。Runafterhimandtellhimso。Itisnecessarythatyourfather”smindshouldnotbetakenupwithpresenthappenings。Run。”
　　Rogermadehastetoobeyher。Whenhecamebackshewasonthepointofjoiningherbrotherbutstoppedtoutterafinalinjunction：
　　“Ishallleavethelibrary，orwhereverwemaybesitting，justastheclockstrikeshalf-pasteight。Arthurwilldothesame，asbythattimehewillfeellikesmokingontheterrace。Donotfolloweitherhimormyself，buttakeyourstandhereonthepiazzawhereyoucangetafullviewoftheright-handwingwithoutattractinganyattentiontoyourself。Whenyouhearthebigclockinthehallstrikenine，lookupquicklyatyourfather”swindow。Whatyouseemaydetermine——oh，Arthur！stilladmiringtheprospect？Idonotwonder。ButIfinditchilly。
　　Letusgoin。”
　　RogerUpjohn，sittingbyhimselfinthelibrary，waswatchingthehandsofthemantelclockslowlyapproachingthehourofnine。
　　Neverhadsilenceseemedmoreoppressivenorhissenseoflonelinessgreater。Yettheboomoftheoceanwasdistincttotheear，andhumanpresencenofartherawaythantheterracewhereArthurStrangecouldbeseensmokingouthiscigarinsolitude。
　　ThesilenceandthelonelinesswereinRoger”sownsoul；and，infaceoftheexpectedrevelationwhichwouldmakeorunmakehisfuture，thedesolationtheywroughtwasmeasureless。
　　Tocuthissuspenseshort，heroseatlengthandhurriedouttothespotdesignatedbyMissStrangeasthebestpointfromwhichtokeepwatchuponhisfather”swindow。Itwasattheendofthepiazzawherethehoneysucklehung，andtheodouroftheblossoms，sopleasingtohisfather，well-nighoverpoweredhimnotonlybyitssweetnessbutbythemanymemoriesitcalledup。Visionsofthatfatherashelookedatallstagesoftheirrelationshippassedinabewilderingmazebeforehim。Hesawhimasheappearedtohischildisheyesinthoseearlydaysofconfidencewhenthelossofthemothercasttheminmutualdependenceuponeachother。Thenasternerpictureoftherelentlessparentwhoseesbutonestraightcoursetosuccessinthisworldandthenext。Thentheteacherandthematuredadviser；andthen——oh，bitterchange！themanwhosehopeshehadcrossed——whoselifehehadundone，andallforherwhonowcamestealinguponthescenewithherslim，white，jewelledhandforeverliftedupbetweenthem。Andshe！Hadheeverseenhermoreclearly？Oncemorethedaintyfiguresteppedfromfairy-land，beauteouswitheverygracethatcanallureandfinallydestroyaman。Andashesaw，hetrembledandwishedthatthesemomentsofawfulwaitingmightpassandthetestbeoverwhichwouldlaybarehisfather”sheartandjustifyhisfearsordispelthemforever。
　　Butthecrisis，ifcrisisitwas，wasoneofhisownmakingandnottobehastenedorevaded。Withonequickglanceathisfather”swindow，heturnedinhisimpatiencetowardstheseawhoserestlessandcontinuousmoaninghadatlengthstruckhisear。Whatwasinitscallto-nightthatheshouldthusswaytowardsitasthoughdrawnbysomedreadmagneticforce？Hehadbeenborntothedashingofitswavesandknewitseverymoodandallthepassionofitssongfromfrolicsomerippletomelancholydirge。Buttherewassomethingoddandinexplicableinitseffectuponhisspiritashefaceditatthishour。Grimandimplacable——
　　asoundratherthanasight——itseemedtoholdwithinitsinvisibledistancestheimageofhisfuturefate。Whatthisimagewasandwhyheshouldseekforitinthisimpenetrablevoid，hedidnotknow。Hefelthimselfheldandwasstrugglingwiththisinfluenceaswithanunknownenemywhenthererangout，fromthehallwithin，thepreparatorychimesforwhichhisearwaswaiting，andthenthenineslowstrokeswhichsignalizedthemomentwhenhewastolookforhisfather”spresenceatthewindow。
　　Hadhewished，hecouldnothaveforbornethatlook。Hadhiseyesbeenclosingindeath，orsohefelt，thetremblinglidswouldhaveburstapartatthiscallandtherevelationsitpromised。
　　Andwhatdidhesee？Whatdidthatwindowholdforhim？
　　Nothingthathemightnothaveseenthereanynightatthishour。
　　Hisfather”sfiguredrawnupbehindthepanesinwistfulcontemplationofthenight。Novisiblechangeinhisattitude，nothingforcedorunusualinhismanner。Eventhehand，liftedtopulldowntheshade，moveswithitsfamiliarhesitation。Inamomentmorethatshadewillbedownand——Butno！theliftedhandfallsback；theeasyattitudebecomesstrained，fixed。Heisstaringnow——notmerelygazingoutuponthewastesofskyandsea；andRoger，followingthedirectionofhisglance，staresalsoinbreathlessemotionatwhatthosedistances，butnowsoimpenetrable，aregivingtotheeye。
