Suchwasthetrueaccountofmymaster’sinfamousconductinScotlandasitwasrelatedtome。Onconcluding，Mr。Darkhintedthathehadsomethingstilllefttotellme，butdeclaredthathewastoosleepytotalkanymorethatnight。Assoonaswewereawakethenextmorninghereturnedtothesubject。
\"Ididn’tfinishallIhadtosaylastnight，didI？\"hebegan。
Youunfortunatelytoldmeenough，andmorethanenough，toprovethetruthofthestatementintheanonymousletter，\"Ianswered。
\"Yes，\"saysMr。Dark，\"butdidItellyouwhowrotetheanonymousletter？\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosaythatyouhavefoundthatout！\"saysI。
\"IthinkIhave，\"wasthecoolanswer。\"WhenIheardaboutyourpreciousmasterpayingofftheregularcrewoftheyachtIputthecircumstancebyinmymind，tobebroughtoutagainandsiftedalittleassoonastheopportunityoffered。Itofferedinabouthalfanhour。SaysItothegauger，whowastheprincipaltalkerintheroom：’HowaboutthosementhatMr。Smithpaidoff？
Didtheyallgoassoonastheygottheirmoney，ordidtheystopheretilltheyhadspenteveryfarthingofitinthepublic—houses？’Thegaugerlaughs。’Nosuchluck，’sayshe，inthebroadestpossibleScotch（whichItranslateintoEnglish，William，foryourbenefit）；’nosuchluck；theyallwentsouth，tospendtheirmoneyamongfinerpeoplethanus——all，thatistosay，withoneexception。Itwasthoughtthestewardoftheyachthadgonealongwiththerest，when，theverydayMr。SmithsailedfortheMediterranean，whoshouldturnupunexpectedlybutthestewardhimself！Wherehehadbeenhiding，andwhyhehadbeenhiding，nobodycouldtell。’’Perhapshehadbeenimitatinghismaster，andlookingoutforawife，’saysI。’Likelyenough，’
saysthegauger；’hegaveaveryconfusedaccountofhimself，andhecutallquestionsshortbygoingawaysouthinaviolenthurry。’Thatwasenoughforme：Iletthesubjectdrop。Clearasdaylight，isn’tit，William？Thestewardsuspectedsomethingwrong——thestewardwaitedandwatched——thestewardwrotethatanonymouslettertoyourmistress。Wecanfindhim，ifwewanthim，byinquiringatCowes；
andwecansendtothechurchforlegalevidenceofthemarriageassoonasweareinstructedtodoso。Allthatwehavegottodonowistogobacktoyourmistress，andseewhatcourseshemeanstotakeunderthecircumstances。It’saprettycase，William，sofar——anuncommonlyprettycase，asitstandsatpresent。\"
WereturnedtoDarrockHallasfastascoachesandpost—horsescouldcarryus。
Havingfromthefirstbelievedthatthestatementintheanonymousletterwastrue，mymistressreceivedthebadnewswebroughtcalmlyandresignedly——sofar，atleast，asoutwardappearanceswent。SheastonishedanddisappointedMr。Darkbydecliningtoactinanywayontheinformationthathehadcollectedforher，andbyinsistingthatthewholeaffairshouldstillbeburiedintheprofoundestsecrecy。ForthefirsttimesinceIhadknownmytravelingcompanion，hebecamedepressedinspiritsonhearingthatnothingmorewastobedone，and，althoughhelefttheHallwithahandsomepresent，heleftitdiscontentedly。
\"Suchaprettycase，William，\"sayshe，quitesorrowfully，asweshookhands——\"suchanuncommonlyprettycase——it’sathousandpitiestostopit，inthisway，beforeit’shalfover！\"
\"Youdon’tknowwhataproudladyandwhatadelicateladymymistressis，\"Ianswered。\"Shewoulddieratherthanexposeherforlornsituationinapubliccourtforthesakeofpunishingherhusband。\"
\"Blessyoursimpleheart！\"saysMr。Dark，\"doyoureallythink，now，thatsuchacaseasthiscanbehushedup？\"
\"Whynot，\"Iasked，\"ifweallkeepthesecret？\"
