The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere

at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoe er! "ou may co#y it, gi e it away or re$use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg %icense included with this eBook or online at www!gutenberg!org Title& The Moonstone 'uthor& Wilkie Collins (elease )ate& *anuary +,, ,--. /EBook 0+112 %anguage& English Character set encoding& '3C44 555 3T'(T 67 T843 P(6*ECT G9TE:BE(G EB66; T8E M66:3T6:E 555

Produced by *ohn 8amm and )a id Widger

THE MOONSTONE
A Romance
by Wilkie Collins

Contents
PROLOGUE SECOND PERIOD OURTH NARRATI!E

THE STOR"

IRST NARRATI!E CHAPTER I

I TH NARRATI!E

IRST PERIOD CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER X CHAPTER XI CHAPTER XII CHAPTER XIII CHAPTER XIV CHAPTER XV CHAPTER XVI CHAPTER XVII CHAPTER XVIII CHAPTER XIX

CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI CHAPTER VII CHAPTER VIII

SI#TH NARRATI!E I II III IV V

SE!ENTH NARRATI!E SECOND NARRATI!E CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III EPILOGUE I THIRD NARRATI!E CHAPTER I CHAPTER II CHAPTER III CHAPTER IV CHAPTER V CHAPTER VI II III EIGHTH NARRATI!E

CHAPTER XX

CHAPTER VII

CHAPTER XXI CHAPTER VIII CHAPTER XXII CHAPTER IX CHAPTER XXIII CHAPTER X

PROLOGUE
THE STORMING O SERINGAPATAM $%&''(
Extracted from a Family Paper I address these li es!"ritte i I dia!to my relati#es i E $la d% &y o'(ect is to explai the moti#e "hich has i d)ced me to ref)se the ri$ht ha d of frie dship to my co)si * +oh Her castle% The reser#e "hich I ha#e hitherto mai tai ed i this matter has 'ee misi terpreted 'y mem'ers of my family "hose $ood opi io I ca ot co se t to forfeit% I re,)est them to s)spe d their decisio ) til they ha#e read my arrati#e% A d I declare* o my "ord of ho o)r* that "hat I am o" a'o)t to "rite is* strictly a d literally* the tr)th% The pri#ate differe ce 'et"ee my co)si a d me too- its rise i a $reat p)'lic e#e t i "hich "e "ere 'oth co cer ed!the stormi $ of .eri $apatam* ) der /e eral 0aird* o the 1th of &ay* 1233% I order that the circ)msta ces may 'e clearly ) derstood* I m)st re#ert for a mome t to the period 'efore the assa)lt* a d to the stories c)rre t i o)r camp of the treas)re i (e"els a d $old stored )p i the Palace of .eri $apatam% II 4 e of the "ildest of these stories related to a 5ello" 6iamo d!a famo)s $em i the ati#e a als of I dia% The earliest - o" traditio s descri'e the sto e as ha#i $ 'ee set i the forehead of the fo)r7ha ded I dia $od "ho typifies the &oo % Partly from its pec)liar colo)r* partly from a s)perstitio "hich represe ted it as feeli $ the i fl)e ce of the deity "hom it ador ed* a d $ro"i $ a d lesse i $ i l)stre "ith the "axi $ a d "a i $ of the moo * it first $ai ed the ame 'y "hich it co ti )es to 'e - o" i I dia to this day!the ame of THE &448.T48E% A similar s)perstitio "as o ce pre#ale t* as I ha#e heard* i a cie t /reece a d Rome9 ot applyi $* ho"e#er :as i I dia;* to a diamo d de#oted to the ser#ice of a $od* ')t to a semi7tra spare t sto e of the i ferior order of $ems* s)pposed to 'e affected 'y the l) ar i fl)e ces!the moo * i this latter case also* $i#i $ the ame 'y "hich the sto e is still - o" to collectors i o)r o" time% The ad#e t)res of the 5ello" 6iamo d 'e$i "ith the ele#e th ce t)ry of the Christia era% At that date* the &ohammeda co ,)eror* &ahmo)d of /hi< i* crossed I dia9 sei<ed o the holy city of .om a)th9 a d stripped of its treas)res the famo)s temple* "hich had stood for ce t)ries!the shri e of Hi doo pil$rima$e* a d the "o der of the Easter "orld% 1

4f all the deities "orshipped i the temple* the moo 7$od alo e escaped the rapacity of the co ,)eri $ &ohammeda s% Preser#ed 'y three 0rahmi s* the i #iolate deity* 'eari $ the 5ello" 6iamo d i its forehead* "as remo#ed 'y i$ht* a d "as tra sported to the seco d of the sacred cities of I dia!the city of 0e ares% Here* i a e" shri e!i a hall i laid "ith precio)s sto es* ) der a roof s)pported 'y pillars of $old!the moo 7$od "as set )p a d "orshipped% Here* o the i$ht "he the shri e "as completed* Vish ) the Preser#er appeared to the three 0rahmi s i a dream% The deity 'reathed the 'reath of his di#i ity o the 6iamo d i the forehead of the $od% A d the 0rahmi s - elt a d hid their faces i their ro'es% The deity comma ded that the &oo sto e sho)ld 'e "atched* from that time forth* 'y three priests i t)r * i$ht a d day* to the e d of the $e eratio s of me % A d the 0rahmi s heard* a d 'o"ed 'efore his "ill% The deity predicted certai disaster to the pres)mpt)o)s mortal "ho laid ha ds o the sacred $em* a d to all of his ho)se a d ame "ho recei#ed it after him% A d the 0rahmi s ca)sed the prophecy to 'e "ritte o#er the $ates of the shri e i letters of $old% 4 e a$e follo"ed a other!a d still* $e eratio after $e eratio * the s)ccessors of the three 0rahmi s "atched their priceless &oo sto e* i$ht a d day% 4 e a$e follo"ed a other ) til the first years of the ei$htee th Christia ce t)ry sa" the rei$ of A)r) $<e'e* Emperor of the &o$)ls% At his comma d ha#oc a d rapi e "ere let loose o ce more amo $ the temples of the "orship of 0rahmah% The shri e of the fo)r7ha ded $od "as poll)ted 'y the sla)$hter of sacred a imals9 the ima$es of the deities "ere 'ro-e i pieces9 a d the &oo sto e "as sei<ed 'y a officer of ra - i the army of A)r) $<e'e% Po"erless to reco#er their lost treas)re 'y ope force* the three $)ardia priests follo"ed a d "atched it i dis$)ise% The $e eratio s s)cceeded each other9 the "arrior "ho had committed the sacrile$e perished misera'ly9 the &oo sto e passed :carryi $ its c)rse "ith it; from o e la"less &ohammeda ha d to a other9 a d still* thro)$h all cha ces a d cha $es* the s)ccessors of the three $)ardia priests -ept their "atch* "aiti $ the day "he the "ill of Vish ) the Preser#er sho)ld restore to them their sacred $em% Time rolled o from the first to the last years of the ei$htee th Christia ce t)ry% The 6iamo d fell i to the possessio of Tippoo* .)lta of .eri $apatam* "ho ca)sed it to 'e placed as a or ame t i the ha dle of a da$$er* a d "ho comma ded it to 'e -ept amo $ the choicest treas)res of his armo)ry% E#e the !i the palace of the .)lta himself!the three $)ardia priests still -ept their "atch i secret% There "ere three officers of Tippoo=s ho)sehold* stra $ers to the rest* "ho had "o their master=s co fide ce 'y co formi $* or appeari $ to co form* to the &)ss)lma faith9 a d to those three me report poi ted as the three priests i dis$)ise%

>

III .o* as told i o)r camp* ra the fa cif)l story of the &oo sto e% It made o serio)s impressio o a y of )s except my co)si !"hose lo#e of the mar#ello)s i d)ced him to 'elie#e it% 4 the i$ht 'efore the assa)lt o .eri $apatam* he "as a's)rdly a $ry "ith me* a d "ith others* for treati $ the "hole thi $ as a fa'le% A foolish "ra $le follo"ed9 a d Her castle=s ) l)c-y temper $ot the 'etter of him% He declared* i his 'oastf)l "ay* that "e sho)ld see the 6iamo d o his fi $er* if the E $lish army too- .eri $apatam% The sally "as sal)ted 'y a roar of la)$hter* a d there* as "e all tho)$ht that i$ht* the thi $ e ded% ?et me o" ta-e yo) o to the day of the assa)lt% &y co)si a d I "ere separated at the o)tset% I e#er sa" him "he "e forded the ri#er9 "he "e pla ted the E $lish fla$ i the first 'reach9 "he "e crossed the ditch 'eyo d9 a d* fi$hti $ e#ery i ch of o)r "ay* e tered the to" % It "as o ly at d)s-* "he the place "as o)rs* a d after /e eral 0aird himself had fo) d the dead 'ody of Tippoo ) der a heap of the slai * that Her castle a d I met% @e "ere each attached to a party se t o)t 'y the $e eral=s orders to pre#e t the pl) der a d co f)sio "hich follo"ed o)r co ,)est% The camp7follo"ers committed deplora'le excesses9 a d* "orse still* the soldiers fo) d their "ay* 'y a $)arded door* i to the treas)ry of the Palace* a d loaded themsel#es "ith $old a d (e"els% It "as i the co)rt o)tside the treas)ry that my co)si a d I met* to e force the la"s of discipli e o o)r o" soldiers% Her castle=s fiery temper had 'ee * as I co)ld plai ly see* exasperated to a -i d of fre <y 'y the terri'le sla)$hter thro)$h "hich "e had passed% He "as #ery ) fit* i my opi io * to perform the d)ty that had 'ee e tr)sted to him% There "as riot a d co f)sio e o)$h i the treas)ry* ')t o #iole ce that I sa"% The me :if I may )se s)ch a expressio ; dis$raced themsel#es $ood7h)mo)redly% All sorts of ro)$h (ests a d catch"ords "ere 'a died a'o)t amo $ them9 a d the story of the 6iamo d t)r ed )p a$ai ) expectedly* i the form of a mischie#o)s (o-e% A@ho=s $ot the &oo sto eBA "as the rallyi $ cry "hich perpet)ally ca)sed the pl) deri $* as soo as it "as stopped i o e place* to 'rea- o)t i a other% @hile I "as still #ai ly tryi $ to esta'lish order* I heard a fri$htf)l yelli $ o the other side of the co)rtyard* a d at o ce ra to"ards the cries* i dread of fi di $ some e" o)t'rea- of the pilla$e i that directio % I $ot to a ope door* a d sa" the 'odies of t"o I dia s :'y their dress* as I $)essed* officers of the palace; lyi $ across the e tra ce* dead% A cry i side h)rried me i to a room* "hich appeared to ser#e as a armo)ry% A third I dia * mortally "o) ded* "as si -i $ at the feet of a ma "hose 'ac- "as to"ards me% The ma t)r ed at the i sta t "he I came i * a d I sa" +oh Her castle* "ith a torch i o e ha d* a d a da$$er drippi $ "ith 'lood i the other% A sto e* set li-e a pommel* i the e d of the da$$er=s ha dle* flashed i the torchli$ht* as he t)r ed o me* li-e a $leam of fire% The dyi $ I dia sa - to his - ees* poi ted to the da$$er i Her castle=s ha d*

a d said* i his ati#e la $)a$e!AThe &oo sto e "ill ha#e its #e $ea ce yet o yo) a d yo)rsDA He spo-e those "ords* a d fell dead o the floor% 0efore I co)ld stir i the matter* the me "ho had follo"ed me across the co)rtyard cro"ded i % &y co)si r)shed to meet them* li-e a madma % AClear the roomDA he sho)ted to me* Aa d set a $)ard o the doorDA The me fell 'ac- as he thre" himself o them "ith his torch a d his da$$er% I p)t t"o se ti els of my o" compa y* o "hom I co)ld rely* to -eep the door% Thro)$h the remai der of the i$ht* I sa" o more of my co)si % Early i the mor i $* the pl) der still $oi $ o * /e eral 0aird a o) ced p)'licly 'y 'eat of dr)m* that a y thief detected i the fact* 'e he "hom he mi$ht* sho)ld 'e h) $% The pro#ost7marshal "as i atte da ce* to pro#e that the /e eral "as i ear est9 a d i the thro $ that follo"ed the proclamatio * Her castle a d I met a$ai % He held o)t his ha d* as )s)al* a d said* A/ood mor i $%A I "aited 'efore I $a#e him my ha d i ret)r % ATell me first*A I said* Aho" the I dia i the armo)ry met his death* a d "hat those last "ords mea t* "he he poi ted to the da$$er i yo)r ha d%A AThe I dia met his death* as I s)ppose* 'y a mortal "o) d*A said Her castle% A@hat his last "ords mea t I - o" o more tha yo) do%A I loo-ed at him arro"ly% His fre <y of the pre#io)s day had all calmed do" % I determi ed to $i#e him a other cha ce% AIs that all yo) ha#e to tell meBA I as-ed% He a s"ered* AThat is all%A I t)r ed my 'ac- o him9 a d "e ha#e ot spo-e si ce% IV I 'e$ it to 'e ) derstood that "hat I "rite here a'o)t my co)si :) less some ecessity sho)ld arise for ma-i $ it p)'lic; is for the i formatio of the family o ly% Her castle has said othi $ that ca ()stify me i spea-i $ to o)r comma di $ officer% He has 'ee ta) ted more tha o ce a'o)t the 6iamo d* 'y those "ho recollect his a $ry o)t'rea'efore the assa)lt9 ')t* as may easily 'e ima$i ed* his o" remem'ra ce of the circ)msta ces ) der "hich I s)rprised him i the armo)ry has 'ee e o)$h to -eep him sile t% It is reported that he mea s to excha $e i to a other re$ime t* a#o"edly for the p)rpose of separati $ himself from &E%

@hether this 'e tr)e or ot* I ca ot pre#ail )po myself to 'ecome his acc)ser!a d I thi - "ith $ood reaso % If I made the matter p)'lic* I ha#e o e#ide ce ')t moral e#ide ce to 'ri $ for"ard% I ha#e ot o ly o proof that he -illed the t"o me at the door9 I ca ot e#e declare that he -illed the third ma i side!for I ca ot say that my o" eyes sa" the deed committed% It is tr)e that I heard the dyi $ I dia =s "ords9 ')t if those "ords "ere pro o) ced to 'e the ra#i $s of deliri)m* ho" co)ld I co tradict the assertio from my o" - o"led$eB ?et o)r relati#es* o either side* form their o" opi io o "hat I ha#e "ritte * a d decide for themsel#es "hether the a#ersio I o" feel to"ards this ma is "ell or ill fo) ded% Altho)$h I attach o sort of credit to the fa tastic I dia le$e d of the $em* I m)st ac- o"led$e* 'efore I co cl)de* that I am i fl)e ced 'y a certai s)perstitio of my o" i this matter% It is my co #ictio * or my del)sio * o matter "hich* that crime 'ri $s its o" fatality "ith it% I am ot o ly pers)aded of Her castle=s $)ilt9 I am e#e fa cif)l e o)$h to 'elie#e that he "ill li#e to re$ret it* if he -eeps the 6iamo d9 a d that others "ill li#e to re$ret ta-i $ it from him* if he $i#es the 6iamo d a"ay%

THE STOR"

IRST PERIOD
THE LOSS O THE DIAMOND $%)*)(
The e#e ts related 'y /A0RIE? 0ETTERE6/E* ho)se7ste"ard i the ser#ice of +E?IA* ?A65 VERI86ER%

CHAPTER I
I the first part of R40I8.48 CRE.4E* at pa$e o e h) dred a d t"e ty7 i e* yo) "ill fi d it th)s "ritte F A8o" I sa"* tho)$h too late* the Folly of 'e$i i $ a @or- 'efore "e co) t the Cost* a d 'efore "e ()d$e ri$htly of o)r o" .tre $th to $o thro)$h "ith it%A

4 ly yesterday* I ope ed my R40I8.48 CRE.4E at that place% 4 ly this mor i $ :&ay t"e ty7first* Ei$htee h) dred a d fifty;* came my lady=s ephe"* &r% Fra -li 0la-e* a d held a short co #ersatio "ith me* as follo"sF! A0ettered$e*A says &r% Fra -li * AI ha#e 'ee to the la"yer=s a'o)t some family matters9 a d* amo $ other thi $s* "e ha#e 'ee tal-i $ of the loss of the I dia 6iamo d* i my a) t=s ho)se i 5or-shire* t"o years si ce% &r% 0r)ff thi -s as I thi -* that the "hole story o)$ht* i the i terests of tr)th* to 'e placed o record i "riti $!a d the soo er the 'etter%A 8ot percei#i $ his drift yet* a d thi -i $ it al"ays desira'le for the sa-e of peace a d ,)iet ess to 'e o the la"yer=s side* I said I tho)$ht so too% &r% Fra -li "e t o % AI this matter of the 6iamo d*A he said* Athe characters of i oce t people ha#e s)ffered ) der s)spicio already!as yo) - o"% The memories of i oce t people may s)ffer* hereafter* for "a t of a record of the facts to "hich those "ho come after )s ca appeal% There ca 'e o do)'t that this stra $e family story of o)rs o)$ht to 'e told% A d I thi -* 0ettered$e* &r% 0r)ff a d I to$ether ha#e hit o the ri$ht "ay of telli $ it%A Very satisfactory to 'oth of them* o do)'t% 0)t I failed to see "hat I myself had to do "ith it* so far% A@e ha#e certai e#e ts to relate*A &r% Fra -li proceeded9 Aa d "e ha#e certai perso s co cer ed i those e#e ts "ho are capa'le of relati $ them% .tarti $ from these plai facts* the idea is that "e sho)ld all "rite the story of the &oo sto e i t)r !as far as o)r o" perso al experie ce exte ds* a d o farther% @e m)st 'e$i 'y sho"i $ ho" the 6iamo d first fell i to the ha ds of my ) cle Her castle* "he he "as ser#i $ i I dia fifty years si ce% This prefatory arrati#e I ha#e already $ot 'y me i the form of a old family paper* "hich relates the ecessary partic)lars o the a)thority of a eye7"it ess% The ext thi $ to do is to tell ho" the 6iamo d fo) d its "ay i to my a) t=s ho)se i 5or-shire* t"o years a$o* a d ho" it came to 'e lost i little more tha t"el#e ho)rs after"ards% 8o'ody - o"s as m)ch as yo) do* 0ettered$e* a'o)t "hat "e t o i the ho)se at that time% .o yo) m)st ta-e the pe i ha d* a d start the story%A I those terms I "as i formed of "hat my perso al co cer "as "ith the matter of the 6iamo d% If yo) are c)rio)s to - o" "hat co)rse I too- ) der the circ)msta ces* I 'e$ to i form yo) that I did "hat yo) "o)ld pro'a'ly ha#e do e i my place% I modestly declared myself to 'e ,)ite ) e,)al to the tas- imposed )po me!a d I pri#ately felt* all the time* that I "as ,)ite cle#er e o)$h to perform it* if I o ly $a#e my o" a'ilities a fair cha ce% &r% Fra -li * I ima$i e* m)st ha#e see my pri#ate se time ts i my face% He decli ed to 'elie#e i my modesty9 a d he i sisted o $i#i $ my a'ilities a fair cha ce% T"o ho)rs ha#e passed si ce &r% Fra -li left me% As soo as his 'ac- "as t)r ed* I "e t to my "riti $ des- to start the story% There I ha#e sat helpless :i spite of my a'ilities; e#er si ce9 seei $ "hat Ro'i so Cr)soe sa"* as ,)oted a'o#e! amely* the

folly of 'e$i i $ a "or- 'efore "e co) t the cost* a d 'efore "e ()d$e ri$htly of o)r o" stre $th to $o thro)$h "ith it% Please to remem'er* I ope ed the 'oo- 'y accide t* at that 'it* o ly the day 'efore I rashly ) dertoo- the ')si ess o" i ha d9 a d* allo" me to as-!if THAT is =t prophecy* "hat isB I am ot s)perstitio)s9 I ha#e read a heap of 'oo-s i my time9 I am a scholar i my o" "ay% Tho)$h t)r ed se#e ty* I possess a acti#e memory* a d le$s to correspo d% 5o) are ot to ta-e it* if yo) please* as the sayi $ of a i$ ora t ma * "he I express my opi io that s)ch a 'oo- as R40I8.48 CRE.4E e#er "as "ritte * a d e#er "ill 'e "ritte a$ai % I ha#e tried that 'oo- for years!$e erally i com'i atio "ith a pipe of to'acco!a d I ha#e fo) d it my frie d i eed i all the ecessities of this mortal life% @he my spirits are 'ad!R40I8.48 CRE.4E% @he I "a t ad#ice!R40I8.48 CRE.4E% I past times "he my "ife pla$)ed me9 i prese t times "he I ha#e had a drop too m)ch!R40I8.48 CRE.4E% I ha#e "or o)t six sto)t R40I8.48 CRE.4E. "ith hard "or- i my ser#ice% 4 my lady=s last 'irthday she $a#e me a se#e th% I too- a drop too m)ch o the stre $th of it9 a d R40I8.48 CRE.4E p)t me ri$ht a$ai % Price fo)r shilli $s a d sixpe ce* 'o) d i 'l)e* "ith a pict)re i to the 'ar$ai % .till* this do =t loo- m)ch li-e starti $ the story of the 6iamo d!does itB I seem to 'e "a deri $ off i search of ?ord - o"s "hat* ?ord - o"s "here% @e "ill ta-e a e" sheet of paper* if yo) please* a d 'e$i o#er a$ai * "ith my 'est respects to yo)%

CHAPTER II
I spo-e of my lady a li e or t"o 'ac-% 8o" the 6iamo d co)ld e#er ha#e 'ee i o)r ho)se* "here it "as lost* if it had ot 'ee made a prese t of to my lady=s da)$hter9 a d my lady=s da)$hter "o)ld e#er ha#e 'ee i existe ce to ha#e the prese t* if it had ot 'ee for my lady "ho :"ith pai a d tra#ail; prod)ced her i to the "orld% Co se,)e tly* if "e 'e$i "ith my lady* "e are pretty s)re of 'e$i i $ far e o)$h 'ac-% A d that* let me tell yo)* "he yo) ha#e $ot s)ch a (o' as mi e i ha d* is a real comfort at starti $% If yo) - o" a ythi $ of the fashio a'le "orld* yo) ha#e heard tell of the three 'ea)tif)l &iss Her castles% &iss Adelaide9 &iss Caroli e9 a d &iss +)lia!this last 'ei $ the yo) $est a d the 'est of the three sisters* i my opi io 9 a d I had opport) ities of ()d$i $* as yo) shall prese tly see% I "e t i to the ser#ice of the old lord* their father :tha - /od* "e ha#e $ot othi $ to do "ith him* i this ')si ess of the 6iamo d9 he had the lo $est to $)e a d the shortest temper of a y ma * hi$h or lo"* I e#er met "ith;!I say* I "e t i to the ser#ice of the old lord* as pa$e7'oy i "aiti $ o the three ho o)ra'le yo) $ ladies* at the a$e of fiftee years% There I li#ed till &iss +)lia married the late .ir +oh Veri der% A excelle t ma * "ho o ly "a ted some'ody to ma a$e him9 a d* 'et"ee o)rsel#es* he fo) d some'ody to do it9 a d "hat is more* he thro#e o it a d 1H

$re" fat o it* a d li#ed happy a d died easy o it* dati $ from the day "he my lady too- him to ch)rch to 'e married* to the day "he she relie#ed him of his last 'reath* a d closed his eyes for e#er% I ha#e omitted to state that I "e t "ith the 'ride to the 'ride=s h)s'a d=s ho)se a d la ds do" here% A.ir +oh *A she says* AI ca =t do "itho)t /a'riel 0ettered$e%A A&y lady*A says .ir +oh * AI ca =t do "itho)t him* either%A That "as his "ay "ith her!a d that "as ho" I "e t i to his ser#ice% It "as all o e to me "here I "e t* so lo $ as my mistress a d I "ere to$ether% .eei $ that my lady too- a i terest i the o)t7of7door "or-* a d the farms* a d s)ch li-e* I too- a i terest i them too!"ith all the more reaso that I "as a small farmer=s se#e th so myself% &y lady $ot me p)t ) der the 'ailiff* a d I did my 'est* a d $a#e satisfactio * a d $ot promotio accordi $ly% .ome years later* o the &o day as it mi$ht 'e* my lady says* A.ir +oh * yo)r 'ailiff is a st)pid old ma % Pe sio him li'erally* a d let /a'riel 0ettered$e ha#e his place%A 4 the T)esday as it mi$ht 'e* .ir +oh says* A&y lady* the 'ailiff is pe sio ed li'erally9 a d /a'riel 0ettered$e has $ot his place%A 5o) hear more tha e o)$h of married people li#i $ to$ether misera'ly% Here is a example to the co trary% ?et it 'e a "ar i $ to some of yo)* a d a e co)ra$eme t to others% I the mea time* I "ill $o o "ith my story% @ell* there I "as i clo#er* yo) "ill say% Placed i a positio of tr)st a d ho o)r* "ith a little cotta$e of my o" to li#e i * "ith my ro) ds o the estate to occ)py me i the mor i $* a d my acco) ts i the after oo * a d my pipe a d my R40I8.48 CRE.4E i the e#e i $!"hat more co)ld I possi'ly "a t to ma-e me happyB Remem'er "hat Adam "a ted "he he "as alo e i the /arde of Ede 9 a d if yo) do =t 'lame it i Adam* do =t 'lame it i me% The "oma I fixed my eye o * "as the "oma "ho -ept ho)se for me at my cotta$e% Her ame "as .eli a /o'y% I a$ree "ith the late @illiam Co''ett a'o)t pic-i $ a "ife% .ee that she che"s her food "ell a d sets her foot do" firmly o the $ro) d "he she "al-s* a d yo)=re all ri$ht% .eli a /o'y "as all ri$ht i 'oth these respects* "hich "as o e reaso for marryi $ her% I had a other reaso * li-e"ise* e tirely of my o" disco#eri $% .eli a* 'ei $ a si $le "oma * made me pay so m)ch a "ee- for her 'oard a d ser#ices% .eli a* 'ei $ my "ife* co)ld =t char$e for her 'oard* a d "o)ld ha#e to $i#e me her ser#ices for othi $% That "as the poi t of #ie" I loo-ed at it from% Eco omy !"ith a dash of lo#e% I p)t it to my mistress* as i d)ty 'o) d* ()st as I had p)t it to myself% AI ha#e 'ee t)r i $ .eli a /o'y o#er i my mi d*A I said* Aa d I thi -* my lady* it "ill 'e cheaper to marry her tha to -eep her%A &y lady ')rst o)t la)$hi $* a d said she did =t - o" "hich to 'e most shoc-ed at!my la $)a$e or my pri ciples% .ome (o-e tic-led her* I s)ppose* of the sort that yo) ca =t ta-e ) less yo) are a perso of ,)ality% E dersta di $ othi $ myself ')t that I "as free

11

to p)t it ext to .eli a* I "e t a d p)t it accordi $ly% A d "hat did .eli a sayB ?ordD ho" little yo) m)st - o" of "ome * if yo) as- that% 4f co)rse she said* 5es% As my time dre" earer* a d there $ot to 'e tal- of my ha#i $ a e" coat for the ceremo y* my mi d 'e$a to mis$i#e me% I ha#e compared otes "ith other me as to "hat they felt "hile they "ere i my i teresti $ sit)atio 9 a d they ha#e all ac- o"led$ed that* a'o)t a "ee- 'efore it happe ed* they pri#ately "ished themsel#es o)t of it% I "e t a trifle f)rther tha that myself9 I act)ally rose )p* as it "ere* a d tried to $et o)t of it% 8ot for othi $D I "as too ()st a ma to expect she "o)ld let me off for othi $% Compe satio to the "oma "he the ma $ets o)t of it* is o e of the la"s of E $la d% I o'edie ce to the la"s* a d after t)r i $ it o#er caref)lly i my mi d* I offered .eli a /o'y a feather7'ed a d fifty shilli $s to 'e off the 'ar$ai % 5o) "ill hardly 'elie#e it* ')t it is e#ertheless tr)e!she "as fool e o)$h to ref)se% After that it "as all o#er "ith me* of co)rse% I $ot the e" coat as cheap as I co)ld* a d I "e t thro)$h all the rest of it as cheap as I co)ld% @e "ere ot a happy co)ple* a d ot a misera'le co)ple% @e "ere six of o e a d half7a7do<e of the other% Ho" it "as I do =t ) dersta d* ')t "e al"ays seemed to 'e $etti $* "ith the 'est of moti#es* i o e a other=s "ay% @he I "a ted to $o )p7stairs* there "as my "ife comi $ do" 9 or "he my "ife "a ted to $o do" * there "as I comi $ )p% That is married life* accordi $ to my experie ce of it% After fi#e years of mis) dersta di $s o the stairs* it pleased a all7"ise Pro#ide ce to relie#e )s of each other 'y ta-i $ my "ife% I "as left "ith my little $irl Pe elope* a d "ith o other child% .hortly after"ards .ir +oh died* a d my lady "as left "ith her little $irl* &iss Rachel* a d o other child% I ha#e "ritte to #ery poor p)rpose of my lady* if yo) re,)ire to 'e told that my little Pe elope "as ta-e care of* ) der my $ood mistress=s o" eye* a d "as se t to school a d ta)$ht* a d made a sharp $irl* a d promoted* "he old e o)$h* to 'e &iss Rachel=s o" maid% As for me* I "e t o "ith my ')si ess as 'ailiff year after year )p to Christmas 1G12* "he there came a cha $e i my life% 4 that day* my lady i #ited herself to a c)p of tea alo e "ith me i my cotta$e% .he remar-ed that* rec-o i $ from the year "he I started as pa$e7'oy i the time of the old lord* I had 'ee more tha fifty years i her ser#ice* a d she p)t i to my ha ds a 'ea)tif)l "aistcoat of "ool that she had "or-ed herself* to -eep me "arm i the 'itter "i ter "eather% I recei#ed this ma$ ifice t prese t ,)ite at a loss to fi d "ords to tha - my mistress "ith for the ho o)r she had do e me% To my $reat asto ishme t* it t)r ed o)t* ho"e#er* that the "aistcoat "as ot a ho o)r* ')t a 'ri'e% &y lady had disco#ered that I "as $etti $ old 'efore I had disco#ered it myself* a d she had come to my cotta$e to "heedle me :if I may )se s)ch a expressio ; i to $i#i $ )p my hard o)t7of7door "or- as 'ailiff* a d ta-i $ my ease for the rest of my days as ste"ard i the ho)se% I made as $ood a fi$ht of it a$ai st the i di$ ity of ta-i $ my ease as I co)ld% 0)t my mistress - e" the "ea- side of me9 she p)t it as a fa#o)r to herself% The disp)te 'et"ee )s e ded* after that* i my

12

"ipi $ my eyes* li-e a old fool* "ith my e" "oolle "aistcoat* a d sayi $ I "o)ld thi - a'o)t it% The pert)r'atio i my mi d* i re$ard to thi -i $ a'o)t it* 'ei $ tr)ly dreadf)l after my lady had $o e a"ay* I applied the remedy "hich I ha#e e#er yet fo) d to fail me i cases of do)'t a d emer$e cy% I smo-ed a pipe a d too- a t)r at R40I8.48 CRE.4E% 0efore I had occ)pied myself "ith that extraordi ary 'oo- fi#e mi )tes* I came o a comforti $ 'it :pa$e o e h) dred a d fifty7ei$ht;* as follo"sF ATo7day "e lo#e* "hat to7 morro" "e hate%A I sa" my "ay clear directly% To7day I "as all for co ti )i $ to 'e farm7'ailiff9 to7morro"* o the a)thority of R40I8.48 CRE.4E* I sho)ld 'e all the other "ay% Ta-e myself to7morro" "hile i to7morro"=s h)mo)r* a d the thi $ "as do e% &y mi d 'ei $ relie#ed i this ma er* I "e t to sleep that i$ht i the character of ?ady Veri der=s farm 'ailiff* a d I "o-e )p the ext mor i $ i the character of ?ady Veri der=s ho)se7ste"ard% All ,)ite comforta'le* a d all thro)$h R40I8.48 CRE.4ED &y da)$hter Pe elope has ()st loo-ed o#er my sho)lder to see "hat I ha#e do e so far% .he remar-s that it is 'ea)tif)lly "ritte * a d e#ery "ord of it tr)e% 0)t she poi ts o)t o e o'(ectio % .he says "hat I ha#e do e so far is =t i the least "hat I "as "a ted to do% I am as-ed to tell the story of the 6iamo d a d* i stead of that* I ha#e 'ee telli $ the story of my o" self% C)rio)s* a d ,)ite 'eyo d me to acco) t for% I "o der "hether the $e tleme "ho ma-e a ')si ess a d a li#i $ o)t of "riti $ 'oo-s* e#er fi d their o" sel#es $etti $ i the "ay of their s)'(ects* li-e meB If they do* I ca feel for them% I the mea time* here is a other false start* a d more "aste of $ood "riti $7paper% @hat=s to 'e do e o"B 8othi $ that I - o" of* except for yo) to -eep yo)r temper* a d for me to 'e$i it all o#er a$ai for the third time%

CHAPTER III
The ,)estio of ho" I am to start the story properly I ha#e tried to settle i t"o "ays% First* 'y scratchi $ my head* "hich led to othi $% .eco d* 'y co s)lti $ my da)$hter Pe elope* "hich has res)lted i a e tirely e" idea% Pe elope=s otio is that I sho)ld set do" "hat happe ed* re$)larly day 'y day* 'e$i i $ "ith the day "he "e $ot the e"s that &r% Fra -li 0la-e "as expected o a #isit to the ho)se% @he yo) come to fix yo)r memory "ith a date i this "ay* it is "o derf)l "hat yo)r memory "ill pic- )p for yo) )po that comp)lsio % The o ly diffic)lty is to fetch o)t the dates* i the first place% This Pe elope offers to do for me 'y loo-i $ i to her o" diary* "hich she "as ta)$ht to -eep "he she "as at school* a d "hich she has $o e o -eepi $ e#er si ce% I a s"er to a impro#eme t o this otio * de#ised 'y myself* amely* that she sho)ld tell the story i stead of me* o)t of her o" diary* Pe elope o'ser#es* "ith a fierce loo- a d a red face* that her (o)r al is for her o"

13

pri#ate eye* a d that o li#i $ creat)re shall e#er - o" "hat is i it ')t herself% @he I i ,)ire "hat this mea s* Pe elope says* AFiddlestic-sDA I say* ."eethearts% 0e$i i $* the * o Pe elope=s pla * I 'e$ to me tio that I "as specially called o e @ed esday mor i $ i to my lady=s o" sitti $7room* the date 'ei $ the t"e ty7fo)rth of &ay* Ei$htee h) dred a d forty7ei$ht% A/a'riel*A says my lady* Ahere is e"s that "ill s)rprise yo)% Fra -li 0la-e has come 'ac- from a'road% He has 'ee stayi $ "ith his father i ?o do * a d he is comi $ to )s to7morro" to stop till ext mo th* a d -eep Rachel=s 'irthday%A If I had had a hat i my ha d* othi $ ')t respect "o)ld ha#e pre#e ted me from thro"i $ that hat )p to the ceili $% I had ot see &r% Fra -li si ce he "as a 'oy* li#i $ alo $ "ith )s i this ho)se% He "as* o)t of all si$ht :as I remem'er him;* the icest 'oy that e#er sp) a top or 'ro-e a "i do"% &iss Rachel* "ho "as prese t* a d to "hom I made that remar-* o'ser#ed* i ret)r * that .HE remem'ered him as the most atrocio)s tyra t that e#er tort)red a doll* a d the hardest dri#er of a exha)sted little $irl i stri $ har ess that E $la d co)ld prod)ce% AI ')r "ith i di$ atio * a d I ache "ith fati$)e*A "as the "ay &iss Rachel s)mmed it )p* A"he I thi - of Fra -li 0la-e%A Heari $ "hat I o" tell yo)* yo) "ill at)rally as- ho" it "as that &r% Fra -li sho)ld ha#e passed all the years* from the time "he he "as a 'oy to the time "he he "as a ma * o)t of his o" co) try% I a s"er* 'eca)se his father had the misfort) e to 'e ext heir to a 6)-edom* a d ot to 'e a'le to pro#e it% I t"o "ords* this "as ho" the thi $ happe edF &y lady=s eldest sister married the cele'rated &r% 0la-e!e,)ally famo)s for his $reat riches* a d his $reat s)it at la"% Ho" ma y years he "e t o "orryi $ the tri') als of his co) try to t)r o)t the 6)-e i possessio * a d to p)t himself i the 6)-e=s place!ho" ma y la"yer=s p)rses he filled to ')rsti $* a d ho" ma y other"ise harmless people he set 'y the ears to$ether disp)ti $ "hether he "as ri$ht or "ro $!is more 'y a $reat deal tha I ca rec-o )p% His "ife died* a d t"o of his three childre died* 'efore the tri') als co)ld ma-e )p their mi ds to sho" him the door a d ta-e o more of his mo ey% @he it "as all o#er* a d the 6)-e i possessio "as left i possessio * &r% 0la-e disco#ered that the o ly "ay of 'ei $ e#e "ith his co) try for the ma er i "hich it had treated him* "as ot to let his co) try ha#e the ho o)r of ed)cati $ his so % AHo" ca I tr)st my ati#e i stit)tio s*A "as the form i "hich he p)t it* Aafter the "ay i "hich my ati#e i stit)tio s ha#e 'eha#ed to &EBA Add to this* that &r% 0la-e disli-ed all 'oys* his o" i cl)ded* a d yo) "ill admit that it co)ld o ly e d i o e "ay% &aster Fra -li "as ta-e from )s i E $la d* a d "as se t to i stit)tio s "hich his father C4E?6 tr)st* i that s)perior co) try* /erma y9 &r% 0la-e himself* yo) "ill o'ser#e* remai i $ s )$ i E $la d* to impro#e his fello"7co) tryme i the Parliame t Ho)se* a d to p)'lish a stateme t o the s)'(ect of the 6)-e i possessio * "hich has remai ed a ) fi ished stateme t from that day to this%

11

ThereD tha - /od* that=s toldD 8either yo) or I eed tro)'le o)r heads a y more a'o)t &r% 0la-e* se ior% ?ea#e him to the 6)-edom9 a d let yo) a d I stic- to the 6iamo d% The 6iamo d ta-es )s 'ac- to &r% Fra -li * "ho "as the i oce t mea s of 'ri $i $ that ) l)c-y (e"el i to the ho)se% 4)r ice 'oy did =t for$et )s after he "e t a'road% He "rote e#ery o" a d the 9 sometimes to my lady* sometimes to &iss Rachel* a d sometimes to me% @e had had a tra sactio to$ether* 'efore he left* "hich co sisted i his 'orro"i $ of me a 'all of stri $* a fo)r7'laded - ife* a d se#e 7a d7sixpe ce i mo ey!the colo)r of "hich last I ha#e ot see * a d e#er expect to see a$ai % His letters to me chiefly related to 'orro"i $ more% I heard* ho"e#er* from my lady* ho" he $ot o a'road* as he $re" i years a d stat)re% After he had lear t "hat the i stit)tio s of /erma y co)ld teach him* he $a#e the Fre ch a t)r ext* a d the Italia s a t)r after that% They made him amo $ them a sort of ) i#ersal $e i)s* as "ell as I co)ld ) dersta d it% He "rote a little9 he pai ted a little9 he sa $ a d played a d composed a little!'orro"i $* as I s)spect* i all these cases* ()st as he had 'orro"ed from me% His mother=s fort) e :se#e h) dred a year; fell to him "he he came of a$e* a d ra thro)$h him* as it mi$ht 'e thro)$h a sie#e% The more mo ey he had* the more he "a ted9 there "as a hole i &r% Fra -li =s poc-et that othi $ "o)ld se" )p% @here#er he "e t* the li#ely* easy "ay of him made him "elcome% He li#ed here* there* a d e#ery"here9 his address :as he )sed to p)t it himself; 'ei $ APost 4ffice* E)rope!to 'e left till called for%A T"ice o#er* he made )p his mi d to come 'ac- to E $la d a d see )s9 a d t"ice o#er :sa#i $ yo)r prese ce;* some ) me tio a'le "oma stood i the "ay a d stopped him% His third attempt s)cceeded* as yo) - o" already from "hat my lady told me% 4 Th)rsday the t"e ty7 fifth of &ay* "e "ere to see for the first time "hat o)r ice 'oy had $ro" to 'e as a ma % He came of $ood 'lood9 he had a hi$h co)ra$e9 a d he "as fi#e7a d7t"e ty years of a$e* 'y o)r rec-o i $% 8o" yo) - o" as m)ch of &r% Fra -li 0la-e as I did!'efore &r% Fra -li 0la-e came do" to o)r ho)se% The Th)rsday "as as fi e a s)mmer=s day as e#er yo) sa"F a d my lady a d &iss Rachel : ot expecti $ &r% Fra -li till di er7time; dro#e o)t to l) ch "ith some frie ds i the ei$h'o)rhood% @he they "ere $o e* I "e t a d had a loo- at the 'edroom "hich had 'ee $ot ready for o)r $)est* a d sa" that all "as strai$ht% The * 'ei $ ')tler i my lady=s esta'lishme t* as "ell as ste"ard :at my o" partic)lar re,)est* mi d* a d 'eca)se it #exed me to see a y'ody ')t myself i possessio of the -ey of the late .ir +oh =s cellar;!the * I say* I fetched )p some of o)r famo)s ?ato)r claret* a d set it i the "arm s)mmer air to ta-e off the chill 'efore di er% Co cl)di $ to set myself i the "arm s)mmer air ext! seei $ that "hat is $ood for old claret is e,)ally $ood for old a$e!I too- )p my 'eehi#e chair to $o o)t i to the 'ac- co)rt* "he I "as stopped 'y heari $ a so) d li-e the soft 'eati $ of a dr)m* o the terrace i fro t of my lady=s reside ce% /oi $ ro) d to the terrace* I fo) d three maho$a y7colo)red I dia s* i "hite li e froc-s a d tro)sers* loo-i $ )p at the ho)se%

1>

The I dia s* as I sa" o loo-i $ closer* had small ha d7dr)ms sl) $ i fro t of them% 0ehi d them stood a little delicate7loo-i $ li$ht7haired E $lish 'oy carryi $ a 'a$% I ()d$ed the fello"s to 'e strolli $ co ()rors* a d the 'oy "ith the 'a$ to 'e carryi $ the tools of their trade% 4 e of the three* "ho spo-e E $lish a d "ho exhi'ited* I m)st o" * the most ele$a t ma ers* prese tly i formed me that my ()d$me t "as ri$ht% He re,)ested permissio to sho" his tric-s i the prese ce of the lady of the ho)se% 8o" I am ot a so)r old ma % I am $e erally all for am)seme t* a d the last perso i the "orld to distr)st a other perso 'eca)se he happe s to 'e a fe" shades dar-er tha myself% 0)t the 'est of )s ha#e o)r "ea- esses!a d my "ea- ess* "he I - o" a family plate7'as-et to 'e o)t o a pa try7ta'le* is to 'e i sta tly remi ded of that 'as-et 'y the si$ht of a strolli $ stra $er "hose ma ers are s)perior to my o" % I accordi $ly i formed the I dia that the lady of the ho)se "as o)t9 a d I "ar ed him a d his party off the premises% He made me a 'ea)tif)l 'o" i ret)r 9 a d he a d his party "e t off the premises% 4 my side* I ret)r ed to my 'eehi#e chair* a d set myself do" o the s) y side of the co)rt* a d fell :if the tr)th m)st 'e o" ed;* ot exactly i to a sleep* ')t i to the ext 'est thi $ to it% I "as ro)sed )p 'y my da)$hter Pe elope r) i $ o)t at me as if the ho)se "as o fire% @hat do yo) thi - she "a tedB .he "a ted to ha#e the three I dia ()$$lers i sta tly ta-e )p9 for this reaso * amely* that they - e" "ho "as comi $ from ?o do to #isit )s* a d that they mea t some mischief to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% &r% Fra -li =s ame ro)sed me% I ope ed my eyes* a d made my $irl explai herself% It appeared that Pe elope had ()st come from o)r lod$e* "here she had 'ee ha#i $ a $ossip "ith the lod$e7-eeper=s da)$hter% The t"o $irls had see the I dia s pass o)t* after I had "ar ed them off* follo"ed 'y their little 'oy% Ta-i $ it i to their heads that the 'oy "as ill7)sed 'y the forei$ ers!for o reaso that I co)ld disco#er* except that he "as pretty a d delicate7loo-i $!the t"o $irls had stole alo $ the i er side of the hed$e 'et"ee )s a d the road* a d had "atched the proceedi $s of the forei$ ers o the o)ter side% Those proceedi $s res)lted i the performa ce of the follo"i $ extraordi ary tric-s% They first loo-ed )p the road* a d do" the road* a d made s)re that they "ere alo e% The they all three faced a'o)t* a d stared hard i the directio of o)r ho)se% The they (a''ered a d disp)ted i their o" la $)a$e* a d loo-ed at each other li-e me i do)'t% The they all t)r ed to their little E $lish 'oy* as if they expected HI& to help them% A d the the chief I dia * "ho spo-e E $lish* said to the 'oy* AHold o)t yo)r ha d%A 4 heari $ those dreadf)l "ords* my da)$hter Pe elope said she did =t - o" "hat pre#e ted her heart from flyi $ strai$ht o)t of her% I tho)$ht pri#ately that it mi$ht ha#e 'ee her stays% All I said* ho"e#er* "as* A5o) ma-e my flesh creep%A :84TA 0E8EF @ome li-e these little complime ts%; @ell* "he the I dia said* AHold o)t yo)r ha d*A the 'oy shr) - 'ac-* a d shoo- his head* a d said he did =t li-e it% The I dia * there)po * as-ed him : ot at all ) -i dly;*

1C

"hether he "o)ld li-e to 'e se t 'ac- to ?o do * a d left "here they had fo) d him* sleepi $ i a empty 'as-et i a mar-et!a h) $ry* ra$$ed* a d forsa-e little 'oy% This* it seems* e ded the diffic)lty% The little chap ) "illi $ly held o)t his ha d% Epo that* the I dia too- a 'ottle from his 'osom* a d po)red o)t of it some 'lac- st)ff* li-e i -* i to the palm of the 'oy=s ha d% The I dia !first to)chi $ the 'oy=s head* a d ma-i $ si$ s o#er it i the air!the said* A?oo-%A The 'oy 'ecame ,)ite stiff* a d stood li-e a stat)e* loo-i $ i to the i - i the hollo" of his ha d% :.o far* it seemed to me to 'e ()$$li $* accompa ied 'y a foolish "aste of i -% I "as 'e$i i $ to feel sleepy a$ai * "he Pe elope=s ext "ords stirred me )p%; The I dia s loo-ed )p the road a d do" the road o ce more!a d the the chief I dia said these "ords to the 'oy9 A.ee the E $lish $e tlema from forei$ parts%A The 'oy said* AI see him%A The I dia said* AIs it o the road to this ho)se* a d o $e tlema "ill tra#el to7dayBA o other* that the E $lish

The 'oy said* AIt is o the road to this ho)se* a d o o other* that the E $lish $e tlema "ill tra#el to7day%A The I dia p)t a seco d ,)estio !after "aiti $ a little first% He saidF AHas the E $lish $e tlema $ot It a'o)t himBA The 'oy a s"ered!also* after "aiti $ a little first!A5es%A The I dia p)t a third a d last ,)estio F A@ill the E $lish $e tlema come here* as he has promised to come* at the close of dayBA The 'oy said* AI ca =t tell%A The I dia as-ed "hy% The 'oy said* AI am tired% The mist rises i my head* a d p)<<les me% I ca see o more to7day%A @ith that the catechism e ded% The chief I dia said somethi $ i his o" la $)a$e to the other t"o* poi ti $ to the 'oy* a d poi ti $ to"ards the to" * i "hich :as "e after"ards disco#ered; they "ere lod$ed% He the * after ma-i $ more si$ s o the 'oy=s head* 'le" o his forehead* a d so "o-e him )p "ith a start% After that* they all "e t o their "ay to"ards the to" * a d the $irls sa" them o more% &ost thi $s they say ha#e a moral* if yo) o ly loo- for it% @hat "as the moral of thisB The moral "as* as I tho)$htF First* that the chief ()$$ler had heard &r% Fra -li =s arri#al tal-ed of amo $ the ser#a ts o)t7of7doors* a d sa" his "ay to ma-i $ a little mo ey 'y it% .eco d* that he a d his me a d 'oy :"ith a #ie" to ma-i $ the said mo ey; mea t to

12

ha $ a'o)t till they sa" my lady dri#e home* a d the to come 'ac-* a d foretell &r% Fra -li =s arri#al 'y ma$ic% Third* that Pe elope had heard them rehearsi $ their hoc)s7 poc)s* li-e actors rehearsi $ a play% Fo)rth* that I sho)ld do "ell to ha#e a eye* that e#e i $* o the plate7'as-et% Fifth* that Pe elope "o)ld do "ell to cool do" * a d lea#e me* her father* to do<e off a$ai i the s) % That appeared to me to 'e the se si'le #ie"% If yo) - o" a ythi $ of the "ays of yo) $ "ome * yo) "o =t 'e s)rprised to hear that Pe elope "o)ld =t ta-e it% The moral of the thi $ "as serio)s* accordi $ to my da)$hter% .he partic)larly remi ded me of the I dia =s third ,)estio * Has the E $lish $e tlema $ot It a'o)t himB A4h* fatherDA says Pe elope* claspi $ her ha ds* Ado =t (o-e a'o)t this% @hat does =It= mea BA A@e=ll as- &r% Fra -li * my dear*A I said* Aif yo) ca "ait till &r% Fra -li comes%A I "i -ed to sho" I mea t that i (o-e% Pe elope too- it ,)ite serio)sly% &y $irl=s ear est ess tic-led me% A@hat o earth sho)ld &r% Fra -li - o" a'o)t itBA I i ,)ired% AAs- him*A says Pe elope% AA d see "hether HE thi -s it a la)$hi $ matter* too%A @ith that parti $ shot* my da)$hter left me% I settled it "ith myself* "he she "as $o e* that I really "o)ld as- &r% Fra -li !mai ly to set Pe elope=s mi d at rest% @hat "as said 'et"ee )s* "he I did as- him* later o that same day* yo) "ill fi d set o)t f)lly i its proper place% 0)t as I do =t "ish to raise yo)r expectatio s a d the disappoi t them* I "ill ta-e lea#e to "ar yo) here!'efore "e $o a y f)rther!that yo) "o =t fi d the $host of a (o-e i o)r co #ersatio o the s)'(ect of the ()$$lers% To my $reat s)rprise* &r% Fra -li * li-e Pe elope* too- the thi $ serio)sly% Ho" serio)sly* yo) "ill ) dersta d* "he I tell yo) that* i his opi io * AItA mea t the &oo sto e%

CHAPTER I!
I am tr)ly sorry to detai yo) o#er me a d my 'eehi#e chair% A sleepy old ma * i a s) y 'ac- yard* is ot a i teresti $ o'(ect* I am "ell a"are% 0)t thi $s m)st 'e p)t do" i their places* as thi $s act)ally happe ed!a d yo) m)st please to (o$ o a little "hile lo $er "ith me* i expectatio of &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s arri#al later i the day% 0efore I had time to do<e off a$ai * after my da)$hter Pe elope had left me* I "as dist)r'ed 'y a rattli $ of plates a d dishes i the ser#a ts= hall* "hich mea t that di er "as ready% Ta-i $ my o" meals i my o" sitti $7room* I had othi $ to do "ith the ser#a ts= di er* except to "ish them a $ood stomach to it all ro) d* pre#io)s to composi $ myself o ce more i my chair% I "as ()st stretchi $ my le$s* "he o)t 'o) ced a other "oma o me% 8ot my da)$hter a$ai 9 o ly 8a cy* the -itche 7maid* this time% I "as strai$ht i her "ay o)t9 a d I o'ser#ed* as she as-ed me to let her 'y* that

1G

she had a s)l-y face!a thi $ "hich* as head of the ser#a ts* I e#er allo"* o pri ciple* to pass me "itho)t i ,)iry% A@hat are yo) t)r i $ yo)r 'ac- o yo)r di er forBA I as-ed% A@hat=s "ro $ o"* 8a cyBA 8a cy tried to p)sh 'y* "itho)t a s"eri $9 )po "hich I rose )p* a d too- her 'y the ear% .he is a ice pl)mp yo) $ lass* a d it is c)stomary "ith me to adopt that ma er of sho"i $ that I perso ally appro#e of a $irl% A@hat=s "ro $ o"BA I said o ce more% ARosa a=s late a$ai for di er*A says 8a cy% AA d I=m se t to fetch her i % All the hard "or- falls o my sho)lders i this ho)se% ?et me alo e* &r% 0ettered$eDA The perso here me tio ed as Rosa a "as o)r seco d ho)semaid% Ha#i $ a -i d of pity for o)r seco d ho)semaid :"hy* yo) shall prese tly - o";* a d seei $ i 8a cy=s face* that she "o)ld fetch her fello"7ser#a t i "ith more hard "ords tha mi$ht 'e eedf)l ) der the circ)msta ces* it str)c- me that I had othi $ partic)lar to do* a d that I mi$ht as "ell fetch Rosa a myself9 $i#i $ her a hi t to 'e p) ct)al i f)t)re* "hich I - e" she "o)ld ta-e -i dly from &E% A@here is Rosa aBA I i ,)ired% AAt the sa ds* of co)rseDA says 8a cy* "ith a toss of her head% A.he had a other of her fai ti $ fits this mor i $* a d she as-ed to $o o)t a d $et a 'reath of fresh air% I ha#e o patie ce "ith herDA A/o 'ac- to yo)r di er* my $irl*A I said% AI ha#e patie ce "ith her* a d I=ll fetch her i %A 8a cy :"ho has a fi e appetite; loo-ed pleased% @he she loo-s pleased* she loo-s ice% @he she loo-s ice* I ch)c- her ) der the chi % It is =t immorality!it=s o ly ha'it% @ell* I too- my stic-* a d set off for the sa ds% 8oD it "o =t do to set off yet% I am sorry a$ai to detai yo)9 ')t yo) really m)st hear the story of the sa ds* a d the story of Rosa a!for this reaso * that the matter of the 6iamo d to)ches them 'oth early% Ho" hard I try to $et o "ith my stateme t "itho)t stoppi $ 'y the "ay* a d ho" 'adly I s)cceedD 0)t* thereD!Perso s a d Thi $s do t)r )p so #exatio)sly i this life* a d "ill i a ma er i sist o 'ei $ oticed% ?et )s ta-e it easy* a d let )s ta-e it short9 "e shall 'e i the thic- of the mystery soo * I promise yo)D Rosa a :to p)t the Perso 'efore the Thi $* "hich is ')t commo polite ess; "as the o ly e" ser#a t i o)r ho)se% A'o)t fo)r mo ths 'efore the time I am "riti $ of* my lady had 'ee i ?o do * a d had $o e o#er a Reformatory* i te ded to sa#e forlor "ome from drifti $ 'ac- i to 'ad "ays* after they had $ot released from priso % The

13

matro * seei $ my lady too- a i terest i the place* poi ted o)t a $irl to her* amed Rosa a .pearma * a d told her a most misera'le story* "hich I ha#e =t the heart to repeat here9 for I do =t li-e to 'e made "retched "itho)t a y )se* a d o more do yo)% The )pshot of it "as* that Rosa a .pearma had 'ee a thief* a d ot 'ei $ of the sort that $et )p Compa ies i the City* a d ro' from tho)sa ds* i stead of o ly ro''i $ from o e* the la" laid hold of her* a d the priso a d the reformatory follo"ed the lead of the la"% The matro =s opi io of Rosa a "as :i spite of "hat she had do e; that the $irl "as o e i a tho)sa d* a d that she o ly "a ted a cha ce to pro#e herself "orthy of a y Christia "oma =s i terest i her% &y lady :'ei $ a Christia "oma * if e#er there "as o e yet; said to the matro * )po that* ARosa a .pearma shall ha#e her cha ce* i my ser#ice%A I a "ee- after"ards* Rosa a .pearma e tered this esta'lishme t as o)r seco d ho)semaid% 8ot a so)l "as told the $irl=s story* excepti $ &iss Rachel a d me% &y lady* doi $ me the ho o)r to co s)lt me a'o)t most thi $s* co s)lted me a'o)t Rosa a% Ha#i $ falle a $ood deal latterly i to the late .ir +oh =s "ay of al"ays a$reei $ "ith my lady* I a$reed "ith her heartily a'o)t Rosa a .pearma % A fairer cha ce o $irl co)ld ha#e had tha "as $i#e to this poor $irl of o)rs% 8o e of the ser#a ts co)ld cast her past life i her teeth* for o e of the ser#a ts - e" "hat it had 'ee % .he had her "a$es a d her pri#ile$es* li-e the rest of them9 a d e#ery o" a d the a frie dly "ord from my lady* i pri#ate* to e co)ra$e her% I ret)r * she sho"ed herself* I am 'o) d to say* "ell "orthy of the -i d treatme t 'esto"ed )po her% Tho)$h far from stro $* a d tro)'led occasio ally "ith those fai ti $7fits already me tio ed* she "e t a'o)t her "or- modestly a d ) complai i $ly* doi $ it caref)lly* a d doi $ it "ell% 0)t* someho"* she failed to ma-e frie ds amo $ the other "ome ser#a ts* excepti $ my da)$hter Pe elope* "ho "as al"ays -i d to Rosa a* tho)$h e#er i timate "ith her% I hardly - o" "hat the $irl did to offe d them% There "as certai ly o 'ea)ty a'o)t her to ma-e the others e #io)s9 she "as the plai est "oma i the ho)se* "ith the additio al misfort) e of ha#i $ o e sho)lder 'i$$er tha the other% @hat the ser#a ts chiefly rese ted* I thi -* "as her sile t to $)e a d her solitary "ays% .he read or "or-ed i leis)re ho)rs "he the rest $ossiped% A d "he it came to her t)r to $o o)t* i e times o)t of te she ,)ietly p)t o her 'o et* a d had her t)r 'y herself% .he e#er ,)arrelled* she e#er too- offe ce9 she o ly -ept a certai dista ce* o'sti ately a d ci#illy* 'et"ee the rest of them a d herself% Add to this that* plai as she "as* there "as ()st a dash of somethi $ that "as =t li-e a ho)semaid* a d that @A. li-e a lady* a'o)t her% It mi$ht ha#e 'ee i her #oice* or it mi$ht ha#e 'ee i her face% All I ca say is* that the other "ome po) ced o it li-e li$ht i $ the first day she came i to the ho)se* a d said :"hich "as most ) ()st; that Rosa a .pearma $a#e herself airs% Ha#i $ o" told the story of Rosa a* I ha#e o ly to otice o e of the ma y ,)eer "ays of this stra $e $irl to $et o ext to the story of the sa ds% 4)r ho)se is hi$h )p o the 5or-shire coast* a d close 'y the sea% @e ha#e $ot 'ea)tif)l "al-s all ro) d )s* i e#ery directio ')t o e% That o e I ac- o"led$e to 'e a horrid

2H

"al-% It leads* for a ,)arter of a mile* thro)$h a mela choly pla tatio of firs* a d 'ri $s yo) o)t 'et"ee lo" cliffs o the lo eliest a d )$liest little 'ay o all o)r coast% The sa d7hills here r) do" to the sea* a d e d i t"o spits of roc- ()tti $ o)t opposite each other* till yo) lose si$ht of them i the "ater% 4 e is called the 8orth .pit* a d o e the .o)th% 0et"ee the t"o* shifti $ 'ac-"ards a d for"ards at certai seaso s of the year* lies the most horri'le ,)ic-sa d o the shores of 5or-shire% At the t)r of the tide* somethi $ $oes o i the ) - o" deeps 'elo"* "hich sets the "hole face of the ,)ic-sa d shi#eri $ a d trem'li $ i a ma er most remar-a'le to see* a d "hich has $i#e to it* amo $ the people i o)r parts* the ame of the .hi#eri $ .a d% A $reat 'a -* half a mile o)t* i$h the mo)th of the 'ay* 'rea-s the force of the mai ocea comi $ i from the offi $% @i ter a d s)mmer* "he the tide flo"s o#er the ,)ic-sa d* the sea seems to lea#e the "a#es 'ehi d it o the 'a -* a d rolls its "aters i smoothly "ith a hea#e* a d co#ers the sa d i sile ce% A lo esome a d a horrid retreat* I ca tell yo)D 8o 'oat e#er #e t)res i to this 'ay% 8o childre from o)r fishi $7#illa$e* called Co''=s Hole* e#er come here to play% The #ery 'irds of the air* as it seems to me* $i#e the .hi#eri $ .a d a "ide 'erth% That a yo) $ "oma * "ith do<e s of ice "al-s to choose from* a d compa y to $o "ith her* if she o ly said AComeDA sho)ld prefer this place* a d sho)ld sit a d "or- or read i it* all alo e* "he it=s her t)r o)t* I $ra t yo)* passes 'elief% It=s tr)e* e#ertheless* acco) t for it as yo) may* that this "as Rosa a .pearma =s fa#o)rite "al-* except "he she "e t o ce or t"ice to Co''=s Hole* to see the o ly frie d she had i o)r ei$h'o)rhood* of "hom more a o % It=s also tr)e that I "as o" setti $ o)t for this same place* to fetch the $irl i to di er* "hich 'ri $s )s ro) d happily to o)r former poi t* a d starts )s fair a$ai o o)r "ay to the sa ds% I sa" o si$ of the $irl i the pla tatio % @he I $ot o)t* thro)$h the sa d7hills* o to the 'each* there she "as* i her little stra" 'o et* a d her plai $rey cloa- that she al"ays "ore to hide her deformed sho)lder as m)ch as mi$ht 'e!there she "as* all alo e* loo-i $ o)t o the ,)ic-sa d a d the sea% .he started "he I came )p "ith her* a d t)r ed her head a"ay from me% 8ot loo-i $ me i the face 'ei $ a other of the proceedi $s* "hich* as head of the ser#a ts* I e#er allo"* o pri ciple* to pass "itho)t i ,)iry!I t)r ed her ro) d my "ay* a d sa" that she "as cryi $% &y 'a da a ha d-erchief!o e of six 'ea)ties $i#e to me 'y my lady! "as ha dy i my poc-et% I too- it o)t* a d I said to Rosa a* ACome a d sit do" * my dear* o the slope of the 'each alo $ "ith me% I=ll dry yo)r eyes for yo) first* a d the I=ll ma-e so 'old as to as- "hat yo) ha#e 'ee cryi $ a'o)t%A @he yo) come to my a$e* yo) "ill fi d sitti $ do" o the slope of a 'each a m)ch lo $er (o' tha yo) thi - it o"% 0y the time I "as settled* Rosa a had dried her o" eyes "ith a #ery i ferior ha d-erchief to mi e!cheap cam'ric% .he loo-ed #ery ,)iet* a d #ery "retched9 ')t she sat do" 'y me li-e a $ood $irl* "he I told her% @he yo) "a t to comfort a "oma 'y the shortest "ay* ta-e her o yo)r - ee% I tho)$ht of this $olde r)le% 0)t thereD Rosa a "as =t 8a cy* a d that=s the tr)th of itD A8o"* tell me* my dear*A I said* A"hat are yo) cryi $ a'o)tBA

21

AA'o)t the years that are $o e* &r% 0ettered$e*A says Rosa a ,)ietly% A&y past life still comes 'ac- to me sometimes%A ACome* come* my $irl*A I said* Ayo)r past life is all spo $ed o)t% @hy ca =t yo) for$et itBA .he too- me 'y o e of the lappets of my coat% I am a slo#e ly old ma * a d a $ood deal of my meat a d dri - $ets splashed a'o)t o my clothes% .ometimes o e of the "ome * a d sometimes a other* clea s me of my $rease% The day 'efore* Rosa a had ta-e o)t a spot for me o the lappet of my coat* "ith a e" compositio * "arra ted to remo#e a ythi $% The $rease "as $o e* ')t there "as a little d)ll place left o the ap of the cloth "here the $rease had 'ee % The $irl poi ted to that place* a d shoo- her head% AThe stai is ta-e off*A she said% A0)t the place sho"s* &r% 0ettered$e!the place sho"sDA A remar- "hich ta-es a ma ) a"ares 'y mea s of his o" coat is ot a easy remar- to a s"er% .omethi $ i the $irl herself* too* made me partic)larly sorry for her ()st the % .he had ice 'ro" eyes* plai as she "as i other "ays!a d she loo-ed at me "ith a sort of respect for my happy old a$e a d my $ood character* as thi $s for e#er o)t of her o" reach* "hich made my heart hea#y for o)r seco d ho)semaid% 8ot feeli $ myself a'le to comfort her* there "as o ly o e other thi $ to do% That thi $ "as!to ta-e her i to di er% AHelp me )p*A I said% A5o)=re late for di er* Rosa a!a d I ha#e come to fetch yo) i %A A5o)* &r% 0ettered$eDA says she% AThey told 8a cy to fetch yo)*A I said% A0)t tho)$ht yo) mi$ht li-e yo)r scoldi $ 'etter* my dear* if it came from me%A I stead of helpi $ me )p* the poor thi $ stole her ha d i to mi e* a d $a#e it a little s,)ee<e% .he tried hard to -eep from cryi $ a$ai * a d s)cceeded!for "hich I respected her% A5o)=re #ery -i d* &r% 0ettered$e*A she said% AI do =t "a t a y di er to7day!let me 'ide a little lo $er here%A A@hat ma-es yo) li-e to 'e hereBA I as-ed% A@hat is it that 'ri $s yo) e#erlasti $ly to this misera'le placeBA A.omethi $ dra"s me to it*A says the $irl* ma-i $ ima$es "ith her fi $er i the sa d% AI try to -eep a"ay from it* a d I ca =t% .ometimes*A says she i a lo" #oice* as if she "as fri$hte ed at her o" fa cy* Asometimes* &r% 0ettered$e* I thi - that my $ra#e is "aiti $ for me here%A AThere=s roast m)tto a d s)et7p)ddi $ "aiti $ for yo)DA says I% A/o i to di er directly% This is "hat comes* Rosa a* of thi -i $ o a empty stomachDA I spo-e

22

se#erely* 'ei $ at)rally i di$ a t :at my time of life; to hear a yo) $ "oma of fi#e7 a d7t"e ty tal-i $ a'o)t her latter e dD .he did =t seem to hear meF she p)t her ha d o my sho)lder* a d -ept me "here I "as* sitti $ 'y her side% AI thi - the place has laid a spell o me*A she said% AI dream of it i$ht after i$ht9 I thi of it "he I sit stitchi $ at my "or-% 5o) - o" I am $ratef)l* &r% 0ettered$e!yo) - o" I try to deser#e yo)r -i d ess* a d my lady=s co fide ce i me% 0)t I "o der sometimes "hether the life here is too ,)iet a d too $ood for s)ch a "oma as I am* after all I ha#e $o e thro)$h* &r% 0ettered$e!after all I ha#e $o e thro)$h% It=s more lo ely to me to 'e amo $ the other ser#a ts* - o"i $ I am ot "hat they are* tha it is to 'e here% &y lady does =t - o"* the matro at the reformatory does =t - o"* "hat a dreadf)l reproach ho est people are i themsel#es to a "oma li-e me% 6o =t scold me* there=s a dear $ood ma % I do my "or-* do =t IB Please ot to tell my lady I am disco te ted!I am ot% &y mi d=s ) ,)iet* sometimes* that=s all%A .he s atched her ha d off my sho)lder* a d s)dde ly poi ted do" to the ,)ic-sa d% A?oo-DA she said AIs =t it "o derf)lB is =t it terri'leB I ha#e see it do<e s of times* a d it=s al"ays as e" to me as if I had e#er see it 'eforeDA I loo-ed "here she poi ted% The tide "as o the t)r * a d the horrid sa d 'e$a to shi#er% The 'road 'ro" face of it hea#ed slo"ly* a d the dimpled a d ,)i#ered all o#er% A6o yo) - o" "hat it loo-s li-e to &EBA says Rosa a* catchi $ me 'y the sho)lder a$ai % AIt loo-s as if it had h) dreds of s)ffocati $ people ) der it!all str)$$li $ to $et to the s)rface* a d all si -i $ lo"er a d lo"er i the dreadf)l deepsD Thro" a sto e i * &r% 0ettered$eD Thro" a sto e i * a d let=s see the sa d s)c- it do" DA Here "as ) "holesome tal-D Here "as a empty stomach feedi $ o a ) ,)iet mi dD &y a s"er!a pretty sharp o e* i the poor $irl=s o" i terests* I promise yo)D!"as at my to $)e=s e d* "he it "as s apped short off o a s)dde 'y a #oice amo $ the sa d7 hills sho)ti $ for me 'y my ame% A0ettered$eDA cries the #oice* A"here are yo)BA AHereDA I sho)ted o)t i ret)r * "itho)t a otio i my mi d of "ho it "as% Rosa a started to her feet* a d stood loo-i $ to"ards the #oice% I "as ()st thi -i $ of $etti $ o my o" le$s ext* "he I "as sta$$ered 'y a s)dde cha $e i the $irl=s face% Her complexio t)r ed of a 'ea)tif)l red* "hich I had e#er see i it 'efore9 she 'ri$hte ed all o#er "ith a -i d of speechless a d 'reathless s)rprise% A@ho is itBA I as-ed% Rosa a $a#e me 'ac- my o" ,)estio % A4hD "ho is itBA she said softly* more to herself tha to me% I t"isted ro) d o the sa d a d loo-ed 'ehi d me% There* comi $ o)t o )s from amo $ the hills* "as a 'ri$ht7eyed yo) $ $e tlema * dressed i a 'ea)tif)l fa" 7 colo)red s)it* "ith $lo#es a d hat to match* "ith a rose i his ')tto 7hole* a d a smile o his face that mi$ht ha#e set the .hi#eri $ .a d itself smili $ at him i ret)r % 0efore I co)ld $et o my le$s* he pl)mped do" o the sa d 'y the side of me* p)t his arm ro) d my ec-* forei$ fashio * a d $a#e me a h)$ that fairly s,)ee<ed the 'reath o)t of my 'ody% A6ear old 0ettered$eDA says he% AI o"e yo) se#e 7a d7sixpe ce% 8o" do yo) - o" "ho I amBA

23

?ord 'less )s a d sa#e )sD Here!fo)r $ood ho)rs 'efore "e expected him!"as &r% Fra -li 0la-eD 0efore I co)ld say a "ord* I sa" &r% Fra -li * a little s)rprised to all appeara ce* loo- )p from me to Rosa a% Follo"i $ his lead* I loo-ed at the $irl too% .he "as 'l)shi $ of a deeper red tha e#er* seemi $ly at ha#i $ ca)$ht &r% Fra -li =s eye9 a d she t)r ed a d left )s s)dde ly* i a co f)sio ,)ite ) acco) ta'le to my mi d* "itho)t either ma-i $ her c)rtsey to the $e tlema or sayi $ a "ord to me% Very ) li-e her )s)al selfF a ci#iller a d 'etter7'eha#ed ser#a t* i $e eral* yo) e#er met "ith% AThat=s a odd $irl*A says &r% Fra -li % AI "o der "hat she sees i me to s)rprise herBA AI s)ppose* sir*A I a s"ered* drolli $ o o)r yo) $ $e tlema =s Co ti e tal ed)catio * Ait=s the #ar ish from forei$ parts%A I set do" here &r% Fra -li =s careless ,)estio * a d my foolish a s"er* as a co solatio a d e co)ra$eme t to all st)pid people!it 'ei $* as I ha#e remar-ed* a $reat satisfactio to o)r i ferior fello"7creat)res to fi d that their 'etters are* o occasio s* o 'ri$hter tha they are% 8either &r% Fra -li * "ith his "o derf)l forei$ trai i $* or I* "ith my a$e* experie ce* a d at)ral mother7"it* had the $host of a idea of "hat Rosa a .pearma =s ) acco) ta'le 'eha#io)r really mea t% .he "as o)t of o)r tho)$hts* poor so)l* 'efore "e had see the last fl)tter of her little $rey cloa- amo $ the sa d7hills% A d "hat of thatB yo) "ill as-* at)rally e o)$h% Read o * $ood frie d* as patie tly as yo) ca * a d perhaps yo) "ill 'e as sorry for Rosa a .pearma as I "as* "he I fo) d o)t the tr)th%

CHAPTER !
The first thi $ I did* after "e "ere left to$ether alo e* "as to ma-e a third attempt to $et )p from my seat o the sa d% &r% Fra -li stopped me% AThere is o e ad#a ta$e a'o)t this horrid place*A he said9 A"e ha#e $ot it all to o)rsel#es% .tay "here yo) are* 0ettered$e9 I ha#e somethi $ to say to yo)%A @hile he "as spea-i $* I "as loo-i $ at him* a d tryi $ to see somethi $ of the 'oy I remem'ered* i the ma 'efore me% The ma p)t me o)t% ?oo- as I mi$ht* I co)ld see o more of his 'oy=s rosy chee-s tha of his 'oy=s trim little (ac-et% His complexio had $ot paleF his face* at the lo"er part "as co#ered* to my $reat s)rprise a d disappoi tme t* "ith a c)rly 'ro" 'eard a d m)stachios% He had a li#ely to)ch7a d7$o "ay "ith him* #ery pleasa t a d e $a$i $* I admit9 ')t othi $ to compare "ith his free7a d7easy ma ers of other times% To ma-e matters "orse* he had promised to 'e tall* a d had ot -ept his promise% He "as eat* a d slim* a d "ell made9 ')t he "as =t 'y a i ch or t"o )p to the middle hei$ht% I short* he 'affled me alto$ether% The years that had passed had 21

left othi $ of his old self* except the 'ri$ht* strai$htfor"ard loo- i his eyes% There I fo) d o)r ice 'oy a$ai * a d there I co cl)ded to stop i my i #esti$atio % A@elcome 'ac- to the old place* &r% Fra -li *A I said% AAll the more "elcome* sir* that yo) ha#e come some ho)rs 'efore "e expected yo)%A AI ha#e a reaso for comi $ 'efore yo) expected me*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li % AI s)spect* 0ettered$e* that I ha#e 'ee follo"ed a d "atched i ?o do * for the last three or fo)r days9 a d I ha#e tra#elled 'y the mor i $ i stead of the after oo trai * 'eca)se I "a ted to $i#e a certai dar-7loo-i $ stra $er the slip%A Those "ords did more tha s)rprise me% They 'ro)$ht 'ac- to my mi d* i a flash* the three ()$$lers* a d Pe elope=s otio that they mea t some mischief to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% A@ho=s "atchi $ yo)* sir*!a d "hyBA I i ,)ired% ATell me a'o)t the three I dia s yo) ha#e had at the ho)se to7day*A says &r% Fra -li * "itho)t otici $ my ,)estio % AIt=s ()st possi'le* 0ettered$e* that my stra $er a d yo)r three ()$$lers may t)r o)t to 'e pieces of the same p)<<le%A AHo" do yo) come to - o" a'o)t the ()$$lers* sirBA I as-ed* p)tti $ o e ,)estio o the top of a other* "hich "as 'ad ma ers* I o" % 0)t yo) do =t expect m)ch from poor h)ma at)re!so do =t expect m)ch from me% AI sa" Pe elope at the ho)se*A says &r% Fra -li 9 Aa d Pe elope told me% 5o)r da)$hter promised to 'e a pretty $irl* 0ettered$e* a d she has -ept her promise% Pe elope has $ot a small ear a d a small foot% 6id the late &rs% 0ettered$e possess those i estima'le ad#a ta$esBA AThe late &rs% 0ettered$e possessed a $ood ma y defects* sir*A says I% A4 e of them :if yo) "ill pardo my me tio i $ it; "as e#er -eepi $ to the matter i ha d% .he "as more li-e a fly tha a "oma F she co)ld =t settle o a ythi $%A A.he "o)ld ()st ha#e s)ited me*A says &r% Fra -li % AI e#er settle o a ythi $ either% 0ettered$e* yo)r ed$e is 'etter tha e#er% 5o)r da)$hter said as m)ch* "he I as-ed for partic)lars a'o)t the ()$$lers% =Father "ill tell yo)* sir% He=s a "o derf)l ma for his a$e9 a d he expresses himself 'ea)tif)lly%= Pe elope=s o" "ords!'l)shi $ di#i ely% 8ot e#e my respect for yo) pre#e ted me from! e#er mi d9 I - e" her "he she "as a child* a d she=s o e the "orse for it% ?et=s 'e serio)s% @hat did the ()$$lers doBA I "as somethi $ dissatisfied "ith my da)$hter! ot for letti $ &r% Fra -li -iss her9 &r% Fra -li "as "elcome to THAT!')t for forci $ me to tell her foolish story at seco d ha d% Ho"e#er* there "as o help for it o" ')t to me tio the circ)msta ces% &r% Fra -li =s merrime t all died a"ay as I "e t o % He sat - itti $ his eye'ro"s* a d t"isti $ his 'eard% @he I had do e* he repeated after me t"o of the ,)estio s "hich the

2>

chief ()$$ler had p)t to the 'oy!seemi $ly for the p)rpose of fixi $ them "ell i his mi d% A=Is it o the road to this ho)se* a d o o other* that the E $lish $e tlema "ill tra#el to7 dayB= =Has the E $lish $e tlema $ot It a'o)t himB= I s)spect*A says &r% Fra -li * p)lli $ a little sealed paper parcel o)t of his poc-et* Athat =It= mea s THI.% A d =this*= 0ettered$e* mea s my ) cle Her castle=s famo)s 6iamo d%A A/ood ?ord* sirDA I 'ro-e o)t* Aho" do yo) come to 'e i char$e of the "ic-ed Colo el=s 6iamo dBA AThe "ic-ed Colo el=s "ill has left his 6iamo d as a 'irthday prese t to my co)si Rachel*A says &r% Fra -li % AA d my father* as the "ic-ed Colo el=s exec)tor* has $i#e it i char$e to me to 'ri $ do" here%A If the sea* the oo<i $ i smoothly o#er the .hi#eri $ .a d* had 'ee cha $ed i to dry la d 'efore my o" eyes* I do)'t if I co)ld ha#e 'ee more s)rprised tha I "as "he &r% Fra -li spo-e those "ords% AThe Colo el=s 6iamo d left to &iss RachelDA says I% AA d yo)r father* sir* the Colo el=s exec)torD @hy* I "o)ld ha#e laid a y 'et yo) li-e* &r% Fra -li * that yo)r father "o)ld =t ha#e to)ched the Colo el "ith a pair of to $sDA A.tro $ la $)a$e* 0ettered$eD @hat "as there a$ai st the Colo el% He 'elo $ed to yo)r time* ot to mi e% Tell me "hat yo) - o" a'o)t him* a d I=ll tell yo) ho" my father came to 'e his exec)tor* a d more 'esides% I ha#e made some disco#eries i ?o do a'o)t my ) cle Her castle a d his 6iamo d* "hich ha#e rather a )$ly loo- to my eyes9 a d I "a t yo) to co firm them% 5o) called him the ="ic-ed Colo el= ()st o"% .earch yo)r memory* my old frie d* a d tell me "hy%A I sa" he "as i ear est* a d I told him% Here follo"s the s)'sta ce of "hat I said* "ritte o)t e tirely for yo)r 'e efit% Pay atte tio to it* or yo) "ill 'e all a'road* "he "e $et deeper i to the story% Clear yo)r mi d of the childre * or the di er* or the e" 'o et* or "hat ot% Try if yo) ca =t for$et politics* horses* prices i the City* a d $rie#a ces at the cl)'% I hope yo) "o =t ta-e this freedom o my part amiss9 it=s o ly a "ay I ha#e of appeali $ to the $e tle reader% ?ordD ha#e =t I see yo) "ith the $reatest a)thors i yo)r ha ds* a d do =t I - o" ho" ready yo)r atte tio is to "a der "he it=s a 'oo- that as-s for it* i stead of a perso B I spo-e* a little "ay 'ac-* of my lady=s father* the old lord "ith the short temper a d the lo $ to $)e% He had fi#e childre i all% T"o so s to 'e$i "ith9 the * after a lo $ time* his "ife 'ro-e o)t 'reedi $ a$ai * a d the three yo) $ ladies came 'ris-ly o e after the other* as fast as the at)re of thi $s "o)ld permit9 my mistress* as 'efore me tio ed* 'ei $ the yo) $est a d 'est of the three% 4f the t"o so s* the eldest* Arth)r* i herited the

2C

title a d estates% The seco d* the Ho o)ra'le +oh * $ot a fi e fort) e left him 'y a relati#e* a d "e t i to the army% It=s a ill 'ird* they say* that fo)ls its o" est% I loo- o the o'le family of the Her castles as 'ei $ my est9 a d I shall ta-e it as a fa#o)r if I am ot expected to e ter i to partic)lars o the s)'(ect of the Ho o)ra'le +oh % He "as* I ho estly 'elie#e* o e of the $reatest 'lac-$)ards that e#er li#ed% I ca hardly say more or less for him tha that% He "e t i to the army* 'e$i i $ i the /)ards% He had to lea#e the /)ards 'efore he "as t"o7a d7t"e ty! e#er mi d "hy% They are #ery strict i the army* a d they "ere too strict for the Ho o)ra'le +oh % He "e t o)t to I dia to see "hether they "ere e,)ally strict there* a d to try a little acti#e ser#ice% I the matter of 'ra#ery :to $i#e him his d)e;* he "as a mixt)re of ')ll7do$ a d $ame7coc-* "ith a dash of the sa#a$e% He "as at the ta-i $ of .eri $apatam% .oo after"ards he cha $ed i to a other re$ime t* a d* i co)rse of time* cha $ed i to a third% I the third he $ot his last step as lie)te a t7colo el* a d* $etti $ that* $ot also a s) stro-e* a d came home to E $la d% He came 'ac- "ith a character that closed the doors of all his family a$ai st him* my lady :the ()st married; ta-i $ the lead* a d declari $ :"ith .ir +oh =s appro#al* of co)rse; that her 'rother sho)ld e#er e ter a y ho)se of hers% There "as more tha o e sl)r o the Colo el that made people shy of him9 ')t the 'lot of the 6iamo d is all I eed me tio here% It "as said he had $ot possessio of his I dia (e"el 'y mea s "hich* 'old as he "as* he did =t dare ac- o"led$e% He e#er attempted to sell it! ot 'ei $ i eed of mo ey* a d ot :to $i#e him his d)e a$ai ; ma-i $ mo ey a o'(ect% He e#er $a#e it a"ay9 he e#er e#e sho"ed it to a y li#i $ so)l% .ome said he "as afraid of its $etti $ him i to a diffic)lty "ith the military a)thorities9 others :#ery i$ ora t i deed of the real at)re of the ma ; said he "as afraid* if he sho"ed it* of its costi $ him his life% There "as perhaps a $rai of tr)th mixed )p "ith this last report% It "as false to say that he "as afraid9 ')t it "as a fact that his life had 'ee t"ice threate ed i I dia9 a d it "as firmly 'elie#ed that the &oo sto e "as at the 'ottom of it% @he he came 'ac- to E $la d* a d fo) d himself a#oided 'y e#ery'ody* the &oo sto e "as tho)$ht to 'e at the 'ottom of it a$ai % The mystery of the Colo el=s life $ot i the Colo el=s "ay* a d o)tla"ed him* as yo) may say* amo $ his o" people% The me "o)ld =t let him i to their cl)'s9 the "ome !more tha o e!"hom he "a ted to marry* ref)sed him9 frie ds a d relatio s $ot too ear7si$hted to see him i the street% .ome me i this mess "o)ld ha#e tried to set themsel#es ri$ht "ith the "orld% 0)t to $i#e i * e#e "he he "as "ro $* a d had all society a$ai st him* "as ot the "ay of the Ho o)ra'le +oh % He had -ept the 6iamo d* i flat defia ce of assassi atio * i I dia% He -ept the 6iamo d* i flat defia ce of p)'lic opi io * i E $la d% There yo) ha#e the portrait of the ma 'efore yo)* as i a pict)reF a character that 'ra#ed e#erythi $9 a d a face* ha dsome as it "as* that loo-ed possessed 'y the de#il%

22

@e heard differe t r)mo)rs a'o)t him from time to time% .ometimes they said he "as $i#e )p to smo-i $ opi)m a d collecti $ old 'oo-s9 sometimes he "as reported to 'e tryi $ stra $e thi $s i chemistry9 sometimes he "as see caro)si $ a d am)si $ himself amo $ the lo"est people i the lo"est sl)ms of ?o do % A yho"* a solitary* #icio)s* ) der$ro) d life "as the life the Colo el led% 4 ce* a d o ce o ly* after his ret)r to E $la d* I myself sa" him* face to face% A'o)t t"o years 'efore the time of "hich I am o" "riti $* a d a'o)t a year a d a half 'efore the time of his death* the Colo el came ) expectedly to my lady=s ho)se i ?o do % It "as the i$ht of &iss Rachel=s 'irthday* the t"e ty7first of +) e9 a d there "as a party i ho o)r of it* as )s)al% I recei#ed a messa$e from the footma to say that a $e tlema "a ted to see me% /oi $ )p i to the hall* there I fo) d the Colo el* "asted* a d "or * a d old* a d sha''y* a d as "ild a d as "ic-ed as e#er% A/o )p to my sister*A says he9 Aa d say that I ha#e called to "ish my iece ma y happy ret)r s of the day%A He had made attempts 'y letter* more tha o ce already* to 'e reco ciled "ith my lady* for o other p)rpose* I am firmly pers)aded* tha to a oy her% 0)t this "as the first time he had act)ally come to the ho)se% I had it o the tip of my to $)e to say that my mistress had a party that i$ht% 0)t the de#ilish loo- of him da) ted me% I "e t )p7stairs "ith his messa$e* a d left him* 'y his o" desire* "aiti $ i the hall% The ser#a ts stood stari $ at him* at a dista ce* as if he "as a "al-i $ e $i e of destr)ctio * loaded "ith po"der a d shot* a d li-ely to $o off amo $ them at a mome t=s otice% &y lady had a dash! o more!of the family temper% ATell Colo el Her castle*A she said* "he I $a#e her her 'rother=s messa$e* Athat &iss Veri der is e $a$ed* a d that I decli e to see him%A I tried to plead for a ci#iller a s"er tha that9 - o"i $ the Colo el=s co stit)tio al s)periority to the restrai ts "hich $o#er $e tleme i $e eral% I)ite )selessD The family temper flashed o)t at me directly% A@he I "a t yo)r ad#ice*A says my lady* Ayo) - o" that I al"ays as- for it% I do =t as- for it o"%A I "e t do" stairs "ith the messa$e* of "hich I too- the li'erty of prese ti $ a e" a d ame ded editio of my o" co tri#i $* as follo"sF A&y lady a d &iss Rachel re$ret that they are e $a$ed* Colo el9 a d 'e$ to 'e exc)sed ha#i $ the ho o)r of seei $ yo)%A I expected him to 'rea- o)t* e#e at that polite "ay of p)tti $ it% To my s)rprise he did othi $ of the sort9 he alarmed me 'y ta-i $ the thi $ "ith a ) at)ral ,)iet% His eyes* of a $litteri $ 'ri$ht $rey* ()st settled o me for a mome t9 a d he la)$hed* ot o)t of himself* li-e other people* ')t I8T4 himself* i a soft* ch)c-li $* horridly mischie#o)s "ay% ATha - yo)* 0ettered$e*A he said% AI shall remem'er my iece=s 'irthday%A @ith that* he t)r ed o his heel* a d "al-ed o)t of the ho)se% The ext 'irthday came ro) d* a d "e heard he "as ill i 'ed% .ix mo ths after"ards! that is to say* six mo ths 'efore the time I am o" "riti $ of!there came a letter from a hi$hly respecta'le cler$yma to my lady% It comm) icated t"o "o derf)l thi $s i the "ay of family e"s% First* that the Colo el had for$i#e his sister o his death7'ed%

2G

.eco d* that he had for$i#e e#ery'ody else* a d had made a most edifyi $ e d% I ha#e myself :i spite of the 'ishops a d the cler$y; a ) fei$ ed respect for the Ch)rch9 ')t I am firmly pers)aded* at the same time* that the de#il remai ed i ) dist)r'ed possessio of the Ho o)ra'le +oh * a d that the last a'omi a'le act i the life of that a'omi a'le ma "as :sa#i $ yo)r prese ce; to ta-e the cler$yma i D This "as the s)m7total of "hat I had to tell &r% Fra -li % I remar-ed that he liste ed more a d more ea$erly the lo $er I "e t o % Also* that the story of the Colo el 'ei $ se t a"ay from his sister=s door* o the occasio of his iece=s 'irthday* seemed to stri-e &r% Fra -li li-e a shot that had hit the mar-% Tho)$h he did =t ac- o"led$e it* I sa" that I had made him ) easy* plai ly e o)$h* i his face% A5o) ha#e said yo)r say* 0ettered$e*A he remar-ed% AIt=s my t)r o"% 0efore* ho"e#er* I tell yo) "hat disco#eries I ha#e made i ?o do * a d ho" I came to 'e mixed )p i this matter of the 6iamo d* I "a t to - o" o e thi $% 5o) loo-* my old frie d* as if yo) did =t ,)ite ) dersta d the o'(ect to 'e a s"ered 'y this co s)ltatio of o)rs% 6o yo)r loo-s 'elie yo)BA A8o* sir*A I said% A&y loo-s* o this occasio at a y rate* tell the tr)th%A AI that case*A says &r% Fra -li * As)ppose I p)t yo) )p to my poi t of #ie"* 'efore "e $o a y f)rther% I see three #ery serio)s ,)estio s i #ol#ed i the Colo el=s 'irthday7$ift to my co)si Rachel% Follo" me caref)lly* 0ettered$e9 a d co) t me off o yo)r fi $ers* if it "ill help yo)*A says &r% Fra -li * "ith a certai pleas)re i sho"i $ ho" clear7headed he co)ld 'e* "hich remi ded me "o derf)lly of old times "he he "as a 'oy% AI)estio the firstF @as the Colo el=s 6iamo d the o'(ect of a co spiracy i I diaB I)estio the seco dF Has the co spiracy follo"ed the Colo el=s 6iamo d to E $la dB I)estio the thirdF 6id the Colo el - o" the co spiracy follo"ed the 6iamo d9 a d has he p)rposely left a le$acy of tro)'le a d da $er to his sister* thro)$h the i oce t medi)m of his sister=s childB THAT is "hat I am dri#i $ at* 0ettered$e% 6o =t let me fri$hte yo)%A It "as all #ery "ell to say that* ')t he HA6 fri$hte ed me% If he "as ri$ht* here "as o)r ,)iet E $lish ho)se s)dde ly i #aded 'y a de#ilish I dia 6iamo d!'ri $i $ after it a co spiracy of li#i $ ro$)es* set loose o )s 'y the #e $ea ce of a dead ma % There "as o)r sit)atio as re#ealed to me i &r% Fra -li =s last "ordsD @ho e#er heard the li-e of it!i the i etee th ce t)ry* mi d9 i a a$e of pro$ress* a d i a co) try "hich re(oices i the 'lessi $s of the 0ritish co stit)tio B 8o'ody e#er heard the li-e of it* a d* co se,)e tly* o'ody ca 'e expected to 'elie#e it% I shall $o o "ith my story* ho"e#er* i spite of that% @he yo) $et a s)dde alarm* of the sort that I had $ot o"* i e times o)t of te the place yo) feel it i is yo)r stomach% @he yo) feel it i yo)r stomach* yo)r atte tio "a ders* a d yo) 'e$i to fid$et% I fid$eted sile tly i my place o the sa d% &r% Fra -li oticed me* co te di $ "ith a pert)r'ed stomach or mi d!"hich yo) please9 they mea

23

the same thi $!a d* chec-i $ himself ()st as he "as starti $ "ith his part of the story* said to me sharply* A@hat do yo) "a tBA @hat did I "a tB I did =t tell HI&9 ')t I=ll tell 54E* i co fide ce% I "a ted a "hiff of my pipe* a d a t)r at R40I8.48 CRE.4E%

CHAPTER !I
Jeepi $ my pri#ate se time ts to myself* I respectf)lly re,)ested &r% Fra -li to $o o % &r% Fra -li replied* A6o =t fid$et* 0ettered$e*A a d "e t o % 4)r yo) $ $e tlema =s first "ords i formed me that his disco#eries* co cer i $ the "ic-ed Colo el a d the 6iamo d* had 'e$) "ith a #isit "hich he had paid :'efore he came to )s; to the family la"yer* at Hampstead% A cha ce "ord dropped 'y &r% Fra -li * "he the t"o "ere alo e* o e day* after di er* re#ealed that he had 'ee char$ed 'y his father "ith a 'irthday prese t to 'e ta-e to &iss Rachel% 4 e thi $ led to a other9 a d it e ded i the la"yer me tio i $ "hat the prese t really "as* a d ho" the frie dly co exio 'et"ee the late Colo el a d &r% 0la-e* se ior* had ta-e its rise% The facts here are really so extraordi ary* that I do)'t if I ca tr)st my o" la $)a$e to do ()stice to them% I prefer tryi $ to report &r% Fra -li =s disco#eries* as early as may 'e* i &r% Fra -li =s o" "ords% A5o) remem'er the time* 0ettered$e*A he said* A"he my father "as tryi $ to pro#e his title to that ) l)c-y 6)-edomB @ellD that "as also the time "he my ) cle Her castle ret)r ed from I dia% &y father disco#ered that his 'rother7i 7la" "as i possessio of certai papers "hich "ere li-ely to 'e of ser#ice to him i his la"s)it% He called o the Colo el* o prete ce of "elcomi $ him 'ac- to E $la d% The Colo el "as ot to 'e del)ded i that "ay% =5o) "a t somethi $*= he said* =or yo) "o)ld e#er ha#e compromised yo)r rep)tatio 'y calli $ o &E%= &y father sa" that the o e cha ce for him "as to sho" his ha d9 he admitted* at o ce* that he "a ted the papers% The Colo el as-ed for a day to co sider his a s"er% His a s"er came i the shape of a most extraordi ary letter* "hich my frie d the la"yer sho"ed me% The Colo el 'e$a 'y sayi $ that he "a ted somethi $ of my father* a d that he 'e$$ed to propose a excha $e of frie dly ser#ices 'et"ee them% The fort) e of "ar :that "as the expressio he )sed; had placed him i possessio of o e of the lar$est 6iamo ds i the "orld9 a d he had reaso to 'elie#e that either he or his precio)s (e"el "as safe i a y ho)se* i a y ,)arter of the $lo'e* "hich they occ)pied to$ether% E der these alarmi $ circ)msta ces* he had determi ed to place his 6iamo d i the -eepi $ of a other perso % That perso "as ot expected to r) a y ris-% He mi$ht deposit the precio)s sto e i a y place especially $)arded a d set apart!li-e a 'a -er=s or (e"eller=s stro $7room!for the safe c)stody of #al)a'les of hi$h price% His mai perso al respo si'ility i the matter "as to 'e of the passi#e -i d% He "as to ) derta-e either 'y himself* or 'y a tr)st"orthy 3H

represe tati#e!to recei#e at a prearra $ed address* o certai prearra $ed days i e#ery year* a ote from the Colo el* simply stati $ the fact that he "as a li#i $ ma at that date% I the e#e t of the date passi $ o#er "itho)t the ote 'ei $ recei#ed* the Colo el=s sile ce mi$ht 'e ta-e as a s)re to-e of the Colo el=s death 'y m)rder% I that case* a d i o other* certai sealed i str)ctio s relati $ to the disposal of the 6iamo d* a d deposited "ith it* "ere to 'e ope ed* a d follo"ed implicitly% If my father chose to accept this stra $e char$e* the Colo el=s papers "ere at his disposal i ret)r % That "as the letter%A A@hat did yo)r father do* sirBA I as-ed% A6oBA says &r% Fra -li % AI=ll tell yo) "hat he did% He 'ro)$ht the i #al)a'le fac)lty* called commo se se* to 'ear o the Colo el=s letter% The "hole thi $* he declared* "as simply a's)rd% .ome"here i his I dia "a deri $s* the Colo el had pic-ed )p "ith some "retched crystal "hich he too- for a diamo d% As for the da $er of his 'ei $ m)rdered* a d the preca)tio s de#ised to preser#e his life a d his piece of crystal* this "as the i etee th ce t)ry* a d a y ma i his se ses had o ly to apply to the police% The Colo el had 'ee a otorio)s opi)m7eater for years past9 a d* if the o ly "ay of $etti $ at the #al)a'le papers he possessed "as 'y accepti $ a matter of opi)m as a matter of fact* my father "as ,)ite "illi $ to ta-e the ridic)lo)s respo si'ility imposed o him!all the more readily that it i #ol#ed o tro)'le to himself% The 6iamo d a d the sealed i str)ctio s "e t i to his 'a -er=s stro $7room* a d the Colo el=s letters* periodically reporti $ him a li#i $ ma * "ere recei#ed a d ope ed 'y o)r family la"yer* &r% 0r)ff* as my father=s represe tati#e% 8o se si'le perso * i a similar positio * co)ld ha#e #ie"ed the matter i a y other "ay% 8othi $ i this "orld* 0ettered$e* is pro'a'le ) less it appeals to o)r o" tr)mpery experie ce9 a d "e o ly 'elie#e i a roma ce "he "e see it i a e"spaper%A It "as plai to me from this* that &r% Fra -li tho)$ht his father=s otio a'o)t the Colo el hasty a d "ro $% A@hat is yo)r o" pri#ate opi io a'o)t the matter* sirBA I as-ed% A?et=s fi ish the story of the Colo el first*A says &r% Fra -li % AThere is a c)rio)s "a t of system* 0ettered$e* i the E $lish mi d9 a d yo)r ,)estio * my old frie d* is a i sta ce of it% @he "e are ot occ)pied i ma-i $ machi ery* "e are :me tally spea-i $; the most slo#e ly people i the ) i#erse%A A.o m)ch*A I tho)$ht to myself* Afor a forei$ ed)catio D He has lear ed that "ay of $irdi $ at )s i Fra ce* I s)ppose%A &r% Fra -li too- )p the lost thread* a d "e t o % A&y father*A he said* A$ot the papers he "a ted* a d e#er sa" his 'rother7i 7la" a$ai from that time% 5ear after year* o the prearra $ed days* the prearra $ed letter came from the Colo el* a d "as ope ed 'y &r% 0r)ff% I ha#e see the letters* i a heap* all of them

31

"ritte i the same 'rief* ')si ess7li-e form of "ordsF =.ir*!This is to certify that I am still a li#i $ ma % ?et the 6iamo d 'e% +oh Her castle%= That "as all he e#er "rote* a d that came re$)larly to the day9 ) til some six or ei$ht mo ths si ce* "he the form of the letter #aried for the first time% It ra o"F =.ir*!They tell me I am dyi $% Come to me* a d help me to ma-e my "ill%= &r% 0r)ff "e t* a d fo) d him* i the little s)')r'a #illa* s)rro) ded 'y its o" $ro) ds* i "hich he had li#ed alo e* e#er si ce he had left I dia% He had do$s* cats* a d 'irds to -eep him compa y9 ')t o h)ma 'ei $ ear him* except the perso "ho came daily to do the ho)se7"or-* a d the doctor at the 'edside% The "ill "as a #ery simple matter% The Colo el had dissipated the $reater part of his fort) e i his chemical i #esti$atio s% His "ill 'e$a a d e ded i three cla)ses* "hich he dictated from his 'ed* i perfect possessio of his fac)lties% The first cla)se pro#ided for the safe -eepi $ a d s)pport of his a imals% The seco d fo) ded a professorship of experime tal chemistry at a orther ) i#ersity% The third 'e,)eathed the &oo sto e as a 'irthday prese t to his iece* o co ditio that my father "o)ld act as exec)tor% &y father at first ref)sed to act% 4 seco d tho)$hts* ho"e#er* he $a#e "ay* partly 'eca)se he "as ass)red that the exec)torship "o)ld i #ol#e him i o tro)'le9 partly 'eca)se &r% 0r)ff s)$$ested* i Rachel=s i terest* that the 6iamo d mi$ht 'e "orth somethi $* after all%A A6id the Colo el $i#e a y reaso * sir*A I i ,)ired* A"hy he left the 6iamo d to &iss RachelBA AHe ot o ly $a#e the reaso !he had the reaso "ritte i his "ill*A said &r% Fra -li % AI ha#e $ot a extract* "hich yo) shall see prese tly% 6o =t 'e slo#e ly7mi ded* 0ettered$eD 4 e thi $ at a time% 5o) ha#e heard a'o)t the Colo el=s @ill9 o" yo) m)st hear "hat happe ed after the Colo el=s death% It "as formally ecessary to ha#e the 6iamo d #al)ed* 'efore the @ill co)ld 'e pro#ed% All the (e"ellers co s)lted* at o ce co firmed the Colo el=s assertio that he possessed o e of the lar$est diamo ds i the "orld% The ,)estio of acc)rately #al)i $ it prese ted some serio)s diffic)lties% Its si<e made it a phe ome o i the diamo d mar-et9 its colo)r placed it i a cate$ory 'y itself9 a d* to add to these eleme ts of ) certai ty* there "as a defect* i the shape of a fla"* i the #ery heart of the sto e% E#e "ith this last serio)s dra"7'ac-* ho"e#er* the lo"est of the #ario)s estimates $i#e "as t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds% Co cei#e my father=s asto ishme tD He had 'ee "ithi a hair=s7'readth of ref)si $ to act as exec)tor* a d of allo"i $ this ma$ ifice t (e"el to 'e lost to the family% The i terest he too- i the matter o"* i d)ced him to ope the sealed i str)ctio s "hich had 'ee deposited "ith the 6iamo d% &r% 0r)ff sho"ed this doc)me t to me* "ith the other papers9 a d it s)$$ests :to my mi d; a cl)e to the at)re of the co spiracy "hich threate ed the Colo el=s life%A AThe yo) do 'elie#e* sir*A I said* Athat there "as a co spiracyBA A8ot possessi $ my father=s excelle t commo se se*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li * AI 'elie#e the Colo el=s life "as threate ed* exactly as the Colo el said% The sealed i str)ctio s* as I thi -* explai ho" it "as that he died* after all* ,)ietly i his 'ed% I the e#e t of his death 'y #iole ce :that is to say* i the a'se ce of the re$)lar letter from him at the appoi ted date;* my father "as the directed to se d the &oo sto e secretly to Amsterdam% It "as to 'e deposited i that city "ith a famo)s diamo d7c)tter* a d it "as

