\"ItmightbewellifMissVanArsdaleherselfwouldansweryou，\"
wastheinspector’squietretort。\"Whatyouhavesaidmayconstituteallthatwehaveagainstyou，butitisnotallwehaveagainsther。\"
Igasped，notsomuchatthisseemingaccusation，themotiveofwhichIbelievedmyselftounderstand，butattheburningblushwithwhichitwasreceivedbyMr。Durand。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"hedemanded，withcertainoddbreaksinhisvoice。\"Whatcanyouhaveagainsther？\"
\"Atriviality，\"returnedtheinspector，withalookinmydirectionthatwas，Ifelt，nottobemistaken。
\"Idonotcallitatriviality，\"Iburstout。\"ItseemsthatMrs。
Fairbrother，forallherelaboratetoilet，wasfoundwithoutglovesonherarms。Asshecertainlyworethemonenteringthealcove，thepolicehavenaturallybeenlookingforthem。Andwheredoyouthinktheyhavefoundthem？Notinthealcovewithher，notinthepossessionofthemanwhoundoubtedlycarriedthemawaywithhim，but——\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"Mr。Durandhoarselyputin。\"Youneednotsayanymore。Oh，mypoorRita！whathaveIbroughtuponyoubymyweakness？\"
\"Weakness！\"
Hestarted；Istarted；myvoicewastotallyunrecognizable。
\"Ishouldgiveitanothername，\"Iaddedcoldly。
Foramomentheseemedtoloseheart，thenheliftedhisheadagain，andlookedashandsomeaswhenhepleadedformyhandinthelittleconservatory。
\"Youhavethatright，\"saidhe；\"besides，weaknessatsuchatime，andundersuchanexigency，islittleshortofwrong。Itwasunmanlyinmetoendeavortosecretethesegloves；morethanunmanlyformetochoosefortheirhiding-placetherecessesofanarticlebelongingexclusivelytoyourself。Iacknowledgeit，Rita，andshallmeetonlymyjustpunishmentifyoudenymeinthefuturebothyoursympathyandregard。Butyoumustletmeassureyouandthesegentlemenalso，oneofwhomcanmakeitveryunpleasantforme，thatconsiderationforyou，muchmorethananymiserableanxietyaboutmyself，layatthebottomofwhatmuststrikeyouallasanactofunpardonablecowardice。FromthemomentIlearnedofthiswoman’smurderinthealcove，whereI
hadvisitedher，Irealizedthateveryonewhohadbeenseentoapproachherwithinahalf-hourofherdeathwouldbesubjectedtoamoreorlessrigidinvestigation，andIfeared，ifhergloveswerefoundinmypossession，somespecialattentionmightbedirectedmywaywhichwouldcauseyouunmeriteddistress。So，yieldingtoanimpulsewhichInowrecognizeasamostunwise，aswellasunworthyone，Itookadvantageofthebustleaboutus，andoftheinsensibilityintowhichyouhadfallen，totuckthesemiserableglovesintothebagIsawlyingontheflooratyourside。Idonotaskyourpardon。Mywholefuturelifeshallbedevotedtowinningthat；Isimplywishtostateafact。\"
\"Verygood！\"Itwastheinspectorwhospoke；Icouldnothaveutteredawordtosavemylife。\"Perhapsyouwillnowfeelthatyouoweittothisyoungladytoaddhowyoucametohavetheseglovesinyourpossession？\"
\"Mrs。Fairbrotherhandedthemtome。\"
\"Handedthemtoyou？\"
\"Yes，Ihardlyknowwhymyself。Sheaskedmetotakecareofthemforher。Iknowthatthismuststrikeyouasaverypeculiarstatement。Itwasmyrealizationoftheunfavorableeffectitcouldnotfailtoproduceuponthosewhobeardit，whichmademedreadanyinterrogationonthesubject。ButIassureyouitwasasIsay。SheputtheglovesintomyhandwhileIwastalkingtoher，sayingtheyincommodedher。\"
\"Andyou？\"
\"Well，Iheldthemforafewminutes，thenIputtheminmypocket，butquiteautomatically，andwithoutthinkingverymuchaboutit。Shewasawomanaccustomedtohaveherownway。Peopleseldomquestionedit，Ijudge。\"
Herethetensionaboutmythroatrelaxed，andIopenedmylipstospeak。Buttheinspector，withaglanceofsomeauthority，forestalledme。
\"Weretheglovesopenorrolledupwhensheofferedthemtoyou？\"
\"Theywererolledup。\"
\"Didyouseehertakethemoff？\"
\"Assuredly。\"
\"Androllthemup？\"
\"Certainly。\"
\"Afterwhichshepassedthemovertoyou？\"
\"Notimmediately。Sheletthemlieinherlapforawhile。\"
\"Whileyoutalked？\"
Mr。Durandbowed。
\"Andlookedatthediamond？\"
Mr。Durandbowedforthesecondtime。
\"Hadyoueverseensofineadiamondbefore？\"
\"No。\"
\"Yetyoudealinpreciousstones？\"
\"Thatismybusiness。\"
\"Andareregardedasajudgeofthem？\"
\"Ihavethatreputation。\"
\"Mr。Durand，wouldyouknowthisdiamondifyousawit？\"
\"Icertainlyshould。\"
\"Thesettingwasanuncommonone，Ihear。\"
\"Quiteanunusualone。\"
Theinspectoropenedhishand。
\"Isthisthearticle？\"
\"GoodGod！Where——\"
\"Don’tyouknow？\"
\"Idonot。\"
Theinspectoreyedhimgravely。
\"ThenIhaveabitofnewsforyou。ItwashiddenintheglovesyoutookfromMrs。Fairbrother。MissVanArsdalewaspresentattheirunrolling。\"
Dowelive，move，breatheatcertainmoments？Ithardlyseemsso。
