Buttherewerepositivelynoothermarksofviolenceabouthim，certainlynonethatwouldaccountforhisdeath；andwhentheycametotheautopsytherewasn’tatraceofpoisonofanykind。
OfcoursethepolicewantedtoknowallaboutthepeopleatNumber20，andhereagain，soIhaveheardfromprivatesources，oneortwootherverycuriouspointscameout。ItappearsthattheoccupantsofthehousewereaMr。andMrs。CharlesHerbert；
hewassaidtobealandedproprietor，thoughitstruckmostpeoplethatPaulStreetwasnotexactlytheplacetolookforcountrygentry。AsforMrs。Herbert，nobodyseemedtoknowwhoorwhatshewas，and，betweenourselves，Ifancythediversafterherhistoryfoundthemselvesinratherstrangewaters。Ofcoursetheybothdeniedknowinganythingaboutthedeceased，andindefaultofanyevidenceagainstthemtheyweredischarged。
Butsomeveryoddthingscameoutaboutthem。Thoughitwasbetweenfiveandsixinthemorningwhenthedeadmanwasremoved，alargecrowdhadcollected，andseveraloftheneighboursrantoseewhatwasgoingon。Theywereprettyfreewiththeircomments，byallaccounts，andfromtheseitappearedthatNumber20wasinverybadodourinPaulStreet。Thedetectivestriedtotracedowntheserumourstosomesolidfoundationoffact，butcouldnotgetholdofanything。PeopleshooktheirheadsandraisedtheireyebrowsandthoughttheHerbertsrather’queer，’’wouldrathernotbeseengoingintotheirhouse，’andsoon，buttherewasnothingtangible。Theauthoritiesweremorallycertainthemanmethisdeathinsomewayoranotherinthehouseandwasthrownoutbythekitchendoor，buttheycouldn’tproveit，andtheabsenceofanyindicationsofviolenceorpoisoningleftthemhelpless。Anoddcase，wasn’tit？Butcuriouslyenough，there’ssomethingmorethatIhaven’ttoldyou。Ihappenedtoknowoneofthedoctorswhowasconsultedastothecauseofdeath，andsometimeaftertheinquestImethim，andaskedhimaboutit。’Doyoureallymeantotellme，’Isaid，’thatyouwerebaffledbythecase，thatyouactuallydon’tknowwhatthemandiedof？’’Pardonme，’
hereplied，’Iknowperfectlywellwhatcauseddeath。Blankdiedoffright，ofsheer，awfulterror；Ineversawfeaturessohideouslycontortedintheentirecourseofmypractice，andI
haveseenthefacesofawholehostofdead。’Thedoctorwasusuallyacoolcustomerenough，andacertainvehemenceinhismannerstruckme，butIcouldn’tgetanythingmoreoutofhim。
IsupposetheTreasurydidn’tseetheirwaytoprosecutingtheHerbertsforfrighteningamantodeath；atanyrate，nothingwasdone，andthecasedroppedoutofmen’sminds。DoyouhappentoknowanythingofHerbert？"
"Well，"repliedVilliers，"hewasanoldcollegefriendofmine。"
"Youdon’tsayso？Haveyoueverseenhiswife？"
"No，Ihaven’t。IhavelostsightofHerbertformanyyears。"
"It’squeer，isn’tit，partingwithamanatthecollegegateoratPaddington，seeingnothingofhimforyears，andthenfindinghimpopuphisheadinsuchanoddplace。ButIshouldliketohaveseenMrs。Herbert；peoplesaidextraordinarythingsabouther。"
"Whatsortofthings？"
"Well，Ihardlyknowhowtotellyou。Everyonewhosawheratthepolicecourtsaidshewasatoncethemostbeautifulwomanandthemostrepulsivetheyhadeverseteyeson。Ihavespokentoamanwhosawher，andIassureyouhepositivelyshudderedashetriedtodescribethewoman，buthecouldn’ttellwhy。Sheseemstohavebeenasortofenigma；andIexpectifthatonedeadmancouldhavetoldtales，hewouldhavetoldsomeuncommonlyqueerones。Andthereyouareagaininanotherpuzzle；whatcouldarespectablecountrygentlemanlikeMr。
Blank（we’llcallhimthatifyoudon’tmind）wantinsuchaveryqueerhouseasNumber20？It’saltogetheraveryoddcase，isn’tit？"
"Itisindeed，Austin；anextraordinarycase。I
didn’tthink，whenIaskedyouaboutmyoldfriend，Ishouldstrikeonsuchstrangemetal。Well，Imustbeoff；good-day。"
Villierswentaway，thinkingofhisownconceitoftheChineseboxes；herewasquaintworkmanshipindeed。
IV
THEDISCOVERYINPAULSTREET
AfewmonthsafterVillers’meetingwithHerbert，Mr。
Clarkewassitting，asusual，byhisafter-dinnerhearth，resolutelyguardinghisfanciesfromwanderinginthedirectionofthebureau。Formorethanaweekhehadsucceededinkeepingawayfromthe"Memoirs，"andhecherishedhopesofacompleteself-reformation；but，inspiteofhisendeavours，hecouldnothushthewonderandthestrangecuriositythatthelastcasehehadwrittendownhadexcitedwithinhim。Hehadputthecase，orrathertheoutlineofit，conjecturallytoascientificfriend，whoshookhishead，andthoughtClarkegettingqueer，andonthisparticulareveningClarkewasmakinganefforttorationalizethestory，whenasuddenknockatthedoorrousedhimfromhismeditations。
"Mr。Villierstoseeyousir。"
"Dearme，Villiers，itisverykindofyoutolookmeup；Ihavenotseenyouformanymonths；Ishouldthinknearlyayear。Comein，comein。Andhowareyou，Villiers？Wantanyadviceaboutinvestments？"
