Andheputonhishat，andhewentforthfromhiscell:andthoughthedawnwasnotyet，hetrodthecorridorsasseeingthem。Andhepassedintothecloister，andthenintothegardenwherelietheancientdead。Andhecametothewicket，whichBrotherJeromewasopeningjustatthedawning。Andthecrowdwasalreadywaitingwiththeircansandbowlstoreceivethealmsofthegoodbrethren。”Andhepassedthroughthecrowdandwentonhisway，andthefewpeoplethenabroadwhomarkedhim，said，’Tiens！Howveryoddhelooks！Helookslikeamanwalkinginhissleep！’Thiswassaidbyvariouspersons:——”Bymilkwomen，withtheircansandcarts，comingintothetown。”ByroystererswhohadbeendrinkingatthetavernsoftheBarrier，foritwasMid-Lent。”Bythesergeantsofthewatch，whoeyedhimsternlyashepassedneartheirhalberds。”Buthepassedonunmovedbytheirhalberds，”Unmovedbythecriesoftheroysterers，”Bythemarketwomencomingwiththeirmilkandeggs。”HewalkedthroughtheRueSt。Honore，Isay:——”BytheRueRambuteau，”BytheRueSt。Antoine，”BytheKing’sChateauoftheBastille，”BytheFaubourgSt。Antoine。”AndhecametoNo。29intheRuePicpus——ahousewhichthenstoodbetweenacourtandgarden——”Thatis，therewasabuildingofonestory，withagreatcoachdoor。”Thentherewasacourt，aroundwhichwerestables，coach-houses，offices。”Thentherewasahouse——atwo-storiedhouse，withaperroninfront。”Behindthehousewasagarden——agardenoftwohundredandfiftyFrenchfeetinlength。”AndasonehundredfeetofFranceequalonehundredandsixfeetofEngland，thisgarden，myfriend，equaledexactlytwohundredandsixty-fivefeetofBritishmeasure。”Inthecenterofthegardenwasafountainandastatue——or，tospeakmorecorrectly，twostatues。Onewasrecumbent，——aman。
Overhim，saberinhand，stoodaWoman。”ThemanwasOlofernes。ThewomanwasJudith。Fromthehead，fromthetrunk，thewatergushed。Itwasthetasteofthedoctor:——wasitnotadrolloftaste？”Attheendofthegardenwasthedoctor’scabinetofstudy。Myfaith，asingularcabinet，andsingularpictures！——”DecapitationofCharlesPremieratVitehall。”DecapitationofMontroseatEdimbourg。”DecapitationofCinqMars。WhenItellyouthathewasamanoftaste，charming！”Throughthisgarden，bythesestatues，upthesestairs，wentthepalefigureofhimwho，theportersaid，knewthewayofthehouse。
Hedid。Turningneitherrightnorleft，heseemedtowalkTHROUGH
thestatues，theobstacles，theflowerbeds，thestairs，thedoor，thetables，thechairs。”InthecorneroftheroomwasTHATINSTRUMENT，whichGuillotinhadjustinventedandperfected。Onedayhewastolayhisownheadunderhisownax。Peacebetohisname！WithhimIdealnot！”Inaframeofmahogany，neatlyworked，wasaboardwithahalfcircleinit，overwhichanotherboardfitted。Abovewasaheavyax，whichfell——youknowhow。Itwasheldupbyarope，andwhenthisropewasuntied，orcut，thesteelfell。”TothestorywhichInowhavetorelate，youmaygivecredence，ornot，asyouwill。Thesleepingmanwentuptothatinstrument。”Helaidhisheadinit，asleep。””Asleep？””Hethentookalittlepenknifeoutofthepocketofhiswhitedimitywaistcoat。”Hecuttheropeasleep。”Theaxdescendedontheheadofthetraitorandvillain。Thenotchinitwasmadebythesteelbuckleofhisstock，whichwascutthrough。”Astrangelegendhasgotabroadthatafterthedeedwasdone，thefigurerose，tooktheheadfromthebasket，walkedforththroughthegarden，andbythescreamingportersatthegate，andwentandlaiditselfdownattheMorgue。ButforthisIwillnotvouch。
Onlyofthisbesure。’Therearemorethingsinheavenandearth，Horatio，thanaredreamedofinyourphilosophy。’Moreandmorethelightpeepsthroughthechinks。Soon，amidstmusicravishing，thecurtainwillrise，andthegloriousscenebedisplayed。Adieu！
Rememberme。Ha！’tisdawn，”Pintosaid。Andhewasgone。
Iamashamedtosaythatmyfirstmovementwastoclutchthecheckwhichhehadleftwithme，andwhichIwasdeterminedtopresenttheverymomentthebankopened。Iknowtheimportanceofthesethings，andthatmenchangetheirmindsometimes。IsprangthroughthestreetstothegreatbankinghouseofManassehinDukeStreet。
ItseemedtomeasifIactuallyflewasIwalked。AstheclockstrucktenIwasatthecounterandlaiddownmycheck。
Thegentlemanwhoreceivedit，whowasoneoftheHebrewpersuasion，asweretheothertwohundredclerksoftheestablishment，havinglookedatthedraftwithterrorinhiscountenance，thenlookedatme，thencalledtohimselftwoofhisfellowclerks，andqueeritwastoseealltheiraquilinebeaksoverthepaper。”Come，come！”saidI，”don’tkeepmehereallday。Handmeoverthemoney，short，ifyouplease！”forIwas，yousee，alittlealarmed，andsodeterminedtoassumesomeextrabluster。”Willyouhavethekindnesstostepintotheparlortothepartners？”theclerksaid，andIfollowedhim。”What，AGAIN？”shriekedabald-headed，red-whiskeredgentleman，whomIknewtobeMr。Manasseh。”Mr。Salathiel，thisistoobad！
Leavemewiththisgentleman，S。”Andtheclerkdisappeared。”Sir，”hesaid，”Iknowhowyoucamebythis:theCountdePintogaveityou。Itistoobad！Ihonormyparents；IhonorTHEIR
parents；Ihonortheirbills！Butthisoneofgrandma’sistoobad——itis，uponmyword，now！She’vebeendeadthesefive-and-
thirtyyears。Andthislastfourmonthsshehasleftherburialplaceandtooktodrawingonour’ouse！It’stoobad，grandma；itistoobad！”andheappealedtome，andtearsactuallytrickleddownhisnose。”IsittheCountessSidonia’scheckornot？”Iasked，haughtily。”But，Itellyou，she’sdead！It’sashame！——it’sashame！——itis，grandmamma！”andhecried，andwipedhisgreatnoseinhisyellowpockethandkerchief。”Lookyear——willyoutakepoundsinsteadofguineas？She’sdead，Itellyou！It’snogo！Takethepounds——
onetausendpound！——tennice，neat，crisphundred-poundnotes，andgoawayvidyou，do！””Iwillhavemybond，sir，ornothing，”Isaid；andIputonanattitudeofresolutionwhichIconfesssurprisedevenmyself。”Weryveil，”heshrieked，withmanyoaths，”thenyoushallhavenoting——ha，ha，ha！——notingbutapoliceman！Mr。Abednego，callapoliceman！Takethat，youhumbugandimpostor！”andherewithanabundanceoffrightfullanguagewhichIdarenotrepeat，thewealthybankerabusedanddefiedme。
Auboutducompte，whatwasItodo，ifabankerdidnotchoosetohonoracheckdrawnbyhisdeadgrandmother？IbegantowishIhadmysnuff-boxback。IbegantothinkIwasafoolforchangingthatlittleold-fashionedgoldforthisslipofstrangepaper。
Meanwhilethebankerhadpassedfromhisfitofangertoaparoxysmofdespair。Heseemedtobeaddressingsomepersoninvisible，butintheroom:”Lookhere，ma’am，you’vereallybeencomingittoostrong。Ahundredthousandinsixmonths，andnowathousandmore！
The’ousecan’tstandit；itWON’Tstandit，Isay！What？Oh！
mercy，mercy！
Asheutteredthesewords，AHANDflutteredoverthetableintheair！Itwasafemalehand:thatwhichIhadseenthenightbefore。
Thatfemalehandtookapenfromthegreenbaizetable，dippeditinasilverinkstand，andwroteonaquarterofasheetoffoolscapontheblottingbook，”Howaboutthediamondrobbery？Ifyoudonotpay，Iwilltellhimwheretheyare。”
Whatdiamonds？whatrobbery？whatwasthismystery？Thatwillneverbeascertained，forthewretchedman’sdemeanorinstantlychanged。”Certainly，sir；——oh，certainly，”hesaid，forcingagrin。”Howwillyouhavethemoney，sir？Allright，Mr。Abednego。
Thiswayout。””IhopeIshalloftenseeyouagain，”Isaid；onwhichIownpoorManassehgaveadreadfulgrin，andshotbackintohisparlor。
Iranhome，clutchingthetendelicious，crisphundredpounds，andthedearlittlefiftywhichmadeuptheaccount。Iflewthroughthestreetsagain。Igottomychambers。Iboltedtheouterdoors。Isankbackinmygreatchair，andslept……
Myfirstthingonwakingwastofeelformymoney。Perdition！
WherewasI？Ha！——onthetablebeforemewasmygrandmother’ssnuff-box，andbyitssideoneofthoseawful——thoseadmirable——
sensationnovels，whichIhadbeenreading，andwhicharefullofdeliciouswonder。
