Shedidthisbysayingtentativelyandwithaslittleshowofemotionaspossible：
“Youfearedthattheeventcalledforvengeanceandthatvengeancewouldmeanincreasedsufferingtoyourselfaswellastoanother？“
“Yes；greatsuffering。ButImaybeunderamostlamentablemistake。Iamnotsureofmyconclusions。Ifmydoubtshavenorealfoundation——iftheyaresimplytheoffspringofmyowndiseasedimagination，whataninsulttooneIrevere！Whatahorrorofingratitudeandmisunderstanding”
“Relatethefacts，“cameinstartledtonesfromViolet。“Theymayenlightenus。”
Hegaveonequickshudder，buriedhisfaceforonemomentinhishands，thenlifteditandspokeupquicklyandwithunexpectedfirmness：
“IcameheretodosoanddosoIwill。Butwherebegin？MissStrange，youcannotbeignorantofthecircumstances，openandavowed，whichattendedmywife”sdeath。Buttherewereotherandsecreteventsinitsconnectionwhichhappilyhavebeenkeptfromtheworld，butwhichImustnowdisclosetoyouatanycosttomyprideandso-calledhonour。Thisisthefirstone：OnthemorningprecedingthedayofMrs。Upjohn”sdeath，aninterviewtookplacebetweenusatwhichmyfatherwaspresent。Youdonotknowmyfather，MissStrange。Astrongmanandasternone，withaholduponoldtraditionswhichnothingcanshake。IfhehasaweaknessitisformylittleboyRogerinwhosepromisingtraitsheseestheonehopewhichhassurvivedtheshipwreckofallforwhichournamehasstood。Knowingthis，andrealizingwhatthechild”spresenceinthehousemeanttohisoldage，Ifeltmyheartturnsickwithapprehension，wheninthemidstofthediscussionastothetermsonwhichmywifewouldconsenttoapermanentseparation，thelittlefellowcamedancingintotheroom，hiscurlsatossandhiswholefacebeamingwith11feandjoy。
“Shehadnotmentionedthechild，butIknewherwellenoughtobesurethatatthefirstshowofpreferenceonhispartforeitherhisgrandfatherormyself，shewouldraiseaclaimtohimwhichshewouldneverrelinquish。Idarednotspeak，butImethiseagerlookswithmymostforbiddingfrownandhopedbythisshowofseveritytoholdhimback。Buthislittleheartwasfulland，ignoringheroutstretchedarms，heboundedtowardsminewithhismostaffectionatecry。Shesawandutteredherultimatum。Thechildshouldgowithherorshewouldnotconsenttoaseparation。Itwasuselessforustotalk；shehadsaidherlastword。Theblowstruckmehard，orsoIthought，tillIlookedatmyfather。NeverhadIbeheldsuchachangeasthatonemomenthadmadeinhim。Hestoodasbefore；hefaceduswiththesamesilentreprobation；buthishearthadrunfromhimlikewater。
“Itwasasighttocallupallmyresources。Toallowhertoremainnow，withmyfeelingstowardsherallchangedandmyfather”seyesfullyopenedtoherstonynature，wasimpossible。
NorcouldIappealtolaw。Anopenscandalwasmyfather”sgreatestdreadanddivorceproceedingshishorror。ThechildwouldhavetogounlessIcouldfindawaytoinfluenceherthroughherownnature。Iknewofbutone——donotlookatme，MissStrange。Itwasdishonouringtousboth，andI”mhorrifiednowwhenIthinkofit。Buttomeatthattimeitwasnaturalenoughasalastresort。Therewasbutonedebtwhichmywifeeverpaid，butonepromisesheeverkept。Itwasthatmadeatthegaming-table。Ioffered，assoonasmyfather，realizingthehopelessnessofthesituation，hadgonetotteringfromtheroom，togamblewithherforthechild。
“Andsheaccepted。”
Theshameandhumiliationexpressedinthisfinalwhisper；thesuddendarkness——forastormwascomingup——shookViolettothesoul。Withstrainedgazefixedonthemanbeforeher，nowlittlemorethanashadowintheprevailinggloom，shewaitedforhimtoresume，andwaitedinvain。Theminutespassed，thedarknessbecameintolerable，andinstinctivelyherhandcrepttowardstheelectricbuttonbeneathwhichshewassitting。Butshefailedtopressit。Atalesodarkcalledforanatmosphereofitsownkind。Shewouldcastnolightuponit。Yetsheshiveredasthesilencecontinued，andstartedinuncontrollabledismaywhenatlengthherstrangevisitorrose，andstill，withoutspeaking，walkedawayfromhertotheotherendoftheroom。Onlysocouldhegoonwiththeshamefultale；andpresentlysheheardhisvoiceoncemoreinthesewords：
“Ourhouseislargeanditsroomsmany；butforsuchworkaswetwocontemplatedtherewasbutonespotwherewecouldcommandabsoluteseclusion。Youmayhaveheardofit，afamousnaturalgrottohiddeninourownportionofthecoastandsofittedupastoformaretreatforourmiserableselveswhenescapefrommyfather”seyeseemeddesirable。Itwasnoteasyofaccess，andnoone，sofarasweknew，hadeverfollowedusthere。
Buttoensureourselvesagainstanypossibleinterruption，wewaitedtillthewholehousewasabedbeforeweleftitforthegrotto。Wewentbyboatandoh！thedipofthoseoars！Ihearthemyet。Andthewitcheryofherfaceinthemoonlight；andthemockeryofherlowfitfullaugh！AsIcaughtthesinisternoteinitssilveryriseandfall，IknewwhatwasbeforemeifIfailedtoretainmycomposure。AndIstrovetoholditandtomeethercalmnesswithstoicismandthetauntofherexpressionwithamaskofimmobility。Buttheeffortwashopeless，andwhenthetimecamefordealingoutthecards，myeyeswereburningintheirsocketsandmyhandsshiveringlikeleavesinarisinggale。
“Weplayedonegame——andmywifelost。Weplayedanother——andmywifewon。Weplayedthethird——andthefateIhadforeseenfromthefirstbecamemine。Theluckwaswithher，andIhadlostmyboy！“
Agasp——apause，duringwhichthethunderspokeandthelightningflashed，——thenahurriedcatchingofhisbreathandthetalewenton。
“Aburstoflaughter，risinggailyabovetheboomofthesea，announcedhervictory——herlaughandthetauntingwords：”Youplaybadly，Roger。Thechildismine。NeverfearthatIshallfailtoteachhimtoreverehisfather。”HadIawordtothrowback？No。WhenIrealizedanythingbutmydishonouredmanhood，I
foundmyselfinthegrotto”smouthstaringhelplesslyoutuponthesea。Theboatwhichhadfloatedusinathightidelaystrandedbutafewfeetaway，butIdidnotreachforit。Escapewasquickerovertherocks，andImadefortherocks。
“ThatitwasacowardlyacttoleavehertheretofindherwaybackaloneatmidnightbythesameroughroadIwastaking，didnotstrikemymindforaninstant。Iwasinflightfrommyownpast；inflightfrommyselfandthehauntingdreadofmadness。
WhenIawoketorealityagainitwastofindthesmalldoor，bywhichwehadleftthehouse，standingslightlyajar。Iwastroubledbythis，forIwassureofhavingclosedit。Buttheimpressionwasbrief，andentering，Iwentstumblinguptomyroom，leavingthewayopenbehindmemorefromsheerinabilitytoexercisemywillthanfromanythoughtofher。
“MissStrange“hehadcomeoutoftheshadowsandwasstandingnowdirectlybeforeher，“ImustaskyoutotrustimplicitlyinwhatItellyouofmyfurtherexperiencesthatfatalnight。Itwasnotnecessaryformetopassmylittleson”sdoorinordertoreachtheroomIwasmakingfor；butanguishtookmethereandheldmegluedtothepanelsforwhatseemedalong，longtime。
WhenIfinallycreptawayitwastogototheroomIhadchoseninthetopofthehouse，whereIhadmyhourofhellandfacedmydesolatedfuture。DidIhearanythingmeantimeinthehallsbelow？No。DidIevenlistenforthesoundofherreturn？No。I
wascalloustoeverything，deadtoeverythingbutmyownmisery。
Ididnotevenheedtheapproachofmorning，tillsuddenly，withashrillnessnoearcouldignore，thererose，tearingthroughthesilenceofthehouse，thatgreatscreamfrommywife”sroomwhichannouncedthediscoveryofherbodylyingstarkandcoldinherbed。
