INTRODUCTION
FORSTERtellsusthatDickens，inhislaternovels，fromBLEAKHOUSE
onwards（1853），\"assiduouslycultivated\"construction，\"thisessentialofhisart。\"Somecriticsmaythink，thatsincesomanyofthebestnovelsintheworld\"havenooutline，or，iftheyhaveanoutline，itisademnedoutline，\"elaborateconstructionisnotabsolutely\"essential。\"Reallyessentialarecharacter，\"atmosphere，\"humour。
Butas，inthenaturalchangesoflife，andunderthestrainofrestlessandunsatisfiedactivity，hisoldbuoyancyandunequalledhighspiritsdesertedDickens，hecertainlywrotenolongerinwhatScott，speakingofhimself，callsthemannerof\"habnabataventure。\"Heconstructedelaborateplots，richinsecretsandsurprises。HeemulatedthemannerofWilkieCollins，orevenofGaboriau，whilehecombinedwithsomeoftheelementsofthedetectivenovel，orROMANPOLICIER，carefulstudyofcharacter。ExceptGREAT
EXPECTATIONS，noneofhislatertalesrivalsinmerithisearlypicaresquestoriesoftheroad，suchasPICKWICKandNICHOLAS
NICKLEBY。\"Youthwillbeserved；\"nosedulouscarecouldcompensatefortheexuberanceof\"thefirstsprightlyrunnings。\"Intheearlybooksthemelodramaoftheplot，thesecretsofRalphNickleby，ofMonk，ofJonasChuzzlewit，weretheleastoftheinnumerableattractions。ButDickenswasmoreandmoredrawntowardsthesecretthatexcitescuriosity，andtothegameofhideandseekwiththereaderwhotriedtoanticipatethesolutionofthesecret。
InApril，1869，Dickens，outwornbythestrainofhisAmericanreadings；ofthatlabourachievedunderpainfulconditionsofominouslybadhealth-foundhimself，asSirThomasWatsonreported，\"onthebrinkofanattackofparalysisofhisleftside，andpossiblyofapoplexy。\"HethereforeabandonedanewseriesofReadings。WethinkofScott’searlierseizuresofasimilarkind，afterwhichPEVERIL，hesaid，\"smackedoftheapoplexy。\"ButDickens’snewstoryofTHEMYSTERYOFEDWINDROOD，firstcontemplatedinJuly，1869，andalteredincharacterbytheemergenceof\"averycuriousandnewidea，\"earlyinAugust，doesnot\"smackoftheapoplexy。\"WemaythinkthatthemannerismsofMr。Honeythunder，thephilanthropist，andofMissTwinkleton，theschoolmistress，arenotintheauthor’sbestveinofhumour。\"TheBillickin，\"ontheotherhand，thelodging-housekeeper，is\"inverygraciousfooling：\"herunlooked-forsalliesinskirmisheswithMissTwinkletonarerichinmirthfulsurprises。Mr。
Grewgiousmaybecaricaturedtoomuch，butnotoutofreason；andDickens，alwaysgoodatboys，presentsaGAMIN，inDeputy，whoisinnotunpleasantcontrastwiththepatheticJoofBLEAKHOUSE。OpinionsmaydifferastoEdwinandRosa，butthemorecloselyonestudiesEdwin，thebetteronethinksofthatcharacter。AsfarasweareallowedtoseeHelenaLandless，therestraintwhichsheputsonher\"tigerishblood\"isadmirable：sheisveryfreshandoriginal。Thevillainisallthatmelodramacandesire，butwhatwedomiss，I
think，isthe\"atmosphere\"ofasmallcathedraltown。Herethereisalackofsoftnessanddelicacyoftreatment：ontheotherhand，theopiumdenisstudiedfromthelife。
Onthewhole，Dickenshimselfwasperhapsmostinterestedinhisplot，hissecret，hissurprises，hisgameofhideandseekwiththereader。
Hethrewhimselfintothesportwithzest：hespoketohissister-in-
law，MissHogarth，abouthisfearthathehadnotsufficientlyconcealedhistracksinthelatestnumbers。Yet，whenhediedinJune，1870，leavingthreecompletednumbersstillunpublished，helefthissecretasapuzzletothecurious。Manyeffortshavebeenmadetodecipherhispurpose，especiallyhisintentionsastothehero。WasEdwinDroodkilled，ordidheescape？
Byacoincidence，inSeptember，1869，DickenswasworkingoverthelateLordLytton’staleforALLTHEYEARROUND，\"TheDisappearanceofJohnAckland，\"forthepurposeofmystifyingthereaderastowhetherAcklandwasaliveordead。Buthewasconspicuouslydefunct！（ALL
THEYEARROUND，September-October，1869。）
ThemostcarefuloftheattemptsatareplyaboutEdwin，astudybasedondeepknowledgeofDickens，is\"WatchedbytheDead，\"bythelateingeniousMr。R。A。Proctor（1887）。Thisbook，towhichIowemuchaid，isnowoutofprint。In1905，Mr。CumingWaltersrevived\"theauldmysterie，\"inhis\"CluestoDickens’sEdwinDrood\"（Chapman&
HallandHeywood，Manchester）。FromthesolutionofMr。WaltersIamobligedtodissent。OfMr。Proctor’stheoryIoffersomenecessarycorrections，andIhopethatIhaveunravelledsomeskeinswhichMr。
Proctorleftinastateoftangle。Asonereadandre-readthefragment，pointsverydarkseemed，atleast，tobecomesuddenlyclear：
