CHAPTERIV
　　BARBARAENGAGESCOUNSEL
　　Biddingahastygoodmorningtotheelevatorgirl，HarryKent，suit—caseinhand，enteredthecageandwascarrieduptothefourthflooroftheWilkinsBuilding。Severalbusinessacquaintancesstoppedtochatwithhimashewalkeddownthecorridortohisoffice，anditwasfullyfifteenminutesbeforeheturnedtheknobofthedoorbearingthefirmname—ROCHESTERAND
　　KENT，ATTORNEYS—onitsglasspanel。Ashesteppedinsidetheanteroomwhichseparatedthetwoofficesoccupiedrespectivelybyhimandhisseniorpartner，PhilipRochester，astrangerrosefromtheclerk’sdesk。
　　"Yes，sir？"heaskedinterrogatively。
　　Kenteyedhiminsurprise。"Mr。Rochesterhere？"heinquired。
　　"No，sir。Itaminchargeoftheoffice。"
　　"Youare！"Kent’ssurpriseincreased。"IhappentobeMr。Kent，juniorpartnerinthisfirm。"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，sir。"Thedapperclerkbowedandhurryingtohisdesktookupaletter。"Mr。Rochesterleftthisforyou，Mr。
　　Kent，beforehisdeparturelastnight。"
　　"Hisdeparture！"Kentdepositedhissuit—caseononeofthechairsandtoreopentheenvelope。Thenotewasascrawl，whichhehadsomedifficultyindeciphering。
　　"DearKent，"itran。"Amcalledoutoftown;willbebackSaturday。
　　Saundersgavemesomeofhischeekthisafternoon，soIfiredhim。
　　IengagedJohnSylvestertofillhisplace，whocomeshighlyrecommended。Hewillreportforworkto—morrow。Ta—ta—PHIL。"
　　Kentthrustthenoteintohispocketandpickeduphissuit—case。
　　"Mr。Rochesterstatesthathehasengagedyou，"hesaid。"Yourreferences—？"
　　"Here，sir。"Theclerkhandedhimafoldedpaper，andKentranhiseyesdownthesheetfromthesentence："Towhomitmayconcern"
　　tothesignature，ClarkHildebrand。ThestatementspokeinhightermsofJohnSylvester，confidentialclerk。
　　"Icanreferyoutomyotheremployers，Mr。Kent，"Sylvestervolunteeredastheyounglawyerstoodregardingthepaper。"Ifyou，desirefurtherinformationthereisMr。Clymerand—"
　　"No，JudgeHildebrand’Srecommendationissufficient。"AndatKent’ssmiletheclerk’sanxiousexpressionvanished。"DidMr。Rochestergiveyouanyoutlineofthework？"
　　"Yes，sir;hetoldmetofilethepapersintheHitchcockcase，andattendtothemorningcorrespondence。"
　　"Verygood。Hasanyonecalledthismorning？"
　　"No，sir。Theseletterswereaddressedtoyoupersonally，andI
　　havenotopenedthem，"SylvesterhandedaneatlyarrangedpackagetoKent。"These，"indicatingseveralletterslyingopenonhisdesk，"aretothefirm。"
　　"Bringthemtomeinhalfanhour，"andKentwalkedintohisprivateoffice，carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim。Openinghissuit—casehetookouthisbriefbagandlaiditonthedeskinfrontofhimtogetherwiththepackageofletters。Insteadofopeningthelettersimmediately，hetiltedbackinhischairandregardedtheoppositewallindeepthought。PhilipRochestercouldnothaveselectedaworsetimetoabsenthimself;threeimportantcaseswereonthecalendarforimmediatetrialandmuchdependedonthefirm’ssuccessfulhandlingofthem。Kentsworesoftlyunderhisbreath;
　　hislastwarningtoRochester，thathewoulddissolvetheirpartnershipiftheoldermancontinuedtoneglecthispractice，hadbeengivenonlyamonthbeforeanduponKent’sreturnfromeightmonths’serviceintheJudgeAdvocateGeneral’sDepartmentinFrance。
　　ApparentlyhiswarninghadfallenondeafearsandRochesterwasindulginginanotherperiodicspree，forsoKentconcluded，recallingtheunsteadypenmanshipofthenotehandedtohimbythenewclerk，JohnSylvester。
　　Kentwasstillfrowningattheoppositewallwhenafaintknocksounded，andathiscallSylvesterentered。
　　"Herearethelettersreceivedthismorning，sir，andtype—writtencopiesoftheanswerstoyesterday’scorrespondencewhichMr。
　　Rochesterdictatedbeforeleaving，"SylvesterexplainedasheplacedthepapersonKent’sdesk。"Ifyouwillo。k。them，Iwillmailthematonce。"
　　Kentwentthroughtheletterswithcare，andthenewclerkroseinhisestimationashereadtheexcellentdictationoftheclearlytypedanswers。
　　"Thesewilldoadmirably，"heannounced。"SitdownandIwillreplytotheotherletters。"
　　AttheendofanhourSylvesterclosedhisstenographicnotebookandcollectedthecorrespondence，bythattimescatteredoverKent’sdesk。
