"Cristel！whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Poison，"sheanswered。"And_he_hassufferedtoo。"
　　Tomyastonishment，therewasnoangerinhertone：shespokeofhimasquietlyasifshehadbeenalludingtoaninnocentman。
　　"Doyoumeanthathehasbeenatdeath’sdoor，likeme？"
　　"Yes，thankGod——orIshouldneverhavefoundyouhere。PooroldGloodycametous，insearchofhelp。"Mymaster’sinaswoon，andIcan’tbringhimto。"DirectlyIheardthat，Irememberedthatyouhaddrunkwhathehaddrunk。Whathadhappenedtohim，musthavehappenedtoyou。Don’taskmehowlongitwasbeforeIfoundyou，andwhatIfeltwhenIdidfindyou。Idosowanttoenjoymyhappiness！Onlyletmeseeyousafelyhome，andIasknomore。"
　　Shehelpedmetorise，withtheencouragingwordswhichshemighthaveusedtoachild。Sheputmyarminhers，andledmecarefullyalongthroughthewood，asifIhadbeenanoldman。
　　Cristelhadsavedmylife——butshewouldhearofnoallusiontoit。Sheknewhowthepoisonerhadplottedtogetridofme——butnothingthatI
　　couldsayinducedhertotellmehowshehadmadethediscovery。InviewofTrimleyDeen，myguardianangeldroppedmyarm。
　　"Goon，"shesaid，"andletmeseetheservantletyouin，beforeIrunhome。"
　　IfshehadnotbeenoncemorewiserthanIwas，Ishouldhavetakenherwithmetothehouse;Ishouldhavepositivelyrefusedtolethergobackbyherself。NothingthatIcouldsayordohadtheslightesteffectonherresolution。Doesthemanlivewhocouldhavetakenleaveofhercalmly，inmyplace？Shetoreherselfawayfromme，withasighofbitternessthatwasdreadfultohear。
　　"Oh，mydarling，"Isaid，"doIdistressyou？"
　　"Horribly，"sheanswered;"butyouarenottoblame。"
　　Thosewereherfarewellwords。Icalledafterher。Itriedtofollowher。
　　Shewaslosttomeinthedarkness。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　GLOODYSETTLESTHEACCOUNT
　　Anightoffever;anight，whenIdidslumberforafewminutes，ofhorriddreams——thiswaswhatImighthaveexpected，andthisiswhatreallyhappened。Thefreshmorningair，flowingthroughmyopenwindow，cooledandcomposedme;themercyofsleepfoundme。WhenIwoke，andlookedatmywatch，Iwasanewman。Thehourwasnoon。
　　Irangmybell。Theservantannouncedthatamanwaswaitingtoseeme。
　　"Thesameman，sir，whowasfoundinthegarden，lookingatyourflowers。"Iatoncegavedirectionstohavehimshownupintomybedroom。
　　ThedelayofdressingwasmorethanIhadpatiencetoencounter。UnlessI
　　wascompletelymistaken，herewastheverypersonwhomIwantedtoenlightenme。
　　Gloodyshowedhimselfatthedoor，withafaceominouslywretched，aswellasugly。IinstantlythoughtofCristel。
　　"Ifyoubringmebadnews，"Isaid，"don’tkeepmewaitingforit。"
　　"It’snothingthatneedtroubleYou，sir。I’mdismissedfrommymaster’sservice——that’sall。"
　　Itwasplainlynot"all。"Relievedevenbythatguardedreply，Ipointedtoachairbythebedside。
　　"DoyoubelievethatImeanwellbyyou？"Iasked。
　　"Ido，sir，withallmyheart。"
　　"Thensitdown，Gloody，andmakeacleanbreastofit。"
　　Heliftedhisenormousfist，bywayofemphasizinghisanswer。
　　"Iwaswithinahair’sbreadth，sir，ofstrikinghim。IfIhadn’tkeptmytemper，Imighthavekilledhim。"
　　"Whatdidhedo？"
　　"Flewintoafuriousrage。Idon’tcomplainofthat;IdaresayIdeservedit。Pleasetoexcusemygettingupagain。Ican’tlookyouintheface，andtellyouofit。"Hewalkedawaytothewindow。"Evenapoordevil，likeme，doessometimesfeelitwhenheisinsulted。Mr。Roylake，hekickedme。Saynomoreaboutit，sir！Iwouldneverhavementionedit，ifIhadn’thadsomethingelsetotellyou;onlyIdon’tknowhow。"Inthisdifficulty，hecamebacktomybedside。"Lookhere，sir！WhatIsayis——thatkickhaswipedoutthedebtofthanksIowehim。Yes。Isaytheaccountbetweenustwoissettlednow，onbothsides。Intwowords，sir，ifyoumeantochargehimbeforethemagistrateswithattemptingyourlife，I’lltakemyBibleoathhedidattemptit，andyoumaycallmeasyourwitness。There！Nowit’sout。"
　　Whathismasterhadnodoubtinferred，waswhatIsawplainlytoo。
　　Cristelhadsavedmylife，andhadbeendirectedhowtodoitbythepoorfellowwhohadsufferedinmycause。
　　"Wewillwaitalittlebeforewetalkofsettingthelawinforce，"I
　　said。"Inthemeantime，Gloody，IwantyoutotellmewhatyouwouldtellthemagistrateifIcalledyouasawitness。"
　　Heconsideredalittle。"Themagistratewouldputquestionstome——wouldn’the，sir？Verygood。Youputquestionstome，andI’llanswerthemtothebestofmyability。"
　　Theinvestigationthatfollowedwasfartoolongandtoowearisometoberelatedhere。IfIgivethesubstanceofit，Ishallhavedoneenough。
　　Sometimeswhenhewasawake，andsupposedthathewasalone——sometimeswhenhewasasleepanddreaming——theCurhadbetrayedhimself。（Itwasapaltryvengeance，Iown，togratifyamaliciouspleasure——asIdidnow——inthinkingofhimandspeakingofhimbythedegradingnamewhichhismorbidhumilityhadsuggested。Butarethedemandsofaman’sdignityalwayspaidinthereadymoneyofpromptsubmission？）Anyway，itappearedthatGloodyhadheardenough，inthesleepingmomentsandthesolitarymomentsofhismaster，togivehimsomeideaofthejealoushatredwithwhichtheCurregardedme。Hehaddonehisbesttowarnme，withoutactuallybetrayingthemanwhohadrescuedhimfromstarvationortheworkhouse——andhehadfailed。
　　Buthisresolutiontodomegoodservice，inreturnformykindnesstohim，farfrombeingshaken，wasconfirmedbycircumstances。
　　Whenhismasterreturnedtothechemicalstudieswhichhavebeenalreadymentioned，Gloodywasemployedasassistant，totheextentofhislimitedcapacityformakinghimselfuseful。HehadnoreasontosupposethatI
　　wastheobjectofanyoftheexperiments，untilthedaybeforethetea-party。Then，hesawthedogenticedintothenewcottage，andapparentlykilledbytheadministrationofpoisonofsomesort。Afteraninterval，adoseofanotherkindwaspoureddownthepoorcreature’sthroat，andhebegantorevive。Alapseofaquarterofanhourfollowed;
　　thelastdosewasrepeated;andthedogsoonsprangtohisfeetagain，aslivelyasever。Gloodywasthereupontoldtosettheanimalfree;andwasinformedatthesametimethathewouldbeinstantlydismissed，ifhementionedtoanylivingcreaturewhathehadjustseen。
　　Bywhatprocesshearrivedatthesuspicionthatmysafetymightbethreatened，bytheexperimentonthedog，hewasentirelyunabletoexplain。
　　"Itwasborneinonmymind，sir;andthat’sallIcantellyou，"hesaid。"Ididn’tdarespeaktoyouaboutit;youwouldn’thavebelievedme。Or，ifyoudidbelieveme，youmighthavesentforthepolice。Theonewayofputtingastoptomurderingmischief（ifmurderingmischiefitmightbe）wastotrustMissCristel。Thatshewasfondofyou——Idon’tmeananyoffence，sir——Iprettywellguessed。Thatshewastrueassteel，andnoteasilyfrightened，Ididn’tneedtoguess;Iknewit。"
　　GloodyhaddonehisbesttoprepareCristelfortheterribleconfidencewhichhehaddeterminedtoreposeinher，andhadnotsucceeded。Whatthepoorgirlmusthavesuffered，Icouldbuttooreadilyunderstand，onrecallingthestartlingchangesinherlookandmannerwhenwemetattheriver-marginofthewood。Shewaspledgedtosecrecy，underpenaltyofruiningthemanwhowastryingtosaveme;andtoherpresenceofmindwastrustedthewholeresponsibilityofpreservingmylife。Whatasituationforagirlofeighteen！
