Womenaresoromantic，andtheirimaginationsaresoeasilytouched！
Yes，herepliedbitterly。butthetroubleisthatIhavenotlostmyarm。
Istarted。Hespokebitterly，yetcalmly。Iawaitedhisexplanationingreatsuspense。
Tohavelostmyarminbattle，orevenbyanaccident，wouldperhapshavelentmeacharminwoman’seyes。But，asIsaid，myarmhangsbymyside——withered，unpresentable。
Ibreathedagain。Hecontinuedinthesametone，andwithoutnoticingmylooks。
Butitisnotthiswhichbanishesme。Woman’slovemightbehopedfor，hadIfarworseinfirmities。Thecauseliesdeeper。Itliesinmyhistory。Awallofgranitehasgrownupbetweenmeandthesex。
But，mydearfellow，doyou——wounded，asIpresumetoguess，bysomeunworthywoman——extendthefaultofonetothewholesex？Doyoudespairoffindinganothertrue，becauseafirstwasfalse？
Theyareallfalse，heexclaimedwithenergy。Not，perhaps，allfalsefrominherentviciousness，thoughmanyarethat，butfalsebecausetheirinherentweaknessrendersthemincapableoftruth。
Oh！Iknowthecatalogueoftheirgoodqualities。Theyareoftenpitiful，self-devoting，generous。buttheyaresobyfitsandstarts，justastheyarecruel，remorseless，exacting，byfitsandstarts。Theyhavenoconstancy——theyaretooweaktobeconstanteveninevil。theirmindsareallimpressions。theiractionsarealltheissueofimmediatepromptings。Swayedbythefleetingimpulsesofthehour，theyhaveonlyonepersistent，calculablemotiveonwhichreliancecanalwaysbeplaced——thatmotiveisvanity。youarealwayssureofthemthere。Itisfromvanitytheyaregood——fromvanitytheyareevil。theirdevotionandtheirdesertionequallyvanity。Iknowthem。Tometheyhavedisclosedtheshallowsoftheirnatures。God！howIhavesufferedfromthem！
Adeep，lowexclamation，halfsob，halfcurse，closedhistirade。
Heremainedsilentforafewminutes，lookingonthefloor，then，suddenlyturninghiseyesuponme，said：
WereyoueverinHeidelberg？
Never。
Ithoughtallyourcountrymenwentthere？Thenyouwillneverhaveheardanythingofmystory。ShallItellyouhowmyyouthwasblighted？Willyoucaretolisten？
Itwouldinterestmemuch。
Ihadreachedtheageofseven-and-twenty，hebegan，withouthavingonceknowneventhevaguestirringsofthepassionoflove。
Iadmiredmanywomen，andcourtedtheadmirationofthemall。butI
wasasyetnotonlyheart-whole，but，touseyourShakespeare’sphrase，Cupidhadnottappedmeontheshoulder。
Thisdetailisnotunimportantinmystory。Youmaypossiblyhaveobservedthatinthosepassionatenatureswhichreservetheirforce，anddonotfritterawaytheirfeelingsinscatteredflirtationsortriviallove-affairs，thereisavelocityandmomentum，whenthemovementofpassionisonceexcited，greatlytranscendingallthatiseverfeltbyexpansiveandexpressivenatures。Slowtobemoved，whentheydomoveitiswiththewholemassoftheheart。Soitwaswithme。Ipurchasedmyimmunityfromearlierentanglementsbythepriceofmywholelife。IamnotwhatIwas。Betweenmypastandpresentselfthereisagulf。thatgulfisdark，stormy，andprofound。Onthefarsidestandsayouthofhope，energy，ambition，anduncloudedhappiness，withgreatcapacitiesforloving。onthissideablightedmanhood，withnoprospectsbutsufferingandstorm。
Hepaused。Withaneffortheseemedtomasterthesuggestionswhichcrowdeduponhismemory，andcontinuedhisnarrativeinanequabletone。
IhadbeenforseveralweeksatHeidelberg。OneofmyintimatecompanionswasKestner，thearchitect，andheonedayproposedtointroducemetohissister-in-law，Ottilie，ofwhomhehadrepeatedlyspokentomeintermsofgreataffectionandesteem。
Wewent，andweweremostcordiallyreceived。OttiliejustifiedKestner’spraises。Pretty，butnotstrikinglyso——clever，butnotobtrusivelyso。hersoftdarkeyeswerefrankandwinning。hermannerwasgentleandretiring，withthatdashofsentimentalismwhichseemsnativetoallGermangirls，butwithoutanyoftheridiculousextravagancetoooftenseeninthem。IlikedherallthemorebecauseIwasperfectlyatmyeasewithher，andthiswasrarelythecaseinmyrelationstoyoungwomen。Idon’tenjoytheirsociety。
Youleapatoncetotheconclusionthatwefellinlove。Yourconclusionisprecipitate。Seeinghercontinually，Igrewtoadmireandrespecther。butthesignificantsmiles，winks，andhintsoffriends，pointingunmistakablyatasupposedunderstandingexistingbetweenus，onlymadememoreseriouslyexaminethestateofmyfeelings，andassuredmethatIwasnotinlove。ItistruethatIfeltaserenepleasureinhersociety，andthatwhenawayfromhersheoccupiedmuchofmythoughts。ItistruethatIoftenthoughtofherasawife。andinthesemeditationssheappearedasoneeminentlycalculatedtomakeahappyhome。ButitisnolesstruethatduringatemporaryabsenceofhersofafewweeksIfeltnosortofuneasiness，noyearningforherpresence，novacancyinmylife。Iknew，therefore，thatitwasnotlovewhichIfelt。
Somuchformyfeelings。Whatofhers？Theyseemedverylikemyown。Thatsheadmiredme，andwaspleasedtobewithme，wascertain。ThatshehadaparticleoffieryloveformeIdidnot，couldnotbelieve。Anditwasprobablythisverysenseofhercalmnesswhichkeptmyfeelingsquiet。Forloveisaflamewhichoftencanbekindledonlybycontactwithflame。Certainlythisissoinproud，reservednatures，whicharechilledbyanycontactwithtemperaturenothigherthantheirown。
Onherreturn，however，fromthatabsenceIhavementioned，Iwasnotalittleflutteredbyanobviouschangeinhermanner。animpressionwhichsubsequentmeetingsonlyservedtoconfirm。
Althoughstillveryquiet，hermannerhadbecomemoretender，andithadthatdeliciousshynesswhichisthemostexquisiteofflatteries，asitisoneofthemostenchantingofgraces。Isawhertrembleslightlybeneathmyvoice，andblushbeneathmygaze。
Therewasnomistakingthesesigns。Itwasclearthatshelovedme。anditwasnolessclearthatI，takingfireatthisdiscovery，wasmyselfrapidlyfallinginlove。Iwillnotkeepyoufrommystorybyidlereflections。Takeanothercigar。Heroseandpacedupanddowntheroominsilence。
VII
AGALMA
AtthisjuncturetherearrivedfromParisthewomantowhomthegreatsorrowofmylifeisdue。Afatalistmightreadinherappearanceatthisparticularmomentthesignsofaprearrangeddoom。Afewweekslater，andherarrivalwouldhavebeenharmless。
Ishouldhavebeenshieldedfromallexternalinfluencebytheabsorbingforceoflove。But，alas！thiswasnottobe。Myfatehadtakenanotherdirection。Thewomanhadarrivedwhoseshadowwastodarkentherestofmyexistence。ThatwomanwasAgalmaLiebenstein。
Howisitthattheheadwhichwecanonlyseesurroundedwithahalo，orashadow，whenthesplendorsofachievementortheinfamyofshameinstructoureyes，isbytheuninstructedeyeobservedaswhollyvulgar？Weallprofesstobephysiognomists。howisitwearesolamentablymistakeninourjudgments？Herewasawomaninwhommyignoranteyessawnothingatallremarkableexceptgoldenhairofunusualbeauty。WhenIsaygolden，Iamnotspeakingloosely。Idonotmeanredorflaxenhair，buthairactuallyresemblingburnishedgoldmorethananythingelse。Itsripplesonherbrowcaughtthelightlikeacoronet。Thiswasheronebeauty，anditwassuperb。Fortherest，herfeatureswerecharacterless。
Herfigurewastallandfull。notgraceful，butsweepinglyimposing。AtfirstInoticednothingaboutherexceptthebraidedsplendorofherglorioushair。
Herose，andwentintohisbedroom，fromwhichhereturnedwithasmalltrinket-boxinhishand。Thishelaidopenonthetable，disclosingalongstrandofexquisitefairhairlyingonacushionofdark-bluevelvet。
Lookatthat，hesaid。Mightitnothavebeencutfromanangel’shead？
Itiscertainlywonderful。
