\"Atlastitwasfinishedandshestoodbeforemelife-likeandrealintheverygarmentsandwithalmosttheveryaspectofthatnevertobeforgottenmoment。EventheroseswhichinthesecretuneasinessofmyconscienceIhadputinherhandonourdeparturefromTroy，asasortofvisibletokenthatIregardedherasmybride，andwhichthroughallherinterviewwithmyfathershehadneverdropped，blossomedbeforemeonthecanvas。Nothingthatcouldgiverealitytothelikeness，waslacking；thevisionofmydreamsstoodembodiedinmysight，andIlookedforpeace。Alas，thatpicturenowbecamemydream。
\"InsertingitbehindthatofEvelynwhichfortwoyearshadhelditsplaceabovemyarmchair，IturneditsfacetothewallwhenIroseinthemorning。Butatnightitbeamedeveruponme，becomingasthemonthspassed，theonethingtoholdtoandmuseoverwhentheworldgrewalittlenoisyinmyearsandtheneverceasingconflictoftheagesbeatatrifletooloudlyonheartandbrain。
\"Meanwhilenowordofher，onlyofhervillainousfatherandbrother；
notokenthatshehadescapedevilorwasremovedfromwant。IfIhadlovedherIcouldnothavesuccoredher，forIdidnotknowwheretofindher。Hercountenanceilluminedmywall，butherfairyoungselflayforallIknewshelteredwithinthedarknessandsilenceofthetomb。
\"Atlengthmymorbidbroodingsworkedouttheirnaturalresult。A
dullmelancholysettleduponmewhichnothingcouldbreak。Eventhenewsthatmycousinwhohadlostherhusbandamonthaftermarriage，hadreturnedtoAmericawithexpectationtoremain，scarcelycausedarippleinmyapathy。WasIsinkingintoahypochrondriac?orwasmypassionforthebeautifulbrunettedead?Ideterminedtosolvethedoubt。
\"SeekingherwhereIknewshewouldbefound，Igazedagainuponherbeauty。Itwasabsolutelynothingtome。AfairyoungfacewithhighthoughtsineveryglancefloatedlikesunshinebetweenusandIleftthehaughtyCountess，withtheknowledgeburneddeepintomybrain，thattheloveIhadconsideredslainwasaliveanddemanding，butthattheobjectofitpastrecall，wasmylostyoungwife。
\"Onceassuredofthis，myapathyvanishedlikemistbeforeakindledtorch。Henceforththefutureheldahope，andlifeapurpose。IwouldseekmywifethroughouttheworldandbringherbackifIfoundherinprisonbetweenthemenwhoseexistencewasacursetomypride。ButwhereshouldIturnmysteps?Whatgoldenthreadhadsheleftinmyhandbywhichtotraceherthroughthelabyrinthofthisworld?I
couldthinkofbutone，andthatwasthelovewhichwouldrestrainherfromgoingawayfrommetoofar。TheLuttraofoldwouldnotleavethecitywhereherhusbandlived。Ifshewasnotchanged，IoughttobeabletofindhersomewherewithinthisgreatBabylonofours。
Wisdomtoldmetosetthepoliceuponhertrack，butpridebademetryeveryothermeansfirst。Sowiththefeverishenergyofoneleadingaforlornhope，IbegantopacethestreetsifhaplyImightseeherfaceshineuponmefromthecrowdofpassersby；afoolishfancy，unproductiveofresult!Inotonlyfailedtoseeher，butanyonelikeher。
Inthemidstofthedespairoccasionedbythisfailureathoughtflashedacrossmeorratheraremembrance。Onenightnotlongsince，beinguncommonlyrestless，Ihadrisenfrommybed，dressedmeandgoneoutintotheyardbackofmyhouseforalittleair。ItwasanunusualthingformetodobutIseemedtobesuffocatingwhereI
was，andnothingelsewouldsatisfyme。Asyoualreadysurmise，itwasthenightonwhichdisappearedthesewinggirlofwhichyouhavesooftenspoken，butIknewnothingofthat，mythoughtswerefarfrommyownhomeanditsconcerns。YoumayjudgewhatastateofmindIwasinwhenItellyouthatIeventhoughtatonemomentwhileIpausedbeforethegateleadinginto——StreetthatIsawthefaceofherwithwhommythoughtswereeverbusy，peeringuponmethroughthebars。
\"YoutellmethatIdidseeagirlthere，andthatitwastheonewhohadlivedassewingwomaninmyhouse；itmaybeso，butatthetimeIconsidereditavisionofmywife，andtheremembranceofit，comingasitdidaftermyrepeatedfailurestoencounterherinthestreet，workedachangeinmyplans。Forregarditasweaknessornot，therecollectionthatthevisionIhadseenworethegarmentsofaworking-womanratherthanalady，acteduponmelikeawarningnottosearchforheranylongeramongtheresortsofthewelldressed，butintheregionsofpovertyandtoil。IthereforetooktowanderingssuchasIhavenohearttodescribe。NordoIneedto，if，asyouhaveinformedme，Ihavebeenfollowed。
\"Theresultwasalmostmadness。ThoughdeepinmyheartIfeltasteadfasttrustinthepurityofherintentions，thefearofwhatshemighthavebeendriventobytheawfulpovertyanddespairIeverydaysawseethingaboutme，waslikehotsteelinbrainandheart。Thenherfatherandherbrother!Towhatmighttheynothaveforcedher，innocentandlovingsoulthoughshewas!DrinkingthedregsofacupsuchasIhadneverconsidereditpossibleformetotaste，IgotsofarastobelievethathereyeswouldyetflashuponmefrombeneathsomeofthetatteredshawlsIsawsullyingtheformsoftheyounggirlsuponwhichIhourlystumbled。Yes，andevenmadeamovetoseemycousin，ifhaplyIcouldsowinuponhercompassionastogainherconsenttoshelterthepoorcreatureofmydreamsincasethenecessitycame。Butmyheartfailedmeatthesightofhercoldfaceabovethesplendorshehadboughtwithhercharms，andIwassavedahumiliationImightneverhaverisenabove。
