\"He\'stheonlylivingsoulIcangetatwhowasconnectedwithHolmescroft，\"Isaid。
\"Ah!Livingsoulisgood，\"saidM\'Leod。\"Atanyrateourlittlegirlwillbepleasedthatyouarestillinterestedinus。Won\'tyoucomedownsomedaythisweek？\"
\"Howisittherenow？\"Iasked。
Hescreweduphisface。\"Simplyfrightful!\"hesaid。\"TheaisatDroitwich。\"
\"Ishouldlikeitimmensely，butImustcultivateBaxterforthepresent。You\'llbesureandkeephimbusyyourend，won\'tyou？\"
Helookedatmewithquietcontempt。\"Donotbeafraid。IshallbeagoodJew。Ishallbemyownsolicitor。\"
Beforeafortnightwasover，BaxteradmittedruefullythatM\'Leodwasbetterthanmostfirmsinthebusiness:Webuyerswerecoy，argumentative，shockedatthepriceofHolmescroft，inquisitive，andcoldbyturns，butMr。M\'Leodthesellereasilymetandsurpassedus；andMr。Baxterenteredeveryletter，telegram，andconsultationattheproperratesinacinematograph-filmofabill。AttheendofamonthhesaiditlookedasthoughM\'Leod，thankstohim，werereallygoingtolistentoreason。Iwasmanypoundsoutofpocket，butIhadlearnedsomethingofMr。Baxteronthehumanside。Ideservedit。NeverinmylifehaveIworkedtoconciliate，amuse，andflatterahumanbeingasIworkedovermysolicitor。
Itappearedthathegolfed。Therefore，Iwasanenthusiasticbeginner，anxioustolearn。TwiceIinvadedhisofficewithabagM\'Leodlentitfullofthespelicansneededinthisdetestablegame，andavocabularytomatch。Thethirdtimetheicebroke，andMr。Baxtertookmetohislinks，quitetenmilesoff，whereinamazeoftramwaylines，railroads，andnursery-maids，weskelpedourdivottedwayroundnineholeslikebargesplungingthroughheadseas。Heplayedvilelyandhadneverexpectedtomeetanyoneworse；butasherealisedmyform，Ithinkhebegantolikeme，forhetookmeinhandbythetwohourstogether。
Afterafortnighthecouldgivemenomorethanastrokeahole，andwhen，withthisallowance，Ioncemanagedtobeathimbyone，hewashonestlyglad，andassuredmethatIshouldbeagolferifIstucktoit。Iwasstickingtoitformyownends，butnowandagainmyconscienceprickedme；forthemanwasaniceman。
Betweengameshesuppliedmewithoddpiecesofevidence，suchasthathehadknowntheMoultriesallhislife，beingtheircousin，andthatMissMary，theeldest，wasanunforgivingwomanwhowouldneverletbygonesbe。Inaturallywonderedwhatshemighthaveagainsthim；andsomehowconnectedhimunfavourablywithmadAgnes。
\"Peopleoughttoforgiveandforget，\"hevolunteeredonedaybetweenrounds。\"Speciallywhere，inthenatureofthings，theycan\'tbesureoftheirdeductions。Don\'tyouthinkso？\"
\"Italldependsonthenatureoftheevidenceonwhichoneformsone\'sjudgment，\"Ianswered。
\"Nonsense!\"hecried。\"I\'mlawyerenoughtoknowthatthere\'snothingintheworldsomisleadingascircumstantialevidence。
Neverwas。\"
\"Why？Haveyoueverseenmenhangedonit？\"
\"Hanged？Peoplehavebeensupposedtobeeternallylostonit，\"
hisfaceturnedgreyagain。\"Idon\'tknowhowitiswithyou，butmyconsolationisthatGodmustknow。Hemust!Thingsthatseemonthefaceof\'emlikemurder，orsaysuicide，mayappeardifferenttoGod。Heh？\"
\"That\'swhatthemurdererandthesuicidecanalwayshope——I
suppose。\"
\"Ihaveexpressedmyselfclumsilyasusual。ThefactsasGodknows\'em——maybedifferent——evenafterthemostclinchingevidence。I\'vealwayssaidthat——bothasalawyerandaman，butsomepeoplewon\'t——Idon\'twanttojudge\'em——we\'llsaytheycan\'t——believeit；whereasIsaythere\'salwaysaworkingchance——acertainty——thattheworsthasn\'thappened。\"Hestoppedandclearedhisthroat。\"Now，let\'scomeon!ThistimenextweekIshallbetakingmyholiday。\"