ItmusthavebeenhairlikethiswhichcrownedtheinfamousheadofLucreziaBorgia，hesaid，bitterly。She，too，hadgoldenhair。buthersmusthavebeenofpalertint，likehernature。
Heresumedhisseat，and，fixinghiseyesuponthelock，continued：
ShewasoneofOttilie’sfriends——dearfriends，theycalledeachother，——whichmeantthattheykissedeachotherprofusely，andtoldeachotheralltheirsecrets，orasmuchasthelyingnatureofthesexpermittedandsuggested。Itis，ofcourse，impossibleformetodisentanglemypresentknowledgefrommypastimpressionssoastogiveyouacleardescriptionofwhatIthenthoughtofAgalma。
Enoughthat，asamatteroffact，Idistinctlyremembernottohaveadmiredher，andtohavetoldOttilieso。andwhenOttilie，insurpriseatmyinsensibility，assuredmethatmenwereingeneralwonderfullycharmedwithherthough，forherpart，shehadneverunderstoodwhy，Ianswered，andansweredsincerely，thatitmightbetruewiththelessrefinedorderofmen，butmenoftastewouldcertainlyberatherrepelledfromher。
Thisopinionofmine，orsomereportofit，reachedAgalma。
Itmayhavebeentheproximatecauseofmysorrows。Withoutthisstimulustohervanity，shemighthaveleftmeundisturbed。I
don’tknow。AllIknowis，thatovermanymenAgalmaexercisedgreatinfluence，andthatovermesheexercisedthespelloffascination。Nootherwordwillexplainherinfluence。foritwasnotbasedonexcellencessuchasthemindcouldrecognizetobeattractions。itwasbasedonamysteriouspersonalpower，somethingawfulinitsmysteriousness，asalldemoniacpowersare。OnesourceofherinfluenceovermenIthinkIcanexplain：sheatoncecaptivatedandrepelledthem。Byartfulappealstotheirvanity，shemadetheminterestedinherandinheropinionofthem，andyetkeptherselfinaccessiblebyapridewhichwasthemorefascinatingbecauseitalwaysseemedabouttogiveway。Herinstinctfastenedupontheweakpointinthosesheapproached。Thismadeherseductivetomen，becausesheflatteredtheirweakpoints。andhatefultowomen，becauseshefloutedanddisclosedtheirweakpoints。
Herinfluenceovermebeganinthefollowingway。Oneday，atapicnic，havingbeenledbyherintoaconversationrespectingtherelativeinferiorityofthefeminineintellect，Iwasforcedtospeakrathermoreearnestlythanusual，whensuddenlysheturnedtomeandexclaimedinalowervoice：
’Iamwillingtocreditanythingyousay。onlypraydon’tcontinuetalkingtomesoearnestly。’
’Whynot？’Iasked，surprised。
Shelookedatmewithpeculiarsignificance，butremainedsilent。
’MayIaskwhynot？’Iasked。
’Because，ifyoudo，somebodymaybejealous。’Therewasalaughingdefianceinhereyeasshespoke。
’Andpray，whohasarighttobejealousofme？’
’Oh！youknowwellenough。’
Itwastrue。Ididknow。andsheknewthatIknewit。TomyshamebeitsaidthatIwasweakenoughtoyieldtoanequivocationwhichInowseetohavebeendisloyal，butwhichIthenpretendedtohavebeennomorethandelicacytoOttilie。As，inpointoffact，therehadneverbeenawordpassedbetweenusrespectingourmutualfeelings，Iconsideredmyselfboundinhonortoassumethattherewasnothingtacitlyacknowledged。
Piquedbyhertoneandlook，Idisavowedtheexistenceofanyclaimsuponmyattention。andtoprovethesincerityofmywords，I
persistedinaddressingmyattentionstoher。OnceortwiceI
fanciedIcaughtflyingglances，inwhichsomeofthecompanycriticisedmyconduct，andOttiliealsoseemedtomeunusuallyquiet。Buthermanner，thoughquiet，wasuntroubledandunchanged。
Italkedlesstoherthanusual，partlybecauseItalkedsomuchtoAgalma，andpartlybecauseIfeltthatAgalma’seyeswereonus。
Butnoshadowof’temper’orreservedarkenedourinterchangeofspeech。
Onourwayback，IknownotwhatdevilpromptedmetoaskAgalmawhethershehadreallybeeninearnestinherformerallusionto’somebody。’
’Yes，’shesaid，’Iwasinearnestthen。’
’Andnow？’
’NowIhavedoubts。Imayhavebeenmisinformed。It’snoconcernofmine，anyway。butIhadbeengiventounderstand。However，I
admitthatmyowneyeshavenotconfirmedwhatmyearsheard。’
Thisspeechwasirritatingontwoseparategrounds。Itimpliedthatpeopleweretalkingfreelyofmyattachment，which，untilI
hadformallyacknowledgedit，Iresentedasanimpertinence。anditimpliedthat，frompersonalobservation，AgalmadoubtedOttilie’sfeelingsforme。Thisalarmedmyquick-retreatingpride！I，too，begantodoubt。Onceletlooseonthatfield，imaginationsoonsawshapesenoughtoconfirmanydoubt。Ottilie’smannercertainlyhadseemedlesstender——nay，somewhatindifferent——duringthelastfewdays。Hadthearrivalofthatheavylout，hercousin，anythingtodowiththischange？
Nottowearyyoubyrecallingalltheunfoldingstagesofthismiserablestorywiththeminutenessofdetailwhichmyownmemorymorbidlylingerson，Iwillhurrytothecatastrophe。IgrewmoreandmoredoubtfuloftheexistenceinOttilie’smindofanyfeelingstrongerthanfriendshipforme。andasthisdoubtstrengthened，therearosetheflatteringsuspicionthatIwasbecominganobjectofgreaterinteresttoAgalma，whohadquitechangedhertonetowardsme，andhadbecomeseriousinherspeechandmanner。Weekspassed。Ottiliehadfallenfromherpedestal，andhadtakenherplaceamongagreeableacquaintances。OnedayIsuddenlylearnedthatOttiliewasengagedtohercousin。
YouwillnotwonderthatAgalma，whobeforethishadexercisedgreatfascinationoverme，nowdoublybecameanobjectofthemosttenderinterest。Ifellmadlyinlove。HithertoIhadneverknownthatpassion。MyfeelingforOttilieIsawwasbuttheinarticulatestammeringsofthemightyvoicewhichnowsoundedthroughtthedepthsofmynature。Thephrase，madlyinlove，isnoexaggeration。madnessaloneknowssuchafeverofthebrain，suchatumultoftheheart。Itwasnotthatreasonwasoverpowered。onthecontrary，reasonwasintenselyactive，butactivewiththatlogicofflameswhichlightsupthevisionofmaniacs。
Although，ofcourse，mypassionwasbuttooevidenttoeveryone，Idreadeditsprematureavowal，lestIshouldloseher。andalmostequallydreadeddelay，lestIshouldsufferfromthatalso。AtlengththeavowalwasextortedfrommebyjealousyofabrilliantPole——Korinski——whohadrecentlyappearedinourcircle，andwasobviouslycastingmeintheshadebyhissuperioradvantagesofnovelty，ofpersonalattraction，andofaromantichistory。Sheacceptedme。andnow，foratime，Iwasthehappiestofmortals。
Thefeverofthelastfewweekswasabating。itgaveplacetoadeeptideofhopefuljoy。CouldIhavediedthen！CouldIhaveevendiedshortlyafterwards，whenIknewthedeliciousmysteryofajealousynottooabsorbing！Foryoumustknowthatmyhappinesswasbrief。Jealousy，towhichallpassionofadeepandexactingpowerisinevitablyallied，soonbegantodisturbmycontent。
Agalmahadnotenderness。Shepermittedcaresses，neverreturnedthem。Shewasreadyenoughtolistentoallmyplansforthefuture，solongastherecitalmovedamiddetailsoffortuneandherpositioninsociety——thatis，solongashervanitywasinterested。butIbegantoobservewithpainthatherthoughtsneverrestedontenderdomesticitiesandpoeticanticipations。
Thisvexedmemoreandmore。Theveryspellwhichsheexercisedovermemadeherwantoftendernessmoreintolerable。Iyearnedforherlove——forsomesympathywiththevehementpassionwhichwasburningwithinme。andshewasasmarble。
