ThenextmorningIawokewithalighterbreast，rejoicinginthecautionwhichhaddelayedmefromanyrashmanifestationofsuspicionsnowseentobeabsurd。Ismiledasthethoughtarose:
　　whatifthissuspectedstrangershouldalsobepesteredbyanactiveimagination，andshouldentertainsimilarsuspicionsofme？
　　HemusthaveseeninmyeyesthelookofrecognitionwhichIsawinhis。Onhearingofthemurder，ourmeetingmayalsohaverecurredtohim；andhissuspicionswouldhavethiscolor，wantingtomine，thatIhappentoinheritwithmyItalianbloodasomewhattruculentappearance，whichhasgainedformeamongmyfriendstheplayfulsobriquetof”thebrigand。”
　　Anxioustoatoneatonceformyfolly，andtoremovefrommymindanymisgiving——ifitexisted——atmyquittinghimsosoonafterthedisclosuresofthemasqueradingdetails，IwenttoBourgonefassoonasIwasdressedandproposedarambletillthediligencestartedforMunich。Hewassympatheticinhisinquiriesaboutmycolic，whichIassuredhimhadquitepassedaway，andoutwewent。
　　ThesharpmorningairofMarchmadeuswalkbriskly，andgaveapleasantanimationtoourthoughts。Ashediscussedtheactsoftheprovisionalgovernment，sowise，temperate，andenergetic，thefervorandgenerosityofhissentimentsstoodoutinsuchstrikingcontrastwiththedeedIhadlastnightrecklesslyimputedtohimthatIfeltdeeplyashamed，andwasnearlycarriedawaybymingledadmirationandself-reproachtoconfesstheabsurdvagrancyofmythoughtsandhumblyaskhispardon。Butyoucanunderstandthereluctanceataconfessionsoinsultingtohim，sodegradingtome。
　　Itisatalltimesdifficulttotellaman，facetoface，eyetoeye，theevilyouhavethoughtofhim，unlesstherecklessnessofangerseizesonitasaweaponwithwhichtostrike；andIhadnowsocompletelyunsaidtomyselfallthatIoncehadthoughtofevil，thattoputitinwordsseemedagratuitousinjurytomeandinsulttohim。
　　AdayortwoafterourarrivalinMunichareactionbegansteadilytosetin。AshamedasIwasofmysuspicions，Icouldnotaltogetherbanishfrommymindtheincidentwhichhadawakenedthem。Theimageofthatfalsebeardwouldminglewithmythoughts。
　　IwasvaguelyuncomfortableattheideaofBourgonef’scarryingaboutwithhimobviousmaterialsofdisguise。Initselfthiswouldhavehadlittlesignificance；butcoupledwiththefactthathisdevotedservantwas——inspiteofallBourgonef’seulogies——
　　repulsivelyferociousinaspect，capable，asIcouldnothelpbelieving，ofanybrutality，——thesuggestionwasunpleasant。YouwillunderstandthathavingemphaticallyacquittedBourgonefinmymind，Ididnotagaindistinctlychargehimwithanycomplicityinthemysteriousmurder；onthecontrary，Ishouldindignantlyhaverepelledsuchathought；buttheuneasysenseofsomemysteryabouthim，coupledwiththeaccessoriesofdisguise，andtheaspectoftheservant，gaverisetodim，shadowyforebodingswhicheverandanonpassedacrossmymind。
　　Diditeveroccurtoyou，reader，toreflectonthedepthsofdeceitwhichliestillanddarkeveninthehonestestminds？
　　Societyreposesonathincrustofconvention，underneathwhichliefathomlesspossibilitiesofcrime，andconsequentlysuspicionsofcrime。Friendship，howevercloseanddear，isnotfreefromitsreserves，unspokenbeliefs，moreorlesssuppressedopinions。Themanwhomyouwouldindignantlydefendagainstanyaccusationbroughtbyanother，soconfidentareyouinhisunshakableintegrity，youmayyourselfmomentarilysuspectofcrimesfarexceedingthosewhichyourepudiate。Indeed，Ihaveknownsagaciousmenholdthatperfectfranknessinexpressingthethoughtsisasuresignofimperfectfriendship；somethingisalwayssuppressed；anditisnothewholovesyouthat”tellsyoucandidlywhathethinks”ofyourperson，yourpretensions，yourchildren，oryourpoems。Perfectcandorisdictatedbyenvy，orsomeotherunfriendlyfeeling，makingfriendshipastalking-horse，undercoverofwhichitshootsthearrowwhichwillrankle。
　　Friendshipiscandidonlywhenthecandorisurgent——meanttoavertimpendingdangerortorectifyanerror。Thecandorwhichisanimpertinenceneverspringsfromfriendship。Loveissympathetic。
　　Idonot，ofcourse，meantointimatethatmyfeelingforBourgonefwasofthatdeepkindwhichjustifiesthenameoffriendship。I
　　onlywanttosaythatinoursocialrelationsweareconstantlyhidingfromeachother，underthesmilesandcourtesiesoffriendlyinterest，thoughtswhich，ifexpressed，woulddestroyallpossiblecommunion——andthat，nevertheless，wearenotinsincereinoursmilesandcourtesies；andthereforethereisnothingparadoxicalinmyhavingfeltgreatadmirationforBourgonef，andgreatpleasureinhissociety，whileallthetimetherewasdeepdownintherecessesofmythoughtsanuneasysenseofadarkmysterywhichpossiblyconnectedhimwithadreadfulcrime。
　　Thisfeelingwasrousedintogreateractivitybyanincidentwhichnowoccurred。OnemorningIwenttoBourgonef’sroom，whichwasatsomedistancefrommineonthesamefloor，intendingtoproposeavisittothesculptureattheGlyptothek。TomysurpriseIfoundIvantheserfstandingbeforethecloseddoor。Helookedatmelikeamastiffabouttospring；andintimatedbysignificantgesturesthatIwasnotallowedtoentertheroom。Concludingthathismasterwasoccupiedinsomeway，anddesirednottobedisturbed，Imerelysignifiedbyanodthatmyvisitwasofnoconsequence，andwentout。OnreturningaboutanhourafterwardsI
　　sawIvanputtingthreepinklettersintotheletter-boxofthehotel。Iattachednosignificancetothisveryordinaryfactatthetime，butwentuptomyroomandbeganwritingmyletters，oneofwhichwastomylawyer，sendinghimanimportantreceipt。Thedinner-bellsoundedbeforeIhadhalffinishedthisletter；butI
　　wroteon，determinedtohavedonewithitatonce，incasetheafternoonshouldofferanyexpeditionwithBourgonef。
　　AtdinnerhequietlyintimatedthatIvanhadinformedhimofmyvisit，andapologizedfornothavingbeenabletoseeme。I，ofcourse，assuredhimthatnoapologywasnecessary，andthatwehadplentyoftimetovisitsculpturetogetherwithoutintrudingonhisprivatehours。HeinformedmethathewasthatafternoongoingtopayavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，andifIdesiredit，hewouldaskpermissiononanotheroccasiontotakemewithhim。I
　　jumpedattheproposal，asmaybesupposed。
　　Dinnerover，IstrolledintotheEnglischeGarten，andhadmycoffeeandcigarthere。OnmyreturnIwasvexedtofindthatinthehurryoffinishingmylettersIhadsealedtheonetomylawyer，andhadnotenclosedthereceiptwhichhadbeentheobjectofwriting。Fortunatelyitwasnottoolate。Descendingtothebureauofthehotel，Iexplainedmymistaketothehead-waiter，whounlockedtheletter-boxtosearchformyletter。Itwasfoundatonce，fortherewereonlysevenoreightinthebox。AmongthesemyeyenaturallycaughtthethreepinkletterswhichIhadthatmorningseenIvandropintothebox；butalthoughtheywereSEENbymetheywerenotNOTICEDatthetime，mymindbeingsolelyoccupiedwithrectifyingthestupidblunderIhadmade。
