Crouchingclose，andlayingmyearagainstthecanvas，I
listened。
Thenursewasspeakinginagentlypersuasivetone。Iimaginedherkneelingbytheheadofthepatientandbreathingwordsintohisear。ThesewerewhatIheard：
\"Youlovediamonds。Ihaveoftennoticedthat；youlooksolongattheringonyourhand。ThatiswhyIhaveletitstaythere，thoughattimesIhavefeareditwoulddropoffandrollawayovertheadobedownthemountain-side。WasIright？\"
\"Yes，yes。\"Thewordscamewithdifficulty，buttheywereclearenough。\"It’sofsmallvalue。Ilikeitbecause——\"
Heappearedtobetooweaktofinish。
Apause，duringwhichsheseemedtoedgenearertohim。
\"Weallhavesomepetkeepsake，\"saidshe。\"ButIshouldneverhavesupposedthisstoneofyoursaninexpensiveone。ButI
forgetthatyouaretheownerofaverylargeandremarkablediamond，adiamondthatisspokenofsometimesinthepapers。Ofcourse，ifyouhaveagemlikethat，thisonemustappearverysmallandvaluelesstoyou。\"
\"Yes，thisisnothing，nothing。\"Andheappearedtoturnawayhishead。
\"Mr。Fairbrother！Pardonme，butIwanttotellyousomethingaboutthatbigdiamondofyours。Youhavebeeninandhavenotbeenabletoreadyourletters，sodonotknowthatyourwifehashadsometroublewiththatdiamond。Peoplehavesaidthatitisnotarealstone，butawell-executedimitation。MayIwritetoherthatthisisamistake，thatitisallyouhaveeverclaimedforit——thatis，anunusuallylargediamondofthefirstwater？\"
Ilistenedinamazement。Surely，thiswasaninsidiouswaytogetatthetruth，——awoman’sway，butwhowouldsayitwasnotawiseone，thewisest，perhaps，whichcouldbetakenunderthecircumstances？Whatwouldhisreplybe？Woulditshowthathewasasignorantofhiswife’sdeathaswasgenerallybelieved，bothbythoseabouthimhereandthosewhoknewhimwellinNewYork？
Orwouldthequestionconveynothingfurthertohimthanthedoubt——initselfaninsultofthegenuinenessofthatgreatstonewhichhadbeenhispride？
Amurmur——thatwasallitcouldbecalled——brokefromhisfever-driedlipsanddiedawayinaninarticulategasp。Then，suddenly，sharply，acrybrokefromhim，anintelligiblecry，andweheardhimsay：
\"Noimitation！noimitation！Itwasasun！aglory！Nootherlikeit！Itlittheair！itblazed，itburned！Iseeitnow！Isee——\"
Therethepassionsuccumbed，thestrengthfailed；anothermurmur，another，andthegreatvoidofnightwhichstretchedover——I
mightalmostsayunderus——wasnomorequietorseeminglyimpenetrablethanthesilenceofthatmoon-envelopedtentWouldhespeakagain？Ididnotthinkso。Wouldsheeventrytomakehim？Ididnotthinkthis，either。ButIdidnotknowthewoman。
Softlyhervoiceroseagain。Therewasadominatinginsistenceinhertones，gentleastheywere；theinsistenceofahealthymindwhichseekstocontrolaweakenedone。
\"Youdonotknowofanyimitation，then？Itwastherealstoneyougaveher。Youaresureofit；youwouldbereadytosweartoitif——sayjustyesorno，\"shefinishedingentleurgency。
Evidentlyhewassinkingagainintounconsciousness，andshewasjustholdinghimbacklongenoughforthenecessaryword。
Itcameslowlyandwithadraggingintonation，buttherewasnomistakingtheringoftruthwithwhichhespoke。
\"Yes，\"saidhe，WhenIheardthedoctor’svoiceandfeltamovementinthecanvasagainstwhichIleaned，Itookthewarningandstolebackhurriedlytomyquarters。
Iwasscarcelysettled，whenthesamegroupofthreeIhadbeforewatchedsilhouetteditselfagainagainstthemoonlight。Therewassometalk，aminglingandseparatingofshadows；thenthenurseglidedbacktoherdutiesandthetwomenwenttowardtheclumpoftreeswherethehorsehadbeentethered。
Tenminutesandthedoctorwasbackinhisbunk。Wasitimagination，ordidIfeelhishandonmyshoulderbeforehefinallylaydownandcomposedhimselftosleep？Icannotsay；I
onlyknowthatIgavenosign，andthatsoonallstirceasedinhisdirectionandIwaslefttoenjoymytriumphandtolistenwithanxiousinteresttothestrangeandunintelligiblesoundswhichaccompaniedthedescentofthehorsemandownthefaceofthecliff，andfinallytowatchwithafascination，whichdrewmetomyknees，thepassageofthatsparklingstaroflighthangingfromhissaddle。Itcrepttoandfroacrossthesideoftheoppositemountainashethreadeditsendlesszigzagsandfinallydisappearedoverthebrowintotheinvisiblecanyonsbeyond。
Withthedisappearanceofthisbeaconcamelassitudeandsleep，throughwhosehazyatmospherefloatedwildsentencesfromthesicktent，whichshowedthatthepatientwasbackagaininNevada，quarrelingoverthepriceofahorsewhichwastocarryhimbeyondthereachofsomethreateningavalanche。
WhennextmorningIcametodepart，thedoctortookmebybothhandsandlookedmestraightintheeyes。
\"Youheard，\"hesaid。
\"Howdoyouknow？\"Iasked。
\"IcantellasatisfiedmanwhenIseehim，\"hegrowled，throwingdownmyhandswiththatsamehumoroustwinkleinhiseyeswhichhadencouragedmefromthefirst。
Imadenoanswer，butIshallrememberthelesson。
Onedetailmore。WhenIstaredonmyowndescentIfoundwhytheleggings，withwhichIhadbeenprovided，weresoindispensable。
Iwasnotallowedtoride；indeed，ridingdownthosesteepdeclivitieswasimpossible。Nohorsecouldpreservehisbalancewitharideronhisback。Islid，sodidmyhorse，andonlyinthevalleybeneathdidwecometogetheragain。
