INTRODUCTION
FORSTERtellsusthatDickens，inhislaternovels，fromBLEAKHOUSE
onwards（1853），"assiduouslycultivated"construction，"thisessentialofhisart。"Somecriticsmaythink，thatsincesomanyofthebestnovelsintheworld"havenooutline，or，iftheyhaveanoutline，itisademnedoutline，"elaborateconstructionisnotabsolutely"essential。"Reallyessentialarecharacter，"atmosphere，"humour。
Butas，inthenaturalchangesoflife，andunderthestrainofrestlessandunsatisfiedactivity，hisoldbuoyancyandunequalledhighspiritsdesertedDickens，hecertainlywrotenolongerinwhatScott，speakingofhimself，callsthemannerof"habnabataventure。"Heconstructedelaborateplots，richinsecretsandsurprises。HeemulatedthemannerofWilkieCollins，orevenofGaboriau，whilehecombinedwithsomeoftheelementsofthedetectivenovel，orROMANPOLICIER，carefulstudyofcharacter。ExceptGREAT
EXPECTATIONS，noneofhislatertalesrivalsinmerithisearlypicaresquestoriesoftheroad，suchasPICKWICKandNICHOLAS
NICKLEBY。"Youthwillbeserved；"nosedulouscarecouldcompensatefortheexuberanceof"thefirstsprightlyrunnings。"Intheearlybooksthemelodramaoftheplot，thesecretsofRalphNickleby，ofMonk，ofJonasChuzzlewit，weretheleastoftheinnumerableattractions。ButDickenswasmoreandmoredrawntowardsthesecretthatexcitescuriosity，andtothegameofhideandseekwiththereaderwhotriedtoanticipatethesolutionofthesecret。
InApril，1869，Dickens，outwornbythestrainofhisAmericanreadings；ofthatlabourachievedunderpainfulconditionsofominouslybadhealth-foundhimself，asSirThomasWatsonreported，"onthebrinkofanattackofparalysisofhisleftside，andpossiblyofapoplexy。"HethereforeabandonedanewseriesofReadings。WethinkofScott’searlierseizuresofasimilarkind，afterwhichPEVERIL，hesaid，"smackedoftheapoplexy。"ButDickens’snewstoryofTHEMYSTERYOFEDWINDROOD，firstcontemplatedinJuly，1869，andalteredincharacterbytheemergenceof"averycuriousandnewidea，"earlyinAugust，doesnot"smackoftheapoplexy。"WemaythinkthatthemannerismsofMr。Honeythunder，thephilanthropist，andofMissTwinkleton，theschoolmistress，arenotintheauthor’sbestveinofhumour。"TheBillickin，"ontheotherhand，thelodging-housekeeper，is"inverygraciousfooling："herunlooked-forsalliesinskirmisheswithMissTwinkletonarerichinmirthfulsurprises。Mr。
Grewgiousmaybecaricaturedtoomuch，butnotoutofreason；andDickens，alwaysgoodatboys，presentsaGAMIN，inDeputy，whoisinnotunpleasantcontrastwiththepatheticJoofBLEAKHOUSE。OpinionsmaydifferastoEdwinandRosa，butthemorecloselyonestudiesEdwin，thebetteronethinksofthatcharacter。AsfarasweareallowedtoseeHelenaLandless，therestraintwhichsheputsonher"tigerishblood"isadmirable：sheisveryfreshandoriginal。Thevillainisallthatmelodramacandesire，butwhatwedomiss，I
think，isthe"atmosphere"ofasmallcathedraltown。Herethereisalackofsoftnessanddelicacyoftreatment：ontheotherhand，theopiumdenisstudiedfromthelife。
Onthewhole，Dickenshimselfwasperhapsmostinterestedinhisplot，hissecret，hissurprises，hisgameofhideandseekwiththereader。
Hethrewhimselfintothesportwithzest：hespoketohissister-in-
law，MissHogarth，abouthisfearthathehadnotsufficientlyconcealedhistracksinthelatestnumbers。Yet，whenhediedinJune，1870，leavingthreecompletednumbersstillunpublished，helefthissecretasapuzzletothecurious。Manyeffortshavebeenmadetodecipherhispurpose，especiallyhisintentionsastothehero。WasEdwinDroodkilled，ordidheescape？
Byacoincidence，inSeptember，1869，DickenswasworkingoverthelateLordLytton’staleforALLTHEYEARROUND，"TheDisappearanceofJohnAckland，"forthepurposeofmystifyingthereaderastowhetherAcklandwasaliveordead。Buthewasconspicuouslydefunct！（ALL
THEYEARROUND，September-October，1869。）
ThemostcarefuloftheattemptsatareplyaboutEdwin，astudybasedondeepknowledgeofDickens，is"WatchedbytheDead，"bythelateingeniousMr。R。A。Proctor（1887）。Thisbook，towhichIowemuchaid，isnowoutofprint。In1905，Mr。CumingWaltersrevived"theauldmysterie，"inhis"CluestoDickens’sEdwinDrood"（Chapman&
HallandHeywood，Manchester）。FromthesolutionofMr。WaltersIamobligedtodissent。OfMr。Proctor’stheoryIoffersomenecessarycorrections，andIhopethatIhaveunravelledsomeskeinswhichMr。
Proctorleftinastateoftangle。Asonereadandre-readthefragment，pointsverydarkseemed，atleast，tobecomesuddenlyclear：