　　"Wemadeitoutbetweenus，sir，intwoways，"Gloodyproceeded。"Firstandforemost，shewastoinviteherselftotea。And，beingatthetable，shewastowatchmymaster。Whatevershesawhimdrink，shewastoinsistonyourdrinkingittoo。Youheardmeaskleavetomakethetea？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Well，thatwasoneofthesignalsagreedonbetweenus。Whenhesentmeaway，wewerecertainofwhathehaditinhismindtodo。"
　　"AndwhenyoulookedatMissCristel，andshewastoobusywithherbroochtonoticeyou，wasthatanothersignal？"
　　"Itwas，sir。Whenshehandledhersilverornament，shetoldmethatI
　　mightdependonhertoforgetnothing，andtobeafraidofnothing。"
　　Irememberedthequietfirmnessinherface，aftertheprayerthatshehadsaidinherownroom。Hersteadyresolutionnolongersurprisedme。
　　"Didyouwonder，sir，whatpossessedher，"Gloodywenton，"whensheburstoutsinging？Thatwasasignaltome。Wewantedhimoutofourway，whileyouweremadetodrinkwhathehaddrunkoutofthejug。"
　　"Howdidyouknowthathewouldnotdrinkthewholecontentsofthejug？"
　　"Youforget，sir，thatIhadseenthedogrevivedbytwodoses，givenwithaspaceoftimebetweenthem。"
　　Ioughttohaverememberedthis，afterwhathehadalreadytoldme。MyintelligencebrightenedalittleasIwenton。
　　"Andyouraccidentinthenextroomwasplanned，ofcourse？"Isaid。"Doyouthinkhesawthroughit？Ishouldsay，No;judgingbyhislooks。Heturnedpalewhenhefeltthefloorshakenbyyourfall。Foronceinaway，hewashonest——honestlyfrightened。"
　　"Inoticedthesamething，sir，whenhepickedmeup，offthefloor。A
　　manwhocanchangehiscomplexion，atwill，isamanwehav’n’theardofyet，Mr。Roylake。"
　　Ihadbeendressingforsometimepast;longingtoseeCristel，itisneedlesstosay。
　　"Isthereanythingmore，"Iasked，"thatIoughttoknow？"
　　"Onlyonething，Mr。Roylake，thatIcanthinkof，"Gloodyreplied。"I’mafraidit’sMissCristel’sturnnext。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Whilethedeafmanlodgesatthecottage，hemeansmischief，andhiseyeisonMissCristel。Earlythismorning，sir，Ihappenedtobeattheboat-house。Somebody（Ileaveyoutoguesswhoitis）hasstolentheoars。"
　　Iwasdressedbythistime，andsoeagertogettothecottage，thatI
　　hadalreadyopenedmydoor。WhatIhadjustheardbroughtmebackintotheroom。Asamatterofcourse，webothsuspectedthesamepersonofstealingtheoars。Hadweanyprooftojustifyus？
　　Gloodyatonceacknowledgedthatwehadnoproof。"Ihappenedtolookattheboat，"hesaid，"andImissedtheoars。Oh，yes;Isearchedtheboat-house。Nooars！nooars！"
　　"Andnothingmorethatyouhaveforgotten，andoughttotellme？"
　　"Nothing，sir。"
　　IleftGloodytowaitmyreturn;beingcarefultoplacehimundertheprotectionoftheupperservants——whowouldseethathewastreatedwithrespectbythehouseholdgenerally。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　THEMILLER’SHOSPITALITY
　　OnthewaytoToller’scottage，myfearsforCristelweighedheavilyonmymind。
　　Thatthemanwhohadtriedtopoisonmewascapableofcommittinganyotheroutrage，providedhesawaprospectofescapingwithimpunity，nosanepersoncouldhesitatetoconclude。Butthecauseofmyalarmwasnottobetracedtothisconviction。Itwasadoubtthatmademetremble。
　　AfterwhatIhadmyselfseen，andwhatGloodyhadtoldme，couldIhopetomatchmypenetration，orthepenetrationofanypersonaboutmewhomI
　　couldtrust，againstthefathomlesscunning，theSatanicwickedness，ofthevillainwhowasstillaninmatewithCristel，underherfather’sroof？
　　Ihavespokenofhisfathomlesscunning，andhisSatanicwickedness。Themannerinwhichthecrimehadbeenpreparedandcarriedoutwouldjustifystrongerexpressionsstill。SuchwasthedeliberateopinionofthelawyerwhomIprivatelyconsulted，undercircumstancesstilltoberelated。
　　"Letusarriveatajustappreciationofthedangerousscoundrelwhomwehavetodealwith，"thisgentlemansaid。"Hispreliminaryexperimentwiththedog;hisresolutiontomakesuspicionanimpossibility，bydrinkingfromthesameteawhichhehadmadereadyforyou;hisskilledpreparationofanantidote，thecolorofwhichmightcourtappearancesbyimitatingwater——aretheremanypoisonerscleverenoughtoprovidethemselvesbeforehandwithsuchadefenceasthis？Howareyoutosetthecircumstancesintheirtruelight，onyourside？Youmaysaythatyouthrewoutthecalculations，onwhichhehadreliedforsecuringhisownsafety，bydrinkinghisseconddoseoftheantidotewhilehewasoutoftheroom;andyoucanappealtothefainting-fitsfromwhichyouandhesufferedonthesameevening，asaproofthattheactionofthepoisonwaspartiallysuccessful;inyourcaseandinhis，becauseyouandhewereinsufficientlyprotectedbyhalfdosesonlyoftheantidote。AbenchofJesuitswouldunderstandtheserefinements。AbenchofBritishmagistrateswouldlookateachother，andsay：Whereisthemedicalevidence？No，Mr。Roylake，wemustwait。Youcan’teventurnhimoutofthecottagebeforehehashadthecustomarynoticetoquit。Theonethingtotakecareof——incasesomeothersuspicionsofoursturnouttobewellfounded——isthatourmanshallnotgiveustheslip。Oneofmyclerks，andoneofyourgamekeepersshallkeepwatchonhislodgings，turnandturnabout，tillhistimeisup。Gowherehemayafterthat，heshallnotescapeus。"
　　Imaynowtakeupthechainofeventsagain。
　　OnreachingToller’scottage，Iwasdistressed（buthardlysurprised）tohearthatCristel，exhaustedafterawakefulnight，stillkeptherbed，inthehopeofgettingsomesleep。Iwassoanxioustoknowifshewasatrest，thatherfatherwentupstairstolookather。
　　Ifollowedhim——andsawPontowatchingonthematoutsideherdoor。DidthisindicateawisedistrustoftheCur？"AguardianIcantrust，sir，"
　　theoldmanwhispered，"whileI’matthemill。"
　　HelookedintoCristel’sroom，andpermittedmetolookoverhisshoulder。Mypoordarlingwaspeacefullyasleep。Judgingbythemiller’smanner，whichwasascoolandcomposedasusual，IgatheredthatCristelhadwiselykepthiminignoranceofwhathadhappenedonthepreviousevening。
　　TheinquirywhichIhadnextinmymindwasforestalledbyoldToller。
　　"Ourdeaf-devil，Mr。Gerard，hasdoneathingthismorningwhichpuzzlesme，"hebegan;"andIshouldliketohearwhatyouthinkofit。Forthefirsttimesincewehavehadhimhere，hehasopenedhisdoortoavisitor。And——whatasurpriseforyou！——it’stheotherdevilwiththehatandfeatherwhogotatmyCristy，andmadehercry。"
　　Thatthismeetingwouldbeonlytoolikelytohappen，induecourseoftime，Ihadneverdoubted。Thatithadhappened，now，confirmedmeinmyresolutiontokeepguardoverCristelatthecottage，tilltheCurleftit。
　　Iasked，ofcourse，howthosetwoenemiesofminehadfirstseeneachother。
　　"Shewasjustgoingtoknockatourdoor，Mr。Gerard，whenshehappenedtolookup。Therehewas，airinghimselfathiswindowasusual。Doyouthinkshewastoomuchstaggeredatthesightofhimtospeak？Atanyrate，hegotthestartofher。"WaittillIcomedown，"sayshe——andtherehewas，almostassoonashesaidit。Theywentintohisplacetogether;andforbestpartofanhourtheywereineachother’scompany。
