首页 >出版文学> The Golden Slipper>第5章
  Inhisdespairhehadnotnoticedthatthependulumhungmotionless,orthatthehandsstoodatrestonthedial。Ifhehad,hemighthavewaitedlongenoughtohaveseenthecarefulopeningofthegreatclock”stalldoorandthesteppingforthofthelittleladywhohadplayedsodeftlyuponhissuperstition。
  Hewaswanderingthecorridorslikeahelplesschild,whenagentlehandfellonhisarmandasoftvoicewhisperedinhisear:
  “Youhaveastorytotell。Willyoutellittome?ItmaysaveMissPostlethwaite”slife。”
  Didheunderstand?Wouldherespondifhedid;orwouldtheshockofherappealrestorehimtoasenseofthedangerattendingdisloyalty?Foramomentshedoubtedthewisdomofthisstartlingmeasure,thenshesawthathehadpassedthepointofsurpriseandthat,strangerasshewas,shehadbuttoleadthewayforhimtofollow,tellhisstory,anddie。
  Therewasnolightinthedrawing-roomwhentheyentered。ButoldMr。Dunbardidnotseemtomindthat。Indeed,heseemedtohavelostallconsciousnessofpresentsurroundings;hewasevenobliviousofher。Thisbecamequiteevidentwhenthelamp,inflaringupagaininthehall,gaveamomentaryglimpse,ofhiscrouching,half-kneelingfigure。Inthepleadinggestureofhistrembling,outreachingarms,Violetbeheldanappeal,nottoherself,buttosomephantomofhisimagination;andwhenhespoke,ashepresentlydid,itwaswiththefreedomofonetowhomspeechislife”slastboon,andtheearofthelistenerquiteforgotteninthepassionofconfessionlongsuppressed。
  “Shehasneverlovedme,“hebegan,“butIhavealwayslovedher。
  Formenootherwomanhaseverexisted,thoughIwassixty-fiveyearsofagewhenIfirstsawher,andhadlonggivenuptheideathattherelivedawomanwhocouldswaymefrommyevenlifeandfixedlinesofduty。Sixty-five!andsheayouthfulbride!Wasthereeversuchfolly!HappilyIrealizeditfromthefirst,andpiledashesonmyhiddenflame。PerhapsthatiswhyIadorehertothisdayandonlygiveherovertoreprobationbecauseFateisstrongerthanmyage——strongereventhanmylove。
  “Sheisnotagoodwoman,butImighthavebeenagoodmanifI
  hadneverknownthesinwhichdrewalineofisolationabouther,andwithinwhichI,andonlyI,havestoodwithherinsilentcompanionship。Whatwasthissin,andinwhatdidithaveitsbeginning?Ithinkitsbeginningwasinthepassionshehadforherhusband。Itwasnottheevery-daypassionofhersexinthislandofequableaffections,butoneofforeignfierceness,jealousy,andinsatiabledemand。Yethewasaveryordinaryman。
  IwasoncehistutorandIknow。Shecametoknowittoo,when——
  butIamrushingontoofast,IhavemuchtotellbeforeIreachthatpoint。
  “Fromthefirst,Iwasintheirconfidence。Notthateitherheorsheputmethere,butthatIlivedwiththemandwasalwaysaround,andcouldnothelpseeingandhearingwhatwentonbetweenthem。Whyhecontinuedtowantmeinthehouseandathistable,whenIcouldnolongerbeofservicetohim,Ihaveneverknown。Possiblyhabitexplainsall。Hewasaccustomedtomypresenceandsowasshe;soaccustomedtheyhardlynoticedit,ashappenedonenight,whenafteralittleattemptatconversation,hethrewdownthebookhehadcaughtupand,addressingherbyname,saidwithoutaglancemyway,andquiteasifhewerealonewithher:
  “”Arabella,thereissomethingIoughttotellyou。Ihavetriedtofindthecouragetodosomanytimesbeforenowbuthavealwaysfailed。TonightImust。”Andthenhemadehisgreatdisclosure,——how,unknownto,hisfriendsandtheworld,hewasawidowerwhenhemarriedher,andthefatherofalivingchild。
  “Withsomewomenthismighthavepassedwithameasureofregret,andsomepossiblecontemptforhissilence,butnotsowithher。
  Sherosetoherfeet——Icanseeheryet——andforamomentstoodfacinghiminthestill,overpoweringmannerofonewhofeelstheicypangofhateenterwherelovehasbeen。Neverwasmomentmorecharged。Icouldnotbreathewhileitlasted;andwhenatlastshespoke,itwaswithanimpetuosityofconcentratedpassion,hardlylessdreadfulthanhersilencehadbeen。
  “”Youafather!Afatheralready!”shecried,allhersweetnessswallowedupinungovernablewrath。”YouwhomIexpectedtomakesohappywithachild?Icurseyouandyourbrat。I——”
  “Hestrovetoplacateher,toexplain。Butragehasnoears,andbeforeIrealizedmyownposition,thescenebecameopenlytempestuous。Thatherchildshouldbesecondtoanotherwoman”sseemedtoawakendemoninstinctswithinher。Whenheventuredtohintthathislittlegirlneededamother”scare,herironybitlikecorrodingacid。Hebecamespeechlessbeforeitandhadnotaprotesttoraisewhenshedeclaredthatthesecrethehadkeptsolongandsosuccessfullyhemustcontinuetokeeptohisdyingday。Thatthechildhehadfailedtoowninhisfirstwife”slifetimeshouldremaindisownedinhers,andifpossiblebeforgotten。Sheshouldnevergivethegirlathoughtnoracknowledgeherinanyway。
  “ShewasFuryembodied;butthefurywasofthatgrandorderwhichalluresratherthanrepels。AsIfeltmyselfsuccumbingtoitsfascinationandbeheldhowhewasweakeningunderitevenmoreperceptiblythanmyself,Istartedfrommychair,andsoughttoglideawaybeforeIshouldhearhimutterafatalacquiescence。
  “ButthemovementImadeunfortunatelydrewtheirattentiontome,andafteraninstantofsilentcontemplationofmydistractedcountenance,Franksaid,asthoughheweretheelderbythefortyyearswhichseparatedus:
  “”YouhavelistenedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”swishes。Youwillrespectthemofcourse。”“
  Thatwasall。HeknewandsheknewthatIwastobetrusted;butneitherofthemhaseverknownwhy。
  Amonthlaterherchildcame,andwaswelcomedasthoughitwerethefirsttobearhisname。Itwasaboy,andtheirsatisfactionwassogreatthatIlookedtoseetheiroldaffectionrevive。Butithadbeencleftattheroot,andnothingcouldrestoreittolife。Theylovedthechild;Ihaveneverseenevidenceofgreaterparentalpassionthantheybothdisplayed,buttheretheirfeelingsstopped。Towardseachothertheywerecold。Theydidnotevenuniteinworshipoftheirtreasure。Theygloatedoverhimandplannedforhim,butalwaysapart。Hewasachildinathousand,andashedeveloped,themotherespecially,nursedallherenergiesforthepurposeofensuringforhimafuturecommensuratewithhistalents。Neveraveryconscientiouswoman,andalivetotheadvantagesofwealthasdemonstratedbythepowerwieldedbyherrichbrother-in-law,sheassociatedalltheboy”sprospectswithmoney,greatmoney,suchmoneyasAndrewhadaccumulated,andnowhadathisdisposalforhisnaturalheirs。
  “Hencecamehergreattemptation,——atemptationtowhichsheyielded,tothelastingtroubleofusall。OfthisImustnowmakeconfessionthoughitkillsmetodoso,andwillsoonkillher。Thedeedsofthepastdonotremainburied,howeverdeepwedigtheirgraves,butriseinanawfulresurrectionwhenweareold——old”
  Silence。Thenatremulousrenewalofhispainfulspeech。
  Violetheldherbreathtolisten。Possiblythedoctor,hiddeninthedarkestcorneroftheroom,didsoalso。
  “Ineverknewhowshebecameacquaintedwiththetermsofherbrother-in-law”swill。Hecertainlyneverconfidedthemtoher,andascertainlythelawyerwhodrewupthedocumentneverdid。
  ButthatshewaswellawareofitstenorisaspositiveafactasthatIamthemostwretchedmanalivetonight。Otherwise,whythedarksomedeedintowhichshewasbetrayedwhenboththebrotherslaydyingamongstrangers,ofadreadfulaccident?“
  “Iwaswitnesstothatdeed。IhadaccompaniedheronherhurriedrideandwasathersidewhensheenteredtheinnwherethetwoPostlethwaiteslay。Iwasalwaysathersideingreatjoyoringreattrouble,thoughsheprofessednoaffectionformeandgavemebutscantythanks。”
  “DuringourrideshehadbeensilentandIhadnotdisturbedthatsilence。Ihadmuchtothinkof。Shouldwefindhimliving,orshouldwefindhimdead?Ifdead,woulditsevertherelationsbetweenustwo?WouldIeverridewithheragain?“
  “WhenIwasnotdwellingonthistheme,Iwasthinkingofthepartinglookshegaveherboy;alookwhichhadsomestrangepromiseinit。WhathadthatlookmeantandwhydidmyfleshcreepandmymindhoverbetweendreadandafearsomecuriositywhenIrecalledit?Alas!TherewasreasonforallthesesensationsasIwassoontolearn。
  Wefoundtheinnseethingwithterrorandthefactsworsethanhadbeenrepresentedinthetelegram。Herhusbandwasdying。Shehadcomejustintimetowitnesstheend。Thistheytoldherbeforeshehadtakenoffherveil。Iftheyhadwaited——ifIhadbeengivenafullglimpseofherface——Butitwashidden,andI
  couldonlyjudgeofthenatureofheremotionsbythesternwayinwhichsheheldherself。
  “”Takemetohim”wasthequietcommand,withwhichshemetthisdisclosure。Then,beforeanyofthemcouldmove:
  “”Andhisbrother,Mr。AndrewPostlethwaite?Ishefatallyinjuredtoo?”