"No，thanks，IfancyeverythingIhaveinthatwayisprettysafe。No，Clarke，Ihavereallycometoconsultyouaboutarathercuriousmatterthathasbeenbroughtundermynoticeoflate。IamafraidyouwillthinkitallratherabsurdwhenItellmytale。Isometimesthinksomyself，andthat’sjustwhatImadeupmymindtocometoyou，asIknowyou’reapracticalman。"
Mr。Villierswasignorantofthe"MemoirstoprovetheExistenceoftheDevil。"
"Well，Villiers，Ishallbehappytogiveyoumyadvice，tothebestofmyability。Whatisthenatureofthecase？"
"It’sanextraordinarythingaltogether。Youknowmyways；Ialwayskeepmyeyesopeninthestreets，andinmytimeIhavechanceduponsomequeercustomers，andqueercasestoo，butthis，Ithink，beatsall。Iwascomingoutofarestaurantonenastywinternightaboutthreemonthsago；IhadhadacapitaldinnerandagoodbottleofChianti，andIstoodforamomentonthepavement，thinkingwhatamysterythereisaboutLondonstreetsandthecompaniesthatpassalongthem。Abottleofredwineencouragesthesefancies，Clarke，andIdaresayI
shouldhavethoughtapageofsmalltype，butIwascutshortbyabeggarwhohadcomebehindme，andwasmakingtheusualappeals。OfcourseIlookedround，andthisbeggarturnedouttobewhatwasleftofanoldfriendofmine，amannamedHerbert。Iaskedhimhowhehadcometosuchawretchedpass，andhetoldme。WewalkedupanddownoneofthoselonganddarkSohostreets，andthereIlistenedtohisstory。Hesaidhehadmarriedabeautifulgirl，someyearsyoungerthanhimself，and，asheputit，shehadcorruptedhimbodyandsoul。Hewouldn’tgointodetails；hesaidhedarenot，thatwhathehadseenandheardhauntedhimbynightandday，andwhenIlookedinhisfaceIknewhewasspeakingthetruth。
Therewassomethingaboutthemanthatmademeshiver。Idon’tknowwhy，butitwasthere。Igavehimalittlemoneyandsenthimaway，andIassureyouthatwhenhewasgoneIgaspedforbreath。Hispresenceseemedtochillone’sblood。"
"Isn’tthisalljustalittlefanciful，Villiers？I
supposethepoorfellowhadmadeanimprudentmarriage，and，inplainEnglish，gonetothebad。"
"Well，listentothis。"VillierstoldClarkethestoryhehadheardfromAustin。
"Yousee，"heconcluded，"therecanbebutlittledoubtthatthisMr。Blank，whoeverhewas，diedofsheerterror；hesawsomethingsoawful，soterrible，thatitcutshorthislife。
Andwhathesaw，hemostcertainlysawinthathouse，which，somehoworother，hadgotabadnameintheneighbourhood。I
hadthecuriositytogoandlookattheplaceformyself。It’sasaddeningkindofstreet；thehousesareoldenoughtobemeananddreary，butnotoldenoughtobequaint。AsfarasIcouldseemostofthemareletinlodgings，furnishedandunfurnished，andalmosteverydoorhasthreebellstoit。Hereandtherethegroundfloorshavebeenmadeintoshopsofthecommonestkind；
it’sadismalstreetineveryway。IfoundNumber20wastolet，andIwenttotheagent’sandgotthekey。OfcourseI
shouldhaveheardnothingoftheHerbertsinthatquarter，butIaskedtheman，fairandsquare，howlongtheyhadleftthehouseandwhethertherehadbeenothertenantsinthemeanwhile。
Helookedatmequeerlyforaminute，andtoldmetheHerbertshadleftimmediatelyaftertheunpleasantness，ashecalledit，andsincethenthehousehadbeenempty。"
Mr。Villierspausedforamoment。
"Ihavealwaysbeenratherfondofgoingoveremptyhouses；there’sasortoffascinationaboutthedesolateemptyrooms，withthenailsstickinginthewalls，andthedustthickuponthewindow-sills。ButIdidn’tenjoygoingoverNumber20，PaulStreet。IhadhardlyputmyfootinsidethepassagewhenI
noticedaqueer，heavyfeelingabouttheairofthehouse。Ofcourseallemptyhousesarestuffy，andsoforth，butthiswassomethingquitedifferent；Ican’tdescribeittoyou，butitseemedtostopthebreath。Iwentintothefrontroomandthebackroom，andthekitchensdownstairs；theywerealldirtyanddustyenough，asyouwouldexpect，buttherewassomethingstrangeaboutthemall。Icouldn’tdefineittoyou，IonlyknowIfeltqueer。Itwasoneoftheroomsonthefirstfloor，though，thatwastheworst。Itwasalargishroom，andonceonatimethepapermusthavebeencheerfulenough，butwhenIsawit，paint，paper，andeverythingweremostdoleful。Buttheroomwasfullofhorror；IfeltmyteethgrindingasIputmyhandonthedoor，andwhenIwentin，IthoughtIshouldhavefallenfaintingtothefloor。However，Ipulledmyselftogether，andstoodagainsttheendwall，wonderingwhatonearththerecouldbeabouttheroomtomakemylimbstremble，andmyheartbeatasifIwereatthehourofdeath。Inonecornertherewasapileofnewspaperslitteredonthefloor，andIbeganlookingatthem；theywerepapersofthreeorfouryearsago，someofthemhalftorn，andsomecrumpledasiftheyhadbeenusedforpacking。Iturnedthewholepileover，andamongstthemIfoundacuriousdrawing；Iwillshowittoyoupresently。ButIcouldn’tstayintheroom；Ifeltitwasoverpoweringme。Iwasthankfultocomeout，safeandsound，intotheopenair。PeoplestaredatmeasIwalkedalongthestreet，andonemansaidIwasdrunk。Iwasstaggeringaboutfromonesideofthepavementtotheother，anditwasasmuchasIcoulddototakethekeybacktotheagentandgethome。I