ButthattheguillotineisstilltobeseenatMr。Gale’s，No。47，HighHolborn，IgiveyouMYHONOR。IsupposeIwasdreamingaboutit。Idon’tknow。Whatisdreaming？Whatislife？Whyshouldn’tIsleepontheceiling？——andamIsittingonitnow，oronthefloor？Iampuzzled。Butenough。Ifthefashionforsensationnovelsgoeson，ItellyouIwillwriteoneinfiftyvolumes。Forthepresent，DIXI。Butbetweenourselves，thisPinto，whofoughtattheColosseum，whowasnearlybeingroastedbytheInquisition，andsangduetsatHolyrood，IamrathersorrytolosehimafterthreelittlebitsofRoundaboutPapers。Etvous？
BourgonefI
ATATABLED’HOTE
AtthecloseofFebruary，1848，IwasinNuremberg。MyoriginalintentionhadbeentopassacoupleofdaysthereonmywaytoMunich，thatbeing，Ithought，asmuchtimeascouldreasonablybesparedforsosmallacity，beckonedasmyfootstepsweretotheBavarianAthens，ofwhosegloriesofancientartandGermanRenaissanceIhadformedexpectationsthemostexaggerated——
expectationsfataltoanyperfectenjoyment，andcertaintobedisappointed，howevergreattheactualmeritofMunichmightbe。
ButaftertwodaysatNurembergIwassodeeplyinterestedinitsantiquesequesteredlife，thecharmsofwhichhadnotbeendeadenedbypreviousanticipations，thatIresolvedtoremainthereuntilI
hadmasteredeverydetailandknewtheplacebyheart。
Ihaveastorytotellwhichwillmoveamidsttragiccircumstancesoftooengrossinganaturetobedisturbedbyarchaeologicalinterests，andshallnot，therefore，minutelydescribeherewhatI
observedinNuremberg，althoughnoadequatedescriptionofthatwonderfulcityhasyetfalleninmyway。Toreadersunacquaintedwiththisantiqueplace，itwillbeenoughtosaythatinittheoldGermanlifeseemsstilltoagreatextentrescuedfromtheall-
devouring，all-equalizingtendenciesofEuropeancivilization。Thehousesareeitherofthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies，orareconstructedafterthoseancientmodels。Thecitizenshavepreservedmuchofthesimplemannersandcustomsoftheirancestors。Thehurryingfeetofcommerceandcuriositypassrapidlyby，leavingitsequesteredfromtheagitationsandtheturmoilsofmetropolitanexistence。Itisasquietasavillage。
Duringmystaythereroseinitsquietstreetsthestartledechoesofhorroratacrimeunparalleledinitsannals，which，gatheringincreasedhorrorfromtheverypeacefulnessandserenityofthescene，arrestedtheattentionandthesympathyinadegreeseldomexperienced。Beforenarratingthat，itwillbenecessarytogobackalittle，thatmyownconnectionwithitmaybeintelligible，especiallyinthefancifulweavingtogetherofremoteconjectureswhichstrangelyinvolvedmeinthestory。
Thetabled’hoteattheBayerischerHofhadaboutthirtyvisitors——
all，withoneexception，ofthatlocalcommonplacewhichescapesremark。Indeedthismayalmostalwaysbesaidoftablesd’hote；
thoughthereisacurrentbelief，whichIcannotshare，ofatabled’hotebeingverydelightful——ofonebeingcertaintomeetpleasantpeoplethere。”Itmaybeso。FormanyyearsIbelieveditwasso。
Thegeneralverdictreceivedmyassent。Ihadnevermetthosedelightfulpeople，butwasalwaysexpectingtomeetthem。Hithertotheyhadbeenconspicuousbytheirabsence。AccordingtomyexperienceinSpain，France，andGermany，suchdinnershadbeendrearyornoisyandvapid。IftheguestswereEnglish，theywerechillinglysilent，orsurlilymonosyllabic:totheirneighborstheywerefrigid；amongsteachothertheyspokeinlowundertones。Andiftheguestswereforeigners，theywerenoisy，clattering，andchattering，foolishforthemostpart，andvivaciouslycommonplace。
Idon’tknowwhichmademefeelmostdreary。Thepredominanceofmycountrymengavethedinnerthegayetyofafuneral；thepredominanceoftheMossoogaveitthefatigueofgot-upenthusiasm，oftrivialexpansiveness。Tohearstrangersimpartingthescrapsoferuditionandconnoisseurshipwhichtheyhadthatmorninggatheredfromtheirvaletsdeplaceandguide-books，ordescribingthesightstheyhadjustseen，toyou，whoeithersawthemyesterday，orwouldseethemto-morrow，couldnotbepermanentlyattractive。Mymindrefusestopastureonsuchfoodwithgusto。IcannotbemadetocarewhattheHerrBaron’ssentimentsaboutAlbertDurerorLucasCranachmaybe。Icandigestmyrindfleischwithouttheaidofthecommisvoyageur’scriticismsonGothicarchitecture。Thismaybemymisfortune。InspiteoftheItalianbloodwhichIinherit，Iamashyman——shyasthepurestBriton。But，likeothershymen，Imakeupinobstinacywhatmaybedeficientinexpansiveness。Icanbefrightenedintosilence，butIwon’tbedictatedto。Youmightaswellattemptthepersuasiveeffectofyoureloquenceuponasnailwhohaswithdrawnintohisshellatyourapproach，andwillnotemergetillhisconfidenceisrestored。TobetoldthatIMUSTseethis，andoughttogothere，becausemycasualneighborwascharme，hasneverpresenteditselftomeasanadequatemotive。
FromthisyoureadilygatherthatIamseverelytaciturnatatabled’hote。Irefrainfromjoininginthe”delightfulconversation”
whichfliesacrossthetable，andknowthatmyreticenceisattributedto”insularpride。”Itisreallyandtrulynothingbutimpatienceofcommonplace。Ithoroughlyenjoygoodtalk；but，askyourself，whataretheprobabilitiesofhearingthatrarethinginthecasualassemblageoffortyorfiftypeople，notbroughttogetherbyanynaturalaffinitiesorinterests，butthrowntogetherbytheaccidentofbeinginthesamedistrict，andinthesamehotel？Theyarenot”fortyfeedinglikeone，”butlikeforty。
Theyhavenocommunity，exceptthecommunityofcommonplace。No，tablesd’hotearenotdelightful，anddonotgatherinterestingpeopletogether。
Suchhasbeenmyextensiveexperience。ButthisatNurembergisaconspicuousexception。Atthattabletherewasoneguestwho，onvariousgrounds，personalandincidental，remainsthemostmemorablemanIevermet。Fromthefirstherivetedmyattentioninanunusualdegree。Hehadnot，asyet，inducedmetoemergefrommyhabitualreserve，forintruth，althoughherivetedmyattention，heinspiredmewithastrangefeelingofrepulsion。I
couldscarcelykeepmyeyesfromhim；yet，excepttheformalbowonsittingdownandrisingfromthetable，Ihadinterchangednosignoffellowshipwithhim。HewasayoungRussian，namedBourgonef，asIatoncelearned；ratherhandsome，andpeculiarlyarrestingtotheeye，partlyfromanairofsettledmelancholy，especiallyinhissmile，theamiabilityofwhichseemedbreakingfromundercloudsofgrief，andstillmoresofromthemuteappealtosympathyintheemptysleeveofhisrightarm，whichwasloopedtothebreast-buttonofhiscoat。Hiseyeswerelargeandsoft。Hehadnobeardorwhisker，andonlydelicatemoustaches。Thesorrow，quietbutprofound，theamiablesmileandthelostarm，wereappealingdetailswhichatoncearrestedattentionandexcitedsympathy。Buttomethissympathywasmingledwithavaguerepulsion，occasionedbyacertainfalsenessintheamiablesmile，andafurtivenessintheeyes，whichIsaw——orfancied——andwhich，withaninexplicablereserve，formingasitweretheimpregnablecitadelinthecenterofhisoutwardlypoliteandengagingmanner，gavemesomethingofthatvagueimpressionwhichweexpressbythewords”instinctiveantipathy。”
Itwas，whencalmlyconsidered，eminentlyabsurd。Toseeonesoyoung，andbyhisconversationsohighlyculturedandintelligent，condemnedtoearlyhelplessness，hisfoodcutupforhimbyaservant，asifhewereachild，naturallyengagedpity，and，onthefirstday，Icudgeledmybrainsduringthegreaterpartofdinnerintheefforttoaccountforhislostarm。Hewasobviouslynotamilitaryman；theunmistakablelookandstoopofastudenttoldthatplainlyenough。Norwasthelossonedatingfromearlylife:
heusedhisleftarmtooawkwardlyfortheeventnottohavehadarecentdate。Haditanythingtodowithhismelancholy？Herewasatopicformyvagabondimagination，andendlessweretheromanceswovenbyitduringmysilentdinner。Forthereadermustbetoldofonepeculiarityinme，becausetoitmuchofthestrangecomplicationsofmystoryaredue；complicationsintowhichamindlessactiveinweavingimaginaryhypothesestointerpretcasualandtriflingfactswouldneverhavebeendrawn。FrommychildhoodI
havebeenthevictimofmyconstructiveimagination，whichhasledmeintomanymistakesandsomescrapes；because，insteadofcontentingmyselfwithplain，obviousevidence，Ihaveallowedmyselftoframehypotheticalinterpretations，which，toactssimpleinthemselves，andexplicableonordinarymotives，renderthesimple-seemingactsportentous。Withbitterpangsofself-reproachIhaveattimesdiscoveredthatalongandplausiblehistoryconstructedbyme，relatingtopersonalfriends，hascrumpledintoaruinofabsurdity，bythedisclosureoftheprimarymisconceptiononwhichthewholehistorywasbased。Ihavegone，letussay，onthesuppositionthattwopeopleweresecretlylovers；onthissuppositionmyimaginationhasconstructedawholeschemetoexplaincertainacts，andonefinedayIhavediscoveredindubitablythatthesupposedloverswerenotlovers，butconfidantsoftheirpassionsinotherdirections，and，ofcourse，allmyconjectureshavebeenutterlyfalse。Thesecretflushofshameatfailurehasnot，however，preventedmyfallingintosimilarmistakesimmediatelyafter。
When，therefore，Ihereafterspeakofmy”constructiveimagination，”thereaderwillknowtowhatIamalluding。ItwasalreadybusywithBourgonef。Toitmustbeaddedthatvaguerepulsion，previouslymentioned。Thisfeelingabatedonthesecondday；but，althoughlessened，itremainedpowerfulenoughtopreventmyspeakingtohim。Whetheritwouldhavecontinuedtoabateuntilitdisappeared，assuchantipathiesoftendisappear，underthefamiliaritiesofprolongedintercourse，withoutanyimmediateappealtomyamourpropre，Iknownot；buteveryreflectivemind，consciousofbeingaccessibletoantipathies，willrememberthatonecertainmethodofstiflingthemisfortheobjecttomakesomeappealtoourinterestorourvanity:intheengagementofthesemorepowerfulfeelings，theantipathyisquicklystrangled。Atanyrateitissoinmycase，andwassonow。
Onthethirdday，theconversationattablehappeningtoturn，asitoftenturned，uponSt。Sebald’sChurch，ayoungFrenchman，whowascriticisingitsarchitecturewithfluentdogmatism，drewBourgonefintothediscussion，andtherebyelicitedsuchadisplayofaccurateandextensiveknowledge，nolessthandelicacyofappreciation，thatwewerealllisteningspellbound。InthemidstofthistriumphantexpositiontheirritatedvanityoftheFrenchmancoulddonothingtoregainhispositionbutopposeaflatdenialtoahistoricalstatementmadebyBourgonef，backinghisdenialbytheconfidentassertionthat”allthecompetentauthorities”heldwithhim。AtthispointBourgonefappealedtome，andinthattoneofdeferencesoexquisitelyflatteringfromonewealreadyknowtobesuperiorherequestedmydecision；observingthat，fromthemannerinwhichhehadseenmeexaminethedetailsofthearchitecture，hecouldnotbemistakeninhisconfidencethatIwasaconnoisseur。
Alleyeswereturneduponme。Asashyman，thismademeblush；asavainman，theblushwasaccompaniedwithdelight。Itmighteasilyhavehappenedthatsuchanappeal，actingatonceuponshynessandignorance，wouldhaveinflamedmywrath；buttheappealhappeningtobedirectedonapointwhichIhadrecentlyinvestigatedandthoroughlymastered，Iwasflatteredattheopportunityofavictoriousdisplay。
Thepleasureofmytriumphdiffuseditselfovermyfeelingstowardshimwhohadbeentheoccasionofit。TheFrenchmanwassilenced；
thegeneralverdictofthecompanywastooobviouslyonourside。
FromthistimetheconversationcontinuedbetweenBourgonefandmyself；andhenotonlysucceededinentirelydissipatingmyabsurdantipathy——whichInowsawtohavebeenfoundedonpurelyimaginarygrounds，forneitherthefalsenessnorthefurtivenesscouldnowbedetected——buthesucceededincaptivatingallmysympathy。Longafterdinnerwasover，andthesalleempty，wesatsmokingourcigars，anddiscussingpolitics，literature，andartinthatsuggestivedesultorymannerwhichoftengivesacharmtocasualacquaintances。
Itwasastirringepoch，thatofFebruary，1848。TheRevolution，atfirstsohopeful，andsoontomanifestitselfinfailuresodisastrous，washurryingtoanoutburst。Francehadbeenformanymonthsagitatedbycriesofelectoralreform，andbyindignationatthecorruptionandscandalsinhighplaces。ThePraslinmurder，andthedishonorofM。Teste，terminatedbysuicide，hadbeeninterpretedassignsofthecomingdestruction。Thepoliticalbanquetsgiveninvariousimportantcitieshadbeenoccasionsforinflamingthepublicmind，andtothefar-seeing，thesebanquetswereinterpretedasthesoundsofthetocsin。LouisPhilippehadbecomeodioustoFrance，andcontemptibletoEurope。GuizotandDuchatel，theministersofthatday，althoughbackedbyaparliamentarymajorityonwhichtheyblindlyrelied，wereunpopular，andwereregardedasinfatuatedevenbytheiradmirersinEurope。TheSpanishmarriageshadallbutledtoawarwithEngland。TheOpposition，headedbyThiersandOdillonBarrot，wasstrengthenedbyunitedactionwiththerepublicanparty，headedbyLedruRollin，Marrast，Flocon，andLouisBlanc。
Bourgonefwasanardentrepublican。SowasI；butmycolorwasofadifferentshadefromhis。HebelongedtotheReds。Myowndominanttendenciesbeingartisticandliterary，mydreamwasofarepublicinwhichintelligencewouldbethearchonorruler；and，ofcourse，insucharepublic，artandliterature，asthehighestmanifestationofmind，wouldhavethesupremedirection。Doyousmile，reader？Ismilenow；butitwasseriousearnestwithmethen。Itisunnecessarytosaymoreonthispoint。Ihavesaidsomuchtorenderintelligiblethestraylinkofcommunionwhichrivetedthecharmofmynewacquaintance’sconversation；therewasbothagreementenoughanddifferenceenoughinourviewstorenderoursocietymutuallyfascinating。
OnretiringtomyroomthatafternoonIcouldnothelplaughingatmyabsurdantipathyagainstBourgonef。Allhisremarkshaddisclosedagenerous，ardent，andrefinednature。Whilemyantipathyhadspeciallyfasteneduponacertainfalsenessinhissmile——afalsenessthemorepoignantlyhideousifitwerefalseness，becausehiddenamidstthewreathsofamiability——mydelightinhisconversationhadspeciallyjustifieditselfbythetruthfulnessofhismodeoflookingatthings。Heseemedtobesincerityitself。Therewas，indeed，acertaincentralreserve；
butthatmightonlyheanintegrityofpride；oritmightbeconnectedwithpainfulcircumstancesinhishistory，ofwhichthemelancholyinhisfacewastheoutwardsign。
Thatveryeveningmyconstructiveimaginationwasfurnishedwithadetailonwhichitwassoontobeactivelysettowork。Ihadbeenramblingabouttheoldfortifications，andwasreturningatnightfallthroughtheoldarchwaynearAlbertDurer’shouse，whenamanpassedbyme。Welookedateachotherinthatautomaticwayinwhichmenlookwhentheymeetinnarrowplaces，andIfelt，sotospeak，astartofrecognitionintheeyesofthemanwhopassed。
Nothingelse，infeaturesorgestures，betrayedrecognitionorsurprise。Butalthoughtherewasonlythat，itflashedfromhiseyestominelikeanelectricshock。Hepassed。Ilookedback。
Hecontinuedhiswaywithoutturning。Thefacewascertainlyknowntome；butitfloatedinamistofconfusedmemories。
Iwalkedonslowly，pesteringmymemorywithfruitlesscallsuponit，hopelesslytryingtorecovertheplacewhereIcouldhaveseenthestrangerbefore。InvainmemorytraveledoverEuropeinconcert-rooms，theaters，shops，andrailwaycarriages。Icouldnotrecalltheoccasiononwhichthoseeyeshadpreviouslymetmine。
ThattheyhadmetthemIhadnodoubt。Iwenttobedwiththeriddleundiscovered。
