Ileftthehouse，feelingthatMrsCatherickhadhelpedmeastepforward，inspiteofherself。BeforeIhadreachedtheturningwhichledoutofthesquare，myattentionwassuddenlyarousedbythesoundofaclosingdoorbehindme。
Ilookedround，andsawanundersizedmaninblackonthedoor-stepofahouse，which，aswellasIcouldjudge，stoodnexttoMrsCatherick’splaceofabode——nexttoit，onthesidenearesttome。Themandidnothesitateamomentaboutthedirectionheshouldtake。HeadvancedrapidlytowardstheturningatwhichIhadstopped。Irecognisedhimasthelawyer’sclerk，whohadprecededmeinmyvisittoBlackwaterPark，andwhohadtriedtopickaquarrelwithme，whenIaskedhimifIcouldseethehouse。
IwaitedwhereIwas，toascertainwhetherhisobjectwastocometoclosequartersandspeakonthisoccasion。Tomysurprisehepassedonrapidly，withoutsayingaword，withoutevenlookingupinmyfaceashewentby。ThiswassuchacompleteinversionofthecourseofproceedingwhichIhadeveryreasontoexpectonhispart，thatmycuriosity，orrathermysuspicion，wasaroused，andIdeterminedonmysidetokeephimcautiouslyinview，andtodiscoverwhatthebusinessmightbeinwhichhewasnowemployed。Withoutcaringwhetherhesawmeornot，Iwalkedafterhim。Heneverlookedback，andheledmestraightthroughthestreetstotherailwaystation。
Thetrainwasonthepointofstarting，andtwoorthreepassengerswhowerelatewereclusteringroundthesmallopeningthroughwhichtheticketswereissued。Ijoinedthem，anddistinctlyheardthelawyer’sclerkdemandaticketfortheBlackwaterstation。IsatisfiedmyselfthathehadactuallyleftbythetrainbeforeIcameaway。
TherewasonlyoneinterpretationthatIcouldplaceonwhatIhadjustseenandheard。IhadunquestionablyobservedthemanleavingahousewhichcloselyadjoinedMrsCatherick’sresidence。Hehadbeenprobablyplacedthere，bySirPercival’sdirections，asalodger，inanticipationofmyinquiriesleadingme，soonerorlater，tocommunicatewithMrsCatherick。Hehaddoubtlessseenmegoinandcomeout，andhehadhurriedawaybythefirsttraintomakehisreportatBlackwaterPark，towhichplaceSirPercivalwouldnaturallybetakehimselfknowingwhatheevidentlyknewofmymovements，inordertobereadyonthespot，ifIreturnedtoHampshire。Beforemanydayswereover，thereseemedeverylikelihoodnowthatheandImightmeet。
Whateverresulteventsmightbedestinedtoproduce，Iresolvedtopursuemyowncourse，straighttotheendinview，withoutstoppingorturningasideforSirpercivalorforanyone。ThegreatresponsibilitywhichweighedonmeheavilyinLondon——theresponsibilityofsoguidingmyslightestactionsastopreventthemfromleadingaccidentallytothediscoveryofLaura’splaceofrefuge——wasremoved，nowthatIwasinHampshire。IcouldgoandcomeasIpleasedatWelmingham，andifIchancedtofailinobservinganynecessaryprecautions，theimmediateresults，atleast，wouldaffectnoonebutmyself。
WhenIleftthestationthewintereveningwasbeginningtoclosein。Therewaslittlehopeofcontinuingmyinquiriesafterdarktoanyusefulpurposeinaneighbourhoodthatwasstrangetome。Accordingly，Imademywaytothenearesthotel，andorderedmydinnerandmybed。Thisdone，IwrotetoMarian，totellherthatIwassafeandwell，andthatIhadfairprospectsofsuccess。Ihaddirectedher，onleavinghome，toaddressthefirstlettershewrotetometheletterIexpectedtoreceivethenextmorningto`ThePost-Office，Welmingham，’andInowbeggedhertosendhersecondday’slettertothesameaddress。IcouldeasilyreceiveitbywritingtothepostmasterifIhappenedtobeawayfromthetownwhenitarrived。
Thecoffee-roomofthehotel，asitgrewlateintheevening，becameaperfectsolitude。IwaslefttoreflectonwhatIhadaccomplishedthatafternoonasuninterruptedlyasifthehousehadbeenmyown。BeforeIretiredtorestIhadattentivelythoughtovermyextraordinaryinterviewwithMrsCatherickfrombeginningtoend，andhadverifiedatmyleisuretheconclusionswhichIhadhastilydrawnintheearlierpartoftheday。
ThevestryofOldWelminghamchurchwasthestarting-pointfromwhichmymindslowlyworkeditswaybackthroughallthatIhadheardMrsCathericksay，andthroughallIhadseenMrsCatherickdo。
AtthetimewhentheneighbourhoodofthevestrywasfirstreferredtoinmypresencebyMrsClements，IhadthoughtitthestrangestandmostunaccountableofallplacesforSirPercivaltoselectforaclandestinemeetingwiththeclerk’swife。Influencedbythisimpression，andbynoother，Ihadmentioned`thevestryofthechurch’beforeMrsCatherickonpurespeculation——itrepresentedoneoftheminorpeculiaritiesofthestorywhichoccurredtomewhileIwasspeaking。Iwaspreparedforheransweringmeconfusedlyorangrily，buttheblankterrorthatseizedherwhenIsaidthewordstookmecompletelybysurprise。IhadlongbeforeassociatedSirPercival’sSecretwiththeconcealmentofaseriouscrimewhichMrsCatherickknewof，butIhadgonenofurtherthanthis。Nowthewoman’sparoxysmofterrorassociatedthecrime，eitherdirectlyorindirectly，withthevestry，andconvincedmethatshehadbeenmorethanthemerewitnessofit——shewasalsotheaccomplice，beyondadoubt。
Whathadbeenthenatureofthecrime？Surelytherewasacontemptiblesidetoit，aswellasadangerousside，orMrsCatherickwouldnothaverepeatedmyownwords，referringtoSirPercival’srankandpower，withsuchmarkeddisdainasshehadcertainlydisplayed。Itwasacontemptiblecrimethen，andadangerouscrime，andshehadsharedinit，anditwasassociatedwiththevestryofthechurch。
Thenextconsiderationtobedisposedofledmeastepfartherfromthispoint。
MrsCatherick’sundisguisedcontemptforSirPercivalplainlyextendedtohismotheraswell。Shehadreferredwiththebitterestsarcasmtothegreatfamilyhehaddescendedfrom——`especiallybythemother’sside。’Whatdidthismean？Thereappearedtobeonlytwoexplanationsofit。Eitherhismother’sbirthhadbeenlow，orhismother’sreputationwasdamagedbysomehiddenflawwithwhichMrsCatherickandSirPercivalwerebothprivatelyacquainted？Icouldonlyputthefirstexplanationtothetestbylookingattheregisterofhermarriage，andsoascertaininghermaidennameandherparentageasapreliminarytofurtherinquiries。
Ontheotherhand，ifthesecondcasesupposedwerethetrueone，whathadbeentheflawinherreputation？RememberingtheaccountwhichMarianhadgivenmeofSirPercival’sfatherandmother。andofthesuspiciouslyunsocialsecludedlifetheyhadbothled，Inowaskedmyselfwhetheritmightnotbepossiblethathismotherhadneverbeenmarriedatall。Hereagaintheregistermight，byofferingwrittenevidenceofthemarriage，provetome，atanyrate，thatthisdoubthadnofoundationintruth。Butwherewastheregistertobefound？AtthispointItookuptheconclusionswhichIhadpreviouslyformed，andthesamementalprocesswhichhaddiscoveredthelocalityoftheconcealedcrime，nowlodgedtheregisteralsointhevestryofOldWelminghamchurch。
TheseweretheresultsofmyinterviewwithMrsCatherick——thesewerethevariousconsiderations，allsteadilyconvergingtoonepoint，whichdecidedthecourseofmyproceedingsonthenextday。
Themorningwascloudyandlowering，butnorainfell。IleftmybagatthehoteltowaittheretillIcalledforit，and，afterinquiringtheway，setforthonfootforOldWelminghamchurch。
Itwasawalkofrathermorethantwomiles，thegroundrisingslowlyalltheway。