　　Aspectrefloatingintheairabovethepromontory！Thespectreofawoman——ofhiswife，clad，asshehadbeencladthatfatalnight！Outlinedinsupernaturallight，itfacesthemwithliftedarmsshowingtheendsofropedanglingfromeitherwrist。Asightawfultoanyeye，buttothemanofguiltyheart——
　　Ah！itcomes——thecryforwhichtheagonizedsonhadbeenlistening！Anoldman”sshriek，hoarsewiththeremorseofsleeplessnightsanddaysofunimaginableregretandforeboding！
　　Itcutsthenight。Itcutsitswayintohisheart。Hefeelshissensesfailinghim，yethemustglanceoncemoreatthewindowandseewithhislastconsciouslook——Butwhatisthis！achangehastakenplaceinthepictureandhebeholds，notthedistortedformofhisfathersinkingbackinshameandterrorbeforethisvisibleimageofhissecretsin，butthatofanotherweak，oldmanfallingtothefloorbehindhisback！Abram！theattentive，seeminglyharmless，guardianofthehousehold！Abram！whohadneverspokenawordorgivenalookinanywaysuggestiveofhishavingplayedanyotherpartinthehideousdramaoftheirlivesthanthatofthehumbleandsympatheticservant！
　　Theshockwastoogreat，therelieftooabsoluteforcredence。
　　He，thelisteneratthegrotto？He，theavengerofthefamily”shonour？He，theinsureroflittleRoger”scontinuancewiththefamilyatacosttheonewholovedhimbestwouldratherhavediedhimselfthanpay？Yes！thereisnomisdoubtingthisoldservitor”sattitudeofabjectappeal，orthemeaningofHomerUpjohn”sjoyfullyupliftedcountenanceandoutspreadingarms。Theservantbegsformercyfromman，andthemasterisgivingthankstoHeaven。Whygivingthanks？Hashebeenthepreyofcankeringdoubtsalso？Hasthefatherdreadedtodiscoverthatinthesonwhichthesonhasdreadedtodiscoverinthefather？
　　Itmighteasilybe；andasRogerrecognizesthistruthandthefulltragedyoftheirmutuallives，hedropstohiskneesamidthehoneysuckles。
　　“Violet，youareawonder。Buthowdidyoudare？“
　　ThisfromArthurasthetworodetothetrainintheearlymorning。
　　Theanswercameabitwaveringly。
　　“Idonotknow。Iamastonishedyet，atmyowndaring。Lookatmyhands。Theyhavenotceasedtremblingsincethemomentyouthrewthelightuponmeontherocks。ThefigureofoldMr。Upjohninthewindowlookedsoaugust。”
　　Arthur，withashortglanceatthelittlehandssheheldout，shruggedhisshouldersimperceptibly。Itstruckhimthatthetremulousnessshecomplainedofwasduemoretosomepartingwordfromtheiryounghost，thanfromprolongedaweatherowndaring。
　　Buthemadenoremarktothiseffect，onlyobserved：
　　“Abramhasconfessedhisguilt，Ihear。”
　　“Yes，andwilldieofit。Themasterwillburytheman，andnotthemanthemaster。”
　　“AndRoger？Notthelittlefellow，butthefather？“
　　“Wewillnottalkofhim，“saidshe，hereyesseekingtheseawherethesuninitsrisingwasbattlingwithatroopofloweringcloudsandslowlygainingthevictory。
　　ENDOFPROBLEMIV
　　PROBLEMV
　　THEDREAMINGLADY
　　“Andthisisallyoumeantotellme？“
　　“Ithinkyouwillfinditquiteenough，MissStrange。”
　　“Justtheaddress”
　　“Andthisadvice：thatyourcallbespeedy。Distractednervescannotwait。”
　　Violet，acrosswhosewontedpiquancytherelayanindefinableshadow，eyedheremployerwithadoubtfulairbeforeturningawaytowardthedoor。Shehadaskedhimforacasetoinvestigatesomethingshehadneverdonebefore，andshehadevengonesofarastoparticularizethesortofcaseshedesired：“Itmustbeaninterestingone，“shehadstipulated，“butdifferent，quitedifferentfromthelastone。Itmustnotinvolvedeathoranykindofhorror。Ifyouhaveacaseofsubtletywithoutcrime，onetoengagemypowerswithoutdepressingmyspirits，Ibegyoutoletmehaveit。I——IhavenotfeltquitelikemyselfsinceIcamefromMassachusetts。”Whereupon，withoutfurthercomment，butwithasmileshedidnotunderstand，hehadhandedherasmallslipofpaperonwhichhehadscribbledanaddress。Sheshouldhavefeltsatisfied，butforsomereasonshedidnot。Sheregardedhimascapableofplungingherintoanaffairquitethereverseofwhatshefeltherselfinaconditiontoundertake。
　　“Ishouldliketoknowalittlemore，“shepursued，makingamovetounfoldthesliphehadgivenher。
　　Buthestoppedherwithagesture。
　　“Readitinyourlimousine，“saidhe。“Ifyouaredisappointedthen，letmeknow。ButIthinkyouwillfindyourselfquitereadyforyourtask。”
　　“Andmyfather？“
　　“Wouldapproveifhecouldbegottoapprovethebusinessatall。
