ItwastoldtoCommanderRaffletonbyaFrenchcomrade，whoindaysofpeacehadbeenapainter，minglingwithothersofhiskind，especiallysuchasfoundtheirinspirationinthewidehorizonsandlegend—haunteddellsofold—worldBrittany.AfterwardstheCommandertoldittotheProfessor，andtheProfessor’sonlystipulationwasthatitshouldnotbetoldtotheDoctor，atleastforatime.FortheDoctorwouldseeinitonlyconfirmationforhisownnarrowsense—boundtheories，whiletotheProfessoritconfirmedbeyondadoubttheabsolutetruthofthisstory.
ItcommencedintheyearEighteenhundredandninety—eight（annoDomini），onaparticularlyunpleasanteveninginlateFebruary——"astormywinter’snight，"onewoulddescribeit，wereonewritingmereromance.ItcametothelonelycottageofMadameLavigneontheedgeofthemoorthatsurroundsthesunkenvillageofAven—a—Christ.
MadameLavigne，whowasknittingstockings——forshelivedbyknittingstockings——heard，asshethought，apassingoffeet，andwhatseemedlikeatapatthedoor.Shedismissedtheidea，forwhowouldbepassingatsuchanhour，andwheretherewasnoroad？Butafewminuteslaterthetappingcameagain，andMadameLavigne，takinghercandleinherhand，wenttoseewhowasthere.Theinstantshereleasedthelatchagustofwindblewoutthecandle，andMadameLavignecouldseenoone.Shecalled，buttherewasnoanswer.Shewasabouttoclosethedooragainwhensheheardafaintsound.Itwasnotexactlyacry.Itwasasifsomeoneshecouldnotsee，inthetiniestofvoices，hadsaidsomethingshecouldnotunderstand.
MadameLavignecrossedherselfandmutteredaprayer，andthenshehearditagain.Itseemedtocomefromcloseatherfeet，andfeelingwithherhands——forshethoughtitmightbeastraycat——shefoundquitealargeparcel，Itwaswarmandsoft，though，ofcourse，abitwet，andMadameLavignebroughtitin，andhavingclosedthedoorandre—lithercandle，laiditonthetable.Andthenshesawitwasthetiniestofbabies.
Itmustalwaysbeadifficultsituation.MadameLavignedidwhatmostpeoplewouldhavedoneinthecase.Sheunrolledthewrappings，andtakingthelittlethingonherlap，satdowninfrontofthedullpeatfireandconsidered.Itseemedwonderfullycontented，andMadameLavignethoughtthebestthingtodowouldbetoundressitandputittobed，andthengoonwithherknitting.
ShewouldconsultFatherJeaninthemorningandtakehisadvice.
Shehadneverseensuchfineclothes.Shetookthemoffonebyone，lovinglyfeelingtheirtexture，andwhenshefinallyremovedthelastlittleshiftandthelittlewhitethinglayexposed，MadameLavignesprangupwithacryandallbutdroppeditintothefire.
ForshesawbythemarkthateveryBretonpeasantknowsthatitwasnotachildbutafairy.
Herpropercourse，asshewellknew，wastohaveopenedthedoorandflungitoutintothedarkness.Mostwomenofthevillagewouldhavedoneso，andspenttherestofthenightontheirknees.Butsomeonemusthavechosenwithforesight.TherecametoMadameLavignethememoryofhergoodmanandherthreetallsons，takenfromheronebyonebythejealoussea，and，comewhatmightofit，shecouldnotdoit.Thelittlethingunderstood，thatwasclear，foritsmiledquiteknowinglyandstretchedoutitslittlehands，touchingMadameLavigne’sbrownwitheredskin，andstirringforgottenbeatingsofherheart.
FatherJean——onetakeshimtohavebeenatolerant，gentlywiseoldgentleman——couldseenoharm.Thatis，ifMadameLavignecouldaffordtheluxury.Maybeitwasagoodfairy.Wouldbringherluck.AndcertainitisthatthecacklingofMadame’shenswasheardmoreoftenthanbefore，andtheweedsseemedfewerinthelittlepatchofgardenthatMadameLavignehadrescuedfromthemoor.
Ofcourse，thenewsspread.OnegathersthatMadameLavignerathergaveherselfairs.Buttheneighboursshooktheirheads，andthechildgrewuplonelyandavoided.Fortunately，thecottagewasfarfromotherhouses，andtherewasalwaysthegreatmoorwithitsdeephiding—places.FatherJeanwashersoleplaymate.Hewouldtakeherwithhimonhislongtrampsthroughhisscattereddistrict，leavingherscreenedamongthefurzeandbrackenneartothesolitaryfarmsteadswherehemadehisvisitations.
Hehadlearntitwasuseless：allattemptofMotherChurchtoscoldoutofthisseaandmoor—girtflocktheirpagansuperstitions.Hewouldleaveittotime.Later，perhapsopportunitymightoccurtoplacethechildinsomeconvent，whereshewouldlearntoforget，andgrowintoagoodCatholic.Meanwhile，onehadtotakepityonthelittlelonelycreature.Notentirelyforherownsakemaybe;adearaffectionatelittlesoulstrangelywise;sosheseemedtoFatherJean.Undertheshadeoftreesorsharingwarmshelterwiththesoft—eyedcows，hewouldteachherfromhissmallstockofknowledge.Everynowandthenshewouldstartlehimwithanintuition，acommentstrangelyunchildlike.Itwasasifshehadknownallaboutit，longago.FatherJeanwouldstealaswiftglanceatherfromunderhisshaggyeyebrowsandfallintoasilence.Itwascuriousalsohowthewildthingsofthefieldandwoodseemedunafraidofher.Attimes，returningtowherehehadleftherhidden，hewouldpause，wonderingtowhomshewastalking，andthenashedrewnearerwouldhearthestealingawayoflittlefeet，thestartledflutterofwings.Shehadelfishways，ofwhichitseemedimpossibletocureher.Oftenthegoodman，returningfromsomelatevisitofmercywithhislanternandhisstoutoakcudgel，wouldpauseandlistentoawanderingvoice.Itwasnevernearenoughforhimtohearthewords，andthevoicewasstrangetohim，thoughheknewitcouldbenooneelse.MadameLavignewouldshrughershoulders.Howcouldshehelpit？Itwasnotforhertocrossthe"child，"evensupposingboltsandbarslikelytobeofanyuse.FatherJeangaveitupindespair.Neitherwasitforhimeithertobetoooftenforbiddingandlecturing.Maybethecunningtenderwayshadwovetheirwebaboutthechildlessoldgentleman’sheart，makinghimalsosomewhatafraid.Perhapsotherdistractions！
ForMadameLavignewouldneverallowhertodoanythingbutthelightestofwork.Hewouldteachhertoread.SoquicklyshelearntthatitseemedtoFatherJeanshemustbemakingbelievenottohaveknownitalready.Buthehadhisrewardinwatchingthejoywithwhichshewoulddevour，forpreference，thequaintprintedvolumesofromanceandhistorythathewouldbringhometoherfromhisrarejourneyingstothedistanttown.
ItwaswhenshewasaboutthirteenthattheladiesandgentlemencamefromParis.Ofcoursetheywerenotrealladiesandgentlemen.
Onlyalittlecompanyofartistsseekingnewfields.Theyhad"done"thecoastandthetimberedhousesofthenarrowstreets，andoneofthemhadsuggestedexploringthesolitary，unknowninlands.
