Shefeltforthematch-box，andpausedafterfindingit。
Avaguesenseofconfusionwasstillinhermind。Shewasinnohurrytolightthematch。Thepauseinthedarknesswas，forthemoment，agreeabletoher。
Inthequieterflowofherthoughtsduringthisinterval，shecouldaskherselfthenaturalquestion：——Whatcausehadawakenedhersosuddenly，andhadsostrangelyshakenhernerves？
Haditbeentheinfluenceofadream？Shehadnotdreamedatall——or，tospeakmorecorrectly，shehadnowakingremembranceofhavingdreamed。Themysterywasbeyondherfathoming：
thedarknessbegantooppressher。Shestruckthematchonthebox，andlithercandle。
Asthewelcomelightdiffuseditselfovertheroom，sheturnedfromthetableandlookedtowardstheothersideofthebed。
Inthemomentwhensheturned，thechillofasuddenterrorgrippedherroundtheheart，aswiththeclaspofanicyhand。
Shewasnotaloneinherroom！
There——inthechairatthebedside——there，suddenlyrevealedundertheflowoflightfromthecandle，wasthefigureofawoman，reclining。
Herheadlaybackoverthechair。Herface，turneduptotheceiling，hadtheeyesclosed，asifshewaswrappedinadeepsleep。
TheshockofthediscoveryheldAgnesspeechlessandhelpless。
Herfirstconsciousaction，whenshewasinsomedegreemistressofherselfagain，wastoleanoverthebed，andtolookcloseratthewomanwhohadsoincomprehensiblystolenintoherroominthedeadofnight。
Oneglancewasenough：shestartedbackwithacryofamazement。
ThepersoninthechairwasnootherthanthewidowofthedeadMontbarry——
thewomanwhohadwarnedherthattheyweretomeetagain，andthattheplacemightbeVenice！
Hercouragereturnedtoher，stungintoactionbythenaturalsenseofindignationwhichthepresenceoftheCountessprovoked。
’Wakeup！’shecalledout。’Howdareyoucomehere？Howdidyougetin？
Leavetheroom——orIwillcallforhelp！’
Sheraisedhervoiceatthelastwords。Itproducednoeffect。
Leaningfartheroverthebed，sheboldlytooktheCountessbytheshoulderandshookher。Noteventhiseffortsucceededinrousingthesleepingwoman。Shestilllaybackinthechair，possessedbyatorporlikethetorporofdeath——insensibletosound，insensibletotouch。Wasshereallysleeping？Orhadshefainted？
Agneslookedcloserather。Shehadnotfainted。Herbreathingwasaudible，risingandfallingindeepheavygasps。Atintervalsshegroundherteethsavagely。Beadsofperspirationstoodthicklyonherforehead。Herclenchedhandsroseandfellslowlyfromtimetotimeonherlap。Wassheintheagonyofadream？orwasshespirituallyconsciousofsomethinghiddenintheroom？
Thedoubtinvolvedinthatlastquestionwasunendurable。
Agnesdeterminedtorousetheservantswhokeptwatchinthehotelatnight。
Thebell-handlewasfixedtothewall，onthesideofthebedbywhichthetablestood。
SheraisedherselffromthecrouchingpositionwhichshehadassumedinlookingcloseattheCountess；and，turningtowardstheothersideofthebed，stretchedoutherhandtothebell。Atthesameinstant，shestoppedandlookedupward。Herhandfellhelplesslyatherside。
Sheshuddered，andsankbackonthepillow。
Whathadsheseen？
Shehadseenanotherintruderinherroom。
Midwaybetweenherfaceandtheceiling，therehoveredahumanhead——
severedattheneck，likeaheadstruckfromthebodybytheguillotine。
Nothingvisible，nothingaudible，hadgivenheranyintelligiblewarningofitsappearance。Silentlyandsuddenly，theheadhadtakenitsplaceaboveher。Nosupernaturalchangehadpassedovertheroom，orwasperceptibleinitnow。Thedumbly-torturedfigureinthechair；thebroadwindowoppositethefootofthebed，withtheblacknightbeyondit；thecandleburningonthetable——
these，andallotherobjectsintheroom，remainedunaltered。
Oneobjectmore，unutterablyhorrid，hadbeenaddedtotherest。
Thatwastheonlychange——nomore，noless。
Bytheyellowcandlelightshesawtheheaddistinctly，hoveringinmid-airaboveher。Shelookedatitsteadfastly，spell-boundbytheterrorthatheldher。
Thefleshofthefacewasgone。Theshrivelledskinwasdarkenedinhue，liketheskinofanEgyptianmummy——exceptattheneck。
Thereitwasofalightercolour；thereitshowedspotsandsplashesofthehueofthatbrownspotontheceiling，whichthechild’sfancifulterrorhaddistortedintothelikenessofaspotofblood。
Thinremainsofadiscolouredmoustacheandwhiskers，hangingovertheupperlip，andoverthehollowswherethecheekshadoncebeen，madetheheadjustrecognisableastheheadofaman。Overallthefeaturesdeathandtimehaddonetheirobliteratingwork。
Theeyelidswereclosed。Thehairontheskull，discolouredlikethehairontheface，hadbeenburntawayinplaces。Thebluishlips，partedinafixedgrin，showedthedoublerowofteeth。
Byslowdegrees，thehoveringhead（perfectlystillwhenshefirstsawit）begantodescendtowardsAgnesasshelaybeneath。
Byslowdegrees，thatstrangedoubly-blendedodour，whichtheCommissionershaddiscoveredinthevaultsoftheoldpalace——