　　Youdonotevenneedtotakeyourbrotherwithyou。”
　　“Oh，then，it”swithwomenonlyIhavetodeal？“
　　“ReadtheaddressafteryouareheadedupFifthAvenue。”
　　Butwhen，withherdoubtsnotyetentirelyremoved，sheopenedthesmallsliphehadgivenher，thenumberinsidesuggestednothingbutthefactthatherdestinationlaysomewherenearEightiethStreet。Itwasthereforewiththekeenestsurpriseshebeheldhermotorstopbeforetheconspicuoushouseofthegreatfinancierwhoselatedeathhadsoaffectedthemoney-market。Shehadnothadanyacquaintancewiththismanherself，butsheknewhishouse。Everyoneknewthat。Itwasoneofthemostprincelyinthewholecity。C。DudleyBrookshadknownhowtospendhismillions。Indeed，hehadknownhowtodothissowellthatitwasofhimherfather，alsoafinancierofsomenote，hadoncesaidhewastheonlysuccessfulAmericanheenvied。
　　Shewasexpected；thatshesawtheinstantthedoorwasopened。
　　Thismadeherentranceeasy——anentrancefurtherbrightenedbythedelightfulglimpseofachild”scherubicfacelookingatherfromadistantdoorway。Itwasaninstantaneousvision，goneassoonasseen；butitseffectwastorobthepillaredspacesofthewonderfulhallwayofsomeoftheirchill，andtomodifyinsomeslightdegreetheformalityofaservicewhichdemandedthreementousherherintoasmallreception-roomnottwentyfeetfromthedoorofentrance。
　　Leftinthissecludedspot，shehadtimetoaskherselfwhatmemberofthehouseholdshewouldbecalledupontomeet，andwassurprisedtofindthatshedidnotevenknowofwhomthehouseholdconsisted。ShewassureofthefactthatMr。Brookshadbeenawidowerformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，butbeyondthatsheknewnothingofhisdomesticlife。Hisson——butwasthereason？ShehadneverheardanymentionmadeofayoungerMr。
　　Brooks，yettherewascertainlysomeoneofhisconnectionwhoenjoyedtherightsofanheir。Himshemustbepreparedtomeetwithaduecomposure，whateverastonishmenthemightshowatthesightofaslipofagirlinsteadoftheexperienceddetectivehehadeveryrighttoexpect。
　　Butwhenthedooropenedtoadmitthepersonshewasawaiting，thesurprisewashers。Itwasawomanwhostoodbeforeher，awomanandanoddity。Yet，injustwhatherodditylay，Violetfounditdifficulttodecide。Wasitinthesmoothnessofherwhitelocksdrawncarefullydownoverherears，orinthecontrastaffordedbyhereagereyesandherweakandtremulousmouth？Shewasdressedintheheaviestofmourningandveryexpensively，buttherewasthatinherbearingandexpressionwhichmadeitimpossibletobelievethatshetookanyinterestinhergarmentsorevenknewinwhichofherdressesshehadbeenattired。
　　“Iamthepersonyouhavecomeheretosee，“shesaid。“Yournameisnotunfamiliartome，butyoumaynotknowmine。ItisQuintard；Mrs。Quintard。Iamindifficulty。Ineedassistance——
　　secretassistance。Ididnotknowwheretogoforitexcepttoadetectiveagency；soItelephonedtothefirstoneIsawadvertised；and——andIwastoldtoexpectMissStrange。ButI
　　didn”tthinkitwouldbeyouthoughIsupposeit”sallright。Youhavecomehereforthispurpose，haven”tyou，thoughitdoesseemalittlequeer？“
　　“Certainly，Mrs。Quintard；andifyouwilltellme”
　　“Mydear，it”sjustthis——yes，Iwillsitdown。Lastweekmybrotherdied。Youhaveheardofhimnodoubt，C。DudleyBrooks？“
　　“Oh，yes；myfatherknewhim——weallknewhimbyreputation。Donothurry，Mrs。Quintard。Ihavesentmycaraway。Youcantakeallthetimeyouwish。”
　　“No，no，Icannot。I”mindesperatehaste。He——butletmegoonwithmystory。Mybrotherwasawidower，withnochildrentoinherit。Thateverybodyknows。Buthiswifeleftbehindherasonbyaformerhusband，andthissonofhersmybrotherhadinameasureadopted，andevenmadehissoleheirinawillhedrewupduringthelifetimeofhiswife。Butwhenhefound，asheverysoondid，thatthisyoungmanwasnotdevelopinginawaytomeetsuchgreatresponsibilities，hemadeanewwill——thoughunhappilywithouttheknowledgeofthefamily，orevenofhismostintimatefriends——inwhichhegavethebulkofhisgreatestatetohisnephewClement，whohasbetteredthepromiseofhisyouthandwhobesideshaschildrenofgreatbeautywhommybrotherhadlearnedtolove。Andthiswill——thishoardedscrapofpaperwhichmeanssomuchtousall，islost！lost！andI”herehervoicewhichhadrisenalmosttoascream，sanktoahorrifiedwhisper，“amtheonewholostit。”
　　“Butthere”sacopyofitsomewhere——thereisalwaysacopy”