IknowthatIwasconsciousofbutonesense，thatofseeing；andofbutonefaculty，thatofjudgment。Wouldheflinch，breakdown，betrayguilt，orsimplyshowastonishment？Ichosetobelieveitwasthelatterfeelingonlywhichinformedhisslowlywhiteninganddisturbedfeatures。Certainlyitwasallhiswordsexpressed，ashisglancesflewfromthestonetothegloves，andbackagaintotheinspector’sface。
\"Icannotbelieveit。Icannotbelieveit。\"Andhishandflewwildlytohisforehead。
\"Yetitisthetruth，Mr。Durand，andoneyouhavenowtoface。
Howwillyoudothis？Byanyfurtherexplanations，orbywhatyoumayconsideradiscreetsilence？\"
\"Ihavenothingtoexplain，——thefactsareasIhavestated。\"
Theinspectorregardedhimwithanearnestnesswhichmademyheartsink。
\"Youcanfixthetimeofthisvisit，Ihope；tellus，Imean，justwhenyouleftthealcove。Youmusthaveseensomeonewhocanspeakforyou。\"
\"Ifearnot。\"
Whydidhelooksodisturbedanduncertain？
\"Therewerebutfewpersonsinthehalljustthen，\"hewentontoexplain。\"Noonewassittingontheyellowdivan。\"
\"Youknowwhereyouwent，though？Whomyousawandwhatyoudidbeforethealarmspread？\"
\"Inspector，Iamquiteconfused。Ididgosomewhere；Ididnotremaininthatpartofthehall。ButIcantellyounothingdefinite，savethatIwalkedabout，mostlyamongstrangers，tillthecryrosewhichsentusallinonedirectionandmetothesideofmyfaintingsweetheart。\"
\"Canyoupickoutanystrangeryoutalkedto，oranyonewhomighthavenotedyouduringthisinterval？Yousee，forthesakeofthislittlewoman，Iwishtogiveyoueverychance。\"
\"Inspector，Iamobligedtothrowmyselfonyourmercy。Ihavenosuchwitnesstomyinnocenceasyoucallfor。Innocentpeopleseldomhave。Itisonlytheguiltywhotakethetroubletoprovideforsuchcontingencies。\"
Thiswasallverywell，ifithadbeenutteredwithastraightforwardairandinacleartone。Butitwasnot。Iwholovedhimfeltthatitwasnot，andconsequentlywasmoreorlesspreparedforthechangewhichnowtookplaceintheinspector’smanner。Yetitpiercedmetothehearttoobservethischange，andIinstinctivelydroppedmyfaceintomyhandswhenIsawhimmovetowardMr。Durandwithsomefinalorderorwordofcaution。
Instantly（andwhocanaccountforsuchphenomena？）therefloatedintoviewbeforemyretinaareproductionofthepictureIhadseen，orimaginedmyselftohaveseen，inthesupper-room；andasatthattimeitopenedbeforemeanunknownvistaquiteremovedfromthesurroundingscene，soitdidnow，andIbeheldagaininfaintoutlines，andyetwiththeeffectofcompletedistinctness，asquareoflightthroughwhichappearedanopenpassagepartlyshutofffromviewbyahalf-liftedcurtainandthetallfigureofamanholdingbackthiscurtainandgazing，orseemingtogaze，athisownbreast，onwhichhehadalreadylaidonequiveringfinger。
Whatdiditmean？Intheexcitementofthehorribleoccurrencewhichhadengrossedusall，Ihadforgottenthiscuriousexperience；butonfeelinganewthevaguesensationofshockandexpectationwhichseemeditsnaturalaccompaniment，Ibecameconsciousofasuddenconvictionthatthepicturewhichhadopenedbeforemeinthesupper-roomwastheresultofareflectioninaglassormirrorofsomethingthengoingoninaplacenototherwisewithinthereachofmyvision；areflection，theimportanceofwhichIsuddenlyrealizedwhenIrecalledatwhatacriticalmomentithadoccurred。Amaninastateofdreadlookingathisbreast，withinfiveminutesofthestirandrushofthedreadfuleventwhichhadmarkedthisevening！
Ahope，greatasthedespairinwhichIhadjustbeensunk，gavemecouragetodropmyhandsandadvanceimpetuouslytowardtheinspector。
\"Don’tspeak，Ipray；don’tjudgeanyofusfurthertillyouhaveheardwhatIhavetosay。\"
Ingreatastonishmentandwithanaspectofsomeseverity，heaskedmewhatIhadtosaynowwhichIhadnothadtheopportunityofsayingbefore。IrepliedwithallthepassionofaforlornhopethatitwasonlyatthispresentmomentIrememberedafactwhichmighthaveaverydecidedbearingonthiscase；and，detectingevidences，asIthought，ofrelentingonhispart，I
backedupthisstatementbyanentreatyforafewwordswithhimapart，asthematterIhadtotellwasprivateandpossiblytoofancifulforanyearbuthisown。
Helookedasifheapprehendedsomelossofvaluabletime，but，touchedbytheinvoluntarygestureofappealwithwhichI
supplementedmyrequest，heledmeintoacorner，where，withjustanencouragingglancetowardMr。Durand，whoseemedstruckdumbbymyaction，ItoldtheinspectorofthatmomentarypicturewhichIhadseenreflectedinwhatIwasnowsurewassomewindow-paneormirror。
\"Itwasatatimecoincident，orverynearlycoincident，withtheperpetrationofthecrimeyouarenowinvestigating，\"I