　　Oncemoreinmyownroomasuddenrevelationstartledme。Everyoneknowswhatitistohavedetailscomeundertheeyewhichthemindfirstinterpretslongaftertheeyeceasestorestuponthem。Theimpressionsarereceivedpassively；buttheyareregistered，andcanbecalmlyreadwheneverthemindisinactivity。Itwassonow。Isuddenly，asifnowforthefirsttime，sawthattheaddressesonBourgonef’sletterswerewritteninafluent，masterlyhand，boldincharacter，andwithacertainsweepwhichmighthavecomefromapainter。ThethrillwhichthisvisiongavewillbeintelligiblewhenyourememberthatBourgonefhadlostorpretendedtohavelosthisrightarm，andwas，asIbeforeintimated，farfromdexterouswithhisleft。Thatnomanrecentlythrownupontheuseofalefthandcouldhavewrittenthoseaddresseswastooevident。What，then，wasthealternative？Theemptysleevewasanimposture！Atoncetheoldhorriblesuspicionreturned，andthistimewithtenfoldviolence，andwithdamnatoryconfirmation。
　　Pressingmytemplesbetweenmyhands，Itriedtobecalmandtosurveytheevidencewithoutprecipitation；butforsometimetheconflictofthoughtswastooviolent。Whatevermightbetheexplanation，clearitwasthatBourgonef，forsomepurposes，waspractisingadeception，andhad，asIknew，othermeansofdisguisinghisappearance。This，onthemostfavorableinterpretation，brandedhimwithsuspicion。Thisexcludedhimfromthecircleofhonestmen。
　　ButdiditconnecthimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt？Inmythoughtitdidsoindubitably；butIwasawareofthedifficultyofmakingthiscleartoanyoneelse。
　　VI
　　FIRSTLOVE
　　Ifthereaderfeelsthatmysuspicionswerenotwhollyunwarranted，wereindeedinevitable，hewillnotlaughatmeonlearningthatoncemorethesesuspicionsweresetaside，andthefact——thedamnatoryfact，asIregardedit——discoveredbymesoaccidentally，and，Ithought，providentially，wasrobbedofallitssignificancebyBourgonefhimselfcasuallyandcarelesslyavowingitinconversation，justasonemayavowasecretinfirmity，withsomebitterness，butwithoutanyimplicationofdeceitinitsconcealment。
　　Iwasthemorepreparedforthisrevulsionoffeeling，bythedifficultyIfeltinmaintainingmysuspicionsinthepresenceofonesogentleandsorefined。HehadcomeintomyroomthateveningtotellmeofhisvisittoSchwanthaler，andofthesculptor’sflatteringdesiretomakemypersonalacquaintance。HespokeofSchwanthaler，andhisearnesteffortsinart，withsomuchenthusiasm，andwasaltogethersocharming，thatIfeltabashedbeforehim，incapableofriddingmyselfofthedreadfulsuspicions，yetincapableoffirmlybelievinghimtobewhatIthought。Butmorethanthis，therecamethenewinterestawakenedinmebyhisstory；andwhen，inthecourseofhisstory，heaccidentallydisclosedthefactthathehadnotlosthisarm，allmysuspicionsvanishedatonce。
　　Wehadgot，asusual，uponpolitics，andweredifferingmorethanusual，becausehegavegreaterprominencetohissympathywiththeRedRepublicans。Heaccusedmeofnotbeing”thorough-going，”
　　whichIadmitted。Thisheattributedtothefactofmygivingadividedhearttopolitics——aconditionnaturalenoughatmyage，andwithmyhopes。”Well，”saidI，laughing，”youdon’tmeantotakealoftystanduponyourfewyears’seniority。Ifmyagerendersitnatural，doesyoursprofoundlyaltersuchaconviction？””Myage，no。Butyouhavethehopesofyouth。Ihavenone。Iambanishedforeverfromthejoysandsorrowsofdomesticlife；andtherefore，toliveatall，mustconsecratemysoultogreatabstractionsandpublicaffairs。””Butwhybanished，unlessself-banished？””Woman’sloveisimpossible。Youlookincredulous。Idonotalludetothis，”hesaid，takinguptheemptysleeve，andbysodoingsendingashiverthroughme。”Thelossofyourarm，”Isaid——andmyvoicetrembledslightly，forIfeltthatacrisiswasathand——”althoughamisfortunetoyou，wouldreallybeanadvantageingainingawoman’saffections。
　　Womenaresoromantic，andtheirimaginationsaresoeasilytouched！””Yes，”herepliedbitterly；”butthetroubleisthatIhavenotlostmyarm。”
　　Istarted。Hespokebitterly，yetcalmly。Iawaitedhisexplanationingreatsuspense。”Tohavelostmyarminbattle，orevenbyanaccident，wouldperhapshavelentmeacharminwoman’seyes。But，asIsaid，myarmhangsbymyside——withered，unpresentable。”
　　Ibreathedagain。Hecontinuedinthesametone，andwithoutnoticingmylooks。”Butitisnotthiswhichbanishesme。Woman’slovemightbehopedfor，hadIfarworseinfirmities。Thecauseliesdeeper。Itliesinmyhistory。Awallofgranitehasgrownupbetweenmeandthesex。””But，mydearfellow，doyou——wounded，asIpresumetoguess，bysomeunworthywoman——extendthefaultofonetothewholesex？Doyoudespairoffindinganothertrue，becauseafirstwasfalse？””Theyareallfalse，”heexclaimedwithenergy。”Not，perhaps，allfalsefrominherentviciousness，thoughmanyarethat，butfalsebecausetheirinherentweaknessrendersthemincapableoftruth。
　　Oh！Iknowthecatalogueoftheirgoodqualities。Theyareoftenpitiful，self-devoting，generous；buttheyaresobyfitsandstarts，justastheyarecruel，remorseless，exacting，byfitsandstarts。Theyhavenoconstancy——theyaretooweaktobeconstanteveninevil；theirmindsareallimpressions；theiractionsarealltheissueofimmediatepromptings。Swayedbythefleetingimpulsesofthehour，theyhaveonlyonepersistent，calculablemotiveonwhichreliancecanalwaysbeplaced——thatmotiveisvanity；youarealwayssureofthemthere。Itisfromvanitytheyaregood——fromvanitytheyareevil；theirdevotionandtheirdesertionequallyvanity。Iknowthem。Tometheyhavedisclosedtheshallowsoftheirnatures。God！howIhavesufferedfromthem！”
　　Adeep，lowexclamation，halfsob，halfcurse，closedhistirade。
　　Heremainedsilentforafewminutes，lookingonthefloor，then，suddenlyturninghiseyesuponme，said:”WereyoueverinHeidelberg？””Never。””Ithoughtallyourcountrymenwentthere？Thenyouwillneverhaveheardanythingofmystory。ShallItellyouhowmyyouthwasblighted？Willyoucaretolisten？””Itwouldinterestmemuch。””Ihadreachedtheageofseven-and-twenty，”hebegan，”withouthavingonceknowneventhevaguestirringsofthepassionoflove。
　　Iadmiredmanywomen，andcourtedtheadmirationofthemall；butI
　　wasasyetnotonlyheart-whole，but，touseyourShakespeare’sphrase，Cupidhadnottappedmeontheshoulder。”Thisdetailisnotunimportantinmystory。Youmaypossiblyhaveobservedthatinthosepassionatenatureswhichreservetheirforce，anddonotfritterawaytheirfeelingsinscatteredflirtationsortriviallove-affairs，thereisavelocityandmomentum，whenthemovementofpassionisonceexcited，greatlytranscendingallthatiseverfeltbyexpansiveandexpressivenatures。Slowtobemoved，whentheydomoveitiswiththewholemassoftheheart。Soitwaswithme。Ipurchasedmyimmunityfromearlierentanglementsbythepriceofmywholelife。IamnotwhatIwas。Betweenmypastandpresentselfthereisagulf；thatgulfisdark，stormy，andprofound。Onthefarsidestandsayouthofhope，energy，ambition，anduncloudedhappiness，withgreatcapacitiesforloving；onthissideablightedmanhood，withnoprospectsbutsufferingandstorm。”
