"Condemned，"saidtheghost，"toshaveaconstantchangeofcustomers——now，me——now，ayoungman——now，thyselfasthouart——now，thyfather——now，thygrandfather；condemned，too，toliedownwithaskeletoneverynight，andtorisewithiteverymorning——"
（Ishudderedonhearingthisdismalannouncement。）
"Barber！Pursueme！"
Ihadfelt，evenbeforethewordswereuttered，thatIwasunderaspelltopursuethephantom。Iimmediatelydidso，andwasinMasterB。’sroomnolonger。
Mostpeopleknowwhatlongandfatiguingnightjourneyshadbeenforceduponthewitcheswhousedtoconfess，andwho，nodoubt，toldtheexacttruth——particularlyastheywerealwaysassistedwithleadingquestions，andtheTorturewasalwaysready。Iasseveratethat，duringmyoccupationofMasterB。’sroom，Iwastakenbytheghostthathauntedit，onexpeditionsfullyaslongandwildasanyofthose。Assuredly，Iwaspresentedtonoshabbyoldmanwithagoat’shornsandtail（somethingbetweenPanandanoldclothesman），holdingconventionalreceptions，asstupidasthoseofreallifeandlessdecent；but，Icameuponotherthingswhichappearedtometohavemoremeaning。
ConfidentthatIspeakthetruthandshallbebelieved，IdeclarewithouthesitationthatIfollowedtheghost，inthefirstinstanceonabroom-stick，andafterwardsonarocking-horse。Theverysmelloftheanimal’spaint——especiallywhenIbroughtitout，bymakinghimwarm——Iamreadytoswearto。Ifollowedtheghost，afterwards，inahackneycoach；aninstitutionwiththepeculiarsmellofwhich，thepresentgenerationisunacquainted，buttowhichIamagainreadytoswearasacombinationofstable，dogwiththemange，andveryoldbellows。（Inthis，Iappealtopreviousgenerationstoconfirmorrefuteme。）Ipursuedthephantom，onaheadlessdonkey：
atleast，uponadonkeywhowassointerestedinthestateofhisstomachthathisheadwasalwaysdownthere，investigatingit；onponies，expresslyborntokickupbehind；onroundaboutsandswings，fromfairs；inthefirstcab——anotherforgotteninstitutionwherethefareregularlygotintobed，andwastuckedupwiththedriver。
NottotroubleyouwithadetailedaccountofallmytravelsinpursuitoftheghostofMasterB。，whichwerelongerandmorewonderfulthanthoseofSinbadtheSailor，Iwillconfinemyselftooneexperiencefromwhichyoumayjudgeofmany。
Iwasmarvellouslychanged。Iwasmyself，yetnotmyself。Iwasconsciousofsomethingwithinme，whichhasbeenthesameallthroughmylife，andwhichIhavealwaysrecognisedunderallitsphasesandvarietiesasneveraltering，andyetIwasnottheIwhohadgonetobedinMasterB。’sroom。Ihadthesmoothestoffacesandtheshortestoflegs，andIhadtakenanothercreaturelikemyself，alsowiththesmoothestoffacesandtheshortestoflegs，behindadoor，andwasconfidingtohimapropositionofthemostastoundingnature。
Thispropositionwas，thatweshouldhaveaSeraglio。
Theothercreatureassentedwarmly。Hehadnonotionofrespectability，neitherhadI。ItwasthecustomoftheEast，itwasthewayofthegoodCaliphHarounAlraschid（letmehavethecorruptednameagainforonce，itissoscentedwithsweetmemories！），theusagewashighlylaudable，andmostworthyofimitation。"O，yes！Letus，"saidtheothercreaturewithajump，"haveaSeraglio。"
ItwasnotbecauseweentertainedthefaintestdoubtsofthemeritoriouscharacteroftheOrientalestablishmentweproposedtoimport，thatweperceiveditmustbekeptasecretfromMissGriffin。ItwasbecauseweknewMissGriffintobebereftofhumansympathies，andincapableofappreciatingthegreatnessofthegreatHaroun。MysteryimpenetrablyshroudedfromMissGriffinthen，letusentrustittoMissBule。
WewereteninMissGriffin’sestablishmentbyHampsteadPonds；
eightladiesandtwogentlemen。MissBule，whomIjudgetohaveattainedtheripeageofeightornine，tooktheleadinsociety。I
openedthesubjecttoherinthecourseoftheday，andproposedthatsheshouldbecometheFavourite。
MissBule，afterstrugglingwiththediffidencesonaturalto，andcharmingin，heradorablesex，expressedherselfasflatteredbytheidea，butwishedtoknowhowitwasproposedtoprovideforMissPipson？MissBule——whowasunderstoodtohavevowedtowardsthatyounglady，afriendship，halves，andnosecrets，untildeath，ontheChurchServiceandLessonscompleteintwovolumeswithcaseandlock——MissBulesaidshecouldnot，asthefriendofPipson，disguisefromherself，orme，thatPipsonwasnotoneofthecommon。
Now，MissPipson，havingcurlyhairandblueeyes（whichwasmyideaofanythingmortalandfemininethatwascalledFair），IpromptlyrepliedthatIregardedMissPipsoninthelightofaFairCircassian。
"Andwhatthen？"MissBulepensivelyasked。
IrepliedthatshemustbeinveigledbyaMerchant，broughttomeveiled，andpurchasedasaslave。
[TheothercreaturehadalreadyfallenintothesecondmaleplaceintheState，andwassetapartforGrandVizier。Heafterwardsresistedthisdisposalofevents，buthadhishairpulleduntilheyielded。]
"ShallInotbejealous？"MissBuleinquired，castingdownhereyes。
"Zobeide，no，"Ireplied；"youwilleverbethefavouriteSultana；
