Asheutteredthesewords，AHANDflutteredoverthetableintheair！Itwasafemalehand：thatwhichIhadseenthenightbefore。
Thatfemalehandtookapenfromthegreenbaizetable，dippeditinasilverinkstand，andwroteonaquarterofasheetoffoolscapontheblottingbook，Howaboutthediamondrobbery？Ifyoudonotpay，Iwilltellhimwheretheyare。
Whatdiamonds？whatrobbery？whatwasthismystery？Thatwillneverbeascertained，forthewretchedman’sdemeanorinstantlychanged。Certainly，sir——oh，certainly，hesaid，forcingagrin。Howwillyouhavethemoney，sir？Allright，Mr。Abednego。
Thiswayout。
IhopeIshalloftenseeyouagain，Isaid。onwhichIownpoorManassehgaveadreadfulgrin，andshotbackintohisparlor。
Iranhome，clutchingthetendelicious，crisphundredpounds，andthedearlittlefiftywhichmadeuptheaccount。Iflewthroughthestreetsagain。Igottomychambers。Iboltedtheouterdoors。Isankbackinmygreatchair，andslept……
Myfirstthingonwakingwastofeelformymoney。Perdition！
WherewasI？Ha！——onthetablebeforemewasmygrandmother’ssnuff-box，andbyitssideoneofthoseawful——thoseadmirable——
sensationnovels，whichIhadbeenreading，andwhicharefullofdeliciouswonder。
ButthattheguillotineisstilltobeseenatMr。Gale’s，No。47，HighHolborn，IgiveyouMYHONOR。IsupposeIwasdreamingaboutit。Idon’tknow。Whatisdreaming？Whatislife？Whyshouldn’tIsleepontheceiling？——andamIsittingonitnow，oronthefloor？Iampuzzled。Butenough。Ifthefashionforsensationnovelsgoeson，ItellyouIwillwriteoneinfiftyvolumes。Forthepresent，DIXI。Butbetweenourselves，thisPinto，whofoughtattheColosseum，whowasnearlybeingroastedbytheInquisition，andsangduetsatHolyrood，IamrathersorrytolosehimafterthreelittlebitsofRoundaboutPapers。Etvous？
BourgonefI
ATATABLED’HOTE
AtthecloseofFebruary，1848，IwasinNuremberg。MyoriginalintentionhadbeentopassacoupleofdaysthereonmywaytoMunich，thatbeing，Ithought，asmuchtimeascouldreasonablybesparedforsosmallacity，beckonedasmyfootstepsweretotheBavarianAthens，ofwhosegloriesofancientartandGermanRenaissanceIhadformedexpectationsthemostexaggerated——
expectationsfataltoanyperfectenjoyment，andcertaintobedisappointed，howevergreattheactualmeritofMunichmightbe。
ButaftertwodaysatNurembergIwassodeeplyinterestedinitsantiquesequesteredlife，thecharmsofwhichhadnotbeendeadenedbypreviousanticipations，thatIresolvedtoremainthereuntilI
hadmasteredeverydetailandknewtheplacebyheart。
Ihaveastorytotellwhichwillmoveamidsttragiccircumstancesoftooengrossinganaturetobedisturbedbyarchaeologicalinterests，andshallnot，therefore，minutelydescribeherewhatI
observedinNuremberg，althoughnoadequatedescriptionofthatwonderfulcityhasyetfalleninmyway。Toreadersunacquaintedwiththisantiqueplace，itwillbeenoughtosaythatinittheoldGermanlifeseemsstilltoagreatextentrescuedfromtheall-
devouring，all-equalizingtendenciesofEuropeancivilization。Thehousesareeitherofthefifteenthandsixteenthcenturies，orareconstructedafterthoseancientmodels。Thecitizenshavepreservedmuchofthesimplemannersandcustomsoftheirancestors。Thehurryingfeetofcommerceandcuriositypassrapidlyby，leavingitsequesteredfromtheagitationsandtheturmoilsofmetropolitanexistence。Itisasquietasavillage。
Duringmystaythereroseinitsquietstreetsthestartledechoesofhorroratacrimeunparalleledinitsannals，which，gatheringincreasedhorrorfromtheverypeacefulnessandserenityofthescene，arrestedtheattentionandthesympathyinadegreeseldomexperienced。Beforenarratingthat，itwillbenecessarytogobackalittle，thatmyownconnectionwithitmaybeintelligible，especiallyinthefancifulweavingtogetherofremoteconjectureswhichstrangelyinvolvedmeinthestory。
Thetabled’hoteattheBayerischerHofhadaboutthirtyvisitors——
all，withoneexception，ofthatlocalcommonplacewhichescapesremark。Indeedthismayalmostalwaysbesaidoftablesd’hote。
thoughthereisacurrentbelief，whichIcannotshare，ofatabled’hotebeingverydelightful——ofonebeingcertaintomeetpleasantpeoplethere。Itmaybeso。FormanyyearsIbelieveditwasso。
Thegeneralverdictreceivedmyassent。Ihadnevermetthosedelightfulpeople，butwasalwaysexpectingtomeetthem。Hithertotheyhadbeenconspicuousbytheirabsence。AccordingtomyexperienceinSpain，France，andGermany，suchdinnershadbeendrearyornoisyandvapid。IftheguestswereEnglish，theywerechillinglysilent，orsurlilymonosyllabic：totheirneighborstheywerefrigid。amongsteachothertheyspokeinlowundertones。Andiftheguestswereforeigners，theywerenoisy，clattering，andchattering，foolishforthemostpart，andvivaciouslycommonplace。
Idon’tknowwhichmademefeelmostdreary。Thepredominanceofmycountrymengavethedinnerthegayetyofafuneral。thepredominanceoftheMossoogaveitthefatigueofgot-upenthusiasm，oftrivialexpansiveness。Tohearstrangersimpartingthescrapsoferuditionandconnoisseurshipwhichtheyhadthatmorninggatheredfromtheirvaletsdeplaceandguide-books，ordescribingthesightstheyhadjustseen，toyou，whoeithersawthemyesterday，orwouldseethemto-morrow，couldnotbepermanentlyattractive。Mymindrefusestopastureonsuchfoodwithgusto。IcannotbemadetocarewhattheHerrBaron’ssentimentsaboutAlbertDurerorLucasCranachmaybe。Icandigestmyrindfleischwithouttheaidofthecommisvoyageur’scriticismsonGothicarchitecture。Thismaybemymisfortune。InspiteoftheItalianbloodwhichIinherit，Iamashyman——shyasthepurestBriton。But，likeothershymen，Imakeupinobstinacywhatmaybedeficientinexpansiveness。Icanbefrightenedintosilence，butIwon’tbedictatedto。Youmightaswellattemptthepersuasiveeffectofyoureloquenceuponasnailwhohaswithdrawnintohisshellatyourapproach，andwillnotemergetillhisconfidenceisrestored。TobetoldthatIMUSTseethis，andoughttogothere，becausemycasualneighborwascharme，hasneverpresenteditselftomeasanadequatemotive。
FromthisyoureadilygatherthatIamseverelytaciturnatatabled’hote。Irefrainfromjoininginthedelightfulconversation
whichfliesacrossthetable，andknowthatmyreticenceisattributedtoinsularpride。Itisreallyandtrulynothingbutimpatienceofcommonplace。Ithoroughlyenjoygoodtalk。but，askyourself，whataretheprobabilitiesofhearingthatrarethinginthecasualassemblageoffortyorfiftypeople，notbroughttogetherbyanynaturalaffinitiesorinterests，butthrowntogetherbytheaccidentofbeinginthesamedistrict，andinthesamehotel？Theyarenotfortyfeedinglikeone，butlikeforty。
Theyhavenocommunity，exceptthecommunityofcommonplace。No，tablesd’hotearenotdelightful，anddonotgatherinterestingpeopletogether。
Suchhasbeenmyextensiveexperience。ButthisatNurembergisaconspicuousexception。Atthattabletherewasoneguestwho，onvariousgrounds，personalandincidental，remainsthemostmemorablemanIevermet。Fromthefirstherivetedmyattentioninanunusualdegree。Hehadnot，asyet，inducedmetoemergefrommyhabitualreserve，forintruth，althoughherivetedmyattention，heinspiredmewithastrangefeelingofrepulsion。I
couldscarcelykeepmyeyesfromhim。yet，excepttheformalbowonsittingdownandrisingfromthetable，Ihadinterchangednosignoffellowshipwithhim。HewasayoungRussian，namedBourgonef，asIatoncelearned。ratherhandsome，andpeculiarlyarrestingtotheeye，partlyfromanairofsettledmelancholy，especiallyinhissmile，theamiabilityofwhichseemedbreakingfromundercloudsofgrief，andstillmoresofromthemuteappealtosympathyintheemptysleeveofhisrightarm，whichwasloopedtothebreast-buttonofhiscoat。Hiseyeswerelargeandsoft。Hehadnobeardorwhisker，andonlydelicatemoustaches。Thesorrow，quietbutprofound，theamiablesmileandthelostarm，wereappealingdetailswhichatoncearrestedattentionandexcitedsympathy。Buttomethissympathywasmingledwithavaguerepulsion，occasionedbyacertainfalsenessintheamiablesmile，andafurtivenessintheeyes，whichIsaw——orfancied——andwhich，withaninexplicablereserve，formingasitweretheimpregnablecitadelinthecenterofhisoutwardlypoliteandengagingmanner，gavemesomethingofthatvagueimpressionwhichweexpressbythewordsinstinctiveantipathy。
