Themoneymodifiesthisview——unfavourablysofarasMr。Ferrariisconcerned。Istillbelieveheiskeepingoutoftheway。ButI
nowsayheispaidforkeepingoutoftheway——andthatbank-notethereonthetableisthepriceofhisabsence，sentbytheguiltypersonstohiswife。’
Mrs。Ferrari’swaterygreyeyesbrightenedsuddenly；Mrs。Ferrari’sdulldrab-colouredcomplexionbecameenlivenedbyaglowofbrilliantred。
’It’sfalse！’shecried。’It’saburningshametospeakofmyhusbandinthatway！’
’ItoldyouIshouldoffendyou！’saidMr。Troy。
Agnesinterposedoncemore——intheinterestsofpeace。Shetooktheoffendedwife’shand；sheappealedtothelawyertoreconsiderthatsideofhistheorywhichreflectedharshlyonFerrari。
Whileshewasstillspeaking，theservantinterruptedherbyenteringtheroomwithavisiting-card。ItwasthecardofHenryWestwick；
andtherewasanominousrequestwrittenonitinpencil。
’Ibringbadnews。Letmeseeyouforaminutedownstairs。’
Agnesimmediatelylefttheroom。
AlonewithMrs。Ferrari，Mr。Troypermittedhisnaturalkindnessofhearttoshowitselfonthesurfaceatlast。Hetriedtomakehispeacewiththecourier’swife。
’Youhaveeveryclaim，mygoodsoul，toresentareflectioncastuponyourhusband，’hebegan。’ImayevensaythatIrespectyouforspeakingsowarmlyinhisdefence。Atthesametime，remember，thatIambound，insuchaseriousmatterasthis，totellyouwhatisreallyinmymind。
Icanhavenointentionofoffendingyou，seeingthatIamatotalstrangertoyouandtoMr。Ferrari。Athousandpoundsisalargesumofmoney；andapoormanmayexcusablybetemptedbyittodonothingworsethantokeepoutofthewayforawhile。
Myonlyinterest，actingonyourbehalf，istogetatthetruth。
Ifyouwillgivemetime，Iseenoreasontodespairoffindingyourhusbandyet。’
Ferrari’swifelistened，withoutbeingconvinced：hernarrowlittlemind，filledtoitsextremecapacitybyherunfavourableopinionofMr。Troy，hadnoroomleftfortheprocessofcorrectingitsfirstimpression。
’Iammuchobligedtoyou，sir，’wasallshesaid。Hereyesweremorecommunicative——hereyesadded，intheirlanguage，’Youmaysaywhatyouplease；Iwillneverforgiveyoutomydyingday。’
Mr。Troygaveitup。Hecomposedlywheeledhischairaround，puthishandsinhispockets，andlookedoutofwindow。
Afteranintervalofsilence，thedrawing-roomdoorwasopened。
Mr。Troywheeledroundagainbrisklytothetable，expectingtoseeAgnes。
Tohissurprisethereappeared，inherplace，aperfectstrangertohim——
agentleman，intheprimeoflife，withamarkedexpressionofpainandembarrassmentonhishandsomeface。HelookedatMr。Troy，andbowedgravely。
’IamsounfortunateastohavebroughtnewstoMissAgnesLockwoodwhichhasgreatlydistressedher，’hesaid。’Shehasretiredtoherroom。
Iamrequestedtomakeherexcuses，andtospeaktoyouinherplace。’
Havingintroducedhimselfinthoseterms，henoticedMrs。Ferrari，andheldouthishandtoherkindly。’Itissomeyearssincewelastmet，Emily，’hesaid。’Iamafraidyouhavealmostforgottenthe"MasterHenry"ofoldtimes。’Emily，insomelittleconfusion，madeheracknowledgments，andbeggedtoknowifshecouldbeofanyusetoMissLockwood。’Theoldnurseiswithher，’Henryanswered；
’theywillbebetterlefttogether。’HeturnedoncemoretoMr。Troy。
’Ioughttotellyou，’hesaid，’thatmynameisHenryWestwick。IamtheyoungerbrotherofthelateLordMontbarry。’
’ThelateLordMontbarry！’Mr。Troyexclaimed。
’MybrotherdiedatVeniceyesterdayevening。Thereisthetelegram。’
Withthatstartlinganswer，hehandedthepapertoMr。Troy。
Themessagewasinthesewords：
’LadyMontbarry，Venice。ToStephenRobertWestwick，Newbury’sHotel，London。Itisuselesstotakethejourney。
LordMontbarrydiedofbronchitis，at8。40thisevening。
Allneedfuldetailsbypost。’
’Wasthisexpected，sir？’thelawyerasked。
’Icannotsaythatithastakenusentirelybysurprise，Henryanswered。
’MybrotherStephen（whoisnowtheheadofthefamily）receivedatelegramthreedayssince，informinghimthatalarmingsymptomshaddeclaredthemselves，andthatasecondphysicianhadbeencalledin。
HetelegraphedbacktosaythathehadleftIrelandforLondon，onhiswaytoVenice，andtodirectthatanyfurthermessagemightbesenttohishotel。Thereplycameinasecondtelegram。
ItannouncedthatLordMontbarrywasinastateofinsensibility，andthat，inhisbriefintervalsofconsciousness，herecognisednobody。
MybrotherwasadvisedtowaitinLondonforlaterinformation。