32

to 'e c)t )p i to from fo)r to six separate sto es% The sto es "ere the to 'e sold for "hat they "o)ld fetch* a d the proceeds "ere to 'e applied to the fo) di $ of that professorship of experime tal chemistry* "hich the Colo el has si ce e do"ed 'y his @ill% 8o"* 0ettered$e* exert those sharp "its of yo)rs* a d o'ser#e the co cl)sio to "hich the Colo el=s i str)ctio s poi tDA I i sta tly exerted my "its% They "ere of the slo#e ly E $lish sort9 a d they co se,)e tly m)ddled it all* ) til &r% Fra -li too- them i ha d* a d poi ted o)t "hat they o)$ht to see% ARemar-*A says &r% Fra -li * Athat the i te$rity of the 6iamo d* as a "hole sto e* is here artf)lly made depe de t o the preser#atio from #iole ce of the Colo el=s life% He is ot satisfied "ith sayi $ to the e emies he dreads* =Jill me!a d yo) "ill 'e o earer to the 6iamo d tha yo) are o"9 it is "here yo) ca =t $et at it!i the $)arded stro $7room of a 'a -%= He says i stead* =Jill me!a d the 6iamo d "ill 'e the 6iamo d o lo $er9 its ide tity "ill 'e destroyed%= @hat does that mea BA Here I had :as I tho)$ht; a flash of the "o derf)l forei$ 'ri$ht ess% AI - o"*A I said% AIt mea s lo"eri $ the #al)e of the sto e* a d cheati $ the ro$)es i that "ayDA A8othi $ of the sort*A says &r% Fra -li % AI ha#e i ,)ired a'o)t that% The fla"ed 6iamo d* c)t )p* "o)ld act)ally fetch more tha the 6iamo d as it o" is9 for this plai reaso !that from fo)r to six perfect 'rillia ts mi$ht 'e c)t from it* "hich "o)ld 'e* collecti#ely* "orth more mo ey tha the lar$e!')t imperfect si $le sto e% If ro''ery for the p)rpose of $ai "as at the 'ottom of the co spiracy* the Colo el=s i str)ctio s a'sol)tely made the 6iamo d 'etter "orth steali $% &ore mo ey co)ld ha#e 'ee $ot for it* a d the disposal of it i the diamo d mar-et "o)ld ha#e 'ee i fi itely easier* if it had passed thro)$h the ha ds of the "or-me of Amsterdam%A A?ord 'less )s* sirDA I ')rst o)t% A@hat "as the plot* the BA AA plot or$a ised amo $ the I dia s "ho ori$i ally o" ed the (e"el*A says &r% Fra -li !Aa plot "ith some old Hi doo s)perstitio at the 'ottom of it% That is my opi io * co firmed 'y a family paper "hich I ha#e a'o)t me at this mome t%A I sa"* o"* "hy the appeara ce of the three I dia ()$$lers at o)r ho)se had prese ted itself to &r% Fra -li i the li$ht of a circ)msta ce "orth oti $% AI do =t "a t to force my opi io o yo)*A &r% Fra -li "e t o % AThe idea of certai chose ser#a ts of a old Hi doo s)perstitio de#oti $ themsel#es* thro)$h all diffic)lties a d da $ers* to "atchi $ the opport) ity of reco#eri $ their sacred $em* appears to me to 'e perfectly co siste t "ith e#erythi $ that "e - o" of the patie ce of 4rie tal races* a d the i fl)e ce of 4rie tal reli$io s% 0)t the I am a ima$i ati#e ma 9 a d the ')tcher* the 'a-er* a d the tax7$atherer* are ot the o ly credi'le realities i

33

existe ce to my mi d% ?et the $)ess I ha#e made at the tr)th i this matter $o for "hat it is "orth* a d let )s $et o to the o ly practical ,)estio that co cer s )s% 6oes the co spiracy a$ai st the &oo sto e s)r#i#e the Colo el=s deathB A d did the Colo el - o" it* "he he left the 'irthday $ift to his ieceBA I 'e$a to see my lady a d &iss Rachel at the e d of it all* o"% 8ot a "ord he said escaped me% AI "as ot #ery "illi $* "he I disco#ered the story of the &oo sto e*A said &r% Fra -li * Ato 'e the mea s of 'ri $i $ it here% 0)t &r% 0r)ff remi ded me that some'ody m)st p)t my co)si =s le$acy i to my co)si =s ha ds!a d that I mi$ht as "ell do it as a y'ody else% After ta-i $ the 6iamo d o)t of the 'a -* I fa cied I "as follo"ed i the streets 'y a sha''y* dar-7complexio ed ma % I "e t to my father=s ho)se to pic- )p my l)$$a$e* a d fo) d a letter there* "hich ) expectedly detai ed me i ?o do % I "e t 'ac- to the 'a - "ith the 6iamo d* a d tho)$ht I sa" the sha''y ma a$ai % Ta-i $ the 6iamo d o ce more o)t of the 'a - this mor i $* I sa" the ma for the third time* $a#e him the slip* a d started :'efore he reco#ered the trace of me; 'y the mor i $ i stead of the after oo trai % Here I am* "ith the 6iamo d safe a d so) d!a d "hat is the first e"s that meets meB I fi d that three strolli $ I dia s ha#e 'ee at the ho)se* a d that my arri#al from ?o do * a d somethi $ "hich I am expected to ha#e a'o)t me* are t"o special o'(ects of i #esti$atio to them "he they 'elie#e themsel#es to 'e alo e% I do =t "aste time a d "ords o their po)ri $ the i - i to the 'oy=s ha d* a d telli $ him to looi it for a ma at a dista ce* a d for somethi $ i that ma =s poc-et% The thi $ :"hich I ha#e ofte see do e i the East; is =hoc)s7poc)s= i my opi io * as it is i yo)rs% The prese t ,)estio for )s to decide is* "hether I am "ro $ly attachi $ a mea i $ to a mere accide tB or "hether "e really ha#e e#ide ce of the I dia s 'ei $ o the trac- of the &oo sto e* the mome t it is remo#ed from the safe -eepi $ of the 'a -BA 8either he or I seemed to fa cy deali $ "ith this part of the i ,)iry% @e loo-ed at each other* a d the "e loo-ed at the tide* oo<i $ i smoothly* hi$her a d hi$her* o#er the .hi#eri $ .a d% A@hat are yo) thi -i $ ofBA says &r% Fra -li * s)dde ly% AI "as thi -i $* sir*A I a s"ered* Athat I sho)ld li-e to shy the 6iamo d i to the ,)ic-sa d* a d settle the ,)estio i THAT "ay%A AIf yo) ha#e $ot the #al)e of the sto e i yo)r poc-et*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li * Asay so* 0ettered$e* a d i it $oesDA It=s c)rio)s to ote* "he yo)r mi d=s a xio)s* ho" #ery far i the "ay of relief a #ery small (o-e "ill $o% @e fo) d a f) d of merrime t* at the time* i the otio of ma-i $ a"ay "ith &iss Rachel=s la"f)l property* a d $etti $ &r% 0la-e* as exec)tor* i to dreadf)l tro)'le!tho)$h "here the merrime t "as* I am ,)ite at a loss to disco#er o"%

31

&r% Fra -li "as the first to 'ri $ the tal- 'ac- to the tal-=s proper p)rpose% He too- a e #elope o)t of his poc-et* ope ed it* a d ha ded to me the paper i side% A0ettered$e*A he said* A"e m)st face the ,)estio of the Colo el=s moti#e i lea#i $ this le$acy to his iece* for my a) t=s sa-e% 0ear i mi d ho" ?ady Veri der treated her 'rother from the time "he he ret)r ed to E $la d* to the time "he he told yo) he sho)ld remem'er his iece=s 'irthday% A d read that%A He $a#e me the extract from the Colo el=s @ill% I ha#e $ot it 'y me "hile I "rite these "ords9 a d I copy it* as follo"s* for yo)r 'e efitF AThirdly* a d lastly* I $i#e a d 'e,)eath to my iece* Rachel Veri der* da)$hter a d o ly child of my sister* +)lia Veri der* "ido"!if her mother* the said +)lia Veri der* shall 'e li#i $ o the said Rachel Veri der=s ext 0irthday after my death!the yello" 6iamo d 'elo $i $ to me* a d - o" i the East 'y the ame of The &oo sto eF s)'(ect to this co ditio * that her mother* the said +)lia Veri der* shall 'e li#i $ at the time% A d I here'y desire my exec)tor to $i#e my 6iamo d* either 'y his o" ha ds or 'y the ha ds of some tr)st"orthy represe tati#e "hom he shall appoi t* i to the perso al possessio of my said iece Rachel* o her ext 'irthday after my death* a d i the prese ce* if possi'le* of my sister* the said +)lia Veri der% A d I desire that my said sister may 'e i formed* 'y mea s of a tr)e copy of this* the third a d last cla)se of my @ill* that I $i#e the 6iamo d to her da)$hter Rachel* i to-e of my free for$i#e ess of the i ()ry "hich her co d)ct to"ards me has 'ee the mea s of i flicti $ o my rep)tatio i my lifetime9 a d especially i proof that I pardo * as 'ecomes a dyi $ ma * the i s)lt offered to me as a officer a d a $e tlema * "he her ser#a t* 'y her orders* closed the door of her ho)se a$ai st me* o the occasio of her da)$hter=s 'irthday%A &ore "ords follo"ed these* pro#idi $ if my lady "as dead* or if &iss Rachel "as dead* at the time of the testator=s decease* for the 6iamo d 'ei $ se t to Holla d* i accorda ce "ith the sealed i str)ctio s ori$i ally deposited "ith it% The proceeds of the sale "ere* i that case* to 'e added to the mo ey already left 'y the @ill for the professorship of chemistry at the ) i#ersity i the orth% I ha ded the paper 'ac- to &r% Fra -li * sorely tro)'led "hat to say to him% Ep to that mome t* my o" opi io had 'ee :as yo) - o"; that the Colo el had died as "ic-edly as he had li#ed% I do =t say the copy from his @ill act)ally co #erted me from that opi io F I o ly say it sta$$ered me% A@ell*A says &r% Fra -li * A o" yo) ha#e read the Colo el=s o" stateme t* "hat do yo) sayB I 'ri $i $ the &oo sto e to my a) t=s ho)se* am I ser#i $ his #e $ea ce 'li dfold* or am I #i dicati $ him i the character of a pe ite t a d Christia ma BA AIt seems hard to say* sir*A I a s"ered* Athat he died "ith a horrid re#e $e i his heart* a d a horrid lie o his lips% /od alo e - o"s the tr)th% 6o =t as- me%A

3>

&r% Fra -li sat t"isti $ a d t)r i $ the extract from the @ill i his fi $ers* as if he expected to s,)ee<e the tr)th o)t of it i that ma er% He altered ,)ite remar-a'ly* at the same time% From 'ei $ 'ris- a d 'ri$ht* he o" 'ecame* most ) acco) ta'ly* a slo"* solem * a d po deri $ yo) $ ma % AThis ,)estio has t"o sides*A he said% AA 4'(ecti#e side* a d a .)'(ecti#e side% @hich are "e to ta-eBA He had had a /erma ed)catio as "ell as a Fre ch% 4 e of the t"o had 'ee i ) dist)r'ed possessio of him :as I s)pposed; )p to this time% A d o" :as "ell as I co)ld ma-e o)t; the other "as ta-i $ its place% It is o e of my r)les i life* e#er to otice "hat I do =t ) dersta d% I steered a middle co)rse 'et"ee the 4'(ecti#e side a d the .)'(ecti#e side% I plai E $lish I stared hard* a d said othi $% A?et=s extract the i er mea i $ of this*A says &r% Fra -li % A@hy did my ) cle lea#e the 6iamo d to RachelB @hy did =t he lea#e it to my a) tBA AThat=s ot 'eyo d $)essi $* sir* at a y rate*A I said% AColo el Her castle - e" my lady "ell e o)$h to - o" that she "o)ld ha#e ref)sed to accept a y le$acy that came to her from HI&%A AHo" did he - o" that Rachel mi$ht ot ref)se to accept it* tooBA AIs there a y yo) $ lady i existe ce* sir* "ho co)ld resist the temptatio of accepti $ s)ch a 'irthday prese t as The &oo sto eBA AThat=s the .)'(ecti#e #ie"*A says &r% Fra -li % AIt does yo) $reat credit* 0ettered$e* to 'e a'le to ta-e the .)'(ecti#e #ie"% 0)t there=s a other mystery a'o)t the Colo el=s le$acy "hich is ot acco) ted for yet% Ho" are "e to explai his o ly $i#i $ Rachel her 'irthday prese t co ditio ally o her mother 'ei $ ali#eBA AI do =t "a t to sla der a dead ma * sir*A I a s"ered% A0)t if he HA. p)rposely left a le$acy of tro)'le a d da $er to his sister* 'y the mea s of her child* it m)st 'e a le$acy made co ditio al o his sister=s 'ei $ ali#e to feel the #exatio of it%A A4hD That=s yo)r i terpretatio of his moti#e* is itB The .)'(ecti#e i terpretatio a$ai D Ha#e yo) e#er 'ee i /erma y* 0ettered$eBA A8o* sir% @hat=s yo)r i terpretatio * if yo) pleaseBA AI ca see*A says &r% Fra -li * Athat the Colo el=s o'(ect may* ,)ite possi'ly* ha#e 'ee ! ot to 'e efit his iece* "hom he had e#er e#e see !')t to pro#e to his sister that he had died for$i#i $ her* a d to pro#e it #ery prettily 'y mea s of a prese t made to her child% There is a totally differe t expla atio from yo)rs* 0ettered$e* ta-i $ its rise i a .)'(ecti#e74'(ecti#e poi t of #ie"% From all I ca see* o e i terpretatio is ()st as li-ely to 'e ri$ht as the other%A

3C

Ha#i $ 'ro)$ht matters to this pleasa t a d comforti $ iss)e* &r% Fra -li appeared to thi - that he had completed all that "as re,)ired of him% He laid do" flat o his 'ac- o the sa d* a d as-ed "hat "as to 'e do e ext% He had 'ee so cle#er* a d clear7headed :'efore he 'e$a to tal- the forei$ $i''erish;* a d had so completely ta-e the lead i the ')si ess )p to the prese t time* that I "as ,)ite ) prepared for s)ch a s)dde cha $e as he o" exhi'ited i this helpless lea i $ )po me% It "as ot till later that I lear ed!'y assista ce of &iss Rachel* "ho "as the first to ma-e the disco#ery!that these p)<<li $ shifts a d tra sformatio s i &r% Fra -li "ere d)e to the effect o him of his forei$ trai i $% At the a$e "he "e are all of )s most apt to ta-e o)r colo)ri $* i the form of a reflectio from the colo)ri $ of other people* he had 'ee se t a'road* a d had 'ee passed o from o e atio to a other* 'efore there "as time for a y o e colo)ri $ more tha a other to settle itself o him firmly% As a co se,)e ce of this* he had come 'ac- "ith so ma y differe t sides to his character* all more or less (arri $ "ith each other* that he seemed to pass his life i a state of perpet)al co tradictio "ith himself% He co)ld 'e a ')sy ma * a d a la<y ma 9 clo)dy i the head* a d clear i the head9 a model of determi atio * a d a spectacle of helpless ess* all to$ether% He had his Fre ch side* a d his /erma side* a d his Italia side!the ori$i al E $lish fo) datio sho"i $ thro)$h* e#ery o" a d the * as m)ch as to say* AHere I am* sorely tra smo$rified* as yo) see* ')t there=s somethi $ of me left at the 'ottom of him still%A &iss Rachel )sed to remar- that the Italia side of him "as )ppermost* o those occasio s "he he ) expectedly $a#e i * a d as-ed yo) i his ice s"eet7tempered "ay to ta-e his o" respo si'ilities o yo)r sho)lders% 5o) "ill do him o i ()stice* I thi -* if yo) co cl)de that the Italia side of him "as )ppermost o"% AIs =t it yo)r ')si ess* sir*A I as-ed* Ato - o" "hat to do extB .)rely it ca =t 'e mi eBA &r% Fra -li did =t appear to see the force of my ,)estio ! ot 'ei $ i a positio * at the time* to see a ythi $ ')t the s-y o#er his head% AI do =t "a t to alarm my a) t "itho)t reaso *A he said% AA d I do =t "a t to lea#e her "itho)t "hat may 'e a eedf)l "ar i $% If yo) "ere i my place* 0ettered$e* tell me* i o e "ord* "hat "o)ld yo) doBA I o e "ord* I told himF A@ait%A A@ith all my heart*A says &r% Fra -li % AHo" lo $BA I proceeded to explai myself% AAs I ) dersta d it* sir*A I said* Asome'ody is 'o) d to p)t this pla$)y 6iamo d i to &iss Rachel=s ha ds o her 'irthday!a d yo) may as "ell do it as a other% Very $ood% This is the t"e ty7fifth of &ay* a d the 'irthday is o the t"e ty7first of +) e% @e ha#e $ot close o fo)r "ee-s 'efore )s% ?et=s "ait a d see "hat happe s i that time9 a d let=s "ar my lady* or ot* as the circ)msta ces direct )s%A

32

APerfect* 0ettered$e* as far as it $oesDA says &r% Fra -li % A0)t 'et"ee this a d the 'irthday* "hat=s to 'e do e "ith the 6iamo dBA A@hat yo)r father did "ith it* to 'e s)re* sirDA I a s"ered% A5o)r father p)t it i the safe -eepi $ of a 'a - i ?o do % 5o) p)t i the safe -eepi $ of the 'a - at Fri<i $hall%A :Fri<i $hall "as o)r earest to" * a d the 0a - of E $la d "as =t safer tha the 'a there%; AIf I "ere yo)* sir*A I added* AI "o)ld ride strai$ht a"ay "ith it to Fri<i $hall 'efore the ladies come 'ac-%A The prospect of doi $ somethi $!a d* "hat is more* of doi $ that somethi $ o a horse !'ro)$ht &r% Fra -li )p li-e li$ht i $ from the flat of his 'ac-% He spra $ to his feet* a d p)lled me )p* "itho)t ceremo y* o to mi e% A0ettered$e* yo) are "orth yo)r "ei$ht i $old*A he said% ACome alo $* a d saddle the 'est horse i the sta'les directly%A Here :/od 'less itD; "as the ori$i al E $lish fo) datio of him sho"i $ thro)$h all the forei$ #ar ish at lastD Here "as the &aster Fra -li I remem'ered* comi $ o)t a$ai i the $ood old "ay at the prospect of a ride* a d remi di $ me of the $ood old timesD .addle a horse for himB I "o)ld ha#e saddled a do<e horses* if he co)ld o ly ha#e ridde them allD @e "e t 'ac- to the ho)se i a h)rry9 "e had the fleetest horse i the sta'les saddled i a h)rry9 a d &r% Fra -li rattled off i a h)rry* to lod$e the c)rsed 6iamo d o ce more i the stro $7room of a 'a -% @he I heard the last of his horse=s hoofs o the dri#e* a d "he I t)r ed a'o)t i the yard a d fo) d I "as alo e a$ai * I felt half i cli ed to asmyself if I had =t "o-e )p from a dream%

CHAPTER !II
@hile I "as i this 'e"ildered frame of mi d* sorely eedi $ a little ,)iet time 'y myself to p)t me ri$ht a$ai * my da)$hter Pe elope $ot i my "ay :()st as her late mother )sed to $et i my "ay o the stairs;* a d i sta tly s)mmo ed me to tell her all that had passed at the co fere ce 'et"ee &r% Fra -li a d me% E der prese t circ)msta ces* the o e thi $ to 'e do e "as to clap the exti $)isher )po Pe elope=s c)riosity o the spot% I accordi $ly replied that &r% Fra -li a d I had 'oth tal-ed of forei$ politics* till "e co)ld tal- o lo $er* a d had the m)t)ally falle asleep i the heat of the s) % Try that sort of a s"er "he yo)r "ife or yo)r da)$hter ext "orries yo) "ith a a"-"ard ,)estio at a a"-"ard time* a d depe d o the at)ral s"eet ess of "ome for -issi $ a d ma-i $ it )p a$ai at the ext opport) ity% The after oo "ore o * a d my lady a d &iss Rachel came 'ac-%

3G

8eedless to say ho" asto ished they "ere* "he they heard that &r% Fra -li 0la-e had arri#ed* a d had $o e off a$ai o horse'ac-% 8eedless also to say* that THE5 as-ed a"-"ard ,)estio s directly* a d that the Aforei$ politicsA a d the Afalli $ asleep i the s) A "o)ld =t ser#e a seco d time o#er "ith THE&% 0ei $ at the e d of my i #e tio * I said &r% Fra -li =s arri#al 'y the early trai "as e tirely attri')ta'le to o e of &r% Fra -li =s frea-s% 0ei $ as-ed* )po that* "hether his $allopi $ off a$ai o horse'ac"as a other of &r% Fra -li =s frea-s* I said* A5es* it "as9A a d slipped o)t of it!I thi #ery cle#erly!i that "ay% Ha#i $ $ot o#er my diffic)lties "ith the ladies* I fo) d more diffic)lties "aiti $ for me "he I "e t 'ac- to my o" room% I came Pe elope!"ith the at)ral s"eet ess of "ome !to -iss a d ma-e it )p a$ai 9 a d!"ith the at)ral c)riosity of "ome !to asa other ,)estio % This time she o ly "a ted me to tell her "hat "as the matter "ith o)r seco d ho)semaid* Rosa a .pearma % After lea#i $ &r% Fra -li a d me at the .hi#eri $ .a d* Rosa a* it appeared* had ret)r ed to the ho)se i a #ery ) acco) ta'le state of mi d% .he had t)r ed :if Pe elope "as to 'e 'elie#ed; all the colo)rs of the rai 'o"% .he had 'ee merry "itho)t reaso * a d sad "itho)t reaso % I o e 'reath she as-ed h) dreds of ,)estio s a'o)t &r% Fra -li 0la-e* a d i a other 'reath she had 'ee a $ry "ith Pe elope for pres)mi $ to s)ppose that a stra $e $e tlema co)ld possess a y i terest for her% .he had 'ee s)rprised* smili $* a d scri''li $ &r% Fra -li =s ame i side her "or-'ox% .he had 'ee s)rprised a$ai * cryi $ a d loo-i $ at her deformed sho)lder i the $lass% Had she a d &r% Fra -li - o" a ythi $ of each other 'efore to7dayB I)ite impossi'leD Had they heard a ythi $ of each otherB Impossi'le a$ai D I co)ld spea- to &r% Fra -li =s asto ishme t as $e )i e* "he he sa" ho" the $irl stared at him% Pe elope co)ld spea- to the $irl=s i ,)isiti#e ess as $e )i e* "he she as-ed ,)estio s a'o)t &r% Fra -li % The co fere ce 'et"ee )s* co d)cted i this "ay* "as tiresome e o)$h* ) til my da)$hter s)dde ly e ded it 'y ')rsti $ o)t "ith "hat I tho)$ht the most mo stro)s s)ppositio I had e#er heard i my life% AFatherDA says Pe elope* ,)ite serio)sly* Athere=s o ly o e expla atio of it% Rosa a has falle i lo#e "ith &r% Fra -li 0la-e at first si$htDA 5o) ha#e heard of 'ea)tif)l yo) $ ladies falli $ i lo#e at first si$ht* a d ha#e tho)$ht it at)ral e o)$h% 0)t a ho)semaid o)t of a reformatory* "ith a plai face a d a deformed sho)lder* falli $ i lo#e* at first si$ht* "ith a $e tlema "ho comes o a #isit to her mistress=s ho)se* match me that* i the "ay of a a's)rdity* o)t of a y story7'oo- i Christe dom* if yo) ca D I la)$hed till the tears rolled do" my chee-s% Pe elope rese ted my merrime t* i rather a stra $e "ay% AI e#er - e" yo) cr)el 'efore* father*A she said* #ery $e tly* a d "e t o)t% &y $irl=s "ords fell )po me li-e a splash of cold "ater% I "as sa#a$e "ith myself* for feeli $ ) easy i myself the mome t she had spo-e them!')t so it "as% @e "ill cha $e the s)'(ect* if yo) please% I am sorry I drifted i to "riti $ a'o)t it9 a d ot "itho)t reaso * as yo) "ill see "he "e ha#e $o e o to$ether a little lo $er%

33

The e#e i $ came* a d the dressi $7'ell for di er ra $* 'efore &r% Fra -li ret)r ed from Fri<i $hall% I too- his hot "ater )p to his room myself* expecti $ to hear* after this extraordi ary delay* that somethi $ had happe ed% To my $reat disappoi tme t :a d o do)'t to yo)rs also;* othi $ had happe ed% He had ot met "ith the I dia s* either $oi $ or ret)r i $% He had deposited the &oo sto e i the 'a -!descri'i $ it merely as a #al)a'le of $reat price!a d he had $ot the receipt for it safe i his poc-et% I "e t do" 7 stairs* feeli $ that this "as rather a flat e di $* after all o)r exciteme t a'o)t the 6iamo d earlier i the day% Ho" the meeti $ 'et"ee &r% Fra -li a d his a) t a d co)si "e t off* is more tha I ca tell yo)% I "o)ld ha#e $i#e somethi $ to ha#e "aited at ta'le that day% 0)t* i my positio i the ho)sehold* "aiti $ at di er :except o hi$h family festi#als; "as letti $ do" my di$ ity i the eyes of the other ser#a ts!a thi $ "hich my lady co sidered me ,)ite pro e e o)$h to do already* "itho)t see-i $ occasio s for it% The e"s 'ro)$ht to me from the )pper re$io s* that e#e i $* came from Pe elope a d the footma % Pe elope me tio ed that she had e#er - o" &iss Rachel so partic)lar a'o)t the dressi $ of her hair* a d had e#er see her loo- so 'ri$ht a d pretty as she did "he she "e t do" to meet &r% Fra -li i the dra"i $7room% The footma =s report "as* that the preser#atio of a respectf)l compos)re i the prese ce of his 'etters* a d the "aiti $ o &r% Fra -li 0la-e at di er* "ere t"o of the hardest thi $s to reco cile "ith each other that had e#er tried his trai i $ i ser#ice% ?ater i the e#e i $* "e heard them si $i $ a d playi $ d)ets* &r% Fra -li pipi $ hi$h* &iss Rachel pipi $ hi$her* a d my lady* o the pia o* follo"i $ them as it "ere o#er hed$e a d ditch* a d seei $ them safe thro)$h it i a ma er most "o derf)l a d pleasa t to hear thro)$h the ope "i do"s* o the terrace at i$ht% ?ater still* I "e t to &r% Fra -li i the smo-i $7room* "ith the soda7"ater a d 'ra dy* a d fo) d that &iss Rachel had p)t the 6iamo d clea o)t of his head% A.he=s the most charmi $ $irl I ha#e see si ce I came 'ac- to E $la dDA "as all I co)ld extract from him* "he I e dea#o)red to lead the co #ersatio to more serio)s thi $s% To"ards mid i$ht* I "e t ro) d the ho)se to loc- )p* accompa ied 'y my seco d i comma d :.am)el* the footma ;* as )s)al% @he all the doors "ere made fast* except the side door that ope ed o the terrace* I se t .am)el to 'ed* a d stepped o)t for a 'reath of fresh air 'efore I too "e t to 'ed i my t)r % The i$ht "as still a d close* a d the moo "as at the f)ll i the hea#e s% It "as so sile t o)t of doors* that I heard from time to time* #ery fai t a d lo"* the fall of the sea* as the $ro) d7s"ell hea#ed it i o the sa d7'a - ear the mo)th of o)r little 'ay% As the ho)se stood* the terrace side "as the dar- side9 ')t the 'road moo li$ht sho"ed fair o the $ra#el "al- that ra alo $ the ext side to the terrace% ?oo-i $ this "ay* after loo-i $ )p at the s-y* I sa" the shado" of a perso i the moo li$ht thro" for"ard from 'ehi d the cor er of the ho)se% 0ei $ old a d sly* I for'ore to call o)t9 ')t 'ei $ also* ) fort) ately* old a d hea#y* my feet 'etrayed me o the $ra#el% 0efore I co)ld steal s)dde ly ro) d the cor er* as I had

1H

proposed* I heard li$hter feet tha mi e!a d more tha o e pair of them as I tho)$ht! retreati $ i a h)rry% 0y the time I had $ot to the cor er* the trespassers* "hoe#er they "ere* had r) i to the shr)''ery at the off side of the "al-* a d "ere hidde from si$ht amo $ the thic- trees a d ')shes i that part of the $ro) ds% From the shr)''ery* they co)ld easily ma-e their "ay* o#er o)r fe ce i to the road% If I had 'ee forty years yo) $er* I mi$ht ha#e had a cha ce of catchi $ them 'efore they $ot clear of o)r premises% As it "as* I "e t 'ac- to set a7$oi $ a yo) $er pair of le$s tha mi e% @itho)t dist)r'i $ a y'ody* .am)el a d I $ot a co)ple of $) s* a d "e t all ro) d the ho)se a d thro)$h the shr)''ery% Ha#i $ made s)re that o perso s "ere l)r-i $ a'o)t a y"here i o)r $ro) ds* "e t)r ed 'ac-% Passi $ o#er the "al- "here I had see the shado"* I o" oticed* for the first time* a little 'ri$ht o'(ect* lyi $ o the clea $ra#el* ) der the li$ht of the moo % Pic-i $ the o'(ect )p* I disco#ered it "as a small 'ottle* co tai i $ a thics"eet7smelli $ li,)or* as 'lac- as i -% I said othi $ to .am)el% 0)t* remem'eri $ "hat Pe elope had told me a'o)t the ()$$lers* a d the po)ri $ of the little pool of i - i to the palm of the 'oy=s ha d* I i sta tly s)spected that I had dist)r'ed the three I dia s* l)r-i $ a'o)t the ho)se* a d 'e t* i their heathe ish "ay* o disco#eri $ the "herea'o)ts of the 6iamo d that i$ht%

CHAPTER !III
Here* for o e mome t* I fi d it ecessary to call a halt% 4 s)mmo i $ )p my o" recollectio s!a d o $etti $ Pe elope to help me* 'y co s)lti $ her (o)r al!I fi d that "e may pass pretty rapidly o#er the i ter#al 'et"ee &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s arri#al a d &iss Rachel=s 'irthday% For the $reater part of that time the days passed* a d 'ro)$ht othi $ "ith them "orth recordi $% @ith yo)r $ood lea#e* the * a d "ith Pe elope=s help* I shall otice certai dates o ly i this place9 reser#i $ to myself to tell the story day 'y day* o ce more* as soo as "e $et to the time "he the ')si ess of the &oo sto e 'ecame the chief ')si ess of e#ery'ody i o)r ho)se% This said* "e may o" $o o a$ai !'e$i i $* of co)rse* "ith the 'ottle of s"eet7 smelli $ i - "hich I fo) d o the $ra#el "al- at i$ht% 4 the ext mor i $ :the mor i $ of the t"e ty7sixth; I sho"ed &r% Fra -li this article of ()$$lery* a d told him "hat I ha#e already told yo)% His opi io "as* ot o ly that the I dia s had 'ee l)r-i $ a'o)t after the 6iamo d* ')t also that they "ere act)ally foolish e o)$h to 'elie#e i their o" ma$ic!mea i $ there'y the ma-i $ of si$ s o a 'oy=s head* a d the po)ri $ of i - i to a 'oy=s ha d* a d the expecti $ him to see perso s a d thi $s 'eyo d the reach of h)ma #isio % I o)r co) try* as "ell as i the East* &r% Fra -li i formed me* there are people "ho practise this c)rio)s hoc)s7poc)s :"itho)t the i -* ho"e#er;9 a d "ho call it 'y a Fre ch ame* si$ ifyi $ somethi $ li-e 'ri$ht ess 11

of si$ht% A6epe d )po it*A says &r% Fra -li * Athe I dia s too- it for $ra ted that "e sho)ld -eep the 6iamo d here9 a d they 'ro)$ht their clair#oya t 'oy to sho" them the "ay to it* if they s)cceeded i $etti $ i to the ho)se last i$ht%A A6o yo) thi - they=ll try a$ai * sirBA I as-ed% AIt depe ds*A says &r% Fra -li * Ao "hat the 'oy ca really do% If he ca see the 6iamo d thro)$h the iro safe of the 'a - at Fri<i $hall* "e shall 'e tro)'led "ith o more #isits from the I dia s for the prese t% If he ca =t* "e shall ha#e a other cha ce of catchi $ them i the shr)''ery* 'efore ma y more i$hts are o#er o)r heads%A I "aited pretty co fide tly for that latter cha ce9 ')t* stra $e to relate* it e#er came% @hether the ()$$lers heard* i the to" * of &r% Fra -li ha#i $ 'ee see at the 'a -* a d dre" their co cl)sio s accordi $ly9 or "hether the 'oy really did see the 6iamo d "here the 6iamo d "as o" lod$ed :"hich I* for o e* flatly dis'elie#e;9 or "hether* after all* it "as a mere effect of cha ce* this at a y rate is the plai tr)th! ot the $host of a I dia came ear the ho)se a$ai * thro)$h the "ee-s that passed 'efore &iss Rachel=s 'irthday% The ()$$lers remai ed i a d a'o)t the to" plyi $ their trade9 a d &r% Fra -li a d I remai ed "aiti $ to see "hat mi$ht happe * a d resol)te ot to p)t the ro$)es o their $)ard 'y sho"i $ o)r s)spicio s of them too soo % @ith this report of the proceedi $s o either side* e ds all that I ha#e to say a'o)t the I dia s for the prese t% 4 the t"e ty7 i th of the mo th* &iss Rachel a d &r% Fra -li hit o a e" method of "or-i $ their "ay to$ether thro)$h the time "hich mi$ht other"ise ha#e h) $ hea#y o their ha ds% There are reaso s for ta-i $ partic)lar otice here of the occ)patio that am)sed them% 5o) "ill fi d it has a 'eari $ o somethi $ that is still to come% /e tlefol-s i $e eral ha#e a #ery a"-"ard roc- ahead i life!the roc- ahead of their o" idle ess% Their li#es 'ei $* for the most part* passed i loo-i $ a'o)t them for somethi $ to do* it is c)rio)s to see!especially "he their tastes are of "hat is called the i tellect)al sort!ho" ofte they drift 'li dfold i to some asty p)rs)it% 8i e times o)t of te they ta-e to tort)ri $ somethi $* or to spoili $ somethi $!a d they firmly 'elie#e they are impro#i $ their mi ds* "he the plai tr)th is* they are o ly ma-i $ a mess i the ho)se% I ha#e see them :ladies* I am sorry to say* as "ell as $e tleme ; $o o)t* day after day* for example* "ith empty pill7'oxes* a d catch e"ts* a d 'eetles* a d spiders* a d fro$s* a d come home a d stic- pi s thro)$h the misera'le "retches* or c)t them )p* "itho)t a pa $ of remorse* i to little pieces% 5o) see my yo) $ master* or my yo) $ mistress* pori $ o#er o e of their spiders= i sides "ith a ma$ ifyi $7$lass9 or yo) meet o e of their fro$s "al-i $ do" stairs "itho)t his head!a d "he yo) "o der "hat this cr)el asti ess mea s* yo) are told that it mea s a taste i my yo) $ master or my yo) $ mistress for at)ral history% .ometimes* a$ai * yo) see them occ)pied for ho)rs to$ether i spoili $ a pretty flo"er "ith poi ted i str)me ts* o)t of a st)pid c)riosity to - o" "hat the flo"er is made of% Is its colo)r a y prettier* or its sce t a y s"eeter* "he yo) 64 - o"B 0)t thereD the poor so)ls m)st $et thro)$h the time* yo) see!they m)st $et thro)$h the time% 5o) da''led i asty m)d* a d made pies* "he yo) "ere a child9 a d

12

yo) da''le i asty scie ce* a d dissect spiders* a d spoil flo"ers* "he yo) $ro" )p% I the o e case a d i the other* the secret of it is* that yo) ha#e $ot othi $ to thi - of i yo)r poor empty head* a d othi $ to do "ith yo)r poor idle ha ds% A d so it e ds i yo)r spoili $ ca #as "ith pai ts* a d ma-i $ a smell i the ho)se9 or i -eepi $ tadpoles i a $lass 'ox f)ll of dirty "ater* a d t)r i $ e#ery'ody=s stomach i the ho)se9 or i chippi $ off 'its of sto e here* there* a d e#ery"here* a d droppi $ $rit i to all the #ict)als i the ho)se9 or i stai i $ yo)r fi $ers i the p)rs)it of photo$raphy* a d doi $ ()stice "itho)t mercy o e#ery'ody=s face i the ho)se% It ofte falls hea#y e o)$h* o do)'t* o people "ho are really o'li$ed to $et their li#i $* to 'e forced to "or- for the clothes that co#er them* the roof that shelters them* a d the food that -eeps them $oi $% 0)t compare the hardest day=s "or- yo) e#er did "ith the idle ess that splits flo"ers a d po-es its "ay i to spiders= stomachs* a d tha - yo)r stars that yo)r head has $ot somethi $ it &E.T thi - of* a d yo)r ha ds somethi $ that they &E.T do% As for &r% Fra -li a d &iss Rachel* they tort)red othi $* I am $lad to say% They simply co fi ed themsel#es to ma-i $ a mess9 a d all they spoilt* to do them ()stice* "as the pa elli $ of a door% &r% Fra -li =s ) i#ersal $e i)s* da''li $ i e#erythi $* da''led i "hat he called Adecorati#e pai ti $%A He had i #e ted* he i formed )s* a e" mixt)re to moiste pai t "ith* "hich he descri'ed as a A#ehicle%A @hat it "as made of* I do =t - o"% @hat it did* I ca tell yo) i t"o "ords!it sta -% &iss Rachel 'ei $ "ild to try her ha d at the e" process* &r% Fra -li se t to ?o do for the materials9 mixed them )p* "ith accompa ime t of a smell "hich made the #ery do$s s ee<e "he they came i to the room9 p)t a apro a d a 'i' o#er &iss Rachel=s $o" * a d set her to "or- decorati $ her o" little sitti $7room!called* for "a t of E $lish to ame it i * her A'o)doir%A They 'e$a "ith the i side of the door% &r% Fra -li scraped off all the ice #ar ish "ith p)mice7sto e* a d made "hat he descri'ed as a s)rface to "or- o % &iss Rachel the co#ered the s)rface* ) der his directio s a d "ith his help* "ith patter s a d de#ices! $riffi s* 'irds* flo"ers* c)pids* a d s)ch li-e!copied from desi$ s made 'y a famo)s Italia pai ter* "hose ame escapes meF the o e* I mea * "ho stoc-ed the "orld "ith Vir$i &aries* a d had a s"eetheart at the 'a-er=s% Vie"ed as "or-* this decoratio "as slo" to do* a d dirty to deal "ith% 0)t o)r yo) $ lady a d $e tlema e#er seemed to tire of it% @he they "ere ot ridi $* or seei $ compa y* or ta-i $ their meals* or pipi $ their so $s* there they "ere "ith their heads to$ether* as ')sy as 'ees* spoili $ the door% @ho "as the poet "ho said that .ata fi ds some mischief still for idle ha ds to doB If he had occ)pied my place i the family* a d had see &iss Rachel "ith her 'r)sh* a d &r% Fra -li "ith his #ehicle* he co)ld ha#e "ritte othi $ tr)er of either of them tha that% The ext date "orthy of otice is .) day the fo)rth of +) e% 4 that e#e i $ "e* i the ser#a ts= hall* de'ated a domestic ,)estio for the first time* "hich* li-e the decoratio of the door* has its 'eari $ o somethi $ that is still to come% .eei $ the pleas)re "hich &r% Fra -li a d &iss Rachel too- i each other=s society* a d oti $ "hat a pretty match they "ere i all perso al respects* "e at)rally spec)lated o

13

the cha ce of their p)tti $ their heads to$ether "ith other o'(ects i #ie" 'esides the or ame ti $ of a door% .ome of )s said there "o)ld 'e a "eddi $ i the ho)se 'efore the s)mmer "as o#er% 4thers :led 'y me; admitted it "as li-ely e o)$h &iss Rachel mi$ht 'e married9 ')t "e do)'ted :for reaso s "hich "ill prese tly appear; "hether her 'ride$room "o)ld 'e &r% Fra -li 0la-e% That &r% Fra -li "as i lo#e* o his side* o'ody "ho sa" a d heard him co)ld do)'t% The diffic)lty "as to fathom &iss Rachel% ?et me do myself the ho o)r of ma-i $ yo) ac,)ai ted "ith her9 after "hich* I "ill lea#e yo) to fathom for yo)rself!if yo) ca % &y yo) $ lady=s ei$htee th 'irthday "as the 'irthday o" comi $* o the t"e ty7first of +) e% If yo) happe to li-e dar- "ome :"ho* I am i formed* ha#e $o e o)t of fashio latterly i the $ay "orld;* a d if yo) ha#e o partic)lar pre()dice i fa#o)r of si<e* I a s"er for &iss Rachel as o e of the prettiest $irls yo)r eyes e#er loo-ed o % .he "as small a d slim* ')t all i fi e proportio from top to toe% To see her sit do" * to see her $et )p* a d specially to see her "al-* "as e o)$h to satisfy a y ma i his se ses that the $races of her fi$)re :if yo) "ill pardo me the expressio ; "ere i her flesh a d ot i her clothes% Her hair "as the 'lac-est I e#er sa"% Her eyes matched her hair% Her ose "as ot ,)ite lar$e e o)$h* I admit% Her mo)th a d chi "ere :to ,)ote &r% Fra -li ; morsels for the $ods9 a d her complexio :o the same ) de ia'le a)thority; "as as "arm as the s) itself* "ith this $reat ad#a ta$e o#er the s) * that it "as al"ays i ice order to loo- at% Add to the fore$oi $ that she carried her head as )pri$ht as a dart* i a dashi $* spirited* thoro)$h'red "ay!that she had a clear #oice* "ith a ri $ of the ri$ht metal i it* a d a smile that 'e$a #ery prettily i her eyes 'efore it $ot to her lips!a d there 'ehold the portrait of her* to the 'est of my pai ti $* as lar$e as lifeD A d "hat a'o)t her dispositio extB Had this charmi $ creat)re o fa)ltsB .he had ()st as ma y fa)lts as yo) ha#e* ma=am! either more or less% To p)t it serio)sly* my dear pretty &iss Rachel* possessi $ a host of $races a d attractio s* had o e defect* "hich strict impartiality compels me to ac- o"led$e% .he "as ) li-e most other $irls of her a$e* i this!that she had ideas of her o" * a d "as stiff7 ec-ed e o)$h to set the fashio s themsel#es at defia ce* if the fashio s did =t s)it her #ie"s% I trifles* this i depe de ce of hers "as all "ell e o)$h9 ')t i matters of importa ce* it carried her :as my lady tho)$ht* a d as I tho)$ht; too far% .he ()d$ed for herself* as fe" "ome of t"ice her a$e ()d$e i $e eral9 e#er as-ed yo)r ad#ice9 e#er told yo) 'eforeha d "hat she "as $oi $ to do9 e#er came "ith secrets a d co fide ces to a y'ody* from her mother do" "ards% I little thi $s a d $reat* "ith people she lo#ed* a d people she hated :a d she did 'oth "ith e,)al hearti ess;* &iss Rachel al"ays "e t o a "ay of her o" * s)fficie t for herself i the (oys a d sorro"s of her life% 4#er a d o#er a$ai I ha#e heard my lady say* ARachel=s 'est frie d a d Rachel=s "orst e emy are* o e a d the other!Rachel herself%A Add o e thi $ more to this* a d I ha#e do e%

11

@ith all her secrecy* a d self7"ill* there "as ot so m)ch as the shado" of a ythi $ false i her% I e#er remem'er her 'rea-i $ her "ord9 I e#er remem'er her sayi $ 8o* a d mea i $ 5es% I ca call to mi d* i her childhood* more tha o e occasio "he the $ood little so)l too- the 'lame* a d s)ffered the p) ishme t* for some fa)lt committed 'y a playfello" "hom she lo#ed% 8o'ody e#er - e" her to co fess to it* "he the thi $ "as fo) d o)t* a d she "as char$ed "ith it after"ards% 0)t o'ody e#er - e" her to lie a'o)t it* either% .he loo-ed yo) strai$ht i the face* a d shoo- her little sa)cy head* a d said plai ly* AI "o =t tell yo)DA P) ished a$ai for this* she "o)ld o" to 'ei $ sorry for sayi $ A"o =t9A ')t* 'read a d "ater ot"ithsta di $* she e#er told yo)% .elf7"illed! de#ilish self7"illed sometimes!I $ra t9 ')t the fi est creat)re* e#ertheless* that e#er "al-ed the "ays of this lo"er "orld% Perhaps yo) thi - yo) see a certai co tradictio hereB I that case* a "ord i yo)r ear% .t)dy yo)r "ife closely* for the ext fo)r7a d7 t"e ty ho)rs% If yo)r $ood lady does =t exhi'it somethi $ i the shape of a co tradictio i that time* Hea#e help yo)D!yo) ha#e married a mo ster% I ha#e o" 'ro)$ht yo) ac,)ai ted "ith &iss Rachel* "hich yo) "ill fi d p)ts )s face to face* ext* "ith the ,)estio of that yo) $ lady=s matrimo ial #ie"s% 4 +) e the t"elfth* a i #itatio from my mistress "as se t to a $e tlema i ?o do * to come a d help to -eep &iss Rachel=s 'irthday% This "as the fort) ate i di#id)al o "hom I 'elie#ed her heart to 'e pri#ately setD ?i-e &r% Fra -li * he "as a co)si of hers% His ame "as &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% &y lady=s seco d sister :do =t 'e alarmed9 "e are ot $oi $ #ery deep i to family matters this time;!my lady=s seco d sister* I say* had a disappoi tme t i lo#e9 a d ta-i $ a h)s'a d after"ards* o the ec- or othi $ pri ciple* made "hat they call a misallia ce% There "as terri'le "or- i the family "he the Ho o)ra'le Caroli e i sisted o marryi $ plai &r% A'le"hite* the 'a -er at Fri<i $hall% He "as #ery rich a d #ery respecta'le* a d he 'e$ot a prodi$io)s lar$e family!all i his fa#o)r* so far% 0)t he had pres)med to raise himself from a lo" statio i the "orld!a d that "as a$ai st him% Ho"e#er* Time a d the pro$ress of moder e li$hte me t p)t thi $s ri$ht9 a d the mis7allia ce passed m)ster #ery "ell% @e are all $etti $ li'eral o"9 a d :pro#ided yo) ca scratch me* if I scratch yo); "hat do I care* i or o)t of Parliame t* "hether yo) are a 6)stma or a 6)-eB That=s the moder "ay of loo-i $ at it!a d I -eep )p "ith the moder "ay% The A'le"hites li#ed i a fi e ho)se a d $ro) ds* a little o)t of Fri<i $hall% Very "orthy people* a d $reatly respected i the ei$h'o)rhood% @e shall ot 'e m)ch tro)'led "ith them i these pa$es!excepti $ &r% /odfrey* "ho "as &r% A'le"hite=s seco d so * a d "ho m)st ta-e his proper place here* if yo) please* for &iss Rachel=s sa-e% @ith all his 'ri$ht ess a d cle#er ess a d $e eral $ood ,)alities* &r% Fra -li =s cha ce of toppi $ &r% /odfrey i o)r yo) $ lady=s estimatio "as* i my opi io * a #ery poor cha ce i deed% I the first place* &r% /odfrey "as* i poi t of si<e* the fi est ma 'y far of the t"o% He stood o#er six feet hi$h9 he had a 'ea)tif)l red a d "hite colo)r9 a smooth ro) d face* sha#ed as 'are as yo)r ha d9 a d a head of lo#ely lo $ flaxe hair* falli $ e$li$e tly

1>

o#er the poll of his ec-% 0)t "hy do I try to $i#e yo) this perso al descriptio of himB If yo) e#er s)'scri'ed to a ?adies= Charity i ?o do * yo) - o" &r% /odfrey A'le"hite as "ell as I do% He "as a 'arrister 'y professio 9 a ladies= ma 'y temperame t9 a d a $ood .amarita 'y choice% Female 'e e#ole ce a d female destit)tio co)ld do othi $ "itho)t him% &ater al societies for co fi i $ poor "ome 9 &a$dale societies for resc)i $ poor "ome 9 stro $7mi ded societies for p)tti $ poor "ome i to poor me =s places* a d lea#i $ the me to shift for themsel#es9!he "as #ice7preside t* ma a$er* referee to them all% @here#er there "as a ta'le "ith a committee of ladies sitti $ ro) d it i co) cil there "as &r% /odfrey at the 'ottom of the 'oard* -eepi $ the temper of the committee* a d leadi $ the dear creat)res alo $ the thor y "ays of ')si ess* hat i ha d% I do s)ppose this "as the most accomplished phila thropist :o a small i depe de ce; that E $la d e#er prod)ced% As a spea-er at charita'le meeti $s the li-e of him for dra"i $ yo)r tears a d yo)r mo ey "as ot easy to fi d% He "as ,)ite a p)'lic character% The last time I "as i ?o do * my mistress $a#e me t"o treats% .he se t me to the theatre to see a da ci $ "oma "ho "as all the ra$e9 a d she se t me to Exeter Hall to hear &r% /odfrey% The lady did it* "ith a 'a d of m)sic% The $e tlema did it* "ith a ha d-erchief a d a $lass of "ater% Cro"ds at the performa ce "ith the le$s% 6itto at the performa ce "ith the to $)e% A d "ith all this* the s"eetest tempered perso :I all)de to &r% /odfrey; !the simplest a d pleasa test a d easiest to please!yo) e#er met "ith% He lo#ed e#ery'ody% A d e#ery'ody lo#ed HI&% @hat cha ce had &r% Fra -li !"hat cha ce had a y'ody of a#era$e rep)tatio a d capacities!a$ai st s)ch a ma as thisB 4 the fo)rtee th* came &r% /odfrey=s a s"er% He accepted my mistress=s i #itatio * from the @ed esday of the 'irthday to the e#e i $ of Friday!"he his d)ties to the ?adies= Charities "o)ld o'li$e him to ret)r to to" % He also e closed a copy of #erses o "hat he ele$a tly called his co)si =s A atal day%A &iss Rachel* I "as i formed* (oi ed &r% Fra -li i ma-i $ f) of the #erses at di er9 a d Pe elope* "ho "as all o &r% Fra -li =s side* as-ed me* i $reat tri)mph* "hat I tho)$ht of that% A&iss Rachel has led yo) off o a false sce t* my dear*A I replied9 A')t &5 ose is ot so easily mystified% @ait till &r% A'le"hite=s #erses are follo"ed 'y &r% A'le"hite himself%A &y da)$hter replied* that &r% Fra -li mi$ht stri-e i * a d try his l)c-* 'efore the #erses "ere follo"ed 'y the poet% I fa#o)r of this #ie"* I m)st ac- o"led$e that &r% Fra -li left o cha ce ) tried of "i i $ &iss Rachel=s $ood $races% Tho)$h o e of the most i #eterate smo-ers I e#er met "ith* he $a#e )p his ci$ar* 'eca)se she said* o e day* she hated the stale smell of it i his clothes% He slept so 'adly* after this effort of self7de ial* for "a t of the composi $ effect of the to'acco to "hich he "as )sed* a d came do" mor i $ after mor i $ loo-i $ so ha$$ard a d "or * that &iss Rachel herself 'e$$ed him to ta-e to his ci$ars a$ai % 8oD he "o)ld ta-e to othi $ a$ai that co)ld ca)se her a mome t=s a oya ce9 he "o)ld fi$ht it o)t resol)tely* a d $et 'achis sleep* soo er or later* 'y mai force of patie ce i "aiti $ for it% .)ch de#otio as this* yo) may say :as some of them said do" stairs;* co)ld e#er fail of prod)ci $ the ri$ht effect o &iss Rachel!'ac-ed )p* too* as it "as* 'y the decorati $ "or- e#ery day

1C

o the door% All #ery "ell!')t she had a photo$raph of &r% /odfrey i her 'ed7room9 represe ted spea-i $ at a p)'lic meeti $* "ith all his hair 'lo" o)t 'y the 'reath of his o" elo,)e ce* a d his eyes* most lo#ely* charmi $ the mo ey o)t of yo)r poc-ets% @hat do yo) say to thatB E#ery mor i $!as Pe elope herself o" ed to me!there "as the ma "hom the "ome co)ld =t do "itho)t* loo-i $ o * i effi$y* "hile &iss Rachel "as ha#i $ her hair com'ed% He "o)ld 'e loo-i $ o * i reality* 'efore lo $!that "as my opi io of it% +) e the sixtee th 'ro)$ht a e#e t "hich made &r% Fra -li =s cha ce loo-* to my mi d* a "orse cha ce tha e#er% A stra $e $e tlema * spea-i $ E $lish "ith a forei$ acce t* came that mor i $ to the ho)se* a d as-ed to see &r% Fra -li 0la-e o ')si ess% The ')si ess co)ld ot possi'ly ha#e 'ee co ected "ith the 6iamo d* for these t"o reaso s!first* that &r% Fra -li told me othi $ a'o)t it9 seco dly* that he comm) icated it :"he the $e tlema had $o e* as I s)ppose; to my lady% .he pro'a'ly hi ted somethi $ a'o)t it ext to her da)$hter% At a y rate* &iss Rachel "as reported to ha#e said some se#ere thi $s to &r% Fra -li * at the pia o that e#e i $* a'o)t the people he had li#ed amo $* a d the pri ciples he had adopted i forei$ parts% The ext day* for the first time* othi $ "as do e to"ards the decoratio of the door% I s)spect some impr)de ce of &r% Fra -li =s o the Co ti e t!"ith a "oma or a de't at the 'ottom of it!had follo"ed him to E $la d% 0)t that is all $)ess"or-% I this case* ot o ly &r% Fra -li * ')t my lady too* for a "o der* left me i the dar-% 4 the se#e tee th* to all appeara ce* the clo)d passed a"ay a$ai % They ret)r ed to their decorati $ "or- o the door* a d seemed to 'e as $ood frie ds as e#er% If Pe elope "as to 'e 'elie#ed* &r% Fra -li had sei<ed the opport) ity of the reco ciliatio to ma-e a offer to &iss Rachel* a d had either 'ee accepted or ref)sed% &y $irl "as s)re :from si$ s a d to-e s "hich I eed ot tro)'le yo) "ith; that her yo) $ mistress had fo)$ht &r% Fra -li off 'y decli i $ to 'elie#e that he "as i ear est* a d had the secretly re$retted treati $ him i that "ay after"ards% Tho)$h Pe elope "as admitted to more familiarity "ith her yo) $ mistress tha maids $e erally are!for the t"o had 'ee almost 'ro)$ht )p to$ether as childre !still I - e" &iss Rachel=s reser#ed character too "ell to 'elie#e that she "o)ld sho" her mi d to a y'ody i this "ay% @hat my da)$hter told me* o the prese t occasio * "as* as I s)spected* more "hat she "ished tha "hat she really - e"% 4 the i etee th a other e#e t happe ed% @e had the doctor i the ho)se professio ally% He "as s)mmo ed to prescri'e for a perso "hom I ha#e had occasio to prese t to yo) i these pa$es!o)r seco d ho)semaid* Rosa a .pearma % This poor $irl!"ho had p)<<led me* as yo) - o" already* at the .hi#eri $ .a d! p)<<led me more tha o ce a$ai * i the i ter#al time of "hich I am o" "riti $% Pe elope=s otio that her fello"7ser#a t "as i lo#e "ith &r% Fra -li :"hich my da)$hter* 'y my orders* -ept strictly secret; seemed to 'e ()st as a's)rd as e#er% 0)t I

12

m)st o" that "hat I myself sa"* a d "hat my da)$hter sa" also* of o)r seco d ho)semaid=s co d)ct* 'e$a to loo- mysterio)s* to say the least of it% For example* the $irl co sta tly p)t herself i &r% Fra -li =s "ay!#ery slyly a d ,)ietly* ')t she did it% He too- a'o)t as m)ch otice of her as he too- of the cat9 it e#er seemed to occ)r to him to "aste a loo- o Rosa a=s plai face% The poor thi $=s appetite* e#er m)ch* fell a"ay dreadf)lly9 a d her eyes i the mor i $ sho"ed plai si$ s of "a-i $ a d cryi $ at i$ht% 4 e day Pe elope made a a"-"ard disco#ery* "hich "e h)shed )p o the spot% .he ca)$ht Rosa a at &r% Fra -li =s dressi $7ta'le* secretly remo#i $ a rose "hich &iss Rachel had $i#e him to "ear i his ')tto 7hole* a d p)tti $ a other rose li-e it* of her o" pic-i $* i its place% .he "as* after that* o ce or t"ice imp)de t to me* "he I $a#e her a "ell7mea t $e eral hi t to 'e caref)l i her co d)ct9 a d* "orse still* she "as ot o#er7respectf)l o"* o the fe" occasio s "he &iss Rachel accide tally spo-e to her% &y lady oticed the cha $e* a d as-ed me "hat I tho)$ht a'o)t it% I tried to scree the $irl 'y a s"eri $ that I tho)$ht she "as o)t of health9 a d it e ded i the doctor 'ei $ se t for* as already me tio ed* o the i etee th% He said it "as her er#es* a d do)'ted if she "as fit for ser#ice% &y lady offered to remo#e her for cha $e of air to o e of o)r farms* i la d% .he 'e$$ed a d prayed* "ith the tears i her eyes* to 'e let to stop9 a d* i a e#il ho)r* I ad#ised my lady to try her for a little lo $er% As the e#e t pro#ed* a d as yo) "ill soo see* this "as the "orst ad#ice I co)ld ha#e $i#e % If I co)ld o ly ha#e loo-ed a little "ay i to the f)t)re* I "o)ld ha#e ta-e Rosa a .pearma o)t of the ho)se* the a d there* "ith my o" ha d% 4 the t"e tieth* there came a ote from &r% /odfrey% He had arra $ed to stop at Fri<i $hall that i$ht* ha#i $ occasio to co s)lt his father o ')si ess% 4 the after oo of the ext day* he a d his t"o eldest sisters "o)ld ride o#er to )s o horse'ac-* i $ood time 'efore di er% A ele$a t little cas-et i Chi a accompa ied the ote* prese ted to &iss Rachel* "ith her co)si =s lo#e a d 'est "ishes% &r% Fra -li had o ly $i#e her a plai loc-et ot "orth half the mo ey% &y da)$hter Pe elope* e#ertheless!s)ch is the o'sti acy of "ome !still 'ac-ed him to "i % Tha -s 'e to Hea#e * "e ha#e arri#ed at the e#e of the 'irthday at lastD 5o) "ill o" * I thi -* that I ha#e $ot yo) o#er the $ro) d this time* "itho)t m)ch loiteri $ 'y the "ay% Cheer )pD I=ll ease yo) "ith a other e" chapter here!a d* "hat is more* that chapter shall ta-e yo) strai$ht i to the thic- of the story%

CHAPTER I#
+) e t"e ty7first* the day of the 'irthday* "as clo)dy a d ) settled at s) rise* ')t to"ards oo it cleared )p 'ra#ely% 1G

@e* i the ser#a ts= hall* 'e$a this happy a i#ersary* as )s)al* 'y offeri $ o)r little prese ts to &iss Rachel* "ith the re$)lar speech deli#ered a )ally 'y me as the chief% I follo" the pla adopted 'y the I)ee i ope i $ Parliame t! amely* the pla of sayi $ m)ch the same thi $ re$)larly e#ery year% 0efore it is deli#ered* my speech :li-e the I)ee =s; is loo-ed for as ea$erly as if othi $ of the -i d had e#er 'ee heard 'efore% @he it is deli#ered* a d t)r s o)t ot to 'e the o#elty a ticipated* tho)$h they $r)m'le a little* they loo- for"ard hopef)lly to somethi $ e"er ext year% A easy people to $o#er * i the Parliame t a d i the Jitche !that=s the moral of it% After 'rea-fast* &r% Fra -li a d I had a pri#ate co fere ce o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e!the time ha#i $ o" come for remo#i $ it from the 'a - at Fri<i $hall* a d placi $ it i &iss Rachel=s o" ha ds% @hether he had 'ee tryi $ to ma-e lo#e to his co)si a$ai * a d had $ot a re')ff!or "hether his 'ro-e rest* i$ht after i$ht* "as a$$ra#ati $ the ,)eer co tradictio s a d ) certai ties i his character!I do =t - o"% 0)t certai it is* that &r% Fra -li failed to sho" himself at his 'est o the mor i $ of the 'irthday% He "as i t"e ty differe t mi ds a'o)t the 6iamo d i as ma y mi )tes% For my part* I st)c- fast 'y the plai facts a "e - e" them% 8othi $ had happe ed to ()stify )s i alarmi $ my lady o the s)'(ect of the (e"el9 a d othi $ co)ld alter the le$al o'li$atio that o" lay o &r% Fra -li to p)t it i his co)si =s possessio % That "as my #ie" of the matter9 a d* t"ist a d t)r it as he mi$ht* he "as forced i the e d to ma-e it his #ie" too% @e arra $ed that he "as to ride o#er* after l) ch* to Fri<i $hall* a d 'ri $ the 6iamo d 'ac-* "ith &r% /odfrey a d the t"o yo) $ ladies* i all pro'a'ility* to -eep him compa y o the "ay home a$ai % This settled* o)r yo) $ $e tlema "e t 'ac- to &iss Rachel% They co s)med the "hole mor i $* a d part of the after oo * i the e#erlasti $ ')si ess of decorati $ the door* Pe elope sta di $ 'y to mix the colo)rs* as directed9 a d my lady* as l) cheo time dre" ear* $oi $ i a d o)t of the room* "ith her ha d-erchief to her ose :for they )sed a deal of &r% Fra -li =s #ehicle that day;* a d tryi $ #ai ly to $et the t"o artists a"ay from their "or-% It "as three o=cloc- 'efore they too- off their apro s* a d released Pe elope :m)ch the "orse for the #ehicle;* a d clea ed themsel#es of their mess% 0)t they had do e "hat they "a ted!they had fi ished the door o the 'irthday* a d pro)d e o)$h they "ere of it% The $riffi s* c)pids* a d so o * "ere* I m)st o" * most 'ea)tif)l to 'ehold9 tho)$h so ma y i )m'er* so e ta $led i flo"ers a d de#ices* a d so topsy7t)r#y i their actio s a d attit)des* that yo) felt them ) pleasa tly i yo)r head for ho)rs after yo) had do e "ith the pleas)re of loo-i $ at them% If I add that Pe elope e ded her part of the mor i $=s "or- 'y 'ei $ sic- i the 'ac-7-itche * it is i o ) frie dly spirit to"ards the #ehicle% 8oD oD It left off sti -i $ "he it dried9 a d if Art re,)ires these sort of sacrifices!tho)$h the $irl is my o" da)$hter!I say* let Art ha#e themD &r% Fra -li s atched a morsel from the l) cheo 7ta'le* a d rode off to Fri<i $hall!to escort his co)si s* as he told my lady% To fetch the &oo sto e* as "as pri#ately - o" to himself a d to me%

13

This 'ei $ o e of the hi$h festi#als o "hich I too- my place at the side7'oard* i comma d of the atte da ce at ta'le* I had ple ty to occ)py my mi d "hile &r% Fra -li "as a"ay% Ha#i $ see to the "i e* a d re#ie"ed my me a d "ome "ho "ere to "ait at di er* I retired to collect myself 'efore the compa y came% A "hiff of!yo) - o" "hat* a d a t)r at a certai 'oo- "hich I ha#e had occasio to me tio i these pa$es* composed me* 'ody a d mi d% I "as aro)sed from "hat I am i cli ed to thi - m)st ha#e 'ee * ot a ap* ')t a re#erie* 'y the clatter of horses= hoofs o)tside9 a d* $oi $ to the door* recei#ed a ca#alcade comprisi $ &r% Fra -li a d his three co)si s* escorted 'y o e of old &r% A'le"hite=s $rooms% &r% /odfrey str)c- me* stra $ely e o)$h* as 'ei $ li-e &r% Fra -li i this respect!that he did ot seem to 'e i his c)stomary spirits% He -i dly shoo- ha ds "ith me as )s)al* a d "as most politely $lad to see his old frie d 0ettered$e "eari $ so "ell% 0)t there "as a sort of clo)d o#er him* "hich I co)ld =t at all acco) t for9 a d "he I as-ed ho" he had fo) d his father i health* he a s"ered rather shortly* A&)ch as )s)al%A Ho"e#er* the t"o &iss A'le"hites "ere cheerf)l e o)$h for t"e ty* "hich more tha restored the 'ala ce% They "ere early as 'i$ as their 'rother9 spa -i $* yello"7haired* rosy lasses* o#erflo"i $ "ith s)per7a') da t flesh a d 'lood9 ')rsti $ from head to foot "ith health a d spirits% The le$s of the poor horses trem'led "ith carryi $ them9 a d "he they ()mped from their saddles :"itho)t "aiti $ to 'e helped;* I declare they 'o) ced o the $ro) d as if they "ere made of i dia7r)''er% E#erythi $ the &iss A'le"hites said 'e$a "ith a lar$e 49 e#erythi $ they did "as do e "ith a 'a $9 a d they $i$$led a d screamed* i seaso a d o)t of seaso * o the smallest pro#ocatio % 0o) cers!that=s "hat I call them% E der co#er of the oise made 'y the yo) $ ladies* I had a opport) ity of sayi $ a pri#ate "ord to &r% Fra -li i the hall% AHa#e yo) $ot the 6iamo d safe* sirBA He odded* a d tapped the 'reast7poc-et of his coat% AHa#e yo) see a ythi $ of the I dia sBA A8ot a $limpse%A @ith that a s"er* he as-ed for my lady* a d* heari $ she "as i the small dra"i $7room* "e t there strai$ht% The 'ell ra $* 'efore he had 'ee a mi )te i the room* a d Pe elope "as se t to tell &iss Rachel that &r% Fra -li 0la-e "a ted to spea- to her% Crossi $ the hall* a'o)t half a ho)r after"ards* I "as 'ro)$ht to a s)dde sta dstill 'y a o)t'rea- of screams from the small dra"i $7room% I ca =t say I "as at all alarmed9 for I reco$ ised i the screams the fa#o)rite lar$e 4 of the &iss A'le"hites% Ho"e#er* I "e t i :o prete ce of as-i $ for i str)ctio s a'o)t the di er; to disco#er "hether a ythi $ serio)s had really happe ed%

>H

There stood &iss Rachel at the ta'le* li-e a perso fasci ated* "ith the Colo el=s ) l)c-y 6iamo d i her ha d% There* o either side of her* - elt the t"o 0o) cers* de#o)ri $ the (e"el "ith their eyes* a d screami $ "ith ecstasy e#ery time it flashed o them i a e" li$ht% There* at the opposite side of the ta'le* stood &r% /odfrey* clappi $ his ha ds li-e a lar$e child* a d si $i $ o)t softly* AEx,)isiteD ex,)isiteDA There sat &r% Fra -li i a chair 'y the 'oo-7case* t)$$i $ at his 'eard* a d loo-i $ a xio)sly to"ards the "i do"% A d there* at the "i do"* stood the o'(ect he "as co templati $!my lady* ha#i $ the extract from the Colo el=s @ill i her ha d* a d -eepi $ her 'ac- t)r ed o the "hole of the compa y% .he faced me* "he I as-ed for my i str)ctio s9 a d I sa" the family fro" $atheri $ o#er her eyes* a d the family temper t"itchi $ at the cor ers of her mo)th% ACome to my room i half a ho)r*A she a s"ered% AI shall ha#e somethi $ to say to yo) the %A @ith those "ords she "e t o)t% It "as plai e o)$h that she "as posed 'y the same diffic)lty "hich had posed &r% Fra -li a d me i o)r co fere ce at the .hi#eri $ .a d% @as the le$acy of the &oo sto e a proof that she had treated her 'rother "ith cr)el i ()sticeB or "as it a proof that he "as "orse tha the "orst she had e#er tho)$ht of himB .erio)s ,)estio s those for my lady to determi e* "hile her da)$hter* i oce t of all - o"led$e of the Colo el=s character* stood there "ith the Colo el=s 'irthday $ift i her ha d% 0efore I co)ld lea#e the room i my t)r * &iss Rachel* al"ays co siderate to the old ser#a t "ho had 'ee i the ho)se "he she "as 'or * stopped me% A?oo-* /a'rielDA she said* a d flashed the (e"el 'efore my eyes i a ray of s) li$ht that po)red thro)$h the "i do"% ?ord 'less )sD it @A. a 6iamo dD As lar$e* or early* as a plo#er=s e$$D The li$ht that streamed from it "as li-e the li$ht of the har#est moo % @he yo) loo-ed do" i to the sto e* yo) loo-ed i to a yello" deep that dre" yo)r eyes i to it so that they sa" othi $ else% It seemed ) fathoma'le9 this (e"el* that yo) co)ld hold 'et"ee yo)r fi $er a d th)m'* seemed ) fathoma'le as the hea#e s themsel#es% @e set it i the s) * a d the sh)t the li$ht o)t of the room* a d it sho e a"f)lly o)t of the depths of its o" 'ri$ht ess* "ith a moo y $leam* i the dar-% 8o "o der &iss Rachel "as fasci atedF o "o der her co)si s screamed% The 6iamo d laid s)ch a hold o &E that I ')rst o)t "ith as lar$e a A4A as the 0o) cers themsel#es% The o ly o e of )s "ho -ept his se ses "as &r% /odfrey% He p)t a arm ro) d each of his sister=s "aists* a d* loo-i $ compassio ately 'ac-"ards a d for"ards 'et"ee the 6iamo d a d me* said* ACar'o 0ettered$eD mere car'o * my $ood frie d* after allDA His o'(ect* I s)ppose* "as to i str)ct me% All he did* ho"e#er* "as to remi d me of the di er% I ho''led off to my army of "aiters do" stairs% As I "e t o)t* &r% /odfrey said* A6ear old 0ettered$e* I ha#e the tr)est re$ard for himDA He "as em'raci $ his sisters* a d o$li $ &iss Rachel* "hile he ho o)red me "ith that testimo y of affectio % .omethi $

>1

li-e a stoc- of lo#e to dra" o THERED &r% Fra -li "as a perfect sa#a$e 'y compariso "ith him% At the e d of half a ho)r* I prese ted myself* as directed* i my lady=s room% @hat passed 'et"ee my mistress a d me* o this occasio * "as* i the mai * a repetitio of "hat had passed 'et"ee &r% Fra -li a d me at the .hi#eri $ .a d!"ith this differe ce* that I too- care to -eep my o" co) sel a'o)t the ()$$lers* seei $ that othi $ had happe ed to ()stify me i alarmi $ my lady o this head% @he I recei#ed my dismissal* I co)ld see that she too- the 'lac-est #ie" possi'le of the Colo el=s moti#es* a d that she "as 'e t o $etti $ the &oo sto e o)t of her da)$hter=s possessio at the first opport) ity% 4 my "ay 'ac- to my o" part of the ho)se* I "as e co) tered 'y &r% Fra -li % He "a ted to - o" if I had see a ythi $ of his co)si Rachel% I had see othi $ of her% Co)ld I tell him "here his co)si /odfrey "asB I did =t - o"9 ')t I 'e$a to s)spect that co)si /odfrey mi$ht ot 'e far a"ay from co)si Rachel% &r% Fra -li =s s)spicio s appare tly too- the same t)r % He t)$$ed hard at his 'eard* a d "e t a d sh)t himself )p i the li'rary "ith a 'a $ of the door that had a "orld of mea i $ i it% I "as i terr)pted o more i the ')si ess of prepari $ for the 'irthday di er till it "as time for me to smarte myself )p for recei#i $ the compa y% +)st as I had $ot my "hite "aistcoat o * Pe elope prese ted herself at my toilet* o prete ce of 'r)shi $ "hat little hair I ha#e $ot left* a d impro#i $ the tie of my "hite cra#at% &y $irl "as i hi$h spirits* a d I sa" she had somethi $ to say to me% .he $a#e me a -iss o the top of my 'ald head* a d "hispered* A8e"s for yo)* fatherD &iss Rachel has ref)sed him%A A@ho=s =HI&=BA I as-ed% AThe ladies= committee7ma * father*A says Pe elope% AA asty sly fello"D I hate him for tryi $ to s)ppla t &r% Fra -li DA If I had had 'reath e o)$h* I sho)ld certai ly ha#e protested a$ai st this i dece t "ay of spea-i $ of a emi e t phila thropic character% 0)t my da)$hter happe ed to 'e impro#i $ the tie of my cra#at at that mome t* a d the "hole stre $th of her feeli $s fo) d its "ay i to her fi $ers% I e#er "as more early stra $led i my life% AI sa" him ta-e her a"ay alo e i to the rose7$arde *A says Pe elope% AA d I "aited 'ehi d the holly to see ho" they came 'ac-% They had $o e o)t arm7i 7arm* 'oth la)$hi $% They came 'ac-* "al-i $ separate* as $ra#e as $ra#e co)ld 'e* a d loo-i $ strai$ht a"ay from each other i a ma er "hich there "as o mista-i $% I e#er "as more deli$hted* father* i my lifeD There=s o e "oma i the "orld "ho ca resist &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* at a y rate9 a d* if I "as a lady* I sho)ld 'e a otherDA Here I sho)ld ha#e protested a$ai % 0)t my da)$hter had $ot the hair7'r)sh 'y this time* a d the "hole stre $th of her feeli $s had passed i to THAT% If yo) are 'ald* yo) "ill

>2

) dersta d ho" she sacrificed me% If yo) are ot* s-ip this 'it* a d tha - /od yo) ha#e $ot somethi $ i the "ay of a defe ce 'et"ee yo)r hair7'r)sh a d yo)r head% A+)st o the other side of the holly*A Pe elope "e t o * A&r% /odfrey came to a sta dstill% =5o) prefer*= says he* =that I sho)ld stop here as if othi $ had happe edB= &iss Rachel t)r ed o him li-e li$ht i $% =5o) ha#e accepted my mother=s i #itatio *= she said9 =a d yo) are here to meet her $)ests% E less yo) "ish to ma-e a sca dal i the ho)se* yo) "ill remai * of co)rseD= .he "e t o a fe" steps* a d the seemed to rele t a little% =?et )s for$et "hat has passed* /odfrey*= she said* =a d let )s remai co)si s still%= .he $a#e him her ha d% He -issed it* "hich I sho)ld ha#e co sidered ta-i $ a li'erty* a d the she left him% He "aited a little 'y himself* "ith his head do" * a d his heel $ri di $ a hole slo"ly i the $ra#el "al-9 yo) e#er sa" a ma loo- more p)t o)t i yo)r life% =A"-"ardD= he said 'et"ee his teeth* "he he loo-ed )p* a d "e t o to the ho)se !=#ery a"-"ardD= If that "as his opi io of himself* he "as ,)ite ri$ht% A"-"ard e o)$h* I=m s)re% A d the e d of it is* father* "hat I told yo) all alo $*A cries Pe elope* fi ishi $ me off "ith a last scarificatio * the hottest of all% A&r% Fra -li =s the ma DA I $ot possessio of the hair7'r)sh* a d ope ed my lips to admi ister the reproof "hich* yo) "ill o" * my da)$hter=s la $)a$e a d co d)ct richly deser#ed% 0efore I co)ld say a "ord* the crash of carria$e7"heels o)tside str)c- i * a d stopped me% The first of the di er7compa y had come% Pe elope i sta tly ra off% I p)t o my coat* a d loo-ed i the $lass% &y head "as as red as a lo'ster9 ')t* i other respects* I "as as icely dressed for the ceremo ies of the e#e i $ as a ma eed 'e% I $ot i to the hall ()st i time to a o) ce the t"o first of the $)ests% 5o) eed =t feel partic)larly i terested a'o)t them% 4 ly the phila thropist=s father a d mother!&r% a d &rs% A'le"hite%

CHAPTER #
4 e o the top of the other the rest of the compa y follo"ed the A'le"hites* till "e had the "hole tale of them complete% I cl)di $ the family* they "ere t"e ty7fo)r i all% It "as a o'le si$ht to see* "he they "ere settled i their places ro) d the di er7ta'le* a d the Rector of Fri<i $hall :"ith 'ea)tif)l eloc)tio ; rose a d said $race% There is o eed to "orry yo) "ith a list of the $)ests% 5o) "ill meet o e of them a seco d time!i my part of the story* at a y rate!"ith the exceptio of t"o% Those t"o sat o either side of &iss Rachel* "ho* as ,)ee of the day* "as at)rally the $reat attractio of the party% 4 this occasio she "as more partic)larly the ce tre7poi t to"ards "hich e#ery'ody=s eyes "ere directed9 for :to my lady=s secret a oya ce; she "ore her "o derf)l 'irthday prese t* "hich eclipsed all the rest!the &oo sto e% It "as "itho)t a y setti $ "he it had 'ee placed i her ha ds9 ')t that ) i#ersal $e i)s* &r% >3

Fra -li * had co tri#ed* "ith the help of his eat fi $ers a d a little 'it of sil#er "ire* to fix it as a 'rooch i the 'osom of her "hite dress% E#ery'ody "o dered at the prodi$io)s si<e a d 'ea)ty of the 6iamo d* as a matter of co)rse% 0)t the o ly t"o of the compa y "ho said a ythi $ o)t of the commo "ay a'o)t it "ere those t"o $)ests I ha#e me tio ed* "ho sat 'y &iss Rachel o her ri$ht ha d a d her left% The $)est o her left "as &r% Ca dy* o)r doctor at Fri<i $hall% This "as a pleasa t* compa io a'le little ma * "ith the dra"'ac-* ho"e#er* I m)st o" * of 'ei $ too fo d* i seaso a d o)t of seaso * of his (o-e* a d of his pl) $i $ i rather a headlo $ ma er i to tal- "ith stra $ers* "itho)t "aiti $ to feel his "ay first% I society he "as co sta tly ma-i $ mista-es* a d setti $ people ) i te tio ally 'y the ears to$ether% I his medical practice he "as a more pr)de t ma 9 pic-i $ )p his discretio :as his e emies said; 'y a -i d of i sti ct* a d pro#i $ to 'e $e erally ri$ht "here more caref)lly co d)cted doctors t)r ed o)t to 'e "ro $% @hat HE said a'o)t the 6iamo d to &iss Rachel "as said* as )s)al* 'y "ay of a mystificatio or (o-e% He $ra#ely e treated her :i the i terests of scie ce; to let him ta-e it home a d ')r it% A@e "ill first heat it* &iss Rachel*A says the doctor* Ato s)ch a d s)ch a de$ree9 the "e "ill expose it to a c)rre t of air9 a d* little 'y little!p)ffD!"e e#aporate the 6iamo d* a d spare yo) a "orld of a xiety a'o)t the safe -eepi $ of a #al)a'le precio)s sto eDA &y lady* liste i $ "ith rather a care"or expressio o her face* seemed to "ish that the doctor had 'ee i ear est* a d that he co)ld ha#e fo) d &iss Rachel <ealo)s e o)$h i the ca)se of scie ce to sacrifice her 'irthday $ift% The other $)est* "ho sat o my yo) $ lady=s ri$ht ha d* "as a emi e t p)'lic character !'ei $ o other tha the cele'rated I dia tra#eller* &r% &)rth"aite* "ho* at ris- of his life* had pe etrated i dis$)ise "here o E)ropea had e#er set foot 'efore% This "as a lo $* lea * "iry* 'ro" * sile t ma % He had a "eary loo-* a d a #ery steady* atte ti#e eye% It "as r)mo)red that he "as tired of the h)mdr)m life amo $ the people i o)r parts* a d lo $i $ to $o 'ac- a d "a der off o the tramp a$ai i the "ild places of the East% Except "hat he said to &iss Rachel a'o)t her (e"el* I do)'t if he spo-e six "ords or dra - so m)ch as a si $le $lass of "i e* all thro)$h the di er% The &oo sto e "as the o ly o'(ect that i terested him i the smallest de$ree% The fame of it seemed to ha#e reached him* i some of those perilo)s I dia places "here his "a deri $s had lai % After loo-i $ at it sile tly for so lo $ a time that &iss Rachel 'e$a to $et co f)sed* he said to her i his cool immo#a'le "ay* AIf yo) e#er $o to I dia* &iss Veri der* do =t ta-e yo)r ) cle=s 'irthday $ift "ith yo)% A Hi doo diamo d is sometimes part of a Hi doo reli$io % I - o" a certai city* a d a certai temple i that city* "here* dressed as yo) are o"* yo)r life "o)ld ot 'e "orth fi#e mi )tes= p)rchase%A &iss Rachel* safe i E $la d* "as ,)ite deli$hted to hear of her da $er i I dia% The 0o) cers "ere more deli$hted still9 they dropped their - i#es a d for-s "ith a crash* a d ')rst o)t to$ether #eheme tly* A4D ho" i teresti $DA &y lady fid$eted i her chair* a d cha $ed the s)'(ect%

>1

As the di er $ot o * I 'ecame a"are* little 'y little* that this festi#al "as ot prosperi $ as other li-e festi#als had prospered 'efore it% ?oo-i $ 'ac- at the 'irthday o"* 'y the li$ht of "hat happe ed after"ards* I am half i cli ed to thi - that the c)rsed 6iamo d m)st ha#e cast a 'li$ht o the "hole compa y% I plied them "ell "ith "i e9 a d 'ei $ a pri#ile$ed character* follo"ed the ) pop)lar dishes ro) d the ta'le* a d "hispered to the compa y co fide tially* APlease to cha $e yo)r mi d a d try it9 for I - o" it "ill do yo) $ood%A 8i e times o)t of te they cha $ed their mi ds!o)t of re$ard for their old ori$i al 0ettered$e* they "ere pleased to say! ')t all to o p)rpose% There "ere $aps of sile ce i the tal-* as the di er $ot o * that made me feel perso ally ) comforta'le% @he they did )se their to $)es a$ai * they )sed them i oce tly* i the most ) fort) ate ma er a d to the "orst possi'le p)rpose% &r% Ca dy* the doctor* for i sta ce* said more ) l)c-y thi $s tha I e#er - e" him to say 'efore% Ta-e o e sample of the "ay i "hich he "e t o * a d yo) "ill ) dersta d "hat I had to p)t )p "ith at the side'oard* officiati $ as I "as i the character of a ma "ho had the prosperity of the festi#al at heart% 4 e of o)r ladies prese t at di er "as "orthy &rs% Thread$all* "ido" of the late Professor of that ame% Tal-i $ of her deceased h)s'a d perpet)ally* this $ood lady e#er me tio ed to stra $ers that he @A. deceased% .he tho)$ht* I s)ppose* that e#ery a'le7'odied ad)lt i E $la d o)$ht to - o" as m)ch as that% I o e of the $aps of sile ce* some'ody me tio ed the dry a d rather asty s)'(ect of h)ma a atomy9 "here)po $ood &rs% Thread$all strai$ht"ay 'ro)$ht i her late h)s'a d as )s)al* "itho)t me tio i $ that he "as dead% A atomy she descri'ed as the Professor=s fa#o)rite recreatio i his leis)re ho)rs% As ill7l)c- "o)ld ha#e it* &r% Ca dy* sitti $ opposite :"ho - e" othi $ of the deceased $e tlema ;* heard her% 0ei $ the most polite of me * he sei<ed the opport) ity of assisti $ the Professor=s a atomical am)seme ts o the spot% AThey ha#e $ot some remar-a'ly fi e s-eleto s lately at the Colle$e of .)r$eo s*A says &r% Ca dy* across the ta'le* i a lo)d cheerf)l #oice% AI stro $ly recomme d the Professor* ma=am* "he he ext has a ho)r to spare* to pay them a #isit%A 5o) mi$ht ha#e heard a pi fall% The compa y :o)t of respect to the Professor=s memory; all sat speechless% I "as 'ehi d &rs% Thread$all at the time* plyi $ her co fide tially "ith a $lass of hoc-% .he dropped her head* a d said i a #ery lo" #oice* A&y 'elo#ed h)s'a d is o more%A E l)c-ily &r% Ca dy* heari $ othi $* a d miles a"ay from s)specti $ the tr)th* "e t o across the ta'le lo)der a d politer tha e#er% AThe Professor may ot 'e a"are*A says he* Athat the card of a mem'er of the Colle$e "ill admit him* o a y day ')t .) day* 'et"ee the ho)rs of te a d fo)r%A &rs% Thread$all dropped her head ri$ht i to her t)c-er* a d* i a lo"er #oice still* repeated the solem "ords* A&y 'elo#ed h)s'a d is o more%A

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I "i -ed hard at &r% Ca dy across the ta'le% &iss Rachel to)ched his arm% &y lady loo-ed ) )ttera'le thi $s at him% I)ite )selessD 4 he "e t* "ith a cordiality that there "as o stoppi $ a yho"% AI shall 'e deli$hted*A says he* Ato se d the Professor my card* if yo) "ill o'li$e me 'y me tio i $ his prese t address%A AHis prese t address* sir* is THE /RAVE*A says &rs% Thread$all* s)dde ly losi $ her temper* a d spea-i $ "ith a emphasis a d f)ry that made the $lasses ri $ a$ai % AThe Professor has 'ee dead these te years%A A4h* $ood hea#e sDA says &r% Ca dy% Excepti $ the 0o) cers* "ho ')rst o)t la)$hi $* s)ch a 'la - o" fell o the compa y* that they mi$ht all ha#e 'ee $oi $ the "ay of the Professor* a d haili $ as he did from the directio of the $ra#e% .o m)ch for &r% Ca dy% The rest of them "ere early as pro#o-i $ i their differe t "ays as the doctor himself% @he they o)$ht to ha#e spo-e * they did =t spea-9 or "he they did spea- they "ere perpet)ally at cross p)rposes% &r% /odfrey* tho)$h so elo,)e t i p)'lic* decli ed to exert himself i pri#ate% @hether he "as s)l-y* or "hether he "as 'ashf)l* after his discomfit)re i the rose7$arde * I ca =t say% He -ept all his tal- for the pri#ate ear of the lady :a mem'er of o)r family; "ho sat ext to him% .he "as o e of his committee7"ome !a spirit)ally7mi ded perso * "ith a fi e sho" of collar7'o e a d a pretty taste i champa$ e9 li-ed it dry* yo) ) dersta d* a d ple ty of it% 0ei $ close 'ehi d these t"o at the side'oard* I ca testify* from "hat I heard pass 'et"ee them* that the compa y lost a $ood deal of #ery impro#i $ co #ersatio * "hich I ca)$ht )p "hile dra"i $ the cor-s* a d car#i $ the m)tto * a d so forth% @hat they said a'o)t their Charities I did =t hear% @he I had time to liste to them* they had $ot a lo $ "ay 'eyo d their "ome to 'e co fi ed* a d their "ome to 'e resc)ed* a d "ere disp)ti $ o serio)s s)'(ects% Reli$io :I ) dersta d &r% /odfrey to say* 'et"ee the cor-s a d the car#i $; mea t lo#e% A d lo#e mea t reli$io % A d earth "as hea#e a little the "orse for "ear% A d hea#e "as earth* do e )p a$ai to loo- li-e e"% Earth had some #ery o'(ectio a'le people i it9 ')t* to ma-e ame ds for that* all the "ome i hea#e "o)ld 'e mem'ers of a prodi$io)s committee that e#er ,)arrelled* "ith all the me i atte da ce o them as mi isteri $ a $els% 0ea)tif)lD 'ea)tif)lD 0)t "hy the mischief did &r% /odfrey -eep it all to his lady a d himselfB &r% Fra -li a$ai !s)rely* yo) "ill say* &r% Fra -li stirred the compa y )p i to ma-i $ a pleasa t e#e i $ of itB 8othi $ of the sortD He had ,)ite reco#ered himself* a d he "as i "o derf)l force a d spirits* Pe elope ha#i $ i formed him* I s)spect* of &r% /odfrey=s receptio i the rose7 $arde % 0)t* tal- as he mi$ht* i e times o)t of te he pitched o the "ro $ s)'(ect* or he addressed himself to the "ro $ perso 9 the e d of it 'ei $ that he offe ded some* a d p)<<led all of them% That forei$ trai i $ of his!those Fre ch a d /erma a d Italia sides of him* to "hich I ha#e already all)ded!came o)t* at my lady=s hospita'le 'oard* i a most 'e"ilderi $ ma er%

>C

@hat do yo) thi -* for i sta ce* of his disc)ssi $ the le $ths to "hich a married "oma mi$ht let her admiratio $o for a ma "ho "as ot her h)s'a d* a d p)tti $ it i his clear7headed "itty Fre ch "ay to the maide a) t of the Vicar of Fri<i $hallB @hat do yo) thi -* "he he shifted to the /erma side* of his telli $ the lord of the ma or* "hile that $reat a)thority o cattle "as ,)oti $ his experie ce i the 'reedi $ of ')lls* that experie ce* properly ) derstood co) ted for othi $* a d that the proper "ay to 'reed ')lls "as to loo- deep i to yo)r o" mi d* e#ol#e o)t of it the idea of a perfect ')ll* a d prod)ce himB @hat do yo) say* "he o)r co) ty mem'er* $ro"i $ hot* at cheese a d salad time* a'o)t the spread of democracy i E $la d* ')rst o)t as follo"sF AIf "e o ce lose o)r a cie t safe$)ards* &r% 0la-e* I 'e$ to as- yo)* "hat ha#e "e $ot leftBA!"hat do yo) say to &r% Fra -li a s"eri $* from the Italia poi t of #ie"F A@e ha#e $ot three thi $s left* sir!?o#e* &)sic* a d .aladAB He ot o ly terrified the compa y "ith s)ch o)t'rea-s as these* ')t* "he the E $lish side of him t)r ed )p i d)e co)rse* he lost his forei$ smooth ess9 a d* $etti $ o the s)'(ect of the medical professio * said s)ch do" ri$ht thi $s i ridic)le of doctors* that he act)ally p)t $ood7h)mo)red little &r% Ca dy i a ra$e% The disp)te 'et"ee them 'e$a i &r% Fra -li 'ei $ led!I for$et ho"!to ac- o"led$e that he had latterly slept #ery 'adly at i$ht% &r% Ca dy there)po told him that his er#es "ere all o)t of order a d that he o)$ht to $o thro)$h a co)rse of medici e immediately% &r% Fra -li replied that a co)rse of medici e* a d a co)rse of $ropi $ i the dar-* mea t* i his estimatio * o e a d the same thi $% &r% Ca dy* hitti $ 'acsmartly* said that &r Fra -li himself "as* co stit)tio ally spea-i $* $ropi $ i the darafter sleep* a d that othi $ ')t medici e co)ld help him to fi d it% &r% Fra -li * -eepi $ the 'all )p o his side* said he had ofte heard of the 'li d leadi $ the 'li d* a d o"* for the first time* he - e" "hat it mea t% I this "ay* they -ept it $oi $ 'ris-ly* c)t a d thr)st* till they 'oth of them $ot hot!&r% Ca dy* i partic)lar* so completely losi $ his self7co trol* i defe ce of his professio * that my lady "as o'li$ed to i terfere* a d for'id the disp)te to $o o % This ecessary act of a)thority p)t the last exti $)isher o the spirits of the compa y% The tal- sp)rted )p a$ai here a d there* for a mi )te or t"o at a time9 ')t there "as a misera'le lac- of life a d spar-le i it% The 6e#il :or the 6iamo d; possessed that di er7party9 a d it "as a relief to e#ery'ody "he my mistress rose* a d $a#e the ladies the si$ al to lea#e the $e tleme o#er their "i e% I had ()st ra $ed the deca ters i a ro" 'efore old &r% A'le"hite :"ho represe ted the master of the ho)se;* "he there came a so) d from the terrace "hich* startled me o)t of my compa y ma ers o the i sta t% &r% Fra -li a d I loo-ed at each other9 it "as the so) d of the I dia dr)m% As I li#e 'y 'read* here "ere the ()$$lers ret)r i $ to )s "ith the ret)r of the &oo sto e to the ho)seD As they ro) ded the cor er of the terrace* a d came i si$ht* I ho''led o)t to "ar them off% 0)t* as ill!l)c- "o)ld ha#e it* the t"o 0o) cers "ere 'eforeha d "ith me% They "hi<<ed o)t o to the terrace li-e a co)ple of s-yroc-ets* "ild to see the I dia s exhi'it their tric-s% The other ladies follo"ed9 the $e tleme came o)t o their side% 0efore yo) co)ld say* A?ord 'less )sDA the ro$)es "ere ma-i $ their salaams9 a d the 0o) cers "ere -issi $ the pretty little 'oy%

>2

&r% Fra -li $ot o o e side of &iss Rachel* a d I p)t myself 'ehi d her% If o)r s)spicio s "ere ri$ht* there she stood* i oce t of all - o"led$e of the tr)th* sho"i $ the I dia s the 6iamo d i the 'osom of her dressD I ca =t tell yo) "hat tric-s they performed* or ho" they did it% @hat "ith the #exatio a'o)t the di er* a d "hat "ith the pro#ocatio of the ro$)es comi $ 'ac- ()st i the ic- of time to see the (e"el "ith their o" eyes* I o" I lost my head% The first thi $ that I remem'er otici $ "as the s)dde appeara ce o the sce e of the I dia tra#eller* &r% &)rth"aite% .-irti $ the half7circle i "hich the $e tlefol-s stood or sat* he came ,)ietly 'ehi d the ()$$lers a d spo-e to them o a s)dde i the la $)a$e of their o" co) try% If he had pric-ed them "ith a 'ayo et* I do)'t if the I dia s co)ld ha#e started a d t)r ed o him "ith a more ti$erish ,)ic- ess tha they did* o heari $ the first "ords that passed his lips% The ext mome t they "ere 'o"i $ a d salaami $ to him i their most polite a d s a-y "ay% After a fe" "ords i the ) - o" to $)e had passed o either side* &r% &)rth"aite "ithdre" as ,)ietly as he had approached% The chief I dia * "ho acted as i terpreter* there)po "heeled a'o)t a$ai to"ards the $e tlefol-s% I oticed that the fello"=s coffee7colo)red face had t)r ed $rey si ce &r% &)rth"aite had spo-e to him% He 'o"ed to my lady* a d i formed her that the exhi'itio "as o#er% The 0o) cers* i descri'a'ly disappoi ted* ')rst o)t "ith a lo)d A4DA directed a$ai st &r% &)rth"aite for stoppi $ the performa ce% The chief I dia laid his ha d h)m'ly o his 'reast* a d said a seco d time that the ()$$li $ "as o#er% The little 'oy "e t ro) d "ith the hat% The ladies "ithdre" to the dra"i $7room9 a d the $e tleme :excepti $ &r% Fra -li a d &r% &)rth"aite; ret)r ed to their "i e% I a d the footma follo"ed the I dia s* a d sa" them safe off the premises% /oi $ 'ac- 'y "ay of the shr)''ery* I smelt to'acco* a d fo) d &r% Fra -li a d &r% &)rth"aite :the latter smo-i $ a cheroot; "al-i $ slo"ly )p a d do" amo $ the trees% &r% Fra -li 'ec-o ed to me to (oi them% AThis*A says &r% Fra -li * prese ti $ me to the $reat tra#eller* Ais /a'riel 0ettered$e* the old ser#a t a d frie d of o)r family of "hom I spo-e to yo) ()st o"% Tell him* if yo) please* "hat yo) ha#e ()st told me%A &r% &)rth"aite too- his cheroot o)t of his mo)th* a d lea ed* i his "eary "ay* a$ai st the tr) - of a tree% A&r% 0ettered$e*A he 'e$a * Athose three I dia s are o more ()$$lers tha yo) a d I are%A Here "as a e" s)rpriseD I at)rally as-ed the tra#eller if he had e#er met "ith the I dia s 'efore% A8e#er*A says &r% &)rth"aite9 A')t I - o" "hat I dia ()$$li $ really is% All yo) ha#e see to7 i$ht is a #ery 'ad a d cl)msy imitatio of it% E less* after lo $ experie ce* I am

>G

)tterly mista-e * those me are hi$h7caste 0rahmi s% I char$ed them "ith 'ei $ dis$)ised* a d yo) sa" ho" it told o them* cle#er as the Hi doo people are i co ceali $ their feeli $s% There is a mystery a'o)t their co d)ct that I ca =t explai % They ha#e do)'ly sacrificed their caste!first* i crossi $ the sea9 seco dly* i dis$)isi $ themsel#es as ()$$lers% I the la d they li#e i that is a treme do)s sacrifice to ma-e% There m)st 'e some #ery serio)s moti#e at the 'ottom of it* a d some ()stificatio of o ordi ary -i d to plead for them* i reco#ery of their caste* "he they ret)r to their o" co) try%A I "as str)c- d)m'% &r% &)rth"aite "e t o "ith his cheroot% &r% Fra -li * after "hat loo-ed to me li-e a little pri#ate #eeri $ a'o)t 'et"ee the differe t sides of his character* 'ro-e the sile ce as follo"sF AI feel some hesitatio * &r% &)rth"aite* i tro)'li $ yo) "ith family matters* i "hich yo) ca ha#e o i terest a d "hich I am ot #ery "illi $ to spea- of o)t of o)r o" circle% 0)t* after "hat yo) ha#e said* I feel 'o) d* i the i terests of ?ady Veri der a d her da)$hter* to tell yo) somethi $ "hich may possi'ly p)t the cl)e i to yo)r ha ds% I spea- to yo) i co fide ce9 yo) "ill o'li$e me* I am s)re* 'y ot for$etti $ thatBA @ith this preface* he told the I dia tra#eller all that he had told me at the .hi#eri $ .a d% E#e the immo#a'le &r% &)rth"aite "as so i terested i "hat he heard* that he let his cheroot $o o)t% A8o"*A says &r% Fra -li * "he he had do e* A"hat does yo)r experie ce sayBA A&y experie ce*A a s"ered the tra#eller* Asays that yo) ha#e had more arro" escapes of yo)r life* &r% Fra -li 0la-e* tha I ha#e had of mi e9 a d that is sayi $ a $reat deal%A It "as &r% Fra -li =s t)r to 'e asto ished o"% AIs it really as serio)s as thatBA he as-ed% AI my opi io it is*A a s"ered &r% &)rth"aite% AI ca =t do)'t* after "hat yo) ha#e told me* that the restoratio of the &oo sto e to its place o the forehead of the I dia idol* is the moti#e a d the ()stificatio of that sacrifice of caste "hich I all)ded to ()st o"% Those me "ill "ait their opport) ity "ith the patie ce of cats* a d "ill )se it "ith the ferocity of ti$ers% Ho" yo) ha#e escaped them I ca =t ima$i e*A says the emi e t tra#eller* li$hti $ his cheroot a$ai * a d stari $ hard at &r% Fra -li % A5o) ha#e 'ee carryi $ the 6iamo d 'ac-"ards a d for"ards* here a d i ?o do * a d yo) are still a li#i $ ma D ?et )s try a d acco) t for it% It "as dayli$ht* 'oth times* I s)ppose* "he yo) too- the (e"el o)t of the 'a - i ?o do BA A0road dayli$ht*A says &r% Fra -li % AA d ple ty of people i the streetsBA

>3

APle ty%A A5o) settled* of co)rse* to arri#e at ?ady Veri der=s ho)se at a certai timeB It=s a lo ely co) try 'et"ee this a d the statio % 6id yo) -eep yo)r appoi tme tBA A8o% I arri#ed fo)r ho)rs earlier tha my appoi tme t%A AI 'e$ to co $rat)late yo) o that proceedi $D @he did yo) ta-e the 6iamo d to the 'a - at the to" hereBA AI too- it a ho)r after I had 'ro)$ht it to this ho)se!a d three ho)rs 'efore a y'ody "as prepared for seei $ me i these parts%A AI 'e$ to co $rat)late yo) a$ai D 6id yo) 'ri $ it 'ac- here alo eBA A8o% I happe ed to ride 'ac- "ith my co)si s a d the $room%A AI 'e$ to co $rat)late yo) for the third timeD If yo) e#er feel i cli ed to tra#el 'eyo d the ci#ilised limits* &r% 0la-e* let me - o"* a d I "ill $o "ith yo)% 5o) are a l)c-y ma %A Here I str)c- i % This sort of thi $ did =t at all s,)are "ith my E $lish ideas% A5o) do =t really mea to say* sir*A I as-ed* Athat they "o)ld ha#e ta-e &r% Fra -li =s life* to $et their 6iamo d* if he had $i#e them the cha ceBA A6o yo) smo-e* &r% 0ettered$eBA says the tra#eller% A5es* sir% A6o yo) care m)ch for the ashes left i yo)r pipe "he yo) empty itBA A8o* sir%A AI the co) try those me came from* they care ()st as m)ch a'o)t -illi $ a ma * as yo) care a'o)t emptyi $ the ashes o)t of yo)r pipe% If a tho)sa d li#es stood 'et"ee them a d the $etti $ 'ac- of their 6iamo d!a d if they tho)$ht they co)ld destroy those li#es "itho)t disco#ery!they "o)ld ta-e them all% The sacrifice of caste is a serio)s thi $ i I dia* if yo) li-e% The sacrifice of life is othi $ at all%A I expressed my opi io )po this* that they "ere a set of m)rderi $ thie#es% &r% &)rth"aite expressed HI. opi io that they "ere a "o derf)l people% &r% Fra -li * expressi $ o opi io at all* 'ro)$ht )s 'ac- to the matter i ha d% AThey ha#e see the &oo sto e o &iss Veri der=s dress*A he said% A@hat is to 'e do eBA

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A@hat yo)r ) cle threate ed to do*A a s"ered &r% &)rth"aite% AColo el Her castle ) derstood the people he had to deal "ith% .e d the 6iamo d to7morro" :) der $)ard of more tha o e ma ; to 'e c)t )p at Amsterdam% &a-e half a do<e diamo ds of it* i stead of o e% There is a e d of its sacred ide tity as The &oo sto e!a d there is a e d of the co spiracy%A &r% Fra -li t)r ed to me% AThere is o help for it*A he said% A@e m)st spea- to ?ady Veri der to7morro"%A A@hat a'o)t to7 i$ht* sirBA I as-ed% A.)ppose the I dia s come 'ac-BA &r% &)rth"aite a s"ered me 'efore &r% Fra -li co)ld spea-% AThe I dia s "o =t ris- comi $ 'ac- to7 i$ht*A he said% AThe direct "ay is hardly e#er the "ay they ta-e to a ythi $!let alo e a matter li-e this* i "hich the sli$htest mista-e mi$ht 'e fatal to their reachi $ their e d%A A0)t s)ppose the ro$)es are 'older tha yo) thi -* sirBA I persisted% AI that case*A says &r% &)rth"aite* Alet the do$s loose% Ha#e yo) $ot a y 'i$ do$s i the yardBA AT"o* sir% A mastiff a d a 'loodho) d%A AThey "ill do% I the prese t emer$e cy* &r% 0ettered$e* the mastiff a d the 'loodho) d ha#e o e $reat merit!they are ot li-ely to 'e tro)'led "ith yo)r scr)ples a'o)t the sa ctity of h)ma life%A The str)mmi $ of the pia o reached )s from the dra"i $7room* as he fired that shot at me% He thre" a"ay his cheroot* a d too- &r% Fra -li =s arm* to $o 'ac- to the ladies% I oticed that the s-y "as clo)di $ o#er fast* as I follo"ed them to the ho)se% &r% &)rth"aite oticed it too% He loo-ed ro) d at me* i his dry* dro i $ "ay* a d saidF AThe I dia s "ill "a t their )m'rellas* &r% 0ettered$e* to7 i$htDA It "as all #ery "ell for HI& to (o-e% 0)t I "as ot a emi e t tra#eller!a d my "ay i this "orld had ot led me i to playi $ d)c-s a d dra-es "ith my o" life* amo $ thie#es a d m)rderers i the o)tla dish places of the earth% I "e t i to my o" little room* a d sat do" i my chair i a perspiratio * a d "o dered helplessly "hat "as to 'e do e ext% I this a xio)s frame of mi d* other me mi$ht ha#e e ded 'y "or-i $ themsel#es )p i to a fe#er9 I e ded i a differe t "ay% I lit my pipe* a d too- a t)r at R40I8.48 CRE.4E% 0efore I had 'ee at it fi#e mi )tes* I came to this ama<i $ 'it!pa$e o e h) dred a d sixty7o e!as follo"sF