\"Whatlinks？\"Iaskedcarelessly，whiletwinsinaperambulatorgotoutofourlineoffire。
\"Apottylittlenine-holeaffairatahydrointheMidlands。Mycousinsstaythere。Alwayswill。Notbutwhatthefourthandtheseventhholestakesomedoing。Youcouldmanageit，though，\"hesaidencouragingly。\"You\'redoingmuchbetter。It\'sonlyyourapproachshotsthatareweak。\"
\"You\'reright。Ican\'tapproachfornuts!Ishallgotopieceswhileyou\'reaway——withnoonetocoachme，\"Isaidmournfully。
\"Ihaven\'ttaughtyouanything，\"hesaid，delightedwiththecompliment。
\"IoweallI\'velearnedtoyou，anyhow。Whenwillyoucomeback？\"
\"Lookhere，\"hebegan。\"Idon\'tknow，yourengagements，butI\'venoonetoplaywithatBurryMills。Neverhave。Whycouldn\'tyoutakeafewdaysoffandjoinmethere？Iwarnyouitwillberatherdull。It\'sathroatandgoutplace-baths，massage，electricity，andsoforth。Butthefourthandtheseventhholesreallytakesomedoing。\"
\"I\'mforthegame，\"Iansweredvaliantly；HeavenwellknowingthatIhatedeverystrokeandwordofit。
\"That\'stheproperspirit。AstheirlawyerImustaskyounottosayanythingtomycousinsaboutHolmescroft。Itupsets\'em。
Alwaysdid。Butspeakingasmantoman，itwouldbeverypleasantformeifyoucouldseeyourwayto——\"
Isawitassoonasdecencypermitted，andthankedhimsincerely。
Accordingtomynowwell-developedtheoryhehadcertainlymisappropriatedhisagedcousins\'moniesunderpowerofattorney，andhadprobablydrivenpoorAgnesMoultrieoutofherwits，butIwishedthathewasnotsogentle，andgood-tempered，andinnocenteyed。
BeforeIjoinedhimatBurryMillsHydro，IspentanightatHolmescroft。MissM\'LeodhadreturnedfromherHydro，andfirstwemadeverymerryontheopenlawninthesunshineoverthemannersandcustomsoftheEnglishresortingtosuchplaces。Sheknewdozensofhydros，andwarnedmehowtobehaveinthem，whileMr。andMrs。M\'Leodstoodasideandadoredher。
\"Ah!That\'sthewayshealwayscomesbacktous，\"hesaid。\"Pityitwearsoffsosoon，ain\'tit？Yououghttohearhersing\'Withmirththouprettybird。\'\"
Wehadthehousetofacethroughtheevening，andthereweneitherlaughednorsung。Thegloomfellonusasweentered，anddidnotshifttillteno\'clock，whenwecrawledout，asitwere，frombeneathit。
\"Ithasbeenbadthissummer，\"saidMrs。M\'Leodinawhisperafterwerealisedthatwewerefreed。\"SometimesIthinkthehousewillgetupandcryout——itissobad。\"
\"How？\"
\"Haveyouforgottenwhatcomesafterthedepression？\"
Sothenwewaitedaboutthesmallfire，andthedeadairintheroompresentlyfilledandpresseddownuponuswiththesensationbutwordsareuselesshereasthoughsomedumbandboundpowerwerestrivingagainstgagandbondtodeliveritssoulofanarticulateword。Itpassedinafewminutes，andIfelltothinkingaboutMr。Baxter\'sconscienceandAgnesMoultrie，gonemadinthewell-litbedroomthatwaitedme。ThesereflectionssecuredmeanightduringwhichIrediscoveredhow，frompurelymentalcauses，amancanbephysicallysick；butthesicknesswasblisscomparedtomydreamswhenthebirdswaked。Onmydeparture，M\'Leodgavemeabeautifulnarwhal\'shorn，muchasanursegivesachildsweetsforbeingbraveatadentist\'s。
\"There\'snoduplicateofitintheworld，\"hesaid，\"elseitwouldhavecometooldMaxM\'Leod；\"andhetuckeditintothemotor。MissM\'Leodonthefarsideofthecarwhispered，\"Haveyoufoundoutanything，Mr。Perseus？\"
Ishookmyhead。
\"ThenIshallbechainedtomyrockallmylife，\"shewenton。
\"Onlydon\'ttellpapa。\"
IsupposedshewasthinkingoftheyounggentlemanwhospecialisedinSouthAmericanrails，forInoticedaringonthethirdfingerofherlefthand。