  “Thereplywasunequivocal。Thedoctorswereuncertainwhichofthetwowouldpassawayfirst。
  “YoumustrememberthatatthistimeIwasignorantoftherichman”swill,andconsequentlyofhowthefateofapoorchildofwhomIhadheardonlyonemention,hunginthebalanceatthatawfulmoment。ButinthebreathlessnesswhichseizedMrs。
  Postlethwaiteatthissentenceofdoubledeath,Irealizedfrommyknowledgeofherthatsomethingmorethangriefwasatpreyuponherimpenetrableheart,andshudderedtothecoreofmybeingwhensherepeatedinthatvoicewhichwassoterriblebecausesoexpressionless:
  “”Takemetothem。”“
  Theywerelyinginoneroom,herhusbandnearestthedoor,theotherinasmallalcovesometenfeetaway。Bothwereunconscious;bothweresurroundedbygroupsoffrightenedattendantswhofellbackassheapproached。Adoctorstoodatthebed-headofherhusband,butashereyemethishesteppedasidewithashakeoftheheadandlefttheplaceemptyforher。
  “Theactionwassignificant。Isawthatsheunderstoodwhatitmeant,andwithconstrictedheartwatchedherasshebentoverthedyingmanandgazedintohiswide-openeyes,alreadysightlessandstaring。Calculationwasinherlookandcalculationonly;andcalculation,orsomethingequallyunintelligible,senthernextglanceinthedirectionofhisbrother。Whatwasinhermind?IcouldunderstandherindifferencetoFrankevenatthecrisisofhisfate,butnottheinterestsheshowedinAndrew。Itwasanabsorbingone,alteringherwholeexpression。Inolongerknewherformydearyoungmadam,andthejealousyIhadneverfelttowardsFrankrosetofranticresentmentinmybreastasIbeheldwhatverylikelymightbeatardyrecognitionoftheother”swell-knownpassion,forcedintodisclosurebytheexigenciesofthemoment。
  “Alarmedbythestrengthofmyfeelings,andfearinganequaldisclosureonmyownpart,Isoughtforarefugefromalleyesandfounditinalittlebalconyopeningoutatmyright。OntothisbalconyIsteppedandfoundmyselffacetofacewithastar-
  litheaven。HadIonlybeencontentwithmyisolationandthesplendourofthespectaclespreadoutbeforeme!Butno,Imustlookbackuponthatbedandthesolitarywomanstandingbesideit!ImustwatchthesettlingofherbodyintorigidityasavoicerosefrombesidetheotherPostlethwaitesaying,”Itisamatterofminutesnow”andthen——andthen——theslowcreepingofherhandtoherhusband”smouth,theoutspreadingofherpalmacrossthelividlips——itssteadyclingingthere,smotheringthefeeblegaspsofonealreadymoribund,tillthequiveringformgrewstill,andFrankPostlethwaitelaydeadbeforemyeyes!
  “Isaw,andmadenooutcry,butshedid,bringingthedoctorbacktohersidewiththestartledexclamation:
  “”Dead?Ithoughthehadanhour”slifeleftinhim,andhehaspassedbeforehisbrother。”
  “Ithoughtithate——themurderousimpulseofawomanwhoseesherenemyathermercyandcannolongerrestrainthepassionofherlong-cherishedantagonism;andwhilesomethingwithinmerebelledattheact,Icouldnotbetrayher,thoughsilencemadeamurdererofmetoo。Icouldnot。Herspellwasuponmeasinanotherinstantitwasuponeveryoneelseintheroom。Nosuspicionofonesoself-repressedinhersadnessdisturbedtheuniversalsympathy;andencouragedbythisblindnessofthecrowd,Ivowedwithinmyselfnevertorevealhersecret。Themanwasdead,orasgoodasdead,whenshetouchedhim;andnowthatherhatewasexpendedshewouldgrowgentleandgood。
  “ButIknewtheworthlessnessofthishopeaswellasmymisconceptionofhermotive,whenFrank”schildbyanotherwifereturnedtomymemory,andBella”ssinstoodexposed。”
  “Butonlytomyself。Ialoneknewthatthefortunenowwhollyhers,andinconsequenceherboy”s,hadbeenwonbyacrime。Thatifherhandhadfallenincomfortonherhusband”sforeheadinsteadofinpressureonhismouth,hewouldhaveoutlivedhisbrotherlongenoughtohavebecomeownerofhismillions;inwhichcasearightfulportionwouldhavebeeninsuredtohisdaughter,nowleftapennilesswaif。Thethoughtmademyhairrise,astheproceedingsover,Ifacedherandmademyfirstandlastefforttoridmyconscienceofitsnewandintolerableburden。
  ButthewomanIhadknownandlovedwasnolongerbeforeme。Thecrownhadtouchedherbrows,andhercharmwhichhadbeenmainlysexualuptothishourhadmergedintoanintellectualforce,withwhichfewmen”smentalitycouldcope。Mineyieldedatoncetoit。Fromthefirstinstant,Iknewthataslaveryofspirit,aswellasofheart,washenceforthtobemine。”
  Shedidnotwaitformetospeak;shehadassumedthedictator”sattitudeatonce。
  “”Iknowofwhatyouarethinking,“”saidshe,”anditisasubjectyoumaydismissatoncefromyourmind。Mr。
  Postlethwaite”schildbyhisfirstwifeiscomingtolivewithus。Ihaveexpressedmywishesinthisregardtomylawyer,andthereisnothinglefttobesaid。You,withyourclosemouthanddependablenature,aretoremainhereasbefore,andoccupythesamepositiontowardsmyboythatyoudidtowardshisfather。Weshallmovesoonintoalargerhouse,andthenatureofourdutieswillbechangedandtheirscopegreatlyincreased;butIknowthatyoucanbetrustedtoenlargewiththemandmeeteveryrequirementIshallseefittomake。Donottrytoexpressyourthanks。Iseetheminyourface。”
  “Didshe,orjustthelastfeeblestrugglemyconsciencewasmakingtobreakthebondsinwhichsheheldme,andwinbackmyownrespect?Ishallneverknow,forsheleftmeoncompletionofthisspeech,nottoresumethesubject,thenorever。
  “ButthoughIsuccumbedoutwardlytoherdemands,Ihadnotpassedthepointwhereinnerconflictendsandpeacebegins。HerrecognitionofHelenaandherreceptionintothefamilycalmedmeforawhile,andgavemehopethatallwouldyetbewell。ButI
  hadneversoundedthefullbitter-nessofmadam”smorbidheart,wellasIthoughtIknewit。Thehatredshehadfeltfromthefirstforherhusband”schildripenedintofrenzieddislikewhenshefoundheralivingimageofthemotherwhosepictureshehadcomeacrossamongFrank”spersonaleffects。Towinatearfromthosemeekeyesinsteadofasmiletothesensitivelipswasherdailyplay。Sheseemedtoexultinthejoyofimpressinguponthegirlbyhowlittleshehadmissedagreatfortune,andIhaveoftenthought,muchasItriedtokeepmymindfreefromallextravagantandunnecessaryfancies,thathalfofthemoneyshespentinbeautifyingthishouseandmaintainingartindustriesandevengreatcharitableinstitutionswasspentwiththebasepurposeofdemonstratingtothischildthepowerofimmensewealth,andinwhatwaysshemightexpecttoseeherlittlebrotherexpendthemillionsinwhichshehadbeendeniedallshare。”
  “IwassosureofthisthatonenightwhileIwaswindinguptheclockswithwhichMrs。Postlethwaiteinherfondnessforoldtimepieceshasfilledthehouse,Istoppedtolookatthelittlefiguretoilingsowearilyupstairs,tobed,withoutamother”skiss。Therewasanappealinthesmallwistfulfacewhichsmotemyhardoldheart,andpossiblyatearwelledupinmyowneyewhenIturnedbacktomyduty。”