　　Everymanhashisfailings;Idon’tdenythatI’malittleinquisitivebynature。Betweenourselves，Igotundertheopenwindowandlistened。Atagreatdisadvantage，Ineedn’ttellyou;forshewasobligedtowritewhatshehadtosay。But_he_talked。Iwastoolateforthecreamofit;I
　　onlyheardhimwishhergood-bye。’Ifyourladyshiptelegraphsthismorning，’sayshe，’whenwillthemancometome？’Nowwhatdoyousaytothat？"
　　"MorethanIhavetimetosaynow，Mr。Toller。CanyoufindmeamessengertotakeanotetoTrimleyDeen？"
　　"Wehavenomessengersinthislonesomeplace，sir。"
　　"Verywell。ThenImusttakemyownmessage。Youwillseemeagain，assoonasIcangetback。"
　　Mr。Toller’sreadycuriositywasrousedinamoment。
　　"Perhaps，youwishtohavealookattherepairs？"hesuggestedinhismostinsinuatingmanner。
　　"Iwishtoseewhatherladyship’stelegrambringsforth，"Isaid;andmeantobeherewhen’theman’arrives。"
　　Myvenerabletenantwasdelighted。"Turnhiminsideout，sir，andgetathissecrets。I’llhelpyou。"
　　ReturningtoTrimleyDeen，Iorderedthepony-chaisetobegotready，andasmallportmanteautobepacked——speakinginthehall。ThesoundofmyvoicebroughtMrs。Roylakeoutofthemorning-room。ShewasfollowedbyLadyRachel。IfIcouldonlyhaveheardtheirprivateconference，I
　　shouldhaveseenthedangeroussideoftheCur’scharacterunderanewaspect。
　　"Gerard！"criedmystepmother，"whatdidIhearjustnow？Youcan’tbegoingbacktoGermany！"
　　"Certainlynot，"Ianswered。
　　"Goingtostaywithsomefriendsperhaps？"LadyRachelsuggested。"I
　　wonderwhetherIknowthem？"
　　Itwasspitefullydone——but，inrespectoftoneandmanner，donetoperfection。
　　Thepony-chaisedrewupatthedoor。ThiswasanotheroftherareoccasionsinmylifeonwhichIacteddiscreetly。Itwasnecessaryformetosaysomething。Isaid，"Goodmorning。"
　　Nothinghadhappenedatthecottage，duringtheintervalofmyabsence。
　　Cleverashewas，oldTollerhadneversuspectedthatIshouldreturntohim（withluggage！）inthecharacterofaself-invitedguest。Hisjawdropped，andhiswickedlittleeyesappealedtothesky。MercifulProvidence！whathaveIdonetodeservethis？There，asIreadhim，wasthethoughtinthemiller’smind，expressedinmybestEnglish。
　　"Haveyougotasparebedinthehouse？"Iasked。
　　Mr。Tollerforgottherespectduetothepersonwhocouldstoptherepairsatamoment’snotice。Heansweredinthetoneofamanwhohadbeengrosslyinsulted："No！"
　　Butfortheanxietiesthatoppressedme，IshouldhaveonlyperceivedthehumoroussideofoldToller’soutbreakoftemper。Hehadchosenhistimebadly，andhegotaseriousreply。
　　"Understandthis，"Isaid："eitheryoureceivemecivilly——oryoumakeupyourmindtofindaflour-millonsomeotherpropertythanmine。"
　　Thishaditseffect。Themiller’sservilitymorethanequalledhisinsolence。Withprofuseapologies，heofferedmehisownbedroom。I
　　preferredalargeold-fashionedarmchairwhichstoodinacornerofthekitchen。Listeninginastateofprofoundbewilderment——longingtoputinquisitivequestions，andafraidtodoso——Tollersilentlyappealedtomycompassion。Ihadnothingtoconceal;Imentionedmymotive。Withoutintendingit，Ihadwoundedhiminoneofhismosttenderplaces;theplaceoccupiedbyhisgoodopinionofhimself。Hesaidwithsulkysubmission：
　　"Muchobliged，Mr。Gerard。Mygirlissafeundermyprotection。Leaveittome，sir——leaveittome。"
　　IhadjustremindedoldTollerofhisage，andoftheinfirmitieswhichagebringswithit，whenhisdaughter——paleandlanguid，withsignsofrecenttearsinhereyes——enteredthekitchen。WhenIapproachedher，shetrembledanddrewback;apparentlydesigningtoleavetheroom。Herfatherstoppedher。"Mr。Gerardhassomethingtotellyou，"hesaid。"I’mofftothemill。"Hetookuphishat，andleftus。
　　Submittingsadly，sheletmetakeherinmyarms，andtrytocheerher。
　　ButwhenIalludedtowhatIowedtoheradmirabledevotionandcourage，sheentreatedmetobesilent。"Don’tbringitallback！"shecried，shudderingattheremembranceswhichIhadawakened，"Fathersaidyouhadsomethingtotellme。Whatisit？"
　　Irepeated（inlanguagemoregentleandmoreconsiderate）whatIhadalreadysaidtoherfather。Shetookmyhand，andkisseditgratefully。
　　"Youhaveyourmother’sface，andyourmother’sheart，"shesaid;"youarealwaysgood，youareneverselfish。Butitmustn’tbe。HowcanIletyousufferthediscomfortofstayinghere？Indeed，Iaminnodanger;youarealarmingyourselfwithoutacause。"
　　"Howcanyoubesureofthat？"Iasked。
　　Shelookedreluctantlyatthedoorofcommunication。
　　"MustIspeakofhim？"
　　"Onlytotellme，"Ipleaded，"whetheryouhaveseenhimsincelastnight。"
　　Shehadbothseenhimandheardfromhim，onreachinghome。"Heopenedthatdoor，"shetoldme，"andthrewontheflooroneoftheleavesoutofhisbook。Afterdoingthat，herelievedmefromthesightofhim。"
　　"Showmetheleaf，Cristel。"
　　"Fatherhasgotit。Ithoughthewasasleepinthearmchair。Hesnatcheditoutofmyhand。Itisn’tworthreading。"
　　Sheturnedpale，nevertheless，whensherepliedinthoseterms。IcouldseethatIwasdisturbingher，whenIaskedifsherememberedwhattheCurhadwritten。Butourpositionwasfartooserioustobetrifledwith。
　　"Isupposehethreatenedyou？"Isaid，tryingtoleadheron。"Whatdidhesay？"
　　"Hesaid，ifanyattemptwasmadetoremovemeoutofhisreach，afterwhathadhappenedthatevening，myfatherwouldfindhimonthewatchdayandnight，andwouldregretittotheendofhislife。Thewretchthinksmecruelenoughtohavetoldmyfatherofthehorrorswewentthrough！
　　Youknowthathehasdismissedhispooroldservant？WasIwronginadvisingGloodytogotoyou？"
　　"Youwerequiteright。Heisatmyhouse——andIshouldliketokeephimatTrimleyDeen;butIamafraidheandtheotherservantsmightnotgetonwelltogether？"
　　"Willyoulethimcomehere？"
　　Shespokeearnestly;remindingmethatIhadthoughtitwrongtoleaveherfather，athisage，withoutsomeonetohelphim。
　　"Ifanaccidentseparatedmefromhim，"shewenton，"hewouldbeleftaloneinthiswretchedplace。"
　　"Whataccidentareyouthinkingof？"Iasked。"Istheresomethinggoingon，Cristel，thatIdon’tknowof？"
　　HadIstartledher？orhadIoffendedher？
　　"Canwetellwhatmayormaynothappentous，inthetimetocome？"sheaskedabruptly。"Idon’tliketothinkofmyfatherbeingleftwithoutacreaturetotakecareofhim。Gloodyissogoodandsotrue;andtheyalwaysgetonwelltogether。Ifyouhavenothingbetterinviewforhim——？"
　　"Mydear，Ihavenothinghalfsogoodinview;andGloody，Iamsure，willthinksotoo。"Iprivatelyresolvedtoinsureafavorablereceptionforthepoorfellow，bymakinghimthemiller’spartner。BanknotesinToller’spocket！WhataplacereservedforGloodyinToller’sestimation！
　　ButIconfessthatCristel’sallusiontoapossibleaccidentratheroppressedmymind，situatedaswewereatthattime。Whatwetalkedofnexthasslippedfrommymemory。Ionlyrecollectthatshemadeanexcusetogobacktoherroom，andthatnothingIcouldsayordoavailedtorestorehercustomarycheerfulness。
　　Asthetwilightwasbeginningtofade，weheardthesoundofacarriage。
　　Thenewmanhadarrivedinaflyfromthestation。Beforebedtime，hemadehisappearanceinthekitchen，toreceivethedomesticinstructionsofwhichastrangerstoodinneed。Aquietmanandacivilman：evenmyprejudicedexaminationcoulddiscovernothinginhimthatlookedsuspicious。Isawawell-trainedservant——andIsawnothingmore。
