Inrealityitwasacollectionofthreestoresunderoneroof：
twoofthemwereshutupandevidentlyunoccupied，thethirdshowedalightedwindow。Thiswasthemanufactory。Itoccupiedthemiddleplaceandpresentedatolerablydecentappearance。Itshowed，besidesthelightedlampIhavementioned，suchsignsoflifeasafewpacking-boxestumbledoutonthesmallplatforminfront，andawhinnyinghorseattachedtoanemptybuggy，tiedtoapostontheoppositesideoftheroad。
\"I’mgladtoseethelamp，\"mutteredSweetwater。\"Now，whatshallwedo？Isitlightenoughforyoutoseehisface，ifIcanmanagetobringhimtothedoor？\"
Mr。Greyseemedstartled。
\"It’sdarkerthanIthought，\"saidhe。\"ButcallthemanandifI
cannotseehimplainly，I’llshouttothehorsetostand，whichyouwilltakeasasignaltobringthisWellgoodnearer。ButdonotbesurprisedifIrideoffbeforehereachesthebuggy。I’llcomebackagainandtakeyouupfartherdowntheroad。\"
\"Allright，sir，\"answeredSweetwater，withasideglanceatthespeaker’sinscrutablefeatures。\"It’sago！\"Andleapingtothegroundheadvancedtothemanufactorydoorandknockedloudly。
Nooneappeared。
Hetriedthelatch；itlifted，butthedoordidnotopen；itwasfastenedfromwithin。
\"Strange！\"hemuttered，castingaglanceatthewaitinghorseandbuggy，thenatthelightedwindow，whichwasonthesecondfloordirectlyoverhishead。\"GuessI’llsingout。\"
Hereheshoutedtheman’sname。\"Wellgood！Isay，Wellgood！\"
Noresponsetothiseither。
\"Looksbad！\"heacknowledgedtohimself；and，takingastepback，helookedupatthewindow。
Itwasclosed，buttherewasneithershadenorcurtaintoobstructtheview。
\"Doyouseeanything？\"heinquiredofMr。Grey，whosatwithhiseyeatthesmallwindowinthebuggytop。
\"Nothing。\"
\"Nomovementintheroomabove？Noshadowatthewindow？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Well，it’sconfoundedstrange！\"Andhewentback，stillcallingWellgood。
Thetied-uphorsewhinnied，andthewavesgaveasoftsplashandthatwasall，——ifIexceptSweetwater’smutteredoath。
Comingback，helookedagainatthewindow，then，withagesturetowardMr。Grey，turnedthecornerofthebuildingandbegantoedgehimselfalongitssideinanendeavortoreachtherearandseewhatitoffered。Buthecametoasuddenstandstill。Hefoundhimselfontheedgeofthebankbeforehehadtakentwentysteps。
Yetthebuildingprojectedon，andhesawwhyithadlookedsolargefromacertainpointoftheapproach。Itsrearwasbuiltoutonpiles，makingitsdepthevengreaterthantheunitedwidthofthethreestores。Atlowtidethismightbeaccessiblefrombelow，butjustnowthewaterwasalmostonalevelwiththetopofthepiles，makingallapproachimpossiblesavebyboat。
Disgustedwithhisfailure，Sweetwaterreturnedtothefront，and，findingthesituationunchanged，tookanewresolve。Aftermeasuringwithhiseyetheheightofthefirststory，hecoollywalkedovertothestrangehorse，and，slippinghisbridle，broughtitbackandcastitoveraprojectionofthedoor；byitsaidhesucceededinclimbinguptothewindow，whichwasthesoleeyetotheinterior，Mr。Greysatfarbackinhisbuggy，watchingeverymovement。
Therewerenoshadesatthewindow，asIhavebeforesaid，and，onceSweetwater’seyehadreachedthelevelofthesill，hecouldseetheinteriorwithouttheleastdifficulty。Therewasnobodythere。Thelampburnedonagreattablelitteredwithpapers，buttherudecane-chairbeforeitwasempty，andsowastheroom。Hecouldseeintoeverycornerofitandtherewasnotevenahiding-placewhereanybodycouldremainconcealed。Sweetwaterwasstilllooking，whenthelamp，whichhadbeenburningwithconsiderablesmoke，flaredupandwentout。Sweetwaterutteredanejaculation，and，findinghimselffacetofacewithutterdarkness，slidfromhisperchtotheground。
ApproachingMr。Greyforthesecondtime，hesaid：
\"Icannotunderstandit。Thefellowiseitherlyinglow，orhe’sgoneout，leavinghislamptogoout，too。Butwhoseisthehorse——justexcusemewhileItiehimupagain。Itlooksliketheonehewasdrivingto-day。Itistheone。Well，hewon’tleavehimhereallnight。Shallwelielowandwaitforhimtocomeandunhitchthisanimal？Ordoyouprefertoreturntothehotel？\"
Mr。Greywasslowinanswering。Finallyhesaid：
\"Themanmaysuspectourintention。Youcannevertellanythingaboutsuchfellowsashe。HemayhavecaughtsomeunexpectedglimpseofmeorsimplyheardthatIwasintown。Ifhe’sthemanIthinkhim，hehasreasonsforavoidingmewhichIcanverywellunderstand。Letusgoback，——nottothehotel，Imustseethisadventurethroughtonight，——butfarenoughforhimtothinkwehavegivenupallideaofroutinghimoutto-night。Perhapsthatisallheiswaitingfor。Youcanstealback——\"
