Violetcontinuedtolookatthem，thenslowlystretchedoutherhand，butsoonletitfallagainwithanairofdiscouragement。
　　Certainlythemissingdocumentwasnotintheink-potorthemucilagebottle。Yetsomethingmadeherstoopagainoverthepadandsubjectittotheclosestscrutiny。
　　“Ifonlynothinghadbeentouched！“sheinwardlysighed。Butsheletnosignofherdiscontentescapeherlips，simplyexclaimingassheglancedupatthetoweringspacesoverhead：“Thebooks！
　　thebooks！Nothingremainsbutforyoutocallupalltheservants，orgetmenfromtheoutsideand，beginningatoneend——
　　Ishouldsaytheupperone——takedowneverybookstandingwithinreachofawomanofMrs。Quintard”sheight。”
　　“HearfirstwhatMrs。Quintardhastosayaboutthat，“
　　interruptedthewomanasthatladyenteredinaflutterofemotionspringingfrommorethanonecause。
　　“Theyoungladythinksthatweshouldremovethebooks，“Hettyobserved，ashermistress”seyewanderedtohersfromViolet”sabstractedcountenance。
　　“Useless。Ifweweretoundertaketodothat，Carloswouldbeherebeforehalfthejobwasfinished。Besides，Hettymusthavetoldyoumyextremeaversiontonicelyboundbooks。IwillnotsaythatwhenawakeIneverplacemyhandonone，butonceinastateofsomnambulism，wheneverynaturalwhimhasfullcontrol，IamsurethatIneverwould。Thereisareasonformyprejudice。
　　Iwasnotalwaysrich。Ioncewasverypoor。ItwaswhenIwasfirstmarriedandlongbeforeClementhadbeguntomakehisfortune。IwassopoorthenthatfrequentlyIwenthungry，andwhatwasworsesawmylittledaughtercryforfood。Andwhy？
　　Becausemyhusbandwasabibliomaniac。Hewouldspendonfineeditionswhatwouldhavekeptthefamilycomfortable。Itishardtobelieve，isn”tit？IhaveseenhimbringhomeaGrolierwhenthelarderwasasemptyasthatbox；anditmademehatebooksso，especiallythoseofextrafinebinding，thatIhavetotearthecoversoffbeforeIcanfindcouragetoreadthem。”
　　0life！life！howfastVioletwaslearningit！
　　“Icanunderstandyouridea，Mrs。Quintard，butaseverythingelsehasfailed，Ishouldmakeamistakenottoexaminetheseshelves。Itisjustpossiblethatwemaybeabletoshortenthetaskverymaterially；thatwemaynothavetocallinhelp，even。
　　Towhatextenthavetheybeenapproached，orthebookshandled，sinceyoudiscoveredthelossofthepaperwearelookingfor？
　　“Notatall。Neitherofuswentnearthem。”ThisfromHetty。
　　“Noranyoneelse？“
　　“Nooneelsehasbeenadmittedtotheroom。Welockedbothdoorsthemomentwefeltsatisfiedthatthewillhadbeenlefthere。”
　　“That”sarelief。NowImaybeabletodosomething。Hetty，youlooklikeaverystrongwoman，andI，asyousee，amverylittle。
　　Wouldyoumindliftingmeuptotheseshelves？Iwanttolookatthem。Notatthebooks，butattheshelvesthemselves。”
　　Thewonderingwomanstoopedandraisedhertotheleveloftheshelfshehadpointedout。Violetpeeredcloselyatitandthenattheonesjustbeneath。
　　“AmIheavy？“sheasked；“ifnot，letmeseethoseontheothersideofthedoor。
　　Hettycarriedherover。
　　VioletinspectedeachshelfashighasawomanofMrs。
　　Quintard”sstaturecouldreach，andwhenonherfeetagain，knelttoinspecttheonesbelow。
　　“Noonehastouchedordrawnanythingfromtheseshelvesintwenty-fourhours，“shedeclared。“Thesmallaccumulationofdustalongtheiredgeshasnotbeendisturbedatanypoint。Itwasverydifferentwiththetable-top。Thatshowsveryplainlywhereyouhadmovedthingsandwhereyouhadnot。”
　　“Wasthatwhatyouwerelookingfor？Well，Inever！“
　　Violetpaidnoheed；shewasthinkingandthinkingverydeeply。
　　Hettyturnedtowardshermistress，thenquicklybacktoViolet，whomsheseizedbythearm。
　　“What”sthematterwithMrs。Quintard？“shehurriedlyasked。“Ifitwerenight，Ishouldthinkthatshewasinoneofherspells。”
　　VioletstartedandglancedwhereHettypointed。Mrs。Quintardwaswithinafewfeetofthem，butasobliviousoftheirpresenceasthoughshestoodaloneintheroom。Possibly，shethoughtshedid。Withfixedeyesandmechanicalstepshebegantomovestraighttowardsthetable，herwholeappearanceofanaturetomakeHetty”sbloodruncold，buttocausethatofViolet”stoboundthroughherveinswithrenewedhope。
　　“TheonethingIcouldhavewished！“shemurmuredunderherbreath。“Shehasfallenintoatrance。Sheisagainunderthedominionofheridea。Ifwewatchanddonotdisturbhershemayrepeatheractionoflastnight，andherselfshowwhereshehasputthispreciousdocument。”
　　MeanwhileMrs。Quintardcontinuedtoadvance。Amomentmore，andhersmoothwhitelockscaughttheruddyglowcentreduponthechairstandinginthehollowofthetable。Wordswereleavingherlips，andherhand，reachingoutovertheblotter，gropedamongthearticlesscatteredtheretillitsettledonalargepairofshears。
　　“Listen，“mutteredViolettothewomanpressingclosetoherside。“Youareacquaintedwithhervoice；catchwhatshesaysifyoucan。”
　　Hettycouldnot；anundistinguishablemurmurwasallthatcametoherears。
　　Violettookastepnearer。Mrs。Quintard”shandhadlefttheshearsandwashoveringuncertainlyintheair。Herdistresswasevident。Herhead，nolongersteadyonhershoulders，wasturningthiswayandthat，andhertonesbecominginarticulate。
　　“Paper！Iwantpaper“burstfromherlipsinashrillunnaturalcry。
　　Butwhentheylistenedformoreandwatchedtoseetheuncertainhandsettlesomewhere，shesuddenlycametoherselfandturneduponthemastartledglance，whichspeedilychangedintooneoftheutmostperplexity。
　　“WhatamIdoinghere？“sheasked。“IhaveafeelingasifIhadalmostseen——almosttouched——oh，it”sgone！andallisblankagain。Whycouldn”tIkeepittillIknew”Thenshecamewhollytoherselfand，forgettingeventhedoubtsofamomentsince，remarkedtoVioletinheroldtremulousfashion：
　　“Youaskedustopulldownthebooks？Butyou”veevidentlythoughtbetterofit。”
　　“Yes，Ihavethoughtbetterofit。”Then，withalastdesperatehopeofre-arousingthevisionslyingsomewherebackinMrs。
　　Quintard”stroubledbrain，Violetventuredtoobserve：“Thisislikelytoresolveitselfintoapsychologicalproblem，Mrs。
　　Quintard。Doyousupposethatifyoufellagainintotheconditionoflastnight，youwouldrepeatyouractionandsoleadusyourselftowherethewilllieshidden？“
　　“Possibly；butitmaybeweeksbeforeIwalkagaininmysleep，andmeanwhileCarloswillhavearrived，andClement，possibly，died。Mynephewissolowthatthedoctoriscomingbackatmidnight。MissStrange，Clementisamaninathousand。Hesayshewantstoseeyou。Wouldyoubewillingtoaccompanymetohisroomforamoment？HewillnotmakemanymorerequestsandIwilltakecarethattheinterviewisnotprolonged。”
　　“Iwillgowillingly。Butwoulditnotbebettertowait”
　　“Thenyoumayneverseehimatall。”
　　“Verywell；butIwishIhadsomebetternewstogive。”
　　“Thatwillcomelater。ThishousewasnevermeantforCarlos。
　　Hetty，youwillstayhere。MissStrange，letusgonow。”
　　“Youneednotspeak；justlethimseeyou。”
　　VioletnoddedandfollowedMrs。Quintardintothesick-room。
　　Thesightwhichmethereyestriedheryoungemotionsdeeply。
　　Staringatherfromthebed，shesawtwopiercingeyesoverwhosebrilliancedeathasyethadgainednocontrol。Clements”ssoulwasinthatgaze；Clementhaltingatthebrinkofdissolutiontosoundthedepthsbehindhimforthehopewhichwouldmakedepartureeasy。Wouldheseeinher，amereslipofagirldressedinfashionableclothesandbearingaboutherallthemarksofsocialdistinction，thesortofpersonneededforthetaskuponthesuccessofwhichdependedhisdarlings”future？Shecouldhardlyexpectit。Yetasshecontinuedtomeethisgazewithalltheseriousnessthemomentdemanded，shebeheldthoseburningorbslosesomeoftheirdemandandthefingers，whichhadlaininertuponthebedspread，fluttergentlyandmoveasiftodrawattentiontohiswifeandthethreebeautifulchildrenclusteredatthefoot-board。