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AFear of 6a $er is te tho)sa d times more terrifyi $ tha 6a $er itself* "he appare t to the Eyes9 a d "e fi d the 0)rthe of A xiety $reater* 'y m)ch* tha the E#il "hich "e are a xio)s a'o)t%A The ma "ho does =t 'elie#e i R40I8.48 CRE.4E* after THAT* is a ma "ith a scre" loose i his ) dersta di $* or a ma lost i the mist of his o" self7co ceitD Ar$)me t is thro" a"ay )po him9 a d pity is 'etter reser#ed for some perso "ith a li#elier faith% I "as far o "ith my seco d pipe* a d still lost i admiratio of that "o derf)l 'oo-* "he Pe elope :"ho had 'ee ha di $ ro) d the tea; came i "ith her report from the dra"i $7room% .he had left the 0o) cers si $i $ a d)et!"ords 'e$i i $ "ith a lar$e A4*A a d m)sic to correspo d% .he had o'ser#ed that my lady made mista-es i her $ame of "hist for the first time i o)r experie ce of her% .he had see the $reat tra#eller asleep i a cor er% .he had o#erheard &r% Fra -li sharpe i $ his "its o &r% /odfrey* at the expe se of ?adies= Charities i $e eral9 a d she had oticed that &r% /odfrey hit him 'ac- a$ai rather more smartly tha 'ecame a $e tlema of his 'e e#ole t character% .he had detected &iss Rachel* appare tly e $a$ed i appeasi $ &rs% Thread$all 'y sho"i $ her some photo$raphs* a d really occ)pied i steali $ loo-s at &r% Fra -li * "hich o i telli$e t lady=s maid co)ld misi terpret for a si $le i sta t% Fi ally* she had missed &r% Ca dy* the doctor* "ho had mysterio)sly disappeared from the dra"i $7room* a d had the mysterio)sly ret)r ed* a d e tered i to co #ersatio "ith &r% /odfrey% Epo the "hole* thi $s "ere prosperi $ 'etter tha the experie ce of the di er $a#e )s a y ri$ht to expect% If "e co)ld o ly hold o for a other ho)r* old Father Time "o)ld 'ri $ )p their carria$es* a d relie#e )s of them alto$ether% E#erythi $ "ears off i this "orld9 a d e#e the comforti $ effect of R40I8.48 CRE.4E "ore off* after Pe elope left me% I $ot fid$ety a$ai * a d resol#ed o ma-i $ a s)r#ey of the $ro) ds 'efore the rai came% I stead of ta-i $ the footma * "hose ose "as h)ma * a d therefore )seless i a y emer$e cy* I too- the 'loodho) d "ith me% HI. ose for a stra $er "as to 'e depe ded o % @e "e t all ro) d the premises* a d o)t i to the road!a d ret)r ed as "ise as "e "e t* ha#i $ disco#ered o s)ch thi $ as a l)r-i $ h)ma creat)re a y"here% The arri#al of the carria$es "as the si$ al for the arri#al of the rai % It po)red as if it mea t to po)r all i$ht% @ith the exceptio of the doctor* "hose $i$ "as "aiti $ for him* the rest of the compa y "e t home s )$ly* ) der co#er* i close carria$es% I told &r% Ca dy that I "as afraid he "o)ld $et "et thro)$h% He told me* i ret)r * that he "o dered I had arri#ed at my time of life* "itho)t - o"i $ that a doctor=s s-i "as "aterproof% .o he dro#e a"ay i the rai * la)$hi $ o#er his o" little (o-e9 a d so "e $ot rid of o)r di er compa y% The ext thi $ to tell is the story of the i$ht%

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CHAPTER #I
@he the last of the $)ests had dri#e a"ay* I "e t 'ac- i to the i er hall a d fo) d .am)el at the side7ta'le* presidi $ o#er the 'ra dy a d soda7"ater% &y lady a d &iss Rachel came o)t of the dra"i $7room* follo"ed 'y the t"o $e tleme % &r% /odfrey had some 'ra dy a d soda7"ater* &r% Fra -li too- othi $% He sat do" * loo-i $ dead tired9 the tal-i $ o this 'irthday occasio had* I s)ppose* 'ee too m)ch for him% &y lady* t)r i $ ro) d to "ish them $ood7 i$ht* loo-ed hard at the "ic-ed Colo el=s le$acy shi i $ i her da)$hter=s dress% ARachel*A she as-ed* A"here are yo) $oi $ to p)t yo)r 6iamo d to7 i$htBA &iss Rachel "as i hi$h $ood spirits* ()st i that h)mo)r for tal-i $ o se se* a d per#ersely persisti $ i it as if it "as se se* "hich yo) may sometimes ha#e o'ser#ed i yo) $ $irls* "he they are hi$hly "ro)$ht )p* at the e d of a exciti $ day% First* she declared she did =t - o" "here to p)t the 6iamo d% The she said* Ao her dressi $7 ta'le* of co)rse* alo $ "ith her other thi $s%A The she remem'ered that the 6iamo d mi$ht ta-e to shi i $ of itself* "ith its a"f)l moo y li$ht i the dar-!a d that "o)ld terrify her i the dead of i$ht% The she 'etho)$ht herself of a I dia ca'i et "hich stood i her sitti $7room9 a d i sta tly made )p her mi d to p)t the I dia diamo d i the I dia ca'i et* for the p)rpose of permitti $ t"o 'ea)tif)l ati#e prod)ctio s to admire each other% Ha#i $ let her little flo" of o se se r) o as far as that poi t* her mother i terposed a d stopped her% A&y dearD yo)r I dia ca'i et has o loc- to it*A says my lady% A/ood Hea#e s* mammaDA cried &iss Rachel* Ais this a hotelB Are there thie#es i the ho)seBA @itho)t ta-i $ otice of this fa tastic "ay of tal-i $* my lady "ished the $e tleme $ood7 i$ht% .he ext t)r ed to &iss Rachel* a d -issed her% A@hy ot let &E -eep the 6iamo d for yo) to7 i$htBA she as-ed% &iss Rachel recei#ed that proposal as she mi$ht* te years si ce* ha#e recei#ed a proposal to part her from a e" doll% &y lady sa" there "as o reaso i $ "ith her that i$ht% ACome i to my room* Rachel* the first thi $ to7morro" mor i $*A she said% AI shall ha#e somethi $ to say to yo)%A @ith those last "ords she left )s slo"ly9 thi -i $ her o" tho)$hts* a d* to all appeara ce* ot 'est pleased "ith the "ay 'y "hich they "ere leadi $ her%

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&iss Rachel "as the ext to say $ood7 i$ht% .he shoo- ha ds first "ith &r% /odfrey* "ho "as sta di $ at the other e d of the hall* loo-i $ at a pict)re% The she t)r ed 'acto &r% Fra -li * still sitti $ "eary a d sile t i a cor er% @hat "ords passed 'et"ee them I ca =t say% 0)t sta di $ ear the old oa- frame "hich holds o)r lar$e loo-i $7$lass* I sa" her reflected i it* slyly slippi $ the loc-et "hich &r% Fra -li had $i#e to her* o)t of the 'osom of her dress* a d sho"i $ it to him for a mome t* "ith a smile "hich certai ly mea t somethi $ o)t of the commo * 'efore she tripped off to 'ed% This i cide t sta$$ered me a little i the relia ce I had pre#io)sly felt o my o" ()d$me t% I 'e$a to thi - that Pe elope mi$ht 'e ri$ht a'o)t the state of her yo) $ lady=s affectio s* after all% As soo as &iss Rachel left him eyes to see "ith* &r% Fra -li oticed me% His #aria'le h)mo)r* shifti $ a'o)t e#erythi $* had shifted a'o)t the I dia s already% A0ettered$e*A he said* AI=m half i cli ed to thi - I too- &r% &)rth"aite too serio)sly* "he "e had that tal- i the shr)''ery% I "o der "hether he has 'ee tryi $ a y of his tra#eller=s tales o )sB 6o yo) really mea to let the do$s looseBA AI=ll relie#e them of their collars* sir*A I a s"ered* Aa d lea#e them free to ta-e a t)r i the i$ht* if they smell a reaso for it%A AAll ri$ht*A says &r% Fra -li % A@e=ll see "hat is to 'e do e to7morro"% I am ot at all disposed to alarm my a) t* 0ettered$e* "itho)t a #ery pressi $ reaso for it% /ood7 i$ht%A He loo-ed so "or a d pale as he odded to me* a d too- his ca dle to $o )p7stairs* that I #e t)red to ad#ise his ha#i $ a drop of 'ra dy7a d7"ater* 'y "ay of i$ht7cap% &r% /odfrey* "al-i $ to"ards )s from the other e d of the hall* 'ac-ed me% He pressed &r% Fra -li * i the frie dliest ma er* to ta-e somethi $* 'efore he "e t to 'ed% I o ly ote these trifli $ circ)msta ces* 'eca)se* after all I had see a d heard* that day* it pleased me to o'ser#e that o)r t"o $e tleme "ere o ()st as $ood terms as e#er% Their "arfare of "ords :heard 'y Pe elope i the dra"i $7room;* a d their ri#alry for the 'est place i &iss Rachel=s $ood $races* seemed to ha#e set o serio)s differe ce 'et"ee them% 0)t thereD they "ere 'oth $ood7tempered* a d 'oth me of the "orld% A d there is certai ly this merit i people of statio * that they are ot early so ,)arrelsome amo $ each other as people of o statio at all% &r% Fra -li decli ed the 'ra dy7a d7"ater* a d "e t )p7stairs "ith &r% /odfrey* their rooms 'ei $ ext door to each other% 4 the la di $* ho"e#er* either his co)si pers)aded him* or he #eered a'o)t a d cha $ed his mi d as )s)al% APerhaps I may "a t it i the i$ht*A he called do" to me% A.e d )p some 'ra dy7a d7"ater i to my room%A I se t )p .am)el "ith the 'ra dy7a d7"ater9 a d the "e t o)t a d ) ')c-led the do$s= collars% They 'oth lost their heads "ith asto ishme t o 'ei $ set loose at that time of

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i$ht* a d ()mped )po me li-e a co)ple of p)ppiesD Ho"e#er* the rai soo cooled them do" a$ai F they lapped a drop of "ater each* a d crept 'ac- i to their -e els% As I "e t i to the ho)se I oticed si$ s i the s-y "hich 'eto-e ed a 'rea- i the "eather for the 'etter% For the prese t* it still po)red hea#ily* a d the $ro) d "as i a perfect sop% .am)el a d I "e t all o#er the ho)se* a d sh)t )p as )s)al% I exami ed e#erythi $ myself* a d tr)sted othi $ to my dep)ty o this occasio % All "as safe a d fast "he I rested my old 'o es i 'ed* 'et"ee mid i$ht a d o e i the mor i $% The "orries of the day had 'ee a little too m)ch for me* I s)ppose% At a y rate* I had a to)ch of &r% Fra -li =s malady that i$ht% It "as s) rise 'efore I fell off at last i to a sleep% All the time I lay a"a-e the ho)se "as as ,)iet as the $ra#e% 8ot a so) d stirred ')t the splash of the rai * a d the si$hi $ of the "i d amo $ the trees as a 'ree<e spra $ )p "ith the mor i $% A'o)t half7past se#e I "o-e* a d ope ed my "i do" o a fi e s) shi y day% The clochad str)c- ei$ht* a d I "as ()st $oi $ o)t to chai )p the do$s a$ai * "he I heard a s)dde "his-i $ of petticoats o the stairs 'ehi d me% I t)r ed a'o)t* a d there "as Pe elope flyi $ do" after me li-e mad% AFatherDA she screamed* Acome )p7stairs* for /od=s sa-eD THE 6IA&486 I. /48EDA AAre yo) o)t of yo)r mi dBA I as-ed her% A/o eDA says Pe elope% A/o e* o'ody - o"s ho"D Come )p a d see%A .he dra$$ed me after her i to o)r yo) $ lady=s sitti $7room* "hich ope ed i to her 'edroom% There* o the threshold of her 'edroom door* stood &iss Rachel* almost as "hite i the face as the "hite dressi $7$o" that clothed her% There also stood the t"o doors of the I dia ca'i et* "ide ope % 4 e* of the dra"ers i side "as p)lled o)t as far as it "o)ld $o% A?oo-DA says Pe elope% AI myself sa" &iss Rachel p)t the 6iamo d i to that dra"er last i$ht%A I "e t to the ca'i et% The dra"er "as empty% AIs this tr)e* missBA I as-ed% @ith a loo- that "as ot li-e herself* "ith a #oice that "as ot li-e her o" * &iss Rachel a s"ered as my da)$hter had a s"eredF AThe 6iamo d is $o eDA Ha#i $ said those "ords* she "ithdre" i to her 'edroom* a d sh)t a d loc-ed the door% 0efore "e - e" "hich "ay to t)r ext* my lady came i * heari $ my #oice i her da)$hter=s sitti $7room* a d "o deri $ "hat had happe ed% The e"s of the loss of the 6iamo d seemed to petrify her% .he "e t strai$ht to &iss Rachel=s 'edroom* a d i sisted o 'ei $ admitted% &iss Rachel let here i % The alarm* r) i $ thro)$h the ho)se li-e fire* ca)$ht the t"o $e tleme ext%

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&r% /odfrey "as the first to come o)t of his room% All he did "he he heard "hat had happe ed "as to hold )p his ha ds i a state of 'e"ilderme t* "hich did =t say m)ch for his at)ral stre $th of mi d% &r% Fra -li * "hose clear head I had co fide tly co) ted o to ad#ise )s* seemed to 'e as helpless as his co)si "he he heard the e"s i his t)r % For a "o der* he had had a $ood i$ht=s rest at last9 a d the ) acc)stomed l)x)ry of sleep had* as he said himself* appare tly st)pefied him% Ho"e#er* "he he had s"allo"ed his c)p of coffee!"hich he al"ays too-* o the forei$ pla * some ho)rs 'efore he ate a y 'rea-fast!his 'rai s 'ri$hte ed9 the clear7headed side of him t)r ed )p* a d he too- the matter i ha d* resol)tely a d cle#erly* m)ch as follo"sF He first se t for the ser#a ts* a d told them to lea#e all the lo"er doors a d "i do"s :"ith the exceptio of the fro t door* "hich I had ope ed; exactly as they had 'ee left "he "e loc-ed )p o#er i$ht% He ext proposed to his co)si a d to me to ma-e ,)ite s)re* 'efore "e too- a y f)rther steps* that the 6iamo d had ot accide tally dropped some"here o)t of si$ht!say at the 'ac- of the ca'i et* or do" 'ehi d the ta'le o "hich the ca'i et stood% Ha#i $ searched i 'oth places* a d fo) d othi $!ha#i $ also ,)estio ed Pe elope* a d disco#ered from her o more tha the little she had already told me!&r% Fra -li s)$$ested ext exte di $ o)r i ,)iries to &iss Rachel* a d se t Pe elope to - oc- at her 'ed7room door% &y lady a s"ered the - oc-* a d closed the door 'ehi d her% The mome t after "e heard it loc-ed i side 'y &iss Rachel% &y mistress came o)t amo $ )s* loo-i $ sorely p)<<led a d distressed% AThe loss of the 6iamo d seems to ha#e ,)ite o#er"helmed Rachel*A she said* i reply to &r% Fra -li % A.he shri -s* i the stra $est ma er* from spea-i $ of it* e#e to &E% It is impossi'le yo) ca see her for the prese t%A Ha#i $ added to o)r perplexities 'y this acco) t of &iss Rachel* my lady* after a little effort* reco#ered her )s)al compos)re* a d acted "ith her )s)al decisio % AI s)ppose there is o help for itBA she said* ,)ietly% AI s)ppose I ha#e o alter ati#e ')t to se d for the policeBA AA d the first thi $ for the police to do*A added &r% Fra -li * catchi $ her )p* Ais to lay ha ds o the I dia ()$$lers "ho performed here last i$ht%A &y lady a d &r% /odfrey : ot - o"i $ "hat &r% Fra -li a d I - e"; 'oth started* a d 'oth loo-ed s)rprised% AI ca =t stop to explai myself o"*A &r% Fra -li "e t o % AI ca o ly tell yo) that the I dia s ha#e certai ly stole the 6iamo d% /i#e me a letter of i trod)ctio *A says he* addressi $ my lady* Ato o e of the ma$istrates at Fri<i $hall!merely telli $ him that I represe t yo)r i terests a d "ishes* a d let me ride off "ith it i sta tly% 4)r cha ce of catchi $ the thie#es may depe d o o)r ot "asti $ o e ) ecessary mi )te%A :8ota 'e eF @hether it "as the Fre ch side or the E $lish* the ri$ht side of &r% Fra -li seemed to 'e )ppermost o"% The o ly ,)estio "as* Ho" lo $ "o)ld it lastB;

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He p)t pe * i -* a d paper 'efore his a) t* "ho :as it appeared to me; "rote the letter he "a ted a little ) "illi $ly% If it had 'ee possi'le to o#erloo- s)ch a e#e t as the loss of a (e"el "orth t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds* I 'elie#e!"ith my lady=s opi io of her late 'rother* a d her distr)st of his 'irthday7$ift!it "o)ld ha#e 'ee pri#ately a relief to her to let the thie#es $et off "ith the &oo sto e scot free% I "e t o)t "ith &r% Fra -li to the sta'les* a d too- the opport) ity of as-i $ him ho" the I dia s :"hom I s)spected* of co)rse* as shre"dly as he did; co)ld possi'ly ha#e $ot i to the ho)se% A4 e of them mi$ht ha#e slipped i to the hall* i the co f)sio * "he the di er compa y "ere $oi $ a"ay*A says &r% Fra -li % AThe fello" may ha#e 'ee ) der the sofa "hile my a) t a d Rachel "ere tal-i $ a'o)t "here the 6iamo d "as to 'e p)t for the i$ht% He "o)ld o ly ha#e to "ait till the ho)se "as ,)iet* a d there it "o)ld 'e i the ca'i et* to 'e had for the ta-i $%A @ith those "ords* he called to the $room to ope the $ate* a d $alloped off% This seemed certai ly to 'e the o ly ratio al expla atio % 0)t ho" had the thief co tri#ed to ma-e his escape from the ho)seB I had fo) d the fro t door loc-ed a d 'olted* as I had left it at i$ht* "he I "e t to ope it* after $etti $ )p% As for the other doors a d "i do"s* there they "ere still* all safe a d fast* to spea- for themsel#es% The do$s* tooB .)ppose the thief had $ot a"ay 'y droppi $ from o e of the )pper "i do"s* ho" had he escaped the do$sB Had he come pro#ided for them "ith dr)$$ed meatB As the do)'t crossed my mi d* the do$s themsel#es came $allopi $ at me ro) d a cor er* rolli $ each other o#er o the "et $rass* i s)ch li#ely health a d spirits that it "as "ith o small diffic)lty I 'ro)$ht them to reaso * a d chai ed them )p a$ai % The more I t)r ed it o#er i my mi d* the less satisfactory &r% Fra -li =s expla atio appeared to 'e% @e had o)r 'rea-fasts!"hate#er happe s i a ho)se* ro''ery or m)rder* it does =t matter* yo) m)st ha#e yo)r 'rea-fast% @he "e had do e* my lady se t for me9 a d I fo) d myself compelled to tell her all that I had hitherto co cealed* relati $ to the I dia s a d their plot% 0ei $ a "oma of a hi$h co)ra$e* she soo $ot o#er the first startli $ effect of "hat I had to comm) icate% Her mi d seemed to 'e far more pert)r'ed a'o)t her da)$hter tha a'o)t the heathe ro$)es a d their co spiracy% A5o) - o" ho" odd Rachel is* a d ho" differe tly she 'eha#es sometimes from other $irls*A my lady said to me% A0)t I ha#e e#er* i all my experie ce* see her so stra $e a d so reser#ed as she is o"% The loss of her (e"el seems almost to ha#e t)r ed her 'rai % @ho "o)ld ha#e tho)$ht that horri'le 6iamo d co)ld ha#e laid s)ch a hold o her i so short a timeBA It "as certai ly stra $e% Ta-i $ toys a d tri -ets i $e eral* &iss Rachel "as othi $ li-e so mad after them as most yo) $ $irls% 5et there she "as* still loc-ed )p i co sola'ly i her 'edroom% It is ')t fair to add that she "as ot the o ly o e of )s i the ho)se "ho "as thro" o)t of the re$)lar $roo#e% &r% /odfrey* for i sta ce!tho)$h professio ally a sort of co soler7$e eral!seemed to 'e at a loss "here to loo- for his o" reso)rces% Ha#i $ o compa y to am)se him* a d $etti $ o cha ce of tryi $ "hat his experie ce of "ome i distress co)ld do to"ards comforti $ &iss Rachel* he

C2

"a dered hither a d thither a'o)t the ho)se a d $arde s i a aimless ) easy "ay% He "as i t"o differe t mi ds a'o)t "hat it 'ecame him to do* after the misfort) e that had happe ed to )s% 4)$ht he to relie#e the family* i their prese t sit)atio * of the respo si'ility of him as a $)est* or o)$ht he to stay o the cha ce that e#e his h)m'le ser#ices mi$ht 'e of some )seB He decided )ltimately that the last co)rse "as perhaps the most c)stomary a d co siderate co)rse to ta-e* i s)ch a #ery pec)liar case of family distress as this "as% Circ)msta ces try the metal a ma is really made of% &r% /odfrey* tried 'y circ)msta ces* sho"ed himself of "ea-er metal tha I had tho)$ht him to 'e% As for the "ome 7ser#a ts excepti $ Rosa a .pearma * "ho -ept 'y herself!they too- to "hisperi $ to$ether i cor ers* a d stari $ at othi $ s)spicio)sly* as is the ma er of that "ea-er half of the h)ma family* "he a ythi $ extraordi ary happe s i a ho)se% I myself ac- o"led$e to ha#e 'ee fid$ety a d ill7tempered% The c)rsed &oo sto e had t)r ed )s all )pside do" % A little 'efore ele#e &r% Fra -li came 'ac-% The resol)te side of him had* to all appeara ce* $i#e "ay* i the i ter#al si ce his depart)re* ) der the stress that had 'ee laid o it% He had left )s at a $allop9 he came 'ac- to )s at a "al-% @he he "e t a"ay* he "as made of iro % @he he ret)r ed* he "as st)ffed "ith cotto * as limp as limp co)ld 'e% A@ell*A says my lady* Aare the police comi $BA A5es*A says &r% Fra -li 9 Athey said they "o)ld follo" me i a fly% .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e* of yo)r local police force* a d t"o of his me % A mere formD The case is hopeless%A A@hatD ha#e the I dia s escaped* sirBA I as-ed% AThe poor ill7)sed I dia s ha#e 'ee most ) ()stly p)t i priso *A says &r% Fra -li % AThey are as i oce t as the 'a'e ) 'or % &y idea that o e of them "as hidde i the ho)se has e ded* li-e all the rest of my ideas* i smo-e% It=s 'ee pro#ed*A says &r% Fra -li * d"elli $ "ith $reat relish o his o" i capacity* Ato 'e simply impossi'le%A After asto ishi $ )s 'y a o) ci $ this totally e" t)r i the matter of the &oo sto e* o)r yo) $ $e tlema * at his a) t=s re,)est* too- a seat* a d explai ed himself% It appeared that the resol)te side of him had held o)t as far as Fri<i $hall% He had p)t the "hole case plai ly 'efore the ma$istrate* a d the ma$istrate had at o ce se t for the police% The first i ,)iries i stit)ted a'o)t the I dia s sho"ed that they had ot so m)ch as attempted to lea#e the to" % F)rther ,)estio s addressed to the police* pro#ed that all three had 'ee see ret)r i $ to Fri<i $hall "ith their 'oy* o the pre#io)s i$ht 'et"ee te a d ele#e !"hich :re$ard 'ei $ had to ho)rs a d dista ces; also pro#ed that they had "al-ed strai$ht 'ac- after performi $ o o)r terrace% ?ater still* at mid i$ht* the police* ha#i $ occasio to search the commo lod$i $7ho)se "here they li#ed* had see them all three a$ai * a d their little 'oy "ith them* as )s)al% .oo after mid i$ht I myself had safely sh)t )p the ho)se% Plai er e#ide ce tha this* i fa#o)r of the I dia s* there

CG

co)ld ot "ell 'e% The ma$istrate said there "as ot e#e a case of s)spicio a$ai st them so far% 0)t* as it "as ()st possi'le* "he the police came to i #esti$ate the matter* that disco#eries affecti $ the ()$$lers mi$ht 'e made* he "o)ld co tri#e* 'y committi $ them as ro$)es a d #a$a'o ds* to -eep them at o)r disposal* ) der loc- a d -ey* for a "ee-% They had i$ ora tly do e somethi $ :I for$et "hat; i the to" * "hich 'arely 'ro)$ht them "ithi the operatio of the la"% E#ery h)ma i stit)tio :()stice i cl)ded; "ill stretch a little* if yo) o ly p)ll it the ri$ht "ay% The "orthy ma$istrate "as a old frie d of my lady=s* a d the I dia s "ere AcommittedA for a "ee-* as soo as the co)rt ope ed that mor i $% .)ch "as &r% Fra -li =s arrati#e of e#e ts at Fri<i $hall% The I dia cl)e to the mystery of the lost (e"el "as o"* to all appeara ce* a cl)e that had 'ro-e i o)r ha ds% If the ()$$lers "ere i oce t* "ho* i the ame of "o der* had ta-e the &oo sto e o)t of &iss Rachel=s dra"erB Te mi )tes later* to o)r i fi ite relief9 .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e arri#ed at the ho)se% He reported passi $ &r% Fra -li o the terrace* sitti $ i the s) :I s)ppose "ith the Italia side of him )ppermost;* a d "ar i $ the police* as they "e t 'y* that the i #esti$atio "as hopeless* 'efore the i #esti$atio had 'e$) % For a family i o)r sit)atio * the .)peri te de t of the Fri<i $hall police "as the most comforti $ officer yo) co)ld "ish to see% &r% .ee$ra#e "as tall a d portly* a d military i his ma ers% He had a fi e comma di $ #oice* a d a mi$hty resol)te eye* a d a $ra d froc-7coat "hich ')tto ed 'ea)tif)lly )p to his leather stoc-% AI=m the ma yo) "a tDA "as "ritte all o#er his face9 a d he ordered his t"o i ferior police me a'o)t "ith a se#erity "hich co #i ced )s all that there "as o trifli $ "ith HI&% He 'e$a 'y $oi $ ro) d the premises* o)tside a d i 9 the res)lt of that i #esti$atio pro#i $ to him that o thie#es had 'ro-e i )po )s from o)tside* a d that the ro''ery* co se,)e tly* m)st ha#e 'ee committed 'y some perso i the ho)se% I lea#e yo) to ima$i e the state the ser#a ts "ere i "he this official a o) ceme t first reached their ears% The .)peri te de t decided to 'e$i 'y exami i $ the 'o)doir* a d* that do e* to exami e the ser#a ts ext% At the same time* he posted o e of his me o the staircase "hich led to the ser#a ts= 'edrooms* "ith i str)ctio s to let o'ody i the ho)se pass him* till f)rther orders% At this latter proceedi $* the "ea-er half of the h)ma family "e t distracted o the spot% They 'o) ced o)t of their comers* "his-ed )p7stairs i a 'ody to &iss Rachel=s room :Rosa a .pearma 'ei $ carried a"ay amo $ them this time;* ')rst i o .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e* a d* all loo-i $ e,)ally $)ilty* s)mmo ed him to say "hich of them he s)spected* at o ce% &r% .)peri te de t pro#ed e,)al to the occasio 9 he loo-ed at them "ith his resol)te eye* a d he co"ed them "ith his military #oice%

C3

A8o"* the * yo) "ome * $o do" 7stairs a$ai * e#ery o e of yo)9 I "o =t ha#e yo) here% ?oo-DA says &r% .)peri te de t* s)dde ly poi ti $ to a little smear of the decorati#e pai ti $ o &iss Rachel=s door* at the o)ter ed$e* ()st ) der the loc-% A?oo- "hat mischief the petticoats of some of yo) ha#e do e already% Clear o)tD clear o)tDA Rosa a .pearma * "ho "as earest to him* a d earest to the little smear o the door* set the example of o'edie ce* a d slipped off i sta tly to her "or-% The rest follo"ed her o)t% The .)peri te de t fi ished his exami atio of the room* a d* ma-i $ othi $ of it* as-ed me "ho had first disco#ered the ro''ery% &y da)$hter had first disco#ered it% &y da)$hter "as se t for% &r% .)peri te de t pro#ed to 'e a little too sharp "ith Pe elope at starti $% A8o"* yo) $ "oma * atte d to me* a d mi d yo) spea- the tr)th%A Pe elope fired )p i sta tly% AI=#e e#er 'ee ta)$ht to tell lies &r% Policema D!a d if father ca sta d there a d hear me acc)sed of falsehood a d thie#i $* a d my o" 'ed7room sh)t a$ai st me* a d my character ta-e a"ay* "hich is all a poor $irl has left* he=s ot the $ood father I ta-e him forDA A timely "ord from me p)t +)stice a d Pe elope o a pleasa ter footi $ to$ether% The ,)estio s a d a s"ers "e t s"immi $ly* a d e ded i othi $ "orth me tio i $% &y da)$hter had see &iss Rachel p)t the 6iamo d i the dra"er of the ca'i et the last thi $ at i$ht% .he had $o e i "ith &iss Rachel=s c)p of tea at ei$ht the ext mor i $* a d had fo) d the dra"er ope a d empty% Epo that* she had alarmed the ho)se!a d there "as a e d of Pe elope=s e#ide ce% &r% .)peri te de t ext as-ed to see &iss Rachel herself% Pe elope me tio ed his re,)est thro)$h the door% The a s"er reached )s 'y the same roadF AI ha#e othi $ to tell the policema !I ca =t see a y'ody%A 4)r experie ced officer loo-ed e,)ally s)rprised a d offe ded "he he heard that reply% I told him my yo) $ lady "as ill* a d 'e$$ed him to "ait a little a d see her later% @e there)po "e t do" stairs a$ai * a d "ere met 'y &r% /odfrey a d &r% Fra -li crossi $ the hall% The t"o $e tleme * 'ei $ i mates of the ho)se* "ere s)mmo ed to say if they co)ld thro" a y li$ht o the matter% 8either of them - e" a ythi $ a'o)t it% Had they heard a y s)spicio)s oises d)ri $ the pre#io)s i$htB They had heard othi $ ')t the patteri $ of the rai % Had I* lyi $ a"a-e lo $er tha either of them* heard othi $ eitherB 8othi $D Released from exami atio * &r% Fra -li * still stic-i $ to the helpless #ie" of o)r diffic)lty* "hispered to meF AThat ma "ill 'e of o earthly )se to )s% .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e is a ass%A Released i his t)r * &r% /odfrey "hispered to me!AE#ide tly a most compete t perso % 0ettered$e* I ha#e the $reatest faith i himDA &a y me * ma y opi io s* as o e of the a cie ts said* 'efore my time% &r% .)peri te de t=s ext proceedi $ too- him 'ac- to the A'o)doirA a$ai * "ith my da)$hter a d me at his heels% His o'(ect "as to disco#er "hether a y of the f)r it)re had 'ee mo#ed* d)ri $ the i$ht* o)t of its c)stomary place!his pre#io)s i #esti$atio i the room ha#i $* appare tly* ot $o e ,)ite far e o)$h to satisfy his mi d o this poi t% @hile "e "ere still po-i $ a'o)t amo $ the chairs a d ta'les* the door of the 'ed7room "as s)dde ly ope ed% After ha#i $ de ied herself to e#ery'ody* &iss Rachel* to o)r

2H

asto ishme t* "al-ed i to the midst of )s of her o" accord% .he too- )p her $arde hat from a chair* a d the "e t strai$ht to Pe elope "ith this ,)estio F! A&r% Fra -li 0la-e se t yo) "ith a messa$e to me this mor i $BA A5es* miss%A AHe "ished to spea- to me* did =t heBA A5es* miss%A A@here is he o"BA Heari $ #oices o the terrace 'elo"* I loo-ed o)t of "i do"* a d sa" the t"o $e tleme "al-i $ )p a d do" to$ether% A s"eri $ for my da)$hter* I said* A&r% Fra -li is o the terrace* miss%A @itho)t a other "ord* "itho)t heedi $ &r% .)peri te de t* "ho tried to spea- to her* pale as death* a d "rapped )p stra $ely i her o" tho)$hts* she left the room* a d "e t do" to her co)si s o the terrace% It sho"ed a "a t of d)e respect* it sho"ed a 'reach of $ood ma ers* o my part* ')t* for the life of me* I co)ld =t help loo-i $ o)t of "i do" "he &iss Rachel met the $e tleme o)tside% .he "e t )p to &r% Fra -li "itho)t appeari $ to otice &r% /odfrey* "ho there)po dre" 'ac- a d left them 'y themsel#es% @hat she said to &r% Fra -li appeared to 'e spo-e #eheme tly% It lasted ')t for a short time* a d* ()d$i $ 'y "hat I sa" of his face from the "i do"* seemed to asto ish him 'eyo d all po"er of expressio % @hile they "ere still to$ether* my lady appeared o the terrace% &iss Rachel sa" her!said a fe" last "ords to &r% Fra -li !a d s)dde ly "e t 'ac- i to the ho)se a$ai * 'efore her mother came )p "ith her% &y lady s)rprised herself* a d otici $ &r% Fra -li =s s)rprise* spo-e to him% &r% /odfrey (oi ed them* a d spo-e also% &r% Fra -li "al-ed a"ay a little 'et"ee the t"o* telli $ them "hat had happe ed I s)ppose* for they 'oth stopped short* after ta-i $ a fe" steps* li-e perso s str)c- "ith ama<eme t% I had ()st see as m)ch as this* "he the door of the sitti $7room "as ope ed #iole tly% &iss Rachel "al-ed s"iftly thro)$h to her 'ed7room* "ild a d a $ry* "ith fierce eyes a d flami $ chee-s% &r% .)peri te de t o ce more attempted to ,)estio her% .he t)r ed ro) d o him at her 'ed7room door% AI ha#e ot se t for yo)DA she cried o)t #eheme tly% AI do =t "a t yo)% &y 6iamo d is lost% 8either yo) or a y'ody else "ill e#er fi d itDA @ith those "ords she "e t i * a d loc-ed the door i o)r faces% Pe elope* sta di $ earest to it* heard her ')rst o)t cryi $ the mome t she "as alo e a$ai % I a ra$e* o e mome t9 i tears* the extD @hat did it mea B I told the .)peri te de t it mea t that &iss Rachel=s temper "as )pset 'y the loss of her (e"el% 0ei $ a xio)s for the ho o)r of the family* it distressed me to see my yo) $ lady for$et herself!e#e "ith a police7officer!a d I made the 'est exc)se I co)ld*

21

accordi $ly% I my o" pri#ate mi d I "as more p)<<led 'y &iss Rachel=s extraordi ary la $)a$e a d co d)ct tha "ords ca tell% Ta-i $ "hat she had said at her 'ed7room door as a $)ide to $)ess 'y* I co)ld o ly co cl)de that she "as mortally offe ded 'y o)r se di $ for the police* a d that &r% Fra -li =s asto ishme t o the terrace "as ca)sed 'y her ha#i $ expressed herself to him :as the perso chiefly i str)me tal i fetchi $ the police; to that effect% If this $)ess "as ri$ht* "hy!ha#i $ lost her 6iamo d!sho)ld she o'(ect to the prese ce i the ho)se of the #ery people "hose ')si ess it "as to reco#er it for herB A d ho"* i Hea#e =s ame* co)ld .HE - o" that the &oo sto e "o)ld e#er 'e fo) d a$ai B As thi $s stood* at prese t* o a s"er to those ,)estio s "as to 'e hoped for from a y'ody i the ho)se% &r% Fra -li appeared to thi - it a poi t of ho o)r to for'ear repeati $ to a ser#a t!e#e to so old a ser#a t as I "as!"hat &iss Rachel had said to him o the terrace% &r% /odfrey* "ho* as a $e tlema a d a relati#e* had 'ee pro'a'ly admitted i to &r% Fra -li =s co fide ce* respected that co fide ce as he "as 'o) d to do% &y lady* "ho "as also i the secret o do)'t* a d "ho alo e had access to &iss Rachel* o" ed ope ly that she co)ld ma-e othi $ of her% A5o) madde me "he yo) tal- of the 6iamo dDA All her mother=s i fl)e ce failed to extract from her a "ord more tha that% Here "e "ere* the * at a dead7loc- a'o)t &iss Rachel!a d at a dead7loc- a'o)t the &oo sto e% I the first case* my lady "as po"erless to help )s% I the seco d :as yo) shall prese tly ()d$e;* &r% .ee$ra#e "as fast approachi $ the co ditio of a s)peri te de t at his "its= e d% Ha#i $ ferreted a'o)t all o#er the A'o)doir*A "itho)t ma-i $ a y disco#eries amo $ the f)r it)re* o)r experie ced officer applied to me to - o"* "hether the ser#a ts i $e eral "ere or "ere ot ac,)ai ted "ith the place i "hich the 6iamo d had 'ee p)t for the i$ht% AI - e" "here it "as p)t* sir*A I said* Ato 'e$i "ith% .am)el* the footma * - e" also! for he "as prese t i the hall* "he they "ere tal-i $ a'o)t "here the 6iamo d "as to 'e -ept that i$ht% &y da)$hter - e"* as she has already told yo)% .he or .am)el may ha#e me tio ed the thi $ to the other ser#a ts!or the other ser#a ts may ha#e heard the tal- for themsel#es* thro)$h the side7door of the hall* "hich mi$ht ha#e 'ee ope to the 'ac- staircase% For all I ca tell* e#ery'ody i the ho)se may ha#e - o" "here the (e"el "as* last i$ht%A &y a s"er prese ti $ rather a "ide field for &r% .)peri te de t=s s)spicio s to ra $e o#er* he tried to arro" it 'y as-i $ a'o)t the ser#a ts= characters ext% I tho)$ht directly of Rosa a .pearma % 0)t it "as either my place or my "ish to direct s)spicio a$ai st a poor $irl* "hose ho esty had 'ee a'o#e all do)'t as lo $ as I had - o" her% The matro at the Reformatory had reported her to my lady as a si cerely pe ite t a d thoro)$hly tr)st"orthy $irl% It "as the .)peri te de t=s ')si ess to disco#er reaso for s)specti $ her first!a d the * a d ot till the * it "o)ld 'e my d)ty to tell him ho" she came i to my lady=s ser#ice% AAll o)r people ha#e excelle t characters*A I

22

said% AA d all ha#e deser#ed the tr)st their mistress has placed i them%A After that* there "as ')t o e thi $ left for &r% .ee$ra#e to do! amely* to set to "or-* a d tac-le the ser#a ts= characters himself% 4 e after a other* they "ere exami ed% 4 e after a other* they pro#ed to ha#e othi $ to say!a d said it :so far as the "ome "ere co cer ed; at $reat le $th* a d "ith a #ery a $ry se se of the em'ar$o laid o their 'ed7rooms% The rest of them 'ei $ se t 'ac- to their places do" stairs* Pe elope "as the s)mmo ed* a d exami ed separately a seco d time% &y da)$hter=s little o)t'rea- of temper i the A'o)doir*A a d her readi ess to thi herself s)spected* appeared to ha#e prod)ced a ) fa#o)ra'le impressio o .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% It seemed also to d"ell a little o his mi d* that she had 'ee the last perso "ho sa" the 6iamo d at i$ht% @he the seco d ,)estio i $ "as o#er* my $irl came 'ac- to me i a fre <y% There "as o do)'t of it a y lo $er!the police7 officer had almost as $ood as told her she "as the thiefD I co)ld scarcely 'elie#e him :ta-i $ &r% Fra -li =s #ie"; to 'e ,)ite s)ch a ass as that% 0)t* tho)$h he said othi $* the eye "ith "hich he loo-ed at my da)$hter "as ot a #ery pleasa t eye to see% I la)$hed it off "ith poor Pe elope* as somethi $ too ridic)lo)s to 'e treated serio)sly! "hich it certai ly "as% .ecretly* I am afraid I "as foolish e o)$h to 'e a $ry too% It "as a little tryi $!it "as* i deed% &y $irl sat do" i a cor er* "ith her apro o#er her head* ,)ite 'ro-e 7hearted% Foolish of her* yo) "ill say% .he mi$ht ha#e "aited till he ope ly acc)sed her% @ell* 'ei $ a ma of ()st a e,)al temper* I admit that% .till &r% .)peri te de t mi$ht ha#e remem'ered! e#er mi d "hat he mi$ht ha#e remem'ered% The de#il ta-e himD The ext a d last step i the i #esti$atio 'ro)$ht matters* as they say* to a crisis% The officer had a i ter#ie" :at "hich I "as prese t; "ith my lady% After i formi $ her that the 6iamo d m)st ha#e 'ee ta-e 'y some'ody i the ho)se* he re,)ested permissio for himself a d his me to search the ser#a ts= rooms a d 'oxes o the spot% &y $ood mistress* li-e the $e ero)s hi$h7'red "oma she "as* ref)sed to let )s 'e treated li-e thie#es% AI "ill e#er co se t to ma-e s)ch a ret)r as that*A she said* Afor all I o"e to the faithf)l ser#a ts "ho are employed i my ho)se%A &r% .)peri te de t made his 'o"* "ith a loo- i my directio * "hich said plai ly* A@hy employ me* if yo) are to tie my ha ds i this "ayBA As head of the ser#a ts* I felt directly that "e "ere 'o) d* i ()stice to all parties* ot to profit 'y o)r mistress=s $e erosity% A@e $ratef)lly tha - yo)r ladyship*A I said9 A')t "e as- yo)r permissio to do "hat is ri$ht i this matter 'y $i#i $ )p o)r -eys% @he /a'riel 0ettered$e sets the example*A says I* stoppi $ .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e at the door* Athe rest of the ser#a ts "ill follo"* I promise yo)% There are my -eys* to 'e$i "ithDA &y lady too- me 'y the ha d* a d tha -ed me "ith the tears i her eyes% ?ordD "hat "o)ld I ot ha#e $i#e * at that mome t* for the pri#ile$e of - oc-i $ .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e do" D As I had promised for them* the other ser#a ts follo"ed my lead* sorely a$ai st the $rai * of co)rse* ')t all ta-i $ the #ie" that I too-% The "ome "ere a si$ht to see* "hile the

23

police7officers "ere r)mma$i $ amo $ their thi $s% The coo- loo-ed as if she co)ld $rill &r% .)peri te de t ali#e o a f)r ace* a d the other "ome loo-ed as if they co)ld eat him "he he "as do e% The search o#er* a d o 6iamo d or si$ of a 6iamo d 'ei $ fo) d* of co)rse* a y"here* .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e retired to my little room to co sider "ith himself "hat he "as to do ext% He a d his me had o" 'ee ho)rs i the ho)se* a d had ot ad#a ced )s o e i ch to"ards a disco#ery of ho" the &oo sto e had 'ee ta-e * or of "hom "e "ere to s)spect as the thief% @hile the police7officer "as still po deri $ i solit)de* I "as se t for to see &r% Fra -li i the li'rary% To my ) )ttera'le asto ishme t* ()st as my ha d "as o the door* it "as s)dde ly ope ed from the i side* a d o)t "al-ed Rosa a .pearma D After the li'rary had 'ee s"ept a d clea ed i the mor i $* either first or seco d ho)semaid had a y ')si ess i that room at a y later period of the day% I stopped Rosa a .pearma * a d char$ed her "ith a 'reach of domestic discipli e o the spot% A@hat mi$ht yo) "a t i the li'rary at this time of dayBA I i ,)ired% A&r% Fra -li 0la-e dropped o e of his ri $s )p7stairs*A says Rosa a9 Aa d I ha#e 'ee i to the li'rary to $i#e it to him%A The $irl=s face "as all i a fl)sh as she made me that a s"er9 a d she "al-ed a"ay "ith a toss of her head a d a loo- of self7importa ce "hich I "as ,)ite at a loss to acco) t for% The proceedi $s i the ho)se had do)'tless )pset all the "ome 7ser#a ts more or less9 ')t o e of them had $o e clea o)t of their at)ral characters* as Rosa a* to all appeara ce* had o" $o e o)t of hers% I fo) d &r% Fra -li "riti $ at the li'rary7ta'le% He as-ed for a co #eya ce to the rail"ay statio the mome t I e tered the room% The first so) d of his #oice i formed me that "e o" had the resol)te side of him )ppermost o ce more% The ma made of cotto had disappeared9 a d the ma made of iro sat 'efore me a$ai % A/oi $ to ?o do * sirBA I as-ed% A/oi $ to tele$raph to ?o do *A says &r% Fra -li % AI ha#e co #i ced my a) t that "e m)st ha#e a cle#erer head tha .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e=s to help )s9 a d I ha#e $ot her permissio to despatch a tele$ram to my father% He - o"s the Chief Commissio er of Police* a d the Commissio er ca lay his ha d o the ri$ht ma to sol#e the mystery of the 6iamo d% Tal-i $ of mysteries* 'y7the7'ye*A says &r% Fra -li * droppi $ his #oice* AI ha#e a other "ord to say to yo) 'efore yo) $o to the sta'les% 6o =t 'reathe a "ord of it to a y'ody as yet9 ')t either Rosa a .pearma =s head is ot ,)ite ri$ht* or I am afraid she - o"s more a'o)t the &oo sto e tha she o)$ht to - o"%A I ca hardly tell "hether I "as more startled or distressed at heari $ him say that% If I had 'ee yo) $er* I mi$ht ha#e co fessed as m)ch to &r% Fra -li % 0)t "he yo) are old*

21

yo) ac,)ire o e excelle t ha'it% I cases "here yo) do =t see yo)r "ay clearly* yo) hold yo)r to $)e% A.he came i here "ith a ri $ I dropped i my 'ed7room*A &r% Fra -li "e t o % A@he I had tha -ed her* of co)rse I expected her to $o% I stead of that* she stood opposite to me at the ta'le* loo-i $ at me i the oddest ma er!half fri$hte ed* a d half familiar!I co)ld =t ma-e it o)t% =This is a stra $e thi $ a'o)t the 6iamo d* sir*= she said* i a c)rio)sly s)dde * headlo $ "ay% I said* =5es* it "as*= a d "o dered "hat "as comi $ ext% Epo my ho o)r* 0ettered$e* I thi - she m)st 'e "ro $ i the headD .he said* =They "ill e#er fi d the 6iamo d* sir* "ill theyB 8oD or the perso "ho too- it!I=ll a s"er for that%= .he act)ally odded a d smiled at meD 0efore I co)ld as- her "hat she mea t* "e heard yo)r step o)tside% I s)ppose she "as afraid of yo)r catchi $ her here% At a y rate* she cha $ed colo)r* a d left the room% @hat o earth does it mea BA I co)ld ot 'ri $ myself to tell him the $irl=s story* e#e the % It "o)ld ha#e 'ee almost as $ood as telli $ him that she "as the thief% 0esides* e#e if I had made a clea 'reast of it* a d e#e s)pposi $ she "as the thief* the reaso "hy she sho)ld let o)t her secret to &r% Fra -li * of all the people i the "orld* "o)ld ha#e 'ee still as far to see- as e#er% AI ca =t 'ear the idea of $etti $ the poor $irl i to a scrape* merely 'eca)se she has a fli$hty "ay "ith her* a d tal-s #ery stra $ely*A &r% Fra -li "e t o % AA d yet if she had said to* the .)peri te de t "hat she said to me* fool as he is* I=m afraid!!A He stopped there* a d left the rest ) spo-e % AThe 'est "ay* sir*A I said* A"ill 'e for me to say t"o "ords pri#ately to my mistress a'o)t it at the first opport) ity% &y lady has a #ery frie dly i terest i Rosa a9 a d the $irl may o ly ha#e 'ee for"ard a d foolish* after all% @he there=s a mess of a y -i d i a ho)se* sir* the "ome 7ser#a ts li-e to loo- at the $loomy side!it $i#es the poor "retches a -i d of importa ce i their o" eyes% If there=s a y'ody ill* tr)st the "ome for prophesyi $ that the perso "ill die% If it=s a (e"el lost* tr)st them for prophesyi $ that it "ill e#er 'e fo) d a$ai %A This #ie" :"hich I am 'o) d to say* I tho)$ht a pro'a'le #ie" myself* o reflectio ; seemed to relie#e &r% Fra -li mi$htilyF he folded )p his tele$ram* a d dismissed the s)'(ect% 4 my "ay to the sta'les* to order the po y7chaise* I loo-ed i at the ser#a ts= hall* "here they "ere at di er% Rosa a .pearma "as ot amo $ them% 4 i ,)iry* I fo) d that she had 'ee s)dde ly ta-e ill* a d had $o e )p7stairs to her o" room to lie do" % AC)rio)sD .he loo-ed "ell e o)$h "he I sa" her last*A I remar-ed% Pe elope follo"ed me o)t% A6o =t tal- i that "ay 'efore the rest of them* father*A she said% A5o) o ly ma-e them harder o Rosa a tha e#er% The poor thi $ is 'rea-i $ her heart a'o)t &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A

2>

Here "as a other #ie" of the $irl=s co d)ct% If it "as possi'le for Pe elope to 'e ri$ht* the expla atio of Rosa a=s stra $e la $)a$e a d 'eha#io)r mi$ht ha#e 'ee all i this !that she did =t care "hat she said* so lo $ as she co)ld s)rprise &r% Fra -li i to spea-i $ to her% /ra ti $ that to 'e the ri$ht readi $ of the riddle* it acco) ted* perhaps* for her fli$hty* self7co ceited ma er "he she passed me i the hall% Tho)$h he had o ly said three "ords* still she had carried her poi t* a d &r% Fra -li had spo-e to her% I sa" the po y har essed myself% I the i fer al et"or- of mysteries a d ) certai ties that o" s)rro) ded )s* I declare it "as a relief to o'ser#e ho" "ell the ')c-les a d straps ) derstood each otherD @he yo) had see the po y 'ac-ed i to the shafts of the chaise* yo) had see somethi $ there "as o do)'t a'o)t% A d that* let me tell yo)* "as 'ecomi $ a treat of the rarest -i d i o)r ho)sehold% /oi $ ro) d "ith the chaise to the fro t door* I fo) d ot o ly &r% Fra -li * ')t &r% /odfrey a d .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e also "aiti $ for me o the steps% &r% .)peri te de t=s reflectio s :after faili $ to fi d the 6iamo d i the ser#a ts= rooms or 'oxes; had led him* it appeared* to a e tirely e" co cl)sio % .till stic-i $ to his first text* amely* that some'ody i the ho)se had stole the (e"el* o)r experie ced officer "as o" of the opi io that the thief :he "as "ise e o)$h ot to ame poor Pe elope* "hate#er he mi$ht pri#ately thi - of herD; had 'ee acti $ i co cert "ith the I dia s9 a d he accordi $ly proposed shifti $ his i ,)iries to the ()$$lers i the priso at Fri<i $hall% Heari $ of this e" mo#e* &r% Fra -li had #ol) teered to ta-e the .)peri te de t 'ac- to the to" * from "hich he co)ld tele$raph to ?o do as easily as from o)r statio % &r% /odfrey* still de#o)tly 'elie#i $ i &r% .ee$ra#e* a d $reatly i terested i "it essi $ the exami atio of the I dia s* had 'e$$ed lea#e to accompa y the officer to Fri<i $hall% 4 e of the t"o i ferior policeme "as to 'e left at the ho)se* i case a ythi $ happe ed% The other "as to $o 'ac- "ith the .)peri te de t to the to" % .o the fo)r places i the po y7chaise "ere ()st filled% 0efore he too- the rei s to dri#e off* &r% Fra -li "al-ed me a"ay a fe" steps o)t of heari $ of the others% AI "ill "ait to tele$raph to ?o do *A he said* Atill I see "hat comes of o)r exami atio of the I dia s% &y o" co #ictio is* that this m)ddle7headed local police7officer is as m)ch i the dar- as e#er* a d is simply tryi $ to $ai time% The idea of a y of the ser#a ts 'ei $ i lea$)e "ith the I dia s is a prepostero)s a's)rdity* i my opi io % Jeep a'o)t the ho)se* 0ettered$e* till I come 'ac-* a d try "hat yo) ca ma-e of Rosa a .pearma % I do =t as- yo) to do a ythi $ de$radi $ to yo)r o" self7respect* or a ythi $ cr)el to"ards the $irl% I o ly as- yo) to exercise yo)r o'ser#atio more caref)lly tha )s)al% @e "ill ma-e as li$ht of it as "e ca 'efore my a) t!')t this is a more importa t matter tha yo) may s)ppose%A AIt is a matter of t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds* sir*A I said* thi -i $ of the #al)e of the 6iamo d%

2C

AIt=s a matter of ,)ieti $ Rachel=s mi d*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li $ra#ely% AI am #ery ) easy a'o)t her%A He left me s)dde ly9 as if he desired to c)t short a y f)rther tal- 'et"ee )s% I tho)$ht I ) derstood "hy% F)rther tal- mi$ht ha#e let me i to the secret of "hat &iss Rachel had said to him o the terrace% .o they dro#e a"ay to Fri<i $hall% I "as ready e o)$h* i the $irl=s o" i terest* to ha#e a little tal- "ith Rosa a i pri#ate% 0)t the eedf)l opport) ity failed to prese t itself% .he o ly came do" stairs a$ai at tea7time% @he she did appear* she "as fli$hty a d excited* had "hat they call a hysterical attac-* too- a dose of sal7#olatile 'y my lady=s order* a d "as se t 'ac- to her 'ed% The day "ore o to its e d drearily a d misera'ly e o)$h* I ca tell yo)% &iss Rachel still -ept her room* declari $ that she "as too ill to come do" to di er that day% &y lady "as i s)ch lo" spirits a'o)t her da)$hter* that I co)ld ot 'ri $ myself to ma-e her additio ally a xio)s* 'y reporti $ "hat Rosa a .pearma had said to &r% Fra -li % Pe elope persisted i 'elie#i $ that she "as to 'e forth"ith tried* se te ced* a d tra sported for theft% The other "ome too- to their 0i'les a d hym 7'oo-s* a d loo-ed as so)r as #er()ice o#er their readi $!a res)lt* "hich I ha#e o'ser#ed* i my sphere of life* to follo" $e erally o the performa ce of acts of piety at ) acc)stomed periods of the day% As for me* I had =t e#e heart e o)$h to ope my R40I8.48 CRE.4E% I "e t o)t i to the yard* a d* 'ei $ hard )p for a little cheerf)l society* set my chair 'y the -e els* a d tal-ed to the do$s% Half a ho)r 'efore di er7time* the t"o $e tleme came 'ac- from Fri<i $hall* ha#i $ arra $ed "ith .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e that he "as to ret)r to )s the ext day% They had called o &r% &)rth"aite* the I dia tra#eller* at his prese t reside ce* ear the to" % At &r% Fra -li =s re,)est* he had -i dly $i#e them the 'e efit of his - o"led$e of the la $)a$e* i deali $ "ith those t"o* o)t of the three I dia s* "ho - e" othi $ of E $lish% The exami atio * co d)cted caref)lly* a d at $reat le $th* had e ded i othi $9 ot the shado" of a reaso 'ei $ disco#ered for s)specti $ the ()$$lers of ha#i $ tampered "ith a y of o)r ser#a ts% 4 reachi $ that co cl)sio * &r% Fra -li had se t his tele$raphic messa$e to ?o do * a d there the matter o" rested till to7morro" came% .o m)ch for the history of the day that follo"ed the 'irthday% 8ot a $limmer of li$ht had 'ro-e i o )s* so far% A day or t"o after* ho"e#er* the dar- ess lifted a little% Ho"* a d "ith "hat res)lt* yo) shall prese tly see%

CHAPTER #II

22

The Th)rsday i$ht passed* a d othi $ happe ed% @ith the Friday mor i $ came t"o pieces of e"s% Item the firstF the 'a-er=s ma declared he had met Rosa a .pearma * o the pre#io)s after oo * "ith a thic- #eil o * "al-i $ to"ards Fri<i $hall 'y the foot7path "ay o#er the moor% It seemed stra $e that a y'ody sho)ld 'e mista-e a'o)t Rosa a* "hose sho)lder mar-ed her o)t pretty plai ly* poor thi $!')t mista-e the ma m)st ha#e 'ee 9 for Rosa a* as yo) - o"* had 'ee all the Th)rsday after oo ill )p7stairs i her room% Item the seco d came thro)$h the postma % @orthy &r% Ca dy had said o e more of his ma y ) l)c-y thi $s* "he he dro#e off i the rai o the 'irthday i$ht* a d told me that a doctor=s s-i "as "aterproof% I spite of his s-i * the "et had $ot thro)$h him% He had ca)$ht a chill that i$ht* a d "as o" do" "ith a fe#er% The last acco) ts* 'ro)$ht 'y the postma * represe ted him to 'e li$ht7headed!tal-i $ o se se as $li'ly* poor ma * i his deliri)m as he ofte tal-ed it i his so'er se ses% @e "ere all sorry for the little doctor9 ')t &r% Fra -li appeared to re$ret his ill ess* chiefly o &iss Rachel=s acco) t% From "hat he said to my lady* "hile I "as i the room at 'rea-fast7time* he appeared to thi - that &iss Rachel!if the s)spe se a'o)t the &oo sto e "as ot soo set at rest!mi$ht sta d i )r$e t eed of the 'est medical ad#ice at o)r disposal% 0rea-fast had ot 'ee o#er lo $* "he a tele$ram from &r% 0la-e* the elder* arri#ed* i a s"er to his so % It i formed )s that he had laid ha ds :'y help of his frie d* the Commissio er; o the ri$ht ma to help )s% The ame of him "as .er$ea t C)ff9 a d the arri#al of him from ?o do mi$ht 'e expected 'y the mor i $ trai % At readi $ the ame of the e" police7officer* &r% Fra -li $a#e a start% It seems that he had heard some c)rio)s a ecdotes a'o)t .er$ea t C)ff* from his father=s la"yer* d)ri $ his stay i ?o do % AI 'e$i to hope "e are seei $ the e d of o)r a xieties already*A he said% AIf half the stories I ha#e heard are tr)e* "he it comes to ) ra#elli $ a mystery* there is =t the e,)al i E $la d of .er$ea t C)ffDA @e all $ot excited a d impatie t as the time dre" ear for the appeara ce of this re o" ed a d capa'le character% .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e* ret)r i $ to )s at his appoi ted time* a d heari $ that the .er$ea t "as expected* i sta tly sh)t himself )p i a room* "ith pe * i -* a d paper* to ma-e otes of the Report "hich "o)ld 'e certai ly expected from him% I sho)ld ha#e li-ed to ha#e $o e to the statio myself* to fetch the .er$ea t% 0)t my lady=s carria$e a d horses "ere ot to 'e tho)$ht of* e#e for the cele'rated C)ff9 a d the po y7chaise "as re,)ired later for &r% /odfrey% He deeply re$retted 'ei $ o'li$ed to lea#e his a) t at s)ch a a xio)s time9 a d he -i dly p)t off the ho)r of his depart)re till as late as the last trai * for the p)rpose of heari $ "hat the cle#er ?o do police7officer tho)$ht of the case% 0)t o Friday i$ht he m)st 'e i to" * ha#i $ a ?adies= Charity* i diffic)lties* "aiti $ to co s)lt him o .at)rday mor i $%

2G

@he the time came for the .er$ea t=s arri#al* I "e t do" to the $ate to loo- o)t for him% A fly from the rail"ay dro#e )p as I reached the lod$e9 a d o)t $ot a $ri<<led* elderly ma * so misera'ly lea that he loo-ed as if he had ot $ot a o) ce of flesh o his 'o es i a y part of him% He "as dressed all i dece t 'lac-* "ith a "hite cra#at ro) d his ec-% His face "as as sharp as a hatchet* a d the s-i of it "as as yello" a d dry a d "ithered as a a)t)m leaf% His eyes* of a steely li$ht $rey* had a #ery disco certi $ tric-* "he they e co) tered yo)r eyes* of loo-i $ as if they expected somethi $ more from yo) tha yo) "ere a"are of yo)rself% His "al- "as soft9 his #oice "as mela choly9 his lo $ la -y fi $ers "ere hoo-ed li-e cla"s% He mi$ht ha#e 'ee a parso * or a ) derta-er!or a ythi $ else yo) li-e* except "hat he really "as% A more complete opposite to .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e tha .er$ea t C)ff* a d a less comforti $ officer to loo- at* for a family i distress* I defy yo) to disco#er* search "here yo) may% AIs this ?ady Veri der=sBA he as-ed% A5es* sir%A AI am .er$ea t C)ff%A AThis "ay* sir* if yo) please%A 4 o)r road to the ho)se* I me tio ed my ame a d positio i the family* to satisfy him that he mi$ht spea- to me a'o)t the ')si ess o "hich my lady "as to employ him% 8ot a "ord did he say a'o)t the ')si ess* ho"e#er* for all that% He admired the $ro) ds* a d remar-ed that he felt the sea air #ery 'ris- a d refreshi $% I pri#ately "o dered* o my side* ho" the cele'rated C)ff had $ot his rep)tatio % @e reached the ho)se* i the temper of t"o stra $e do$s* co)pled )p to$ether for the first time i their li#es 'y the same chai % As-i $ for my lady* a d heari $ that she "as i o e of the co ser#atories* "e "e t ro) d to the $arde s at the 'ac-* a d se t a ser#a t to see- her% @hile "e "ere "aiti $* .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed thro)$h the e#er$ree arch o o)r left* spied o)t o)r rosery* a d "al-ed strai$ht i * "ith the first appeara ce of a ythi $ li-e i terest that he had sho" yet% To the $arde er=s asto ishme t* a d to my dis$)st* this cele'rated policema pro#ed to 'e ,)ite a mi e of lear i $ o the tr)mpery s)'(ect of rose7$arde s% AAh* yo)=#e $ot the ri$ht expos)re here to the so)th a d so)=7"est*A says the .er$ea t* "ith a "a$ of his $ri<<led head* a d a strea- of pleas)re i his mela choly #oice% AThis is the shape for a rosery! othi $ li-e a circle set i a s,)are% 5es* yes9 "ith "al-s 'et"ee all the 'eds% 0)t they o)$ht =t to 'e $ra#el "al-s li-e these% /rass* &r% /arde er!$rass "al-s 'et"ee yo)r roses9 $ra#el=s too hard for them% That=s a s"eet pretty 'ed of "hite roses a d 'l)sh roses% They al"ays mix "ell to$ether* do =t theyB Here=s the "hite m)srose* &r% 0ettered$e!o)r old E $lish rose holdi $ )p its head alo $ "ith the 'est a d

23

the e"est of them% Pretty dearDA says the .er$ea t* fo dli $ the &)s- Rose "ith his la -y fi $ers* a d spea-i $ to it as if he "as spea-i $ to a child% This "as a ice sort of ma to reco#er &iss Rachel=s 6iamo d* a d to fi d o)t the thief "ho stole itD A5o) seem to 'e fo d of roses* .er$ea tBA I remar-ed% AI ha#e =t m)ch time to 'e fo d of a ythi $*A says .er$ea t C)ff% A0)t "he I have a mome t=s fo d ess to 'esto"* most times* &r% 0ettered$e* the roses $et it% I 'e$a my life amo $ them i my father=s )rsery $arde * a d I shall e d my life amo $ them* if I ca % 5es% 4 e of these days :please /od; I shall retire from catchi $ thie#es* a d try my ha d at $ro"i $ roses% There "ill 'e $rass "al-s* &r% /arde er* 'et"ee my 'eds*A says the .er$ea t* o "hose mi d the $ra#el paths of o)r rosery seemed to d"ell ) pleasa tly% AIt seems a odd taste* sir*A I #e t)red to say* Afor a ma i yo)r li e of life%A AIf yo) "ill loo- a'o)t yo) :"hich most people "o =t do;*A says .er$ea t C)ff* Ayo) "ill see that the at)re of a ma =s tastes is* most times* as opposite as possi'le to the at)re of a ma =s ')si ess% .ho" me a y t"o thi $s more opposite o e from the other tha a rose a d a thief9 a d I=ll correct my tastes accordi $ly!if it is =t too late at my time of life% 5o) fi d the damas- rose a $oodish stoc- for most of the te der sorts* do =t yo)* &r% /arde erB AhD I tho)$ht so% Here=s a lady comi $% Is it ?ady Veri derBA He had see her 'efore either I or the $arde er had see her* tho)$h "e - e" "hich "ay to loo-* a d he did =t% I 'e$a to thi - him rather a ,)ic-er ma tha he appeared to 'e at first si$ht% The .er$ea t=s appeara ce* or the .er$ea t=s erra d!o e or 'oth!seemed to ca)se my lady some little em'arrassme t% .he "as* for the first time i all my experie ce of her* at a loss "hat to say at a i ter#ie" "ith a stra $er% .er$ea t C)ff p)t her at her ease directly% He as-ed if a y other perso had 'ee employed a'o)t the ro''ery 'efore "e se t for him9 a d heari $ that a other perso had 'ee called i * a d "as o" i the ho)se* 'e$$ed lea#e to spea- to him 'efore a ythi $ else "as do e% &y lady led the "ay 'ac-% 0efore he follo"ed her* the .er$ea t relie#ed his mi d o the s)'(ect of the $ra#el "al-s 'y a parti $ "ord to the $arde er% A/et her ladyship to try $rass*A he said* "ith a so)r loo- at the paths% A8o $ra#elD o $ra#elDA @hy .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e sho)ld ha#e appeared to 'e se#eral si<es smaller tha life* o 'ei $ prese ted to .er$ea t C)ff* I ca =t ) derta-e to explai % I ca o ly state the fact% They retired to$ether9 a d remai ed a "eary lo $ time sh)t )p from all mortal i tr)sio % @he they came o)t* &r% .)peri te de t "as excited* a d &r% .er$ea t "as ya" i $%

GH

AThe .er$ea t "ishes to see &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room*A says &r% .ee$ra#e* addressi $ me "ith $reat pomp a d ea$er ess% AThe .er$ea t may ha#e some ,)estio s to as-% Atte d the .er$ea t* if yo) pleaseDA @hile I "as 'ei $ ordered a'o)t i this "ay* I loo-ed at the $reat C)ff% The $reat C)ff* o his side* loo-ed at .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e i that ,)ietly expecti $ "ay "hich I ha#e already oticed% I ca =t affirm that he "as o the "atch for his 'rother officer=s speedy appeara ce i the character of a Ass!I ca o ly say that I stro $ly s)spected it% I led the "ay )p7stairs% The .er$ea t "e t softly all o#er the I dia ca'i et a d all ro) d the A'o)doir9A as-i $ ,)estio s :occasio ally o ly of &r% .)peri te de t* a d co ti )ally of me;* the drift of "hich I 'elie#e to ha#e 'ee e,)ally ) i telli$i'le to 'oth of )s% I d)e time* his co)rse 'ro)$ht him to the door* a d p)t him face to face "ith the decorati#e pai ti $ that yo) - o" of% He laid o e lea i ,)iri $ fi $er o the small smear* ()st ) der the loc-* "hich .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e had already oticed* "he he repro#ed the "ome 7ser#a ts for all cro"di $ to$ether i to the room% AThat=s a pity*A says .er$ea t C)ff% AHo" did it happe BA He p)t the ,)estio to me% I a s"ered that the "ome 7ser#a ts had cro"ded i to the room o the pre#io)s mor i $* a d that some of their petticoats had do e the mischief* A.)peri te de t .ee$ra#e ordered them o)t* sir*A I added* A'efore they did a y more harm%A ARi$htDA says &r% .)peri te de t i his military "ay% AI ordered them o)t% The petticoats did it* .er$ea t!the petticoats did it%A A6id yo) otice "hich petticoat did itBA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff* still addressi $ himself* ot to his 'rother7officer* ')t to me% A8o* sir%A He t)r ed to .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e )po that* a d said* A5o) oticed* I s)pposeBA &r% .)peri te de t loo-ed a little ta-e a'ac-9 ')t he made the 'est of it% AI ca =t char$e my memory* .er$ea t*A he said* Aa mere trifle!a mere trifle%A .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed at &r% .ee$ra#e* as he had loo-ed at the $ra#el "al-s i the rosery* a d $a#e )s* i his mela choly "ay* the first taste of his ,)ality "hich "e had had yet% AI made a pri#ate i ,)iry last "ee-* &r% .)peri te de t*A he said% AAt o e e d of the i ,)iry there "as a m)rder* a d at the other e d there "as a spot of i - o a ta'le cloth that o'ody co)ld acco) t for% I all my experie ce alo $ the dirtiest "ays of this dirty little "orld* I ha#e e#er met "ith s)ch a thi $ as a trifle yet% 0efore "e $o a step f)rther i this ')si ess "e m)st see the petticoat that made the smear* a d "e m)st - o" for certai "he that pai t "as "et%A

G1

&r% .)peri te de t!ta-i $ his set7do" rather s)l-ily!as-ed if he sho)ld s)mmo the "ome % .er$ea t C)ff* after co sideri $ a mi )te* si$hed* a d shoo- his head% A8o*A he said* A"e=ll ta-e the matter of the pai t first% It=s a ,)estio of 5es or 8o "ith the pai t!"hich is short% It=s a ,)estio of petticoats "ith the "ome !"hich is lo $% @hat o=cloc- "as it "he the ser#a ts "ere i this room yesterday mor i $B Ele#e o=cloc-! ehB Is there a y'ody i the ho)se "ho - o"s "hether that pai t "as "et or dry* at ele#e yesterday mor i $BA AHer ladyship=s ephe"* &r% Fra -li 0la-e* - o"s*A I said% AIs the $e tlema i the ho)seBA &r% Fra -li "as as close at ha d as co)ld 'e!"aiti $ for his first cha ce of 'ei $ i trod)ced to the $reat C)ff% I half a mi )te he "as i the room* a d "as $i#i $ his e#ide ce as follo"sF AThat door* .er$ea t*A he said* Ahas 'ee pai ted 'y &iss Veri der* ) der my i spectio * "ith my help* a d i a #ehicle of my o" compositio % The #ehicle dries "hate#er colo)rs may 'e )sed "ith it* i t"el#e ho)rs%A A6o yo) remem'er "he the smeared 'it "as do e* sirBA as-ed the .er$ea t% APerfectly*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li % AThat "as the last morsel of the door to 'e fi ished% @e "a ted to $et it do e* o @ed esday last!a d I myself completed it 'y three i the after oo * or soo after%A ATo7day is Friday*A said .er$ea t C)ff* addressi $ himself to .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% A?et )s rec-o 'ac-* sir% At three o the @ed esday after oo * that 'it of the pai ti $ "as completed% The #ehicle dried it i t"el#e ho)rs!that is to say* dried it 'y three o=cloc- o Th)rsday mor i $% At ele#e o Th)rsday mor i $ yo) held yo)r i ,)iry here% Ta-e three from ele#e * a d ei$ht remai s% That pai t had 'ee EI/HT H4ER. 6R5* &r% .)peri te de t* "he yo) s)pposed that the "ome 7ser#a ts= petticoats smeared it%A First - oc-7do" 'lo" for &r% .ee$ra#eD If he had ot s)spected poor Pe elope* I sho)ld ha#e pitied him% Ha#i $ settled the ,)estio of the pai t* .er$ea t C)ff* from that mome t* $a#e his 'rother7officer )p as a 'ad (o'!a d addressed himself to &r% Fra -li * as the more promisi $ assista t of the t"o% AIt=s ,)ite o the cards* sir*A he said* Athat yo) ha#e p)t the cl)e i to o)r ha ds%A As the "ords passed his lips* the 'edroom door ope ed* a d &iss Rachel came o)t amo $ )s s)dde ly%

G2

.he addressed herself to the .er$ea t* "itho)t appeari $ to otice :or to heed; that he "as a perfect stra $er to her% A6id yo) say*A she as-ed* poi ti $ to &r% Fra -li * Athat HE had p)t the cl)e i to yo)r ha dsBA :AThis is &iss Veri der*A I "hispered* 'ehi d the .er$ea t%; AThat $e tlema * miss*A says the .er$ea t!"ith his steely7$rey eyes caref)lly st)dyi $ my yo) $ lady=s face!Ahas possi'ly p)t the cl)e i to o)r ha ds%A .he t)r ed for o e mome t* a d tried to loo- at &r% Fra -li % I say* tried* for she s)dde ly loo-ed a"ay a$ai 'efore their eyes met% There seemed to 'e some stra $e dist)r'a ce i her mi d% .he colo)red )p* a d the she t)r ed pale a$ai % @ith the pale ess* there came a e" loo- i to her face!a loo- "hich it startled me to see% AHa#i $ a s"ered yo)r ,)estio * miss*A says the .er$ea t* AI 'e$ lea#e to ma-e a i ,)iry i my t)r % There is a smear o the pai ti $ of yo)r door* here% 6o yo) happe to - o" "he it "as do eB or "ho did itBA I stead of ma-i $ a y reply* &iss Rachel "e t o "ith her ,)estio s* as if he had ot spo-e * or as if she had ot heard him% AAre yo) a other police7officerBA she as-ed% AI am .er$ea t C)ff* miss* of the 6etecti#e Police%A A6o yo) thi - a yo) $ lady=s ad#ice "orth ha#i $BA AI shall 'e $lad to hear it* miss%A A6o yo)r d)ty 'y yo)rself!a d do =t allo" &r Fra -li 0la-e to help yo)DA .he said those "ords so spitef)lly* so sa#a$ely* "ith s)ch a extraordi ary o)t'rea- of ill7"ill to"ards &r% Fra -li * i her #oice a d i her loo-* that!tho)$h I had - o" her from a 'a'y* tho)$h I lo#ed a d ho o)red her ext to my lady herself!I "as ashamed of &iss Rachel for the first time i my life% .er$ea t C)ff=s immo#a'le eyes e#er stirred from off her face% ATha - yo)* miss*A he said% A6o yo) happe to - o" a ythi $ a'o)t the smearB &i$ht yo) ha#e do e it 'y accide t yo)rselfBA AI - o" othi $ a'o)t the smear%A

G3

@ith that a s"er* she t)r ed a"ay* a d sh)t herself )p a$ai i her 'ed7room% This time* I heard her!as Pe elope had heard her 'efore!')rst o)t cryi $ as soo as she "as alo e a$ai % I co)ld =t 'ri $ myself to loo- at the .er$ea t!I loo-ed at &r% Fra -li * "ho stood earest to me% He seemed to 'e e#e more sorely distressed at "hat had passed tha I "as% AI told yo) I "as ) easy a'o)t her*A he said% AA d o" yo) see "hy%A A&iss Veri der appears to 'e a little o)t of temper a'o)t the loss of her 6iamo d*A remar-ed the .er$ea t% AIt=s a #al)a'le (e"el% 8at)ral e o)$hD at)ral e o)$hDA Here "as the exc)se that I had made for her :"he she for$ot herself 'efore .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e* o the pre#io)s day; 'ei $ made for her o#er a$ai * 'y a ma "ho co)ld =t ha#e had &5 i terest i ma-i $ it!for he "as a perfect stra $erD A -i d of cold sh)dder ra thro)$h me* "hich I co)ld =t acco) t for at the time% I - o"* o"* that I m)st ha#e $ot my first s)spicio * at that mome t* of a e" li$ht :a d horrid li$ht; ha#i $ s)dde ly falle o the case* i the mi d of .er$ea t C)ff!p)rely a d e tirely i co se,)e ce of "hat he had see i &iss Rachel* a d heard from &iss Rachel* at that first i ter#ie" 'et"ee them% AA yo) $ lady=s to $)e is a pri#ile$ed mem'er* sir*A says the .er$ea t to &r% Fra -li % A?et )s for$et "hat has passed* a d $o strai$ht o "ith this ')si ess% Tha -s to yo)* "e - o" "he the pai t "as dry% The ext thi $ to disco#er is "he the pai t "as last see "itho)t that smear% 54E ha#e $ot a head o yo)r sho)lders!a d yo) ) dersta d "hat I mea %A &r% Fra -li composed himself* a d came 'ac- "ith a effort from &iss Rachel to the matter i ha d% AI thi - I do ) dersta d*A he said% AThe more "e arro" the ,)estio of time* the more "e also arro" the field of i ,)iry%A AThat=s it* sir*A said the .er$ea t% A6id yo) otice yo)r "or- here* o the @ed esday after oo * after yo) had do e itBA &r% Fra -li shoo- his head* a d a s"ered* AI ca =t say I did%A A6id yo)BA i ,)ired .er$ea t C)ff* t)r i $ to me% AI ca =t say I did either* sir%A A@ho "as the last perso i the room* the last thi $ o @ed esday i$htBA A&iss Rachel* I s)ppose* sir%A

G1

&r% Fra -li str)c- i there* A4r possi'ly yo)r da)$hter* 0ettered$e%A He t)r ed to .er$ea t C)ff* a d explai ed that my da)$hter "as &iss Veri der=s maid% A&r% 0ettered$e* as- yo)r da)$hter to step )p% .topDA says the .er$ea t* ta-i $ me a"ay to the "i do"* o)t of earshot* A5o)r .)peri te de t here*A he "e t o * i a "hisper* Ahas made a pretty f)ll report to me of the ma er i "hich he has ma a$ed this case% Amo $ other thi $s* he has* 'y his o" co fessio * set the ser#a ts= 'ac-s )p% It=s #ery importa t to smooth them do" a$ai % Tell yo)r da)$hter* a d tell the rest of them* these t"o thi $s* "ith my complime tsF First* that I ha#e o e#ide ce 'efore me* yet* that the 6iamo d has 'ee stole 9 I o ly - o" that the 6iamo d has 'ee lost% .eco d* that my ')si ess here "ith the ser#a ts is simply to as- them to lay their heads to$ether a d help me to fi d it%A &y experie ce of the "ome 7ser#a ts* "he .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e laid his em'ar$o o their rooms* came i ha dy here% A&ay I ma-e so 'old* .er$ea t* as to tell the "ome a third thi $BA I as-ed% AAre they free :"ith yo)r complime ts; to fid$et )p a d do" stairs* a d "his- i a d o)t of their 'ed7rooms* if the fit ta-es themBA APerfectly free*A said the .er$ea t% ATHAT "ill smooth them do" * sir*A I remar-ed* Afrom the coo- to the sc)llio %A A/o* a d do it at o ce* &r% 0ettered$e%A I did it i less tha fi#e mi )tes% There "as o ly o e diffic)lty "he I came to the 'it a'o)t the 'ed7rooms% It too- a pretty stiff exertio of my a)thority* as chief* to pre#e t the "hole of the female ho)sehold from follo"i $ me a d Pe elope )p7stairs* i the character of #ol) teer "it esses i a ')r i $ fe#er of a xiety to help .er$ea t C)ff% The .er$ea t seemed to appro#e of Pe elope% He 'ecame a trifle less dreary9 a d he loo-ed m)ch as he had loo-ed "he he oticed the "hite m)s- rose i the flo"er7$arde % Here is my da)$hter=s e#ide ce* as dra" off from her 'y the .er$ea t% .he $a#e it* I thi -* #ery prettily!')t* thereD she is my child all o#erF othi $ of her mother i her9 ?ord 'less yo)* othi $ of her mother i herD Pe elope exami edF Too- a li#ely i terest i the pai ti $ o the door* ha#i $ helped to mix the colo)rs% 8oticed the 'it of "or- ) der the loc-* 'eca)se it "as the last 'it do e% Had see it* some ho)rs after"ards* "itho)t a smear% Had left it* as late as t"el#e at i$ht* "itho)t a smear% Had* at that ho)r* "ished her yo) $ lady $ood i$ht i the 'edroom9 had heard the cloc- stri-e i the A'o)doirA9 had her ha d at the time o the ha dle of the pai ted door9 - e" the pai t "as "et :ha#i $ helped to mix the colo)rs* as aforesaid;9 too- partic)lar pai s ot to to)ch it9 co)ld s"ear that she held )p the s-irts of her dress* a d that there "as o smear o the pai t the 9 co)ld ot s"ear that her dress mi$ht =t ha#e to)ched it accide tally i $oi $ o)t9 remem'ered the dress she had o *

G>

'eca)se it "as e"* a prese t from &iss Rachel9 her father remem'ered* a d co)ld speato it* too9 co)ld* a d "o)ld* a d did fetch it9 dress reco$ ised 'y her father as the dress she "ore that i$ht9 s-irts exami ed* a lo $ (o' from the si<e of them9 ot the $host of a pai t7stai disco#ered a y"here% E d of Pe elope=s e#ide ce!a d #ery pretty a d co #i ci $* too% .i$ ed* /a'riel 0ettered$e% The .er$ea t=s ext proceedi $ "as to ,)estio me a'o)t a y lar$e do$s i the ho)se "ho mi$ht ha#e $ot i to the room* a d do e the mischief "ith a "his- of their tails% Heari $ that this "as impossi'le* he ext se t for a ma$ ifyi $7$lass* a d tried ho" the smear loo-ed* see that "ay% 8o s-i 7mar- :as of a h)ma ha d; pri ted off o the pai t% All the si$ s #isi'le!si$ s "hich told that the pai t had 'ee smeared 'y some loose article of some'ody=s dress to)chi $ it i $oi $ 'y% That some'ody :p)tti $ to$ether Pe elope=s e#ide ce a d &r% Fra -li =s e#ide ce; m)st ha#e 'ee i the room* a d do e the mischief* 'et"ee mid i$ht a d three o=cloc- o the Th)rsday mor i $% Ha#i $ 'ro)$ht his i #esti$atio to this poi t* .er$ea t C)ff disco#ered that s)ch a perso as .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e "as still left i the room* )po "hich he s)mmed )p the proceedi $s for his 'rother7officer=s 'e efit* as follo"sF AThis trifle of yo)rs* &r% .)peri te de t*A says the .er$ea t* poi ti $ to the place o the door* Ahas $ro" a little i importa ce si ce yo) oticed it last% At the prese t sta$e of the i ,)iry there are* as I ta-e it* three disco#eries to ma-e* starti $ from that smear% Fi d o)t :first; "hether there is a y article of dress i this ho)se "ith the smear of the pai t o it% Fi d o)t :seco d; "ho that dress 'elo $s to% Fi d o)t :third; ho" the perso ca acco) t for ha#i $ 'ee i this room* a d smeared the pai t* 'et"ee mid i$ht a d three i the mor i $% If the perso ca =t satisfy yo)* yo) ha#e =t far to loo- for the ha d that has $ot the 6iamo d% I=ll "or- this 'y myself* if yo) please* a d detai yo) o lo $er7 from yo)r re$)lar ')si ess i the to" % 5o) ha#e $ot o e of yo)r me here* I see% ?ea#e him here at my disposal* i case I "a t him!a d allo" me to "ish yo) $ood mor i $%A .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e=s respect for the .er$ea t "as $reat9 ')t his respect for himself "as $reater still% Hit hard 'y the cele'rated C)ff* he hit 'ac- smartly* to the 'est of his a'ility* o lea#i $ the room% AI ha#e a'stai ed from expressi $ a y opi io * so far*A says &r% .)peri te de t* "ith his military #oice still i $ood "or-i $ order% AI ha#e o" o ly o e remar- to offer o lea#i $ this case i yo)r ha ds% There I. s)ch a thi $* .er$ea t* as ma-i $ a mo) tai o)t of a molehill% /ood mor i $%A AThere is also s)ch a thi $ as ma-i $ othi $ o)t of a molehill* i co se,)e ce of yo)r head 'ei $ too hi$h to see it%A Ha#i $ ret)r ed his 'rother7officer=s complime ts i those terms* .er$ea t C)ff "heeled a'o)t* a d "al-ed a"ay to the "i do" 'y himself% &r% Fra -li a d I "aited to see "hat "as comi $ ext% The .er$ea t stood at the "i do" "ith his ha ds i his poc-ets* loo-i $ o)t* a d "histli $ the t) e of AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA softly to himself% ?ater i the proceedi $s* I disco#ered that he o ly

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for$ot his ma ers so far as to "histle* "he his mi d "as hard at "or-* seei $ its "ay i ch 'y i ch to its o" pri#ate e ds* o "hich occasio s AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA e#ide tly helped a d e co)ra$ed him% I s)ppose it fitted i someho" "ith his character% It remi ded him* yo) see* of his fa#o)rite roses* a d* as HE "histled it* it "as the most mela choly t) e $oi $% T)r i $ from the "i do"* after a mi )te or t"o* the .er$ea t "al-ed i to the middle of the room* a d stopped there* deep i tho)$ht* "ith his eyes o &iss Rachel=s 'ed7room door% After a little he ro)sed himself* odded his head* as m)ch as to say* AThat "ill do*A a d* addressi $ me* as-ed for te mi )tes= co #ersatio "ith my mistress* at her ladyship=s earliest co #e ie ce% ?ea#i $ the room "ith this messa$e* I heard &r% Fra -li as- the .er$ea t a ,)estio * a d stopped to hear the a s"er also at the threshold of the door% ACa yo) $)ess yet*A i ,)ired &r% Fra -li * A"ho has stole the 6iamo dBA A840465 HA. .T4?E8 THE 6IA&486*A a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff% @e 'oth started at that extraordi ary #ie" of the case* a d 'oth ear estly 'e$$ed him to tell )s "hat he mea t% A@ait a little*A said the .er$ea t% AThe pieces of the p)<<le are ot all p)t to$ether yet%A

CHAPTER #III
I fo) d my lady i her o" sitti $ room% .he started a d loo-ed a oyed "he I me tio ed that .er$ea t C)ff "ished to spea- to her% A&E.T I see himBA she as-ed% ACa =t yo) represe t me* /a'rielBA I felt at a loss to ) dersta d this* a d sho"ed it plai ly* I s)ppose* i my face% &y lady "as so $ood as to explai herself% AI am afraid my er#es are a little sha-e *A she said% AThere is somethi $ i that police7 officer from ?o do "hich I recoil from!I do =t - o" "hy% I ha#e a prese time t that he is 'ri $i $ tro)'le a d misery "ith him i to the ho)se% Very foolish* a d #ery ) li-e &E!')t so it is%A I hardly - e" "hat to say to this% The more I sa" of .er$ea t C)ff* the 'etter I li-ed him% &y lady rallied a little after ha#i $ ope ed her heart to me!'ei $* at)rally* a "oma of a hi$h co)ra$e* as I ha#e already told yo)% G2

AIf I m)st see him* I m)st*A she said% A0)t I ca =t pre#ail o myself to see him alo e% 0ri $ him i * /a'riel* a d stay here as lo $ as he stays%A This "as the first attac- of the me$rims that I remem'ered i my mistress si ce the time "he she "as a yo) $ $irl% I "e t 'ac- to the A'o)doir%A &r% Fra -li strolled o)t i to the $arde * a d (oi ed &r% /odfrey* "hose time for depart)re "as o" dra"i $ ear% .er$ea t C)ff a d I "e t strai$ht to my mistress=s room% I declare my lady t)r ed a shade paler at the si$ht of himD .he comma ded herself* ho"e#er* i other respects* a d as-ed the .er$ea t if he had a y o'(ectio to my 'ei $ prese t% .he "as so $ood as to add* that I "as her tr)sted ad#iser* as "ell as her old ser#a t* a d that i a ythi $ "hich related to the ho)sehold I "as the perso "hom it mi$ht 'e most profita'le to co s)lt% The .er$ea t politely a s"ered that he "o)ld ta-e my prese ce as a fa#o)r* ha#i $ somethi $ to say a'o)t the ser#a ts i $e eral* a d ha#i $ fo) d my experie ce i that ,)arter already of some )se to him% &y lady poi ted to t"o chairs* a d "e set i for o)r co fere ce immediately% AI ha#e already formed a opi io o this case*A says .er$ea t C)ff* A"hich I 'e$ yo)r ladyship=s permissio to -eep to myself for the prese t% &y ')si ess o" is to me tio "hat I ha#e disco#ered )pstairs i &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room* a d "hat I ha#e decided :"ith yo)r ladyship=s lea#e; o doi $ ext%A He the "e t i to the matter of the smear o the pai t* a d stated the co cl)sio s he dre" from it!()st as he had stated them :o ly "ith $reater respect of la $)a$e; to .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% A4 e thi $*A he said* i co cl)sio * Ais certai % The 6iamo d is missi $ o)t of the dra"er i the ca'i et% A other thi $ is ext to certai % The mar-s from the smear o the door m)st 'e o some article of dress 'elo $i $ to some'ody i this ho)se% @e m)st disco#er that article of dress 'efore "e $o a step f)rther%A AA d that disco#ery*A remar-ed my mistress* Aimplies* I pres)me* the disco#ery of the thiefBA AI 'e$ yo)r ladyship=s pardo !I do =t say the 6iamo d is stole % I o ly say* at prese t* that the 6iamo d is missi $% The disco#ery of the stai ed dress may lead the "ay to fi di $ it%A Her ladyship loo-ed at me% A6o yo) ) dersta d thisBA she said% A.er$ea t C)ff ) dersta ds it* my lady*A I a s"ered% AHo" do yo) propose to disco#er the stai ed dressBA i ,)ired my mistress* addressi $ herself o ce more to the .er$ea t% A&y $ood ser#a ts* "ho ha#e 'ee "ith me for years* ha#e* I am ashamed to say* had their 'oxes a d rooms searched already 'y the other officer% I ca =t a d "o =t permit them to 'e i s)lted i that "ay a seco d timeDA :There "as a mistress to ser#eD There "as a "oma i te tho)sa d* if yo) li-eD;

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AThat is the #ery poi t I "as a'o)t to p)t to yo)r ladyship*A said the .er$ea t% AThe other officer has do e a "orld of harm to this i ,)iry* 'y letti $ the ser#a ts see that he s)spected them% If I $i#e them ca)se to thi - themsel#es s)spected a seco d time* there=s o - o"i $ "hat o'stacles they may ot thro" i my "ay!the "ome especially% At the same time* their 'oxes m)st 'e searched a$ai !for this plai reaso * that the first i #esti$atio o ly loo-ed for the 6iamo d* a d that the seco d i #esti$atio m)st loofor the stai ed dress% I ,)ite a$ree "ith yo)* my lady* that the ser#a ts= feeli $s o)$ht to 'e co s)lted% 0)t I am e,)ally clear that the ser#a ts= "ardro'es o)$ht to 'e searched%A This loo-ed #ery li-e a dead7loc-% &y lady said so* i choicer la $)a$e tha mi e% AI ha#e $ot a pla to meet the diffic)lty*A said .er$ea t C)ff* Aif yo)r ladyship "ill co se t to it% I propose explai i $ the case to the ser#a ts%A AThe "ome "ill thi - themsel#es s)spected directly* I said* i terr)pti $ him% AThe "ome "o =t* &r% 0ettered$e*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* Aif I ca tell them I am $oi $ to exami e the "ardro'es of EVER50465!from her ladyship do" "ards! "ho slept i the ho)se o @ed esday i$ht% It=s a mere formality*A he added* "ith a side loo- at my mistress9 A')t the ser#a ts "ill accept it as e#e deali $ 'et"ee them a d their 'etters9 a d* i stead of hi deri $ the i #esti$atio * they "ill ma-e a poi t of ho o)r of assisti $ it%A I sa" the tr)th of that% &y lady* after her first s)rprise "as o#er* sa" the tr)th of it also% A5o) are certai the i #esti$atio is ecessaryBA she said% AIt=s the shortest "ay that I ca see* my lady* to the e d "e ha#e i #ie"%A &y mistress rose to ri $ the 'ell for her maid% A5o) shall spea- to the ser#a ts*A she said* A"ith the -eys of my "ardro'e i yo)r ha d%A .er$ea t C)ff stopped her 'y a #ery ) expected ,)estio % AHad =t "e 'etter ma-e s)re first*A he as-ed* Athat the other ladies a d $e tleme i the ho)se "ill co se t* tooBA AThe o ly other lady i the ho)se is &iss Veri der*A a s"ered my mistress* "ith a looof s)rprise% AThe o ly $e tleme are my ephe"s* &r% 0la-e a d &r% A'le"hite% There is ot the least fear of a ref)sal from a y of the three%A I remi ded my lady here that &r% /odfrey "as $oi $ a"ay% As I said the "ords* &r% /odfrey himself - oc-ed at the door to say $ood7'ye* a d "as follo"ed i 'y &r% Fra -li * "ho "as $oi $ "ith him to the statio % &y lady explai ed the diffic)lty% &r% /odfrey settled it directly% He called to .am)el* thro)$h the "i do"* to ta-e his portma tea) )p7stairs a$ai * a d he the p)t the -ey himself i to .er$ea t C)ff=s ha d%

G3

A&y l)$$a$e ca follo" me to ?o do *A he said* A"he the i ,)iry is o#er%A The .er$ea t recei#ed the -ey "ith a 'ecomi $ apolo$y% AI am sorry to p)t yo) to a y i co #e ie ce* sir* for a mere formality9 ')t the example of their 'etters "ill do "o ders i reco cili $ the ser#a ts to this i ,)iry%A &r% /odfrey* after ta-i $ lea#e of my lady* i a most sympathisi $ ma erB left a fare"ell messa$e for &iss Rachel* the terms of "hich made it clear to my mi d that he had ot ta-e 8o for a a s"er* a d that he mea t to p)t the marria$e ,)estio to her o ce more* at the ext opport) ity% &r% Fra -li * o follo"i $ his co)si o)t* i formed the .er$ea t that all his clothes "ere ope to exami atio * a d that othi $ he possessed "as -ept ) der loc- a d -ey% .er$ea t C)ff made his 'est ac- o"led$me ts% His #ie"s* yo) "ill o'ser#e* had 'ee met "ith the )tmost readi ess 'y my lady* 'y &r% /odfrey* a d 'y &r% Fra -li % There "as o ly &iss% Rachel o" "a ti $ to follo" their lead* 'efore "e called the ser#a ts to$ether* a d 'e$a the search for the stai ed dress% &y lady=s ) acco) ta'le o'(ectio to the .er$ea t seemed to ma-e o)r co fere ce more distastef)l to her tha e#er* as soo as "e "ere left alo e a$ai % AIf I se d yo) do" &iss Veri der=s -eys*A she said to him* AI pres)me I shall ha#e do e all yo) "a t of me for the prese tBA AI 'e$ yo)r ladyship=s pardo *A said .er$ea t C)ff% A0efore "e 'e$i * I sho)ld li-e* if co #e ie t* to ha#e the "ashi $7'oo-% The stai ed article of dress may 'e a article of li e % If the search leads to othi $* I "a t to 'e a'le to acco) t ext for all the li e i the ho)se* a d for all the li e se t to the "ash% If there is a article missi $* there "ill 'e at least a pres)mptio that it has $ot the pai t7stai o it* a d that it has 'ee p)rposely made a"ay "ith* yesterday or to7day* 'y the perso o" i $ it% .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e*A added the .er$ea t* t)r i $ to me* Apoi ted the atte tio of the "ome 7ser#a ts to the smear* "he they all cro"ded i to the room o Th)rsday mor i $% That may t)r o)t* &r% 0ettered$e* to ha#e 'ee o e more of .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e=s ma y mista-es%A &y lady desired me to ri $ the 'ell* a d order the "ashi $7'oo-% .he remai ed "ith )s ) til it "as prod)ced* i case .er$ea t C)ff had a y f)rther re,)est to ma-e of her after loo-i $ at it% The "ashi $7'oo- "as 'ro)$ht i 'y Rosa a .pearma % The $irl had come do" to 'rea-fast that mor i $ misera'ly pale a d ha$$ard* ')t s)fficie tly reco#ered from her ill ess of the pre#io)s day to do her )s)al "or-% .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed atte ti#ely at o)r seco d ho)semaid!at her face* "he she came i 9 at her croo-ed sho)lder* "he she "e t o)t% AHa#e yo) a ythi $ more to say to meBA as-ed my lady* still as ea$er as e#er to 'e o)t of the .er$ea t=s society% The $reat C)ff ope ed the "ashi $7'oo-* ) derstood it perfectly i half a mi )te* a d sh)t it )p a$ai % AI #e t)re to tro)'le yo)r ladyship "ith o e last ,)estio *A he said% AHas the yo) $ "oma "ho 'ro)$ht )s this 'oo- 'ee i yo)r employme t as lo $ as the other ser#a tsBA

3H

A@hy do yo) as-BA said my lady% AThe last time I sa" her*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* Ashe "as i priso for theft%A After that* there "as o help for it* ')t to tell him the tr)th% &y mistress d"elt stro $ly o Rosa a=s $ood co d)ct i her ser#ice* a d o the hi$h opi io e tertai ed of her 'y the matro at the reformatory% A5o) do =t s)spect her* I hopeBA my lady added* i co cl)sio * #ery ear estly% AI ha#e already told yo)r ladyship that I do =t s)spect a y perso i the ho)se of thie#i $ !)p to the prese t time%A After that a s"er* my lady rose to $o )p7stairs* a d as- for &iss Rachel=s -eys% The .er$ea t "as 'efore7ha d "ith me i ope i $ the door for her% He made a #ery lo" 'o"% &y lady sh)ddered as she passed him% @e "aited* a d "aited* a d o -eys appeared% .er$ea t C)ff made o remar- to me% He t)r ed his mela choly face to the "i do"9 he p)t his la -y ha ds i to his poc-ets9 a d he "histled AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA softly to himself% At last* .am)el came i * ot "ith the -eys* ')t "ith a morsel of paper for me% I $ot at my spectacles* "ith some f)m'li $ a d diffic)lty* feeli $ the .er$ea t=s dismal eyes fixed o me all the time% There "ere t"o or three li es o the paper* "ritte i pe cil 'y my lady% They i formed me that &iss Rachel flatly ref)sed to ha#e her "ardro'e exami ed% As-ed for her reaso s* she had ')rst o)t cryi $% As-ed a$ai * she had saidF AI "o =t* 'eca)se I "o =t% I m)st yield to force if yo) )se it* ')t I "ill yield to othi $ else%A I ) derstood my lady=s disi cli atio to face .er$ea t C)ff "ith s)ch a a s"er from her da)$hter as that% If I had ot 'ee too old for the amia'le "ea- esses of yo)th* I 'elie#e I sho)ld ha#e 'l)shed at the otio of faci $ him myself% AA y e"s of &iss Veri der=s -eysBA as-ed the .er$ea t% A&y yo) $ lady ref)ses to ha#e her "ardro'e exami ed%A AAhDA said the .er$ea t% His #oice "as ot ,)ite i s)ch a perfect state of discipli e as his face% @he he said AAhDA he said it i the to e of a ma "ho had heard somethi $ "hich he expected to hear% He half a $ered a d half fri$hte ed me!"hy* I co)ld =t tell* ')t he did it% A&)st the search 'e $i#e )pBA I as-ed% A5es*A said the .er$ea t* Athe search m)st 'e $i#e )p* 'eca)se yo)r yo) $ lady ref)ses to s)'mit to it li-e the rest% @e m)st exami e all the "ardro'es i the ho)se or o e% .e d &r% A'le"hite=s portma tea) to ?o do 'y the ext trai * a d ret)r the "ashi $7 'oo-* "ith my complime ts a d tha -s* to the yo) $ "oma "ho 'ro)$ht it i %A

31

He laid the "ashi $7'oo- o the ta'le* a d ta-i $ o)t his pe - ife* 'e$a to trim his ails% A5o) do =t seem to 'e m)ch disappoi ted*A I said% A8o*A said .er$ea t C)ff9 AI am ot m)ch disappoi ted%A I tried to ma-e him explai himself% A@hy sho)ld &iss Rachel p)t a o'stacle i yo)r "ayBA I i ,)ired% AIs =t it her i terest to help yo)BA A@ait a little* &r% 0ettered$e!"ait a little%A Cle#erer heads tha mi e mi$ht ha#e see his drift% 4r a perso less fo d of &iss Rachel tha I "as* mi$ht ha#e see his drift% &y lady=s horror of him mi$ht :as I ha#e si ce tho)$ht; ha#e mea t that she sa" his drift :as the script)re says; Ai a $lass dar-ly%A I did =t see it yet!that=s all I - o"% A@hat=s to 'e do e extBA I as-ed% .er$ea t C)ff fi ished the ail o "hich he "as the at "or-* loo-ed at it for a mome t "ith a mela choly i terest* a d p)t )p his pe - ife% ACome o)t i to the $arde *A he said* Aa d let=s ha#e a loo- at the roses%A

CHAPTER #I!
The earest "ay to the $arde * o $oi $ o)t of my lady=s sitti $7room* "as 'y the shr)''ery path* "hich yo) already - o" of% For the sa-e of yo)r 'etter ) dersta di $ of "hat is o" to come* I may add to this* that the shr)''ery path "as &r% Fra -li =s fa#o)rite "al-% @he he "as o)t i the $ro) ds* a d "he "e failed to fi d him a y"here else* "e $e erally fo) d him here% I am afraid I m)st o" that I am rather a o'sti ate old ma % The more firmly .er$ea t C)ff -ept his tho)$hts sh)t )p from me* the more firmly I persisted i tryi $ to loo- i at them% As "e t)r ed i to the shr)''ery path* I attempted to circ)m#e t him i a other "ay% AAs thi $s are o"*A I said* Aif I "as i yo)r place* I sho)ld 'e at my "its= e d%A

32

AIf yo) "ere i my place*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* Ayo) "o)ld ha#e formed a opi io ! a d* as thi $s are o"* a y do)'t yo) mi$ht pre#io)sly ha#e felt a'o)t yo)r o" co cl)sio s "o)ld 'e completely set at rest% 8e#er mi d for the prese t "hat those co cl)sio s are* &r% 0ettered$e% I ha#e =t 'ro)$ht yo) o)t here to dra" me li-e a 'ad$er9 I ha#e 'ro)$ht yo) o)t here to as- for some i formatio % 5o) mi$ht ha#e $i#e it to me o do)'t* i the ho)se* i stead of o)t of it% 0)t doors a d liste ers ha#e a - ac- of $etti $ to$ether9 a d* i my li e of life* "e c)lti#ate a healthy taste for the ope air%A @ho "as to circ)m#e t THI. ma B I $a#e i !a d "aited as patie tly as I co)ld to hear "hat "as comi $ ext% A@e "o =t e ter i to yo)r yo) $ lady=s moti#es*A the .er$ea t "e t o 9 A"e "ill o ly say it=s a pity she decli es to assist me* 'eca)se* 'y so doi $* she ma-es this i #esti$atio more diffic)lt tha it mi$ht other"ise ha#e 'ee % @e m)st o" try to sol#e the mystery of the smear o the door!"hich* yo) may ta-e my "ord for it* mea s the mystery of the 6iamo d also!i some other "ay% I ha#e decided to see the ser#a ts* a d to search their tho)$hts a d actio s* &r% 0ettered$e* i stead of searchi $ their "ardro'es% 0efore I 'e$i * ho"e#er* I "a t to as- yo) a ,)estio or t"o% 5o) are a o'ser#a t ma !did yo) otice a ythi $ stra $e i a y of the ser#a ts :ma-i $ d)e allo"a ce* of co)rse* for fri$ht a d fl)ster;* after the loss of the 6iamo d "as fo) d o)tB A y partic)lar ,)arrel amo $ themB A y o e of them ot i his or her )s)al spiritsB E expectedly o)t of temper* for i sta ceB or ) expectedly ta-e illBA I had ()st time to thi - of Rosa a .pearma =s s)dde ill ess at yesterday=s di er!')t ot time to ma-e a y a s"er!"he I sa" .er$ea t C)ff=s eyes s)dde ly t)r aside to"ards the shr)''ery9 a d I heard him say softly to himself* AH)lloDA A@hat=s the matterBA I as-ed% AA to)ch of the rhe)matics i my 'ac-*A said the .er$ea t* i a lo)d #oice* as if he "a ted some third perso to hear )s% A@e shall ha#e a cha $e i the "eather 'efore lo $%A A fe" steps f)rther 'ro)$ht )s to the cor er of the ho)se% T)r i $ off sharp to the ri$ht* "e e tered o the terrace* a d "e t do" * 'y the steps i the middle* i to the $arde 'elo"% .er$ea t C)ff stopped there* i the ope space* "here "e co)ld see ro) d )s o e#ery side% AA'o)t that yo) $ perso * Rosa a .pearma BA he said% AIt is =t #ery li-ely* "ith her perso al appeara ce* that she has $ot a lo#er% 0)t* for the $irl=s o" sa-e* I m)st as- yo) at o ce "hether .HE has pro#ided herself "ith a s"eetheart* poor "retch* li-e the rest of themBA @hat o earth did he mea * ) der prese t circ)msta ces* 'y p)tti $ s)ch a ,)estio to me as thatB I stared at him* i stead of a s"eri $ him%