　　"I’llhavethesenotesreadyforyoursignaturebeforelunch，"hesaidashepickedupanewspaperfromthefloorwhereithadtumbledduringKent’ssearchforsomeparticu1arletterheads。"Ibroughtinthemorningpaper，sir;thoughtperhapsyouhadnotseenit。"
　　"Thanks。"Kentswunghischairnearerthewindowandopenedthenewspaper。HehadpurchasedacopywhenwalkingthroughUnionStationonhisarrival，buthadleftitinthecafeteriawherehehadsnatchedacupofcoffeeandhotrollsbeforehurryingtohisoffice。
　　Hereadacolumndevotedtointernationalaffairs，scannedanaccountofasenatorialwrangle，andwasabouttoturntothesecondpage，whistlingcheerily，whenhisattentionwasarrestedbytheheadings：
　　BANKCASHIERDIESINPOLICECOURT
　　JAMESTURNBULL，MISTAKENFORBURGLAR，SUFFERSFATALATTACKOFANGINAPECTORIS
　　Kent’swhistlestoppedabruptly，andclutchingthepaperinbothhands，hedevouredtheshortaccountprintedunderthescareheads：
　　"Whilemasqueradingasaburglaronawager，JamesTurnbull，cashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany，wasarrestedbyOfficerO’RyanatanearlyhouryesterdaymorningintheresidenceofColonelCharlesMcIntyre。
　　"OfficerO’Ryanconductedhisprisonertothe8thPrecinctPoliceStation，andlaterhewasarraignedinthepolicecourt。TheMissesMcIntyreappearedinpersontopreferthechargesagainstthesupposedburglar，who，onbeingsworn，gavethenameofJohnSmith。
　　"PhilipRochester，thewellknowncriminallawyer，wasassignedbythecourttodefendtheprisoner。UpontheevidencesubmittedJudgeMackallheldtheprisonerfortrialbythegrandjury。
　　"ItwasjustaftertheJudge’sannouncementthat’JohnSmith，’thensittingintheprisonerscage，wasseizedwiththeattackofanginapectoriswhichendedsofatallyafewminuteslater。
　　ItwasnotuntilafterhehadexpiredthatthoserenderinghimmedicalassistancebecameawarethathewasJamesTurnbullindisguise。
　　"JamesTurnbullwasanativeofWashington，hisfather，thelateHonJosiahTurnbullofConnecticut，havingmadethiscityhispermanenthomeintheearly’90s。Mr。Turnbullwaslookeduponasoneoftherisingyoungmeninbankingcircles;hewasalsoprominentsocially，wasamemberoftheAlibi，Metropolitan，andCountryClubs，anduntilrecentlywasactiveinallformsofathletics，whenhisill—healthprecludedactiveexercise。
　　"OfficerO’Ryan，whowasgreatlyshockedbythefatalterminationtoMr。Turnbull’srashwager，statedtotherepresentativesofthepressthatMr。Turnbullgavenohintofhisidentitywhilebeinginterrogatedatthe8thPrecinctStation。FriendsattributeMr。Turnbull’sdisinclinationtorevealhimselftothecourt，tohisenjoymentofapracticaljoke，notrealizingthattheresultantexcitementofthescenewouldreactonhisweakheart。
　　"Mr。Turnbullissurvivedbyagreataunt;hehadnonearerrelativesliving。ItisasingularcoincidencethatthelawyerappointedbythecourttodefendTurnbullwashisintimatefriend，PhilipRochester，whomadehishomewiththedeceased。"
　　Kentreadthecolumnoverandover，then，lettingthepapersliptothefloor，satbackinhischair，toodumb—foundedforwords。
　　JimmieTurnbullarrestedasaburglarinthehomeofthegirlhelovedonchargespreferredbyher，anddefendedincourtbyhisintimatefriend，bothofwhomwereunawareofhisidentity！Kentrumpledhisfairhairuntilitstoodupright。AndJimmie’sdeathhadfollowedalmostimmediatelyastheresultofover—excitement！
　　Kent’seyesgrewmoist;hehadbeenveryfondoftheeccentric，lovablebankcashier，whoseknackofperformingmanyakindlyact，unsolicited，hadendearedhimtofriendsandacquaintancesalike。
　　KenthadseenmuchofhimafterhisreturnfromFrance，forJimmie’sattentiontoHelenMcIntyrehadbeenonlysecondtoKent’sdevotiontothelatter’ssister，Barbara。Thetwomenhadonebondincommon。
　　ColonelMcIntyredislikedthemanddiscouragedtheircalling，tothesecretfuryofboth，butlovehadfoundaway—Kent’seyeskindledattherecollectionofBarbara’shalf—shy，whollytenderreceptionofhisardentpleading。
　　Turnbull’scourtshiphadmetwithaset—backwherehehadleastexpectedit—PhilipRochesterhadfallendeeplyinlovewithHelenand，encouragedbyherfather，hadpressedhissuitwithardor。
　　Frequentquarrelsbetweenthetwoclosefriendshadbeentheoutcome，andJimmiehadconfidedtoKent，beforethelatterleftonthebusinesstriptoChicagofromwhichhehadreturnedthatmorning，thatthesituationhadbecomeintolerableandhehadnotifiedRochesterthathewouldnolongersharehisapartmentwithhim，andtolookforotherquartersasquicklyaspossible。