thefirstplaceinmyheart，andonmythrone，willbeeveryours。"
MissBule，uponthatassurance，consentedtopropoundtheideatohersevenbeautifulcompanions。Itoccurringtome，inthecourseofthesameday，thatweknewwecouldtrustagrinningandgood-
naturedsoulcalledTabby，whowastheservingdrudgeofthehouse，andhadnomorefigurethanoneofthebeds，anduponwhosefacetherewasalwaysmoreorlessblack-lead，IslippedintoMissBule’shandaftersupper，alittlenotetothateffect；dwellingontheblack-leadasbeinginamannerdepositedbythefingerofProvidence，pointingTabbyoutforMesrour，thecelebratedchiefoftheBlacksoftheHareem。
Thereweredifficultiesintheformationofthedesiredinstitution，asthereareinallcombinations。Theothercreatureshowedhimselfofalowcharacter，and，whendefeatedinaspiringtothethrone，pretendedtohaveconscientiousscruplesaboutprostratinghimselfbeforetheCaliph；wouldn’tcallhimCommanderoftheFaithful；
spokeofhimslightinglyandinconsistentlyasamere"chap；"saidhe，theothercreature，"wouldn’tplay"——Play！——andwasotherwisecoarseandoffensive。Thismeannessofdispositionwas，however，putdownbythegeneralindignationofanunitedSeraglio，andI
becameblessedinthesmilesofeightofthefairestofthedaughtersofmen。
ThesmilescouldonlybebestowedwhenMissGriffinwaslookinganotherway，andonlytheninaverywarymanner，fortherewasalegendamongthefollowersoftheProphetthatshesawwithalittleroundornamentinthemiddleofthepatternonthebackofhershawl。Buteverydayafterdinner，foranhour，wewerealltogether，andthentheFavouriteandtherestoftheRoyalHareemcompetedwhoshouldmostbeguiletheleisureoftheSereneHarounreposingfromthecaresofState——whichweregenerally，asinmostaffairsofState，ofanarithmeticalcharacter，theCommanderoftheFaithfulbeingafearfulboggleratasum。
Ontheseoccasions，thedevotedMesrour，chiefoftheBlacksoftheHareem，wasalwaysinattendance（MissGriffinusuallyringingforthatofficer，atthesametime，withgreatvehemence），butneveracquittedhimselfinamannerworthyofhishistoricalreputation。
Inthefirstplace，hisbringingabroomintotheDivanoftheCaliph，evenwhenHarounworeonhisshoulderstheredrobeofanger（MissPipson’spelisse），thoughitmightbegotoverforthemoment，wasnevertobequitesatisfactorilyaccountedfor。Inthesecondplace，hisbreakingoutintogrinningexclamationsof"Lorkyoupretties！"wasneitherEasternnorrespectful。Inthethirdplace，whenspeciallyinstructedtosay"Bismillah！"healwayssaid"Hallelujah！"Thisofficer，unlikehisclass，wastoogood-humouredaltogether，kepthismouthopenfartoowide，expressedapprobationtoanincongruousextent，andevenonce——itwasontheoccasionofthepurchaseoftheFairCircassianforfivehundredthousandpursesofgold，andcheap，too——embracedtheSlave，theFavourite，andtheCaliph，allround。（ParentheticallyletmesayGodblessMesrour，andmaytherehavebeensonsanddaughtersonthattenderbosom，softeningmanyaharddaysince！）
MissGriffinwasamodelofpropriety，andIamatalosstoimaginewhatthefeelingsofthevirtuouswomanwouldhavebeen，ifshehadknown，whensheparadedusdowntheHampsteadRoadtwoandtwo，thatshewaswalkingwithastatelystepattheheadofPolygamyandMahomedanism。IbelievethatamysteriousandterriblejoywithwhichthecontemplationofMissGriffin，inthisunconsciousstate，inspiredus，andagrimsenseprevalentamongusthattherewasadreadfulpowerinourknowledgeofwhatMissGriffin（whoknewallthingsthatcouldbelearntoutofbook）didn’tknow，werethemain-
springofthepreservationofoursecret。Itwaswonderfullykept，butwasonceuponthevergeofself-betrayal。ThedangerandescapeoccurreduponaSunday。Wewerealltenrangedinaconspicuouspartofthegalleryatchurch，withMissGriffinatourhead——aswewereeverySunday——advertisingtheestablishmentinanunsecularsortofway——whenthedescriptionofSolomoninhisdomesticgloryhappenedtoberead。Themomentthatmonarchwasthusreferredto，consciencewhisperedme，"Thou，too，Haroun！"Theofficiatingministerhadacastinhiseye，anditassistedconsciencebygivinghimtheappearanceofreadingpersonallyatme。Acrimsonblush，attendedbyafearfulperspiration，suffusedmyfeatures。TheGrandVizierbecamemoredeadthanalive，andthewholeSeraglioreddenedasifthesunsetofBagdadshonedirectupontheirlovelyfaces。AtthisportentoustimetheawfulGriffinrose，andbalefullysurveyedthechildrenofIslam。Myownimpressionwas，thatChurchandStatehadenteredintoaconspiracywithMissGriffintoexposeus，andthatweshouldallbeputintowhitesheets，andexhibitedinthecentreaisle。But，soWesterly——ifImaybeallowedtheexpressionasoppositetoEasternassociations——wasMissGriffin’ssenseofrectitude，thatshemerelysuspectedApples，andweweresaved。