33

AI sa" Rosa a .pearma hidi $ i the shr)''ery as "e "e t 'y*A said the .er$ea t% A@he yo) said =H)llo=BA A5es!"he I said =H)lloD= If there=s a s"eetheart i the case* the hidi $ does =t m)ch matter% If there is =t!as thi $s are i this ho)se!the hidi $ is a hi$hly s)spicio)s circ)msta ce* a d it "ill 'e my pai f)l d)ty to act o it accordi $ly%A @hat* i /od=s ame* "as I to say to himB I - e" the shr)''ery "as &r% Fra -li =s fa#o)rite "al-9 I - e" he "o)ld most li-ely t)r that "ay "he he came 'ac- from the statio 9 I - e" that Pe elope had o#er a d o#er a$ai ca)$ht her fello"7ser#a t ha $i $ a'o)t there* a d had al"ays declared to me that Rosa a=s o'(ect "as to attract &r% Fra -li =s atte tio % If my da)$hter "as ri$ht* she mi$ht "ell ha#e 'ee lyi $ i "ait for &r% Fra -li =s ret)r "he the .er$ea t oticed her% I "as p)t 'et"ee the t"o diffic)lties of me tio i $ Pe elope=s fa cif)l otio as if it "as mi e* or of lea#i $ a ) fort) ate creat)re to s)ffer the co se,)e ces* the #ery serio)s co se,)e ces* of exciti $ the s)spicio of .er$ea t C)ff% 4)t of p)re pity for the $irl!o my so)l a d my character* o)t of p)re pity for the $irl!I $a#e the .er$ea t the ecessary expla atio s* a d told him that Rosa a had 'ee mad e o)$h to set her heart o &r% Fra -li 0la-e% .er$ea t C)ff e#er la)$hed% 4 the fe" occasio s "he a ythi $ am)sed him* he c)rled )p a little at the cor ers of the lips* othi $ more% He c)rled )p o"% AHad =t yo) 'etter say she=s mad e o)$h to 'e a )$ly $irl a d o ly a ser#a tBA he as-ed% AThe falli $ i lo#e "ith a $e tlema of &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s ma ers a d appeara ce does =t seem to me to 'e the maddest part of her co d)ct 'y a y mea s% Ho"e#er* I=m $lad the thi $ is cleared )pF it relie#es o e=s mi d to ha#e thi $s cleared )p% 5es* I=ll -eep it a secret* &r% 0ettered$e% I li-e to 'e te der to h)ma i firmity!tho)$h I do =t $et ma y cha ces of exercisi $ that #irt)e i my li e of life% 5o) thi - &r% Fra -li 0la-e has =t $ot a s)spicio of the $irl=s fa cy for himB AhD he "o)ld ha#e fo) d it o)t fast e o)$h if she had 'ee ice7loo-i $% The )$ly "ome ha#e a 'ad time of it i this "orld9 let=s hope it "ill 'e made )p to them i a other% 5o) ha#e $ot a ice $arde here* a d a "ell7-ept la" % .ee for yo)rself ho" m)ch 'etter the flo"ers loo- "ith $rass a'o)t them i stead of $ra#el% 8o* tha - yo)% I "o =t ta-e a rose% It $oes to my heart to 'rea- them off the stem% +)st as it $oes to yo)r heart* yo) - o"* "he there=s somethi $ "ro $ i the ser#a ts= hall% 6id yo) otice a ythi $ yo) co)ld =t acco) t for i a y of the ser#a ts "he the loss of the 6iamo d "as first fo) d o)tBA I had $ot o #ery fairly "ell "ith .er$ea t C)ff so far% 0)t the sly ess "ith "hich he slipped i that last ,)estio p)t me o my $)ard% I plai E $lish* I did =t at all relish the otio of helpi $ his i ,)iries* "he those i ,)iries too- him :i the capacity of s a-e i the $rass; amo $ my fello"7ser#a ts% AI oticed othi $*A I said* Aexcept that "e all lost o)r heads to$ether* myself i cl)ded%A A4h*A says the .er$ea t* Athat=s all yo) ha#e to tell me* is itBA

31

I a s"ered* "ith :as I flattered myself; a ) mo#ed co) te a ce* AThat is all%A .er$ea t C)ff=s dismal eyes loo-ed me hard i the face% A&r% 0ettered$e*A he said* Aha#e yo) a y o'(ectio to o'li$e me 'y sha-i $ ha dsB I ha#e ta-e a extraordi ary li-i $ to yo)%A :@hy he sho)ld ha#e chose the exact mome t "he I "as decei#i $ him to $i#e me that proof of his $ood opi io * is 'eyo d all comprehe sio D I felt a little pro)d!I really did feel a little pro)d of ha#i $ 'ee o e too ma y at last for the cele'rated C)ffD; @e "e t 'ac- to the ho)se9 the .er$ea t re,)esti $ that I "o)ld $i#e him a room to himself* a d the se d i the ser#a ts :the i door ser#a ts o ly;* o e after a other* i the order of their ra -* from first to last% I sho"ed .er$ea t C)ff i to my o" room* a d the called the ser#a ts to$ether i the hall% Rosa a .pearma appeared amo $ them* m)ch as )s)al% .he "as as ,)ic- i her "ay as the .er$ea t i his* a d I s)spect she had heard "hat he said to me a'o)t the ser#a ts i $e eral* ()st 'efore he disco#ered her% There she "as* at a y rate* loo-i $ as if she had e#er heard of s)ch a place as the shr)''ery i her life% I se t them i * o e 'y o e* as desired% The coo- "as the first to e ter the Co)rt of +)stice* other"ise my room% .he remai ed ')t a short time% Report* o comi $ o)tF A.er$ea t C)ff is depressed i his spirits9 ')t .er$ea t C)ff is a perfect $e tlema %A &y lady=s o" maid follo"ed% Remai ed m)ch lo $er% Report* o comi $ o)tF AIf .er$ea t C)ff does =t 'elie#e a respecta'le "oma * he mi$ht -eep his opi io to himself* at a y rateDA Pe elope "e t ext% Remai ed o ly a mome t or t"o% Report* o comi $ o)tF A.er$ea t C)ff is m)ch to 'e pitied% He m)st ha#e 'ee crossed i lo#e* father* "he he "as a yo) $ ma %A The first ho)semaid follo"ed Pe elope% Remai ed* li-e my lady=s maid* a lo $ time% Report* o comi $ o)tF AI did =t e ter her ladyship=s ser#ice* &r% 0ettered$e* to 'e do)'ted to my face 'y a lo" police7officerDA Rosa a .pearma "e t ext% Remai ed lo $er tha a y of them% 8o report o comi $ o)t!dead sile ce* a d lips as pale as ashes% .am)el* the footma * follo"ed Rosa a% Remai ed a mi )te or t"o% Report* o comi $ o)tF A@hoe#er 'lac-s .er$ea t C)ff=s 'oots o)$ht to 'e ashamed of himself%A 8a cy* the -itche 7maid* "e t last% Remai ed a mi )te or t"o% Report* o comi $ o)tF A.er$ea t C)ff has a heart9 HE does =t c)t (o-es* &r% 0ettered$e* "ith a poor hard7 "or-i $ $irl%A /oi $ i to the Co)rt of +)stice* "he it "as all o#er* to hear if there "ere a y f)rther comma ds for me* I fo) d the .er$ea t at his old tric-!loo-i $ o)t of "i do"* a d "histli $ AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA to himself% AA y disco#eries* sirBA I i ,)ired% AIf Rosa a .pearma as-s lea#e to $o o)t*A said the .er$ea t* Alet the poor thi $ $o9 ')t let me - o" first%A

3>

I mi$ht as "ell ha#e held my to $)e a'o)t Rosa a a d &r% Fra -li D It "as plai e o)$h9 the ) fort) ate $irl had falle ) der .er$ea t C)ff=s s)spicio s* i spite of all I co)ld do to pre#e t it% AI hope yo) do =t thi - Rosa a is co cer ed i the loss of the 6iamo dBA I #e t)red to say% The cor ers of the .er$ea t=s mela choly mo)th c)rled )p* a d he loo-ed hard i my face* ()st as he had loo-ed i the $arde % AI thi - I had 'etter ot tell yo)* &r% 0ettered$e*A he said% A5o) mi$ht lose yo)r head* yo) - o"* for the seco d time%A I 'e$a to do)'t "hether I had 'ee o e too ma y for the cele'rated C)ff* after allD It "as rather a relief to me that "e "ere i terr)pted here 'y a - oc- at the door* a d a messa$e from the coo-% Rosa a .pearma HA6 as-ed to $o o)t* for the )s)al reaso * that her head "as 'ad* a d she "a ted a 'reath of fresh air% At a si$ from the .er$ea t* I said* 5es% A@hich is the ser#a ts= "ay o)tBA he as-ed* "he the messe $er had $o e% I sho"ed him the ser#a ts= "ay o)t% A?oc- the door of yo)r room*A says the .er$ea t9 Aa d if a y'ody as-s for me* say I=m i there* composi $ my mi d%A He c)rled )p a$ai at the cor ers of the lips* a d disappeared% ?eft alo e* ) der those circ)msta ces* a de#o)ri $ c)riosity p)shed me o to ma-e some disco#eries for myself% It "as plai that .er$ea t C)ff=s s)spicio s of Rosa a had 'ee ro)sed 'y somethi $ that he had fo) d o)t at his exami atio of the ser#a ts i my room% 8o"* the o ly t"o ser#a ts :excepti $ Rosa a herself; "ho had remai ed ) der exami atio for a y le $th of time* "ere my lady=s o" maid a d the first ho)semaid* those t"o 'ei $ also the "ome "ho had ta-e the lead i persec)ti $ their ) fort) ate fello"7ser#a t from the first% Reachi $ these co cl)sio s* I loo-ed i o them* cas)ally as it mi$ht 'e* i the ser#a ts= hall* a d* fi di $ tea $oi $ for"ard* i sta tly i #ited myself to that meal% :For* 84TA 0E8E* a drop of tea is to a "oma =s to $)e "hat a drop of oil is to a "asti $ lamp%; &y relia ce o the tea7pot* as a ally* did ot $o ) re"arded% I less tha half a ho)r I - e" as m)ch as the .er$ea t himself% &y lady=s maid a d the ho)semaid* had* it appeared* either of them 'elie#ed i Rosa a=s ill ess of the pre#io)s day% These t"o de#ils!I as- yo)r pardo 9 ')t ho" else CA8 yo) descri'e a co)ple of spitef)l "ome B!had stole )p7stairs* at i ter#als d)ri $ the Th)rsday after oo 9 had tried Rosa a=s door* a d fo) d it loc-ed9 had - oc-ed* a d ot 'ee a s"ered9 had liste ed* a d ot heard a so) d i side% @he the $irl had come do" to tea* a d had 'ee se t )p* still o)t of sorts* to 'ed a$ai * the t"o de#ils aforesaid had tried her door o ce more* a d fo) d it loc-ed9 had loo-ed at the -eyhole* a d fo) d it stopped )p9 had see a li$ht ) der the door at mid i$ht* a d had heard the crac-li $ of a

3C

fire :a fire i a ser#a t=s 'ed7room i the mo th of +) eD; at fo)r i the mor i $% All this they had told .er$ea t C)ff* "ho* i ret)r for their a xiety to e li$hte him* had eyed them "ith so)r a d s)spicio)s loo-s* a d had sho" them plai ly that he did =t 'elie#e either o e or the other% He ce* the ) fa#o)ra'le reports of him "hich these t"o "ome had 'ro)$ht o)t "ith them from the exami atio % He ce* also :"itho)t rec-o i $ the i fl)e ce of the tea7pot;* their readi ess to let their to $)es r) to a y le $th o the s)'(ect of the .er$ea t=s ) $racio)s 'eha#io)r to them% Ha#i $ had some experie ce of the $reat C)ff=s ro) d7a'o)t "ays* a d ha#i $ last see him e#ide tly 'e t o follo"i $ Rosa a pri#ately "he she "e t o)t for her "al-* it seemed clear to me that he had tho)$ht it ) ad#isa'le to let the lady=s maid a d the ho)semaid - o" ho" materially they had helped him% They "ere ()st the sort of "ome * if he had treated their e#ide ce as tr)st"orthy* to ha#e 'ee p)ffed )p 'y it* a d to ha#e said or do e somethi $ "hich "o)ld ha#e p)t Rosa a .pearma o her $)ard% I "al-ed o)t i the fi e s)mmer after oo * #ery sorry for the poor $irl* a d #ery ) easy i my mi d at the t)r thi $s had ta-e % 6rifti $ to"ards the shr)''ery* some time later* there I met &r% Fra -li % After ret)r i $ from seei $ his co)si off at the statio * he had 'ee "ith my lady* holdi $ a lo $ co #ersatio "ith her% .he had told him of &iss Rachel=s ) acco) ta'le ref)sal to let her "ardro'e 'e exami ed9 a d had p)t him i s)ch lo" spirits a'o)t my yo) $ lady that he seemed to shri - from spea-i $ o the s)'(ect% The family temper appeared i his face that e#e i $* for the first time i my experie ce of him% A@ell* 0ettered$e*A he said* Aho" does the atmosphere of mystery a d s)spicio i "hich "e are all li#i $ o"* a$ree "ith yo)B 6o yo) remem'er that mor i $ "he I first came here "ith the &oo sto eB I "ish to /od "e had thro" it i to the ,)ic-sa dDA After 'rea-i $ o)t i that "ay* he a'stai ed from spea-i $ a$ai ) til he had composed himself% @e "al-ed sile tly* side 'y side* for a mi )te or t"o* a d the he as-ed me "hat had 'ecome of .er$ea t C)ff% It "as impossi'le to p)t &r% Fra -li off "ith the exc)se of the .er$ea t 'ei $ i my room* composi $ his mi d% I told him exactly "hat had happe ed* me tio i $ partic)larly "hat my lady=s maid a d the ho)se7maid had said a'o)t Rosa a .pearma % &r% Fra -li =s clear head sa" the t)r the .er$ea t=s s)spicio s had ta-e * i the t"i -li $ of a eye% A6id =t yo) tell me this mor i $*A he said* Athat o e of the tradespeople declared he had met Rosa a yesterday* o the foot"ay to Fri<i $hall* "he "e s)pposed her to 'e ill i her roomBA A5es* sir%A AIf my a) t=s maid a d the other "oma ha#e spo-e the tr)th* yo) may depe d )po it the tradesma did meet her% The $irl=s attac- of ill ess "as a 'li d to decei#e )s% .he had

32

some $)ilty reaso for $oi $ to the to" secretly% The pai t7stai ed dress is a dress of hers9 a d the fire heard crac-li $ i her room at fo)r i the mor i $ "as a fire lit to destroy it% Rosa a .pearma has stole the 6iamo d% I=ll $o i directly* a d tell my a) t the t)r thi $s ha#e ta-e %A A8ot ()st yet* if yo) please* sir*A said a mela choly #oice 'ehi d )s% @e 'oth t)r ed a'o)t* a d fo) d o)rsel#es face to face "ith .er$ea t C)ff% A@hy ot ()st yetBA as-ed &r% Fra -li % A0eca)se* sir* if yo) tell her ladyship* her ladyship "ill tell &iss Veri der%A A.)ppose she does% @hat the BA &r% Fra -li said those "ords "ith a s)dde heat a d #eheme ce* as if the .er$ea t had mortally offe ded him% A6o yo) thi - it=s "ise* sir*A said .er$ea t C)ff* ,)ietly* Ato p)t s)ch a ,)estio as that to me!at s)ch a time as thisBA There "as a mome t=s sile ce 'et"ee themF &r% Fra -li "al-ed close )p to the .er$ea t% The t"o loo-ed each other strai$ht i the face% &r% Fra -li spo-e first* droppi $ his #oice as s)dde ly as he had raised it% AI s)ppose yo) - o"* &r% C)ff*A he said* Athat yo) are treadi $ o delicate $ro) dBA AIt is =t the first time* 'y a $ood ma y h) dreds* that I fi d myself treadi $ o delicate $ro) d*A a s"ered the other* as immo#a'le as e#er% AI am to ) dersta d that yo) for'id me to tell my a) t "hat has happe edBA A5o) are to ) dersta d* if yo) please* sir* that I thro" )p the case* if yo) tell ?ady Veri der* or tell a y'ody* "hat has happe ed* ) til I $i#e yo) lea#e%A That settled it% &r% Fra -li had o choice ')t to s)'mit% He t)r ed a"ay i a $er!a d left )s% I had stood there liste i $ to them* all i a trem'le9 ot - o"i $ "hom to s)spect* or "hat to thi - ext% I the midst of my co f)sio * t"o thi $s* ho"e#er* "ere plai to me% First* that my yo) $ lady "as* i some ) acco) ta'le ma er* at the 'ottom of the sharp speeches that had passed 'et"ee them% .eco d* that they thoro)$hly ) derstood each other* "itho)t ha#i $ pre#io)sly excha $ed a "ord of expla atio o either side% A&r% 0ettered$e*A says the .er$ea t* Ayo) ha#e do e a #ery foolish thi $ i my a'se ce% 5o) ha#e do e a little detecti#e ')si ess o yo)r o" acco) t% For the f)t)re* perhaps yo) "ill 'e so o'li$i $ as to do yo)r detecti#e ')si ess alo $ "ith me%A

3G

He too- me 'y the arm* a d "al-ed me a"ay "ith him alo $ the road 'y "hich he had come% I dare say I had deser#ed his reproof!')t I "as ot $oi $ to help him to set traps for Rosa a .pearma * for all that% Thief or o thief* le$al or ot le$al* I do =t care!I pitied her% A@hat do yo) "a t of meBA I as-ed* sha-i $ him off* a d stoppi $ short% A4 ly a little i formatio a'o)t the co) try ro) d here*A said the .er$ea t% I co)ld =t "ell o'(ect to impro#e .er$ea t C)ff i his $eo$raphy% AIs there a y path* i that directio * leadi $ to the sea7'each from this ho)seBA as-ed the .er$ea t% He poi ted* as he spo-e* to the fir7pla tatio "hich led to the .hi#eri $ .a d% A5es*A I said* Athere is a path%A A.ho" it to me%A .ide 'y side* i the $rey of the s)mmer e#e i $* .er$ea t C)ff a d I set forth for the .hi#eri $ .a d%

CHAPTER #!
The .er$ea t remai ed sile t* thi -i $ his o" tho)$hts* till "e e tered the pla tatio of firs "hich led to the ,)ic-sa d% There he ro)sed himself* li-e a ma "hose mi d "as made )p* a d spo-e to me a$ai % A&r% 0ettered$e*A he said* Aas yo) ha#e ho o)red me 'y ta-i $ a oar i my 'oat* a d as yo) may* I thi -* 'e of some assista ce to me 'efore the e#e i $ is o)t* I see o )se i o)r mystifyi $ o e a other a y lo $er* a d I propose to set yo) a example of plai spea-i $ o my side% 5o) are determi ed to $i#e me o i formatio to the pre()dice of Rosa a .pearma * 'eca)se she has 'ee a $ood $irl to 54E* a d 'eca)se yo) pity her heartily% Those h)ma e co sideratio s do yo) a "orld of credit* ')t they happe i this i sta ce to 'e h)ma e co sideratio s clea thro" a"ay% Rosa a .pearma is ot i the sli$htest da $er of $etti $ i to tro)'le! o* ot if I fix her "ith 'ei $ co cer ed i the disappeara ce of the 6iamo d* o e#ide ce "hich is as plai as the ose o yo)r faceDA A6o yo) mea that my lady "o =t prosec)teBA I as-ed% AI mea that yo)r lady CA8=T prosec)te*A said the .er$ea t% ARosa a .pearma is simply a i str)me t i the ha ds of a other perso * a d Rosa a .pearma "ill 'e held harmless for that other perso =s sa-e%A 33

He spo-e li-e a ma i ear est!there "as o de yi $ that% .till* I felt somethi $ stirri $ ) easily a$ai st him i my mi d% ACa =t yo) $i#e that other perso a ameBA I said% ACa =t yo)* &r% 0ettered$eBA A8o%A .er$ea t C)ff stood stoc- still* a d s)r#eyed me "ith a loo- of mela choly i terest% AIt=s al"ays a pleas)re to me to 'e te der to"ards h)ma i firmity*A he said% AI feel partic)larly te der at the prese t mome t* &r% 0ettered$e* to"ards yo)% A d yo)* "ith the same excelle t moti#e* feel partic)larly te der to"ards Rosa a .pearma * do =t yo)B 6o yo) happe to - o" "hether she has had a e" o)tfit of li e latelyBA @hat he mea t 'y slippi $ i this extraordi ary ,)estio ) a"ares* I "as at a total loss to ima$i e% .eei $ o possi'le i ()ry to Rosa a if I o" ed the tr)th* I a s"ered that the $irl had come to )s rather sparely pro#ided "ith li e * a d that my lady* i recompe se for her $ood co d)ct :I laid a stress o her $ood co d)ct;* had $i#e her a e" o)tfit ot a fort i$ht si ce% AThis is a misera'le "orld*A says the .er$ea t% AH)ma life* &r% 0ettered$e* is a sort of tar$et!misfort) e is al"ays firi $ at it* a d al"ays hitti $ the mar-% 0)t for that o)tfit* "e sho)ld ha#e disco#ered a e" i$ht$o" or petticoat amo $ Rosa a=s thi $s* a d ha#e ailed her i that "ay% 5o)=re ot at a loss to follo" me* are yo)B 5o) ha#e exami ed the ser#a ts yo)rself* a d yo) - o" "hat disco#eries t"o of them made o)tside Rosa a=s door% .)rely yo) - o" "hat the $irl "as a'o)t yesterday* after she "as ta-e illB 5o) ca =t $)essB 4h dear me* it=s as plai as that strip of li$ht there* at the e d of the trees% At ele#e * o Th)rsday mor i $* .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e :"ho is a mass of h)ma i firmity; poi ts o)t to all the "ome ser#a ts the smear o the door% Rosa a has her o" reaso s for s)specti $ her o" thi $s9 she ta-es the first opport) ity of $etti $ to her room* fi ds the pai t7stai o her i$ht7$o" * or petticoat* or "hat ot* shams ill a d slips a"ay to the to" * $ets the materials for ma-i $ a e" petticoat or i$ht$o" * ma-es it alo e i her room o the Th)rsday i$ht li$hts a fire : ot to destroy it9 t"o of her fello"7ser#a ts are pryi $ o)tside her door* a d she - o"s 'etter tha to ma-e a smell of ')r i $* a d to ha#e a lot of ti der to $et rid of;!li$hts a fire* I say* to dry a d iro the s)'stit)te dress after "ri $i $ it o)t* -eeps the stai ed dress hidde :pro'a'ly 48 her;* a d is at this mome t occ)pied i ma-i $ a"ay "ith it* i some co #e ie t place* o that lo ely 'it of 'each ahead of )s% I ha#e traced her this e#e i $ to yo)r fishi $ #illa$e* a d to o e partic)lar cotta$e* "hich "e may possi'ly ha#e to #isit* 'efore "e $o 'ac-% .he stopped i the cotta$e for some time* a d she came o)t "ith :as I 'elie#e; somethi $ hidde ) der her cloa-% A cloa- :o a "oma =s 'ac-; is a em'lem of charity!it co#ers a m)ltit)de of si s% I sa" her set off orth"ards alo $ the coast* after lea#i $ the cotta$e% Is yo)r sea7shore here co sidered a fi e specime of mari e la dscape* &r% 0ettered$eBA I a s"ered* A5es*A as shortly as mi$ht 'e%

1HH

ATastes differ*A says .er$ea t C)ff% A?oo-i $ at it from my poi t of #ie"* I e#er sa" a mari e la dscape that I admired less% If yo) happe to 'e follo"i $ a other perso alo $ yo)r sea7coast* a d if that perso happe s to loo- ro) d* there is =t a scrap of co#er to hide yo) a y"here% I had to choose 'et"ee ta-i $ Rosa a i c)stody o s)spicio * or lea#i $ her* for the time 'ei $* "ith her little $ame i her o" ha ds% For reaso s "hich I "o =t tro)'le yo) "ith* I decided o ma-i $ a y sacrifice rather tha $i#e the alarm as soo as to7 i$ht to a certai perso "ho shall 'e ameless 'et"ee )s% I came 'ac- to the ho)se to as- yo) to ta-e me to the orth e d of the 'each 'y a other "ay% .a d!i respect of its pri ti $ off people=s footsteps!is o e of the 'est detecti#e officers I - o"% If "e do =t meet "ith Rosa a .pearma 'y comi $ ro) d o her i this "ay* the sa d may tell )s "hat she has 'ee at* if the li$ht o ly lasts lo $ e o)$h% Here I. the sa d% If yo) "ill exc)se my s)$$esti $ it!s)ppose yo) hold yo)r to $)e* a d let me $o firstBA If there is s)ch a thi $ - o" at the doctor=s shop as a 6ETECTIVE7FEVER* that disease had o" $ot fast hold of yo)r h)m'le ser#a t% .er$ea t C)ff "e t o 'et"ee the hilloc-s of sa d* do" to the 'each% I follo"ed him :"ith my heart i my mo)th;9 a d "aited at a little dista ce for "hat "as to happe ext% As it t)r ed o)t* I fo) d myself sta di $ early i the same place "here Rosa a .pearma a d I had 'ee tal-i $ to$ether "he &r% Fra -li s)dde ly appeared 'efore )s* o arri#i $ at o)r ho)se from ?o do % @hile my eyes "ere "atchi $ the .er$ea t* my mi d "a dered a"ay i spite of me to "hat had passed* o that former occasio * 'et"ee Rosa a a d me% I declare I almost felt the poor thi $ slip her ha d a$ai i to mi e* a d $i#e it a little $ratef)l s,)ee<e to tha - me for spea-i $ -i dly to her% I declare I almost heard her #oice telli $ me a$ai that the .hi#eri $ .a d seemed to dra" her to it a$ai st her o" "ill* "he e#er she "e t o)t!almost sa" her face 'ri$hte a$ai * as it 'ri$hte ed "he she first set eyes )po &r% Fra -li comi $ 'ris-ly o)t o )s from amo $ the hilloc-s% &y spirits fell lo"er a d lo"er as I tho)$ht of these thi $s!a d the #ie" of the lo esome little 'ay* "he I loo-ed a'o)t to ro)se myself* o ly ser#ed to ma-e me feel more ) easy still% The last of the e#e i $ li$ht "as fadi $ a"ay9 a d o#er all the desolate place there h) $ a still a d a"f)l calm% The hea#e of the mai ocea o the $reat sa d'a - o)t i the 'ay* "as a hea#e that made o so) d% The i er sea lay lost a d dim* "itho)t a 'reath of "i d to stir it% Patches of asty oo<e floated* yello"7"hite* o the dead s)rface of the "ater% .c)m a d slime sho e fai tly i certai places* "here the last of the li$ht still ca)$ht them o the t"o $reat spits of roc- ()tti $ o)t* orth a d so)th* i to the sea% It "as o" the time of the t)r of the tideF a d e#e as I stood there "aiti $* the 'road 'ro" face of the ,)ic-sa d 'e$a to dimple a d ,)i#er!the o ly mo#i $ thi $ i all the horrid place% I sa" the .er$ea t start as the shi#er of the sa d ca)$ht his eye% After loo-i $ at it for a mi )te or so* he t)r ed a d came 'ac- to me% AA treachero)s place* &r% 0ettered$e*A he said9 Aa d o si$ s of Rosa a .pearma a y"here o the 'each* loo- "here yo) may%A

1H1

He too- me do" lo"er o the shore* a d I sa" for myself that his footsteps a d mi e "ere the o ly footsteps pri ted off o the sa d% AHo" does the fishi $ #illa$e 'ear* sta di $ "here "e are o"BA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff% ACo''=s Hole*A I a s"ered :that 'ei $ the ame of the place;* A'ears as ear as may 'e* d)e so)th%A AI sa" the $irl this e#e i $* "al-i $ orth"ard alo $ the shore* from Co''=s Hole*A said the .er$ea t% ACo se,)e tly* she m)st ha#e 'ee "al-i $ to"ards this place% Is Co''=s Hole o the other side of that poi t of la d thereB A d ca "e $et to it! o" it=s lo" "ater!'y the 'eachBA I a s"ered* A5es*A to 'oth those ,)estio s% AIf yo)=ll exc)se my s)$$esti $ it* "e=ll step o)t 'ris-ly*A said the .er$ea t% AI "a t to fi d the place "here she left the shore* 'efore it $ets dar-%A @e had "al-ed* I sho)ld say* a co)ple of h) dred yards to"ards Co''=s Hole* "he .er$ea t C)ff s)dde ly "e t do" o his - ees o the 'each* to all appeara ce sei<ed "ith a s)dde fre <y for sayi $ his prayers% AThere=s somethi $ to 'e said for yo)r mari e la dscape here* after all*A remar-ed the .er$ea t% AHere are a "oma =s footsteps* &r% 0ettered$eD ?et )s call them Rosa a=s footsteps* ) til "e fi d e#ide ce to the co trary that "e ca =t resist% Very co f)sed footsteps* yo) "ill please to o'ser#e!p)rposely co f)sed* I sho)ld say% Ah* poor so)l* she ) dersta ds the detecti#e #irt)es of sa d as "ell as I doD 0)t has =t she 'ee i rather too $reat a h)rry to tread o)t the mar-s thoro)$hlyB I thi - she has% Here=s o e footstep $oi $ FR4& Co''=s Hole9 a d here is a other $oi $ 'ac- to it% Is =t that the toe of her shoe poi ti $ strai$ht to the "ater=s ed$eB A d do =t I see t"o heel7mar-s f)rther do" the 'each* close at the "ater=s ed$e alsoB I do =t "a t to h)rt yo)r feeli $s* ')t I=m afraid Rosa a is sly% It loo-s as if she had determi ed to $et to that place yo) a d I ha#e ()st come from* "itho)t lea#i $ a y mar-s o the sa d to trace her 'y% .hall "e say that she "al-ed thro)$h the "ater from this poi t till she $ot to that led$e of roc-s 'ehi d )s* a d came 'ac- the same "ay* a d the too- to the 'each a$ai "here those t"o heel mar-s are still leftB 5es* "e=ll say that% It seems to fit i "ith my otio that she had somethi $ ) der her cloa-* "he she left the cotta$e% 8oD ot somethi $ to destroy!for* i that case* "here "o)ld ha#e 'ee the eed of all these preca)tio s to pre#e t my traci $ the place at "hich her "al- e dedB .omethi $ to hide is* I thi -* the 'etter $)ess of the t"o% Perhaps* if "e $o o to the cotta$e* "e may fi d o)t "hat that somethi $ isBA At this proposal* my detecti#e7fe#er s)dde ly cooled% A5o) do =t "a t me*A I said% A@hat $ood ca I doBA AThe lo $er I - o" yo)* &r% 0ettered$e*A said the .er$ea t* Athe more #irt)es I disco#er% &odesty!oh dear me* ho" rare modesty is i this "orldD a d ho" m)ch of that rarity

1H2

yo) possessD If I $o alo e to the cotta$e* the people=s to $)es "ill 'e tied at the first ,)estio I p)t to them% If I $o "ith yo)* I $o i trod)ced 'y a ()stly respected ei$h'o)r* a d a flo" of co #ersatio is the ecessary res)lt% It stri-es me i that li$ht9 ho" does it stri-e yo)BA 8ot ha#i $ a a s"er of the eedf)l smart ess as ready as I co)ld ha#e "ished* I tried to $ai time 'y as-i $ him "hat cotta$e he "a ted to $o to% 4 the .er$ea t descri'i $ the place* I reco$ ised it as a cotta$e i ha'ited 'y a fisherma amed 5olla d* "ith his "ife a d t"o $ro" 7)p childre * a so a d a da)$hter% If yo) "ill loo- 'ac-* yo) "ill fi d that* i first prese ti $ Rosa a .pearma to yo)r otice* I ha#e descri'ed her as occasio ally #aryi $ her "al- to the .hi#eri $ .a d* 'y a #isit to some frie ds of hers at Co''=s Hole% Those frie ds "ere the 5olla ds!respecta'le* "orthy people* a credit to the ei$h'o)rhood% Rosa a=s ac,)ai ta ce "ith them had 'e$) 'y mea s of the da)$hter* "ho "as afflicted "ith a misshape foot* a d "ho "as - o" i o)r parts 'y the ame of ?impi $ ?)cy% The t"o deformed $irls had* I s)ppose* a -i d of fello"7feeli $ for each other% A y"ay* the 5olla ds a d Rosa a al"ays appeared to $et o to$ether* at the fe" cha ces they had of meeti $* i a pleasa t a d frie dly ma er% The fact of .er$ea t C)ff ha#i $ traced the $irl to THEIR cotta$e* set the matter of my helpi $ his i ,)iries i ,)ite a e" li$ht% Rosa a had merely $o e "here she "as i the ha'it of $oi $9 a d to sho" that she had 'ee i compa y "ith the fisherma a d his family "as as $ood as to pro#e that she had 'ee i oce tly occ)pied so far* at a y rate% It "o)ld 'e doi $ the $irl a ser#ice* therefore* i stead of a i ()ry* if I allo"ed myself to 'e co #i ced 'y .er$ea t C)ff=s lo$ic% I professed myself co #i ced 'y it accordi $ly% @e "e t o to Co''=s Hole* seei $ the footsteps o the sa d* as lo $ as the li$ht lasted% 4 reachi $ the cotta$e* the fisherma a d his so pro#ed to 'e o)t i the 'oat9 a d ?impi $ ?)cy* al"ays "ea- a d "eary* "as resti $ o her 'ed )p7stairs% /ood &rs% 5olla d recei#ed )s alo e i her -itche % @he she heard that .er$ea t C)ff "as a cele'rated character i ?o do * she clapped a 'ottle of 6)tch $i a d a co)ple of clea pipes o the ta'le* a d stared as if she co)ld e#er see e o)$h of him% I sat ,)iet i a cor er* "aiti $ to hear ho" the .er$ea t "o)ld fi d his "ay to the s)'(ect of Rosa a .pearma % His )s)al ro) da'o)t ma er of $oi $ to "or- pro#ed* o this occasio * to 'e more ro) da'o)t tha e#er% Ho" he ma a$ed it is more tha I co)ld tell at the time* a d more tha I ca tell o"% 0)t this is certai * he 'e$a "ith the Royal Family* the Primiti#e &ethodists* a d the price of fish9 a d he $ot from that :i his dismal* ) der$ro) d "ay; to the loss of the &oo sto e* the spitef)l ess of o)r first ho)se7maid* a d the hard 'eha#io)r of the "ome 7ser#a ts $e erally to"ards Rosa a .pearma % Ha#i $ reached his s)'(ect i this fashio * he descri'ed himself as ma-i $ his i ,)iries a'o)t the lost 6iamo d* partly "ith a #ie" to fi d it* a d partly for the p)rpose of cleari $ Rosa a from the ) ()st s)spicio s of her e emies i the ho)se% I a'o)t a ,)arter of a ho)r from the time "he "e e tered the -itche * $ood &rs% 5olla d "as

1H3

pers)aded that she "as tal-i $ to Rosa a=s 'est frie d* a d "as pressi $ .er$ea t C)ff to comfort his stomach a d re#i#e his spirits o)t of the 6)tch 'ottle% 0ei $ firmly pers)aded that the .er$ea t "as "asti $ his 'reath to o p)rpose o &rs% 5olla d* I sat e (oyi $ the tal- 'et"ee them* m)ch as I ha#e sat* i my time* e (oyi $ a sta$e play% The $reat C)ff sho"ed a "o derf)l patie ce9 tryi $ his l)c- drearily this "ay a d that "ay* a d firi $ shot after shot* as it "ere* at ra dom* o the cha ce of hitti $ the mar-% E#erythi $ to Rosa a=s credit* othi $ to Rosa a=s pre()dice!that "as ho" it e ded* try as he mi$ht9 "ith &rs% 5olla d tal-i $ i etee to the do<e * a d placi $ the most e tire co fide ce i him% His last effort "as made* "he "e had loo-ed at o)r "atches* a d had $ot o o)r le$s pre#io)s to ta-i $ lea#e% AI shall o" "ish yo) $ood7 i$ht* ma=am*A says the .er$ea t% AA d I shall o ly say* at parti $* that Rosa a .pearma has a si cere "ell7"isher i myself* yo)r o'edie t ser#a t% 0)t* oh dear meD she "ill e#er $et o i her prese t place9 a d my ad#ice to her is!lea#e it%A A0less yo)r heart ali#eD she is /4I8/ to lea#e itDA cries &rs% 5olla d% :84TA 0E8E!I tra slate &rs% 5olla d o)t of the 5or-shire la $)a$e i to the E $lish la $)a$e% @he I tell yo) that the all7accomplished C)ff "as e#ery o" a d the p)<<led to ) dersta d her ) til I helped him* yo) "ill dra" yo)r o" co cl)sio s as to "hat yo)r state of mi d "o)ld 'e if I reported her i her ati#e to $)e%; Rosa a .pearma $oi $ to lea#e )sD I pric-ed )p my ears at that% It seemed stra $e* to say the least of it* that she sho)ld ha#e $i#e o "ar i $* i the first place* to my lady or to me% A certai do)'t came )p i my mi d "hether .er$ea t C)ff=s last ra dom shot mi$ht ot ha#e hit the mar-% I 'e$a to ,)estio "hether my share i the proceedi $s "as ,)ite as harmless a o e as I had tho)$ht it% It mi$ht 'e all i the "ay of the .er$ea t=s ')si ess to mystify a ho est "oma 'y "rappi $ her ro) d i a et"or- of lies ')t it "as my d)ty to ha#e remem'ered* as a $ood Protesta t* that the father of lies is the 6e#il !a d that mischief a d the 6e#il are e#er far apart% 0e$i i $ to smell mischief i the air* I tried to ta-e .er$ea t C)ff o)t% He sat do" a$ai i sta tly* a d as-ed for a little drop of comfort o)t of the 6)tch 'ottle% &rs 5olla d sat do" opposite to him* a d $a#e him his ip% I "e t o to the door* excessi#ely ) comforta'le* a d said I tho)$ht I m)st 'id them $ood7 i$ht!a d yet I did =t $o% A.o she mea s to lea#eBA says the .er$ea t% A@hat is she to do "he she does lea#eB .ad* sadD The poor creat)re has $ot o frie ds i the "orld* except yo) a d me%A AAh* ')t she has tho)$hDA says &rs% 5olla d% A.he came i here* as I told yo)* this e#e i $9 a d* after sitti $ a d tal-i $ a little "ith my $irl ?)cy a d me she as-ed to $o )p7stairs 'y herself* i to ?)cy=s room% It=s the o ly room i o)r place "here there=s pe a d i -% =I "a t to "rite a letter to a frie d*= she says =a d I ca =t do it for the pryi $ a d peepi $ of the ser#a ts )p at the ho)se%= @ho the letter "as "ritte to I ca =t tell yo)F it m)st ha#e 'ee a mortal lo $ o e* ()d$i $ 'y the time she stopped )p7stairs o#er it% I offered her a posta$e7stamp "he she came do" % .he had =t $ot the letter i her ha d*

1H1

a d she did =t accept the stamp% A little close* poor so)l :as yo) - o";* a'o)t herself a d her doi $s% 0)t a frie d she has $ot some"here* I ca tell yo)9 a d to that frie d yo) may depe d )po it* she "ill $o%A A.oo BA as-ed the .er$ea t% AAs soo as she ca %A says &rs% 5olla d% Here I stepped i a$ai from the door% As chief of my lady=s esta'lishme t* I co)ld =t allo" this sort of loose tal- a'o)t a ser#a t of o)rs $oi $* or ot $oi $* to proceed a y lo $er i my prese ce* "itho)t otici $ it% A5o) m)st 'e mista-e a'o)t Rosa a .pearma *A I said% AIf she had 'ee $oi $ to lea#e her prese t sit)atio * she "o)ld ha#e me tio ed it* i the first place* to me%A A&ista-e BA cries &rs% 5olla d% A@hy* o ly a ho)r a$o she 'o)$ht some thi $s she "a ted for tra#elli $!of my o" self* &r% 0ettered$e* i this #ery room% A d that remi ds me*A says the "earisome "oma * s)dde ly 'e$i i $ to feel i her poc-et* Aof somethi $ I ha#e $ot it o my mi d to say a'o)t Rosa a a d her mo ey% Are yo) either of yo) li-ely to see her "he yo) $o 'ac- to the ho)seBA AI=ll ta-e a messa$e to the poor thi $* "ith the $reatest pleas)re*A a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff* 'efore I co)ld p)t i a "ord ed$e"ise% &rs% 5olla d prod)ced o)t of her poc-et* a fe" shilli $s a d sixpe ces* a d co) ted them o)t "ith a most partic)lar a d exasperati $ caref)l ess i the palm of her ha d% .he offered the mo ey to the .er$ea t* loo-i $ mi$hty loth to part "ith it all the "hile% A&i$ht I as- yo) to $i#e this 'ac- to Rosa a* "ith my lo#e a d respectsBA says &rs% 5olla d% A.he i sisted o payi $ me for the o e or t"o thi $s she too- a fa cy to this e#e i $!a d mo ey=s "elcome e o)$h i o)r ho)se* I do =t de y it% .till* I=m ot easy i my mi d a'o)t ta-i $ the poor thi $=s little sa#i $s% A d to tell yo) the tr)th* I do =t thi - my ma "o)ld li-e to hear that I had ta-e Rosa a .pearma =s mo ey* "he he comes 'ac- to7morro" mor i $ from his "or-% Please say she=s heartily "elcome to the thi $s she 'o)$ht of me!as a $ift% A d do =t lea#e the mo ey o the ta'le*A says &rs% 5olla d* p)tti $ it do" s)dde ly 'efore the .er$ea t* as if it ')r t her fi $ers!Ado =t* there=s a $ood ma D For times are hard* a d flesh is "ea-9 a d I &I/HT feel tempted to p)t it 'ac- i my poc-et a$ai %A ACome alo $DA I said* AI ca =t "ait a y lo $erF I m)st $o 'ac- to the ho)se%A AI=ll follo" yo) directly*A says .er$ea t C)ff% For the seco d time* I "e t to the door9 a d* for the seco d time* try as I mi$ht* I co)ld =t cross the threshold%

1H>

AIt=s a delicate matter* ma=am*A I heard the .er$ea t say* A$i#i $ mo ey 'ac-% 5o) char$ed her cheap for the thi $s* I=m s)reBA ACheapDA says &rs% 5olla d% ACome a d ()d$e for yo)rself%A .he too- )p the ca dle a d led the .er$ea t to a cor er of the -itche % For the life of me* I co)ld =t help follo"i $ them% .ha-e do" i the cor er "as a heap of odds a d e ds :mostly old metal;* "hich the fisherma had pic-ed )p at differe t times from "rec-ed ships* a d "hich he had =t fo) d a mar-et for yet* to his o" mi d% &rs% 5olla d di#ed i to this r)''ish* a d 'ro)$ht )p a old (apa ed ti case* "ith a co#er to it* a d a hasp to ha $ it )p 'y!the sort of thi $ they )se* o 'oard ship* for -eepi $ their maps a d charts* a d s)ch7li-e* from the "et% AThereDA says she% A@he Rosa a came i this e#e i $* she 'o)$ht the fello" to that% =It "ill ()st do*= she says* =to p)t my c)ffs a d collars i * a d -eep them from 'ei $ cr)mpled i my 'ox%= 4 e a d i epe ce* &r% C)ff% As I li#e 'y 'read* ot a halfpe y moreDA A6irt cheapDA says the .er$ea t* "ith a hea#y si$h% He "ei$hed the case i his ha d% I tho)$ht I heard a ote or t"o of AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA as he loo-ed at it% There "as o do)'t o"D He had made a other disco#ery to the pre()dice of Rosa a .pearma * i the place of all others "here I tho)$ht her character "as safest* a d all thro)$h meD I lea#e yo) to ima$i e "hat I felt* a d ho" si cerely I repe ted ha#i $ 'ee the medi)m of i trod)ctio 'et"ee &rs% 5olla d a d .er$ea t C)ff% AThat "ill do*A I said% A@e really m)st $o%A @itho)t payi $ the least atte tio to me* &rs% 5olla d too- a other di#e i to the r)''ish* a d came )p o)t of it* this time* "ith a do$7chai % A@ei$h it i yo)r ha d* sir*A she said to the .er$ea t% A@e had three of these9 a d Rosa a has ta-e t"o of them% =@hat ca yo) "a t* my dear* "ith a co)ple of do$=s chai sB= says I% =If I (oi them to$ether they=ll do ro) d my 'ox icely*= says she% =Rope=s cheapest*= says I% =Chai =s s)rest*= says she% =@ho e#er heard of a 'ox corded "ith chai *= says I% =4h* &rs% 5olla d* do =t ma-e o'(ectio sD= says she9 =let me ha#e my chai sD= A stra $e $irl* &r% C)ff!$ood as $old* a d -i der tha a sister to my ?)cy!')t al"ays a little stra $e% ThereD I h)mo)red her% Three a d sixpe ce% 4 the "ord of a ho est "oma * three a d sixpe ce* &r% C)ffDA AEachBA says the .er$ea t% A0oth to$etherDA says &rs% 5olla d% AThree a d sixpe ce for the t"o%A A/i#e a"ay* ma=am*A says the .er$ea t* sha-i $ his head% AClea $i#e a"ayDA

1HC

AThere=s the mo ey*A says &rs% 5olla d* $etti $ 'ac- side"ays to the little heap of sil#er o the ta'le* as if it dre" her i spite of herself% AThe ti case a d the do$ chai s "ere all she 'o)$ht* a d all she too- a"ay% 4 e a d i epe ce a d three a d sixpe ce!total* fi#e a d three% @ith my lo#e a d respects!a d I ca =t fi d it i my co scie ce to ta-e a poor $irl=s sa#i $s* "he she may "a t them herself%A AI ca =t fi d it i &5 co scie ce* ma=am* to $i#e the mo ey 'ac-*A says .er$ea t C)ff% A5o) ha#e as $ood as made her a prese t of the thi $s!yo) ha#e i deed%A AIs that yo)r si cere opi io * sirBA says &rs% 5olla d 'ri$hte i $ )p "o derf)lly% AThere ca =t 'e a do)'t a'o)t it*A a s"ered the .er$ea t% AAs- &r% 0ettered$e%A It "as o )se as-i $ &E% All they $ot o)t of &E "as* A/ood7 i$ht%A A0other the mo eyDA says &rs% 5olla d% @ith these "ords* she appeared to lose all comma d o#er herself9 a d* ma-i $ a s)dde s atch at the heap of sil#er* p)t it 'ac-* hol)s7'ol)s* i her poc-et% AIt )psets o e=s temper* it does* to see it lyi $ there* a d o'ody ta-i $ it*A cries this ) reaso a'le "oma * sitti $ do" "ith a th)mp* a d loo-i $ at .er$ea t C)ff* as m)ch as to say* AIt=s i my poc-et a$ai o"!$et it o)t if yo) ca DA This time* I ot o ly "e t to the door* ')t "e t fairly o)t o the road 'ac-% Explai it ho" yo) may* I felt as if o e or 'oth of them had mortally offe ded me% 0efore I had ta-e three steps do" the #illa$e* I heard the .er$ea t 'ehi d me% ATha - yo) for yo)r i trod)ctio * &r% 0ettered$e*A he said% AI am i de'ted to the fisherma =s "ife for a e tirely e" se satio % &rs% 5olla d has p)<<led me%A It "as o the tip of my to $)e to ha#e $i#e him a sharp a s"er* for o 'etter reaso tha this!that I "as o)t of temper "ith him* 'eca)se I "as o)t of temper "ith myself% 0)t "he he o" ed to 'ei $ p)<<led* a comforti $ do)'t crossed my mi d "hether a y $reat harm had 'ee do e after all% I "aited i discreet sile ce to hear more% A5es*A says the .er$ea t* as if he "as act)ally readi $ my tho)$hts i the dar-% AI stead of p)tti $ me o the sce t* it may co sole yo) to - o"* &r% 0ettered$e :"ith yo)r i terest i Rosa a;* that yo) ha#e 'ee the mea s of thro"i $ me off% @hat the $irl has do e* to7 i$ht* is clear e o)$h* of co)rse% .he has (oi ed the t"o chai s* a d has faste ed them to the hasp i the ti case% .he has s) - the case* i the "ater or i the ,)ic-sa d% .he has made the loose e d of the chai fast to some place ) der the roc-s* - o" o ly to herself% A d she "ill lea#e the case sec)re at its a chora$e till the prese t proceedi $s ha#e come to a e d9 after "hich she ca pri#ately p)ll it )p a$ai o)t of its hidi $7place* at her o" leis)re a d co #e ie ce% All perfectly plai * so far% 0)t*A says the .er$ea t* "ith the first to e of impatie ce i his #oice that I had heard yet* Athe mystery is!"hat the de#il has she hidde i the ti caseBA

1H2

I tho)$ht to myself* AThe &oo sto eDA 0)t I o ly said to .er$ea t C)ff* ACa =t yo) $)essBA AIt=s ot the 6iamo d*A says the .er$ea t% AThe "hole experie ce of my life is at fa)lt* if Rosa a .pearma has $ot the 6iamo d%A 4 heari $ those "ords* the i fer al detecti#e7fe#er 'e$a * I s)ppose* to ')r i me a$ai % At a y rate* I for$ot myself i the i terest of $)essi $ this e" riddle% I said rashly* AThe stai ed dressDA .er$ea t C)ff stopped short i the dar-* a d laid his ha d o my arm% AIs a ythi $ thro" i to that ,)ic-sa d of yo)rs* e#er thro" )p o the s)rface a$ai BA he as-ed% A8e#er*A I a s"ered% A?i$ht or hea#y "hate#er $oes i to the .hi#eri $ .a d is s)c-ed do" * a d see o more%A A6oes Rosa a .pearma - o" thatBA A.he - o"s it as "ell as I do%A AThe *A says the .er$ea t* A"hat o earth has she $ot to do ')t to tie )p a 'it of sto e i the stai ed dress a d thro" it i to the ,)ic-sa dB There is =t the shado" of a reaso "hy she sho)ld ha#e hidde it!a d yet she m)st ha#e hidde it% I)ery*A says the .er$ea t* "al-i $ o a$ai * Ais the pai t7stai ed dress a petticoat or a i$ht7$o" B or is it somethi $ else "hich there is a reaso for preser#i $ at a y ris-B &r% 0ettered$e* if othi $ occ)rs to pre#e t it* I m)st $o to Fri<i $hall to7morro"* a d disco#er "hat she 'o)$ht i the to" * "he she pri#ately $ot the materials for ma-i $ the s)'stit)te dress% It=s a ris- to lea#e the ho)se* as thi $s are o"!')t it=s a "orse ris- still to stir a other step i this matter i the dar-% Exc)se my 'ei $ a little o)t of temper9 I=m de$raded i my o" estimatio !I ha#e let Rosa a .pearma p)<<le me%A @he "e $ot 'ac-* the ser#a ts "ere at s)pper% The first perso "e sa" i the o)ter yard "as the policema "hom .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e had left at the .er$ea t=s disposal% The .er$ea t as-ed if Rosa a .pearma had ret)r ed% 5es% @he B 8early a ho)r si ce% @hat had she do eB .he had $o e )p7stairs to ta-e off her 'o et a d cloa-!a d she "as o" at s)pper ,)ietly "ith the rest% @itho)t ma-i $ a y remar-* .er$ea t C)ff "al-ed o * si -i $ lo"er a d lo"er i his o" estimatio * to the 'ac- of the ho)se% &issi $ the e tra ce i the dar-* he "e t o :i spite of my calli $ to him; till he "as stopped 'y a "ic-et7$ate "hich led i to the $arde % @he I (oi ed him to 'ri $ him 'ac- 'y the ri$ht "ay* I fo) d that he "as loo-i $ )p atte ti#ely at o e partic)lar "i do"* o the 'ed7room floor* at the 'ac- of the ho)se%

1HG

?oo-i $ )p* i my t)r * I disco#ered that the o'(ect of his co templatio "as the "i do" of &iss Rachel=s room* a d that li$hts "ere passi $ 'ac-"ards a d for"ards there as if somethi $ ) )s)al "as $oi $ o % AIs =t that &iss Veri der=s roomBA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff% I replied that it "as* a d i #ited him to $o i "ith me to s)pper% The .er$ea t remai ed i his place* a d said somethi $ a'o)t e (oyi $ the smell of the $arde at i$ht% I left him to his e (oyme t% +)st as I "as t)r i $ i at the door* I heard AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA at the "ic-et7$ate% .er$ea t C)ff had made a other disco#eryD A d my yo) $ lady=s "i do" "as at the 'ottom of it this timeD The latter reflectio too- me 'ac- a$ai to the .er$ea t* "ith a polite i timatio that I co)ld ot fi d it i my heart to lea#e him 'y himself% AIs there a ythi $ yo) do =t ) dersta d )p thereBA I added* poi ti $ to &iss Rachel=s "i do"% +)d$i $ 'y his #oice* .er$ea t C)ff had s)dde ly rise a$ai to the ri$ht place i his o" estimatio % A5o) are $reat people for 'etti $ i 5or-shire* are yo) otBA he as-ed% A@ellBA I said% A.)ppose "e areBA AIf I "as a 5or-shirema *A proceeded the .er$ea t* ta-i $ my arm* AI "o)ld lay yo) a e#e so#erei$ * &r% 0ettered$e* that yo)r yo) $ lady has s)dde ly resol#ed to lea#e the ho)se% If I "o o that e#e t* I sho)ld offer to lay a other so#erei$ * that the idea has occ)rred to her "ithi the last ho)r%A The first of the .er$ea t=s $)esses startled me% The seco d mixed itself )p someho" i my head "ith the report "e had heard from the policema * that Rosa a .pearma had ret)r ed from the sa ds "ith i the last ho)r% The t"o to$ether had a c)rio)s effect o me as "e "e t i to s)pper% I shoo- off .er$ea t C)ff=s arm* a d* for$etti $ my ma ers* p)shed 'y him thro)$h the door to ma-e my o" i ,)iries for myself% .am)el* the footma * "as the first perso I met i the passa$e% AHer ladyship is "aiti $ to see yo) a d .er$ea t C)ff*A he said* 'efore I co)ld p)t a y ,)estio s to him% AHo" lo $ has she 'ee "aiti $BA as-ed the .er$ea t=s #oice 'ehi d me% AFor the last ho)r* sir%A There it "as a$ai D Rosa a had come 'ac-9 &iss Rachel had ta-e some resol)tio o)t of the commo 9 a d my lady had 'ee "aiti $ to see the .er$ea t!all "ithi the last ho)rD It "as ot pleasa t to fi d these #ery differe t perso s a d thi $s li -i $ themsel#es to$ether i this "ay% I "e t o )pstairs* "itho)t loo-i $ at .er$ea t C)ff* or spea-i $ to him% &y ha d too- a s)dde fit of trem'li $ as I lifted it to - oc- at my mistress=s door%

1H3

AI sho)ld =t 'e s)rprised*A "hispered the .er$ea t o#er my sho)lder* Aif a sca dal "as to ')rst )p i the ho)se to7 i$ht% 6o =t 'e alarmedD I ha#e p)t the m)<<le o "orse family diffic)lties tha this* i my time%A As he said the "ords I heard my mistress=s #oice calli $ to )s to come i %

CHAPTER #!I
@e fo) d my lady "ith o li$ht i the room ')t the readi $7lamp% The shade "as scre"ed do" so as to o#ershado" her face% I stead of loo-i $ )p at )s i her )s)al strai$htfor"ard "ay* she sat close at the ta'le* a d -ept her eyes fixed o'sti ately o a ope 'oo-% A4fficer*A she said* Ais it importa t to the i ,)iry yo) are co d)cti $* to - o" 'eforeha d if a y perso o" i this ho)se "ishes to lea#e itBA A&ost importa t* my lady%A AI ha#e to tell yo)* the * that &iss Veri der proposes $oi $ to stay "ith her a) t* &rs% A'le"hite* of Fri<i $hall% .he has arra $ed to lea#e )s the first thi $ to7morro" mor i $%A .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed at me% I made a step for"ard to spea- to my mistress!a d* feeli $ my heart fail me :if I m)st o" it;* too- a step 'ac- a$ai * a d said othi $% A&ay I as- yo)r ladyship @HE8 &iss Veri der i formed yo) that she "as $oi $ to her a) t=sBA i ,)ired the .er$ea t% AA'o)t a ho)r si ce*A a s"ered my mistress% .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed at me o ce more% They say old people=s hearts are ot #ery easily mo#ed% &y heart co)ld =t ha#e th)mped m)ch harder tha it did o"* if I had 'ee fi#e7 a d7t"e ty a$ai D AI ha#e o claim* my lady*A says the .er$ea t* Ato co trol &iss Veri der=s actio s% All I ca as- yo) to do is to p)t off her depart)re* if possi'le* till later i the day% I m)st $o to Fri<i $hall myself to7morro" mor i $!a d I shall 'e 'ac- 'y t"o o=cloc-* if ot 'efore% If &iss Veri der ca 'e -ept here till that time* I sho)ld "ish to say t"o "ords to her! ) expectedly!'efore she $oes%A

11H

&y lady directed me to $i#e the coachma her orders* that the carria$e "as ot to come for &iss Rachel ) til t"o o=cloc-% AHa#e yo) more to sayBA she as-ed of the .er$ea t* "he this had 'ee do e% A4 ly o e thi $* yo)r ladyship% If &iss Veri der is s)rprised at this cha $e i the arra $eme ts* please ot to me tio &e as 'ei $ the ca)se of p)tti $ off her (o)r ey%A &y mistress lifted her head s)dde ly from her 'oo- as if she "as $oi $ to say somethi $ !chec-ed herself 'y a $reat effort!a d* loo-i $ 'ac- a$ai at the ope pa$e* dismissed )s "ith a si$ of her ha d% AThat=s a "o derf)l "oma *A said .er$ea t C)ff* "he "e "ere o)t i the hall a$ai % A0)t for her self7co trol* the mystery that p)<<les yo)* &r% 0ettered$e* "o)ld ha#e 'ee at a e d to7 i$ht%A At those "ords* the tr)th r)shed at last i to my st)pid old head% For the mome t* I s)ppose I m)st ha#e $o e clea o)t of my se ses% I sei<ed the .er$ea t 'y the collar of his coat* a d pi ed him a$ai st the "all% A6am yo)DA I cried o)t* Athere=s somethi $ "ro $ a'o)t &iss Rachel!a d yo) ha#e 'ee hidi $ it from me all this timeDA .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed )p at me!flat a$ai st the "all!"itho)t stirri $ a ha d* or mo#i $ a m)scle of his mela choly face% AAh*A he said* Ayo)=#e $)essed it at last%A &y ha d dropped from his collar* a d my head s) - o my 'reast% Please to remem'er* as some exc)se for my 'rea-i $ o)t as I did* that I had ser#ed the family for fifty years% &iss Rachel had clim'ed )po my - ees* a d p)lled my "his-ers* ma y a d ma y a time "he she "as a child% &iss Rachel* "ith all her fa)lts* had 'ee * to my mi d* the dearest a d prettiest a d 'est yo) $ mistress that e#er a old ser#a t "aited o * a d lo#ed% I 'e$$ed .er$ea t=s C)ff=s pardo * ')t I am afraid I did it "ith "atery eyes* a d ot i a #ery 'ecomi $ "ay% A6o =t distress yo)rself* &r% 0ettered$e*A says the .er$ea t* "ith more -i d ess tha I had a y ri$ht to expect from him% AI my li e of life if "e "ere ,)ic- at ta-i $ offe ce* "e sho)ld =t 'e "orth salt to o)r porrid$e% If it=s a y comfort to yo)* collar me a$ai % 5o) do =t i the least - o" ho" to do it9 ')t I=ll o#erloo- yo)r a"-"ard ess i co sideratio of yo)r feeli $s%A He c)rled )p at the cor ers of his lips* a d* i his o" dreary "ay* seemed to thi - he had deli#ered himself of a #ery $ood (o-e% I led him i to my o" little sitti $7room* a d closed the door%

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ATell me the tr)th* .er$ea t*A I said% A@hat do yo) s)spectB It=s o -i d ess to hide it from me o"%A AI do =t s)spect*A said .er$ea t C)ff% AI - o"%A &y ) l)c-y temper 'e$a to $et the 'etter of me a$ai % A6o yo) mea to tell me* i plai E $lish*A I said* Athat &iss Rachel has stole her o" 6iamo dBA A5es*A says the .er$ea t9 Athat is "hat I mea to tell yo)* i so ma y "ords% &iss Veri der has 'ee i secret possessio of the &oo sto e from first to last9 a d she has ta-e Rosa a .pearma i to her co fide ce* 'eca)se she has calc)lated o o)r s)specti $ Rosa a .pearma of the theft% There is the "hole case i a )tshell% Collar me a$ai * &r% 0ettered$e% If it=s a y #e t to yo)r feeli $s* collar me a$ai %A /od help meD my feeli $s "ere ot to 'e relie#ed i that "ay% A/i#e me yo)r reaso sDA That "as all I co)ld say to him% A5o) shall hear my reaso s to7morro"*A said the .er$ea t% AIf &iss Veri der ref)ses to p)t off her #isit to her a) t :"hich yo) "ill fi d &iss Veri der "ill do;* I shall 'e o'li$ed to lay the "hole case 'efore yo)r mistress to7morro"% A d* as I do =t - o" "hat may come of it* I shall re,)est yo) to 'e prese t* a d to hear "hat passes o 'oth sides% ?et the matter rest for to7 i$ht% 8o* &r% 0ettered$e* yo) do =t $et a "ord more o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e o)t of me% There is yo)r ta'le spread for s)pper% That=s o e of the ma y h)ma i firmities "hich I al"ays treat te derly% If yo) "ill ri $ the 'ell* I=ll say $race% =For "hat "e are $oi $ to recei#e!!=A AI "ish yo) a $ood appetite to it* .er$ea t*A I said% A&y appetite is $o e% I=ll "ait a d see yo) ser#ed* a d the I=ll as- yo) to exc)se me* if I $o a"ay* a d try to $et the 'etter of this 'y myself%A I sa" him ser#ed "ith the 'est of e#erythi $!a d I sho)ld =t ha#e 'ee sorry if the 'est of e#erythi $ had cho-ed him% The head $arde er :&r% 0e$'ie; came i at the same time* "ith his "ee-ly acco) t% The .er$ea t $ot o the s)'(ect of roses a d the merits of $rass "al-s a d $ra#el "al-s immediately% I left the t"o to$ether* a d "e t o)t "ith a hea#y heart% This "as the first tro)'le I remem'er for ma y a lo $ year "hich "as =t to 'e 'lo" off 'y a "hiff of to'acco* a d "hich "as e#e 'eyo d the reach of R40I8.48 CRE.4E% 0ei $ restless a d misera'le* a d ha#i $ o partic)lar room to $o to* I too- a t)r o the terrace* a d tho)$ht it o#er i peace a d ,)iet ess 'y myself% It does =t m)ch matter "hat my tho)$hts "ere% I felt "retchedly old* a d "or o)t* a d ) fit for my place!a d 'e$a to "o der* for the first time i my life* "he it "o)ld please /od to ta-e me% @ith all this* I held firm* ot"ithsta di $* to my 'elief i &iss Rachel% If .er$ea t C)ff had 'ee .olomo i all his $lory* a d had told me that my yo) $ lady had mixed herself )p

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i a mea a d $)ilty plot* I sho)ld ha#e had ')t o e a s"er for .olomo * "ise as he "as* A5o) do =t - o" her9 a d I do%A &y meditatio s "ere i terr)pted 'y .am)el% He 'ro)$ht me a "ritte messa$e from my mistress% /oi $ i to the ho)se to $et a li$ht to read it 'y* .am)el remar-ed that there seemed a cha $e comi $ i the "eather% &y tro)'led mi d had pre#e ted me from otici $ it 'efore% 0)t* o" my atte tio "as ro)sed* I heard the do$s ) easy* a d the "i d moa i $ lo"% ?oo-i $ )p at the s-y* I sa" the rac- of clo)ds $etti $ 'lac-er a d 'lac-er* a d h)rryi $ faster a d faster o#er a "atery moo % @ild "eather comi $!.am)el "as ri$ht* "ild "eather comi $% The messa$e from my lady i formed me* that the ma$istrate at Fri<i $hall had "ritte to remi d her a'o)t the three I dia s% Early i the comi $ "ee-* the ro$)es m)st eeds 'e released* a d left free to follo" their o" de#ices% If "e had a y more ,)estio s to asthem* there "as o time to lose% Ha#i $ for$otte to me tio this* "he she had last see .er$ea t C)ff* my mistress o" desired me to s)pply the omissio % The I dia s had $o e clea o)t of my head :as they ha#e* o do)'t* $o e clea o)t of yo)rs;% I did =t see m)ch )se i stirri $ that s)'(ect a$ai % Ho"e#er* I o'eyed my orders o the spot* as a matter of co)rse% I fo) d .er$ea t C)ff a d the $arde er* "ith a 'ottle of .cotch "his-y 'et"ee them* head o#er ears i a ar$)me t o the $ro"i $ of roses% The .er$ea t "as so deeply i terested that he held )p his ha d* a d si$ ed to me ot to i terr)pt the disc)ssio * "he I came i % As far as I co)ld ) dersta d it* the ,)estio 'et"ee them "as* "hether the "hite moss rose did* or did ot* re,)ire to 'e ')dded o the do$7rose to ma-e it $ro" "ell% &r% 0e$'ie said* 5es9 a d .er$ea t C)ff said* 8o% They appealed to me* as hotly as a co)ple of 'oys% J o"i $ othi $ "hate#er a'o)t the $ro"i $ of roses* I steered a middle co)rse!()st as her &a(esty=s ()d$es do* "he the scales of ()stice 'other them 'y ha $i $ e#e to a hair% A/e tleme *A I remar-ed* Athere is m)ch to 'e said o 'oth sides%A I the temporary l)ll prod)ced 'y that impartial se te ce* I laid my lady=s "ritte messa$e o the ta'le* ) der the eyes of .er$ea t C)ff% I had $ot 'y this time* as early as mi$ht 'e* to hate the .er$ea t% 0)t tr)th compels me to ac- o"led$e that* i respect of readi ess of mi d* he "as a "o derf)l ma % I half a mi )te after he had read the messa$e* he had loo-ed 'ac- i to his memory for .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e=s report9 had pic-ed o)t that part of it i "hich the I dia s "ere co cer ed9 a d "as ready "ith his a s"er% A certai $reat tra#eller* "ho ) derstood the I dia s a d their la $)a$e* had fi$)red i &r% .ee$ra#e=s report* had =t heB Very "ell% 6id I - o" the $e tlema =s ame a d addressB Very "ell a$ai % @o)ld I "rite them o the 'ac- of my lady=s messa$eB &)ch o'li$ed to me% .er$ea t C)ff "o)ld loo- that $e tlema )p* "he he "e t to Fri<i $hall i the mor i $%

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A6o yo) expect a ythi $ to come of itBA I as-ed% A.)peri te de t .ee$ra#e fo) d the I dia s as i oce t as the 'a'e ) 'or %A A.)peri te de t .ee$ra#e has 'ee pro#ed "ro $* )p to this time* i all his co cl)sio s*A a s"ered the .er$ea t% AIt may 'e "orth "hile to fi d o)t to7morro" "hether .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e "as "ro $ a'o)t the I dia s as "ell%A @ith that he t)r ed to &r% 0e$'ie* a d too- )p the ar$)me t a$ai exactly at the place "here it had left off% AThis ,)estio 'et"ee )s is a ,)estio of soils a d seaso s* a d patie ce a d pai s* &r% /arde er% 8o" let me p)t it to yo) from a other poi t of #ie"% 5o) ta-e yo)r "hite moss rose!!A 0y that time* I had closed the door o them* a d "as o)t of heari $ of the rest of the disp)te% I the passa$e* I met Pe elope ha $i $ a'o)t* a d as-ed "hat she "as "aiti $ for% .he "as "aiti $ for her yo) $ lady=s 'ell* "he her yo) $ lady chose to call her 'ac- to $o o "ith the pac-i $ for the ext day=s (o)r ey% F)rther i ,)iry re#ealed to me* that &iss Rachel had $i#e it as a reaso for "a ti $ to $o to her a) t at Fri<i $hall* that the ho)se "as ) e d)ra'le to her* a d that she co)ld 'ear the odio)s prese ce of a policema ) der the same roof "ith herself o lo $er% 4 'ei $ i formed* half a ho)r si ce* that her depart)re "o)ld 'e delayed till t"o i the after oo * she had flo" i to a #iole t passio % &y lady* prese t at the time* had se#erely re')-ed her* a d the :ha#i $ appare tly somethi $ to say* "hich "as reser#ed for her da)$hter=s pri#ate ear; had se t Pe elope o)t of the room% &y $irl "as i "retchedly lo" spirits a'o)t the cha $ed state of thi $s i the ho)se% A8othi $ $oes ri$ht* father9 othi $ is li-e "hat it )sed to 'e% I feel as if some dreadf)l misfort) e "as ha $i $ o#er )s all%A That "as my feeli $ too% 0)t I p)t a $ood face o it* 'efore my da)$hter% &iss Rachel=s 'ell ra $ "hile "e "ere tal-i $% Pe elope ra )p the 'ac- stairs to $o o "ith the pac-i $% I "e t 'y the other "ay to the hall* to see "hat the $lass said a'o)t the cha $e i the "eather% +)st as I approached the s"i $7door leadi $ i to the hall from the ser#a ts= offices* it "as #iole tly ope ed from the other side* a d Rosa a .pearma ra 'y me* "ith a misera'le loo- of pai i her face* a d o e of her ha ds pressed hard o#er her heart* as if the pa $ "as i that ,)arter% A@hat=s the matter* my $irlBA I as-ed* stoppi $ her% AAre yo) illBA AFor /od=s sa-e* do =t spea- to me*A she a s"ered* a d t"isted herself o)t of my ha ds* a d ra o to"ards the ser#a ts= staircase% I called to the coo- :"ho "as "ithi heari $; to loo- after the poor $irl% T"o other perso s pro#ed to 'e "ithi heari $* as "ell as the coo-% .er$ea t C)ff darted softly o)t of my room* a d as-ed "hat "as the matter% I a s"ered* A8othi $%A &r% Fra -li * o the other side* p)lled ope the s"i $7door* a d 'ec-o i $ me i to the hall* i ,)ired if I had see a ythi $ of Rosa a .pearma % A.he has ()st passed me* sir* "ith a #ery dist)r'ed face* a d i a #ery odd ma er%A

111

AI am afraid I am i oce tly the ca)se of that dist)r'a ce* 0ettered$e%A A5o)* sirDA AI ca =t explai it*A says &r% Fra -li 9 A')t* if the $irl I. co cer ed i the loss of the 6iamo d* I do really 'elie#e she "as o the poi t of co fessi $ e#erythi $!to me* of all the people i the "orld! ot t"o mi )tes si ce%A ?oo-i $ to"ards the s"i $7door* as he said those last "ords* I fa cied I sa" it ope ed a little "ay from the i er side% @as there a y'ody liste i $B The door fell to* 'efore I co)ld $et to it% ?oo-i $ thro)$h* the mome t after* I tho)$ht I sa" the tails of .er$ea t C)ff=s respecta'le 'lac- coat disappeari $ ro) d the cor er of the passa$e% He - e"* as "ell as I did* that he co)ld expect o more help from me* o" that I had disco#ered the t)r "hich his i #esti$atio s "ere really ta-i $% E der those circ)msta ces* it "as ,)ite i his character to help himself* a d to do it 'y the ) der$ro) d "ay% 8ot feeli $ s)re that I had really see the .er$ea t!a d ot desiri $ to ma-e eedless mischief* "here* Hea#e - o"s* there "as mischief e o)$h $oi $ o already!I told &r% Fra -li that I tho)$ht o e of the do$s had $ot i to the ho)se!a d the 'e$$ed him to descri'e "hat had happe ed 'et"ee Rosa a a d himself% A@ere yo) passi $ thro)$h the hall* sirBA I as-ed% A6id yo) meet her accide tally* "he she spo-e to yo)BA &r% Fra -li poi ted to the 'illiard7ta'le% AI "as - oc-i $ the 'alls a'o)t*A he said* Aa d tryi $ to $et this misera'le ')si ess of the 6iamo d o)t of my mi d% I happe ed to loo- )p!a d there stood Rosa a .pearma at the side of me* li-e a $hostD Her steali $ o me i that "ay "as so stra $e* that I hardly - e" "hat to do at first% .eei $ a #ery a xio)s expressio i her face* I as-ed her if she "ished to spea- to me% .he a s"ered* =5es* if I dare%= J o"i $ "hat s)spicio attached to her* I co)ld o ly p)t o e co str)ctio o s)ch la $)a$e as that% I co fess it made me ) comforta'le% I had o "ish to i #ite the $irl=s co fide ce% At the same time* i the diffic)lties that o" 'eset )s* I co)ld hardly feel ()stified i ref)si $ to liste to her* if she "as really 'e t o spea-i $ to me% It "as a a"-"ard positio 9 a d I dare say I $ot o)t of it a"-"ardly e o)$h% I said to her* =I do =t ,)ite ) dersta d yo)% Is there a ythi $ yo) "a t me to doB= &i d* 0ettered$e* I did =t spea- ) -i dlyD The poor $irl ca =t help 'ei $ )$ly!I felt that* at the time% The c)e "as still i my ha d* a d I "e t o - oc-i $ the 'alls a'o)t* to ta-e off the a"-"ard ess of the thi $% As it t)r ed o)t* I o ly made matters "orse still% I=m afraid I mortified her "itho)t mea i $ itD .he s)dde ly t)r ed a"ay% =He loo-s at the 'illiard 'alls*= I heard her say% =A ythi $ rather tha loo- at meD= 0efore I co)ld stop her* she had left the hall% I am ot ,)ite easy a'o)t it* 0ettered$e% @o)ld yo) mi d telli $ Rosa a that I mea t o ) -i d essB I ha#e 'ee a little hard o her* perhaps* i my o" tho)$hts!I ha#e almost hoped that the loss of the 6iamo d

11>

mi$ht 'e traced to her% 8ot from a y ill7"ill to the poor $irlF ')t!!A He stopped there* a d $oi $ 'ac- to the 'illiard7ta'le* 'e$a to - oc- the 'alls a'o)t o ce more% After "hat had passed 'et"ee the .er$ea t a d me* I - e" "hat it "as that he had left ) spo-e as "ell as he - e" it himself% 8othi $ ')t the traci $ of the &oo sto e to o)r seco d ho)semaid co)ld o" raise &iss Rachel a'o#e the i famo)s s)spicio that rested o her i the mi d of .er$ea t C)ff% It "as o lo $er a ,)estio of ,)ieti $ my yo) $ lady=s er#o)s exciteme t9 it "as a ,)estio of pro#i $ her i oce ce% If Rosa a had do e othi $ to compromise herself* the hope "hich &r% Fra -li co fessed to ha#i $ felt "o)ld ha#e 'ee hard e o)$h o her i all co scie ce% 0)t this "as ot the case% .he had prete ded to 'e ill* a d had $o e secretly to Fri<i $hall% .he had 'ee )p all i$ht* ma-i $ somethi $ or destroyi $ somethi $* i pri#ate% A d she had 'ee at the .hi#eri $ .a d* that e#e i $* ) der circ)msta ces "hich "ere hi$hly s)spicio)s* to say the least of them% For all these reaso s :sorry as I "as for Rosa a; I co)ld ot ')t thi - that &r% Fra -li =s "ay of loo-i $ at the matter "as either ) at)ral or ) reaso a'le* i &r% Fra -li =s positio % I said a "ord to him to that effect% A5es* yesDA he said i ret)r % A0)t there is ()st a cha ce!a #ery poor o e* certai ly!that Rosa a=s co d)ct may admit of some expla atio "hich "e do =t see at prese t% I hate h)rti $ a "oma =s feeli $s* 0ettered$eD Tell the poor creat)re "hat I told yo) to tell her% A d if she "a ts to spea- to me!I do =t care "hether I $et i to a scrape or ot!se d her to me i the li'rary%A @ith those -i d "ords he laid do" the c)e a d left me% I ,)iry at the ser#a ts= offices i formed me that Rosa a had retired to her o" room% .he had decli ed all offers of assista ce "ith tha -s* a d had o ly as-ed to 'e left to rest i ,)iet% Here* therefore* "as a e d of a y co fessio o her part :s)pposi $ she really had a co fessio to ma-e; for that i$ht% I reported the res)lt to &r% Fra -li * "ho* there)po * left the li'rary* a d "e t )p to 'ed% I "as p)tti $ the li$hts o)t* a d ma-i $ the "i do"s fast* "he .am)el came i "ith e"s of the t"o $)ests "hom I had left i my room% The ar$)me t a'o)t the "hite moss rose had appare tly come to a e d at last% The $arde er had $o e home* a d .er$ea t C)ff "as o"here to 'e fo) d i the lo"er re$io s of the ho)se% I loo-ed i to my room% I)ite tr)e! othi $ "as to 'e disco#ered there ')t a co)ple of empty t)m'lers a d a stro $ smell of hot $ro$% Had the .er$ea t $o e of his o" accord to the 'ed7cham'er that "as prepared for himB I "e t )p7stairs to see% After reachi $ the seco d la di $* I tho)$ht I heard a so) d of ,)iet a d re$)lar 'reathi $ o my left7ha d side% &y left7ha d side led to the corridor "hich comm) icated "ith &iss Rachel=s room% I loo-ed i * a d there* coiled )p o three chairs

11C

placed ri$ht across the passa$e!there* "ith a red ha d-erchief tied ro) d his $ri<<led head* a d his respecta'le 'lac- coat rolled )p for a pillo"* lay a d slept .er$ea t C)ffD He "o-e* i sta tly a d ,)ietly* li-e a do$* the mome t I approached him% A/ood i$ht* &r% 0ettered$e*A he said% AA d mi d* if yo) e#er ta-e to $ro"i $ roses* the "hite moss rose is all the 'etter for ot 'ei $ ')dded o the do$7rose* "hate#er the $arde er may say to the co traryDA A@hat are yo) doi $ hereBA I as-ed% A@hy are yo) ot i yo)r proper 'edBA AI am ot i my proper 'ed*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* A'eca)se I am o e of the ma y people i this misera'le "orld "ho ca =t ear their mo ey ho estly a d easily at the same time% There "as a coi cide ce* this e#e i $* 'et"ee the period of Rosa a .pearma =s ret)r from the .a ds a d the period "he &iss Veri der stated her resol)tio to lea#e the ho)se% @hate#er Rosa a may ha#e hidde * it=s clear to my mi d that yo)r yo) $ lady co)ld =t $o a"ay ) til she - e" that it @A. hidde % The t"o m)st ha#e comm) icated pri#ately o ce already to7 i$ht% If they try to comm) icate a$ai * "he the ho)se is ,)iet* I "a t to 'e i the "ay* a d stop it% 6o =t 'lame me for )psetti $ yo)r sleepi $ arra $eme ts* &r% 0ettered$e!'lame the 6iamo d%A AI "ish to /od the 6iamo d had e#er fo) d its "ay i to this ho)seDA I 'ro-e o)t% .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed "ith a r)ef)l face at the three chairs o "hich he had co dem ed himself to pass the i$ht% A.o do I*A he said* $ra#ely%

CHAPTER #!II
8othi $ happe ed i the i$ht9 a d :I am happy to add; o attempt at comm) icatio 'et"ee &iss Rachel a d Rosa a re"arded the #i$ila ce of .er$ea t C)ff% I had expected the .er$ea t to set off for Fri<i $hall the first thi $ i the mor i $% He "aited a'o)t* ho"e#er* as if he had somethi $ else to do first% I left him to his o" de#ices9 a d $oi $ i to the $ro) ds shortly after* met &r% Fra -li o his fa#o)rite "al'y the shr)''ery side% 0efore "e had excha $ed t"o "ords* the .er$ea t ) expectedly (oi ed )s% He made )p to &r% Fra -li * "ho recei#ed him* I m)st o" * ha)$htily e o)$h% AHa#e yo) a ythi $ to say to meBA "as all the ret)r he $ot for politely "ishi $ &r% Fra -li $ood mor i $%

112

AI ha#e somethi $ to say to yo)* sir*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* Ao the s)'(ect of the i ,)iry I am co d)cti $ here% 5o) detected the t)r that i ,)iry "as really ta-i $* yesterday% 8at)rally e o)$h* i yo)r positio * yo) are shoc-ed a d distressed% 8at)rally e o)$h* also* yo) #isit yo)r o" a $ry se se of yo)r o" family sca dal )po &e%A A@hat do yo) "a tBA &r% Fra -li 'ro-e i * sharply e o)$h% AI "a t to remi d yo)* sir* that I ha#e at a y rate* th)s far* ot 'ee PR4VE6 to 'e "ro $% 0eari $ that i mi d* 'e pleased to remem'er* at the same time* that I am a officer of the la" acti $ here ) der the sa ctio of the mistress of the ho)se% E der these circ)msta ces* is it* or is it ot* yo)r d)ty as a $ood citi<e * to assist me "ith a y special i formatio "hich yo) may happe to possessBA AI possess o special i formatio *A says &r% Fra -li % .er$ea t C)ff p)t that a s"er 'y him* as if o a s"er had 'ee made% A5o) may sa#e my time* sir* from 'ei $ "asted o a i ,)iry at a dista ce*A he "e t o * Aif yo) choose to ) dersta d me a d spea- o)t%A AI do =t ) dersta d yo)*A a s"ered &r% Fra -li 9 Aa d I ha#e othi $ to say%A A4 e of the female ser#a ts :I "o =t me tio i$ht%A ames; spo-e to yo) pri#ately* sir* last

4 ce more &r% Fra -li c)t him short9 o ce more &r% Fra -li a s"ered* AI ha#e othi $ to say%A .ta di $ 'y i sile ce* I tho)$ht of the mo#eme t i the s"i $7door o the pre#io)s e#e i $* a d of the coat7tails "hich I had see disappeari $ do" the passa$e% .er$ea t C)ff had* o do)'t* ()st heard e o)$h* 'efore I i terr)pted him* to ma-e him s)spect that Rosa a had relie#ed her mi d 'y co fessi $ somethi $ to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% This otio had 'arely str)c- me!"he "ho sho)ld appear at the e d of the shr)''ery "al- ')t Rosa a .pearma i her o" proper perso D .he "as follo"ed 'y Pe elope* "ho "as e#ide tly tryi $ to ma-e her retrace her steps to the ho)se% .eei $ that &r% Fra -li "as ot alo e* Rosa a came to a sta dstill* e#ide tly i $reat perplexity "hat to do ext% Pe elope "aited 'ehi d her% &r% Fra -li sa" the $irls as soo as I sa" them% The .er$ea t* "ith his de#ilish c) i $* too- o ot to ha#e oticed them at all% All this happe ed i a i sta t% 0efore either &r% Fra -li or I co)ld say a "ord* .er$ea t C)ff str)c- i smoothly* "ith a appeara ce of co ti )i $ the pre#io)s co #ersatio % A5o) eed =t 'e afraid of harmi $ the $irl* sir*A he said to &r% Fra -li * spea-i $ i a lo)d #oice* so that Rosa a mi$ht hear him% A4 the co trary* I recomme d yo) to ho o)r me "ith yo)r co fide ce* if yo) feel a y i terest i Rosa a .pearma %A

11G

&r% Fra -li i sta tly too- o lo)dly o his sideF

ot to ha#e oticed the $irls either% He a s"ered* spea-i $

AI ta-e o i terest "hate#er i Rosa a .pearma %A I loo-ed to"ards the e d of the "al-% All I sa" at the dista ce "as that Rosa a s)dde ly t)r ed ro) d* the mome t &r% Fra -li had spo-e % I stead of resisti $ Pe elope* as she had do e the mome t 'efore* she o" let my da)$hter ta-e her 'y the arm a d lead her 'ac- to the ho)se% The 'rea-fast7'ell ra $ as the t"o $irls disappeared!a d e#e .er$ea t C)ff "as o" o'li$ed to $i#e it )p as a 'ad (o'D He said to me ,)ietly* AI shall $o to Fri<i $hall* &r% 0ettered$e9 a d I shall 'e 'ac- 'efore t"o%A He "e t his "ay "itho)t a "ord more!a d for some fe" ho)rs "e "ere "ell rid of him% A5o) m)st ma-e it ri$ht "ith Rosa a*A &r% Fra -li said to me* "he "e "ere alo e% AI seem to 'e fated to say or do somethi $ a"-"ard* 'efore that ) l)c-y $irl% 5o) m)st ha#e see yo)rself that .er$ea t C)ff laid a trap for 'oth of )s% If he co)ld co f)se &E* or irritate HER i to 'rea-i $ o)t* either she or I mi$ht ha#e said somethi $ "hich "o)ld a s"er his p)rpose% 4 the sp)r of the mome t* I sa" o 'etter "ay o)t of it tha the "ay I too-% It stopped the $irl from sayi $ a ythi $* a d it sho"ed the .er$ea t that I sa" thro)$h him% He "as e#ide tly liste i $* 0ettered$e* "he I "as spea-i $ to yo) last i$ht%A He had do e "orse tha liste * as I pri#ately tho)$ht to myself% He had remem'ered my telli $ him that the $irl "as i lo#e "ith &r% Fra -li 9 a d he had calc)lated o THAT* "he he appealed to &r% Fra -li =s i terest i Rosa a!i Rosa a=s heari $% AAs to liste i $* sir*A I remar-ed :-eepi $ the other poi t to myself;* A"e shall all 'e ro"i $ i the same 'oat if this sort of thi $ $oes o m)ch lo $er% Pryi $* a d peepi $* a d liste i $ are the at)ral occ)patio s of people sit)ated as "e are% I a other day or t"o* &r% Fra -li * "e shall all 'e str)c- d)m' to$ether!for this reaso * that "e shall all 'e liste i $ to s)rprise each other=s secrets* a d all - o" it% Exc)se my 'rea-i $ o)t* sir% The horrid mystery ha $i $ o#er )s i this ho)se $ets i to my head li-e li,)or* a d ma-es me "ild% I "o =t for$et "hat yo) ha#e told me% I=ll ta-e the first opport) ity of ma-i $ it ri$ht "ith Rosa a .pearma %A A5o) ha#e =t said a ythi $ to her yet a'o)t last i$ht* ha#e yo)BA &r% Fra -li as-ed% A8o* sir%A AThe say othi $ o"% I had 'etter ot i #ite the $irl=s co fide ce* "ith the .er$ea t o the loo-7o)t to s)rprise )s to$ether% &y co d)ct is ot #ery co siste t* 0ettered$e!is itB I see o "ay o)t of this ')si ess* "hich is =t dreadf)l to thi - of* ) less the 6iamo d is traced to Rosa a% A d yet I ca =t* a d "o =t* help .er$ea t C)ff to fi d the $irl o)t%A

113

E reaso a'le e o)$h* o do)'t% 0)t it "as my state of mi d as "ell% I thoro)$hly ) derstood him% If yo) "ill* for o ce i yo)r life* remem'er that yo) are mortal* perhaps yo) "ill thoro)$hly ) dersta d him too% The state of thi $s* i doors a d o)t* "hile .er$ea t C)ff "as o his "ay to Fri<i $hall* "as 'riefly thisF &iss Rachel "aited for the time "he the carria$e "as to ta-e her to her a) t=s* still o'sti ately sh)t )p i her o" room% &y lady a d &r% Fra -li 'rea-fasted to$ether% After 'rea-fast* &r% Fra -li too- o e of his s)dde resol)tio s* a d "e t o)t precipitately to ,)iet his mi d 'y a lo $ "al-% I "as the o ly perso "ho sa" him $o9 a d he told me he sho)ld 'e 'ac- 'efore the .er$ea t ret)r ed% The cha $e i the "eather* foreshado"ed o#er i$ht* had come% Hea#y rai had 'ee follo"ed soo after da" * 'y hi$h "i d% It "as 'lo"i $ fresh* as the day $ot o % 0)t tho)$h the clo)ds threate ed more tha o ce* the rai still held off% It "as ot a 'ad day for a "al-* if yo) "ere yo) $ a d stro $* a d co)ld 'reast the $reat $)sts of "i d "hich came s"eepi $ i from the sea% I atte ded my lady after 'rea-fast* a d assisted her i the settleme t of o)r ho)sehold acco) ts% .he o ly o ce all)ded to the matter of the &oo sto e* a d that "as i the "ay of for'iddi $ a y prese t me tio of it 'et"ee )s% A@ait till that ma comes 'ac-*A she said* mea i $ the .er$ea t% A@e &E.T spea- of it the F "e are ot o'li$ed to spea- of it o"%A After lea#i $ my mistress* I fo) d Pe elope "aiti $ for me i my room% AI "ish* father* yo) "o)ld come a d spea- to Rosa a*A she said% AI am #ery ) easy a'o)t her%A I s)spected "hat "as the matter readily e o)$h% 0)t it is a maxim of mi e that me :'ei $ s)perior creat)res; are 'o) d to impro#e "ome !if they ca % @he a "oma "a ts me to do a ythi $ :my da)$hter* or ot* it does =t matter;* I al"ays i sist o - o"i $ "hy% The ofte er yo) ma-e them r)mma$e their o" mi ds for a reaso * the more ma a$ea'le yo) "ill fi d them i all the relatio s of life% It is =t their fa)lt :poor "retchesD; that they act first a d thi - after"ards9 it=s the fa)lt of the fools "ho h)mo)r them% Pe elope=s reaso "hy* o this occasio * may 'e $i#e i her o" "ords% AI am afraid* father*A she said* A&r% Fra -li has h)rt Rosa a cr)elly* "itho)t i te di $ it%A A@hat too- Rosa a i to the shr)''ery "al-BA I as-ed% AHer o" mad ess*A says Pe elope9 AI ca call it othi $ else% .he "as 'e t o spea-i $ to &r% Fra -li * this mor i $* come "hat mi$ht of it% I did my 'est to stop her9 yo) sa" that% If I co)ld o ly ha#e $ot her a"ay 'efore she heard those dreadf)l "ords!!A

12H

AThereD thereDA I said* Ado =t lose yo)r head% I ca =t call to mi d that a ythi $ happe ed to alarm Rosa a%A A8othi $ to alarm her* father% 0)t &r% Fra -li said he too- o i terest "hate#er i her! a d* oh* he said it i s)ch a cr)el #oiceDA AHe said it to stop the .er$ea t=s mo)th*A I a s"ered% AI told her that*A says Pe elope% A0)t yo) see* father :tho)$h &r% Fra -li is =t to 'lame;* he=s 'ee mortifyi $ a d disappoi ti $ her for "ee-s a d "ee-s past9 a d o" this comes o the top of it allD .he has o ri$ht* of co)rse* to expect him to ta-e a y i terest i her% It=s ,)ite mo stro)s that she sho)ld for$et herself a d her statio i that "ay% 0)t she seems to ha#e lost pride* a d proper feeli $* a d e#erythi $% .he fri$hte ed me* father* "he &r% Fra -li said those "ords% They seemed to t)r her i to sto e% A s)dde ,)iet came o#er her* a d she has $o e a'o)t her "or-* e#er si ce* li-e a "oma i a dream%A I 'e$a to feel a little ) easy% There "as somethi $ i the "ay Pe elope p)t it "hich sile ced my s)perior se se% I called to mi d* o" my tho)$hts "ere directed that "ay* "hat had passed 'et"ee &r% Fra -li a d Rosa a o#er i$ht% .he loo-ed c)t to the heart o that occasio 9 a d o"* as ill7l)c- "o)ld ha#e it* she had 'ee ) a#oida'ly st) $ a$ai * poor so)l* o the te der place% .adD sadD!all the more sad 'eca)se the $irl had o reaso to ()stify her* a d o ri$ht to feel it% I had promised &r% Fra -li to spea- to Rosa a* a d this seemed the fittest time for -eepi $ my "ord% @e fo) d the $irl s"eepi $ the corridor o)tside the 'edrooms* pale a d composed* a d eat as e#er i her modest pri t dress% I oticed a c)rio)s dim ess a d d)ll ess i her eyes! ot as if she had 'ee cryi $ ')t as if she had 'ee loo-i $ at somethi $ too lo $% Possi'ly* it "as a misty somethi $ raised 'y her o" tho)$hts% There "as certai ly o o'(ect a'o)t her to loo- at "hich she had ot see already h) dreds o h) dreds of times% ACheer )p* Rosa aDA I said% A5o) m)st =t fret o#er yo)r o" fa cies% I ha#e $ot somethi $ to say to yo) from &r% Fra -li %A I there)po p)t the matter i the ri$ht #ie" 'efore her* i the frie dliest a d most comforti $ "ords I co)ld fi d% &y pri ciples* i re$ard to the other sex* are* as yo) may ha#e oticed* #ery se#ere% 0)t someho" or other* "he I come face to face "ith the "ome * my practice :I o" ; is ot co forma'le% A&r% Fra -li is #ery -i d a d co siderate% Please to tha - him%A That "as all the a s"er she made me%

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&y da)$hter had already oticed that Rosa a "e t a'o)t her "or- li-e a "oma i a dream% I o" added to this o'ser#atio * that she also liste ed a d spo-e li-e a "oma i a dream% I do)'ted if her mi d "as i a fit co ditio to ta-e i "hat I had said to her% AAre yo) ,)ite s)re* Rosa a* that yo) ) dersta d meBA I as-ed% AI)ite s)re%A .he echoed me* ot li-e a li#i $ "oma * ')t li-e a creat)re mo#ed 'y machi ery% .he "e t o s"eepi $ all the time% I too- a"ay the 'room as $e tly a d as -i dly as I co)ld% ACome* come* my $irlDA I said* Athis is ot li-e yo)rself% 5o) ha#e $ot somethi $ o yo)r mi d% I=m yo)r frie d!a d I=ll sta d yo)r frie d* e#e if yo) ha#e do e "ro $% &a-e a clea 'reast of it* Rosa a!ma-e a clea 'reast of itDA The time had 'ee * "he my spea-i $ to her i that "ay "o)ld ha#e 'ro)$ht the tears i to her eyes% I co)ld see o cha $e i them o"% A5es*A she said* AI=ll ma-e a clea 'reast of it%A ATo my ladyBA I as-ed% A8o%A ATo &r% Fra -li BA A5es9 to &r% Fra -li %A I hardly - e" "hat to say to that% .he "as i o co ditio to ) dersta d the ca)tio a$ai st spea-i $ to him i pri#ate* "hich &r% Fra -li had directed me to $i#e her% Feeli $ my "ay* little 'y little* I o ly told her &r% Fra -li had $o e o)t for a "al-% AIt does =t matter*A she a s"ered% AI sha =t tro)'le &r% Fra -li * to7day%A A@hy ot spea- to my ladyBA I said% AThe "ay to relie#e yo)r mi d is to spea- to the mercif)l a d Christia mistress "ho has al"ays 'ee -i d to yo)%A .he loo-ed at me for a mome t "ith a $ra#e a d steady atte tio * as if she "as fixi $ "hat I said i her mi d% The she too- the 'room o)t of my ha ds a d mo#ed off "ith it slo"ly* a little "ay do" the corridor% A8o*A she said* $oi $ o "ith her s"eepi $* a d spea-i $ to herself9 AI - o" a 'etter "ay of relie#i $ my mi d tha that%A A@hat is itBA

122

APlease to let me $o o "ith my "or-%A Pe elope follo"ed her* a d offered to help her% .he a s"ered* A8o% I "a t to do my "or-% Tha - yo)* Pe elope%A .he loo-ed ro) d at me% ATha - yo)* &r% 0ettered$e%A There "as o mo#i $ her!there "as othi $ more to 'e said% I si$ ed to Pe elope to come a"ay "ith me% @e left her* as "e had fo) d her* s"eepi $ the corridor* li-e a "oma i a dream% AThis is a matter for the doctor to loo- i to*A I said% AIt=s 'eyo d me%A &y da)$hter remi ded me of &r% Ca dy=s ill ess* o"i $ :as yo) may remem'er; to the chill he had ca)$ht o the i$ht of the di er7party% His assista t!a certai &r% E<ra +e i $s!"as at o)r disposal* to 'e s)re% 0)t o'ody - e" m)ch a'o)t him i o)r parts% He had 'ee e $a$ed 'y &r% Ca dy ) der rather pec)liar circ)msta ces9 a d* ri$ht or "ro $* "e o e of )s li-ed him or tr)sted him% There "ere other doctors at Fri<i $hall% 0)t they "ere stra $ers to o)r ho)se9 a d Pe elope do)'ted* i Rosa a=s prese t state* "hether stra $ers mi$ht ot do her more harm tha $ood% I tho)$ht of spea-i $ to my lady% 0)t* remem'eri $ the hea#y "ei$ht of a xiety "hich she already had o her mi d* I hesitated to add to all the other #exatio s this e" tro)'le% .till* there "as a ecessity for doi $ somethi $% The $irl=s state "as* to my thi -i $* do" ri$ht alarmi $!a d my mistress o)$ht to 'e i formed of it% E "illi $ e o)$h* I "e t to her sitti $7room% 8o o e "as there% &y lady "as sh)t )p "ith &iss Rachel% It "as impossi'le for me to see her till she came o)t a$ai % I "aited i #ai till the cloc- o the fro t staircase str)c- the ,)arter to t"o% Fi#e mi )tes after"ards* I heard my ame called* from the dri#e o)tside the ho)se% I - e" the #oice directly% .er$ea t C)ff had ret)r ed from Fri<i $hall%

CHAPTER #!III
/oi $ do" to the fro t door* I met the .er$ea t o the steps% It "e t a$ai st the $rai "ith me* after "hat had passed 'et"ee )s* to sho" him that I felt a y sort of i terest i his proceedi $s% I spite of myself* ho"e#er* I felt a i terest that there "as o resisti $% &y se se of di$ ity sa - from ) der me* a d o)t came the "ordsF A@hat e"s from Fri<i $hallBA

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AI ha#e see the I dia s*A a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff% AA d I ha#e fo) d o)t "hat Rosa a 'o)$ht pri#ately i the to" * o Th)rsday last% The I dia s "ill 'e set free o @ed esday i ext "ee-% There is =t a do)'t o my mi d* a d there is =t a do)'t o &r% &)rth"aite=s mi d* that they came to this place to steal the &oo sto e% Their calc)latio s "ere all thro" o)t* of co)rse* 'y "hat happe ed i the ho)se o @ed esday i$ht9 a d they ha#e o more to do "ith the act)al loss of the (e"el tha yo) ha#e% 0)t I ca tell yo) o e thi $* &r% 0ettered$e!if @E do =t fi d the &oo sto e* THE5 "ill% 5o) ha#e ot heard the last of the three ()$$lers yet%A &r% Fra -li came 'ac- from his "al- as the .er$ea t said those startli $ "ords% /o#er i $ his c)riosity 'etter tha I had $o#er ed mi e* he passed )s "itho)t a "ord* a d "e t o i to the ho)se% As for me* ha#i $ already dropped my di$ ity* I determi ed to ha#e the "hole 'e efit of the sacrifice% A.o m)ch for the I dia s*A I said% A@hat a'o)t Rosa a extBA .er$ea t C)ff shoo- his head% AThe mystery i that ,)arter is thic-er tha e#er*A he said% AI ha#e traced her to a shop at Fri<i $hall* -ept 'y a li e draper amed &alt'y% .he 'o)$ht othi $ "hate#er at a y of the other drapers= shops* or at a y milli ers= or tailors= shops9 a d she 'o)$ht othi $ at &alt'y=s ')t a piece of lo $ cloth% .he "as #ery partic)lar i choosi $ a certai ,)ality% As to ,)a tity* she 'o)$ht e o)$h to ma-e a i$ht$o" %A A@hose i$ht$o" BA I as-ed% AHer o" * to 'e s)re% 0et"ee t"el#e a d three* o the Th)rsday mor i $* she m)st ha#e slipped do" to yo)r yo) $ lady=s room* to settle the hidi $ of the &oo sto e "hile all the rest of yo) "ere i 'ed% I $oi $ 'ac- to her o" room* her i$ht$o" m)st ha#e 'r)shed the "et pai t o the door% .he co)ld =t "ash o)t the stai 9 a d she co)ld =t safely destroy the i$ht7$o" "itho)t first pro#idi $ a other li-e it* to ma-e the i #e tory of her li e complete%A A@hat pro#es that it "as Rosa a=s i$ht$o" BA I o'(ected% AThe material she 'o)$ht for ma-i $ the s)'stit)te dress*A a s"ered the .er$ea t% AIf it had 'ee &iss Veri der=s i$ht$o" * she "o)ld ha#e had to ')y lace* a d frilli $* a d ?ord - o"s "hat 'esides9 a d she "o)ld =t ha#e had time to ma-e it i o e i$ht% Plai lo $ cloth mea s a plai ser#a t=s i$ht$o" % 8o* o* &r% 0ettered$e!all that is clear e o)$h% The pi ch of the ,)estio is!"hy* after ha#i $ pro#ided the s)'stit)te dress* does she hide the smeared i$ht$o" * i stead of destroyi $ itB If the $irl "o =t spea- o)t* there is o ly o e "ay of settli $ the diffic)lty% The hidi $7place at the .hi#eri $ .a d m)st 'e searched!a d the tr)e state of the case "ill 'e disco#ered there%A AHo" are yo) to fi d the placeBA I i ,)ired%

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AI am sorry to disappoi t yo)*A said the .er$ea t!A')t that=s a secret "hich I mea to -eep to myself%A :8ot to irritate yo)r c)riosity* as he irritated mi e* I may here i form yo) that he had come 'ac- from Fri<i $hall pro#ided "ith a search7"arra t% His experie ce i s)ch matters told him that Rosa a "as i all pro'a'ility carryi $ a'o)t her a memora d)m of the hidi $7place* to $)ide her* i case she ret)r ed to it* ) der cha $ed circ)msta ces a d after a lapse of time% Possessed of this memora d)m* the .er$ea t "o)ld 'e f)r ished "ith all that he co)ld desire%; A8o"* &r% 0ettered$e*A he "e t o * As)ppose "e drop spec)latio * a d $et to ')si ess% I told +oyce to ha#e a eye o Rosa a% @here is +oyceBA +oyce "as the Fri<i $hall policema * "ho had 'ee left 'y .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e at .er$ea t C)ff=s disposal% The cloc- str)c- t"o* as he p)t the ,)estio 9 a d* p) ct)al to the mome t* the carria$e came ro) d to ta-e &iss Rachel to her a) t=s% A4 e thi $ at a time*A said the .er$ea t* stoppi $ me as I "as a'o)t to se d i search of +oyce% AI m)st atte d to &iss Veri der first%A As the rai "as still threate i $* it "as the close carria$e that had 'ee appoi ted to ta-e &iss Rachel to Fri<i $hall% .er$ea t C)ff 'ec-o ed .am)el to come do" to him from the r)m'le 'ehi d% A5o) "ill see a frie d of mi e "aiti $ amo $ the trees* o this side of the lod$e $ate*A he said% A&y frie d* "itho)t stoppi $ the carria$e* "ill $et )p i to the r)m'le "ith yo)% 5o) ha#e othi $ to do ')t to hold yo)r to $)e* a d sh)t yo)r eyes% 4ther"ise* yo) "ill $et i to tro)'le%A @ith that ad#ice* he se t the footma 'ac- to his place% @hat .am)el tho)$ht I do =t - o"% It "as plai * to my mi d* that &iss Rachel "as to 'e pri#ately -ept i #ie" from the time "he she left o)r ho)se!if she did lea#e it% A "atch set o my yo) $ ladyD A spy 'ehi d her i the r)m'le of her mother=s carria$eD I co)ld ha#e c)t my o" to $)e o)t for ha#i $ for$otte myself so far as to spea- to .er$ea t C)ff% The first perso to come o)t of the ho)se "as my lady% .he stood aside* o the top step* posti $ herself there to see "hat happe ed% 8ot a "ord did she say* either to the .er$ea t or to me% @ith her lips closed* a d her arms folded i the li$ht $arde cloa- "hich she had "rapped ro) d her o comi $ i to the air* there she stood* as still as a stat)e* "aiti $ for her da)$hter to appear% I a mi )te more* &iss Rachel came do" stairs!#ery icely dressed i some soft yello" st)ff* that set off her dar- complexio * a d clipped her ti$ht :i the form of a (ac-et; ro) d the "aist% .he had a smart little stra" hat o her head* "ith a "hite #eil t"isted ro) d it% .he had primrose7colo)red $lo#es that fitted her ha ds li-e a seco d s-i % Her 'ea)tif)l 'lac- hair loo-ed as smooth as sati ) der her hat% Her little ears "ere