　　“Oh，butyouhaven”theardall。Mynephewisaninvalid；hasbeenaninvalidforyears——that”swhysolittleisknownabouthim。
　　He”sdyingofconsumption。Thedoctorsholdoutnohopeforhim，andnow，withthefearpreyinguponhimofleavinghiswifeandchildrenpenniless，heiswearingawaysofastthatanyhourmayseehisend。AndIhavetomeethiseyes——suchpitifuleyes——andthelookinthemiskillingme。Yet，Iwasnottoblame。Icouldnothelp——Oh，MissStrange，“shesuddenlybrokeinwiththeinconsequenceofextremefeeling，“thewillisinthehouse！I
　　nevercarrieditoffthefloorwhereIsleep。Findit；findit，I
　　pray，or”
　　ThemomenthadcomeforViolet”ssofttouch，forViolet”sencouragingword。
　　“Iwilltry，“sheansweredher。
　　Mrs。Quintardgrewcalmer。
　　“But，first，“theyounggirlcontinued，“Imustknowmoreabouttheconditions。Whereisthisnephewofyours——themanwhoisill？“
　　“Inthishouse，wherehehasbeenforthelasteightmonths。”
　　“WasthechildhisofwhomIcaughtaglimpseinthehallasI
　　camein？“
　　“Yes，and”
　　“Iwillfightforthatchild！“Violetcriedoutimpulsively。“I
　　amsurehisfather”scauseisgood。Whereistheotherclaimant——
　　theoneyoudesignateasCarlos？“
　　“Oh，there”swherethetroubleis！CarlosisontheMauretania，andsheisduehereinacoupleofdays。HecomesfromtheEastwherehehasbeentouringwithhiswife。MissStrange，thelostwillmustbefoundbeforethen，ortheotherwillbeopenedandreadandCarlosmademasterofthishouse，whichwouldmeanourquickdepartureandClement”scertaindeath。”
　　“Moveasickman？——arelativeaslowasyousayheis？Ohno，Mrs。Quintard；noonewoulddothat，werethehouseacabinanditsownerspaupers。”
　　“YoudonotknowCarlos；youdonotknowhiswife。Weshouldnotbegivenaweekinwhichtopack。TheyhavenochildrenandtheyenvyClementwhohas。Ouronlyhopeliesindiscoveringthepaperwhichgivesustherighttoremainhereinfaceofallopposition。Thatorpenury。Nowyouknowmytrouble。”
　　“Anditistrouble；onefromwhichIshallmakeeveryefforttorelieveyou。Butfirstletmeaskifyouarenotworryingunnecessarilyaboutthismissingdocument？IfitwasdrawnupbyMr。Brooks”slawyer”
　　“Butitwasnot，“thatladyimpetuouslyinterrupted。“HislawyerisCarlos”snearrelative，andhasneverbeentoldofthechangeinmybrother”sintentions。ClementIamspeakingnowofmybrotherandnotofmynephewwasagreatmoney-getter，butwhenitcametostandingupforhisrightsindomesticmatters，hewasmoretimidthanachild。Hewassubjecttohiswifewhileshelived，andwhenshewasgone，toherrelatives，whoareallofadominatingcharacter。WhenhefinallymadeuphismindtodousjusticeandeliminateCarlos，hewentoutoftown——IwishIcouldrememberwhere——andhadthiswilldrawnupbyastranger，whosenameIcannotrecall。”
　　Hershakingtones，hernervousmannerbetrayedaweaknessequalling，ifnotsurpassing，thatofthebrotherwhodaredinsecretwhathehadnotstrengthtoacknowledgeopenly，anditwaswithsomehesitationVioletpreparedtoaskthosedefinitequestionswhichwouldelucidatethecauseandmannerofalossseeminglysoimportant。Shedreadedtohearsomecommonplacetaleofinexcusablecarelessness。Somethingsubtlerthanthis——thepresenceofsomeunsuspectedagencyopposedtoyoungClement”sinterest；somepartisanofCarlos；somesecretunderminingforceinahousefullofservantsanddependants，seemednecessaryforthedevelopmentofsoordinaryasituationintoadramajustifyingtheexerciseofherspecialpowers。
　　“IthinkIunderstandnowyourexactpositioninthehouse，aswellasthevalueofthepaperwhichyousayyouhavelost。Thenextthingformetohearishowyoucametohavechargeofthispaper，andunderwhatcircumstancesyouwereledtomislayit。Doyounotfeelquitereadytotellme？“
　　“Is——isthatnecessary？“Mrs。Quintardfaltered。
　　“Very，“repliedViolet，watchinghercuriously。
　　“Ididn”texpect——thatis，Ihopedyouwouldbeabletopointout，bysomepowerwecannotofcourseexplain，justthespotwherethepaperlies，withouthavingtotellallthat。Somepeoplecan，youknow。”
　　“Ah，Iunderstand。Youregardedmeasunfitforpracticalwork，andsocreditedmewithoccultpowers。Butthatiswhereyoumadeamistake，Mrs。Quintard；I”mnothingifnotpractical。Andletmeadd，thatI”massecretasthegraveconcerningwhatmyclientstellme。IfIamtobeofanyhelptoyou，Imustbemadeacquaintedwitheveryfactinvolvedinthelossofthisvaluablepaper。Relatethewholecircumstanceordismissmefromthecase。Youcanhavedonenothingmorefoolishorwrongthanmany——
　　“