IhavecalledtheSeraglio，united。Uponthequestion，solely，whethertheCommanderoftheFaithfuldurstexercisearightofkissinginthatsanctuaryofthepalace，wereitspeerlessinmatesdivided。Zobeideassertedacounter-rightintheFavouritetoscratch，andthefairCircassianputherface，forrefuge，intoagreenbaizebag，originallydesignedforbooks。Ontheotherhand，ayoungantelopeoftranscendentbeautyfromthefruitfulplainsofCamdenTown（whenceshehadbeenbrought，bytraders，inthehalf-
yearlycaravanthatcrossedtheintermediatedesertaftertheholidays），heldmoreliberalopinions，butstipulatedforlimitingthebenefitofthemtothatdog，andsonofadog，theGrandVizier——
whohadnorights，andwasnotinquestion。Atlength，thedifficultywascompromisedbytheinstallationofaveryyouthfulslaveasDeputy。She，raiseduponastool，officiallyreceiveduponhercheeksthesalutesintendedbythegraciousHarounforotherSultanas，andwasprivatelyrewardedfromthecoffersoftheLadiesoftheHareem。
Andnowitwas，atthefullheightofenjoymentofmybliss，thatI
becameheavilytroubled。Ibegantothinkofmymother，andwhatshewouldsaytomytakinghomeatMidsummereightofthemostbeautifulofthedaughtersofmen，butallunexpected。Ithoughtofthenumberofbedswemadeupatourhouse，ofmyfather’sincome，andofthebaker，andmydespondencyredoubled。TheSeraglioandmaliciousVizier，diviningthecauseoftheirLord’sunhappiness，didtheirutmosttoaugmentit。Theyprofessedunboundedfidelity，anddeclaredthattheywouldliveanddiewithhim。Reducedtotheutmostwretchednessbytheseprotestationsofattachment，Ilayawake，forhoursatatime，ruminatingonmyfrightfullot。Inmydespair，IthinkImighthavetakenanearlyopportunityoffallingonmykneesbeforeMissGriffin，avowingmyresemblancetoSolomon，andprayingtobedealtwithaccordingtotheoutragedlawsofmycountry，ifanunthought-ofmeansofescapehadnotopenedbeforeme。
Oneday，wewereoutwalking，twoandtwo——onwhichoccasiontheVizierhadhisusualinstructionstotakenoteoftheboyattheturn-pike，andifheprofanelygazed（whichhealwaysdid）atthebeautiesoftheHareem，tohavehimbowstrunginthecourseofthenight——andithappenedthatourheartswereveiledingloom。AnunaccountableactiononthepartoftheantelopehadplungedtheStateintodisgrace。Thatcharmer，ontherepresentationthatthepreviousdaywasherbirthday，andthatvasttreasureshadbeensentinahamperforitscelebration（bothbaselessassertions），hadsecretlybutmostpressinglyinvitedthirty-fiveneighbouringprincesandprincessestoaballandsupper：withaspecialstipulationthattheywere"nottobefetchedtilltwelve。"Thiswanderingoftheantelope’sfancy，ledtothesurprisingarrivalatMissGriffin’sdoor，indiversequipagesandundervariousescorts，ofagreatcompanyinfulldress，whoweredepositedonthetopstepinaflushofhighexpectancy，andwhoweredismissedintears。Atthebeginningofthedoubleknocksattendantontheseceremonies，theantelopehadretiredtoabackattic，andboltedherselfin；andateverynewarrival，MissGriffinhadgonesomuchmoreandmoredistracted，thatatlastshehadbeenseentotearherfront。
Ultimatecapitulationonthepartoftheoffender，hadbeenfollowedbysolitudeinthelinen-closet，breadandwaterandalecturetoall，ofvindictivelength，inwhichMissGriffinhadusedexpressions：Firstly，"Ibelieveyouallofyouknewofit；"
Secondly，"Everyoneofyouisaswickedasanother；"Thirdly，"A
packoflittlewretches。"
Underthesecircumstances，wewerewalkingdrearilyalong；andI
especially，withmy。Moosulmaunresponsibilitiesheavyonme，wasinaverylowstateofmind；whenastrangemanaccostedMissGriffin，and，afterwalkingonathersideforalittlewhileandtalkingwithher，lookedatme。Supposinghimtobeaminionofthelaw，andthatmyhourwascome，Iinstantlyranaway，withthegeneralpurposeofmakingforEgypt。
ThewholeSeragliocriedout，whentheysawmemakingoffasfastasmylegswouldcarryme（Ihadanimpressionthatthefirstturningontheleft，androundbythepublic-house，wouldbetheshortestwaytothePyramids），MissGriffinscreamedafterme，thefaithlessVizierranafterme，andtheboyattheturnpikedodgedmeintoacorner，likeasheep，andcutmeoff。NobodyscoldedmewhenIwastakenandbroughtback；MissGriffinonlysaid，withastunninggentleness，Thiswasverycurious！WhyhadIrunawaywhenthegentlemanlookedatme？
IfIhadhadanybreathtoanswerwith，IdaresayIshouldhavemadenoanswer；havingnobreath，Icertainlymadenone。MissGriffinandthestrangemantookmebetweenthem，andwalkedmebacktothepalaceinasortofstate；butnotatall（asIcouldn’thelpfeeling，withastonishment）inculpritstate。
Whenwegotthere，wewentintoaroombyourselves，andMissGriffincalledintoherassistance，Mesrour，chiefoftheduskyguardsoftheHareem。Mesrour，onbeingwhisperedto，begantoshedtears。"Blessyou，myprecious！"saidthatofficer，turningtome；
"yourPa’stookbitterbad！"
Iasked，withaflutteredheart，"Isheveryill？"
"Lordtemperthewindtoyou，mylamb！"saidthegoodMesrour，kneelingdown，thatImighthaveacomfortingshoulderformyheadtoreston，"yourPa’sdead！"
HarounAlraschidtooktoflightatthewords；theSeragliovanished；