\"Thatforthesecret！\"criesMr。Dark，snappinghisfingers。
\"Yourmasterwillletthecatoutofthebag，ifnobodyelsedoes。\"
\"Mymaster！\"Irepeated，inamazement。
\"Yes，yourmaster！\"saysMr。Dark。\"Ihavehadsomeexperienceinmytime，andIsayyouhavenotseenthelastofhimyet。Markmywords，William，Mr。JamesSmithwillcomeback。\"
Withthatprophecy，Mr。Darkfretfullytreatedhimselftoalastpinchofsnuff，anddepartedindudgeononhisjourneybacktohismasterinLondon。Hislastwordshungheavilyonmymindfordaysafterhehadgone。ItwassomeweeksbeforeIgotoverahabitofstartingwheneverthebellwasrungatthefrontdoor。
CHAPTERIV。
OURlifeattheHallsoonreturnedtoitsold，drearycourse。ThelawyerinLondonwrotetomymistresstoaskhertocomeandstayforalittlewhilewithhiswife；butshedeclinedtheinvitation，beingaversetofacingcompanyafterwhathadhappenedtoher。Thoughshetriedhardtokeeptherealstateofhermindconcealedfromallabouther，I，forone，couldseeplainlyenoughthatshewaspiningunderthebitterinjurythathadbeeninflictedonher。WhateffectcontinuedsolitudemighthavehadonherspiritsItrembletothink。
Fortunatelyforherself，itoccurredtoher，beforelong，tosendandinviteMr。MeeketoresumehismusicalpracticingwithherattheHall。Shetoldhim——and，asitseemedtome，withperfecttruth——thatanyimpliedengagementwhichhehadmadewithMr。
JamesSmithwasnowcanceled，sincethepersonsonamedhadmorallyforfeitedallhisclaimsasahusband，first，byhisdesertionofher，and，secondly，byhiscriminalmarriagewithanotherwoman。Afterstatingthisviewofthematter，sheleftittoMr。Meeketodecidewhethertheperfectlyinnocentconnectionbetweenthemshouldberesumedornot。Thelittleparson，afterhesitatingandponderinginhishelplessway，endedbyagreeingwithmymistress，andbycomingbackoncemoretotheHallwithhisfiddleunderhisarm。Thisrenewaloftheiroldhabitsmighthavebeenimprudentenough，astendingtoweakenmymistress’scaseintheeyesoftheworld，but，forallthat，itwasthemostsensiblecourseshecouldtakeforherownsake。TheharmlesscompanyofMr。Meeke，andthereliefofplayingtheoldtunesagainintheoldway，savedher，Iverilybelieve，fromsinkingaltogetherundertheoppressionoftheshockingsituationinwhichshewasnowplaced。
So，withtheassistanceofMr。Meekeandhisfiddle，mymistressgotthoughthewearytime。Thewinterpassed，thespringcame，andnofreshtidingsreachedusofMr。JamesSmith。Ithadbeenalong，hardwinterthatyear，andthespringwasbackwardandrainy。ThefirstreallyfinedaywehadwasthedaythatfellonthefourteenthofMarch。
Iamparticularinmentioningthisdatemerelybecauseitisfixedforeverinmymemory。AslongasthereislifeinmeI
shallrememberthatfourteenthofMarch，andthesmallestcircumstancesconnectedwithit。
Thedaybeganill，withwhatsuperstitiouspeoplewouldthinkabadomen。Mymistressremainedlateinherroominthemorning，amusingherselfbylookingoverherclothes，andbysettingtorightssomedrawersinhercabinetwhichshehadnotopenedforsometimepast。Justbeforeluncheonwewerestartledbyhearingthedrawing—roombellrungviolently。Iranuptoseewhatwasthematter，andthequadroon，Josephine，whohadheardthebellinanotherpartofthehouse，hastenedtoansweritalso。Shegotintothedrawing—roomfirst，andIfollowedcloseonherheels。
Mymistresswasstandingaloneonthehearth—rug，withanappearanceofgreatdiscomposureinherfaceandmanner。
\"Ihavebeenrobbed！\"shesaid，vehemently，\"Idon’tknowwhenorhow；butImissapairofbracelets，threerings，andaquantityofold—fashionedlacepocket—handkerchiefs。\"