especiallyoneappearedtounderstandthemeaninghalf-revealedandhalf-concealedbyJasper’sbabblingsundertheinfluenceofopium。Hesawinhisvision，\"THAT，IneversawTHATbefore。\"Wemaybesurethathewastosee\"THAT\"inreallife。Wemustrememberthat，accordingtoForster，\"suchwasDickens’sinterestinthingssupernaturalthat，butforthestrongrestrainingpowerofhiscommonsense，hemighthavefallenintothefolliesofspiritualism。\"Hisinterestinsuchmatterscertainlypeepsoutinthisnovel-therearetwospecimensofthesupernormal-andhemayhavegonetothelimitedextentwhichmyhypothesisrequires。IfIamright，Dickenswentfurther，andfaredworse，inthetoomaterialpremonitionsof\"TheSignalman\"inMUGBYJUNCTION。
Withthisbriefpreface，IproceedtotheanalysisofDickens’slastplot。Mr。WilliamArcherhaskindlyreadtheproofsheetsandmadevaluablesuggestions，butisresponsiblefornoneofmytheories。
ANDREWLANG。
ST。ANDREWS，SEPTEMBER4，1905。
THESTORY-DRAMATISPERSONAE
FORthediscoveryofDickens’ssecretinEDWINDROODitisnecessarytoobtainaclearviewofthecharactersinthetale，andoftheirrelationstoeachother。
AboutthemiddleofthenineteenthcenturytherelivedinCloisterham，acathedralcitysketchedfromRochester，ayoungUniversityman，Mr。
Bud，whohadafriendMr。Drood，oneofafirmofengineers-
somewhere。Theywere\"fastfriendsandoldcollegecompanions。\"Bothmarriedyoung。Mr。Budweddedaladyunnamed，bywhomhewasthefatherofonechild，adaughter，RosaBud。Mr。Drood，whosewife’smaidennamewasJasper，hadoneson，EdwinDrood。Mrs。Budwasdrownedinaboatingaccident，whenherdaughter，Rosa，wasachild。
Mr。Drood，alreadyawidower，andthebereavedMr。Bud\"betrothed\"thetwochildren，RosaandEdwin，andthenexpired，whentheorphanswereaboutsevenandelevenyearsold。TheguardianofRosawasalawyer，Mr。Grewgious，whohadbeeninlovewithhermother。ToGrewgiousMr。
Budentrustedhiswife’sengagementring，rubiesanddiamonds，whichGrewgiouswastohandovertoEdwinDrood，if，whenheattainedhismajority，heandRosadecidedtomarry。
GrewgiouswasapparentlylegalagentforEdwin，whileEdwin’smaternaluncle，JohnJasper（agedaboutsixteenwhenthemaleparentsdied），wasEdwin’s\"trustee，\"aswellashisuncleanddevotedfriend。
Rosa’slittlefortunewasanannuityproducing？50a-year：Edwinsucceededtohisfather’sshareinanengineeringfirm。
Whenthestoryopens，Edwinisnearlytwenty-one，andisabouttoproceedtoEgypt，asanengineer。Rosa，atschoolinCloisterham，isaboutseventeen；JohnJasperistwenty-six。HeisconductoroftheChoiroftheCathedral，a\"layprecentor；\"heisverydark，withthickblackwhiskers，and，foranumberofyears，hasbeenavictimtothehabitofopiumsmoking。Hebeganveryearly。Hetakesthisdrugbothinhislodgings，overthegateoftheCathedral，andinadeninEastLondon，keptbyawomannicknamed\"ThePrincessPuffer。\"Thishag，welearn，hasbeenadetermineddrunkard，-\"Idrankheaven’s-hard，\"-
forsixteenyearsBEFOREshetooktoopium。Ifshehasbeendealinginopiumfortenyears（theexactperiodisnotstated），shehasbeenverydisreputablefortwenty-sixyears，thatiseversinceJohnJasper’sbirth。Mr。CumingWalterssuggeststhatsheisthemotherofJohnJasper，and，therefore，maternalgrandmotherofEdwinDrood。Shedetestsherclient，Jasper，andplaysthespyonhismovements，forreasonsunexplained。
JasperissecretlyinlovewithRosa，theFIANCEEofhisnephew，andhisownpupilinthemusicalart。Hemakesherawareofhispassion，silently，andshefearsanddetestshim，butkeepstheseemotionsprivate。Sheisasaucyschool-girl，andsheandEdwinareonuncomfortableterms：shedoesnotlovehim，whileheperhapsdoesloveher，butisannoyedbyhermanner，andbythegossipabouttheirbetrothal。\"Thebloomisofftheplum\"oftheirprearrangedloves，hesaystohisfriend，uncle，andconfidant，Jasper，whoseownconcealedpassionforRosaisofaferociousandhomicidalcharacter。Rosaisawareofthisfact；\"aglazecomesoverhiseyes，\"sometimes，shesays，\"andheseemstowanderawayintoafrightfulsortofdream，inwhichhethreatensmost……Themanappearstohavethesefrightfuldreamsevenwhenheisnotunderopium。
OPENINGOFTHETALE
Thetaleopensabruptlywithanopium-bredvisionofthetowerofCloisterhamCathedral，beheldbyJasperasheawakensinthedenofthePrincessPuffer，betweenaChinaman，aLascar，andthehagherself。ThisCathedraltower，thusearlyandemphaticallyintroduced，istoplayagreatbutmoreorlessmysteriouspartintheromance：thatiscertain。Jasper，waking，makesexperimentsonthetalkoftheoldwoman，theLascarandChinamanintheirsleep。Hepronouncesit\"unintelligible，\"whichsatisfieshimthathisownbabble，whenunderopium，mustbeunintelligiblealso。Heis，presumably，acquaintedwiththelanguagesoftheeasterncoastofIndia，andwithChinese，otherwise，howcouldhehopetounderstandthesleepers？Heisbeingwatchedbythehag，whohateshim。
JasperreturnstoCloisterham，whereweareintroducedtotheDean，anonentity，andtoMinorCanonCrisparkle，amuscularChristianinthepinkoftraining，aclassicalscholar，andagoodhonestfellow。
