Now，whathavewetogoupon？“
“Youareright，butnotexpectingtohaveanydifficultyabouttheinsurancemoneyIthoughtitwouldbegenerousinmetokeepstill。Besides，thisisonlysurmiseonmypart。Ifeelcertainthatmyhusbandwasshotbyanotherhandthanhisown，butIknowofnowayofprovingit。Doyou？“
ThenViolettalkedseriouslywithher，explaininghowtheironlyhopelayinthediscoveryofasecondbulletintheroomwhichhadalreadybeenransackedforthisverypurposeandwithouttheshadowofaresult。
Atea，amusicale，andaneveningdancekeptVioletStrangeinawhirlfortheremainderoftheday。Nobrightereyenormorecontagiouswitlentbrilliancetotheseoccasions，butwiththepassingofthemidnighthournoonewhohadseenherintheblazeofelectriclightswouldhaverecognizedthisfavouredchildoffortuneintheearnestfiguresittingintheobscurityofanup-townapartment，studyingthewalls，theceilings，andthefloorsbythedimlightofaloweredgas-jet。VioletStrangeinsocietywasaverydifferentpersonfromVioletStrangeunderthetensionofhersecretandpeculiarwork。
Shehadtoldthemathomethatshewasgoingtospendthenightwithafriend；butonlyheroldcoachmanknewwhothatfriendwas。Thereforeaverynaturalsenseofguiltmingledwithheremotionsatfindingherselfaloneonascenewhosegruesomemysteryshecouldsolveonlybyidentifyingherselfwiththeplaceandthemanwhohadperishedthere。
Dismissingfromhermindallthoughtofself，shestrovetothinkashethought，andactasheactedonthenightwhenhefoundhimselfamanofbutlittlecourageleftinthisroomwithanailingchild。
Atoddswithhimself，hiswife，andpossiblywiththechildscreamingawayinitscrib，whatwouldhebeapttodoinhispresentemergency？Nothingatfirst，butasthescreamingcontinuedhewouldremembertheoldtalesoffatherswalkingtheflooratnightwithcryingbabies，andhastentofollowsuit。
Violet，inheranxietytoreachhisinmostthought，crossedtowherethecribhadstood，and，takingthatasastart，beganpacingtheroominsearchofthespotfromwhichabullet，ifshot，wouldglanceasidefromthemirrorinthedirectionofthewindow。NotthatshewasreadytoacceptthistheoryofMrs。
Hammond，butthatshedidnotwishtoentirelydismissitwithoutputtingittothetest。
Shefounditinanunexpectedquarteroftheroomandmuchnearerthebed-headthanwherehisbodywasfound。This，whichmightseemtoconfusematters，served，onthecontrarytoremovefromthecaseoneofitsmostseriousdifficulties。Standinghere，hewaswithinreachofthepillowunderwhichhispistollayhidden，andifstartled，ashiswifebelievedhimtohavebeenbyanoiseattheotherendoftheroom，hadbuttocrouchandreachbehindhiminordertofindhimselfarmedandreadyforapossibleintruder。
Imitatinghisactioninthisasinotherthings，shehadherselfcrouchedlowatthebedsideandwasonthepointofwithdrawingherhandfromunderthepii1ow，whenanewsurprisecheckedhermovementandheldherfixedinherposition，witheyesstaringstraightattheadjoiningwall。Shehadseentherewhathemusthaveseeninmakingthissameturn——thedarkbarsoftheoppositewindow-frameoutlinedinthemirror——andunderstoodatoncewhathadhappened。Inthenervousnessandterrorofthemoment，GeorgeHammondhadmistakenthisreflectionofthewindowforthewindowitself，andshotimpulsivelyatthemanheundoubtedlysawcoveringhimfromthetrelliswithout。Butwhilethisexplainedtheshatteringofthemirror，howabouttheotherandstillmorevitalquestion，ofwherethebulletwentafterward？Wastheangleatwhichithadbeenfiredacuteenoughtosenditoutofawindowdiagonallyopposed？No；evenifthepistolhadbeenheldclosertothemanfiringitthanshehadreasontobelieve，theanglestillwouldbeobliqueenoughtocarryitontothefurtherwall。
Butnosignofanysuchimpacthadbeendiscoveredonthiswall。
Consequently，theforceofthebullethadbeenexpendedbeforereachingit，andwhenitfell——
Here，herglance，slowlytravelingalongthefloor，impetuouslypaused。Ithadreachedthespotwherethetwobodieshadbeenfound，andunconsciouslyhereyesrestedthere，conjuringupthepictureofthebleedingfatherandthestrangledchild。Howpiteousandhowdreadfulitallwas。Ifshecouldonlyunderstand——Suddenlysherosestraightup，staringandimmovableinthedimlight。Hadtheidea——theexplanation——theonlypossibleexplanationcoveringthewholephenomenacometoheratlast？
Itwouldseemso，forasshesostood，alookofconvictionsettledoverherfeatures，andwiththislook，evidencesofahorrorwhichforallherfastaccumulatingknowledgeoflifeanditspossibilitiesmadeherappearverysmallandveryhelpless。
Ahalf-hourlater，whenMrs。Hammond，inheranxietyathearingnothingmorefromMissStrange，openedthedoorofherroom，itwastofind，lyingontheedgeofthesill，thelittledetective”scardwiththesewordshastilywrittenacrossit：
IdonotfeelaswellasIcouldwish，andsohavetelephonedtomyowncoachmantocomeandtakemehome。Iwilleitherseeorwriteyouwithinafewdays。Butdonotallowyourselftohope。
Iprayyoudonotallowyourselftheleasthope；theoutcomeisstillveryproblematical。
WhenViolet”semployerenteredhisofficethenextmorningitwastofindaveiledfigureawaitinghimwhichheatoncerecognizedasthatofhislittledeputy。Shewasslowinliftingherveilandwhenitfinallycamefreehefeltamomentarydoubtastohiswisdomingivingherjustsuchamatterasthistoinvestigate。Hewasquitesureofhismistakewhenhesawherface，itwassodrawnandpitiful。
“Youhavefailed，“saidhe。
“Ofthatyoumustjudge，“sheanswered；anddrawingnearshewhisperedinhisear。
“No！“hecriedinhisamazement。
“Think，“shemurmured，“think。Onlysocanallthefactsbeaccountedfor。”
“Iwilllookintoit；Iwillcertainlylookintoit，“washisearnestreply。“Ifyouareright——Butnevermindthat。GohomeandtakeahorsebackrideinthePark。WhenIhavenewsinregardtothisIwillletyouknow。Tillthenforgetitall。Hearme，I
chargeyoutoforgeteverythingbutyourballsandyourparties。”
AndVioletobeyedhim。
Somefewdaysafterthis，thefollowingstatementappearedinallthepapers：
“Owingtosomeremarkableworkdonebythefirmof——&——，thewell-knownprivatedetectiveagency，theclaimmadebyMrs。
GeorgeHammondagainsttheShulerLifeInsuranceCompanyislikelytobeallowedwithoutfurtherlitigation。Asourreaderswillremember，thecontestanthasinsistedfromthefirstthatthebulletcausingherhusband”sdeathcamefromanotherpistolthantheonefoundclutchedinhisownhand。Butwhilereasonswerenotlackingtosubstantiatethisassertion，thefailuretodiscovermorethanthedisputedtrackofasecondbulletledtoaverdictofsuicide，andarefusalofthecompanytopay。
“Butnowthatbullethasbeenfound。Andwhere？Inthemoststartlingplaceintheworld，viz。：inthelarynxofthechildfoundlyingdeaduponthefloorbesidehisfather，strangledaswassupposedbytheweightofthatfather”sarm。Thetheoryis，andthereseemstobenoneother，thatthefather，hearingasuspiciousnoiseatthewindow，setdownthechildhewasendeavouringtosootheandmadeforthebedandhisownpistol，and，mistakingareflectionoftheassassinfortheassassinhimself，senthisshotsidewiseatamirrorjustastheotherletgothetriggerwhichdroveasimilarbulletintohisbreast。Thecourseoftheonewasstraightandfatalandthatoftheotherdeflected。Strikingthemirroratanobliqueangle，thebulletfelltothefloorwhereitwaspickedupbythecrawlingchild，and，aswasmostnatural，thrustatonceintohismouth。Perhapsitfelthottothelittletongue；perhapsthechildwassimplyfrightenedbysomeconvulsivemovementofthefatherwhoevidentlyspenthislastmomentinanendeavourtoreachthechild，but，whateverthecause，inthequickgaspitgave，thebulletwasdrawnintothelarynx，stranglinghim。
