\"Gentlemen，\"saidhe，\"youmustpardonmyagitation。Thiscry——
youneednotseekitssource——isonetowhichIamonlytoowellaccustomed。Ihavebeenthehappyfatherofsixchildren。FiveI
haveburied，and，beforethedeathofeach，thissamecryhasechoedinmyears。Ihavebutonechildleft，adaughter，——sheisillatthehotel。DoyouwonderthatIshrinkfromthisnoteofwarning，andshowmyselfsomethinglessthanamanunderitsinfluence？Iamgoinghome；but，first，onewordaboutthisstone。\"Herehelifteditandbestowed，orappearedtobestowonit，ananxiousscrutiny，puttingonhisglassesandexaminingitcarefullybeforepassingitbacktotheinspector。
\"Ihaveheard，\"saidhe，withachangeoftonewhichmusthavebeennoticeabletoeveryone，\"thatthisstonewasaverysuperiorone，andquiteworthyofthefameitborehereinAmerica。But，gentlemen，youhaveallbeengreatlydeceivedinit；noonemorethanhewhowaswillingtocommitmurderforitspossession。Thestone，whichyouhavejustbeengoodenoughtoallowmetoinspect，isnodiamond，butacarefullymanufacturedbitofpastenotworththerichandelaboratesettingwhichhasbeengiventoit。Iamsorrytobetheonetosaythis，butI
havemadeastudyofpreciousstones，andIcannotletthisbare-facedimitationpassthroughmyhandswithoutaprotest。Mr。
Ramsdell，\"thistoourhost，\"Ibegyouwillallowmetouttermyexcuses，anddepartatonce。Mydaughterisworse，——thisIknow，ascertainlyasthatIamstandinghere。Thecryyouhaveheardistheonesuperstitionofourfamily。PrayGodthatIfindheralive！\"
Afterthis，whatcouldbesaid？Thoughnoonewhohadheardhim，notevenmyownromanticself，showedanybeliefinthisinterpretationoftheremarkablesoundthathadjustgonethrillingthroughthehouse，yet，infaceofhisdeclaredacceptanceofitasawarning，andthefactthatalleffortshadfailedtolocatethesound，oreventodetermineitssource，noothercourseseemedopenbuttoletthisdistinguishedmandepartwiththesuddennesshissuperstitiousfearsdemanded。
Thatthiswasinoppositiontotheinspector’swisheswasevidentenough。Naturally，hewouldhavepreferredMr。Greytoremain，ifonlytomakeclearhissurprisingconclusionsinregardtoadiamondwhichhadpassedthroughthehandsofsomeofthebestjudgesinthecountry，withoutadoubthavingbeenraisedastoitsgenuineness。
Withhisdeparturetheinspector’smannerchanged。Heglancedatthestoneinhishand，andslowlyshookhishead。
\"IdoubtifMr。Grey’sjudgmentcanbedependedon，to-night，\"
saidhe，andpocketedthegemascarefullyasifhisbeliefinitsrealvaluehadbeenbutlittledisturbedbytheassertionsofthisrenownedforeigner。
IhavenodistinctremembranceofhowIfinallyleftthehouse，orofwhatpassedbetweenmyuncleandmyselfonourwayhome。I
wasnumbwiththeshock，andneithermyintelligencenormyfeelingswereanylongeractive。Irecallbutoneimpression，andthatwastheeffectmadeonmebymyoldhomeonourarrivalthere，asofsomethingnewandstrange；somuchhadhappened，andsuchchangeshadtakenplaceinmyselfsinceleavingitfivehoursbefore。Butnothingelseisvividinmyremembrancetillthatearlyhourofthedrearymorning，when，onwakingtotheworldwithacry，Ibeheldmyuncle’sanxiousfigure，bendingovermefromthefoot-board。
InstantlyIfoundtongue，andquestionafterquestionleapedfrommylips。Hedidnotanswerthem；hecouldnot；butwhenIgrewfeverishandinsistent，hedrewthemorningpaperfrombehindhisback，andlaiditquietlydownwithinmyreach。Ifeltcalmedinaninstant，andwhen，afterafewaffectionatewords，heleftmetomyself，Iseizedonthesheetandreadwhatsomanyotherswerereadingatthatmomentthroughoutthecity。
IspareyoutheaccountsofarasitcoincideswithwhatIhadmyselfseenandheardthenightbefore。Afewparticularswhichhadnotreachedmyearswillinterestyou。TheinstrumentofdeathfoundintheplacedesignatedbyMr。Durandwasoneofnotetosuchashadanytasteorknowledgeofcurios。Itwasastilettoofthemostdelicatetype，long，keenandslender。NotanAmericanproduct，notevenofthiscentury’smanufacture，butarelicofthedayswhendeadlythrustsweregiveninthecornersandby-waysofmedievalstreets。
Thismadethefirstmystery。
Thesecondwastheasyetunexplainablepresence，onthealcovefloor，oftwobrokencoffee-cups，whichnowaiternoranyotherperson，infact，admittedhavingcarriedthere。Thetray，whichhadfallenfromPeterMooney’shand，——thewaiterwhohadbeenthefirsttogivethealarmofmurder，——hadheldnocups，onlyices。
Thiswasafact，proved。Butthehandlesoftwocupshadbeenfoundamongthedebris，——cupswhichmusthavebeenfull，fromthesizeofthecoffeestainleftontherugwheretheyhadfallen。
InreadingthisIrememberedthatMr。Durandhadmentionedsteppingonsomebrokenpiecesofchinainhisescapefromthefatalscene，and，struckwiththisconfirmationofatheorywhichwasslowlytakingforminmyownmind，Ipassedontothenextparagraph，withasenseofexpectation。
Theresultwasasurprise。Othersmayhavebeentold，Iwasnot，thatMrs。Fairbrotherhadreceivedacommunicationfromoutsideonlyafewminutesprevioustoherdeath。AMr。Fullerton，whohadprecededMr。Durandinhisvisittothealcove，ownedtohavingopenedthewindowforheratsomecallorsignalfromoutside，andtakeninasmallpieceofpaperwhichhesawliftedupfrombelowontheendofawhiphandle。Hecouldnotseewhoheldthewhip，butatMrs。Fairbrother’Sentreatyheunpinnedthenoteandgaveittoher。Whileshewaspuzzlingoverit，foritwasapparentlyfarfromlegible，hetookanotherlookoutintimetomarkafigurerushfrombelowtowardthecarriagedrive。Hedidnotrecognizethefigurenorwouldheknowitagain。Astothenatureofthecommunicationitselfhecouldsaynothing，savethatMrs。Fairbrotherdidnotseemtobeaffectedfavorablybyit。Shefrownedandwaslookingverygloomywhenheleftthealcove。Askedifhehadpulledthecurtainstogetherafterclosingthewindow，hesaidthathehadnot；thatshehadnotrequestedhimtodoso。