Theycameacrossherseatedonanoldgreystonereadingfromanancient—lookingbook，andshehadrisenandcurtsiedtothem.Shewasneverafraid.Itwasshewhoexcitedfear.Oftenshewouldlookafterthechildrenflyingfromher，feelingalittlesad.But，ofcourse，itcouldnotbehelped.Shewasafairy.Shewouldhavedonethemnoharm，butthistheycouldnotbeexpectedtounderstand.Itwasadelightfulchange;meetinghumanbeingswhoneitherscreamednorhastilyrecitedtheirpaternosters，butwho，instead，returnedone’ssmile.Theyaskedherwhereshelived，andsheshowedthem.TheywerestayingatAven—a—Christ;andoneoftheladieswasbraveenougheventokissher.Laughingandtalkingtheyallwalkeddownthehilltogether.TheyfoundMadameLavigneworkinginhergarden.MadameLavignewashedherhandsofallresponsibility.ItwasforSuzannetodecide.Itseemedtheywantedtomakeapictureofher，sittingonthegreystonewheretheyhadfoundher.Itwassurelyonlykindtoletthem;sonextmorningshewasthereagainwaitingforthem.Theygaveherafive—
francpiece.MadameLavignewasdoubtfulofhandlingit，butFatherJeanvouchedforitasbeinggoodRepublicanmoney;andasthedayswentbyMadameLavigne’sblackstockinggrewheavierandheavierasshehungitagaineachnightinthechimney.
Itwastheladywhohadfirstkissedherthatdiscoveredwhoshewas.Theyhadallofthemfeltsurefromthebeginningthatshewasafairy，andthat"Suzanne"couldnotbeherrealname.Theyfounditinthe"HeptameronofFriarBonnet.InwhichisrecordedthenumerousadventuresofthevaliantandpuissantKingRyenceofBretagne，"whichoneofthemhadpickedupontheQuaiauxFleursandbroughtwithhim.IttoldallabouttheWhiteLadies，andthereinshewasdescribed.Therecouldbenomistakingher;thefairbodythatwasliketoawillowswayedbythewind.Thewhitefeetthatcouldpass，leavingthedewunshakenfromthegrass.Theeyesblueanddeepasmountainlakes.Thegoldenlocksofwhichthesunwasjealous.
Itwasallquiteclear.ShewasMalvina，oncefavouritetoHarbundia，QueenoftheWhiteLadiesofBrittany.Forreasons——
furtherallusiontowhichpolitenessforbade——shehadbeenawanderer，nooneknowingwhathadbecomeofher.AndnowthewhimhadtakenhertoreappearasalittleBretonpeasantgirl，neartothesceneofherpastglories.Theykneltbeforeher，offeringherhomage，andalltheladieskissedher.Thegentlemenofthepartythoughttheirturnwouldfollow.Butitneverdid.Itwasnottheirownshynessthatstoodintheirway：onemustdothemthatjustice.Itwasasifsomeyouthfulqueen，exiledandunknownamongststrangers，hadbeensuddenlyrecognisedbyalittlebandofherfaithfulsubjects，passingbychancethatway.Sothat，insteadoffrolicandlaughter，ashadbeenintended，theyremainedstandingwithbaredheads;andnoonelikedtobethefirsttospeak.
Sheputthemattheirease——ortriedto——withagraciousgesture.
Butenjoineduponthemallherwishforsecrecy.Andsodismissedtheyseemtohavereturnedtothevillageamarvellouslysoberlittleparty，experiencingallthesensationsofhonestfolkadmittedtotheirfirstglimpseofhighsociety.
Theycameagainnextyear——atleastafewofthem——bringingwiththemadressmoreworthyofMalvina’swearing.ItwasasnearasPariscouldachievetothetrueandoriginalcostumeasdescribedbythegoodFriarBonnet，thewhichhadbeenwoveninasinglenightbythewizardspiderKaraioutofmoonlight.Malvinaaccepteditwithgraciousthanks，andwasevidentlypleasedtofindherselfagaininfitandproperclothes.ItwashiddenawayforrareoccasionswhereonlyMalvinaknew.Buttheladywhohadfirstkissedher，andwhosespecialitywasfairies，cravingpermission，Malvinaconsentedtowearitwhilesittingforherportrait.ThepictureonemaystillseeinthePalaisdesBeauxArtsatNantes（theBretonneRoom）.Itrepresentsherstandingstraightasanarrow，alonelittlefigureinthecentreofatreelessmoor.Thepaintingoftherobeissaidtobeverywonderful."MalvinaofBrittany"istheinscription，thedatebeingNineteenHundredandThirteen.
ThenextyearMalvinawasnolongerthere.MadameLavigne，foldingknottedhands，hadmutteredherlastpaternoster.PereJeanhadurgedtheconvent.Butforthefirsttime，withhim，shehadbeenfranklyobstinate.Somefancyseemedtohavegotintothechild’shead.SomethingthatsheevidentlyconnectedwiththevasttreelessmoorrisingsouthwardtowheretheancientmenhirofKingTaramiscrowneditssummit.Thegoodmanyielded，asusual.ForthepresenttherewereMadameLavigne’ssmallsavings.Suzanne’swantswerebutfew.TherareshoppingnecessaryFatherJeancouldseetohimself.Withthecomingofwinterhewouldbroachthesubjectagain，andthenbequitefirm.JustthesewerethesummernightswhenSuzannelovedtoroam;andasfordanger！therewasnotaladfortenleaguesroundwhowouldnothaverunamiletoavoidpassing，evenindaylight，thatcottagestandingwherethemoordipsdowntothesealands.
Butonesurmisesthatevenafairymayfeellonesome.Especiallyabanishedfairy，hangingasitwerebetweenearthandair，knowingmortalmaidenskissedandcourted，whileone’sowncompanionskeptawayfromoneinhiding.Maybethefancycametoherthat，afteralltheseyears，theymightforgiveher.Still，itwastheirmeetingplace，solegendran，especiallyofmidsummernights.Rareitwasnowforhumaneyetocatchaglimpseoftheshimmeringrobes，buthighonthetreelessmoortothemusicoftheLadyoftheFountain，onemightstillhear，wereonebraveenoughtoventure，therhythmoftheirdancingfeet.Ifshesoughtthem，softlycalling，mighttheynotrevealthemselvestoher，makeroomforheronceagaininthewhirlingcircle？Onehastheideathatthemoonlightfrockmayhaveaddedtoherhopes.Philosophyadmitsthatfeelingoneselfwelldressedgivesconfidence.
Ifallofthemhadnotdisappeared——beenkissedthreetimesuponthelipsbymortalmanandsobecomeawoman？ItseemstohavebeenapossibilityforwhichyourWhiteLadyhadtobeprepared.Thatis，ifshechosetosufferit.Ifnot，itwasunfortunateforthetoodaringmortal.Butifhegainedfavourinhereyes！Thathewasbrave，hiswooingproved.If，addedthereto，hewerecomely，withkindstrongways，andeyesthatdrewyou？HistoryprovesthatsuchdreamsmusthavecomeeventoWhiteLadies.Maybemoreespeciallyonmidsummernightswhenthemoonisatitsfull.ItwasonsuchanightthatSirGerylonhadwokeMalvina’ssisterSighilewithakiss.AtrueWhiteLadymustalwaysdaretofaceherfate.
