beincludedinthefalseaccusation？Inthedazedstateofmyfacultiesatthattime，Iwasquiteincapableofseekingtheanswertothesequestions。Mymindwascloudedallover，andI
gaveuptheattempttoclearitindespair。
IwasbroughtbeforeMr。RobertNicholsonthatday，andthefiendofaquadroonwasexaminedinmypresence。Thefirstsightofherface，withitswickedself—possession，withitssmoothleeringtriumph，sosickenedmethatIturnedmyheadawayandneverlookedatherasecondtimethroughouttheproceedings。Theanswersshegaveamountedtoamererepetitionofthedepositiontowhichshehadalreadysworn。Ilistenedtoherwiththemostbreathlessattention，andwasthunderstruckattheinconceivableartfulnesswithwhichshehadmixeduptruthandfalsehoodinherchargeagainstmymistressandme。
Thiswas，insubstance，whatshenowstatedinmypresence：
AfterdescribingthemannerofMr。JamesSmith’sarrivalattheHall，thewitness，JosephineDurand，confessedthatshehadbeenledtolistenatthemusic—roomdoorbyhearingangryvoicesinside，andshethendescribed，trulyenough，thelatterpartofthealtercationbetweenhusbandandwife。Fearing，afterthis，thatsomethingseriousmighthappen，shehadkeptwatchinherroom，whichwasonthesamefloorashermistress’s。Shehadheardhermistress’sdooropensoftlybetweenoneandtwointhemorning——hadfollowedhermistress，whocarriedasmalllamp，alongthepassageanddownthestairsintothehall——hadhiddenherselfintheporter’schair——hadseenhermistresstakeadaggerinagreensheathfromacollectionofEasterncuriositieskeptinthehall——hadfollowedheragain，andseenhersoftlyentertheRedRoom——hadheardtheheavybreathingofMr。JamesSmith，whichgavetokenthathewasasleep——hadslippedintoanemptyroom，nextdoortotheRedRoam，andhadwaitedthereaboutaquarterofanhour，whenhermistresscameoutagainwiththedaggerinherhand——hadfollowedhermistressagainintothehall，whereshehadputthedaggerbackintoitsplace——hadseenhermistressturnintoasidepassagethatledtomyroom——hadheardherknockatmydoor，andheardmeanswerandopenit——hadhiddenagainintheporter’schair——had，afterawhile，seenmeandmymistresspasstogetherintothepassagethatledtotheRedRoom——hadwatchedusbothintotheRedRoom——andhadthen，throughfearofbeingdiscoveredandmurderedherself，ifsheriskeddetectionanylonger，stolenbacktoherownroomfortherestofthenight。
Afterdeposingonoathtothetruthoftheseatrociousfalsehoods，anddeclaring，inconclusion，thatMr。JamesSmithhadbeenmurderedbymymistress，andthatIwasanaccomplice，thequadroonhadfurtherasserted，inordertoshowamotiveforthecrime，thatMr。Meekewasmymistress’slover；thathehadbeenforbiddenthehousebyherhusband，andthathewasfoundinthehouse，andalonewithher，ontheeveningofMr。JamesSmith’sreturn。Hereagainthereweresomegrainsoftruthcunninglymixedupwitharevoltinglie，andtheyhadtheireffectingivingtothefalsehoodalookofprobability。
IwascautionedintheusualmannerandaskedifIhadanythingtosay。
IrepliedthatIwasinnocent，butthatIwouldwaitforlegalassistancebeforeIdefendedmyself。Thejusticeremandedmeandtheexaminationwasover。Threedayslatermyunhappymistresswassubjectedtothesametrial。Iwasnotallowedtocommunicatewithher。AllIknewwasthatthelawyerhadarrivedfromLondontohelpher。Towardtheeveninghewasadmittedtoseeme。HeshookhisheadsorrowfullywhenIaskedaftermymistress。
\"Iamafraid，\"hesaid，\"thatshehassunkunderthehorrorofthesituationinwhichthatvilewomanhasplacedher。Weakenedbyherpreviousagitation，sheseemstohavegivenwayunderthislastshock，tenderlyandcarefullyasMr。PhilipNicholsonbrokethebadnewstoher。Allherfeelingsappearedtobestrangelybluntedattheexaminationto—day。Sheansweredthequestionsputtoherquitecorrectly，butatthesametimequitemechanically，withnochangeinhercomplexion，orinhertoneofvoice，orinhermanner，frombeginningtoend。Itisasadthing，William，whenwomencannotgettheirnaturalventofweeping，andyourmistresshasnotshedatearsincesheleftDarrockHall。\"