Thisstory，whichwascertainlyastrangeone，hadbeenconfirmedbythetestimonyofthecoachmanwhohadlenthiswhipforthepurpose。Thiscoachman，whowasknowntobeamanofextremegoodnature，hadseennoharminlendinghiswhiptoapoordevilwhowishedtogiveatelegramorsomesuchhastymessagetotheladysittingjustabovetheminalightedwindow。Thewindwasfierceandthesnowblinding，anditwasnaturalthatthemanshouldduckhishead，butherememberedhisappearancewellenoughtosaythathewaseitherverycoldorverymuchdoneupandthatheworeagreatcoatwiththecollarpulledupabouthisears。Whenhecamebackwiththewhipheseemedmorecheerfulthanwhenheaskedforit，buthadno\"thankyou\"forthefavordonehim，orifhehad，itwaslostinhisthroatandthepiercinggale。
Thecommunication，whichwasregardedbythepoliceasamatterofthehighestimportance，hadbeenfoundinherhandbythecoroner。Itwasamerescrawlwritteninpencilonasmallscrapofpaper。Thefollowingfacsimileofthescrawlwasgiventothepublicinthehopethatsomeonewouldrecognizethehandwriting。
Thefirsttwolinesoverlappedandwereconfused，butthelastonewasclearenough。Expecttroubleif——Ifwhat？Hundredswereaskingthequestionandatthisverymoment。Ishouldsoonbeaskingit，too，butfirst，Imustmakeanefforttounderstandthesituation，——asituationwhichuptonowappearedtoinvolveMr。Durand，andMr。Durandonly，asthesuspectedparty。
ThiswasnomorethanIexpected，yetitcamewithashockunderthebroadglareofthiswintrymorning；soimpossiblediditseeminthelightofevery-daylifethatguiltcouldbeassociatedinanyone’smindwithamanofsuchunblemishedrecordandexcellentstanding。Buttheevidenceadducedagainsthimwasofakindtoappealtothecommonmind——weallknowthatevidence——norcouldIsay，afterreadingthefullaccount，thatIwasmyselfunaffectedbyitsseemingweight。Notthatmyfaithinhisinnocencewasshaken。Ihadmethislookofloveandtendergratitudeandmyconfidenceinhimhadbeenrestored，butIsaw，withalltheclearnessofamindtrainedbycontinuousstudy，howdifficultitwasgoingtobetocounteracttheprejudiceinduced，first，byhisowninconsiderateacts，especiallybythatunfortunateattemptofhistosecreteMrs。Fairbrother’sglovesinanotherwoman’sbag，andsecondly，byhispeculiarexplanations——explanationswhichtomanymustseemforcedandunnatural。
Isawandfeltnervedtoasuperhumantask。Ibelievedhiminnocent，andifothersfailedtoprovehimso，Iwouldundertaketoclearhimmyself，——I，thelittleRita，withnoexperienceoflaworcourtsorcrime，butwithsimplyanunboundedfaithinthemansuspectedandinthekeennessofmyowninsight，——aninsightwhichhadalreadyservedmesowellandwouldservemeyetbetter，onceIhadmasteredthedetailswhichmustbethepreludetoallintelligentaction。
Themorning’sreportstoppedwiththeexplanationsgivenbyMr。
Durandoftheappearancesagainsthim。Consequentlynowordappearedoftheaftereventswhichhadmadesuchanimpressionatthetimeonallthepersonspresent。Mr。Greywasmentioned，butsimplyasoneoftheguests，andtonoonereadingthisearlymorningissuewouldanydoubtcomeastothegenuinenessofthediamondwhich，toallappearance，hadbeentheleadingmotiveinthecommissionofthisgreatcrime。
Theeffectonmyownmindofthissuppressionwasacuriousone。
Ibegantowonderifthewholeeventhadnotbeenachimeraofmydisturbedbrain——anightmarewhichhadvisitedme，andmealone，andnotafacttobereckonedwith。Butamoment’sfurtherthoughtservedtoclearmymindofallsuchdoubts，andI
perceivedthatthepolicehadonlyexercisedcommonprudenceinwithholdingMr。Grey’ssensationalopinionofthestonetillitcouldbeverifiedbyexperts。
ThetwocolumnsofgossipdevotedtothefamilydifferenceswhichhadledtotheseparationofMr。andMrs。Fairbrother，Ishallcompressintoafewlines。TheyhadbeenmarriedthreeyearsbeforeinthecityofBaltimore。Hewasarichmanthen，butnotthemultimillionaireheisto-day。Plain-featuredandwithoutmanner，liewasnomateforthissparklingcoquette，whosecharmwasofthekindwhichgrowswithexercise。Thoughnoactualscandalwaseverassociatedwithhername，hegrewtiredofhercaprices，andtheconquestswhichshemadenoendeavortohideeitherfromhimorfromtheworldatlarge；andatsometimeduringthepreviousyeartheyhadcometoafriendlyunderstandingwhichledtotheirlivingapart，eachingrandstyleandwithacertaindeferencetotheproprietieswhichretainedthemtheirfriendsandanenviableplaceinsociety。Hewasnotofteninvitedwhereshewas，andsheneverappearedinanyassemblagewherehewasexpected；butwiththisexception，littlefeelingwasshown；mattersprogressedsmoothly，andtotheircredit，letitbesaid，nooneeverheardeitherofthemspeakotherwisethanconsideratelyoftheother。Hewasatpresentoutortown，havingstartedsomethreeweeksbeforeforthesouthwest，butwouldprobablyreturnonreceiptofthetelegramwhichhadbeensenthim。
Thecommentsmadeonthemurderwerenecessarilyhurried。Itwascalledamystery，butitwasevidentenoughthatMr。Durand’sdetentionwaslookedonasthealmostcertainpreludetohisarrestonthechargeofmurder。
Ihadhadsomedisciplineinlife。Althoughafavoriteofmywealthyuncle，Ihadgivenupveryearlytheprospectsheheldouttomeofacontinuedenjoymentofhisbounty，andenteredondutieswhichrequiredself-denialandhardwork。IdidthisbecauseIenjoyhavingbothmymindandheartoccupied。Tobenecessarytosomeone，asanurseistoapatient，seemedtomeanenviablefatetillIcameundertheinfluenceofAnsonDurand。