fromthatmoment，Ineveragainsawoneoftheeightofthefairestofthedaughtersofmen。
Iwastakenhome，andtherewasDebtathomeaswellasDeath，andwehadasalethere。MyownlittlebedwassosuperciliouslylookeduponbyaPowerunknowntome，hazilycalled"TheTrade，"thatabrasscoal-scuttle，aroasting-jack，andabirdcage，wereobligedtobeputintoittomakeaLotofit，andthenitwentforasong。SoIheardmentioned，andIwonderedwhatsong，andthoughtwhatadismalsongitmusthavebeentosing！
Then，Iwassenttoagreat，cold，bare，schoolofbigboys；whereeverythingtoeatandwearwasthickandclumpy，withoutbeingenough；whereeverybody，largoandsmall，wascruel；wheretheboysknewallaboutthesale，beforeIgotthere，andaskedmewhatIhadfetched，andwhohadboughtme，andhootedatme，"Going，going，gone！"IneverwhisperedinthatwretchedplacethatIhadbeenHaroun，orhadhadaSeraglio：for，IknewthatifImentionedmyreverses，Ishouldbesoworried，thatIshouldhavetodrownmyselfinthemuddypondneartheplayground，whichlookedlikethebeer。
Ahme，ahme！Nootherghosthashauntedtheboy’sroom，myfriends，sinceIhaveoccupiedit，thantheghostofmyownchildhood，theghostofmyowninnocence，theghostofmyownairybelief。ManyatimehaveIpursuedthephantom：neverwiththisman’sstrideofminetocomeupwithit，neverwiththeseman’shandsofminetotouchit，nevermoretothisman’sheartofminetoholditinitspurity。Andhereyouseemeworkingout，ascheerfullyandthankfullyasImay，mydoomofshavingintheglassaconstantchangeofcustomers，andoflyingdownandrisingupwiththeskeletonallottedtomeformymortalcompanion。
THETRIALFORMURDER。
Ihavealwaysnoticedaprevalentwantofcourage，evenamongpersonsofsuperiorintelligenceandculture，astoimpartingtheirownpsychologicalexperienceswhenthosehavebeenofastrangesort。Almostallmenareafraidthatwhattheycouldrelateinsuchwisewouldfindnoparallelorresponseinalistener’sinternallife，andmightbesuspectedorlaughedat。Atruthfultraveller，whoshouldhaveseensomeextraordinarycreatureinthelikenessofasea-serpent，wouldhavenofearofmentioningit；butthesametraveller，havinghadsomesingularpresentiment，impulse，vagaryofthought，vision（so-called），dream，orotherremarkablementalimpression，wouldhesitateconsiderablybeforehewouldowntoit。
TothisreticenceIattributemuchoftheobscurityinwhichsuchsubjectsareinvolved。Wedonothabituallycommunicateourexperiencesofthesesubjectivethingsaswedoourexperiencesofobjectivecreation。Theconsequenceis，thatthegeneralstockofexperienceinthisregardappearsexceptional，andreallyisso，inrespectofbeingmiserablyimperfect。
InwhatIamgoingtorelate，Ihavenointentionofsettingup，opposing，orsupporting，anytheorywhatever。IknowthehistoryoftheBooksellerofBerlin，IhavestudiedthecaseofthewifeofalateAstronomerRoyalasrelatedbySirDavidBrewster，andIhavefollowedtheminutestdetailsofamuchmoreremarkablecaseofSpectralIllusionoccurringwithinmyprivatecircleoffriends。Itmaybenecessarytostateastothislast，thatthesufferer（alady）wasinnodegree，howeverdistant，relatedtome。Amistakenassumptiononthatheadmightsuggestanexplanationofapartofmyowncase，——butonlyapart，——whichwouldbewhollywithoutfoundation。Itcannotbereferredtomyinheritanceofanydevelopedpeculiarity，norhadIeverbeforeanyatallsimilarexperience，norhaveIeverhadanyatallsimilarexperiencesince。
Itdoesnotsignifyhowmanyyearsago，orhowfew，acertainmurderwascommittedinEngland，whichattractedgreatattention。Wehearmorethanenoughofmurderersastheyriseinsuccessiontotheiratrociouseminence，andIwouldburythememoryofthisparticularbrute，ifIcould，ashisbodywasburied，inNewgateJail。I
purposelyabstainfromgivinganydirectcluetothecriminal’sindividuality。
Whenthemurderwasfirstdiscovered，nosuspicionfell——orIoughtrathertosay，forIcannotbetoopreciseinmyfacts，itwasnowherepubliclyhintedthatanysuspicionfell——onthemanwhowasafterwardsbroughttotrial。Asnoreferencewasatthattimemadetohiminthenewspapers，itisobviouslyimpossiblethatanydescriptionofhimcanatthattimehavebeengiveninthenewspapers。Itisessentialthatthisfactberemembered。
Unfoldingatbreakfastmymorningpaper，containingtheaccountofthatfirstdiscovery，Ifoundittobedeeplyinteresting，andI
readitwithcloseattention。Ireadittwice，ifnotthreetimes。
Thediscoveryhadbeenmadeinabedroom，and，whenIlaiddownthepaper，Iwasawareofaflash——rush——flow——Idonotknowwhattocallit，——nowordIcanfindissatisfactorilydescriptive，——inwhichIseemedtoseethatbedroompassingthroughmyroom，likeapictureimpossiblypaintedonarunningriver。Thoughalmostinstantaneousinitspassing，itwasperfectlyclear；soclearthatIdistinctly，andwithasenseofrelief，observedtheabsenceofthedeadbodyfromthebed。