especiallyoneappearedtounderstandthemeaninghalf-revealedandhalf-concealedbyJasper’sbabblingsundertheinfluenceofopium。Hesawinhisvision，"THAT，IneversawTHATbefore。"Wemaybesurethathewastosee"THAT"inreallife。Wemustrememberthat，accordingtoForster，"suchwasDickens’sinterestinthingssupernaturalthat，butforthestrongrestrainingpowerofhiscommonsense，hemighthavefallenintothefolliesofspiritualism。"Hisinterestinsuchmatterscertainlypeepsoutinthisnovel-therearetwospecimensofthesupernormal-andhemayhavegonetothelimitedextentwhichmyhypothesisrequires。IfIamright，Dickenswentfurther，andfaredworse，inthetoomaterialpremonitionsof"TheSignalman"inMUGBYJUNCTION。
Withthisbriefpreface，IproceedtotheanalysisofDickens’slastplot。Mr。WilliamArcherhaskindlyreadtheproofsheetsandmadevaluablesuggestions，butisresponsiblefornoneofmytheories。
ANDREWLANG。
ST。ANDREWS，SEPTEMBER4，1905。
THESTORY-DRAMATISPERSONAE
FORthediscoveryofDickens’ssecretinEDWINDROODitisnecessarytoobtainaclearviewofthecharactersinthetale，andoftheirrelationstoeachother。
AboutthemiddleofthenineteenthcenturytherelivedinCloisterham，acathedralcitysketchedfromRochester，ayoungUniversityman，Mr。
Bud，whohadafriendMr。Drood，oneofafirmofengineers-
somewhere。Theywere"fastfriendsandoldcollegecompanions。"Bothmarriedyoung。Mr。Budweddedaladyunnamed，bywhomhewasthefatherofonechild，adaughter，RosaBud。Mr。Drood，whosewife’smaidennamewasJasper，hadoneson，EdwinDrood。Mrs。Budwasdrownedinaboatingaccident，whenherdaughter，Rosa，wasachild。
Mr。Drood，alreadyawidower，andthebereavedMr。Bud"betrothed"thetwochildren，RosaandEdwin，andthenexpired，whentheorphanswereaboutsevenandelevenyearsold。TheguardianofRosawasalawyer，Mr。Grewgious，whohadbeeninlovewithhermother。ToGrewgiousMr。
Budentrustedhiswife’sengagementring，rubiesanddiamonds，whichGrewgiouswastohandovertoEdwinDrood，if，whenheattainedhismajority，heandRosadecidedtomarry。
GrewgiouswasapparentlylegalagentforEdwin，whileEdwin’smaternaluncle，JohnJasper（agedaboutsixteenwhenthemaleparentsdied），wasEdwin’s"trustee，"aswellashisuncleanddevotedfriend。
Rosa’slittlefortunewasanannuityproducing？50a-year：Edwinsucceededtohisfather’sshareinanengineeringfirm。
Whenthestoryopens，Edwinisnearlytwenty-one，andisabouttoproceedtoEgypt，asanengineer。Rosa，atschoolinCloisterham，isaboutseventeen；JohnJasperistwenty-six。HeisconductoroftheChoiroftheCathedral，a"layprecentor；"heisverydark，withthickblackwhiskers，and，foranumberofyears，hasbeenavictimtothehabitofopiumsmoking。Hebeganveryearly。Hetakesthisdrugbothinhislodgings，overthegateoftheCathedral，andinadeninEastLondon，keptbyawomannicknamed"ThePrincessPuffer。"Thishag，welearn，hasbeenadetermineddrunkard，-"Idrankheaven’s-hard，"-
forsixteenyearsBEFOREshetooktoopium。Ifshehasbeendealinginopiumfortenyears（theexactperiodisnotstated），shehasbeenverydisreputablefortwenty-sixyears，thatiseversinceJohnJasper’sbirth。Mr。CumingWalterssuggeststhatsheisthemotherofJohnJasper，and，therefore，maternalgrandmotherofEdwinDrood。Shedetestsherclient，Jasper，andplaysthespyonhismovements，forreasonsunexplained。
JasperissecretlyinlovewithRosa，theFIANCEEofhisnephew，andhisownpupilinthemusicalart。Hemakesherawareofhispassion，silently，andshefearsanddetestshim，butkeepstheseemotionsprivate。Sheisasaucyschool-girl，andsheandEdwinareonuncomfortableterms：shedoesnotlovehim，whileheperhapsdoesloveher，butisannoyedbyhermanner，andbythegossipabouttheirbetrothal。"Thebloomisofftheplum"oftheirprearrangedloves，hesaystohisfriend，uncle，andconfidant，Jasper，whoseownconcealedpassionforRosaisofaferociousandhomicidalcharacter。Rosaisawareofthisfact；"aglazecomesoverhiseyes，"sometimes，shesays，"andheseemstowanderawayintoafrightfulsortofdream，inwhichhethreatensmost……Themanappearstohavethesefrightfuldreamsevenwhenheisnotunderopium。
OPENINGOFTHETALE
Thetaleopensabruptlywithanopium-bredvisionofthetowerofCloisterhamCathedral，beheldbyJasperasheawakensinthedenofthePrincessPuffer，betweenaChinaman，aLascar，andthehagherself。ThisCathedraltower，thusearlyandemphaticallyintroduced，istoplayagreatbutmoreorlessmysteriouspartintheromance：thatiscertain。Jasper，waking，makesexperimentsonthetalkoftheoldwoman，theLascarandChinamanintheirsleep。Hepronouncesit"unintelligible，"whichsatisfieshimthathisownbabble，whenunderopium，mustbeunintelligiblealso。Heis，presumably，acquaintedwiththelanguagesoftheeasterncoastofIndia，andwithChinese，otherwise，howcouldhehopetounderstandthesleepers？Heisbeingwatchedbythehag，whohateshim。
JasperreturnstoCloisterham，whereweareintroducedtotheDean，anonentity，andtoMinorCanonCrisparkle，amuscularChristianinthepinkoftraining，aclassicalscholar，andagoodhonestfellow。
