CHAPTERXIX
　　THEREDSEALAGAIN
　　HarryKentinsertedhiskeyinhisofficedoorwithmorevigorthangoodjudgment，andspentsomesecondsinre—adjustingitinthelock。Onceinsidetheofficeheputupthelatchandclosedthedoor。AglancearoundtheemptyofficeshowedhimthatSylvesterhadobeyedhistelephoneinstructionsandgoneouttoluncheon。
　　KentnotedwithsatisfactionasheputhishatandcaneinthecoatclosetthathehadovertwohoursbeforeMrs。Brewster’sexpectedarrival;ampletimeinwhichtoconsiderinquietudetheeventsofthepastfewdays，andplanforhisinterviewwiththeprettywidow。
　　HehadspentthetimebetweenRochester’ssuddenreappearanceandahastilyswallowedlunchatadowntowncaf，inarrangingbailforRochester。FergusonhadprovedobdurateandhadpersistedintakingthelawyertoPoliceHeadquarters。
　　Dr。Stonehadaccompaniedthetrio，andhistestimony，supportedbytwochemists，regardingthetimerequiredforaconitinepoisontoact，hadgonefartoweakenthedetective’scaseagainstRochester。
　　Rochester，toKent’sunboundedastonishment，hadappearedindifferenttothewholeproceedings;andtohispartner’surgentinquiriesastowherehehadspentthepastfourdays，andwhyhehaddisappeared，hehadreturnedoneinvariableanswer。
　　"I’llexplainingoodtime，Harry，"anditwasnotuntiltheywereleavingPoliceHeadquartersthathisapathyvanished。
　　"WhenareyoutoseeMrs。Brewster？"heasked。
　　"Shewillbeatourofficeatfouro’clock。Say，Phil"—butRochester，shakingoffhisdetaininghand，dartedacrossthestreetandsprangintoapassingtaxibearingthesign，"ForHire，"andthatwasthelastKenthadseenofhiselusivepartner。
　　Kentdroppedintohischairandglancedaskanceatthemailpiledinneatarrayonhisdesk;hewasnotinaframeofmindtohandleroutineofficebusiness。Otherclientswouldhavetowaituntillaterintheday。Amemorandumpad，bearingamessageinSylvester’sprecisepenmanshipattractedhiswanderingattentionandhepickeditup。
　　"Mr。Kent："heread。"ColonelMcIntyrecalledjustafterItalkedwithyouonthe’phone;hewaitedinyourofficeforhalfanhour，thenleft，statinghewouldcomeback。MissBarbaraMcIntyrecalledimmediatelyafterwards，butwouldnotwaitmorethanfiveminutes。
　　Mr。Clymercameasshewasgoingoutandleftanoteonyourdesk。
　　Iwillreturnsoon。
　　"SYLVESTER。"
　　Kentlaiddownthepadandpickedupatwistedthree—cornerednotebearinghisnameinpencil。Unfoldingit，hescannedthehurriedlywrittenlines：
　　"DearKent—McIntyretelephonedtherewerenewdevelopmentsintheTurnbullaffair。Willbebacklater。"Yours—
　　"B。A。CLYMER。"
　　KentjudgedfromtheuseofhisinitialsthatClymerwasstirredoutofhisordinarycalm，nothingelseexplainedhisfailuretosignhisfullname，andhewonderedwhatconfidencesMcIntyrehadmadetothebankpresident。
　　Tossingdownthenote，Kentlightedhispipe，tiltedbackinhisswivelchair，andreviewedthefactswhichimplicatedRochesterinJimmieTurnbull’smurder。Rochester’squarrelswithJimmie，hispersistentassertionthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，hisunexplaineddisappearanceonTuesdaynight，thefaketelegramfromClevelandstatinghewasthere，thewithdrawalofhisbankdeposits，theforgedchecks，hismysteriousvisitstohisownapartment，whenconsideredtogether，presentedachainofcircumstantialevidenceconnectinghimwiththecrime。ButinthelightofDr。Stone’stestimony，thepoison"couldnothavebeenadministeredintheglassofwaterRochesterhadgivenJimmieinthepolicecourt。
　　Fourhoursatleasthadtoelapsebeforethefataldoseofaconitinecouldtakeeffect—fourhours！Kenttoldthemoffonhisfingers;
　　itplacedthecrimeintheMcIntyrehouse。WhichoneofitsinmatesadministeredthepoisontoJimmieandhowhaditbeendone？Whatmotivehadpromptedthecashier’smurder？
　　Itwaspreposteroustothinkthateitherofthetwinswasguiltyofthecrime。Helen’sdevotiontoJimmie，herinsistenceuponanautopsybeingheldindicatedherinnocence。Shehadstatedattheinquestthatshehadnotknowntheburglar’sidentity;Kentpausedasthethoughtoccurredtohim—thetwinshadswappedidentitiesonthewitnessstand，andthereforeHelenhadnotbeencalledupontoanswerthatquestion！TothebestofhisrecollectionshehadonlybeenaskedifshehadrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroomandnotatherhome。ButHelenitwaswhohadsummonedOfficerO’Ryanondiscoveringtheburglarandhadhimarrested。Shesurelywouldneverhavedonesohadsheguessedhisidentity。
　　AsforBarbaraMcIntyre—Kent’sheartbeatfasteratthoughtofthegirlhelovedsowell。Circumstantialevidencehadseemedforatimetoinvolveherinthecrime。Grimes’outrageousinsinuationthathehadbeenassaultedonaccountofconfidingtoherthattheboxofaconitinepillshadbeenleftonthehalltablewhereanyonecouldgetthem，wastheoutcomeofhisbatteredcondition。Whenphysicalstrengthreturned，thebutlerwouldforgethishallucinations。Thehandkerchiefwithitsembroideredletter"B，"