12>

li-e rosy shells!they had a pearl da $li $ from each of them% .he came s"iftly o)t to )s* as strai$ht as a lily o its stem* a d as lithe a d s)pple i e#ery mo#eme t she made as a yo) $ cat% 8othi $ that I co)ld disco#er "as altered i her pretty face* ')t her eyes a d her lips% Her eyes "ere 'ri$hter a d fiercer tha I li-ed to see9 a d her lips had so completely lost their colo)r a d their smile that I hardly - e" them a$ai % .he -issed her mother i a hasty a d s)dde ma er o the chee-% .he said* ATry to for$i#e me* mammaA!a d the p)lled do" her #eil o#er her face so #eheme tly that she tore it% I a other mome t she had r) do" the steps* a d had r)shed i to the carria$e as if it "as a hidi $7place% .er$ea t C)ff "as ()st as ,)ic- o his side% He p)t .am)el 'ac-* a d stood 'efore &iss Rachel* "ith the ope carria$e7door i his ha d* at the i sta t "he she settled herself i her place% A@hat do yo) "a tBA says &iss Rachel* from 'ehi d her #eil% AI "a t to say o e "ord to yo)* miss*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* A'efore yo) $o% I ca =t pres)me to stop yo)r payi $ a #isit to yo)r a) t% I ca o ly #e t)re to say that yo)r lea#i $ )s* as thi $s are o"* p)ts a o'stacle i the "ay of my reco#eri $ yo)r 6iamo d% Please to ) dersta d that9 a d o" decide for yo)rself "hether yo) $o or stay%A &iss Rachel e#er e#e a s"ered him% A6ri#e o * +amesDA she called o)t to the coachma % @itho)t a other "ord* the .er$ea t sh)t the carria$e7door% +)st as he closed it* &r% Fra -li came r) i $ do" the steps% A/ood7'ye* Rachel*A he said* holdi $ o)t his ha d% A6ri#e o DA cried &iss Rachel* lo)der tha e#er* a d ta-i $ o more otice of &r% Fra -li tha she had ta-e of .er$ea t C)ff% &r% Fra -li stepped 'ac- th) derstr)c-* as "ell he mi$ht 'e% The coachma * ot - o"i $ "hat to do* loo-ed to"ards my lady* still sta di $ immo#a'le o the top step% &y lady* "ith a $er a d sorro" a d shame all str)$$li $ to$ether i her face* made him a si$ to start the horses* a d the t)r ed 'ac- hastily i to the ho)se% &r% Fra -li * reco#eri $ the )se of his speech* called after her* as the carria$e dro#e off* AA) tD yo) "ere ,)ite ri$ht% Accept my tha -s for all yo)r -i d ess!a d let me $o%A &y lady t)r ed as tho)$h to spea- to him% The * as if distr)sti $ herself* "a#ed her ha d -i dly% A?et me see yo)* 'efore yo) lea#e )s* Fra -li *A she said* i a 'ro-e #oice!a d "e t o to her o" room% A6o me a last fa#o)r* 0ettered$e*A says &r% Fra -li * t)r i $ to me* "ith the tears i his eyes% A/et me a"ay to the trai as soo as yo) ca DA

12C

He too "e t his "ay i to the ho)se% For the mome t* &iss Rachel had completely ) ma ed him% +)d$e from that* ho" fo d he m)st ha#e 'ee of herD .er$ea t C)ff a d I "ere left face to face* at the 'ottom of the steps% The .er$ea t stood "ith his face set to"ards a $ap i the trees* comma di $ a #ie" of o e of the "i di $s of the dri#e "hich led from the ho)se% He had his ha ds i his poc-ets* a d he "as softly "histli $ AThe ?ast Rose of .)mmerA to himself% AThere=s a time for e#erythi $*A I said sa#a$ely e o)$h% AThis is =t a time for "histli $%A At that mome t* the carria$e appeared i the dista ce* thro)$h the $ap* o its "ay to the lod$e7$ate% There "as a other ma * 'esides .am)el* plai ly #isi'le i the r)m'le 'ehi d% AAll ri$htDA said the .er$ea t to himself% He t)r ed ro) d to me% AIt=s o time for "histli $* &r% 0ettered$e* as yo) say% It=s time to ta-e this ')si ess i ha d* o"* "itho)t spari $ a y'ody% @e=ll 'e$i "ith Rosa a .pearma % @here is +oyceBA @e 'oth called for +oyce* a d recei#ed o a s"er% I se t o e of the sta'le7'oys to loofor him% A5o) heard "hat I said to &iss Veri derBA remar-ed the .er$ea t* "hile "e "ere "aiti $% AA d yo) sa" ho" she recei#ed itB I tell her plai ly that her lea#i $ )s "ill 'e a o'stacle i the "ay of my reco#eri $ her 6iamo d!a d she lea#es* i the face of that stateme tD 5o)r yo) $ lady has $ot a tra#elli $ compa io i her mother=s carria$e* &r% 0ettered$e!a d the ame of it is* the &oo sto e%A I said othi $% I o ly held o li-e death to my 'elief i &iss Rachel% The sta'le7'oy came 'ac-* follo"ed!#ery ) "illi $ly* as it appeared to me!'y +oyce% A@here is Rosa a .pearma BA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff% AI ca =t acco) t for it* sir*A +oyce 'e$a 9 Aa d I am #ery sorry% 0)t someho" or other !!A A0efore I "e t to Fri<i $hall*A said the .er$ea t* c)tti $ him short* AI told yo) to -eep yo)r eyes o Rosa a .pearma * "itho)t allo"i $ her to disco#er that she "as 'ei $ "atched% 6o yo) mea to tell me that yo) ha#e let her $i#e yo) the slipBA AI am afraid* sir*A says +oyce* 'e$i i $ to trem'le* Athat I "as perhaps a little T44 caref)l ot to let her disco#er me% There are s)ch a ma y passa$es i the lo"er parts of this ho)se!!A AHo" lo $ is it si ce yo) missed herBA A8i$h o a ho)r si ce* sir%A

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A5o) ca $o 'ac- to yo)r re$)lar ')si ess at Fri<i $hall*A said the .er$ea t* spea-i $ ()st as composedly as e#er* i his )s)al ,)iet a d dreary "ay% AI do =t thi - yo)r tale ts are at all i o)r li e* &r% +oyce% 5o)r prese t form of employme t is a trifle 'eyo d yo)% /ood mor i $%A The ma sl) - off% I fi d it #ery diffic)lt to descri'e ho" I "as affected 'y the disco#ery that Rosa a .pearma "as missi $% I seemed to 'e i fifty differe t mi ds a'o)t it* all at the same time% I that state* I stood stari $ at .er$ea t C)ff!a d my po"ers of la $)a$e ,)ite failed me% A8o* &r% 0ettered$e*A said the .er$ea t* as if he had disco#ered the )ppermost tho)$ht i me* a d "as pic-i $ it o)t to 'e a s"ered* 'efore all the rest% A5o)r yo) $ frie d* Rosa a* "o =t slip thro)$h my fi $ers so easy as yo) thi -% As lo $ as I - o" "here &iss Veri der is* I ha#e the mea s at my disposal of traci $ &iss Veri der=s accomplice% I pre#e ted them from comm) icati $ last i$ht% Very $ood% They "ill $et to$ether at Fri<i $hall* i stead of $etti $ to$ether here% The prese t i ,)iry m)st 'e simply shifted :rather soo er tha I had a ticipated; from this ho)se* to the ho)se at "hich &iss Veri der is #isiti $% I the mea time* I=m afraid I m)st tro)'le yo) to call the ser#a ts to$ether a$ai %A I "e t ro) d "ith him to the ser#a ts= hall% It is #ery dis$racef)l* ')t it is ot the less tr)e* that I had a other attac- of the detecti#e7fe#er* "he he said those last "ords% I for$ot that I hated .er$ea t C)ff% I sei<ed him co fide tially 'y the arm% I said* AFor $ood ess= sa-e* tell )s "hat yo) are $oi $ to do "ith the ser#a ts o"BA The $reat C)ff stood stoc- still* a d addressed himself i a -i d of mela choly rapt)re to the empty air% AIf this ma *A said the .er$ea t :appare tly mea i $ me;* Ao ly ) derstood the $ro"i $ of roses he "o)ld 'e the most completely perfect character o the face of creatio DA After that stro $ expressio of feeli $* he si$hed* a d p)t his arm thro)$h mi e% AThis is ho" it sta ds*A he said* droppi $ do" a$ai to ')si ess% ARosa a has do e o e of t"o thi $s% .he has either $o e direct to Fri<i $hall :'efore I ca $et there;* or she has $o e first to #isit her hidi $7place at the .hi#eri $ .a d% The first thi $ to fi d o)t is* "hich of the ser#a ts sa" the last of her 'efore she left the ho)se%A 4 i stit)ti $ this i ,)iry* it t)r ed o)t that the last perso "ho had set eyes o Rosa a "as 8a cy* the -itche maid% 8a cy had see her slip o)t "ith a letter i her ha d* a d stop the ')tcher=s ma "ho had ()st 'ee deli#eri $ some meat at the 'ac- door% 8a cy had heard her as- the ma to post the letter "he he $ot 'ac- to Fri<i $hall% The ma had loo-ed at the address* a d had said it "as a ro) da'o)t "ay of deli#eri $ a letter directed to Co''=s Hole* to post it at Fri<i $hall!a d that* moreo#er* o a .at)rday* "hich "o)ld pre#e t the letter from $etti $ to its desti atio ) til &o day mor i $* Rosa a had a s"ered that the deli#ery of the letter 'ei $ delayed till &o day "as of o importa ce% The o ly thi $ she "ished

12G

to 'e s)re of "as that the ma "o)ld do "hat she told him% The ma had promised to do it* a d had dri#e a"ay% 8a cy had 'ee called 'ac- to her "or- i the -itche % A d o other perso had see a ythi $ after"ards of Rosa a .pearma % A@ellBA I as-ed* "he "e "ere alo e a$ai % A@ell*A says the .er$ea t% AI m)st $o to Fri<i $hall%A AA'o)t the letter* sirBA A5es% The memora d)m of the hidi $7place is i that letter% I m)st see the address at the post7office% If it is the address I s)spect* I shall pay o)r frie d* &rs% 5olla d* a other #isit o &o day ext%A I "e t "ith the .er$ea t to order the po y7chaise% I the sta'le7yard "e $ot a e" li$ht thro" o the missi $ $irl%

CHAPTER #I#
The e"s of Rosa a=s disappeara ce had* as it appeared* spread amo $ the o)t7of7door ser#a ts% They too had made their i ,)iries9 a d they had ()st laid ha ds o a ,)ic- little imp* ic- amed A6)ffyA!"ho "as occasio ally employed i "eedi $ the $arde * a d "ho had see Rosa a .pearma as lately as half7a 7ho)r si ce% 6)ffy "as certai that the $irl had passed him i the fir7pla tatio * ot "al-i $* ')t RE88I8/* i the directio of the sea7shore% A6oes this 'oy - o" the coast herea'o)tsBA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff% AHe has 'ee 'or a d 'red o the coast*A I a s"ered% A6)ffyDA says the .er$ea t* Ado yo) "a t to ear a shilli $B If yo) do* come alo $ "ith me% Jeep the po y7chaise ready* &r% 0ettered$e* till I come 'ac-%A He started for the .hi#eri $ .a d* at a rate that my le$s :tho)$h "ell e o)$h preser#ed for my time of life; had o hope of matchi $% ?ittle 6)ffy* as the "ay is "ith the yo) $ sa#a$es i o)r parts "he they are i hi$h spirits* $a#e a ho"l* a d trotted off at the .er$ea t=s heels% Here a$ai * I fi d it impossi'le to $i#e a ythi $ li-e a clear acco) t of the state of my mi d i the i ter#al after .er$ea t C)ff had left )s% A c)rio)s a d st)pefyi $ restless ess $ot possessio of me% I did a do<e differe t eedless thi $s i a d o)t of the ho)se* ot o e of "hich I ca o" remem'er% I do =t e#e - o" ho" lo $ it "as after the .er$ea t 123

had $o e to the sa ds* "he 6)ffy came r) i $ 'ac- "ith a messa$e for me% .er$ea t C)ff had $i#e the 'oy a leaf tor o)t of his poc-et7'oo-* o "hich "as "ritte i pe cil* A.e d me o e of Rosa a .pearma =s 'oots* a d 'e ,)ic- a'o)t it%A I despatched the first "oma 7ser#a t I co)ld fi d to Rosa a=s room9 a d I se t the 'oy 'ac- to say that I myself "o)ld follo" him "ith the 'oot% This* I am "ell a"are* "as ot the ,)ic-est "ay to ta-e of o'eyi $ the directio s "hich I had recei#ed% 0)t I "as resol#ed to see for myself "hat e" mystificatio "as $oi $ o 'efore I tr)sted Rosa a=s 'oot i the .er$ea t=s ha ds% &y old otio of scree i $ the $irl* if I co)ld* seemed to ha#e come 'ac- o me a$ai * at the ele#e th ho)r% This state of feeli $ :to say othi $ of the detecti#e7fe#er; h)rried me off* as soo as I had $ot the 'oot* at the earest approach to a r) "hich a ma t)r ed se#e ty ca reaso a'ly hope to ma-e% As I $ot ear the shore* the clo)ds $athered 'lac-* a d the rai came do" * drifti $ i $reat "hite sheets of "ater 'efore the "i d% I heard the th) der of the sea o the sa d7 'a - at the mo)th of the 'ay% A little f)rther o * I passed the 'oy cro)chi $ for shelter ) der the lee of the sa d hills% The I sa" the ra$i $ sea* a d the rollers t)m'li $ i o the sa d7'a -* a d the dri#e rai s"eepi $ o#er the "aters li-e a flyi $ $arme t* a d the yello" "ilder ess of the 'each "ith o e solitary 'lac- fi$)re sta di $ o it!the fi$)re of .er$ea t C)ff% He "a#ed his ha d to"ards the orth* "he he first sa" me% AJeep o that sideDA he sho)ted% AA d come o do" here to meDA I "e t do" to him* cho-i $ for 'reath* "ith my heart leapi $ as if it "as li-e to leap o)t of me% I "as past spea-i $% I had a h) dred ,)estio s to p)t to him9 a d ot o e of them "o)ld pass my lips% His face fri$hte ed me% I sa" a loo- i his eyes "hich "as a loo- of horror% He s atched the 'oot o)t of my ha d* a d set it i a footmar- o the sa d* 'eari $ so)th from )s as "e stood* a d poi ti $ strai$ht to"ards the roc-y led$e called the .o)th .pit% The mar- "as ot yet 'l)rred o)t 'y the rai !a d the $irl=s 'oot fitted it to a hair% The .er$ea t poi ted to the 'oot i the footmar-* "itho)t sayi $ a "ord% I ca)$ht at his arm* a d tried to spea- to him* a d failed as I had failed "he I tried 'efore% He "e t o * follo"i $ the footsteps do" a d do" to "here the roc-s a d the sa d (oi ed% The .o)th .pit "as ()st a"ash "ith the flo"i $ tide9 the "aters hea#ed o#er the hidde face of the .hi#eri $ .a d% 8o" this "ay a d o" that* "ith a o'sti ate patie ce that "as dreadf)l to see* .er$ea t C)ff tried the 'oot i the footsteps* a d al"ays fo) d it poi ti $ the same "ay!strai$ht T4 the roc-s% H) t as he mi$ht* o si$ co)ld he fi d a y"here of the footsteps "al-i $ FR4& them% He $a#e it )p at last% .till -eepi $ sile ce* he loo-ed a$ai at me9 a d the he loo-ed o)t at the "aters 'efore )s* hea#i $ i deeper a d deeper o#er the ,)ic-sa d% I loo-ed "here

13H

he loo-ed!a d I sa" his tho)$ht i his face% A dreadf)l d)m' trem'li $ cra"led all o#er me o a s)dde % I fell )po my - ees o the 'each% A.he has 'ee 'ac- at the hidi $7place*A I heard the .er$ea t say to himself% A.ome fatal accide t has happe ed to her o those roc-s%A The $irl=s altered loo-s* a d "ords* a d actio s!the )m'ed* deade ed "ay i "hich she liste ed to me* a d spo-e to me!"he I had fo) d her s"eepi $ the corridor ')t a fe" ho)rs si ce* rose )p i my mi d* a d "ar ed me* e#e as the .er$ea t spo-e* that his $)ess "as "ide of the dreadf)l tr)th% I tried to tell him of the fear that had fro<e me )p% I tried to say* AThe death she has died* .er$ea t* "as a death of her o" see-i $%A 8oD the "ords "o)ld =t come% The d)m' trem'li $ held me i its $rip% I co)ld =t feel the dri#i $ rai % I co)ld =t see the risi $ tide% As i the #isio of a dream* the poor lost creat)re came 'ac- 'efore me% I sa" her a$ai as I had see her i the past time!o the mor i $ "he I "e t to fetch her i to the ho)se% I heard her a$ai * telli $ me that the .hi#eri $ .a d seemed to dra" her to it a$ai st her "ill* a d "o deri $ "hether her $ra#e "as "aiti $ for her THERE% The horror of it str)c- at me* i some ) fathoma'le "ay* thro)$h my o" child% &y $irl "as ()st her a$e% &y $irl* tried as Rosa a "as tried* mi$ht ha#e li#ed that misera'le life* a d died this dreadf)l death% The .er$ea t -i dly lifted me )p* a d t)r ed me a"ay from the si$ht of the place "here she had perished% @ith that relief* I 'e$a to fetch my 'reath a$ai * a d to see thi $s a'o)t me* as thi $s really "ere% ?oo-i $ to"ards the sa d7hills* I sa" the me 7ser#a ts from o)t7of7doors* a d the fisherma * amed 5olla d* all r) i $ do" to )s to$ether9 a d all* ha#i $ ta-e the alarm* calli $ o)t to - o" if the $irl had 'ee fo) d% I the fe"est "ords* the .er$ea t sho"ed them the e#ide ce of the footmar-s* a d told them that a fatal accide t m)st ha#e happe ed to her% He the pic-ed o)t the fisherma from the rest* a d p)t a ,)estio to him* t)r i $ a'o)t a$ai to"ards the seaF ATell me*A he said% ACo)ld a 'oat ha#e ta-e her off* i s)ch "eather as this* from those roc-s "here her footmar-s stopBA The fisherma poi ted to the rollers t)m'li $ i o the sa d7'a -* a d to the $reat "a#es leapi $ )p i clo)ds of foam a$ai st the headla ds o either side of )s% A8o 'oat that e#er "as ')ilt*A he a s"ered* Aco)ld ha#e $ot to her thro)$h THAT%A .er$ea t C)ff loo-ed for the last time at the foot7mar-s o the sa d* "hich the rai "as o" fast 'l)rri $ o)t% AThere*A he said* Ais the e#ide ce that she ca =t ha#e left this place 'y la d% A d here*A he "e t o * loo-i $ at the fisherma * Ais the e#ide ce that she ca =t ha#e $ot a"ay 'y sea%A He stopped* a d co sidered for a mi )te% A.he "as see r) i $ to"ards this place* half a ho)r 'efore I $ot here from the ho)se*A he said to 5olla d% A.ome time has passed si ce the % Call it* alto$ether* a ho)r a$o% Ho" hi$h "o)ld the "ater 'e* at that time* o

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this side of the roc-sBA He poi ted to the so)th side!other"ise* the side "hich "as ot filled )p 'y the ,)ic-sa d% AAs the tide ma-es to7day*A said the fisherma * Athere "o)ld =t ha#e 'ee "ater e o)$h to dro" a -itte o that side of the .pit* a ho)r si ce%A .er$ea t C)ff t)r ed a'o)t orth"ard* to"ards the ,)ic-sa d% AHo" m)ch o this sideBA he as-ed% A?ess still*A a s"ered 5olla d% AThe .hi#eri $ .a d "o)ld ha#e 'ee ()st a"ash* a d o more%A The .er$ea t t)r ed to me* a d said that the accide t m)st ha#e happe ed o the side of the ,)ic-sa d% &y to $)e "as loose ed at that% A8o accide tDA I told him% A@he she came to this place* she came "eary of her life* to e d it here%A He started 'ac- from me% AHo" do yo) - o"BA he as-ed% The rest of them cro"ded ro) d% The .er$ea t reco#ered himself i sta tly% He p)t them 'ac- from me9 he said I "as a old ma 9 he said the disco#ery had sha-e me9 he said* A?et him alo e a little%A The he t)r ed to 5olla d* a d as-ed* AIs there a y cha ce of fi di $ her* "he the tide e''s a$ai BA A d 5olla d a s"ered* A8o e% @hat the .a d $ets* the .a d -eeps for e#er%A Ha#i $ said that* the fisherma came a step earer* a d addressed himself to me% A&r% 0ettered$e*A he said* AI ha#e a "ord to say to yo) a'o)t the yo) $ "oma =s death% Fo)r foot o)t* 'road"ise* alo $ the side of the .pit* there=s a shelf of roc-* a'o)t half fathom do" ) der the sa d% &y ,)estio is!"hy did =t she stri-e thatB If she slipped* 'y accide t* from off the .pit* she fell i "here there=s foothold at the 'ottom* at a depth that "o)ld 'arely co#er her to the "aist% .he m)st ha#e "aded o)t* or ()mped o)t* i to the 6eeps 'eyo d!or she "o)ld =t 'e missi $ o"% 8o accide t* sirD The 6eeps of the I)ic-sa d ha#e $ot her% A d they ha#e $ot her 'y her o" act%A After that testimo y from a ma "hose - o"led$e "as to 'e relied o * the .er$ea t "as sile t% The rest of )s* li-e him* held o)r peace% @ith o e accord* "e all t)r ed 'ac- )p the slope of the 'each% At the sa d7hilloc-s "e "ere met 'y the ) der7$room* r) i $ to )s from the ho)se% The lad is a $ood lad* a d has a ho est respect for me% He ha ded me a little ote* "ith a dece t sorro" i his face% APe elope se t me "ith this* &r% 0ettered$e*A he said% A.he fo) d it i Rosa a=s room%A It "as her last fare"ell "ord to the old ma "ho had do e his 'est!tha - /od* al"ays do e his 'est!to 'efrie d her%

132

A5o) ha#e ofte for$i#e me* &r% 0ettered$e* i past times% @he yo) ext see the .hi#eri $ .a d* try to for$i#e me o ce more% I ha#e fo) d my $ra#e "here my $ra#e "as "aiti $ for me% I ha#e li#ed* a d died* sir* $ratef)l for yo)r -i d ess%A There "as o more tha that% ?ittle as it "as* I had =t ma hood e o)$h to hold )p a$ai st it% 5o)r tears come easy* "he yo)=re yo) $* a d 'e$i i $ the "orld% 5o)r tears come easy* "he yo)=re old* a d lea#i $ it% I ')rst o)t cryi $% .er$ea t C)ff too- a step earer to me!mea i $ -i dly* I do =t do)'t% I shra - 'acfrom him% A6o =t to)ch me*A I said% AIt=s the dread of yo)* that has dri#e her to it%A A5o) are "ro $* &r% 0ettered$e*A he a s"ered* ,)ietly% A0)t there "ill 'e time e o)$h to spea- of it "he "e are i doors a$ai %A I follo"ed the rest of them* "ith the help of the $room=s arm% Thro)$h the dri#i $ rai "e "e t 'ac-!to meet the tro)'le a d the terror that "ere "aiti $ for )s at the ho)se%

CHAPTER ##
Those i fro t had spread the e"s 'efore )s% @e fo) d the ser#a ts i a state of pa ic% As "e passed my lady=s door* it "as thro" ope #iole tly from the i er side% &y mistress came o)t amo $ )s :"ith &r% Fra -li follo"i $* a d tryi $ #ai ly to compose her;* ,)ite 'eside herself "ith the horror of the thi $% A5o) are a s"era'le for thisDA she cried o)t* threate i $ the .er$ea t "ildly "ith her ha d% A/a'rielD $i#e that "retch his mo ey!a d release me from the si$ht of himDA The .er$ea t "as the o ly o e amo $ )s "ho "as fit to cope "ith her!'ei $ the o ly o e amo $ )s "ho "as i possessio of himself% AI am o more a s"era'le for this distressi $ calamity* my lady* tha yo) are*A he said% AIf* i half a ho)r from this* yo) still i sist o my lea#i $ the ho)se* I "ill accept yo)r ladyship=s dismissal* ')t ot yo)r ladyship=s mo ey%A It "as spo-e #ery respectf)lly* ')t #ery firmly at the same time!a d it had its effect o my mistress as "ell as o me% .he s)ffered &r% Fra -li to lead her 'ac- i to the room% As the door closed o the t"o* the .er$ea t* loo-i $ a'o)t amo $ the "ome 7ser#a ts i his o'ser#a t "ay* oticed that "hile all the rest "ere merely fri$hte ed* Pe elope "as i tears% A@he yo)r father has cha $ed his "et clothes*A he said to her* Acome a d spea- to )s* i yo)r father=s room%A

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0efore the half7ho)r "as o)t* I had $ot my dry clothes o * a d had le t .er$ea t C)ff s)ch cha $e of dress as he re,)ired% Pe elope came i to )s to hear "hat the .er$ea t "a ted "ith her% I do =t thi - I e#er felt "hat a $ood d)tif)l da)$hter I had* so stro $ly as I felt it at that mome t% I too- her a d sat her o my - ee a d I prayed /od 'less her% .he hid her head o my 'osom* a d p)t her arms ro) d my ec-!a d "e "aited a little "hile i sile ce% The poor dead $irl m)st ha#e 'ee at the 'ottom of it* I thi -* "ith my da)$hter a d "ith me% The .er$ea t "e t to the "i do"* a d stood there loo-i $ o)t% I tho)$ht it ri$ht to tha - him for co sideri $ )s 'oth i this "ay!a d I did% People i hi$h life ha#e all the l)x)ries to themsel#es!amo $ others* the l)x)ry of i d)l$i $ their feeli $s% People i lo" life ha#e o s)ch pri#ile$e% 8ecessity* "hich spares o)r 'etters* has o pity o )s% @e lear to p)t o)r feeli $s 'ac- i to o)rsel#es* a d to (o$ o "ith o)r d)ties as patie tly as may 'e% I do =t complai of this!I o ly otice it% Pe elope a d I "ere ready for the .er$ea t* as soo as the .er$ea t "as ready o his side% As-ed if she - e" "hat had led her fello"7ser#a t to destroy herself* my da)$hter a s"ered :as yo) "ill foresee; that it "as for lo#e of &r% Fra -li 0la-e% As-ed ext* if she had me tio ed this otio of hers to a y other perso * Pe elope a s"ered* AI ha#e ot me tio ed it* for Rosa a=s sa-e%A I felt it ecessary to add a "ord to this% I said* AA d for &r% Fra -li =s sa-e* my dear* as "ell% If Rosa a HA. died for lo#e of him* it is ot "ith his - o"led$e or 'y his fa)lt% ?et him lea#e the ho)se to7day* if he does lea#e it* "itho)t the )seless pai of - o"i $ the tr)th%A .er$ea t C)ff said* AI)ite ri$ht*A a d fell sile t a$ai 9 compari $ Pe elope=s otio :as it seemed to me; "ith some other otio of his o" "hich he -ept to himself% At the e d of the half7ho)r* my mistress=s 'ell ra $% 4 my "ay to a s"er it* I met &r% Fra -li comi $ o)t of his a) t=s sitti $7room% He me tio ed that her ladyship "as ready to see .er$ea t C)ff!i my prese ce as 'efore! a d he added that he himself "a ted to say t"o "ords to the .er$ea t first% 4 o)r "ay 'ac- to my room* he stopped* a d loo-ed at the rail"ay time7ta'le i the hall% AAre yo) really $oi $ to lea#e )s* sirBA I as-ed% A&iss Rachel "ill s)rely come ri$ht a$ai * if yo) o ly $i#e her timeBA A.he "ill come ri$ht a$ai *A a s"ered &r% Fra -li * A"he she hears that I ha#e $o e a"ay* a d that she "ill see me o more%A I tho)$ht he spo-e i rese tme t of my yo) $ lady=s treatme t of him% 0)t it "as ot so% &y mistress had oticed* from the time "he the police first came i to the ho)se* that the 'are me tio of him "as e o)$h to set &iss Rachel=s temper i a flame% He had 'ee too fo d of his co)si to li-e to co fess this to himself* ) til the tr)th had 'ee forced o him* "he she dro#e off to her a) t=s% His eyes o ce ope ed i that cr)el "ay "hich yo) - o" of* &r% Fra -li had ta-e his resol)tio !the o e resol)tio "hich a ma of a y spirit C4E?6 ta-e!to lea#e the ho)se%

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@hat he had to say to the .er$ea t "as spo-e i my prese ce% He descri'ed her ladyship as "illi $ to ac- o"led$e that she had spo-e o#er7hastily% A d he as-ed if .er$ea t C)ff "o)ld co se t!i that case!to accept his fee* a d to lea#e the matter of the 6iamo d "here the matter stood o"% The .er$ea t a s"ered* A8o* sir% &y fee is paid me for doi $ my d)ty% I decli e to ta-e it* ) til my d)ty is do e%A AI do =t ) dersta d yo)*A says &r% Fra -li % AI=ll explai myself* sir*A says the .er$ea t% A@he I came here* I ) dertoo- to thro" the ecessary li$ht o the matter of the missi $ 6iamo d% I am o" ready* a d "aiti $ to redeem my pled$e% @he I ha#e stated the case to ?ady Veri der as the case o" sta ds* a d "he I ha#e told her plai ly "hat co)rse of actio to ta-e for the reco#ery of the &oo sto e* the respo si'ility "ill 'e off my sho)lders% ?et her ladyship decide* after that* "hether she does* or does ot* allo" me to $o o % I shall the ha#e do e "hat I ) dertoo- to do!a d I=ll ta-e my fee%A I those "ords .er$ea t C)ff remi ded )s that* e#e i the 6etecti#e Police* a ma may ha#e a rep)tatio to lose% The #ie" he too- "as so plai ly the ri$ht o e* that there "as o more to 'e said% As I rose to co d)ct him to my lady=s room* he as-ed if &r% Fra -li "ished to 'e prese t% &r% Fra -li a s"ered* A8ot ) less ?ady Veri der desires it%A He added* i a "hisper to me* as I "as follo"i $ the .er$ea t o)t* AI - o" "hat that ma is $oi $ to say a'o)t Rachel9 a d I am too fo d of her to hear it* a d -eep my temper% ?ea#e me 'y myself%A I left him* misera'le e o)$h* lea i $ o the sill of my "i do"* "ith his face hidde i his ha ds a d Pe elope peepi $ thro)$h the door* lo $i $ to comfort him% I &r% Fra -li =s place* I sho)ld ha#e called her i % @he yo) are ill7)sed 'y o e "oma * there is $reat comfort i telli $ it to a other!'eca)se* i e times o)t of te * the other al"ays ta-es yo)r side% Perhaps* "he my 'ac- "as t)r ed* he did call her i B I that case it is o ly doi $ my da)$hter ()stice to declare that she "o)ld stic- at othi $* i the "ay of comforti $ &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I the mea time* .er$ea t C)ff a d I proceeded to my lady=s room% At the last co fere ce "e had held "ith her* "e had fo) d her ot o#er "illi $ to lift her eyes from the 'oo- "hich she had o the ta'le% 4 this occasio there "as a cha $e for the 'etter% .he met the .er$ea t=s eye "ith a eye that "as as steady as his o" % The family spirit sho"ed itself i e#ery li e of her face9 a d I - e" that .er$ea t C)ff "o)ld meet his match* "he a "oma li-e my mistress "as str) $ )p to hear the "orst he co)ld say to her%

13>

CHAPTER ##I
The first "ords* "he "e had ta-e o)r seats* "ere spo-e 'y my lady% A.er$ea t C)ff*A she said* Athere "as perhaps some exc)se for the i co siderate ma er i "hich I spo-e to yo) half a ho)r si ce% I ha#e o "ish* ho"e#er* to claim that exc)se% I say* "ith perfect si cerity* that I re$ret it* if I "ro $ed yo)%A The $race of #oice a d ma er "ith "hich she made him that ato eme t had its d)e effect o the .er$ea t% He re,)ested permissio to ()stify himself!p)tti $ his ()stificatio as a act of respect to my mistress% It "as impossi'le* he said* that he co)ld 'e i a y "ay respo si'le for the calamity* "hich had shoc-ed )s all* for this s)fficie t reaso * that his s)ccess i 'ri $i $ his i ,)iry to its proper e d depe ded o his either sayi $ or doi $ a ythi $ that co)ld alarm Rosa a .pearma % He appealed to me to testify "hether he had* or had ot* carried that o'(ect o)t% I co)ld* a d did* 'ear "it ess that he had% A d there* as I tho)$ht* the matter mi$ht ha#e 'ee ()dicio)sly left to come to a e d% .er$ea t C)ff* ho"e#er* too- it a step f)rther* e#ide tly :as yo) shall o" ()d$e; "ith the p)rpose of forci $ the most pai f)l of all possi'le expla atio s to ta-e place 'et"ee her ladyship a d himself% AI ha#e heard a moti#e assi$ ed for the yo) $ "oma =s s)icide*A said the .er$ea t* A"hich may possi'ly 'e the ri$ht o e% It is a moti#e ,)ite ) co ected "ith the case "hich I am co d)cti $ here% I am 'o) d to add* ho"e#er* that my o" opi io poi ts the other "ay% .ome ) 'eara'le a xiety i co exio "ith the missi $ 6iamo d* has* I 'elie#e* dri#e the poor creat)re to her o" destr)ctio % I do =t prete d to - o" "hat that ) 'eara'le a xiety may ha#e 'ee % 0)t I thi - :"ith yo)r ladyship=s permissio ; I ca lay my ha d o a perso "ho is capa'le of decidi $ "hether I am ri$ht or "ro $%A AIs the perso o" i the ho)seBA my mistress as-ed* after "aiti $ a little%

AThe perso has left the ho)se*A my lady% That a s"er poi ted as strai$ht to &iss Rachel as strai$ht co)ld 'e% A sile ce dropped o )s "hich I tho)$ht "o)ld e#er come to a e d% ?ordD ho" the "i d ho"led* a d ho" the rai dro#e at the "i do"* as I sat there "aiti $ for o e or other of them to speaa$ai D A0e so $ood as to express yo)rself plai ly*A said my lady% A6o yo) refer to my da)$hterBA AI do*A said .er$ea t C)ff* i so ma y "ords% &y mistress had her che,)e7'oo- o the ta'le "he "e e tered the room! o do)'t to pay the .er$ea t his fee% .he o" p)t it 'ac- i the dra"er% It "e t to my heart to see 13C

ho" her poor ha d trem'led!the ha d that had loaded her old ser#a t "ith 'e efits9 the ha d that* I pray /od* may ta-e mi e* "he my time comes* a d I lea#e my place for e#erD AI had hoped*A said my lady* #ery slo"ly a d ,)ietly* Ato ha#e recompe sed yo)r ser#ices* a d to ha#e parted "ith yo) "itho)t &iss Veri der=s ame ha#i $ 'ee ope ly me tio ed 'et"ee )s as it has 'ee me tio ed o"% &y ephe" has pro'a'ly said somethi $ of this* 'efore yo) came i to my roomBA A&r% 0la-e $a#e his messa$e* my lady% A d I $a#e &r% 0la-e a reaso !!A AIt is eedless to tell me yo)r reaso % After "hat yo) ha#e ()st said* yo) - o" as "ell as I do that yo) ha#e $o e too far to $o 'ac-% I o"e it to myself* a d I o"e it to my child* to i sist o yo)r remai i $ here* a d to i sist o yo)r spea-i $ o)t%A The .er$ea t loo-ed at his "atch% AIf there had 'ee time* my lady*A he a s"ered* AI sho)ld ha#e preferred "riti $ my report* i stead of comm) icati $ it 'y "ord of mo)th% 0)t* if this i ,)iry is to $o o * time is of too m)ch importa ce to 'e "asted i "riti $% I am ready to $o i to the matter at o ce% It is a #ery pai f)l matter for me to spea- of* a d for yo) to hear%A There my mistress stopped him o ce more% AI may possi'ly ma-e it less pai f)l to yo)* a d to my $ood ser#a t a d frie d here*A she said* Aif I set the example of spea-i $ 'oldly* o my side% 5o) s)spect &iss Veri der of decei#i $ )s all* 'y secreti $ the 6iamo d for some p)rpose of her o" B Is that tr)eBA AI)ite tr)e* my lady%A AVery "ell% 8o"* 'efore yo) 'e$i * I ha#e to tell yo)* as &iss Veri der=s mother* that she is A0.4?ETE?5 I8CAPA0?E of doi $ "hat yo) s)ppose her to ha#e do e% 5o)r - o"led$e of her character dates from a day or t"o si ce% &y - o"led$e of her character dates from the 'e$i i $ of her life% .tate yo)r s)spicio of her as stro $ly as yo) please !it is impossi'le that yo) ca offe d me 'y doi $ so% I am s)re* 'eforeha d* that :"ith all yo)r experie ce; the circ)msta ces ha#e fatally misled yo) i this case% &i dD I am i possessio of o pri#ate i formatio % I am as a'sol)tely sh)t o)t of my da)$hter=s co fide ce as yo) are% &y o e reaso for spea-i $ positi#ely* is the reaso yo) ha#e heard already% I - o" my child%A .he t)r ed to me* a d $a#e me her ha d% I -issed it i sile ce% A5o) may $o o *A she said* faci $ the .er$ea t a$ai as steadily as e#er% .er$ea t C)ff 'o"ed% &y mistress had prod)ced ')t o e effect o him% His hatchet7face softe ed for a mome t* as if he "as sorry for her% As to sha-i $ him i his o" co #ictio * it "as plai to see that she had ot mo#ed him 'y a si $le i ch% He settled

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himself i his chair9 a d he 'e$a his #ile attac- o &iss Rachel=s character i these "ordsF AI m)st as- yo)r ladyship*A he said* Ato loo- this matter i the face* from my poi t of #ie" as "ell as from yo)rs% @ill yo) please to s)ppose yo)rself comi $ do" here* i my place* a d "ith my experie ceB a d "ill yo) allo" me to me tio #ery 'riefly "hat that experie ce has 'ee BA &y mistress si$ ed to him that she "o)ld do this% The .er$ea t "e t o F AFor the last t"e ty years*A he said* AI ha#e 'ee lar$ely employed i cases of family sca dal* acti $ i the capacity of co fide tial ma % The o e res)lt of my domestic practice "hich has a y 'eari $ o the matter o" i ha d* is a res)lt "hich I may state i t"o "ords% It is "ell "ithi my experie ce* that yo) $ ladies of ra - a d positio do occasio ally ha#e pri#ate de'ts "hich they dare ot ac- o"led$e to their earest relati#es a d frie ds% .ometimes* the milli er a d the (e"eller are at the 'ottom of it% .ometimes* the mo ey is "a ted for p)rposes "hich I do =t s)spect i this case* a d "hich I "o =t shoc- yo) 'y me tio i $% 0ear i mi d "hat I ha#e said* my lady!a d o" let )s see ho" e#e ts i this ho)se ha#e forced me 'ac- o my o" experie ce* "hether I li-ed it or otDA He co sidered "ith himself for a mome t* a d "e t o !"ith a horrid clear ess that o'li$ed yo) to ) dersta d him9 "ith a a'omi a'le ()stice that fa#o)red o'ody% A&y first i formatio relati $ to the loss of the &oo sto e*A said the .er$ea t* Acame to me from .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% He pro#ed to my complete satisfactio that he "as perfectly i capa'le of ma a$i $ the case% The o e thi $ he said "hich str)c- me as "orth liste i $ to* "as this!that &iss Veri der had decli ed to 'e ,)estio ed 'y him* a d had spo-e to him "ith a perfectly i comprehe si'le r)de ess a d co tempt% I tho)$ht this c)rio)s!')t I attri')ted it mai ly to some cl)msi ess o the .)peri te de t=s part "hich mi$ht ha#e offe ded the yo) $ lady% After that* I p)t it 'y i my mi d* a d applied myself* si $le7ha ded* to the case% It e ded* as yo) are a"are* i the disco#ery of the smear o the door* a d i &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s e#ide ce satisfyi $ me* that this same smear* a d the loss of the 6iamo d* "ere pieces of the same p)<<le% .o far* if I s)spected a ythi $* I s)spected that the &oo sto e had 'ee stole * a d that o e of the ser#a ts mi$ht pro#e to 'e the thief% Very $ood% I this state of thi $s* "hat happe sB &iss Veri der s)dde ly comes o)t of her room* a d spea-s to me% I o'ser#e three s)spicio)s appeara ces i that yo) $ lady% .he is still #iole tly a$itated* tho)$h more tha fo)r7a d7 t"e ty ho)rs ha#e passed si ce the 6iamo d "as lost% .he treats me as she has already treated .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% A d she is mortally offe ded "ith &r% Fra -li 0la-e% Very $ood a$ai % Here :I say to myself; is a yo) $ lady "ho has lost a #al)a'le (e"el!a yo) $ lady* also* as my o" eyes a d ears i form me* "ho is of a impet)o)s temperame t% E der these circ)msta ces* a d "ith that character* "hat does she doB .he 'etrays a i comprehe si'le rese tme t a$ai st &r% 0la-e* &r% .)peri te de t* a d myself!other"ise* the #ery three people "ho ha#e all* i their differe t "ays* 'ee tryi $ to help her to reco#er her lost (e"el% Ha#i $ 'ro)$ht my i ,)iry to that poi t!

13G

THE8* my lady* a d ot till the * I 'e$i to loo- 'ac- i to my o" mi d for my o" experie ce% &y o" experie ce explai s &iss Veri der=s other"ise i comprehe si'le co d)ct% It associates her "ith those other yo) $ ladies that I - o" of% It tells me she has de'ts she dare =t ac- o"led$e* that m)st 'e paid% A d it sets me as-i $ myself* "hether the loss of the 6iamo d may ot mea !that the 6iamo d m)st 'e secretly pled$ed to pay them% That is the co cl)sio "hich my experie ce dra"s from plai facts% @hat does yo)r ladyship=s experie ce say a$ai st itBA A@hat I ha#e said already*A a s"ered my mistress% AThe circ)msta ces ha#e misled yo)%A I said othi $ o my side% R40I8.48 CRE.4E!/od - o"s ho"!had $ot i to my m)ddled old head% If .er$ea t C)ff had fo) d himself* at that mome t* tra sported to a desert isla d* "itho)t a ma Friday to -eep him compa y* or a ship to ta-e him off!he "o)ld ha#e fo) d himself exactly "here I "ished him to 'eD :8ota 'e eF!I am a a#era$e $ood Christia * "he yo) do =t p)sh my Christia ity too far% A d all the rest of yo)!"hich is a $reat comfort!are* i this respect* m)ch the same as I am%; .er$ea t C)ff "e t o F ARi$ht or "ro $* my lady*A he said* Aha#i $ dra" my co cl)sio * the ext thi $ to do "as to p)t it to the test% I s)$$ested to yo)r ladyship the exami atio of all the "ardro'es i the ho)se% It "as a mea s of fi di $ the article of dress "hich had* i all pro'a'ility* made the smear9 a d it "as a mea s of p)tti $ my co cl)sio to the test% Ho" did it t)r o)tB 5o)r ladyship co se ted9 &r% 0la-e co se ted9 &r% A'le"hite co se ted% &iss Veri der alo e stopped the "hole proceedi $ 'y ref)si $ poi t7'la -% That res)lt satisfied me that my #ie" "as the ri$ht o e% If yo)r ladyship a d &r% 0ettered$e persist i ot a$reei $ "ith me* yo) m)st 'e 'li d to "hat happe ed 'efore yo) this #ery day% I yo)r heari $* I told the yo) $ lady that her lea#i $ the ho)se :as thi $s "ere the ; "o)ld p)t a o'stacle i the "ay of my reco#eri $ her (e"el% 5o) sa" yo)rsel#es that she dro#e off i the face of that stateme t% 5o) sa" yo)rself that* so far from for$i#i $ &r% 0la-e for ha#i $ do e more tha all the rest of yo) to p)t the cl)e i to my ha ds* she p)'licly i s)lted &r% 0la-e* o the steps of her mother=s ho)se% @hat do these thi $s mea B If &iss Veri der is ot pri#y to the s)ppressio of the 6iamo d* "hat do these thi $s mea BA This time he loo-ed my "ay% It "as do" ri$ht fri$htf)l to hear him pili $ )p proof after proof a$ai st &iss Rachel* a d to - o"* "hile o e "as lo $i $ to defe d her* that there "as o disp)ti $ the tr)th of "hat he said% I am :tha - /odD; co stit)tio ally s)perior to reaso % This e a'led me to hold firm to my lady=s #ie"* "hich "as my #ie" also% This ro)sed my spirit* a d made me p)t a 'old face o it 'efore .er$ea t C)ff% Profit* $ood frie ds* I 'eseech yo)* 'y my example% It "ill sa#e yo) from ma y tro)'les of the #exi $ sort% C)lti#ate a s)periority to reaso * a d see ho" yo) pare the cla"s of all the se si'le people "he they try to scratch yo) for yo)r o" $oodD

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Fi di $ that I made o remar-* a d that my mistress made o remar-* .er$ea t C)ff proceeded% ?ordD ho" it did e ra$e me to otice that he "as ot i the least p)t o)t 'y o)r sile ceD AThere is the case* my lady* as it sta ds a$ai st &iss Veri der alo e*A he said% AThe ext thi $ is to p)t the case as it sta ds a$ai st &iss Veri der a d the deceased Rosa a .pearma ta-e to$ether% @e "ill $o 'ac- for a mome t* if yo) please* to yo)r da)$hter=s ref)sal to let her "ardro'e 'e exami ed% &y mi d 'ei $ made )p* after that circ)msta ce* I had t"o ,)estio s to co sider ext% First* as to the ri$ht method of co d)cti $ my i ,)iry% .eco d* as to "hether &iss Veri der had a accomplice amo $ the female ser#a ts i the ho)se% After caref)lly thi -i $ it o#er* I determi ed to co d)ct the i ,)iry i * "hat "e sho)ld call at o)r office* a hi$hly irre$)lar ma er% For this reaso F I had a family sca dal to deal "ith* "hich it "as my ')si ess to -eep "ithi the family limits% The less oise made* a d the fe"er stra $ers employed to help me* the 'etter% As to the )s)al co)rse of ta-i $ people i c)stody o s)spicio * $oi $ 'efore the ma$istrate* a d all the rest of it! othi $ of the sort "as to 'e tho)$ht of* "he yo)r ladyship=s da)$hter "as :as I 'elie#ed; at the 'ottom of the "hole ')si ess% I this case* I felt that a perso of &r% 0ettered$e=s character a d positio i the ho)se!- o"i $ the ser#a ts as he did* a d ha#i $ the ho o)r of the family at heart!"o)ld 'e safer to ta-e as a assista t tha a y other perso "hom I co)ld lay my ha d o % I sho)ld ha#e tried &r% 0la-e as "ell!')t for o e o'stacle i the "ay% HE sa" the drift of my proceedi $s at a #ery early date9 a d* "ith his i terest i &iss Veri der* a y m)t)al ) dersta di $ "as impossi'le 'et"ee him a d me% I tro)'le yo)r ladyship "ith these partic)lars to sho" yo) that I ha#e -ept the family secret "ithi the family circle% I am the o ly o)tsider "ho - o"s it!a d my professio al existe ce depe ds o holdi $ my to $)e%A Here I felt that my professio al existe ce depe ded o ot holdi $ my to $)e% To 'e held )p 'efore my mistress* i my old a$e* as a sort of dep)ty7policema * "as* o ce a$ai * more tha my Christia ity "as stro $ e o)$h to 'ear% AI 'e$ to i form yo)r ladyship*A I said* Athat I e#er* to my - o"led$e* helped this a'omi a'le detecti#e ')si ess* i a y "ay* from first to last9 a d I s)mmo .er$ea t C)ff to co tradict me* if he daresDA Ha#i $ $i#e #e t i those "ords* I felt $reatly relie#ed% Her ladyship ho o)red me 'y a little frie dly pat o the sho)lder% I loo-ed "ith ri$hteo)s i di$ atio at the .er$ea t* to see "hat he tho)$ht of s)ch a testimo y as THAT% The .er$ea t loo-ed 'ac- li-e a lam'* a d seemed to li-e me 'etter tha e#er% &y lady i formed him that he mi$ht co ti )e his stateme t% AI ) dersta d*A she said* Athat yo) ha#e ho estly do e yo)r 'est* i "hat yo) 'elie#e to 'e my i terest% I am ready to hear "hat yo) ha#e to say ext%A A@hat I ha#e to say ext*A a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff* Arelates to Rosa a .pearma % I reco$ ised the yo) $ "oma * as yo)r ladyship may remem'er* "he she 'ro)$ht the "ashi $7'oo- i to this room% Ep to that time I "as i cli ed to do)'t "hether &iss

11H

Veri der had tr)sted her secret to a y o e% @he I sa" Rosa a* I altered my mi d% I s)spected her at o ce of 'ei $ pri#y to the s)ppressio of the 6iamo d% The poor creat)re has met her death 'y a dreadf)l e d* a d I do =t "a t yo)r ladyship to thi -* o" she=s $o e* that I "as ) d)ly hard o her% If this had 'ee a commo case of thie#i $* I sho)ld ha#e $i#e Rosa a the 'e efit of the do)'t ()st as freely as I sho)ld ha#e $i#e it to a y of the other ser#a ts i the ho)se% 4)r experie ce of the Reformatory "oma is* that "he tried i ser#ice!a d "he -i dly a d ()dicio)sly treated!they pro#e themsel#es i the ma(ority of cases to 'e ho estly pe ite t* a d ho estly "orthy of the pai s ta-e "ith them% 0)t this "as ot a commo case of thie#i $% It "as a case!i my mi d!of a deeply pla ed fra)d* "ith the o" er of the 6iamo d at the 'ottom of it% Holdi $ this #ie"* the first co sideratio "hich at)rally prese ted itself to me* i co ectio "ith Rosa a* "as thisF @o)ld &iss Veri der 'e satisfied :'e$$i $ yo)r ladyship=s pardo ; "ith leadi $ )s all to thi - that the &oo sto e "as merely lostB 4r "o)ld she $o a step f)rther* a d del)de )s i to 'elie#i $ that the &oo sto e "as stole B I the latter e#e t there "as Rosa a .pearma !"ith the character of a thief!ready to her ha d9 the perso of all others to lead yo)r ladyship off* a d to lead me off* o a false sce t%A @as it possi'le :I as-ed myself; that he co)ld p)t his case a$ai st &iss Rachel a d Rosa a i a more horrid poi t of #ie" tha thisB It @A. possi'le* as yo) shall o" see% AI had a other reaso for s)specti $ the deceased "oma *A he said* A"hich appears to me to ha#e 'ee stro $er still% @ho "o)ld 'e the #ery perso to help &iss Veri der i raisi $ mo ey pri#ately o the 6iamo dB Rosa a .pearma % 8o yo) $ lady i &iss Veri der=s positio co)ld ma a$e s)ch a ris-y matter as that 'y herself% A $o7'et"ee she m)st ha#e* a d "ho so fit* I as- a$ai * as Rosa a .pearma B 5o)r ladyship=s deceased ho)semaid "as at the top of her professio "he she "as a thief% .he had relatio s* to my certai - o"led$e* "ith o e of the fe" me i ?o do :i the mo ey7 le di $ li e; "ho "o)ld ad#a ce a lar$e s)m o s)ch a ota'le (e"el as the &oo sto e* "itho)t as-i $ a"-"ard ,)estio s* or i sisti $ o a"-"ard co ditio s% 0ear this i mi d* my lady9 a d o" let me sho" yo) ho" my s)spicio s ha#e 'ee ()stified 'y Rosa a=s o" acts* a d 'y the plai i fere ces to 'e dra" from them%A He there)po passed the "hole of Rosa a=s proceedi $s ) der re#ie"% 5o) are already as "ell ac,)ai ted "ith those proceedi $s as I am9 a d yo) "ill ) dersta d ho" ) a s"era'ly this part of his report fixed the $)ilt of 'ei $ co cer ed i the disappeara ce of the &oo sto e o the memory of the poor dead $irl% E#e my mistress "as da) ted 'y "hat he said o"% .he made him o a s"er "he he had do e% It did =t seem to matter to the .er$ea t "hether he "as a s"ered or ot% 4 he "e t :de#il ta-e himD;* ()st as steady as e#er% AHa#i $ stated the "hole case as I ) dersta d it*A he said* AI ha#e o ly to tell yo)r ladyship* o"* "hat I propose to do ext% I see t"o "ays of 'ri $i $ this i ,)iry s)ccessf)lly to a e d% 4 e of those "ays I loo- )po as a certai ty% The other* I admit* is a 'old experime t* a d othi $ more% 5o)r ladyship shall decide% .hall "e ta-e the certai ty firstBA

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&y mistress made him a si$ to ta-e his o" "ay* a d choose for himself% ATha - yo)*A said the .er$ea t% A@e=ll 'e$i "ith the certai ty* as yo)r ladyship is so $ood as to lea#e it to me% @hether &iss Veri der remai s at Fri<i $hall* or "hether she ret)r s here* I propose* i either case* to -eep a caref)l "atch o all her proceedi $s!o the people she sees* o the rides a d "al-s she may ta-e* a d o the letters she may "rite a d recei#e%A A@hat extBA as-ed my mistress% AI shall ext*A a s"ered the .er$ea t* Are,)est yo)r ladyship=s lea#e to i trod)ce i to the ho)se* as a ser#a t i the place of Rosa a .pearma * a "oma acc)stomed to pri#ate i ,)iries of this sort* for "hose discretio I ca a s"er%A A@hat extBA repeated my mistress% A8ext*A proceeded the .er$ea t* Aa d last* I propose to se d o e of my 'rother7officers to ma-e a arra $eme t "ith that mo ey7le der i ?o do * "hom I me tio ed ()st o" as formerly ac,)ai ted "ith Rosa a .pearma !a d "hose ame a d address* yo)r ladyship may rely o it* ha#e 'ee comm) icated 'y Rosa a to &iss Veri der% I do =t de y that the co)rse of actio I am o" s)$$esti $ "ill cost mo ey* a d co s)me time% 0)t the res)lt is certai % @e r) a li e ro) d the &oo sto e* a d "e dra" that li e closer a d closer till "e fi d it i &iss Veri der=s possessio * s)pposi $ she decides to -eep it% If her de'ts press* a d she decides o se di $ it a"ay* the "e ha#e o)r ma ready* a d "e meet the &oo sto e o its arri#al i ?o do %A To hear her o" da)$hter made the s)'(ect of s)ch a proposal as this* st) $ my mistress i to spea-i $ a $rily for the first time% ACo sider yo)r proposal decli ed* i e#ery partic)lar*A she said% AA d $o o to yo)r other "ay of 'ri $i $ the i ,)iry to a e d%A A&y other "ay*A said the .er$ea t* $oi $ o as easy as e#er* Ais to try that 'old experime t to "hich I ha#e all)ded% I thi - I ha#e formed a pretty correct estimate of &iss Veri der=s temperame t% .he is ,)ite capa'le :accordi $ to my 'elief; of committi $ a dari $ fra)d% 0)t she is too hot a d impet)o)s i temper* a d too little acc)stomed to deceit as a ha'it* to act the hypocrite i small thi $s* a d to restrai herself ) der all pro#ocatio s% Her feeli $s* i this case* ha#e repeatedly $ot 'eyo d her co trol* at the #ery time "he it "as plai ly her i terest to co ceal them% It is o this pec)liarity i her character that I o" propose to act% I "a t to $i#e her a $reat shoc- s)dde ly* ) der circ)msta ces that "ill to)ch her to the ,)ic-% I plai E $lish* I "a t to tell &iss Veri der* "itho)t a "ord of "ar i $* of Rosa a=s death!o the cha ce that her o" 'etter feeli $s "ill h)rry her i to ma-i $ a clea 'reast of it% 6oes yo)r ladyship accept that alter ati#eBA

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&y mistress asto ished me 'eyo d all po"er of expressio % .he a s"ered him o the i sta tF A5es9 I do%A AThe po y7chaise is ready*A said the .er$ea t% AI "ish yo)r ladyship $ood mor i $%A &y lady held )p her ha d* a d stopped him at the door% A&y da)$hter=s 'etter feeli $s shall 'e appealed to* as yo) propose*A she said% A0)t I claim the ri$ht* as her mother* of p)tti $ her to the test myself% 5o) "ill remai here* if yo) please9 a d I "ill $o to Fri<i $hall%A For o ce i his life* the $reat C)ff stood speechless "ith ama<eme t* li-e a ordi ary ma % &y mistress ra $ the 'ell* a d ordered her "ater7proof thi $s% It "as still po)ri $ "ith rai 9 a d the close carria$e had $o e* as yo) - o"* "ith &iss Rachel to Fri<i $hall% I tried to diss)ade her ladyship from faci $ the se#erity of the "eather% I)ite )selessD I as-ed lea#e to $o "ith her* a d hold the )m'rella% .he "o)ld =t hear of it% The po y7 chaise came ro) d* "ith the $room i char$e% A5o) may rely o t"o thi $s*A she said to .er$ea t C)ff* i the hall% AI "ill try the experime t o &iss Veri der as 'oldly as yo) co)ld try it yo)rself% A d I "ill i form yo) of the res)lt* either perso ally or 'y letter* 'efore the last trai lea#es for ?o do to7 i$ht%A @ith that* she stepped i to the chaise* a d* ta-i $ the rei s herself* dro#e off to Fri<i $hall%

CHAPTER ##II
&y mistress ha#i $ left )s* I had leis)re to thi - of .er$ea t C)ff% I fo) d him sitti $ i a s )$ cor er of the hall* co s)lti $ his memora d)m 'oo-* a d c)rli $ )p #icio)sly at the cor ers of the lips% A&a-i $ otes of the caseBA I as-ed% A8o*A said the .er$ea t% A?oo-i $ to see "hat my ext professio al e $a$eme t is%A A4hDA I said% A5o) thi - it=s all o#er the * hereBA

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AI thi -*A a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff* Athat ?ady Veri der is o e of the cle#erest "ome i E $la d% I also thi - a rose m)ch 'etter "orth loo-i $ at tha a diamo d% @here is the $arde er* &r% 0ettered$eBA There "as o $etti $ a "ord more o)t of him o the matter of the &oo sto e% He had lost all i terest i his o" i ,)iry9 a d he "o)ld persist i loo-i $ for the $arde er% A ho)r after"ards* I heard them at hi$h "ords i the co ser#atory* "ith the do$7rose o ce more at the 'ottom of the disp)te% I the mea time* it "as my ')si ess to fi d o)t "hether &r% Fra -li persisted i his resol)tio to lea#e )s 'y the after oo trai % After ha#i $ 'ee i formed of the co fere ce i my lady=s room* a d of ho" it had e ded* he immediately decided o "aiti $ to hear the e"s from Fri<i $hall% This #ery at)ral alteratio i his pla s! "hich* "ith ordi ary people* "o)ld ha#e led to othi $ i partic)lar!pro#ed* i &r% Fra -li =s case* to ha#e o e o'(ectio a'le res)lt% It left him ) settled* "ith a le$acy of idle time o his ha ds* a d* i so doi $* it let o)t all the forei$ sides of his character* o e o the top of a other* li-e rats o)t of a 'a$% 8o" as a Italia 7E $lishma * o" as a /erma 7E $lishma * a d o" as a Fre ch7 E $lishma * he drifted i a d o)t of all the sitti $7rooms i the ho)se* "ith othi $ to tal- of ')t &iss Rachel=s treatme t of him9 a d "ith o'ody to address himself to ')t me% I fo) d him :for example; i the li'rary* sitti $ ) der the map of &oder Italy* a d ,)ite ) a"are of a y other method of meeti $ his tro)'les* except the method of tal-i $ a'o)t them% AI ha#e se#eral "orthy aspiratio s* 0ettered$e9 ')t "hat am I to do "ith them o"B I am f)ll of dorma t $ood ,)alities* if Rachel "o)ld o ly ha#e helped me to 'ri $ them o)tDA He "as so elo,)e t i dra"i $ the pict)re of his o" e$lected merits* a d so pathetic i lame ti $ o#er it "he it "as do e* that I felt ,)ite at my "its= e d ho" to co sole him* "he it s)dde ly occ)rred to me that here "as a case for the "holesome applicatio of a 'it of R40I8.48 CRE.4E% I ho''led o)t to my o" room* a d ho''led 'ac- "ith that immortal 'oo-% 8o'ody i the li'raryD The map of &oder Italy stared at &E9 a d I stared at the map of &oder Italy% I tried the dra"i $7room% There "as his ha d-erchief o the floor* to pro#e that he had drifted i % A d there "as the empty room to pro#e that he had drifted o)t a$ai % I tried the di i $7room* a d disco#ered .am)el "ith a 'isc)it a d a $lass of sherry* sile tly i #esti$ati $ the empty air% A mi )te si ce* &r% Fra -li had r) $ f)rio)sly for a little li$ht refreshme t% 4 its prod)ctio * i a #iole t h)rry* 'y .am)el* &r% Fra -li had #a ished 'efore the 'ell do" stairs had ,)ite do e ri $i $ "ith the p)ll he had $i#e to it% I tried the mor i $7room* a d fo) d him at last% There he "as at the "i do"* dra"i $ hiero$lyphics "ith his fi $er i the damp o the $lass% A5o)r sherry is "aiti $ for yo)* sir*A I said to him% I mi$ht as "ell ha#e addressed myself to o e of the fo)r "alls of the room9 he "as do" i the 'ottomless deep of his o"

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meditatio s* past all p)lli $ )p% AHo" do 54E explai Rachel=s co d)ct* 0ettered$eBA "as the o ly a s"er I recei#ed% 8ot 'ei $ ready "ith the eedf)l reply* I prod)ced R40I8.48 CRE.4E* i "hich I am firmly pers)aded some expla atio mi$ht ha#e 'ee fo) d* if "e had o ly searched lo $ e o)$h for it% &r% Fra -li sh)t )p R40I8.48 CRE.4E* a d flo) dered i to his /erma 7E $lish $i''erish o the spot% A@hy ot loo- i to itBA he said* as if I had perso ally o'(ected to loo-i $ i to it% A@hy the de#il lose yo)r patie ce* 0ettered$e* "he patie ce is all that=s "a ted to arri#e at the tr)thB 6o =t i terr)pt me% Rachel=s co d)ct is perfectly i telli$i'le* if yo) "ill o ly do her the commo ()stice to ta-e the 4'(ecti#e #ie" first* a d the .)'(ecti#e #ie" ext* a d the 4'(ecti#e7.)'(ecti#e #ie" to "i d )p "ith% @hat do "e - o"B @e - o" that the loss of the &oo sto e* o Th)rsday mor i $ last* thre" her i to a state of er#o)s exciteme t* from "hich she has ot reco#ered yet% 6o yo) mea to de y the 4'(ecti#e #ie"* so farB Very "ell* the !do =t i terr)pt me% 8o"* 'ei $ i a state of er#o)s exciteme t* ho" are "e to expect that she sho)ld 'eha#e as she mi$ht other"ise ha#e 'eha#ed to a y of the people a'o)t herB Ar$)i $ i this "ay* from "ithi 7o)t"ards* "hat do "e reachB @e reach the .)'(ecti#e #ie"% I defy yo) to co tro#ert the .)'(ecti#e #ie"% Very "ell the ! "hat follo"sB /ood Hea#e sD the 4'(ecti#e7.)'(ecti#e expla atio follo"s* of co)rseD Rachel* properly spea-i $* is ot Rachel* ')t .ome'ody Else% 6o I mi d 'ei $ cr)elly treated 'y .ome'ody ElseB 5o) are ) reaso a'le e o)$h* 0ettered$e9 ')t yo) ca hardly acc)se me of that% The ho" does it e dB It e ds* i spite of yo)r co fo) ded E $lish arro" ess a d pre()dice* i my 'ei $ perfectly happy a d comforta'le% @here=s the sherryBA &y head "as 'y this time i s)ch a co ditio * that I "as ot ,)ite s)re "hether it "as my o" head* or &r% Fra -li =s% I this deplora'le state* I co tri#ed to do* "hat I ta-e to ha#e 'ee * three 4'(ecti#e thi $s% I $ot &r% Fra -li his sherry9 I retired to my o" room9 a d I solaced myself "ith the most composi $ pipe of to'acco I e#er remem'er to ha#e smo-ed i my life% 6o =t s)ppose* ho"e#er* that I "as ,)it of &r% Fra -li o s)ch easy terms as these% 6rifti $ a$ai * o)t of the mor i $7room i to the hall* he fo) d his "ay to the offices ext* smelt my pipe* a d "as i sta tly remi ded that he had 'ee simple e o)$h to $i#e )p smo-i $ for &iss Rachel=s sa-e% I the t"i -li $ of a eye* he ')rst i o me "ith his ci$ar7case* a d came o)t stro $ o the o e e#erlasti $ s)'(ect* i his eat* "itty* ) 'elie#i $* Fre ch "ay% A/i#e me a li$ht* 0ettered$e% Is it co cei#a'le that a ma ca ha#e smo-ed as lo $ as I ha#e "itho)t disco#eri $ that there is a complete system for the treatme t of "ome at the 'ottom of his ci$ar7caseB Follo" me caref)lly* a d I "ill pro#e it i t"o "ords% 5o) choose a ci$ar* yo) try it* a d it disappoi ts yo)% @hat do yo) do )po thatB 5o) thro" it a"ay a d try a other% 8o" o'ser#e the applicatio D 5o) choose a "oma * yo) try her* a d she 'rea-s yo)r heart% FoolD ta-e a lesso from yo)r ci$ar7case% Thro" her a"ay* a d try a otherDA I shoo- my head at that% @o derf)lly cle#er* I dare say* ')t my o" experie ce "as dead a$ai st it% AI the time of the late &rs% 0ettered$e*A I said* AI felt pretty ofte i cli ed to try yo)r philosophy* &r% Fra -li % 0)t the la" i sists o yo)r smo-i $ yo)r ci$ar* sir* "he yo) ha#e o ce chose it%A I poi ted that o'ser#atio "ith a "i -% &r% Fra -li

11>

')rst o)t la)$hi $!a d "e "ere as merry as cric-ets* ) til the ext e" side of his character t)r ed )p i d)e co)rse% .o thi $s "e t o "ith my yo) $ master a d me9 a d so :"hile the .er$ea t a d the $arde er "ere "ra $li $ o#er the roses; "e t"o spe t the i ter#al 'efore the e"s came 'ac- from Fri<i $hall% The po y7chaise ret)r ed a $ood half ho)r 'efore I had #e t)red to expect it% &y lady had decided to remai for the prese t* at her sister=s ho)se% The $room 'ro)$ht t"o letters from his mistress9 o e addressed to &r% Fra -li * a d the other to me% &r% Fra -li =s letter I se t to him i the li'rary!i to "hich ref)$e his drifti $s had o" ta-e him for the seco d time% &y o" letter* I read i my o" room% A che,)e* "hich dropped o)t "he I ope ed it* i formed me :'efore I had mastered the co te ts; that .er$ea t C)ff=s dismissal from the i ,)iry after the &oo sto e "as o" a settled thi $% I se t to the co ser#atory to say that I "ished to spea- to the .er$ea t directly% He appeared* "ith his mi d f)ll of the $arde er a d the do$7rose* declari $ that the e,)al of &r% 0e$'ie for o'sti acy e#er had existed yet* a d e#er "o)ld exist a$ai % I re,)ested him to dismiss s)ch "retched trifli $ as this from o)r co #ersatio * a d to $i#e his 'est atte tio to a really serio)s matter% Epo that he exerted himself s)fficie tly to otice the letter i my ha d% AAhDA he said i a "eary "ay* Ayo) ha#e heard from her ladyship% Ha#e I a ythi $ to do "ith it* &r% 0ettered$eBA A5o) shall ()d$e for yo)rself* .er$ea t%A I there)po read him the letter :"ith my 'est emphasis a d discretio ;* i the follo"i $ "ordsF A&5 /446 /A0RIE?*!I re,)est that yo) "ill i form .er$ea t C)ff* that I ha#e performed the promise I made to him9 "ith this res)lt* so far as Rosa a .pearma is co cer ed% &iss Veri der solem ly declares* that she has e#er spo-e a "ord i pri#ate to Rosa a* si ce that ) happy "oma first e tered my ho)se% They e#er met* e#e accide tally* o the i$ht "he the 6iamo d "as lost9 a d o comm) icatio of a y sort "hate#er too- place 'et"ee them* from the Th)rsday mor i $ "he the alarm "as first raised i the ho)se* to this prese t .at)rday after oo * "he &iss Veri der left )s% After telli $ my da)$hter s)dde ly* a d i so ma y "ords* of Rosa a .pearma =s s)icide! this is "hat has come of it%A Ha#i $ reached that poi t* I loo-ed )p* a d as-ed .er$ea t C)ff "hat he tho)$ht of the letter* so farB AI sho)ld o ly offe d yo) if I expressed &5 opi io *A a s"ered the .er$ea t% A/o o * &r% 0ettered$e*A he said* "ith the most exasperati $ resi$ atio * A$o o %A @he I remem'ered that this ma had had the a)dacity to complai of o)r $arde er=s o'sti acy* my to $)e itched to A$o o A i other "ords tha my mistress=s% This time* ho"e#er* my Christia ity held firm% I proceeded steadily "ith her ladyship=s letterF

11C

AHa#i $ appealed to &iss Veri der i the ma er "hich the officer tho)$ht most desira'le* I spo-e to her ext i the ma er "hich I myself tho)$ht most li-ely to impress her% 4 t"o differe t occasio s* 'efore my da)$hter left my roof* I pri#ately "ar ed her that she "as exposi $ herself to s)spicio of the most ) e d)ra'le a d most de$radi $ -i d% I ha#e o" told her* i the plai est terms* that my apprehe sio s ha#e 'ee realised% AHer a s"er to this* o her o" solem affirmatio * is as plai as "ords ca 'e% I the first place* she o"es o mo ey pri#ately to a y li#i $ creat)re% I the seco d place* the 6iamo d is ot o"* a d e#er has 'ee * i her possessio * si ce she p)t it i to her ca'i et o @ed esday i$ht% AThe co fide ce "hich my da)$hter has placed i me $oes o f)rther tha this% .he mai tai s a o'sti ate sile ce* "he I as- her if she ca explai the disappeara ce of the 6iamo d% .he ref)ses* "ith tears* "he I appeal to her to spea- o)t for my sa-e% =The day "ill come "he yo) "ill - o" "hy I am careless a'o)t 'ei $ s)spected* a d "hy I am sile t e#e to yo)% I ha#e do e m)ch to ma-e my mother pity me! othi $ to ma-e my mother 'l)sh for me%= Those are my da)$hter=s o" "ords% AAfter "hat has passed 'et"ee the officer a d me* I thi -!stra $er as he is!that he sho)ld 'e made ac,)ai ted "ith "hat &iss Veri der has said* as "ell as yo)% Read my letter to him* a d the place i his ha ds the che,)e "hich I e close% I resi$ i $ all f)rther claim o his ser#ices* I ha#e o ly to say that I am co #i ced of his ho esty a d his i telli$e ce9 ')t I am more firmly pers)aded tha e#er* that the circ)msta ces* i this case* ha#e fatally misled him%A There the letter e ded% 0efore prese ti $ the che,)e* I as-ed .er$ea t C)ff if he had a y remar- to ma-e% AIt=s o part of my d)ty* &r% 0ettered$e*A he a s"ered* Ato ma-e remar-s o a case* "he I ha#e do e "ith it%A I tossed the che,)e across the ta'le to him% A6o yo) 'elie#e i THAT part of her ladyship=s letterBA I said* i di$ a tly% The .er$ea t loo-ed at the che,)e* a d lifted )p his dismal eye'ro"s i ac- o"led$me t of her ladyship=s li'erality% AThis is s)ch a $e ero)s estimate of the #al)e of my time*A he said* Athat I feel 'o) d to ma-e some ret)r for it% I=ll 'ear i mi d the amo) t i this che,)e* &r% 0ettered$e* "he the occasio comes ro) d for remem'eri $ it%A A@hat do yo) mea BA I as-ed% AHer ladyship has smoothed matters o#er for the prese t #ery cle#erly*A said the .er$ea t% A0)t THI. family sca dal is of the sort that ')rsts )p a$ai "he yo) least expect it% @e

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shall ha#e more detecti#e7')si ess o o)r ha ds* sir* 'efore the &oo sto e is ma y mo ths older%A If those "ords mea t a ythi $* a d if the ma er i "hich he spo-e them mea t a ythi $ !it came to this% &y mistress=s letter had pro#ed* to his mi d* that &iss Rachel "as harde ed e o)$h to resist the stro $est appeal that co)ld 'e addressed to her* a d that she had decei#ed her o" mother :$ood /od* ) der "hat circ)msta cesD; 'y a series of a'omi a'le lies% Ho" other people* i my place* mi$ht ha#e replied to the .er$ea t* I do =t - o"% I a s"ered "hat he said i these plai termsF A.er$ea t C)ff* I co sider yo)r last o'ser#atio as a i s)lt to my lady a d her da)$hterDA A&r% 0ettered$e* co sider it as a "ar i $ to yo)rself* a d yo) "ill 'e earer the mar-%A Hot a d a $ry as I "as* the i fer al co fide ce "ith "hich he $a#e me that a s"er closed my lips% I "al-ed to the "i do" to compose myself% The rai had $i#e o#er9 a d* "ho sho)ld I see i the co)rt7yard* ')t &r% 0e$'ie* the $arde er* "aiti $ o)tside to co ti )e the do$7 rose co tro#ersy "ith .er$ea t C)ff% A&y complime ts to the .air$e t*A said &r% 0e$'ie* the mome t he set eyes o me% AIf he=s mi ded to "al- to the statio * I=m a$reea'le to $o "ith him%A A@hatDA cries the .er$ea t* 'ehi d me* Aare yo) ot co #i ced yetBA AThe de=il a 'it I=m co #i cedDA a s"ered &r% 0e$'ie% AThe I=ll "al- to the statio DA says the .er$ea t% AThe I=ll meet yo) at the $ateDA says &r% 0e$'ie% I "as a $ry e o)$h* as yo) - o"!')t ho" "as a y ma =s a $er to hold o)t a$ai st s)ch a i terr)ptio as thisB .er$ea t C)ff oticed the cha $e i me* a d e co)ra$ed it 'y a "ord i seaso % AComeD comeDA he said* A"hy ot treat my #ie" of the case as her ladyship treats itB @hy ot say* the circ)msta ces ha#e fatally misled meBA To ta-e a ythi $ as her ladyship too- it "as a pri#ile$e "orth e (oyi $!e#e "ith the disad#a ta$e of its ha#i $ 'ee offered to me 'y .er$ea t C)ff% I cooled slo"ly do" to my c)stomary le#el% I re$arded a y other opi io of &iss Rachel* tha my lady=s opi io or mi e* "ith a lofty co tempt% The o ly thi $ I co)ld ot do* "as to -eep off the s)'(ect of the &oo sto eD &y o" $ood se se o)$ht to ha#e "ar ed me* I - o"* to let the matter rest!')t* thereD the #irt)es "hich disti $)ish the prese t $e eratio "ere ot i #e ted i my time% .er$ea t C)ff had hit me o the ra"* a d* tho)$h I did loo- do" )po him "ith co tempt* the te der place still ti $led for all that% The e d of it "as that I

11G

per#ersely led him 'ac- to the s)'(ect of her ladyship=s letter% AI am ,)ite satisfied myself*A I said% A0)t e#er mi d thatD /o o * as if I "as still ope to co #ictio % 5o) thi - &iss Rachel is ot to 'e 'elie#ed o her "ord9 a d yo) say "e shall hear of the &oo sto e a$ai % 0ac- yo)r opi io * .er$ea t*A I co cl)ded* i a airy "ay% A0ac- yo)r opi io %A I stead of ta-i $ offe ce* .er$ea t C)ff sei<ed my ha d* a d shoo- it till my fi $ers ached a$ai % AI declare to hea#e *A says this stra $e officer solem ly* AI "o)ld ta-e to domestic ser#ice to7morro"* &r% 0ettered$e* if I had a cha ce of 'ei $ employed alo $ "ith 5o)D To say yo) are as tra spare t as a child* sir* is to pay the childre a complime t "hich i e o)t of te of them do =t deser#e% ThereD thereD "e "o =t 'e$i to disp)te a$ai % 5o) shall ha#e it o)t of me o easier terms tha that% I "o =t say a "ord more a'o)t her ladyship* or a'o)t &iss Veri der!I=ll o ly t)r prophet* for o ce i a "ay* a d for yo)r sa-e% I ha#e "ar ed yo) already that yo) ha#e =t do e "ith the &oo sto e yet% Very "ell% 8o" I=ll tell yo)* at parti $* of three thi $s "hich "ill happe i the f)t)re* a d "hich* I 'elie#e* "ill force themsel#es o yo)r atte tio * "hether yo) li-e it or ot%A A/o o DA I said* ,)ite ) a'ashed* a d ()st as airy as e#er% AFirst*A said the .er$ea t* Ayo) "ill hear somethi $ from the 5olla ds!"he the postma deli#ers Rosa a=s letter at Co''=s Hole* o &o day ext%A If he had thro" a ')c-et of cold "ater o#er me* I do)'t if I co)ld ha#e felt it m)ch more ) pleasa tly tha I felt those "ords% &iss Rachel=s assertio of her i oce ce had left Rosa a=s co d)ct!the ma-i $ the e" i$ht$o" * the hidi $ the smeared i$ht$o" * a d all the rest of it!e tirely "itho)t expla atio % A d this had e#er occ)rred to me* till .er$ea t C)ff forced it o my mi d all i a mome tD AI the seco d place*A proceeded the .er$ea t* Ayo) "ill hear of the three I dia s a$ai % 5o) "ill hear of them i the ei$h'o)rhood* if &iss Rachel remai s i the ei$h'o)rhood% 5o) "ill hear of them i ?o do * if &iss Rachel $oes to ?o do %A Ha#i $ lost all i terest i the three ()$$lers* a d ha#i $ thoro)$hly co #i ced myself of my yo) $ lady=s i oce ce* I too- this seco d prophecy easily e o)$h% A.o m)ch for t"o of the three thi $s that are $oi $ to happe *A I said% A8o" for the thirdDA AThird* a d last*A said .er$ea t C)ff* Ayo) "ill* soo er or later* hear somethi $ of that mo ey7le der i ?o do * "hom I ha#e t"ice ta-e the li'erty of me tio i $ already% /i#e me yo)r poc-et7'oo-* a d I=ll ma-e a ote for yo) of his ame a d address!so that there may 'e o mista-e a'o)t it if the thi $ really happe s%A He "rote accordi $ly o a 'la - leaf!A&r% .eptim)s ?)-er* &iddlesex7place* ?am'eth* ?o do %A

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AThere*A he said* poi ti $ to the address* Aare the last "ords* o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e* "hich I shall tro)'le yo) "ith for the prese t% Time "ill sho" "hether I am ri$ht or "ro $% I the mea "hile* sir* I carry a"ay "ith me a si cere perso al li-i $ for yo)* "hich I thi - does ho o)r to 'oth of )s% If "e do =t meet a$ai 'efore my professio al retireme t ta-es place* I hope yo) "ill come a d see me i a little ho)se ear ?o do * "hich I ha#e $ot my eye o % There "ill 'e $rass "al-s* &r% 0ettered$e* I promise yo)* i my $arde % A d as for the "hite moss rose!!A AThe de=il a 'it ye=ll $et the "hite moss rose to $ro"* ) less yo) ')d him o the do$)e7 rose first*A cried a #oice at the "i do"% @e 'oth t)r ed ro) d% There "as the e#erlasti $ &r% 0e$'ie* too ea$er for the co tro#ersy to "ait a y lo $er at the $ate% The .er$ea t "r) $ my ha d* a d darted o)t i to the co)rt7yard* hotter still o his side% AAs- him a'o)t the moss rose* "he he comes 'ac-* a d see if I ha#e left him a le$ to sta d o DA cried the $reat C)ff* haili $ me thro)$h the "i do" i his t)r % A/e tleme * 'othDA I a s"ered* moderati $ them a$ai as I had moderated them o ce already% AI the matter of the moss rose there is a $reat deal to 'e said o 'oth sidesDA I mi$ht as "ell :as the Irish say; ha#e "histled (i$s to a milesto e% A"ay they "e t to$ether* fi$hti $ the 'attle of the roses "itho)t as-i $ or $i#i $ ,)arter o either side% The last I sa" of them* &r% 0e$'ie "as sha-i $ his o'sti ate head* a d .er$ea t C)ff had $ot him 'y the arm li-e a priso er i char$e% Ah* "ellD "ellD I o" I co)ld =t help li-i $ the .er$ea t!tho)$h I hated him all the time% Explai that state of mi d* if yo) ca % 5o) "ill soo 'e rid* o"* of me a d my co tradictio s% @he I ha#e reported &r% Fra -li =s depart)re* the history of the .at)rday=s e#e ts "ill 'e fi ished at last% A d "he I ha#e ext descri'ed certai stra $e thi $s that happe ed i the co)rse of the e" "ee-* I shall ha#e do e my part of the .tory* a d shall ha d o#er the pe to the perso "ho is appoi ted to follo" my lead% If yo) are as tired of readi $ this arrati#e as I am of "riti $ it!?ord* ho" "e shall e (oy o)rsel#es o 'oth sides a fe" pa$es f)rther o D

CHAPTER ##III
I had -ept the po y chaise ready* i case &r% Fra -li persisted i lea#i $ )s 'y the trai that i$ht% The appeara ce of the l)$$a$e* follo"ed do" stairs 'y &r% Fra -li himself* i formed me plai ly e o)$h that he had held firm to a resol)tio for o ce i his life% A.o yo) ha#e really made )p yo)r mi d* sirBA I said* as "e met i the hall% A@hy ot "ait a day or t"o lo $er* a d $i#e &iss Rachel a other cha ceBA

1>H

The forei$ #ar ish appeared to ha#e all "or off &r% Fra -li * o" that the time had come for sayi $ $ood7'ye% I stead of replyi $ to me i "ords* he p)t the letter "hich her ladyship had addressed to him i to my ha d% The $reater part of it said o#er a$ai "hat had 'ee said already i the other comm) icatio recei#ed 'y me% 0)t there "as a 'it a'o)t &iss Rachel added at the e d* "hich "ill acco) t for the steadi ess of &r% Fra -li =s determi atio * if it acco) ts for othi $ else% A5o) "ill "o der* I dare sayA :her ladyship "rote;* Aat my allo"i $ my o" da)$hter to -eep me perfectly i the dar-% A 6iamo d "orth t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds has 'ee lost! a d I am left to i fer that the mystery of its disappeara ce is o mystery to Rachel* a d that some i comprehe si'le o'li$atio of sile ce has 'ee laid o her* 'y some perso or perso s )tterly ) - o" to me* "ith some o'(ect i #ie" at "hich I ca ot e#e $)ess% Is it co cei#a'le that I sho)ld allo" myself to 'e trifled "ith i this "ayB It is ,)ite co cei#a'le* i Rachel=s prese t state% .he is i a co ditio of er#o)s a$itatio pitia'le to see% I dare ot approach the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e a$ai ) til time has do e somethi $ to ,)iet her% To help this e d* I ha#e ot hesitated to dismiss the police7officer% The mystery "hich 'affles )s* 'affles him too% This is ot a matter i "hich a y stra $er ca help )s% He adds to "hat I ha#e to s)ffer9 a d he madde s Rachel if she o ly hears his ame% A&y pla s for the f)t)re are as "ell settled as they ca 'e% &y prese t idea is to ta-e Rachel to ?o do !partly to relie#e her mi d 'y a complete cha $e* partly to try "hat may 'e do e 'y co s)lti $ the 'est medical ad#ice% Ca I as- yo) to meet )s i to" B &y dear Fra -li * yo)* i yo)r "ay* m)st imitate my patie ce* a d "ait* as I do* for a fitter time% The #al)a'le assista ce "hich yo) re dered to the i ,)iry after the lost (e"el is still a ) pardo ed offe ce* i the prese t dreadf)l state of Rachel=s mi d% &o#i $ 'li dfold i this matter* yo) ha#e added to the ')rde of a xiety "hich she has had to 'ear* 'y i oce tly threate i $ her secret "ith disco#ery* thro)$h yo)r exertio s% It is impossi'le for me to exc)se the per#ersity that holds yo) respo si'le for co se,)e ces "hich either yo) or I co)ld ima$i e or foresee% .he is ot to 'e reaso ed "ith!she ca o ly 'e pitied% I am $rie#ed to ha#e to say it* ')t for the prese t* yo) a d Rachel are 'etter apart% The o ly ad#ice I ca offer yo) is* to $i#e her time%A I ha ded the letter 'ac-* si cerely sorry for &r% Fra -li * for I - e" ho" fo d he "as of my yo) $ lady9 a d I sa" that her mother=s acco) t of her had c)t him to the heart% A5o) - o" the pro#er'* sir*A "as all I said to him% A@he thi $s are at the "orst* they=re s)re to me d% Thi $s ca =t 'e m)ch "orse* &r% Fra -li * tha they are o"%A &r% Fra -li folded )p his a) t=s letter* "itho)t appeari $ to 'e m)ch comforted 'y the remar- "hich I had #e t)red o addressi $ to him% A@he I came here from ?o do "ith that horri'le 6iamo d*A he said* AI do =t 'elie#e there "as a happier ho)sehold i E $la d tha this% ?oo- at the ho)sehold o"D .cattered* dis) ited!the #ery air of the place poiso ed "ith mystery a d s)spicio D 6o yo) remem'er that mor i $ at the .hi#eri $ .a d* "he "e tal-ed a'o)t my ) cle

1>1

Her castle* a d his 'irthday $iftB The &oo sto e has ser#ed the Colo el=s #e $ea ce* 0ettered$e* 'y mea s "hich the Colo el himself e#er dreamt ofDA @ith that he shoo- me 'y the ha d* a d "e t o)t to the po y chaise% I follo"ed him do" the steps% It "as #ery misera'le to see him lea#i $ the old place* "here he had spe t the happiest years of his life* i this "ay% Pe elope :sadly )pset 'y all that had happe ed i the ho)se; came ro) d cryi $* to 'id him $ood7'ye% &r% Fra -li -issed her% I "a#ed my ha d as m)ch as to say* A5o)=re heartily "elcome* sir%A .ome of the other female ser#a ts appeared* peepi $ after him ro) d the cor er% He "as o e of those me "hom the "ome all li-e% At the last mome t* I stopped the po y chaise* a d 'e$$ed as a fa#o)r that he "o)ld let )s hear from him 'y letter% He did =t seem to heed "hat I said!he "as loo-i $ ro) d from o e thi $ to a other* ta-i $ a sort of fare"ell of the old ho)se a d $ro) ds% ATell )s "here yo) are $oi $ to* sirDA I said* holdi $ o 'y the chaise* a d tryi $ to $et at his f)t)re pla s i that "ay% &r% Fra -li p)lled his hat do" s)dde ly o#er his eyes% A/oi $BA says he* echoi $ the "ord after me% AI am $oi $ to the de#ilDA The po y started at the "ord* as if he had felt a Christia horror of it% A/od 'less yo)* sir* $o "here yo) mayDA "as all I had time to say* 'efore he "as o)t of si$ht a d heari $% A s"eet a d pleasa t $e tlema D @ith all his fa)lts a d follies* a s"eet a d pleasa t $e tlema D He left a sad $ap 'ehi d him* "he he left my lady=s ho)se% It "as d)ll a d dreary e o)$h* "he the lo $ s)mmer e#e i $ closed i * o that .at)rday i$ht% I -ept my spirits from si -i $ 'y stic-i $ fast to my pipe a d my R40I8.48 CRE.4E% The "ome :excepti $ Pe elope; 'e$)iled the time 'y tal-i $ of Rosa a=s s)icide% They "ere all o'sti ately of opi io that the poor $irl had stole the &oo sto e* a d that she had destroyed herself i terror of 'ei $ fo) d o)t% &y da)$hter* of co)rse* pri#ately held fast to "hat she had said all alo $% Her otio of the moti#e "hich "as really at the 'ottom of the s)icide failed* oddly e o)$h* ()st "here my yo) $ lady=s assertio of her i oce ce failed also% It left Rosa a=s secret (o)r ey to Fri<i $hall* a d Rosa a=s proceedi $s i the matter of the i$ht$o" e tirely ) acco) ted for% There "as o )se i poi ti $ this o)t to Pe elope9 the o'(ectio made a'o)t as m)ch impressio o her as a sho"er of rai o a "aterproof coat% The tr)th is* my da)$hter i herits my s)periority to reaso !a d* i respect to that accomplishme t* has $ot a lo $ "ay ahead of her o" father% 4 the ext day :.) day;* the close carria$e* "hich had 'ee -ept at &r% A'le"hite=s* came 'ac- to )s empty% The coachma 'ro)$ht a messa$e for me* a d "ritte i str)ctio s for my lady=s o" maid a d for Pe elope% The messa$e i formed me that my mistress had determi ed to ta-e &iss Rachel to her ho)se i ?o do * o the &o day% The "ritte i str)ctio s i formed the t"o maids of the clothi $ that "as "a ted* a d directed them to meet their mistresses i to" at a $i#e ho)r% &ost of the other ser#a ts "ere to follo"% &y lady had fo) d &iss Rachel so ) "illi $ to ret)r to the ho)se* after "hat had happe ed i it* that she had decided o

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$oi $ to ?o do direct from Fri<i $hall% I "as to remai i the co) try* ) til f)rther orders* to loo- after thi $s i doors a d o)t% The ser#a ts left "ith me "ere to 'e p)t o 'oard "a$es% 0ei $ remi ded* 'y all this* of "hat &r% Fra -li had said a'o)t o)r 'ei $ a scattered a d dis) ited ho)sehold* my mi d "as led at)rally to &r% Fra -li himself% The more I tho)$ht of him* the more ) easy I felt a'o)t his f)t)re proceedi $s% It e ded i my "riti $* 'y the .) day=s post* to his father=s #alet* &r% +effco :"hom I had - o" i former years; to 'e$ he "o)ld let me - o" "hat &r% Fra -li had settled to do* o arri#i $ i ?o do % The .) day e#e i $ "as* if possi'le* d)ller e#e tha the .at)rday e#e i $% @e e ded the day of rest* as h) dreds of tho)sa ds of people e d it re$)larly* o ce a "ee-* i these isla ds!that is to say* "e all a ticipated 'edtime* a d fell asleep i o)r chairs% Ho" the &o day affected the rest of the ho)sehold I do =t - o"% The &o day $a#e &E a $ood sha-e )p% The first of .er$ea t C)ff=s prophecies of "hat "as to happe ! amely* that I sho)ld hear from the 5olla ds!came tr)e o that day% I had see Pe elope a d my lady=s maid off i the rail"ay "ith the l)$$a$e for ?o do * a d "as potteri $ a'o)t the $ro) ds* "he I heard my ame called% T)r i $ ro) d* I fo) d myself face to face "ith the fisherma =s da)$hter* ?impi $ ?)cy% 0ati $ her lame foot a d her lea ess :this last a horrid dra"7'ac- to a "oma * i my opi io ;* the $irl had some pleasi $ ,)alities i the eye of a ma % A dar-* -ee * cle#er face* a d a ice clear #oice* a d a 'ea)tif)l 'ro" head of hair co) ted amo $ her merits% A cr)tch appeared i the list of her misfort) es% A d a temper rec-o ed hi$h i the s)m total of her defects% A@ell* my dear*A I said* A"hat do yo) "a t "ith meBA A@here=s the ma yo) call Fra -li 0la-eBA says the $irl* fixi $ me "ith a fierce loo-* as she rested herself o her cr)tch% AThat=s ot a respectf)l "ay to spea- of a y $e tlema *A I a s"ered% AIf yo) "ish to i ,)ire for my lady=s ephe"* yo) "ill please to me tio him as &R% Fra -li 0la-e%A .he limped a step earer to me* a d loo-ed as if she co)ld ha#e eate me ali#e% A&R% Fra -li 0la-eBA she repeated after me% A&)rderer Fra -li 0la-e "o)ld 'e a fitter ame for him%A &y practice "ith the late &rs% 0ettered$e came i ha dy here% @he e#er a "oma tries to p)t yo) o)t of temper* t)r the ta'les* a d p)t HER o)t of temper i stead% They are $e erally prepared for e#ery effort yo) ca ma-e i yo)r o" defe ce* ')t that% 4 e "ord does it as "ell as a h) dred9 a d o e "ord did it "ith ?impi $ ?)cy% I loo-ed her pleasa tly i the face9 a d I said!APoohDA

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The $irl=s temper flamed o)t directly% .he poised herself o her so) d foot* a d she tooher cr)tch* a d 'eat it f)rio)sly three times o the $ro) d% AHe=s a m)rdererD he=s a m)rdererD he=s a m)rdererD He has 'ee the death of Rosa a .pearma DA .he screamed that a s"er o)t at the top of her #oice% 4 e or t"o of the people at "or- i the $ro) ds ear )s loo-ed )p!sa" it "as ?impi $ ?)cy!- e" "hat to expect from that ,)arter! a d loo-ed a"ay a$ai % AHe has 'ee the death of Rosa a .pearma BA I repeated% A@hat ma-es yo) say that* ?)cyBA A@hat do yo) careB @hat does a y ma careB 4hD if she had o ly tho)$ht of the me as I thi -* she mi$ht ha#e 'ee li#i $ o"DA A.he al"ays tho)$ht -i dly of &E* poor so)l*A I said9 Aa d* to the 'est of my a'ility* I al"ays tried to act -i dly 'y HER%A I spo-e those "ords i as comforti $ a ma er as I co)ld% The tr)th is* I had =t the heart to irritate the $irl 'y a other of my smart replies% I had o ly oticed her temper at first% I oticed her "retched ess o"!a d "retched ess is ot ) commo ly i sole t* yo) "ill fi d* i h)m'le life% &y a s"er melted ?impi $ ?)cy% .he 'e t her head do" * a d laid it o the top of her cr)tch% AI lo#ed her*A the $irl said softly% A.he had li#ed a misera'le life* &r% 0ettered$e!#ile people had ill7treated her a d led her "ro $!a d it had =t spoiled her s"eet temper% .he "as a a $el% .he mi$ht ha#e 'ee happy "ith me% I had a pla for o)r $oi $ to ?o do to$ether li-e sisters* a d li#i $ 'y o)r eedles% That ma came here* a d spoilt it all% He 'e"itched her% 6o =t tell me he did =t mea it* a d did =t - o" it% He o)$ht to ha#e - o" it% He o)$ht to ha#e ta-e pity o her% =I ca =t li#e "itho)t him!a d* oh* ?)cy* he e#er e#e loo-s at me%= That=s "hat she said% Cr)el* cr)el* cr)el% I said* =8o ma is "orth fretti $ for i that "ay%= A d she said* =There are me "orth dyi $ for* ?)cy* a d he is o e of them%= I had sa#ed )p a little mo ey% I had settled thi $s "ith father a d mother% I mea t to ta-e her a"ay from the mortificatio she "as s)fferi $ here% @e sho)ld ha#e had a little lod$i $ i ?o do * a d li#ed to$ether li-e sisters% .he had a $ood ed)catio * sir* as yo) - o"* a d she "rote a $ood ha d% .he "as ,)ic- at her eedle% I ha#e a $ood ed)catio * a d I "rite a $ood ha d% I am ot as ,)ic- at my eedle as she "as!')t I co)ld ha#e do e% @e mi$ht ha#e $ot o)r li#i $ icely% A d* ohD "hat happe s this mor i $B "hat happe s this mor i $B Her letter comes a d tells me that she has do e "ith the ')rde of her life% Her letter comes* a d 'ids me $ood7'ye for e#er% @here is heBA cries the $irl* lifti $ her head from the cr)tch* a d flami $ o)t a$ai thro)$h her tears% A@here=s this $e tlema that I m)st =t spea- of* except "ith respectB Ha* &r% 0ettered$e* the day is ot far off "he the poor "ill rise a$ai st the rich% I pray Hea#e they may 'e$i "ith HI&% I pray Hea#e they may 'e$i "ith HI&%A Here "as a other of yo)r a#era$e $ood Christia s* a d here "as the )s)al 'rea-7do" * co se,)e t o that same a#era$e Christia ity 'ei $ p)shed too farD The parso himself :tho)$h I o" this is sayi $ a $reat deal; co)ld hardly ha#e lect)red the $irl i the state

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she "as i o"% All I #e t)red to do "as to -eep her to the poi t!i the hope of somethi $ t)r i $ )p "hich mi$ht 'e "orth heari $% A@hat do yo) "a t "ith &r% Fra -li 0la-eBA I as-ed% AI "a t to see him%A AFor a ythi $ partic)larBA AI ha#e $ot a letter to $i#e him%A AFrom Rosa a .pearma BA A5es%A A.e t to yo) i yo)r o" letterBA A5es%A @as the dar- ess $oi $ to liftB @ere all the disco#eries that I "as dyi $ to ma-e* comi $ a d offeri $ themsel#es to me of their o" accordB I "as o'li$ed to "ait a mome t% .er$ea t C)ff had left his i fectio 'ehi d him% Certai si$ s a d to-e s* perso al to myself* "ar ed me that the detecti#e7fe#er "as 'e$i i $ to set i a$ai % A5o) ca =t see &r% Fra -li *A I said% AI m)st* a d "ill* see him%A AHe "e t to ?o do last i$ht%A ?impi $ ?)cy loo-ed me hard i the face* a d sa" that I "as spea-i $ the tr)th% @itho)t a "ord more* she t)r ed a'o)t a$ai i sta tly to"ards Co''=s Hole% A.topDA I said% AI expect e"s of &r% Fra -li 0la-e to7morro"% /i#e me yo)r letter* a d I=ll se d it o to him 'y the post%A ?impi $ ?)cy steadied herself o her cr)tch a d loo-ed 'ac- at me o#er her sho)lder% AI am to $i#e it from my ha ds i to his ha ds*A she said% AA d I am to $i#e it to him i other "ay%A A.hall I "rite* a d tell him "hat yo) ha#e saidBA ATell him I hate him% A d yo) "ill tell him the tr)th%A A5es* yes% 0)t a'o)t the letterBA o

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AIf he "a ts the letter* he m)st come 'ac- here* a d $et it from &e%A @ith those "ords she limped off o the "ay to Co''=s Hole% The detecti#e7fe#er ')r t )p all my di$ ity o the spot% I follo"ed her* a d tried to ma-e her tal-% All i #ai % It "as my misfort) e to 'e a ma !a d ?impi $ ?)cy e (oyed disappoi ti $ me% ?ater i the day* I tried my l)c- "ith her mother% /ood &rs% 5olla d co)ld o ly cry* a d recomme d a drop of comfort o)t of the 6)tch 'ottle% I fo) d the fisherma o the 'each% He said it "as Aa 'ad (o'*A a d "e t o me di $ his et% 8either father or mother - e" more tha I - e"% The o e "ay left to try "as the cha ce* "hich mi$ht come "ith the mor i $* of "riti $ to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I lea#e yo) to ima$i e ho" I "atched for the postma o T)esday mor i $% He 'ro)$ht me t"o letters% 4 e* from Pe elope :"hich I had hardly patie ce e o)$h to read;* a o) ced that my lady a d &iss Rachel "ere safely esta'lished i ?o do % The other* from &r% +effco* i formed me that his master=s so had left E $la d already% 4 reachi $ the metropolis* &r% Fra -li had* it appeared* $o e strai$ht to his father=s reside ce% He arri#ed at a a"-"ard time% &r% 0la-e* the elder* "as )p to his eyes i the ')si ess of the Ho)se of Commo s* a d "as am)si $ himself at home that i$ht "ith the fa#o)rite parliame tary playthi $ "hich they call Aa pri#ate 'ill%A &r% +effco himself sho"ed &r% Fra -li i to his father=s st)dy% A&y dear Fra -li D "hy do yo) s)rprise me i this "ayB A ythi $ "ro $BA A5es9 somethi $ "ro $ "ith Rachel9 I am dreadf)lly distressed a'o)t it%A A/rie#ed to hear it% 0)t I ca =t liste to yo) o"%A A@he ca yo) liste BA A&y dear 'oyD I "o =t decei#e yo)% I ca liste at the e d of the sessio * ot a mome t 'efore% /ood7 i$ht%A ATha - yo)* sir% /ood7 i$ht%A .)ch "as the co #ersatio * i side the st)dy* as reported to me 'y &r% +effco% The co #ersatio o)tside the st)dy* "as shorter still% A+effco* see "hat time the tidal trai starts to7morro" mor i $%A AAt six7forty* &r% Fra -li %A AHa#e me called at fi#e%A A/oi $ a'road* sirBA A/oi $* +effco* "here#er the rail"ay chooses to ta-e me%A A.hall I tell yo)r father* sirBA A5es9 tell him at the e d of the sessio %A The ext mor i $ &r% Fra -li had started for forei$ parts% To "hat partic)lar place he "as 'o) d* o'ody :himself i cl)ded; co)ld pres)me to $)ess% @e mi$ht hear of him ext i E)rope* Asia* Africa* or America% The cha ces "ere as e,)ally di#ided as possi'le* i &r% +effco=s opi io * amo $ the fo)r ,)arters of the $lo'e% This e"s!'y closi $ )p all prospects of my 'ri $i $ ?impi $ ?)cy a d &r% Fra -li to$ether!at o ce stopped a y f)rther pro$ress of mi e o the "ay to disco#ery% Pe elope=s 'elief that her fello"7ser#a t had destroyed herself thro)$h ) re,)ited lo#e for &r% Fra -li 0la-e* "as co firmed!a d that "as all% @hether the letter "hich Rosa a had left to 'e $i#e to him after her death did* or did ot* co tai the co fessio "hich &r% Fra -li had s)spected her of tryi $ to ma-e to him i her life7time* it "as impossi'le to say% It mi$ht 'e o ly a fare"ell "ord* telli $ othi $ ')t the secret of her ) happy fa cy for a perso 'eyo d her reach% 4r it mi$ht o" the "hole tr)th a'o)t the stra $e proceedi $s i "hich .er$ea t C)ff had detected her* from the time "he the

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&oo sto e "as lost* to the time "he she r)shed to her o" destr)ctio at the .hi#eri $ .a d% A sealed letter it had 'ee placed i ?impi $ ?)cy=s ha d* a d a sealed letter it remai ed to me a d to e#ery o e a'o)t the $irl* her o" pare ts i cl)ded% @e all s)spected her of ha#i $ 'ee i the dead "oma =s co fide ce9 "e all tried to ma-e her spea-9 "e all failed% 8o" o e* a d o" a other* of the ser#a ts!still holdi $ to the 'elief that Rosa a had stole the 6iamo d a d had hidde it!peered a d po-ed a'o)t the roc-s to "hich she had 'ee traced* a d peered a d po-ed i #ai % The tide e''ed* a d the tide flo"ed9 the s)mmer "e t o * a d the a)t)m came% A d the I)ic-sa d* "hich hid her 'ody* hid her secret too% The e"s of &r% Fra -li =s depart)re from E $la d o the .) day mor i $* a d the e"s of my lady=s arri#al i ?o do "ith &iss Rachel o the &o day after oo * had reached me* as yo) are a"are* 'y the T)esday=s post% The @ed esday came* a d 'ro)$ht othi $% The Th)rsday prod)ced a seco d ')d$et of e"s from Pe elope% &y $irl=s letter i formed me that some $reat ?o do doctor had 'ee co s)lted a'o)t her yo) $ lady* a d had ear ed a $)i ea 'y remar-i $ that she had 'etter 'e am)sed% Flo"er7 sho"s* operas* 'alls!there "as a "hole ro) d of $aieties i prospect9 a d &iss Rachel* to her mother=s asto ishme t* ea$erly too- to it all% &r% /odfrey had called9 e#ide tly as s"eet as e#er o his co)si * i spite of the receptio he had met "ith* "he he tried his l)c- o the occasio of the 'irthday% To Pe elope=s $reat re$ret* he had 'ee most $racio)sly recei#ed* a d had added &iss Rachel=s ame to o e of his ?adies= Charities o the spot% &y mistress "as reported to 'e o)t of spirits* a d to ha#e held t"o lo $ i ter#ie"s "ith her la"yer% Certai spec)latio s follo"ed* referri $ to a poor relatio of the family!o e &iss Clac-* "hom I ha#e me tio ed i my acco) t of the 'irthday di er* as sitti $ ext to &r% /odfrey* a d ha#i $ a pretty taste i champa$ e% Pe elope "as asto ished to fi d that &iss Clac- had ot called yet% .he "o)ld s)rely ot 'e lo $ 'efore she faste ed herself o my lady as )s)al!a d so forth* a d so forth* i the "ay "ome ha#e of $irdi $ at each other* o a d off paper% This "o)ld ot ha#e 'ee "orth me tio i $* I admit* ')t for o e reaso % I hear yo) are li-ely to 'e t)r ed o#er to &iss Clac-* after parti $ "ith me% I that case* ()st do me the fa#o)r of ot 'elie#i $ a "ord she says* if she spea-s of yo)r h)m'le ser#a t% 4 Friday* othi $ happe ed!except that o e of the do$s sho"ed si$ s of a 'rea-i $ o)t 'ehi d the ears% I $a#e him a dose of syr)p of ')c-thor * a d p)t him o a diet of pot7 li,)or a d #e$eta'les till f)rther orders% Exc)se my me tio i $ this% It has slipped i someho"% Pass it o#er please% I am fast comi $ to the e d of my offe ces a$ai st yo)r c)lti#ated moder taste% 0esides* the do$ "as a $ood creat)re* a d deser#ed a $ood physic-i $9 he did i deed% .at)rday* the last day of the "ee-* is also the last day i my arrati#e% The mor i $=s post 'ro)$ht me a s)rprise i the shape of a ?o do e"spaper% The ha d"riti $ o the directio p)<<led me% I compared it "ith the mo ey7le der=s ame a d address as recorded i my poc-et7'oo-* a d ide tified it at o ce as the "riti $ of .er$ea t C)ff%

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?oo-i $ thro)$h the paper ea$erly e o)$h* after this disco#ery* I fo) d a i -7mardra" ro) d o e of the police reports% Here it is* at yo)r ser#ice% Read it as I read it* a d yo) "ill set the ri$ht #al)e o the .er$ea t=s polite atte tio i se di $ me the e"s of the dayF A?A&0ETH!.hortly 'efore the closi $ of the co)rt* &r% .eptim)s ?)-er* the "ell7 - o" dealer i a cie t $ems* car#i $s* i ta$li* Kc%* Kc%* applied to the sitti $ ma$istrate for ad#ice% The applica t stated that he had 'ee a oyed* at i ter#als thro)$ho)t the day* 'y the proceedi $s of some of those strolli $ I dia s "ho i fest the streets% The perso s complai ed of "ere three i )m'er% After ha#i $ 'ee se t a"ay 'y the police* they had ret)r ed a$ai a d a$ai * a d had attempted to e ter the ho)se o prete ce of as-i $ for charity% @ar ed off i the fro t* they had 'ee disco#ered a$ai at the 'ac- of the premises% 0esides the a oya ce complai ed of* &r% ?)-er expressed himself as 'ei $ ) der some apprehe sio that ro''ery mi$ht 'e co templated% His collectio co tai ed ma y ) i,)e $ems* 'oth classical a d 4rie tal* of the hi$hest #al)e% He had o ly the day 'efore 'ee compelled to dismiss a s-illed "or-ma i i#ory car#i $ from his employme t :a ati#e of I dia* as "e ) derstood;* o s)spicio of attempted theft9 a d he felt 'y o mea s s)re that this ma a d the street ()$$lers of "hom he complai ed* mi$ht ot 'e acti $ i co cert% It mi$ht 'e their o'(ect to collect a cro"d* a d create a dist)r'a ce i the street* a d* i the co f)sio th)s ca)sed* to o'tai access to the ho)se% I reply to the ma$istrate* &r% ?)-er admitted that he had o e#ide ce to prod)ce of a y attempt at ro''ery 'ei $ i co templatio % He co)ld spea- positi#ely to the a oya ce a d i terr)ptio ca)sed 'y the I dia s* ')t ot to a ythi $ else% The ma$istrate remar-ed that* if the a oya ce "ere repeated* the applica t co)ld s)mmo the I dia s to that co)rt* "here they mi$ht easily 'e dealt "ith ) der the Act% As to the #al)a'les i &r% ?)-er=s possessio * &r% ?)-er himself m)st ta-e the 'est meas)res for their safe c)stody% He "o)ld do "ell perhaps to comm) icate "ith the police* a d to adopt s)ch additio al preca)tio s as their experie ce mi$ht s)$$est% The applica t tha -ed his "orship* a d "ithdre"%A 4 e of the "ise a cie ts is reported :I for$et o "hat occasio ; as ha#i $ recomme ded his fello"7creat)res to Aloo- to the e d%A ?oo-i $ to the e d of these pa$es of mi e* a d "o deri $ for some days past ho" I sho)ld ma a$e to "rite it* I fi d my plai stateme t of facts comi $ to a co cl)sio * most appropriately* of its o" self% @e ha#e $o e o * i this matter of the &oo sto e* from o e mar#el to a other9 a d here "e e d "ith the $reatest mar#el of all! amely* the accomplishme t of .er$ea t C)ff=s three predictio s i less tha a "ee- from the time "he he had made them% After heari $ from the 5olla ds o the &o day* I had o" heard of the I dia s* a d heard of the mo ey7le der* i the e"s from ?o do !&iss Rachel herself remem'er* 'ei $ also i ?o do at the time% 5o) see* I p)t thi $s at their "orst* e#e "he they tell dead a$ai st my o" #ie"% If yo) desert me* a d side "ith the .er$ea t* o the e#ide ce 'efore yo)!if the o ly ratio al expla atio yo) ca see is* that &iss Rachel a d &r% ?)-er m)st ha#e $ot to$ether* a d that the &oo sto e m)st 'e o" i pled$e i the mo ey7le der=s ho)se!I o" * I ca =t 'lame yo) for arri#i $ at that co cl)sio % I the

1>G

dar-* I ha#e 'ro)$ht yo) th)s far% I the dar- I am compelled to lea#e yo)* "ith my 'est respects% @hy compelledB it may 'e as-ed% @hy ot ta-e the perso s "ho ha#e $o e alo $ "ith me* so far* )p i to those re$io s of s)perior e li$hte me t i "hich I sit myselfB I a s"er to this* I ca o ly state that I am acti $ ) der orders* a d that those orders ha#e 'ee $i#e to me :as I ) dersta d; i the i terests of tr)th% I am for'idde to tell more i this arrati#e tha I - e" myself at the time% 4r* to p)t it plai er* I am to -eep strictly "ithi the limits of my o" experie ce* a d am ot to i form yo) of "hat other perso s told me!for the #ery s)fficie t reaso that yo) are to ha#e the i formatio from those other perso s themsel#es* at first ha d% I this matter of the &oo sto e the pla is* ot to prese t reports* ')t to prod)ce "it esses% I pict)re to myself a mem'er of the family readi $ these pa$es fifty years he ce% ?ordD "hat a complime t he "ill feel it* to 'e as-ed to ta-e othi $ o hear7say* a d to 'e treated i all respects li-e a +)d$e o the 'e ch% At this place* the * "e part!for the prese t* at least!after lo $ (o)r eyi $ to$ether* "ith a compa io a'le feeli $* I hope* o 'oth sides% The de#il=s da ce of the I dia 6iamo d has threaded its "ay to ?o do 9 a d to ?o do yo) m)st $o after it* lea#i $ me at the co) try7ho)se% Please to exc)se the fa)lts of this compositio !my tal-i $ so m)ch of myself* a d 'ei $ too familiar* I am afraid* "ith yo)% I mea o harm9 a d I dri - most respectf)lly :ha#i $ ()st do e di er; to yo)r health a d prosperity* i a ta -ard of her ladyship=s ale% &ay yo) fi d i these lea#es of my "riti $* "hat R40I8.48 CRE.4E fo) d i his experie ce o the desert isla d! amely* Asomethi $ to comfort yo)rsel#es from* a d to set i the 6escriptio of /ood a d E#il* o the Credit .ide of the Acco) t%A!Fare"ell% THE E86 4F THE FIR.T PERI46%

SECOND PERIOD
THE DISCO!ER" O THE TRUTH $%)*)+%)*'(
The e#e ts related i se#eral arrati#es%

IRST NARRATI!E
Cont,ib-te. by MISS CLAC/0 niece o1 t2e late SIR 3OHN !ERINDER
1>3

CHAPTER I
I am i de'ted to my dear pare ts :'oth o" i hea#e ; for ha#i $ had ha'its of order a d re$)larity i stilled i to me at a #ery early a$e% I that happy 'y$o e time* I "as ta)$ht to -eep my hair tidy at all ho)rs of the day a d i$ht* a d to fold )p e#ery article of my clothi $ caref)lly* i the same order* o the same chair* i the same place at the foot of the 'ed* 'efore retiri $ to rest% A e try of the day=s e#e ts i my little diary i #aria'ly preceded the foldi $ )p% The AE#e i $ Hym A :repeated i 'ed; i #aria'ly follo"ed the foldi $ )p% A d the s"eet sleep of childhood i #aria'ly follo"ed the AE#e i $ Hym %A I later life :alasD; the Hym has 'ee s)cceeded 'y sad a d 'itter meditatio s9 a d the s"eet sleep has 'ee ')t ill excha $ed for the 'ro-e sl)m'ers "hich ha) t the ) easy pillo" of care% 4 the other ha d* I ha#e co ti )ed to fold my clothes* a d to -eep my little diary% The former ha'it li -s me to my happy childhood!'efore papa "as r)i ed% The latter ha'it!hitherto mai ly )sef)l i helpi $ me to discipli e the falle at)re "hich "e all i herit from Adam!has ) expectedly pro#ed importa t to my h)m'le i terests i ,)ite a other "ay% It has e a'led poor &e to ser#e the caprice of a "ealthy mem'er of the family i to "hich my late ) cle married% I am fort) ate e o)$h to 'e )sef)l to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I ha#e 'ee c)t off from all e"s of my relati#es 'y marria$e for some time past% @he "e are isolated a d poor* "e are ot i fre,)e tly for$otte % I am o" li#i $* for eco omy=s sa-e* i a little to" i 0ritta y* i ha'ited 'y a select circle of serio)s E $lish frie ds* a d possessed of the i estima'le ad#a ta$es of a Protesta t cler$yma a d a cheap mar-et% I this retireme t!a Patmos amid the ho"li $ ocea of popery that s)rro) ds )s!a letter from E $la d has reached me at last% I fi d my i si$ ifica t existe ce s)dde ly remem'ered 'y &r% Fra -li 0la-e% &y "ealthy relati#e!"o)ld that I co)ld add my spirit)ally7"ealthy relati#eD!"rites* "itho)t e#e a attempt at dis$)isi $ that he "a ts somethi $ of me% The "him has sei<ed him to stir )p the deplora'le sca dal of the &oo sto eF a d I am to help him 'y "riti $ the acco) t of "hat I myself "it essed "hile #isiti $ at A) t Veri der=s ho)se i ?o do % Pec) iary rem) eratio is offered to me!"ith the "a t of feeli $ pec)liar to the rich% I am to re7ope "o) ds that Time has 'arely closed9 I am to recall the most i te sely pai f)l remem'ra ces!a d this do e* I am to feel myself compe sated 'y a e" laceratio * i the shape of &r% 0la-e=s che,)e% &y at)re is "ea-% It cost me a hard str)$$le* 'efore Christia h)mility co ,)ered si f)l pride* a d self7de ial accepted the che,)e%

1CH

@itho)t my diary* I do)'t!pray let me express it i the $rossest termsD!if I co)ld ha#e ho estly ear ed my mo ey% @ith my diary* the poor la'o)rer :"ho for$i#es &r% 0la-e for i s)lti $ her; is "orthy of her hire% 8othi $ escaped me at the time I "as #isiti $ dear A) t Veri der% E#erythi $ "as e tered :tha -s to my early trai i $; day 'y day as it happe ed9 a d e#erythi $ do" to the smallest partic)lar* shall 'e told here% &y sacred re$ard for tr)th is :tha - /od; far a'o#e my respect for perso s% It "ill 'e easy for &r% 0la-e to s)ppress "hat may ot pro#e to 'e s)fficie tly flatteri $ i these pa$es to the perso chiefly co cer ed i them% He has p)rchased my time* ')t ot e#e HI. "ealth ca p)rchase my co scie ce too%L
5 :6TE! '))E) B" 7(':;%4: B%';E!<Miss Clack may make her mind =uite easy on this #oint! :othing will be added, altered or remo ed, in her manuscri#t, or in any of the other manuscri#ts which #ass through my hands! Whate er o#inions any of the writers may e>#ress, whate er #eculiarities of treatment may mark, and #erha#s in a literary sense, disfigure the narrati es which 4 am now collecting, not a line will be tam#ered with anywhere, from first to last! 's genuine documents they are sent to me<and as genuine documents 4 shall #reser e them, endorsed by the attestations of witnesses who can s#eak to the facts! 4t only remains to be added that ?the #erson chiefly concerned? in Miss Clack@s narrati e, is ha##y enough at the #resent moment, not only to bra e the smartest e>ercise of Miss Clack@s #en, but e en to recognise its un=uestionable alue as an instrument for the e>hibition of Miss Clack@s character!