\"Excuseme，\"saidSweetwater，\"butIknowabetterdodgethanthat。We’llcircumventhim。Wepassedaboat-houseonourwaydownhere。I’lljustdriveyouup，procureaboat，andbringyoubackherebywater。Idon’tbelievethathewillexpectthat，andifheisinthehouseweshallseehimorhislight。\"
\"Meanwhilehecanescapebytheroad。\"
\"Escape？Doyouthinkheisplanningtoescape？\"
ThedetectivespokewithbecomingsurpriseandMr。Greyansweredwithoutapparentsuspicion。
\"Itispossibleifhesuspectsmypresenceintheneighborhood。\"
\"Doyouwanttostophim？\"
\"Iwanttoseehim。\"
\"Oh，Iremember。Well，sir，wewilldriveon，——thatis，afteramoment。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodo？\"
\"Oh，nothing。Yousaidyouwantedtoseethemanbeforeheescaped。\"
\"Yes，but——\"
\"Andthathemightescapebytheroad。\"
\"Yes——\"
\"Well，Iwasjustmakingthatalittlebitimpracticable。Asmallpebbleinthekeyholeand——why，seenow，hishorseiswalkingoff！Gee！Imusthavefastenedhimbadly。Ishouldn’twonderifhetrottedallthewaytotown。Butitcan’tbehelped。Icannotbesupposedtoraceafterhim。Areyoureadynow，sir？I’llgiveanothershout，thenI’llgetin。\"Andoncemorethelonelyregionaboutechoedwiththecry：\"Wellgood！Isay，Wellgood！\"
Therewasnoanswer，andtheyoungdetective，maskingforthenonceasMr。Grey’sconfidentialservant，jumpedintothebuggy，andturnedthehorse’sheadtowardC——。
XIX
THEFACE
ThemoonwaswellupwhenthesmallboatinwhichouryoungdetectivewasseatedwithMr。Greyappearedinthebayapproachingtheso-calledmanufactoryofWellgood。Thelooked-forlightonthewatersidewasnotthere。Allwasdarkexceptwherethewindowsreflectedthelightofthemoon。
ThiswasadecideddisappointmenttoSweetwater，ifnottoMr。
Grey。Hehadexpectedtodetectsignsoflifeinthisquarter，andthisadditionalproofofWellgood’sabsencefromhomemadeitlookasiftheyhadcomeoutonafool’serrandandmightmuchbetterhavestucktotheroad。
\"Nopromisethere，\"cameinamutterfromhislips。\"ShallIrowin，sir，andtrytomakealanding？\"
\"Youmayrownearer。Ishouldlikeacloserview。Idon’tthinkweshallattractanyattention。Therearemoreboatsthanoursonthewater。\"
Sweetwaterwasstartled。Lookinground，hesawalaunch，orsomesuchsmallsteamer，ridingatanchornotfarfromthemouthofthebay。Butthatwasnotall。Betweenitandthemwasarowboatliketheirown，restingquietlyinthewakeofthemoon。
\"Idon’tlikesomuchcompany，\"hemuttered。\"Something’sbrewing；somethinginwhichwemaynotwanttotakeapart。\"
\"Verylikely，\"answeredMr。Greygrimly。\"Butwemustnotbedeterred——nottillIhaveseen——\"therestSweetwaterdidnothear。Mr。Greyseemedtorememberhimself。\"Rownearer，\"henowbade。\"Getundertheshadowoftherocksifyoucan。Iftheboatisforhim，hewillshowhimself。YetIhardlyseehowhecanboardfromthatbank。\"
Itdidnotlookfeasible。Nevertheless，theywaitedandwatchedwithmuchpatienceforseverallongminutes。Theboatbehindthemdidnotadvance，norwasanymovementdiscernibleinthedirectionofthemanufactory。Anothershortperiod，thensuddenlyalightflashedfromawindowhighupinthecentralgable，sparkledforaninstantandwasgone。Sweetwatertookitforasignaland，withaslightmotionofthewrist，begantoworkhiswayintowardshoretilltheylayalmostattheedgeofthepiles。
\"Hark！\"
ItwasSweetwaterwhospoke。
Bothlistened，Mr。GreywithhisheadturnedtowardthelaunchandSweetwaterwithhiseyeonthecavernousspace，sharplyoutlinedbythepiles，whichthefallingtidenowdisclosedundereachcontiguousbuilding。Goodshadbeendirectlyshippedfromthesestoresintheolddays。Thishehadlearnedinthevillage。
Howshippedhehadnotbeenabletounderstandfromhisprevioussurveyofthebuilding。Buthethoughthecouldseenow。Atlowtide，orbetter，athalf-tide，accesscouldbegottotheflooroftheextensionand，ifthisfloorheldatrap，themysterywouldbeexplainable。Sowouldbethehoveringboat——thesignal-lightand——yes！thissoundoverheardofstepsonarattlingplanking。
\"Ihearnothing，\"whisperedMr。Greyfromtheotherend。\"Theboatisstillthere，butnotamanhasdippedanoar。\"
\"Theywillsoon，\"returnedSweetwaterasasmotheredsoundofclankingironreachedhisearsfromthehollowspacesbeforehim。
\"Duckyourhead，sir；I’mgoingtorowinunderthisportionofthehouse。\"
Mr。Greywouldhaveprotestedandwithverygoodreason。Therewasscarcelyaspaceofthreefeetbetweenthemandtheboardsoverhead。ButSweetwaterhadsoimmediatelysuitedactiontowordthathehadnochoice。