　　Hehadnotspokennorcouldshespeak，butthesolemnitywithwhichsheraisedherrighthandastoalisteningHeavencalledforthuponhislipswhatwaspossiblyhislastsmile，andwiththememoryofthisfaintexpressionofconfidenceonhispart，shelefttheroom，tomakeherfinalattempttosolvethemysteryofthemissingdocument。
　　Facingtheelderlyladyinthehall，sheaddressedherwiththeforceandsobernessofoneleadingaforlornhope：
　　“IwantyoutoconcentrateyourminduponwhatIhavetosaytoyou。Doyouthinkyoucandothis？“
　　“Iwilltry，“repliedthepoorwomanwithabackwardglanceatthedoorwhichhadjustbeencloseduponher。
　　“Whatwewant，“saidshe，“is，asIstatedbefore，aninsightintotheworkingsofyourbrainatthetimeyoutookthewillfromthesafe。TryandfollowwhatIhavetosay，Mrs。Quintard。
　　Dreamsarenolongerregardedbyscientistsaspropheciesofthefutureorevenasspontaneousandirrelevantconditionsofthought，butasreflectionsofanearpast，whichcanalmostwithoutexceptionbetracedbacktotheoccurrenceswhichcausedthem。Youractionwiththewillhaditsbirthinsomepreviouslineofthoughtafterwardsforgotten。Letustryandfindthatthought。Recall，ifyoucan，justwhatyoudidorreadyesterday。”
　　Mrs。Quintardlookedfrightened。
　　“But，Ihavenomemory，“sheobjected。“Iforgetquickly，soquicklythatinordertofulfillmyengagementsIhavetokeepamemorandumofeveryday”sevents。Yesterday？yesterday？WhatdidIdoyesterday？Iwentdowntownforonething，butIhardlyknowwhere。”
　　“Perhapsyourmemorandumofyesterday”sdoingswillhelpyou。”
　　“Iwillgetit。Butitwon”tgiveyoutheleasthelp。Ikeepitonlyformyowneye，and”
　　“Nevermind；letmeseeit。”
　　Andshewaitedimpatientlyforittobeputinherhands。
　　Butwhenshecametoreadtherecordofthelasttwodays，thiswasallshefound：
　　Saturday：Mauretanianearlydue。ImustletMr。Delahuntknowtodaythathe”swantedhereto-morrow。Hettywilltryonmydresses。Saysshehastoalterthem。Mrs。Peabodycametolunch，andweinsuchtrouble！Hadtogodownstreet。ErrandforClement。Thewill，thewill！Ithinkofnothingelse。Isitsafewhereitis？Nopeaceofmindtillto-morrow。Clementbetterthisafternoon。SayshemustlivetillCarlosgetsback；nottotriumphoverhim，buttodowhathecantolessenhisdisappointment。MygoodClement！
　　Sonervous，Iwenttopastingphotographs，andwasforgettingallmytroubleswhenHettybroughtinanotherdresstotryon。
　　Quietinthegreathouse，duringwhichtheclockonthestaircasesentforthsevenmusicalpeals。ToVioletwaitingaloneinthelibrary，theyactedasasummons。Shewasjustleavingtheroom，whenthesoundofhubbubinthehallbelowheldhermotionlessinthedoorway。Anautomobilehadstoppedinfront，andseveralpersonswereenteringthehouse，inagayandunseemlyfashion。
　　Asshestoodlistening，uncertainofherduty，sheperceivedthefrenziedfigureofMrs。Quintardapproaching。Asshepassedby，shedroppedoneword：“Carlos！“Thenshewentstaggeringon，todisappearamomentlaterdownthestairway。
　　Thisvisionlost，anothercame。ThistimeitwasthatofClements”swifeleaningfromthemarblebalustradeabove，theshadowofapproachinggriefbattlingwiththepresentterrorinherperfectfeatures。ThenshetoowithdrewfromviewandViolet，leftforthemomentaloneinthegreathall，steppedbackintothelibraryandbegantoputonherhat。
　　ThelightshadbeenturnedupinthegrandsalonanditwasinthissceneofgorgeouscolourthatMrs。QuintardcamefacetofacewithCarlosPelacios。Thosewhowerewitnesstoherentrancesaythatshepresentedanobleappearance，aswiththeresolutionofextremedesperationshestoodwaitingforhisfirstangryattack。
　　He，ashort，thick-set，darkman，showingbothinfeaturesandexpressiontheSpanishbloodofhispaternalancestors，startedtoaddressherintonesofviolence，butchangedhisnote，ashemethereye，toonesimplysardonic。
　　“Youhere！“hebegan。“Iassureyou，madame，thatitisapleasurewhichisnotwithoutitsinconveniences。Didyounotreceivemycable-gramrequestingthishousetobemadereadyformyoccupancy？“
　　“Idid。”
　　“ThenwhydoIfindguestshere？Theydonotusuallyprecedethearrivaloftheirhost。”
　　“Clementisveryill”
　　“Somuchthegreaterreasonthatheshouldhavebeenremoved”
　　“Youwerenotexpectedfortwodaysyet。YoucabledthatyouwerecomingontheMauretania。”
　　“Yes，Icabledthat。Elisabetta，“——thistohiswifestandingsilentlyinthebackground”wewillgotothePlazafortonight。
　　Atthreeo”clocktomorrowweshallexpecttofindthishouseinreadinessforourreturn。Later，ifMrs。Quintarddesirestovisitusweshallbepleasedtoreceiveher。But“——thistoMrs。
　　Quintardherself”youmustcomewithoutClementandthekids。”
　　Mrs。Quintard”srigidhandstoleuptoherthroat。
　　“Clementisdying。Heisfailinghourly，“shemurmured。“Hemaynotlivetillmorning。”
　　EvenCarloswastakenabackbythis。“Oh，well！“saidhe，“wewillgiveyoutwodays。”
　　Mrs。Quintardgasped，thenshewalkedstraightuptohim。“Youwillgiveusallthetimehisconditionrequiresandmore，muchmore。Heistherealownerofthishouse，notyou。Mybrotherleftawillbequeathingittohim。Youaremynephew”sguests，andnotheyours。AshisrepresentativeIentreatyouandyourwifetoremainhereuntilyoucanfindahometoyourmind。”
　　Thesilenceseethed。Carloshadatemperoffireandsohadhiswife。Butneitherspoke，tillhehadgainedsufficientcontroloverhimselftoremarkwithoutunduerancour：
　　“Ididnotthinkyouhadthewittoinfluenceyourbrothertothisextent；otherwise，Ishouldhavecutmytravelsshort。”Thenharshly：“Whereisthiswill？“
　　“Itwillbeproduced。”Butthewordsfaltered。
　　Carlosglancedatthemanstandingbehindhiswife；thenbackatMrs。Quintard。
　　“Willsarenotscribbledoffondeathbeds；oriftheyare，itneedssomethingmorethanasignaturetolegalizethem。Idon”tbelieveinthistrickofalaterwill。Mr。Cavanagh“——hereheindicatedthegentlemanaccompanyingthem”hasdonemyfather”sbusinessforyears，andheassuredmethatthepaperheholdsinhispocketisthefirst，last，andonlyexpressionofyourbrother”swishes。Ifyouareinapositiontodenythis，showusthedocumentyoumention；showusitatonce，orinformuswhereandinwhosehandsitcanbefound。”
　　“That，for——forreasonsIcannotgive，Imustrefusetodoatpresent。ButIamreadytoswear”
　　Amockinglaughcuthershort。Diditissuefromhislipsorfromthoseofhishighstrungandunfeelingwife？Itmighthavecomefromeither；therewascauseenough。
　　“Oh！“shefaltered，“mayGodhavemercy！“andwassinkingbeforetheireyes，whensheheardhername，calledfromthethreshold，and，lookingthatway，sawHettybeaminguponher，backedbyalittlefigurewithafacesoradiantthatinstinctivelyherhandwentouttograspthefoldedsheetofpaperHettywasseekingtothrustuponher。
　　“Ah！“shecried，inagreatvoice，“youwillnothavetowait，norClementeither。Hereisthewill！Thechildrenhavecomeintotheirown。”Andshefellattheirfeetinadeadfaint。
　　“Wheredidyoufindit？Oh！wheredidyoufindit？Ihavewaitedaweektoknow。When，afterCarlos”ssuddendeparture，IstoodbesideClement”sdeath-bedandsawfromthelookhegavemethathecouldstillfeelandunderstand，Itoldhimthatyouhadsucceededinyourtaskandthatallwaswellwithus。ButIwasnotabletotellhimhowyouhadsucceededorinwhatplacethewillhadbeenfound；andhedied，unknowing。Butwemayknow，maywenot，nowthatheislaidawayandthereisnomoretalkofourleavingthishouse？“
　　Violetsmiled，butverytenderly，andinawaynottooffendthemourner。Theyweresittinginthelibrary——thegreatlibrarywhichwastoremaininClement”sfamilyafterall——anditamusedhertofollowthedreaminglady”sglancesastheyraninirrepressiblecuriosityoverthewalls。HadVioletwished，shecouldhavekepthersecretforever。Theseeyeswouldneverhavediscoveredit。
