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diff --git a/3071-h/3071-h.htm b/3071-h/3071-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..450718b --- /dev/null +++ b/3071-h/3071-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,12214 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> + <title> + The Golden Slipper, by Anna Katharine Green + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Golden Slipper, by Anna Katharine Green + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Golden Slipper + +Author: Anna Katharine Green + +Release Date: February 1, 2009 [EBook #3071] +Last Updated: October 3, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN SLIPPER *** + + + + +Produced by Lynn and Chris Hill, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE GOLDEN SLIPPER + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h1> + And Other Problems for Violet Strange + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Anna Katharine Green <br /> (Mrs. Charles Rohlfs) + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <p> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> <b>THE GOLDEN SLIPPER</b> <br />AND OTHER + PROBLEMS FOR VIOLET STRANGE </a> + </p> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> PROBLEM I. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GOLDEN SLIPPER + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> PROBLEM II. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE SECOND BULLET + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> PROBLEM III. </a> + </td> + <td> + AN INTANGIBLE CLUE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> PROBLEM IV. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE GROTTO SPECTRE + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> PROBLEM V. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE DREAMING LADY + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> PROBLEM VI. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE HOUSE OF CLOCKS + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> PROBLEM VII. </a> + </td> + <td> + THE DOCTOR, HIS WIFE, AND THE CLOCK + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> PROBLEM VIII. </a> + </td> + <td> + MISSING: PAGE THIRTEEN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> PROBLEM IX. </a> + </td> + <td> + VIOLET’S OWN + </td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h1> + THE GOLDEN SLIPPER <br /> AND OTHER PROBLEMS FOR VIOLET STRANGE + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM I THE GOLDEN SLIPPER + </h2> + <p> + “She’s here! I thought she would be. She’s one of the three young ladies + you see in the right-hand box near the proscenium.” + </p> + <p> + The gentleman thus addressed—a man of middle age and a member of the + most exclusive clubs—turned his opera glass toward the spot + designated, and in some astonishment retorted: + </p> + <p> + “She? Why those are the Misses Pratt and—” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Violet Strange; no other.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you mean to say—” + </p> + <p> + “I do—” + </p> + <p> + “That yon silly little chit, whose father I know, whose fortune I know, + who is seen everywhere, and who is called one of the season’s belles is an + agent of yours; a—a—” + </p> + <p> + “No names here, please. You want a mystery solved. It is not a matter for + the police—that is, as yet,—and so you come to me, and when I + ask for the facts, I find that women and only women are involved, and that + these women are not only young but one and all of the highest society. Is + it a man’s work to go to the bottom of a combination like this? No. Sex + against sex, and, if possible, youth against youth. Happily, I know such a + person—a girl of gifts and extraordinarily well placed for the + purpose. Why she uses her talents in this direction—why, with means + enough to play the part natural to her as a successful debutante, she + consents to occupy herself with social and other mysteries, you must ask + her, not me. Enough that I promise you her aid if you want it. That is, if + you can interest her. She will not work otherwise.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Driscoll again raised his opera glass. + </p> + <p> + “But it’s a comedy face,” he commented. “It’s hard to associate + intellectuality with such quaintness of expression. Are you sure of her + discretion?” + </p> + <p> + “Whom is she with?” + </p> + <p> + “Abner Pratt, his wife, and daughters.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he a man to entrust his affairs unadvisedly?” + </p> + <p> + “Abner Pratt! Do you mean to say that she is anything more to him than his + daughters’ guest?” + </p> + <p> + “Judge. You see how merry they are. They were in deep trouble yesterday. + You are witness to a celebration.” + </p> + <p> + “And she?” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you observe how they are loading her with attentions? She’s too + young to rouse such interest in a family of notably unsympathetic + temperament for any other reason than that of gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + “It’s hard to believe. But if what you hint is true, secure me an + opportunity at once of talking to this youthful marvel. My affair is + serious. The dinner I have mentioned comes off in three days and—” + </p> + <p> + “I know. I recognize your need; but I think you had better enter Mr. + Pratt’s box without my intervention. Miss Strange’s value to us will be + impaired the moment her connection with us is discovered.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, there’s Ruthven! He will take me to Mr. Pratt’s box,” remarked + Driscoll as the curtain fell on the second act. “Any suggestions before I + go?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and an important one. When you make your bow, touch your left + shoulder with your right hand. It is a signal. She may respond to it; but + if she does not, do not be discouraged. One of her idiosyncrasies is a + theoretical dislike of her work. But once she gets interested, nothing + will hold her back. That’s all, except this. In no event give away her + secret. That’s part of the compact, you remember.” + </p> + <p> + Driscoll nodded and left his seat for Ruthven’s box. When the curtain rose + for the third time he could be seen sitting with the Misses Pratt and + their vivacious young friend. A widower and still on the right side of + fifty, his presence there did not pass unnoted, and curiosity was rife + among certain onlookers as to which of the twin belles was responsible for + this change in his well-known habits. Unfortunately, no opportunity was + given him for showing. Other and younger men had followed his lead into + the box, and they saw him forced upon the good graces of the fascinating + but inconsequent Miss Strange whose rapid fire of talk he was hardly of a + temperament to appreciate. + </p> + <p> + Did he appear dissatisfied? Yes; but only one person in the opera house + knew why. Miss Strange had shown no comprehension of or sympathy with his + errand. Though she chatted amiably enough between duets and trios, she + gave him no opportunity to express his wishes though she knew them well + enough, owing to the signal he had given her. + </p> + <p> + This might be in character but it hardly suited his views; and, being a + man of resolution, he took advantage of an absorbing minute on the stage + to lean forward and whisper in her ear: + </p> + <p> + “It’s my daughter for whom I request your services; as fine a girl as any + in this house. Give me a hearing. You certainly can manage it.” + </p> + <p> + She was a small, slight woman whose naturally quaint appearance was + accentuated by the extreme simplicity of her attire. In the tier upon tier + of boxes rising before his eyes, no other personality could vie with hers + in strangeness, or in the illusive quality of her ever-changing + expression. She was vivacity incarnate and, to the ordinary observer, + light as thistledown in fibre and in feeling. But not to all. To those who + watched her long, there came moments—say when the music rose to + heights of greatness—when the mouth so given over to laughter took + on curves of the rarest sensibility, and a woman’s lofty soul shone + through her odd, bewildering features. + </p> + <p> + Driscoll had noted this, and consequently awaited her reply in secret + hope. + </p> + <p> + It came in the form of a question and only after an instant’s display of + displeasure or possibly of pure nervous irritability. + </p> + <p> + “What has she done?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing. But slander is in the air, and any day it may ripen into public + accusation.” + </p> + <p> + “Accusation of what?” Her tone was almost pettish. + </p> + <p> + “Of—of theft,” he murmured. “On a great scale,” he emphasized, as + the music rose to a crash. + </p> + <p> + “Jewels?” + </p> + <p> + “Inestimable ones. They are always returned by somebody. People say, by + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” The little lady’s hands grew steady,—they had been fluttering + all over her lap. “I will see you to-morrow morning at my father’s house,” + she presently observed; and turned her full attention to the stage. + </p> + <p> + Some three days after this Mr. Driscoll opened his house on the Hudson to + notable guests. He had not desired the publicity of such an event, nor the + opportunity it gave for an increase of the scandal secretly in circulation + against his daughter. But the Ambassador and his wife were foreign and any + evasion of the promised hospitality would be sure to be misunderstood; so + the scheme was carried forward though with less eclat than possibly was + expected. + </p> + <p> + Among the lesser guests, who were mostly young and well acquainted with + the house and its hospitality, there was one unique figure,—that of + the lively Miss Strange, who, if personally unknown to Miss Driscoll, was + so gifted with the qualities which tell on an occasion of this kind, that + the stately young hostess hailed her presence with very obvious gratitude. + </p> + <p> + The manner of their first meeting was singular, and of great interest to + one of them at least. Miss Strange had come in an automobile and had been + shown her room; but there was nobody to accompany her down-stairs + afterward, and, finding herself alone in the great hall, she naturally + moved toward the library, the door of which stood ajar. She had pushed + this door half open before she noticed that the room was already occupied. + As a consequence, she was made the unexpected observer of a beautiful + picture of youth and love. + </p> + <p> + A young man and a young woman were standing together in the glow of a + blazing wood-fire. No word was to be heard, but in their faces, eloquent + with passion, there shone something so deep and true that the chance + intruder hesitated on the threshold, eager to lay this picture away in her + mind with the other lovely and tragic memories now fast accumulating + there. Then she drew back, and readvancing with a less noiseless foot, + came into the full presence of Captain Holliday drawn up in all the pride + of his military rank beside Alicia, the accomplished daughter of the + house, who, if under a shadow as many whispered, wore that shadow as some + women wear a crown. + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange was struck with admiration, and turned upon them the + brightest facet of her vivacious nature all the time she was saying to + herself: “Does she know why I am here? Or does she look upon me only as an + additional guest foisted upon her by a thoughtless parent?” + </p> + <p> + There was nothing in the manner of her cordial but composed young hostess + to show, and Miss Strange, with but one thought in mind since she had + caught the light of feeling on the two faces confronting her, took the + first opportunity that offered of running over the facts given her by Mr. + Driscoll, to see if any reconcilement were possible between them and an + innocence in which she must henceforth believe. + </p> + <p> + They were certainly of a most damaging nature. + </p> + <p> + Miss Driscoll and four other young ladies of her own station in life had + formed themselves, some two years before, into a coterie of five, called + The Inseparables. They lunched together, rode together, visited together. + So close was the bond and their mutual dependence so evident, that it came + to be the custom to invite the whole five whenever the size of the + function warranted it. In fact, it was far from an uncommon occurrence to + see them grouped at receptions or following one another down the aisles of + churches or through the mazes of the dance at balls or assemblies. And no + one demurred at this, for they were all handsome and attractive girls, + till it began to be noticed that, coincident with their presence, some + article of value was found missing from the dressing-room or from the + tables where wedding gifts were displayed. Nothing was safe where they + went, and though, in the course of time, each article found its way back + to its owner in a manner as mysterious as its previous abstraction, the + scandal grew and, whether with good reason or bad, finally settled about + the person of Miss Driscoll, who was the showiest, least pecuniarily + tempted, and most dignified in manner and speech of them all. + </p> + <p> + Some instances had been given by way of further enlightenment. This is + one: A theatre party was in progress. There were twelve in the party, five + of whom were the Inseparables. In the course of the last act, another lady—in + fact, their chaperon—missed her handkerchief, an almost priceless + bit of lace. Positive that she had brought it with her into the box, she + caused a careful search, but without the least success. Recalling certain + whispers she had heard, she noted which of the five girls were with her in + the box. They were Miss Driscoll, Miss Hughson, Miss Yates, and Miss + Benedict. Miss West sat in the box adjoining. + </p> + <p> + A fortnight later this handkerchief reappeared—and where? Among the + cushions of a yellow satin couch in her own drawing-room. The Inseparables + had just made their call and the three who had sat on the couch were Miss + Driscoll, Miss Hughson, and Miss Benedict. + </p> + <p> + The next instance seemed to point still more insistently toward the lady + already named. Miss Yates had an expensive present to buy, and the whole + five Inseparables went in an imposing group to Tiffany’s. A tray of rings + was set before them. All examined and eagerly fingered the stock out of + which Miss Yates presently chose a finely set emerald. She was leading her + friends away when the clerk suddenly whispered in her ear, “I miss one of + the rings.” Dismayed beyond speech, she turned and consulted the faces of + her four companions who stared back at her with immovable serenity. But + one of them was paler than usual, and this lady (it was Miss Driscoll) + held her hands in her muff and did not offer to take them out. Miss Yates, + whose father had completed a big “deal” the week before, wheeled round + upon the clerk. “Charge it! charge it at its full value,” said she. “I buy + both the rings.” + </p> + <p> + And in three weeks the purloined ring came back to her, in a box of + violets with no name attached. + </p> + <p> + The third instance was a recent one, and had come to Mr. Driscoll’s ears + directly from the lady suffering the loss. She was a woman of + uncompromising integrity, who felt it her duty to make known to this + gentleman the following facts: She had just left a studio reception, and + was standing at the curb waiting for a taxicab to draw up, when a small + boy—a street arab—darted toward her from the other side of the + street, and thrusting into her hand something small and hard, cried + breathlessly as he slipped away, “It’s yours, ma’am; you dropped it.” + Astonished, for she had not been conscious of any loss, she looked down at + her treasure trove and found it to be a small medallion which she + sometimes wore on a chain at her belt. But she had not worn it that day, + nor any day for weeks. Then she remembered. She had worn it a month before + to a similar reception at this same studio. A number of young girls had + stood about her admiring it—she remembered well who they were; the + Inseparables, of course, and to please them she had slipped it from its + chain. Then something had happened,—something which diverted her + attention entirely,—and she had gone home without the medallion; + had, in fact, forgotten it, only to recall its loss now. Placing it in her + bag, she looked hastily about her. A crowd was at her back; nothing to be + distinguished there. But in front, on the opposite side of the street, + stood a club-house, and in one of its windows she perceived a solitary + figure looking out. It was that of Miss Driscoll’s father. He could + imagine her conclusion. + </p> + <p> + In vain he denied all knowledge of the matter. She told him other stories + which had come to her ears of thefts as mysterious, followed by + restorations as peculiar as this one, finishing with, “It is your + daughter, and people are beginning to say so.” + </p> + <p> + And Miss Strange, brooding over these instances, would have said the same, + but for Miss Driscoll’s absolute serenity of demeanour and complete + abandonment to love. These seemed incompatible with guilt; these, whatever + the appearances, proclaimed innocence—an innocence she was here to + prove if fortune favoured and the really guilty person’s madness should + again break forth. + </p> + <p> + For madness it would be and nothing less, for any hand, even the most + experienced, to draw attention to itself by a repetition of old tricks on + an occasion so marked. Yet because it would take madness, and madness + knows no law, she prepared herself for the contingency under a mask of + girlish smiles which made her at once the delight and astonishment of her + watchful and uneasy host. + </p> + <p> + With the exception of the diamonds worn by the Ambassadress, there was but + one jewel of consequence to be seen at the dinner that night; but how + great was that consequence and with what splendour it invested the snowy + neck it adorned! + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange, in compliment to the noble foreigners, had put on one of her + family heirlooms—a filigree pendant of extraordinary sapphires which + had once belonged to Marie Antoinette. As its beauty flashed upon the + women, and its value struck the host, the latter could not restrain + himself from casting an anxious eye about the board in search of some + token of the cupidity with which one person there must welcome this + unexpected sight. + </p> + <p> + Naturally his first glance fell upon Alicia, seated opposite to him at the + other end of the table. But her eyes were elsewhere, and her smile for + Captain Holliday, and the father’s gaze travelled on, taking up each young + girl’s face in turn. All were contemplating Miss Strange and her jewels, + and the cheeks of one were flushed and those of the others pale, but + whether with dread or longing who could tell. Struck with foreboding, but + alive to his duty as host, he forced his glances away, and did not even + allow himself to question the motive or the wisdom of the temptation thus + offered. + </p> + <p> + Two hours later and the girls were all in one room. It was a custom of the + Inseparables to meet for a chat before retiring, but always alone and in + the room of one of their number. But this was a night of innovations; + Violet was not only included, but the meeting was held in her room. Her + way with girls was even more fruitful of result than her way with men. + They might laugh at her, criticize her or even call her names significant + of disdain, but they never left her long to herself or missed an + opportunity to make the most of her irrepressible chatter. + </p> + <p> + Her satisfaction at entering this charmed circle did not take from her + piquancy, and story after story fell from her lips, as she fluttered + about, now here now there, in her endless preparations for retirement. She + had taken off her historic pendant after it had been duly admired and + handled by all present, and, with the careless confidence of an assured + ownership, thrown it down upon the end of her dresser, which, by the way, + projected very close to the open window. + </p> + <p> + “Are you going to leave your jewel there?” whispered a voice in her ear as + a burst of laughter rang out in response to one of her sallies. + </p> + <p> + Turning, with a simulation of round-eyed wonder, she met Miss Hughson’s + earnest gaze with the careless rejoinder, “What’s the harm?” and went on + with her story with all the reckless ease of a perfectly thoughtless + nature. + </p> + <p> + Miss Hughson abandoned her protest. How could she explain her reasons for + it to one apparently uninitiated in the scandal associated with their + especial clique. + </p> + <p> + Yes, she left the jewel there; but she locked her door and quickly, so + that they must all have heard her before reaching their rooms. Then she + crossed to the window, which, like all on this side, opened on a balcony + running the length of the house. She was aware of this balcony, also of + the fact that only young ladies slept in the corridor communicating with + it. But she was not quite sure that this one corridor accommodated them + all. If one of them should room elsewhere! (Miss Driscoll, for instance). + But no! the anxiety displayed for the safety of her jewel precluded that + supposition. Their hostess, if none of the others, was within access of + this room and its open window. But how about the rest? Perhaps the lights + would tell. Eagerly the little schemer looked forth, and let her glances + travel down the full length of the balcony. Two separate beams of light + shot across it as she looked, and presently another, and, after some + waiting, a fourth. But the fifth failed to appear. This troubled her, but + not seriously. Two of the girls might be sleeping in one bed. + </p> + <p> + Drawing her shade, she finished her preparations for the night; then with + her kimono on, lifted the pendant and thrust it into a small box she had + taken from her trunk. A curious smile, very unlike any she had shown to + man or woman that day, gave a sarcastic lift to her lips, as with a slow + and thoughtful manipulation of her dainty fingers she moved the jewel + about in this small receptacle and then returned it, after one quick + examining glance, to the very spot on the dresser from which she had taken + it. “If only the madness is great enough!” that smile seemed to say. + Truly, it was much to hope for, but a chance is a chance; and comforting + herself with the thought, Miss Strange put out her light, and, with a + hasty raising of the shade she had previously pulled down, took a final + look at the prospect. + </p> + <p> + Its aspect made her shudder. A low fog was rising from the meadows in the + far distance, and its ghostliness under the moon woke all sorts of uncanny + images in her excited mind. To escape them she crept into bed where she + lay with her eyes on the end of her dresser. She had closed that half of + the French window over which she had drawn the shade; but she had left + ajar the one giving free access to the jewels; and when she was not + watching the scintillation of her sapphires in the moonlight, she was + dwelling in fixed attention on this narrow opening. + </p> + <p> + But nothing happened, and two o’clock, then three o’clock struck, without + a dimming of the blue scintillations on the end of her dresser. Then she + suddenly sat up. Not that she heard anything new, but that a thought had + come to her. “If an attempt is made,” so she murmured softly to herself, + “it will be by—” She did not finish. Something—she could not + call it sound—set her heart beating tumultuously, and listening—listening—watching—watching—she + followed in her imagination the approach down the balcony of an almost + inaudible step, not daring to move herself, it seemed so near, but waiting + with eyes fixed, for the shadow which must fall across the shade she had + failed to raise over that half of the swinging window she had so carefully + left shut. + </p> + <p> + At length she saw it projecting slowly across the slightly illuminated + surface. Formless, save for the outreaching hand, it passed the casement’s + edge, nearing with pauses and hesitations the open gap beyond through + which the neglected sapphires beamed with steady lustre. Would she ever + see the hand itself appear between the dresser and the window frame? Yes, + there it comes,—small, delicate, and startlingly white, threading + that gap—darting with the suddenness of a serpent’s tongue toward + the dresser and disappearing again with the pendant in its clutch. + </p> + <p> + As she realizes this,—she is but young, you know,—as she sees + her bait taken and the hardly expected event fulfilled, her pent-up breath + sped forth in a sigh which sent the intruder flying, and so startled + herself that she sank back in terror on her pillow. + </p> + <p> + The breakfast-call had sounded its musical chimes through the halls. The + Ambassador and his wife had responded, so had most of the young gentlemen + and ladies, but the daughter of the house was not amongst them, nor Miss + Strange, whom one would naturally expect to see down first of all. + </p> + <p> + These two absences puzzled Mr. Driscoll. What might they not portend? But + his suspense, at least in one regard, was short. Before his guests were + well seated, Miss Driscoll entered from the terrace in company with + Captain Holliday. In her arms she carried a huge bunch of roses and was + looking very beautiful. Her father’s heart warmed at the sight. No shadow + from the night rested upon her. + </p> + <p> + But Miss Strange!—where was she? He could not feel quite easy till + he knew. + </p> + <p> + “Have any of you seen Miss Strange?” he asked, as they sat down at table. + And his eyes sought the Inseparables. + </p> + <p> + Five lovely heads were shaken, some carelessly, some wonderingly, and one, + with a quick, forced smile. But he was in no mood to discriminate, and he + had beckoned one of the servants to him, when a step was heard at the door + and the delinquent slid in and took her place, in a shamefaced manner + suggestive of a cause deeper than mere tardiness. In fact, she had what + might be called a frightened air, and stared into her plate, avoiding + every eye, which was certainly not natural to her. What did it mean? and + why, as she made a poor attempt at eating, did four of the Inseparables + exchange glances of doubt and dismay and then concentrate their looks upon + his daughter? That Alicia failed to notice this, but sat abloom above her + roses now fastened in a great bunch upon her breast, offered him some + comfort, yet, for all the volubility of his chief guests, the meal was a + great trial to his patience, as well as a poor preparation for the hour + when, the noble pair gone, he stepped into the library to find Miss + Strange awaiting him with one hand behind her back and a piteous look on + her infantile features. + </p> + <p> + “O, Mr. Driscoll,” she began,—and then he saw that a group of + anxious girls hovered in her rear—“my pendant! my beautiful pendant! + It is gone! Somebody reached in from the balcony and took it from my + dresser in the night. Of course, it was to frighten me; all of the girls + told me not to leave it there. But I—I cannot make them give it + back, and papa is so particular about this jewel that I’m afraid to go + home. Won’t you tell them it’s no joke, and see that I get it again. I + won’t be so careless another time.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly believing his eyes, hardly believing his ears,—she was so + perfectly the spoiled child detected in a fault—he looked sternly + about upon the girls and bade them end the jest and produce the gems at + once. + </p> + <p> + But not one of them spoke, and not one of them moved; only his daughter + grew pale until the roses seemed a mockery, and the steady stare of her + large eyes was almost too much for him to bear. + </p> + <p> + The anguish of this gave asperity to his manner, and in a strange, hoarse + tone he loudly cried: + </p> + <p> + “One of you did this. Which? If it was you, Alicia, speak. I am in no mood + for nonsense. I want to know whose foot traversed the balcony and whose + hand abstracted these jewels.” + </p> + <p> + A continued silence, deepening into painful embarrassment for all. Mr. + Driscoll eyed them in ill-concealed anguish, then turning to Miss Strange + was still further thrown off his balance by seeing her pretty head droop + and her gaze fall in confusion. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! it’s easy enough to tell whose foot traversed the balcony,” she + murmured. “It left this behind.” And drawing forward her hand, she held + out to view a small gold-coloured slipper. “I found it outside my window,” + she explained. “I hoped I should not have to show it.” + </p> + <p> + A gasp of uncontrollable feeling from the surrounding group of girls, then + absolute stillness. + </p> + <p> + “I fail to recognize it,” observed Mr. Driscoll, taking it in his hand. + “Whose slipper is this?” he asked in a manner not to be gainsaid. + </p> + <p> + Still no reply, then as he continued to eye the girls one after another a + voice—the last he expected to hear—spoke and his daughter + cried: + </p> + <p> + “It is mine. But it was not I who walked in it down the balcony.” + </p> + <p> + “Alicia!” + </p> + <p> + A month’s apprehension was in that cry. The silence, the pent-up emotion + brooding in the air was intolerable. A fresh young laugh broke it. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” exclaimed a roguish voice, “I knew that you were all in it! But the + especial one who wore the slipper and grabbed the pendant cannot hope to + hide herself. Her finger-tips will give her away.” + </p> + <p> + Amazement on every face and a convulsive movement in one half-hidden hand. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” the airy little being went on, in her light way, “I have some + awfully funny tricks. I am always being scolded for them, but somehow I + don’t improve. One is to keep my jewelry bright with a strange foreign + paste an old Frenchwoman once gave me in Paris. It’s of a vivid red, and + stains the fingers dreadfully if you don’t take care. Not even water will + take it off, see mine. I used that paste on my pendant last night just + after you left me, and being awfully sleepy I didn’t stop to rub it off. + If your finger-tips are not red, you never touched the pendant, Miss + Driscoll. Oh, see! They are as white as milk. + </p> + <p> + “But some one took the sapphires, and I owe that person a scolding, as + well as myself. Was it you, Miss Hughson? You, Miss Yates? or—” and + here she paused before Miss West, “Oh, you have your gloves on! You are + the guilty one!” and her laugh rang out like a peal of bells, robbing her + next sentence of even a suggestion of sarcasm. “Oh, what a sly-boots!” she + cried. “How you have deceived me! Whoever would have thought you to be the + one to play the mischief!” + </p> + <p> + Who indeed! Of all the five, she was the one who was considered absolutely + immune from suspicion ever since the night Mrs. Barnum’s handkerchief had + been taken, and she not in the box. Eyes which had surveyed Miss Driscoll + askance now rose in wonder toward hers, and failed to fall again because + of the stoniness into which her delicately-carved features had settled. + </p> + <p> + “Miss West, I know you will be glad to remove your gloves; Miss Strange + certainly has a right to know her special tormentor,” spoke up her host in + as natural a voice as his great relief would allow. + </p> + <p> + But the cold, half-frozen woman remained without a movement. She was not + deceived by the banter of the moment. She knew that to all of the others, + if not to Peter Strange’s odd little daughter, it was the thief who was + being spotted and brought thus hilariously to light. And her eyes grew + hard, and her lips grey, and she failed to unglove the hands upon which + all glances were concentrated. + </p> + <p> + “You do not need to see my hands; I confess to taking the pendant.” + </p> + <p> + “Caroline!” + </p> + <p> + A heart overcome by shock had thrown up this cry. Miss West eyed her + bosom-friend disdainfully. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Strange has called it a jest,” she coldly commented. “Why should you + suggest anything of a graver character?” + </p> + <p> + Alicia brought thus to bay, and by one she had trusted most, stepped + quickly forward, and quivering with vague doubts, aghast before unheard-of + possibilities, she tremulously remarked: + </p> + <p> + “We did not sleep together last night. You had to come into my room to get + my slippers. Why did you do this? What was in your mind, Caroline?” + </p> + <p> + A steady look, a low laugh choked with many emotions answered her. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want me to reply, Alicia? Or shall we let it pass?” + </p> + <p> + “Answer!” + </p> + <p> + It was Mr. Driscoll who spoke. Alicia had shrunk back, almost to where a + little figure was cowering with wide eyes fixed in something like terror + on the aroused father’s face. + </p> + <p> + “Then hear me,” murmured the girl, entrapped and suddenly desperate. “I + wore Alicia’s slippers and I took the jewels, because it was time that an + end should come to your mutual dissimulation. The love I once felt for her + she has herself deliberately killed. I had a lover—she took him. I + had faith in life, in honour, and in friendship. She destroyed all. A + thief—she has dared to aspire to him! And you condoned her fault. + You, with your craven restoration of her booty, thought the matter cleared + and her a fit mate for a man of highest honour.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss West,”—no one had ever heard that tone in Mr. Driscoll’s voice + before, “before you say another word calculated to mislead these ladies, + let me say that this hand never returned any one’s booty or had anything + to do with the restoration of any abstracted article. You have been caught + in a net, Miss West, from which you cannot escape by slandering my + innocent daughter.” + </p> + <p> + “Innocent!” All the tragedy latent in this peculiar girl’s nature blazed + forth in the word. “Alicia, face me. Are you innocent? Who took the + Dempsey corals, and that diamond from the Tiffany tray?” + </p> + <p> + “It is not necessary for Alicia to answer,” the father interposed with not + unnatural heat. “Miss West stands self-convicted.” + </p> + <p> + “How about Lady Paget’s scarf? I was not there that night.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a woman of wiles. That could be managed by one bent on an + elaborate scheme of revenge.” + </p> + <p> + “And so could the abstraction of Mrs. Barnum’s five-hundred-dollar + handkerchief by one who sat in the next box,” chimed in Miss Hughson, + edging away from the friend to whose honour she would have pinned her + faith an hour before. “I remember now seeing her lean over the railing to + adjust the old lady’s shawl.” + </p> + <p> + With a start, Caroline West turned a tragic gaze upon the speaker. + </p> + <p> + “You think me guilty of all because of what I did last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Why shouldn’t I?” + </p> + <p> + “And you, Anna?” + </p> + <p> + “Alicia has my sympathy,” murmured Miss Benedict. + </p> + <p> + Yet the wild girl persisted. + </p> + <p> + “But I have told you my provocation. You cannot believe that I am guilty + of her sin; not if you look at her as I am looking now.” + </p> + <p> + But their glances hardly followed her pointing finger. Her friends—the + comrades of her youth, the Inseparables with their secret oath—one + and all held themselves aloof, struck by the perfidy they were only just + beginning to take in. Smitten with despair, for these girls were her life, + she gave one wild leap and sank on her knees before Alicia. + </p> + <p> + “O speak!” she began. “Forgive me, and—” + </p> + <p> + A tremble seized her throat; she ceased to speak and let fall her + partially uplifted hands. The cheery sound of men’s voices had drifted in + from the terrace, and the figure of Captain Holliday could be seen passing + by. The shudder which shook Caroline West communicated itself to Alicia + Driscoll, and the former rising quickly, the two women surveyed each + other, possibly for the first time, with open soul and a complete + understanding. + </p> + <p> + “Caroline!” murmured the one. + </p> + <p> + “Alicia!” pleaded the other. + </p> + <p> + “Caroline, trust me,” said Alicia Driscoll in that moving voice of hers, + which more than her beauty caught and retained all hearts. “You have + served me ill, but it was not all undeserved. Girls,” she went on, eyeing + both them and her father with the wistfulness of a breaking heart, + “neither Caroline nor myself are worthy of Captain Holliday’s love. + Caroline has told you her fault, but mine is perhaps a worse one. The ring—the + scarf—the diamond pins—I took them all—took them if I + did not retain them. A curse has been over my life—the curse of a + longing I could not combat. But love was working a change in me. Since I + have known Captain Holliday—but that’s all over. I was mad to think + I could be happy with such memories in my life. I shall never marry now—or + touch jewels again—my own or another’s. Father, father, you won’t go + back on your girl! I couldn’t see Caroline suffer for what I have done. + You will pardon me and help—help—” + </p> + <p> + Her voice choked. She flung herself into her father’s arms; his head bent + over hers, and for an instant not a soul in the room moved. Then Miss + Hughson gave a spring and caught her by the hand. “We are inseparable,” + said she, and kissed the hand, murmuring, “Now is our time to show it.” + </p> + <p> + Then other lips fell upon those cold and trembling fingers, which seemed + to warm under these embraces. And then a tear. It came from the hard eye + of Caroline, and remained a sacred secret between the two. + </p> + <p> + “You have your pendant?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Driscoll’s suffering eye shone down on Violet Strange’s uplifted face + as she advanced to say good-bye preparatory to departure. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she acknowledged, “but hardly, I fear, your gratitude.” + </p> + <p> + And the answer astonished her. + </p> + <p> + “I am not sure that the real Alicia will not make her father happier than + the unreal one has ever done.” + </p> + <p> + “And Captain Holliday?” + </p> + <p> + “He may come to feel the same.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I do not quit in disgrace?” + </p> + <p> + “You depart with my thanks.” + </p> + <p> + When a certain personage was told of the success of Miss Strange’s latest + manoeuvre, he remarked: “The little one progresses. We shall have to give + her a case of prime importance next.” + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM I <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM II. THE SECOND BULLET + </h2> + <h3> + “You must see her.” + </h3> + <p> + “No. No.” + </p> + <p> + “She’s a most unhappy woman. Husband and child both taken from her in a + moment; and now, all means of living as well, unless some happy thought of + yours—some inspiration of your genius—shows us a way of + re-establishing her claims to the policy voided by this cry of suicide.” + </p> + <p> + But the small wise head of Violet Strange continued its slow shake of + decided refusal. + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry,” she protested, “but it’s quite out of my province. I’m too + young to meddle with so serious a matter.” + </p> + <p> + “Not when you can save a bereaved woman the only possible compensation + left her by untoward fate?” + </p> + <p> + “Let the police try their hand at that.” + </p> + <p> + “They have had no success with the case.” + </p> + <p> + “Or you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nor I either.” + </p> + <p> + “And you expect—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Miss Strange. I expect you to find the missing bullet which will + settle the fact that murder and not suicide ended George Hammond’s life. + If you cannot, then a long litigation awaits this poor widow, ending, as + such litigation usually does, in favour of the stronger party. There’s the + alternative. If you once saw her—” + </p> + <p> + “But that’s what I’m not willing to do. If I once saw her I should yield + to her importunities and attempt the seemingly impossible. My instincts + bid me say no. Give me something easier.” + </p> + <p> + “Easier things are not so remunerative. There’s money in this affair, if + the insurance company is forced to pay up. I can offer you—” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + There was eagerness in the tone despite her effort at nonchalance. The + other smiled imperceptibly, and briefly named the sum. + </p> + <p> + It was larger than she had expected. This her visitor saw by the way her + eyelids fell and the peculiar stillness which, for an instant, held her + vivacity in check. + </p> + <p> + “And you think I can earn that?” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were fixed on his in an eagerness as honest as it was + unrestrained. + </p> + <p> + He could hardly conceal his amazement, her desire was so evident and the + cause of it so difficult to understand. He knew she wanted money—that + was her avowed reason for entering into this uncongenial work. But to want + it so much! He glanced at her person; it was simply clad but very + expensively—how expensively it was his business to know. Then he + took in the room in which they sat. Simplicity again, but the simplicity + of high art—the drawing-room of one rich enough to indulge in the + final luxury of a highly cultivated taste, viz.: unostentatious elegance + and the subjection of each carefully chosen ornament to the general + effect. + </p> + <p> + What did this favoured child of fortune lack that she could be reached by + such a plea, when her whole being revolted from the nature of the task he + offered her? It was a question not new to him; but one he had never heard + answered and was not likely to hear answered now. But the fact remained + that the consent he had thought dependent upon sympathetic interest could + be reached much more readily by the promise of large emolument,—and + he owned to a feeling of secret disappointment even while he recognized + the value of the discovery. + </p> + <p> + But his satisfaction in the latter, if satisfaction it were, was of very + short duration. Almost immediately he observed a change in her. The + sparkle which had shone in the eye whose depths he had never been able to + penetrate, had dissipated itself in something like a tear and she spoke up + in that vigorous tone no one but himself had ever heard, as she said: + </p> + <p> + “No. The sum is a good one and I could use it; but I will not waste my + energy on a case I do not believe in. The man shot himself. He was a + speculator, and probably had good reason for his act. Even his wife + acknowledges that he has lately had more losses than gains.” + </p> + <p> + “See her. She has something to tell you which never got into the papers.” + </p> + <p> + “You say that? You know that?” + </p> + <p> + “On my honour, Miss Strange.” + </p> + <p> + Violet pondered; then suddenly succumbed. + </p> + <p> + “Let her come, then. Prompt to the hour. I will receive her at three. + Later I have a tea and two party calls to make.” + </p> + <p> + Her visitor rose to leave. He had been able to subdue all evidence of his + extreme gratification, and now took on a formal air. In dismissing a + guest, Miss Strange was invariably the society belle and that only. This + he had come to recognize. + </p> + <p> + The case (well known at the time) was, in the fewest possible words, as + follows: + </p> + <p> + On a sultry night in September, a young couple living in one of the large + apartment houses in the extreme upper portion of Manhattan were so annoyed + by the incessant crying of a child in the adjoining suite, that they got + up, he to smoke, and she to sit in the window for a possible breath of + cool air. They were congratulating themselves upon the wisdom they had + shown in thus giving up all thought of sleep—for the child’s crying + had not ceased—when (it may have been two o’clock and it may have + been a little later) there came from somewhere near, the sharp and + somewhat peculiar detonation of a pistol-shot. + </p> + <p> + He thought it came from above; she, from the rear, and they were staring + at each other in the helpless wonder of the moment, when they were struck + by the silence. The baby had ceased to cry. All was as still in the + adjoining apartment as in their own—too still—much too still. + Their mutual stare turned to one of horror. “It came from there!” + whispered the wife. “Some accident has occurred to Mr. or Mrs. Hammond—we + ought to go—” + </p> + <p> + Her words—very tremulous ones—were broken by a shout from + below. They were standing in their window and had evidently been seen by a + passing policeman. “Anything wrong up there?” they heard him cry. Mr. + Saunders immediately looked out. “Nothing wrong here,” he called down. + (They were but two stories from the pavement.) “But I’m not so sure about + the rear apartment. We thought we heard a shot. Hadn’t you better come up, + officer? My wife is nervous about it. I’ll meet you at the stair-head and + show you the way.” + </p> + <p> + The officer nodded and stepped in. The young couple hastily donned some + wraps, and, by the time he appeared on their floor, they were ready to + accompany him. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, no disturbance was apparent anywhere else in the house, until + the policeman rang the bell of the Hammond apartment. Then, voices began + to be heard, and doors to open above and below, but not the one before + which the policeman stood. + </p> + <p> + Another ring, and this time an insistent one;—and still no response. + The officer’s hand was rising for the third time when there came a sound + of fluttering from behind the panels against which he had laid his ear, + and finally a choked voice uttering unintelligible words. Then a hand + began to struggle with the lock, and the door, slowly opening, disclosed a + woman clad in a hastily donned wrapper and giving every evidence of + extreme fright. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” she exclaimed, seeing only the compassionate faces of her + neighbours. “You heard it, too! a pistol-shot from there—there—my + husband’s room. I have not dared to go—I—I—O, have mercy + and see if anything is wrong! It is so still—so still, and only a + moment ago the baby was crying. Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Saunders, why is it so + still?” + </p> + <p> + She had fallen into her neighbour’s arms. The hand with which she had + pointed out a certain door had sunk to her side and she appeared to be on + the verge of collapse. + </p> + <p> + The officer eyed her sternly, while noting her appearance, which was that + of a woman hastily risen from bed. + </p> + <p> + “Where were you?” he asked. “Not with your husband and child, or you would + know what had happened there.” + </p> + <p> + “I was sleeping down the hall,” she managed to gasp out. “I’m not well—I—Oh, + why do you all stand still and do nothing? My baby’s in there. Go! go!” + and, with sudden energy, she sprang upright, her eyes wide open and + burning, her small well featured face white as the linen she sought to + hide. + </p> + <p> + The officer demurred no longer. In another instant he was trying the door + at which she was again pointing. + </p> + <p> + It was locked. + </p> + <p> + Glancing back at the woman, now cowering almost to the floor, he pounded + at the door and asked the man inside to open. + </p> + <p> + No answer came back. + </p> + <p> + With a sharp turn he glanced again at the wife. + </p> + <p> + “You say that your husband is in this room?” + </p> + <p> + She nodded, gasping faintly, “And the child!” + </p> + <p> + He turned back, listened, then beckoned to Mr. Saunders. “We shall have to + break our way in,” said he. “Put your shoulder well to the door. Now!” + </p> + <p> + The hinges of the door creaked; the lock gave way (this special officer + weighed two hundred and seventy-five, as he found out, next day), and a + prolonged and sweeping crash told the rest. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hammond gave a low cry; and, straining forward from where she + crouched in terror on the floor, searched the faces of the two men for + some hint of what they saw in the dimly-lighted space beyond. Something + dreadful, something which made Mr. Saunders come rushing back with a + shout: + </p> + <p> + “Take her away! Take her to our apartment, Jennie. She must not see—” + </p> + <p> + Not see! He realized the futility of his words as his gaze fell on the + young woman who had risen up at his approach and now stood gazing at him + without speech, without movement, but with a glare of terror in her eyes, + which gave him his first realization of human misery. + </p> + <p> + His own glance fell before it. If he had followed his instinct he would + have fled the house rather than answer the question of her look and the + attitude of her whole frozen body. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps in mercy to his speechless terror, perhaps in mercy to herself, + she was the one who at last found the word which voiced their mutual + anguish. + </p> + <p> + “Dead?” + </p> + <p> + No answer. None was needed. + </p> + <p> + “And my baby?” + </p> + <p> + O, that cry! It curdled the hearts of all who heard it. It shook the souls + of men and women both inside and outside the apartment; then all was + forgotten in the wild rush she made. The wife and mother had flung herself + upon the scene, and, side by side with the not unmoved policeman, stood + looking down upon the desolation made in one fatal instant in her home and + heart. + </p> + <p> + They lay there together, both past help, both quite dead. The child had + simply been strangled by the weight of his father’s arm which lay directly + across the upturned little throat. But the father was a victim of the shot + they had heard. There was blood on his breast, and a pistol in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Suicide! The horrible truth was patent. No wonder they wanted to hold the + young widow back. Her neighbour, Mrs. Saunders, crept in on tiptoe and put + her arms about the swaying, fainting woman; but there was nothing to say—absolutely + nothing. + </p> + <p> + At least, they thought not. But when they saw her throw herself down, not + by her husband, but by the child, and drag it out from under that + strangling arm and hug and kiss it and call out wildly for a doctor, the + officer endeavoured to interfere and yet could not find the heart to do + so, though he knew the child was dead and should not, according to all the + rules of the coroner’s office, be moved before that official arrived. Yet + because no mother could be convinced of a fact like this, he let her sit + with it on the floor and try all her little arts to revive it, while he + gave orders to the janitor and waited himself for the arrival of doctor + and coroner. + </p> + <p> + She was still sitting there in wide-eyed misery, alternately fondling the + little body and drawing back to consult its small set features for some + sign of life, when the doctor came, and, after one look at the child, drew + it softly from her arms and laid it quietly in the crib from which its + father had evidently lifted it but a short time before. Then he turned + back to her, and found her on her feet, upheld by her two friends. She had + understood his action, and without a groan had accepted her fate. Indeed, + she seemed incapable of any further speech or action. She was staring down + at her husband’s body, which she, for the first time, seemed fully to see. + Was her look one of grief or of resentment for the part he had played so + unintentionally in her child’s death? It was hard to tell; and when, with + slowly rising finger, she pointed to the pistol so tightly clutched in the + other outstretched hand, no one there—and by this time the room was + full—could foretell what her words would be when her tongue regained + its usage and she could speak. + </p> + <p> + What she did say was this: + </p> + <p> + “Is there a bullet gone? Did he fire off that pistol?” A question so + manifestly one of delirium that no one answered it, which seemed to + surprise her, though she said nothing till her glance had passed all + around the walls of the room to where a window stood open to the night,—its + lower sash being entirely raised. “There! look there!” she cried, with a + commanding accent, and, throwing up her hands, sank a dead weight into the + arms of those supporting her. + </p> + <p> + No one understood; but naturally more than one rushed to the window. An + open space was before them. Here lay the fields not yet parcelled out into + lots and built upon; but it was not upon these they looked, but upon the + strong trellis which they found there, which, if it supported no vine, + formed a veritable ladder between this window and the ground. + </p> + <p> + Could she have meant to call attention to this fact; and were her words + expressive of another idea than the obvious one of suicide? + </p> + <p> + If so, to what lengths a woman’s imagination can go! Or so their combined + looks seemed to proclaim, when to their utter astonishment they saw the + officer, who had presented a calm appearance up till now, shift his + position and with a surprised grunt direct their eyes to a portion of the + wall just visible beyond the half-drawn curtains of the bed. The mirror + hanging there showed a star-shaped breakage, such as follows the sharp + impact of a bullet or a fiercely projected stone. + </p> + <p> + “He fired two shots. One went wild; the other straight home.” + </p> + <p> + It was the officer delivering his opinion. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Saunders, returning from the distant room where he had assisted in + carrying Mrs. Hammond, cast a look at the shattered glass, and remarked + forcibly: + </p> + <p> + “I heard but one; and I was sitting up, disturbed by that poor infant. + Jennie, did you hear more than one shot?” he asked, turning toward his + wife. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she answered, but not with the readiness he had evidently expected. + “I heard only one, but that was not quite usual in its tone. I’m used to + guns,” she explained, turning to the officer. “My father was an army man, + and he taught me very early to load and fire a pistol. There was a + prolonged sound to this shot; something like an echo of itself, following + close upon the first ping. Didn’t you notice that, Warren?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember something of the kind,” her husband allowed. + </p> + <p> + “He shot twice and quickly,” interposed the policeman, sententiously. “We + shall find a spent bullet back of that mirror.” + </p> + <p> + But when, upon the arrival of the coroner, an investigation was made of + the mirror and the wall behind, no bullet was found either there or any + where else in the room, save in the dead man’s breast. Nor had more than + one been shot from his pistol, as five full chambers testified. The case + which seemed so simple had its mysteries, but the assertion made by Mrs. + Saunders no longer carried weight, nor was the evidence offered by the + broken mirror considered as indubitably establishing the fact that a + second shot had been fired in the room. + </p> + <p> + Yet it was equally evident that the charge which had entered the dead + speculator’s breast had not been delivered at the close range of the + pistol found clutched in his hand. There were no powder-marks to be + discerned on his pajama-jacket, or on the flesh beneath. Thus anomaly + confronted anomaly, leaving open but one other theory: that the bullet + found in Mr. Hammond’s breast came from the window and the one he shot + went out of it. But this would necessitate his having shot his pistol from + a point far removed from where he was found; and his wound was such as + made it difficult to believe that he would stagger far, if at all, after + its infliction. + </p> + <p> + Yet, because the coroner was both conscientious and alert, he caused a + most rigorous search to be made of the ground overlooked by the above + mentioned window; a search in which the police joined, but which was + without any result save that of rousing the attention of people in the + neighbourhood and leading to a story being circulated of a man seen some + time the night before crossing the fields in a great hurry. But as no + further particulars were forthcoming, and not even a description of the + man to be had, no emphasis would have been laid upon this story had it not + transpired that the moment a report of it had come to Mrs. Hammond’s ears + (why is there always some one to carry these reports?) she roused from the + torpor into which she had fallen, and in wild fashion exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “I knew it! I expected it! He was shot through the window and by that + wretch. He never shot himself.” Violent declarations which trailed off + into the one continuous wail, “O, my baby! my poor baby!” + </p> + <p> + Such words, even though the fruit of delirium, merited some sort of + attention, or so this good coroner thought, and as soon as opportunity + offered and she was sufficiently sane and quiet to respond to his + questions, he asked her whom she had meant by that wretch, and what reason + she had, or thought she had, of attributing her husband’s death to any + other agency than his own disgust with life. + </p> + <p> + And then it was that his sympathies, although greatly roused in her favour + began to wane. She met the question with a cold stare followed by a few + ambiguous words out of which he could make nothing. Had she said wretch? + She did not remember. They must not be influenced by anything she might + have uttered in her first grief. She was well-nigh insane at the time. But + of one thing they might be sure: her husband had not shot himself; he was + too much afraid of death for such an act. Besides, he was too happy. + Whatever folks might say he was too fond of his family to wish to leave + it. + </p> + <p> + Nor did the coroner or any other official succeed in eliciting anything + further from her. Even when she was asked, with cruel insistence, how she + explained the fact that the baby was found lying on the floor instead of + in its crib, her only answer was: “His father was trying to soothe it. The + child was crying dreadfully, as you have heard from those who were kept + awake by him that night, and my husband was carrying him about when the + shot came which caused George to fall and overlay the baby in his + struggles.” + </p> + <p> + “Carrying a baby about with a loaded pistol in his hand?” came back in + stern retort. + </p> + <p> + She had no answer for this. She admitted when informed that the bullet + extracted from her husband’s body had been found to correspond exactly + with those remaining in the five chambers of the pistol taken from his + hand, that he was not only the owner of this pistol but was in the habit + of sleeping with it under his pillow; but, beyond that, nothing; and this + reticence, as well as her manner which was cold and repellent, told + against her. + </p> + <p> + A verdict of suicide was rendered by the coroner’s jury, and the + life-insurance company, in which Mr. Hammond had but lately insured + himself for a large sum, taking advantage of the suicide clause embodied + in the policy, announced its determination of not paying the same. + </p> + <p> + Such was the situation, as known to Violet Strange and the general public, + on the day she was asked to see Mrs. Hammond and learn what might alter + her opinion as to the justice of this verdict and the stand taken by the + Shuler Life Insurance Company. + </p> + <p> + The clock on the mantel in Miss Strange’s rose-coloured boudoir had struck + three, and Violet was gazing in some impatience at the door, when there + came a gentle knock upon it, and the maid (one of the elderly, not + youthful, kind) ushered in her expected visitor. + </p> + <p> + “You are Mrs. Hammond?” she asked, in natural awe of the too black figure + outlined so sharply against the deep pink of the sea-shell room. + </p> + <p> + The answer was a slow lifting of the veil which shadowed the features she + knew only from the cuts she had seen in newspapers. + </p> + <p> + “You are—Miss Strange?” stammered her visitor; “the young lady who—” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” chimed in a voice as ringing as it was sweet. “I am the person you + have come here to see. And this is my home. But that does not make me less + interested in the unhappy, or less desirous of serving them. Certainly you + have met with the two greatest losses which can come to a woman—I + know your story well enough to say that—; but what have you to tell + me in proof that you should not lose your anticipated income as well? + Something vital, I hope, else I cannot help you; something which you + should have told the coroner’s jury—and did not.” + </p> + <p> + The flush which was the sole answer these words called forth did not take + from the refinement of the young widow’s expression, but rather added to + it; Violet watched it in its ebb and flow and, seriously affected by it + (why, she did not know, for Mrs. Hammond had made no other appeal either + by look or gesture), pushed forward a chair and begged her visitor to be + seated. + </p> + <p> + “We can converse in perfect safety here,” she said. “When you feel quite + equal to it, let me hear what you have to communicate. It will never go + any further. I could not do the work I do if I felt it necessary to have a + confidant.” + </p> + <p> + “But you are so young and so—so—” + </p> + <p> + “So inexperienced you would say and so evidently a member of what New + Yorkers call ‘society.’ Do not let that trouble you. My inexperience is + not likely to last long and my social pleasures are more apt to add to my + efficiency than to detract from it.” + </p> + <p> + With this Violet’s face broke into a smile. It was not the brilliant one + so often seen upon her lips, but there was something in its quality which + carried encouragement to the widow and led her to say with obvious + eagerness: + </p> + <p> + “You know the facts?” + </p> + <p> + “I have read all the papers.” + </p> + <p> + “I was not believed on the stand.” + </p> + <p> + “It was your manner—” + </p> + <p> + “I could not help my manner. I was keeping something back, and, being + unused to deceit, I could not act quite naturally.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you keep something back? When you saw the unfavourable impression + made by your reticence, why did you not speak up and frankly tell your + story?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I was ashamed. Because I thought it would hurt me more to speak + than to keep silent. I do not think so now; but I did then—and so + made my great mistake. You must remember not only the awful shock of my + double loss, but the sense of guilt accompanying it; for my husband and I + had quarreled that night, quarreled bitterly—that was why I had run + away into another room and not because I was feeling ill and impatient of + the baby’s fretful cries.” + </p> + <p> + “So people have thought.” In saying this, Miss Strange was perhaps cruelly + emphatic. “You wish to explain that quarrel? You think it will be doing + any good to your cause to go into that matter with me now?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot say; but I must first clear my conscience and then try to + convince you that quarrel or no quarrel, he never took his own life. He + was not that kind. He had an abnormal fear of death. I do not like to say + it but he was a physical coward. I have seen him turn pale at the least + hint of danger. He could no more have turned that muzzle upon his own + breast than he could have turned it upon his baby. Some other hand shot + him, Miss Strange. Remember the open window, the shattered mirror; and I + think I know that hand.” + </p> + <p> + Her head had fallen forward on her breast. The emotion she showed was not + so eloquent of grief as of deep personal shame. + </p> + <p> + “You think you know the man?” In saying this, Violet’s voice sunk to a + whisper. It was an accusation of murder she had just heard. + </p> + <p> + “To my great distress, yes. When Mr. Hammond and I were married,” the + widow now proceeded in a more determined tone, “there was another man—a + very violent one—who vowed even at the church door that George and I + should never live out two full years together. We have not. Our second + anniversary would have been in November.” + </p> + <p> + “But—” + </p> + <p> + “Let me say this: the quarrel of which I speak was not serious enough to + occasion any such act of despair on his part. A man would be mad to end + his life on account of so slight a disagreement. It was not even on + account of the person of whom I’ve just spoken, though that person had + been mentioned between us earlier in the evening, Mr. Hammond having come + across him face to face that very afternoon in the subway. Up to this time + neither of us had seen or heard of him since our wedding-day.” + </p> + <p> + “And you think this person whom you barely mentioned, so mindful of his + old grudge that he sought out your domicile, and, with the intention of + murder, climbed the trellis leading to your room and turned his pistol + upon the shadowy figure which was all he could see in the semi-obscurity + of a much lowered gas-jet?” + </p> + <p> + “A man in the dark does not need a bright light to see his enemy when he + is intent upon revenge.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange altered her tone. + </p> + <p> + “And your husband? You must acknowledge that he shot off his pistol + whether the other did or not.” + </p> + <p> + “It was in self-defence. He would shoot to save his own life—or the + baby’s.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he must have heard or seen—” + </p> + <p> + “A man at the window.” + </p> + <p> + “And would have shot there?” + </p> + <p> + “Or tried to.” + </p> + <p> + “Tried to?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; the other shot first—oh, I’ve thought it all out—causing + my husband’s bullet to go wild. It was his which broke the mirror.” + </p> + <p> + Violet’s eyes, bright as stars, suddenly narrowed. + </p> + <p> + “And what happened then?” she asked. “Why cannot they find the bullet?” + </p> + <p> + “Because it went out of the window;—glanced off and went out of the + window.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hammond’s tone was triumphant; her look spirited and intense. + </p> + <p> + Violet eyed her compassionately. + </p> + <p> + “Would a bullet glancing off from a mirror, however hung, be apt to reach + a window so far on the opposite side?” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know; I only know that it did,” was the contradictory, almost + absurd, reply. + </p> + <p> + “What was the cause of the quarrel you speak of between your husband and + yourself? You see, I must know the exact truth and all the truth to be of + any assistance to you.” + </p> + <p> + “It was—it was about the care I gave, or didn’t give, the baby. I + feel awfully to have to say it, but George did not think I did my full + duty by the child. He said there was no need of its crying so; that if I + gave it the proper attention it would not keep the neighbours and himself + awake half the night. And I—I got angry and insisted that I did the + best I could; that the child was naturally fretful and that if he wasn’t + satisfied with my way of looking after it, he might try his. All of which + was very wrong and unreasonable on my part, as witness the awful + punishment which followed.” + </p> + <p> + “And what made you get up and leave him?” + </p> + <p> + “The growl he gave me in reply. When I heard that, I bounded out of bed + and said I was going to the spare room to sleep; and if the baby cried he + might just try what he could do himself to stop it.” + </p> + <p> + “And he answered?” + </p> + <p> + “This, just this—I shall never forget his words as long as I live—‘If + you go, you need not expect me to let you in again no matter what + happens.’” + </p> + <p> + “He said that?” + </p> + <p> + “And locked the door after me. You see I could not tell all that.” + </p> + <p> + “It might have been better if you had. It was such a natural quarrel and + so unprovocative of actual tragedy.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hammond was silent. It was not difficult to see that she had no very + keen regrets for her husband personally. But then he was not a very + estimable man nor in any respect her equal. + </p> + <p> + “You were not happy with him,” Violet ventured to remark. + </p> + <p> + “I was not a fully contented woman. But for all that he had no cause to + complain of me except for the reason I have mentioned. I was not a very + intelligent mother. But if the baby were living now—O, if he were + living now—with what devotion I should care for him.” + </p> + <p> + She was on her feet, her arms were raised, her face impassioned with + feeling. Violet, gazing at her, heaved a little sigh. It was perhaps in + keeping with the situation, perhaps extraneous to it, but whatever its + source, it marked a change in her manner. With no further check upon her + sympathy, she said very softly: + </p> + <p> + “It is well with the child.” + </p> + <p> + The mother stiffened, swayed, and then burst into wild weeping. + </p> + <p> + “But not with me,” she cried, “not with me. I am desolate and bereft. I + have not even a home in which to hide my grief and no prospect of one.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” interposed Violet, “surely your husband left you something? You + cannot be quite penniless?” + </p> + <p> + “My husband left nothing,” was the answer, uttered without bitterness, but + with all the hardness of fact. “He had debts. I shall pay those debts. + When these and other necessary expenses are liquidated, there will be but + little left. He made no secret of the fact that he lived close up to his + means. That is why he was induced to take on a life insurance. Not a + friend of his but knows his improvidence. I—I have not even jewels. + I have only my determination and an absolute conviction as to the real + nature of my husband’s death.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the name of the man you secretly believe to have shot your + husband from the trellis?” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Hammond told her. + </p> + <p> + It was a new one to Violet. She said so and then asked: + </p> + <p> + “What else can you tell me about him?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, but that he is a very dark man and has a club-foot.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a mistake you’ve made.” + </p> + <p> + “Mistake? Yes, I acknowledge that.” + </p> + <p> + “I mean in not giving this last bit of information at once to the police. + A man can be identified by such a defect. Even his footsteps can be + traced. He might have been found that very day. Now, what have we to go + upon?” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, but not expecting to have any difficulty about the + insurance money I thought it would be generous in me to keep still. + Besides, this is only surmise on my part. I feel certain that my husband + was shot by another hand than his own, but I know of no way of proving it. + Do you?” + </p> + <p> + Then Violet talked seriously with her, explaining how their only hope lay + in the discovery of a second bullet in the room which had already been + ransacked for this very purpose and without the shadow of a result. + </p> + <p> + A tea, a musicale, and an evening dance kept Violet Strange in a whirl for + the remainder of the day. No brighter eye nor more contagious wit lent + brilliance to these occasions, but with the passing of the midnight hour + no one who had seen her in the blaze of electric lights would have + recognized this favoured child of fortune in the earnest figure sitting in + the obscurity of an up-town apartment, studying the walls, the ceilings, + and the floors by the dim light of a lowered gas-jet. Violet Strange in + society was a very different person from Violet Strange under the tension + of her secret and peculiar work. + </p> + <p> + She had told them at home that she was going to spend the night with a + friend; but only her old coachman knew who that friend was. Therefore a + very natural sense of guilt mingled with her emotions at finding herself + alone on a scene whose gruesome mystery she could solve only by + identifying herself with the place and the man who had perished there. + </p> + <p> + Dismissing from her mind all thought of self, she strove to think as he + thought, and act as he acted on the night when he found himself (a man of + but little courage) left in this room with an ailing child. + </p> + <p> + At odds with himself, his wife, and possibly with the child screaming away + in its crib, what would he be apt to do in his present emergency? Nothing + at first, but as the screaming continued he would remember the old tales + of fathers walking the floor at night with crying babies, and hasten to + follow suit. Violet, in her anxiety to reach his inmost thought, crossed + to where the crib had stood, and, taking that as a start, began pacing the + room in search of the spot from which a bullet, if shot, would glance + aside from the mirror in the direction of the window. (Not that she was + ready to accept this theory of Mrs. Hammond, but that she did not wish to + entirely dismiss it without putting it to the test.) + </p> + <p> + She found it in an unexpected quarter of the room and much nearer the + bed-head than where his body was found. This, which might seem to confuse + matters, served, on the contrary to remove from the case one of its most + serious difficulties. Standing here, he was within reach of the pillow + under which his pistol lay hidden, and if startled, as his wife believed + him to have been by a noise at the other end of the room, had but to + crouch and reach behind him in order to find himself armed and ready for a + possible intruder. + </p> + <p> + Imitating his action in this as in other things, she had herself crouched + low at the bedside and was on the point of withdrawing her hand from under + the pillow, when a new surprise checked her movement and held her fixed in + her position, with eyes staring straight at the adjoining wall. She had + seen there what he must have seen in making this same turn—the dark + bars of the opposite window-frame outlined in the mirror—and + understood at once what had happened. In the nervousness and terror of the + moment, George Hammond had mistaken this reflection of the window for the + window itself, and shot impulsively at the man he undoubtedly saw covering + him from the trellis without. But while this explained the shattering of + the mirror, how about the other and still more vital question, of where + the bullet went afterward? Was the angle at which it had been fired acute + enough to send it out of a window diagonally opposed? No; even if the + pistol had been held closer to the man firing it than she had reason to + believe, the angle still would be oblique enough to carry it on to the + further wall. + </p> + <p> + But no sign of any such impact had been discovered on this wall. + Consequently, the force of the bullet had been expended before reaching + it, and when it fell— + </p> + <p> + Here, her glance, slowly traveling along the floor, impetuously paused. It + had reached the spot where the two bodies had been found, and + unconsciously her eyes rested there, conjuring up the picture of the + bleeding father and the strangled child. How piteous and how dreadful it + all was. If she could only understand—Suddenly she rose straight up, + staring and immovable in the dim light. Had the idea—the explanation—the + only possible explanation covering the whole phenomena come to her at + last? + </p> + <p> + It would seem so, for as she so stood, a look of conviction settled over + her features, and with this look, evidences of a horror which for all her + fast accumulating knowledge of life and its possibilities made her appear + very small and very helpless. + </p> + <p> + A half-hour later, when Mrs. Hammond, in her anxiety at hearing nothing + more from Miss Strange, opened the door of her room, it was to find, lying + on the edge of the sill, the little detective’s card with these words + hastily written across it: + </p> + <p> + I do not feel as well as I could wish, and so have telephoned to my own + coachman to come and take me home. I will either see or write you within a + few days. But do not allow yourself to hope. I pray you do not allow + yourself the least hope; the outcome is still very problematical. + </p> + <p> + When Violet’s employer entered his office the next morning it was to find + a veiled figure awaiting him which he at once recognized as that of his + little deputy. She was slow in lifting her veil and when it finally came + free he felt a momentary doubt as to his wisdom in giving her just such a + matter as this to investigate. He was quite sure of his mistake when he + saw her face, it was so drawn and pitiful. + </p> + <p> + “You have failed,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Of that you must judge,” she answered; and drawing near she whispered in + his ear. + </p> + <p> + “No!” he cried in his amazement. + </p> + <p> + “Think,” she murmured, “think. Only so can all the facts be accounted + for.” + </p> + <p> + “I will look into it; I will certainly look into it,” was his earnest + reply. “If you are right—But never mind that. Go home and take a + horseback ride in the Park. When I have news in regard to this I will let + you know. Till then forget it all. Hear me, I charge you to forget + everything but your balls and your parties.” + </p> + <p> + And Violet obeyed him. + </p> + <p> + Some few days after this, the following statement appeared in all the + papers: + </p> + <p> + “Owing to some remarkable work done by the firm of —— & + ——, the well-known private detective agency, the claim made by + Mrs. George Hammond against the Shuler Life Insurance Company is likely to + be allowed without further litigation. As our readers will remember, the + contestant has insisted from the first that the bullet causing her + husband’s death came from another pistol than the one found clutched in + his own hand. But while reasons were not lacking to substantiate this + assertion, the failure to discover more than the disputed track of a + second bullet led to a verdict of suicide, and a refusal of the company to + pay. + </p> + <p> + “But now that bullet has been found. And where? In the most startling + place in the world, viz.: in the larynx of the child found lying dead upon + the floor beside his father, strangled as was supposed by the weight of + that father’s arm. The theory is, and there seems to be none other, that + the father, hearing a suspicious noise at the window, set down the child + he was endeavouring to soothe and made for the bed and his own pistol, + and, mistaking a reflection of the assassin for the assassin himself, sent + his shot sidewise at a mirror just as the other let go the trigger which + drove a similar bullet into his breast. The course of the one was straight + and fatal and that of the other deflected. Striking the mirror at an + oblique angle, the bullet fell to the floor where it was picked up by the + crawling child, and, as was most natural, thrust at once into his mouth. + Perhaps it felt hot to the little tongue; perhaps the child was simply + frightened by some convulsive movement of the father who evidently spent + his last moment in an endeavour to reach the child, but, whatever the + cause, in the quick gasp it gave, the bullet was drawn into the larynx, + strangling him. + </p> + <p> + “That the father’s arm, in his last struggle, should have fallen directly + across the little throat is one of those anomalies which confounds reason + and misleads justice by stopping investigation at the very point where + truth lies and mystery disappears. + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Hammond is to be congratulated that there are detectives who do not + give too much credence to outward appearances.” + </p> + <p> + We expect soon to hear of the capture of the man who sped home the + death-dealing bullet. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM II <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM III. AN INTANGIBLE CLUE + </h2> + <h3> + “Have you studied the case?” + </h3> + <p> + “Not I.” + </p> + <p> + “Not studied the case which for the last few days has provided the papers + with such conspicuous headlines?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not read the papers. I have not looked at one in a whole week.” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Strange, your social engagements must be of a very pressing nature + just now?” + </p> + <p> + “They are.” + </p> + <p> + “And your business sense in abeyance?” + </p> + <p> + “How so?” + </p> + <p> + “You would not ask if you had read the papers.” + </p> + <p> + To this she made no reply save by a slight toss of her pretty head. If her + employer felt nettled by this show of indifference, he did not betray it + save by the rapidity of his tones as, without further preamble and + possibly without real excuse, he proceeded to lay before her the case in + question. “Last Tuesday night a woman was murdered in this city; an old + woman, in a lonely house where she has lived for years. Perhaps you + remember this house? It occupies a not inconspicuous site in Seventeenth + Street—a house of the olden time?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I do not remember.” + </p> + <p> + The extreme carelessness of Miss Strange’s tone would have been fatal to + her socially; but then, she would never have used it socially. This they + both knew, yet he smiled with his customary indulgence. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will describe it.” + </p> + <p> + She looked around for a chair and sank into it. He did the same. + </p> + <p> + “It has a fanlight over the front door.” + </p> + <p> + She remained impassive. + </p> + <p> + “And two old-fashioned strips of parti-coloured glass on either side.” + </p> + <p> + “And a knocker between its panels which may bring money some day.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you do remember! I thought you would, Miss Strange.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Fanlights over doors are becoming very rare in New York.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then. That house was the scene of Tuesday’s tragedy. The woman + who has lived there in solitude for years was foully murdered. I have + since heard that the people who knew her best have always anticipated some + such violent end for her. She never allowed maid or friend to remain with + her after five in the afternoon; yet she had money—some think a + great deal—always in the house.” + </p> + <p> + “I am interested in the house, not in her.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet, she was a character—as full of whims and crotchets as a nut is + of meat. Her death was horrible. She fought—her dress was torn from + her body in rags. This happened, you see, before her hour for retiring; + some think as early as six in the afternoon. And”—here he made a + rapid gesture to catch Violet’s wandering attention—“in spite of + this struggle; in spite of the fact that she was dragged from room to room—that + her person was searched—and everything in the house searched—that + drawers were pulled out of bureaus—doors wrenched off of cupboards—china + smashed upon the floor—whole shelves denuded and not a spot from + cellar to garret left unransacked, no direct clue to the perpetrator has + been found—nothing that gives any idea of his personality save his + display of strength and great cupidity. The police have even deigned to + consult me,—an unusual procedure—but I could find nothing, + either. Evidences of fiendish purpose abound—of relentless search—but + no clue to the man himself. It’s uncommon, isn’t it, not to have any + clue?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so.” Miss Strange hated murders and it was with difficulty she + could be brought to discuss them. But she was not going to be let off; not + this time. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” he proceeded insistently, “it’s not only mortifying to the + police but disappointing to the press, especially as few reporters believe + in the No-thoroughfare business. They say, and we cannot but agree with + them, that no such struggle could take place and no such repeated goings + to and fro through the house without some vestige being left by which to + connect this crime with its daring perpetrator.” + </p> + <p> + Still she stared down at her hands—those little hands so white and + fluttering, so seemingly helpless under the weight of their many rings, + and yet so slyly capable. + </p> + <p> + “She must have queer neighbours,” came at last, from Miss Strange’s + reluctant lips. “Didn’t they hear or see anything of all this?” + </p> + <p> + “She has no neighbours—that is, after half-past five o’clock. + There’s a printing establishment on one side of her, a deserted mansion on + the other side, and nothing but warehouses back and front. There was no + one to notice what took place in her small dwelling after the printing + house was closed. She was the most courageous or the most foolish of women + to remain there as she did. But nothing except death could budge her. She + was born in the room where she died; was married in the one where she + worked; saw husband, father, mother, and five sisters carried out in turn + to their graves through the door with the fanlight over the top—and + these memories held her.” + </p> + <p> + “You are trying to interest me in the woman. Don’t.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I’m not trying to interest you in her, only trying to explain her. + There was another reason for her remaining where she did so long after all + residents had left the block. She had a business.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” + </p> + <p> + “She embroidered monograms for fine ladies.” + </p> + <p> + “She did? But you needn’t look at me like that. She never embroidered any + for me.” + </p> + <p> + “No? She did first-class work. I saw some of it. Miss Strange, if I could + get you into that house for ten minutes—not to see her but to pick + up the loose intangible thread which I am sure is floating around in it + somewhere—wouldn’t you go?” + </p> + <p> + Violet slowly rose—a movement which he followed to the letter. + </p> + <p> + “Must I express in words the limit I have set for myself in our affair?” + she asked. “When, for reasons I have never thought myself called upon to + explain, I consented to help you a little now and then with some matter + where a woman’s tact and knowledge of the social world might tell without + offence to herself or others, I never thought it would be necessary for me + to state that temptation must stop with such cases, or that I should not + be asked to touch the sordid or the bloody. But it seems I was mistaken, + and that I must stoop to be explicit. The woman who was killed on Tuesday + might have interested me greatly as an embroiderer, but as a victim, not + at all. What do you see in me, or miss in me, that you should drag me into + an atmosphere of low-down crime?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, Miss Strange. You are by nature, as well as by breeding, very + far removed from everything of the kind. But you will allow me to suggest + that no crime is low-down which makes imperative demand upon the intellect + and intuitive sense of its investigator. Only the most delicate touch can + feel and hold the thread I’ve just spoken of, and you have the most + delicate touch I know.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not attempt to flatter me. I have no fancy for handling befouled + spider webs. Besides, if I had—if such elusive filaments fascinated + me—how could I, well-known in person and name, enter upon such a + scene without prejudice to our mutual compact?” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Strange”—she had reseated herself, but so far he had failed to + follow her example (an ignoring of the subtle hint that her interest might + yet be caught, which seemed to annoy her a trifle), “I should not even + have suggested such a possibility had I not seen a way of introducing you + there without risk to your position or mine. Among the boxes piled upon + Mrs. Doolittle’s table—boxes of finished work, most of them + addressed and ready for delivery—was one on which could be seen the + name of—shall I mention it?” + </p> + <p> + “Not mine? You don’t mean mine? That would be too odd—too + ridiculously odd. I should not understand a coincidence of that kind; no, + I should not, notwithstanding the fact that I have lately sent out such + work to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet it was your name, very clearly and precisely written—your whole + name, Miss Strange. I saw and read it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “But I gave the order to Madame Pirot on Fifth Avenue. How came my things + to be found in the house of this woman of whose horrible death we have + been talking?” + </p> + <p> + “Did you suppose that Madame Pirot did such work with her own hands?—or + even had it done in her own establishment? Mrs. Doolittle was universally + employed. She worked for a dozen firms. You will find the biggest names on + most of her packages. But on this one—I allude to the one addressed + to you—there was more to be seen than the name. These words were + written on it in another hand. Send without opening. This struck the + police as suspicious; sufficiently so, at least, for them to desire your + presence at the house as soon as you can make it convenient.” + </p> + <p> + “To open the box?” + </p> + <p> + “Exactly.” + </p> + <p> + The curl of Miss Strange’s disdainful lip was a sight to see. + </p> + <p> + “You wrote those words yourself,” she coolly observed. “While someone’s + back was turned, you whipped out your pencil and—” + </p> + <p> + “Resorted to a very pardonable subterfuge highly conducive to the public’s + good. But never mind that. Will you go?” + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange became suddenly demure. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose I must,” she grudgingly conceded. “However obtained, a summons + from the police cannot be ignored even by Peter Strange’s daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Another man might have displayed his triumph by smile or gesture; but this + one had learned his role too well. He simply said: + </p> + <p> + “Very good. Shall it be at once? I have a taxi at the door.” + </p> + <p> + But she failed to see the necessity of any such hurry. With sudden dignity + she replied: + </p> + <p> + “That won’t do. If I go to this house it must be under suitable + conditions. I shall have to ask my brother to accompany me.” + </p> + <p> + “Your brother!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he’s safe. He—he knows.” + </p> + <p> + “Your brother knows?” Her visitor, with less control than usual, betrayed + very openly his uneasiness. + </p> + <p> + “He does and—approves. But that’s not what interests us now, only so + far as it makes it possible for me to go with propriety to that dreadful + house.” + </p> + <p> + A formal bow from the other and the words: + </p> + <p> + “They may expect you, then. Can you say when?” + </p> + <p> + “Within the next hour. But it will be a useless concession on my part,” + she pettishly complained. “A place that has been gone over by a dozen + detectives is apt to be brushed clean of its cobwebs, even if such ever + existed.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s the difficulty,” he acknowledged; and did not dare to add another + word; she was at that particular moment so very much the great lady, and + so little his confidential agent. + </p> + <p> + He might have been less impressed, however, by this sudden assumption of + manner, had he been so fortunate as to have seen how she employed the + three quarters of an hour’s delay for which she had asked. + </p> + <p> + She read those neglected newspapers, especially the one containing the + following highly coloured narration of this ghastly crime: + </p> + <p> + “A door ajar—an empty hall—a line of sinister looking blotches + marking a guilty step diagonally across the flagging—silence—and + an unmistakable odour repugnant to all humanity,—such were the + indications which met the eyes of Officer O’Leary on his first round last + night, and led to the discovery of a murder which will long thrill the + city by its mystery and horror. + </p> + <p> + “Both the house and the victim are well known.” Here followed a + description of the same and of Mrs. Doolittle’s manner of life in her + ancient home, which Violet hurriedly passed over to come to the following: + </p> + <p> + “As far as one can judge from appearances, the crime happened in this + wise: Mrs. Doolittle had been in her kitchen, as the tea-kettle found + singing on the stove goes to prove, and was coming back through her + bedroom, when the wretch, who had stolen in by the front door which, to + save steps, she was unfortunately in the habit of leaving on the latch + till all possibility of customers for the day was over, sprang upon her + from behind and dealt her a swinging blow with the poker he had caught up + from the hearthstone. + </p> + <p> + “Whether the struggle which ensued followed immediately upon this first + attack or came later, it will take medical experts to determine. But, + whenever it did occur, the fierceness of its character is shown by the + grip taken upon her throat and the traces of blood which are to be seen + all over the house. If the wretch had lugged her into her workroom and + thence to the kitchen, and thence back to the spot of first assault, the + evidences could not have been more ghastly. Bits of her clothing torn off + by a ruthless hand, lay scattered over all these floors. In her bedroom, + where she finally breathed her last, there could be seen mingled with + these a number of large but worthless glass beads; and close against one + of the base-boards, the string which had held them, as shown by the few + remaining beads still clinging to it. If in pulling the string from her + neck he had hoped to light upon some valuable booty, his fury at his + disappointment is evident. You can almost see the frenzy with which he + flung the would-be necklace at the wall, and kicked about and stamped upon + its rapidly rolling beads. + </p> + <p> + “Booty! That was what he was after; to find and carry away the poor + needlewoman’s supposed hoardings. If the scene baffles description—if, + as some believe, he dragged her yet living from spot to spot, demanding + information as to her places of concealment under threat of repeated + blows, and, finally baffled, dealt the finishing stroke and proceeded on + the search alone, no greater devastation could have taken place in this + poor woman’s house or effects. Yet such was his precaution and care for + himself that he left no finger-print behind him nor any other token which + could lead to personal identification. Even though his footsteps could be + traced in much the order I have mentioned, they were of so indeterminate + and shapeless a character as to convey little to the intelligence of the + investigator. + </p> + <p> + “That these smears (they could not be called footprints) not only crossed + the hall but appeared in more than one place on the staircase proves that + he did not confine his search to the lower storey; and perhaps one of the + most interesting features of the case lies in the indications given by + these marks of the raging course he took through these upper rooms. As the + accompanying diagram will show [we omit the diagram] he went first into + the large front chamber, thence to the rear where we find two rooms, one + unfinished and filled with accumulated stuff most of which he left lying + loose upon the floor, and the other plastered, and containing a window + opening upon an alley-way at the side, but empty of all furniture and + without even a carpet on the bare boards. + </p> + <p> + “Why he should have entered the latter place, and why, having entered he + should have crossed to the window, will be plain to those who have studied + the conditions. The front chamber windows were tightly shuttered, the + attic ones cumbered with boxes and shielded from approach by old bureaus + and discarded chairs. This one only was free and, although darkened by the + proximity of the house neighbouring it across the alley, was the only spot + on the storey where sufficient light could be had at this late hour for + the examination of any object of whose value he was doubtful. That he had + come across such an object and had brought it to this window for some such + purpose is very satisfactorily demonstrated by the discovery of a worn out + wallet of ancient make lying on the floor directly in front of this window—a + proof of his cupidity but also proof of his ill-luck. For this wallet, + when lifted and opened, was found to contain two hundred or more dollars + in old bills, which, if not the full hoard of their industrious owner, was + certainly worth the taking by one who had risked his neck for the sole + purpose of theft. + </p> + <p> + “This wallet, and the flight of the murderer without it, give to this + affair, otherwise simply brutal, a dramatic interest which will be + appreciated not only by the very able detectives already hot upon the + chase, but by all other inquiring minds anxious to solve a mystery of + which so estimable a woman has been the unfortunate victim. A problem is + presented to the police—” + </p> + <p> + There Violet stopped. + </p> + <p> + When, not long after, the superb limousine of Peter Strange stopped before + the little house in Seventeenth Street, it caused a veritable sensation, + not only in the curiosity-mongers lingering on the sidewalk, but to the + two persons within—the officer on guard and a belated reporter. + </p> + <p> + Though dressed in her plainest suit, Violet Strange looked much too + fashionable and far too young and thoughtless to be observed, without + emotion, entering a scene of hideous and brutal crime. Even the young man + who accompanied her promised to bring a most incongruous element into this + atmosphere of guilt and horror, and, as the detective on guard whispered + to the man beside him, might much better have been left behind in the car. + </p> + <p> + But Violet was great for the proprieties and young Arthur followed her in. + </p> + <p> + Her entrance was a coup du theatre. She had lifted her veil in crossing + the sidewalk and her interesting features and general air of timidity were + very fetching. As the man holding open the door noted the impression made + upon his companion, he muttered with sly facetiousness: + </p> + <p> + “You think you’ll show her nothing; but I’m ready to bet a fiver that + she’ll want to see it all and that you’ll show it to her.” + </p> + <p> + The detective’s grin was expressive, notwithstanding the shrug with which + he tried to carry it off. + </p> + <p> + And Violet? The hall into which she now stepped from the most vivid + sunlight had never been considered even in its palmiest days as possessing + cheer even of the stately kind. The ghastly green light infused through it + by the coloured glass on either side of the doorway seemed to promise yet + more dismal things beyond. + </p> + <p> + “Must I go in there?” she asked, pointing, with an admirable simulation of + nervous excitement, to a half-shut door at her left. “Is there where it + happened? Arthur, do you suppose that there is where it happened?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, Miss,” the officer made haste to assure her. “If you are Miss + Strange” (Violet bowed), “I need hardly say that the woman was struck in + her bedroom. The door beside you leads into the parlour, or as she would + have called it, her work-room. You needn’t be afraid of going in there. + You will see nothing but the disorder of her boxes. They were pretty well + pulled about. Not all of them though,” he added, watching her as closely + as the dim light permitted. “There is one which gives no sign of having + been tampered with. It was done up in wrapping paper and is addressed to + you, which in itself would not have seemed worthy of our attention had not + these lines been scribbled on it in a man’s handwriting: ‘Send without + opening.’” + </p> + <p> + “How odd!” exclaimed the little minx with widely opened eyes and an air of + guileless innocence. “Whatever can it mean? Nothing serious I am sure, for + the woman did not even know me. She was employed to do this work by Madame + Pirot.” + </p> + <p> + “Didn’t you know that it was to be done here?” + </p> + <p> + “No. I thought Madame Pirot’s own girls did her embroidery for her.” + </p> + <p> + “So that you were surprised—” + </p> + <p> + “Wasn’t I!” + </p> + <p> + “To get our message.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t know what to make of it.” + </p> + <p> + The earnest, half-injured look with which she uttered this disclaimer, did + its appointed work. The detective accepted her for what she seemed and, + oblivious to the reporter’s satirical gesture, crossed to the work-room + door, which he threw wide open with the remark: + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad to have you open that box in our presence. It is + undoubtedly all right, but we wish to be sure. You know what the box + should contain?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, indeed; pillow-cases and sheets, with a big S embroidered on + them.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well. Shall I undo the string for you?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be much obliged,” said she, her eye flashing quickly about the + room before settling down upon the knot he was deftly loosening. + </p> + <p> + Her brother, gazing indifferently in from the doorway, hardly noticed this + look; but the reporter at his back did, though he failed to detect its + penetrating quality. + </p> + <p> + “Your name is on the other side,” observed the detective as he drew away + the string and turned the package over. + </p> + <p> + The smile which just lifted the corner of her lips was not in answer to + this remark, but to her recognition of her employer’s handwriting in the + words under her name: Send without opening. She had not misjudged him. + </p> + <p> + “The cover you may like to take off yourself,” suggested the officer, as + he lifted the box out of its wrapper. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don’t mind. There’s nothing to be ashamed of in embroidered linen. + Or perhaps that is not what you are looking for?” + </p> + <p> + No one answered. All were busy watching her whip off the lid and lift out + the pile of sheets and pillow-cases with which the box was closely packed. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I unfold them?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + The detective nodded. + </p> + <p> + Taking out the topmost sheet, she shook it open. Then the next and the + next till she reached the bottom of the box. Nothing of a criminating + nature came to light. The box as well as its contents was without mystery + of any kind. This was not an unexpected result of course, but the smile + with which she began to refold the pieces and throw them back into the + box, revealed one of her dimples which was almost as dangerous to the + casual observer as when it revealed both. + </p> + <p> + “There,” she exclaimed, “you see! Household linen exactly as I said. Now + may I go home?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Miss Strange.” + </p> + <p> + The detective stole a sly glance at the reporter. She was not going in for + the horrors then after all. + </p> + <p> + But the reporter abated nothing of his knowing air, for while she spoke of + going, she made no move towards doing so, but continued to look about the + room till her glances finally settled on a long dark curtain shutting off + an adjoining room. + </p> + <p> + “There’s where she lies, I suppose,” she feelingly exclaimed. “And not one + of you knows who killed her. Somehow, I cannot understand that. Why don’t + you know when that’s what you’re hired for?” The innocence with which she + uttered this was astonishing. The detective began to look sheepish and the + reporter turned aside to hide his smile. Whether in another moment either + would have spoken no one can say, for, with a mock consciousness of having + said something foolish, she caught up her parasol from the table and made + a start for the door. + </p> + <p> + But of course she looked back. + </p> + <p> + “I was wondering,” she recommenced, with a half wistful, half speculative + air, “whether I should ask to have a peep at the place where it all + happened.” + </p> + <p> + The reporter chuckled behind the pencil-end he was chewing, but the + officer maintained his solemn air, for which act of self-restraint he was + undoubtedly grateful when in another minute she gave a quick impulsive + shudder not altogether assumed, and vehemently added: “But I couldn’t + stand the sight; no, I couldn’t! I’m an awful coward when it comes to + things like that. Nothing in all the world would induce me to look at the + woman or her room. But I should like—” here both her dimples came + into play though she could not be said exactly to smile—“just one + little look upstairs, where he went poking about so long without any fear + it seems of being interrupted. Ever since I’ve read about it I have seen, + in my mind, a picture of his wicked figure sneaking from room to room, + tearing open drawers and flinging out the contents of closets just to find + a little money—a little, little money! I shall not sleep to-night + just for wondering how those high up attic rooms really look.” + </p> + <p> + Who could dream that back of this display of mingled childishness and + audacity there lay hidden purpose, intellect, and a keen knowledge of + human nature. Not the two men who listened to this seemingly irresponsible + chatter. To them she was a child to be humoured and humour her they did. + The dainty feet which had already found their way to that gloomy staircase + were allowed to ascend, followed it is true by those of the officer who + did not dare to smile back at the reporter because of the brother’s + watchful and none too conciliatory eye. + </p> + <p> + At the stair head she paused to look back. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see those horrible marks which the papers describe as running all + along the lower hall and up these stairs.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Miss Strange; they have gradually been rubbed out, but you will find + some still showing on these upper floors.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! oh! where? You frighten me—frighten me horribly! But—but—if + you don’t mind, I should like to see.” + </p> + <p> + Why should not a man on a tedious job amuse himself? Piloting her over to + the small room in the rear, he pointed down at the boards. She gave one + look and then stepped gingerly in. + </p> + <p> + “Just look!” she cried; “a whole string of marks going straight from door + to window. They have no shape, have they,—just blotches? I wonder + why one of them is so much larger than the rest?” + </p> + <p> + This was no new question. It was one which everybody who went into the + room was sure to ask, there was such a difference in the size and + appearance of the mark nearest the window. The reason—well, minds + were divided about that, and no one had a satisfactory theory. The + detective therefore kept discreetly silent. + </p> + <p> + This did not seem to offend Miss Strange. On the contrary it gave her an + opportunity to babble away to her heart’s content. + </p> + <p> + “One, two, three, four, five, six,” she counted, with a shudder at every + count. “And one of them bigger than the others.” She might have added, “It + is the trail of one foot, and strangely, intermingled at that,” but she + did not, though we may be quite sure that she noted the fact. “And where, + just where did the old wallet fall? Here? or here?” + </p> + <p> + She had moved as she spoke, so that in uttering the last “here,” she stood + directly before the window. The surprise she received there nearly made + her forget the part she was playing. From the character of the light in + the room, she had expected, on looking out, to confront a near-by wall, + but not a window in that wall. Yet that was what she saw directly facing + her from across the old-fashioned alley separating this house from its + neighbour; twelve unshuttered and uncurtained panes through which she + caught a darkened view of a room almost as forlorn and devoid of furniture + as the one in which she then stood. + </p> + <p> + When quite sure of herself, she let a certain portion of her surprise + appear. + </p> + <p> + “Why, look!” she cried, “if you can’t see right in next door! What a + lonesome-looking place! From its desolate appearance I should think the + house quite empty.” + </p> + <p> + “And it is. That’s the old Shaffer homestead. It’s been empty for a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, empty!” And she turned away, with the most inconsequent air in the + world, crying out as her name rang up the stair, “There’s Arthur calling. + I suppose he thinks I’ve been here long enough. I’m sure I’m very much + obliged to you, officer. I really shouldn’t have slept a wink to-night, if + I hadn’t been given a peep at these rooms, which I had imagined so + different.” And with one additional glance over her shoulder, that seemed + to penetrate both windows and the desolate space beyond, she ran quickly + out and down in response to her brother’s reiterated call. + </p> + <p> + “Drive quickly!—as quickly as the law allows, to Hiram Brown’s + office in Duane Street.” + </p> + <p> + Arrived at the address named, she went in alone to see Mr. Brown. He was + her father’s lawyer and a family friend. + </p> + <p> + Hardly waiting for his affectionate greeting, she cried out quickly. “Tell + me how I can learn anything about the old Shaffer house in Seventeenth + Street. Now, don’t look so surprised. I have very good reasons for my + request and—and—I’m in an awful hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “But—” + </p> + <p> + “I know, I know; there’s been a dreadful tragedy next door to it; but it’s + about the Shaffer house itself I want some information. Has it an agent, a—” + </p> + <p> + “Of course it has an agent, and here is his name.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Brown presented her with a card on which he had hastily written both + name and address. + </p> + <p> + She thanked him, dropped him a mocking curtsey full of charm, whispered + “Don’t tell father,” and was gone. + </p> + <p> + Her manner to the man she next interviewed was very different. As soon as + she saw him she subsided into her usual society manner. With just a touch + of the conceit of the successful debutante, she announced herself as Miss + Strange of Seventy-second Street. Her business with him was in regard to + the possible renting of the Shaffer house. She had an old lady friend who + was desirous of living downtown. + </p> + <p> + In passing through Seventeenth Street, she had noticed that the old + Shaffer house was standing empty and had been immediately struck with the + advantages it possessed for her elderly friend’s occupancy. Could it be + that the house was for rent? There was no sign on it to that effect, but—etc. + </p> + <p> + His answer left her nothing to hope for. + </p> + <p> + “It is going to be torn down,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what a pity!” she exclaimed. “Real colonial, isn’t it! I wish I could + see the rooms inside before it is disturbed. Such doors and such dear + old-fashioned mantelpieces as it must have! I just dote on the Colonial. + It brings up such pictures of the old days; weddings, you know, and + parties;—all so different from ours and so much more interesting.” + </p> + <p> + Is it the chance shot that tells? Sometimes. Violet had no especial + intention in what she said save as a prelude to a pending request, but + nothing could have served her purpose better than that one word, wedding. + The agent laughed and giving her his first indulgent look, remarked + genially: + </p> + <p> + “Romance is not confined to those ancient times. If you were to enter that + house to-day you would come across evidences of a wedding as romantic as + any which ever took place in all the seventy odd years of its existence. A + man and a woman were married there day before yesterday who did their + first courting under its roof forty years ago. He has been married twice + and she once in the interval; but the old love held firm and now at the + age of sixty and over they have come together to finish their days in + peace and happiness. Or so we will hope.” + </p> + <p> + “Married! married in that house and on the day that—” + </p> + <p> + She caught herself up in time. He did not notice the break. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, in memory of those old days of courtship, I suppose. They came here + about five, got the keys, drove off, went through the ceremony in that + empty house, returned the keys to me in my own apartment, took the steamer + for Naples, and were on the sea before midnight. Do you not call that + quick work as well as highly romantic?” + </p> + <p> + “Very.” Miss Strange’s cheek had paled. It was apt to when she was greatly + excited. “But I don’t understand,” she added, the moment after. “How could + they do this and nobody know about it? I should have thought it would have + got into the papers.” + </p> + <p> + “They are quiet people. I don’t think they told their best friends. A + simple announcement in the next day’s journals testified to the fact of + their marriage, but that was all. I would not have felt at liberty to + mention the circumstances myself, if the parties were not well on their + way to Europe.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how glad I am that you did tell me! Such a story of constancy and the + hold which old associations have upon sensitive minds! But—” + </p> + <p> + “Why, Miss? What’s the matter? You look very much disturbed.” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you remember? Haven’t you thought? Something else happened that + very day and almost at the same time on that block. Something very + dreadful—” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Doolittle’s murder?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It was as near as next door, wasn’t it? Oh, if this happy couple had + known—” + </p> + <p> + “But fortunately they didn’t. Nor are they likely to, till they reach the + other side. You needn’t fear that their honeymoon will be spoiled that + way.” + </p> + <p> + “But they may have heard something or seen something before leaving the + street. Did you notice how the gentleman looked when he returned you the + keys?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, and there was no cloud on his satisfaction.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how you relieve me!” One—two dimples made their appearance in + Miss Strange’s fresh, young cheeks. “Well! I wish them joy. Do you mind + telling me their names? I cannot think of them as actual persons without + knowing their names.” + </p> + <p> + “The gentleman was Constantin Amidon; the lady, Marian Shaffer. You will + have to think of them now as Mr. and Mrs. Amidon.” + </p> + <p> + “And I will. Thank you, Mr. Hutton, thank you very much. Next to the + pleasure of getting the house for my friend, is that of hearing this + charming bit of news its connection.” + </p> + <p> + She held out her hand and, as he took it, remarked: + </p> + <p> + “They must have had a clergyman and witnesses.” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I had been one of the witnesses,” she sighed sentimentally. + </p> + <p> + “They were two old men.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no! Don’t tell me that.” + </p> + <p> + “Fogies; nothing less.” + </p> + <p> + “But the clergyman? He must have been young. Surely there was some one + there capable of appreciating the situation?” + </p> + <p> + “I can’t say about that; I did not see the clergyman.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well! it doesn’t matter.” Miss Strange’s manner was as nonchalant as + it was charming. “We will think of him as being very young.” + </p> + <p> + And with a merry toss of her head she flitted away. + </p> + <p> + But she sobered very rapidly upon entering her limousine. + </p> + <p> + “Hello!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, is that you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I want a Marconi sent.” + </p> + <p> + “A Marconi?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to the Cretic, which left dock the very night in which we are so + deeply interested.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. Whom to? The Captain?” + </p> + <p> + “No, to a Mrs. Constantin Amidon. But first be sure there is such a + passenger.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs.! What idea have you there?” + </p> + <p> + “Excuse my not stating over the telephone. The message is to be to this + effect. Did she at any time immediately before or after her marriage to + Mr. Amidon get a glimpse of any one in the adjoining house? No remarks, + please. I use the telephone because I am not ready to explain myself. If + she did, let her send a written description to you of that person as soon + as she reaches the Azores.” + </p> + <p> + “You surprise me. May I not call or hope for a line from you early + to-morrow?” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be busy till you get your answer.” + </p> + <p> + He hung up the receiver. He recognized the resolute tone. + </p> + <p> + But the time came when the pending explanation was fully given to him. An + answer had been returned from the steamer, favourable to Violet’s hopes. + Mrs. Amidon had seen such a person and would send a full description of + the same at the first opportunity. It was news to fill Violet’s heart with + pride; the filament of a clue which had led to this great result had been + so nearly invisible and had felt so like nothing in her grasp. + </p> + <p> + To her employer she described it as follows: + </p> + <p> + “When I hear or read of a case which contains any baffling features, I am + apt to feel some hidden chord in my nature thrill to one fact in it and + not to any of the others. In this case the single fact which appealed to + my imagination was the dropping of the stolen wallet in that upstairs + room. Why did the guilty man drop it? and why, having dropped it, did he + not pick it up again? but one answer seemed possible. He had heard or seen + something at the spot where it fell which not only alarmed him but sent + him in flight from the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good; and did you settle to your own mind the nature of that sound + or that sight?” + </p> + <p> + “I did.” Her manner was strangely businesslike. No show of dimples now. + “Satisfied that if any possibility remained of my ever doing this, it + would have to be on the exact place of this occurrence or not at all, I + embraced your suggestion and visited the house.” + </p> + <p> + “And that room no doubt.” + </p> + <p> + “And that room. Women, somehow, seem to manage such things.” + </p> + <p> + “So I’ve noticed, Miss Strange. And what was the result of your visit? + What did you discover there?” + </p> + <p> + “This: that one of the blood spots marking the criminal’s steps through + the room was decidedly more pronounced than the rest; and, what was even + more important, that the window out of which I was looking had its + counterpart in the house on the opposite side of the alley. In gazing + through the one I was gazing through the other; and not only that, but + into the darkened area of the room beyond. Instantly I saw how the latter + fact might be made to explain the former one. But before I say how, let me + ask if it is quite settled among you that the smears on the floor and + stairs mark the passage of the criminal’s footsteps!” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly; and very bloody feet they must have been too. His shoes—or + rather his one shoe—for the proof is plain that only the right one + left its mark—must have become thoroughly saturated to carry its + traces so far.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that any amount of saturation would have done this? Or, if + you are not ready to agree to that, that a shoe so covered with blood + could have failed to leave behind it some hint of its shape, some imprint, + however faint, of heel or toe? But nowhere did it do this. We see a smear—and + that is all.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, Miss Strange; you are always right. And what do you gather + from this?” + </p> + <p> + She looked to see how much he expected from her, and, meeting an eye not + quite as free from ironic suggestion as his words had led her to expect, + faltered a little as she proceeded to say: + </p> + <p> + “My opinion is a girl’s opinion, but such as it is you have the right to + have it. From the indications mentioned I could draw but this conclusion: + that the blood which accompanied the criminal’s footsteps was not carried + through the house by his shoes;—he wore no shoes; he did not even + wear stockings; probably he had none. For reasons which appealed to his + judgment, he went about his wicked work barefoot; and it was the blood + from his own veins and not from those of his victim which made the trail + we have followed with so much interest. Do you forget those broken beads;—how + he kicked them about and stamped upon them in his fury? One of them + pierced the ball of his foot, and that so sharply that it not only spurted + blood but kept on bleeding with every step he took. Otherwise, the trail + would have been lost after his passage up the stairs.” + </p> + <p> + “Fine!” There was no irony in the bureau-chief’s eye now. “You are + progressing, Miss Strange. Allow me, I pray, to kiss your hand. It is a + liberty I have never taken, but one which would greatly relieve my present + stress of feeling.” + </p> + <p> + She lifted her hand toward him, but it was in gesture, not in recognition + of his homage. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” said she, “but I claim no monopoly on deductions so simple as + these. I have not the least doubt that not only yourself but every member + of the force has made the same. But there is a little matter which may + have escaped the police, may even have escaped you. To that I would now + call your attention since through it I have been enabled, after a little + necessary groping, to reach the open. You remember the one large blotch on + the upper floor where the man dropped the wallet? That blotch, more or + less commingled with a fainter one, possessed great significance for me + from the first moment I saw it. How came his foot to bleed so much more + profusely at that one spot than at any other? There could be but one + answer: because here a surprise met him—a surprise so startling to + him in his present state of mind, that he gave a quick spring backward, + with the result that his wounded foot came down suddenly and forcibly + instead of easily as in his previous wary tread. And what was the + surprise? I made it my business to find out, and now I can tell you that + it was the sight of a woman’s face staring upon him from the neighbouring + house which he had probably been told was empty. The shock disturbed his + judgment. He saw his crime discovered—his guilty secret read, and + fled in unreasoning panic. He might better have held on to his wits. It + was this display of fear which led me to search after its cause, and + consequently to discover that at this especial hour more than one person + had been in the Shaffer house; that, in fact, a marriage had been + celebrated there under circumstances as romantic as any we read of in + books, and that this marriage, privately carried out, had been followed by + an immediate voyage of the happy couple on one of the White Star steamers. + With the rest you are conversant. I do not need to say anything about what + has followed the sending of that Marconi.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am going to say something about your work in this matter, Miss + Strange. The big detectives about here will have to look sharp if—” + </p> + <p> + “Don’t, please! Not yet.” A smile softened the asperity of this + interruption. “The man has yet to be caught and identified. Till that is + done I cannot enjoy any one’s congratulations. And you will see that all + this may not be so easy. If no one happened to meet the desperate wretch + before he had an opportunity to retie his shoe-laces, there will be little + for you or even for the police to go upon but his wounded foot, his + undoubtedly carefully prepared alibi, and later, a woman’s confused + description of a face seen but for a moment only and that under a personal + excitement precluding minute attention. I should not be surprised if the + whole thing came to nothing.” + </p> + <p> + But it did not. As soon as the description was received from Mrs. Amidon + (a description, by the way, which was unusually clear and precise, owing + to the peculiar and contradictory features of the man), the police were + able to recognize him among the many suspects always under their eye. + Arrested, he pleaded, just as Miss Strange had foretold, an alibi of a + seemingly unimpeachable character; but neither it, nor the plausible + explanation with which he endeavoured to account for a freshly healed scar + amid the callouses of his right foot, could stand before Mrs. Amidon’s + unequivocal testimony that he was the same man she had seen in Mrs. + Doolittle’s upper room on the afternoon of her own happiness and of that + poor woman’s murder. + </p> + <p> + The moment when, at his trial, the two faces again confronted each other + across a space no wider than that which had separated them on the dread + occasion in Seventeenth Street, is said to have been one of the most + dramatic in the annals of that ancient court room. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM III <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM IV. THE GROTTO SPECTRE + </h2> + <p> + Miss Strange was not often pensive—at least not at large functions + or when under the public eye. But she certainly forgot herself at Mrs. + Provost’s musicale and that, too, without apparent reason. Had the music + been of a high order one might have understood her abstraction; but it was + of a decidedly mediocre quality, and Violet’s ear was much too fine and + her musical sense too cultivated for her to be beguiled by anything less + than the very best. + </p> + <p> + Nor had she the excuse of a dull companion. Her escort for the evening was + a man of unusual conversational powers; but she seemed to be almost + oblivious of his presence; and when, through some passing courteous + impulse, she did turn her ear his way, it was with just that tinge of + preoccupation which betrays the divided mind. + </p> + <p> + Were her thoughts with some secret problem yet unsolved? It would scarcely + seem so from the gay remark with which she had left home. She was speaking + to her brother and her words were: “I am going out to enjoy myself. I’ve + not a care in the world. The slate is quite clean.” Yet she had never + seemed more out of tune with her surroundings nor shown a mood further + removed from trivial entertainment. What had happened to becloud her + gaiety in the short time which had since elapsed? + </p> + <p> + We can answer in a sentence. + </p> + <p> + She had seen, among a group of young men in a distant doorway, one with a + face so individual and of an expression so extraordinary that all interest + in the people about her had stopped as a clock stops when the pendulum is + held back. She could see nothing else, think of nothing else. Not that it + was so very handsome—though no other had ever approached it in its + power over her imagination—but because of its expression of haunting + melancholy,—a melancholy so settled and so evidently the result of + long-continued sorrow that her interest had been reached and her + heartstrings shaken as never before in her whole life. + </p> + <p> + She would never be the same Violet again. + </p> + <p> + Yet moved as she undoubtedly was, she was not conscious of the least + desire to know who the young man was, or even to be made acquainted with + his story. She simply wanted to dream her dream undisturbed. + </p> + <p> + It was therefore with a sense of unwelcome shock that, in the course of + the reception following the programme, she perceived this fine young man + approaching herself, with his right hand touching his left shoulder in the + peculiar way which committed her to an interview with or without a formal + introduction. + </p> + <p> + Should she fly the ordeal? Be blind and deaf to whatever was significant + in his action, and go her way before he reached her; thus keeping her + dream intact? Impossible. His eye prevented that. His glance had caught + hers and she felt forced to await his advance and give him her first spare + moment. + </p> + <p> + It came soon, and when it came she greeted him with a smile. It was the + first she had ever bestowed in welcome of a confidence of whose tenor she + was entirely ignorant. + </p> + <p> + To her relief he showed his appreciation of the dazzling gift though he + made no effort to return it. Scorning all preliminaries in his eagerness + to discharge himself of a burden which was fast becoming intolerable, he + addressed her at once in these words: + </p> + <p> + “You are very good, Miss Strange, to receive me in this unconventional + fashion. I am in that desperate state of mind which precludes etiquette. + Will you listen to my petition? I am told—you know by whom—“(and + he again touched his shoulder) “that you have resources of intelligence + which especially fit you to meet the extraordinary difficulties of my + position. May I beg you to exercise them in my behalf? No man would be + more grateful if—But I see that you do not recognize me. I am Roger + Upjohn. That I am admitted to this gathering is owing to the fact that our + hostess knew and loved my mother. In my anxiety to meet you and proffer my + plea, I was willing to brave the cold looks you have probably noticed on + the faces of the people about us. But I have no right to subject you to + criticism. I—” + </p> + <p> + “Remain.” Violet’s voice was troubled, her self-possession disturbed; but + there was a command in her tone which he was only too glad to obey. “I + know the name” (who did not!) “and possibly my duty to myself should make + me shun a confidence which may burden me without relieving you. But you + have been sent to me by one whose behests I feel bound to respect and—” + </p> + <p> + Mistrusting her voice, she stopped. The suffering which made itself + apparent in the face before her appealed to her heart in a way to rob her + of her judgment. She did not wish this to be seen, and so fell silent. + </p> + <p> + He was quick to take advantage of her obvious embarrassment. “Should I + have been sent to you if I had not first secured the confidence of the + sender? You know the scandal attached to my name, some of it just, some of + it very unjust. If you will grant me an interview to-morrow, I will make + an endeavour to refute certain charges which I have hitherto let go + unchallenged. Will you do me this favour? Will you listen in your own + house to what I have to say?” + </p> + <p> + Instinct cried out against any such concession on her part, bidding her + beware of one who charmed without excellence and convinced without reason. + But compassion urged compliance and compassion won the day. Though + conscious of weakness,—she, Violet Strange on whom strong men had + come to rely in critical hours calling for well-balanced judgment,—she + did not let this concern her, or allow herself to indulge in useless + regrets even after the first effect of his presence had passed and she had + succeeded in recalling the facts which had cast a cloud about his name. + </p> + <p> + Roger Upjohn was a widower, and the scandal affecting him was connected + with his wife’s death. + </p> + <p> + Though a degenerate in some respects, lacking the domineering presence, + the strong mental qualities, and inflexible character of his progenitors, + the wealthy Massachusetts Upjohns whose great place on the coast had a + history as old as the State itself, he yet had gifts and attractions of + his own which would have made him a worthy representative of his race, if + only he had not fixed his affections on a woman so cold and heedless that + she would have inspired universal aversion instead of love, had she not + been dowered with the beauty and physical fascination which sometimes + accompany a hard heart and a scheming brain. It was this beauty which had + caught the lad; and one day, just as the careful father had mapped out a + course of study calculated to make a man of his son, that son drove up to + the gates with this lady whom he introduced as his wife. + </p> + <p> + The shock, not of her beauty, though that was of the dazzling quality + which catches a man in the throat and makes a slave of him while the first + surprise lasts, but of the overthrow of all his hopes and plans, nearly + prostrated Homer Upjohn. He saw, as most men did the moment judgment + returned, that for all her satin skin and rosy flush, the wonder of her + hair and the smile which pierced like arrows and warmed like wine, she was + more likely to bring a curse into the house than a blessing. + </p> + <p> + And so it proved. In less than a year the young husband had lost all his + ambitions and many of his best impulses. No longer inclined to study, he + spent his days in satisfying his wife’s whims and his evenings in + carousing with the friends with which she had provided him. This in Boston + whither they had fled from the old gentleman’s displeasure; but after + their little son came the father insisted upon their returning home, which + led to great deceptions, and precipitated a tragedy no one ever + understood. They were natural gamblers—this couple—as all + Boston society knew; and as Homer Upjohn loathed cards, they found life + slow in the great house and grew correspondingly restless till they made a + discovery—or shall I say a rediscovery—of the once famous + grotto hidden in the rocks lining their portion of the coast. Here they + found a retreat where they could hide themselves (often when they were + thought to be abed and asleep) and play together for money or for a supper + in the city or for anything else that foolish fancy suggested. This was + while their little son remained an infant; later, they were less easily + satisfied. Both craved company, excitement, and gambling on a large scale; + so they took to inviting friends to meet them in this grotto which, + through the agency of one old servant devoted to Roger to the point of + folly, had been fitted up and lighted in a manner not only comfortable but + luxurious. A small but sheltered haven hidden in the curve of the rocks + made an approach by boat feasible at high tide; and at low the connection + could be made by means of a path over the promontory in which this grotto + lay concealed. The fortune which Roger had inherited from his mother made + these excesses possible, but many thousands, let alone the few he could + call his, soon disappeared under the witchery of an irresponsible woman, + and the half-dozen friends who knew his secret had to stand by and see his + ruin, without daring to utter a word to the one who alone could stay it. + For Homer Upjohn was not a man to be approached lightly, nor was he one to + listen to charges without ocular proof to support them; and this called + for courage, more courage than was possessed by any one who knew them + both. + </p> + <p> + He was a hard man was Homer Upjohn, but with a heart of gold for those he + loved. This, even his wary daughter-in-law was wise enough to detect, and + for a long while after the birth of her child she besieged him with her + coaxing ways and bewitching graces. But he never changed his first opinion + of her, and once she became fully convinced of the folly of her efforts, + she gave up all attempt to please him and showed an open indifference. + This in time gradually extended till it embraced not only her child but + her husband as well. Yes, it had come to that. His love no longer + contented her. Her vanity had grown by what it daily fed on, and now + called for the admiration of the fast men who sometimes came up from + Boston to play with them in their unholy retreat. To win this, she dressed + like some demon queen or witch, though it drove her husband into deeper + play and threatened an exposure which would mean disaster not only to + herself but to the whole family. + </p> + <p> + In all this, as any one could see, Roger had been her slave and the + willing victim of all her caprices. What was it, then, which so completely + changed him that a separation began to be talked of and even its terms + discussed? One rumour had it that the father had discovered the secret of + the grotto and exacted this as a penalty from the son who had dishonoured + him. Another, that Roger himself was the one to take the initiative in + this matter: That, on returning unexpectedly from New York one evening and + finding her missing from the house, he had traced her to the grotto where + he came upon her playing a desperate game with the one man he had the + greatest reason to distrust. + </p> + <p> + But whatever the explanation of this sudden change in their relations, + there is but little doubt that a legal separation between this + ill-assorted couple was pending, when one bleak autumn morning she was + discovered dead in her bed under circumstances peculiarly open to comment. + </p> + <p> + The physicians who made out the certificate ascribed her death to + heart-disease, symptoms of which had lately much alarmed the family + doctor; but that a personal struggle of some kind had preceded the fatal + attack was evident from the bruises which blackened her wrists. Had there + been the like upon her throat it might have gone hard with the young + husband who was known to be contemplating her dismissal from the house. + But the discoloration of her wrists was all, and as bruised wrists do not + kill and there was besides no evidence forthcoming of the two having spent + one moment together for at least ten hours preceding the tragedy but + rather full and satisfactory testimony to the contrary, the matter lapsed + and all criminal proceedings were avoided. + </p> + <p> + But not the scandal which always follows the unexplained. As time passed + and the peculiar look which betrays the haunted soul gradually became + visible in the young widower’s eyes, doubts arose and reports circulated + which cast strange reflections upon the tragic end of his mistaken + marriage. Stories of the disreputable use to which the old grotto had been + put were mingled with vague hints of conjugal violence never properly + investigated. The result was his general avoidance not only by the social + set dominated by his high-minded father, but by his own less reputable + coterie, which, however lax in its moral code, had very little use for a + coward. + </p> + <p> + Such was the gossip which had reached Violet’s ears in connection with + this new client, prejudicing her altogether against him till she caught + that beam of deep and concentrated suffering in his eye and recognized an + innocence which ensured her sympathy and led her to grant him the + interview for which he so earnestly entreated. + </p> + <p> + He came prompt to the hour, and when she saw him again with the marks of a + sleepless night upon him and all the signs of suffering intensified in his + unusual countenance, she felt her heart sink within her in a way she + failed to understand. A dread of what she was about to hear robbed her of + all semblance of self-possession, and she stood like one in a dream as he + uttered his first greetings and then paused to gather up his own moral + strength before he began his story. When he did speak it was to say: + </p> + <p> + “I find myself obliged to break a vow I have made to myself. You cannot + understand my need unless I show you my heart. My trouble is not the one + with which men have credited me. It has another source and is infinitely + harder to bear. Personal dishonour I have deserved in a greater or less + degree, but the trial which has come to me now involves a person more dear + to me than myself, and is totally without alleviation unless you—” + He paused, choked, then recommenced abruptly: “My wife”—Violet held + her breath—“was supposed to have died from heart-disease or—or + some strange species of suicide. There were reasons for this conclusion—reasons + which I accepted without serious question till some five weeks ago when I + made a discovery which led me to fear—” + </p> + <p> + The broken sentence hung suspended. Violet, notwithstanding his hurried + gesture, could not restrain herself from stealing a look at his face. It + was set in horror and, though partially turned aside, made an appeal to + her compassion to fill the void made by his silence, without further + suggestion from him. + </p> + <p> + She did this by saying tentatively and with as little show of emotion as + possible: + </p> + <p> + “You feared that the event called for vengeance and that vengeance would + mean increased suffering to yourself as well as to another?