concluded。\"Withinfiveminutesafterwardcametheshoutwhichrousedusalltowhathadhappenedinthealcove。IdonotknowwhatpassageIsaworwhatdoororevenwhatfigure；butthelatter，Iamsure，wasthatoftheguiltyman。Somethingintheoutline（anditwastheoutlineonlyIcouldcatch）expressedanemotionincomprehensibletomeatthemoment，butwhich，inmyremembrance，impressesmeasthatoffearanddread。ItwasnottheentrancetothealcoveIbeheld——thatwouldhavestruckmeatonce——butsomeotheropeningwhichImightrecognizeifIsawit。
Cannotthatopeningbefound，andmayitnotgiveacluetothemanIsawskulkingthroughitwithterrorandremorseinhisheart？\"
\"Wasthisfigure，whenyousawit，turnedtowardyouoraway？\"
theinspectorinquiredwithunexpectedinterest。
\"Turnedpartlyaway。Hewasgoingfromme。\"
\"Andyousat——where？\"
\"ShallIshowyou？\"
Theinspectorbowed，thenwithalowwordofcautionturnedtomyuncle。
\"Iamgoingtotakethisyoungladyintothehallforamoment，atherownrequest。MayIaskyouandMr。Durandtoawaitmehere？\"
Withoutpausingforreply，hethrewopenthedoorandpresentlywewerepacingthedesertedsupper-room，seekingtheplacewhereIhadsat。Ifounditalmostbyamiracle，——everythingbeingingreatdisorder。Guidedbymybouquet，whichIhadleftbehindmeinmyescapefromthetable，Ilaidholdofthechairbeforewhichitlay，anddeclaredquiteconfidentlytotheinspector：
\"ThisiswhereIsat。\"
Naturallyhisglanceandminebothflewtotheoppositewall。A
windowwasbeforeusofanunusualsizeandmake。Unlikeanywhichhadeverbeforecomeundermyobservation，itswungonapivot，and，thoughshutatthepresentmoment，mightveryeasily，whenopened，presentitshugepaneatananglecapableofcatchingreflectionsfromsomeofthemanymirrorsdecoratingthereception-roomsituateddiagonallyacrossthehall。Asallthedoorwaysonthislowerfloorwereofunusualwidth，anopenpathwasoffered，asitwere，forthesereflectionstopass，makingitpossibleforscenestobeimagedherewhich，tothepersonsinvolved，wouldseemassafefromanyone’sscrutinyasiftheyweretakingplaceintheadjoininghouse。
Aswerealizedthis，alookpassedbetweenusofmorethanordinarysignificance。Pointingtothewindow，theinspectorturnedtoagroupofwaiterswatchingusfromtheothersideoftheroomandaskedifithadbeenopenedthatevening。
Theanswercamequickly。
\"Yes，sir，——justbeforethe——the——\"
\"Iunderstand，\"brokeintheinspector；and，leaningoverme，hewhispered：\"Tellmeagainexactlywhatyouthoughtyousaw。\"
ButIcouldaddlittletomyformerdescription。\"Perhapsyoucantellmethis，\"hekindlypersisted。\"Wasthepicture，whenyousawit，onalevelwithyoureye，ordidyouhavetoliftyourheadinordertoseeit？\"
\"Itwashighup，——intheair，asitwere。Thatseemeditsoddestfeature。\"
Theinspector’smouthtookasatisfiedcurve。\"PossiblyImightidentifythedoorandpassage，ifIsawthem，\"Isuggested。
\"Certainly，certainly，\"washischeerfulrejoinder；and，summoningoneofhismen，hewasabouttogivesomeorder，whenhisimpulsechanged，andheaskedifIcoulddraw。
Iassuredhim，insomesurprise，thatIwasfarfrombeinganadeptinthatdirection，butthatpossiblyImightmanagearoughsketch；whereuponhepulledapadandpencilfromhispocketandrequestedmetomakesomesortofattempttoreproduce，onpaper，mymemoryofthispassageandthedoor。
Myheartwasbeatingviolently，andthepencilshookinmyhand，butIknewthatitwouldnotdoformetoshowanyhesitationinfixingforalleyeswhat，unaccountablytomyself，continuedtobeperfectlyplaintomyown。SoIendeavoredtodoashebademe，andsucceeded，tosomeextent，forheutteredaslightejaculationatoneofitsfeatures，and，whiledulyexpressinghisthanks，honoredmewithaverysharplook。
\"Isthisyourfirstvisittothishouse？\"heasked。
\"No；Ihavebeenherebefore。\"
\"Intheevening，orintheafternoon？\"
\"Intheafternoon。\"
\"Iamtoldthatthemainentranceisnotinuseto-night。\"
\"No。Asidedoorisprovidedforoccasionslikethepresent。
Guestsenteringtherefindaspecialhallandstaircase，bywhichtheycanreachtheupstairsdressing-rooms，withoutcrossingthemainhall。Isthatwhatyoumean？\"
\"Yes，thatiswhatImean。\"
Istaredathiminwonder。Whatlaybackofsuchquestionsasthese？
\"Youcamein，asothersdid，bythissideentrance，\"henowproceeded。\"Didyounotice，asyouturnedtogoupstairs，anarchopeningintoasmallpassagewayatyourleft？\"
\"Ididnot，\"Ibegan，flushing，forIthoughtIunderstoodhimnow。\"Iwastooeagertoreachthedressing-roomtolookaboutme。\"
\"Verywell，\"hereplied；\"Imaywanttoshowyouthatarch。\"
Theoutlineofanarch，backingthefigurewewereendeavoringtoidentify，wasamarkedfeatureinthesketchIhadshownhim。
\"WillyoutakeaseatnearbywhileImakeastudyofthismatter？\"