Onthehighestpointstoodthechurch——anancient，weather-beatenbuilding，withheavybuttressesatitssides，andaclumsysquaretowerinfront。Thevestryatthebackwasbuiltoutfromthechurch，andseemedtobeofthesameage。RoundthebuildingatintervalsappearedtheremainsofthevillagewhichMrsClementshaddescribedtomeasherhusband’splaceofabodeinformeryears，andwhichtheprincipalinhabitantshadlongsincedesertedforthenewtown。Someoftheemptyhouseshadbeendismantledtotheirouterwalls，somehadbeenlefttodecaywithtime，andsomewerestillinhabitedbypersonsevidentlyofthepoorestclass。Itwasadrearyscene，andyet，intheworstaspectofitsruin，notsodrearyasthemoderntomthatIhadjustleft。Heretherewasthebrown，breezysweepofsurroundingfieldsfortheeyetoreposeon——herethetrees，leaflessastheywere，stillvariedthemonotonyoftheprospect，andhelpedthemindtolookforwardtosummer-timeandshade。
AsImovedawayfromthebackofthechurch，andpassedsomeofthedismantledcottagesinsearchofapersonwhomightdirectmetotheclerk，Isawtwomensaunteroutaftermefrombehindawall。Thetallestofthetwo——astoutmuscularmaninthedressofagamekeeper——wasastrangertome。TheotherwasoneofthemenwhohadfollowedmeinLondononthedaywhenIleftMrKyrle’soffice。Ihadtakenparticularnoticeofhimatthetime，andIfeltsurethatIwasnotmistakeninidentifyingthefellowonthisoccasion。
Neitherhenorhiscompanionattemptedtospeaktome，andbothkeptthemselvesatarespectfuldistance，butthemotiveoftheirpresenceintheneighbourhoodofthechurchwasplainlyapparent。ItwasexactlyasIhadsupposed——SirPercivalwasalreadypreparedforme。MyvisittoMrsCatherickhadbeenreportedtohimtheeveningbefore，andthosetwomenhadbeenplacedonthelook-outnearthechurchinanticipationofmyappearanceatOldWelmingham。IfIhadwantedanyfurtherproofthatmyinvestigationshadtakentherightdirectionatlast，theplannowadoptedforwatchingmewouldhavesuppliedit。
IwalkedonawayfromthechurchtillIreachedoneoftheinhabitedhouses，withapatchofkitchengardenattachedtoitonwhichalabourerwasatwork。Hedirectedmetotheclerk’sabode，acottageatsomelittledistanceoff，standingbyitselfontheoutskirtsoftheforsakenvillage。Theclerkwasindoors，andwasjustputtingonhisgreatcoat。Hewasacheerful，familiar，loudly-talkativeoldman，withaverypooropinionasIsoondiscoveredoftheplaceinwhichhelived，andahappysenseofsuperioritytohisneighboursinvirtueofthegreatpersonaldistinctionofhavingoncebeeninLondon。
`It’swellyoucamesoearly，sir，’saidtheoldman，whenIhadmentionedtheobjectofmyvisit。`Ishouldhavebeenawayintenminutesmore。Parishbusiness，sir，andagoodishlongtrotbeforeit’salldoneforamanatmyage。But，blessyou，I’mstrongonmylegsstill！Aslongasamandon’tgiveathislegs，there’sadealofworkleftinhim。Don’tyouthinksoyourself，sir？’
Hetookhiskeysdownwhilehewastalkingfromahookbehindthefireplace，andlockedhiscottagedoorbehindus。
`Nobodyathometokeephouseforme，’saidtheclerk，withacheerfulsenseofperfectfreedomfromallfamilyencumbrances`Mywife’sinthechurchyardthere，andmychildrenareallmarried。Awretchedplacethis，isn’tit，sir？Buttheparishisalargeone——everymancouldn’tgetthroughthebusinessasIdo。It’slearningdoesit，andI’vehadmyshare，andalittlemore。IcantalktheQueen’sEnglishGodblesstheQueen！，andthat’smorethanmostofthepeopleaboutherecando。You’refromLondon，Isuppose，sir？I’vebeeninLondonamatteroffive-and-twentyyearsago。What’sthenewstherenow，ifyouplease？’
Chatteringoninthisway，heledmebacktothevestry。Ilookedabouttoseeifthetwospieswerestillinsight。Theywerenotvisibleanywhere。Afterhavingdiscoveredmyapplicationtotheclerk，theyhadprobablyconcealedthemselveswheretheycouldwatchmynextproceedingsinperfectfreedom。
Thevestrydoorwasofstoutoldoak，studdedwithstrongnails，andtheclerkputhislargeheavykeyintothelockwiththeairofamanwhoknewthathehadadifficultytoencounter，andwhowasnotquitecertainofcreditablyconqueringit。
`I’mobligedtobringyouthisway，sir，’hesaid，`becausethedoorfromthevestrytothechurchisboltedonthevestryside。Wemighthavegotinthroughthechurchotherwise。Thisisaperverselock，ifevertherewasoneyet。It’sbigenoughforaprison-door——it’sbeenhamperedoverandoveragain，anditoughttobechangedforanewone。I’vementionedthattothechurchwardenfiftytimesoveratleast——he’salwayssaying，``I’llseeaboutit’’——andheneverdoessee。Ah，it’sasortoflostcorner，thisplace。NotlikeLondon——isit，sir？Blessyou，weareallasleephere！Wedon’tmarchwiththetimes。’
Aftersometwistingandturningofthekey，theheavylockyielded，andheopenedthedoor。
ThevestrywaslargerthanIshouldhavesupposedittobe，judgingfromtheoutsideonly。Itwasadim，mouldy，melancholyoldroom，withalow，rafteredceiling。Roundtwosidesofit，thesidesnearesttotheinteriorofthechurch，ranheavywoodenpresses，worm-eatenandgapingwithage。Hookedtotheinnercornerofoneofthesepresseshungseveralsurplices，allbulgingoutattheirlowerendsinanirreverent-lookingbundleoflimpdrapery。Belowthesurplices，onthefloor，stoodthreepacking-cases，withthelidshalfoff，halfon，andthestrawprofuselyburstingoutoftheircracksandcrevicesineverydirection。Behindthem，inacomer，wasalitterofdustypapers，somelargeandrolleduplikearchitects’plans，somelooselystrungtogetheronfileslikebillsorletters。Theroomhadoncebeenlightedbyasmallsidewindow，butthishadbeenbrickedup，andalanternskylightwasnowsubstitutedforit。Theatmosphereoftheplacewasheavyandmouldy，beingrenderedadditionallyoppressivebytheclosingofthedoorwhichledintothechurch。Thisdooralsowascomposedofsolidoak，andwasboltedatthetopandbottomonthevestryside。
`Wemightbetidier，mightn’twe，sir？’saidthecheerfulclerk；`butwhenyou’reinalostcornerofaplacelikethis，whatareyoutodo？Why，lookherenow，justlookatthesepacking-cases。Therethey’vebeen，forayearormore，readytogodowntoLondon——theretheyare，litteringtheplaceandtherethey’llstopaslongasthenailsholdthemtogether。I’lltellyouwhat，sir，asIsaidbefore，thisisnotLondon。Weareallasleephere。Blessyou，wedon’tmarchwiththetimes！’
`Whatisthereinthepacking-cases？’Iasked。
`Bitsofoldwoodcarvingsfromthepulpit，andpanelsfromthechancel，andimagesfromtheorgan-loft，’saidtheclerk。`Portraitsofthetwelveapostlesinwood，andnotawholenoseamong’em。Allbroken，andworm-eaten，andcrumblingtodustattheedges。Asbrittleascrockery，sir，andasoldasthechurch，ifnotolder。’
`AndwhyweretheygoingtoLondon？Toberepaired？’
`That’sit，sir，toberepaired，andwheretheywerepastrepair，tobecopiedinsoundwood。But，blessyou，themoneyfellshort，andtheretheyare，waitingfornewsubscriptions，andnobodytosubscribe。Itwasalldoneayearago，sir。Sixgentlemendinedtogetheraboutit，atthehotelinthenewtown。Theymadespeeches，andpassedresolutions，andputtheirnamesdown，andprintedoffthousandsofprospectuses。Beautifulprospectuses，sir，allflourishedoverwithGothicdevicesinredink，sayingitwasadisgracenottorestorethechurchandrepairthefamouscarvings，andsoon。Therearetheprospectusesthatcouldn’tbedistributed，andthearchitect’splansandestimates，andthewholecorrespondencewhichseteverybodyatloggerheadsandendedinadispute，alldowntogetherinthatcorner，behindthepacking-cases。Themoneydribbledinalittleatfirst——butwhatFanyouexpectoutofLondon？Therewasjustenough，youknow，topackthebrokencarvings，andgettheestimates，andpaytheprinter’sbill，andafterthattherewasn’tahalfpennyleft。Therethethingsare，asIsaidbefore。Wehavenowhereelsetoputthem——nobodyinthenewtowncaresaboutaccommodatingus——we’reinalostcorner——andthisisanuntidyvestry——andwho’stohelpit？——that’swhatIwanttoknow。’