\"Butsurely，sir，\"Isaid，\"ifmyexaminationhasnotprovedJosephine’sperjury，mymistress’sexaminationmusthaveexposedit？\"
\"Nothingwillexposeit，\"answeredthelawyer，\"butproducingMr。
JamesSmith，or，atleast，legallyprovingthatheisalive。
Morallyspeaking，Ihavenodoubtthatthejusticebeforewhomyouhavebeenexaminedisasfirmlyconvincedaswecanbethatthequadroonhasperjuredherself。Morallyspeaking，hebelievesthatthosethreatswhichyourmistressunfortunatelyusedreferred（asshesaidtheydidto—day）toherintentionofleavingtheHallearlyinthemorning，withyouforherattendant，andcomingtome，ifshehadbeenwellenoughtotravel，toseekeffectuallegalprotectionfromherhusbandforthefuture。Mr。Nicholsonbelievesthat；andI，whoknowmoreofthecircumstancesthanhedoes，believealsothatMr。JamesSmithstoleawayfromDarrockHallinthenightunderfearofbeingindictedforbigamy。ButifIcan’tfindhim——ifIcan’tprovehimtobealive——ifIcan’taccountforthosespotsofbloodonthenight—gown，theaccidentalcircumstancesofthecaseremainunexplained——yourmistress’srashlanguage，thebadtermsonwhichshehaslivedwithherhusband，andherunluckydisregardofappearancesinkeepingupherintercoursewithMr。Meeke，alltelldeadagainstus——andthejusticehasnoalternative，inalegalpointofview，buttoremandyouboth，ashehasnowdone，fortheproductionoffurtherevidence。\"
\"Buthow，then，inHeaven’sname，isourinnocencetobeproved，sir？\"Iasked。
\"Inthefirstplace，\"saidthelawyer，\"byfindingMr。JamesSmith；and，inthesecondplace，bypersuadinghim，whenheisfound，tocomeforwardanddeclarehimself。\"
\"Doyoureallybelieve，sir，\"saidI，\"thathewouldhesitatetodothat，whenheknowsthehorriblechargetowhichhisdisappearancehasexposedhiswife？Heisaheartlessvillain，I
know；butsurely——\"
\"Idon’tsuppose，\"saidthelawyer，cuttingmeshort，\"thatheisquitescoundrelenoughtodeclinecomingforward，supposingherannoriskbydoingso。Butrememberthathehasplacedhimselfinapositiontobetriedforbigamy，andthathebelievesyourmistresswillputthelawinforceagainsthim。\"
Ihadforgottenthatcircumstance。Myheartsankwithinmewhenitwasrecalledtomymemory，andIcouldsaynothingmore。
\"Itisaveryseriousthing，\"thelawyerwenton——\"itisadownrightoffenseagainstthelawofthelandtomakeanyprivateofferofacompromisetothisman。Knowingwhatweknow，ourdutyasgoodcitizensistogivesuchinformationasmaybringhimtotrial。Itellyouplainlythat，ifIdidnotstandtowardyourmistressinthepositionofarelationaswellasalegaladviser，Ishouldthinktwiceaboutrunningtherisk——theveryseriousrisk——onwhichIamnowabouttoventureforhersake。Asitis，IhavetakentherightmeasurestoassureMr。JamesSmiththathewillnotbetreatedaccordingtohisdeserts。Whenheknowswhatthecircumstancesare，hewilltrustus——supposingalwaysthatwecanfindhim。Thesearchaboutthisneighborhoodhasbeenquiteuseless。Ihavesentprivateinstructionsbyto—day’sposttoMr。DarkinLondon，andwiththemacarefully—wordedformofadvertisementforthepublicnewspapers。
Youmayrestassuredthateveryhumanmeansoftracinghimwillbetriedforthwith。Inthemeantime，IhaveanimportantquestiontoputtoyouaboutJosephine。Shemayknowmorethanwethinkshedoes；shemayhavesurprisedthesecretofthesecondmarriage，andmaybekeepingitinreservetouseagainstus。Ifthisshouldturnouttobethecase，Ishallwantsomeotherchanceagainstherbesidesthechanceofindictingherforperjury。Astohermotivenowformakingthishorribleaccusation，whatcanyoutellmeaboutthat，William？\"