Iturnedwithalacritytoobey。Therewassomethinginhisairandmannerwhichmademealmostbuoyant。HadmyfancifulinterpretationofwhatIhadseenreachedhimwiththeconvictionithadme？Ifso，therewashope，——hopeforthemanIloved，whohadgoneinandoutbetweencurtains，andnotthroughanyarchsuchashehadmentionedorIhaddescribed。Providencewasworkingforme。Isawitinthewaythemennowmovedabout，swingingthewindowtoandfro，undertheinstructionoftheinspector，manipulatingthelights，openingdoorsanddrawingbackcurtains。Providencewasworkingforme，andwhen，afewminuteslater，Iwasaskedtoreseatmyselfinmyoldplaceatthesupper-tableandtakeanotherlookinthatslightlydeflectedglass，Iknewthatmyefforthadmetwithitsreward，andthatforthesecondtimeIwastoreceivetheimpressionofaplacenowindeliblyimprintedonmyconsciousness。
\"Isnotthatit？\"askedtheinspector，pointingattheglasswithalastlookattheimperfectsketchIhadmadehim，andwhichhestillheldinhishand。
\"Yes，\"Ieagerlyresponded。\"Allbuttheman。HewhosefigureI
seethereisanotherpersonentirely；Iseenoremorse，orevenfear，inhislooks。\"
\"Ofcoursenot。Youarelookingatthereflectionofoneofmymen。MissVanArsdale，doyourecognizetheplacenowunderyoureye？\"
\"Idonot。Youspokeofanarchinthehall，attheleftofthecarriageentrance，andIseeanarchinthewindow-panebeforeme，but——\"
\"Youarelookingstraightthroughthealcove，——perhapsyoudidnotknowthatanotherdooropenedatitsback，——intothepassagewhichrunsbehindit。Fartheronisthearch，andbeyondthatarchthesidehallandstaircaseleadingtothedressing-rooms。
Thisdoor，theoneintherearofthealcove，Imean，ishiddenfromthoseenteringfromthemainhallbydraperieswhichhavebeenhungoveritforthisoccasion，butitisquitevisiblefromthebackpassageway，andtherecanbenodoubtthatitwasbyitsmeanstheman，whosereflectedimageyousaw，bothenteredandleftthealcove。Itisanimportantfacttoestablish，andwefeelverymuchobligedtoyoufortheaidyouhavegivenusinthismatter。\"
Then，asIcontinuedtostareathiminmyelationandsurprise，headded，inquickexplanation：
\"Thelightsinthealcove，andintheseveralparlors，areallhungwithshades，asyoumustperceive，buttheoneinthehall，beyondthearch，isverybright，whichaccountsforthedistinctnessofthisdoublereflection。Anotherthing，——anditisaveryinterestingpoint，——itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforthisreflectiontobenoticeablefromwhereyousit，ifthelevelofthealcoveflooringhadnotbeenconsiderablyhigherthanthatofthemainfloor。Butforthisfreakofthearchitect，thecontinualpassingtoandfroofpeoplewouldhavepreventedthereflectioninitspassagefromsurfacetosurface。MissVanArsdale，itwouldseemthatbyoneofthosechanceswhichhappenbutonceortwiceinalifetime，everyconditionwaspropitiousatthemomenttomakethisreflectionapossibleoccurrence，eventhelocationandwidthoftheseveraldoorwaysandtheexactpointatwhichtheportierewasdrawnasidefromtheentrancetothealcove。\"
\"Itiswonderful，\"Icried，\"wonderful！\"Then，tohisastonishment，perhaps，Iaskediftherewasnotasmalldoorofcommunicationbetweenthepassagewaybackofthealcoveandthelargecentralhall。
\"Yes，\"hereplied。\"Itopensjustbeyondthefireplace。Threesmallstepsleadtoit。\"
\"Ithoughtso，\"Imurmured，butmoretomyselfthantohim。InmymindIwasthinkinghowaman，ifhesowished，couldpassfromtheveryheartofthisassemblageintothequietpassageway，andsoonintothealcove，withoutattractingverymuchattentionfromhisfellowguests。Iforgotthattherewasanotherwayofapproachevenlessnoticeablethatbythesmallstaircaserunningupbeyondthearchdirectlytothedressing-rooms。
Thatnoconfusionmayariseinanyone’smindinregardtothesecuriousapproaches，Isubjoinaplanofthisportionofthelowerfloorasitafterwardappearedintheleadingdailies。
\"AndMr。Durand？\"Istammered，asIfollowedtheinspectorbacktotheroomwherewehadleftthatgentleman。\"Youwillbelievehisstatementnowandlookforthissecondintruderwiththeguiltily-hangingheadandfrightenedmien？\"
\"Yes，\"hereplied，stoppingmeonthethresholdofthedoorandtakingmyhandkindlyinhis，\"if——（don’tstart，mydear；lifeisfulloftroubleforyoungandold，andyouthisthebesttimetofaceasadexperience）ifheisnothimselfthemanyousawstaringinfrightenedhorrorathisbreast。Haveyounotnoticedthatheisnotdressedinallrespectsliketheothergentlemenpresent？That，thoughhehasnotdonnedhisovercoat，hehasputon，somewhatprematurely，onemightsay，thelargesilkhandkerchiefliepresumablywearsunderit？Haveyounotnoticedthis，andaskedyourselfwhy？\"
Ihadnoticedit。IhadnoticeditfromthemomentIrecoveredfrommyfaintingfit，butIhadnotthoughtitamatterofsufficientinteresttoask，evenofmyself，hisreasonforthushidinghisshirt-front。NowIcouldnot。Myfacultiesweretooconfused，myhearttoodeeplyshakenbythesuggestionwhichtheinspector’swordsconveyed，formetobeconsciousofanythingbutthedevouringquestionastowhatIshoulddoif，bymyownmistakenzeal，IhadsucceededinplungingthemanIlovedyetdeeperintothetoilsinwhichhehadbecomeenmeshed。