Thenthecravingofallwomenforthecommonlotoftheirsexbecamemycravingalso；acraving，however，towhichIfailedatfirsttoyield，forIfeltthatitwasunshared，andthusatokenofweakness。Fightingmybattle，Isucceededinwinningit，asI
thought，justasthenurse’sdiplomawasputinmyhands。Thencamethegreatsurpriseofmylife。AnsonDurandexpressedhisloveformeandIawoketothefactthatallmypreparationhadbeenforhomejoysandawoman’strueexistence。Onehourofecstasyinthelightofthisnewhope，thentragedyandsomethingapproachingchaos！TrulyIhadbeenthroughaschooling。ButwasitonetomakemeusefulintheonlywayIcouldbeusefulnow？I
didnotknow；Ididnotcare；Iwasdeterminedonmycourse，fitorunfit，and，inthereliefbroughtbythisappealtomyenergy，Iroseanddressedandwentaboutthedutiesoftheday。
OneofthesewastodeterminewhetherMr。Grey，onhisreturntohishotel，hadfoundhisdaughterasillashisfearshadforeboded。Atelephonemessageortwosatisfiedmeonthispoint。
MissGreywasveryill，butnotconsidereddangerouslyso；
indeed，ifanything，herconditionwasimproved，andifnothinghappenedinthewayoffreshcomplications，theprospectswerethatshewouldbeoutinafortnight。
Iwasnotsurprised。ItwasmorethanIhadexpected。ThecryofthebansheeinanAmericanhousewaspastbelief，eveninanatmospheresurchargedwithfearandallthehorrorsurroundingagreatcrime；andinthesecretreckoningIwasmakingagainstapersonIwillnotevennameatthisjuncture，Iaddeditasanothersuspiciouscircumstance。
VI
SUSPENSE
Torelatethefullexperiencesofthenextfewdayswouldbetoencumbermynarrativewithunnecessarydetail。
IdidnotseeMr。Durandagain。Myuncle，soamenableinmostmatters，provedInexorableonthispoint。TillMr。Durand’sgoodnameshouldberestoredbythecoroner’sverdict，orsuchevidencebroughttolightasshouldeffectuallyplacehimbeyondallsuspicion，Iwastoholdnocommunicationwithhimofanysortwhatever。Iremembertheverywordswithwhichmyuncleendedtheoneexhaustiveconversationwehadonthesubject。Theywerethese：
\"YouhavefullyexpressedtoMr。DurandyourentireconfidenceInhisInnocence。Thatmustsufficehimforthepresent。IfheIsthehonestgentlemanyouthinkhim，Itwill。\"
Asuncleseldomassertedhimself，andasheisverymuchinearnestwhenhedoes，Imadenoattempttocombatthisresolution，especiallyasitmettheapprovalofmybetterjudgment。Butthoughmypowertoconveysympathyfellthusunderayoke，mythoughtsandfeelingsremainedfree，andthesewereallconsecratedtothemanstrugglingunderanimputation，thedisgraceandhumiliationofwhichhewasbutpoorlyprepared，byhisformereasylifeofsocialandbusinessprosperity，tomeet。
ForMr。Durand，inspiteofthefewfactswhichcameupfromtimetotimeinconfirmationofhisstory，continuedtobealmostuniversallyregardedasasuspect。
Thisseemedtomeveryunjust。Whatifnootherclueoffered梟ootherclue，Imean，recognizedassuchbypoliceorpublic！Washenottohavethebenefitofwhateverthrewadoubtonhisownculpability？Forinstance，thatsplashofbloodonhisshirt-front，whichIhadseen，andtheshapeofwhichIknew！Whydidnotthefactthatitwasasplashandnotaspatter（andspatteritwouldhavebeenhaditspurtedthere，insteadoffallingfromabove，ashestated），countformoreinthemindsofthosewhosebusinessitwastoprobeintotheveryheartofthiscrime？Tome，ittoldsuchataleofinnocencethatIwonderedhowamanliketheinspectorcouldpassoverit。ButlaterI
understood。Asinglewordenlightenedme。Thestain，itwastrue，wasIntheformofasplashandnotaspurt，butasplashwouldhavebeentheresultofadropfallingfromthereekingendofthestiletto，whetheritdislodgeditselfearlyorlate。AndwhatwastheretoprovethatthisdrophadnotfallenattheinstantthestilettowasbeingthrustIntothelantern，insteadofaftertheescapeofthecriminal，andtheentranceofanotherman？
Butthemysteryofthebrokencoffee-cups！Forthatnoexplanationseemedtobeforthcoming。
Andthestillunsolvedoneofthewrittenwarningfoundinthemurderedwoman’shand梐warningwhichhadbeendecipheredtoread：\"Bewarned！Hemeanstobeattheball！Expecttroubleif？
Wasthattobelookeduponasdirectedagainstamanwho，fromthenatureofhisprojectedattempt，wouldtakenooneintohisconfidence？
Thenthestiletto梐photographicreproductionofwhichwasinallthepapers梬asthatthekindofinstrumentwhichaplainNewYorkgentlemanwouldbelikelytouseInacrimeofthisnature？Itwasamarkedanduniquearticle，capable，asonewouldthink，ofbeingeasilytracedtoitsowner。HaditbeenclaimedbyMr。
Ramsdell，haditbeenrecognizedasoneofthemanyworksofartscatteredaboutthehighly-decoratedalcove，itsemploymentasameansofdeathwouldhavegoneonlytoprovethepossiblyunpremeditatednatureofthecrime，andsobeenvaluelessasthebasisofanargumentinfavorofMr。Durand’sinnocence。ButMr。
Ramsdellhaddisclaimedfromthefirstallknowledgeofit，consequentlyonecouldbutfeeljustifiedinaskingwhetheramanofMr。Durand’sjudgmentwouldchoosesuchanextraordinaryweaponinmeditatingsostartlingacrimewhichfromitsnatureandcircumstancecouldnotfailtoattracttheattentionofthewholecivilizedworld。
Anotherargument，advancedbyhimselfandsubscribedtobyallhisfriends，wasthis：Thatadealerinpreciousstoneswouldbethelastmantoseekbyanyunlawfulmeanstopossesssoconspicuousajewel。Forhe，betterthananyoneelse，wouldknowtheimpossibilityofdisposingofagemofthisdistinctioninanymarketshortoftheOrient。Towhichtheunanswerablereplywasmadethatnooneattributedtohimanysuchfolly；thatifhehadplannedtopossesshimselfofthisgreatdiamond，itwasforthepurposeofeliminatingitfromcompetitionwiththeonehehadprocuredforMr。Smythe；anargument，certainly，whichdroveusbackontheonlypleawehadatourcommand梙ishithertounblemishedreputationandtheconfidencewhichwasfeltInhimbythosewhoknewhim。