　　SoburiedwasKentinhisthoughtsthatheneverheardSylvester’sknock，anditwasnotuntiltheclerkstoodathiselbowthatheawokefromhisabsorption。
　　"Aladytoseeyou，Mr。Kent，"heannounced。"ShallIshowherin？"
　　"Certainly—hername？"
　　"Shegavenone。"Sylvesterpausedonhiswaybacktothedoor。
　　"ItisoneoftheMissesMcIntyre。"
　　"GoodLord！"Kentwasonhisfeet，straighteninghistieandbrushinghisrumpledhair。"Here，waitaminute"—clutchingawhiskbroominafranticendeavortoremovesomeofthesignsoftravelwhichstillclungtohim。ButhehadonlyopportunityforonedabathisleftshoulderbeforeBarbaraenteredtheoffice。
　　Allelseforgotten，Kenttosseddownthewhiskbroomandthenextinstanthehadclaspedherhandinbothofhis，hiseyestellingmoreeloquentlythanhisstumblingwords，hisjoyatseeingheragain。
　　"Thisisabusinesscall，"shestateddemurely，onyouandMr。
　　Rochester。"HerlovelyeyesheldaglintofmischiefasshementionedKent’spartner，thenherexpressiongrewserious。"I
　　wantlegaladvice。"
　　"Iamafraidyouwillhavetoputupwithme，"Kentmovedhischairclosertotheoneshehadselectedbythedesk。"Rochesterisoutoftown。"
　　"What！"Barbarasatboltupright。"Where—where’shegone？"
　　"Idon’tknow"—KentpulledRochester’sletteroutofhispocketandre—readit。"Hedidnotmentionwherehewasgoing。"
　　Barbarastaredathim;shehadpaled。
　　"WhendidPhilipleave？"
　　"Lastnight，Ipresume。"Kenttippedbackhischairandpressedabuzzer;asecondlaterSylvesterappearedinthedoorway。
　　"DidMr。Rochestertellyouwherehewasgoing？"heaskedtheclerk。
　　"No，sir。Mr。Rochesterstatedthatyouhadhisaddress。
　　"I？"Kentconcealedhisgrowingsurprise。"Didheleaveanymessageforme，otherthantheletter？"
　　"No，sir。
　　"Atwhathourdidheleavetheoffice？"
　　"Ican’tsay，sir;hewasstillherewhenIwentawayatfiveo’clock。HegavemeakeytotheofficesothatIcouldgetinthismorning。"Kentremainedsilent，andheadded，"Isthatall，sir？"
　　"Yes，thanks，"andtheclerkretired。
　　AsthedoorclosedBarbaraturnedtoKent。"HaveyouheardaboutJimmieTurnbull？"
　　Hervoicewasabitbreathlessassheputthequestion，butKent，puzzlingoverhispartner’seccentricconduct，hardlynotedheragitation。
　　"Yes。Isawtheaccountjustnowinthemorningpaper，"heanswered。
　　"Ashockingaffair。PoorTurnbull！Hewasagoodfellow。"
　　"Hewas！"Barbaraspokewithunaccustomedvehemence，andlookingatherKentsawthathereyeswerefilledwithtears。Impulsivelyhethrewhisarmabouther，holdingherclose。
　　"Myheart’sdearest，"hemurmuredfondly。"Ifthereisanything—anythingIcando—"
　　Barbarastraightenedupandwinkedawaythetears。"Thereis，"shesaidtersely。"InvestigateJimmie’sdeath。"
　　Kentgazedatherinastonishment。"Pleaseexplain，"hesuggested。
　　"Themorningpaperstatesveryplainlythatthecauseofdeathwasanattackofanginapectoris。"
　　"Yes，Iknow，andthatiswhatPhilipRochestercontendsalso。"
　　Barbarapausedandglancedabouttheoffice;theyhadtheroomtothemselves。"B—butHelenbelievesotherwise。"
　　Kentdrewback。"Whatdoyoumean，Babs？"hedemanded。
　　"Justthat，"Barbaraspokewearily，andKent，givinghercloseattention，grewawareofdarkshadowsunderhereyeswhichtoldplainlyofasleeplessnight。"IwanttoengageyouasourcounseltohelpHelenfindoutaboutJimmie’sdeath。"
　　"Findoutwhat？"askedKent，hisbewildermentincreasing。"DoyoumeanthatJimmie’sdeathwasnottheresultofadangerousheartdisease，butoffoulplay？"
　　Barbaranoddedherheadvigorously。"Yes。"
　　Kentsatbackinhischairandregardedherinsilenceforasecond。
　　"Howcouldthatbe，Babs，inanopenpolicecourtwithdozensofspectatorsallabout？"heasked。"Theslightestattempttokillhimwouldhavebeenfrustratedbythepoliceofficials;remember，aprisonerespecially，ishedgedinandguarded。"
　　"Well，hewasn’tsoveryhedgedin，"retortedBarbara。"IwasthereandsawhowcloselypeopleapproachedJimmie。"
　　"Didyouobserveanyonehandhimanything？"
　　"N—no，"Barbaradrawledthewordasshestrovetovisualizethesceneinthecourtroom;thencatchingKent’slookofdoubtsheaddedwithunmistakableemphasis。"HelenandIdonotbelievethatJimmiediedfromnaturalcauses;wethinkthetragedyshouldbeinvestigated。"Hersoftvoicedeepened。"Imustknowthetruth，Harry，dear;forIfeelthatperhapsIamresponsibleforJimmie’sdeath。"