  “WasthatwhyIfeltthehandofProvidenceuponme,wheninmyhaltbeforetheoneclocktowhichanysuperstitiousinterestwasattached——thegreatoneatthefootofthestairs——Isawthatithadstoppedandattheoneminuteofallminutesinourwretchedlives:Fourminutespasttwo?Thehour,theminuteinwhichFrankPostlethwaitehadgaspedhislastunderthepressureofhiswife”shand!Iknewit——theexactminuteImean——becauseProvidencemeantthatIshouldknowit。TherehadbeenaclockonthemantelpieceofthehotelroomwhereheandhisbrotherhaddiedandIhadseenherglancestealtowardsitattheinstantshewithdrewherpalmfromherhusband”slips。ThestareofthatdialandthepositionofitshandshadlivedstillinmymindasIbelieveditdidinhers。
  “Fourminutespasttwo!HowcameouroldtimepieceheretostopatthatexactmomentonadaywhenDutywasmakingitslastdemanduponmetorememberFrank”sunhappychild?Therewasnoonetoanswer;butasIlookedandlooked,Ifelttheimpulseofthemomentstrengthenintopurposetoleavethosehandsundisturbedintheirsilentaccusation。Shemightsee,and,movedbythecoincidence,trembleathertreatmentofHelena。
  “Butifthishappened——ifshesawandtrembled——shegavenosign。
  Theworkswerestartedupbysomeotherhand,andtheincidentpassed。Butitleftmewithanidea。Thatclocksoonhadawayofstoppingandalwaysatthatoneinstantoftime。Shewasforcedatlengthtonoticeit,andIremember,anoccasionwhenshestoodstock-stillwithhereyesonthosehands,andfailedtofindthebanisterwithherhand,thoughshegropedforitinherfranticneedforsupport。
  “Butnocommandcamefromhertoremovetheworn-outpiece,andsoonitstricks,andeverylesserthing,wereforgotteninthecrushingcalamitywhichbefellusinthesicknessanddeathoflittleRichard。
  “Oh,thosedaysandnights!Andoh,thefaceofthemotherwhenthedoctorstoldherthatthecasewashopeless!Iaskedmyselfthen,andIhaveaskedmyselfahundredtimessince,whichofalltheemotionsIsawpicturedtherebitthedeepest,andmadethemostlastingimpressiononherguiltyheart?Wasitremorse?Ifso,sheshowednochangeinherattitudetowardsHelena,unlessitwasbyanaddedbitterness。ThesweetlooksandgentlewaysofFrank”syoungdaughtercouldnotwinagainstahatesharpenedbydisappointment。Uselessformetohopeforit。Releasefromtheremorseofyearswasnottocomeinthatway。AsIrealizedthis,Igrewdesperateandresortedagaintotheoldtrickofstoppingtheclockatthefatalhour。Thistimeherguiltyheartresponded。Sheacknowledgedthestabandletallhermiseriesappear。Buthow?Inawaytowringmyheartalmosttomadness,andnotbenefitthechildatall。Shehadherfirststrokethatnight。Ihadmadeherahelplessinvalid。”
  “Thatwaseightyearsago,andsincethenwhat?Stagnation。Shelivedwithhermemories,andIwithmine。Helenaonlyhadarighttohope,andhopeperhapsshedid,till——Isthatthegreatclocktalking?Listen!Theyalltalk,butIheedonlytheone。Whatdoesitsay?Tell!tell!tell!DoesitthinkIwillbesilentnowwhenIcometomyownguilt?ThatIwillseektohidemyweaknesswhenIcouldnothidehersin?“
  “Explain!“ItwasVioletspeaking,andhertonewassterninitscommand。“Ofwhatguiltdoyouspeak?NotofguilttowardsHelena;youpitiedhertoomuch”
  “ButIpitiedmydearmadammore。Itwasthatwhichaffectedmeanddrewmeintocrimeagainstmywill。Besides,Ididnotknow——
  notatfirst——whatwasinthelittlebowlofcurdsandcreamI
  carriedtothegirleachday。Shehadeatentheminherstep-
  mother”sroom,andunderherstep-mother”seyeaslongasshehadstrengthtopassfromroomtoroom,andhowwasItoguessthatitwasnotwholesome?Becauseshefailedinhealthfromdaytoday?Wasnotmydearmadamfailinginhealthalso;andwastherepoisoninhercup?Innocentatthattime,whyamInotinnocentnow?Because——Oh,Iwilltellitall;asthoughatthebarofGod。Iwilltellallthesecretsofthatday。”
  “ShewassittingwithherhandtremblingonthetrayfromwhichI
  hadjustliftedthebowlshehadbidmecarrytoHelena。Ihadseenhersoahundredtimesbefore,butnotwithjustthatlookinhereyes,orjustthatairofdesolationinherstonyfigure。
  Somethingmademespeak;somethingmademeaskifshewerenotquitesowellasusual,andsomethingmadeherreplywiththedreadfultruththatthedoctorhadgivenherjusttwomonthsmoretolive。Myfrightandmadanguishstupefiedme;forIwasnotpreparedforthis,no,notatall;——andunconsciouslyIstareddownatthebowlIheld,unabletobreatheormoveoreventomeetherlook。”
  Asusualshemisinterpretedmyemotion。
  “”Whydoyoustandlikethat?”Iheardhersayinatoneofgreatirritation。”Andwhydoyoustareintothatbowl?DoyouthinkI
  meantoleavethatchildtowalkthesehallsafterIamcarriedoutofthemforever?Doyoumeasuremyhatebysuchapettyyard-
  stickasthat?ItellyouthatIwouldrotabovegroundratherthanenteritbeforeshedid?”
  “IhadbelievedIknewthiswoman;butwhatsouleverknowsanother”s?Whatsouleverknowsitself?
  “”Bella!”Icried;thefirsttimeIhadeverpresumedtoaddresshersointimately。”Wouldyoupoisonthegirl?”Andfromsheerweaknessmyfingerslosttheirclutch,andthebowlfelltothefloor,breakingintoadozenpieces。
  Foraminuteshestareddownatthesefromoverhertray,andthensheremarkedverylowandveryquietly:
  “”Anotherbowl,Humphrey,andfreshcurdsfromthekitchen。I
  willdotheseasoning。Thedosesaretoosmalltobeskipped。Youwon”t?”——Ihadshakenmyhead——”Butyouwill!Itwillnotbethefirsttimeyouhavegonedownthehallwiththismixture。”
  “”ButthatwasbeforeIknew——”Ibegan。
  “”Andnowthatyoudo,youwillgojustthesame。”ThenasI
  stoodhesitating,athousandmemoriesoverwhelmingmeinaninstant,sheaddedinavoicetoteartheheart,”Donotmakemehatetheonlybeingleftinthisworldwhounderstandsandlovesme。”
  Shewasahelplessinvalid,andIabrokenman,butwhenthatword”love”fellfromherlips,Ifeltthebloodstartburninginmyveins,andallthecrustofhabitandyearsofself-controlloosenaboutmyheart,andmakemeyoungagain。Whatifherthoughtsweredarkandherwishesmurderous!Shewasborntoruleandswaymentoherwilleventotheirownundoing。””IwishImightkissyourhand”waswhatImurmured,gazingatherwhitefingersgropingoverhertray。
  “”Youmay”sheanswered,andhellbecameheaventomeforabriefinstant。ThenIliftedmyselfandwentobedientlyaboutmytask。
  “ButpuppetthoughIwas,Iwasnotutterlywithoutsympathy。
  WhenIenteredHelena”sroomandsawhowherstartledeyesfellshrinkinglyonthebowlIsetdownbeforeher,myconscienceleapedtolifeandIcouldnothelpsaying:
  “Don”tyoulikethecurds,Helena?Yourbrotherusedtolovethemverymuch。”
  “”Hiswere——”
  “”What,Helena?”
  “”Whatthesearenot”shemurmured。
  “Istaredather,terror-stricken。Sosheknew,andyetdidnotseizethebowlandemptyitoutofthewindow!Instead,herhandmovedslowlytowardsitanddrewitintoplacebeforeher。
  “”YetImusteat”shesaid,liftinghereyestomineinasortofpatientdespair,whichyetwaswithoutaccusation。
  “Butmyhandhadinstinctivelygonetohersandgraspedit。
  “”Whymustyoueatit?”Iasked。”If——ifyoudonotfinditwholesome,whydoyoutouchit?”
  “”Becausemystep-motherexpectsmeto”shecried,”andIhavenootherwillthanhers。WhenIwasalittle,littlechild,myfathermademepromisethatifIevercametolivewithherI
  wouldobeyhersimplestwish。AndIalwayshave。Iwillnotdisappointthetrustheputinme。”
  “”Evenifyoudieofit?”