Buttheonecircumstancewhichaffectedmemostatthetime，andwhichundoubtedlywasthesourceofthegreatestconfusiontoallminds，whetherofficialorotherwise，wastheunexpectedconfirmationbyexpertsofMr。Grey’sopinioninregardtothediamond。Hisnamewasnotused，indeedithadbeenkeptoutofthepaperswiththegreatestunanimity，butthehinthehadgiventheinspectoratMr。Ramsdell’sballhadbeenacteduponand，thepropertestshavingbeenmade，thestone，forwhichsomanybelievedalifetohavebeenriskedandanothertaken，wasdeclaredtobeanimitation，fineandsuccessfulbeyondallparallel，butstillanimitation，ofthegreatandrenownedgemwhichhadpassedthroughTiffany’shandsatwelve-monthbefore：adecisionwhichfelllikeathunderboltonallsuchashadseenthediamondblazinginunapproachablebrilliancyonthebreastoftheunhappyMrs。Fairbrotheronlyanhourortwobeforeherdeath。
OnmetheeffectwassuchthatfordaysIlivedinadream，aconditionthat，nevertheless，didnotpreventmefromstartingacertainlittleinquiryofmyown，ofwhichmorehereafter。
HereletmesaythatIdidnotsharethegeneralconfusiononthistopic。Ihadmyowntheory，bothastothecauseofthissubstitutionandthemomentwhenitwasmade。Butthetimehadnotyetcomeformetoadvanceit。Icouldonlystandbackandlistentothesuppositionsairedbythepress，suppositionswhichfomentedsomuchprivatediscussionthaterelongtheonequestionmostfrequentlyheardinthisconnectionwasnotwhostrucktheblowwhichkilledMrs。Fairbrother（thiswasaquestionwhichsomeseemedtothinksettled），butwhosejugglinghandhadpalmedoffthepasteforthediamond，andhowandwhenandwherehadthejugglerytakenplace？
Opinionsonthispointwere，asIhavesaid，manyandvarious。
SomefixeduponthemomentofexchangeasthatverycriticalandhardlyappreciableoneelapsingbetweenthemurderandMr。
Durand’sappearanceuponthescene。Thistheory，Ineednotsay，wasadvancedbysuchasbelievedthatwhilehewasnotguiltyofMrs。Fairbrother’smurder，liehadbeenguiltyoftakingadvantageofthesametorobthebodyofwhat，intheterrorandexcitementofthemoment，heevidentlytooktobehergreatgem。
Toothers，amongwhomweremanyeyewitnessesoftheevent，itappearedtobeaconcededfactthatthissubstitutionhadbeenmadepriortotheballandwithMrs。Fairbrother’sfullcognizance。Theeffectualwayinwhichshehadwieldedherfanbetweentheglitteringornamentonherbreastandtheinquisitiveglancesconstantlyleveleduponitmightatthetimehavebeenduetocoquetry，buttothemitlookedmuchmorelikeanexpressionoffearlestthedeceptioninwhichshewasindulgingshouldbediscovered。NoonefixedthetimewhereIdid；butthen，noonebutmyselfhadwatchedthescenewiththeeyesoflove；besides，andthismustberemembered，mostpeople，amongwhomIventuredtocountthepoliceofficials，weremainlyinterestedinprovingMr。Durandguilty，whileI，withcontrarymind，wasbentonestablishingsuchfactsasconfirmedtheexplanationshehadbeenpleasedtogiveus，explanationswhichnecessitatedaconviction，onMrs。Fairbrother’spart，ofthegreatvalueofthejewelshewore，andtheconsequentadvisabilityofriddingherselfofittemporarily，if，assomanybelieved，thefullletterofthewarningshouldread：\"Bewarned，hemeanstobeattheball。Expecttroubleifyouarefoundwearingthegreatdiamond。\"
True，shemayherselfhavebeendeceivedconcerningit。
Unconsciouslytoherself，shemayhavebeenthevictimofadaringfraudonthepartofsomehanger-onwhohadaccesstoherjewels，but，asnosuchevidencehadyetcometolife，asshehadnorecognized，or，sofarascouldbelearned，secretloverordishonestdependent；and，moreover，asnogemofsuchunusualvaluewasknowntohavebeenofferedwithintheyear，hereorabroad，inpublicorprivatemarket，Icouldnotbringmyselftocreditthisassumption；possiblybecauseIwassoignorantastocreditanother，andadifferentone，梠newhichyouhavealreadyseengrowinginmymind，andwhich，presumptuousasitwas，keptmycouragefromfailingthroughallthosedreadfuldaysofenforcedwaitingandsuspense。ForIwasdeterminednottointrudemysuggestions，valuableasIconsideredthem，tillallhopewasgoneofhisbeingrightedbythejudgmentofthosewhowouldnotlightlyenduretheinterferenceofsuchaninsignificantmoteinthegreatschemeofjusticeasmyself。
Theinquest，whichmightbetrustedtobringoutallthesedoubtfulpoints，hadbeendelayedinanticipationofMr。
Fairbrother’sreturn。Histestimonycouldnotbutprovevaluable，ifnotinfixingthecriminal，atleastinsettlingthemootpointastowhetherthestone，whichtheestrangedwifehadcarriedawaywithheronleavingthehouse，hadbeenthegenuineonereturnedtohimfromTiffany’sorthewell-knownimitationnowinthehandsofthepolice。HehadbeenlocatedsomewhereinthemountainsoflowerColorado，but，strangetosay，Ithadbeenfoundimpossibletoenterintodirectcommunicationwithhim；norwasitknownwhetherhewasawareasyetofhiswife’stragicdeath。SoaffairswentslowlyinNewYorkandthecaseseemedtocometoastandstill，whenpublicopinionwassuddenlyreawakenedandamoredefiniteturngiventothewholematterbyadespatchfromSantaFetotheAssociatedPress。ThisdespatchwastotheeffectthatAbnerFairbrotherhadpassedthroughthatcitysomethreedaysbeforeonhiswaytohisnewminingcamp，thePlacide；
thathethenshowedsymptomsofpneumonia，andfromadvicessincereceivedmightberegardedasaverysickman。
