Havingalreadyincurredmymaster”sdispleasure——inwhatway，apropersenseofmyowndignityforbidsmetorelate——IvolunteeredtowatchbythebedsideoftheEnglishBear。MyobjectwastosatisfyMr。FairbankthatIborenomalice，onmyside，afterwhathadoccurredbetweenus。ThewretchedEnglishmanpassedanightofdelirium。Notunderstandinghisbarbarouslanguage，Icouldonlygatherfromhisgesturethathewasindeadlyfearofsomefanciedapparitionathisbedside。Fromtimetotime，whenthismadmandisturbedmyslumbers，Iquietedhimbyswearingathim。Thisistheshortestandbestwayofdealingwithpersonsinhiscondition。
Onthemorningofthetwenty-ninth，Mr。Fairbankleftusonajourney。Laterintheday，tomyunspeakabledisgust，IfoundthatIhadnotdonewiththeEnglishmanyet。InMr。Fairbank”sabsence，Mrs。Fairbanktookanincomprehensibleinterestinthequestionofmydeliriousfellow-servant”sreposeatnight。Again，oneortheotherofuswastowatchathisbedside，andreportit，ifanythinghappened。Expectingmyfairfriendtosupper，itwasnecessarytomakesurethattheotherservantsatthestableswouldbesafeintheirbedsthatnight。Accordingly，Ivolunteeredoncemoretobethemanwhokeptwatch。Mrs。Fairbankcomplimentedmeonmyhumanity。Ipossessgreatcommandovermyfeelings。Iacceptedthecomplimentwithoutablush。
Twice，afternightfall，mymistressandthedoctorthelaststayinginthehouseinMr。Fairbank”sabsencecametomakeinquiries。OnceBEFOREthearrivalofmyfairfriend——andonceAFTER。OnthesecondoccasionmyapartmentbeingnextdoortotheEnglishman”sIwasobligedtohidemycharmingguestintheharnessroom。Sheconsented，withangelicresignation，toimmolateherdignitytotheservilenecessitiesofmyposition。AmoreamiablewomansofarInevermetwith！
AfterthesecondvisitIwasleftfree。Itwasthencloseonmidnight。UptothattimetherewasnothinginthebehaviorofthemadEnglishmantorewardMrs。Fairbankandthedoctorforpresentingthemselvesathisbedside。Helayhalfawake，halfasleep，withanoddwonderingkindoflookinhisface。Mymistressatpartingwarnedmetobeparticularlywatchfulofhimtowardtwointhemorning。Thedoctorincaseanythinghappened
leftmealargehandbelltoring，whichcouldeasilybeheardatthehouse。
Restoredtothesocietyofmyfairfriend，Ispreadthesuppertable。Apate，asausage，andafewbottlesofgenerousMosellewine，composedoursimplemeal。Whenpersonsadoreeachother，theintoxicatingillusionofLovetransformsthesimplestmealintoabanquet。Withimmeasurablecapacitiesforenjoyment，wesatdowntotable。AttheverymomentwhenIplacedmyfascinatingcompanioninachair，theinfamousEnglishmaninthenextroomtookthatoccasion，ofallothers，tobecomerestlessandnoisyoncemore。Hestruckwithhisstickonthefloor；hecriedout，inadeliriousaccessofterror，“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
Thesoundofthatlamentablevoice，suddenlyassailingourears，terrifiedmyfairfriend。Shelostallhercharmingcolorinaninstant。“Goodheavens！“sheexclaimed。“Whoisthatinthenextroom？“
“AmadEnglishman。”
“AnEnglishman？“
“Composeyourself，myangel。Iwillquiethim。”Thelamentablevoicecalledoutonmeagain，“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
Myfairfriendcaughtmebythearm。“Whoishe？“shecried。
“Whatishisname？“
Somethinginherfacestruckmeassheputthatquestion。Aspasmofjealousyshookmetothesoul。“Youknowhim？“Isaid。
“Hisname！“shevehementlyrepeated；“hisname！“
“Francis，“Ianswered。
“Francis——WHAT？“
Ishruggedmyshoulders。IcouldneitherremembernorpronouncethebarbarousEnglishsurname。Icouldonlytellheritbeganwithan“R。”
Shedroppedbackintothechair。Wasshegoingtofaint？No：sherecovered，andmorethanrecovered，herlostcolor。Hereyesflashedsuperbly。Whatdiditmean？ProfoundlyasIunderstandwomeningeneral，IwaspuzzledbyTHISwoman！
“Youknowhim？“Irepeated。
Shelaughedatme。“Whatnonsense！HowshouldIknowhim？Goandquietthewretch。”
Mylooking-glasswasnear。OneglanceatitsatisfiedmethatnowomaninhersensescouldprefertheEnglishmantoMe。Irecoveredmyself-respect。IhastenedtotheEnglishman”sbedside。
ThemomentIappearedhepointedeagerlytowardmyroom。Heoverwhelmedmewithatorrentofwordsinhisownlanguage。Imadeout，fromhisgesturesandhislooks，thathehad，insomeincomprehensiblemanner，discoveredthepresenceofmyguest；and，strangerstill，thathewasscaredbytheideaofapersoninmyroom。IendeavoredtocomposehimonthesystemwhichIhavealreadymentioned——thatistosay，IsworeathiminMYlanguage。
Theresultnotprovingsatisfactory，IownIshookmyfistinhisface，andleftthebedchamber。
Returningtomyfairfriend，Ifoundherwalkingbackwardandforwardinastateofexcitementwonderfultobehold。Shehadnotwaitedformetofillherglass——shehadbegunthegenerousMoselleinmyabsence。Iprevailedonherwithdifficultytoplaceherselfatthetable。Nothingwouldinducehertoeat。“Myappetiteisgone，“shesaid。“Givemewine。”
ThegenerousMoselledeservesitsname——delicateonthepalate，withprodigious“body。”Thestrengthofthisfinewineproducednostupefyingeffectonmyremarkableguest。Itappearedtostrengthenandexhilarateher——nothingmore。Shealwaysspokeinthesamelowtone，andalways，turntheconversationasImight，broughtitbackwiththesamedexteritytothesubjectoftheEnglishmaninthenextroom。Inanyotherwomanthispersistencywouldhaveoffendedme。Mylovelyguestwasirresistible；I
answeredherquestionswiththedocilityofachild。Shepossessedalltheamusingeccentricityofhernation。WhenItoldheroftheaccidentwhichconfinedtheEnglishmantohisbed，shesprangtoherfeet。Anextraordinarysmileirradiatedhercountenance。Shesaid，“ShowmethehorsewhobroketheEnglishman”sleg！Imustseethathorse！“Itookhertothestables。Shekissedthehorse——
onmywordofhonor，shekissedthehorse！Thatstruckme。I
said。“YouDOknowtheman；andhehaswrongedyouinsomeway。”
No！shewouldnotadmitit，eventhen。“Ikissallbeautifulanimals，“shesaid。“Haven”tIkissedYOU？“Withthatcharmingexplanationofherconduct，sheranbackupthestairs。Ionlyremainedbehindtolockthestabledooragain。WhenIrejoinedher，Imadeastartlingdiscovery。IcaughthercomingoutoftheEnglishman”sroom。
“Iwasjustgoingdownstairsagaintocallyou，“shesaid。“Themaninthereisgettingnoisyoncemore。”
ThemadEnglishman”svoiceassailedourearsonceagain。
“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
HewasafrightfulobjecttolookatwhenIsawhimthistime。Hiseyeswerestaringwildly；theperspirationwaspouringoverhisface。Inapanicofterrorheclaspedhishands；hepointeduptoheaven。Byeverysignandgesturethatamancanmake，heentreatedmenottoleavehimagain。Ireallycouldnothelpsmiling。TheideaofmystayingwithHIM，andleavingmyfairfriendbyherselfinthenextroom！
Iturnedtothedoor。Whenthemadwretchsawmeleavinghimheburstoutintoascreechofdespair——soshrillthatIfeareditmightawakenthesleepingservants。
Mypresenceofmindinemergenciesisproverbialamongthosewhoknowme。Itoreopenthecupboardinwhichhekepthislinen——