“Thatthefather”sarm，inhislaststruggle，shouldhavefallendirectlyacrossthelittlethroatisoneofthoseanomalieswhichconfoundsreasonandmisleadsjusticebystoppinginvestigationattheverypointwheretruthliesandmysterydisappears。
“Mrs。Hammondistobecongratulatedthattherearedetectiveswhodonotgivetoomuchcredencetooutwardappearances。”
Weexpectsoontohearofthecaptureofthemanwhospedhomethedeath-dealingbullet。
ENDOFPROBLEMII
PROBLEMIII
ANINTANGIBLECLUE
“Haveyoustudiedthecase？“
“NotI。”
“Notstudiedthecasewhichforthelastfewdayshasprovidedthepaperswithsuchconspicuousheadlines？“
“Idonotreadthepapers。Ihavenotlookedatoneinawholeweek。”
“MissStrange，yoursocialengagementsmustbeofaverypressingnaturejustnow？“
“Theyare。”
“Andyourbusinesssenseinabeyance？“
“Howso？“
“Youwouldnotaskifyouhadreadthepapers。”
Tothisshemadenoreplysavebyaslighttossofherprettyhead。Ifheremployerfeltnettledbythisshowofindifference，hedidnotbetrayitsavebytherapidityofhistonesas，withoutfurtherpreambleandpossiblywithoutrealexcuse，heproceededtolaybeforeherthecaseinquestion。“LastTuesdaynightawomanwasmurderedinthiscity；anoldwoman，inalonelyhousewhereshehaslivedforyears。Perhapsyourememberthishouse？ItoccupiesanotinconspicuoussiteinSeventeenthStreet——ahouseoftheoldentime？“
“No，Idonotremember。”
TheextremecarelessnessofMissStrange”stonewouldhavebeenfataltohersocially；butthen，shewouldneverhaveuseditsocially。Thistheybothknew，yethesmiledwithhiscustomaryindulgence。
“ThenIwilldescribeit。”
Shelookedaroundforachairandsankintoit。Hedidthesame。
“Ithasafanlightoverthefrontdoor。”
Sheremainedimpassive。
“Andtwoold-fashionedstripsofparti-colouredglassoneitherside。”
“Andaknockerbetweenitspanelswhichmaybringmoneysomeday。”
“Oh，youdoremember！Ithoughtyouwould，MissStrange。”
“Yes。FanlightsoverdoorsarebecomingveryrareinNewYork。”
“Verywell，then。ThathousewasthesceneofTuesday”stragedy。
Thewomanwhohaslivedthereinsolitudeforyearswasfoullymurdered。Ihavesinceheardthatthepeoplewhoknewherbesthavealwaysanticipatedsomesuchviolentendforher。Sheneverallowedmaidorfriendtoremainwithherafterfiveintheafternoon；yetshehadmoney——somethinkagreatdeal——alwaysinthehouse。”
“Iaminterestedinthehouse，notinher。”
“Yet，shewasacharacter——asfullofwhimsandcrotchetsasanutisofmeat。Herdeathwashorrible。Shefought——herdresswastornfromherbodyinrags。Thishappened，yousee，beforeherhourforretiring；somethinkasearlyassixintheafternoon。
And“——herehemadearapidgesturetocatchViolet”swanderingattention”inspiteofthisstruggle；inspiteofthefactthatshewasdraggedfromroomtoroom——thatherpersonwassearched——
andeverythinginthehousesearched——thatdrawerswerepulledoutofbureaus——doorswrenchedoffofcupboards——chinasmasheduponthefloor——wholeshelvesdenudedandnotaspotfromcellartogarretleftunransacked，nodirectcluetotheperpetratorhasbeenfound——nothingthatgivesanyideaofhispersonalitysavehisdisplayofstrengthandgreatcupidity。Thepolicehaveevendeignedtoconsultme，——anunusualprocedure——butIcouldfindnothing，either。Evidencesoffiendishpurposeabound——ofrelentlesssearch——butnocluetothemanhimself。It”suncommon，isn”tit，nottohaveanyclue？“
“Isupposeso。”MissStrangehatedmurdersanditwaswithdifficultyshecouldbebroughttodiscussthem。Butshewasnotgoingtobeletoff；notthistime。
“Yousee，“heproceededinsistently，“it”snotonlymortifyingtothepolicebutdisappointingtothepress，especiallyasfewreportersbelieveintheNo-thoroughfarebusiness。Theysay，andwecannotbutagreewiththem，thatnosuchstrugglecouldtakeplaceandnosuchrepeatedgoingstoandfrothroughthehousewithoutsomevestigebeingleftbywhichtoconnectthiscrimewithitsdaringperpetrator。”
Stillshestareddownatherhands——thoselittlehandssowhiteandfluttering，soseeminglyhelplessundertheweightoftheirmanyrings，andyetsoslylycapable。
“Shemusthavequeerneighbours，“cameatlast，fromMissStrange”sreluctantlips。“Didn”ttheyhearorseeanythingofallthis？“
“Shehasnoneighbours——thatis，afterhalf-pastfiveo”clock。
There”saprintingestablishmentononesideofher，adesertedmansionontheotherside，andnothingbutwarehousesbackandfront。Therewasnoonetonoticewhattookplaceinhersmalldwellingaftertheprintinghousewasclosed。Shewasthemostcourageousorthemostfoolishofwomentoremainthereasshedid。Butnothingexceptdeathcouldbudgeher。Shewasbornintheroomwhereshedied；wasmarriedintheonewheresheworked；
sawhusband，father，mother，andfivesisterscarriedoutinturntotheirgravesthroughthedoorwiththefanlightoverthetop——
andthesememoriesheldher。”
“Youaretryingtointerestmeinthewoman。Don”t。”
“No，I”mnottryingtointerestyouinher，onlytryingtoexplainher。Therewasanotherreasonforherremainingwhereshedidsolongafterallresidentshadlefttheblock。Shehadabusiness。”
“Oh！“
“Sheembroideredmonogramsforfineladies。”
“Shedid？Butyouneedn”tlookatmelikethat。Sheneverembroideredanyforme。”
“No？Shedidfirst-classwork。Isawsomeofit。MissStrange，ifIcouldgetyouintothathousefortenminutes——nottoseeherbuttopickupthelooseintangiblethreadwhichIamsureisfloatingaroundinitsomewhere——wouldn”tyougo？“
Violetslowlyrose——amovementwhichhefollowedtotheletter。
“MustIexpressinwordsthelimitIhavesetformyselfinouraffair？“sheasked。“When，forreasonsIhaveneverthoughtmyselfcalledupontoexplain，Iconsentedtohelpyoualittlenowandthenwithsomematterwhereawoman”stactandknowledgeofthesocialworldmighttellwithoutoffencetoherselforothers，Ineverthoughtitwouldbenecessaryformetostatethattemptationmuststopwithsuchcases，orthatIshouldnotbeaskedtotouchthesordidorthebloody。ButitseemsIwasmistaken，andthatImuststooptobeexplicit。ThewomanwhowaskilledonTuesdaymighthaveinterestedmegreatlyasanembroiderer，butasavictim，notatall。Whatdoyouseeinme，ormissinme，thatyoushoulddragmeintoanatmosphereoflow-
downcrime？“
“Nothing，MissStrange。Youarebynature，aswellasbybreeding，veryfarremovedfromeverythingofthekind。Butyouwillallowmetosuggestthatnocrimeislow-downwhichmakesimperativedemandupontheintellectandintuitivesenseofitsinvestigator。OnlythemostdelicatetouchcanfeelandholdthethreadI”vejustspokenof，andyouhavethemostdelicatetouchIknow。”
“Donotattempttoflatterme。Ihavenofancyforhandlingbefouledspiderwebs。Besides，ifIhad——ifsuchelusivefilamentsfascinatedme——howcouldI，well-knowninpersonandname，enteruponsuchascenewithoutprejudicetoourmutualcompact？“
“MissStrange“——shehadreseatedherself，butsofarhehadfailedtofollowherexampleanignoringofthesubtlehintthatherinterestmightyetbecaught，whichseemedtoannoyheratrifle，“IshouldnotevenhavesuggestedsuchapossibilityhadInotseenawayofintroducingyoutherewithoutrisktoyourpositionormine。AmongtheboxespileduponMrs。
Doolittle”stable——boxesoffinishedwork，mostofthemaddressedandreadyfordelivery——wasoneonwhichcouldbeseenthenameof——shallImentionit？“