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; great suffering. But I may be under a most lamentable mistake. I am + not sure of my conclusions. If my doubts have no real foundation—if + they are simply the offspring of my own diseased imagination, what an + insult to one I revere! What a horror of ingratitude and misunderstanding—” + </p> + <p> + “Relate the facts,” came in startled tones from Violet. “They may + enlighten us.” + </p> + <p> + He gave one quick shudder, buried his face for one moment in his hands, + then lifted it and spoke up quickly and with unexpected firmness: + </p> + <p> + “I came here to do so and do so I will. But where begin? Miss Strange, you + cannot be ignorant of the circumstances, open and avowed, which attended + my wife’s death. But there were other and secret events in its connection + which happily have been kept from the world, but which I must now disclose + to you at any cost to my pride and so-called honour. This is the first + one: On the morning preceding the day of Mrs. Upjohn’s death, an interview + took place between us at which my father was present. You do not know my + father, Miss Strange. A strong man and a stern one, with a hold upon old + traditions which nothing can shake. If he has a weakness it is for my + little boy Roger in whose promising traits he sees the one hope which has + survived the shipwreck of all for which our name has stood. Knowing this, + and realizing what the child’s presence in the house meant to his old age, + I felt my heart turn sick with apprehension, when in the midst of the + discussion as to the terms on which my wife would consent to a permanent + separation, the little fellow came dancing into the room, his curls atoss + and his whole face beaming with life and joy. + </p> + <p> + “She had not mentioned the child, but I knew her well enough to be sure + that at the first show of preference on his part for either his + grandfather or myself, she would raise a claim to him which she would + never relinquish. I dared not speak, but I met his eager looks with my + most forbidding frown and hoped by this show of severity to hold him back. + But his little heart was full and, ignoring her outstretched arms, he + bounded towards mine with his most affectionate cry. She saw and uttered + her ultimatum. The child should go with her or she would not consent to a + separation. It was useless for us to talk; she had said her last word. The + blow struck me hard, or so I thought, till I looked at my father. Never + had I beheld such a change as that one moment had made in him. He stood as + before; he faced us with the same silent reprobation; but his heart had + run from him like water. + </p> + <p> + “It was a sight to call up all my resources. To allow her to remain now, + with my feelings towards her all changed and my father’s eyes fully opened + to her stony nature, was impossible. Nor could I appeal to law. An open + scandal was my father’s greatest dread and divorce proceedings his horror. + The child would have to go unless I could find a way to influence her + through her own nature. I knew of but one—do not look at me, Miss + Strange. It was dishonouring to us both, and I’m horrified now when I + think of it. But to me at that time it was natural enough as a last + resort. There was but one debt which my wife ever paid, but one promise + she ever kept. It was that made at the gaming-table. I offered, as soon as + my father, realizing the hopelessness of the situation, had gone tottering + from the room, to gamble with her for the child. + </p> + <p> + “And she accepted.” + </p> + <p> + The shame and humiliation expressed in this final whisper; the sudden + darkness—for a storm was coming up—shook Violet to the soul. + With strained gaze fixed on the man before her, now little more than a + shadow in the prevailing gloom, she waited for him to resume, and waited + in vain. The minutes passed, the darkness became intolerable, and + instinctively her hand crept towards the electric button beneath which she + was sitting. But she failed to press it. A tale so dark called for an + atmosphere of its own kind. She would cast no light upon it. Yet she + shivered as the silence continued, and started in uncontrollable dismay + when at length her strange visitor rose, and still, without speaking, + walked away from her to the other end of the room. Only so could he go on + with the shameful tale; and presently she heard his voice once more in + these words: + </p> + <p> + “Our house is large and its rooms many; but for such work as we two + contemplated there was but one spot where we could command absolute + seclusion. You may have heard of it, a famous natural grotto hidden in our + own portion of the coast and so fitted up as to form a retreat for our + miserable selves when escape from my father’s eye seemed desirable. It was + not easy of access, and no one, so far as we knew, had ever followed us + there. + </p> + <p> + “But to ensure ourselves against any possible interruption, we waited till + the whole house was abed before we left it for the grotto. We went by boat + and oh! the dip of those oars! I hear them yet. And the witchery of her + face in the moonlight; and the mockery of her low fitful laugh! As I + caught the sinister note in its silvery rise and fall, I knew what was + before me if I failed to retain my composure. And I strove to hold it and + to meet her calmness with stoicism and the taunt of her expression with a + mask of immobility. But the effort was hopeless, and when the time came + for dealing out the cards, my eyes were burning in their sockets and my + hands shivering like leaves in a rising gale. + </p> + <p> + “We played one game—and my wife lost. We played another—and my + wife won. We played the third—and the fate I had foreseen from the + first became mine. The luck was with her, and I had lost my boy!” + </p> + <p> + A gasp—a pause, during which the thunder spoke and the lightning + flashed,—then a hurried catching of his breath and the tale went on. + </p> + <p> + “A burst of laughter, rising gaily above the boom of the sea, announced + her victory—her laugh and the taunting words: ‘You play badly, + Roger. The child is mine. Never fear that I shall fail to teach him to + revere his father.’ Had I a word to throw back? No. When I realized + anything but my dishonoured manhood, I found myself in the grotto’s mouth + staring helplessly out upon the sea. The boat which had floated us in at + high tide lay stranded but a few feet away, but I did not reach for it. + Escape was quicker over the rocks, and I made for the rocks. + </p> + <p> + “That it was a cowardly act to leave her there to find her way back alone + at midnight by the same rough road I was taking, did not strike my mind + for an instant. I was in flight from my own past; in flight from myself + and the haunting dread of madness. When I awoke to reality again it was to + find the small door, by which we had left the house, standing slightly + ajar. I was troubled by this, for I was sure of having closed it. But the + impression was brief, and entering, I went stumbling up to my room, + leaving the way open behind me more from sheer inability to exercise my + will than from any thought of her. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Strange” (he had come out of the shadows and was standing now + directly before her), “I must ask you to trust implicitly in what I tell + you of my further experiences that fatal night. It was not necessary for + me to pass my little son’s door in order to reach the room I was making + for; but anguish took me there and held me glued to the panels for what + seemed a long, long time. When I finally crept away it was to go to the + room I had chosen in the top of the house, where I had my hour of hell and + faced my desolated future. Did I hear anything meantime in the halls + below? No. Did I even listen for the sound of her return? No. I was + callous to everything, dead to everything but my own misery. I did not + even heed the approach of morning, till suddenly, with a shrillness no ear + could ignore, there rose, tearing through the silence of the house, that + great scream from my wife’s room which announced the discovery of her body + lying stark and cold in her bed. + </p> + <p> + “They said I showed little feeling.” He had moved off again and spoke from + somewhere in the shadows. “Do you wonder at this after such a manifest + stroke by a benevolent Providence? My wife being dead, Roger was saved to + us! It was the one song of my still undisciplined soul, and I had to + assume coldness lest they should see the greatness of my joy. A wicked and + guilty rejoicing you will say, and you are right. But I had no memory then + of the part I had played in this fatality. I had forgotten my reckless + flight from the grotto, which left her with no aid but that of her own + triumphant spirit to help her over those treacherous rocks. The necessity + for keeping secret this part of our disgraceful story led me to exert + myself to keep it out of my own mind. It has only come back to me in all + its force since a new horror, a new suspicion, has driven me to review + carefully every incident of that awful night. + </p> + <p> + “I was never a man of much logic, and when they came to me on that morning + of which I have just spoken and took me in where she lay and pointed to + her beautiful cold body stretched out in seeming peace under the satin + coverlet, and then to the pile of dainty clothes lying neatly folded on a + chair with just one fairy slipper on top, I shuddered at her fate but + asked no questions, not even when one of the women of the house mentioned + the circumstance of the single slipper and said that a search should be + made for its mate. Nor was I as much impressed as one would naturally + expect by the whisper dropped in my ear that something was the matter with + her wrists. It is true that I lifted the lace they had carefully spread + over them and examined the discoloration which extended like a ring about + each pearly arm; but having no memories of any violence offered her (I had + not so much as laid hand upon her in the grotto), these marks failed to + rouse my interest. But—and now I must leap a year in my story—there + came a time when both of these facts recurred to my mind with startling + distinctness and clamoured for explanation. + </p> + <p> + “I had risen above the shock which such a death following such events + would naturally occasion even in one of my blunted sensibilities, and was + striving to live a new life under the encouragement of my now fully + reconciled father, when accident forced me to re-enter the grotto where I + had never stepped foot since that night. A favourite dog in chase of some + innocent prey had escaped the leash and run into its dim recesses and + would not come out at my call. As I needed him immediately for the hunt, I + followed him over the promontory and, swallowing my repugnance, slid into + the grotto to get him. Better a plunge to my death from the height of the + rocks towering above it. For there in a remote corner, lighted up by a + reflection from the sea, I beheld my setter crouched above an object which + in another moment I recognized as my dead wife’s missing slipper. Here! + Not in the waters of the sea or in the interstices of the rocks outside, + but here! Proof that she had never walked back to the house where she was + found lying quietly in her bed; proof positive; for I knew the path too + well and the more than usual tenderness of her feet. + </p> + <p> + “How then, did she get there; and by whose agency? Was she living when she + went, or was she already dead? A year had passed since that delicate shoe + had borne her from the boat into these dim recesses; but it might have + been only a day, so vividly did I live over in this moment of awful + enlightenment all the events of the hour in which we sat there playing for + the possession of our child. Again I saw her gleaming eyes, her rosy, + working mouth, her slim, white hand, loaded with diamonds, clutching the + cards. Again I heard the lap of the sea on the pebbles outside and smelt + the odour of the wine she had poured out for us both. The bottle which had + held it; the glass from which she had drunk lay now in pieces on the rocky + floor. The whole scene was mine again and as I followed the event to its + despairing close, I seemed to see my own wild figure springing away from + her to the grotto’s mouth and so over the rocks. But here fancy faltered, + caught by a quick recollection to which I had never given a thought till + now. As I made my way along those rocks, a sound had struck my ear from + where some stunted bushes made a shadow in the moonlight. The wind might + have caused it or some small night creature hustling away at my approach; + and to some such cause I must at the time have attributed it. But now, + with brain fired by suspicion, it seemed more like the quick intake of a + human breath. Some one had been lying there in wait, listening at the one + loophole in the rocks where it was possible to hear what was said and done + in the heart of the grotto. But who? who? and for what purpose this + listening; and to what end did it lead? + </p> + <p> + “Though I no longer loved even the memory of my wife, I felt my hair lift, + as I asked myself these questions. There seemed to be but one logical + answer to the last, and it was this: A struggle followed by death. The + shoe fallen from her foot, the clothes found folded in her room (my wife + was never orderly), and the dimly blackened wrists which were snow-white + when she dealt the cards—all seemed to point to such a conclusion. + She may have died from heart-failure, but a struggle had preceded her + death, during which some man’s strong fingers had been locked about her + wrists. And again the question rose, Whose? + </p> + <p> + “If any place was ever hated by mortal man that grotto was hated by me. I + loathed its walls, its floor, its every visible and invisible corner. To + linger there—to look—almost tore my soul from my body; yet I + did linger and did look and this is what I found by way of reward. + </p> + <p> + “Behind a projecting ledge of stone from which a tattered rug still hung, + I came upon two nails driven a few feet apart into a fissure of the rock. + I had driven those nails myself long before for a certain gymnastic + attachment much in vogue at the time, and on looking closer, I discovered + hanging from them the rope-ends by which I was wont to pull myself about. + So far there was nothing to rouse any but innocent reminiscences. But when + I heard the dog’s low moan and saw him leap at the curled-up ends, and + nose them with an eager look my way, I remembered the dark marks circling + the wrists about which I had so often clasped my mother’s bracelets, and + the world went black before me. + </p> + <p> + “When consciousness returned—when I could once more move and see and + think, I noted another fact. Cards were strewn about the floor, face up + and in a fixed order as if laid in a mocking mood to be looked upon by + reluctant eyes; and near the ominous half-circle they made, a cushion from + the lounge, stained horribly with what I then thought to be blood, but + which I afterwards found to be wine. Vengeance spoke in those ropes and in + the carefully spread-out cards, and murder in the smothering pillow. The + vengeance of one who had watched her corroding influence eat the life out + of my honour and whose love for our little Roger was such that any deed + which ensured his continued presence in the home appeared not only + warrantable but obligatory. Alas! I knew of but one person in the whole + world who could cherish feeling to this extent or possess sufficient will + power to carry her lifeless body back to the house and lay it in her bed + and give no sign of the abominable act from that day on to this. + </p> + <p> + “Miss Strange, there are men who have a peculiar conception of duty. My + father—” + </p> + <p> + “You need not go on.” How gently, how tenderly our Violet spoke. “I + understand your trouble—” + </p> + <p> + Did she? She paused to ask herself if this were so, and he, deaf perhaps + to her words, caught up his broken sentence and went on: + </p> + <p> + “My father was in the hall the day I came staggering in from my visit to + the grotto. No words passed, but our eyes met and from that hour I have + seen death in his countenance and he has seen it in mine, like two + opponents, each struck to the heart, who stand facing each other with + simulated smiles till they fall. My father will drop first. He is old—very + old since that day five weeks ago; and to see him die and not be sure—to + see the grave close over a possible innocence, and I left here in + ignorance of the blissful fact till my own eyes close forever, is more + than I can hold up under; more than any son could. Cannot you help me then + to a positive knowledge? Think! think! A woman’s mind is strangely + penetrating, and yours, I am told, has an intuitive faculty more to be + relied upon than the reasoning of men. It must suggest some means of + confirming my doubts or of definitely ending them.” + </p> + <p> + Then Violet stirred and looked about at him and finally found voice. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me something about your father’s ways. What are his habits? Does he + sleep well or is he wakeful at night?” + </p> + <p> + “He has poor nights. I do not know how poor because I am not often with + him. His valet, who has always been in our family, shares his room and + acts as his constant nurse. He can watch over him better than I can; he + has no distracting trouble on his mind.” + </p> + <p> + “And little Roger? Does your father see much of little Roger? Does he + fondle him and seem happy in his presence?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; yes. I have often wondered at it, but he does. They are great chums. + It is a pleasure to see them together.” + </p> + <p> + “And the child clings to him—shows no fear—sits on his lap or + on the bed and plays as children do play with his beard or with his + watch-chain?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Only once have I seen my little chap shrink, and that was when my + father gave him a look of unusual intensity,—looking for his mother + in him perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Upjohn, forgive me the question; it seems necessary. Does your father—or + rather did your father before he fell ill—ever walk in the direction + of the grotto or haunt in any way the rocks which surround it?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot say. The sea is there; he naturally loves the sea. But I have + never seen him standing on the promontory.” + </p> + <p> + “Which way do his windows look?” + </p> + <p> + “Towards the sea.” + </p> + <p> + “Therefore towards the promontory?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Can he see it from his bed?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Perhaps that is the cause of a peculiar habit he has.” + </p> + <p> + “What habit?” + </p> + <p> + “Every night before he retires (he is not yet confined to his bed) he + stands for a few minutes in his front window looking out. He says it’s his + good-night to the ocean. When he no longer does this, we shall know that + his end is very near.” + </p> + <p> + The face of Violet began to clear. Rising, she turned on the electric + light, and then, reseating herself, remarked with an aspect of quiet + cheer: + </p> + <p> + “I have two ideas; but they necessitate my presence at your place. You + will not mind a visit? My brother will accompany me.” + </p> + <p> + Roger Upjohn did not need to speak, hardly to make a gesture; his + expression was so eloquent. + </p> + <p> + She thanked him as if he had answered in words, adding with an air of + gentle reserve: “Providence assists us in this matter. I am invited to + Beverly next week to attend a wedding. I was intending to stay two days, + but I will make it three and spend the extra one with you.” + </p> + <p> + “What are your requirements, Miss Strange? I presume you have some.” + </p> + <p> + Violet turned from the imposing portrait of Mr. Upjohn which she had been + gravely contemplating, and met the troubled eye of her young host with an + enigmatical flash of her own. But she made no answer in words. Instead, + she lifted her right hand and ran one slender finger thoughtfully up the + casing of the door near which they stood till it struck a nick in the old + mahogany almost on a level with her head. + </p> + <p> + “Is your son Roger old enough to reach so far?” she asked with another + short look at him as she let her finger rest where it had struck the + roughened wood. “I thought he was a little fellow.” + </p> + <p> + “He is. That cut was made by—by my wife; a sample of her capricious + willfulness. She wished to leave a record of herself in the substance of + our house as well as in our lives. That nick marks her height. She laughed + when she made it. ‘Till the walls cave in or burn,’ is what she said. And + I thought her laugh and smile captivating.” + </p> + <p> + Cutting short his own laugh which was much too sardonic for a lady’s ears, + he made a move as if to lead the way into another portion of the room. But + Violet failed to notice this, and lingering in quiet contemplation of this + suggestive little nick,—the only blemish in a room of ancient + colonial magnificence,—she thoughtfully remarked: + </p> + <p> + “Then she was a small woman?” adding with seeming irrelevance—“like + myself.” + </p> + <p> + Roger winced. Something in the suggestion hurt him, and in the nod he gave + there was an air of coldness which under ordinary circumstances would have + deterred her from pursuing this subject further. But the circumstances + were not ordinary, and she allowed herself to say: + </p> + <p> + “Was she so very different from me,—in figure, I mean?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Why do you ask? Shall we not join your brother on the terrace?” + </p> + <p> + “Not till I have answered the question you put me a moment ago. You wished + to know my requirements. One of the most important you have already + fulfilled. You have given your servants a half-holiday and by so doing + ensured to us full liberty of action. What else I need in the attempt I + propose to make, you will find listed in this memorandum.” And taking a + slip of paper from her bag, she offered it to him with a hand, the + trembling of which he would have noted had he been freer in mind. + </p> + <p> + As he read, she watched him, her fingers nervously clutching her throat. + </p> + <p> + “Can you supply what I ask?” she faltered, as he failed to raise his eyes + or make any move or even to utter the groan she saw surging up to his + lips. “Will you?” she impetuously urged, as his fingers closed + spasmodically on the paper, in evidence that he understood at last the + trend of her daring purpose. + </p> + <p> + The answer came slowly, but it came. “I will. But what—” + </p> + <p> + Her hand rose in a pleading gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Do not ask me, but take Arthur and myself into the garden and show us the + flowers. Afterwards, I should like a glimpse of the sea.” + </p> + <p> + He bowed and they joined Arthur who had already begun to stroll through + the grounds. + </p> + <p> + Violet was seldom at a loss for talk even at the most critical moments. + But she was strangely tongue-tied on this occasion, as was Roger himself. + Save for a few observations casually thrown out by Arthur, the three + passed in a disquieting silence through pergola after pergola, and around + beds gorgeous with every variety of fall flowers, till they turned a sharp + corner and came in full view of the sea. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” fell in an admiring murmur from Violet’s lips as her eyes swept the + horizon. Then as they settled on a mass of rock jutting out from the shore + in a great curve, she leaned towards her host and softly whispered: + </p> + <p> + “The promontory?” + </p> + <p> + He nodded, and Violet ventured no farther, but stood for a little while + gazing at the tumbled rocks. Then, with a quick look back at the house, + she asked him to point out his father’s window. + </p> + <p> + He did so, and as she noted how openly it faced the sea, her expression + relaxed and her manner lost some of its constraint. As they turned to + re-enter the house, she noticed an old man picking flowers from a vine + clambering over one end of the piazza. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Our oldest servant, and my father’s own man,” was Roger’s reply. “He is + picking my father’s favourite flowers, a few late honeysuckles.” + </p> + <p> + “How fortunate! Speak to him, Mr. Upjohn. Ask him how your father is this + evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Accompany me and I will; and do not be afraid to enter into conversation + with him. He is the mildest of creatures and devoted to his patient. He + likes nothing better than to talk about him.” + </p> + <p> + Violet, with a meaning look at her brother, ran up the steps at Roger’s + side. As she did so, the old man turned and Violet was astonished at the + wistfulness with which he viewed her. + </p> + <p> + “What a dear old creature!” she murmured. “See how he stares this way. You + would think he knew me.” + </p> + <p> + “He is glad to see a woman about the place. He has felt our isolation—Good + evening, Abram. Let this young lady have a spray of your sweetest + honeysuckle. And, Abram, before you go, how is Father to-night? Still + sitting up?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. He is very regular in his ways. Nine is his hour; not a minute + before and not a minute later. I don’t have to look at the clock when he + says: ‘There, Abram, I’ve sat up long enough.’” + </p> + <p> + “When my father retires before his time or goes to bed without a final + look at the sea, he will be a very sick man, Abram.” + </p> + <p> + “That he will, Mr. Roger; that he will. But he’s very feeble to-night, + very feeble. I noticed that he gave the boy fewer kisses than usual. + Perhaps he was put out because the child was brought in a half-hour + earlier than the stated time. He don’t like changes; you know that, Mr. + Roger; he don’t like changes. I hardly dared to tell him that the servants + were all going out in a bunch to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “I’m sorry,” muttered Roger. “But he’ll forget it by to-morrow. I couldn’t + bear to keep a single one from the concert. They’ll be back in good season + and meantime we have you. Abram is worth half a dozen of them, Miss + Strange. We shall miss nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mr. Roger, thank you,” faltered the old man. “I try to do my + duty.” And with another wistful glance at Violet, who looked very sweet + and youthful in the half-light, he pottered away. + </p> + <p> + The silence which followed his departure was as painful to her as to Roger + Upjohn. When she broke it it was with this decisive remark: + </p> + <p> + “That man must not speak of me to your father. He must not even mention + that you have a guest to-night. Run after him and tell him so. It is + necessary that your father’s mind should not be taken up with present + happenings. Run.” + </p> + <p> + Roger made haste to obey her. When he came back she was on the point of + joining her brother but stopped to utter a final injunction: + </p> + <p> + “I shall leave the library, or wherever we may be sitting, just as the + clock strikes half-past eight. Arthur will do the same, as by that time he + will feel like smoking on the terrace. Do not follow either him or myself, + but take your stand here on the piazza where you can get a full view of + the right-hand wing without attracting any attention to yourself. When you + hear the big clock in the hall strike nine, look up quickly at your + father’s window. What you see may determine—oh, Arthur! still + admiring the prospect? I do not wonder. But I find it chilly. Let us go + in.” + </p> + <p> + Roger Upjohn, sitting by himself in the library, was watching the hands of + the mantel clock slowly approaching the hour of nine. + </p> + <p> + Never had silence seemed more oppressive nor his sense of loneliness + greater. Yet the boom of the ocean was distinct to the ear, and human + presence no farther away than the terrace where Arthur Strange could be + seen smoking out his cigar in solitude. The silence and the loneliness + were in Roger’s own soul; and, in face of the expected revelation which + would make or unmake his future, the desolation they wrought was + measureless. + </p> + <p> + To cut his suspense short, he rose at length and hurried out to the spot + designated by Miss Strange as the best point from which to keep watch upon + his father’s window. It was at the end of the piazza where the honeysuckle + hung, and the odour of the blossoms, so pleasing to his father, well-nigh + overpowered him not only by its sweetness but by the many memories it + called up. Visions of that father as he looked at all stages of their + relationship passed in a bewildering maze before him. He saw him as he + appeared to his childish eyes in those early days of confidence when the + loss of the mother cast them in mutual dependence upon each other. Then a + sterner picture of the relentless parent who sees but one straight course + to success in this world and the next. Then the teacher and the matured + adviser; and then—oh, bitter change! the man whose hopes he had + crossed—whose life he had undone, and all for her who now came + stealing upon the scene with her slim, white, jewelled hand forever lifted + up between them. And she! Had he ever seen her more clearly? Once more the + dainty figure stepped from fairy-land, beauteous with every grace that can + allure and finally destroy a man. And as he saw, he trembled and wished + that these moments of awful waiting might pass and the test be over which + would lay bare his father’s heart and justify his fears or dispel them + forever. + </p> + <p> + But the crisis, if crisis it was, was one of his own making and not to be + hastened or evaded. With one quick glance at his father’s window, he + turned in his impatience towards the sea whose restless and continuous + moaning had at length struck his ear. What was in its call to-night that + he should thus sway towards it as though drawn by some dread magnetic + force? He had been born to the dashing of its waves and knew its every + mood and all the passion of its song from frolicsome ripple to melancholy + dirge. But there was something odd and inexplicable in its effect upon his + spirit as he faced it at this hour. Grim and implacable—a sound + rather than a sight—it seemed to hold within its invisible distances + the image of his future fate. What this image was and why he should seek + for it in this impenetrable void, he did not know. He felt himself held + and was struggling with this influence as with an unknown enemy when there + rang out, from the hall within, the preparatory chimes for which his ear + was waiting, and then the nine slow strokes which signalized the moment + when he was to look for his father’s presence at the window. + </p> + <p> + Had he wished, he could not have forborne that look. Had his eyes been + closing in death, or so he felt, the trembling lids would have burst apart + at this call and the revelations it promised. + </p> + <p> + And what did he see? What did that window hold for him? + </p> + <p> + Nothing that he might not have seen there any night at this hour. His + father’s figure drawn up behind the panes in wistful contemplation of the + night. No visible change in his attitude, nothing forced or unusual in his + manner. Even the hand, lifted to pull down the shade, moves with its + familiar hesitation. In a moment more that shade will be down and—But + no! the lifted hand falls back; the easy attitude becomes strained, fixed. + He is staring now—not merely gazing out upon the wastes of sky and + sea; and Roger, following the direction of his glance, stares also in + breathless emotion at what those distances, but now so impenetrable, are + giving to the eye. + </p> + <p> + A spectre floating in the air above the promontory! The spectre of a woman—of + his wife, clad, as she had been clad that fatal night! Outlined in + supernatural light, it faces them with lifted arms showing the ends of + rope dangling from either wrist. A sight awful to any eye, but to the man + of guilty heart— + </p> + <p> + Ah! it comes—the cry for which the agonized son had been listening! + An old man’s shriek, hoarse with the remorse of sleepless nights and days + of unimaginable regret and foreboding! It cuts the night. It cuts its way + into his heart. He feels his senses failing him, yet he must glance once + more at the window and see with his last conscious look—But what is + this! a change has taken place in the picture and he beholds, not the + distorted form of his father sinking back in shame and terror before this + visible image of his secret sin, but that of another weak, old man falling + to the floor behind his back! Abram! the attentive, seemingly harmless, + guardian of the household! Abram! who had never spoken a word or given a + look in any way suggestive of his having played any other part in the + hideous drama of their lives than that of the humble and sympathetic + servant! + </p> + <p> + The shock was too great, the relief too absolute for credence. He, the + listener at the grotto? He, the avenger of the family’s honour? He, the + insurer of little Roger’s continuance with the family at a cost the one + who loved him best would rather have died himself than pay? Yes! there is + no misdoubting this old servitor’s attitude of abject appeal, or the + meaning of Homer Upjohn’s joyfully uplifted countenance and outspreading + arms. The servant begs for mercy from man, and the master is giving thanks + to Heaven. Why giving thanks? Has he been the prey of cankering doubts + also? Has the father dreaded to discover that in the son which the son has + dreaded to discover in the father? + </p> + <p> + It might easily be; and as Roger recognizes this truth and the full + tragedy of their mutual lives, he drops to his knees amid the + honeysuckles. + </p> + <p> + “Violet, you are a wonder. But how did you dare?” + </p> + <p> + This from Arthur as the two rode to the train in the early morning. + </p> + <p> + The answer came a bit waveringly. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know. I am astonished yet, at my own daring. Look at my hands. + They have not ceased trembling since the moment you threw the light upon + me on the rocks. The figure of old Mr. Upjohn in the window looked so + august.” + </p> + <p> + Arthur, with a short glance at the little hands she held out, shrugged his + shoulders imperceptibly. It struck him that the tremulousness she + complained of was due more to some parting word from their young host, + than from prolonged awe at her own daring. But he made no remark to this + effect, only observed: + </p> + <p> + “Abram has confessed his guilt, I hear.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and will die of it. The master will bury the man, and not the man + the master.” + </p> + <p> + “And Roger? Not the little fellow, but the father?” + </p> + <p> + “We will not talk of him,” said she, her eyes seeking the sea where the + sun in its rising was battling with a troop of lowering clouds and slowly + gaining the victory. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM IV <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM V. THE DREAMING LADY + </h2> + <h3> + “And this is all you mean to tell me?” + </h3> + <p> + “I think you will find it quite enough, Miss Strange.” + </p> + <p> + “Just the address—” + </p> + <p> + “And this advice: that your call be speedy. Distracted nerves cannot + wait.” + </p> + <p> + Violet, across whose wonted piquancy there lay an indefinable shadow, eyed + her employer with a doubtful air before turning away toward the door. She + had asked him for a case to investigate (something she had never done + before), and she had even gone so far as to particularize the sort of case + she desired: “It must be an interesting one,” she had stipulated, “but + different, quite different from the last one. It must not involve death or + any kind of horror. If you have a case of subtlety without crime, one to + engage my powers without depressing my spirits, I beg you to let me have + it. I—I have not felt quite like myself since I came from + Massachusetts.” Whereupon, without further comment, but with a smile she + did not understand, he had handed her a small slip of paper on which he + had scribbled an address. She should have felt satisfied, but for some + reason she did not. She regarded him as capable of plunging her into an + affair quite the reverse of what she felt herself in a condition to + undertake. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to know a little more,” she pursued, making a move to + unfold the slip he had given her. + </p> + <p> + But he stopped her with a gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Read it in your limousine,” said he. “If you are disappointed then, let + me know. But I think you will find yourself quite ready for your task.” + </p> + <p> + “And my father?” + </p> + <p> + “Would approve if he could be got to approve the business at all. You do + not even need to take your brother with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, then, it’s with women only I have to deal?” + </p> + <p> + “Read the address after you are headed up Fifth Avenue.” + </p> + <p> + But when, with her doubts not yet entirely removed, she opened the small + slip he had given her, the number inside suggested nothing but the fact + that her destination lay somewhere near Eightieth Street. It was therefore + with the keenest surprise she beheld her motor stop before the conspicuous + house of the great financier whose late death had so affected the + money-market. She had not had any acquaintance with this man herself, but + she knew his house. Everyone knew that. It was one of the most princely in + the whole city. C. Dudley Brooks had known how to spend his millions. + Indeed, he had known how to do this so well that it was of him her father, + also a financier of some note, had once said he was the only successful + American he envied. + </p> + <p> + She was expected; that she saw the instant the door was opened. This made + her entrance easy—an entrance further brightened by the delightful + glimpse of a child’s cherubic face looking at her from a distant doorway. + It was an instantaneous vision, gone as soon as seen; but its effect was + to rob the pillared spaces of the wonderful hallway of some of their + chill, and to modify in some slight degree the formality of a service + which demanded three men to usher her into a small reception-room not + twenty feet from the door of entrance. + </p> + <p> + Left in this secluded spot, she had time to ask herself what member of the + household she would be called upon to meet, and was surprised to find that + she did not even know of whom the household consisted. She was sure of the + fact that Mr. Brooks had been a widower for many years before his death, + but beyond that she knew nothing of his domestic life. His son—but + was there a son? She had never heard any mention made of a younger Mr. + Brooks, yet there was certainly some one of his connection who enjoyed the + rights of an heir. Him she must be prepared to meet with a due composure, + whatever astonishment he might show at the sight of a slip of a girl + instead of the experienced detective he had every right to expect. + </p> + <p> + But when the door opened to admit the person she was awaiting, the + surprise was hers. It was a woman who stood before her, a woman and an + oddity. Yet, in just what her oddity lay, Violet found it difficult to + decide. Was it in the smoothness of her white locks drawn carefully down + over her ears, or in the contrast afforded by her eager eyes and her weak + and tremulous mouth? She was dressed in the heaviest of mourning and very + expensively, but there was that in her bearing and expression which made + it impossible to believe that she took any interest in her garments or + even knew in which of her dresses she had been attired. + </p> + <p> + “I am the person you have come here to see,” she said. “Your name is not + unfamiliar to me, but you may not know mine. It is Quintard; Mrs. + Quintard. I am in difficulty. I need assistance—secret assistance. I + did not know where to go for it except to a detective agency; so I + telephoned to the first one I saw advertised; and—and I was told to + expect Miss Strange. But I didn’t think it would be you though I suppose + it’s all right. You have come here for this purpose, haven’t you, though + it does seem a little queer?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, Mrs. Quintard; and if you will tell me—” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, it’s just this—yes, I will sit down. Last week my brother + died. You have heard of him no doubt, C. Dudley Brooks?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; my father knew him—we all knew him by reputation. Do not + hurry, Mrs. Quintard. I have sent my car away. You can take all the time + you wish.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, I cannot. I’m in desperate haste. He—but let me go on with + my story. My brother was a widower, with no children to inherit. That + everybody knows. But his wife left behind her a son by a former husband, + and this son of hers my brother had in a measure adopted, and even made + his sole heir in a will he drew up during the lifetime of his wife. But + when he found, as he very soon did, that this young man was not developing + in a way to meet such great responsibilities, he made a new will—though + unhappily without the knowledge of the family, or even of his most + intimate friends—in which he gave the bulk of his great estate to + his nephew Clement, who has bettered the promise of his youth and who + besides has children of great beauty whom my brother had learned to love. + And this will—this hoarded scrap of paper which means so much to us + all, is lost! lost! and I—” here her voice which had risen almost to + a scream, sank to a horrified whisper, “am the one who lost it.” + </p> + <p> + “But there’s a copy of it somewhere—there is always a copy—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you haven’t heard all. My nephew is an invalid; has been an + invalid for years—that’s why so little is known about him. He’s + dying of consumption. The doctors hold out no hope for him, and now, with + the fear preying upon him of leaving his wife and children penniless, he + is wearing away so fast that any hour may see his end. And I have to meet + his eyes—such pitiful eyes—and the look in them is killing me. + Yet, I was not to blame. I could not help—Oh, Miss Strange,” she + suddenly broke in with the inconsequence of extreme feeling, “the will is + in the house! I never carried it off the floor where I sleep. Find it; + find it, I pray, or—” + </p> + <p> + The moment had come for Violet’s soft touch, for Violet’s encouraging + word. + </p> + <p> + “I will try,” she answered her. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard grew calmer. + </p> + <p> + “But, first,” the young girl continued, “I must know more about the + conditions. Where is this nephew of yours—the man who is ill?” + </p> + <p> + “In this house, where he has been for the last eight months.” + </p> + <p> + “Was the child his of whom I caught a glimpse in the hall as I came in?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and—” + </p> + <p> + “I will fight for that child!” Violet cried out impulsively. “I am sure + his father’s cause is good. Where is the other claimant—the one you + designate as Carlos?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there’s where the trouble is! Carlos is on the Mauretania, and she is + due here in a couple of days. He comes from the East where he has been + touring with his wife. Miss Strange, the lost will must be found before + then, or the other will be opened and read and Carlos made master of this + house, which would mean our quick departure and Clement’s certain death.” + </p> + <p> + “Move a sick man?—a relative as low as you say he is? Oh no, Mrs. + Quintard; no one would do that, were the house a cabin and its owners + paupers.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not know Carlos; you do not know his wife. We should not be given + a week in which to pack. They have no children and they envy Clement who + has. Our only hope lies in discovering the paper which gives us the right + to remain here in face of all opposition. That or penury. Now you know my + trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “And it is trouble; one from which I shall make every effort to relieve + you. But first let me ask if you are not worrying unnecessarily about this + missing document? If it was drawn up by Mr. Brooks’s lawyer—” + </p> + <p> + “But it was not,” that lady impetuously interrupted. “His lawyer is + Carlos’s near relative, and has never been told of the change in my + brother’s intentions. Clement (I am speaking now of my brother and not of + my nephew) was a great money-getter, but when it came to standing up for + his rights in domestic matters, he was more timid than a child. He was + subject to his wife while she lived, and when she was gone, to her + relatives, who are all of a dominating character. When he finally made up + his mind to do us justice and eliminate Carlos, he went out of town—I + wish I could remember where—and had this will drawn up by a + stranger, whose name I cannot recall.” + </p> + <p> + Her shaking tones, her nervous manner betrayed a weakness equalling, if + not surpassing, that of the brother who dared in secret what he had not + strength to acknowledge openly, and it was with some hesitation Violet + prepared to ask those definite questions which would elucidate the cause + and manner of a loss seemingly so important. She dreaded to hear some + commonplace tale of inexcusable carelessness. Something subtler than this—the + presence of some unsuspected agency opposed to young Clement’s interest; + some partisan of Carlos; some secret undermining force in a house full of + servants and dependants, seemed necessary for the development of so + ordinary a situation into a drama justifying the exercise of her special + powers. + </p> + <p> + “I think I understand now your exact position in the house, as well as the + value of the paper which you say you have lost. The next thing for me to + hear is how you came to have charge of this paper, and under what + circumstances you were led to mislay it. Do you not feel quite ready to + tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “Is—is that necessary?” Mrs. Quintard faltered. + </p> + <p> + “Very,” replied Violet, watching her curiously. + </p> + <p> + “I didn’t expect—that is, I hoped you would be able to point out, by + some power we cannot of course explain, just the spot where the paper + lies, without having to tell all that. Some people can, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I understand. You regarded me as unfit for practical work, and so + credited me with occult powers. But that is where you made a mistake, Mrs. + Quintard; I’m nothing if not practical. And let me add, that I’m as secret + as the grave concerning what my clients tell me. If I am to be of any help + to you, I must be made acquainted with every fact involved in the loss of + this valuable paper. Relate the whole circumstance or dismiss me from the + case. You can have done nothing more foolish or wrong than many—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, don’t say things like that!” broke in the poor woman in a tone of + great indignation. “I have done nothing anyone could call either foolish + or wicked. I am simply very unfortunate, and being sensitive—But + this isn’t telling the story. I’ll try to make it all clear; but if I do + not, and show any confusion, stop me and help me out with questions. I—I—oh, + where shall I begin?” + </p> + <p> + “With your first knowledge of this second will.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, thank you; now I can go on. One night, shortly after my + brother had been given up by the physicians, I was called to his bedside + for a confidential talk. As he had received that day a very large amount + of money from the bank, I thought he was going to hand it over to me for + Clement, but it was for something much more serious than this he had + summoned me. When he was quite sure that we were alone and nobody anywhere + within hearing, he told me that he had changed his mind as to the disposal + of his property and that it was to Clement and his children, and not to + Carlos, he was going to leave this house and the bulk of his money. That + he had had a new will drawn up which he showed me—” + </p> + <p> + “Showed you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; he made me bring it to him from the safe where he kept it; and, + feeble as he was, he was so interested in pointing out certain portions of + it that he lifted himself in bed and was so strong and animated that I + thought he was getting better. But it was a false strength due to the + excitement of the moment, as I saw next day when he suddenly died.” + </p> + <p> + “You were saying that you brought the will to him from his safe. Where was + the safe?” + </p> + <p> + “In the wall over his head. He gave me the key to open it. This key he + took from under his pillow. I had no trouble in fitting it or in turning + the lock.” + </p> + <p> + “And what happened after you looked at the will?” + </p> + <p> + “I put it back. He told me to. But the key I kept. He said I was not to + part with it again till the time came for me to produce the will.” + </p> + <p> + “And when was that to be?” + </p> + <p> + “Immediately after the funeral, if it so happened that Carlos had arrived + in time to attend it. But if for any reason he failed to be here, I was to + let it lie till within three days of his return, when I was to take it out + in the presence of a Mr. Delahunt who was to have full charge of it from + that time. Oh, I remember all that well enough! and I meant most earnestly + to carry out his wishes, but—” + </p> + <p> + “Go on, Mrs. Quintard, pray go on. What happened? Why couldn’t you do what + he asked?” + </p> + <p> + “Because the will was gone when I went to take it out. There was nothing + to show Mr. Delahunt but the empty shelf.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, a theft! just a common theft! Someone overheard the talk you had with + your brother. But how about the key? You had that?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I had that.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it was taken from you and returned? You must have been careless as + to where you kept it—” + </p> + <p> + “No, I wore it on a chain about my neck. Though I had no reason to + mistrust any one in the house, I felt that I could not guard this key too + carefully. I even kept it on at night. In fact it never left me. It was + still on my person when I went into the room with Mr. Delahunt. But the + safe had been opened for all that.” + </p> + <p> + “There were two keys to it, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No; in giving me the key, my brother had strictly warned me not to lose + it, as it had no duplicate.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Quintard, have you a special confidant or maid?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, my Hetty.” + </p> + <p> + “How much did she know about this key?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, but that it didn’t help the fit of my dress. Hetty has cared for + me for years. There’s no more devoted woman in all New York, nor one who + can be more relied upon to tell the truth. She is so honest with her + tongue that I am bound to believe her even when she says—” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “That it was I and nobody else who took the will out of the safe last + night. That she saw me come from my brother’s room with a folded paper in + my hand, pass with it into the library, and come out again without it. If + this is so, then that will is somewhere in that great room. But we’ve + looked in every conceivable place except the shelves, where it is useless + to search. It would take days to go through them all, and meanwhile Carlos—” + </p> + <p> + “We will not wait for Carlos. We will begin work at once. But just one + other question. How came Hetty to see you in your walk through the rooms? + Did she follow you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It’s—it’s not the first time I have walked in my sleep. Last + night—but she will tell you. It’s a painful subject to me. I will + send for her to meet us in the library.” + </p> + <p> + “Where you believe this document to lie hidden?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I am anxious to see the room. It is upstairs, I believe.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + She had risen and was moving rapidly toward the door. Violet eagerly + followed her. + </p> + <p> + Let us accompany her in her passage up the palatial stairway, and realize + the effect upon her of a splendour whose future ownership possibly + depended entirely upon herself. + </p> + <p> + It was a cold splendour. The merry voices of children were lacking in + these great halls. Death past and to come infused the air with solemnity + and mocked the pomp which yet appeared so much a part of the life here + that one could hardly imagine the huge pillared spaces without it. + </p> + <p> + To Violet, more or less accustomed to fine interiors, the chief interest + of this one lay in its connection with the mystery then occupying her. + Stopping for a moment on the stair, she inquired of Mrs. Quintard if the + loss she so deplored had been made known to the servants, and was much + relieved to find that, with the exception of Mr. Delahunt, she had not + spoken of it to any one but Clement. “And he will never mention it,” she + declared, “not even to his wife. She has troubles enough to bear without + knowing how near she stood to a fortune.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, she will have her fortune!” Violet confidently replied. “In time, the + lawyer who drew up the will will appear. But what you want is an immediate + triumph over the cold Carlos, and I hope you may have it. Ah!” + </p> + <p> + This expletive was a sigh of sheer surprise. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard had unlocked the library door and Violet had been given her + first glimpse of this, the finest room in New York. + </p> + <p> + She remembered now that she had often heard it so characterized, and, + indeed, had it been taken bodily from some historic abbey of the old + world, it could not have expressed more fully, in structure and + ornamentation, the Gothic idea at its best. All that it lacked were the + associations of vanished centuries, and these, in a measure, were supplied + to the imagination by the studied mellowness of its tints and the + suggestion of age in its carvings. + </p> + <p> + So much for the room itself, which was but a shell for holding the great + treasure of valuable books ranged along every shelf. As Violet’s eyes sped + over their ranks and thence to the five windows of deeply stained glass + which faced her from the southern end, Mrs. Quintard indignantly + exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “And Carlos would turn this into a billiard room!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not like Carlos,” Violet returned hotly; then remembering herself, + hastened to ask whether Mrs. Quintard was quite positive as to this room + being the one in which she had hidden the precious document. + </p> + <p> + “You had better talk to Hetty,” said that lady, as a stout woman of most + prepossessing appearance entered their presence and paused respectfully + just inside the doorway. “Hetty, you will answer any questions this young + lady may put. If anyone can help us, she can. But first, what news from + the sick-room?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing good. The doctor has just come for the third time today. Mrs. + Brooks is crying and even the children are dumb with fear.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go. I must see the doctor. I must tell him to keep Clement alive + by any means till—” + </p> + <p> + She did not wait to say what; but Violet understood and felt her heart + grow heavy. Could it be that her employer considered this the gay and easy + task she had asked for? + </p> + <p> + The next minute she was putting her first question: + </p> + <p> + “Hetty, what did you see in Mrs. Quintard’s action last night, to make you + infer that she left the missing document in this room?” + </p> + <p> + The woman’s eyes, which had been respectfully studying her face, + brightened with a relief which made her communicative. With the + self-possession of a perfectly candid nature, she inquiringly remarked: + </p> + <p> + “My mistress has spoken of her infirmity?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and very frankly.” + </p> + <p> + “She walks in her sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “So she said.” + </p> + <p> + “And sometimes when others are asleep, and she is not.” + </p> + <p> + “She did not tell me that.” + </p> + <p> + “She is a very nervous woman and cannot always keep still when she rouses + up at night. When I hear her rise, I get up too; but, never being quite + sure whether she is sleeping or not, I am careful to follow her at a + certain distance. Last night I was so far behind her that she had been to + her brother’s room and left it before I saw her face.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is his room and where is hers?” + </p> + <p> + “Hers is in front on this same floor. Mr. Brooks’s is in the rear, and can + be reached either by the hall or by passing through this room into a small + one beyond, which we called his den.” + </p> + <p> + “Describe your encounter. Where were you standing when you saw her first?” + </p> + <p> + “In the den I have just mentioned. There was a bright light in the hall + behind me and I could see her figure quite plainly. She was holding a + folded paper clenched against her breast, and her movement was so + mechanical that I was sure she was asleep. She was coming this way, and in + another moment she entered this room. The door, which had been open, + remained so, and in my anxiety I crept to it and looked in after her. + There was no light burning here at that hour, but the moon was shining in + in long rays of variously coloured light. If I had followed her—but + I did not. I just stood and watched her long enough to see her pass + through a blue ray, then through a green one, and then into, if not + through, a red one. Expecting her to walk straight on, and having some + fears of the staircase once she got into the hall, I hurried around to the + door behind you there to head her off. But she had not yet left this room. + I waited and waited and still she did not come. Fearing some accident, I + finally ventured to approach the door and try it. It was locked. This + alarmed me. She had never locked herself in anywhere before and I did not + know what to make of it. Some persons would have shouted her name, but I + had been warned against doing that, so I simply stood where I was, and + eventually I heard the key turn in the lock and saw her come out. She was + still walking stiffly, but her hands were empty and hanging at her side.” + </p> + <p> + “And then?” + </p> + <p> + “She went straight to her room and I after her. I was sure she was dead + asleep by this time.” + </p> + <p> + “And she was?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Miss; but still full of what was on her mind. I know this because + she stopped when she reached the bedside and began fumbling with the waist + of her wrapper. It was for the key she was searching, and when her fingers + encountered it hanging on the outside, she opened her wrapper and thrust + it in on her bare skin.” + </p> + <p> + “You saw her do all that?” + </p> + <p> + “As plainly as I see you now. The light in her room was burning brightly.” + </p> + <p> + “And after that?” + </p> + <p> + “She got into bed. It was I who turned off the light.” + </p> + <p> + “Has that wrapper of hers a pocket?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Miss.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor her gown?