\"BeforeIgo，\"saidhe，\"Ihavearequesttomake——Imayaswellsayacautiontogiveyou。Donot，Ipray，eithernoworatanyfuturetime，carryorallowanyoneelsetocarrynewspapersintoMissGrey’sroom。Theyarejustnowtooalarming。Therehasbeen，asyouknow，adreadfulmurderinthiscity。Ifshecaughtoneglimpseoftheheadlines，orsawsomuchasthenameofFairbrother——which——whichisanamesheknows，theresultmightbeveryhurtfultoher。Sheisnotonlyextremelysensitivefromillnessbutfromtemperament。Willyoubecareful？\"
\"Ishallbecareful。\"
Itwassuchaneffortformetosaythesewords，tosayanythinginthestateofmindintowhichIhadbeenthrownbyhisunexpectedallusiontothissubject，thatIunfortunatelydrewhisattentiontomyselfanditwaswithwhatIfelttobeaglanceofdoubtthatheaddedwithdecidedemphasis：
\"Youmustconsiderthiswholesubjectasaforbiddenoneinthisfamily。Onlycheerfultopicsaresuitableforthesick-room。IfMissGreyattemptstointroduceanyother，stopher。Donotlethertalkaboutanythingwhichwillnotbeconducivetoherspeedyrecovery。ThesearetheonlyinstructionsIhavetogiveyou；allothersmustcomefromherphysician。\"
Imadesomereplywithaslittleshowofemotionaspossible。Itseemedtosatisfyhim，forhisfaceclearedashekindlyobserved：
\"Youhaveaverytrustworthylookforonesoyoung。Ishallresteasywhileyouarewithher，andIshallexpectyoutobealwayswithherwhenIamnot。Everymoment，mind。Sheisnevertobeleftalonewithgossipingservants。Ifawordismentionedinherhearingaboutthiscrimewhichseemstobeineverybody’smouth，Ishallfeelforced，greatlyasIshouldregretthefad，toblameyou。\"
Thiswasaheart-stroke，butIkeptupbravely，changingcolorperhaps，butnottosuchamarkeddegreeastoarouseanydeepersuspicioninhismindthanthatIhadbeenwoundedinmyamourpropre。
\"Sheshallbewellguarded，\"saidI。\"Youmaytrustmetokeepfromherallavoidableknowledgeofthiscrime。\"
HebowedandIwasabouttoleavehispresence，whenhedetainedmebyremarkingwiththeairofonewhofeltthatsomeexplanationwasnecessary：
\"Iwasattheballwherethiscrimetookplace。Naturallyithasmadeadeepimpressiononmeandwouldonherifsheheardofit。\"
\"Assuredly，\"Imurmured，wonderingifhewouldsaymoreandhowI
shouldhavethecouragetostandthereandlistenifhedid。
\"ItisthefirsttimeIhaveevercomeincontactwithcrime，\"hewentonwithwhat，inoneofhisreservednature，seemedahardlynaturalinsistence。\"Icouldwellhavebeensparedtheexperience。Atragedywithwhichonehasbeeneventhusremotelyconnectedproducesalastingeffectuponthemind。\"
\"Ohyes，ohyes！\"Imurmured，edginginvoluntarilytowardthedoor。DidInotknow？HadInotbeenthere，too；I，littleI，whomhestoodgazingdownuponfromsuchaheight，littlerealizingthefatalitywhichunitedusand，whatwasevenamoreoverwhelmingthoughttomeatthemoment，thefactthatofallpersonsintheworldtheshrinkinglittlebeing，intowhoseeyeshewasthenlooking，was，perhaps，hisgreatestenemyandtheoneperson，greatorsmall，fromwhomhehadthemosttofear。
ButIwasnoenemytohisgentledaughterandthereliefIfeltatfindingmyselfthuscutoffbymyownpromisefromeventheremotestcommunicationwithheronthisforbiddensubjectwasgenuineandsincere。
Butthefather！WhatwasItothinkofthefather？Alas！Icouldhavebutonethought，admirableasheappearedinalllightssavetheoneinwhichhistooevidentconnectionwiththiscrimehadplacedhim。Ispentthehoursoftheafternooninalternatelywatchingthesleepingfaceofmypatient，toosweetlycalminitsrepose，orsoitseemed，forthemindbeneathtoharborsuchdoubtsaswereshowninthewarningIhadascribedtoher，andvaineffortstoexplainbyanyotherhypothesisthanthatofguilt，theextraordinaryevidencewhichlinkedthismanofgreataffairsandtheloftiestreputetoacrimeinvolvingboththeftandmurder。
Nordidthestruggleendthatnight。Itwasrenewedwithstillgreaterpositivenessthenextday，asIwitnessedtheglanceswhichfromtimetotimepassedbetweenthisfatheranddaughter，——glancesfullofdoubtandquestiononbothsides，butnotexactlysuchdoubtorsuchquestionasmysuspicionscalledfor。OrsoIthought，andspentanotherdayortwohesitatingverymuchovermyduty，when，comingunexpectedlyuponMr。Greyoneevening，Ifeltallmydoubtsreviveinviewoftheextraordinaryexpressionofdread——Imightwithstillgreatertruthsayfear——whichinformedhisfeaturesandmadethem，tomyunaccustomedeyes，almostunrecognizable。
Hewassittingathisdeskinreverieoversomepaperswhichheseemednottohavetouchedforhours，andwhen，atsomemovementImade，hestartedupandmetmyeye，Icouldswearthathischeekwaspale，thefirmcarriageofhisbodyshaken，andthewholemanavictimtosomestrongandsecretapprehensionhevainlysoughttohide。whenIventuredtotellhimwhatIwanted，hemadeaneffortandpulledhimselftogether，butIhadseenhimwithhismaskoff，andhisusuallycalmvisageandself-possessedmiencouldnotagaindeceiveme。
MydutieskeptmemainlyatMissGrey’sbedside，butIhadbeenprovidedwithalittleroomacrossthehall，andtothisroomI
retiredverysoonafterthis，forrestandanecessaryunderstandingwithmyself。
For，inspiteofthisexperienceandmynowsettledconvictions，mypurposerequiredwhetting。Theindescribablecharm，theextremerefinementandnobilityofmannerobservableinbothMr。
Greyandhisdaughterwereproducingtheireffect。Ifeltguilty；