Theinspectorleftmenotimeforthesettlementofthisquestion。UsheringmebackintotheroomwhereMr。Durandandmyuncleawaitedourreturninapparentlyunrelievedsilence，heclosedthedooruponthecuriouseyesofthevariouspersonsstilllingeringinthehall，andabruptlysaidtoMr。Durand：
\"Theexplanationsyouhavebeenpleasedtogiveofthemannerinwhichthisdiamondcameintoyourpossessionarenottoofancifulforcredence，ifyoucansatisfyusonanotherpointwhichhasawakenedsomedoubtinthemindofoneofmymen。Mr。Durand，youappeartohavepreparedyourselffordeparturesomewhatprematurely。Doyoumindremovingthathandkerchiefforamoment？
Myreasonforsopeculiararequestwillpresentlyappear。\"
Alas，formylastfondhope！Mr。Durand，withafaceaswhiteasthebackgroundofsnowframedbytheuncurtainedwindowagainstwhichheleaned，liftedhishandasiftocomplywiththeinspector’srequest，thenletitfallagainwithagratinglaugh。
\"IseethatIamnotlikelytoescapeanyoftheresultsofmyimprudence，\"hecried，andwithaquickjerkbaredhisshirt-front。
Asplashofreddefileditsotherwiseuniformwhiteness！Thatitwastheredofheart’sbloodwasprovedbytheshrinkinglookheunconsciouslycastatit。
IV
EXPLANATIONS
MyloveforAnsonDuranddiedatsighto？thatcrimsonsplashorIthoughtitdid。InthisspotofbloodonthebreastofhimtowhomIhadgivenmyheartIcouldreadbutoneword——guilt——
heinousguilt，guiltdeniedandnowbroughttolightinlanguagethatcouldbeseenandreadbyallmen。WhyshouldIstayinsuchapresence？Hadnottheinspectorhimselfadvisedmetogo？
Yes，butanothervoicebademeremain。JustasIreachedthedoor，AnsonDurandfoundhisvoiceandIheard，inthefull，sweettonesIlovedsowell：
\"WaitIamnottobejudgedlikethis。Iwillexplain！\"
Butheretheinspectorinterposed。
\"Doyouthinkitwisetomakeanysuchattemptwithouttheadviceofcounsel，Mr。Durand？\"
TheindignationwithwhichMr。Durandwheeledtowardhimraisedinmeafainthope。
\"GoodGod，yes！\"hecried。\"WouldyouhavemeleaveMissVanArsdaleoneminutelongerthanisnecessarytosuchdreadfuldoubts？Rita——MissVanArsdale——weakness，andweaknessonly，hasbroughtmeintomypresentposition。IdidnotkillMrs。
Fairbrother，nordidIknowinglytakeherdiamond，thoughappearanceslookthatway，asIamveryreadytoacknowledge。I
didgotoherinthealcove，notonce，buttwice，andthesearemyreasonsfordoingso：Aboutthreemonthsagoacertainwell-knownmanofenormouswealthcametomewiththerequestthatIshouldprocureforhimadiamondofsuperiorbeauty。Hewishedtogiveittohiswife，andhewishedittooutshineanywhichcouldnowbefoundinNewYork。Thismeantsendingabroad——
anexpensehewasquitewillingtoincuronthesoleconditionthatthestoneshouldnotdisappointhimwhenhesawit，andthatitwastobeinhishandsontheeighteenthofMarch，hiswife’sbirthday。NeverbeforehadIhadsuchanopportunityforalargestrokeofbusiness。Naturallyelated，Ienteredatonceintocorrespondencewiththebestknowndealersontheotherside，andlastweekadiamondwasdeliveredtomewhichseemedtofillallthenecessaryrequirements。Ihadneverseenafinerstone，andwasconsequentlyrejoicinginmysuccess，whensomeone，Idonotrememberwhonow，chancedtospeakinmyhearingofthewonderfulstonepossessedbyacertainMrs。Fairbrother——astonesolarge，sobrilliantandsopreciousaltogetherthatsheseldomworeit，thoughitwasknowntoconnoisseursandhadagreatreputationatTiffany’s，whereithadoncebeensentforsomealterationinthesetting。WasthisstonelargerandfinerthantheoneIhadprocuredwithsomuchtrouble？Ifso，mylaborhadallbeeninvain，formypatronmusthaveknownofthisdiamondandwouldexpecttoseeitsurpassed。
\"IwassoupsetbythispossibilitythatIresolvedtoseethejewelandmakecomparisonsformyself。Ifoundafriendwhoagreedtointroducemetothelady。Shereceivedmeverygraciouslyandwasamiableenoughuntilthesubjectofdiamondswasbroached，whensheimmediatelystiffenedandleftmewithoutanopportunityofprofferingmyrequest。However，oneveryothersubjectshewasaffable，andIfounditeasyenoughtopursuetheacquaintancetillwewerealmostonfriendlyterms。ButIneversawthediamond，norwouldshetalkaboutit，thoughIcausedhersomesurprisewhenonedayIdrewoutbeforehereyestheoneI
hadprocuredformypatronandmadeherlookatit。’Fine，’shecried，’fine！’ButIfailedtodetectanyenvyinhermanner，andsoknewthatIhadnotachievedtheobjectsetmebymywealthycustomer。Thiswasawoefuldisappointment；yet，asMrs。
Fairbrotherneverworeherdiamond，itwasamongthepossibilitiesthathemightbesatisfiedwiththeveryfinegemI