Ill，梬ell，thatexplainedmatters。Hissilence，whichmanyhadtakenforindifference，wasthatofamanphysicallydisabledandunfitforexertionofanykind。Ill，梐tragiccircumstancewhichrousedendlessconjecture。Washeaware，orwashenotaware，ofhiswife’sdeath？HadhebeentakenillbeforeorafterheleftColoradoforNewMexico？Washesufferingmainlyfromshock，or，aswouldappearfromhiscomplaint，fromatoorapidchangeofclimate？
Thewholecountryseethedwithexcitement，andmypoorlittleunthought-of，insignificantselfburnedwithimpatience，whichonlythosewhohavebeensubjectedtoalikesuspensecanproperlyestimate。Wouldtheproceedingswhichwereawaitedwithsomuchanxietybefurtherdelayed？WouldMr。Durandremainindefinitelyinduranceandundersuchacloudofdisgraceaswouldkillsomemenandmightkillhim？ShouldIbecalledupontoendurestilllongerthesufferingwhichthisentaileduponme，whenIthoughtIknew？
ButfortunewaslessobduratethanIfeared。NextmorningatelegraphicstatementfromSantaFesettledoneofthepointsofthisgreatdispute，astatementwhichyouwillfinddetailedatmorelengthinthefollowingcommunication，whichappearedafewdayslaterinoneofourmostenterprisingjournals。
ItwasfromaresidentcorrespondentinNewMexico，andwaswritten，astheeditorwascarefultosay，forhisowneyesandnotforthepublic。Hehadventured，however，togiveItinfull，knowingthegreatinterestwhichthiswholesubjecthadforhisreaders。
VII
NIGHTANDAVOICE
Nottobeoutdonebytheeditor，Iinsertthearticleherewithallitsdetails，theimportanceofwhichItrustIhaveanticipated。
SANTAFE，N。M。，April——。
ArrivedinSantaFe，IinquiredwhereAbnerFairbrothercouldbefound。Iwastoldthathewasathismine，sick。
UponinquiringastothelocationofthePlacide，Iwasinformedthatitwasfifteenmilesorsodistantinthemountains，anduponmyexpressinganintentionofgoingthereimmediately，IwasgivenwhatIthoughtveryunnecessaryadviceandthendirectedtoacertainliverystable，whereIwastoldIcouldgettherightkindofahorseandsuchequipmentasIstoodinneedof。
IthoughtIwasequippedallrightasitwas，butIsaidnothingandwentontotheliverystable。HereIwasshownahorsewhichItooktoatonceandwasabouttomount，whenapairofleggingswasbroughttome。
\"Youwillneedtheseforyourjourney，\"saidtheman。
\"Journey！\"Irepeated。\"Fifteenmiles！\"
Theliverystablekeeper——ahalf-breedwithapeculiarlypleasantsmile——cockeduphisshoulderswiththeremark：
\"Threemenaswillingbutasinexperiencedasyourselfhaveattemptedthesamejourneyduringthelastweekandtheyallcamebackbeforetheyreachedthedivide。Youwillprobablycomeback，too；butIshallgiveyouasfairastartasifIknewyouweregoingstraightthrough。\"
\"Butawomanhasdoneit，\"saidI；\"anursefromthehospitalwentupthatveryroadlastweek。\"
\"Oh，women！theycandoanything——womenwhoarenurses。Buttheydon’tstartoffalone。Youaregoingalone。\"
\"Yes，\"Iremarkedgrimly。\"Newspapercorrespondentsmaketheirjourneyssinglywhentheycan。\"
\"Oh！youareanewspapercorrespondent！Whydosomanymenfromthepaperswanttoseethatsickoldman？Becausehe’ssorich？\"
\"Don’tyouknow？\"Iasked。
Hedidnotseemto。
Iwonderedathisignorancebutdidnotenlightenhim。
\"Followthetrailandaskyourwayfromtimetotime。AllthegoatherdsknowwherethePlacidemineis。
Suchwerehissimpleinstructionsasheheadedmyhorsetowardthecanyon。ButasIdrewoff，heshoutedout：
\"Ifyougetstuck，leaveittothehorse。Heknowsmoreaboutitthanyoudo。\"
Withavaguegesturetowardthenorthwest，heturnedaway，leavingmeincontemplationofthegrandestsceneryIhadyetcomeuponinallmytravels。
Fifteenmiles！butthosemileslaythroughtheveryheartofthemountains，ranginganywherefromsixtoseventhousandfeethigh。
Intenminutesthecityandallsignsofcitylifewereoutofsight。InfivemoreIwasseeminglyasfarremovedfromallcivilizationasifIhadgoneahundredmilesintothewilderness。
Asmyhorsesettleddowntowork，pickinghisway，nowhereandnowthere，sometimesoverthebrownearth，hardandbakedasinathousandfurnaces，andsometimesoverthestuntedgrasswhoseneedle-likestalksseemednevertohaveknownmoisture，Iletmyeyesroamtosuchpeaksaswerenotcutofffromviewbythenearerhillsides，andwonderedwhetherthesnowwhichcappedthemwaswhiterthananyotherortheblueoftheskybluer，thatthetwotogetherhadtheeffectuponmeofcameoworkonahugeandunapproachablescale。
Certainlytheeffectofthesegrandmountains，intowhichyouleapwithoutanypreparationfromthestreetsandmarket-placesofAmerica’soldestcity，issuchasisnoteasilydescribed。
Westruckwaternowandthen，——narrowwater——courseswhichmyhorsefollowedinmidstream，and，moreinterestingyet，goatherdswiththeirflocks，Mexicansall，whoseemedtounderstandnoEnglish，butwerepicturesqueenoughtolookatandawelcomebreakintheextremelonesomenessoftheway。
IhadbeentoldthattheywouldservemeasguidesifIfeltatalldoubtfulofthetrail，andinoneortwoinstancestheyprovedtobeofdecidedhelp。Theycouldgesticulate，iftheycouldnotspeakEnglish，andwhenItriedthemwiththeonewordPlacidetheywouldnodandpointoutwhichofthemanysidecanyonsIwastofollow。Buttheyalwayslookedupastheydidso，up，up，tillItooktolookingup，too，andwhen，aftermilesmultipliedindefinitelybythewindingofthetrail，Icameoutuponaledgefromwhichafullviewoftheoppositerangecouldbehad，andsawfrontingme，fromthesideofoneofitstremendouspeaks，thegapofavastholenottwohundredfeetfromthesnowline，Iknewthat，inaccessibleasitlooked，IwasgazingupattheopeningofAbnerFairbrother’snewmine，thePlacide。