“Notmine？Youdon”tmeanmine？Thatwouldbetooodd——tooridiculouslyodd。Ishouldnotunderstandacoincidenceofthatkind；no，Ishouldnot，notwithstandingthefactthatIhavelatelysentoutsuchworktobedone。”
“Yetitwasyourname，veryclearlyandpreciselywritten——yourwholename，MissStrange。Isawandreaditmyself。”
“ButIgavetheordertoMadamePirotonFifthAvenue。Howcamemythingstobefoundinthehouseofthiswomanofwhosehorribledeathwehavebeentalking？“
“DidyousupposethatMadamePirotdidsuchworkwithherownhands？——orevenhaditdoneinherownestablishment？Mrs。
Doolittlewasuniversallyemployed。Sheworkedforadozenfirms。
Youwillfindthebiggestnamesonmostofherpackages。Butonthisone——Ialludetotheoneaddressedtoyou——therewasmoretobeseenthanthename。Thesewordswerewrittenonitinanotherhand。Sendwithoutopening。Thisstruckthepoliceassuspicious；
sufficientlyso，atleast，forthemtodesireyourpresenceatthehouseassoonasyoucanmakeitconvenient。”
“Toopenthebox？“
“Exactly。”
ThecurlofMissStrange”sdisdainfullipwasasighttosee。
“Youwrotethosewordsyourself，“shecoollyobserved。“Whilesomeone”sbackwasturned，youwhippedoutyourpenciland”
“Resortedtoaverypardonablesubterfugehighlyconducivetothepublic”sgood。Butnevermindthat。Willyougo？“
MissStrangebecamesuddenlydemure。
“IsupposeImust，“shegrudginglyconceded。“Howeverobtained，asummonsfromthepolicecannotbeignoredevenbyPeterStrange”sdaughter。”
Anothermanmighthavedisplayedhistriumphbysmileorgesture；
butthisonehadlearnedhisroletoowell。Hesimplysaid：
“Verygood。Shallitbeatonce？Ihaveataxiatthedoor。”
Butshefailedtoseethenecessityofanysuchhurry。Withsuddendignityshereplied：
“Thatwon”tdo。IfIgotothishouseitmustbeundersuitableconditions。Ishallhavetoaskmybrothertoaccompanyme。”
“Yourbrother！“
“Oh，he”ssafe。He——heknows。”
“Yourbrotherknows？“Hervisitor，withlesscontrolthanusual，betrayedveryopenlyhisuneasiness。
“Hedoesand——approves。Butthat”snotwhatinterestsusnow，onlysofarasitmakesitpossibleformetogowithproprietytothatdreadfulhouse。”
Aformalbowfromtheotherandthewords：
“Theymayexpectyou，then。Canyousaywhen？“
“Withinthenexthour。Butitwillbeauselessconcessiononmypart，“shepettishlycomplained。“Aplacethathasbeengoneoverbyadozendetectivesisapttobebrushedcleanofitscobwebs，evenifsucheverexisted。”
“That”sthedifficulty，“heacknowledged；anddidnotdaretoaddanotherword；shewasatthatparticularmomentsoverymuchthegreatlady，andsolittlehisconfidentialagent。
Hemighthavebeenlessimpressed，however，bythissuddenassumptionofmanner，hadhebeensofortunateastohaveseenhowsheemployedthethreequartersofanhour”sdelayforwhichshehadasked。
Shereadthoseneglectednewspapers，especiallytheonecontainingthefollowinghighlycolourednarrationofthisghastlycrime：
“Adoorajar——anemptyhall——alineofsinisterlookingblotchesmarkingaguiltystepdiagonallyacrosstheflagging——silence——
andanunmistakableodourrepugnanttoallhumanity，——suchweretheindicationswhichmettheeyesofOfficerO”Learyonhisfirstroundlastnight，andledtothediscoveryofamurderwhichwilllongthrillthecitybyitsmysteryandhorror。
“Boththehouseandthevictimarewellknown。”HerefollowedadescriptionofthesameandofMrs。Doolittle”smanneroflifeinherancienthome，whichViolethurriedlypassedovertocometothefollowing：
“Asfarasonecanjudgefromappearances，thecrimehappenedinthiswise：Mrs。Doolittlehadbeeninherkitchen，asthetea-
kettlefoundsingingonthestovegoestoprove，andwascomingbackthroughherbedroom，whenthewretch，whohadstoleninbythefrontdoorwhich，tosavesteps，shewasunfortunatelyinthehabitofleavingonthelatchtillallpossibilityofcustomersforthedaywasover，spranguponherfrombehindanddealtheraswingingblowwiththepokerhehadcaughtupfromthehearthstone。
“Whetherthestrugglewhichensuedfollowedimmediatelyuponthisfirstattackorcamelater，itwilltakemedicalexpertstodetermine。But，wheneveritdidoccur，thefiercenessofitscharacterisshownbythegriptakenuponherthroatandthetracesofbloodwhicharetobeseenalloverthehouse。Ifthewretchhadluggedherintoherworkroomandthencetothekitchen，andthencebacktothespotoffirstassault，theevidencescouldnothavebeenmoreghastly。Bitsofherclothingtornoffbyaruthlesshand，layscatteredoverallthesefloors。
Inherbedroom，whereshefinallybreathedherlast，therecouldbeseenmingledwiththeseanumberoflargebutworthlessglassbeads；andcloseagainstoneofthebase-boards，thestringwhichhadheldthem，asshownbythefewremainingbeadsstillclingingtoit。Ifinpullingthestringfromherneckhehadhopedtolightuponsomevaluablebooty，hisfuryathisdisappointmentisevident。Youcanalmostseethefrenzywithwhichheflungthewould-benecklaceatthewall，andkickedaboutandstampeduponitsrapidlyrollingbeads。
“Booty！Thatwaswhathewasafter；tofindandcarryawaythepoorneedlewoman”ssupposedhoardings。Ifthescenebafflesdescription——if，assomebelieve，hedraggedheryetlivingfromspottospot，demandinginformationastoherplacesofconcealmentunderthreatofrepeatedblows，and，finallybaffled，dealtthefinishingstrokeandproceededonthesearchalone，nogreaterdevastationcouldhavetakenplaceinthispoorwoman”shouseoreffects。Yetsuchwashisprecautionandcareforhimselfthatheleftnofinger-printbehindhimnoranyothertokenwhichcouldleadtopersonalidentification。EventhoughhisfootstepscouldbetracedinmuchtheorderIhavementioned，theywereofsoindeterminateandshapelessacharacterastoconveylittletotheintelligenceoftheinvestigator。
“Thatthesesmearstheycouldnotbecalledfootprintsnotonlycrossedthehallbutappearedinmorethanoneplaceonthestaircaseprovesthathedidnotconfinehissearchtothelowerstorey；andperhapsoneofthemostinterestingfeaturesofthecaseliesintheindicationsgivenbythesemarksoftheragingcoursehetookthroughtheseupperrooms。Astheaccompanyingdiagramwillshow[weomitthediagram]hewentfirstintothelargefrontchamber，thencetotherearwherewefindtworooms，oneunfinishedandfilledwithaccumulatedstuffmostofwhichheleftlyinglooseuponthefloor，andtheotherplastered，andcontainingawindowopeninguponanalley-wayattheside，butemptyofallfurnitureandwithoutevenacarpetonthebareboards。
“Whyheshouldhaveenteredthelatterplace，andwhy，havingenteredheshouldhavecrossedtothewindow，willbeplaintothosewhohavestudiedtheconditions。Thefrontchamberwindowsweretightlyshuttered，theatticonescumberedwithboxesandshieldedfromapproachbyoldbureausanddiscardedchairs。Thisoneonlywasfreeand，althoughdarkenedbytheproximityofthehouseneighbouringitacrossthealley，wastheonlyspotonthestoreywheresufficientlightcouldbehadatthislatehourfortheexaminationofanyobjectofwhosevaluehewasdoubtful。
Thathehadcomeacrosssuchanobjectandhadbroughtittothiswindowforsomesuchpurposeisverysatisfactorilydemonstratedbythediscoveryofawornoutwalletofancientmakelyingonthefloordirectlyinfrontofthiswindow——aproofofhiscupiditybutalsoproofofhisill-luck。Forthiswallet，whenliftedandopened，wasfoundtocontaintwohundredormoredollarsinoldbills，which，ifnotthefullhoardoftheirindustriousowner，wascertainlyworththetakingbyonewhohadriskedhisneckforthesolepurposeoftheft。