JaspergivesEdwinadinner，andgushesover\"hisbrightboy，\"alivelylad，fullofchaff，butalsofullofconfidingaffectionandtendernessofheart。Edwinadmitsthathisbetrothalisabore：
Jasperadmitsthatheloatheshislife；andthatthechurchsinging\"oftensoundstomequitedevilish，\"-andnowonder。Afterthisdinner，Jasperhasa\"weirdseizure；\"\"astrangefilmcomesoverJasper’seyes，\"he\"looksfrightfullyill，\"becomesrigid，andadmitsthathe\"hasbeentakingopiumforapain，anagonythatsometimesovercomesme。\"This\"agony，\"welearn，isthepainofhearingEdwinspeaklightlyofhislove，whomJaspersofuriouslydesires。\"Takeitasawarning，\"Jaspersays，butEdwin，puzzled，andfullofconfidingtenderness，doesnotunderstand。
Inthenextscenewemeettheschool-girl，Rosa，whotakesawalkandhasatiffwithEdwin。SirLukeFildes’sillustrationshowsEdwinas\"aladwiththebloomofalass，\"withaCLASSICPROFILE；ANDA
GRACIOUSHEADOFLONG，THICK，FAIRHAIR，long，thoughwelearnithasjustbeencut。Hewearsasoftslouchedhat，andthepea-coatoftheperiod。
SAPSEAANDDURDLES
Next，JasperandSapsea，apompousass，auctioneer，andmayor，sitattheirwine，expectingathirdguest。Mr。Sapseareadshisabsurdepitaphforhislatewife，whoisburiedina\"Monument，\"avaultofsomesortintheCathedralchurchyard。TothementerDurdles，amanneversober，yettrustedwiththekeyofthecrypt，\"ascontractorforroughrepairs。\"Inthecrypt\"hehabituallysleepsoffthefumesofliquor。\"OfcoursenoDeanwouldentrustkeystothisincrediblydissipated，dirty，andinsolentcreature，towhomSapseagivesthekeyofhisvault，fornoreasonatall，astheepitaph，ofcourse，istobeengravedontheoutside，byDurdles’smen。However，Durdlesinsistsongettingthekeyofthevault：hehastwootherlargekeys。
Jasper，triflingwiththem，keepsclinkingthemtogether，soastoknow，eveninthedark，bythesound，whichisthekeythatopensSapsea’svault，intherailed-offburialground，besidethecloisterarches。HehasmetDurdlesatSapsea’sfornootherpurposethantoobtainaccessatwilltoMrs。Sapsea’smonument。LaterintheeveningJasperfindsDurdlesmoreorlessdrunk，andbeingstonedbyaGAMIN，\"Deputy，\"aretainerofatramp’slodging-house。DurdlesfeesDeputy，infact，todrivehimhomeeverynightafterten。JasperandDeputyfallintofeud，andJasperhasthusanew，keen，andomnipresentenemy。AshewalkswithDurdlesthatworthyexplains（inreplytoaquestionbyJasper），that，bytappingawall，evenifoversixfeetthick，withhishammer，hecandetectthenatureofthecontentsofthevault，\"solidinhollow，andinsidesolid，hollowagain。Old’uncrumbledawayinstonecoffin，invault。\"Hecanalsodiscoverthepresenceof\"rubbishleftinthatsamesixfootspacebyDurdles’smen。\"Thus，ifaforeignbodywereintroducedintotheSapseavault，Durdlescoulddetectitspresencebytappingtheoutsidewall。AsJasper’spurposeclearlyistointroduceaforeignbody-thatofEdwinwhostandsbetweenhimandRosa-intoMrs。Sapsea’svault，this\"gift\"ofDurdlesis，forJasper，anuncomfortablediscovery。Hegoeshome，watchesEdwinasleep，andsmokesopium。
THELANDLESSES
Twonewcharactersarenowintroduced，NevilleandHelenaLandless，（1）twins，orphans，ofCingaleseextraction，probablyEurasian；verydark，thegirl\"almostofthegipsytype；\"bothare\"fierceoflook。\"
TheyoungmanistoreadwithCanonCrisparkleandlivewithhim；thegirlgoestothesameschoolasRosa。Theeducationofbothhasbeenutterlyneglected；instructionhasbeendeniedtothem。NevilleexplainsthecauseoftheirfiercenesstoCrisparkle。InCeylontheywerebulliedbyacruelstepfatherandseveraltimesranaway：thegirlwastheleader，always\"DRESSEDASABOY，ANDSHOWINGTHEDARING
OFAMAN。\"EdwinDrood’sairofsuperciliousownershipofRosaBud（indicatedasafaultofyouthandcircumstance，notofheartandcharacter），irritatesNevilleLandless，whofallsinlovewithRosaatfirstsight。AsRosasings，atCrisparkle’s，whileJasperplaysthepiano，Jasper’sfixedstareproducesanhystericalfitinthegirl，whoissoothedbyHelenaLandless。HelenashowsheraversiontoJasper，who，asevenEdwinnowsees，frightensRosa。\"Youwouldbeafraidofhim，undersimilarcircumstances，wouldn’tyou，MissLandless？\"asksEdwin。\"Notunderanycircumstances，\"answersHelena，andJasper\"thanksMissLandlessforthisvindicationofhischaracter。\"
Thegirlsgobacktotheirschool，whereRosaexplainstoHelenaherhorrorofJasper’ssilentlove-making：\"IfeelthatIamneversafefromhim……aglazecomesoverhiseyesandheseemstowanderawayintoafrightfulsortofdreaminwhichhethreatensmost，\"asalreadyquoted。Helenathus，andshealone，exceptRosa，understandsJasperthoroughly。ShebecomesRosa’sprotectress。\"LETWHOMSOEVERITMOST
CONCERNEDLOOKWELLTOIT。\"
ThusJasperhasanewobserverandenemy，inadditiontotheomnipresentstreetboy，Deputy，andthedetectiveoldhagoftheopiumden。