Thethirdtelegramisnowinyourhands。ThatisallIknow，uptothepresenttime。’
Happeningtolookatthecourier’swife，Mr。Troywasstruckbytheexpressionofblankfearwhichshoweditselfinthewoman’sface。
’Mrs。Ferrari，’hesaid，’haveyouheardwhatMr。Westwickhasjusttoldme？’
’Everywordofit，sir。’
’Haveyouanyquestionstoask？’
’No，sir。’
’Youseemtobealarmed，’thelawyerpersisted。’Isitstillaboutyourhusband？’
’Ishallneverseemyhusbandagain，sir。Ihavethoughtsoallalong，asyouknow。Ifeelsureofitnow。’
’Sureofit，afterwhatyouhavejustheard？’
’Yes，sir。’
’Canyoutellmewhy？’
’No，sir。It’safeelingIhave。Ican’ttellwhy。’
’Oh，afeeling？’Mr。Troyrepeated，inatoneofcompassionatecontempt。
’Whenitcomestofeelings，mygoodsoul——！’Heleftthesentenceunfinished，androsetotakehisleaveofMr。Westwick。Thetruthis，hebegantofeelpuzzledhimself，andhedidnotchoosetoletMrs。Ferrariseeit。’Accepttheexpressionofmysympathy，sir，’
hesaidtoMr。Westwickpolitely。’Iwishyougoodevening。’
HenryturnedtoMrs。Ferrariasthelawyerclosedthedoor。
’Ihaveheardofyourtrouble，Emily，fromMissLockwood。IsthereanythingIcandotohelpyou？’
’Nothing，sir，thankyou。Perhaps，Ihadbettergohomeafterwhathashappened？Iwillcallto-morrow，andseeifIcanbeofanyusetoMissAgnes。Iamverysorryforher。’Shestoleaway，withherformalcurtsey，hernoiselessstep，andherobstinateresolutiontotakethegloomiestviewofherhusband’scase。
HenryWestwicklookedroundhiminthesolitudeofthelittledrawing-room。
Therewasnothingtokeephiminthehouse，andyethelingeredinit。
ItwassomethingtobeevennearAgnes——toseethethingsbelongingtoherthatwerescatteredabouttheroom。There，inthecorner，washerchair，withherembroideryonthework-tablebyitsside。
Onthelittleeaselnearthewindowwasherlastdrawing，notquitefinishedyet。Thebookshehadbeenreadinglayonthesofa，withhertinypencil-caseinittomarktheplaceatwhichshehadleftoff。Oneafteranother，helookedattheobjectsthatremindedhimofthewomanwhomheloved——tookthemuptenderly——
andlaidthemdownagainwithasigh。Ah，howfar，howunattainablyfarfromhim，shewasstill！’ShewillneverforgetMontbarry，’
hethoughttohimselfashetookuphishattogo。’Notoneofusfeelshisdeathasshefeelsit。Miserable，miserablewretch——howshelovedhim！’
Inthestreet，asHenryclosedthehouse-door，hewasstoppedbyapassingacquaintance——awearisomeinquisitiveman——
doublyunwelcometohim，atthatmoment。’Sadnews，Westwick，thisaboutyourbrother。Ratheranunexpecteddeath，wasn’tit？
WeneverheardattheclubthatMontbarry’slungswereweak。
Whatwilltheinsuranceofficesdo？’
Henrystarted；hehadneverthoughtofhisbrother’slifeinsurance。
Whatcouldtheofficesdobutpay？Adeathbybronchitis，certifiedbytwophysicians，wassurelytheleastdisputableofalldeaths。’Iwishyouhadn’tputthatquestionintomyhead！’hebrokeoutirritably。
’Ah！’saidhisfriend，’youthinkthewidowwillgetthemoney？
SodoI！sodoI！’
CHAPTERVII
Somedayslater，theinsuranceoffices（twoinnumber）
receivedtheformalannouncementofLordMontbarry’sdeath，fromherladyship’sLondonsolicitors。Thesuminsuredineachofficewasfivethousandpounds——onwhichoneyear’spremiumonlyhadbeenpaid。Inthefaceofsuchapecuniaryemergencyasthis，theDirectorsthoughtitdesirabletoconsidertheirposition。
Themedicaladvisersofthetwooffices，whohadrecommendedtheinsuranceofLordMontbarry’slife，werecalledintocouncilovertheirownreports。Theresultexcitedsomeinterestamongpersonsconnectedwiththebusinessoflifeinsurance。
Withoutabsolutelydecliningtopaythemoney，thetwooffices（actinginconcert）decidedonsendingacommissionofinquirytoVenice，’forthepurposeofobtainingfurtherinformation。’
Mr。Troyreceivedtheearliestintelligenceofwhatwasgoingon。
HewroteatoncetocommunicatehisnewstoAgnes；adding，whatheconsideredtobeavaluablehint，inthesewords：
’Youareintimatelyacquainted，Iknow，withLadyBarville，thelateLordMontbarry’seldestsister。Thesolicitorsemployedbyherhusbandarealsothesolicitorstooneofthetwoinsuranceoffices。
TheremaypossiblybesomethinginthereportofthecommissionofinquirytouchingonFerrari’sdisappearance。Ordinarypersonswouldnotbepermitted，ofcourse，toseesuchadocument。