\"Hermotiveagainstme，sir？\"
\"No，no，notagainstyou。Icanseeplainlyenoughthatsheaccusesyoubecauseitisnecessarytodosotoaddtotheprobabilityofherstory，which，ofcourse，assumesthatyouhelpedyourmistresstodisposeofthedeadbody。Youarecoollysacrificedtosomedevilishvengeanceagainsthermistress。Letusgetatthatfirst。
Hasthereeverbeenaquarrelbetweenthem？\"
Itoldhimofthequarrel，andofhowJosephinehadlookedandtalkedwhensheshowedmehercheek。
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"thatisastrongmotiveforrevengewithanaturallypitiless，vindictivewoman。Butisthatall？Hadyourmistressanyholdoverher？Isthereanyself—interestmixedupalongwiththismotiveofvengeance？Thinkalittle，William。Hasanythingeverhappenedinthehousetocompromisethiswoman，ortomakeherfancyherselfcompromised？\"
Theremembranceofmymistress’slosttrinketsandhandkerchiefs，whichlaterandgreatertroubleshadputoutofmymind，flashedbackintomymemorywhilehespoke。Itoldhimimmediatelyofthealarminthehousewhenthelosswasdiscovered。
\"DidyourmistresssuspectJosephineandquestionher？\"heasked，eagerly。
\"No，sir，\"Ireplied。\"Beforeshecouldsayaword，Josephineimpudentlyaskedwhoshesuspected，andboldlyofferedherownboxestobesearched。\"
Thelawyer’sfaceturnedredasscarlet。Hejumpedoutofhischair，andhitmesuchasmackontheshoulderthatIthoughthehadgonemad。
\"ByJupiter！\"hecriedout，\"wehavegotthewhip—handofthatshe—devilatlast。\"
Ilookedathiminastonishment。
\"Why，manalive，\"hesaid，\"don’tyouseehowitis？Josephine’sthethief！IamassureofitasthatyouandIaretalkingtogether。Thisvileaccusationagainstyourmistressanswersanotherpurposebesidesthevindictiveone——itistheverybestscreenthatthewretchcouldpossiblysetuptohideherselffromdetection。Ithasstoppedyourmistressandyoufrommovinginthematter；itexhibitsherinthefalsecharacterofanhonestwitnessagainstacoupleofcriminals；itgiveshertimetodisposeofthegoods，ortohidethem，ortodoanythingshelikeswiththem。Stop！letmebequitesurethatIknowwhatthelostthingsare。Apairofbracelets，threerings，andalotoflacepocket—handkerchiefs——isthatwhatyousaid？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Yourmistresswilldescribethemparticularly，andIwilltaketherightstepsthefirstthingto—morrowmorning。Good—evening，William，andkeepupyourspirits。Itshan’tbemyfaultifyoudon’tsoonseethequadroonintherightplaceforher——attheprisoner’sbar。\"
Withthatfarewellhewentout。
Thedayspassed，andIdidnotseehimagainuntiltheperiodofmyremandhadexpired。Onthisoccasion，whenIoncemoreappearedbeforethejustice，mymistressappearedwithme。Thefirstsightofherabsolutelystartledme，shewassosadlyaltered。Herfacelookedsopinchedandthinthatitwaslikethefaceofanoldwoman。Thedull，vacantresignationofherexpressionwassomethingshockingtosee。Itchangedalittlewhenhereyesfirstturnedheavilytowardme，andshewhispered，withafaintsmile，\"Iamsorryforyou，William——Iamvery，verysorryforyou。\"Butassoonasshehadsaidthosewordstheblanklookreturned，andshesatwithherheaddroopingforward，quiet，andinattentive，andhopeless——sochangedabeingthatheroldestfriendswouldhardlyhaveknownher。
Ourexaminationwasamereformality。Therewasnoadditionalevidenceeitherfororagainstus，andwewereremandedagainforanotherweek。
Iaskedthelawyer，privately，ifanychancehadoffereditselfoftracingMr。JamesSmith。Helookedmysterious，andonlysaidinanswer，\"Hopeforthebest。\"IinquirednextifanyprogresshadbeenmadetowardfixingtheguiltoftherobberyonJosephine。
\"Ineverboast，\"hereplied。\"But，cunningassheis，IshouldnotbesurprisedifMr。DarkandI，together，turnedouttobemorethanamatchforher。\"