LeavingtheCanon’shouse，NevilleandEdwinquarrelviolentlyoverRosa，intheopenair；theyarefollowedbyJasper，andtakentohishousetobereconciledoverglassesofmulledwine。Jasperdrugsthewine，andthusprovokesaviolentscene；nextdayhetellsCrisparklethatNevilleis\"murderous。\"\"Thereissomethingofthetigerinhisdarkblood。\"HespreadsthestoryoftheFRACASinthetown。
Grewgious，Rosa’sguardian，nowcomesdownonbusiness；thegirlfailstoexplaintohimtheunsatisfactoryrelationsbetweenherandEdwin：
Grewgiousistoreturntoher\"atChristmas，\"ifshesendsforhim，andshedoessend。Grewgious，\"anangularman，\"alldutyandsentiment（hehadlovedRosa’smother），hasaninterviewwithEdwin’strustee，Jasper，forwhomhehasnoenthusiasm，butwhomhedoesnotinanywaysuspect。Theypartongoodterms，tomeetatChristmas。
Crisparkle，withwhomHelenahasfallensuddenlyinlove，arrangeswithJasperthatEdwinandLandlessshallmeetandbereconciled，asbotharewillingtobe，atadinnerinJasper’srooms，onChristmasEve。Jasper，whenCrisparkleproposesthis，denotesbyhismanner\"somecloseinternalcalculation。\"Weseethatheisreckoninghowthedinnersuitshisplanofcampaign，and\"CLOSEcalculation\"mayrefer，asinMr。Proctor’stheory，totheperiodofthemoon：ON
CHRISTMASEVETHEREWILLBENOMOONSHINEATMIDNIGHT。JASPER，havingworkedoutthisproblem，acceptsCrisparkle’sproposal，andhisassurancesaboutNeville，andshowsCrisparkleadiaryinwhichhehasenteredhisfearsthatEdwin’slifeisindangerfromNeville。Edwin（whoisnotinCloisterhamatthismoment）accepts，byletter，theinvitationtomeetNevilleatJasper’sonChristmasEve。
MeanwhileEdwinvisitsGrewgiousinhisLondonchambers；islecturedonhislaggardandsuperciliousbehaviourasalover，andreceivestheengagementringofthelateMrs。Bud，Rosa’smother，whichisverydeartoGrewgious-inthepresenceofBazzard，Grewgious’sclerk，agloomywriterofanamateurunactedtragedy。EdwinistoreturntheringtoGrewgious，ifheandRosadecidenottomarry。Theringisinacase，andEdwinplacesit\"inhisbreast。\"Wemustunderstand，inthebreast-pocketofhiscoat：nootherinterpretationwillpassmuster。\"Herring-willitcomebacktome？\"reflectsthemournfulGrewgious。
THEUNACCOUNTABLEEXPEDITION
JaspernowtellsSapsea，andtheDean，thatheistomake\"amoonlightexpeditionwithDurdlesamongthetombs，vaults，towers，andruinsto-
night。\"TheimpossibleDurdleshasthekeysnecessaryforthis，\"surelyanunaccountableexpedition，\"Dickenskeepsremarking。Themoonseemstoriseonthisnightatabout7。30p。m。Jaspertakesabigcase-bottleofliquor-drugged，ofcourseandgoestothedenofDurdles。Intheyardofthisinspectorofmonumentsheisbiddentobewareofamoundofquicklimeneartheyardgate。\"Withalittlehandystirring，quickenoughtoeatyourbones，\"saysDurdles。Thereissomeconsiderabledistancebetweenthis\"mound\"ofquicklimeandthecrypt，ofwhichDurdleshasthekey，buttheinterveningspaceisquiteemptyofhumanpresence，asthecitizensareunwillingtomeetghosts。
InthecryptDurdlesdrinksagooddealofthedruggedliquor。\"TheyaretoascendthegreatTower，\"-andwhytheydothatispartoftheMystery，thoughnotaninsolublepart。Beforetheyclimb，DurdlestellsJasperthathewasdrunkandasleepinthecrypt，lastChristmasEve，andwaswakenedby\"theghostofoneterrificshriek，followedbytheghostofthehowlofadog，alongdismal，woefulhowl，suchasadoggiveswhenaperson’sdead。\"Durdleshasmadeinquiriesand，asnooneelseheardtheshriekandthehowl，hecallsthesesounds\"ghosts。\"
Theyareobviouslymeanttobeunderstoodassupranormalpremonitorysounds；ofthenatureofsecondsight，orratherofsecondhearing。
ForstergivesexamplesofDickens’stendencytobelieveinsuchpremonitions：Dickenshadhimselfacuriouspremonitorydream。Heconsiderablyoverdidthepremonitorybusinessinhisotherwiseexcellentstory，THESIGNALMAN，orsoitseemstoastudentofthesethings。TheshriekandhowlheardbyDurdlesaretoberepeated，wesee，inreallife，later，onaChristmasEve。Thequestionis-when？
MoreprobablyNOTontheChristmasEvejustimminent，whenEdwinistovanish，but，ontheChristmasEvefollowing，whenJasperistobeunmasked。
Allthiswhile，andlater，JasperexaminesDurdlesveryclosely，studyingtheeffectsonhimofthedruggeddrink。Whentheyreachthetopofthetower，Jaspercloselycontemplates\"thatstillestpartofit\"（thelandscape）\"whichtheCathedralovershadows；buthecontemplatesDurdlesquiteascuriously。\"
Thereisamotiveforthescrutinyineithercase。JasperexaminesthepartoftheprecinctsintheshadowoftheCathedral，becausehewishestoassurehimselfthatitislonelyenoughforhislaterundescribedbuteasilyguessedproceedingsinthisnightofmystery。