\"Atlast，onedayIsawagirl——no，itwasnotshe，butherhairwassimilartohersinhue，andtheimpulsetofollowherwasirresistible。Ididmorethanthat，Ispoketoher。Iaskedherifshecouldtellmeanythingofonewhoselocksweregoldenredlikehers——ButIneednottellyouwhatIsaidnorwhatsherepliedwithagentledelicacythatwasalmostashocktomeasshowingfromwhatheightstowhatdepthsawomancanfall。EnoughthatnothingpassedbetweenusbeyondwhatIhaveintimated，andthatinallshesaidshegavemenonewsofLuttra。
\"NextdayIstartedfortheramblingoldhouseinVermont，ifhaplyinthespotwhereIfirstsawher，Imightcomeuponsomecluetoherpresentwhereabouts。Buttheoldinnwasdeserted，andwhateverhopeImayhavehadinthatdirection，perishedwiththerest。
\"Concerningthecontentsofthatbureau-drawerabove，Icansaynothing。If，asIscarcelydaretohope，theyshouldprovetohavebeenindeedbroughtherebythegirlwhohassincedisappearedsostrangely，whoknowsbutwhatinthosefoldedgarmentsaclueisgivenwhichwillleadmeatlasttotheknowledgeforwhichIwouldnowbarterallIpossess。Mywife——ButIcanmentionhernamenomoretillthequestionthatnowassailsusissetatrest。Mrs。Danielsmust——\"
ButatthatmomentthedooropenedandMrs。Danielscamein。
CHAPTERXIV
MRS。DANIELS
Shestillworeherbonnetandshawlandherfacewaslikemarble。
\"Youwantme?\"saidshewithahurriedlooktowardsMr。Blakethathadasmuchfearassurpriseinit。
\"Yes，\"murmuredthatgentlemanmovingtowardsherwithaneffortwecouldverywellappreciate。\"Mrs。Daniels，whowasthegirlyouharboredinthatroomaboveusforsolong?Speak；whatwashernameandwheredidshecomefrom?\"
Thehousekeepertremblingineverylimb，castusonehurriedappeal。
\"Speak!\"reechoedMr。Gryce；\"thetimeforsecrecyhaspassed。\"
\"O，\"criedshe，sinkingintoachairfromsheerinabilitytostand，\"itwasyourwife，Mr。Blake，theyoungcreatureyou——\"
\"Ah!\"
Alltheagony，thehopelessness，thelove，thepassionofthoselastfewmonthsflashedupinthatword。Shestoppedasifshehadbeenshot，butseeingthehandwhichhehadhurriedlyraised，fallslowlybeforehim，wentonwithaburst，\"Osir，shemademeswearonmykneesIwouldneverbetrayher，nomatterwhathappened。Whennottwoweeksafteryourfatherdiedshecametothehouseandaskingforme，toldmeallherstoryandallherlove；howshecouldnotreconcileitwithherideaofawife\'sdutytoliveunderanyotherroofthanthatofherhusband，andliftingofftheblackwigwhichshewore，showedmehowalteredshehadmadeherselfbythatsimplechange——inhercasemoremarkedbythefactthathereyeswereinkeepingwithblackhair，whilewithherownbrightlockstheyalwaysgaveyouashockasofsomethingstrangeandhaunting——Igaveupmywillasifforcedbyamagneticpower，andnotonlyopenedthehousetoherbutmyheartaswell；
swearingtoallshedemandedandkeepingmyoathtoo，asIwouldpreservemysoulfromsinandmylifefromtheknifeofthedestroyer。\"
\"But，whenshewent，\"brokefromthepallidlipsofthemanbeforeher，\"whenshewastakenawayfromthehouse，whatthen?\"
\"Ah，\"returnedtheagitatedwoman。\"whatthen!DoyounotthinkI
suffered?Tobeheldbymyoath，anoathIwassatisfiedshewouldwishkeptevenatthiscrisis，yetknowingallthewhileshewasdriftingawayintosomeevilthatyou，ifyouknewwhoshewas，wouldgiveyourlifetoavertfromyourhonorifnotfromherinnocenthead!Toseeyoucold，indifferent，absorbedinotherthings，whileshe，whowouldhaveperishedanydayforyourhappiness，waslosingherlifeperhapsintheclutchesofthosehorriblevillains!DonotaskmetotellyouwhatIhavesufferedsinceshewent；Icannevertellyou，——innocent，tender，noble-heartedcreaturethatshewas。\"
\"Was?\"Hishandclutchedhisheartasifithadbeenseizedbyadeathlyspasm。\"Whydoyousaywas?\"
\"BecauseIhavejustcomefromtheMorguewheresheliesdead。\"
\"No，no，\"cameinalowshriekfromhislips，\"thatisnotshe；thatisanotherwoman，likeherperhaps，butnotshe。\"
\"WouldtoGodyouwereright；butthelonggoldenbraids!SuchhairashersIneversawonanyonebefore。\"
\"Mr。Blakeisright，\"Ibrokein，forIcouldnotendurethissceneanylonger。\"ThewomantakenoutoftheEastriverto-dayhasbeenbothseenandspokentobyhimandthatnotlongsince。Heshouldknowifitishiswife。\"
\"Andisn\'tit?\"
\"No，athousandtimesno；thegirlwasaperfectstranger。\"
Theassuranceseemedtoliftaleadenweightfromherheart。\"OthankGod，\"shemurmureddroppingwithanirresistibleimpulseonherknees。Thenwithasuddenreturnofheroldtremble，\"ButIwasonlytorevealhersecretincaseofherdeath!WhathaveIdone，OwhathaveIdone!Heronlyhopelayinmyfaithfulness。\"
Mr。Blakeleaningheavilyonthetablebeforehim，lookedinherface。
\"Mrs。Daniels，\"saidhe，\"Ilovemywife；herhopenowliesinme。\"
Sheleapedtoherfeetwithajoyousbound。\"Youloveher?OthankGod!\"sheagainreiteratedbutthistimeinalowmurmurtoherself。
\"ThankGod!\"andweepingwithunrestrainedjoy，shedrewbackintoacorner。
Ofcourseafterthat，allthatremainedforustodowastolayourheadstogetherandconsultastothebestmethodofrenewingoursearchaftertheunhappygirl，nowrenderedofdoubleinteresttousbythefactswithwhichwehadjustbeenmadeacquainted。Thatshehadbeenforcedawayfromtheroofthatshelteredherbythepowerofherfatherandbrotherwasofcoursenolongeropentodoubt。Todiscoverthem，therefore，meanttorecoverher。Doyouwonder，then，thatfromthemomentweleftMr。Blake\'shouse，thecaptureofthatbraceofthievesbecametheleadingpurposeofourtwolives?