Theywerenowinutterdarkness，andMr。Grey’sthoughtsmusthavebeenpeculiarashecrouchedoverthestern，hardlyknowingwhattoexpectorwhetherthissuddenlaunchintodarknesswasforthepurposeofflightorpursuit。Butenlightenmentcamesoon。Thesoundofaman’streadinthebuildingabovewaseverymomentbecomingmoreperceptible，andwhilewondering，possibly，athisposition，Mr。Greynaturallyturnedhisheadasnearlyashecouldinthedirectionofthesesounds，andwasstaringwithblankeyesintothedarkness，whenSweetwater，leaningtowardhim，whispered：
\"Lookup！There’satrap。Inaminutehe’llopenit。Markhim，butdon’tbreatheaword，andI’llgetyououtofthisallright。\"
Mr。Greyattemptedsomeanswer，butitwaslostintheprolongedcreakofslowly-movinghingessomewhereovertheirheads。Spaces，whichhadlookeddark，suddenlylookeddarker；hearingwassatisfied，butnottheeye。Aman’sbreathpantingwithexertiontestifiedtoanear-bypresence；butthatmanwasworkingwithoutalightinaroomwithshutteredwindows，andMr。Greyprobablyfeltthatheknewverylittlemorethanbefore，whensuddenly，mostunexpectedly，tohimatleast，afacestartedoutofthatoverheaddarkness；afacesowhite，witheveryfeaturemadesostartlinglydistinctbythestronglightSweetwaterhadthrownuponit，thatitseemedtheonlythingintheworldtothetwomenbeneath。Inanothermomentithadvanished，orratherthelightwhichhadrevealedit。
\"What’sthat？Areyouthere？\"camedownfromaboveinhoarseandnonetooencouragingtones。
Therewasnonetoanswer；Sweetwater，withaquickpullontheoars，hadalreadyshottheboatoutofitsdangerousharbor。
XX
MOONLIGHT——ANDACLUE
\"Areyousatisfied？Haveyougotwhatyouwanted？\"askedSweetwater，whentheywerewellawayfromtheshoreandthevoicetheyhadheardcallingatintervalsfromthechasmtheyhadleft。
\"Yes。You’reagoodfellow。Itcouldnothavebeenbettermanaged。\"Then，afterapausetooprolongedandthoughtfultopleaseSweetwater，whowasburningwithcuriosityifnotwithsomedeeperfeeling：\"Whatwasthatlightyouburned？Amatch？\"
Sweetwaterdidnotanswer。Hedarednot。Howspeakoftheelectrictorchheasadetectivecarriedinhispocket？Thatwouldbetogivehimselfaway。Hethereforeletthisquestionslipbyandputinoneofhisown。
\"Areyoureadytogobacknow，sir？Arewealldonehere？\"Thiswithhisearturnedandhiseyebentforward；fortheadventuretheyhadinterruptedwasnotatanend，whethertheirpartinitwasornot。
Mr。Greyhesitated，hisglancesfollowingthoseofSweetwater。
\"Letuswait，\"saidhe，inatonewhichsurprisedSweetwater。\"Ifheismeditatinganescape，Imustspeaktohimbeforehereachesthelaunch。Atallhazards，\"headdedafteranothermoment’sthought。
\"Allright，sir——Howdoyoupropose——\"
Hiswordswereinterruptedbyashrillwhistlefromthedirectionofthebank。Promptly，andasifawaitingthissignal，thetwomenintherowboatbeforethemdippedtheiroarsandpulledfortheshore，takingthedirectionofthemanufactory。
Sweetwatersaidnothing，butheldhimselfinreadiness。
Mr。Greywasequallysilent，butthelinesofhisfaceseemedtodeepeninthemoonlightastheboat，glidingrapidlythroughthewater，passedthemwithinadozenboat-lengthsandslippedintotheopeningunderthemanufactorybuilding。
\"Nowrow！\"hecried。\"Makeforthelaunch。We’llinterceptthemontheirreturn。\"
Sweetwater，glowingwithanticipation，benttohiswork。Theboatbeneaththemgaveaboundandinafewminutestheywerefaroutonthewatersofthebay。
\"They’recoming！\"hewhisperedeagerly，ashesawMr。Greylookinganxiouslyback。\"HowmuchfarthershallIgo？\"
\"Justwithinhailingdistanceofthelaunch，\"wasMr。Grey’sreply。
Sweetwater，gagingthedistancewithaglance，stoppedattheproperpointandrestedonhisoars。Buthisthoughtsdidnotrest。Herealizedthathewasabouttowitnessaninterviewwhoseimportanceheeasilyrecognized。Howmuchofitwouldhehear？
Whatwouldbetheupshotandwhatwashisfulldutyinthecase？
HeknewthatthismanWellgoodwaswantedbytheNewYorkpolice，buthewaspossessedwithnoauthoritytoarresthim，evenifhehadthepower。
\"SomethingmorethanIbargainedfor，\"heinwardlycommented。
\"ButIwantedexcitement，andnowIhavegotit。IfonlyIcankeepmyheadlevel，Imaygetsomethingoutofthis，ifnotallI
couldwish。\"
Meantimethesecondboatwasverynearlyonthem。HecouldmarkthethreefiguresandpickoutWellgood’sheadfromamongtherest。Ithadaresoluteair；thefaceonwhich，tohisevidentdiscomfiture，themoonshone，worealookwhichconvincedthedetectivethatthiswasnopatent-medicinemanufacturer，norevenacaterer’sassistant，butamanofnerveandresources，thesame，indeed，whomhehadencounteredinMr。Fairbrother’shouse，withsuchdisastrous，almostfatal，resultstohimself。
Thediscovery，thoughanunexpectedone，didnotlessenhissenseoftheextremehelplessnessofhisownposition。Hecouldwitness，buthecouldnotact；followMr。Grey’sorders，butindulgeinnoneofhisown。Thedetectivemustcontinuetobelostinthevalet，thoughitcamehardandwokeasenseofshameinhisambitiousbreast。