seizedahandfulofhishandkerchief”s——gaggedhimwithoneofthem，andsecuredhishandswiththeothers。Therewasnownodangerofhisalarmingtheservants。Aftertyingthelastknot，I
lookedup。
ThedoorbetweentheEnglishman”sroomandminewasopen。Myfairfriendwasstandingonthethreshold——watchingHIMashelayhelplessonthebed；watchingMEasItiedthelastknot。
“Whatareyoudoingthere？“Iasked。“Whydidyouopenthedoor？“
Shesteppeduptome，andwhisperedheranswerinmyear，withhereyesallthetimeuponthemanonthebed：
“Iheardhimscream。”
“Well？“
“Ithoughtyouhadkilledhim。”
Idrewbackfromherinhorror。Thesuspicionofmewhichherwordsimpliedwassufficientlydetestableinitself。Buthermannerwhensheutteredthewordswasmorerevoltingstill。ItsopowerfullyaffectedmethatIstartedbackfromthatbeautifulcreatureasImighthaverecoiledfromareptilecrawlingovermyflesh。
BeforeIhadrecoveredmyselfsufficientlytoreply，mynerveswereassailedbyanothershock。Isuddenlyheardmymistress”svoicecallingtomefromthestableyard。
Therewasnotimetothink——therewasonlytimetoact。TheonethingneededwastokeepMrs。Fairbankfromascendingthestairs，anddiscovering——notmyladyguestonly——buttheEnglishmanalso，gaggedandboundonhisbed。Iinstantlyhurriedtotheyard。AsIrandownthestairsIheardthestableclockstrikethequartertotwointhemorning。
Mymistresswaseagerandagitated。Thedoctorinattendanceonherwassmilingtohimself，likeamanamusedathisownthoughts。
“IsFrancisawakeorasleep？“Mrs。Fairbankinquired。
“Hehasbeenalittlerestless，madam。Butheisnowquietagain。
Ifheisnotdisturbed“Iaddedthosewordstopreventherfromascendingthestairs，“hewillsoonfalloffintoaquietsleep。”
“HasnothinghappenedsinceIwasherelast？“
“Nothing，madam。”
Thedoctorliftedhiseyebrowswithacomicallookofdistress。
“Alas，alas，Mrs。Fairbank！“hesaid。“Nothinghashappened！Thedaysofromanceareover！“
“Itisnottwoo”clockyet，“mymistressanswered，alittleirritably。
Thesmellofthestableswasstrongonthemorningair。Sheputherhandkerchieftohernoseandledthewayoutoftheyardbythenorthentrance——theentrancecommunicatingwiththegardensandthehouse。Iwasorderedtofollowher，alongwiththedoctor。Onceoutofthesmellofthestablesshebegantoquestionmeagain。
Shewasunwillingtobelievethatnothinghadoccurredinherabsence。IinventedthebestanswersIcouldthinkofonthespurofthemoment；andthedoctorstoodbylaughing。Sotheminutespassedtilltheclockstrucktwo。Uponthat，Mrs。FairbankannouncedherintentionofpersonallyvisitingtheEnglishmaninhisroom。Tomygreatrelief，thedoctorinterferedtostopherfromdoingthis。
“YouhaveheardthatFrancisisjustfallingasleep，“hesaid。“Ifyouenterhisroomyoumaydisturbhim。Itisessentialtothesuccessofmyexperimentthatheshouldhaveagoodnight”srest，andthatheshouldownithimself，beforeItellhimthetruth。I
mustrequest，madam，thatyouwillnotdisturbtheman。Rigobertwillringthealarmbellifanythinghappens。”
Mymistresswasunwillingtoyield。Forthenextfiveminutes，atleast，therewasawarmdiscussionbetweenthetwo。IntheendMrs。Fairbankwasobligedtogiveway——forthetime。“Inhalfanhour，“shesaid，“Franciswilleitherbesoundasleep，orawakeagain。InhalfanhourIshallcomeback。”Shetookthedoctor”sarm。Theyreturnedtogethertothehouse。
Leftbymyself，withhalfanhourbeforeme，IresolvedtotaketheEnglishwomanbacktothevillage——then，returningtothestables，toremovethegagandthebindingsfromFrancis，andtolethimscreechtohisheart”scontent。WhatwouldhisalarmingthewholeestablishmentmattertoMEafterIhadgotridofthecompromisingpresenceofmyguest？
ReturningtotheyardIheardasoundlikethecreakingofanopendooronitshinges。ThegateofthenorthentranceIhadjustclosedwithmyownhand。Iwentroundtothewestentrance，atthebackofthestables。ItopenedonafieldcrossedbytwofootpathsinMr。Fairbank”sgrounds。Thenearestfootpathledtothevillage。Theotherledtothehighroadandtheriver。
ArrivingatthewestentranceIfoundthedooropen——swingingtoandfroslowlyinthefreshmorningbreeze。Ihadmyselflockedandboltedthatdoorafteradmittingmyfairfriendateleveno”clock。Avaguedreadofsomethingwrongstoleitswayintomymind。Ihurriedbacktothestables。
Ilookedintomyownroom。Itwasempty。Iwenttotheharnessroom。Notasignofthewomanwasthere。Ireturnedtomyroom，andapproachedthedooroftheEnglishman”sbedchamber。Wasitpossiblethatshehadremainedthereduringmyabsence？Anunaccountablereluctancetoopenthedoormademehesitate，withmyhandonthelock。Ilistened。Therewasnotasoundinside。I
calledsoftly。Therewasnoanswer。Idrewbackastep，stillhesitating。Inoticedsomethingdarkmovingslowlyinthecrevicebetweenthebottomofthedoorandtheboardedfloor。Snatchingupthecandlefromthetable，Ihelditlow，andlooked。Thedark，slowlymovingobjectwasastreamofblood！
Thathorridsightrousedme。Iopenedthedoor。TheEnglishmanlayonhisbed——aloneintheroom。Hewasstabbedintwoplaces——
inthethroatandintheheart。Theweaponwasleftinthesecondwound。ItwasaknifeofEnglishmanufacture，withahandleofbuckhornasgoodasnew。
Iinstantlygavethealarm。Witnessescanspeaktowhatfollowed。
ItismonstroustosupposethatIamguiltyofthemurder。IadmitthatIamcapableofcommittingfollies：butIshrinkfromthebareideaofacrime。Besides，Ihadnomotiveforkillingtheman。
Thewomanmurderedhiminmyabsence。ThewomanescapedbythewestentrancewhileIwastalkingtomymistress。Ihavenomoretosay。IsweartoyouwhatIhaveherewrittenisatruestatementofallthathappenedonthemorningofthefirstofMarch。
Accept，sir，theassuranceofmysentimentsofprofoundgratitudeandrespect。
JOSEPHRIGOBERT。
LASTLINES——ADDEDBYPERCYFAIRBANK
TriedforthemurderofFrancisRaven，JosephRigobertwasfoundNotGuilty；thepapersoftheassassinatedmanpresentedampleevidenceofthedeadlyanimosityfelttowardhimbyhiswife。
Theinvestigationspursuedonthemorningwhenthecrimewascommittedshowedthatthemurderess，afterleavingthestable，hadtakenthefootpathwhichledtotheriver。Theriverwasdragged——
withoutresult。Itremainsdoubtfultothisdaywhethershediedbydrowningornot。Theonethingcertainis——thatAliciaWarlockwasneverseenagain。
So——beginninginmystery，endinginmystery——theDreamWomanpassesfromyourview。Ghost；demon；orlivinghumancreature——sayforyourselveswhichsheis。Or，knowingwhatunfathomedwondersarearoundyou，whatunfathomedwondersareINyou，letthewisewordsofthegreatestofallpoetsbeexplanationenough：
“WearesuchstuffAsdreamsaremadeof，andourlittlelifeIsroundedwithasleep。”
AnonymousTheLostDuchessI
“Hastheduchessreturned？“
“No，yourgrace。”
Knowlescamefartherintotheroom。Hehadaletteronasalver。
Whenthedukehadtakenit，Knowlesstilllingered。Thedukeglancedathim。
“Isananswerrequired？“
“No，yourgrace。”StillKnowleslingered。“Somethingalittlesingularhashappened。Thecarriagehasreturnedwithouttheduchess，andthemensaythattheythoughthergracewasinit。”