Itwas，whencalmlyconsidered，eminentlyabsurd。Toseeonesoyoung，andbyhisconversationsohighlyculturedandintelligent，condemnedtoearlyhelplessness，hisfoodcutupforhimbyaservant，asifhewereachild，naturallyengagedpity，and，onthefirstday，Icudgeledmybrainsduringthegreaterpartofdinnerintheefforttoaccountforhislostarm。Hewasobviouslynotamilitaryman。theunmistakablelookandstoopofastudenttoldthatplainlyenough。Norwasthelossonedatingfromearlylife：
heusedhisleftarmtooawkwardlyfortheeventnottohavehadarecentdate。Haditanythingtodowithhismelancholy？Herewasatopicformyvagabondimagination，andendlessweretheromanceswovenbyitduringmysilentdinner。Forthereadermustbetoldofonepeculiarityinme，becausetoitmuchofthestrangecomplicationsofmystoryaredue。complicationsintowhichamindlessactiveinweavingimaginaryhypothesestointerpretcasualandtriflingfactswouldneverhavebeendrawn。FrommychildhoodI
havebeenthevictimofmyconstructiveimagination，whichhasledmeintomanymistakesandsomescrapes。because，insteadofcontentingmyselfwithplain，obviousevidence，Ihaveallowedmyselftoframehypotheticalinterpretations，which，toactssimpleinthemselves，andexplicableonordinarymotives，renderthesimple-seemingactsportentous。Withbitterpangsofself-reproachIhaveattimesdiscoveredthatalongandplausiblehistoryconstructedbyme，relatingtopersonalfriends，hascrumpledintoaruinofabsurdity，bythedisclosureoftheprimarymisconceptiononwhichthewholehistorywasbased。Ihavegone，letussay，onthesuppositionthattwopeopleweresecretlylovers。onthissuppositionmyimaginationhasconstructedawholeschemetoexplaincertainacts，andonefinedayIhavediscoveredindubitablythatthesupposedloverswerenotlovers，butconfidantsoftheirpassionsinotherdirections，and，ofcourse，allmyconjectureshavebeenutterlyfalse。Thesecretflushofshameatfailurehasnot，however，preventedmyfallingintosimilarmistakesimmediatelyafter。
When，therefore，Ihereafterspeakofmyconstructiveimagination，thereaderwillknowtowhatIamalluding。ItwasalreadybusywithBourgonef。Toitmustbeaddedthatvaguerepulsion，previouslymentioned。Thisfeelingabatedonthesecondday。but，althoughlessened，itremainedpowerfulenoughtopreventmyspeakingtohim。Whetheritwouldhavecontinuedtoabateuntilitdisappeared，assuchantipathiesoftendisappear，underthefamiliaritiesofprolongedintercourse，withoutanyimmediateappealtomyamourpropre，Iknownot。buteveryreflectivemind，consciousofbeingaccessibletoantipathies，willrememberthatonecertainmethodofstiflingthemisfortheobjecttomakesomeappealtoourinterestorourvanity：intheengagementofthesemorepowerfulfeelings，theantipathyisquicklystrangled。Atanyrateitissoinmycase，andwassonow。
Onthethirdday，theconversationattablehappeningtoturn，asitoftenturned，uponSt。Sebald’sChurch，ayoungFrenchman，whowascriticisingitsarchitecturewithfluentdogmatism，drewBourgonefintothediscussion，andtherebyelicitedsuchadisplayofaccurateandextensiveknowledge，nolessthandelicacyofappreciation，thatwewerealllisteningspellbound。InthemidstofthistriumphantexpositiontheirritatedvanityoftheFrenchmancoulddonothingtoregainhispositionbutopposeaflatdenialtoahistoricalstatementmadebyBourgonef，backinghisdenialbytheconfidentassertionthatallthecompetentauthoritiesheldwithhim。AtthispointBourgonefappealedtome，andinthattoneofdeferencesoexquisitelyflatteringfromonewealreadyknowtobesuperiorherequestedmydecision。observingthat，fromthemannerinwhichhehadseenmeexaminethedetailsofthearchitecture，hecouldnotbemistakeninhisconfidencethatIwasaconnoisseur。
Alleyeswereturneduponme。Asashyman，thismademeblush。asavainman，theblushwasaccompaniedwithdelight。Itmighteasilyhavehappenedthatsuchanappeal，actingatonceuponshynessandignorance，wouldhaveinflamedmywrath。buttheappealhappeningtobedirectedonapointwhichIhadrecentlyinvestigatedandthoroughlymastered，Iwasflatteredattheopportunityofavictoriousdisplay。
Thepleasureofmytriumphdiffuseditselfovermyfeelingstowardshimwhohadbeentheoccasionofit。TheFrenchmanwassilenced。
thegeneralverdictofthecompanywastooobviouslyonourside。
FromthistimetheconversationcontinuedbetweenBourgonefandmyself。andhenotonlysucceededinentirelydissipatingmyabsurdantipathy——whichInowsawtohavebeenfoundedonpurelyimaginarygrounds，forneitherthefalsenessnorthefurtivenesscouldnowbedetected——buthesucceededincaptivatingallmysympathy。Longafterdinnerwasover，andthesalleempty，wesatsmokingourcigars，anddiscussingpolitics，literature，andartinthatsuggestivedesultorymannerwhichoftengivesacharmtocasualacquaintances。
Itwasastirringepoch，thatofFebruary，1848。TheRevolution，atfirstsohopeful，andsoontomanifestitselfinfailuresodisastrous，washurryingtoanoutburst。Francehadbeenformanymonthsagitatedbycriesofelectoralreform，andbyindignationatthecorruptionandscandalsinhighplaces。ThePraslinmurder，andthedishonorofM。Teste，terminatedbysuicide，hadbeeninterpretedassignsofthecomingdestruction。Thepoliticalbanquetsgiveninvariousimportantcitieshadbeenoccasionsforinflamingthepublicmind，andtothefar-seeing，thesebanquetswereinterpretedasthesoundsofthetocsin。LouisPhilippehadbecomeodioustoFrance，andcontemptibletoEurope。GuizotandDuchatel，theministersofthatday，althoughbackedbyaparliamentarymajorityonwhichtheyblindlyrelied，wereunpopular，andwereregardedasinfatuatedevenbytheiradmirersinEurope。TheSpanishmarriageshadallbutledtoawarwithEngland。TheOpposition，headedbyThiersandOdillonBarrot，wasstrengthenedbyunitedactionwiththerepublicanparty，headedbyLedruRollin，Marrast，Flocon，andLouisBlanc。
Bourgonefwasanardentrepublican。SowasI。butmycolorwasofadifferentshadefromhis。HebelongedtotheReds。Myowndominanttendenciesbeingartisticandliterary，mydreamwasofarepublicinwhichintelligencewouldbethearchonorruler。and，ofcourse，insucharepublic，artandliterature，asthehighestmanifestationofmind，wouldhavethesupremedirection。Doyousmile，reader？Ismilenow。butitwasseriousearnestwithmethen。Itisunnecessarytosaymoreonthispoint。Ihavesaidsomuchtorenderintelligiblethestraylinkofcommunionwhichrivetedthecharmofmynewacquaintance’sconversation。therewasbothagreementenoughanddifferenceenoughinourviewstorenderoursocietymutuallyfascinating。
OnretiringtomyroomthatafternoonIcouldnothelplaughingatmyabsurdantipathyagainstBourgonef。Allhisremarkshaddisclosedagenerous，ardent，andrefinednature。Whilemyantipathyhadspeciallyfasteneduponacertainfalsenessinhissmile——afalsenessthemorepoignantlyhideousifitwerefalseness，becausehiddenamidstthewreathsofamiability——mydelightinhisconversationhadspeciallyjustifieditselfbythetruthfulnessofhismodeoflookingatthings。Heseemedtobesincerityitself。Therewas，indeed，acertaincentralreserve。
butthatmightonlyheanintegrityofpride。oritmightbeconnectedwithpainfulcircumstancesinhishistory，ofwhichthemelancholyinhisfacewastheoutwardsign。
Thatveryeveningmyconstructiveimaginationwasfurnishedwithadetailonwhichitwassoontobeactivelysettowork。Ihadbeenramblingabouttheoldfortifications，andwasreturningatnightfallthroughtheoldarchwaynearAlbertDurer’shouse，whenamanpassedbyme。Welookedateachotherinthatautomaticwayinwhichmenlookwhentheymeetinnarrowplaces，andIfelt，sotospeak，astartofrecognitionintheeyesofthemanwhopassed。
Nothingelse，infeaturesorgestures，betrayedrecognitionorsurprise。Butalthoughtherewasonlythat，itflashedfromhiseyestominelikeanelectricshock。Hepassed。Ilookedback。
Hecontinuedhiswaywithoutturning。Thefacewascertainlyknowntome。butitfloatedinamistofconfusedmemories。
Iwalkedonslowly，pesteringmymemorywithfruitlesscallsuponit，hopelesslytryingtorecovertheplacewhereIcouldhaveseenthestrangerbefore。InvainmemorytraveledoverEuropeinconcert-rooms，theaters，shops，andrailwaycarriages。Icouldnotrecalltheoccasiononwhichthoseeyeshadpreviouslymetmine。