“Thiswallet，andtheflightOfthemurdererwithoutit，givetothisaffair，otherwisesimplybrutal，adramaticinterestwhichwillbeappreciatednotonlybytheveryabledetectivesalreadyhotuponthechase，butbyallotherinquiringmindsanxioustosolveamysteryofwhichsoestimableawomanhasbeentheunfortunatevictim。Aproblemispresentedtothepolice”
ThereVioletstopped。
When，notlongafter，thesuperblimousineofPeterStrangestoppedbeforethelittlehouseinseventeenthStreet，itcausedaveritablesensation，notonlyinthecuriosity-mongerslingeringonthesidewalk，buttothetwopersonswithin——theofficeronguardandabelatedreporter。
Thoughdressedinherplainestsuit，VioletStrangelookedmuchtoofashionableandfartooyoungandthoughtlesstobeobserved，withoutemotion，enteringasceneofhideousandbrutalcrime。
Eventheyoungmanwhoaccompaniedherpromisedtobringamostincongruouselementintothisatmosphereofguiltandhorror，and，asthedetectiveonguardwhisperedtothemanbesidehim，mightmuchbetterhavebeenleftbehindinthecar。
ButVioletwasgreatfortheproprietiesandyoungArthurfollowedherin。
Herentrancewasacoupdutheatre。Shehadliftedherveilincrossingthesidewalkandherinterestingfeaturesandgeneralairoftimiditywereveryfetching。Asthemanholdingopenthedoornotedtheimpressionmadeuponhiscompanion，hemutteredwithslyfacetiousness：
“Youthinkyou”llshowhernothing；butI”mreadytobetafiverthatshe”llwanttoseeitallandthatyou”llshowittoher。”
Thedetective”sgrinwasexpressive，notwithstandingtheshrugwithwhichhetriedtocarryitoff。
AndViolet？Thehallintowhichshenowsteppedfromthemostvividsunlighthadneverbeenconsideredeveninitspalmiestdaysaspossessingcheerevenofthestatelykind。Theghastlygreenlightinfusedthroughitbythecolouredglassoneithersideofthedoorwayseemedtopromiseyetmoredismalthingsbeyond。
“MustIgointhere？“sheasked，pointing，withanadmirablesimulationofnervousexcitement，toahalf-shutdooratherleft。“Istherewhereithappened？Arthur，doyousupposethatthereiswhereithappened？“
“No，no，Miss，“theofficermadehastetoassureher。“IfyouareMissStrange“Violetbowed，“Ineedhardlysaythatthewomanwasstruckinherbedroom。Thedoorbesideyouleadsintotheparlour，orasshewouldhavecalledit，herwork-room。Youneedn”tbeafraidofgoinginthere。Youwillseenothingbutthedisorderofherboxes。Theywereprettywellpulledabout。Notallofthemthough，“headded，watchingherascloselyasthedimlightpermitted。“Thereisonewhichgivesnosignofhavingbeentamperedwith。Itwasdoneupinwrappingpaperandisaddressedtoyou，whichinitselfwouldnothaveseemedworthyofourattentionhadnottheselinesbeenscribbledonitinaman”shandwriting：”Sendwithoutopening。”“
“Howodd！“exclaimedthelittleminxwithwidelyopenedeyesandanairofguilelessinnocence。“Whatevercanitmean？NothingseriousIamsure，forthewomandidnotevenknowme。ShewasemployedtodothisworkbyMadamePirot。”
“Didn”tyouknowthatitwastobedonehere？“
“No。IthoughtMadamePirot”sowngirlsdidherembroideryforher。”
“Sothatyouweresurprised”
“Wasn”tI！“
“Togetourmessage。”
“Ididn”tknowwhattomakeofit。”
Theearnest，half-injuredlookwithwhichsheutteredthisdisclaimer，diditsappointedwork。Thedetectiveacceptedherforwhatsheseemedand，oblivioustothereporter”ssatiricalgesture，crossedtothework-roomdoor，whichhethrewwideopenwiththeremark：
“Ishouldbegladtohaveyouopenthatboxinourpresence。Itisundoubtedlyallright，butwewishtobesure。Youknowwhattheboxshouldcontain？“
“Oh，yes，indeed；pillow-casesandsheets，withabigS
embroideredonthem。”
“Verywell。ShallIundothestringforyou？“
“Ishallbemuchobliged，“saidshe，hereyeflashingquicklyabouttheroombeforesettlingdownupontheknothewasdeftlyloosening。
Herbrother，gazingindifferentlyinfromthedoorway，hardlynoticedthislook；butthereporterathisbackdid，thoughhefailedtodetectitspenetratingquality。
“Yournameisontheotherside，“observedthedetectiveashedrewawaythestringandturnedthepackageover。
Thesmilewhichjustliftedthecomerofherlipswasnotinanswertothisremark，buttoherrecognitionofheremployer”shandwritinginthewordsunderhername：Sendwithoutopening。
Shehadnotmisjudgedhim。
“Thecoveryoumayliketotakeoffyourself，“suggestedtheofficer，asheliftedtheboxoutofitswrapper。
“Oh，Idon”tmind。There”snothingtobeashamedofinembroideredlinen。Orperhapsthatisnotwhatyouarelookingfor？“
Nooneanswered。Allwerebusywatchingherwhipoffthelidandliftoutthepileofsheetsandpillow-caseswithwhichtheboxwascloselypacked。
“ShallIunfoldthem？“sheasked。
Thedetectivenodded。
Takingoutthetopmostsheet，sheshookitopen。Thenthenextandthenexttillshereachedthebottomofthebox。Nothingofacriminatingnaturecametolight。Theboxaswellasitscontentswaswithoutmysteryofanykind。Thiswasnotanunexpectedresultofcourse，butthesmilewithwhichshebegantorefoldthepiecesandthrowthembackintothebox，revealedoneofherdimpleswhichwasalmostasdangeroustothecasualobserveraswhenitrevealedboth。
“There，“sheexclaimed，“yousee！HouseholdlinenexactlyasI
said。NowmayIgohome？“
“Certainly，MissStrange。”
Thedetectivestoleaslyglanceatthereporter。Shewasnotgoinginforthehorrorsthenafterall。
Butthereporterabatednothingofhisknowingair，forwhileshespokeofgoing，shemadenomovetowardsdoingso，butcontinuedtolookabouttheroomtillherglancesfinallysettledonalongdarkcurtainshuttingoffanadjoiningroom。
“There”swhereshelies，Isuppose，“shefeelinglyexclaimed。
“Andnotoneofyouknowswhokilledher。Somehow，Icannotunderstandthat。Whydon”tyouknowwhenthat”swhatyou”rehiredfor？“Theinnocencewithwhichsheutteredthiswasastonishing。Thedetectivebegantolooksheepishandthereporterturnedasidetohidehissmile。Whetherinanothermomenteitherwouldhavespokennoonecansay，for，withamockconsciousnessofhavingsaidsomethingfoolish，shecaughtupherparasolfromthetableandmadeastartforthedoor。
Butofcourseshelookedback。
“Iwaswondering，“sherecommenced，withahalfwistful，halfspeculativeair，“whetherIshouldasktohaveapeepattheplacewhereitallhappened。”
Thereporterchuckledbehindthepencil-endhewaschewing，buttheofficermaintainedhissolemnair，forwhichactofself-
restrainthewasundoubtedlygratefulwheninanotherminuteshegaveaquickimpulsiveshuddernotaltogetherassumed，andvehementlyadded：“ButIcouldn”tstandthesight；no，I
couldn”t！I”manawfulcowardwhenitcomestothingslikethat。
Nothinginalltheworldwouldinducemetolookatthewomanorherroom。ButIshouldlike”herebothherdimplescameintoplaythoughshecouldnotbesaidexactlytosmile”justonelittlelookupstairs，wherehewentpokingaboutsolongwithoutanyfearitseemsofbeinginterrupted。EversinceI”vereadaboutitIhaveseen，inmymind，apictureofhiswickedfiguresneakingfromroomtoroom，tearingopendrawersandflingingoutthecontentsofclosetsjusttofindalittlemoney——alittle，littlemoney！Ishallnotsleepto-nightjustforwonderinghowthosehighupatticroomsreallylook。”
Whocoulddreamthatbackofthisdisplayofmingledchildishnessandaudacitytherelayhiddenpurpose，intellect，andakeenknowledgeofhumannature。Notthetwomenwholistenedtothisseeminglyirresponsiblechatter。Tothemshewasachildtobehumouredandhumourhertheydid。Thedaintyfeetwhichhadalreadyfoundtheirwaytothatgloomystaircasewereallowedtoascend，followeditistruebythoseoftheofficerwhodidnotdaretosmilebackatthereporterbecauseofthebrother”swatchfulandnonetooconciliatoryeye。