CHAPTERXV
ACONFAB
NextmorningMr。GryceandImetinseriousconsultation。How，andinwhatdirectionshouldweextendtheinquiriesnecessarytoadiscoveryoftheseSchoenmakers?
\"IadviseathoroughoverhaulingoftheGermanquarter，\"saidmysuperior。\"Schmidt，andRosenthalwillhelpusandtheresultoughttobesatisfactory。\"
ButIshookmyheadatthis。\"Idon\'tbelieve，\"saidI，\"thattheywillhideamongtheirownpeople。Youmustremembertheyarenotalone，buthavewiththemayoungwomanofasomewhatdistinguishedappearance，whosepresenceinacrowdeddistrict，likethat，wouldbesuretoawakengossip；somethingwhichaboveallelsetheymustwanttoavoid。\"
\"Thatistrue；theGermansareadreadfulraceforgossip。\"
\"Iftheydaredtoill-dressherorill-treather，itwouldbedifferent。Butsheisavaluablepieceofpropertytothemyousee，achoicelotofgoodswhichitisfortheirinteresttopreserveinfirst-classconditiontillthedaycomesforitsdisposal。ForI
presumeyouhavenodoubtthatitisforthepurposeofextortingmoneyfromMr。Blakethattheyhavecarriedoffhisyoungwife。\"
\"Forthatreasonoronesimilar。Heisamanofresources，theymayhavehopedhewouldhelpthemtoescapethecountry。\"
\"Iftheydon\'thideintheGermanquartertheycertainlywon\'tintheItalian，FrenchorIrish。Whattheywantistookeepcloseandrousenoquestions。Ithinktheywillbefoundtohavegoneuptheriversomewhere，orovertoJersey。Hobokenwould\'ntbeabadplacetosendSchmidtto。\"
\"Youforgetwhatitisthey\'vegotontheirminds；besidesnoconspicuouspartysuchastheycouldliveinaruraldistrictwithoutattractingmoreattentionthaninthemostcrowdedtenementhouseinthecity。\"
\"Wheredoyouthink，then，theywouldbeliabletogo?\"
\"Wellmymostmaturedthoughtonthesubject，\"returnedMr。Gryce，afteramoment\'sdeliberation，\"isthis，——yousay，andIagree，thattheyhavehamperedthemselveswiththiswomanatthistimeforthepurposeofusingherhereafterinaschemeofblack-mailuponMr。
Blake。He，then，mustbetheobjectaboutwhichtheirthoughtsrevolveandtowardwhichwhateveroperationsorplanstheymaybeengageduponmusttend。Whatfollows?Whenacompanyofmenhavemadeuptheirmindstorobabank，whatisthefirstthingtheydo?Theyhire，ifpossible，ahousenexttotheespecialbuildingtheyintendtoenter，andformonthsworkuponthesecretpassagethroughwhichtheyhopetoreachthesafeanditscontents；ortheymakefriendswiththewatchmanthatguardsitstreasures，andthejanitorwhoopensandshutsthedoors。Inshorttheyhangabouttheirpreybeforetheypounceuponit。AndsowilltheseSchoenmakersdointhesomewhatdifferentrobberywhichtheyplansoonerorlatertoeffect。Whatevermaykeepthemcloseatthismoment，Mr。BlakeandMr。Blake\'shouseisthepointtowardwhichtheireyesareturned，andifwehadtime——\"
\"Butwehave\'nt，\"Ibrokeinimpetuously。\"Itishorribletothinkofthatgrandwomanlanguishingawayinthepowerofsuchrascals。\"
\"Ifwehadtime，\"Mr。Grycepersisted，\"allitwouldbenecessarytodowouldbetowait，theywouldcomeintoourhandsaseasilyandnaturallyasahawkintothesnareofthefowler。Butasyousaywehavenot，andtherefore，IwouldrecommendalittlebeatingofthebushdirectlyaboutMr。Blake\'shouse；forifallmyexperienceisnotatfault，thosemenarealreadywithineye-shotofthepreytheyintendtorundown。\"
\"But，\"saidI，\"Ihavebeenlivingmyselfinthatveryneighborhoodandknowbythistimethewaysofeveryhouseinthevicinity。ThereisnotaspotupanddowntheAvenuefortenblockswheretheycouldhideawayfortwodaysmuchlesstwoweeks。Andasforthesidestreets，——whyIcouldtellyouthenamesofthosewholiveineachhouseforaconsiderabledistance。YetifyousaysoIwillgotowork——\"
\"Do，andmeanwhileSchmidtandRosenthalshallrummagetheGermanquarterandevengothroughWilliamsburghandHoboken。Theendjustifiesanyamountoflaborthatcanbespentuponthismatter。\"
\"Andyou，\"Iasked。
\"Willdomypartwhenyouhavedoneyours。\"
CHAPTERXVI
THEMARKOFTHEREDCROSS
AndwhatsuccessdidImeet?Thebestintheworld。AndbywhatmeansdidIattainit?Bythatofthesimplest，prettiestclueIevercameupon。Butletmeexplain。
Whenafterawearisomedayspentinanineffectualsearchthroughtheneighborhood，Iwenthometomyroom，whichasyourememberwasafrontoneinalodging-houseontheoppositecornerfromMr。Blake，I
wassoabsorbedinmindandperhapsImaysayshakeninnerve，bythestrainunderwhichIhadbeenlaboringforsometimenow，thatI
stumbledupanextraflightofstairs，andwithoutanysuspicionofthefact，triedthedooroftheroomdirectlyovermine。ItisawondertomenowthatIcouldhavemadethemistake，forthehallsweretotallydissimilar，theoneabovebeingmuchmorecutupthantheonebelow，besidesbeingflankedbyagreaternumberofdoors。Buttheintoxicationofthemindisnotfarremovedfromthatofthebody，andasIsayitwasnottillIhadtriedthedoorandfounditlocked，thatIbecameawareofthemistakeIhadmade。