ThattheyhadmetthemIhadnodoubt。Iwenttobedwiththeriddleundiscovered。
II
THEECHOESOFMURDER
NextmorningNurembergwasagitatedwithahorrorsuchascanseldomhavedisturbeditsquiet。ayoungandlovelygirlhadbeenmurdered。Hercorpsewasdiscoveredatdaybreakunderthearchwayleadingtotheoldfortifications。Shehadbeenstabbedtotheheart。Noothersignsofviolencewerevisible。norobberyhadbeenattempted。
Ingreatcities，necessarilygreatcentersofcrime，wedailyhearofmurders。theirfrequencyandremotenessleaveusundisturbed。
Oursympathiescanonlybedeeplymovedeitherbysomescenicpeculiaritiesinvestingthecrimewithunusualromanceorunusualatrocity，orelsebythemoreimmediateappealofdirectneighborlyinterest。ThemurderwhichisreadofintheTimesashavingoccurredinWestminster，hasseldomanyspecialhorrortotheinhabitantsofIslingtonorOxfordStreet。buttotheinhabitantsofWestminster，andespeciallytotheinhabitantsoftheparticularstreetinwhichitwasperpetrated，thecrimeassumesheart-shakingproportions。Everydetailisaskedfor，andeverysurmiselistenedto，withfeverisheagernessisrepeatedanddiffusedthroughthecrowdwithgrowinginterest。Thefamilyofthevictim。theantecedentsoftheassassin，ifheisknown。ortheconjecturespointingtotheunknownassassin，——areeagerlydiscussed。Allthetrivialdetailsofhouseholdcareordomesticfortunes，alltheitemsofpersonalgossip，becomeinvestedwithasolemnandaffectinginterest。Pityforthevictimandsurvivorsmingleandalternatewithfiercecriesforvengeanceontheguilty。Thewholestreetbecomesonefamily，commingledbyanenergeticsympathy，unitedbyonecommonfeelingofcompassionandwrath。
Invillages，andincitiessosmallasNuremberg，thesamecommunityoffeelingismanifested。Thetownbecameasonestreet。
Thehorrorspreadlikeaconflagration，thesympathysurgedandswelledlikeatide。Everyonefeltapersonalinterestintheevent，asifthemurderhadbeencommittedathisowndoor。NevershallIforgetthatwailofpassionatepity，andthatcryforthevengeanceofjustice，whichrosefromallsidesofthestartledcity。NevershallIforgetthehurry，theagitation，thefeverishrestlessness，theuniversalcommunicativeness，thevolunteeredservices，theeagersuggestion，surgingroundthehouseoftheunhappyparents。HerrLehfeldt，thefatheroftheunhappygirl，wasarespectedburgherknowntoalmosteveryone。Hismercer’sshopwastheleadingoneofthecity。Aworthy，piousman，somewhatstrict，butofirreproachablecharacter。hisvirtues，nolessthanthoseofhiswife，andofhisonlydaughter，Lieschen——
now，alas。foreversnatchedfromtheiryearningeyes——werecanvassedeverywhere，andservedtointensifythegeneralgrief。
Thatsuchacalamityshouldhavefallenonahouseholdsoestimable，seemedtoaddfueltothepeople’swrath。PoorLieschen！herpretty，playfulways——heropeningprospects，astheonlydaughterofparentssowelltodoandsokind——heryouthandaboundinglife——theseweredetailedwithimpassionedfervorbyfriends，andrepeatedbystrangerswhocaughtthetoneoffriends，asifthey，too，hadknownandlovedher。Butamidstthesurginguproarofthisseaofmanyvoicesnooneclearvoiceofdirectioncouldbeheard。nocluegiventotheclamorousbloodhoundstorundowntheassassin。
Crieshadbeenheardinthestreetsthatnightatvariouspartsofthetown，which，althoughtheninterpretedasthequarrelsofdrunkenbrawlers，andtheconflictsofcats，werenowconfidentlyassertedtohaveproceededfromtheunhappygirlinherdeath-
struggle。Butnoneofthesecrieshadbeenheardintheimmediateneighborhoodofthearchway。Alltheinhabitantsofthatpartofthetownagreedthatintheirwakinghoursthestreetshadbeenperfectlystill。Norwerethereanytracesvisibleofastrugglehavingtakenplace。Lieschenmighthavebeenmurderedelsewhere，andhercorpsequietlydepositedwhereitwasfound，asfarasanyevidencewent。
Wildandvagueweretheconjectures。Allwerebaffledintheattempttogivethemadefinitedirection。Thecrimewasapparentlypromptedbyrevenge——certainlynotbylust，ordesireofmoney。Butshewasnotknowntostandinanyone’sway。Inthisutterblankastotheassignablemotive，I，perhapsaloneamongthefuriouscrowd，hadadistinctsuspicionoftheassassin。Nosoonerhadthenewsreachedme，thanwiththespecificationofthetheaterofthecrimethereatonceflasheduponmetheintellectualvisionofthecriminal：thestrangerwiththedarkbeardandstartledeyesstoodconfessedbeforeme！Iheldmybreathforafewmoments，andthentherecameatideofobjectionsrushingovermymind，revealingtheinadequacyofthegroundsonwhichrestedmysuspicions。Whatwerethegrounds？Ihadseenamaninaparticularspot，notanunfrequentedspot，ontheeveningofthenightwhenthecrimehadbeencommittedthere。thatmanhadseemedtorecognizeme，andwishedtoavoidbeingrecognized。ObviouslythesegroundsweretooslendertobearanyweightofconstructionsuchasIhadbasedonthem。Merepresenceonthespotcouldnomoreinculpatehimthanitcouldinculpateme。ifIhadmethimthere，equallyhadhemetmethere。Norevenifmysuspicionwerecorrectthatheknewme，andrefusedtorecognizeme，couldthatbeanyargumenttendingtocriminatehiminanaffairwhollydisconnectedwithme。Besides，hewaswalkingpeaceably，openly，andhelookedlikeagentleman。Alltheseobjectionspressedthemselvesuponme，andkeptmesilent。ButinspiteoftheirforceIcouldnotpreventthesuspicionfromcontinuallyarising。
Ashamedtomentionit，becauseitmayhavesoundedtooabsurd，I
couldnotpreventmyconstructiveimaginationindulginginitsvagaries，andwiththissecretconvictionIresolvedtoawaitevents，andincasesuspicionfromotherquartersshouldeverdesignatetheprobableassassin，Imightthencomeforwardwithmybitofcorroborativeevidence，shouldthesuspectedassassinbethestrangerofthearchway。
Bytwelveo’clockanewdirectionwasgiventorumor。Hithertothestories，whencarefullysiftedofallexaggerationsofflyingconjecture，hadsettledthemselvesintosomethinglikethis：TheLehfeldtshadretiredtorestataquarterbeforeten，aswastheircustom。TheyhadseenLieschengointoherbedroomforthenight，andhadthemselvesgonetosleepwithuncloudedminds。Fromthispeacefulsecuritytheywerestartledearlyinthemorningbytheappallingnewsofthecalamitywhichhadfallenonthem。
Incredulousatfirst，aswelltheymightbe，andincapableofbelievinginaruinsounexpectedandsooverwhelming，theyimaginedsomemistake，assertingthatLieschenwasinherownroom。
Intothatroomtheyrushed，andtheretheundisturbedbed，andtheopenwindow，butafewfeetfromthegarden，silentlyandpatheticallydisclosedthefataltruth。Thebereavedparentsturnedarevealinglookuponeachother’swhitenedfaces，andthenslowlyretiredfromtheroom，followedinaffectingsilencebytheothers。Backintotheirownroomtheywent。Thefatherkneltbesidethebed，and，sobbing，prayed。Themothersatstaringwithastupefiedstare，herlipsfaintlymoving。Inashortwhilethefloodofgrief，awakenedtoathoroughconsciousness，burstfromtheirlaboringhearts。Whenthefirstparoxysmswereovertheyquestionedothers，andgaveincoherentrepliestothequestionsaddressedtothem。FromallwhichitresultedthatLieschen’sabsence，thoughobviouslyvoluntary，waswhollyinexplicabletothem。andnoclewwhatevercouldbegivenastothemotivesofthecrime。Whenthesedetailsbecameknown，conjecturenaturallyinterpretedLieschen’sabsenceatnightasanassignation。Butwithwhom？Shewasnotknowntohavealover。Herfather，onbeingquestioned，passionatelyaffirmedthatshehadnone。shelovednoonebutherparents，poorchild！Hermother，onbeingquestioned，toldthesamestory——adding，however，thataboutseventeenmonthsbefore，shehadfanciedthatLieschenwasalittledisposedtofavorFranzKerkel，theirshopman。butonbeingspokentoonthesubjectwithsomeseriousness，andwarnedofthedistancebetweenthem，shehadlaughedheartilyattheidea，andsincethenhadtreatedFranzwithsomuchindifferencethatonlyaweekagoshehaddrawnfromhermotherareproofonthesubject。
ItoldherFranzwasagoodlad，thoughnotgoodenoughforher，andthatsheoughttotreathimkindly。Butshesaidmylecturehadgivenheranalarm，lestFranzshouldhavegotthesamemaggotintohishead。