  “IdonotknowwhetherIwhisperedthesewordsoronlythoughtthem。SheansweredasthoughIhadspoken。
  “”Iamnotafraidtodie。Iammoreafraidtolive。ShemayaskmesomedaytodosomethingIfeeltobewrong。”
  “WhenIfleddownthehallthatnight,Iheardoneofthesmallclocksspeaktome。Tell!itcried,tell!tell!tell!tell!I
  rushedawayfromitwithbeadedforeheadandrisinghair。
  “Thenanother”snotepipedup。Noitdroned。No!no!no!no!I
  stoppedandtookheart。DisgracethewomanIloved,onthebrinkofthegrave?I——,whoaskednootherboonfromheaventhantoseeherhappy,gracious,andgood?Impossible。Iwouldobeythegreatclock”svoice;theothersweremerechatterboxes。”
  Butithasatlastchangeditstune,forsomereason,quitechangeditstune。Now,itisYes!Yes!insteadofNo!andinobeyingitIsaveHelena。ButwhatofBella?and0God,whatofmyself?“
  Asigh,agroan,thenalongandheavysilence,intowhichtherefinallybrokethepealingofthevariousclocksstrikingthehour。WhenallwerestillagainandViolethaddrawnasidetheportiere,itwastoseetheoldmanonhisknees,andbetweenherandthethinstreakoflightenteringfromthehall,thefigureofthedoctorhasteningtoHelena”sbedside。
  Whenwithinducementsneedlesstoname,theyfinallypersuadedtheyounggirltoleaveherunholyhabitation,itwasinthearmswhichhadupheldheroncebefore,andtoalifewhichpromisedtocompensateherforhertwentyyearsoflonelinessandunsatisfiedlonging。
  Butablackshadowyetremainedwhichshemustcrossbeforereachingthesunshine!
  Itlayatherstep-mother”sdoor。
  IntheplansmadeforHelena”srelease,Mrs。Postlethwaite”sconsenthadnotbeenobtainednorwasshesupposedtobeacquaintedwiththedoctor”sintentionstowardsthechildwhosedeathshewashourlyawaiting。
  Itwasthereforewithanastonishment,borderingonawe,thatontheirwaydownstairs,theysawthedoorofherroomopenandherselfstandingaloneanduprightonthethreshold——shewhohadnotbeenseentotakeastepinyears。Inthewonderofthismiracleofsuddenlyrestoredpower,thelittleprocessionstopped,——thedoctorwithhishandupontherail,theloverwithhisburdenclaspedyetmoreprotectinglytohisbreast。Thatalittlespeechawaitedthemcouldbeseenfromtheforceandfuryofthegazewhichtheindomitablewomanbentuponthelaxandhalf-unconsciousfigureshebeheldthusshelteredandconveyed。
  Havingbutonearrowleftinherexhaustedquiver,shelauncheditstraightattheinnocentbreastwhichhadneverharbouredagainstheradefiantthought。
  “Ingrate!“wasthewordshehurledinavoicefromwhichallitsseductivemusichadgoneforever。“Whereareyougoing?Aretheycarryingyoualivetoyourgrave?“
  AmoanfromHelena”spalelips,thensilence。Shehadfaintedatthatbarbedattack。Buttherewasonetherewhodaredtoanswerforherandhespokerelentlessly。Itwasthemanwholovedher。
  “No,madam。Wearecarryinghertosafety。YoumustknowwhatI
  meanbythat。Lethergoquietlyandyoumaydieinpeace。
  Otherwise”
  Sheinterruptedhimwithaloudcall,startlingintolifetheechoesofthathauntedhall:
  “Humphrey!Cometome,Humphrey!“
  ButnoHumphreyappeared。
  Anothercall,louderandmoreperemptorythanbefore:
  “Humphrey!Isay,Humphrey!“
  Buttheanswerwasthesame——silence,andonlysilence。Asthehorrorofthisgrew,thedoctorspoke:
  “Mr。HumphreyDunbar”searsareclosedtoallearthlysummons。Hediedlastnightattheveryhourhesaidhewould——fourminutesaftertwo。”
  “Fourminutesaftertwo!“Itcamefromherlipsinawhisper,butwitharevelationofherbrokenheartandlife。“Fourminutesaftertwo!“Anddefianttothelast,herheadrose,andforaninstant,foramerebreathoftime,theysawherasshehadlookedinherprime,regalinform,attitude,andexpression;
  thenthewillwhichhadsustainedherthroughsomuch,falteredandsuccumbed,andwithafinalreiterationofthewords“Fourminutesaftertwo!“shebrokeintoarattlinglaugh,andfellbackintothearmsofheroldnurse。
  Andbelow,oneclockstruckthehourandthenanother。Butnotthebigoneatthefootofthestairs。Thatstillstoodsilent,withitshandspointingtothehourandminuteofFrankPostlethwaite”shasteneddeath。
  ENDOFPROBLEMVI
  PROBLEMVII
  THEDOCTOR,HISWIFE,ANDTHECLOCK
  Violethadgonetoherroom。Shehadataskbeforeher。Thatafternoon,apackethadbeenleftatthedoor,which,fromacertainletterscribbledinonecorner,sheknewtobefromheremployer。Thecontentsofthatpacketmustberead,andshehadmadeherselfcomfortablewiththeintentionofsettingtoworkatonce。Butteno”clockstruckandthenelevenbeforeshecouldbringherselftogiveanyattentiontothemanuscriptawaitingherperusal。Inherpresentmood,aquietsittingbythefire,withhereyesuponthechangefulflame,waspreferabletothestudyofanyaffairheremployermightsendher。Yet,becauseshewasconsciousofthedutyshethusopenlyneglected,shesatcrouchedoverherdeskwithherhandonthemysteriouspacket,thestringofwhich,however,shemadenoefforttoloosen。
  Whatwasshethinkingof?
  Wearenotaloneinourcuriosityonthissubject。HerbrotherArthur,comingunperceivedintotheroom,givestokensofasimilarinterest。Neverbeforehadheseenheroblivioustoanapproachingstep;andafteramomentarycontemplationofherabsorbedfigure,sogirlishlysweetandyetsodeeplyintent,headvancestoherside,andpeeringearnestlyintoherface,observeswithaseriousnessquiteunusualtohim:
  “Puss,youarelookingworried,——notlikeyourselfatall。I”venoticeditforsometime。What”sup。Gettingtiredofthebusiness?“
  “No——notaltogether——thatis,it”snotthat,ifit”sanything。
  I”mnotsurethatit”sanything。I”
  Shehadturnedbacktoherdeskandwaspushingaboutthevariousarticleswithwhichitwasplentifullybespread;butthisdidnothidetheflushwhichhadcreptintohercheeksandevendyedthesnowywhitenessofherneck。Arthur”sastonishmentatthisevidenceofemotionwasverygreat;buthesaidnothing,onlywatchedherstillmoreclosely,aswithalightlaughsheregainedherself-possession,andwiththepracticalairofaphilosopherutteredthistriteremark:
  “Everyonehashissobermoments。Iwasonlythinking”
  “Ofsomenewcase?