“TheysaidIshowedlittlefeeling。”Hehadmovedoffagainandspokefromsomewhereintheshadows。“DoyouwonderatthisaftersuchamanifeststrokebyabenevolentProvidence？Mywifebeingdead，Rogerwassavedtous！Itwastheonesongofmystillundisciplinedsoul，andIhadtoassumecoldnesslesttheyshouldseethegreatnessofmyjoy。Awickedandguiltyrejoicingyouwillsay，andyouareright。ButIhadnomemorythenofthepartIhadplayedinthisfatality。Ihadforgottenmyrecklessflightfromthegrotto，whichleftherwithnoaidbutthatofherowntriumphantspirittohelpheroverthosetreacherousrocks。Thenecessityforkeepingsecretthispartofourdisgracefulstoryledmetoexertmyselftokeepitoutofmyownmind。Ithasonlycomebacktomeinallitsforcesinceanewhorror，anewsuspicion，hasdrivenmetoreviewcarefullyeveryincidentofthatawfulnight。
“Iwasneveramanofmuchlogic，andwhentheycametomeonthatmorningofwhichIhavejustspokenandtookmeinwhereshelayandpointedtoherbeautifulcoldbodystretchedoutinseemingpeaceunderthesatincoverlet，andthentothepileofdaintyclotheslyingneatlyfoldedonachairwithjustonefairyslipperontop，Ishudderedatherfatebutaskednoquestions，notevenwhenoneofthewomenofthehousementionedthecircumstanceofthesingleslipperandsaidthatasearchshouldbemadeforitsmate。NorwasIasmuchimpressedasonewouldnaturallyexpectbythewhisperdroppedinmyearthatsomethingwasthematterwithherwrists。ItistruethatIliftedthelacetheyhadcarefullyspreadoverthemandexaminedthediscolorationwhichextendedlikearingabouteachpearlyarm；
buthavingnomemoriesofanyviolenceofferedherIhadnotsomuchaslaidhanduponherinthegrotto，thesemarksfailedtorousemyinterest。But——andnowImustleapayearinmystory——
therecameatimewhenbothofthesefactsrecurredtomymindwithstartlingdistinctnessandclamouredforexplanation。
“Ihadrisenabovetheshockwhichsuchadeathfollowingsucheventswouldnaturallyoccasioneveninoneofmybluntedsensibilities，andwasstrivingtoliveanewlifeundertheencouragementofmynowfullyreconciledfather，whenaccidentforcedmetore-enterthegrottowhereIhadneversteppedfootsincethatnight。Afavouritedoginchaseofsomeinnocentpreyhadescapedtheleashandrunintoitsdimrecessesandwouldnotcomeoutatmycall。AsIneededhimimmediatelyforthehunt，I
followedhimoverthepromontoryand，swallowingmyrepugnance，slidintothegrottotogethim。Betteraplungetomydeathfromtheheightoftherockstoweringaboveit。Forthereinaremotecorner，lightedupbyareflectionfromthesea，IbeheldmysettercrouchedaboveanobjectwhichinanothermomentI
recognizedasmydeadwife”smissingslipper。Here！Notinthewatersoftheseaorintheintersticesoftherocksoutside，buthere！Proofthatshehadneverwalkedbacktothehousewhereshewasfoundlyingquietlyinherbed；proofpositive；forIknewthepathtoowellandthemorethanusualtendernessofherfeet。
“Howthen，didshegetthere；andbywhoseagency？Wasshelivingwhenshewent，orwasshealreadydead？Ayearhadpassedsincethatdelicateshoehadborneherfromtheboatintothesedimrecesses；butitmighthavebeenonlyaday，sovividlydidI
liveoverinthismomentofawfulenlightenmentalltheeventsofthehourinwhichwesatthereplayingforthepossessionofourchild。AgainIsawhergleamingeyes，herrosy，workingmouth，herslim，whitehand，loadedwithdiamonds，clutchingthecards。
AgainIheardthelapoftheseaonthepebblesoutsideandsmelttheodourofthewineshehadpouredoutforusboth。Thebottlewhichhadheldit；theglassfromwhichshehaddrunklaynowinpiecesontherockyfloor。ThewholescenewasmineagainandasIfollowedtheeventtoitsdespairingclose，Iseemedtoseemyownwildfigurespringingawayfromhertothegrotto”smouthandsoovertherocks。Butherefancyfaltered，caughtbyaquickrecollectiontowhichIhadnevergivenathoughttillnow。AsI
mademywayalongthoserocks，asoundhadstruckmyearfromwheresomestuntedbushesmadeashadowinthemoonlight。Thewindmighthavecauseditorsomesmallnightcreaturehustlingawayatmyapproach；andtosomesuchcauseImustatthetimehaveattributedit。Butnow，withbrainfiredbysuspicion，itseemedmorelikethequickintakeofahumanbreath。Someonehadbeenlyingthereinwait，listeningattheoneloopholeintherockswhereitwaspossibletohearwhatwassaidanddoneintheheartofthegrotto。Butwho？who？andforwhatpurposethislistening；andtowhatenddiditlead？
“ThoughInolongerlovedeventhememoryofmywife，Ifeltmyhairlift，asIaskedmyselfthesequestions。Thereseemedtobebutonelogicalanswertothelast，anditwasthis：Astrugglefollowedbydeath。Theshoefallenfromherfoot，theclothesfoundfoldedinherroommywifewasneverorderly，andthedimlyblackenedwristswhichweresnow-whitewhenshedealtthecards——allseemedtopointtosuchaconclusion。Shemayhavediedfromheart-failure，butastrugglehadprecededherdeath，duringwhichsomeman”sstrongfingershadbeenlockedaboutherwrists。Andagainthequestionrose，Whose？
“Ifanyplacewaseverhatedbymortalmanthatgrottowashatedbyme。Iloatheditswalls，itsfloor，itseveryvisibleandinvisiblecomer。Tolingerthere——tolook——almosttoremysoulfrommybody；yetIdidlingeranddidlookandthisiswhatI
foundbywayofreward。
“Behindaprojectingledgeofstonefromwhichatatteredrugstillhung，Icameupontwonailsdrivenafewfeetapartintoafissureoftherock。Ihaddriventhosenailsmyselflongbeforeforacertaingymnasticattachmentmuchinvogueatthetime，andonlookingcloser，Idiscoveredhangingfromthemtherope-endsbywhichIwaswonttopullmyselfabout。Sofartherewasnothingtorouseanybutinnocentreminiscences。ButwhenIheardthedog”slowmoanandsawhimleapatthecurled-upends，andnosethemwithaneagerlookmyway，IrememberedthedarkmarkscirclingthewristsaboutwhichIhadsooftenclaspedmymother”sbracelets，andtheworldwentblackbeforeme。
“Whenconsciousnessreturned——whenIcouldoncemoremoveandseeandthink，Inotedanotherfact。Cardswerestrewnaboutthefloor，faceupandinafixedorderasiflaidinamockingmoodtobelookeduponbyreluctanteyes；andneartheominoushalf-
circletheymade，acushionfromthelounge，stainedhorriblywithwhatIthenthoughttobeblood，butwhichIafterwardsfoundtobewine。Vengeancespokeinthoseropesandinthecarefullyspread-outcards，andmurderinthesmotheringpillow。
ThevengeanceofonewhohadwatchedhercorrodinginfluenceeatthelifeoutofmyhonourandwhoseloveforourlittleRogerwassuchthatanydeedwhichensuredhiscontinuedpresenceinthehomeappearednotonlywarrantablebutobligatory。Alas！Iknewofbutonepersoninthewholeworldwhocouldcherishfeelingtothisextentorpossesssufficientwillpowertocarryherlifelessbodybacktothehouseandlayitinherbedandgivenosignoftheabominableactfromthatdayontothis。
“MissStrange，therearemenwhohaveapeculiarconceptionofduty。Myfather”
“Youneednotgoon。”Howgently，howtenderlyourVioletspoke。
“Iunderstandyourtrouble”
Didshe？Shepausedtoaskherselfifthiswereso，andhe，deafperhapstoherwords，caughtuphisbrokensentenceandwenton：
