\"Ihadaknife，anexceedinglygoodknife，inmypocket——andforthefirstfewstepsIshouldhavethelightofmyelectrictorch。
Thedifficulty（thatis，thefirstdifficulty）wastoreachtheshaftfromthefloorwhereIstood。Therewasbutonearticleoffurnitureintheroom，andthatwassomethingbetweenatableandadesk。Nochairs，andthedeskwasnothighenoughtoenablemetoreachthemouthoftheshaft。IfIcouldturnitonendtheremightbesomehope。Butthisdidnotlookfeasible。However，I
threwoffmycoatandwentatthethingwithavengeance，andwhetherIwasgivensuperhumanpowerorwhethertheclumsythingwasnotasheavyasitlooked，Ididfinallysucceedinturningitonitsendcloseundertheopeningfromwhichtheshaftrose。
Thenextthingwastogetonitstop。Thatseemedaboutasimpossibleasclimbingthebarewallitself，butpresentlyI
bethoughtmeofthedrawers，and，thoughtheywerelocked，Ididsucceedbytheaidofmykeystogetenoughofthemopentomakeformyselfaverygoodpairofstairs。
\"Icouldnowseemywaytothemouthoftheshaft，butafterthat！Takingoutmyknife，Ifelttheedge。Itwasagoodone，sowasthepoint，butwasitgoodenoughtoworkholesinplaster？
Itdependedsomewhatupontheplaster。Hadthemasons，infinishingthatshaft，anythoughtofthepoorwretchwhoonedaywouldhavetopithislifeagainstthehardnessofthefinalcovering？Myfirstdigatitwouldtell。IownItrembledviolentlyattheprospectofwhatthatfirsttestwouldmeantome，andwonderediftheperspirationwhichIfeltstartingateveryporewastheresultoftheeffortIhadbeenengagedinorjustplainfear。
\"Inspector，Idonotintendtohaveyoulivewithmethroughthefivemortalhourswhichfollowed。Iwasenabledtopiercethatplasterwithmyknife，andeventopenetratedeepenoughtoaffordaplaceforthetipsofmyfingersandafterwardforthepointofmytoes，digging，prying，sweating，panting，listening，firstforasuddenopeningofthedoorsbeneath，thenforsomeshoutorwickedinterferencefromaboveasIworkedmywayupinchbyinch，footbyfoot，towhatmightnotbesafetyafteritwasattained。
\"Fivehours——six。ThenIstrucksomethingwhichprovedtobeawindow；andwhenIrealizedthisandknewthatwithbutonemoreeffortIshouldbreathefreelyagain，IcameasnearfallingasI
hadatanytimebeforeIbeganthisterribleclimb。
\"Happily，Ihadsomepremonitionofmydanger，andthrewmyselfintoapositionwhichheldmetillthedizzyminutepassed。ThenIwentcalmlyonwithmywork，andinanotherhalf-hourhadreachedthewindow，which，fortunatelyforme，notonlyopenedinward，butwasoffthelatch。ItwaswithasenseofinexpressiblereliefthatIclamberedthroughthiswindowandforabriefmomentbreathedinthepungentodorofcedar。Butitcouldhavebeenonlyforamoment。Itwasthreeo’clockintheafternoonbeforeIfoundmyselfagainintheouterair。TheonlywayIcanaccountforthelapseoftimeisthatthestraintowhichbothbodyandnervehadbeensubjectedwastoomuchforevenmyhardybodyandthatIfelltothefloorofthecedarclosetandfromafaintwentintoasleepthatlasteduntiltwo。
Icaneasilyaccountforthelasthourbecauseittookmethatlongtocutthethickpanelingfromthedoorofthecloset。
However，Iamherenow，sir，andinverymuchthesameconditioninwhichIleftthathouse。IthoughtmyfirstdutywastotellyouthatIhadseenHiramSearsinthathouselastnightandputyouonhistrack。\"
Idrewalongbreath，——Ithinktheinspectordid。Ihadbeenalmostrigidfromexcitement，andIdon’tbelievehewasquitefreefromiteither。ButhisvoicewascalmerthanIexpectedwhenhefinallysaid：
\"I’llrememberthis。Itwasagoodnight’swork。\"Thentheinspectorputtohimsomequestions，whichseemedtofixthefactthatSearshadleftthehousebeforeSweetwaterdid，afterwhichhebadehimsendcertainmentohimandthengoandfixhimselfup。
Ibelievehehadforgottenme。Ihadalmostforgottenmyself。
XV
SEARSORWELLGOOD
NottilltheinspectorhadgivenseveralorderswasIagainsummonedintohispresence。Hesmiledasoureyesmet，butdidnotallude，anymorethanIdid，towhathadjustpassed。
Nevertheless，weunderstoodeachother。
WhenIwasagainseated，hetookuptheconversationwherewehadleftit。
\"ThedescriptionIwasjustabouttoreadtoyou，\"hewenton；
\"willyoulistentoitnow？\"
\"Gladly，\"saidI；\"itisWellgood’s，Ibelieve。\"
Hedidnotanswersavebyacuriousglancefromunderhisbrows，but，takingthepaperagainfromhisdesk，wentonreading：
\"Amanoffifty-fivelookinglikeoneofsixty。Mediumheight，insignificantfeatures，headbaldsaveforaringofscantydarkhair。Nobeard，aheavynose，longmouthandsleepyhalf-shuteyescapableofshootingstrangeglances。Nothingdistinctiveinfaceorfiguresavethedepthofhiswrinklesandascarcelyobservablestoopinhisrightshoulder。DoyouseeWellgoodinthat？\"hesuddenlyasked。
\"Ihaveonlythefaintestrecollectionofhisappearance，\"wasmydoubtfulreply。\"ButtheimpressionIgetfromthisdescriptionisnotexactlytheoneIreceivedofthatwaiterinthemomentaryglimpseIgotofhim。\"