Myanxietytoexaminetheregisterdidnotdisposemetooffermuchencouragementtotheoldman’stalkativeness。Iagreedwithhimthatnobodycouldhelptheuntidinessofthevestry，andthensuggestedthatweshouldproceedtoourbusinesswithoutmoredelay。
`Ay，ay，themarriage-register，tobesure，’saidtheclerk，takingalittlebunchofkeysfromhispocket。`Howfardoyouwanttolookback，sir？’
MarianhadinformedmeofSirPercival’sageatthetimewhenwehadspokentogetherofhismarriageengagementwithLaura。Shehadthendescribedhimasbeingforty-fiveyearsold。Calculatingbackfromthis，andmakingdueallowancefortheyearthathadpassedsinceIhadgainedmyinformation，Ifoundthathemusthavebeenbornineighteenhundredandfour，andthatImightsafelystartonmysearchthroughtheregisterfromthatdate。
`Iwanttobeginwiththeyeareighteenhundredandfour，’Isaid。
`Whichwayafterthat，sir？’askedtheclerk。`Forwardstoourtimeorbackwardsawayfromus？’
`Backwardsfromeighteenhundredandfour。’
Heopenedthedoorofoneofthepresses——thepressfromthesideofwhichthesurpliceswerehanging——andproducedalargevolumeboundingreasybrownleather。Iwasstruckbytheinsecurityoftheplaceinwhichtheregisterwaskept。Thedoorofthepresswaswarpedandcrackedwithage，andthelockwasofthesmallestandcommonestkind。Icouldhaveforcediteasilywiththewalking-stickIcarriedinmyhand。
`Isthatconsideredasufficientlysecureplacefortheregister？’Iinquired。`Surelyabookofsuchimportanceasthisoughttobeprotectedbyabetterlock，andkeptcarefullyinanironsafe？’
`Well，now，that’scuriousI’saidtheclerk，shuttingupthebookagain，justafterhehadopenedit，andsmackinghishandcheerfullyonthecover。`Thoseweretheverywordsmyoldmasterwasalwayssayingyearsandyearsago，whenIwasalad。``Whyisn’ttheregister’’meaningthisregisterhere，undermy。hand——``whyisn’titkeptinanironsafe？’’IfI’veheardhimsaythatonce，I’veheardhimsayitahundredtimes。Hewasthesolicitorinthosedays，sir，whohadtheappointmentofvestry-clerktothischurch。Afineheartyoldgentleman，andthemostparticularmanbreathing。AslongashelivedhekeptacopyofthisbookinhisofficeatKnowlesbury，andhaditpostedupregular，fromtimetotime，tocorrespondwiththefreshentrieshere。Youwouldhardlythinkit，buthehadhisownappointeddays，onceortwiceineveryquarter，forridingovertothischurchonhisoldwhitepony，tocheckthecopy，bytheregister，withhisowneyesandhands。``HowdoIknow？’’heusedtosay``howdoIknowthattheregisterinthisvestrymaynotbestolenordestroyed？Whyisn’titkeptinanironsafe？Whycan’tImakeotherpeopleascarefulasIammyself？Someofthesedaystherewillbeanaccidenthappen，andwhentheregister’slost，thentheparishwillfindoutthevalueofmycopy。’’Heusedtotakehispinchofsnuffafterthat，andlookabouthimasboldasalord。Ah！thelikeofhimfordoingbusinessisn’teasytofindnow。YoumaygotoLondonandnotmatchhim，eventhere。Whichyeardidyousay，sir？Eighteenhundredandwhat？’
`Eighteenhundredandfour，’Ireplied，mentallyresolvingtogivetheoldmannomoreopportunitiesoftalking，untilmyexaminationoftheregisterwasover。
Theclerkputonhisspectacles，andturnedovertheleavesoftheregister，carefullywettinghisfingerandthumbateverythirdpage。`Thereitis，sir，’saidhe，withanothercheerfulsmackontheopenvolume。`There’stheyearyouwant。’
AsIwasignorantofthemonthinwhichSirPercivalwasborn，Ibeganmybackwardsearchwiththeearlypartoftheyear。Theregister-bookwasoftheold-fashionedkind，theentriesbeingallmadeonblankpagesinmanuscript，andthedivisionswhichseparatedthembeingindicatedbyinklinesdrawnacrossthepageatthecloseofeachentry。
Ireachedthebeginningoftheyeareighteenhundredandfourwithoutencounteringthemarriage，andthentravelledbackthroughDecembereighteenhundredandthree——throughNovemberandOctober——through——
No！notthroughSeptemberalso。UndertheheadingofthatmonthintheyearIfoundthemarriage。
Ilookedcarefullyattheentry。Itwasatthebottomofapage，andwasforwantofroomcompressedintoasmallerspacethanthatoccupiedbythemarriagesabove。Themarriageimmediatelybeforeitwasimpressedonmyattentionbythecircumstanceofthebridegroom’sChristiannamebeingthesameasmyown。Theentryimmediatelyfollowingitonthetopofthenextpagewasnoticeableinanotherwayfromthelargespaceitoccupied，therecordinthiscaseregisteringthemarriagesoftwobrothersatthesametime。TheregisterofthemarriageofSirFelixGlydewasinnorespectremarkableexceptforthenarrownessofthespaceintowhichitwascompressedatthebottomofthepage。Theinformationabouthiswifewastheusualinformationgiveninsuchcases。Shewasdescribedas`CeciliaJaneElster，ofPark-ViewCottages，Knowlesbury，onlydaughterofthelatePatrickElster，Esq。，formerlyofBath。’
Inoteddowntheseparticularsinmypocket-book，feelingasIdidsobothdoubtfulanddisheartenedaboutmynextproceedings。TheSecretwhichIhadbelieveduntilthismomenttobewithinmygraspseemednowfartherfrommyreachthanever。
Whatsuggestionsofanymysteryunexplainedhadarisenoutofmyvisittothevestry？Isawnosuggestionsanywhere。WhatProgresshadImadetowardsdiscoveringthesuspectedstainonthereputationofSirPercival’smother？TheonefactIhadascertainedvindicatedherreputation。Freshdoubts，freshdifficulties，freshdelaysbegantoopenbeforemeininterminableprospect。WhatwasItodonext？Theoneimmediateresourcelefttomeappearedtobethis。Imightinstituteinquiriesabout`MissElsterofKnowlesbury，’onthechanceofadvancingtowardsthemainobjectofmyinvestigation，byfirstdiscoveringthesecretofMrsCatherick’scontemptforSirPercival’smother。
`Haveyoufoundwhatyouwanted，sir？’saidtheclerk，asIclosedtheregister-book。
`Yes，’Ireplied，`butIhavesomeinquiriesstilltomake。Isupposetheclergymanwhoofficiatedhereintheyeareighteenhundredandthreeisnolongeralive？’
`No，no，sir，hewasdeadthreeorfouryearsbeforeIcamehere，andthatwasaslongagoastheyeartwenty-seven，Igotthisplace，sir，’persistedmytalkativeoldfriend，`throughtheclerkbeforemeleavingit。Theysayhewasdrivenoutofhouseandhomebyhiswife——andshe’slivingstilldowninthenewtownthere。Idon’tknowtherightsofthestorymyself——allIknowisIgottheplace。MrWansboroughgotitforme——thesonofmyoldmasterthatIwastellingyouof。He’safreepleasantgentlemanaseverlived——ridestothehounds，keepshispointersandallthat。He’svestry-clerkherenowashisfatherwasbeforehim。
`DidyounottellmeyourformermasterlivedatKnowlesbury？’Iasked，callingtomindthelongstoryabouttheprecisegentlemanoftheoldschoolwithwhichmytalkativefriendhadweariedmebeforeheopenedtheregister-book。
`Yes，tobesure，sir，’repliedtheclerk。`OldMrWansboroughlivedatKnowlesbury，andyoungMrWansboroughlivestheretoo。’
`Yousaidjustnowhewasvestry-clerk，likehisfatherbeforehim。IamnotquitesurethatIknowwhatavestry-clerkis。’
`Don’tyouindeed，sir？——andyoucomefromLondontoo！Everyparishchurch，youknow，hasavestry-clerkandaparish-clerk。Theparish-clerkisamanlikemeexceptthatI’vegotadealmorelearningthanmostofthem——thoughIdon’tboastofit。Thevestry-clerkisasortofanappointmentthatthelawyersget，andifthere’sanybusinesstobedoneforthevestry，whytheretheyaretodoit。It’sjustthesameinLondon。Everyparishchurchtherehasgotitsvestry-clerk——andyoumaytakemywordforithe’ssuretobealawyer。’