“MyfatherwasinthehallthedayIcamestaggeringinfrommyvisittothegrotto。Nowordspassed，butoureyesmetandfromthathourIhaveseendeathinhiscountenanceandhehasseenitinmine，liketwoopponents，eachstrucktotheheart，whostandfacingeachotherwithsimulatedsmilestilltheyfall。Myfatherwilldropfirst。Heisold——veryoldsincethatdayfiveweeksago；andtoseehimdieandnotbesure——toseethegravecloseoverapossibleinnocence，andIlefthereinignoranceoftheblissfulfacttillmyowneyescloseforever，ismorethanIcanholdupunder；morethananysoncould。Cannotyouhelpmethentoapositiveknowledge？Think！think！Awoman”smindisstrangelypenetrating，andyours，Iamtold，hasanintuitivefacultymoretoberelieduponthanthereasoningofmen。Itmustsuggestsomemeansofconfirmingmydoubtsorofdefinitelyendingthem。”
ThenVioletstirredandlookedaboutathimandfinallyfoundvoice。
“Tellmesomethingaboutyourfather”sways。Whatarehishabits？
Doeshesleepwellorishewakefulatnight？“
“Hehaspoornights。IdonotknowhowpoorbecauseIamnotoftenwithhim。Hisvalet，whohasalwaysbeeninourfamily，shareshisroomandactsashisconstantnurse。HecanwatchoverhimbetterthanIcan；hehasnodistractingtroubleonhismind。”
“AndlittleRoger？DoesyourfatherseemuchoflittleRoger？
Doeshefondlehimandseemhappyinhispresence？“
“Yes；yes。Ihaveoftenwonderedatit，buthedoes。Theyaregreatchums。Itisapleasuretoseethemtogether。”
“Andthechildclingstohim——showsnofear——sitsonhislaporonthebedandplaysaschildrendoplaywithhisbeardorwithhiswatch-chain？“
“Yes。OnlyoncehaveIseenmylittlechapshrink，andthatwaswhenmyfathergavehimalookofunusualintensity，——lookingforhismotherinhimperhaps。”
“Mr。Upjohn，forgivemethequestion；itseemsnecessary。Doesyourfather——orratherdidyourfatherbeforehefellill——everwalkinthedirectionofthegrottoorhauntinanywaytherockswhichsurroundit？“
“Icannotsay。Theseaisthere；henaturallylovesthesea。ButIhaveneverseenhimstandingonthepromontory。”
“Whichwaydohiswindowslook？“
“Towardsthesea。”
“Thereforetowardsthepromontory？“
“Yes。”
“Canheseeitfromhisbed？“
“No。Perhapsthatisthecauseofapeculiarhabithehas。”
“Whathabit？“
“Everynightbeforeheretiresheisnotyetconfinedtohisbedhestandsforafewminutesinhisfrontwindowlookingout。
Hesaysit”shisgood-nighttotheocean。Whenhenolongerdoesthis，weshallknowthathisendisverynear。”
ThefaceofVioletbegantoclear。Rising，sheturnedontheelectriclight，andthen，reseatingherself，remarkedwithanaspectofquietcheer：
“Ihavetwoideas；buttheynecessitatemypresenceatyourplace。Youwillnotmindavisit？Mybrotherwillaccompanyme。”
RogerUpjohndidnotneedtospeak，hardlytomakeagesture；hisexpressionwassoeloquent。
Shethankedhimasifhehadansweredinwords，addingwithanairofgentlereserve：“Providenceassistsusinthismatter。I
aminvitedtoBeverlynextweektoattendawedding。Iwasintendingtostaytwodays，butIwillmakeitthreeandspendtheextraonewithyou。”
“Whatareyourrequirements，MissStrange？Ipresumeyouhavesome。”
VioletturnedfromtheimposingportraitofMr。Upjohnwhichshehadbeengravelycontemplating，andmetthetroubledeyeofheryounghostwithanenigmaticalflashofherown。Butshemadenoanswerinwords。Instead，sheliftedherrighthandandranoneslenderfingerthoughtfullyupthecasingofthedoornearwhichtheystoodtillitstruckanickintheoldmahoganyalmostonalevelwithherhead。
“IsyoursonRogeroldenoughtoreachsofar？“sheaskedwithanothershortlookathimassheletherfingerrestwhereithadstrucktheroughenedwood。“Ithoughthewasalittlefellow。”
“Heis。Thatcutwasmadeby——bymywife；asampleofhercapriciouswillfulness。Shewishedtoleavearecordofherselfinthesubstanceofourhouseaswellasinourlives。Thatnickmarksherheight。Shelaughedwhenshemadeit。”Tillthewallscaveinorburn”iswhatshesaid。AndIthoughtherlaughandsmilecaptivating。”
Cuttingshorthisownlaughwhichwasmuchtoosardonicforalady”sears，hemadeamoveasiftoleadthewayintoanotherportionoftheroom。ButVioletfailedtonoticethis，andlingeringinquietcontemplationofthissuggestivelittlenick，——
theonlyblemishinaroomofancientcolonialmagnificence，——
shethoughtfullyremarked：
“Thenshewasasmallwoman？“addingwithseemingirrelevance——
“likemyself。”
Rogerwinced。Somethinginthesuggestionhurthim，andinthenodhegavetherewasanairofcoldnesswhichunderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavedeterredherfrompursuingthissubjectfurther。Butthecircumstanceswerenotordinary，andsheallowedherselftosay：
“Wasshesoverydifferentfromme，——infigure，Imean？“
“No。Whydoyouask？Shallwenotjoinyourbrotherontheterrace？“
“NottillIhaveansweredthequestionyouputmeamomentago。
Youwishedtoknowmyrequirements。Oneofthemostimportantyouhavealreadyfulfilled。Youhavegivenyourservantsahalf-
holidayandbysodoingensuredtousfulllibertyofaction。
WhatelseIneedintheattemptIproposetomake，youwillfindlistedinthismemorandum。”Andtakingaslipofpaperfromherbag，sheofferedittohimwithahand，thetremblingofwhichhewouldhavenotedhadhebeenfreerinmind。
Asheread，shewatchedhim，herfingersnervouslyclutchingherthroat。
“CanyousupplywhatIask？“shefaltered，ashefailedtoraisehiseyesormakeanymoveoreventoutterthegroanshesawsurginguptohislips。“Willyou？“sheimpetuouslyurged，ashisfingersclosedspasmodicallyonthepaper，inevidencethatheunderstoodatlastthetrendofherdaringpurpose。
Theanswercameslowly，butitcame。“Iwill。Butwhat”
Herhandroseinapleadinggesture。
“Donotaskme，buttakeArthurandmyselfintothegardenandshowustheflowers。Afterwards，Ishouldlikeaglimpseofthesea。”
HebowedandtheyjoinedArthurwhohadalreadybeguntostrollthroughthegrounds。
Violetwasseldomatalossfortalkevenatthemostcriticalmoments。Butshewasstrangelytongue-tiedonthisoccasion，aswasRogerhimself。SaveforafewobservationscasuallythrownoutbyArthur，thethreepassedinadisquietingsilencethroughpergolaafterpergola，andaroundbedsgorgeouswitheveryvarietyoffallflowers，tilltheyturnedasharpcornerandcameinfullviewofthesea。
“Ah！“fellinanadmiringmurmurfromViolet”slipsashereyessweptthehorizon。Thenastheysettledonamassofrockjuttingoutfromtheshoreinagreatcurve，sheleanedtowardsherhostandsoftlywhispered：
“Thepromontory？“
Henodded，andVioletventurednofarther，butstoodforalittlewhilegazingatthetumbledrocks。Then，withaquicklookbackatthehouse，sheaskedhimtopointouthisfather”swindow。
Hedidso，andasshenotedhowopenlyitfacedthesea，herexpressionrelaxedandhermannerlostsomeofitsconstraint。Astheyturnedtore-enterthehouse，shenoticedanoldmanpickingflowersfromavineclamberingoveroneendofthepiazza。
“Whoisthat？“sheasked。
“Ouroldestservant，andmyfather”sownman，“wasRoger”sreply。
“Heispickingmyfather”sfavouriteflowers，afewlatehoneysuckles。”
“Howfortunate！Speaktohim，Mr。Upjohn。Askhimhowyourfatheristhisevening。”
“AccompanymeandIwill；anddonotbeafraidtoenterintoconversationwithhim。Heisthemildestofcreaturesanddevotedtohispatient。Helikesnothingbetterthantotalkabouthim。”
Violet，withameaninglookatherbrother，ranupthestepsatRoger”sside。Asshedidso，theoldmanturnedandVioletwasastonishedatthewistfulnesswithwhichheviewedher。