VIII
ARREST
ThesuccessofthisinterviewprovokedotherattemptsonthepartofthereporterswhonowflockedintotheSouthwest。ErelongparticularsbegantopourinofMr。Fairbrother’spainfuljourneysouth，afterhisillnesssetin。TheclerkofthehotelinElMoro，wherethegreatmine-owner’snamewasfoundregisteredatthetimeofthemurder，toldastorywhichmadeverygoodreadingforthosewhoweremoreinterestedinthesufferingsandexperiencesofthemillionairehusbandofthemurderedladythaninthoseoftheunhappybutcomparativelyinsignificantmanuponwhompublicopinionhadcasttheodiumofherdeath。
ItseemsthatwhenthefirstnewscameofthegreatcrimewhichhadtakenplaceinNewYork，Mr。Fairbrotherwasabsentfromthehotelonaprospectingtourthroughtheadjacentmountains。
Couriershadbeensentafterhim，anditwasoneofthesewhofinallybroughthimintotown。Hehadbeenfoundwanderingaloneonhorsebackamongthedefilesofanuntraveledregion，sickandalmostincoherentfromfever。Indeed，hisconditionwassuchthatneitherthecouriernorsuchothersassawhimhadthehearttotellhimthedreadfulnewsfromNewYork，oreventoshowhimthepapers。Totheirgreatrelief，hebetrayednocuriosityinthem。
Allhewantedwasaberthinthefirsttraingoingsouth，andthiswasaneasywayforthemoutofagreatresponsibility。Theylistenedtohiswishesandsawhimsafelyaboard，withsuchalacrityandwithsomanyprecautionsagainsthisbeingdisturbedthattheyhaveneverdoubtedthatheleftElMorointotalignorance，notonlyofthecircumstancesofhisgreatbereavement，butofthebereavementitself。
Thisignorance，whichheappearedtohavecarriedwithhimtothePlacide，wasregardedbythosewhoknewhimbestasprovingthetruthoftheaffirmationelicitedfromhiminthepausesofhisdeliriumofthegenuinenessofthestonewhichhadpassedfromhishandstothoseofhiswifeatthetimeoftheirseparation；
and，furtherdespatchescomingin，someprivateandsomeofficial，butallinsistinguponthefactthatitwouldbeweeksbeforehewouldbeinaconditiontosubmittoanysortofexaminationonasubjectsopainful，theauthoritiesinNewYorkdecidedtowaitnolongerforhistestimony，buttoproceedatoncewiththeinquest。
Greatasisthetemptationtogiveadetailedaccountofproceedingswhichwereofsuchmomenttomyself，andtoeverywordofwhichIlistenedwiththeeagernessofanoviceandtheanguishofawomanwhoseesherlover’sreputationatthemercyofaverdictwhichmaystigmatizehimasapossiblecriminal，I
seenoreasonforencumberingmynarrativewithwhat，forthemostpart，wouldbeamererepetitionoffactsalreadyknowntoyou。
Mr。Durand’sintimateandsuggestiveconnectionwiththiscrime，theexplanationshehadtogiveofthisconnection，frequentlybizarreand，Imustacknowledge，notalwaysconvincing，——nothingcouldalterthesenorchangethefactoftheundoubtedcowardicehedisplayedinhidingMrs。Fairbrother’sglovesinmyunfortunatelittlebag。
Asforthemysteryofthewarning，itremainedasmuchofamysteryasever。Nordidanybettersuccessfollowanattempttofixtheownershipofthestiletto，thoughahalf-daywasexhaustedinanendeavortoshowthatthelattermighthavecomeintoMr。Durand’spossessioninsomeofthemanyvisitshewasshowntohavemadeoflatetovariouscurio-shopsinandoutofNewYorkCity。*
Ihadexpectedallthis，justasIhadexpectedMr。Greytobeabsentfromtheproceedingsandhistestimonyignored。Butthisexpectationdidnotmaketheordealanyeasier，andwhenI
noticedtheeffectofwitnessafterwitnessleavingthestandwithouthavingimprovedMr。Durand’spositionbyajotorofferinganynewcluecapableofturningsuspicionintootherdirections，IfeltmyspirithardenandmypurposestrengthentillIhardlyknewmyself。Imusthavefrightenedmyuncle，forhishandwasalwaysonmyarmandhischidingvoiceinmyear，biddingmebeware，notonlyformyownsakeandhis，butforthatofMr。Durand，whoseeyewasseldomawayfrommyface。
Theverdict，however，wasnottheoneIhadsodeeplydreaded。
WhileitdidnotexonerateMr。Durand，itdidnotopenlyaccusehim，andIwasonthepointofgivinghimasmileofcongratulationandrenewedhopewhenIsawmylittledetective——
theonewhohadspiedtheglovesinmybagattheball——advanceandplacehishanduponhisarm。
Thepolicehadgoneastepfurtherthanthecoroner’sjury，andMr。Durandwasarrested，beforemyeyes，onachargeofmurder。
*Mr。Durand’svisitstothecurio-shops，asexplainedbyhim，weremadewithaviewoffindingacasketinwhichtoplacehisdiamond。Thisexplanationwaslookeduponwithasmuchdoubtastheothershehadofferedwherethesituationseemedtobeofacompromisingcharacter。
IX
THEMOUSENIBBLESATTHENET
Thenextdaysawmeatpoliceheadquartersbegginganinterviewfromtheinspector，withtheintentionofconfidingtohimatheorywhichmusteithercostmehissympathyoropenthewaytoanewinquiry，whichIfeltsurewouldleadtoMr。Durand’scompleteexoneration。
Ichosethisgentlemanformyconfidant，fromamongallthosewithwhomIhadbeenbroughtincontactbymypositionaswitnessinacaseofthismagnitude，first，becausehehadbeenpresentatthemosttragicmomentofmylife，andsecondly，becauseIwasconsciousofasympatheticbondbetweenuswhichwouldinsuremeakindhearing。Howeverridiculousmyideamightappeartohim，I