`ThenyoungMrWansboroughisalawyer，Isuppose？’
`Ofcourseheis，sir！AlawyerinHighStreet，Knowlesbury——theoldofficesthathisfatherhadbeforehim。ThenumberoftimesI’vesweptthoseofficesout，andseentheoldgentlemancometrottingintobusinessonhiswhitepony，lookingrightandleftalldownthestreetandnoddingtoeverybody！Blessyou，hewasapopularcharacter！——he’dhavedoneinLondon！’
`HowfarisittoKnowlesburyfromthisplace？’
`Alongstretch，sir，’saidtheclerk，withthatexaggeratedideaofdistance，andthatvividperceptionofdifficultiesingettingfromplacetoplace，whichispeculiartoallcountrypeople。`Nighonfivemile，Icantellyou！’
Itwasstillearlyintheforenoon。TherewasplentyoftimeforawalktoKnowlesburyandbackagaintoWelmingham；andtherewasnopersonprobablyinthetownwhowasfittertoassistmyinquiriesaboutthecharacterandpositionofSirPercival’smotherbeforehermarriagethanthelocalsolicitor。ResolvingtogoatoncetoKnowlesburyonfoot，Iledthewayoutofthevestry。
`Thankyoukindly，sir，’saidtheclerk，asIslippedmylittlepresentintohishand。`AreyoureallygoingtowalkallthewaytoKnowlesburyandback？Well！you’restrongonyourlegs，too——andwhatablessingthatis，isn’tit？There’stheroad，youcan’tmissit。IwishIwasgoingyourway——it’spleasanttomeetwithgentlemenfromLondoninalostcornerlikethis。Onehearsthenews。Wishyougoodmorning，sir，andthankyoukindlyoncemore。’
Weparted。AsIleftthechurchbehindmeIlookedback，andtherewerethetwomenagainontheroadbelow，withathirdintheircompany，thatthirdpersonbeingtheshortmaninblackwhomIhadtracedtotherailwaytheeveningbefore。
Thethreestoodtalkingtogetherforalittlewhile，thenseparated。ThemaninblackwentawaybyhimselftowardsWelmingham——theothertworemainedtogether，evidentlywaitingtofollowmeassoonasIwalkedon。
IproceededonmywaywithoutlettingthefellowsseethatItookanyspecialnoticeofthem。Theycausedmenoconsciousirritationoffeelingatthatmoment——onthecontrary，theyratherrevivedmysinkinghopes。InthesurPriseofdiscoveringtheevidenceofthemarriage，IhadforgottentheinferenceIhaddrawnonfirstperceivingthemenintheneighbourhoodofthevestry。TheirreappearanceremindedmethatSirPercivalhadanticipatedmyvisittoOldWelminghamchurchasthenextresultofmyinterviewwithMrsCatherick——otherwisehewouldneverhaveplacedhisspiestheretowaitforme。Smoothlyandfairlyasappearanceslookedinthevestry，therewassomethingwrongbeneaththem——therewassomethingintheregister-book，foraughtIknew，thatIhadnotdiscoveredyet。
Onceoutofsightofthechurch，IpressedforwardbrisklyonmywaytoKnowlesbury。
Theroadwas，forthemostpart，straightandlevel。WheneverIlookedbackoveritIsawthetwospiessteadilyfollowingme。Forthegreaterpartofthewaytheykeptatasafedistancebehind。Butonceortwicetheyquickenedtheirpace，asifwiththepurposeofovertakingme，thenstopped，consultedtogether，andfellbackagaintotheirformerposition。Theyhadsomespecialobjectevidentlyinview，andtheyseemedtobehesitatingordifferingaboutthebestmeansofaccomplishingit。Icouldnotguessexactlywhattheirdesignmightbe，butIfeltseriousdoubtsofreachingKnowlesburywithoutsomemischancehappeningtomeontheway。Thesedoubtswererealised。
Ihadjustenteredonalonelypartoftheroad，withasharpturnatsomedistanceahead，andhadjustconcludedcalculatingbytimethatImustbegettingneartothetown，whenIsuddenlyheardthestepsofthemenclosebehindme。
BeforeIcouldlookround，oneofthemthemanbywhomIhadbeenfollowedinLondonpassedrapidlyonmyleftsideandhustledmewithhisshoulder。IhadbeenmoreirritatedbythemannerinwhichheandhiscompanionhaddoggedmystepsallthewayfromOldWelminghamthanIwasmyselfawareof，andIunfortunatelypushedthefellowawaysmartlywithmyopenhand。Heinstantlyshoutedforhelp。Hiscompanion，thetallmaninthegamekeeper’sclothes，sprangtomyrightside，andthenextmomentthetwoscoundrelsheldmepinionedbetweentheminthemiddleoftheroad。
Theconvictionthatatraphadbeenlaidforme，andthevexationofknowingthatIhadfallenintoit，fortunatelyrestrainedmefrommakingmypositionstillworsebyanunavailingstrugglewithtwomen，oneofwhomwould，inallprobability，havebeenmorethanamatchformesingle-handed。IrepressedthefirstnaturalmovementbywhichIhadattemptedtoshakethemoff，andlookedabouttoseeiftherewasanypersonneartowhomIcouldappeal。
Alabourerwasatworkinanadjoiningfieldwhomusthavewitnessedallthathadpassed。Icalledtohimtofollowustothetown。Heshookhisheadwithstolidobstinacy，andwalkedawayinthedirectionofacottagewhichstoodbackfromthehigh-road。Atthesametimethemenwhoheldmebetweenthemdeclaredtheirintentionofchargingmewithanassault。Iwascoolenoughandwiseenoughnowtomakenoopposition。`Dropyourholdofmyarms，’Isaid，`andIwillgowithyoutothetown。’Themaninthegamekeeper’sdressroughlyrefused。Buttheshortermanwassharpenoughtolooktoconsequences，andnottolethiscompanioncommithimselfbyunnecessaryviolence。Hemadeasigntotheother，andIwalkedonbetweenthemwithmyarmsfree。
Wereachedtheturningintheroad，andthere，closebeforeus，werethesuburbsofKnowlesbury。Oneofthelocalpolicemenwaswalkingalongthepathbytheroadside。Themenatonceappealedtohim。Herepliedthatthemagistratewasthensittingatthetown-hall，andrecommendedthatweshouldappearbeforehimimmediately。
Wewentontothetown-hall。Theclerkmadeoutaformalsummons，andthechargewaspreferredagainstme，withthecustomaryexaggerationandthecustomaryperversionofthetruthonsuchoccasions。Themagistrateanill-temperedman，withasourenjoymentintheexerciseofhisownpowerinquiredifanyoneonorneartheroadhadwitnessedtheassault，and，greatlytomysurprise，thecomplainantadmittedthepresenceofthelabourerinthefield。Iwasenlightened，however，astotheobjectoftheadmissionbythemagistrate’snextwords。Heremandedmeatoncefortheproductionofthewitness，expressing，atthesametime，hiswillingnesstotakebailformyreappearanceifIcouldproduceoneresponsiblesuretytoofferit。IfIhadbeenknowninthetownhewouldhaveliberatedmeonmyownrecognisances，butasIwasatotalstrangeritwasnecessarythatIshouldadresponsiblebail。
Thewholeobjectofthestratagemwasnowdisclosedtome。IthadbeensomanagedastomakearemandnecessaryinatownwhereIwasaperfectstranger，andwhereIcouldnothopetogetmylibertyonbail。Theremandmerelyextendedoverthreedays，untilthenextsittingofthemagistrate。Butinthattime，whileIwasinconfinement，SirPercivalmightuseanymeanshepleasedtoembarrassmyfutureproceedings——perhapstoscreenhimselffromdetectionaltogether——withouttheslightestfearofanyhindranceonmypart。Attheendofthethreedaysthechargewould，nodoubt，bewithdrawn，andtheattendanceofthewitnesswouldbeperfectlyuseless。
Myindignation，Imayalmostsay，mydespair，atthismischievouschecktoallfurtherprogress——sobaseandtriflinginitself，andyetsodishearteningandsoseriousinitsprobableresults——quiteunfittedmeatfirsttoreflectonthebestmeansofextricatingmyselffromthedilemmainwhichInowstood。Ihadthefollytocallforwritingmaterials，andtothinkofprivatelycommunicatingmyrealpositiontothemagistrate。ThehopelessnessandtheimprudenceofthisproceedingfailedtostrikemebeforeIhadactuallywrittentheopeninglinesoftheletter。ItwasnottillIhadpushedthepaperaway——nottill，Iamashamedtosay，Ihadalmostallowedthevexationofmyhelplesspositiontoconquerme——thatacourseofactionsuddenlyoccurredtomymind，whichSirpercivalhadprobablynotanticipated，andwhichmightsetmefreeagaininafewhours。IdeterminedtocommunicatethesituationinwhichIwasplacedtoMrDawson，ofOakLodge。