whichhadsickenedFrancisWestwickinthebed-chamberofthenewhotel——spreaditsfetidexhalationsovertheroom。
Downwardanddownwardthehideousapparitionmadeitsslowprogress，untilitstoppedcloseoverAgnes——stopped，andturnedslowly，sothatthefaceofitconfrontedtheupturnedfaceofthewomaninthechair。
Therewasapause。Then，asupernaturalmovementdisturbedtherigidreposeofthedeadface。
Theclosedeyelidsopenedslowly。Theeyesrevealedthemselves，brightwiththeglassyfilmofdeath——andfixedtheirdreadfullookonthewomaninthechair。
Agnessawthatlook；sawtheeyelidsofthelivingwomanopenslowlyliketheeyelidsofthedead；sawherrise，asifinobediencetosomesilentcommand——andsawnomore。
Hernextconsciousimpressionwasofthesunlightpouringinatthewindow；ofthefriendlypresenceofLadyMontbarryatthebedside；
andofthechildren’swonderingfacespeepinginatthedoor。
CHAPTERXXIII
’……YouhavesomeinfluenceoverAgnes。Trywhatyoucando，Henry，tomakehertakeasensibleviewofthematter。
Thereisreallynothingtomakeafussabout。Mywife’smaidknockedatherdoorearlyinthemorning，withthecustomarycupoftea。
Gettingnoanswer，shewentroundtothedressing-room——foundthedooronthatsideunlocked——anddiscoveredAgnesonthebedinafaintingfit。
Withmywife’shelp，theybroughthertoherselfagain；andshetoldtheextraordinarystorywhichIhavejustrepeatedtoyou。
Youmusthaveseenforyourselfthatshehasbeenover-fatigued，poorthing，byourlongrailwayjourneys：hernervesareoutoforder——
andsheisjustthepersontobeeasilyterrifiedbyadream。
Sheobstinatelyrefuses，however，toacceptthisrationalview。
Don’tsupposethatIhavebeenseverewithher！AllthatamancandotohumourherIhavedone。IhavewrittentotheCountess（inherassumedname）offeringtorestoretheroomtoher。
Shewritesback，positivelydecliningtoreturntoit。
Ihaveaccordinglyarranged（soasnottohavethethingknowninthehotel）tooccupytheroomforoneortwonights，andtoleaveAgnestorecoverherspiritsundermywife’scare。
IsthereanythingmorethatIcando？WhateverquestionsAgneshasaskedofmeIhaveansweredtothebestofmyability；sheknowsallthatyoutoldmeaboutFrancisandtheCountesslastnight。
ButtryasImayIcan’tquiethermind。Ihavegivenuptheattemptindespair，andleftherinthedrawing-room。Go，likeagoodfellow，andtrywhatyoucandotocomposeher。’
Inthosewords，LordMontbarrystatedthecasetohisbrotherfromtherationalpointofview。Henrymadenoremark，hewentstraighttothedrawing-room。
HefoundAgneswalkingrapidlybackwardsandforwards，flushedandexcited。’Ifyoucomeheretosaywhatyourbrotherhasbeensayingtome，’shebrokeout，beforehecouldspeak，’spareyourselfthetrouble。Idon’twantcommonsense——
Iwantatruefriendwhowillbelieveinme。’
’Iamthatfriend，Agnes，’Henryansweredquietly，’andyouknowit。’
’YoureallybelievethatIamnotdeludedbyadream？’
Iknowthatyouarenotdeluded——inoneparticular，atleast。’
’Inwhatparticular？’
’InwhatyouhavesaidoftheCountess。Itisperfectlytrue——’
Agnesstoppedhimthere。’WhydoIonlyhearthismorningthattheCountessandMrs。Jamesareoneandthesameperson？’
sheaskeddistrustfully。’WhywasInottoldofitlastnight？’
’YouforgetthatyouhadacceptedtheexchangeofroomsbeforeI
reachedVenice，’Henryreplied。’Ifeltstronglytemptedtotellyou，eventhen——butyoursleepingarrangementsforthenightwereallmade；Ishouldonlyhaveinconveniencedandalarmedyou。
Iwaitedtillthemorning，afterhearingfrommybrotherthatyouhadyourselfseentoyoursecurityfromanyintrusion。
Howthatintrusionwasaccomplisheditisimpossibletosay。
IcanonlydeclarethattheCountess’spresencebyyourbedsidelastnightwasnodreamofyours。OnherownauthorityIcantestifythatitwasareality。’
’Onherownauthority？’Agnesrepeatedeagerly。’Haveyouseenherthismorning？’
’Ihaveseenhernottenminutessince。’
’Whatwasshedoing？’
Shewasbusilyengagedinwriting。IcouldnotevengethertolookatmeuntilIthoughtofmentioningyourname。’
’Sherememberedme，ofcourse？’
’Sherememberedyouwithsomedifficulty。Findingthatshewouldn’tanswermeonanyotherterms，IquestionedherasifIhadcomedirectfromyou。
Thenshespoke。ShenotonlyadmittedthatshehadthesamesuperstitiousmotiveforplacingyouinthatroomwhichshehadacknowledgedtoFrancis——sheevenownedthatshehadbeenbyyourbedside，watchingthroughthenight，"toseewhatyousaw，"assheexpressedit。
Hearingthis，Itriedtopersuadehertotellmehowshegotintotheroom。Unluckily，hermanuscriptonthetablecaughthereye；
shereturnedtoherwriting。"TheBaronwantsmoney，"shesaid；
"Imustgetonwithmyplay。"Whatshesawordreamedwhileshewasinyourroomlastnight，itisatpresentimpossibletodiscover。
Butjudgingbymybrother’saccountofher，aswellasbywhatI