constrained。whatevermyconvictions，theimpetustoactwasleavingme。HowcouldIrecoverit？BythinkingofAnsonDurandandhispresentdisgracefulposition。
AnsonDurand！Oh，howthefeelingsurgedupinmybreastasthatnameslippedfrommylipsoncrossingthethresholdofmylittleroom！AnsonDurand，whomIbelievedinnocent，whomIloved，butwhomIwasbetrayingwitheverymomentofhesitationinwhichI
allowedmyselftoindulge！whatiftheHonorableMr。Greyisaneminentstatesman，adignified，scholarly，andtoallappearance，high-mindedman？whatifmypatientissweet，dove-eyedandaffectionate？HadnotAnsonqualitiesasexcellentintheirway，rightsascertain，andaholduponmyselfsuperiortoanyclaimswhichanothermightadvance？Drawingamuch-crumpledlittlenotefrommypocket，Ieagerlyreadit。ItwastheonlyoneIhadofhiswriting，theonlyletterhehadeverwrittenme。Ihadalreadyre-readitahundredtimes，butasIoncemorerepeatedtomyselfitswell-knownlines，Ifeltmyheartgrowstrongandfixedinthedeterminationwhichhadbroughtmeintothisfamily。
Restoringthelettertoitsplace，IopenedmygripsackandfromitsinmostrecessesdrewforthanobjectwhichIhadnosoonerinhandthananaturalsenseofdisquietudeledmetoglanceapprehensively，firstatthedoor，thenatthewindow，thoughI
hadlockedtheoneandshadedtheother。ItseemedasifsomeothereyebesidesmyownmustbegazingatwhatIheldsogingerlyinhand；thatthewallswerewatchingme，ifnothingelse，andthesensationthisproducedwassoexactlylikethatofguilt（orwhatIimaginedtobeguilt），thatIwasforcedtorepeatoncemoretomyselfthatitwasnotagoodman’soverthrowIsought，orevenabadman’simmunityfrompunishment，butthetruth，theabsolutetruth。NoshamecouldequalthatwhichI
shouldfeelif，byanyover-delicacynow，Ifailedtosavethemanwhotrustedme。
ThearticlewhichIheld——haveyouguessedit？——wasthestilettowithwhichMrs。Fairbrotherhadbeenkilled。Ithadbeenintrustedtomebythepoliceforadefinitepurpose。Thetimefortestingthatpurposehadcome，orsonearlycome，thatIfeltImustbethinkingaboutthenecessarywaysandmeans。
Unwindingthefoldsoftissuepaperinwhichthestilettowaswrapped，Iscrutinizedtheweaponverycarefully。Hitherto，Ihadseenonlypicturesofit，now，Ihadthearticleitselfinmyhand。Itwasnotanaturaloneforayoungwomantohold，awomanwhosetasteranmoretowardhealingthaninflictingwounds，butI
forcedmyselftoforgetwhytheendofitsbladewasrusty，andlookedmainlyatthedeviceswhichornamentedthehandle。Ihadnotbeenmistakeninthem。TheybelongedtothehouseofGrey，andtononeother。ItwasalegitimateinquiryIhadundertaken。
Howeverthematterended，Ishouldalwayshavethesehistoricdevicesformyexcuse。
MyplanwastolaythisdaggeronMr。Grey’sdeskatamomentwhenhewouldbesuretoseeitandItoseehim。Ifhebetrayedaguiltyknowledgeofthisfatalsteel；if，unconsciousofmypresence，heshowedsurpriseandapprehension，——thenweshouldknowhowtoproceed；justicewouldbeloosedfromconstraintandthepolicefeelatlibertytoapproachhim。Itwasadelicatetask，this。Irealizedhowdelicate，whenIhadthrustthestilettooutofsightundermynurse’sapronandstartedtocrossthehall。ShouldIfindthelibraryclear？Wouldtheopportunitybegivenmetoapproachhisdesk，orshouldIhavetocarrythisguiltywitnessofaworld-famouscrimeonintoMissGrey’sroom，andwithitsunholyoutlinepressingasemblanceofitselfuponmybreast，sitatthatinnocentpillow，meetthoseinnocenteyes，andanswerthegentleinquirieswhichnowandthenfellfromthesweetestlipsIhaveeverseensmileintothefaceofalonely，preoccupiedstranger？
Thearrangementoftheroomswassuchasmadeitnecessaryformetopassthroughthissittting-roominordertoreachmypatient’sbedroom。
Withcarefultread，sotimedasnottoappearstealthy，I
accordinglyadvancedandpushedopenthedoor。Theroomwasempty。Mr。GreywasstillwithhisdaughterandIcouldcrossthefloorwithoutfear。ButneverhadIentereduponataskrequiringmorecourageoronemoreobnoxioustomynaturalinstincts。I
hatedeachstepItook，butIlovedthemanforwhomItookthosesteps，andmovedresolutelyon。Only，asIreachedthechairinwhichMr。Greywasaccustomedtosit，Ifoundthatitwaseasiertoplananactionthantocarryitout。Homelifeandthedomesticvirtueshadalwaysappealedtomemorethanaman’sgreatness。Thepositionwhichthismanheldinhisowncountry，hisusefulnessthere，evenhisprestigeasstatesmanandscholar，werefacts，butverydreamyfacts，tome，whilehisfeelingsasafather，theplaceheheldinhisdaughter’sheart——thesewererealtome，theseIcouldunderstand；anditwasoftheseandnotofhisplaceasaman，thatthishisfavoriteseatspoketome。
HowoftenhadIbeheldhimsitbythehourwithhiseyeonthedoorbehindwhichhisonedarlinglayill！Evennow，itwaseasyformetorecallhisfaceasIhadsometimescaughtaglimpseofitthroughthecrackofthesuddenlyopeneddoor，andIfeltmybreastheaveandmyhandfalterasIdrewforththestilettoandmovedtoplaceitwherehiseyewouldfalluponitonhisleavinghisdaughter’sbedside。
Butmyhandreturnedquicklytomybreastandfellhackagainempty。Apileofletterslaybeforemeontheopenlidofthedesk。Thetoponewasaddressedtomewiththeword\"Important\"
writteninthecorner。Ididnotknowthewriting，butIfeltthatIshouldopenandreadthisletterbeforecommittingmyselforthosewhostoodbackofmetothisdesperateundertaking。