ItseemstohavebefallenMalvina.SometoldFatherJeanhowhehadarrivedinachariotdrawnbywingedhorses，thethunderofhispassingwakingmanyinthesleepingvillagesbeneath.Andothershowhehadcomeintheformofagreatbird.FatherJeanhadheardstrangesoundshimself，andcertainitwasthatSuzannehaddisappeared.
FatherJeanheardanotherversionafewweekslater，toldhimbyanEnglishofficerofEngineerswhohadriddenfromtheneareststationonabicycleandwhoarrivedhotandravenouslythirsty.AndFatherJean，underpromiseofseeingSuzanneonthefirstopportunity，believedit.Buttomostofhisflockitsoundedanimpossiblerigmarole，toldforthepurposeofdisguisingthetruth.
Soendsmystory——orratherthestoryIhavepiecedtogetherfrominformationofacontradictorynaturereceived.Whateveryoumakeofit;whetherwiththeDoctoryouexplainitaway;orwhetherwithProfessorLittlecherry，LL.D.，F.R.S.，youbelievetheworldnotaltogetherexploredandmapped，thefactremainsthatMalvinaofBrittanyhaspassedaway.TotheyoungerMrs.Raffleton，listeningontheSussexDownstodull，distantsoundsthatmakeherheartbeat，andverynervousoftelegraphboys，hascomealreadysomeofthedisadvantagesattendantonhernewrankofwomanhood.Andyetonegathers，lookingdownintothosestrangedeepeyes，thatshewouldnotchangeanythingabouther，evenifnowshecould.
THESTREETOFTHEBLANKWALL.
IhadturnedofffromtheEdgwareRoadintoastreetleadingwest，theatmosphereofwhichhadappealedtome.Itwasaplaceofquiethousesstandingbehindlittlegardens.Theyhadtheusualnamesprintedonthestuccoedgateposts.Thefadingtwilightwasjustsufficienttoenableonetoreadthem.TherewasaLaburnumVilla，andTheCedars，andaCairngorm，risingtotheheightofthreestoreys，withacuriouslittleturretthatbranchedoutatthetop，andwascrownedwithaconicalroof，sothatitlookedasifwearingawitch’shat.Especiallywhentwosmallwindowsjustbelowtheeavessprangsuddenlyintolight，andgaveonethefeelingofapairofwickedeyessuddenlyflasheduponone.
Thestreetcurvedtotheright，endinginanopenspacethroughwhichpassedacanalbeneathalowarchedbridge.Therewerestillthesamequiethousesbehindtheirsmallgardens，andIwatchedforawhilethelamplighterpickingouttheshapeofthecanal，thatwidenedjustabovethebridgeintoalakewithanislandinthemiddle.AfterthatImusthavewanderedinacircle，forlateronI
foundmyselfbackinthesamespot，thoughIdonotsupposeIhadpassedadozenpeopleonmyway;andthenIsettoworktofindmywaybacktoPaddington.
IthoughtIhadtakentheroadbywhichIhadcome，butthehalflightmusthavedeceivedme.Notthatitmattered.Theyhadalurkingmysteryaboutthem，thesesilentstreetswiththeirsuggestionofhushedmovementbehinddrawncurtains，ofwhisperedvoicesbehindtheflimsywalls.Occasionallytherewouldescapethesoundoflaughter，suddenlystifledasitseemed，andoncethesuddencryofachild.
Itwasinashortstreetofsemi—detachedvillasfacingahighblankwallthat，asIpassed，Isawablindmovehalf—wayup，revealingawoman’sface.Agaslamp，theonlyonethestreetpossessed，wasnearlyopposite.Ithoughtatfirstitwasthefaceofagirl，andthen，asIlookedagain，itmighthavebeenthefaceofanoldwoman.Onecouldnotdistinguishthecolouring.Inanycase，thecold，bluegaslightwouldhavemadeitseempallid.
Theremarkablefeaturewastheeyes.Itmighthavebeen，ofcourse，thattheyalonecaughtthelightandheldit，renderingthemuncannilylargeandbrilliant.Oritmighthavebeenthattherestofthefacewassmallanddelicate，outofallproportiontothem.
Shemayhaveseenme，fortheblindwasdrawndownagain，andI
passedon.
Therewasnoparticularreasonwhy，buttheincidentlingeredwithme.Thesuddenraisingoftheblind，asofthecurtainofsomesmalltheatre，thebarelyfurnishedroomcomingdimlyintoview，andthewomanstandingthere，closetothefootlights，astomyfancyitseemed.Andthenthesuddenringingdownofthecurtainbeforetheplayhadbegun.Iturnedatthecornerofthestreet.Theblindhadbeendrawnupagain，andIsawagaintheslight，girlishfiguresilhouettedagainstthesidepanesofthebowwindow.
Atthesamemomentamanknockedupagainstme.Itwasnothisfault.Ihadstoppedabruptly，notgivinghimtimetoavoidme.Webothapologised，blamingthedarkness.Itmayhavebeenmyfancy，butIhadthefeelingthat，insteadofgoingonhisway，hehadturnedandwasfollowingme.Iwaitedtillthenextcorner，andthenswungroundonmyheel.Buttherewasnosignofhim，andafterawhileIfoundmyselfbackintheEdgwareRoad.
Onceortwice，inidlemood，Isoughtthestreetagain，butwithoutsuccess;andthethingwould，Iexpect，havefadedfrommymemory，butthatoneevening，onmywayhomefromPaddington，IcameacrossthewomanintheHarrowRoad.Therewasnomistakingher.Shealmosttouchedmeasshecameoutofafishmonger’sshop，andunconsciously，atthebeginning，Ifoundmyselffollowingher.ThistimeInoticedtheturnings，andfiveminutes’walkingbroughtustothestreet.HalfadozentimesImusthavebeenwithinahundredyardsofit.Ilingeredatthecorner.Shehadnotnoticedme，andjustasshereachedthehouseamancameoutoftheshadowsbeyondthelamp—postandjoinedher.
Iwasdueatabachelorgatheringthatevening，andafterdinner，theaffairbeingfreshinmymind，Italkedaboutit.Iamnotsure，butIthinkitwasinconnectionwithadiscussiononMaeterlinck.Itwasthatsuddenliftingoftheblindthathadcaughtholdofme.Asif，blunderingintoanemptytheatre，Ihadcaughtaglimpseofsomedramabeingplayedinsecret.Wepassedtoothertopics，andwhenIwasleavingafellowguestaskedmewhichwayIwasgoing.Itoldhim，and，itbeingafinenight，heproposedthatweshouldwalktogether.AndinthequietofHarleyStreetheconfessedthathisdesirehadnotbeenentirelythepleasureofmycompany.
"Itisrathercurious，"hesaid，"buttodaytheresuddenlycametomyremembranceacasethatfornearlyelevenyearsIhavenevergivenathoughtto.Andnow，ontopofit，comesyourdescriptionofthatwoman’sface.Iamwonderingifitcanbethesame."
"Itwastheeyes，"Isaid，"thatstruckmeassoremarkable."
"ItwastheeyesthatIchieflyrememberherby，"hereplied.
"Wouldyouknowthestreetagain？"
Wewalkedalittlewhileinsilence.