IwentstraightfromthathousetoBurryMillsHydro，keenforthefirsttimeinmylifeonplayinggolf，whichisguaranteedtooccupythemind。Baxterhadtakenmearoomcommunicatingwithhisown，andafterlunchintroducedmetoatall，horse-headedelderlyladyofdecidedmanners，whomawhite-hairedmaidpushedalonginabath-chairthroughthepark-likegroundsoftheHydro。
ShewasMissMaryMoultrie，andshecoughedandclearedherthroatjustlikeBaxter。Shesuffered——shetoldmeitwasaMoultriecastemark——fromsomeobscureformofchronicbronchitis，complicatedwithspasmoftheglottis；and，inadead，flatvoice，withasunkeneyethatlookedandsawnot，toldmewhatwashes，gargles，pastilles，andinhalationsshehadprovedmostbeneficial。FromherIwaspassedontoheryoungersister，MissElizabeth，asmallandwitheredthingwithtwitchinglips，victim，shetoldme，toverymuchthesamesortofthroat，butsecretlydevotedtoanothersetofmedicines。WhenshewentawaywithBaxterandthebath-chair，IfellacrossamajoroftheIndianarmywithgoutinhisglassyeyes，andastomachwhichhehadtakenallroundtheContinent。Helaideverythingbeforeme；
andhimIescapedonlytobeconfidedinbyamatronwithatendencytofolliculartonsilitisandeczema。Baxterwaitedhandandfootonhiscousinstillfiveo\'clock，trying，asIsaw，toatoneforhistreatmentofthedeadsister。MissMaryorderedhimaboutlikeadog。
\"Iwarnedyouitwouldbedull，\"hesaidwhenwemetinthesmoking-room。
\"It\'stremendouslyinteresting，\"Isaid。\"Buthowaboutalookroundthelinks？\"
\"Unluckilydampalwaysaffectsmyeldestcousin。I\'vegottobuyheranewbronchitis-kettle。Arthursbrokeheroldoneyesterday。\"
Weslippedouttothechemist\'sshopinthetown，andheboughtalargeglitteringtinthingwhoseworkingsheexplained。
\"I\'musedtothissortofwork。Icomeuphereprettyoften，\"hesaid。\"I\'vethefamilythroattoo。\"
\"You\'reagoodman，\"Isaid。\"Averygoodman。\"
Heturnedtowardsmeintheeveninglightamongthebeeches，andhisfacewaschangedtowhatitmighthavebeenagenerationbefore。
\"Yousee，\"hesaidhuskily，\"therewastheyoungest——Agnes。
Beforeshefellill，youknow。Butshedidn\'tlikeleavinghersisters。Neverwould。\"Hehurriedonwithhisodd-shapedloadandleftmeamongtheruinsofmyblacktheories。ThemanwiththatfacehaddoneAgnesMoultrienowrong。
Weneverplayedourgame。IwaswakedbetweentwoandthreeinthemorningfrommyhygienicbedbyBaxterinanulsteroverorangeandwhitepyjamas，whichIshouldneverhavesuspectedfromhischaracter。
\"Mycousinhashadsomesortofaseizure，\"hesaid。\"Willyoucome？Idon\'twanttowakethedoctor。Don\'twanttomakeascandal。Quick!\"
SoIcamequickly，andledbythewhite-hairedArthursinajacketandpetticoat，enteredadouble-beddedroomreekingwithsteamandFriar\'sBalsam。Theelectricswereallon。MissMary——I
knewherbyherheight——wasattheopenwindow，wrestlingwithMissElizabeth，whogrippedherroundtheknees。
MissMary\'shandwasatherownthroat，whichwasstreakedwithblood。
\"She\'sdoneit。She\'sdoneittoo!\"MissElizabethpanted。\"Holdher!Helpme!\"
\"Oh，Isay!Womendon\'tcuttheirthroats，\"Baxterwhispered。
\"MyGod!Hasshecutherthroat？\"themaidcriedout，andwithnowarningrolledoverinafaint。Baxterpushedherunderthewash-basins，andleapedtoholdthegauntwomanwhocrowedandwhistledasshestruggledtowardthewindow。Hetookherbytheshoulder，andshestruckoutwildly:
\"Allright!She\'sonlycutherhand，\"hesaid。\"Wettowelquick!\"
WhileIgotthathepushedherbackward。Herstrengthseemedalmostasgreatashis。IswabbedatherthroatwhenIcould，andfoundnomark；thenhelpedhimtocontrolheralittle。MissElizabethleapedbacktobed，wailinglikeachild。