wasassuredthathewouldtreatmewithconsiderationandnotvisitwhateverfollyImightbeguiltyofontheheadofhimforwhomIriskedmyreputationforgoodsense。
NorwasIdisappointedinthis。InspectorDalzell’sairwasfatherlyandhistonealtogethergentleas，inreplytomyexcusesfortroublinghimwithmyopinions，hetoldmethatinacaseofsuchimportancehewasgladtoreceivetheimpressionsevenofsuchaprejudicedlittlepartizanasmyself。Thewordfiredme，andIspoke。
\"YouconsiderMr。Durandguilty，andsodomanyothers，Ifear，inspiteofhislongrecordforhonestyanduprightness。Andwhy？
Becauseyouwillnotadmitthepossibilityofanotherperson’sguilt，——apersonstandingsohighinprivateandpublicestimationthattheveryideaseemspreposterousandlittleshortofinsultingtothecountryofwhichheisanacknowledgedornament。\"
\"Mydear！\"
Theinspectorhadactuallyrisen。Hisexpressionandwholeattitudeshowedshock。ButIdidnotquail；Ionlysubduedmymannerandspokewithquieterconviction。
\"Iamaware，\"saidI，\"howwordssodaringmustimpressyou。Butlisten，sir；listentowhatIhavetosaybeforeyouutterlycondemnme。IacknowledgethatitisthefrightfulpositionintowhichIthrewMr。DurandbymyofficiousattempttorighthimwhichhasdrivenmetomakethissecondefforttofixthecrimeontheonlyothermanwhohadpossibleaccesstoMrs。Fairbrotheratthefatalmoment。HowcouldIliveininaction？Howcouldyouexpectmetoweighforamomentthisforeigner’sreputationagainstthatofmyownlover？IfIhavereasons——\"
\"Reasons！\"
\"——reasonswhichwouldappealtoall；ifinsteadofthisperson’shavinganinternationalreputationathisbackhehadbeenasimplegentlemanlikeMr。Durand，——wouldyounotconsidermeentitledtospeak？\"
\"Certainly，but——\"
\"Youhavenoconfidenceinmyreasons，Inspector；theymaynotweighagainstthatsplashofbloodonMr。Durand’sshirt-front，butsuchastheyareImustgivethem。Butfirst，itwillbenecessaryforyoutoacceptforthenonceMr。Durand’sstatementsastrue。Areyouwillingtodothis？\"
\"Iwilltry。\"
\"Then，aharderthingyet，——toputsomeconfidenceinmyjudgment。Isawthemananddidnotlikehimlongbeforeanyintimationoftheevening’stragedyhadturnedsuspiciononanyone。IwatchedhimasIwatchedothers。IsawthathehadnotcometotheballtopleaseMr。Ramsdellorforanypleasurehehimselfhopedtoreapfromsocialintercourse，butforsomepurposemuchmoreimportant，andthatthispurposewasconnectedwithMrs。Fairbrother’sdiamond。Indifferent，almostmorosebeforeshecameuponthescene，hebrightenedtoasurprisingextentthemomenthefoundhimselfinherpresence。Notbecauseshewasabeautifulwoman，forhescarcelyhonoredherfaceorevenhersuperbfigurewithalook。Allhisglanceswerecenteredonherlargefan，which，inswayingtoandfro，alternatelyhidandrevealedthesplendoronherbreast；andwhenbychanceithungsuspendedforamomentinherforgetfulhandandhecaughtafullglimpseofthegreatgem，Iperceivedsuchachangeinhisfacethat，ifnothingmorehadoccurredthatnighttogiveprominencetothiswomanandherdiamond，Ishouldhavecarriedhometheconvictionthatinterestsofnocommonimportlaybehindafeelingsoextraordinarilydisplayed。\"
\"Fanciful，mydearMissVanArsdaleIInteresting，butfanciful。\"
\"Iknow。Ihavenotyettouchedonfact。Butfactsarecoming，Inspector。\"
Hestared。Evidentlyhewasnotaccustomedtohearthelawlaiddowninthisfashionbyamidgetofmyproportions。
\"Goon，\"saidhe；\"happily，Ihavenoclerkheretolisten。\"
\"Iwouldnotspeakifyouhad。Thesearewordsforbutoneearasyet。Notevenmyunclesuspectsthedirectionofmythoughts。\"
\"Proceed，\"heagainenjoined。
UponwhichIplungedintomysubject。
\"Mrs。Fairbrotherworetherealdiamond，andnoimitation，totheball。OfthisIfeelsure。Thebitofglassorpastedisplayedtothecoroner’sjurywasbrightenough，butitwasnotthestaroflightIsawburningonherbreastasshepassedmeonherwaytothealcove。\"
\"MissVanArsdale！\"
\"TheinterestwhichMr。Duranddisplayedinit，themarkedexcitementintowhichhewasthrownbyhisfirstviewofitssizeandsplendor，confirminmymindtheevidencewhichhegaveonoath（andheisawell-knowndiamondexpert，youknow，andmusthavebeenverywellawarethathewouldinjureratherthanhelphiscausebythisadmission）thatatthattimehebelievedthestonetoberealandofimmensevalue。Wearingsuchagem，then，sheenteredthefatalalcove，and，withasmileonherface，preparedtoemployherfascinationsonwhoeverchancedtocomewithintheirreach。Butnowsomethinghappened。Pleaseletmetellitmyownway。Ashoutfromthedriveway，orabitofsnowthrownagainstthewindow，drewherattentiontoamanstandingbelow，holdingupanotefastenedtotheendofawhip-handle。I
donotknowwhetherornotyouhavefoundthatman。Ifyouhave——
\"Theinspectormadenosign。\"Ijudgethatyouhavenot，soI
maygoonwithmysuppositions。Mrs。Fairbrothertookinthisnote。Shemayhaveexpecteditandforthisreasonchosethealcovetositin，oritmayhavebeenasurprisetoher。Probablyweshallneverknowthewholetruthaboutit；butwhatwecanknowanddo，ifyouarestillholdingtoourcompactandviewingthiscrimeinthelightofMr。Durand’sexplanations，isthatitmadeachangeinherandmadeheranxioustoridherselfofthediamond。Ithasbeendecidedthatthehurriedscrawlshouldread，’Takewarning。Hemeanstobeattheball。Expecttroubleifyoudonotgivehimthediamond，’orsomethingtothateffect。Butwhywasitpasseduptoherunfinished？Wasthehastetoogreat？