　　usedbyJimmietoinhalethefumesfromhisamylnitritecapsules，wasfinallytracedtoitsrightfulowner—Mrs。Brewster。
　　AndMrs。Brewsterwasdueinhisofficewithinaveryshorttime。
　　Kent’ssquarejawbecamemorepronounced;sheshouldnotleaveuntilshehadeitherconfessedherconnectionwithTurnbull’sdeath，orestablishedherinnocence。SurelyitwouldbeeasyforMrs。
　　Brewstertodoso，but—aconitinehadbeenprescribedforher;shewasfamiliarwiththepoison，shehaditathand，shewenttothepolicecourt，andkepthertripasecret，andshehadlaughedwhenJimmiewascarrieddyingfromthecourtroom。ButwhatmotivecouldhaveinspiredhertomurderJimmie？Washeanoldlover—Kent，unabletokeepquietanylonger，roseandpacedupanddowntheoffice，stoppingamomenttoglanceoutofthewindow。Ashepassedthesafehesawthedoorwasajar。Kentpausedabruptly。
　　Whohadopenedthesafe？
　　Crossingtotheouterofficehelookedaround;noonewasthere。
　　ItflashedintoKent’smindthathehadseenRochester’slighttopcoatandwalkingstickinthecoatclosetashehunguphishatonhisarrival，andheagainopenedtheclosetdoor。Thecoatandstickwerestillthere;soRochesterhadcometotheofficeimmediatelyafterleavinghim，andcarelesslyleftthesafeopen！Kentsmiledinspiteofhisvexation;theactwastypicalofhiseccentricpartner。
　　GoingbacktohisownofficeKentopenedthesafeandglancedinside。Thepigeonholesandcompartmentsappeareduntouched，exceptthedoorofonesmallcompartmentonRochester’sside。Anenvelopewaswedgedinsuchamannerthatthesmalldoorwouldnotshutandthathadpreventedtheclosingoftheoutersafedoor。
　　Kent，preparatorytoshuttingthesafe，drewouttheenvelopeintendingtoplaceitinanotherpigeon—holewheretherewasmoreroom。AsheturnedtheenvelopeoverhewasthunderstrucktorecognizeitastheonewhichHelenMcIntyrehadplacedinthesafeonWednesdaymorning。HehadlastseentheenvelopelyingonthetableinthesmokingporchoftheClubdeVingt，fromwhenceithadmysteriouslydisappeared，andnowitwasbackagaininRochester’ssafe！
　　Haditeverbeenmissingfromthesafe？ThequestionforceditselfonKentashereturnedtohischair，envelopeinhand，andsatdownbeforehisdesk。HehadacceptedDetectiveFerguson’sstatementthathehadremovedtheenvelopefromthesafe，andthereforehadneverlookedinthecompartmentwhereHelenhadputittoverifyitsdisappearance。
　　Fergusonhadremovedit，Kentconcludedasheexaminedtheenvelopewithmorecare;itwastheidenticalone，unaddressed，withthesameredsealholdingdowntheflap。Thesameredseal，butwithadifference—acornerwasmissing。
　　Kentstaredatthesealforamomentindoubt，thenhisfingerssoughthisvestpocketandfumbledaboutforaminute。TakingoutMrs。Brewster’scheck，helaiditonthedeskalongsidetheenvelope，unfoldedit，andpickedoutapieceofredsealingwaxwhichhadslidinsidethecheck。Kentplacedtheredwaxonthebrokensectionoftheseal—itfittedexactly，formingaperfectletter"B。"
　　Kentsatindumbfoundedsilence，regardingtheredsealandtheenvelope。ThepieceofwaxbrokenofffromthesealhadcaughtonhiscoatsleevewhenhehadbeenintheVenetiancasketinthelibraryattheMcIntyrehouse。Itwasproofpositivethatnotonlyhehadbeeninthecasket，butthesealedenvelopealso。HelenMcIntyrehadlefttheenvelopeinhiscare。Mrs。BrewsterandColonelMcIntyrehadbothbeenpresentwhentheenvelopewasstolenfromhim。Whichofthemhadtakenit？WhichonehadafterwardssecreteditintheVenetiancasket？Andwhichhadbroughtitbacktothesafeinhisoffice？
　　ColonelMcIntyrehadbeeninhisofficewithinthehour—thequestionwasanswered，andKent’seyesbrightened，thenclouded—Barbarahadbeenthereaswell，andGrimeshadstatedthatbeforehereceivedaknock—outblowintheMcIntyrelibraryheheardtheswishofskirts！
　　Kentlaidhishandontheenvelope。Itwastimethathefoundoutwhatitcontained;buthisfinger，insertedundertheflap，pausedashiseyesfellonthecheckbearingMrs。Brewster’ssignature。
　　ItwasthecheckhehadpickedupfromtheflooroftheMcIntyrelimousinethatmorningandinadvertentlycarriedawaywithhim。
　　>FromhersignaturehisglancewanderedtoSylvester’smemorandumpad;itwasuncannythewayhiseyepickedouttheletter"B"ashestaredatClymer’snoteanditssignature。Slowlyhishanddroppedawayfromtheenvelopeandheleftitlyingforgottenonthedeskashepickeduppieceafterpieceofblottingpaper，glancingintentlyateachandfinally，pullingopenadrawerofhisdesk，hehuntedinfeverishhasteforahand—mirror。
　　SometenminuteslaterKentrose，placedthepapershehadbeenexaminingintheinsidepocketofhiscoatand，usingtheprivateentrancefromhisofficeintothecorridor，hehurriedaway。
　　WhenHelenMcIntyreenteredtheofficeofRochesterandKentforthesecondtimethatafternoonshefoundSylvestertranscribingstenographicnotesonhistypewriter。