  “Notexactly。”ThewordscamesoftlybutwithatouchofmingledhumourandgravitywhichmadeArthurstareagain。
  “Seehere,Puss!“hecried。Histonehadchanged。“I”vejustcomeupfromtheden。FatherandIhavehadarow——abeastlyrow。”
  “Arow?Youandfather?Oh,Arthur,Idon”tlikethat。Don”tquarrelwithfather。Don”t,don”t。SomedayheandImayhaveaseriousdifferenceaboutwhatIamdoing。Don”tlethimfeelthathehaslostusall。”
  “That”sallright,Puss;butI”vegottothinkofyouabit。I
  can”tseeyouspoilallyourgoodtimeswiththesepolicehorrorsandnotdosomethingtohelp。To-morrowIbeginlifeasasalesmaninClarke&Stebbin”s。Thesalaryisnotgreat,buteverylittlehelpsandIdon”tdislikethebusiness。Butfatherdoes。Hehadratherseemeloafingabouttownsettingthefashionsforfellowsasidleasmyselfthansoilmyhandswithhandlingmerchandise。That”swhywequarreled。Butdon”tworry。
  Yournamedidn”tcomeup,or——or——youknowwhose。Hehasn”tanideaofwhyIwanttowork——There,Violetthere!“
  TwosoftarmswerearoundhisneckandVioletwaslettingherheartoutinasuccessionofsisterlykisses。
  “0,Arthur,yougood,goodboy!Togetherwe”llsoonmakeuptheamount,andthen”
  “Thenwhat?“
  Asweetsoftlookrobbedherfaceofitspiquancy,butgaveitanaspectofindescribablebeautyquitenewtoArthur”seyes。
  Tappinghislipswithathoughtfulforefinger,heasked:
  “Whowasthatsombre-lookingchapIsawbowingtoyouaswecameoutofchurchlastSunday?“
  Sheawokefromherdreamystatewithanastonishingquickness。
  “He?Surelyyourememberhim。HaveyouforgottenthateveninginMassachusetts——thegrotto——and”
  “Oh,it”sUpjohn,isit?Yes,Irememberhim。He”sfondofchurch,isn”the?Thatis,whenhe”sinNewYork。”
  Herlipstookaroguishcurvethenaveryseriousone;butshemadenoanswer。
  “Ihavenoticedthathe”salwaysinhisseatandalwayslookingyourway。”
  “That”sveryoddofhim,“shedeclared,herdimplescomingandgoinginamostbewilderingfashion。“Ican”timaginewhyheshoulddothat。”
  “NorI”retortedArthurwithasmile。“Buthe”shuman,I
  suppose。Onlydobecareful,Violet。Amansomelancholywillneedadealofcheering。”
  Hewasgonebeforehehadfullyfinishedthisdaringremark,andViolet,leftagainwithherthoughts,lostherglowingcolourbutnotherpreoccupation。Thehandwhichlayuponthepacketalreadyalludedtodidnotmoveformanyminutes,andwhensherousedatlasttothedemandsofheremployer,itwaswithastartandaguiltylookatthesmallgoldclocktickingoutitsinexorablereminder。
  “Hewillwantananswerthefirstthinginthemorning,“shecomplainedtoherself。Andopeningthepacket,shetookoutfirstaletter,andthenamassoftypewrittenmanuscript。
  Shebeganwiththeletterwhichwasascharacteristicofthewriterasalltheothersshehadhadfromhishand;aswitness:
  YouprobablyremembertheHasbrouckmurder,——or,perhaps,youdon”t;itbeingoneofatimeprevioustoyourinterestinsuchmatters。Butwhetheryourememberitornot,Ibegyoutoreadtheaccompanyingsummarywithduecareandattentiontobusiness。
  Whenyouhavewellmastereditwithallitsdetails,pleasecommunicatewithmeinanymannermostconvenienttoyourself,forIshallhaveawordtosaytoyouthen,whichyoumaybegladtohear,ifasyouhavelatelyintimatedyouneedtoearnbutoneortwomoresubstantialrewardsinordertocryhalttothepursuitforwhichyouhaveprovedyourselfsowellqualified。
  Thestory,indeferencetoyourselfasayoungandmuchpreoccupiedwoman,hasbeenwritteninawaytointerest。Thoughtheworkofaneverydaypolicedetective,youwillfindinitnolackofmysteryorromance;andifattheendyouperceivethatitruns,assuchcasesfrequentlydo,upagainstaperfectlyblankwall,youmustrememberthatopeningscanbemadeinwalls,andthatthelooseningofoneweakstonefromitsappointedplace,sometimesleadstothedownfallofall。
  Somuchfortheletter。
  Layingitaside,withashrugofherexpressiveshoulders,Violettookupthemanuscript。
  Letustakeituptoo。Itrunsthus:
  Onthe17thofJuly,19——,atragedyofnolittleinterestoccurredinoneoftheresidencesoftheColonnadeinLafayettePlace。
  Mr。Hasbrouck,awellknownandhighlyrespectedcitizen,wasattackedinhisroombyanunknownassailant,andshotdeadbeforeassistancecouldreachhim。Hismurdererescaped,andtheproblemofferedtothepolicewashowtoidentifythispersonwho,bysomehappychanceorbytheexerciseofthemostremarkableforethought,hadleftnotracesbehindhim,oranycluebywhichhecouldbefollowed。
  Thedetailsoftheinvestigationwhichendedsounsatisfactorilyareheregivenbythemansentfromheadquartersatthefirstalarm。
  When,sometimeaftermidnightonthedateabovementioned,I
  reachedLafayettePlace,Ifoundtheblocklightedfromendtoend。Groupsofexcitedmenandwomenpeeredfromtheopendoorways,andmingledtheirshadowswiththoseofthehugepillarswhichadornthefrontofthispicturesqueblockofdwellings。
  Thehouseinwhichthecrimehadbeencommittedwasnearthecentreoftherow,and,longbeforeIreachedit,Ihadlearnedfrommorethanonesourcethatthealarmwasfirstgiventothestreetbyawoman”sshriek,andsecondlybytheshoutsofanoldman-servantwhohadappeared,inahalf-dressedcondition,atthewindowofMr。Hasbrouck”sroom,crying“Murder!murder!“
  ButwhenIhadcrossedthethreshold,Iwasastonishedatthepaucityoffactstobegleanedfromtheinmatesthemselves。Theoldservant,whowasthefirsttotalk,hadonlythisaccountofthecrimetogive:
  Thefamily,whichconsistedofMr。Hasbrouck,hiswife,andthreeservants,hadretiredforthenightattheusualhourandundertheusualauspices。Ateleveno”clockthelightswereallextinguished,andthewholehouseholdasleep,withthepossibleexceptionofMr。Hasbrouckhimself,who,beingamanoflargebusinessresponsibilities,wasfrequentlytroubledwithinsomnia。
  SuddenlyMrs。Hasbrouckwokewithastart。Hadshedreamedthewordsthatwereringinginherears,orhadtheybeenactuallyutteredinherhearing?Theywereshort,sharpwords,fullofterrorandmenace,andshehadnearlysatisfiedherselfthatshehadimaginedthem,whentherecame,fromsomewherenearthedoor,asoundsheneitherunderstoodnorcouldinterpret,butwhichfilledherwithinexplicableterror,andmadeherafraidtobreathe,oreventostretchforthherhandtowardsherhusband,whomshesupposedtobesleepingatherside。Atlengthanotherstrangesound,whichshewassurewasnotduetoherimagination,drovehertomakeanattempttorousehim,whenshewashorrifiedtofindthatshewasaloneinbed,andherhusbandnowherewithinreach。
  Fillednowwithsomethingmorethannervousapprehension,sheflungherselftothefloor,andtriedtopenetratewithfrenziedglances,thesurroundingdarkness。ButtheblindsandshuttersbothhavingbeencarefullyclosedbyMr。Hasbrouckbeforeretiring,shefoundthisimpossible,andshewasabouttosinkinterrortothefloor,whensheheardalowgaspontheothersideoftheroomfollowedbyasuppressedcry。
  “God!whathaveIdone!“
  Thevoicewasastrangeone,butbeforethefeararousedbythisfactcouldculminateinashriekofdismay,shecaughtthesoundofretreatingfootsteps,and,eagerlylistening,sheheardthemdescendthestairsanddepartbythefrontdoor。
  Hadsheknownwhathadoccurred——hadtherebeennodoubtinhermindastowhatlayinthedarknessontheothersideoftheroom——
  itislikelythat,atthenoisecausedbytheclosingfrontdoor,shewouldhavemadeatonceforthebalconythatopenedoutfromthewindowbeforewhichshewasstanding,andtakenonelookattheflyingfigurebelow。Butheruncertaintyastowhatlayhiddenfromherbythedarknesschainedherfeettothefloor,andthereisnoknowingwhenshewouldhavemoved,ifacarriagehadnotatthatmomentpasseddownAstorPlace,bringingwithitasenseofcompanionshipwhichbrokethespellholdingher,andgaveherstrengthtolightthegaswhichwasinreadyreachofherhand。
  Asthesuddenblazeilluminatedtheroom,revealinginabursttheoldfamiliarwallsandwell-knownpiecesoffurniture,shefeltforamomentasifreleasedfromsomeheavynightmareandrestoredtothecommonexperiencesoflife。Butinanotherinstantherformerdreadreturned,andshefoundherselfquakingattheprospectofpassingaroundthefootofthebedintothatpartoftheroomwhichwasasyethiddenfromhereyes。
  Butthedesperationwhichcomeswithgreatcrisesfinallydroveherfromherretreat;and,creepingslowlyforward,shecastoneglanceatthefloorbeforeher,whenshefoundherworstfearsrealizedbythesightofthedeadbodyofherhusbandlyingpronebeforetheopendoorway,withabullet-holeinhisforehead。