\"Tieupherhandsomehow，\"saidBaxter。\"Don\'tletitdripabouttheplace。She\"——hesteppedonbrokenglassinhisslippers，\"shemusthavesmashedapane。\"
MissMarylurchedtowardstheopenwindowagain，droppedonherknees，herheadonthesill，andlayquiet，surrenderingthecuthandtome。
\"Whatdidshedo？\"BaxterturnedtowardsMissElizabethinthefarbed。
\"Shewasgoingtothrowherselfoutofthewindow，\"wastheanswer。\"Istoppedher，andsentArthursforyou。Oh，wecanneverholdupourheadsagain!\"
MissMarywrithedandfoughtforbreath。Baxterfoundashawlwhichhethrewoverhershoulders。
\"Nonsense!\"saidhe。\"Thatisn\'tlikeMary；\"buthisfaceworkedwhenhesaidit。
\"Youwouldn\'tbelieveaboutAggie，John。Perhapsyouwillnow!\"
saidMissElizabeth。\"Isawherdoit，andshe\'scutherthroattoo!\"
\"Shehasn\'t，\"Isaid。\"It\'sonlyherhand。\"
MissMarysuddenlybrokefromuswithanindescribablegrunt，flew，ratherthanran，tohersister\'sbed，andthereshookherasonefuriousschoolgirlwouldshakeanother。
\"Nosuchthing，\"shecroaked。\"Howdareyouthinkso，youwickedlittlefool？\"
\"Getintobed，Mary，\"saidBaxter。\"You\'llcatchachill。\"
Sheobeyed，butsatupwiththegreyshawlroundherleanshoulders，glaringathersister。\"I\'mbetternow，\"shepanted。\"
Arthursletmesitouttoolong。Where\'sArthurs？Thekettle。\"
\"NevermindArthurs，\"saidBaxter。\"Yougetthekettle。\"I
hastenedtobringitfromthesidetable。\"Now，Mary，asGodseesyou，tellmewhatyou\'vedone。\"
Hislipsweredry，andhecouldnotmoisten。themwithhistongue。
MissMaryappliedherselftothemouthofthekettle，andbetweenindrawsofsteamsaid:\"Thespasmcameonjustnow，whileIwasasleep。Iwasnearlychokingtodeath。SoIwenttothewindowI\'vedoneitoftenbefore，without，wakinganyone。Bessie\'ssuchanoldmaidaboutdraughts。ItellyouIwaschokingtodeath。I
couldn\'tmanagethecatch，andInearlyfellout。Thatwindowopenstoolow。Icutmyhandtryingtosavemyself。Whohastieditupinthisfilthyhandkerchief？Iwishyouhadhadmythroat，Bessie。Ineverwasnearerdying!\"Shescowledonusallimpartially，whilehersistersobbed。
Fromthebottomofthebedweheardaquiveringvoice:\"Isshedead？Havetheytookheraway？Oh，Inevercouldbearthesighto\'blood!\"
\"Arthurs，\"saidMissMary，\"youareanhireling。Goaway!\"
ItismybeliefthatArthurscrawledoutonallfours，butIwasbusypickingupbrokenglassfromthecarpet。
ThenBaxter，seatedbythesideofthebed，begantocross-examineinavoiceIscarcelyrecognised。NoonecouldforaninstanthavedoubtedthegenuinerageofMissMaryagainsthersister，hercousin，orhermaid；andthatadoctorshouldhavebeencalledinforshedidmethehonourofcallingmedoctor——wasthelastdrop。Shewaschokingwithherthroat；hadrushedtothewindowforair；hadnearpitchedout，andincatchingatthewindowbarshadcutherhand。OverandovershemadethiscleartotheintentBaxter。Thensheturnedonhersisterandtongue-lashedhersavagely。
\"Youmustn\'tblameme，\"MissBessiefalteredatlast。\"Youknowwhatwethinkofnightandday。\"。
\"I\'mcomingtothat，\"saidBaxter。\"Listentome。Whatyoudid，Mary，misledfourpeopleintothinkingyou——youmeanttodoawaywithyourself。\"
\"Isn\'tonesuicideinthefamilyenough？OhGod，helpandpityus!Youcouldn\'thavebelievedthat!\"shecried。
\"Theevidencewascomplete。Now，don\'tyouthink，\"Baxter\'sfingerwaggedunderhernose——\"can\'tyouthinkthatpoorAggiedidthesamethingatHolmescroftwhenshefelloutofthewindow？\"
\"Shehadthesamethroat，\"saidMissElizabeth。\"Exactlythesamesymptoms。Don\'tyouremember，Mary？\"