\"Soothershavetoldmebefore；’heremarked，lookingverydisappointed。\"ThedescriptionisofSearsgivenmebyamanwhoknewhimwell，andifwecouldfitthedescriptionoftheonetothatoftheother，weshouldhaveiteasy。ButthefewpersonswhohaveseenWellgooddiffergreatlyintheirremembranceofhisfeatures，andevenofhiscoloring。Itisastonishinghowsuperficiallymostpeopleseeaman，evenwhentheyarethrownintodailycontactwithhim。Mr。Jonessaystheman’seyesaregray，hishairawiganddark，hisnosepudgy，andhisfacewithoutmuchexpression。Hisland-lady，thathiseyesareblue，hishair，whetherwigornot，adustyauburn，andhislookquickandpiercing，——alookwhichalwaysmadeherafraid。Hisnoseshedon’tremember。Bothagree，orratherallagree，thatheworenobeard——Searsdid，butabeardcanbeeasilytakenoff——andallofthemdeclarethattheywouldknowhiminstantlyiftheysawhim。
Andsothematterstands。Evenyoucangivemenodefinitedescription，——one，Imean，assatisfactoryorunsatisfactoryasthisofSears。\"
Ishookmyhead。Liketheothers，IfeltthatIshouldknowhimifIsawhim，butIcouldgonofurtherthanthat。Thereseemedtobesolittlethatwasdistinctiveabouttheman。
Theinspector，hoping，perhaps，thatallthiswouldservetorousemymemory，shruggedhisshouldersandputthebestfacehecouldonthematter。
\"Well，well，\"saidhe，\"weshallhavetobepatient。Adaymaymakeallthedifferencepossibleinouroutlook。Ifwecanlayhandsoneitherofthesemen——\"
Heseemedtorealizehehadsaidawordtoomuch，forheinstantlychangedthesubjectbyaskingifIhadsucceededingettingasampleofMissGrey’swriting。Iwasforcedtosayno；
thateverythinghadbeenverycarefullyputaway。\"ButIdonotknowwhatmomentImaycomeuponit，\"Iadded。\"Idonotforgetitsimportanceinthisinvestigation。\"
\"Verygood。ThoselineshandeduptoMrs。Fairbrotherfromthewalkoutsidearethesecondmostvaluablecluewepossess。\"
Ididnotaskhimwhatthefirstwas。Iknew。Itwasthestiletto。
\"Strangethatnoonehastestifiedtothathandwriting，\"I
remarked。
Helookedatmeinsurprise。
\"Fiftypersonshavesentinsamplesofwritingwhichtheythinklikeit，\"heobserved。\"OftenofpersonswhoneverheardoftheFairbrothers。Wehavebeenbotheredgreatlywiththebusiness。
Youknowlittleofthedifficultiesthepolicelaborunder。\"
\"Iknowtoomuch，\"Isighed。
Hesmiledandpattedmeonthehand。
\"Gobacktoyourpatient，\"hesaid。\"Forgeteveryotherdutybutthatofyourcallinguntilyougetsomedefinitewordfromme。I
shallnotkeepyouinsuspenseoneminutelongerthanisabsolutelynecessary。\"
Hehadrisen。Irosetoo。ButIwasnotsatisfied。Icouldnotleavetheroomwithmyideas（Imightsaywithmyconvictions）insuchaturmoil。
\"Inspector，\"saidI，\"youwillthinkmeveryobstinate，butallyouhavetoldmeaboutSears，allIhaveheardabouthim，infact，\"——thisIemphasized，——\"doesnotconvincemeoftheentirefollyofmyownsuspicions。Indeed，Iamafraidthat，ifanything，theyarestrengthened。Thissteward，whoisadoubtfulcharacter，Iacknowledge，mayhavehadhisreasonsforwishingMrs。Fairbrother’sdeath，mayevenhavehadahandinthematter；
butwhatevidencehaveyoutoshowthathe，himself，enteredthealcove，struckthebloworstolethediamond？Ihavelistenedeagerlyforsomesuchevidence，butIhavelistenedinvain。\"
\"Iknow，\"hemurmured，\"Iknow。Butitwillcome；atleastI
thinkso。\"
Thisshouldhavereassuredme，nodoubt，andsentmeawayquietandhappy。Butsomething——thetenacityofadeepconviction，possibly——keptmelingeringbeforetheinspectorandfinallygavemethecouragetosay：
\"IknowIoughtnottospeakanotherword；thatIamputtingmyselfatadisadvantageindoingso；butIcannothelpit，Inspector；IcannothelpitwhenIseeyoulayingsuchstressuponthefewindirectcluesconnectingthesuspiciousSearswiththiscrime，andignoringthedirectclueswehaveagainstonewhomweneednotname。\"
HadIgonetoofar？Hadmypresumptiontransgressedallboundsandwouldheshowaverynaturalanger？No，hesmiledinstead，anenigmaticalsmile，nodoubt，whichIfounditdifficulttounderstand，butyetasmile。
\"Youmean，\"hesuggested，\"thatSears’possibleconnectionwiththecrimecannoteliminateMr。Grey’sverypositiveone；norcanthefactthatWellgood’shandcameincontactwithMr。Grey’s，atornearthetimeoftheexchangeofthefalsestonewiththereal，makeitanylessevidentwhowastheguiltyauthorofthisexchange？\"
Theinspector’shandwasonthedoor-knob，buthedroppeditatthis，andsurveyingmeveryquietlysaid：
\"IthoughtthatafewdaysspentatthebedsideofMissGreyinthesocietyofsorenownedandculturedagentlemanasherfatherwoulddisabuseyouofthesedamagingsuspicions。\"
\"Idon’twonderthatyouthoughtso，\"Iburstout。\"Youwouldthinksoallthemore，ifyouknewhowkindhecanbeandwhatsolicitudeheshowsforallabouthim。ButIcannotgetoverthefacts。Theyallpoint，itseemstome，straightinonedirection。\"
\"All？Youheardwhatwassaidinthisroom——Isawitinyoureye——howtheman，whosurprisedthestewardinhisownroomlastnight，heardhimtalkingofloveanddeathinconnectionwithMrs。Fairbrother。’TokisswhatIhate！ItisalmostasbadastokillwhatIlove’——hesaidsomethinglikethat。\"
\"Yes，Iheardthat。Butdidhemeanthathehadbeenheractualslayer？Couldyouconvicthimonthosewords？\"
\"Well，weshallfindout。Then，astoWellgood’spartinthelittlebusiness，youchoosetoconsiderthatittookplaceatthetimethestonefellfromMr。Grey’shand。Whatproofhaveyouthatthesubstitutionyoubelieveinwasnotmadebyhim？HecouldeasilyhavedoneitwhilecrossingtheroomtoMr。Grey’sside。\"