wasinbedforaweek，sufferingfromwhatmydoctorcallednervousshockandexhaustion。OneofthosedaysIwasreadingtheeveningpaper，andhappenedtonoticeaparagraphheaded：
’StarvedtoDeath。’Itwastheusualstyleofthing；amodellodging-houseinMarlyebone，adoorlockedforseveraldays，andadeadmaninhischairwhentheybrokein。’Thedeceased，’saidtheparagraph，’wasknownasCharlesHerbert，andisbelievedtohavebeenonceaprosperouscountrygentleman。HisnamewasfamiliartothepublicthreeyearsagoinconnectionwiththemysteriousdeathinPaulStreet，TottenhamCourtRoad，thedeceasedbeingthetenantofthehouseNumber20，intheareaofwhichagentlemanofgoodpositionwasfounddeadundercircumstancesnotdevoidofsuspicion。’Atragicending，wasn’tit？Butafterall，ifwhathetoldmeweretrue，whichIamsureitwas，theman’slifewasallatragedy，andatragedyofastrangersortthantheyputontheboards。"
"Andthatisthestory，isit？"saidClarkemusingly。
"Yes，thatisthestory。"
"Well，really，Villiers，Iscarcelyknowwhattosayaboutit。Thereare，nodoubt，circumstancesinthecasewhichseempeculiar，thefindingofthedeadmanintheareaofHerbert’shouse，forinstance，andtheextraordinaryopinionofthephysicianastothecauseofdeath；but，afterall，itisconceivablethatthefactsmaybeexplainedinastraightforwardmanner。Astoyourownsensations，whenyouwenttoseethehouse，Iwouldsuggestthattheywereduetoavividimagination；youmusthavebeenbrooding，inasemi-consciousway，overwhatyouhadheard。Idon’texactlyseewhatmorecanbesaidordoneinthematter；youevidentlythinkthereisamysteryofsomekind，butHerbertisdead；wherethendoyouproposetolook？"
"Iproposetolookforthewoman；thewomanwhomhemarried。Sheisthemystery。"
Thetwomensatsilentbythefireside；Clarkesecretlycongratulatinghimselfonhavingsuccessfullykeptupthecharacterofadvocateofthecommonplace，andVillierswrappedinhisgloomyfancies。
"IthinkIwillhaveacigarette，"hesaidatlast，andputhishandinhispockettofeelforthecigarette-case。
"Ah！"hesaid，startingslightly，"IforgotIhadsomethingtoshowyou。YouremembermysayingthatIhadfoundarathercurioussketchamongstthepileofoldnewspapersatthehouseinPaulStreet？Hereitis。"
Villiersdrewoutasmallthinparcelfromhispocket。
Itwascoveredwithbrownpaper，andsecuredwithstring，andtheknotsweretroublesome。InspiteofhimselfClarkefeltinquisitive；hebentforwardonhischairasVillierspainfullyundidthestring，andunfoldedtheoutercovering。Insidewasasecondwrappingoftissue，andVillierstookitoffandhandedthesmallpieceofpapertoClarkewithoutaword。
Therewasdeadsilenceintheroomforfiveminutesormore；thetwomansatsostillthattheycouldhearthetickingofthetallold-fashionedclockthatstoodoutsideinthehall，andinthemindofoneofthemtheslowmonotonyofsoundwokeupafar，farmemory。Hewaslookingintentlyatthesmallpen-and-inksketchofthewoman’shead；ithadevidentlybeendrawnwithgreatcare，andbyatrueartist，forthewoman’ssoullookedoutoftheeyes，andthelipswerepartedwithastrangesmile。Clarkegazedstillattheface；itbroughttohismemoryonesummerevening，longago；hesawagainthelonglovelyvalley，theriverwindingbetweenthehills，themeadowsandthecornfields，thedullredsun，andthecoldwhitemistrisingfromthewater。Heheardavoicespeakingtohimacrossthewavesofmanyyears，andsaying"Clarke，MarywillseethegodPan！"andthenhewasstandinginthegrimroombesidethedoctor，listeningtotheheavytickingoftheclock，waitingandwatching，watchingthefigurelyingonthegreencharbeneaththelamplight。Maryroseup，andhelookedintohereyes，andhisheartgrewcoldwithinhim。
"Whoisthiswoman？"hesaidatlast。Hisvoicewasdryandhoarse。
"ThatisthewomanwhoHerbertmarried。"
Clarkelookedagainatthesketch；itwasnotMaryafterall。TherecertainlywasMary’sface，buttherewassomethingelse，somethinghehadnotseenonMary’sfeatureswhenthewhite-cladgirlenteredthelaboratorywiththedoctor，noratherterribleawakening，norwhenshelaygrinningonthebed。Whateveritwas，theglancethatcamefromthoseeyes，thesmileonthefulllips，ortheexpressionofthewholeface，Clarkeshudderedbeforeitathisinmostsoul，andthought，unconsciously，ofDr。Phillip’swords，"themostvividpresentmentofevilIhaveeverseen。"Heturnedthepaperovermechanicallyinhishandandglancedattheback。
"GoodGod！Clarke，whatisthematter？Youareaswhiteasdeath。"
Villiershadstartedwildlyfromhischair，asClarkefellbackwithagroan，andletthepaperdropfromhishands。
"Idon’tfeelverywell，Villiers，Iamsubjecttotheseattacks。Pourmeoutalittlewine；thanks，thatwilldo。
Ishallfeelbetterinafewminutes。"
VillierspickedupthefallensketchandturneditoverasClarkehaddone。