\"Whichwasherbedroom？\"IaskedofBaxterinanundertone。
\"Overthesouthverandah，lookingontothetennislawn。\"
\"InearlyfelloutofthatverywindowwhenIwasatHolmescroft——openingittogetsomeair。Thesilldoesn\'tcomemuchaboveyourknees，\"Isaid。
\"Youhearthat，Mary？Mary，doyouhearWhatthisgentlemansays？
Won\'tyoubelievethatwhatnearlyhappenedtoyoumusthavehappenedtopoorAggiethatnight？ForGod\'ssake——forhersake——Mary，won\'tyoubelieve？\"
Therewasalongsilencewhilethesteamkettlepuffed。
\"IfIcouldhaveproof——ifIcouldhaveproof，\"saidshe，andbrokeintomosthorribletears。
Baxtermotionedtome，andIcreptawaytomyroom，andlayawaketillmorning，thinkingmorespeciallyofthedumbThingatHolmescroftwhichwishedtoexplainitself。IhatedMissMaryasperfectlyasthoughIhadknownherfortwentyyears，butIfeltthat，aliveordead，Ishouldnotlikehertocondemnme。
Yetatmid-day，whenIsawMissMaryinherbathchair，ArthursbehindandBaxterandMissElizabethoneitherside，inthepark-likegroundsoftheHydro，Ifounditdifficulttoarrangemywords。
\"Nowthatyouknowallaboutit，\"saidBaxteraside，afterthefirststrangenessofourmeetingwasover，\"it\'sonlyfairtotellyouthatmypoorcousindidnotdieinHolmescroftatall。
Shewasdeadwhentheyfoundherunderthewindowinthemorning。
Justdead。\"
\"Underthatlaburnumoutsidethewindow？\"Iasked，forIsuddenlyrememberedthecrookedevilthing。
\"Exactly。Shebrokethetreeinfalling。Butnodeathhasevertakenplaceinthehouse，sofaraswewereconcerned。Youcanmakeyourselfquiteeasyonthatpoint。Mr。M\'Leod\'sextrathousandforwhatyoucalledthe\'cleanbillofhealth\'wassomethingtowardmycousins\'estatewhenwesold。Itwasmydutyastheirlawyertogetitforthem——atanycosttomyownfeelings。\"
IknowbetterthantoarguewhentheEnglishtalkabouttheirduty。SoIagreedwithmysolicitor。
\"Theirsister\'sdeathmusthavebeenagreatblowtoyourcousins，\"Iwenton。Thebath-chairwasbehindme。
\"Unspeakable，\"Baxterwhispered。\"Theybroodedonitdayandnight。Nowonder。IftheirtheoryofpoorAggiemakingawaywithherselfwascorrect，shewaseternallylost!\"
\"Doyoubelievethatshemadeawaywithherself？\"
\"No，thankGod!Neverhave!AndafterwhathappenedtoMarylastnight，IseeperfectlywhathappenedtopoorAggie。Shehadthefamilythroattoo。Bytheway，Marythinksyouareadoctor。
Otherwiseshewouldn\'tlikeyourhavingbeeninherroom。\"
\"Verygood。Issheconvincednowabouthersister\'sdeath？\"
\"She\'dgiveanythingtobeabletobelieveit，butshe\'sahardwoman，andbroodingalongcertainlinesmakesonegroovy。Ihavesometimesbeenafraidofherreason——onthereligiousside，don\'tyouknow。Elizabethdoesn\'tmatter。Brainofahen。Alwayshad。\"
HereArthurssummonedmetothebath-chair，andtheravagedface，beneathitsknittedShetlandwoolhood，ofMissMaryMoultrie。
\"Ineednotremindyou，Ihope，ofthesealofsecrecy——absolutesecrecy——inyourprofession，\"shebegan。\"Thankstomycousin\'sandmysister\'sstupidity，youhavefoundout\"sheblewhernose。
\"Pleasedon\'texciteher，sir，\"saidArthursattheback。
\"But，mydearMissMoultrie，IonlyknowwhatI\'veseen，ofcourse，butitseemstomethatwhatyouthoughtwasatragedyinyoursister\'scase，turnsout，onyourownevidence，sotospeak，tohavebeenanaccident——adreadfullysadone——butabsolutelyanaccident。\"
\"Doyoubelievethattoo？\"shecried。\"Orareyouonlysayingittocomfortme？\"
\"Ibelieveitfromthebottomofmyheart。ComedowntoHolmescroftforanhour——forhalfanhourandsatisfyyourself。\"
\"Ofwhat？Youdon\'tunderstand。Iseethehouseeveryday-everynight。Iamalwaysthereinspirit——wakingorsleeping。I