II
THEECHOESOFMURDER
NextmorningNurembergwasagitatedwithahorrorsuchascanseldomhavedisturbeditsquiet；ayoungandlovelygirlhadbeenmurdered。Hercorpsewasdiscoveredatdaybreakunderthearchwayleadingtotheoldfortifications。Shehadbeenstabbedtotheheart。Noothersignsofviolencewerevisible；norobberyhadbeenattempted。
Ingreatcities，necessarilygreatcentersofcrime，wedailyhearofmurders；theirfrequencyandremotenessleaveusundisturbed。
Oursympathiescanonlybedeeplymovedeitherbysomescenicpeculiaritiesinvestingthecrimewithunusualromanceorunusualatrocity，orelsebythemoreimmediateappealofdirectneighborlyinterest。ThemurderwhichisreadofintheTimesashavingoccurredinWestminster，hasseldomanyspecialhorrortotheinhabitantsofIslingtonorOxfordStreet；buttotheinhabitantsofWestminster，andespeciallytotheinhabitantsoftheparticularstreetinwhichitwasperpetrated，thecrimeassumesheart-shakingproportions。Everydetailisaskedfor，andeverysurmiselistenedto，withfeverisheagernessisrepeatedanddiffusedthroughthecrowdwithgrowinginterest。Thefamilyofthevictim；theantecedentsoftheassassin，ifheisknown；ortheconjecturespointingtotheunknownassassin，——areeagerlydiscussed。Allthetrivialdetailsofhouseholdcareordomesticfortunes，alltheitemsofpersonalgossip，becomeinvestedwithasolemnandaffectinginterest。Pityforthevictimandsurvivorsmingleandalternatewithfiercecriesforvengeanceontheguilty。Thewholestreetbecomesonefamily，commingledbyanenergeticsympathy，unitedbyonecommonfeelingofcompassionandwrath。
Invillages，andincitiessosmallasNuremberg，thesamecommunityoffeelingismanifested。Thetownbecameasonestreet。
Thehorrorspreadlikeaconflagration，thesympathysurgedandswelledlikeatide。Everyonefeltapersonalinterestintheevent，asifthemurderhadbeencommittedathisowndoor。NevershallIforgetthatwailofpassionatepity，andthatcryforthevengeanceofjustice，whichrosefromallsidesofthestartledcity。NevershallIforgetthehurry，theagitation，thefeverishrestlessness，theuniversalcommunicativeness，thevolunteeredservices，theeagersuggestion，surgingroundthehouseoftheunhappyparents。HerrLehfeldt，thefatheroftheunhappygirl，wasarespectedburgherknowntoalmosteveryone。Hismercer’sshopwastheleadingoneofthecity。Aworthy，piousman，somewhatstrict，butofirreproachablecharacter；hisvirtues，nolessthanthoseofhiswife，andofhisonlydaughter，Lieschen——
now，alas；foreversnatchedfromtheiryearningeyes——werecanvassedeverywhere，andservedtointensifythegeneralgrief。
Thatsuchacalamityshouldhavefallenonahouseholdsoestimable，seemedtoaddfueltothepeople’swrath。PoorLieschen！herpretty，playfulways——heropeningprospects，astheonlydaughterofparentssowelltodoandsokind——heryouthandaboundinglife——theseweredetailedwithimpassionedfervorbyfriends，andrepeatedbystrangerswhocaughtthetoneoffriends，asifthey，too，hadknownandlovedher。Butamidstthesurginguproarofthisseaofmanyvoicesnooneclearvoiceofdirectioncouldbeheard；nocluegiventotheclamorousbloodhoundstorundowntheassassin。
Crieshadbeenheardinthestreetsthatnightatvariouspartsofthetown，which，althoughtheninterpretedasthequarrelsofdrunkenbrawlers，andtheconflictsofcats，werenowconfidentlyassertedtohaveproceededfromtheunhappygirlinherdeath-
struggle。Butnoneofthesecrieshadbeenheardintheimmediateneighborhoodofthearchway。Alltheinhabitantsofthatpartofthetownagreedthatintheirwakinghoursthestreetshadbeenperfectlystill。Norwerethereanytracesvisibleofastrugglehavingtakenplace。Lieschenmighthavebeenmurderedelsewhere，andhercorpsequietlydepositedwhereitwasfound，asfarasanyevidencewent。
Wildandvagueweretheconjectures。Allwerebaffledintheattempttogivethemadefinitedirection。Thecrimewasapparentlypromptedbyrevenge——certainlynotbylust，ordesireofmoney。Butshewasnotknowntostandinanyone’sway。Inthisutterblankastotheassignablemotive，I，perhapsaloneamongthefuriouscrowd，hadadistinctsuspicionoftheassassin。Nosoonerhadthenewsreachedme，thanwiththespecificationofthetheaterofthecrimethereatonceflasheduponmetheintellectualvisionofthecriminal:thestrangerwiththedarkbeardandstartledeyesstoodconfessedbeforeme！Iheldmybreathforafewmoments，andthentherecameatideofobjectionsrushingovermymind，revealingtheinadequacyofthegroundsonwhichrestedmysuspicions。Whatwerethegrounds？Ihadseenamaninaparticularspot，notanunfrequentedspot，ontheeveningofthenightwhenthecrimehadbeencommittedthere；thatmanhadseemedtorecognizeme，andwishedtoavoidbeingrecognized。ObviouslythesegroundsweretooslendertobearanyweightofconstructionsuchasIhadbasedonthem。Merepresenceonthespotcouldnomoreinculpatehimthanitcouldinculpateme；ifIhadmethimthere，equallyhadhemetmethere。Norevenifmysuspicionwerecorrectthatheknewme，andrefusedtorecognizeme，couldthatbeanyargumenttendingtocriminatehiminanaffairwhollydisconnectedwithme。Besides，hewaswalkingpeaceably，openly，andhelookedlikeagentleman。Alltheseobjectionspressedthemselvesuponme，andkeptmesilent。ButinspiteoftheirforceIcouldnotpreventthesuspicionfromcontinuallyarising。
Ashamedtomentionit，becauseitmayhavesoundedtooabsurd，I
couldnotpreventmyconstructiveimaginationindulginginitsvagaries，andwiththissecretconvictionIresolvedtoawaitevents，andincasesuspicionfromotherquartersshouldeverdesignatetheprobableassassin，Imightthencomeforwardwithmybitofcorroborativeevidence，shouldthesuspectedassassinbethestrangerofthearchway。
Bytwelveo’clockanewdirectionwasgiventorumor。Hithertothestories，whencarefullysiftedofallexaggerationsofflyingconjecture，hadsettledthemselvesintosomethinglikethis:TheLehfeldtshadretiredtorestataquarterbeforeten，aswastheircustom。TheyhadseenLieschengointoherbedroomforthenight，andhadthemselvesgonetosleepwithuncloudedminds。Fromthispeacefulsecuritytheywerestartledearlyinthemorningbytheappallingnewsofthecalamitywhichhadfallenonthem。
Incredulousatfirst，aswelltheymightbe，andincapableofbelievinginaruinsounexpectedandsooverwhelming，theyimaginedsomemistake，assertingthatLieschenwasinherownroom。
Intothatroomtheyrushed，andtheretheundisturbedbed，andtheopenwindow，butafewfeetfromthegarden，silentlyandpatheticallydisclosedthefataltruth。Thebereavedparentsturnedarevealinglookuponeachother’swhitenedfaces，andthenslowlyretiredfromtheroom，followedinaffectingsilencebytheothers。Backintotheirownroomtheywent。Thefatherkneltbesidethebed，and，sobbing，prayed。Themothersatstaringwithastupefiedstare，herlipsfaintlymoving。Inashortwhilethefloodofgrief，awakenedtoathoroughconsciousness，burstfromtheirlaboringhearts。Whenthefirstparoxysmswereovertheyquestionedothers，andgaveincoherentrepliestothequestionsaddressedtothem。FromallwhichitresultedthatLieschen’sabsence，thoughobviouslyvoluntary，waswhollyinexplicabletothem；andnoclewwhatevercouldbegivenastothemotivesofthecrime。Whenthesedetailsbecameknown，conjecturenaturallyinterpretedLieschen’sabsenceatnightasanassignation。Butwithwhom？Shewasnotknowntohavealover。Herfather，onbeingquestioned，passionatelyaffirmedthatshehadnone；shelovednoonebutherparents，poorchild！Hermother，onbeingquestioned，toldthesamestory——adding，however，thataboutseventeenmonthsbefore，shehadfanciedthatLieschenwasalittledisposedtofavorFranzKerkel，theirshopman；butonbeingspokentoonthesubjectwithsomeseriousness，andwarnedofthedistancebetweenthem，shehadlaughedheartilyattheidea，andsincethenhadtreatedFranzwithsomuchindifferencethatonlyaweekagoshehaddrawnfromhermotherareproofonthesubject。”ItoldherFranzwasagoodlad，thoughnotgoodenoughforher，andthatsheoughttotreathimkindly。Butshesaidmylecturehadgivenheranalarm，lestFranzshouldhavegotthesamemaggotintohishead。”