JaspergivesEdwinadinner，andgushesover"hisbrightboy，"alivelylad，fullofchaff，butalsofullofconfidingaffectionandtendernessofheart。Edwinadmitsthathisbetrothalisabore：
Jasperadmitsthatheloatheshislife；andthatthechurchsinging"oftensoundstomequitedevilish，"-andnowonder。Afterthisdinner，Jasperhasa"weirdseizure；""astrangefilmcomesoverJasper’seyes，"he"looksfrightfullyill，"becomesrigid，andadmitsthathe"hasbeentakingopiumforapain，anagonythatsometimesovercomesme。"This"agony，"welearn，isthepainofhearingEdwinspeaklightlyofhislove，whomJaspersofuriouslydesires。"Takeitasawarning，"Jaspersays，butEdwin，puzzled，andfullofconfidingtenderness，doesnotunderstand。
Inthenextscenewemeettheschool-girl，Rosa，whotakesawalkandhasatiffwithEdwin。SirLukeFildes’sillustrationshowsEdwinas"aladwiththebloomofalass，"withaCLASSICPROFILE；ANDA
GRACIOUSHEADOFLONG，THICK，FAIRHAIR，long，thoughwelearnithasjustbeencut。Hewearsasoftslouchedhat，andthepea-coatoftheperiod。
SAPSEAANDDURDLES
Next，JasperandSapsea，apompousass，auctioneer，andmayor，sitattheirwine，expectingathirdguest。Mr。Sapseareadshisabsurdepitaphforhislatewife，whoisburiedina"Monument，"avaultofsomesortintheCathedralchurchyard。TothementerDurdles，amanneversober，yettrustedwiththekeyofthecrypt，"ascontractorforroughrepairs。"Inthecrypt"hehabituallysleepsoffthefumesofliquor。"OfcoursenoDeanwouldentrustkeystothisincrediblydissipated，dirty，andinsolentcreature，towhomSapseagivesthekeyofhisvault，fornoreasonatall，astheepitaph，ofcourse，istobeengravedontheoutside，byDurdles’smen。However，Durdlesinsistsongettingthekeyofthevault：hehastwootherlargekeys。
Jasper，triflingwiththem，keepsclinkingthemtogether，soastoknow，eveninthedark，bythesound，whichisthekeythatopensSapsea’svault，intherailed-offburialground，besidethecloisterarches。HehasmetDurdlesatSapsea’sfornootherpurposethantoobtainaccessatwilltoMrs。Sapsea’smonument。LaterintheeveningJasperfindsDurdlesmoreorlessdrunk，andbeingstonedbyaGAMIN，"Deputy，"aretainerofatramp’slodging-house。DurdlesfeesDeputy，infact，todrivehimhomeeverynightafterten。JasperandDeputyfallintofeud，andJasperhasthusanew，keen，andomnipresentenemy。AshewalkswithDurdlesthatworthyexplains（inreplytoaquestionbyJasper），that，bytappingawall，evenifoversixfeetthick，withhishammer，hecandetectthenatureofthecontentsofthevault，"solidinhollow，andinsidesolid，hollowagain。Old’uncrumbledawayinstonecoffin，invault。"Hecanalsodiscoverthepresenceof"rubbishleftinthatsamesixfootspacebyDurdles’smen。"Thus，ifaforeignbodywereintroducedintotheSapseavault，Durdlescoulddetectitspresencebytappingtheoutsidewall。AsJasper’spurposeclearlyistointroduceaforeignbody-thatofEdwinwhostandsbetweenhimandRosa-intoMrs。Sapsea’svault，this"gift"ofDurdlesis，forJasper，anuncomfortablediscovery。Hegoeshome，watchesEdwinasleep，andsmokesopium。
THELANDLESSES
Twonewcharactersarenowintroduced，NevilleandHelenaLandless，（1）twins，orphans，ofCingaleseextraction，probablyEurasian；verydark，thegirl"almostofthegipsytype；"bothare"fierceoflook。"
TheyoungmanistoreadwithCanonCrisparkleandlivewithhim；thegirlgoestothesameschoolasRosa。Theeducationofbothhasbeenutterlyneglected；instructionhasbeendeniedtothem。NevilleexplainsthecauseoftheirfiercenesstoCrisparkle。InCeylontheywerebulliedbyacruelstepfatherandseveraltimesranaway：thegirlwastheleader，always"DRESSEDASABOY，ANDSHOWINGTHEDARING
OFAMAN。"EdwinDrood’sairofsuperciliousownershipofRosaBud（indicatedasafaultofyouthandcircumstance，notofheartandcharacter），irritatesNevilleLandless，whofallsinlovewithRosaatfirstsight。AsRosasings，atCrisparkle’s，whileJasperplaysthepiano，Jasper’sfixedstareproducesanhystericalfitinthegirl，whoissoothedbyHelenaLandless。HelenashowsheraversiontoJasper，who，asevenEdwinnowsees，frightensRosa。"Youwouldbeafraidofhim，undersimilarcircumstances，wouldn’tyou，MissLandless？"asksEdwin。"Notunderanycircumstances，"answersHelena，andJasper"thanksMissLandlessforthisvindicationofhischaracter。"
Thegirlsgobacktotheirschool，whereRosaexplainstoHelenaherhorrorofJasper’ssilentlove-making："IfeelthatIamneversafefromhim……aglazecomesoverhiseyesandheseemstowanderawayintoafrightfulsortofdreaminwhichhethreatensmost，"asalreadyquoted。Helenathus，andshealone，exceptRosa，understandsJasperthoroughly。ShebecomesRosa’sprotectress。"LETWHOMSOEVERITMOST
CONCERNEDLOOKWELLTOIT。"
ThusJasperhasanewobserverandenemy，inadditiontotheomnipresentstreetboy，Deputy，andthedetectiveoldhagoftheopiumden。