\"Inspector！\"Thenhotly，astheabsurdityofthesuggestionstruckmewithfullforce：\"Hedothis！Awaiter，orasyouthink，Mr。Fairbrother’ssteward，tobeprovidedwithsohard-to-come-byanarticleasthiscounterpartofagreatstone？
Isn’tthatalmostasincredibleasuppositionasanyIhavemyselfpresumedtoadvance？\"
\"Possibly，buttheaffairisfullofincredibilities，thegreatestofwhich，tomymind，isthepersistencewithwhichyou，akind-heartedenoughlittlewoman，persevereinascribingthedeepestguilttooneyouprofesstoadmireandcertainlywouldbegladtofindinnocentofanycomplicitywithagreatcrime。\"
IfeltthatImustjustifymyself。
\"Mr。Durandhashadnosuchconsiderationshownhim，\"saidI。
\"Iknow，mychild，Iknow；butthecasesdiffer。Wouldn’titbewellforyoutoseethisandbesatisfiedwiththeturnwhichthingshavetaken，withoutcontinuingtoinsistuponinvolvingMr。Greyinyoursuspicions？\"
Asmiletookofftheedgeofthisrebuke，yetIfeltitkeenly；
andonlytheconfidenceIhadinhisfairnessasamanandpublicofficialenabledmetosay：
\"ButIamtalkingquiteconfidentially。Andyouhavebeensogoodtome，sowillingtolistentoallIhadtosay，thatIcannothelpbutspeakmywholemind。Itismyonlysafetyvalve。
RememberhowIhavetositinthepresenceofthismanwithmythoughtsallchokedup。Itiskillingme。ButIthinkIshouldgobackcontentifyouwilllistentoonemoresuggestionIhavetomake。Itismylast。\"
\"SayitIamnothingifnotindulgent。\"
Hehadspokentheword。Indulgent，thatwasit。Heletmespeak，probablyhadletmespeakfromthefirst，frompurekindness。Hedidnotbelieveonelittlebitinmygoodsenseorlogic。ButI
wasnottobedeterred。Iwouldemptymymindoftheuglythingthatlaythere。Iwouldleavetherenomiserabledregsofdoubttofermentandworktheirevilwaywithmeinthedeadwatchesofthenight，whichIhadyettoface。SoItookhimathisword。
\"Ionlywanttoaskthis。IncaseSearsisinnocentofthecrime，whowrotethewarningandwheredidtheassassingetthestilettowiththeGreyarmschasedintoitshandle？Andthediamond？Stillthediamond！Youhintthathestolethat，too。Thatwithsomeideaofitsprovingusefultohimonthisgalaoccasion，hehadprovidedhimselfwithanimitationstone，settingandall，——hewhohasnevershown，sofaraswehaveheard，anyinterestinMrs。Fairbrother’sdiamond，onlyinMrs。Fairbrotherherself。IfWellgoodisSearsandSearsthemediumbywhichthefalsestonewasexchangedforthereal，thenhemadethisexchangeinMr。
Grey’sinterestsandnothisown。ButIdon’tbelievehehadanythingtodowithit。IthinkeverythinggoestoshowthattheexchangewasmadebyMr。Greyhimself。\"
\"AsecondDaniel，\"mutteredtheinspectorlightly。\"Goon，littlelawyer！\"Butforallthisattemptatbanteronhispart，I
imaginedthatIsawthebeginningofaverynaturalanxietytoclosetheconversation。IthereforehastenedwithwhatIhadyettosay，cuttingmywordsshortandalmoststammeringinmyeagerness。
\"Remembertheperfectionofthatimitationstone，acopysoexactthatitextendstothesetting。Thatshowsplan——forgivemeifI
repeatmyself——preparation，aknowledgeofstones，aparticularknowledgeofthisone。Mr。Fairbrother’sstewardmayhavehadtheknowledge，buthewouldhavebeenafooltohaveusedhisknowledgetosecureforhimselfavaluablehecouldneverhavefoundapurchaserforinanymarket。Butafancier——onewhohashispleasureinthemerepossessionofauniqueandinvaluablegem——ah！thatisdifferent！Hemightriskacrime——historytellsusofseveral。\"
HereIpausedtotakebreath，whichgavetheinspectorchancetosay：
\"Inotherwords，thisiswhatyouthink。TheEnglishman，desirousofcoveringuphistracks，conceivedtheideaofhavingthisimitationonhand，incaseitmightbeofuseinthedaringanddisgracefulundertakingyouascribetohim。Recognizinghisowninabilitytodothishimself，hedelegatedthetasktoonewhoinsomeway，hehadbeenledtothink，cherishedasecretgrudgeagainstitspresentpossessor——amanwhohadhadsomeopportunityforseeingthestoneandstudyingthesetting。Thecopythusprocured，Mr。Greywenttotheball，and，relyingonhisownseeminglyunassailableposition，attackedMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcoveandwouldhavecarriedoffthediamond，ifhehadfounditwherehehadseenitearlierblazingonherbreast。Butitwasnotthere。Thewarningreceivedbyher——awarningyouascribetohisdaughter，afactwhichisyettobeproved——hadledhertoridherselfofthejewelinthewayMr。Duranddescribes，andhefoundhimselfburdenedwithadastardlycrimeandwithnothingtoshowforit。Later，however，tohisintensesurpriseandpossiblesatisfaction，hesawthatdiamondinmyhands，and，recognizinganopportunity，ashethought，ofyetsecuringit，heaskedtoseeit，helditforaninstant，andthen，makinguseofanalmostincredibleexpedientfordistractingattention，dropped，nottherealstonebutthefalseone，retainingtherealoneinhishand。
This，inplainEnglish，asItakeit，isyourpresentideaofthesituation。\"
Astonishedattheclearnesswithwhichhereadmymind，I
answered：\"Yes，Inspector，thatiswhatwasinmymind。\"