　　"Mr。Kentisexpectingyou，miss，"hesaid，holdingopentheinnerofficedoor，andwithacourteouswordofthanks，Helenpassedtheclerkandthedoorclosedbehindher。Kentroseatherapproachandbowedformally。
　　"Takethischair，"hesuggested，andnotuntilshewasseateddidHelenrealizehehadplacedherwherethelightfellfulluponher。
　　"Iaskedyoutocomehere，"hebegan，asshewaitedforhimtospeak，"BecauseImusthaveyourconfidence—ifIamtoaidyou。Didyoumeet，recognize，andtalktoJimmieTurnbullinyourhousesometimebetweenMondaymidnightandhisarrestonTuesdaymorning？"
　　Shecoloredhotly，thenpaled。"Mytestimonyattheinquest，"
　　—shecommenced，buthegavehernoopportunitytoaddmore。
　　"Yourtestimonytheredoesnotcoverthequestion，"heexplained。
　　"YoustatedthenthatyouhadnotrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroom。Hadyoualreadypenetratedhisdisguiseatyourhouse？"
　　"AndifIhad？"
　　"Didyou？"Kentwasdoggedlypersistent，andHelen’sfingersclosedaroundherhandbagwithconvulsiveforce。WhyhadshenotsentBarbaratoseeKentinherplace？
　　"DidIwhat？"sheparried。
　　"DidyourecognizeandtalkwithJimmieTurnbullinyourhouse？"
　　"Italkedwithhim，yes，"sheadmitted，andhervoicedroppedalmosttoawhisper。
　　"AsJimmieTurnbullorSmiththeburglar？"
　　"AsJimmie"—sheconfessed，afteraslightpause。
　　"ThenwhydidyougothroughthefarceofhavingJimmiearrestedasaburglar？"Kentdemanded。
　　"SothatBarbaramightwinherwager，"promptly。Kentstaredatherincredulously。
　　"Doyoumeanthat，notwithstandingtherisktowhichyouweresubjectinghimwithhisweakheart，youkeptupthefarcesimplythatBarbaramightwinanidioticwager？"Kentasked。
　　Helenpassedonenervoushandovertheother;herpalmswerehotanddry，andtwohecticspotshadappearedineachwhitecheek。
　　"JimmiewasquitewellMondaynight，"sheprotested。"He—he—hadsomeheartmedicinewithhim。"
　　Amylnitrite？"
　　"No。"
　　"Nitro—glycerine？"
　　"I—Ithinkthatwasit，Iamnotquitesure，"shespokewithuncertainty，andKentknewthatshelied。Hisheartsank。
　　"Didheswallowanymedicineinyourpresence？"
　　Sheshookherheadvigorously。"No，hedidnot。"
　　Kentloweredhisvoice。"DidyouseehimtakeMrs。Brewster’saconitinepillsoffthehalltable？"
　　Helenshiftedhergazetohisfaceandthenbacktohereverrestlesshands。"No，"shesaid。"Ididnotseehimtakethepills。"
　　Kentstudiedherinasilencewhich，toher，seemednever—ending。
　　"Iwantthetrueanswertothisquestion，"heannouncedwithmeaningemphasis。"WhydidJimmiegoindisguisetoyourhouseonMondaynight？"
　　Helenblanched。"HowshouldIknow，"shemutteredevasively。"He—hedidn’tcometoseeme—theadmissionwasbarelyaboveawhisper。
　　"ButyouknowwhattranspiredinyourhouseonMondaynight？"
　　demandedKenteagerly。
　　Hisquestionmetwithnoresponse，andherepeatedit，butstillthegirlremainedsilent。Kentgaveheramoment’sgrace，thendrawingouttheunaddressedenvelopefromhispocketheheldittowardher。Alowcrybrokefromher，andherexpressionchangedasshecaughtsightofthebrokenseal。
　　"Youhaveopenedit！"
　　"Notyet，"Kentheldtheenvelopejustbeyondherreach。"Iwillonlygiveittoyouwiththeunderstandingthatyouopentheenvelopenowinmypresenceandletmeseeitscontents。"
　　Helendrewback，thenimpulsivelyextendedherhand。
　　"Iagree，"shesaid。"Givemetheenvelope。"
　　"Stop！"Thewordrangout，startlingKentaswellasHelen，andMrs。
　　Brewster，whosenoiselessentranceafewsecondsbeforehadgoneunobserved，hurriedtothem。"Theenvelopeismine。
　　CHAPTERXX
　　THEUNKNOWNEQUATION
　　No，no，"protestedHelenvehemently。"YoushallnotgivetheenvelopetoMargaret—youmustnot。"
　　"Itismine，"insistedthewidowwithequalvehemence。
　　"Mrs。Brewster。"Kentwithheldtheenvelopefrombothwomen。"Willyoutellmethecontentsofthisenvelope？"
　　"No，"curtly。"Itisnotyouraffair。"
　　"Itismyaffair，"retortedKentwithequallyshortnessofmanner。
　　"Iinsistonananswertomyquestionsinthelimousinethismorning。
　　HowcameyourhandkerchiefinJimmie’spossession，andwhydidyougotothepolicecourtand，yetkeepyourpresencethereasecret？"
　　"JimmiemusthavepickedupthehandkerchiefwhenintheMcIntyrehouse，"sheansweredsullenly。"Ipresumeheforgottoprovidehimselfwithoneinhismake—upasburglar。AsregardsyoursecondquestionIadmitIdidgotothepolicecourtoutofcuriosity—I
　　wantedtofindoutwhatwasgoingon。You，"witharesentfulglanceatHelen，"treatedmeasanoutsider，andIwasdeterminedtofindoutformyselfhowtheburglarfarcewouldend。"
　　"Ah，youtermitafarce—isthatwhyyoulaughedincourt？"askedKentquickly。
　　Mrs。Brewsterchangedcolor。"Ifeelbadlyaboutthat，"shestammered。"ImeantnodisrespecttoJimmie，butIhaveanervousinclinationtolaugh—almosthysteria—whenexcitedandoverwrought。"