Atthestairheadshepausedtolookback。
“Idon”tseethosehorriblemarkswhichthepapersdescribeasrunningallalongthelowerhallandupthesestairs。”
“No，MissStrange；theyhavegraduallybeenrubbedout，butyouwillfindsomestillshowingontheseupperfloors。”
“Oh！oh！where？Youfrightenme——frightenmehorribly！But——but——
ifyoudon”tmind，Ishouldliketosee。”
Whyshouldnotamanonatediousjobamusehimself？Pilotingherovertothesmallroomintherear，hepointeddownattheboards。Shegaveonelookandthensteppedgingerlyin。
“Justlook！“shecried；“awholestringofmarksgoingstraightfromdoortowindow。Theyhavenoshape，havethey，——justblotches？Iwonderwhyoneofthemissomuchlargerthantherest？“
Thiswasnonewquestion。Itwasonewhicheverybodywhowentintotheroomwassuretoask，therewassuchadifferenceinthesizeandappearanceofthemarknearestthewindow。Thereason——
well，mindsweredividedaboutthat，andnoonehadasatisfactorytheory。Thedetectivethereforekeptdiscreetlysilent。
ThisdidnotseemtooffendMissStrange。Onthecontraryitgaveheranopportunitytobabbleawaytoherheart”scontent。
“One，two，three，four，five，six，“shecounted，withashudderateverycount。“Andoneofthembiggerthantheothers。”Shemighthaveadded，“Itisthetrailofonefoot，andstrangely，intermingledatthat，“butshedidnot，thoughwemaybequitesurethatshenotedthefact。“Andwhere，justwheredidtheoldwalletfall？Here？orhere？“
Shehadmovedasshespoke，sothatinutteringthelast“here，“
shestooddirectlybeforethewindow。Thesurpriseshereceivedtherenearlymadeherforgetthepartshewasplaying。Fromthecharacterofthelightintheroom，shehadexpected，onlookingout，toconfrontanear-bywall，butnotawindowinthatwall。
Yetthatwaswhatshesawdirectlyfacingherfromacrosstheold-
fashionedalleyseparatingthishousefromitsneighbour；twelveunshutteredanduncurtainedpanesthroughwhichshecaughtadarkenedviewofaroomalmostasforlornanddevoidoffurnitureastheoneinwhichshethenstood。
Whenquitesureofherself，sheletacertainportionofhersurpriseappear。
“Why，look！“shecried，“ifyoucan”tseerightinnextdoor！
Whatalonesome-lookingplace！FromitsdesolateappearanceI
shouldthinkthehousequiteempty。”
“Anditis。That”stheoldShafferhomestead。It”sbeenemptyforayear。”
“Oh，empty！“Andsheturnedaway，withthemostinconsequentairintheworld，cryingoutashernamerangupthestair，“There”sArthurcalling。IsupposehethinksI”vebeenherelongenough。
I”msureI”mverymuchobligedtoyou，officer。Ireallyshouldn”thavesleptawinkto-night，ifIhadn”tbeengivenapeepattheserooms，whichIhadimaginedsodifferent。”Andwithoneadditionalglanceoverhershoulder，thatseemedtopenetratebothwindowsandthedesolatespacebeyond，sheranquicklyoutanddowninresponsetoherbrother”sreiteratedcall。
“Drivequickly！——asquicklyasthelawallows，toHiramBrown”sofficeinDuaneStreet。”
Arrivedattheaddressnamed，shewentinalonetoseeMr。Brown。
Hewasherfather”slawyerandafamilyfriend。
Hardlywaitingforhisaffectionategreeting，shecriedoutquickly。“TellmehowIcanlearnanythingabouttheoldShafferhouseinSeventeenthStreet。Now，don”tlooksosurprised。I
haveverygoodreasonsformyrequestand——and——I”minanawfulhurry。”
“But”
“Iknow，Iknow；there”sbeenadreadfultragedynextdoortoit；butit”sabouttheShafferhouseitselfIwantsomeinformation。Hasitanagent，a”
“Ofcourseithasanagent，andhereishisname。”
Mr。Brownpresentedherwithacardonwhichhehadhastilywrittenbothnameandaddress。
Shethankedhim，droppedhimamockingcurtseyfullofcharm，whispered“Don”ttellfather，“andwasgone。
Hermannertothemanshenextinterviewedwasverydifferent。Assoonasshesawhimshesubsidedintoherusualsocietymanner。
Withjustatouchoftheconceitofthesuccessfuldebutante，sheannouncedherselfasMissStrangeofSeventy-secondStreet。HerbusinesswithhimwasinregardtothepossiblerentingoftheShafferhouse。Shehadanoldladyfriendwhowasdesirousoflivingdowntown。
InpassingthroughSeventeenthStreet，shehadnoticedthattheoldShafferhousewasstandingemptyandhadbeenimmediatelystruckwiththeadvantagesitpossessedforherelderlyfriend”soccupancy。Coulditbethatthehousewasforrent？Therewasnosignonittothateffect，but——etc。
Hisanswerlefthernothingtohopefor。
“Itisgoingtobetorndown，“hesaid。
“Oh，whatapity！“sheexclaimed。“Realcolonial，isn”tit！I
wishIcouldseetheroomsinsidebeforeitisdisturbed。Suchdoorsandsuchdearold-fashionedmantelpiecesasitmusthave！
IjustdoteontheColonial。Itbringsupsuchpicturesoftheolddays；weddings，youknow，andparties；——allsodifferentfromoursandsomuchmoreinteresting。”
Isitthechanceshotthattells？Sometimes。Violethadnoespecialintentioninwhatshesaidsaveasapreludetoapendingrequest，butnothingcouldhaveservedherpurposebetterthanthatoneword，wedding。Theagentlaughedandgivingherhisfirstindulgentlook，remarkedgenially：
“Romanceisnotconfinedtothoseancienttimes。Ifyouweretoenterthathouseto-dayyouwouldcomeacrossevidencesofaweddingasromanticasanywhichevertookplaceinalltheseventyoddyearsofitsexistence。Amanandawomanweremarriedtheredaybeforeyesterdaywhodidtheirfirstcourtingunderitsrooffortyyearsago。Hehasbeenmarriedtwiceandsheonceintheinterval；buttheoldloveheldfirmandnowattheageofsixtyandovertheyhavecometogethertofinishtheirdaysinpeaceandhappiness。Orsowewillhope。”
“Married！marriedinthathouseandonthedaythat”
Shecaughtherselfupintime。Hedidnotnoticethebreak。
“Yes，inmemoryofthoseolddaysofcourtship，Isuppose。Theycamehereaboutfive，gotthekeys，droveoff，wentthroughtheceremonyinthatemptyhouse，returnedthekeystomeinmyownapartment，tookthesteamerforNaples，andwereontheseabeforemidnight。Doyounotcallthatquickworkaswellashighlyromantic？“
“Very。”MissStrange”scheekhadpaled。Itwasapttowhenshewasgreatlyexcited。“ButIdon”tunderstand，“sheadded，themomentafter。“Howcouldtheydothisandnobodyknowaboutit？I
shouldhavethoughtitwouldhavegotintothepapers。”
“Theyarequietpeople。Idon”tthinktheytoldtheirbestfriends。Asimpleannouncementinthenextday”sjournalstestifiedtothefactoftheirmarriage，butthatwasall。I
wouldnothavefeltatlibertytomentionthecircumstancesmyself，ifthepartieswerenotwellontheirwaytoEurope。”
“Oh，howgladIamthatyoudidtellme！Suchastoryofconstancyandtheholdwhicholdassociationshaveuponsensitiveminds！But”
“Why，Miss？What”sthematter？Youlookverymuchdisturbed。”
“Don”tyouremember？Haven”tyouthought？Somethingelsehappenedthatverydayandalmostatthesametimeonthatblock。Somethingverydreadful”
“Mrs。Doolittle”smurder？“
“Yes。Itwasasnearasnextdoor，wasn”tit？Oh，ifthishappycouplehadknown”
“Butfortunatelytheydidn”t。Noraretheylikelyto，tilltheyreachtheotherside。Youneedn”tfearthattheirhoneymoonwillbespoiledthatway。”
“Buttheymayhaveheardsomethingorseensomethingbeforeleavingthestreet。Didyounoticehowthegentlemanlookedwhenhereturnedyouthekeys？“
“Idid，andtherewasnocloudonhissatisfaction。”
“Oh，howyourelieveme！“One——twodimplesmadetheirappearanceinMissStrange”sfresh，youngcheeks。“Well！Iwishthemjoy。Doyoumindtellingmetheirnames？Icannotthinkofthemasactualpersonswithoutknowingtheirnames。”