Thiswasthestorynowpassingthroughthecuriouscrowdsineverystreet。AfterhearingitIhadturnedintoatobacconist’sintheAdlergrasse，torestockmycigar-case，andfoundthere，aseverywhere，agroupdiscussingtheonetopicofthehour。HerrFischer，thetobacconist，withalongporcelainpipependentfromhisscrewed-uplips，wassolemnlylisteningtotheparticularsvolublycommunicatedbyastoutBavarianpriest。whilebehindthecounter，inacorner，swiftlyknitting，sathiswife，herblackbead-likeeyesalsofixedontheorator。OfcourseIwasdraggedintotheconversation。Insteadofattendingtocommercialinterests，theylookeduponmeasthepossiblebeareroffreshnews。NorwasitwithoutasecretsatisfactionthatIfoundI
couldgratifytheminthatrespect。TheyhadnotheardofFranzKerkelinthematter。NosoonerhadItoldwhatIhadheardthantheknitting-needlesofthevivaciouslittlewomanwereatoncesuspended。
AchJe！sheexclaimed，Iseeitall。He’sthewretch！
Who？weallsimultaneouslyinquired。
Who？Why，Kerkel，ofcourse。Ifshechanged，andtreatedhimwithindifference，itwasbecauseshelovedhim。andhehasmurderedthepoorthing。
Howyourunon，wife！remonstratedFischer。whilethepriestshookadubioushead。
Itellyouitisso。I’mpositive。
Ifshelovedhim。
Shedid，Itellyou。Trustawomanforseeingthroughsuchthings。
Well，sayshedid，continuedFischer，andIwon’tdenythatitmaybeso。butthenthatmakesagainsttheideaofhishavingdoneheranyharm。
Don’ttellme，retortedtheconvincedwoman。Shelovedhim。
Shewentouttomeethiminsecret，andhemurderedher——thevillaindid。I’massureofitasiftheseeyeshadseenhimdoit。
Thehusbandwinkedatus，asmuchastosay，Youhearthesewomen！andthepriestandIendeavoredtoreasonheroutofherillogicalposition。Butshewasimmovable。Kerkelhadmurderedher。sheknewit。shecouldn’ttellwhy，butsheknewit。Perhapshewasjealous，whoknows？Atanyrate，heoughttobearrested。
Andbytwelveo’clock，asIsaid，anewrumorranthroughthecrowd，whichseemedtoconfirmthelittlewomaninherrashlogic。
Kerkelhadbeenarrested，andawaistcoatstainedwithbloodhadbeenfoundinhisroom！Byhalf-pasttwelvetherumorranthathehadconfessedthecrime。This，however，provedoninquirytobethehastyanticipationofpublicindignation。Hehadbeenarrested。thewaistcoathadbeenfound：somuchwasauthentic。andthesuspicionsgatheredominouslyoverhim。
WhenfirstFrauFischerhadstartedthesuggestionitflewlikewildfire。Thenpeoplesuddenlynoticed，asverysurprising，thatKerkelhadnotthatdaymadehisappearanceattheshop。Hisabsencehadnotbeennoticedinthetumultofgriefandinquiry。
butitbecamesuddenlyinvestedwithadreadfulsignificance，nowthatitwasrumoredthathehadbeenLieschen’slover。Ofallmenhewouldbethemostaffectedbythetragicnews。ofallmenhewouldhavebeenthefirsttotendersympathyandaidtotheafflictedparents，andthemostclamorousinthesearchfortheundiscoveredculprit。Yet，whileallNurembergwascrowdingroundthehouseofsorrow，whichwasalsohishouseofbusiness，healoneremainedaway。Thisnaturallypointedsuspicionathim。Whenthemessengershadgonetoseekhim，hismotherrefusedthemadmission，declaringinincoherentphrases，betrayinggreatagitation，thathersonwasgonedistractedwithgriefandcouldseenoone。Onthisitwasdeterminedtoorderhisarrest。Thepolicewent，thehousewassearched，andthewaistcoatfound。
ThetestimonyofthegirlwholivedasservantinKerkel’shousewasalsocriminatory。Shedeposedthatonthenightinquestionsheawokeabouthalf-pastelevenwithaviolenttoothache。shewascertainastothehour，becausesheheardtheclockafterwardsstriketwelve。Shefeltsomealarmathearingvoicesintheroomsatanhourwhenhermistressandyoungmastermustlongagohavegonetobed。butasthevoiceswereseeminglyinquietconversation，heralarmsubsided，andsheconcludedthatinsteadofhavinggonetobedhermistresswasstillup。Inherpainsheheardthedoorgentlyopen，andthensheheardfootstepsinthegarden。Thissurprisedherverymuch。Shecouldn’tthinkwhattheyoungmastercouldwantgoingoutatthathour。Shebecameterrifiedwithoutknowingexactlyatwhat。Fearquitedroveawaythetoothache，whichhadnotsincereturned。Afterlyingtherequakingforsometime，againsheheardfootstepsinthegarden。thedooropenedandclosedgently。voiceswereheard。andsheatlastdistinctlyheardhermistresssay，Beaman，Franz。Good-night——
sleepwell。uponwhichFranzrepliedinatoneofgreatagony，There’snochanceofsleepforme。Thenallwassilent。Nextmorninghermistressseemedveryqueer。Heryoungmasterwentoutveryearly，butsooncamebackagain。andthereweredreadfulscenesgoingoninhisroom，assheheard，butshedidn’tknowwhatitwasallabout。Sheheardofthemurderfromaneighbor，butneverthoughtofitshavinganyparticularinterestforMr。Franz，though，ofcourse，hewouldbeverysorryfortheLehfeldts。
Thefactstestifiedtobytheservant，especiallythegoingoutatthatlatehour，andthedreadfulscenesofthemorning，seemedtobearbutoneinterpretation。Moreover，sheidentifiedthewaistcoatastheonewornbyFranzonthedayprecedingthefatalnight。
III
THEACCUSED
Nowatlastthepent-upwrathfoundavent。Fromthedistractingconditionofwanderinguncertainsuspicion，ithadbeenrecalledintothegladsecurityofindividualhate。AlthoughuptothistimeKerkelhadborneanexemplaryreputation，itwasnowrememberedthathehadalwaysbeenofamoroseandviolenttemper，ahypocriteinreligion，aselfishsensualist。Severalsagaciouscriticshadlongseenthroughhim。othershadneverlikedhim。
othershadwonderedhowitwashekepthisplacesolonginLehfeldt’sshop。Poorfellow！hislifeandactions，likethoseofeveryoneelsewhenilluminatedbyalightthrownbackuponthem，seemedsoconspicuouslydespicable，althoughwhenilluminatedintheirownlighttheyhadseemedinnocentenough。Hismother’sfranticprotestationsofherson’sinnocence——herassertionsthatFranzlovedLieschenmorethanhisownsoul——onlyservedtoenvelopherinthesilentaccusationofbeinganaccomplice，oratleastofbeinganaccessoryafterthefact。
Icannotsaywhyitwas，butIdidnotsharetheuniversalbelief。
Thelogicseemedtomeforced。theevidencetrivial。OnfirsthearingofKerkel’sarrest，Ieagerlyquestionedmyinformantrespectinghispersonalappearance。andonhearingthathewasfair，withblueeyesandflaxenhair，myconvictionofhisinnocencewasfixed。Lookingbackonthesedays，Iamoftenamusedatthischaracteristicofmyconstructiveimagination。Whilerejectingthedisjointedlogicofthemob，whichinterpretedhisguilt，Iwasmyselfdeludedbyalogicinfinitelylessrational。
HadKerkelbeendark，withdarkeyesandbeard，Ishouldprobablyhavesworntohisguilt，simplybecausetheideaofthatstrangerhadfirmlyfixeditselfinmymind。
Allthatafternoon，andallthenextday，thebusyhumofvoiceswasraisedbytheonetopicofcommandinginterest。Kerkelhadbeenexamined。HeatonceadmittedthatasecretbetrothalhadforsometimeexistedbetweenhimandLieschen。Theyhadbeenledtotakethisimproperstepbyfearofherparents，who，hadtheattachmentbeendiscovered，would，itwasthought，haveseparatedthemforever。HerrLehfeldt’ssternness，nolessthanhissuperiorposition，seemedaninvincibleobstacle，andthegoodmother，althoughdotinguponheronlydaughter，wasledbytheveryintensityofheraffectiontoformambitioushopesofherdaughter’sfuture。Itwasbarelypossiblethatsometurnineventsmightonedayyieldanopeningfortheirconsent。butmeanwhileprudencedictatedsecrecy，inordertoavertthemostpressingdanger，thatofseparation。
AndsotheprettyLieschen，withfeminineinstinctofruse，hadaffectedtotreatherloverwithindifference。andtocompensatehimandherselfforthisrestraint，shehadbeeninthehabitofescapingfromhomeonceortwiceaweek，andspendingadelicioushourortwoatnightinthecompanyofherloverandhismother。
Kerkelandhismotherlivedinacottagealittlewayoutsidethetown。Lehfeldt’sshopstoodnotmanyyardsfromthearchway。Now，asinNurembergnoonewasabroadafterteno’clock，exceptafewloungersatthecafesandbeer-houses，andthesewereonlytobemetinsidethetown，notoutsideit，Lieschenranextremelylittleriskofbeingobservedinherrapidtransitfromherfather’stoherlover’shouse。Nor，indeed，hadsheevermetanyoneinthecourseofthesevisits。