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Miss.” + </p> + <p> + “So she could not have brought the paper into her room concealed about her + person?” + </p> + <p> + “No, Miss; she left it here. It never passed beyond this doorway.” + </p> + <p> + “But might she not have carried it back to some place of concealment in + the rooms she had left?” + </p> + <p> + The woman’s face changed and a slight flush showed through the natural + brown of her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she disclaimed; “she could not have done that. I was careful to lock + the library door behind her before I ran out into the hall.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” concluded Violet, with all the emphasis of conviction, “it is + here, and nowhere else we must look for that document till we find it.” + </p> + <p> + Thus assured of the first step in the task she had before her, Miss + Strange settled down to business. + </p> + <p> + The room, which towered to the height of two stories, was in the shape of + a huge oval. This oval, separated into narrow divisions for the purpose of + accommodating the shelves with which it was lined, narrowed as it rose + above the great Gothic chimney-piece and the five gorgeous windows looking + towards the south, till it met and was lost in the tracery of the ceiling, + which was of that exquisite and soul-satisfying order which we see in the + Henry VII chapel in Westminster Abbey. What break otherwise occurred in + the circling round of books reaching thus thirty feet or more above the + head was made by the two doors already spoken of and a narrow strip of + wall at either end of the space occupied by the windows. No furniture was + to be seen there except a couple of stalls taken from some old cathedral, + which stood in the two bare places just mentioned. + </p> + <p> + But within, on the extensive floor-space, several articles were grouped, + and Violet, recognizing the possibilities which any one of them afforded + for the concealment of so small an object as a folded document, decided to + use method in her search, and to that end, mentally divided the space + before her into four segments. + </p> + <p> + The first took in the door, communicating with the suite ending in Mr. + Brooks’s bedroom. A diagram of this segment will show that the only + article of furniture in it was a cabinet. + </p> + <p> + It was at this cabinet Miss Strange made her first stop. + </p> + <p> + “You have looked this well through?” she asked as she bent over the glass + case on top to examine the row of mediaeval missals displayed within in a + manner to show their wonderful illuminations. + </p> + <p> + “Not the case,” explained Hetty. “It is locked you see and no one has as + yet succeeded in finding the key. But we searched the drawers underneath + with the greatest care. Had we sifted the whole contents through our + fingers, I could not be more certain that the paper is not there.” + </p> + <p> + Violet stepped into the next segment. + </p> + <p> + This was the one dominated by the huge fire-place. A rug lay before the + hearth. To this Violet pointed. + </p> + <p> + Quickly the woman answered: “We not only lifted it, but turned it over.” + </p> + <p> + “And that box at the right?” + </p> + <p> + “Is full of wood and wood only.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you take out this wood?” + </p> + <p> + “Every stick.” + </p> + <p> + “And those ashes in the fire-place? Something has been burned there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but not lately. Besides, those ashes are all wood ashes. If the + least bit of charred paper had been mixed with them, we should have + considered the matter settled. But you can see for yourself that no such + particle can be found.” While saying this, she had put the poker into + Violet’s hand. “Rake them about, Miss, and make sure.” + </p> + <p> + Violet did so, with the result that the poker was soon put back into + place, and she herself down on her knees looking up the chimney. + </p> + <p> + “Had she thrust it up there,” Hetty made haste to remark, “there would + have been some signs of soot on her sleeves. They are white and very long + and are always getting in her way when she tries to do anything.” + </p> + <p> + Violet left the fire-place after a glance at the mantel-shelf on which + nothing stood but a casket of open fretwork, and two coloured photographs + mounted on small easels. The casket was too open to conceal anything and + the photographs lifted too high above the shelf for even the smallest + paper, let alone a document of any size, to hide behind them. + </p> + <p> + The chairs, of which there were several in this part of the room, she + passed with just an inquiring look. They were all of solid oak, without + any attempt at upholstery, and although carved to match the stalls on the + other side of the room, offered no place for search. + </p> + <p> + Her delay in the third segment was brief. Here there was absolutely + nothing but the door by which she had entered, and the books. As she + flitted on, following the oval of the wall, a small frown appeared on her + usually smooth forehead. She felt the oppression of the books—the + countless books. If indeed, she should find herself obliged to go through + them. What a hopeless outlook! + </p> + <p> + But she had still a segment to consider, and after that the immense table + occupying the centre of the room, a table which in its double capacity + (for it was as much desk as table) gave more promise of holding the + solution of the mystery than anything to which she had hitherto given her + attention. + </p> + <p> + The quarter in which she now stood was the most beautiful, and, possibly, + the most precious of them all. In it blazed the five great windows which + were the glory of the room; but there are no hiding-places in windows, and + much as she revelled in colour, she dared not waste a moment on them. + There was more hope for her in the towering stalls, with their possible + drawers for books. + </p> + <p> + But Hetty was before her in the attempt she made to lift the lids of the + two great seats. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing in either,” said she; and Violet, with a sigh, turned towards the + table. + </p> + <p> + This was an immense affair, made to accommodate itself to the shape of the + room, but with a hollowed-out space on the window-side large enough to + hold a chair for the sitter who would use its top as a desk. On it were + various articles suitable to its double use. Without being crowded, it + displayed a pile of magazines and pamphlets, boxes for stationery, a + writing pad with its accompaniments, a lamp, and some few ornaments, among + which was a large box, richly inlaid with pearl and ivory, the lid of + which stood wide open. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t touch,” admonished Violet, as Hetty stretched out her hand to move + some little object aside. “You have already worked here busily in the + search you made this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “We handled everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you go through these pamphlets?” + </p> + <p> + “We shook open each one. We were especially particular here, since it was + at this table I saw Mrs. Quintard stop.” + </p> + <p> + “With head level or drooped?” + </p> + <p> + “Drooped.” + </p> + <p> + “Like one looking down, rather than up, or around?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. A ray of red light shone on her sleeve. It seemed to me the sleeve + moved as though she were reaching out.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you try to stand as she did and as nearly in the same place as + possible?” + </p> + <p> + Hetty glanced down at the table edge, marked where the gules dominated the + blue and green, and moved to that spot, and paused with her head sinking + slowly towards her breast. + </p> + <p> + “Very good,” exclaimed Violet. “But the moon was probably in a very + different position from what the sun is now.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right; it was higher up; I chanced to notice it.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me come,” said Violet. + </p> + <p> + Hetty moved, and Violet took her place but in a spot a step or two farther + front. This brought her very near to the centre of the table. Hanging her + head, just as Hetty had done, she reached out her right hand. + </p> + <p> + “Have you looked under this blotter?” she asked, pointing towards the pad + she touched. “I mean, between the blotter and the frame which holds it?” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly did,” answered Hetty, with some pride. + </p> + <p> + Violet remained staring down. “Then you took off everything that was lying + on it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes.” + </p> + <p> + Violet continued to stare down at the blotter. Then impetuously: + </p> + <p> + “Put them back in their accustomed places.” + </p> + <p> + Hetty obeyed. + </p> + <p> + Violet continued to look at them, then slowly stretched out her hand, but + soon let it fall again with an air of discouragement. Certainly the + missing document was not in the ink-pot or the mucilage bottle. Yet + something made her stoop again over the pad and subject it to the closest + scrutiny. + </p> + <p> + “If only nothing had been touched!” she inwardly sighed. But she let no + sign of her discontent escape her lips, simply exclaiming as she glanced + up at the towering spaces overhead: “The books! the books! Nothing remains + but for you to call up all the servants, or get men from the outside and, + beginning at one end—I should say the upper one—take down + every book standing within reach of a woman of Mrs. Quintard’s height.” + </p> + <p> + “Hear first what Mrs. Quintard has to say about that,” interrupted the + woman as that lady entered in a flutter of emotion springing from more + than one cause. + </p> + <p> + “The young lady thinks that we should remove the books,” Hetty observed, + as her mistress’s eye wandered to hers from Violet’s abstracted + countenance. + </p> + <p> + “Useless. If we were to undertake to do that, Carlos would be here before + half the job was finished. Besides, Hetty must have told you my extreme + aversion to nicely bound books. I will not say that when awake I never + place my hand on one, but once in a state of somnambulism, when every + natural whim has full control, I am sure that I never would. There is a + reason for my prejudice. I was not always rich. I once was very poor. It + was when I was first married and long before Clement had begun to make his + fortune. I was so poor then that frequently I went hungry, and what was + worse saw my little daughter cry for food. And why? Because my husband was + a bibliomaniac. He would spend on fine editions what would have kept the + family comfortable. It is hard to believe, isn’t it? I have seen him bring + home a Grolier when the larder was as empty as that box; and it made me + hate books so, especially those of extra fine binding, that I have to tear + the covers off before I can find courage to read them.” + </p> + <p> + O life! life! how fast Violet was learning it! + </p> + <p> + “I can understand your idea, Mrs. Quintard, but as everything else has + failed, I should make a mistake not to examine these shelves. It is just + possible that we may be able to shorten the task very materially; that we + may not have to call in help, even. To what extent have they been + approached, or the books handled, since you discovered the loss of the + paper we are looking for?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. Neither of us went near them.” This from Hetty. + </p> + <p> + “Nor any one else?” + </p> + <p> + “No one else has been admitted to the room. We locked both doors the + moment we felt satisfied that the will had been left here.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s a relief. Now I may be able to do something. Hetty, you look like + a very strong woman, and I, as you see, am very little. Would you mind + lifting me up to these shelves? I want to look at them. Not at the books, + but at the shelves themselves.” + </p> + <p> + The wondering woman stooped and raised her to the level of the shelf she + had pointed out. Violet peered closely at it and then at the ones just + beneath. + </p> + <p> + “Am I heavy?” she asked; “if not, let me see those on the other side of + the door.” + </p> + <p> + Hetty carried her over. + </p> + <p> + Violet inspected each shelf as high as a woman of Mrs. Quintard’s stature + could reach, and when on her feet again, knelt to inspect the ones below. + </p> + <p> + “No one has touched or drawn anything from these shelves in twenty-four + hours,” she declared. “The small accumulation of dust along their edges + has not been disturbed at any point. It was very different with the + table-top. That shows very plainly where you had moved things and where + you had not.” + </p> + <p> + “Was that what you were looking for? Well, I never!” + </p> + <p> + Violet paid no heed; she was thinking and thinking very deeply. + </p> + <p> + Hetty turned towards her mistress, then quickly back to Violet, whom she + seized by the arm. + </p> + <p> + “What’s the matter with Mrs. Quintard?” she hurriedly asked. “If it were + night, I should think that she was in one of her spells.” + </p> + <p> + Violet started and glanced where Hetty pointed. Mrs. Quintard was within a + few feet of them, but as oblivious of their presence as though she stood + alone in the room. Possibly, she thought she did. With fixed eyes and + mechanical step she began to move straight towards the table, her whole + appearance of a nature to make Hetty’s blood run cold, but to cause that + of Violet’s to bound through her veins with renewed hope. + </p> + <p> + “The one thing I could have wished!” she murmured under her breath. “She + has fallen into a trance. She is again under the dominion of her idea. If + we watch and do not disturb her she may repeat her action of last night, + and herself show where she has put this precious document.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Mrs. Quintard continued to advance. A moment more, and her + smooth white locks caught the ruddy glow centred upon the chair standing + in the hollow of the table. Words were leaving her lips, and her hand, + reaching out over the blotter, groped among the articles scattered there + till it settled on a large pair of shears. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” muttered Violet to the woman pressing close to her side. “You + are acquainted with her voice; catch what she says if you can.” + </p> + <p> + Hetty could not; an undistinguishable murmur was all that came to her + ears. + </p> + <p> + Violet took a step nearer. Mrs. Quintard’s hand had left the shears and + was hovering uncertainly in the air. Her distress was evident. Her head, + no longer steady on her shoulders, was turning this way and that, and her + tones becoming inarticulate. + </p> + <p> + “Paper! I want paper” burst from her lips in a shrill unnatural cry. + </p> + <p> + But when they listened for more and watched to see the uncertain hand + settle somewhere, she suddenly came to herself and turned upon them a + startled glance, which speedily changed into one of the utmost perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “What am I doing here?” she asked. “I have a feeling as if I had almost + seen—almost touched—oh, it’s gone! and all is blank again. Why + couldn’t I keep it till I knew—” Then she came wholly to herself + and, forgetting even the doubts of a moment since, remarked to Violet in + her old tremulous fashion: + </p> + <p> + “You asked us to pull down the books? But you’ve evidently thought better + of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have thought better of it.” Then, with a last desperate hope of + re-arousing the visions lying somewhere back in Mrs. Quintard’s troubled + brain, Violet ventured to observe: “This is likely to resolve itself into + a psychological problem, Mrs. Quintard. Do you suppose that if you fell + again into the condition of last night, you would repeat your action and + so lead us yourself to where the will lies hidden?” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly; but it may be weeks before I walk again in my sleep, and + meanwhile Carlos will have arrived, and Clement, possibly, died. My nephew + is so low that the doctor is coming back at midnight. Miss Strange, + Clement is a man in a thousand. He says he wants to see you. Would you be + willing to accompany me to his room for a moment? He will not make many + more requests and I will take care that the interview is not prolonged.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go willingly. But would it not be better to wait—” + </p> + <p> + “Then you may never see him at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; but I wish I had some better news to give.” + </p> + <p> + “That will come later. This house was never meant for Carlos. Hetty, you + will stay here. Miss Strange, let us go now.” + </p> + <p> + “You need not speak; just let him see you.” + </p> + <p> + Violet nodded and followed Mrs. Quintard into the sick-room. + </p> + <p> + The sight which met her eyes tried her young emotions deeply. Staring at + her from the bed, she saw two piercing eyes over whose brilliance death as + yet had gained no control. Clements’s soul was in that gaze; Clement + halting at the brink of dissolution to sound the depths behind him for the + hope which would make departure easy. Would he see in her, a mere slip of + a girl dressed in fashionable clothes and bearing about her all the marks + of social distinction, the sort of person needed for the task upon the + success of which depended his darlings’ future? She could hardly expect + it. Yet as she continued to meet his gaze with all the seriousness the + moment demanded, she beheld those burning orbs lose some of their demand + and the fingers, which had lain inert upon the bedspread, flutter gently + and move as if to draw attention to his wife and the three beautiful + children clustered at the foot-board. + </p> + <p> + He had not spoken nor could she speak, but the solemnity with which she + raised her right hand as to a listening Heaven called forth upon his lips + what was possibly his last smile, and with the memory of this faint + expression of confidence on his part, she left the room, to make her final + attempt to solve the mystery of the missing document. + </p> + <p> + Facing the elderly lady in the hall, she addressed her with the force and + soberness of one leading a forlorn hope: + </p> + <p> + “I want you to concentrate your mind upon what I have to say to you. Do + you think you can do this?” + </p> + <p> + “I will try,” replied the poor woman with a backward glance at the door + which had just been closed upon her. + </p> + <p> + “What we want,” said she, “is, as I stated before, an insight into the + workings of your brain at the time you took the will from the safe. Try + and follow what I have to say, Mrs. Quintard. Dreams are no longer + regarded by scientists as prophecies of the future or even as spontaneous + and irrelevant conditions of thought, but as reflections of a near past, + which can almost without exception be traced back to the occurrences which + caused them. Your action with the will had its birth in some previous line + of thought afterwards forgotten. Let us try and find that thought. Recall, + if you can, just what you did or read yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard looked frightened. + </p> + <p> + “But, I have no memory,” she objected. “I forget quickly, so quickly that + in order to fulfill my engagements I have to keep a memorandum of every + day’s events. Yesterday? yesterday? What did I do yesterday? I went + downtown for one thing, but I hardly know where.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps your memorandum of yesterday’s doings will help you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will get it. But it won’t give you the least help. I keep it only for + my own eye, and—” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind; let me see it.” + </p> + <p> + And she waited impatiently for it to be put in her hands. + </p> + <p> + But when she came to read the record of the last two days, this was all + she found: + </p> + <p> + Saturday: Mauretania nearly due. I must let Mr. Delahunt know today that + he’s wanted here to-morrow. Hetty will try on my dresses. Says she has to + alter them. Mrs. Peabody came to lunch, and we in such trouble! Had to go + down street. Errand for Clement. The will, the will! I think of nothing + else. Is it safe where it is? No peace of mind till to-morrow. Clement + better this afternoon. Says he must live till Carlos gets back; not to + triumph over him, but to do what he can to lessen his disappointment. My + good Clement! + </p> + <p> + So nervous, I went to pasting photographs, and was forgetting all my + troubles when Hetty brought in another dress to try on. + </p> + <p> + Quiet in the great house, during which the clock on the staircase sent + forth seven musical peals. To Violet waiting alone in the library, they + acted as a summons. She was just leaving the room, when the sound of + hubbub in the hall below held her motionless in the doorway. An automobile + had stopped in front, and several persons were entering the house, in a + gay and unseemly fashion. As she stood listening, uncertain of her duty, + she perceived the frenzied figure of Mrs. Quintard approaching. As she + passed by, she dropped one word: “Carlos!” Then she went staggering on, to + disappear a moment later down the stairway. + </p> + <p> + This vision lost, another came. This time it was that of Clements’s wife + leaning from the marble balustrade above, the shadow of approaching grief + battling with the present terror in her perfect features. Then she too + withdrew from view and Violet, left for the moment alone in the great + hall, stepped back into the library and began to put on her hat. + </p> + <p> + The lights had been turned up in the grand salon and it was in this scene + of gorgeous colour that Mrs. Quintard came face to face with Carlos + Pelacios. Those who were witness to her entrance say that she presented a + noble appearance, as with the resolution of extreme desperation she stood + waiting for his first angry attack. + </p> + <p> + He, a short, thick-set, dark man, showing both in features and expression + the Spanish blood of his paternal ancestors, started to address her in + tones of violence, but changed his note, as he met her eye, to one simply + sardonic. + </p> + <p> + “You here!” he began. “I assure you, madame, that it is a pleasure which + is not without its inconveniences. Did you not receive my cablegram + requesting this house to be made ready for my occupancy?” + </p> + <p> + “I did.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why do I find guests here? They do not usually precede the arrival + of their host.” + </p> + <p> + “Clement is very ill—” + </p> + <p> + “So much the greater reason that he should have been removed—” + </p> + <p> + “You were not expected for two days yet. You cabled that you were coming + on the Mauretania.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I cabled that. Elisabetta,”—this to his wife standing silently + in the background—“we will go to the Plaza for tonight. At three + o’clock tomorrow we shall expect to find this house in readiness for our + return. Later, if Mrs. Quintard desires to visit us we shall be pleased to + receive her. But”—this to Mrs. Quintard herself—“you must come + without Clement and the kids.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard’s rigid hand stole up to her throat. + </p> + <p> + “Clement is dying. He is failing hourly,” she murmured. “He may not live + till morning.” + </p> + <p> + Even Carlos was taken aback by this. “Oh, well!” said he, “we will give + you two days.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard gasped, then she walked straight up to him. +</p> + <p> +“You will give + us all the time his condition requires and more, much more. He is the real + owner of this house, not you. My brother left a will bequeathing it to + him. You are my nephew’s guests, and not he yours. As his representative I + entreat you and your wife to remain here until you can find a home to your + mind.” + </p> + <p> + The silence seethed. Carlos had a temper of fire and so had his wife. But + neither spoke, till he had gained sufficient control over himself to + remark without undue rancour: + </p> + <p> + “I did not think you had the wit to influence your brother to this extent; + otherwise, I should have cut my travels short.” Then harshly: “Where is + this will?” + </p> + <p> + “It will be produced.” But the words faltered. + </p> + <p> + Carlos glanced at the man standing behind his wife; then back at Mrs. + Quintard. + </p> + <p> + “Wills are not scribbled off on deathbeds; or if they are, it needs + something more than a signature to legalize them. I don’t believe in this + trick of a later will. Mr. Cavanagh”—here he indicated the gentleman + accompanying them—“has done my father’s business for years, and he + assured me that the paper he holds in his pocket is the first, last, and + only expression of your brother’s wishes. If you are in a position to deny + this, show us the document you mention; show us it at once, or inform us + where and in whose hands it can be found.” + </p> + <p> + “That, for—for reasons I cannot give, I must refuse to do at + present. But I am ready to swear—” + </p> + <p> + A mocking laugh cut her short. Did it issue from his lips or from those of + his highstrung and unfeeling wife? It might have come from either; there + was cause enough. + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” she faltered, “may God have mercy!” and was sinking before their + eyes, when she heard her name, called from the threshold, and, looking + that way, saw Hetty beaming upon her, backed by a little figure with a + face so radiant that instinctively her hand went out to grasp the folded + sheet of paper Hetty was seeking to thrust upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” she cried, in a great voice, “you will not have to wait, nor Clement + either. Here is the will! The children have come into their own.” And she + fell at their feet in a dead faint. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you find it? Oh! where did you find it? I have waited a week to + know. When, after Carlos’s sudden departure, I stood beside Clement’s + death-bed and saw from the look he gave me that he could still feel and + understand, I told him that you had succeeded in your task and that all + was well with us. But I was not able to tell him how you had succeeded or + in what place the will had been found; and he died, unknowing. But we may + know, may we not, now that he is laid away and there is no more talk of + our leaving this house?” + </p> + <p> + Violet smiled, but very tenderly, and in a way not to offend the mourner. + They were sitting in the library—the great library which was to + remain in Clement’s family after all—and it amused her to follow the + dreaming lady’s glances as they ran in irrepressible curiosity over the + walls. Had Violet wished, she could have kept her secret forever. These + eyes would never have discovered it. + </p> + <p> + But she was of a sympathetic temperament, our Violet, so after a moment’s + delay, during which she satisfied herself that little, if anything, had + been touched in the room since her departure from it a week before, she + quietly observed: + </p> + <p> + “You were right in persisting that you hid it in this room. It was here I + found it. Do you notice that photograph on the mantel which does not stand + exactly straight on its easel?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Supposing you take it down. You can reach it, can you not?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes. But what—” + </p> + <p> + “Lift it down, dear Mrs. Quintard; and then turn it round and look at its + back.” + </p> + <p> + Agitated and questioning, the lady did as she was bid, and at the first + glance gave a cry of surprise, if not of understanding. The square of + brown paper, acting as a backing to the picture, was slit across, + disclosing a similar one behind it which was still intact. + </p> + <p> + “Oh! was it hidden in here?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Very completely,” assented Violet. “Pasted in out of sight by a lady who + amuses herself with mounting and framing photographs. Usually, she is + conscious of her work, but this time she performed her task in a dream.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Quintard was all amazement. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t remember touching these pictures,” she declared. “I never should + have remembered. You are a wonderful person, Miss Strange. How came you to + think these photographs might have two backings? There was nothing to show + that this was so.” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you, Mrs. Quintard. You helped me.” + </p> + <p> + “I helped you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. You remember the memorandum you gave me? In it you mentioned pasting + photographs. But this was not enough in itself to lead me to examine those + on the mantel, if you had not given me another suggestion a little while + before. We did not tell you this, Mrs. Quintard, at the time, but during + the search we were making here that day, you had a lapse into that + peculiar state which induces you to walk in your sleep. It was a short + one, lasting but a moment, but in a moment one can speak, and, this you + did—” + </p> + <p> + “Spoke? I spoke?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you uttered the word ‘paper!’ not the paper, but ‘paper!’ and + reached out towards the shears. Though I had not much time to think of it + then, afterwards upon reading your memorandum I recalled your words, and + asked myself if it was not paper to cut, rather than to hide, you wanted. + If it was to cut, and you were but repeating the experience of the night + before, then the room should contain some remnants of cut paper. Had we + seen any? Yes, in the basket, under the desk we had taken out and thrown + back again a strip or so of wrapping paper, which, if my memory did not + fail me, showed a clean-cut edge. To pull this strip out again and spread + it flat upon the desk was the work of a minute, and what I saw led me to + look all over the room, not now for the folded document, but for a square + of brown paper, such as had been taken out of this larger sheet. Was I + successful? Not for a long while, but when I came to the photographs on + the mantel and saw how nearly they corresponded in shape and size to what + I was looking for, I recalled again your fancy for mounting photographs + and felt that the mystery was solved. + </p> + <p> + “A glance at the back of one of them brought disappointment, but when I + turned about its mate—You know what I found underneath the outer + paper. You had laid the will against the original backing and simply + pasted another one over it. + </p> + <p> + “That the discovery came in time to cut short a very painful interview has + made me joyful for a week. + </p> + <p> + “And now may I see the children?” + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM V <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM VI. THE HOUSE OF CLOCKS + </h2> + <p> + Miss Strange was not in a responsive mood. This her employer had observed + on first entering; yet he showed no hesitation in laying on the table + behind which she had ensconced herself in the attitude of one besieged, an + envelope thick with enclosed papers. + </p> + <p> + “There,” said he. “Telephone me when you have read them.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall not read them.” + </p> + <p> + “No?” he smiled; and, repossessing himself of the envelope, he tore off + one end, extracted the sheets with which it was filled, and laid them down + still unfolded, in their former place on the table-top. + </p> + <p> + The suggestiveness of the action caused the corners of Miss Srange’s + delicate lips to twitch wistfully, before settling into an ironic smile. + </p> + <p> + Calmly the other watched her. + </p> + <p> + “I am on a vacation,” she loftily explained, as she finally met his + studiously non-quizzical glance. “Oh, I know that I am in my own home!” + she petulantly acknowledged, as his gaze took in the room; “and that the + automobile is at the door; and that I’m dressed for shopping. But for all + that I’m on a vacation—a mental one,” she emphasized; “and business + must wait. I haven’t got over the last affair,” she protested, as he + maintained a discreet silence, “and the season is so gay just now—so + many balls, so many—But that isn’t the worst. Father is beginning to + wake up—and if he ever suspects—” A significant gesture ended + this appeal. + </p> + <p> + The personage knew her father—everyone did—and the wonder had + always been that she dared run the risk of displeasing one so implacable. + Though she was his favourite child, Peter Strange was known to be quite + capable of cutting her off with a shilling, once his close, prejudiced + mind conceived it to be his duty. And that he would so interpret the + situation, if he ever came to learn the secret of his daughter’s fits of + abstraction and the sly bank account she was slowly accumulating, the + personage holding out this dangerous lure had no doubt at all. Yet he only + smiled at her words and remarked in casual suggestion: + </p> + <p> + “It’s out of town this time—‘way out. Your health certainly demands + a change of air.” + </p> + <p> + “My health is good. Fortunately, or unfortunately, as one may choose to + look at it, it furnishes me with no excuse for an outing,” she steadily + retorted, turning her back on the table. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, excuse me!” the insidious voice apologized, “your paleness misled me. + Surely a night or two’s change might be beneficial.” + </p> + <p> + She gave him a quick side look, and began to adjust her boa. + </p> + <p> + To this hint he paid no attention. + </p> + <p> + “The affair is quite out of the ordinary,” he pursued in the tone of one + rehearsing a part. But there he stopped. For some reason, not altogether + apparent to the masculine mind, the pin of flashing stones (real stones) + which held her hat in place had to be taken out and thrust back again, not + once, but twice. It was to watch this performance he had paused. When he + was ready to proceed, he took the musing tone of one marshalling facts for + another’s enlightenment: + </p> + <p> + “A woman of unknown instincts—” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw!” The end of the pin would strike against the comb holding Violet’s + chestnut-coloured locks. + </p> + <p> + “Living in a house as mysterious as the secret it contains. But—” + here he allowed his patience apparently to forsake him, “I will bore you + no longer. Go to your teas and balls; I will struggle with my dark affairs + alone.” + </p> + <p> + His hand went to the packet of papers she affected so ostentatiously to + despise. He could be as nonchalant as she. But he did not lift them; he + let them lie. Yet the young heiress had not made a movement or even turned + the slightest glance his way. + </p> + <p> + “A woman difficult to understand! A mysterious house—possibly a + mysterious crime!” + </p> + <p> + Thus Violet kept repeating in silent self-communion, as flushed with + dancing she sat that evening in a highly-scented conservatory, dividing + her attention between the compliments of her partner and the splash of a + fountain bubbling in the heart of this mass of tropical foliage; and when + some hours later she sat down in her chintz-furnished bedroom for a few + minutes’ thought before retiring, it was to draw from a little oak box at + her elbow the half-dozen or so folded sheets of closely written paper + which had been left for her perusal by her persistent employer. + </p> + <p> + Glancing first at the signature and finding it to be one already + favourably known at the bar, she read with avidity the statement of events + thus vouched for, finding them curious enough in all conscience to keep + her awake for another full hour. + </p> + <p> + We here subscribe it: + </p> + <p> + I am a lawyer with an office in the Times Square Building. My business is + mainly local, but sometimes I am called out of town, as witness the + following summons received by me on the fifth of last October. + </p> + <p> + DEAR SIR,— + </p> + <p> + I wish to make my will. I am an invalid and cannot leave my room. Will you + come to me? The enclosed reference will answer for my respectability. If + it satisfies you and you decide to accommodate me, please hasten your + visit; I have not many days to live. A carriage will meet you at Highland + Station at any hour you designate. Telegraph reply. + </p> + <p> + A. Postlethwaite, Gloom Cottage, ——, N. J. + </p> + <p> + The reference given was a Mr. Weed of Eighty-sixth Street—a + well-known man of unimpeachable reputation. + </p> + <p> + Calling him up at his business office, I asked him what he could tell me + about Mr. Postlethwaite of Gloom Cottage, ——, N. J. The answer + astonished me: + </p> + <p> + “There is no Mr. Postlethwaite to be found at that address. He died years + ago. There is a Mrs. Postlethwaite—a confirmed paralytic. Do you + mean her?” + </p> + <p> + I glanced at the letter still lying open at the side of the telephone: + </p> + <p> + “The signature reads A. Postlethwaite.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it’s she. Her name is Arabella. She hates the name, being a woman of + no sentiment. Uses her initials even on her cheques. What does she want of + you?” + </p> + <p> + “To draw her will.” + </p> + <p> + “Oblige her. It’ll be experience for you.” And he slammed home the + receiver. + </p> + <p> + I decided to follow the suggestion so forcibly emphasized; and the next + day saw me at Highland Station. A superannuated horse and a still more + superannuated carriage awaited me—both too old to serve a busy man + in these days of swift conveyance. Could this be a sample of the + establishment I was about to enter? Then I remembered that the woman who + had sent for me was a helpless invalid, and probably had no use for any + sort of turnout. + </p> + <p> + The driver was in keeping with the vehicle, and as noncommittal as the + plodding beast he drove. If I ventured upon a remark, he gave me a long + and curious look; if I went so far as to attack him with a direct + question, he responded with a hitch of the shoulder or a dubious smile + which conveyed nothing. Was he deaf or just unpleasant? I soon learned + that he was not deaf; for suddenly, after a jog-trot of a mile or so + through a wooded road which we had entered from the main highway, he drew + in his horse, and, without glancing my way, spoke his first word: + </p> + <p> + “This is where you get out. The house is back there in the bushes.” + </p> + <p> + As no house was visible and the bushes rose in an unbroken barrier along + the road, I stared at him in some doubt of his sanity. + </p> + <p> + “But—” I began; a protest into which he at once broke, with the + sharp direction: + </p> + <p> + “Take the path. It’ll lead you straight to the front door.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t see any path.” + </p> + <p> + For this he had no answer; and confident from his expression that it would + be useless to expect anything further from him, I dropped a coin into his + hand, and jumped to the ground. He was off before I could turn myself + about. + </p> + <p> + “‘Something is rotten in the State of Denmark,’” I quoted in startled + comment to myself; and not knowing what else to do, stared down at the + turf at my feet. + </p> + <p> + A bit of flagging met my eye, protruding from a layer of thick moss. + Farther on I espied another—the second, probably, of many. This, no + doubt, was the path I had been bidden to follow, and without further + thought on the subject, I plunged into the bushes which with difficulty I + made give way before me. + </p> + <p> + For a moment all further advance looked hopeless. A more tangled, + uninviting approach to a so-called home, I had never seen outside of the + tropics; and the complete neglect thus displayed should have prepared me + for the appearance of the house I unexpectedly came upon, just as, the way + seemed on the point of closing up before me. + </p> + <p> + But nothing could well prepare one for a first view of Gloom Cottage. Its + location in a hollow which had gradually filled itself up with trees and + some kind of prickly brush, its deeply stained walls, once picturesque + enough in their grouping but too deeply hidden now amid rotting boughs to + produce any other effect than that of shrouded desolation, the sough of + these same boughs as they rapped a devil’s tattoo against each other, and + the absence of even the rising column of smoke which bespeaks domestic + life wherever seen—all gave to one who remembered the cognomen + Cottage and forgot the pre-cognomen of Gloom, a sense of buried life as + sepulchral as that which emanates from the mouth of some freshly opened + tomb. + </p> + <p> + But these impressions, natural enough to my youth, were necessarily + transient, and soon gave way to others more business-like. Perceiving the + curve of an arch rising above the undergrowth still blocking my approach, + I pushed my way resolutely through, and presently found myself stumbling + upon the steps of an unexpectedly spacious domicile, built not of wood, as + its name of Cottage had led me to expect, but of carefully cut stone + which, while showing every mark of time, proclaimed itself one of those + early, carefully erected Colonial residences which it takes more than a + century to destroy, or even to wear to the point of dilapidation. + </p> + <p> + Somewhat encouraged, though failing to detect any signs of active life in + the heavily shuttered windows frowning upon me from either side, I ran up + the steps and rang the bell which pulled as hard as if no hand had touched + it in years. + </p> + <p> + Then I waited. + </p> + <p> + But not to ring again; for just as my hand was approaching the bell a + second time, the door fell back and I beheld in the black gap before me + the oldest man I had ever come upon in my whole life. He was so old I was + astonished when his drawn lips opened and he asked if I was the lawyer + from New York. I would as soon have expected a mummy to wag its tongue and + utter English, he looked so thin and dried and removed from this life and + all worldly concerns. + </p> + <p> + But when I had answered his question and he had turned to marshal me down + the hall towards a door I could dimly see standing open in the twilight of + an absolutely sunless interior, I noticed that his step was not without + some vigour, despite the feeble bend of his withered body and the + incessant swaying of his head, which seemed to be continually saying No! + </p> + <p> + “I will prepare madam,” he admonished me, after drawing a ponderous + curtain two inches or less aside from one of the windows. “She is very + ill, but she will see you.” + </p> + <p> + The tone was senile, but it was the senility of an educated man, and as + the cultivated accents wavered forth, my mind changed in, regard to the + position he held in the house. Interested anew, I sought to give him + another look, but he had already vanished through the doorway, and so + noiselessly, it was more like a shadow’s flitting than a man’s withdrawal. + </p> + <p> + The darkness in which I sat was absolute; but gradually, as I continued to + look about me, the spaces lightened and certain details came out, which to + my astonishment were of a character to show that the plain if substantial + exterior of this house with its choked-up approaches and weedy gardens was + no sample of what was to be found inside. Though the walls surrounding me + were dismal because unlighted, they betrayed a splendour unusual in any + country house. The frescoes and paintings were of an ancient order, dating + from days when life and not death reigned in this isolated dwelling; but + in them high art reigned supreme, an art so high and so finished that only + great wealth, combined with the most cultivated taste, could have produced + such effects. I was still absorbed in the wonder of it all, when the quiet + voice of the old gentleman who had let me in reached me again from the + doorway, and I heard: + </p> + <p> + “Madam is ready for you. May I trouble you to accompany me to her room.” + </p> + <p> + I rose with alacrity. I was anxious to see madam, if only to satisfy + myself that she was as interesting as the house in which she was + self-immured. + </p> + <p> + I found her a great deal more so. But before I enter upon our interview, + let me mention a fact which had attracted my attention in my passage to + her room. During his absence my guide evidently had pulled aside other + curtains than those of the room in which he had left me. The hall, no + longer a tunnel of darkness, gave me a glimpse as we went by, of various + secluded corners, and it seemed as if everywhere I looked I saw—a + clock. I counted four before I reached the staircase, all standing on the + floor and all of ancient make, though differing much in appearance and + value. A fifth one rose grim and tall at the stair foot, and under an + impulse I have never understood I stopped, when I reached it, to note the + time. But it had paused in its task, and faced me with motionless hands + and silent works—a fact which somehow startled me; perhaps, because + just then I encountered the old man’s eye watching me with an expression + as challenging as it was unintelligible. + </p> + <p> + I had expected to see a woman in bed. I saw instead, a woman sitting up. + You felt her influence the moment you entered her presence. She was not + young; she was not beautiful;—never had been I should judge,—she + had not even the usual marks about her of an ultra strong personality; but + that her will was law, had always been, and would continue to be law so + long as she lived, was patent to any eye at the first glance. She exacted + obedience consciously and unconsciously, and she exacted it with charm. + Some few people in the world possess this power. They frown, and the + opposing will weakens; they smile, and all hearts succumb. I was hers from + the moment I crossed the threshold till—But I will relate the + happenings of that instant when it comes. + </p> + <p> + She was alone, or so I thought, when I made my first bow to her stern but + not unpleasing presence. Seated in a great chair, with a silver tray + before her containing such little matters as she stood in hourly need of, + she confronted me with a piercing gaze startling to behold in eyes so + colourless. Then she smiled, and in obedience to that smile I seated + myself in a chair placed very near her own. Was she too paralysed to + express herself clearly? I waited in some anxiety till she spoke, when + this fear vanished. Her voice betrayed the character her features failed + to express. It was firm, resonant, and instinct with command. Not loud, + but penetrating, and of a quality which made one listen with his heart as + well as with his ears. What she said is immaterial. I was there for a + certain purpose and we entered immediately upon the business of that + purpose. She talked and I listened, mostly without comment. Only once did + I interrupt her with a suggestion; and as this led to definite results, I + will proceed to relate the occurrence in full. + </p> + <p> + In the few hours remaining to me before leaving New York, I had learned + (no matter how) some additional particulars concerning herself and family; + and when after some minor bequests, she proceeded to name the parties to + whom she desired to leave the bulk of her fortune, I ventured, with some + astonishment at my own temerity, to remark: + </p> + <p> + “But you have a young relative! Is she not to be included in this + partition of your property?” + </p> + <p> + A hush. Then a smile came to life on her stiff lips, such as is seldom + seen, thank God, on the face of any woman, and I heard: + </p> + <p> + “The young relative of whom you speak, is in the room. She has known for + some time that I have no intention of leaving anything to her. There is, + in fact, small chance of her ever needing it.” + </p> + <p> + The latter sentence was a muttered one, but that it was loud enough to be + heard in all parts of the room I was soon assured. For a quick sigh, which + was almost a gasp, followed from a corner I had hitherto ignored, and upon + glancing that way, I perceived, peering upon us from the shadows, the + white face of a young girl in whose drawn features and wide, staring eyes + I beheld such evidences of terror, that in an instant, whatever + predilection I had hitherto felt for my client, vanished in distrust, if + not positive aversion. + </p> + <p> + I was still under the sway of this new impression, when Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s voice rose again, this time addressing the young girl: + </p> + <p> + “You may go,” she said, with such force in the command for all its honeyed + modulation, that I expected to see its object fly the room in frightened + obedience. + </p> + <p> + But though the startled girl had lost none of the terror which had made + her face like a mask, no power of movement remained to her. A picture of + hopeless misery, she stood for one breathless moment, with her eyes fixed + in unmistakable appeal on mine; then she began to sway so helplessly that + I leaped with bounding heart to catch her. As she fell into my arms I + heard her sigh as before. No common anguish spoke in that sigh. I had + stumbled unwittingly upon a tragedy, to the meaning of which I held but a + doubtful key. + </p> + <p> + “She seems very ill,” I observed with some emphasis, as I turned to lay my + helpless burden on a near-by sofa. + </p> + <p> + “She’s doomed.” + </p> + <p> + The words were spoken with gloom and with an attempt at commiseration + which no longer rang true in my ears. + </p> + <p> + “She is as sick a woman as I am myself,” continued Mrs. Postlethwaite. + “That is why I made the remark I did, never imagining she would hear me at + that distance. Do not put her down. My nurse will be here in a moment to + relieve you of your burden.” + </p> + <p> + A tinkle accompanied these words. The resolute woman had stretched out a + finger, of whose use she was not quite deprived, and touched a little bell + standing on the tray before her, an inch or two from her hand. + </p> + <p> + Pleased to obey her command, I paused at the sofa’s edge, and taking + advantage of the momentary delay, studied the youthful countenance pressed + unconsciously to my breast. + </p> + <p> + It was one whose appeal lay less in its beauty, though that was of a + touching quality, than in the story it told,—a story, which for some + unaccountable reason—I did not pause to determine what one—I + felt it to be my immediate duty to know. But I asked no questions then; I + did not even venture a comment; and yielded her up with seeming readiness + when a strong but none too intelligent woman came running in with arms + outstretched to carry her off. When the door had closed upon these two, + the silence of my client drew my attention back to herself. + </p> + <p> + “I am waiting,” was her quiet observation, and without any further + reference to what had just taken place under our eyes, she went on with + the business previously occupying us. + </p> + <p> + I was able to do my part without any too great display of my own + disturbance. The clearness of my remarkable client’s instructions, the + definiteness with which her mind was made up as to the disposal of every + dollar of her vast property, made it easy for me to master each detail and + make careful note of every wish. But this did not prevent the ebb and flow + within me of an undercurrent of thought full of question and uneasiness. + What had been the real purport of the scene to which I had just been made + a surprised witness? The few, but certainly unusual, facts which had been + given me in regard to the extraordinary relations existing between these + two closely connected women will explain the intensity of my interest. + Those facts shall be yours. + </p> + <p> + Arabella Merwin, when young, was gifted with a peculiar fascination which, + as we have seen, had not altogether vanished with age. Consequently she + had many lovers, among them two brothers, Frank and Andrew Postlethwaite. + The latter was the older, the handsomer, and the most prosperous (his name + is remembered yet in connection with South American schemes of large + importance), but it was Frank she married. + </p> + <p> + That real love, ardent if unreasonable, lay at the bottom of her choice, + is evident enough to those who followed the career of the young couple. + But it was a jealous love which brooked no rival, and as Frank + Postlethwaite was of an impulsive and erratic nature, scenes soon occurred + between them which, while revealing the extraordinary force of the young + wife’s character, led to no serious break till after her son was born, and + this, notwithstanding the fact that Frank had long given up making a + living, and that they were openly dependent on their wealthy brother, now + fast approaching the millionaire status. + </p> + <p> + This brother—the Peruvian King, as some called him—must have + been an extraordinary man. Though cherishing his affection for the + spirited Arabella to the point of remaining a bachelor for her sake, he + betrayed none of the usual signs of disappointed love; but on the contrary + made every effort to advance her happiness, not only by assuring to + herself and husband an adequate income, but by doing all he could in other + and less open ways to lessen any sense she might entertain of her mistake + in preferring for her lifemate his self-centred and unstable brother. She + should have adored him; but though she evinced gratitude enough, there is + nothing to prove that she ever gave Frank Postlethwaite the least cause to + cherish any other sentiment towards his brother than that of honest love + and unqualified respect. Perhaps he never did cherish any other. Perhaps + the change which everyone saw in the young couple immediately after the + birth of their only child was due to another cause. Gossip is silent on + this point. All that it insists upon is that from this time evidences of a + growing estrangement between them became so obvious that even the + indulgent Andrew could not blind himself to it; showing his sense of + trouble, not by lessening their income, for that he doubled, but by + spending more time in Peru and less in New York where the two were living. + </p> + <p> + However,—and here we enter upon those details which I have ventured + to characterize as uncommon, he was in this country and in the actual + company of his brother when the accident occurred which terminated both + their lives. It was the old story of a skidding motor, and Mrs. + Postlethwaite, having been sent for in great haste to the small inn into + which the two injured men had been carried, arrived only in time to + witness their last moments. Frank died first and Andrew some few minutes + later—an important fact, as was afterwards shown when the latter’s + will came to be read. + </p> + <p> + This will was a peculiar one. By its provisions the bulk of the King’s + great property was left to his brother Frank, but with this especial + stipulation that in case his brother failed to survive him, the full + legacy as bequeathed to him should be given unconditionally to his widow. + Frank’s demise, as I have already stated, preceded his brother’s by + several minutes and consequently Arabella became the chief legatee; and + that is how she obtained her millions. But—and here a startling + feature comes in—when the will came to be administered, the secret + underlying the break between Frank and his wife was brought to light by a + revelation of the fact that he had practised a great deception upon her at + the time of his marriage. Instead of being a bachelor as was currently + believed, he was in reality a widower, and the father of a child. This + fact, so long held secret, had become hers when her own child was born; + and constituted as she was, she not only never forgave the father, but + conceived such a hatred for the innocent object of their quarrel that she + refused to admit its claims or even to acknowledge its existence. + </p> + <p> + But later—after his death, in fact—she showed some sense of + obligation towards one who under ordinary conditions would have shared her + wealth. When the whole story became heard, and she discovered that this + secret had been kept from his brother as well as from herself, and that + consequently no provision had been made in any way for the child thus + thrown directly upon her mercy, she did the generous thing and took the + forsaken girl into her own home. But she never betrayed the least love for + her, her whole heart being bound up in her boy, who was, as all agree, a + prodigy of talent. + </p> + <p> + But this boy, for all his promise and seeming strength of constitution, + died when barely seven years old, and the desolate mother was left with + nothing to fill her heart but the uncongenial daughter of her husband’s + first wife. The fact that this child, slighted as it had hitherto been, + would, in the event of her uncle having passed away before her father, + have been the undisputed heiress of a large portion of the wealth now at + the disposal of her arrogant step-mother, led many to expect, now that the + boy was no more, that Mrs. Postlethwaite would proceed to acknowledge the + little Helena as her heir, and give her that place in the household to + which her natural claims entitled her. + </p> + <p> + But no such result followed. The passion of grief into which the mother + was thrown by the shipwreck of all her hopes left her hard and implacable, + and when, as very soon happened, she fell a victim to the disease which + tied her to her chair and made the wealth which had come to her by such a + peculiar ordering of circumstances little else than a mockery even in her + own eyes, it was upon this child she expended the full fund of her secret + bitterness. + </p> + <p> + And the child? What of her? How did she bear her unhappy fate when she + grew old enough to realize it? With a resignation which was the wonder of + all who knew her. No murmurs escaped her lips, nor was the devotion she + invariably displayed to the exacting invalid who ruled her as well as all + the rest of her household with a rod of iron ever disturbed by the least + sign of reproach. Though the riches, which in those early days poured into + the home in a measure far beyond the needs of its mistress, were expended + in making the house beautiful rather than in making the one young life + within it happy, she never was heard to utter so much as a wish to leave + the walls within which fate had immured her. Content, or seemingly + content, with the only home she knew, she never asked for change or + demanded friends or amusements. Visitors ceased coming; desolation + followed neglect. The garden, once a glory, succumbed to a riot of weeds + and undesirable brush, till a towering wall seemed to be drawn about the + house cutting it off from the activities of the world as it cut it off + from the approach of sunshine by day, and the comfort of a star-lit heaven + by night. And yet the young girl continued to smile, though with a + pitifulness of late, which some thought betokened secret terror and others + the wasting of a body too sensitive for such unwholesome seclusion. + </p> + <p> + These were the facts, known if not consciously specialized, which gave to + the latter part of my interview with Mrs. Postlethwaite a poignancy of + interest which had never attended any of my former experiences. The + peculiar attitude of Miss Postlethwaite towards her indurate tormentor + awakened in my agitated mind something much deeper than curiosity, but + when I strove to speak her name with the intent of inquiring more + particularly into her condition, such a look confronted me from the steady + eye immovably fixed upon my own, that my courage—or was it my + natural precaution—bade me subdue the impulse and risk no attempt + which might betray the depth of my interest in one so completely outside + the scope of the present moment’s business. Perhaps Mrs. Postlethwaite + appreciated my struggle; perhaps she was wholly blind to it. There was no + reading the mind of this woman of sentimental name but inflexible nature, + and realizing the fact more fully with every word she uttered I left her + at last with no further betrayal of my feelings than might be evinced by + the earnestness with which I promised to return for her signature at the + earliest possible moment. + </p> + <p> + This she had herself requested, saying as I rose: + </p> + <p> + “I can still write my name if the paper is pushed carefully along under my + hand. See to it that you come while the power remains to me.” + </p> + <p> + I had hoped that in my passage downstairs I might run upon someone who + would give me news of Miss Postlethwaite, but the woman who approached to + conduct me downstairs was not of an appearance to invite confidence, and I + felt forced to leave the house with my doubts unsatisfied. + </p> + <p> + Two memories, equally distinct, followed me. One was a picture of Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s fingers groping among her belongings on the little tray + perched upon her lap, and another of the intent and strangely bent figure + of the old man who had acted as my usher, listening to the ticking of one + of the great clocks. So absorbed was he in this occupation that he not + only failed to notice me when I went by, but he did not even lift his head + at my cheery greeting. Such mysteries were too much for me, and led me to + postpone my departure from town till I had sought out Mrs. Postlethwaite’s + doctor and propounded to him one or two leading questions. First, would + Mrs. Postlethwaite’s present condition be likely to hold good till Monday; + and secondly, was the young lady living with her as ill as her step-mother + said. + </p> + <p> + He was a mild old man of the easy-going type, and the answers I got from + him were far from satisfactory. Yet he showed some surprise when I + mentioned the extent of Mrs. Postlethwaite’s anxiety about her + step-daughter, and paused, in the dubious shaking of his head, to give me + a short stare in which I read as much determination as perplexity. + </p> + <p> + “I will look into Miss Postlethwaite’s case more particularly,” were his + parting words. And with this one gleam of comfort I had to be content. + </p> + <p> + Monday’s interview was a brief one and contained nothing worth repeating. + Mrs. Postlethwaite listened with stoical satisfaction to the reading of + the will I had drawn up, and upon its completion rang her bell for the two + witnesses awaiting her summons, in an adjoining room. They were not of her + household, but to all appearance honest villagers with but one noticeable + characteristic, an overweening idea of Mrs. Postlethwaite’s importance. + Perhaps the spell she had so liberally woven for others in other and + happier days was felt by them at this hour. It would not be strange; I had + almost fallen under it myself, so great was the fascination of her manner + even in this wreck of her bodily powers, when triumph assured, she faced + us all in a state of complete satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + But before I was again quit of the place, all my doubts returned and in + fuller force than ever. I had lingered in my going as much as decency + would permit, hoping to hear a step on the stair or see a face in some + doorway which would contradict Mrs. Postlethwaite’s cold assurance that + Miss Postlethwaite was no better. But no such step did I hear, and no face + did I see save the old, old one of the ancient friend or relative, whose + bent frame seemed continually to haunt the halls. As before, he stood + listening to the monotonous ticking of one of the clocks, muttering to + himself and quite oblivious of my presence. + </p> + <p> + However, this time I decided not to pass him without a more persistent + attempt to gain his notice. Pausing at his side, I asked him in the + friendly tone I thought best calculated to attract his attention, how Miss + Postlethwaite was to-day. He was so intent upon his task, whatever that + was, that while he turned my way, it was with a glance as blank as that of + a stone image. + </p> + <p> + “Listen!” he admonished me. “It still says No! No! I don’t think it will + ever say anything else.” + </p> + <p> + I stared at him in some consternation, then at the clock itself which was + the tall one I had found run down at my first visit. There was nothing + unusual in its quiet tick, so far as I could hear, and with a + compassionate glance at the old man who had turned breathlessly again to + listen, proceeded on my way without another word. + </p> + <p> + The old fellow was daft. A century old, and daft. + </p> + <p> + I had worked my way out through the vines which still encumbered the + porch, and was taking my first steps down the walk, when some impulse made + me turn and glance up at one of the windows. + </p> + <p> + Did I bless the impulse? I thought I had every reason for doing so, when + through a network of interlacing branches I beheld the young girl with + whom my mind was wholly occupied, standing with her head thrust forward, + watching the descent of something small and white which she had just + released from her hand. + </p> + <p> + A note! A note written by her and meant for me! With a grateful look in + her direction (which was probably lost upon her as she had already drawn + back out of sight), I sprang for it only to meet with disappointment. For + it was no billet-doux I received from amid the clustering brush where it + had fallen; but a small square of white cloth showing a line of fantastic + embroidery. Annoyed beyond measure, I was about to fling it down again, + when the thought that it had come from her hand deterred me, and I thrust + it into my vest pocket. When I took it out again—which was soon + after I had taken my seat in the car—I discovered what a mistake I + should have made if I had followed my first impulse. For, upon examining + the stitches more carefully, I perceived that what I had considered a mere + decorative pattern was in fact a string of letters, and that these letters + made words, and that these words were: + </p> + <p> + IDONOTWANTTODIEBUTISURELYWILLIF + </p> + <p> + Or, in plain writing: + </p> + <p> + “I do not want to die, but I surely will if—” + </p> + <p> + Finish the sentence for me. That is the problem I offer you. It is not a + case for the police but one well worth your attention, if you succeed in + reaching the heart of this mystery and saving this young girl. + </p> + <p> + Only, let no delay occur. The doom, if doom it is, is immanent. Remember + that the will is signed. + </p> + <p> + “She is too small; I did not ask you to send me a midget.” + </p> + <p> + Thus spoke Mrs. Postlethwaite to her doctor, as he introduced into her + presence a little figure in nurse’s cap and apron. “You said I needed + care,—more care than I was receiving. I answered that my old nurse + could give it, and you objected that she or someone else must look after + Miss Postlethwaite. I did not see the necessity, but I never contradict a + doctor. So I yielded to your wishes, but not without the proviso (you + remember that I made a proviso) that whatever sort of young woman you + chose to introduce into this room, she should not be fresh from the + training schools, and that she should be strong, silent, and capable. And + you bring me this mite of a woman—is she a woman? she looks more + like a child, of pleasing countenance enough, but who can no more lift me—” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me!” Little Miss Strange had advanced. “I think, if you will allow + me the privilege, madam, that I can shift you into a much more comfortable + position.” And with a deftness and ease certainly not to be expected from + one of her slight physique, Violet raised the helpless invalid a trifle + more upon her pillow. + </p> + <p> + The act, its manner, and the smile accompanying it, could not fail to + please, and undoubtedly did, though no word rewarded her from lips not + much given to speech save when the occasion was imperative. But Mrs. + Postlethwaite made no further objection to her presence, and, seeing this, + the doctor’s countenance relaxed and he left the room with a much lighter + step than that with which he had entered it. + </p> + <p> + And thus it was that Violet Strange—an adept in more ways than one—became + installed at the bedside of this mysterious woman, whose days, if + numbered, still held possibilities of action which those interested in + young Helena Postlethwaite’s fate would do well to recognize. + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange had been at her post for two days, and had gathered up the + following: + </p> + <p> + That Mrs. Postlethwaite must be obeyed. + </p> + <p> + That her step-daughter (who did not wish to die) would die if she knew it + to be the wish of this domineering but apparently idolized woman. + </p> + <p> + That the old man of the clocks, while senile in some regards, was very + alert and quite youthful in others. If a century old—which she began + greatly to doubt—he had the language and manner of one in his prime, + when unaffected by the neighbourhood of the clocks, which seemed in some + non-understandable way to exercise an occult influence over him. At table + he was an entertaining host; but neither there nor elsewhere would he + discuss the family, or dilate in any way upon the peculiarities of a + household of which he manifestly regarded himself as the least important + member. Yet no one knew them better, and when Violet became quite assured + of this, as well as of the futility of looking for explanation of any kind + from either of her two patients, she resolved upon an effort to surprise + one from him. + </p> + <p> + She went about it in this way. Noting his custom of making a complete + round of the clocks each night after dinner, she took advantage of Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s inclination to sleep at this hour, to follow him from + clock to clock in the hope of overhearing some portion of the monologue + with which he bent his head to the swinging pendulum, or put his ear to + the hidden works. Soft-footed and discreet, she tripped along at his back, + and at each pause he made, paused herself and turned her ear his way. The + extreme darkness of the halls, which were more sombre by night than by + day, favoured this attempt, and she was able, after a failure or two, to + catch the No! no! no! no! which fell from his lips in seeming repetition + of what he heard the most of them say. + </p> + <p> + The satisfaction in his tone proved that the denial to which he listened, + chimed in with his hopes and gave ease to his mind. But he looked his + oldest when, after pausing at another of the many time-pieces, he echoed + in answer to its special refrain, Yes! yes! yes! yes! and fled the spot + with shaking body and a distracted air. + </p> + <p> + The same fear and the same shrinking were observable in him as he returned + from listening to the least conspicuous one, standing in a short corridor, + where Violet could not follow him. But when, after a hesitation which + enabled her to slip behind the curtain hiding the drawing-room door, he + approached and laid his ear against the great one standing, as if on + guard, at the foot of the stairs, she saw by the renewed vigour he + displayed that there was comfort for him in its message, even before she + caught the whisper with which he left it and proceeded to mount the + stairs: + </p> + <p> + “It says No! It always says No! I will heed it as the voice of Heaven.” + </p> + <p> + But one conclusion could be the result of such an experiment to a mind + like Violet’s. This partly touched old man not only held the key to the + secret of this house, but was in a mood to divulge it if once he could be + induced to hear command instead of dissuasion in the tick of this one + large clock. But how could he be induced? Violet returned to Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s bedside in a mood of extreme thoughtfulness. + </p> + <p> + Another day passed, and she had not yet seen Miss Postlethwaite. She was + hoping each hour to be sent on some errand to that young lady’s room, but + no such opportunity was granted her. Once she ventured to ask the doctor, + whose visits were now very frequent, what he thought of the young lady’s + condition. But as this question was necessarily put in Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s presence, the answer was naturally guarded, and possibly + not altogether frank. + </p> + <p> + “Our young lady is weaker,” he acknowledged. “Much weaker,” he added with + marked emphasis and his most professional air, “or she would be here + instead of in her own room. It grieves her not to be able to wait upon her + generous benefactress.” + </p> + <p> + The word fell heavily. Had it been used as a test? Violet gave him a look, + though she had much rather have turned her discriminating eye upon the + face staring up at them from the pillow. Had the alarm expressed by others + communicated itself at last to the physician? Was the charm which had held + him subservient to the mother, dissolving under the pitiable state of the + child, and was he trying to aid the little detective-nurse in her effort + to sound the mystery of her condition? + </p> + <p> + His look expressed benevolence, but he took care not to meet the gaze of + the woman he had just lauded, possibly because that gaze was fixed upon + him in a way to tax his moral courage. The silence which ensued was broken + by Mrs. Postlethwaite: + </p> + <p> + “She will live—this poor Helena—how long?” she asked, with no + break in her voice’s wonted music. + </p> + <p> + The doctor hesitated, then with a candour hardly to be expected from him, + answered: + </p> + <p> + “I do not understand Miss Postlethwaite’s case. I should like, with your + permission, to consult some New York physician.