“Whatdoyoumean？“
“Ihardlyunderstandmyself，yourgrace。PerhapsyouwouldliketoseeBarnes。”
Barneswasthecoachman。
“Sendhimup。”WhenKnowleshadgone，andhewasalone，hisgraceshowedsignsofbeingslightlyannoyed。Helookedathiswatch。
“Itoldhershe”dbetterbeinbyfour。Shesaysthatshe”snotfeelingwell，andyetonewouldthinkthatshewasnotawareofthefatigueentailedinhavingtheprincecometodinner，andamobofpeopletofollow。Iparticularlywishedhertoliedownforacoupleofhours。”
KnowlesusheredinnotonlyBarnes，thecoachman，butMoysey，thefootman，too。Boththesepersonsseemedtobeillatease。Thedukeglancedatthemsharply。Inhisvoicetherewasasuggestionofimpatience。
“Whatisthematter？“
Barnesexplainedasbesthecould。
“Ifyouplease，yourgrace，wewaitedfortheduchessoutsideCaneandWilson”s，thedrapers。Theduchesscameout，gotintothecarriage，andMoyseyshutthedoor，andhergracesaid，”Home！”andyetwhenwegothomeshewasn”tthere。”
“Shewasn”twhere？“
“Hergracewasn”tinthecarriage，yourgrace。”
“Whatonearthdoyoumean？“
“Hergracedidgetintothecarriage；youshutthedoor，didn”tyou？“
BarnesturnedtoMoysey。Moyseybroughthishanduptohisbrowinasortofmilitarysalute——hehadbeenasoldierintheregimentinwhich，onceuponatime，thedukehadbeenasubaltern。
“Shedid。Theduchesscameoutoftheshop。Sheseemedratherinahurry，Ithought。Shegotintothecarriage，andshesaid，”Home，Moysey！”Ishutthedoor，andBarnesdrovestraighthome。
Weneverstoppedanywhere，andwenevernoticednothinghappenontheway；andyetwhenwegothomethecarriagewasempty。”
Thedukestarted。
“Doyoumeantotellmethattheduchessgotoutofthecarriagewhileyouweredrivingfullpeltthroughthestreetswithoutsayinganythingtoyou，andwithoutyounoticingit？“
“Thecarriagewasemptywhenwegothome，yourgrace。”
“Waseitherofthedoorsopen？“
“No，yourgrace。”
“Youfellowshavebeenuptosomeinfernalmischief。Youhavemadeamessofit。Youneverpickeduptheduchess，andyou”retryingtopalmthistaleoffonmetosaveyourselves。”
Barneswasmovedtoadjuration：
“I”lltakemyBibleoath，yourgrace，thattheduchessgotintothecarriageoutsideCaneandWilson”s。”
Moyseysecondedhiscolleague。
“Iwillsweartothat，yourgrace。Shegotintothatcarriage，andIshutthedoor，andshesaid，”Home，Moysey！”“
Thedukelookedasifhedidnotknowwhattomakeofthestoryanditstellers。
“Whatcarriagedidyouhave？“
“Hergrace”sbrougham，yourgrace。”
Knowlesinterposed：
“ThebroughamwasorderedbecauseIunderstoodthattheduchesswasnotfeelingverywell，andthere”sratherahighwind，yourgrace。”
Thedukesnappedathim：
“Whathasthattodowithit？Areyousuggestingthattheduchesswasmorelikelytojumpoutofabroughamwhileitwasdashingthroughthestreetsthanoutofanyotherkindofvehicle？“
Theduke”sglancefellontheletterwhichKnowleshadbroughthimwhenhefirsthadentered。Hehadplaceditonhiswritingtable。
Nowhetookitup。Itwas，addressed：
“ToHisGracetheDukeofDatchet。
Private！
VERYPRESSING！！！“
Thenamewaswritteninafine，clear，almostfemininehand。Thewordsintheleft-handcorneroftheenvelopewerewritteninadifferenthand。Theywerelargeandbold；almostasthoughtheyhadbeenpaintedwiththeendofthepenholderinsteadofbeingwrittenwiththepen。Theenvelopeitselfwasofanunusualsize，andbulgedoutasthoughitcontainedsomethingelsebesidesaletter。
Theduketoretheenvelopeopen。Ashedidsosomethingfelloutofitontothewritingtable。Itlookedasthoughitwasalockofawoman”shair。Asheglancedatitthedukeseemedtobeatriflestartled。Thedukereadtheletter：
“YourgracewillbesogoodastobringfivehundredpoundsingoldtothePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadewithinanhourofthereceiptofthis。TheDuchessofDatchethasbeenkidnaped。Animitationduchessgotintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingoutsideCaneandWilson”s，andshealightedontheroad。Unlessyourgracedoesasyouarerequested，theDuchessofDatchet”sleft-handlittlefingerwillbeatoncecutoff，andsenthomeintimetoreceivetheprincetodinner。Otherportionsofhergracewillfollow。Alockofhergrace”shairisinclosedwiththisasanearnestofourgoodintentions。
“BEFORE5：30P。M。yourgraceisrequestedtobeatthePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadewithfivehundredpoundsingold。Youwilltherebeaccostedbyanindividualinawhitetophat，andwithagardeniainhisbuttonhole。Youwillbeentirelyatlibertytogivehimintocustody，ortohavehimfollowedbythepolice，inwhichcasetheduchess”sleftarm，cutoffattheshoulder，willbesenthomefordinner——nottomentionotherextremelypossiblecontingencies。ButyouareADVISEDtogivetheindividualinquestionthefivehundredpoundsingold，becauseinthatcasetheduchessherselfwillhehomeintimetoreceivetheprincetodinner，andwithoneofthebeststorieswithwhichtoentertainyourdistinguishedgueststheyeverheard。
“Remember！NOTLATERTHAN5：30，unlessyouwishtoreceivehergrace”slittlefinger。”
Thedukestaredatthisamazingepistlewhenhehadreaditasthoughhefounditdifficulttobelievetheevidenceofhiseyes。
Hewasnotademonstrativeperson，asarule，butthislittlecommunicationastonishedevenhim。Hereaditagain。Thenhishandsdroppedtohissides，andheswore。
Hetookupthelockofhairwhichhadfallenoutoftheenvelope。
Wasitpossiblethatitcouldbehiswife”s，theduchess？WasitpossiblethataDuchessofDatchetcouldbekidnaped，inbroaddaylight，intheheartofLondon，andbesenthome，asitwere，inpieces？Hadsacrilegioushandsalreadybeenplayingprankswiththatgreatlady”shair？Certainly，THAThairwassolikeHERhairthatthemereresemblancemadehisgrace”sbloodruncold。HeturnedonMessrs。BarnesandMoyseyasthoughhewouldhavelikedtorendthem。
“Youscoundrels！“
Hemovedforwardasthoughtheintentionhadenteredhisducalhearttoknockhisservantsdown。But，ifthatwereso，hedidnotactquiteuptohisintention。Instead，hestretchedouthisarm，pointingatthemasifhewereanaccusingspirit：
“WillyouswearthatitwastheduchesswhogotintothecarriageoutsideCaneandWilson”s？“
Barnesbegantostammer：
“I”llswear，yourgrace，thatI——Ithought”
Thedukestormedaninterruption：
“Idon”taskwhatyouthought。Iaskyou，willyouswearitwas？“
Theduke”sangerwasmorethanBarnescouldface。Hewassilent。
Moyseyshowedalargercourage。
“Icouldhaveswornthatitwasatthetime，yourgrace。Butnowitseemstomethatit”sarummygo。”
“Arummygo！“Thepeculiarityofthephrasedidnotseemtostrikethedukejustthen——atleast，heechoeditasifitdidn”t。“Youcallitarummygo！DoyouknowthatIamtoldinthisletterthatthewomanwhoenteredthecarriagewasnottheduchess？Whatyouwerethinkingabout，orwhatcaseyouwillbeabletomakeoutforyourselves，youknowbetterthanI；butIcantellyouthis——thatinanhouryouwillleavemyservice，andyoumayesteemyourselvesfortunateif，to-night，youarenotbothofyousleepinginjail。”