“ThegentlemanwasConstantinAmidon；thelady，MarianShaffer。
YouwillhavetothinkofthemnowasMr。andMrs。Amidon。”
“AndIwill。Thankyou，Mr。Hutton，thankyouverymuch。Nexttothepleasureofgettingthehouseformyfriend，isthatofhearingthischarmingbitofnewsitsconnection。
Sheheldoutherhandand，ashetookit，remarked：
“Theymusthavehadaclergymanandwitnesses。”
“Undoubtedly。”
“IwishIhadbeenoneofthewitnesses，“shesighedsentimentally。
“Theyweretwooldmen。”
“Oh，no！Don”ttellmethat。”
“Fogies；nothingless。”
“Buttheclergyman？Hemusthavebeenyoung。Surelytherewassomeonetherecapableofappreciatingthesituation？“
“Ican”tsayaboutthat；Ididnotseetheclergyman。”
“Oh，well！itdoesn”tmatter。”MissStrange”smannerwasasnonchalantasitwascharming。“Wewillthinkofhimasbeingveryyoung。”
Andwithamerrytossofherheadsheflittedaway。
Butshesoberedveryrapidlyuponenteringherlimousine。
“Hello！“
“Ah，isthatyou？“
“Yes，IwantaMarconisent。”
“AMarconi？“
“Yes，totheCretic，whichleftdocktheverynightinwhichwearesodeeplyinterested。”
“Good。Whomto？TheCaptain？“
“No，toaMrs。ConstantinAmidon。Butfirstbesurethereissuchapassenger。”
“Mrs。！Whatideahaveyouthere？“
“Excusemynotstatingoverthetelephone。Themessageistobetothiseffect。DidsheatanytimeimmediatelybeforeorafterhermarriagetoMr。Amidongetaglimpseofanyoneintheadjoininghouse？Noremarks，please。IusethetelephonebecauseIamnotreadytoexplainmyself。Ifshedid，lethersendawrittendescriptiontoyouofthatpersonassoonasshereachestheAzores。”
“Yousurpriseme。MayInotcallorhopeforalinefromyouearlyto-morrow？“
“Ishallbebusytillyougetyouranswer。”
Hehungupthereceiver。Herecognizedtheresolutetone。
Butthetimecamewhenthependingexplanationwasfullygiventohim。Ananswerhadbeenreturnedfromthesteamer，favourabletoViolet”shopes。Mrs。Amidonhadseensuchapersonandwouldsendafulldescriptionofthesameatthefirstopportunity。ItwasnewstofillViolet”sheartwithpride；thefilamentofacluewhichhadledtothisgreatresulthadbeensonearlyinvisibleandhadfeltsolikenothinginhergrasp。
Toheremployershedescribeditasfollows：
“WhenIhearorreadofacasewhichcontainsanybafflingfeatures，Iamapttofeelsomehiddenchordinmynaturethrilltoonefactinitandnottoanyoftheothers。Inthiscasethesinglefactwhichappealedtomyimaginationwasthedroppingofthestolenwalletinthatupstairsroom。Whydidtheguiltymandropit？andwhy，havingdroppedit，didhenotpickitupagain？
butoneanswerseemedpossible。Hehadheardorseensomethingatthespotwhereitfellwhichnotonlyalarmedhimbutsenthiminflightfromthehouse。”
“Verygood；anddidyousettletoyourownmindthenatureofthatsoundorthatsight？“
“Idid。”Hermannerwasstrangelybusinesslike。Noshowofdimplesnow。“Satisfiedthatifanypossibilityremainedofmyeverdoingthis，itwouldhavetobeontheexactplaceofthisoccurrenceornotatall，Iembracedyoursuggestionandvisitedthehouse。”
“Andthatroomnodoubt。”
“Andthatroom。Women，somehow，seemtomanagesuchthings。”
“SoI”venoticed，MissStrange。Andwhatwastheresultofyourvisit？Whatdidyoudiscoverthere？“
“This：thatoneofthebloodspotsmarkingthecriminal”sstepsthroughtheroomwasdecidedlymorepronouncedthantherest；
and，whatwasevenmoreimportant，thatthewindowoutofwhichI
waslookinghaditscounterpartinthehouseontheoppositesideofthealley。IngazingthroughtheoneIwasgazingthroughtheother；andnotonlythat，butintothedarkenedareaoftheroombeyond。InstantlyIsawhowthelatterfactmightbemadetoexplaintheformerone。ButbeforeIsayhow，letmeaskifitisquitesettledamongyouthatthesmearsonthefloorandstairsmarkthepassageofthecriminal”sfootsteps！“
“Certainly；andverybloodyfeettheymusthavebeentoo。Hisshoes——orratherhisoneshoe——fortheproofisplainthatonlytherightoneleftitsmark——musthavebecomethoroughlysaturatedtocarryitstracessofar。”
“Doyouthinkthatanyamountofsaturationwouldhavedonethis？
Or，ifyouarenotreadytoagreetothat，thatashoesocoveredwithbloodcouldhavefailedtoleavebehinditsomehintofitsshape，someimprint，howeverfaint，ofheelortoe？Butnowherediditdothis。Weseeasmear——andthatisall。”
“Youareright，MissStrange；youarealwaysright。Andwhatdoyougatherfromthis？“
Shelookedtoseehowmuchheexpectedfromher，and，meetinganeyenotquiteasfreefromironicsuggestionashiswordshadledhertoexpect，falteredalittleassheproceededtosay：
“Myopinionisagirl”sopinion，butsuchasitisyouhavetherighttohaveit。FromtheindicationsmentionedIcoulddrawbutthisconclusion：thatthebloodwhichaccompaniedthecriminal”sfootstepswasnotcarriedthroughthehousebyhisshoes；——heworenoshoes；hedidnotevenwearstockings；probablyhehadnone。Forreasonswhichappealedtohisjudgment，hewentabouthiswickedworkbarefoot；anditwasthebloodfromhisownveinsandnotfromthoseofhisvictimwhichmadethetrailwehavefollowedwithsomuchinterest。Doyouforgetthosebrokenbeads；——
howhekickedthemaboutandstampedupontheminhisfury？Oneofthempiercedtheballofhisfoot，andthatsosharplythatitnotonlyspurtedbloodbutkeptonbleedingwitheverystephetook。Otherwise，thetrailwouldhavebeenlostafterhispassageupthestairs。”
“Fine！“Therewasnoironyinthebureau-chief”seyenow。“Youareprogressing，MissStrange。Allowme，Ipray，tokissyourhand。ItisalibertyIhavenevertaken，butonewhichwouldgreatlyrelievemypresentstressoffeeling。”
Sheliftedherhandtowardhim，butitwasingesture，notinrecognitionofhishomage。
“Thankyou，“saidshe，“butIclaimnomonopolyondeductionssosimpleasthese。Ihavenottheleastdoubtthatnotonlyyourselfbuteverymemberoftheforcehasmadethesame。Butthereisalittlematterwhichmayhaveescapedthepolice，mayevenhaveescapedyou。TothatIwouldnowcallyourattentionsincethroughitIhavebeenenabled，afteralittlenecessarygroping，toreachtheopen。Youremembertheonelargeblotchontheupperfloorwherethemandroppedthewallet？Thatblotch，moreorlesscommingledwithafainterone，possessedgreatsignificanceformefromthefirstmomentIsawit。Howcamehisfoottobleedsomuchmoreprofuselyatthatonespotthanatanyother？Therecouldbebutoneanswer：becausehereasurprisemethim——asurprisesostartlingtohiminhispresentstateofmind，thathegaveaquickspringbackward，withtheresultthathiswoundedfootcamedownsuddenlyandforciblyinsteadofeasilyasinhispreviouswarytread。Andwhatwasthesurprise？Imadeitmybusinesstofindout，andnowIcantellyouthatitwasthesightofawoman”sfacestaringuponhimfromtheneighbouringhousewhichhehadprobablybeentoldwasempty。Theshockdisturbedhisjudgment。Hesawhiscrimediscovered——hisguiltysecretread，andfledinunreasoningpanic。Hemightbetterhaveheldontohiswits。Itwasthisdisplayoffearwhichledmetosearchafteritscause，andconsequentlytodiscoverthatatthisespecialhourmorethanonepersonhadbeenintheShafferhouse；
that，infact，amarriagehadbeencelebratedthereundercircumstancesasromanticasanywereadofinbooks，andthatthismarriage，privatelycarriedout，hadbeenfollowedbyanimmediatevoyageofthehappycoupleononeoftheWhiteStarsteamers。Withtherestyouareconversant。IdonotneedtosayanythingaboutwhathasfollowedthesendingofthatMarconi。”
“ButIamgoingtosaysomethingaboutyourworkinthismatter，MissStrange。Thebigdetectivesaboutherewillhavetolooksharpif”