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed!” + </p> + <p> + A single word, but as it left this woman’s thin lips Violet recoiled, and, + perhaps, the doctor did. Rage can speak in one word as well as in a dozen, + and the rage which spoke in this one was of no common order, though it was + quickly suppressed, as was all other show of feeling when she added, with + a touch of her old charm: + </p> + <p> + “Of course you will do what you think best, as you know I never interfere + with a doctor’s decisions. But” and here her natural ascendancy of tone + and manner returned in all its potency, “it would kill me to know that a + stranger was approaching Helena’s bedside. It would kill her. She’s too + sensitive to survive such a shock.” + </p> + <p> + Violet recalled the words worked with so much care by this young girl on a + minute piece of linen, I do not want to die, and watched the doctor’s face + for some sign of resolution. But embarrassment was all she saw there, and + all she heard him say was the conventional reply: + </p> + <p> + “I am doing all I can for her. We will wait another day and note the + effect of my latest prescription.” + </p> + <p> + Another day! + </p> + <p> + The deathly calm which overspread Mrs. Postlethwaite’s features as this + word left the physician’s lips warned Violet not to let another day go by + without some action. But she made no remark, and, indeed, betrayed but + little interest in anything beyond her own patient’s condition. That + seemed to occupy her wholly. With consummate art she gave the appearance + of being under Mrs. Postlethwaite’s complete thrall, and watched with + fascinated eyes every movement of the one unstricken finger which could do + so much. + </p> + <p> + This little detective of ours could be an excellent actor when she chose. + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + To make the old man speak! To force this conscience-stricken but + rebellious soul to reveal what the clock forbade! How could it be done? + </p> + <p> + This continued to be Violet’s great problem. She pondered it so deeply + during all the remainder of the day that a little pucker settled on her + brow, which someone (I will not mention who) would have been pained to + see. Mrs. Postlethwaite, if she noticed it at all, probably ascribed it to + her anxieties as nurse, for never had Violet been more assiduous in her + attentions. But Mrs. Postlethwaite was no longer the woman she had been, + and possibly never noted it at all. + </p> + <p> + At five o’clock Violet suddenly left the room. Slipping down into the + lower hall, she went the round of the clocks herself, listening to every + one. There was no perceptible difference in their tick. Satisfied of this + and that it was simply the old man’s imagination which had supplied them + each with separate speech, she paused before the huge one at the foot of + the stairs,—the one whose dictate he had promised himself to follow,—and + with an eye upon its broad, staring dial, muttered wistfully: + </p> + <p> + “Oh! for an idea! For an idea!” + </p> + <p> + Did this cumbrous relic of old-time precision turn traitor at this + ingenuous plea? The dial continued to stare, the works to sing, but + Violet’s face suddenly lost its perplexity. With a wary look about her and + a listening ear turned towards the stair top, she stretched out her hand + and pulled open the door guarding the pendulum, and peered in at the + works, smiling slyly to herself as she pushed it back into place and + retreated upstairs to the sick room. + </p> + <p> + When the doctor came that night she had a quiet word with him outside Mrs. + Postlethwaite’s door. Was that why he was on hand when old Mr. Dunbar + stole from his room to make his nightly circuit of the halls below? + Something quite beyond the ordinary was in the good physician’s mind, for + the look he cast at the old man was quite unlike any he had ever bestowed + upon him before, and when he spoke it was to say with marked urgency: + </p> + <p> + “Our beautiful young lady will not live a week unless I get at the seat of + her malady. Pray that I may be enabled to do so, Mr. Dunbar.” + </p> + <p> + A blow to the aged man’s heart which called forth a feeble “Yes, yes,” + followed by a wild stare which imprinted itself upon the doctor’s memory + as the look of one hopelessly old, who hears for the first time a distinct + call from the grave which has long been awaiting him! + </p> + <p> + A solitary lamp stood in the lower hall. As the old man picked his slow + way down, its small, hesitating flame flared up as in a sudden gust, then + sank down flickering and faint as if it, too, had heard a call which + summoned it to extinction. + </p> + <p> + No other sign of life was visible anywhere. Sunk in twilight shadows, the + corridors branched away on either side to no place in particular and + serving, to all appearance (as many must have thought in days gone by), as + a mere hiding-place for clocks. + </p> + <p> + To listen to their united hum, the old man paused, looking at first a + little distraught, but settling at last into his usual self as he started + forward upon his course. Did some whisper, hitherto unheard, warn him that + it was the last time he would tread that weary round? Who can tell? He was + trembling very much when with his task nearly completed, he stepped out + again into the main hall and crept rather than walked back to the one + great clock to whose dictum he made it a practice to listen last. + </p> + <p> + Chattering the accustomed words, “They say Yes! They are all saying Yes! + now; but this one will say No!” he bent his stiff old back and laid his + ear to the unresponsive wood. But the time for no had passed. It was Yes! + yes! yes! yes! now, and as his straining ears took in the word, he + appeared to shrink where he stood and after a moment of anguished silence, + broke forth into a low wail, amid whose lamentations one could hear: + </p> + <p> + “The time has come! Even the clock she loves best bids me speak. Oh! + Arabella, Arabella!” + </p> + <p> + In his despair he had not noticed that the pendulum hung motionless, or + that the hands stood at rest on the dial. If he had, he might have waited + long enough to have seen the careful opening of the great clock’s tall + door and the stepping forth of the little lady who had played so deftly + upon his superstition. + </p> + <p> + He was wandering the corridors like a helpless child, when a gentle hand + fell on his arm and a soft voice whispered in his ear: + </p> + <p> + “You have a story to tell. Will you tell it to me? It may save Miss + Postlethwaite’s life.” + </p> + <p> + Did he understand? Would he respond if he did; or would the shock of her + appeal restore him to a sense of the danger attending disloyalty? For a + moment she doubted the wisdom of this startling measure, then she saw that + he had passed the point of surprise and that, stranger as she was, she had + but to lead the way for him to follow, tell his story, and die. + </p> + <p> + There was no light in the drawing-room when they entered. But old Mr. + Dunbar did not seem to mind that. Indeed, he seemed to have lost all + consciousness of present surroundings; he was even oblivious of her. This + became quite evident when the lamp, in flaring up again in the hall, gave + a momentary glimpse, of his crouching, half-kneeling figure. In the + pleading gesture of his trembling, outreaching arms, Violet beheld an + appeal, not to herself, but to some phantom of his imagination; and when + he spoke, as he presently did, it was with the freedom of one to whom + speech is life’s last boon, and the ear of the listener quite forgotten in + the passion of confession long suppressed. + </p> + <p> + “She has never loved me,” he began, “but I have always loved her. For me + no other woman has ever existed, though I was sixty-five years of age when + I first saw her, and had long given up the idea that there lived a woman + who could sway me from my even life and fixed lines of duty. Sixty-five! + and she a youthful bride! Was there ever such folly! Happily I realized it + from the first, and piled ashes on my hidden flame. Perhaps that is why I + adore her to this day and only give her over to reprobation because Fate + is stronger than my age—stronger even than my love. + </p> + <p> + “She is not a good woman, but I might have been a good man if I had never + known the sin which drew a line of isolation about her, and within which + I, and only I, have stood with her in silent companionship. What was this + sin, and in what did it have its beginning? I think its beginning was in + the passion she had for her husband. It was not the every-day passion of + her sex in this land of equable affections, but one of foreign fierceness, + jealousy, and insatiable demand. Yet he was a very ordinary man. I was + once his tutor and I know. She came to know it too, when—but I am + rushing on too fast, I have much to tell before I reach that point. + </p> + <p> + “From the first, I was in their confidence. Not that either he or she put + me there, but that I lived with them and was always around, and could not + help seeing and hearing what went on between them. Why he continued to + want me in the house and at his table, when I could no longer be of + service to him, I have never known. Possibly habit explains all. He was + accustomed to my presence and so was she; so accustomed they hardly + noticed it, as happened one night, when after a little attempt at + conversation, he threw down the book he had caught up and, addressing her + by name, said without a glance my way, and quite as if he were alone with + her: + </p> + <p> + “‘Arabella, there is something I ought to tell you. I have tried to find + the courage to do so many times before now but have always failed. Tonight + I must.’ And then he made his great disclosure,—how, unknown to, his + friends and the world, he was a widower when he married her, and the + father of a living child. + </p> + <p> + “With some women this might have passed with a measure of regret, and some + possible contempt for his silence, but not so with her. She rose to her + feet—I can see her yet—and for a moment stood facing him in + the still, overpowering manner of one who feels the icy pang of hate enter + where love has been. Never was moment more charged. I could not breathe + while it lasted; and when at last she spoke, it was with an impetuosity of + concentrated passion, hardly less dreadful than her silence had been. + </p> + <p> + “‘You a father! A father already!’ she cried, all her sweetness swallowed + up in ungovernable wrath. ‘You whom I expected to make so happy with a + child? I curse you and your brat. I—’ + </p> + <p> + “He strove to placate her, to explain. But rage has no ears, and before I + realized my own position, the scene became openly tempestuous. That her + child should be second to another woman’s seemed to awaken demon instincts + within her. When he ventured to hint that his little girl needed a + mother’s care, her irony bit like corroding acid. He became speechless + before it and had not a protest to raise when she declared that the secret + he had kept so long and so successfully he must continue to keep to his + dying day. That the child he had failed to own in his first wife’s + lifetime should remain disowned in hers, and if possible be forgotten. She + should never give the girl a thought nor acknowledge her in any way. + </p> + <p> + “She was Fury embodied; but the fury was of that grand order which allures + rather than repels. As I felt myself succumbing to its fascination and + beheld how he was weakening under it even more perceptibly than myself, I + started from my chair, and sought to glide away before I should hear him + utter a fatal acquiescence. + </p> + <p> + “But the movement I made unfortunately drew their attention to me, and + after an instant of silent contemplation of my distracted countenance, + Frank said, as though he were the elder by the forty years which separated + us: + </p> + <p> + “‘You have listened to Mrs. Postlethwaite’s wishes. You will respect them + of course.’” + </p> + <p> + That was all. He knew and she knew that I was to be trusted; but neither + of them has ever known why. + </p> + <p> + A month later her child came, and was welcomed as though it were the first + to bear his name. It was a boy, and their satisfaction was so great that I + looked to see their old affection revive. But it had been cleft at the + root, and nothing could restore it to life. They loved the child; I have + never seen evidence of greater parental passion than they both displayed, + but there their feelings stopped. Towards each other they were cold. They + did not even unite in worship of their treasure. They gloated over him and + planned for him, but always apart. He was a child in a thousand, and as he + developed, the mother especially, nursed all her energies for the purpose + of ensuring for him a future commensurate with his talents. Never a very + conscientious woman, and alive to the advantages of wealth as demonstrated + by the power wielded by her rich brother-in-law, she associated all the + boy’s prospects with money, great money, such money as Andrew had + accumulated, and now had at his disposal for his natural heirs. + </p> + <p> + “Hence came her great temptation,—a temptation to which she yielded, + to the lasting trouble of us all. Of this I must now make confession + though it kills me to do so, and will soon kill her. The deeds of the past + do not remain buried, however deep we dig their graves, but rise in an + awful resurrection when we are old—old—” + </p> + <p> + Silence. Then a tremulous renewal of his painful speech. + </p> + <p> + Violet held her breath to listen. Possibly the doctor, hidden in the + darkest corner of the room, did so also. + </p> + <p> + “I never knew how she became acquainted with the terms of her + brother-in-law’s will. He certainly never confided them to her, and as + certainly the lawyer who drew up the document never did. But that she was + well aware of its tenor is as positive a fact as that I am the most + wretched man alive tonight. Otherwise, why the darksome deed into which + she was betrayed when both the brothers lay dying among strangers, of a + dreadful accident?” + </p> + <p> + “I was witness to that deed. I had accompanied her on her hurried ride and + was at her side when she entered the inn where the two Postlethwaites lay. + I was always at her side in great joy or in great trouble, though she + professed no affection for me and gave me but scanty thanks.” + </p> + <p> + “During our ride she had been silent and I had not disturbed that silence. + I had much to think of. Should we find him living, or should we find him + dead? If dead, would it sever the relations between us two? Would I ever + ride with her again?” + </p> + <p> + “When I was not dwelling on this theme, I was thinking of the parting look + she gave her boy; a look which had some strange promise in it. What had + that look meant and why did my flesh creep and my mind hover between dread + and a fearsome curiosity when I recalled it? Alas! There was reason for + all these sensations as I was soon to learn. + </p> + <p> + “We found the inn seething with terror and the facts worse than had been + represented in the telegram. Her husband was dying. She had come just in + time to witness the end. This they told her before she had taken off her + veil. If they had waited—if I had been given a full glimpse of her + face—But it was hidden, and I could only judge of the nature of her + emotions by the stern way in which she held herself. + </p> + <p> + “‘Take me to him,’ was the quiet command, with which she met this + disclosure. Then, before any of them could move: + </p> + <p> + “‘And his brother, Mr. Andrew Postlethwaite? Is he fatally injured too?’ + </p> + <p> + “The reply was unequivocal. The doctors were uncertain which of the two + would pass away first. + </p> + <p> + “You must remember that at this time I was ignorant of the rich man’s + will, and consequently of how the fate of a poor child of whom I had heard + only one mention, hung in the balance at that awful moment. But in the + breathlessness which seized Mrs. Postlethwaite at this sentence of double + death, I realized from my knowledge of her that something more than grief + was at prey upon her impenetrable heart, and shuddered to the core of my + being when she repeated in that voice which was so terrible because so + expressionless: + </p> + <p> + “‘Take me to them.’” + </p> + <p> + They were lying in one room, her husband nearest the door, the other in a + small alcove some ten feet away. Both were unconscious; both were + surrounded by groups of frightened attendants who fell back as she + approached. A doctor stood at the bed-head of her husband, but as her eye + met his he stepped aside with a shake of the head and left the place empty + for her. + </p> + <p> + “The action was significant. I saw that she understood what it meant, and + with constricted heart watched her as she bent over the dying man and + gazed into his wide-open eyes, already sightless and staring. Calculation + was in her look and calculation only; and calculation, or something + equally unintelligible, sent her next glance in the direction of his + brother. What was in her mind? I could understand her indifference to + Frank even at the crisis of his fate, but not the interest she showed in + Andrew. It was an absorbing one, altering her whole expression. I no + longer knew her for my dear young madam, and the jealousy I had never felt + towards Frank rose to frantic resentment in my breast as I beheld what + very likely might be a tardy recognition of the other’s well-known + passion, forced into disclosure by the exigencies of the moment. + </p> + <p> + “Alarmed by the strength of my feelings, and fearing an equal disclosure + on my own part, I sought for a refuge from all eyes and found it in a + little balcony opening out at my right. On to this balcony I stepped and + found myself face to face with a star-lit heaven. Had I only been content + with my isolation and the splendour of the spectacle spread out before me! + But no, I must look back upon that bed and the solitary woman standing + beside it! I must watch the settling of her body into rigidity as a voice + rose from beside the other Postlethwaite saying, ‘It is a matter of + minutes now,’ and then—and then—the slow creeping of her hand + to her husband’s mouth, the outspreading of her palm across the livid lips—its + steady clinging there, smothering the feeble gasps of one already + moribund, till the quivering form grew still, and Frank Postlethwaite lay + dead before my eyes! + </p> + <p> + “I saw, and made no outcry, but she did, bringing the doctor back to her + side with the startled exclamation: + </p> + <p> + “‘Dead? I thought he had an hour’s life left in him, and he has passed + before his brother.’ + </p> + <p> + “I thought it hate—the murderous impulse of a woman who sees her + enemy at her mercy and can no longer restrain the passion of her + long-cherished antagonism; and while something within me rebelled at the + act, I could not betray her, though silence made a murderer of me too. I + could not. Her spell was upon me as in another instant it was upon + everyone else in the room. No suspicion of one so self-repressed in her + sadness disturbed the universal sympathy; and encouraged by this blindness + of the crowd, I vowed within myself never to reveal her secret. The man + was dead, or as good as dead, when she touched him; and now that her hate + was expended she would grow gentle and good. + </p> + <p> + “But I knew the worthlessness of this hope as well as my misconception of + her motive, when Frank’s child by another wife returned to my memory, and + Bella’s sin stood exposed.” + </p> + <p> + “But only to myself. I alone knew that the fortune now wholly hers, and in + consequence her boy’s, had been won by a crime. That if her hand had + fallen in comfort on her husband’s forehead instead of in pressure on his + mouth, he would have outlived his brother long enough to have become owner + of his millions; in which case a rightful portion would have been insured + to his daughter, now left a penniless waif. The thought made my hair rise, + as the proceedings over, I faced her and made my first and last effort to + rid my conscience of its new and intolerable burden. + </p> + <p> + “But the woman I had known and loved was no longer before me. The crown + had touched her brows, and her charm which had been mainly sexual up to + this hour had merged into an intellectual force, with which few men’s + mentality could cope. Mine yielded at once to it. From the first instant, + I knew that a slavery of spirit, as well as of heart, was henceforth to be + mine. + </p> + <p> + “She did not wait for me to speak; she had assumed the dictator’s attitude + at once. + </p> + <p> + “‘I know of what you are thinking,’” said she, “‘and it is a subject you + may dismiss at once from your mind. Mr. Postlethwaite’s child by his first + wife is coming to live with us. I have expressed my wishes in this regard + to my lawyer, and there is nothing left to be said. You, with your close + mouth and dependable nature, are to remain here as before, and occupy the + same position towards my boy that you did towards his father. We shall + move soon into a larger house, and the nature of our duties will be + changed and their scope greatly increased; but I know that you can be + trusted to enlarge with them and meet every requirement I shall see fit to + make. Do not try to express your thanks. I see them in your face.’ + </p> + <p> + “Did she, or just the last feeble struggle my conscience was making to + break the bonds in which she held me, and win back my own respect? I shall + never know, for she left me on completion of this speech, not to resume + the subject, then or ever. + </p> + <p> + “But though I succumbed outwardly to her demands, I had not passed the + point where inner conflict ends and peace begins. Her recognition of + Helena and her reception into the family calmed me for a while, and gave + me hope that all would yet be well. But I had never sounded the full + bitterness of madam’s morbid heart, well as I thought I knew it. The + hatred she had felt from the first for her husband’s child ripened into + frenzied dislike when she found her a living image of the mother whose + picture she had come across among Frank’s personal effects. To win a tear + from those meek eyes instead of a smile to the sensitive lips was her + daily play. She seemed to exult in the joy of impressing upon the girl by + how little she had missed a great fortune, and I have often thought, much + as I tried to keep my mind free from all extravagant and unnecessary + fancies, that half of the money she spent in beautifying this house and + maintaining art industries and even great charitable institutions was + spent with the base purpose of demonstrating to this child the power of + immense wealth, and in what ways she might expect to see her little + brother expend the millions in which she had been denied all share. + </p> + <p> + “I was so sure of this that one night while I was winding up the clocks + with which Mrs. Postlethwaite in her fondness for old timepieces has + filled the house, I stopped to look at the little figure toiling so + wearily upstairs, to bed, without a mother’s kiss. There was an appeal in + the small wistful face which smote my hard old heart, and possibly a tear + welled up in my own eye when I turned back to my duty.” + </p> + <p> + “Was that why I felt the hand of Providence upon me, when in my halt + before the one clock to which any superstitious interest was attached—the + great one at the foot of the stairs—I saw that it had stopped and at + the one minute of all minutes in our wretched lives: Four minutes past + two? The hour, the minute in which Frank Postlethwaite had gasped his last + under the pressure of his wife’s hand! I knew it—the exact minute I + mean—because Providence meant that I should know it. There had been + a clock on the mantelpiece of the hotel room where he and his brother had + died and I had seen her glance steal towards it at the instant she + withdrew her palm from her husband’s lips. The stare of that dial and the + position of its hands had lived still in my mind as I believed it did in + hers. + </p> + <p> + “Four minutes past two! How came our old timepiece here to stop at that + exact moment on a day when Duty was making its last demand upon me to + remember Frank’s unhappy child? There was no one to answer; but as I + looked and looked, I felt the impulse of the moment strengthen into + purpose to leave those hands undisturbed in their silent accusation. She + might see, and, moved by the coincidence, tremble at her treatment of + Helena. + </p> + <p> + “But if this happened—if she saw and trembled—she gave no + sign. The works were started up by some other hand, and the incident + passed. But it left me with an idea. That clock soon had a way of stopping + and always at that one instant of time. She was forced at length to notice + it, and I remember, an occasion when she stood stock-still with her eyes + on those hands, and failed to find the banister with her hand, though she + groped for it in her frantic need for support. + </p> + <p> + “But no command came from her to remove the worn-out piece, and soon its + tricks, and every lesser thing, were forgotten in the crushing calamity + which befell us in the sickness and death of little Richard. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, those days and nights! And oh, the face of the mother when the + doctors told her that the case was hopeless! I asked myself then, and I + have asked myself a hundred times since, which of all the emotions I saw + pictured there bit the deepest, and made the most lasting impression on + her guilty heart? Was it remorse? If so, she showed no change in her + attitude towards Helena, unless it was by an added bitterness. The sweet + looks and gentle ways of Frank’s young daughter could not win against a + hate sharpened by disappointment. Useless for me to hope for it. Release + from the remorse of years was not to come in that way. As I realized this, + I grew desperate and resorted again to the old trick of stopping the clock + at the fatal hour. This time her guilty heart responded. She acknowledged + the stab and let all her miseries appear. But how? In a way to wring my + heart almost to madness, and not benefit the child at all. She had her + first stroke that night. I had made her a helpless invalid. + </p> + <p> + “That was eight years ago, and since then what? Stagnation. She lived with + her memories, and I with mine. Helena only had a right to hope, and hope + perhaps she did, till—Is that the great clock talking? Listen! They + all talk, but I heed only the one. What does it say? Tell! tell! tell! + Does it think I will be silent now when I come to my own guilt? That I + will seek to hide my weakness when I could not hide her sin?” + </p> + <p> + “Explain!” It was Violet speaking, and her tone was stern in its command. + “Of what guilt do you speak? Not of guilt towards Helena; you pitied her + too much—” + </p> + <p> + “But I pitied my dear madam more. It was that which affected me and drew + me into crime against my will. Besides, I did not know—not at first—what + was in the little bowl of curds and cream I carried to the girl each day. + She had eaten them in her step-mother’s room, and under her step-mother’s + eye as long as she had strength to pass from room to room, and how was I + to guess that it was not wholesome? Because she failed in health from day + to day? Was not my dear madam failing in health also; and was there poison + in her cup? Innocent at that time, why am I not innocent now? Because—Oh, + I will tell it all; as though at the bar of God. I will tell all the + secrets of that day. + </p> + <p> + “She was sitting with her hand trembling on the tray from which I had just + lifted the bowl she had bid me carry to Helena. I had seen her so a + hundred times before, but not with just that look in her eyes, or just + that air of desolation in her stony figure. Something made me speak; + something made me ask if she were not quite so well as usual, and + something made her reply with the dreadful truth that the doctor had given + her just two months more to live. My fright and mad anguish stupefied me; + for I was not prepared for this, no, not at all;—and unconsciously I + stared down at the bowl I held, unable to breathe or move or even to meet + her look.” + </p> + <p> + As usual she misinterpreted my emotion. + </p> + <p> + “‘Why do you stand like that?’ I heard her say in a tone of great + irritation. ‘And why do you stare into that bowl? Do you think I mean to + leave that child to walk these halls after I am carried out of them + forever? Do you measure my hate by such a petty yard-stick as that? I tell + you that I would rot above ground rather than enter it before she did?’ + </p> + <p> + “I had believed I knew this woman; but what soul ever knows another’s? + What soul ever knows itself? + </p> + <p> + “‘Bella!’ I cried; the first time I had ever presumed to address her so + intimately. ‘Would you poison the girl?’ And from sheer weakness my + fingers lost their clutch, and the bowl fell to the floor, breaking into a + dozen pieces. + </p> + <p> + “For a minute she stared down at these from over her tray, and then she + remarked very low and very quietly: + </p> + <p> + “‘Another bowl, Humphrey, and fresh curds from the kitchen. I will do the + seasoning. The doses are too small to be skipped. You won’t?’—I had + shaken my head—‘But you will! It will not be the first time you have + gone down the hall with this mixture.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘But that was before I knew—’ I began. + </p> + <p> + “‘And now that you do, you will go just the same.’ Then as I stood + hesitating, a thousand memories overwhelming me in an instant, she added + in a voice to tear the heart, ‘Do not make me hate the only being left in + this world who understands and loves me.’ + </p> + <p> + “She was a helpless invalid, and I a broken man, but when that word ‘love’ + fell from her lips, I felt the blood start burning in my veins, and all + the crust of habit and years of self-control loosen about my heart, and + make me young again. What if her thoughts were dark and her wishes + murderous! She was born to rule and sway men to her will even to their own + undoing.” + </p> + <p> + “‘I wish I might kiss your hand,’ was what I murmured, gazing at her white + fingers groping over her tray. + </p> + <p> + “‘You may,’ she answered, and hell became heaven to me for a brief + instant. Then I lifted myself and went obediently about my task. + </p> + <p> + “But puppet though I was, I was not utterly without sympathy. When I + entered Helena’s room and saw how her startled eyes fell shrinkingly on + the bowl I set down before her, my conscience leaped to life and I could + not help saying: + </p> + <p> + “‘Don’t you like the curds, Helena? Your brother used to love them very + much.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘His were—’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What, Helena?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘What these are not,’ she murmured. + </p> + <p> + “I stared at her, terror-stricken. So she knew, and yet did not seize the + bowl and empty it out of the window! Instead, her hand moved slowly + towards it and drew it into place before her. + </p> + <p> + “‘Yet I must eat,’ she said, lifting her eyes to mine in a sort of patient + despair, which yet was without accusation. + </p> + <p> + “But my hand had instinctively gone to hers and grasped it. + </p> + <p> + “‘Why must you eat it?’ I asked. ‘If—if you do not find it + wholesome, why do you touch it?’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Because my step-mother expects me to,’ she cried, ‘and I have no other + will than hers. When I was a little, little child, my father made me + promise that if I ever came to live with her I would obey her simplest + wish. And I always have. I will not disappoint the trust he put in me.’ + </p> + <p> + “‘Even if you die of it?’ + </p> + <p> + “I do not know whether I whispered these words or only thought them. She + answered as though I had spoken. + </p> + <p> + “‘I am not afraid to die. I am more afraid to live. She may ask me some + day to do something I feel to be wrong.’ + </p> + <p> + “When I fled down the hall that night, I heard one of the small clocks + speak to me. Tell! it cried, tell! tell! tell! tell! I rushed away from it + with beaded forehead and rising hair. + </p> + <p> + “Then another’s note piped up. No it droned. No! no! no! no! I stopped and + took heart. Disgrace the woman I loved, on the brink of the grave? I—, + who asked no other boon from heaven than to see her happy, gracious, and + good? Impossible. I would obey the great clock’s voice; the others were + mere chatterboxes. + </p> + <p> + “But it has at last changed its tune, for some reason, quite changed its + tune. Now, it is Yes! Yes! instead of No! and in obeying it I save Helena. + But what of Bella? and O God, what of myself?” + </p> + <p> + A sigh, a groan, then a long and heavy silence, into which there finally + broke the pealing of the various clocks striking the hour. When all were + still again and Violet had drawn aside the portiere, it was to see the old + man on his knees, and between her and the thin streak of light entering + from the hall, the figure of the doctor hastening to Helena’s bedside. + </p> + <p> + When with inducements needless to name, they finally persuaded the young + girl to leave her unholy habitation, it was in the arms which had upheld + her once before, and to a life which promised to compensate her for her + twenty years of loneliness and unsatisfied longing. + </p> + <p> + But a black shadow yet remained which she must cross before reaching the + sunshine! + </p> + <p> + It lay at her step-mother’s door. + </p> + <p> + In the plans made for Helena’s release, Mrs. Postlethwaite’s consent had + not been obtained nor was she supposed to be acquainted with the doctor’s + intentions towards the child whose death she was hourly awaiting. + </p> + <p> + It was therefore with an astonishment, bordering on awe, that on their way + downstairs, they saw the door of her room open and herself standing alone + and upright on the threshold—she who had not been seen to take a + step in years. In the wonder of this miracle of suddenly restored power, + the little procession stopped,—the doctor with his hand upon the + rail, the lover with his burden clasped yet more protectingly to his + breast. That a little speech awaited them could be seen from the force and + fury of the gaze which the indomitable woman bent upon the lax and + half-unconscious figure she beheld thus sheltered and conveyed. Having but + one arrow left in her exhausted quiver, she launched it straight at the + innocent breast which had never harboured against her a defiant thought. + </p> + <p> + “Ingrate!” was the word she hurled in a voice from which all its seductive + music had gone forever. “Where are you going? Are they carrying you alive + to your grave?” + </p> + <p> + A moan from Helena’s pale lips, then silence. She had fainted at that + barbed attack. But there was one there who dared to answer for her and he + spoke relentlessly. It was the man who loved her. + </p> + <p> + “No, madam. We are carrying her to safety. You must know what I mean by + that. Let her go quietly and you may die in peace. Otherwise—” + </p> + <p> + She interrupted him with a loud call, startling into life the echoes of + that haunted hall: + </p> + <p> + “Humphrey! Come to me, Humphrey!” + </p> + <p> + But no Humphrey appeared. + </p> + <p> + Another call, louder and more peremptory than before: + </p> + <p> + “Humphrey! I say, Humphrey!” + </p> + <p> + But the answer was the same—silence, and only silence. As the horror + of this grew, the doctor spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Humphrey Dunbar’s ears are closed to all earthly summons. He died + last night at the very hour he said he would—four minutes after + two.” + </p> + <p> + “Four minutes after two!” It came from her lips in a whisper, but with a + revelation of her broken heart and life. “Four minutes after two!” And + defiant to the last, her head rose, and for an instant, for a mere breath + of time, they saw her as she had looked in her prime, regal in form, + attitude, and expression; then the will which had sustained her through so + much, faltered and succumbed, and with a final reiteration of the words + “Four minutes after two!” she broke into a rattling laugh, and fell back + into the arms of her old nurse. + </p> + <p> + And below, one clock struck the hour and then another. But not the big one + at the foot of the stairs. That still stood silent, with its hands + pointing to the hour and minute of Frank Postlethwaite’s hastened death. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM VI <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM VII. THE DOCTOR, HIS WIFE, AND THE CLOCK + </h2> + <p> + Violet had gone to her room. She had a task before her. That afternoon, a + packet had been left at the door, which, from a certain letter scribbled + in one corner, she knew to be from her employer. The contents of that + packet must be read, and she had made herself comfortable with the + intention of setting to work at once. But ten o’clock struck and then + eleven before she could bring herself to give any attention to the + manuscript awaiting her perusal. In her present mood, a quiet sitting by + the fire, with her eyes upon the changeful flame, was preferable to the + study of any affair her employer might send her. Yet, because she was + conscious of the duty she thus openly neglected, she sat crouched over her + desk with her hand on the mysterious packet, the string of which, however, + she made no effort to loosen. + </p> + <p> + What was she thinking of? + </p> + <p> + We are not alone in our curiosity on this subject. Her brother Arthur, + coming unperceived into the room, gives tokens of a similar interest. + Never before had he seen her oblivious to an approaching step; and after a + momentary contemplation of her absorbed figure, so girlishly sweet and yet + so deeply intent, he advances to her side, and peering earnestly into her + face, observes with a seriousness quite unusual to him: + </p> + <p> + “Puss, you are looking worried,—not like yourself at all. I’ve + noticed it for some time. What’s up. Getting tired of the business?” + </p> + <p> + “No—not altogether—that is, it’s not that, if it’s anything. + I’m not sure that it’s anything. I—” + </p> + <p> + She had turned back to her desk and was pushing about the various articles + with which it was plentifully bespread; but this did not hide the flush + which had crept into her cheeks and even dyed the snowy whiteness of her + neck. Arthur’s astonishment at this evidence of emotion was very great; + but he said nothing, only watched her still more closely, as with a light + laugh she regained her self-possession, and with the practical air of a + philosopher uttered this trite remark: + </p> + <p> + “Everyone has his sober moments. I was only thinking—” + </p> + <p> + “Of some new case?” + </p> + <p> + “Not exactly.” The words came softly but with a touch of mingled humour + and gravity which made Arthur stare again. + </p> + <p> + “See here, Puss!” he cried. His tone had changed. “I’ve just come up from + the den. Father and I have had a row—a beastly row.” + </p> + <p> + “A row? You and father? Oh, Arthur, I don’t like that. Don’t quarrel with + father. Don’t, don’t. Some day he and I may have a serious difference + about what I am doing. Don’t let him feel that he has lost us all.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s all right, Puss; but I’ve got to think of you a bit. I can’t see + you spoil all your good times with these police horrors and not do + something to help. To-morrow I begin life as a salesman in Clarke & + Stebbin’s. The salary is not great, but every little helps and I don’t + dislike the business. But father does. He had rather see me loafing about + town setting the fashions for fellows as idle as myself than soil my hands + with handling merchandise. That’s why we quarreled. But don’t worry. Your + name didn’t come up, or—or—you know whose. He hasn’t an idea + of why I want to work—There, Violet there!” + </p> + <p> + Two soft arms were around his neck and Violet was letting her heart out in + a succession of sisterly kisses. + </p> + <p> + “O, Arthur, you good, good boy! Together we’ll soon make up the amount, + and then—” + </p> + <p> + “Then what?” + </p> + <p> + A sweet soft look robbed her face of its piquancy, but gave it an aspect + of indescribable beauty quite new to Arthur’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + Tapping his lips with a thoughtful forefinger, he asked: + </p> + <p> + “Who was that sombre-looking chap I saw bowing to you as we came out of + church last Sunday?” + </p> + <p> + She awoke from her dreamy state with an astonishing quickness. + </p> + <p> + “He? Surely you remember him. Have you forgotten that evening in + Massachusetts—the grotto—and—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it’s Upjohn, is it? Yes, I remember him. He’s fond of church, isn’t + he? That is, when he’s in New York.” + </p> + <p> + Her lips took a roguish curve then a very serious one; but she made no + answer. + </p> + <p> + “I have noticed that he’s always in his seat and always looking your way.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s very odd of him,” she declared, her dimples coming and going in a + most bewildering fashion. “I can’t imagine why he should do that.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor I,—” retorted Arthur with a smile. “But he’s human, I suppose. + Only do be careful, Violet. A man so melancholy will need a deal of + cheering.” + </p> + <p> + He was gone before he had fully finished this daring remark, and Violet, + left again with her thoughts, lost her glowing colour but not her + preoccupation. The hand which lay upon the packet already alluded to did + not move for many minutes, and when she roused at last to the demands of + her employer, it was with a start and a guilty look at the small gold + clock ticking out its inexorable reminder. + </p> + <p> + “He will want an answer the first thing in the morning,” she complained to + herself. And opening the packet, she took out first a letter, and then a + mass of typewritten manuscript. + </p> + <p> + She began with the letter which was as characteristic of the writer as all + the others she had had from his hand; as witness: + </p> + <p> + You probably remember the Hasbrouck murder,—or, perhaps, you don’t; + it being one of a time previous to your interest in such matters. But + whether you remember it or not, I beg you to read the accompanying summary + with due care and attention to business. When you have well mastered it + with all its details, please communicate with me in any manner most + convenient to yourself, for I shall have a word to say to you then, which + you may be glad to hear, if as you have lately intimated you need to earn + but one or two more substantial rewards in order to cry halt to the + pursuit for which you have proved yourself so well qualified. + </p> + <p> + The story, in deference to yourself as a young and much preoccupied woman, + has been written in a way to interest. Though the work of an everyday + police detective, you will find in it no lack of mystery or romance; and + if at the end you perceive that it runs, as such cases frequently do, up + against a perfectly blank wall, you must remember that openings can be + made in walls, and that the loosening of one weak stone from its appointed + place, sometimes leads to the downfall of all. + </p> + <p> + So much for the letter. + </p> + <p> + Laying it aside, with a shrug of her expressive shoulders, Violet took up + the manuscript. + </p> + <p> + Let us take it up too. It runs thus: + </p> + <p> + On the 17th of July, 19—, a tragedy of no little interest occurred + in one of the residences of the Colonnade in Lafayette Place. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Hasbrouck, a well known and highly respected citizen, was attacked in + his room by an unknown assailant, and shot dead before assistance could + reach him. His murderer escaped, and the problem offered to the police was + how to identify this person who, by some happy chance or by the exercise + of the most remarkable forethought, had left no traces behind him, or any + clue by which he could be followed. + </p> + <p> + The details of the investigation which ended so unsatisfactorily are here + given by the man sent from headquarters at the first alarm. + </p> + <p> + When, some time after midnight on the date above mentioned, I reached + Lafayette Place, I found the block lighted from end to end. Groups of + excited men and women peered from the open doorways, and mingled their + shadows with those of the huge pillars which adorn the front of this + picturesque block of dwellings. + </p> + <p> + The house in which the crime had been committed was near the centre of the + row, and, long before I reached it, I had learned from more than one + source that the alarm was first given to the street by a woman’s shriek, + and secondly by the shouts of an old man-servant who had appeared, in a + half-dressed condition, at the window of Mr. Hasbrouck’s room, crying + “Murder! murder!” + </p> + <p> + But when I had crossed the threshold, I was astonished at the paucity of + facts to be gleaned from the inmates themselves. The old servant, who was + the first to talk, had only this account of the crime to give: + </p> + <p> + The family, which consisted of Mr. Hasbrouck, his wife, and three + servants, had retired for the night at the usual hour and under the usual + auspices. At eleven o’clock the lights were all extinguished, and the + whole household asleep, with the possible exception of Mr. Hasbrouck + himself, who, being a man of large business responsibilities, was + frequently troubled with insomnia. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Mrs. Hasbrouck woke with a start. Had she dreamed the words that + were ringing in her ears, or had they been actually uttered in her + hearing? They were short, sharp words, full of terror and menace, and she + had nearly satisfied herself that she had imagined them, when there came, + from somewhere near the door, a sound she neither understood nor could + interpret, but which filled her with inexplicable terror, and made her + afraid to breathe, or even to stretch forth her hand towards her husband, + whom she supposed to be sleeping at her side. At length another strange + sound, which she was sure was not due to her imagination, drove her to + make an attempt to rouse him, when she was horrified to find that she was + alone in bed, and her husband nowhere within reach. + </p> + <p> + Filled now with something more than nervous apprehension, she flung + herself to the floor, and tried to penetrate with frenzied glances, the + surrounding darkness. But the blinds and shutters both having been + carefully closed by Mr. Hasbrouck before retiring, she found this + impossible, and she was about to sink in terror to the floor, when she + heard a low gasp on the other side of the room followed by a suppressed + cry. + </p> + <p> + “God! what have I done!” + </p> + <p> + The voice was a strange one, but before the fear aroused by this fact + could culminate in a shriek of dismay, she caught the sound of retreating + footsteps, and, eagerly listening, she heard them descend the stairs and + depart by the front door. + </p> + <p> + Had she known what had occurred—had there been no doubt in her mind + as to what lay in the darkness on the other side of the room—it is + likely that, at the noise caused by the closing front door, she would have + made at once for the balcony that opened out from the window before which + she was standing, and taken one look at the flying figure below. But her + uncertainty as to what lay hidden from her by the darkness chained her + feet to the floor, and there is no knowing when she would have moved, if a + carriage had not at that moment passed down Astor Place, bringing with it + a sense of companionship which broke the spell holding her, and gave her + strength to light the gas which was in ready reach of her hand. + </p> + <p> + As the sudden blaze illuminated the room, revealing in a burst the old + familiar walls and well-known pieces of furniture, she felt for a moment + as if released from some heavy nightmare and restored to the common + experiences of life. But in another instant her former dread returned, and + she found herself quaking at the prospect of passing around the foot of + the bed into that part of the room which was as yet hidden from her eyes. + </p> + <p> + But the desperation which comes with great crises finally drove her from + her retreat; and, creeping slowly forward, she cast one glance at the + floor before her, when she found her worst fears realized by the sight of + the dead body of her husband lying prone before the open doorway, with a + bullet-hole in his forehead. + </p> + <p> + Her first impulse was to shriek, but, by a powerful exercise of will, she + checked herself, and ringing frantically for the servants who slept on the + top floor of the house, flew to the nearest window and endeavoured to open + it. But the shutters had been bolted so securely by Mr. Hasbrouck, in his + endeavour to shut out all light and sound, that by the time she had + succeeded in unfastening them, all trace of the flying murderer had + vanished from the street. + </p> + <p> + Sick with grief and terror, she stepped back into the room just as the + three frightened servants descended the stairs. As they appeared in the + open doorway, she pointed at her husband’s inanimate form, and then, as if + suddenly realizing in its full force the calamity which had befallen her, + she threw up her arms, and sank forward to the floor in a dead faint. + </p> + <p> + The two women rushed to her assistance, but the old butler, bounding over + the bed, sprang to the window, and shrieked his alarm to the street. + </p> + <p> + In the interim that followed, Mrs. Hasbrouck was revived, and the master’s + body laid decently on the bed; but no pursuit was made, nor any inquiries + started likely to assist me in establishing the identity of the assailant. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, everyone both in the house and out, seemed dazed by the unexpected + catastrophe, and as no one had any suspicions to offer as to the probable + murderer, I had a difficult task before me. + </p> + <p> + I began in the usual way, by inspecting the scene of the murder. I found + nothing in the room, or in the condition of the body itself, which added + an iota to the knowledge already obtained. That Mr. Hasbrouck had been in + bed; that he had risen upon hearing a noise; and that he had been shot + before reaching the door, were self-evident facts. But there was nothing + to guide me further. The very simplicity of the circumstances caused a + dearth of clues, which made the difficulty of procedure as great as any I + had ever encountered. + </p> + <p> + My search through the hall and down the stairs elicited nothing; and an + investigation of the bolts and bars by which the house was secured, + assured me that the assassin had either entered by the front door, or had + already been secreted in the house when it was locked up for the night. + </p> + <p> + “I shall have to trouble Mrs. Hasbrouck for a short interview,” I hereupon + announced to the trembling old servant, who had followed me like a dog + about the house. + </p> + <p> + He made no demur, and in a few minutes I was ushered into the presence of + the newly made widow, who sat quite alone, in a large chamber in the rear. + As I crossed the threshold she looked up, and I encountered a good, plain + face, without the shadow of guile in it. + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” said I, “I have not come to disturb you. I will ask two or three + questions only, and then leave you to your grief. I am told that some + words came from the assassin before he delivered his fatal shot. Did you + hear these distinctly enough to tell me what they were?” + </p> + <p> + “I was sound asleep,” said she, “and dreamt, as I thought, that a fierce, + strange voice cried somewhere to some one: ‘Ah! you did not expect me!’ + But I dare not say that these words were really uttered to my husband, for + he was not the man to call forth hate, and only a man in the extremity of + passion could address such an exclamation in such a tone as rings in my + memory in connection with the fatal shot which woke me.” + </p> + <p> + “But that shot was not the work of a friend,” I argued. “If, as these + words seem to prove, the assassin had some other motive than plunder in + his assault, then your husband had an enemy, though you never suspected + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” was her steady reply, uttered in the most convincing tone. + “The man who shot him was a common burglar, and frightened at having been + betrayed into murder, fled without looking for booty. I am sure I heard + him cry out in terror and remorse: ‘God! what have I done!’” + </p> + <p> + “Was that before you left the side of the bed?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I did not move from my place till I heard the front door close. I + was paralysed by fear and dread.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you in the habit of trusting to the security of a latch-lock only in + the fastening of your front door at night? I am told that the big key was + not in the lock, and that the bolt at the bottom of the door was not + drawn.” + </p> + <p> + “The bolt at the bottom of the door is never drawn. Mr. Hasbrouck was so + good a man that he never mistrusted any one. That is why the big lock was + not fastened. The key, not working well, he took it some days ago to the + locksmith, and when the latter failed to return it, he laughed, and said + he thought no one would ever think of meddling with his front door.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there more than one night-key to your house?” I now asked. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “And when did Mr. Hasbrouck last use his?” + </p> + <p> + “To-night, when he came home from prayer meeting,” she answered, and burst + into tears. + </p> + <p> + Her grief was so real and her loss so recent that I hesitated to afflict + her by further questions. So returning to the scene of the tragedy, I + stepped out upon the balcony which ran in front. Soft voices instantly + struck my ears. The neighbours on either side were grouped in front of + their own windows, and were exchanging the remarks natural under the + circumstances. I paused, as in duty bound, and listened. But I heard + nothing worth recording, and would have instantly reentered the house, if + I had not been impressed by the appearance of a very graceful woman who + stood at my right. She was clinging to her husband, who was gazing at one + of the pillars before him in a strange fixed way which astonished me till + he attempted to move, and then I saw that he was blind. I remembered that + there lived in this row a blind doctor, equally celebrated for his skill + and for his uncommon personal attractions, and greatly interested not only + by his affliction, but in the sympathy evinced by his young and + affectionate wife, I stood still, till I heard her say in the soft and + appealing tones of love: + </p> + <p> + “Come in, Constant; you have heavy duties for to-morrow, and you should + get a few hours’ rest if possible.” + </p> + <p> + He came from the shadow of the pillar, and for one minute I saw his face + with the lamplight shining full upon it. It was as regular of feature as a + sculptured Adonis, and it was as white. + </p> + <p> + “Sleep!” he repeated, in the measured tones of deep but suppressed + feeling. “Sleep! with murder on the other side of the wall!” And he + stretched out his arms in a dazed way that insensibly accentuated the + horror I myself felt of the crime which had so lately taken place in the + room behind me. + </p> + <p> + She, noting the movement, took one of the groping hands in her own and + drew him gently towards her. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” she urged; and, guiding him into the house, she closed the + window and drew down the shades. + </p> + <p> + I have no excuse to offer for my curiosity, but the interest excited in me + by this totally irrelevant episode was so great that I did not leave the + neighbourhood till I had learned something of this remarkable couple. + </p> + <p> + The story told me was very simple. Dr. Zabriskie had not been born blind, + but had become so after a grievous illness which had stricken him down + soon after he received his diploma. Instead of succumbing to an affliction + which would have daunted most men, he expressed his intention of + practising his profession, and soon became so successful in it that he + found no difficulty in establishing himself in one of the best paying + quarters of the city. Indeed, his intuition seemed to have developed in a + remarkable degree after the loss of his sight, and he seldom, if ever, + made a mistake in diagnosis. Considering this fact, and the personal + attractions which gave him distinction, it was no wonder that he soon + became a popular physician whose presence was a benefaction and whose word + law. + </p> + <p> + He had been engaged to be married at the time of his illness, and when he + learned what was likely to be its result, had offered to release the young + lady from all obligation to him. But she would not be released, and they + were married. This had taken place some five years previous to Mr. + Hasbrouck’s death, three of which had been spent by them in Lafayette + Place. + </p> + <p> + So much for the beautiful woman next door. + </p> + <p> + There being absolutely no clue to the assailant of Mr. Hasbrouck, I + naturally looked forward to the inquest for some evidence upon which to + work. But there seemed to be no underlying facts to this tragedy. The most + careful study into the habits and conduct of the deceased brought nothing + to light save his general beneficence and rectitude, nor was there in his + history or in that of his wife, any secret or hidden obligation calculated + to provoke any such act of revenge as murder. Mrs. Hasbrouck’s surmise + that the intruder was simply a burglar, and that she had rather imagined + than heard the words which pointed to the shooting as a deed of vengeance, + soon gained general credence. + </p> + <p> + But though the police worked long and arduously in this new direction + their efforts were without fruit and the case bids fair to remain an + unsolvable mystery. + </p> + <p> + That was all. As Violet dropped the last page from her hand, she recalled + a certain phrase in her employer’s letter. “If at the end you come upon a + perfectly blank wall—” Well, she had come upon this wall. Did he + expect her to make an opening in it? Or had he already done so himself, + and was merely testing her much vaunted discernment. + </p> + <p> + Piqued by the thought, she carefully reread the manuscript, and when she + had again reached its uncompromising end, she gave herself up to a few + minutes of concentrated thought, then, taking a sheet of paper from the + rack before her, she wrote upon it a single sentence, and folding the + sheet, put it in an envelope which she left unaddressed. This done, she + went to bed and slept like the child she really was. + </p> + <p> + At an early hour the next morning she entered her employer’s office. + Acknowledging with a nod his somewhat ceremonious bow, she handed him the + envelope in which she had enclosed that one mysterious sentence. + </p> + <p> + He took it with a smile, opened it offhand, glanced at what she had + written, and flushed a vivid red. + </p> + <p> + “You are a—brick,” he was going to say, but changed the last word to + one more in keeping with her character and appearance. “Look here. I + expected this from you and so prepared myself.” Taking out a similar piece + of paper from his own pocket-book, he laid it down beside hers on the desk + before him. It also held a single sentence and, barring a slight + difference of expression, the one was the counterpart of the other. “The + one loose stone,” he murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Seen and noted by both.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” he asked. Then as she glanced expectantly his way, he earnestly + added: “Together we may be able to do something. The reward offered by + Mrs. Hasbrouck for the detection of the murderer was a very large one. She + is a woman of means. I have never heard of its being withdrawn.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it never has been,” was Violet’s emphatic conclusion, her dimples + enforcing the statement as only such dimples can. “But—what do you + want of me in an affair of this kind? Something more than to help you + locate the one possible clue to further enlightenment. You would not have + mentioned the big reward just for that.