MeanwhileWellgoodhadseenthemandorderedhismentoceaserowing。
\"Giveway，there，\"heshouted。\"We’reforthelaunchandinahurry。\"
\"There’ssomeoneherewhowantstospeaktoyou，Mr。Wellgood，\"
Sweetwatercalledout，asrespectfullyashecould。\"ShallI
mentionyourname？\"heaskedofMr。Grey。
\"No，Iwilldothatmyself。\"Andraisinghisvoice，heaccostedtheotherwiththesewords：\"Iamtheman，PercivalGrey，ofDarlingtonManor，England。Ishouldliketosayawordtoyoubeforeyouembark。\"
Achange，quickaslightningandalmostasdangerous，passedoverthefaceSweetwaterwaswatchingwithsuchpainfulanxiety；butastheotheraddednothingtohiswordsandseemedtobemerelywaiting，heshruggedhisshouldersandmutteredanordertohisrowerstoproceed。
Inanothermomentthesternsofthetwosmallcraftswungtogether，butinsuchawaythat，bydintofalittleskilfulmanipulationonthepartofWellgood’smen，thelatter’sbackwastowardthemoon。
Mr。GreyleanedtowardWellgood，andhisfacefellintoshadowalso。
\"Bah！\"thoughtthedetective，\"Ishouldhavemanagedthatmyself。
ButifIcannotseeIshallatleasthear。\"
Buthedeceivedhimselfinthis。Thetwomenspokeinsuchlowwhispersthatonlytheirintensitywasmanifest。NotawordcametoSweetwater’sears。
\"Bah！\"hethoughtagain，\"thisisbad。\"
Buthehadtoswallowhisdisappointment，andmore。Forpresentlythetwomen，sodifferentinculture，stationandappearance，came，asitseemed，toanunderstanding，andWellgood，takinghishandfromhisbreast，fumbledinoneofhispocketsanddrewoutsomethingwhichhehandedtoMr。Grey。
ThismadeSweetwaterstartandpeerwithstillgreateranxietyateverymovement，whentohissurprisebothbentforward，eachoverhisownknee，doingsomethingsomysterioushecouldgetnocluetoitsnaturetilltheyagainstretchedforththeirhandstoeachotherandhecaughtthegleamofpaperandrealizedthattheywereexchangingmemorandaornotes。
Thesemusthavebeenimportant，foreachmadeanimmediateendeavortoreadhisslipbyturningittowardthemoon’srays。
Thatbothweresatisfiedwasshownbytheiraftermovements。
Wellgoodputhisslipintohispocket，andwithoutfurtherwordtoMr。Greymotionedhismentorowaway。Theydidsowithawill，leavingalineofsilverintheirwake。Mr。Grey，onthecontrary，gavenoorders。Hestillheldhisslipandseemedtobedreaming。Buthiseyewasontheshore，andhedidnoteventurnwhensoundsfromthelaunchdenotedthatshewasunderway。
Sweetwater；lookingatthismorselofpaperwithgreedyeyes，dippedhisoarsandbeganpullingsoftlytowardthatportionofthebeachwhereasmallandtwinklinglightdefinedtheboat-house。HehopedMr。Greywouldspeak，hopedthatinsomeway，bysomemeans，hemightobtainacluetohispatron’sthoughts。ButtheEnglishgentlemansatlikeanimageanddidnotmovetillaslightbutsuddenbreeze，blowingin-shore，seizedthepaperinhishandandcarrieditaway，pastSweetwater，whovainlysoughttocatchitasitwentflutteringby，intothewaterahead，whereitshoneforamoment，thensoftlydisappeared。
Sweetwaterutteredacry，sodidMr。Grey。
\"Isitanythingyouwanted？\"calledouttheformer，leaningoverthebowoftheboatandmakingadiveatthepaperwithhisoar。
\"Yes；butifit’sgone，it’sgone，\"returnedtheotherwithsomefeeling。\"Carelessofme，verycareless，——butIwasthinkingof——
\"
Hestopped；hewasgreatlyagitated，buthedidnotencourageSweetwaterinanyfurtherattemptstorecoverthelostmemorandum。Indeed，suchaneffortwouldhavebeenfruitless；thepaperwasgone，andtherewasnothingleftforthembuttocontinuetheirway。Astheydidsoitwouldhavebeenhardtotellinwhichbreastchagrinmountedhigher。Sweetwaterhadlostaclueinathousand，andMr。Greywell，nooneknewwhathehadlost。Hesaidnothingandplainlyshowedbyhischangedmannerthathewasinhastetolandnowandbedonewiththisdoubtfuladventure。
Whentheyreachedtheboat-houseMr。GreyleftSweetwatertopayfortheboatandstartedatonceforthehotel。
Themaninchargehadthebowoftheboatinhand，preparatorytopullingitupontheboards。AsSweetwaterturnedtowardhimhecaughtsightofthesideoftheboat，shiningbrightlyinthemoonlight。Hegaveastartand，withamutteredejaculation，dartedforwardandpickedoffasmallpieceofpaperfromthedrippingkeel。Itseparatedinhishandandapartofitescapedhim，buttheresthemanagedtokeepbysecretingitinhispalm，whereitstillclung，wetandpossiblyillegible，whenhecameuponMr。Greyagaininthehoteloffice。
\"Here’syourpay，\"saidthatgentleman，givinghimabill。\"IamverygladImetyou。Youhaveservedmeremarkablywell。\"
TherewasananxietyinhisfaceandahurryinhismovementswhichstruckSweetwater。