"Yousawthat？"hesaid。"That’showIidentifieditasbeingaportraitofHerbert’swife，orIshouldsayhiswidow。Howdoyoufeelnow？"
"Better，thanks，itwasonlyapassingfaintness。I
don’tthinkIquitecatchyourmeaning。Whatdidyousayenabledyoutoidentifythepicture？"
"Thisword——’Helen’——waswrittenontheback。
Didn’tItellyouhernamewasHelen？Yes；HelenVaughan。"
Clarkegroaned；therecouldbenoshadowofdoubt。
"Now，don’tyouagreewithme，"saidVilliers，"thatinthestoryIhavetoldyouto-night，andinthepartthiswomanplaysinit，therearesomeverystrangepoints？"
"Yes，Villiers，"Clarkemuttered，"itisastrangestoryindeed；astrangestoryindeed。Youmustgivemetimetothinkitover；ImaybeabletohelpyouorImaynot。Mustyoubegoingnow？Well，good-night，Villiers，good-night。Comeandseemeinthecourseofaweek。"
V
THELETTEROFADVICE
"Doyouknow，Austin，"saidVilliers，asthetwofriendswerepacingsedatelyalongPiccadillyonepleasantmorninginMay，"doyouknowIamconvincedthatwhatyoutoldmeaboutPaulStreetandtheHerbertsisamereepisodeinanextraordinaryhistory？ImayaswellconfesstoyouthatwhenI
askedyouaboutHerbertafewmonthsagoIhadjustseenhim。"
"Youhadseenhim？Where？"
"Hebeggedofmeinthestreetonenight。Hewasinthemostpitiableplight，butIrecognizedtheman，andIgothimtotellmehishistory，oratleasttheoutlineofit。Inbrief，itamountedtothis——hehadbeenruinedbyhiswife。"
"Inwhatmanner？"
"Hewouldnottellme；hewouldonlysaythatshehaddestroyedhim，bodyandsoul。Themanisdeadnow。
"Andwhathasbecomeofhiswife？"
"Ah，that’swhatIshouldliketoknow，andImeantofindhersoonerorlater。IknowamannamedClarke，adryfellow，infactamanofbusiness，butshrewdenough。Youunderstandmymeaning；notshrewdinthemerebusinesssenseoftheword，butamanwhoreallyknowssomethingaboutmenandlife。Well，Ilaidthecasebeforehim，andhewasevidentlyimpressed。Hesaiditneededconsideration，andaskedmetocomeagaininthecourseofaweek。AfewdayslaterIreceivedthisextraordinaryletter。"
Austintooktheenvelope，drewouttheletter，andreaditcuriously。Itranasfollows：——
"MYDEARVILLIERS，——Ihavethoughtoverthematteronwhichyouconsultedmetheothernight，andmyadvicetoyouisthis。Throwtheportraitintothefire，blotoutthestoryfromyourmind。Nevergiveitanotherthought，Villiers，oryouwillbesorry。Youwillthink，nodoubt，thatIaminpossessionofsomesecretinformation，andtoacertainextentthatisthecase。ButIonlyknowalittle；Iamlikeatravellerwhohaspeeredoveranabyss，andhasdrawnbackinterror。WhatIknowisstrangeenoughandhorribleenough，butbeyondmyknowledgetherearedepthsandhorrorsmorefrightfulstill，moreincrediblethananytaletoldofwinternightsaboutthefire。
Ihaveresolved，andnothingshallshakethatresolve，toexplorenowhitfarther，andifyouvalueyourhappinessyouwillmakethesamedetermination。
"Comeandseemebyallmeans；butwewilltalkonmorecheerfultopicsthanthis。"
Austinfoldedthelettermethodically，andreturnedittoVilliers。
"Itiscertainlyanextraordinaryletter，"hesaid，"whatdoeshemeanbytheportrait？"
"Ah！IforgottotellyouIhavebeentoPaulStreetandhavemadeadiscovery。"
VillierstoldhisstoryashehadtoldittoClarke，andAustinlistenedinsilence。Heseemedpuzzled。
"Howverycuriousthatyoushouldexperiencesuchanunpleasantsensationinthatroom！"hesaidatlength。"I
hardlygatherthatitwasamerematteroftheimagination；afeelingofrepulsion，inshort。"
"No，itwasmorephysicalthanmental。ItwasasifI
wereinhalingateverybreathsomedeadlyfume，whichseemedtopenetratetoeverynerveandboneandsinewofmybody。Ifeltrackedfromheadtofoot，myeyesbegantogrowdim；itwasliketheentranceofdeath。"
"Yes，yes，verystrangecertainly。Yousee，yourfriendconfessesthatthereissomeveryblackstoryconnectedwiththiswoman。Didyounoticeanyparticularemotioninhimwhenyouweretellingyourtale？"
"Yes，Idid。Hebecameveryfaint，butheassuredmethatitwasamerepassingattacktowhichhewassubject。"
"Didyoubelievehim？"
"Ididatthetime，butIdon’tnow。HeheardwhatI
hadtosaywithagooddealofindifference，tillIshowedhimtheportrait。ItwasthenthathewasseizedwiththeattackofwhichIspoke。Helookedghastly，Iassureyou。"
"Thenhemusthaveseenthewomanbefore。Buttheremightbeanotherexplanation；itmighthavebeenthename，andnottheface，whichwasfamiliartohim。Whatdoyouthink？"
"Icouldn’tsay。Tothebestofmybeliefitwasafterturningtheportraitinhishandsthathenearlydroppedfromthechair。Thename，youknow，waswrittenontheback。"
"Quiteso。Afterall，itisimpossibletocometoanyresolutioninacaselikethis。Ihatemelodrama，andnothingstrikesmeasmorecommonplaceandtediousthantheordinaryghoststoryofcommerce；butreally，Villiers，itlooksasifthereweresomethingveryqueeratthebottomofallthis。"