"Itmayseem，perhaps，oddtoyou，"Ianswered，"butitwouldtroubleme，theideaofanyharmcomingtoherthroughme.Whatwasthecase？"
"Youcanfeelquitesafeonthatpoint，"heassuredme."Iwashercounsel——thatis，ifitisthesamewoman.Howwasshedressed？"
Icouldnotseethereasonforhisquestion.Hecouldhardlyexpecthertobewearingtheclothesofelevenyearsago.
"Idon’tthinkInoticed，"Ianswered."Somesortofablouse，I
suppose."AndthenIrecollected."Ah，yes，therewassomethinguncommon，"Iadded."Anunusuallybroadbandofvelvet，itlookedlike，roundherneck."
"Ithoughtso，"hesaid."Yes.Itmustbethesame."
WehadreachedMaryleboneRoad，whereourwaysparted.
"Iwilllookyouupto—morrowafternoon，ifImay，"hesaid."Wemighttakeastrollroundtogether."
Hecalledonmeabouthalf—pastfive，andwereachedthestreetjustastheonesolitarygas—lamphadbeenlighted.Ipointedoutthehousetohim，andhecrossedoverandlookedatthenumber.
"Quiteright，"hesaid，onreturning."Imadeinquiriesthismorning.Shewasreleasedsixweeksagoonticket—of—leave."
Hetookmyarm.
"Notmuchusehangingabout，"hesaid."Theblindwon’tgoupto—night.Ratheracleveridea，selectingahousejustoppositealamp—post."
Hehadanengagementthatevening;butlateronhetoldmethestory——thatis，sofarashethenknewit.
***
Itwasintheearlydaysofthegardensuburbmovement.OneofthefirstsiteschosenwasofftheFinchleyRoad.Theplacewasinthebuilding，andoneofthestreets——LalehamGardens——hadonlysomehalfadozenhousesinit，allunoccupiedsaveone.Itwasalonely，looseendofthesuburb，terminatingsuddenlyinopenfields.Fromtheunfinishedendoftheroadthegroundslopeddownsomewhatsteeplytoapond，andbeyondthatbeganasmallwood.TheonehouseoccupiedhadbeenboughtbyayoungmarriedcouplenamedHepworth.
Thehusbandwasagood—looking，pleasantyoungfellow.Beingclean—shaven，hisexactagewasdifficulttojudge.Thewife，itwasquiteevident，waslittlemorethanagirl.Aboutthemantherewasasuggestionofweakness.Atleast，thatwastheimpressionleftonthemindofthehouse—agent.To—dayhewoulddecide，andto—morrowhechangedhismind.Jetson，theagent，hadalmostgivenuphopeofbringingoffadeal.IntheenditwasMrs.Hepworthwho，takingthematterintoherownhands，fixeduponthehouseinLalehamGardens.YoungHepworthfoundfaultwithitonthegroundofitsisolation.Hehimselfwasoftenawayfordaysatatime，travellingonbusiness，andwasafraidshewouldbenervous.Hehadbeenverypersistentonthispoint;butinwhisperedconversationsshehadpersuadedhimoutofhisobjection.Itwasoneofthosepretty，fussylittlehouses;anditseemedtohavetakenherfancy.
Addedtowhich，accordingtoherargument，itwasjustwithintheirmeans，whichnoneoftheotherswere.YoungHepworthmayhavegiventheusualreferences，butifsotheywerenevertakenup.Thehousewassoldonthecompany’susualterms.Thedepositwaspaidbyacheque，whichwasdulycleared，andthehouseitselfwassecurityfortherest.Thecompany’ssolicitor，withHepworth’sconsent，actedforbothparties.
ItwasearlyinJunewhentheHepworthsmovedin.Theyfurnishedonlyonebedroom;andkeptnoservant，acharwomancomingineverymorningandgoingawayaboutsixintheevening.Jetsonwastheirnearestneighbour.Hiswifeanddaughterscalledonthem，andconfesstohavetakenalikingtothemboth.Indeed，betweenoneoftheJetsongirls，theyoungest，andMrs.Hepworththereseemstohavesprungupaclosefriendship.YoungHepworth，thehusband，wasalwayscharming，andevidentlytookgreatpainstomakehimselfagreeable.Butwithregardtohimtheyhadthefeelingthathewasneveraltogetherathisease.Theydescribedhim——thoughthat，ofcourse，wasaftertheevent——ashavingleftuponthemtheimpressionofahauntedman.
Therewasoneoccasioninparticular.Itwasaboutteno’clock.
TheJetsonshadbeenspendingtheeveningwiththeHepworths，andwerejustonthepointofleaving，whentherecameasudden，clearknockatthedoor.ItturnedouttobeJetson’sforeman，whohadtoleavebyanearlytraininthemorning，andhadfoundthatheneededsomefurtherinstructions.ButtheterrorinHepworth’sfacewasunmistakable.Hehadturnedalooktowardshiswifethatwasalmostofdespair;andithadseemedtotheJetsons——or，talkingitoverafterwards，theymayhavesuggestedtheideatoeachother——thattherecameaflashofcontemptintohereyes，thoughityieldedthenextinstanttoanexpressionofpity.Shehadrisen，andalreadymovedsomestepstowardsthedoor，whenyoungHepworthhadstoppedher，andgoneouthimself.Butthecuriousthingwasthat，accordingtotheforeman’saccount，Hepworthneveropenedthefrontdoor，butcameuponhimstealthilyfrombehind.Hemusthaveslippedoutbythebackandcreptroundthehouse.
TheincidenthadpuzzledtheJetsons，especiallythatinvoluntaryflashofcontemptthathadcomeintoMrs.Hepworth’seyes.Shehadalwaysappearedtoadoreherhusband，andofthetwo，ifpossible，tobetheonemostinlovewiththeother.TheyhadnofriendsoracquaintancesexcepttheJetsons.Nooneelseamongtheirneighbourshadtakenthetroubletocallonthem，andnostrangertothesuburbhad，sofaraswasknown，everbeenseeninLalehamGardens.
UntiloneeveningalittlebeforeChristmas.
JetsonwasonhiswayhomefromhisofficeintheFinchleyRoad.
Therehadbeenamisthangingaboutallday，andwithnightfallithadsettleddownintoawhitishfog.SoonafterleavingtheFinchleyRoad，Jetsonnoticedinfrontofhimamanwearingalong，yellowmackintosh，andsomesortofsoftfelthat.HegaveJetsontheideaofbeingasailor;itmayhavebeenmerelythestiff，serviceablemackintosh.AtthecornerofLalehamGardensthemanturned，andglancedupatthenameuponthelamp—post，sothatJetsonhadafullviewofhim.Evidentlyitwasthestreetforwhichhewaslooking.Jetson，somewhatcurious，theHepworths’
housebeingstilltheonlyoneoccupied，pausedatthecorner，andwatched.TheHepworths’housewas，ofcourse，theonlyoneintheroadthatshowedanylight.Theman，whenhecametothegate，struckamatchforthepurposeofreadingthenumber.Satisfieditwasthehousehewanted，hepushedopenthegateandwentupthepath.
But，insteadofusingthebellorknocker，Jetsonwassurprisedtohearhimgivethreerapsonthedoorwithhisstick.Therewasnoanswer，andJetson，whoseinterestwasnowthoroughlyaroused，crossedtotheothercorner，fromwherehecouldcommandabetterview.Twicethemanrepeatedhisthreerapsonthedoor，eachtimealittlelouder，andthethirdtimethedoorwasopened.Jetsoncouldnottellbywhom，forwhoeveritwaskeptbehindit.