Thiswasthestorynowpassingthroughthecuriouscrowdsineverystreet。AfterhearingitIhadturnedintoatobacconist’sintheAdlergrasse，torestockmycigar-case，andfoundthere，aseverywhere，agroupdiscussingtheonetopicofthehour。HerrFischer，thetobacconist，withalongporcelainpipependentfromhisscrewed-uplips，wassolemnlylisteningtotheparticularsvolublycommunicatedbyastoutBavarianpriest；whilebehindthecounter，inacorner，swiftlyknitting，sathiswife，herblackbead-likeeyesalsofixedontheorator。OfcourseIwasdraggedintotheconversation。Insteadofattendingtocommercialinterests，theylookeduponmeasthepossiblebeareroffreshnews。NorwasitwithoutasecretsatisfactionthatIfoundI
couldgratifytheminthatrespect。TheyhadnotheardofFranzKerkelinthematter。NosoonerhadItoldwhatIhadheardthantheknitting-needlesofthevivaciouslittlewomanwereatoncesuspended。”AchJe！”sheexclaimed，”Iseeitall。He’sthewretch！””Who？”weallsimultaneouslyinquired。”Who？Why，Kerkel，ofcourse。Ifshechanged，andtreatedhimwithindifference，itwasbecauseshelovedhim；andhehasmurderedthepoorthing。””Howyourunon，wife！”remonstratedFischer；whilethepriestshookadubioushead。”Itellyouitisso。I’mpositive。””Ifshelovedhim。””Shedid，Itellyou。Trustawomanforseeingthroughsuchthings。””Well，sayshedid，”continuedFischer，”andIwon’tdenythatitmaybeso；butthenthatmakesagainsttheideaofhishavingdoneheranyharm。””Don’ttellme，”retortedtheconvincedwoman。”Shelovedhim。
Shewentouttomeethiminsecret，andhemurderedher——thevillaindid。I’massureofitasiftheseeyeshadseenhimdoit。”
Thehusbandwinkedatus，asmuchastosay，”Youhearthesewomen！”andthepriestandIendeavoredtoreasonheroutofherillogicalposition。Butshewasimmovable。Kerkelhadmurderedher；sheknewit；shecouldn’ttellwhy，butsheknewit。Perhapshewasjealous，whoknows？Atanyrate，heoughttobearrested。
Andbytwelveo’clock，asIsaid，anewrumorranthroughthecrowd，whichseemedtoconfirmthelittlewomaninherrashlogic。
Kerkelhadbeenarrested，andawaistcoatstainedwithbloodhadbeenfoundinhisroom！Byhalf-pasttwelvetherumorranthathehadconfessedthecrime。This，however，provedoninquirytobethehastyanticipationofpublicindignation。Hehadbeenarrested；thewaistcoathadbeenfound:somuchwasauthentic；andthesuspicionsgatheredominouslyoverhim。
WhenfirstFrauFischerhadstartedthesuggestionitflewlikewildfire。Thenpeoplesuddenlynoticed，asverysurprising，thatKerkelhadnotthatdaymadehisappearanceattheshop。Hisabsencehadnotbeennoticedinthetumultofgriefandinquiry；
butitbecamesuddenlyinvestedwithadreadfulsignificance，nowthatitwasrumoredthathehadbeenLieschen’slover。Ofallmenhewouldbethemostaffectedbythetragicnews；ofallmenhewouldhavebeenthefirsttotendersympathyandaidtotheafflictedparents，andthemostclamorousinthesearchfortheundiscoveredculprit。Yet，whileallNurembergwascrowdingroundthehouseofsorrow，whichwasalsohishouseofbusiness，healoneremainedaway。Thisnaturallypointedsuspicionathim。Whenthemessengershadgonetoseekhim，hismotherrefusedthemadmission，declaringinincoherentphrases，betrayinggreatagitation，thathersonwasgonedistractedwithgriefandcouldseenoone。Onthisitwasdeterminedtoorderhisarrest。Thepolicewent，thehousewassearched，andthewaistcoatfound。
ThetestimonyofthegirlwholivedasservantinKerkel’shousewasalsocriminatory。Shedeposedthatonthenightinquestionsheawokeabouthalf-pastelevenwithaviolenttoothache；shewascertainastothehour，becausesheheardtheclockafterwardsstriketwelve。Shefeltsomealarmathearingvoicesintheroomsatanhourwhenhermistressandyoungmastermustlongagohavegonetobed；butasthevoiceswereseeminglyinquietconversation，heralarmsubsided，andsheconcludedthatinsteadofhavinggonetobedhermistresswasstillup。Inherpainsheheardthedoorgentlyopen，andthensheheardfootstepsinthegarden。Thissurprisedherverymuch。Shecouldn’tthinkwhattheyoungmastercouldwantgoingoutatthathour。Shebecameterrifiedwithoutknowingexactlyatwhat。Fearquitedroveawaythetoothache，whichhadnotsincereturned。Afterlyingtherequakingforsometime，againsheheardfootstepsinthegarden；thedooropenedandclosedgently；voiceswereheard；andsheatlastdistinctlyheardhermistresssay，”Beaman，Franz。Good-night——
sleepwell；”uponwhichFranzrepliedinatoneofgreatagony，”There’snochanceofsleepforme。”Thenallwassilent。Nextmorninghermistressseemed”veryqueer。”Heryoungmasterwentoutveryearly，butsooncamebackagain；andthereweredreadfulscenesgoingoninhisroom，assheheard，butshedidn’tknowwhatitwasallabout。Sheheardofthemurderfromaneighbor，butneverthoughtofitshavinganyparticularinterestforMr。Franz，though，ofcourse，hewouldbeverysorryfortheLehfeldts。
Thefactstestifiedtobytheservant，especiallythegoingoutatthatlatehour，andthe”dreadfulscenes”ofthemorning，seemedtobearbutoneinterpretation。Moreover，sheidentifiedthewaistcoatastheonewornbyFranzonthedayprecedingthefatalnight。
III
THEACCUSED
Nowatlastthepent-upwrathfoundavent。Fromthedistractingconditionofwanderinguncertainsuspicion，ithadbeenrecalledintothegladsecurityofindividualhate。AlthoughuptothistimeKerkelhadborneanexemplaryreputation，itwasnowrememberedthathehadalwaysbeenofamoroseandviolenttemper，ahypocriteinreligion，aselfishsensualist。Severalsagaciouscriticshadlong”seenthroughhim”；othershad”neverlikedhim”；
othershadwonderedhowitwashekepthisplacesolonginLehfeldt’sshop。Poorfellow！hislifeandactions，likethoseofeveryoneelsewhenilluminatedbyalightthrownbackuponthem，seemedsoconspicuouslydespicable，althoughwhenilluminatedintheirownlighttheyhadseemedinnocentenough。Hismother’sfranticprotestationsofherson’sinnocence——herassertionsthatFranzlovedLieschenmorethanhisownsoul——onlyservedtoenvelopherinthesilentaccusationofbeinganaccomplice，oratleastofbeinganaccessoryafterthefact。
Icannotsaywhyitwas，butIdidnotsharetheuniversalbelief。
Thelogicseemedtomeforced；theevidencetrivial。OnfirsthearingofKerkel’sarrest，Ieagerlyquestionedmyinformantrespectinghispersonalappearance；andonhearingthathewasfair，withblueeyesandflaxenhair，myconvictionofhisinnocencewasfixed。Lookingbackonthesedays，Iamoftenamusedatthischaracteristicofmyconstructiveimagination。Whilerejectingthedisjointedlogicofthemob，whichinterpretedhisguilt，Iwasmyselfdeludedbyalogicinfinitelylessrational。
HadKerkelbeendark，withdarkeyesandbeard，Ishouldprobablyhavesworntohisguilt，simplybecausetheideaofthatstrangerhadfirmlyfixeditselfinmymind。
Allthatafternoon，andallthenextday，thebusyhumofvoiceswasraisedbytheonetopicofcommandinginterest。Kerkelhadbeenexamined。HeatonceadmittedthatasecretbetrothalhadforsometimeexistedbetweenhimandLieschen。Theyhadbeenledtotakethisimproperstepbyfearofherparents，who，hadtheattachmentbeendiscovered，would，itwasthought，haveseparatedthemforever。HerrLehfeldt’ssternness，nolessthanhissuperiorposition，seemedaninvincibleobstacle，andthegoodmother，althoughdotinguponheronlydaughter，wasledbytheveryintensityofheraffectiontoformambitioushopesofherdaughter’sfuture。Itwasbarelypossiblethatsometurnineventsmightonedayyieldanopeningfortheirconsent；butmeanwhileprudencedictatedsecrecy，inordertoavertthemostpressingdanger，thatofseparation。