　　"Isee，"answeredKentslowly。Hewasdistinctlypuzzled;Mrs。
　　Brewster’sairofcandordisarmedsuspicion，but—"YousawandtalkedwithJimmieTurnbullonMondaynight？"
　　"Ididnot。"Herdenialwasfirm。
　　"Thenhowdidyoulearnofhisarrest？"askedKentswiftly。
　　"Ioverheardhimconversing—"
　　"Withwhom？"Kentdemandedeagerlyasshepausedasiftoreconsiderherconfidences。Helen，onehandonthedeskandtheotheronthearmofherchair，triedtorise，butherstrengthhaddesertedher。
　　"Withwhom？"repeatedKentasthewidowremainedsilent。
　　"JimmiewastalkingwithGrimes，"Mrs。Brewsterstatedslowly。
　　"FromwhatIoverheard，hepaidGrimestolethiminsidethehouse。"
　　KentlookedperplexedashegazedfirstatthewidowandthenatHelen，whohadsunkbackinherchair。
　　"Mrs。Brewster，"hebeganafterapause。"WhogaveJimmieyouraconitinepillswhichGrimesleftonthehalltable？"
　　"Themurderer。"
　　"Yes，ofcourse。"Kentwaswatchinghercloselyandhedetectedthetinybeadsofperspirationwhichweregatheringonherupperlip。
　　"Andwho，inyouropinion，wasthemurderer？"
　　Mrs。Brewster’sexpressionchanged—shelookedhunted，andhereyesfellbeforeKent’s;abruptlysheturnedherbackonhim，tofindColonelMcIntyreatherelbowandBarbarajustenteringtheroom。HereyestraveledpastthegirluntiltheyrestedonPhilipRochesterandDetectiveFergusonhoveringbehindhim。Herfacealtered。
　　"IsawPhilipRochester，"pointingdramaticallytowardhim，"crawloutofthereceptionroomwindowanddartintothestreetjustasO’RyancameinthefrontdoorwithHelen。"
　　DetectiveFergusoncouldnotrestrainajoyfulexclamation。"Sothatwasit！"hecried。"YouwereattheMcIntyrehouse，andgavethepoisontoTurnbullthere—andnotinthecourtroom—fourhoursbeforehedied。You’llswingforthatcrime，mybuck，inspiteofyourglibtongueandslipperyways。"
　　AsheceasedspeakingFerguson’severreadyhandcuffsswungsuggestivelyfromhishand，butHelen’sagonizedcrycheckedhisapproachtowardRochester，whostoodstolidlywaitingforhim。
　　"Father！Youcannotpermitthismonstrousinjustice，Philipshallnotsufferforanother。No，Barbara，"ashersisterstrovetoquiether，wemusttellthetruth。"
　　"SupposeItellitforColonelMcIntyre，"RochesteradvancedasthedooropenedandSylvesterusheredinBenjaminClymer。"Youhavecomeintime，Clymer，"hisvoicedeepened，thevoiceofamanaccustomedtopresentacaseandswayacourt。"Wait，Sylvester，sitatthattableandtakedownthesecharges—"
　　"Charges？"questionedKent，watchinghispartnernarrowly;hetossedastenographicpadtoSylvesterandmadeaplaceforhimathisdesk。"Goon，Rochester;chargesagainstwhom？"
　　"Chargesagainstthemanwho，occupyingapositionoftrust，plannedtoswindletheMetropolisTrustCompanythroughforgednotesandchecks，"Rochesterstatedwithslowemphasis。"JimmieTurnbulllearnedthatyou，Clymer，weretovisitColonelMcIntyreonMondaynight，andhewentthereindisguisetofindoutifhissuspicionswerecorrect。Theinvestigationcosthimhislife。"
　　Clymer，whohadfollowedRochester’sstatement，firstwithbewildermentandthenwithrisingwrath，foundhisvoice。
　　"Youdrunkenscoundrel！"heroared。"Howdareyou！"
　　"Dare！"Rochesterlaughedrecklessly。"Jimmiekepthiswitstothelast;hismindwasclear;herecognizedyouintheprisoner’spenandhetriedtocallyou，buthispalsiedtonguecouldnotsayBen，butstuttered—B—b—b。"
　　"Andwhatdidhewishtotellme？"gaspedClymer，downwhosecolorlessfaceperspirationtrickled。
　　"Aye，what？"brokeinKentsignificantly。
　　"Jimmiemaynothavegottentheinformationhewishedatyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，buthispresencethereonMondaynightshowedtheforgerhewasindanger，andlikethehumansnakeheis，hepoisonedwithoutwarning。Don’tmove—Sylvester！"
　　WithabackwardspringKentcaughthisclerkashespedforthedoor。
　　"Don’tmakeanymistakeinputtingonthehandcuffsthistime，Ferguson，"heshouted。"Aforgerandacontortionistmakeabadcustomertoreckonwith。"
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　THERIDDLEANSWERED
　　Therewasabsolutestillnessintheroom;thenababbleofexclamationsbrokeoutasSylvester，hisexpressionofdumbsurprisegivingplacetooneoffury，struggledtofreehimselffromthedetective’sfirmgrip。
　　"Youcannotescape，Sylvester，"declaredKent，observinghisefforts。
　　"YourcarelessnessinusingyourpeculiargiftofpenmanshipincopyingBarbaraMcIntyre’ssignatureinthismemorandumofhervisithere"—Kentheldupasheettornfromhispad，"gavemethefirstclew。These，thesecond，"heshowedseveralpiecesofblottingpaperfreshlyused。"See，inthemirrorhereisreflectedtheimpressionfromyourcleverimitationsofthehandwritingsofBarbara，ColonelMcIntyre，andMrs。Brewster。"
　　TheycrowdedaboutKent，allbutFergusonandhisprisoner，whohadsubsidedinhischairwithwhatthedetectiveconcludedwasdangerousquietude。