　　Hepaused。Withaneffortheseemedtomasterthesuggestionswhichcrowdeduponhismemory，andcontinuedhisnarrativeinanequabletone。”IhadbeenforseveralweeksatHeidelberg。OneofmyintimatecompanionswasKestner，thearchitect，andheonedayproposedtointroducemetohissister-in-law，Ottilie，ofwhomhehadrepeatedlyspokentomeintermsofgreataffectionandesteem。”Wewent，andweweremostcordiallyreceived。OttiliejustifiedKestner’spraises。Pretty，butnotstrikinglyso——clever，butnotobtrusivelyso；hersoftdarkeyeswerefrankandwinning；hermannerwasgentleandretiring，withthatdashofsentimentalismwhichseemsnativetoallGermangirls，butwithoutanyoftheridiculousextravagancetoooftenseeninthem。IlikedherallthemorebecauseIwasperfectlyatmyeasewithher，andthiswasrarelythecaseinmyrelationstoyoungwomen。Idon’tenjoytheirsociety。”Youleapatoncetotheconclusionthatwefellinlove。Yourconclusionisprecipitate。Seeinghercontinually，Igrewtoadmireandrespecther；butthesignificantsmiles，winks，andhintsoffriends，pointingunmistakablyatasupposedunderstandingexistingbetweenus，onlymadememoreseriouslyexaminethestateofmyfeelings，andassuredmethatIwasnotinlove。ItistruethatIfeltaserenepleasureinhersociety，andthatwhenawayfromhersheoccupiedmuchofmythoughts。ItistruethatIoftenthoughtofherasawife；andinthesemeditationssheappearedasoneeminentlycalculatedtomakeahappyhome。ButitisnolesstruethatduringatemporaryabsenceofhersofafewweeksIfeltnosortofuneasiness，noyearningforherpresence，novacancyinmylife。Iknew，therefore，thatitwasnotlovewhichIfelt。”Somuchformyfeelings。Whatofhers？Theyseemedverylikemyown。Thatsheadmiredme，andwaspleasedtobewithme，wascertain。ThatshehadaparticleoffieryloveformeIdidnot，couldnotbelieve。Anditwasprobablythisverysenseofhercalmnesswhichkeptmyfeelingsquiet。Forloveisaflamewhichoftencanbekindledonlybycontactwithflame。Certainlythisissoinproud，reservednatures，whicharechilledbyanycontactwithtemperaturenothigherthantheirown。”Onherreturn，however，fromthatabsenceIhavementioned，Iwasnotalittleflutteredbyanobviouschangeinhermanner；animpressionwhichsubsequentmeetingsonlyservedtoconfirm。
　　Althoughstillveryquiet，hermannerhadbecomemoretender，andithadthatdeliciousshynesswhichisthemostexquisiteofflatteries，asitisoneofthemostenchantingofgraces。Isawhertrembleslightlybeneathmyvoice，andblushbeneathmygaze。”Therewasnomistakingthesesigns。Itwasclearthatshelovedme；anditwasnolessclearthatI，takingfireatthisdiscovery，wasmyselfrapidlyfallinginlove。Iwillnotkeepyoufrommystorybyidlereflections。Takeanothercigar。”Heroseandpacedupanddowntheroominsilence。
　　VII
　　AGALMA”AtthisjuncturetherearrivedfromParisthewomantowhomthegreatsorrowofmylifeisdue。Afatalistmightreadinherappearanceatthisparticularmomentthesignsofaprearrangeddoom。Afewweekslater，andherarrivalwouldhavebeenharmless；
　　Ishouldhavebeenshieldedfromallexternalinfluencebytheabsorbingforceoflove。But，alas！thiswasnottobe。Myfatehadtakenanotherdirection。Thewomanhadarrivedwhoseshadowwastodarkentherestofmyexistence。ThatwomanwasAgalmaLiebenstein。”Howisitthattheheadwhichwecanonlyseesurroundedwithahalo，orashadow，whenthesplendorsofachievementortheinfamyofshameinstructoureyes，isbytheuninstructedeyeobservedaswhollyvulgar？Weallprofesstobephysiognomists；howisitwearesolamentablymistakeninourjudgments？Herewasawomaninwhommyignoranteyessawnothingatallremarkableexceptgoldenhairofunusualbeauty。WhenIsaygolden，Iamnotspeakingloosely。Idonotmeanredorflaxenhair，buthairactuallyresemblingburnishedgoldmorethananythingelse。Itsripplesonherbrowcaughtthelightlikeacoronet。Thiswasheronebeauty，anditwassuperb。Fortherest，herfeatureswerecharacterless。
　　Herfigurewastallandfull；notgraceful，butsweepinglyimposing。AtfirstInoticednothingaboutherexceptthebraidedsplendorofherglorioushair。”
　　Herose，andwentintohisbedroom，fromwhichhereturnedwithasmalltrinket-boxinhishand。Thishelaidopenonthetable，disclosingalongstrandofexquisitefairhairlyingonacushionofdark-bluevelvet。”Lookatthat，”hesaid。”Mightitnothavebeencutfromanangel’shead？””Itiscertainlywonderful。””ItmusthavebeenhairlikethiswhichcrownedtheinfamousheadofLucreziaBorgia，”hesaid，bitterly。”She，too，hadgoldenhair；buthersmusthavebeenofpalertint，likehernature。”
　　Heresumedhisseat，and，fixinghiseyesuponthelock，continued:”ShewasoneofOttilie’sfriends——dearfriends，theycalledeachother，——whichmeantthattheykissedeachotherprofusely，andtoldeachotheralltheirsecrets，orasmuchasthelyingnatureofthesexpermittedandsuggested。Itis，ofcourse，impossibleformetodisentanglemypresentknowledgefrommypastimpressionssoastogiveyouacleardescriptionofwhatIthenthoughtofAgalma。
　　Enoughthat，asamatteroffact，Idistinctlyremembernottohaveadmiredher，andtohavetoldOttilieso；andwhenOttilie，insurpriseatmyinsensibility，assuredmethatmenwereingeneralwonderfullycharmedwithherthough，forherpart，shehadneverunderstoodwhy，Ianswered，andansweredsincerely，thatitmightbetruewiththelessrefinedorderofmen，butmenoftastewouldcertainlyberatherrepelledfromher。”Thisopinionofmine，orsomereportofit，reachedAgalma。”Itmayhavebeentheproximatecauseofmysorrows。Withoutthisstimulustohervanity，shemighthaveleftmeundisturbed。I
　　don’tknow。AllIknowis，thatovermanymenAgalmaexercisedgreatinfluence，andthatovermesheexercisedthespelloffascination。Nootherwordwillexplainherinfluence；foritwasnotbasedonexcellencessuchasthemindcouldrecognizetobeattractions；itwasbasedonamysteriouspersonalpower，somethingawfulinitsmysteriousness，asalldemoniacpowersare。OnesourceofherinfluenceovermenIthinkIcanexplain:sheatoncecaptivatedandrepelledthem。Byartfulappealstotheirvanity，shemadetheminterestedinherandinheropinionofthem，andyetkeptherselfinaccessiblebyapridewhichwasthemorefascinatingbecauseitalwaysseemedabouttogiveway。Herinstinctfastenedupontheweakpointinthosesheapproached。Thismadeherseductivetomen，becausesheflatteredtheirweakpoints；andhatefultowomen，becauseshefloutedanddisclosedtheirweakpoints。”Herinfluenceovermebeganinthefollowingway。Oneday，atapicnic，havingbeenledbyherintoaconversationrespectingtherelativeinferiorityofthefeminineintellect，Iwasforcedtospeakrathermoreearnestlythanusual，whensuddenlysheturnedtomeandexclaimedinalowervoice:”’Iamwillingtocreditanythingyousay；onlypraydon’tcontinuetalkingtomesoearnestly。’”’Whynot？’Iasked，surprised。”Shelookedatmewithpeculiarsignificance，butremainedsilent。”’MayIaskwhynot？’Iasked。”’Because，ifyoudo，somebodymaybejealous。’Therewasalaughingdefianceinhereyeasshespoke。”’Andpray，whohasarighttobejealousofme？’”’Oh！youknowwellenough。’”Itwastrue；Ididknow；andsheknewthatIknewit。TomyshamebeitsaidthatIwasweakenoughtoyieldtoanequivocationwhichInowseetohavebeendisloyal，butwhichIthenpretendedtohavebeennomorethandelicacytoOttilie。As，inpointoffact，therehadneverbeenawordpassedbetweenusrespectingourmutualfeelings，Iconsideredmyselfboundinhonortoassumethattherewasnothingtacitlyacknowledged。”Piquedbyhertoneandlook，Idisavowedtheexistenceofanyclaimsuponmyattention；andtoprovethesincerityofmywords，I