Mr。Dark！Therewassomethinginthemerementionofhisnamethatgavemeconfidenceinthefuture。IfIcouldonlyhavegotmypoormistress’ssad，dazedfaceoutofmymind，Ishouldnothavehadmuchdepressionofspiritstocomplainofduringtheintervaloftimethatelapsedbetweenthesecondexaminationandthethird。
CHAPTERVI。
ONthethirdappearanceofmymistressandmyselfbeforethejustice，InoticedsomefacesintheroomwhichIhadnotseentherebefore。Greatlytomyastonishment——forthepreviousexaminationshadbeenconductedasprivatelyaspossible——I
remarkedthepresenceoftwooftheservantsfromtheHall，andofthreeorfourofthetenantsontheDarrockestate，wholivednearesttothehouse。Theyallsattogetherononesideofthejustice—room。Oppositetothemandcloseatthesideofadoor，stoodmyoldacquaintance，Mr。Dark，withhisbigsnuff—box，hisjollyface，andhiswinkingeye。Henoddedtome，whenIlookedathim，asjauntilyasifweweremeetingatapartyofpleasure。
Thequadroonwoman，whohadbeensummonedtotheexamination，hadachairplacedoppositetothewitness—box，andinalinewiththeseatoccupiedbymypoormistress，whoselooks，asIwasgrievedtosee，werenotalteredforthebetter。ThelawyerfromLondonwaswithher，andIstoodbehindherchair。
Wewereallquietlydisposedintheroominthisway，whenthejustice，Mr。RobertNicholson，cameinwithhisbrother。Itmighthavebeenonlyfancy，butIthoughtIcouldseeinboththeirfacesthatsomethingremarkablehadhappenedsincewehadmetatthelastexamination。
ThedepositionofJosephineDurandwasreadoverbytheclerk，andshewasaskedifshehadanythingtoaddtoit。Sherepliedinthenegative。Thejusticethenappealedtomymistress’srelation，thelawyer，toknowifhecouldproduceanyevidencerelatingtothechargeagainsthisclients。
\"Ihaveevidence，\"answeredthelawyer，gettingbrisklyonhislegs，\"whichIbelieve，sir，willjustifymeinaskingfortheirdischarge。\"
\"Whereareyourwitnesses？\"inquiredthejustice，lookinghardatJosephinewhilehespoke。
\"Oneofthemisinwaiting，yourworship，\"saidMr。Dark，openingthedoornearwhichhewasstanding。
Hewentoutoftheroom，remainedawayaboutaminute，andreturnedwithhiswitnessathisheels。
Myheartgaveaboundasifitwouldjumpoutofmybody。There，withhislonghaircutshort，andhisbushywhiskersshavedoff——there，inhisownproperperson，safeandsoundasever，wasMr。JamesSmith！
Thequadroon’sironnatureresistedtheshockofhisunexpectedpresenceonthescenewithasteadinessthatwasnothingshortofmarvelous。Herthinlipsclosedtogetherconvulsively，andtherewasaslightmovementinthemusclesofherthroat。Butnotaword，notasignbetrayedher。Eventheyellowtingeofhercomplexionremainedunchanged。
\"Itisnotnecessary，sir，thatIshouldwastetimeandwordsinreferringtothewickedandpreposterouschargeagainstmyclients，\"saidthelawyer，addressingMr。RobertNicholson。\"Theonesufficientjustificationfordischargingthemimmediatelyisbeforeyouatthismomentinthepersonofthatgentleman。There，sir，standsthemurderedMr。JamesSmith，ofDarrockHall，aliveandwell，toanswerforhimself。\"
\"Thatisnottheman！\"criedJosephine，hershrillvoicejustashigh，clear，andsteadyasever，\"Idenouncethatmanasanimpostor。Ofmyownknowledge，IdenythatheisMr。JamesSmith。\"
\"Nodoubtyoudo，\"saidthelawyer；\"butwewillprovehisidentityforallthat。\"
ThefirstwitnesscalledwasMr。PhilipNicholson。HecouldswearthathehadseenMr。JamesSmith，andspokentohimatleastadozentimes。ThepersonnowbeforehimwasMr。JamesSmith，alteredastopersonalappearancebyhavinghishaircutshortandhiswhiskersshavedoff，butstillunmistakablythemanheassumedtobe。
\"Conspiracy！\"interruptedtheprisoner，hissingthewordoutviciouslybetweenherteeth。
\"Ifyouarenotsilent，\"saidMr。RobertNicholson，\"youwillberemovedfromtheroom。Itwillsoonermeettheendsofjustice，\"