AndsotheprettyLieschen，withfeminineinstinctofruse，hadaffectedtotreatherloverwithindifference；andtocompensatehimandherselfforthisrestraint，shehadbeeninthehabitofescapingfromhomeonceortwiceaweek，andspendingadelicioushourortwoatnightinthecompanyofherloverandhismother。
Kerkelandhismotherlivedinacottagealittlewayoutsidethetown。Lehfeldt’sshopstoodnotmanyyardsfromthearchway。Now，asinNurembergnoonewasabroadafterteno’clock，exceptafewloungersatthecafesandbeer-houses，andthesewereonlytobemetinsidethetown，notoutsideit，Lieschenranextremelylittleriskofbeingobservedinherrapidtransitfromherfather’stoherlover’shouse。Nor，indeed，hadsheevermetanyoneinthecourseofthesevisits。
OnthefatalnightLieschenwasexpectedatthecottage。Motherandsonwaitedatfirsthopefully，thenanxiously，atlastwithsomevagueuneasinessathernon-appearance。Itwasnowaquarterpasteleven——nearlyanhourlaterthanherusualtime。Theyoccasionallywenttothedoortolookforher；thentheywalkedafewyardsdowntheroad，asiftocatchanearlierglimpseofheradvancingsteps。Butinvain。Thehalf-hourstruck。Theycamebackintothecottage，discussingthevariousprobabilitiesofdelay。Three-quartersstruck。Perhapsshehadbeendetected；
perhapsshewasill；perhaps——butthiswashismother’ssuggestion，andtooklittleholdofhim——therehadbeenvisitorswhohadstayedlaterthanusual，andLieschen，findingthenightsoadvanced，hadpostponedhervisittothemorrow。Franz，whointerpretedLieschen’sfeelingsbyhisown，wasassuredthatnopostponementofavoluntarykindwascredibleofher。Twelveo’clockstruck。
AgainFranzwentoutintotheroad，andwalkednearlyuptothearchway；hereturnedwithheavysadnessandforebodingathisheart，reluctantlyadmittingthatnowallhopeofseeingherthatnightwasover。Thatnight？Poorsorrowingheart，thenightwastobeeternal！Theanguishofthedesolate”nevermore”wasawaitinghim。
Thereissomethingintenselypatheticinbeingthus，asitwere，spectatorsofatragicdramawhichisbeingactedontwoseparatestagesatonce——thedreadfullinkofconnection，whichisunseentotheseparateactors，beingonlytoovividlyseenbythespectators。
ItwaswithsomeinterestthatI，whobelievedinKerkel’sinnocence，heardthisstory；andinimaginationfolloweditsunfoldingstage。Hewenttobed，not，asmaybeexpected，tosleep；tossingrestlesslyinfeverishagitation，conjuringupmanyimaginaryterrors——butallofthemtriflescomparedwiththedreadrealitywhichhewassosoontoface。Hepicturedherweeping——andshewaslyingdeadonthecoldpavementofthedarkarchway。Hesawherinagitatedeloquencepleadingwithoffendedparents——andshewasremovedforeverfromallagitations，withthepeaceofdeathuponheryoungface。
Atanearlyhourhestarted，thathemightputanendtohissuspense。Hehadnotyetreachedthearchwaybeforetheshatteringnewsburstuponhim。Fromthatmomentherememberednothing。Buthismotherdescribedhisghastlyagitation，as，throwinghimselfuponherneck，hetoldher，throughdreadfulsobs，thecalamitywhichhadfallen。Shedidherbesttocomforthim；buthegrewwilderandwilder，androlleduponthegroundintheagonyofanimmeasurabledespair。Shetrembledforhisreasonandhislife。
Andwhenthemessengerscametoseekhim，shespokebutthesimpletruthinsayingthathewaslikeonedistracted。Yetnosoonerhadaglimpseoflightdawnedonhimthatsomevaguesuspicionrestedonhiminreferencetothemurder，thanhestartedup，flungawayhisagitation，and，withacalmnesswhichwasawful，answeredeveryquestion，andseemednervedforeverytrial。Fromthatmomentnotasobescapedhimuntil，inthenarrativeofthenight’sevents，hecametothatpartwhichtoldofthesuddendisclosureofhisbereavement。Andthesimple，straightforwardmannerinwhichhetoldthistale，withafaceentirelybloodless，andeyesthatseemedtohavewithdrawnalltheirlightinwards，madeagreatimpressionontheaudience，whichwasheightenedintosympathywhenthefinalsob，breakingthroughtheforcedcalmness，toldoftheagonywhichwaseatingitsfierywaythroughtheheart。
Thestorywasnotonlyplausibleinitself，butaccuratelytalliedwithwhatbeforehadseemedlikethecriminatingevidenceofthemaid；tallied，moreover，preciselyastotime，whichwouldhardlyhavebeenthecasehadthestorybeenaninvention。Astothewaistcoatwhichhadfiguredsoconspicuouslyinalltherumors，itappearedthatsuspicionhadmonstrouslyexaggeratedthefacts。
Insteadofawaistcoatplashedwithblood——aspopularimaginationpicturedit——itwasagraywaistcoat，withonespotandaslightsmearofblood，whichadmittedofaverysimpleexplanation。Threedaysbefore，Franzhadcuthislefthandincuttingsomebread；andtothisthemaidtestified，becauseshewaspresentwhentheaccidentoccurred。Hehadnotnoticedthathiswaistcoatwasmarkedbyituntilthenextday，andhadforgottentowashoutthestains。
Peopleoutsideshookskepticalheadsatthisstoryofthecuthand。
Thebloodywaistcoatwasnottobedisposedofinthateasyway。
Ithadfixeditselftoostronglyintheirimagination。Indeed，mybeliefisthatevencouldtheyhaveseenthewaistcoat，itsinsignificantmarkswouldhaveappearedmurderouspatchestotheireyes。Ihadseenit，andmyreportwaslistenedtowithill-
concealeddisbelief，whennotwithopenprotestation。AndwhenKerkelwasdischargedasfreefromallsuspicion，therewasalowgrowlofdisappointedwrathheardfromnumerousgroups。
Thismaysympatheticallybeunderstoodbywhomsoeverremembersthepainfuluneasinessofthemindunderagreatstressofexcitementwithnodefiniteissue。Thelustforavengeance，demandedbythearousedsensibilitiesofcompassion，makesmencredulousintheirimpatience；theyeasilybelieveanyoneisguilty，becausetheyfeelanimperiousneedforfasteningtheguiltuponsomedefinitehead。
Fewverdictsof”NotGuilty”arewellreceived，unlessanothervictimisathanduponwhomtheverdictofguiltyislikelytofall。ItwasdemonstrabletoalljudicialmindsthatKerkelwaswholly，patheticallyinnocent。Inafewdaysthisgraduallybecamecleartothemajority，butatfirstitwasresistedasanattempttobalkjustice；andtothelastthereweresomeobstinatedoubters，whoshooktheirheadsmysteriously，andsaid，withacertainincisiveness，”Somebodymusthavedoneit；Ishouldverymuchliketoknowwho。”
Suspiciononcemorewasdriftingaimlessly。Nonehadpointedinanynewdirection。NomentionofanyonewhomIcouldidentifywiththestrangerhadyetbeenmade；but，althoughsilentonthesubject，Ikeptfirminmyconviction，andIsometimeslaughedatthepertinacitywithwhichIscrutinizedthefaceofeverymanI
met，ifhehappenedtohaveablackbeard；andasblackbeardsareexcessivelycommon，mycuriosity，thoughnevergratified，wasneverallowedrepose。
MeanwhileLieschen’sfuneralhadbeenemphaticallyapublicmourning。Nay，sogreatwastheemotion，thatitalmostdeadenedtheinterestwhichotherwisewouldhavebeensopowerful，inthenewsnowdailyreachingusfromParis。Bloodhadfloweduponherstreets——inconsequenceofthatpistol-shot，which，eitherbyaccidentorcriminalintent，hadconvertedthedemonstrationbeforethehoteloftheMinisterofForeignAffairsintoaninsurrection。
Parishadrisen；barricadeswereerected。Thetroopswereunderarms。Thiswasagitatingnews。
SuchisthesolidarityofallEuropeannations，andsoquickarealltovibrateinunisonwiththevibrationsofeach，thateventslikethosetransactedinParisnecessarilystirredeverycity，nomatterhowremote，norpoliticallyhowsecure。AnditsaysmuchfortheintenseinterestexcitedbytheLehfeldttragedythatNurembergwascapableofsustainingthatinterestevenamidthetremendouspressureoftheFebruaryRevolution。ItistruethatNurembergisatalltimessomewhatsequesteredfromthegreatmovementsoftheday，followingslowlyintherearofgreatwaves；