\"Doesthismeanthatyouarethroughwithme？\"askedSweetwater。
\"Thatyouhavenofurthercallformyservices？\"
\"Quiteso，\"saidthegentleman。\"I’mgoingtotakethetrainto-night。IfindthatIstillhavetime。\"
Sweetwaterbegantolookalive。
Utteringhastythanks，herushedawaytohisownroomand，turningonthegas，peeledoffthemorselofpaperwhichhadbeguntodryonhishand。Ifitshouldprovetobetheblankend！
Ifthewrittenpartweretheonewhichhadfloatedoff！Suchdisappointmentshadfallentohislot！Hewasnotunusedtothem。
Buthewasdestinedtobetterluckthistime。Thewrittenendhadindeeddisappeared，buttherewasonewordleft，whichhehadnosoonerreadthanhegavealowcryandpreparedtoleaveforNewYorkonthesametrainasMr。Grey。
Thewordwas——diamond。
XXI
GRIZEL！GRIZEL！
IindulgedinsomeveryseriousthoughtsafterMr。Grey’sdeparture。AfactwasborneinuponmetowhichIhadhithertoclosedmyprejudicedeyes，butwhichIcouldnolongerignore，whateverconfusionitbroughtorhoweveritcausedmetochangemymindonasubjectwhichhadformedoneofthestrongestbasestotheargumentbywhichIhadsoughttosaveMr。Durand。MissGreycherishednosuchdistrustofherfatherasI，inmyignoranceoftheirrelations，hadimputedtoherintheearlyhoursofmyministrations。Thisyouhavealreadyseeninmyaccountoftheirparting。Whateverhisdread，fearorremorse，therewasnoevidencethatshefelttowardhimanythingbutloveandconfidence：butloveandconfidencefromhertohimwereindirectcontradictiontothedoubtsIhadbelievedhertohaveexpressedinthehalf-writtennotehandedtoMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcove。HadIbeenwrong，then，inattributingthisscrawltoher？Itbegantolookso。Thoughforbiddentoallowhertospeakontheonetabooedsubject，Ihadwitenoughtoknowthatnothingwouldkeepherfromit，ifthefateofMrs。Fairbrotheroccupiedanyrealplaceinherthoughts。
Yetwhentheopportunitywasgivenmeonemorningofsettlingthisfactbeyondalldoubt，Iownthatmymainfeelingwasoneofdread。Ifearedtoseethisarticleinmycreeddestroyed，lestI
shouldloseconfidenceinthewhole。Yetconsciencebademefacethematterboldly，forhadInotboastedtomyselfthatmyonedesirewasthetruth？
IalludetothedispositionwhichMissGreyshowedonthemorningofthethirddaytodoalittlesurreptitiouswriting。Yourememberthataspecimenofherhandwritinghadbeenaskedforbytheinspector，andoncehadbeenearnestlydesiredbymyself。NowIseemedlikelytohaveit，ifIdidnotopenmyeyestoowidelytothemeaningofherseeminglychancerequests。Alittlepencildangledattheendofmywatch-chain。WouldIletherseeit，letherholditinherhandforaminute？itwassolikeonesheusedtohave。OfcourseItookitoff，ofcourseIletherretainitalittlewhileinherhand。Butthepencilwasnotenough。Afewminuteslatersheaskedforabooktolookat——Isometimesletherlookatpictures。Butthebookbotheredher——shewouldlookatitlater；wouldIgivehersomethingtomarktheplace——thatpostaloverthere。Igaveherthepostal。SheputitinthebookandI，whounderstoodherthoroughly，wonderedwhatexcuseshewouldnowfindforsendingmeintotheotherroom。Shefoundoneverysoon，andwithaheavily-beatingheartIleftherwiththatpencilandpostal。Asoftlaughfromherlipsdrewmeback。Shewasholdingupthepostal。
\"See！Ihavewrittenalinetohim！Oh，yougood，goodnurse，toletme！Youneedn’tlooksoalarmed。Ithasn’thurtmeonebit。\"
Iknewthatithadnot；knewthatsuchanexertionwaslikelytobemorebeneficialthanhurtfultoher，orIshouldhavefoundsomeexcusefordeterringher。Iendeavoredtomakemyfacemorenatural。AssheseemedtowantmetotakethepostalinmyhandI
drewnearandtookit。
\"Theaddresslooksveryshaky，\"shelaughed。\"Ithinkyouwillhavetoputitinanenvelope。\"
Ilookedatit，——Icouldnothelpit，——hereyewasonme，andI
couldnotevenpreparemymindfortheshockofseeingitlikeortotallyunlikethewritingofthewarning。Itwastotallyunlike；
sodistinctlyunlikethatitwasnolongerpossibletoattributethoselinestoherwhich，accordingtoMr。Durand’sstory，hadcausedMrs。Fairbrothertotakeoffherdiamond。
\"Why，why！\"shecried。\"Youactuallylookpale。Areyouafraidthedoctorwillscoldus？Ithasn’thurtmenearlysomuchaslyinghereandknowingwhathewouldgiveforonewordfromme。\"
\"Youareright，andIamfoolish，\"Iansweredwithallthespiritleftinme。\"Ishouldbeglad——Iamgladthatyouhavewrittenthesewords。Iwillcopytheaddressonanenvelopeandsenditoutinthefirstmail。\"
\"Thankyou，\"shemurmured，givingmebackmypencilwithaslysmile。\"NowIcansleep。Imusthaverosesinmycheekswhenpapacomeshome。\"