　　Butshewasofasympathetictemperament，ourViolet，soafteramoment”sdelay，duringwhichshesatisfiedherselfthatlittle，ifanything，hadbeentouchedintheroomsinceherdeparturefromitaweekbefore，shequietlyobserved：
　　“Youwererightinpersistingthatyouhiditinthisroom。ItwashereIfoundit。Doyounoticethatphotographonthemantelwhichdoesnotstandexactlystraightonitseasel？“
　　“Yes。”
　　“Supposingyoutakeitdown。Youcanreachit，canyounot？“
　　“Oh，yes。Butwhat”
　　“Liftitdown，dearMrs。Quintard；andthenturnitroundandlookatitsback。”
　　Agitatedandquestioning，theladydidasshewasbid，andatthefirstglancegaveacryofsurprise，ifnotofunderstanding。Thesquareofbrownpaper，actingasabackingtothepicture，wasslitacross，disclosingasimilaronebehinditwhichwasstillintact。
　　“Oh！wasithiddeninhere？“sheasked。
　　“Verycompletely，“assentedViolet。“Pastedinoutofsightbyaladywhoamusesherselfwithmountingandframingphotographs。
　　Usually，sheisconsciousofherwork，butthistimesheperformedhertaskinadream。”
　　Mrs。Quintardwasallamazement。
　　“Idon”tremembertouchingthesepictures，“shedeclared。“I
　　nevershouldhaveremembered。Youareawonderfulperson，MissStrange。Howcameyoutothinkthesephotographsmighthavetwobackings？Therewasnothingtoshowthatthiswasso。”
　　“Iwilltellyou，Mrs。Quintard。Youhelpedme。”
　　“Ihelpedyou？“
　　“Yes。Yourememberthememorandumyougaveme？Inityoumentionedpastingphotographs。Butthiswasnotenoughinitselftoleadmetoexaminethoseonthemantel，ifyouhadnotgivenmeanothersuggestionalittlewhilebefore。Wedidnottellyouthis，Mrs。Quintard，atthetime，butduringthesearchweweremakingherethatday，youhadalapseintothatpeculiarstatewhichinducesyoutowalkinyoursleep。Itwasashortone，lastingbutamoment，butinamomentonecanspeak，and，thisyoudid”
　　“Spoke？Ispoke？“
　　“Yes，youutteredtheword”paper！”notthepaper，but”paper！”
　　andreachedouttowardstheshears。ThoughIhadnotmuchtimetothinkofitthen，afterwardsuponreadingyourmemorandumI
　　recalledyourwords，andaskedmyselfifitwasnotpapertocut，ratherthantohide，youwanted。Ifitwastocut，andyouwerebutrepeatingtheexperienceofthenightbefore，thentheroomshouldcontainsomeremnantsofcutpaper。Hadweseenany？Yes，inthebasket，underthedeskwehadtakenoutandthrownbackagainastriporsoofwrappingpaper，which，ifmymemorydidnotfailme，showedaclean-cutedge。Topullthisstripoutagainandspreaditflatuponthedeskwastheworkofaminute，andwhatIsawledmetolookallovertheroom，notnowforthefoldeddocument，butforasquareofbrownpaper，suchashadbeentakenoutofthislargersheet。WasIsuccessful？Notforalongwhile，butwhenIcametothephotographsonthemantelandsawhownearlytheycorrespondedinshapeandsizetowhatIwaslookingfor，Irecalledagainyourfancyformountingphotographsandfeltthatthemysterywassolved。
　　“Aglanceatthebackofoneofthembroughtdisappointment，butwhenIturnedaboutitsmate——YouknowwhatIfoundunderneaththeouterpaper。Youhadlaidthewillagainsttheoriginalbackingandsimplypastedanotheroneoverit。
　　“Thatthediscoverycameintimetocutshortaverypainfulinterviewhasmademejoyfulforaweek。
　　“AndnowmayIseethechildren？“
　　ENDOFPROBLEMV
　　PROBLEMVI
　　THEHOUSEOFCLOCKS
　　MissStrangewasnotinaresponsivemood。Thisheremployerhadobservedonfirstentering；yetheshowednohesitationinlayingonthetablebehindwhichshehadensconcedherselfintheattitudeofonebesieged，anenvelopethickwithenclosedpapers。
　　“There，“saidhe。“Telephonemewhenyouhavereadthem。”
　　“Ishallnotreadthem。”
　　“No？“hesmiled；and，repossessinghimselfoftheenvelope，hetoreoffoneend，extractedthesheetswithwhichitwasfilled，andlaidthemdownstillunfolded，intheirformerplaceonthetable-top。
　　ThesuggestivenessoftheactioncausedthecornersofMissSrange”sdelicatelipstotwitchwistfully，beforesettlingintoanironicsmile。
　　Calmlytheotherwatchedher。
　　“Iamonavacation，“sheloftilyexplained，asshefinallymethisstudiouslynon-quizzicalglance。“Oh，IknowthatIaminmyownhome！“shepetulantlyacknowledged，ashisgazetookintheroom；“andthattheautomobileisatthedoor；andthatI”mdressedforshopping。ButforallthatI”monavacation——amentalone，“sheemphasized；“andbusinessmustwait。Ihaven”tgotoverthelastaffair，“sheprotested，ashemaintainedadiscreetsilence，“andtheseasonissogayjustnow——somanyballs，somany——Butthatisn”ttheworst。Fatherisbeginningtowakeup——andifheeversuspects”Asignificantgestureendedthisappeal。
　　Thepersonageknewherfather——everyonedid——andthewonderhadalwaysbeenthatshedaredruntheriskofdispleasingonesoimplacable。Thoughshewashisfavouritechild，PeterStrangewasknowntobequitecapableofcuttingheroffwithashilling，oncehisclose，prejudicedmindconceivedittobehisduty。Andthathewouldsointerpretthesituation，ifheevercametolearnthesecretofhisdaughter”sfitsofabstractionandtheslybankaccountshewasslowlyaccumulating，thepersonageholdingoutthisdangerouslurehadnodoubtatall。Yetheonlysmiledatherwordsandremarkedincasualsuggestion：
　　“It”soutoftownthistime——”wayout。Yourhealthcertainlydemandsachangeofair。”
　　“Myhealthisgood。Fortunately，orunfortunately，asonemaychoosetolookatit，itfurnishesmewithnoexcuseforanouting，“shesteadilyretorted，turningherbackonthetable。
　　“Ah，excuseme！“theinsidiousvoiceapologized，“yourpalenessmisledme。Surelyanightortwo”schangemightbebeneficial。”
　　Shegavehimaquicksidelook，andbegantoadjustherboa。
　　Tothishinthepaidnoattention。
　　“Theaffairisquiteoutoftheordinary，“hepursuedinthetoneofonerehearsingapart。Buttherehestopped。Forsomereason，notaltogetherapparenttothemasculinemind，thepinofflashingstonesrealstoneswhichheldherhatinplacehadtobetakenoutandthrustbackagain，notonce，buttwice。Itwastowatchthisperformancehehadpaused。Whenhewasreadytoproceed，hetookthemusingtoneofonemarshallingfactsforanother”senlightenment：
　　“Awomanofunknowninstincts”
　　“Pshaw！“TheendofthepinwouldstrikeagainstthecombholdingViolet”schestnut-colouredlocks。
　　“Livinginahouseasmysteriousasthesecretitcontains。But——
　　“hereheallowedhispatienceapparentlytoforsakehim，“Iwillboreyounolonger。Gotoyourteasandballs；Iwillstrugglewithmydarkaffairsalone。”
　　Hishandwenttothepacketofpaperssheaffectedsoostentatiouslytodespise。Hecouldbeasnonchalantasshe。Buthedidnotliftthem；heletthemlie。Yettheyoungheiresshadnotmadeamovementoreventurnedtheslightestglancehisway。
　　“Awomandifficulttounderstand！Amysterioushouse——possiblyamysteriouscrime！“
　　ThusVioletkeptrepeatinginsilentself-communion，asflushedwithdancingshesatthateveninginahighly-scentedconservatory，dividingherattentionbetweenthecomplimentsofherpartnerandthesplashofafountainbubblingintheheartofthismassoftropicalfoliage；andwhensomehourslatershesatdowninherchintz-furnishedbedroomforafewminutes”thoughtbeforeretiring，itwastodrawfromalittleoakboxatherelbowthehalf-dozenorsofoldedsheetsofcloselywrittenpaperwhichhadbeenleftforherperusalbyherpersistentemployer。
　　Glancingfirstatthesignatureandfindingittobeonealreadyfavourablyknownatthebar，shereadwithaviditythestatementofeventsthusvouchedfor，findingthemcuriousenoughinallconsciencetokeepherawakeforanotherfullhour。
　　Weheresubscribeit：
　　IamalawyerwithanofficeintheTimesSquareBuilding。Mybusinessismainlylocal，butsometimesIamcalledoutoftown，aswitnessthefollowingsummonsreceivedbymeonthefifthoflastOctober。
　　DEARSIR，——
　　Iwishtomakemywill。Iamaninvalidandcannotleavemyroom。