Ihardlythinkso。Ibelieveinanotherexplanation，whichpointswithstartlingdirectnesstothepossibilitythatthepersonreferredtointhisbrokencommunicationwasnotMr。Durand，butonewhomIneednotname；andthatthereasonyouhavefailedtofindthemessenger，ofwhoseappearanceyouhavereceiveddefiniteinformation，isthatyouhavenotlookedamongtheservantsofacertaindistinguishedvisitorintown。Oh，\"Iburstforthwithfeverishvolubility，asIsawtheinspector’slipsopeninwhatcouldnotfailtobeasarcasticutterance，\"Iknowwhatyoufeeltemptedtoreply。Whyshouldaservantdeliverawarningagainsthisownmaster？Ifyouwillbepatientwithmeyouwillsoonsee；butfirstIwishtomakeitclearthatMrs。
Fairbrother，havingreceivedthiswarningjustbeforeMr。Durandappearedinthealcove，——reckless，schemingwomanthatshewas！——
soughttoridherselfoftheobjectagainstwhichitwasdirectedinthewaywehavetemporarilyacceptedastrue。Relyingonherarts，andpossiblymisconceivingthenatureofMr。Durand’sinterestinher，shehandsoverthediamondhiddeninherrolled-upgloves，whichhe，withoutsuspicion，carriesawaywithhim，thuslinkinghimselfindissolublytoagreatcrimeofwhichanotherwastheperpetrator。Thatother，orsoIbelievefrommyveryheartofhearts，wasthemanIsawleaningagainstthewallatthefootofthealcoveafewminutesbeforeIpassedintothesupper-room。\"
Istoppedwithagasp，hardlyabletomeetthesternandforbiddinglookwithwhichtheinspectorsoughttorestrainwhatheevidentlyconsideredthesenselessravingsofachild。ButI
hadcometheretospeak，andIhastilyproceededbeforetherebukethusexpressedcouldformulateitselfintowords。
\"Ihavesomeexcuseforadeclarationsomonstrous。PerhapsIamtheonlypersonwhocansatisfyyouinregardtoacertainfactaboutwhichyouhaveexpressedsomecuriosity。Inspector，haveyoueversolvedthemysteryofthetwobrokencoffee-cupsfoundamongstthedebrisatMrs。Fairbrother’sfeet？Itdidnotcomeoutintheinquest，Inoticed。\"
\"Notyet，\"hecried，\"but——youcannottellmeanythingaboutthem！\"
\"Possiblynot。ButIcantellyouthis：WhenIreachedthesupper-roomdoorthateveningIlookedbackand，providentiallyorotherwise——onlythefuturecandeterminethat——detectedMr。
Greyintheactofliftingtwocupsfromatrayleftbysomewaiteronatablestandingjustoutsidethereception-roomdoor。
Ididnotseewherehecarriedthem；Ionlysawhisfaceturnedtowardthealcove；andastherewasnootherladythere，oranywherenearthere，Ihavedaredtothink——\"
Heretheinspectorfoundspeech。
\"YousawMr。Greylifttwocupsandturntowardthealcoveatamomentweallknowtohavebeencritical？Youshouldhavetoldmethisbefore。Hemaybeapossiblewitness。\"
Iscarcelylistened。Iwastoofullofmyownargument。
\"Therewereotherpeopleinthehall，especiallyatmyendofit。
Aperfectthrongwascomingfromthebilliard-room，wherethedancinghadbeen，anditmighteasilybethathecouldbothenterandleavethatsecludedspotwithoutattractingattention。Hehadshowntooearlyandmuchtoounmistakablyhislackofinterestinthegeneralcompanyforhiseverymovementtobewatchedasathisfirstarrival。Butthisissimpleconjecture；whatIhavetosaynextisevidence。Thestiletto——haveyoustudiedit，sir？I
have，fromthepictures。Itisveryquaint；andamongthedevicesonthehandleisonethatespeciallyattractedmyattention。See！
ThisiswhatImean。\"AndIhandedhimadrawingwhichIhadmadewithsomecareinexpectationofthisveryinterview。
Hesurveyeditwithsomeastonishment。
\"Iunderstand，\"Ipursuedintremblingtones，forIwasmuchaffectedbymyowndaring，\"thatnoonehassofarsucceededintracingthisweapontoitsowner。Whydidn’tyourexpertsstudyheraldryandthedevicesofgreathouses？TheywouldhavefoundthatthisoneisnotunknowninEngland。Icantellyouonwhoseblazonitcanoftenbeseen，andsocould——Mr。Grey。\"
X
IASTONISHTHEINSPECTOR
Iwasnottheonlyonetotremblenow。ThismanofinfiniteexperienceanddailycontactwithcrimehadturnedaspaleaseverImyselfhaddoneinfaceofathreateningcalamity。
\"Ishallseeaboutthis，\"hemuttered，crumplingthepaperinhishand。\"Butthisisaveryterriblebusinessyouareplungingmeinto。Isincerelyhopethatyouarenotheedlesslymisleadingme。\"
\"Iamcorrectinmyfacts，ifthatiswhatyoumean，\"saidI。
\"ThestilettoisanEnglishheirloom，andbearsonitsblade，amongotherdevices，thatofMr。Grey’sfamilyonthefemaleside。ButthatisnotallIwanttosay。Iftheblowwasstrucktoobtainthediamond，theshockofnotfindingitonhisvictimmusthavebeenterrible。NowMr。Grey’sheart，ifmywholetheoryisnotutterlyfalse，wassetuponobtainingthisstone。Youreyewasnotonhimasminewaswhenyoumadeyourappearanceinthehallwiththerecoveredjewel。Heshowedastonishment，eagerness，andadeterminationwhichfinallyledhimforward，asyouknow，withtherequesttotakethediamondinhishand。Whydidhewanttotakeitinhishand？Andwhy，havingtakenit，didhedropit——adiamondsupposedtobeworthanordinaryman’sfortune？