YouwillnotbesurprisedtohearthatIreproachedherbitterlyforherindifference。Thatistheinvariableandfatalfollyoflovers——theyseemtoimaginethataheartcanbescoldedintotenderness！Tomyreproachessheatfirstansweredimpatientlythattheywereunjust。thatitwasnotherfaultifhernaturewaslessexpansivethanmine。andthatitwasinsultingtobetoldshewasindifferenttothemanwhomshehadconsentedtomarry。Latersheansweredmyreproacheswithhaughtydefiance，onedayintimatingthatifIreallythoughtwhatIsaid，andrepentedourengagement，itwouldbemostprudentforustoseparateereitwastoolate。Thisquietedmeforawhile。Butitbroughtnobalmtomywounds。
Andnowfreshtortureswereadded。KorinskibecamequitemarkedinhisattentionstoAgalma。Theseshereceivedwithevidentdelight。somuchso，thatIsawbytheglancesofothersthattheywerescandalizedatit。andthis，ofcourse，increasedmypain。Myrenewedreproachesonlymadehermannercoldertome。toKorinskiitbecamewhatIwouldgladlyhaveseentowardsmyself。
Thestressandagitationofthosedaysweretoomuchforme。I
fellill，andforsevenweekslayutterlyprostrate。Onrecovering，thisnotewashandedtome。ItwasfromAgalma。
Bourgonefhereheldouttomeacrumpledletter，andmotionedthatIshouldopenitandread。Itranthus：
Ihavethoughtmuchofwhatyouhavesooftensaid，thatitwouldbeforthehappinessofbothifourunfortunateengagementweresetaside。ThatyouhavearealaffectionformeIbelieve，andbeassuredthatIoncehadarealaffectionforyou。not，perhaps，thepassionatelovewhichanaturesoexactingasyoursdemands，andwhichIearnestlyhopeitmayonedayfind，butagenuineaffectionnevertheless，whichwouldhavemademeproudtoshareyourlot。
Butitwouldbeuncandidinmetopretendthatthisnowexists。
Yourincessantjealousy，theangryfeelingsexcitedbyyourreproaches，thefretfulirritationinwhichforsometimewehavelivedtogether，hascompletelykilledwhatloveIhad，andInolongerfeelpreparedtoriskthehappinessofbothofusbyamarriage。Whatyousaidtheothernightconvincesmethatitisevenyourdesireourengagementshouldcease。Itiscertainlymine。Letustrytothinkkindlyofeachotherandmeetagainasfriends。
AGALMALIEBENSTEIN。
WhenIhadreadthisandreturnedittohim，hesaid：
YouseethatthiswaswrittenonthedayIwastakenill。WhethersheknewthatIwashelplessIknownot。Atanyrate，sheneversenttoinquireafterme。ShewentofftoParis。Korinskifollowedher。and——asIquicklylearnedongoingoncemoreintosociety——
theyweremarried！Didyouever，inthewholecourseofyourexperience，hearofsuchheartlessconduct？
Bourgonefaskedthiswithaferocitywhichquitestartledme。I
didnotanswerhim。for，intruth，IcouldnotseethatAgalmahadbeenverymuchtoblame，evenashetoldthestory，andfeltsurethatcouldIhaveheardherversionitwouldhavewornaverydifferentaspect。Thatshewascold，anddisappointedhim，mightbetrueenough，buttherewasnocrime。andIperfectlyunderstoodhowthoroughlyodioushemusthavemadehimselftoherbyhisexactionsandreproaches。Iunderstoodthis，perhaps，allthebetter，becauseinthecourseofhisnarrativeBourgonefhadrevealedtomeaspectsofhisnaturewhichweresomewhatrepulsive。
EspeciallywasIstruckwithhismorbidvanity，andhisreadinesstoimputelowmotivestoothers。Thisunpleasantviewofhischaracter——acharacterinmanyrespectssoadmirableforitsgenerosityandrefinement——wasdeepenedashewenton，insteadofawaitingmyreplytohisquestion。
Forawrongsomeasureless，youwillnaturallyaskwhatmeasurelessrevengeIsought。
Theideahadnotoccurredtome。indeedIcouldseenowrong，andthisnotionofrevengewassomewhatstartlinginsuchacase。
Idebateditlong，hecontinued。IfeltthatsinceIwaspreventedfromarrestinganyoftheeviltomyself，Icouldatleastmaturemyplansforanadequatedischargeofjustretributionsonher。Itrevealstheimpotenceresultingfromthetrammelsofmoderncivilization，thatwhilethepossibilitiesofwrongareinfinite，theopeningsforvengeancearefewandcontemptible。Onlywhenamanisthrownuponthenecessitiesofthis’wildjustice’doeshediscoverhowdifficultvengeancereallyis。HadAgalmabeenmywife，Icouldhavewreakedmywrathuponher，withassurancethatsomeofthetorturesheinflictedonmewastofallonher。NothavingthispowerwhatwasItodo？Killher？Thatwouldhaveaffordedonemomentofexquisitesatisfaction——buttoheritwouldhavebeensimplydeath——andI
wantedtokilltheheart。
Heseemedworkingwithaninsanepassion，sothatIregardedhimwithdisgust，mingledwithsomedoubtsastowhathorrorshewasabouttorelate。
Myplanwaschosen。Theonlywaytoreachherheartwastostrikethroughherhusband。ForseveralhoursdailyIpractisedwiththepistol，until——inspiteofonlyhavingalefthand——Iacquiredfatalskill。Butthiswasnotenough。Firingatamarkissimplework。Firingataman——especiallyoneholdingapistolpointedatyou——isaltogetherdifferent。Ihadtoooftenheardof’crackshots’missingtheirmen，torelyconfidentlyonmyskillintheshootinggallery。Itwasnecessarythatmyeyeandhandshouldbeeducatedtofamiliaritywiththerealobject。Partofthecausewhyduelistsmisstheirmanisfromthetrepidationoffear。Iwaswithoutfear。AtnomomentinmylifehaveIbeenafraid。andthechanceofbeingshotbyKorinskiIcountedasnothing。Theothercauseisunfamiliaritywiththemark。ThisIsecuredmyselfagainstbygettingalayfigureofKorinski’sheight，dressingittoresemblehim，placingapistolinitshand，andthenpractisingatthismarkinthewoods。AfterashorttimeIcouldsendabulletthroughthethoraxwithouttakingmorethanahastyglanceatthefigure。
Thusprepared，IstartedforParis。Butyouwillfeelformewhenyoulearnthatmyhungryheartwasbaffledofitsvengeance，andbaffledforever。Agalmahadbeencarriedoffbyscarletfever。
KorinskihadleftParis，andIfeltnostrongpromptingstofollowhim，andwreakonhimafutilevengeance。ItwasonHERmywrathhadbeenconcentrated，andIgnashedmyteethatthethoughtthatshehadescapedme。
Mystoryisended。Themonthsofgloomydepressionwhichsucceeded，nowthatIwasnolongersustainedbythehopeofvengeance，Ineednotspeakof。Myexistencewasdesolate，andevennowthedesolationcontinuesoverthewholeregionoftheemotions。Icarryadeadheartwithinme。
VIII
ASECONDVICTIM
Bourgonef’sstoryhasbeennarratedwithsomefullness，thoughinlessdetailthanhetoldit，inorderthatthereadermayunderstanditsrealbearingsonMYstory。Withoutit，themotiveswhichimpelledthestrangepertinacityofmypursuitwouldhavebeenunintelligible。Ihavesaidthataverydisagreeableimpressionremainedonmymindrespectingcertainaspectsofhischaracter，andIfeltsomewhatashamedofmyimperfectsagacityinhavinguptothisperiodbeenentirelyblindtothoseaspects。Thetruthis，everyhumanbeingisamystery，andremainssotothelast。Wefancyweknowacharacter。weformadistinctconceptionofit。foryearsthatconceptionremainsunmodified，andsuddenlythestrainofsomeemergency，oftheincidentalstimulusofnewcircumstances，revealsqualitiesnotsimplyunexpected，butflatlycontradictoryofourpreviousconception。Wejudgeofamanbytheanglehesubtendstooureye——onlythusCANwejudgeofhim。andthisangledependsontherelationhisqualitiesandcircumstancesbeartoourinterestsandsympathies。Bourgonefhadcharmedmeintellectually。morallyIhadnevercomeclosertohimthaninthesympathiesofpublicquestionsandabstracttheories。Hisstoryhaddisclosedhiddendepths。
Myoldsuspicionsreappeared，andaconversationwehadtwodaysafterwardshelpedtostrengthenthem。
WehadgoneonavisittoSchwanthaler，thesculptor，athistinylittlecastleofSchwaneck，afewmilesfromMunich。Theartistwasoutforawalk，butwewereinvitedtocomeinandawaithisreturn，whichwouldbeshortly。andmeanwhileBourgonefundertooktoshowmeoverthecastle，interestingasabitofmodernGothic，realizingonadiminutivescaleayouthfuldreamofthesculptor’s。