　　Willyoucometome？Theenclosedreferencewillanswerformyrespectability。Ifitsatisfiesyouandyoudecidetoaccommodateme，pleasehastenyourvisit；Ihavenotmanydaystolive。A
　　carriagewillmeetyouatHighlandStationatanyhouryoudesignate。Telegraphreply。
　　A。Postlethwaite，GloomCottage，——N。J。
　　ThereferencegivenwasaMr。WeedofEighty-sixthStreet——awell-
　　knownmanofunimpeachablereputation。
　　Callinghimupathisbusinessoffice，IaskedhimwhathecouldtellmeaboutMr。PostlethwaiteProblem6forVioletStrange189
　　ofGloomCottage，——，N。J。Theanswerastonishedme：
　　“ThereisnoMr。Postlethwaitetobefoundatthataddress。Hediedyearsago。ThereisaMrs。Postlethwaite——aconfirmedparalytic。Doyoumeanher？“
　　Iglancedattheletterstilllyingopenatthesideofthetelephone：
　　“ThesignaturereadsA。Postlethwaite。”
　　“Thenit”sshe。HernameisArabella。Shehatesthename，beingawomanofnosentiment。Usesherinitialsevenonhercheques。
　　Whatdoesshewantofyou？“
　　“Todrawherwill。”
　　“Obligeher。It”llbeexperienceforyou。”Andheslammedhomethereceiver。
　　Idecidedtofollowthesuggestionsoforciblyemphasized；andthenextdaysawmeatHighlandStation。Asuperannuatedhorseandastillmoresuperannuatedcarriageawaitedme——bothtoooldtoserveabusymaninthesedaysofswiftconveyance。CouldthisbeasampleoftheestablishmentIwasabouttoenter？ThenI
　　rememberedthatthewomanwhohadsentformewasahelplessinvalid，andprobablyhadnouseforanysortofturnout。
　　Thedriverwasinkeepingwiththevehicle，andasnoncommittalastheploddingbeasthedrove。IfIventureduponaremark，hegavemealongandcuriouslook；ifIwentsofarastoattackhimwithadirectquestion，herespondedwithahitchoftheshoulderoradubioussmilewhichconveyednothing。Washedeaforjustunpleasant？Isoonlearnedthathewasnotdeaf；forsuddenly，afterajog-trotofamileorsothroughawoodedroadwhichwehadenteredfromthemainhighway，hedrewinhishorse，and，withoutglancingmyway，spokehisfirstword：
　　“Thisiswhereyougetout。Thehouseisbackthereinthebushes。”
　　Asnohousewasvisibleandthebushesroseinanunbrokenbarrieralongtheroad，Istaredathiminsomedoubtofhissanity。
　　“But”Ibegan；aprotestintowhichheatoncebroke，withthesharpdirection：
　　“Takethepath。It”llleadyoustraighttothefrontdoor。”
　　“Idon”tseeanypath。”
　　Forthishehadnoanswer；andconfidentfromhisexpressionthatitwouldbeuselesstoexpectanythingfurtherfromhim，I
　　droppedacoinintohishand，andjumpedtotheground。HewasoffbeforeIcouldturnmyselfabout。
　　“”SomethingisrottenintheStateofDenmark”“Iquotedinstartledcommenttomyself；andnotknowingwhatelsetodo，stareddownattheturfatmyfeet。
　　Abitofflaggingmetmyeye，protrudingfromalayerofthickmoss。FartheronIespiedanother——thesecond，probably，ofmany。
　　This，nodoubt，wasthepathIhadbeenbiddentofollow，andwithoutfurtherthoughtonthesubject，IplungedintothebusheswhichwithdifficultyImadegivewaybeforeme。
　　Foramomentallfurtheradvancelookedhopeless。Amoretangled，uninvitingapproachtoaso-calledhome，Ihadneverseenoutsideofthetropics；andthecompleteneglectthusdisplayedshouldhavepreparedmefortheappearanceofthehouseIunexpectedlycameupon，justas，thewayseemedonthepointofclosingupbeforeme。
　　ButnothingcouldwellprepareoneforafirstviewofGloomCottage。Itslocationinahollowwhichhadgraduallyfilleditselfupwithtreesandsomekindofpricklybrush，itsdeeplystainedwalls，oncepicturesqueenoughintheirgroupingbuttoodeeplyhiddennowamidrottingboughstoproduceanyothereffectthanthatofshroudeddesolation，thesoughofthesesameboughsastheyrappedadevil”stattooagainsteachother，andtheabsenceofeventherisingcolumnofsmokewhichbespeaksdomesticlifewhereverseen——allgavetoonewhorememberedthecognomenCottageandforgotthepre-cognomenofGloom，asenseofburiedlifeassepulchralasthatwhichemanatesfromthemouthofsomefreshlyopenedtomb。
　　Buttheseimpressions，naturalenoughtomyyouth，werenecessarilytransient，andsoongavewaytoothersmorebusiness-
　　like。Perceivingthecurveofanarchrisingabovetheundergrowthstillblockingmyapproach，Ipushedmywayresolutelythrough，andpresentlyfoundmyselfstumblinguponthestepsofanunexpectedlyspaciousdomicile，builtnotofwood，asitsnameofCottagehadledmetoexpect，butofcarefullycutstonewhich，whileshowingeverymarkoftime，proclaimeditselfoneofthoseearly，carefullyerectedColonialresidenceswhichittakesmorethanacenturytodestroy，oreventoweartothepointofdilapidation。
　　Somewhatencouraged，thoughfailingtodetectanysignsofactivelifeintheheavilyshutteredwindowsfrowninguponmefromeitherside，Iranupthestepsandrangthebellwhichpulledashardasifnohandhadtoucheditinyears。
　　ThenIwaited。
　　Butnottoringagain；forjustasmyhandwasapproachingthebellasecondtime，thedoorfellbackandIbeheldintheblackgapbeforemetheoldestmanIhadevercomeuponinmywholelife。HewassooldIwasastonishedwhenhisdrawnlipsopenedandheaskedifIwasthelawyerfromNewYork。IwouldassoonhaveexpectedamummytowagitstongueandutterEnglish，helookedsothinanddriedandremovedfromthislifeandallworldlyconcerns。
　　ButwhenIhadansweredhisquestionandhehadturnedtomarshalmedownthehalltowardsadoorIcoulddimlyseestandingopeninthetwilightofanabsolutelysunlessinterior，Inoticedthathisstepwasnotwithoutsomevigour，despitethefeeblebendofhiswitheredbodyandtheincessantswayingofhishead，whichseemedtobecontinuallysayingNo！
　　“Iwillpreparemadam，“headmonishedme，afterdrawingaponderouscurtaintwoinchesorlessasidefromoneofthewindows。“Sheisveryill，butshewillseeyou。”
　　Thetonewassenile，butitwasthesenilityofaneducatedman，andasthecultivatedaccentswaveredforth，mymindchangedin，regardtothepositionheheldinthehouse。Interestedanew，I
　　soughttogivehimanotherlook，buthehadalreadyvanishedthroughthedoorway，andsonoiselessly，itwasmorelikeashadow”sflittingthanaman”swithdrawal。
　　ThedarknessinwhichIsatwasabsolute；butgradually，asI
　　continuedtolookaboutme，thespaceslightenedandcertaindetailscameout，whichtomyastonishmentwereofacharactertoshowthattheplainifsubstantialexteriorofthishousewithitschoked-upapproachesandweedygardenswasnosampleofwhatwastobefoundinside。Thoughthewallssurroundingmeweredismalbecauseunlighted，theybetrayedasplendourunusualinanycountryhouse。Thefrescoesandpaintingswereofanancientorder，datingfromdayswhenlifeandnotdeathreignedinthisisolateddwelling；butinthemhighartreignedsupreme，anartsohighandsofinishedthatonlygreatwealth，combinedwiththemostcultivatedtaste，couldhaveproducedsucheffects。Iwasstillabsorbedinthewonderofitall，whenthequietvoiceoftheoldgentlemanwhohadletmeinreachedmeagainfromthedoorway，andIheard：
　　“Madamisreadyforyou。MayItroubleyoutoaccompanymetoherroom。”
　　Irosewithalacrity。Iwasanxioustoseemadam，ifonlytosatisfymyselfthatshewasasinterestingasthehouseinwhichshewasself-immured。
　　Ifoundheragreatdealmoreso。ButbeforeIenteruponourinterview，letmementionafactwhichhadattractedmyattentioninmypassagetoherroom。Duringhisabsencemyguideevidentlyhadpulledasideothercurtainsthanthoseoftheroominwhichhehadleftme。Thehall，nolongeratunnelofdarkness，gavemeaglimpseaswewentby，ofvarioussecludedcomers，anditseemedasifeverywhereIlookedIsaw——aclock。IcountedfourbeforeIreachedthestaircase，allstandingonthefloorandallofancientmake，thoughdifferingmuchinappearanceandvalue。A