Onemightalmosthavesuspectedthatthewordswerespokeninirony。Butbeforetheycouldanswer，anotherservantentered，whoalsobroughtaletterfortheduke。Whenhisgrace”sglancefellonitheutteredanexclamation。Thewritingontheenvelopewasthesamewritingthathadbeenontheenvelopewhichhadcontainedtheverysingularcommunication——likeitinallrespects，downtothebroomstick-endthicknessofthe“Private！“and“Verypressing！！！“inthecorner。
“Whobroughtthis？“stormedtheduke。
Theservantappearedtobealittlestartledbytheviolenceofhisgrace”smanner。
“Alady——or，atleast，yourgrace，sheseemedtobealady。”
“Whereisshe？“
“Shecameinahansom，yourgrace。Shegavemethatletter，andsaid，”GivethattotheDukeofDatchetatonce——withoutamoment”sdelay！”Thenshegotintothehansomagain，anddroveaway。”
“Whydidn”tyoustopher？“
“Yourgrace！“
Themanseemedsurprised，asthoughtheideaofstoppingchancevisitorstotheducalmansionvietarmishadnot，untilthatmoment，enteredintohisphilosophy。Thedukecontinuedtoregardthemanasifhecouldsayagooddeal，ifhechose。Thenhepointedtothedoor。Hislipssaidnothing，buthisgesturemuch。
Theservantvanished。
“Anotherhoax！“thedukesaidgrimly，ashetoretheenvelopeopen。
Thistimetheenvelopecontainedasheetofpaper，andinthesheetofpaperanotherenvelope。Thedukeunfoldedthesheetofpaper。
Onitsomewordswerewritten。These：
“Theduchessappearssoparticularlyanxioustodropyoualine，thatonereallyhasn”tthehearttorefuseher。
“Hergrace”scommunication——writtenamidstblindingtears！——youwillfindinclosedwiththis。”
“Knowles，“saidtheduke，inavoicewhichactuallytrembled，“Knowles，hoaxornohoax，Iwillbeevenwiththegentlemanwhowrotethat。”
HandingthesheetofpapertoMr。Knowles，hisgraceturnedhisattentiontotheenvelopewhichhadbeeninclosed。Itwasasmall，squareenvelope，ofthefinestquality，anditreekedwithperfume。
Theduke”scountenanceassumedanaddedfrown——hehadnofondnessforenvelopeswhichwerescented。Inthecenteroftheenvelopewerethewords，“TotheDukeofDatchet，“writteninthebig，bold，sprawlinghandwhichheknewsowell。
“Mabel”swriting，“hesaid，halftohimself，as，withshakingfingers，hetoretheenvelopeopen。
Thesheetofpaperwhichhetookoutwasalmostasstiffascardboard。It，too，emittedwhathisgracedeemedthenauseousodorsoftheperfumer”sshop。Onitwaswrittenthisletter：
“MYDEARHEREWARD——ForHeaven”ssakedowhatthesepeoplerequire！
Idon”tknowwhathashappenedorwhereIam，butIamnearlydistracted！Theyhavealreadycutoffsomeofmyhair，andtheytellmethat，ifyoudon”tletthemhavefivehundredpoundsingoldbyhalf-pastfive，theywillcutoffmylittlefingertoo。I
wouldsoonerdiethanlosemylittlefinger——and——Idon”tknowwhatelsebesides。
“BythetokenwhichIsendyou，andwhichhasnever，untilnow，beenoffmybreast，Iconjureyoutohelpme。
“Hereward——HELPME！“
Whenhereadthatlettertheduketurnedwhite——verywhite，aswhiteasthepaperonwhichitwaswritten。HepassedtheepistleontoKnowles。
“Isupposethatalsoisahoax？“
Mr。Knowleswassilent。Hestillyieldedtohisconstitutionaldisrelishtocommithimself。Atlastheasked：
“Whatisitthatyourgraceproposestodo？“
ThedukespokewithabitternesswhichalmostsuggestedapersonalanimositytowardtheinoffensiveMr。Knowles。
“Ipropose，withyourpermission，toreleasetheduchessfromthecustodyofmyestimablecorrespondent。Ipropose——alwayswithyourpermission——tocomplywithhismodestrequest，andtotakehimhisfivehundredpoundsingold。”Hepaused，thencontinuedinatonewhich，comingfromhim，meantvolumes：“Afterwards，Iproposetocryquitswiththeconcocterofthisprettylittlehoax，evenifitcostsmeeverypennyIpossess。Heshallpaymoreforthatfivehundredpoundsthanhesupposes。”
II
TheDukeofDatchet，comingoutofthebank，lingeredforamomentonthesteps。Inonehandhecarriedacanvasbagwhichseemedwellweighted。Onhiscountenancetherewasanexpressionwhichtoacasualobservermighthavesuggestedthathisgracewasnotcompletelyathisease。Thatcasualobserverhappenedtocomestrollingby。IttooktheformofIvorDacre。
Mr。DacrelookedtheDukeofDatchetupanddowninthatlanguidwayhehas。Heperceivedthecanvasbag。Thenheremarked，possiblyintendingtobefacetious：
“Beenrobbingthebank？ShallIcallacart？“
NobodymindswhatIvorDacresays。Besides，heistheduke”sowncousin。Perhapsalittleremoved；still，thereitis。Sothedukesmiledasicklysmile，asifMr。Dacre”sdelicatewithadgivenhimapassingtouchofindigestion。
Mr。Dacrenoticedthatthedukelookedsallow，sohegavehisprettysenseofhumoranotherairing。
“Kitchenboilerburst？WhenIsawtheduchessjustnowIwonderedifithad。”
Hisgracedistinctlystarted。Healmostdroppedthecanvasbag。
“Yousawtheduchessjustnow，Ivor！When？“
Thedukewasevidentlymoved。Mr。Dacrewasstirredtolanguidcuriosity。“Ican”tsayIclockedit。Perhapshalfanhourago；
perhapsalittlemore。”
“Halfanhourago！Areyousure？Wheredidyouseeher？“
Mr。Dacrewondered。TheDuchessofDatchetcouldscarcelyhavebeenelopinginbroaddaylight。Moreover，shehadnotyetbeenmarriedayear。Everyoneknewthatsheandthedukewerestillasfondofeachotherasiftheywerenotmanandwife。So，althoughtheduke，forsomecauseorother，wasevidentlyinanoddstateofagitation，Mr。Dacresawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotmakeacleanbreastofallheknew。
“Shewasgoinglikeblazesinahansomcab。”
“Inahansomcab？Where？“
“DownWaterlooPlace。”
“Wasshealone？“
Mr。Dacrereflected。Heglancedatthedukeoutofthecornersofhiseyes。Hislanguidutterancebecameapositivedrawl。
“Iratherfancythatshewasn”t。”
“Whowaswithher？“
“Mydearfellow，ifyouweretooffermethebankIcouldn”ttellyou。”
“Wasitaman？“
Mr。Dacre”sdrawlbecamestillmorepronounced。
“Iratherfancythatitwas。”
Mr。Dacreexpectedsomething。Thedukewassoexcited。Buthebynomeansexpectedwhatactuallycame。
“Ivor，she”sbeenkidnaped！“
Mr。Dacredidwhathehadneverbeenknowntodobeforewithinthememoryofman——hedroppedhiseyeglass。
“Datchet！“
“Shehas！Somescoundrelhasdecoyedheraway，andtrappedher。
He”salreadysentmealockofherhair，andhetellsmethatifI
don”tlethimhavefivehundredpoundsingoldbyhalf-pastfivehe”llletmehaveherlittlefinger。”
Mr。Dacredidnotknowwhattomakeofhisgraceatall。Hewasasoberman——itCOULDN”Tbethat！Mr。Dacrefeltreallyconcerned。
“I”llcallacab，oldman，andyou”dbetterletmeseeyouhome。”
Mr。Dacrehalfraisedhissticktohailapassinghansom。Thedukecaughthimbythearm。
“Youass！Whatdoyoumean？Iamtellingyouthesimpletruth。
Mywife”sbeenkidnaped。”
Mr。Dacre”scountenancewasathingtobeseen——andremembered。
“Oh！Ihadn”theardthattherewasmuchofthatsortofthingaboutjustnow。Theytalkofpoodlesbeingkidnaped，butasforduchesses——You”dreallybetterletmecallthatcab。”
“Ivor，doyouwantmetokickyou？Don”tyouseethattomeit”saquestionoflifeanddeath？I”vebeenintheretogetthemoney。”
Hisgracemotionedtowardthebank。“I”mgoingtotakeittothescoundrelwhohasmydarlingathismercy。Letmebuthaveherhandinmineagain，andheshallcontinuetopayforeverysovereignwithtearsofblooduntilhedies。”