Whenoursurveywascompleted——anditdidnottakelong——wesatatoneofthewindowsandenjoyedamagnificentprospect。Itiscurious，saidBourgonef，tobeshutuphereinthisimitationofmedievalmasonry，whereeverydetailspeaksofthedeadpast，andtothinkoftheeventsnowgoingoninPariswhichmustfindimitatorsalloverEurope，andwhichopentothemindsuchvistasofthefuture。WhatagrotesqueanachronismisthisGothiccastle，builtinthesameageasthatwhichseesareformingpope！
Yes。butisnotthereformingpopehimselfananachronism？
AsaCatholic，herehesmiled，intimatingthathisorthodoxywasnotverystringent，Icannotadmitthat。asaProtestant，youmustadmitthatiftheremustbeapope，hemustinthesedaysbeareformer，or——giveuphistemporalpower。NotthatIlookonPioNonoasmorethanaprecursor。hemaybreakground，andpointtheway，butheisnotthemantoleadEuropeoutofitspresentsloughofdespond，andundertheheadshipoftheChurchfoundanewandlastingrepublic。WewantaHildebrand，onewhowillbetothenineteenthcenturyasGregorywastotheeleventh。
Doyoubelieveinsuchapossibility？DoyouthinktheRomanpontiffcaneveragainswaythedestiniesofEurope？
IcanhardlysayIbelieveit。yetIseethepossibilityofsuchanopeningiftherightmanweretoarise。ButIfearhewillnotarise。orifheshould，theConclavewillstiflehim。Yetthereisbutonealternative：eitherEuropemustoncemorejoininacrusadewithapopeatthehead，oritmusthoisttheredflag。Thereisnootherissue。
Heavenpreserveusfromboth！AndIthinkweshallbepreservedfromthePopebytherottennessoftheChurch。fromthedrapeaurougebytheindignationandhorrorofallhonestmen。YouseehowtheProvisionalGovernmenthasresistedtheinsaneattemptofthefanaticstomaketheredflagacceptedasthenationalbanner？
Yes。anditistheonethingwhichdashesmypleasureinthenewrevolution。ItistheoneactofweaknesswhichtheGovernmenthasexhibited。aconcessionwhichwillbefatalunlessitbehappilysetasidebytheenergeticpartyofaction。
Anactofweakness？sayratheranactofstrength。Aconcession？
sayrathertherepudiationofanarchy，theassertionoflawandjustice。
Notabit。Itwasconcessiontothefearsofthetimid，andtothevanityoftheFrenchpeople。ThetricolorisaFrenchflag——
notthebannerofhumanity。ItisbecausethetricolorhasbeenidentifiedwiththevictoriesofFrancethatitappealstothevanityofthevainestofpeople。Theyforgetthatitistheflagofarevolutionwhichfailed，andofanempirewhichwasoneperpetualoutragetohumanity。Whereastheredisnew。itisthesymbolofanenergetic，thorough-goingcreed。Ifitcarriesterrorwithit，somuchthebetter。Thetyrantsandthetimidshouldbemadetotremble。
Ihadnoideayouweresobloodthirsty，saidI，laughingathisvehemence。
Iamnotbloodthirstyatall。Iamonlylogicalandconsistent。
Thereisamassofsophistrycurrentintheworldwhichsickensme。
PeopletalkofRobespierreandSt。Just，twoofthemostvirtuousmenthateverlived——andofDominicandTorquemada，twoofthemostsingle-minded——asiftheywerecruelandbloodthirsty，whereastheywereonlyconvinced。
Isitfromloveofparadoxthatyoudefendthesetigers？
Tigers，again——howthosebeastsarecalumniated！
Hesaidthiswithaseriousnesswhichwasirresistiblycomic。I
shoutedwithlaughter。buthecontinuedgravely：
YouthinkIamjoking。Butletmeaskyouwhyyouconsiderthetigermorebloodthirstythanyourself？Hespringsuponhisfood——
youbuyyoursfromthebutcher。Hecannotlivewithoutanimalfood：itisaprimalnecessity，andheobeystheordainedinstinct。
Youcanliveonvegetables。yetyouslaughterbeastsofthefieldandbirdsoftheairorbuythemwhenslaughtered，andconsideryourselfamodelofvirtue。Thetigeronlykillshisfoodorhisenemies。younotonlykillboth，butyoukilloneanimaltomakegravyforanother！ThetigerislessbloodthirstythantheChristian！
Idon’tknowhowmuchofthattiradeismeanttobeserious。buttowaivethequestionofthetiger’smorality，doyoureally——I
willnotsaysympathize，——butjustifyRobespierre，Dominic，St。
Just，andtherestofthefanaticswhohavewadedtotheirendsthroughblood。
HewhowillstheEND，willstheMEANS。
Adevil’smaxim。
Butatruth。Whatthefoolishworldshrinksatasbloodthirstinessandcrueltyisveryoftenmereforceandconstancyofintellect。Itisnotthatfanaticsthirstforblood——farfromit，——buttheythirstforthetriumphoftheircause。Whateverobstacleliesontheirpathmustberemoved。ifatorrentofbloodistheonlythingthatwillsweepitaway——thetorrentmustsweep。
Andsweepwithitallthesentimentsofpity，mercy，charity，love？
No。thesesentimentsmaygiveasadnesstothenecessity。theymakethedeedasacrifice，buttheycannotpreventthesoulfromseeingtheaimtowhichittends。
Thisisdetestabledoctrine！Itisthesophismwhichhasdestroyedfamilies，devastatedcities，andretardedthemoralprogressoftheworldmorethananythingelse。Nosingleactofinjusticeiseverdoneonthisearthbutittendstoperpetuatethereignofiniquity。Bythefeelingsitcallsforthitkeepsupthenativesavageryoftheheart。Itbreedsinjustice，partlybyhardeningthemindsofthosewhoassent，andpartlybyexcitingthepassionofrevengeinthosewhoresist。
Youarewrong。Thegreatdrag-chainonthecarofprogressisthefalteringinconsistencyofman。Weaknessismorecruelthansternness。Sentimentismoredestructivethanlogic。
ThearrivalofSchwanthalerwastimely，formyindignationwasrising。Thesculptorreceiveduswithgreatcordiality，andinthepleasureofthesubsequenthourIgotovertosomeextenttheirritationBourgonef’stalkhadexcited。
ThenextdayIleftMunichfortheTyrol。MypartingwithBourgonefwasmanydegreeslessfriendlythanitwouldhavebeenaweekbefore。Ihadnowishtoseehimagain，andthereforegavehimnoaddressorinvitationincaseheshouldcometoEngland。AsIrolledawayintheMalleposte，mybusythoughtsreviewedallthedetailsofouracquaintance，andthefartherIwascarriedfromhispresence，themoreobtrusivebecamethesuspicionswhichconnectedhimwiththemurderofLieschenLehfeldt。How，oruponwhatmotive，wasindeedanuttermystery。HehadnotmentionedthenameofLehfeldt。HehadnotmentionedhavingbeforebeenatNuremberg。
AtHeidelbergthetragedyoccurred——orwasHeidelbergonlyamask？
ItoccurredtomethathehadfirstascertainedthatIhadneverbeenatHeidelbergbeforeheplacedthesceneofhisstorythere。
Thoughtssuchasthesetormentedme。Imagine，then，thehorrorwithwhichIheard，soonaftermyarrivalatSalzburg，thatamurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe——oneoftheprettyenvironsofMunichmuchresortedtobyholidayfolk——correspondinginallessentialfeatureswiththemurderatNuremberg！Inbothcasesthevictimwasyoungandpretty。Inbothcasesshewasfoundquietlylyingontheground，stabbedtotheheart，withoutanyothertracesofviolence。Inbothcasesshewasabetrothedbride，andthemotiveoftheunknownassassinamystery。
Suchacorrespondenceintheessentialfeaturesinevitablysuggestedanappallingmysteryofunityinthesecrimes，——eitherasthecrimesofoneman，committedundersomeimpulseofmotivelessmalignityandthirstforinnocentblood——orastheequallyappallingeffectofIMITATIONactingcontagiouslyuponacriminalimagination。ofwhichcontagiontherehavebeen，unfortunately，toomanyexamples——horriblecrimespromptingcertainweakandfeverishimaginations，bytheveryhorrortheyinspire，firsttodwellon，andfinallytorealizetheirimitations。
Itwasthislatterhypothesiswhichfoundgeneralacceptance。