　　"Mynextstep，nowthatsuspicionwasdirectedagainstSylvester，wastomakepersonalinquiriesregardinghim，"wentonKent。"JudgeHildebrand，whohadjustreturnedtoWashington，saidthathefirstmetSylvesteratacircussideshowwherehegaveexhibitionsasacontortionist。Oneofhisspecialstuntswastoslipoutofhandcuffsandropes。"
　　"Sothatexplainslastnight，"Fergusongrinned。"You’llnotdoitagain，Sylvester，"andheshookanadmonitoryfingerattheerstwhileclerk。
　　"JudgeHildebrandbecameinterestedinSylvester，foundhewashandywithhispenandtiredoftheshowbusiness，andgavehimanopeningbyengaginghimasconfidentialclerk，"continuedKent。"Youwillrecall，ColonelMcIntyre，thatyousentbusinesspapersinyourhandwritingandthatofyourdaughterstoJudgeHildebrand’sofficetobetypedbyhisstaff。ThatishowSylvesterbecamesowellacquaintedwithyourwritingandwasabletoforgealettertothebanktreasurerdirectinghimtoturnoveryournegotiablesecuritiestoJimmieTurnbull。"
　　"ButhowintheworlddidSylvesterinduceJimmietopresenttheforgedletter？"askedColonelMcIntyre。
　　Kentturnedtothesullenprisoner。"Answerthatquestion，Sylvester，"hecommanded，andthemanrousedhimselffromhisdejectedattitude。
　　"AnythinginitformeifIdo？"heaskedwithacunningleer。
　　"That’sforthecourtstodecide，"declaredKent。
　　Themanthoughtaminute。"I’lltakeachance，"hesaidfinally。
　　"ButthatIwaitedforanopportunitytogetmyswagoutofthissafe，Iwouldn’thavebeencaught—curseyou！"andhescowledatKent。
　　"Cutthatout，"admonishedFergusonwithanonetoogentledigintheribs，andSylvestercontinuedhisstatement。
　　"IoverheardColonelMcIntyretellJudgeHildebrandabouthissecuritiesandtheirpresentvalue，andthenextdayhecametoconsultthejudgeaboutengagingasecretary。IfixedupcredentialsandwenttoMr。Turnbull;hebelievedmystorythatI
　　wasthecolonel’snewsecretaryandgotthesecurities。"
　　Sylvesterpaused。"IfI’drestedcontentwiththatsuccessI’dbeenallright，"headded。"ButIwasintoogreatahurryandforgedMr。Clymer’ssignaturetoacheckforfivethousanddollarsandpresenteditattheMetropolisTrustCompany。AsluckwouldhaveitMr。Turnbullcasheditformehimself。"
　　"Butdidn’thesuspectyou？"exclaimedClymer。HehadgraduallyrecoveredfromtheshockofRochester’schargesonhisarrival，andwaslisteningwithkeenattentiontoSylvester’sconfession。
　　"No。ImadethecheckpayabletoColonelMcIntyreandforgedhisendorsement，"Sylvesterspokewithanairofpride，andhesmiledinmaliciousenjoymentas，catchinghiseye，BarbarashrankbackandshelteredherselfbehindKent。"Mr。Turnbullacceptedthecheck;latersomethingmusthavearousedhissuspicions，andI
　　foundwhenhequestionedmethathebelievedColonelMcIntyrehadforgedthecheck。"
　　"Goodheavens！Youlethimthinkthat？"gaspedMcIntyre;thenwrathgainedthemastery。"Youscoundrel！"
　　"Oh，Iencouragedhimtothinkit，"Sylvestergrinnedagain。"YoumusthavehandedMr。Turnbullarawdeal;hewassoreadytothinkevilofyou。"
　　"Thatisalie！"exclaimedHelenhotly。"WhenIwentdownstairstoinvestigatethenoiseIheardinthelibrary，father，Jimmietoldmewhohewastoquietmyfright。Heshowedmealetter，whichhehadjustfoundonyourdeskinthelibrary，confessingthatyouhadforgedMr。Clymer’snameonthecheck，andbeggingJimmietoconcealyourcrimeandsaveBarbaraandmefromtheshameofhavingyouexposedasaforgerandathief。"
　　"Ineverwrotesuchaletter！"shoutedMcIntyre，deeplyincensed。
　　"No，itwasacleverplan，"acknowledgedSylvester。"Ononeofmytripstoyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，Isecuredwaximpressionsofyourfrontdoorlock。IwenttoyourhouseMondaynightandputtheletteramongyourpapersjustbeforeTurnbullwasadmittedbyyourfoolofabutler。"
　　"AndyougaveJimmieTurnbulladoseofpoison—chargedKent，butSylvester，hislipsgonedry，raisedhismanacledhandsinprotest。
　　"Ididnotpoisonhim，"hecried。"IwaitedjusttoseeifTurnbullgottheletterandtofindoutwhathe’ddowiththesecurities，whichhehadrefusedtoturnovertome。AfterhehadreadtheforgedletterMr。Turnbullactedsortoffaintandwentoutinthehall。Icouldjustseehimputdownaboxonthehalltableandleanagainstthewall。Thenhewentintothediningroomandcamebackasecondlatercarryingaglassofwater，andIsawhimtakeupandopenasmallboxandtosssomewhitepillsintohismouth;
　　thenhetookagooddrink，and，pickingupahandkerchieflyingonthetable，hewentbackintothelibrary。"
　　TherewassilenceasSylvester’scallousrecitalofthetragedyended。Helen，hereyestearlessanddarkwithsuffering，sankslowlybackinherchairandrestedherheadagainstBarbara’ssympatheticshoulder。
　　"SoTurnbull’sdeathwasaccidentalafterall，"exclaimedFerguson。
　　"Orwasitsuicide？"