Butasisterofthelatelordissoneararelativeastobeanexceptiontogeneralrules。IfSirTheodoreBarvilleputsitonthatfooting，thelawyers，eveniftheydonotallowhiswifetolookatthereport，willatleastansweranydiscreetquestionsshemayaskreferringtoit。Letmehearwhatyouthinkofthissuggestion，atyourearliestconvenience。’
Thereplywasreceivedbyreturnofpost。AgnesdeclinedtoavailherselfofMr。Troy’sproposal。
’Myinterference，innocentasitwas，’shewrote，’hasalreadybeenproductiveofsuchdeplorableresults，thatIcannotanddarenotstiranyfurtherinthecaseofFerrari。
IfIhadnotconsentedtoletthatunfortunatemanrefertomebyname，thelateLordMontbarrywouldneverhaveengagedhim，andhiswifewouldhavebeensparedthemiseryandsuspensefromwhichsheissufferingnow。Iwouldnotevenlookatthereporttowhichyoualludeifitwasplacedinmyhands——IhaveheardmorethanenoughalreadyofthathideouslifeinthepalaceatVenice。
IfMrs。FerrarichoosestoaddressherselftoLadyBarville（withyourassistance），thatisofcoursequiteanotherthing。
But，eveninthiscase，Imustmakeitapositiveconditionthatmynameshallnotbementioned。Forgiveme，dearMr。Troy！
Iamveryunhappy，andveryunreasonable——butIamonlyawoman，andyoumustnotexpecttoomuchfromme。’
Foiledinthisdirection，thelawyernextadvisedmakingtheattempttodiscoverthepresentaddressofLadyMontbarry’sEnglishmaid。
Thisexcellentsuggestionhadonedrawback：itcouldonlybecarriedoutbyspendingmoney——andtherewasnomoneytospend。
Mrs。Ferrarishrankfromthebareideaofmakinganyuseofthethousand-poundnote。Ithadbeendepositedinthesafekeepingofabank。Ifitwasevenmentionedinherhearing，sheshudderedandreferredtoit，withmelodramaticfervour，as’myhusband’sblood-money！’
So，understressofcircumstances，theattempttosolvethemysteryofFerrari’sdisappearancewassuspendedforawhile。
Itwasthelastmonthoftheyear1860。Thecommissionofinquirywasalreadyatwork；havingbegunitsinvestigationsonDecember6。
Onthe10th，thetermforwhichthelateLordMontbarryhadhiredtheVenetianpalace，expired。NewsbytelegramreachedtheinsuranceofficesthatLadyMontbarryhadbeenadvisedbyherlawyerstoleaveforLondonwithaslittledelayaspossible。BaronRivar，itwasbelieved，wouldaccompanyhertoEngland，butwouldnotremaininthatcountry，unlesshisserviceswereabsolutelyrequiredbyherladyship。
TheBaron，’wellknownasanenthusiasticstudentofchemistry，’
hadheardofcertainrecentdiscoveriesinconnectionwiththatscienceintheUnitedStates，andwasanxioustoinvestigatethempersonally。
Theseitemsofnews，collectedbyMr。Troy，weredulycommunicatedtoMrs。Ferrari，whoseanxietyaboutherhusbandmadeherafrequent，atoofrequent，visitoratthelawyer’soffice。Sheattemptedtorelatewhatshehadheardtohergoodfriendandprotectress。
Agnessteadilyrefusedtolisten，andpositivelyforbadeanyfurtherconversationrelatingtoLordMontbarry’swife，nowthatLordMontbarrywasnomore。’YouhaveMr。Troytoadviseyou，’shesaid；
’andyouarewelcometowhatlittlemoneyIcanspare，ifmoneyiswanted。AllIaskinreturnisthatyouwillnotdistressme。
Iamtryingtoseparatemyselffromremembrances——’hervoicefaltered；
shepausedtocontrolherself——’fromremembrances，’sheresumed，’whicharesadderthaneversinceIhaveheardofLordMontbarry’sdeath。
Helpmebyyoursilencetorecovermyspirits，ifIcan。Letmehearnothingmore，untilIcanrejoicewithyouthatyourhusbandisfound。’
Timeadvancedtothe13thofthemonth；andmoreinformationoftheinterestingsortreachedMr。Troy。Thelaboursoftheinsurancecommissionhadcometoanend——thereporthadbeenreceivedfromVeniceonthatday。
CHAPTERVIII
Onthe14ththeDirectorsandtheirlegaladvisersmetforthereadingofthereport，withcloseddoors。ThesewerethetermsinwhichtheCommissionersrelatedtheresultsoftheirinquiry：
’Privateandconfidential。
’WehavethehonourtoinformourDirectorsthatwearrivedinVeniceonDecember6，1860。OnthesamedayweproceededtothepalaceinhabitedbyLordMontbarryatthetimeofhislastillnessanddeath。
’WewerereceivedwithallpossiblecourtesybyLadyMontbarry’sbrother，BaronRivar。"Mysisterwasherhusband’sonlyattendantthroughouthisillness，"theBaroninformedus。"Sheisoverwhelmedbygriefandfatigue——orshewouldhavebeenheretoreceiveyoupersonally。
Whatareyourwishes，gentlemen？andwhatcanIdoforyouinherladyship’splace？"