GlancingbehindmeandseeingthatthedoorintoMissGrey’sroomwasajar，Icaughtupthisletterandrushedwithitbackintomyownroom。AsIsurmised，itwasfromtheinspector，andasIreaditIrealizedthatIhadreceiveditnotonemomenttoosoon。Inlanguagepurposelynon-committal，butofameaningnottobemistaken，itadvisedmethatsomeunforeseenfactshadcometolightwhichalteredallformersuspicionsandmadethelittlesurpriseIhadplannednolongernecessary。
TherewasnoallusiontoMr。Durandbutthefinalsentenceran：
\"Dropallcareandgiveyourundividedattentiontoyourpatient。\"
XIII
THEMISSINGRECOMMENDATION
Mypatientsleptthatnight，butIdidnot。TheshockgivenbythissuddencryofHalt！attheverymomentIwasabouttomakemygreatmove，theuncertaintyastowhatitmeantandmydoubtofitseffectuponMr。Durand’sposition，putmeontheanxiousseatandkeptmythoughtsfullyoccupiedtillmorning。
Iwasverytiredandmusthaveshownit，when，withthefirstraysofaverymeagersun，MissGreysoftlyunclosedhereyesandfoundmelookingather，forhersmilehadasweetcompassioninit，andshesaidasshepressedmyhand：
\"Youmusthavewatchedmeallnight。Ineversawanyonelooksotired，——orsogood，\"shesoftlyfinished。
Ihadrathershehadnotutteredthatlastphrase。Itdidnotfitmeatthemoment，——didnotfitme，perhaps，atanytime。Good！I！
whenmythoughtshadnotbeenwithher，butwithMr。Durand；whenthedominatingfeelinginmybreastwasnotthatofrelief，butavagueregretthatIhadnotbeenallowedtomakemygreattestandsoestablish，tomyownsatisfaction，atleast，theperfectinnocenceofmyloverevenatthecostofuntoldanguishtothisconfidinggirluponwhosegentlespirittheverythoughtofcrimewouldcastadeadlyblight。
Imusthaveflushed；certainlyIshowedsomeembarrassment，forhereyesbrightenedwithshylaughterasshewhispered：
\"Youdonotliketobepraised，——anotherofyourvirtues。Youhavetoomany。Ihaveonlyone——Ilovemyfriends。\"
Shedid。Onecouldseethatlovewaslifetoher。
ForaninstantItrembled。HownearIhadbeentowreckingthisgentlesoul！Wasshesafeyet？Iwasnotsure。Myowndoubtswerenotsatisfied。Iawaitedthepaperswithfeverishimpatience。
Theyshouldcontainnews。Newsofwhat？Ah，thatwasthequestion！
\"Youwillletmeseemymailthismorning，willyounot？\"sheasked，asIbusiedmyselfabouther。
\"Thatisforthedoctortosay，\"Ismiled。\"Youarecertainlybetterthismorning。\"
\"Itissohardformenottobeabletoreadhisletters，ortowriteawordtorelievehisanxiety。\"
Thusshetoldmeherheart’ssecret，andunconsciouslyaddedanotherburdentomyalreadytooheavyload。
Iwasonmywaytogivesomeordersaboutmypatient’sbreakfast，whenMr。Greycameintothesitting-roomandmetmefacetoface。
HehadanewspaperinhishandandmyheartstoodstillasI
notedhisalteredlooksanddisturbedmanner。Weretheseduetoanythinghehadfoundinthosecolumns？ItwaswithdifficultythatIkeptmyeyesfromthepaperwhichheheldinsuchamannerastodiscloseitsglaringhead-lines。TheseIdarednotreadwithhiseyesfixedonmine。
\"HowisMissGrey？Howismydaughter？\"heaskedingreathasteanduneasiness。\"Isshebetterthismorning，or——worse？\"
\"Better，\"Iassuredhim，andwasgreatlyastonishedtoseehisbrowinstantlyclear。
\"Really？\"heasked。\"Youreallyconsiderherbetter？Thedoctorssayso’butIhavenotverymuchfaithindoctorsinacaselikethis，\"headded。
\"Ihaveseennoreasontodistrustthem，\"Iprotested。\"MissGrey’sillness，whilesevere，doesnotappeartobeofanalarmingnature。ButthenIhavehadverylittleexperienceoutofthehospital。Iamyoungyet，Mr。Grey。\"
Helookedasifhequiteagreedwithmeinthisestimateofmyself，and，withabrowstillclouded，passedintohisdaughter’sroom，thepaperinhishand。BeforeIjoinedthemI
foundandscannedanotherjournal。Expectinggreatthings，IwasbothsurprisedanddisappointedtofindonlyasmallparagraphdevotedtotheFairbrothercase。Inthisitwasstatedthattheauthoritieshopedfornewlightonthismysteryassoonastheyhadlocatedacertainwitness，whoseconnectionwiththecrimetheyhadjustdiscovered。Nomore，nolessthanwascontainedinInspectorDalzell’sletter。HowcouldIbearit，——thesuspense，thedoubt，——anddomydutytomypatient！Happily，Ihadnochoice。IhadbeenadjudgedequaltothisbusinessandImustprovemyselftobeso。PerhapsmycouragewouldreviveafterI
hadhadmybreakfast；perhapsthenIshouldbeabletofixupontheidentityofthenewwitness，——somethingwhichIfoundmyselfincapableofatthismoment。
ThesethoughtswereonmymindasIcrossedtheroomsonmywaybacktoMissGrey’sbedside。BythetimeIreachedherdoorIwasoutwardlycalm，asherfirstwordsshowed：
\"Oh，thecheerfulsmile！Itmakesmefeelbetterinspiteofmyself。\"
Ifshecouldhaveseenintomyheart！
Mr。Grey，whowasleaningoverthefootofthebed，castmeaquickglancewhichwasnotwithoutitssuspicion。Hadhedetectedmeplayingapart，orweresuchdoubtsashedisplayedtheproductsimplyofhisownuneasiness？Iwasnotabletodecide，and，withthisunansweredquestionaddedtothenumberalreadytroublingme，Iwasforcedtofacethedaywhich，foraughtI
knew，mightbetheprecursorofmanyothersequallytryingandunsatisfactory。
Buthelpwasnear。BeforenoonIreceivedamessagefrommyuncletotheeffectthatifIcouldbesparedhewouldbegladtoseemeathishomeasnearthreeo’clockaspossible。Whatcouldhewantofme？Icouldnotguess，anditwaswithgreatinnerperturbationthat，havingwonMr。Grey’spermission，Irespondedtohissummons。