Andshebadefairtohaveruddierrosesthanmyself，forconsciencewasworkinghavocinmybreast。ThetheoryIhadbuiltupwithsuchcare，thetheoryIhadpersistedinurgingupontheinspectorinspiteofhisrebuke，wasslowlycrumblingtopiecesinmymindwiththefallingofoneofitsmainpillars。WiththewarningunaccountedforinthemannerIhavestated，therewasaweaknessinmyargumentwhichnothingcouldmakegood。HowcouldItelltheinspector，ifeverIshouldbesohappyorsomiserableastomeethiseyeagain？Humiliatedtothedust，I
couldseenoworthnowinanyoftheargumentsIhadadvanced。I
flewfromoneextremetotheother，andwasimputingperfectprobitytoMr。Greyandanhonorableifmysteriousreasonforallhisacts，whenthedooropenedandhecamein。Instantlymylastdoubtvanished。Ihadnotexpectedhimtoreturnsosoon。
Hewasgladtobeback；thatIcouldsee，buttherewasnoothergladnessinhim。Ihadlookedforsomechangeinhismannerandappearance，——thatis，ifhereturnedatall，——buttheoneIsawwasnotacheerfulone，evenafterhehadapproachedhisdaughter’sbedsideandfoundhergreatlyimproved。Shenoticedthisandscrutinizedhimstrangely。Hedroppedhiseyesandturnedtoleavetheroom，butwasstoppedbyherlovingcry；hecamebackandleanedoverher。
\"Whatisit，father？Youarefatigued，worried——\"
\"No，no，quitewell，\"hehastilyassuredher。\"Butyou！areyouaswellasyouseem？\"
\"Indeed，yes。Iamgainingeveryday。See！see！Ishallsoonbeabletositup。YesterdayIreadafewwords。\"
Hestarted，withasideglanceatmewhichtookinatablenearbyonwhichalittlebookwaslying。
\"Oh，abook？\"
\"Yes，and——andArthur’sletters。\"
Thefatherflushed，liftedhimself，pattedherarmtenderlyandhastenedintoanotherroom。
MissGrey’seyesfollowedhimlongingly，andIheardhergiveutterancetoasoftsigh。Afewhoursbefore，thiswouldhaveconveyedtomysuspiciousminddeepandmysteriousmeanings；butIwasseeingeverythingnowinadifferentlight，andIfoundmyselfnolongerinclinedeithertoexaggerateortomisinterprettheselittlemarksoffilialsolicitude。Tryingtorejoiceoverthepresentconditionofmymind，IwassearchinginthehiddendepthsofmynatureforthepatienceofwhichIstoodinsuchneed，wheneverythoughtandfeelingwereagainthrownintoconfusionbythereceiptofanothercommunicationfromtheinspector，inwhichhestatedthatsomethinghadoccurredtobringtheauthoritiesroundtomywayofthinkingandthatthetestwiththestilettowastobemadeatonce。
Couldtheironyoffategofurther！Idroppedtheletterhalfread，queryingifitweremydutytolettheinspectorknowoftheflawIhaddiscoveredinmyowntheory，beforeIproceededwiththeattemptIhadsuggestedwhenIbelievedinitscompletesoundness。IhadnotsettledthequestionwhenItooktheletterupagain。Re-readingitsopeningsentence，Iwascaughtbytheword\"something。\"Itwasaveryindefiniteone，yetwascapableofcoveringalargefield。Itmustcoveralargefield，oritcouldnothaveproducedsuchachangeinthemindsofthesemen，conservativefromprincipleandinthisinstancefromdiscretion。
Iwouldbesatisfiedwiththatwordsomethingandquitfurtherthinking。Iwaswearyofit。Theinspectorwasnowtakingtheinitiative，andIwassatisfiedtobehissimpleinstrumentandnomore。Arrivedatthisconclusion，however，Ireadtherestoftheletter。Thetestwastogoon，butunderdifferentconditions。Itwasnolongertobemadeatmyowndiscretionandintheup-stairsroom；itwastobemadeatluncheonhourandinMr。Grey’sprivatedining-room，where，ifbyanychanceMr。Greyfoundhimselfoutragedbytheplacingofthisnotoriousweaponbesidehisplate，theblamecouldbelaidonthewaiter，who，mistakinghisdirections，hadplaceditonMr。Grey’stablewhenitwasmeantforInspectorDalzell’s，whowaslunchingintheadjoiningroom。ItwasI，however，whowastodotheplacing。
Withwhatprecautionsandunderwhatcircumstanceswillpresentlyappear。
Fortunately，thehoursetwasverynear。OtherwiseIdonotknowhowIcouldhaveenduredthecontinuedstrainofgazingonmypatient’ssweetface，lookingupatmefromherpillow，withashadowoveritsbeautywhichhadnotbeentherebeforeherfather’sreturn。
Andthatfather！Icouldhearhimpacingthelibraryfloorwitharestlessnessthatstruckmeasbeingstrangelyakintomyowninwardanguishofimpatienceanddoubt。Whatwashedreading？
WhatwasitIhadseendarkeninghisfaceanddisturbinghismanner，whenfromtimetotimehepushedopenthecommunicatingdoorandcastananxiousglanceourway，onlytowithdrawagainwithoututteringaword。Didherealizethatacrisiswasapproaching，thatdangermenacedhim，andfromme？No，notthelatter，forhisglanceneverstrayedtome，butrestedsolelyonhisdaughter。Iwas，therefore，notconnectedwiththedisturbanceinhisthoughts。AsfarasthatwasconcernedIcouldproceedfearlessly；Ihadnothimtodread，onlytheevent。ThatIdiddread，asanyonemustwhosawMissGrey’sfaceduringthesepainfulmomentsandheardthatrestlesstrampintheroombeyond。