’Inaccordancewithourinstructions，weansweredthatthedeathandburialofLordMontbarryabroadmadeitdesirabletoobtainmorecompleteinformationrelatingtohisillness，andtothecircumstanceswhichhadattendedit，thancouldbeconveyedinwriting。
Weexplainedthatthelawprovidedforthelapseofacertainintervaloftimebeforethepaymentofthesumassured，andweexpressedourwishtoconducttheinquirywiththemostrespectfulconsiderationforherladyship’sfeelings，andfortheconvenienceofanyothermembersofthefamilyinhabitingthehouse。
’TothistheBaronreplied，"Iamtheonlymemberofthefamilylivinghere，andIandthepalaceareentirelyatyourdisposal。"
Fromfirsttolastwefoundthisgentlemanperfectlystraighforward，andmostamiablywillingtoassistus。
’Withtheoneexceptionofherladyship’sroom，wewentoverthewholeofthepalacethesameday。Itisanimmenseplaceonlypartiallyfurnished。ThefirstfloorandpartofthesecondfloorweretheportionsofitthathadbeeninhabitedbyLordMontbarryandthemembersofthehousehold。Wesawthebedchamber，atoneextremityofthepalace，inwhichhislordshipdied，andthesmallroomcommunicatingwithit，whichheusedasastudy。
Nexttothiswasalargeapartmentorhall，thedoorsofwhichhehabituallykeptlocked，hisobjectbeing（aswewereinformed）
topursuehisstudiesuninterruptedlyinperfectsolitude。
Ontheothersideofthelargehallwerethebedchamberoccupiedbyherladyship，andthedressing-roominwhichthemaidsleptprevioustoherdepartureforEngland。Beyondthesewerethediningandreceptionrooms，openingintoanantechamber，whichgaveaccesstothegrandstaircaseofthepalace。
’Theonlyinhabitedroomsonthesecondfloorwerethesitting-roomandbedroomoccupiedbyBaronRivar，andanotherroomatsomedistancefromit，whichhadbeenthebedroomofthecourierFerrari。
’Theroomsonthethirdfloorandonthebasementwerecompletelyunfurnished，andinaconditionofgreatneglect。
Weinquirediftherewasanythingtobeseenbelowthebasement——
andwewereatonceinformedthattherewerevaultsbeneath，whichwewereatperfectlibertytovisit。
’Wewentdown，soastoleavenopartofthepalaceunexplored。
Thevaultswere，itwasbelieved，usedasdungeonsintheoldtimes——
say，somecenturiessince。Airandlightwereonlypartiallyadmittedtothesedismalplacesbytwolongshaftsofwindingconstruction，whichcommunicatedwiththebackyardofthepalace，andtheopeningsofwhich，highabovetheground，wereprotectedbyirongratings。
Thestonestairsleadingdownintothevaultscouldbeclosedatwillbyaheavytrap-doorinthebackhall，whichwefoundopen。
TheBaronhimselfledthewaydownthestairs。Weremarkedthatitmightbeawkwardifthattrap-doorfelldownandclosedtheopeningbehindus。
TheBaronsmiledattheidea。"Don’tbealarmed，gentlemen，"hesaid；
"thedoorissafe。Ihadaninterestinseeingtoitmyself，whenwefirstinhabitedthepalace。Myfavouritestudyisthestudyofexperimentalchemistry——andmyworkshop，sincewehavebeeninVenice，isdownhere。"
’Theselastwordsexplainedacurioussmellinthevaults，whichwenoticedthemomentweenteredthem。Wecanonlydescribethesmellbysayingthatitwasofatwofoldsort——faintlyaromatic，asitwere，initsfirsteffect，butwithsomeafter-odourverysickeninginournostrils。TheBaron’sfurnacesandretorts，andotherthings，werealltheretospeakforthemselves，togetherwithsomepackagesofchemicals，havingthenameandaddressofthepersonwhohadsuppliedthemplainlyvisibleontheirlabels。
"Notapleasantplaceforstudy，"BaronRivarobserved，"butmysisteristimid。Shehasahorrorofchemicalsmellsandexplosions——
andshehasbanishedmetotheselowerregions，sothatmyexperimentsmayneitherbesmeltnorheard。"Heheldouthishands，onwhichwehadnoticedthatheworeglovesinthehouse。"Accidentswillhappensometimes，"hesaid，"nomatterhowcarefulamanmaybe。
Iburntmyhandsseverelyintryinganewcombinationtheotherday，andtheyareonlyrecoveringnow。"
’Wementiontheseotherwiseunimportantincidents，inordertoshowthatourexplorationofthepalacewasnotimpededbyanyattemptatconcealment。Wewereevenadmittedtoherladyship’sownroom——
onasubsequentoccasion，whenshewentouttotaketheair。
Ourinstructionsrecommendedustoexaminehislordship’sresidence，becausetheextremeprivacyofhislifeatVenice，andtheremarkabledepartureoftheonlytwoservantsinthehouse，mighthavesomesuspiciousconnectionwiththenatureofhisdeath。