Becausehewasstartledbyacryhechosetoconsiderthetraditionaloneofhisfamilyproclaimingdeath？Isitlikely，sir？Isitconceivableeventhatanysuchcryasweheardcould，inthisdayandgeneration，ringthroughsuchanassemblage，unlessitcamewithventriloquialpowerfromhisownlips？Youobservedthatheturnedhisback；thathisfacewashiddenfromus。Discreetandreticentaswehaveallbeen，andcarefulinourcriticismsofsobizarreanevent，therestillmustbemanytoquestiontherealityofsuchsuperstitiousfears，andsometoaskifsuchasoundcouldbewithouthumanagency，andaveryguiltyagency，too。Inspector，Iambutachildinyourestimation，andIfeelmypositioninthismattermuchmorekeenlythanyoudo，butIwouldnotbetruetothemanwhomIhaveunwittinglyhelpedtoplaceinhispresentunenviablepositionifIdidnottellyouthat，inmyjudgment，thiscrywasaspuriousone，employedbythegentlemanhimselfasanexcusefordroppingthestone。\"
\"Andwhyshouldhewishtodropthestone？\"
\"Becauseofthefraudhemeditated。Becauseitofferedhimanopportunityforsubstitutingafalsestoneforthereal。Didyounotnoticeachangeintheaspectofthisjeweldatingfromthisverymoment？Diditshinewithasmuchbrilliancyinyourhandwhenyoureceiveditbackaswhenyoupasseditover？\"
\"Nonsense！Idonotknow；itisalltooabsurdforargument。\"Yethedidstoptoargue，sayinginthenextbreath：\"Youforgetthatthestonehasasetting。Wouldyouclaimthatthisgentlemanoffamily，placeandpoliticaldistinctionhadplannedthishideouscrimewithsufficientpremeditationtohaveprovidedhimselfwiththeexactcounterpartofabroochwhichitishighlyimprobableheeversaw？YouwouldmakehimoutaCagliostroorsomethingworse。MissVanArsdale，Ifearyourtheorywilltoppleoverofitsownweight。\"
Hewasverypatientwithme；hedidnotshowmethedoor。
\"Yetsuchasubstitutiontookplace，andtookplacethatevening，\"Iinsisted。\"ThebitofpasteshownusattheinquestwasneverthegemMrs。Fairbrotherworeonenteringthealcove。
Besides，whereallissensation，whycavilatonemoreimprobability？Mr。GreymayhavecomeovertoAmericafornootherreason。Heisknownasacollector，andwhenamanhasapassionfordiamond-getting——\"
\"Heisknownasacollector？\"
\"Inhisowncountry。\"
\"Iwasnottoldthat。\"
\"NorI。ButIfounditout。\"
\"How，mydearchild，how？\"
\"Byacablegramorso。\"
\"You——cabled——hisname——toEngland？\"
\"No，Inspector；unclehasacode，andImadeuseofittoaskafriendinLondonforalistofthemost。noteddiamondfanciersinthecountry。Mr。Grey’snamewasthirdonthelist。\"
Hegavemealookinwhichadmirationwasstrangelyblendedwithdoubtandapprehension。
\"Youaremakingabravestruggle，\"saidhe，\"butitisahopelessone。\"
\"Ihaveonemoreconfidencetoreposeinyou。ThenursewhohaschargeofMissGreywasinmyclassinthehospital。Weloveeachother，andtoherIdaredappealononepoint。Inspector——\"heremyvoiceunconsciouslyfellasheimpetuouslydrewnearer——\"anotewassentfromthatsickchamberonthenightoftheball，——anotesurreptitiouslywrittenbyMissGrey，whilethenursewasinanadjoiningroom。ThemessengerwasMr。Grey’svalet，anditsdestinationthehouseinwhichherfatherwasenjoyinghispositionaschiefguest。Shesaysthatitwasmeantforhim，butIhavedaredtothinkthatthevaletwouldtelladifferentstory。Myfrienddidnotseewhatherpatientwrote，butsheacknowledgedthatifherpatientwrotemorethantwowordstheresultmusthavebeenanunintelligiblescrawl，sinceshewastooweaktoholdapencilfirmly，andsonearlyblindthatshewouldhavehadtofeelherwayoverthepaper。\"
Theinspectorstarted，and，risinghastily，wenttohisdesk，fromwhichhepresentlybroughtthescrapofpaperwhichhadalreadyfiguredintheinquestasthemysteriouscommunicationtakenfromMrs。Fairbrother’shandbythecoroner。Pressingitoutflat，hetookanotherlookatit，thenglancedupinvisiblediscomposure。
\"Ithasalwayslookedtousasifwritteninthedark，byanagitatedhand；but——\"
Isaidnothing；thebrokenandunfinishedscrawlwassufficientlyeloquent。
\"DidyourfrienddeclareMissGreytohavewrittenwithapencilandonasmallpieceofunruledpaper？\"
\"Yes，thepencilwasatherbedside；thepaperwastornfromabookwhichlaythere。Shedidnotputthenotewhenwritteninanenvelope，butgaveittothevaletjustasitwas。Heisanoldmanandhadcometoherroomforsomefinalorders。\"
\"Thenursesawallthis？Hasshethatbook？\"
\"No，itwentoutnextmorning，withthescraps。Itwassomepamphlet，Ibelieve。\"
Theinspectorturnedthemorselofpaperoverandoverinhishand。
\"Whatisthisnurse’sname？\"
\"HenriettaPierson。\"
\"Doessheshareyourdoubts？\"
\"Icannotsay。\"
\"Youhaveseenheroften？\"
\"No，onlytheonetime。\"
\"Isshediscreet？\"
\"Very。Onthissubjectshewillbelikethegraveunlessforcedbyyoutospeak。\"
\"AndMissGrey？\"
\"Sheisstillill，tooilltobedisturbedbyquestions，especiallyonsodelicateatopic。Butsheisgettingwellfast。
Herfather’sfearsasweheardthemexpressedononememorableoccasionwereillfounded，sir。\"