\"Ifyouhaveanysuspicions，ma’am，\"saidJosephine，inasharp，suddenway，\"saywhotheypointat。Myboxes，forone，arequiteatyourdisposal。\"
\"Whoaskedaboutyourboxes？\"saidmymistress，angrily。\"Bealittlelessreadywithyouranswer，ifyouplease，thenexttimeIspeak。\"
Shethenturnedtome，andbeganexplainingthecircumstancesunderwhichshehaddiscoveredherloss。Isuggestedthatthemissingthingsshouldbewellsearchedforfirst，andthen，ifnothingcameofthat，thatIshouldgofortheconstable，andplacethematterunderhisdirection。
Mymistressagreedtothisplan，andthesearchwasundertakenimmediately。Itlastedtilldinner—time，andledtonoresults。I
thenproposedgoingfortheconstable。Butmymistresssaiditwastoolatetodoanythingthatday，andtoldmetowaitattableasusual，andtogoonmyerrandthefirstthingthenextmorning。Mr。Meekewascomingwithsomenewmusicintheevening，andIsuspectshewasnotwillingtobedisturbedatherfavoriteoccupationbythearrivaloftheconstable。
Whendinnerwasovertheparsoncame，andtheconcertwentonasusualthroughtheevening。Atteno’clockItookupthetray，withthewine，andsoda—water，andbiscuits。JustasIwasopeningoneofthebottlesofsoda—water，therewasasoundofwheelsonthedriveoutside，andaringatthebell。
Ihadunfastenedthewiresofthecork，andcouldnotputthebottledowntorunatoncetothedoor。Oneofthefemaleservantsansweredit。Iheardasortofhalfscream——thenthesoundofafootstepthatwasfamiliartome。
Mymistressturnedroundfromthepiano，andlookedmehardintheface。
\"William，\"shesaid，\"doyouknowthatstep？\"BeforeIcouldanswerthedoorwaspushedopen，andMr。JamesSmithwalkedintotheroom。
Hehadhishaton。Hislonghairfloweddownunderitoverthecollarofhiscoat；hisbrightblackeyes，afterrestinganinstantonmymistress，turnedtoMr。Meeke。Hisheavyeyebrowsmettogether，andoneofhishandswentuptooneofhisbushyblackwhiskers，andpulledatitangrily。
\"Youhereagain！\"hesaid，advancingafewstepstowardthelittleparson，whosattremblingallover，withhisfiddlehuggedupinhisarmsasifithadbeenachild。
Seeinghervillainoushusbandadvance，mymistressmoved，too，soastofacehim。Heturnedroundonheratthefirststepshetook，asquickaslightning。
\"Youshamelesswoman！\"hesaid。\"Canyoulookmeinthefaceinthepresenceofthatman？\"Hepointed，ashespoke，toMr。Meeke。
Mymistressnevershrankwhenheturneduponher。Notasignoffearwasinherfacewhentheyconfrontedeachother。Notthefaintestflushofangercameintohercheekswhenhespoke。Thesenseoftheinsultandinjurythathehadinflictedonher，andtheconsciousnessofknowinghisguiltysecret，gaveherallherself—possessionatthattryingmoment。
\"Iaskyouagain，\"herepeated，findingthatshedidnotanswerhim，\"howdareyoulookmeinthefaceinthepresenceofthatman？\"
Sheraisedhersteadyeyestohishat，whichhestillkeptonhishead。
\"Whohastaughtyoutocomeintoaroomandspeaktoaladywithyourhaton？\"sheasked，inquiet，contemptuoustones。\"Isthatahabitwhichissanctionedby_yournewwife？_\"
Myeyeswereonhimasshesaidthoselastwords。Hiscomplexion，naturallydarkandswarthy，changedinstantlytoalividyellowwhite；hishandcaughtatthechairnearesttohim，andhedroppedintoitheavily。
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"hesaid，afteramomentofsilence，lookingabouttheroomunsteadilywhilehespoke。
\"Youdo，\"saidmymistress。\"Yourtonguelies，butyourfacespeaksthetruth。\"
Hecalledbackhiscourageandaudacitybyadesperateeffort，andstartedupfromthechairagainwithanoath。