“Lookhere，Datchet，Idon”tknowifyou”rehavingajokewithme，orifyou”renotwell”
Thedukesteppedimpatientlyintotheroadway。
“Ivor，you”reafool！Can”tyoutelljestfromearnest，healthfromdisease？I”moff！Areyoucomingwithme？ItwouldbeaswellthatIshouldhaveawitness。”
“Whereareyouoffto？“
“TotheotherendoftheArcade。”
“Whoisthegentlemanyouexpecttohavethepleasureofmeetingthere？“
“HowshouldIknow？“Theduketookaletterfromhispocket——itwastheletterwhichhadjustarrived。“Thefellowistowearawhitetophat，andagardeniainhisbuttonhole。”
“Whatisityouhavethere？“
“It”stheletterwhichbroughtthenews——lookforyourselfandsee；
but，forGod”ssake，makehaste！“Hisgraceglancedathiswatch。
“It”salreadytwentyafterfive。”
“Anddoyoumeantosaythatonthestrengthofalettersuchasthisyouaregoingtohandoverfivehundredpoundsto”
ThedukecutMr。Dacreshort。
“Whatarefivehundredpoundstome？Besides，youdon”tknowall。
Thereisanotherletter。AndIhaveheardfromMabel。ButIwilltellyouallaboutitlater。Ifyouarecoming，come！“
Foldinguptheletter，Mr。Dacrereturnedittotheduke。
“Asyousay，whatarefivehundredpoundstoyou？It”saswelltheyarenotasmuchtoyouastheyaretome，orI”mafraid”
“Hangit，Ivor，doproseafterwards！“
Thedukehurriedacrosstheroad。Mr。Dacrehastenedafterhim。
AstheyenteredtheArcadetheypassedaconstable。Mr。Dacretouchedhiscompanion”sarm。
“Don”tyouthinkwe”dbetteraskourfriendinbluetowalkbehindus？Hisneighborhoodmightbehandy。”
“Nonsense！“Thedukestoppedshort。“Ivor，thisismyaffair，notyours。Ifyouarenotcontenttoplaythepartofsilentwitness，besogoodastoleaveme。”
“MydearDatchet，I”mentirelyatyourservice。Icanbeeverywhitasinsaneasyou，Idoassureyou。”
SidebysidetheymovedrapidlydowntheBurlingtonArcade。Thedukewasobviouslyinastateoftheextremestnervoustension。
Mr。Dacrewasequallyobviouslyinastateofthemostsupremeenjoyment。Peoplestaredastheyrushedpast。Thedukesawnothing。Mr。Dacresaweverything，andsmiled。
WhentheyreachedthePiccadillyendoftheArcadethedukepulledup。Helookedabouthim。Mr。Dacrealsolookedabouthim。
“Iseenothingofyourwhite-hattedandgardenia-buttonholedfriend，“saidIvor。
Thedukereferredtohiswatch。
“It”snotyethalf-pastfive。I”muptotime。”
Mr。Dacreheldhisstickinfrontofhimandleanedonit。Heindulgedhimselfwithabeatificsmile。
“Itstrikesme，mydearDatchet，thatyou”vebeenthevictimofoneofthefinestthingsinhoaxes”
“IhopeIhaven”tkeptyouwaiting。”
ThevoicewhichinterruptedMr。Dacrecamefromtherear。Whiletheywerelookinginfrontofthemsomeoneapproachedthemfrombehind，apparentlycomingoutoftheshopwhichwasattheirbacks。
Thespeakerlookedagentleman。Hesoundedlikeone，too。
Costume，appearance，manner，werebeyondreproach——evenbeyondthecriticismoftwosuchkeencriticsaswerethese。ThegloriousattireofaLondondandywassurmountedwithabeautifulwhitetophat。Inhisbuttonholewasamagnificentgardenia。
Inagethestrangerwasscarcelymorethanaboy，andasunny-
faced，handsomeboyatthat。Hischeekswerehairless，hiseyeswereblue。Hissmilewasnotonlyinnocent，itwasbland。NeverwasthereamoreconspicuousillustrationofthatreposewhichstampsthecasteofVeredeVere。
Thedukelookedathimandglowered。Mr。Dacrelookedathimandsmiled。
“Whoareyou？“askedtheduke。
“Ah——thatisthequestion！“Thenewcomer”srefinedandmusicalvoicebreathedtheverysoulofaffability。“Iamanindividualwhoissounfortunateastobeinwantoffivehundredpounds。”
“Areyouthescoundrelwhosentmethatinfamousletter？“
Thecharmingstrangerneverturnedahair。
“IamthescoundrelmentionedinthatinfamousletterwhowantstoaccostyouatthePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadebeforehalf-pastfive——aswitnessmywhitehatandmygardenia。”
“Where”smywife？“
Thestrangergentlyswunghisstickinfrontofhimwithhistwohands。Heregardedthedukeasamerry-heartedsonmightregardhisfather。Thethingwasbeautiful！
“Hergracewillbehomealmostassoonasyouare——whenyouhavegivenmethemoneywhichIperceiveyouhaveallreadyformeinthatscarcelyelegant-lookingcanvasbag。”Heshruggedhisshouldersquitegracefully。“Unfortunately，inthesemattersonehasnochoice——oneisforcedtoaskforgold。”
“Andsuppose，insteadofgivingyouwhatisinthiscanvasbag，I
takeyoubythethroatandchoketheliferightoutofyou？“
“Orsuppose，“amendedMr。Dacre，“thatyoudobetter，andcommendthisgentlemantothetendermerciesofthefirstpolicemanweencounter。”
ThestrangerturnedtoMr。Dacre。Hecondescendedtobecomeconsciousofhispresence。
“Isthisgentlemanyourgrace”sfriend？Ah——Mr。Dacre，Iperceive！
IhavethehonorofknowingMr。Dacre，though，possibly，Iamunknowntohim。”
“Youwere——untilthismoment。”
Withanairylittlelaughthestrangerreturnedtotheduke。Hebrushedaninvisiblespeckofdustoffthesleeveofhiscoat。
“Ashasbeenintimatedinthatinfamousletter，hisgraceisatperfectlibertytogivemeintocustody——whynot？Only“——hesaiditwithhisboyishsmile”ifaparticularcommunicationisnotreceivedfrommeincertainquarterswithinacertaintimetheDuchessofDatchet”sbeautifulwhitearmwillbehackedoffattheshoulder。”
“Youhound！“
Thedukewouldhavetakenthestrangerbythethroat，andhavedonehisbesttochoketheliferightoutofhimthenandthere，ifMr。
Dacrehadnotintervened。
“Steady，oldman！“Mr。Dacreturnedtothestranger。“Youappeartobeaprettysortofascoundrel。”
Thestrangergavehisshouldersthatalmostimperceptibleshrug。
“Oh，mydearDacre，Iaminwantofmoney！Ibelievethatyousometimesareinwantofmoney，too。”
EverybodyknowsthatnobodyknowswhereIvorDacregetshismoneyfrom，sotheallusionmusthavetickledhimimmensely。
“You”reacoolhand，“hesaid。
“Somemenarebornthatway。”
“SoIshouldimagine。Menlikeyoumustbeborn，notmade。”
“Precisely——asyousay！“Thestrangerturned，withhisgracefulsmile，totheduke：“Butarewenotwastingprecioustime？Icanassureyourgracethat，inthisparticularmatter，momentsareofvalue。”
Mr。Dacreinterposedbeforethedukecouldanswer。
“Ifyoutakemystronglyurgedadvice，Datchet，youwillsummonthisconstablewhoisnowcomingdowntheArcade，andhandthisgentlemanovertohiskeeping。Idonotthinkthatyouneedfearthattheduchesswillloseherarm，orevenherlittlefinger。
Scoundrelsofthisone”skidneyaremostamenabletoreasonwhentheyhavehandcuffsontheirwrists。”
Thedukeplainlyhesitated。Hewould——andhewouldnot。Thestranger，asheeyedhim，seemedmuchamused。
“Mydearduke，byallmeansactonMr。Dacre”svaluablesuggestion。