Wefoundnothingtojustifysuspicion。
’Astohislordship’sretiredwayoflife，wehaveconversedonthesubjectwiththeconsulandthebanker——theonlytwostrangerswhoheldanycommunicationwithhim。Hecalledonceatthebanktoobtainmoneyonhisletterofcredit，andexcusedhimselffromacceptinganinvitationtovisitthebankerathisprivateresidence，onthegroundofdelicatehealth。Hislordshipwrotetothesameeffectonsendinghiscardtotheconsul，toexcusehimselffrompersonallyreturningthatgentleman’svisittothepalace。
Wehaveseentheletter，andwebegtoofferthefollowingcopyofit。
"ManyyearspassedinIndiahaveinjuredmyconstitution。
Ihaveceasedtogointosociety；theoneoccupationofmylifenowisthestudyofOrientalliterature。TheairofItalyisbetterformethantheairofEngland，orIshouldneverhavelefthome。
Prayaccepttheapologiesofastudentandaninvalid。Theactivepartofmylifeisatanend。"Theself-seclusionofhislordshipseemstoustobeexplainedinthesebrieflines。Wehavenot，however，onthataccountsparedourinquiriesinotherdirections。
Nothingtoexciteasuspicionofanythingwronghascometoourknowledge。
’Astothedepartureofthelady’smaid，wehaveseenthewoman’sreceiptforherwages，inwhichitisexpresslystatedthatsheleftLadyMontbarry’sservicebecauseshedislikedtheContinent，andwishedtogetbacktoherowncountry。ThisisnotanuncommonresultoftakingEnglishservantstoforeignparts。
LadyMontbarryhasinformedusthatsheabstainedfromengaginganothermaidinconsequenceoftheextremedislikewhichhislordshipexpressedtohavingstrangersinthehouse，inthestateofhishealthatthattime。
’ThedisappearanceofthecourierFerrariis，initself，unquestionablyasuspiciouscircumstance。NeitherherladyshipnortheBaroncanexplainit；andnoinvestigationthatwecouldmakehasthrownthesmallestlightonthisevent，orhasjustifiedusinassociatingit，directlyorindirectly，withtheobjectofourinquiry。
WehaveevengonethelengthofexaminingtheportmanteauwhichFerrarileftbehindhim。Itcontainsnothingbutclothesandlinen——
nomoney，andnotevenascrapofpaperinthepocketsoftheclothes。
Theportmanteauremainsinchargeofthepolice。
’WehavealsofoundopportunitiesofspeakingprivatelytotheoldwomanwhoattendstotheroomsoccupiedbyherladyshipandtheBaron。
Shewasrecommendedtofillthissituationbythekeeperoftherestaurantwhohassuppliedthemealstothefamilythroughouttheperiodoftheirresidenceatthepalace。Hercharacterismostfavourablyspokenof。Unfortunately，herlimitedintelligencemakesherofnovalueasawitness。Wewerepatientandcarefulinquestioningher，andwefoundherperfectlywillingtoanswerus；butwecouldelicitnothingwhichisworthincludinginthepresentreport。
’Ontheseconddayofourinquiries，wehadthehonourofaninterviewwithLadyMontbarry。Herladyshiplookedmiserablywornandill，andseemedtobequiteatalosstounderstandwhatwewantedwithher。
BaronRivar，whointroducedus，explainedthenatureofourerrandinVenice，andtookpainstoassureherthatitwasapurelyformaldutyonwhichwewereengaged。Havingsatisfiedherladyshiponthispoint，hediscreetlylefttheroom。
’ThequestionswhichweaddressedtoLadyMontbarryrelatedmainly，ofcourse，tohislordship’sillness。Theanswers，givenwithgreatnervousnessofmanner，butwithouttheslightestappearanceofreserve，informedusofthefactsthatfollow：
’LordMontbarryhadbeenoutoforderforsometimepast——
nervousandirritable。HefirstcomplainedofhavingtakencoldonNovember13last；hepassedawakefulandfeverishnight，andremainedinbedthenextday。Herladyshipproposedsendingformedicaladvice。
Herefusedtoallowhertodothis，sayingthathecouldquiteeasilybehisowndoctorinsuchatriflingmatterasacold。Somehotlemonadewasmadeathisrequest，withaviewtoproducingperspiration。
LadyMontbarry’smaidhavingleftheratthattime，thecourierFerrari（thentheonlyservantinthehouse）wentouttobuythelemons。
Herladyshipmadethedrinkwithherownhands。Itwassuccessfulinproducingperspiration——andLordMontbarryhadsomehoursofsleepafterwards。Laterintheday，havingneedofFerrari’sservices，LadyMontbarryrangforhim。Thebellwasnotanswered。
BaronRivarsearchedfortheman，inthepalaceandoutofit，invain。
FromthattimeforthnotatraceofFerraricouldbediscovered。