　　fifthonerosegrimandtallatthestairfoot，andunderanimpulseIhaveneverunderstoodIstopped，whenIreachedit，tonotethetime。Butithadpausedinitstask，andfacedmewithmotionlesshandsandsilentworks——afactwhichsomehowstartledme；perhaps，becausejustthenIencounteredtheoldman”seyewatchingmewithanexpressionaschallengingasitwasunintelligible。
　　Ihadexpectedtoseeawomaninbed。Isawinstead，awomansittingup。Youfeltherinfluencethemomentyouenteredherpresence。Shewasnotyoung；shewasnotbeautiful；——neverhadbeenIshouldjudge，——shehadnoteventheusualmarksaboutherofanultrastrongpersonality；butthatherwillwaslaw，hadalwaysbeen，andwouldcontinuetobelawsolongasshelived，waspatenttoanyeyeatthefirstglance。Sheexactedobedienceconsciouslyandunconsciously，andsheexacteditwithcharm。
　　Somefewpeopleintheworldpossessthispower。Theyfrown，andtheopposingwillweakens；theysmile，andallheartssuccumb。I
　　washersfromthemomentIcrossedthethresholdtill——ButIwillrelatethehappeningsofthatinstantwhenitcomes。
　　Shewasalone，orsoIthought，whenImademyfirstbowtohersternbutnotunpleasingpresence。Seatedinagreatchair，withasilvertraybeforehercontainingsuchlittlemattersasshestoodinhourlyneedof，sheconfrontedmewithapiercinggazestartlingtobeholdineyessocolourless。Thenshesmiled，andinobediencetothatsmileIseatedmyselfinachairplacedverynearherown。Wasshetooparalysedtoexpressherselfclearly？I
　　waitedinsomeanxietytillshespoke，whenthisfearvanished。
　　Hervoicebetrayedthecharacterherfeaturesfailedtoexpress。
　　Itwasfirm，resonant，andinstinctwithcommand。Notloud，butpenetrating，andofaqualitywhichmadeonelistenwithhisheartaswellaswithhisears。Whatshesaidisimmaterial。I
　　wasthereforacertainpurposeandweenteredimmediatelyuponthebusinessofthatpurpose。ShetalkedandIlistened，mostlywithoutcomment。OnlyoncedidIinterruptherwithasuggestion；
　　andasthisledtodefiniteresults，Iwillproceedtorelatetheoccurrenceinfull。
　　InthefewhoursremainingtomebeforeleavingNewYork，Ihadlearnednomatterhowsomeadditionalparticularsconcerningherselfandfamily；andwhenaftersomeminorbequests，sheproceededtonamethepartiestowhomshedesiredtoleavethebulkofherfortune，Iventured，withsomeastonishmentatmyowntemerity，toremark：
　　“Butyouhaveayoungrelative！Isshenottobeincludedinthispartitionofyourproperty？“
　　Ahush。Thenasmilecametolifeonherstifflips，suchasisseldomseen，thankGod，onthefaceofanywoman，andIheard：
　　“Theyoungrelativeofwhomyouspeak，isintheroom。ShehasknownforsometimethatIhavenointentionofleavinganythingtoher。Thereis，infact，smallchanceofhereverneedingit。”
　　Thelattersentencewasamutteredone，butthatitwasloudenoughtobeheardinallpartsoftheroomIwassoonassured。
　　Foraquicksigh，whichwasalmostagasp，followedfromacornerIhadhithertoignored，anduponglancingthatway，Iperceived，peeringuponusfromtheshadows，thewhitefaceofayounggirlinwhosedrawnfeaturesandwide，staringeyesIbeheldsuchevidencesofterror，thatinaninstant，whateverpredilectionI
　　hadhithertofeltformyclient，vanishedindistrust，ifnotpositiveaversion。
　　Iwasstillundertheswayofthisnewimpression，whenMrs。
　　Postlethwaite”svoiceroseagain，thistimeaddressingtheyounggirl：
　　“Youmaygo，“shesaid，withsuchforceinthecommandforallitshoneyedmodulation，thatIexpectedtoseeitsobjectflytheroominfrightenedobedience。
　　Butthoughthestartledgirlhadlostnoneoftheterrorwhichhadmadeherfacelikeamask，nopowerofmovementremainedtoher。Apictureofhopelessmisery，shestoodforonebreathlessmoment，withhereyesfixedinunmistakableappealonmine；thenshebegantoswaysohelplesslythatIleapedwithboundinghearttocatchher。AsshefellintomyarmsIheardhersighasbefore。Nocommonanguishspokeinthatsigh。Ihadstumbledunwittinglyuponatragedy，tothemeaningofwhichIheldbutadoubtfulkey。
　　“Sheseemsveryill，“Iobservedwithsomeemphasis，asIturnedtolaymyhelplessburdenonanear-bysofa。
　　“She”sdoomed。”
　　Thewordswerespokenwithgloomandwithanattemptatcommiserationwhichnolongerrangtrueinmyears。
　　“SheisassickawomanasIammyself“；continuedMrs。
　　Postlethwaite。“ThatiswhyImadetheremarkIdid，neverimaginingshewouldhearmeatthatdistance。Donotputherdown。Mynursewillbehereinamomenttorelieveyouofyourburden。”
　　Atinkleaccompaniedthesewords。Theresolutewomanhadstretchedoutafinger，ofwhoseuseshewasnotquitedeprived，andtouchedalittlebellstandingonthetraybeforeher，aninchortwofromherhand。
　　Pleasedtoobeyhercommand，Ipausedatthesofa”sedge，andtakingadvantageofthemomentarydelay，studiedtheyouthfulcountenancepressedunconsciouslytomybreast。
　　Itwasonewhoseappeallaylessinitsbeauty，thoughthatwasofatouchingquality，thaninthestoryittold，——astory，whichforsomeunaccountablereason——Ididnotpausetodeterminewhatone——Ifeltittobemyimmediatedutytoknow。ButIaskednoquestionsthen；Ididnotevenventureacomment；andyieldedherupwithseemingreadinesswhenastrongbutnonetoointelligentwomancamerunninginwitharmsoutstretchedtocarryheroff。
　　Whenthedoorhadcloseduponthesetwo，thesilenceofmyclientdrewmyattentionbacktoherself。
　　“Iamwaiting，“washerquietobservation，andwithoutanyfurtherreferencetowhathadjusttakenplaceunderoureyes，shewentonwiththebusinesspreviouslyoccupyingus。
　　Iwasabletodomypartwithoutanytoogreatdisplayofmyowndisturbance。Theclearnessofmyremarkableclient”sinstructions，thedefinitenesswithwhichhermindwasmadeupastothedisposalofeverydollarofhervastproperty，madeiteasyformetomastereachdetailandmakecarefulnoteofeverywish。Butthisdidnotpreventtheebbandflowwithinmeofanundercurrentofthoughtfullofquestionanduneasiness。WhathadbeentherealpurportofthescenetowhichIhadjustbeenmadeasurprisedwitness？Thefew，butcertainlyunusual，factswhichhadbeengivenmeinregardtotheextraordinaryrelationsexistingbetweenthesetwocloselyconnectedwomenwillexplaintheintensityofmyinterest。Thosefactsshallbeyours。
　　ArabellaMerwin，whenyoung，wasgiftedwithapeculiarfascinationwhich，aswehaveseen，hadnotaltogethervanishedwithage。Consequentlyshehadmanylovers，amongthemtwobrothers，FrankandAndrewPostlethwaite。Thelatterwastheolder，thehandsomer，andthemostprosperoushisnameisrememberedyetinconnectionwithSouthAmericanschemesoflargeimportance，butitwasFrankshemarried。
　　Thatreallove，ardentifunreasonable，layatthebottomofherchoice，isevidentenoughtothosewhofollowedthecareeroftheyoungcouple。Butitwasajealouslovewhichbrookednorival，andasFrankPostlethwaitewasofanimpulsiveanderraticnature，scenessoonoccurredbetweenthemwhich，whilerevealingtheextraordinaryforceoftheyoungwife”scharacter，ledtonoseriousbreaktillafterhersonwasborn，andthis，notwithstandingthefactthatFrankhadlonggivenupmakingaliving，andthattheywereopenlydependentontheirwealthybrother，nowfastapproachingthemillionairestatus。
　　Thisbrother——thePeruvianKing，assomecalledhim——musthavebeenanextraordinaryman。ThoughcherishinghisaffectionforthespiritedArabellatothepointofremainingabachelorforhersake，hebetrayednoneoftheusualsignsofdisappointedlove；butonthecontrarymadeeveryefforttoadvanceherhappiness，notonlybyassuringtoherselfandhusbandanadequateincome，butbydoingallhecouldinotherandlessopenwaystolessenanysenseshemightentertainofhermistakeinpreferringforherlifematehisself-centredandunstablebrother。Sheshouldhaveadoredhim；butthoughsheevincedgratitudeenough，thereisnothingtoprovethatsheevergaveFrankPostlethwaitetheleastcausetocherishanyothersentimenttowardshisbrotherthanthatofhonestloveandunqualifiedrespect。Perhapsheneverdidcherishanyother。