Withthefoolishsenseofshamethatalwaysovercomesusatthecommittalofanysuchtrivialerror，Istumbledhastilyback，whenmyfoottroduponsomethingthatbrokeundermyweight。Ineverletevensmallthingspasswithoutsomenotice。Stooping，then，forwhatIhadthusinadvertentlycrushed，Icarriedittowhereasinglegasjetturneddownverylow，madeapartiallightinthelonghall，andexaminingit，foundittobeapieceofredchalk。
Whatwasthereinthatsimplefacttomakemestartandhastilyrecalloneortwohalf-forgottenincidentswhich，oncebroughttomind，awokeatrainofthoughtthatledtothediscoveryandcaptureofthosetwodesperatethieves?Iwilltellyou。
Idon\'tremembernowwhetherinmyaccountofthevisitIpaidtotheSchoenmakers\'houseinVermont，Iinformedyouofthered
noticedscrawledonthepanelofoneofthedoors。Itseemedatrivialthingatthetimeandmadelittleornoimpressionuponme，thechancesbeingthatIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain，ifI
hadnotcomeuponthearticlejustmentionedatamomentwhenmymindwasfullofthoseverySchoenmakers。Butrememberednow，togetherwithanotherhalf-forgottenfact，——thatsomedayspreviousIhadbeentoldbythewomanwhokeptthehouseIwasin，thatthepartiesovermyheadtwomenandawomanIbelieveshesaidweregivinghersometrouble，butthattheypaidwellandthereforeshedidnotliketoturnthemout，——itarousedavaguesuspicioninmymind，andledtomywalkingbacktothedoorIhadendeavoredtoopeninmyabstraction，andcarefullylookingatit。
Itwasplainandwhite，ratherruderofmakethanthosebelow，butofferingnoinducementsforprolongedscrutiny。Butnotsowiththeonethatstoodatrightanglestoitontheleft。Fullinthecentreofthat，Ibehelddistinctlyscrawled，probablywiththeverypieceofchalkIthenheld，aredcrosspreciselysimilarinoutlinetotheoneIhadseenafewdaysbeforeonthepaneloftheSchoenmakers\'
dooratGranby。
Thediscoverysentathrillovermethatalmostraisedmyhaironend。
Was，then，thisfamoustriotobefoundintheveryhouseinwhichI
hadbeenmyselflivingforaweekormore?overmyheadinfact?I
couldnotwithdrawmygazefromthemysteriouslookingobject。Ibentnear，Ilistened，Iheardwhatsoundedlikethesuppressedsnoreofapowerfulman，andalmosthadtolayholdofmyselftopreventmyhandfrompushingopenthatcloseddoorandmyfeetfromentering。AsitwasIdidfingertheknobalittle，butanextraloudsnorefromwithinremindedmebyitssuggestionofstrengththatIwasbutasmallmanandthatinthiscaseandatthishour，discretionwasthebetterpartofvalor。
Ithereforewithdrew，butforthewholenightlayawakelisteningtocatchanysoundsthatmightcomefromabove，andgoingsofarastoplanwhatIwoulddoifitshouldbeprovedthatIwasindeeduponthetrailofthemenIwassoanxioustoencounter。
WiththebreakingofdayIwasuponmyfeet。ArudestephadgoneupthestairsafewminutesbeforeandIwasallalerttofollow。ButI
presentlyconsideredthatmywisestcoursewouldbetosoundthelandladyandlearnifpossiblewithwhatsortofcharactersIhadtodeal。Routingheroutofthekitchen，whereatthatearlyhourshewasalreadyengagedindomesticduties，Idrewherintoaretiredcornerandputmyquestions。Shewasnotbackwardinreplying。ShehadconceivedaninnocentlikingformeintheshorttimeIhadbeenwithher——adisplayofweaknessforwhichIwasmyself，perhaps，asmuchtoblameasshe——andwasonlytooreadytopourouthergriefsintomysympathizingear。Forthosemenwereagrieftoher，acceptableaswasthemoneytheywerecarefultoprovideherwith。
Theywerenotonlyalwaysinthehouse，thatisoneofthem，smokinghisoldpipeandblackeningupthewalls，buttheylookedsoshabby，andkeptthegirlsoclose，andiftheydidgoout，cameinatsuchunheardofhours。Itwasenoughtodrivehercrazy；yetthemoney，themoney——
\"Yes，\"saidI，\"Iknow；andthemoneyoughttomakeyouoverlookallthesmalldisagreeablenessesyoumention。Whatisalandladywithoutpatience。\"AndIurgedhernottoturnthemout。
\"Butthegirl，\"shewenton，\"sonice，soquiet，sosick-looking!I
cannotstandittoseehercoopedupinthatsmallroom，alwayswatchedoverbyoneorbothofthoseburlywretches。Theoldmansayssheishisdaughterandshedoesnotdenyit，butIwouldassoonthinkofthatlittlerosychildyouseecooinginthewindowovertheway，belongingtothebeggargoinginatthegate，asofherwithherlady-likewayshavinganyconnectionwithhimandhisrough-actingson。Yououghttoseeher——\"
\"ThatisjustwhatIwanttodo，\"interruptedI。\"Notbecauseyouhavetemptedmyfancybyarecitalofhercharms，\"Ihastenedtoadd，\"butbecausesheis，ifIdon\'tmistake，awomanforwhosediscoveryandrescue，alargesumofmoneyhasbeenoffered。\"