　　persistedinaddressingmyattentionstoher。OnceortwiceI
　　fanciedIcaughtflyingglances，inwhichsomeofthecompanycriticisedmyconduct，andOttiliealsoseemedtomeunusuallyquiet。Buthermanner，thoughquiet，wasuntroubledandunchanged。
　　Italkedlesstoherthanusual，partlybecauseItalkedsomuchtoAgalma，andpartlybecauseIfeltthatAgalma’seyeswereonus。
　　Butnoshadowof’temper’orreservedarkenedourinterchangeofspeech。”Onourwayback，IknownotwhatdevilpromptedmetoaskAgalmawhethershehadreallybeeninearnestinherformerallusionto’somebody。’”’Yes，’shesaid，’Iwasinearnestthen。’”’Andnow？’”’NowIhavedoubts。Imayhavebeenmisinformed。It’snoconcernofmine，anyway；butIhadbeengiventounderstand。However，I
　　admitthatmyowneyeshavenotconfirmedwhatmyearsheard。’”Thisspeechwasirritatingontwoseparategrounds。Itimpliedthatpeopleweretalkingfreelyofmyattachment，which，untilI
　　hadformallyacknowledgedit，Iresentedasanimpertinence；anditimpliedthat，frompersonalobservation，AgalmadoubtedOttilie’sfeelingsforme。Thisalarmedmyquick-retreatingpride！I，too，begantodoubt。Onceletlooseonthatfield，imaginationsoonsawshapesenoughtoconfirmanydoubt。Ottilie’smannercertainlyhadseemedlesstender——nay，somewhatindifferent——duringthelastfewdays。Hadthearrivalofthatheavylout，hercousin，anythingtodowiththischange？”Nottowearyyoubyrecallingalltheunfoldingstagesofthismiserablestorywiththeminutenessofdetailwhichmyownmemorymorbidlylingerson，Iwillhurrytothecatastrophe。IgrewmoreandmoredoubtfuloftheexistenceinOttilie’smindofanyfeelingstrongerthanfriendshipforme；andasthisdoubtstrengthened，therearosetheflatteringsuspicionthatIwasbecominganobjectofgreaterinteresttoAgalma，whohadquitechangedhertonetowardsme，andhadbecomeseriousinherspeechandmanner。Weekspassed。Ottiliehadfallenfromherpedestal，andhadtakenherplaceamongagreeableacquaintances。OnedayIsuddenlylearnedthatOttiliewasengagedtohercousin。”YouwillnotwonderthatAgalma，whobeforethishadexercisedgreatfascinationoverme，nowdoublybecameanobjectofthemosttenderinterest。Ifellmadlyinlove。HithertoIhadneverknownthatpassion。MyfeelingforOttilieIsawwasbuttheinarticulatestammeringsofthemightyvoicewhichnowsoundedthroughtthedepthsofmynature。Thephrase，madlyinlove，isnoexaggeration；madnessaloneknowssuchafeverofthebrain，suchatumultoftheheart。Itwasnotthatreasonwasoverpowered；onthecontrary，reasonwasintenselyactive，butactivewiththatlogicofflameswhichlightsupthevisionofmaniacs。”Although，ofcourse，mypassionwasbuttooevidenttoeveryone，Idreadeditsprematureavowal，lestIshouldloseher；andalmostequallydreadeddelay，lestIshouldsufferfromthatalso。AtlengththeavowalwasextortedfrommebyjealousyofabrilliantPole——Korinski——whohadrecentlyappearedinourcircle，andwasobviouslycastingmeintheshadebyhissuperioradvantagesofnovelty，ofpersonalattraction，andofaromantichistory。Sheacceptedme；andnow，foratime，Iwasthehappiestofmortals。
　　Thefeverofthelastfewweekswasabating；itgaveplacetoadeeptideofhopefuljoy。CouldIhavediedthen！CouldIhaveevendiedshortlyafterwards，whenIknewthedeliciousmysteryofajealousynottooabsorbing！Foryoumustknowthatmyhappinesswasbrief。Jealousy，towhichallpassionofadeepandexactingpowerisinevitablyallied，soonbegantodisturbmycontent。
　　Agalmahadnotenderness。Shepermittedcaresses，neverreturnedthem。Shewasreadyenoughtolistentoallmyplansforthefuture，solongastherecitalmovedamiddetailsoffortuneandherpositioninsociety——thatis，solongashervanitywasinterested；butIbegantoobservewithpainthatherthoughtsneverrestedontenderdomesticitiesandpoeticanticipations。
　　Thisvexedmemoreandmore。Theveryspellwhichsheexercisedovermemadeherwantoftendernessmoreintolerable。Iyearnedforherlove——forsomesympathywiththevehementpassionwhichwasburningwithinme；andshewasasmarble。”YouwillnotbesurprisedtohearthatIreproachedherbitterlyforherindifference。Thatistheinvariableandfatalfollyoflovers——theyseemtoimaginethataheartcanbescoldedintotenderness！Tomyreproachessheatfirstansweredimpatientlythattheywereunjust；thatitwasnotherfaultifhernaturewaslessexpansivethanmine；andthatitwasinsultingtobetoldshewasindifferenttothemanwhomshehadconsentedtomarry。Latersheansweredmyreproacheswithhaughtydefiance，onedayintimatingthatifIreallythoughtwhatIsaid，andrepentedourengagement，itwouldbemostprudentforustoseparateereitwastoolate。Thisquietedmeforawhile。Butitbroughtnobalmtomywounds。”Andnowfreshtortureswereadded。KorinskibecamequitemarkedinhisattentionstoAgalma。Theseshereceivedwithevidentdelight；somuchso，thatIsawbytheglancesofothersthattheywerescandalizedatit；andthis，ofcourse，increasedmypain。Myrenewedreproachesonlymadehermannercoldertome；toKorinskiitbecamewhatIwouldgladlyhaveseentowardsmyself。”Thestressandagitationofthosedaysweretoomuchforme。I
　　fellill，andforsevenweekslayutterlyprostrate。Onrecovering，thisnotewashandedtome。ItwasfromAgalma。”
　　Bourgonefhereheldouttomeacrumpledletter，andmotionedthatIshouldopenitandread。Itranthus:”Ihavethoughtmuchofwhatyouhavesooftensaid，thatitwouldbeforthehappinessofbothifourunfortunateengagementweresetaside。ThatyouhavearealaffectionformeIbelieve，andbeassuredthatIoncehadarealaffectionforyou；not，perhaps，thepassionatelovewhichanaturesoexactingasyoursdemands，andwhichIearnestlyhopeitmayonedayfind，butagenuineaffectionnevertheless，whichwouldhavemademeproudtoshareyourlot。
　　Butitwouldbeuncandidinmetopretendthatthisnowexists。
　　Yourincessantjealousy，theangryfeelingsexcitedbyyourreproaches，thefretfulirritationinwhichforsometimewehavelivedtogether，hascompletelykilledwhatloveIhad，andInolongerfeelpreparedtoriskthehappinessofbothofusbyamarriage。Whatyousaidtheothernightconvincesmethatitisevenyourdesireourengagementshouldcease。Itiscertainlymine。Letustrytothinkkindlyofeachotherandmeetagainasfriends。
　　AGALMALIEBENSTEIN。”
　　WhenIhadreadthisandreturnedittohim，hesaid:”YouseethatthiswaswrittenonthedayIwastakenill。WhethersheknewthatIwashelplessIknownot。Atanyrate，sheneversenttoinquireafterme。ShewentofftoParis；Korinskifollowedher；and——asIquicklylearnedongoingoncemoreintosociety——
　　theyweremarried！Didyouever，inthewholecourseofyourexperience，hearofsuchheartlessconduct？”
　　Bourgonefaskedthiswithaferocitywhichquitestartledme。I
　　didnotanswerhim；for，intruth，IcouldnotseethatAgalmahadbeenverymuchtoblame，evenashetoldthestory，andfeltsurethatcouldIhaveheardherversionitwouldhavewornaverydifferentaspect。Thatshewascold，anddisappointedhim，mightbetrueenough，buttherewasnocrime；andIperfectlyunderstoodhowthoroughlyodioushemusthavemadehimselftoherbyhisexactionsandreproaches。Iunderstoodthis，perhaps，allthebetter，becauseinthecourseofhisnarrativeBourgonefhadrevealedtomeaspectsofhisnaturewhichweresomewhatrepulsive。