ThishappenedonNovember14。
’Onthenightofthe14th，thefeverishsymptomsaccompanyinghislordship’scoldreturned。TheywereinpartperhapsattributabletotheannoyanceandalarmcausedbyFerrari’smysteriousdisappearance。
Ithadbeenimpossibletoconcealthecircumstance，ashislordshiprangrepeatedlyforthecourier；insistingthatthemanshouldrelieveLadyMontbarryandtheBaronbytakingtheirplacesduringthenightathisbedside。
’Onthe15th（thedayonwhichtheoldwomanfirstcametodothehousework），hislordshipcomplainedofsorethroat，andofafeelingofoppressiononthechest。Onthisday，andagainonthe16th，herladyshipandtheBaronentreatedhimtoseeadoctor。Hestillrefused。"Idon’twantstrangefacesaboutme；mycoldwillrunitscourse，inspiteofthedoctor，"——
thatwashisanswer。Onthe17thhewassomuchworsethatitwasdecidedtosendformedicalhelpwhetherhelikeditornot。
BaronRivar，afterinquiryattheconsul’s，securedtheservicesofDoctorBruno，wellknownasaneminentphysicianinVenice；
withtheadditionalrecommendationofhavingresidedinEngland，andhavingmadehimselfacquaintedwithEnglishformsofmedicalpractice。
’Thusfarouraccountofhislordship’sillnesshasbeenderivedfromstatementsmadebyLadyMontbarry。Thenarrativewillnowbemostfitlycontinuedinthelanguageofthedoctor’sownreport，herewithsubjoined。
’"MymedicaldiaryinformsmethatIfirstsawtheEnglishLordMontbarry，onNovember17。Hewassufferingfromasharpattackofbronchitis。
Someprecioustimehadbeenlost，throughhisobstinateobjectiontothepresenceofamedicalmanathisbedside。Generallyspeaking，heappearedtobeinadelicatestateofhealth。Hisnervoussystemwasoutoforder——hewasatoncetimidandcontradictory。
WhenIspoketohiminEnglish，heansweredinItalian；
andwhenItriedhiminItalian，hewentbacktoEnglish。
Itmatteredlittle——themaladyhadalreadymadesuchprogressthathecouldonlyspeakafewwordsatatime，andthoseinawhisper。
’"Iatonceappliedthenecessaryremedies。Copiesofmyprescriptions（withtranslationintoEnglish）accompanythepresentstatement，andarelefttospeakforthemselves。
’"ForthenextthreedaysIwasinconstantattendanceonmypatient。
Heansweredtotheremediesemployed——improvingslowly，butdecidedly。
IcouldconscientiouslyassureLadyMontbarrythatnodangerwastobeapprehendedthusfar。Shewasindeedamostdevotedwife。
Ivainlyendeavouredtoinducehertoaccepttheservicesofacompetentnurse；shewouldallownobodytoattendonherhusbandbutherself。Nightanddaythisestimablewomanwasathisbedside。
Inherbriefintervalsofrepose，herbrotherwatchedthesickmaninherplace。Thisbrotherwas，Imustsay，verygoodcompany，intheintervalswhenwehadtimeforalittletalk。Hedabbledinchemistry，downinthehorridunder-watervaultsofthepalace；
andhewantedtoshowmesomeofhisexperiments。Ihaveenoughofchemistryinwritingprescriptions——andIdeclined。Hetookitquitegood-humouredly。
’"Iamstrayingawayfrommysubject。Letmereturntothesicklord。
’"Uptothe20th，then，thingswentwellenough。Iwasquiteunpreparedforthedisastrouschangethatshoweditself，whenIpaidLordMontbarrymymorningvisitonthe21st。
Hehadrelapsed，andseriouslyrelapsed。Examininghimtodiscoverthecause，Ifoundsymptomsofpneumonia——thatistosay，inunmedicallanguage，inflammationofthesubstanceofthelungs。
Hebreathedwithdifficulty，andwasonlypartiallyabletorelievehimselfbycoughing。Imadethestrictestinquiries，andwasassuredthathismedicinehadbeenadministeredascarefullyasusual，andthathehadnotbeenexposedtoanychangesoftemperature。
ItwaswithgreatreluctancethatIaddedtoLadyMontbarry’sdistress；
butIfeltbound，whenshesuggestedaconsultationwithanotherphysician，toownthatItoothoughttherewasreallyneedforit。
’"Herladyshipinstructedmetosparenoexpense，andtogetthebestmedicalopinioninItaly。Thebestopinionwashappilywithinourreach。
ThefirstandforemostofItalianphysiciansisTorelloofPadua。
Isentaspecialmessengerforthegreatman。Hearrivedontheeveningofthe21st，andconfirmedmyopinionthatpneumoniahadsetin，andthatourpatient’slifewasindanger。Itoldhimwhatmytreatmentofthecasehadbeen，andheapprovedofitineveryparticular。
Hemadesomevaluablesuggestions，and（atLadyMontbarry’sexpressrequest）heconsentedtodeferhisreturntoPaduauntilthefollowingmorning。