OnthefatalnightLieschenwasexpectedatthecottage。Motherandsonwaitedatfirsthopefully，thenanxiously，atlastwithsomevagueuneasinessathernon-appearance。Itwasnowaquarterpasteleven——nearlyanhourlaterthanherusualtime。Theyoccasionallywenttothedoortolookforher。thentheywalkedafewyardsdowntheroad，asiftocatchanearlierglimpseofheradvancingsteps。Butinvain。Thehalf-hourstruck。Theycamebackintothecottage，discussingthevariousprobabilitiesofdelay。Three-quartersstruck。Perhapsshehadbeendetected。
perhapsshewasill。perhaps——butthiswashismother’ssuggestion，andtooklittleholdofhim——therehadbeenvisitorswhohadstayedlaterthanusual，andLieschen，findingthenightsoadvanced，hadpostponedhervisittothemorrow。Franz，whointerpretedLieschen’sfeelingsbyhisown，wasassuredthatnopostponementofavoluntarykindwascredibleofher。Twelveo’clockstruck。
AgainFranzwentoutintotheroad，andwalkednearlyuptothearchway。hereturnedwithheavysadnessandforebodingathisheart，reluctantlyadmittingthatnowallhopeofseeingherthatnightwasover。Thatnight？Poorsorrowingheart，thenightwastobeeternal！Theanguishofthedesolatenevermorewasawaitinghim。
Thereissomethingintenselypatheticinbeingthus，asitwere，spectatorsofatragicdramawhichisbeingactedontwoseparatestagesatonce——thedreadfullinkofconnection，whichisunseentotheseparateactors，beingonlytoovividlyseenbythespectators。
ItwaswithsomeinterestthatI，whobelievedinKerkel’sinnocence，heardthisstory。andinimaginationfolloweditsunfoldingstage。Hewenttobed，not，asmaybeexpected，tosleep。tossingrestlesslyinfeverishagitation，conjuringupmanyimaginaryterrors——butallofthemtriflescomparedwiththedreadrealitywhichhewassosoontoface。Hepicturedherweeping——andshewaslyingdeadonthecoldpavementofthedarkarchway。Hesawherinagitatedeloquencepleadingwithoffendedparents——andshewasremovedforeverfromallagitations，withthepeaceofdeathuponheryoungface。
Atanearlyhourhestarted，thathemightputanendtohissuspense。Hehadnotyetreachedthearchwaybeforetheshatteringnewsburstuponhim。Fromthatmomentherememberednothing。Buthismotherdescribedhisghastlyagitation，as，throwinghimselfuponherneck，hetoldher，throughdreadfulsobs，thecalamitywhichhadfallen。Shedidherbesttocomforthim。buthegrewwilderandwilder，androlleduponthegroundintheagonyofanimmeasurabledespair。Shetrembledforhisreasonandhislife。
Andwhenthemessengerscametoseekhim，shespokebutthesimpletruthinsayingthathewaslikeonedistracted。Yetnosoonerhadaglimpseoflightdawnedonhimthatsomevaguesuspicionrestedonhiminreferencetothemurder，thanhestartedup，flungawayhisagitation，and，withacalmnesswhichwasawful，answeredeveryquestion，andseemednervedforeverytrial。Fromthatmomentnotasobescapedhimuntil，inthenarrativeofthenight’sevents，hecametothatpartwhichtoldofthesuddendisclosureofhisbereavement。Andthesimple，straightforwardmannerinwhichhetoldthistale，withafaceentirelybloodless，andeyesthatseemedtohavewithdrawnalltheirlightinwards，madeagreatimpressionontheaudience，whichwasheightenedintosympathywhenthefinalsob，breakingthroughtheforcedcalmness，toldoftheagonywhichwaseatingitsfierywaythroughtheheart。
Thestorywasnotonlyplausibleinitself，butaccuratelytalliedwithwhatbeforehadseemedlikethecriminatingevidenceofthemaid。tallied，moreover，preciselyastotime，whichwouldhardlyhavebeenthecasehadthestorybeenaninvention。Astothewaistcoatwhichhadfiguredsoconspicuouslyinalltherumors，itappearedthatsuspicionhadmonstrouslyexaggeratedthefacts。
Insteadofawaistcoatplashedwithblood——aspopularimaginationpicturedit——itwasagraywaistcoat，withonespotandaslightsmearofblood，whichadmittedofaverysimpleexplanation。Threedaysbefore，Franzhadcuthislefthandincuttingsomebread。andtothisthemaidtestified，becauseshewaspresentwhentheaccidentoccurred。Hehadnotnoticedthathiswaistcoatwasmarkedbyituntilthenextday，andhadforgottentowashoutthestains。
Peopleoutsideshookskepticalheadsatthisstoryofthecuthand。
Thebloodywaistcoatwasnottobedisposedofinthateasyway。
Ithadfixeditselftoostronglyintheirimagination。Indeed，mybeliefisthatevencouldtheyhaveseenthewaistcoat，itsinsignificantmarkswouldhaveappearedmurderouspatchestotheireyes。Ihadseenit，andmyreportwaslistenedtowithill-
concealeddisbelief，whennotwithopenprotestation。AndwhenKerkelwasdischargedasfreefromallsuspicion，therewasalowgrowlofdisappointedwrathheardfromnumerousgroups。
Thismaysympatheticallybeunderstoodbywhomsoeverremembersthepainfuluneasinessofthemindunderagreatstressofexcitementwithnodefiniteissue。Thelustforavengeance，demandedbythearousedsensibilitiesofcompassion，makesmencredulousintheirimpatience。theyeasilybelieveanyoneisguilty，becausetheyfeelanimperiousneedforfasteningtheguiltuponsomedefinitehead。
FewverdictsofNotGuiltyarewellreceived，unlessanothervictimisathanduponwhomtheverdictofguiltyislikelytofall。ItwasdemonstrabletoalljudicialmindsthatKerkelwaswholly，patheticallyinnocent。Inafewdaysthisgraduallybecamecleartothemajority，butatfirstitwasresistedasanattempttobalkjustice。andtothelastthereweresomeobstinatedoubters，whoshooktheirheadsmysteriously，andsaid，withacertainincisiveness，Somebodymusthavedoneit。Ishouldverymuchliketoknowwho。
Suspiciononcemorewasdriftingaimlessly。Nonehadpointedinanynewdirection。NomentionofanyonewhomIcouldidentifywiththestrangerhadyetbeenmade。but，althoughsilentonthesubject，Ikeptfirminmyconviction，andIsometimeslaughedatthepertinacitywithwhichIscrutinizedthefaceofeverymanI
met，ifhehappenedtohaveablackbeard。andasblackbeardsareexcessivelycommon，mycuriosity，thoughnevergratified，wasneverallowedrepose。
MeanwhileLieschen’sfuneralhadbeenemphaticallyapublicmourning。Nay，sogreatwastheemotion，thatitalmostdeadenedtheinterestwhichotherwisewouldhavebeensopowerful，inthenewsnowdailyreachingusfromParis。Bloodhadfloweduponherstreets——inconsequenceofthatpistol-shot，which，eitherbyaccidentorcriminalintent，hadconvertedthedemonstrationbeforethehoteloftheMinisterofForeignAffairsintoaninsurrection。
Parishadrisen。barricadeswereerected。Thetroopswereunderarms。Thiswasagitatingnews。
SuchisthesolidarityofallEuropeannations，andsoquickarealltovibrateinunisonwiththevibrationsofeach，thateventslikethosetransactedinParisnecessarilystirredeverycity，nomatterhowremote，norpoliticallyhowsecure。AnditsaysmuchfortheintenseinterestexcitedbytheLehfeldttragedythatNurembergwascapableofsustainingthatinterestevenamidthetremendouspressureoftheFebruaryRevolution。ItistruethatNurembergisatalltimessomewhatsequesteredfromthegreatmovementsoftheday，followingslowlyintherearofgreatwaves。
itistrue，moreover，thatsomepoliticiansshowedremarkableeagernessincanvassingthecharactersandhopesofLouisPhilippeandGuizot。butalthoughsucheventswouldatanotherperiodhaveformedtheuniversalinterest，theimpenetrablemysteryhangingoverLieschen’sdeaththrewtheRevolutionintothebackgroundoftheirthoughts。Ifwhenastormisragingoverthedrearymoorland，ahumancryofsufferingisheardatthedoor，atoncethethundersandthetumultsinkintoinsignificance，andarenotevenheardbytheearwhichispiercedwiththefeeblehumanvoice：
thegrandeursofstormandtempest，theuproarofsurgingseas，theclamorouswailofsea-birdsamidthevolleyingartilleryofheaven，invainassailtheearthathasoncecaughteventhedistantcryofahumanagony，orserveonlyasscenicalaccompanimentstothetragedywhichisforeshadowedbythatcry。Andsoitwasamidtheuproarof1848。Akingdomwasinconvulsions。buthere，atourdoor，ayounggirlhadbeenmurdered，andtwohearthsmadedesolate。Rumorscontinuedtoflyabout。Theassassinwasalwaysabouttobediscovered。butheremainedshroudedinimpenetrabledarkness。AremarkmadebyBourgonefstruckmemuch。Ourhost，ZumBayerischenHof，onedayannouncedwithgreatsatisfactionthathehadhimselfheardfromthesyndicthatthepolicewereonthetracesoftheassassin。
