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。”