hadobtainedforhim，and，influencedbythishope，Isenthimthismorningarequesttocomeandseeittomorrow。TonightI
attendedthisball，andalmostassoonasIenterthedrawing-roomIhearthatMrs。Fairbrotherispresentandiswearingherfamousjewel。Whatcouldyouexpectofme？Why，thatIwouldmakeanefforttoseeitandsobereadywithareplytomyexactingcustomerwhenheshouldaskmeto-morrowifthestoneIshowedhimhaditspeerinthecity。Butwasnotinthedrawing-roomthen，andlaterIbecameinterestedelsewhere\"——herehecastalookatme——\"sothathalftheeveningpassedbeforeI
hadanopportunitytojoinherintheso-calledalcove，whereI
hadseenhersetupherminiaturecourt。Whatpassedbetweenusintheshortinterviewweheldtogetheryouwillfindmepreparedtostate，ifnecessary。ItwaschieflymarkedbytheoneshortviewIsucceededinobtainingofhermarvelousdiamond，inspiteofthepainsshetooktohideitfrommebysomenaturalmovementwhenevershecaughtmyeyesleavingherface。ButinthatoneshortlookIhadseenenough。Thiswasagemforacollector，nottobewornsaveinaroyalpresence。Howhadshecomebyit？AndcouldMr。Smytheexpectmetoprocurehimastonelikethat？InmyconfusionIarosetodepart，buttheladyshowedadispositiontokeepme，andbeganchattingsovivaciouslythatIscarcelynoticedthatshewasallthetimeengagedindrawingoffhergloves。Indeed，Ialmostforgotthejewel，possiblybecausehermovementshiditsocompletely，andonlyremembereditwhen，withasuddenturnfromthewindowwhereshehaddrawnmetowatchthefallingflakes，shepressedtheglovesintomyhandwiththecoquettishrequestthatIshouldtakecareofthemforher。I
remember，asItookthem，ofstrivingtocatchanotherglimpseofthestone，whosebrilliancyhaddazzledme，butshehadopenedherfanbetweenus。Amomentafter，thinkingIheardapproachingsteps，Iquittedtheroom。Thiswasmyfirstvisit。\"
Ashestopped，possiblyforbreath，possiblytojudgetowhatextentIwasimpressedbyhisaccount，theinspectorseizedtheopportunitytoaskifMrs。Fairbrotherhadbeenstandinganyofthistimewithherbacktohim。Towhichheansweredyes，whiletheywereinthewindow。
\"Longenoughforhertopluckoffthejewelandthrustitintothegloves，ifshehadsowished？\"
\"Quitelongenough。\"
\"Butyoudidnotseeherdothis？\"
\"Ididnot。\"
\"Andsotookthegloveswithoutsuspicion？\"
\"Entirelyso。\"
\"Andcarriedthemaway？\"
\"Unfortunately，yes。\"
\"Withoutthinkingthatshemightwantthemthenextminute？\"
\"IdoubtifIwasthinkingseriouslyofheratall。Mythoughtswereonmyowndisappointment。\"
\"Didyoucarrytheseglovesoutinyourhand？\"
\"No，inmypocket。\"
\"Isee。Andyoumet——\"
\"Noone。ThesoundIheardmusthavecomefromtherearhall。\"
\"Andtherewasnobodyonthesteps？\"
\"No。Agentlemanwasstandingattheirfoot——Mr。Grey，theEnglishman——buthisfacewasturnedanotherway，andhelookedasifhehadbeeninthatsamepositionforseveralminutes。\"
\"Didthisgentleman——Mr。Grey——seeyou？\"
\"Icannotsay，butIdoubtit。Heappearedtobeinasortofdream。Therewereotherpeopleabout，butnobodywithwhomIwasacquainted。\"
\"Verygood。Nowforthesecondvisityouacknowledgehavingpaidthisunfortunatelady。\"
Theinspector’svoicewashard。Iclungalittlemoretightlytomyuncle，andMr。Durand，afteroneagonizingglancemyway，drewhimselfupasifquiteconsciousthathehadentereduponthemostseriouspartofthestruggle。
\"Ihadforgottentheglovesinmyhurrieddeparture；butpresentlyIrememberedthem，andgrewveryuneasy。Ididnotlikecarryingthiswoman’spropertyaboutwithme。Ihadengagedmyself，anhourbefore，toMissVanArsdale，andwasveryanxioustorejoinher。Theglovesworriedme，andfinally，afteralittleaimlesswanderingthroughthevariousrooms，Ideterminedtogobackandrestorethemtotheirowner。Thedoorsofthesupper-roomhadjustbeenflungopen，andtheendofthehallnearthealcovewascomparativelyempty，saveforacertainquizzicalfriendofmine，whomIsawsittingwithhispartnerontheyellowdivan。Ididnotwanttoencounterhimjustthen，forhehadalreadyjokedmeaboutmyadmirationfortheladywiththediamond，andsoIconceivedtheideaofapproachingherbymeansofasecondentrancetothealcove，unsuspectedbymostofthosepresent，butperfectlywell-knowntome，whohavebeenafrequentguestinthishouse。Adoor，coveredbytemporarydraperies，connects，asyoumayknow，thisalcovewithapassagewaycommunicatingdirectlywiththehallofentranceandtheup-stairsdressing-rooms。Togoupthemainstairsandcomedownbythesideone，andsoon，throughasmallarchway，wasaverysimplematterforme。Ifnoearly-departingorlatearrivingguestswereinthathall，Ineedfearbutoneencounter，andthatwaswiththeservantstationedatthecarriageentrance。Butevenhewasabsentatthispropitiousinstant，andIreachedthedoorIsoughtwithoutanyunpleasantness。Thisdooropenedoutinsteadofin，——thisIalsoknewwhenplanningthissurreptitiousintrusion，but，afterpullingitopenandreachingforthecurtain，whichhungcompletelyacrossit，IfounditnotsoeasytoproceedasIhadimagined。Thestealthinessofmyactionheldbackmyhand；thenthefaintsoundsIheardwithinadvisedmethatshewasnotalone，andthatshemightveryreadilyregardwithdispleasuremyunexpectedentrancebyadoorofwhichshewaspossiblyignorant。Itellyouallthisbecause，ifbyanychanceIwasseenhesitatinginfaceofthatcurtain，doubtsmighthavebeenraisedwhichIamanxioustodispel。\"Herehiseyesleftmyfaceforthatoftheinspector。