Thetwomenhad，withoutnoticingit，turnedupAshleyStreet，leadingnorthwardfromPiccadilly。Itwasalongstreet，andratheragloomyone，buthereandthereabrightertastehadilluminatedthedarkhouseswithflowers，andgaycurtains，andacheerfulpaintonthedoors。VilliersglancedupasAustinstoppedspeaking，andlookedatoneofthesehouses；geraniums，redandwhite，droopedfromeverysill，anddaffodil-colouredcurtainsweredrapedbackfromeachwindow。
"Itlookscheerful，doesn’tit？"hesaid。
"Yes，andtheinsideisstillmorecheery。Oneofthepleasantesthousesoftheseason，soIhaveheard。Ihaven’tbeentheremyself，butI’vemetseveralmenwhohave，andtheytellmeit’suncommonlyjovial。"
"Whosehouseisit？"
"AMrs。Beaumont’s。"
"Andwhoisshe？"
"Icouldn’ttellyou。IhaveheardshecomesfromSouthAmerica，butafterall，whosheisisoflittleconsequence。Sheisaverywealthywoman，there’snodoubtofthat，andsomeofthebestpeoplehavetakenherup。Ihearshehassomewonderfulclaret，reallymarvellouswine，whichmusthavecostafabuloussum。LordArgentinewastellingmeaboutit；hewastherelastSundayevening。Heassuresmehehasnevertastedsuchawine，andArgentine，asyouknow，isanexpert。Bytheway，thatremindsme，shemustbeanoddishsortofwoman，thisMrs。Beaumont。Argentineaskedherhowoldthewinewas，andwhatdoyouthinkshesaid？’Aboutathousandyears，Ibelieve。’LordArgentinethoughtshewaschaffinghim，youknow，butwhenhelaughedshesaidshewasspeakingquiteseriouslyandofferedtoshowhimthejar。Ofcourse，hecouldn’tsayanythingmoreafterthat；butitseemsratherantiquatedforabeverage，doesn’tit？Why，hereweareatmyrooms。Comein，won’tyou？"
"Thanks，IthinkIwill。Ihaven’tseenthecuriosity-shopforawhile。"
Itwasaroomfurnishedrichly，yetoddly，whereeveryjarandbookcaseandtable，andeveryrugandjarandornamentseemedtobeathingapart，preservingeachitsownindividuality。
"Anythingfreshlately？"saidVilliersafterawhile。
"No；Ithinknot；yousawthosequeerjugs，didn’tyou？
Ithoughtso。Idon’tthinkIhavecomeacrossanythingforthelastfewweeks。"
Austinglancedaroundtheroomfromcupboardtocupboard，fromshelftoshelf，insearchofsomenewoddity。
Hiseyesfellatlastonanoddchest，pleasantlyandquaintlycarved，whichstoodinadarkcorneroftheroom。
"Ah，"hesaid，"Iwasforgetting，Ihavegotsomethingtoshowyou。"Austinunlockedthechest，drewoutathickquartovolume，laiditonthetable，andresumedthecigarhehadputdown。
"DidyouknowArthurMeyrickthepainter，Villiers？"
"Alittle；Imethimtwoorthreetimesatthehouseofafriendofmine。Whathasbecomeofhim？Ihaven’theardhisnamementionedforsometime。"
"He’sdead。"
"Youdon’tsayso！Quiteyoung，wasn’the？"
"Yes；onlythirtywhenhedied。"
"Whatdidhedieof？"
"Idon’tknow。Hewasanintimatefriendofmine，andathoroughlygoodfellow。Heusedtocomehereandtalktomeforhours，andhewasoneofthebesttalkersIhavemet。Hecouldeventalkaboutpainting，andthat’smorethancanbesaidofmostpainters。Abouteighteenmonthsagohewasfeelingratheroverworked，andpartlyatmysuggestionhewentoffonasortofrovingexpedition，withnoverydefiniteendoraimaboutit。IbelieveNewYorkwastobehisfirstport，butI
neverheardfromhim。ThreemonthsagoIgotthisbook，withaverycivilletterfromanEnglishdoctorpractisingatBuenosAyres，statingthathehadattendedthelateMr。Meyrickduringhisillness，andthatthedeceasedhadexpressedanearnestwishthattheenclosedpacketshouldbesenttomeafterhisdeath。
Thatwasall。"
"Andhaven’tyouwrittenforfurtherparticulars？"
"Ihavebeenthinkingofdoingso。Youwouldadvisemetowritetothedoctor？"
"Certainly。Andwhataboutthebook？"
"ItwassealedupwhenIgotit。Idon’tthinkthedoctorhadseenit。"
"Itissomethingveryrare？Meyrickwasacollector，perhaps？"
"No，Ithinknot，hardlyacollector。Now，whatdoyouthinkoftheseAinujugs？"
"Theyarepeculiar，butIlikethem。Butaren’tyougoingtoshowmepoorMeyrick’slegacy？"
"Yes，yes，tobesure。Thefactis，it’sratherapeculiarsortofthing，andIhaven’tshownittoanyone。I
wouldn’tsayanythingaboutitifIwereyou。Thereitis。"
Villierstookthebook，andopeneditathaphazard。
"Itisn’taprintedvolume，then？"hesaid。
"No。ItisacollectionofdrawingsinblackandwhitebymypoorfriendMeyrick。"
Villiersturnedtothefirstpage，itwasblank；thesecondboreabriefinscription，whichheread：
Siletperdiemuniversus，necsinehorroresecretusest；lucetnocturnisignibus，chorusAegipanumundiquepersonatur：audiunturetcantustibiarum，ettinnituscymbalorumperorammaritimam。
OnthethirdpagewasadesignwhichmadeVilliersstartandlookupatAustin；hewasgazingabstractedlyoutofthewindow。Villiersturnedpageafterpage，absorbed，inspiteofhimself，inthefrightfulWalpurgisNightofevil，strangemonstrousevil，thatthedeadartisthadsetforthinhardblackandwhite。ThefiguresofFaunsandSatyrsandAegipansdancedbeforehiseyes，thedarknessofthethicket，thedanceonthemountain-top，thescenesbylonelyshores，ingreenvineyards，byrocksanddesertplaces，passedbeforehim：aworldbeforewhichthehumansoulseemedtoshrinkbackandshudder。