Ifoundmyuncleawaitingmeinacarriagebeforehisowndoor，andItookmyseatathissidewithouttheleastideaofhispurpose。Isupposedthathehadplannedthisridethathemighttalktomeunreservedlyandwithoutfearofinterruption。ButI
soonsawthathehadsomeverydifferentobjectinview，fornotonlydidhestartdowntowninsteadofup，buthisconversation，suchasitwas，confineditselftogeneralitiesandstudiouslyavoidedtheonetopicofsupremeinteresttousboth。
Atlast，asweturnedintoBleeckerStreet，Iletmyastonishmentandperplexityappear。
\"Wherearewebound？\"Iasked。\"ItcannotbethatyouaretakingmetoseeMr。Durand？\"
\"No，\"saidhe，andsaidnomore。
\"Ah，PoliceHeadquarters！\"IfalteredasthecarriagemadeanotherturnanddrewupbeforeabuildingIhadreasontoremember。\"Uncle，whatamItodohere？\"
\"Seeafriend，\"heanswered，ashehelpedmetoalight。ThenasI
followedhiminsomebewilderment，hewhisperedinmyear：
\"InspectorDalzell。Hewantsafewminutesconversationwithyou。\"
Oh，theweightwhichfellfrommyshouldersatthesewords！Iwastohear，then，whathadintervenedbetweenmeandmypurpose。ThewearingnightIhadanticipatedwastobelightenedwithsomesmallsparkofknowledge。Ihadconfidenceenoughinthekind-heartedinspectortobesureofthat。Icaughtatmyuncle’sarmandsqueezeditdelightedly，quiteobliviousofthecuriousglancesImusthavereceivedfromthevariousofficialswepassedonourwaytotheinspector’soffice。
Wefoundhimwaitingforus，andIexperiencedsuchpleasureatsightofhiskindandearnestfacethatIhardlynoticeduncle’sslyretreattillthedoorclosedbehindhim。
\"Oh，Inspector，whathashappened？\"Iimpetuouslyexclaimedinanswertohisgreeting。\"SomethingthatwillhelpMr。DurandwithoutdisturbingMr。Grey——haveyouasgoodnewsformeasthat？\"
\"Hardly，\"heanswered，movingupachairandseatingmeinitwithafatherlyairwhich，underthecircumstances，wasmorediscouragingthanconsolatory。\"Wehavesimplyheardofanewwitness，orratherafacthascometolightwhichhasturnedourinquiriesintoanewdirection。\"
\"And——and——youcannottellmewhatthisfactis？\"Ifalteredasheshowednointentionofaddinganythingtothisveryunsatisfactoryexplanation。
\"Ishouldnot，butyouwerewillingtodosomuchforusImustsetasidemyprinciplesalittleanddosomethingforyou。Afterall，itisonlyforestallingthereportersbyaday。MissVanArsdale，thisisthestory：Yesterdaymorningamanwasshownintothisroom，andsaidthathehadinformationtogivewhichmightpossiblyprovetohavesomebearingontheFairbrothercase。Ihadseenthemanbeforeandrecognizedhimatthefirstglanceasoneofthewitnesseswhomadetheinquestunnecessarilytedious。DoyourememberJones，thecaterer，whohadonlytwoorthreefactstogiveandyetwhousedupthewholeafternoonintryingtostatethosefacts？\"
\"Ido，indeed，\"Ianswered。
\"Well，hewastheman，andIownthatIwasnonetoodelightedtoseehim。ButhewasmoreathiseasewithmethanIexpected，andIsoonlearnedwhathehadtotell。Itwasthis：Oneofhismenhadsuddenlylefthim，oneofhisverybestmen，oneofthosewhohadbeenwithhiminthecapacityofwaiterattheRamsdellball。
Itwasnotuncommonforhismentoleavehim，buttheyusuallygavenotice。Thismangavenonotice；hesimplydidnotshowupattheusualhour。Thiswasaweekortwoago。Jones，havingalikingfortheman，whowasanexcellentwaiter，sentamessengertohislodging-housetoseeifhewereill。Buthehadlefthislodgingswithaslittleceremonyashehadleftthecaterer。
\"This，underordinarycircumstances，wouldhaveendedthebusiness，buttherebeingsomegreatfunctioninprospect，Jonesdidnotfeellikelosingsogoodamanwithoutmakinganefforttorecoverhim，sohelookeduphisreferencesinthehopeofobtainingsomecluetohispresentwhereabouts。
\"Hekeptallsuchmattersinaspecialbookandexpectedtohavenotroubleinfindingtheman’sname，JamesWellgood，orthatofhisformeremployerButwhenhecametoconsultthisbook，hewasastonishedtofindthatnothingwasrecordedagainstthisman’snamebutthedateofhisfirstemployment——March15。
\"Hadhehiredhimwithoutarecommendation？Hewouldnotbelikelyto，yetthepagewasclearofallreference；onlythenameandthedate。Butthedate！Youhavealreadynoteditssignificance，andlaterhedid，too。ThedayoftheRamsdellball！Thedayofthegreatmurder！AsherecalledtheincidentsofthatdayheunderstoodwhytherecordofWellgood’snamewasunaccompaniedbytheusualreference。Ithadbeenadifficultdayallround。Thefunctionwasanimportantone，andtheweatherbad。Therewas，besides，anunusualshortageinhisnumberofassistants。Twomenhadthatverymorningbeenlaidupwithsickness，andwhenthisable-looking，self-confidentWellgoodpresentedhimselfforimmediateemployment，hetookhimoutofhandwiththemerestglanceatwhatlookedlikeaverysatisfactoryreference。Later，hehadintendedtolookupthisreference，whichhehadbeencarefultopreservebystickingit，alongwithotherpapers，onhisspike-file。Butinthedistractionsfollowingtheuntowardeventsoftheevening，hehadneglectedtodoso，feelingperfectlysatisfiedwiththeman’sworkandgeneralbehavior。Nowitwasadifferentthing。Themanhadlefthimsummarily，andhefeltimpelledtohuntupthepersonwhohadrecommendedhimandseewhetherthiswasthefirsttimethatWellgoodhadrepaidgoodtreatmentwithbad。Runningthroughthepaperswithwhichhisfilewasnowfull，hefoundthattheonehesoughtwasnotthere。Thisrousedhimingoodearnest，forhewascertainthathehadnotremovedithimselfandtherewasnooneelsewhohadtherighttodoso。Hesuspectedtheculprit，——ayoungladwhooccasionallyhadaccesstohisdesk。Butthisboywasnolongerintheoffice。Hehaddismissedhimforsomepettyfaultthepreviousweek，andittookhimseveraldaystofindhimagain。Meantimehisangergrewandwhenhefinallycamefacetofacewiththelad，heaccusedhimofthesuspectedtrickwithsomuchvehemencethattheinevitablehappened，andtheboyconfessed。Thisiswhatheacknowledged。Hehadtakenthereferenceoffthefile，butonlytogiveittoWellgoodhimself，whohadofferedhimmoneyforit。Whenaskedhowmuchmoney，theboyadmittedthatthesumwastendollars，——