Theexperiencewasastrangeone。Thetworangesapproachedsonearlythatitseemedasifaballmightbetossedfromonetotheother。Butthechasmbetweenwasstupendous。IgrewdizzyasIlookeddownwardandsawtheendlesszigzagsyettobetraversedstepbystepbeforethebottomofthecanyoncouldbereached，andthentheequallyinterminablezigzagsuptheacclivitybeyond，allofwhichImusttrace，stillstepbystep，beforeI
couldhopetoarriveatthecampwhich，fromwhereIstood，lookedtobealmostwithinhailofmyvoice。
Ihavedescribedthemineasahole。ThatwasallIsawatfirst——agreatblackholeinthedarkbrownearthofthemountain-side，fromwhichrandownastilldarkerstreakintothewasteplacesfarbelowit。ButasIlookedlongerIsawthatitwasfacedbyaledgecutoutofthefriablesoil，onwhichIwasnowabletodescrythepronouncedwhiteoftwoorthreetent-topsandsomeothersignsoflife，encouragingenoughtotheeyeofonewhoselotitwastocrawllikeaflyupthattremendousmountain-side。
TrulyIcouldunderstandwhythosethreemen，probablynewspapercorrespondentslikemyself，hadturnedbacktoSantaFe，afteraglancefrommypresentoutlook。ButthoughIunderstoodIdidnotmeantoduplicatetheirretreat。
Thesightofthosetents，thethoughtofwhatoneofthemcontained，inspiredmewithnewcourage，and，releasingmygripupontherein，Iallowedmypatienthorsetoproceed。ShortlyafterthisIpassedthedivide——thatiswherethewatershedsbothways——thenthedescentbegan。Itwaszigzag，justastheclimbhadbeen，butIpreferredtheclimb。Ididnothavetheunfathomablespacessoconstantlybeforeme，norwasmyimaginationsoactive。Itwasfixedonheightstobeattainedratherthanonvalleystorollinto。However，Ididnotroll。
TheMexicansaddleheldmesecurelyatwhateverangleIwaspoised，andoncethebottomwasreachedIfoundthatIcouldface，withconsiderableequanimity，thecorrespondingascent。
Only，asIsawhowsteeptheclimbbadefairtobe，IdidnotseehowIwasevertocomedownagain。Goingupwaspossible，butthedescent——
However，aswhatgoesupmustinthecourseofnaturecomedown，Iputthisquestionasideandgavemyhorsehishead，afterencouraginghimwithafewbladesofgrass，whichheseemedtofindedibleenough，thoughtheyhadthelookandsomethingofthefeelofspunglass。
Howwegotthereyoumustaskthisgoodanimal，whotookalltheresponsibilityanddidallthework。Imerelyclungandbalanced，andattimes，whenheroundedtheendofazigzag，forinstance，Ievenshutmyeyes，thoughtheprospectwasmagnificent。Atlastevenhispatienceseemedtogiveout，andhestoppedandtrembled。ButbeforeIcouldopenmyeyesontheabyssbeneathhemadeanothereffort。Ifeltthebrushoftreebranchesacrossmyface，and，lookingup，sawbeforemetheledgeorplatformdottedwithtents，atwhichIhadlookedwithsuchlongingfromtheoppositehillsides。
SimultaneouslyIheardvoices，andsawapproachingabronzedandbeardedmanwithstrongly-markedScotchfeaturesandadeterminedair。
\"Thedoctor！\"Iinvoluntarilyexclaimed，withaglanceatthesmallandcurioustentbeforewhichhestoodguard。
\"Yes，thedoctor，\"heansweredinunexpectedlygoodEnglish。\"Andwhoareyou？HaveyoubroughtthemailandthosemedicinesIsentfor？\"
\"No，\"IrepliedwithaspropitiatoryasmileasIcouldmusterupinfaceofhisbruskforbiddingexpression。\"Icameonmyownerrand。IamarepresentativeoftheNewYork——，andIhopeyouwillnotdenymeawordwithMr。Fairbrother。\"
WithagestureIhardlyknewhowtointerprethetookmyhorsebythereinandledusonafewstepstowardanotherlargetent，wherehemotionedmetodescend。Thenhelaidhishandonmyshoulderand，forcingmetomeethiseye，said：
\"Youhavemadethisjourney——IbelieveyousaidfromNewYork——toseeMr。Fairbrother。Why？\"
\"BecauseMr。Fairbrotherisatpresentthemostsought-formaninAmerica，\"Ireturnedboldly。\"Hiswife——youknowabouthiswife——
\"
\"No。HowshouldIknowabouthiswife？Iknowwhathistemperatureisandwhathisrespirationis——buthiswife？Whatabouthiswife？Hedon’tknowanythingabouthernowhimself；heisnotallowedtoreadletters。\"
\"Butyoureadthepapers。Youmusthaveknown，beforeyouleftSantaFe，ofMrs。Fairbrother’sfoulandmostmysteriousmurderinNewYork。Ithasbeenthethemeoftwocontinentsforthelasttendays。\"
Heshruggedhisshoulders，whichmightmeananything，andconfinedhisreplytoarepetitionofmyownwords。
\"Mrs。Fairbrothermurdered！\"heexclaimed，butinasuppressedvoice，towhichpointwasgivenbythecautiouslookhecastbehindhimatthetentwhichhaddrawnmyattention。\"Hemustnotknowit，man。Icouldnotanswerforhislifeifhereceivedtheleastshockinhispresentcriticalcondition。Murdered？When？\"
\"Tendaysago，ataballinNewYork。ItwasafterMr。
Fairbrotherleftthecity。Hewasexpectedtoreturn，afterhearingthenews，butheseemstohavekeptstraightontohisdestination。Hewasnotveryfondofhiswife，——thatis，theyhavenotbeenlivingtogetherforthelastyear。Buthecouldnothelpfeelingtheshockofherdeathwhichhemusthaveheardofsomewherealongtheroute。\"
\"Hehassaidnothinginhisdeliriumtoshowthatheknewit。Itispossible，justpossible，thathedidn’treadthepapers。HecouldnothavebeenwellfordaysbeforehereachedSantaFe。\"
\"Whenwereyoucalledintoattendhim？\"
\"Theverynightafterhereachedthisplace。Itwasthoughthewouldn’tlivetoreachthecamp。Butheisamanofgreatpluck。
Hehelduptillhisfoottouchedthisplatform。Thenhesuccumbed。\"
\"Ifhewasassickasthat，\"Imuttered，\"whydidheleaveSantaFe？Hemusthaveknownwhatitwouldmeantobesickhere。\"