\"Good！thenitisjustaswellthatitisout。Yourmindisnowfreeandyoucangiveitentirelytoyourduties。\"Then，ashelaidhishandonthedoor-knob，headded：\"Instudyingsointentlyyourownpointofview，youseemtohaveforgottenthatthelastthingwhichMr。Greywouldbelikelytodo，underthosecircumstances，wouldbetocallattentiontothefalsityofthegemuponwhosesimilaritytotherealstonehewasdepending。Notevenhisconfidenceinhisownposition，asanhonoredandhighly-esteemedguest，wouldleadhimtodothat。\"
\"Notifhewereawell-knownconnoisseur，\"Ifaltered，\"withtheprideofonewhohashandledthebestgems？Hewouldknowthatthedeceptionwouldbesoondiscoveredandthatitwouldnotdoforhimtofailtorecognizeitforwhatitwas，whenthemake-believewasinhishands。\"
\"Forced，mydearchild，forced；andaschimericalasalltherest。Itcannotstandputtingintowords。Iwillgofurther，——
youareagoodgirlandcanbeartohearthetruthfromme。I
don’tbelieveinyourtheory；Ican’t。Ihavenotbeenabletofromthefirst，norhaveanyofmymen；butifyourideasaretrueandMr。Greyisinvolvedinthismatter，youwillfindthattherehasbeenmoreofahitchaboutthatdiamondthanyou，inyoursimplicity，believe。IfMr。Greywereinactualpossessionofthisvaluable，hewouldshowlesscarethanyousayhedoes。
SowouldheifitwereinWellgood’shandswithhisconsentandagoodprospectofitscomingtohiminthenearfuture。ButifitisinWellgood’shandswithouthisconsent，oranynearprospectofhisregainingit，thenwecaneasilyunderstandhispresentapprehensionsandthegrowinguneasinesshebetrays。\"
\"True，\"Imurmured。
\"If，then，\"theinspectorpursued，givingmeapartingglancenotwithoutitshumor，probablynotwithoutsomethingreallyseriousunderlyingitshumor，\"weshouldfind，infollowingupourpresentclue，thatMr。GreyhashaddealingswiththisWellgoodorthisSears；orifyou，withyouradvantagesforlearningthefact，shoulddiscoverthatheshowsanyextraordinaryinterestineitherofthem，thematterwilltakeonadifferentaspect。Butwehavenotgotthatfaryet。Atpresentourtaskistofindoneortheotherofthesemen。Ifwearelucky，weshalldiscoverthatthewaiterandthestewardareidentical，inspiteoftheirseeminglydifferentappearance。Arogue，suchasthisSearshasshownhimselftobe，wouldbeanadeptatdisguise。\"
\"Youareright，\"Iacknowledged。\"Hehascertainlytheheartofacriminal。IfhehadnohandinMrs。Fairbrother’smurder，hecamenearhavingoneinthatofyourdetective。YouknowwhatImean。
Icouldnothelphearing，Inspector。\"
Hesmiled，lookedmesteadfastlyinthefaceforamoment，andthenbowedmeout。
Theinspectortoldmeafterwardthat，inspiteofthecavaliermannerwithwhichhehadtreatedmysuggestions，hespentaveryserioushalf-hour，headtoheadwiththedistrictattorney。TheresultwasthefollowingordertoSweetwater，thedetective。
\"YouaretogototheSt。Regis；makeyourselfsolidthere，andgradually，asyoucanmanageit，workyourselfintoapositionforknowingallthatgoesoninRoom——。Ifthegentleman（mindyou，thegentleman；wecarenothingaboutthewomen）shouldgoout，youaretofollowhimifittakesyouto——。Wewanttoknowhissecret；buthemustneverknowourinterestinitandyouaretobeassilentinthismatterasifpossessedofneitherearnortongue。Iwilladdmemory，forifyoufindthissecrettobeoneinwhichwehavenolawfulinterest，youaretoforgetitabsolutelyandforever。YouwillunderstandwhywhenyouconsulttheStRegisregister。\"
Buttheyexpectednothingfromit；absolutelynothing。
XVI
DOUBT
IprayedunclethatwemightbedrivenhomebythewayofEighty-sixthStreet。IwantedtolookattheFairbrotherhouse。I
hadseenitmanytimes，butIfeltthatIshouldseeitwithneweyesafterthestoryIhadjustheardintheinspector’soffice。
ThatanadventureofthisnaturecouldtakeplaceinaNewYorkhousetaxedmycredulity。ImighthavebelieveditofParis，wicked，mysteriousParis，thehomeofintrigueandeveryredoubtablecrime，butofourownhomely，commonplacemetropolis——thehousemustbeseenformetobeconvincedofthefactrelated。
Manyofyouknowthebuilding。Itisusuallyspokenofwithashrug，thesolereasonforwhichseemstobethatthereisnootherjustlikeitinthecity。Imyselfhavealwaysconsidereditimposingandmajestic；buttotheaveragemanitistoosuggestiveofOld-Worldfeudallifetobepleasing。Onthisafternoon——adull，depressingone——itlookedundeniablyheavyasweapproachedit；butinterestinginaverynewwaytome，becauseofthegreatturretatoneangle，thesceneofthatmidnightdescentoftwomen，eachindeadlyfearoftheother，yetquailingnotintheirpurpose，——theoneofflight，theotherofpursuit。
Therewasnorailinginfrontofthehouse。Itmayhaveseemedanunnecessarysafeguardtotheaudaciousowner。Consequently，thesmalldoorintheturretopeneddirectlyuponthestreet，makingentranceandexiteasyenoughforanyonewhohadthekey。Buttheshaftandthesmallroomatthebottom——wherewerethey？
Naturallyinthecenterofthegreatmass，theroombeingwithoutwindows。