hewenton，addressingthelawyer，\"ifyouprovethequestionofidentitybywitnesseswhohavebeeninhabitsofdailycommunicationwithMr。JamesSmith。\"
Uponthis，oneoftheservantsfromtheHallwasplacedinthebox。
Thealterationinhismaster’sappearanceevidentlypuzzledtheman。Besidestheperplexingchangealreadyadvertedto，therewasalsoachangeinMr。JamesSmith’sexpressionandmanner。Rascalashewas，Imustdohimthejusticetosaythathelookedstartledandashamedwhenhefirstcaughtsightofhisunfortunatewife。Theservant，whowasusedtobeeyedtyrannicallybyhim，andorderedaboutroughly，seeinghimnowforthefirsttimeabashedandsilent，stammeredandhesitatedonbeingaskedtosweartohisidentity。
\"Icanhardlysayforcertain，sir，\"saidtheman，addressingthejusticeinabewilderedmanner。\"Heislikemymaster，andyetheisn’t。Ifheworewhiskersandhadhishairlong，andifhewas，sayingyourpresence，sir，alittlemoreroughandreadyinhisway，Icouldsweartohimanywherewithasafeconscience。\"
Fortunatelyforus，atthismomentMr。JamesSmith’sfeelingofuneasinessatthesituationinwhichhewasplacedchangedtoafeelingofirritationatbeingcoollysurveyedandthenstupidlydoubtedinthematterofhisidentitybyoneofhisownservants。
\"Can’tyousayinplainwords，youidiot，whetheryouknowmeorwhetheryoudon’t？\"hecalledout，angrily。
\"That’shisvoice！\"criedtheservant，startinginthebox。
\"Whiskersornowhiskers，that’shim！\"
\"Ifthere’sanydifficulty，yourworship，aboutthegentleman’shair，\"saidMr。Dark，comingforwardwithagrin，\"here’sasmallparcelwhich，Imaymakesoboldastosay，willremoveit。\"
Sayingthat，heopenedtheparcel，tooksomelocksofhairoutofit，andheldthemupclosetoMr。JamesSmith’shead。\"Aprettygoodmatch，yourworship，\"continuedMr。Dark。\"Ihavenodoubtthegentleman’sheadfeelscoolernowit’soff。Wecan’tputthewhiskerson，I’mafraid，buttheymatchthehair；andtheyareinthepaper（ifonemaysaysuchathingofwhiskers）tospeakforthemselves。\"
\"Lies！lies！lies！\"screamedJosephine，losingherwickedself—controlatthisstageoftheproceedings。
Thejusticemadeasigntotwooftheconstablespresentassheburstoutwiththoseexclamations，andthemenremovedhertoanadjoiningroom。
ThesecondservantfromtheHallwasthenputinthebox，andwasfollowedbyoneofthetenants。Afterwhattheyhadheardandseen，neitherofthesemenhadanyhesitationinswearingpositivelytotheirmaster’sidentity。
\"Itisquiteunnecessary，\"saidthejustice，assoonastheboxwasemptyagain，\"toexamineanymorewitnessesastothequestionofidentity。Allthelegalformalitiesareaccomplished，andthechargeagainsttheprisonersfallstotheground。Ihavegreatpleasureinorderingtheimmediatedischargeofboththeaccusedpersons，andindeclaringfromthisplacethattheyleavethecourtwithouttheslighteststainontheircharacters。\"
Hebowedlowtomymistressashesaidthat，pausedamoment，andthenlookedinquiringlyatMr。JamesSmith。
\"Ihavehithertoabstainedfrommakinganyremarkunconnectedwiththeimmediatematterinhand，\"hewenton。\"But，nowthatmydutyisdone，IcannotleavethischairwithoutexpressingmystrongsenseofdisapprobationoftheconductofMr。JamesSmith——conductwhich，whatevermaybethemotivesthatoccasionedit，hasgivenafalsecolorofprobabilitytoamosthorriblechargeagainstaladyofunspottedreputation，andagainstapersoninalowerrankoflifewhosegoodcharacteroughtnottohavebeenimperiledevenforamoment。Mr。SmithmayormaynotchoosetoexplainhismysteriousdisappearancefromDarrockHall，andtheequallyunaccountablechangewhichhehaschosentomakeinhispersonalappearance。Thereisnolegalchargeagainsthim；
but，speakingmorally，IshouldbeunworthyoftheplaceIholdifIhesitatedtodeclaremypresentconvictionthathisconducthasbeendeceitful，inconsiderate，andunfeelinginthehighestdegree。\"