  Herfirstimpulsewastoshriek,but,byapowerfulexerciseofwill,shecheckedherself,andringingfranticallyfortheservantswhosleptonthetopfloorofthehouse,flewtothenearestwindowandendeavouredtoopenit。ButtheshuttershadbeenboltedsosecurelybyMr。Hasbrouck,inhisendeavourtoshutoutalllightandsound,thatbythetimeshehadsucceededinunfasteningthem,alltraceoftheflyingmurdererhadvanishedfromthestreet。
  Sickwithgriefandterror,shesteppedbackintotheroomjustasthethreefrightenedservantsdescendedthestairs。Astheyappearedintheopendoorway,shepointedatherhusband”sinanimateform,andthen,asifsuddenlyrealizinginitsfullforcethecalamitywhichhadbefallenher,shethrewupherarms,andsankforwardtothefloorinadeadfaint。
  Thetwowomenrushedtoherassistance,buttheoldbutler,boundingoverthebed,sprangtothewindow,andshriekedhisalarmtothestreet。
  Intheinterimthatfollowed,Mrs。Hasbrouckwasrevived,andthemaster”sbodylaiddecentlyonthebed;butnopursuitwasmade,noranyinquiriesstartedlikelytoassistmeinestablishingtheidentityoftheassailant。
  Indeed,everyonebothinthehouseandout,seemeddazedbytheunexpectedcatastrophe,andasnoonehadanysuspicionstoofferastotheprobablemurderer,Ihadadifficulttaskbeforeme。
  Ibeganintheusualway,byinspectingthesceneofthemurder。
  Ifoundnothingintheroom,orintheconditionofthebodyitself,whichaddedaniotatotheknowledgealreadyobtained。
  ThatMr。Hasbrouckhadbeeninbed;thathehadrisenuponhearinganoise;andthathehadbeenshotbeforereachingthedoor,wereself-evidentfacts。Buttherewasnothingtoguidemefurther。Theverysimplicityofthecircumstancescausedadearthofclues,whichmadethedifficultyofprocedureasgreatasanyIhadeverencountered。
  Mysearchthroughthehallanddownthestairselicitednothing;
  andaninvestigationoftheboltsandbarsbywhichthehousewassecured,assuredmethattheassassinhadeitherenteredbythefrontdoor,orhadalreadybeensecretedinthehousewhenitwaslockedupforthenight。
  “IshallhavetotroubleMrs。Hasbrouckforashortinterview,“I
  hereuponannouncedtothetremblingoldservant,whohadfollowedmelikeadogaboutthehouse。
  Hemadenodemur,andinafewminutesIwasusheredintothepresenceofthenewlymadewidow,whosatquitealone,inalargechamberintherear。AsIcrossedthethresholdshelookedup,andIencounteredagood,plainface,withouttheshadowofguileinit。
  “Madam,“saidI,“Ihavenotcometodisturbyou。Iwillasktwoorthreequestionsonly,andthenleaveyoutoyourgrief。Iamtoldthatsomewordscamefromtheassassinbeforehedeliveredhisfatalshot。Didyouhearthesedistinctlyenoughtotellmewhattheywere?“
  “Iwassoundasleep,“saidshe,“anddreamt,asIthought,thatafierce,strangevoicecriedsomewheretosomeone:”Ah!youdidnotexpectme!”ButIdarenotsaythatthesewordswerereallyutteredtomyhusband,forhewasnotthemantocallforthhate,andonlyamanintheextremityofpassioncouldaddresssuchanexclamationinsuchatoneasringsinmymemoryinconnectionwiththefatalshotwhichwokeme。”
  “Butthatshotwasnottheworkofafriend,“Iargued。“If,asthesewordsseemtoprove,theassassinhadsomeothermotivethanplunderinhisassault,thenyourhusbandhadanenemy,thoughyouneversuspectedit。”
  “Impossible!“washersteadyreply,utteredinthemostconvincingtone。“Themanwhoshothimwasacommonburglar,andfrightenedathavingbeenbetrayedintomurder,fledwithoutlookingforbooty。IamsureIheardhimcryoutinterrorandremorse:”God!whathaveIdone!”“
  “Wasthatbeforeyouleftthesideofthebed?“
  “Yes;IdidnotmovefrommyplacetillIheardthefrontdoorclose。Iwasparalysedbyfearanddread。”
  “Areyouinthehabitoftrustingtothesecurityofalatch-
  lockonlyinthefasteningofyourfrontdooratnight?Iamtoldthatthebigkeywasnotinthelock,andthattheboltatthebottomofthedoorwasnotdrawn。”
  “Theboltatthebottomofthedoorisneverdrawn。Mr。Hasbrouckwassogoodamanthathenevermistrustedanyone。Thatiswhythebiglockwasnotfastened。Thekey,notworkingwell,hetookitsomedaysagotothelocksmith,andwhenthelatterfailedtoreturnit,helaughed,andsaidhethoughtnoonewouldeverthinkofmeddlingwithhisfrontdoor。”
  “Istheremorethanonenight-keytoyourhouse?“Inowasked。
  Sheshookherhead。
  “AndwhendidMr。Hasbroucklastusehis?“
  “To-night,whenhecamehomefromprayermeeting,“sheanswered,andburstintotears。
  HergriefwassorealandherlosssorecentthatIhesitatedtoafflictherbyfurtherquestions。Soreturningtothesceneofthetragedy,Isteppedoutuponthebalconywhichraninfront。
  Softvoicesinstantlystruckmyears。Theneighboursoneithersideweregroupedinfrontoftheirownwindows,andwereexchangingtheremarksnaturalunderthecircumstances。Ipaused,asindutybound,andlistened。ButIheardnothingworthrecording,andwouldhaveinstantlyreenteredthehouse,ifIhadnotbeenimpressedbytheappearanceofaverygracefulwomanwhostoodatmyright。Shewasclingingtoherhusband,whowasgazingatoneofthepillarsbeforehiminastrangefixedwaywhichastonishedmetillheattemptedtomove,andthenIsawthathewasblind。Irememberedthattherelivedinthisrowablinddoctor,equallycelebratedforhisskillandforhisuncommonpersonalattractions,andgreatlyinterestednotonlybyhisaffliction,butinthesympathyevincedbyhisyoungandaffectionatewife,Istoodstill,tillIheardhersayinthesoftandappealingtonesoflove:
  “Comein,Constant;youhaveheavydutiesforto-morrow,andyoushouldgetafewhours”restifpossible。”
  Hecamefromtheshadowofthepillar,andforoneminuteIsawhisfacewiththelamplightshiningfulluponit。ItwasasregularoffeatureasasculpturedAdonis,anditwasaswhite。
  “Sleep!“herepeated,inthemeasuredtonesofdeepbutsuppressedfeeling。“Sleep!withmurderontheothersideofthewall!“AndhestretchedouthisarmsinadazedwaythatinsensiblyaccentuatedthehorrorImyselffeltofthecrimewhichhadsolatelytakenplaceintheroombehindme。
  She,notingthemovement,tookoneofthegropinghandsinherownanddrewhimgentlytowardsher。
  “Thisway,“sheurged;and,guidinghimintothehouse,sheclosedthewindowanddrewdowntheshades。
  Ihavenoexcusetoofferformycuriosity,buttheinterestexcitedinmebythistotallyirrelevantepisodewassogreatthatIdidnotleavetheneighbourhoodtillIhadlearnedsomethingofthisremarkablecouple。
  Thestorytoldmewasverysimple。Dr。Zabriskiehadnotbeenbornblind,buthadbecomesoafteragrievousillnesswhichhadstrickenhimdownsoonafterhereceivedhisdiploma。Insteadofsuccumbingtoanafflictionwhichwouldhavedauntedmostmen,heexpressedhisintentionofpractisinghisprofession,andsoonbecamesosuccessfulinitthathefoundnodifficultyinestablishinghimselfinoneofthebestpayingquartersofthecity。Indeed,hisintuitionseemedtohavedevelopedinaremarkabledegreeafterthelossofhissight,andheseldom,ifever,madeamistakeindiagnosis。Consideringthisfact,andthepersonalattractionswhichgavehimdistinction,itwasnowonderthathesoonbecameapopularphysicianwhosepresencewasabenefactionandwhosewordlaw。
  Hehadbeenengagedtobemarriedatthetimeofhisillness,andwhenhelearnedwhatwaslikelytobeitsresult,hadofferedtoreleasetheyoungladyfromallobligationtohim。Butshewouldnotbereleased,andtheyweremarried。ThishadtakenplacesomefiveyearsprevioustoMr。Hasbrouck”sdeath,threeofwhichhadbeenspentbytheminLafayettePlace。
  Somuchforthebeautifulwomannextdoor。
  TherebeingabsolutelynocluetotheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck,Inaturallylookedforwardtotheinquestforsomeevidenceuponwhichtowork。Butthereseemedtobenounderlyingfactstothistragedy。Themostcarefulstudyintothehabitsandconductofthedeceasedbroughtnothingtolightsavehisgeneralbeneficenceandrectitude,norwasthereinhishistoryorinthatofhiswife,anysecretorhiddenobligationcalculatedtoprovokeanysuchactofrevengeasmurder。Mrs。Hasbrouck”ssurmisethattheintruderwassimplyaburglar,andthatshehadratherimaginedthanheardthewordswhichpointedtotheshootingasadeedofvengeance,soongainedgeneralcredence。
  Butthoughthepoliceworkedlongandarduouslyinthisnewdirectiontheireffortswerewithoutfruitandthecasebidsfairtoremainanunsolvablemystery。