ItwasinnoromanticplacethatIhadthiscurioussensation，butinchambersinPiccadilly，veryneartothecornerofSt。James’sStreet。Itwasentirelynewtome。Iwasinmyeasy-chairatthemoment，andthesensationwasaccompaniedwithapeculiarshiverwhichstartedthechairfromitsposition。（Butitistobenotedthatthechairraneasilyoncastors。）Iwenttooneofthewindows（therearetwointheroom，andtheroomisonthesecondfloor）torefreshmyeyeswiththemovingobjectsdowninPiccadilly。Itwasabrightautumnmorning，andthestreetwassparklingandcheerful。
Thewindwashigh。AsIlookedout，itbroughtdownfromtheParkaquantityoffallenleaves，whichagusttook，andwhirledintoaspiralpillar。Asthepillarfellandtheleavesdispersed，Isawtwomenontheoppositesideoftheway，goingfromWesttoEast。
Theywereonebehindtheother。Theforemostmanoftenlookedbackoverhisshoulder。Thesecondmanfollowedhim，atadistanceofsomethirtypaces，withhisrighthandmenacinglyraised。First，thesingularityandsteadinessofthisthreateninggestureinsopublicathoroughfareattractedmyattention；andnext，themoreremarkablecircumstancethatnobodyheededit。Bothmenthreadedtheirwayamongtheotherpassengerswithasmoothnesshardlyconsistentevenwiththeactionofwalkingonapavement；andnosinglecreature，thatIcouldsee，gavethemplace，touchedthem，orlookedafterthem。Inpassingbeforemywindows，theybothstaredupatme。Isawtheirtwofacesverydistinctly，andIknewthatI
couldrecognisethemanywhere。NotthatIhadconsciouslynoticedanythingveryremarkableineitherface，exceptthatthemanwhowentfirsthadanunusuallyloweringappearance，andthatthefaceofthemanwhofollowedhimwasofthecolourofimpurewax。
Iamabachelor，andmyvaletandhiswifeconstitutemywholeestablishment。MyoccupationisinacertainBranchBank，andI
wishthatmydutiesasheadofaDepartmentwereaslightastheyarepopularlysupposedtobe。Theykeptmeintownthatautumn，whenIstoodinneedofchange。Iwasnotill，butIwasnotwell。
Myreaderistomakethemostthatcanbereasonablymadeofmyfeelingjaded，havingadepressingsenseuponmeofamonotonouslife，andbeing"slightlydyspeptic。"Iamassuredbymyrenowneddoctorthatmyrealstateofhealthatthattimejustifiesnostrongerdescription，andIquotehisownfromhiswrittenanswertomyrequestforit。
Asthecircumstancesofthemurder，graduallyunravelling，tookstrongerandstrongerpossessionofthepublicmind，Ikeptthemawayfromminebyknowingaslittleaboutthemaswaspossibleinthemidstoftheuniversalexcitement。ButIknewthataverdictofWilfulMurderhadbeenfoundagainstthesuspectedmurderer，andthathehadbeencommittedtoNewgatefortrial。IalsoknewthathistrialhadbeenpostponedoveroneSessionsoftheCentralCriminalCourt，onthegroundofgeneralprejudiceandwantoftimeforthepreparationofthedefence。Imayfurtherhaveknown，butI
believeIdidnot，when，oraboutwhen，theSessionstowhichhistrialstoodpostponedwouldcomeon。
Mysitting-room，bedroom，anddressing-room，areallononefloor。
Withthelastthereisnocommunicationbutthroughthebedroom。
True，thereisadoorinit，oncecommunicatingwiththestaircase；
butapartofthefittingofmybathhasbeen——andhadthenbeenforsomeyears——fixedacrossit。Atthesameperiod，andasapartofthesamearrangement，——thedoorhadbeennailedupandcanvasedover。
Iwasstandinginmybedroomlateonenight，givingsomedirectionstomyservantbeforehewenttobed。Myfacewastowardstheonlyavailabledoorofcommunicationwiththedressing-room，anditwasclosed。Myservant’sbackwastowardsthatdoor。WhileIwasspeakingtohim，Isawitopen，andamanlookin，whoveryearnestlyandmysteriouslybeckonedtome。ThatmanwasthemanwhohadgonesecondofthetwoalongPiccadilly，andwhosefacewasofthecolourofimpurewax。
Thefigure，havingbeckoned，drewback，andclosedthedoor。Withnolongerpausethanwasmadebymycrossingthebedroom，Iopenedthedressing-roomdoor，andlookedin。Ihadalightedcandlealreadyinmyhand。Ifeltnoinwardexpectationofseeingthefigureinthedressing-room，andIdidnotseeitthere。
Consciousthatmyservantstoodamazed，Iturnedroundtohim，andsaid："Derrick，couldyoubelievethatinmycoolsensesIfanciedIsawa——"AsItherelaidmyhanduponhisbreast，withasuddenstarthetrembledviolently，andsaid，"OLord，yes，sir！Adeadmanbeckoning！"
NowIdonotbelievethatthisJohnDerrick，mytrustyandattachedservantformorethantwentyyears，hadanyimpressionwhateverofhavingseenanysuchfigure，untilItouchedhim。Thechangeinhimwassostartling，whenItouchedhim，thatIfullybelievehederivedhisimpressioninsomeoccultmannerfrommeatthatinstant。
IbadeJohnDerrickbringsomebrandy，andIgavehimadram，andwasgladtotakeonemyself。Ofwhathadprecededthatnight’sphenomenon，Itoldhimnotasingleword。Reflectingonit，IwasabsolutelycertainthatIhadneverseenthatfacebefore，exceptontheoneoccasioninPiccadilly。ComparingitsexpressionwhenbeckoningatthedoorwithitsexpressionwhenithadstaredupatmeasIstoodatmywindow，Icametotheconclusionthatonthefirstoccasionithadsoughttofastenitselfuponmymemory，andthatonthesecondoccasionithadmadesureofbeingimmediatelyremembered。