anextraordinaryamountfromapoormanforsosimpleaservice，ifthemanmerelywishedtosecurehisreferenceforfutureuse；
soextraordinarythatMr。Jonesgrewmoreandmorepertinentinhisinquiries，elicitingfinallywhathesurelycouldnothavehopedforinthebeginning，——theexactaddressofthepartyreferredtointhepaperhehadstolen，andwhich，forsomereason，theboyremembered。Itwasanuptownaddress，and，assoonasthecaterercouldleavehisbusiness，hetooktheelevatedandproceededtothespecifiedstreetandnumber。
\"MissVanArsdale，asurpriseawaitedhim，andawaiteduswhenhetoldtheresultofhissearch。Thenameattachedtotherecommendationhadbeen——’HiramSears，Steward。’Hedidnotknowofanysuchman——perhapsyoudo——butwhenhereachedthehousefromwhichtherecommendationwasdated，hesawthatitwasoneofthegreathousesofNewYork，thoughhecouldnotattheinstantrememberwholivedthere。Buthesoonfoundout。Thefirstpasser-bytoldhim。MissVanArsdale，perhapsyoucandothesame。Thenumberwas——Eighty-sixthStreet。\"
\"——！\"Irepeated，quiteaghast。\"Why，Mr。Fairbrotherhimself！
Thehusbandof——\"
\"Exactlyso，andHiramSears，whosenameyoumayhaveheardmentionedattheinquest，thoughforaverygoodreasonhewasnotthereinperson，ishisstewardandgeneralfactotum。\"
\"Oh！anditwashewhorecommendedWellgood？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"AnddidMr。Jonesseehim？\"
\"No。Thehouse，youremember，isclosed。Mr。Fairbrother，onleavingtown，gavehisservantsavacation。Hisstewardhetookwithhim，——thatis，theystartedtogether。ButwehearnomentionmadeofhiminourtelegramsfromSantaFe。HedoesnotseemtohavefollowedMr。Fairbrotherintothemountains。\"
\"Yousaythatinapeculiarway，\"Iremarked。
\"Becauseithasstruckuspeculiarly。WhereisSearsnow？AndwhydidhenotgoonwithMr。FairbrotherwhenhelefthomewitheveryapparentintentionofaccompanyinghimtothePlacidemine？
MissVanArsdale，wewereimpressedwiththisfactwhenweheardofMr。Fairbrother’slonelytripfromwherehewastakenilltohismineoutsideofSantaFe；butwehaveonlygivenititsdueimportancesincehearingwhathascometousto-day。
\"MissVanArsdale，\"continuedtheinspector，asIlookedupquickly，\"Iamgoingtoshowgreatconfidenceinyou。IamgoingtotellyouwhatourmenhavelearnedaboutthisSears。AsIhavesaidbefore，itisbutforestallingthereportersbyaday，anditmayhelpyoutounderstandwhyIsentyousuchperemptoryorderstostop，whenyourwholeheartwasfixedonanattemptbywhichyouhopedtorightMr。Durand。Wecannotaffordtodisturbsodistinguishedapersonastheoneyouhaveunderyoureye，whiletheleasthoperemainsoffixingthiscrimeelsewhere。Andwehavesuchhope。Thisman，thisSears，isbynomeansthesimplecharacteronewouldexpectfromhisposition。Consideringtheshorttimewehavehad（itwasonlyyesterdaythatJonesfoundhiswayintothisoffice），wehaveunearthedsomeveryinterestingfactsinhisregard。HisdevotiontoMr。Fairbrotherwasneveranysecret，andweknewasmuchaboutthatthedayafterthemurderaswedonow。ButthefeelingswithwhichheregardedMrs。Fairbrother——well，thatisanotherthing——anditwasnottilllastnightweheardthattheattachmentwhichboundhimtoherwasofthesortwhichtakesnoaccountofyouthorage，fitnessorunfitness。HewasnoAdonis，andoldenough，wearetold，tobeherfather；butforallthatwehavealreadyfoundseveralpersonswhocantellstrangestoriesofthepersistencewithwhichhiseageroldeyeswouldfollowherwheneverchancethrewthemtogetherduringthetimesheremainedunderherhusband’sroof；andotherswhorelate，withevenmoreavidity，how，afterherremovaltoapartmentsofherown，heusedtospendhoursintheadjoiningparkjusttocatchaglimpseofherfigureasshecrossedthesidewalkonherwaytoandfromhercarriage。Indeed，hissenseless，almostsenilepassionforthismagnificentbeautybecameaby-wordinsomemouths，anditonlyescapedbeingmentionedattheinquestfromrespecttoMr。
Fairbrother，whohadneverrecognizedthisweaknessinhissteward，andfromitslackofvisibleconnectionwithherhorribledeathandthestealingofhergreatjewel。Nevertheless，wehaveawitnessnow——itisastonishinghowmanywitnesseswecanscareupbyalittleeffort，whoneverthoughtofcomingforwardthemselves——whocansweartohavingseenhimonenightshakinghisfistatherretreatingfigureasshesteppedhaughtilybyhimintoherapartmenthouse。ThiswitnessissurethatthemanhesawthusgesticulatingwasSears，andheissurethewomanwasMrs。Fairbrother。Theonlythingheisnotsureofishowhisownwifewillfeelwhenshehearsthathewasinthatparticularneighborhoodonthatparticularevening，whenhewasevidentlysupposedtobesomewhereelse。\"Andtheinspectorlaughed。
\"Isthesteward’sdispositionabadone。\"Iasked，\"thatthisdisplayoffeelingshouldimpressyousomuch？\"