Hecouldjustseeonewallofthepassage，withapairofoldnavalcutlassescrossedabovethepictureofathree—mastedschoonerthatheknewhungthere.Thedoorwasopenedjustsufficient，andthemanslippedin，andthedoorwasclosedbehindhim.Jetsonhadturnedtocontinuehisway，whenthefancyseizedhimtogiveoneglanceback.Thehousewasincompletedarkness，thoughamomentbeforeJetsonwaspositivetherehadbeenalightinthegroundfloorwindow.
Itallsoundedveryimportantafterwards，butatthetimetherewasnothingtosuggesttoJetsonanythingverymuchoutofthecommon.
Becauseforsixmonthsnofriendorrelationhadcalledtoseethem，thatwasnoreasonwhyonenevershould.Inthefog，astrangermayhavethoughtitsimplertoknockatthedoorwithhisstickthantofumbleinsearchofabell.TheHepworthslivedchieflyintheroomattheback.Thelightinthedrawing—roommayhavebeenswitchedoffforeconomy’ssake.Jetsonrecountedtheincidentonreachinghome，notasanythingremarkable，butjustasonementionsanitemofgossip.TheonlyonewhoappearstohaveattachedanymeaningtotheaffairwasJetson’syoungestdaughter，thenagirlofeighteen.
Sheaskedoneortwoquestionsabouttheman，and，duringtheevening，slippedoutbyherselfandranroundtotheHepworths.Shefoundthehouseempty.Atallevents，shecouldobtainnoanswer，andtheplace，backandfront，seemedtohertobeuncannilysilent.
Jetsoncalledthenextmorning，somethingofhisdaughter’suneasinesshavingcommunicateditselftohim.Mrs.Hepworthherselfopenedthedoortohim.Inhisevidenceatthetrial，Jetsonadmittedthatherappearancehadstartledhim.Sheseemstohaveanticipatedhisquestionsbyatonceexplainingthatshehadhadnewsofanunpleasantnature，andhadbeenworryingoveritallnight.HerhusbandhadbeencalledawaysuddenlytoAmerica，whereitwouldbenecessaryforhertojoinhimassoonaspossible.ShewouldcomeroundtoJetson’sofficelaterinthedaytomakearrangementsaboutgettingridofthehouseandfurniture.
Thestoryseemedtoreasonablyaccountforthestranger’svisit，andJetson，expressinghissympathyandpromisingallhelpinhispower，continuedhiswaytotheoffice.Shecalledintheafternoonandhandedhimoverthekeys，retainingoneforherself.Shewishedthefurnituretobesoldbyauction，andhewastoacceptalmostanyofferforthehouse.Shewouldtryandseehimagainbeforesailing;ifnot，shewouldwritehimwithheraddress.Shewasperfectlycoolandcollected.Shehadcalledonhiswifeanddaughtersintheafternoon，andhadwishedthemgood—bye.
OutsideJetson’sofficeshehailedacab，andreturnedinittoLalehamGardenstocollectherboxes.ThenexttimeJetsonsawhershewasinthedock，chargedwithbeinganaccompliceinthemurderofherhusband.
***
ThebodyhadbeendiscoveredinapondsomehundredyardsfromtheunfinishedendofLalehamGardens.Ahousewasincourseoferectiononaneighbouringplot，andaworkman，indippingupapailofwater，haddroppedinhiswatch.Heandhismate，worryingroundwitharake，haddrawnuppiecesoftornclothing，andthis，ofcourse，hadledtothepondbeingproperlydragged.Otherwisethediscoverymightneverhavebeenmade.
Thebody，heavilyweightedwithanumberofflat—ironsfastenedtoitbyachainandpadlock，hadsunkdeepintothesoftmud，andmighthaveremainedtheretillitrotted.Avaluablegoldrepeater，thatJetsonrememberedyoungHepworthhavingtoldhimhadbeenapresentationtohisfather，wasinitsusualpocket，andacameoringthatHepworthhadalwayswornonhisthirdfingerwaslikewisefishedupfromthemud.Evidentlythemurderbelongedtothecategoryofcrimespassionel.Thetheoryoftheprosecutionwasthatithadbeencommittedbyamanwho，beforehermarriage，hadbeenMrs.Hepworth’slover.
Theevidence，contrastedwiththealmostspirituallybeautifulfaceofthewomaninthedock，cameasasurprisetoeveryoneincourt.
OriginallyconnectedwithanEnglishcircustroupetouringinHolland，sheappears，aboutseventeen，tohavebeenengagedasa"songanddanceartiste"ataparticularlyshadycafechantantinRotterdam，frequentedchieflybysailors.Fromthereaman，anEnglishsailorknownasCharlieMartin，tookheraway，andforsomemonthsshehadlivedwithhimatasmallestaminettheothersideoftheriver.Later，theyleftRotterdamandcametoLondon，wheretheytooklodgingsinPoplar，neartothedocks.
ItwasfromthisaddressinPoplarthat，sometenmonthsbeforethemurder，shehadmarriedyoungHepworth.WhathadbecomeofMartinwasnotknown.Thenaturalassumptionwasthat，hismoneybeingexhausted，hehadreturnedtohiscalling，thoughhisname，forsomereason，couldnotbefoundinanyship’slist.
ThathewasoneandthesamewiththemanthatJetsonhadwatchedtillthedooroftheHepworths’househadcloseduponhimtherecouldbenodoubt.Jetsondescribedhimasathick—set，handsome—lookingman，withareddishbeardandmoustache.EarlierinthedayhehadbeenseenatHampstead，wherehehaddinedatasmallcoffee—shopintheHighStreet.Thegirlwhohadwaitedonhimhadalsobeenstruckbythebold，piercingeyesandthecurlyredbeard.Ithadbeenanoff—time，betweentwoandthree，whenhehaddinedthere，andthegirladmittedthatshehadfoundhima"pleasant—spokengentleman，"and"inclinedtobemerry."HehadtoldherthathehadarrivedinEnglandonlythreedaysago，andthathehopedthateveningtoseehissweetheart.Hehadaccompaniedthewordswithalaugh，andthegirlthought——though，ofcourse，thismayhavebeenafter—suggestion——thatanuglylookfollowedthelaugh.
Oneimaginesthatitwasthisman’sreturnthathadbeenthefearconstantlyhauntingyoungHepworth.Thethreerapsonthedoor，itwasurgedbytheprosecution，wasapre—arrangedorpre—understoodsignal，andthedoorhadbeenopenedbythewoman.Whetherthehusbandwasinthehouse，orwhethertheywaitedforhim，couldnotbesaid.Hehadbeenkilledbyabulletenteringthroughthebackoftheneck;themanhadevidentlycomeprepared.
Tendayshadelapsedbetweenthemurderandthefindingofthebody，andthemanwasnevertraced.ApostmanhadmethimcomingfromtheneighbourhoodofLalehamGardensatabouthalf—pastnine.Inthefog，theyhadallbutbumpedintooneanother，andthemanhadimmediatelyturnedawayhisface.