Iwasnotverycomfortablethatnight，thoughIfeltacertainty，difficulttoexplain，thatthefigurewouldnotreturn。AtdaylightIfellintoaheavysleep，fromwhichIwasawakenedbyJohnDerrick’scomingtomybedsidewithapaperinhishand。
Thispaper，itappeared，hadbeenthesubjectofanaltercationatthedoorbetweenitsbearerandmyservant。ItwasasummonstometoserveuponaJuryattheforthcomingSessionsoftheCentralCriminalCourtattheOldBailey。IhadneverbeforebeensummonedonsuchaJury，asJohnDerrickwellknew。Hebelieved——Iamnotcertainatthishourwhetherwithreasonorotherwise——thatthatclassofJurorswerecustomarilychosenonalowerqualificationthanmine，andhehadatfirstrefusedtoacceptthesummons。Themanwhoservedithadtakenthematterverycoolly。Hehadsaidthatmyattendanceornon-attendancewasnothingtohim；therethesummonswas；andIshoulddealwithitatmyownperil，andnotathis。
ForadayortwoIwasundecidedwhethertorespondtothiscall，ortakenonoticeofit。Iwasnotconsciousoftheslightestmysteriousbias，influence，orattraction，onewayorother。OfthatIamasstrictlysureasofeveryotherstatementthatImakehere。UltimatelyIdecided，asabreakinthemonotonyofmylife，thatIwouldgo。
TheappointedmorningwasarawmorninginthemonthofNovember。
TherewasadensebrownfoginPiccadilly，anditbecamepositivelyblackandinthelastdegreeoppressiveEastofTempleBar。IfoundthepassagesandstaircasesoftheCourt-Houseflaringlylightedwithgas，andtheCourtitselfsimilarlyilluminated。ITHINKthat，untilIwasconductedbyofficersintotheOldCourtandsawitscrowdedstate，IdidnotknowthattheMurdererwastobetriedthatday。ITHINKthat，untilIwassohelpedintotheOldCourtwithconsiderabledifficulty，IdidnotknowintowhichofthetwoCourtssittingmysummonswouldtakeme。Butthismustnotbereceivedasapositiveassertion，forIamnotcompletelysatisfiedinmymindoneitherpoint。
ItookmyseatintheplaceappropriatedtoJurorsinwaiting，andI
lookedabouttheCourtaswellasIcouldthroughthecloudoffogandbreaththatwasheavyinit。Inoticedtheblackvapourhanginglikeamurkycurtainoutsidethegreatwindows，andInoticedthestifledsoundofwheelsonthestrawortanthatwaslitteredinthestreet；also，thehumofthepeoplegatheredthere，whichashrillwhistle，oraloudersongorhailthantherest，occasionallypierced。SoonafterwardstheJudges，twoinnumber，entered，andtooktheirseats。ThebuzzintheCourtwasawfullyhushed。ThedirectionwasgiventoputtheMurderertothebar。Heappearedthere。AndinthatsameinstantIrecognisedinhimthefirstofthetwomenwhohadgonedownPiccadilly。
Ifmynamehadbeencalledthen，IdoubtifIcouldhaveansweredtoitaudibly。Butitwascalledaboutsixthoreighthinthepanel，andIwasbythattimeabletosay，"Here！"Now，observe。AsI
steppedintothebox，theprisoner，whohadbeenlookingonattentively，butwithnosignofconcern，becameviolentlyagitated，andbeckonedtohisattorney。Theprisoner’swishtochallengemewassomanifest，thatitoccasionedapause，duringwhichtheattorney，withhishanduponthedock，whisperedwithhisclient，andshookhishead。Iafterwardshaditfromthatgentleman，thattheprisoner’sfirstaffrightedwordstohimwere，"ATALLHAZARDS，CHALLENGETHATMAN！"Butthat，ashewouldgivenoreasonforit，andadmittedthathehadnotevenknownmynameuntilhehearditcalledandIappeared，itwasnotdone。
Bothonthegroundalreadyexplained，thatIwishtoavoidrevivingtheunwholesomememoryofthatMurderer，andalsobecauseadetailedaccountofhislongtrialisbynomeansindispensabletomynarrative，Ishallconfinemyselfcloselytosuchincidentsinthetendaysandnightsduringwhichwe，theJury，werekepttogether，asdirectlybearonmyowncuriouspersonalexperience。Itisinthat，andnotintheMurderer，thatIseektointerestmyreader。
Itistothat，andnottoapageoftheNewgateCalendar，thatIbegattention。
IwaschosenForemanoftheJury。Onthesecondmorningofthetrial，afterevidencehadbeentakenfortwohours（Iheardthechurchclocksstrike），happeningtocastmyeyesovermybrotherjurymen，Ifoundaninexplicabledifficultyincountingthem。I
countedthemseveraltimes，yetalwayswiththesamedifficulty。Inshort，Imadethemonetoomany。
Itouchedthebrotherjurymenwhoseplacewasnextme，andI
whisperedtohim，"Obligemebycountingus。"Helookedsurprisedbytherequest，butturnedhisheadandcounted。"Why，"sayshe，suddenly，"weareThirt-；butno，it’snotpossible。No。Wearetwelve。"
Accordingtomycountingthatday，wewerealwaysrightindetail，butinthegrosswewerealwaysonetoomany。Therewasnoappearance——nofigure——toaccountforit；butIhadnowaninwardforeshadowingofthefigurethatwassurelycoming。
TheJurywerehousedattheLondonTavern。Weallsleptinonelargeroomonseparatetables，andwewereconstantlyinthechargeandundertheeyeoftheofficersworntoholdusinsafe-keeping。
Iseenoreasonforsuppressingtherealnameofthatofficer。Hewasintelligent，highlypolite，andobliging，and（Iwasgladtohear）muchrespectedintheCity。Hehadanagreeablepresence，goodeyes，enviableblackwhiskers，andafinesonorousvoice。HisnamewasMr。Harker。