\"Idon’tknowwhattosayaboutthatyet。Opinionsdifferonthispoint。Hisfriendsspeakofhimasthemildestkindofamanwho，withoutnativeexecutiveskill，couldnotmanagethegreathouseholdhehasincharge。Hisenemies，andwehaveunearthedafew，say，onthecontrary，thattheyhaveneverhadanyconfidenceinhisquietways；thatthesewerenotinkeepingwiththefactorhishavingbeenaCaliforniaminerintheearlyfifties。
\"YoucanseeIamputtingyouverynearlywhereweareourselves。
NordoIseewhyIshouldnotaddthatthispassionoftheseeminglysubduedbutreallyhot-headedstewardforawoman，whonevershowedhimanythingbutwhathemightcallaninsultingindifference，struckusasacluetobeworkedup，especiallyafterwereceivedthisanswertoatelegramwesentlatelastnighttothenursewhoiscaringforMr。FairbrotherinNewMexico。\"
HehandedmeasmallyellowslipandIread：
\"ThestewardleftMr。FairbrotheratElMoro。Hehasnotheardfromhimsince。
\"ANNETTALASERRA
\"ForAbnerFairbrother。\"
\"AtElMoro？\"Icried。\"Why，thatwaslongenoughago\"
\"ForhimtohavereachedNewYorkbeforethemurder。Exactlyso，ifhetookadvantageofeverycloseconnection。\"
XIV
TRAPPED
Icaughtmybreathsharply。Ididnotsayanything。IfeltthatI
didnotunderstandtheinspectorsufficientlyyettospeak。Heseemedtobepleasedwithmyreticence。Atallevents，hismannergrewevenkinderashesaid：
\"ThisSearsisawitnesswemusthave。Heisbeinglookedfornow，highandlow，andwehopetogetsomecluetohiswhereaboutsbeforenight。Thatis，ifheisinthiscity。
Meanwhile，weareallglad——Iamsureyouarealso——tosparesodistinguishedagentlemanasMr。Greytheslightestannoyance。\"
\"AndMr。Durand？Whatofhiminthisinterim？\"
\"Hewillhavetoawaitdevelopments。Iseenootherway，mydear。\"
Itwaskindlysaid，butmyheaddrooped。Thiswaitingwaswhatwaskillinghimandkillingme。Theinspectorsawandgentlypattedmyhand。
\"Come，\"saidhe，\"youhaveheadenoughtoseethatitisneverwisetoforcematters。\"Then，possiblywithanintentionofrousingme，heremarked：\"Thereisanothersmallfactwhichmayinterestyou。Itconcernsthewaiter，Wellgood，recommended，asyouwillremember，bythisSears。InmytalkwithJonesitleakedoutasamatterofsmallmoment，andsoitwastohim，thatthisWellgoodwasthewaiterwhoranandpickedupthediamondafteritfellfromMr。Grey’shand。\"
\"Ah！\"
\"Thismaymeannothing——itmeantnothingtoJones——butIinformyouofitbecausethereisaquestionIwanttoputtoyouinthisconnection。Yousmile。\"
\"DidI？\"Imeeklyanswered。\"Idonotknowwhy。\"
Thiswasnottrue。Ihadbeenwaitingtoseewhytheinspectorhadsohonoredmewithallthesedisclosures，almostwithhisthoughts。NowIsaw。Hedesiredsomethinginreturn。
\"Youwereonthesceneatthisverymoment，\"heproceeded，afterabriefcontemplationofmyface，\"andyoumusthaveseenthismanwhenheliftedthejewelandhandeditbacktoMr。Grey。Didyouremarkhisfeatures？\"
\"No，sir；Iwastoofaroff；besides，myeyeswereonMr。Grey。\"
\"Thatisapity。Iwasinhopesyoucouldsatisfymeonaveryimportantpoint。\"
\"Whatpointisthat，InspectorDalzell？\"
\"Whetherheansweredthefollowingdescription。\"And，takingupanotherpaper，hewasabouttoreaditaloudtome，whenaninterruptionoccurred。Amanshowedhimselfatthedoor，whomtheinspectornosoonerrecognizedthanheseemedtoforgetmeinhiseagernesstointerrogatehim。Perhapstheappearanceofthelatterhadsomethingtodowithit；helookedasifhehadbeenrunning，orhadbeenthevictimofsomeextraordinaryadventure。
Atallevents，theinspectoraroseasheentered，andwasabouttoquestionhimwhenherememberedme，and，castingaboutforsomemeansofriddinghimselfofmypresencewithoutinjurytomyfeelings，hesuddenlypushedopenthedoorofanadjoiningroomandrequestedmetostepinsidewhilehetalkedamomentwiththisman。
OfcourseIwent，butIcasthimanappealinglookasIdidso。
Itevidentlyhaditseffect，forhisexpressionchangedashisbandfellonthedoorknob。Wouldhesnapthelocktight，andsoshutmeoutfromwhatconcernedmeasmuchasitdidanyoneinthewholeworld？Orwouldherecognizemyanxiety——thenecessityIwasunderofknowingjustthegroundIwasstandingon——andletmehearwhatthismanhadtoreport？
Iwatchedthedoor。Itclosedslowly，tooslowlytolatch。Wouldhecatchitanewbytheknob？No；heleftitthus，and，whilethecrackwashardlyperceptible，IfeltconfidentthattheleastshakeofthefloorwouldwidenitandgivemetheopportunityI
sought。ButIdidnothavetowaitforthis。ThetwomenintheofficeIhadjustleftbegantospeak，andtomyunboundedreliefweresufficientlyintelligible，evennow，towarrantmeingivingthemmyfullestattention。
Aftersomeexpressionsofastonishmentonthepartoftheinspectorastotheplightinwhichtheotherpresentedhimself，thelatterbrokeout：
\"I’vejustescapeddeath！I’lltellyouaboutthatlater。WhatI
wanttotellyounowisthatthemanwewantisintown。Isawhimlastnight，orhisshadow，whichisthesamething。ItwasinthehouseinEighty-sixthStreet，——thehousetheyallthinkclosed。Hecameinwithakeyand——\"
\"Wait！Youhavehim？\"
\"No。It’salongstory，sir——\"
\"Tellit！\"
Thetonewasdry。Theinspectorwasevidentlydisappointed。
\"Don’tblamemetillyouhear，\"saidtheother。\"Heisnocommoncrook。Thisishowitwas：Youwantedthesuspect’sphotographandaspecimenofhiswriting。IknewnobetterplacetolookforthemthaninhisownroominMr。Fairbrother’shouse。I