  Thatwasall。AsVioletdroppedthelastpagefromherhand,sherecalledacertainphraseinheremployer”sletter。“Ifattheendyoucomeuponaperfectlyblankwall”Well,shehadcomeuponthiswall。Didheexpecthertomakeanopeninginit?Orhadhealreadydonesohimself,andwasmerelytestinghermuchvaunteddiscernment。
  Piquedbythethought,shecarefullyrereadthemanuscript,andwhenshehadagainreacheditsuncompromisingend,shegaveherselfuptoafewminutesofconcentratedthought,then,takingasheetofpaperfromtherackbeforeher,shewroteuponitasinglesentence,andfoldingthesheet,putitinanenvelopewhichsheleftunaddressed。Thisdone,shewenttobedandsleptlikethechildshereallywas。
  Atanearlyhourthenextmorningsheenteredheremployer”soffice。Acknowledgingwithanodhissomewhatceremoniousbow,shehandedhimtheenvelopeinwhichshehadenclosedthatonemysterioussentence。
  Hetookitwithasmile,openeditoffhand,glancedatwhatshehadwritten,andflushedavividred。
  “Youarea——brick,“hewasgoingtosay,butchangedthelastwordtoonemoreinkeepingwithhercharacterandappearance。
  “Lookhere。Iexpectedthisfromyouandsopreparedmyself。”
  Takingoutasimilarpieceofpaperfromhisownpocket-book,helaiditdownbesidehersonthedeskbeforehim。Italsoheldasinglesentenceand,barringaslightdifferenceofexpression,theonewasthecounterpartoftheother。“Theoneloosestone,“
  hemurmured。
  “Seenandnotedbyboth。”
  “Whynot?“heasked。Thenassheglancedexpectantlyhisway,heearnestlyadded:“Togetherwemaybeabletodosomething。TherewardofferedbyMrs。Hasbrouckforthedetectionofthemurdererwasaverylargeone。Sheisawomanofmeans。Ihaveneverheardofitsbeingwithdrawn。”
  “Thenitneverhasbeen,“wasViolet”semphaticconclusion,herdimplesenforcingthestatementasonlysuchdimplescan。“But——
  whatdoyouwantofmeinanaffairofthiskind?Somethingmorethantohelpyoulocatetheonepossiblecluetofurtherenlightenment。Youwouldnothavementionedthebigrewardjustforthat。”
  “Perhapsnot。ThereisasequeltothestoryIsentyou。Ihavewrittenitout,withmyownhand。Takeithomeandreaditatyourleisure。Whenyouseeintowhatanunhappymazemyowninquirieshaveledme,possiblyyouwillbegladtoassistmeinclearingupasituationwhichisinflictinggreatsufferingononewhomyouwillbethefirsttopity。Ifso,alinementioningthefactwillbemuchappreciatedbyme。”Anddisregardingherstartledlookandtheimpetuousshakingofherhead,hebowedheroutwithsomethingmorethanhisaccustomedsuavitybutalsowithaseriousnesswhichaffectedherinspiteofherselfandeffectuallyheldbacktheprotestitwasinherhearttomake。
  Shewasgladofthiswhenshereadhisstory;butlateron——
  However,itisnotformetointrudeViolet,orViolet”sfeelingsintoanaffairwhichsheissoanxioustoforget。Ishallthereforefromthismomenton,leaveherascompletelyoutofthistaleofcrimeandretributionasispossibleandkeepafullrecordofherwork。Whensheisnecessarytothestory,youwillseeheragain。Meanwhile,readwithher,thisrelationofheremployer”sunhappyattempttopursueaninvestigationsoopenlydroppedbythepolice。Youwillperceive,fromitsgeneralstyleandtheaccentuationputuponthehumansideofthissombrestory,alikenesstotheformermanuscriptwhichmayprovetoyou,asitcertainlydidtoViolet,towhoseconsiderationshewasindebtedforthereadablenessofthepoliceman”sreport,whichinallprobabilityhadbeenasimplestatementoffacts。
  Butthere,IamspeakingofVioletagain。Topreventafurthermischanceofthisnature,Iwillintroduceatoncetheabovementionedaccount。
  II
  NomaninallNewYorkwasevermoreinterestedthanmyselfintheHasbrouckaffair,whenitwastheoneandonlytopicofinterestataperiodwhennewswasunusuallyscarce。But,togetherwithmanysuchinexplicablemysteries,ithadpassedalmostcompletelyfrommymind,whenitwasforciblybroughtback,oneday,byawalkItookthroughLafayettePlace。
  Atsightofthelongrowofuniformbuildings,withtheirpillaredfrontsandconnectingbalconieseverydetailofthecrimewhichhadfilledthepapersatthetimewithinnumerableconjecturesreturnedtomewithextraordinaryclearness,and,beforeIknewit,IfoundmyselfstandingstockstillinthemiddleoftheblockwithmyeyeraisedtotheHasbrouckhouseandmyears——orrathermyinnerconsciousness,fornoonespokeIamsure——ringingwithaquestionwhich,whethertheechoofsomeoldthoughtortheexpressionofanewone,soaffectedmebythepromiseitheldofsomehithertounsuspectedclue,thatI
  hesitatedwhethertopushthisnewinquirythenortherebyanattemptedinterviewwithMrs。Hasbrouck,ortowaittillIhadgivenitthethoughtwhichsuchastirringofdeadbonesrightfullydemanded。
  Youknowwhatthatquestionwas。Ishallhavecommunicatedittoyou,ifyouhavenotalreadyguessedit,beforeperusingtheselines:
  “WhoutteredthescreamwhichgavethefirstalarmofMr。
  Hasbrouck”sviolentdeath?“
  IwasinastateofsuchexcitementasIwalkedaway——forI
  listenedtomybetterjudgmentastotheinadvisabilityofmydisturbingMrs。Hasbrouckwiththesenewinquiries——thattheperspirationstoodoutonmyforehead。Thetestimonyshehadgivenattheinquestrecurredtome,andIrememberedasdistinctlyasifshewerethenspeaking,thatshehadexpresslystatedthatshedidnotscreamwhenconfrontedbythesightofherhusband”sdeadbody。Butsomeonehadscreamedandthatveryloudly。Whowasit,then?Oneofthemaids,startledbythesuddensummonsfrombelow,orsomeoneelse——someinvoluntarywitnessofthecrime,whosetestimonyhadbeensuppressedattheinquest,byfearorinfluence?
  ThepossibilityofhavingcomeuponaclueevenatthislatedaysofiredmyambitionthatItookthefirstopportunityofrevisitingLafayettePlace。ChoosingsuchpersonsasIthoughtmostopentomyquestions,Ilearnedthatthereweremanywhocouldtestifytohavingheardawoman”sshrillscreamonthatmemorablenight,justpriortothealarmgivenbyoldCyrus,butnoonewhocouldtellfromwhoselipsithadcome。Onefact,however,wasimmediatelysettled。Ithadnotbeentheresultoftheservant-women”sfears。Bothofthegirlswerepositivethattheyhadutterednosound,norhadtheythemselvesheardanytillCyrusrushedtothewindowwithhiswildcries。Asthescream,bywhomevergiven,wasutteredbeforetheydescendedthestairs,I
  wasconvincedbytheseassurancesthatithadissuedfromoneofthefrontwindows,andnotfromtherearofthehouse,wheretheirownroomslay。Coulditbethatithadsprungfromtheadjoiningdwelling,andthat——
  Irememberedwhohadlivedthereandwasforringingthebellatonce。But,missingthedoctor”ssign,Imadeinquiriesandfoundthathehadmovedfromtheblock。However,adoctorissoonfound,andinlessthanfifteen,minutesIwasatthedoorofhisnewhome,whereIasked,notforhim,butforMrs。Zabriskie。
  Itrequiredsomecouragetodothis,forIhadtakenparticularnoticeofthedoctor”swifeattheinquest,andherbeauty,atthattime,hadwornsuchanaspectofmingledsweetnessanddignitythatIhesitatedtoencounteritunderanycircumstanceslikelytodisturbitspureserenity。Butaclueoncegraspedcannotbelightlysetasidebyatruedetective,anditwouldhavetakenmorethanawoman”sfrownstostopmeatthispoint。
  However,itwasnotwithfrownsshereceivedme,butwithadisplayofemotionforwhichIwasevenlessprepared。IhadsentupmycardandIsawittremblinginherhandassheenteredtheroom。Asshenearedme,sheglancedatit,andwithashowofgentleindifferencewhichdidnotintheleastdisguiseherextremeanxiety,shecourteouslyremarked:
  “Yournameisanunfamiliaronetome。Butyoutoldmymaidthatyourbusinesswasoneofextremeimportance,andsoIhaveconsentedtoseeyou。Whatcananagentfromaprivatedetectiveofficehavetosaytome?“
  Startledbythisevidenceoftheexistenceofsomehiddenskeletoninherowncloset,Imadeanimmediateattempttoreassureher。
  “Nothingwhichconcernsyoupersonally,“saidI。“IsimplywishtoaskyouaquestioninregardtoasmallmatterconnectedwithMr。Hasbrouck”sviolentdeathinLafayettePlace,acoupleofyearsago。YouwerelivingintheadjoininghouseatthetimeI
  believe,andithasoccurredtomethatyoumightonthataccountbeabletosettleapointwhichhasneverbeenfullyclearedup。”
  InsteadofshowingthereliefIexpected,herpallorincreasedandherfineeyes,whichhadbeenfixedcuriouslyuponme,sankinconfusiontothefloor。
  “Greatheaven!“thoughtI。“Shelooksasifatonemorewordfromme,shewouldfallatmyfeetinafaint。WhatisthisIhavestumbledupon!“