AndwithoutfurtherdisguiseIacquaintedthestartledwomanbeforemewiththefactthatIwasnot，asshehadalwaysconsidered，theclerkoutofemploymentwhosedailybusinessitwastosallyforthinquestofasituation，butamemberofthecitypolice。
Shewasdulyimpressedandeasilypersuadedtosecondallmyoperationsasfarasherpoorwitswouldallow，givingmefreerangeofherupperstory，andaboveall，promisingthatsecrecywithoutwhichallmyfinelylaidplansforcapturingtherogueswithoutraisingascandal，wouldfallheadlongtotheground。
Beholdme，then，bynoonofthatsamedaydomiciledinanapartmentnexttotheonewhosedoorborethatscarletsignwhichhadarousedwithinmesuchfeverishhopesthenightbefore。CladintheseedygarmentsofabrokendownFrenchartistwhoseacquaintanceIhadoncemade，withsomethingofhisairandgeneralappearanceandwithafewofhiswretcheddaubshungaboutonthewhitewashedwall，IcommencedwitheveryprospectofsuccessasIthought，thatquietespionageofthehallanditsinhabitantswhichIconsiderednecessarytoaproperattainmentoftheendIhadinview。
Arackingcoughwasoneofthepeculiaritiesofmyfriend，anddeterminedtoassumethecharacterintoto，Iallowedmyselftostartlethesilencenowandthenwithaseriesofgaspsandchokingsthatwhetheragreeableornot，certainlywereofacharactertoshowthatIhadnodesiretoconcealmypresencefromthoseIhadcomeamong。Indeeditwasmydesiretoacquaintthemasfullyandassoonaspossiblewiththefactoftheirhavinganeighbor:aweak-eyedhalf-aliveinnocenttobesure，butyetaneighborwhowouldkeephisdooropennightandday——forthewarmthofthehallofcourse——andwhowiththefretfulhabitofanoldmanwhohadoncebeenagentlemanandabeau，wentramblingaboutthroughthehallspeakingtothosehemetandexpectingacivilwordinreturn。Whenhewasnotramblingorcoughinghemadearchitecturalmonstersoutofcardboard，wherewithtotemptthepenniesoutofthepocketsofunwarychildren，anemploymentthatkepthimchainedtoasmalltableinthecentreofhisroomdirectlyoppositetheopendoor。
AsIexpectedIhadscarcelygivenwaytothreeseparatefitsofcoughing，whenthedoornextmeopenedwithajerkandaroughvoicecalledout，\"Who\'sthatmakingallthattodoabouthere?Ifyoudon\'tstopthatinfernalnoiseinahurry——\"
Asoftvoiceinterruptedhimandhedrewback。\"Iwillgosee，\"saidthosegentletones，andLuttraBlake，forIknewitwasshebeforetheskirtofherrobehadadvancedbeyondthedoor，steppedoutintothehall。
Iwasyetbentovermyworkwhenshepausedbeforeme。ThefactisI
didnotdarelookup，themomentwasoneofsuchimportancetome。
\"Youhaveadreadfulcough，\"saidshewiththatlowringofsympathyinhervoicethatgoesunconsciouslytotheheart。\"Istherenohelpforit?\"
Ipushedbackmywork，drewmyhandovermyeyes，Ididnotneedtomakeittrembleandglancedup。\"No，\"saidIwithashakeofmyhead，\"butitisnotalwayssobad。Ibegyourpardon，miss，ifitdisturbsyou。\"
Shethrewbacktheshawlwhichshehadhelddrawntightlyoverherhead，andadvancedwithaneasyglidingstepclosetomyside。\"Youdonotdisturbme，butmyfatheris——is，wellatriflecrosssometimes，andifheshouldspeakupalittleharshnowandthen，youmustnotmind。Iamsorryyouaresoill。\"
Whatisthereinsomewomen\'slook，somewomen\'stouchthatmorethanallbeautygoestotheheartandsubduesit。Asshestoodtherebeforemeinherdarkworsteddressandcoarseshawl，withherlockssimplybraidedandherwholepersonundignifiedbyartandungracedbyornament，sheseemedjustbythepowerofherexpressionandthewitcheryofhermanner，theloveliestwomanIhadeverbeheld。
\"Youarevereekind，vereegood，\"Imurmured，halfashamedofmydisguise，thoughitwasassumedforthepurposeofrescuingher。
\"Yoursympathygoestomyheart。\"Thenasadeepgrowlofimpatiencerosefromtheroomatmyside，Imotionedhertogoandnotirritatethemanwhoseemedtohavesuchcontroloverher。
\"Inaminute，\"answeredshe，\"firsttellmewhatyouaremaking。\"
SoItoldherandinthecourseoftelling，letdropsuchotherfactsaboutmyfanciedlifeasIwishedtohaveknowntoherandthroughhertoherfather。Shelookedsweetlyinterestedandmorethanonceturneduponmethatdarkeye，ofwhichIhadheardsomuch，fulloftearsthatwereasmuchforme，scampthatIwas，asforherownsecrettrouble。Butthegrowlsbecomingmoreandmoreimpatientshespeedilyturnedtogo，repeating，however，asshedidso，\"NowrememberwhatIsay，youarenottobetroublediftheydospeakcrosstoyou。Theymakenoiseenoughthemselvessometimes，asyouwilldoubtlessbeassuredofto-night。\"
Andthelipswhichseemedtohavegrownstiffandcoldwithhermisery，actuallysoftenedintosomethinglikeasmile。
ThenodwhichIgaveherinreturnhadthesolemityofavowinit。