’"Webothsawthepatientatintervalsinthecourseofthenight。
Thedisease，steadilyadvancing，setourutmostresistanceatdefiance。
InthemorningDoctorTorellotookhisleave。’Icanbeofnofurtheruse，’hesaidtome。’Themanispastallhelp——andheoughttoknowit。’
’"LaterinthedayIwarnedmylord，asgentlyasIcould，thathistimehadcome。Iaminformedthatthereareseriousreasonsformystatingwhatpassedbetweenusonthisoccasion，indetail，andwithoutanyreserve。Icomplywiththerequest。
’"LordMontbarryreceivedtheintelligenceofhisapproachingdeathwithbecomingcomposure，butwithacertaindoubt。Hesignedtometoputmyeartohismouth。Hewhisperedfaintly，’Areyousure？’
Itwasnotimetodeceivehim；Isaid，’Positivelysure。’
Hewaitedalittle，gaspingforbreath，andthenhewhisperedagain，’Feelundermypillow。’Ifoundunderhispillowaletter，sealedandstamped，readyforthepost。Hisnextwordswerejustaudibleandnomore——’Postityourself。’Ianswered，ofcourse，thatIwoulddoso——andIdidposttheletterwithmyownhand。
Ilookedattheaddress。ItwasdirectedtoaladyinLondon。
ThestreetIcannotremember。ThenameIcanperfectlyrecall：
itwasanItalianname——’Mrs。Ferrari。’
’"Thatnightmylordnearlydiedofasphyxia。Igothimthroughitforthetime；andhiseyesshowedthatheunderstoodmewhenItoldhim，thenextmorning，thatIhadpostedtheletter。Thiswashislasteffortofconsciousness。WhenIsawhimagainhewassunkinapathy。
Helingeredinastateofinsensibility，supportedbystimulants，untilthe25th，anddied（unconscioustothelast）ontheeveningofthatday。
’"Astothecauseofhisdeath，itseems（ifImaybeexcusedforsayingso）simplyabsurdtoaskthequestion。Bronchitis，terminatinginpneumonia——thereisnomoredoubtthatthis，andthisonly，wasthemaladyofwhichheexpired，thanthattwoandtwomakefour。
DoctorTorello’sownnoteofthecaseisaddedheretoaduplicateofmycertificate，inorder（asIaminformed）tosatisfysomeEnglishofficesinwhichhislordship’slifewasinsured。
TheEnglishofficesmusthavebeenfoundedbythatcelebratedsaintanddoubter，mentionedintheNewTestament，whosenamewasThomas！"
’DoctorBruno’sevidenceendshere。
’RevertingforamomenttoourinquiriesaddressedtoLadyMontbarry，wehavetoreportthatshecangiveusnoinformationonthesubjectoftheletterwhichthedoctorpostedatLordMontbarry’srequest。
Whenhislordshipwroteit？whatitcontained？whyhekeptitasecretfromLadyMontbarry（andfromtheBaronalso）；
andwhyheshouldwriteatalltothewifeofhiscourier？thesearequestionstowhichwefinditsimplyimpossibletoobtainanyreplies。Itseemsevenuselesstosaythatthematterisopentosuspicion。Suspicionimpliesconjectureofsomekind——
andtheletterundermylord’spillowbafflesallconjecture。
ApplicationtoMrs。Ferrarimayperhapsclearupthemystery。
HerresidenceinLondonwillbeeasilydiscoveredattheItalianCouriers’
Office，GoldenSquare。
’Havingarrivedatthecloseofthepresentreport，wehavenowtodrawyourattentiontotheconclusionwhichisjustifiedbytheresultsofourinvestigation。
’TheplainquestionbeforeourDirectorsandourselvesappearstobethis：HastheinquiryrevealedanyextraordinarycircumstanceswhichrenderthedeathofLordMontbarryopentosuspicion？
Theinquiryhasrevealedextraordinarycircumstancesbeyondalldoubt——suchasthedisappearanceofFerrari，theremarkableabsenceofthecustomaryestablishmentofservantsinthehouse，andthemysteriousletterwhichhislordshipaskedthedoctortopost。
Butwhereistheproofthatanyoneofthesecircumstancesisassociated——suspiciouslyanddirectlyassociated——withtheonlyeventwhichconcernsus，theeventofLordMontbarry’sdeath？
Intheabsenceofanysuchproof，andinthefaceoftheevidenceoftwoeminentphysicians，itisimpossibletodisputethestatementonthecertificatethathislordshipdiedanaturaldeath。
Wearebound，therefore，toreport，thattherearenovalidgroundsforrefusingthepaymentofthesumforwhichthelateLordMontbarry’slifewasassured。
’Weshallsendtheselinestoyoubythepostofto-morrow，December10；leavingtimetoreceiveyourfurtherinstructions（ifany），inreplytoourtelegramofthiseveningannouncingtheconclusionoftheinquiry。’
CHAPTERIX
’Now，mygoodcreature，whateveryouhavetosaytome，outwithitatonce！Idon’twanttohurryyouneedlessly；