“Whatadearoldcreature！“shemurmured。“Seehowhestaresthisway。Youwouldthinkheknewme。”
“Heisgladtoseeawomanabouttheplace。Hehasfeltourisolation——Goodevening，Abram。Letthisyoungladyhaveasprayofyoursweetesthoneysuckle。And，Abram，beforeyougo，howisFatherto-night？Stillsittingup？“
“Yes，sir。Heisveryregularinhisways。Nineishishour；notaminutebeforeandnotaminutelater。Idon”thavetolookattheclockwhenhesays：”There，Abram，I”vesatuplongenough。”“
“Whenmyfatherretiresbeforehistimeorgoestobedwithoutafinallookatthesea，hewillbeaverysickman，Abram。”
“Thathewill，Mr。Roger；thathewill。Buthe”sveryfeebleto-
night，veryfeeble。Inoticedthathegavetheboyfewerkissesthanusual。Perhapshewasputoutbecausethechildwasbroughtinahalf-hourearlierthanthestatedtime。Hedon”tlikechanges；youknowthat，Mr。Roger；hedon”tlikechanges。I
hardlydaredtotellhimthattheservantswereallgoingoutinabunchto-night。”
“I”msorry，“mutteredRoger。“Buthe”llforgetitbyto-morrow。I
couldn”tbeartokeepasingleonefromtheconcert。They”llbebackingoodseasonandmeantimewehaveyou。Abramisworthhalfadozenofthem，MissStrange。Weshallmissnothing。”
“Thankyou，Mr。Roger，thankyou，“falteredtheoldman。“Itrytodomyduty。”AndwithanotherwistfulglanceatViolet，wholookedverysweetandyouthfulinthehalf-light，hepotteredaway。
ThesilencewhichfollowedhisdeparturewasaspainfultoherastoRogerUpjohn。Whenshebrokeititwaswiththisdecisiveremark：
“Thatmanmustnotspeakofmetoyourfather。Hemustnotevenmentionthatyouhaveaguestto-night。Runafterhimandtellhimso。Itisnecessarythatyourfather”smindshouldnotbetakenupwithpresenthappenings。Run。”
Rogermadehastetoobeyher。Whenhecamebackshewasonthepointofjoiningherbrotherbutstoppedtoutterafinalinjunction：
“Ishallleavethelibrary，orwhereverwemaybesitting，justastheclockstrikeshalf-pasteight。Arthurwilldothesame，asbythattimehewillfeellikesmokingontheterrace。Donotfolloweitherhimormyself，buttakeyourstandhereonthepiazzawhereyoucangetafullviewoftheright-handwingwithoutattractinganyattentiontoyourself。Whenyouhearthebigclockinthehallstrikenine，lookupquicklyatyourfather”swindow。Whatyouseemaydetermine——oh，Arthur！stilladmiringtheprospect？Idonotwonder。ButIfinditchilly。
Letusgoin。”
RogerUpjohn，sittingbyhimselfinthelibrary，waswatchingthehandsofthemantelclockslowlyapproachingthehourofnine。
Neverhadsilenceseemedmoreoppressivenorhissenseoflonelinessgreater。Yettheboomoftheoceanwasdistincttotheear，andhumanpresencenofartherawaythantheterracewhereArthurStrangecouldbeseensmokingouthiscigarinsolitude。
ThesilenceandthelonelinesswereinRoger”sownsoul；and，infaceoftheexpectedrevelationwhichwouldmakeorunmakehisfuture，thedesolationtheywroughtwasmeasureless。
Tocuthissuspenseshort，heroseatlengthandhurriedouttothespotdesignatedbyMissStrangeasthebestpointfromwhichtokeepwatchuponhisfather”swindow。Itwasattheendofthepiazzawherethehoneysucklehung，andtheodouroftheblossoms，sopleasingtohisfather，well-nighoverpoweredhimnotonlybyitssweetnessbutbythemanymemoriesitcalledup。Visionsofthatfatherashelookedatallstagesoftheirrelationshippassedinabewilderingmazebeforehim。Hesawhimasheappearedtohischildisheyesinthoseearlydaysofconfidencewhenthelossofthemothercasttheminmutualdependenceuponeachother。Thenasternerpictureoftherelentlessparentwhoseesbutonestraightcoursetosuccessinthisworldandthenext。Thentheteacherandthematuredadviser；andthen——oh，bitterchange！themanwhosehopeshehadcrossed——whoselifehehadundone，andallforherwhonowcamestealinguponthescenewithherslim，white，jewelledhandforeverliftedupbetweenthem。Andshe！Hadheeverseenhermoreclearly？Oncemorethedaintyfiguresteppedfromfairy-land，beauteouswitheverygracethatcanallureandfinallydestroyaman。Andashesaw，hetrembledandwishedthatthesemomentsofawfulwaitingmightpassandthetestbeoverwhichwouldlaybarehisfather”sheartandjustifyhisfearsordispelthemforever。
Butthecrisis，ifcrisisitwas，wasoneofhisownmakingandnottobehastenedorevaded。Withonequickglanceathisfather”swindow，heturnedinhisimpatiencetowardstheseawhoserestlessandcontinuousmoaninghadatlengthstruckhisear。Whatwasinitscallto-nightthatheshouldthusswaytowardsitasthoughdrawnbysomedreadmagneticforce？Hehadbeenborntothedashingofitswavesandknewitseverymoodandallthepassionofitssongfromfrolicsomerippletomelancholydirge。Buttherewassomethingoddandinexplicableinitseffectuponhisspiritashefaceditatthishour。Grimandimplacable——
asoundratherthanasight——itseemedtoholdwithinitsinvisibledistancestheimageofhisfuturefate。Whatthisimagewasandwhyheshouldseekforitinthisimpenetrablevoid，hedidnotknow。Hefelthimselfheldandwasstrugglingwiththisinfluenceaswithanunknownenemywhenthererangout，fromthehallwithin，thepreparatorychimesforwhichhisearwaswaiting，andthenthenineslowstrokeswhichsignalizedthemomentwhenhewastolookforhisfather”spresenceatthewindow。
Hadhewished，hecouldnothaveforbornethatlook。Hadhiseyesbeenclosingindeath，orsohefelt，thetremblinglidswouldhaveburstapartatthiscallandtherevelationsitpromised。
Andwhatdidhesee？Whatdidthatwindowholdforhim？
Nothingthathemightnothaveseenthereanynightatthishour。
Hisfather”sfiguredrawnupbehindthepanesinwistfulcontemplationofthenight。Novisiblechangeinhisattitude，nothingforcedorunusualinhismanner。Eventhehand，liftedtopulldowntheshade，moveswithitsfamiliarhesitation。Inamomentmorethatshadewillbedownand——Butno！theliftedhandfallsback；theeasyattitudebecomesstrained，fixed。Heisstaringnow——notmerelygazingoutuponthewastesofskyandsea；andRoger，followingthedirectionofhisglance，staresalsoinbreathlessemotionatwhatthosedistances，butnowsoimpenetrable，aregivingtotheeye。
Aspectrefloatingintheairabovethepromontory！Thespectreofawoman——ofhiswife，clad，asshehadbeencladthatfatalnight！Outlinedinsupernaturallight，itfacesthemwithliftedarmsshowingtheendsofropedanglingfromeitherwrist。Asightawfultoanyeye，buttothemanofguiltyheart——
Ah！itcomes——thecryforwhichtheagonizedsonhadbeenlistening！Anoldman”sshriek，hoarsewiththeremorseofsleeplessnightsanddaysofunimaginableregretandforeboding！
Itcutsthenight。Itcutsitswayintohisheart。Hefeelshissensesfailinghim，yethemustglanceoncemoreatthewindowandseewithhislastconsciouslook——Butwhatisthis！achangehastakenplaceinthepictureandhebeholds，notthedistortedformofhisfathersinkingbackinshameandterrorbeforethisvisibleimageofhissecretsin，butthatofanotherweak，oldmanfallingtothefloorbehindhisback！Abram！theattentive，seeminglyharmless，guardianofthehousehold！Abram！whohadneverspokenawordorgivenalookinanywaysuggestiveofhishavingplayedanyotherpartinthehideousdramaoftheirlivesthanthatofthehumbleandsympatheticservant！
Theshockwastoogreat，therelieftooabsoluteforcredence。