LeavingtheCanon’shouse，NevilleandEdwinquarrelviolentlyoverRosa，intheopenair；theyarefollowedbyJasper，andtakentohishousetobereconciledoverglassesofmulledwine。Jasperdrugsthewine，andthusprovokesaviolentscene；nextdayhetellsCrisparklethatNevilleis"murderous。""Thereissomethingofthetigerinhisdarkblood。"HespreadsthestoryoftheFRACASinthetown。
Grewgious，Rosa’sguardian，nowcomesdownonbusiness；thegirlfailstoexplaintohimtheunsatisfactoryrelationsbetweenherandEdwin：
Grewgiousistoreturntoher"atChristmas，"ifshesendsforhim，andshedoessend。Grewgious，"anangularman，"alldutyandsentiment（hehadlovedRosa’smother），hasaninterviewwithEdwin’strustee，Jasper，forwhomhehasnoenthusiasm，butwhomhedoesnotinanywaysuspect。Theypartongoodterms，tomeetatChristmas。
Crisparkle，withwhomHelenahasfallensuddenlyinlove，arrangeswithJasperthatEdwinandLandlessshallmeetandbereconciled，asbotharewillingtobe，atadinnerinJasper’srooms，onChristmasEve。Jasper，whenCrisparkleproposesthis，denotesbyhismanner"somecloseinternalcalculation。"Weseethatheisreckoninghowthedinnersuitshisplanofcampaign，and"CLOSEcalculation"mayrefer，asinMr。Proctor’stheory，totheperiodofthemoon：ON
CHRISTMASEVETHEREWILLBENOMOONSHINEATMIDNIGHT。JASPER，havingworkedoutthisproblem，acceptsCrisparkle’sproposal，andhisassurancesaboutNeville，andshowsCrisparkleadiaryinwhichhehasenteredhisfearsthatEdwin’slifeisindangerfromNeville。Edwin（whoisnotinCloisterhamatthismoment）accepts，byletter，theinvitationtomeetNevilleatJasper’sonChristmasEve。
MeanwhileEdwinvisitsGrewgiousinhisLondonchambers；islecturedonhislaggardandsuperciliousbehaviourasalover，andreceivestheengagementringofthelateMrs。Bud，Rosa’smother，whichisverydeartoGrewgious-inthepresenceofBazzard，Grewgious’sclerk，agloomywriterofanamateurunactedtragedy。EdwinistoreturntheringtoGrewgious，ifheandRosadecidenottomarry。Theringisinacase，andEdwinplacesit"inhisbreast。"Wemustunderstand，inthebreast-pocketofhiscoat：nootherinterpretationwillpassmuster。"Herring-willitcomebacktome？"reflectsthemournfulGrewgious。
THEUNACCOUNTABLEEXPEDITION
JaspernowtellsSapsea，andtheDean，thatheistomake"amoonlightexpeditionwithDurdlesamongthetombs，vaults，towers，andruinsto-
night。"TheimpossibleDurdleshasthekeysnecessaryforthis，"surelyanunaccountableexpedition，"Dickenskeepsremarking。Themoonseemstoriseonthisnightatabout7。30p。m。Jaspertakesabigcase-bottleofliquor-drugged，ofcourseandgoestothedenofDurdles。Intheyardofthisinspectorofmonumentsheisbiddentobewareofamoundofquicklimeneartheyardgate。"Withalittlehandystirring，quickenoughtoeatyourbones，"saysDurdles。Thereissomeconsiderabledistancebetweenthis"mound"ofquicklimeandthecrypt，ofwhichDurdleshasthekey，buttheinterveningspaceisquiteemptyofhumanpresence，asthecitizensareunwillingtomeetghosts。
InthecryptDurdlesdrinksagooddealofthedruggedliquor。"TheyaretoascendthegreatTower，"-andwhytheydothatispartoftheMystery，thoughnotaninsolublepart。Beforetheyclimb，DurdlestellsJasperthathewasdrunkandasleepinthecrypt，lastChristmasEve，andwaswakenedby"theghostofoneterrificshriek，followedbytheghostofthehowlofadog，alongdismal，woefulhowl，suchasadoggiveswhenaperson’sdead。"Durdleshasmadeinquiriesand，asnooneelseheardtheshriekandthehowl，hecallsthesesounds"ghosts。"
Theyareobviouslymeanttobeunderstoodassupranormalpremonitorysounds；ofthenatureofsecondsight，orratherofsecondhearing。
ForstergivesexamplesofDickens’stendencytobelieveinsuchpremonitions：Dickenshadhimselfacuriouspremonitorydream。Heconsiderablyoverdidthepremonitorybusinessinhisotherwiseexcellentstory，THESIGNALMAN，orsoitseemstoastudentofthesethings。TheshriekandhowlheardbyDurdlesaretoberepeated，wesee，inreallife，later，onaChristmasEve。Thequestionis-when？
MoreprobablyNOTontheChristmasEvejustimminent，whenEdwinistovanish，but，ontheChristmasEvefollowing，whenJasperistobeunmasked。
Allthiswhile，andlater，JasperexaminesDurdlesveryclosely，studyingtheeffectsonhimofthedruggeddrink。Whentheyreachthetopofthetower，Jaspercloselycontemplates"thatstillestpartofit"（thelandscape）"whichtheCathedralovershadows；buthecontemplatesDurdlesquiteascuriously。"
Thereisamotiveforthescrutinyineithercase。JasperexaminesthepartoftheprecinctsintheshadowoftheCathedral，becausehewishestoassurehimselfthatitislonelyenoughforhislaterundescribedbuteasilyguessedproceedingsinthisnightofmystery。