Hewillhavemuchtodothatcouldnotbrookwitnesses，afterthedruggedDurdleshasfallensoundasleep。WehavealreadybeenassuredthatthewholeareaoverwhichJasperistooperateis\"utterlydeserted，\"evenwhenitliesinfullmoonlight，about8。30p。m。\"OnemightfancythatthetideoflifewasstemmedbyMr。Jasper’sowngate-house。\"ThepeopleofCloisterham，wehear，woulddenythattheybelieveinghosts；buttheygivethispartoftheprecinctawideberth（ChapterXII。）。Iftheregionis\"utterlydeserted\"atnineo’clockintheevening，whenitliesintheivorymoonlight，muchmorewillitbefreefromhumanpresencewhenitliesinshadow，betweenoneandtwoo’clockaftermidnight。Jasper，however，fromthetowertopcloselyscrutinizestheareaofhisfutureoperations。Itis，probably，forthisverypurposeofdiscoveringwhetherthecoastbeclearornot，thatJasperclimbsthetower。
HewatchesDurdlesforthepurposeoffindinghowthedrugwhichhehasadministeredworks，withaviewtofutureoperationsonEdwin。
Durdlesisnowinsuchastatethat\"hedeemsthegroundsofarbelowonalevelwiththetower，andwouldasliefwalkoffthetowerintotheairasnot。\"
AllthisisapparentlymeanttosuggestthatJasper，onChristmasEve，willrepeathisexpedition，WITHEDWIN，whomhewillhavedrugged，andthathewillallowEdwinto\"walkoffthetowerintotheair。\"Therearelatersuggestionstothesameeffect，asweshallsee，buttheyaredeliberatelymisleading。Therearealsostrongsuggestionstotheveryoppositeeffect：itisbroadlyindicatedthatJasperistostrangleEdwinwithathickblack-silkscarf，whichhehasjusttakentowearingforthegoodofhisthroat。
Thepairreturntothecrypt，Durdlesfallsasleep，dreamsthatJasperleaveshim，\"andthatsomethingtoucheshimandsomethingfallsfromhishand。Thensomethingclinksandgropesabout，\"andthelinesofmoonlightshifttheirdirection，asDurdlesfindsthattheyhavereallydonewhenhewakens，withJasperbesidehim，whiletheCathedralclockstrikestwo。Theyhavehadmanyhours，notlessthanfive，fortheirexpedition。ThekeyofthecryptliesbesideDurdlesontheground。Theygoout，andasDeputybeginsstone-throwing，Jasperhalfstrangleshim。
PURPOSEOFTHEEXPEDITION
JasperhashadampletimetotakemodelsinwaxofallDurdles’skeys。
Buthecouldhavedonethatinafewminutes，whileDurdlesslept，ifhehadwaxwithhim，withoutleavingthecrypt。HehasalsohadtimetoconveyseveralwheelbarrowfulsofquicklimefromDurdles’syardtoMrs。Sapsea’ssepulchre，ofwhichmonumentheprobablytookthekeyfromDurdles，andtrieditsidentitybyclinking。ButeveninaCathedraltown，evenaftermidnight，severalsuccessiveexpeditionsofalayprecentorwithawheelbarrowfullofquicklimewouldhavebeenapttoattractthecommentofsomebelatedphysician，someclericcomingfromasickbed，orsomelocalroysterers。ThereforeitisthatDickensinsistsonthe\"utterlydeserted\"characterofthearea，andshowsusthatJasperhasmadesureofthatessentialfactbyobservationsfromthetowertop。Still，hiswasaperilousexpedition，withhiswheelbarrow！Weshouldprobablylearnlater，thatJasperwasdetectedbythewakefulDeputy，wholoathedhim。
Moreover，nextmorningDurdleswasapttonoticethatsomeofhisquicklimehadbeenremoved。Asfarasisshown，Durdlesnoticednothingofthatkind，thoughhedoesobservepeculiaritiesinJasper’sbehaviour。
ThenextpointinthetaleisthatEdwinandRosameet，andhavesenseenoughtobreakofftheirengagement。ButEdwin，representedasreallygood-hearted，nowbeginstorepenthispastbehaviour，and，thoughhehasakindoffancyforMissLandless，heprettyclearlyfallsdeeperinlovewithhislateFIANCEE，andweepshislossinprivate：sowearetold。
CHRISTMASEVE
ChristmasEvecomes，thedayofthedinnerofthree，Jasper，Landless，andEdwin。Thechapterdescribingthisfatefulday（xiv。）isheaded，WHENSHALLTHESETHREEMEETAGAIN？andMr。ProctorarguesthatDickensintendsthatTHEYSHALLmeetagain。Theintention，andthehint，aremuchinDickens’smanner。Landlessmeanstostart，nextday，veryearly，onasolitarywalkingtour，andbuysanexorbitantlyheavystick。WecasuallyhearthatJasperknowsEdwintopossessnojewellery，exceptawatchandchainandascarf-pin。AsEdwinmoonsabout，hefindstheoldopiumhag，comedownfromLondon，\"seekinganeedleinabottleofhay，\"shesays-thatis，huntingvainlyforJasper。
PleaseremarkthatJasperhasrunuptotown，onDecember23，andhassaturatedhissystemwithadebauchofopiumontheveryeveofthedaywhenheclearlymeanstokillEdwin。Thiswasamostinjudiciousindulgence，inthecircumstances。Amaidenmurderneedsnerve！Weknowthat\"fiddlestringswasweaknesstoexpressthestateof\"
Jasper’s\"nerves\"onthedayafterthenightofopiumwithwhichthestoryopens。OnDecember24，Jasperreturnedhome，thehagathisheels。Theoldwoman，whenmetbyEdwin，hasacuriousfilmoverhereyes；\"heseemstoknowher。\"\"Greatheaven，\"hethinks，nextmoment。