　　EspeciallywasIstruckwithhismorbidvanity，andhisreadinesstoimputelowmotivestoothers。Thisunpleasantviewofhischaracter——acharacterinmanyrespectssoadmirableforitsgenerosityandrefinement——wasdeepenedashewenton，insteadofawaitingmyreplytohisquestion。”Forawrongsomeasureless，youwillnaturallyaskwhatmeasurelessrevengeIsought。”
　　Theideahadnotoccurredtome；indeedIcouldseenowrong，andthisnotionofrevengewassomewhatstartlinginsuchacase。”Idebateditlong，”hecontinued。”IfeltthatsinceIwaspreventedfromarrestinganyoftheeviltomyself，Icouldatleastmaturemyplansforanadequatedischargeofjustretributionsonher。Itrevealstheimpotenceresultingfromthetrammelsofmoderncivilization，thatwhilethepossibilitiesofwrongareinfinite，theopeningsforvengeancearefewandcontemptible。Onlywhenamanisthrownuponthenecessitiesofthis’wildjustice’doeshediscoverhowdifficultvengeancereallyis。HadAgalmabeenmywife，Icouldhavewreakedmywrathuponher，withassurancethatsomeofthetorturesheinflictedonmewastofallonher。NothavingthispowerwhatwasItodo？Killher？Thatwouldhaveaffordedonemomentofexquisitesatisfaction——buttoheritwouldhavebeensimplydeath——andI
　　wantedtokilltheheart。”
　　Heseemedworkingwithaninsanepassion，sothatIregardedhimwithdisgust，mingledwithsomedoubtsastowhathorrorshewasabouttorelate。”Myplanwaschosen。Theonlywaytoreachherheartwastostrikethroughherhusband。ForseveralhoursdailyIpractisedwiththepistol，until——inspiteofonlyhavingalefthand——Iacquiredfatalskill。Butthiswasnotenough。Firingatamarkissimplework。Firingataman——especiallyoneholdingapistolpointedatyou——isaltogetherdifferent。Ihadtoooftenheardof’crackshots’missingtheirmen，torelyconfidentlyonmyskillintheshootinggallery。Itwasnecessarythatmyeyeandhandshouldbeeducatedtofamiliaritywiththerealobject。Partofthecausewhyduelistsmisstheirmanisfromthetrepidationoffear。Iwaswithoutfear。AtnomomentinmylifehaveIbeenafraid；andthechanceofbeingshotbyKorinskiIcountedasnothing。Theothercauseisunfamiliaritywiththemark。ThisIsecuredmyselfagainstbygettingalayfigureofKorinski’sheight，dressingittoresemblehim，placingapistolinitshand，andthenpractisingatthismarkinthewoods。AfterashorttimeIcouldsendabulletthroughthethoraxwithouttakingmorethanahastyglanceatthefigure。”Thusprepared，IstartedforParis。Butyouwillfeelformewhenyoulearnthatmyhungryheartwasbaffledofitsvengeance，andbaffledforever。Agalmahadbeencarriedoffbyscarletfever。
　　KorinskihadleftParis，andIfeltnostrongpromptingstofollowhim，andwreakonhimafutilevengeance。ItwasonHERmywrathhadbeenconcentrated，andIgnashedmyteethatthethoughtthatshehadescapedme。”Mystoryisended。Themonthsofgloomydepressionwhichsucceeded，nowthatIwasnolongersustainedbythehopeofvengeance，Ineednotspeakof。Myexistencewasdesolate，andevennowthedesolationcontinuesoverthewholeregionoftheemotions。Icarryadeadheartwithinme。”
　　VIII
　　ASECONDVICTIM
　　Bourgonef’sstoryhasbeennarratedwithsomefullness，thoughinlessdetailthanhetoldit，inorderthatthereadermayunderstanditsrealbearingsonMYstory。Withoutit，themotiveswhichimpelledthestrangepertinacityofmypursuitwouldhavebeenunintelligible。Ihavesaidthataverydisagreeableimpressionremainedonmymindrespectingcertainaspectsofhischaracter，andIfeltsomewhatashamedofmyimperfectsagacityinhavinguptothisperiodbeenentirelyblindtothoseaspects。Thetruthis，everyhumanbeingisamystery，andremainssotothelast。Wefancyweknowacharacter；weformadistinctconceptionofit；foryearsthatconceptionremainsunmodified，andsuddenlythestrainofsomeemergency，oftheincidentalstimulusofnewcircumstances，revealsqualitiesnotsimplyunexpected，butflatlycontradictoryofourpreviousconception。Wejudgeofamanbytheanglehesubtendstooureye——onlythusCANwejudgeofhim；andthisangledependsontherelationhisqualitiesandcircumstancesbeartoourinterestsandsympathies。Bourgonefhadcharmedmeintellectually；morallyIhadnevercomeclosertohimthaninthesympathiesofpublicquestionsandabstracttheories。Hisstoryhaddisclosedhiddendepths。
　　Myoldsuspicionsreappeared，andaconversationwehadtwodaysafterwardshelpedtostrengthenthem。
　　WehadgoneonavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，athistinylittlecastleofSchwaneck，afewmilesfromMunich。Theartistwasoutforawalk，butwewereinvitedtocomeinandawaithisreturn，whichwouldbeshortly；andmeanwhileBourgonefundertooktoshowmeoverthecastle，interestingasabitofmodernGothic，realizingonadiminutivescaleayouthfuldreamofthesculptor’s。
　　Whenoursurveywascompleted——anditdidnottakelong——wesatatoneofthewindowsandenjoyedamagnificentprospect。”Itiscurious，”saidBourgonef，”tobeshutuphereinthisimitationofmedievalmasonry，whereeverydetailspeaksofthedeadpast，andtothinkoftheeventsnowgoingoninPariswhichmustfindimitatorsalloverEurope，andwhichopentothemindsuchvistasofthefuture。WhatagrotesqueanachronismisthisGothiccastle，builtinthesameageasthatwhichseesareformingpope！””Yes；butisnotthereformingpopehimselfananachronism？””AsaCatholic，”herehesmiled，intimatingthathisorthodoxywasnotverystringent，”Icannotadmitthat；asaProtestant，youmustadmitthatiftheremustbeapope，hemustinthesedaysbeareformer，or——giveuphistemporalpower。NotthatIlookonPioNonoasmorethanaprecursor；hemaybreakground，andpointtheway，butheisnotthemantoleadEuropeoutofitspresentsloughofdespond，andundertheheadshipoftheChurchfoundanewandlastingrepublic。WewantaHildebrand，onewhowillbetothenineteenthcenturyasGregorywastotheeleventh。””Doyoubelieveinsuchapossibility？DoyouthinktheRomanpontiffcaneveragainswaythedestiniesofEurope？””IcanhardlysayIbelieveit；yetIseethepossibilityofsuchanopeningiftherightmanweretoarise。ButIfearhewillnotarise；orifheshould，theConclavewillstiflehim。Yetthereisbutonealternative:eitherEuropemustoncemorejoininacrusadewithapopeatthehead，oritmusthoisttheredflag。Thereisnootherissue。””Heavenpreserveusfromboth！AndIthinkweshallbepreservedfromthePopebytherottennessoftheChurch；fromthedrapeaurougebytheindignationandhorrorofallhonestmen。YouseehowtheProvisionalGovernmenthasresistedtheinsaneattemptofthefanaticstomaketheredflagacceptedasthenationalbanner？””Yes；anditistheonethingwhichdashesmypleasureinthenewrevolution。ItistheoneactofweaknesswhichtheGovernmenthasexhibited；aconcessionwhichwillbefatalunlessitbehappilysetasidebytheenergeticpartyofaction。””Anactofweakness？sayratheranactofstrength。Aconcession？
　　sayrathertherepudiationofanarchy，theassertionoflawandjustice。””Notabit。Itwasconcessiontothefearsofthetimid，andtothevanityoftheFrenchpeople。ThetricolorisaFrenchflag——