Iamsorrytohearit，saidBourgonef。
Theguestspausedfromeating，andlookedathimwithastonishment。
Itisaproof，headded，thateventhepolicenowgiveitupashopeless。Ialwaysnoticethatwheneverthepolicearesaidtobeonthetracesthemalefactorisnevertracked。Whentheyareonhistracestheywiselysaynothingaboutit。theyallowittobebelievedthattheyarebaffled，inordertolulltheirvictimintoadangeroussecurity。Whentheyknowthemselvestobebaffled，thereisnodangerinquietingthepublicmind，andsavingtheirowncredit，byannouncingthattheyareabouttobesuccessful。
IV
ADISCOVERY
Bourgonef’sremarkhadbeenbuttoosagacious。Thepolicewerehoplesslybaffled。Inallsuchcasespossiblesuccessdependsupontheinitialsuggestioneitherofamotivewhichleadstoasuspicionoftheperson，orofsomepersonwhichleadstoasuspicionofthemotive。Oncesetsuspicionontherighttrack，andevidenceissuddenlyalightinallquarters。But，unhappily，inthepresentcasetherewasnoassignablemotive，noshadowdarkeninganyperson。
AnepisodenowcametoourknowledgeinwhichBourgonefmanifestedanunusualdepthofinterest。Iwasledtonoticethisinterest，becauseithadseemedtomethatinthecrimeitself，andthediscussionswhicharoseoutofit，hesharedbutlittleoftheuniversalexcitement。Idonotmeanthathewasindifferent——bynomeans。butthehorrorofthecrimedidnotseemtofascinatehisimaginationasitfascinatedours。Hecouldtalkquiteasreadilyofotherthings，andfarmorereadilyoftheFrenchaffairs。Butonthecontrary，inthisnewepisodeheshowedpeculiarinterest。
ItappearedthatLehfeldt，moved，perhaps，partlybyasenseoftheinjusticewhichhadbeendonetoKerkelinevensuspectinghimofthecrime，andinsubmittinghimtoanexaminationmorepoignantlyaffectingtohimundersuchcircumstancesthanapublictrialwouldhavebeenunderothers。andmovedpartlybythesensethatLieschen’slovehadpracticallydrawnKerkelwithinthefamily——forherchoiceofhimasahusbandhadmadehimmorally，ifnotlegally，ason-in-law。andmovedpartlybythesenseoflonelinesswhichhadnowsettledontheirchildlesshome，——LehfeldthadinthemostpatheticandconsideratetermsbeggedKerkeltotaketheplaceofhisadoptedson，andbecomejointpartnerwithhiminthebusiness。This，however，Kerkelhadgentlyyetfirmlydeclined。
Heaverredthathefeltnoinjury，thoughgreatpainhadbeeninflictedonhimbytheexamination。Hehimselfinsuchacasewouldnothaveshrunkfromdemandingthathisownbrothershouldbetried，undersuspicionsofsimilarurgency。Itwassimplejusticethatallwhoweresuspectedshouldbeexamined。justicealsotothemthattheymightforeverclearthemselvesofdoubtfulappearances。Butfortherest，whilehefelthisoldaffectionaterespectforhismaster，hecouldrecognizenoclaimtoberemovedfromhispresentposition。Hadshelived，saidtheheartbrokenyouth，hewouldgladlyhaveconsentedtoacceptanyfortunewhichherlovemightbestow，becausehefeltthathisownloveandthedevotionofalifemightrepayit。Buttherewasnothingnowthathecouldgiveinexchange。Forhisserviceshewasamplypaid。hisfeelingstowardsLieschen’sparentsmustcontinuewhattheyhadeverbeen。InvainLehfeldtpleaded，invainmanyfriendsargued。
Franzremainedrespectfullyfirminhisrefusal。
This，asIsaid，interestedBourgonefimmensely。Heseemedtoentercompletelyintothemindsofthesorrowing，pleadingparents，andthesorrowing，denyinglover。Heappreciatedandexpoundedtheirmotiveswithasubtletyanddelicacyofperceptionwhichsurprisedanddelightedme。Itshowedtherefinementofhismoralnature。But，atthesametime，itrenderedhisminordegreeofinterestintheotherepisodesofthestory，thosewhichhadamoredirectandoverpoweringappealtotheheart，agreaterparadox。
Humannatureistroubledinthepresenceofallmysterywhichhasnotbylongfamiliaritylostitspowerofsolicitingattention。andformyownpart，Ihavealwaysbeenuneasyinthepresenceofmoralproblems。PuzzledbythecontradictionswhichInoticedinBourgonef，Itriedtodiscoverwhetherhehadanygeneralrepugnancetostoriesofcrimes，oranyspecialrepugnancetomurders，or，finally，anystrangerepugnancetothisparticularcasenoweverywherediscussed。Anditisnotalittleremarkablethatduringthreeseparateinterviews，inthecourseofwhichI
severally，andasIthoughtartfully，introducedthesetopics，makingthemseemtoarisenaturallyoutofthesuggestionofourtalk，Itotallyfailedtoarriveatanydistinctconclusion。Iwasafraidtoputthedirectquestion：Doyounotsharethecommonfeelingofinterestincriminalstories？Thisquestionwoulddoubtlesshaveelicitedacategoricalreply。butsomehow，theconsciousnessofanarriere-penseemademeshrinkfromputtingsuchaquestion。
Reflectingonthisindifferenceonaspecialpoint，andonthenumerousmanifestationsIhadnoticedofhissensibility，Icameatlasttotheconclusionthathemustbeamanoftenderheart，whosedelicatesensibilitieseasilyshrankfromthehorribleundereveryform。andnomorepermittedhimtodwellunnecessarilyuponpainfulfacts，thantheypermitimaginativemindstodwellonthedetailsofanoperation。
Ihadnotlongsettledthisinmymindbeforeanaccidentsuddenlythrewaluridlightuponmanydetailsnoticedpreviously，andpainfullyrevivedthatinexplicablerepulsionwithwhichIhadatfirstregardedhim。Anewsuspicionfilledmymind，orrather，letmesay，adistinctshapewasimpresseduponmanyfluctuatingsuspicions。Itscarcelyadmittedofargument，andattimesseemedpreposterous，neverthelessitpersisted。Themindwhichinbroaddaylightassentstoallthatcanbeallegedagainsttheabsurditiesofthebeliefinapparitions，willoftenacknowledgethedimterrorsofdarknessandloneliness——terrorsatpossibilitiesofsupernaturalvisitations。Inlikemanner，inthecleardaylightofreasonIcouldseetheabsurdityofmysuspicion，butthevaguestirringsoffeelingremainedunsilenced。Iwashauntedbythedimhorrorsofapossibility。
Thusitarose。WewerebothgoingtoMunich，andBourgonefhadshortenedhiscontemplatedstayatNurembergthathemighthavethepleasureofaccompanyingme。addingalsothathe，too，shouldbegladtoreachMunich，notonlyforitsart，butforitsgreatercommandofpapersandintelligencerespectingwhatwasthengoingoninFrance。Onthenightprecedingthemorningofourdeparture，Iwasseatedinhisroom，smokinganddiscussingasusual，whileIvan，hisservant，packeduphisthingsintwolargeportmanteaus。
Ivanwasaserfwhospokenowordofanylanguagebuthisown。
Althoughofabrutal，almostidiotictype，hewasloudlyeulogizedbyhismasterasthemodeloffidelityandusefulness。Bourgoneftreatedhimwithgentleness，thoughwithacertainimperiousness。
muchasonemighttreatasavagemastiffwhichitwasnecessarytodominatewithoutexasperating。HemorethanoncespokeofIvanasalivingsatireonphysiognomistsandphrenologists。andasIamaphrenologist，Ilistenedwithsomeincredulity。
Lookathim，hewouldsay。Observethelow，retreatingbrow，theflatface，thesurlymouth，thebroadbaseofthehead，andthehugebull-likeneck。WouldnotanyonesayIvanwasasdestructiveasapanther，astenaciousasabull-dog，asbrutalasabull？Yetheisthegentlestofsluggishcreatures，andastender-heartedasagirl！Thatthick-setmuscularframeshroudsahare’sheart。HeissofaithfulandsoattachedthatIbelieveformehewouldriskhislife。butonnoaccountcouldyougethimtoplacehimselfindangeronhisownaccount。Partofhisloveformeisgratitudeforhavingrescuedhimfromtheconscription：thedangersincidenttoamilitarylifehadnocharmforhim！
Now，althoughBourgonef，whowasnotaphrenologist，mightbeconvincedoftheabsenceofferociousinstinctsinIvan，tome，asaphrenologist，thestatementwaseminentlyincredible。Alltheappearancesofhismannerweresuchastoconfirmhismaster’sopinion。Hewasquiet，eventenderinhisattentions。Butthetyrannousinfluenceofideasandphysicalimpressionscannotbesetaside。andnoevidencewouldpermanentlyhavekeptdownmydistrustofthisman。Whenwomenshriekatthesightofagun，itisinvainthatyousolemnlyassurethemthatthegunisnotloaded。I
don’tknow，theyreply，——atanyrate，Idon’tlikeit。IwasmuchinthisattitudewithregardtoIvan。Hemightbeharmless。
Ididn’tknowthat。whatIdidknowwas——thatIdidn’tlikehislooks。