couldn\'tfaceitinreality。\"
\"Butyoumust，\"Isaid。\"Ifyougothereinthespiritthegreaterneedforyoutogothereintheflesh。Gotoyoursister\'sroomoncemore，andseethewindow——Inearlyfelloutofitmyself。It\'s——it\'sawfullylowanddangerous。Thatwouldconvinceyou，\"Ipleaded。
\"YetAggiehadsleptinthatroomforyears，\"sheinterrupted。
\"You\'vesleptinyourroomhereforalongtime，haven\'tyou？Butyounearlyfelloutofthewindowwhenyouwerechoking。\"
\"Thatistrue。Thatisonethingtrue，\"shenodded。\"AndImighthavebeenkilledas——perhapsAggiewaskilled。\"
\"Inthatcaseyourownsisterandcousinandmaidwouldhavesaidyouhadcommittedsuicide，MissMoultrie。ComedowntoHolmescroft，andgoovertheplacejustonce。\"
\"Youarelying，\"shesaidquitequietly。\"Youdon\'twantmetocomedowntoseeawindow。Itissomethingelse。IwarnyouweareEvangelicals。Wedon\'tbelieveinprayersforthedead。\'Asthetreefalls——\'\"
\"Yes。Idaresay。Butyoupersistinthinkingthatyoursistercommittedsuicide\"
\"No!No!IhavealwaysprayedthatImighthavemisjudgedher。\"
Arthursatthebath-chairspokeup:\"Oh，MissMary!youwould\'aveitfromthefirstthatpoorMissAggie\'admadeawaywithherself；an\'，ofcourse，MissBessietookthenotionfromyou:
OnlyMaster——MisterJohnstoodout，-and——andI\'d\'avetakenmyBibleoathyouwasmakingawaywithyourselflastnight。\"
MissMaryleanedtowardsme，onefingeronmysleeve。
\"IfgoingtoHolmescroftkillsme，\"shesaid，\"youwillhavethemurderofafellow-creatureonyourconscienceforalleternity。\"
\"I\'llriskit，\"Ianswered。RememberingwhattormentthemerereflectionofhertormentshadcastonHolmescroft，andremembering，aboveall，thedumbThingthatfilledthehousewithitsdesiretospeak，Ifeltthattheremightbeworsethings。
Baxterwasamazedattheproposedvisit，butatanodfromthatterriblewomanwentofftomakearrangements。ThenIsentatelegramtoM\'LeodbiddinghimandhisvacateHolmescroftforthatafternoon。MissMaryshouldbealonewithherdead，asIhadbeenalone。
Iexpecteduntoldtroubleintransportingher，buttodoherjustice，thepromisegivenforthejourney，sheunderwentitwithoutmurmur，spasm，orunnecessaryword。MissBessie，pressedinacornerbythewindow，weptbehindherveil，andfromtimetotimetriedtotakeholdofhersister\'shand。Baxterwrappedhimselfinhisnewlyfoundhappinessasselfishlyasabridegroom，forhesatstillandsmiled。
\"SolongasIknowthatAggiedidn\'tmakeawaywithherself，\"heexplained，\"ItellyoufranklyIdon\'tcarewhathappened。She\'sashardasarock——Mary。Alwayswas。Shewon\'tdie。\"
Weledheroutontotheplatformlikeablindwoman，andsogotherintothefly。Thehalf-hourcrawltoHolmescroftwasthemostrackingexperienceoftheday。M\'Leodhadobeyedmyinstructions。
Therewasnoonevisibleinthehouseorthegardens；andthefrontdoorstoodopen。
MissMaryrosefrombesidehersister，steppedforthfirst，andenteredthehall。
\"Come，Bessie，\"shecried。
\"Idaren\'t。Oh，Idaren\'t。\"
\"Come!\"Hervoicehadaltered。IfeltBaxterstart。\"There\'snothingtobeafraidof。\"
\"Goodheavens!\"saidBaxter。\"She\'srunningupthestairs。We\'dbetterfollow。\"
\"Let\'swaitbelow。She\'sgoingtotheroom。\"
WeheardthedoorofthebedroomIknewopenandshut，andwewaitedinthelemon-colouredhall，heavywiththescentofflowers。
\"I\'veneverbeenintoitsinceitwassold，\"Baxtersighed。\"Whatalovely，restfulplateitis!PoorAggieusedtoarrangetheflowers。\"
\"Restful？\"Ibegan，butstoppedofasudden，forIfeltallovermybruisedsoulthatBaxterwasspeakingtruth。Itwasalight，spacious，airyhouse，fullofthesenseofwell-beingandpeace——aboveallthings，ofpeace。Iventuredintothedining-roomwherethethoughtfulM\'Leod\'shadleftasmallfire。