　　Perhapsthechangewhicheveryonesawintheyoungcoupleimmediatelyafterthebirthoftheironlychildwasduetoanothercause。Gossipissilentonthispoint。AllthatitinsistsuponisthatfromthistimeevidencesofagrowingestrangementbetweenthembecamesoobviousthateventheindulgentAndrewcouldnotblindhimselftoit；showinghissenseoftrouble，notbylesseningtheirincome，forthathedoubled，butbyspendingmoretimeinPeruandlessinNewYorkwherethetwowereliving。
　　However，——andhereweenteruponthosedetailswhichIhaveventuredtocharacterizeasuncommon，hewasinthiscountryandintheactualcompanyofhisbrotherwhentheaccidentoccurredwhichterminatedboththeirlives。Itwastheoldstoryofaskiddingmotor，andMrs。Postlethwaite，havingbeensentforingreathastetothesmallinnintowhichthetwoinjuredmenhadbeencarried，arrivedonlyintimetowitnesstheirlastmoments。
　　FrankdiedfirstandAndrewsomefewminuteslater——animportantfact，aswasafterwardsshownwhenthelatter”swillcametoberead。
　　Thiswillwasapeculiarone。ByitsprovisionsthebulkoftheKing”sgreatpropertywaslefttohisbrotherFrank，butwiththisespecialstipulationthatincasehisbrotherfailedtosurvivehim，thefulllegacyasbequeathedtohimshouldbegivenunconditionallytohiswidow。Frank”sdemise，asIhavealreadystated，precededhisbrother”sbyseveralminutesandconsequentlyArabellabecamethechieflegatee；andthatishowsheobtainedhermillions。But——andhereastartlingfeaturecomesin——whenthewillcametobeadministered，thesecretunderlyingthebreakbetweenFrankandhiswifewasbroughttolightbyarevelationofthefactthathehadpractisedagreatdeceptionuponheratthetimeofhismarriage。Insteadofbeingabacheloraswascurrentlybelieved，hewasinrealityawidower，andthefatherofachild。Thisfact，solongheldsecret，hadbecomeherswhenherownchildwasborn；andconstitutedasshewas，shenotonlyneverforgavethefather，butconceivedsuchahatredfortheinnocentobjectoftheirquarrelthatsherefusedtoadmititsclaimsoreventoacknowledgeitsexistence。
　　Butlater——afterhisdeath，infact——sheshowedsomesenseofobligationtowardsonewhounderordinaryconditionswouldhavesharedherwealth。Whenthewholestorybecameherd，andshediscoveredthatthissecrethadbeenkeptfromhisbrotheraswellasfromherself，andthatconsequentlynoprovisionhadbeenmadeinanywayforthechildthusthrowndirectlyuponhermercy，shedidthegenerousthingandtooktheforsakengirlintoherownhome。Butsheneverbetrayedtheleastloveforher，herwholeheartbeingboundupinherboy，whowas，asallagree，aprodigyoftalent。
　　Butthisboy，forallhispromiseandseemingstrengthofconstitution，diedwhenbarelysevenyearsold，andthedesolatemotherwasleftwithnothingtofillherheartbuttheuncongenialdaughterofherhusband”sfirstwife。Thefactthatthischild，slightedasithadhithertobeen，would，intheeventofherunclehavingpassedawaybeforeherfather，havebeentheundisputedheiressofalargeportionofthewealthnowatthedisposalofherarrogantstep-mother，ledmanytoexpect，nowthattheboywasnomore，thatMrs。PostlethwaitewouldproceedtoacknowledgethelittleHelenaasherheir，andgiveherthatplaceinthehouseholdtowhichhernaturalclaimsentitledher。
　　Butnosuchresultfollowed。Thepassionofgriefintowhichthemotherwasthrownbytheshipwreckofallherhopesleftherhardandimplacable，andwhen，asverysoonhappened，shefellavictimtothediseasewhichtiedhertoherchairandmadethewealthwhichhadcometoherbysuchapeculiarorderingofcircumstanceslittleelsethanamockeryeveninherowneyes，itwasuponthischildsheexpendedthefullfundofhersecretbitterness。
　　Andthechild？Whatofher？Howdidshebearherunhappyfatewhenshegrewoldenoughtorealizeit？Witharesignationwhichwasthewonderofallwhoknewher。Nomurmursescapedherlips，norwasthedevotionsheinvariablydisplayedtotheexactinginvalidwhoruledheraswellasalltherestofherhouseholdwitharodofironeverdisturbedbytheleastsignofreproach。
　　Thoughtheriches，whichinthoseearlydayspouredintothehomeinameasurefarbeyondtheneedsofitsmistress，wereexpendedinmakingthehousebeautifulratherthaninmakingtheoneyounglifewithinithappy，sheneverwasheardtouttersomuchasawishtoleavethewallswithinwhichfatehadimmuredher。
　　Content，orseeminglycontent，withtheonlyhomesheknew，sheneveraskedforchangeordemandedfriendsoramusements。
　　Visitorsceasedcoming；desolationfollowedneglect。Thegarden，onceaglory，succumbedtoariotofweedsandundesirablebrush，tillatoweringwallseemedtobedrawnaboutthehousecuttingitofffromtheactivitiesoftheworldasitcutitofffromtheapproachofsunshinebyday，andthecomfortofastar-litheavenbynight。Andyettheyounggirlcontinuedtosmile，thoughwithapitifulnessoflate，whichsomethoughtbetokenedsecretterrorandothersthewastingofabodytoosensitiveforsuchunwholesomeseclusion。
　　Thesewerethefacts，knownifnotconsciouslyspecialized，whichgavetothelatterpartofmyinterviewwithMrs。Postlethwaiteapoignancyofinterestwhichhadneverattendedanyofmyformerexperiences。ThepeculiarattitudeofMissPostlethwaitetowardsherinduratetormentorawakenedinmyagitatedmindsomethingmuchdeeperthancuriosity，butwhenIstrovetospeakhernamewiththeintentofinquiringmoreparticularlyintohercondition，suchalookconfrontedmefromthesteadyeyeimmovablyfixeduponmyown，thatmycourage——orwasitmynaturalprecaution——bademesubduetheimpulseandrisknoattemptwhichmightbetraythedepthofmyinterestinonesocompletelyoutsidethescopeofthepresentmoment”sbusiness。
　　PerhapsMrs。Postlethwaiteappreciatedmystruggle；perhapsshewaswhollyblindtoit。Therewasnoreadingthemindofthiswomanofsentimentalnamebutinflexiblenature，andrealizingthefactmorefullywitheverywordsheutteredIleftheratlastwithnofurtherbetrayalofmyfeelingsthanmightbeevincedbytheearnestnesswithwhichIpromisedtoreturnforhersignatureattheearliestpossiblemoment。
　　Thisshehadherselfrequested，sayingasIrose：
　　“Icanstillwritemynameifthepaperispushedcarefullyalongundermyhand。Seetoitthatyoucomewhilethepowerremainstome。”
　　IhadhopedthatinmypassagedownstairsImightrunuponsomeonewhowouldgivemenewsofMissPostlethwaite，butthewomanwhoapproachedtoconductmedownstairswasnotofanappearancetoinviteconfidence，andIfeltforcedtoleavethehousewithmydoubtsunsatisfied。
　　Twomemories，equallydistinct，followedme。OnewasapictureofMrs。Postlethwaite”sfingersgropingamongherbelongingsonthelittletraypercheduponherlap，andanotheroftheintentandstrangelybentfigureoftheoldmanwhohadactedasmyusher，listeningtothetickingofoneofthegreatclocks。SoabsorbedwasheinthisoccupationthathenotonlyfailedtonoticemewhenIwentby，buthedidnotevenlifthisheadatmycheerygreeting。Suchmysteriesweretoomuchforme，andledmetopostponemydeparturefromtowntillIhadsoughtoutMrs。
　　Postlethwaite”sdoctorandpropoundedtohimoneortwoleadingquestions。First，wouldMrs。Postlethwaite”spresentconditionbelikelytoholdgoodtillMonday；andsecondly，wastheyoungladylivingwithherasillasherstep-mothersaid。
　　Hewasamildoldmanoftheeasy-goingtype，andtheanswersI
　　gotfromhimwerefarfromsatisfactory。YetheshowedsomesurprisewhenImentionedtheextentofMrs。Postlethwaite”sanxietyaboutherstep-daughter，andpaused，inthedubiousshakingofhishead，togivemeashortstareinwhichIreadasmuchdeterminationasperplexity。
　　“IwilllookintoMissPostlethwaite”scasemoreparticularly，“