\"LikeJackthatnight！\"ThisreferstoakindoffitofJasper’s，afterdinner，onthefirsteveningofthestory。EdwinhasthenseenJackJasperinoneofhis\"filmy\"seizures。ThewomanpraysEdwinforthreeshillingsandsix-pence，tobuyopium。Hegivesherthemoney；
sheaskshisChristianname。\"Edwin。\"Is\"Eddy\"asweetheart’sformofthat？Hesaysthathehasnosweetheart。HeistoldtobethankfulthathisnameisnotNed。Now，JasperalonecallsEdwin\"Ned。\"\"’Ned’isathreatenedname，adangerousname，\"saysthehag，whohasheardJasperthreaten\"Ned\"inhisopiumdreams。
EdwindeterminestotellthisadventuretoJasper，BUTNOTONTHIS
NIGHT：to-morrowwilldo。Now，DIDhetellthestorytoJasperthatnight，inthepresenceofLandless，atdinner？Ifso，HelenaLandlessmightlaterlearnthefactfromNeville。Ifsheknewit，shewouldlatertellMr。Grewgious。
Thethreemenmeetanddine。Thereisafearfulstorm。\"Stonesaredisplaceduponthesummitofthegreattower。\"Nextmorning，early，JasperyellstoCrisparkle，whoislookingoutofhiswindowinMinorCanonRow，thatEdwinhasdisappeared。Nevillehasalreadysetoutonhiswalkingtour。
AFTERTHEDISAPPEARANCE
MengoforthandapprehendNeville，whoshowsfightwithhisheavystick。WelearnthatheandDroodleftJasper’shouseatmidnight，wentfortenminutestolookattheriverunderthewind，andpartedatCrisparkle’sdoor。Nevillenowremainsundersuspicion：Jasperdirectsthesearchintheriver，onDecember25，26，and27。OntheeveningofDecember27，GrewgiousvisitsJasper。Now，Grewgious，asweknow，wastobeatCloisterhamatChristmas。True，hewasengagedtodineonChristmasDaywithBazzard，hisclerk；but，thoughtfulashewasofthemoodyBazzard，asEdwinwasleavingCloisterhamhewouldexcusehimself。HewouldnaturallytakeagreatpartinthesearchforEdwin，aboveallasEdwinhadinhispossessiontheringsodeartothelawyer。EdwinhadnotshownittoRosawhentheydeterminedtopart。He\"keptitinhisbreast，\"andthering，welearn，was\"GIFTED
WITHINVINCIBLEFORCETOHOLDANDDRAG，\"soDickenswarnsus。
TheringisobviouslytobeaPIECEDECONVICTION。BUTourpoint，atpresent，isthatwedonotknowhowGrewgious，towhomthisringwassodear，employedhimselfatCloisterham-afterEdwin’sdisappearance-betweenDecember25andDecember27。Ontheeveningofthe27th，hecametoJasper，saying，\"IhaveJUSTLEFTMISSLANDLESS。\"HethenslowlyandwatchfullytoldJasperthatEdwin’sengagementwasbrokenoff，whiletheprecentorgasped，perspired，torehishair，shrieked，andfinallysubsidedintoaheapofmuddyclothesonthefloor。
Meanwhile，Mr。Grewgious，calmlyobservingthesephenomena，warmedhishandsatthefireforsometimebeforehecalledinJasper’slandlady。
GrewgiousnowknowsbyJasper’sbehaviourthathebelieveshimselftohavecommittedasuperfluouscrime，bymurderingEdwin，whonolongerstoodbetweenhimandRosa，astheirengagementwasalreadyatanend。
WhetheraJasper，inreallife，wouldexcitehimselfsomuch，isanotherquestion。Wedonotknow，asMr。Proctorinsists，whatMr。
GrewgioushadbeendoingatCloisterhambetweenChristmasDayandDecember27，thedateofhisexperimentonJasper’snerves。Mr。
ProctorsupposeshimtohavemetthelivingEdwin，andobtainedinformationfromhim，afterhisescapefromamurderousattackbyJasper。Mr。ProctorinsiststhatthisistheonlyexplanationofGrewgious’sconduct，anyother\"isabsolutelyimpossible。\"InthatcasetheexperimentofGrewgiouswasnotmadetogaininformationfromJasper’sdemeanour，butwasthebeginningofhispunishment，andwasintendedbyGrewgioustobeso。
ButDickenshasbeencarefultosuggest，withsuspiciousbreadthofcandour，anotherexplanationofthesourceofGrewgious’sknowledge。
IfEdwinhasreallyescaped，andmetGrewgious，Dickensdoesnotwantustobesureofthat，asMr。Proctorwassure。Dickensdeliberatelyputshisreadersonanothertrail，thoughneitherMr。WaltersnorMr。
Proctorstruckthescent。Aswehavenoted，GrewgiousatoncesaystoJasper，\"IHAVEJUSTCOMEFROMMISSLANDLESS。\"ThistellsJaspernothing，butittellsagreatdealtothewatchfulreader，whoremembersthatMissLandless，andsheonly，isawarethatJasperloves，bullies，andinsultsRosa，andthatRosa’slifeisembitteredbyJasper’ssilentwooing，andhisunspokenthreats。Helenamayalsoknowthat\"Nedisathreatenedname，\"aswehaveseen，andthatthemenacecomesfromJasper。AsJasperisnowknowntobeEdwin’srivalinlove，andasEdwinhasvanished，themurderer，Mr。Grewgiousreckons，isJasper；andhisexperiment，withJasper’sconsequentshriekandfit，confirmsthehypothesis。ThusGrewgioushadinformationenough，fromMissLandless，tosuggesthisexperiment-
Dickensintentionallymadethatclear（thoughnotclearenoughforMr。
ProctorandMr。CumingWalters）-whilehisexperimentgiveshimamoralcertaintyofJasper’scrime，butyieldsnolegalevidence。