　　OldTollermadealastattempttopersuademethatitwasnotworthagentleman’swhiletoaccepthishospitality，andfoundmeimmovable。I
　　wasequallyobstinatewhenCristelaskedleavetomakeupabedformeinthecounting-houseatthemill。
　　WiththepurposethatIhadinview，ifIacceptedherproposalImightaswellhavebeenatTrimleyDeen。
　　Leftalone，Iplacedthearmchairandanotherchairformyfeet，acrossthedoorofcommunication。Thatdone，Iexaminedalittledoorbehindthestairs（usedIbelievefordomesticpurposes）whichopenedonanarrowpathway，runningalongtheriver-sideofthehouse。Itwasproperlylocked。Ihaveonlytoaddthatnothinghappenedduringthenight。
　　Thenextdayshowednoalterationforthebetter，inCristel。ShemadeanexcusewhenIproposedtotakeheroutwithmeforawalk。Herfather’sbusinesskepthimawayfromthecottage，andthusgavememanyopportunitiesofspeakingtoherinprivate。Iwassouneasy，orsoreckless——Ihardlyknowwhich——thatInolongerleftittobemerelyinferredthatIhadresolvedtoproposemarriagetoher。
　　"Mysweetgirl，youaresowretched，andsounlikeyourself，inthisplace，thatIentreatyoutoleaveit。ComewithmetoLondon，andletmemakeyousafeandhappyasmywife。"
　　"Oh，Mr。Roylake！"
　　"Whydoyoucallme，’MrRoylake’？HaveIdoneanythingtooffendyou？
　　Thereseemstobesomeestrangementbetweenus。DoyoubelievethatI
　　loveyou？"
　　"IwishIcoulddoubtit！"sheanswered。
　　"Why？"
　　"Youknowwhy。"
　　"Cristel！HaveImadesomedreadfulmistake？Thetruth！Iwantthetruth！
　　Doyouloveme？"
　　Alowcryofmiseryburstfromher。Wasshemasteredbylove，orbydespair？Shethrewherselfonmybreast。Ikissedher。Shemurmured，"Ohdon’ttemptme！Don’ttemptme！"Againandagain，Ikissedher。"Ah，"I
　　brokeout，intheecstasyofmysenseofrelief，"Iknowthatyouloveme，now！"
　　"Yes，"shesaid，simplyandsadly，"Idoloveyou。"
　　Myselfishpassionaskedformoreeventhanthis。
　　"Proveitbybeingmywife，"Ianswered。
　　Sheputmebackfromher，firmlyandgently。
　　"Iwillproveit，Gerard，bynotlettingyoudisgraceyourself。"
　　Withthosehorriblewords——putintohermouth，beyondalldoubtbythewomanwhohadinterferedbetweenus——sheleftme。Thelonghoursofthedaypassed：Isawhernomore。
　　PeoplewhoareunabletoimaginewhatIsuffered，arenotthepeopletowhomInowaddressmyself。Afteralltheyearsthathavepassed——afterageandcontactwiththeworldhavehardenedme——itisstillatrialtomyself-controltolookbacktothatday。EventsIcanrememberwithcomposure。Toevents，therefore，letmereturn。
　　NocommunicationofanysortreachedusfromtheCur。Towardsevening，I
　　sawhimpacingupanddownontheroadbeforethecottage，andspeakingtohisnewservant。Theman（listeningattentively）hadthemaster’sbookofleavesinhishand，andwroteinitfromtimetotimeasreplieswerewantedfromhim。Hewasprobablyreceivinginstructions。TheCur’sdiscretionwasabadsign。Ishouldhavefeltmoreatease，ifhehadtriedtoannoyCristel，ortoinsultme。
　　Towardsbedtime，oldToller’ssenseofhospitalityexhibitedmarkedimprovement。Hewashonoredandhappytohavemeunderhispoorroof——aroof，bytheway，whichwasalsoinneedofrepairs——butheprotestedagainstmyencounteringtheneedlesshardshipofsleepinginachair，whenabedcouldbesetupformeinthecounting-house。"Notwhatyou’reusedto，Mr。Gerard。Emptybarrels，andsamplesofflour，andaccount-bookssmellingstrongofleather，insteadofvelvetcurtainsandpaintedceilings;butbetterthanachair，sir——betterthanachair！"
　　Iwasasobstinateasever。Withthanks，Iinsistedonthechair。
　　Feverish，anxious，oppressedinmybreathing——withnervesunstrung，asadoctorwouldhaveputit——Idisturbedtheorderofthehouseholdtowardstwelveo’clockbyinterferingwitholdTollerintheactoflockingupthehouse-door。
　　"Letmegetabreathoffreshair，"Isaidtohim，"ortherewillbenosleepformeto-night。"
　　Heopenedthedoorwitharesignationtocircumstances，soexemplarythatitclaimedsomereturn。Ipromisedtobebackinaquarterofanhour。
　　OldTollerstifledayawn。"Icallthattrulyconsiderate，"hesaid——andstifledanotheryawn。Dearoldman！
　　Steppingintotheroad，IfirstexaminedtheCur’spartofthecottage。
　　Notasoundwasaudibleinside;notacreaturewasvisibleoutside。Theusualdimlightwasburningbehindthewindowthatlookedoutontheroad。Nothing，absolutelynothing，thatwassuspiciouscouldIeitherhearorsee。
　　Iwalkedon，bywhatwecalledtheupperbankoftheriver;leadingfromthevillageofKylam。Thenightwascloudyandclose。Nowthemoonlightreachedtheearthatintervals;nowagainitwasveiledindarkness。Thetrees，atthispartofthewood，soencroachedonthebankofthestreamasconsiderablytonarrowanddarkenthepath。SeeingapossibilityofwalkingintotheriverifIwentonmuchfarther，IturnedbackagaininthemoreopendirectionofKylam，andkeptonbriskly（asIreckon）foraboutfiveminutesmore。
　　Ihadjuststoppedtolookatmywatch，whenIsawsomethingdarkfloatingtowardsme，urgedbytheslowcurrentoftheriver。Asitcamenearer，IthoughtIrecognizedthemill-boat。
　　Itwasoneofthedarkintervalswhenthemoonwasovercast。Iwassufficientlyinterestedtofollowtheboat，onthechancethatareturnofthemoonlightmightshowmewhocouldpossiblybeinit。Afternoverylonginterval，theyellowlightforwhichIwaswaitingpouredthroughtheliftingclouds。
　　Themill-boat，beyondalldoubt——andnobodyinit！Theemptyinsideoftheboatwasperfectlyvisibletome。EvenifIhadfeltinclinedtodoso，itwouldhavebeenuselesstojumpintothewaterandswimtotheboat。Therewerenooarsinit，andthereforenomeansoftakingitbacktothemill。TheonethingIcoulddowastoruntooldTollerandtellhimthathisboatwasadrift。
　　Onmywaytothecottage，IthoughtIheardasoundliketheshuttingofadoor。Iwasprobablymistaken。Inexpectationofmyreturn，thedoorwassecuredbythelatchonly;andthemiller，lookingoutofhisbedroomwindow，said："Don’tforgettolockit，sir;thekey’sinside。"
　　Ifollowedmyinstructions，andascendedthestairs。Surprisedtohearmeinthatpartofthehouse，hecameoutonthelandinginhisnightgown。
　　"Whatisit？"heasked。
　　"Nothingveryserious，"Isaid。"Theboat’sadrift。Isupposeitwillrunonshoresomewhere。"
　　"Itwilldothat，Mr。Gerard;everybodyalongtheriverknowstheboat。"
　　Hehelduphisleantremblinghand。"Oldfingersdon’talwaystiefastknots。"
　　Hewentbackintohisbed。Itwasoppositethewindow;andthewindow，beingatthesideoftheoldcottage，lookedoutonthegreatopenspaceabovetheriver。Whenthemoonlightappeared，itshonestraightintohiseyes。Iofferedtopulldowntheblind。
　　"Thankyoukindly，sir;pleasetoletitbe。Iwakeofteninthenight，andIliketoseetheheavenswhenIopenmyeyes。"
　　Somethingtouchedmebehind：itwasthedog。Likehisnobleandbeautifulrace，Pontoknewhisfriends。Helickedmyhand，andthenhewalkedoutthroughthebedroomdoor。Insteadoftakinghisusualplace，onthematbeforeCristel’sroom，hesmeltforamomentunderthedoor——whinedsoftly——andwalkedupanddownthelanding。