TheinstantbeforethishappenedIthoughtIheardthesoundofarustlingdressinthepassageoutside，asifoneofthewomenservantswasstealinguptolistenoutsidethedoor。Ishouldhavegoneatoncetoseewhetherthiswasthecaseornot，butmymasterstoppedmejustafterhehadrisenfromthechair。
\"GetthebedmadeintheRedRoom，andlightafiretheredirectly，\"hesaid，withhisfiercestlookandinhisroughesttones。\"WhenIringthebell，bringmeakettleofboilingwaterandabottleofbrandy。Asforyou，\"hecontinued，turningtowardMr。Meeke，whostillsatpaleandspeechlesswithhisfiddlehuggedupinhisarms，\"leavethehouse，oryouwon’tfindyourclothanyprotectiontoyou。\"
Atthisinsultthebloodflewintomymistress’sface。Beforeshecouldsayanything，Mr。JamesSmithraisedhisvoiceloudenoughtodrownhers。
\"Iwon’thearanotherwordfromyou，\"hecriedout，brutally。
\"Youhavebeentalkinglikeamadwoman，andyoulooklikeamadwoman。Youareoutofyoursenses。Assureasyoulive，I’llhaveyouexaminedbythedoctorsto—morrow。Whythedevildoyoustandthere，youscoundrel？\"heroared，wheelingroundonhisheeltome。\"Whydon’tyouobeymyorders？\"
Ilookedatmymistress。IfshehaddirectedmetoknockMr。
JamesSmithdown，bigashewas，IthinkatthatmomentIcouldhavedoneit。
\"Doashetellsyou，William，\"shesaid，squeezingoneofherhandsfirmlyoverherbosom，asifshewastryingtokeepdowntherisingindignationinthatway。\"ThisisthelastorderofhisgivingthatIshallaskyoutoobey。\"
\"Doyouthreatenme，youmad——\"
HefinishedthequestionbyawordIshallnotrepeat。
\"Itellyou，\"sheanswered，inclear，ringing，resolutetones，\"thatyouhaveoutragedmepastallforgivenessandallendurance，andthatyoushallneverinsultmeagainasyouhaveinsultedmeto—night。\"
Aftersayingthosewordsshefixedonesteadylookonhim，thenturnedawayandwalkedslowlytothedoor。
AminutepreviouslyMr。Meekehadsummonedcourageenoughtogetupandleavetheroomquietly。Inoticedhimwalkingdemurelyaway，closetothewall，withhisfiddleheldunderonetailofhislongfrock—coat，asifhewasafraidthatthesavagepassionsofMr。JamesSmithmightbewreakedonthatunoffendinginstrument。Hegottothedoorbeforemymistress。Ashesoftlypulleditopen，Isawhimstart，andtherustlingofthegowncaughtmyearagainfromtheoutside。
Mymistressfollowedhimintothepassage，turning，however，intheoppositedirectiontothattakenbythelittleparson，inordertoreachthestaircasethatledtoherownroom。Iwentoutnext，leavingMr。JamesSmithalone。
IovertookMr。Meekeinthehall，andopenedthedoorforhim。
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir，\"Isaid，\"butdidyoucomeuponanybodylisteningoutsidethemusic—roomwhenyouleftitjustnow？\"
\"Yes，William，\"saidMr。Meeke，inafaintvoice，\"IthinkitwasJosephine；butIwassodreadfullyagitatedthatIcan’tbequitecertainaboutit。\"
Hadshesurprisedoursecret？ThatwasthequestionIaskedmyselfasIwentawaytolightthefireintheRedRoom。CallingtomindtheexacttimeatwhichIhadfirstdetectedtherustlingoutsidethedoor，Icametotheconclusionthatshehadonlyheardthelastpartofthequarrelbetweenmymistressandherrascalofahusband。Thoseboldwordsaboutthe\"newwife\"hadbeenassuredlyspokenbeforeIheardJosephinestealinguptothedoor。
Assoonasthefirewasalightandthebedmade，Iwentbacktothemusic—roomtoannouncethatmyordershadbeenobeyed。Mr。
JamesSmithwaswalkingupanddowninaperturbedway，stillkeepinghishaton。HefollowedmetotheRedRoomwithoutsayingaword。