　　“Oh，don”tsaythingslikethat！“brokeinthepoorwomaninatoneofgreatindignation。“Ihavedonenothinganyonecouldcalleitherfoolishorwicked。Iamsimplyveryunfortunate，andbeingsensitive——Butthisisn”ttellingthestory。I”lltrytomakeitallclear；butifIdonot，andshowanyconfusion，stopmeandhelpmeoutwithquestions。I——I——oh，whereshallIbegin？“
　　“Withyourfirstknowledgeofthissecondwill。”
　　“Thankyou，thankyou；nowIcangoon。Onenight，shortlyaftermybrotherhadbeengivenupbythephysicians，Iwascalledtohisbedsideforaconfidentialtalk。Ashehadreceivedthatdayaverylargeamountofmoneyfromthebank，IthoughthewasgoingtohanditovertomeforClement，butitwasforsomethingmuchmoreseriousthanthishehadsummonedme。Whenhewasquitesurethatwewerealoneandnobodyanywherewithinhearing，hetoldmethathehadchangedhismindastothedisposalofhispropertyandthatitwastoClementandhischildren，andnottoCarlos，hewasgoingtoleavethishouseandthebulkofhismoney。Thathehadhadanewwilldrawnupwhichheshowedme”
　　“Showedyou？“
　　“Yes；hemademebringittohimfromthesafewherehekeptit；
　　and，feebleashewas，hewassointerestedinpointingoutcertainportionsofitthatheliftedhimselfinbedandwassostrongandanimatedthatIthoughthewasgettingbetter。Butitwasafalsestrengthduetotheexcitementofthemoment，asI
　　sawnextdaywhenhesuddenlydied。”
　　“Youweresayingthatyoubroughtthewilltohimfromhissafe。
　　Wherewasthesafe？“
　　“Inthewalloverhishead。Hegavemethekeytoopenit。Thiskeyhetookfromunderhispillow。Ihadnotroubleinfittingitorinturningthelock。”
　　“Andwhathappenedafteryoulookedatthewill？“
　　“Iputitback。Hetoldmeto。ButthekeyIkept。HesaidIwasnottopartwithitagaintillthetimecameformetoproducethewill。”
　　“Andwhenwasthattobe？“
　　“Immediatelyafterthefuneral，ifitsohappenedthatCarloshadarrivedintimetoattendit。Butifforanyreasonhefailedtobehere，Iwastoletitlietillwithinthreedaysofhisreturn，whenIwastotakeitoutinthepresenceofaMr。
　　Delahuntwhowastohavefullchargeofitfromthattime。Oh，I
　　rememberallthatwellenough！andImeantmostearnestlytocarryouthiswishes，but”
　　“Goon，Mrs。Quintard，praygoon。Whathappened？Whycouldn”tyoudowhatheasked？“
　　“BecausethewillwasgonewhenIwenttotakeitout。TherewasnothingtoshowMr。Delahuntbuttheemptyshelf。”
　　“Oh，atheft！justacommontheft！Someoneoverheardthetalkyouhadwithyourbrother。Buthowaboutthekey？Youhadthat？“
　　“Yes，Ihadthat。”
　　“Thenitwastakenfromyouandreturned？
　　Youmusthavebeencarelessastowhereyoukeptit”
　　“No，Iworeitonachainaboutmyneck。ThoughIhadnoreasontomistrustanyoneinthehouse，IfeltthatIcouldnotguardthiskeytoocarefully。Ievenkeptitonatnight。Infactitneverleftme。ItwasstillonmypersonwhenIwentintotheroomwithMr。Delahunt。Butthesafehadbeenopenedforallthat。”
　　“Thereweretwokeystoit，then？“
　　“No；ingivingmethekey，mybrotherhadstrictlywarnedmenottoloseit，asithadnoduplicate。”
　　“Mrs。Quintard，haveyouaspecialconfidantormaid？“
　　“Yes，myHetty。”
　　“Howmuchdidsheknowaboutthiskey？“
　　“Nothing，butthatitdidn”thelpthefitofmydress。Hettyhascaredformeforyears。There”snomoredevotedwomaninallNewYork，noronewhocanbemorereliedupontotellthetruth。SheissohonestwithhertonguethatIamboundtobelieveherevenwhenshesays”
　　“What？“
　　“ThatitwasIandnobodyelsewhotookthewilloutofthesafelastnight。Thatshesawmecomefrommybrother”sroomwithafoldedpaperinmyhand，passwithitintothelibrary，andcomeoutagainwithoutit。ifthisisso，thenthatwillissomewhereinthatgreatroom。Butwe”velookedineveryconceivableplaceexcepttheshelves，whereitisuselesstosearch。Itwouldtakedaystogothroughthemall，andmeanwhileCarlos”
　　“WewillnotwaitforCarlos。Wewillbeginworkatonce。Butjustoneotherquestion。HowcameHettytoseeyouinyourwalkthroughtherooms？Didshefollowyou？“
　　“Yes。It”s——it”snotthefirsttimeIhavewalkedinmysleep。
　　Lastnight——butshewilltellyou。It”sapainfulsubjecttome。
　　Iwillsendforhertomeetusinthelibrary。”
　　“Whereyoubelievethisdocumenttoliehidden？“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Iamanxioustoseetheroom。Itisupstairs，Ibelieve。”
　　“Yes。”
　　Shehadrisenandwasmovingrapidlytowardthedoor。Violeteagerlyfollowedher。
　　Letusaccompanyherinherpassageupthepalatialstairway，andrealizetheeffectuponherofasplendourwhosefutureownershippossiblydependedentirelyuponherself。