Hewillhavemuchtodothatcouldnotbrookwitnesses，afterthedruggedDurdleshasfallensoundasleep。WehavealreadybeenassuredthatthewholeareaoverwhichJasperistooperateis"utterlydeserted，"evenwhenitliesinfullmoonlight，about8。30p。m。"OnemightfancythatthetideoflifewasstemmedbyMr。Jasper’sowngate-house。"ThepeopleofCloisterham，wehear，woulddenythattheybelieveinghosts；buttheygivethispartoftheprecinctawideberth（ChapterXII。）。Iftheregionis"utterlydeserted"atnineo’clockintheevening，whenitliesintheivorymoonlight，muchmorewillitbefreefromhumanpresencewhenitliesinshadow，betweenoneandtwoo’clockaftermidnight。Jasper，however，fromthetowertopcloselyscrutinizestheareaofhisfutureoperations。Itis，probably，forthisverypurposeofdiscoveringwhetherthecoastbeclearornot，thatJasperclimbsthetower。
HewatchesDurdlesforthepurposeoffindinghowthedrugwhichhehasadministeredworks，withaviewtofutureoperationsonEdwin。
Durdlesisnowinsuchastatethat"hedeemsthegroundsofarbelowonalevelwiththetower，andwouldasliefwalkoffthetowerintotheairasnot。"
AllthisisapparentlymeanttosuggestthatJasper，onChristmasEve，willrepeathisexpedition，WITHEDWIN，whomhewillhavedrugged，andthathewillallowEdwinto"walkoffthetowerintotheair。"Therearelatersuggestionstothesameeffect，asweshallsee，buttheyaredeliberatelymisleading。Therearealsostrongsuggestionstotheveryoppositeeffect：itisbroadlyindicatedthatJasperistostrangleEdwinwithathickblack-silkscarf，whichhehasjusttakentowearingforthegoodofhisthroat。
Thepairreturntothecrypt，Durdlesfallsasleep，dreamsthatJasperleaveshim，"andthatsomethingtoucheshimandsomethingfallsfromhishand。Thensomethingclinksandgropesabout，"andthelinesofmoonlightshifttheirdirection，asDurdlesfindsthattheyhavereallydonewhenhewakens，withJasperbesidehim，whiletheCathedralclockstrikestwo。Theyhavehadmanyhours，notlessthanfive，fortheirexpedition。ThekeyofthecryptliesbesideDurdlesontheground。Theygoout，andasDeputybeginsstone-throwing，Jasperhalfstrangleshim。
PURPOSEOFTHEEXPEDITION
JasperhashadampletimetotakemodelsinwaxofallDurdles’skeys。
Buthecouldhavedonethatinafewminutes，whileDurdlesslept，ifhehadwaxwithhim，withoutleavingthecrypt。HehasalsohadtimetoconveyseveralwheelbarrowfulsofquicklimefromDurdles’syardtoMrs。Sapsea’ssepulchre，ofwhichmonumentheprobablytookthekeyfromDurdles，andtrieditsidentitybyclinking。ButeveninaCathedraltown，evenaftermidnight，severalsuccessiveexpeditionsofalayprecentorwithawheelbarrowfullofquicklimewouldhavebeenapttoattractthecommentofsomebelatedphysician，someclericcomingfromasickbed，orsomelocalroysterers。ThereforeitisthatDickensinsistsonthe"utterlydeserted"characterofthearea，andshowsusthatJasperhasmadesureofthatessentialfactbyobservationsfromthetowertop。Still，hiswasaperilousexpedition，withhiswheelbarrow！Weshouldprobablylearnlater，thatJasperwasdetectedbythewakefulDeputy，wholoathedhim。
Moreover，nextmorningDurdleswasapttonoticethatsomeofhisquicklimehadbeenremoved。Asfarasisshown，Durdlesnoticednothingofthatkind，thoughhedoesobservepeculiaritiesinJasper’sbehaviour。
ThenextpointinthetaleisthatEdwinandRosameet，andhavesenseenoughtobreakofftheirengagement。ButEdwin，representedasreallygood-hearted，nowbeginstorepenthispastbehaviour，and，thoughhehasakindoffancyforMissLandless，heprettyclearlyfallsdeeperinlovewithhislateFIANCEE，andweepshislossinprivate：sowearetold。
CHRISTMASEVE
ChristmasEvecomes，thedayofthedinnerofthree，Jasper，Landless，andEdwin。Thechapterdescribingthisfatefulday（xiv。）isheaded，WHENSHALLTHESETHREEMEETAGAIN？andMr。ProctorarguesthatDickensintendsthatTHEYSHALLmeetagain。Theintention，andthehint，aremuchinDickens’smanner。Landlessmeanstostart，nextday，veryearly，onasolitarywalkingtour，andbuysanexorbitantlyheavystick。WecasuallyhearthatJasperknowsEdwintopossessnojewellery，exceptawatchandchainandascarf-pin。AsEdwinmoonsabout，hefindstheoldopiumhag，comedownfromLondon，"seekinganeedleinabottleofhay，"shesays-thatis，huntingvainlyforJasper。
PleaseremarkthatJasperhasrunuptotown，onDecember23，andhassaturatedhissystemwithadebauchofopiumontheveryeveofthedaywhenheclearlymeanstokillEdwin。Thiswasamostinjudiciousindulgence，inthecircumstances。Amaidenmurderneedsnerve！Weknowthat"fiddlestringswasweaknesstoexpressthestateof"
Jasper’s"nerves"onthedayafterthenightofopiumwithwhichthestoryopens。OnDecember24，Jasperreturnedhome，thehagathisheels。Theoldwoman，whenmetbyEdwin，hasacuriousfilmoverhereyes；"heseemstoknowher。""Greatheaven，"hethinks，nextmoment。