Tenminuteslaterherangforthekettleandthebottleofbrandy。WhenItooktheminIfoundhimunpackingasmallcarpet—bag，whichwastheonlyluggagehehadbroughtwithhim。
Hestillkeptsilence，anddidnotappeartotakeanynoticeofme。Ilefthimimmediatelywithoutourhavingsomuchasexchangedasingleword。
SofarasIcouldtell，thenightpassedquietly。ThenextmorningIheardthatmymistresswassufferingsoseverelyfromanervousattackthatshewasunabletorisefromherbed。Itwasnosurprisetometobetoldthat，knowingasIdidwhatshehadgonethroughthenightbefore。
Aboutnineo’clockIwentwiththehotwatertotheRedRoom。
AfterknockingtwiceItriedthedoor，and，findingitnotlocked，wentinwiththejuginmyhand。
Ilookedatthebed——Ilookedallroundtheroom。NotasignofMr。JamesSmithwastobeseenanywhere。
Judgingbyappearances，thebedhadcertainlybeenoccupied。
Thrownacrossthecounterpanelaythenightgownhehadworn。I
tookitupandsawsomespotsonit。Ilookedatthemalittlecloser。Theywerespotsofblood。
CHAPTERV。
THEfirstamazementandalarmproducedbythisdiscoverydeprivedmeofmypresenceofmind。WithoutstoppingtothinkwhatIoughttodofirst，Iranbacktotheservants’hall，callingoutthatsomethinghadhappenedtomymaster。
AllthehouseholdhurrieddirectlyintotheRedRoom，Josephineamongtherest。Iwasfirstbroughttomysenses，asitwere，byobservingthestrangeexpressionofhercountenancewhenshesawthebed—gownandtheemptyroom。Alltheotherservantswerebewilderedandfrightened。Shealone，aftergivingalittlestart，recoveredherselfdirectly。Alookofdevilishsatisfactionbrokeoutonherface，andshelefttheroomquicklyandquietly，withoutexchangingawordwithanyofus。Isawthis，anditarousedmysuspicions。Thereisnoneedtomentionwhattheywere，for，aseventssoonshowed，theywereentirelywideofthemark。
Havingcometomyselfalittle，Isentthemalloutoftheroomexceptthecoachman。Wetwothenexaminedtheplace。
TheRedRoomwasusuallyoccupiedbyvisitors。Itwasonthegroundfloor，andlookedoutintothegarden。Wefoundthewindow—shutters，whichIhadbarredovernight，open，butthewindowitselfwasdown。Thefirehadbeenoutlongenoughforthegratetobequitecold。Halfthebottleofbrandyhadbeendrunk。
Thecarpet—bagwasgone。Therewerenomarksofviolenceorstrugglinganywhereaboutthebedortheroom。Weexaminedeverycornercarefully，butmadenootherdiscoveriesthanthese。
WhenIreturnedtotheservants’hall，badnewsofmymistresswasawaitingmethere。Theunusualnoiseandconfusioninthehousehadreachedherears，andshehadbeentoldwhathadhappenedwithoutsufficientcautionbeingexercisedinpreparinghertohearit。Inherweak，nervousstate，theshockoftheintelligencehadquiteprostratedher。Shehadfallenintoaswoon，andhadbeenbroughtbacktohersenseswiththegreatestdifficulty。Astogivingmeoranybodyelsedirectionswhattodoundertheembarrassingcircumstanceswhichhadnowoccurred，shewastotallyincapableoftheeffort。
Iwaitedtillthemiddleoftheday，inthehopethatshemightgetstrongenoughtogiveherorders；butnomessagecamefromher。AtlastIresolvedtosendandaskherwhatshethoughtitbesttodo。Josephinewastheproperpersontogoonthiserrand；
butwhenIaskedforJosephine，shewasnowheretobefound。Thehousemaid，whohadsearchedforherineffectually，broughtwordthatherbonnetandshawlwerenothangingintheirusualplaces。
Theparlor—maid，whohadbeeninattendanceinmymistress’sroom，camedownwhilewewereallaghastatthisnewdisappearance。ShecouldonlytellusthatJosephinehadbeggedhertodolady’s—maid’sdutythatmorning，asshewasnotwell。