rememberofhermyself，somerecentinfluencehasbeenatworkwhichhasproducedamarkedchangeinthiswretchedwomanfortheworse。
Hermind（sincelastnight，perhaps）ispartiallyderanged。
OneproofofitisthatshespoketomeoftheBaronasifhewerestillalivingman。WhenFrancissawher，shedeclaredthattheBaronwasdead，whichisthetruth。TheUnitedStatesConsulatMilanshowedustheannouncementofthedeathinanAmericannewspaper。
SofarasIcansee，suchsenseasshestillpossessesseemstobeentirelyabsorbedinoneabsurdidea——theideaofwritingaplayforFrancistobringoutathistheatre。Headmitsthatheencouragedhertohopeshemightgetmoneyinthisway。Ithinkhedidwrong。
Don’tyouagreewithme？’
Withoutheedingthequestion，Agnesroseabruptlyfromherchair。
’Domeonemorekindness，Henry，’shesaid。’TakemetotheCountessatonce。’
Henryhesitated。’Areyoucomposedenoughtoseeher，aftertheshockthatyouhavesuffered？’heasked。
Shetrembled，theflushonherfacediedaway，andleftitdeadlypale。
Butsheheldtoherresolution。’YouhaveheardofwhatIsawlastnight？’
shesaidfaintly。
’Don’tspeakofit！’Henryinterposed。’Don’tuselesslyagitateyourself。’
’Imustspeak！Mymindisfullofhorridquestionsaboutit。
IknowIcan’tidentifyit——andyetIaskmyselfoverandoveragain，inwhoselikenessdiditappear？WasitinthelikenessofFerrari？
orwasit——？’shestopped，shuddering。’TheCountessknows，ImustseetheCountess！’sheresumedvehemently。’Whethermycouragefailsmeornot，Imustmaketheattempt。TakemetoherbeforeIhavetimetofeelafraidofit！’
Henrylookedatheranxiously。’Ifyouarereallysureofyourownresolution，’hesaid，’Iagreewithyou——thesooneryouseeherthebetter。Yourememberhowstrangelyshetalkedofyourinfluenceoverher，whensheforcedherwayintoyourroominLondon？’
’Irememberitperfectly。Whydoyouask？’
’Forthisreason。Inthepresentstateofhermind，Idoubtifshewillbemuchlongercapableofrealizingherwildideaofyouastheavengingangelwhoistobringhertoareckoningforherevildeeds。
Itmaybewelltotrywhatyourinfluencecandowhilesheisstillcapableoffeelingit。’
HewaitedtohearwhatAgneswouldsay。Shetookhisarmandledhiminsilencetothedoor。
Theyascendedtothesecondfloor，and，afterknocking，enteredtheCountess’sroom。
Shewasstillbusilyengagedinwriting。Whenshelookedupfromthepaper，andsawAgnes，avacantexpressionofdoubtwastheonlyexpressioninherwildblackeyes。Afterafewmoments，thelostremembrancesandassociationsappearedtoreturnslowlytohermind。
Thependroppedfromherhand。Haggardandtrembling，shelookedcloseratAgnes，andrecognisedheratlast。’Hasthetimecomealready？’
shesaidinlowawe-strucktones。’Givemealittlelongerrespite，Ihaven’tdonemywritingyet！’
Shedroppedonherknees，andheldoutherclaspedhandsentreatingly。
Agneswasfarfromhavingrecovered，aftertheshockthatshehadsufferedinthenight：hernerveswerefarfrombeingequaltothestrainthatwasnowlaidonthem。ShewassostartledbythechangeintheCountess，thatshewasatalosswhattosayortodonext。
Henrywasobligedtospeaktoher。’Putyourquestionswhileyouhavethechance，’hesaid，loweringhisvoice。’See！thevacantlookiscomingoverherfaceagain。’
Agnestriedtorallyhercourage。’Youwereinmyroomlastnight——’
shebegan。Beforeshecouldaddawordmore，theCountessliftedherhands，andwrungthemaboveherheadwithalowmoanofhorror。
Agnesshrankback，andturnedasiftoleavetheroom。Henrystoppedher，andwhisperedtohertotryagain。Sheobeyedhimafteraneffort。
’Isleptlastnightintheroomthatyougaveuptome，’sheresumed。
’Isaw——’
TheCountesssuddenlyrosetoherfeet。’Nomoreofthat，’shecried。
’Oh，JesuMaria！doyouthinkIwanttobetoldwhatyousaw？
DoyouthinkIdon’tknowwhatitmeansforyouandforme？
Decideforyourself，Miss。Examineyourownmind。Areyouwellassuredthatthedayofreckoninghascomeatlast？Areyoureadytofollowmeback，throughthecrimesofthepast，tothesecretsofthedead？’
Shereturnedagaintothewriting-table，withoutwaitingtobeanswered。
Hereyesflashed；shelookedlikeheroldselfoncemoreasshespoke。
Itwasonlyforamoment。Theoldardourandimpetuositywerenearlywornout。Herheadsank；shesighedheavilyassheunlockedadeskwhichstoodonthetable。Openingadrawerinthedesk，shetookoutaleafofvellum，coveredwithfadedwriting。
Someraggedendsofsilkenthreadwerestillattachedtotheleaf，asifithadbeentornoutofabook。
’CanyoureadItalian？’sheasked，handingtheleaftoAgnes。
Agnesansweredsilentlybyaninclinationofherhead。
’Theleaf，’theCountessproceeded，’oncebelongedtoabookintheoldlibraryofthepalace，whilethisbuildingwasstillapalace。
Bywhomitwastornoutyouhavenoneedtoknow。Forwhatpurposeitwastornoutyoumaydiscoverforyourself，ifyouwill。
Readitfirst——atthefifthlinefromthetopofthepage。’
Agnesfelttheseriousnecessityofcomposingherself。
’Givemeachair，’shesaidtoHenry；’andIwilldomybest。’