&y diary i forms me* that I "as accide tally passi $ A) t Veri der=s ho)se i &o ta$) .,)are* o &o day* 3rd +)ly* 1G1G% .eei $ the sh)tters ope ed* a d the 'li ds dra" )p* I felt that it "o)ld 'e a act of polite atte tio to - oc-* a d ma-e i ,)iries% The perso "ho a s"ered the door* i formed me that my a) t a d her da)$hter :I really ca ot call her my co)si D; had arri#ed from the co) try a "ee- si ce* a d meditated ma-i $ some stay i ?o do % I se t )p a messa$e at o ce* decli i $ to dist)r' them* a d o ly 'e$$i $ to - o" "hether I co)ld 'e of a y )se% The perso "ho a s"ered the door* too- my messa$e i i sole t sile ce* a d left me sta di $ i the hall% .he is the da)$hter of a heathe old ma amed 0ettered$e!lo $* too lo $* tolerated i my a) t=s family% I sat do" i the hall to "ait for my a s"er!a d* ha#i $ al"ays a fe" tracts i my 'a$* I selected o e "hich pro#ed to 'e ,)ite pro#ide tially applica'le to the perso "ho a s"ered the door% The hall "as dirty* a d the chair "as hard9 ')t the 'lessed co scio)s ess of ret)r i $ $ood for e#il raised me ,)ite a'o#e a y trifli $ co sideratio s of that -i d% The tract "as o e of a series addressed to yo) $ "ome o the si f)l ess of dress% I style it "as de#o)tly familiar% Its title "as* AA @ord @ith 5o) 4 5o)r Cap7Ri''o s%A A&y lady is m)ch o'li$ed* a d 'e$s yo) "ill come a d l) ch to7morro" at t"o%A

1C1

I passed o#er the ma er i "hich she $a#e her messa$e* a d the dreadf)l 'old ess of her loo-% I tha -ed this yo) $ casta"ay9 a d I said* i a to e of Christia i terest* A@ill yo) fa#o)r me 'y accepti $ a tractBA .he loo-ed at the title% AIs it "ritte 'y a ma or a "oma * &issB If it=s "ritte 'y a "oma * I had rather ot read it o that acco) t% If it=s "ritte 'y a ma * I 'e$ to i form him that he - o"s othi $ a'o)t it%A .he ha ded me 'ac- the tract* a d ope ed the door% @e m)st so" the $ood seed someho"% I "aited till the door "as sh)t o me* a d slipped the tract i to the letter7'ox% @he I had dropped a other tract thro)$h the area raili $s* I felt relie#ed* i some small de$ree* of a hea#y respo si'ility to"ards others% @e had a meeti $ that e#e i $ of the .elect Committee of the &others=7.mall7Clothes7 Co #ersio 7.ociety% The o'(ect of this excelle t Charity is!as all serio)s people - o" !to resc)e ) redeemed fathers= tro)sers from the pa" 'ro-er* a d to pre#e t their res)mptio * o the part of the irreclaima'le pare t* 'y a'rid$i $ them immediately to s)it the proportio s of the i oce t so % I "as a mem'er* at that time* of the select committee9 a d I me tio the .ociety here* 'eca)se my precio)s a d admira'le frie d* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* "as associated "ith o)r "or- of moral a d material )sef)l ess% I had expected to see him i the 'oardroom* o the &o day e#e i $ of "hich I am o" "riti $* a d had proposed to tell him* "he "e met* of dear A) t Veri der=s arri#al i ?o do % To my $reat disappoi tme t he e#er appeared% 4 my expressi $ a feeli $ of s)rprise at his a'se ce* my sisters of the Committee all loo-ed )p to$ether from their tro)sers :"e had a $reat press)re of ')si ess that i$ht;* a d as-ed i ama<eme t* if I had ot heard the e"s% I ac- o"led$ed my i$ ora ce* a d "as the told* for the first time* of a e#e t "hich forms* so to spea-* the starti $7poi t of this arrati#e% 4 the pre#io)s Friday* t"o $e tleme !occ)pyi $ "idely7differe t positio s i society!had 'ee the #ictims of a o)tra$e "hich had startled all ?o do % 4 e of the $e tleme "as &r% .eptim)s ?)-er* of ?am'eth% The other "as &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% ?i#i $ i my prese t isolatio * I ha#e o mea s of i trod)ci $ the e"spaper7acco) t of the o)tra$e i to my arrati#e% I "as also depri#ed* at the time* of the i estima'le ad#a ta$e of heari $ the e#e ts related 'y the fer#id elo,)e ce of &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% All I ca do is to state the facts as they "ere stated* o that &o day e#e i $* to me9 proceedi $ o the pla "hich I ha#e 'ee ta)$ht from i fa cy to adopt i foldi $ )p my clothes% E#erythi $ shall 'e p)t eatly* a d e#erythi $ shall 'e p)t i its place% These li es are "ritte 'y a poor "ea- "oma % From a poor "ea- "oma "ho "ill 'e cr)el e o)$h to expect moreB The date!tha -s to my dear pare ts* o dictio ary that e#er "as "ritte ca 'e more partic)lar tha I am a'o)t dates!"as Friday* +) e 3Hth* 1G1G% Early o that memora'le day* o)r $ifted &r% /odfrey happe ed to 'e cashi $ a che,)e at a 'a -i $7ho)se i ?om'ard .treet% The ame of the firm is accide tally 'lotted i my diary* a d my sacred re$ard for tr)th for'ids me to ha<ard a $)ess i a matter of this -i d% Fort) ately* the ame of the firm does =t matter% @hat does matter is a circ)msta ce that occ)rred "he &r% /odfrey had tra sacted his ')si ess% 4 $ai i $ the door* he

1C2

e co) tered a $e tlema !a perfect stra $er to him!"ho "as accide tally lea#i $ the office exactly at the same time as himself% A mome tary co test of polite ess e s)ed 'et"ee them as to "ho sho)ld 'e the first to pass thro)$h the door of the 'a -% The stra $er i sisted o ma-i $ &r% /odfrey precede him9 &r% /odfrey said a fe" ci#il "ords9 they 'o"ed* a d parted i the street% Tho)$htless a d s)perficial people may say* Here is s)rely a #ery tr)mpery little i cide t related i a a's)rdly circ)msta tial ma er% 4h* my yo) $ frie ds a d fello"7si ersD 'e"are of pres)mi $ to exercise yo)r poor car al reaso % 4h* 'e morally tidy% ?et yo)r faith 'e as yo)r stoc-i $s* a d yo)r stoc-i $s as yo)r faith% 0oth e#er spotless* a d 'oth ready to p)t o at a mome t=s oticeD I 'e$ a tho)sa d pardo s% I ha#e falle i se si'ly i to my .) day7school style% &ost i appropriate i s)ch a record as this% ?et me try to 'e "orldly!let me say that trifles* i this case as i ma y others* led to terri'le res)lts% &erely premisi $ that the polite stra $er "as &r% ?)-er* of ?am'eth* "e "ill o" follo" &r% /odfrey home to his reside ce at Jil')r % He fo) d "aiti $ for him* i the hall* a poorly clad ')t delicate a d i teresti $7loo-i $ little 'oy% The 'oy ha ded him a letter* merely me tio i $ that he had 'ee e tr)sted "ith it 'y a old lady "hom he did ot - o"* a d "ho had $i#e him o i str)ctio s to "ait for a a s"er% .)ch i cide ts as these "ere ot ) commo i &r% /odfrey=s lar$e experie ce as a promoter of p)'lic charities% He let the 'oy $o* a d ope ed the letter% The ha d"riti $ "as e tirely ) familiar to him% It re,)ested his atte da ce* "ithi a ho)r=s time* at a ho)se i 8orth)m'erla d .treet* .tra d* "hich he had e#er had occasio to e ter 'efore% The o'(ect so)$ht "as to o'tai from the "orthy ma a$er certai details o the s)'(ect of the &others=7.mall7Clothes7Co #ersio 7.ociety* a d the i formatio "as "a ted 'y a elderly lady "ho proposed addi $ lar$ely to the reso)rces of the charity* if her ,)estio s "ere met 'y satisfactory replies% .he me tio ed her ame* a d she added that the short ess of her stay i ?o do pre#e ted her from $i#i $ a y lo $er otice to the emi e t phila thropist "hom she addressed% 4rdi ary people mi$ht ha#e hesitated 'efore setti $ aside their o" e $a$eme ts to s)it the co #e ie ce of a stra $er% The Christia Hero e#er hesitates "here $ood is to 'e do e% &r% /odfrey i sta tly t)r ed 'ac-* a d proceeded to the ho)se i 8orth)m'erla d .treet% A most respecta'le tho)$h some"hat corp)le t ma a s"ered the door* a d* o heari $ &r% /odfrey=s ame* immediately co d)cted him i to a empty apartme t at the 'ac-* o the dra"i $7room floor% He oticed t"o ) )s)al thi $s o e teri $ the room% 4 e of them "as a fai t odo)r of m)s- a d camphor% The other "as a a cie t 4rie tal ma )script* richly ill)mi ated "ith I dia fi$)res a d de#ices* that lay ope to i spectio o a ta'le% He "as loo-i $ at the 'oo-* the positio of "hich ca)sed him to sta d "ith his 'act)r ed to"ards the closed foldi $ doors comm) icati $ "ith the fro t room* "he * "itho)t the sli$htest pre#io)s oise to "ar him* he felt himself s)dde ly sei<ed ro) d

1C3

the ec- from 'ehi d% He had ()st time to otice that the arm ro) d his ec- "as a-ed a d of a ta" y7'ro" colo)r* 'efore his eyes "ere 'a da$ed* his mo)th "as $a$$ed* a d he "as thro" helpless o the floor 'y :as he ()d$ed; t"o me % A third rifled his poc-ets* a d!if* as a lady* I may #e t)re to )se s)ch a expressio !searched him* "itho)t ceremo y* thro)$h a d thro)$h to his s-i % Here I sho)ld $reatly e (oy sayi $ a fe" cheeri $ "ords o the de#o)t co fide ce "hich co)ld alo e ha#e s)stai ed &r% /odfrey i a emer$e cy so terri'le as this% Perhaps* ho"e#er* the positio a d appeara ce of my admira'le frie d at the c)lmi ati $ period of the o)tra$e :as a'o#e descri'ed; are hardly "ithi the proper limits of female disc)ssio % ?et me pass o#er the ext fe" mome ts* a d ret)r to &r% /odfrey at the time "he the odio)s search of his perso had 'ee completed% The o)tra$e had 'ee perpetrated thro)$ho)t i dead sile ce% At the e d of it some "ords "ere excha $ed* amo $ the i #isi'le "retches* i a la $)a$e "hich he did ot ) dersta d* ')t i to es "hich "ere plai ly expressi#e :to his c)lti#ated ear; of disappoi tme t a d ra$e% He "as s)dde ly lifted from the $ro) d* placed i a chair* a d 'o) d there ha d a d foot% The ext mome t he felt the air flo"i $ i from the ope door* liste ed* a d co cl)ded that he "as alo e a$ai i the room% A i ter#al elapsed* a d he heard a so) d 'elo" li-e the r)stli $ so) d of a "oma =s dress% It ad#a ced )p the stairs* a d stopped% A female scream re t the atmosphere of $)ilt% A ma =s #oice 'elo" exclaimed AH)lloDA A ma =s feet asce ded the stairs% &r% /odfrey felt Christia fi $ers ) faste i $ his 'a da$e* a d extracti $ his $a$% He loo-ed i ama<eme t at t"o respecta'le stra $ers* a d fai tly artic)lated* A@hat does it mea BA The t"o respecta'le stra $ers loo-ed 'ac-* a d said* AExactly the ,)estio "e "ere $oi $ to as- 54E%A The i e#ita'le expla atio follo"ed% 8oD ?et me 'e scr)p)lo)sly partic)lar% .al #olatile a d "ater follo"ed* to compose dear &r% /odfrey=s er#es% The expla atio came ext% It appeared from the stateme t of the la dlord a d la dlady of the ho)se :perso s of $ood rep)te i the ei$h'o)rhood;* that their first a d seco d floor apartme ts had 'ee e $a$ed* o the pre#io)s day* for a "ee- certai * 'y a most respecta'le7loo-i $ $e tlema !the same "ho has 'ee already descri'ed as a s"eri $ the door to &r% /odfrey=s - oc-% The $e tlema had paid the "ee-=s re t a d all the "ee-=s extras i ad#a ce* stati $ that the apartme ts "ere "a ted for three 4rie tal o'leme * frie ds of his* "ho "ere #isiti $ E $la d for the first time% Early o the mor i $ of the o)tra$e* t"o of the 4rie tal stra $ers* accompa ied 'y their respecta'le E $lish frie d* toopossessio of the apartme ts% The third "as expected to (oi them shortly9 a d the l)$$a$e :reported as #ery ')l-y; "as a o) ced to follo" "he it had passed thro)$h the C)stom7ho)se* late i the after oo % 8ot more tha te mi )tes pre#io)s to &r% /odfrey=s #isit* the third forei$ er had arri#ed% 8othi $ o)t of the commo had happe ed* to the - o"led$e of the la dlord a d la dlady do" 7stairs* ) til "ithi the last fi#e mi )tes!"he they had see the three forei$ ers* accompa ied 'y their respecta'le E $lish frie d* all lea#e the ho)se to$ether* "al-i $ ,)ietly i the directio of the .tra d% Remem'eri $ that a #isitor had called* a d ot ha#i $ see the #isitor also lea#e the

1C1

ho)se* the la dlady had tho)$ht it rather stra $e that the $e tlema sho)ld 'e left 'y himself )p7stairs% After a short disc)ssio "ith her h)s'a d* she had co sidered it ad#isa'le to ascertai "hether a ythi $ "as "ro $% The res)lt had follo"ed* as I ha#e already attempted to descri'e it9 a d there the expla atio of the la dlord a d the la dlady came to a e d% A i #esti$atio "as ext made i the room% 6ear &r% /odfrey=s property "as fo) d scattered i all directio s% @he the articles "ere collected* ho"e#er* othi $ "as missi $9 his "atch* chai * p)rse* -eys* poc-et7ha d-erchief* ote7'oo-* a d all his loose papers had 'ee closely exami ed* a d had the 'ee left ) harmed to 'e res)med 'y the o" er% I the same "ay* ot the smallest morsel of property 'elo $i $ to the proprietors of the ho)se had 'ee a'stracted% The 4rie tal o'leme had remo#ed their o" ill)mi ated ma )script* a d had remo#ed othi $ else% @hat did it mea B Ta-i $ the "orldly poi t of #ie"* it appeared to mea that &r% /odfrey had 'ee the #ictim of some i comprehe si'le error* committed 'y certai ) - o" me % A dar- co spiracy "as o foot i the midst of )s9 a d o)r 'elo#ed a d i oce t frie d had 'ee e ta $led i its meshes% @he the Christia hero of a h) dred charita'le #ictories pl) $es i to a pitfall that has 'ee d)$ for him 'y mista-e* oh* "hat a "ar i $ it is to the rest of )s to 'e ) ceasi $ly o o)r $)ardD Ho" soo may o)r o" e#il passio s pro#e to 'e 4rie tal o'leme "ho po) ce o )s ) a"aresD I co)ld "rite pa$es of affectio ate "ar i $ o this o e theme* ')t :alasD; I am ot permitted to impro#e!I am co dem ed to arrate% &y "ealthy relati#e=s che,)e! he ceforth* the i c)')s of my existe ce!"ar s me that I ha#e ot do e "ith this record of #iole ce yet% @e m)st lea#e &r% /odfrey to reco#er i 8orth)m'erla d .treet* a d m)st follo" the proceedi $s of &r% ?)-er at a later period of the day% After lea#i $ the 'a -* &r% ?)-er had #isited #ario)s parts of ?o do o ')si ess erra ds% Ret)r i $ to his o" reside ce* he fo) d a letter "aiti $ for him* "hich "as descri'ed as ha#i $ 'ee left a short time pre#io)sly 'y a 'oy% I this case* as i &r% /odfrey=s case* the ha d"riti $ "as stra $e9 ')t the ame me tio ed "as the ame of o e of &r% ?)-er=s c)stomers% His correspo de t a o) ced :"riti $ i the third perso !appare tly 'y the ha d of a dep)ty; that he had 'ee ) expectedly s)mmo ed to ?o do % He had ()st esta'lished himself i lod$i $s i Alfred Place* Totte ham Co)rt Road9 a d he desired to see &r% ?)-er immediately* o the s)'(ect of a p)rchase "hich he co templated ma-i $% The $e tlema "as a e th)siastic collector of 4rie tal a ti,)ities* a d had 'ee for ma y years a li'eral patro of the esta'lishme t i ?am'eth% 4h* "he shall "e "ea o)rsel#es from the "orship of &ammo D &r% ?)-er called a ca'* a d dro#e off i sta tly to his li'eral patro % Exactly "hat had happe ed to &r% /odfrey i 8orth)m'erla d .treet o" happe ed to &r% ?)-er i Alfred Place% 4 ce more the respecta'le ma a s"ered the door* a d sho"ed the #isitor )p7stairs i to the 'ac- dra"i $7room% There* a$ai * lay the ill)mi ated ma )script o a ta'le% &r% ?)-er=s atte tio "as a'sor'ed* as &r% /odfrey=s atte tio had 'ee a'sor'ed* 'y this 'ea)tif)l "or- of I dia art% He too "as aro)sed from his st)dies

1C>

'y a ta" y a-ed arm ro) d his throat* 'y a 'a da$e o#er his eyes* a d 'y a $a$ i his mo)th% He too "as thro" prostrate a d searched to the s-i % A lo $er i ter#al had the elapsed tha had passed i the experie ce of &r% /odfrey9 ')t it had e ded as 'efore* i the perso s of the ho)se s)specti $ somethi $ "ro $* a d $oi $ )p7stairs to see "hat had happe ed% Precisely the same expla atio "hich the la dlord i 8orth)m'erla d .treet had $i#e to &r% /odfrey* the la dlord i Alfred Place o" $a#e to &r% ?)-er% 0oth had 'ee imposed o i the same "ay 'y the pla)si'le address a d "ell7filled p)rse of the respecta'le stra $er* "ho i trod)ced himself as acti $ for his forei$ frie ds% The o e poi t of differe ce 'et"ee the t"o cases occ)rred "he the scattered co te ts of &r% ?)-er=s poc-ets "ere 'ei $ collected from the floor% His "atch a d p)rse "ere safe* ')t :less fort) ate tha &r% /odfrey; o e of the loose papers that he carried a'o)t him had 'ee ta-e a"ay% The paper i ,)estio ac- o"led$ed the receipt of a #al)a'le of $reat price "hich &r% ?)-er had that day left i the care of his 'a -ers% This doc)me t "o)ld 'e )seless for p)rposes of fra)d* i asm)ch as it pro#ided that the #al)a'le sho)ld o ly 'e $i#e )p o the perso al applicatio of the o" er% As soo as he reco#ered himself* &r% ?)-er h)rried to the 'a -* o the cha ce that the thie#es "ho had ro''ed him mi$ht i$ ora tly prese t themsel#es "ith the receipt% 8othi $ had 'ee see of them "he he arri#ed at the esta'lishme t* a d othi $ "as see of them after"ards% Their respecta'le E $lish frie d had :i the opi io of the 'a -ers; loo-ed the receipt o#er 'efore they attempted to ma-e )se of it* a d had $i#e them the ecessary "ar i $ i $ood time% I formatio of 'oth o)tra$es "as comm) icated to the police* a d the eedf)l i #esti$atio s "ere p)rs)ed* I 'elie#e* "ith $reat e er$y% The a)thorities held that a ro''ery had 'ee pla ed* o i s)fficie t i formatio recei#ed 'y the thie#es% They had 'ee plai ly ot s)re "hether &r% ?)-er had* or had ot* tr)sted the tra smissio of his precio)s $em to a other perso 9 a d poor polite &r% /odfrey had paid the pe alty of ha#i $ 'ee see accide tally spea-i $ to him% Add to this* that &r% /odfrey=s a'se ce from o)r &o day e#e i $ meeti $ had 'ee occasio ed 'y a co s)ltatio of the a)thorities* at "hich he "as re,)ested to assist!a d all the expla atio s re,)ired 'ei $ o" $i#e * I may proceed "ith the simpler story of my o" little perso al experie ces i &o ta$) .,)are% I "as p) ct)al to the l) cheo ho)r o T)esday% Refere ce to my diary sho"s this to ha#e 'ee a che,)ered day!m)ch i it to 'e de#o)tly re$retted* m)ch i it to 'e de#o)tly tha -f)l for% 6ear A) t Veri der recei#ed me "ith her )s)al $race a d -i d ess% 0)t I oticed* after a little "hile* that somethi $ "as "ro $% Certai a xio)s loo-s escaped my a) t* all of "hich too- the directio of her da)$hter% I e#er see Rachel myself "itho)t "o deri $ ho" it ca 'e that so i si$ ifica t7loo-i $ a perso sho)ld 'e the child of s)ch disti $)ished pare ts as .ir +oh a d ?ady Veri der% 4 this occasio * ho"e#er* she ot o ly disappoi ted!she really shoc-ed me% There "as a a'se ce of all lady7li-e restrai t i her la $)a$e a d ma er most pai f)l to see% .he "as possessed 'y some fe#erish exciteme t "hich made her distressi $ly lo)d "he she la)$hed* a d si f)lly "astef)l a d capricio)s i "hat she ate a d dra - at l) ch% I felt deeply for her poor mother* e#e 'efore the tr)e state of the case had 'ee co fide tially made - o" to me%

1CC

?) cheo o#er* my a) t saidF ARemem'er "hat the doctor told yo)* Rachel* a'o)t ,)ieti $ yo)rself "ith a 'oo- after ta-i $ yo)r meals%A AI=ll $o i to the li'rary* mamma*A she a s"ered% A0)t if /odfrey calls* mi d I am told of it% I am dyi $ for more e"s of him* after his ad#e t)re i 8orth)m'erla d .treet%A .he -issed her mother o the forehead* a d loo-ed my "ay% A/ood7'ye* Clac-*A she said* carelessly% Her i sole ce ro)sed o a $ry feeli $ i me9 I o ly made a pri#ate memora d)m to pray for her% @he "e "ere left 'y o)rsel#es* my a) t told me the "hole horri'le story of the I dia 6iamo d* "hich* I am happy to - o"* it is ot ecessary to repeat here% .he did ot co ceal from me that she "o)ld ha#e preferred -eepi $ sile ce o the s)'(ect% 0)t "he her o" ser#a ts all - e" of the loss of the &oo sto e* a d "he some of the circ)msta ces had act)ally fo) d their "ay i to the e"spapers!"he stra $ers "ere spec)lati $ "hether there "as a y co ectio 'et"ee "hat had happe ed at ?ady Veri der=s co) try7ho)se* a d "hat had happe ed i 8orth)m'erla d .treet a d Alfred Place!co cealme t "as ot to 'e tho)$ht of9 a d perfect fra - ess 'ecame a ecessity as "ell as a #irt)e% .ome perso s* heari $ "hat I o" heard* "o)ld ha#e 'ee pro'a'ly o#er"helmed "ith asto ishme t% For my o" part* - o"i $ Rachel=s spirit to ha#e 'ee esse tially ) re$e erate from her childhood )p"ards* I "as prepared for "hate#er my a) t co)ld tell me o the s)'(ect of her da)$hter% It mi$ht ha#e $o e o from 'ad to "orse till it e ded i &)rder9 a d I sho)ld still ha#e said to myself* The at)ral res)ltD oh* dear* dear* the at)ral res)ltD The o e thi $ that 6I6 shoc- me "as the co)rse my a) t had ta-e ) der the circ)msta ces% Here s)rely "as a case for a cler$yma * if e#er there "as o e yetD ?ady Veri der had tho)$ht it a case for a physicia % All my poor a) t=s early life had 'ee passed i her father=s $odless ho)sehold% The at)ral res)lt a$ai D 4h* dear* dear* the at)ral res)lt a$ai D AThe doctors recomme d ple ty of exercise a d am)seme t for Rachel* a d stro $ly )r$e me to -eep her mi d as m)ch as possi'le from d"elli $ o the past*A said ?ady Veri der% A4h* "hat heathe ad#iceDA I tho)$ht to myself% AI this Christia co) try* "hat heathe ad#iceDA &y a) t "e t o * AI do my 'est to carry o)t my i str)ctio s% 0)t this stra $e ad#e t)re of /odfrey=s happe s at a most ) fort) ate time% Rachel has 'ee i cessa tly restless a d excited si ce she first heard of it% .he left me o peace till I had "ritte a d as-ed my ephe" A'le"hite to come here% .he e#e feels a i terest i the other perso "ho "as ro)$hly )sed!&r% ?)-er* or some s)ch ame!tho)$h the ma is* of co)rse* a total stra $er to her%A A5o)r - o"led$e of the "orld* dear a) t* is s)perior to mi e*A I s)$$ested diffide tly% A0)t there m)st 'e a reaso s)rely for this extraordi ary co d)ct o Rachel=s part% .he is

1C2

-eepi $ a si f)l secret from yo) a d from e#ery'ody% &ay there ot 'e somethi $ i these rece t e#e ts "hich threate s her secret "ith disco#eryBA A6isco#eryBA repeated my a) t% A@hat ca yo) possi'ly mea B 6isco#ery thro)$h &r% ?)-erB 6isco#ery thro)$h my ephe"BA As the "ord passed her lips* a special pro#ide ce occ)rred% The ser#a t ope ed the door* a d a o) ced &r% /odfrey A'le"hite%

CHAPTER II
&r% /odfrey follo"ed the a o) ceme t of his ame!as &r% /odfrey does e#erythi $ else!exactly at the ri$ht time% He "as ot so close o the ser#a t=s heels as to startle )s% He "as ot so far 'ehi d as to ca)se )s the do)'le i co #e ie ce of a pa)se a d a ope door% It is i the complete ess of his daily life that the tr)e Christia appears% This dear ma "as #ery complete% A/o to &iss Veri der*A said my a) t* addressi $ the ser#a t* Aa d tell her &r% A'le"hite is here%A @e 'oth i ,)ired after his health% @e 'oth as-ed him to$ether "hether he felt li-e himself a$ai * after his terri'le ad#e t)re of the past "ee-% @ith perfect tact* he co tri#ed to a s"er )s at the same mome t% ?ady Veri der had his reply i "ords% I had his charmi $ smile% A@hat*A he cried* "ith i fi ite te der ess* Aha#e I do e to deser#e all this sympathyB &y dear a) tD my dear &iss Clac-D I ha#e merely 'ee mista-e for some'ody else% I ha#e o ly 'ee 'li dfolded9 I ha#e o ly 'ee stra $led9 I ha#e o ly 'ee thro" flat o my 'ac-* o a #ery thi carpet* co#eri $ a partic)larly hard floor% +)st thi - ho" m)ch "orse it mi$ht ha#e 'ee D I mi$ht ha#e 'ee m)rdered9 I mi$ht ha#e 'ee ro''ed% @hat ha#e I lostB 8othi $ ')t 8er#o)s Force!"hich the la" does =t reco$ ise as property9 so that* strictly spea-i $* I ha#e lost othi $ at all% If I co)ld ha#e had my o" "ay* I "o)ld ha#e -ept my ad#e t)re to myself!I shri - from all this f)ss a d p)'licity% 0)t &r% ?)-er made HI. i ()ries p)'lic* a d my i ()ries* as the ecessary co se,)e ce* ha#e 'ee proclaimed i their t)r % I ha#e 'ecome the property of the e"spapers* ) til the $e tle reader $ets sic- of the s)'(ect% I am #ery sic- i deed of it myself% &ay the $e tle reader soo 'e li-e meD A d ho" is dear RachelB .till e (oyi $ the $aieties of ?o do B .o $lad to hear itD &iss Clac-* I eed all yo)r i d)l$e ce% I am sadly 'ehi d7ha d "ith my Committee @or- a d my dear ?adies% 0)t I really do hope to loo- i at the &others=7 .mall7Clothes ext "ee-% 6id yo) ma-e cheeri $ pro$ress at &o day=s CommitteeB @as the 0oard hopef)l a'o)t f)t)re prospectsB A d are "e icely off for Tro)sersBA

1CG

The hea#e ly $e tle ess of his smile made his apolo$ies irresisti'le% The rich ess of his deep #oice added its o" i descri'a'le charm to the i teresti $ ')si ess ,)estio "hich he had ()st addressed to me% I tr)th* "e "ere almost T44 icely off for Tro)sers9 "e "ere ,)ite o#er"helmed 'y them% I "as ()st a'o)t to say so* "he the door ope ed a$ai * a d a eleme t of "orldly dist)r'a ce e tered the room* i the perso of &iss Veri der% .he approached dear &r% /odfrey at a most ) ladyli-e rate of speed* "ith her hair shoc-i $ly ) tidy* a d her face* "hat I sho)ld call* ) 'ecomi $ly fl)shed% AI am charmed to see yo)* /odfrey*A she said* addressi $ him* I $rie#e to add* i the off7 ha d ma er of o e yo) $ ma tal-i $ to a other% AI "ish yo) had 'ro)$ht &r% ?)-er "ith yo)% 5o) a d he :as lo $ as o)r prese t exciteme t lasts; are the t"o most i teresti $ me i all ?o do % It=s mor'id to say this9 it=s ) healthy9 it=s all that a "ell7 re$)lated mi d li-e &iss Clac-=s most i sti cti#ely sh)dders at% 8e#er mi d that% Tell me the "hole of the 8orth)m'erla d .treet story directly% I - o" the e"spapers ha#e left some of it o)t%A E#e dear &r% /odfrey parta-es of the falle at)re "hich "e all i herit from Adam!it is a #ery small share of o)r h)ma le$acy* ')t* alasD he has it% I co fess it $rie#ed me to see him ta-e Rachel=s ha d i 'oth of his o" ha ds* a d lay it softly o the left side of his "aistcoat% It "as a direct e co)ra$eme t to her rec-less "ay of tal-i $* a d her i sole t refere ce to me% A6earest Rachel*A he said* i the same #oice "hich had thrilled me "he he spo-e of o)r prospects a d o)r tro)sers* Athe e"spapers ha#e told yo) e#erythi $!a d they ha#e told it m)ch 'etter tha I ca %A A/odfrey thi -s "e all ma-e too m)ch of the matter*A my a) t remar-ed% AHe has ()st 'ee sayi $ that he does =t care to spea- of it%A A@hyBA .he p)t the ,)estio "ith a s)dde flash i her eyes* a d a s)dde loo- )p i to &r% /odfrey=s face% 4 his side* he loo-ed do" at her "ith a i d)l$e ce so i ()dicio)s a d so ill7deser#ed* that I really felt called o to i terfere% ARachel* darli $DA I remo strated $e tly* Atr)e $reat ess a d tr)e co)ra$e are e#er modest%A A5o) are a #ery $ood fello" i yo)r "ay* /odfrey*A she said! ot ta-i $ the smallest otice* o'ser#e* of me* a d still spea-i $ to her co)si as if she "as o e yo) $ ma addressi $ a other% A0)t I am ,)ite s)re yo) are ot $reat9 I do =t 'elie#e yo) possess a y extraordi ary co)ra$e9 a d I am firmly pers)aded!if yo) e#er had a y modesty!that yo)r lady7"orshippers relie#ed yo) of that #irt)e a $ood ma y years si ce% 5o) ha#e some pri#ate reaso for ot tal-i $ of yo)r ad#e t)re i 8orth)m'erla d .treet9 a d I mea to - o" it%A

1C3

A&y reaso is the simplest ima$i a'le* a d the most easily ac- o"led$ed*A he a s"ered* still 'eari $ "ith her% AI am tired of the s)'(ect%A A5o) are tired of the s)'(ectB &y dear /odfrey* I am $oi $ to ma-e a remar-%A A@hat is itBA A5o) li#e a $reat deal too m)ch i the society of "ome % A d yo) ha#e co tracted t"o #ery 'ad ha'its i co se,)e ce% 5o) ha#e lear t to tal- o se se serio)sly* a d yo) ha#e $ot i to a "ay of telli $ fi's for the pleas)re of telli $ them% 5o) ca =t $o strai$ht "ith yo)r lady7"orshippers% I mea to ma-e yo) $o strai$ht "ith me% Come* a d sit do" % I am 'rimf)l of do" ri$ht ,)estio s9 a d I expect yo) to 'e 'rimf)l of do" ri$ht a s"ers%A .he act)ally dra$$ed him across the room to a chair 'y the "i do"* "here the li$ht "o)ld fall o his face% I deeply feel 'ei $ o'li$ed to report s)ch la $)a$e* a d to descri'e s)ch co d)ct% 0)t* hemmed i * as I am* 'et"ee &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s che,)e o o e side a d my o" sacred re$ard for tr)th o the other* "hat am I to doB I loo-ed at my a) t% .he sat ) mo#ed9 appare tly i o "ay disposed to i terfere% I had e#er oticed this -i d of torpor i her 'efore% It "as* perhaps* the reactio after the tryi $ time she had had i the co) try% 8ot a pleasa t symptom to remar-* 'e it "hat it mi$ht* at dear ?ady Veri der=s a$e* a d "ith dear ?ady Veri der=s a)t)m al ex)'era ce of fi$)re% I the mea time* Rachel had settled herself at the "i do" "ith o)r amia'le a d for'eari $!o)r too for'eari $!&r% /odfrey% .he 'e$a the stri $ of ,)estio s "ith "hich she had threate ed him* ta-i $ o more otice of her mother* or of myself* tha if "e had ot 'ee i the room% AHa#e the police do e a ythi $* /odfreyBA A8othi $ "hate#er%A AIt is certai * I s)ppose* that the three me "ho laid the trap for yo) "ere the same three me "ho after"ards laid the trap for &r% ?)-erBA AH)ma ly spea-i $* my dear Rachel* there ca 'e o do)'t of it%A AA d ot a trace of them has 'ee disco#eredBA A8ot a trace%A AIt is tho)$ht!is it otB!that these three me are the three I dia s "ho came to o)r ho)se i the co) try%A A.ome people thi - so%A

12H

A6o yo) thi - soBA A&y dear Rachel* they 'li dfolded me 'efore I co)ld see their faces% I - o" othi $ "hate#er of the matter% Ho" ca I offer a opi io o itBA E#e the a $elic $e tle ess of &r% /odfrey "as* yo) see* 'e$i i $ to $i#e "ay at last ) der the persec)tio i flicted o him% @hether ) 'ridled c)riosity* or ) $o#er a'le dread* dictated &iss Veri der=s ,)estio s I do ot pres)me to i ,)ire% I o ly report that* o &r% /odfrey=s attempti $ to rise* after $i#i $ her the a s"er ()st descri'ed* she act)ally too- him 'y the t"o sho)lders* a d p)shed him 'ac- i to his chair!4h* do =t say this "as immodestD do =t e#e hi t that the rec-less ess of $)ilty terror co)ld alo e acco) t for s)ch co d)ct as I ha#e descri'edD @e m)st ot ()d$e others% &y Christia frie ds* i deed* i deed* i deed* "e m)st ot ()d$e othersD .he "e t o "ith her ,)estio s* ) a'ashed% Ear est 0i'lical st)de ts "ill perhaps 'e remi ded!as I "as remi ded!of the 'li ded childre of the de#il* "ho "e t o "ith their or$ies* ) a'ashed* i the time 'efore the Flood% AI "a t to - o" somethi $ a'o)t &r% ?)-er* /odfrey%A AI am a$ai ) fort) ate* Rachel% 8o ma - o"s less of &r% ?)-er tha I do%A A5o) e#er sa" him 'efore yo) a d he met accide tally at the 'a -BA A8e#er%A A5o) ha#e see him si ceBA A5es% @e ha#e 'ee exami ed to$ether* as "ell as separately* to assist the police%A A&r% ?)-er "as ro''ed of a receipt "hich he had $ot from his 'a -er=s!"as he otB @hat "as the receipt forBA AFor a #al)a'le $em "hich he had placed i the safe -eepi $ of the 'a -%A AThat=s "hat the e"spapers say% It may 'e e o)$h for the $e eral reader9 ')t it is ot e o)$h for me% The 'a -er=s receipt m)st ha#e me tio ed "hat the $em "asBA AThe 'a -er=s receipt* Rachel!as I ha#e heard it descri'ed!me tio ed othi $ of the -i d% A #al)a'le $em* 'elo $i $ to &r% ?)-er9 deposited 'y &r% ?)-er9 sealed "ith &r% ?)-er=s seal9 a d o ly to 'e $i#e )p o &r% ?)-er=s perso al applicatio % That "as the form* a d that is all I - o" a'o)t it%A .he "aited a mome t* after he had said that% .he loo-ed at her mother* a d si$hed% .he loo-ed 'ac- a$ai at &r% /odfrey* a d "e t o %

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A.ome of o)r pri#ate affairs* at home*A she said* Aseem to ha#e $ot i to the e"spapersBA AI $rie#e to say* it is so%A AA d some idle people* perfect stra $ers to )s* are tryi $ to trace a co exio 'et"ee "hat happe ed at o)r ho)se i 5or-shire a d "hat has happe ed si ce* here i ?o do BA AThe p)'lic c)riosity* i certai ,)arters* is* I fear* ta-i $ that t)r %A AThe people "ho say that the three ) - o" me "ho ill7)sed yo) a d &r% ?)-er are the three I dia s* also say that the #al)a'le $em!!A There she stopped% .he had 'ecome $rad)ally* "ithi the last fe" mome ts* "hiter a d "hiter i the face% The extraordi ary 'lac- ess of her hair made this pale ess* 'y co trast* so $hastly to loo- at* that "e all tho)$ht she "o)ld fai t* at the mome t "he she chec-ed herself i the middle of her ,)estio % 6ear &r% /odfrey made a seco d attempt to lea#e his chair% &y a) t e treated her to say o more% I follo"ed my a) t "ith a modest medici al peace7offeri $* i the shape of a 'ottle of salts% @e o e of )s prod)ced the sli$htest effect o her% A/odfrey* stay "here yo) are% &amma* there is ot the least reaso to 'e alarmed a'o)t me% Clac-* yo)=re dyi $ to hear the e d of it!I "o =t fai t* expressly to o'li$e 54E%A Those "ere the exact "ords she )sed!ta-e do" i my diary the mome t I $ot home% 0)t* oh* do =t let )s ()d$eD &y Christia frie ds* do =t let )s ()d$eD .he t)r ed o ce more to &r% /odfrey% @ith a o'sti acy dreadf)l to see* she "e t 'aca$ai to the place "here she had chec-ed herself* a d completed her ,)estio i these "ordsF AI spo-e to yo)* a mi )te si ce* a'o)t "hat people "ere sayi $ i certai ,)arters% Tell me plai ly* /odfrey* do they a y of them say that &r% ?)-er=s #al)a'le $em is!the &oo sto eBA As the ame of the I dia 6iamo d passed her lips* I sa" a cha $e come o#er my admira'le frie d% His complexio deepe ed% He lost the $e ial s)a#ity of ma er "hich is o e of his $reatest charms% A o'le i di$ atio i spired his reply% AThey 64 say it*A he a s"ered% AThere are people "ho do =t hesitate to acc)se &r% ?)-er of telli $ a falsehood to ser#e some pri#ate i terests of his o" % He has o#er a d o#er a$ai solem ly declared that* ) til this sca dal assailed him* he had e#er e#e heard of the &oo sto e% A d these #ile people reply* "itho)t a shado" of proof to ()stify them* He has his reaso s for co cealme t9 "e decli e to 'elie#e him o his oath% .hamef)lD shamef)lDA

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Rachel loo-ed at him #ery stra $ely!I ca =t "ell descri'e ho"!"hile he "as spea-i $% @he he had do e* she said* ACo sideri $ that &r% ?)-er is o ly a cha ce ac,)ai ta ce of yo)rs* yo) ta-e )p his ca)se* /odfrey* rather "armly%A &y $ifted frie d made her o e of the most tr)ly e#a $elical a s"ers I e#er heard i my life% AI hope* Rachel* I ta-e )p the ca)se of all oppressed people rather "armly*A he said% The to e i "hich those "ords "ere spo-e mi$ht ha#e melted a sto e% 0)t* oh dear* "hat is the hard ess of sto eB 8othi $* compared to the hard ess of the ) re$e erate h)ma heartD .he s eered% I 'l)sh to record it!she s eered at him to his face% AJeep yo)r o'le se time ts for yo)r ?adies= Committees* /odfrey% I am certai that the sca dal "hich has assailed &r% ?)-er* has ot spared 5o)%A E#e my a) t=s torpor "as ro)sed 'y those "ords% A&y dear Rachel*A she remo strated* Ayo) ha#e really o ri$ht to say thatDA AI mea o harm* mamma!I mea $ood% Ha#e a mome t=s patie ce "ith me* a d yo) "ill see%A .he loo-ed 'ac- at &r% /odfrey* "ith "hat appeared to 'e a s)dde pity for him% .he "e t the le $th!the #ery ) ladyli-e le $th!of ta-i $ him 'y the ha d% AI am certai *A she said* Athat I ha#e fo) d o)t the tr)e reaso of yo)r ) "illi $ ess to spea- of this matter 'efore my mother a d 'efore me% A ) l)c-y accide t has associated yo) i people=s mi ds "ith &r% ?)-er% 5o) ha#e told me "hat sca dal says of HI&% @hat does sca dal say of yo)BA E#e at the ele#e th ho)r* dear &r% /odfrey!al"ays ready to ret)r $ood for e#il!tried to spare her% A6o =t as- meDA he said% AIt=s 'etter for$otte * Rachel!it is* i deed%A AI @I?? hear itDA she cried o)t* fiercely* at the top of her #oice% ATell her* /odfreyDA e treated my a) t% A8othi $ ca do her s)ch harm as yo)r sile ce is doi $ o"DA &r% /odfrey=s fi e eyes filled "ith tears% He cast o e last appeali $ loo- at her!a d the he spo-e the fatal "ordsF AIf yo) "ill ha#e it* Rachel!sca dal says that the &oo sto e is i pled$e to &r% ?)-er* a d that I am the ma "ho has pa" ed it%A

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.he started to her feet "ith a scream% .he loo-ed 'ac-"ards a d for"ards from &r% /odfrey to my a) t* a d from my a) t to &r% /odfrey* i s)ch a fra tic ma er that I really tho)$ht she had $o e mad% A6o =t spea- to meD 6o =t to)ch meDA she exclaimed* shri -i $ 'ac- from all of )s :I declare li-e some h) ted a imalD; i to a cor er of the room% AThis is my fa)ltD I m)st set it ri$ht% I ha#e sacrificed myself!I had a ri$ht to do that* if I li-ed% 0)t to let a i oce t ma 'e r)i ed9 to -eep a secret "hich destroys his character for life!4h* $ood /od* it=s too horri'leD I ca =t 'ear itDA &y a) t half rose from her chair* the s)dde ly sat do" a$ai % .he called to me fai tly* a d poi ted to a little phial i her "or-7'ox% AI)ic-DA she "hispered% A.ix drops* i "ater% 6o =t let Rachel see%A E der other circ)msta ces* I sho)ld ha#e tho)$ht this stra $e% There "as o time o" to thi -!there "as o ly time to $i#e the medici e% 6ear &r% /odfrey ) co scio)sly assisted me i co ceali $ "hat I "as a'o)t from Rachel* 'y spea-i $ composi $ "ords to her at the other e d of the room% AI deed* i deed* yo) exa$$erate*A I heard him say% A&y rep)tatio sta ds too hi$h to 'e destroyed 'y a misera'le passi $ sca dal li-e this% It "ill 'e all for$otte i a other "ee-% ?et )s e#er spea- of it a$ai %A .he "as perfectly i accessi'le* e#e to s)ch $e erosity as this% .he "e t o from 'ad to "orse% AI m)st* a d "ill* stop it*A she said% A&ammaD hear "hat I say% &iss Clac-D hear "hat I say% I - o" the ha d that too- the &oo sto e% I - o"!A she laid a stro $ emphasis o the "ords9 she stamped her foot i the ra$e that possessed her!AI J84@ THAT /46FRE5 A0?E@HITE I. I884CE8T% Ta-e me to the ma$istrate* /odfreyD Ta-e me to the ma$istrate* a d I "ill s"ear itDA &y a) t ca)$ht me 'y the ha d* a d "hispered* A.ta d 'et"ee )s for a mi )te or t"o% 6o =t let Rachel see me%A I oticed a 'l)ish ti $e i her face "hich alarmed me% .he sa" I "as startled% AThe drops "ill p)t me ri$ht i a mi )te or t"o*A she said* a d so closed her eyes* a d "aited a little% @hile this "as $oi $ o * I heard dear &r% /odfrey still $e tly remo strati $% A5o) m)st ot appear p)'licly i s)ch a thi $ as this*A he said% A54ER rep)tatio * dearest Rachel* is somethi $ too p)re a d too sacred to 'e trifled "ith%A A&5 rep)tatio DA .he ')rst o)t la)$hi $% A@hy* I am acc)sed* /odfrey* as "ell as yo)% The 'est detecti#e officer i E $la d declares that I ha#e stole my o" 6iamo d% Ashim "hat he thi -s!a d he "ill tell yo) that I ha#e pled$ed the &oo sto e to pay my pri#ate de'tsDA .he stopped* ra across the room!a d fell o her - ees at her mother=s feet% A4h mammaD mammaD mammaD I m)st 'e mad!m)st =t IB! ot to o" the tr)th

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84@BA .he "as too #eheme t to otice her mother=s co ditio !she "as o her feet a$ai * a d 'ac- "ith &r% /odfrey* i a i sta t% AI "o =t let yo)!I "o =t let a y i oce t ma !'e acc)sed a d dis$raced thro)$h my fa)lt% If yo) "o =t ta-e me 'efore the ma$istrate* dra" o)t a declaratio of yo)r i oce ce o paper* a d I "ill si$ it% 6o as I tell yo)* /odfrey* or I=ll "rite it to the e"spapers I=ll $o o)t* a d cry it i the streetsDA @e "ill ot say this "as the la $)a$e of remorse!"e "ill say it "as the la $)a$e of hysterics% I d)l$e t &r% /odfrey pacified her 'y ta-i $ a sheet of paper* a d dra"i $ o)t the declaratio % .he si$ ed it i a fe#erish h)rry% A.ho" it e#ery"here!do =t thi - of &E*A she said* as she $a#e it to him% AI am afraid* /odfrey* I ha#e ot do e yo) ()stice* hitherto* i my tho)$hts% 5o) are more ) selfish!yo) are a 'etter ma tha I 'elie#ed yo) to 'e% Come here "he yo) ca * a d I "ill try a d repair the "ro $ I ha#e do e yo)%A .he $a#e him her ha d% Alas* for o)r falle at)reD Alas* for &r% /odfreyD He ot o ly for$ot himself so far as to -iss her ha d!he adopted a $e tle ess of to e i a s"eri $ her "hich* i s)ch a case* "as little 'etter tha a compromise "ith si % AI "ill come* dearest*A he said* Ao co ditio that "e do =t spea- of this hatef)l s)'(ect a$ai %A 8e#er had I see a d heard o)r Christia Hero to less ad#a ta$e tha o this occasio % 0efore a other "ord co)ld 'e said 'y a y'ody* a th) deri $ - oc- at the street door startled )s all% I loo-ed thro)$h the "i do"* a d sa" the @orld* the Flesh* a d the 6e#il "aiti $ 'efore the ho)se!as typified i a carria$e a d horses* a po"dered footma * a d three of the most a)dacio)sly dressed "ome I e#er 'eheld i my life% Rachel started* a d composed herself% .he crossed the room to her mother% AThey ha#e come to ta-e me to the flo"er7sho"*A she said% A4 e "ord* mamma* 'efore I $o% I ha#e ot distressed yo)* ha#e IBA :Is the 'l) t ess of moral feeli $ "hich co)ld as- s)ch a ,)estio as that* after "hat had ()st happe ed* to 'e pitied or co dem edB I li-e to lea to"ards mercy% ?et )s pity it%; The drops had prod)ced their effect% &y poor a) t=s complexio "as li-e itself a$ai % A8o* o* my dear*A she said% A/o "ith o)r frie ds* a d e (oy yo)rself%A Her da)$hter stooped* a d -issed her% I had left the "i do"* a d "as ear the door* "he Rachel approached it to $o o)t% A other cha $e had come o#er her!she "as i tears% I loo-ed "ith i terest at the mome tary softe i $ of that o'd)rate heart% I felt i cli ed to say a fe" ear est "ords% AlasD my "ell7mea t sympathy o ly $a#e offe ce% A@hat do yo) mea 'y pityi $ meBA she as-ed i a 'itter "hisper* as she passed to the door% A6o =t yo) see ho" happy I amB I=m $oi $ to the flo"er7sho"* Clac-9 a d I=#e $ot the prettiest 'o et i ?o do %A .he completed the hollo" moc-ery of that address 'y 'lo"i $ me a -iss!a d so left the room%

12>

I "ish I co)ld descri'e i "ords the compassio I felt for this misera'le a d mis$)ided $irl% 0)t I am almost as poorly pro#ided "ith "ords as "ith mo ey% Permit me to say! my heart 'led for her% Ret)r i $ to my a) t=s chair* I o'ser#ed dear &r% /odfrey searchi $ for somethi $ softly* here a d there* i differe t parts of the room% 0efore I co)ld offer to assist him he had fo) d "hat he "a ted% He came 'ac- to my a) t a d me* "ith his declaratio of i oce ce i o e ha d* a d "ith a 'ox of matches i the other% A6ear a) t* a little co spiracyDA he said% A6ear &iss Clac-* a pio)s fra)d "hich e#e yo)r hi$h moral rectit)de "ill exc)seD @ill yo) lea#e Rachel to s)ppose that I accept the $e ero)s self7sacrifice "hich has si$ ed this paperB A d "ill yo) -i dly 'ear "it ess that I destroy it i yo)r prese ce* 'efore I lea#e the ho)seBA He -i dled a match* a d* li$hti $ the paper* laid it to ')r i a plate o the ta'le% AA y trifli $ i co #e ie ce that I may s)ffer is as othi $*A he remar-ed* Acompared "ith the importa ce of preser#i $ that p)re ame from the co tami ati $ co tact of the "orld% ThereD @e ha#e red)ced it to a little harmless heap of ashes9 a d o)r dear imp)lsi#e Rachel "ill e#er - o" "hat "e ha#e do eD Ho" do yo) feelB &y precio)s frie ds* ho" do yo) feelB For my poor part* I am as li$ht7hearted as a 'oyDA He 'eamed o )s "ith his 'ea)tif)l smile9 he held o)t a ha d to my a) t* a d a ha d to me% I "as too deeply affected 'y his o'le co d)ct to spea-% I closed my eyes9 I p)t his ha d* i a -i d of spirit)al self7for$etf)l ess* to my lips% He m)rm)red a soft remo stra ce% 4h the ecstasy* the p)re* ) earthly ecstasy of that mome tD I sat!I hardly - o" o "hat!,)ite lost i my o" exalted feeli $s% @he I ope ed my eyes a$ai * it "as li-e desce di $ from hea#e to earth% There "as o'ody ')t my a) t i the room% He had $o e% I sho)ld li-e to stop here!I sho)ld li-e to close my arrati#e "ith the record of &r% /odfrey=s o'le co d)ct% E happily there is more* m)ch more* "hich the ) rele ti $ pec) iary press)re of &r% 0la-e=s che,)e o'li$es me to tell% The pai f)l disclos)res "hich "ere to re#eal themsel#es i my prese ce* d)ri $ that T)esday=s #isit to &o ta$) .,)are* "ere ot at a e d yet% Fi di $ myself alo e "ith ?ady Veri der* I t)r ed at)rally to the s)'(ect of her health9 to)chi $ delicately o the stra $e a xiety "hich she had sho" to co ceal her i dispositio * a d the remedy applied to it* from the o'ser#atio of her da)$hter% &y a) t=s reply $reatly s)rprised me% A6r)silla*A she said :if I ha#e ot already me tio ed that my Christia ame is 6r)silla* permit me to me tio it o";* Ayo) are to)chi $ ,)ite i oce tly* I - o"!o a #ery distressi $ s)'(ect%A

12C

I rose immediately% 6elicacy left me ')t o e alter ati#e!the alter ati#e* after first ma-i $ my apolo$ies* of ta-i $ my lea#e% ?ady Veri der stopped me* a d i sisted o my sitti $ do" a$ai % A5o) ha#e s)rprised a secret*A she said* A"hich I had co fided to my sister &rs% A'le"hite* a d to my la"yer &r% 0r)ff* a d to o o e else% I ca tr)st i their discretio 9 a d I am s)re* "he I tell yo) the circ)msta ces* I ca tr)st i yo)rs% Ha#e yo) a y pressi $ e $a$eme t* 6r)sillaB or is yo)r time yo)r o" this after oo BA It is eedless to say that my time "as e tirely at my a) t=s disposal% AJeep me compa y the *A she said* Afor a other ho)r% I ha#e somethi $ to tell yo) "hich I 'elie#e yo) "ill 'e sorry to hear% A d I shall ha#e a ser#ice to as- of yo) after"ards* if yo) do =t o'(ect to assist me%A It is a$ai eedless to say that* so far from o'(ecti $* I "as all ea$er ess to assist her%

A5o) ca "ait here*A she "e t o * Atill &r% 0r)ff comes at fi#e% A d yo) ca 'e o e of the "it esses* 6r)silla* "he I si$ my @ill%A Her @illD I tho)$ht of the drops "hich I had see i her "or-7'ox% I tho)$ht of the 'l)ish ti $e "hich I had oticed i her complexio % A li$ht "hich "as ot of this "orld!a li$ht shi i $ prophetically from a ) made $ra#e!da" ed o my mi d% &y a) t=s secret "as a secret o lo $er%

CHAPTER III
Co sideratio for poor ?ady Veri der for'ade me e#e to hi t that I had $)essed the mela choly tr)th* 'efore she ope ed her lips% I "aited her pleas)re i sile ce9 a d* ha#i $ pri#ately arra $ed to say a fe" s)stai i $ "ords at the first co #e ie t opport) ity* felt prepared for a y d)ty that co)ld claim me* o matter ho" pai f)l it mi$ht 'e% AI ha#e 'ee serio)sly ill* 6r)silla* for some time past*A my a) t 'e$a % AA d* stra $e to say* "itho)t - o"i $ it myself%A I tho)$ht of the tho)sa ds a d tho)sa ds of perishi $ h)ma creat)res "ho "ere all at that mome t spirit)ally ill* "itho)t - o"i $ it themsel#es% A d I $reatly feared that my poor a) t mi$ht 'e o e of the )m'er% A5es* dear*A I said* sadly% A5es%A AI 'ro)$ht Rachel to ?o do * as yo) - o"* for medical ad#ice*A she "e t o % AI tho)$ht it ri$ht to co s)lt t"o doctors%A

122

T"o doctorsD A d* oh me :i Rachel=s state;* ot o e cler$yma D A5es* dearBA I said o ce more% A5esBA A4 e of the t"o medical me *A proceeded my a) t* A"as a stra $er to me% The other had 'ee a old frie d of my h)s'a d=s* a d had al"ays felt a si cere i terest i me for my h)s'a d=s sa-e% After prescri'i $ for Rachel* he said he "ished to spea- to me pri#ately i a other room% I expected* of co)rse* to recei#e some special directio s for the ma a$eme t of my da)$hter=s health% To my s)rprise* he too- me $ra#ely 'y the ha d* a d said* =I ha#e 'ee loo-i $ at yo)* ?ady Veri der* "ith a professio al as "ell as a perso al i terest% 5o) are* I am afraid* far more )r$e tly i eed of medical ad#ice tha yo)r da)$hter%= He p)t some ,)estio s to me* "hich I "as at first i cli ed to treat li$htly e o)$h* ) til I o'ser#ed that my a s"ers distressed him% It e ded i his ma-i $ a appoi tme t to come a d see me* accompa ied 'y a medical frie d* o the ext day* at a ho)r "he Rachel "o)ld ot 'e at home% The res)lt of that #isit!most -i dly a d $e tly co #eyed to me!satisfied 'oth the physicia s that there had 'ee precio)s time lost* "hich co)ld e#er 'e re$ai ed* a d that my case had o" passed 'eyo d the reach of their art% For more tha t"o years I ha#e 'ee s)fferi $ ) der a i sidio)s form of heart disease* "hich* "itho)t a y symptoms to alarm me* has* 'y little a d little* fatally 'ro-e me do" % I may li#e for some mo ths* or I may die 'efore a other day has passed o#er my head!the doctors ca ot* a d dare ot* spea- more positi#ely tha this% It "o)ld 'e #ai to say* my dear* that I ha#e ot had some misera'le mome ts si ce my real sit)atio has 'ee made - o" to me% 0)t I am more resi$ ed tha I "as* a d I am doi $ my 'est to set my "orldly affairs i order% &y o e $reat a xiety is that Rachel sho)ld 'e -ept i i$ ora ce of the tr)th% If she - e" it* she "o)ld at o ce attri')te my 'ro-e health to a xiety a'o)t the 6iamo d* a d "o)ld reproach herself 'itterly* poor child* for "hat is i o se se her fa)lt% 0oth the doctors a$ree that the mischief 'e$a t"o* if ot three years si ce% I am s)re yo) "ill -eep my secret* 6r)silla!for I am s)re I see si cere sorro" a d sympathy for me i yo)r face%A .orro" a d sympathyD 4h* "hat Pa$a emotio s to expect from a Christia E $lish"oma a chored firmly o her faithD ?ittle did my poor a) t ima$i e "hat a $)sh of de#o)t tha -f)l ess thrilled thro)$h me as she approached the close of her mela choly story% Here "as a career of )sef)l ess ope ed 'efore meD Here "as a 'elo#ed relati#e a d perishi $ fello"7creat)re* o the e#e of the $reat cha $e* )tterly ) prepared9 a d led* pro#ide tially led* to re#eal her sit)atio to &eD Ho" ca I descri'e the (oy "ith "hich I o" remem'ered that the precio)s clerical frie ds o "hom I co)ld rely* "ere to 'e co) ted* ot 'y o es or t"os* ')t 'y te s a d t"e ties% I too- my a) t i my arms!my o#erflo"i $ te der ess "as ot to 'e satisfied* o"* "ith a ythi $ less tha a em'race% A4hDA I said to her* fer#e tly* Athe i descri'a'le i terest "ith "hich yo) i spire meD 4hD the $ood I mea to do yo)* dear* 'efore "e partDA After a other "ord or t"o of ear est prefatory "ar i $* I $a#e her her choice of three precio)s frie ds* all plyi $ the "or- of mercy from mor i $ to i$ht i her o" ei$h'o)rhood9 all e,)ally i exha)sti'le i exhortatio 9 all affectio ately ready to exercise their $ifts at a "ord from me% AlasD the res)lt "as far from e co)ra$i $% Poor ?ady Veri der loo-ed p)<<led a d fri$hte ed* a d met e#erythi $ I co)ld say to her "ith

12G

the p)rely "orldly o'(ectio that she "as ot stro $ e o)$h to face stra $ers% I yielded! for the mome t o ly* of co)rse% &y lar$e experie ce :as Reader a d Visitor* ) der ot less* first a d last* tha fo)rtee 'elo#ed clerical frie ds; i formed me that this "as a other case for preparatio 'y 'oo-s% I possessed a little li'rary of "or-s* all s)ita'le to the prese t emer$e cy* all calc)lated to aro)se* co #i ce* prepare* e li$hte * a d fortify my a) t% A5o) "ill read* dear* "o =t yo)BA I said* i my most "i i $ "ay% A5o) "ill read* if I 'ri $ yo) my o" precio)s 'oo-sB T)r ed do" at all the ri$ht places* a) t% A d mar-ed i pe cil "here yo) are to stop a d as- yo)rself* =6oes this apply to meB=A E#e that simple appeal!so a'sol)tely heathe isi $ is the i fl)e ce of the "orld! appeared to startle my a) t% .he said* AI "ill do "hat I ca * 6r)silla* to please yo)*A "ith a loo- of s)rprise* "hich "as at o ce i str)cti#e a d terri'le to see% 8ot a mome t "as to 'e lost% The cloc- o the ma tel7piece i formed me that I had ()st time to h)rry home9 to pro#ide myself "ith a first series of selected readi $s :say a do<e o ly;9 a d to ret)r i time to meet the la"yer* a d "it ess ?ady Veri der=s @ill% Promisi $ faithf)lly to 'e 'ac- 'y fi#e o=cloc-* I left the ho)se o my erra d of mercy% @he o i terests ')t my o" are i #ol#ed* I am h)m'ly co te t to $et from place to place 'y the om i')s% Permit me to $i#e a idea of my de#otio to my a) t=s i terests 'y recordi $ that* o this occasio * I committed the prodi$ality of ta-i $ a ca'% I dro#e home* selected a d mar-ed my first series of readi $s* a d dro#e 'ac- to &o ta$) .,)are* "ith a do<e "or-s i a carpet7'a$* the li-e of "hich* I firmly 'elie#e* are ot to 'e fo) d i the literat)re of a y other co) try i E)rope% I paid the ca'ma exactly his fare% He recei#ed it "ith a oath9 )po "hich I i sta tly $a#e him a tract% If I had prese ted a pistol at his head* this a'a do ed "retch co)ld hardly ha#e exhi'ited $reater co ster atio % He ()mped )p o his 'ox* a d* "ith profa e exclamatio s of dismay* dro#e off f)rio)sly% I)ite )seless* I am happy to sayD I so"ed the $ood seed* i spite of him* 'y thro"i $ a seco d tract i at the "i do" of the ca'% The ser#a t "ho a s"ered the door! ot the perso "ith the cap7ri''o s* to my $reat relief* ')t the foot7ma !i formed me that the doctor had called* a d "as still sh)t )p "ith ?ady Veri der% &r% 0r)ff* the la"yer* had arri#ed a mi )te si ce a d "as "aiti $ i the li'rary% I "as sho" i to the li'rary to "ait too% &r% 0r)ff loo-ed s)rprised to see me% He is the family solicitor* a d "e had met more tha o ce* o pre#io)s occasio s* ) der ?ady Veri der=s roof% A ma * I $rie#e to say* $ro" old a d $ri<<led i the ser#ice of the "orld% A ma "ho* i his ho)rs of ')si ess* "as the chose prophet of ?a" a d &ammo 9 a d "ho* i his ho)rs of leis)re* "as e,)ally capa'le of readi $ a o#el a d of teari $ )p a tract% AHa#e yo) come to stay here* &iss Clac-BA he as-ed* "ith a loo- at my carpet7'a$% To re#eal the co te ts of my precio)s 'a$ to s)ch a perso as this "o)ld ha#e 'ee simply to i #ite a o)t')rst of profa ity% I lo"ered myself to his o" le#el* a d me tio ed my ')si ess i the ho)se%

123

A&y a) t has i formed me that she is a'o)t to si$ her @ill*A I a s"ered% A.he has 'ee so $ood as to as- me to 'e o e of the "it esses%A AAyeB ayeB @ell* &iss Clac-* yo) "ill do% 5o) are o#er t"e ty7o e* a d yo) ha#e ot the sli$htest pec) iary i terest i ?ady Veri der=s @ill%A 8ot the sli$htest pec) iary i terest i ?ady Veri der=s @ill% 4h* ho" tha -f)l I felt "he I heard thatD If my a) t* possessed of tho)sa ds* had remem'ered poor &e* to "hom fi#e po) ds is a o'(ect!if my ame had appeared i the @ill* "ith a little comforti $ le$acy attached to it!my e emies mi$ht ha#e do)'ted the moti#e "hich had loaded me "ith the choicest treas)res of my li'rary* a d had dra" )po my faili $ reso)rces for the prodi$al expe ses of a ca'% 8ot the cr)ellest scoffer of them all co)ld do)'t o"% &)ch 'etter as it "asD 4h* s)rely* s)rely* m)ch 'etter as it "asD I "as aro)sed from these co soli $ reflectio s 'y the #oice of &r% 0r)ff% &y meditati#e sile ce appeared to "ei$h )po the spirits of this "orldli $* a d to force him* as it "ere* i to tal-i $ to me a$ai st his o" "ill% A@ell* &iss Clac-* "hat=s the last e"s i the charita'le circlesB Ho" is yo)r frie d &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* after the ma)li $ he $ot from the ro$)es i 8orth)m'erla d .treetB E$adD they=re telli $ a pretty story a'o)t that charita'le $e tlema at my cl)'DA I had passed o#er the ma er i "hich this perso had remar-ed that I "as more tha t"e ty7o e* a d that I had o pec) iary i terest i my a) t=s @ill% 0)t the to e i "hich he all)ded to dear &r% /odfrey "as too m)ch for my for'eara ce% Feeli $ 'o) d* after "hat had passed i my prese ce that after oo * to assert the i oce ce of my admira'le frie d* "he e#er I fo) d it called i ,)estio !I o" to ha#i $ also felt 'o) d to i cl)de i the accomplishme t of this ri$hteo)s p)rpose* a sti $i $ casti$atio i the case of &r% 0r)ff% AI li#e #ery m)ch o)t of the "orld*A I said9 Aa d I do =t possess the ad#a ta$e* sir* of 'elo $i $ to a cl)'% 0)t I happe to - o" the story to "hich yo) all)de9 a d I also - o" that a #iler falsehood tha that story e#er "as told%A A5es* yes* &iss Clac-!yo) 'elie#e i yo)r frie d% 8at)ral e o)$h% &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* "o =t fi d the "orld i $e eral ,)ite so easy to co #i ce as a committee of charita'le ladies% Appeara ces are dead a$ai st him% He "as i the ho)se "he the 6iamo d "as lost% A d he "as the first perso i the ho)se to $o to ?o do after"ards% Those are )$ly circ)msta ces* ma=am* #ie"ed 'y the li$ht of later e#e ts%A I o)$ht* I - o"* to ha#e set him ri$ht 'efore he "e t a y farther% I o)$ht to ha#e told him that he "as spea-i $ i i$ ora ce of a testimo y to &r% /odfrey=s i oce ce* offered 'y the o ly perso "ho "as ) de ia'ly compete t to spea- from a positi#e - o"led$e of the s)'(ect% AlasD the temptatio to lead the la"yer artf)lly o to his o" discomfit)re "as too m)ch for me% I as-ed "hat he mea t 'y Alater e#e tsA!"ith a appeara ce of the )tmost i oce ce%

1GH

A0y later e#e ts* &iss Clac-* I mea e#e ts i "hich the I dia s are co cer ed*A proceeded &r% 0r)ff* $etti $ more a d more s)perior to poor &e* the lo $er he "e t o % A@hat do the I dia s do* the mome t they are let o)t of the priso at Fri<i $hallB They $o strai$ht to ?o do * a d fix o &r% ?)-er% @hat follo"sB &r% ?)-er feels alarmed for the safety of =a #al)a'le of $reat price*= "hich he has $ot i the ho)se% He lod$es it pri#ately :) der a $e eral descriptio ; i his 'a -ers= stro $7room% @o derf)lly cle#er of himF ')t the I dia s are ()st as cle#er o their side% They ha#e their s)spicio s that the =#al)a'le of $reat price= is 'ei $ shifted from o e place to a other9 a d they hit o a si $)larly 'old a d complete "ay of cleari $ those s)spicio s )p% @hom do they sei<e a d searchB 8ot &r% ?)-er o ly!"hich "o)ld 'e i telli$i'le e o)$h!')t &r% /odfrey A'le"hite as "ell% @hyB &r% A'le"hite=s expla atio is* that they acted o 'li d s)spicio * after seei $ him accide tally spea-i $ to &r% ?)-er% A's)rdD Half7a7do<e other people spo-e to &r% ?)-er that mor i $% @hy "ere they ot follo"ed home too* a d decoyed i to the trapB 8oD oD The plai i fere ce is* that &r% A'le"hite had his pri#ate i terest i the =#al)a'le= as "ell as &r% ?)-er* a d that the I dia s "ere so ) certai as to "hich of the t"o had the disposal of it* that there "as o alter ati#e ')t to search them 'oth% P)'lic opi io says that* &iss Clac-% A d p)'lic opi io * o this occasio * is ot easily ref)ted%A He said those last "ords* loo-i $ so "o derf)lly "ise i his o" "orldly co ceit* that I really :to my shame 'e it spo-e ; co)ld ot resist leadi $ him a little farther still* 'efore I o#er"helmed him "ith the tr)th% AI do =t pres)me to ar$)e "ith a cle#er la"yer li-e yo)*A I said% A0)t is it ,)ite fair* sir* to &r% A'le"hite to pass o#er the opi io of the famo)s ?o do police officer "ho i #esti$ated this caseB 8ot the shado" of a s)spicio rested )po a y'ody ')t &iss Veri der* i the mi d of .er$ea t C)ff%A A6o yo) mea to tell me* &iss Clac-* that yo) a$ree "ith the .er$ea tBA AI ()d$e o'ody* sir* a d I offer o opi io %A AA d I commit 'oth those e ormities* ma=am% I ()d$e the .er$ea t to ha#e 'ee )tterly "ro $9 a d I offer the opi io that* if he had - o" Rachel=s character as I - o" it* he "o)ld ha#e s)spected e#ery'ody i the ho)se ')t HER% I admit that she has her fa)lts! she is secret* a d self7"illed9 odd a d "ild* a d ) li-e other $irls of her a$e% 0)t tr)e as steel* a d hi$h7mi ded a d $e ero)s to a fa)lt% If the plai est e#ide ce i the "orld poi ted o e "ay* a d if othi $ ')t Rachel=s "ord of ho o)r poi ted the other* I "o)ld ta-e her "ord 'efore the e#ide ce* la"yer as I amD .tro $ la $)a$e* &iss Clac-9 ')t I mea it%A A@o)ld yo) o'(ect to ill)strate yo)r mea i $* &r% 0r)ff* so that I may 'e s)re I ) dersta d itB .)ppose yo) fo) d &iss Veri der ,)ite ) acco) ta'ly i terested i "hat has happe ed to &r% A'le"hite a d &r% ?)-erB .)ppose she as-ed the stra $est ,)estio s a'o)t this dreadf)l sca dal* a d displayed the most ) $o#er a'le a$itatio "he she fo) d o)t the t)r it "as ta-i $BA

1G1

A.)ppose a ythi $ yo) please* &iss Clac-* it "o)ld =t sha-e my 'elief i Rachel Veri der 'y a hair=s7'readth%A A.he is so a'sol)tely to 'e relied o as thatBA A.o a'sol)tely to 'e relied o as that%A AThe permit me to i form yo)* &r% 0r)ff* that &r% /odfrey A'le"hite "as i this ho)se ot t"o ho)rs si ce* a d that his e tire i oce ce of all co cer i the disappeara ce of the &oo sto e "as proclaimed 'y &iss Veri der herself* i the stro $est la $)a$e I e#er heard )sed 'y a yo) $ lady i my life%A I e (oyed the tri)mph!the ) holy tri)mph* I fear I m)st admit!of seei $ &r% 0r)ff )tterly co fo) ded a d o#erthro" 'y a fe" plai "ords from &e% He started to his feet* a d stared at me i sile ce% I -ept my seat* ) dist)r'ed* a d related the "hole sce e as it had occ)rred% AA d "hat do yo) say a'o)t &r% A'le"hite o"BA I as-ed* "ith the )tmost possi'le $e tle ess* as soo as I had do e% AIf Rachel has testified to his i oce ce* &iss Clac-* I do =t scr)ple to say that I 'elie#e i his i oce ce as firmly as yo) doF I ha#e 'ee misled 'y appeara ces* li-e the rest of the "orld9 a d I "ill ma-e the 'est ato eme t I ca * 'y p)'licly co tradicti $ the sca dal "hich has assailed yo)r frie d "here#er I meet "ith it% I the mea time* allo" me to co $rat)late yo) o the masterly ma er i "hich yo) ha#e ope ed the f)ll fire of yo)r 'atteries o me at the mome t "he I least expected it% 5o) "o)ld ha#e do e $reat thi $s i my professio * ma=am* if yo) had happe ed to 'e a ma %A @ith those "ords he t)r ed a"ay from me* a d 'e$a "al-i $ irrita'ly )p a d do" the room% I co)ld see plai ly that the e" li$ht I had thro" o the s)'(ect had $reatly s)rprised a d dist)r'ed him% Certai expressio s dropped from his lips* as he 'ecame more a d more a'sor'ed i his o" tho)$hts* "hich s)$$ested to my mi d the a'omi a'le #ie" that he had hitherto ta-e of the mystery of the lost &oo sto e% He had ot scr)pled to s)spect dear &r% /odfrey of the i famy of steali $ the 6iamo d* a d to attri')te Rachel=s co d)ct to a $e ero)s resol)tio to co ceal the crime% 4 &iss Veri der=s o" a)thority !a perfectly ) assaila'le a)thority* as yo) are a"are* i the estimatio of &r% 0r)ff! that expla atio of the circ)msta ces "as o" sho" to 'e )tterly "ro $% The perplexity i to "hich I had pl) $ed this hi$h le$al a)thority "as so o#er"helmi $ that he "as ,)ite ) a'le to co ceal it from otice% A@hat a caseDA I heard him say to himself* stoppi $ at the "i do" i his "al-* a d dr)mmi $ o the $lass "ith his fi $ers% AIt ot o ly defies expla atio * it=s e#e 'eyo d co (ect)re%A There "as othi $ i these "ords "hich made a y reply at all eedf)l* o my part!a d yet* I a s"ered themD It seems hardly credi'le that I sho)ld ot ha#e 'ee a'le to let &r% 0r)ff alo e* e#e o"% It seems almost 'eyo d mere mortal per#ersity that I sho)ld ha#e disco#ered* i "hat he had ()st said* a e" opport) ity of ma-i $ myself perso ally

1G2

disa$reea'le to him% 0)t!ah* my frie dsD othi $ is 'eyo d mortal per#ersity9 a d a ythi $ is credi'le "he o)r falle at)res $et the 'etter of )sD APardo me for i tr)di $ o yo)r reflectio s*A I said to the ) s)specti $ &r% 0r)ff% A0)t s)rely there is a co (ect)re to ma-e "hich has ot occ)rred to )s yet%A A&ay'e* &iss Clac-% I o" I do =t - o" "hat it is%A A0efore I "as so fort) ate* sir* as to co #i ce yo) of &r% A'le"hite=s i oce ce* yo) me tio ed it as o e of the reaso s for s)specti $ him* that he "as i the ho)se at the time "he the 6iamo d "as lost% Permit me to remi d yo) that &r% Fra -li 0la-e "as also i the ho)se at the time "he the 6iamo d "as lost%A The old "orldli $ left the "i do"* too- a chair exactly opposite to mi e* a d loo-ed at me steadily* "ith a hard a d #icio)s smile% A5o) are ot so $ood a la"yer* &iss Clac-*A he remar-ed i a meditati#e ma er* Aas I s)pposed% 5o) do =t - o" ho" to let "ell alo e%A AI am afraid I fail to follo" yo)* &r% 0r)ff*A I said* modestly% AIt "o =t do* &iss Clac-!it really "o =t do a seco d time% Fra -li 0la-e is a prime fa#o)rite of mi e* as yo) are "ell a"are% 0)t that does =t matter% I=ll adopt yo)r #ie"* o this occasio * 'efore yo) ha#e time to t)r ro) d o me% 5o)=re ,)ite ri$ht* ma=am% I ha#e s)spected &r% A'le"hite* o $ro) ds "hich a'stractedly ()stify s)specti $ &r% 0la-e too% Very $ood!let=s s)spect them to$ether% It=s ,)ite i his character* "e "ill say* to 'e capa'le of steali $ the &oo sto e% The o ly ,)estio is* "hether it "as his i terest to do so%A A&r% Fra -li 0la-e=s de'ts*A I remar-ed* Aare matters of family otoriety%A AA d &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s de'ts ha#e ot arri#ed at that sta$e of de#elopme t yet% I)ite tr)e% 0)t there happe to 'e t"o diffic)lties i the "ay of yo)r theory* &iss Clac-% I ma a$e Fra -li 0la-e=s affairs* a d I 'e$ to i form yo) that the #ast ma(ority of his creditors :- o"i $ his father to 'e a rich ma ; are ,)ite co te t to char$e i terest o their de'ts* a d to "ait for their mo ey% There is the first diffic)lty!"hich is to)$h e o)$h% 5o) "ill fi d the seco d to)$her still% I ha#e it o the a)thority of ?ady Veri der herself* that her da)$hter "as ready to marry Fra -li 0la-e* 'efore that i fer al I dia 6iamo d disappeared from the ho)se% .he had dra" him o a d p)t him off a$ai * "ith the co,)etry of a yo) $ $irl% 0)t she had co fessed to her mother that she lo#ed co)si Fra -li * a d her mother had tr)sted co)si Fra -li "ith the secret% .o there he "as* &iss Clac-* "ith his creditors co te t to "ait* a d "ith the certai prospect 'efore him of marryi $ a heiress% 0y all mea s co sider him a sco) drel9 ')t tell me* if yo) please* "hy he sho)ld steal the &oo sto eBA AThe h)ma heart is ) searcha'le*A I said $e tly% A@ho is to fathom itBA

1G3

AI other "ords* ma=am!tho)$h he had =t the shado" of a reaso for ta-i $ the 6iamo d!he mi$ht ha#e ta-e it* e#ertheless* thro)$h at)ral depra#ity% Very "ell% .ay he did% @hy the de#il!!A AI 'e$ yo)r pardo * &r% 0r)ff% If I hear the de#il referred to i that ma er* I m)st lea#e the room%A AI 'e$ 54ER pardo * &iss Clac-!I=ll 'e more caref)l i my choice of la $)a$e for the f)t)re% All I mea t to as- "as this% @hy!e#e s)pposi $ he did ta-e the 6iamo d! sho)ld Fra -li 0la-e ma-e himself the most promi e t perso i the ho)se i tryi $ to reco#er itB 5o) may tell me he c) i $ly did that to di#ert s)spicio from himself% I a s"er that he had o eed to di#ert s)spicio !'eca)se o'ody s)spected him% He first steals the &oo sto e :"itho)t the sli$htest reaso ; thro)$h at)ral depra#ity9 a d he the acts a part* i relatio to the loss of the (e"el* "hich there is ot the sli$htest ecessity to act* a d "hich leads to his mortally offe di $ the yo) $ lady "ho "o)ld other"ise ha#e married him% That is the mo stro)s propositio "hich yo) are dri#e to assert* if yo) attempt to associate the disappeara ce of the &oo sto e "ith Fra -li 0la-e% 8o* o* &iss Clac-D After "hat has passed here to7day* 'et"ee )s t"o* the dead7loc-* i this case* is complete% Rachel=s o" i oce ce is :as her mother - o"s* a d as I - o"; 'eyo d a do)'t% &r% A'le"hite=s i oce ce is e,)ally certai !or Rachel "o)ld e#er ha#e testified to it% A d Fra -li 0la-e=s i oce ce* as yo) ha#e ()st see * ) a s"era'ly asserts itself% 4 the o e ha d* "e are morally certai of all these thi $s% A d* o the other ha d* "e are e,)ally s)re that some'ody has 'ro)$ht the &oo sto e to ?o do * a d that &r% ?)-er* or his 'a -er* is i pri#ate possessio of it at this mome t% @hat is the )se of my experie ce* "hat is the )se of a y perso =s experie ce* i s)ch a case as thatB It 'affles me9 it 'affles yo)* it 'affles e#ery'ody%A 8o! ot e#ery'ody% It had ot 'affled .er$ea t C)ff% I "as a'o)t to me tio this* "ith all possi'le mild ess* a d "ith e#ery ecessary protest a$ai st 'ei $ s)pposed to cast a sl)r )po Rachel!"he the ser#a t came i to say that the doctor had $o e* a d that my a) t "as "aiti $ to recei#e )s% This stopped the disc)ssio % &r% 0r)ff collected his papers* loo-i $ a little exha)sted 'y the dema ds "hich o)r co #ersatio had made o him% I too- )p my 'a$7f)ll of precio)s p)'licatio s* feeli $ as if I co)ld ha#e $o e o tal-i $ for ho)rs% @e proceeded i sile ce to ?ady Veri der=s room% Permit me to add here* 'efore my arrati#e ad#a ces to other e#e ts* that I ha#e ot descri'ed "hat passed 'et"ee the la"yer a d me* "itho)t ha#i $ a defi ite o'(ect i #ie"% I am ordered to i cl)de i my co tri')tio to the shoc-i $ story of the &oo sto e a plai disclos)re* ot o ly of the t)r "hich s)spicio too-* ')t e#e of the ames of the perso s o "hom s)spicio rested* at the time "he the I dia 6iamo d "as 'elie#ed to 'e i ?o do % A report of my co #ersatio i the li'rary "ith &r% 0r)ff appeared to me to 'e exactly "hat "as "a ted to a s"er this p)rpose!"hile* at the same time* it possessed the $reat moral ad#a ta$e of re deri $ a sacrifice of si f)l self7esteem esse tially ecessary o my part% I ha#e 'ee o'li$ed to ac- o"led$e that my falle

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at)re $ot the 'etter of me% I ma-i $ that h)miliati $ co fessio * I $et the 'etter of my falle at)re% The moral 'ala ce is restored9 the spirit)al atmosphere feels clear o ce more% 6ear frie ds* "e may $o o a$ai %

CHAPTER I!
The si$ i $ of the @ill "as a m)ch shorter matter tha I had a ticipated% It "as h)rried o#er* to my thi -i $* i i dece t haste% .am)el* the footma * "as se t for to act as seco d "it ess!a d the pe "as p)t at o ce i to my a) t=s ha d% I felt stro $ly )r$ed to say a fe" appropriate "ords o this solem occasio % 0)t &r% 0r)ff=s ma er co #i ced me that it "as "isest to chec- the imp)lse "hile he "as i the room% I less tha t"o mi )tes it "as all o#er!a d .am)el :) 'e efited 'y "hat I mi$ht ha#e said; had $o e do" stairs a$ai % &r% 0r)ff folded )p the @ill* a d the loo-ed my "ay9 appare tly "o deri $ "hether I did or did ot mea to lea#e him alo e "ith my a) t% I had my missio of mercy to f)lfil* a d my 'a$ of precio)s p)'licatio s ready o my lap% He mi$ht as "ell ha#e expected to mo#e .t% Pa)l=s Cathedral 'y loo-i $ at it* as to mo#e &e% There "as o e merit a'o)t him :d)e o do)'t to his "orldly trai i $; "hich I ha#e o "ish to de y% He "as ,)ic- at seei $ thi $s% I appeared to prod)ce almost the same impressio o him "hich I had prod)ced o the ca'ma % HE too )ttered a profa e expressio * a d "ithdre" i a #iole t h)rry* a d left me mistress of the field% As soo as "e "ere alo e* my a) t recli ed o the sofa* a d the all)ded* "ith some appeara ce of co f)sio * to the s)'(ect of her @ill% AI hope yo) "o =t thi - yo)rself e$lected* 6r)silla*A she said% AI mea to /IVE yo) yo)r little le$acy* my dear* "ith my o" ha d%A Here "as a $olde opport) ityD I sei<ed it o the spot% I other "ords* I i sta tly ope ed my 'a$* a d too- o)t the top p)'licatio % It pro#ed to 'e a early editio !o ly the t"e ty7fifth!of the famo)s a o ymo)s "or- :'elie#ed to 'e 'y precio)s &iss 0ello"s;* e titled THE .ERPE8T AT H4&E% The desi$ of the 'oo-!"ith "hich the "orldly reader may ot 'e ac,)ai ted!is to sho" ho" the E#il 4 e lies i "ait for )s i all the most appare tly i oce t actio s of o)r daily li#es% The chapters 'est adapted to female per)sal are A.ata i the Hair 0r)sh9A A.ata 'ehi d the ?oo-i $ /lass9A A.ata ) der the Tea Ta'le9A A.ata o)t of the @i do"=!a d ma y others% A/i#e yo)r atte tio * dear a) t* to this precio)s 'oo-!a d yo) "ill $i#e me all I as-%A @ith those "ords* I ha ded it to her ope * at a mar-ed passa$e!o e co ti )o)s ')rst of ')r i $ elo,)e ceD .)'(ectF .ata amo $ the .ofa C)shio s%

1G>

Poor ?ady Veri der :recli i $ tho)$htlessly o her o" sofa c)shio s; $la ced at the 'oo-* a d ha ded it 'ac- to me loo-i $ more co f)sed tha e#er% AI=m afraid* 6r)silla*A she said* AI m)st "ait till I am a little 'etter* 'efore I ca read that% The doctor!!A The mome t she me tio ed the doctor=s ame* I - e" "hat "as comi $% 4#er a d o#er a$ai i my past experie ce amo $ my perishi $ fello"7creat)res* the mem'ers of the otorio)sly i fidel professio of &edici e had stepped 'et"ee me a d my missio of mercy!o the misera'le prete ce that the patie t "a ted ,)iet* a d that the dist)r'i $ i fl)e ce of all others "hich they most dreaded* "as the i fl)e ce of &iss Clac- a d her 0oo-s% Precisely the same 'li ded materialism :"or-i $ treachero)sly 'ehi d my 'ac-; o" so)$ht to ro' me of the o ly ri$ht of property that my po#erty co)ld claim!my ri$ht of spirit)al property i my perishi $ a) t% AThe doctor tells me*A my poor mis$)ided relati#e "e t o * Athat I am ot so "ell to7day% He for'ids me to see a y stra $ers9 a d he orders me* if I read at all* o ly to read the li$htest a d the most am)si $ 'oo-s% =6o othi $* ?ady Veri der* to "eary yo)r head* or to ,)ic-e yo)r p)lse=!those "ere his last "ords* 6r)silla* "he he left me to7day%A There "as o help for it ')t to yield a$ai !for the mome t o ly* as 'efore% A y ope assertio of the i fi itely s)perior importa ce of s)ch a mi istry as mi e* compared "ith the mi istry of the medical ma * "o)ld o ly ha#e pro#o-ed the doctor to practise o the h)ma "ea- ess of his patie t* a d to threate to thro" )p the case% Happily* there are more "ays tha o e of so"i $ the $ood seed* a d fe" perso s are 'etter #ersed i those "ays tha myself% A5o) mi$ht feel stro $er* dear* i a ho)r or t"o*A I said% A4r yo) mi$ht "a-e* to7 morro" mor i $* "ith a se se of somethi $ "a ti $* a d e#e this ) prete di $ #ol)me mi$ht 'e a'le to s)pply it% 5o) "ill let me lea#e the 'oo-* a) tB The doctor ca hardly o'(ect to thatDA I slipped it ) der the sofa c)shio s* half i * a d half o)t* close 'y her ha d-erchief* a d her smelli $7'ottle% E#ery time her ha d searched for either of these* it "o)ld to)ch the 'oo-9 a d* soo er or later :"ho - o"sB; the 'oo- mi$ht to)ch HER% After ma-i $ this arra $eme t* I tho)$ht it "ise to "ithdra"% A?et me lea#e yo) to repose* dear a) t9 I "ill call a$ai to7morro"%A I loo-ed accide tally to"ards the "i do" as I said that% It "as f)ll of flo"ers* i 'oxes a d pots% ?ady Veri der "as extra#a$a tly fo d of these perisha'le treas)res* a d had a ha'it of risi $ e#ery o" a d the * a d $oi $ to loo- at them a d smell them% A e" idea flashed across my mi d% A4hD may I ta-e a flo"erBA I said!a d $ot to the "i do" ) s)spected* i that "ay% I stead of ta-i $ a"ay a flo"er* I added o e* i the shape of a other 'oo- from my 'a$* "hich I left* to s)rprise my a) t* amo $ the $era i)ms a d roses% The happy tho)$ht follo"ed* A@hy ot do the same for her* poor dear* i e#ery other room that she e tersBA I immediately said $ood7'ye9 a d* crossi $ the hall* slipped i to the li'rary% .am)el* comi $ )p to let me o)t* a d s)pposi $ I had $o e* "e t do" 7stairs a$ai % 4 the li'rary ta'le I oticed t"o of the Aam)si $ 'oo-sA "hich

1GC

the i fidel doctor had recomme ded% I i sta tly co#ered them from si$ht "ith t"o of my o" precio)s p)'licatio s% I the 'rea-fast7room I fo) d my a) t=s fa#o)rite ca ary si $i $ i his ca$e% .he "as al"ays i the ha'it of feedi $ the 'ird herself% .ome $ro) dsel "as stre"ed o a ta'le "hich stood immediately ) der the ca$e% I p)t a 'ooamo $ the $ro) dsel% I the dra"i $7room I fo) d more cheeri $ opport) ities of emptyi $ my 'a$% &y a) t=s fa#o)rite m)sical pieces "ere o the pia o% I slipped i t"o more 'oo-s amo $ the m)sic% I disposed of a other i the 'ac- dra"i $7room* ) der some ) fi ished em'roidery* "hich I - e" to 'e of ?ady Veri der=s "or-i $% A third little room ope ed o)t of the 'ac- dra"i $7room* from "hich it "as sh)t off 'y c)rtai s i stead of a door% &y a) t=s plai old7fashio ed fa "as o the chim ey7piece% I ope ed my i th 'oo- at a #ery special passa$e* a d p)t the fa i as a mar-er* to -eep the place% The ,)estio the came* "hether I sho)ld $o hi$her still* a d try the 'ed7room floor!at the ris-* ) do)'tedly* of 'ei $ i s)lted* if the perso "ith the cap7ri''o s happe ed to 'e i the )pper re$io s of the ho)se* a d to fi d me p)t% 0)t oh* "hat of thatB It is a poor Christia that is afraid of 'ei $ i s)lted% I "e t )pstairs* prepared to 'ear a ythi $% All "as sile t a d solitary!it "as the ser#a ts= tea7time* I s)ppose% &y a) t=s room "as i fro t% The mi iat)re of my late dear ) cle* .ir +oh * h) $ o the "all opposite the 'ed% It seemed to smile at me9 it seemed to say* A6r)sillaD deposit a 'oo-%A There "ere ta'les o either side of my a) t=s 'ed% .he "as a 'ad sleeper* a d "a ted* or tho)$ht she "a ted* ma y thi $s at i$ht% I p)t a 'oo- ear the matches o o e side* a d a 'oo- ) der the 'ox of chocolate drops o the other% @hether she "a ted a li$ht* or "hether she "a ted a drop* there "as a precio)s p)'licatio to meet her eye* or to meet her ha d* a d to say "ith sile t elo,)e ce* i either case* ACome* try meD try meDA 0)t o e 'oo- "as o" left at the 'ottom of my 'a$* a d ')t o e apartme t "as still ) explored!the 'ath7room* "hich ope ed o)t of the 'ed7room% I peeped i 9 a d the holy i er #oice that e#er decei#es* "hispered to me* A5o) ha#e met her* 6r)silla* e#ery"here else9 meet her at the 'ath* a d the "or- is do e%A I o'ser#ed a dressi $7$o" thro" across a chair% It had a poc-et i it* a d i that poc-et I p)t my last 'oo-% Ca "ords express my ex,)isite se se of d)ty do e* "he I had slipped o)t of the ho)se* ) s)spected 'y a y of them* a d "he I fo) d myself i the street "ith my empty 'a$ ) der my armB 4h* my "orldly frie ds* p)rs)i $ the pha tom* Pleas)re* thro)$h the $)ilty ma<es of 6issipatio * ho" easy it is to 'e happy* if yo) "ill o ly 'e $oodD @he I folded )p my thi $s that i$ht!"he I reflected o the tr)e riches "hich I had scattered "ith s)ch a la#ish ha d* from top to 'ottom of the ho)se of my "ealthy a) t!I declare I felt as free from all a xiety as if I had 'ee a child a$ai % I "as so li$ht7hearted that I sa $ a #erse of the E#e i $ Hym % I "as so li$ht7hearted that I fell asleep 'efore I co)ld si $ a other% I)ite li-e a child a$ai D ,)ite li-e a child a$ai D .o I passed that 'lissf)l i$ht% 4 risi $ the ext mor i $* ho" yo) $ I feltD I mi$ht add* ho" yo) $ I loo-ed* if I "ere capa'le of d"elli $ o the co cer s of my o" perisha'le 'ody% 0)t I am ot capa'le!a d I add othi $% To"ards l) cheo time! ot for the sa-e of the creat)re7comforts* ')t for the certai ty of fi di $ dear a) t!I p)t o my 'o et to $o to &o ta$) .,)are% +)st as I "as ready*