Aboutthesoftfelthattherewasnothingtoexciteattention，butthelong，stiff，yellowmackintoshwasquiteunusual.Thepostmanhadcaughtonlyamomentaryglimpseoftheface，butwascertainitwascleanshaven.Thismadeasensationincourtforthemoment，butonlyuntilthecallingofthenextwitness.ThecharwomanusuallyemployedbytheHepworthshadnotbeenadmittedtothehouseonthemorningofMrs.Hepworth’sdeparture.Mrs.Hepworthhadmetheratthedoorandpaidheraweek’smoneyinlieuofnotice，explainingtoherthatshewouldnotbewantedanymore.Jetson，thinkinghemightpossiblydobetterbylettingthehousefurnished，hadsentforthiswoman，andinstructedhertogivetheplaceathoroughcleaning.Sweepingthecarpetinthedining—roomwithadustpanandbrush，shehaddiscoveredanumberofshortredhairs.
Theman，beforeleavingthehouse，hadshavedhimself.
Thathehadstillretainedthelong，yellowmackintoshmayhavebeenwiththeideaofstartingafalseclue.Havingserveditspurpose，itcouldbediscarded.Thebeardwouldnothavebeensoeasy.Whatroundaboutwayhemayhavetakenonecannotsay，butitmusthavebeensometimeduringthenightorearlymorningthathereachedyoungHepworth’sofficeinFenchurchStreet.Mrs.Hepworthhadevidentlyprovidedhimwiththekey.
Thereheseemstohavehiddenthehatandmackintoshandtohavetakeninexchangesomeclothesbelongingtothemurderedman.
Hepworth’sclerk，Ellenby，anelderlyman——ofthetypethatonegenerallydescribesasofgentlemanlyappearance——wasaccustomedtohismasterbeingawayunexpectedlyonbusiness，whichwasthatofaships’furnisher.Healwayskeptanovercoatandabagreadypackedintheoffice.Missingthem，Ellenbyhadassumedthathismasterhadbeencalledawaybyanearlytrain.Hewouldhavebeenworriedafterafewdays，butthathehadreceivedatelegram——ashethensupposedfromhismaster——explainingthatyoungHepworthhadgonetoIrelandandwouldbeawayforsomedays.ItwasnothingunusualforHepworthtobeabsent，superintendingthefurnishingofaship，forafortnightatatime，andnothinghadtranspiredintheofficenecessitatingspecialinstructions.ThetelegramhadbeenhandedinatCharingCross，butthetimechosenhadbeenabusyperiodoftheday，andnoonehadanyrecollectionofthesender.Hepworth’sclerkunhesitatinglyidentifiedthebodyasthatofhisemployer，forwhomitwasevidentthathehadentertainedafeelingofaffection.AboutMrs.Hepworthhesaidaslittleashecould.
Whileshewasawaitinghertrialithadbeennecessaryforhimtoseeheronceortwicewithreferencetothebusiness.Previoustothis，heknewnothingabouther.
Thewoman’sownattitudethroughoutthetrialhadbeenquiteunexplainable.Beyondagreeingtoaformalpleaof"Notguilty，"
shehadmadenoattempttodefendherself.Whatlittleassistancehersolicitorshadobtainedhadbeengiventhem，notbythewomanherself，butbyHepworth’sclerk，moreforthesakeofhisdeadmasterthanoutofanysympathytowardsthewife.Sheherselfappearedutterlyindifferent.Onlyoncehadshebeenbetrayedintoamomentaryemotion.Itwaswhenhersolicitorswereurgingheralmostangrilytogivethemsomeparticularsuponapointtheythoughtmightbehelpfultohercase.
"He’sdead！"shehadcriedoutalmostwithanoteofexultation.
"Dead！Dead！Whatelsematters？"
Thenextmomentshehadapologisedforheroutburst.
"Nothingcandoanygood，"shehadsaid."Letthethingtakeitscourse."
Itwastheastoundingcallousnessofthewomanthattoldagainstherbothwiththejudgeandthejury.Thatshavinginthedining—room，themurderedman’sbodynotyetcold！ItmusthavebeendonewithHepworth’ssafety—razor.Shemusthavebroughtitdowntohim，foundhimalooking—glass，broughthimsoapandwaterandatowel，afterwardsremovingalltraces.Exceptthosefewredhairsthathadclung，unnoticed，tothecarpet.Thatnestofflat—ironsusedtoweightthebody！Itmusthavebeenshewhohadthoughtofthem.
Theideawouldneverhaveoccurredtoaman.Thechainandpadlockwithwhichtofastenthem.Sheonlycouldhaveknownthatsuchthingswereinthehouse.ItmusthavebeenshewhohadplannedtheexchangeofclothesinHepworth’soffice，givinghimthekey.Sheitmusthavebeenwhohadthoughtofthepond，holdingopenthedoorwhilethemanhadstaggeredoutunderhisghastlyburden;waited，keepingwatch，listeningtohearthesplash.
Evidentlyithadbeenherintentiontogooffwiththemurderer——tolivewithhim！ThatstoryaboutAmerica.Ifallhadgonewell，itwouldhaveaccountedforeverything.AfterleavingLalehamGardensshehadtakenlodgingsinasmallhouseinKentishTownunderthenameofHoward，givingherselfouttobeachorussinger，herhusbandbeinganactorontour.Tomakethethingplausible，shehadobtainedemploymentinoneofthepantomimes.Notforamomenthadshelostherhead.Noonehadevercalledatherlodgings，andtherehadcomenolettersforher.Everyhourofherdaycouldbeaccountedfor.Theirplansmusthavebeenworkedoutoverthecorpseofhermurderedhusband.Shewasfoundguiltyofbeingan"accessoryafterthefact，"andsentencedtofifteenyears’penalservitude.
Thatbroughtthestoryuptoelevenyearsago.Afterthetrial，interestedinspiteofhimself，myfriendhadferretedoutsomefurtherparticulars.InquiriesatLiverpoolhadprocuredhimtheinformationthatHepworth’sfather，ashipownerinasmallway，hadbeenwellknownandhighlyrespected.Hewasretiredfrombusinesswhenhedied，somethreeyearsprevioustothedateofthemurder.
Hiswifehadsurvivedhimbyonlyafewmonths.BesidesMichael，themurderedson，thereweretwootherchildren——anelderbrother，whowasthoughttohavegoneabroadtooneofthecolonies，andasisterwhohadmarriedaFrenchnavalofficer.Eithertheyhadnotheardofthecaseorhadnotwishedtohavetheirnamesdraggedintoit.YoungMichaelhadstartedlifeasanarchitect，andwassupposedtohavebeendoingwell，butafterthedeathofhisparentshaddisappearedfromtheneighbourhood，and，untilthetrial，noneofhisacquaintancesupNortheverknewwhathadbecomeofhim.
Butafurtheritemofknowledgethatmyfriend’sinquirieshadelicitedhadsomewhatpuzzledhim.Hepworth’sclerk，Ellenby，hadbeentheconfidentialclerkofHepworth’sfather！Hehadenteredtheserviceofthefirmasaboy;andwhenHepworthseniorretired，Ellenby——withtheoldgentleman’sassistance——hadstartedinbusinessforhimselfasaships’furnisher！Nothingofallthiscameoutatthetrial.Ellenbyhadnotbeencross—examined.Therewasnoneedforit.Butitseemedodd，underallthecircumstances，thathehadnotvolunteeredtheinformation.Itmay，ofcourse，havebeenforthesakeofthebrotherandsister.HepworthisacommonenoughnameintheNorth.Hemayhavehopedtokeepthefamilyoutofconnectionwiththecase.