TothissharpreprimandMr。JamesSmith（evidentlytutoredbeforehandastowhathewastosay）repliedthat，inattendingbeforethejustice，hewishedtoperformaplaindutyandtokeephimselfstrictlywithintheletterofthelaw。Heapprehendedthattheonlylegalobligationlaidonhimwastoattendinthatcourttodeclarehimself，andtoenablecompetentwitnessestoprovehisidentity。Thisdutyaccomplished，hehadmerelytoaddthathepreferredsubmittingtoareprimandfromthebenchtoenteringintoexplanationswhichwouldinvolvethedisclosureofdomesticcircumstancesofaveryunhappynature。Afterthatbriefreplyhehadnothingfurthertosay，andhewouldrespectfullyrequestthejustice’spermissiontowithdraw。
Thepermissionwasaccorded。Ashecrossedtheroomhestoppednearhiswife，andsaid，confusedly，inaverylowtone：
\"Ihavedoneyoumanyinjuries，butIneverintendedthis。Iamsorryforit。HaveyouanythingtosaytomebeforeIgo？\"
Mymistressshudderedandhidherface。Hewaitedamoment，and，findingthatshedidnotanswerhim，bowedhisheadpolitelyandwentout。Ididnotknowitthen，butIhadseenhimforthelasttime。
Afterhehadgone，thelawyer，addressingMr。RobertNicholson，saidthathehadanapplicationtomakeinreferencetothewomanJosephineDurand。
Atthementionofthatnamemymistresshurriedlywhisperedafewwordsintoherrelation’sear。HelookedtowardMr。PhilipNicholson，whoimmediatelyadvanced，offeredhisarmtomymistress，andledherout。Iwasabouttofollow，whenMr。Darkstoppedme，andbeggedthatIwouldwaitafewminuteslonger，inordertogivemyselfthepleasureofseeing\"theendofthecase。\"
Inthemeantime，thejusticehadpronouncedthenecessaryordertohavethequadroonbroughtback。Shecamein，asboldandconfidentasever。Mr。RobertNicholsonlookedawayfromherindisgustandsaidtothelawyer：
\"Yourapplicationistohavehercommittedforperjury，ofcourse？\"
\"Forperjury？\"saidJosephine，withherwickedsmile。\"Verygood。
IshallexplainsomelittlemattersthatIhavenotexplainedbefore。YouthinkIamquiteatyourmercynow？Bah！Ishallmakemyselfathorninyoursidesyet。\"
\"Shehasgotscentofthesecondmarriage，\"whisperedMr。Darktome。
Therecouldbenodoubtofit。ShehadevidentlybeenlisteningatthedooronthenightwhenmymastercamebacklongerthanI
hadsupposed。Shemusthaveheardthosewordsabout\"thenewwife\"——shemightevenhaveseentheeffectofthemonMr。JamesSmith。
\"WedonotatpresentproposetochargeJosephineDurandwithperjury，\"saidthelawyer，\"butwithanotheroffense，forwhichitisimportanttotryherimmediately，inordertoeffecttherestorationofpropertythathasbeenstolen。Ichargeherwithstealingfromhermistress，whileinherserviceatDarrockHall，apairofbracelets，threerings，andadozenandahalfoflacepocket—handkerchiefs。Thearticlesinquestionweretakenthismorningfrombetweenthemattressesofherbed；andaletterwasfoundinthesameplacewhichclearlyprovesthatshehadrepresentedthepropertyasbelongingtoherself，andthatshehadtriedtodisposeofittoapurchaserinLondon。\"Whilehewasspeaking，Mr。Darkproducedthejewelry，thehandkerchiefsandtheletter，andlaidthembeforethejustice。
EvenJosephine’sextraordinarypowersofself—controlnowgavewayatlast。Atthefirstwordsoftheunexpectedchargeagainsthershestruckherhandstogetherviolently，gnashedhersharpwhiteteeth，andburstoutwithatorrentoffierce—soundingwordsinsomeforeignlanguage，themeaningofwhichIdidnotunderstandthenandcannotexplainnow。
\"Ithinkthat’scheckmateformarmzelle，\"whisperedMr。Dark，withhisinvariablewink。\"SupposeyougobacktotheHall，now，William，anddrawajugofthatveryremarkableoldaleofyours？
I’llbeafteryouinfiveminutes，assoonasthechargeismadeout。\"
IcouldhardlyrealizeitwhenIfoundmyselfwalkingbacktoDarrockafreemanagain。