　　"Accident，"answeredKent。"Ifoundsomenitro—glycerinepillsintheumbrellastandbythehalltable。"ColonelMcIntyrenodded。
　　"EvidentlyTurnbullputdownhispillboxbeforegettingaglassofwater，andinhisattackofgiddinessaccidentallyopenedyourboxofaconitinepills，Mrs。Brewster，insteadofhisown，andswallowedafataldose，thinkingtheywerenitroglycerine。"
　　Mrs。Brewsterbowedherheadinagreement。Thatmusthavebeenit，"
　　shesaid。"However，IsawColonelMcIntyretearoffthepaperwrappingandopenmypackageofpillsjustbeforedinner，andwhenIheardthatJimmiehaddiedfromaconitineI—I—"shestammeredandstoppedshort。
　　"YoususpectedIhadmurderedhim？"askedMcIntyresoftly。
　　"Yes，"shelookedappealinglyathim。"Forgiveme，Ishouldneverhavesuspectedyou，butthepills，boxandall，weremissingthenextmorningfromthehalltable。"
　　"Turnbullmusthavethrowntheboxintotheumbrellastand，"
　　explainedKent。"ThatwaswhereIfoundit。Didyougetthesecurities，Sylvester？"turningtotheprisoner。
　　"No，"sullenly。"Shedid，"andajerkofhisthumbindicatedHelenMcIntyre。
　　Helenraisedherheadandaddressedthemslowly。
　　"JimmieandIexpectedBarbaratocomeinatanymoment，andhestartedtoleavewhenwesawyoucomingdownstairs，"sheturnedtoMrs。Brewster。"JimmiedeclaredthatifwewerefoundtogetherI
　　mightbecompromised。Hecouldn’texplainhispresencewithoutexposingfather—weboththoughtyouaforger，father，"sheinterpolated，asMcIntyretookherhandandpresseditunderstandingly。"SoheinsistedthatIshouldtreathimlikeanordinaryburglar—wehadbothforgottenBarbara’ssillywagerinourhorroraboutfather。Jimmiedidn’tdaretakethesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionwithhimforfearhe’dbesearchedatthepolicestation，andthescandalwouldhavecomeoutthen。"
　　"True，"agreedMcIntyre。"Goon，Helen。"
　　"SoJimmiethrustthesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionintoanenvelopeandsealeditwithredwax，usingBarbara’sseal，"
　　explainedHelen。"Hehadn’ttimetowriteanaddressormessageonit，buthetoldmetoreturntheenvelopetohimlaterinthedayorgiveittoPhilipRochesterandaskhisaid。IbroughtithereonWednesdaymorningandwithHarry’spermissionputtheenvelopeinthesafe。"
　　"Itriedtogetitfromthere，"volunteeredSylvester，"forI
　　overheardTurnbull’splan，beforeIleftbythereceptionroomwindow。"
　　"SoitwasyouandnotMr。RochesterwhomIsawstealoutofthewindow，"exclaimedMrs。Brewster。
　　"It’snotthefirsttimeI’vebeenmistakenforhim，"exclaimedSylvestercalmly。
　　Kentstartedand，gazingatRochesterandtheclerk，sawtherewasageneralresemblanceincoloringandphysique。
　　"DidyoupresentthecheckstoMcDonaldattheMetropolisTrustCompanybearingRochester’sandmyforgedsignatures？"heasked。
　　"Idid，"acknowledgedSylvester。"Mr。Rochester’swardrobecameinveryhandyfordeceivingthecasualglance。Youknow，’clothesmaketheman，andwantofitthefellow。’"
　　Kentlookedupquickly，struckbyanidea。
　　"Sylvester，didyoustealtheenvelopecontainingthesecuritiesfrommeattheClubdeVingt？"heasked。
　　Sylvestershookhishead。"No，butshedid，"pointingtoMrs。
　　Brewster。"It’snolie，"asMcIntyreutteredanindignantdenial。
　　"WhenFergusonleftherecarryingoffthesecuritiesfromundermynosealmost—Ihadspentthewholedaytryingtolearnthesafe’scombination;ItrailedhimtotheClubdeVingt，andheardtheheadwaitertellhimyou，Mr。Kent，weresittinginthesmallsmokingporch，soIclimbedupthetrumpetvine;oh，itwasstrongandnoclimbforonewhohasdonethefeatsIhaveinthecircus。
　　IreachedtheporchjustintimetoseeMrs。Brewsterdropherfan，andwhenthemenbenttopickitupshe’lifted’theenvelopeandconcealeditunderherscarf。"
　　"Don’t，"Mrs。BrewsterlaidadetaininghandonMcIntyreashesteppedforward。"Themanistellingthetruth。Ithoughtitwastheenvelopeyougavemeearlierintheevening—itwasunaddressedandtheredsealwasthesame。"
　　"Justamoment，"interruptedKent。"Whatdidyoudowiththeenvelope？"
　　"WhenIreturnedhomeIdroppeditinsideoneoftheVenetiancaskets，"Mrs。Brewsterreplied。"Nooneeverwentnearthem，andI
　　thoughtitwouldbesafethere。Yousee，Iwaspuzzledtoknowhowithaddisappearedfromthedeskinthereceptionroom，whereIhadleftitinoneofthepigeonholes，intendingtotakeitlatertomyroom。"
　　"Itooktheenvelope—yourenvelope—outofthedesk，"confessedMcIntyre。"Iwouldhavespokenofit，Margaret，butwashurtthatyouhadleftourmarriagecertificatelyingaroundsocarelessly。"
　　"Yourwhat？"Barbarasprangup，astounded。
　　"Ourmarriagecertificate，"repeatedMcIntyrefirmly。"MargaretandIweremarriedlastweekinBaltimore。Wewouldhavetoldyou，Helen，butyourpeculiarconductandBarbara’s，soangeredmethatIforbadeMargarettotakeyouintoourconfidence。"
　　"Father！"Barbaragotnofurther，forHelenhadrisen。Shespokewithquietdignity。