　　"What’sthematterwiththedog？"Iasked。
　　"Restlessto-night，"saidoldToller。"Dogs_are_restlesssometimes。Liedown！"hecalledthroughthedoorway。
　　Thedogobeyed，butonlyforamoment。Hewhinedatthedooragain——andthen，oncemore，hewalkedupanddownthelanding。
　　Iwenttothebedside。Theoldmanwasjustgoingtosleep。Ishookhimbytheshoulder。
　　"There’ssomethingwrong，"Isaid。"ComeoutandlookatPonto。"
　　Hegrumbled——buthecameout。"Bettergetthewhip，"hesaid。
　　"Beforeyoudothat，"Ianswered，"knockatyourdaughter’sdoor。"
　　"Andwakeher？"heaskedinamazement。
　　Iknockedatthedoormyself。Therewasnoreply。Iknockedagain，withthesameresult。
　　"Openthedoor，"Isaid，"orIwilldoitmyself。"
　　Heobeyedme。Theroomwasempty;andthebedhadnotbeensleptin。
　　Standinghelplessonthethresholdofthedoor，Ilookedintotheemptyroom;hearingnothingbutmyheartthumpingheavily，seeingnothingbutthebedwiththeclothesonitundisturbed。
　　Thesuddengrowlingofthedogshookmeback（ifImaysayso）intothepossessionofmyself。Hewaslookingthroughthebalustersthatguardedthelanding。Theheadofamanappeared，slowlyascendingthestairs。
　　Actingmechanically，Iheldthedogback。Thinkingmechanically，Iwaitedfortheman。Thefaceofthenewservantshoweditself。Thedogfrightenedhim：hespokeintonesthattrembled，standingstillonthestairs。
　　"Mymasterhassentme，sir——"
　　Avoicebelowinterruptedhim。"Comeback，"IheardtheCursay;"I’lldoitmyself。Toller！whereisToller？"
　　Theenrageddog，barkingfuriously，struggledtogetawayfromme。I
　　draggedhim——thegoodhonestcreaturewhowasincapableofconcealmentsandtreacheries！——intohismaster’sroom。InthemomentbeforeIclosedthedooragain，IsawTollerdownonhiskneeswithhisarmslaidhelplesslyonthewindow-sill，staringupattheskyasifhehadgonemad。Therewasnotimeforquestions;IdrovepoorPontobackintotheroom，andshutthedoor。
　　Onthelanding，IfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeCur。
　　"_You！_"hesaid。
　　Iliftedmyhand。Theservantranbetweenus。"ForGod’ssake，controlyourself，sir！Wemeannoharm。It’sonlytotellMr。Tollerthathisboatismissing。"
　　"Mr。Tollerknowsitalready，"Isaid。"Nohonestmanwouldtouchyourmasterifhecouldhelpit。Iwarnhimtogo;andImakehimunderstandmebyasign。"Ipointeddownthestairs，andturnedmyheadtolookathim。
　　Hewasnolongerbeforeme。Hisface，hideouslydistortedbyrageandterror，showeditselfatthedoorofCristel’semptyroom。Herushedoutonme;hisvoicerosetothedetestablescreechwhichIhadheardoncealready。
　　"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？Giveherbacktome——oryoudie。"Hedrewapistoloutofthebreast-pocketofhiscoat。Iseizedtheweaponbythebarrel，andsnatcheditawayfromhim。Asthechargeexplodedharmlesslybetweenus，Istruckhimontheheadwiththebutt-endofthepistol。Hedroppedonthelanding。
　　ThedoorofToller’sroomopenedbehindme。Hestoodspeechless;thereportofthepistolhadterrifiedhim。IntheinstantwhenIlookedattheoldman，Isaw，throughthewindowofhisroom，arocketsoarintothesky，frombehindthepromontorybetweenusandKylam。
　　Somecryofsurprisemust，Isuppose，haveescapedme。Tollersuddenlylookedroundtowardsthewindow，justasthelastfieryparticlesoftherocketwerefloatingslowlydownwardsagainsttheblackclouds。
　　Ihadbarelytimeenoughtoseethis，beforeatremblinghandwaslaidonmyshoulder，frombehind。Theservant，whitewithterror，pointedtohismaster。
　　"Haveyoukilledhim？"themansaid。
　　Thesamequestionmusthavebeeninthemindofthedog。Hewasquietnow。Doubtfully，reluctantly，hewassmellingattheprostratehumancreature。Ikneltdown，andputmyhandonthewretch’sheart。Ponto，findingusbothonaleveltogether，gavemethedog’skiss;Ireturnedthecaresswithmyfreehand。Theservantsawme，withmyattentiondividedinthiswaybetweentheanimalandtheman。
　　"Damnit，sir，"heburstoutindignantly，"isn’taChristianofmoreimportancethanadog？"
　　AChristian！——butIwasinnohumortowastewords。"Areyoustrongenoughtocarryhimtohisownsideofthehouse？"Iasked。
　　"Iwon’ttouchhim，ifhe’sdead！"
　　"Heis_not_dead。Takehimaway！"
　　Allthistimemymindwaspre-occupiedbytheextraordinaryappearanceoftherocket，risingfromtheneighborhoodofalonelylittlevillagebetweenmidnightandoneinthemorning。HowIconnectedthatmysterioussignalwithapossibilityoftracingCristel，itisuselesstoinquire。
　　Thatwasthethoughtinme，whenIledmylostdarling’sfatherbacktohisroom。Withoutstoppingtoexplainmyself，Iremindedhimthatthecottagewasquietagain，andtoldhimtowaitmyreturn。
　　Inthekitchen，Iovertooktheservantandhisburden。Thedoorofcommunication（bywhichtheyhadentered）wasstillopen。
　　"Lockthatdoor，"Isaid。
　　"Lockityourself"heanswered;"I’llhavenothingtodowiththisbusiness。"Hepassedthroughthedoorway，andalongthepassage，andascendedhismaster’sstairs。
　　ItstruckmedirectlythatthemanhadsuggestedasurewayofprotectingToller，duringmyabsence。Themiller’sowndoorwasalreadysecured;I
　　tookthekey，soastobeabletoletmyselfinagain——thenpassedthroughthedoorofcommunication——fastenedit——andputthekeyinmypocket。Thethirddoor，bywhichtheCurenteredhislodgings，wasofcourseatmydisposal。Ihadjustclosedit，whenIdiscoveredthatIhadacompanion。Pontohadfollowedme。
　　Ifeltatoncethatthedog’ssuperiorpowersofdivinationmightbeofuse，onsuchanerrandasminewas。WesetouttogetherforKylam。
　　Wildlyhurried——withoutanyfixedideainmymind——IrantoKylam，forthegreaterpartoftheway。Itwasnowverydark。Onasandycreek，belowthevillage，Icameincontactwithsomethingsolidenoughtohurtmeforthemoment。Itwasthestrandedboat。
　　Asmokergenerallyhasmatchesabouthim。Helpedbymylittleshort-livedlights，Iexaminedtheinterioroftheboat。Therewasabsolutelynothinginitbutastripofoldtarpaulin——used，asIguessed，toprotecttheboat，orsomethingthatitcarried，inrainyweather。
　　Thevillagepopulationhadlongsincebeeninbed。Silenceanddarknessmercilesslydefiedmetodiscoveranything。ForawhileIwaited，encouragingthedogtocircleroundmeandexercisehissenseofsmell。
　　Anysuspiciouspersonorobjecthewouldhavecertainlydiscovered。
　　Nothing——noteventhefallenstickoftherocket——rewardedourpatience。
　　Determinedtoleavenothinguntried，Igroped，ratherthanfound，mywaytothevillagealehouse，andsucceededatlastinrousingthelandlord。
　　Hehailedmefromthewindow（naturallyenough）innofriendlyvoice。I
　　calledoutmyname。Withinmyownlittlelimits，itwasthenameofacelebratedperson。Thelandlordopenedhisdoordirectly;eagertoanswermyquestionsifhecoulddoit。NothingintheleastoutofthecommonwayhadhappenedatKylam。Nostrangershadbeenseenin，ornear，theplace。Thestrandedboathadnotbeendiscovered;andthecrashingflightoftherocketintotheairhadfailedtodisturbthesoundly-sleepingvillagers。
　　Onmymelancholywayback，fatigueofbody——and，farworse，fatigueofmind——forcedmetotakeafewminutes’rest。