accordinglygotthenecessarywarrantandlatelasteveningundertookthejob。IwentaloneIwasalwaysanegotisticalchap，more’sthepity——andwithnofurtherprecautionthanapassingexplanationtotheofficerImetatthecorner，IhasteneduptheblocktotherearentranceonEighty-seventhStreet。TherearethreedoorstotheFairbrotherhouse，asyouprobablyknow。TwoonEighty-sixthStreet（thelargefrontoneandasmalloneconnectingdirectlywiththeturretstairs），andoneonEighty-seventhStreet。ItwastothelatterIhadakey。Idonotthinkanyonesawmegoin。Itwasraining，andsuchpeopleaswentbyweremoreconcernedinkeepingtheirumbrellasproperlyovertheirheadsthaninwatchingmenskulkingaboutindoorways。
\"Igotin，then，allright，and，beingcarefultoclosethedoorbehindme，wentupthefirstshortflightofstepstowhatIknewmustbethemainhall。Ihadbeengivenaplanoftheinterior，andIhadstudieditmoreorlessbeforestartingout，butIknewthatIshouldgetlostifIdidnotkeeptotherearstaircase，atthetopofwhichIexpectedtofindthesteward’sroom。Therewasafaintlightinthehouse，inspiteofitsclosedshuttersandtightly-drawnshades；and，havingacertaindreadofusingmytorch，knowingmyweaknessforprettythingsandhowharditwouldbeformetopasssomanyfineroomswithoutlookingin，I
mademywayupstairs，withnootherguidethanthehand-rail。
WhenIhadreachedwhatItooktobethethirdfloorIstopped。
Findingitverydark，Ifirstlistened——anaturalinstinctwithus——thenIlitupandlookedaboutme。
\"Iwasinalargehall，emptyasavaultandalmostasdesolate。
Blankdoorsmetmyeyesinalldirections，withhereandthereanopenpassageway。Ifeltmyselfinamaze。IhadnoideawhichwasthedoorIsought，anditisnotpleasanttoturnunaccustomedknobsinashut-uphouseatmidnight，withtherainpouringintorrentsandthewindmakingpandemoniuminahalf-dozengreatchimneys。
\"Butithadtobedone，andIwentatitinregularordertillI
cametoalittlenarrowoneopeningontheturret-stair。Thisgavememybearings。Sears’roomadjoinedthestaircase。Therewasnodifficultyinspottingtheexactdoornowand，merelystoppingtoclosetheopeningIhadmadetothislittlestaircase，Icrossedtothisdoorandflungitopen。Ihadbeenrightinmycalculations。Itwasthesteward’sroom，andImadeatonceforthedesk。\"
\"Andyoufound——？\"
\"Mostlylockeddrawers。Butakeyonmybunchopenedsomeoftheseandmyknifetherest。HerearethespecimensofhishandwritingwhichIcollected。Idoubtifyouwillgetmuchoutofthem。Isawnothingcompromisinginthewholeroom，butthenI
hadn’ttimetogothroughhistrunks，andoneofthemlookedveryinteresting，——oldasthehillsand——\"
\"Youhadn’ttime？Whyhadn’tyoutime？Whathappenedtocutitshort？\"
\"Well，sir，I’lltellyou。\"Thetoneinwhichthiswassaidrousedmeifitdidnottheinspector。\"Ihadjustcomefromthedeskwhichhaddisappointedme，andwascastingalookabouttheroom，whichwasasbareasmyhandofeverythinglikeornament——I
mightalmostsaycomfort——whenIheardanoisewhichwasnotthatofswishingrainorevengustywind——thesehadnotbeenabsentfrommyearsforamoment。Ididn’tlikethatnoise；ithadasneakishsound，andIshutmylightoffinahurry。AfterthatI
crepthastilyoutoftheroom，forIdon’tlikeaset-toinatrap。
\"Itwasdarkerthanevernowinthehall，orsoitseemed，andasIbackedawayIcameuponajoginthewall，behindwhichI
crept。ForthesoundIhadheardwasnofancy。Someonebesidesmyselfwasinthehouse，andthatsomeonewascomingupthelittleturret-stair，strikingmatchesasheapproached。Whocoulditbe？Adetectivefromthedistrictattorney’soffice？Ihardlythoughtso。Hewouldhavebeenprovidedwithsomethingbetterthanmatchestolighthisway。Aburglar？No，notonthethirdfloorofahouseasrichasthis。Somefellowontheforce，then，whohadseenmecomeinand，bysometrickofhisown，hadmanagedtofollowme？Iwouldsee。MeantimeIkeptmyplacebehindthejogandwatched，notknowingwhichwaytheintruderwouldgo。
\"Whoeverhewas，hewasevidentlyastonishedtoseetheturretdoorajar，forhelitanothermatchashethrewitopenand，thoughIfailedtogetaglimpseofhisfigure，Isucceededingettingaverygoodoneofhisshadow。Itwasonetoarouseadetective’sinstinctatonce。Ididnotsaytomyself，thisisthemanIwant，butIdidsay，thisisnobodyfromheadquarters，andIsteadiedmyselfforwhatevermightturnup。
\"Thefirstthingthathappenedwasthesuddengoingoutofthematchwhichhadmadethisshadowvisible。Theintruderdidnotlightanother。Iheardhimmoveacrossthefloorwiththerapidstepofonewhoknowshiswaywell，andthenextminuteagas-jetflaredupinthesteward’sroom，andIknewthatthemanthewholeforcewaslookingforhadtrappedhimself。
\"Youwillagreethatitwasnotmydutytotakehimthenandtherewithoutseeingwhathewasafter。Hewasthoughttobeintheeasternstates，orsouthorwest，andhewashere；butwhyhere？ThatiswhatIknewyouwouldwanttoknow，anditwasjustwhatIwantedtoknowmyself。SoIkeptmyplace，whichwasgoodenough，andjustlistened，forIcouldnotsee。
\"Whatwashiserrand？Whatdidhewantinthisemptyhouseatmidnight？Papersfirst，andthenclothes。Iheardhimathisdesk，Iheardhiminthecloset，andafterwardpotteringintheoldtrunkIhadbeensoanxioustolookintomyself。Hemusthavebroughtthekeywithhim，foritwasnotimebeforeIheardhimthrowingoutthecontentsinawildsearchforsomethinghewantedinagreathurry。Hefounditsoonerthanyouwouldbelieve，andbeganthrowingthethingsback，whensomethinghappened。Expectedlyorunexpectedly，hiseyefellonsomeobjectwhichrousedallhispassions，andhebrokeintoloudexclamationsendingingroans。Finallyhefelltokissingthisobjectwithafervorsuggestingrage，andaragesuggestingtendernesscarriedtothepointofagony。Ihaveneverheardthelike；mycuriositywassoarousedthatIwasonthepointofriskingeverythingforalook，whenhegaveasuddensnarlandcriedout，loudenoughformetohear：’KisswhatI’vehated？