Indeeditwastheonlyonewhichresteduponanygroundofexperience。Thedisastrousinfluenceofimitation，especiallyunderthefascinationofhorror，waswellknown。Theideaofanydiabolicalmalicemovingonemantopassfromcitytocity，andtherequietlysingleouthisvictims——bothofthem，bytheveryhypothesis，unrelatedtohim，bothofthemattheepochoftheirlives，whenThebosom’slordsitslightlyonitsthrone，
whenthepeaceoftheheartisassured，andthefutureisradiantlybeckoningtothem，——thatanymanshouldchoosesuchvictimsforsuchcrimeswastoopreposterousanidealongtobeentertained。
Unlessthemanweremad，theideawasinconceivable。andevenamonomaniacmustbetrayhimselfinsuchacourse，becausehewouldnecessarilyconceivehimselftobeaccomplishingsomesupremeactofjustice。
ItwasthusIargued。andindeedIshouldmuchhavepreferredtobelievethatonemaniacwereinvolved，ratherthanthecontagionofcrime，——sinceonemaniacmustinevitablybesoondetected。whereastherewerenoassignablelimitstothecontagionofimitation。AndthisitwaswhichsoprofoundlyagitatedGermansociety。Ineveryfamilyinwhichtherehappenedtobeabride，vaguetremorscouldnotbeallayed。andtheabsolutepowerlessnesswhichresultedfromtheutteruncertaintyastothequarterinwhichthisdreadedphantommightnextappear，justifiedandintensifiedthosetremors。
Againstsuchanapparitiontherewasnoconceivablesafeguard。
Fromacitystrickenwiththeplague，fromadistrictsostricken，flightispossible，andtherearetheresourcesofmedicalaid。
Butfromamoralplaguelikethis，whatescapewaspossible？
Sopassionateandprofoundbecametheterror，thatIbegantosharetheopinionwhichIheardexpressed，regrettingthewidespreadpublicityofthemodernpress，since，withmanyundeniablebenefits，itcarriedalsothefatalcurseofdistributingthroughhouseholds，andkeepingconstantlyundertheexcitementofdiscussion，imagesofcrimeandhorrorwhichwouldtendtoperpetuateandextendtheexcessesofindividualpassion。Themeredwellinglongonsuchatopicasthiswasfraughtwithevil。
ThisandmoreIhearddiscussedasIhurriedbacktoMunich。ToMunich？Yes。thitherIwaspostingwithallspeed。Notashadowofdoubtnowremainedinmymind。Iknewtheassassin，andwasresolvedtotrackandconvicthim。DonotsupposethatTHIStimeI
wasledawaybythevagrantactivityofmyconstructiveimagination。Ihadsomethinglikepositiveproof。NosoonerhadI
learnedthatthemurderhadbeencommittedatGrosshesslohe，thanmythoughtsatoncecarriedmetoanowmemorablevisitIhadmadethereincompanywithBourgonefandtwoyoungBavarians。Atthehotelwherewedined，wewerewaitedonbythenieceofthelandlord，agirlofremarkablebeauty，whonaturallyexcitedtheattentionoffouryoungmen，andfurnishedthemwithatopicofconversation。OneoftheBavarianshadtoldusthatshewouldonedaybeperhapsoneofthewealthiestwomeninthecountry，forshewasengagedtobemarriedtoayoungfarmerwhohadrecentlyfoundhimself，byarapidsuccessionofdeaths，soleheirtoagreatbrewer，whosewealthwasknowntobeenormous。
AtthismomentSophieenteredbringingwine，andIsawBourgonefslowlyturnhiseyesuponherwithalookwhichthenwasmysterioustome，butwhichnowspoketooplainlyitsdreadfulmeaning。
Whatisthereinalook，youwillsay？Perhapsnothing。oritmaybeeverything。Tomyunsuspecting，unenlightenedperception，Bourgonef’sgazewassimplythemelancholyandhalf-curiousgazewhichsuchamanmightbesupposedtocastuponayoungwomanwhohadbeenmadethetopicofaninterestingdiscourse。Buttomymind，enlightenedastohischaracter，andinstructedastohispeculiarfeelingsarisingfromhisownstory，thegazewaschargedwithhorror。Itmarkedavictim。Thewholesuccessionofeventsrosebeforemeinvividdistinctness。theseparatedetailsofsuspiciongatheredintounity。
GreataswasBourgonef’scommandoverhisfeatures，hecouldnotconcealuneasinessaswellassurpriseatmyappearanceatthetabled’hoteinMunich。Ishookhandswithhim，puttingonasfriendlyamaskasIcould，andrepliedtohisquestionaboutmysuddenreturnbyattributingittounexpectedintelligencereceivedatSalzburg。
Nothingserious，Ihope？
Well，I’mafraiditwillproveveryserious，Isaid。Butweshallsee。MeanwhilemyvisittotheTyrolmustbegivenuporpostponed。
Doyouremainhere，then？
Idon’tknowwhatmymovementswillbe。
ThusIhadpreparedhimforanyreserveorstrangenessinmymanner。andIhadconcealedfromhimthecourseofmymovements。
foratwhatevercost，Iwasresolvedtofollowhimandbringhimtojustice。
Buthow？EvidenceIhadnonethatcouldsatisfyanyoneelse，howeverconvincingitmightbetomyownmind。NordidthereseemanyevidenceforthcomingfromGrosshesslohe。Sophie’sbodyhadbeenfoundintheafternoonlyingasifasleepinoneoftheby-
pathsofthewood。Nomarksofastruggle。notracesofthemurderer。Heraffiancedlover，whowasatAugsburg，onhearingofherfate，hurriedtoGrosshesslohe，butcouldthrownolightonthemurder，couldgivenohintastoapossiblemotiveforthedeed。
Butthisentireabsenceofevidence，orevengroundofsuspicion，onlymadeMYcasethestronger。ItwasthemotivelessmalignityofthedeedwhichfasteneditonBourgonef。orrather，itwastheabsenceofanyknownmotiveelsewherewhichassuredmethatIhaddetectedthemotiveinhim。
ShouldIcommunicatemyconvictiontothepolice？ItwaspossiblethatImightimpressthemwithatleastsufficientsuspiciontowarranthisexamination——andinthatcasethetruthmightbeelicited。foramongthemanybarbaritiesandiniquitiesofthecriminalprocedureinContinentalStateswhichoftenpressheavilyontheinnocent，thereisthiscompensatingadvantage，thatthepressureontheguiltyistenfoldheavier。Iftheinnocentareoftenunjustlypunished——imprisonedandmaltreatedbeforetheirinnocencecanbeestablished——theguiltyseldomescape。InEnglandwegivethecriminalnotonlyeverychanceofescape，butmanyadvantages。Theloveoffair-playiscarriedtoexcess。Itseemsattimesasifthewholearrangementsofourprocedurewereestablishedwithaviewtogivingacriminalnotonlythebenefitofeverydoubt，butofeveryloopholethroughwhichhecanslip。
Insteadofthis，theContinentalproceduregoesontheprincipleofclosingupeveryloophole，andofinventingendlesstrapsintowhichtheaccusedmayfall。Wewarntheaccusednottosayanythingthatmaybeprejudicialtohim。Theyentanglehimincontradictionsandconfessionswhichdisclosehisguilt。
Knowingthis，Ithoughtitverylikelythat，howeverartfulBourgonefmightbe，asevereexaminationmightextortfromhimsufficientconfirmationofmysuspiciontowarrantfurtherprocedure。ButknowingalsothatTHISresortwasopentomewhenallothershadfailed，Iresolvedtowaitandwatch。
IX
FINALE
Twodayspassed，andnothingoccurred。Mywatchingseemedhopeless，andIresolvedtotrytheeffectofadisguisedinterrogatory。Itmighthelptoconfirmmyalreadysettledconviction，ifitdidnotelicitanynewevidence。
SeatedinBourgonef’sroom，intheoldplace，eachwithacigar，andchattingasofoldonpublicaffairs，Igraduallyapproachedthesubjectoftherecentmurder。
Isitnotstrange，Isaid，thatboththesecrimesshouldhavehappenedwhilewewerecasuallystayinginbothplaces？
Perhapswearethecriminals，hereplied，laughing。Ishiveredslightlyatthisaudacity。Helaughedashespoke，buttherewasahard，metallic，andalmostdefianttoneinhisvoicewhichexasperatedme。
Perhapsweare，Ianswered，quietly。Helookedfullatme。butI
wasprepared，andmyfacetoldnothing。Iadded，asinexplanation，Thecrimebeingapparentlycontagious，wemayhavebroughttheinfectionfromNuremberg。