　　"Youforget，father，thatsinceMondaynightwehavethoughtyouaforgerand，worse，amurderer，"hervoicefaltered。"Inourefforttoguardyouwehavebecomeestranged。Margaret"—sheheldoutherhandwithanaffectionategestureandwithasobherstep—motherkissedher。
　　"Howdidthisenvelopegetbackinsideoursafe？"askedKentamomentlater，pickingitupanddisplayingtheredseal，intactsaveforthebrokencorner。
　　"Iwentdownstairsaboutmidnightoralittlelaterandintothelibrary，"confessedHelen。"WhatwasmysurpriseandterrortoseeGrimesholdingtheenvelope。Tomeitmeantfather’sexposureasaforger。IhadarevolverinmyhandandstruckbeforeIthought。
　　ThenImusttemporarilyhavelostmyreason。ItwasonlymythoughttosavefatherthatlentmecourageandstrengthtothrustGrimesinsidethecasketwhereBabsandIusedtohide。Ithenreturnedtomyroom，andwasjustcomingdownstairsagainaftersecretingtheenvelope，toreleaseGrimesandgetmedicalassistanceifneedbe，whenMargaret’sscreamsarousedthehousehold。"
　　McIntyreinterruptedhisdaughterwithahastygesture，andaddressedhiswife。"WhenDetectiveFergusonquestionedmeastoyourreasonforbeinginthelibrary，Margaret，IstatedyouhadgonedowntogetabookleftlyingontheVenetiancasket，"hesaid。"Iwaitedforyoutovolunteeranexplanationofyourpresencethere，butyounevermadeany。"
　　"Iwentdowntogetourmarriagecertificate。"Margaretforgotthepresenceofothersandspokeonlytohim，thelove—lightinhereyespleadingagainstthecensureshedreaded，asshemadeherbriefconfession。"Mr。Clymersentmeanote，inclosingacanceledcheck，statingthebankofficialshaddecidedmysignaturewasaforgery。
　　ThecheckwasdrawntoBarbara，andonexaminingitInoticedthepeculiarformationoftheletter’B’;itischaracteristicofyourhandwritingandHelen’s。"Shepaused，andadded：
　　"Iwasatalosswhattothink。IknewyouandHelenwrotealike;
　　Helen’sextraordinarybehaviortomeledmetobelievethatperhapsshehadbeenshortoffunds，andforgedmynametoacheckindesperation。ThenIrememberedseeingyou，Charles，opentheboxcontainingmyaconitinepills，thebox’sdisappearance，andJimmie’sdeathfromthatpoison"—sheraisedherhandsinanexpressivegesture。"Althoughmyreasontoldmethatyoumightbeguilty，myloyaltyandloverefutedtheaccusation。"
　　"Margaret！"McIntyre’svoiceshookwithemotion;thencontrollinghimselfheturnedtoSylvester。"Ipresumethischeckwassomemoreofyourdeviltry？"
　　Helenansweredfortheclerk。RemovingasoiledpaperfromherbagshelaiditonKent’sdesk。"ThisnotewashandedtomebyGrimes，"
　　sheexplained。"Itreads：’Helen，pleasecashthischeckandgivemoneytoMrs。Brewster’sdressmaker。Father。’Ifollowedtheinstructions。"
　　"Andgavethemoneytomysister，"Sylvesterchuckledattheirsurprise。"MysisterwastaughtinaFrenchconvent，andsheisanexcellentseamstress，whensheisn’tdrunk，asMrs。McIntyreknows。"
　　"Seehere，Sylvester，"Clymerbrokehislongsilence。"YouwereinthepolicecourtonachargeofassaultandbatterybroughtbyyourwifeonTuesdaymorning，andyouwereintheprisoner’scageatthemomentTurnbulldied。HowthenwasitpossibleforyoutobeattheMcIntyre’satmidnightonMonday？"
　　"Iwasoutonbailandappearedinthecourtroomjustintimeformytrial，"Sylvesterexplained。"Ididnothavetositinthecage，butrecognizingTurnbullIwenttheretobewithhim。"
　　KentplacedtheforgedcheckbearingMargaretBrewster’ssignatureonthedesk。"Itakeitthischeckisyourwork，Sylvester，"hesaid。"Youreapedthebenefitbyhavingthemoneypaidtoyoursister。DidyoualsohavethefaketelegramdeliveredtomestatingMr。RochesterwasinCleveland？"
　　"Ifakedthat，"brokeinRochester，beforetheclerkcouldmakeadisclaimer。"IthoughtitbesttodisappearforafewdaysdowninVirginia，whereIcouldthinkthingsoverinpeace。"
　　"Soitwasyou，Sylvester，andnotMr。RochesterwhomIencounteredinhisapartment，"exclaimedKent。"Howdidyougetintheapartment？"
　　"Fromthefire—escapeandalongthewindowledgetothebathroomwindow。"Sylvesterhitchedhisshoulders。"Itwasnothingforamanofmyagility。"
　　Fergusoneyedhimwithdoubtfulrespect。
　　"Youhavecourage，"headmittedgrudgingly。"Come，wemustgettoHeadquarters，"andheaidedSylvestertohisfeet，butoncestanding，Sylvesterrefusedtomove。InsteadheturnedtoHelen。
　　"WhatwasthatyoupassedtoMr。RochesterinthepolicecourtandhelatergavetoMr。Turnbull？"heasked。"Oh，don’tdenyit，I
　　sawyoupalmanote，Mr。Rochester，fromtheyounglady。"
　　"Thereisnothingnowtoconceal，"declaredHelen。"AfterO’RyanandJimmieleftthehouseforthepolicestationIgrewfearfulthatJimmiemightover—taxhisstrengthincarryingoutthefarceofhisarrest。SoassoonasIcouldItelephonedtoPhiliptomeetmeatthepolicecourtandtobringsomeamylnitritecapsuleswithhim。"