butthesearebusinesshours，andIhaveotherpeople’saffairstoattendtobesidesyours。’
AddressingFerrari’swife，withhisusualbluntgood-humour，intheseterms，Mr。Troyregisteredthelapseoftimebyaglanceatthewatchonhisdesk，andthenwaitedtohearwhathisclienthadtosaytohim。
’It’ssomethingmore，sir，abouttheletterwiththethousand-poundnote，’
Mrs。Ferraribegan。’Ihavefoundoutwhosentittome。’
Mr。Troystarted。’Thisisnewsindeed！’hesaid。’Whosentyoutheletter？’
’LordMontbarrysentit，sir。’
ItwasnoteasytotakeMr。Troybysurprise。ButMrs。Ferrarithrewhimcompletelyoffhisbalance。Forawhilehecouldonlylookatherinsilentsurprise。’Nonsense！’hesaid，assoonashehadrecoveredhimself。’Thereissomemistake——
itcan’tbe！’
’Thereisnomistake，’Mrs。Ferrarirejoined，inhermostpositivemanner。
’Twogentlemenfromtheinsuranceofficescalledonmethismorning，toseetheletter。Theywerecompletelypuzzled——especiallywhentheyheardofthebank-noteinside。Buttheyknowwhosenttheletter。
Hislordship’sdoctorinVeniceposteditathislordship’srequest。
Gotothegentlemenyourself，sir，ifyoudon’tbelieveme。
TheywerepoliteenoughtoaskifIcouldaccountforLordMontbarry’swritingtomeandsendingmethemoney。Igavethemmyopiniondirectly——
Isaiditwaslikehislordship’skindness。’
’Likehislordship’skindness？’Mr。Troyrepeated，inblankamazement。
’Yes，sir！LordMontbarryknewme，likealltheothermembersofhisfamily，whenIwasatschoolontheestateinIreland。
Ifhecouldhavedoneit，hewouldhaveprotectedmypoordearhusband。
ButhewashelplesshimselfinthehandsofmyladyandtheBaron——
andtheonlykindthinghecoulddowastoprovideformeinmywidowhood，likethetruenoblemanhewas！’
’Averyprettyexplanation！’saidMr。Troy。’Whatdidyourvisitorsfromtheinsuranceofficesthinkofit？’
’TheyaskedifIhadanyproofofmyhusband’sdeath。’
’Andwhatdidyousay？’
’Isaid，"Igiveyoubetterthanproof，gentlemen；Igiveyoumypositiveopinion。"’
’Thatsatisfiedthem，ofcourse？’
’Theydidn’tsaysoinwords，sir。Theylookedateachother——
andwishedmegood-morning。’
’Well，Mrs。Ferrari，unlessyouhavesomemoreextraordinarynewsforme，IthinkIshallwishyougood-morningtoo。
Icantakeanoteofyourinformation（verystartlinginformation，Iown）；and，intheabsenceofproof，Icandonomore。’
’Icanprovideyouwithproof，sir——ifthatisallyouwant，’
saidMrs。Ferrari，withgreatdignity。’Ionlywishtoknow，first，whetherthelawjustifiesmeindoingit。
Youmayhaveseeninthefashionableintelligenceofthenewspapers，thatLadyMontbarryhasarrivedinLondon，atNewbury’sHotel。
Iproposetogoandseeher。’
’Thedeuceyoudo！MayIaskforwhatpurpose？’
Mrs。Ferrariansweredinamysteriouswhisper。’Forthepurposeofcatchingherinatrap！Ishan’tsendinmyname——Ishallannouncemyselfasapersononbusiness，andthefirstwordsIsaytoherwillbethese："Icome，mylady，toacknowledgethereceiptofthemoneysenttoFerrari’swidow。"Ah！youmaywellstart，Mr。Troy！Italmosttakesyouoffyourguard，doesn’tit？
Makeyourmindeasy，sir；Ishallfindtheproofthateverybodyasksmeforinherguiltyface。Letheronlychangecolourbytheshadowofashade——lethereyesonlydropforhalfaninstant——
Ishalldiscoverher！TheonethingIwanttoknowis，doesthelawpermitit？’
’Thelawpermitsit，’Mr。Troyansweredgravely；’butwhetherherladyshipwillpermitit，isquiteanotherquestion。Haveyoureallycourageenough，Mrs。Ferrari，tocarryoutthisnotableschemeofyours？
Youhavebeendescribedtome，byMissLockwood，asratheranervous，timidsortofperson——and，ifImaytrustmyownobservation，Ishouldsayyoujustifythedescription。’
’Ifyouhadlivedinthecountry，sir，insteadoflivinginLondon，’
Mrs。Ferrarireplied，’youwouldsometimeshaveseenevenasheepturnonadog。IamfarfromsayingthatIamaboldwoman——
quitethereverse。ButwhenIstandinthatwretch’spresence，andthinkofmymurderedhusband，theoneofustwowhoislikelytobefrightenedisnotme。Iamgoingtherenow，sir。Youshallhearhowitends。
Iwishyougood-morning。’
Withthosebravewordsthecourier’swifegatheredhermantleabouther，andwalkedoutoftheroom。
Mr。Troysmiled——notsatirically，butcompassionately。
’Thelittlesimpleton！’hethoughttohimself。’IfhalfofwhattheysayofLadyMontbarryistrue，Mrs。Ferrariandhertraphavebutapoorprospectbeforethem。Iwonderhowitwillend？’
AllMr。Troy’sexperiencefailedtoforewarnhimofhowitdidend。