　　Itwasacoldsplendour。Themerryvoicesofchildrenwerelackinginthesegreathalls。Deathpastandtocomeinfusedtheairwithsolemnityandmockedthepompwhichyetappearedsomuchapartofthelifeherethatonecouldhardlyimaginethehugepillaredspaceswithoutit。
　　ToViolet，moreorlessaccustomedtofineinteriors，thechiefinterestofthisonelayinitsconnectionwiththemysterythenoccupyingher。Stoppingforamomentonthestair，sheinquiredofMrs。Quintardifthelossshesodeploredhadbeenmadeknowntotheservants，andwasmuchrelievedtofindthat，withthe，exceptionofMr。Delahunt，shehadnotspokenofittoanyonebutClement。“Andhewillnevermentionit，“shedeclared，“noteventohiswife。Shehastroublesenoughtobearwithoutknowinghownearshestoodtoafortune。”
　　“Oh，shewillhaveherfortune！“Violetconfidentlyreplied。“Intime，thelawyerwhodrewupthewillwillappear。ButwhatyouwantisanimmediatetriumphoverthecoldCarlos，andIhopeyoumayhaveit。Ah！“
　　Thisexpletivewasasighofsheersurprise。
　　Mrs。QuintardhadunlockedthelibrarydoorandViolethadbeengivenherfirstglimpseofthis，thefinestroominNewYork。
　　Sherememberednowthatshehadoftenhearditsocharacterized，and，indeed，haditbeentakenbodilyfromsomehistoricabbeyoftheoldworld，itcouldnothaveexpressedmorefully，instructureandornamentation，theGothicideaatitsbest。Allthatitlackedweretheassociationsofvanishedcenturies，andthese，inameasure，weresuppliedtotheimaginationbythestudiedmellownessofitstintsandthesuggestionofageinitscarvings。
　　Somuchfortheroomitself，whichwasbutashellforholdingthegreattreasureofvaluablebooksrangedalongeveryshelf。AsViolet”seyesspedovertheirranksandthencetothefivewindowsofdeeplystainedglasswhichfacedherfromthesouthernend，Mrs。Quintardindignantlyexclaimed：
　　“AndCarloswouldturnthisintoabilliardroom！“
　　“IdonotlikeCarlos，“Violetreturnedhotly；thenrememberingherself，hastenedtoaskwhetherMrs。Quintardwasquitepositiveastothisroombeingtheoneinwhichshehadhiddenthepreciousdocument。
　　“YouhadbettertalktoHetty，“saidthatlady，asastoutwomanofmostprepossessingappearanceenteredtheirpresenceandpausedrespectfullyjustinsidethedoorway。“Hetty，youwillansweranyquestionsthisyoungladymayput。Ifanyonecanhelpus，shecan。Butfirst，whatnewsfromthesick-room？“
　　“Nothinggood。Thedoctorhasjustcomeforthethirdtimetoday。
　　Mrs。Brooksiscryingandeventhechildrenaredumbwithfear。”
　　“Iwillgo。Imustseethedoctor。ImusttellhimtokeepClementalivebyanymeanstill”
　　Shedidnotwaittosaywhat；butVioletunderstoodandfeltherheartgrowheavy。Coulditbethatheremployerconsideredthisthegayandeasytaskshehadaskedfor？
　　Thenextminuteshewasputtingherfirstquestion：
　　“Hetty，whatdidyouseeinMrs。Quintard”sactionlastnight，tomakeyouinferthatsheleftthemissingdocumentinthisroom？“
　　Thewoman”seyes，whichhadbeenrespectfullystudyingherface，brightenedwithareliefwhichmadehercommunicative。Withtheself-possessionofaperfectlycandidnature，sheinquiringlyremarked：
　　“Mymistresshasspokenofherinfirmity？“
　　“Yes，andveryfrankly。”
　　“Shewalksinhersleep。”
　　“Soshesaid。”
　　“Andsometimeswhenothersareasleep，andsheisnot。”
　　“Shedidnottellmethat。”
　　“Sheisaverynervouswomanandcannotalwayskeepstillwhensherousesupatnight。WhenIhearherrise，Igetuptoo；but，neverbeingquitesurewhethersheissleepingornot，Iamcarefultofollowheratacertaindistance。LastnightIwassofarbehindherthatshehadbeentoherbrother”sroomandleftitbeforeIsawherface。”
　　“Whereishisroomandwhereishers？“
　　“Hersisinfrontonthissamefloor。Mr。Brooks”sisintherear，andcanbereachedeitherbythehallorbypassingthroughthisroomintoasmallonebeyond，whichwecalledhisden……”
　　“Describeyourencounter。Wherewereyoustandingwhenyousawherfirst？“
　　“InthedenIhavejustmentioned。TherewasabrightlightinthehallbehindmeandIcouldseeherfigurequiteplainly。Shewasholdingafoldedpaperclenchedagainstherbreast，andhermovementwassomechanicalthatIwassureshewasasleep。Shewascomingthisway，andinanothermomentsheenteredthisroom。
　　Thedoor，whichhadbeenopen，remainedso，andinmyanxietyI
　　crepttoitandlookedinafterher。Therewasnolightburninghereatthathour，butthemoonwasshiningininlongraysofvariouslycolouredlight。IfIhadfollowedher——butIdidnot。I