AsIsaidbefore，whynot？Itwouldatleastbeinterestingtoseeiftheduchessdoesordoesnotloseherarm——almostasinterestingtoyouastoMr。Dacre。Thoseblackmailing，kidnapingscoundrelsdousesuchemptymenaces。Besides，youwouldhavethepleasureofseeingmelockedup。Myimprisonmentforlifewouldrecompenseyouevenforthelossofhergrace”sarm。Andfivehundredpoundsissuchasumtohavetopay——merelyforawife！Whynot，therefore，actonMr。Dacre”ssuggestion？Herecomestheconstable。”Theconstablereferredtowasadvancingtowardthem——hewasnotadozenyardsaway。“Letmebeckontohim——Iwillwithpleasure。”Hetookouthiswatch——agoldchronographrepeater。“TherearescarcelytenminutesleftduringwhichitwillbepossibleformetosendthecommunicationwhichIspokeof，sothatitmayarriveintime。
Asitwillthenbetoolate，andtheinstrumentsarealreadypreparedforthelittleoperationwhichhergraceiseagerlyanticipating，itwould，perhaps，beaswell，afterall，thatyoushouldgivemeintocharge。Youwouldhavesavedyourfivehundredpounds，andyouwould，atanyrate，havesomethinginexchangeforhergrace”smutilatedlimb。Ah，hereistheconstable！Officer！“
Thestrangerspokewithsuchapleasantlittleairofeasygenialitythatitwasimpossibletotellifhewereinjestorinearnest。Thisfactimpressedthedukemuchmorethanifhehadgoneinforaliberalindulgenceofthe——underthecircumstances——
orthodoxmelodramaticscowling。And，indeed，inthefaceofhisowncommonsense，itimpressedMr。IvorDacretoo。
Thiswell-bred，well-groomedyouthwasjustthebeingtorealize——
auxboutsdesongles——amoderntypeofthedevil，thetypewhichdepictshimasaperfectgentleman，whokeepssmilingallthetime。
Theconstablewhomthisaudaciousroguehadsignaledapproachedthelittlegroup。Headdressedthestranger：
“Doyouwantme，sir？“
“No，Idonotwantyou。IthinkitistheDukeofDatchet。”
Theconstable，whoknewthedukeverywellbysight，salutedhimasheturnedtoreceiveinstructions。
Thedukelookedwhite，evensavage。Therewasnotapleasantlookinhiseyesandabouthislips。Heappearedtobeendeavoringtoputagreatrestraintuponhimself。Therewasamomentarysilence。
Mr。Dacremadeamovementasiftointerpose。Thedukecaughthimbythearm。
Hespoke：“No，constable，Idonotwantyou。Thispersonismistaken。”
Theconstablelookedasifhecouldnotquitemakeouthowsuchamistakecouldhavearisen，hesitated，then，withanothersalute，hemovedaway。
Thestrangerwasstillholdinghiswatchinhishand。
“Onlyeightminutes，“hesaid。
Thedukeseemedtoexperiencesomedifficultyingivingutterancetowhathehadtosay。
“IfIgiveyouthisfivehundredpounds，you——you”
Asthedukepaused，asifatalossforlanguagewhichwasstrongenoughtoconveyhismeaning，thestrangerlaughed。
“Letustaketheadjectivesforgranted。Besides，itisonlyboyswhocalleachothernames——mendothings。Ifyougivemethefivehundredsovereigns，whichyouhaveinthatbag，atonce——infiveminutesitwillbetoolate——Iwillpromise——Iwillnotswear；ifyoudonotcreditmysimplepromise，youwillnotbelievemysolemnaffirmation——Iwillpromisethat，possiblywithinanhour，certainlywithinanhourandahalf，theDuchessofDatchetshallreturntoyouabsolutelyuninjured——except，ofcourse，asyouarealreadyaware，withregardtoafewofthehairsofherhead。I
willpromisethisontheunderstandingthatyoudonotyourselfattempttoseewhereIgo，andthatyouwillallownooneelsetodoso。”ThiswithaglanceatIvorDacre。“IshallknowatonceifIamfollowed。Ifyouentertainsuchintentions，youhadbetter，onallaccounts，remaininpossessionofyourfivehundredpounds。”
Thedukeeyedhimverygrimly。
“Ientertainnosuchintentions——untiltheduchessreturns。”
Againthestrangerindulgedinthatmusicallaughofhis。
“Ah，untiltheduchessreturns！Ofcourse，thenthebargain”satanend。Whenyouareoncemoreintheenjoymentofhergrace”ssociety，youwillbeatlibertytosetallthedogsinEuropeatmyheels。IassureyouIfullyexpectthatyouwilldoso——whynot？“
Thedukeraisedthecanvasbag。“Mydearduke，tenthousandthanks！YoushallseehergraceatDatchetHouse，”ponmyhonor，probablywithinthehour。”
“Well，“commentedIvorDacre，whenthestrangerhadvanished，withthebag，intoPiccadilly，andasthedukeandhimselfmovedtowardBurlingtonGardens，“ifagentlemanistoberobbed，itisaswellthatheshouldhaveanothergentlemanrobhim。”
III
Mr。Dacreeyedhiscompanioncovertlyastheyprogressed。HisGraceofDatchetappearedtohavesomefreshcauseforuneasiness。
Allatoncehegaveitutterance，inatoneofvoicewhichwasextremelysomber：
“Ivor，doyouthinkthatscoundrelwilldaretoplaymefalse？“
“Ithink，“murmuredMr。Dacre，“thathehasdaredtoplayyouprettyfalsealready。”
“Idon”tmeanthat。ButImeanhowamItoknow，nowthathehashismoney，thathewillstillnotkeepMabelinhisclutches？“
TherecameanechofromMr。Dacre。
“Justso——howareyoutoknow？“
“IbelievethatsomethingofthissorthasbeendoneintheStates。”
“Ithoughtthattheretheywerecontenttokidnapthemaftertheyweredead。Iwasnotawarethattheyhad，asyet，gotquitesofarastheliving。”
“IbelievethatIhaveheardofsomethingjustlikethis。”
“Possibly；theyaregiantsoverthere。”
“Andinthatcasethescoundrels，whentheirdemandsweremet，refusedtokeeptotheletteroftheirbargainandaskedformore。”
Thedukestoodstill。Heclinchedhisfists，andswore：
“Ivor，ifthat——villaindoesn”tkeephisword，andMabelisn”thomewithinthehour，by——Ishallgomad！“
“MydearDatchet“——Mr。Dacrelovedstronglanguageaslittleashelovedascene”letustrusttotimeand，alittle，toyourwhite-
hattedandgardenia-buttonholedfriend”swordofhonor。Youshouldhavethoughtofpossibleeventualitiesbeforeyoushowedyourconfidence——really。Suppose，insteadofgoingmad，wefirstofallgohome？“
AhansomstoodwaitingforafareattheendoftheArcade。Mr。
Dacrehadhandedthedukeintoitbeforehisgracehadquiterealizedthatthevehiclewasthere。
“Tellthefellowtodrivefaster。”Thatwaswhatthedukesaidwhenthecabhadstarted。
“MydearDatchet，theman”salreadydrivinghisgeerageoffitslegs。Ifabobbycatchessightofhimhe”lltakehisnumber。”
Amomentlater，amurmurfromtheduke：
“Idon”tknowifyou”reawarethattheprinceiscomingtodinner？“
“Iamperfectlyawareofit。”
“Youtakeituncommonlycool。Howeasyitistobearourbrother”sburdens！Ivor，ifMabeldoesn”tturnupIshallfeellikemurder。”
“Isympathizewithyou，Datchet，withallmyheart，though，Imayobserve，parenthetically，thatIveryfarfromrealizethesituationevenyet。Takemyadvice。Iftheduchessdoesnotshowquiteassoonaswebothofusdesire，don”tmakeascene；justletmeseewhatIcando。”
Judgingfromtheexpressionofhiscountenance，thedukewasconsciousofnooverwhelmingdesiretowitnessanexhibitionofMr。
Dacre”sprowess。
WhenthecabreachedDatchetHousehisgracedashedupthestepsthreeatatime。Thedoorflewopen。
“Hastheduchessreturned？“
“Hereward！“
Avoicefloateddownwardfromabove。Someonecamerunningdownthestairs。ItwasherGraceofDatchet。
“Mabel！“
Sheactuallyrushedintotheduke”sextendedarms。Andhekissedher，andshekissedhim——beforetheservants。
“Soyou”renotquitedead？“shecried。
“Iamalmost，“hesaid。
Shedrewherselfalittleawayfromhim。
“Hereward，wereyouseriouslyhurt？“
“DoyousupposethatIcouldhavebeenotherwisethanseriouslyhurt？“
“Mydarling！WasitaPickford”svan？“
Thedukestared。
“APickford”svan？Idon”tunderstand。Butcomeinhere。Comealong，Ivor。Mabel，youdon”tseeIvor。”