Slowlytheinspectorinsertedthisscrapofpaperbetweenthefoldsofhispocketbook。Hedidnotgivemeanotherlook，thoughIstoodtremblingbeforehim。Washeinanywayconvincedorwashesimplyseekingforthemostconsideratewayinwhichtodismissmeandmyabominabletheory？Icouldnotgatherhisintentionsfromhisexpression，andwasfeelingveryfaintandheart-sickwhenhesuddenlyturneduponmewiththeremark：
\"AgirlasillasyousayMissGreywasmusthavehadsomeverypressingmatteronhermindtoattempttowriteandsendamessageundersuchdifficulties。Accordingtoyouridea，shehadsomenotionofherfather’sdesignsandwishedtowarnMrs。
Fairbrotheragainstthem。Butdon’tyouseethatsuchconductasthiswouldbepreposterous，nay，unparalleledinpersonsoftheirdistinction？YoumustfindsomeotherexplanationforMissGrey’sseeminglymysteriousaction，andIanagentofcrimeotherthanoneofEngland’smostreputablestatesmen。\"
\"SothatMr。Durandisshownthesameconsideration，Iamcontent，\"saidI。\"ItisthetruthandthetruthonlyIdesire。I
amwillingtotrustmycausewithyou。\"
Helookednonetoogratefulforthisconfidence。Indeed，nowthatIlookbackonthisscene，Idonotwonderthatheshrankfromtheresponsibilitythusfoisteduponhim。
\"Whatdoyouwantmetodo？\"heasked。
\"Provesomething。ProvethatIamaltogetherwrongoraltogetherright。Orifproofisnotpossible，prayallowmetheprivilegeofdoingwhatIcanmyselftoclearupthematter。\"
\"You？\"
Therewasapprehension，disapprobation，almostmenaceinhistone。Iboreitwithassteadyandmodestaglanceaspossible，saying，whenIthoughthewasabouttospeakagain：
\"Iwilldonothingwithoutyoursanction。Irealizethedangersofthisinquiryandthedisgracethatwouldfollowifourattemptwassuspectedbeforeproofreachedapointsufficienttojustifyit。ItisnotanopenattackImeditate，butone——\"
HereIwhisperedinhisearforseveralminutes。whenIhadfinishedhegavemeaprolongedstare，thenhelaidhishandonmyhead。
\"Youarealittlewonder，\"hedeclared。\"Butyourideasareveryquixotic，very。However，\"headded，suddenlygrowinggrave，\"something，Imustadmit，maybeexcusedayounggirlwhofindsherselfforcedtochoosebetweentheguiltofherloverandthatofamanesteemedgreatbytheworld，butaltogetherremovedfromherandhernaturalsympathies。\"
\"Youacknowledge，then，thatitliesbetweenthesetwo？\"
\"Iseenothird，\"saidhe。
Idrewabreathofrelief。
\"Don’tdeceiveyourself，MissVanArsdale；itisnotamongthepossibilitiesthatMr。Greyhashadanyconnectionwiththiscrime。Heisaneccentricman，that’sall。\"
\"But——but——\"
\"Ishalldomyduty。Ishallsatisfyyouandmyselfoncertainpoints，andif——\"Ihardlybreathed\"——thereistheleastdoubt，Iwillseeyouagainand——\"
Thechangehesawinmefrightenedawaytheendofhissentence。
Turninguponmewithsomeseverity，hedeclared：\"Thereareninehundredandninety-ninechancesinathousandthatmynextwordtoyouwillbetoprepareyourselfforMr。Durand’sarraignmentandtrial。Butaninfinitesimalchanceremainstothecontrary。
Ifyouchoosetotrusttoit，Icanonlyadmireyourpluckandthegreatconfidenceyoushowinyourunfortunatelover。\"
Andwiththishalf-heartedencouragementIwasforcedtobecontent，notonlyforthatday，butformanydays，when——
XI
THEINSPECTORASTONISHESME
ButbeforeIproceedtorelatewhathappenedattheendofthosetwoweeks，Imustsayawordortwoinregardtowhathappenedduringthem。
NothinghappenedtoimproveMr。Durand’sposition，andnothingopenlytocompromiseMr。Grey’s。Mr。Fairbrother，fromwhosetestimonymanyofushopedsomethingwouldyetbegleanedcalculatedtogiveaturntothesuspicionnowcenteredononeman，continuedillinNewMexico；andallthatcouldbelearnedfromhimofanyimportancewascontainedinashortletterdictatedfromhisbed，inwhichheaffirmedthatthediamond，whenitlefthim，wasinauniquesettingprocuredbyhimselfinFrance；thatheknewofnootherjewelsimilarlymounted，andthatifthefalsegemwassetaccordingtohisowndescription，theprobabilitieswerethattheimitationstonehadbeenputinplaceoftherealoneunderhiswife’sdirectionandinsomeworkshopinNewYork，asshewasnotthewomantotakethetroubletosendabroadforanythingshecouldgetdoneinthiscountry。Thedescriptionfollowed。Itcoincidedwiththeoneweallknew。
Thiswassomethingofablowtome。Publicopinionwouldnaturallyreflectthatofthehusband，anditwouldrequireverystrongevidenceindeedtocombatalogicalsuppositionofthiskindwithonesoforcedandseeminglyextravagantasthatuponwhichmyowntheorywasbased。Yettruthoftentranscendsimagination，and，havingconfidenceintheinspector’sintegrity，Isubduedmyimpatienceforaweek，almostfortwo，whenmysuspenseandrapidlyculminatingdreadofsomeactionbeingtakenagainstMr。Durandweresuddenlycutshortbyamessagefromtheinspector，followedbyhisspeedypresenceinmyuncle’shouse。
Wehavealittleroomonourparlorfloor，verysnugandsecluded，andinthisroomIreceivedhim。SeldomhaveIdreadedameetingmoreandseldomhaveIbeenmetwithgreaterkindnessandconsideration。HewassokindthatIfearedhehadonlydisappointingnewstocommunicate，buthisfirstwordsreassuredme。Hesaid：