ButdoesGrewgiousknownomorethanwhatHelena，andthefitandshriekofJasper，havetoldhim？IshisknowledgelimitedtotheevidencethatJasperhasmurderedEdwin？OrdoesGrewgiousknowmore，knowthatEdwin，insomeway，hasescapedfromdeath？
ThatisDickens’ssecret。ButwhereasGrewgious，ifhebelievesJaspertobeanactualmurderer，shouldtakehimseriously；inpointoffact，hespeaksofJasperinsolightatone，as\"ourlocalfriend，\"thatwefeelnocertaintythatheisnotreallyawareofEdwin’sescapefromamurderousattackbyJasper，andofhiscontinuedexistence。
PresentlyCrisparkle，undersomemysteriousimpression，apparentlytelepathic（thebookisrichinsuchpsychicalphenomena），visitstheweirontheriver，atnight，andnextdayfindsEdwin’swatchandchaininthetimbers；hisscarf-pininthepoolbelow。Thewatchandchainmusthavebeenplacedpurposelywheretheywerefound，theycouldnotfloatthither，and，ifNevillehadslainEdwin，hewouldnothavestolenhisproperty，ofcourse，exceptasablind，neutralisedbytheplacingofthewatchinaconspicuousspot。However，theincreasedsuspicionsdriveNevilleawaytoreadlawinStapleInn，whereGrewgiousalsodwells，andincessantlywatchesNevilleoutofhiswindow。
Aboutsixmonthslater，HelenaLandlessistojoinNeville，whoiswatchedatintervalsbyJasper，who，again，iswatchedbyGrewgiousastheprecentorlurksaboutStapleInn。
DICKDATCHERY
AboutthetimewhenHelenaleavesCloisterhamfortown，anewcharacterappearsinCloisterham，\"awhite-headedpersonagewithblackeyebrows，BUTTONEDUPINATIGHTISHBLUESURTOUT，withabuffwaistcoat，greytrowsers，andsomethingofamilitaryair。\"Hisshockofwhitehairwasunusuallythickandample。Thisman，\"abufferlivingidlyonhismeans，\"namedDatchery，iseither，asMr。Proctorbelieved，EdwinDrood，or，asMr。Waltersthinks，HelenaLandless。BymakingGrewgiousdroptheremarkthatBazzard，hisclerk，amopingowlofanamateurtragedian，\"isoffdutyhere，\"athischambers，DickenshintsthatBazzardisDatchery。Butthatisamerefalsescent，aruseoftheauthor，scatteringpaperinthewrongplace，inthislongpaperhunt。
AsforHelena，Mr。WaltersjustlyarguesthatDickenshasmarkedherforsomeimportantpartintheruinofJasper。\"Therewasaslumberinggleamoffireinherintensedarkeyes。Letwhomsoeveritmostconcernedlookwelltoit。\"Again，wehavebeentoldthatHelenahadhighcourage。ShehadtoldJasperthatshefearedhim\"innocircumstanceswhatever。\"Again，wehavelearnedthatinchildhoodshehaddressedasaboywhensheranawayfromhome；andshehadthemotivesofprotectingRosaandherbrother，Neville，fromthemachinationsofJasper，whoneedswatching，asheistryingtoruinNeville’salreadydilapidatedcharacter，and，byspyingonhim，tobreakdownhisnerve。Really，ofcourse，Nevilleisquitesafe。
ThereisnoCORPUSDELICTI，nocarcaseofthemissingEdwinDrood。
Forthereasonsgiven，DatcherymightbeHelenaindisguise。
Ifso，theideaishighlyludicrous，whilenothingisprovedeitherbytheblacknessofDatchery’seyebrows（Helena’swereblack），orbyDatchery’shabitofcarryinghishatunderhisarm，notonhishead。
Apersonwhogoessofarastowearaconspicuouswhitewig，wouldnotbeafraidalsotodyehiseyebrowsblack，ifhewereEdwin；whileeitherEdwinorHelenaMUSThave\"madeup\"theface，bytheuseofpaintandshamwrinkles。EitherHelenaorEdwinwouldhavebeendetectedinreallife，ofcourse，butweallowfortheacceptedfictitiousconventionofsuccessfuldisguise，andforthenecessitiesofthenovelist。AtightlybuttonedsurtoutwouldshowHelena’sfemininefigure；butletthatalsopass。Astothehat，Edwin’sownhairwaslongandthick：addawig，andhishatwouldbeaburdentohim。
Whatismostunlikethestern，fierce，sententiousHelena，isDatchery’shabitof\"chaffing。\"HefoolstheassofaMayor，Sapsea，bymostexaggerateddiference：histoneisalwaysthatofindolentmockery，whichonedoubtswhetherthe\"intense\"andconcentratedHelenacouldassume。HetakesroomsinthesamehouseasJasper，towhom，astoDurdlesandDeputy，heintroduceshimselfonthenightofhisarrivalatCloisterham。HeafterwardsaddressesDeputy，thelittleGAMIN，bythename\"Winks，\"whichisgiventohimbythepeopleattheTramps’lodgings：thenameisasecretofDeputy’s。
JASPER，ROSA，ANDTARTAR
MeanwhileJasperformallyproposestoRosa，intheschoolgarden：
standingapartandleaningagainstasundial，asthegardeniscommandedbymanywindows。HeofferstoresignhishopesofbringingLandlesstothegallows（perhapsthisbadmanwouldprovideaCORPUS
DELICTIofhisownmaking！）ifRosawillaccepthim：hethreatensto\"pursuehertothedeath，\"ifshewillnot；hefrightenshersothoroughlythatsherushestoGrewgiousinhischambersinLondon。
ShenowsuspectsJasperofEdwin’smurder，butkeepsherthoughtstoherself。ShetellsGrewgious，whoiswatchingNeville，-\"Ihaveafancyforkeepinghimundermyeye，\"-thatJasperhasmadelovetoher，andGrewgiousrepliesinaparodyof\"GodsavetheKing\"！