He，thelisteneratthegrotto？He，theavengerofthefamily”shonour？He，theinsureroflittleRoger”scontinuancewiththefamilyatacosttheonewholovedhimbestwouldratherhavediedhimselfthanpay？Yes！thereisnomisdoubtingthisoldservitor”sattitudeofabjectappeal，orthemeaningofHomerUpjohn”sjoyfullyupliftedcountenanceandoutspreadingarms。Theservantbegsformercyfromman，andthemasterisgivingthankstoHeaven。Whygivingthanks？Hashebeenthepreyofcankeringdoubtsalso？Hasthefatherdreadedtodiscoverthatinthesonwhichthesonhasdreadedtodiscoverinthefather？
Itmighteasilybe；andasRogerrecognizesthistruthandthefulltragedyoftheirmutuallives，hedropstohiskneesamidthehoneysuckles。
“Violet，youareawonder。Buthowdidyoudare？“
ThisfromArthurasthetworodetothetrainintheearlymorning。
Theanswercameabitwaveringly。
“Idonotknow。Iamastonishedyet，atmyowndaring。Lookatmyhands。Theyhavenotceasedtremblingsincethemomentyouthrewthelightuponmeontherocks。ThefigureofoldMr。Upjohninthewindowlookedsoaugust。”
Arthur，withashortglanceatthelittlehandssheheldout，shruggedhisshouldersimperceptibly。Itstruckhimthatthetremulousnessshecomplainedofwasduemoretosomepartingwordfromtheiryounghost，thanfromprolongedaweatherowndaring。
Buthemadenoremarktothiseffect，onlyobserved：
“Abramhasconfessedhisguilt，Ihear。”
“Yes，andwilldieofit。Themasterwillburytheman，andnotthemanthemaster。”
“AndRoger？Notthelittlefellow，butthefather？“
“Wewillnottalkofhim，“saidshe，hereyesseekingtheseawherethesuninitsrisingwasbattlingwithatroopofloweringcloudsandslowlygainingthevictory。
ENDOFPROBLEMIV
PROBLEMV
THEDREAMINGLADY
“Andthisisallyoumeantotellme？“
“Ithinkyouwillfinditquiteenough，MissStrange。”
“Justtheaddress”
“Andthisadvice：thatyourcallbespeedy。Distractednervescannotwait。”
Violet，acrosswhosewontedpiquancytherelayanindefinableshadow，eyedheremployerwithadoubtfulairbeforeturningawaytowardthedoor。Shehadaskedhimforacasetoinvestigatesomethingshehadneverdonebefore，andshehadevengonesofarastoparticularizethesortofcaseshedesired：“Itmustbeaninterestingone，“shehadstipulated，“butdifferent，quitedifferentfromthelastone。Itmustnotinvolvedeathoranykindofhorror。Ifyouhaveacaseofsubtletywithoutcrime，onetoengagemypowerswithoutdepressingmyspirits，Ibegyoutoletmehaveit。I——IhavenotfeltquitelikemyselfsinceIcamefromMassachusetts。”Whereupon，withoutfurthercomment，butwithasmileshedidnotunderstand，hehadhandedherasmallslipofpaperonwhichhehadscribbledanaddress。Sheshouldhavefeltsatisfied，butforsomereasonshedidnot。Sheregardedhimascapableofplungingherintoanaffairquitethereverseofwhatshefeltherselfinaconditiontoundertake。
“Ishouldliketoknowalittlemore，“shepursued，makingamovetounfoldthesliphehadgivenher。
Buthestoppedherwithagesture。
“Readitinyourlimousine，“saidhe。“Ifyouaredisappointedthen，letmeknow。ButIthinkyouwillfindyourselfquitereadyforyourtask。”
“Andmyfather？“
“Wouldapproveifhecouldbegottoapprovethebusinessatall。
Youdonotevenneedtotakeyourbrotherwithyou。”
“Oh，then，it”swithwomenonlyIhavetodeal？“
“ReadtheaddressafteryouareheadedupFifthAvenue。”
Butwhen，withherdoubtsnotyetentirelyremoved，sheopenedthesmallsliphehadgivenher，thenumberinsidesuggestednothingbutthefactthatherdestinationlaysomewherenearEightiethStreet。Itwasthereforewiththekeenestsurpriseshebeheldhermotorstopbeforetheconspicuoushouseofthegreatfinancierwhoselatedeathhadsoaffectedthemoney-market。Shehadnothadanyacquaintancewiththismanherself，butsheknewhishouse。Everyoneknewthat。Itwasoneofthemostprincelyinthewholecity。C。DudleyBrookshadknownhowtospendhismillions。Indeed，hehadknownhowtodothissowellthatitwasofhimherfather，alsoafinancierofsomenote，hadoncesaidhewastheonlysuccessfulAmericanheenvied。
Shewasexpected；thatshesawtheinstantthedoorwasopened。
Thismadeherentranceeasy——anentrancefurtherbrightenedbythedelightfulglimpseofachild”scherubicfacelookingatherfromadistantdoorway。Itwasaninstantaneousvision，goneassoonasseen；butitseffectwastorobthepillaredspacesofthewonderfulhallwayofsomeoftheirchill，andtomodifyinsomeslightdegreetheformalityofaservicewhichdemandedthreementousherherintoasmallreception-roomnottwentyfeetfromthedoorofentrance。
Leftinthissecludedspot，shehadtimetoaskherselfwhatmemberofthehouseholdshewouldbecalledupontomeet，andwassurprisedtofindthatshedidnotevenknowofwhomthehouseholdconsisted。ShewassureofthefactthatMr。Brookshadbeenawidowerformanyyearsbeforehisdeath，butbeyondthatsheknewnothingofhisdomesticlife。Hisson——butwasthereason？ShehadneverheardanymentionmadeofayoungerMr。
Brooks，yettherewascertainlysomeoneofhisconnectionwhoenjoyedtherightsofanheir。Himshemustbepreparedtomeetwithaduecomposure，whateverastonishmenthemightshowatthesightofaslipofagirlinsteadoftheexperienceddetectivehehadeveryrighttoexpect。
Butwhenthedooropenedtoadmitthepersonshewasawaiting，thesurprisewashers。Itwasawomanwhostoodbeforeher，awomanandanoddity。Yet，injustwhatherodditylay，Violetfounditdifficulttodecide。Wasitinthesmoothnessofherwhitelocksdrawncarefullydownoverherears，orinthecontrastaffordedbyhereagereyesandherweakandtremulousmouth？Shewasdressedintheheaviestofmourningandveryexpensively，buttherewasthatinherbearingandexpressionwhichmadeitimpossibletobelievethatshetookanyinterestinhergarmentsorevenknewinwhichofherdressesshehadbeenattired。
“Iamthepersonyouhavecomeheretosee，“shesaid。“Yournameisnotunfamiliartome，butyoumaynotknowmine。ItisQuintard；Mrs。Quintard。Iamindifficulty。Ineedassistance——
secretassistance。Ididnotknowwheretogoforitexcepttoadetectiveagency；soItelephonedtothefirstoneIsawadvertised；and——andIwastoldtoexpectMissStrange。ButI
didn”tthinkitwouldbeyouthoughIsupposeit”sallright。Youhavecomehereforthispurpose，haven”tyou，thoughitdoesseemalittlequeer？“
“Certainly，Mrs。Quintard；andifyouwilltellme”
“Mydear，it”sjustthis——yes，Iwillsitdown。Lastweekmybrotherdied。Youhaveheardofhimnodoubt，C。DudleyBrooks？“
“Oh，yes；myfatherknewhim——weallknewhimbyreputation。Donothurry，Mrs。Quintard。Ihavesentmycaraway。Youcantakeallthetimeyouwish。”
“No，no，Icannot。I”mindesperatehaste。He——butletmegoonwithmystory。Mybrotherwasawidower，withnochildrentoinherit。Thateverybodyknows。Buthiswifeleftbehindherasonbyaformerhusband，andthissonofhersmybrotherhadinameasureadopted，andevenmadehissoleheirinawillhedrewupduringthelifetimeofhiswife。Butwhenhefound，asheverysoondid，thatthisyoungmanwasnotdevelopinginawaytomeetsuchgreatresponsibilities，hemadeanewwill——thoughunhappilywithouttheknowledgeofthefamily，orevenofhismostintimatefriends——inwhichhegavethebulkofhisgreatestatetohisnephewClement，whohasbetteredthepromiseofhisyouthandwhobesideshaschildrenofgreatbeautywhommybrotherhadlearnedtolove。Andthiswill——thishoardedscrapofpaperwhichmeanssomuchtousall，islost！lost！andI”herehervoicewhichhadrisenalmosttoascream，sanktoahorrifiedwhisper，“amtheonewholostit。”