　　notthebannerofhumanity。ItisbecausethetricolorhasbeenidentifiedwiththevictoriesofFrancethatitappealstothevanityofthevainestofpeople。Theyforgetthatitistheflagofarevolutionwhichfailed，andofanempirewhichwasoneperpetualoutragetohumanity。Whereastheredisnew；itisthesymbolofanenergetic，thorough-goingcreed。Ifitcarriesterrorwithit，somuchthebetter。Thetyrantsandthetimidshouldbemadetotremble。””Ihadnoideayouweresobloodthirsty，”saidI，laughingathisvehemence。”Iamnotbloodthirstyatall；Iamonlylogicalandconsistent。
　　Thereisamassofsophistrycurrentintheworldwhichsickensme。
　　PeopletalkofRobespierreandSt。Just，twoofthemostvirtuousmenthateverlived——andofDominicandTorquemada，twoofthemostsingle-minded——asiftheywerecruelandbloodthirsty，whereastheywereonlyconvinced。””Isitfromloveofparadoxthatyoudefendthesetigers？””Tigers，again——howthosebeastsarecalumniated！”
　　Hesaidthiswithaseriousnesswhichwasirresistiblycomic。I
　　shoutedwithlaughter；buthecontinuedgravely:”YouthinkIamjoking。Butletmeaskyouwhyyouconsiderthetigermorebloodthirstythanyourself？Hespringsuponhisfood——
　　youbuyyoursfromthebutcher。Hecannotlivewithoutanimalfood:itisaprimalnecessity，andheobeystheordainedinstinct。
　　Youcanliveonvegetables；yetyouslaughterbeastsofthefieldandbirdsoftheairorbuythemwhenslaughtered，andconsideryourselfamodelofvirtue。Thetigeronlykillshisfoodorhisenemies；younotonlykillboth，butyoukilloneanimaltomakegravyforanother！ThetigerislessbloodthirstythantheChristian！””Idon’tknowhowmuchofthattiradeismeanttobeserious；buttowaivethequestionofthetiger’smorality，doyoureally——I
　　willnotsaysympathize，——butjustifyRobespierre，Dominic，St。
　　Just，andtherestofthefanaticswhohavewadedtotheirendsthroughblood。””HewhowillstheEND，willstheMEANS。””Adevil’smaxim。””Butatruth。Whatthefoolishworldshrinksatasbloodthirstinessandcrueltyisveryoftenmereforceandconstancyofintellect。Itisnotthatfanaticsthirstforblood——farfromit，——buttheythirstforthetriumphoftheircause。Whateverobstacleliesontheirpathmustberemoved；ifatorrentofbloodistheonlythingthatwillsweepitaway——thetorrentmustsweep。””Andsweepwithitallthesentimentsofpity，mercy，charity，love？””No；thesesentimentsmaygiveasadnesstothenecessity；theymakethedeedasacrifice，buttheycannotpreventthesoulfromseeingtheaimtowhichittends。””Thisisdetestabledoctrine！Itisthesophismwhichhasdestroyedfamilies，devastatedcities，andretardedthemoralprogressoftheworldmorethananythingelse。Nosingleactofinjusticeiseverdoneonthisearthbutittendstoperpetuatethereignofiniquity。Bythefeelingsitcallsforthitkeepsupthenativesavageryoftheheart。Itbreedsinjustice，partlybyhardeningthemindsofthosewhoassent，andpartlybyexcitingthepassionofrevengeinthosewhoresist。””Youarewrong。Thegreatdrag-chainonthecarofprogressisthefalteringinconsistencyofman。Weaknessismorecruelthansternness。Sentimentismoredestructivethanlogic。”
　　ThearrivalofSchwanthalerwastimely，formyindignationwasrising。Thesculptorreceiveduswithgreatcordiality，andinthepleasureofthesubsequenthourIgotovertosomeextenttheirritationBourgonef’stalkhadexcited。
　　ThenextdayIleftMunichfortheTyrol。MypartingwithBourgonefwasmanydegreeslessfriendlythanitwouldhavebeenaweekbefore。Ihadnowishtoseehimagain，andthereforegavehimnoaddressorinvitationincaseheshouldcometoEngland。AsIrolledawayintheMalleposte，mybusythoughtsreviewedallthedetailsofouracquaintance，andthefartherIwascarriedfromhispresence，themoreobtrusivebecamethesuspicionswhichconnectedhimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt。How，oruponwhatmotive，wasindeedanuttermystery。HehadnotmentionedthenameofLehfeldt。HehadnotmentionedhavingbeforebeenatNuremberg。
　　AtHeidelbergthetragedyoccurred——orwasHeidelbergonlyamask？
　　ItoccurredtomethathehadfirstascertainedthatIhadneverbeenatHeidelbergbeforeheplacedthesceneofhisstorythere。
　　Thoughtssuchasthesetormentedme。Imagine，then，thehorrorwithwhichIheard，soonaftermyarrivalatSalzburg，thatamurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe——oneoftheprettyenvironsofMunichmuchresortedtobyholidayfolk——correspondinginallessentialfeatureswiththemurderatNuremberg！Inbothcasesthevictimwasyoungandpretty。Inbothcasesshewasfoundquietlylyingontheground，stabbedtotheheart，withoutanyothertracesofviolence。Inbothcasesshewasabetrothedbride，andthemotiveoftheunknownassassinamystery。
　　Suchacorrespondenceintheessentialfeaturesinevitablysuggestedanappallingmysteryofunityinthesecrimes，——eitherasthecrimesofoneman，committedundersomeimpulseofmotivelessmalignityandthirstforinnocentblood——orastheequallyappallingeffectofIMITATIONactingcontagiouslyuponacriminalimagination；ofwhichcontagiontherehavebeen，unfortunately，toomanyexamples——horriblecrimespromptingcertainweakandfeverishimaginations，bytheveryhorrortheyinspire，firsttodwellon，andfinallytorealizetheirimitations。
　　Itwasthislatterhypothesiswhichfoundgeneralacceptance。
　　Indeeditwastheonlyonewhichresteduponanygroundofexperience。Thedisastrousinfluenceofimitation，especiallyunderthefascinationofhorror，waswellknown。Theideaofanydiabolicalmalicemovingonemantopassfromcitytocity，andtherequietlysingleouthisvictims——bothofthem，bytheveryhypothesis，unrelatedtohim，bothofthemattheepochoftheirlives，when”Thebosom’slordsitslightlyonitsthrone，”
　　whenthepeaceoftheheartisassured，andthefutureisradiantlybeckoningtothem，——thatanymanshouldchoosesuchvictimsforsuchcrimeswastoopreposterousanidealongtobeentertained。
　　Unlessthemanweremad，theideawasinconceivable；andevenamonomaniacmustbetrayhimselfinsuchacourse，becausehewouldnecessarilyconceivehimselftobeaccomplishingsomesupremeactofjustice。
　　ItwasthusIargued；andindeedIshouldmuchhavepreferredtobelievethatonemaniacwereinvolved，ratherthanthecontagionofcrime，——sinceonemaniacmustinevitablybesoondetected；whereastherewerenoassignablelimitstothecontagionofimitation。AndthisitwaswhichsoprofoundlyagitatedGermansociety。Ineveryfamilyinwhichtherehappenedtobeabride，vaguetremorscouldnotbeallayed；andtheabsolutepowerlessnesswhichresultedfromtheutteruncertaintyastothequarterinwhichthisdreadedphantommightnextappear，justifiedandintensifiedthosetremors。
　　Againstsuchanapparitiontherewasnoconceivablesafeguard。
　　Fromacitystrickenwiththeplague，fromadistrictsostricken，flightispossible，andtherearetheresourcesofmedicalaid。
　　Butfromamoralplaguelikethis，whatescapewaspossible？
　　Sopassionateandprofoundbecametheterror，thatIbegantosharetheopinionwhichIheardexpressed，regrettingthewidespreadpublicityofthemodernpress，since，withmanyundeniablebenefits，itcarriedalsothefatalcurseofdistributingthroughhouseholds，andkeepingconstantlyundertheexcitementofdiscussion，imagesofcrimeandhorrorwhichwouldtendtoperpetuateandextendtheexcessesofindividualpassion。Themeredwellinglongonsuchatopicasthiswasfraughtwithevil。