itistrue，moreover，thatsomepoliticiansshowedremarkableeagernessincanvassingthecharactersandhopesofLouisPhilippeandGuizot；butalthoughsucheventswouldatanotherperiodhaveformedtheuniversalinterest，theimpenetrablemysteryhangingoverLieschen’sdeaththrewtheRevolutionintothebackgroundoftheirthoughts。Ifwhenastormisragingoverthedrearymoorland，ahumancryofsufferingisheardatthedoor，atoncethethundersandthetumultsinkintoinsignificance，andarenotevenheardbytheearwhichispiercedwiththefeeblehumanvoice:
thegrandeursofstormandtempest，theuproarofsurgingseas，theclamorouswailofsea-birdsamidthevolleyingartilleryofheaven，invainassailtheearthathasoncecaughteventhedistantcryofahumanagony，orserveonlyasscenicalaccompanimentstothetragedywhichisforeshadowedbythatcry。Andsoitwasamidtheuproarof1848。Akingdomwasinconvulsions；buthere，atourdoor，ayounggirlhadbeenmurdered，andtwohearthsmadedesolate。Rumorscontinuedtoflyabout。Theassassinwasalwaysabouttobediscovered；butheremainedshroudedinimpenetrabledarkness。AremarkmadebyBourgonefstruckmemuch。Ourhost，ZumBayerischenHof，onedayannouncedwithgreatsatisfactionthathehadhimselfheardfromthesyndicthatthepolicewereonthetracesoftheassassin。”Iamsorrytohearit，”saidBourgonef。
Theguestspausedfromeating，andlookedathimwithastonishment。”Itisaproof，”headded，”thateventhepolicenowgiveitupashopeless。Ialwaysnoticethatwheneverthepolicearesaidtobeonthetracesthemalefactorisnevertracked。Whentheyareonhistracestheywiselysaynothingaboutit；theyallowittobebelievedthattheyarebaffled，inordertolulltheirvictimintoadangeroussecurity。Whentheyknowthemselvestobebaffled，thereisnodangerinquietingthepublicmind，andsavingtheirowncredit，byannouncingthattheyareabouttobesuccessful。”
IV
ADISCOVERY
Bourgonef’sremarkhadbeenbuttoosagacious。Thepolicewerehoplesslybaffled。Inallsuchcasespossiblesuccessdependsupontheinitialsuggestioneitherofamotivewhichleadstoasuspicionoftheperson，orofsomepersonwhichleadstoasuspicionofthemotive。Oncesetsuspicionontherighttrack，andevidenceissuddenlyalightinallquarters。But，unhappily，inthepresentcasetherewasnoassignablemotive，noshadowdarkeninganyperson。
AnepisodenowcametoourknowledgeinwhichBourgonefmanifestedanunusualdepthofinterest。Iwasledtonoticethisinterest，becauseithadseemedtomethatinthecrimeitself，andthediscussionswhicharoseoutofit，hesharedbutlittleoftheuniversalexcitement。Idonotmeanthathewasindifferent——bynomeans；butthehorrorofthecrimedidnotseemtofascinatehisimaginationasitfascinatedours。Hecouldtalkquiteasreadilyofotherthings，andfarmorereadilyoftheFrenchaffairs。Butonthecontrary，inthisnewepisodeheshowedpeculiarinterest。
ItappearedthatLehfeldt，moved，perhaps，partlybyasenseoftheinjusticewhichhadbeendonetoKerkelinevensuspectinghimofthecrime，andinsubmittinghimtoanexaminationmorepoignantlyaffectingtohimundersuchcircumstancesthanapublictrialwouldhavebeenunderothers；andmovedpartlybythesensethatLieschen’slovehadpracticallydrawnKerkelwithinthefamily——forherchoiceofhimasahusbandhadmadehimmorally，ifnotlegally，ason-in-law；andmovedpartlybythesenseoflonelinesswhichhadnowsettledontheirchildlesshome，——LehfeldthadinthemostpatheticandconsideratetermsbeggedKerkeltotaketheplaceofhisadoptedson，andbecomejointpartnerwithhiminthebusiness。This，however，Kerkelhadgentlyyetfirmlydeclined。
Heaverredthathefeltnoinjury，thoughgreatpainhadbeeninflictedonhimbytheexamination。Hehimselfinsuchacasewouldnothaveshrunkfromdemandingthathisownbrothershouldbetried，undersuspicionsofsimilarurgency。Itwassimplejusticethatallwhoweresuspectedshouldbeexamined；justicealsotothemthattheymightforeverclearthemselvesofdoubtfulappearances。Butfortherest，whilehefelthisoldaffectionaterespectforhismaster，hecouldrecognizenoclaimtoberemovedfromhispresentposition。Hadshelived，saidtheheartbrokenyouth，hewouldgladlyhaveconsentedtoacceptanyfortunewhichherlovemightbestow，becausehefeltthathisownloveandthedevotionofalifemightrepayit。Buttherewasnothingnowthathecouldgiveinexchange。Forhisserviceshewasamplypaid；hisfeelingstowardsLieschen’sparentsmustcontinuewhattheyhadeverbeen。InvainLehfeldtpleaded，invainmanyfriendsargued。
Franzremainedrespectfullyfirminhisrefusal。
This，asIsaid，interestedBourgonefimmensely。Heseemedtoentercompletelyintothemindsofthesorrowing，pleadingparents，andthesorrowing，denyinglover。Heappreciatedandexpoundedtheirmotiveswithasubtletyanddelicacyofperceptionwhichsurprisedanddelightedme。Itshowedtherefinementofhismoralnature。But，atthesametime，itrenderedhisminordegreeofinterestintheotherepisodesofthestory，thosewhichhadamoredirectandoverpoweringappealtotheheart，agreaterparadox。
Humannatureistroubledinthepresenceofallmysterywhichhasnotbylongfamiliaritylostitspowerofsolicitingattention；andformyownpart，Ihavealwaysbeenuneasyinthepresenceofmoralproblems。PuzzledbythecontradictionswhichInoticedinBourgonef，Itriedtodiscoverwhetherhehadanygeneralrepugnancetostoriesofcrimes，oranyspecialrepugnancetomurders，or，finally，anystrangerepugnancetothisparticularcasenoweverywherediscussed。Anditisnotalittleremarkablethatduringthreeseparateinterviews，inthecourseofwhichI
severally，andasIthoughtartfully，introducedthesetopics，makingthemseemtoarisenaturallyoutofthesuggestionofourtalk，Itotallyfailedtoarriveatanydistinctconclusion。Iwasafraidtoputthedirectquestion:Doyounotsharethecommonfeelingofinterestincriminalstories？Thisquestionwoulddoubtlesshaveelicitedacategoricalreply；butsomehow，theconsciousnessofanarriere-penseemademeshrinkfromputtingsuchaquestion。
Reflectingonthisindifferenceonaspecialpoint，andonthenumerousmanifestationsIhadnoticedofhissensibility，Icameatlasttotheconclusionthathemustbeamanoftenderheart，whosedelicatesensibilitieseasilyshrankfromthehorribleundereveryform；andnomorepermittedhimtodwellunnecessarilyuponpainfulfacts，thantheypermitimaginativemindstodwellonthedetailsofanoperation。
Ihadnotlongsettledthisinmymindbeforeanaccidentsuddenlythrewaluridlightuponmanydetailsnoticedpreviously，andpainfullyrevivedthatinexplicablerepulsionwithwhichIhadatfirstregardedhim。Anewsuspicionfilledmymind，orrather，letmesay，adistinctshapewasimpresseduponmanyfluctuatingsuspicions。Itscarcelyadmittedofargument，andattimesseemedpreposterous，neverthelessitpersisted。Themindwhichinbroaddaylightassentstoallthatcanbeallegedagainsttheabsurditiesofthebeliefinapparitions，willoftenacknowledgethedimterrorsofdarknessandloneliness——terrorsatpossibilitiesofsupernaturalvisitations。Inlikemanner，inthecleardaylightofreasonIcouldseetheabsurdityofmysuspicion，butthevaguestirringsoffeelingremainedunsilenced。Iwashauntedbythedimhorrorsofapossibility。
Thusitarose。WewerebothgoingtoMunich，andBourgonefhadshortenedhiscontemplatedstayatNurembergthathemighthavethepleasureofaccompanyingme；addingalsothathe，too，shouldbegladtoreachMunich，notonlyforitsart，butforitsgreatercommandofpapersandintelligencerespectingwhatwasthengoingoninFrance。Onthenightprecedingthemorningofourdeparture，Iwasseatedinhisroom，smokinganddiscussingasusual，whileIvan，hisservant，packeduphisthingsintwolargeportmanteaus。