“Butthere”sacopyofitsomewhere——thereisalwaysacopy”
“Oh，butyouhaven”theardall。Mynephewisaninvalid；hasbeenaninvalidforyears——that”swhysolittleisknownabouthim。
He”sdyingofconsumption。Thedoctorsholdoutnohopeforhim，andnow，withthefearpreyinguponhimofleavinghiswifeandchildrenpenniless，heiswearingawaysofastthatanyhourmayseehisend。AndIhavetomeethiseyes——suchpitifuleyes——andthelookinthemiskillingme。Yet，Iwasnottoblame。Icouldnothelp——Oh，MissStrange，“shesuddenlybrokeinwiththeinconsequenceofextremefeeling，“thewillisinthehouse！I
nevercarrieditoffthefloorwhereIsleep。Findit；findit，I
pray，or”
ThemomenthadcomeforViolet”ssofttouch，forViolet”sencouragingword。
“Iwilltry，“sheansweredher。
Mrs。Quintardgrewcalmer。
“But，first，“theyounggirlcontinued，“Imustknowmoreabouttheconditions。Whereisthisnephewofyours——themanwhoisill？“
“Inthishouse，wherehehasbeenforthelasteightmonths。”
“WasthechildhisofwhomIcaughtaglimpseinthehallasI
camein？“
“Yes，and”
“Iwillfightforthatchild！“Violetcriedoutimpulsively。“I
amsurehisfather”scauseisgood。Whereistheotherclaimant——
theoneyoudesignateasCarlos？“
“Oh，there”swherethetroubleis！CarlosisontheMauretania，andsheisduehereinacoupleofdays。HecomesfromtheEastwherehehasbeentouringwithhiswife。MissStrange，thelostwillmustbefoundbeforethen，ortheotherwillbeopenedandreadandCarlosmademasterofthishouse，whichwouldmeanourquickdepartureandClement”scertaindeath。”
“Moveasickman？——arelativeaslowasyousayheis？Ohno，Mrs。Quintard；noonewoulddothat，werethehouseacabinanditsownerspaupers。”
“YoudonotknowCarlos；youdonotknowhiswife。Weshouldnotbegivenaweekinwhichtopack。TheyhavenochildrenandtheyenvyClementwhohas。Ouronlyhopeliesindiscoveringthepaperwhichgivesustherighttoremainhereinfaceofallopposition。Thatorpenury。Nowyouknowmytrouble。”
“Anditistrouble；onefromwhichIshallmakeeveryefforttorelieveyou。Butfirstletmeaskifyouarenotworryingunnecessarilyaboutthismissingdocument？IfitwasdrawnupbyMr。Brooks”slawyer”
“Butitwasnot，“thatladyimpetuouslyinterrupted。“HislawyerisCarlos”snearrelative，andhasneverbeentoldofthechangeinmybrother”sintentions。ClementIamspeakingnowofmybrotherandnotofmynephewwasagreatmoney-getter，butwhenitcametostandingupforhisrightsindomesticmatters，hewasmoretimidthanachild。Hewassubjecttohiswifewhileshelived，andwhenshewasgone，toherrelatives，whoareallofadominatingcharacter。WhenhefinallymadeuphismindtodousjusticeandeliminateCarlos，hewentoutoftown——IwishIcouldrememberwhere——andhadthiswilldrawnupbyastranger，whosenameIcannotrecall。”
Hershakingtones，hernervousmannerbetrayedaweaknessequalling，ifnotsurpassing，thatofthebrotherwhodaredinsecretwhathehadnotstrengthtoacknowledgeopenly，anditwaswithsomehesitationVioletpreparedtoaskthosedefinitequestionswhichwouldelucidatethecauseandmannerofalossseeminglysoimportant。Shedreadedtohearsomecommonplacetaleofinexcusablecarelessness。Somethingsubtlerthanthis——thepresenceofsomeunsuspectedagencyopposedtoyoungClement”sinterest；somepartisanofCarlos；somesecretunderminingforceinahousefullofservantsanddependants，seemednecessaryforthedevelopmentofsoordinaryasituationintoadramajustifyingtheexerciseofherspecialpowers。
“IthinkIunderstandnowyourexactpositioninthehouse，aswellasthevalueofthepaperwhichyousayyouhavelost。Thenextthingformetohearishowyoucametohavechargeofthispaper，andunderwhatcircumstancesyouwereledtomislayit。Doyounotfeelquitereadytotellme？“
“Is——isthatnecessary？“Mrs。Quintardfaltered。
“Very，“repliedViolet，watchinghercuriously。
“Ididn”texpect——thatis，Ihopedyouwouldbeabletopointout，bysomepowerwecannotofcourseexplain，justthespotwherethepaperlies，withouthavingtotellallthat。Somepeoplecan，youknow。”
“Ah，Iunderstand。Youregardedmeasunfitforpracticalwork，andsocreditedmewithoccultpowers。Butthatiswhereyoumadeamistake，Mrs。Quintard；I”mnothingifnotpractical。Andletmeadd，thatI”massecretasthegraveconcerningwhatmyclientstellme。IfIamtobeofanyhelptoyou，Imustbemadeacquaintedwitheveryfactinvolvedinthelossofthisvaluablepaper。Relatethewholecircumstanceordismissmefromthecase。Youcanhavedonenothingmorefoolishorwrongthanmany——
“
“Oh，don”tsaythingslikethat！“brokeinthepoorwomaninatoneofgreatindignation。“Ihavedonenothinganyonecouldcalleitherfoolishorwicked。Iamsimplyveryunfortunate，andbeingsensitive——Butthisisn”ttellingthestory。I”lltrytomakeitallclear；butifIdonot，andshowanyconfusion，stopmeandhelpmeoutwithquestions。I——I——oh，whereshallIbegin？“
“Withyourfirstknowledgeofthissecondwill。”
“Thankyou，thankyou；nowIcangoon。Onenight，shortlyaftermybrotherhadbeengivenupbythephysicians，Iwascalledtohisbedsideforaconfidentialtalk。Ashehadreceivedthatdayaverylargeamountofmoneyfromthebank，IthoughthewasgoingtohanditovertomeforClement，butitwasforsomethingmuchmoreseriousthanthishehadsummonedme。Whenhewasquitesurethatwewerealoneandnobodyanywherewithinhearing，hetoldmethathehadchangedhismindastothedisposalofhispropertyandthatitwastoClementandhischildren，andnottoCarlos，hewasgoingtoleavethishouseandthebulkofhismoney。Thathehadhadanewwilldrawnupwhichheshowedme”
“Showedyou？“
“Yes；hemademebringittohimfromthesafewherehekeptit；
and，feebleashewas，hewassointerestedinpointingoutcertainportionsofitthatheliftedhimselfinbedandwassostrongandanimatedthatIthoughthewasgettingbetter。Butitwasafalsestrengthduetotheexcitementofthemoment，asI
sawnextdaywhenhesuddenlydied。”
“Youweresayingthatyoubroughtthewilltohimfromhissafe。
Wherewasthesafe？“
“Inthewalloverhishead。Hegavemethekeytoopenit。Thiskeyhetookfromunderhispillow。Ihadnotroubleinfittingitorinturningthelock。”
“Andwhathappenedafteryoulookedatthewill？“
“Iputitback。Hetoldmeto。ButthekeyIkept。HesaidIwasnottopartwithitagaintillthetimecameformetoproducethewill。”
“Andwhenwasthattobe？“
“Immediatelyafterthefuneral，ifitsohappenedthatCarloshadarrivedintimetoattendit。Butifforanyreasonhefailedtobehere，Iwastoletitlietillwithinthreedaysofhisreturn，whenIwastotakeitoutinthepresenceofaMr。
Delahuntwhowastohavefullchargeofitfromthattime。Oh，I
rememberallthatwellenough！andImeantmostearnestlytocarryouthiswishes，but”
“Goon，Mrs。Quintard，praygoon。Whathappened？Whycouldn”tyoudowhatheasked？“
“BecausethewillwasgonewhenIwenttotakeitout。TherewasnothingtoshowMr。Delahuntbuttheemptyshelf。”
“Oh，atheft！justacommontheft！Someoneoverheardthetalkyouhadwithyourbrother。Buthowaboutthekey？Youhadthat？“
“Yes，Ihadthat。”
“Thenitwastakenfromyouandreturned？
Youmusthavebeencarelessastowhereyoukeptit”
“No，Iworeitonachainaboutmyneck。ThoughIhadnoreasontomistrustanyoneinthehouse，IfeltthatIcouldnotguardthiskeytoocarefully。Ievenkeptitonatnight。Infactitneverleftme。ItwasstillonmypersonwhenIwentintotheroomwithMr。Delahunt。Butthesafehadbeenopenedforallthat。”