　　werehispartingwords。AndwiththisonegleamofcomfortIhadtobecontent。
　　Monday”sinterviewwasabriefoneandcontainednothingworthrepeating。Mrs。PostlethwaitelistenedwithstoicalsatisfactiontothereadingofthewillIhaddrawnup，anduponitscompletionrangherbellforthetwowitnessesawaitinghersummons，inanadjoiningroom。Theywerenotofherhousehold，buttoallappearancehonestvillagerswithbutonenoticeablecharacteristic，anoverweeningideaofMrs。Postlethwaite”simportance。Perhapsthespellshehadsoliberallywovenforothersinotherandhappierdayswasfeltbythematthishour。
　　Itwouldnotbestrange；Ihadalmostfallenunderitmyself，sogreatwasthefascinationofhermannereveninthiswreckofherbodilypowers，whentriumphassured，shefacedusallinastateofcompletesatisfaction。
　　ButbeforeIwasagainquitoftheplace，allmydoubtsreturnedandinfullerforcethanever。Ihadlingeredinmygoingasmuchasdecencywouldpermit，hopingtohearasteponthestairorseeafaceinsomedoorwaywhichwouldcontradictMrs。
　　Postlethwaite”scoldassurancethatMissPostlethwaitewasnobetter。ButnosuchstepdidIhear，andnofacedidIseesavetheold，oldoneoftheancientfriendorrelative，whosebentframeseemedcontinuallytohauntthehalls。Asbefore，hestoodlisteningtothemonotonoustickingofoneoftheclocks，mutteringtohimselfandquiteobliviousofmypresence。
　　However，thistimeIdecidednottopasshimwithoutamorepersistentattempttogainhisnotice。Pausingathisside，I
　　askedhiminthefriendlytoneIthoughtbestcalculatedtoattracthisattention，howMissPostlethwaitewasto-day。Hewassointentuponhistask，whateverthatwas，thatwhileheturnedmyway，itwaswithaglanceasblankasthatofastoneimage。
　　“Listen！“headmonishedme。“ItstillsaysNo！No！Idon”tthinkitwilleversayanythingelse。”
　　Istaredathiminsomeconsternation，thenattheclockitselfwhichwasthetalloneIhadfoundrundownatmyfirstvisit。
　　Therewasnothingunusualinitsquiettick，sofarasIcouldhear，andwithacompassionateglanceattheoldmanwhohadturnedbreathlesslyagaintolisten，proceededonmywaywithoutanotherword。
　　Theoldfellowwasdaft。Acenturyold，anddaft。
　　Ihadworkedmywayoutthroughthevineswhichstillencumberedtheporch，andwastakingmyfirststepsdownthewalk，whensomeimpulsemademeturnandglanceupatoneofthewindows。
　　DidIblesstheimpulse？IthoughtIhadeveryreasonfordoingso，whenthroughanetworkofinterlacingbranchesIbeheldtheyounggirlwithwhommymindwaswhollyoccupied，standingwithherheadthrustforward，watchingthedescentofsomethingsmallandwhitewhichshehadjustreleasedfromherhand。
　　Anote！Anotewrittenbyherandmeantforme！Withagratefullookinherdirectionwhichwasprobablylostuponherasshehadalreadydrawnbackoutofsight，Isprangforitonlytomeetwithdisappointment。Foritwasnobillet-douxIreceivedfromamidtheclusteringbrushwhereithadfallen；butasmallsquareofwhiteclothshowingalineoffantasticembroidery。
　　Annoyedbeyondmeasure，Iwasabouttoflingitdownagain，whenthethoughtthatithadcomefromherhanddeterredme，andI
　　thrustitintomyvestpocket。WhenItookitoutagain——whichwassoonafterIhadtakenmyseatinthecar——IdiscoveredwhatamistakeIshouldhavemadeifIhadfollowedmyfirstimpulse。
　　For，uponexaminingthestitchesmorecarefully，IperceivedthatwhatIhadconsideredameredecorativepatternwasinfactastringofletters，andthattheselettersmadewords，andthatthesewordswere：
　　IDONOTWANTTODIEBUTISURELYWILLIF
　　Or，inplainwriting：
　　“Idonotwanttodie，butIsurelywillif”
　　Finishthesentenceforme。ThatistheproblemIofferyou。Itisnotacaseforthepolicebutonewellworthyourattention，ifyousucceedinreachingtheheartofthismysteryandsavingthisyounggirl。
　　Only，letnodelayoccur。Thedoom，ifdoomitis，isimmanent。
　　Rememberthatthewillissigned。
　　“Sheistoosmall；Ididnotaskyoutosendmeamidget。”
　　ThusspokeMrs。Postlethwaitetoherdoctor，asheintroducedintoherpresencealittlefigureinnurse”scapandapron。“YousaidIneededcare，——morecarethanIwasreceiving。Iansweredthatmyoldnursecouldgiveit，andyouobjectedthatsheorsomeoneelsemustlookafterMissPostlethwaite。Ididnotseethenecessity，butInevercontradictadoctor。SoIyieldedtoyourwishes，butnotwithouttheprovisoyourememberthatI
　　madeaprovisothatwhateversortofyoungwomanyouchosetointroduceintothisroom，sheshouldnotbefreshfromthetrainingschools，andthatsheshouldbestrong，silent，andcapable。Andyoubringmethismiteofawoman——issheawoman？
　　shelooksmorelikeachild，ofpleasingcountenanceenough，butwhocannomoreliftme”
　　“Pardonme！“LittleMissStrangehadadvanced。“Ithink，ifyouwillallowmetheprivilege，madam，thatIcanshiftyouintoamuchmorecomfortableposition。”Andwithadeftnessandeasecertainlynottobeexpectedfromoneofherslightphysique，Violetraisedthehelplessinvalidatriflemoreuponherpillow。
　　Theact，itsmanner，andthesmileaccompanyingit，couldnotfailtoplease，andundoubtedlydid，thoughnowordrewardedherfromlipsnotmuchgiventospeechsavewhentheoccasionwasimperative。ButMrs。Postlethwaitemadenofurtherobjectiontoherpresence，and，seeingthis，thedoctor”scountenancerelaxedandhelefttheroomwithamuchlighterstepthanthatwithwhichhehadenteredit。
　　AndthusitwasthatVioletStrange——anadeptinmorewaysthanone——becameinstalledatthebedsideofthismysteriouswoman，whosedays，ifnumbered，stillheldpossibilitiesofactionwhichthoseinterestedinyoungHelenaPostlethwaite”sfatewoulddowelltorecognize。
　　MissStrangehadbeenatherpostfortwodays，andhadgatheredupthefollowing：
　　ThatMrs。Postlethwaitemustbeobeyed。
　　Thatherstep-daughterwhodidnotwishtodiewoulddieifsheknewittobethewishofthisdomineeringbutapparentlyidolizedwoman。
　　Thattheoldmanoftheclocks，whilesenileinsomeregards，wasveryalertandquiteyouthfulinothers。Ifacenturyold——whichshebegangreatlytodoubt——hehadthelanguageandmannerofoneinhisprime，whenunaffectedbytheneighbourhoodoftheclocks，whichseemedinsomenon-understandablewaytoexerciseanoccultinfluenceoverhim。Attablehewasanentertaininghost；butneithertherenorelsewherewouldhediscussthefamily，ordilateinanywayuponthepeculiaritiesofahouseholdofwhichhemanifestlyregardedhimselfastheleastimportantmember。Yetnooneknewthembetter，andwhenVioletbecamequiteassuredofthis，aswellasofthefutilityoflookingforexplanationofanykindfromeitherofhertwopatients，sheresolveduponanefforttosurpriseonefromhim。
　　Shewentaboutitinthisway。Notinghiscustomofmakingacompleteroundoftheclockseachnightafterdinner，shetookadvantageofMrs。Postlethwaite”sinclinationtosleepatthishour，tofollowhimfromclocktoclockinthehopeofoverhearingsomeportionofthemonologuewithwhichhebenthisheadtotheswingingpendulum，orputhiseartothehiddenworks。Soft-footedanddiscreet，shetrippedalongathisback，andateachpausehemade，pausedherselfandturnedherearhisway。Theextremedarknessofthehalls，whichweremoresombrebynightthanbyday，favouredthisattempt，andshewasable，afterafailureortwo，tocatchtheNo！no！no！no！whichfellfromhislipsinseemingrepetitionofwhatheheardthemostofthemsay。
　　Thesatisfactioninhistoneprovedthatthedenialtowhichhelistened，chimedinwithhishopesandgaveeasetohismind。Buthelookedhisoldestwhen，afterpausingatanotherofthemanytime-pieces，heechoedinanswertoitsspecialrefrain，Yes！
　　yes！yes！yes！andfledthespotwithshakingbodyandadistractedair。