Notwell！Andthefirstresultofherillnessappearedtobethatshehadleftthehouse！
Icautionedtheservantsonnoaccounttomentionthiscircumstancetomymistress，andthenwentupstairsmyselftoknockatherdoor。MyobjectwastoaskifImightcountonherapprovalifIwroteinhernametothelawyerinLondon，andifI
afterwardwentandgaveinformationofwhathadoccurredtothenearestjusticeofthepeace。Imighthavesenttomakethisinquirythroughoneofthefemaleservants；butbythistime，thoughnotnaturallysuspicious，Ihadgottodistrusteverybodyinthehouse，whethertheydeserveditornot。
SoIaskedthequestionmyself，standingoutsidethedoor。Mymistressthankedmeinafaintvoice，andbeggedmetodowhatI
hadproposedimmediately。
Iwentintomyownbedroomandwrotetothelawyer，merelytellinghimthatMr。JamesSmithhadappearedunexpectedlyattheHall，andthateventshadoccurredinconsequencewhichrequiredhisimmediatepresence。Imadetheletteruplikeaparcel，andsentthecoachmanwithittocatchthemailonitswaythroughtoLondon。
Thenextthingwastogotothejusticeofthepeace。Thenearestlivedaboutfivemilesoff，andwaswellacquaintedwithmymistress。Hewasanoldbachelor，andhekepthousewithhisbrother，whowasawidower。Thetwoweremuchrespectedandbelovedinthecounty，beingkind，unaffectedgentlemen，whodidagreatdealofgoodamongthepoor。ThejusticewasMr。RobertNicholson，andhisbrother，thewidower，wasMr。Philip。
Ihadgotmyhaton，andwasaskingthegroomwhichhorseIhadbettertake，whenanopencarriagedroveuptothehouse。ItcontainedMr。PhilipNicholsonandtwopersonsinplainclothes，notexactlyservantsandnotexactlygentlemen，asfarasIcouldjudge。Mr。Philiplookedatme，whenItouchedmyhattohim，inaverygrave，downcastway，andaskedformymistress。Itoldhimshewasillinbed。Heshookhisheadathearingthat，andsaidhewishedtospeaktomeinprivate。Ishowedhimintothelibrary。Oneofthemeninplainclothesfollowedus，andsatinthehall。Theotherwaitedwiththecarriage。
\"Iwasjustgoingout，sir，\"Isaid，asIsetachairforhim，\"tospeaktoMr。RobertNicholsonaboutaveryextraordinarycircumstance——\"
\"Iknowwhatyoureferto，\"saidMr。Philip，cuttingmeshortratherabruptly；\"andImustbeg，forreasonswhichwillpresentlyappear，thatyouwillmakenostatementofanysorttomeuntilyouhavefirstheardwhatIhavetosay。Iamhereonaveryseriousandaveryshockingerrand，whichdeeplyconcernsyourmistressandyou。\"
Hisfacesuggestedsomethingworsethanhiswordsexpressed。Myheartbegantobeatfast，andIfeltthatIwasturningpale。
\"Yourmaster，Mr。JamesSmith，\"hewenton，\"camehereunexpectedlyyesterdayevening，andsleptinthishouselastnight。Beforeheretiredtorestheandyourmistresshadhighwordstogether，whichended，Iamsorrytohear，inathreatofaseriousnatureaddressedbyMrs。JamesSmithtoherhusband。Theysleptinseparaterooms。Thismorningyouwentintoyourmaster’sroomandsawnosignofhimthere。Youonlyfoundhisnightgownonthebed，spottedwithblood。\"
\"Yes，sir，\"Isaid，inassteadyavoiceasIcouldcommand。
\"Quitetrue。\"
\"Iamnotexaminingyou，\"saidMr。Philip。\"Iamonlymakingacertainstatement，thetruthofwhichyoucanadmitordenybeforemybrother。\"
\"Beforeyourbrother，sir！\"Irepeated。\"AmIsuspectedofanythingwrong？\"
\"ThereisasuspicionthatMr。JamesSmithhasbeenmurdered，\"
wastheanswerIreceivedtothatquestion。
Myfleshbegantocreepalloverfromheadtofoot。
\"Iamshocked——Iamhorrifiedtosay，\"Mr。Philipwenton，\"thatthesuspicionaffectsyourmistressinthefirstplace，andyouinthesecond。\"