"LikeJackthatnight！"ThisreferstoakindoffitofJasper’s，afterdinner，onthefirsteveningofthestory。EdwinhasthenseenJackJasperinoneofhis"filmy"seizures。ThewomanpraysEdwinforthreeshillingsandsix-pence，tobuyopium。Hegivesherthemoney；
sheaskshisChristianname。"Edwin。"Is"Eddy"asweetheart’sformofthat？Hesaysthathehasnosweetheart。HeistoldtobethankfulthathisnameisnotNed。Now，JasperalonecallsEdwin"Ned。""’Ned’isathreatenedname，adangerousname，"saysthehag，whohasheardJasperthreaten"Ned"inhisopiumdreams。
EdwindeterminestotellthisadventuretoJasper，BUTNOTONTHIS
NIGHT：to-morrowwilldo。Now，DIDhetellthestorytoJasperthatnight，inthepresenceofLandless，atdinner？Ifso，HelenaLandlessmightlaterlearnthefactfromNeville。Ifsheknewit，shewouldlatertellMr。Grewgious。
Thethreemenmeetanddine。Thereisafearfulstorm。"Stonesaredisplaceduponthesummitofthegreattower。"Nextmorning，early，JasperyellstoCrisparkle，whoislookingoutofhiswindowinMinorCanonRow，thatEdwinhasdisappeared。Nevillehasalreadysetoutonhiswalkingtour。
AFTERTHEDISAPPEARANCE
MengoforthandapprehendNeville，whoshowsfightwithhisheavystick。WelearnthatheandDroodleftJasper’shouseatmidnight，wentfortenminutestolookattheriverunderthewind，andpartedatCrisparkle’sdoor。Nevillenowremainsundersuspicion：Jasperdirectsthesearchintheriver，onDecember25，26，and27。OntheeveningofDecember27，GrewgiousvisitsJasper。Now，Grewgious，asweknow，wastobeatCloisterhamatChristmas。True，hewasengagedtodineonChristmasDaywithBazzard，hisclerk；but，thoughtfulashewasofthemoodyBazzard，asEdwinwasleavingCloisterhamhewouldexcusehimself。HewouldnaturallytakeagreatpartinthesearchforEdwin，aboveallasEdwinhadinhispossessiontheringsodeartothelawyer。EdwinhadnotshownittoRosawhentheydeterminedtopart。He"keptitinhisbreast，"andthering，welearn，was"GIFTED
WITHINVINCIBLEFORCETOHOLDANDDRAG，"soDickenswarnsus。
TheringisobviouslytobeaPIECEDECONVICTION。BUTourpoint，atpresent，isthatwedonotknowhowGrewgious，towhomthisringwassodear，employedhimselfatCloisterham-afterEdwin’sdisappearance-betweenDecember25andDecember27。Ontheeveningofthe27th，hecametoJasper，saying，"IhaveJUSTLEFTMISSLANDLESS。"HethenslowlyandwatchfullytoldJasperthatEdwin’sengagementwasbrokenoff，whiletheprecentorgasped，perspired，torehishair，shrieked，andfinallysubsidedintoaheapofmuddyclothesonthefloor。
Meanwhile，Mr。Grewgious，calmlyobservingthesephenomena，warmedhishandsatthefireforsometimebeforehecalledinJasper’slandlady。
GrewgiousnowknowsbyJasper’sbehaviourthathebelieveshimselftohavecommittedasuperfluouscrime，bymurderingEdwin，whonolongerstoodbetweenhimandRosa，astheirengagementwasalreadyatanend。
WhetheraJasper，inreallife，wouldexcitehimselfsomuch，isanotherquestion。Wedonotknow，asMr。Proctorinsists，whatMr。
GrewgioushadbeendoingatCloisterhambetweenChristmasDayandDecember27，thedateofhisexperimentonJasper’snerves。Mr。
ProctorsupposeshimtohavemetthelivingEdwin，andobtainedinformationfromhim，afterhisescapefromamurderousattackbyJasper。Mr。ProctorinsiststhatthisistheonlyexplanationofGrewgious’sconduct，anyother"isabsolutelyimpossible。"InthatcasetheexperimentofGrewgiouswasnotmadetogaininformationfromJasper’sdemeanour，butwasthebeginningofhispunishment，andwasintendedbyGrewgioustobeso。
ButDickenshasbeencarefultosuggest，withsuspiciousbreadthofcandour，anotherexplanationofthesourceofGrewgious’sknowledge。
IfEdwinhasreallyescaped，andmetGrewgious，Dickensdoesnotwantustobesureofthat，asMr。Proctorwassure。Dickensdeliberatelyputshisreadersonanothertrail，thoughneitherMr。WaltersnorMr。
Proctorstruckthescent。Aswehavenoted，GrewgiousatoncesaystoJasper，"IHAVEJUSTCOMEFROMMISSLANDLESS。"ThistellsJaspernothing，butittellsagreatdealtothewatchfulreader，whoremembersthatMissLandless，andsheonly，isawarethatJasperloves，bullies，andinsultsRosa，andthatRosa’slifeisembitteredbyJasper’ssilentwooing，andhisunspokenthreats。Helenamayalsoknowthat"Nedisathreatenedname，"aswehaveseen，andthatthemenacecomesfromJasper。AsJasperisnowknowntobeEdwin’srivalinlove，andasEdwinhasvanished，themurderer，Mr。Grewgiousreckons，isJasper；andhisexperiment，withJasper’sconsequentshriekandfit，confirmsthehypothesis。ThusGrewgioushadinformationenough，fromMissLandless，tosuggesthisexperiment-
Dickensintentionallymadethatclear（thoughnotclearenoughforMr。
ProctorandMr。CumingWalters）-whilehisexperimentgiveshimamoralcertaintyofJasper’scrime，butyieldsnolegalevidence。