1G2

the maid at the lod$i $s i "hich I the li#ed loo-ed i at the door* a d said* A?ady Veri der=s ser#a t* to see &iss Clac-%A I occ)pied the parlo)r7floor* at that period of my reside ce i ?o do % The fro t parlo)r "as my sitti $7room% Very small* #ery lo" i the ceili $* #ery poorly f)r ished!')t* oh* so eatD I loo-ed i to the passa$e to see "hich of ?ady Veri der=s ser#a ts had as-ed for me% It "as the yo) $ footma * .am)el!a ci#il fresh7colo)red perso * "ith a teacha'le loo- a d a #ery o'li$i $ ma er% I had al"ays felt a spirit)al i terest i .am)el* a d a "ish to try him "ith a fe" serio)s "ords% 4 this occasio * I i #ited him i to my sitti $7 room% He came i * "ith a lar$e parcel ) der his arm% @he he p)t the parcel do" * it appeared to fri$hte him% A&y lady=s lo#e* &iss9 a d I "as to say that yo) "o)ld fi d a letter i side%A Ha#i $ $i#e that messa$e* the fresh7colo)red yo) $ footma s)rprised me 'y loo-i $ as if he "o)ld ha#e li-ed to r) a"ay% I detai ed him to ma-e a fe" -i d i ,)iries% Co)ld I see my a) t* if I called i &o ta$) .,)areB 8o9 she had $o e o)t for a dri#e% &iss Rachel had $o e "ith her* a d &r% A'le"hite had ta-e a seat i the carria$e* too% J o"i $ ho" sadly dear &r% /odfrey=s charita'le "or- "as i arrear* I tho)$ht it odd that he sho)ld 'e $oi $ o)t dri#i $* li-e a idle ma % I stopped .am)el at the door* a d made a fe" more -i d i ,)iries% &iss Rachel "as $oi $ to a 'all that i$ht* a d &r% A'le"hite had arra $ed to come to coffee* a d $o "ith her% There "as a mor i $ co cert ad#ertised for to7morro"* a d .am)el "as ordered to ta-e places for a lar$e party* i cl)di $ a place for &r% A'le"hite% AAll the tic-ets may 'e $o e* &iss*A said this i oce t yo)th* Aif I do =t r) a d $et them at o ceDA He ra as he said the "ords!a d I fo) d myself alo e a$ai * "ith some a xio)s tho)$hts to occ)py me% @e had a special meeti $ of the &others=7.mall7Clothes7Co #ersio .ociety that i$ht* s)mmo ed expressly "ith a #ie" to o'tai i $ &r% /odfrey=s ad#ice a d assista ce% I stead of s)stai i $ o)r sisterhood* ) der a o#er"helmi $ flo" of Tro)sers "hich ,)ite prostrated o)r little comm) ity* he had arra $ed to ta-e coffee i &o ta$) .,)are* a d to $oto a 'all after"ardsD The after oo of the ext day had 'ee selected for the Festi#al of the 0ritish7?adies=7.er#a ts=7.) day7."eetheart7.)per#isio .ociety% I stead of 'ei $ prese t* the life a d so)l of that str)$$li $ I stit)tio * he had e $a$ed to ma-e o e of a party of "orldli $s at a mor i $ co certD I as-ed myself "hat did it mea B AlasD it mea t that o)r Christia Hero "as to re#eal himself to me i a e" character* a d to 'ecome associated i my mi d "ith o e of the most a"f)l 'ac-slidi $s of moder times% To ret)r * ho"e#er* to the history of the passi $ day% 4 fi di $ myself alo e i my room* I at)rally t)r ed my atte tio to the parcel "hich appeared to ha#e so stra $ely i timidated the fresh7colo)red yo) $ footma % Had my a) t se t me my promised le$acyB a d had it ta-e the form of cast7off clothes* or "or 7o)t sil#er spoo s* or ) fashio a'le (e"ellery* or a ythi $ of that sortB Prepared to accept all* a d to rese t othi $* I ope ed the parcel!a d "hat met my #ie"B The t"el#e precio)s p)'licatio s "hich I had scattered thro)$h the ho)se* o the pre#io)s day9 all ret)r ed to me 'y the

1GG

doctor=s ordersD @ell mi$ht the yo)thf)l .am)el shri - "he he 'ro)$ht his parcel i to my roomD @ell mi$ht he r) "he he had performed his misera'le erra dD As to my a) t=s letter* it simply amo) ted* poor so)l* to this!that she dare ot diso'ey her medical ma % @hat "as to 'e do e o"B @ith my trai i $ a d my pri ciples* I e#er had a mome t=s do)'t% 4 ce self7s)pported 'y co scie ce* o ce em'ar-ed o a career of ma ifest )sef)l ess* the tr)e Christia e#er yields% 8either p)'lic or pri#ate i fl)e ces prod)ce the sli$htest effect o )s* "he "e ha#e o ce $ot o)r missio % Taxatio may 'e the co se,)e ce of a missio 9 riots may 'e the co se,)e ce of a missio 9 "ars may 'e the co se,)e ce of a missio F "e $o o "ith o)r "or-* irrespecti#e of e#ery h)ma co sideratio "hich mo#es the "orld o)tside )s% @e are a'o#e reaso 9 "e are 'eyo d ridic)le9 "e see "ith o'ody=s eyes* "e hear "ith o'ody=s ears* "e feel "ith o'ody=s hearts* ')t o)r o" % /lorio)s* $lorio)s pri#ile$eD A d ho" is it ear edB Ah* my frie ds* yo) may spare yo)rsel#es the )seless i ,)iryD @e are the o ly people "ho ca ear it!for "e are the o ly people "ho are al"ays ri$ht% I the case of my mis$)ided a) t* the form "hich pio)s perse#era ce "as ext to ta-e re#ealed itself to me plai ly e o)$h% Preparatio 'y clerical frie ds had failed* o"i $ to ?ady Veri der=s o" rel)cta ce% Preparatio 'y 'oo-s had failed* o"i $ to the doctor=s i fidel o'sti acy% .o 'e itD @hat "as the ext thi $ to tryB The ext thi $ to try "as!Preparatio 'y ?ittle 8otes% I other "ords* the 'oo-s themsel#es ha#i $ 'ee se t 'ac-* select extracts from the 'oo-s* copied 'y differe t ha ds* a d all addressed as letters to my a) t* "ere* some to 'e se t 'y post* a d some to 'e distri')ted a'o)t the ho)se o the pla I had adopted o the pre#io)s day% As letters they "o)ld excite o s)spicio 9 as letters they "o)ld 'e ope ed !a d* o ce ope ed* mi$ht 'e read% .ome of them I "rote myself% A6ear a) t* may I asyo)r atte tio to a fe" li esBA Kc% A6ear a) t* I "as readi $ last i$ht* a d I cha ced o the follo"i $ passa$e*A Kc% 4ther letters "ere "ritte for me 'y my #al)ed fello"7 "or-ers* the sisterhood at the &others=7.mall7Clothes% A6ear madam* pardo the i terest ta-e i yo) 'y a tr)e* tho)$h h)m'le* frie d%A A6ear madam* may a serio)s perso s)rprise yo) 'y sayi $ a fe" cheeri $ "ordsBA Esi $ these a d other similar forms of co)rteo)s appeal* "e rei trod)ced all my precio)s passa$es ) der a form "hich ot e#e the doctor=s "atchf)l materialism co)ld s)spect% 0efore the shades of e#e i $ had closed aro) d )s* I had a do<e a"a-e i $ letters for my a) t* i stead of a do<e a"a-e i $ 'oo-s% .ix I made immediate arra $eme ts for se di $ thro)$h the post* a d six I -ept i my poc-et for perso al distri')tio i the ho)se the ext day% .oo after t"o o=cloc- I "as a$ai o the field of pio)s co flict* addressi $ more -i d i ,)iries to .am)el at ?ady Veri der=s door% &y a) t had had a 'ad i$ht% .he "as a$ai i the room i "hich I had "it essed her @ill* resti $ o the sofa* a d tryi $ to $et a little sleep%

1G3

I said I "o)ld "ait i the li'rary* o the cha ce of seei $ her% I the fer#o)r of my <eal to distri')te the letters* it e#er occ)rred to me to i ,)ire a'o)t Rachel% The ho)se "as ,)iet* a d it "as past the ho)r at "hich the m)sical performa ce 'e$a % I too- it for $ra ted that she a d her party of pleas)re7see-ers :&r% /odfrey* alasD i cl)ded; "ere all at the co cert* a d ea$erly de#oted myself to my $ood "or-* "hile time a d opport) ity "ere still at my o" disposal% &y a) t=s correspo de ce of the mor i $!i cl)di $ the six a"a-e i $ letters "hich I had posted o#er i$ht!"as lyi $ ) ope ed o the li'rary ta'le% .he had e#ide tly ot felt herself e,)al to deali $ "ith a lar$e mass of letters!a d she mi$ht 'e da) ted 'y the )m'er of them* if she e tered the li'rary later i the day% I p)t o e of my seco d set of six letters o the chim ey7piece 'y itself9 lea#i $ it to attract her c)riosity* 'y mea s of its solitary positio * apart from the rest% A seco d letter I p)t p)rposely o the floor i the 'rea-fast7room% The first ser#a t "ho "e t i after me "o)ld co cl)de that my a) t had dropped it* a d "o)ld 'e specially caref)l to restore it to her% The field th)s so" o the 'aseme t story* I ra li$htly )pstairs to scatter my mercies ext o#er the dra"i $7room floor% +)st as I e tered the fro t room* I heard a do)'le - oc- at the street7door!a soft* fl)tteri $* co siderate little - oc-% 0efore I co)ld thi - of slippi $ 'ac- to the li'rary :i "hich I "as s)pposed to 'e "aiti $;* the acti#e yo) $ footma "as i the hall* a s"eri $ the door% It mattered little* as I tho)$ht% I my a) t=s state of health* #isitors i $e eral "ere ot admitted% To my horror a d ama<eme t* the performer of the soft little - ocpro#ed to 'e a exceptio to $e eral r)les% .am)el=s #oice 'elo" me :after appare tly a s"eri $ some ,)estio s "hich I did ot hear; said* ) mista-a'ly* AEpstairs* if yo) please* sir%A The ext mome t I heard footsteps!a ma =s footsteps!approachi $ the dra"i $7room floor% @ho co)ld this fa#o)red male #isitor possi'ly 'eB Almost as soo as I as-ed myself the ,)estio * the a s"er occ)rred to me% @ho C4E?6 it 'e ')t the doctorB I the case of a y other #isitor* I sho)ld ha#e allo"ed myself to 'e disco#ered i the dra"i $7room% There "o)ld ha#e 'ee othi $ o)t of the commo i my ha#i $ $ot tired of the li'rary* a d ha#i $ $o e )pstairs for a cha $e% 0)t my o" self7respect stood i the "ay of my meeti $ the perso "ho had i s)lted me 'y se di $ me 'ac- my 'oo-s% I slipped i to the little third room* "hich I ha#e me tio ed as comm) icati $ "ith the 'ac- dra"i $7room* a d dropped the c)rtai s "hich closed the ope door"ay% If I o ly "aited there for a mi )te or t"o* the )s)al res)lt i s)ch cases "o)ld ta-e place% That is to say* the doctor "o)ld 'e co d)cted to his patie t=s room% I "aited a mi )te or t"o* a d more tha a mi )te or t"o% I heard the #isitor "al-i $ restlessly 'ac-"ards a d for"ards% I also heard him tal-i $ to himself% I e#e tho)$ht I reco$ ised the #oice% Had I made a mista-eB @as it ot the doctor* ')t some'ody elseB &r% 0r)ff* for i sta ceB 8oD a ) erri $ i sti ct told me it "as ot &r% 0r)ff% @hoe#er he "as* he "as still tal-i $ to himself% I parted the hea#y c)rtai s the least little morsel i the "orld* a d liste ed%

13H

The "ords I heard "ere* AI=ll do it to7dayDA A d the #oice that spo-e them "as &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s%

CHAPTER !
&y ha d dropped from the c)rtai % 0)t do =t s)ppose!oh* do =t s)ppose!that the dreadf)l em'arrassme t of my sit)atio "as the )ppermost idea i my mi dD .o fer#e t still "as the sisterly i terest I felt i &r% /odfrey* that I e#er stopped to as- myself "hy he "as ot at the co cert% 8oD I tho)$ht o ly of the "ords!the startli $ "ords!"hich had ()st falle from his lips% He "o)ld do it to7day% He had said* i a to e of terri'le resol)tio * he "o)ld do it to7day% @hat* oh "hat* "o)ld he doB .omethi $ e#e more deplora'ly ) "orthy of him tha "hat he had do e alreadyB @o)ld he apostatise from the faithB @o)ld he a'a do )s at the &others=7.mall7ClothesB Had "e see the last of his a $elic smile i the committee7roomB Had "e heard the last of his ) ri#alled elo,)e ce at Exeter HallB I "as so "ro)$ht )p 'y the 'are idea of s)ch a"f)l e#e t)alities as these i co ectio "ith s)ch a ma * that I 'elie#e I sho)ld ha#e r)shed from my place of co cealme t* a d implored him i the ame of all the ?adies= Committees i ?o do to explai himself!"he I s)dde ly heard a other #oice i the room% It pe etrated thro)$h the c)rtai s9 it "as lo)d* it "as 'old* it "as "a ti $ i e#ery female charm% The #oice of Rachel Veri der% A@hy ha#e yo) come )p here* /odfreyBA she as-ed% A@hy did =t yo) $o i to the li'raryBA He la)$hed softly* a d a s"ered* A&iss Clac- is i the li'rary%A AClac- i the li'raryDA .he i sta tly seated herself o the ottoma i the 'ac- dra"i $7 room% A5o) are ,)ite ri$ht* /odfrey% @e had m)ch 'etter stop here%A I had 'ee i a ')r i $ fe#er* a mome t si ce* a d i some do)'t "hat to do ext% I 'ecame extremely cold o"* a d felt o do)'t "hate#er% To sho" myself* after "hat I had heard* "as impossi'le% To retreat!except i to the fireplace!"as e,)ally o)t of the ,)estio % A martyrdom "as 'efore me% I ()stice to myself* I oiselessly arra $ed the c)rtai s so that I co)ld 'oth see a d hear% A d the I met my martyrdom* "ith the spirit of a primiti#e Christia % A6o =t sit o the ottoma *A the yo) $ lady proceeded% A0ri $ a chair* /odfrey% I li-e people to 'e opposite to me "he I tal- to them%A He too- the earest seat% It "as a lo" chair% He "as #ery tall* a d ma y si<es too lar$e for it% I e#er sa" his le$s to s)ch disad#a ta$e 'efore%

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A@ellBA she "e t o % A@hat did yo) say to themBA A+)st "hat yo) said* dear Rachel* to me%A AThat mamma "as ot at all "ell to7dayB A d that I did =t ,)ite li-e lea#i $ her to $o to the co certBA AThose "ere the "ords% They "ere $rie#ed to lose yo) at the co cert* ')t they ,)ite ) derstood% All se t their lo#e9 a d all expressed a cheeri $ 'elief that ?ady Veri der=s i dispositio "o)ld soo pass a"ay%A A54E do =t thi - it=s serio)s* do yo)* /odfreyBA AFar from itD I a fe" days* I feel ,)ite s)re* all "ill 'e "ell a$ai %A AI thi - so* too% I "as a little fri$hte ed at first* ')t I thi - so too% It "as #ery -i d to $o a d ma-e my exc)ses for me to people "ho are almost stra $ers to yo)% 0)t "hy ot ha#e $o e "ith them to the co certB It seems #ery hard that yo) sho)ld miss the m)sic too%A A6o =t say that* RachelD If yo) o ly - e" ho" m)ch happier I am!here* "ith yo)DA He clasped his ha ds* a d loo-ed at her% I the positio "hich he occ)pied* "he he did that* he t)r ed my "ay% Ca "ords descri'e ho" I sic-e ed "he I oticed exactly the same pathetic expressio o his face* "hich had charmed me "he he "as pleadi $ for destit)te millio s of his fello"7creat)res o the platform at Exeter HallD AIt=s hard to $et o#er o e=s 'ad ha'its* /odfrey% 0)t do try to $et o#er the ha'it of payi $ complime ts!do* to please me%A AI e#er paid yo) a complime t* Rachel* i my life% .)ccessf)l lo#e may sometimes )se the la $)a$e of flattery* I admit% 0)t hopeless lo#e* dearest* al"ays spea-s the tr)th%A He dre" his chair close* a d too- her ha d* "he he said Ahopeless lo#e%A There "as a mome tary sile ce% He* "ho thrilled e#ery'ody* had do)'tless thrilled HER% I tho)$ht I o" ) derstood the "ords "hich had dropped from him "he he "as alo e i the dra"i $7room* AI=ll do it to7day%A AlasD the most ri$id propriety co)ld hardly ha#e failed to disco#er that he "as doi $ it o"% AHa#e yo) for$otte "hat "e a$reed o * /odfrey* "he yo) spo-e to me i the co) tryB @e a$reed that "e "ere to 'e co)si s* a d othi $ more%A AI 'rea- the a$reeme t* Rachel* e#ery time I see yo)%A AThe do =t see me%A

132

AI)ite )selessD I 'rea- the a$reeme t e#ery time I thi - of yo)% 4h* RachelD ho" -i dly yo) told me* o ly the other day* that my place i yo)r estimatio "as a hi$her place tha it had e#er 'ee yetD Am I mad to ')ild the hopes I do o those dear "ordsB Am I mad to dream of some f)t)re day "he yo)r heart may softe to meB 6o =t tell me so* if I amD ?ea#e me my del)sio * dearestD I m)st ha#e THAT to cherish* a d to comfort me* if I ha#e othi $ elseDA His #oice trem'led* a d he p)t his "hite ha d-erchief to his eyes% Exeter Hall a$ai D 8othi $ "a ti $ to complete the parallel ')t the a)die ce* the cheers* a d the $lass of "ater% E#e her o'd)rate at)re "as to)ched% I sa" her lea a little earer to him% I heard a e" to e of i terest i her ext "ords% AAre yo) really s)re* /odfrey* that yo) are so fo d of me as thatBA A.)reD 5o) - o" "hat I "as* Rachel% ?et me tell yo) "hat I am% I ha#e lost e#ery i terest i life* ')t my i terest i yo)% A tra sformatio has come o#er me "hich I ca =t acco) t for* myself% @o)ld yo) 'elie#e itB &y charita'le ')si ess is a ) e d)ra'le )isa ce to me9 a d "he I see a ?adies= Committee o"* I "ish myself at the )ttermost e ds of the earthDA If the a als of apostasy offer a ythi $ compara'le to s)ch a declaratio as that* I ca o ly say that the case i poi t is ot prod)ci'le from the stores of my readi $% I tho)$ht of the &others=7.mall7Clothes% I tho)$ht of the .) day7."eetheart7.)per#isio % I tho)$ht of the other .ocieties* too )mero)s to me tio * all ')ilt )p o this ma as o a to"er of stre $th% I tho)$ht of the str)$$li $ Female 0oards* "ho* so to spea-* dre" the 'reath of their ')si ess7life thro)$h the ostrils of &r% /odfrey!of that same &r% /odfrey "ho had ()st re#iled o)r $ood "or- as a A )isa ceA!a d ()st declared that he "ished he "as at the )ttermost e ds of the earth "he he fo) d himself i o)r compa yD &y yo) $ female frie ds "ill feel e co)ra$ed to perse#ere* "he I me tio that it tried e#e &y discipli e 'efore I co)ld de#o)r my o" ri$hteo)s i di$ atio i sile ce% At the same time* it is o ly ()stice to myself to add* that I did =t lose a sylla'le of the co #ersatio % Rachel "as the ext to spea-% A5o) ha#e made yo)r co fessio *A she said% AI "o der "hether it "o)ld c)re yo) of yo)r ) happy attachme t to me* if I made mi eBA He started% I co fess I started too% He tho)$ht* a d I tho)$ht* that she "as a'o)t to di#)l$e the mystery of the &oo sto e% A@o)ld yo) thi -* to loo- at me*A she "e t o * Athat I am the "retchedest $irl li#i $B It=s tr)e* /odfrey% @hat $reater "retched ess ca there 'e tha to li#e de$raded i yo)r o" estimatio B That is my life o"%A

133

A&y dear RachelD it=s impossi'le yo) ca ha#e a y reaso to spea- of yo)rself i that "ayDA AHo" do yo) - o" I ha#e o reaso BA ACa yo) as- me the ,)estio D I - o" it* 'eca)se I - o" yo)% 5o)r sile ce* dearest* has e#er lo"ered yo) i the estimatio of yo)r tr)e frie ds% The disappeara ce of yo)r precio)s 'irthday $ift may seem stra $e9 yo)r ) explai ed co ectio "ith that e#e t may seem stra $er still%A AAre yo) spea-i $ of the &oo sto e* /odfrey!!A AI certai ly tho)$ht that yo) referred!!A AI referred to othi $ of the sort% I ca hear of the loss of the &oo sto e* let "ho "ill spea- of it* "itho)t feeli $ de$raded i my o" estimatio % If the story of the 6iamo d e#er comes to li$ht* it "ill 'e - o" that I accepted a dreadf)l respo si'ility9 it "ill 'e - o" that I i #ol#ed myself i the -eepi $ of a misera'le secret!')t it "ill 'e as clear as the s) at oo 7day that I did othi $ mea D 5o) ha#e mis) derstood me* /odfrey% It=s my fa)lt for ot spea-i $ more plai ly% Cost me "hat it may* I "ill 'e plai er o"% .)ppose yo) "ere ot i lo#e "ith meB .)ppose yo) "ere i lo#e "ith some other "oma BA A5esBA A.)ppose yo) disco#ered that "oma to 'e )tterly ) "orthy of yo)B .)ppose yo) "ere ,)ite co #i ced that it "as a dis$race to yo) to "aste a other tho)$ht o herB .)ppose the 'are idea of e#er marryi $ s)ch a perso made yo)r face ')r * o ly "ith thi -i $ of it%A A5esBA AA d* s)ppose* i spite of all that!yo) co)ld =t tear her from yo)r heartB .)ppose the feeli $ she had ro)sed i yo) :i the time "he yo) 'elie#ed i her; "as ot a feeli $ to 'e hidde B .)ppose the lo#e this "retch had i spired i yo)B 4h* ho" ca I fi d "ords to say it i D Ho" ca I ma-e a &A8 ) dersta d that a feeli $ "hich horrifies me at myself* ca 'e a feeli $ that fasci ates me at the same timeB It=s the 'reath of my life* /odfrey* a d it=s the poiso that -ills me!'oth i o eD /o a"ayD I m)st 'e o)t of my mi d to talas I am tal-i $ o"% 8oD yo) m)st =t lea#e me!yo) m)st =t carry a"ay a "ro $ impressio % I m)st say "hat is to 'e said i my o" defe ce% &i d thisD HE does =t - o" !he e#er "ill - o"* "hat I ha#e told yo)% I "ill e#er see him!I do =t care "hat happe s!I "ill e#er* e#er* e#er see him a$ai D 6o =t as- me his ameD 6o =t as- me a y moreD ?et=s cha $e the s)'(ect% Are yo) doctor e o)$h* /odfrey* to tell me "hy I feel as if I "as stifli $ for "a t of 'reathB Is there a form of hysterics that ')rsts i to "ords i stead of tearsB I dare sayD @hat does it matterB 5o) "ill $et o#er a y tro)'le I

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ha#e ca)sed yo)* easily e o)$h o"% I ha#e dropped to my ri$ht place i yo)r estimatio * ha#e =t IB 6o =t otice meD 6o =t pity meD For /od=s sa-e* $o a"ayDA .he t)r ed ro) d o a s)dde * a d 'eat her ha ds "ildly o the 'ac- of the ottoma % Her head dropped o the c)shio s9 a d she ')rst o)t cryi $% 0efore I had time to feel shoc-ed* at this* I "as horror7str)c- 'y a e tirely ) expected proceedi $ o the part of &r% /odfrey% @ill it 'e credited that he fell o his - ees at her feetB!o 04TH - ees* I solem ly declareD &ay modesty me tio that he p)t his arms ro) d her extB A d may rel)cta t admiratio ac- o"led$e that he electrified her "ith t"o "ordsB A8o'le creat)reDA 8o more tha thatD 0)t he did it "ith o e of the ')rsts "hich ha#e made his fame as a p)'lic spea-er% .he sat* either ,)ite th) derstr)c-* or ,)ite fasci ated!I do =t - o" "hich!"itho)t e#e ma-i $ a effort to p)t his arms 'ac- "here his arms o)$ht to ha#e 'ee % As for me* my se se of propriety "as completely 'e"ildered% I "as so pai f)lly ) certai "hether it "as my first d)ty to close my eyes* or to stop my ears* that I did either% I attri')te my 'ei $ still a'le to hold the c)rtai i the ri$ht positio for loo-i $ a d liste i $* e tirely to s)ppressed hysterics% I s)ppressed hysterics* it is admitted* e#e 'y the doctors* that o e m)st hold somethi $% A5es*A he said* "ith all the fasci atio of his e#a $elical #oice a d ma er* Ayo) are a o'le creat)reD A "oma "ho ca spea- the tr)th* for the tr)th=s o" sa-e!a "oma "ho "ill sacrifice her pride* rather tha sacrifice a ho est ma "ho lo#es her!is the most priceless of all treas)res% @he s)ch a "oma marries* if her h)s'a d o ly "i s her esteem a d re$ard* he "i s e o)$h to e o'le his "hole life% 5o) ha#e spo-e * dearest* of yo)r place i my estimatio % +)d$e "hat that place is!"he I implore yo) o my - ees* to let the c)re of yo)r poor "o) ded heart 'e my care% RachelD "ill yo) ho o)r me* "ill yo) 'less me* 'y 'ei $ my "ifeBA 0y this time I sho)ld certai ly ha#e decided o stoppi $ my ears* if Rachel had ot e co)ra$ed me to -eep them ope * 'y a s"eri $ him i the first se si'le "ords I had e#er heard fall from her lips% A/odfreyDA she said* Ayo) m)st 'e madDA AI e#er spo-e more reaso a'ly* dearest!i yo)r i terests* as "ell as i mi e% ?oo- for a mome t to the f)t)re% Is yo)r happi ess to 'e sacrificed to a ma "ho has e#er - o" ho" yo) feel to"ards him* a d "hom yo) are resol#ed e#er to see a$ai B Is it ot yo)r d)ty to yo)rself to for$et this ill7fated attachme tB a d is for$etf)l ess to 'e fo) d i the life yo) are leadi $ o"B 5o) ha#e tried that life* a d yo) are "earyi $ of it already% .)rro) d yo)rself "ith o'ler i terests tha the "retched i terests of the "orld% A heart that lo#es a d ho o)rs yo)9 a home "hose peacef)l claims a d happy d)ties "i $e tly o yo) day 'y day!try the co solatio * Rachel* "hich is to 'e fo) d THERED I do =t asfor yo)r lo#e!I "ill 'e co te t "ith yo)r affectio a d re$ard% ?et the rest 'e left*

13>

co fide tly left* to yo)r h)s'a d=s de#otio * a d to Time that heals e#e "o) ds as deep as yo)rs%A .he 'e$a to yield already% 4h* "hat a 'ri $i $7)p she m)st ha#e hadD 4h* ho" differe tly I sho)ld ha#e acted i her placeD A6o =t tempt me* /odfrey*A she said9 AI am "retched e o)$h a d rec-less e o)$h as it is% 6o =t tempt me to 'e more "retched a d more "rec-less stillDA A4 e ,)estio * Rachel% Ha#e yo) a y perso al o'(ectio to meBA AID I al"ays li-ed yo)% After "hat yo) ha#e ()st said to me* I sho)ld 'e i se si'le i deed if I did =t respect a d admire yo) as "ell%A A6o yo) - o" ma y "i#es* my dear Rachel* "ho respect a d admire their h)s'a dsB A d yet they a d their h)s'a ds $et o #ery "ell% Ho" ma y 'rides $o to the altar "ith hearts that "o)ld 'ear i spectio 'y the me "ho ta-e them thereB A d yet it does =t e d ) happily!someho" or other the )ptial esta'lishme t (o$s o % The tr)th is* that "ome try marria$e as a Ref)$e* far more )mero)sly tha they are "illi $ to admit9 a d* "hat is more* they fi d that marria$e has ()stified their co fide ce i it% ?oo- at yo)r o" case o ce a$ai % At yo)r a$e* a d "ith yo)r attractio s* is it possi'le for yo) to se te ce yo)rself to a si $le lifeB Tr)st my - o"led$e of the "orld! othi $ is less possi'le% It is merely a ,)estio of time% 5o) may marry some other ma * some years he ce% 4r yo) may marry the ma * dearest* "ho is o" at yo)r feet* a d "ho pri<es yo)r respect a d admiratio a'o#e the lo#e of a y other "oma o the face of the earth%A A/e tly* /odfreyD yo) are p)tti $ somethi $ i to my head "hich I e#er tho)$ht of 'efore% 5o) are tempti $ me "ith a e" prospect* "he all my other prospects are closed 'efore me% I tell yo) a$ai * I am misera'le e o)$h a d desperate e o)$h* if yo) say a other "ord* to marry yo) o yo)r o" terms% Ta-e the "ar i $* a d $oDA AI "o =t e#e rise from my - ees* till yo) ha#e said yesDA AIf I say yes yo) "ill repe t* a d I shall repe t* "he it is too lateDA A@e shall 'oth 'less the day* darli $* "he I pressed* a d "he yo) yielded%A A6o yo) feel as co fide tly as yo) spea-BA A5o) shall ()d$e for yo)rself% I spea- from "hat I ha#e see i my o" family% Tell me "hat yo) thi - of o)r ho)sehold at Fri<i $hall% 6o my father a d mother li#e ) happily to$etherBA AFar from it!so far as I ca see%A

13C

A@he my mother "as a $irl* Rachel :it is o secret i the family;* she had lo#ed as yo) lo#e!she had $i#e her heart to a ma "ho "as ) "orthy of her% .he married my father* respecti $ him* admiri $ him* ')t othi $ more% 5o)r o" eyes ha#e see the res)lt% Is there o e co)ra$eme t i it for yo) a d for meBA L
5 3ee Betteredge@s :arrati e, cha#ter iii!

A5o) "o =t h)rry me* /odfreyBA A&y time shall 'e yo)rs%A A5o) "o =t as- me for more tha I ca $i#eBA A&y a $elD I o ly as- yo) to $i#e me yo)rself%A ATa-e meDA I those t"o "ords she accepted himD He had a other ')rst!a ')rst of ) holy rapt)re this time% He dre" her earer a d earer to him till her face to)ched his9 a d the !8oD I really ca ot pre#ail )po myself to carry this shoc-i $ disclos)re a y farther% ?et me o ly say* that I tried to close my eyes 'efore it happe ed* a d that I "as ()st o e mome t too late% I had calc)lated* yo) see* o her resisti $% .he s)'mitted% To e#ery ri$ht7feeli $ perso of my o" sex* #ol)mes co)ld say o more% E#e my i oce ce i s)ch matters 'e$a to see its "ay to the e d of the i ter#ie" o"% They ) derstood each other so thoro)$hly 'y this time* that I f)lly expected to see them "al- off to$ether* arm i arm* to 'e married% There appeared* ho"e#er* ()d$i $ 'y &r% /odfrey=s ext "ords* to 'e o e more trifli $ formality "hich it "as ecessary to o'ser#e% He seated himself!) for'idde this time!o the ottoma 'y her side% A.hall I spea- to yo)r dear motherBA he as-ed% A4r "ill yo)BA .he decli ed 'oth alter ati#es% A?et my mother hear othi $ from either of )s* ) til she is 'etter% I "ish it to 'e -ept a secret for the prese t* /odfrey% /o o"* a d come 'ac- this e#e i $% @e ha#e 'ee here alo e to$ether ,)ite lo $ e o)$h%A .he rose* a d i risi $* loo-ed for the first time to"ards the little room i "hich my martyrdom "as $oi $ o % A@ho has dra" those c)rtai sBA she exclaimed% AThe room is close e o)$h* as it is* "itho)t -eepi $ the air o)t of it i that "ay%A

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.he ad#a ced to the c)rtai s% At the mome t "he she laid her ha d o them!at the mome t "he the disco#ery of me appeared to 'e ,)ite i e#ita'le!the #oice of the fresh7colo)red yo) $ footma * o the stairs* s)dde ly s)spe ded a y f)rther proceedi $s o her side or o mi e% It "as ) mista-a'ly the #oice of a ma i $reat alarm% A&iss RachelDA he called o)t* A"here are yo)* &iss RachelBA .he spra $ 'ac- from the c)rtai s* a d ra to the door% The footma came ()st i side the room% His r)ddy colo)r "as all $o e% He said* APlease to come do" 7stairs* &issD &y lady has fai ted* a d "e ca =t 'ri $ her to a$ai %A I a mome t more I "as alo e* a d free to $o do" 7stairs i my t)r * ,)ite ) o'ser#ed% &r% /odfrey passed me i the hall* h)rryi $ o)t* to fetch the doctor% A/o i * a d help themDA he said* poi ti $ to the room% I fo) d Rachel o her - ees 'y the sofa* "ith her mother=s head o her 'osom% 4 e loo- at my a) t=s face :- o"i $ "hat I - e"; "as e o)$h to "ar me of the dreadf)l tr)th% I -ept my tho)$hts to myself till the doctor came i % It "as ot lo $ 'efore he arri#ed% He 'e$a 'y se di $ Rachel o)t of the room!a d the he told the rest of )s that ?ady Veri der "as o more% .erio)s perso s* i search of proofs of harde ed scepticism* may 'e i terested i heari $ that he sho"ed o si$ s of remorse "he he loo-ed at &e% At a later ho)r I peeped i to the 'rea-fast7room* a d the li'rary% &y a) t had died "itho)t ope i $ o e of the letters "hich I had addressed to her% I "as so shoc-ed at this* that it e#er occ)rred to me* ) til some days after"ards* that she had also died "itho)t $i#i $ me my little le$acy%

CHAPTER !I
:1%; A&iss Clac- prese ts her complime ts to &r% Fra -li 0la-e9 a d* i se di $ him the fifth chapter of her h)m'le arrati#e* 'e$s to say that she feels ,)ite ) e,)al to e lar$e as she co)ld "ish o a e#e t so a"f)l* ) der the circ)msta ces* as ?ady Veri der=s death% .he has* therefore* attached to her o" ma )scripts* copio)s Extracts from precio)s p)'licatio s i her possessio * all 'eari $ o this terri'le s)'(ect% A d may those Extracts :&iss Clac- fer#e tly hopes; so) d as the 'last of a tr)mpet i the ears of her respected -i sma * &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A :2%; A&r% Fra -li 0la-e prese ts his complime ts to &iss Clac-* a d 'e$s to tha - her for the fifth chapter of her arrati#e% I ret)r i $ the extracts se t "ith it* he "ill refrai from me tio i $ a y perso al o'(ectio "hich he may e tertai to this species of

13G

literat)re* a d "ill merely say that the proposed additio s to the ma )script are ot ecessary to the f)lfilme t of the p)rpose that he has i #ie"%A :3%; A&iss Clac- 'e$s to ac- o"led$e the ret)r of her Extracts% .he affectio ately remi ds &r% Fra -li 0la-e that she is a Christia * a d that it is* therefore* ,)ite impossi'le for him to offe d her% &iss C% persists i feeli $ the deepest i terest i &r% 0la-e* a d pled$es herself* o the first occasio "he sic- ess may lay him lo"* to offer him the )se of her Extracts for the seco d time% I the mea "hile she "o)ld 'e $lad to - o"* 'efore 'e$i i $ the fi al chapters of her arrati#e* "hether she may 'e permitted to ma-e her h)m'le co tri')tio complete* 'y a#aili $ herself of the li$ht "hich later disco#eries ha#e thro" o the mystery of the &oo sto e%A :1%; A&r% Fra -li 0la-e is sorry to disappoi t &iss Clac-% He ca o ly repeat the i str)ctio s "hich he had the ho o)r of $i#i $ her "he she 'e$a her arrati#e% .he is re,)ested to limit herself to her o" i di#id)al experie ce of perso s a d e#e ts* as recorded i her diary% ?ater disco#eries she "ill 'e $ood e o)$h to lea#e to the pe s of those perso s "ho ca "rite i the capacity of act)al "it esses%A :>%; A&iss Clac- is extremely sorry to tro)'le &r% Fra -li 0la-e "ith a other letter% Her Extracts ha#e 'ee ret)r ed* a d the expressio of her mat)red #ie"s o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e has 'ee for'idde % &iss Clac- is pai f)lly co scio)s that she o)$ht :i the "orldly phrase; to feel herself p)t do" % 0)t* o!&iss C% has lear t Perse#era ce i the .chool of Ad#ersity% Her o'(ect i "riti $ is to - o" "hether &r% 0la-e :"ho prohi'its e#erythi $ else; prohi'its the appeara ce of the prese t correspo de ce i &iss Clac-=s arrati#eB .ome expla atio of the positio i "hich &r% 0la-e=s i terfere ce has placed her as a a)thoress* seems d)e o the $ro) d of commo ()stice% A d &iss Clac-* o her side* is most a xio)s that her letters sho)ld 'e prod)ced to spea- for themsel#es%A :C%; A&r% Fra -li 0la-e a$rees to &iss Clac-=s proposal* o the ) dersta di $ that she "ill -i dly co sider this i timatio of his co se t as closi $ the correspo de ce 'et"ee them%A :2%; A&iss Clac- feels it a act of Christia d)ty :'efore the correspo de ce closes; to i form &r% Fra -li 0la-e that his last letter!e#ide tly i te ded to offe d her!has ot s)cceeded i accomplishi $ the o'(ect of the "riter% .he affectio ately re,)ests &r% 0la-e to retire to the pri#acy of his o" room* a d to co sider "ith himself "hether the trai i $ "hich ca th)s ele#ate a poor "ea- "oma a'o#e the reach of i s)lt* 'e ot "orthy of $reater admiratio tha he is o" disposed to feel for it% 4 'ei $ fa#o)red "ith a i timatio to that effect* &iss C% solem ly pled$es herself to se d 'ac- the complete series of her Extracts to &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A MTo this letter o a s"er "as recei#ed% Comme t is eedless% :.i$ ed; 6RE.I??A C?ACJ%N

133

CHAPTER !II
The fore$oi $ correspo de ce "ill s)fficie tly explai "hy o choice is left to me ')t to pass o#er ?ady Veri der=s death "ith the simple a o) ceme t of the fact "hich e ds my fifth chapter% Jeepi $ myself for the f)t)re strictly "ithi the limits of my o" perso al experie ce* I ha#e ext to relate that a mo th elapsed from the time of my a) t=s decease 'efore Rachel Veri der a d I met a$ai % That meeti $ "as the occasio of my spe di $ a fe" days ) der the same roof "ith her% I the co)rse of my #isit* somethi $ happe ed* relati#e to her marria$e7e $a$eme t "ith &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* "hich is importa t e o)$h to re,)ire special otice i these pa$es% @he this last of ma y pai f)l family circ)msta ces has 'ee disclosed* my tas- "ill 'e completed9 for I shall the ha#e told all that I - o"* as a act)al :a d most ) "illi $; "it ess of e#e ts% &y a) t=s remai s "ere remo#ed from ?o do * a d "ere ')ried i the little cemetery attached to the ch)rch i her o" par-% I "as i #ited to the f) eral "ith the rest of the family% 0)t it "as impossi'le :"ith my reli$io)s #ie"s; to ro)se myself i a fe" days o ly from the shoc- "hich this death had ca)sed me% I "as i formed* moreo#er* that the rector of Fri<i $hall "as to read the ser#ice% Ha#i $ myself i past times see this clerical casta"ay ma-i $ o e of the players at ?ady Veri der=s "hist7ta'le* I do)'t* e#e if I had 'ee fit to tra#el* "hether I sho)ld ha#e felt ()stified i atte di $ the ceremo y% ?ady Veri der=s death left her da)$hter ) der the care of her 'rother7i 7la"* &r% A'le"hite the elder% He "as appoi ted $)ardia 'y the "ill* ) til his iece married* or came of a$e% E der these circ)msta ces* &r% /odfrey i formed his father* I s)ppose* of the e" relatio i "hich he stood to"ards Rachel% At a y rate* i te days from my a) t=s death* the secret of the marria$e7e $a$eme t "as o secret at all "ithi the circle of the family* a d the $ra d ,)estio for &r% A'le"hite se ior!a other co firmed casta"ayD!"as ho" to ma-e himself a d his a)thority most a$reea'le to the "ealthy yo) $ lady "ho "as $oi $ to marry his so % Rachel $a#e him some tro)'le at the o)tset* a'o)t the choice of a place i "hich she co)ld 'e pre#ailed )po to reside% The ho)se i &o ta$) .,)are "as associated "ith the calamity of her mother=s death% The ho)se i 5or-shire "as associated "ith the sca dalo)s affair of the lost &oo sto e% Her $)ardia =s o" reside ce at Fri<i $hall "as ope to either of these o'(ectio s% 0)t Rachel=s prese ce i it* after her rece t 'erea#eme t* operated as a chec- o the $aieties of her co)si s* the &iss A'le"hites! a d she herself re,)ested that her #isit mi$ht 'e deferred to a more fa#o)ra'le opport) ity% It e ded i a proposal* ema ati $ from old &r% A'le"hite* to try a f)r ished ho)se at 0ri$hto % His "ife* a i #alid da)$hter* a d Rachel "ere to i ha'it it to$ether* a d "ere to expect him to (oi them later i the seaso % They "o)ld see o society ')t a 2HH

fe" old frie ds* a d they "o)ld ha#e his so /odfrey* tra#elli $ 'ac-"ards a d for"ards 'y the ?o do trai * al"ays at their disposal% I descri'e this aimless flitti $ a'o)t from o e place of reside ce to a other!this i satiate restless ess of 'ody a d appalli $ sta$ atio of so)l!merely "ith the #ie" to arri#i $ at res)lts% The e#e t "hich :) der Pro#ide ce; pro#ed to 'e the mea s of 'ri $i $ Rachel Veri der a d myself to$ether a$ai * "as o other tha the hiri $ of the ho)se at 0ri$hto % &y A) t A'le"hite is a lar$e* sile t* fair7complexio ed "oma * "ith o e ote"orthy poi t i her character% From the ho)r of her 'irth she has e#er 'ee - o" to do a ythi $ for herself% .he has $o e thro)$h life* accepti $ e#ery'ody=s help* a d adopti $ e#ery'ody=s opi io s% A more hopeless perso * i a spirit)al poi t of #ie"* I ha#e e#er met "ith!there is a'sol)tely* i this perplexi $ case* o o'str)cti#e material to "or)po % A) t A'le"hite "o)ld liste to the /ra d ?ama of Thi'et exactly as she liste s to &e* a d "o)ld reflect his #ie"s ,)ite as readily as she reflects mi e% .he fo) d the f)r ished ho)se at 0ri$hto 'y stoppi $ at a hotel i ?o do * composi $ herself o a sofa* a d se di $ for her so % .he disco#ered the ecessary ser#a ts 'y 'rea-fasti $ i 'ed o e mor i $ :still at the hotel;* a d $i#i $ her maid a holiday o co ditio that the $irl A"o)ld 'e$i e (oyi $ herself 'y fetchi $ &iss Clac-%A I fo) d her placidly fa i $ herself i her dressi $7$o" at ele#e o=cloc-% A6r)silla* dear* I "a t some ser#a ts% 5o) are so cle#er!please $et them for me%A I loo-ed ro) d the ) tidy room% The ch)rch7'ells "ere $oi $ for a "ee-7day ser#ice9 they s)$$ested a "ord of affectio ate remo stra ce o my part% A4h* a) tDA I said sadly% AIs THI. "orthy of a Christia E $lish"oma B Is the passa$e from time to eter ity to 'e made i THI. ma erBA &y a) t a s"ered* AI=ll p)t o my $o" * 6r)silla* if yo) "ill 'e -i d e o)$h to help me%A @hat "as to 'e said after thatB I ha#e do e "o ders "ith m)rderesses!I ha#e e#er ad#a ced a i ch "ith A) t A'le"hite% A@here is the list*A I as-ed* Aof the ser#a ts "hom yo) re,)ireBA &y a) t shoo- her head9 she had =t e#e e er$y e o)$h to -eep the list% ARachel has $ot it* dear*A she said* Ai the ext room%A I "e t i to the ext room* a d so sa" Rachel a$ai for the first time si ce "e had parted i &o ta$) .,)are% .he loo-ed pitia'ly small a d thi i her deep mo)r i $% If I attached a y serio)s importa ce to s)ch a perisha'le trifle as perso al appeara ce* I mi$ht 'e i cli ed to add that hers "as o e of those ) fort) ate complexio s "hich al"ays s)ffer "he ot relie#ed 'y a 'order of "hite ext the s-i % 0)t "hat are o)r complexio s a d o)r loo-sB Hi dra ces a d pitfalls* dear $irls* "hich 'eset )s o o)r "ay to hi$her thi $sD /reatly to my s)rprise* Rachel rose "he I e tered the room* a d came for"ard to meet me "ith o)tstretched ha d% AI am $lad to see yo)*A she said% A6r)silla* I ha#e 'ee i the ha'it of spea-i $ #ery foolishly a d #ery r)dely to yo)* o former occasio s% I 'e$ yo)r pardo % I hope yo) "ill for$i#e me%A &y face* I s)ppose* 'etrayed the asto ishme t I felt at this% .he colo)red )p for a mome t* a d the proceeded to explai herself%

2H1

AI my poor mother=s lifetime*A she "e t o * Aher frie ds "ere ot al"ays my frie ds* too% 8o" I ha#e lost her* my heart t)r s for comfort to the people she li-ed% .he li-ed yo)% Try to 'e frie ds "ith me* 6r)silla* if yo) ca %A To a y ri$htly7co stit)ted mi d* the moti#e th)s ac- o"led$ed "as simply shoc-i $% Here i Christia E $la d "as a yo) $ "oma i a state of 'erea#eme t* "ith so little idea of "here to loo- for tr)e comfort* that she act)ally expected to fi d it amo $ her mother=s frie dsD Here "as a relati#e of mi e* a"a-e ed to a se se of her shortcomi $s to"ards others* ) der the i fl)e ce* ot of co #ictio a d d)ty* ')t of se time t a d imp)lseD &ost deplora'le to thi - of!')t* still* s)$$esti#e of somethi $ hopef)l* to a perso of my experie ce i plyi $ the $ood "or-% There co)ld 'e o harm* I tho)$ht* i ascertai i $ the exte t of the cha $e "hich the loss of her mother had "ro)$ht i Rachel=s character% I decided* as a )sef)l test* to pro'e her o the s)'(ect of her marria$e7 e $a$eme t to &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% Ha#i $ first met her ad#a ces "ith all possi'le cordiality* I sat 'y her o the sofa* at her o" re,)est% @e disc)ssed family affairs a d f)t)re pla s!al"ays excepti $ that o e f)t)re pla "hich "as to e d i her marria$e% Try as I mi$ht to t)r the co #ersatio that "ay* she resol)tely decli ed to ta-e the hi t% A y ope refere ce to the ,)estio * o my part* "o)ld ha#e 'ee premat)re at this early sta$e of o)r reco ciliatio % 0esides* I had disco#ered all I "a ted to - o"% .he "as o lo $er the rec-less* defia t creat)re "hom I had heard a d see * o the occasio of my martyrdom i &o ta$) .,)are% This "as* of itself* e o)$h to e co)ra$e me to ta-e her f)t)re co #ersio i ha d!'e$i i $ "ith a fe" "ords of ear est "ar i $ directed a$ai st the hasty formatio of the marria$e tie* a d so $etti $ o to hi$her thi $s% ?oo-i $ at her* o"* "ith this e" i terest!a d calli $ to mi d the headlo $ s)dde ess "ith "hich she had met &r% /odfrey=s matrimo ial #ie"s!I felt the solem d)ty of i terferi $ "ith a fer#o)r "hich ass)red me that I sho)ld achie#e o commo res)lts% Rapidity of proceedi $ "as* as I 'elie#ed* of importa ce i this case% I "e t 'ac- at o ce to the ,)estio of the ser#a ts "a ted for the f)r ished ho)se% A@here is the list* dearBA Rachel prod)ced it% ACoo-* -itche 7maid* ho)semaid* a d footma *A I read% A&y dear Rachel* these ser#a ts are o ly "a ted for a term!the term d)ri $ "hich yo)r $)ardia has ta-e the ho)se% @e shall ha#e $reat diffic)lty i fi di $ perso s of character a d capacity to accept a temporary e $a$eme t of that sort* if "e try i ?o do % Has the ho)se i 0ri$hto 'ee fo) d yetBA A5es% /odfrey has ta-e it9 a d perso s i the ho)se "a ted him to hire them as ser#a ts% He tho)$ht they "o)ld hardly do for )s* a d came 'ac- ha#i $ settled othi $%A AA d yo) ha#e o experie ce yo)rself i these matters* RachelBA

2H2

A8o e "hate#er%A AA d A) t A'le"hite "o =t exert herselfBA A8o* poor dear% 6o =t 'lame her* 6r)silla% I thi - she is the o ly really happy "oma I ha#e e#er met "ith%A AThere are de$rees i happi ess* darli $% @e m)st ha#e a little tal-* some day* o that s)'(ect% I the mea time I "ill ) derta-e to meet the diffic)lty a'o)t the ser#a ts% 5o)r a) t "ill "rite a letter to the people of the ho)se!!A A.he "ill si$ a letter* if I "rite it for her* "hich comes to the same thi $%A AI)ite the same thi $% I shall $et the letter* a d I "ill $o to 0ri$hto to7morro"%A AHo" extremely -i d of yo)D @e "ill (oi yo) as soo as yo) are ready for )s% A d yo) "ill stay* I hope* as my $)est% 0ri$hto is so li#ely9 yo) are s)re to e (oy it%A I those "ords the i #itatio "as $i#e * a d the $lorio)s prospect of i terfere ce "as ope ed 'efore me% It "as the the middle of the "ee-% 0y .at)rday after oo the ho)se "as ready for them% I that short i ter#al I had sifted* ot the characters o ly* ')t the reli$io)s #ie"s as "ell* of all the dise $a$ed ser#a ts "ho applied to me* a d had s)cceeded i ma-i $ a selectio "hich my co scie ce appro#ed% I also disco#ered* a d called o t"o serio)s frie ds of mi e* reside ts i the to" * to "hom I - e" I co)ld co fide the pio)s o'(ect "hich had 'ro)$ht me to 0ri$hto % 4 e of them!a clerical frie d!-i dly helped me to ta-e sitti $s for o)r little party i the ch)rch i "hich he himself mi istered% The other! a si $le lady* li-e myself!placed the reso)rces of her li'rary :composed thro)$ho)t of precio)s p)'licatio s; e tirely at my disposal% I 'orro"ed half7a7do<e "or-s* all caref)lly chose "ith a #ie" to Rachel% @he these had 'ee ()dicio)sly distri')ted i the #ario)s rooms she "o)ld 'e li-ely to occ)py* I co sidered that my preparatio s "ere complete% .o) d doctri e i the ser#a ts "ho "aited o her9 so) d doctri e i the mi ister "ho preached to her9 so) d doctri e i the 'oo-s that lay o her ta'le!s)ch "as the tre'le "elcome "hich my <eal had prepared for the motherless $irlD A hea#e ly compos)re filled my mi d* o that .at)rday after oo * as I sat at the "i do" "aiti $ the arri#al of my relati#es% The $iddy thro $ passed a d repassed 'efore my eyes% AlasD ho" ma y of them felt my ex,)isite se se of d)ty do eB A a"f)l ,)estio % ?et )s ot p)rs)e it% 0et"ee six a d se#e the tra#ellers arri#ed% To my i descri'a'le s)rprise* they "ere escorted* ot 'y &r% /odfrey :as I had a ticipated;* ')t 'y the la"yer* &r% 0r)ff% AHo" do yo) do* &iss Clac-BA he said% AI mea to stay this time%A

2H3

That refere ce to the occasio o "hich I had o'li$ed him to postpo e his ')si ess to mi e* "he "e "ere 'oth #isiti $ i &o ta$) .,)are* satisfied me that the old "orldli $ had come to 0ri$hto "ith some o'(ect of his o" i #ie"% I had prepared ,)ite a little Paradise for my 'elo#ed Rachel!a d here "as the .erpe t alreadyD A/odfrey "as #ery m)ch #exed* 6r)silla* ot to 'e a'le to come "ith )s*A said my A) t A'le"hite% AThere "as somethi $ i the "ay "hich -ept him i to" % &r% 0r)ff #ol) teered to ta-e his place* a d ma-e a holiday of it till &o day mor i $% 0y7the7'y* &r% 0r)ff* I=m ordered to ta-e exercise* a d I do =t li-e it% That*A added A) t A'le"hite* poi ti $ o)t of "i do" to a i #alid $oi $ 'y i a chair o "heels* dra" 'y a ma * Ais my idea of exercise% If it=s air yo) "a t* yo) $et it i yo)r chair% A d if it=s fati$)e yo) "a t* I am s)re it=s fati$)e e o)$h to loo- at the ma %A Rachel stood sile t* at a "i do" 'y herself* "ith her eyes fixed o the sea% ATired* lo#eBA I i ,)ired% A8o% 4 ly a little o)t of spirits*A she a s"ered% AI ha#e ofte see the sea* o o)r 5or-shire coast* "ith that li$ht o it% A d I "as thi -i $* 6r)silla* of the days that ca e#er come a$ai %A &r% 0r)ff remai ed to di er* a d stayed thro)$h the e#e i $% The more I sa" of him* the more certai I felt that he had some pri#ate e d to ser#e i comi $ to 0ri$hto % I "atched him caref)lly% He mai tai ed the same appeara ce of ease* a d tal-ed the same $odless $ossip* ho)r after ho)r* ) til it "as time to ta-e lea#e% As he shoo- ha ds "ith Rachel* I ca)$ht his hard a d c) i $ eyes resti $ o her for a mome t "ith a pec)liar i terest a d atte tio % .he "as plai ly co cer ed i the o'(ect that he had i #ie"% He said othi $ o)t of the commo to her or to a yo e o lea#i $% He i #ited himself to l) cheo the ext day* a d the he "e t a"ay to his hotel% It "as impossi'le the ext mor i $ to $et my A) t A'le"hite o)t of her dressi $7$o" i time for ch)rch% Her i #alid da)$hter :s)fferi $ from othi $* i my opi io * ')t i c)ra'le la<i ess* i herited from her mother; a o) ced that she mea t to remai i 'ed for the day% Rachel a d I "e t alo e to$ether to ch)rch% A ma$ ifice t sermo "as preached 'y my $ifted frie d o the heathe i differe ce of the "orld to the si f)l ess of little si s% For more tha a ho)r his elo,)e ce :assisted 'y his $lorio)s #oice; th) dered thro)$h the sacred edifice% I said to Rachel* "he "e came o)t* AHas it fo) d its "ay to yo)r heart* dearBA A d she a s"ered* A8o9 it has o ly made my head ache%A This mi$ht ha#e 'ee disco)ra$i $ to some people9 ')t* o ce em'ar-ed o a career of ma ifest )sef)l ess* othi $ disco)ra$es &e% @e fo) d A) t A'le"hite a d &r% 0r)ff at l) cheo % @he Rachel decli ed eati $ a ythi $* a d $a#e as a reaso for it that she "as s)fferi $ from a headache* the la"yer=s c) i $ i sta tly sa"* a d sei<ed* the cha ce that she had $i#e him%

2H1

AThere is o ly o e remedy for a headache*A said this horri'le old ma % AA "al-* &iss Rachel* is the thi $ to c)re yo)% I am e tirely at yo)r ser#ice* if yo) "ill ho o)r me 'y accepti $ my arm%A A@ith the $reatest pleas)re% A "al- is the #ery thi $ I "as lo $i $ for%A AIt=s past t"o*A I $e tly s)$$ested% AA d the after oo ser#ice* Rachel* 'e$i s at three%A AHo" ca yo) expect me to $o to ch)rch a$ai *A she as-ed* pet)la tly* A"ith s)ch a headache as mi eBA &r% 0r)ff officio)sly ope ed the door for her% I a other mi )te more they "ere 'oth o)t of the ho)se% I do =t - o" "he I ha#e felt the solem d)ty of i terferi $ so stro $ly as I felt it at that mome t% 0)t "hat "as to 'e do eB 8othi $ "as to 'e do e ')t to i terfere at the first opport) ity* later i the day% 4 my ret)r from the after oo ser#ice I fo) d that they had ()st $ot 'ac-% 4 e loo- at them told me that the la"yer had said "hat he "a ted to say% I had e#er 'efore see Rachel so sile t a d so tho)$htf)l% I had e#er 'efore see &r% 0r)ff pay her s)ch de#oted atte tio * a d loo- at her "ith s)ch mar-ed respect% He had :or prete ded that he had; a e $a$eme t to di er that day!a d he too- a early lea#e of )s all9 i te di $ to $o 'ac- to ?o do 'y the first trai the ext mor i $% AAre yo) s)re of yo)r o" resol)tio BA he said to Rachel at the door% AI)ite s)re*A she a s"ered!a d so they parted% The mome t his 'ac- "as t)r ed* Rachel "ithdre" to her o" room% .he e#er appeared at di er% Her maid :the perso "ith the cap7ri''o s; "as se t do" 7stairs to a o) ce that her headache had ret)r ed% I ra )p to her a d made all sorts of sisterly offers thro)$h the door% It "as loc-ed* a d she -ept it loc-ed% Ple ty of o'str)cti#e material to "or- o hereD I felt $reatly cheered a d stim)lated 'y her loc-i $ the door% @he her c)p of tea "e t )p to her the ext mor i $* I follo"ed it i % I sat 'y her 'edside a d said a fe" ear est "ords% .he liste ed "ith la $)id ci#ility% I oticed my serio)s frie d=s precio)s p)'licatio s h)ddled to$ether o a ta'le i a cor er% Had she cha ced to loo- i to themB!I as-ed% 5es!a d they had ot i terested her% @o)ld she allo" me to read a fe" passa$es of the deepest i terest* "hich had pro'a'ly escaped her eyeB 8o* ot o"!she had other thi $s to thi - of% .he $a#e these a s"ers* "ith her atte tio appare tly a'sor'ed i foldi $ a d refoldi $ the frilli $ o her i$ht$o" % It "as plai ly ecessary to ro)se her 'y some refere ce to those "orldly i terests "hich she still had at heart% A6o yo) - o"* lo#e*A I said* AI had a odd fa cy* yesterday* a'o)t &r% 0r)ffB I tho)$ht* "he I sa" yo) after yo)r "al- "ith him* that he had 'ee telli $ yo) some 'ad e"s%A

2H>

Her fi $ers dropped from the frilli $ of her i$ht$o" * a d her fierce 'lac- eyes flashed at me% AI)ite the co traryDA she said% AIt "as e"s I "as i terested i heari $!a d I am deeply i de'ted to &r% 0r)ff for telli $ me of it%A A5esBA I said* i a to e of $e tle i terest% Her fi $ers "e t 'ac- to the frilli $* a d she t)r ed her head s)lle ly a"ay from me% I had 'ee met i this ma er* i the co)rse of plyi $ the $ood "or-* h) dreds of times% .he merely stim)lated me to try a$ai % I my da) tless <eal for her "elfare* I ra the $reat ris-* a d ope ly all)ded to her marria$e e $a$eme t% A8e"s yo) "ere i terested i heari $BA I repeated% AI s)ppose* my dear Rachel* that m)st 'e e"s of &r% /odfrey A'le"hiteBA .he started )p i the 'ed* a d t)r ed deadly pale% It "as e#ide tly o the tip of her to $)e to retort o me "ith the ) 'ridled i sole ce of former times% .he chec-ed herself!laid her head 'ac- o the pillo"!co sidered a mi )te!a d the a s"ered i these remar-a'le "ordsF AI .HA?? 8EVER &ARR5 &R% /46FRE5 A0?E@HITE%A It "as my t)r to start at that% A@hat ca yo) possi'ly mea BA I exclaimed% AThe marria$e is co sidered 'y the "hole family as a settled thi $DA A&r% /odfrey A'le"hite is expected here to7day*A she said do$$edly% A@ait till he comes !a d yo) "ill see%A A0)t my dear Rachel!!A .he ra $ the 'ell at the head of her 'ed% The perso "ith the cap7ri''o s appeared% APe elopeD my 'ath%A ?et me $i#e her her d)e% I the state of my feeli $s at that mome t* I do si cerely 'elie#e that she had hit o the o ly possi'le "ay of forci $ me to lea#e the room% 0y the mere "orldly mi d my positio to"ards Rachel mi$ht ha#e 'ee #ie"ed as prese ti $ diffic)lties of o ordi ary -i d% I had rec-o ed o leadi $ her to hi$her thi $s 'y mea s of a little ear est exhortatio o the s)'(ect of her marria$e% A d o"* if she "as to 'e 'elie#ed* o s)ch e#e t as her marria$e "as to ta-e place at all% 0)t ah* my frie dsD a "or-i $ Christia of my experie ce :"ith a e#a $elisi $ prospect 'efore her; ta-es 'roader #ie"s tha these% .)pposi $ Rachel really 'ro-e off the marria$e* o "hich

2HC

the A'le"hites* father a d so * co) ted as a settled thi $* "hat "o)ld 'e the res)ltB It co)ld o ly e d* if she held firm* i a excha $i $ of hard "ords a d 'itter acc)satio s o 'oth sides% A d "hat "o)ld 'e the effect o Rachel "he the stormy i ter#ie" "as o#erB A sal)tary moral depressio "o)ld 'e the effect% Her pride "o)ld 'e exha)sted* her st)''or ess "o)ld 'e exha)sted* 'y the resol)te resista ce "hich it "as i her character to ma-e ) der the circ)msta ces% .he "o)ld t)r for sympathy to the earest perso "ho had sympathy to offer% A d I "as that earest perso !'rimf)l of comfort* char$ed to o#erflo"i $ "ith seaso a'le a d re#i#i $ "ords% 8e#er had the e#a $elisi $ prospect loo-ed 'ri$hter* to my eyes* tha it loo-ed o"% .he came do" to 'rea-fast* ')t she ate othi $* a d hardly )ttered a "ord% After 'rea-fast she "a dered listlessly from room to room!the s)dde ly ro)sed herself* a d ope ed the pia o% The m)sic she selected to play "as of the most sca dalo)sly profa e sort* associated "ith performa ces o the sta$e "hich it c)rdles o e=s 'lood to thi - of% It "o)ld ha#e 'ee premat)re to i terfere "ith her at s)ch a time as this% I pri#ately ascertai ed the ho)r at "hich &r% /odfrey A'le"hite "as expected* a d the I escaped the m)sic 'y lea#i $ the ho)se% 0ei $ o)t alo e* I too- the opport) ity of calli $ )po my t"o reside t frie ds% It "as a i descri'a'le l)x)ry to fi d myself i d)l$i $ i ear est co #ersatio "ith serio)s perso s% I fi itely e co)ra$ed a d refreshed* I t)r ed my steps 'ac- a$ai to the ho)se* i excelle t time to a"ait the arri#al of o)r expected #isitor% I e tered the di i $7room* al"ays empty at that ho)r of the day* a d fo) d myself face to face "ith &r% /odfrey A'le"hiteD He made o attempt to fly the place% I)ite the co trary% He ad#a ced to meet me "ith the )tmost ea$er ess% A6ear &iss Clac-* I ha#e 'ee o ly "aiti $ to see yo)D Cha ce set me free of my ?o do e $a$eme ts to7day soo er tha I had expected* a d I ha#e $ot here* i co se,)e ce* earlier tha my appoi ted time%A 8ot the sli$htest em'arrassme t e c)m'ered his expla atio * tho)$h this "as his first meeti $ "ith me after the sce e i &o ta$) .,)are% He "as ot a"are* it is tr)e* of my ha#i $ 'ee a "it ess of that sce e% 0)t he - e"* o the other ha d* that my atte da ces at the &others= .mall7Clothes* a d my relatio s "ith frie ds attached to other charities* m)st ha#e i formed me of his shameless e$lect of his ?adies a d of his Poor% A d yet there he "as 'efore me* i f)ll possessio of his charmi $ #oice a d his irresisti'le smileD AHa#e yo) see Rachel yetBA I as-ed% He si$hed $e tly* a d too- me 'y the ha d% I sho)ld certai ly ha#e s atched my ha d a"ay* if the ma er i "hich he $a#e his a s"er had ot paralysed me "ith asto ishme t%

2H2

AI ha#e see Rachel*A he said "ith perfect tra ,)illity% A5o) are a"are* dear frie d* that she "as e $a$ed to meB @ell* she has ta-e a s)dde resol)tio to 'rea- the e $a$eme t% Reflectio has co #i ced her that she "ill 'est co s)lt her "elfare a d mi e 'y retracti $ a rash promise* a d lea#i $ me free to ma-e some happier choice else"here% That is the o ly reaso she "ill $i#e* a d the o ly a s"er she "ill ma-e to e#ery ,)estio that I ca as- of her%A A@hat ha#e yo) do e o yo)r sideBA I i ,)ired% AHa#e yo) s)'mitted%A A5es*A he said "ith the most ) r)ffled compos)re* AI ha#e s)'mitted%A His co d)ct* ) der the circ)msta ces* "as so )tterly i co cei#a'le* that I stood 'e"ildered "ith my ha d i his% It is a piece of r)de ess to stare at a y'ody* a d it is a act of i delicacy to stare at a $e tlema % I committed 'oth those improprieties% A d I said* as if i a dream* A@hat does it mea BA APermit me to tell yo)*A he replied% AA d s)ppose "e sit do" BA He led me to a chair% I ha#e a i disti ct remem'ra ce that he "as #ery affectio ate% I do =t thi - he p)t his arm ro) d my "aist to s)pport me!')t I am ot s)re% I "as ,)ite helpless* a d his "ays "ith ladies "ere #ery e deari $% At a y rate* "e sat do" % I ca a s"er for that* if I ca a s"er for othi $ more%

CHAPTER !III
AI ha#e lost a 'ea)tif)l $irl* a excelle t social positio * a d a ha dsome i come*A &r% /odfrey 'e$a 9 Aa d I ha#e s)'mitted to it "itho)t a str)$$le% @hat ca 'e the moti#e for s)ch extraordi ary co d)ct as thatB &y precio)s frie d* there is o moti#e%A A8o moti#eBA I repeated% A?et me appeal* my dear &iss Clac-* to yo)r experie ce of childre *A he "e t o % AA child p)rs)es a certai co)rse of co d)ct% 5o) are $reatly str)c- 'y it* a d yo) attempt to $et at the moti#e% The dear little thi $ is i capa'le of telli $ yo) its moti#e% 5o) mi$ht as "ell as- the $rass "hy it $ro"s* or the 'irds "hy they si $% @ellD i this matter* I am li-e the dear little thi $!li-e the $rass!li-e the 'irds% I do =t - o" "hy I made a proposal of marria$e to &iss Veri der% I do =t - o" "hy I ha#e shamef)lly e$lected my dear ?adies% I do =t - o" "hy I ha#e apostatised from the &others= .mall7Clothes% 5o) say to the child* @hy ha#e yo) 'ee a)$htyB A d the little a $el p)ts its fi $er i to its mo)th* a d does =t - o"% &y case exactly* &iss Clac-D I co)ld =t co fess it to a y'ody else% I feel impelled to co fess it to 54EDA

2HG

I 'e$a to reco#er myself% A me tal pro'lem "as i #ol#ed here% I am deeply i terested i me tal pro'lems!a d I am ot* it is tho)$ht* "itho)t some s-ill i sol#i $ them% A0est of frie ds* exert yo)r i tellect* a d help me*A he proceeded% ATell me!"hy does a time come "he these matrimo ial proceedi $s of mi e 'e$i to loo- li-e somethi $ do e i a dreamB @hy does it s)dde ly occ)r to me that my tr)e happi ess is i helpi $ my dear ?adies* i $oi $ my modest ro) d of )sef)l "or-* i sayi $ my fe" ear est "ords "he called o 'y my Chairma B @hat do I "a t "ith a positio B I ha#e $ot a positio B @hat do I "a t "ith a i comeB I ca pay for my 'read a d cheese* a d my ice little lod$i $* a d my t"o coats a year% @hat do I "a t "ith &iss Veri derB .he has told me "ith her o" lips :this* dear lady* is 'et"ee o)rsel#es; that she lo#es a other ma * a d that her o ly idea i marryi $ me is to try a d p)t that other ma o)t of her head% @hat a horrid ) io is thisD 4h* dear me* "hat a horrid ) io is thisD .)ch are my reflectio s* &iss Clac-* o my "ay to 0ri$hto % I approach Rachel "ith the feeli $ of a crimi al "ho is $oi $ to recei#e his se te ce% @he I fi d that she has cha $ed her mi d too!"he I hear her propose to 'rea- the e $a$eme t!I experie ce :there is o sort of do)'t a'o)t it; a most o#erpo"eri $ se se of relief% A mo th a$o I "as pressi $ her rapt)ro)sly to my 'osom% A ho)r a$o* the happi ess of - o"i $ that I shall e#er press her a$ai * i toxicates me li-e stro $ li,)or% The thi $ seems impossi'le!the thi $ ca =t 'e% A d yet there are the facts* as I had the ho o)r of stati $ them "he "e first sat do" to$ether i these t"o chairs% I ha#e lost a 'ea)tif)l $irl* a excelle t social positio * a d a ha dsome i come9 a d I ha#e s)'mitted to it "itho)t a str)$$le% Ca yo) acco) t for it* dear frie dB It=s ,)ite 'eyo d &E%A His ma$ ifice t head sa - o his 'reast* a d he $a#e )p his o" me tal pro'lem i despair% I "as deeply to)ched% The case :if I may spea- as a spirit)al physicia ; "as o" ,)ite plai to me% It is o ) commo e#e t* i the experie ce of )s all* to see the possessors of exalted a'ility occasio ally h)m'led to the le#el of the most poorly7$ifted people a'o)t them% The o'(ect* o do)'t* i the "ise eco omy of Pro#ide ce* is to remi d $reat ess that it is mortal a d that the po"er "hich has co ferred it ca also ta-e it a"ay% It "as o"!to my mi d!easy to discer o e of these sal)tary h)miliatio s i the deplora'le proceedi $s o dear &r% /odfrey=s part* of "hich I had 'ee the ) see "it ess% A d it "as e,)ally easy to reco$ ise the "elcome reappeara ce of his o" fi er at)re i the horror "ith "hich he recoiled from the idea of a marria$e "ith Rachel* a d i the charmi $ ea$er ess "hich he sho"ed to ret)r to his ?adies a d his Poor% I p)t this #ie" 'efore him i a fe" simple a d sisterly "ords% His (oy "as 'ea)tif)l to see% He compared himself* as I "e t o * to a lost ma emer$i $ from the dar- ess i to the li$ht% @he I a s"ered for a lo#i $ receptio of him at the &others= .mall7Clothes* the $ratef)l heart of o)r Christia Hero o#erflo"ed% He pressed my ha ds alter ately to his lips% 4#er"helmed 'y the ex,)isite tri)mph of ha#i $ $ot him 'ac- amo $ )s* I let him do "hat he li-ed "ith my ha ds% I closed my eyes% I felt my head* i a ecstasy of spirit)al self7for$etf)l ess* si -i $ o his sho)lder% I a mome t more I sho)ld certai ly ha#e s"oo ed a"ay i his arms* ')t for a i terr)ptio from the o)ter "orld* "hich

2H3

'ro)$ht me to myself a$ai % A horrid rattli $ of - i#es a d for-s so) ded o)tside the door* a d the footma came i to lay the ta'le for l) cheo % &r% /odfrey started )p* a d loo-ed at the cloc- o the ma telpiece% AHo" time flies "ith 54EDA he exclaimed% AI shall 'arely catch the trai %A I #e t)red o as-i $ "hy he "as i s)ch a h)rry to $et 'ac- to to" % His a s"er remi ded me of family diffic)lties that "ere still to 'e reco ciled* a d of family disa$reeme ts that "ere yet to come% AI ha#e heard from my father*A he said% A0)si ess o'li$es him to lea#e Fri<i $hall for ?o do to7day* a d he proposes comi $ o here* either this e#e i $ or to7morro"% I m)st tell him "hat has happe ed 'et"ee Rachel a d me% His heart is set o o)r marria$e! there "ill 'e $reat diffic)lty* I fear* i reco cili $ him to the 'rea-i $7off of the e $a$eme t% I m)st stop him* for all o)r sa-es* from comi $ here till he I. reco ciled% 0est a d dearest of frie ds* "e shall meet a$ai DA @ith those "ords he h)rried o)t% I e,)al haste o my side* I ra )pstairs to compose myself i my o" room 'efore meeti $ A) t A'le"hite a d Rachel at the l) cheo 7 ta'le% I am "ell a"are!to d"ell for a mome t yet o the s)'(ect of &r% /odfrey!that the all7 profa i $ opi io of the "orld has char$ed him "ith ha#i $ his o" pri#ate reaso s for releasi $ Rachel from her e $a$eme t* at the first opport) ity she $a#e him% It has also reached my ears* that his a xiety to reco#er his place i my estimatio has 'ee attri')ted i certai ,)arters* to a merce ary ea$er ess to ma-e his peace :thro)$h me; "ith a #e era'le committee7"oma at the &others= .mall7Clothes* a') da tly 'lessed "ith the $oods of this "orld* a d a 'elo#ed a d i timate frie d of my o" % I o ly otice these odio)s sla ders for the sa-e of declari $ that they e#er had a mome t=s i fl)e ce o my mi d% I o'edie ce to my i str)ctio s* I ha#e exhi'ited the fl)ct)atio s i my opi io of o)r Christia Hero* exactly as I fi d them recorded i my diary% I ()stice to myself* let me here add that* o ce rei stated i his place i my estimatio * my $ifted frie d e#er lost that place a$ai % I "rite "ith the tears i my eyes* ')r i $ to say more% 0)t o!I am cr)elly limited to my act)al experie ce of perso s a d thi $s% I less tha a mo th from the time of "hich I am o" "riti $* e#e ts i the mo ey7mar-et :"hich dimi ished e#e my misera'le little i come; forced me i to forei$ exile* a d left me "ith othi $ ')t a lo#i $ remem'ra ce of &r% /odfrey "hich the sla der of the "orld has assailed* a d assailed i #ai % ?et me dry my eyes* a d ret)r to my arrati#e% I "e t do" stairs to l) cheo * at)rally a xio)s to see ho" Rachel "as affected 'y her release from her marria$e e $a$eme t%

21H

It appeared to me!')t I o" I am a poor a)thority i s)ch matters!that the reco#ery of her freedom had set her thi -i $ a$ai of that other ma "hom she lo#ed* a d that she "as f)rio)s "ith herself for ot 'ei $ a'le to co trol a re#)lsio of feeli $ of "hich she "as secretly ashamed% @ho "as the ma B I had my s)spicio s!')t it "as eedless to "aste time i idle spec)latio % @he I had co #erted her* she "o)ld* as a matter of co)rse* ha#e o co cealme ts from &e% I sho)ld hear all a'o)t the ma 9 I sho)ld hear all a'o)t the &oo sto e% If I had had o hi$her o'(ect i stirri $ her )p to a se se of spirit)al thi $s* the moti#e of relie#i $ her mi d of its $)ilty secrets "o)ld ha#e 'ee e o)$h of itself to e co)ra$e me to $o o % A) t A'le"hite too- her exercise i the after oo i a i #alid chair% Rachel accompa ied her% AI "ish I co)ld dra$ the chair*A she 'ro-e o)t* rec-lessly% AI "ish I co)ld fati$)e myself till I "as ready to drop%A .he "as i the same h)mo)r i the e#e i $% I disco#ered i o e of my frie d=s precio)s p)'licatio s!the ?ife* ?etters* a d ?a'o)rs of &iss +a e A .tamper* forty7fo)rth editio !passa$es "hich 'ore "ith a mar#ello)s appropriate ess o Rachel=s prese t positio % Epo my proposi $ to read them* she "e t to the pia o% Co cei#e ho" little she m)st ha#e - o" of serio)s people* if she s)pposed that my patie ce "as to 'e exha)sted i that "ayD I -ept &iss +a e A .tamper 'y me* a d "aited for e#e ts "ith the most ) falteri $ tr)st i the f)t)re% 4ld &r% A'le"hite e#er made his appeara ce that i$ht% 0)t I - e" the importa ce "hich his "orldly $reed attached to his so =s marria$e "ith &iss Veri der!a d I felt a positi#e co #ictio :do "hat &r% /odfrey mi$ht to pre#e t it; that "e sho)ld see him the ext day% @ith his i terfere ce i the matter* the storm o "hich I had co) ted "o)ld certai ly come* a d the sal)tary exha)stio of Rachel=s resisti $ po"ers "o)ld as certai ly follo"% I am ot i$ ora t that old &r% A'le"hite has the rep)tatio $e erally :especially amo $ his i feriors; of 'ei $ a remar-a'ly $ood7 at)red ma % Accordi $ to my o'ser#atio of him* he deser#es his rep)tatio as lo $ as he has his o" "ay* a d ot a mome t lo $er% The ext day* exactly as I had foresee * A) t A'le"hite "as as ear to 'ei $ asto ished as her at)re "o)ld permit* 'y the s)dde appeara ce of her h)s'a d% He had 'arely 'ee a mi )te i the ho)se* 'efore he "as follo"ed* to &5 asto ishme t this time* 'y a ) expected complicatio i the shape of &r% 0r)ff% I e#er remem'er feeli $ the prese ce of the la"yer to 'e more ) "elcome tha I felt it at that mome t% He loo-ed ready for a ythi $ i the "ay of a o'str)cti#e proceedi $! capa'le e#e of -eepi $ the peace "ith Rachel for o e of the com'ata tsD AThis is a pleasa t s)rprise* sir*A said &r% A'le"hite* addressi $ himself "ith his decepti#e cordiality to &r% 0r)ff% A@he I left yo)r office yesterday* I did =t expect to ha#e the ho o)r of seei $ yo) at 0ri$hto to7day%A

211

AI t)r ed o#er o)r co #ersatio i my mi d* after yo) had $o e*A replied &r% 0r)ff% AA d it occ)rred to me that I mi$ht perhaps 'e of some )se o this occasio % I "as ()st i time to catch the trai * a d I had o opport) ity of disco#eri $ the carria$e i "hich yo) "ere tra#elli $%A Ha#i $ $i#e that expla atio * he seated himself 'y Rachel% I retired modestly to a cor er !"ith &iss +a e A .tamper o my lap* i case of emer$e cy% &y a) t sat at the "i do"9 placidly fa i $ herself as )s)al% &r% A'le"hite stood )p i the middle of the room* "ith his 'ald head m)ch pi -er tha I had e#er see it yet* a d addressed himself i the most affectio ate ma er to his iece% ARachel* my dear*A he said* AI ha#e heard some #ery extraordi ary e"s from /odfrey% A d I am here to i ,)ire a'o)t it% 5o) ha#e a sitti $7room of yo)r o" i this ho)se% @ill yo) ho o)r me 'y sho"i $ me the "ay to itBA Rachel e#er mo#ed% @hether she "as determi ed to 'ri $ matters to a crisis* or "hether she "as prompted 'y some pri#ate si$ from &r% 0r)ff* is more tha I ca tell% .he decli ed doi $ old &r% A'le"hite the ho o)r of co d)cti $ him i to her sitti $7room% A@hate#er yo) "ish to say to me*A she a s"ered* Aca 'e said here!i the prese ce of my relati#es* a d i the prese ceA :she loo-ed at &r% 0r)ff; Aof my mother=s tr)sted old frie d%A A+)st as yo) please* my dear*A said the amia'le &r% A'le"hite% He too- a chair% The rest of them loo-ed at his face!as if they expected it* after se#e ty years of "orldly trai i $* to spea- the tr)th% I loo-ed at the top of his 'ald head9 ha#i $ oticed o other occasio s that the temper "hich "as really i him had a ha'it of re$isteri $ itself THERE% A.ome "ee-s a$o*A p)rs)ed the old $e tlema * Amy so i formed me that &iss Veri der had do e him the ho o)r to e $a$e herself to marry him% Is it possi'le* Rachel* that he ca ha#e misi terpreted!or pres)med )po !"hat yo) really said to himBA ACertai ly ot*A she replied% AI did e $a$e myself to marry him%A AVery fra -ly a s"eredDA said &r% A'le"hite% AA d most satisfactory* my dear* so far% I respect to "hat happe ed some "ee-s si ce* /odfrey has made o mista-e% The error is e#ide tly i "hat he told me yesterday% I 'e$i to see it o"% 5o) a d he ha#e had a lo#ers= ,)arrel!a d my foolish so has i terpreted it serio)sly% AhD I sho)ld ha#e - o" 'etter tha that at his a$e%A The falle at)re i Rachel!the mother E#e* so to spea-!'e$a to chafe at this%

APray let )s ) dersta d each other* &r% A'le"hite*A she said% A8othi $ i the least li-e a ,)arrel too- place yesterday 'et"ee yo)r so a d me% If he told yo) that I proposed 'rea-i $ off o)r marria$e e $a$eme t* a d that he a$reed o his side!he told yo) the tr)th%A

212

The self7re$isteri $ thermometer at the top of &r% A'le"hite=s 'ald head 'e$a to i dicate a rise of temper% His face "as more amia'le tha e#er!')t THERE "as the pi at the top of his face* a shade deeper alreadyD ACome* come* my dearDA he said* i his most soothi $ ma er* A o" do =t 'e a $ry* a d do =t 'e hard o poor /odfreyD He has e#ide tly said some ) fort) ate thi $% He "as al"ays cl)msy from a child!')t he mea s "ell* Rachel* he mea s "ellDA A&r% A'le"hite* I ha#e either expressed myself #ery 'adly* or yo) are p)rposely mista-i $ me% 4 ce for all* it is a settled thi $ 'et"ee yo)r so a d myself that "e remai * for the rest of o)r li#es* co)si s a d othi $ more% Is that plai e o)$hBA The to e i "hich she said those "ords made it impossi'le* e#e for old &r% A'le"hite* to mista-e her a y lo $er% His thermometer "e t )p a other de$ree* a d his #oice "he he ext spo-e* ceased to 'e the #oice "hich is appropriate to a otorio)sly $ood7 at)red ma % AI am to ) dersta d* the *A he said* Athat yo)r marria$e e $a$eme t is 'ro-e offBA A5o) are to ) dersta d that* &r% A'le"hite* if yo) please%A AI am also to ta-e it as a matter of fact that the proposal to "ithdra" from the e $a$eme t came* i the first i sta ce* from 54EBA AIt came* i the first i sta ce* from me% A d it met* as I ha#e told yo)* "ith yo)r so =s co se t a d appro#al%A The thermometer "e t )p to the top of the re$ister% I mea * the pi - cha $ed s)dde ly to scarlet% A&y so is a mea 7spirited ho) dDA cried this f)rio)s old "orldli $% AI ()stice to myself as his father! ot i ()stice to HI&!I 'e$ to as- yo)* &iss Veri der* "hat complai t yo) ha#e to ma-e of &r% /odfrey A'le"hiteBA Here &r% 0r)ff i terfered for the first time% A5o) are ot 'o) d to a s"er that ,)estio *A he said to Rachel% 4ld &r% A'le"hite faste ed o him i sta tly% A6o =t for$et* sir*A he said* Athat yo) are a self7i #ited $)est here% 5o)r i terfere ce "o)ld ha#e come "ith a 'etter $race if yo) had "aited ) til it "as as-ed for%A &r% 0r)ff too- o otice% The smooth #ar ish o HI. "ic-ed old face e#er crac-ed% Rachel tha -ed him for the ad#ice he had $i#e to her* a d the t)r ed to old &r%

213

A'le"hite!preser#i $ her compos)re i a ma er "hich :ha#i $ re$ard to her a$e a d her sex; "as simply a"f)l to see% A5o)r so p)t the same ,)estio to me "hich yo) ha#e ()st as-ed*A she said% AI had o ly o e a s"er for him* a d I ha#e o ly o e a s"er for yo)% I proposed that "e sho)ld release each other* 'eca)se reflectio had co #i ced me that I sho)ld 'est co s)lt his "elfare a d mi e 'y retracti $ a rash promise* a d lea#i $ him free to ma-e his choice else"here%A A@hat has my so do eBA persisted &r% A'le"hite% AI ha#e a ri$ht to - o" that% @hat has my so do eBA .he persisted ()st as o'sti ately o her side% A5o) ha#e had the o ly expla atio "hich I thi - it ecessary to $i#e to yo)* or to him*A she a s"ered% AI plai E $lish* it=s yo)r so#erei$ "ill a d pleas)re* &iss Veri der* to (ilt my so BA Rachel "as sile t for a mome t% .itti $ close 'ehi d her* I heard her si$h% &r% 0r)ff tooher ha d* a d $a#e it a little s,)ee<e% .he reco#ered herself* a d a s"ered &r% A'le"hite as 'oldly as e#er% AI ha#e exposed myself to "orse misco str)ctio tha that*A she said% AA d I ha#e 'or e it patie tly% The time has $o e 'y* "he yo) co)ld mortify me 'y calli $ me a (ilt%A .he spo-e "ith a 'itter ess of to e "hich satisfied me that the sca dal of the &oo sto e had 'ee i some "ay recalled to her mi d% AI ha#e o more to say*A she added* "earily* ot addressi $ the "ords to a yo e i partic)lar* a d loo-i $ a"ay from )s all* o)t of the "i do" that "as earest to her% &r% A'le"hite $ot )po his feet* a d p)shed a"ay his chair so #iole tly that it toppled o#er a d fell o the floor% AI ha#e somethi $ more to say o my side*A he a o) ced* 'ri $i $ do" the flat of his ha d o the ta'le "ith a 'a $% AI ha#e to say that if my so does =t feel this i s)lt* I doDA Rachel started* a d loo-ed at him i s)dde s)rprise% AI s)ltBA she repeated% A@hat do yo) mea BA AI s)ltDA reiterated &r% A'le"hite% AI - o" yo)r moti#e* &iss Veri der* for 'rea-i $ yo)r promise to my so D I - o" it as certai ly as if yo) had co fessed it i so ma y "ords% 5o)r c)rsed family pride is i s)lti $ /odfrey* as it i s)lted &E "he I married yo)r a) t% Her family!her 'e$$arly family!t)r ed their 'ac-s o her for marryi $ a ho est ma * "ho had made his o" place a d "o his o" fort) e% I had o a cestors% I

211

"as =t desce ded from a set of c)t7throat sco) drels "ho li#ed 'y ro''ery a d m)rder% I co)ld =t poi t to the time "he the A'le"hites had =t a shirt to their 'ac-s* a d co)ld =t si$ their o" ames% HaD haD I "as =t $ood e o)$h for the Her castles* "he I married% A d o"* it comes to the pi ch* my so is =t $ood e o)$h for 54E% I s)spected it* all alo $% 5o) ha#e $ot the Her castle 'lood i yo)* my yo) $ ladyD I s)spected it all alo $%A AA #ery ) "orthy s)spicio *A remar-ed &r% 0r)ff% AI am asto ished that yo) ha#e the co)ra$e to ac- o"led$e it%A 0efore &r% A'le"hite co)ld fi d "ords to a s"er i * Rachel spo-e i a to e of the most exasperati $ co tempt% A.)rely*A she said to the la"yer* Athis is 'e eath otice% If he ca thi - i THAT "ay* let )s lea#e him to thi - as he pleases%A From scarlet* &r% A'le"hite "as o" 'ecomi $ p)rple% He $asped for 'reath9 he loo-ed 'ac-"ards a d for"ards from Rachel to &r% 0r)ff i s)ch a fre <y of ra$e "ith 'oth of them that he did =t - o" "hich to attac- first% His "ife* "ho had sat impe etra'ly fa i $ herself )p to this time* 'e$a to 'e alarmed* a d attempted* ,)ite )selessly* to ,)iet him% I had* thro)$ho)t this distressi $ i ter#ie"* felt more tha o e i "ard call to i terfere "ith a fe" ear est "ords* a d had co trolled myself ) der a dread of the possi'le res)lts* #ery ) "orthy of a Christia E $lish"oma "ho loo-s* ot to "hat is mea ly pr)de t* ')t to "hat is morally ri$ht% At the poi t at "hich matters had o" arri#ed* I rose s)perior to all co sideratio s of mere expedie cy% If I had co templated i terposi $ a y remo stra ce of my o" h)m'le de#isi $* I mi$ht possi'ly ha#e still hesitated% 0)t the distressi $ domestic emer$e cy "hich o" co fro ted me* "as most mar#ello)sly a d 'ea)tif)lly pro#ided for i the Correspo de ce of &iss +a e A .tamper!?etter o e tho)sa d a d o e* o APeace i Families%A I rose i my modest cor er* a d I ope ed my precio)s 'oo-% A6ear &r% A'le"hite*A I said* Ao e "ordDA @he I first attracted the atte tio of the compa y 'y risi $* I co)ld see that he "as o the poi t of sayi $ somethi $ r)de to me% &y sisterly form of address chec-ed him% He stared at me i heathe asto ishme t% AAs a affectio ate "ell7"isher a d frie d*A I proceeded* Aa d as o e lo $ acc)stomed to aro)se* co #i ce* prepare* e li$hte * a d fortify others* permit me to ta-e the most pardo a'le of all li'erties!the li'erty of composi $ yo)r mi d%A He 'e$a to reco#er himself9 he "as o the poi t of 'rea-i $ o)t!he @4E?6 ha#e 'ro-e o)t* "ith a y'ody else% 0)t my #oice :ha'it)ally $e tle; possesses a hi$h ote or so* i emer$e cies% I this emer$e cy* I felt imperati#ely called )po to ha#e the hi$hest #oice of the t"o%

21>

I held )p my precio)s 'oo- 'efore him9 I rapped the ope pa$e impressi#ely "ith my forefi $er% A8ot my "ordsDA I exclaimed* i a ')rst of fer#e t i terr)ptio % A4h* do =t s)ppose that I claim atte tio for &y h)m'le "ordsD &a a i the "ilder ess* &r% A'le"hiteD 6e" o the parched earthD @ords of comfort* "ords of "isdom* "ords of lo#e!the 'lessed* 'lessed* 'lessed "ords of &iss +a e A .tamperDA I "as stopped there 'y a mome tary impedime t of the 'reath% 0efore I co)ld reco#er myself* this mo ster i h)ma form sho)ted o)t f)rio)sly* A&iss +a e A .tamper 'e!!DA

It is impossi'le for me to "rite the a"f)l "ord* "hich is here represe ted 'y a 'la -% I shrie-ed as it passed his lips9 I fle" to my little 'a$ o the side ta'le9 I shoo- o)t all my tracts9 I sei<ed the o e partic)lar tract o profa e s"eari $* e titled* AH)sh* for Hea#e =s .a-eDA9 I ha ded it to him "ith a expressio of a$o ised e treaty% He tore it i t"o* a d thre" it 'ac- at me across the ta'le% The rest of them rose i alarm* ot - o"i $ "hat mi$ht happe ext% I i sta tly sat do" a$ai i my cor er% There had o ce 'ee a occasio * ) der some"hat similar circ)msta ces* "he &iss +a e A .tamper had 'ee ta-e 'y the t"o sho)lders a d t)r ed o)t of a room% I "aited* i spired 'y HER spirit* for a repetitio of HER martyrdom% 0)t o!it "as ot to 'e% His "ife "as the ext perso "hom he addressed% A@ho!"ho !"ho*A he said* stammeri $ "ith ra$e* A"ho as-ed this imp)de t fa atic i to the ho)seB 6id yo)BA 0efore A) t A'le"hite co)ld say a "ord* Rachel a s"ered for her% A&iss Clac- is here*A she said* Aas my $)est%A Those "ords had a si $)lar effect o &r% A'le"hite% They s)dde ly cha $ed him from a ma i a state of red7hot a $er to a ma i a state of icy7cold co tempt% It "as plai to e#ery'ody that Rachel had said somethi $!short a d plai as her a s"er had 'ee ! "hich $a#e him the )pper ha d of her at last% A4hBA he said% A&iss Clac- is here as 54ER $)est!i &5 ho)seBA It "as Rachel=s t)r to lose her temper at that% Her colo)r rose* a d her eyes 'ri$hte ed fiercely% .he t)r ed to the la"yer* a d* poi ti $ to &r% A'le"hite* as-ed ha)$htily* A@hat does he mea BA &r% 0r)ff i terfered for the third time% A5o) appear to for$et*A he said* addressi $ &r% A'le"hite* Athat yo) too- this ho)se as &iss Veri der=s $)ardia * for &iss Veri der=s )se%A

21C

A8ot ,)ite so fast*A i terposed &r% A'le"hite% AI ha#e a last "ord to say* "hich I sho)ld ha#e said some time si ce* if this!!A He loo-ed my "ay* po deri $ "hat a'omi a'le ame he sho)ld call me!Aif this Rampa t .pi ster had ot i terr)pted )s% I 'e$ to i form yo)* sir* that* if my so is ot $ood e o)$h to 'e &iss Veri der=s h)s'a d* I ca ot pres)me to co sider his father $ood e o)$h to 'e &iss Veri der=s $)ardia % E dersta d* if yo) please* that I ref)se to accept the positio "hich is offered to me 'y ?ady Veri der=s "ill% I yo)r le$al phrase* I decli e to act% This ho)se has ecessarily 'ee hired i my ame% I ta-e the e tire respo si'ility of it o my sho)lders% It is my ho)se% I ca -eep it* or let it* ()st as I please% I ha#e o "ish to h)rry &iss Veri der% 4 the co trary* I 'e$ her to remo#e her $)est a d her l)$$a$e* at her o" e tire co #e ie ce%A He made a lo" 'o"* a d "al-ed o)t of the room% That "as &r% A'le"hite=s re#e $e o Rachel* for ref)si $ to marry his so D The i sta t the door closed* A) t A'le"hite exhi'ited a phe ome o "hich sile ced )s all% .he 'ecame e do"ed "ith e er$y e o)$h to cross the roomD A&y dear*A she said* ta-i $ Rachel 'y the ha d* AI sho)ld 'e ashamed of my h)s'a d* if I did =t - o" that it is his temper "hich has spo-e to yo)* a d ot himself% 5o)*A co ti )ed A) t A'le"hite* t)r i $ o me i my cor er "ith a other e do"me t of e er$y* i her loo-s this time i stead of her lim's!Ayo) are the mischie#o)s perso "ho irritated him% I hope I shall e#er see yo) or yo)r tracts a$ai %A .he "e t 'ac- to Rachel a d -issed her% AI 'e$ yo)r pardo * my dear*A she said* Ai my h)s'a d=s ame% @hat ca I do for yo)BA Co siste tly per#erse i e#erythi $!capricio)s a d ) reaso a'le i all the actio s of her life!Rachel melted i to tears at those commo place "ords* a d ret)r ed her a) t=s -iss i sile ce% AIf I may 'e permitted to a s"er for &iss Veri der*A said &r% 0r)ff* Ami$ht I as- yo)* &rs% A'le"hite* to se d Pe elope do" "ith her mistress=s 'o et a d sha"l% ?ea#e )s te mi )tes to$ether*A he added* i a lo"er to e* Aa d yo) may rely o my setti $ matters ri$ht* to yo)r satisfactio as "ell as to Rachel=s%A The tr)st of the family i this ma "as somethi $ "o derf)l to see% @itho)t a "ord more* o her side* A) t A'le"hite left the room% AAhDA said &r% 0r)ff* loo-i $ after her% AThe Her castle 'lood has its dra"'ac-s* I admit% 0)t there I. somethi $ i $ood 'reedi $ after allDA Ha#i $ made that p)rely "orldly remar-* he loo-ed hard at my cor er* as if he expected me to $o% &y i terest i Rachel!a i fi itely hi$her i terest tha his!ri#eted me to my chair% &r% 0r)ff $a#e it )p* exactly as he had $i#e it )p at A) t Veri der=s* i &o ta$) .,)are% He led Rachel to a chair 'y the "i do"* a d spo-e to her there%

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A&y dear yo) $ lady*A he said* A&r% A'le"hite=s co d)ct has at)rally shoc-ed yo)* a d ta-e yo) 'y s)rprise% If it "as "orth "hile to co test the ,)estio "ith s)ch a ma * "e mi$ht soo sho" him that he is ot to ha#e thi $s all his o" "ay% 0)t it is =t "orth "hile% 5o) "ere ,)ite ri$ht i "hat yo) said ()st o"9 he is 'e eath o)r otice%A He stopped* a d loo-ed ro) d at my cor er% I sat there ,)ite immo#a'le* "ith my tracts at my el'o" a d "ith &iss +a e A .tamper o my lap% A5o) - o"*A he res)med* t)r i $ 'ac- a$ai to Rachel* Athat it "as part of yo)r poor mother=s fi e at)re al"ays to see the 'est of the people a'o)t her* a d e#er the "orst% .he amed her 'rother7i 7la" yo)r $)ardia 'eca)se she 'elie#ed i him* a d 'eca)se she tho)$ht it "o)ld please her sister% I had e#er li-ed &r% A'le"hite myself* a d I i d)ced yo)r mother to let me i sert a cla)se i the "ill* empo"eri $ her exec)tors* i certai e#e ts* to co s)lt "ith me a'o)t the appoi tme t of a e" $)ardia % 4 e of those e#e ts has happe ed to7day9 a d I fi d myself i a positio to e d all these dry ')si ess details* I hope a$reea'ly* "ith a messa$e from my "ife% @ill yo) ho o)r &rs% 0r)ff 'y 'ecomi $ her $)estB A d "ill yo) remai ) der my roof* a d 'e o e of my family* ) til "e "ise people ha#e laid o)r heads to$ether* a d ha#e settled "hat is to 'e do e extBA At those "ords* I rose to i terfere% &r% 0r)ff had do e exactly "hat I had dreaded he "o)ld do* "he he as-ed &rs% A'le"hite for Rachel=s 'o et a d sha"l% 0efore I co)ld i terpose a "ord* Rachel had accepted his i #itatio i the "armest terms% If I s)ffered the arra $eme t th)s made 'et"ee them to 'e carried o)t!if she o ce passed the threshold of &r% 0r)ff=s door!fare"ell to the fo dest hope of my life* the hope of 'ri $i $ my lost sheep 'ac- to the foldD The 'are idea of s)ch a calamity as this ,)ite o#er"helmed me% I cast the misera'le trammels of "orldly discretio to the "i ds* a d spo-e "ith the fer#o)r that filled me* i the "ords that came first% A.topDA I said!AstopD I m)st 'e heard% &r% 0r)ffD yo) are ot related to her* a d I am% I i #ite her!I s)mmo the exec)tors to appoi t me $)ardia % Rachel* dearest Rachel* I offer yo) my modest home9 come to ?o do 'y the ext trai * lo#e* a d share it "ith meDA &r% 0r)ff said othi $% Rachel loo-ed at me "ith a cr)el asto ishme t "hich she made o effort to co ceal% A5o) are #ery -i d* 6r)silla*A she said% AI shall hope to #isit yo) "he e#er I happe to 'e i ?o do % 0)t I ha#e accepted &r% 0r)ff=s i #itatio * a d I thi - it "ill 'e 'est* for the prese t* if I remai ) der &r% 0r)ff=s care%A A4h* do =t say soDA I pleaded% AI ca =t part "ith yo)* Rachel!I ca =t part "ith yo)DA I tried to fold her i my arms% 0)t she dre" 'ac-% &y fer#o)r did ot comm) icate itself9 it o ly alarmed her%

21G

A.)rely*A she said* Athis is a #ery ) A8o more do I*A said &r% 0r)ff%

ecessary display of a$itatio B I do =t ) dersta d it%A

Their hard ess!their hideo)s* "orldly hard ess!re#olted me% A4h* RachelD RachelDA I ')rst o)t% AHa#e =t yo) see yet* that my heart year s to ma-e a Christia of yo)B Has o i er #oice told yo) that I am tryi $ to do for yo)* "hat I "as tryi $ to do for yo)r dear mother "he death s atched her o)t of my ha dsBA Rachel ad#a ced a step earer* a d loo-ed at me #ery stra $ely% AI do =t ) dersta d yo)r refere ce to my mother*A she said% A&iss Clac-* "ill yo) ha#e the $ood ess to explai yo)rselfBA 0efore I co)ld a s"er* &r% 0r)ff came for"ard* a d offeri $ his arm to Rachel* tried to lead her o)t of the room% A5o) had 'etter ot p)rs)e the s)'(ect* my dear*A he said% AA d &iss Clac- had 'etter ot explai herself%A If I had 'ee a stoc- or a sto e* s)ch a i terfere ce as this m)st ha#e ro)sed me i to testifyi $ to the tr)th% I p)t &r% 0r)ff aside i di$ a tly "ith my o" ha d* a d* i solem a d s)ita'le la $)a$e* I stated the #ie" "ith "hich so) d doctri e does ot scr)ple to re$ard the a"f)l calamity of dyi $ ) prepared% Rachel started 'ac- from me!I 'l)sh to "rite!"ith a scream of horror% ACome a"ayDA she said to &r% 0r)ff% ACome a"ay* for /od=s sa-e* 'efore that "oma ca say a y moreD 4h* thi - of my poor mother=s harmless* )sef)l* 'ea)tif)l lifeD 5o) "ere at the f) eral* &r% 0r)ff9 yo) sa" ho" e#ery'ody lo#ed her9 yo) sa" the poor helpless people cryi $ at her $ra#e o#er the loss of their 'est frie d% A d that "retch sta ds there* a d tries to ma-e me do)'t that my mother* "ho "as a a $el o earth* is a a $el i hea#e o"D 6o =t stop to tal- a'o)t itD Come a"ayD It stifles me to 'reathe the same air "ith herD It fri$hte s me to feel that "e are i the same room to$etherDA 6eaf to all remo stra ce* she ra to the door% At the same mome t* her maid e tered "ith her 'o et a d sha"l% .he h)ddled them o a yho"% APac- my thi $s*A she said* Aa d 'ri $ them to &r% 0r)ff=s%A I attempted to approach her!I "as shoc-ed a d $rie#ed* ')t* it is eedless to say* ot offe ded% I o ly "ished to say to her* A&ay yo)r hard heart 'e softe edD I freely for$i#e yo)DA .he p)lled do" her #eil* a d tore her sha"l a"ay from my ha d* a d* h)rryi $ o)t* sh)t the door i my face% I 'ore the i s)lt "ith my c)stomary fortit)de% I remem'er it o" "ith my c)stomary s)periority to all feeli $ of offe ce%