“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Dacre？“
Thenthetriowithdrewintoalittleanteroom；itwasreallytime。
EventhenthepairconductedthemselvesasifMr。Dacrehadbeennothingandnoone。Theduketookthelady”stwohandsinhis。Heeyedherfondly。
“Soyouareuninjured，withtheexceptionofthatlockofhair。
Wheredidthevillaintakeitfrom？“
Theladylookedalittlepuzzled。
“Whatlockofhair？“
Fromanenvelopewhichhetookfromhispocketthedukeproducedashiningtress。Itwasthelockofhairwhichhadarrivedinthefirstcommunication。“Iwillhaveitframed。”
“Youwillhavewhatframed？“Theduchessglancedatwhatthedukewassotenderlycaressing，almost，asitseemed，alittledubiously。“Whateverisityouhavethere？“
“Itisthelockofhairwhichthatscoundrelsentme。”Somethinginthelady”sfacecausedhimtoaskaquestion：
“Didn”thetellyouhehadsentittome？“
“Hereward！“
“Didthebrutetellyouthathemeanttocutoffyourlittlefinger？“
Averycuriouslookcameintothelady”sface。Sheglancedatthedukeasifshe，allatonce，washalfafraidofhim。ShecastatMr。Dacrewhatreallyseemedtobealookofinquiry。Hervoicewastremulouslyanxious。
“Hereward，did——didtheaccidentaffectyoumentally？“
“Howcoulditnothaveaffectedmementally？Doyouthinkthatmymentalorganizationisofsteel？“
“Butyoulooksowell。”
“OfcourseIlookwell，nowthatIhaveyoubackagain。Tellme，darling，didthathoundactuallythreatenyouwithcuttingoffyourarm？Ifhedid，Ishallfeelhalfinclinedtokillhimyet。”
Theduchessseemedpositivelytoshrinkfromherbetterhalf”snearneighborhood。
“Hereward，wasitaPickford”svan？“
Thedukeseemedpuzzled。Wellhemightbe。
“WaswhataPickford”svan？“
TheladyturnedtoMr。Dacre。Inhervoicetherewasaringofanguish。
“Mr。Dacre，tellme，wasitaPickford”svan？“Ivorcouldonlyimitatehisrelative”srepetitionofherinquiry。
“Idon”tquitecatchyou——waswhataPickford”svan？“
Theduchessclaspedherhandsinfrontofher。
“Whatisityouarekeepingfromme？Whatisityouaretryingtohide？Iimploreyoutotellmetheworst，whateveritmaybe！Donotkeepmeanylongerinsuspense；youdonotknowwhatIalreadyhaveendured。Mr。Dacre，ismyhusbandmad？“
Oneneedscarcelyobservethatthelady”samazingappealtoMr。
Dacreastoherhusband”ssanitywasreceivedwithsomethinglikesurprise。Asthedukecontinuedtostareather，adreadfulfearbegantoloominhisbrain。
“Mydarling，yourbrainisunhinged！“
Headvancedtotakehertwohandsagaininhis；but，tohisunmistakabledistress，sheshrankawayfromhim。
“Hereward——don”ttouchme。HowisitthatImissedyou？WhydidyounotwaituntilIcame？“
“Waituntilyoucame？“
Theduke”sbewildermentincreased。
“Surely，ifyourinjuriesturnedout，afterall，tobeslight，thatwasallthemorereasonwhyyoushouldhavewaited，aftersendingformelikethat。”
“Isentforyou——I？“Theduke”stonewasgrave。“Mydarling，perhapsyouhadbettercomeupstairs。”
“Notuntilwehavehadanexplanation。YoumusthaveknownthatI
shouldcome。Whydidyounotwaitformeafteryouhadsentmethat？“
Theduchessheldoutsomethingtotheduke。Hetookit。Itwasacard——hisownvisitingcard。Somethingwaswrittenonthebackofit。Hereadaloudwhatwaswritten。
“”Mabel，cometomeatoncewiththebearer。Theytellmethattheycannottakemehome。”Itlookslikemyownwriting。”
“Lookslikeit！ItISyourwriting。”
“Itlookslikeit——andwrittenwithashakypen。”
“Mydearchild，one”shandwouldshakeatsuchamomentasthat。”
“Mabel，wheredidyougetthis？“
“ItwasbroughttomeinCaneandWilson”s。”
“Whobroughtit？“
“Whobroughtit？Why，themanyousent。”
“ThemanIsent！“Alightburstupontheduke”sbrain。Hefellbackapace。“It”sthedecoy！“
Hergraceechoedthewords：
“Thedecoy？“
“Thescoundrel！Tosetatrapwithsuchabait！Mypoorinnocentdarling，didyouthinkitcamefromme？Tellme，Mabel，wheredidhecutoffyourhair？“
“Cutoffmyhair？“
Hergraceputherhandtoherheadasiftomakesurethatherhairwasthere。
“Wheredidhetakeyouto？“
“HetookmetoDraper”sBuildings。”
“Draper”sBuildings？“
“IhaveneverbeenintheCitybefore，buthetoldmeitwasDraper”sBuildings。Isn”tthatneartheStockExchange？“
“NeartheStockExchange？“
Itseemedratheracuriousplacetowhichtotakeakidnapedvictim。Theman”saudacity！
“HetoldmethatyouwerecomingoutoftheStockExchangewhenavanknockedyouover。HesaidthathethoughtitwasaPickford”svan——wasitaPickford”svan？“
“No，itwasnotaPickford”svan。Mabel，wereyouinDraper”sBuildingswhenyouwrotethatletter？“
“Wrotewhatletter？“
“Haveyouforgottenitalready？IdonotbelievethatthereisawordinitwhichwillnotbebrandedonmybrainuntilIdie。”
“Hereward！Whatdoyoumean？“
“Surelyyoucannothavewrittenmesuchaletterasthat，andthenhaveforgottenitalready？“
Hehandedhertheletterwhichhadarrivedinthesecondcommunication。Sheglancedatit，askance。Thenshetookitwithalittlegasp。
“Hereward，ifyoudon”tmind，IthinkI”lltakeachair。”Shetookachair。“Whatever——whatever”sthis？“Asshereadtheletterthevaryingexpressionswhichpassedacrossherfacewere，inthemselves，astudyinpsychology。“Isitpossiblethatyoucanimaginethat，underanyconceivablecircumstances，Icouldhavewrittensuchaletterasthis？“
“Mabel！“
Sherosetoherfeetwithemphasis。
“Hereward，don”tsaythatyouthoughtthiscamefromme！“
“Notfromyou？“HerememberedKnowles”sdiplomaticreceptionoftheepistleonitsfirstappearance。“Isupposethatyouwillsaynextthatthisisnotalockofyourhair？“
“Mydearchild，whatbeehaveyougotinyourbonnet？Thisalockofmyhair！Why，it”snotintheleastbitlikemyhair！“
Whichwascertainlyinaccurate。Asfarascolorwasconcerneditwasanalmostperfectmatch。TheduketurnedtoMr。Dacre。
“Ivor，I”vehadtogothroughagooddealthisafternoon。IfI
havetogothroughmuchmore，somethingwillcrack！“Hetouchedhisforehead。“Ithinkit”smyturntotakeachair。”Nottheonewhichtheduchesshadvacated，butonewhichfacedit。Hestretchedouthislegsinfrontofhim；hethrusthishandsintohistrouserspockets；hesaid，inatonewhichwasnotgloomybutabsolutelygrewsome：
“MightIask，Mabel，ifyouhavebeenkidnaped？“
“Kidnaped？“
“ThewordIusedwas”kidnaped。”ButIwillspellitifyoulike。
OrIwillgetadictionary，thatyoumayseeitsmeaning。”
Theduchesslookedasifshewasbeginningtobenotquitesureifshewasawakeorsleeping。SheturnedtoIvor。
“Mr。Dacre，hastheaccidentaffectedHereward”sbrain？“
Theduketookthewordsoutofhiscousin”smouth。
“Onthatpoint，mydear，letmeeaseyourmind。Idon”tknowifyouareundertheimpressionthatIshouldbethesameshapeafteraPickford”svanhadrunovermeasIwasbefore；but，inanycase，IhavenotbeenrunoverbyaPickford”svan。SofarasIamconcernedtherehasbeennoaccident。Dismissthatdelusionfromyourmind。”
“Oh！“
“Youappearsurprised。Onemighteventhinkthatyouweresorry。
ButmayInowaskwhatyoudidwhenyouarrivedatDraper”sBuildings？“
“Did！Ilookedforyou！“
“Indeed！Andwhenyouhadlookedinvain，whatwasthenextiteminyourprogramme？“
Theladyshrankstillfartherfromhim。
“Hereward，haveyoubeenhavingajestatmyexpense？Canyouhavebeensocruel？“Tearsstoodinhereyes。