\"Ihavecometoyouonamatterofimportance。Wehavefoundenoughtruthinthesuppositionsyouadvancedatourlastinterviewtowarrantusintheattemptyouyourselfproposedfortheelucidationofthismystery。ThatthisisthemostriskyandaltogetherthemostunpleasantdutywhichIhaveencounteredduringmyseveralyearsofservice，Iamwillingtoacknowledgetoonesosensibleandatthesametimeofsomuchmodestyasyourself。ThisEnglishgentlemanhasareputationwhichliftshimfaraboveanyunworthysuspicion，andwereitnotforthefavorableimpressionmadeuponusbyMr。Durandinalongtalkwehadwithhimlastnight，Iwouldsoonerresignmyplacethanpursuethismatteragainsthim。Successwouldcreateahorroronbothsidesthewaterunprecedentedduringmycareer，whilefailurewouldbringdownridiculeonuswhichwoulddestroytheprestigeofthewholeforce。Doyouseemydifficulty，MissVanArsdale？WecannotevenapproachthishaughtyandhighlyreputableEnglishmanwithquestionswithoutcallingdownonusthewrathofthewholeEnglishnation。Wemustbesurebeforewemakeamove，andforustobesurewheretheevidenceisallcircumstantial，Iknowofnobetterplanthantheoneyouwerepleasedtosuggest，which，atthetime，Iwaspleasedtocallquixotic。\"
DrawingalongbreathIsurveyedhimtimidly。NeverhadIsorealizedmypresumptionorexperiencedsuchathrillofjoyinmyfrightenedyetelatedheart。TheybelievedinAnson’sinnocenceandtheytrustedme。InsignificantasIwas，itwastomyexertionsthisgreatresultwasdue。AsIrealizedthis，Ifeltmyheartswellandmythroatclose。IndespairofspeakingIheldoutmyhands。Hetookthemkindlyandseemedtobequitesatisfied。
\"Suchalittle，trembling，tear-filledAmazon！\"hecried。\"Shallyouhavecouragetoundertakethetaskbeforeyou？Ifnot——\"
\"Oh，butIhave，\"saidI。\"Itisyourgoodnessandthesurpriseofitallwhichunnervesme。IcangothroughwhatwehaveplannedifyouthinkthesecretofmypersonalityandinterestinMr。DurandcanbekeptfromthepeopleIgoamong。\"
\"Itcanifyouwillfollowouradviceimplicitly。YousaythatyouknowthedoctorandthathestandsreadytorecommendyouincaseMissPiersonwithdrawsherservices。\"
\"Yes，heiseagertogivemeachance。Hewasacollegemateofmyfather’s。\"
\"Howwillyouexplaintohimyourwishtoenteruponyourdutiesunderanothername？\"
\"Verysimply。Ihavealreadytoldhimthatthepublicitygivenmynameinthelateproceedingshasmademeveryuncomfortable；thatmyfirstcaseofnursingwouldrequireallmyself-possessionandthatifhedidnotthinkitwrongIshouldliketogotoitundermymother’sname。HemadenodissentandIthinkIcanpersuadehimthatIwoulddomuchbetterworkasMissAyersthanasthetoowell-knownMissVanArsdale。\"
\"Youhavegreatpowersofpersuasion。Butmayyounotmeetpeopleatthehotelwhoknowyou？\"
\"Ishalltrytoavoidpeople；and，ifmyidentityisdiscovered，itseffectornon-effectupononewefinditdifficulttomentionwillgiveusourclue。Ifhehasnoguiltyinterestinthecrime，myconnectionwithitasawitnesswillnotdisturbhim。Besides，twodaysofunsuspiciousacceptanceofmeasMissGrey’snurseareallIwant。Ishalltakeimmediateopportunity，Iassureyou，tomakethetestImentioned。Buthowmuchconfidenceyouwillhavetoreposeinme！Icomprehendalltheimportanceofmyundertaking，andshallworkasifmyhonor，aswellasyours，wereatstake。\"
\"Iamsureyouwill。\"ThenforthefirsttimeinmylifeIwasgladthatIwassmallandplainratherthantallandfascinatinglikesomanyofmyfriends，forhesaid：\"Ifyouhadbeenatriumphantbeauty，dependingonyourcharmsasawomantowinpeopletoyourwill，weshouldneverhavelistenedtoyourpropositionorriskedourreputationinyourhands。Itisyourwit，yourearnestnessandyourquietdeterminationwhichhaveimpressedus。YouseeIspeakplainly。IdosobecauseIrespectyou。Andnowtobusiness。\"
Detailsfollowed。Afterthesewerewellunderstoodbetweenus，I
venturedtosay：\"Doyouobject——woulditbeaskingtoomuch——ifIrequestedsomeenlightenmentastowhatfactsyouhavediscoveredaboutMr。Greywhichgotosubstantiatemytheory？I
mightworkmoreintelligently。\"
\"No，MissVanArsdale，youwouldnotworkmoreintelligently，andyouknowit。Butyouhavethenaturalcuriosityofonewhoseveryheartisboundupinthisbusiness。IcoulddenyyouwhatyouaskbutIwon’t，forIwantyoutoworkwithquietconfidence，whichyouwouldnotdoifyourmindweretakenupwithdoubtsandquestions。MissVanArsdale，onesurmiseofyourswascorrect。A
manwassentthatnighttotheRamsdellhousewithanotefromMissGrey。Weknowthisbecauseheboastedofittooneofthebell-boysbeforehewentout，sayingthathewasgoingtohaveaglimpseofoneoftheswellestpartiesoftheseason。ItisalsotruethatthismanwasMr。Grey’svalet，anoldservantwhocameoverwithhimfromEngland。Butwhataddsweighttoallthisandmakesusregardthewholeaffairwithsuspicion，istheadditionalfactthatthismanreceivedhisdismissalthefollowingmorningandhasnotbeenseensincebyanyonewecouldreach。Thislooksbadtobeginwith，likethesuppressionofevidence，youknow。ThenMr。Greyhasnotbeenthesamemansincethatnight。Heisfullofcareandthiscareisnotentirelyinconnectionwithhisdaughter，whoisdoingverywellandbidsfairtobeupinafewdays。ButallthiswouldbenothingifwehadnotreceivedadvicesfromEnglandwhichprovethatMr。Grey’svisitherehasanelementofmysteryinit。Therewaseveryreasonforhisremaininginhisowncountry，whereapoliticalcrisisisapproaching，yethecrossedthewater，bringinghissicklydaughterwithhim。Theexplanationasvolunteeredbyonewhoknewhimwellwasthis：Thatonlyhisdesiretoseeoracquiresomepreciousobjectforhiscollectioncouldhavetakenhimacrosstheoceanatthistime，nothingelserivalinghisinterestingovernmentalaffairs。Stillthiswouldbenothingifastilettosimilartotheoneemployedinthiscrimehadnotonceformedpartofacollectionofcuriosbelongingtoacousinofhiswhomheoftenvisited。Thisstilettohasbeenmissingforsometime，stolen，astheownerdeclared，bysomeunknownperson。