　　"You！"Kent’svoiceroseinindignantprotest。"Absurd！"
　　"No，itisn’tIfithadnotbeenformywagerwithJimmie，heneverwouldhaveenteredourhousedisguisedasaburglar。"
　　"Whatbroughtaboutthewager？"
　　"LastSundayHelenwasboastingofhertwonewpolicedogswhichPhilipRochesterrecentlygaveher，andsaidhowsafeshefelt。
　　We’vehadseveralburglariesinourneighborhood，"Barbaraexplained，"andwhenJimmiescoffedatthedogs，Ibethimthathecouldnotbreakintothehousewithoutthedogsarousingthehousehold。I
　　neveroncethoughtaboutJimmie’shearttrouble，"sheconfessed，andherlipsquivered。"Ifeelsoguilty。"
　　"Youareinconsistent，Babs，"chidedKentgently。"OnemomentyoureproachyourselfforbeingthecauseofbringingonJimmie’sheartattack，andthenextyoudeclareyoubelievehediedthroughfoulplay。You，"lookingathertenderly，whileawhimsicalsmilesoftenedhissternmouth，"don’tgosofarastoclaimyoumurderedhim，doyou？"
　　"OfcourseIdidn’t！"Barbaraspokewithindignantemphasis，andherfingerssnappedinuncontrollablenervousness。"Jimmiewasverydear"—shehesitated—"tous。NeitherHelennorIcanleaveastoneunturneduntilweknowwithoutashadowofadoubtwhatkilledhim。"
　　"Thatiseasilyproven，"declaredKent。"Anautopsy—"
　　"Helenaskedthecoronertoholdone。"
　　Kentstared—thetwinswerecertainlyinearnest。
　　"Myadvicetoyouistowaituntilyouheartheresultofthepost—mortemfromCoronerPenfield，"hesaidgravely。"UntilweknowdefinitelywhatkilledJimmie，speculationisidle。"
　　Barbararoseatonce。"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoresympathetic，"
　　sheremarked，andhervoicewasabitunsteady。"Iamsorrytohavetroubledyou。"
　　InaninstantKentwasbyherside。"Barbara，"heentreated。"I
　　promisesolemnlytoaidyouineverypossibleway。Myonlyhappinessisinservingyou，"hisvoicewasverytender。"IslaveheredayinanddayoutthatImaysometimebeabletomakeahomeforyou。Don’tleavemeinanger。"
　　"Iwasnotangry，onlydeeplyhurt，"Barbaraconfessed。"Ihavesolongedtoseeyou。I—Ineededyou！I—"TherestwaslostasshebowedherheadagainstKent’sbroadshoulder，andhisimpassionedwhispersofdevotionbroughtsolacetohertroubledspirit。
　　"Imustgo，"declaredBarbaratenminuteslater。"FatherwouldmakeafearfulsceneifheknewIhadbeenheretoseeyou。"Shepickedupherhand—bag，preparatorytoleaving。"ThenIcantellHelenthatyouwillaidus？"
　　"Yes。"Kentstoppedonhiswaytothedoor。"Iwilltryandseethecoronerthisafternoon。Inthemeantime，Babs，can’tyoutellmewhatmakesyoususpectthatJimmiemighthavebeenkilled？"
　　"Ihavenothingtangibletogoon，"sheadmitted。"Onlyawoman’sinstinct—"
　　Kentdidnotsmile。"Instinct，"herepeatedthoughtfully。"Well，doesyourinstincthazardaguessastotheweapon，theopportunity，andthemotiveforsuchacrime？JimmieTurnbullhadn’tanenemyintheworld。"
　　Barbaralookedathimoddly。"Supposeyoufindtheanswertothoseconundrums，"shesuggested。"Don’tcometotheelevator;MargaretBrewstermayseeyouwithme，andshewouldtellfatherofourmeeting。
　　"IsMrs。Brewsterstillwithyou？"askedKent，payingnoattentiontoherprotestsasheaccompaniedherdownthecorridor。"I
　　understoodsheplannedtoreturntotheWestlastweek。"
　　"Shedid，butfatherpersuadedhertoprolonghervisit，"Barbarawasguiltyofagrimace，thenhailingthedescendingelevatorsheboltedintoitandwavedhergood—bytoKentasthecageshotdownward。
　　WhenKentreenteredhisofficehefoundSylvesterhangingupthetelephonereceiver。
　　"Mr。ClymerhastelephonedtoaskifyouwillcometotheMetropolisTrustCompanyatonce，"hesaid，andbeforeKentcouldframeareplyhehaddartedintothecoatclosetandbroughtouthishatandcane，andhandedthemtohim。
　　"Don’twaitforme，butgooutforyourluncheon，"directedKent，observingthehour。"IhavemykeyandcangetinwhenIreturnifyoushouldnotbehere，"andnotwaitingtohearSylvester’sthanks，hehurriedaway。
　　TheclockoverthebankhadjuststrucknoonwhenKentreachedthefineofficebuildingwhichhousedtheMetropolisTrustCompany，andasheenteredthebank，amessengerstoppedhim。