“Thereweretwokeystoit，then？“
“No；ingivingmethekey，mybrotherhadstrictlywarnedmenottoloseit，asithadnoduplicate。”
“Mrs。Quintard，haveyouaspecialconfidantormaid？“
“Yes，myHetty。”
“Howmuchdidsheknowaboutthiskey？“
“Nothing，butthatitdidn”thelpthefitofmydress。Hettyhascaredformeforyears。There”snomoredevotedwomaninallNewYork，noronewhocanbemorereliedupontotellthetruth。SheissohonestwithhertonguethatIamboundtobelieveherevenwhenshesays”
“What？“
“ThatitwasIandnobodyelsewhotookthewilloutofthesafelastnight。Thatshesawmecomefrommybrother”sroomwithafoldedpaperinmyhand，passwithitintothelibrary，andcomeoutagainwithoutit。ifthisisso，thenthatwillissomewhereinthatgreatroom。Butwe”velookedineveryconceivableplaceexcepttheshelves，whereitisuselesstosearch。Itwouldtakedaystogothroughthemall，andmeanwhileCarlos”
“WewillnotwaitforCarlos。Wewillbeginworkatonce。Butjustoneotherquestion。HowcameHettytoseeyouinyourwalkthroughtherooms？Didshefollowyou？“
“Yes。It”s——it”snotthefirsttimeIhavewalkedinmysleep。
Lastnight——butshewilltellyou。It”sapainfulsubjecttome。
Iwillsendforhertomeetusinthelibrary。”
“Whereyoubelievethisdocumenttoliehidden？“
“Yes。”
“Iamanxioustoseetheroom。Itisupstairs，Ibelieve。”
“Yes。”
Shehadrisenandwasmovingrapidlytowardthedoor。Violeteagerlyfollowedher。
Letusaccompanyherinherpassageupthepalatialstairway，andrealizetheeffectuponherofasplendourwhosefutureownershippossiblydependedentirelyuponherself。
Itwasacoldsplendour。Themerryvoicesofchildrenwerelackinginthesegreathalls。Deathpastandtocomeinfusedtheairwithsolemnityandmockedthepompwhichyetappearedsomuchapartofthelifeherethatonecouldhardlyimaginethehugepillaredspaceswithoutit。
ToViolet，moreorlessaccustomedtofineinteriors，thechiefinterestofthisonelayinitsconnectionwiththemysterythenoccupyingher。Stoppingforamomentonthestair，sheinquiredofMrs。Quintardifthelossshesodeploredhadbeenmadeknowntotheservants，andwasmuchrelievedtofindthat，withthe，exceptionofMr。Delahunt，shehadnotspokenofittoanyonebutClement。“Andhewillnevermentionit，“shedeclared，“noteventohiswife。Shehastroublesenoughtobearwithoutknowinghownearshestoodtoafortune。”
“Oh，shewillhaveherfortune！“Violetconfidentlyreplied。“Intime，thelawyerwhodrewupthewillwillappear。ButwhatyouwantisanimmediatetriumphoverthecoldCarlos，andIhopeyoumayhaveit。Ah！“
Thisexpletivewasasighofsheersurprise。
Mrs。QuintardhadunlockedthelibrarydoorandViolethadbeengivenherfirstglimpseofthis，thefinestroominNewYork。
Sherememberednowthatshehadoftenhearditsocharacterized，and，indeed，haditbeentakenbodilyfromsomehistoricabbeyoftheoldworld，itcouldnothaveexpressedmorefully，instructureandornamentation，theGothicideaatitsbest。Allthatitlackedweretheassociationsofvanishedcenturies，andthese，inameasure，weresuppliedtotheimaginationbythestudiedmellownessofitstintsandthesuggestionofageinitscarvings。
Somuchfortheroomitself，whichwasbutashellforholdingthegreattreasureofvaluablebooksrangedalongeveryshelf。AsViolet”seyesspedovertheirranksandthencetothefivewindowsofdeeplystainedglasswhichfacedherfromthesouthernend，Mrs。Quintardindignantlyexclaimed：
“AndCarloswouldturnthisintoabilliardroom！“
“IdonotlikeCarlos，“Violetreturnedhotly；thenrememberingherself，hastenedtoaskwhetherMrs。Quintardwasquitepositiveastothisroombeingtheoneinwhichshehadhiddenthepreciousdocument。
“YouhadbettertalktoHetty，“saidthatlady，asastoutwomanofmostprepossessingappearanceenteredtheirpresenceandpausedrespectfullyjustinsidethedoorway。“Hetty，youwillansweranyquestionsthisyoungladymayput。Ifanyonecanhelpus，shecan。Butfirst，whatnewsfromthesick-room？“
“Nothinggood。Thedoctorhasjustcomeforthethirdtimetoday。
Mrs。Brooksiscryingandeventhechildrenaredumbwithfear。”
“Iwillgo。Imustseethedoctor。ImusttellhimtokeepClementalivebyanymeanstill”
Shedidnotwaittosaywhat；butVioletunderstoodandfeltherheartgrowheavy。Coulditbethatheremployerconsideredthisthegayandeasytaskshehadaskedfor？
Thenextminuteshewasputtingherfirstquestion：
“Hetty，whatdidyouseeinMrs。Quintard”sactionlastnight，tomakeyouinferthatsheleftthemissingdocumentinthisroom？“
Thewoman”seyes，whichhadbeenrespectfullystudyingherface，brightenedwithareliefwhichmadehercommunicative。Withtheself-possessionofaperfectlycandidnature，sheinquiringlyremarked：
“Mymistresshasspokenofherinfirmity？“
“Yes，andveryfrankly。”
“Shewalksinhersleep。”
“Soshesaid。”
“Andsometimeswhenothersareasleep，andsheisnot。”
“Shedidnottellmethat。”
“Sheisaverynervouswomanandcannotalwayskeepstillwhensherousesupatnight。WhenIhearherrise，Igetuptoo；but，neverbeingquitesurewhethersheissleepingornot，Iamcarefultofollowheratacertaindistance。LastnightIwassofarbehindherthatshehadbeentoherbrother”sroomandleftitbeforeIsawherface。”
“Whereishisroomandwhereishers？“
“Hersisinfrontonthissamefloor。Mr。Brooks”sisintherear，andcanbereachedeitherbythehallorbypassingthroughthisroomintoasmallonebeyond，whichwecalledhisden……”
“Describeyourencounter。Wherewereyoustandingwhenyousawherfirst？“
“InthedenIhavejustmentioned。TherewasabrightlightinthehallbehindmeandIcouldseeherfigurequiteplainly。Shewasholdingafoldedpaperclenchedagainstherbreast，andhermovementwassomechanicalthatIwassureshewasasleep。Shewascomingthisway，andinanothermomentsheenteredthisroom。
Thedoor，whichhadbeenopen，remainedso，andinmyanxietyI
crepttoitandlookedinafterher。Therewasnolightburninghereatthathour，butthemoonwasshiningininlongraysofvariouslycolouredlight。IfIhadfollowedher——butIdidnot。I
juststoodandwatchedherlongenoughtoseeherpassthroughablueray，thenthroughagreenone，andtheninto，ifnotthrough，aredone。Expectinghertowalkstraighton，andhavingsomefearsofthestaircaseonceshegotintothehall，Ihurriedaroundtothedoorbehindyoutheretoheadheroff。Butshehadnotyetleftthisroom。Iwaitedandwaitedandstillshedidnotcome。Fearingsomeaccident，Ifinallyventuredtoapproachthedoorandtryit。Itwaslocked。Thisalarmedme。ShehadneverlockedherselfinanywherebeforeandIdidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Somepersonswouldhaveshoutedhername，butIhadbeenwarnedagainstdoingthat，soIsimplystoodwhereIwas，andeventuallyIheardthekeyturninthelockandsawhercomeout。
Shewasstillwalkingstiffly，butherhandswereemptyandhangingatherside。”
“Andthen？“
“ShewentstraighttoherroomandIafterher。Iwassureshewasdeadasleepbythistime。”
“Andshewas？“
“Yes，Miss；butstillfullofwhatwasonhermind。Iknowthisbecauseshestoppedwhenshereachedthebedsideandbeganfumblingwiththewaistofherwrapper。Itwasforthekeyshewassearching，andwhenherfingersencounteredithangingontheoutside，sheopenedherwrapperandthrustitinonherbareskin。”
“Yousawherdoallthat？“
“AsplainlyasIseeyounow。Thelightinherroomwasburningbrightly。”
“Andafterthat？“