Heplacedhimselfbehindherchairsothathecouldlookoverhershoulderandhelphertounderstandthewritingontheleaf。
RenderedintoEnglish，itranasfollows：——
Ihavenowcompletedmyliterarysurveyofthefirstfloorofthepalace。Atthedesireofmynobleandgraciouspatron，thelordofthisgloriousedifice，Inextascendtothesecondfloor，andcontinuemycatalogueordescriptionofthepictures，decorations，andothertreasuresofartthereincontained。
Letmebeginwiththecornerroomatthewesternextremityofthepalace，calledtheRoomoftheCaryatides，fromthestatueswhichsupportthemantel-piece。Thisworkisofcomparativelyrecentexecution：
itdatesfromtheeighteenthcenturyonly，andrevealsthecorrupttasteoftheperiodineverypartofit。Still，thereisacertaininterestwhichattachestothemantel-piece：itconcealsacleverlyconstructedhiding-place，betweentheflooroftheroomandtheceilingoftheroombeneath，whichwasmadeduringthelastevildaysoftheInquisitioninVenice，andwhichisreportedtohavesavedanancestorofmygraciouslordpursuedbythatterribletribunal。
Themachineryofthiscuriousplaceofconcealmenthasbeenkeptingoodorderbythepresentlord，asaspeciesofcuriosity。
Hecondescendedtoshowmethemethodofworkingit。
ApproachingthetwoCaryatides，restyourhandontheforehead（midwaybetweentheeyebrows）ofthefigurewhichisonyourleftasyoustandoppositetothefireplace，thenpresstheheadinwardsasifyouwerepushingitagainstthewallbehind。Bydoingthis，yousetinmotionthehiddenmachineryinthewallwhichturnsthehearthstoneonapivot，anddisclosesthehollowplacebelow。
Thereisroomenoughinitforamantolieeasilyatfulllength。
Themethodofclosingthecavityagainisequallysimple。Placebothyourhandsonthetemplesofthefigures；pullasifyouwerepullingittowardsyou——andthehearthstonewillrevolveintoitsproperpositionagain。
’Youneedreadnofarther，’saidtheCountess。’Becarefultorememberwhatyouhaveread。’
Sheputbackthepageofvelluminherwriting-desk，lockedit，andledthewaytothedoor。
’Come！’shesaid；’andseewhatthemockingFrenchmancalled"Thebeginningoftheend。"’
Agneswasbarelyabletorisefromherchair；shetrembledfromheadtofoot。Henrygaveherhisarmtosupporther。’Fearnothing，’
hewhispered；’Ishallbewithyou。’
TheCountessproceededalongthewestwardcorridor，andstoppedatthedoornumberedThirty-eight。ThiswastheroomwhichhadbeeninhabitedbyBaronRivarintheolddaysofthepalace：
itwassituatedimmediatelyoverthebedchamberinwhichAgneshadpassedthenight。Forthelasttwodaystheroomhadbeenempty。
Theabsenceofluggageinit，whentheyopenedthedoor，showedthatithadnotyetbeenlet。
’Yousee？’saidtheCountess，pointingtothecarvedfigureatthefire-place；’andyouknowwhattodo。HaveIdeservedthatyoushouldtemperjusticewithmercy？’shewentoninlowertones。
’Givemeafewhoursmoretomyself。TheBaronwantsmoney——
Imustgetonwithmyplay。’
Shesmiledvacantly，andimitatedtheactionofwritingwithherrighthandasshepronouncedthelastwords。TheeffortofconcentratingherweakenedmindonotherandlessfamiliartopicsthantheconstantwantofmoneyintheBaron’slifetime，andthevagueprospectofgainfromthestillunfinishedplay，hadevidentlyexhaustedherpoorreservesofstrength。Whenherrequesthadbeengranted，sheaddressednoexpressionsofgratitudetoAgnes；sheonlysaid，’Feelnofear，miss，ofmyattemptingtoescapeyou。Whereyouare，thereImustbetilltheendcomes。’
Hereyeswanderedroundtheroomwithalastwearyandstupefiedlook。
Shereturnedtoherwritingwithslowandfeeblesteps，likethestepsofanoldwoman。
CHAPTERXXIV
HenryandAgneswereleftaloneintheRoomoftheCaryatides。
Thepersonwhohadwrittenthedescriptionofthepalace——
probablyapoorauthororartist——hadcorrectlypointedoutthedefectsofthemantel-piece。Badtaste，exhibitingitselfonthemostcostlyandsplendidscale，wasvisibleineverypartofthework。Itwasneverthelessgreatlyadmiredbyignoranttravellersofallclasses；partlyonaccountofitsimposingsize，andpartlyonaccountofthenumberofvariously-colouredmarbleswhichthesculptorhadcontrivedtointroduceintohisdesign。
Photographsofthemantel-piecewereexhibitedinthepublicrooms，andfoundareadysaleamongEnglishandAmericanvisitorstothehotel。
HenryledAgnestothefigureontheleft，astheystoodfacingtheemptyfire-place。’ShallItrytheexperiment，’heasked，’orwillyou？’
Sheabruptlydrewherarmawayfromhim，andturnedbacktothedoor。
’Ican’tevenlookatit，’shesaid。’Thatmercilessmarblefacefrightensme！’
Henryputhishandontheforeheadofthefigure。’Whatistheretoalarmyou，mydear，inthisconventionallyclassicalface？’
heaskedjestingly。Beforehecouldpresstheheadinwards，Agneshurriedlyopenedthedoor。’WaittillIamoutoftheroom！’
shecried。’Thebareideaofwhatyoumayfindtherehorrifiesme！’