Therewasnoterrorthere，presentorlurking；andinthedrawing-room，whichforgoodreasonswehadnevercaredtoenter，thesunandthepeaceandthescentoftheflowersworkedtogetherasisfitinaninhabitedhouse。WhenIreturnedtothehall，Baxterwassweetlyasleeponacouch，lookingmostunlikeamiddle-agedsolicitorwhohadspentabrokennightwithanexactingcousin。
Therewasampletimeformetoreviewitall——tofelicitatemyselfuponmymagnificentacumenbarringsomeerrorsaboutBaxterasathiefandpossiblyamurderer，beforethedooraboveopened，andBaxter，evidentlyalightsleeper，sprangawake。
\"I\'vehadaheavenlylittlenap，\"hesaid，rubbinghiseyeswiththebacksofhishandslikeachild。\"GoodLord!That\'snottheirstep!\"
Butitwas。IhadneverbeforebeenprivilegedtoseetheShadowturnedbackwardonthedial——theyearsrippedbodilyoffpoorhumanshoulders——oldsunkeneyesfilledandalight——harshlipsmoistenedandhuman。
\"John，\"MissMarycalled，\"Iknownow。Aggiedidn\'tdoit!\"and\"Shedidn\'tdoit!\"echoedMiss\"Ididnotthinkitwrongtosayaprayer，\"MissMarycontinued。
\"Notforhersoul，butforourpeace。ThenIwasconvinced。\"
\"Thenwegotconviction，\"theyoungersisterpiped。
\"We\'vemisjudgedpoorAggie，John。ButIfeelsheknowsnow。
Whereversheis，sheknowsthatweknowsheisguiltless。\"
\"Yes，sheknows。Ifeltittoo，\"saidMissElizabeth。，\"Ineverdoubted，\"saidJohn\'Baxter，whosefacewasbeautifulatthathour。\"Notfromthefirst。Neverhave!\"
\"Youneverofferedmeproof，John。Now，thankGod，itwillnotbethesameanymore。IcanthinkhenceforwardofAggiewithoutsorrow。\"Shetripped，absolutelytripped，acrossthehall。\"WhatideastheseJewshaveofarrangingfurniture!\"ShespiedmebehindabigCloisonneevase。\"I\'veseenthewindow，\"shesaidremotely。\"Youtookagreatriskinadvisingmetoundertakesuchajourney。However，asitturnsout……Iforgiveyou，andIprayyoumayneverknowwhatmentalanguishmeans!Bessie!Lookatthispeculiarpiano!Doyousuppose，Doctor，thesepeoplewouldofferonetea？Imissmine。\"
\"Iwillgoandsee，\"Isaid，andexploredM\'Leod\'snew-builtservants\'wing。Itwasintheservants\'hallthatIunearthedtheM\'Leodfamily，burstingwithanxiety。
\"Teaforthree，quick，\"Isaid。\"Ifyouaskmeanyquestionsnow，Ishallhaveafit!\"SoMrs。M\'Leodgotit，andIwasbutler，amidmurmuredapologiesfromBaxter，stillsmilingandself-absorbed，andthecolddisapprovalofMissMary，whothoughtthepatternofthechinavulgar。However，sheatewell，andevenaskedmewhetherIwouldnotlikeacupofteaformyself。
Theywentawayinthetwilight——thetwilightthatIhadoncefeared。TheyweregoingtoanhotelinLondontorestafterthefatiguesoftheday，andastheirflyturneddownthedrive，I
caperedonthedoorstep，withtheall-darkenedhousebehindme。
ThenIheardtheuncertainfeetoftheM\'Leodsandbadethemnottoturnonthelights，buttofeel——tofeelwhatIhaddone；fortheShadowwasgone，withthedumbdesireintheair。Theydrewshort，butafterwardsdeeper，breaths，likebathersenteringchillwater，separatedonefromtheother，movedaboutthehall，tiptoedupstairs，raceddown，andthenMissM\'Leod，andIbelievehermother，thoughshedeniesthis，embracedme。IknowM\'Leoddid。
Itwasadisgracefulevening。Tosayweriotedthroughthehouseistoputitmildly。WeplayedasortofBlindMan\'sBuffalongthedarkestpassages，intheunlighteddrawing-room，andlittledining-room，callingcheerilytoeachotheraftereachexplorationthathere，andhere，andhere，thetrouble-hadremoveditself。Wecameuptothebedroom——mineforthenightagain——andsat，thewomenonthebed，andwemenonchairs，drinkinginblesseddraughtsofpeaceandcomfortandcleanlinessofsoul，whileItoldthemmytaleinfull，andreceivedfreshpraise，thanks，andblessings。