“Don”t，please！Notyet。”Asmilesoftenedtheasperityofthisinterruption。“Themanhasyettobecaughtandidentified。TillthatisdoneIcannotenjoyanyone”scongratulations。Andyouwillseethatallthismaynotbesoeasy。Ifnoonehappenedtomeetthedesperatewretchbeforehehadanopportunitytoretiehisshoe-laces，therewillbelittleforyouorevenforthepolicetogouponbuthiswoundedfoot，hisundoubtedlycarefullypreparedalibi，andlater，awoman”sconfuseddescriptionofafaceseenbutforamomentonlyandthatunderapersonalexcitementprecludingminuteattention。Ishouldnotbesurprisedifthewholethingcametonothing。”
Butitdidnot。AssoonasthedescriptionwasreceivedfromMrs。
Amidonadescription，bytheway，whichwasunusuallyclearandprecise，owingtothepeculiarandcontradictoryfeaturesoftheman，thepolicewereabletorecognizehimamongthemanysuspectsalwaysundertheireye。Arrested，hepleaded，justasMissStrangehadforetold，analibiofaseeminglyunimpeachablecharacter；butneitherit，northeplausibleexplanationwithwhichheendeavouredtoaccountforafreshlyhealedscaramidthecallousesofhisrightfoot，couldstandbeforeMrs。Amidon”sunequivocaltestimonythathewasthesamemanshehadseeninMrs。Doolittle”supperroomontheafternoonofherownhappinessandofthatpoorwoman”smurder。
Themomentwhen，athistrial，thetwofacesagainconfrontedeachotheracrossaspacenowiderthanthatwhichhadseparatedthemonthedreadoccasioninSeventeenthStreet，issaidtohavebeenoneofthemostdramaticintheannalsofthatancientcourtroom。
ENDOFPROBLEMIII
PROBLEMIV
THEGROTTOSPECTRE
MissStrangewasnotoftenpensive——atleastnotatlargefunctionsorwhenunderthepubliceye。ButshecertainlyforgotherselfatMrs。Provost”smusicaleandthat，too，withoutapparentreason。Hadthemusicbeenofahighorderonemighthaveunderstoodherabstraction；butitwasofadecidedlymediocrequality，andViolet”searwasmuchtoofineandhermusicalsensetoocultivatedforhertobebeguiledbyanythinglessthantheverybest。
Norhadshetheexcuseofadullcompanion。Herescortfortheeveningwasamanofunusualconversationalpowers；butsheseemedtobealmostobliviousofhispresence；andwhen，throughsomepassingcourteousimpulse，shedidturnherearhisway，itwaswithjustthattingeofpreoccupationwhichbetraysthedividedmind。
Wereherthoughtswithsomesecretproblemyetunsolved？Itwouldscarcelyseemsofromthegayremarkwithwhichshehadlefthome。Shewasspeakingtoherbrotherandherwordswere：“Iamgoingouttoenjoymyself。I”venotacareintheworld。Theslateisquiteclean。”Yetshehadneverseemedmoreoutoftunewithhersurroundingsnorshownamoodfurtherremovedfromtrivialentertainment。Whathadhappenedtobecloudhergaietyintheshorttimewhichhadsinceelapsed？
Wecananswerinasentence。
Shehadseen，amongagroupofyoungmeninadistantdoorway，onewithafacesoindividualandofanexpressionsoextraordinarythatallinterestinthepeopleaboutherhadstoppedasaclockstopswhenthependulumisheldback。Shecouldseenothingelse，thinkofnothingelse。Notthatitwassoveryhandsome——thoughnootherhadeverapproacheditinitspoweroverherimagination——butbecauseofitsexpressionofhauntingmelancholy，——amelancholysosettledandsoevidentlytheresultoflong-continuedsorrowthatherinteresthadbeenreachedandherheartstringsshakenasneverbeforeinherwholelife。
ShewouldneverbethesameVioletagain。
Yetmovedassheundoubtedlywas，shewasnotconsciousoftheleastdesiretoknowwhotheyoungmanwas，oreventobemadeacquaintedwithhisstory。Shesimplywantedtodreamherdreamundisturbed。
Itwasthereforewithasenseofunwelcomeshockthat，inthecourseofthereceptionfollowingtheprogramme，sheperceivedthisfineyoungmanapproachingherself，withhisrighthandtouchinghisleftshoulderinthepeculiarwaywhichcommittedhertoaninterviewwithorwithoutaformalintroduction。
Shouldsheflytheordeal？Beblindanddeaftowhateverwassignificantinhisaction，andgoherwaybeforehereachedher；
thuskeepingherdreamintact？Impossible。Hiseyepreventedthat。Hisglancehadcaughthersandshefeltforcedtoawaithisadvanceandgivehimherfirstsparemoment。
Itcamesoon，andwhenitcameshegreetedhimwithasmile。Itwasthefirstshehadeverbestowedinwelcomeofaconfidenceofwhosetenorshewasentirelyignorant。
Toherreliefheshowedhisappreciationofthedazzlinggiftthoughhemadenoefforttoreturnit。Scorningallpreliminariesinhiseagernesstodischargehimselfofaburdenwhichwasfastbecomingintolerable，headdressedheratonceinthesewords：
“Youareverygood，MissStrange，toreceivemeinthisunconventionalfashion。Iaminthatdesperatestateofmindwhichprecludesetiquette。Willyoulistentomypetition？Iamtold——youknowbywhom”andheagaintouchedhisshoulder
“thatyouhaveresourcesofintelligencewhichespeciallyfityoutomeettheextraordinarydifficultiesofmyposition。MayIbegyoutoexercisetheminmybehalf？Nomanwouldbemoregratefulif——ButIseethatyoudonotrecognizeme。IamRogerUpjohn。
ThatIamadmittedtothisgatheringisowingtothefactthatourhostessknewandlovedmymother。Inmyanxietytomeetyouandproffermyplea，Iwaswillingtobravethecoldlooksyouhaveprobablynoticedonthefacesofthepeopleaboutus。ButI
havenorighttosubjectyoutocriticism。I”
“Remain。”Violet”svoicewastroubled，herself-possessiondisturbed；buttherewasacommandinhertonewhichhewasonlytoogladtoobey。“Iknowthename“whodidnot！“andpossiblymydutytomyselfshouldmakemeshunaconfidencewhichmayburdenmewithoutrelievingyou。ButyouhavebeensenttomebyonewhosebehestsIfeelboundtorespectand”
Mistrustinghervoice，shestopped。Thesufferingwhichmadeitselfapparentinthefacebeforeherappealedtoherheartinawaytorobherofherjudgment。Shedidnotwishthistobeseen，andsofellsilent。
Hewasquicktotakeadvantageofherobviousembarrassment。
“ShouldIhavebeensenttoyouifIhadnotfirstsecuredtheconfidenceofthesender？Youknowthescandalattachedtomyname，someofitjust，someofitveryunjust。Ifyouwillgrantmeaninterviewto-morrow，IwillmakeanendeavourtorefutecertainchargeswhichIhavehithertoletgounchallenged。Willyoudomethisfavour？WillyoulisteninyourownhousetowhatIhavetosay？“
Instinctcriedoutagainstanysuchconcessiononherpart，biddingherbewareofonewhocharmedwithoutexcellenceandconvincedwithoutreason。Butcompassionurgedcomplianceandcompassionwontheday。Thoughconsciousofweakness，——she，VioletStrangeonwhomstrongmenhadcometorelyincriticalhourscallingforwell-balancedjudgment，——shedidnotletthisconcernher，orallowherselftoindulgeinuselessregretsevenafterthefirsteffectofhispresencehadpassedandshehadsucceededinrecallingthefactswhichhadcastacloudabouthisname。
RogerUpjohnwasawidower，andthescandalaffectinghimwasconnectedwithhiswife”sdeath。
Thoughadegenerateinsomerespects，lackingthedomineeringpresence，thestrongmentalqualities，andinflexiblecharacterofhisprogenitors，thewealthyMassachusettsUpjohnswhosegreatplaceonthecoasthadahistoryasoldastheStateitself，heyethadgiftsandattractionsofhisownwhichwouldhavemadehimaworthyrepresentativeofhisrace，ifonlyhehadnotfixedhisaffectionsonawomansocoldandheedlessthatshewouldhaveinspireduniversalaversioninsteadoflove，hadshenotbeendoweredwiththebeautyandphysicalfascinationwhichsometimesaccompanyahardheartandaschemingbrain。Itwasthisbeautywhichhadcaughtthelad；andoneday，justasthecarefulfatherhadmappedoutacourseofstudycalculatedtomakeamanofhisson，thatsondroveuptothegateswiththisladywhomheintroducedashiswife。