Ihadvisitedthisgentleman’shouse，itmayberemembered，atthetimeofmyfirstinquiriesintheBlackwaterParkneighbourhood，andIhadpresentedtohimaletterofintroductionfromMissHalcombe，inwhichsherecommendedmetohisfriendlyattentioninthestrongestterms。Inowwrote，referringtothisletter，andtowhatIhadpreviouslytoldMrDawsonofthedelicateanddangerousnatureofmyinquiries。IhadnotrevealedtohimthetruthaboutLaura，havingmerelydescribedmyerrandasbeingoftheutmostimportancetoprivatefamilyinterestswithwhichMissHalcombewasconcerned。Usingthesamecautionstill，InowaccountedformypresenceatKnowlesburyinthesamemanner，andIputittothedoctortosaywhetherthetrustreposedinmebyaladywhomhewellknew，andthehospitalityIhadmyselfreceivedinhishouse，justifiedmeornotinaskinghimtocometomyassistanceinaplacewhereIwasquitefriendless。
Iobtainedpermissiontohireamessengertodriveawayatoncewithmyletterinaconveyancewhichmightbeusedtobringthedoctorbackimmediately。OakLodgewasontheKnowlesburysideofBlackwater。Themandeclaredhecoulddrivethereinfortyminutes，andcouldbringMrDawsonbackinfortymore。Idirectedhimtofollowthedoctorwhereverhemighthappentobe，ifhewasnotathome，andthensatdowntowaitfortheresultwithallthepatienceandallthehopethatIcouldsummontohelpme。
Itwasnotquitehalf-pastonewhenthemessengerdeparted。Beforehalf-pastthreehereturned，andbroughtthedoctorwithhim。MrDawson’skindness，andthedelicacywithwhichhetreatedhispromptassistancequiteasamatterofcourse，almostoverpoweredme。Thebailrequiredwasoffered，andacceptedimmediately。Beforefouro’clock，onthatafternoon，Iwasshakinghandswarmlywiththegoodolddoctor——afreemanagain——inthestreetsofKnowlesbury。
MrDawsonhospitablyinvitedmetogobackwithhimtoOakLodge，andtakeupmyquartersthereforthenight。Icouldonlyreplythatmytimewasnotmyown，andIcouldonlyaskhimtoletmepaymyvisitinafewdays，whenImightrepeatmythanks，andoffertohimalltheexplanationswhichIfelttobeonlyhisdue，butwhichIwasnottheninapositiontomake。Wepartedwithfriendlyassurancesonbothsides，andIturnedmystepsatoncetoMrWansborough’sofficeintheHighStreet。
Timewasnowofthelastimportance。
ThenewsofmybeingfreeonbailwouldreachSirPercival，toanabsolutecertainty，beforenight。Ifthenextfewhoursdidnotputmeinapositiontojustifyhisworstfears，andtoholdhimhelplessatmymercy，ImightloseeveryinchofthegroundIhadgained，nevertorecoveritagain。Theunscrupulousnatureoftheman，thelocalinfluencehepossessed，thedesperateperilofexposurewithwhichmyblindfoldinquiriesthreatenedhim——allwarnedmetopressontopositivediscovery，withouttheuselesswasteofasingleminute。IhadfoundtimetothinkwhileIwaswaitingforMrDawson’sarrival，andIhadwellemployedit。Certainportionsoftheconversationofthetalkativeoldclerk，whichhadweariedmeatthetime，nowrecurredtomymemorywithanewsignificance，andasuspicioncrossedmyminddarklywhichhadnotoccurredtomewhileIwasinthevestry。OnmywaytoKnowlesbury，IhadonlyproposedtoapplytoMrWansboroughforinformationonthesubjectofSirPercival’smother。MyobjectnowwastoexaminetheduplicateregisterofOldWelminghamChurch。
MrWansboroughwasinhisofficewhenIinquiredforhim。
Hewasajovial，red-faced，easy-lookingman——morelikeacountrysquirethanalawyer——andheseemedtobebothsurprisedandamusedbymyapplication。Hehadheardofhisfather’scopyoftheregister，buthadnotevenseenithimself。Ithadneverbeeninquiredafter，anditwasnodoubtinthestrongroomamongotherpapersthathadnotbeendisturbedsincehisfather’sdeath。ItwasapityMrWansboroughsaidthattheoldgentlemanwasnotalivetohearhispreciouscopyaskedforatlast。Hewouldhaveriddenhisfavouritehobbyharderthanevernow。HowhadIcometohearofthecopy？wasitthroughanybodyinthetown？
IparriedthequestionaswellasIcould。Itwasimpossibleatthisstageoftheinvestigationtobetoocautious，anditwasjustaswellnottoletMrWansboroughknowprematurelythatIhadalreadyexaminedtheoriginalregister。Idescribedmyself，therefore，aspursuingafamilyinquiry，totheobjectofwhicheverypossiblesavingoftimewasofgreatimportance。IwasanxioustosendcertainparticularstoLondonbythatday’spost，andonelookattheduplicateregisterpaying，ofcourse，thenecessaryfeesmightsupplywhatIrequired，andsavemeafurtherjourneytoOldWelmingham。Iaddedthatintheeventofmysubsequentlyrequiringacopyoftheoriginalregister，IshouldmakeapplicationtoMrWansborough’sofficetofurnishmewiththedocument。
Afterthisexplanationnoobjectionwasmadetoproducingthecopy。Aclerkwassenttothestrongroom，andaftersomedelayreturnedwiththevolume。Itwasofexactlythesamesizeasthevolumeinthevestry，theonlydifferencebeingthatthecopywasmoresmartlybound。Itookitwithmetoanunoccupieddesk。Myhandsweretrembling——myheadwasburninghot——IfeltthenecessityofconcealingmyagitationaswellasIcouldfromthepersonsaboutmeintheroom，beforeIventuredonopeningthebook。
Ontheblankpageatthebeginning，towhichIfirstturned，weretracedsomelinesinfadedink。Theycontainedthesewords
`CopyoftheMarriageRegisterofWelminghamParishChurch。Executedundermyorders，andafterwardscompared，entrybyentry，withtheoriginal，bymyself。SignedRobertWansborough，vestry-clerk。’Belowthisnotetherewasalineadded，inanotherhandwriting，asfollows:`ExtendingfromthefirstofJanuary，1800，tothethirtiethofJune，1815。’
IturnedtothemonthofSeptember，eighteenhundredandthree。IfoundthemarriageofthemanwhoseChristiannamewasthesameasmyown。Ifoundthedoubleregisterofthemarriagesofthetwobrothers。Andbetweentheseentries，atthebottomofthepage——？
Nothing！NotavestigeoftheentrywhichrecordedthemarriageofSirFelixGlydeandCeciliaJaneElsterintheregisterofthechurch！
Myheartgaveagreatbound，andthrobbedasifitwouldstifleme。Ilookedagain——Iwasafraidtobelievetheevidenceofmyowneyes。No！notadoubt。Themarriagewasnotthere。Theentriesonthecopyoccupiedexactlythesameplacesonthepageastheentriesintheoriginal。ThelastentryononepagerecordedthemarriageofthemanwithmyChristianname。Belowittherewasablankspace——aspaceevidentlyleftbecauseitwastoonarrowtocontaintheentryofthemarriagesofthetwobrothers，whichinthecopy，asintheoriginal，occupiedthetopofthenextpage。Thatspacetoldthewholestory！Thereitmusthaveremainedinthechurchregisterfromeighteenhundredandthreewhenthemarriageshadbeensolemnisedandthecopyhadbeenmadetoeighteenhundredandtwenty-seven，whenSirPercivalappearedatOldWelmingham。Here，atKnowlesbury，wasthechanceofcommittingtheforgeryshowntomeinthecopy，andthere，atOldWelmingham，wastheforgerycommittedintheregisterofthechurch。