Itwas，therefore，uselesstolookforit，andyetmyeyeranalongthepeaksandpinnaclesoftheroof，searchingfortheskylightinwhichitundoubtedlyended。AtlastIespiedit，and，mycuriositysatisfiedonthisscore，Iletmyeyesrunoverthesideandfaceofthebuildingforanopenwindoworaliftedshade。Butallweretightlyclosedandgavenomoresignoflifethandidtheboarded-updoor。ButIwasnotdeceivedbythis。Aswedroveaway，IthoughthowonthemorrowtherewouldbearegularprocessionpassingthroughthisstreettoseejustthelittleIhadseento-day。Thedetective’sadventurewasliketomakethehousenotorious。ForseveralminutesafterIhadleftitsneighborhoodmyimaginationpicturedroomafterroomshutupfromthelightofday，butbearingwithinthemtheimpalpableauraofthosetwoshadowsflittingthroughthemliketheghostsofghosts，asthedetectivehadtellinglyputit。
Thehearthasitsstrangesurprises。ThroughmywholerideandtheindulgenceinthesethoughtsIwasconsciousofagreatinnerrevulsionagainstallIhadintimatedandevenhonestlyfeltwhiletalkingwiththeinspector。Perhapsthisiswhatthiswiseoldofficialexpected。Hehadletmetalk，andtheinevitablereactionfollowed。IcouldnowseeonlyMr。Grey’sgoodnessandclaimstorespect，andbegantohatemyselfthatIhadnotbeenimmediatelyimpressedbytheinspector’sviews，andshownmyselfmorewillingtodropeverysuspicionagainsttheaugustpersonageIhadpresumedtoassociatewithcrime。Whathadgivenmethestrengthtopersist？Loyaltytomylover？Hisinnocencehadnotbeeninvolved。Indeed，everywordutteredintheinspector’sofficehadgonetoprovethathenolongeroccupiedaleadingplaceinpolicecalculations：thattheireyeswereturnedelsewhere，andthatIhadonlytobepatienttoseeMr。Durandquiteclearedintheirminds。
Butwasthisreallyso？Washeassafeasthat？Whatifthisnewcluefailed？WhatiftheyfailedtofindSearsorlayhandsonthedoubtfulWellgood？WouldMr。Durandbereleasedwithoutatrial？Shouldwehearnothingmoreofthestrangeandtomanythesuspiciouscircumstanceswhichlinkedhimtothiscrime？Itwouldbeexpectingtoomuchfromeitherpoliceorofficialdiscrimination。
No；Mr。Durandwouldneverbecompletelyexoneratedtillthetrueculpritwasfoundandallexplanationsmade。IhadthereforebeensimplyfightinghisbattleswhenIpointedoutwhatIthoughttobetheweakplaceintheirpresenttheory，and，soreasIfeltincontemplationofmyseeminglyheartlessaction，Iwasnottheunimpressionable，addle-patednonentityImusthaveseemedtotheinspector。
YetmycomfortwassmallandtheeffortittooktofaceMr。GreyandmyyoungpatientwasmuchgreaterthanIhadanticipated。I
blushedasIapproachedtotakemyplaceatMissGrey’sbedside，and，hadherfatherbeenassuspiciousofmeatthatmomentasI
wasofhim，IamsurethatIshouldhavefaredbadlyinhisthoughts。
Buthewasnotonthewatchformyemotions。Hewassimplyrelievedtoseemeback。Inoticedthisimmediately，alsothatsomethinghadoccurredduringmyabsencewhichabsorbedhisthoughtandfilledhimwithanxiety。
AWesternUnionenvelopelayathisfeet，——proofthathehadjustreceivedatelegram。This，underordinarycircumstances，wouldnothaveoccasionedmeasecondthought，suchamanbeingnaturallytherecipientofallsortsofcommunicationsfromallpartsoftheworld；butatthiscrisis，withthewormofahalf-stifleddoubtstillgnawingatmyheart，everythingthatoccurredtohimtookonimportanceandrousedquestions。
Whenhehadlefttheroom，MissGreynestleduptomewiththeseeminglyingenuousremark：
\"Poorpapa！somethingdisturbshim。Hewillnottellmewhat。I
supposehethinksIamnotstrongenoughtosharehistroubles。
ButIshallbesoon。Don’tyouseeIamgainingeveryday？\"
\"IndeedIdo，\"wasmyheartyresponse。InfaceofsuchasweetconfidenceandopenaffectiondoubtvanishedandIwasabletogiveallmythoughtstoher。
\"Iwishpapafeltassureofthisasyoudo，\"shesaid。\"Forsomereasonhedoesnotseemtotakeanycomfortfrommyimprovement。
WhenDoctorFrelighsays，’Well，well！wearegettingonfinelyto-day，’Inoticethathedoesnotlooklessanxious，nordoesheevenmeettheseencouragingwordswithasmile。Haven’tyounoticedit？Helooksascare-wornandtroubledaboutmenowashedidthefirstdayIwastakensick。Whyshouldhe？Isitbecausehehaslostsomanychildrenhecannotbelieveinhisgoodfortuneathavingthemostinsignificantofalllefttohim？\"
\"Idonotknowyourfatherverywell，\"Iprotested；\"andcannotjudgewhatisgoingoninhismind。Buthemustseethatyouarequiteadifferentgirlfromwhatyouwereaweekago，andthat，ifnothingunforeseenhappens，yourrecoverywillonlybeamatterofaweekortwolonger。\"
\"Oh，howIlovetohearyousaythat！Tobewellagain！Toreadletters！\"shemurmured，\"andtowritethem！\"AndIsawthedelicatehandfalteruptopinchthepreciouspacketawaitingthathappyhour。Ididnotliketodiscussherfatherwithher，sotookthisopportunitytoturntheconversationasideintosaferchannels。ButwehadnotproceededfarbeforeMr。Greyreturnedand，takinghisstandatthefootofthebed，remarked，afteramoment’sgloomycontemplationofhisdaughter’sface：
\"Youarebettertoday，thedoctorsays，——Ihavejustbeentelephoningtohim。Butdoyoufeelwellenoughformetoleaveyouforafewdays？ThereisamanImustsee——mustgoto，ifyouhavenodreadofbeingleftalonewithyourgoodnurseandthedoctor’sconstantattendance。\"
MissGreylookedstartled。Doubtlessshefounditdifficulttounderstandwhatmaninthisstrangecountrycouldinterestherfatherenoughtoinducehimtoleaveherwhilehewasyetlaboringundersuchsolicitude。Butasmilespeedilytooktheplaceofherlookofsurprisedinquiryandsheaffectionatelyexclaimed：