Shelookedbackintotheroomasshecrossedthethreshold。
’Iwon’tleaveyoualtogether，’shesaid，’Iwillwaitoutside。’
Sheclosedthedoor。Leftbyhimself，Henryliftedhishandoncemoretothemarbleforeheadofthefigure。
Forthesecondtime，hewascheckedonthepointofsettingthemachineryofthehiding-placeinmotion。Onthisoccasion，theinterruptioncamefromanoutbreakoffriendlyvoicesinthecorridor。Awoman’svoiceexclaimed，’DearestAgnes，howgladIamtoseeyouagain！’Aman’svoicefollowed，offeringtointroducesomefriendto’MissLockwood。’Athirdvoice（whichHenryrecognisedasthevoiceofthemanagerofthehotel）
becameaudiblenext，directingthehousekeepertoshowtheladiesandgentlementhevacantapartmentsattheotherendofthecorridor。
’Ifmoreaccommodationiswanted，’themanagerwenton，’Ihaveacharmingroomtolethere。’Heopenedthedoorashespoke，andfoundhimselffacetofacewithHenryWestwick。
’Thisisindeedanagreeablesurprise，sir！’saidthemanagercheerfully。
’Youareadmiringourfamouschimney-piece，Isee。MayIask，Mr。Westwick，howyoufindyourselfinthehotel，thistime？
Havethesupernaturalinfluencesaffectedyourappetiteagain？’
’Thesupernaturalinfluenceshavesparedme，thistime，’Henryanswered。
’Perhapsyoumayyetfindthattheyhaveaffectedsomeothermemberofthefamily。’Hespokegravely，resentingthefamiliartoneinwhichthemanagerhadreferredtohispreviousvisittothehotel。
’Haveyoujustreturned？’heasked，bywayofchangingthetopic。
’Justthisminute，sir。Ihadthehonouroftravellinginthesametrainwithfriendsofyourswhohavearrivedatthehotel——
Mr。andMrs。ArthurBarville，andtheirtravellingcompanions。
MissLockwoodiswiththem，lookingattherooms。Theywillbeherebeforelong，iftheyfinditconvenienttohaveanextraroomattheirdisposal。’
ThisannouncementdecidedHenryonexploringthehiding-place，beforetheinterruptionoccurred。Ithadcrossedhismind，whenAgneslefthim，thatheoughtperhapstohaveawitness，inthenotveryprobableeventofsomealarmingdiscoverytakingplace。
Thetoo-familiarmanager，suspectingnothing，wasthereathisdisposal。
HeturnedagaintotheCaryanfigure，maliciouslyresolvingtomakethemanagerhiswitness。
’Iamdelightedtohearthatourfriendshavearrivedatlast，’hesaid。
’BeforeIshakehandswiththem，letmeaskyouaquestionaboutthisqueerworkofarthere。Iseephotographsofitdownstairs。
Aretheyforsale？’
’Certainly，Mr。Westwick！’
’Doyouthinkthechimney-pieceisassolidasitlooks？’
Henryproceeded。’Whenyoucamein，Iwasjustwonderingwhetherthisfigureherehadnotaccidentallygotloosenedfromthewallbehindit。’
Helaidhishandonthemarbleforehead，forthethirdtime。
’Tomyeye，itlooksalittleoutoftheperpendicular。
IalmostfanciedIcouldjogtheheadjustnow，whenItouchedit。’
Hepressedtheheadinwardsashesaidthosewords。
Asoundofjarringironwasinstantlyaudiblebehindthewall。
Thesolidhearthstoneinfrontofthefire-placeturnedslowlyatthefeetofthetwomen，anddisclosedadarkcavitybelow。
Atthesamemoment，thestrangeandsickeningcombinationofodours，hithertoassociatedwiththevaultsoftheoldpalaceandwiththebed-chamberbeneath，nowfloatedupfromtheopenrecess，andfilledtheroom。
Themanagerstartedback。’GoodGod，Mr。Westwick！’heexclaimed，’whatdoesthismean？’
Remembering，notonlywhathisbrotherFrancishadfeltintheroombeneath，butwhattheexperienceofAgneshadbeenonthepreviousnight，Henrywasdeterminedtobeonhisguard。
’Iamasmuchsurprisedasyouare，’washisonlyreply。
’Waitformeonemoment，sir，’saidthemanager。’Imuststoptheladiesandgentlemenoutsidefromcomingin。’
Hehurriedaway——notforgettingtoclosethedoorafterhim。
Henryopenedthewindow，andwaitedtherebreathingthepurerair。
Vagueapprehensionsofthenextdiscoverytocome，filledhismindforthefirsttime。Hewasdoublyresolved，now，nottostirastepintheinvestigationwithoutawitness。
Themanagerreturnedwithawaxtaperinhishand，whichhelightedassoonasheenteredtheroom。
’Weneedfearnointerruptionnow，’hesaid。’Besokind，Mr。Westwick，astoholdthelight。Itismybusinesstofindoutwhatthisextraordinarydiscoverymeans。’
Henryheldthetaper。Lookingintothecavity，bythedimandflickeringlight，theybothdetectedadarkobjectatthebottomofit。
’IthinkIcanreachthething，’themanagerremarked，’ifIliedown，andputmyhandintothehole。’
Hekneltonthefloor——andhesitated。’MightIaskyou，sir，togivememygloves？’hesaid。’Theyareinmyhat，onthechairbehindyou。’
Henrygavehimthegloves。’Idon’tknowwhatImaybegoingtotakeholdof，’themanagerexplained，smilingratheruneasilyasheputonhisrightglove。
Hestretchedhimselfatfulllengthonthefloor，andpassedhisrightarmintothecavity。’Ican’tsayexactlywhatIhavegotholdof，’
hesaid。’ButIhavegotit。’
Halfraisinghimself，hedrewhishandout。