Mymindthusassuredastothecorrectnessofmysuspicions，andthewaythuspavedtothecarryingoutofmyplans，Iallowedsomefewdaystoelapsewithoutfurtheractiononmypart。Mymotivewastoacquaintmyselfasfullyaspossiblewiththehabitsandwaysofthesetwodesperatemen，beforemakingtheattempttocapturethemuponwhichsomanyinterestshung。ForwhileIfeltitwouldbehighlycreditabletomysagacity，aswellasvaluabletomyreputationasadetective，torestoretheseescapedconvictsinanywaypossibleintothehandsofjustice，mychiefambitionafterallwastosomanagetheaffairastosavethewifeofMr。Blake，notonlyfromtheconsequencesoftheirdespair，butfromthepublicityandscandalattendantupontheopenarrestoftwoheavilyarmedmen。Strategy，therefore，ratherthanforcewastobeemployed，andstrategytobesuccessfulmustbefoundeduponthemostthoroughknowledgeofthematterwithwhichonehastodeal。Threedays，then，didIgivetotheacquiringofthatknowledge，theresultofwhichwasthepossessionofthefollowingfacts。
1。Thatthelandladywasrightwhenshetoldmethegirlwasneverleftalone，oneofthemen，ifnotthefatherthentheson，alwaysremainingwithher。
2。Thatwhilethusguarded，shewasnotsorestrictedbutthatshehadthelibertyofwalkinginthehall，thoughneverforanylengthoftime。
3。Thatthecrossonthedoorseemedtopossesssomesecretmeaningconnectedwiththeirpresenceinthehouse，ithavingbeenerasedoneeveningwhenthewholethreewentoutonsomematterorother，onlytobechalkedonagainwheninanhourorsolater，fatheranddaughterreturnedalone。
4。Thatitwasthefatherandnotthesonwhomadesuchpurchasesaswereneeded，whileitwasthesonandnotthefatherwhocarriedonwhateveroperationstheyhadonhand；nightfallbeingthefavoritehourfortheoneandmidnightfortheother；thoughitnotinfrequentlyhappenedthatthelattersaunteredoutforashorttimealsointheafternoon，probablyforthedrinkhecouldnotgolongwithout。
5。Thattheyweremenofgreatstrengthbutlittlealertness；thestrayglimpsesIhadhadofthem，revealingabreadthofbackthatwastrulyformidable，ifithadnotbeenjoinedtoaheavinessofmotionthatproclaimedacertainstolidityofmindthatwaseminentlyinourfavor。
Howbesttousethesefactsinthebuildingupofamaturedplanofaction，was，then，theproblem。BynoonofacertaindayIbelievedittohavebeensolved，andreluctantasIwastoleavethespotofmyespionageevenforthehourortwonecessarytoavisittoheadquarters，Ifoundmyselfcompelledtodoso。PackingupinasmallbasketIhadforthepurpose，thelittlearticlesIhadbeenengagedduringthelastfewdaysinmaking，Igavewaytoafinalfitofcoughingsohollowaudsepulchuralinitstone，thatitawokeacursefromthenextroomdeepasthegrowlofawildbeast，andstillcontinuing，finallybroughtLuttratothedoorwiththatlookofcompassiononherfacethatalwayscalledupaflushtomycheekwhetherIwisheditorno。
\"Ah，Monsieur，Iamafraidyourcoughisverybadto-day。OIsee；youhavebeengettingreadytogoout——\"
\"Comebackhere，\"brokeinaheavyvoicefromtheroomshehadleft。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbyrunningofftopalaverwiththatoldrascaleverytimeheopenshis——batteryofacough?\"
Asmilethatwentthroughmelikethecutofaknife，flashedforamomentonherface。
\"Myfatherisinoneofhisimpatientmoods，\"saidshe，\"youhadbettergo。Ihopeyouwillbesuccessful，\"shemurmured，glancingwistfullyatmybasket。
\"Whatisthat?\"againcamethunderingonourears。\"Successful?Whatareyoutwoupto?\"Andweheardtheroughclatterofadvancingsteps。
\"Go，\"saidshe；\"youareweakandold；andwhenyoucomeback，tryandnotcough。\"Andshegavemeagentlepushtowardsthedoor。
\"WhenIcomeback，\"Ibegan，butwasforcedtopause，theelderSchoenmakerhavingbythistimereachedtheopendoorwaywherehestoodfrowninginuponusinawaythatmademyheartstandstillforher。
\"Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?\"saidhe；\"andwhathaveyougotinyourbasketthere?\"hecontinuedwithastrideforwardthatshookthefloor。
\"Onlysomelittletoysthathehasbeenmaking，andisnowgoingouttosell，\"washerlowanswergivenwithaquickdeprecatorygesturesuchasIdoubtifsheeverusedforherself。
\"Nothingmore?\"askedheinGermanwitharedglareintheeyeheturnedtowardsher。
\"Nothingmore，\"repliedsheinthesametongue。\"Youmaybelieveme。\"
Hegaveadeepgrowlandturnedaway。\"Iftherewas，\"saidhe，\"youknowwhatwouldhappen。\"Andunheedingthewildkeenshudderthatseizedherattheword，makingherinsensibleforthemomenttoallandeverythingabouther，helaidoneheavyhanduponherslightshoulderandledherfromtheroom。
Iwaitednolongerthanwasnecessarytocarrymyfeebleandfalteringstepsappropriatelydownthestairs，toreachthefloorbelowandgainthelandlady\'spresence。
\"Doyougoup，\"saidI，\"andsitonthosestairstillIcomeback。Ifyouheartheleastcryofpainorsoundofstrugglefromthatyounggirl\'sroom，doyoucallatonceforhelp。Iwillhaveapolicemanstandingonthecornerbelow。\"