Whentheservants，returnedfromtheirday\'souting，gaveusasupperofcoldfriedfish，M\'Leodhadsenseenoughtoopennowine。Wehadbeenpracticallydrunksincenightfall，andgrewincoherentonwaterandmilk。
\"IlikethatBaxter，\"saidM\'Leod。\"He\'sasharpman。Thedeathwasn\'tinthehouse，butheranitprettyclose，ain\'tit？\"
\"AndthejokeofitisthathesupposesIwanttobuytheplacefromyou，\"Isaid。\"Areyouselling？\"
\"NotfortwicewhatIpaidforit——now，\"saidM\'Leod。\"I\'llkeepyouinfursallyourlife，butnotourHolmescroft。\"
\"No——neverourHolmescroft，\"saidMissM\'Leod。\"We\'llaskhimhereonTuesday，mamma。\"Theysqueezedeachother\'shands。
\"Nowtellme，\"saidMrs。M\'Leod——\"thattallone，Isawoutofthescullerywindow——didshetellyoushewasalwayshereinthespirit？Ihateher。Shemadeallthistrouble。Itwasnotherhouseaftershehadsoldit。Whatdoyouthink？\"
\"Isuppose，\"Ianswered，\"shebroodedoverwhatshebelievedwashersister\'ssuicidenightandday——sheconfessedshedid——andherthoughtsbeingconcentratedonthisplace，theyfeltlikea——likeaburningglass。\"
\"Burningglassisgood，\"saidM\'Leod。
\"Isaiditwaslikealightofblacknessturnedonus，\"criedthegirl，twiddlingherring。\"Thatmusthavebeenwhenthetallonethoughtworstabouthersisterandthehouse。\"
\"Ah，thepoorAggie!\"saidMrs。M\'Leod。\"ThepoorAggie，tryingtotelleveryoneitwasnotso!NowonderwefeltSomethingwishedtosaySomething。Thea，Max，doyourememberthatnight\"
\"Weneednotrememberanymore，\"M\'Leodinterrupted。\"Itisnotourtrouble。Theyhavetoldeachothernow。\"
\"Doyouthink，then，\"saidMissM\'Leod，\"thatthosetwo，thelivingones，wereactuallytoldsomething——upstairs——inyourintheroom？\"
\"Ican\'tsay。Atanyratetheyweremadehappy，andtheyateabigteaafterwards。Asyourfathersays，itisnotourtroubleanylonger——thankGod!\"
\"Amen!\"saidM\'Leod。\"Now，Thea，letushavesomemusicafterallthesemonths。\'Withmirth，thouprettybird，\'ain\'tit？Yououghttohearthat。\"
Andinthehalf-lightedhall，TheasanganoldEnglishsongthatIhadneverheardbefore。
Withmirth，thouprettybird，rejoiceThyMaker\'spraiseenhanced；
Liftupthyshrillandpleasantvoice，ThyGodishighadvanced!
ThyfoodbeforeHedidprovide，Andgivesitinafittingside，Wherewithbethousufficed!
Whyshouldstthounowunpleasantbe，ThywrathagainstGodventing，ThatHealittlebirdmadethee，Thysillyheadtormenting，BecauseHemadetheenotaman？
Oh，Peace!Hehathwellthoughtthereon，Therewithbethousufficed!
THERABBI\'SSONG
IFTHOUGHTcanreachtoHeaven，OnHeavenletitdwell，ForfearthatThoughtbegivenLikepowertoreachtoHell。
ForfearthedesolationAnddarknessofthymind，PerplexanhabitationWhichthouhastleftbehind。
Letnothinglingerafter——
Nowhisperingghostremain，Inwall，orbeam，orrafter，Ofanyhateorpain:
Cleanseandcallhomethyspirit，Denyherleavetocast，Onaughtthyheirsinherit，Theshadowofherpast。
Forthink，inallthysadness，Whatroadourgriefsmaytake；
Whosebrainreflectourmadness，Orwhomourterrorsshake。
Forthink，lestanylanguishBycauseofthydistressThearrowsofouranguishFlyfartherthanweguess。
Ourlives，ourtears，aswater，Arespilledupontheground；
Godgivethnomanquarter，YetGodameanshathfound；
Thoughfaithandhopehavevanished，Andevenlovegrowsdim；
AmeanswherebyHisbanishedBenotexpelledfromHim!