　　"Mr。Clymeriswaitingforyouinhisprivateoffice，sir，"hesaid，andledthewaypastthelongrowsofmahoganycountersandplateglasswindowstothebackofthebank，finallystoppingbeforeadoorbearingthename，inmodestlettering—BENJAMINAUGUSTUSCLYMER。
　　Thebankpresidentwassensitiveononepoint;heneverpermittedinitialsonlytobeusedbeforehisname。Themessenger’sdeferentialknockwasansweredbyagruffcommandtoenter。ClymerwelcomedKentwithanairofrelief。
　　"YouknowColonelMcIntyre，"hesaidbywayofintroduction，andKentbecameawarethatthetallmanloungingwithhisbacktohiminoneoftheleathercoveredchairswasBarbara’sfather。ColonelMcIntyrereturnedKent’sbowwithacurtnod，andthenClymerpushedforwardachair。
　　"Sitdown，Kent，"hebegan。"Youhavealreadyhandledseveralconfidentialaffairsforthebankinasatisfactorymanner，andIhavesentforyouto—daytoaskyouraidinanurgentmatter。
　　BeforeIgofurtherImustaskyoutotreatwhatIamabouttosayasstrictlyconfidential。"
　　"Certainly，Mr。Clymer。"
　　"Good！Thendrawupyourchair。"ClymerwaiteduntilKenthadcompliedwithhisrequest。"YouhaveheardofJimmieTurnbull’ssuddenandtragicdeath？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Asyouknow，hewascashierofthisbank。"Clymerspokewithdeliberation。"Soonafterwordreachedhereofhisdeath，thevice—presidentandtreasurerofthebankhadacarefulexaminationmadeofhisbooksandaccounts。"Clymerpausedtoclearhisthroat;
　　hewastroubledwithanirritatingcough。"Turnbull’saccountswerefoundinfirstclassorder。"
　　"Iamsuretheywouldbe，Mr。Clymer，"exclaimedKentwarmly。"AnyonewhoknewJimmiewouldneverdoubthishonesty。"
　　McIntyreturnedinhischairandregardedthespeakerwithnofriendlyeye，butasidefromthat，tooknopartintheconversation。
　　Clymerdidnotatonceresumespeaking。
　　"To—day，"hecommencedfinally，"ColonelMcIntyrecalledatthebankandaskedthetreasurer，Mr。Gilmore，forcertainvaluablenegotiablesecuritieswhichheleftinthebank’scareamonthago。
　　Mr。GilmoretoldColonelMcIntyrethatthesesecuritieshadbeengiventoJimmieTurnbulllastSaturdayonhispresentationofaletterfromMcIntyrerequestingthattheybeturnedovertothebank’scashier。McIntyreexpressedhissurpriseandaskedtoseetheletter"—Clymerpausedandtookapaperfromhisdesk。"Hereistheletter。"
　　Kenttookthepaperandexamineditclosely。
　　"Thisisperfectlyinorder，"hesaid。"AclearstatementinColonelMcIntyre’shandwritingandonhisstationery。
　　ForthefirsttimeColonelMcIntyreaddressedhim。
　　"Theletterisinorder，"heacknowledged，"andwrittenonmystationery，butitwasnotwrittenbyme。Theletterisacleverforgery。"
　　CHAPTERV
　　THEVANISHINGMAN
　　Itstilllackedtwentyminutesofnineo’clockthatnightwhenHarryKentturnedintotheSaratogaapartmenthotel，andnotwaitingtotakeoneoftheelevators，ranupthestaircasetotheapartmentwhichhadbeenoccupiedjointlybyJimmieTurnbullandPhilipRochester。KenthadalreadyselectedtherightkeyfromamongthoseonthebunchhehadfoundinRochester’sdeskattheoffice，andslippingitintothekey—holeoftheouterdoor，heturnedthelockandwalkednoiselesslyinsidethedarkapartment。
　　Thesoftclickoftheouterdoorasitswungtowashardlynoticeable，andKent，pausingonlylongenoughtogethisbreathfromhisrunupthestaircase，steppedintothelivingroomandreachedfortheelectriclightswitch。Insteadofencounteringthecoldmetaloftheswitchhisgropingfingersclosedoverwarmflesh。
　　Startledashewas，Kentretainedenoughpresenceofmindtograspthehandtightly;thenextsecondamanhurledhimselfuponhimandhegaveback。Furnitureinthepathofthestrugglingmenwasoverturnedastheyfoughtinsilentdesperation。Kentwouldhavegivenmuchforlight。Hestrainedhiseyestoseehisadversary，butthepitchdarknessconcealedallbutthevaguestoutline。AsKentgothissecondwind，confidenceinhisstrengthreturnedandheredoubledhisefforts;suddenlyhishandsshiftedtheirgripandheswunghisadversarybackward，pinninghimagainstthewall。
　　Afaint，sobbingbreathescapedtheman，andKentfeltthewholefigureagainstwhichhepressed，quiverandrelax;thetautmusclesofchestandarmsgrewslack，collapsed。
　　Kentstoodinwonderment，peeringahead，hishandsempty—themanhadvanished！