ButdoesGrewgiousknownomorethanwhatHelena，andthefitandshriekofJasper，havetoldhim？IshisknowledgelimitedtotheevidencethatJasperhasmurderedEdwin？OrdoesGrewgiousknowmore，knowthatEdwin，insomeway，hasescapedfromdeath？
ThatisDickens’ssecret。ButwhereasGrewgious，ifhebelievesJaspertobeanactualmurderer，shouldtakehimseriously；inpointoffact，hespeaksofJasperinsolightatone，as"ourlocalfriend，"thatwefeelnocertaintythatheisnotreallyawareofEdwin’sescapefromamurderousattackbyJasper，andofhiscontinuedexistence。
PresentlyCrisparkle，undersomemysteriousimpression，apparentlytelepathic（thebookisrichinsuchpsychicalphenomena），visitstheweirontheriver，atnight，andnextdayfindsEdwin’swatchandchaininthetimbers；hisscarf-pininthepoolbelow。Thewatchandchainmusthavebeenplacedpurposelywheretheywerefound，theycouldnotfloatthither，and，ifNevillehadslainEdwin，hewouldnothavestolenhisproperty，ofcourse，exceptasablind，neutralisedbytheplacingofthewatchinaconspicuousspot。However，theincreasedsuspicionsdriveNevilleawaytoreadlawinStapleInn，whereGrewgiousalsodwells，andincessantlywatchesNevilleoutofhiswindow。
Aboutsixmonthslater，HelenaLandlessistojoinNeville，whoiswatchedatintervalsbyJasper，who，again，iswatchedbyGrewgiousastheprecentorlurksaboutStapleInn。
DICKDATCHERY
AboutthetimewhenHelenaleavesCloisterhamfortown，anewcharacterappearsinCloisterham，"awhite-headedpersonagewithblackeyebrows，BUTTONEDUPINATIGHTISHBLUESURTOUT，withabuffwaistcoat，greytrowsers，andsomethingofamilitaryair。"Hisshockofwhitehairwasunusuallythickandample。Thisman，"abufferlivingidlyonhismeans，"namedDatchery，iseither，asMr。Proctorbelieved，EdwinDrood，or，asMr。Waltersthinks，HelenaLandless。BymakingGrewgiousdroptheremarkthatBazzard，hisclerk，amopingowlofanamateurtragedian，"isoffdutyhere，"athischambers，DickenshintsthatBazzardisDatchery。Butthatisamerefalsescent，aruseoftheauthor，scatteringpaperinthewrongplace，inthislongpaperhunt。
AsforHelena，Mr。WaltersjustlyarguesthatDickenshasmarkedherforsomeimportantpartintheruinofJasper。"Therewasaslumberinggleamoffireinherintensedarkeyes。Letwhomsoeveritmostconcernedlookwelltoit。"Again，wehavebeentoldthatHelenahadhighcourage。ShehadtoldJasperthatshefearedhim"innocircumstanceswhatever。"Again，wehavelearnedthatinchildhoodshehaddressedasaboywhensheranawayfromhome；andshehadthemotivesofprotectingRosaandherbrother，Neville，fromthemachinationsofJasper，whoneedswatching，asheistryingtoruinNeville’salreadydilapidatedcharacter，and，byspyingonhim，tobreakdownhisnerve。Really，ofcourse，Nevilleisquitesafe。
ThereisnoCORPUSDELICTI，nocarcaseofthemissingEdwinDrood。
Forthereasonsgiven，DatcherymightbeHelenaindisguise。
Ifso，theideaishighlyludicrous，whilenothingisprovedeitherbytheblacknessofDatchery’seyebrows（Helena’swereblack），orbyDatchery’shabitofcarryinghishatunderhisarm，notonhishead。
Apersonwhogoessofarastowearaconspicuouswhitewig，wouldnotbeafraidalsotodyehiseyebrowsblack，ifhewereEdwin；whileeitherEdwinorHelenaMUSThave"madeup"theface，bytheuseofpaintandshamwrinkles。EitherHelenaorEdwinwouldhavebeendetectedinreallife，ofcourse，butweallowfortheacceptedfictitiousconventionofsuccessfuldisguise，andforthenecessitiesofthenovelist。AtightlybuttonedsurtoutwouldshowHelena’sfemininefigure；butletthatalsopass。Astothehat，Edwin’sownhairwaslongandthick：addawig，andhishatwouldbeaburdentohim。
Whatismostunlikethestern，fierce，sententiousHelena，isDatchery’shabitof"chaffing。"HefoolstheassofaMayor，Sapsea，bymostexaggerateddiference：histoneisalwaysthatofindolentmockery，whichonedoubtswhetherthe"intense"andconcentratedHelenacouldassume。HetakesroomsinthesamehouseasJasper，towhom，astoDurdlesandDeputy，heintroduceshimselfonthenightofhisarrivalatCloisterham。HeafterwardsaddressesDeputy，thelittleGAMIN，bythename"Winks，"whichisgiventohimbythepeopleattheTramps’lodgings：thenameisasecretofDeputy’s。
JASPER，ROSA，ANDTARTAR
MeanwhileJasperformallyproposestoRosa，intheschoolgarden：
standingapartandleaningagainstasundial，asthegardeniscommandedbymanywindows。HeofferstoresignhishopesofbringingLandlesstothegallows（perhapsthisbadmanwouldprovideaCORPUS
DELICTIofhisownmaking！）ifRosawillaccepthim：hethreatensto"pursuehertothedeath，"ifshewillnot；hefrightenshersothoroughlythatsherushestoGrewgiousinhischambersinLondon。
ShenowsuspectsJasperofEdwin’smurder，butkeepsherthoughtstoherself。ShetellsGrewgious，whoiswatchingNeville，-"Ihaveafancyforkeepinghimundermyeye，"-thatJasperhasmadelovetoher，andGrewgiousrepliesinaparodyof"GodsavetheKing"！