　　juststoodandwatchedherlongenoughtoseeherpassthroughablueray，thenthroughagreenone，andtheninto，ifnotthrough，aredone。Expectinghertowalkstraighton，andhavingsomefearsofthestaircaseonceshegotintothehall，Ihurriedaroundtothedoorbehindyoutheretoheadheroff。Butshehadnotyetleftthisroom。Iwaitedandwaitedandstillshedidnotcome。Fearingsomeaccident，Ifinallyventuredtoapproachthedoorandtryit。Itwaslocked。Thisalarmedme。ShehadneverlockedherselfinanywherebeforeandIdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Somepersonswouldhaveshoutedhername，butIhadbeenwarnedagainstdoingthat，soIsimplystoodwhereIwas，andeventuallyIheardthekeyturninthelockandsawhercomeout。
　　Shewasstillwalkingstiffly，butherhandswereemptyandhangingatherside。”
　　“Andthen？“
　　“ShewentstraighttoherroomandIafterher。Iwassureshewasdeadasleepbythistime。”
　　“Andshewas？“
　　“Yes，Miss；butstillfullofwhatwasonhermind。Iknowthisbecauseshestoppedwhenshereachedthebedsideandbeganfumblingwiththewaistofherwrapper。Itwasforthekeyshewassearching，andwhenherfingersencounteredithangingontheoutside，sheopenedherwrapperandthrustitinonherbareskin。”
　　“Yousawherdoallthat？“
　　“AsplainlyasIseeyounow。Thelightinherroomwasburningbrightly。”
　　“Andafterthat？“
　　“Shegotintobed。ItwasIwhoturnedoffthelight。”
　　“Hasthatwrapperofhersapocket？“
　　“No，Miss。”
　　“Norhergown？“
　　“No，Miss。”
　　“Soshecouldnothavebroughtthepaperintoherroomconcealedaboutherperson？“
　　“No，Miss；sheleftithere。Itneverpassedbeyondthisdoorway。”
　　“Butmightshenothavecarrieditbacktosomeplaceofconcealmentintheroomsshehadleft？“
　　Thewoman”sfacechangedandaslightflushshowedthroughthenaturalbrownofhercheeks。
　　“No，“shedisclaimed；“shecouldnothavedonethat。IwascarefultolockthelibrarydoorbehindherbeforeIranoutintothehall。”
　　“Then，“concludedViolet，withalltheemphasisofconviction，“itishere，andnowhereelsewemustlookforthatdocumenttillwefindit。”
　　Thusassuredofthefirststepinthetaskshehadbeforeher，MissStrangesettleddowntobusiness。
　　Theroom，whichtoweredtotheheightoftwostories，wasintheshapeofahugeoval。Thisoval，separatedintonarrowdivisionsforthepurposeofaccommodatingtheshelveswithwhichitwaslined，narrowedasitroseabovethegreatGothicchimney-pieceandthefivegorgeouswindowslookingtowardsthesouth，tillitmetandwaslostinthetraceryoftheceiling，whichwasofthatexquisiteandsoul-satisfyingorderwhichweseeintheHenryVII
　　chapelinWestminsterAbbey。Whatbreakotherwiseoccurredinthecirclingroundofbooksreachingthusthirtyfeetormoreabovetheheadwasmadebythetwodoorsalreadyspokenofandanarrowstripofwallateitherendofthespaceoccupiedbythewindows。
　　Nofurniturewastobeseenthereexceptacoupleofstallstakenfromsomeoldcathedral，whichstoodinthetwobareplacesjustmentioned。
　　Butwithin，ontheextensivefloor-space，severalarticlesweregrouped，andViolet，recognizingthepossibilitieswhichanyoneofthemaffordedfortheconcealmentofsosmallanobjectasafoldeddocument，decidedtousemethodinhersearch，andtothatend，mentallydividedthespacebeforeherintofoursegments。
　　Thefirsttookinthedoor，communicatingwiththesuiteendinginMr。Brooks”sbedroom。Adiagramofthissegmentwillshowthattheonlyarticleoffurnitureinitwasacabinet。
　　ItwasatthiscabinetMissStrangemadeherfirststop。
　　“Youhavelookedthiswellthrough？“sheaskedasshebentovertheglasscaseontoptoexaminetherowofmediaevalmissalsdisplayedwithininamannertoshowtheirwonderfulilluminations。
　　“Notthecase，“explainedHetty。“Itislockedyouseeandnoonehasasyetsucceededinfindingthekey。Butwesearchedthedrawersunderneathwiththegreatestcare。Hadwesiftedthewholecontentsthroughourfingers，Icouldnotbemorecertainthatthepaperisnotthere。”
　　Violetsteppedintothenextsegment。
　　Thiswastheonedominatedbythehugefire-place。Aruglaybeforethehearth。TothisVioletpointed。
　　Quicklythewomananswered：“Wenotonlyliftedit，butturneditover。”
　　“Andthatboxattheright？“
　　“Isfullofwoodandwoodonly。”
　　“Didyoutakeoutthiswood？“
　　“Everystick。”
　　“Andthoseashesinthefire-place？Somethinghasbeenburnedthere。”