Doyoubelieveinthathypothesisofimitation？
Idon’tknowwhattobelieve。Doyoubelieveintherebeingonlyonemurderer？Itseemssuchapreposterousidea。Wemustsupposehim，atanyrate，tobeamaniac。
Notnecessarily。Indeedthereseemstohavebeentoomuchartfulcontrivanceinbothaffairs，notonlyintheselectionofthevictims，butintheexecutionoftheschemes。Cunningasmaniacsoftenaretheyarestillmaniacs，andbetraythemselves。
Ifnotamaniac，saidI，hopingtopiquehim，hemustbeamanofstupendousandpitiablevanity，——perhapsoneofyourconstant-
mindedfriends，whomyourefusetocallbloodthirsty。
Constant-minded，perhaps。butwhypitiablyvain？
Why？Becauseonlyadiseasedatrocityofimagination，stimulatinganatureessentiallybaseandweakinitsdesiretomakeitselfconspicuous，wouldorcouldsuggestsuchthings。Thesillyyouthwho’firedtheEphesiandome，’thevainidiotwhosetfiretoYorkMinster，themiserableFrenchmenwhohavecommittedmurderandsuicidewithaviewofmakingtheirexitstrikingfromaworldinwhichtheirappearancehadbeencontemptible，wouldallsinkintoinsignificancebesidethetoweringinfamyofbasenesswhich——forthemereloveofproducinganeffectonthemindsofmen，andthusdrawingtheirattentionuponhim，whichotherwisewouldneverhavemarkedhimatall——couldschemeandexecutecrimessohorribleandinexcusable。Incommoncharitytohumannature，letussupposethewretchismad。becauseotherwisehismiserablevanitywouldbetooloathsome。Ispokewithwarmthandbitterness，whichincreasedasIperceivedhimwincingunderthedegradationofmycontempt。
IfhismotiveWEREvanity，hesaid，nodoubtitwouldbehorrible。butmayitnothavebeenrevenge？
Revenge！Iexclaimed。what！oninnocentwomen？
Youassumetheirinnocence。
GoodGod！doyouknowanythingtothecontrary？
NotI。Butasweareconjecturing，Imayaswellconjectureittohavebeenthedesiretoproduceastartlingeffect。
Howdoyoujustifyyourconjecture？
Simplyenough。Wehavetosupposeamotive。letussayitwasrevenge，andseewhetherthatwillfurnishaclue。
Butitcan’t。Thetwovictimswerewhollyunconnectedwitheachotherbyanyintermediateacquaintances，consequentlytherecanhavebeennocommonwrongorcommonenmityinexistencetofurnishfoodforvengeance。
Thatmaybeso。itmayalsobethattheavengermadethemvicariousvictims。
Howso？
Itishumannature。Didyoueverobserveathwartedchildstrikinginitsangertheunoffendingnurse，destroyingitstoystodischargeitswrath？Didyoueverseeaschoolboy，unabletowreakhisangeronthebiggerboywhohasjuststruckhim，turnagainstthenearestsmallerboyandbeathim？Didyoueverknowaschoolmaster，angeredbyoneoftheboy’sparents，venthispent-upspleenupontheunoffendingclass？Didyoueverseeasubalternpunishedbecauseanofficerhadbeenreprimanded？Thesearefamiliarexamplesofvicariousvengeance。Whenthesoulisstungtofury，itmustsolaceitselfbythedischargeofthatfury——itmustrelieveitspainbythesightofpaininothers。Wearesoconstituted。Weneedsympathyaboveallthings。Injoywecannotbeartoseeothersindistress。indistressweseethejoyofotherswithdismalenvywhichsharpensourpain。Thatishumannature。
And，Iexclaimed，carriedawaybymyindignation，yousupposethatthesightofthesetwohappygirls，beamingwiththequietjoyofbrides，wastorturetosomemiserablewretchwhohadlosthisbride。
Ihadgonetoofar。Hiseyeslookedintomine。Ireadinhisthathedivinedthewholedriftofmysuspicion——theallusionmadetohimself。Thereoftenpassesintoalookmorethanwordscanventuretoexpress。Inthatlookhereadthathewasdiscovered，andIreadthathehadrecognizedit。Withperfectcalmness，butwithametallicringinhisvoicewhichwasliketheclashofswords，hesaid：
IdidnotsaythatIsupposedthis。butaswewereonthewidefieldofconjecture——utterlywithoutevidenceonewayortheother，havingnoclueeithertothemanorhismotives——Idrewfromthegeneralprinciplesofhumannatureaconclusionwhichwasjustasplausible——orabsurdifyoulike——astheconclusionthatthemotivemusthavebeenvanity。
Asyousay，weareutterlywithoutevidence，andconjecturedriftsaimlesslyfromonethingtoanother。Afterall，themostplausibleexplanationisthatofacontagionofimitation。
Isaidthisinordertocovermypreviousimprudence。Hewasnotdeceived——thoughforafewmomentsIfanciedhewas——butreplied：
Iamnotpersuadedofthateither。Thewholethingisamystery，andIshallstayheresometimeinthehopeofseeingitclearedup。Meanwhile，forasubjectofconjecture，letmeshowyousomethingonwhichyouringenuitymayprofitablybeemployed。
Heroseandpassedintohisbedroom。Iheardhimunlockingandrummagingthedrawers，andwassilentlyreproachingmyselfformywantofcautioninhavingspokenasIhaddone，thoughitwasnowbeyondalldoubtthathewasthemurderer，andthathismotivehadbeenrightlyguessed。butwiththisself-reproachtherewasmingledaself-gratulationatthewayIhadgotoutofthedifficulty，asI
fancied。
Hereturned，andashesatdownInoticedthatthelowerpartofhissurtoutwasopen。Healwaysworealongfroggedandbraidedcoatreachingtotheknees——asInowknow，forthepurposeofconcealingthearmwhichhungashesaid，witheredathisside。
Thetwolastfasteningswerenowundone。
Heheldinhishandatinychainmadeofverydelicatewire。Thishegaveme，saying：
Nowwhatwouldyouconjecturethattobe？
Haditcomeintomyhandswithoutanyremark，Ishouldhavesaiditwassimplyaveryexquisitebitofironwork。butyourquestionpointstosomethingmoreoutoftheway。
ItISiron-work，hesaid。
CouldIbedeceived？Athirdfasteningofhissurtoutwasundone！
Ihadseenbuttwoamomentago。
AndwhatamItoconjecture？Iasked。
Wherethatironcamefrom？ItwasNOTfromamine。Ilookedatitagain，andexamineditattentively。Onraisingmyeyesininquiry——fortunatelywithanexpressionofsurprise，sincewhatmetmyeyeswouldhavestartledacoolerman——Isawthefourthfasteningundone！
Youlooksurprised，hecontinued，andwillbemoresurprisedwhenItellyouthattheironinyourhandsoncefloatedinthecirculationofaman。Itismadefromhumanblood。
Humanblood！Imurmured。
Hewentonexpoundingthephysiologicalwondersoftheblood，——howitcarried，dissolvedinitscurrents，aproportionofironandearths。howthisironwasextractedbychemistsandexhibitedasacuriosity。andhowthischainhadbeenmanufacturedfromsuchextracts。Iheardeveryword，butmythoughtswerehurryingtoandfrointheagitationofasuprememoment。Thattherewasadaggerunderneaththatcoat——thatinafewmomentsitwouldflashforth——
thatadeath-strugglewasathand，——Iknewwell。Mysafetydependedonpresenceofmind。Thatincalculablerapiditywithwhich，incriticalmoments，themindsurveysalltheopeningsandresourcesofanemergency，hadassuredmethattherewasnoweaponwithinreach——thatbeforeIcouldgiveanalarmthetigerwouldbeatmythroat，andthatmyonlychancewastokeepmyeyesfixeduponhim，readytospringonhimthemomentthenextfasteningwasundone，andbeforehecouldusehisarm。
Atlasttheideaoccurredtome，thatas，withawildbeast，safetyliesinattackinghimjustbeforeheattacksyou，sowiththisbeastmybestchancewasaudacity。Lookingsteadilyintohisface，Isaidslowly：
Andyouwouldliketohavesuchachainmadefrommyblood。I
roseasIspoke。Heremainedsitting，butwasevidentlytakenaback。
Whatdoyoumean？hesaid。
Imean，saidI，sternly，thatyourcoatisunfastened，andthatifanotherfasteningisloosenedinmypresence，Ifellyoutotheearth。
You’reafool！heexclaimed。
Imovedtowardsthedoor，keepingmyeyefixeduponhimashesatpaleandglaringatme。