　　Thesamefearandthesameshrinkingwereobservableinhimashereturnedfromlisteningtotheleastconspicuousone，standinginashortcorridor，whereVioletcouldnotfollowhim。Butwhen，afterahesitationwhichenabledhertoslipbehindthecurtainhidingthedrawing-roomdoor，heapproachedandlaidhisearagainstthegreatonestanding，asifonguard，atthefootofthestairs，shesawbytherenewedvigourhedisplayedthattherewascomfortforhiminitsmessage，evenbeforeshecaughtthewhisperwithwhichheleftitandproceededtomountthestairs：
　　“ItsaysNo！ItalwayssaysNo！IwillheeditasthevoiceofHeaven。”
　　ButoneconclusioncouldbetheresultofsuchanexperimenttoamindlikeViolet”s。Thispartlytouchedoldmannotonlyheldthekeytothesecretofthishouse，butwasinamoodtodivulgeitifoncehecouldbeinducedtohearcommandinsteadofdisuasioninthetickofthisonelargeclock。Buthowcouldhebeinduced？
　　VioletreturnedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”sbedsideinamoodofextremethoughtfulness。
　　Anotherdaypassed，andshehadnotyetseenMissPostlethwaite。
　　Shewashopingeachhourtobesentonsomeerrandtothatyounglady”sroom，butnosuchopportunitywasgrantedher。Oncesheventuredtoaskthedoctor，whosevisitswerenowveryfrequent，whathethoughtoftheyounglady”scondition。ButasthisquestionwasnecessarilyputinMrs。Postlethwaite”spresence，theanswerwasnaturallyguarded，andpossiblynotaltogetherfrank。
　　“Ouryoungladyisweaker，“heacknowledged。“Muchweaker，“headdedwithmarkedemphasisandhismostprofessionalair，“orshewouldbehereinsteadofinherownroom。Itgrieveshernottobeabletowaituponhergenerousbenefactress。”
　　Thewordfellheavily。Haditbeenusedasatest？Violetgavehimalook，thoughshehadmuchratherhaveturnedherdiscriminatingeyeuponthefacestaringupatthemfromthepillow。Hadthealarmexpressedbyotherscommunicateditselfatlasttothephysician？Wasthecharmwhichhadheldhimsubservienttothemother，dissolvingunderthepitiablestateofthechild，andwashetryingtoaidthelittledetective-nurseinherefforttosoundthemysteryofhercondition？
　　Hislookexpressedbenevolence，buthetookcarenottomeetthegazeofthewomanhehadjustlauded，possiblybecausethatgazewasfixeduponhiminawaytotaxhismoralcourage。ThesilencewhichensuedwasbrokenbyMrs。Postlethwaite：
　　“Shewilllive——thispoorHelena——howlong？“sheasked，withnobreakinhervoice”swontedmusic。
　　Thedoctorhesitated，thenwithacandourhardlytobeexpectedfromhim，answered：
　　“IdonotunderstandMissPostlethwaite”scase。Ishouldlike，withyourpermission，toconsultsomeNewYorkphysician。”
　　“Indeed！“
　　Asingleword，butasitleftthiswoman”sthinlipsVioletrecoiled，and，perhaps，thedoctordid。Ragecanspeakinonewordaswellasinadozen，andtheragewhichspokeinthisonewasofnocommonorder，thoughitwasquicklysuppressed，aswasallothershowoffeelingwhensheadded，withatouchofheroldcharm：
　　“Ofcourseyouwilldowhatyouthinkbest，asyouknowIneverinterferewithadoctor”sdecisions。But“andherehernaturalascendancyoftoneandmannerreturnedinallitspotency，“itwouldkillmetoknowthatastrangerwasapproachingHelena”sbedside。Itwouldkillher。She”stoosensitivetosurvivesuchashock。”
　　Violetrecalledthewordsworkedwithsomuchcarebythisyounggirlonaminutepieceoflinen，Idonotwanttodie，andwatchedthedoctor”sfaceforsomesignofresolution。Butembarrassmentwasallshesawthere，andallsheheardhimsaywastheconventionalreply：
　　“IamdoingallIcanforher。Wewillwaitanotherdayandnotetheeffectofmylatestprescription。”
　　Anotherday！
　　ThedeathlycalmwhichoverspreadMrs。Postlethwaite”sfeaturesasthiswordleftthephysician”slipswarnedVioletnottoletanotherdaygobywithoutsomeaction。Butshemadenoremark，and，indeed，betrayedbutlittleinterestinanythingbeyondherownpatient”scondition。Thatseemedtooccupyherwholly。WithconsummateartshegavetheappearanceofbeingunderMrs。
　　Postlethwaite”scompletethrall，andwatchedwithfascinatedeyeseverymovementoftheoneunstrickenfingerwhichcoulddosomuch。
　　Thislittledetectiveofourscouldbeanexcellentactorwhenshechose。
　　III
　　Tomaketheoldmanspeak！Toforcethisconscience-strickenbutrebellioussoultorevealwhattheclockforbade！Howcoulditbedone？
　　ThiscontinuedtobeViolet”sgreatproblem。Shepondereditsodeeplyduringalltheremainderofthedaythatalittlepuckersettledonherbrow，whichsomeoneIwillnotmentionwhowouldhavebeenpainedtosee。Mrs。Postlethwaite，ifshenoticeditatall，probablyascribedittoheranxietiesasnurse，forneverhadVioletbeenmoreassiduousinherattentions。ButMrs。
　　Postlethwaitewasnolongerthewomanshehadbeen，andpossiblynevernoteditatall。
　　Atfiveo”clockVioletsuddenlylefttheroom。Slippingdownintothelowerhall，shewenttheroundoftheclocksherself，listeningtoeveryone。Therewasnoperceptibledifferenceintheirtick。Satisfiedofthisandthatitwassimplytheoldman”simaginationwhichhadsuppliedthemeachwithseparatespeech，shepausedbeforethehugeoneatthefootofthestairs，——
　　theonewhosedictatehehadpromisedhimselftofollow，——andwithaneyeuponitsbroad，staringdial，mutteredwistfully：
　　“Oh！foranidea！Foranidea！“
　　Didthiscumbrousrelicofold-timeprecisionturntraitoratthisingenuousplea？Thedialcontinuedtostare，theworkstosing，butViolet”sfacesuddenlylostitsperplexity。Withawarylookaboutherandalisteningearturnedtowardsthestairtop，shestretchedoutherhandandpulledopenthedoorguardingthependulum，andpeeredinattheworks，smilingslylytoherselfasshepusheditbackintoplaceandretreatedupstairstothesickroom。
　　WhenthedoctorcamethatnightshehadaquietwordwithhimoutsideMrs。Postlethwaite”sdoor。WasthatwhyhewasonhandwhenoldMr。Dunbarstolefromhisroomtomakehisnightlycircuitofthehallsbelow？Somethingquitebeyondtheordinarywasinthegoodphysician”smind，forthelookhecastattheoldmanwasquiteunlikeanyhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore，andwhenhespokeitwastosaywithmarkedurgency：
　　“OurbeautifulyoungladywillnotliveaweekunlessIgetattheseatofhermalady。PraythatImaybeenabledtodoso，Mr。
　　Dunbar。”
　　Ablowtotheagedman”sheartwhichcalledforthafeeble“Yes，yes，“followedbyawildstarewhichimprinteditselfuponthedoctor”smemoryasthelookofonehopelesslyold，whohearsforthefirsttimeadistinctcallfromthegravewhichhaslongbeenawaitinghim！
　　Asolitarylampstoodinthelowerhall。Astheoldmanpickedhisslowwaydown，itssmall，hesitatingflameflaredupasinasuddengust，thensankdownflickeringandfaintasifit，too，hadheardacallwhichsummonedittoextinction。
　　Noothersignoflifewasvisibleanywhere。Sunkintwilightshadows，thecorridorsbranchedawayoneithersidetonoplaceinparticularandserving，toallappearanceasmanymusthavethoughtindaysgoneby，asamerehiding-placeforclocks。
　　Tolistentotheirunitedhum，theoldmanpaused，lookingatfirstalittledistraught，butsettlingatlastintohisusualselfashestartedforwarduponhiscourse。Didsomewhisper，hithertounheard，warnhimthatitwasthelasttimehewouldtreadthatwearyround？Whocantell？Hewastremblingverymuchwhenwithhistasknearlycompleted，hesteppedoutagainintothemainhallandcreptratherthanwalkedbacktotheonegreatclocktowhosedictumhemadeitapracticetolistenlast。
　　Chatteringtheaccustomedwords，“TheysayYes！TheyareallsayingYes！now；butthisonewillsayNo！“hebenthisstiffoldbackandlaidhiseartotheunresponsivewood。Butthetimefornohadpassed。ItwasYes！yes！yes！yes！now，andashisstrainingearstookintheword，heappearedtoshrinkwherehestoodandafteramomentofanguishedsilence，brokeforthintoalowwail，amidwhoselamentationsonecouldhear：
　　“Thetimehascome！Eventheclockshelovesbestbidsmespeak。
　　Oh！Arabella，Arabella！“