\"Itcertainlyhadabadlook，——thatIdon’tdeny；butIdidnotthinkofappearancesthen。Iwastooanxioustocompleteataskwhichhadsuddenlypresentedunexpecteddifficulties。ThatI
listenedbeforeenteringwasverynatural，andwhenIheardnovoice，onlysomethinglikeagreatsigh，Iventuredtoliftthecurtainandstepin。Shewassitting，notwhereIhadlefther，butonacouchattheleftoftheusualentrance，herfacetowardme，and——youknowhow，Inspector。ItwasherlastsighIhadheard。Horrified，forIhadneverlookedondeathbefore，muchlesscrime，Ireeledforward，meaning，Ipresume，torushdownthestepsshoutingforhelp，when，suddenly，somethingfellsplashingonmyshirt-front，andIsawmyselfmarkedwithastainofblood。Thisbothfrightenedandbewilderedme，anditwasaminuteortwobeforeIhadthecouragetolookup。WhenIdiddoso，Isawwhencethisdrophadcome。Notfromher，thoughtheredstreamwaspouringdowntherichfoldsofherdress，butfromasharpneedle-likeinstrumentwhichhadbeenthrust，pointdownward，intheopenworkofanantiquelanternhangingnearthedoorway。Whathadhappenedtomemighthavehappenedtoanyonewhochancedtobeinthatspotatthatspecialmoment，butIdidnotrealizethisthen。Coveringthesplashwithmyhands，IedgedmyselfbacktothedoorbywhichIhadentered，watchingthosedeathfuleyesandcrushingundermyfeettheremnantsofsomebrokenchinawithwhichthecarpetwasbestrewn。Ihadnothoughtofher，hardlyanyofmyself。Tocrosstheroomwasall；toescapeassecretlyasIcame，beforetheportieresonearlydrawnbetweenmeandthemainhallshouldstirunderthehandofsomecuriouspersonentering。Itwasmyfirstsightofblood；myfirstcontactwithcrime，andthatwaswhatIdid，——Ifled。\"
Thelastwordwasutteredwithagasp。Evidentlyhewasgreatlyaffectedbythishorribleexperience。
\"Iamashamedofmyself，\"hemuttered，\"butnothingcannowundothefact。Islidfromthepresenceofthismurderedwomanasthoughshehadbeenthevictimofmyownrageorcupidity；and，beingfortunateenoughtoreachthedressing-roombeforethealarmhadspreadbeyondtheimmediatevicinityofthealcove，foundandputonthehandkerchief，whichmadeitpossibleformetorushdownandfindMissVanArsdale，who，somebodytoldme，hadfainted。NottillIstoodoverherinthatremotecornerbeyondthesupper-roomdidIagainthinkofthegloves。WhatI
didwhenIhappenedtothinkofthem，youalreadyknow。IcouldhaveshownnogreatercowardiceifIhadknownthatthemurderedwoman’sdiamondwashiddeninsidethem。Yet，Ididnotknowthis，orevensuspectit。NordoIunderstand，now，herreasonforplacingitthere。WhyshouldMrs。Fairbrotherrisksuchaninvaluablegemtothecustodyofonesheknewsolittle？Anunconsciouscustody，too？Wassheafraidofbeingmurderedifsheretainedthisjewel？\"
Theinspectorthoughtamoment，andthensaid：
\"Youmentionyourdreadofsomeoneenteringbytheonedoorbeforeyoucouldescapebytheother。Doyourefertothefriendyouleftsittingonthedivanopposite？\"
\"No，myfriendhadleftthatseat。Theportierewassufficientlydrawnformetodetectthat。IfIhadwaitedaminutelonger，\"hebitterlyadded，\"Ishouldhavefoundmywayopentotheregularentrance，andsoescapedallthis。\"
\"Mr。Durand，youarenotobligedtoansweranyofmyquestions；
but，ifyouwish，youmaytellmewhether，atthismomentofapprehension，youthoughtofthedangeryouranofbeingseenfromoutsidebysomeoneofthemanycoachmenpassingbyonthedriveway？\"
\"No，——Ididnoteventhinkofthewindow，——Idon’tknowwhy；but，ifanyonepassingbydidseeme，Ihopetheysawenoughtosubstantiatemystory。\"
Theinspectormadenoreply。Heseemedtobethinking。Iheardafterwardthatthecurtains，loopedbackintheearlyevening，hadbeenfoundhangingatfulllengthoverthiswindowbythosewhofirstrushedinuponthesceneofdeath。HadhehopedtoentrapMr。Durandintosomedamagingadmission？Orwashemerelytestinghistruth？Hisexpressionaffordednocluetohisthoughts，andMr。Durand，notingthis，remarkedwithsomedignity：
\"Idonotexpectstrangerstoaccepttheseexplanations，whichmustsoundstrangeandinadequateinfaceoftheproofIcarryofhavingbeenwiththatwomanafterthefatalweaponstruckherheart。But，toonewhoknowsme，andknowsmewell，IcansurelyappealforcredencetoatalewhichIheredeclaretobeastrueasifIhadsworntoitinacourtofjustice。\"