Thegoodwomannoddedandproceededatoncetotakeupherwork-basket。\"Luckythere\'sawindowupthere，soIcansee，\"I
heardhermutter。\"I\'venotimetothrowawayevenondeedsofcharity。\"
Notwithstandingwhichprecaution，Iwasinconstantanxietyduringmyabsence；anabsencenecessarilyprolongedasIhadtostopandexplainmatterstotheSuperintendent，aswellashuntupMr。Gryceandgethisconsenttoassistmeinthematteroftheimpendingarrest。
Ifoundthelatterinhisownhomeandmorethanenthusiasticuponthesubject。
\"Well，\"saidheafterIhadinformedhimofthediscoveriesIhadmade，\"thefatesseemtoprosperyouinthis。IhavenotreceivedaninklingoflightuponthemattersinceIpartedfromyouatMr。
Blake\'shouse。BythewayIsawthatgentlemanthismorningandI
tellyouwewillfindhimagratefulmanifthisaffaircanberesolvedsatisfactorily，\"
\'Thatisgood，\"saidI，\"gratitudeiswhatwewant。\"Thenshortly，\"Perhapsitisnomorethanourdutytolethimknowthathiswifeissafeandundermyeye；thoughIwouldbynomeansadvocatehisknowingjusthownearhimsheis，tillthemomentcomeswhenheiswanted，orweshallhavealover\'simpetuositytodealwithaswellasalltherest。\"Thenwithahurriedrememberanceofapossiblecontingency，wentontosay，\"But，bytheway，incaseweshouldneedthecooperationofMrs。Blakeinwhatwehavebeforeus，youhadbettergetalinewritteninFrenchfromMrs。Daniels，expressiveofherbeliefinMr。Blake\'spresentaffectionforhiswife。Thelatterwillnototherwisetrustus，orunderstandthatwearetobeobeyedinwhateverwemaydemand。Letitbeunsignedandwithoutnamesincaseofaccident；andifthehousekeeperdon\'tunderstandFrench，tellhertogetsomeonetohelpherthatdoes，onlybesurethatthehandwritingemployedisherown。
Mr。Gryceseemedtoperceivethewisdomofthisprecautionandpromisedtoprocuremesuchanotebyacertainhour，afterwhichI
relatedtohimthevariousotherdetailsofthecapturesuchasIhadplannedit，meetingtomysecretgratificationanunqualifiedapprovalthatwentfartowardsalleviatingthatwoundtomypridewhichIhadreceivedfromhiminthebeginningofthisaffair。
\"Letallthingsproceedasyouhavedetermined，andweshallaccomplishsomethingthatitwillbealife-longsatisfactiontoremember，\"saidhe；\"butyoumustbepreparedforsometwistofthescrewwhichyoudonotanticipate。Ineverknewanythingtogooffjustasoneprognosticatesitmust，exceptonce，\"headdedthoughtfully，\"andthenitwaswithasurpriseattachedtoitthatwellnighupsetmenotwithstandingallmypreparations。\"
\"Youwonagreatsuccessthatday，\"remarkedI。\"Ihopethefateswillbeaspropitioustometo-morrow。Failurenowwouldbreakmyheart。\"
\"Butyouwon\'tfail，\"exclaimedhe。\"Imyselfamresolvedtoseeyouthroughthismatterwithcredit。\"
AndinthisassuranceIreturnedtomylodgingswhereIfoundthelandladysittingwhereIhadlefther，darninghertwenty-thirdsock。
\"Ihavetomendforadozenmenandthreeboys，\"saidshe，\"andtheboysaretheworstbyaheapsight。Lookatthat，willyou，\"holdingupadarnwithabitofstockingattached。\"Thatholewasmadeplayingshinny。\"
Iutteredmycondolencesandaskedifanysoundordisturbancehadreachedherearsfromabove。
\"Ono，allisrightupthere；I\'vescarcelyheardawhispersinceyou\'vebeengone。\"
Igaveherapatonthechinscarcelyconsistentwithmyagedandtotteringmienandproceededtoshamblepainfullytomyroom。
CHAPTERXVII
Promptlynextmorningatthedesignatedhour，camethelittlenotepromisedmebyMr。Gryce。Itwasputinmyhandwithmanyslywinksbythelandladyherself，whodevelopedatthiscrisisquiteanadaptationfor，ifnotabsoluteloveofintrigueandmystery。Glancingoverit——itwasunsealed——andfindingitentirelyunintelligible，I
tookitforgranteditwasallrightandputitbytillchance，orifthatfailed，strategy，shouldgivemeanopportunitytocommunicatewithMrs。Blake。Anhourpassed；thedoorsoftheirroomsremainedunclosed。Ahalfhourmoredraggeditsslowminutesaway，andnosoundhadcomefromtheirprecinctssavenowandthenamumbledwordofparleybetweenthefatherandson，ashortcommandtothedaughter，oranot-to-be-restrainedoathofannoyancefromoneorbothoftheheavy-limbedbrutesassomethingwassaidordonetodisturbthemintheirindolentrepose。Atlastmyimpatiencewastobenolongerrestrained。Rising，Itookaboldresolution。IfthemountainwouldnotcometoMahomet，Mahometwouldgotothemountain。Takingmyletterinthehand，Ideliberatelyproceededtothedoormarkedwiththeominousredcrossandknocked。
Asurprisedsnarlfromwithin，followedbyasuddenshufflingoffeetasthetwomenleapeduprightfromwhatIpresumehadbeenarecumbentposition，warnedmetobereadytofacedefianceifnotthefuryofdespair；andcurbingwithadeterminedefforttheslightsinkingofheartnaturaltoamanofmymakeonthethresholdofaverydoubtfuladventure，Iawaitedwithasmuchapparentunconcernaspossible，thequickadvanceofthatlightfootwhichseemedtobereadytoperformallthebiddingsofthesehardenedwretches，muchasitshrunkfromfollowinginthewaysoftheirinfamy。