　　"Andthenote，Sylvester，whichyousawMissMcIntyregivemeincourt，"concludedRochester，asHelenpaused，"toldmetohandthecapsulestotheburglarandtodefendhimincourt。Ididboth，althoughbadlypuzzledbytherequest。"Rochesterhesitated。"I
　　carriedoutyourwishes，Helen，withoutquestion;butwhentheburglar’sidentitywasrevealed，Ijumpedtotheconclusionthatyouhadusedmeasaninstrumenttokillhim，forIknewsomethingoftheeffectsofamylnitrite。"
　　"GreatHeavens！"exclaimedHelen，aghast。
　　Rochesterlookedatherandbithislip;heknewofheraffectionforJimmieandherattachmenttohismemory，buthecouldnotkillthehopethatwhenTimehadhealedtheloss，hisdevotionmightsomedaywinherforhisown。
　　"Ididyougreatinjustice，"headmittedhumbly。"ButIwasfearfullyshockedbythescene。IstrovetodivertsuspicionbyinsistingthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris，andthenyoucame，Helen，anddemandedanautopsy。
　　"Ihadto，"Helenbrokein。"IcouldnotbelievethatJimmie’sdeathwasduetonaturalcauses，"hervoicequivered。"Hehadbeensoloyal—sofaithful—Icouldnotbelesstruetohim，evenif，asIfeared，myowndearfatherwasguiltyofthecrime。
　　KentturnedandfacedSylvester，whohadmadeafewshufflingstepstowardthedoor。
　　"Youhavedoneincalculableharmbyyourcriminalacts，"hesaidsternly。"ButforyourlyingandtrickeryJimmieTurnbullwouldbealiveto—day。ItrusttheCourtwillgiveyouthemaximumsentence。"
　　Sylvestereyedhiminsolently。"I’vehadarunformymoney，andIstoodtowinlargesumsifthingshadonlygoneright，"heannounced;thenaddressedHelendirectly。"Whatdidyoudowiththesecurities？"
　　"IputtheenvelopebackintheopensafewhenIwashereearlythisafternoon，"sheexplained。
　　AnoathrippedfromSylvester。"Imistookyouforyoursister，"
　　hesnarled。"HadIknownitwasyou，I’dhavewrungthesecuritiesfromyou。"
　　Helenstaredathissuddenlycontortedface。"Ah，youarethemanwholookedinatthewindowofthereceptionroomyesterdaymorningwhenIwastalkingtoMr。Kent，"shecried。"Irecognizeyounow。"
　　Hecontinuedtoglareather。"IalsosentyouanotebyyoursisteroutsidetheCafSt。Markstosecretetheletter’B’，"hisvoicerosealmostintoashoutinhisungovernablerage。"IheardTurnbulltellyoutotaketheenvelopetoRochester，andIbankedonyourbringingithereortohisapartment。D—mnyou！You’vethwartedmeateveryturn。"
　　Rochester’spowerfulhandwasclappedacrosshismouthwithsuchforcethattheclerkstaggeredagainstFerguson。
　　"Hereyou，outyougo。"ThedetectiveshovedthestrugglingmantowardthedoorleadingintothecorridorandClymersprangtohisassistance;asecondlaterRochesterclosedthedoorontheirrecedingfiguresandfoundHelenstandingbyhiselbow。
　　"Imustgo，"shesaid，turningbacktolookatherfatherandhisbride。
　　"Waitaminute。"Kentheldupanenvelopewithitsfatefulredseal。
　　"ThiswasdeliveredemptyatRochester’sapartmentlastnight—itisaddressedtohim。Whowroteit？"
　　"Idid，"exclaimedMrs。McIntyre。"IfeltImustconsulteitheryou，Mr。Kent，orMr。Rochester，soIsentthenotetohisapartment，butthemessengerboyhurriedme，anditwasnotuntilhourslaterthatIfoundthenotelyingonthedeskinthereceptionroomandrealizedIhadsentanemptyenvelope。"
　　"Isee。"Kentheldupanotherenvelope，theredsealbrokenatthecorner。"Thisisyours，Helen。"
　　Helenhesitatedperceptiblybeforetakingtheenvelopeandtearingitopen。Shehandedthesecuritiestoherfather。
　　"Hereisfather’sforgedconfession，"shesaidasshetooktheremainingpaperfromtheenvelope。
　　"Itisamarvelousimitationofmyhandwriting，"declaredMcIntyre，lookingatitcarefully，thentearingitintotinybitsheflungthemintothescrap—basketandpocketedthesecurities。
　　"AndtothinkthatIaidedSylvester’splottogainthesecuritiesbyengaginghimasourclerk，"groanedRochester。
　　"Itwascleverofhimtoseekemploymenthere，"agreedKent。"Butlikemanycrooksheover—reachedhimselfthroughover—confidence。
　　Mustyougo，ColonelMcIntyre？"
　　"Yes。"McIntyrewalkedovertoHelen。
　　"Mydearlittlegirl，"hebeganandhisvoicewashuskywithfeeling。"HowcanIshowmyappreciationofyourloyaltytome？"
　　"BybeingkindtoHarryandBarbara。"Helensmiledbravely，althoughherlipsweretremblingandforamomentshecouldnottrustherselftospeak。"Myromanceisover;Barbara’sisjustbeginning。And，father，willyouandMargaretcomehomewithme—Iamsolonely;"thenturningblindlyawayshefairlyranoutoftheoffice。
　　"Gowithher，"saidRochester，atrifleunsteadily。"Ithasbeenaterribleordeal;Godhelphertoforget！"HisvoicefailedandheswepthishandacrosshiseyesasheheldopenthedoorintothecorridorandfollowedMcIntyreandhiswifeoutside。
　　KentturnedimpulsivelytoBarbara，andhisarmsclosedaroundherassheraisedhereyestomeethis，forsheknewthatthepromisetheyspokewouldbeloyallyfulfilled，andthatherhavenofloveandhappinesswasreachedatlast。