　　ThisandmoreIhearddiscussedasIhurriedbacktoMunich。ToMunich？Yes；thitherIwaspostingwithallspeed。Notashadowofdoubtnowremainedinmymind。Iknewtheassassin，andwasresolvedtotrackandconvicthim。DonotsupposethatTHIStimeI
　　wasledawaybythevagrantactivityofmyconstructiveimagination。Ihadsomethinglikepositiveproof。NosoonerhadI
　　learnedthatthemurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe，thanmythoughtsatoncecarriedmetoanowmemorablevisitIhadmadethereincompanywithBourgonefandtwoyoungBavarians。Atthehotelwherewedined，wewerewaitedonbythenieceofthelandlord，agirlofremarkablebeauty，whonaturallyexcitedtheattentionoffouryoungmen，andfurnishedthemwithatopicofconversation。OneoftheBavarianshadtoldusthatshewouldonedaybeperhapsoneofthewealthiestwomeninthecountry，forshewasengagedtobemarriedtoayoungfarmerwhohadrecentlyfoundhimself，byarapidsuccessionofdeaths，soleheirtoagreatbrewer，whosewealthwasknowntobeenormous。
　　AtthismomentSophieenteredbringingwine，andIsawBourgonefslowlyturnhiseyesuponherwithalookwhichthenwasmysterioustome，butwhichnowspoketooplainlyitsdreadfulmeaning。
　　Whatisthereinalook，youwillsay？Perhapsnothing；oritmaybeeverything。Tomyunsuspecting，unenlightenedperception，Bourgonef’sgazewassimplythemelancholyandhalf-curiousgazewhichsuchamanmightbesupposedtocastuponayoungwomanwhohadbeenmadethetopicofaninterestingdiscourse。Buttomymind，enlightenedastohischaracter，andinstructedastohispeculiarfeelingsarisingfromhisownstory，thegazewaschargedwithhorror。Itmarkedavictim。Thewholesuccessionofeventsrosebeforemeinvividdistinctness；theseparatedetailsofsuspiciongatheredintounity。
　　GreataswasBourgonef’scommandoverhisfeatures，hecouldnotconcealuneasinessaswellassurpriseatmyappearanceatthetabled’hoteinMunich。Ishookhandswithhim，puttingonasfriendlyamaskasIcould，andrepliedtohisquestionaboutmysuddenreturnbyattributingittounexpectedintelligencereceivedatSalzburg。”Nothingserious，Ihope？””Well，I’mafraiditwillproveveryserious，”Isaid。”Butweshallsee。MeanwhilemyvisittotheTyrolmustbegivenuporpostponed。””Doyouremainhere，then？””Idon’tknowwhatmymovementswillbe。”
　　ThusIhadpreparedhimforanyreserveorstrangenessinmymanner；andIhadconcealedfromhimthecourseofmymovements；
　　foratwhatevercost，Iwasresolvedtofollowhimandbringhimtojustice。
　　Buthow？EvidenceIhadnonethatcouldsatisfyanyoneelse，howeverconvincingitmightbetomyownmind。NordidthereseemanyevidenceforthcomingfromGrosshesslohe。Sophie’sbodyhadbeenfoundintheafternoonlyingasifasleepinoneoftheby-
　　pathsofthewood。Nomarksofastruggle；notracesofthemurderer。Heraffiancedlover，whowasatAugsburg，onhearingofherfate，hurriedtoGrosshesslohe，butcouldthrownolightonthemurder，couldgivenohintastoapossiblemotiveforthedeed。
　　Butthisentireabsenceofevidence，orevengroundofsuspicion，onlymadeMYcasethestronger。ItwasthemotivelessmalignityofthedeedwhichfasteneditonBourgonef；orrather，itwastheabsenceofanyknownmotiveelsewherewhichassuredmethatIhaddetectedthemotiveinhim。
　　ShouldIcommunicatemyconvictiontothepolice？ItwaspossiblethatImightimpressthemwithatleastsufficientsuspiciontowarranthisexamination——andinthatcasethetruthmightbeelicited；foramongthemanybarbaritiesandiniquitiesofthecriminalprocedureinContinentalStateswhichoftenpressheavilyontheinnocent，thereisthiscompensatingadvantage，thatthepressureontheguiltyistenfoldheavier。Iftheinnocentareoftenunjustlypunished——imprisonedandmaltreatedbeforetheirinnocencecanbeestablished——theguiltyseldomescape。InEnglandwegivethecriminalnotonlyeverychanceofescape，butmanyadvantages。Theloveoffair-playiscarriedtoexcess。Itseemsattimesasifthewholearrangementsofourprocedurewereestablishedwithaviewtogivingacriminalnotonlythebenefitofeverydoubt，butofeveryloopholethroughwhichhecanslip。
　　Insteadofthis，theContinentalproceduregoesontheprincipleofclosingupeveryloophole，andofinventingendlesstrapsintowhichtheaccusedmayfall。Wewarntheaccusednottosayanythingthatmaybeprejudicialtohim。Theyentanglehimincontradictionsandconfessionswhichdisclosehisguilt。
　　Knowingthis，Ithoughtitverylikelythat，howeverartfulBourgonefmightbe，asevereexaminationmightextortfromhimsufficientconfirmationofmysuspiciontowarrantfurtherprocedure。ButknowingalsothatTHISresortwasopentomewhenallothershadfailed，Iresolvedtowaitandwatch。
　　IX
　　FINALE
　　Twodayspassed，andnothingoccurred。Mywatchingseemedhopeless，andIresolvedtotrytheeffectofadisguisedinterrogatory。Itmighthelptoconfirmmyalreadysettledconviction，ifitdidnotelicitanynewevidence。
　　SeatedinBourgonef’sroom，intheoldplace，eachwithacigar，andchattingasofoldonpublicaffairs，Igraduallyapproachedthesubjectoftherecentmurder。”Isitnotstrange，”Isaid，”thatboththesecrimesshouldhavehappenedwhilewewerecasuallystayinginbothplaces？””Perhapswearethecriminals，”hereplied，laughing。Ishiveredslightlyatthisaudacity。Helaughedashespoke，buttherewasahard，metallic，andalmostdefianttoneinhisvoicewhichexasperatedme。”Perhapsweare，”Ianswered，quietly。Helookedfullatme；butI
　　wasprepared，andmyfacetoldnothing。Iadded，asinexplanation，”Thecrimebeingapparentlycontagious，wemayhavebroughttheinfectionfromNuremberg。””Doyoubelieveinthathypothesisofimitation？””Idon’tknowwhattobelieve。Doyoubelieveintherebeingonlyonemurderer？Itseemssuchapreposterousidea。Wemustsupposehim，atanyrate，tobeamaniac。””Notnecessarily。Indeedthereseemstohavebeentoomuchartfulcontrivanceinbothaffairs，notonlyintheselectionofthevictims，butintheexecutionoftheschemes。Cunningasmaniacsoftenaretheyarestillmaniacs，andbetraythemselves。””Ifnotamaniac，”saidI，hopingtopiquehim，”hemustbeamanofstupendousandpitiablevanity，——perhapsoneofyourconstant-