Myheadturnedgiddy——Iheldbythedesktokeepmyselffromfalling。Ofallthesuspicionswhichhadstruckmeinrelationtothatdesperateman，notonehadbeennearthetruth。TheideathathewasnotSirPercivalGlydeatall，21thathehadnomoreclaimtothebaronetcyandtoBlackwaterparkthanthepoorestlabourerwhoworkedontheestate，hadneveronceoccurredtomymind。AtonetimeIhadthoughthemightbeAnneCatherick’sfather——atanothertimeIhadthoughthemighthavebeenAnneCatherick’shusband——theoffenceofwhichhewasreallyguiltyhadbeen，fromfirsttolast，beyondthewidestreachofmyimagination。
Thepaltrymeansbywhichthefraudhadbeeneffected，themagnitudeanddaringofthecrimethatitrepresented，thehorroroftheconsequencesinvolvedinitsdiscovery，overwhelmedme。Whocouldwondernowatthebrute-restlessnessofthewretch’slife——athisdesperatealternationsbetweenabjectduplicityandrecklessviolence——atthemadnessofguiltydistrustwhichhadmadehimimprisonAnneCatherickintheAsylum，andhadgivenhimovertothevileconspiracyagainsthiswife，onthebaresuspicionthattheoneandtheotherknewhisterriblesecret？Thedisclosureofthatsecretmight，inpastyears，havehangedhim——mightnowtransporthimforlife。Thedisclosureofthatsecret，evenifthesufferersbyhisdeceptionsparedhimthepenaltiesofthelaw，woulddeprivehimatoneblowofthename，therank，theestate，thewholesocialexistencethathehadusurped。ThiswastheSecret，anditwasmine！Awordfromme，andhouse，lands，baronetcy，weregonefromhimforever——awordfromme，andhewasdrivenoutintotheworld，anameless，penniless，friendlessoutcast！Theman’swholefuturehungonmylips——andheknewitbythistimeascertainlyasIdid！
Thatlastthoughtsteadiedme。Interestsfarmorepreciousthanmyowndependedonthecautionwhichmustnowguidemyslightestactions。TherewasnopossibletreacherywhichSirPercivalmightnotattemptagainstme。Inthedangeranddesperationofhispositionhewouldbestaggeredbynorisks，hewouldrecoilatnocrime——hewouldliterallyhesitateatnothingtosavehimself。
Iconsideredforaminute。MyfirstnecessitywastosecurepositiveevidenceinwritingofthediscoverythatIhadjustmade，andintheeventofanypersonalmisadventurehappeningtome，toplacethatevidencebeyondSirPercival’sreach。ThecopyoftheregisterwassuretobesafeinMrWansborough’sstrongroom。Butthepositionoftheoriginalinthevestrywas，asIhadseenwithmyowneyes，anythingbutsecure。
InthisemergencyIresolvedtoreturntothechurch，toapplyagaintotheclerk，andtotakethenecessaryextractfromtheregisterbeforeIsleptthatnight。Iwasnotthenawarethatalegally-certifiedcopywasnecessary，andthatnodocumentmerelydrawnoutbymyselfcouldclaimtheproperimportanceasaproof。Iwasnotawareofthis，andmydeterminationtokeepmypresentproceedingsasecretpreventedmefromaskinganyquestionswhichmighthaveprocuredthenecessaryinformation。MyoneanxietywastheanxietytogetbacktoOldWelmingham。ImadethebestexcusesIcouldforthediscomposureinmyfaceandmannerwhichMrWansboroughhadalreadynoticed，laidthenecessaryfeeonhistable，arrangedthatIshouldwritetohiminadayortwo，andlefttheoffice，withmyheadinawhirlandmybloodthrobbingthroughmyveinsatfeverheat。
Itwasjustgettingdark。TheideaoccurredtomethatImightbefollowedagainandattackedonthehigh-road。
Mywalking-stickwasalightone，oflittleornouseforpurposesofdefence。IstoppedbeforeleavingKnowlesburyandboughtastoutcountrycudgel，short，andheavyatthehead。Withthishomelyweapon，ifanyonemantriedtostopmeIwasamatchforhim。IfmorethanoneattackedmeIcouldtrusttomyheels。Inmyschool-daysIhadbeenanotedrunner，andIhadnotwantedforpracticesinceinthelatertimeofmyexperienceinCentralAmerica。
Istartedfromthetownatabriskpace，andkeptthemiddleoftheroad。
Asmallmistyrainwasfalling，anditwasimpossibleforthefirsthalfofthewaytomakesurewhetherIwasfollowedornot。Butatthelasthalfofmyjourney，whenIsupposedmyselftobeabouttwomilesfromthechurch，Isawamanrunbymeintherain，andthenheardthegateofafieldbytheroadsideshuttosharply。Ikeptstraighton，withmycudgelreadyinmyhand，myearsonthealert，andmyeyesstrainingtoseethroughthemistandthedarkness。BeforeIhadadvancedahundredyardstherewasarustlinginthehedgeonmyright，andthreemensprangoutintotheroad。
Idrewasideontheinstanttothefootpath。Thetwoforemostmenwerecarriedbeyondmebeforetheycouldcheckthemselves。Thethirdwasasquickaslightning。Hestopped，halfturned，andstruckatmewithhisstick。Theblowwasaimedathazard，andwasnotasevereone。Itfellonmyleftshoulder。Ireturneditheavilyonhishead。Hestaggeredbackandjostledhistwocompanionsjustastheywerebothrushingatme。Thiscircumstancegavemeamoment’sstart。Islippedbythem，andtooktothemiddleoftheroadagainatthetopofmyspeed。
Thetwounhurtmenpursuedme。Theywerebothgoodrunners——theroadwassmoothandlevel，andforthefirstfiveminutesormoreIwasconsciousthatIdidnotgainonthem。Itwasperilousworktorunforlonginthedarkness。Icouldbarelyseethedimblacklineofthehedgesoneitherside，andanychanceobstacleintheroadwouldhavethrownmedowntoacertainty。ErelongIfeltthegroundchanging——itdescendedfromthelevelataturn，andthenroseagainbeyond。Downhillthemenrathergainedonme，butuphillIbegantodistancethem。Therapid，regularthumpoftheirfeetgrewfainteronmyear，andIcalculatedbythesoundthatIwasfarenoughinadvancetotaketothefieldswithagoodchanceoftheirpassingmeinthedarkness。Divergingtothefootpath，ImadeforthefirstbreakthatIcouldguessat，ratherthansee，inthehedge。Itprovedtobeaclosedgate。Ivaultedover，andfindingmyselfinafield，keptacrossitsteadilywithmybacktotheroad。Iheardthemenpassthegate，stillrunning，theninaminutemoreheardoneofthemcalltotheothertocomeback。Itwasnomatterwhattheydidnow，Iwasoutoftheirsightandoutoftheirhearing。Ikeptstraightacrossthefield，andwhenIhadreachedthefartherextremityofit，waitedthereforaminutetorecovermybreath。
Itwasimpossibletoventurebacktotheroad，butIwasdeterminedneverthelesstogettoOldWelminghamthatevening。
Neithermoonnorstarsappearedtoguideme。IonlyknewthatIhadkeptthewindandrainatmybackonleavingKnowlesbury，andifInowkeptthematmybackstill，Imightatleastbecertainofnotadvancingaltogetherinthewrongdirection。
Proceedingonthisplan，Icrossedthecountry——meetingwithnoworseobstaclesthanhedges，ditches，andthickets，whicheverynowandthenobligedmetoaltermycourseforalittlewhile——untilIfoundmyselfonahillside，withthegroundslopingawaysteeplybeforeme。Idescendedtothebottomofthehollow，squeezedmywaythroughahedge，andgotoutintoalane。Havingturnedtotherightonleavingtheroad，Inowturnedtotheleft，onthechanceofregainingthelinefromwhichIhadwandered。Afterfollowingthemuddywindingsofthelanefortenminutesormore，Isawacottagewithalightinoneofthewindows。Thegardengatewasopentothelane，andIwentinatoncetoinquiremyway。
BeforeIcouldknockatthedooritwassuddenlyopened，andamancamerunningoutwithalightedlanterninhishand。Hestoppedandhelditupatthesightofme。Webothstartedaswesaweachother。Mywanderingshadledmeroundtheoutskirtsofthevillage，andhadbroughtmeoutatthelowerendofit。IwasbackatOldWelmingham，andthemanwiththelanternwasnootherthanmyacquaintanceofthemorning，theparishclerk。
HismannerappearedtohavealteredstrangelyintheintervalsinceIhadlastseenhim。Helookedsuspiciousandconfused——hisruddycheeksweredeeplyflushed——andhisfirstwords，whenhespoke，werequiteunintelligibletome。
`Wherearethekeys？’heasked。`Haveyoutakenthem？’
`Whatkeys？’Irepeated。`IhavethismomentcomefromKnowlesbury。Whatkeysdoyoumean？’