"OnTheehishopestofixDamnhimagain！"
Wouldhefoolthus，ifheknewJaspertohavekilledEdwin？HeisnotcertainwhetherRosashouldvisitHelenanextday，inLandless’srooms，opposite；andMr。WalterssuggeststhathemaybeawarethatHelena，dressedasDatchery，isreallyabsentatCloisterham。
However，nextday，Helenaisinherbrother’srooms。Moreover，itisreallyasufficientexplanationofGrewgious’sdoubtthatJasperislurkingaround，andthatnottillnextdayisaPRIVATEwayofcommunicationarrangedbetweenNevilleandhisfriends。Inanycase，nextday，Helenaisinherbrother’srooms，and，byaidofaMr。
Tartar’srooms，sheandRosacanmeetprivately。ThereisagooddealofconspiringtowatchJasperwhenhewatchesNeville，andinthisnewfriend，Mr。Tartar，aloverisprovidedforRosa。Tartarisamiraculouslyagileclimberoverroofsandupwalls，aretiredLieutenantofthenavy，andahandyman，beingsuchaclimber，tochaseJasperabouttheroofoftheCathedral，whenJasper’sdayofdoomarrives。
JASPER’SOPIUMVISIONS
InJuly，JasperrevisitstheLondonopiumden，andtalksunderopium，watchedbytheoldhag。Hespeaksofathingwhichheoftendoesinvisions："ahazardousandperilousjourney，overabysseswhereaslipwouldbedestruction。Lookdown，lookdown！Youseewhatliesatthebottomthere？"Heenactsthevisionandsays，"Therewasafellowtraveller。"He"speaksinawhisper，andasifinthedark。"Thevisionis，inthiscase，"apoorvision：nostruggle，noconsciousnessofperil，noentreaty。"Edwin，inthereminiscentvision，diesveryeasilyandrapidly。"Whenitcomestoberealatlast，itissoshortthatitseemsunrealforthefirsttime。""AndyetIneversawTHATbefore。Lookwhatapoormiserablemeanthingitis。THATmustbereal。It’sover。"
Whatcanallthismean？Wehavebeentoldthat，shortlybeforeChristmasEve，Jaspertooktowearingathickblack-silkhandkerchiefforhisthroat。Hehungitoverhisarm，"hisfaceknittedandstern，"asheenteredhishouseforhisChristmasEvedinner。IfhestrangledEdwinwiththescarf，aswearetosuppose，hedidnotleadhim，drugged，tothetowertop，andpitchhimoff。IspartofJasper’svisionreminiscent-thebrief，unresistingdeath-whileanotherpartisaseparatevision，isPROSPECTIVE，"premonitory"？
DoesheseehimselfpitchingNevilleLandlessoffthetowertop，orseehimfallenfromtheCathedralroof？IsNeville’sbody"THAT"-"I
neversawTHATbefore。Lookwhatapoormiserablemeanthingitis！
THATmustbereal。"Jasper"neversawTHAT"-thedeadbodybelowtheheight-before。THISvision，Ithink，isofthefuture，notofthepast，andismeanttobewilderthereaderwhothinksthatthewholerepresentstheslayingofDrood。Thetaleisrichin"warnings"andtelepathy。
DATCHERYANDTHEOPIUMWOMAN
ThehagnowtracksJasperhometoCloisterham。HereshemeetsDatchery，whomsheaskshowshecanseeJasper？IfDatcheryisDrood，henowlearns，WHATHEDIDNOTKNOWBEFORE，THATTHEREISSOME
CONNECTIONBETWEENJASPERANDTHEHAG。HewalkswithhertotheplacewhereEdwinmetthehag，onChristmasEve，andgavehermoney；andhejingleshisownmoneyashewalks。Theplace，orthesoundofthemoney，makesthewomantellDatcheryaboutEdwin’sgiftofthreeshillingsandsixpenceforopium。Datchery，"withasuddenchangeofcountenance，givesherasuddenlook。"ItdoesnotfollowthatheisNOTDrood，for，thoughthehag’sloveofopiumwasknowntoDrood，Datcheryisnottorevealhisrecognitionofthewoman。Hedoeswhatanystrangerwoulddo；he"givesasuddenlook，"asifsurprisedbythementionofopium。
Mr。Walterssays，"Droodwouldnothavechangedcountenanceonhearingafacthehadknownsixmonthspreviously。"ButifDroodwasplayingatbeingsomebodyelse，hewould，ofcourse，giveakindofstartandstare，onhearingoftheopium。Whenhealsohearsfromthehagthatherformerbenefactor’snamewasEdwin，heasksherhowsheknewthat-"afatuouslyunnecessaryquestion，"saysMr。Walters。AneedlessquestionforDatchery’sinformation，ifhebeDrood，butasusefulaquestionasanotherifDroodbeDatchery，andwishestomaintaintheconversation。
DATCHERY’SSCORE
Datcherykeepsatavernscoreofhisdiscoveriesbehindadoor，incrypticchalkstrokes。Hedoesthis，saysMr。Walters，because，beingHelena，hewouldbetrayhimselfifhewroteinafemalehand。ButnobodywouldWRITEsecretsonadoor！Headds"amoderatestroke，"
aftermeetingthehag，though，saysMr。Walters，"EdwinDroodwouldhavelearnednothingnewwhatever"fromthehag。
ButEdwinwouldhavelearnedsomethingquitenew，andveryimportant-
thatthehagwashuntingJasper。NextdayDatcheryseesthewomanshakeherfistsatJasperinchurch，andhearsfromherthatsheknowsJasper"betterfarthanallthereverendparsonsputtogetherknowhim。"Datcherythenaddsalongthicklinetohischalkedscore，yet，saysMr。Walters，Datcheryhaslearned"nothingnewtoEdwinDrood，ifalive。"