Thenextinstant，hestartedtohisfeetwithashriekofterror。
Ahumanheaddroppedfromhisnervelessgrasponthefloor，androlledtoHenry’sfeet。ItwasthehideousheadthatAgneshadseenhoveringaboveher，inthevisionofthenight！
Thetwomenlookedateachother，bothstruckspeechlessbythesameemotionofhorror。Themanagerwasthefirsttocontrolhimself。
’Seetothedoor，forGod’ssake！’hesaid。’Someofthepeopleoutsidemayhaveheardme。’
Henrymovedmechanicallytothedoor。
Evenwhenhehadhishandonthekey，readytoturnitinthelockincaseofnecessity，hestilllookedbackattheappallingobjectonthefloor。Therewasnopossibilityofidentifyingthosedecayedanddistortedfeatureswithanylivingcreaturewhomhehadseen——
and，yet，hewasconsciousoffeelingavagueandawfuldoubtwhichshookhimtothesoul。ThequestionswhichhadtorturedthemindofAgnes，werenowhisquestionstoo。Heaskedhimself，’InwhoselikenessmightIhaverecogniseditbeforethedecaysetin？
ThelikenessofFerrari？orthelikenessof——？’Hepausedtrembling，asAgneshadpausedtremblingbeforehim。Agnes！Thename，ofallwomen’snamesthedearesttohim，wasaterrortohimnow！
Whatwashetosaytoher？Whatmightbetheconsequenceifhetrustedherwiththeterribletruth？
Nofootstepsapproachedthedoor；novoiceswereaudibleoutside。
Thetravellerswerestilloccupiedintheroomsattheeasternendofthecorridor。
Inthebriefintervalthathadpassed，themanagerhadsufficientlyrecoveredhimselftobeabletothinkoncemoreofthefirstandforemostinterestsofhislife——theinterestsofthehotel。
HeapproachedHenryanxiously。
’Ifthisfrightfuldiscoverybecomesknown，’hesaid，’theclosingofthehotelandtheruinoftheCompanywillbetheinevitableresults。
IfeelsurethatIcantrustyourdiscretion，sir，sofar？’
’Youcancertainlytrustme，’Henryanswered。’Butsurelydiscretionhasitslimits，’headded，’aftersuchadiscoveryaswehavemade？’
Themanagerunderstoodthatthedutywhichtheyowedtothecommunity，ashonestandlaw-abidingmen，wasthedutytowhichHenrynowreferred。
’Iwillatoncefindthemeans，’hesaid，’ofconveyingtheremainsprivatelyoutofthehouse，andIwillmyselfplacetheminthecareofthepoliceauthorities。Willyouleavetheroomwithme？ordoyounotobjecttokeepwatchhere，andhelpmewhenIreturn？’
Whilehewasspeaking，thevoicesofthetravellersmadethemselvesheardagainattheendofthecorridor。Henryinstantlyconsentedtowaitintheroom。HeshrankfromfacingtheinevitablemeetingwithAgnesifheshowedhimselfinthecorridoratthatmoment。
Themanagerhastenedhisdeparture，inthehopeofescapingnotice。
Hewasdiscoveredbyhisguestsbeforehecouldreachtheheadofthestairs。Henryheardthevoicesplainlyasheturnedthekey。
Whiletheterribledramaofdiscoverywasinprogressononesideofthedoor，trivialquestionsabouttheamusementsofVenice，andfacetiousdiscussionsontherelativemeritsofFrenchandItaliancookery，wereproceedingontheother。Littlebylittle，thesoundofthetalkinggrewfainter。Thevisitors，havingarrangedtheirplansofamusementfortheday，wereontheirwayoutofthehotel。
Inaminuteortwo，therewassilenceoncemore。
Henryturnedtothewindow，thinkingtorelievehismindbylookingatthebrightviewoverthecanal。Hesoongrewweariedofthefamiliarscene。Themorbidfascinationwhichseemstobeexercisedbyallhorriblesights，drewhimbackagaintotheghastlyobjectonthefloor。
Dreamorreality，howhadAgnessurvivedthesightofit？
Asthequestionpassedthroughhismind，henoticedforthefirsttimesomethinglyingonthefloornearthehead。Lookingcloser，heperceivedathinlittleplateofgold，withthreefalseteethattachedtoit，whichhadapparentlydroppedout（loosenedbytheshock）
whenthemanagerlettheheadfallonthefloor。
Theimportanceofthisdiscovery，andthenecessityofnottooreadilycommunicatingittoothers，instantlystruckHenry。
Heresurelywasachance——ifanychanceremained——ofidentifyingtheshockingrelicofhumanitywhichlaybeforehim，thedumbwitnessofacrime！Actingonthisidea，hetookpossessionoftheteeth，purposingtousethemasalastmeansofinquirywhenotherattemptsatinvestigationhadbeentriedandhadfailed。
Hewentbackagaintothewindow：thesolitudeoftheroombegantoweighonhisspirits。Ashelookedoutagainattheview，therewasasoftknockatthedoor。Hehastenedtoopenit——
andcheckedhimselfintheact。Adoubtoccurredtohim。Wasitthemanagerwhohadknocked？Hecalledout，’Whoisthere？’
ThevoiceofAgnesansweredhim。’Haveyouanythingtotellme，Henry？’
Hewashardlyabletoreply。’Notjustnow，’hesaid，confusedly。
’ForgivemeifIdon’topenthedoor。Iwillspeaktoyoualittlelater。’
Thesweetvoicemadeitselfheardagain，pleadingwithhimpiteously。
’Don’tleavemealone，Henry！Ican’tgobacktothehappypeopledownstairs。’