\"Oh，Ihaven’ttheleastdreadintheworld，notnow。See，Icanholdupmyarms。Go，papa，go；itwillgivemeachancetosurpriseyouwithmygoodlookswhenyoucomeback。\"
Heturnedabruptlyaway。Hewassufferingfromanemotiondeeperthanhecaredtoacknowledge。Buthegainedcontroloverhimselfspeedilyand，comingback，announcedwithforceddecision：
\"Ishallhavetogoto-night。Ihavenochoice。Promisemethatyouwillnotgobackinmyabsence；thatyouwillstrivetogetwell；thatyouwillputallyourmindintostrivingtogetwell。\"
\"Indeed，Iwill，\"sheanswered，alittlefrightenedbythefeelingheshowed。\"Don’tworrysomuch。Ihavemorethanonereasonforliving，papa。\"
Heshookhisheadandwentimmediatelytomakehispreparationsfordeparture。Hisdaughtergaveonesob，thencaughtmebythehand。
\"Youlookdumfounded，\"saidshe。\"Butnevermind，weshallgetonverywelltogether。Ihavethemostperfectconfidenceinyou。\"
WasitmydutytolettheinspectorknowthatMr。Greyanticipatedabsentinghimselffromthecityforafewdays？I
decidedthatIwouldonlybeimpressingmyowndoubtsuponhimafterarebukewhichshouldhaveallayedthem。
Yet，whenMr。GreycametotakehisdepartureIwishedthattheinspectormighthavebeenawitnesstohisemotion，ifonlytogivemeoneofhisveryexcellentexplanations。Thepartingwasmorelikethatofonewhoseesnoimmediatepromiseofreturnthanofatravelerwhointendstolimithisstaytoafewdays。
Helookedherintheeyesandkissedheradozentimes，eachtimewithanairofheartbreakwhichwasgoodneitherforhernorforhimself，andwhenhefinallytorehimselfawayitwastolookbackatherfromthedoorwithanexpressionIwasgladshedidnotsee，oritwouldcertainlyhaveinterferedwiththepromiseshehadmadetoconcentrateallherenergiesongettingwell。
Whatwasattherootofhisextremegriefatleavingher？Didhefearthepersonhewasgoingtomeet，orwerehisplanssuchasinvolvedamuchlongerstaythanhehadmentioned？Didheevenmeantoreturnatall？
Ah，thatwasthequestion！Didheintendtoreturn，orhadIbeentheunconsciouswitnessofaflight？
XVII
SWEETWATERINANEWROLE
Afewdayslaterthreemenwereclosetedinthedistrictattorney’soffice。Twoofthemwereofficials——thedistrictattorneyhimself，andouroldfriend，theinspector。Thethirdwasthedetective，Sweetwater，chosenbythemtokeepwatchonMr。Grey。
Sweetwaterhadjustcometotown，——thiswasevidentfromthegripsackhehadsetdowninacorneronentering，alsofromacertaintousledappearancewhichbespokehastyrisingandbutfewfacilitiesforproperattentiontohisperson。Thesedetailscountedlittle，however，intheastonishmentcreatedbyhismanner。Forahardychaphelookedstrangelynervousandindisposed，somuchsothat，afterthefirstshortgreeting，theinspectoraskedhimwhatwasup，andifhehadhadanotherFairbrother-houseexperience。
Herepliedwithadecidedno；thatitwasnothisadventurewhichhadupsethim，butthenewshehadtobring。
Hereheglancedateverydoorandwindow；andthen，leaningforwardoverthetableatwhichthetwoofficialssat，hebroughthisheadasnearlytothemaspossibleandwhisperedfivewords。
Theyproducedamostunhappysensation。Boththemen，hardenedastheywerebydutieswhichsoonsapthesensibilities，startedandturnedaspaleasthespeakerhimself。Thenthedistrictattorney，withoneglanceattheinspector，roseandlockedthedoor。
ItwasapreludetothistalewhichIgive，notasitcamefromhismouth，butasitwasafterwardrelatedtome。Thelanguage，I
fear，ismostlymyown。
ThedetectivehadjustbeenwithMr。GreytothecoastofMaine。
Whythere，willpresentlyappear。Histaskhadbeentofollowthisgentleman，andfollowhimhedid。
Mr。Greywasaverystatelyman，difficultofapproach，andwasabsorbed，besides，bysomeoverwhelmingcare。Butthisfellowwasoneinathousandandsomehow，duringthetrip，hemanagedtodohimsomelittleservice，whichdrewtheattentionofthegreatmantohimself。Thisdone，hesoimprovedhisopportunitythatthetwoweresoononthebestofterms，andhelearnedthattheEnglishmanwaswithoutavalet，and，beingunaccustomedtomoveaboutwithoutone，felttheawkwardnessofhispositionverymuch。ThisgaveSweetwaterhiscue，andwhenhefoundthattheservicesofsuchamanwerewantedonlyduringthepresenttripandforthehandlingofaffairsquiteapartfrompersonaltendanceuponthegentlemanhimself，heshowedsuchanhonestdesiretofilltheplace，andmadeouttogivesuchagoodaccountofhimself，thathefoundhimselfengagedfortheworkbeforereachingC——。
Thiswasagreatstrokeofluck，hethought，buthelittleknewhowbigastrokeorintowhataseriesofadventuresitwasgoingtoleadhim。
OnceontheplatformofthesmallstationatwhichMr。Greyhadbiddenhimtostop，henoticedtwothings：theutterhelplessnessofthemaninallpracticalmatters，andhisextremeanxietytoseeallthatwasgoingonabouthimwithoutbeinghimselfseen。
Therewasmethodinthiscuriosity，toomuchmethod。Womendidnotinteresthimintheleast。Theycouldpassandrepasswithoutarousinghisattention，butthemomentamansteppedhisway，heshrankfromhimonlytobetraythegreatestcuriosityconcerninghimthemomenthefeltitsafetoturnandobservehim。AllofwhichconvincedSweetwaterthattheEnglishman’serrandwasinconnectionwithamanwhomheequallydreadedanddesiredtomeet。