　　Thedimly-flowingriverwasatmyfeet;theriveronwhichIhadseenCristelagain，forthefirsttimesincewewerechildren。Thusfar，thedreadfullossofherhadbeenacalamity，heldawayfrommeinsomedegreebyeventswhichhadimperativelytakenpossessionofmymind。Inthedarknessandthestillness，themiseryofhavinglostherwasfreetocrushme。Myheaddroppedontheneckofthedog，nestlingcloseatmyside。"Oh，Ponto！"Isaidtohim，"she’sgone！"Nobodycouldseeme;
　　nobodycoulddespiseme——Iburstoutcrying。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　BRIBERYANDCORRUPTION
　　Twice，IlookedintoToller’sroomduringtheremainderofthenight，andfoundhimsleeping。Whenthesunrose，Icouldendurethedelaynolonger。Iwokehim。
　　"Whatisit？"heaskedpeevishly。
　　"YoumustbethelastpersonwhosawCristel，"Ianswered。"Iwanttoknowallthatyoucantellme。"
　　Hisangercompletelymasteredhim;heburstoutwithafuriousreply。
　　"It’syoutwo——youmylandlord，andhimmylodger——whohavedrivenCristyawayfromherhome。Shesaidshewouldgo，andshehasgone。Getoutofmyplace，sir！Yououghttobeashamedtolookatme。"
　　Itwasuselesstoreasonwithhim，anditwasofvitalimportancetolosenotimeininstitutingasearch。AfterthereceptionIhadmetwith，I
　　tookcaretorestorethekeyofthedoorleadingintothenewcottage，beforeIlefthim。Itwashiskey;andthepoordistractedoldmanmightchargemewithtakingawayhispropertynext。
　　AsIsetforthonmywayhome，Ifoundthenewman-servantonthelook-out。
　　Hisfirstwordsshowedthathewasactingunderorders。HeaskedifIhadfoundtheyounglady;andhenextinformedmethathismasterhadrevivedsomehourssince，and"borenomalice。"Thisoutrageousassertionsuddenlyfiredmewithsuspicion。IbelievedthattheCurhadbeenactingapartwhenhethreatenedmewithhispistol，andthathewasanswerableforthedisappearanceofCristel。Myfirstimpulsenowwastogetthehelpofalawyer。
　　ThemenatmystableswerejuststirringwhenIgothome。Intenminutesmore，Iwasdrivingtoourtown。
　　ThesubstanceoftheprofessionalopinionwhichIreceivedhasbeenalreadystatedinthesepages。
　　Oneamongmyanswerstothemanyquestionswhichmylegaladviserputtomeledhimtoaconclusionthatmademyheartache。Hewasofopinionthatmybriefabsence，whileIwastakingthatfatal"breathofair"onthebanksoftheriver，hadofferedtoCristelheropportunityofgettingawaywithoutdiscovery。"Heroldfather，"thelawyersaid，"wasnodoubtinhisbed，andyouyourselffoundnobodywatching，intheneighborhoodofthecottage。"
　　"Employmeinsomeway！"Iburstout。"Ican’tenduremylife，ifI’mnothelpingtotraceCristel。"
　　Hewasmostkind。"Iunderstand，"hesaid。"Trywhatyoucangetthosetwoladiestotellyou——andyoumayhelpusmaterially。"
　　Mrs。Roylakewasnearesttome。Iappealedtoherwomanlysympathies，andwasansweredbytears。Imadeanotherattempt;IsaidIwaswillingtobelievethatshemeantwell，andthatIshouldbesorrytooffendher。
　　Shegotup，andindignantlylefttheroom。
　　IwenttoLadyRachelnext。
　　Shewasathome，buttheservantreturnedtomewithanexcuse：herladyshipwasparticularlyengaged。Isentamessageupstairs，askingwhenImighthopetobereceived。Theservantwaschargedwiththedeliveryofanotherexcuse：herladyshipwouldwrite。AfterwaitingathomeforhoursIwasfoolishenoughtowrite，onmyside;and（howcouldIhelpit？）toexpressmyselfstrongly。Theshe-socialist’sreplyiseasytoremember：
　　"DearMr。Roylake，whenyouhaverecoveredyourtemper，youwillhearfrommeagain。"
　　Evenmystepmothergainedbycomparisonwiththis。
　　Torest，anddonothing，wastoexerciseacontrolovermyselfofwhichI
　　wasperfectlyincapable。Iwentbacktothecottage。Havingnohopefulprospectinanyotherquarter，IpersistedinbelievingthatTollermusthaveseensomethingorheardsomethingthatmighteitherhelpme，orsuggestanideatomylegaladviser。
　　Onenteringthekitchen，Ifoundthedoorofcommunicationwideopen，andthenewservantestablishedinthelargearmchair。
　　"I’mwaitingformymaster，sir。"
　　Hehadgotoverhisfright，andhadrecoveredhistemper。Therespectfulsideofhimwasturnedtomeagain。
　　"YourmasteriswithMr。Toller？"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　WhatIfelt，amplyjustifiedthelawyerinhavingexactedapromisefrommetokeepcarefullyoutoftheCur’spresence。"Youmightknockhimontheheadagain，Mr。Roylake，andmighthitalittletoohardnexttime。"
　　ButIhadanideaofmyown。Isaid，asifspeakingtomyself："Iwouldgiveafivepoundnotetoknowwhatisgoingonupstairs。"
　　"Ishallbegladtoearnit，sir，"thefellowsaid。"IfImakeacleanbreastofwhatIknowalready，andifItellyouto-morrowwhatIcanfindout——willitbeworththemoney？"
　　Ibegantofeeldegradedinmyownestimation。ButInoddedtohim，forallthat。
　　"Iamtheinnocentcause，sir，ofwhathappenedlastnight，"hecoollyresumed。"Wekeptalook-outontheroadandsawyou，thoughyoudidn’tseeus。Butmymasterneversuspectedyou（forreasonswhichhekepttohimself）ofmakinguseoftheboat。Iremindedhimthatoneofushadbetterhaveaneyeontheslipofpathway，betweenthecottageandtheriver。Thisledtohissendingmetotheboathouse——andyouknowwhathappenedafterwards。Mymaster，asIsuppose，ispumpingMr。Toller。
　　That’sall，sir，forto-night。WhenmayIhavethehonorofexpectingyouto-morrowmorning？"
　　Iappointedanhour，andlefttheplace。
　　AsIenteredthewoodagain，Ifoundamanonthewatch。Hetouchedhishat，andsaid："I’mtheclerk，sir。Yourgamekeeperiswantedforhisowndutiesto-night;hewillrelievemeinthemorning。"
　　Iwenthomewithmymindinafermentofdoubt。IfIcouldbelievetheservant，theCurwasasinnocentoftheabductionofCristelasIwas。
　　ButcouldItrusttheservant？
　　Theeventsofthenextmorningalteredthewholecomplexionofaffairsfatallyfortheworse。
　　Arrivingatthecottage，Ifoundamanprostateontheroad，deaddrunk——andtheCur’sservantlookingathim。
　　"MayIasksomething？"themansaid。"Haveyoubeenhavingmymasterwatched？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Badnews，inthatcase，sir。Yourmanthereisadrunkenvagabond;andmymasterhasgonetoLondonbythefirsttrain。
　　WhenIhadrecoveredtheshock，Idenied，forthesakeofmyowncredit，thatthebruteontheroadcouldbeaservantofmine。
　　"Whynot，sir？"
　　"DoyouthinkIshouldhavebeenkeptinignoranceofit，ifmygamekeeperhadbeenadrunkard？Hisfellowservantswouldhavewarnedme。"
　　Themansmiled。"I’mafraid，sir，youdon’tknowmuchaboutservants。
　　It’sapointofhonoramongusnevertotelltalesofeachothertoourmasters。"
　　IbegantowishthatIhadneverleftGermany。Theonecoursetotakenowwastotellthelawyerwhathadhappened。Iturnedawaytogetback，anddriveatoncetothetown。Theservantremembered，whatIhadforgotten——thefivepoundnote。
　　"Waitandhearmyreport，sir，"hesuggested。
　　Thereportinformedme：First，thatMr。Tollerwasatthemill，andhadbeenthereforsometimepast。Secondly：thattheCurhadbeenalone，forawhile，onMr。Toller’ssideofthecottage，inMr。Toiler’sabsence——forwhatpurposehisservanthadnotdiscovered。Thirdly：thattheCurhadreturnedtohisroominahurry，andhadpackedafewthingsinhistravelling-bag。Fourthly：thathehadorderedtheservanttofollow，withhisluggage，inaflywhichhewouldsendfromtherailwaystation，andtowaitattheLondonterminusforfurtherorders。Fifthly，andlastly：thatitwasimpossibletosaywhetherthedrunkennessofthegamekeeperwasduetohisownhabits，ortotemptationprivatelyofferedbytheverypersonwhosemovementshehadbeenappointedtowatch。