\"Idon’tthinkhedid。Thisishisfirstvisittothemine。Heevidentlyknewnothingofthedifficultiesoftheroad。Buthewouldnotstop。Hewasdeterminedtoreachthecamp，evenafterhehadbeengivenasightofitfromtheoppositemountain。HetoldthemthathehadoncecrossedtheSierrasinmidwinter。Buthewasn’tasickmanthen。\"
\"Doctor，theydon’tknowwhokilledhiswife。\"
\"Hedidn’t。\"
\"Iknow，butundersuchcircumstanceseveryfactbearingontheeventisofimmenseimportance。ThereisonewhichMr。
Fairbrotheronlycanmakeclear。Itcanbesaidinaword——\"
Thegrimdoctor’seyeflashedangrilyandIstopped。
\"Wereyouadetectivefromthedistrictattorney’sofficeinNewYork，sentonwithspecialpowerstoexaminehim，IshouldstillsaywhatIamgoingtosaynow。WhileMr。Fairbrother’stemperatureandpulseremainwheretheynoware，nooneshallseehimandnooneshalltalktohimsavemyselfandhisnurse。\"
IturnedwithasicklookofdisappointmenttowardtheroadupwhichIhadsolatelycome。\"HaveIpanted，sweltered，trembled，forthreemortalhoursontheworsttrailamanevertraversedtogobackwithnothingformyjourney？Thatseemstomehardlines。
Whereisthemanagerofthismine？\"
Thedoctorpointedtowardamanbendingovertheedgeofthegreatholefromwhich，atthatmoment，alineofMexicanswasissuing，eachwithasackonhisbackwhichheflungdownbeforewhatlookedlikeafurnacebuiltofclay。
\"That’she。Mr。Haines，ofPhiladelphia。Whatdoyouwantofhim？\"
\"Permissiontostaythenight。Mr。Fairbrothermaybebetterto-morrow。\"
\"Iwon’tallowitandIammasterhere，sofarasmypatientisconcerned。Youcouldn’tstayherewithouttalking，andtalkingmakesexcitement，andexcitementisjustwhathecannotstand。A
weekfromnowIwillseeaboutit——thatis，ifmypatientcontinuestoimprove。Iamnotsurethathewill。\"
Letmespendthatweekhere。I’llnottalkanymorethanthedead。Maybethemanagerwillletmecarrysacks。\"
\"Lookhere，\"saidthedoctor，edgingmefartherandfartherawayfromthetenthehardlyletoutofhissightforamoment。
\"You’reacannylad，andshallhaveyourbiteandsomethingtodrinkbeforeyoutakeyourwayback。Butbackyougobeforesunsetandwiththismessage：NomanfromanypapernorthorsouthwillbereceivedheretillIhangoutablueflag。Isayblue，forthatisthecolorofmybandana。WhenmypatientisinaconditiontodiscussmurderI’llhoistitfromhistent-top。Itcanbeseenfromthedivide，andifyouwanttocampthereonthelookout，wellandgood。Asforthepolice，that’sanothermatter。
Iwillseethemiftheycome，buttheyneednotexpecttotalktomypatient。Youmaysaysodownthere。Itwillsavescramblingupthistrailtonopurpose。\"
\"Youmaycountonme，\"saidI；\"trustaNewYorkcorrespondenttodotherightthingattherighttimetoheadofftheboys。ButI
doubtiftheywillbelieveme。\"
\"InthatcaseIshallhaveabarricadethrownupfiftyfeetdownthemountain-side，\"saidhe。
\"Butthemailandyoursupplies？\"
\"Oh，theburroscanmaketheirwayup。Weshan’tsuffer。\"
\"Youarecertainlymaster，\"Iremarked。
AllthistimeIhadbeenusingmyeyes。Therewasnotmuchtosee，butwhattherewaswasromanticallyinteresting。Asidefromthefurnaceandwhatwasgoingonthere，therewaslittleelsebutasleeping-tent，acooking-tent，andthesmalloneIhadcomeonfirst，which，withouttheleastdoubt，containedthesickman。
Thislasttentwasofapeculiarconstructionandshowedtheprimitivenatureofeverythingatthisheight。Itconsistedsimplyofacloththrownoverathinglikeatrapeze。Thisclothdidnotevencometothegroundoneitherside，butstoppedshortafootorsofromtheflatmoundofadobewhichservesasabaseorfloorforhutortentinNewMexico。Therearofthesimpletentabuttedonthemountain-side；theopeningwastowardthevalley。Ifeltanintensedesiretolookintothisopening，——sointensethatIthoughtIwouldventureonanattempttogratifyit。ScrutinizingtheresolutefaceofthemanbeforemeandflatteringmyselfthatIdetectedsignsofhumorunderlyinghisprofessionalbruskness，Iasked，somewhatmournfully，ifhewouldletmegoawaywithoutsomuchasaglanceatthemanIhadcomesofartosee。\"AglimpsewouldsatisfymeIassuredhim，asthehintofatwinkleflashedinhiseye。\"Surelytherewillbenoharminthat。I’lltakeitinsteadofsupper。\"
Hesmiled，butnotencouragingly，andIwasfeelingverydespondent，indeed，whenthecanvasonwhichoureyeswerefixedsuddenlyshookandthecalmfigureofawomansteppedoutbeforeus，cladinthesimplestgarb，butshowingineverylineoffaceandformacharacterofmingledkindnessandshrewdness。Shewasevidentlyonthelookoutforthedoctor，forshemadeasignasshesawhimandreturnedinstantlyintothetent。
\"Mr。Fairbrotherhasjustfallenasleep，\"heexplained。\"Itisn’tdisciplineandIshallhavetoapologizetoMissSerra，butifyouwillpromisenottospeaknormaketheleastdisturbanceI
willletyoutaketheonepeepyouprefertosupper。\"
\"Ipromise，\"saidI。
Leadingthewaytotheopening，hewhisperedawordtothenurse，thenmotionedmetolookin。Thesightwasasimpleone，buttomeveryimpressive。Theownerofpalaces，amantowhommillionswereasthousandstosuchpoordevilsasmyself，layonanimprovisedbedofevergreens，wrappedinahorseblanketandwithnothingbetterthananotheroftheserolledupunderhishead。Athissidesathisnurseonwhatlookedliketheunevenstumpofatree。Closetoherhandwasatolerablyflatstone，onwhichI
sawarrangedanumberofbottlesandsuchothercomfortsaswereabsolutelynecessarytoapropercareofthesufferer。
Thatwasall。InthesefewwordsIhavetoldthewholestory。Tobesure，thissimpletent，perchedseventhousandfeetandmoreabovesea-level，hadoneadvantagewhichevenhisgreathouseinNewYorkcouldnotofferThiswastheoutlook。Lyingashedidfacingthevalley，hehadonlytoopenhiseyestocatchafullviewofthepanoramaofskyandmountainstretchedoutbeforehim。Itwasglorious；whetherseenatmorning，noonornight，glorious。ButIdoubtifhewouldnotgladlyhaveexchangeditforasightofhishomewalls。