Villierswhirledovertheremainingpages；hehadseenenough，butthepictureonthelastleafcaughthiseye，ashealmostclosedthebook。
"Austin！"
"Well，whatisit？"
"Doyouknowwhothatis？"
Itwasawoman’sface，aloneonthewhitepage。
"Knowwhoitis？No，ofcoursenot。"
"Ido。"
"Whoisit？"
"ItisMrs。Herbert。"
"Areyousure？"
"Iamperfectlysureofit。PoorMeyrick！Heisonemorechapterinherhistory。"
"Butwhatdoyouthinkofthedesigns？"
"Theyarefrightful。Lockthebookupagain，Austin。
IfIwereyouIwouldburnit；itmustbeaterriblecompanioneventhoughitbeinachest。"
"Yes，theyaresingulardrawings。ButIwonderwhatconnectiontherecouldbebetweenMeyrickandMrs。Herbert，orwhatlinkbetweenherandthesedesigns？"
"Ah，whocansay？Itispossiblethatthemattermayendhere，andweshallneverknow，butinmyownopinionthisHelenVaughan，orMrs。Herbert，isonlythebeginning。ShewillcomebacktoLondon，Austin；dependonit，shewillcomeback，andweshallhearmoreaboutherthen。Idoubtitwillbeverypleasantnews。"
VI
THESUICIDES
LordArgentinewasagreatfavouriteinLondonSociety。Attwentyhehadbeenapoorman，deckedwiththesurnameofanillustriousfamily，butforcedtoearnalivelihoodasbesthecould，andthemostspeculativeofmoney-lenderswouldnothaveentrustedhimwithfiftypoundsonthechanceofhiseverchanginghisnameforatitle，andhispovertyforagreatfortune。Hisfatherhadbeennearenoughtothefountainofgoodthingstosecureoneofthefamilylivings，buttheson，evenifhehadtakenorders，wouldscarcelyhaveobtainedsomuchasthis，andmoreoverfeltnovocationfortheecclesiasticalestate。Thushefrontedtheworldwithnobetterarmourthanthebachelor’sgownandthewitsofayoungerson’sgrandson，withwhichequipmenthecontrivedinsomewaytomakeaverytolerablefightofit。Attwenty-fiveMr。CharlesAubernonsawhimselfstillamanofstrugglesandofwarfarewiththeworld，butoutofthesevenwhostoodbeforehimandthehighplacesofhisfamilythreeonlyremained。Thesethree，however，were"goodlives，"butyetnotproofagainsttheZuluassegaisandtyphoidfever，andsoonemorningAubernonwokeupandfoundhimselfLordArgentine，amanofthirtywhohadfacedthedifficultiesofexistence，andhadconquered。Thesituationamusedhimimmensely，andheresolvedthatrichesshouldbeaspleasanttohimaspovertyhadalwaysbeen。Argentine，aftersomelittleconsideration，cametotheconclusionthatdining，regardedasafineart，wasperhapsthemostamusingpursuitopentofallenhumanity，andthushisdinnersbecamefamousinLondon，andaninvitationtohistableathingcovetouslydesired。AftertenyearsoflordshipanddinnersArgentinestilldeclinedtobejaded，stillpersistedinenjoyinglife，andbyakindofinfectionhadbecomerecognizedasthecauseofjoyinothers，inshort，asthebestofcompany。Hissuddenandtragicaldeaththereforecausedawideanddeepsensation。
Peoplecouldscarcelybelieveit，eventhoughthenewspaperwasbeforetheireyes，andthecryof"MysteriousDeathofaNobleman"cameringingupfromthestreet。Buttherestoodthebriefparagraph："LordArgentinewasfounddeadthismorningbyhisvaletunderdistressingcircumstances。Itisstatedthattherecanbenodoubtthathislordshipcommittedsuicide，thoughnomotivecanbeassignedfortheact。Thedeceasednoblemanwaswidelyknowninsociety，andmuchlikedforhisgenialmannerandsumptuoushospitality。Heissucceededby，"
etc。，etc。
Byslowdegreesthedetailscametolight，butthecasestillremainedamystery。Thechiefwitnessattheinquestwasthedeceased’svalet，whosaidthatthenightbeforehisdeathLordArgentinehaddinedwithaladyofgoodposition，whosenamedwassuppressedinthenewspaperreports。Atabouteleveno’clockLordArgentinehadreturned，andinformedhismanthatheshouldnotrequirehisservicestillthenextmorning。A
littlelaterthevalethadoccasiontocrossthehallandwassomewhatastonishedtoseehismasterquietlylettinghimselfoutatthefrontdoor。Hehadtakenoffhiseveningclothes，andwasdressedinaNorfolkcoatandknickerbockers，andworealowbrownhat。ThevalethadnoreasontosupposethatLordArgentinehadseenhim，andthoughhismasterrarelykeptlatehours，thoughtlittleoftheoccurrencetillthenextmorning，whenheknockedatthebedroomdoorataquartertonineasusual。Hereceivednoanswer，and，afterknockingtwoorthreetimes，enteredtheroom，andsawLordArgentine’sbodyleaningforwardatananglefromthebottomofthebed。Hefoundthathismasterhadtiedacordsecurelytooneoftheshortbed-posts，and，aftermakingarunningnooseandslippingitroundhisneck，theunfortunatemanmusthaveresolutelyfallenforward，todiebyslowstrangulation。