　　Ipaidthemoney。Themanpocketedit，andpaidmeacomplimentinreturn："IwishIwasyourservant，sir。"
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　UTTERFAILURE
　　Mylawyertookaseriousviewofthedisasterthathadovertakenus。Hewouldtrustnobodybuthisheadclerktoactinmyinterests，aftertheservanthadbeenfollowedtotheLondonterminus，andwhenitbecameaquestionofmatchingourselvesagainstthedeadlycunningofthemanwhohadescapedus。
　　Providedwithmoney，andwithalettertothepoliceauthoritiesinLondon，theheadclerkwenttothestation。Iaccompaniedhimtopointouttheservant（withoutbeingallowedtoshowmyself），andthenreturnedtowaitfortelegraphicinformationatthelawyer’soffice。
　　Thiswasthefirstreporttransmittedbythetelegram：
　　TheCurhadbeenfoundwaitingforhisservantattheterminus;andthetwohadbeeneasilyfollowedtotherailwayhotelcloseby。Theclerkhadsenthisletterofintroductiontothepolice——hadconsultedwithpickedmenwhojoinedhimatthehotel——hadgiventhenecessaryinstructions——andwouldreturntousbythelasttrainintheevening。
　　Intwodays，thesecondtelegramarrived。
　　OurmanhadbeentracedtotheThamesYachtClubinAlbemarleStreet——hadconsultedayachtinglistinthehall——andhadthentravelledtotheIsleofWight。There，hehadmadeinquiriesattheSquadronYachtClub，andtheVictoriaYachtClub——andhadreturnedtoLondon，andtherailwayhotel。
　　Thethirdtelegramannouncedtheutterdestructionofallourhopes。AsfarasMarseilles，theCurhadbeenfollowedsuccessfully，andinthatcitythedetectiveofficershadlostsightofhim。
　　Mylegaladviserinsistedonhavingthemensenttohimtoexplainthemselves。Nothingcameofitbutonemorerepetitionofanolddiscovery。Whenthedetectivepoliceforceencountersintelligenceinsteadofstupidity，insevencasesoutoftenthedetectivepoliceforceisbeaten。
　　Therewerestilltwopersonsatourdisposal。LadyRachelmighthelpus，asIbelieved，ifshechosetodoit。AsforoldToller，Isuggested（onreflection）thatthelawyershouldexaminehim。Thelawyerdeclinedtowasteanymoreofmymoney。IcalledagainonLadyRachel。Thistime，I
　　wasletin。IfoundthenobleladysmokingacigaretteandreadingaFrenchnovel。
　　"Thisisgoingtobeadisagreeableinterview，"shesaid。"Letusgetitover，Mr。Roylake，assoonaspossible。Tellmewhatyouwant——andspeakasfreelyasifyouwereinthecompanyofaman。"
　　Iobeyedhertotheletter;andIgotthesereplies：
　　"Yes;Ididhaveatalk，inyourbestinterests，withMissToller。Sheisassensibleassheischarming，andasgoodassheissensible。Weentirelyagreedthatthesacrificemustbeonherside;andthatitwasduetoherownself-respecttopreventagentlemanofyourrankfromruininghimselfbymarryingamiller’sdaughter。"
　　ThenextreplywasequallyfreefromthesmallestatomofsympathyonLadyRachel’spart。
　　"Youarequiteright——yourdeafmanwasathiswindowwhenIwentby。Werecognizedeachotherandhadalongtalk。IfIremembercorrectly，hesaidyouknewofhisreasonsforconcealinghisname。Igavemypromise（beingamatterofperfectindifferencetome）toconcealittoo。Onethingledtoanother，andIdiscoveredthatyouwerehishatedrivalintheaffectionsofMissToller。Iprovedworthyofhisconfidenceinme。
　　Thatistosay，ItoldhimthatMrs。RoylakeandIwouldbeonlytooglad，asrepresentingyourinterests，ifhesucceededinwinningtheyounglady。Iaskedifhehadanyplans。Hesaidoneofhisplanshadfailed。Whatitwas，andhowithadfailed，hedidnotmention。Iaskedifhecoulddevisenothingelse。Hesaid，"Yes，ifIwasnotapoorman。"
　　Inmyplace，youwouldhaveoffered，asIdid，tofindthemoneyiftheplanwasapprovedof。Heproducedsomemanuscriptstoryofanabductionofalady，whichhehadwrittentoamusehimself。Thepointofitwasthattheloversuccessfullycarriedawaythelady，bymeansofaboat，whilethefuriousfather’sattentionwasabsorbedinwatchingthehighroad。Itseemedtometobeanewidea。"Ifyouthinkyoucancarryitout，"Isaid，"sendyourestimateofexpensestomeandMrs。Roylake，andwewillsubscribe。"Wereceivedtheestimate。Buttheplanhasfailed，andthemanisoff。IamquitecertainmyselfthatMissTollerhasdonewhatshepromisedtodo。Wherevershemaybenow，shehassacrificedherselfforyoursake。Whenyouhavegotoverit，youwillmarrymysister。Iwishyougoodmorning。"
　　BetweenLadyRachel’shardinsolence，andMrs。Roylake’ssentimentalhypocrisy，IwasinsuchastateofirritationthatIleftTrimleyDeenthenextmorning，tofindforgetfulness，asIrashlysupposed，inthegayworldofLondon。
　　Ihadbeentryingmyexperimentforsomethinglikethreeweeks，andwasbeginningtogetheartilywearyofit，whenIreceivedaletterfromthelawyer。
　　"DearSir，——Youroddtenant，oldMr。Toller，hasdiedsuddenlyofruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain，asthedoctorthinks。Thereistobeaninquest，asIneedhardlytellyou。Whatdoyousaytohavingthereportoftheproceedingslargelycopiedinthenewspapers？Ifitcatcheshisdaughter’seye，importantresultsmayfollow。"
　　Tospeculateinthiswayontheimpulsewhichmighttakeitsriseinmypoorgirl’sgrief——tosurpriseher，asitwere，atherfather’sgrave——revoltedme。Idirectedthelawyertotakenostepswhateverinthematter，andtopaythepooroldfellow’sfuneralexpenses，onmyaccount。Hehaddiedintestate。Thelawtookcareofhismoneyuntilhisdaughterappeared;andthemill，beingmyproperty，IgavetoToller’ssurvivingpartner——ourgoodGloody。
　　AndwhatdidIdonext？Iwentawaytravelling;oneofthewretchedestmenwhoevercarriedhismiserywithhimtoforeigncountries。GowhereI
　　mightonthecontinentofEurope，thedreadfulideapursuedmethatCristelmightbedead。
　　CHAPTERXVIII
　　THEMISTRESSOFTRIMLEYDEEN
　　Threewearymonthshadpassed，whenanewideawasputintomyheadbyanEnglishmanwhomImetatTrieste。HeadvisedturningmybackonEurope，andtryingtheeffectofscenesoflifethatwouldbenewtome。Ihiredavessel，andsailedoutofthecivilizedworld。WhenInextstoodon_terrafirma，_myfeetwereonthelovelybeachofoneofthePacificIslands。
　　WhatIsufferedIhavenottoldyet，anddonotdesigntotell。Thebitternessofthosedayshiditselffromviewatthetime——andshallkeepitsconcealmentstill。EvenifIcoulddwellonmysorrowswiththeeloquenceofapractisedwriter，someobstinateinnerreluctancewouldpersistinholdingmedumb。
　　MorethanayearhadpassedbeforeIreturnedtoTrimleyDeen，andalarmedmystepmotherby"lookinglikeaforeignsailor。"
　　Theirregularnatureofmylatertravelshadmadeitimpossibletoforwardthefewlettersthathadarrivedforme。Theywereneatlylaidoutonthelibrarytable。
　　ThesecondletterthatItookupborethepostmarkofGenoa。Iopenedit，anddiscoveredthatthe——
　　No！Icannotwriteofhimbythatmeanname;andhisownnameisstillunknowntome。Letmecallhim——and，oh，don’tthinkthatIamdeceivedagain！——letmecallhimthePenitent。