Onthisnighthewasmovingnoiselesslyabouttheroom，employedinpacking。Bourgonef’stalkrambledovertheoldthemes。andI
thoughtIhadneverbeforemetwithoneofmyownagewhosesocietywassoperfectlydelightful。HewasnotsoconspicuouslymysuperioronallpointsthatIfelttherestraintsinevitablyimposedbysuperiority。yethewasinmanyrespectssufficientlyabovemeinknowledgeandpowertomakemeeagertohavehisassenttomyviewswherewediffered，andtohavehimenlightenmewhereI
knewmyselftobeweak。
Intheverymomentofmymostcordialadmirationcameashock。
Ivan，onpassingfromonepartoftheroomtotheother，caughthisfootinthestrapoftheportmanteauandfell。Thesmallwoodenbox，somethingofaglove-box，whichheheldinhishandatthetime，fellonthefloor，andfallingover，dischargeditscontentsclosetoBourgonef’sfeet。Theobjectswhichcaughtmyeyeswereseveralpairsofgloves，arouge-potandhare’sfoot，andablackbeard！
BywhatcapriceofimaginationwasitthatthesightofthisfalsebeardlyingatBourgonef’sfeetthrilledmewithhorror？Inonelightning-flashIbeheldthearchway——thestrangerwiththestartledeyes——thisstrangernolongerunknowntome，buttoofatallyrecognizedasBourgonef——andathisfeetthemurderedgirl！
MovedbywhatsubtlespringsofsuggestionIknownot，buttherebeforemestoodthatdreadfulvision，seeninaluridlight，butseenasclearlyasiftheactualpresenceoftheobjectswereobtrudingitselfuponmyeyes。Intheinexpressiblehorrorofthisvisionmyheartseemedclutchedwithanicyhand。
FortunatelyBourgonef’sattentionwascalledawayfromme。Hespokeangrilysomeshortsentence，whichofcoursewasinRussian，andthereforeunintelligibletome。Hethenstooped，andpickinguptherouge-pot，heldittowardsmewithhismelancholysmile。Hewasveryredintheface。butthatmayhavebeeneitherangerortheeffectofsuddenstooping。Iseeyouaresurprisedatthesemasqueradingfollies，hesaidinatonewhich，thoughlow，wasperfectlycalm。YoumustnotsupposethatIbeautifymysallowcheeksonordinaryoccasions。
HethenquietlyhandedthepottoIvan，whoreplaceditwiththeglovesandthebeardinthebox。andaftermakinganinquirywhichsoundedlikeagrowl，towhichBourgonefanswerednegatively，hecontinuedhispacking。
Bourgonefresumedhiscigarandhisargumentasifnothinghadhappened。
Thevisionhaddisappeared，butaconfusedmassofmovingfigurestookitsplace。Myheartthrobbedsoviolentlythatitseemedtomeasifitstumultmustbeheardbyothers。Yetmyfacemusthavebeentolerablycalm，sinceBourgonefmadenocommentonit。
Iansweredhisremarksinvaguefragments，for，intruth，mythoughtswereflyingfromconjecturetoconjecture。Irememberedthatthestrangerhadafloridcomplexion。wasthisrouge？ItistruethatIfanciedthestrangercarriedawalking-stickinhisrighthand。ifso，thiswasenoughtocrushallsuspicionsofhisidentitywithBourgonef。butthenIwasratherhazyonthispoint，andprobablydidnotobserveawalking-stick。
Afterawhilemyinattentionstruckhim，andlookingatmewithsomeconcern，heinquirediftherewasanythingthematter。I
pleadedacolic，whichIattributedtotheimprudenceofhavingindulgedinsauerkrautatdinner。Headvisedmetotakealittlebrandy。but，affectingafreshaccessofpain，Ibadehimgood-
night。HehopedIshouldbeallrightonthemorrow——ifnot，headded，wecanpostponeourjourneytillthedayafter。
OnceinmyownroomIboltedthedoor，andsatdownontheedgeofthebedinatumultofexcitement。
V
FLUCTUATIONS
Alonewithmythoughts，andcapableofpursuingconjecturesandconclusionswithoutexternalinterruption，Iquicklyexhaustedallthehypotheticalpossibilitiesofthecase，and，fromhavingstartedwiththeideathatBourgonefwastheassassin，IcameatlasttothemoresensibleconclusionthatIwasaconstructiveblockhead。Mysuspicionsweresimplyoutrageousintheirdefectofevidence，andcouldneverforonemomenthaveseemedotherwisetoanyimaginationlessriotouslyactivethanmine。
Ibathedmyheatedhead，undressedmyself，andgotintobed，consideringwhatIshouldsaytothepolicewhenIwentnextmorningtocommunicatemysuspicions。Anditisworthyofremark，aswellassomewhatludicrouslyself-betraying，thatnosoonerdidImentallyseemyselfinthepresenceofthepolice，andwasthusforcedtoconfrontmysuspicionswithsomeappearanceofevidence，thanthewholefabricofmyvisionrattledtotheground。WhathadItosaytothepolice？Simplythat，ontheeveningofthenightwhenLieschenwasmurdered，IhadpassedinapublicthoroughfareamanwhomIcouldnotidentify，butwhoasIcouldnothelpfancying，seemedtorecognizeme。Thisman，Ihadpersuadedmyself，wasthemurderer。forwhichpersuasionIwasunabletoadduceatittleofevidence。Itwasuncoloredbytheremotestpossibility。Itwastrulyandsimplythesuggestionofmyvagrantfancy，whichhadmysteriouslysettleditselfintoaconviction。andhavingthuscapriciouslyidentifiedthestrangerwithLieschen’smurderer，Inow，uponevidencequiteaspreposterous，identifiedBourgonefwiththestranger。
Thefollybecameapparenteventomyself。IfBourgonefhadinhispossessionarouge-potandfalsebeard，Icouldnotbutacknowledgethathemadenoattempttoconcealthem，norhadhemanifestedanyconfusionontheirappearance。Hehadquietlycharacterizedthemasmasqueradingfollies。Moreover，Inowbegantorememberdistinctlythatthestrangerdidcarryawalking-stickinhisrighthand。andasBourgonefhadlosthisrightarm，thatsettledthepoint。
Intosuchcomplications，wouldthetricksofimaginationleadme！
Iblushedmentally，andresolvedtoletitserveasalessoninfuture。Itisneedless，however，tosaythatthelessonwaslost，assuchlessonsalwaysarelost。astrongtendencyinanydirectionsoondisregardsalltheteachingsofexperience。Iamstillnotthelessthevictimofmyconstructiveimagination，becauseIhavefrequentlyhadtobeashamedofitsvagaries。
ThenextmorningIawokewithalighterbreast，rejoicinginthecautionwhichhaddelayedmefromanyrashmanifestationofsuspicionsnowseentobeabsurd。Ismiledasthethoughtarose：
whatifthissuspectedstrangershouldalsobepesteredbyanactiveimagination，andshouldentertainsimilarsuspicionsofme？
HemusthaveseeninmyeyesthelookofrecognitionwhichIsawinhis。Onhearingofthemurder，ourmeetingmayalsohaverecurredtohim。andhissuspicionswouldhavethiscolor，wantingtomine，thatIhappentoinheritwithmyItalianbloodasomewhattruculentappearance，whichhasgainedformeamongmyfriendstheplayfulsobriquetofthebrigand。
Anxioustoatoneatonceformyfolly，andtoremovefrommymindanymisgiving——ifitexisted——atmyquittinghimsosoonafterthedisclosuresofthemasqueradingdetails，IwenttoBourgonefassoonasIwasdressedandproposedarambletillthediligencestartedforMunich。Hewassympatheticinhisinquiriesaboutmycolic，whichIassuredhimhadquitepassedaway，andoutwewent。
ThesharpmorningairofMarchmadeuswalkbriskly，andgaveapleasantanimationtoourthoughts。Ashediscussedtheactsoftheprovisionalgovernment，sowise，temperate，andenergetic，thefervorandgenerosityofhissentimentsstoodoutinsuchstrikingcontrastwiththedeedIhadlastnightrecklesslyimputedtohimthatIfeltdeeplyashamed，andwasnearlycarriedawaybymingledadmirationandself-reproachtoconfesstheabsurdvagrancyofmythoughtsandhumblyaskhispardon。Butyoucanunderstandthereluctanceataconfessionsoinsultingtohim，sodegradingtome。
Itisatalltimesdifficulttotellaman，facetoface，eyetoeye，theevilyouhavethoughtofhim，unlesstherecklessnessofangerseizesonitasaweaponwithwhichtostrike。andIhadnowsocompletelyunsaidtomyselfallthatIoncehadthoughtofevil，thattoputitinwordsseemedagratuitousinjurytomeandinsulttohim。
AdayortwoafterourarrivalinMunichareactionbegansteadilytosetin。AshamedasIwasofmysuspicions，Icouldnotaltogetherbanishfrommymindtheincidentwhichhadawakenedthem。Theimageofthatfalsebeardwouldminglewithmythoughts。
IwasvaguelyuncomfortableattheideaofBourgonef’scarryingaboutwithhimobviousmaterialsofdisguise。Initselfthiswouldhavehadlittlesignificance。butcoupledwiththefactthathisdevotedservantwas——inspiteofallBourgonef’seulogies——