Ofthishewasmadeabsolutelycertainalittlelater。Astheywereleavingthedepotwiththerestofthearrivals，Mr。Greysaid：
\"Iwantyoutogetmearoomataveryquiethotel。Thisdone，youaretohuntupthemanwhosenameyouwillfindwritteninthispaper，andwhenyouhavefoundhim，makeupyourmindhowitwillbepossibleformetogetagoodlookathimwithouthisgettinganysortofalookatme。Dothisandyouwillearnaweek’ssalaryinoneday。\"
Sweetwater，withhisheadinairandhisheartonfire——formatterswerelookingverypromisingindeed——tookthepaperandputitinhispocket；thenhebegantohuntforahotel。Nottillhebadfoundwhathewished，andinstalledtheEnglishmaninhisroom，didheventuretoopenthepreciousmemorandumandreadthenamehehadbeenspeculatingoverforanhour。Itwasnottheonehehadanticipated，butitcameneartoit。ItwasthatofJamesWellgood。
Satisfiednowthathehadaticklishmattertohandle，hepreparedforit，withhisusualenthusiasmandcircumspection。
Saunteringoutintothestreet，hestrolledfirsttowardthepost-office。Thetrainonwhichhehadjustcomehadbeenamail-train，andhecalculatedthathewouldfindhalfthetownthere。
Hiscalculationwasacorrectone。Thestorewascrowdedwithpeople。Takinghisplaceinthelinedrawnupbeforethepost-officewindow，heawaitedhisturn，andwhenitcameshoutedoutthenamewhichwashisonetalisman——JamesWellgood。
Themanbehindtheboxeswasusedtothenameandreachedoutahandtowardaboxunusuallywellstacked，butstoppedhalf-waythereandgaveSweetwaterasharplook。
\"Whoareyou？\"heasked。
\"Astranger，\"thatyoungmanputinvolubly，\"lookingforJamesWellgood。Ithought，perhaps，youcouldtellmewheretofindhim。Iseethathisletterspassthroughthisoffice。\"
\"You’retakingupanotherman’stime，\"complainedthepostmaster。
HeprobablyalludedtothemanwhoseelbowSweetwaterfeltboringintohisback。\"AskDickoverthere；heknowshim。\"
ThedetectivewasgladenoughtoescapeandaskDick。ButhewasbetterpleasedyetwhenDick——afellowwithasquintwhosehandwasalwaysinthesugar——toldhimthatMr。Wellgoodwouldprobablybeinforhismailinafewmoments。\"Thatishisbuggystandingbeforethedrug-storeontheoppositesideoftheway。\"
So！hehadnettedJones’quondamwaiteratthefirstcast！
\"Lucky！\"waswhathesaidtohimself，\"stilllucky！\"
Saunteringtothedoor，hewatchedfortheownerofthatbuggy。
Hehadlearned，assuchfellowsdo，thattherewasasecrethueandcryafterthisverymanbytheNewYorkpolice；thathewassupposedbysometobeSearshimself。InthiswayhewouldsoonbelookingupontheverymanwhosestepshehadfollowedthroughtheFairbrotherhouseafewnightsbefore，andthroughwhoseresoluteactionhehadverynearlyruntheriskofalingeringdeathfromstarvation。
\"Adangerouscustomer，\"thoughthe。\"Iwonderifmyinstinctwillgosofarastomakemerecognizehispresence。Ishouldn’twonder。Ithasservedmealmostaswellasthatmanytimesbefore。\"
Itappearedtoservehimnow，forwhenthemanfinallyshowedhimselfonthecross-walkseparatingthetwobuildingsheexperiencedasuddenindecisionnotunlikethatofdread，andtherebeingnothingintheman’sappearancetowarrantapprehension，hetookitfortheinstinctiverecognitionitundoubtedlywas。
Hethereforewatchedhimnarrowlyandsucceededingettingoneglancefromhiseye。Itwasenough。Themanwascommonplace，——
commonplaceinfeature，dressandmanner，buthiseyegavehimaway。Therewasnothingcommonplaceinthat。Itwasaneyetobewareof。
HehadtakeninSweetwaterashepassed，butSweetwaterwasofacommonplacetype，too，andwokenocorrespondingdreadintheother’smind；forhewentwhistlingintothestore，fromwhichhepresentlyreissuedwithabundleofmailinhishand。Thedetective’sfirstinstinctwastotakehimintocustodyasasuspectmuchwantedbytheNewYorkpolice；butreasonassuredhimthathenotonlyhadnowarrantforthis，butthathewouldbetterservetheendsofjusticebyfollowingouthispresenttaskofbringingthismanandtheEnglishmantogetherandwatchingtheresult。Buthow，withtheconditionslaidonhimbyMr。Grey，wasthistobedone？Heknewnothingoftheman’scircumstancesorofhispositioninthetown。How，then，gotoworktosecurehiscooperationinaschemepossiblyasmysterioustohimasitwastohimself？Hecouldstopthisstrangerinmid-street，withsomeplausibleexcuse，butitdidnotfollowthathewouldsucceedinluringhimtothehotelwhereMr。Greycouldseehim。Wellgood，or，ashebelieved，Sears，knewtoomuchoflifetobebeguiledbyanyopenclap-trap，andSweetwaterwasobligedtoseehimdriveoffwithouthavingmadetheleastadvanceinthepurposeengrossinghim。
Butthatwasnothing。Hehadalltheeveningbeforehim，andreenteringthestore，hetookuphisstandnearthesugarbarrel。
Hehadperceivedthatinthepausesofweighingandtasting，Dicktalked；ifhewereguidedwithsuitablediscretion，whyshouldhenottalkofWellgood？
Hewasguided，andhedidtalkandtosomeeffect。Thatis，hegaveinformationofthemanwhichsurprisedSweetwater。IfinthepastandinNewYorkhehadbeenknownasawaiter，orshouldI
saysteward，hewasknownhereasamanufacturerofpatentmedicinedesignedtorejuvenatethehumanrace。Hehadnotbeenlongintownandwassomewhatofastrangeryet，buthewouldn’tbesolong。Hewasgoingtomakethingshum，hewas。Moneyforthis，moneyforthat，ahorsewhereanothermanwouldwalk，andmail——well，thatalonewouldmakethispost-officeworthwhile。