　　Drawingalong，longbreathKentfelthiswaybacktotheelectricswitchandpressedthebutton，lightingboththewallbracketsandthetablelamps。Withbothhandsonhisthrobbingtempleshegazedattheover—turnedchairs;they，aswellashisachingthroat，testifiedtohisencounterhavingbeenarealityandnotafantasticdream。Hisglancetraveledthiswayandthatabouttheroomandrestedlongestontheoppositesideoftheroomwherehehadpinnedthemantothewall。Wall—！Kentleanedagainstatallhighboyandlaughedweakly，immoderately。HehadpushedthemanstraightagainstthedoorleadingintoRochester’sbedroom，andnot，ashehadsupposed，againstthesolidwall。
　　Themanhadbeenquick—wittedenoughtograspthesituation;hispretendedweaknesshadcausedKenttorelaxhishold，aturnoftheknobofthedoor，whichswunginward，andhehadmadehisescapeintothebedroom，leavingKentstaringintodark，emptyspace。
　　GatheringhiswitstogetherKenthurriedintothebedroom—itwasempty;soalsowasthebathroomopeningfromit。FromthereKentmadetheroundsoftheapartment，switchingonthelightuntiltheplacewasablaze，butinspiteofhisminutesearchofclosetsandunderbedsandbehindfurniturehecouldfindnotraceofhislateadversary。Kentstoppedlongenoughinthepantrytorefreshhimselfwithaglassofwater，thenhereturnedtothelivingroomandsatdowninanarmchairbythewindow。Hewantedtimetothink。
　　Howhadthemanvanishedsoutterly，leavingnotracebehindintheapartment？ThewindowinRochester’sroomwaslockedontheinside;
　　infact，alltheapartmentwindowsweresecurelyfastened，hehadfoundonhistourofinspection;theonlyonenotlockedwastheoval，swingingwindowhighupinthesidewallofthebathroom;
　　onlyachildcouldsqueezethroughit，Kentdecided。Thewindowlookedintoawellformedbythewingsoftheapartmenthouse，andhadasheerdropoffiftyfeettothegroundbelow。
　　Butforhisunfortunateluckinbackingthemanagainstthebedroomdoorinsteadofthewallhewouldnothaveescaped，buthowhadthemanrealizedsoinstantlythathewasagainstadoorinthepitchdarkness？Itcertainlyshowedfamiliaritywithhissurroundings。
　　Kentsatuprightasanideaflashedthroughhisbrain—wasthemanPhilipRochester？
　　Kentscoutedtheideabutitpersisted。SupposeithadbeenPhilipRochesterawakenedfromadrunkenslumberbyhisentranceinthedark;
　　ifso，nothingmorelikelythanthathehadmistakenhim，Kent，foraburglarandsprungathim。ButwhyhadhedisappearedwithoutrevealinghisidentitytoKent？Surelythesamereasonworkedbothways—themanwhohadwrestledwithhimwasasunawareofKent’sidentityasKentwasofhis—theyhadfoughtinthedarkandinsilence。
　　Kentlaughedaloud。Thesituationhaditsamusingside;then，asrecollectioncameofthesceneinthebankthatmorning，hismirthchangedtogrimseriousness。AthisearnestsolicitationandbackedbyBenjaminClymer’sendorsementofhisplan，ColonelMcIntyrehadagreedtogivehimuntilSaturdaynighttolocatethemissingsecurities;ifhefailed，thenthecolonelproposedplacingtheaffairinthehandsoftheauthorities。
　　Kent’sfirmmouthsettledintodoggedlinesatthethought;suchaproceduremeantbesmirchingJimmieTurnbull’sname;letthepublicgettheslightestinklingthatthebankcashierwassuspectedofforgeryandtherewouldbethedeviltopay。Kentwasdeterminedtoprotectthehonorofhisdeadfriend，andtoaidHelenMcIntyreinherinvestigationofhissuddendeath。
　　JimmieTurnbullhadbeenthesoulofhonor;thathehadeverstoopedtoforgerywasunbelievable。Therewassomeexplanationfavorabletohim—theremustbe。Kent’sclenchedfiststruckthearmofhis，chairavigorousblowandheleapttohisfeet。Wastingnofurthertimeonspeculation，hecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，replacingeachchairandtableaswellastherugswhichhadbeenover—turnedinhisrecenttussle，afterwhichhetriedthedrawersofJimmie’sdesk。Theywereunlocked。Acarefulsearchbroughtnothingtolightbutreceiptedbills，someloosechange，olddinnercards，theaterprograms，teainvitations，andseveralpackagesofcigarettes。
　　TurningfromthedeskKentwalkedovertothetablewhichheknewwasPhilipRochester’sproperty;herecalledhavingonceseenJimmieplacesomepaperstherebymistake;havingdonesoonce，themistakemighthaveoccurredagain。Takingouthispartner’sbunchofkeys，hesoonfoundonethatfittedandopenedthedrawers。Hehadhalfcompletedhistask，withoutfindinganyclewtothemissingsecurities，whenhewasinterruptedbythesoundoftheopeningofthefrontdoor，andhadbuttimetoslamthedrawersshutandpocketthekeyswhenthenightclerkofthehotelsteppedinsidetheapartmentand，closelyfollowedbyasandy—hairedman，walkedintothelivingroom。HehaltedabruptlyatsightofKent。