  “Idonotseehowyoucanhaveanyquestiontoaskmeonthatsubject,“shebeganwithaneffortatcomposurewhichforsomereasondisturbedmemorethanherpreviousopendisplayoffear。
  “Yetifyouhave,“shecontinued,witharapidchangeofmannerthattouchedmyheartinspiteofmyself,“Ishall,ofcourse,domybesttoansweryou。”
  Therearewomenwhosesweetesttonesandmostcharmingsmilesonlyservetoawakendistrustinmenofmycalling;butMrs。
  Zabriskiewasnotofthisnumber。Herfacewasbeautiful,butitwasalsocandidinitsexpression,andbeneaththeagitationwhichpalpablydisturbedher,Iwassuretherelurkednothingeitherwickedorfalse。YetIheldfastbythecluewhichIhadgraspedasitwereinthedark,andwithoutknowingwhitherIwastending,muchlesswhitherIwasleadingher,Iproceededtosay:
  “ThequestionwhichIpresumetoputtoyouasthenextdoorneighbourofMr。Hasbrouckisthis:Whowasthewomanwhoonthenightofthatgentleman”sassassinationscreamedoutsoloudlythatthewholeneighbourhoodheardher?“
  Thegaspshegaveansweredmyquestioninawayshelittlerealized,andstruckasIwasbytheimpalpablelinksthathadledmetothethresholdofthishithertounsolvablemystery,I
  wasabouttopressmyadvantageandaskanotherquestion,whenshequicklystartedforwardandlaidherhandonmylips。
  Astonished,Ilookedatherinquiringly,butherheadwasturnedaside,andhereyes,fixeduponthedoor,showedthegreatestanxiety。InstantlyIrealizedwhatshefeared。Herhusbandwasenteringthehouse,andshedreadedlesthisearsshouldcatchawordofourconversation。
  Notknowingwhatwasinhermind,andunabletorealizetheimportanceofthemomenttoher,Iyetlistenedtotheadvanceofherblindhusbandwithanalmostpainfulinterest。Wouldheentertheroomwherewewere,orwouldhepassimmediatelytohisofficeintherear?Sheseemedtowondertoo,andalmostheldherbreathashenearedthedoor,paused,andstoodintheopendoorway,withhisearturnedtowardsus。
  Asformyself,Iremainedperfectlystill,gazingathisfaceinmingledsurpriseandapprehension。Forbesidesitsbeauty,whichwasofamarkedorder,asIhavealreadyobserved,ithadatouchingexpressionwhichirresistiblyarousedbothpityandinterestinthespectator。Thismayhavebeentheresultofhisaffliction,oritmayhavesprungfromsomedeepercause;but,whateveritssource,thislookinhisfaceproducedastrongimpressionuponmeandinterestedmeatonceinhispersonality。
  Wouldheenter;orwouldhepasson?Herlookofsilentappealshowedmeinwhichdirectionherwisheslay,butwhileIansweredherglancebycompletesilence,IwasconsciousinsomeindistinctwaythatthebusinessIhadundertakenwouldbebetterfurtheredbyhisentrance。
  Theblindhaveoftenbeensaidtopossessasixthsenseinplaceoftheonetheyhavelost。ThoughIamsurewemadenonoise,I
  soonperceivedthathewasawareofourpresence。Steppinghastilyforwardhesaid,inthehighandvibratingtoneofrestrainedpassion:
  “Zulma,areyouthere?“
  ForamomentIthoughtshedidnotmeantoanswer,butknowingdoubtlessfromexperiencetheimpossibilityofdeceivinghim,sheansweredwithacheerfulassent,droppingherhandasshedidsofrombeforemylips。
  Heheardtheslightrustlewhichaccompaniedthemovement,andalookIfoundithardtocomprehendflashedoverhisfeatures,alteringhisexpressionsocompletelythatheseemedanotherman。
  “Youhavesomeonewithyou,“hedeclared,advancinganotherstep,butwithnoneoftheuncertaintywhichusuallyaccompaniesthemovementsoftheblind。“Somedearfriend,“hewenton,withanalmostsarcasticemphasisandaforcedsmilethathadlittleofgaietyinit。
  Theagitatedanddistressedblushwhichansweredhimcouldhavebutoneinterpretation。Hesuspectedthatherhandhadbeenclaspedinmine,andsheperceivedhisthoughtandknewthatI
  perceiveditalso。
  Drawingherselfup,shemovedtowardshim,sayinginasweetwomanlytone:
  “Itisnofriend,Constant,notevenanacquaintance。ThepersonwhomInowpresenttoyouisarepresentativefromsomedetectiveagency。Heishereuponatrivialerrandwhichwillsoonbefinished,whenIwilljoinyouintheoffice。”
  Iknewshewasbuttakingachoicebetweentwoevils,thatshewouldhavesavedherhusbandtheknowledgeofmycallingaswellasofmypresenceinthehouse,ifherself-respectwouldhaveallowedit;butneithershenorIanticipatedtheeffectwhichthisintroductionofmyselfinmybusinesscapacitywouldproduceuponhim。
  “Adetective,“herepeated,staringwithhissightlesseyes,asif,inhiseagernesstosee,hehalfhopedhislostsensewouldreturn。“Hecanhavenotrivialerrandhere;hehasbeensentbyGodHimselfto”
  “Letmespeakforyou,“hastilyinterposedhiswife,springingtohissideandclaspinghisarmwithafervourthatwasequallyexpressiveofappealandcommand。Thenturningtome,sheexplained:“SinceMr。Hasbrouck”sunaccountabledeath,myhusbandhasbeenlabouringunderanhallucinationwhichIhaveonlytomention,foryoutorecognizeitsperfectabsurdity。Hethinks——
  oh!donotlooklikethat,Constant;youknowitisanhallucinationwhichmustvanishthemomentwedragitintobroaddaylight——thathe——he,thebestmaninalltheworld,washimselftheassailantofMr。Hasbrouck。”
  “GoodGod!“
  “Isaynothingoftheimpossibilityofthisbeingso,“shewentoninafeverofexpostulation。“Heisblind,andcouldnothavedeliveredsuchashotevenifhehaddesiredto;besides,hehadnoweapon。Buttheinconsistencyofthethingspeaksforitself,andshouldassurehimthathismindisunbalancedandthatheismerelysufferingfromashockthatwasgreaterthanwerealized。
  Heisaphysicianandhashadmanysuchinstancesinhisownpractice。Why,hewasverymuchattachedtoMr。Hasbrouck!Theywerethebestoffriends,andthoughheinsiststhathekilledhim,hecannotgiveanyreasonforthedeed。”
  Atthesewordsthedoctor”sfacegrewstern,andhespokelikeanautomatonrepeatingsomefearfullesson:
  “Ikilledhim。Iwenttohisroomanddeliberatelyshothim。I
  hadnothingagainsthim,andmyremorseisextreme。Arrestmeandletmepaythepenaltyofmycrime。ItistheonlywayinwhichI
  canobtainpeace。”
  Shockedbeyondallpowerofself-controlbythisrepetitionofwhatsheevidentlyconsideredtheunhappyravingsofamadman,sheletgohisarmandturneduponmeinfrenzy。
  “Convincehim!“shecried。“Convincehimbyyourquestionsthathenevercouldhavedonethisfearfulthing。”
  Iwaslabouringundergreatexcitementmyself,forasaprivateagentwithnoofficialauthoritysuchasheevidentlyattributedtomeintheblindnessofhispassion,Ifelttheincongruityofmypositioninthefaceofamatterofsuchtragicconsequence。
  Besides,Iagreedwithherthathewasinadistemperedstateofmind,andIhardlyknewhowtodealwithonesofixedinhishallucinationandwithsomuchintelligencetosupportit。Buttheemergencywasgreat,forhewasholdingouthiswristsintheevidentexpectationofmytakinghimintoinstantcustody;andthesightwaskillinghiswife,whohadsunkonthefloorbetweenus,interrorandanguish。
  “YousayyoukilledMr。Hasbrouck,“Ibegan。“Wheredidyougetyourpistol,andwhatdidyoudowithitafteryoulefthishouse?“
  “Myhusbandhadnopistol;neverhadanypistol,“putinMrs。
  Zabriskie,withvehementassertion。“IfIhadseenhimwithsuchaweapon”
  “Ithrewitaway。WhenIleftthehouse,Icastitasfarfrommeaspossible,forIwasfrightenedatwhatIhaddone,horriblyfrightened。”
  “Nopistolwaseverfound,“Iansweredwithasmile,forgettingforthemomentthathecouldnotsee。“Ifsuchaninstrumenthadbeenfoundinthestreetafteramurderofsuchconsequence,itcertainlywouldhavebeenbroughttothepolice。”
  “Youforgetthatagoodpistolisvaluableproperty,“hewentonstolidly。“Someonecamealongbeforethegeneralalarmwasgiven;
  andseeingsuchatreasurelyingonthesidewalk,pickeditupandcarrieditoff。Notbeinganhonestman,hepreferredtokeepittodrawingtheattentionofthepoliceuponhimself。”
  “Hum,perhaps,“saidI;“butwheredidyougetit。Surelyyoucantellwhereyouprocuredsuchaweapon,if,asyourwifeintimates,youdidnotownone。”
  “Iboughtitthatselfsamenightofafriend;afriendwhomI
  willnotname,sinceheresidesnolongerinthiscountry。I”
  Hepaused;intensepassionwasinhisface;heturnedtowardshiswife,andalowcryescapedhim,whichmadeherlookupinfear。
  “Idonotwishtogointoanyparticulars,“saidhe。“GodforsookmeandIcommittedahorriblecrime。WhenIampunished,perhapspeacewillreturntomeandhappinesstoher。Iwouldnotwishhertosuffertoolongortoobitterlyformysin。”