　　Theletterhadbeenaddressedtomefromhisdeathbed，andhadbeenwrittenunderdictation。Itcontainedanextraordinaryenclosure——asmalltornfragmentofpaperwithwritingonit。
　　"ReadthepoormorselthatIsendtoyoufirst"（theletterbegan）。"Mytimeonearthisshort;youwillsavemeexplanationswhichmaybetoomuchformystrength。"
　　Ononesideofthefragment，Ifoundthesewords：
　　"……cruisetotheMediterraneanformywife’shealth。IfCristelisn’tafraidofpassingsomemonthsatsea……"
　　Ontheotherside，therewasafragmentofconclusion：
　　"……thoroughlyunderstand。Allready。Writewordwhatnight，andwhat……lovingbrother，StephenToller。"
　　Iinstantlyrememberedthemiller’srichbrother;thinkingofhimforthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninmymindforamoment，onthenightofmymeetingwithCristel。OnthefourteenthpageofthisnarrativeToller’sbrotherwillbefoundbrieflyalludedtoinafewlines。
　　Ireturnedeagerlytotheletter。Thusitwascontinued：
　　"ThatbitoftornpaperIfoundunderthebed，whileIwassecretlysearchingMr。Toller’sroom。IhadpreviouslysuspectedYou。Frommyownexaminationofhisface，whenherefusedtohumormydeafnessbywritingwhatIaskedhimtotellme，IsuspectedMr。Tollernext。Youwillseeinthefragment，whatIsaw——thatTollerthebrotherhadayacht，andwasgoingtotheMediterranean;andthatTollerthemillerhadwritten，askinghimtofavourCristel’sescape。Therest，Cristelherselfcantellyou。
　　"Iknowyouhadmefollowed。AtMarseilles，Igottiredofit，andgaveyourmentheslip。AteveryportintheMediterraneanIinquiredfortheyacht，andheardnothingofher。Theymusthavechangedtheirmindsonboard，andgonesomewhereelse。IreferyoutoCristelagain。
　　"ArrivedatGenoa，onmywaybacktoEngland，ImetwithaskilledItaliansurgeon。Hedeclaredthathecouldrestoremyhearing——buthewarnedmethatIwasinaweakstateofhealth，andherefusedtoanswerfortheresultoftheoperation。Withouthesitatingforamoment，Itoldhimtooperate。Iwouldhavegivenfiftylivesforoneexquisiteweekofperfecthearing。Ihavehadthreeweeksofperfecthearing。Otherwise，I
　　havehadalifeofenjoymentbeforeIdie。
　　"Itisuselesstoaskyourpardon。Myconductwastooinfamousforthat。
　　Willyourememberthefamilytaint，developedbyadeafman’sisolationamonghisfellow-creatures？ButIhadsomedayswhenmymother’ssweetnaturetriedtomakeitselffeltinme，anddidnotwhollyfail。Iamgoingtomymothernow：herspirithasbeenwithmeeversincemyhearingwasrestored;herspiritsaidtomelastnight："Atone，myson！Givethemanwhomyouhavewronged，thewomanwhomheloves。"Ihadfoundouttheuncle’saddressinEngland（whichInowenclose）atoneoftheYachtClubs。Ihadintendedtogotothehouse，andwelcomeheronherreturn。
　　Youmustgoinsteadofme;youwillseethatlovelyfacewhenIaminmygrave。Good-bye，Roylake。Thecoldhandthattouchesusall，soonerorlater，isveryneartome。Bemercifultothenextscoundrelyoumeet，forthesakeofTheCur。"
　　Isaythere_was_goodinthatsufferingman;andIthankGodIwasnotquitewrongabouthimafterall。ArrivingatMr。StephenToller’scountryseat，bytheearliesttrainthatwouldtakemethere，Ifoundalasttrialofenduranceinstoreforme。Cristelwasawaywithheruncle，visitingsomefriends。
　　Cristel’sauntreceivedmewithkindnesswhichIcanneverforget。"WehavenoticedlatelythatCristelwasindepressedspirits;nouncommonthing，"Mrs。StephenTollercontinued，lookingatmewithagentlesmile，"sinceapartingwhichIknowyoumusthavefeltdeeplytoo。No，Mr。
　　Roylake，sheisnotengagedtobemarried——andshewillneverbemarried，unlessyouforgiveher。Ah，youforgiveherbecauseyouloveher！Shethoughtofwritingtotellyouhermotives，whenshevisitedherfather’sgraveonourreturntoEngland。ButIwasunabletoobtainyouraddress。
　　Perhaps，Imayspeakforhernow？"
　　IknewhowLadyRachel’sinterferencehadappealedtoCristel’ssenseofdutyandsenseofself-respect;Ihadheardfromherownlipsthatshedistrustedherself，ifsheallowedmetopressher。Butshehadsuccessfullyconcealedfrommetheterrorwithwhichsheregardedherrejectedlover，andtheinfluenceoverherwhichherfatherhadexercised。Alwaysmindfulofhisowninterests，themillerknewthathewouldbethepersonblamedifheallowedhisdaughtertomarryme。"TheywillsayIdidit，withaneyetomyson-in-law’smoney;andgentlefolksmayruinamanwholivesbysellingflour。"Thatwashowheexpressedhimselfinalettertohisbrother。
　　ThewholeofthecorrespondencewasshowntomebyMrs。StephenToller。
　　Afteralludingtohiswealthybrother’sdesirethatheshouldretirefrombusiness，themillercontinuedasfollows：
　　"Whatyouarereadytodoforme，IwantyoutodoforCristy。Sheisindanger，inmorewaysthanone，andIamobligedtogetherawayfrommyhouseasifIwasasmuggler，andmygirlcontrabandgoods。Iamabadhandatwriting，soIleaveCristytotellyoutheparticulars。Willyoureceiveher，brotherStephen？andtakecareofher？anddoitassoonaspossible？"
　　Mr。StephenToller’scordialreplymentionedthathisvesselwasreadytosail，andwouldpassthemouthofTheLokeonhersouthwardvoyage。Hisbrothercaughtattheideathussuggested。
　　IhavealludedtoGilesToller’sslylooktohislodger，whenIreturnedthemanuscriptoftheconfession。Theoldman’sunscrupulouscuriosityhadalreadyappliedasecondkeytothecupboardinthelodger’sroom。
　　Therehehadfoundthe"criminalstories"mentionedinthejournal——includingthestoryofabductionreferredtobyLadyRachel。
　　ThisgavehimtheveryideawhichhislodgerhadalreadyreliedonforcarryingCristelawaybytheriver（undertheinfluence，ofcourse，ofasoporificdrug），whileherfatherwaskeepingwatchontheroad。Thesecretingoftheoarswiththispurposeinview，hadfailedasameasureofsecurity。Themiller’sknowledgeofthestream，andhisdaughter’sreadycourage，hadsuggestedtheideaoflettingtheboatdrift，withCristelhiddeninit。Twooftheyacht’screw，hiddenamongthetrees，watchedtheprogressoftheboatuntilitroundedthepromontory，andstrucktheshore。There，theyacht’sboatwaswaiting。Therocketwasfiredtore-assureherfather;andCristelwasrowedtothemouthoftheriver，andsafelyreceivedonboardtheyacht。Thus（withhisgoodbrother’shelp）themillerhadmadetheRiverhisGuiltyaccompliceintheabductionofhisownchild！
　　WhenIhadreadthecorrespondence，wespokeagainofCristel。
　　"Tosavetime，"Mrs。StephenTollersaid，"Iwillwritetomyhusbandto-day，byamountedmessenger。HeshallonlytellCristelthatyouhavecomebacktoEngland，andyoushallarrangetomeetherinourgroundswhenshereturns。Iamachildlesswoman，Mr。Roylake——andIloveherasIshouldhavelovedadaughterofmyown。Whereimprovement（inexternalmattersonly）hasseemedtobepossible，ithasbeenmydelighttoimproveher。YourstepmotherandLadyRachelwillacknowledge，evenfromtheirpointofview，thatthereisamistresswhoisworthyofherpositionatTrimleyDeen。"
　　WhenCristelreturnedthenextday，shefoundthatherunclehaddesertedher，andsuddenlydiscoveredamanintheshrubbery。Whatthatmansaidanddid，andwhattheresultofitwas，maybeinferredifIrelatearemarkableevent。Mrs。RoylakehasretiredfromthedomesticsuperintendenceofTrimleyDeen。