Howcouldheresistthatappeal？Heheardhersigh——heheardtherustlingofherdressasshemovedawayindespair。Theverythingthathehadshrunkfromdoingbutafewminutessincewasthethingthathedidnow！
HejoinedAgnesinthecorridor。Sheturnedassheheardhim，andpointed，trembling，inthedirectionoftheclosedroom。
’Isitsoterribleasthat？’sheaskedfaintly。
Heputhisarmroundhertosupporther。Athoughtcametohimashelookedather，waitingindoubtandfearforhisreply。
’YoushallknowwhatIhavediscovered，’hesaid，’ifyouwillfirstputonyourhatandcloak，andcomeoutwithme。’
Shewasnaturallysurprised。’Canyoutellmeyourobjectingoingout？’
sheasked。
Heownedwhathisobjectwasunreservedly。’Iwant，beforeallthings，’
hesaid，’tosatisfyyourmindandmine，onthesubjectofMontbarry’sdeath。Iamgoingtotakeyoutothedoctorwhoattendedhiminhisillness，andtotheconsulwhofollowedhimtothegrave。’
HereyesrestedonHenrygratefully。’Oh，howwellyouunderstandme！’
shesaid。Themanagerjoinedthematthesamemoment，onhiswayupthestairs。Henrygavehimthekeyoftheroom，andthencalledtotheservantsinthehalltohaveagondolareadyatthesteps。
’Areyouleavingthehotel？’themanagerasked。’Insearchofevidence，’
Henrywhispered，pointingtothekey。’Iftheauthoritieswantme，Ishallbebackinanhour。’
CHAPTERXXV
Thedayhadadvancedtoevening。LordMontbarryandthebridalpartyhadgonetotheOpera。Agnesalone，pleadingtheexcuseoffatigue，remainedatthehotel。Havingkeptupappearancesbyaccompanyinghisfriendstothetheatre，HenryWestwickslippedawayafterthefirstact，andjoinedAgnesinthedrawing-room。
’HaveyouthoughtofwhatIsaidtoyouearlierintheday？’
heasked，takingachairatherside。’Doyouagreewithmethattheonedreadfuldoubtwhichoppressedusbothisatleastsetatrest？’
Agnesshookherheadsadly。’IwishIcouldagreewithyou，Henry——
IwishIcouldhonestlysaythatmymindisatease。’
Theanswerwouldhavediscouragedmostmen。Henry’spatience（whereAgneswasconcerned）wasequaltoanydemandsonit。
’Ifyouwillonlylookbackattheeventsoftheday，’hesaid，’youmustsurelyadmitthatwehavenotbeencompletelybaffled。
RememberhowDr。Brunodisposedofourdoubts：——"Afterthirtyyearsofmedicalpractice，doyouthinkIamlikelytomistakethesymptomsofdeathbybronchitis？"Ifevertherewasanunanswerablequestion，thereitis！Wastheconsul’stestimonydoubtfulinanypartofit？
Hecalledatthepalacetoofferhisservices，afterhearingofLordMontbarry’sdeath；hearrivedatthetimewhenthecoffinwasinthehouse；
hehimselfsawthecorpseplacedinit，andthelidscreweddown。
Theevidenceofthepriestisequallybeyonddispute。Heremainedintheroomwiththecoffin，recitingtheprayersforthedead，untilthefuneralleftthepalace。Bearallthesestatementsinmind，Agnes；andhowcanyoudenythatthequestionofMontbarry’sdeathandburialisaquestionsetatrest？Wehavereallybutonedoubtleft：wehavestilltoaskourselveswhethertheremainswhichIdiscoveredaretheremainsofthelostcourier，ornot。Thereisthecase，asIunderstandit。HaveIstateditfairly？’
Agnescouldnotdenythathehadstateditfairly。
"ThenwhatpreventsyoufromexperiencingthesamesenseofreliefthatIfeel？’Henryasked。
’WhatIsawlastnightpreventsme，’Agnesanswered。’Whenwespokeofthissubject，afterourinquirieswereover，youreproachedmewithtakingwhatyoucalledthesuperstitiousview。Idon’tquiteadmitthat——butIdoacknowledgethatIshouldfindthesuperstitiousviewintelligibleifIhearditexpressedbysomeotherperson。
RememberingwhatyourbrotherandIonceweretoeachotherinthebygonetime，Icanunderstandtheapparitionmakingitselfvisibletome，toclaimthemercyofChristianburial，andthevengeanceduetoacrime。Icanevenperceivesomefaintpossibilityoftruthintheexplanationwhichyoudescribedasthemesmerictheory——
thatwhatIsawmightbetheresultofmagneticinfluencecommunicatedtome，asIlaybetweentheremainsofthemurderedhusbandabovemeandtheguiltywifesufferingthetorturesofremorseatmybedside。
ButwhatIdonotunderstandis，thatIshouldhavepassedthroughthatdreadfulordeal；havingnopreviousknowledgeofthemurderedmaninhislifetime，oronlyknowinghim（ifyousupposethatIsawtheapparitionofFerrari）throughtheinterestwhichItookinhiswife。
Ican’tdisputeyourreasoning，Henry。ButIfeelinmyheartofheartsthatyouaredeceived。Nothingwillshakemybeliefthatwearestillasfarfromhavingdiscoveredthedreadfultruthasever。’
Henrymadenofurtherattempttodisputewithher。Shehadimpressedhimwithacertainreluctantrespectforherownopinion，inspiteofhimself。
’Haveyouthoughtofanybetterwayofarrivingatthetruth？’
heasked。’Whoistohelpus？NodoubtthereistheCountess，whohasthecluetothemysteryinherownhands。But，inthepresentstateofhermind，ishertestimonytobetrusted——evenifshewerewillingtospeak？Judgingbymyownexperience，Ishouldsaydecidedlynot。’