Hewasdressedinthelightsuitinwhichthevalethadseenhimgoout，andthedoctorwhowassummonedpronouncedthatlifehadbeenextinctformorethanfourhours。Allpapers，letters，andsoforthseemedinperfectorder，andnothingwasdiscoveredwhichpointedinthemostremotewaytoanyscandaleithergreatorsmall。Heretheevidenceended；nothingmorecouldbediscovered。Severalpersonshadbeenpresentatthedinner-partyatwhichLordAugustinehadassisted，andtoalltheseheseemedinhisusualgenialspirits。Thevalet，indeed，saidhethoughthismasterappearedalittleexcitedwhenhecamehome，butconfessedthatthealterationinhismannerwasveryslight，hardlynoticeable，indeed。Itseemedhopelesstoseekforanyclue，andthesuggestionthatLordArgentinehadbeensuddenlyattackedbyacutesuicidalmaniawasgenerallyaccepted。
Itwasotherwise，however，whenwithinthreeweeks，threemoregentlemen，oneofthemanobleman，andthetwoothersmenofgoodpositionandamplemeans，perishedmiserablyinthealmostpreciselythesamemanner。LordSwanleighwasfoundonemorninginhisdressing-room，hangingfromapegaffixedtothewall，andMr。Collier-StuartandMr。HerrieshadchosentodieasLordArgentine。Therewasnoexplanationineithercase；afewbaldfacts；alivingmanintheevening，andabodywithablackswollenfaceinthemorning。ThepolicehadbeenforcedtoconfessthemselvespowerlesstoarrestortoexplainthesordidmurdersofWhitechapel；butbeforethehorriblesuicidesofPiccadillyandMayfairtheyweredumbfoundered，fornoteventhemereferocitywhichdiddutyasanexplanationofthecrimesoftheEastEnd，couldbeofserviceintheWest。Eachofthesemenwhohadresolvedtodieatorturedshamefuldeathwasrich，prosperous，andtoallappearancesinlovewiththeworld，andnottheacutestresearchshouldferretoutanyshadowofalurkingmotiveineithercase。Therewasahorrorintheair，andmenlookedatoneanother’sfaceswhentheymet，eachwonderingwhethertheotherwastobethevictimofthefifthnamelesstragedy。
Journalistssoughtinvainfortheirscrapbooksformaterialswhereoftoconcoctreminiscentarticles；andthemorningpaperwasunfoldedinmanyahousewithafeelingofawe；nomanknewwhenorwherethenextblowwouldlight。
Ashortwhileafterthelastoftheseterribleevents，AustincametoseeMr。Villiers。HewascurioustoknowwhetherVilliershadsucceededindiscoveringanyfreshtracesofMrs。
Herbert，eitherthroughClarkeorbyothersources，andheaskedthequestionsoonafterhehadsatdown。
"No，"saidVilliers，"IwrotetoClarke，butheremainsobdurate，andIhavetriedotherchannels，butwithoutanyresult。Ican’tfindoutwhatbecameofHelenVaughanaftersheleftPaulStreet，butIthinkshemusthavegoneabroad。Buttotellthetruth，Austin，Ihaven’tpaidmuchattentiontothematterforthelastfewweeks；IknewpoorHerriesintimately，andhisterribledeathhasbeenagreatshocktome，agreatshock。"
"Icanwellbelieveit，"answeredAustingravely，"youknowArgentinewasafriendofmine。IfIrememberrightly，wewerespeakingofhimthatdayyoucametomyrooms。"
"Yes；itwasinconnectionwiththathouseinAshleyStreet，Mrs。Beaumont’shouse。YousaidsomethingaboutArgentine’sdiningthere。"
"Quiteso。OfcourseyouknowitwasthereArgentinedinedthenightbefore——beforehisdeath。"
"No，Ihadnotheardthat。"
"Oh，yes；thenamewaskeptoutofthepaperstospareMrs。Beaumont。Argentinewasagreatfavouriteofhers，anditissaidshewasinaterriblestateforsometimeafter。"
AcuriouslookcameoverVilliers’face；heseemedundecidedwhethertospeakornot。Austinbeganagain。
"IneverexperiencedsuchafeelingofhorroraswhenI
readtheaccountofArgentine’sdeath。Ididn’tunderstanditatthetime，andIdon’tnow。Iknewhimwell，anditcompletelypassesmyunderstandingforwhatpossiblecausehe——oranyoftheothersforthematterofthat——couldhaveresolvedincoldbloodtodieinsuchanawfulmanner。Youknowhowmenbabbleawayeachother’scharactersinLondon，youmaybesureanyburiedscandalorhiddenskeletonwouldhavebeenbroughttolightinsuchacaseasthis；butnothingofthesorthastakenplace。Asforthetheoryofmania，thatisverywell，ofcourse，forthecoroner’sjury，buteverybodyknowsthatit’sallnonsense。Suicidalmaniaisnotsmall-pox。"
Austinrelapsedintogloomysilence。Villierssatsilent，also，watchinghisfriend。Theexpressionofindecisionstillfleetedacrosshisface；heseemedasifweighinghisthoughtsinthebalance，andtheconsiderationshewasresolvinglefthimstillsilent。AustintriedtoshakeofftheremembranceoftragediesashopelessandperplexedasthelabyrinthofDaedalus，andbegantotalkinanindifferentvoiceofthemorepleasantincidentsandadventuresoftheseason。
"ThatMrs。Beaumont，"hesaid，"ofwhomwewerespeaking，isagreatsuccess；shehastakenLondonalmostbystorm。ImethertheothernightatFulham’s；sheisreallyaremarkablewoman。"
"YouhavemetMrs。Beaumont？"