Allthislooksbadenough，butwhenItellyouthataweekbeforethefatalballatMr。Ramsdell’s，Mr。GreymadeatourofthejewelersonBroadwayand，withthepretextofbuyingadiamondforhisdaughter，enteredintoatalkaboutfamousstones，endingalwayswithsomequestionabouttheFairbrothergem，youwillseethathisinterestinthatstoneisestablishedandthatitonlyremainsforustodiscoverifthatinterestisaguiltyone。I
cannotbelievethispossible，butyouhaveourleavetomakeyourexperimentandsee。Onlydonotcounttoomuchonhissuperstition。Ifheisthedeep-dyedcriminalyouimagine，thecrywhichstartledusallatacertaincriticalinstantwasraisedbyhimselfandforthepurposeyousuggested。Noneofthesensitivenessoftenshownbyamanwhohasbeensurprisedintocrimewillbehis。Relyingonhisreputationandtheprestigeofhisgreatname，hewill，ifhethinkshimselfunderfire，faceeveryshockunmoved。\"
\"Isee；Iunderstand。Hemustbelievehimselfallalone；then，thenaturalmanmayappear。Ithankyou，Inspector。Thatideaisofinestimablevaluetome，andIshallactonit。Idonotsayimmediately；notonthefirstday，andpossiblynotonthesecond，butassoonasopportunityoffersformydoingwhatI
haveplannedwithanychanceofsuccess。Andnow，advisemehowtocircumventmyuncleandaunt，whomustneverknowtowhatanundertakingIhavecommittedmyself。\"
InspectorDalzellsparedmeanotherfifteenminutes，andthislastdetailwasarranged。Thenherosetogo。Asheturnedfrommehesaid：
\"To-morrow？\"
AndIansweredwithafullheart，butavoiceclearasmypurpose：
\"To-morrow。\"
XII
ALMOST
\"Thisisyourpatient。Yournewnurse，mydear。Whatdidyousayyournameis？MissAyers？\"
\"Yes，Mr。Grey，AliceAyers。\"
\"Oh，whatasweetname！\"
Thisexpressivegreeting，fromthepatientherself，wasthefirstheart-stingIreceived，——astingwhichbroughtaflushintomycheekwhichIwouldfainhavekeptdown。
\"Sinceachangeofnurseswasnecessary，Iamgladtheysentmeonelikeyou，\"thefeeble，butmusicalvoicewenton，andIsawawastedbuteagerhandstretchedout。
InawhirlofstrongfeelingIadvancedtotakeit。Ihadnotcountedonsuchareception。Ihadnotexpectedanybondofcongenialitytospringupbetweenthishigh-feelingEnglishgirlandmyselftomakemypurposehatefultome。Yet，asIstoodtherelookingdownatherbrightifwastedface，Ifeltthatitwouldbeveryeasytolovesogentleandcordialabeing，anddreadedraisingmyeyestothegentlemanatmysidelestIshouldseesomethinginhimtohamperme，andmakethisattempt，whichI
hadundertakeninsuchloyaltyofspirit，amiserytomyselfandineffectualtothemanIhadhopedtosavebyit。WhenIdidlookupandcatchthefirstbeamsofMr。Grey’skeenblueeyesfixedinquiringlyonme，Ineitherknewwhattothinknorhowtoact。
Hewastallandfirmlyknit，andhadanintellectualaspectaltogether。Iwasconsciousofregardinghimwithadecidedfeelingofawe，andfoundmyselfforgettingwhyIhadcomethere，andwhatmysuspicionswere，——suspicionswhichhadcarriedhopewiththem，hopeformyselfandhopeformylover，whowouldneverescapetheopprobrium，evenifhedidthepunishment，ofthisgreatcrime，werethis，theonlyotherpersonwhocouldpossiblybeassociatedwithit，foundtobethefine，clear-souledmanheappearedtobeinthismyfirstinterviewwithhim。
PerceivingverysoonthathisapprehensionsinmyregardwerelimitedtoafearlestIshouldnotfeelateaseinmynewhomeundertherestraintofapresencemoreaccustomedtointimidatethanattractstrangers，Ithrewasidealldoubtsofmyselfandmettheadvancesofbothfatheranddaughterwiththatquietconfidencewhichmypositiontheredemanded。
Theresultbothgratifiedandgrievedme。AsanurseenteringonherfirstcaseIwashappy；asawomanwithanulteriorobjectinviewvergingontheaudaciousandunspeakable，Iwaswretchedandregretfulandjustalittleshakenintheconvictionwhichhadhithertoupheldme。
Iwasthereforebutpoorlypreparedtomeettheordealwhichawaitedme，when，alittlelaterintheday，Mr。Greycalledmeintotheadjoiningroom，and，aftersayingthatitwouldaffordhimgreatrelieftogooutforanhourorso，askedifIwereafraidtobeleftalonewithmypatient。
\"Ono，sir——\"Ibegan，butstoppedinsecretdismay。Iwasafraid，butnotonaccountofhercondition；ratheronaccountofmyown。WhatifIshouldbeledintobetrayingmyfeelingsonfindingmyselfundernoothereyethanherown！Whatifthetemptationtoprobeherpoorsickmindshouldprovestrongerthanmydutytowardherasanurse！
MytoneswerehesitatingbutMr。Greypaidlittleheed；hismindwastoofixedonwhathewishedtosayhimself。