\"OnTheehishopestofixDamnhimagain！\"
Wouldhefoolthus，ifheknewJaspertohavekilledEdwin？HeisnotcertainwhetherRosashouldvisitHelenanextday，inLandless’srooms，opposite；andMr。WalterssuggeststhathemaybeawarethatHelena，dressedasDatchery，isreallyabsentatCloisterham。
However，nextday，Helenaisinherbrother’srooms。Moreover，itisreallyasufficientexplanationofGrewgious’sdoubtthatJasperislurkingaround，andthatnottillnextdayisaPRIVATEwayofcommunicationarrangedbetweenNevilleandhisfriends。Inanycase，nextday，Helenaisinherbrother’srooms，and，byaidofaMr。
Tartar’srooms，sheandRosacanmeetprivately。ThereisagooddealofconspiringtowatchJasperwhenhewatchesNeville，andinthisnewfriend，Mr。Tartar，aloverisprovidedforRosa。Tartarisamiraculouslyagileclimberoverroofsandupwalls，aretiredLieutenantofthenavy，andahandyman，beingsuchaclimber，tochaseJasperabouttheroofoftheCathedral，whenJasper’sdayofdoomarrives。
JASPER’SOPIUMVISIONS
InJuly，JasperrevisitstheLondonopiumden，andtalksunderopium，watchedbytheoldhag。Hespeaksofathingwhichheoftendoesinvisions：\"ahazardousandperilousjourney，overabysseswhereaslipwouldbedestruction。Lookdown，lookdown！Youseewhatliesatthebottomthere？\"Heenactsthevisionandsays，\"Therewasafellowtraveller。\"He\"speaksinawhisper，andasifinthedark。\"Thevisionis，inthiscase，\"apoorvision：nostruggle，noconsciousnessofperil，noentreaty。\"Edwin，inthereminiscentvision，diesveryeasilyandrapidly。\"Whenitcomestoberealatlast，itissoshortthatitseemsunrealforthefirsttime。\"\"AndyetIneversawTHATbefore。Lookwhatapoormiserablemeanthingitis。THATmustbereal。It’sover。\"
Whatcanallthismean？Wehavebeentoldthat，shortlybeforeChristmasEve，Jaspertooktowearingathickblack-silkhandkerchiefforhisthroat。Hehungitoverhisarm，\"hisfaceknittedandstern，\"asheenteredhishouseforhisChristmasEvedinner。IfhestrangledEdwinwiththescarf，aswearetosuppose，hedidnotleadhim，drugged，tothetowertop，andpitchhimoff。IspartofJasper’svisionreminiscent-thebrief，unresistingdeath-whileanotherpartisaseparatevision，isPROSPECTIVE，\"premonitory\"？
DoesheseehimselfpitchingNevilleLandlessoffthetowertop，orseehimfallenfromtheCathedralroof？IsNeville’sbody\"THAT\"-\"I
neversawTHATbefore。Lookwhatapoormiserablemeanthingitis！
THATmustbereal。\"Jasper\"neversawTHAT\"-thedeadbodybelowtheheight-before。THISvision，Ithink，isofthefuture，notofthepast，andismeanttobewilderthereaderwhothinksthatthewholerepresentstheslayingofDrood。Thetaleisrichin\"warnings\"andtelepathy。
DATCHERYANDTHEOPIUMWOMAN
ThehagnowtracksJasperhometoCloisterham。HereshemeetsDatchery，whomsheaskshowshecanseeJasper？IfDatcheryisDrood，henowlearns，WHATHEDIDNOTKNOWBEFORE，THATTHEREISSOME
CONNECTIONBETWEENJASPERANDTHEHAG。HewalkswithhertotheplacewhereEdwinmetthehag，onChristmasEve，andgavehermoney；andhejingleshisownmoneyashewalks。Theplace，orthesoundofthemoney，makesthewomantellDatcheryaboutEdwin’sgiftofthreeshillingsandsixpenceforopium。Datchery，\"withasuddenchangeofcountenance，givesherasuddenlook。\"ItdoesnotfollowthatheisNOTDrood，for，thoughthehag’sloveofopiumwasknowntoDrood，Datcheryisnottorevealhisrecognitionofthewoman。Hedoeswhatanystrangerwoulddo；he\"givesasuddenlook，\"asifsurprisedbythementionofopium。
Mr。Walterssays，\"Droodwouldnothavechangedcountenanceonhearingafacthehadknownsixmonthspreviously。\"ButifDroodwasplayingatbeingsomebodyelse，hewould，ofcourse，giveakindofstartandstare，onhearingoftheopium。Whenhealsohearsfromthehagthatherformerbenefactor’snamewasEdwin，heasksherhowsheknewthat-\"afatuouslyunnecessaryquestion，\"saysMr。Walters。AneedlessquestionforDatchery’sinformation，ifhebeDrood，butasusefulaquestionasanotherifDroodbeDatchery，andwishestomaintaintheconversation。
DATCHERY’SSCORE
Datcherykeepsatavernscoreofhisdiscoveriesbehindadoor，incrypticchalkstrokes。Hedoesthis，saysMr。Walters，because，beingHelena，hewouldbetrayhimselfifhewroteinafemalehand。ButnobodywouldWRITEsecretsonadoor！Headds\"amoderatestroke，\"
aftermeetingthehag，though，saysMr。Walters，\"EdwinDroodwouldhavelearnednothingnewwhatever\"fromthehag。
ButEdwinwouldhavelearnedsomethingquitenew，andveryimportant-
thatthehagwashuntingJasper。NextdayDatcheryseesthewomanshakeherfistsatJasperinchurch，andhearsfromherthatsheknowsJasper\"betterfarthanallthereverendparsonsputtogetherknowhim。\"Datcherythenaddsalongthicklinetohischalkedscore，yet，saysMr。Walters，Datcheryhaslearned\"nothingnewtoEdwinDrood，ifalive。\"