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not. There is a sequel to the story I sent you. I have written it + out, with my own hand. Take it home and read it at your leisure. When you + see into what an unhappy maze my own inquiries have led me, possibly you + will be glad to assist me in clearing up a situation which is inflicting + great suffering on one whom you will be the first to pity. If so, a line + mentioning the fact will be much appreciated by me.” And disregarding her + startled look and the impetuous shaking of her head, he bowed her out with + something more than his accustomed suavity but also with a seriousness + which affected her in spite of herself and effectually held back the + protest it was in her heart to make. She was glad of this when she read + his story; but later on— + </p> + <p> + However, it is not for me to intrude Violet, or Violet’s feelings into an + affair which she is so anxious to forget. I shall therefore from this + moment on, leave her as completely out of this tale of crime and + retribution as is possible and keep a full record of her work. When she is + necessary to the story, you will see her again. Meanwhile, read with her, + this relation of her employer’s unhappy attempt to pursue an investigation + so openly dropped by the police. You will perceive, from its general style + and the accentuation put upon the human side of this sombre story, a + likeness to the former manuscript which may prove to you, as it certainly + did to Violet, to whose consideration she was indebted for the + readableness of the policeman’s report, which in all probability had been + a simple statement of facts. + </p> + <p> + But there, I am speaking of Violet again. To prevent a further mischance + of this nature, I will introduce at once the above mentioned account. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + No man in all New York was ever more interested than myself in the + Hasbrouck affair, when it was the one and only topic of interest at a + period when news was unusually scarce. But, together with many such + inexplicable mysteries, it had passed almost completely from my mind, when + it was forcibly brought back, one day, by a walk I took through Lafayette + Place. + </p> + <p> + At sight of the long row of uniform buildings, with their pillared fronts + and connecting balconies every detail of the crime which had filled the + papers at the time with innumerable conjectures returned to me with + extraordinary clearness, and, before I knew it, I found myself standing + stockstill in the middle of the block with my eye raised to the Hasbrouck + house and my ears—or rather my inner consciousness, for no one spoke + I am sure—ringing with a question which, whether the echo of some + old thought or the expression of a new one, so affected me by the promise + it held of some hitherto unsuspected clue, that I hesitated whether to + push this new inquiry then or there by an attempted interview with Mrs. + Hasbrouck, or to wait till I had given it the thought which such a + stirring of dead bones rightfully demanded. + </p> + <p> + You know what that question was. I shall have communicated it to you, if + you have not already guessed it, before perusing these lines: + </p> + <p> + “Who uttered the scream which gave the first alarm of Mr. Hasbrouck’s + violent death?” + </p> + <p> + I was in a state of such excitement as I walked away—for I listened + to my better judgment as to the inadvisability of my disturbing Mrs. + Hasbrouck with these new inquiries—that the perspiration stood out + on my forehead. The testimony she had given at the inquest recurred to me, + and I remembered as distinctly as if she were then speaking, that she had + expressly stated that she did not scream when confronted by the sight of + her husband’s dead body. But someone had screamed and that very loudly. + Who was it, then? One of the maids, startled by the sudden summons from + below, or someone else—some involuntary witness of the crime, whose + testimony had been suppressed at the inquest, by fear or influence? + </p> + <p> + The possibility of having come upon a clue even at this late day so fired + my ambition that I took the first opportunity of revisiting Lafayette + Place. Choosing such persons as I thought most open to my questions, I + learned that there were many who could testify to having heard a woman’s + shrill scream on that memorable night, just prior to the alarm given by + old Cyrus, but no one who could tell from whose lips it had come. One + fact, however, was immediately settled. It had not been the result of the + servant-women’s fears. Both of the girls were positive that they had + uttered no sound, nor had they themselves heard any till Cyrus rushed to + the window with his wild cries. As the scream, by whomever given, was + uttered before they descended the stairs, I was convinced by these + assurances that it had issued from one of the front windows, and not from + the rear of the house, where their own rooms lay. Could it be that it had + sprung from the adjoining dwelling, and that— + </p> + <p> + I remembered who had lived there and was for ringing the bell at once. + But, missing the doctor’s sign, I made inquiries and found that he had + moved from the block. However, a doctor is soon found, and in less than + fifteen, minutes I was at the door of his new home, where I asked, not for + him, but for Mrs. Zabriskie. + </p> + <p> + It required some courage to do this, for I had taken particular notice of + the doctor’s wife at the inquest, and her beauty, at that time, had worn + such an aspect of mingled sweetness and dignity that I hesitated to + encounter it under any circumstances likely to disturb its pure serenity. + But a clue once grasped cannot be lightly set aside by a true detective, + and it would have taken more than a woman’s frowns to stop me at this + point. + </p> + <p> + However, it was not with frowns she received me, but with a display of + emotion for which I was even less prepared. I had sent up my card and I + saw it trembling in her hand as she entered the room. As she neared me, + she glanced at it, and with a show of gentle indifference which did not in + the least disguise her extreme anxiety, she courteously remarked: + </p> + <p> + “Your name is an unfamiliar one to me. But you told my maid that your + business was one of extreme importance, and so I have consented to see + you. What can an agent from a private detective office have to say to me?” + </p> + <p> + Startled by this evidence of the existence of some hidden skeleton in her + own closet, I made an immediate attempt to reassure her. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing which concerns you personally,” said I. “I simply wish to ask you + a question in regard to a small matter connected with Mr. Hasbrouck’s + violent death in Lafayette Place, a couple of years ago. You were living + in the adjoining house at the time I believe, and it has occurred to me + that you might on that account be able to settle a point which has never + been fully cleared up.” + </p> + <p> + Instead of showing the relief I expected, her pallor increased and her + fine eyes, which had been fixed curiously upon me, sank in confusion to + the floor. + </p> + <p> + “Great heaven!” thought I. “She looks as if at one more word from me, she + would fall at my feet in a faint. What is this I have stumbled upon!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not see how you can have any question to ask me on that subject,” + she began with an effort at composure which for some reason disturbed me + more than her previous open display of fear. “Yet if you have,” she + continued, with a rapid change of manner that touched my heart in spite of + myself, “I shall, of course, do my best to answer you.” + </p> + <p> + There are women whose sweetest tones and most charming smiles only serve + to awaken distrust in men of my calling; but Mrs. Zabriskie was not of + this number. Her face was beautiful, but it was also candid in its + expression, and beneath the agitation which palpably disturbed her, I was + sure there lurked nothing either wicked or false. Yet I held fast by the + clue which I had grasped as it were in the dark, and without knowing + whither I was tending, much less whither I was leading her, I proceeded to + say: + </p> + <p> + “The question which I presume to put to you as the next door neighbour of + Mr. Hasbrouck is this: Who was the woman who on the night of that + gentleman’s assassination screamed out so loudly that the whole + neighbourhood heard her?” + </p> + <p> + The gasp she gave answered my question in a way she little realized, and + struck as I was by the impalpable links that had led me to the threshold + of this hitherto unsolvable mystery, I was about to press my advantage and + ask another question, when she quickly started forward and laid her hand + on my lips. + </p> + <p> + Astonished, I looked at her inquiringly, but her head was turned aside, + and her eyes, fixed upon the door, showed the greatest anxiety. Instantly + I realized what she feared. Her husband was entering the house, and she + dreaded lest his ears should catch a word of our conversation. + </p> + <p> + Not knowing what was in her mind, and unable to realize the importance of + the moment to her, I yet listened to the advance of her blind husband with + an almost painful interest. Would he enter the room where we were, or + would he pass immediately to his office in the rear? She seemed to wonder + too, and almost held her breath as he neared the door, paused, and stood + in the open doorway, with his ear turned towards us. + </p> + <p> + As for myself, I remained perfectly still, gazing at his face in mingled + surprise and apprehension. For besides its beauty, which was of a marked + order, as I have already observed, it had a touching expression which + irresistibly aroused both pity and interest in the spectator. This may + have been the result of his affliction, or it may have sprung from some + deeper cause; but, whatever its source, this look in his face produced a + strong impression upon me and interested me at once in his personality. + Would he enter; or would he pass on? Her look of silent appeal showed me + in which direction her wishes lay, but while I answered her glance by + complete silence, I was conscious in some indistinct way that the business + I had undertaken would be better furthered by his entrance. + </p> + <p> + The blind have often been said to possess a sixth sense in place of the + one they have lost. Though I am sure we made no noise, I soon perceived + that he was aware of our presence. Stepping hastily forward he said, in + the high and vibrating tone of restrained passion: + </p> + <p> + “Zulma, are you there?” + </p> + <p> + For a moment I thought she did not mean to answer, but knowing doubtless + from experience the impossibility of deceiving him, she answered with a + cheerful assent, dropping her hand as she did so from before my lips. + </p> + <p> + He heard the slight rustle which accompanied the movement, and a look I + found it hard to comprehend flashed over his features, altering his + expression so completely that he seemed another man. + </p> + <p> + “You have someone with you,” he declared, advancing another step, but with + none of the uncertainty which usually accompanies the movements of the + blind. “Some dear friend,” he went on, with an almost sarcastic emphasis + and a forced smile that had little of gaiety in it. + </p> + <p> + The agitated and distressed blush which answered him could have but one + interpretation. He suspected that her hand had been clasped in mine, and + she perceived his thought and knew that I perceived it also. + </p> + <p> + Drawing herself up, she moved towards him, saying in a sweet womanly tone: + </p> + <p> + “It is no friend, Constant, not even an acquaintance. The person whom I + now present to you is a representative from some detective agency. He is + here upon a trivial errand which will soon be finished, when I will join + you in the office.” + </p> + <p> + I knew she was but taking a choice between two evils, that she would have + saved her husband the knowledge of my calling as well as of my presence in + the house, if her self-respect would have allowed it; but neither she nor + I anticipated the effect which this introduction of myself in my business + capacity would produce upon him. + </p> + <p> + “A detective,” he repeated, staring with his sightless eyes, as if, in his + eagerness to see, he half hoped his lost sense would return. “He can have + no trivial errand here; he has been sent by God Himself to—” + </p> + <p> + “Let me speak for you,” hastily interposed his wife, springing to his side + and clasping his arm with a fervour that was equally expressive of appeal + and command. Then turning to me, she explained: “Since Mr. Hasbrouck’s + unaccountable death, my husband has been labouring under an hallucination + which I have only to mention, for you to recognize its perfect absurdity. + He thinks—oh! do not look like that, Constant; you know it is an + hallucination which must vanish the moment we drag it into broad daylight—that + he—he, the best man in all the world, was himself the assailant of + Mr. Hasbrouck.” + </p> + <p> + “Good God!” + </p> + <p> + “I say nothing of the impossibility of this being so,” she went on in a + fever of expostulation. “He is blind, and could not have delivered such a + shot even if he had desired to; besides, he had no weapon. But the + inconsistency of the thing speaks for itself, and should assure him that + his mind is unbalanced and that he is merely suffering from a shock that + was greater than we realized. He is a physician and has had many such + instances in his own practice. Why, he was very much attached to Mr. + Hasbrouck! They were the best of friends, and though he insists that he + killed him, he cannot give any reason for the deed.” + </p> + <p> + At these words the doctor’s face grew stern, and he spoke like an + automaton repeating some fearful lesson: + </p> + <p> + “I killed him. I went to his room and deliberately shot him. I had nothing + against him, and my remorse is extreme. Arrest me and let me pay the + penalty of my crime. It is the only way in which I can obtain peace.” + </p> + <p> + Shocked beyond all power of self-control by this repetition of what she + evidently considered the unhappy ravings of a madman, she let go his arm + and turned upon me in frenzy. + </p> + <p> + “Convince him!” she cried. “Convince him by your questions that he never + could have done this fearful thing.” + </p> + <p> + I was labouring under great excitement myself, for as a private agent with + no official authority such as he evidently attributed to me in the + blindness of his passion, I felt the incongruity of my position in the + face of a matter of such tragic consequence. Besides, I agreed with her + that he was in a distempered state of mind, and I hardly knew how to deal + with one so fixed in his hallucination and with so much intelligence to + support it. But the emergency was great, for he was holding out his wrists + in the evident expectation of my taking him into instant custody; and the + sight was killing his wife, who had sunk on the floor between us, in + terror and anguish. + </p> + <p> + “You say you killed Mr. Hasbrouck,” I began. “Where did you get your + pistol, and what did you do with it after you left his house?” + </p> + <p> + “My husband had no pistol; never had any pistol,” put in Mrs. Zabriskie, + with vehement assertion. “If I had seen him with such a weapon—” + </p> + <p> + “I threw it away. When I left the house, I cast it as far from me as + possible, for I was frightened at what I had done, horribly frightened.” + </p> + <p> + “No pistol was ever found,” I answered with a smile, forgetting for the + moment that he could not see. “If such an instrument had been found in the + street after a murder of such consequence, it certainly would have been + brought to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “You forget that a good pistol is valuable property,” he went on stolidly. + “Someone came along before the general alarm was given; and seeing such a + treasure lying on the sidewalk, picked it up and carried it off. Not being + an honest man, he preferred to keep it to drawing the attention of the + police upon himself.” + </p> + <p> + “Hum, perhaps,” said I; “but where did you get it. Surely you can tell + where you procured such a weapon, if, as your wife intimates, you did not + own one.” + </p> + <p> + “I bought it that selfsame night of a friend; a friend whom I will not + name, since he resides no longer in this country. I—” He paused; + intense passion was in his face; he turned towards his wife, and a low cry + escaped him, which made her look up in fear. + </p> + <p> + “I do not wish to go into any particulars,” said he. “God forsook me and I + committed a horrible crime. When I am punished, perhaps peace will return + to me and happiness to her. I would not wish her to suffer too long or too + bitterly for my sin.” + </p> + <p> + “Constant!” What love was in the cry! It seemed to move him and turn his + thoughts for a moment into a different channel. + </p> + <p> + “Poor child!” he murmured, stretching out his hands by an irresistible + impulse towards her. But the change was but momentary, and he was soon + again the stern and determined self-accuser. “Are you going to take me + before a magistrate?” he asked. “If so, I have a few duties to perform + which you are welcome to witness.” + </p> + <p> + This was too much; I felt that the time had come for me to disabuse his + mind of the impression he had unwittingly formed of me. I therefore said + as considerately as I could: + </p> + <p> + “You mistake my position, Dr. Zabriskie. Though a detective of some + experience, I have no connection with the police and no right to intrude + myself in a matter of such tragic importance. If, however, you are as + anxious as you say to subject yourself to police examination, I will + mention the same to the proper authorities, and leave them to take such + action as they think best.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be still more satisfactory to me,” said he; “for though I have + many times contemplated giving myself up, I have still much to do before I + can leave my home and practice without injury to others. Good-day; when + you want me you will find me here.” + </p> + <p> + He was gone, and the poor young wife was left crouching on the floor + alone. Pitying her shame and terror, I ventured to remark that it was not + an uncommon thing for a man to confess to a crime he had never committed, + and assured her that the matter would be inquired into very carefully + before any attempt was made upon his liberty. + </p> + <p> + She thanked me, and slowly rising, tried to regain her equanimity; but the + manner as well as the matter of her husband’s self-condemnation was too + overwhelming in its nature for her to recover readily from her emotions. + </p> + <p> + “I have long dreaded this,” she acknowledged. “For months I have foreseen + that he would make some rash communication or insane avowal. If I had + dared, I would have consulted some physician about this hallucination of + his; but he was so sane on other points that I hesitated to give my + dreadful secret to the world. I kept hoping that time and his daily + pursuits would have their effect and restore him to himself. But his + illusion grows, and now I fear that nothing will ever convince him that he + did not commit the deed of which he accuses himself. If he were not blind + I would have more hope, but the blind have so much time for brooding.” + </p> + <p> + “I think he had better be indulged in his fancies for the present,” I + ventured. “If he is labouring under an illusion it might be dangerous to + cross him.” + </p> + <p> + “If?” she echoed in an indescribable tone of amazement and dread. “Can you + for a moment harbour the idea that he has spoken the truth?” + </p> + <p> + “Madam,” I returned, with something of the cynicism of my calling, “what + caused you to give such an unearthly scream just before this murder was + made known to the neighbourhood?” + </p> + <p> + She stared, paled, and finally began to tremble, not, as I now believe, at + the insinuation latent in my words, but at the doubts which my question + aroused in her own breast. + </p> + <p> + “Did I?” she asked; then with a burst of candour which seemed inseparable + from her nature, she continued: “Why do I try to mislead you or deceive + myself? I did give a shriek just before the alarm was raised next door; + but it was not from any knowledge I had of a crime having been committed, + but because I unexpectedly saw before me my husband whom I supposed to be + on his way to Poughkeepsie. He was looking very pale and strange, and for + a moment I thought I stood face to face with his ghost. But he soon + explained his appearance by saying that he had fallen from the train and + had only been saved by a miracle from being dismembered; and I was just + bemoaning his mishap and trying to calm him and myself, when that terrible + shout was heard next door of ‘Murder! murder!’ Coming so soon after the + shock he had himself experienced, it quite unnerved him, and I think we + can date his mental disturbance from that moment. For he began immediately + to take a morbid interest in the affair next door, though it was weeks, if + not months, before he let a word fall of the nature of those you have just + heard. Indeed it was not till I repeated to him some of the expressions he + was continually letting fall in his sleep, that he commenced to accuse + himself of crime and talk of retribution.” + </p> + <p> + “You say that your husband frightened you on that night by appearing + suddenly at the door when you thought him on his way to Poughkeepsie. Is + Dr. Zabriskie in the habit of thus going and coming alone at an hour so + late as this must have been?” + </p> + <p> + “You forget that to the blind, night is less full of perils than the day. + Often and often has my husband found his way to his patients’ houses alone + after midnight; but on this especial evening he had Leonard with him. + Leonard was his chauffeur, and always accompanied him when he went any + distance.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said I, “all we have to do is to summon Leonard and hear + what he has to say concerning this affair. He will surely know whether or + not his master went into the house next door.” + </p> + <p> + “Leonard has left us,” she said. “Dr. Zabriskie has another chauffeur now. + Besides (I have nothing to conceal from you), Leonard was not with him + when he returned to the house that evening or the doctor would not have + been without his portmanteau till the next day. Something—I have + never known what—caused them to separate, and that is why I have no + answer to give the doctor when he accuses himself of committing a deed + that night so wholly out of keeping with every other act of his life.” + </p> + <p> + “And have you never asked Leonard why they separated and why he allowed + his master to come home alone after the shock he had received at the + station?” + </p> + <p> + “I did not know there was any reason for my doing so till long after he + had left us.” + </p> + <p> + “And when did he leave?” + </p> + <p> + “That I do not remember. A few weeks or possibly a few days after that + dreadful night.” + </p> + <p> + “And where is he now?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that I have not the least means of knowing. But,” she objected, in + sudden distrust, “what do you want of Leonard? If he did not follow Dr. + Zabriskie to his own door, he could tell us nothing that would convince my + husband that he is labouring under an illusion.” + </p> + <p> + “But he might tell us something which would convince us that Dr. Zabriskie + was not himself after the accident; that he—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” came from her lips in imperious tones. “I will not believe that he + shot Mr. Hasbrouck even if you prove him to have been insane at the time. + How could he? My husband is blind. It would take a man of very keen sight + to force himself into a house closed for the night, and kill a man in the + dark at one shot.” + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, it is only a blind man who could do this,” cried a voice + from the doorway. “Those who trust to eyesight must be able to catch a + glimpse of the mark they aim at, and this room, as I have been told, was + without a glimmer of light. But the blind trust to sound, and as Mr. + Hasbrouck spoke—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” burst from the horrified wife, “is there no one to stop him when he + speaks like that?” + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + As you will see, this matter, so recklessly entered into, had proved to be + of too serious a nature for me to pursue it farther without the cognizance + of the police. Having a friend on the force in whose discretion I could + rely, I took him into my confidence and asked for his advice. He + pooh-poohed the doctor’s statements, but said that he would bring the + matter to the attention of the superintendent and let me know the result. + I agreed to this, and we parted with the mutual understanding that mum was + the word till some official decision had been arrived at. I had not long + to wait. At an early day he came in with the information that there had + been, as might be expected, a division of opinion among his superiors as + to the importance of Dr. Zabriskie’s so-called confession, but in one + point they had been unanimous and that was the desirability of his + appearing before them at Headquarters for a personal examination. As, + however, in the mind of two out of three of them his condition was + attributed entirely to acute mania, it had been thought best to employ as + their emissary one in whom he had already confided and submitted his case + to,—in other words, myself. The time was set for the next afternoon + at the close of his usual office hours. + </p> + <p> + He went without reluctance, his wife accompanying him. In the short time + which elapsed between their leaving home and entering Headquarters, I + embraced the opportunity of observing them, and I found the study equally + exciting and interesting. His face was calm but hopeless, and his eye, + dark and unfathomable, but neither frenzied nor uncertain. He spoke but + once and listened to nothing, though now and then his wife moved as if to + attract his attention, and once even stole her hand towards his, in the + tender hope that he would feel its approach and accept her sympathy. But + he was deaf as well as blind; and sat wrapped up in thoughts which she, I + know, would have given worlds to penetrate. + </p> + <p> + Her countenance was not without its mystery also. She showed in every + lineament passionate concern and misery, and a deep tenderness from which + the element of fear was not absent. But she, as well as he, betrayed that + some misunderstanding deeper than any I had previously suspected drew its + intangible veil between them and made the near proximity in which they sat + at once a heart-piercing delight and an unspeakable pain. What was the + misunderstanding; and what was the character of the fear that modified her + every look of love in his direction? Her perfect indifference to my + presence proved that it was not connected with the position in which he + had placed himself towards the police by his voluntary confession of + crime, nor could I thus interpret the expression, of frantic question + which now and then contracted her features, as she raised her eyes towards + his sightless orbs, and strove to read in his firm set lips the meaning of + those assertions she could only ascribe to loss of reason. + </p> + <p> + The stopping of the carriage seemed to awaken both from thoughts that + separated rather than united them. He turned his face in her direction, + and she stretching forth her hand, prepared to lead him from the carriage, + without any of that display of timidity which had previously been evident + in her manner. + </p> + <p> + As his guide she seemed to fear nothing; as his lover, everything. + </p> + <p> + “There is another and a deeper tragedy underlying the outward and obvious + one,” was my inward conclusion, as I followed them into the presence of + the gentlemen awaiting them. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Zabriskie’s quiet appearance was in itself a shock to those who had + anticipated the feverish unrest of a madman; so was his speech, which was + calm, straightforward, and quietly determined. + </p> + <p> + “I shot Mr. Hasbrouck,” was his steady affirmation, given without any show + of frenzy or desperation. “If you ask me why I did it, I cannot answer; if + you ask me how, I am ready to state all that I know concerning the + matter.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Dr. Zabriskie,” interposed one of the inspectors, “the why is the + most important thing for us to consider just now. If you really desire to + convince us that you committed this dreadful crime of killing a totally + inoffensive man, you should give us some reason for an act so opposed to + all your instincts and general conduct.” + </p> + <p> + But the doctor continued unmoved: + </p> + <p> + “I had no reason for murdering Mr. Hasbrouck. A hundred questions can + elicit no other reply; you had better keep to the how.” + </p> + <p> + A deep-drawn breath from the wife answered the looks of the three + gentlemen to whom this suggestion was offered. “You see,” that breath + seemed to protest, “that he is not in his right mind.” + </p> + <p> + I began to waver in my own opinion, and yet the intuition which has served + me in cases seemingly as impenetrable as this bade me beware of following + the general judgment. + </p> + <p> + “Ask him to inform you how he got into the house,” I whispered to + Inspector D—, who sat nearest me. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the inspector put the question which I had suggested: + </p> + <p> + “By what means did you enter Mr. Hasbrouck’s house at so late an hour as + this murder occurred?” + </p> + <p> + The blind doctor’s head fell forward on his breast, and he hesitated for + the first and only time. + </p> + <p> + “You will not believe me,” said he; “but the door was ajar when I came to + it. Such things make crime easy; it is the only excuse I have to offer for + this dreadful deed.” + </p> + <p> + The front door of a respectable citizen’s house ajar at half-past eleven + at night! It was a statement that fixed in all minds the conviction of the + speaker’s irresponsibility. Mrs. Zabriskie’s brow cleared, and her beauty + became for a moment dazzling as she held out her hands in irrepressible + relief towards those who were interrogating her husband. I alone kept my + impassibility. A possible explanation of this crime had flashed like + lightning across my mind; an explanation from which I inwardly recoiled, + even while I felt forced to consider it. + </p> + <p> + “Dr. Zabriskie,” remarked the inspector formerly mentioned as friendly to + him, “such old servants as those kept by Mr. Hasbrouck do not leave the + front door ajar at twelve o’clock at night.” + </p> + <p> + “Yet ajar it was,” repeated the blind doctor, with quiet emphasis; “and + finding it so, I went in. When I came out again, I closed it. Do you wish + me to swear to what I say? If so, I am ready.” + </p> + <p> + What reply could they give? To see this splendid-looking man, hallowed by + an affliction so great that in itself it called forth the compassion of + the most indifferent, accusing himself of a cold-blooded crime, in tones + which sounded dispassionate because of the will forcing their utterance, + was too painful in itself for any one to indulge in unnecessary words. + Compassion took the place of curiosity, and each and all of us turned + involuntary looks of pity upon the young wife pressing so eagerly to his + side. + </p> + <p> + “For a blind man,” ventured one, “the assault was both deft and certain. + Are you accustomed to Mr. Hasbrouck’s house, that you found your way with + so little difficulty to his bedroom?” + </p> + <p> + “I am accustomed—” he began. + </p> + <p> + But here his wife broke in with irrepressible passion: + </p> + <p> + “He is not accustomed to that house. He has never been beyond the first + floor. Why, why do you question him? Do you not see—” + </p> + <p> + His hand was on her lips. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” he commanded. “You know my skill in moving about a house; how I + sometimes deceive those who do not know me into believing that I can see, + by the readiness with which I avoid obstacles and find my way even in + strange and untried scenes. Do not try to make them think I am not in my + right mind, or you will drive me into the very condition you attribute to + me.” + </p> + <p> + His face, rigid, cold, and set, looked like that of a mask. Hers, drawn + with horror and filled with question that was fast taking the form of + doubt, bespoke an awful tragedy from which more than one of us recoiled. + </p> + <p> + “Can you shoot a man dead without seeing him?” asked the Superintendent, + with painful effort. + </p> + <p> + “Give me a pistol and I will show you,” was the quick reply. + </p> + <p> + A low cry came from the wife. In a drawer near to every one of us there + lay a pistol, but no one moved to take it out. There was a look in the + doctor’s eye which made us fear to trust him with a pistol just then. + </p> + <p> + “We will accept your assurance that you possess a skill beyond that of + most men,” returned the Superintendent. And beckoning me forward, he + whispered: “This is a case for the doctors and not for the police. Remove + him quietly, and notify Dr. Southyard of what I say.” + </p> + <p> + But Dr. Zabriskie, who seemed to have an almost supernatural acuteness of + hearing, gave a violent start at this, and spoke up for the first time + with real passion in his voice: + </p> + <p> + “No, no, I pray you. I can bear anything but that. Remember, gentlemen, + that I am blind; that I cannot see who is about me; that my life would be + a torture if I felt myself surrounded by spies watching to catch some + evidence of madness in me. Rather conviction at once, death, dishonour, + and obloquy. These I have incurred. These I have brought upon myself by + crime, but not this worse fate—oh! not this worse fate.” + </p> + <p> + His passion was so intense and yet so confined within the bounds of + decorum, that we felt strangely impressed by it. Only the wife stood + transfixed, with the dread growing in her heart, till her white, waxen + visage seemed even more terrible to contemplate than his passion-distorted + one. + </p> + <p> + “It is not strange that my wife thinks me demented,” the doctor continued, + as if afraid of the silence that answered him. “But it is your business to + discriminate, and you should know a sane man when you see him.” + </p> + <p> + Inspector D—— no longer hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said he, “give me the least proof that your assertions are + true, and we will lay your case before the prosecuting attorney.” + </p> + <p> + “Proof? Is not a man’s word—” + </p> + <p> + “No man’s confession is worth much without some evidence to support it. In + your case there is none. You cannot even produce the pistol with which you + assert yourself to have committed the deed.” + </p> + <p> + “True, true. I was frightened by what I had done, and the instinct of + self-preservation led me to rid myself of the weapon in any way I could. + But someone found this pistol; someone picked it up from the sidewalk of + Lafayette Place on that fatal night. Advertise for it. Offer a reward. I + will give you the money.” Suddenly he appeared to realize how all this + sounded. “Alas!” cried he, “I know the story seems improbable; but it is + not the probable things that happen in this life, as, you should know, who + every day dig deep into the heart of human affairs.” + </p> + <p> + Were these the ravings of insanity? I began to understand the wife’s + terror. + </p> + <p> + “I bought the pistol,” he went on, “of—alas! I cannot tell you his + name. Everything is against me. I cannot adduce one proof; yet even she is + beginning to fear that my story is true. I know it by her silence, a + silence that yawns between us like a deep and unfathomable gulf.” + </p> + <p> + But at these words her voice rang out with passionate vehemence. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, it is false! I will never believe that your hands have been + plunged in blood. You are my own pure-hearted Constant, cold, perhaps, and + stern, but with no guilt upon your conscience save in your own wild + imagination.” + </p> + <p> + “Zulma, you are no friend to me,” he declared, pushing her gently aside. + “Believe me innocent, but say nothing to lead these others to doubt my + word.” + </p> + <p> + And she said no more, but her looks spoke volumes. + </p> + <p> + The result was that he was not detained, though he prayed for instant + commitment. He seemed to dread his own home, and the surveillance to which + he instinctively knew he would henceforth be subjected. To see him shrink + from his wife’s hand as she strove to lead him from the room was + sufficiently painful; but the feeling thus aroused was nothing to that + with which we observed the keen and agonized expectancy of his look as he + turned and listened for the steps of the officer who followed him. + </p> + <p> + “From this time on I shall never know whether or not I am alone,” was his + final observation as he left the building. + </p> + <p> + Here is where the matter rests and here, Miss Strange, is where you come + in. The police were for sending an expert alienist into the house; but + agreeing with me, and, in fact, with the doctor himself, that if he were + not already out of his mind, this would certainly make them so, they, at + my earnest intercession, have left the next move to me. + </p> + <p> + That move as you must by this time understand involves you. You have + advantages for making Mrs. Zabriskie’s acquaintance of which I beg you to + avail yourself. As friend or patient, you must win your way into that + home? You must sound to its depths one or both of these two wretched + hearts. Not so much now for any possible reward which may follow the + elucidation of this mystery which has come so near being shelved, but for + pity’s sake and the possible settlement of a question which is fast + driving a lovely member of your sex distracted. + </p> + <p> + May I rely on you? If so— + </p> + <p> + Various instructions followed, over which Violet mused with a deprecatory + shaking of her head till the little clock struck two. Why should she, + already in a state of secret despondency, intrude herself into an affair + at once so painful and so hopeless? + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + But by morning her mood changed. The pathos of the situation had seized + upon her in her dreams, and before the day was over, she was to be seen, + as a prospective patient, in Dr. Zabriskie’s office. She had a slight + complaint as her excuse, and she made the most of it. That is, at first, + but as the personality of this extraordinary man began to make its usual + impression, she found herself forgetting her own condition in the + intensity of interest she felt in his. Indeed, she had to pull herself + together more than once lest he should suspect the double nature of her + errand, and she actually caught herself at times rejoicing in his + affliction since it left her with only her voice to think of, in her hated + but necessary task of deception. + </p> + <p> + That she succeeded in this effort, even with one of his nice ear, was + evident from the interested way in which he dilated upon her malady, and + the minute instructions he was careful to give her—the physician + being always uppermost in his strange dual nature, when he was in his + office or at the bedside of the sick;—and had she not been a deep + reader of the human soul she would have left his presence in simple wonder + at his skill and entire absorption in an exacting profession. + </p> + <p> + But as it was, she carried with her an image of subdued suffering, which + drove her, from that moment on, to ask herself what she could do to aid + him in his fight against his own illusion; for to associate such a man + with a senseless and cruel murder was preposterous. + </p> + <p> + What this wish, helped by no common determination, led her into, it was + not in her mind to conceive. She was making her one great mistake, but as + yet she was in happy ignorance of it, and pursued the course laid out for + her without a doubt of the ultimate result. + </p> + <p> + Having seen and made up her mind about the husband, she next sought to see + and gauge the wife. That she succeeded in doing this by means of one of + her sly little tricks is not to the point; but what followed in natural + consequence is very much so. A mutual interest sprang up between them + which led very speedily to actual friendship. Mrs. Zabriskie’s hungry + heart opened to the sympathetic little being who clung to her in such + evident admiration; while Violet, brought face to face with a real woman, + succumbed to feelings which made it no imposition on her part to spend + much of her leisure in Zulma Zabriskie’s company. + </p> + <p> + The result were the following naive reports which drifted into her + employer’s office from day to day, as this intimacy deepened. + </p> + <p> + The doctor is settling into a deep melancholy, from which he tries to rise + at times, but with only indifferent success. Yesterday he rode around to + all his patients for the purpose of withdrawing his services on the plea + of illness. But he still keeps his office open, and today I had the + opportunity of witnessing his reception and treatment of the many + sufferers who came to him for aid. I think he was conscious of my + presence, though an attempt had been made to conceal it. For the listening + look never left his face from the moment he entered the room, and once he + rose and passed quickly from wall to wall, groping with out-stretched + hands into every nook and corner, and barely escaping contact with the + curtain behind which I was hidden. But if he suspected my presence, he + showed no displeasure at it, wishing perhaps for a witness to his skill in + the treatment of disease. + </p> + <p> + And truly I never beheld a finer manifestation of practical insight in + cases of a more or less baffling nature. He is certainly a most wonderful + physician, and I feel bound to record that his mind is as clear for + business as if no shadow had fallen upon it. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Zabriskie loves his wife, but in a way torturing to himself and to + her. If she is gone from the house he is wretched, and yet when she + returns he often forbears to speak to her, or if he does speak it is with + a constraint that hurts her more than his silence. I was present when she + came in today. Her step, which had been eager on the stairway, flagged as + she approached the room, and he naturally noted the change and gave his + own interpretation to it. His face, which had been very pale, flushed + suddenly, and a nervous trembling seized him which he sought in vain to + hide. But by the time her tall and beautiful figure stood in the doorway, + he was his usual self again in all but the expression of his eyes, which + stared straight before him in an agony of longing only to be observed in + those who have once seen. + </p> + <p> + “Where have you been, Zulma?” he asked, as contrary to his wont, he moved + to meet her. + </p> + <p> + “To my mother’s, to Arnold & Constable’s, and to the hospital, as you + requested,” was her quick answer, made without faltering or embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + He stepped still nearer and took her hand, and as he did so my eye fell on + his and I noted that his finger lay over her pulse in seeming + unconsciousness. + </p> + <p> + “Nowhere else?” he queried. + </p> + <p> + She smiled the saddest kind of smile and shook her head; then, remembering + that he could not see this movement, she cried in a wistful tone: + </p> + <p> + “Nowhere else, Constant; I was too anxious to get back.” + </p> + <p> + I expected him to drop her hand at this, but he did not; and his finger + still rested on her pulse. + </p> + <p> + “And whom did you see while you were gone?” he continued. + </p> + <p> + She told him, naming over several names. + </p> + <p> + “You must have enjoyed yourself,” was his cold comment, as he let go her + hand and turned away. But his manner showed relief, and I could not but + sympathize with the pitiable situation of a man who found himself forced + into means like this for probing the heart of his young wife. + </p> + <p> + Yet when I turned towards her, I realized that her position was but little + happier than his. Tears are no strangers to her eyes, but those which + welled up at this moment seemed to possess a bitterness that promised but + little peace for her future. Yet she quickly dried them and busied herself + with ministrations for his comfort. + </p> + <p> + If I am any judge of woman, Zulma Zabriskie is superior to most of her + sex. That her husband mistrusts her is evident, but whether this is the + result of the stand she has taken in his regard, or only a manifestation + of dementia, I have as yet been unable to determine. I dread to leave them + alone together, and yet when I presume to suggest that she should be on + her guard in her interviews with him, she smiles very placidly and tells + me that nothing would give her greater joy than to see him lift his hand + against her, for that would argue that he is not accountable for his deeds + or assertions. + </p> + <p> + Yet it would be a grief to see her injured by this passionate and unhappy + man. + </p> + <p> + You have said that you wanted all the details I could give; so I feel + bound to say that Dr. Zabriskie tries to be considerate of his wife, + though he often fails in the attempt. When she offers herself as his + guide, or assists him with his mail or performs any of the many acts of + kindness by which she continually manifests her sense of his affliction, + he thanks her with courtesy and often with kindness, yet I know she would + willingly exchange all his set phrases for one fond embrace or impulsive + smile of affection. It would be too much to say that he is not in the full + possession of his faculties, and yet upon what other hypothesis can we + account for the inconsistencies of his conduct? + </p> + <p> + I have before me two visions of mental suffering. At noon I passed the + office door, and looking within, saw the figure of Dr. Zabriskie seated in + his great chair, lost in thought or deep in those memories which make an + abyss in one’s consciousness. His hands, which were clenched, rested upon + the arms of his chair, and in one of them I detected a woman’s glove, + which I had no difficulty in recognizing as one of the pair worn by his + wife this morning. He held it as a tiger might hold his prey or a miser + his gold, but his set features and sightless eyes betrayed that a conflict + of emotions was being waged within him, among which tenderness had but + little share. +</p> + <p> +Though alive as he usually is to every sound, he was too + absorbed at this moment to notice my presence, though I had taken no pains + to approach quietly. I therefore stood for a full minute watching him, + till an irresistible sense of the shame at thus spying upon a blind man in + his moments of secret anguish compelled me to withdraw. But not before I + saw his features relax in a storm of passionate feeling, as he rained + kisses after kisses on the senseless kid he had so long held in his + motionless grasp. Yet when an hour later he entered the dining-room on his + wife’s arm, there was nothing in his manner to show that he had in any way + changed in his attitude towards her. + </p> + <p> + The other picture was more tragic still. I was seeking Mrs. Zabriskie in + her own room, when I caught a fleeting vision of her tall form, with her + arms thrown up over her head in a paroxysm of feeling which made her as + oblivious to my presence as her husband had been several hours before. + Were the words that escaped her lips “Thank God we have no children!” or + was this exclamation suggested to me by the passion and unrestrained + impulse of her action? + </p> + <p> + So much up to date. Interesting enough, or so her employer seemed to + think, as he went hurriedly through the whole story, one special afternoon + in his office, tapping each sheet as he laid it aside with his sagacious + forefinger, as though he would say, “Enough! My theory still holds good; + nothing contradictory here; on the contrary complete and undisputable + confirmation of the one and only explanation of this astounding crime.” + </p> + <p> + What was that theory; and in what way and through whose efforts had he + been enabled to form one? The following notes may enlighten us. Though + written in his own hand, and undoubtedly a memorandum of his own + activities, he evidently thinks it worth while to reperuse them in + connection with those he had just laid aside. + </p> + <p> + We can do no better than read them also. + </p> + <p> + We omit dates. + </p> + <p> + Watched the Zabriskie mansion for five hours this morning, from the second + story window of an adjoining hotel. Saw the doctor when he drove away on + his round of visits, and saw him when he returned. A coloured man + accompanied him. + </p> + <p> + Today I followed Mrs. Zabriskie. She went first to a house in Washington + Place where I am told her mother lives. Here she stayed some time, after + which she drove down to Canal Street, where she did some shopping, and + later stopped at the hospital, into which I took the liberty of following + her. She seemed to know many there, and passed from cot to cot with a + smile in which I alone discerned the sadness of a broken heart. When she + left, I left also, without having learned anything beyond the fact that + Mrs. Zabriskie is one who does her duty in sorrow as in joy. A rare, and + trustworthy woman I should say, and yet her husband does not trust her. + Why? + </p> + <p> + I have spent this day in accumulating details in regard to Dr. and Mrs. + Zabriskie’s life previous to the death of Mr. Hasbrouck. I learned from + sources it would be unwise to quote just here, that Mrs. Zabriskie had not + lacked enemies to charge her with coquetry; that while she had never + sacrificed her dignity in public, more than one person had been heard to + declare that Dr. Zabriskie was fortunate in being blind, since the sight + of his wife’s beauty would have but poorly compensated him for the pain he + would have suffered in seeing how that beauty was admired. + </p> + <p> + That all gossip is more or less tinged with exaggeration I have no doubt, + yet when a name is mentioned in connection with such stories, there is + usually some truth at the bottom of them. And a name is mentioned in this + case, though I do not think it worth my while to repeat it here; and loth + as I am to recognize the fact, it is a name that carries with it doubts + that might easily account for the husband’s jealousy. True, I have found + no one who dares hint that she still continues to attract attention or to + bestow smiles in any direction save where they legally belong. For since a + certain memorable night which we all know, neither Dr. Zabriskie nor his + wife have been seen save in their own domestic circle, and it is not into + such scenes that this serpent, to whom I have just alluded, ever intrudes, + nor is it in places of sorrow or suffering that his smile shines, or his + fascinations flourish. + </p> + <p> + And so one portion of my theory is proved to be sound. Dr. Zabriskie is + jealous of his wife; whether with good cause or bad I am not prepared to + decide; since her present attitude, clouded as it is by the tragedy in + which she and her husband are both involved, must differ very much from + that which she held when her life was unshadowed by doubt, and her + admirers could be counted by the score. + </p> + <p> + I have just found out where Leonard is. As he is in service some miles up + the river, I shall have to be absent from my post for several hours, but I + consider the game well worth the candle. + </p> + <p> + Light at last. I have not only seen Leonard, but succeeded in making him + talk. His story is substantially this: That on the night so often + mentioned, he packed his master’s portmanteau at eight o’clock and at ten + called a taxi and rode with the doctor to the Central station. He was told + to buy tickets to Poughkeepsie where his master had been called in + consultation, and having done this, hurried back to join Dr. Zabriskie on + the platform. They had walked together as far as the cars, and Dr. + Zabriskie was just stepping on to the train, when a man pushed himself + hurriedly between them and whispered something into his master’s ear, + which caused him to fall back and lose his footing. Dr. Zabriskie’s body + slid half under the car, but he was withdrawn before any harm was done, + though the cars gave a lurch at that moment which must have frightened him + exceedingly, for his face was white when he rose to his feet, and when + Leonard offered to assist him again on the train, he refused to go and + said he would return home and not attempt to ride to Poughkeepsie that + night. + </p> + <p> + The gentleman, whom Leonard now saw to be Mr. Stanton, an intimate friend + of Dr. Zabriskie, smiled very queerly at this, and taking the doctor’s arm + led him back to his own auto. Leonard naturally followed them, but the + doctor, hearing his steps, turned and bade him, in a very peremptory tone, + to take the cars home, and then, as if on second thought, told him to go + to Poughkeepsie in his stead and explain to the people there that he was + too shaken up by his misstep to do his duty, and that he would be with + them next morning. This seemed strange to Leonard, but he had no reasons + for disobeying his master’s orders, and so rode to Poughkeepsie. But the + doctor did not follow him the next day; on the contrary he telegraphed for + him to return, and when he got back dismissed him with a month’s wages. + This ended Leonard’s connection with the Zabriskie family. + </p> + <p> + A simple story bearing out what the wife has already told us; but it + furnishes a link which may prove invaluable. Mr. Stanton, whose first name + is Theodore, knows the real reason why Dr. Zabriskie returned home on the + night of the seventeenth of July, 19—. Mr. Stanton, consequently, is + the man to see, and this shall be my business tomorrow. + </p> + <p> + Checkmate! Theodore Stanton is not in this country. Though this points him + out as the man from whom Dr. Zabriskie bought the pistol, it does not + facilitate my work, which is becoming more and more difficult. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Stanton’s whereabouts are not even known to his most intimate friends. + He sailed from this country most unexpectedly on the eighteenth of July a + year ago, which was the day after the murder of Mr. Hasbrouck. It looks + like a flight, especially as he has failed to maintain open communication + even with his relatives. Was he the man who shot Mr. Hasbrouck? No; but he + was the man who put the pistol in Dr. Zabriskie’s hand that night, and + whether he did this with purpose or not, was evidently so alarmed at the + catastrophe which followed that he took the first outgoing steamer to + Europe. So far, all is clear, but there are mysteries yet to be solved, + which will require my utmost tact. What if I should seek out the gentleman + with whose name that of Mrs. Zabriskie has been linked, and see if I can + in any way connect him with Mr. Stanton or the events of that night. + </p> + <p> + Eureka! I have discovered that Mr. Stanton cherished a mortal hatred for + the gentleman above mentioned. It was a covert feeling, but no less deadly + on that account; and while it never led him into any extravagances, it was + of force sufficient to account for many a secret misfortune occurring to + that gentleman. Now if I can prove that he is the Mephistopheles who + whispered insinuations into the ear of our blind Faust, I may strike a + fact that will lead me out of this maze. + </p> + <p> + But how can I approach secrets so delicate without compromising the woman + I feel bound to respect if only for the devoted love she manifests for her + unhappy husband! + </p> + <p> + I shall have to appeal to Joe Smithers. This is something which I always + hate to do, but as long as he will take money, and as long as he is + fertile in resources for obtaining the truth from people I am myself + unable to reach, I must make use of his cupidity and his genius. He is an + honourable fellow in one way, and never retails as gossip what he acquires + for our use. How will he proceed in this case, and by what tactics will he + gain the very delicate information which we need? I own that I am curious + to see. + </p> + <p> + I shall really have to put down at length the incidents of this night. I + always knew that Joe Smithers was invaluable not only to myself but to the + police, but I really did not know he possessed talents of so high an + order. He wrote me this morning that he had succeeded in getting Mr. T—‘s + promise to spend the evening with him, and advised me that if I desired to + be present as well, his own servant would not be at home, and that an + opener of bottles would be required. + </p> + <p> + As I was very anxious to see Mr. T—— with my own eyes, I + accepted this invitation to play the spy, and went at the proper hour to + Mr. Smithers’s rooms. I found them picturesque in the extreme. Piles of + books stacked here and there to the ceiling made nooks and corners which + could be quite shut off by a couple of old pictures set into movable + frames capable of swinging out or in at the whim or convenience of the + owner. + </p> + <p> + As I had use for the dark shadows cast by these pictures, I pulled them + both out, and made such other arrangements as appeared likely to + facilitate the purpose I had in view; then I sat down and waited for the + two gentlemen who were expected to come in together. + </p> + <p> + They arrived almost immediately, whereupon I rose and played my part with + all necessary discretion. While ridding Mr. T—— of his + overcoat, I stole a look at his face. It is not a handsome one, but it + boasts of a gay, devil-may-care expression which doubtless makes it + dangerous to many women, while his manners are especially attractive, and + his voice the richest and most persuasive that I ever heard. I contrasted + him, almost against my will, with Dr. Zabriskie, and decided that with + most women the former’s undoubted fascinations of speech and bearing would + outweigh the latter’s great beauty and mental endowments; but I doubted if + they would with her. + </p> + <p> + The conversation which immediately began was brilliant but desultory, for + Mr. Smithers, with an airy lightness for which he is remarkable, + introduced topic after topic, perhaps for the purpose of showing off Mr. + T-’s versatility, and perhaps for the deeper and more sinister purpose of + shaking the kaleidoscope of talk so thoroughly, that the real topic which + we were met to discuss should not make an undue impression on the mind of + his guest. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile one, two, three bottles passed, and I had the pleasure of seeing + Joe Smithers’s eye grow calmer and that of Mr. T—— more + brilliant and more uncertain. As the last bottle was being passed, Joe + cast me a meaning glance, and the real business of the evening began. + </p> + <p> + I shall not attempt to relate the half dozen failures which Joe made in + endeavouring to elicit the facts we were in search of, without arousing + the suspicion of his visitor. I am only going to relate the successful + attempt. They had been talking now for some hours, and I, who had long + before been waved aside from their immediate presence, was hiding my + curiosity and growing excitement behind one of the pictures, when I + suddenly heard Joe say: + </p> + <p> + “He has the most remarkable memory I ever met. He can tell to a day when + any notable event occurred.” + </p> + <p> + “Pshaw!” answered his companion, who, by the way, was known to pride + himself upon his own memory for dates, “I can state where I went and what + I did on every day in the year. That may not embrace what you call + ‘notable events,’ but the memory required is all the more remarkable, is + it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” was his friend’s provoking reply, “you are bluffing, Ben; I will + never believe that.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. T-, who had passed by this time into that stage of intoxication which + makes persistence in an assertion a duty as well as a pleasure, threw back + his head, and as the wreaths of smoke rose in airy spirals from his lips, + reiterated his statement, and offered to submit to any test of his vaunted + powers which the other might dictate. + </p> + <p> + “You keep a diary—” began Joe. + </p> + <p> + “Which at the present moment is at home,” completed the other. + </p> + <p> + “Will you allow me to refer to it tomorrow, if I am suspicious of the + accuracy of your recollections?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly,” returned the other. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, I will wager you a cool fifty that you cannot tell where + you were between the hours of ten and eleven on a certain night which I + will name.” + </p> + <p> + “Done!” cried the other, bringing out his pocket-book and laying it on the + table before him. + </p> + <p> + Joe followed his example and then summoned me. + </p> + <p> + “Write a date down here,” he commanded, pushing a piece of paper towards + me, with a look keen as the flash of a blade. “Any date, man,” he added, + as I appeared to hesitate in the embarrassment I thought natural under the + circumstances. “Put down day, month, and year, only don’t go too far back; + not farther than two years.” + </p> + <p> + Smiling with the air of a flunkey admitted to the sports of his superiors, + I wrote a line and laid it before Mr. Smithers, who at once pushed it with + a careless gesture towards his companion. You can of course guess the date + I made use of: July 17, 19—. Mr. T—, who had evidently looked + upon this matter as mere play, flushed scarlet as he read these words, and + for one instant looked as if he had rather fly the house than answer Joe + Smithers’s nonchalant glance of inquiry. + </p> + <p> + “I have given my word and will keep it,” he said at last, but with a look + in my direction that sent me reluctantly back to my retreat. “I don’t + suppose you want names,” he went on; “that is, if anything I have to tell + is of a delicate nature?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no,” answered the other, “only facts and places.” + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think places are necessary either,” he returned. “I will tell you + what I did and that must serve you. I did not promise to give number and + street.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” Joe exclaimed; “earn your fifty, that is all. Show that you + remember where you were on the night of”—and with an admirable show + of indifference he pretended to consult the paper between them—“the + seventeenth of July, two years ago, and I shall be satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + “I was at the club for one thing,” said Mr. T-; “then I went to see a lady + friend, where I stayed until eleven. She wore a blue muslin—What is + that?” + </p> + <p> + I had betrayed myself by a quick movement which sent a glass tumbler + crashing to the floor. Zulma Zabriskie had worn a blue muslin on that same + night. You will find it noted in the report given me by the policeman who + saw her on their balcony. + </p> + <p> + “That noise?” It was Joe who was speaking. “You don’t know Reuben as well + as I do or you wouldn’t ask. It is his practice, I am sorry to say, to + accentuate his pleasure in draining my bottles by dropping a glass at + every third one.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. T—— went on. + </p> + <p> + “She was a married woman and I thought she loved me; but—and this is + the greatest proof I can offer you that I am giving you a true account of + that night—she had not the slightest idea of the extent of my + passion, and only consented to see me at all because she thought, poor + thing, that a word from her would set me straight, and rid her of + attentions she evidently failed to appreciate. A sorry figure for a fellow + like me to cut; but you caught me on the most detestable date in my + calendar and—” + </p> + <p> + There he ceased being interesting and I anxious. The secret of a crime for + which there seemed to be no reasonable explanation is no longer a mystery + to me. I have but to warn Miss Strange— + </p> + <p> + He had got thus far when a sound in the room behind him led him to look + up. A lady had entered; a lady heavily veiled and trembling with what + appeared to be an intense excitement. + </p> + <p> + He thought he knew the figure, but the person, whoever it was, stood so + still and remained so silent, he hesitated to address her; which seeing, + she pushed up her veil and all doubt vanished. + </p> + <p> + It was Violet herself. In disregard of her usual practice she had come + alone to the office. This meant urgency of some kind. Had she too sounded + this mystery? No, or her aspect would not have worn this look of triumph. + What had happened then? He made an instant endeavour to find out. + </p> + <p> + “You have news,” he quietly remarked. “Good news, I should judge, by your + very cheery smile.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I think I have found the way of bringing Dr. Zabriskie to himself.” + </p> + <p> + Astonished beyond measure, so little did these words harmonize with the + impressions and conclusions at which he had just arrived, something very + like doubt spoke in his voice as he answered with the simple exclamation: + </p> + <p> + “You do!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. He is obsessed by a fixed idea, and must be given an opportunity to + test the truth of that idea. The shock of finding it a false one may + restore him to his normal condition. He believes that he shot Mr. + Hasbrouck with no other guidance than his sense of hearing. Now if it can + be proved that his hearing is an insufficient guide for such an act (as of + course it is) the shock of the discovery may clear his brain of its + cobwebs. Mrs. Zabriskie thinks so, and the police—” + </p> + <p> + “What’s that? The police?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dr. Zabriskie would be taken before them again this morning. No + entreaties on the part of his wife would prevail; he insisted upon his + guilt and asked her to accompany him there; and the poor woman found + herself forced to go. Of course he encountered again the same division of + opinion among the men he talked with. Three out of the four judged him + insane, which observing, he betrayed great agitation and reiterated his + former wish to be allowed an opportunity to prove his sanity by showing + his skill in shooting. This made an impression; and a disposition was + shown to grant his request then and there. But Mrs. Zabriskie would not + listen to this. She approved of the experiment but begged that it might be + deferred till another day and then take place in some spot remote from the + city. For some reason they heeded her, and she has just telephoned me that + this attempt of his is to take place tomorrow in the New Jersey woods. I + am sorry that this should have been put through without you; and when I + tell you that the idea originated with me—that from some word I + purposely let fall one day, they both conceived this plan of ending the + uncertainty that was devouring their lives, you will understand my + excitement and the need I have of your support. Tell me that I have done + well. Do not show me such a face—you frighten me—” + </p> + <p> + “I do not wish to frighten you. I merely wish to know just who are going + on this expedition.” + </p> + <p> + “Some members of the police, Dr. Zabriskie, his wife, and—and + myself. She begged—” + </p> + <p> + “You must not go.