Atlastthehourstruck，——thehouratwhichMr。Greyalwaysdescendedtolunch。Hewaspunctualityitself，andunderordinarycircumstancesIcoulddependuponhisleavingtheroomwithinfiveminutesofthestrokeofone。Butwouldhebeaspromptto-day？Washeinthemoodforluncheon？Wouldhegodownstairsatall？Yes，forthetramp，trampstopped；Iheardhimapproachinghisdaughter’sdoorforalastlookinandmanagedtoescapejustintimetoprocurewhatIwantedandreachtheroombelowbeforehecame。
Myopportunitywasshort，butIhadtimetoseetwothings：
first，thatthelocationofhisseathadbeenchangedsothathisbackwastothedoorleadingintotheadjoiningroom；secondly，thatthisdoorwasajar。Theusualwaiterwasintheroomandshowednosurpriseatmyappearance，IhavingbeencarefultohaveitunderstoodthathereafterMissGrey’sappetitewastobeencouragedbyhavinghersoupservedfromherfather’stablebyherfather’sownhands，andthatIshouldbetheretoreceiveit。
\"Mr。Greyiscoming，\"saidI，approachingthewaiterandhandinghimthestilettolooselywrappedintissuepaper。\"Willyoubekindenoughtoplacethisathisplate，justasitis？AmangaveittomeforMr。Grey；saidweweretoplaceitthere。\"
Thewaiter，suspectingnothing，didashewasbidden，andIhadhardlytimetocatchupthetrayladenwithdishes，whichIsawawaitingmeonaside-table，whenMr。Greycameinandwasusheredtohisseat。
Thesoupwasnotthere，butIadvancedwithmytrayandstoodwaiting；nottoonear，lesttheviolentbeatingofmyheartshouldbetrayme。AsIdidsothewaiterdisappearedandthedoorbehindusopened。ThoughMr。Grey’seyehadfallenonthepackage，andIsawhimstart，Idartedoneglanceattheroomthusdisclosed，andsawthatitheldtwotables。Atone，theinspectorandsomeoneIdidnotknowsateating；attheotheramanalone，whosebackwastousall，andwhoseeminglywasentirelydisconnectedwiththeinterestsofthistragicmoment。
AllthisIsawinaninstant，——thenextmyeyeswerefixedonMr。
Grey’sface。
HehadreachedouthishandtothepackageandhisfeaturesshowedanemotionIhardlyunderstood。
\"What’sthis？\"hemurmured，feelingitwithwonder，Ishouldalmostsayanger。Suddenlyhepulledoffthewrapper，andmyheartstoodstillinexpectancy。Ifhequailed——andhowcouldhehelpdoingsoifguilty——whatadoubtwouldberemovedfrommyownbreast，whatanimpedimentfrompoliceaction！Buthedidnotquail；hesimplyutteredanexclamationofintenseanger，andlaidtheweaponbackonthetablewithouteventakingtheprecautionofcoveringitup。Ithinkhemutteredanoath，buttherewasnofearinit，notaparticle。
Mydisappointmentwassogreat，myhumiliationsounbounded，that，forgettingmyselfinmydismay，Istaggeredbackandletthetraywithallitscontentsslipfrommyhands。ThecrashthatfollowedstoppedMr。Greyintheactofrising。Butitdidsomethingmore。ItawokeacryfromtheadjoiningroomwhichI
shallneverforget。Whilewebothstartedandturnedtoseefromwhomthisgrievoussoundhadsprung，amancamestumblingtowarduswithhishandsbeforehiseyesandthisnamewildonhislips：
\"Grizel！Grizel！\"
Mrs。Fairbrother’sname！andtheman——
XXII
GUILT
WasheWellgood？Sears？Who？Aloverofthewomancertainly；thatwasborneinonusbythepassionofhiscry：
\"Grizel！Grizel！\"
Buthowhere？andwhysuchfuryinMr。Grey’sfaceandsuchamazementinthatoftheinspector？
Thisquestionwasnottobeansweredoffhand。Mr。Grey，advancing，laidafingerontheman’sshoulder。\"Come，\"saidhe，\"wewillhaveourconversationinanotherroom。\"
Theman，who，indressandappearancelookedoddlyoutofplaceinthosegorgeousrooms，shookoffthestuporintowhichhehadfallenandstartedtofollowtheEnglishman。Awaitercrossedtheirtrackwiththesoupforourtable。Mr。Greymotionedhimaside。
\"Takethatback，\"saidhe。\"IhavesomebusinesstotransactwiththisgentlemanbeforeIeat。I’llringwhenIwantyou。\"
ThentheyenteredwhereIwas。AsthedoorclosedIcaughtsightoftheinspector’sfaceturnedearnestlytowardme。InhiseyesI
readmyduty，andgirdedupmyheart，asitwere，tomeet——what？
Inthatmomentitwasimpossibletotell。
Thenextenlightenedme。Withatotalignoringofmypresence，dueprobablytohisgreatexcitement，Mr。Greyturnedonhiscompanionthemomenthehadclosedthedoorand，seizinghimbythecollar，cried：
\"Fairbrother，youvillain，whyhaveyoucalledonyourwifelikethis？Areyoumurdereraswellasthief？\"
Fairbrother！thisman？ThenwhowashewhowasbeingnursedbacktolifeonthemountainsbeyondSantaFe？Sears？Anythingseemedpossibleinthatmoment。
Meanwhile，droppinghishandfromtheother’sthroatassuddenlyashehadseizedit，Mr。Greycaughtupthestilettofromthetablewherehehadflungit，crying：\"Doyourecognizethis？\"