`Thekeysofthevestry。Lordsaveusandhelpus！whatshallIdo？Thekeysaregone！Doyouhear？’criedtheoldman，shakingthelanternatmeinhisagitation，`thekeysaregone！’
`How？When？Whocanhavetakenthem？’
`Idon’tknow，’saidtheclerk，staringabouthimwildlyinthedarkness。`I’veonlyjustgotback。ItoldyouIhadalongday’sworkthismorning——Ilockedthedoorandshutthewindowdown——it’sopennow，thewindow’sopen。Look！somebodyhasgotinthereandtakenthekeys。’
Heturnedtothecasementwindowtoshowmethatitwaswideopen。Thedoorofthelanterncameloosefromitsfasteningasheswayeditround，andthewindblewthecandleoutinstantly。
`Getanotherlight，’Isaid，`andletusbothgotothevestrytogether。Quick！quick！’
Ihurriedhimintothehouse。ThetreacherythatIhadeveryreasontoexpect，thetreacherythatmightdeprivemeofeveryadvantageIhadgained，wasatthatmoment，perhaps，inprocessofaccomplishment。MyimpatiencetoreachthechurchwassogreatthatIcouldnotremaininactiveinthecottagewhiletheclerklitthelanternagain。Iwalkedout，downthegardenpath，intothelane。
BeforeIhadadvancedtenpacesamanapproachedmefromthedirectionleadingtothechurch。Hespokerespectfullyaswemet。Icouldnotseehisface，butjudgingbyhisvoiceonly，hewasaperfectstrangertome。
`Ibegyourpardon，SirPercival——’hebegan，
Istoppedhimbeforehecouldsaymore。
`Thedarknessmisleadsyou，’Isaid。`IamnotSirPercival。’
Themandrewbackdirectly。
`Ithoughtitwasmymaster，’hemuttered，inaconfused，doubtfulway。
`Youexpectedtomeetyourmasterhere？’
`Iwastoldtowaitinthelane。’
Withthatanswerheretracedhissteps。Ilookedbackatthecottageandsawtheclerkcomingout，withthelanternlightedoncemore。Itooktheoldman’sarmtohelphimonthemorequickly。Wehastenedalongthelane，andpassedthepersonwhohadaccostedme。AswellasIcouldseebythelightofthelantern，hewasaservantoutoflivery。
`Who’sthat？’whisperedtheclerk。`Doesheknowanythingaboutthekeys？’
`Wewon’twaittoaskhim，’Ireplied。`Wewillgoontothevestryfirst。’
Thechurchwasnotvisible，evenbydaytime，untiltheendofthelanewasreached。Aswemountedtherisinggroundwhichledtothebuildingfromthatpoint，oneofthevillagechildren——aboy——camecloseuptous，attractedbythelightwecarried，andrecognisedtheclerk。
`Isay，measter，’saidtheboy，pullingofficiouslyattheclerk’scoat，`therebesummunupyanderinthechurch。Iheerdunlockthedooronhisself——Iheerdunstrikealoightwi’amatch。’
Theclerktrembledandleanedagainstmeheavily。
`Come！come！’Isaidencouragingly。`Wearenottoolate。Wewillcatchtheman，whoeverheis。Keepthelantern，andfollowmeasfastasyoucan。’
Imountedthehillrapidly。Thedarkmassofthechurch-towerwasthefirstobjectIdiscerneddimlyagainstthenightsky。AsIturnedasidetogetroundtothevestry，Iheardheavyfootstepsclosetome。Theservanthadascendedtothechurchafterus。`Idon’tmeananyharm，’hesaid，whenIturnedroundonhim，`I’monlylookingformymaster。’Thetonesinwhichhespokebetrayedunmistakablefear。Itooknonoticeofhimandwenton。
TheinstantIturnedthecornerandcameinviewofthevestry，Isawthelantern-skylightontheroofbrilliantlylitupfromwithin。Itshoneoutwithdazzlingbrightnessagainstthemurky，starlesssky。
Ihurriedthroughthechurchyardtothedoor。
AsIgotneartherewasastrangesmellstealingoutonthedampnightair。Iheardasnappingnoiseinside——Isawthelightabovegrowbrighterandbrighter——apaneoftheglasscracked——Irantothedoorandputmyhandonit。Thevestrywasonfire！
BeforeIcouldmove，beforeIcoulddrawmybreathafterthatdiscovery，Iwashorror-struckbyaheavythumpagainstthedoorfromtheinside。Iheardthekeyworkedviolentlyinthelock——Iheardaman’svoicebehindthedoor，raisedtoadreadfulshrillness，screamingforhelp。
Theservantwhohadfollowedmestaggeredbackshuddering，anddroppedtohisknees。`Oh，myGod！’hesaid，`it’sSirPercival！’
Asthewordspassedhislipstheclerkjoinedus，andatthesamemomenttherewasanotherandalastgratingturnofthekeyinthelock。
`TheLordhavemercyonhissoul！’saidtheoldman。`Heisdoomedanddead。Hehashamperedthelock。’22
Irushedtothedoor。Theoneabsorbingpurposethathadfilledallmythoughts，thathadcontrolledallmyactions，forweeksandweekspast，vanishedinaninstantfrommymind。Allremembranceoftheheartlessinjurytheman’scrimeshadinflicted——ofthelove，theinnocence，thehappinesshehadpitilesslylaidwaste——oftheoathIhadsworninmyownhearttosummonhimtotheterriblereckoningthathedeserved——passedfrommymemorylikeadream。Irememberednothingbutthehorrorofhissituation。Ifeltnothingbutthenaturalhumanimpulsetosavehimfromafrightfuldeath。
`Trytheotherdoor！’Ishouted。`Trythedoorintothechurch！Thelock’shampered。You’readeadmanifyouwasteanothermomentonit。’
Therehadbeennorenewedcryforhelpwhenthekeywasturnedforthelasttime。Therewasnosoundnowofanykind，togivetokenthathewasstillalive。Iheardnothingbutthequickeningcrackleoftheflames，andthesharpsnapoftheglassintheskylightabove。
Ilookedroundatmytwocompanions。Theservanthadrisentohisfeet——hehadtakenthelantern，andwasholdingitupvacantlyatthedoor。Terrorseemedtohavestruckhimwithdownrightidiocy——hewaitedatmyheels，hefollowedmeaboutwhenImovedlikeadog。Theclerksatcrouchedupononeofthetombstones，shivering，andmoaningtohimself。TheonemomentinwhichIlookedatthemwasenoughtoshowmethattheywerebothhelpless。
HardlyknowingwhatIdid，actingdesperatelyonthefirstimpulsethatoccurredtome，Iseizedtheservantandpushedhimagainstthevestrywall。`Stoop！’Isaid，`andholdbythestones。Iamgoingtoclimboveryoutotheroof——Iamgoingtobreaktheskylight，andgivehimsomeair！’
Themantrembledfromheadtofoot，butheheldfirm。Igotonhisback，withmycudgelinmymouth，seizedtheparapetwithbothhands，andwasinstantlyontheroof。Inthefrantichurryandagitationofthemoment，itneverstruckmethatImightletouttheflameinsteadoflettingintheair。Istruckattheskylight，andbatteredinthecracked，loosenedglassatablow。Thefireleapedoutlikeawildbeastfromitslair。Ifthewindhadnotchanged，inthepositionIoccupied，tosetitawayfromme，myexertionsmighthaveendedthenandthere。Icrouchedontheroofasthesmokepouredoutabovemewiththeflame。Thegleamsandflashesofthelightshowedmetheservant’sfacestaringupvacantlyunderthewall——theclerkrisentohisfeetonthetombstone，wringinghishandsindespair——andthescantypopulationofthevillage，haggardmenandterrifiedwomen，clusteredbeyondinthechurchyard——allappearinganddisappearing，intheredofthedreadfulglare，intheblackofthechoking
smoke。Andthemanbeneathmyfeet！——theman，suffocating，burning，dyingsonearusall，soutterlybeyondourreach！
Thethoughthalfmaddenedme。Iloweredmyselffromtheroof，bymyhands，anddroppedtotheground。
`Thekeyofthechurch！’Ishoutedtotheclerk。`Wemusttryitthatway——wemaysavehimyetifwecanburstopentheinnerdoor。’
`No，no，no！’criedtheoldman。`Nohope！thechurchkeyandthevestrykeyareonthesamering——bothinsidethere！Oh，sir，he’spastsaving——he’sdustandashesbythistime！’
`They’llseethefirefromthetown，’saidavoicefromamongthemenbehindme。`There’saingineinthetown。They’llsavethechurch。’