ThatisasbadastokillwhatI’veloved。’Thosewerethewords。
IamsurehesaidkissandIamsurehesaidkill。\"
\"Thisisveryinteresting。Goonwithyourstory。Whydidn’tyoucollarhimwhilehewasinthismood？Youwouldhavewonbythesurprise。
\"Ihadnopistol，sir，andhehad。Iheardhimcockit。Ithoughthewasgoingtotakehisownlife，andheldmybreathforthereport。Butnothinglikethatwasinhismind。Instead，helaidthepistoldownanddeliberatelytoreintwotheobjectofhisanger。Thenwithasmotheredcursehemadeforthedoorandturretstaircase。
\"Iwasforfollowing，butnottillIhadseenwhathehaddestroyedinsuchanexcessoffeeling。IthoughtIknew，butI
wantedtofeelsure。So，beforeriskingmyselfintheturret，I
crepttotheroomhehadleftandfeltaboutonthefloortillI
cameuponthese。\"
\"Atornphotograph！Mrs。Fairbrother’s！\"
\"Yes。Haveyounotheardhowhelovedher？Afoolishpassion，butevidentlysincereand——\"
\"Nevermindcomments，Sweetwater。Sticktofacts。\"
\"Iwill，sir。Theyareinterestingenough。AfterIhadpickedupthesescrapsIstolebacktotheturretstaircase。AndhereI
mademyfirstbreak。Istumbledinthedarkness，andthemanbelowheardme，forthepistolclickedagain。Ididnotlikethis，andhadsomethoughtsofbackingoutofmyjob。ButI
didn’t。ImerelywaitedtillIheardhisstepagain；thenI
followed。
\"Butverywarilythistime。Itwasnotanagreeableventure。Itwaslikedescendingintoawellwithpossibledeathatthebottom。Icouldseenothingandpresentlycouldhearnothingbutthealmostimperceptibleslidingofmyownfingersdownthecurveofthewall，whichwasallIhadtoguideme。Hadhestoppedmidway，andwouldmyfirstintimationofhispresencebethetouchofcoldsteelortheflingingaroundmeoftwomurderousarms？Ihadmetwithnobreakinthesmoothsurfaceofthewall，socouldnothavereachedthesecondstory。WhenIshouldgettherethequestionwouldbewhethertoleavethestaircaseandseekhiminthemazesofitsgreatrooms，ortokeepondowntotheparlorfloorandsotothestreet，whitherhewaspossiblybound。IownthatIwasalmosttemptedtoturnonmylightandhavedonewithit，butIrememberedofhowlittleuseIshouldbetoyoulyinginthiswellofastairwaywithabulletinme，andsoImanagedtocomposemyselfandgoonasIhadbegun。Nextinstantmyfingersslippedroundtheedgeofanopening，andI
knewthatthemomentofdecisionhadcome。Realizingthatnoonecanmovesosoftlythathewillnotgiveawayhispresenceinsomeway，IpausedforthesoundwhichIknewmustcome，andwhenaclickrosefromthedepthsofthehallbeforemeIplungedintothathallandthusintothehouseproper。
\"Hereitwasnotsodark；yetIcouldmakeoutnoneoftheobjectsInowandthenranagainst。Ipassedamirror（IhardlyknowhowIknewittobesuch），andinthatmirrorIseemedtoseetheghostofaghostflitbyandvanish。Itwastoomuch。I
mutteredasuppressedoathandplungedforward，whenIstruckagainstaclosingdoor。ItflewopenagainandIrushedin，turningonmylightinmyextremedesperation，when，insteadofhearingthesharpreportofapistol，asIexpected，Isawaseconddoorfalltobeforeme，thistimewithasoundlikethesnapofaspringlock。Findingthatthiswasso，andthatalladvancewasbarredthatway，IwheeledhurriedlybacktowardthedoorbywhichIhadenteredtheplace，tofindthatthathadfallentosimultaneouslywiththeother，asinglespringactingforboth。Iwastrapped——aprisonerinthestrangestsortofpassagewayorcloset；and，asaspeedylookaboutpresentlyassuredme，aprisonerwithverylittlehopeofimmediateescape，forthedoorswerenotonlyimmovable，withoutevenlockstopickorpanelstobreakin，buttheplacewasbareofwindows，andtheonlycommunicationwhichitcouldbesaidtohavewiththeoutsideworldatallwasashaftrisingfromtheceilingalmosttothetopofthehouse。Whetherthisservedasaventilator，orameansoflightinguptheholewhenbothdoorswereshut，itwasmuchtooinaccessibletoofferanyapparentwayofescape。
\"Neverwasamanmorethoroughlyboxedin。AsIrealizedhowlittlechancetherewasofanyoutsideinterference，howmycaptor，evenifhewasseenleavingthehousebytheofficeronduty，wouldbetakenformyselfandsoallowedtoescape，IownthatIfeltmypositionahopelessone。Butangerisapowerfulstimulant，andIwasmortallyangry，notonlywithSears，butwithmyself。SowhenIwasdoneswearingItookanotherlookaround，and，findingthattherewasnogettingthroughthewalls，turnedmyattentionwhollytotheshaft，whichwouldcertainlyleadmeoutoftheplaceifIcouldonlyfindmeanstomountit。
\"AndhowdoyouthinkImanagedtodothisatlast？Alookatmybedraggled，lime-coveredclothesmaygiveyousomeidea。IcutapassageformyselfupthoseperpendicularwallsastheboydidupthefaceofthenaturalbridgeinVirginia。DoyourememberthatoldstoryintheReader？ItcametomelikeaninspirationasI
stoodlookingupfrombelow，andthoughIknewthatIshouldhavetoworkmostofthewayinperfectdarkness，Idecidedthataman’slifewasworthsomerisk，andthatIhadratherfallandbreakmyneckwhiledoingsomethingthantospendhoursinmaddeninginactivity，onlytofacedeathatlastfromslowstarvation。