Thenthedrugsorderedbywholesale。Thoseboxesovertherewerehis，readytobecartedouttohismanufactory。Countthem，someone，andthinkofthebottlesandbottlesofstufftheystandfor。Ifitsellsashesaysitwill——thenhewillsoonberich：
andsoon，tillSweetwaterbroughtthegarrulousDicktoastandstillbyaskingwhetherWellgoodhadbeenawayforanypurposesincehefirstcametotown。HereceivedthereplythathehadjustcomehomefromNewYork，wherehehadbeenforsomearticlesneededinhismanufactory。Sweetwaterfeltallhisconvictionsconfirmed，andendedthecolloquywiththefinalquestion：
\"Andwhereishismanufactory？Mightbeworthvisiting，perhaps。\"
Theothermadeagesture，saidsomethingaboutnorthwestandrushedtohelpacustomer。Sweetwatertooktheopportunitytoslideaway。Moreexplicitdirectionscouldeasilybegotelsewhere，andhefeltanxioustoreturntoMr。Greyanddiscover，ifpossible，whetheritwouldproveasmuchamatterofsurprisetohimastoSweetwaterhimselfthatthemanwhoansweredtothenameofWellgoodwastheownerofamanufactoryandabarrelortwoofdrugs，outofwhichheproposedtomakeacompoundthatwouldrobthedoctorsoftheirbusinessandmakehimselfandthislittlevillagerich。
SweetwatermadeonlyonestoponhiswaytoMr。Grey’shotelrooms，andthatwasatthestables。Herehelearnedwhateverelsetherewastoknow，and，armedwithdefiniteinformation，heappearedbeforeMr。Grey，who，tohisastonishment，wasdininginhisownroom。
Hehaddismissedthewaiterandwasratherbroodingthaneating。
Helookedupeagerly，however，whenSweetwaterentered，andaskedwhatnews。
Thedetective，withsomesemblanceofrespect，answeredthathehadseenWellgood，butthathehadbeenunabletodetainhimorbringhimwithinhisemployer’sobservation。
\"Heisapatent-medicineman，\"hethenexplained，\"andmanufactureshisownconcoctionsinahousehehasrentedhereonalonelyroadsomehalf-mileoutoftown。\"
\"Wellgooddoes？themannamedWellgood？\"Mr。Greyexclaimedwithalltheastonishmenttheothersecretlyexpected。
\"Yes；Wellgood，JamesWellgood。Thereisnootherintown。\"
\"Howlonghasthismanbeenhere？\"thestatesmaninquired，afteramomentofapparentlygreatdiscomfiture。
\"Justtwenty-fourhours，thistime。Hewashereoncebefore，whenherentedthehouseandmadeallhisplans。\"
\"Ah！\"
Mr。Greyroseprecipitately。Hismannerhadchanged。
\"Imustseehim。Whatyoutellmemakesitallthemorenecessaryformetoseehim。Howcanyoubringitabout？\"
\"Withouthisseeingyou？\"Sweetwaterasked。
\"Yes，yes；certainlywithouthisseeingme。Couldn’tyouraphimupathisowndoor，andholdhimintalkaminute，whileIlookedonfromthecarriageorwhatevervehiclewecangettocarryusthere？Theleastglimpseofhisfacewouldsatisfyme。Thatis，to-night。\"
\"I’lltry，\"saidSweetwater，notverysanguineastotheprobableresultofthiseffort。
Returningtothestables，heorderedtheteam。Withthelastrayofthesuntheysetout，thereinsinSweetwater’shands。
Theyheadedforthecoast-road。
XVIII
THECLOSEDDOOR
Theroadwasoncethehighway，butthetidehavingplayedsomanytrickswithitsnumberlessbridgesanewonehadbeenbuiltfartherupthecliff，carryingwithitthelifeandbusinessofthesmalltown。Manyoldlandmarksstillremained——shops，warehousesandevenafewscattereddwellings。Butmostoftheseweredeserted，andthosethatwerestillinuseshowedsuchneglectthatitwasveryevidentthewholeregionwouldsoonbegivenuptotheencroachingseaandsuchinterestsasareinseparablefromit。
Thehourwasthatmysteriousoneoflatetwilight，whenoutlineslosetheirdistinctnessandseaandshoremeltintoonemassofuniformgray。Therewasnowindandthewavescameinwithasoftplash，butsoneartotheleveloftheroadthatitwasevident，eventothesestrangers，thatthetidewasatitsheightandwouldpresentlybegintoebb。
Soontheyhadpassedthelastforsakendwelling，andthetownproperlaybehindthem。Sandandafewrockswereallthatlaybetweenthemnowandtheopenstretchoftheocean，which，atthispoint，approachedthelandinasmallbay，well-guardedoneithersidebyembracingrockyheads。ThiswaswhatmadetheharboratC——。
Itwasverystill。Theypassedoneteamandonlyone。Sweetwaterlookedverysharplyatthisteamandatitsdriver，butsawnothingtoarousesuspicion。Theywerenowahalf-milefromC——，and，seemingly，inaperfectlydesolateregion。
\"Amanufactoryhere！\"exclaimedMr。Grey。Itwasthefirstwordhehadutteredsincestarting。
\"Notfarfromhere，\"wasSweetwater’sequallylaconicreply；and，theroadtakingaturnalmostatthemomentofhisspeaking，heleanedforwardandpointedoutabuildingstandingontheright-handsideoftheroad，withitsfeetinthewater。\"That’sit。\"saidhe。\"TheydescribeditwellenoughformetoknowitwhenIseeit。Lookslikearobber’sholeatthistimeofnight，\"
helaughed；\"butwhatcanyouexpectfromamanufactoryofpatentmedicine？\"
Mr。Greywassilent。Hewaslookingveryearnestlyatthebuilding。
\"ItislargerthanIexpected，\"heremarkedatlast。
Sweetwaterhimselfwassurprised，butastheyadvancedandtheirpointofviewchangedtheyfoundittobereallyaninsignificantstructure，andMr。Wellgood’sportionofitmoreinsignificantstill。