\"Anson！：\"Ipassionatelycriedout，looseningmyclutchuponmyuncle’sarm。Myconfidenceinhimhadreturned。
Andthen，asInotedtheinspector’sbusinesslikeair，andmyuncle’swaveringlookandunconvincedmanner，Ifeltmyheartswell，and，flingingalldiscretiontothewind，Iboundedeagerlyforward。LayingmyhandsinthoseofMr。Durand，Icriedfervently：
\"Ibelieveinyou。Nothingbutyourownwordsshallevershakemyconfidenceinyourinnocence。\"
Thesweet，gladlookIreceivedwasmybestreply。Icouldleavetheroom，afterthat。
Butnotthehouse。Anotherexperienceawaitedme，awaitedusall，beforethisfull，eventfuleveningcametoaclose。
V
SUPERSTITION
Ihadgoneupstairsformywraps——myunclehavinginsistedonmywithdrawingfromascenewheremyverypresenceseemedinsomedegreetocompromiseme。
Soonpreparedformydeparture，Iwascrossingthehalltothesmalldoorcommunicatingwiththesidestaircasewheremyunclehadpromisedtoawaitme，whenIfeltmyselfseizedbyadesiretohaveanotherlookbelowbeforeleavingtheplaceinwhichwerecenteredallmydeepestinterests。
Awidelanding，breakingupthemainflightofstairssomefewfeetfromthetop，offeredmeanadmirablepointofview。Withbutlittlethoughtofpossibleconsequences，andnothoughtatallofmypoor，patientuncle，Islippeddowntothislanding，and，protectedbytheunusualheightofitsbalustrade，allowedmyselfapartingglanceatthescenewithwhichmymostpoignantmemorieswerehenceforthtobeconnected。
Beforemelaythelargesquareofthecentralhall。Openingoutfromthiswasthecorridorleadingtothefrontdoor，andincidentallytothelibrary。Asmyglancerandownthiscorridor，Ibeheld，approachingfromtheroomjustmentioned，thetallfigureoftheEnglishman。
Hehaltedashereachedthemainhallandstoodgazingeagerlyatagroupofmenandwomenclusterednearthefireplace——agrouponwhichInosoonercastmyowneyethanmyattentionalsobecamefixed。
TheinspectorhadcomefromtheroomwhereIhadlefthimwithMr。Durandandwasshowingtothesepeopletheextraordinarydiamond，whichhehadjustrecoveredundersuchremarkableifnotsuspiciouscircumstances。Youngheadsandoldweremeetingoverit，andIwasstrainingmyearstohearsuchcommentsaswereaudibleabovethegeneralhubbub，whenMr。GreymadeaquickmoveandIlookedhiswayagainintimetomarkhisairofconcernandtheuncertaintyheshowedwhethertoadvanceorretreat。
Unconsciousofmywatchfuleye，andnoting，nodoubt，thatmostofthepersonsinthegrouponwhichhisowneyewasleveledstoodwiththeirbackstowardhim，hemadenoefforttodisguisehisprofoundinterestinthestone。Hiseyefolloweditspassagefromhandtohandwithacovetouseagernessofwhichhemaynothavebeenaware，andIwasnotatallsurprisedwhen，afterashortintervaloftroubledindecision，heimpulsivelysteppedforwardandbeggedtheprivilegeofhandlingthegemhimself。
Ourhost，whostoodnotfarfromtheinspector，saidsomethingtothatgentlemanwhichledtothisrequestbeingcompliedwith。ThestonewaspassedovertoMr。Grey，andIsaw，possiblybecausemyheartwasinmyeyes，thatthegreatman’shandtrembledasittouchedhispalm。Indeed，hiswholeframetrembled，andIwaslookingeagerlyfortheresultofhisinspectionwhen，onhisturningtoholdthejeweluptothelight，somethinghappenedsoabnormalandsostrangethatnoonewhowasfortunate（orunfortunate）enoughtobepresentinthehouseatthatinstantwilleverforgetit。
Thissomethingwasacry，comingfromnooneknewwhere，which，unearthlyinitsshrillnessandthepowerithadontheimagination，reverberatedthroughthehouseanddiedawayinawailsoweird，sothrillingandsoprolongedthatitgrippednotonlymyownnervelessandweakenedheart，butthoseofthetenstrongmencongregatedbelowme。ThediamonddroppedfromMr。
Grey’shand，andneitherhenoranyoneelsemovedtopickitup。
Nottillsilencehadcomeagain——asilencealmostasunendurabletothesensitiveearasthecrywhichhadprecededit——didanyonestirorthinkofthegem。Thenonegentlemanafteranotherbenttolookforit，butwithnosuccess，tilloneofthewaiters，whopossiblyhadfolloweditwithhiseyeorcaughtsightofitssparkleontheedgeoftherug，whitherithadrolled，sprangandpickeditupandhandeditbacktoMr。Grey。
InstinctivelytheEnglishman’shandclosedonit，butitwasveryevidenttome，andIthinktoall，thathisinterestinitwasgone。Ifhelookedatithedidnotseeit，forhestoodlikeonestunnedallthetimethatagitatedmenandwomenwererunninghitherandthitherinunavailingeffortstolocatethesoundyetringingintheirears。Nottillthesevarioussearchershadallcometogetheragain，interrorofamysterytheycouldnotsolve，didhelethishandfallandhimselfawaketothesceneabouthim。
Thewordsheatoncegaveutterancetowereasremarkableasalltherest。