Asregardsthewoman，myfriendcouldlearnnothingfurtherbeyondthefactthat，inhercontractwiththemusic—hallagentinRotterdam，shehaddescribedherselfasthedaughterofanEnglishmusician，andhadstatedthatbothherparentsweredead.Shemayhaveengagedherselfwithoutknowingthecharacterofthehall，andtheman，CharlieMartin，withhishandsomefaceandpleasingsailorways，andatleastanEnglishman，mayhaveseemedtoherawelcomeescape.
Shemayhavebeenpassionatelyfondofhim，andyoungHepworth—
—crazyabouther，forshewasbeautifulenoughtoturnanyman’shead——mayinMartin’sabsencehaveliedtoher，toldherhewasdead——lordknowswhat！——toinducehertomarryhim.Themurdermayhaveseemedtoherasortofgrimjustice.
Butevenso，hercold—bloodedcallousnesswassurelyabnormal！Shehadmarriedhim，livedwithhimfornearlyayear.TotheJetsonsshehadgiventheimpressionofbeingawomandeeplyinlovewithherhusband.Itcouldnothavebeenmereactingkeptupdayafterday.
"Therewassomethingelse."Wewerediscussingthecaseinmyfriend’schambers.Hisbriefofelevenyearsagowasopenbeforehim.Hewaspacingupanddownwithhishandsinhispockets，thinkingashetalked."Somethingthatnevercameout.Therewasacuriousfeelingshegavemeinthatmomentwhensentencewaspronounceduponher.Itwasasif，insteadofbeingcondemned，shehadtriumphed.Acting！Ifshehadactedduringthetrial，pretendedremorse，evenpity，Icouldhavegotheroffwithfiveyears.Sheseemedtobeunabletodisguisetheabsolutephysicalreliefshefeltatthethoughtthathewasdead，thathishandwouldneveragaintouchher.Theremusthavebeensomethingthathadsuddenlybeenrevealedtoher，somethingthathadturnedherlovetohate.
"Theremustbesomethingfineabouttheman，too."Thatwasanothersuggestionthatcametohimashestoodstaringoutofthewindowacrosstheriver."She’spaidandhasgotherreceipt，butheisstill’wanted.’Heisriskinghisneckeveryeveninghewatchesfortheraisingofthatblind."
Histhoughttookanotherturn.
"Yethowcouldhehavelethergothroughthosetenyearsoflivingdeathwhilehewalkedthestreetsscotfree？Sometimeduringthetrial——theevidencepilingupagainstherdaybyday——whydidn’thecomeforward，ifonlytostandbesideher？Gethimselfhanged，ifonlyoutofmeredecency？"
Hesatdown，tookthebriefupinhishandwithoutlookingatit.
"Orwasthattherewardthatsheclaimed？Thatheshouldwait，keepingalivetheonehopethatwouldmakethesufferingpossibletoher？Yes，"hecontinued，musing，"Icanseeamanwhocaredforawomantakingthatashispunishment."
Nowthathisinterestinthecasehadbeenrevivedheseemedunabletokeepitoutofhismind.SinceourjointvisitIhadonceortwicepassedthroughthestreetbymyself，andonthelastoccasionhadagainseentheraisingoftheblind.Itobsessedhim——thedesiretomeetthemanfacetoface.Ahandsome，bold，masterfulman，heconceivedhim.Buttheremustbesomethingmoreforsuchawomantohavesoldhersoul——almost，onemightsay——forthesakeofhim.
Therewasjustonechanceofsucceeding.EachtimehehadcomefromthedirectionoftheEdgwareRoad.Bykeepingwelloutofsightattheotherendofthestreet，andwatchingtillheenteredit，onemighttimeoneselftocomeuponhimjustunderthelamp.Hewouldhardlybelikelytoturnandgoback;thatwouldbetogivehimselfaway.Hewouldprobablycontenthimselfwithpretendingtobelikeourselves，merelyhurryingthrough，andinhisturnwatchingtillwehaddisappeared.
Fortuneseemedinclinedtofavourus.Abouttheusualtimetheblindwasgentlyraised，andverysoonafterwardstherecameroundthecornerthefigureofaman.Weenteredthestreetourselvesafewsecondslater，anditseemedlikelythat，aswehadplanned，weshouldcomefacetofacewithhimunderthegaslight.Hewalkedtowardsus，stoopingandwithbenthead.Weexpectedhimtopassthehouseby.Tooursurprisehestoppedwhenhecametoit，andpushedopenthegate.Inanothermomentweshouldhavelostallchanceofseeinganythingmoreofhimexcepthisbentback.Withacoupleofstridesmyfriendwasbehindhim.Helaidhishandontheman’sshoulderandforcedhimtoturnround.Itwasanold，wrinkledfacewithgentle，ratherwateryeyes.
Wewerebothsotakenabackthatforamomentwecouldsaynothing.
Myfriendstammeredoutanapologyabouthavingmistakenthehouse，andrejoinedme.Atthecornerweburstoutlaughingalmostsimultaneously.Andthenmyfriendsuddenlystoppedandstaredatme.
"Hepworth’soldclerk！"hesaid."Ellenby！"
***
Itseemedtohimmonstrous.Themanhadbeenmorethanaclerk.
Thefamilyhadtreatedhimasafriend.Hepworth’sfatherhadsethimupinbusiness.Forthemurderedladhehadhadasincereattachment;hehadleftthatconvictiononallofthem.Whatwasthemeaningofit？
Adirectorywasonthemantelpiece.Itwasthenextafternoon.I
hadcalleduponhiminhischambers.Itwasjustanideathatcametome.Icrossedoverandopenedit，andtherewashisname，"EllenbyandCo.，Ships’Furnishers，"inacourtofftheMinories.
Washehelpingherforthesakeofhisdeadmaster——tryingtogetherawayfromtheman.Butwhy？Thewomanhadstoodbyandwatchedtheladmurdered.Howcouldhebeareventolookonheragain？
Unlesstherehadbeenthatsomethingthathadnotcomeout——
somethinghehadlearntlater——thatexcusedeventhatmonstrouscallousnessofhers.
Yetwhatcouldtherebe？Ithadallbeensoplanned，socold—blooded.Thatshavinginthedining—room！Itwasthatseemedmosttostickinhisthroat.Shemusthavebroughthimdownalooking—glass;therewasnotoneintheroom.Whycouldn’thehavegoneupstairsintothebathroom，whereHepworthalwaysshavedhimself，wherehewouldhavefoundeverythingtohishand？
Hehadbeenmovingabouttheroom，talkingdisjointedlyashepaced，andsuddenlyhestoppedandlookedatme.
"Whyinthedining—room？"hedemandedofme.
Hewasjinglingsomekeysinhispocket.Itwasahabitofhiswhencross—examining，andIfeltasifsomehowIknew;and，withoutthinking——soitseemedtome——Iansweredhim.
"Perhaps，"Isaid，"itwaseasiertobringarazordownthantocarryadeadmanup."
Heleantwithhisarmsacrossthetable，hiseyesglitteringwithexcitement.