Whenweturnedintoourtwelvebedsatnight，Mr。Harker’sbedwasdrawnacrossthedoor。Onthenightofthesecondday，notbeingdisposedtoliedown，andseeingMr。Harkersittingonhisbed，I
wentandsatbesidehim，andofferedhimapinchofsnuff。AsMr。
Harker’shandtouchedmineintakingitfrommybox，apeculiarshivercrossedhim，andhesaid，"Whoisthis？"
FollowingMr。Harker’seyes，andlookingalongtheroom，IsawagainthefigureIexpected，——thesecondofthetwomenwhohadgonedownPiccadilly。Irose，andadvancedafewsteps；thenstopped，andlookedroundatMr。Harker。Hewasquiteunconcerned，laughed，andsaidinapleasantway，"Ithoughtforamomentwehadathirteenthjuryman，withoutabed。ButIseeitisthemoonlight。"
MakingnorevelationtoMr。Harker，butinvitinghimtotakeawalkwithmetotheendoftheroom，Iwatchedwhatthefiguredid。Itstoodforafewmomentsbythebedsideofeachofmyelevenbrotherjurymen，closetothepillow。Italwayswenttotheright-handsideofthebed，andalwayspassedoutcrossingthefootofthenextbed。
Itseemed，fromtheactionofthehead，merelytolookdownpensivelyateachrecumbentfigure。Ittooknonoticeofme，orofmybed，whichwasthatnearesttoMr。Harker’s。Itseemedtogooutwherethemoonlightcamein，throughahighwindow，asbyanaerialflightofstairs。
Nextmorningatbreakfast，itappearedthateverybodypresenthaddreamedofthemurderedmanlastnight，exceptmyselfandMr。
Harker。
InowfeltasconvincedthatthesecondmanwhohadgonedownPiccadillywasthemurderedman（sotospeak），asifithadbeenborneintomycomprehensionbyhisimmediatetestimony。Buteventhistookplace，andinamannerforwhichIwasnotatallprepared。
Onthefifthdayofthetrial，whenthecasefortheprosecutionwasdrawingtoaclose，aminiatureofthemurderedman，missingfromhisbedroomuponthediscoveryofthedeed，andafterwardsfoundinahiding-placewheretheMurdererhadbeenseendigging，wasputinevidence。Havingbeenidentifiedbythewitnessunderexamination，itwashandeduptotheBench，andthencehandeddowntobeinspectedbytheJury。Asanofficerinablackgownwasmakinghiswaywithitacrosstome，thefigureofthesecondmanwhohadgonedownPiccadillyimpetuouslystartedfromthecrowd，caughttheminiaturefromtheofficer，andgaveittomewithhisownhands，atthesametimesaying，inalowandhollowtone，——beforeIsawtheminiature，whichwasinalocket，——"IWASYOUNGERTHEN，ANDMYFACE
WASNOTTHENDRAINEDOFBLOOD。"ItalsocamebetweenmeandthebrotherjurymantowhomIwouldhavegiventheminiature，andbetweenhimandthebrotherjurymantowhomhewouldhavegivenit，andsopasseditonthroughthewholeofournumber，andbackintomypossession。Notoneofthem，however，detectedthis。
Attable，andgenerallywhenwewereshutuptogetherinMr。
Harker’scustody，wehadfromthefirstnaturallydiscussedtheday’sproceedingsagooddeal。Onthatfifthday，thecasefortheprosecutionbeingclosed，andwehavingthatsideofthequestioninacompletedshapebeforeus，ourdiscussionwasmoreanimatedandserious。Amongournumberwasavestryman，——thedensestidiotI
haveeverseenatlarge，——whomettheplainestevidencewiththemostpreposterousobjections，andwhowassidedwithbytwoflabbyparochialparasites；allthethreeimpanelledfromadistrictsodeliveredovertoFeverthattheyoughttohavebeenupontheirowntrialforfivehundredMurders。Whenthesemischievousblockheadswereattheirloudest，whichwastowardsmidnight，whilesomeofuswerealreadypreparingforbed，Iagainsawthemurderedman。Hestoodgrimlybehindthem，beckoningtome。Onmygoingtowardsthem，andstrikingintotheconversation，heimmediatelyretired。
Thiswasthebeginningofaseparateseriesofappearances，confinedtothatlongroominwhichwewereconfined。Wheneveraknotofmybrotherjurymenlaidtheirheadstogether，Isawtheheadofthemurderedmanamongtheirs。Whenevertheircomparisonofnoteswasgoingagainsthim，hewouldsolemnlyandirresistiblybeckontome。
Itwillbeborneinmindthatdowntotheproductionoftheminiature，onthefifthdayofthetrial，IhadneverseentheAppearanceinCourt。Threechangesoccurrednowthatweenteredonthecaseforthedefence。TwoofthemIwillmentiontogether，first。ThefigurewasnowinCourtcontinually，anditneverthereaddresseditselftome，butalwaystothepersonwhowasspeakingatthetime。Forinstance：thethroatofthemurderedmanhadbeencutstraightacross。Intheopeningspeechforthedefence，itwassuggestedthatthedeceasedmighthavecuthisownthroat。Atthatverymoment，thefigure，withitsthroatinthedreadfulconditionreferredto（thisithadconcealedbefore），stoodatthespeaker’selbow，motioningacrossandacrossitswindpipe，nowwiththerighthand，nowwiththeleft，vigorouslysuggestingtothespeakerhimselftheimpossibilityofsuchawoundhavingbeenself-inflictedbyeitherhand。Foranotherinstance：awitnesstocharacter，awoman，deposedtotheprisoner’sbeingthemostamiableofmankind。