YOUareafool，Isaid——andworse，ifyoustir。
Atthismoment，Iknownotbywhatsense，asifIhadeyesatthebackofmyhead，Iwasawareofsomeonemovingbehindme，yetI
darednotlookaside。Suddenlytwomightyfoldsofdarknessseemedtoenvelopmelikearms。Apowerfulscentascendedmynostrils。
Therewasaringinginmyears，abeatingatmyheart。Darknesscameon，deeperanddeeper，likehugewaves。Iseemedgrowingtogiganticstature。Thewavesrolledonfasterandfaster。Theringingbecamearoaring。Thebeatingbecameathrobbing。Lightsflashedacrossthedarkness。Formsmovedbeforeme。Oncamethewaveshurryinglikeatide，andIsankdeeperanddeeperintothismightyseaofdarkness。Thenallwassilent。Consciousnesswasstill……
HowlongIremainedunconscious，Icannottell。Butitmusthavebeensomeconsiderabletime。Whenconsciousnessoncemorebegantodawnwithinme，Ifoundmyselflyingonabedsurroundedbyagroupofeager，watchingfaces，andbecameawareofaconfusedmurmurofwhisperinggoingonaroundme。ErLebtheliveswerethewordswhichgreetedmyopeningeyes——wordswhichIrecognizedascomingfrommylandlord。
Ihadhadaverynarrowescape。AnothermomentandIshouldnothavelivedtotellthetale。ThedaggerthathadalreadyimmolatedtwoofBourgonef’sobjectsofvengeancewouldhavebeeninmybreast。Asitwas，attheverymomentwhentheterribleIvanhadthrownhisarmsaroundmeandwasstiflingmewithchloroform，oneoftheservantsofthehotel，alarmedorattractedbycuriosityatthesoundofhighwordswithintheroom，hadventuredtoopenthedoortoseewhatwasgoingon。Thealarmhadbeengiven，andBourgonefhadbeenarrestedandhandedovertothepolice。Ivan，however，haddisappeared。norwerethepoliceeverabletofindhim。Thismatteredcomparativelylittle。Ivanwithouthismasterwasnomoreredoubtablethananyothernoxiousanimal。Asanaccomplice，asaninstrumenttoexecutethewillofamanlikeBourgonef，hewasadangertosociety。Thedirectingintelligencewithdrawn，hesanktothelevelofthebrute。Iwasnotuneasy，therefore，athishavingescaped。Sufficientformethattherealcriminal，themindthathadconceivedanddirectedthosefearfulmurders，wasatlastinthehandsofjustice。IfeltthatmytaskhadbeenfullyaccomplishedwhenBourgonef’sheadfellonthescaffold。
TheClosedCabinetI
ItwaswithalittlealarmandagooddealofpleasurableexcitementthatIlookedforwardtomyfirstgrown-upvisittoMervynGrange。Ihadbeenthereseveraltimesasachild，butneversinceIwastwelveyearsold，andnowIwasovereighteen。
WewereallofusveryproudofourcousinstheMervyns：itisnoteverybodythatcanclaimkinshipwithafamilywhoareinfullandadmittedpossessionofasecret，acurse，andamysteriouscabinet，inadditiontotheusualsurplusageofhorrorssuppliedinsuchcasesbypopularimagination。SomedeclaredthataMervynofthedaysofHenryVIIIhadbeencursedbyaninjuredabbotfromthefootofthegallows。OthersaffirmedthatadissipatedMervynoftheGeorgianerawasstillplayingcardsforhissoulinsomeremoteregionoftheGrange。Therewerestoriesofwhiteladiesandblackimps，ofbloodstainedpassagesandmagicstones。We，proudofourmoreintimateacquaintancewiththefamily，naturallygavenocredencetothesewildinventions。TheMervyns，indeed，followedtheacceptedprecedentinsuchcases，andgreatlydislikedanyreferencetothereputedmysterybeingmadeintheirpresence。
withtheinevitableresultthattherewasnosubjectsopertinaciouslydiscussedbytheirfriendsintheirabsence。Myfather’ssisterhadmarriedthelateBaronet，SirHenryMervyn，andwealwaysfeltthatsheoughttohavebeenthemeansofimpartingtousaverycompleteknowledgeofthefamilysecret。Butinthisconnectionsheundoubtedlyfailedofherduty。Weknewthattherehadbeenaterribletragedyinthefamilysometwoorthreehundredyearsago——thatapeculiarlywickedownerofMervyn，whoflourishedinthelatterpartofthesixteenthcentury，hadbeenmurderedbyhiswifewhosubsequentlycommittedsuicide。Weknewthatthemysteriouscursehadsomeconnectionwiththiscrime，butwhatthecurseexactlywaswehadneverbeenabletodiscover。Thehistoryofthefamilysincethattimehadindeedinonesensebeenfullofmisfortune。Notineverysense。Acoalminehadbeendiscoveredinonepartoftheestate，andapopulouscityhadgrownoverthecornerofanotherpart。andtheMervynsofto-day，inspiteoftheusualpercentageofextravagantheirsandpoliticalmistakes，werethreetimesasrichastheirancestorshadbeen。Butstilltheirstorywasfullofbloodshedandshame，oftalesofduelsandsuicides，brokenheartsandbrokenhonor。Onlythesecalamitiesseemedtohavelittleornorelationtoeachother，andwhattheprecisecursewasthatwassupposedtoconnectoraccountforthemwecouldnotlearn。Whenshefirstmarried，myauntwastoldnothingaboutit。Lateroninlife，whenmyfatheraskedherforthestory，shebeggedhimtotalkuponapleasantersubject。andbeingunluckilyamanofmuchcourtesyandlittlecuriosity，hecompliedwithherrequest。This，however，wastheonlypartoftheghostlytraditionsofherhusband’shomeuponwhichshewassoreticent。Thehauntedchamber，forinstance——which，ofcourse，existedattheGrange——shetreatedwiththegreatestcontempt。
Variousfriendsandrelationshadsleptinitatdifferenttimes，andnoapproachtoanykindofauthenticatedghost-story，evenofthemosttrivialdescription，hadtheybeenabletosupply。Itsonlyclaimtorespect，indeed，wasthatitcontainedthefamousMervyncabinet，afascinatingpuzzleofwhichIwillspeaklater，butwhichcertainlyhadnothinghauntingorhorribleaboutitsappearance。
Myuncle’sfamilyconsistedofthreesons。Theeldest，George，thepresentbaronet，wasnowinhisthirties，married，andwithchildrenofhisown。Thesecond，Jack，wastheblack-sheepofthefamily。HehadbeenintheGuards，but，aboutfiveyearsback，hadgotintosomeverydisgracefulscrape，andhadbeenobligedtoleavethecountry。Thesorrowandtheshameofthishadkilledhisunhappymother，andherhusbandhadnotlongafterwardsfollowedhertothegrave。Alan，theyoungestson，probablybecausehewasthenearesttousinage，hadbeenourspecialfavoriteinearlieryears。GeorgewasgrownupbeforeIhadwellleftthenursery，andhishot，quicktemperhadalwayskeptusyoungsterssomewhatinaweofhim。JackwasfouryearsolderthanAlan，and，besides，hisprofessionhad，inaway，cuthisboyhoodshort。Whenmyuncleandauntwereabroad，astheyfrequentlywereformonthstogetheronaccountofherhealth，itwasAlan，chiefly，whohadtospendhisholidayswithus，bothasschool-boyandasundergraduate。Andabrighter，sweeter-temperedcomrade，oronepossessedofmorediversifiedtalentsfortheinventionofgamesorthetellingofstories，itwouldhavebeendifficulttofind。
ForfiveyearstogethernowourancientcustomofanannualvisittoMervynhadbeenbroken。Firsttherehadbeentheseclusionofmourningformyaunt，andayearlaterformyuncle。thenGeorgeandhiswife，Lucy，——shewasaconnectionofourownonourmother’sside，andveryintimatewithusall，——hadbeenawayfornearlytwoyearsonavoyageroundtheworld。andsincethensicknessinourownfamilyhadkeptusinourturnagooddealabroad。SothatIhadnotseenmycousinssinceallthecalamitieswhichhadbefallenthemintheinterval，andasIsteamednorthwardsIwonderedagooddealastothechangesIshouldfind。
IwastohavecomeoutthatyearinLondon，butill-healthhadpreventedme。andasasortofconsolationLucyhadkindlyaskedmetospendafortnightatMervyn，andbepresentatashooting-party，whichwastoassemblethereinthefirstweekofOctober。