　　"Goodevening，Mr。Kent，"heexclaimed，andtookinataglancetheorderlyarrangementoftheroom。"Pardonmyunceremoniousentrance，butIhadnoideayouwerehere，sir;wereceivedatelephonemessagethataburglarhadbrokeninhere。"
　　"Youdid！"Kentstaredathim。Washeright，afterall，inhisconjecture;hadthemanbeenPhilipRochester？Itwouldseemso，forwhoelse，aftertakingrefugeelsewhere，wouldhavetelephonedawarningofburglarstothehoteloffice？"Haveyouanyideawhosentthemessage，Mr。Stuart？"
　　"Ihavenot;itwasanout—sidecall—"Stuartturnedtohiscompanion。"SorryIbroughtyouhereonanidioticchase，Mr。
　　Ferguson。"
　　"That’sallright，"respondedthedetectivegoodnaturedly。"Wouldyoulikemetolookthroughtheapartmentjusttoseeifanyonereallyisconcealedonthepremises，Mr。Kent？"heasked，andaddedquickly，seeingKenthesitate，"Iamfromthecentraloffice;Mr。
　　Stuartcanvouchforme。"
　　Kent’shesitationvanished。"I’dbeobligedifyouwould，Ferguson。"
　　AshespokeheledthewaytoRochester’sbedroom。"Comewithus，Stuart，"astheclerkloiteredbehind。
　　"Guessnot，sir;I’mneededdownatthedesk，weareshort—handedto—night。Letmeknowhowthehuntturnsout，"andhesteppedintothevestibule。"Goodnight。"
　　"Goodnight，"calledKent，andheaccompaniedFergusonasfarasthebathroomdoor，thenreturnedtohisinspectionofRochester’stable。
　　Hehadjustcompletedhistaskwhenthedetectiverejoinedhim。
　　"Notraceofanyone，"thelatterannounced。"SomeoneputupajokeonStuart，Iimagine。Findwhatyouwished，sir？"
　　Kentwasdistinctlyannoyedbythequestion。"Yes，"herepliedshortly。
　　Fergusonignoredhiscurttone。"Willyousparemeafewminutesofyourtime，Mr。Kent？"heaskedpersuasively。"Iwon’tdetainyoulong。"
　　"Certainly。"Kentmovedovertothechairinthewindowwhichhehadoccupiedbeforeandpointedtoanother，equallyascomfortable。
　　"WhatcanIdoforyou？"heaskedasFergusondroppedbackandstretchedhimselfinthesoftdepthsofthebigchair。
　　"Supplysomeinformation，"answeredthedetectivepromptly。"Justaminute，"asKentstartedtointerrupt。"Youdon’trecallme，butImetyouwhileworkingontheChasecase;youhandledthattrialingreatshape，"Fergusonlookedadmiringlyathiscompanion。"Lotsofthepraisewenttoyourpartner，Mr。Rochester，butIknowyoudidthework。Now，pleaseletmefinish，"holdingupaprotestinghand。"Iknowyou’vecarriedMr。Rochesterinyourfirm;he’sdeadwood。"Kentwassilent。Whatthedetectivesaidwasonlytootrue。
　　Rochester，realizingthetalentandindustrywhichcharacterizedhisyoungerpartner，hadwithdrawnmoreandmorefromactivepractice，andhaddevotedhimselftothesociallifeoftheNationalCapital。
　　"Thisisratheralong—windedwayofreachingmypoint，"finishedthedetective。"But，Mr。Kent，Iwantyourassistanceinapuzzlingcase。"
　　"Goon，I’mlistening。"Ashespoke，KentdrewouthiscigarcaseandhandedittoFerguson。"Thematchesareonthesmokingstandatyourelbow。Now，whatisit，Ferguson？"
　　Hiscompaniondidnotreplyatonce;insteadhepuffedathiscigar。
　　"DidyoureadinthepaperaboutMr。Turnbull’sdeath？"heaskedwhenthecigarwasdrawingtohissatisfaction，andasKentnoddedasilentaffirmativeinanswertohisquestion，heaskedanother。
　　"Didyouknowhimwell？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Didhehaveanenemy？"
　　"Nottomyknowledge。"Kentwaswatchingthedetectivenarrowly;
　　whatwashedrivingat？"OnthecontraryTurnbullwasextremelypopular。"
　　"WithColonelMcIntyre？"FergusonhadhopedtosurpriseKentwiththequestion，buthiscompanion’sexpressiondidnotalter。
　　"N—no，perhapshewasnotover—popularwiththecolonel，"headmittedslowly。"Whatpromptsthequestion，Ferguson？"
　　Thedetectivehitchedhischairnearer。"I’mgoingtolayallmycardsonthetable，"heannounced。"Ineedadviceandyouarethemantogiveittome。Listen，Mr。Kent，thisJimmieTurnbullmasqueradesasaburglarnightbeforelastattheMcIntyrehouse，isarrested，achargebroughtagainsthimforhouse—breakingbyMissHelenMcIntyre，andshortlyafterhedies—"