"Can’tyouseeit？"hesaid."Thatlittlebackparlourwithitsfussyornaments.Thethreeofthemstandingroundthetable，Hepworth’shandsnervouslyclutchingachair.Thereproaches，thetaunts，thethreats.YoungHepworth——hestruckeveryoneasaweakman，amanphysicallyafraid——white，stammering，notknowingwhichwaytolook.Thewoman’seyesturningfromonetotheother.Thatflashofcontemptagain——shecouldnothelpit——followed，worsestill，bypity.Ifonlyhecouldhaveansweredback，heldhisown！
Ifonlyhehadnotbeenafraid！Andthenthatfatalturningawaywithasneeringlaughoneimagines，thebold，dominatingeyesnolongertheretocowerhim.
"Thatmusthavebeenthemoment.Thebullet，ifyouremember，enteredthroughthebackoftheman’sneck.Hepworthmustalwayshavebeenpicturingtohimselfthismeeting——tenantsofgardensuburbsdonotcarryloadedrevolversasahabit——dwellinguponittillhehadworkedhimselfupintoafrenzyofhateandfear.Weakmenalwaysflytoextremes.Iftherewasnootherway，hewouldkillhim.
"Can’tyouhearthesilence？Afterthereverberationshaddiedaway！Andthentheyarebothdownontheirknees，pattinghim，feelingforhisheart.Themanmusthavegonedownlikeafelledox;therewerenotracesofbloodonthecarpet.Thehouseisfarfromanyneighbour;theshotinallprobabilityhasnotbeenheard.
Ifonlytheycangetridofthebody！Thepond——notahundredyardsaway！"
Hereachedforthebrief，stilllyingamonghispapers;hurriedlyturnedthescoredpages.
"Whateasier？Ahousebeingbuiltontheverynextplot.
Wheelbarrowstobehadforthetaking.Alineofplanksreachingdowntotheedge.Depthofwaterwherethebodywasdiscoveredfourfeetsixinches.Nothingtodobutjusttipupthebarrow.
"Thinkaminute.Mustweighhimdown，lestherisetoaccuseus;
weighthimheavily，sothathewillsinklowerandlowerintothesoftmud，lietheretillherots.
"Thinkagain.Thinkitouttotheend.Suppose，inspiteofallourprecautions，hedoesrise？Supposethechainslips？Theworkmengoingtoandfroforwater——supposetheydodiscoverhim？
"Heislyingonhisback，remember.Theywouldhaveturnedhimovertofeelforhisheart.Haveclosedhiseyes，mostprobably，notlikingtheirstare.
"Itwouldbethewomanwhofirstthoughtofit.Shehasseenthembothlyingwithclosedeyesbesideher.Itmayhavealwaysbeeninhermind，thelikenessbetweenthem.WithHepworth’swatchinhispocket，Hepworth’sringonhisfinger！Ifonlyitwasnotforthebeard——thatfierce，curling，redbeard！
"Theycreeptothewindowandpeerout.Fogstillthickassoup.
Notasoul，notasound.Plentyoftime.
"Thentogetaway，tohidetilloneissure.Putonthemackintosh.
Amaninayellowmackintoshmayhavebeenseentoenter;lethimbeseentogoaway.Insomedarkcornerorsomeemptyrailwaycarriagetakeitoffandrollitup.Thenmakefortheoffice.WaitthereforEllenby.Trueassteel，Ellenby;goodbusinessman.BeguidedbyEllenby."
Heflungthebrieffromhimwithalaugh.
"Why，there’snotamissinglink！"hecried."Andtothinkthatnotafoolamonguseverthoughtofit！"
"Everythingfittingintoitsplace，"Isuggested，"exceptyoungHepworth.Canyouseehim，fromyourdescriptionofhim，sittingdownandcoollyelaboratingplansforescape，thecorpseofthemurderedmanstretchedbesidehimonthehearthrug？"
"No，"heanswered."ButIcanseeherdoingit，awomanwhoforweekafterweekkeptsilencewhileweragedandstormedather，awomanwhoforthreehourssatlikeastatuewhileoldCutbushpaintedhertoacrowdedcourtasamodernJezebel，whoroseupfromherseatwhenthatsentenceoffifteenyears’penalservitudewaspronounceduponherwithalookoftriumphinhereyes，andwalkedoutofcourtasifshehadbeenagirlgoingtomeetherlover.
"I’llwager，"headded，"itwasshewhodidtheshaving.Hepworthwouldhavecuthim，evenwithasafety—razor."
"Itmusthavebeentheotherone，Martin，"Isaid，"thatsheloathed.Thatalmostexultationatthethoughtthathewasdead，"I
remindedhim.
"Yes，"hemused."Shemadenoattempttodisguiseit.Curioustherehavingbeenthatlikenessbetweenthem."Helookedathiswatch."Doyoucaretocomewithme？"hesaid.
"Whereareyougoing？"Iaskedhim.
"Wemayjustcatchhim，"heanswered."EllenbyandCo."
***
Theofficewasonthetopfloorofanold—fashionedhouseinacul—de—sacofftheMinories.Mr.Ellenbywasout，sothelankyoffice—boyinformedus，butwouldbesuretoreturnbeforeevening;
andwesatandwaitedbythemeagrefiretill，astheduskwasfalling，weheardhisfootstepsonthecreakingstairs.
Hehaltedamomentinthedoorway，recognisingusapparentlywithoutsurprise;andthen，withahopethatwehadnotbeenkeptwaitinglong，heledthewayintoaninnerroom.
"Idonotsupposeyourememberme，"saidmyfriend，assoonasthedoorwasclosed."Ifancythat，untillastnight，youneversawmewithoutmywigandgown.Itmakesadifference.IwasMrs.
Hepworth’sseniorcounsel."
Itwasunmistakable，thelookofreliefthatcameintotheold，dimeyes.Evidentlytheincidentofthepreviouseveninghadsuggestedtohimanenemy.
"Youwereverygood，"hemurmured."Mrs.Hepworthwasoverwroughtatthetime，butshewasverygrateful，Iknow，forallyourefforts."
IthoughtIdetectedafaintsmileonmyfriend’slips.
"Imustapologiseformyrudenesstoyouoflastnight，"hecontinued."Iexpected，whenItookthelibertyofturningyouround，thatIwasgoingtofindmyselffacetofacewithamuchyoungerman."
"Itookyoutobeadetective，"answeredEllenby，inhissoft，gentlevoice."Youwillforgiveme，I’msure.Iamrathershort—
sighted.Ofcourse，Icanonlyconjecture，butifyouwilltakemyword，IcanassureyouthatMrs.HepworthhasneverseenorheardfromthemanCharlieMartinsincethedateof"——hehesitatedamoment——"ofthemurder."
"Itwouldhavebeendifficult，"agreedmyfriend，"seeingthatCharlieMartinliesburiedinHighgateCemetery."
Oldashewas，hesprangfromhischair，whiteandtrembling.
"Whathaveyoucomeherefor？"hedemanded.
"Itookmorethanaprofessionalinterestinthecase，"answeredmyfriend."TenyearsagoIwasyoungerthanIamnow.Itmayhavebeenheryouth——herextremebeauty.IthinkMrs.Hepworth，inallowingherhusbandtovisither——herewhereheraddressisknowntothepolice，andwatchatanymomentmaybesetuponher——isplacinghiminapositionofgravedanger.Ifyoucaretolaybeforemeanyfactsthatwillallowmetojudgeofthecase，Iampreparedtoputmyexperience，and，ifneedbe，myassistance，atherservice."
Hisself—possessionhadreturnedtohim.