Ihadstartedearly，andtherewasstillanhouroftheshortautumndayleftwhenIdescendedatthelittlewaysidestation，fromwhichasix-miledrivebroughtmetotheGrange。AdrearydriveIfoundit——theround，gray，treelessoutlineofthefellsstretchingaroundmeoneverysidebeneaththeleaden，changelesssky。ThenighthadnearlyfallenaswedrovealongthenarrowvalleyinwhichtheGrangestood：itwastoodarktoseetheautumntintsofthewoodswhichclothedandbrighteneditssides，almosttoodarktodistinguishtheoldtower，——DameAlice’stowerasitwascalled，——whichstoodsomehalfamilefartheronatitshead。
ButthelightshonebrightlyfromtheGrangewindows，andallfeelingofdrearinessdepartedasIdroveuptothedoor。Leavingmaidandboxestotheirfate，Iranupthestepsintotheold，well-rememberedhall，andwasinformedbythedignifiedman-servantthatherladyshipandtheteawereawaitingmeinthemorning-room。
IfoundthattherewasnobodystayinginthehouseexceptAlan，whowasfinishingthelongvacationthere：hehadbeencalledtotheBaracoupleofyearsbefore。Theguestswerenottoarriveforanotherweek，sothatIhadplentyofopportunityintheintervaltomakeupforlosttimewithmycousins。Ibeganmyobservationsthateveningaswesatdowntodinner，acozypartyoffour。Lucywasquiteunchanged——pretty，foolish，andgentleasever。Georgeshowedthefullfiveyears’increaseofage，andseemedtohaveacquiredasomewhatpainfulcontrolofhistemper。Insteadoftheoldpetulantoutbursts，therewasattimesanairofnervous，irritableself-restraint，whichIfoundthelesspleasantofthetwo。ButitwasinAlanthatthemoststrikingalterationappeared。IfeltitthemomentIshookhandswithhim，andtheimpressiondeepenedthateveningwitheveryhour。Itoldmyselfthatitwasonlythenaturaldifferencebetweenboyandman，betweentwentyandtwenty-five，butIdon’tthinkthatIbelievedit。Superficiallythechangewasnotgreat。Theslight-built，gracefulfigure。thedeepgrayeyes，toosmallforbeauty。theclear-cutfeatures，thedelicate，sensitivelips，closeshavennow，astheyhadbeenhairlessthen，——allwereasIrememberedthem。
Butthefacewaspalerandthinnerthanithadbeen，andtherewerelinesroundtheeyesandatthecornersofthemouthwhichwerenomorenaturaltotwenty-fivethantheywouldhavebeentotwenty。
Theoldcharmindeed——thesweetfriendlinessofmanner，whichwashisownpeculiarpossession——wasstillthere。Hetalkedandlaughedalmostasmuchasformerly，butthetalkwasmanufacturedforourentertainment，andthelaughtercamefromhisheadandnotfromhisheart。Anditwaswhenhewastakingnopartintheconversationthatthechangeshowedmost。Thentheface，onwhichintheoldtimeeverypassingemotionhadexpresseditselfinaconstant，livingcurrent，becamecoldandimpassive——withoutinterest，andwithoutdesire。ItwasatsuchtimesthatIknewmostcertainlythatherewassomethingwhichhadbeenlivingandwasdead。Wasitonlyhisboyhood？ThisquestionIwasunabletoanswer。
Still，inspiteofall，thatweekwasoneofthehappiestinmylife。Thebrotherswerebothmenofenoughabilityandcultivationtobepleasanttalkers，andLucycouldperformadequatelythepartofconversationalaccompanist，which，sociallyspeaking，isallthatisrequiredofawoman。Themealsandeveningspassedquicklyandagreeably。themorningsIspentinunendinggossipswithLucy，oringameswiththechildren，twobrightboysoffiveandsixyearsold。Buttheafternoonswerethebestpartoftheday。
Georgewasathoroughsquireinallhistastesandhabits，andeveryafternoonhiswifedutifullyaccompaniedhimroundfarmsandcoverts，inspectingnewbuildings，trudgingalonghalf-maderoads，ormarkingunoffendingtreesfordestruction。ThenAlanandI
wouldridebythehourtogetherovermoorandmeadowland，oftenpickingourwayhomewardsdowntheglen-sidelongaftertheautumneveningshadclosedin。DuringtheseridesIhadglimpsesmanyatimeintodepthsinAlan’snatureofwhichIdoubtwhetherintheolddayshehadhimselfbeenaware。Tomecertainlytheywereasarevelation。Aprevailingsadness，occasionallyapainfultoneofbitterness，characterizedthesemoreseriousmoodsofhis，butIdonotthinkthat，attheendofthatweek，Iwould，ifIcould，havechangedtheman，whomIwaslearningtorevereandtopity，forthelight-heartedplaymatewhomIfeltwaslosttomeforever。
II
Theonlyfeatureofthefamilylifewhichjarredonmewastheattitudeofthetwobrotherstowardsthechildren。Ididnotnoticethismuchatfirst，andatalltimesitwasathingtobefeltratherthantobeseen。Georgehimselfneverseemedquiteateasewiththem。Theboyswerestrongandwellgrown，healthyinmindandbody。andonewouldhavethoughtthattheexistenceoftwosuchrepresentativestocarryonhisnameandinherithisfortunewouldhavebeentheverycrownofprideandhappinesstotheirfather。Butitwasnotso。Lucyindeedwasdevotedtothem，andinallpracticalmattersnoonecouldhavebeenkindertothemthanwasGeorge。Theywerefreeofthewholehouse，andeveryindulgencethatmoneycouldbuyforthemtheyhad。Ineverheardhimgivethemaharshword。Buttherewassomethingwrong。A
constraintintheirpresence，areliefintheirabsence，anevidentdislikeofdiscussingthemandtheiraffairs，atotalwantofthatenjoymentofloveandpossessionwhichinsuchacaseonemighthaveexpectedtofind。Alan’sstateofmindwasevenmoremarked。
NeverdidIhearhimwillinglyaddresshisnephews，orinanywayalludetotheirexistence。Ishouldhavesaidthathesimplyignoredit，butfortheheavygloomwhichalwaysoverspreadhisspiritsintheircompany，andfortheglanceswhichhewouldnowandagaincastintheirdirection——glancesfullofsomehiddenpainfulemotion，thoughofwhatnatureitwouldhavebeenhardtodefine。Indeed，Alan’sattitudetowardsherchildrenIsoonfoundtobetheonlysourceoffrictionbetweenLucyandthisotherwisemuch-lovedmemberofherhusband’sfamily。Iaskedheronedaywhytheboysneverappearedatluncheon。
Oh，theycomewhenAlanisaway，sheanswered。buttheyseemtoannoyhimsomuchthatGeorgethinksitisbettertokeepthemoutofsightwhenheishere。Itisverytiresome。IknowthatitisthefashiontosaythatGeorgehasgotthetemperofthefamily。
butIassureyouthatAlan’snervousmoodsandfanciesaremuchmoredifficulttolivewith。
Thatwasonthemorning——aFridayitwas——ofthelastdaywhichweweretospendalone。Theguestsweretoarrivesoonaftertea。andIthinkthatwiththeknowledgeoftheirapproachAlanandI
prolongedourridethatafternoonbeyonditsusuallimits。Wewereonourwayhome，anditwasalreadydusk，whenaturnofthepathbroughtusfacetofacewiththeoldruinedtower，ofwhichIhavealreadyspokenasstandingattheheadofthevalley。IhadnotbeencloseuptoityetduringthisvisitatMervyn。Ithadbeenaveryfavoritehauntofoursaschildren，andpartlyonthataccount，partlyperhapsinordertodeferthedreadedcloseofourridetothelastpossiblemoment，Iproposedaninspectionofit。
Theonlyportionoftheoldbuildingleftstandinginanykindofentiretywastworooms，oneabovetheother。Thetowerroom，levelwiththebottomofthemoat，wasdarkanddamp，anditwastheupperone，reachedbyalittleoutsidestaircase，whichhadbeenourrendezvousofold。Alanshowednodispositiontoenter，andsaidthathewouldstayoutsideandholdmyhorse，soIdismountedandranupalone。
Theroomseemedinnowaychanged。Amerestoneshell，litteredwithfragmentsofwoodandmortar。TherewastheroughwoodenblockonwhichAlanusedtositwhilehefirstfrighteneduswithbogey-stories，andthencalmedourexcitednervesbyrapidsalliesofwildnonsense。Therewastheplankfrombehindwhich，erectedasabarrieracrossthedoorway，hewoulddefendthecastleagainstourunitedassault，peltinguswithfir-conesandsodsofearth。