Ah，thenIsawguilt！
Inasilenceworsethananycry，thisso-calledhusbandofthemurderedwoman，themanonwhomnosuspicionhadfallen，themanwhomallhadthoughtathousandmilesawayatthetimeofthedeed，staredattheweaponthrustunderhiseyes，whileoverhisfacepassedallthoseexpressionsoffear，abhorrenceanddetectedguiltwhich，foolthatIwas，IhadexpectedtoseereflectedinresponsetothesametestinMr。Grey’sequablecountenance。
Thesurpriseandwonderofitheldmechainedtothespot。Iwasinastateofstupefaction，sothatIscarcelynotedthebrokenfragmentsatmyfeet。Buttheintrudernoticedthem。WrenchinghisgazefromthestilettowhichMr。Greycontinuedtoholdout，hepointedtothebrokencupandsaucer，muttering：
\"Thatiswhatstartledmeintothisbetrayal——thenoiseofbreakingchina。Icannotbearitsince——\"
Hestopped，bithislipandlookedaroundhimwithanairofsuddenbravado。
\"Sinceyoudroppedthecupsatyourwife’sfeetinMr。Ramsdell’salcove，\"finishedMr。Greywithadmirableself-possession。
\"Iseethatexplanationsfrommyselfarenotinorder，\"wasthegrimretort，launchedwiththebitterestsarcasm。Thenasthefullweightofhispositioncrushedinonhim，hisfaceassumedanaspectstartlingtomyunaccustomedeyes，and，thrustinghishandintohispockethedrewforthasmallboxwhichheplacedinMr。Grey’shands。
\"TheGreatMogul，\"hedeclaredsimply。
ItwasthefirsttimeIhadheardthisdiamondsonamed。
Withoutawordthatgentlemanopenedthebox，tookonelookatthecontents，assumedasatisfiedair，andcarefullydepositedtherecoveredgeminhisownpocket。Ashiseyesreturnedtothemanbeforehim，allthepassionofthelatterburstforth。
\"ItwasnotforthatIkilledher！\"criedhe。\"Itwasbecauseshedefiedmeandflauntedherdisobedienceinmyveryface。Iwoulddoitagain，yet——\"
Herehisvoicebrokeanditwasinadifferenttoneandwithatotalchangeofmannerheadded：\"Youstandappalledatmydepravity。Youhavenotlivedmylife。\"Thenquicklyandwithatouchofsullenness：\"Yoususpectedmebecauseofthestiletto。
Itwasamistake，usingthatstiletto。Otherwise，theplanwasgood。IdoubtifyouknownowhowIfoundmywayintothealcove，possiblyunderyourveryeyes；certainly，undertheeyesofmanywhoknewme。\"
\"Idonot。Itisenoughthatyouenteredit；thatyouconfessyourguilt。\"
HereMr。Greystretchedhishandtowardtheelectricbutton。
\"No，itisnotenough。\"Thetonewasfierce，authoritative。\"Donotringthebell，notyet。IhaveafancytotellyouhowI
managedthatlittleaffair。\"
Glancingabout，hecaughtupfromanear-bytableasmallbrasstray。Emptyingitofitscontents，heturnedonuswithdrawn-downfeaturesandanobsequiousairsoopposedtohisnaturalmannerthatitwasasifanothermanstoodbeforeus。
\"Pardonmyblacktie，\"hemuttered，holdingoutthetraytowardMr。Grey。
Wellgood！
Theroomturnedwithme。Itwashe，then，thegreatfinancier，themultimillionaire，thehusbandofthemagnificentGrizel，whohadenteredMr。Ramsdell’shouseasawaiter！
Mr。Greydidnotshowsurprise，buthemadeagesture，wheninstantlythetraywasthrownasideandthemanresumedhisordinaryaspect。
\"Iseeyouunderstandme，\"hecried。\"Iwhohaveplayedhostatmanyaball，passedmyselfoffthatnightasoneofthewaiters。
Icameandwentandnoonenoticedme。Itissuchanaturalsighttoseeawaiterpassingicesthatmygoinginandoutofthealcovedidnotattracttheleastattention。IneverlookatwaiterswhenIattendballs。Ineverlookhigherthantheirtrays。Noonelookedatmehigherthanmytray。IheldthestilettounderthetrayandwhenIstruckhershethrewupherhandsandtheyhitthetrayandthecupsfell。Ihaveneverbeenabletobearthesoundofbreakingchinasince。Ilovedher——\"
Agaspandherecoveredhimself。
\"Thatisneitherherenorthere，\"hemuttered。\"Yousummonedmeunderthreattopresentmyselfatyourdoorto-day。Ihavedoneso。Imeanttorestoreyouyourdiamond，simply。Ithasbecomeworthlesstome。Butfateexactedmore。Surpriseforcedmysecretfromme。Thatyoungladywithherdamnableawkwardnesshasputmyheadinanoose。Butdonotthinktoholditthere。Ididnotriskthisinterviewwithoutprecautions，Iassureyou，andwhenI
leavethishotelitwillbeasafreeman。\"
Withoneofhisrapidchanges，wonderfulandinexplicabletomeatthemoment，heturnedtowardmewithabow，sayingcourteouslyenough：
\"Wewillexcusetheyounglady。\"
Nextmomentthebarrelofapistolgleamedinhishand。
Themomentwascritical。Mr。Greystooddirectlyinthelineoffire，andtheaudaciousmanwhothusheldhimathismercywasscarcelyafootfromthedoorleadingintothehall。Markingthedesperationofhislookandthesteadinessofhisfingeronthetrigger，IexpectedtoseeMr。Greyrecoilandthemanescape。