Theshock，notofherbeauty，thoughthatwasofthedazzlingqualitywhichcatchesamaninthethroatandmakesaslaveofhimwhilethefirstsurpriselasts，butoftheoverthrowofallhishopesandplans，nearlyprostratedHomerUpjohn。Hesaw，asmostmendidthemomentjudgmentreturned，thatforallhersatinskinandrosyflush，thewonderofherhairandthesmilewhichpiercedlikearrowsandwarmedlikewine，shewasmorelikelytobringacurseintothehousethanablessing。
Andsoitproved。Inlessthanayeartheyounghusbandhadlostallhisambitionsandmanyofhisbestimpulses。Nolongerinclinedtostudy，hespenthisdaysinsatisfyinghiswife”swhimsandhiseveningsincarousingwiththefriendswithwhichshehadprovidedhim。ThisinBostonwhithertheyhadfledfromtheoldgentleman”sdispleasure；butaftertheirlittlesoncamethefatherinsistedupontheirreturninghome，whichledtogreatdeceptions，andprecipitatedatragedynooneeverunderstood。
Theywerenaturalgamblers——thiscouple——asallBostonsocietyknew；andasHomerUpjohnloathedcards，theyfoundlifeslowinthegreathouseandgrewcorrespondinglyrestlesstilltheymadeadiscovery——orshallIsayarediscovery——oftheoncefamousgrottohiddenintherocksliningtheirportionofthecoast。
Heretheyfoundaretreatwheretheycouldhidethemselvesoftenwhentheywerethoughttobeabedandasleepandplaytogetherformoneyorforasupperinthecityorforanythingelsethatfoolishfancysuggested。Thiswaswhiletheirlittlesonremainedaninfant；later，theywerelesseasilysatisfied。Bothcravedcompany，excitement，andgamblingonalargescale；sotheytooktoinvitingfriendstomeettheminthisgrottowhich，throughtheagencyofoneoldservantdevotedtoRogertothepointoffolly，hadbeenfittedupandlightedinamannernotonlycomfortablebutluxurious。Asmallbutshelteredhavenhiddeninthecurveoftherocksmadeanapproachbyboatfeasibleathightide；andatlowtheconnectioncouldbemadebymeansofapathoverthepromontoryinwhichthisgrottolayconcealed。ThefortunewhichRogerhadinheritedfromhismothermadetheseexcessespossible，butmanythousands，letalonethefewhecouldcallhis，soondisappearedunderthewitcheryofanirresponsiblewoman，andthehalf-dozenfriendswhoknewhissecrethadtostandbyandseehisruin，withoutdaringtoutterawordtotheonewhoalonecouldstayit。ForHomerUpjohnwasnotamantobeapproachedlightly，norwasheonetolistentochargeswithoutocularprooftosupportthem；andthiscalledforcourage，morecouragethanwaspossessedbyanyonewhoknewthemboth。
HewasahardmanwasHomerUpjohn，butwithaheartofgoldforthoseheloved。This，evenhiswarydaughter-in-lawwaswiseenoughtodetect，andforalongwhileafterthebirthofherchildshebesiegedhimwithhercoaxingwaysandbewitchinggraces。Butheneverchangedhisfirstopinionofher，andonceshebecamefullyconvincedofthefollyofherefforts，shegaveupallattempttopleasehimandshowedanopenindifference。
Thisintimegraduallyextendedtillitembracednotonlyherchildbutherhusbandaswell。Yes，ithadcometothat。Hislovenolongercontentedher。Hervanityhadgrownbywhatitdailyfedon，andnowcalledfortheadmirationofthefastmenwhosometimescameupfromBostontoplaywiththemintheirunholyretreat。Towinthis，shedressedlikesomedemonqueenorwitch，thoughitdroveherhusbandintodeeperplayandthreatenedanexposurewhichwouldmeandisasternotonlytoherselfbuttothewholefamily。
Inallthis，asanyonecouldsee，Rogerhadbeenherslaveandthewillingvictimofallhercaprices。Whatwasit，then，whichsocompletelychangedhimthataseparationbegantobetalkedofandevenitstermsdiscussed？Onerumourhaditthatthefatherhaddiscoveredthesecretofthegrottoandexactedthisasapenaltyfromthesonwhohaddishonouredhim。Another，thatRogerhimselfwastheonetotaketheinitiativeinthismatter：That，onreturningunexpectedlyfromNewYorkoneeveningandfindinghermissingfromthehouse，hehadtracedhertothegrottowherehecameuponherplayingadesperategamewiththeonemanhehadthegreatestreasontodistrust。
Butwhatevertheexplanationofthissuddenchangeintheirrelations，thereisbutlittledoubtthatalegalseparationbetweenthisill-assortedcouplewaspending，whenonebleakautumnmorningshewasdiscovereddeadinherbedundercircumstancespeculiarlyopentocomment。
Thephysicianswhomadeoutthecertificateascribedherdeathtoheart-disease，symptomsofwhichhadlatelymuchalarmedthefamilydoctor；butthatapersonalstruggleofsomekindhadprecededthefatalattackwasevidentfromthebruiseswhichblackenedherwrists。Hadtherebeenthelikeuponherthroatitmighthavegonehardwiththeyounghusbandwhowasknowntobecontemplatingherdismissalfromthehouse。Butthediscolorationofherwristswasall，andasbruisedwristsdonotkillandtherewasbesidesnoevidenceforthcomingofthetwohavingspentonemomenttogetherforatleasttenhoursprecedingthetragedybutratherfullandsatisfactorytestimonytothecontrary，thematterlapsedandallcriminalproceedingswereavoided。
Butnotthescandalwhichalwaysfollowstheunexplained。Astimepassedandthepeculiarlookwhichbetraysthehauntedsoulgraduallybecamevisibleintheyoungwidower”seyes，doubtsaroseandreportscirculatedwhichcaststrangereflectionsuponthetragicendofhismistakenmarriage。Storiesofthedisreputableusetowhichtheoldgrottohadbeenputweremingledwithvaguehintsofconjugalviolenceneverproperlyinvestigated。Theresultwashisgeneralavoidancenotonlybythesocialsetdominatedbyhishigh-mindedfather，butbyhisownlessreputablecoterie，which，howeverlaxinitsmoralcode，hadverylittleuseforacoward。
SuchwasthegossipwhichhadreachedViolet”searsinconnectionwiththisnewclient，prejudicingheraltogetheragainsthimtillshecaughtthatbeamofdeepandconcentratedsufferinginhiseyeandrecognizedaninnocencewhichensuredhersympathyandledhertogranthimtheinterviewforwhichhesoearnestlyentreated。
Hecameprompttothehour，andwhenshesawhimagainwiththemarksofasleeplessnightuponhimandallthesignsofsufferingintensifiedinhisunusualcountenance，shefeltherheartsinkwithinherinawayshefailedtounderstand。Adreadofwhatshewasabouttohearrobbedherofallsemblanceofself-
possession，andshestoodlikeoneinadreamasheutteredhisfirstgreetingsandthenpausedtogatheruphisownmoralstrengthbeforehebeganhisstory。Whenhedidspeakitwastosay：
“IfindmyselfobligedtobreakavowIhavemadetomyself。YoucannotunderstandmyneedunlessIshowyoumyheart。Mytroubleisnottheonewithwhichmenhavecreditedme。Ithasanothersourceandisinfinitelyhardertobear。PersonaldishonourI
havedeservedinagreaterorlessdegree，butthetrialwhichhascometomenowinvolvesapersonmoredeartomethanmyself，andistotallywithoutalleviationunlessyou”Hepaused，choked，thenrecommencedabruptly：“Mywife“——Violetheldherbreath”wassupposedtohavediedfromheart-diseaseor——orsomestrangespeciesofsuicide。Therewerereasonsforthisconclusion——reasonswhichIacceptedwithoutseriousquestiontillsomefiveweeksagowhenImadeadiscoverywhichledmetofear”
Thebrokensentencehungsuspended。Violet，notwithstandinghishurriedgesture，couldnotrestrainherselffromstealingalookathisface。Itwassetinhorrorand，thoughpartiallyturnedaside，madeanappealtohercompassiontofillthevoidmadebyhissilence，withoutfurthersuggestionfromhim。