repulsivelyferociousinaspect，capable，asIcouldnothelpbelieving，ofanybrutality，——thesuggestionwasunpleasant。YouwillunderstandthathavingemphaticallyacquittedBourgonefinmymind，Ididnotagaindistinctlychargehimwithanycomplicityinthemysteriousmurder。onthecontrary，Ishouldindignantlyhaverepelledsuchathought。buttheuneasysenseofsomemysteryabouthim，coupledwiththeaccessoriesofdisguise，andtheaspectoftheservant，gaverisetodim，shadowyforebodingswhicheverandanonpassedacrossmymind。
Diditeveroccurtoyou，reader，toreflectonthedepthsofdeceitwhichliestillanddarkeveninthehonestestminds？
Societyreposesonathincrustofconvention，underneathwhichliefathomlesspossibilitiesofcrime，andconsequentlysuspicionsofcrime。Friendship，howevercloseanddear，isnotfreefromitsreserves，unspokenbeliefs，moreorlesssuppressedopinions。Themanwhomyouwouldindignantlydefendagainstanyaccusationbroughtbyanother，soconfidentareyouinhisunshakableintegrity，youmayyourselfmomentarilysuspectofcrimesfarexceedingthosewhichyourepudiate。Indeed，Ihaveknownsagaciousmenholdthatperfectfranknessinexpressingthethoughtsisasuresignofimperfectfriendship。somethingisalwayssuppressed。anditisnothewholovesyouthattellsyoucandidlywhathethinksofyourperson，yourpretensions，yourchildren，oryourpoems。Perfectcandorisdictatedbyenvy，orsomeotherunfriendlyfeeling，makingfriendshipastalking-horse，undercoverofwhichitshootsthearrowwhichwillrankle。
Friendshipiscandidonlywhenthecandorisurgent——meanttoavertimpendingdangerortorectifyanerror。Thecandorwhichisanimpertinenceneverspringsfromfriendship。Loveissympathetic。
Idonot，ofcourse，meantointimatethatmyfeelingforBourgonefwasofthatdeepkindwhichjustifiesthenameoffriendship。I
onlywanttosaythatinoursocialrelationsweareconstantlyhidingfromeachother，underthesmilesandcourtesiesoffriendlyinterest，thoughtswhich，ifexpressed，woulddestroyallpossiblecommunion——andthat，nevertheless，wearenotinsincereinoursmilesandcourtesies。andthereforethereisnothingparadoxicalinmyhavingfeltgreatadmirationforBourgonef，andgreatpleasureinhissociety，whileallthetimetherewasdeepdownintherecessesofmythoughtsanuneasysenseofadarkmysterywhichpossiblyconnectedhimwithadreadfulcrime。
Thisfeelingwasrousedintogreateractivitybyanincidentwhichnowoccurred。OnemorningIwenttoBourgonef’sroom，whichwasatsomedistancefrommineonthesamefloor，intendingtoproposeavisittothesculptureattheGlyptothek。TomysurpriseIfoundIvantheserfstandingbeforethecloseddoor。Helookedatmelikeamastiffabouttospring。andintimatedbysignificantgesturesthatIwasnotallowedtoentertheroom。Concludingthathismasterwasoccupiedinsomeway，anddesirednottobedisturbed，Imerelysignifiedbyanodthatmyvisitwasofnoconsequence，andwentout。OnreturningaboutanhourafterwardsI
sawIvanputtingthreepinklettersintotheletter-boxofthehotel。Iattachednosignificancetothisveryordinaryfactatthetime，butwentuptomyroomandbeganwritingmyletters，oneofwhichwastomylawyer，sendinghimanimportantreceipt。Thedinner-bellsoundedbeforeIhadhalffinishedthisletter。butI
wroteon，determinedtohavedonewithitatonce，incasetheafternoonshouldofferanyexpeditionwithBourgonef。
AtdinnerhequietlyintimatedthatIvanhadinformedhimofmyvisit，andapologizedfornothavingbeenabletoseeme。I，ofcourse，assuredhimthatnoapologywasnecessary，andthatwehadplentyoftimetovisitsculpturetogetherwithoutintrudingonhisprivatehours。HeinformedmethathewasthatafternoongoingtopayavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，andifIdesiredit，hewouldaskpermissiononanotheroccasiontotakemewithhim。I
jumpedattheproposal，asmaybesupposed。
Dinnerover，IstrolledintotheEnglischeGarten，andhadmycoffeeandcigarthere。OnmyreturnIwasvexedtofindthatinthehurryoffinishingmylettersIhadsealedtheonetomylawyer，andhadnotenclosedthereceiptwhichhadbeentheobjectofwriting。Fortunatelyitwasnottoolate。Descendingtothebureauofthehotel，Iexplainedmymistaketothehead-waiter，whounlockedtheletter-boxtosearchformyletter。Itwasfoundatonce，fortherewereonlysevenoreightinthebox。AmongthesemyeyenaturallycaughtthethreepinkletterswhichIhadthatmorningseenIvandropintothebox。butalthoughtheywereSEENbymetheywerenotNOTICEDatthetime，mymindbeingsolelyoccupiedwithrectifyingthestupidblunderIhadmade。
Oncemoreinmyownroomasuddenrevelationstartledme。Everyoneknowswhatitistohavedetailscomeundertheeyewhichthemindfirstinterpretslongaftertheeyeceasestorestuponthem。Theimpressionsarereceivedpassively。buttheyareregistered，andcanbecalmlyreadwheneverthemindisinactivity。Itwassonow。Isuddenly，asifnowforthefirsttime，sawthattheaddressesonBourgonef’sletterswerewritteninafluent，masterlyhand，boldincharacter，andwithacertainsweepwhichmighthavecomefromapainter。ThethrillwhichthisvisiongavewillbeintelligiblewhenyourememberthatBourgonefhadlostorpretendedtohavelosthisrightarm，andwas，asIbeforeintimated，farfromdexterouswithhisleft。Thatnomanrecentlythrownupontheuseofalefthandcouldhavewrittenthoseaddresseswastooevident。What，then，wasthealternative？Theemptysleevewasanimposture！Atoncetheoldhorriblesuspicionreturned，andthistimewithtenfoldviolence，andwithdamnatoryconfirmation。
Pressingmytemplesbetweenmyhands，Itriedtobecalmandtosurveytheevidencewithoutprecipitation。butforsometimetheconflictofthoughtswastooviolent。Whatevermightbetheexplanation，clearitwasthatBourgonef，forsomepurposes，waspractisingadeception，andhad，asIknew，othermeansofdisguisinghisappearance。This，onthemostfavorableinterpretation，brandedhimwithsuspicion。Thisexcludedhimfromthecircleofhonestmen。
ButdiditconnecthimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt？Inmythoughtitdidsoindubitably。butIwasawareofthedifficultyofmakingthiscleartoanyoneelse。
VI
FIRSTLOVE
Ifthereaderfeelsthatmysuspicionswerenotwhollyunwarranted，wereindeedinevitable，hewillnotlaughatmeonlearningthatoncemorethesesuspicionsweresetaside，andthefact——thedamnatoryfact，asIregardedit——discoveredbymesoaccidentally，and，Ithought，providentially，wasrobbedofallitssignificancebyBourgonefhimselfcasuallyandcarelesslyavowingitinconversation，justasonemayavowasecretinfirmity，withsomebitterness，butwithoutanyimplicationofdeceitinitsconcealment。
Iwasthemorepreparedforthisrevulsionoffeeling，bythedifficultyIfeltinmaintainingmysuspicionsinthepresenceofonesogentleandsorefined。HehadcomeintomyroomthateveningtotellmeofhisvisittoSchwanthaler，andofthesculptor’sflatteringdesiretomakemypersonalacquaintance。HespokeofSchwanthaler，andhisearnesteffortsinart，withsomuchenthusiasm，andwasaltogethersocharming，thatIfeltabashedbeforehim，incapableofriddingmyselfofthedreadfulsuspicions，yetincapableoffirmlybelievinghimtobewhatIthought。Butmorethanthis，therecamethenewinterestawakenedinmebyhisstory。andwhen，inthecourseofhisstory，heaccidentallydisclosedthefactthathehadnotlosthisarm，allmysuspicionsvanishedatonce。
Wehadgot，asusual，uponpolitics，andweredifferingmorethanusual，becausehegavegreaterprominencetohissympathywiththeRedRepublicans。Heaccusedmeofnotbeingthorough-going，
whichIadmitted。Thisheattributedtothefactofmygivingadividedhearttopolitics——aconditionnaturalenoughatmyage，andwithmyhopes。Well，saidI，laughing，youdon’tmeantotakealoftystanduponyourfewyears’seniority。Ifmyagerendersitnatural，doesyoursprofoundlyaltersuchaconviction？
Myage，no。Butyouhavethehopesofyouth。Ihavenone。Iambanishedforeverfromthejoysandsorrowsofdomesticlife。andtherefore，toliveatall，mustconsecratemysoultogreatabstractionsandpublicaffairs。
Butwhybanished，unlessself-banished？
Woman’sloveisimpossible。Youlookincredulous。Idonotalludetothis，hesaid，takinguptheemptysleeve，andbysodoingsendingashiverthroughme。
Thelossofyourarm，Isaid——andmyvoicetrembledslightly，forIfeltthatacrisiswasathand——althoughamisfortunetoyou，wouldreallybeanadvantageingainingawoman’saffections。