AsIstartedtogo，astirtookplaceintheblanketwrappedabouthischin，andIcaughtaglimpseoftheiron-grayheadandhollowcheeksofthegreatfinancier。Hewasaverysickman。
EvenIcouldseethat。HadIobtainedthepermissionIsoughtandbeenallowedtoaskhimoneofthemanyquestionsburningonmytongue，Ishouldhavereceivedonlydeliriumforreply。Therewasnoreachingthatcloudedintelligencenow，andIfeltgratefultothedoctorforconvincingmeofit。
Itoldhimsoandthankedhimquitewarmlywhenwewerewellawayfromthetent，andhisanswerwasalmostkindly，thoughhemadenoefforttohidehisimpatienceandanxietytoseemego。Thelookshecastatthesunweresignificant，and，havingnowishtoantagonizehimandeverywishtovisitthespotagain，Imovedtowardmyhorsewiththeintentionofuntyinghim。
Tomysurprisethedoctorheldmeback。
\"Youcan’tgoto-night，\"saidhe，\"yourhorsehashurthimself。\"
Itwastrue。Therewassomethingthematterwiththeanimal’sleftforefoot。Asthedoctorliftedit，themanagercameup。Heagreedwiththedoctor。IcouldnotmakethedescenttoSantaFeonthathorsethatnight。DidIfeelelated？Rather。Ihadnowishtodescend。YetIwasfarfromforeseeingwhatthenightwastobringme。
Iwasturnedovertothemanager，butnotwithoutafinalinjunctionfromthedoctor。\"Notawordtoanyoneaboutyourerrand！NotawordabouttheNewYorktragedy，asyouvalueMr。
Fairbrother’slife。\"
\"Notaword，\"saidI。
Thenheleftme。
Toseethesungodownandthemooncomeupfromaledgehung，asitwere，inmidair！Theexperiencewasnovel——butIrefrain。I
havemoreimportantmatterstorelate。
Iwasgivenabunkattheextremeendofthelongsleeping-tent，andturnedinwiththerest。Iexpectedtosleep，butonfindingthatIcouldcatchasightofthesicktentfromunderthecanvas，IexperiencedsuchfascinationinwatchingthisforbiddenspotthatmidnightcamebeforeIhadclosedmyeyes。Thenalldesiretosleepleftme，forthepatientbegantomoanandpresentlytotalk，and，thestillnessofthesolitaryheightbeingsomethingabnormal，Icouldsometimescatchtheverywords。
Devoidastheywereofallrationalmeaning，theyexcitedmycuriositytotheburningpoint；forwhocouldtellifhemightnotsaysomethingbearingonthemystery？
ButthatfeveredmindhadrecurredtoearlyscenesandthebabblewhichcametomyearswasallofminingcampsintheRockiesandthedickerofhorses。Perhapstheuneasymovementofmyhorsepullingattheendofhistetherhaddisturbedhim。Perhaps——
Butattheinnerutteranceofthesecond\"perhaps\"Ifoundmyselfuponmyelbowlisteningwithallmyears，andstaringwithwide-stretchedeyesatthethicketofstuntedtreeswheretheroaddebouchedontheplatform。Somethingwasastirtherebesidesmyhorse。Icouldcatchsoundsofanunmistakablenature。Ariderwascomingupthetrail。
Slippingbackintomyplace，Iturnedtowardthedoctor，wholaysometwoorthreebunksnearertheopening。Hehadstartedup，too，andinamomentwasoutofthetent。Idonotthinkhehadobservedmyaction，foritwasverydarkwhereIlayandhisbackhadbeenturnedtowardme。Asfortheothers，theysleptlikethedead，onlytheymademorenoise。
Interested——everythingisinterestingatsuchaheight——Ibroughtmyeyetobearontheledge，andsoonsawbythelimpidlightofafullmoonthestiff，shortbranchesofthetrees，onwhichmygazewasfixed，givewaytoanadvancinghorseandrider。
\"Halloo！\"salutedthedoctorinawhisper，whichwasinitselfawarning。\"Easythere！Wehavesicknessinthiscampandit’salatehourforvisitors。\"
\"Iknow？’
Theanswerwassubdued，butearnest。
\"I’mthemagistrateofthisdistrict。I’veaquestiontoaskthissickman，onbehalfoftheNewYorkChiefofPolice，whoisapersonalfriendofmine。Itisconnectedwith——\"
\"Hush！\"
Thedoctorhadseizedhimbythearmandturnedhisfaceawayfromthesicktent。Thenthetwoheadscametogetherandanargumentbegan。
Icouldnothearawordofit，buttheirmotionswereeloquent。
Mysympathywaswiththemagistrate，ofcourse，andIwatchedeagerlywhilehepassedaletterovertothedoctor，whovainlystrovetoreaditbythelightofthemoon。Findingthisimpossible，hewas。abouttoreturnit，whentheotherstruckamatchandlitalanternhangingfromthehornofhissaddle。Thetwoheadscametogetheragain，butasquicklyseparatedwitheveryappearanceofirreconcilement，andIwassettlingbackwithsensationsofgreatdisappointment，whenasoundfellonthenightsounexpectedtoallconcernedthatwithacommonimpulseeacheyesoughtthesicktent。
\"Water！willsomeonegivemewater？\"avoicehadcried，quietlyandwithnoneofthedeliriumwhichhadhithertorendereditunnatural。
Thedoctorstartedforthetent。Therewasthequicknessofsurpriseinhismovementandthegesturehemadetothemagistrate，ashepassedin，reawakenedanexpectationinmybreastwhichmademedoublywatchful。
Providencewasinterveninginourfavor，andIwasnotsurprisedtoseehimpresentlyreissuewiththenurse，whomhedrewintotheshadowofthetrees，wheretheyhadashortconference。IfshereturnedaloneintothetentafterthisconferenceIshouldknowthatthematterwasatanendandthatthedoctorhaddecidedtomaintainhisauthorityagainstthatofthemagistrate。
Butsheremainedoutsideandthemagistratewasinvitedtojointheircouncil；whentheyagainlefttheshadowofthetreesitwastoapproachthetent。
Themagistrate，whowasintherear，couldnothavemorethanpassedtheopening，butIthoughthimfarenoughinsidenottodetectanymovementonmypart，soItookadvantageofthesituationtowormmyselfoutofmycornerandacrosstheledgetowherethetentmadeashadowinthemoonlight。