’Youdon’tmeanthatyouhaveseenheragain？’Agneseagerlyinterposed。
’Yes。Idisturbedheroncemoreoverherendlesswriting；
andIinsistedonherspeakingoutplainly。’
’Thenyoutoldherwhatyoufoundwhenyouopenedthehiding-place？’
’OfcourseIdid！’Henryreplied。’IsaidthatIheldherresponsibleforthediscovery，thoughIhadnotmentionedherconnectionwithittotheauthoritiesasyet。ShewentonwithherwritingasifIhadspokeninanunknowntongue！Iwasequallyobstinate，onmyside。
Itoldherplainlythattheheadhadbeenplacedunderthecareofthepolice，andthatthemanagerandIhadsignedourdeclarationsandgivenourevidence。Shepaidnottheslightestheedtome。
Bywayoftemptinghertospeak，Iaddedthatthewholeinvestigationwastobekeptasecret，andthatshemightdependonmydiscretion。
ForthemomentIthoughtIhadsucceeded。Shelookedupfromherwritingwithapassingflashofcuriosity，andsaid，"Whataretheygoingtodowithit？"——meaning，Isuppose，thehead。
Iansweredthatitwastobeprivatelyburied，afterphotographsofithadfirstbeentaken。Ievenwentthelengthofcommunicatingtheopinionofthesurgeonconsulted，thatsomechemicalmeansofarrestingdecompositionhadbeenusedandhadonlypartiallysucceeded——
andIaskedherpoint-blankifthesurgeonwasright？Thetrapwasnotabadone——butitcompletelyfailed。Shesaidinthecoolestmanner，"Nowyouarehere，Ishouldliketoconsultyouaboutmyplay；
Iamatalossforsomenewincidents。"Mind！therewasnothingsatiricalinthis。Shewasreallyeagertoreadherwonderfulworktome——evidentlysupposingthatItookaspecialinterestinsuchthings，becausemybrotheristhemanagerofatheatre！
Ilefther，makingthefirstexcusethatoccurredtome。
SofarasIamconcerned，Icandonothingwithher。
Butitispossiblethatyourinfluencemaysucceedwithheragain，asithassucceededalready。Willyoumaketheattempt，tosatisfyyourownmind？Sheisstillupstairs；andIamquitereadytoaccompanyyou。’
AgnesshudderedatthebaresuggestionofanotherinterviewwiththeCountess。
’Ican’t！Idaren’t！’sheexclaimed。’Afterwhathashappenedinthathorribleroom，sheismorerepellenttomethanever。
Don’taskmetodoit，Henry！Feelmyhand——youhaveturnedmeascoldasdeathonlywithtalkingofit！’
Shewasnotexaggeratingtheterrorthatpossessedher。
Henryhastenedtochangethesubject。
’Letustalkofsomethingmoreinteresting，’hesaid。’Ihaveaquestiontoaskyouaboutyourself。AmIrightinbelievingthatthesooneryougetawayfromVenicethehappieryouwillbe？’
’Right？’sherepeatedexcitedly。’Youaremorethanright！
NowordscansayhowIlongtobeawayfromthishorribleplace。
ButyouknowhowIamsituated——youheardwhatLordMontbarrysaidatdinner-time？’
’Supposehehasalteredhisplans，sincedinner-time？’Henrysuggested。
Agneslookedsurprised。’IthoughthehadreceivedlettersfromEnglandwhichobligedhimtoleaveVeniceto-morrow，’shesaid。
’Quitetrue，’Henryadmitted。’HehadarrangedtostartforEnglandto-morrow，andtoleaveyouandLadyMontbarryandthechildrentoenjoyyourholidayinVenice，undermycare。
Circumstanceshaveoccurred，however，whichhaveforcedhimtoalterhisplans。Hemusttakeyouallbackwithhimto-morrowbecauseIamnotabletoassumethechargeofyou。IamobligedtogiveupmyholidayinItaly，andreturntoEnglandtoo。’
Agneslookedathiminsomelittleperplexity：shewasnotquitesurewhethersheunderstoodhimornot。
’Areyoureallyobligedtogoback？’sheasked。
Henrysmiledasheansweredher。’Keepthesecret，’hesaid，’orMontbarrywillneverforgiveme！’
Shereadtherestinhisface。’Oh！’sheexclaimed，blushingbrightly，’youhavenotgivenupyourpleasantholidayinItalyonmyaccount？’
’IshallgobackwithyoutoEngland，Agnes。Thatwillbeholidayenoughforme。’
Shetookhishandinanirrepressibleoutburstofgratitude。
’Howgoodyouaretome！’shemurmuredtenderly。’WhatshouldIhavedoneinthetroublesthathavecometome，withoutyoursympathy？
Ican’ttellyou，Henry，howIfeelyourkindness。’
Shetriedimpulsivelytolifthishandtoherlips。Hegentlystoppedher。’Agnes，’hesaid，’areyoubeginningtounderstandhowtrulyIloveyou？’
Thatsimplequestionfounditsownwaytoherheart。Sheownedthewholetruth，withoutsayingaword。Shelookedathim——
andthenlookedawayagain。
Hedrewhernearertohim。’Myowndarling！’hewhispered——
andkissedher。Softlyandtremulously，thesweetlipslingered，andtouchedhislipsinreturn。Thenherheaddrooped。
Sheputherarmsroundhisneck，andhidherfaceonhisbosom。
Theyspokenomore。
Thecharmedsilencehadlastedbutalittlewhile，whenitwasmercilesslybrokenbyaknockatthedoor。
Agnesstartedtoherfeet。Sheplacedherselfatthepiano；
theinstrumentbeingoppositetothedoor，itwasimpossible，whensheseatedherselfonthemusic-stool，foranypersonenteringtheroomtoseeherface。Henrycalledoutirritably，’Comein。’
Thedoorwasnotopened。Thepersonontheothersideofitaskedastrangequestion。