Icalledtothatman——hehadhiswitsabouthim——Icalledtohimtocomeandspeaktome。Itwouldbeaquarterofanhouratleastbeforethetownenginecouldreachus。ThehorrorofremaininginactiveallthattimewasmorethanIcouldface。IndefianceofmyownreasonIpersuadedmyselfthatthedoomedandlostwretchinthevestrymightstillbelyingsenselessonthefloor，mightnotbedeadyet。Ifwebrokeopenthedoor，mightwesavehim？Iknewthestrengthoftheheavylock——Iknewthethicknessofthenailedoak——Iknewthehopelessnessofassailingtheoneandtheotherbyordinarymeans。Butsurelytherewerebeamsstillleftinthedismantledcottagesnearthechurch？Whatifwegotone，anduseditasabattering-ramagainstthedoor？
Thethoughtleapedthroughmelikethefireleapingoutoftheshatteredskylight。Iappealedtothemanwhohadspokenfirstofthefire-engineinthetown。`Haveyougotyourpick-axeshandy？’Yes，theyhad。`Andahatchet，andasaw，andabitofrope？’Yes！yes！yes！Irandownamongthevillagers，withthelanterninmyhand。`fiveshillingsapiecetoeverymanwhohelpsme！’Theystartedintolifeatthewords。Thatravenoussecondhungerofpoverty——thehungerformoney——rousedthemintotumultandactivityinamoment。`Twoofyouformorelanterns，ifyouhavethem！Twoofyouforthepickaxesandthetools！Therestaftermetofindthebeam！’Theycheered——withshrillstarvelingvoicestheycheered。Thewomenandthechildrenfledbackoneitherside。Werushedinabodydownthechurchyardpathtothefirstemptycottage。Notamanwasleftbehindbuttheclerk——thepooroldclerkstandingontheflattombstonesobbingandwailingoverthechurch。Theservantwasstillatmyheels——hiswhite，helpless，panic-strickenfacewascloseovermyshoulderaswepushedintothecottage。Therewereraftersfromthetorn-downfloorabove，lyinglooseontheground——buttheyweretoolight。Abeamranacrossoverourheads，butnotoutofreachofourarmsandourpickaxes——abeamfastateachendintheruinedwall，withceilingandflooringallrippedaway，andagreatgapintheroofabove，opentothesky。Weattackedthebeamatbothendsatonce。God！howitheld——howthebrickandmortarofthewallresistedus！Westruck，andtugged，andtore。Thebeamgaveatoneend——itcamedownwithalumpofbrickworkafterit。Therewasascreamfromthewomenallhuddledinthedoorwaytolookatus——ashoutfromthemen——twoofthemdownbutnothurt。Anothertugalltogether——andthebeamwaslooseatbothends。Weraisedit，andgavethewordtoclearthedoorway。Nowforthework！nowfortherushatthedoor！Thereisthefirestreamingintothesky，streamingbrighterthanevertolightus！Steadyalongthechurchyardpath——steadywiththebeamforarushatthedoor。One，two，three——andoff。Outringsthecheeringagain，irrepressibly。Wehaveshakenitalready，thehingesmustgiveifthelockwon’t。Anotherrunwiththebeam！One，two，three——andoff。It’sloose！thestealthyfiredartsatusthroughthecreviceallaroundit。Another，andalastrush！Thedoorfallsinwithacrash。Agreathushofawe，astillnessofbreathlessexpectation，possesseseverylivingsoulofus。Welookforthebody。Thescorchingheatonourfacesdrivesusback:weseenothing——above，below，allthroughtheroom，weseenothingbutasheetoflivingfire。
`Whereishe？’whisperedtheservant，staringvacantlyattheflames。
`He’sdustandashes，’saidtheclerk。`Andthebooksaredustandashes——andoh，sirs！thechurchwillbedustandashessoon。’
Thoseweretheonlytwowhospoke。Whentheyweresilentagain，nothingstirredinthestillnessbutthebubbleandthecrackleoftheflames。
Hark！
Aharshrattlingsoundinthedistance——thenthehollowbeatofhorses’hoofsatfullgallop——thenthelowroar，theall-predominanttumultofhundredsofhumanvoicesclamouringandshoutingtogether。Theengineatlast。
Thepeopleaboutmeallturnedfromthefire，andraneagerlytothebrowofthehill。Theoldclerktriedtogowiththerest，buthisstrengthwasexhausted。Isawhimholdingbyoneofthetombstones。`Savethechurch！’hecriedoutfaintly，asifthefiremencouldhearhimalready。
Savethechurch！
Theonlymanwhonevermovedwastheservant。Therehestood，hiseyesstillfastenedontheflamesinachangeless，vacantstare。Ispoketohim，Ishookhimbythearm。Hewasrousing。Heonlywhisperedoncemore，`Whereishe？’
Intenminutestheenginewasinposition，thewellatthebackofthechurchwasfeedingit，andthehosewascarriedtothedoorwayofthevestry。IfhelphadbeenwantedfrommeIcouldnothaveaffordeditnow。Myenergyofwillwasgone——mystrengthwasexhausted——theturmoilofmythoughtswasfearfullyandsuddenlystilled，nowIknewthathewasdead。Istooduselessandhelpless——looking，looking，lookingintotheburningroom。
Isawthefireslowlyconquered。Thebrightnessoftheglarefaded——thesteamroseinwhiteclouds，andthesmoulderingheapsofembersshowedredandblackthroughitonthefloor。Therewasapause——thenanadvancealltogetherofthefiremenandthepolicewhichblockedupthedoorway——thenaconsultationinlowvoices——andthentwomenweredetachedfromtherest，andsentoutofthechurchyardthroughthecrowd。Thecrowddrewbackoneithersideindeadsilencetoletthempass。
Afterawhileagreatshudderranthroughthepeople，andthelivinglanewidenedslowly。Themencamebackalongitwithadoorfromoneoftheemptyhouses。Theycarriedittothevestryandwentin。Thepoliceclosedagainroundthedoorway，andmenstoleoutfromamongthecrowdbytwosandthreesand
stoodbehindthemtobethefirsttosee。Otherswaitedneartobe
thefisttohear。Womenandchildrenwereamongtheselast。
Thetidingsfromthevestrybegantoflowoutamongthe
crowd——theydroppedslowlyfrommouthtomouthtillthey
reachedtheplacewhereIwasstanding。Iheardthequestionsandanswersrepeatedagainandagaininlow，eagertonesallroundme。
`Havetheyfoundhim？’`Yes。’——`Where？’`Againstthedoor，onhisface。’`Whichdoor？’`Thedoorthatgoesintothechurch。Hisheadwasagainstit——hewasdownonhisface。’——`Ishisfaceburnt？’`No。’`Yes，itis。’`No，scorched，notburnt——helayonhisface，Itellyou。’——`Whowashe？Alord，theysay。’`No，notalord。SirSomething；SirmeansKnight。’`AndBaronight，too。’`No。’`Yes，itdoes。’——`Whatdidhewantinthere？’`Nogood，youmaydependonit。’——`Didhedoitonpurpose？’——`Burnhimselfonpurpose！’——`Idon’tmeanhimself，Imeanthevestry。’——`Ishedreadfultolookat？’`Dreadful！’——`Notabouttheface，though？’`No，no，notsomuchabouttheface。’——`Don’tanybodyknowhim？’`There’samansayshedoes。’——`Who？’`Aservant，theysay。Buthe’sstruckstupid-like，andthepolicedon’tbelievehim。’——`Don’tanybodyelseknowwhoitis？’`Hush——！’
Theloud，clearvoiceofamaninauthoritysilencedthelowhumoftalkingallroundmeinaninstant。
`Whereisthegentlemanwhotriedtosavehim？’saidthevoice。
`Here，sir——hereheis！’Dozensofeagerfacespressedaboutme——dozensofeagerarmspartedthecrowd。Themaninauthoritycameuptomewithalanterninhishand。
`Thisway，sir，ifyouplease，’hesaidquietly。
Iwasunabletospeaktohim，Iwasunabletoresisthimwhenhetookmyarm。ItriedtosaythatIhadneverseenthedeadmaninhislifetime——thattherewasnohopeofidentifyinghimbymeansofastrangerlikeme。Butthewordsfailedonmylips。Iwasfaint，andsilent，andhelpless。
`Doyouknowhim，sir？’
Iwasstandinginsideacircleofmen。Threeofthemoppositetomewereholdinglanternslowdowntotheground。Theireyes，andtheeyesofalltherest，werefixedsilentlyandexpectantlyonmyface。Iknewwhatwasatmyfeet——Iknewwhytheywereholdingthelanternssolowtotheground。
`Canyouidentifyhim，sir？’
Myeyesdroppedslowly。AtfirstIsawnothingunderthembutacoarsecanvascloth。Thedrippingoftherainonitwasaudibleinthedreadfulsilence。Ilookedup，alongthecloth，andthereattheend，starkandgrimandblack，intheyellowlight——therewashisdeadface。
So，forthefirstandlasttime，Isawhim。SotheVisitationofGodruleditthatheandIshouldmeet。