　　“Yes；butnotlately。Besides，thoseashesareallwoodashes。Iftheleastbitofcharredpaperhadbeenmixedwiththem，weshouldhaveconsideredthemattersettled。Butyoucanseeforyourselfthatnosuchparticlecanbefound。”Whilesayingthis，shehadputthepokerintoViolet”shand。“Rakethemabout，Miss，andmakesure。”
　　Violetdidso，withtheresultthatthepokerwassoonputbackintoplace，andsheherselfdownonherkneeslookingupthechimney。
　　“Hadshethrustitupthere，“Hettymadehastetoremark，“therewouldhavebeensomesignsofsootonhersleeves。Theyarewhiteandverylongandarealwaysgettinginherwaywhenshetriestodoanything。”
　　Violetleftthefire-placeafteraglanceatthemantel-shelfonwhichnothingstoodbutacasketofopenfretwork，andtwocolouredphotographsmountedonsmalleasels。Thecasketwastooopentoconcealanythingandthephotographsliftedtoohighabovetheshelfforeventhesmallestpaper，letaloneadocumentofanysize，tohidebehindthem。
　　Thechairs，ofwhichtherewereseveralinthispartoftheroom，shepassedwithjustaninquiringlook。Theywereallofsolidoak，withoutanyattemptatupholstery，andalthoughcarvedtomatchthestallsontheothersideoftheroom，offerednoplaceforsearch。
　　Herdelayinthethirdsegmentwasbrief。Heretherewasabsolutelynothingbutthedoorbywhichshehadentered，andthebooks。Assheflittedon，followingtheovalofthewall，asmallfrownappearedonherusuallysmoothforehead。Shefelttheoppressionofthebooks——thecountlessbooks。Ifindeed，sheshouldfindherselfobligedtogothroughthem。Whatahopelessoutlook！
　　Butshehadstillasegmenttoconsider，andafterthattheimmensetableoccupyingthecentreoftheroom，atablewhichinitsdoublecapacityforitwasasmuchdeskastablegavemorepromiseofholdingthesolutionofthemysterythananythingtowhichshehadhithertogivenherattention。
　　Thequarterinwhichshenowstoodwasthemostbeautiful，and，possibly，themostpreciousofthemall。Initblazedthefivegreatwindowswhichwerethegloryoftheroom；buttherearenohiding-placesinwindows，andmuchassherevelledincolour，shedarednotwasteamomentonthem。Therewasmorehopeforherinthetoweringstalls，withtheirpossibledrawersforbooks。
　　ButHettywasbeforeherintheattemptshemadetoliftthelidsofthetwogreatseats。
　　“Nothingineither，“saidshe；andViolet，withasigh，turnedtowardsthetable。
　　Thiswasanimmenseaffair，madetoaccommodateitselftotheshapeoftheroom，butwithahollowed-outspaceonthewindow-
　　sidelargeenoughtoholdachairforthesitterwhowoulduseitstopasadesk。Onitwerevariousarticlessuitabletoitsdoubleuse。Withoutbeingcrowded，itdisplayedapileofmagazinesandpamphlets，boxesforstationery，awritingpadwithitsaccompaniments，alamp，andsomefewornaments，amongwhichwasalargebox，richlyinlaidwithpearlandivory，thelidofwhichstoodwideopen。
　　“Don”ttouch，“admonishedViolet，asHettystretchedoutherhandtomovesomelittleobjectaside。“Youhavealreadyworkedherebusilyinthesearchyoumadethismorning。”
　　“Wehandledeverything。”
　　“Didyougothroughthesepamphlets？
　　“Weshookopeneachone。Wewereespeciallyparticularhere，sinceitwasatthistableIsawMrs。Quintardstop。”
　　“Withheadlevelordrooped？“
　　“Drooped。”
　　“Likeonelookingdown，ratherthanup，oraround？“
　　“Yes。Arayofredlightshoneonhersleeve。Itseemedtomethesleevemovedasthoughshewerereachingout。”
　　“Willyoutrytostandasshedidandasnearlyinthesameplaceaspossible？“
　　Hettyglanceddownatthetableedge，markedwherethegulesdominatedtheblueandgreen，andmovedtothatspot，andpausedwithherheadsinkingslowlytowardsherbreast。
　　“Verygood，“exclaimedViolet。“Butthemoonwasprobablyinaverydifferentpositionfromwhatthesunisnow。”
　　“Youareright；itwashigherup；Ichancedtonoticeit。”
　　“Letmecome，“saidViolet。
　　Hettymoved，andViolettookherplacebutinaspotasteportwofartherfront。Thisbroughtherveryneartothecentreofthetable。Hangingherhead，justasHettyhaddone，shereachedoutherrighthand。
　　“Haveyoulookedunderthisblotter？“sheasked，pointingtowardsthepadshetouched。“Imean，betweentheblotterandtheframewhichholdsit？“
　　“Icertainlydid，“answeredHetty，withsomepride。
　　Violetremainedstaringdown。“Thenyoutookoffeverythingthatwaslyingonit？“
　　“Oh，yes。”
　　Violetcontinuedtostaredownattheblotter。Thenimpetuously：
　　“Putthembackintheiraccustomedplaces。”
　　Hettyobeyed。