IshallnotattempttodescribewhatIfeltwhenhesaidthat。Nowordsofmine，nowordsofanybody’s，couldgiveanideaofit。
WhatothermenwouldhavedoneinmysituationIdon’tknow。I
stoodbeforeMr。Philip，staringstraightathim，withoutspeaking，withoutmoving，almostwithoutbreathing。Ifheoranyothermanhadstruckmeatthatmoment，IdonotbelieveIshouldhavefelttheblow。
\"Bothmybrotherandmyself，\"saidMr。Philip，\"havesuchunfeignedrespectforyourmistress，suchsympathyforherunderthesefrightfulcircumstances，andsuchanimplicitbeliefinhercapabilityofprovingherinnocence，thatwearedesirousofsparingherinthisdreadfulemergencyasmuchaspossible。Forthosereasons，Ihaveundertakentocomeherewiththepersonsappointedtoexecutemybrother’swarrant——\"
\"Warrant，sir！\"Isaid，gettingcommandofmyvoiceashepronouncedthatword——\"awarrantagainstmymistress！\"
\"Againstherandagainstyou，\"saidMr。Philip。\"Thesuspiciouscircumstanceshavebeensworntobyacompetentwitness，whohasdeclaredonoaththatyourmistressisguilty，andthatyouareanaccomplice。\"
\"Whatwitness，sir？\"
\"Yourmistress’squadroonmaid，whocametomybrotherthismorning，andwhohasmadeherdepositionindueform。\"
\"Andwhoisasfalseashell，\"Icriedoutpassionately，\"ineverywordshesaysagainstmymistressandagainstme。\"
\"Ihope——no，Iwillgofurther，andsayIbelievesheisfalse，\"
saidMr。Philip。\"Butherperjurymustheproved，andthenecessaryexaminationmusttakeplace。Mycarriageisgoingbacktomybrother’s，andyouwillgoinit，inchargeofoneofmymen，whohasthewarranttotakeyouincustody。Ishallremainherewiththemanwhoiswaitinginthehall；andbeforeanystepsaretakentoexecutetheotherwarrant，Ishallsendforthedoctortoascertainwhenyourmistresscanberemoved。\"
\"Oh，mypoormistress！\"Isaid，\"thiswillbethedeathofher，sir。\"
\"Iwilltakecarethattheshockshallstrikeherastenderlyaspossible，\"saidMr。Philip。\"Iamhereforthatexpresspurpose。
Shehasmydeepestsympathyandrespect，andshallhaveeveryhelpandalleviationthatIcanaffordher。\"
Thehearinghimsaythat，andtheseeinghowsincerelyhemeantwhathesaid，wasthefirstgleamofcomfortinthedreadfulafflictionthathadbefallenus。Ifeltthis；Ifeltaburningangeragainstthewretchwhohaddoneherbesttoruinmymistress’sfairnameandmine，butineveryotherrespectIwaslikeamanwhohadbeenstunned，andwhosefacultieshadnotperfectlyrecoveredfromtheshock。Mr。Philipwasobligedtoremindmethattimewasofimportance，andthatIhadbettergivemyselfupimmediately，onthemercifultermswhichhiskindnessofferedtome。Iacknowledgedthat，andwishedhimgoodmorning。
ButamistseemedtocomeovermyeyesasIturnedroundtogoaway——amistthatpreventedmefromfindingmywaytothedoor。
Mr。Philipopeneditforme，andsaidafriendlywordortwowhichIcouldhardlyhear。Themanwaitingoutsidetookmetohiscompanioninthecarriageatthedoor，andIwasdrivenaway，aprisonerforthefirsttimeinmylife。
Onourwaytothejustice’s，whatlittlethinkingfacultyIhadleftinmewasalloccupiedintheattempttotraceamotivefortheinconceivabletreacheryandfalsehoodofwhichJosephinehadbeenguilty。
Herwords，herlooks，andhermanner，onthatunfortunatedaywhenmymistresssofarforgetherselfastostrike，her，camebackdimlytomymemory，andledtotheinferencethatpartofthemotive，atleast，ofwhichIwasinsearch，mightbereferredtowhathadhappenedonthatoccasion。Butwasthistheonlyreasonforherdevilishvengeanceagainstmymistress？And，evenifitwereso，whatfanciedinjurieshadIdoneher？WhyshouldI