"Yes；shehadquiteacourtaroundher。Shewouldbecalledveryhandsome，Isuppose，andyetthereissomethingaboutherfacewhichIdidn’tlike。Thefeaturesareexquisite，buttheexpressionisstrange。AndallthetimeIwaslookingather，andafterwards，whenIwasgoinghome，Ihadacuriousfeelingthatveryexpressionwasinsomewayoranotherfamiliartome。"
"YoumusthaveseenherintheRow。"
"No，IamsureIneverseteyesonthewomanbefore；itisthatwhichmakesitpuzzling。AndtothebestofmybeliefI
haveneverseenanyonelikeher；whatIfeltwasakindofdimfar-offmemory，vaguebutpersistent。TheonlysensationIcancompareitto，isthatoddfeelingonesometimeshasinadream，whenfantasticcitiesandwondrouslandsandphantompersonagesappearfamiliarandaccustomed。"
Villiersnoddedandglancedaimlesslyroundtheroom，possiblyinsearchofsomethingonwhichtoturntheconversation。Hiseyesfellonanoldchestsomewhatlikethatinwhichtheartist’sstrangelegacylayhidbeneathaGothicscutcheon。
"HaveyouwrittentothedoctoraboutpoorMeyrick？"heasked。
"Yes；Iwroteaskingforfullparticularsastohisillnessanddeath。Idon’texpecttohaveananswerforanotherthreeweeksoramonth。IthoughtImightaswellinquirewhetherMeyrickknewanEnglishwomannamedHerbert，andifso，whetherthedoctorcouldgivemeanyinformationabouther。Butit’sverypossiblethatMeyrickfellinwithheratNewYork，orMexico，orSanFrancisco；Ihavenoideaastotheextentordirectionofhistravels。"
"Yes，andit’sverypossiblethatthewomanmayhavemorethanonename。"
"Exactly。IwishIhadthoughtofaskingyoutolendmetheportraitofherwhichyoupossess。ImighthaveencloseditinmylettertoDr。Matthews。"
"Soyoumight；thatneveroccurredtome。Wemightsenditnow。Hark！whatarethoseboyscalling？"
Whilethetwomenhadbeentalkingtogetheraconfusednoiseofshoutinghadbeengraduallygrowinglouder。ThenoiserosefromtheeastwardandswelleddownPiccadilly，drawingnearerandnearer，averytorrentofsound；surgingupstreetsusuallyquiet，andmakingeverywindowaframeforaface，curiousorexcited。ThecriesandvoicescameechoingupthesilentstreetwhereVillierslived，growingmoredistinctastheyadvanced，and，asVilliersspoke，ananswerrangupfromthepavement：
"TheWestEndHorrors；AnotherAwfulSuicide；FullDetails！"
AustinrusheddownthestairsandboughtapaperandreadouttheparagraphtoVilliersastheuproarinthestreetroseandfell。Thewindowwasopenandtheairseemedfullofnoiseandterror。
"AnothergentlemanhasfallenavictimtotheterribleepidemicofsuicidewhichforthelastmonthhasprevailedintheWestEnd。Mr。SidneyCrashaw，ofStokeHouse，Fulham，andKing’sPomeroy，Devon，wasfound，afteraprolongedsearch，hangingdeadfromthebranchofatreeinhisgardenatoneo’clocktoday。ThedeceasedgentlemandinedlastnightattheCarltonClubandseemedinhisusualhealthandspirits。Helefttheclubataboutteno’clock，andwasseenwalkingleisurelyupSt。James’sStreetalittlelater。Subsequenttothishismovementscannotbetraced。Onthediscoveryofthebodymedicalaidwasatoncesummoned，butlifehadevidentlybeenlongextinct。Sofarasisknown，Mr。Crashawhadnotroubleoranxietyofanykind。Thispainfulsuicide，itwillberemembered，isthefifthofthekindinthelastmonth。TheauthoritiesatScotlandYardareunabletosuggestanyexplanationoftheseterribleoccurrences。"
Austinputdownthepaperinmutehorror。
"IshallleaveLondonto-morrow，"hesaid，"itisacityofnightmares。Howawfulthisis，Villiers！"
Mr。Villierswassittingbythewindowquietlylookingoutintothestreet。Hehadlistenedtothenewspaperreportattentively，andthehintofindecisionwasnolongeronhisface。
"Waitamoment，Austin，"hereplied，"Ihavemadeupmymindtomentionalittlematterthatoccurredlastnight。Itstated，Ithink，thatCrashawwaslastseenaliveinSt。
James’sStreetshortlyafterten？"
"Yes，Ithinkso。Iwilllookagain。Yes，youarequiteright。"
"Quiteso。Well，Iaminapositiontocontradictthatstatementatallevents。Crashawwasseenafterthat；
considerablylaterindeed。"
"Howdoyouknow？"
"BecauseIhappenedtoseeCrashawmyselfatabouttwoo’clockthismorning。"
"YousawCrashaw？You，Villiers？"
"Yes，Isawhimquitedistinctly；indeed，therewerebutafewfeetbetweenus。"
"Where，inHeaven’sname，didyouseehim？"
"Notfarfromhere。IsawhiminAshleyStreet。Hewasjustleavingahouse。"
"Didyounoticewhathouseitwas？"
"Yes。ItwasMrs。Beaumont’s。"
"Villiers！Thinkwhatyouaresaying；theremustbesomemistake。HowcouldCrashawbeinMrs。Beaumont’shouseattwoo’clockinthemorning？Surely，surely，youmusthavebeendreaming，Villiers；youwerealwaysratherfanciful。"
"No；Iwaswideawakeenough。EvenifIhadbeendreamingasyousay，whatIsawwouldhaverousedmeeffectually。"
"Whatyousaw？Whatdidyousee？WasthereanythingstrangeaboutCrashaw？ButIcan’tbelieveit；itisimpossible。"
"Well，ifyoulikeIwilltellyouwhatIsaw，orifyouplease，whatIthinkIsaw，andyoucanjudgeforyourself。"
"Verygood，Villiers。"