Thefigureatthatinstantstoodonthefloorbeforeher，lookingherfullintheface，andpointingouttheprisoner’sevilcountenancewithanextendedarmandanoutstretchedfinger。
Thethirdchangenowtobeaddedimpressedmestronglyasthemostmarkedandstrikingofall。Idonottheoriseuponit；Iaccuratelystateit，andthereleaveit。AlthoughtheAppearancewasnotitselfperceivedbythosewhomitaddressed，itscomingclosetosuchpersonswasinvariablyattendedbysometrepidationordisturbanceontheirpart。Itseemedtomeasifitwereprevented，bylawstowhichIwasnotamenable，fromfullyrevealingitselftoothers，andyetasifitcouldinvisibly，dumbly，anddarklyovershadowtheirminds。Whentheleadingcounselforthedefencesuggestedthathypothesisofsuicide，andthefigurestoodatthelearnedgentleman’selbow，frightfullysawingatitsseveredthroat，itisundeniablethatthecounselfalteredinhisspeech，lostforafewsecondsthethreadofhisingeniousdiscourse，wipedhisforeheadwithhishandkerchief，andturnedextremelypale。WhenthewitnesstocharacterwasconfrontedbytheAppearance，hereyesmostcertainlydidfollowthedirectionofitspointedfinger，andrestingreathesitationandtroubleupontheprisoner’sface。Twoadditionalillustrationswillsuffice。Ontheeighthdayofthetrial，afterthepausewhichwaseverydaymadeearlyintheafternoonforafewminutes’restandrefreshment，IcamebackintoCourtwiththerestoftheJurysomelittletimebeforethereturnoftheJudges。Standingupintheboxandlookingaboutme，I
thoughtthefigurewasnotthere，until，chancingtoraisemyeyestothegallery，Isawitbendingforward，andleaningoveraverydecentwoman，asiftoassureitselfwhethertheJudgeshadresumedtheirseatsornot。Immediatelyafterwardsthatwomanscreamed，fainted，andwascarriedout。Sowiththevenerable，sagacious，andpatientJudgewhoconductedthetrial。Whenthecasewasover，andhesettledhimselfandhispaperstosumup，themurderedman，enteringbytheJudges’door，advancedtohisLordship’sdesk，andlookedeagerlyoverhisshoulderatthepagesofhisnoteswhichhewasturning。AchangecameoverhisLordship’sface；hishandstopped；thepeculiarshiver，thatIknewsowell，passedoverhim；
hefaltered，"Excuseme，gentlemen，forafewmoments。Iamsomewhatoppressedbythevitiatedair；"anddidnotrecoveruntilhehaddrunkaglassofwater。
Throughallthemonotonyofsixofthoseinterminabletendays，——thesameJudgesandothersonthebench，thesameMurdererinthedock，thesamelawyersatthetable，thesametonesofquestionandanswerrisingtotheroofofthecourt，thesamescratchingoftheJudge’spen，thesameushersgoinginandout，thesamelightskindledatthesamehourwhentherehadbeenanynaturallightofday，thesamefoggycurtainoutsidethegreatwindowswhenitwasfoggy，thesamerainpatteringanddrippingwhenitwasrainy，thesamefootmarksofturnkeysandprisonerdayafterdayonthesamesawdust，thesamekeyslockingandunlockingthesameheavydoors，——throughallthewearisomemonotonywhichmademefeelasifIhadbeenForemanoftheJuryforavastcriedoftime，andPiccadillyhadflourishedcoevallywithBabylon，themurderedmanneverlostonetraceofhisdistinctnessinmyeyes，norwasheatanymomentlessdistinctthananybodyelse。Imustnotomit，asamatteroffact，thatIneveroncesawtheAppearancewhichIcallbythenameofthemurderedmanlookattheMurderer。AgainandagainIwondered，"Whydoeshenot？"Butheneverdid。
Nordidhelookatme，aftertheproductionoftheminiature，untilthelastclosingminutesofthetrialarrived。Weretiredtoconsider，atsevenminutesbeforetenatnight。TheidioticvestrymanandhistwoparochialparasitesgaveussomuchtroublethatwetwicereturnedintoCourttobegtohavecertainextractsfromtheJudge’snotesre-read。Nineofushadnotthesmallestdoubtaboutthosepassages，neither，Ibelieve，hadanyoneintheCourt；thedunder-headedtriumvirate，havingnoideabutobstruction，disputedthemforthatveryreason。Atlengthweprevailed，andfinallytheJuryreturnedintoCourtattenminutespasttwelve。
ThemurderedmanatthattimestooddirectlyoppositetheJury-box，ontheothersideoftheCourt。AsItookmyplace，hiseyesrestedonmewithgreatattention；heseemedsatisfied，andslowlyshookagreatgrayveil，whichhecarriedonhisarmforthefirsttime，overhisheadandwholeform。AsIgaveinourverdict，"Guilty，"
theveilcollapsed，allwasgone，andhisplacewasempty。
TheMurderer，beingaskedbytheJudge，accordingtousage，whetherhehadanythingtosaybeforesentenceofDeathshouldbepasseduponhim，indistinctlymutteredsomethingwhichwasdescribedintheleadingnewspapersofthefollowingdayas"afewrambling，incoherent，andhalf-audiblewords，inwhichhewasunderstoodtocomplainthathehadnothadafairtrial，becausetheForemanoftheJurywasprepossessedagainsthim。"Theremarkabledeclarationthathereallymadewasthis："MYLORD，IKNEWIWASADOOMEDMAN，WHENTHEFOREMANOFMYJURYCAMEINTOTHEBOX。MYLORD，IKNEWHE
WOULDNEVERLETMEOFF，BECAUSE，BEFOREIWASTAKEN，HESOMEHOWGOT
TOMYBEDSIDEINTHENIGHT，WOKEME，ANDPUTAROPEROUNDMYNECK。"