Rising，thedukelaidhishanduponherarm。
“Mabel，tellme——whatdidyoudowhenyouhadlookedformeinvain？“
“Ilookedforyouupstairsanddownstairsandeverywhere。Itwasquitealargeplace，ittookmeeversuchatime。IthoughtthatI
shouldgodistracted。Nobodyseemedtoknowanythingaboutyou，oreventhattherehadbeenanaccidentatall——itwasalloffices。I
couldn”tmakeitoutintheleast，andthepeopledidn”tseemtobeabletomakemeouteither。SowhenIcouldn”tfindyouanywhereI
camestraighthomeagain。”
Thedukewassilentforamoment。ThenwithfunerealgravityheturnedtoMr。Dacre。Heputtohimthisquestion：
“Ivor，whatareyoulaughingat？“
Mr。Dacredrewhishandacrosshismouthwithratherasuspiciousgesture。
“Mydearfellow，onlyasmile！“
Theduchesslookedfromonetotheother。
“Whathaveyoutwobeendoing？Whatisthejoke？“
Withanairofpreternaturalsolemnitytheduketooktwolettersfromthebreastpocketofhiscoat。
“Mabel，youhavealreadyseenyourletter。Youhavealreadyseenthelockofyourhair。Justlookatthis——andthat。”
Hegaveherthetwoverysingularcommunicationswhichhadarrivedinsuchamysteriousmanner，andsoquicklyoneaftertheother。
Shereadthemwithwide-openeyes。
“Hereward！Whereverdidthesecomefrom？“
Thedukewasstandingwithhislegsapart，andhishandsinhistrouserspockets。“Iwouldgive——Iwouldgiveanotherfivehundredpoundstoknow。ShallItellyou，madam，whatIhavebeendoing？
Ihavebeenpresentingfivehundredgoldensovereignstoaperfectstranger，withatophat，andagardeniainhisbuttonhole。”
“Whateverfor？“
“Ifyouhaveperusedthosedocumentswhichyouhaveinyourhand，youwillhavesomefaintidea。Ivor，whenit”syourfuneral，I”LL
smile。Mabel，DuchessofDatchet，itisbeginningtodawnuponthevacuumwhichrepresentsmybrainthatI”vebeenthevictimofoneoftheprettiestthingsinpracticaljokesthateveryetwasplanned。WhenthatfellowbroughtyouthatcardatCaneandWilson”s——which，Ineedscarcelytellyou，nevercamefromme——someonewalkedoutofthefrontentrancewhowassoexactlylikeyouthatbothBarnesandMoyseytookherforyou。Moyseyshowedherintothecarriage，andBarnesdroveherhome。Butwhenthecarriagereachedhomeitwasempty。Yourdoublehadgotoutupontheroad。”
Theduchessutteredasoundwhichwashalfgasp，halfsigh。
“Hereward！“
“BarnesandMoysey，withbeautifulandchildlikeinnocence，whentheyfoundthattheyhadbroughtthethinghomeempty，camestraightwayandtoldmethatYOUhadjumpedoutofthebroughamwhileithadbeendrivingfullpeltthroughthestreets。WhileI
wasdigestingthatpieceofinformationtherecamethefirstepistle，withthelockofyourhair。BeforeIhadtimetodigestthattherecamethesecondepistle，withyoursinside。”
“Itseemsincredible！“
“Itsoundsincredible；butunfathomableisthefollyofman，especiallyofamanwholoveshiswife。”ThedukecrossedtoMr。
Dacre。“Idon”twant，Ivor，tosuggestanythinginthewayofbriberyandcorruption，butifyoucouldkeepthismattertoyourself，andnotmentionittoyourfriends，ourwhite-hattedandgardenia-buttonholedacquaintanceiswelcometohisfivehundredpounds，and——Mabel，whatonearthareyoulaughingat？“
Theduchessappeared，allatonce，tobeseizedwithinextinguishablelaughter。
“Hereward，“shecried，“justthinkhowthatmanmustbelaughingatyou！“
AndtheDukeofDatchetthoughtofit。
TheMinorCanonItwasMonday，andintheafternoon，asIwaswalkingalongtheHighStreetofMarchbury，Iwasmetbyadistinguished-lookingpersonwhomIhadobservedattheservicesinthecathedralonthepreviousday。NowitchancedonthatSundaythatIwassingingtheservice。Properlyspeaking，itwasnotmyturn；but，asmybrotherminorcanonswereeitherawayfromMarchburyorillinbed，Iwastheonlyonelefttoperformthenecessaryduty。Thedistinguished-lookingpersonwasatall，bigmanwitharoundfatfaceandsmallfeatures。Hiseyes，hishairandmustachehisfacewasbarebutforasmallmustachewerequiteblack，andhehadaverypleasantandgenialexpression。Heworeatallhat，setratherjauntilyonhishead，andhewasdressedinblackwithalongfrockcoatbuttonedacrossthechestandfittinghimclosetothebody。Ashecame，withahalfsaunter，halfswagger，alongthestreet，Iknewhimagainatoncebyhisappearance；and，ashecamenearer，Isawfromhismannerthathewasintendingtostopandspeaktome，forheslightlyraisedhishatandinasoft，melodiousvoicewithacolonial“twang“whichwasfarfrombeingdisagreeable，andwhich，indeed，tomyeargaveacertainadditionalinteresttohisremarks，hesalutedmewith“Goodday，sir！“
“Goodday，“Ianswered，withjustalittlereserveinmytone。
“Ihope，sir，“hebegan，“youwillexcusemystoppingyouinthestreet，butIwishtotellyouhowverymuchIenjoyedthemusicatyourcathedralyesterday。IamanAustralian，sir，andwehavenosuchmusicinmycountry。”
“Isupposenot，“Isaid。
“No，sir，“hewenton，“nothingnearlysofine。Iamveryfondofmusic，andasmybusinessbroughtmeinthisdirection，IthoughtI
wouldstopatyourcityandtaketheopportunityofpayingavisittoyourgrandcathedral。AndIamdelightedIcame；sopleased，indeed，thatIshouldliketoleavesomememorialofmyvisitbehindme。Ishouldlike，sir，todosomethingforyourchoir。”
“Iamsureitisverykindofyou，“Ireplied。
“Yes，IshouldcertainlybegladifyoucouldsuggesttomesomethingImightdointhisway。Asregardsmoney，ImaysaythatIhaveplentyofit。Iamtheownerofamostvaluableproperty。
Mybusinessrelationsextendthroughouttheworld，andifIamasfortunateintheprojectsofthefutureasIhavebeeninthepast，Ishallprobablyonedayachievetheproudpositionofbeingtherichestmanintheworld。”
Ididnotliketoundertakemyselftheresponsibilityofadvisingorsuggesting，soIsimplysaid：
“Icannotventuretosay，offhand，whatwouldbethemostacceptablewayofshowingyourgreatkindnessandgenerosity，butI
shouldcertainlyrecommendyoutoputyourselfincommunicationwiththedean。”
“Thankyou，sir，“saidmyAustralianfriend，“Iwilldoso。Andnow，sir，“hecontinued，“letmesayhowmuchIadmireyourvoice。
Itis，withoutexception，theveryfinestandclearestvoiceIhaveeverheard。”
“Really，“Ianswered，quiteovercomewithsuchunqualifiedpraise，“reallyitisverygoodofyoutosayso。”
“Ah，butIfeelit，mydearsir。Ihavebeenroundtheworld，fromSydneytoFrisco，acrossthecontinentofAmerica“hecalleditAmerrker“toNewYorkCity，thenontoEngland，andto-morrowI
shallleaveyourcitytocontinuemytravels。ButinallmyexperienceIhaveneverheardsograndavoiceasyourown。”
Thisandagreatdealmorehesaidinthesamestrain，whichmodestyforbidsmetoreproduce。
NowIamnotwithoutsomeknowledgeoftheworldoutsidethecloseofMarchburyCathedral，andIcouldnotlistentosucha“flatteringtale“withouthavingmysuspicionsaroused。Whoandwhatisthisman？thoughtI。Ilookedathimnarrowly。Atfirstthethoughtflashedacrossmethathemightbea“swellmobsman。”
Butno，hisfacewastoogoodforthat；besides，nomanwiththathugeframe，thatpersonalitysomarkedandsoeasilyrecognizable，couldbeaswindler；hecouldnotescapedetectionasinglehour。