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? The affair is to be kept secret. The doctor will shoot, fail—Oh!” + she suddenly broke in, alarmed by his expression, “you think he will not + fail—” + </p> + <p> + “I think that you had better heed my advice and stay out of it. The affair + is now in the hands of the police, and your place is anywhere but where + they are.” + </p> + <p> + “But I go as her particular friend. They have given her the privilege of + taking with her one of her own sex and she has chosen me. I shall not fail + her. Father is away, and if the awful disappointment you suggest awaits + her, there is all the more reason why she should have some sympathetic + support?” + </p> + <p> + This was so true, that the fresh protest he was about to utter died on his + lips. Instead, he simply remarked as he bowed her out: + </p> + <p> + “I foresee that we shall not work much longer together. You are nearing + the end of your endurance.” + </p> + <p> + He never forgot the smile she threw back at him. + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + There are some events which impress the human mind so deeply that their + memory mingles with all after-experiences. Though Violet had made it a + rule to forget as soon as possible the tragic episodes incident to the + strange career upon which she had so mysteriously embarked, there was + destined to be one scene, if not more, which she has never been able to + dismiss at will. + </p> + <p> + This was the sight which met her eyes from the bow of the small boat in + which Dr. Zabriskie and his wife were rowed over to Jersey on the + afternoon which saw the end of this most sombre drama. + </p> + <p> + Though it was by no means late in the day, the sun was already sinking, + and the bright red glare which filled the west and shone full upon the + faces of the half dozen people before her added much to the tragic nature + of the scene, though she was far from comprehending its full significance. + </p> + <p> + The doctor sat with his wife in the stern and it was upon their faces + Violet’s glance was fixed. The glare shone luridly on his sightless + eyeballs, and as she noticed his unwinking lids, she realized as never + before what it was to be blind in the midst of sunshine. His wife’s eyes, + on the contrary, were lowered, but there was a look of hopeless misery in + her colourless face which made her appearance infinitely pathetic, and + Violet felt confident that if he could only have seen her, he would not + have maintained the cold and unresponsive manner which chilled the words + on his poor wife’s lips and made all advance on her part impossible. + </p> + <p> + On the seat in front of them sat an inspector and from some quarter, + possibly from under the inspector’s coat, there came the monotonous + ticking of the small clock, which was to serve as a target for the blind + man’s aim. + </p> + <p> + This ticking was all Violet heard, though the river was alive with traffic + and large and small boats were steaming by them on every side. And I am + sure it was all that Mrs. Zabriskie heard also, as with hand pressed to + her heart, and eyes fixed on the opposite shore, she waited for the event + which was to determine whether the man she loved was a criminal or only a + being afflicted of God and worthy of her unceasing care and devotion. + </p> + <p> + As the sun cast its last scarlet gleam over the water, the boat grounded, + and Violet was enabled to have one passing word with Mrs. Zabriskie. She + hardly knew what she said but the look she received in return was like + that of a frightened child. + </p> + <p> + But there was always to be seen in Mrs. Zabriskie’s countenance this + characteristic blending of the severe and the childlike, and beyond an + added pang of pity for this beautiful but afflicted woman, Violet let the + moment pass without giving it the weight it perhaps demanded. + </p> + <p> + “The doctor and his wife had a long talk last night,” was whispered in her + ear as she wound her way with the rest into the heart of the woods. With a + start she turned and perceived her employer following close behind her. He + had come by another boat. + </p> + <p> + “But it did not seem to heal whatever breach lies between them,” he + proceeded. Then, in a quick, anxious tone, he whispered: “Whatever + happens, do not lift your veil. I thought I saw a reporter skulking in the + rear.” + </p> + <p> + “I will be careful,” Violet assured him, and could say no more, as they + had already reached the ground which had been selected for this trial at + arms, and the various members of the party were being placed in their + several positions. + </p> + <p> + The doctor, to whom light and darkness were alike, stood with his face + towards the western glow, and at his side were grouped the inspector and + the two physicians. On the arm of one of the latter hung Dr. Zabriskie’s + overcoat, which he had taken off as soon as he reached the field. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Zabriskie stood at the other end of the opening near a tall stump, + upon which it had been decided that the clock should be placed when the + moment came for the doctor to show his skill. She had been accorded the + privilege of setting the clock on this stump, and Violet saw it shining in + her hand as she paused for a moment to glance back at the circle of + gentlemen who were awaiting her movements. The hands of the clock stood at + five minutes to five, though Violet scarcely noted it at the time, for + Mrs. Zabriskie was passing her and had stopped to say: + </p> + <p> + “If he is not himself, he cannot be trusted. Watch him carefully and see + that he does no mischief to himself or others. Ask one of the inspectors + to stand at his right hand, and stop him if he does not handle his pistol + properly.” + </p> + <p> + Violet promised, and she passed on, setting the clock upon the stump and + immediately drawing back to a suitable distance at the right, where she + stood, wrapped in her long dark cloak. Her face shone ghastly white, even + in its environment of snow-covered boughs, and noting this, Violet wished + the minutes fewer between the present moment and the hour of five, at + which time he was to draw the trigger. + </p> + <p> + “Dr. Zabriskie,” quoth the inspector, “we have endeavoured to make this + trial a perfectly fair one. You are to have a shot at a small clock which + has been placed within a suitable distance, and which you are expected to + hit, guided only by the sound which it will make in striking the hour of + five. Are you satisfied with the arrangement?” + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly. Where is my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “On the other side of the field some ten paces from the stump upon which + the clock is fixed.” He bowed, and his face showed satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “May I expect the clock to strike soon?” + </p> + <p> + “In less than five minutes,” was the answer. + </p> + <p> + “Then let me have the pistol; I wish to become acquainted with its size + and weight.” + </p> + <p> + We glanced at each other, then across at her. + </p> + <p> + She made a gesture; it was one of acquiescence. + </p> + <p> + Immediately the inspector placed the weapon in the blind man’s hand. It + was at once apparent that he understood the instrument, and Violet’s hopes + which had been strong up to this moment, sank at his air of confidence. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God I am blind this hour and cannot see her,” fell from his lips, + then, before the echo of these words had died away, he raised his voice + and observed calmly enough, considering that he was about to prove himself + a criminal in order to save himself from being thought a madman: + </p> + <p> + “Let no one move. I must have my ears free for catching the first stroke + of the clock.” And he raised the pistol before him. + </p> + <p> + There was a moment of torturing suspense and deep, unbroken silence. + Violet’s eyes were on him so she did not watch the clock, but she was + suddenly moved by some irresistible impulse to note how Mrs. Zabriskie was + bearing herself at this critical moment, and casting a hurried glance in + her direction she perceived her tall figure swaying from side to side, as + if under an intolerable strain of feeling. Her eyes were on the clock, the + hands of which seemed to creep with snail-like pace along the dial, when + unexpectedly, and a full minute before the minute hand had reached the + stroke of five, Violet caught a movement on her part, saw the flash of + something round and white show for an instant against the darkness of her + cloak, and was about to shriek warning to the doctor, when the shrill, + quick stroke of a clock rang out on the frosty air, followed by the ping + and flash of a pistol. + </p> + <p> + A sound of shattered glass, followed by a suppressed cry, told the + bystanders that the bullet had struck the mark, but before any one could + move, or they could rid their eyes of the smoke which the wind had blown + into their faces, there came another sound which made their hair stand on + end and sent the blood back in terror to their hearts. Another clock was + striking, which they now perceived was still standing upright on the stump + where Mrs. Zabriskie had placed it. + </p> + <p> + Whence came the clock, then, which had struck before the time and been + shattered for its pains? One quick look told them. On the ground, ten + paces to the right, lay Zulma Zabriskie, a broken clock at her side, and + in her breast a bullet which was fast sapping the life from her sweet + eyes. + </p> + <p> + They had to tell him, there was such pleading in her looks; and never will + any of the hearers forget the scream which rang from his lips as he + realized the truth. Breaking from their midst, he rushed forward, and fell + at her feet as if guided by some supernatural instinct. + </p> + <p> + “Zulma,” he shrieked, “what is this? Were not my hands dyed deep enough in + blood that you should make me answerable for your life also?” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes were closed but she opened them. Looking long and steadily at his + agonized face, she faltered forth: + </p> + <p> + “It is not you who have killed me; it is your crime. Had you been innocent + of Mr. Hasbrouck’s death your bullet would never have found my heart. Did + you think I could survive the proof that you had killed that good man?” + </p> + <p> + “I did it unwittingly. I—” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” she commanded, with an awful look, which happily he could not see. + “I had another motive. I wished to prove to you, even at the cost of my + life, that I loved you, had always loved you, and not—” + </p> + <p> + It was now his turn to silence her. His hand crept to her lips, and his + despairing face turned itself blindly towards those about them. + </p> + <p> + “Go!” he cried; “leave us! Let me take a last farewell of my dying wife, + without listeners or spectators.” + </p> + <p> + Consulting the eye of her employer who stood close beside her, and seeing + no hope in it, Violet fell slowly back. The others, followed, and the + doctor was left alone with his wife. From the distant position they took, + they saw her arms creep round his neck, saw her head fall confidingly on + his breast, then silence settled upon them, and upon all nature, the + gathering twilight deepening, till the last glow disappeared from the + heavens above and from the circle of leafless trees which enclosed this + tragedy from the outside world. + </p> + <p> + But at last there came a stir, and Dr. Zabriskie, rising up before them + with the dead body of his wife held closely to his breast, confronted them + with a countenance so rapturous that he looked like a man transfigured. + </p> + <p> + “I will carry her to the boat,” said he. “Not another hand shall touch + her. She was my true wife, my true wife!” And he towered into an attitude + of such dignity and passion that for a moment he took on heroic + proportions and they forgot that he had just proved himself to have + committed a cold-blooded and ghastly crime. + </p> + <p> + The stars were shining when the party again took their seats in the boat; + and if the scene of their crossing to Jersey was impressive, what shall be + said of the return? + </p> + <p> + The doctor, as before, sat in the stern, an awesome figure, upon which the + moon shone with a white radiance that seemed to lift his face out of the + surrounding darkness and set it like an image of frozen horror before + their eyes. Against his breast he held the form of his dead wife, and now + and then Violet saw him stoop as if he were listening for some token of + life from her set lips. Then he would lift himself again with hopelessness + stamped upon his features, only to lean forward in renewed hope that was + again destined to disappointment. + </p> + <p> + Violet had been so overcome by this tragic end to all her hopes, that her + employer had been allowed to enter the boat with her. Seated at her side + in the seat directly in front of the doctor, he watched with her these + simple tokens of a breaking heart, saying nothing till they reached + midstream, when true to his instincts for all his awe and compassion, he + suddenly bent towards him and said: + </p> + <p> + “Dr. Zabriskie, the mystery of your crime is no longer a mystery to me. + Listen and see if I do not understand your temptation, and how you, a + conscientious and God-fearing man, came to slay your innocent neighbour. + </p> + <p> + “A friend of yours, or so he called himself, had for a long time filled + your ears with tales tending to make you suspicious of your wife and + jealous of a certain man whom I will not name. You knew that your friend + had a grudge against this man, and so for many months turned a deaf ear to + his insinuations. But finally some change which you detected in your + wife’s bearing or conversation roused your own suspicions, and you began + to doubt her truth and to curse your blindness, which in a measure + rendered you helpless. The jealous fever grew and had risen to a high + point when one night—a memorable night—this friend met you + just as you were leaving town, and with cruel craft whispered in your ear + that the man you hated was even then with your wife and that if you would + return at once to your home you would find him in her company. + </p> + <p> + “The demon that lurks at the heart of all men, good or bad, thereupon took + complete possession of you, and you answered this false friend by saying + that you would not return without a pistol. Whereupon he offered to take + you to his house and give you his. You consented, and getting rid of your + servant by sending him to Poughkeepsie with your excuses, you entered your + friend’s automobile. + </p> + <p> + “You say you bought the pistol, and perhaps you did, but, however that may + be, you left his house with it in your pocket, and declining + companionship, walked home, arriving at the Colonnade a little before + midnight. + </p> + <p> + “Ordinarily you have no difficulty in recognizing your own doorstep. But, + being in a heated frame of mind, you walked faster than usual and so + passed your own house and stopped at that of Mr. Hasbrouck, one door + beyond. As the entrances of these houses are all alike, there was but one + way by which you could have made yourself sure that you had reached your + own dwelling, and that was by feeling for the doctor’s sign at the side of + the door. But you never thought of that. Absorbed in dreams of vengeance, + your sole impulse was to enter by the quickest means possible. Taking out + your night key, you thrust it into the lock. It fitted, but it took + strength to turn it, so much strength that the key was twisted and bent by + the effort. But this incident, which would have attracted your attention + at another time, was lost upon you at this moment. An entrance had been + effected, and you were in too excited a frame of mind to notice at what + cost, or to detect the small differences apparent in the atmosphere and + furnishings of the two houses, trifles which would have arrested your + attention under other circumstances, and made you pause before the upper + floor had been reached. + </p> + <p> + “It was while going up the stairs that you took out your pistol, so that + by the time you arrived at the front room door you held it already drawn + and cocked in your hand. For, being blind, you feared escape on the part + of your victim, and so waited for nothing but the sound of a man’s voice + before firing. When, therefore, the unfortunate Mr. Hasbrouck, roused by + this sudden intrusion, advanced with an exclamation of astonishment, you + pulled the trigger, and killed him on the spot. It must have been + immediately upon his fall that you recognized from some word he uttered, + or from some contact you may have had with your surroundings, that you + were in the wrong house and had killed the wrong man; for you cried out, + in evident remorse, ‘God! what have I done!’ and fled without approaching + your victim. + </p> + <p> + “Descending the stairs, you rushed from the house, closing the front door + behind you and regaining your own without being seen. But here you found + yourself baffled in your attempted escape, by two things. First, by the + pistol you still held in your hand, and secondly, by the fact that the key + upon which you depended for entering your own door was so twisted out of + shape that you knew it would be useless for you to attempt to use it. What + did you do in this emergency? You have already told us, though the story + seemed so improbable at the time, you found nobody to believe it but + myself. The pistol you flung far away from you down the pavement, from + which, by one of those rare chances which sometimes happen in this world, + it was presently picked up by some late passer-by of more or less doubtful + character. The door offered less of an obstacle than you had anticipated; + for when you turned again you found it, if I am not greatly mistaken, + ajar, left so, as we have reason to believe, by one who had gone out of it + but a few minutes before in a state which left him but little master of + his actions. It was this fact which provided you with an answer when you + were asked how you succeeded in getting into Mr. Hasbrouck’s house after + the family had retired for the night. + </p> + <p> + “Astonished at the coincidence, but hailing with gladness the deliverance + which it offered, you went in and ascended at once into your wife’s + presence; and it was from her lips, and not from those of Mrs. Hasbrouck, + that the cry arose which startled the neighbourhood and prepared men’s + minds for the tragic words which were shouted a moment later from the next + house. + </p> + <p> + “But she who uttered the scream knew of no tragedy save that which was + taking place in her own breast. She had just repulsed a dastardly suitor, + and seeing you enter so unexpectedly in a state of unaccountable horror + and agitation, was naturally stricken with dismay, and thought she saw + your ghost, or what was worse, a possible avenger; while you, having + failed to kill the man you sought, and having killed a man you esteemed, + let no surprise on her part lure you into any dangerous self-betrayal. You + strove instead to soothe her, and even attempted to explain the excitement + under which you laboured, by an account of your narrow escape at the + station, till the sudden alarm from next door distracted her attention, + and sent both your thoughts and hers in a different direction. Not till + conscience had fully awakened and the horror of your act had had time to + tell upon your sensitive nature, did you breathe forth those vague + confessions, which, not being supported by the only explanations which + would have made them credible, led her, as well as the police, to consider + you affected in your mind. Your pride as a man and your consideration for + her as a woman kept you silent, but did not keep the worm from preying + upon your heart. + </p> + <p> + “Am I not correct in my surmises, Dr. Zabriskie, and is not this the true + explanation of your crime?” + </p> + <p> + With a strange look, he lifted up his face. + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” said he; “you will waken her. See how peacefully she sleeps! I + should not like to have her wakened now, she is so tired, and I—I + have not watched over her as I should.” + </p> + <p> + Appalled at his gesture, his look, his tone, Violet drew back, and for a + few minutes no sound was to be heard but the steady dip-dip of the oars + and the lap-lap of the waters against the boat. Then there came a quick + uprising, the swaying before her of something dark and tall and + threatening, and before she could speak or move, or even stretch forth her + hands to stay him, the seat before her was empty and darkness had filled + the place where but an instant previous he had sat, a fearsome figure, + erect and rigid as a sphinx. + </p> + <p> + What little moonlight there was, only served to show a few rising bubbles, + marking the spot where the unfortunate man had sunk with his much-loved + burden. As the widening circles fled farther and farther out, the tide + drifted the boat away, and the spot was lost which had seen the + termination of one of earth’s saddest tragedies. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM VII <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM VIII. MISSING: PAGE THIRTEEN + </h2> + <p> + “One more! just one more well paying affair, and I promise to stop; really + and truly to stop.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Puss, why one more? You have earned the amount you set for yourself,—or + very nearly,—and though my help is not great, in three months I can + add enough—” + </p> + <p> + “No, you cannot, Arthur. You are doing well; I appreciate it; in fact, I + am just delighted to have you work for me in the way you do, but you + cannot, in your present position, make enough in three months, or in six, + to meet the situation as I see it. Enough does not satisfy me. The measure + must be full, heaped up, and running over. Possible failure following + promise must be provided for. Never must I feel myself called upon to do + this kind of thing again. Besides, I have never got over the Zabriskie + tragedy. It haunts me continually. Something new may help to put it out of + my head. I feel guilty. I was responsible—” + </p> + <p> + “No, Puss. I will not have it that you were responsible. Some such end was + bound to follow a complication like that. Sooner or later he would have + been driven to shoot himself—” + </p> + <p> + “But not her.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not her. But do you think she would have given those few minutes of + perfect understanding with her blind husband for a few years more of + miserable life?” + </p> + <p> + Violet made no answer; she was too absorbed in her surprise. Was this + Arthur? Had a few weeks’ work and a close connection with the really + serious things of life made this change in him? Her face beamed at the + thought, which seeing, but not understanding what underlay this evidence + of joy, he bent and kissed her, saying with some of his old nonchalance: + </p> + <p> + “Forget it, Violet; only don’t let any one or anything lead you to + interest yourself in another affair of the kind. If you do, I shall have + to consult a certain friend of yours as to the best way of stopping this + folly. I mention no names. Oh! you need not look so frightened. Only + behave; that’s all.” + </p> + <p> + “He’s right,” she acknowledged to herself, as he sauntered away; + “altogether right.” + </p> + <p> + Yet because she wanted the extra money— + </p> + <p> + The scene invited alarm,—that is, for so young a girl as Violet, + surveying it from an automobile some time after the stroke of midnight. An + unknown house at the end of a heavily shaded walk, in the open doorway of + which could be seen the silhouette of a woman’s form leaning eagerly + forward with arms outstretched in an appeal for help! It vanished while + she looked, but the effect remained, holding her to her seat for one + startled moment. This seemed strange, for she had anticipated adventure. + One is not summoned from a private ball to ride a dozen miles into the + country on an errand of investigation, without some expectation of + encountering the mysterious and the tragic. But Violet Strange, for all + her many experiences, was of a most susceptible nature, and for the + instant in which that door stood open, with only the memory of that + expectant figure to disturb the faintly lit vista of the hall beyond, she + felt that grip upon the throat which comes from an indefinable fear which + no words can explain and no plummet sound. + </p> + <p> + But this soon passed. With the setting of her foot to ground, conditions + changed and her emotions took on a more normal character. The figure of a + man now stood in the place held by the vanished woman; and it was not only + that of one she knew but that of one whom she trusted—a friend whose + very presence gave her courage. With this recognition came a better + understanding of the situation, and it was with a beaming eye and + unclouded features that she tripped up the walk to meet the expectant + figure and outstretched hand of Roger Upjohn. + </p> + <p> + “You here!” she exclaimed, amid smiles and blushes, as he drew her into + the hall. + </p> + <p> + He at once launched forth into explanations mingled with apologies for the + presumption he had shown in putting her to this inconvenience. There was + trouble in the house—great trouble. Something had occurred for which + an explanation must be found before morning, or the happiness and honour + of more than one person now under this unhappy roof would be wrecked. He + knew it was late—that she had been obliged to take a long and dreary + ride alone, but her success with the problem which had once come near + wrecking his own life had emboldened him to telephone to the office and—“But + you are in ball-dress,” he cried in amazement. “Did you think—” + </p> + <p> + “I came from a ball. Word reached me between the dances. I did not go + home. I had been bidden to hurry.” + </p> + <p> + He looked his appreciation, but when he spoke it was to say: + </p> + <p> + “This is the situation. Miss Digby—” + </p> + <p> + “The lady who is to be married tomorrow?” + </p> + <p> + “Who hopes to be married tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “How, hopes?” + </p> + <p> + “Who will be married tomorrow, if a certain article lost in this house + tonight can be found before any of the persons who have been dining here + leave for their homes.” + </p> + <p> + Violet uttered an exclamation. + </p> + <p> + “Then, Mr. Cornell,” she began— + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cornell has our utmost confidence,” Roger hastened to interpose. “But + the article missing is one which he might reasonably desire to possess and + which he alone of all present had the opportunity of securing. You can + therefore see why he, with his pride—the pride off a man not rich, + engaged to marry a woman who is—should declare that unless his + innocence is established before daybreak, the doors of St. Bartholomew + will remain shut to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “But the article lost—what is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Miss Digby will give you the particulars. She is waiting to receive you,” + he added with a gesture towards a half-open door at their right. + </p> + <p> + Violet glanced that way, then cast her looks up and down the hall in which + they stood. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know that you have not told me in whose house I am? Not hers, I + know. She lives in the city.” + </p> + <p> + “And you are twelve miles from Harlem. Miss Strange, you are in the Van + Broecklyn mansion, famous enough you will acknowledge. Have you never been + here before?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been by here, but I recognized nothing in the dark. What an + exciting place for an investigation!” + </p> + <p> + “And Mr. Van Broecklyn? Have you never met him?” + </p> + <p> + “Once, when a child. He frightened me then.” + </p> + <p> + “And may frighten you now; though I doubt it. Time has mellowed him. + Besides, I have prepared him for what might otherwise occasion him some + astonishment. Naturally he would not look for just the sort of lady + investigator I am about to introduce to him.” + </p> + <p> + She smiled. Violet Strange was a very charming young woman, as well as a + keen prober of odd mysteries. + </p> + <p> + The meeting between herself and Miss Digby was a sympathetic one. After + the first inevitable shock which the latter felt at sight of the beauty + and fashionable appearance of the mysterious little being who was to solve + her difficulties, her glance, which, under other circumstances, might have + lingered unduly upon the piquant features and exquisite dressing of the + fairy-like figure before her, passed at once to Violet’s eyes, in whose + steady depths beamed an intelligence quite at odds with the coquettish + dimples which so often misled the casual observer in his estimation of a + character singularly subtle and well-poised. + </p> + <p> + As for the impression she herself made upon Violet, it was the same she + made upon everyone. No one could look long at Florence Digby and not + recognize the loftiness of her spirit and the generous nature of her + impulses. In person she was tall and as she leaned to take Violet’s hand, + the difference between them brought out the salient points in each, to the + great admiration of the one onlooker. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, for all her interest in the case in hand, Violet could not help + casting a hurried look about her, in gratification of the curiosity + incited by her entrance into a house signalized from its foundation by + such a series of tragic events. The result was disappointing. The walls + were plain, the furniture simple. Nothing suggestive in either, unless it + was the fact that nothing was new, nothing modern. As it looked in the + days of Burr and Hamilton so it looked to-day, even to the rather + startling detail of candles which did duty on every side in place of gas. + </p> + <p> + As Violet recalled the reason for this, the fascination of the past seized + upon her imagination. There was no knowing where this might have carried + her, had not the feverish gleam in Miss Digby’s eyes warned her that the + present held its own excitement. Instantly, she was all attention and + listening with undivided mind to that lady’s disclosures. + </p> + <p> + They were brief and to the following effect: + </p> + <p> + The dinner which had brought some half-dozen people together in this house + had been given in celebration of her impending marriage. But it was also + in a way meant as a compliment to one of the other guests, a Mr. + Spielhagen, who, during the week, had succeeded in demonstrating to a few + experts the value of a discovery he had made which would transform a great + industry. + </p> + <p> + In speaking of this discovery, Miss Digby did not go into particulars, the + whole matter being far beyond her understanding; but in stating its value + she openly acknowledged that it was in the line of Mr. Cornell’s own work, + and one which involved calculations and a formula which, if prematurely + disclosed, would invalidate the contract Mr. Spielhagen hoped to make, and + thus destroy his present hopes. + </p> + <p> + Of this formula but two copies existed. One was locked up in a safe + deposit vault in Boston, the other he had brought into the house on his + person, and it was the latter which was now missing, having been + abstracted during the evening from a manuscript of sixteen or more sheets, + under circumstances which she would now endeavour to relate. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Broecklyn, their host, had in his melancholy life but one interest + which could be at all absorbing. This was for explosives. As consequence, + much of the talk at the dinner-table had been on Mr. Spielhagen’s + discovery, and possible changes it might introduce into this especial + industry. As these, worked out from a formula kept secret from the trade, + could not but affect greatly Mr. Cornell’s interests, she found herself + listening intently, when Mr. Van Broecklyn, with an apology for his + interference, ventured to remark that if Mr. Spielhagen had made a + valuable discovery in this line, so had he, and one which he had + substantiated by many experiments. It was not a marketable one, such as + Mr. Spielhagen’s was, but in his work upon the same, and in the tests + which he had been led to make, he had discovered certain instances he + would gladly name, which demanded exceptional procedure to be successful. + If Mr. Spielhagen’s method did not allow for these exceptions, nor make + suitable provision for them, then Mr. Spielhagen’s method would fail more + times than it would succeed. Did it so allow and so provide? It would + relieve him greatly to learn that it did. + </p> + <p> + The answer came quickly. Yes, it did. But later and after some further + conversation, Mr. Spielhagen’s confidence seemed to wane, and before they + left the dinner-table, he openly declared his intention of looking over + his manuscript again that very night, in order to be sure that the formula + therein contained duly covered all the exceptions mentioned by Mr. Van + Broecklyn. + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Cornell’s countenance showed any change at this moment, she for one + had not noticed it; but the bitterness with which he remarked upon the + other’s good fortune in having discovered this formula of whose entire + success he had no doubt, was apparent to everybody, and naturally gave + point to the circumstances which a short time afterward associated him + with the disappearance of the same. + </p> + <p> + The ladies (there were two others besides herself) having withdrawn in a + body to the music-room, the gentlemen all proceeded to the library to + smoke. Here, conversation loosed from the one topic which had hitherto + engrossed it, was proceeding briskly, when Mr. Spielhagen, with nervous + gesture, impulsively looked about him and said: + </p> + <p> + “I cannot rest till I have run through my thesis again. Where can I find a + quiet spot? I won’t be long; I read very rapidly.” + </p> + <p> + It was for Mr. Van Broecklyn to answer, but no word coming from him, every + eye turned his way, only to find him sunk in one of those fits of + abstraction so well known to his friends, and from which no one who has + this strange man’s peace of mind at heart ever presumes to rouse him. + </p> + <p> + What was to be done? These moods of their singular host sometimes lasted + half an hour, and Mr. Spielhagen had not the appearance of a man of + patience. Indeed he presently gave proof of the great uneasiness he was + labouring under, for noticing a door standing ajar on the other side of + the room, he remarked to those around him: + </p> + <p> + “A den! and lighted! Do you see any objection to my shutting myself in + there for a few minutes?” + </p> + <p> + No one venturing to reply, he rose, and giving a slight push to the door, + disclosed a small room exquisitely panelled and brightly lighted, but + without one article of furniture in it, not even a chair. + </p> + <p> + “The very place,” quoth Mr. Spielhagen, and lifting a light cane-bottomed + chair from the many standing about, he carried it inside and shut the door + behind him. + </p> + <p> + Several minutes passed during which the man who had served at table + entered with a tray on which were several small glasses evidently + containing some choice liqueur. Finding his master fixed in one of his + strange moods, he set the tray down and, pointing to one of the glasses, + said: + </p> + <p> + “That is for Mr. Van Broecklyn. It contains his usual quieting powder.” + And urging the gentlemen to help themselves, he quietly left the room. Mr. + Upjohn lifted the glass nearest him, and Mr. Cornell seemed about to do + the same when he suddenly reached forward and catching up one farther off + started for the room in which Mr. Spielhagen had so deliberately secluded + himself. + </p> + <p> + Why he did all this—why, above all things, he should reach across + the tray for a glass instead of taking the one under his hand, he can no + more explain than why he has followed many another unhappy impulse. Nor + did he understand the nervous start given by Mr. Spielhagen at his + entrance, or the stare with which that gentleman took the glass from his + hand and mechanically drank its contents, till he saw how his hand had + stretched itself across the sheet of paper he was reading, in an open + attempt to hide the lines visible between his fingers. Then indeed the + intruder flushed and withdrew in great embarrassment, fully conscious of + his indiscretion but not deeply disturbed till Mr. Van Broecklyn, suddenly + arousing and glancing down at the tray placed very near his hand remarked + in some surprise: “Dobbs seems to have forgotten me.” Then indeed, the + unfortunate Mr. Cornell realized what he had done. It was the glass + intended for his host which he had caught up and carried into the other + room—the glass which he had been told contained a drug. Of what + folly he had been guilty, and how tame would be any effort at excuse! + </p> + <p> + Attempting none, he rose and with a hurried glance at Mr. Upjohn who + flushed in sympathy at his distress, he crossed to the door he had lately + closed upon Mr. Spielhagen. But feeling his shoulder touched as his hand + pressed the knob, he turned to meet the eye of Mr. Van Broecklyn fixed + upon him with an expression which utterly confounded him. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going?” that gentleman asked. + </p> + <p> + The questioning tone, the severe look, expressive at once of displeasure + and astonishment, were most disconcerting, but Mr. Cornell managed to + stammer forth: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Spielhagen is in here consulting his thesis. When your man brought in + the cordial, I was awkward enough to catch up your glass and carry it in + to. Mr. Spielhagen. He drank it and I—I am anxious to see if it did + him any harm.” + </p> + <p> + As he uttered the last word he felt Mr. Van Broecklyn’s hand slip from his + shoulder, but no word accompanied the action, nor did his host make the + least move to follow him into the room. + </p> + <p> + This was a matter of great regret to him later, as it left him for a + moment out of the range of every eye, during which he says he simply stood + in a state of shock at seeing Mr. Spielhagen still sitting there, + manuscript in hand, but with head fallen forward and eyes closed; dead, + asleep or—he hardly knew what; the sight so paralysed him. + </p> + <p> + Whether or not this was the exact truth and the whole truth, Mr. Cornell + certainly looked very unlike himself as he stepped back into Mr. Van + Broecklyn’s presence; and he was only partially reassured when that + gentleman protested that there was no real harm in the drug, and that Mr. + Spielhagen would be all right if left to wake naturally and without shock. + However, as his present attitude was one of great discomfort, they decided + to carry him back and lay him on the library lounge. But before doing + this, Mr. Upjohn drew from his flaccid grasp, the precious manuscript, and + carrying it into the larger room placed it on a remote table, where it + remained undisturbed till Mr. Spielhagen, suddenly coming to himself at + the end of some fifteen minutes, missed the sheets from his hand, and + bounding up, crossed the room to repossess himself of them. + </p> + <p> + His face, as he lifted them up and rapidly ran through them with + ever-accumulating anxiety, told them what they had to expect. + </p> + <p> + The page containing the formula was gone! + </p> + <p> + Violet now saw her problem. + </p> + <p> + II + </p> + <p> + There was no doubt about the loss I have mentioned; all could see that + page 13 was not there. In vain a second handling of every sheet, the one + so numbered was not to be found. Page 14 met the eye on the top of the + pile, and page 12 finished it off at the bottom, but no page 13 in + between, or anywhere else. + </p> + <p> + Where had it vanished, and through whose agency had this misadventure + occurred? No one could say, or, at least, no one there made any attempt to + do so, though everybody started to look for it. + </p> + <p> + But where look? The adjoining small room offered no facilities for hiding + a cigar-end, much less a square of shining white paper. Bare walls, a bare + floor, and a single chair for furniture, comprised all that was to be seen + in this direction. Nor could the room in which they then stood be thought + to hold it, unless it was on the person of some one of them. Could this be + the explanation of the mystery? No man looked his doubts; but Mr. Cornell, + possibly divining the general feeling, stepped up to Mr. Van Broecklyn and + in a cool voice, but with the red burning hotly on either cheek, said, so + as to be heard by everyone present: + </p> + <p> + “I demand to be searched—at once and thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + A moment’s silence, then the common cry: + </p> + <p> + “We will all be searched.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Mr. Spielhagen sure that the missing page was with the others when he + sat down in the adjoining room to read his thesis?” asked their perturbed + host. + </p> + <p> + “Very sure,” came the emphatic reply. “Indeed, I was just going through + the formula itself when I fell asleep.” + </p> + <p> + “You are ready to assert this?” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready to swear it.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Cornell repeated his request. + </p> + <p> + “I demand that you make a thorough search of my person. I must be cleared, + and instantly, of every suspicion,” he gravely asserted, “or how can I + marry Miss Digby to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + After that there was no further hesitation. One and all subjected + themselves to the ordeal suggested; even Mr. Spielhagen. But this effort + was as futile as the rest. The lost page was not found. + </p> + <p> + What were they to think? What were they to do? + </p> + <p> + There seemed to be nothing left to do, and yet some further attempt must + be made towards the recovery of this important formula. Mr. Cornell’s + marriage and Mr. Spielhagen’s business success both depended upon its + being in the latter’s hands before six in the morning, when he was engaged + to hand it over to a certain manufacturer sailing for Europe on an early + steamer. + </p> + <p> + Five hours! + </p> + <p> + Had Mr. Van Broecklyn a suggestion to offer? No, he was as much at sea as + the rest. + </p> + <p> + Simultaneously look crossed look. Blankness was on every face. + </p> + <p> + “Let us call the ladies,” suggested one. + </p> + <p> + It was done, and however great the tension had been before, it was even + greater when Miss Digby stepped upon the scene. But she was not a woman to + be shaken from her poise even by a crisis of this importance. When the + dilemma had been presented to her and the full situation grasped, she + looked first at Mr. Cornell and then at Mr. Spielhagen, and quietly said: + </p> + <p> + “There is but one explanation possible of this matter. Mr. Spielhagen will + excuse me, but he is evidently mistaken in thinking that he saw the lost + page among the rest. The condition into which he was thrown by the + unaccustomed drug he had drank, made him liable to hallucinations. I have + not the least doubt he thought he had been studying the formula at the + time he dropped off to sleep. I have every confidence in the gentleman’s + candour. But so have I in that of Mr. Cornell,” she supplemented, with a + smile. + </p> + <p> + An exclamation from Mr. Van Broecklyn and a subdued murmur from all but + Mr. Spielhagen testified to the effect of this suggestion, and there is no + saying what might have been the result if Mr. Cornell had not hurriedly + put in this extraordinary and most unexpected protest: + </p> + <p> + “Miss Digby has my gratitude,” said he, “for a confidence which I hope to + prove to be deserved. But I must say this for Mr. Spielhagen. He was + correct in stating that he was engaged in looking over his formula when I + stepped into his presence with the glass of cordial. If you were not in a + position to see the hurried way in which his hand instinctively spread + itself over the page he was reading, I was; and if that does not seem + conclusive to you, then I feel bound to state that in unconsciously + following this movement of his, I plainly saw the number written on the + top of the page, and that number was—13.” + </p> + <p> + A loud exclamation, this time from Spielhagen himself, announced his + gratitude and corresponding change of attitude toward the speaker. + </p> + <p> + “Wherever that damned page has gone,” he protested, advancing towards + Cornell with outstretched hand, “you have nothing to do with its + disappearance.” + </p> + <p> + Instantly all constraint fled, and every countenance took on a relieved + expression. But the problem remained. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly those very words passed some one’s lips, and with their utterance + Mr. Upjohn remembered how at an extraordinary crisis in his own life he + had been helped and an equally difficult problem settled, by a little lady + secretly attached to a private detective agency. If she could only be + found and hurried here before morning, all might yet be well. He would + make the effort. Such wild schemes sometimes work. He telephoned to the + office and— + </p> + <p> + Was there anything else Miss Strange would like to know? + </p> + <p> + III + </p> + <p> + Miss Strange, thus appealed to, asked where the gentlemen were now. + </p> + <p> + She was told that they were still all together in the library; the ladies + had been sent home. + </p> + <p> + “Then let us go to them,” said Violet, hiding under a smile her great fear + that here was an affair which might very easily spell for her that dismal + word, failure. + </p> + <p> + So great was that fear that under all ordinary circumstances she would + have had no thought for anything else in the short interim between this + stating of the problem and her speedy entrance among the persons involved. + But the circumstances of this case were so far from ordinary, or rather + let me put it in this way, the setting of the case was so very + extraordinary, that she scarcely thought of the problem before her, in her + great interest in the house through whose rambling halls she was being so + carefully guided. So much that was tragic and heartrending had occurred + here. The Van Broecklyn name, the Van Broecklyn history, above all the Van + Broecklyn tradition, which made the house unique in the country’s annals + (of which more hereafter), all made an appeal to her imagination, and + centred her thoughts on what she saw about her. There was door which no + man ever opened—had never opened since Revolutionary times—should + she see it? Should she know it if she did see it? Then Mr. Van Broecklyn + himself! just to meet him, under any conditions and in any place, was an + event. But to meet him here, under the pall of his own mystery! No wonder + she had no words for her companions, or that her thoughts clung to this + anticipation in wonder and almost fearsome delight. + </p> + <p> + His story was a well-known one. A bachelor and a misanthrope, he lived + absolutely alone save for a large entourage of servants, all men and + elderly ones at that. He never visited. Though he now and then, as on this + occasion, entertained certain persons under his roof, he declined every + invitation for himself, avoiding even, with equal strictness, all evening + amusements of whatever kind, which would detain him in the city after ten + at night. Perhaps this was to ensure no break in his rule of life never to + sleep out of his own bed. Though he was a man well over fifty he had not + spent, according to his own statement, but two nights out of his own bed + since his return from Europe in early boyhood, and those were in obedience + to a judicial summons which took him to Boston. + </p> + <p> + This was his main eccentricity, but he had another which is apparent + enough from what has already been said. He avoided women. If thrown in + with them during his short visits into town, he was invariably polite and + at times companionable, but he never sought them out, nor had gossip, + contrary to its usual habit, ever linked his name with one of the sex. + </p> + <p> + Yet he was a man of more than ordinary attraction. His features were fine + and his figure impressive. He might have been the cynosure of all eyes had + he chosen to enter crowded drawing-rooms, or even to frequent public + assemblages, but having turned his back upon everything of the kind in his + youth, he had found it impossible to alter his habits with advancing + years; nor was he now expected to. The position he had taken was + respected. Leonard Van Broecklyn was no longer criticized. + </p> + <p> + Was there any explanation for this strangely self-centred life? Those who + knew him best seemed to think so. In the first place he had sprung from an + unfortunate stock. Events of unusual and tragic nature had marked the + family of both parents. Nor had his parents themselves been exempt from + this seeming fatality. Antagonistic in tastes and temperament, they had + dragged on an unhappy existence in the old home, till both natures + rebelled, and a separation ensued which not only disunited their lives but + sent them to opposite sides of the globe never to return again. At least, + that was the inference drawn from the peculiar circumstances attending the + event. On the morning of one never-to-be-forgotten day, John Van + Broecklyn, the grandfather of the present representative of the family, + found the following note from his son lying on the library table: + </p> + <p> + “FATHER: + </p> + <p> + “Life in this house, or any house, with her is no longer endurable. One of + us must go. The mother should not be separated from her child. Therefore + it is I whom you will never see again. Forget me, but be considerate of + her and the boy. + </p> + <p> + “WILLIAM.” + </p> + <p> + Six hours later another note was found, this time from the wife: + </p> + <p> + “FATHER: + </p> + <p> + “Tied to a rotting corpse what does one do? Lop off one’s arm if necessary + to rid one of the contact. As all love between your son and myself is + dead, I can no longer live within the sound of his voice. As this is his + home, he is the one to remain in it. May our child reap the benefit of his + mother’s loss and his father’s affection. + </p> + <p> + “RHODA.” + </p> + <p> + Both were gone, and gone forever. Simultaneous in their departure, they + preserved each his own silence and sent no word back. If the one went east + and the other west, they may have met on the other side of the globe, but + never again in the home which sheltered their boy. For him and for his + grandfather they had sunk from sight in the great sea of humanity, leaving + them stranded on an isolated and mournful shore. The grand-father steeled + himself to the double loss, for the child’s sake; but the boy of eleven + succumbed. Few of the world’s great sufferers, of whatever age or + condition, have mourned as this child mourned, or shown the effects of his + grief so deeply or so long. Not till he had passed his majority did the + line, carved in one day in his baby forehead, lose any of its intensity; + and there are those who declare that even later than that, the midnight + stillness of the house was disturbed from time to time by his muffled + shriek of “Mother! Mother!”, sending the servants from the house, and + adding one more horror to the many which clung about this accursed + mansion. + </p> + <p> + Of this cry Violet had heard, and it was that and the door—But I + have already told you about the door which she was still looking for, when + her two companions suddenly halted, and she found herself on the threshold + of the library, in full view of Mr. Van Broecklyn and his two guests. + </p> + <p> + Slight and fairy-like in figure, with an air of modest reserve more in + keeping with her youth and dainty dimpling beauty than with her errand, + her appearance produced an astonishment none of which the gentlemen were + able to disguise. This the clever detective, with a genius for social + problems and odd elusive cases! This darling of the ball-room in satin and + pearls! Mr. Spielhagen glanced at Mr. Cornell, and Mr. Cornell at Mr. + Spielhagen, and both at Mr. Upjohn, in very evident distrust. As for + Violet, she had eyes only for Mr. Van Broecklyn who stood before her in a + surprise equal to that of the others but with more restraint in its + expression. + </p> + <p> + She was not disappointed in him. She had expected to see a man, reserved + almost to the point of austerity. And she found his first look even more + awe-compelling than her imagination had pictured; so much so indeed, that + her resolution faltered, and she took a quick step backward; which seeing, + he smiled and her heart and hopes grew warm again. That he could smile, + and smile with absolute sweetness, was her great comfort when later—But + I am introducing you too hurriedly to the catastrophe. There is much to be + told first. + </p> + <p> + I pass over the preliminaries, and come at once to the moment when Violet, + having listened to a repetition of the full facts, stood with downcast + eyes before these gentlemen, complaining in some alarm to herself: “They + expect me to tell them now and without further search or parley just where + this missing page is. I shall have to balk that expectation without losing + their confidence. But how?” + </p> + <p> + Summoning up her courage and meeting each inquiring eye with a look which + seemed to carry a different message to each, she remarked very quietly: + </p> + <p> + “This is not a matter to guess at. I must have time and I must look a + little deeper into the facts just given me. I presume that the table I see + over there is the one upon which Mr. Upjohn laid the manuscript during Mr. + Spielhagen’s unconsciousness.” + </p> + <p> + All nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Is it—I mean the table—in the same condition it was then? Has + nothing been taken from it except the manuscript?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Then the missing page is not there,” she smiled, pointing to its bare + top. A pause, during which she stood with her gaze fixed on the floor + before her. She was thinking and thinking hard. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she came to a decision. Addressing Mr. Upjohn she asked if he + were quite sure that in taking the manuscript from Mr. Spielhagen’s hand + he had neither disarranged nor dropped one of its pages. + </p> + <p> + The answer was unequivocal. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” she declared, with quiet assurance and a steady meeting with her + own of every eye, “as the thirteenth page was not found among the others + when they were taken from this table, nor on the persons of either Mr. + Cornell or Mr. Spielhagen, it is still in that inner room.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” came from every lip, each in a different tone. “That room is + absolutely empty.” + </p> + <p> + “May I have a look at its emptiness?” she asked, with a naive glance at + Mr. Van Broecklyn. + </p> + <p> + “There is positively nothing in the room but the chair Mr. Spielhagen sat + on,” objected that gentleman with a noticeable air of reluctance. + </p> + <p> + “Still, may I not have a look at it?” she persisted, with that disarming + smile she kept for great occasions. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Broecklyn bowed. He could not refuse a request so urged, but his + step was slow and his manner next to ungracious as he led the way to the + door of the adjoining room and threw it open. + </p> + <p> + Just what she had been told to expect! Bare walls and floors and an empty + chair! Yet she did not instantly withdraw, but stood silently + contemplating the panelled wainscoting surrounding her, as though she + suspected it of containing some secret hiding-place not apparent to the + eye. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Van Broecklyn, noting this, hastened to say: + </p> + <p> + “The walls are sound, Miss Strange. They contain no hidden cupboards.” + </p> + <p> + “And that door?” she asked, pointing to a portion of the wainscoting so + exactly like the rest that only the most experienced eye could detect the + line of deeper colour which marked an opening. + </p> + <p> + For an instant Mr. Van Broecklyn stood rigid, then the immovable pallor, + which was one of his chief characteristics, gave way to a deep flush as he + explained: + </p> + <p> + “There was a door there once; but it has been permanently closed. With + cement,” he forced himself to add, his countenance losing its evanescent + colour till it shone ghastly again in the strong light. + </p> + <p> + With difficulty Violet preserved her show of composure. “The door!” she + murmured to herself. “I have found it. The great historic door!” But her + tone was light as she ventured to say: + </p> + <p> + “Then it can no longer be opened by your hand or any other?” + </p> + <p> + “It could not be opened with an axe.” + </p> + <p> + Violet sighed in the midst of her triumph. Her curiosity had been + satisfied, but the problem she had been set to solve looked inexplicable. + But she was not one to yield easily to discouragement. Marking the + disappointment approaching to disdain in every eye but Mr. Upjohn’s, she + drew herself up—(she had not far to draw) and made this final + proposal. + </p> + <p> + “A sheet of paper,” she remarked, “of the size of this one cannot be + spirited away, or dissolved into thin air. It exists; it is here; and all + we want is some happy thought in order to find it. I acknowledge that that + happy thought has not come to me yet, but sometimes I get it in what may + seem to you a very odd way. Forgetting myself, I try to assume the + individuality of the person who has worked the mystery. If I can think + with his thoughts, I possibly may follow him in his actions. In this case + I should like to make believe for a few moments that I am Mr. Spielhagen” + (with what a delicious smile she said this) “I should like to hold his + thesis in my hand and be interrupted in my reading by Mr. Cornell offering + his glass of cordial; then I should like to nod and slip off mentally into + a deep sleep. Possibly in that sleep the dream may come which will clarify + the whole situation. Will you humour me so far?” + </p> + <p> + A ridiculous concession, but finally she had her way; the farce was + enacted and they left her as she had requested them to do, alone with her + dreams in the small room. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly they heard her cry out, and in another moment she appeared before + them, the picture of excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Is this chair standing exactly as it did when Mr. Spielhagen occupied + it?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Mr. Upjohn, “it faced the other way.” + </p> + <p> + She stepped back and twirled the chair about with her disengaged hand. + </p> + <p> + “So?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Upjohn and Mr. Spielhagen both nodded, so did the others when she + glanced at them. + </p> + <p> + With a sign of ill-concealed satisfaction, she drew their attention to + herself; then eagerly cried: + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen, look here!” + </p> + <p> + Seating herself, she allowed her whole body to relax till she presented + the picture of one calmly asleep. Then, as they continued to gaze at with + fascinated eyes, not knowing what to expect, they saw something white + escape from her lap and slide across the floor till it touched and was + stayed by the wainscot. It was the top page of the manuscript she held, + and as some inkling of the truth reached their astonished minds, she + sprang impetuously to her feet and, pointing to the fallen sheet, cried: + </p> + <p> + “Do you understand now? Look where it lies and then look here!” + </p> + <p> + She had bounded towards the wall and was now on her knees pointing to the + bottom of the wainscot, just a few inches to the left of the fallen page. + </p> + <p> + “A crack!” she cried, “under what was once the door. It’s a very thin one, + hardly perceptible to the eye. But see!” Here she laid her finger on the + fallen paper and drawing it towards her, pushed it carefully against the + lower edge of the wainscot. Half of it at once disappeared. + </p> + <p> + “I could easily slip it all through,” she assured them, withdrawing the + sheet and leaping to her feet in triumph. “You know now where the missing + page lies, Mr. Spielhagen. All that remains is for Mr. Van Broecklyn to + get it for you.” + </p> + <p> + IV + </p> + <p> + The cries of mingled astonishment and relief which greeted this simple + elucidation of the mystery were broken by a curiously choked, almost + unintelligible, cry. It came from the man thus appealed to, who, unnoticed + by them all, had started at her first word and gradually, as action + followed action, withdrawn himself till he now stood alone and in an + attitude almost of defiance behind the large table in the centre of the + library. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry,” he began, with a brusqueness which gradually toned down into + a forced urbanity as he beheld every eye fixed upon him in amazement, + “that circumstances forbid my being of assistance to you in this + unfortunate matter. If the paper lies where you say, and I see no other + explanation of its loss, I am afraid it will have to remain there for this + night at least. The cement in which that door is embedded is thick as any + wall; it would take men with pickaxes, possibly with dynamite, to make a + breach there wide enough for any one to reach in. And we are far from any + such help.” + </p> + <p> + In the midst of the consternation caused by these words, the clock on the + mantel behind his back rang out the hour. It was but a double stroke, but + that meant two hours after midnight and had the effect of a knell in the + hearts of those most interested. + </p> + <p> + “But I am expected to give that formula into the hands of our manager + before six o’clock in the morning. The steamer sails at a quarter after.” + </p> + <p> + “Can’t you reproduce a copy of it from memory?” some one asked; “and + insert it in its proper place among the pages you hold there?” + </p> + <p> + “The paper would not be the same. That would lead to questions and the + truth would come out. As the chief value of the process contained in that + formula lies in its secrecy, no explanation I could give would relieve me + from the suspicions which an acknowledgment of the existence of a third + copy, however well hidden, would entail. I should lose my great + opportunity.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Cornell’s state of mind can be imagined. In an access of mingled + regret and despair, he cast a glance at Violet, who, with a nod of + understanding, left the little room in which they still stood, and + approached Mr. Van Broecklyn. + </p> + <p> + Lifting up her head,—for he was very tall,—and instinctively + rising on her toes the nearer to reach his ear, she asked in a cautious + whisper: + </p> + <p> + “Is there no other way of reaching that place?” + </p> + <p> + She acknowledged afterwards, that for one moment her heart stood still + from fear, such a change took place in his face, though she says he did + not move a muscle. Then, just when she was expecting from him some harsh + or forbidding word, he wheeled abruptly away from her and crossing to a + window at his side, lifted the shade and looked out. When he returned, he + was his usual self so far as she could see. + </p> + <p> + “There is a way,” he now confided to her in a tone as low as her own, “but + it can only be taken by a child.” + </p> + <p> + “Not by me?” she asked, smiling down at her own childish proportions. + </p> + <p> + For an instant he seemed taken aback, then she saw his hand begin to + tremble and his lips twitch. Somehow—she knew not why—she + began to pity him, and asked herself as she felt rather than saw the + struggle in his mind, that here was a trouble which if once understood + would greatly dwarf that of the two men in the room behind them. + </p> + <p> + “I am discreet,” she whisperingly declared. “I have heard the history of + that door—how it was against the tradition of the family to have it + opened. There must have been some very dreadful reason. But old + superstitions do not affect me, and if you will allow me to take the way + you mention, I will follow your bidding exactly, and will not trouble + myself about anything but the recovery of this paper, which must lie only + a little way inside that blocked-up door.” + </p> + <p> + Was his look one of rebuke at her presumption, or just the constrained + expression of a perturbed mind? Probably, the latter, for while she + watched him for some understanding of his mood, he reached out his hand + and touched one of the satin folds crossing her shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “You would soil this irretrievably,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “There is stuff in the stores for another,” she smiled. Slowly his touch + deepened into pressure. Watching him she saw the crust of some old fear or + dominant superstition melt under her eyes, and was quite prepared, when he + remarked, with what for him was a lightsome air: + </p> + <p> + “I will buy the stuff, if you will dare the darkness and intricacies of + our old cellar. I can give you no light. You will have to feel your way + according to my direction.” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready to dare anything.” + </p> + <p> + He left her abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “I will warn Miss Digby,” he called back. “She shall go with you as far as + the cellar.” + </p> + <p> + V + </p> + <p> + Violet in her short career as an investigator of mysteries had been in + many a situation calling for more than womanly nerve and courage. But + never—or so it seemed to her at the time—had she experienced a + greater depression of spirit than when she stood with Miss Digby before a + small door at the extreme end of the cellar, and understood that here was + her road—a road which once entered, she must take alone. + </p> + <p> + First, it was such a small door! No child older than eleven could possibly + squeeze through it. But she was of the size of a child of eleven and might + possibly manage that difficulty. + </p> + <p> + Secondly: there are always some unforeseen possibilities in every + situation, and though she had listened carefully to Mr. Van Broecklyn’s + directions and was sure that she knew them by heart, she wished she had + kissed her father more tenderly in leaving him that night for the ball, + and that she had not pouted so undutifully at some harsh stricture he had + made. Did this mean fear? She despised the feeling if it did. + </p> + <p> + Thirdly: She hated darkness. She knew this when she offered herself for + this undertaking; but she was in a bright room at the moment and only + imagined what she must now face as a reality. But one jet had been lit in + the cellar and that near the entrance. Mr. Van Broecklyn seemed not to + need light, even in his unfastening of the small door which Violet was + sure had been protected by more than one lock. + </p> + <p> + Doubt, shadow, and a solitary climb between unknown walls, with only a + streak of light for her goal, and the clinging pressure of Florence + Digby’s hand on her own for solace—surely the prospect was one to + tax the courage of her young heart to its limit. But she had promised, and + she would fulfill. So with a brave smile she stooped to the little door, + and in another moment had started her journey. + </p> + <p> + For journey the shortest distance may seem when every inch means a + heart-throb and one grows old in traversing a foot. At first the way was + easy; she had but to crawl up a slight incline with the comforting + consciousness that two people were within reach of her voice, almost + within sound of her beating heart. But presently she came to a turn, + beyond which her fingers failed to reach any wall on her left. Then came a + step up which she stumbled, and farther on a short flight, each tread of + which she had been told to test before she ventured to climb it, lest the + decay of innumerable years should have weakened the wood too much to bear + her weight. One, two, three, four, five steps! Then a landing with an open + space beyond. Half of her journey was done. Here she felt she could give a + minute to drawing her breath naturally, if the air, unchanged in years, + would allow her to do so. Besides, here she had been enjoined to do a + certain thing and to do it according to instructions. Three matches had + been given her and a little night candle. Denied all light up to now, it + was at this point she was to light her candle and place it on the floor, + so that in returning she should not miss the staircase and get a fall. She + had promised to do this, and was only too happy to see a spark of light + scintillate into life in the immeasurable darkness. + </p> + <p> + She was now in a great room long closed to the world, where once officers + in Colonial wars had feasted, and more than one council had been held. A + room, too, which had seen more than one tragic happening, as its almost + unparalleled isolation proclaimed. So much Mr. Van Broecklyn had told her; + but she was warned to be careful in traversing it and not upon any pretext + to swerve aside from the right-hand wall till she came to a huge + mantelpiece. This passed, and a sharp corner turned, she ought to see + somewhere in the dim spaces before her a streak of vivid light shining + through the crack at the bottom of the blocked-up door. The paper should + be somewhere near this streak. + </p> + <p> + All simple, all easy of accomplishment, if only that streak of light were + all she was likely to see or think of. If the horror which was gripping + her throat should not take shape! If things would remain shrouded in + impenetrable darkness, and not force themselves in shadowy suggestion upon + her excited fancy! But the blackness of the passage-way through which she + had just struggled was not to be found here. Whether it was the effect of + that small flame flickering at the top of the staircase behind her, or of + some change in her own powers of seeing, surely there was a difference in + her present outlook. Tall shapes were becoming visible—the air was + no longer blank—she could see—Then suddenly she saw why. In + the wall high up on her right was a window. It was small and all but + invisible, being covered on the outside with vines, and on the inside with + the cobwebs of a century. But some small gleams from the star-light night + came through, making phantasms out of ordinary things, which unseen were + horrible enough, and half seen choked her heart with terror. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot bear it,” she whispered to herself even while creeping forward, + her hand upon the wall. “I will close my eyes” was her next thought. “I + will make my own darkness,” and with a spasmodic forcing of her lids + together, she continued to creep on, passing the mantelpiece, where she + knocked against something which fell with an awful clatter. + </p> + <p> + This sound, followed as it was by that of smothered voices from the + excited group awaiting the result of her experiment from behind the + impenetrable wall she should be nearing now if she had followed her + instructions aright, freed her instantly from her fancies; and opening her + eyes once more, she cast a look ahead, and to her delight, saw but a few + steps away, the thin streak of bright light which marked the end of her + journey. + </p> + <p> + It took her but a moment after that to find the missing page, and picking + it up in haste from the dusty floor, she turned herself quickly about and + joyfully began to retrace her steps. Why then, was it that in the course + of a few minutes more her voice suddenly broke into a wild, unearthly + shriek, which ringing with terror burst the bounds of that dungeon-like + room, and sank, a barbed shaft, into the breasts of those awaiting the + result of her doubtful adventure, at either end of this dread + no-thoroughfare. + </p> + <p> + What had happened? + </p> + <p> + If they had thought to look out, they would have seen that the moon—held + in check by a bank of cloud occupying half the heavens—had suddenly + burst its bounds and was sending long bars of revealing light into every + uncurtained window. + </p> + <p> + VI + </p> + <p> + Florence Digby, in her short and sheltered life, had possibly never known + any very great or deep emotion. But she touched the bottom of extreme + terror at that moment, as with her ears still thrilling with Violet’s + piercing cry, she turned to look at Mr. Van Broecklyn, and beheld the + instantaneous wreck it had made of this seemingly strong man. Not till he + came to lie in his coffin would he show a more ghastly countenance; and + trembling herself almost to the point of falling, caught him by the arm + and sought to read his face what had happened. Something disastrous she + was sure; something which he had feared and was partially prepared for, + yet which in happening had crushed him. Was it a pitfall into which the + poor little lady had fallen? If so—But he is speaking—mumbling + low words to himself. Some of them she can hear. He is reproaching himself—repeating + over and over that he should never have taken such a chance; that he + should have remembered her youth—the weakness of a young girl’s + nerve. He had been mad, and now—and now— + </p> + <p> + With the repetition of this word his murmuring ceased. All his energies + were now absorbed in listening at the low door separating him from what he + was agonizing to know—a door impossible to enter, impossible to + enlarge—a barrier to all help—an opening whereby sound might + pass but nothing else, save her own small body, now lying—where? + </p> + <p> + “Is she hurt?” faltered Florence, stooping, herself, to listen. “Can you + hear anything—anything?” + </p> + <p> + For an instant he did not answer; every faculty was absorbed in the one + sense; then slowly and in gasps he began to mutter: + </p> + <p> + “I think—I hear—something. Her step—no, no, no step. All + is as quiet as death; not a sound, not a breath—she has fainted. O + God! O God! Why this calamity on top of all!” + </p> + <p> + He had sprung to his feet at the utterance this invocation, but next + moment was down on knees again, listening—listening. + </p> + <p> + Never was silence more profound; they were hearkening for murmurs from a + tomb. Florence began to sense the full horror of it all, and was swaying + helplessly when Mr. Van Broecklyn impulsively lifted his hand in an + admonitory Hush! and through the daze of her faculties a small far sound + began to make itself heard, growing louder as she waited, then becoming + faint again, then altogether ceasing only to renew itself once more, till + it resolved into an approaching step, faltering in its course, but coming + ever nearer and nearer. + </p> + <p> + “She’s safe! She’s not hurt!” sprang from Florence’s lips in inexpressible + relief; and expecting Mr. Van Broecklyn to show an equal joy, she turned + towards him, with the cheerful cry, + </p> + <p> + “Now if she has been so fortunate as to that missing page, we shall all be + repaid for our fright.” + </p> + <p> + A movement on his part, a shifting of position which brought him finally + to his feet, but he gave no other proof of having heard her, nor did his + countenance mirror her relief. “It is as if he dreaded, instead of hailed, + her return,” was Florence’s inward comment as she watched him + involuntarily recoil at each fresh token of Violet’s advance. + </p> + <p> + Yet because this seemed so very unnatural, she persisted in her efforts to + lighten the situation, and when he made no attempt to encourage Violet in + her approach, she herself stooped and called out a cheerful welcome which + must have rung sweetly in the poor little detective’s ears. + </p> + <p> + A sorry sight was Violet, when, helped by Florence, she finally crawled + into view through the narrow opening and stood once again on the cellar + floor. Pale, trembling, and soiled with the dust of years, she presented a + helpless figure enough, till the joy in Florence’s face recalled some of + her spirit, and, glancing down at her hand in which a sheet of paper was + visible, she asked for Mr. Spielhagen. + </p> + <p> + “I’ve got the formula,” she said. “If you will bring him, I will hand it + over to him here.” + </p> + <p> + Not a word of her adventure; nor so much as one glance at Mr. Van + Broecklyn, standing far back in the shadows. + </p> + <p> + Nor was she more communicative, when, the formula restored and everything + made right with Mr. Spielhagen, they all came together again in the + library for a final word. “I was frightened by the silence and the + darkness, and so cried out,” she explained in answer to their questions. + “Any one would have done so who found himself alone in so musty a place,” + she added, with an attempt at lightsomeness which deepened the pallor on + Mr. Van Broecklyn’s cheek, already sufficiently noticeable to have been + remarked upon by more than one. + </p> + <p> + “No ghosts?” laughed Mr. Cornell, too happy in the return of his hopes to + be fully sensible of the feelings of those about him. “No whispers from + impalpable lips or touches from spectre hands? Nothing to explain the + mystery of that room long shut up that even Mr. Van Broecklyn declares + himself ignorant of its secret?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” returned Violet, showing her dimples in full force now. + </p> + <p> + “If Miss Strange had any such experiences—if she has anything to + tell worthy of so marked a curiosity, she will tell it now,” came from the + gentleman just alluded to, in tones so stern and strange that all show of + frivolity ceased on the instant. “Have you anything to tell, Miss + Strange?” + </p> + <p> + Greatly startled, she regarded him with widening eyes for a moment, then + with a move towards the door, remarked, with a general look about her: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Van Broecklyn knows his own house, and doubtless can relate its + histories if he will. I am a busy little body who having finished my work + am now ready to return home, there to wait for the next problem which an + indulgent fate may offer me.” + </p> + <p> + She was near the threshold—she was about to take her leave, when + suddenly she felt two hands fall on her shoulder, and turning, met the + eyes of Mr. Van Broecklyn burning into her own. + </p> + <p> + “You saw!” dropped in an almost inaudible whisper from his lips. + </p> + <p> + The shiver which shook her answered him better than any word. + </p> + <p> + With an exclamation of despair, he withdrew his hands, and facing the + others now standing together in a startled group, he said, as soon as he + could recover some of his self-possession: + </p> + <p> + “I must ask for another hour of your company. I can no longer keep my + sorrow to myself. A dividing line has just been drawn across my life, and + I must have the sympathy of someone who knows my past, or I shall go mad + in my self-imposed solitude. Come back, Miss Strange. You of all others + have the prior right to hear.” + </p> + <p> + VII + </p> + <p> + “I shall have to begin,” said he, when they were all seated and ready to + listen, “by giving you some idea, not so much of the family tradition, as + of the effect of this tradition upon all who bore the name of Van + Broecklyn. This is not the only house, even in America, which contains a + room shut away from intrusion. In England there are many. But there is + this difference between most of them and ours. No bars or locks forcibly + held shut the door we were forbidden to open. The command was enough; that + and the superstitious fear which such a command, attended by a long and + unquestioning obedience, was likely to engender. + </p> + <p> + “I know no more than you do why some early ancestor laid his ban upon this + room. But from my earliest years I was given to understand that there was + one latch in the house which was never to be lifted; that any fault would + be forgiven sooner than that; that the honour of the whole family stood in + the way of disobedience, and that I was to preserve that honour to my + dying day. You will say that all this is fantastic, and wonder that sane + people in these modern times should subject themselves to such a + ridiculous restriction, especially when no good reason was alleged, and + the very source of the tradition from which it sprung forgotten. You are + right; but if you look long into human nature, you will see that the bonds + which hold the firmest are not material ones—that an idea will make + a man and mould a character—that it lies at the source of all + heroisms and is to be courted or feared as the case may be. + </p> + <p> + “For me it possessed a power proportionate to my loneliness. I don’t think + there was ever a more lonely child. My father and mother were so unhappy + in each other’s companionship that one or other of them was almost always + away. But I saw little of either even when they were at home. The + constraint in their attitude towards each other affected their conduct + towards me. I have asked myself more than once if either of them had any + real affection for me. To my father I spoke of her; to her of him; and + never pleasurably. This I am forced to say, or you cannot understand my + story. Would to God I could tell another tale! Would to God I had such + memories as other men have of a father’s clasp, a mother’s kiss—but + no! my grief, already profound, might have become abysmal. Perhaps it is + best as it is; only, I might have been a different child, and made for + myself a different fate—who knows. + </p> + <p> + “As it was, I was thrown almost entirely upon my own resources for any + amusement. This led me to a discovery I made one day. In a far part of the + cellar behind some heavy casks, I found a little door. It was so low—so + exactly fitted to my small body, that I had the greatest desire to enter + it. But I could not get around the casks. At last an expedient occurred to + me. We had an old servant who came nearer loving me than any one else. One + day when I chanced to be alone in the cellar, I took out my ball and began + throwing it about. Finally it landed behind the casks, and I ran with a + beseeching cry to Michael, to move them. + </p> + <p> + “It was a task requiring no little strength and address, but he managed, + after a few herculean efforts, to shift them aside and I saw with delight, + my way opened to that mysterious little door. But I did not approach it + then; some instinct deterred me. But when the opportunity came for me to + venture there alone, I did so, in the most adventurous spirit, and began + my operations by sliding behind the casks and testing the handle of the + little door. It turned, and after a pull or two the door yielded. With my + heart in my mouth, I stooped and peered in. I could see nothing—a + black hole and nothing more. This caused me a moment’s hesitation. I was + afraid of the dark—had always been. But curiosity and the spirit of + adventure triumphed. Saying to myself that I was Robinson Crusoe exploring + the cave, I crawled in, only to find that I had gained nothing. It was as + dark inside as it had looked to be from without. + </p> + <p> + “There was no fun in this, so I crawled back, and when I tried the + experiment again, it was with a bit of candle in my hand, and a + surreptitious match or two. What I saw, when with a very trembling little + hand I had lighted one of the matches, would have been disappointing to + most boys, but not to me. The litter and old boards I saw in odd corners + about me were full of possibilities, while in the dimness beyond I seemed + to perceive a sort of staircase which might lead—I do not think I + made any attempt to answer that question even in my own mind, but when, + after some hesitation and a sense of great daring, I finally crept up + those steps, I remember very well my sensation at finding myself in front + of a narrow closed door. It suggested too vividly the one in Grandfather’s + little room—the door in the wainscot which we were never to open. I + had my first real trembling fit here, and at once fascinated and repelled + by this obstruction I stumbled and lost my candle, which, going out in the + fall, left me in total darkness and a very frightened state of mind. For + my imagination which had been greatly stirred by my own vague thoughts of + the forbidden room, immediately began to people the space about me with + ghoulish figures. How should I escape them, how ever reach my own little + room again undetected and in safety? + </p> + <p> + “But these terrors, deep as they were, were nothing to the real fright + which seized me when, the darkness finally braved, and the way found back + into the bright, wide-open halls of the house, I became conscious of + having dropped something besides the candle. My match-box was gone—not + my match-box, but my grandfather’s which I had found lying on his table + and carried off on this adventure, in all the confidence of irresponsible + youth. To make use of it for a little while, trusting to his not missing + it in the confusion I had noticed about the house that morning, was one + thing; to lose it was another. It was no common box. Made of gold and + cherished for some special reason well known to himself, I had often hear + him say that some day I would appreciate its value, and be glad to own it. + And I had left it in that hole and at any minute he might miss it—possibly + ask for it! The day was one of torment. My mother was away or shut up in + her room. My father—I don’t know just what thoughts I had about him. + He was not to be seen either, and the servants cast strange looks at me + when I spoke his name. But I little realized the blow which had just + fallen upon the house in his definite departure, and only thought of my + own trouble, and of how I should meet my grandfather’s eye when the hour + came for him to draw me to his knee for his usual good-night. + </p> + <p> + “That I was spared this ordeal for the first time this very night first + comforted me, then added to my distress. He had discovered his loss and + was angry. On the morrow he would ask me for the box and I would have to + lie, for never could I find the courage to tell him where I had been. Such + an act of presumption he would never forgive, or so I thought as I lay and + shivered in my little bed. That his coldness, his neglect, sprang from the + discovery just made that my mother as well as my father had just fled the + house forever was as little known to me as the morning calamity. I had + been given my usual tendance and was tucked safely into bed; but the + gloom, the silence which presently settled upon the house had a very + different explanation in my mind from the real one. My sin (for such it + loomed large in my mind by this time) coloured the whole situation and + accounted for every event. + </p> + <p> + “At what hour I slipped from my bed on to the cold floor, I shall never + know. To me it seemed to be in the dead of night; but I doubt if it were + more than ten. So slowly creep away the moments to a wakeful child. I had + made a great resolve. Awful as the prospect seemed to me,—frightened + as I was by the very thought,—I had determined in my small mind to + go down into the cellar, and into that midnight hole again, in search of + the lost box. I would take a candle and matches, this time from my own + mantel-shelf, and if everyone was asleep, as appeared from the deathly + quiet of the house, I would be able to go and come without anybody ever + being the wiser. + </p> + <p> + “Dressing in the dark, I found my matches and my candle and, putting them + in one of my pockets, softly opened my door and looked out. Nobody was + stirring; every light was out except a solitary one in the lower hall. + That this still burned conveyed no meaning to my mind. How could I know + that the house was so still and the rooms dark because everyone was out + searching for some clue to my mother’s flight? If I had looked at the + clock—but I did not; I was too intent upon my errand, too filled + with the fever of my desperate undertaking, to be affected by anything not + bearing directly upon it. + </p> + <p> + “Of the terror caused by my own shadow on the wall as I made the turn in + the hall below, I have as keen a recollection today as though it happened + yesterday. But that did not deter me; nothing deterred me, till safe in + the cellar I crouched down behind the casks to get my breath again before + entering the hole beyond. + </p> + <p> + “I had made some noise in feeling my way around these casks, and I + trembled lest these sounds had been heard upstairs! But this fear soon + gave place to one far greater. Other sounds were making themselves heard. + A din of small skurrying feet above, below, on every side of me! Rats! + rats in the wall! rats on the cellar bottom! How I ever stirred from the + spot I do not know, but when I did stir, it was to go forward, and enter + the uncanny hole. + </p> + <p> + “I had intended to light my candle when I got inside; but for some reason + I went stumbling along in the dark, following the wall till I got to the + steps where I had dropped the box. Here a light was necessary, but my hand + did not go to my pocket. I thought it better to climb the steps first, and + softly one foot found the tread and then another. I had only three more to + climb and then my right hand, now feeling its way along the wall, would be + free to strike a match. I climbed the three steps and was steadying myself + against the door for a final plunge, when something happened—something + so strange, so unexpected, and so incredible that I wonder I did not + shriek aloud in my terror. The door was moving under my hand. It was + slowly opening inward. I could feel the chill made by the widening crack. + Moment by moment this chill increased; the gap was growing—a + presence was there—a presence before which I sank in a small heap upon the + landing. Would it advance? Had it feet—hands? Was it a presence + which could be felt? + </p> + <p> + “Whatever it was, it made no attempt to pass, and presently I lifted my + head only to quake anew at the sound of a voice—a human voice—my + mother’s voice—so near me that by putting out my arms I might have + touched her. + </p> + <p> + “She was speaking to my father. I knew from the tone. She was saying words + which, little understood as they were, made such a havoc in my youthful + mind that I have never forgotten the effect. + </p> + <p> + “‘I have come!’ she said. ‘They think I have fled the house and are + looking far and wide for me. We shall not be disturbed. Who would think + looking of here for either you or me.’ + </p> + <p> + “Here! The word sank like a plummet in my breast. I had known for some few + minutes that I was on the threshold of the forbidden room; but they were + in it. I can scarcely make you understand the tumult which this awoke in + my brain. Somehow, I had never thought that any such braving of the + house’s law would be possible. + </p> + <p> + “I heard my father’s answer, but it conveyed no meaning to me. I also + realized that he spoke from a distance,—that he was at one end of + the room while we were at the other. I was presently to have this idea + confirmed, for while I was striving with all my might and main to subdue + my very heart-throbs so that she would not hear me or suspect my presence, + the darkness—I should rather say the blackness of the place yielded + to a flash of lightning—heat lightning, all glare and no sound—and + I caught an instantaneous vision of my father’s figure standing with + gleaming things about him, which affected me at the moment as + supernatural, but which, in later years, I decided to have been weapons + hanging on a wall. + </p> + <p> + “She saw him too, for she gave a quick laugh and said they would not need + any candles; and then, there was another flash and I saw something in his + hand and something in hers, and though I did not yet understand, I felt + myself turning deathly sick and gave a choking gasp which was lost in the + rush she made into the centre of the room, and the keenness of her swift + low cry. + </p> + <p> + “‘Garde-toi! for only one of us will ever leave this room alive!’ + </p> + <p> + “A duel! a duel to the death between this husband and wife—this + father and mother—in this hole of dead tragedies and within the + sight and hearing of their child! Has Satan ever devised a scheme more + hideous for ruining the life of an eleven-year-old boy! + </p> + <p> + “Not that I took it all in at once. I was too innocent and much too dazed + to comprehend such hatred, much less the passions which engender it. I + only knew that something horrible—something beyond the conception of + my childish mind—was going to take place in the darkness before me; + and the terror of it made me speechless; would to God it had made me deaf + and blind and dead! + </p> + <p> + “She had dashed from her corner and he had slid away from his, as the next + fantastic glare which lit up the room showed me. It also showed the + weapons in their hands, and for a moment I felt reassured when I saw that + these were swords, for I had seen them before with foils in their hands + practising for exercise, as they said, in the great garret. But the swords + had buttons on them, and this time the tips were sharp and shone in the + keen light. + </p> + <p> + “An exclamation from her and a growl of rage from him were followed by + movements I could scarcely hear, but which were terrifying from their very + quiet. Then the sound of a clash. The swords had crossed. + </p> + <p> + “Had the lightning flashed forth then, the end of one of them might have + occurred. But the darkness remained undisturbed, and when the glare relit + the great room again, they were already far apart. This called out a word + from him; the one sentence he spoke—I can never forget it: + </p> + <p> + “‘Rhoda, there is blood on your sleeve; I have wounded you. Shall we call + it off and fly, as the poor creatures in there think we have, to the + opposite ends of the earth?’ + </p> + <p> + “I almost spoke; I almost added my childish plea to his for them to stop—to + remember me and stop. But not a muscle in my throat responded to my + agonized effort. Her cold, clear ‘No!’ fell before my tongue was loosed or + my heart freed from the ponderous weight crushing it. + </p> + <p> + “‘I have vowed and I keep my promises,’ she went on in a tone quite + strange to me. ‘What would either’s life be worth with the other alive and + happy in this world.’ + </p> + <p> + “He made no answer; and those subtle movements—shadows of movements + I might almost call them—recommenced. Then there came a sudden cry, + shrill and poignant—had Grandfather been in his room he would surely + have heard it—and the flash coming almost simultaneously with its + utterance, I saw what has haunted my sleep from that day to this, my + father pinned against the wall, sword still in hand, and before him my + mother, fiercely triumphant, her staring eyes fixed on his and— + </p> + <p> + “Nature could bear no more; the band loosened from my throat; the + oppression lifted from my breast long enough for me to give one wild wail + and she turned, saw (heaven sent its flashes quickly at this moment) and + recognizing my childish form, all the horror of her deed (or so I have + fondly hoped) rose within her, and she gave a start and fell full upon the + point upturned to receive her. + </p> + <p> + “A groan; then a gasping sigh from him, and silence settled upon the room + and upon my heart, and so far as I knew upon the whole created world. + </p> + <p> + “That is my story, friends. Do you wonder that I have never been or lived + like other men?” + </p> + <p> + After a few moments of sympathetic silence, Mr. Van Broecklyn went on, to + say: + </p> + <p> + “I don’t think I ever had a moment’s doubt that my parents both lay dead + on the floor of that great room. When I came to myself—which may + have been soon, and may not have been for a long while—the lightning + had ceased to flash, leaving the darkness stretching like a blank pall + between me and that spot in which were concentrated all the terrors of + which my imagination was capable. I dared not enter it. I dared not take + one step that way. My instinct was to fly and hide my trembling body again + in my own bed; and associated with this, in fact dominating it and making + me old before my time, was another—never to tell; never to let any + one, least of all my grandfather—know what that forbidden room now + contained. I felt in an irresistible sort of way that my father’s and + mother’s honour was at stake. Besides, terror held me back; I felt that I + should die if I spoke. Childhood has such terrors and such heroisms. + Silence often covers in such, abysses of thought and feeling which + astonish us in later years. There is no suffering like a child’s, + terrified by a secret which it dare not for some reason disclose. + </p> + <p> + “Events aided me. When, in desperation to see once more the light and all + the things which linked me to life—my little bed, the toys on the + window-sill, my squirrel in its cage—I forced myself to retraverse + the empty house, expecting at every turn to hear my father’s voice or come + upon the image of my mother—yes, such was the confusion of my mind, + though I knew well enough even then that they were dead and that I should + never hear the one or see the other. I was so benumbed with the cold in my + half-dressed condition, that I woke in a fever next morning after a + terrible dream which forced from my lips the cry of ‘Mother! Mother!’—only + that. + </p> + <p> + “I was cautious even in delirium. This delirium and my flushed cheeks and + shining eyes led them to be very careful of me. I was told that my mother + was away from home; and when after two days of search they were quite sure + that all effort to find either her or my father were likely to prove + fruitless, that she had gone to Europe where we would follow her as soon + as I was well. This promise, offering as it did, a prospect of immediate + release from the terrors which were consuming me, had an extraordinary + effect upon me. I got up out of my bed saying that I was well now and + ready to start on the instant. The doctor, finding my pulse equable, and + my whole condition wonder fully improved, and attributing it, as was + natural, to my hope of soon joining my mother, advised my whim to be + humoured and this hope kept active till travel and intercourse with + children should give me strength and prepare me for the bitter truth + ultimately awaiting me. They listened to him and in twenty-four hours our + preparations were made. We saw the house closed—with what emotions + surging in one small breast, I leave you to imagine—and then started + on our long tour. For five years we wandered over the continent of Europe, + my grandfather finding distraction, as well as myself, in foreign scenes + and associations. + </p> + <p> + “But return was inevitable. What I suffered on reentering this house, God + and my sleepless pillow alone know. Had any discovery been made in our + absence; or would it be made now that renovation and repairs of all kinds + were necessary? Time finally answered me. My secret was safe and likely to + continue so, and this fact once settled, life became endurable, if not + cheerful. Since then I have spent only two nights out of this house, and + they were unavoidable. When my grandfather died I had the wainscot door + cemented in. It was done from this side and the cement painted to match + the wood. No one opened the door nor have I ever crossed its threshold. + Sometimes I think I have been foolish; and sometimes I know that I have + been very wise. My reason has stood firm; how do I know that it would have + done so if I had subjected myself to the possible discovery that one or + both of them might have been saved if I had disclosed instead of concealed + my adventure.” + </p> + <p> + A pause during which white horror had shone on every face; then with a + final glance at Violet, he said: + </p> + <p> + “What sequel do you see to this story, Miss Strange? I can tell the past, + I leave you to picture the future.” + </p> + <p> + Rising, she let her eye travel from face to face till it rested on the one + awaiting it, when she answered dreamily: + </p> + <p> + “If some morning in the news column there should appear an account of the + ancient and historic home of the Van Broecklyns having burned to the + ground in the night, the whole country would mourn, and the city feel + defrauded of one of its treasures. But there are five persons who would + see in it the sequel which you ask for.” + </p> + <p> + When this happened, as it did happen, some few weeks later, the + astonishing discovery was made that no insurance had been put upon this + house. Why was it that after such a loss Mr. Van Broecklyn seemed to renew + his youth? It was a constant source of comment among his friends. + </p> + <p> + END OF PROBLEM VIII <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROBLEM IX. VIOLET’S OWN + </h2> + <h3> + “It has been too much for you?” + </h3> + <p> + “I am afraid so.” + </p> + <p> + It was Roger Upjohn who had asked the question; it was Violet who + answered. They had withdrawn from a crowd of dancers to a balcony, + half-shaded, half open to the moon,—a balcony made, it would seem, + for just such stolen interviews between waltzes. + </p> + <p> + Now, as it happened, Roger’s face was in the shadow, but Violet’s in the + full light. Very sweet it looked, very ethereal, but also a little wan. He + noticed this and impetuously cried: + </p> + <p> + “You are pale; and your hand! see, how it trembles!” + </p> + <p> + Slowly withdrawing it from the rail where it had rested, she sent one + quick glance his way and, in a low voice, said: + </p> + <p> + “I have not slept since that night.” + </p> + <p> + “Four days!” he murmured. Then, after a moment of silence, “You bore + yourself so bravely at the time, I thought, or rather, I hoped, that + success had made you forget the horror. I could not have slept myself, if + I had known—” + </p> + <p> + “It is part of the price I pay,” she broke in gently. “All good things + have to be paid for. But I see—I realize that you do not consider + what I am doing good. Though it helps other people—has helped you—you + wonder why, with all the advantages I possess, I should meddle with + matters so repugnant to a woman’s natural instincts.” + </p> + <p> + Yes, he wondered. That was evident from his silence. Seeing her as she + stood there, so quaintly pretty, so feminine in look and manner—in + short, such a flower—it was but natural that he should marvel at the + incongruity she had mentioned. + </p> + <p> + “It has a strange, odd look,” she admitted, after a moment of troubled + hesitation. “The most considerate person cannot but regard it as a display + of egotism or of a most mercenary spirit. The cheque you sent me for what + I was enabled to do for you in Massachusetts (the only one I have ever + received which I have been tempted to refuse) shows to what extent you + rated my help and my—my expectations. Had I been a poor girl + struggling for subsistence, this generosity would have warmed my heart as + a token of your desire to cut that struggle short. But taken with your + knowledge of my home and its luxuries, it has often made me wonder what + you thought.” + </p> + <p> + “Shall I tell you?” + </p> + <p> + He had stepped forward at this question and his countenance, hitherto + concealed, became visible in the moonlight. She no longer recognized it. + Transformed by feeling, it shone down upon her, instinct with all that is + finest and best in masculine nature. Was she ready for this revelation of + what she had nevertheless dreamed of for many more nights than four? She + did not know, and instinctively drew herself back till it was she who now + stood in the semi-obscurity made by the drooping vines. From this retreat, + she faltered forth a very tremulous No, which in another moment was + disavowed by a Yes so faint it was little more than a murmur, followed by + a still fainter, Tell me. + </p> + <p> + But he did not seem in any haste to obey, sweetly as her low-toned + injunction must have sounded in his ears. On the contrary, he hesitated to + speak, growing paler every minute as he sought to catch a glimpse of her + downcast face so tantalizingly hidden from him. Did she recognize the + nature of the feelings which held him back, or was she simply gathering up + sufficient courage to plead her own cause? Whatever her reason, it was + she, not he, who presently spoke saying as if no time had elapsed: + </p> + <p> + “But first, I feel obliged to admit that it was money I wanted, that I had + to have. Not for myself. I lack nothing and could have more if I wished. + Father has never limited his generosity in any matter affecting myself, + but—” She drew a deep breath and, coming out of the shadow, lifted a + face to him so changed from its usual expression as to make him start. “I + have a cause at heart—one which should appeal to my father and does + not; and for that purpose I have sacrificed myself, in many ways, though—though + I have not disliked my work up to this last attempt. Not really. I want to + be honest and so must admit that much. I have even gloried (quietly and + all by myself, of course) over the solution of a mystery which no one else + seemed able to penetrate. I am made that way. I have known it ever since—but + that is a story all by itself. Some day I may tell it to you, but not + now.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not now.” The emphasis sent the colour into her cheek but did not + relieve his pallor. “Miss Strange, I have always felt, even in my worst + days, that the man who for selfish ends brought a woman under the shadow + of his own unhappy reputation was a man to be despised. And I think so + still, and yet—and yet—nothing in the world but your own word + or look can hold me back now from telling you that I love you—love + you notwithstanding my unworthy past, my scarring memories, my all but + blasted hopes. I do not expect any response; you are young; you are + beautiful; you are gifted with every grace; but to speak,—to say + over and over again, ‘I love you, I love you!’ eases my heart and makes my + future more endurable. Oh, do not look at me like that unless—unless—” + </p> + <p> + But the bright head did not fall, nor the tender gaze falter; and driven + out of himself, Roger Upjohn was about to step passionately forward, when, + seized by fresh compunction, he hoarsely cried: + </p> + <p> + “It is not right. The balance dips too much my way. You bring me + everything. I can give you nothing but what you already possess abundance—love, + and money. Besides, your father—” + </p> + <p> + She interrupted him with a glance at once arch and earnest. + </p> + <p> + “I had a talk with Father this morning. He came to my room, and—and + it was very near being serious. Someone had told him I was doing things on + the sly which he had better look into; and of course he asked questions + and—and I answered them. He wasn’t pleased—in fact he was very + displeased,—I don’t think we can blame him for that—but we had + no open break for I love him dearly, for all my opposing ways, and he saw + that, and it helped, though he did say after I had given my promise to + stop where I was and never to take up such work again, that—” here + she stole a shy look at the face bent so eagerly towards her—“that I + had lost my social status and need never hope now for the attentions of—of—well, + of such men as he admires and puts faith in. So you see,” her dimples all + showing, “that I am not such a very good match for an Upjohn of + Massachusetts, even if he has a reputation to recover and an honourable + name to achieve. The scale hangs more evenly than you think.” + </p> + <p> + “Violet!” + </p> + <p> + A mutual look, a moment of perfect silence, then a low whisper, airy as + the breath of flowers rising from the garden below: “I have never known + what happiness was till this moment. If you will take me with my story + untold—” + </p> + <p> + “Take you! take you!” The man’s whole yearning heart, the loss and + bitterness of years, the hope and promise of the future, all spoke in that + low, half-smothered exclamation. Violet’s blushes faded under its + fervency, and only her spirit spoke, as leaning towards him, she laid her + two hands in his, and said with all a woman’s earnestness: + </p> + <p> + “I do not forget little Roger, or the father who I hope may have many more + days before him in which to bid good-night to the sea. Such union as ours + must be hallowed, because we have so many persons to make happy besides + ourselves.” + </p> + <p> + The evening before their marriage, Violet put a dozen folded sheets of + closely written paper in his hand. They contained her story; let us read + it with him. + </p> + <p> + DEAR ROGER,— + </p> + <p> + I could not have been more than seven years old, when one night I woke up + shivering, at the sound of angry voices. A conversation which no child + should ever have heard, was going on in the room where I lay. My father + was talking to my sister—perhaps, you do not know that I have a + sister; few of my personal friends do,—and the terror she evinced I + could well understand but not his words nor the real cause of his + displeasure. + </p> + <p> + There are times even yet when the picture, forced upon my infantile + consciousness at that moment of first awakening, comes back to me with all + its original vividness. There was no light in the room save such as the + moon made; but that was enough to reveal the passion burningly alive in + either face, as, bending towards each other, she in supplication and he in + a tempest of wrath which knew no bounds, he uttered and she listened to + what I now know to have been a terrible arraignment. + </p> + <p> + I may have an interesting countenance; you have told me so sometimes; but + she—she was beautiful. My elder by ten years, she had stood in my + mother’s stead to me for almost as long as I could remember, and as I saw + her lovely features contorted with pain and her hands extended in a + desperate plea to one who had never shown me anything but love, my throat + closed sharply and I could not cry out though I wanted to, nor move head + or foot though I longed with all my heart to bury myself in the pillows. + </p> + <p> + For the words I heard were terrifying, little as I comprehended their full + purport. He had surprised her talking from her window to someone down + below, and after saying cruel things about that, he shouted out: “You have + disgraced me, you have disgraced yourself, you have disgraced your brother + and your little sister. Was it not enough that you should refuse to marry + the good man I had picked out for you, that you should stoop to this + low-down scoundrel—this—” I did not hear what else he called + him, I was wondering so to whom she had been stooping; I had never seen + her stoop except to tie my little shoes. + </p> + <p> + But when she cried out as she did after an interval, “I love him! I love + him!” then I listened again, for she spoke as though she were in dreadful + pain, and I did not know that loving made one ill and unhappy. “And I am + going to marry him,” I heard her add, standing up, as she said it, very + straight and tall. + </p> + <p> + Marry! I knew what that meant. A long aisle in a church; women in white + and big music in the air behind. I had been flower-girl at a wedding once + and had not forgotten. We had had ice cream and cake and— + </p> + <p> + But my childish thoughts stopped short at the answer she received and all + the words which followed—words which burned their way into my + infantile brain and left scorched places in my memory which will never be + eradicated. He spoke them—spoke them all; she never answered again + after that once, and when he was gone did not move for a long time and + when she did it was to lie down, stiff and straight, just as she had + stood, on her bed alongside mine. + </p> + <p> + I was frightened; so frightened, my little brass bed rattled under me. I + wonder she did not hear it. But she heard nothing; and after awhile she + was so still I fell asleep. But I woke again. Something hot had fallen on + my cheek. I put up my hand to brush it away and did not know even when I + felt my fingers wet that it was a tear from my sister-mother’s eye. + </p> + <p> + For she was kneeling then; kneeling close beside me and her arm was over + my small body; and the bed was shaking again but not this time with my + tremors only. And I was sorry and cried too until I dropped off to sleep + again with her arm still passionately embracing me. + </p> + <p> + In the morning, she was gone. + </p> + <p> + It must have been that very afternoon that Father came in where Arthur and + I were trying to play,—trying, but not quite succeeding, for I had + been telling Arthur, for whom I had a great respect in those days, what + had happened the night before, and we had been wondering in our childish + way if there would be a wedding after all, and a church full of people, + and flowers, and kissing, and lots of good things to eat, and Arthur had + said No, it was too expensive; that that was why Father was so angry; and + comforted by the assertion, I was taking up my doll again, when the door + opened and Father stepped in. + </p> + <p> + It was a great event—any visit from him to the nursery—and we + both dropped our toys and stood staring, not knowing whether he was going + to be nice and kind as he sometimes was, or scold us as I had heard him + scold our beautiful sister. + </p> + <p> + Arthur showed at once what he thought, for without the least hesitation he + took the one step which placed him in front of me, where he stood waiting + with his two little fists hanging straight at his sides but manfully + clenched in full readiness for attack. That this display of pigmy chivalry + was not quite without its warrant is evident to me now, for Father did not + look like himself or act like himself any more than he had the night + before. + </p> + <p> + However, we had no cause for fear. Having no suspicion of my having been + awake during his terrible interview with Theresa, he saw only two lonely + and forsaken children, interrupted in their play. + </p> + <p> + Can I remember what he said to us? Not exactly, though Arthur and I often + went over it choked whispers in some secret nook of the dreary old house; + but his meaning—that we took in well enough. Theresa had left us. + She would never come back. We were not to look out of the window for her, + or run to the door when the bell rang. Our mother had left us too, a long + time ago, and she lay in the cemetery where we sometimes carried flowers. + Theresa was not in the cemetery, but we must think of her as there; though + not as if she had any need of flowers. Having said this, he looked at us + quietly for a minute. Arthur was trying very hard not to cry, but I was + sobbing like the lost child I was, with my cheek against the floor where I + had thrown myself when he said that awful thing about the cemetery. She + there! my sister-mother there! I think he felt a little sorry for me; for + he half stooped as if to lift me up. But he straightened again and said + very sternly: + </p> + <p> + “Now, children, listen to me. When God takes people to heaven and leaves + us only their cold, dead bodies we carry flowers to their graves and talk + about them some if not very much. But when people die because they love + dark ways better than light, then we do not remember them with gifts and + we do not talk about them. Your sister’s name has been spoken for the last + time in this house. You, Arthur, are old enough to know what I mean when I + say that I will never listen to another word about her from either you or + Violet as long as you and I live. She is gone and nothing that is mine + shall she ever touch again. + </p> + <p> + “You hear me, Arthur; you hear me, Violet. Heed me, or you go too.” + </p> + <p> + His aspect was terrible, so was his purpose; much more terrible than we + realized at the time with our limited understanding and experience. Later, + we came to know the full meaning of this black drop which had been infused + into our lives. When we saw every picture of her destroyed which had been + in the house; her name cut out from the leaves of books; the little tokens + she had given us surreptitiously taken away, till not a vestige of her + once beloved presence remained, we began to realize that we had indeed + lost her. + </p> + <p> + But children as young as we were then do not long retain the poignancy of + their first griefs. Gradually my memories of that awful night ceased to + disturb my dreams and I was sixteen before they were again recalled to me + with any vividness, and then it was by accident. I had been strolling + through a picture gallery and had stopped short to study more particularly + one which had especially taken my fancy. There were two ladies sitting on + a bench behind me and one of them was evidently very deaf, for their talk + was loud, though I am sure they did not mean for me to hear, for they were + discussing my family. That is, one of them had said: + </p> + <p> + “That’s Violet Strange. She will never be the beauty her sister was; but + perhaps that’s not to be deplored. Theresa made a great mess of it.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s true. I hear that she and the Signor have been seen lately here in + town. In poverty, of course. He hadn’t even as much go in him as the + ordinary singing-master.” + </p> + <p> + I suppose I should have hurried away, and left this barbed arrow to rankle + where it fell. But I could not. I had never learned a word of Theresa’s + fate and that word poverty, proving that she was alive and suffering, held + me to my place to hear what more they might say of her who for years had + been for me an indistinct figure bathed in cruel moonlight. + </p> + <p> + “I have never approved of Peter Strange’s conduct at that time,” one of + the voices now went on. “He didn’t handle her right. She had a lovely + disposition and would have listened to him had he been more gentle with + her. But it isn’t in him. I hope this one—” + </p> + <p> + I didn’t hear the end of that. I had no interest in anything they might + say about myself. It was of her I wanted to hear, of her. Weren’t they + going to say anything more about my poor sister? Yes; it was a topic which + interested both and presently I heard: + </p> + <p> + “He’ll never do anything for her, no matter what happens; I’ve heard him + say so. And Laura has vowed the same.” (Laura is our aunt.) “Besides, + Theresa has a pride of her own quite equal to her father’s. She wouldn’t + take anything from him now. She’d rather struggle on. I’m told—I + don’t know how true it is—that she’s working in a department store; + one of the Sixth Avenue ones. Oh, there’s Mrs. Vandegraff! Don’t you want + to speak to her?” + </p> + <p> + They moved off, leaving me still gazing with unseeing eyes at the picture + before which I stood planted, and saying over and over in monotonous + iteration, “One of the department stores in Sixth Avenue! One of the + department stores in Sixth Avenue!” + </p> + <p> + Which department store? + </p> + <p> + I meant to find out. + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether up till then I had had the least consciousness of + possessing what is called the detective instinct. But, at the prospect of + this quest, so much like that of the proverbial needle in a haystack, as I + did not even know my sister’s married name and something within me forbade + my asking it, I experienced an odd sense of elation followed by a + certainty of success which in five minutes changed me from an + irresponsible girl to a woman with a deliberate purpose in life. + </p> + <p> + I am not going to write down here all the details of that search. Some day + I may relate them to you, but not now. I looked first for a beautiful + woman, for the straight, slim, and exquisite creature I remembered. I did + not find her. Then I tried another course. Her figure might have changed + in the ten years which had elapsed; so might her expression. I would look + for a woman with beautiful dark eyes; time could not have altered them. I + had forgotten the effect of constant weeping. And I saw many eyes, but not + hers; not the ones I had seen smiling upon me as I lay in my crib before + the days I was lifted to the dignity of the little brass bed. So I gave + that up too and listened to the inner voice which said, “You must wait for + her to recognize you. You can never hope to recognize her.” And it was by + following this plan that I found her. I had arranged to have my name + spoken aloud at every counter where I bargained; and oh, the bargains I + sought, and the garments I had tried on! But I made little progress until + one day, after my name had been uttered a little louder than usual I saw a + woman turn from rearranging gowns on a hanger, and give me one look. + </p> + <p> + I uttered a low cry and sprang impetuously, forward. Instantly she turned + her back and went on hanging, or trying to hang up, gowns on the rack + before her. Had I been mistaken? She was not the sister of my dreams, but + there was something fine in her outline; something distinguished in the + way she carried her head which— + </p> + <p> + Next minute my last doubt fled! She had fallen her length on the floor and + lay with her face buried in her hands in a dead faint. + </p> + <p> + Oh, Roger, Roger, Roger! I had that dear head on my breast in a moment. I + talked to her, I whispered prayers in her unconscious ear. I did + everything I should not have done till they all thought me demented. When + she came to, as she did under other ministrations than mine, I was for + carrying her off in my limousine. But she shook her head with a gesture of + such disapproval, that I realized I could not do that. The limousine was + my father’s, and nothing of his was ever to be used for her again. I would + call a cab; but she told me that she had not the money to pay for it and + she would not take mine. Carfare she had; five cents would take her home. + I need not worry. + </p> + <p> + She smiled as she said this and for an instant I saw my dream-sister again + in this weary half-disheartened woman. But the smile was a fleeting one, + for this was to be her last day in the store; she had no talent as a + saleswoman and was merely working out her week. + </p> + <p> + I felt my heart sink heavily at this, for the evidences of poverty were + plainly to be seen in her clothes and the thinness of her face and figure. + How could I help? What could I do? I took her to a restaurant for food and + talk, and before she would order, she looked into her purse, with the + result that we had only a little toast and tea. It was all she could + afford and I, with a hundred dollars in bills at that moment in my bag, + could not offer her anything more though she was needing nourishment and + dishes piled with savoury meats were going by us every moment. + </p> + <p> + I think, if she had let me, I would have dared my father’s displeasure and + been disobedient to his wishes by giving her one wholesome meal. But she + was as resolute of mind as he, and, as she said afterwards, had chosen her + course in life and must abide by it. My love she would accept. It took + nothing from Father and gave her what her heart was pining for—had + pined for for years. But nothing more—not another thing more. She + would not even let me go home with her; and I knew why when her eyes fell + at the searching look I gave her. Something would turn up, and when her + husband’s health was better and she had found another position she would + send me her address and then I could come and see her. As we walked out of + the restaurant we ran against a gentleman I knew. He stopped me for a + passing word and in that minute she disappeared. I did not try to follow + her. I could get her street and number from the store where she had + worked. + </p> + <p> + But when I had done this and embraced the first opportunity which offered + to visit her, I found that she had moved away in the interim, leaving + everything behind in payment of her rent, except such small things as she + and her husband could carry. This was discouraging as it left me without + any clue by which to follow them. But I was determined not to yield to her + desire for concealment in the difficult and disheartening task I now saw + before me. + </p> + <p> + Seeking advice from the man who has since become my employer, I entered + upon this second search with a quiet resolution which admitted of no + defeat. It took me six months, but I finally found her, and satisfied with + knowing where she was, desisted from rushing in upon her, till I had + caught one glimpse of her husband whom, in the last six months, I had + heard described but had never seen. To understand her, it was perhaps + necessary to understand him, and if I could not hope to do this offhand, I + could not fail to get some idea of the man from even the most casual look. + </p> + <p> + He was, as I soon learned, the fetcher and carrier of the small ménage; + and the day came when I met him face to face in the street where they + lived. Did he disappoint me; or did I see something in his appearance to + justify her desertion of her father’s home and her present life of + poverty? If I say Yes to the first question, I must also say it to the + last. If handsome once, he was not handsome now; but with a personality + such as his, this did not matter. He had that better thing—that + greatest gift of the gods—charm. It was in his bearing, his + movement, the regard of his weary eye; more than that it was in his very + nature or it would have vanished long ago under disappointment and + privation. + </p> + <p> + But that was all there was to the man,—a golden net in which my + sister’s youthful fancy had been caught and no doubt held meshed to this + very day. I felt less like blaming her for her folly, after that instant’s + view of him as we passed each other in the street. But, as I took time to + think, I found myself growing sorrier and sorrier for her and yet, in a + way, gladder and gladder, for the man was a physical wreck and would soon + pass out of her life leaving her to my love and possibly to our father’s + forgiveness. + </p> + <p> + But I did not know Theresa. After her husband’s death, which occurred very + soon, she let me come to her and we had a long talk. Shall I ever + forget it or the sight of her beauty in that sordid room? For, account for + it as you will, the loveliness which had fled under her sense of complete + isolation had slowly regained its own with the recognition that she still + had a place in the heart of her little sister. Not even the sorrow she + felt for the loss of her suffering husband—and she did mourn him; + this I am glad to say—could more than temporarily stay this. Six + months of ease and wholesome food would make her—I hardly dared to + think what. For I knew, without asking her, or she telling me, that she + would accept neither; that she was as determined now, as ever that nothing + which came directly or indirectly from Father should go to the rebuilding + of her life. That she intended to start anew and work her way up to a + place where I should be glad to see her she did say. But nothing more. She + was still the sister-mother, loving, but sufficient to herself, though she + had but ten dollars left in the world, as she showed me with a smile that + made her beautiful as an angel. + </p> + <p> + I can see that shabby little purse yet with its one poor greasy bill;—a + sum to her but to me the price of a luncheon or a gift of flowers. How I + longed, as I looked at it to tear every jewel from my poor, bedecked body + and fling them one and all into her lap. I had worn them in profusion, + though carefully hidden under my coat, in the hope that she would accept + one of them at least, But she refused all, even such as had been gifts of + friends and schoolmates, only humouring me this far, that she let me hang + them for a few minutes about her neck and in her hair and then pull them + all off again. But this one vision of her in the splendour she was born to + comforted me. Henceforth in wearing them it would be of her and not of + myself I should think. + </p> + <p> + Well, I had to leave her and go home to my French and Italian lessons, my + music-masters and all the luxuries of our father’s house. Should I ever + see her again? I did not know; she had not promised. I could not go often + into the quarter where she lived, without rousing suspicion; and she had + bidden me not to come again for a month. So I waited, half fearing she + would flit again before the month was up. But she did not. She was still + there when— + </p> + <p> + But I am going too fast. The meeting I was about to mention was a very + memorable one to me, and I must describe it from the beginning. I had + ridden in my own car as near as I dared to the street where she lived; the + rest of the way I went on foot with one of the servants—a new one—following + close behind me. I was not exactly afraid, but the actions of some of the + people I had encountered at my former visit warned me to be a little + careful for my father’s sake if not for my own. Her room—she had but + one—was high up in a triangular court it was no pleasure to enter. + But love and loyalty heed nothing but the object sought, and I was hunting + about for the dark doorway which opened upon the staircase leading to her + room when—and this was the great moment of my life—a sudden + stream of melody floated down into that noisome court, which from its + clearness, its accuracy, its richness, and its feeling startled me as I + had never before been startled even by the first notes of the world’s + greatest singers. What a voice for a place like this! What a voice for any + place! Whose could it be? With a start, I stopped short, in the middle of + that court, heedless of the crowd of pushing, shouting children who at + once gathered about me. I had been struck by an old recollection. My + sister used to sing. I remembered where her piano had stood in the great + drawing-room. It had been carted away during those dreadful weeks and her + music all burned; but the vision of her graceful figure bending over the + keyboard was one not to be forgotten even by a thoughtless child. Could it + be—oh, heaven! if this voice were hers! Her future was certain; she + had but to sing. + </p> + <p> + In a transport of hope I rushed for the dim entrance the children had + pointed out and flew up to her room. As I reached it, I heard a trill as + perfect as Tetrazzini’s. The singer was Theresa; there could be no more + doubt. Theresa! exercising a grand voice as only a great artist would or + could. + </p> + <p> + The joy of it made me almost faint. I leaned against her door and sobbed. + Then when I thought I could speak quite calmly, I went in. + </p> + <p> + Roger, you must understand me now,—my desire for money and the means + I have taken to obtain it. My sister had the makings of a prima-donna. Her + husband, of whose ability I had formed so low an estimate, had trained her + with consummate skill and judgment. All she needed was a year with some + great maestro in the foreign atmosphere of art. But this meant money—not + hundreds but thousands, and the one sure source to which we might + rightfully look for any such amount was effectually closed to us. It is + true we had relatives—an aunt on our mother’s side, and I mentioned + her to Theresa. But she would not listen to the suggestion. She would take + nothing from any one whom she would find it hard to face in case of + failure. Love must go with an advance involving so much risk; love deep + enough and strong enough to feel no loss save that of a defeated hope. In + short, to be acceptable, the money must come from me, and as this was + manifestly impossible, she considered the matter closed and began to talk + of a position she had been offered in some choir. I let her talk, + listening and not listening; for the idea had come to me that if in some + way I could earn money, she might be induced to take it. Finally, I asked + her. She laughed, letting her kisses answer me. But I did not laugh. If + she had capabilities in one way, I had them in another. + </p> + <p> + I went home to think. + </p> + <p> + Two weeks later, I began, in a very quiet way to do certain work for the + man who had helped me in my second search for Theresa. The money I have + earned has been immense; since it was troubles of the rich I was given to + settle, and I was almost always successful. Every cent has gone to her. + She has been in Europe for a year and last week she made her debut. You + read about it in the papers, but neither you nor any one else in this + country but myself knew that under the name she chosen to assume, Theresa + Strange, the long forgotten beauty, has recovered that place in the world, + to which her love and genius entitle her. + </p> + <p> + This is my story and hers. From now on, you are the third in the secret. + Some day, my father will be the fourth. I think then, a new dawn of love + will arise for us all, which will stay the whitening of his dear head—for + I believe in him after all. Yesterday when he passed the wall where her + picture once hung—no other has ever hung there—I saw him stop + and look up, and, Roger, when he passed me a minute later, there was a + tear in his hard eye. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Golden Slipper, by Anna Katharine Green + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GOLDEN SLIPPER *** + +***** This file should be named 3071-h.htm or 3071-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/3/0/7/3071/ + +Produced by Lynn and Chris Hill, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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