　　"Fromanginapectoris，"finishedKent，asthedetectivepaused。
　　"SoMr。Rochestercontended，"admittedFerguson。"We’llletthatgoforaminute。Now，whenMissMcIntyresawTurnbull’sbody，shedemandedanautopsy。Why？"
　　"Todiscoverthecauseofdeath，"answeredKentquietly。"Thatisobvious，Ferguson。"
　　"Sure。Andwhydidshewishtodiscoverit？"Hewaitedabriefinstant，thenansweredhisownquestion。"BecauseMissMcIntyredidnotagreewithRochesterthatTurnbullhaddiedfromanginapectoris—thatisobvious，too。Now，whatmadeherthinkthat？"
　　"IamsureIdon’tknow"—Kent’sairofcandorwasunmistakableandFergusonshowedhisdisappointment。
　　"Hasn’tMissMcIntyrebeentoseeyou？"
　　"No，"wasKent’struthfulanswer;Barbarawastheyoungertwinandhersisterwastherefore，"MissMcIntyre。"
　　"Youmustrecollect，Ferguson，"headded，"thathadMissMcIntyrecalledtoseemeaboutpoorTurnbull，Iwouldnothavediscussedtheinterviewwithanyone，underanyconditions。"
　　"Certainly。Iamnotaskingyoutobreakanyconfidences;infact，"
　　Fergusonsmiled，"Imustaskyoutoconsiderourconversationconfidential。Now，Mr。Kent，doesitnotstrikeyouasoddthatapparentlytheonlymaninWashingtonwhoreallydislikedTurnbullwasColonelMcIntyre，anditishisdaughterwhointimatesthatTurnbull’sdeathwasnotduetonaturalcauses？"
　　"Oh，pshaw！"Kentshruggedhisshoulders。"Youaretakinganexaggeratedviewoftheaffair。ColonelMcIntyreisanhonorableuprightAmerican，andTurnbullwasthesame。"
　　"Peoplespeakhighlyofbothmen，"acknowledgedthedetective。
　　IsawMr。Clymer，presidentofTurnbull’sbankthisafternoon，andhepaidafinetributetohisdeadcashier。"
　　Kentdrewaninwardsighofrelief。BenjaminClymerhadprovedtrueblue;hehadnotpermittedColonelMcIntyre’sdesireforimmediatepublicityandbeliefinTurnbull’sguilttoshakehisfaithinhisfriend。
　　"Yousee，Ferguson，thereisnomotiveforsuchacrimeasyousuggest，"heremarked。
　　"Oh，forthemotive，"—Fergusonrubbedhishandsnervouslytogetherasheshotalookathisquestioner;thelatter’sclear—cutfeaturesandmanlybearinginspiredconfidence。"Weknowofnomotive，"hecorrected。
　　"Andweknowofnocrimehavingbeenperpetrated，"rappedoutKent。
　　"Come，man;don’thuntamare’snest。"
　　"Ah，butitisn’tamare’snest！"Fergusonremarkeddryly。
　　Kentbenteagerlyforward—"Youhaveheardfromthecoroner—"
　　"Notyet，"FergusonjerkedforwardhischairuntilhiskneestouchedKent。
　　Hadeithermanlookedtowardthewindownearwhichtheyweresitting，hewouldhaveseenablackshadowsquattingape—likeonthewindowledge。AsKentleanedovertorelighthiscigar，thefaceatthewindowvanished，tocautiouslyreappearasecondlater。
　　"Thecasepiquedmyinterest，"continuedthedetectiveafterapause。
　　"AndImadeaninvestigationonmyownhook。AfterthedepartureoftheMcIntyretwinsandCoronerPenfield，Iwentbacktothecourtroomandpokedaroundtheprisoners’cage。ThereIfoundthis。"
　　Hetookoutofhispocketasmallbundleandcarefullyunwrappedtheoil—skincover。
　　"Ahandkerchief？"questionedKentasthedetectivedidnotunfoldthewhitemuslin，buthelditwithcare。
　　"Yes。OneoftheprisonersinthecagetoldmeTurnbulldroppeditasDr。Stoneandthedeputymarshalcarriedhimintotheante—room。
　　Smellanything？"holdingupthehandkerchief。
　　"Yes。"Kentwrinkledhisnoseandsniffedseveraltimes。"Smellslikefruit。"
　　Fergusonnodded。"Goodguess;InoticedtheodorandwentatoncetoDr。McLane。Hetoldmethehandkerchiefwassaturatedwithamylnitrite。"
　　"Amylnitrite，"repeatedKentreflectively。"Itisgivenforanginapectoris。"
　　"Yes。Well，inthiscaseitwastheremedyandnotthediseasewhichkilledTurnbull，"announcedFergusontriumphantly。
　　"Nonsense！"ejaculatedKent。"Ihappentoknowthatthecapsulescontainonlythreeminims—IonceheardTurnbullsayso。"
　　"True，butTurnbullgotalethaldose，allright;andhethoughthewastakingonlytheregularone。Devilishlyingeniousonthepartofthecriminal，wasn’tit？
　　"Yes。Haveyoudetectedthecriminal？"Kentputthequestionwithunmovedcountenance，butwithinwardforeboding;thedetective’smysteriousmannerwaspuzzling。
　　"Notyet，butIwill，"Fergusonhesitated。"Thefirstthingwastoestablishthatacrimehadreallybeencommitted。"
　　Kentbentdownandsniffedagainatthehandkerchieftowhichafaintfruityaromastillclung。