\"Ahmiss，\"saidI，asthedooropenedrevealinginthegapherwhitefacecloudedwithsomenewandsuddenapprehension，\"IbegyourpardonbutIamanoldman，andIgotaletterto-dayandmyeyesaresoweakwiththeworkI\'vebeendoingthatIcannotreadit。ItisfromsomeoneIlove，andwouldyoubesokindastoreadoffthewordsformeandsorelieveanoldmanfromhisanxiety。\"
Themurmurofsuspicionbehindher，warnedhertothrowwideopenthedoor。\"Certainly，\"saidshe，\"ifIcan，\"takingthepaperinherhand。
\"Justletmegetasquintatthatfirst，\"saidasullenvoicebehindher；andtheyoungestofthetwoSchoenmakerssteppedforwardandtorethepaperoutofhergrasp。
\"Youaretoosuspicious，\"murmuredshe，lookingafterhimwiththefirstassumptionofthatairofpoweranddeterminationwhichIhadheardsoeloquentlydescribedbythemanwholovedher。\"Thereisnothinginthoselineswhichconcernsus；letmehavethemback。\"
\"Youholdyourtongue，\"wasthebrutalreplyastheroughmanopenedthefoldedpaperandreadortriedtoreadwhatwaswrittenwithin。
\"Blastit!it\'sFrench，\"washisslowexclamationafteramomentspentinthisway。\"See，\"andhethrustittowardshisfatherwhostoodfrowningheavilyafewfeetoff。
\"Ofcourse，it\'sFrench，\"criedthegirl。\"WouldyouwriteanoteinEnglishtofatherthere?Theman\'sfriendsareFrenchlikehimself，andmustwriteintheirownlanguage。\"
\"Heretakeitandreaditout，\"commandedherfather；\"andmindyoutelluswhatitmeans。I\'llhavenothinggoingonherethatIdon\'tunderstand。\"
\"ReadmetheFrenchwordsfirst，miss，\"saidI。\"ItismyletterandI
wanttoknowwhatmyfriendhastosaytome。\"
Noddingatmewithagentlelook，shecasthereyesonthepaperandbegantoread:
\"Calmezvous，monamie，ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Allousducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。\"
\"Thanks!\"Iexclaimedinacalmmatter-of-factwayasIperceivedthesuddentremorthatseizedherassherecognizedthehandwritingandrealizedthatthewordswereforher。\"Myfriendsayshewillpaymyweek\'srentandbidsmebeathometoreceivehim，\"saidI，turninguponthetwoferociousfacespeeringoverhershoulder，withalookofmeekunsuspiciousnessinmyeye，thatinatheatrewouldhavebroughtdownthehouse。
\"Isthatwhatthosewordssay，you?\"askedthefather，pointingoverhershouldertothepapersheheld。
\"Iwilltranslateforyouwordbywordwhatitsays，\"repliedshe，nervingherselfforthecrisistillherfacewaslikemarble，thoughIcouldseeshecouldnotpreventthegleamofsecretrapturethathadvisitedher，fromflashingfitfullyacrossit。\"Calmezvous，monamie。Donotbeafraid，myfriend。Ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。
Helovesyouandishuntingforyou。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Infourhoursyouwillbehappy。Allonsducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。Thentakecourageandaboveallpreserveyourself-possession。ItistheFrenchwayofexpressingone\'sself，\"observedshe。\"Iamgladyourfriendisdisposedtohelpyou，\"shecontinued，givingmebacktheletterwithasmile。\"Iamafraidyouneededit。\"
InasortofmazeIfoldeduptheletter，bowedmyveryhumblethankstoherandshuffledslowlyback。ThefactisIhadnowords；Iwasutterlydumbfounded。Halfwaythroughthatletter，withwhosecontentsyoumustrememberIwasunacquainted，Iwouldhavegivenmywholechanceofexpectedrewardtohavestoppedher。Readoutsuchwordsasthosebeforethesemen!Wasshecrazy?ButhownaturallyattheconclusiondidshewithawordmakeitslanguageseemconsistentwiththemeaningIhadgivenit。Withafreshsenseofmyobligationtoher，Ihurriedtomyroom，theretocountouttheminutesofanotherlonghourinanxiousexpectationofhermakingthatendeavortocommunicatewithme，whichhernewhopesandfearsmustforcehertofeelalmostnecessarytoherexistence。Atlength，myconfidenceinherwasrewarded。Comingoutintothehall，shehurriedpastmydoor，herfingeronherlip。Iimmediatelyroseandstoodonthethresholdwithanotherpaperinmyhand，whichIhadpreparedagainstthisopportunity。Assheglidedback，Iputitinherhand，andwarningherwithalooknottospeak，resumedmyusualoccupation。ThewordsIhadwrittenwereasfollows:
Atorasnearthetimeaspossibleofyourbrother\'sgoingout，youaretocometothisroomwrappedinanextraskirtandwithyourshawloveryourhead。Leavetheskirtandshawlbehindyou，andwithdrawatoncetotheroomattheheadofthestairs。Youarenottospeak，andyouarenottovaryfromtheplanthuslaiddown。Yourbrotherandfatheraretobearrested，whetherorno；