　　mindedfriends，whomyourefusetocallbloodthirsty。””Constant-minded，perhaps；butwhypitiablyvain？””Why？Becauseonlyadiseasedatrocityofimagination，stimulatinganatureessentiallybaseandweakinitsdesiretomakeitselfconspicuous，wouldorcouldsuggestsuchthings。Thesillyyouthwho’firedtheEphesiandome，’thevainidiotwhosetfiretoYorkMinster，themiserableFrenchmenwhohavecommittedmurderandsuicidewithaviewofmakingtheirexitstrikingfromaworldinwhichtheirappearancehadbeencontemptible，wouldallsinkintoinsignificancebesidethetoweringinfamyofbasenesswhich——forthemereloveofproducinganeffectonthemindsofmen，andthusdrawingtheirattentionuponhim，whichotherwisewouldneverhavemarkedhimatall——couldschemeandexecutecrimessohorribleandinexcusable。Incommoncharitytohumannature，letussupposethewretchismad；becauseotherwisehismiserablevanitywouldbetooloathsome。”Ispokewithwarmthandbitterness，whichincreasedasIperceivedhimwincingunderthedegradationofmycontempt。”IfhismotiveWEREvanity，”hesaid，”nodoubtitwouldbehorrible；butmayitnothavebeenrevenge？””Revenge！”Iexclaimed；”what！oninnocentwomen？””Youassumetheirinnocence。””GoodGod！doyouknowanythingtothecontrary？””NotI。Butasweareconjecturing，Imayaswellconjectureittohavebeenthedesiretoproduceastartlingeffect。””Howdoyoujustifyyourconjecture？””Simplyenough。Wehavetosupposeamotive；letussayitwasrevenge，andseewhetherthatwillfurnishaclue。””Butitcan’t。Thetwovictimswerewhollyunconnectedwitheachotherbyanyintermediateacquaintances，consequentlytherecanhavebeennocommonwrongorcommonenmityinexistencetofurnishfoodforvengeance。””Thatmaybeso；itmayalsobethattheavengermadethemvicariousvictims。””Howso？””Itishumannature。Didyoueverobserveathwartedchildstrikinginitsangertheunoffendingnurse，destroyingitstoystodischargeitswrath？Didyoueverseeaschoolboy，unabletowreakhisangeronthebiggerboywhohasjuststruckhim，turnagainstthenearestsmallerboyandbeathim？Didyoueverknowaschoolmaster，angeredbyoneoftheboy’sparents，venthispent-upspleenupontheunoffendingclass？Didyoueverseeasubalternpunishedbecauseanofficerhadbeenreprimanded？Thesearefamiliarexamplesofvicariousvengeance。Whenthesoulisstungtofury，itmustsolaceitselfbythedischargeofthatfury——itmustrelieveitspainbythesightofpaininothers。Wearesoconstituted。Weneedsympathyaboveallthings。Injoywecannotbeartoseeothersindistress；indistressweseethejoyofotherswithdismalenvywhichsharpensourpain。Thatishumannature。””And，”Iexclaimed，carriedawaybymyindignation，”yousupposethatthesightofthesetwohappygirls，beamingwiththequietjoyofbrides，wastorturetosomemiserablewretchwhohadlosthisbride。”
　　Ihadgonetoofar。Hiseyeslookedintomine。Ireadinhisthathedivinedthewholedriftofmysuspicion——theallusionmadetohimself。Thereoftenpassesintoalookmorethanwordscanventuretoexpress。Inthatlookhereadthathewasdiscovered，andIreadthathehadrecognizedit。Withperfectcalmness，butwithametallicringinhisvoicewhichwasliketheclashofswords，hesaid:”IdidnotsaythatIsupposedthis；butaswewereonthewidefieldofconjecture——utterlywithoutevidenceonewayortheother，havingnoclueeithertothemanorhismotives——Idrewfromthegeneralprinciplesofhumannatureaconclusionwhichwasjustasplausible——orabsurdifyoulike——astheconclusionthatthemotivemusthavebeenvanity。””Asyousay，weareutterlywithoutevidence，andconjecturedriftsaimlesslyfromonethingtoanother。Afterall，themostplausibleexplanationisthatofacontagionofimitation。”
　　Isaidthisinordertocovermypreviousimprudence。Hewasnotdeceived——thoughforafewmomentsIfanciedhewas——butreplied:”Iamnotpersuadedofthateither。Thewholethingisamystery，andIshallstayheresometimeinthehopeofseeingitclearedup。Meanwhile，forasubjectofconjecture，letmeshowyousomethingonwhichyouringenuitymayprofitablybeemployed。”
　　Heroseandpassedintohisbedroom。Iheardhimunlockingandrummagingthedrawers，andwassilentlyreproachingmyselfformywantofcautioninhavingspokenasIhaddone，thoughitwasnowbeyondalldoubtthathewasthemurderer，andthathismotivehadbeenrightlyguessed；butwiththisself-reproachtherewasmingledaself-gratulationatthewayIhadgotoutofthedifficulty，asI
　　fancied。
　　Hereturned，andashesatdownInoticedthatthelowerpartofhissurtoutwasopen。Healwaysworealongfroggedandbraidedcoatreachingtotheknees——asInowknow，forthepurposeofconcealingthearmwhichhungashesaid，witheredathisside。
　　Thetwolastfasteningswerenowundone。
　　Heheldinhishandatinychainmadeofverydelicatewire。Thishegaveme，saying:”Nowwhatwouldyouconjecturethattobe？””Haditcomeintomyhandswithoutanyremark，Ishouldhavesaiditwassimplyaveryexquisitebitofironwork；butyourquestionpointstosomethingmoreoutoftheway。””ItISiron-work，”hesaid。
　　CouldIbedeceived？Athirdfasteningofhissurtoutwasundone！
　　Ihadseenbuttwoamomentago。”AndwhatamItoconjecture？”Iasked。”Wherethatironcamefrom？ItwasNOTfromamine。”Ilookedatitagain，andexamineditattentively。Onraisingmyeyesininquiry——fortunatelywithanexpressionofsurprise，sincewhatmetmyeyeswouldhavestartledacoolerman——Isawthefourthfasteningundone！”Youlooksurprised，”hecontinued，”andwillbemoresurprisedwhenItellyouthattheironinyourhandsoncefloatedinthecirculationofaman。Itismadefromhumanblood。””Humanblood！”Imurmured。
　　Hewentonexpoundingthephysiologicalwondersoftheblood，——howitcarried，dissolvedinitscurrents，aproportionofironandearths；howthisironwasextractedbychemistsandexhibitedasacuriosity；andhowthischainhadbeenmanufacturedfromsuchextracts。Iheardeveryword，butmythoughtswerehurryingtoandfrointheagitationofasuprememoment。Thattherewasadaggerunderneaththatcoat——thatinafewmomentsitwouldflashforth——
　　thatadeath-strugglewasathand，——Iknewwell。Mysafetydependedonpresenceofmind。Thatincalculablerapiditywithwhich，incriticalmoments，themindsurveysalltheopeningsandresourcesofanemergency，hadassuredmethattherewasnoweaponwithinreach——thatbeforeIcouldgiveanalarmthetigerwouldbeatmythroat，andthatmyonlychancewastokeepmyeyesfixeduponhim，readytospringonhimthemomentthenextfasteningwasundone，andbeforehecouldusehisarm。
　　Atlasttheideaoccurredtome，thatas，withawildbeast，safetyliesinattackinghimjustbeforeheattacksyou，sowiththisbeastmybestchancewasaudacity。Lookingsteadilyintohisface，Isaidslowly:”Andyouwouldliketohavesuchachainmadefrommyblood。”I
　　roseasIspoke。Heremainedsitting，butwasevidentlytakenaback。”Whatdoyoumean？”hesaid。”Imean，”saidI，sternly，”thatyourcoatisunfastened，andthatifanotherfasteningisloosenedinmypresence，Ifellyoutotheearth。””You’reafool！”heexclaimed。
　　Imovedtowardsthedoor，keepingmyeyefixeduponhimashesatpaleandglaringatme。”YOUareafool，”Isaid——”andworse，ifyoustir。”
　　Atthismoment，Iknownotbywhatsense，asifIhadeyesatthebackofmyhead，Iwasawareofsomeonemovingbehindme，yetI
　　darednotlookaside。Suddenlytwomightyfoldsofdarknessseemedtoenvelopmelikearms。Apowerfulscentascendedmynostrils。
　　Therewasaringinginmyears，abeatingatmyheart。Darknesscameon，deeperanddeeper，likehugewaves。Iseemedgrowingtogiganticstature。Thewavesrolledonfasterandfaster。Theringingbecamearoaring。Thebeatingbecameathrobbing。Lightsflashedacrossthedarkness。Formsmovedbeforeme。Oncamethewaveshurryinglikeatide，andIsankdeeperanddeeperintothismightyseaofdarkness。Thenallwassilent。Consciousnesswasstill……
　　HowlongIremainedunconscious，Icannottell。Butitmusthavebeensomeconsiderabletime。Whenconsciousnessoncemorebegantodawnwithinme，Ifoundmyselflyingonabedsurroundedbyagroupofeager，watchingfaces，andbecameawareofaconfusedmurmurofwhisperinggoingonaroundme。”ErLebt”heliveswerethewordswhichgreetedmyopeningeyes——wordswhichIrecognizedascomingfrommylandlord。