“Shegotintobed。ItwasIwhoturnedoffthelight。”
“Hasthatwrapperofhersapocket？“
“No，Miss。”
“Norhergown？“
“No，Miss。”
“Soshecouldnothavebroughtthepaperintoherroomconcealedaboutherperson？“
“No，Miss；sheleftithere。Itneverpassedbeyondthisdoorway。”
“Butmightshenothavecarrieditbacktosomeplaceofconcealmentintheroomsshehadleft？“
Thewoman”sfacechangedandaslightflushshowedthroughthenaturalbrownofhercheeks。
“No，“shedisclaimed；“shecouldnothavedonethat。IwascarefultolockthelibrarydoorbehindherbeforeIranoutintothehall。”
“Then，“concludedViolet，withalltheemphasisofconviction，“itishere，andnowhereelsewemustlookforthatdocumenttillwefindit。”
Thusassuredofthefirststepinthetaskshehadbeforeher，MissStrangesettleddowntobusiness。
Theroom，whichtoweredtotheheightoftwostories，wasintheshapeofahugeoval。Thisoval，separatedintonarrowdivisionsforthepurposeofaccommodatingtheshelveswithwhichitwaslined，narrowedasitroseabovethegreatGothicchimney-pieceandthefivegorgeouswindowslookingtowardsthesouth，tillitmetandwaslostinthetraceryoftheceiling，whichwasofthatexquisiteandsoul-satisfyingorderwhichweseeintheHenryVII
chapelinWestminsterAbbey。Whatbreakotherwiseoccurredinthecirclingroundofbooksreachingthusthirtyfeetormoreabovetheheadwasmadebythetwodoorsalreadyspokenofandanarrowstripofwallateitherendofthespaceoccupiedbythewindows。
Nofurniturewastobeseenthereexceptacoupleofstallstakenfromsomeoldcathedral，whichstoodinthetwobareplacesjustmentioned。
Butwithin，ontheextensivefloor-space，severalarticlesweregrouped，andViolet，recognizingthepossibilitieswhichanyoneofthemaffordedfortheconcealmentofsosmallanobjectasafoldeddocument，decidedtousemethodinhersearch，andtothatend，mentallydividedthespacebeforeherintofoursegments。
Thefirsttookinthedoor，communicatingwiththesuiteendinginMr。Brooks”sbedroom。Adiagramofthissegmentwillshowthattheonlyarticleoffurnitureinitwasacabinet。
ItwasatthiscabinetMissStrangemadeherfirststop。
“Youhavelookedthiswellthrough？“sheaskedasshebentovertheglasscaseontoptoexaminetherowofmediaevalmissalsdisplayedwithininamannertoshowtheirwonderfulilluminations。
“Notthecase，“explainedHetty。“Itislockedyouseeandnoonehasasyetsucceededinfindingthekey。Butwesearchedthedrawersunderneathwiththegreatestcare。Hadwesiftedthewholecontentsthroughourfingers，Icouldnotbemorecertainthatthepaperisnotthere。”
Violetsteppedintothenextsegment。
Thiswastheonedominatedbythehugefire-place。Aruglaybeforethehearth。TothisVioletpointed。
Quicklythewomananswered：“Wenotonlyliftedit，butturneditover。”
“Andthatboxattheright？“
“Isfullofwoodandwoodonly。”
“Didyoutakeoutthiswood？“
“Everystick。”
“Andthoseashesinthefire-place？Somethinghasbeenburnedthere。”
“Yes；butnotlately。Besides，thoseashesareallwoodashes。Iftheleastbitofcharredpaperhadbeenmixedwiththem，weshouldhaveconsideredthemattersettled。Butyoucanseeforyourselfthatnosuchparticlecanbefound。”Whilesayingthis，shehadputthepokerintoViolet”shand。“Rakethemabout，Miss，andmakesure。”
Violetdidso，withtheresultthatthepokerwassoonputbackintoplace，andsheherselfdownonherkneeslookingupthechimney。
“Hadshethrustitupthere，“Hettymadehastetoremark，“therewouldhavebeensomesignsofsootonhersleeves。Theyarewhiteandverylongandarealwaysgettinginherwaywhenshetriestodoanything。”
Violetleftthefire-placeafteraglanceatthemantel-shelfonwhichnothingstoodbutacasketofopenfretwork，andtwocolouredphotographsmountedonsmalleasels。Thecasketwastooopentoconcealanythingandthephotographsliftedtoohighabovetheshelfforeventhesmallestpaper，letaloneadocumentofanysize，tohidebehindthem。
Thechairs，ofwhichtherewereseveralinthispartoftheroom，shepassedwithjustaninquiringlook。Theywereallofsolidoak，withoutanyattemptatupholstery，andalthoughcarvedtomatchthestallsontheothersideoftheroom，offerednoplaceforsearch。
Herdelayinthethirdsegmentwasbrief。Heretherewasabsolutelynothingbutthedoorbywhichshehadentered，andthebooks。Assheflittedon，followingtheovalofthewall，asmallfrownappearedonherusuallysmoothforehead。Shefelttheoppressionofthebooks——thecountlessbooks。Ifindeed，sheshouldfindherselfobligedtogothroughthem。Whatahopelessoutlook！
Butshehadstillasegmenttoconsider，andafterthattheimmensetableoccupyingthecentreoftheroom，atablewhichinitsdoublecapacityforitwasasmuchdeskastablegavemorepromiseofholdingthesolutionofthemysterythananythingtowhichshehadhithertogivenherattention。
Thequarterinwhichshenowstoodwasthemostbeautiful，and，possibly，themostpreciousofthemall。Initblazedthefivegreatwindowswhichwerethegloryoftheroom；buttherearenohiding-placesinwindows，andmuchassherevelledincolour，shedarednotwasteamomentonthem。Therewasmorehopeforherinthetoweringstalls，withtheirpossibledrawersforbooks。
ButHettywasbeforeherintheattemptshemadetoliftthelidsofthetwogreatseats。
“Nothingineither，“saidshe；andViolet，withasigh，turnedtowardsthetable。
Thiswasanimmenseaffair，madetoaccommodateitselftotheshapeoftheroom，butwithahollowed-outspaceonthewindow-
sidelargeenoughtoholdachairforthesitterwhowoulduseitstopasadesk。Onitwerevariousarticlessuitabletoitsdoubleuse。Withoutbeingcrowded，itdisplayedapileofmagazinesandpamphlets，boxesforstationery，awritingpadwithitsaccompaniments，alamp，andsomefewornaments，amongwhichwasalargebox，richlyinlaidwithpearlandivory，thelidofwhichstoodwideopen。
“Don”ttouch，“admonishedViolet，asHettystretchedoutherhandtomovesomelittleobjectaside。“Youhavealreadyworkedherebusilyinthesearchyoumadethismorning。”
“Wehandledeverything。”
“Didyougothroughthesepamphlets？
“Weshookopeneachone。Wewereespeciallyparticularhere，sinceitwasatthistableIsawMrs。Quintardstop。”
“Withheadlevelordrooped？“
“Drooped。”
“Likeonelookingdown，ratherthanup，oraround？“
“Yes。Arayofredlightshoneonhersleeve。Itseemedtomethesleevemovedasthoughshewerereachingout。”
“Willyoutrytostandasshedidandasnearlyinthesameplaceaspossible？“
Hettyglanceddownatthetableedge，markedwherethegulesdominatedtheblueandgreen，andmovedtothatspot，andpausedwithherheadsinkingslowlytowardsherbreast。
“Verygood，“exclaimedViolet。“Butthemoonwasprobablyinaverydifferentpositionfromwhatthesunisnow。”
“Youareright；itwashigherup；Ichancedtonoticeit。”
“Letmecome，“saidViolet。
Hettymoved，andViolettookherplacebutinaspotasteportwofartherfront。Thisbroughtherveryneartothecentreofthetable。Hangingherhead，justasHettyhaddone，shereachedoutherrighthand。
“Haveyoulookedunderthisblotter？“sheasked，pointingtowardsthepadshetouched。“Imean，betweentheblotterandtheframewhichholdsit？“
“Icertainlydid，“answeredHetty，withsomepride。
Violetremainedstaringdown。“Thenyoutookoffeverythingthatwaslyingonit？“
“Oh，yes。”
Violetcontinuedtostaredownattheblotter。Thenimpetuously：
“Putthembackintheiraccustomedplaces。”
Hettyobeyed。