Ivanwasaserfwhospokenowordofanylanguagebuthisown。
Althoughofabrutal，almostidiotictype，hewasloudlyeulogizedbyhismasterasthemodeloffidelityandusefulness。Bourgoneftreatedhimwithgentleness，thoughwithacertainimperiousness；
muchasonemighttreatasavagemastiffwhichitwasnecessarytodominatewithoutexasperating。HemorethanoncespokeofIvanasalivingsatireonphysiognomistsandphrenologists；andasIamaphrenologist，Ilistenedwithsomeincredulity。”Lookathim，”hewouldsay。”Observethelow，retreatingbrow，theflatface，thesurlymouth，thebroadbaseofthehead，andthehugebull-likeneck。WouldnotanyonesayIvanwasasdestructiveasapanther，astenaciousasabull-dog，asbrutalasabull？Yetheisthegentlestofsluggishcreatures，andastender-heartedasagirl！Thatthick-setmuscularframeshroudsahare’sheart。HeissofaithfulandsoattachedthatIbelieveformehewouldriskhislife；butonnoaccountcouldyougethimtoplacehimselfindangeronhisownaccount。Partofhisloveformeisgratitudeforhavingrescuedhimfromtheconscription:thedangersincidenttoamilitarylifehadnocharmforhim！”
Now，althoughBourgonef，whowasnotaphrenologist，mightbeconvincedoftheabsenceofferociousinstinctsinIvan，tome，asaphrenologist，thestatementwaseminentlyincredible。Alltheappearancesofhismannerweresuchastoconfirmhismaster’sopinion。Hewasquiet，eventenderinhisattentions。Butthetyrannousinfluenceofideasandphysicalimpressionscannotbesetaside；andnoevidencewouldpermanentlyhavekeptdownmydistrustofthisman。Whenwomenshriekatthesightofagun，itisinvainthatyousolemnlyassurethemthatthegunisnotloaded。”I
don’tknow，”theyreply，——”atanyrate，Idon’tlikeit。”IwasmuchinthisattitudewithregardtoIvan。Hemightbeharmless。
Ididn’tknowthat；whatIdidknowwas——thatIdidn’tlikehislooks。
Onthisnighthewasmovingnoiselesslyabouttheroom，employedinpacking。Bourgonef’stalkrambledovertheoldthemes；andI
thoughtIhadneverbeforemetwithoneofmyownagewhosesocietywassoperfectlydelightful。HewasnotsoconspicuouslymysuperioronallpointsthatIfelttherestraintsinevitablyimposedbysuperiority；yethewasinmanyrespectssufficientlyabovemeinknowledgeandpowertomakemeeagertohavehisassenttomyviewswherewediffered，andtohavehimenlightenmewhereI
knewmyselftobeweak。
Intheverymomentofmymostcordialadmirationcameashock。
Ivan，onpassingfromonepartoftheroomtotheother，caughthisfootinthestrapoftheportmanteauandfell。Thesmallwoodenbox，somethingofaglove-box，whichheheldinhishandatthetime，fellonthefloor，andfallingover，dischargeditscontentsclosetoBourgonef’sfeet。Theobjectswhichcaughtmyeyeswereseveralpairsofgloves，arouge-potandhare’sfoot，andablackbeard！
BywhatcapriceofimaginationwasitthatthesightofthisfalsebeardlyingatBourgonef’sfeetthrilledmewithhorror？Inonelightning-flashIbeheldthearchway——thestrangerwiththestartledeyes——thisstrangernolongerunknowntome，buttoofatallyrecognizedasBourgonef——andathisfeetthemurderedgirl！
MovedbywhatsubtlespringsofsuggestionIknownot，buttherebeforemestoodthatdreadfulvision，seeninaluridlight，butseenasclearlyasiftheactualpresenceoftheobjectswereobtrudingitselfuponmyeyes。Intheinexpressiblehorrorofthisvisionmyheartseemedclutchedwithanicyhand。
FortunatelyBourgonef’sattentionwascalledawayfromme。Hespokeangrilysomeshortsentence，whichofcoursewasinRussian，andthereforeunintelligibletome。Hethenstooped，andpickinguptherouge-pot，heldittowardsmewithhismelancholysmile。Hewasveryredintheface；butthatmayhavebeeneitherangerortheeffectofsuddenstooping。”Iseeyouaresurprisedatthesemasqueradingfollies，”hesaidinatonewhich，thoughlow，wasperfectlycalm。”YoumustnotsupposethatIbeautifymysallowcheeksonordinaryoccasions。”
HethenquietlyhandedthepottoIvan，whoreplaceditwiththeglovesandthebeardinthebox；andaftermakinganinquirywhichsoundedlikeagrowl，towhichBourgonefanswerednegatively，hecontinuedhispacking。
Bourgonefresumedhiscigarandhisargumentasifnothinghadhappened。
Thevisionhaddisappeared，butaconfusedmassofmovingfigurestookitsplace。Myheartthrobbedsoviolentlythatitseemedtomeasifitstumultmustbeheardbyothers。Yetmyfacemusthavebeentolerablycalm，sinceBourgonefmadenocommentonit。
Iansweredhisremarksinvaguefragments，for，intruth，mythoughtswereflyingfromconjecturetoconjecture。Irememberedthatthestrangerhadafloridcomplexion；wasthisrouge？ItistruethatIfanciedthestrangercarriedawalking-stickinhisrighthand；ifso，thiswasenoughtocrushallsuspicionsofhisidentitywithBourgonef；butthenIwasratherhazyonthispoint，andprobablydidnotobserveawalking-stick。
Afterawhilemyinattentionstruckhim，andlookingatmewithsomeconcern，heinquirediftherewasanythingthematter。I
pleadedacolic，whichIattributedtotheimprudenceofhavingindulgedinsauerkrautatdinner。Headvisedmetotakealittlebrandy；but，affectingafreshaccessofpain，Ibadehimgood-
night。HehopedIshouldbeallrightonthemorrow——ifnot，headded，wecanpostponeourjourneytillthedayafter。
OnceinmyownroomIboltedthedoor，andsatdownontheedgeofthebedinatumultofexcitement。
V
FLUCTUATIONS
Alonewithmythoughts，andcapableofpursuingconjecturesandconclusionswithoutexternalinterruption，Iquicklyexhaustedallthehypotheticalpossibilitiesofthecase，and，fromhavingstartedwiththeideathatBourgonefwastheassassin，IcameatlasttothemoresensibleconclusionthatIwasaconstructiveblockhead。Mysuspicionsweresimplyoutrageousintheirdefectofevidence，andcouldneverforonemomenthaveseemedotherwisetoanyimaginationlessriotouslyactivethanmine。
Ibathedmyheatedhead，undressedmyself，andgotintobed，consideringwhatIshouldsaytothepolicewhenIwentnextmorningtocommunicatemysuspicions。Anditisworthyofremark，aswellassomewhatludicrouslyself-betraying，thatnosoonerdidImentallyseemyselfinthepresenceofthepolice，andwasthusforcedtoconfrontmysuspicionswithsomeappearanceofevidence，thanthewholefabricofmyvisionrattledtotheground。WhathadItosaytothepolice？Simplythat，ontheeveningofthenightwhenLieschenwasmurdered，IhadpassedinapublicthoroughfareamanwhomIcouldnotidentify，butwhoasIcouldnothelpfancying，seemedtorecognizeme。Thisman，Ihadpersuadedmyself，wasthemurderer；forwhichpersuasionIwasunabletoadduceatittleofevidence。Itwasuncoloredbytheremotestpossibility。Itwastrulyandsimplythesuggestionofmyvagrantfancy，whichhadmysteriouslysettleditselfintoaconviction；andhavingthuscapriciouslyidentifiedthestrangerwithLieschen’smurderer，Inow，uponevidencequiteaspreposterous，identifiedBourgonefwiththestranger。
Thefollybecameapparenteventomyself。IfBourgonefhadinhispossessionarouge-potandfalsebeard，Icouldnotbutacknowledgethathemadenoattempttoconcealthem，norhadhemanifestedanyconfusionontheirappearance。Hehadquietlycharacterizedthemasmasqueradingfollies。Moreover，Inowbegantorememberdistinctlythatthestrangerdidcarryawalking-stickinhisrighthand；andasBourgonefhadlosthisrightarm，thatsettledthepoint。
Intosuchcomplications，wouldthetricksofimaginationleadme！
Iblushedmentally，andresolvedtoletitserveasalessoninfuture。Itisneedless，however，tosaythatthelessonwaslost，assuchlessonsalwaysarelost；astrongtendencyinanydirectionsoondisregardsalltheteachingsofexperience。Iamstillnotthelessthevictimofmyconstructiveimagination，becauseIhavefrequentlyhadtobeashamedofitsvagaries。