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&r% 0r)ff had his parti $ "ord of moc-ery for me* 'efore he too h)rried o)t* i his t)r % A5o) had 'etter ot ha#e explai ed yo)rself* &iss Clac-*A he said* a d 'o"ed* a d left the room% The perso "ith the cap7ri''o s follo"ed% AIt=s easy to see "ho has set them all 'y the ears to$ether*A she said% AI=m o ly a poor ser#a t!')t I declare I=m ashamed of yo)DA .he too "e t o)t* a d 'a $ed the door after her% I "as left alo e i the room% Re#iled 'y them all* deserted 'y them all* I "as left alo e i the room% Is there more to 'e added to this plai stateme t of facts!to this to)chi $ pict)re of a Christia persec)ted 'y the "orldB 8oD my diary remi ds me that o e more of the ma y che,)ered chapters i my life e ds here% From that day forth* I e#er sa" Rachel Veri der a$ai % .he had my for$i#e ess at the time "he she i s)lted me% .he has had my prayerf)l $ood "ishes e#er si ce% A d "he I die!to complete the ret)r o my part of $ood for e#il!she "ill ha#e the ?IFE* ?ETTER.* A86 ?A04ER. 4F &I.. +A8E A88 .TA&PER left her as a le$acy 'y my "ill%

SECOND NARRATI!E
Cont,ib-te. by MATHEW 4RU 5 Solicito,5 o1 G,ay6s Inn S7-a,e

CHAPTER I
&y fair frie d* &iss Clac-* ha#i $ laid do" the pe * there are t"o reaso s for my ta-i $ it )p ext* i my t)r % I the first place* I am i a positio to thro" the ecessary li$ht o certai poi ts of i terest "hich ha#e th)s far 'ee left i the dar-% &iss Veri der had her o" pri#ate reaso for 'rea-i $ her marria$e e $a$eme t!a d I "as at the 'ottom of it% &r% /odfrey A'le"hite had his o" pri#ate reaso for "ithdra"i $ all claim to the ha d of his charmi $ co)si !a d I disco#ered "hat it "as%

22H

I the seco d place* it "as my $ood or ill fort) e* I hardly - o" "hich* to fi d myself perso ally i #ol#ed!at the period of "hich I am o" "riti $!i the mystery of the I dia 6iamo d% I had the ho o)r of a i ter#ie"* at my o" office* "ith a 4rie tal stra $er of disti $)ished ma ers* "ho "as o other* ) ,)estio a'ly* tha the chief of the three I dia s% Add to this* that I met "ith the cele'rated tra#eller* &r% &)rth"aite* the day after"ards* a d that I held a co #ersatio "ith him o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e* "hich has a #ery importa t 'eari $ o later e#e ts% A d there yo) ha#e the stateme t of my claims to fill the positio "hich I occ)py i these pa$es% The tr)e story of the 'ro-e marria$e e $a$eme t comes first i poi t of time* a d m)st therefore ta-e the first place i the prese t arrati#e% Traci $ my "ay 'ac- alo $ the chai of e#e ts* from o e e d to the other* I fi d it ecessary to ope the sce e* oddly e o)$h as yo) "ill thi -* at the 'edside of my excelle t clie t a d frie d* the late .ir +oh Veri der% .ir +oh had his share!perhaps rather a lar$e share!of the more harmless a d amia'le of the "ea- esses i cide tal to h)ma ity% Amo $ these* I may me tio as applica'le to the matter i ha d* a i #i ci'le rel)cta ce!so lo $ as he e (oyed his )s)al $ood health !to face the respo si'ility of ma-i $ his "ill% ?ady Veri der exerted her i fl)e ce to ro)se him to a se se of d)ty i this matter9 a d I exerted my i fl)e ce% He admitted the ()stice of o)r #ie"s!')t he "e t o f)rther tha that* ) til he fo) d himself afflicted "ith the ill ess "hich )ltimately 'ro)$ht him to his $ra#e% The * I "as se t for at last* to ta-e my clie t=s i str)ctio s o the s)'(ect of his "ill% They pro#ed to 'e the simplest i str)ctio s I had e#er recei#ed i the "hole of my professio al career% .ir +oh "as do<i $* "he I e tered the room% He ro)sed himself at the si$ht of me% AHo" do yo) do* &r% 0r)ffBA he said% AI sha= =t 'e #ery lo $ a'o)t this% A d the I=ll $o to sleep a$ai %A He loo-ed o "ith $reat i terest "hile I collected pe s* i -* a d paper% AAre yo) readyBA he as-ed% I 'o"ed a d too- a dip of i -* a d "aited for my i str)ctio s% AI lea#e e#erythi $ to my "ife*A said .ir +oh % AThat=s all%A He t)r ed ro) d o his pillo"* a d composed himself to sleep a$ai % I "as o'li$ed to dist)r' him% AAm I to ) dersta d*A I as-ed* Athat yo) lea#e the "hole of the property* of e#ery sort a d descriptio * of "hich yo) die possessed* a'sol)tely to ?ady Veri derBA A5es*A said .ir +oh % A4 ly* I p)t it shorter% @hy ca =t yo) p)t it shorter* a d let me $o to sleep a$ai B E#erythi $ to my "ife% That=s my @ill%A His property "as e tirely at his o" disposal* a d "as of t"o -i ds% Property i la d :I p)rposely a'stai from )si $ tech ical la $)a$e;* a d property i mo ey% I the ma(ority of cases* I am afraid I sho)ld ha#e felt it my d)ty to my clie t to as- him to reco sider his @ill% I the case of .ir +oh * I - e" ?ady Veri der to 'e* ot o ly "orthy of the

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) reser#ed tr)st "hich her h)s'a d had placed i her :all $ood "i#es are "orthy of that; !')t to 'e also capa'le of properly admi isteri $ a tr)st :"hich* i my experie ce of the fair sex* ot o e i a tho)sa d of them is compete t to do;% I te mi )tes* .ir +oh =s @ill "as dra" * a d exec)ted* a d .ir +oh himself* $ood ma * "as fi ishi $ his i terr)pted ap% ?ady Veri der amply ()stified the co fide ce "hich her h)s'a d had placed i her% I the first days of her "ido"hood* she se t for me* a d made her @ill% The #ie" she too- of her positio "as so thoro)$hly so) d a d se si'le* that I "as relie#ed of all ecessity for ad#isi $ her% &y respo si'ility 'e$a a d e ded "ith shapi $ her i str)ctio s i to the proper le$al form% 0efore .ir +oh had 'ee a fort i$ht i his $ra#e* the f)t)re of his da)$hter had 'ee most "isely a d most affectio ately pro#ided for% The @ill remai ed i its fireproof 'ox at my office* thro)$h more years tha I ?i-e to rec-o )p% It "as ot till the s)mmer of ei$htee h) dred a d forty7ei$ht that I fo) d occasio to loo- at it a$ai ) der #ery mela choly circ)msta ces% At the date I ha#e me tio ed* the doctors pro o) ced the se te ce o poor ?ady Veri der* "hich "as literally a se te ce of death% I "as the first perso "hom she i formed of her sit)atio 9 a d I fo) d her a xio)s to $o o#er her @ill a$ai "ith me% It "as impossi'le to impro#e the pro#isio s relati $ to her da)$hter% 0)t* i the lapse of time* her "ishes i re$ard to certai mi or le$acies* left to differe t relati#es* had ) der$o e some modificatio 9 a d it 'ecame ecessary to add three or fo)r Codicils to the ori$i al doc)me t% Ha#i $ do e this at o ce* for fear of accide t* I o'tai ed her ladyship=s permissio to em'ody her rece t i str)ctio s i a seco d @ill% &y o'(ect "as to a#oid certai i e#ita'le co f)sio s a d repetitio s "hich o" disfi$)red the ori$i al doc)me t* a d "hich* to o" the tr)th* $rated sadly o my professio al se se of the fit ess of thi $s% The exec)tio of this seco d @ill has 'ee descri'ed 'y &iss Clac-* "ho "as so o'li$i $ as to "it ess it% .o far as re$arded Rachel Veri der=s pec) iary i terests* it "as* "ord for "ord* the exact co) terpart of the first @ill% The o ly cha $es i trod)ced related to the appoi tme t of a $)ardia * a d to certai pro#isio s co cer i $ that appoi tme t* "hich "ere made ) der my ad#ice% 4 ?ady Veri der=s death* the @ill "as placed i the ha ds of my proctor to 'e Apro#edA :as the phrase is; i the )s)al "ay% I a'o)t three "ee-s from that time!as "ell as I ca remem'er!the first "ar i $ reached me of somethi $ ) )s)al $oi $ o ) der the s)rface% I happe ed to 'e loo-i $ i at my frie d the proctor=s office* a d I o'ser#ed that he recei#ed me "ith a appeara ce of $reater i terest tha )s)al% AI ha#e some e"s for yo)*A he said% A@hat do yo) thi - I heard at 6octors= Commo s this mor i $B ?ady Veri der=s @ill has 'ee as-ed for* a d exami ed* alreadyDA

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This "as e"s i deedD There "as a'sol)tely othi $ "hich co)ld 'e co tested i the @ill9 a d there "as o'ody I co)ld thi - of "ho had the sli$htest i terest i exami i $ it% :I shall perhaps do "ell if I explai i this place* for the 'e efit of the fe" people "ho do =t - o" it already* that the la" allo"s all @ills to 'e exami ed at 6octors= Commo s 'y a y'ody "ho applies* o the payme t of a shilli $ fee%; A6id yo) hear "ho as-ed for the @illBA I as-ed% A5es9 the cler- had o hesitatio i telli $ &E% &r% .malley* of the firm of .-ipp a d .malley* as-ed for it% The @ill has ot 'ee copied yet i to the $reat Folio Re$isters% .o there "as o alter ati#e ')t to depart from the )s)al co)rse* a d to let him see the ori$i al doc)me t% He loo-ed it o#er caref)lly* a d made a ote i his poc-et7'oo-% Ha#e yo) a y idea of "hat he "a ted "ith itBA I shoo- my head% AI shall fi d o)t*A I a s"ered* A'efore I am a day older%A @ith that I "e t 'ac- at o ce to my o" office% If a y other firm of solicitors had 'ee co cer ed i this ) acco) ta'le exami atio of my deceased clie t=s @ill* I mi$ht ha#e fo) d some diffic)lty i ma-i $ the ecessary disco#ery% 0)t I had a hold o#er .-ipp a d .malley "hich made my co)rse i this matter a comparati#ely easy o e% &y commo 7la" cler- :a most compete t a d excelle t ma ; "as a 'rother of &r% .malley=s9 a d* o"i $ to this sort of i direct co ectio "ith me* .-ipp a d .malley had* for some years past* pic-ed )p the cr)m's that fell from my ta'le* i the shape of cases 'ro)$ht to my office* "hich* for #ario)s reaso s* I did ot thi - it "orth "hile to ) derta-e% &y professio al patro a$e "as* i this "ay* of some importa ce to the firm% I i te ded* if ecessary* to remi d them of that patro a$e* o the prese t occasio % The mome t I $ot 'ac- I spo-e to my cler-9 a d* after telli $ him "hat had happe ed* I se t him to his 'rother=s office* A"ith &r% 0r)ff=s complime ts* a d he "o)ld 'e $lad to - o" "hy &essrs% .-ipp a d .malley had fo) d it ecessary to exami e ?ady Veri der=s "ill%A This messa$e 'ro)$ht &r% .malley 'ac- to my office i compa y "ith his 'rother% He ac- o"led$ed that he had acted ) der i str)ctio s recei#ed from a clie t% A d the he p)t it to me* "hether it "o)ld ot 'e a 'reach of professio al co fide ce o his part to say more% @e had a smart disc)ssio )po that% He "as ri$ht* o do)'t9 a d I "as "ro $% The tr)th is* I "as a $ry a d s)spicio)s!a d I i sisted o - o"i $ more% @orse still* I decli ed to co sider a y additio al i formatio offered me* as a secret placed i my -eepi $F I claimed perfect freedom to )se my o" discretio % @orse e#e tha that* I too- a ) "arra ta'le ad#a ta$e of my positio % AChoose* sir*A I said to &r% .malley* A'et"ee the ris- of losi $ yo)r clie t=s ')si ess a d the ris- of losi $ &i e%A I)ite i defe si'le* I admit!a act of tyra y* a d othi $ less% ?i-e other tyra ts* I carried my poi t% &r% .malley chose his alter ati#e* "itho)t a mome t=s hesitatio %

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He smiled resi$ edly* a d $a#e )p the ame of his clie tF &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% That "as e o)$h for me!I "a ted to - o" o more% Ha#i $ reached this poi t i my arrati#e* it o" 'ecomes ecessary to place the reader of these li es!so far as ?ady Veri der=s @ill is co cer ed!o a footi $ of perfect e,)ality* i respect of i formatio * "ith myself% ?et me state* the * i the fe"est possi'le "ords* that Rachel Veri der had othi $ ')t a life7i terest i the property% Her mother=s excelle t se se* a d my lo $ experie ce* had com'i ed to relie#e her of all respo si'ility* a d to $)ard her from all da $er of 'ecomi $ the #ictim i the f)t)re of some eedy a d ) scr)p)lo)s ma % 8either she* or her h)s'a d :if she married;* co)ld raise sixpe ce* either o the property i la d* or o the property i mo ey% They "o)ld ha#e the ho)ses i ?o do a d i 5or-shire to li#e i * a d they "o)ld ha#e the ha dsome i come!a d that "as all% @he I came to thi - o#er "hat I had disco#ered* I "as sorely perplexed "hat to do ext% Hardly a "ee- had passed si ce I had heard :to my s)rprise a d distress; of &iss Veri der=s proposed marria$e% I had the si cerest admiratio a d affectio for her9 a d I had 'ee i expressi'ly $rie#ed "he I heard that she "as a'o)t to thro" herself a"ay o &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% A d o"* here "as the ma !"hom I had al"ays 'elie#ed to 'e a smooth7to $)ed impostor!()stifyi $ the #ery "orst that I had tho)$ht of him* a d plai ly re#eali $ the merce ary o'(ect of the marria$e* o his sideD A d "hat of thatB! yo) may reply!the thi $ is do e e#ery day% /ra ted* my dear sir% 0)t "o)ld yo) thi of it ,)ite as li$htly as yo) do* if the thi $ "as do e :let )s say; "ith yo)r o" sisterB The first co sideratio "hich o" at)rally occ)rred to me "as this% @o)ld &r% /odfrey A'le"hite hold to his e $a$eme t* after "hat his la"yer had disco#ered for himB It depe ded e tirely o his pec) iary positio * of "hich I - e" othi $% If that positio "as ot a desperate o e* it "o)ld 'e "ell "orth his "hile to marry &iss Veri der for her i come alo e% If* o the other ha d* he stood i )r$e t eed of realisi $ a lar$e s)m 'y a $i#e time* the ?ady Veri der=s @ill "o)ld exactly meet the case* a d "o)ld preser#e her da)$hter from falli $ i to a sco) drel=s ha ds% I the latter e#e t* there "o)ld 'e o eed for me to distress &iss Rachel* i the first days of her mo)r i $ for her mother* 'y a immediate re#elatio of the tr)th% I the former e#e t* if I remai ed sile t* I sho)ld 'e co i#i $ at a marria$e "hich "o)ld ma-e her misera'le for life% &y do)'ts e ded i my calli $ at the hotel i ?o do * at "hich I - e" &rs% A'le"hite a d &iss Veri der to 'e stayi $% They i formed me that they "ere $oi $ to 0ri$hto the ext day* a d that a ) expected o'stacle pre#e ted &r% /odfrey A'le"hite from

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accompa yi $ them% I at o ce proposed to ta-e his place% @hile I "as o ly thi -i $ of Rachel Veri der* it "as possi'le to hesitate% @he I act)ally sa" her* my mi d "as made )p directly* come "hat mi$ht of it* to tell her the tr)th% I fo) d my opport) ity* "he I "as o)t "al-i $ "ith her* o the day after my arri#al% A&ay I spea- to yo)*A I as-ed* Aa'o)t yo)r marria$e e $a$eme tBA A5es*A she said* i differe tly* Aif yo) ha#e othi $ more i teresti $ to tal- a'o)t%A A@ill yo) for$i#e a old frie d a d ser#a t of yo)r family* &iss Rachel* if I #e t)re o as-i $ "hether yo)r heart is set o this marria$eBA AI am marryi $ i despair* &r% 0r)ff!o the cha ce of droppi $ i to some sort of sta$ a t happi ess "hich may reco cile me to my life%A .tro $ la $)a$eD a d s)$$esti#e of somethi $ 'elo" the s)rface* i the shape of a roma ce% 0)t I had my o" o'(ect i #ie"* a d I decli ed :as "e la"yers say; to p)rs)e the ,)estio i to its side iss)es% A&r% /odfrey A'le"hite ca hardly 'e of yo)r "ay of thi -i $*A I said% AHI. heart m)st 'e set o the marria$e at a y rateBA AHe says so* a d I s)ppose I o)$ht to 'elie#e him% He "o)ld hardly marry me* after "hat I ha#e o" ed to him* ) less he "as fo d of me%A Poor thi $D the 'are idea of a ma marryi $ her for his o" selfish a d merce ary e ds had e#er e tered her head% The tas- I had set myself 'e$a to loo- li-e a harder tastha I had 'ar$ai ed for% AIt so) ds stra $ely*A I "e t o * Ai my old7fashio ed ears!!A A@hat so) ds stra $elyBA she as-ed% ATo hear yo) spea- of yo)r f)t)re h)s'a d as if yo) "ere ot ,)ite s)re of the si cerity of his attachme t% Are yo) co scio)s of a y reaso i yo)r o" mi d for do)'ti $ himBA Her asto ishi $ ,)ic- ess of perceptio * detected a cha $e i my #oice* or my ma er* "he I p)t that ,)estio * "hich "ar ed her that I had 'ee spea-i $ all alo $ "ith some )lterior o'(ect i #ie"% .he stopped* a d ta-i $ her arm o)t of mi e* loo-ed me searchi $ly i the face% A&r% 0r)ff*A she said* Ayo) ha#e somethi $ to tell me a'o)t /odfrey A'le"hite% Tell it%A I - e" her "ell e o)$h to ta-e her at her "ord% I told it%

22>

.he p)t her arm a$ai i to mi e* a d "al-ed o "ith me slo"ly% I felt her ha d ti$hte i $ its $rasp mecha ically o my arm* a d I sa" her $etti $ paler a d paler as I "e t o !')t* ot a "ord passed her lips "hile I "as spea-i $% @he I had do e* she still -ept sile ce% Her head drooped a little* a d she "al-ed 'y my side* ) co scio)s of my prese ce* ) co scio)s of e#erythi $ a'o)t her9 lost!')ried* I mi$ht almost say!i her o" tho)$hts% I made o attempt to dist)r' her% &y experie ce of her dispositio "ar ed me* o this* as o former occasio s* to $i#e her time% The first i sti ct of $irls i $e eral* o 'ei $ told of a ythi $ "hich i terests them* is to as- a m)ltit)de of ,)estio s* a d the to r) off* a d tal- it all o#er "ith some fa#o)rite frie d% Rachel Veri der=s first i sti ct* ) der similar circ)msta ces* "as to sh)t herself )p i her o" mi d* a d to thi - it o#er 'y herself% This a'sol)te self7depe de ce is a $reat #irt)e i a ma % I a "oma it has a serio)s dra"'ac- of morally separati $ her from the mass of her sex* a d so exposi $ her to misco str)ctio 'y the $e eral opi io % I stro $ly s)spect myself of thi -i $ as the rest of the "orld thi - i this matter!except i the case of Rachel Veri der% The self7depe de ce i HER character* "as o e of its #irt)es i my estimatio 9 partly* o do)'t* 'eca)se I si cerely admired a d li-ed her9 partly* 'eca)se the #ie" I too- of her co exio "ith the loss of the &oo sto e "as 'ased o my o" special - o"led$e of her dispositio % 0adly as appeara ces mi$ht loo-* i the matter of the 6iamo d!shoc-i $ as it ) do)'tedly "as to - o" that she "as associated i a y "ay "ith the mystery of a ) disco#ered theft!I "as satisfied e#ertheless that she had do e othi $ ) "orthy of her* 'eca)se I "as also satisfied that she had ot stirred a step i the ')si ess* "itho)t sh)tti $ herself )p i her o" mi d* a d thi -i $ it o#er first% @e had "al-ed o * for early a mile I sho)ld say 'efore Rachel ro)sed herself% .he s)dde ly loo-ed )p at me "ith a fai t reflectio of her smile of happier times!the most irresisti'le smile I ha#e e#er see o a "oma =s face% AI o"e m)ch already to yo)r -i d ess*A she said% AA d I feel more deeply i de'ted to it o" tha e#er% If yo) hear a y r)mo)rs of my marria$e "he yo) $et 'ac- to ?o do co tradict them at o ce* o my a)thority%A AHa#e yo) resol#ed to 'rea- yo)r e $a$eme tBA I as-ed% ACa yo) do)'t itBA she ret)r ed pro)dly* Aafter "hat yo) ha#e told meDA A&y dear &iss Rachel* yo) are #ery yo) $!a d yo) may fi d more diffic)lty i "ithdra"i $ from yo)r prese t positio tha yo) a ticipate% Ha#e yo) o o e!I mea a lady* of co)rse!"hom yo) co)ld co s)ltBA A8o o e*A she a s"ered%

22C

It distressed me* it did i deed distress me* to hear her say that% .he "as so yo) $ a d so lo ely!a d she 'ore it so "ellD The imp)lse to help her $ot the 'etter of a y se se of my o" ) fit ess "hich I mi$ht ha#e felt ) der the circ)msta ces9 a d I stated s)ch ideas o the s)'(ect as occ)rred to me o the sp)r of the mome t* to the 'est of my a'ility% I ha#e ad#ised a prodi$io)s )m'er of clie ts* a d ha#e dealt "ith some exceedi $ly a"-"ard diffic)lties* i my time% 0)t this "as the first occasio o "hich I had e#er fo) d myself ad#isi $ a yo) $ lady ho" to o'tai her release from a marria$e e $a$eme t% The s)$$estio I offered amo) ted 'riefly to this% I recomme ded her to tell &r% /odfrey A'le"hite!at a pri#ate i ter#ie"* of co)rse!that he had* to her certai - o"led$e* 'etrayed the merce ary at)re of the moti#e o his side% .he "as the to add that their marria$e* after "hat she had disco#ered* "as a simple impossi'ility!a d she "as to p)t it to him* "hether he tho)$ht it "isest to sec)re her sile ce 'y falli $ i "ith her #ie"s* or to force her* 'y opposi $ them* to ma-e the moti#e ) der "hich she "as acti $ $e erally - o" % If he attempted to defe d himself* or to de y the facts* she "as* i that e#e t* to refer him to &E% &iss Veri der liste ed atte ti#ely till I had do e% .he the tha -ed me #ery prettily for my ad#ice* ')t i formed me at the same time that it "as impossi'le for her to follo" it% A&ay I as-*A I said* A"hat o'(ectio yo) see to follo"i $ itBA .he hesitated!a d the met me "ith a ,)estio o her side% A.)ppose yo) "ere as-ed to express yo)r opi io of &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s co d)ctBA she 'e$a % A5esBA A@hat "o)ld yo) call itBA AI sho)ld call it the co d)ct of a mea ly deceitf)l ma %A A&r% 0r)ffD I ha#e 'elie#ed i that ma % I ha#e promised to marry that ma % Ho" ca I tell him he is mea * ho" ca I tell him he has decei#ed me* ho" ca I dis$race him i the eyes of the "orld after thatB I ha#e de$raded myself 'y e#er thi -i $ of him as my h)s'a d% If I say "hat yo) tell me to say to him!I am o" i $ that I ha#e de$raded myself to his face% I ca =t do that% After "hat has passed 'et"ee )s* I ca =t do thatD The shame of it "o)ld 'e othi $ to HI&% 0)t the shame of it "o)ld 'e ) e d)ra'le to me%A Here "as a other of the mar-ed pec)liarities i her character disclosi $ itself to me "itho)t reser#e% Here "as her se siti#e horror of the 'are co tact "ith a ythi $ mea * 'li di $ her to e#ery co sideratio of "hat she o"ed to herself* h)rryi $ her i to a false positio "hich mi$ht compromise her i the estimatio of all her frie dsD Ep to this time* I had 'ee a little diffide t a'o)t the propriety of the ad#ice I had $i#e to her% 0)t* after "hat she had ()st said* I had o sort of do)'t that it "as the 'est ad#ice that co)ld ha#e 'ee offered9 a d I felt o sort of hesitatio i pressi $ it o her a$ai %

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.he o ly shoo- her head* a d repeated her o'(ectio i other "ords% AHe has 'ee i timate e o)$h "ith me to as- me to 'e his "ife% He has stood hi$h e o)$h i my estimatio to o'tai my co se t% I ca =t tell him to his face that he is the most co tempti'le of li#i $ creat)res* after thatDA A0)t* my dear &iss Rachel*A I remo strated* Ait=s e,)ally impossi'le for yo) to tell him that yo) "ithdra" from yo)r e $a$eme t "itho)t $i#i $ some reaso for it%A AI shall say that I ha#e tho)$ht it o#er* a d that I am satisfied it "ill 'e 'est for 'oth of )s if "e part% A8o more tha thatBA A8o more%A AHa#e yo) tho)$ht of "hat he may say* o his sideBA AHe may say "hat he pleases%A It "as impossi'le ot to admire her delicacy a d her resol)tio * a d it "as e,)ally impossi'le ot to feel that she "as p)tti $ herself i the "ro $% I e treated her to co sider her o" positio I remi ded her that she "o)ld 'e exposi $ herself to the most odio)s misco str)ctio of her moti#es% A5o) ca =t 'ra#e p)'lic opi io *A I said* Aat the comma d of pri#ate feeli $%A AI ca *A she a s"ered% AI ha#e do e it already%A A@hat do yo) mea BA A5o) ha#e for$otte the &oo sto e* &r% 0r)ff% Ha#e I ot 'ra#ed p)'lic opi io * THERE* "ith my o" pri#ate reaso s for itBA Her a s"er sile ced me for the mome t% It set me tryi $ to trace the expla atio of her co d)ct* at the time of the loss of the &oo sto e* o)t of the stra $e a#o"al "hich had ()st escaped her% I mi$ht perhaps ha#e do e it "he I "as yo) $er% I certai ly co)ld =t do it o"% I tried a last remo stra ce 'efore "e ret)r ed to the ho)se% .he "as ()st as immo#a'le as e#er% &y mi d "as i a stra $e co flict of feeli $s a'o)t her "he I left her that day% .he "as o'sti ate9 she "as "ro $% .he "as i teresti $9 she "as admira'le9 she "as deeply to 'e pitied% I made her promise to "rite to me the mome t she had a y e"s to se d% A d I "e t 'ac- to my ')si ess i ?o do * "ith a mi d exceedi $ly ill at ease%

22G

4 the e#e i $ of my ret)r * 'efore it "as possi'le for me to recei#e my promised letter* I "as s)rprised 'y a #isit from &r% A'le"hite the elder* a d "as i formed that &r% /odfrey had $ot his dismissal!A86 HA6 ACCEPTE6 IT!that #ery day% @ith the #ie" I already too- of the case* the 'are fact stated i the "ords that I ha#e ) derli ed* re#ealed &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s moti#e for s)'missio as plai ly as if he had ac- o"led$ed it himself% He eeded a lar$e s)m of mo ey9 a d he eeded it 'y a $i#e time% Rachel=s i come* "hich "o)ld ha#e helped him to a ythi $ else* "o)ld ot help him here9 a d Rachel had accordi $ly released herself* "itho)t e co) teri $ a mome t=s serio)s oppositio o his part% If I am told that this is a mere spec)latio * I as-* i my t)r * "hat other theory "ill acco) t for his $i#i $ )p a marria$e "hich "o)ld ha#e mai tai ed him i sple do)r for the rest of his lifeB A y ex)ltatio I mi$ht other"ise ha#e felt at the l)c-y t)r "hich thi $s had o" ta-e * "as effect)ally chec-ed 'y "hat passed at my i ter#ie" "ith old &r% A'le"hite% He came* of co)rse* to - o" "hether I co)ld $i#e him a y expla atio of &iss Veri der=s extraordi ary co d)ct% It is eedless to say that I "as ,)ite ) a'le to afford him the i formatio he "a ted% The a oya ce "hich I th)s i flicted* follo"i $ o the irritatio prod)ced 'y a rece t i ter#ie" "ith his so * thre" &r% A'le"hite off his $)ard% 0oth his loo-s a d his la $)a$e co #i ced me that &iss Veri der "o)ld fi d him a merciless ma to deal "ith* "he he (oi ed the ladies at 0ri$hto the ext day% I had a restless i$ht* co sideri $ "hat I o)$ht to do ext% Ho" my reflectio s e ded* a d ho" thoro)$hly "ell fo) ded my distr)st of &r% A'le"hite pro#ed to 'e* are items of i formatio "hich :as I am told; ha#e already 'ee p)t tidily i their proper places* 'y that exemplary perso * &iss Clac-% I ha#e o ly to add!i completio of her arrati#e! that &iss Veri der fo) d the ,)iet a d repose "hich she sadly eeded* poor thi $* i my ho)se at Hampstead% .he ho o)red )s 'y ma-i $ a lo $ stay% &y "ife a d da)$hters "ere charmed "ith her9 a d* "he the exec)tors decided o the appoi tme t of a e" $)ardia * I feel si cere pride a d pleas)re i recordi $ that my $)est a d my family parted li-e old frie ds* o either side%

CHAPTER II
The ext thi $ I ha#e to do* is to prese t s)ch additio al i formatio as I possess o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e* or* to spea- more correctly* o the s)'(ect of the I dia plot to steal the 6iamo d% The little that I ha#e to tell is :as I thi - I ha#e already said; of some importa ce* e#ertheless* i respect of its 'eari $ #ery remar-a'ly o e#e ts "hich are still to come%

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A'o)t a "ee- or te days after &iss Veri der had left )s* o e of my cler-s e tered the pri#ate room at my office* "ith a card i his ha d* a d i formed me that a $e tlema "as 'elo"* "ho "a ted to spea- to me% I loo-ed at the card% There "as a forei$ ame "ritte o it* "hich has escaped my memory% It "as follo"ed 'y a li e "ritte i E $lish at the 'ottom of the card* "hich I remem'er perfectly "ellF ARecomme ded 'y &r% .eptim)s ?)-er%A The a)dacity of a perso i &r% ?)-er=s positio pres)mi $ to recomme d a y'ody to me* too- me so completely 'y s)rprise* that I sat sile t for the mome t* "o deri $ "hether my o" eyes had ot decei#ed me% The cler-* o'ser#i $ my 'e"ilderme t* fa#o)red me "ith the res)lt of his o" o'ser#atio of the stra $er "ho "as "aiti $ do" stairs% AHe is rather a remar-a'le7loo-i $ ma * sir% .o dar- i the complexio that "e all set him do" i the office for a I dia * or somethi $ of that sort%A Associati $ the cler-=s idea "ith the li e i scri'ed o the card i my ha d* I tho)$ht it possi'le that the &oo sto e mi$ht 'e at the 'ottom of &r% ?)-er=s recomme datio * a d of the stra $er=s #isit at my office% To the asto ishme t of my cler-* I at o ce decided o $ra ti $ a i ter#ie" to the $e tlema 'elo"% I ()stificatio of the hi$hly ) professio al sacrifice to mere c)riosity "hich I th)s made* permit me to remi d a y'ody "ho may read these li es* that o li#i $ perso :i E $la d* at a y rate; ca claim to ha#e had s)ch a i timate co exio "ith the roma ce of the I dia 6iamo d as mi e has 'ee % I "as tr)sted "ith the secret of Colo el Her castle=s pla for escapi $ assassi atio % I recei#ed the Colo el=s letters* periodically reporti $ himself a li#i $ ma % I dre" his @ill* lea#i $ the &oo sto e to &iss Veri der% I pers)aded his exec)tor to act* o the cha ce that the (e"el mi$ht pro#e to 'e a #al)a'le ac,)isitio to the family% A d* lastly* I com'ated &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s scr)ples* a d i d)ced him to 'e the mea s of tra sporti $ the 6iamo d to ?ady Veri der=s ho)se% If a yo e ca claim a prescripti#e ri$ht of i terest i the &oo sto e* a d i e#erythi $ co ected "ith it* I thi - it is hardly to 'e de ied that I am the ma % The mome t my mysterio)s clie t "as sho" i * I felt a i er co #ictio that I "as i the prese ce of o e of the three I dia s!pro'a'ly of the chief% He "as caref)lly dressed i E)ropea cost)me% 0)t his s"arthy complexio * his lo $ lithe fi$)re* a d his $ra#e a d $racef)l polite ess of ma er "ere e o)$h to 'etray his 4rie tal ori$i to a y i telli$e t eyes that loo-ed at him% I poi ted to a chair* a d 'e$$ed to 'e i formed of the at)re of his ')si ess "ith me% After first apolo$isi $!i a excelle t selectio of E $lish "ords!for the li'erty "hich he had ta-e i dist)r'i $ me* the I dia prod)ced a small parcel the o)ter co#eri $ of

23H

"hich "as of cloth of $old% Remo#i $ this a d a seco d "rappi $ of some sil-e fa'ric* he placed a little 'ox* or cas-et* o my ta'le* most 'ea)tif)lly a d richly i laid i (e"els* o a e'o y $ro) d% AI ha#e come* sir*A he said* Ato as- yo) to le d me some mo ey% A d I lea#e this as a ass)ra ce to yo) that my de't "ill 'e paid 'ac-%A I poi ted to his card% AA d yo) apply to me*A I re(oi ed* Aat &r% ?)-er=s recomme datio BA The I dia 'o"ed% A&ay I as- ho" it is that &r% ?)-er himself did ot ad#a ce the mo ey that yo) re,)ireBA A&r% ?)-er i formed me* sir* that he had o mo ey to le d%A AA d so he recomme ded yo) to come to meBA The I dia * i his t)r * poi ted to the card% AIt is "ritte there*A he said% 0riefly a s"ered* a d thoro)$hly to the p)rposeD If the &oo sto e had 'ee i my possessio * this 4rie tal $e tlema "o)ld ha#e m)rdered me* I am "ell a"are* "itho)t a mome t=s hesitatio % At the same time* a d 'arri $ that sli$ht dra"'ac-* I am 'o) d to testify that he "as the perfect model of a clie t% He mi$ht ot ha#e respected my life% 0)t he did "hat o e of my o" co) tryme had e#er do e* i all my experie ce of them! he respected my time% AI am sorry*A I said* Athat yo) sho)ld ha#e had the tro)'le of comi $ to me% &r% ?)-er is ,)ite mista-e i se di $ yo) here% I am tr)sted* li-e other me i my professio * "ith mo ey to le d% 0)t I e#er le d it to stra $ers* a d I e#er le d it o s)ch a sec)rity as yo) ha#e prod)ced%A Far from attempti $* as other people "o)ld ha#e do e* to i d)ce me to relax my o" r)les* the I dia o ly made me a other 'o"* a d "rapped )p his 'ox i its t"o co#eri $s "itho)t a "ord of protest% He rose!this admira'le assassi rose to $o* the mome t I had a s"ered himD A@ill yo)r co desce sio to"ards a stra $er* exc)se my as-i $ o e ,)estio *A he said* A'efore I ta-e my lea#eBA I 'o"ed o my side% 4 ly o e ,)estio at parti $D The a#era$e i my experie ce "as fifty% A.)pposi $* sir* it had 'ee possi'le :a d c)stomary; for yo) to le d me the mo ey*A he said* Ai "hat space of time "o)ld it ha#e 'ee possi'le :a d c)stomary; for me to pay it 'ac-BA

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AAccordi $ to the )s)al co)rse p)rs)ed i this co) try*A I a s"ered* Ayo) "o)ld ha#e 'ee e titled to pay the mo ey 'ac- :if yo) li-ed; i o e year=s time from the date at "hich it "as first ad#a ced to yo)%A The I dia made me a last 'o"* the lo"est of all!a d s)dde ly a d softly "al-ed o)t of the room% It "as do e i a mome t* i a oiseless* s)pple* cat7li-e "ay* "hich a little startled me* I o" % As soo as I "as composed e o)$h to thi -* I arri#ed at o e disti ct co cl)sio i refere ce to the other"ise i comprehe si'le #isitor "ho had fa#o)red me "ith a call% His face* #oice* a d ma er!"hile I "as i his compa y!"ere ) der s)ch perfect co trol that they set all scr)ti y at defia ce% 0)t he had $i#e me o e cha ce of loo-i $ ) der the smooth o)ter s)rface of him* for all that% He had ot sho" the sli$htest si$ of attempti $ to fix a ythi $ that I had said to him i his mi d* ) til I me tio ed the time at "hich it "as c)stomary to permit the earliest repayme t* o the part of a de'tor* of mo ey that had 'ee ad#a ced as a loa % @he I $a#e him that piece of i formatio * he loo-ed me strai$ht i the face* "hile I "as spea-i $* for the first time% The i fere ce I dre" from this "as!that he had a special p)rpose i as-i $ me his last ,)estio * a d a special i terest i heari $ my a s"er to it% The more caref)lly I reflected o "hat had passed 'et"ee )s* the more shre"dly I s)spected the prod)ctio of the cas-et* a d the applicatio for the loa * of ha#i $ 'ee mere formalities* desi$ ed to pa#e the "ay for the parti $ i ,)iry addressed to me% I had satisfied myself of the correct ess of this co cl)sio !a d "as tryi $ to $et o a step f)rther* a d pe etrate the I dia =s moti#es ext!"he a letter "as 'ro)$ht to me* "hich pro#ed to 'e from o less a perso that &r% .eptim)s ?)-er himself% He as-ed my pardo i terms of sic-e i $ ser#ility* a d ass)red me that he co)ld explai matters to my satisfactio * if I "o)ld ho o)r him 'y co se ti $ to a perso al i ter#ie"% I made a other ) professio al sacrifice to mere c)riosity% I ho o)red him 'y ma-i $ a appoi tme t at my office* for the ext day% &r% ?)-er "as* i e#ery respect* s)ch a i ferior creat)re to the I dia !he "as so #)l$ar* so )$ly* so cri $i $* a d so prosy!that he is ,)ite ) "orthy of 'ei $ reported* at a y le $th* i these pa$es% The s)'sta ce of "hat he had to tell me may 'e fairly stated as follo"sF The day 'efore I had recei#ed the #isit of the I dia * &r% ?)-er had 'ee fa#o)red "ith a call from that accomplished $e tlema % I spite of his E)ropea dis$)ise* &r% ?)-er had i sta tly ide tified his #isitor "ith the chief of the three I dia s* "ho had formerly a oyed him 'y loiteri $ a'o)t his ho)se* a d "ho had left him o alter ati#e ')t to co s)lt a ma$istrate% From this startli $ disco#ery he had r)shed to the co cl)sio : at)rally e o)$h I o" ; that he m)st certai ly 'e i the compa y of o e of the three me * "ho had 'li dfolded him* $a$$ed him* a d ro''ed him of his 'a -er=s receipt% The

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res)lt "as that he 'ecame ,)ite paralysed "ith terror* a d that he firmly 'elie#ed his last ho)r had come% 4 his side* the I dia preser#ed the character of a perfect stra $er% He prod)ced the little cas-et* a d made exactly the same applicatio "hich he had after"ards made to me% As the speediest "ay of $etti $ rid of him* &r% ?)-er had at o ce declared that he had o mo ey% The I dia had there)po as-ed to 'e i formed of the 'est a d safest perso to apply to for the loa he "a ted% &r% ?)-er had a s"ered that the 'est a d safest perso * i s)ch cases* "as )s)ally a respecta'le solicitor% As-ed to ame some i di#id)al of that character a d professio * &r% ?)-er had me tio ed me!for the o e simple reaso that* i the extremity of his terror* mi e "as the first ame "hich occ)rred to him% AThe perspiratio "as po)ri $ off me li-e rai * sir*A the "retched creat)re co cl)ded% AI did =t - o" "hat I "as tal-i $ a'o)t% A d I hope yo)=ll loo- o#er it* &r% 0r)ff* sir* i co sideratio of my ha#i $ 'ee really a d tr)ly fri$hte ed o)t of my "its%A I exc)sed the fello" $racio)sly e o)$h% It "as the readiest "ay of releasi $ myself from the si$ht of him% 0efore he left me* I detai ed him to ma-e o e i ,)iry% Had the I dia said a ythi $ oticea'le* at the mome t of ,)itti $ &r% ?)-er=s ho)seB 5esD The I dia had p)t precisely the same ,)estio to &r% ?)-er* at parti $* "hich he had p)t to me9 recei#i $ of co)rse* the same a s"er as the a s"er "hich I had $i#e him% @hat did it mea B &r% ?)-er=s expla atio $a#e me o assista ce to"ards sol#i $ the pro'lem% &y o" ) aided i $e )ity* co s)lted ext* pro#ed ,)ite ) e,)al to $rapple "ith the diffic)lty% I had a di er e $a$eme t that e#e i $9 a d I "e t )pstairs* i o #ery $e ial frame of mi d* little s)specti $ that the "ay to my dressi $7room a d the "ay to disco#ery* mea t* o this partic)lar occasio * o e a d the same thi $%

CHAPTER III
The promi e t perso a$e amo $ the $)ests at the di er party I fo) d to 'e &r% &)rth"aite% 4 his appeara ce i E $la d* after his "a deri $s* society had 'ee $reatly i terested i the tra#eller* as a ma "ho had passed thro)$h ma y da $ero)s ad#e t)res* a d "ho had escaped to tell the tale% He had o" a o) ced his i te tio of ret)r i $ to the sce e of his exploits* a d of pe etrati $ i to re$io s left still ) explored% This ma$ ifice t i differe ce to placi $ his safety i peril for the seco d time* re#i#ed the fla$$i $ i terest of the "orshippers i the hero% The la" of cha ces "as clearly a$ai st his escapi $ o this occasio % It is ot e#ery day that "e ca meet a emi e t perso at di er* a d feel

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that there is a reaso a'le prospect of the e"s of his m)rder 'ei $ the e"s that "e hear of him ext% @he the $e tleme "ere left 'y themsel#es i the di i $7room* I fo) d myself sitti $ ext to &r% &)rth"aite% The $)ests prese t 'ei $ all E $lish* it is eedless to say that* as soo as the "holesome chec- exercised 'y the prese ce of the ladies "as remo#ed* the co #ersatio t)r ed o politics as a ecessary res)lt% I respect to this all7a'sor'i $ atio al topic* I happe to 'e o e of the most ) 7E $lish E $lishme li#i $% As a $e eral r)le* political tal- appears to me to 'e of all tal- the most dreary a d the most profitless% /la ci $ at &r% &)rth"aite* "he the 'ottles had made their first ro) d of the ta'le* I fo) d that he "as appare tly of my "ay of thi -i $% He "as doi $ it #ery dextero)sly!"ith all possi'le co sideratio for the feeli $s of his host !')t it is ot the less certai that he "as composi $ himself for a ap% It str)c- me as a experime t "orth attempti $* to try "hether a ()dicio)s all)sio to the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e "o)ld -eep him a"a-e* a d* if it did* to see "hat HE tho)$ht of the last e" complicatio i the I dia co spiracy* as re#ealed i the prosaic preci cts of my office% AIf I am ot mista-e * &r% &)rth"aite*A I 'e$a * Ayo) "ere ac,)ai ted "ith the late ?ady Veri der* a d yo) too- some i terest i the stra $e s)ccessio of e#e ts "hich e ded i the loss of the &oo sto eBA The emi e t tra#eller did me the ho o)r of "a-i $ )p i a i sta t* a d as-i $ me "ho I "as% I i formed him of my professio al co ectio "ith the Her castle family* ot for$etti $ the c)rio)s positio "hich I had occ)pied to"ards the Colo el a d his 6iamo d i the 'y$o e time% &r% &)rth"aite shifted ro) d i his chair* so as to p)t the rest of the compa y 'ehi d him :Co ser#ati#es a d ?i'erals ali-e;* a d co ce trated his "hole atte tio o plai &r% 0r)ff* of /ray=s I .,)are% AHa#e yo) heard a ythi $* lately* of the I dia sBA he as-ed% AI ha#e e#ery reaso to 'elie#e*A I a s"ered* Athat o e of them had a i ter#ie" "ith me* i my office* yesterday%A &r% &)rth"aite "as ot a easy ma to asto ish9 ')t that last a s"er of mi e completely sta$$ered him% I descri'ed "hat had happe ed to &r% ?)-er* a d "hat had happe ed to myself* exactly as I ha#e descri'ed it here% AIt is clear that the I dia =s parti $ i ,)iry had a o'(ect*A I added% A@hy sho)ld he 'e so a xio)s to - o" the time at "hich a 'orro"er of mo ey is )s)ally pri#ile$ed to pay the mo ey 'ac-BA AIs it possi'le that yo) do =t see his moti#e* &r% 0r)ffBA

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AI am ashamed of my st)pidity* &r% &)rth"aite!')t I certai ly do =t see it%A The $reat tra#eller 'ecame ,)ite i terested i so) di $ the imme se #ac)ity of my d)l ess to its lo"est depths% A?et me as- yo) o e ,)estio *A he said% AI "hat positio does the co spiracy to sei<e the &oo sto e o" sta dBA AI ca =t say*A I a s"ered% AThe I dia plot is a mystery to me%A AThe I dia plot* &r% 0r)ff* ca o ly 'e a mystery to yo)* 'eca)se yo) ha#e e#er serio)sly exami ed it% .hall "e r) it o#er to$ether* from the time "he yo) dre" Colo el Her castle=s @ill* to the time "he the I dia called at yo)r officeB I yo)r positio * it may 'e of #ery serio)s importa ce to the i terests of &iss Veri der* that yo) sho)ld 'e a'le to ta-e a clear #ie" of this matter i case of eed% Tell me* 'eari $ that i mi d* "hether yo) "ill pe etrate the I dia =s moti#e for yo)rselfB or "hether yo) "ish me to sa#e yo) the tro)'le of ma-i $ a y i ,)iry i to itBA It is eedless to say that I thoro)$hly appreciated the practical p)rpose "hich I o" sa" that he had i #ie"* a d that the first of the t"o alter ati#es "as the alter ati#e I chose% AVery $ood*A said &r% &)rth"aite% A@e "ill ta-e the ,)estio of the a$es of the three I dia s first% I ca testify that they all loo- m)ch a'o)t the same a$e!a d yo) ca decide for yo)rself* "hether the ma "hom yo) sa" "as* or "as ot* i the prime of life% 8ot forty* yo) thi -B &y idea too% @e "ill say ot forty% 8o" loo- 'ac- to the time "he Colo el Her castle came to E $la d* a d "he yo) "ere co cer ed i the pla he adopted to preser#e his life% I do =t "a t yo) to co) t the years% I "ill o ly say* it is clear that these prese t I dia s* at their a$e* m)st 'e the s)ccessors of three other I dia s :hi$h caste 0rahmi s all of them* &r% 0r)ff* "he they left their ati#e co) tryD; "ho follo"ed the Colo el to these shores% Very "ell% These prese t me of o)rs ha#e s)cceeded to the me "ho "ere here 'efore them% If they had o ly do e that* the matter "o)ld ot ha#e 'ee "orth i ,)iri $ i to% 0)t they ha#e do e more% They ha#e s)cceeded to the or$a isatio "hich their predecessors esta'lished i this co) try% 6o =t startD The or$a isatio is a #ery tr)mpery affair* accordi $ to o)r ideas* I ha#e o do)'t% I sho)ld rec-o it )p as i cl)di $ the comma d of mo ey9 the ser#ices* "he eeded* of that shady sort of E $lishma * "ho li#es i the 'y"ays of forei$ life i ?o do 9 a d* lastly* the secret sympathy of s)ch fe" me of their o" co) try* a d :formerly* at least; of their o" reli$io * as happe to 'e employed i mi isteri $ to some of the m)ltit)di o)s "a ts of this $reat city% 8othi $ #ery formida'le* as yo) seeD 0)t "orth otice at starti $* 'eca)se "e may fi d occasio to refer to this modest little I dia or$a isatio as "e $o o % Ha#i $ o" cleared the $ro) d* I am $oi $ to as- yo) a ,)estio 9 a d I expect yo)r experie ce to a s"er it% @hat "as the e#e t "hich $a#e the I dia s their first cha ce of sei<i $ the 6iamo dBA I ) derstood the all)sio to my experie ce%

23>

AThe first cha ce they $ot*A I replied* A"as clearly offered to them 'y Colo el Her castle=s death% They "o)ld 'e a"are of his death* I s)ppose* as a matter of co)rseBA AAs a matter of co)rse% A d his death* as yo) say* $a#e them their first cha ce% Ep to that time the &oo sto e "as safe i the stro $7room of the 'a -% 5o) dre" the Colo el=s @ill lea#i $ his (e"el to his iece9 a d the @ill "as pro#ed i the )s)al "ay% As a la"yer* yo) ca 'e at o loss to - o" "hat co)rse the I dia s "o)ld ta-e :) der E $lish ad#ice; after THAT%A AThey "o)ld pro#ide themsel#es "ith a copy of the @ill from 6octors= Commo s*A I said% AExactly% 4 e or other of those shady E $lishme to "hom I ha#e all)ded* "o)ld $et them the copy yo) ha#e descri'ed% That copy "o)ld i form them that the &oo sto e "as 'e,)eathed to the da)$hter of ?ady Veri der* a d that &r% 0la-e the elder* or some perso appoi ted 'y him* "as to place it i her ha ds% 5o) "ill a$ree "ith me that the ecessary i formatio a'o)t perso s i the positio of ?ady Veri der a d &r% 0la-e* "o)ld 'e perfectly easy i formatio to o'tai % The o e diffic)lty for the I dia s "o)ld 'e to decide "hether they sho)ld ma-e their attempt o the 6iamo d "he it "as i co)rse of remo#al from the -eepi $ of the 'a -* or "hether they sho)ld "ait ) til it "as ta-e do" to 5or-shire to ?ady Veri der=s ho)se% The seco d "ay "o)ld 'e ma ifestly the safest "ay!a d there yo) ha#e the expla atio of the appeara ce of the I dia s at Fri<i $hall* dis$)ised as ()$$lers* a d "aiti $ their time% I ?o do * it is eedless to say* they had their or$a isatio at their disposal to -eep them i formed of e#e ts% T"o me "o)ld do it% 4 e to follo" a y'ody "ho "e t from &r% 0la-e=s ho)se to the 'a -% A d o e to treat the lo"er me ser#a ts "ith 'eer* a d to hear the e"s of the ho)se% These commo place preca)tio s "o)ld readily i form them that &r% Fra -li 0la-e had 'ee to the 'a -* a d that &r% Fra -li 0la-e "as the o ly perso i the ho)se "ho "as $oi $ to #isit ?ady Veri der% @hat act)ally follo"ed )po that disco#ery* yo) remem'er* o do)'t* ,)ite as correctly as I do%A I remem'ered that Fra -li 0la-e had detected o e of the spies* i the street!that he had* i co se,)e ce* ad#a ced the time of his arri#al i 5or-shire 'y some ho)rs!a d that :tha -s to old 0ettered$e=s excelle t ad#ice; he had lod$ed the 6iamo d i the 'a at Fri<i $hall* 'efore the I dia s "ere so m)ch as prepared to see him i the ei$h'o)rhood% All perfectly clear so far% 0)t the I dia s 'ei $ i$ ora t of the preca)tio s th)s ta-e * ho" "as it that they had made o attempt o ?ady Veri der=s ho)se :i "hich they m)st ha#e s)pposed the 6iamo d to 'e; thro)$h the "hole of the i ter#al that elapsed 'efore Rachel=s 'irthdayB I p)tti $ this diffic)lty to &r% &)rth"aite* I tho)$ht it ri$ht to add that I had heard of the little 'oy* a d the drop of i -* a d the rest of it* a d that a y expla atio 'ased o the theory of clair#oya ce "as a expla atio "hich "o)ld carry o co #ictio "hate#er "ith it* to &5 mi d%

23C

A8or to mi e either*A said &r% &)rth"aite% AThe clair#oya ce i this case is simply a de#elopme t of the roma tic side of the I dia character% It "o)ld 'e refreshme t a d a e co)ra$eme t to those me !,)ite i co cei#a'le* I $ra t yo)* to the E $lish mi d!to s)rro) d their "earisome a d perilo)s erra d i this co) try "ith a certai halo of the mar#ello)s a d the s)per at)ral% Their 'oy is ) ,)estio a'ly a se siti#e s)'(ect to the mesmeric i fl)e ce!a d* ) der that i fl)e ce* he has o do)'t reflected "hat "as already i the mi d of the perso mesmerisi $ him% I ha#e tested the theory of clair#oya ce!a d I ha#e e#er fo) d the ma ifestatio s $et 'eyo d that poi t% The I dia s do =t i #esti$ate the matter i this "ay9 the I dia s loo- )po their 'oy as a .eer of thi $s i #isi'le to their eyes!a d* I repeat* i that mar#el they fi d the so)rce of a e" i terest i the p)rpose that ) ites them% I o ly otice this as offeri $ a c)rio)s #ie" of h)ma character* "hich m)st 'e ,)ite e" to yo)% @e ha#e othi $ "hate#er to do "ith clair#oya ce* or "ith mesmerism* or "ith a ythi $ else that is hard of 'elief to a practical ma * i the i ,)iry that "e are o" p)rs)i $% &y o'(ect i follo"i $ the I dia plot* step 'y step* is to trace res)lts 'ac-* 'y ratio al mea s* to at)ral ca)ses% Ha#e I s)cceeded to yo)r satisfactio so farBA A8ot a do)'t of it* &r% &)rth"aiteD I am "aiti $* ho"e#er* "ith some a xiety* to hear the ratio al expla atio of the diffic)lty "hich I ha#e ()st had the ho o)r of s)'mitti $ to yo)%A &r% &)rth"aite smiled% AIt=s the easiest diffic)lty to deal "ith of all*A he said% APermit me to 'e$i 'y admitti $ yo)r stateme t of the case as a perfectly correct o e% The I dia s "ere ) do)'tedly ot a"are of "hat &r% Fra -li 0la-e had do e "ith the 6iamo d! for "e fi d them ma-i $ their first mista-e* o the first i$ht of &r% 0la-e=s arri#al at his a) t=s ho)se%A ATheir first mista-eBA I repeated% ACertai lyD The mista-e of allo"i $ themsel#es to 'e s)rprised* l)r-i $ a'o)t the terrace at i$ht* 'y /a'riel 0ettered$e% Ho"e#er* they had the merit of seei $ for themsel#es that they had ta-e a false step!for* as yo) say* a$ai * "ith ple ty of time at their disposal* they e#er came ear the ho)se for "ee-s after"ards%A A@hy* &r% &)rth"aiteB That=s "hat I "a t to - o"D @hyBA A0eca)se o I dia * &r% 0r)ff* e#er r) s a ) ecessary ris-% The cla)se yo) dre" i Colo el Her castle=s @ill* i formed them :did =t itB; that the &oo sto e "as to pass a'sol)tely i to &iss Veri der=s possessio o her 'irthday% Very "ell% Tell me "hich "as the safest co)rse for me i their positio B To ma-e their attempt o the 6iamo d "hile it "as ) der the co trol of &r% Fra -li 0la-e* "ho had sho" already that he co)ld s)spect a d o)t"it themB 4r to "ait till the 6iamo d "as at the disposal of a yo) $ $irl* "ho "o)ld i oce tly deli$ht i "eari $ the ma$ ifice t (e"el at e#ery possi'le opport) ityB Perhaps yo) "a t a proof that my theory is correctB Ta-e the co d)ct of the I dia s themsel#es as the proof% They appeared at the ho)se* after "aiti $ all those "ee-s* o &iss Veri der=s 'irthday9 a d they "ere re"arded for the patie t acc)racy of

232

their calc)latio s 'y seei $ the &oo sto e i the 'osom of her dressD @he I heard the story of the Colo el a d the 6iamo d* later i the e#e i $* I felt so s)re a'o)t the ris&r% Fra -li 0la-e had r) :they "o)ld ha#e certai ly attac-ed him* if he had ot happe ed to ride 'ac- to ?ady Veri der=s i the compa y of other people;9 a d I "as so stro $ly co #i ced of the "orse ris- still* i store for &iss Veri der* that I recomme ded follo"i $ the Colo el=s pla * a d destroyi $ the ide tity of the $em 'y ha#i $ it c)t i to separate sto es% Ho" its extraordi ary disappeara ce that i$ht* made my ad#ice )seless* a d )tterly defeated the Hi doo plot!a d ho" all f)rther actio o the part of the I dia s "as paralysed the ext day 'y their co fi eme t i priso as ro$)es a d #a$a'o ds!yo) - o" as "ell as I do% The first act i the co spiracy closes there% 0efore "e $o o to the seco d* may I as- "hether I ha#e met yo)r diffic)lty* "ith a expla atio "hich is satisfactory to the mi d of a practical ma BA It "as impossi'le to de y that he had met my diffic)lty fairly9 tha -s to his s)perior - o"led$e of the I dia character!a d tha -s to his ot ha#i $ had h) dreds of other @ills to thi - of si ce Colo el Her castle=s timeD A.o far* so $ood*A res)med &r% &)rth"aite% AThe first cha ce the I dia s had of sei<i $ the 6iamo d "as a cha ce lost* o the day "he they "ere committed to the priso at Fri<i $hall% @he did the seco d cha ce offer itselfB The seco d cha ce offered itself! as I am i a co ditio to pro#e!"hile they "ere still i co fi eme t%A He too- o)t his poc-et7'oo-* a d ope ed it at a partic)lar leaf* 'efore he "e t o % AI "as stayi $*A he res)med* A"ith some frie ds at Fri<i $hall* at the time% A day or t"o 'efore the I dia s "ere set free :o a &o day* I thi -;* the $o#er or of the priso came to me "ith a letter% It had 'ee left for the I dia s 'y o e &rs% &aca * of "hom they had hired the lod$i $ i "hich they li#ed9 a d it had 'ee deli#ered at &rs% &aca =s door* i ordi ary co)rse of post* o the pre#io)s mor i $% The priso a)thorities had oticed that the postmar- "as =?am'eth*= a d that the address o the o)tside* tho)$h expressed i correct E $lish* "as* i form* oddly at #aria ce "ith the c)stomary method of directi $ a letter% 4 ope i $ it* they had fo) d the co te ts to 'e "ritte i a forei$ la $)a$e* "hich they ri$htly $)essed at as Hi d)sta i% Their o'(ect i comi $ to me "as* of co)rse* to ha#e the letter tra slated to them% I too- a copy i my poc-et7'oo- of the ori$i al* a d of my tra slatio !a d there they are at yo)r ser#ice%A He ha ded me the ope poc-et7'oo-% The address o the letter "as the first thi $ copied% It "as all "ritte i o e para$raph* "itho)t a y attempt at p) ct)atio * th)sF ATo the three I dia me li#i $ "ith the lady called &aca at Fri<i $hall i 5or-shire%A The Hi doo characters follo"ed9 a d the E $lish tra slatio appeared at the e d* expressed i these mysterio)s "ordsF AI the ame of the Re$e t of the 8i$ht* "hose seat is o the A telope* "hose arms em'race the fo)r cor ers of the earth%

23G

A0rothers* t)r yo)r faces to the so)th* a d come to me i the street of ma y oises* "hich leads do" to the m)ddy ri#er% AThe reaso is this% A&y o" eyes ha#e see it%A There the letter e ded* "itho)t either date or si$ at)re% I ha ded it 'ac- to &r% &)rth"aite* a d o" ed that this c)rio)s specime of Hi doo correspo de ce rather p)<<led me% AI ca explai the first se te ce to yo)*A he said9 Aa d the co d)ct of the I dia s themsel#es "ill explai the rest% The $od of the moo is represe ted* i the Hi doo mytholo$y* as a fo)r7armed deity* seated o a a telope9 a d o e of his titles is the re$e t of the i$ht% Here* the * to 'e$i "ith* is somethi $ "hich loo-s s)spicio)sly li-e a i direct refere ce to the &oo sto e% 8o"* let )s see "hat the I dia s did* after the priso a)thorities had allo"ed them to recei#e their letter% 4 the #ery day "he they "ere set free they "e t at o ce to the rail"ay statio * a d too- their places i the first trai that started for ?o do % @e all tho)$ht it a pity at Fri<i $hall that their proceedi $s "ere ot pri#ately "atched% 0)t* after ?ady Veri der had dismissed the police7officer* a d had stopped all f)rther i ,)iry i to the loss of the 6iamo d* o o e else co)ld pres)me to stir i the matter% The I dia s "ere free to $o to ?o do * a d to ?o do they "e t% @hat "as the ext e"s "e heard of them* &r% 0r)ffBA AThey "ere a oyi $ &r% ?)-er*A I a s"ered* A'y loiteri $ a'o)t the ho)se at ?am'eth%A A6id yo) read the report of &r% ?)-er=s applicatio to the ma$istrateBA A5es%A AI the co)rse of his stateme t he referred* if yo) remem'er* to a forei$ "or-ma i his employme t* "hom he had ()st dismissed o s)spicio of attempted theft* a d "hom he also distr)sted as possi'ly acti $ i coll)sio "ith the I dia s "ho had a oyed him% The i fere ce is pretty plai * &r% 0r)ff* as to "ho "rote that letter "hich p)<<led yo) ()st o"* a d as to "hich of &r% ?)-er=s 4rie tal treas)res the "or-ma had attempted to steal%A The i fere ce :as I haste ed to ac- o"led$e; "as too plai to eed 'ei $ poi ted o)t% I had e#er do)'ted that the &oo sto e had fo) d its "ay i to &r% ?)-er=s ha ds* at the time &r% &)rth"aite all)ded to% &y o ly ,)estio had 'ee * Ho" had the I dia s disco#ered the circ)msta ceB This ,)estio :the most diffic)lt to deal "ith of all* as I had tho)$ht; had o" recei#ed its a s"er* li-e the rest% ?a"yer as I "as* I 'e$a to feel that I mi$ht tr)st &r% &)rth"aite to lead me 'li dfold thro)$h the last "i di $s of the la'yri th* alo $ "hich he had $)ided me th)s far% I paid him the complime t of telli $ him this* a d fo) d my little co cessio #ery $racio)sly recei#ed%

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A5o) shall $i#e me a piece of i formatio i yo)r t)r 'efore "e $o o *A he said% A.ome'ody m)st ha#e ta-e the &oo sto e from 5or-shire to ?o do % A d some'ody m)st ha#e raised mo ey o it* or it "o)ld e#er ha#e 'ee i &r% ?)-er=s possessio % Has there 'ee a y disco#ery made of "ho that perso "asBA A8o e that I - o" of%A AThere "as a story :"as there otB; a'o)t &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% I am told he is a emi e t phila thropist!"hich is decidedly a$ai st him* to 'e$i "ith%A I heartily a$reed i this "ith &r% &)rth"aite% At the same time* I felt 'o) d to i form him :"itho)t* it is eedless to say* me tio i $ &iss Veri der=s ame; that &r% /odfrey A'le"hite had 'ee cleared of all s)spicio * o e#ide ce "hich I co)ld a s"er for as e tirely 'eyo d disp)te% AVery "ell*A said &r% &)rth"aite* ,)ietly* Alet )s lea#e it to time to clear the matter )p% I the mea "hile* &r% 0r)ff* "e m)st $et 'ac- a$ai to the I dia s* o yo)r acco) t% Their (o)r ey to ?o do simply e ded i their 'ecomi $ the #ictims of a other defeat% The loss of their seco d cha ce of sei<i $ the 6iamo d is mai ly attri')ta'le* as I thi -* to the c) i $ a d foresi$ht of &r% ?)-er!"ho does =t sta d at the top of the prospero)s a d a cie t professio of )s)ry for othi $D 0y the prompt dismissal of the ma i his employme t* he depri#ed the I dia s of the assista ce "hich their co federate "o)ld ha#e re dered them i $etti $ i to the ho)se% 0y the prompt tra sport of the &oo sto e to his 'a -er=s* he too- the co spirators 'y s)rprise 'efore they "ere prepared "ith a e" pla for ro''i $ him% Ho" the I dia s* i this latter case* s)spected "hat he had do e* a d ho" they co tri#ed to possess themsel#es of his 'a -er=s receipt* are e#e ts too rece t to eed d"elli $ o % ?et it 'e e o)$h to say that they - o" the &oo sto e to 'e o ce more o)t of their reach9 deposited :) der the $e eral descriptio of =a #al)a'le of $reat price=; i a 'a -er=s stro $ room% 8o"* &r% 0r)ff* "hat is their third cha ce of sei<i $ the 6iamo dB a d "he "ill it comeBA As the ,)estio passed his lips* I pe etrated the moti#e of the I dia =s #isit to my office at lastD AI see itDA I exclaimed% AThe I dia s ta-e it for $ra ted* as "e do* that the &oo sto e has 'ee pled$ed9 a d they "a t to 'e certai ly i formed of the earliest period at "hich the pled$e ca 'e redeemed!'eca)se that "ill 'e the earliest period at "hich the 6iamo d ca 'e remo#ed from the safe -eepi $ of the 'a -DA AI told yo) yo) "o)ld fi d it o)t for yo)rself* &r% 0r)ff* if I o ly $a#e yo) a fair cha ce% I a year from the time "he the &oo sto e "as pled$ed* the I dia s "ill 'e o the "atch for their third cha ce% &r% ?)-er=s o" lips ha#e told them ho" lo $ they "ill ha#e to "ait* a d yo)r respecta'le a)thority has satisfied them that &r% ?)-er has spo-e the tr)th% @he do "e s)ppose* at a ro)$h $)ess* that the 6iamo d fo) d its "ay i to the mo ey7le der=s ha dsBA

21H

ATo"ards the e d of last +) e*A I a s"ered* Aas "ell as I ca rec-o it%A AA d "e are o" i the year =forty7ei$ht% Very $ood% If the ) - o" perso "ho has pled$ed the &oo sto e ca redeem it i a year* the (e"el "ill 'e i that perso =s possessio a$ai at the e d of +) e* =forty7 i e% I shall 'e tho)sa ds of miles from E $la d a d E $lish e"s at that date% 0)t it may 'e "orth 54ER "hile to ta-e a ote of it* a d to arra $e to 'e i ?o do at the time%A A5o) thi - somethi $ serio)s "ill happe BA I said% AI thi - I shall 'e safer*A he a s"ered* Aamo $ the fiercest fa atics of Ce tral Asia tha I sho)ld 'e if I crossed the door of the 'a - "ith the &oo sto e i my poc-et% The I dia s ha#e 'ee defeated t"ice r) i $* &r% 0r)ff% It=s my firm 'elief that they "o =t 'e defeated a third time%A Those "ere the last "ords he said o the s)'(ect% The coffee came i 9 the $)ests rose* a d dispersed themsel#es a'o)t the room9 a d "e (oi ed the ladies of the di er7party )pstairs% I made a ote of the date* a d it may ot 'e amiss if I close my arrati#e 'y repeati $ that ote hereF +E8E* =F4RT578I8E% EXPECT 8E@. 4F THE I86IA8.* T4@AR6. THE E86 4F THE &48TH% A d that do e* I ha d the pe * "hich I ha#e o" o f)rther claim to )se* to the "riter "ho follo"s me ext%

THIRD NARRATI!E
Cont,ib-te. by RAN/LIN 4LA/E

CHAPTER I
I the spri $ of the year ei$htee h) dred a d forty7 i e I "as "a deri $ i the East* a d had the rece tly altered the tra#elli $ pla s "hich I had laid o)t some mo ths 'efore* a d "hich I had comm) icated to my la"yer a d my 'a -er i ?o do %

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This cha $e made it ecessary for me to se d o e of my ser#a ts to o'tai my letters a d remitta ces from the E $lish co s)l i a certai city* "hich "as o lo $er i cl)ded as o e of my resti $7places i my e" tra#elli $ scheme% The ma "as to (oi me a$ai at a appoi ted place a d time% A accide t* for "hich he "as ot respo si'le* delayed him o his erra d% For a "ee- I a d my people "aited* e camped o the 'orders of a desert% At the e d of that time the missi $ ma made his appeara ce* "ith the mo ey a d the letters* at the e tra ce of my te t% AI am afraid I 'ri $ yo) 'ad e"s* sir*A he said* a d poi ted to o e of the letters* "hich had a mo)r i $ 'order ro) d it* a d the address o "hich "as i the ha d"riti $ of &r% 0r)ff% I - o" othi $* i a case of this -i d* so ) e d)ra'le as s)spe se% The letter "ith the mo)r i $ 'order "as the letter that I ope ed first% It i formed me that my father "as dead* a d that I "as heir to his $reat fort) e% The "ealth "hich had th)s falle i to my ha ds 'ro)$ht its respo si'ilities "ith it* a d &r% 0r)ff e treated me to lose o time i ret)r i $ to E $la d% 0y day'rea- the ext mor i $* I "as o my "ay 'ac- to my o" co) try% The pict)re prese ted of me* 'y my old frie d 0ettered$e* at the time of my depart)re from E $la d* is :as I thi -; a little o#erdra" % He has* i his o" ,)ai t "ay* i terpreted serio)sly o e of his yo) $ mistress=s ma y satirical refere ces to my forei$ ed)catio 9 a d has pers)aded himself that he act)ally sa" those Fre ch* /erma * a d Italia sides to my character* "hich my li#ely co)si o ly professed to disco#er i (est* a d "hich e#er had a y real existe ce* except i o)r $ood 0ettered$e=s o" 'rai % 0)t* 'arri $ this dra"'ac-* I am 'o) d to o" that he has stated o more tha the tr)th i represe ti $ me as "o) ded to the heart 'y Rachel=s treatme t* a d as lea#i $ E $la d i the first -ee ess of s)fferi $ ca)sed 'y the 'itterest disappoi tme t of my life% I "e t a'road* resol#ed!if cha $e a d a'se ce co)ld help me!to for$et her% It is* I am pers)aded* o tr)e #ie" of h)ma at)re "hich de ies that cha $e a d a'se ce 64 help a ma ) der these circ)msta ces9 they force his atte tio a"ay from the excl)si#e co templatio of his o" sorro"% I e#er for$ot her9 ')t the pa $ of remem'ra ce lost its "orst 'itter ess* little 'y little* as time* dista ce* a d o#elty i terposed themsel#es more a d more effect)ally 'et"ee Rachel a d me% 4 the other ha d* it is o less certai that* "ith the act of t)r i $ home"ard* the remedy "hich had $ai ed its $ro) d so steadily* 'e$a o"* ()st as steadily* to drop 'ac-% The earer I dre" to the co) try "hich she i ha'ited* a d to the prospect of seei $ her a$ai * the more irresisti'ly her i fl)e ce 'e$a to reco#er its hold o me% 4 lea#i $ E $la d she "as the last perso i the "orld "hose ame I "o)ld ha#e s)ffered to pass my lips% 4 ret)r i $ to E $la d* she "as the first perso I i ,)ired after* "he &r% 0r)ff a d I met a$ai %

212

I "as i formed* of co)rse* of all that had happe ed i my a'se ce9 i other "ords* of all that has 'ee related here i co ti )atio of 0ettered$e=s arrati#e!o e circ)msta ce o ly 'ei $ excepted% &r% 0r)ff did ot* at that time* feel himself at li'erty to i form me of the moti#es "hich had pri#ately i fl)e ced Rachel a d /odfrey A'le"hite i recalli $ the marria$e promise* o either side% I tro)'led him "ith o em'arrassi $ ,)estio s o this delicate s)'(ect% It "as relief e o)$h to me* after the (ealo)s disappoi tme t ca)sed 'y heari $ that she had e#er co templated 'ei $ /odfrey=s "ife* to - o" that reflectio had co #i ced her of acti $ rashly* a d that she had effected her o" release from her marria$e e $a$eme t% Ha#i $ heard the story of the past* my ext i ,)iries :still i ,)iries after RachelD; ad#a ced at)rally to the prese t time% E der "hose care had she 'ee placed after lea#i $ &r% 0r)ff=s ho)seB a d "here "as she li#i $ o"B .he "as li#i $ ) der the care of a "ido"ed sister of the late .ir +oh Veri der!o e &rs% &erride"!"hom her mother=s exec)tors had re,)ested to act as $)ardia * a d "ho had accepted the proposal% They "ere reported to me as $etti $ o to$ether admira'ly "ell* a d as 'ei $ o" esta'lished* for the seaso * i &rs% &erride"=s ho)se i Portla d Place% Half a ho)r after recei#i $ this i formatio * I "as o my "ay to Portla d Place! "itho)t ha#i $ had the co)ra$e to o" it to &r% 0r)ffD The ma "ho a s"ered the door "as ot s)re "hether &iss Veri der "as at home or ot% I se t him )pstairs "ith my card* as the speediest "ay of setti $ the ,)estio at rest% The ma came do" a$ai "ith a impe etra'le face* a d i formed me that &iss Veri der "as o)t% I mi$ht ha#e s)spected other people of p)rposely de yi $ themsel#es to me% 0)t it "as impossi'le to s)spect Rachel% I left "ord that I "o)ld call a$ai at six o=cloc- that e#e i $% At six o=cloc- I "as i formed for the seco d time that &iss Veri der "as ot at home% Had a y messa$e 'ee left for me% 8o messa$e had 'ee left for me% Had &iss Veri der ot recei#ed my cardB The ser#a t 'e$$ed my pardo !&iss Veri der HA6 recei#ed it% The i fere ce "as too plai to 'e resisted% Rachel decli ed to see me% 4 my side* I decli ed to 'e treated i this "ay* "itho)t ma-i $ a attempt* at least* to disco#er a reaso for it% I se t )p my ame to &rs% &erride"* a d re,)ested her to fa#o)r me "ith a perso al i ter#ie" at a y ho)r "hich it mi$ht 'e most co #e ie t to her to ame% &rs% &erride" made o diffic)lty a'o)t recei#i $ me at o ce% I "as sho" i to a comforta'le little sitti $7room* a d fo) d myself i the prese ce of a comforta'le little elderly lady% .he "as so $ood as to feel $reat re$ret a d m)ch s)rprise* e tirely o my

213

acco) t% .he "as at the same time* ho"e#er* ot i a positio to offer me a y expla atio * or to press Rachel o a matter "hich appeared to relate to a ,)estio of pri#ate feeli $ alo e% This "as said o#er a d o#er a$ai * "ith a polite patie ce that othi $ co)ld tire9 a d this "as all I $ai ed 'y applyi $ to &rs% &erride"% &y last cha ce "as to "rite to Rachel% &y ser#a t too- a letter to her the ext day* "ith strict i str)ctio s to "ait for a a s"er% The a s"er came 'ac-* literally i o e se te ce% A&iss Veri der 'e$s to decli e e teri $ i to a y correspo de ce "ith &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A Fo d as I "as of her* I felt i di$ a tly the i s)lt offered to me i that reply% &r% 0r)ff came i to spea- to me o ')si ess* 'efore I had reco#ered possessio of myself% I dismissed the ')si ess o the spot* a d laid the "hole case 'efore him% He pro#ed to 'e as i capa'le of e li$hte i $ me as &rs% &erride" herself% I as-ed him if a y sla der had 'ee spo-e of me i Rachel=s heari $% &r% 0r)ff "as ot a"are of a y sla der of "hich I "as the o'(ect% Had she referred to me i a y "ay "hile she "as stayi $ ) der &r% 0r)ff=s roofB 8e#er% Had she ot so m)ch as as-ed* d)ri $ all my lo $ a'se ce* "hether I "as li#i $ or deadB 8o s)ch ,)estio had e#er passed her lips% I too- o)t of my poc-et7 'oo- the letter "hich poor ?ady Veri der had "ritte to me from Fri<i $hall* o the day "he I left her ho)se i 5or-shire% A d I poi ted &r% 0r)ff=s atte tio to these t"o se te ces i itF AThe #al)a'le assista ce "hich yo) re dered to the i ,)iry after the lost (e"el is still a ) pardo ed offe ce* i the prese t dreadf)l state of Rachel=s mi d% &o#i $ 'li dfold i this matter* yo) ha#e added to the ')rde of a xiety "hich she has had to 'ear* 'y i oce tly threate i $ her secret "ith disco#ery thro)$h yo)r exertio s%A AIs it possi'le*A I as-ed* Athat the feeli $ to"ards me "hich is there descri'ed* is as 'itter as e#er a$ai st me o"BA &r% 0r)ff loo-ed ) affectedly distressed% AIf yo) i sist o a a s"er*A he said* AI o" I ca place o other i terpretatio o her co d)ct tha that%A I ra $ the 'ell* a d directed my ser#a t to pac- my portma tea)* a d to se d o)t for a rail"ay $)ide% &r% 0r)ff as-ed* i asto ishme t* "hat I "as $oi $ to do% AI am $oi $ to 5or-shire*A I a s"ered* A'y the ext trai %A A&ay I as- for "hat p)rposeBA

211

A&r% 0r)ff* the assista ce I i oce tly re dered to the i ,)iry after the 6iamo d "as a ) pardo ed offe ce* i Rachel=s mi d* early a year si ce9 a d it remai s a ) pardo ed offe ce still% I "o =t accept that positio D I am determi ed to fi d o)t the secret of her sile ce to"ards her mother* a d her e mity to"ards me% If time* pai s* a d mo ey ca do it* I "ill lay my ha d o the thief "ho too- the &oo sto eDA The "orthy old $e tlema attempted to remo strate!to i d)ce me to liste to reaso ! to do his d)ty to"ards me* i short% I "as deaf to e#erythi $ that he co)ld )r$e% 8o earthly co sideratio "o)ld* at that mome t* ha#e sha-e the resol)tio that "as i me% AI shall ta-e )p the i ,)iry a$ai *A I "e t o * Aat the poi t "here I dropped it9 a d I shall follo" it o "ards* step 'y step* till I come to the prese t time% There are missi $ li -s i the e#ide ce* as I left it* "hich /a'riel 0ettered$e ca s)pply* a d to /a'riel 0ettered$e I $oDA To"ards s) set that e#e i $ I stood a$ai o the "ell7remem'ered terrace* a d loo-ed o ce more at the peacef)l old co) try ho)se% The $arde er "as the first perso "hom I sa" i the deserted $ro) ds% He had left 0ettered$e* a ho)r si ce* s) i $ himself i the c)stomary cor er of the 'ac- yard% I - e" it "ell9 a d I said I "o)ld $o a d see- him myself% I "al-ed ro) d 'y the familiar paths a d passa$es* a d loo-ed i at the ope $ate of the yard% There he "as!the dear old frie d of the happy days that "ere e#er to come a$ai ! there he "as i the old cor er* o the old 'eehi#e chair* "ith his pipe i his mo)th* a d his R40I8.48 CRE.4E o his lap* a d his t"o frie ds* the do$s* do<i $ o either side of himD I the positio i "hich I stood* my shado" "as pro(ected i fro t of me 'y the last sla ti $ rays of the s) % Either the do$s sa" it* or their -ee sce t i formed them of my approach9 they started )p "ith a $ro"l% .tarti $ i his t)r * the old ma ,)ieted them 'y a "ord* a d the shaded his faili $ eyes "ith his ha d* a d loo-ed i ,)iri $ly at the fi$)re at the $ate% &y o" eyes "ere f)ll of tears% I "as o'li$ed to "ait a mome t 'efore I co)ld tr)st myself to spea- to him%

CHAPTER II
A0ettered$eDA I said* poi ti $ to the "ell7remem'ered 'oo- o his - ee* Ahas R40I8.48 CRE.4E i formed yo)* this e#e i $* that yo) mi$ht expect to see Fra -li 0la-eBA

21>

A0y the lord Harry* &r% Fra -li DA cried the old ma * Athat=s exactly "hat R40I8.48 CRE.4E has do eDA He str)$$led to his feet "ith my assista ce* a d stood for a mome t* loo-i $ 'ac-"ards a d for"ards 'et"ee R40I8.48 CRE.4E a d me* appare tly at a loss to disco#er "hich of )s had s)rprised him most% The #erdict e ded i fa#o)r of the 'oo-% Holdi $ it ope 'efore him i 'oth ha ds* he s)r#eyed the "o derf)l #ol)me "ith a stare of ) )ttera'le a ticipatio !as if he expected to see Ro'i so Cr)soe himself "al- o)t of the pa$es* a d fa#o)r )s "ith a perso al i ter#ie"% AHere=s the 'it* &r% Fra -li DA he said* as soo as he had reco#ered the )se of his speech% AAs I li#e 'y 'read* sir* here=s the 'it I "as readi $* the mome t 'efore yo) came i D Pa$e o e h) dred a d fifty7six as follo"sF!=I stood li-e o e Th) derstr)c-* or as if I had see a Apparitio %= If that is =t as m)ch as to sayF =Expect the s)dde appeara ce of &r% Fra -li 0la-e=!there=s o mea i $ i the E $lish la $)a$eDA said 0ettered$e* closi $ the 'oo- "ith a 'a $* a d $etti $ o e of his ha ds free at last to ta-e the ha d "hich I offered him% I had expected him* at)rally e o)$h ) der the circ)msta ces* to o#er"helm me "ith ,)estio s% 0)t o!the hospita'le imp)lse "as the )ppermost imp)lse i the old ser#a t=s mi d* "he a mem'er of the family appeared : o matter ho"D; as a #isitor at the ho)se% A@al- i * &r% Fra -li *A he said* ope i $ the door 'ehi d him* "ith his ,)ai t old7 fashio ed 'o"% AI=ll as- "hat 'ri $s yo) here after"ards!I m)st ma-e yo) comforta'le first% There ha#e 'ee sad cha $es* si ce yo) "e t a"ay% The ho)se is sh)t )p* a d the ser#a ts are $o e% 8e#er mi d thatD I=ll coo- yo)r di er9 a d the $arde er=s "ife "ill ma-e yo)r 'ed!a d if there=s a 'ottle of o)r famo)s ?ato)r claret left i the cellar* do" yo)r throat* &r% Fra -li * that 'ottle shall $o% I 'id yo) "elcome* sirD I 'id yo) heartily "elcomeDA said the poor old fello"* fi$hti $ ma f)lly a$ai st the $loom of the deserted ho)se* a d recei#i $ me "ith the socia'le a d co)rteo)s atte tio of the 'y$o e time% It #exed me to disappoi t him% 0)t the ho)se "as Rachel=s ho)se* o"% Co)ld I eat i it* or sleep i it* after "hat had happe ed i ?o do B The commo est se se of self7respect for'ade me!properly for'ade me!to cross the threshold% I too- 0ettered$e 'y the arm* a d led him o)t i to the $arde % There "as o help for it% I "as o'li$ed to tell him the tr)th% 0et"ee his attachme t to Rachel* a d his attachme t to me* he "as sorely p)<<led a d distressed at the t)r thi $s had ta-e % His opi io * "he he expressed it* "as $i#e i his )s)al do" ri$ht ma er* a d "as a$reea'ly redole t of the most positi#e philosophy I - o"!the philosophy of the 0ettered$e school% A&iss Rachel has her fa)lts!I=#e e#er de ied it*A he 'e$a % AA d ridi $ the hi$h horse* o" a d the * is o e of them% .he has 'ee tryi $ to ride o#er yo)!a d yo) ha#e p)t )p "ith it% ?ord* &r% Fra -li * do =t yo) - o" "ome 'y this time 'etter tha thatB 5o) ha#e heard me tal- of the late &rs% 0ettered$eBA

21C

I had heard him tal- of the late &rs% 0ettered$e pretty ofte !i #aria'ly prod)ci $ her as his o e ) de ia'le example of the i 'red frailty a d per#ersity of the other sex% I that capacity he exhi'ited her o"% AVery "ell* &r% Fra -li % 8o" liste to me% 6iffere t "ome ha#e differe t "ays of ridi $ the hi$h horse% The late &rs% 0ettered$e too- her exercise o that fa#o)rite female a imal "he e#er I happe ed to de y her a ythi $ that she had set her heart o % .o s)re as I came home from my "or- o these occasio s* so s)re "as my "ife to call to me )p the -itche stairs* a d to say that* after my 'r)tal treatme t of her* she had =t the heart to coo- me my di er% I p)t )p "ith it for some time!()st as yo) are p)tti $ )p "ith it o" from &iss Rachel% At last my patie ce "ore o)t% I "e t do" stairs* a d I too- &rs% 0ettered$e!affectio ately* yo) ) dersta d!)p i my arms* a d carried her* hol)s7 'ol)s* i to the 'est parlo)r "here she recei#ed her compa y% I said =That=s the ri$ht place for yo)* my dear*= a d so "e t 'ac- to the -itche % I loc-ed myself i * a d too- off my coat* a d t)r ed )p my shirt7slee#es* a d coo-ed my o" di er% @he it "as do e* I ser#ed it )p i my 'est ma er* a d e (oyed it most heartily% I had my pipe a d my drop of $ro$ after"ards9 a d the I cleared the ta'le* a d "ashed the croc-ery* a d clea ed the - i#es a d for-s* a d p)t the thi $s a"ay* a d s"ept )p the hearth% @he thi $s "ere as 'ri$ht a d clea a$ai * as 'ri$ht a d clea co)ld 'e* I ope ed the door a d let &rs% 0ettered$e i % =I=#e had my di er* my dear*= I said9 =a d I hope yo) "ill fi d that I ha#e left the -itche all that yo)r fo dest "ishes ca desire%= For the rest of that "oma =s life* &r% Fra -li * I e#er had to coo- my di er a$ai D &oralF 5o) ha#e p)t )p "ith &iss Rachel i ?o do 9 do =t p)t )p "ith her i 5or-shire% Come 'ac- to the ho)seDA I)ite ) a s"era'leD I co)ld o ly ass)re my $ood frie d that e#e HI. po"ers of pers)asio "ere* i this case* thro" a"ay o me% AIt=s a lo#ely e#e i $*A I said% AI shall "al- to Fri<i $hall* a d stay at the hotel* a d yo) m)st come to7morro" mor i $ a d 'rea-fast "ith me% I ha#e somethi $ to say to yo)%A 0ettered$e shoo- his head $ra#ely% AI am heartily sorry for this*A he said% AI had hoped* &r% Fra -li * to hear that thi $s "ere all smooth a d pleasa t a$ai 'et"ee yo) a d &iss Rachel% If yo) m)st ha#e yo)r o" "ay* sir*A he co ti )ed* after a mome t=s reflectio * Athere is o eed to $o to Fri<i $hall to7 i$ht for a 'ed% It=s to 'e had earer tha that% There=s Hothersto e=s Farm* 'arely t"o miles from here% 5o) ca hardly o'(ect to THAT o &iss Rachel=s acco) t*A the old ma added slily% AHothersto e li#es* &r% Fra -li * o his o" freehold%A I remem'ered the place the mome t 0ettered$e me tio ed it% The farm7ho)se stood i a sheltered i la d #alley* o the 'a -s of the prettiest stream i that part of 5or-shireF a d the farmer had a spare 'edroom a d parlo)r* "hich he "as acc)stomed to let to artists* a $lers* a d to)rists i $e eral% A more a$reea'le place of a'ode* d)ri $ my stay i the ei$h'o)rhood* I co)ld ot ha#e "ished to fi d% AAre the rooms to letBA I i ,)ired%

212

A&rs% Hothersto e herself* sir* as-ed for my $ood "ord to recomme d the rooms* yesterday%A AI=ll ta-e them* 0ettered$e* "ith the $reatest pleas)re%A @e "e t 'ac- to the yard* i "hich I had left my tra#elli $7'a$% After p)tti $ a sticthro)$h the ha dle* a d s"i $i $ the 'a$ o#er his sho)lder* 0ettered$e appeared to relapse i to the 'e"ilderme t "hich my s)dde appeara ce had ca)sed* "he I s)rprised him i the 'eehi#e chair% He loo-ed i cred)lo)sly at the ho)se* a d the he "heeled a'o)t* a d loo-ed more i cred)lo)sly still at me% AI=#e li#ed a $oodish lo $ time i the "orld*A said this 'est a d dearest of all old ser#a ts !A')t the li-e of this* I e#er did expect to see% There sta ds the ho)se* a d here sta ds &r% Fra -li 0la-e!a d* 6amme* if o e of them is =t t)r i $ his 'ac- o the other* a d $oi $ to sleep i a lod$i $DA He led the "ay o)t* "a$$i $ his head a d $ro"li $ omi o)sly% AThere=s o ly o e more miracle that CA8 happe *A he said to me* o#er his sho)lder% AThe ext thi $ yo)=ll do* &r% Fra -li * "ill 'e to pay me 'ac- that se#e 7a d7sixpe ce yo) 'orro"ed of me "he yo) "ere a 'oy%A This stro-e of sarcasm p)t him i a 'etter h)mo)r "ith himself a d "ith me% @e left the ho)se* a d passed thro)$h the lod$e $ates% 4 ce clear of the $ro) ds* the d)ties of hospitality :i 0ettered$e=s code of morals; ceased* a d the pri#ile$es of c)riosity 'e$a % He dropped 'ac-* so as to let me $et o a le#el "ith him% AFi e e#e i $ for a "al-* &r% Fra -li *A he said* as if "e had ()st accide tally e co) tered each other at that mome t% A.)pposi $ yo) had $o e to the hotel at Fri<i $hall* sirBA A5esBA AI sho)ld ha#e had the ho o)r of 'rea-fasti $ "ith yo)* to7morro" mor i $%A ACome a d 'rea-fast "ith me at Hothersto e=s Farm* i stead%A A&)ch o'li$ed to yo) for yo)r -i d ess* &r% Fra -li % 0)t it "as =t exactly 'rea-fast that I "as dri#i $ at% I thi - yo) me tio ed that yo) had somethi $ to say to meB If it=s o secret* sir*A said 0ettered$e* s)dde ly a'a do i $ the croo-ed "ay* a d ta-i $ the strai$ht o e* AI=m ')r i $ to - o" "hat=s 'ro)$ht yo) do" here* if yo) please* i this s)dde "ay%A A@hat 'ro)$ht me here 'eforeBA I as-ed% AThe &oo sto e* &r% Fra -li % 0)t "hat 'ri $s yo) o"* sirBA AThe &oo sto e a$ai * 0ettered$e%A

21G

The old ma s)dde ly stood still* a d loo-ed at me i the $rey t"ili$ht as if he s)spected his o" ears of decei#i $ him% AIf that=s a (o-e* sir*A he said* AI=m afraid I=m $etti $ a little d)ll i my old a$e% I do =t ta-e it%A AIt=s o (o-e*A I a s"ered% AI ha#e come here to ta-e )p the i ,)iry "hich "as dropped "he I left E $la d% I ha#e come here to do "hat o'ody has do e yet!to fi d o)t "ho too- the 6iamo d%A A?et the 6iamo d 'e* &r% Fra -li D Ta-e my ad#ice* a d let the 6iamo d 'eD That c)rsed I dia (e"el has mis$)ided e#ery'ody "ho has come ear it% 6o =t "aste yo)r mo ey a d yo)r temper!i the fi e spri $ time of yo)r life* sir!'y meddli $ "ith the &oo sto e% Ho" ca 54E hope to s)cceed :sa#i $ yo)r prese ce;* "he .er$ea t C)ff himself made a mess of itB .er$ea t C)ffDA repeated 0ettered$e* sha-i $ his forefi $er at me ster ly% AThe $reatest policema i E $la dDA A&y mi d is made )p* my old frie d% E#e .er$ea t C)ff does =t da) t me% 0y7the7'ye* I may "a t to spea- to him* soo er or later% Ha#e yo) heard a ythi $ of him latelyBA AThe .er$ea t "o =t help yo)* &r% Fra -li %A A@hy otBA AThere has 'ee a e#e t* sir* i the police7circles* si ce yo) "e t a"ay% The $reat C)ff has retired from ')si ess% He has $ot a little cotta$e at 6or-i $9 a d he=s )p to his eyes i the $ro"i $ of roses% I ha#e it i his o" ha d"riti $* &r% Fra -li % He has $ro" the "hite moss rose* "itho)t ')ddi $ it o the do$7rose first% A d &r% 0e$'ie the $arde er is to $o to 6or-i $* a d o" that the .er$ea t has 'eate him at last%A AIt does =t m)ch matter*A I said% AI m)st do "itho)t .er$ea t C)ff=s help% A d I m)st tr)st to yo)* at starti $%A It is li-ely e o)$h that I spo-e rather carelessly% At a y rate* 0ettered$e seemed to 'e pi,)ed 'y somethi $ i the reply "hich I had ()st made to him% A5o) mi$ht tr)st to "orse tha me* &r% Fra -li !I ca tell yo) that*A he said a little sharply% The to e i "hich he retorted* a d a certai dist)r'a ce* after he had spo-e * "hich I detected i his ma er* s)$$ested to me that he "as possessed of some i formatio "hich he hesitated to comm) icate% AI expect yo) to help me*A I said* Ai pic-i $ )p the fra$me ts of e#ide ce "hich .er$ea t C)ff has left 'ehi d him% I - o" yo) ca do that% Ca yo) do o moreBA

213

A@hat more ca yo) expect from me* sirBA as-ed 0ettered$e* "ith a appeara ce of the )tmost h)mility% AI expect more!from "hat yo) said ()st o"%A A&ere 'oasti $* &r% Fra -li *A ret)r ed the old ma o'sti ately% A.ome people are 'or 'oasters* a d they e#er $et o#er it to their dyi $ day% I=m o e of them%A There "as o ly o e "ay to ta-e "ith him% I appealed to his i terest i Rachel* a d his i terest i me% A0ettered$e* "o)ld yo) 'e $lad to hear that Rachel a d I "ere $ood frie ds a$ai BA AI ha#e ser#ed yo)r family* sir* to mi$hty little p)rpose* if yo) do)'t itDA A6o yo) remem'er ho" Rachel treated me* 'efore I left E $la dBA AAs "ell as if it "as yesterdayD &y lady herself "rote yo) a letter a'o)t it9 a d yo) "ere so $ood as to sho" the letter to me% It said that &iss Rachel "as mortally offe ded "ith yo)* for the part yo) had ta-e i tryi $ to reco#er her (e"el% A d either my lady* or yo)* or a y'ody else co)ld $)ess "hy% AI)ite tr)e* 0ettered$eD A d I come 'ac- from my tra#els* a d fi d her mortally offe ded "ith me still% I - e" that the 6iamo d "as at the 'ottom of it* last year* a d I - o" that the 6iamo d is at the 'ottom of it o"% I ha#e tried to spea- to her* a d she "o =t see me% I ha#e tried to "rite to her* a d she "o =t a s"er me% Ho"* i Hea#e =s ame* am I to clear the matter )pB The cha ce of searchi $ i to the loss of the &oo sto e* is the o e cha ce of i ,)iry that Rachel herself has left me%A Those "ords e#ide tly p)t the case 'efore him* as he had ot see it yet% He as-ed a ,)estio "hich satisfied me that I had sha-e him% AThere is o ill7feeli $ i this* &r% Fra -li * o yo)r side!is thereBA AThere "as some a $er*A I a s"ered* A"he I left ?o do % 0)t that is all "or o)t o"% I "a t to ma-e Rachel come to a ) dersta di $ "ith me!a d I "a t othi $ more%A A5o) do =t feel a y fear* sir!s)pposi $ yo) ma-e a y disco#eries!i re$ard to "hat yo) may fi d o)t a'o)t &iss RachelBA I ) derstood the (ealo)s 'elief i his yo) $ mistress "hich prompted those "ords% AI am as certai of her as yo) are*A I a s"ered% AThe f)llest disclos)re of her secret "ill re#eal othi $ that ca alter her place i yo)r estimatio * or i mi e%A 0ettered$e=s last7left scr)ples #a ished at that%

2>H

AIf I am doi $ "ro $ to help yo)* &r% Fra -li *A he exclaimed* Aall I ca say is!I am as i oce t of seei $ it as the 'a'e ) 'or D I ca p)t yo) o the road to disco#ery* if yo) ca o ly $o o 'y yo)rself% 5o) remem'er that poor $irl of o)rs!Rosa a .pearma BA A4f co)rseDA A5o) al"ays tho)$ht she had some sort of co fessio i re$ard to this matter of the &oo sto e* "hich she "a ted to ma-e to yo)BA AI certai ly co)ld =t acco) t for her stra $e co d)ct i a y other "ay%A A5o) may set that do)'t at rest* &r% Fra -li * "he e#er yo) please%A It "as my t)r to come to a sta dstill o"% I tried #ai ly* i the $atheri $ dar- ess* to see his face% I the s)rprise of the mome t* I as-ed a little impatie tly "hat he mea t% A.teady* sirDA proceeded 0ettered$e% AI mea "hat I say% Rosa a .pearma left a sealed letter 'ehi d her!a letter addressed to 54E%A A@here is itBA AI the possessio of a frie d of hers* at Co''=s Hole% 5o) m)st ha#e heard tell* "he yo) "ere here last* sir* of ?impi $ ?)cy!a lame $irl "ith a cr)tch%A AThe fisherma =s da)$hterBA AThe same* &r% Fra -li %A A@hy "as =t the letter for"arded to meBA A?impi $ ?)cy has a "ill of her o" * sir% .he "o)ld =t $i#e it i to a y ha ds ')t yo)rs% A d yo) had left E $la d 'efore I co)ld "rite to yo)%A A?et=s $o 'ac-* 0ettered$e* a d $et it at o ceDA AToo late* sir* to7 i$ht% They=re $reat sa#ers of ca dles alo $ o)r coast9 a d they $o to 'ed early at Co''=s Hole%A A8o se seD @e mi$ht $et there i half a ho)r%A A5o) mi$ht* sir% A d "he yo) did $et there* yo) "o)ld fi d the door loc-ed% He poi ted to a li$ht* $limmeri $ 'elo" )s9 a d* at the same mome t* I heard thro)$h the still ess of the e#e i $ the ')''li $ of a stream% =There=s the Farm* &r% Fra -li D &a-e yo)rself comforta'le for to7 i$ht* a d come to me to7morro" mor i $ if yo)=ll 'e so -i dB=A A5o) "ill $o "ith me to the fisherma =s cotta$eBA

2>1

A5es* sir%A AEarlyBA AAs early* &r% Fra -li * as yo) li-e%A @e desce ded the path that led to the Farm%

CHAPTER III
I ha#e o ly the most i disti ct recollectio of "hat happe ed at Hothersto e=s Farm% I remem'er a hearty "elcome9 a prodi$io)s s)pper* "hich "o)ld ha#e fed a "hole #illa$e i the East9 a deli$htf)lly clea 'edroom* "ith othi $ i it to re$ret ')t that detesta'le prod)ct of the folly of o)r fore7fathers!a feather7'ed9 a restless i$ht* "ith m)ch -i dli $ of matches* a d ma y li$hti $s of o e little ca dle9 a d a imme se se satio of relief "he the s) rose* a d there "as a prospect of $etti $ )p% It had 'ee arra $ed o#er7 i$ht "ith 0ettered$e* that I "as to call for him* o o)r "ay to Co''=s Hole* as early as I li-ed!"hich* i terpreted 'y my impatie ce to $et possessio of the letter* mea t as early as I co)ld% @itho)t "aiti $ for 'rea-fast at the Farm* I too- a cr)st of 'read i my ha d* a d set forth* i some do)'t "hether I sho)ld ot s)rprise the excelle t 0ettered$e i his 'ed% To my $reat relief he pro#ed to 'e ,)ite as excited a'o)t the comi $ e#e t as I "as% I fo) d him ready* a d "aiti $ for me* "ith his stic- i his ha d% AHo" are yo) this mor i $* 0ettered$eBA AVery poorly* sir%A A.orry to hear it% @hat do yo) complai ofBA AI complai of a e" disease* &r% Fra -li * of my o" i #e ti $% I do =t "a t to alarm yo)* ')t yo)=re certai to catch it 'efore the mor i $ is o)t%A AThe de#il I amDA A6o yo) feel a ) comforta'le heat at the pit of yo)r stomach* sirB a d a asty th)mpi $ at the top of yo)r headB AhD ot yetB It "ill lay hold of yo) at Co''=s Hole* &r% Fra -li % I call it the detecti#e7fe#er9 a d I first ca)$ht it i the compa y of .er$ea t C)ff%A

2>2

AAyeD ayeD a d the c)re i this i sta ce is to ope Rosa a .pearma =s letter* I s)pposeB Come alo $* a d let=s $et it%A Early as it "as* "e fo) d the fisherma =s "ife astir i her -itche % 4 my prese tatio 'y 0ettered$e* $ood &rs% 5olla d performed a social ceremo y* strictly reser#ed :as I after"ards lear t; for stra $ers of disti ctio % .he p)t a 'ottle of 6)tch $i a d a co)ple of clea pipes o the ta'le* a d ope ed the co #ersatio 'y sayi $* A@hat e"s from ?o do * sirBA 0efore I co)ld fi d a a s"er to this imme sely comprehe si#e ,)estio * a apparitio ad#a ced to"ards me* o)t of a dar- cor er of the -itche % A "a * "ild* ha$$ard $irl* "ith remar-a'ly 'ea)tif)l hair* a d "ith a fierce -ee ess i her eyes* came limpi $ )p o a cr)tch to the ta'le at "hich I "as sitti $* a d loo-ed at me as if I "as a o'(ect of mi $led i terest a d horror* "hich it ,)ite fasci ated her to see% A&r% 0ettered$e*A she said* "itho)t ta-i $ her eyes off me* Ame tio his ame a$ai * if yo) please%A AThis $e tlema =s ame*A a s"ered 0ettered$e :"ith a stro $ emphasis o /E8T?E&A8;* Ais &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A The $irl t)r ed her 'ac- o me* a d s)dde ly left the room% /ood &rs% 5olla d!as I 'elie#e!made some apolo$ies for her da)$hter=s odd 'eha#io)r* a d 0ettered$e :pro'a'ly; tra slated them i to polite E $lish% I spea- of this i complete ) certai ty% &y atte tio "as a'sor'ed i follo"i $ the so) d of the $irl=s cr)tch% Th)mp7th)mp* )p the "oode stairs9 th)mp7th)mp across the room a'o#e o)r heads9 th)mp7th)mp do" the stairs a$ai !a d there stood the apparitio at the ope door* "ith a letter i its ha d* 'ec-o i $ me o)tD I left more apolo$ies i co)rse of deli#ery 'ehi d me* a d follo"ed this stra $e creat)re !limpi $ o 'efore me* faster a d faster!do" the slope of the 'each% .he led me 'ehi d some 'oats* o)t of si$ht a d heari $ of the fe" people i the fishi $7#illa$e* a d the stopped* a d faced me for the first time% A.ta d there*A she said* AI "a t to loo- at yo)%A There "as o mista-i $ the expressio o her face% I i spired her "ith the stro $est emotio s of a'horre ce a d dis$)st% ?et me ot 'e #ai e o)$h to say that o "oma had e#er loo-ed at me i this ma er 'efore% I "ill o ly #e t)re o the more modest assertio that o "oma had e#er let me percei#e it yet% There is a limit to the le $th of the i spectio "hich a ma ca e d)re* ) der certai circ)msta ces% I attempted to direct ?impi $ ?)cy=s atte tio to some less re#olti $ o'(ect tha my face% AI thi - yo) ha#e $ot a letter to $i#e me*A I 'e$a % AIs it the letter there* i yo)r ha dBA A.ay that a$ai *A "as the o ly a s"er I recei#ed%

2>3

I repeated the "ords* li-e a $ood child lear i $ its lesso % A8o*A said the $irl* spea-i $ to herself* ')t -eepi $ her eyes still mercilessly fixed o me% AI ca =t fi d o)t "hat she sa" i his face% I ca =t $)ess "hat she heard i his #oice%A .he s)dde ly loo-ed a"ay from me* a d rested her head "earily o the top of her cr)tch% A4h* my poor dearDA she said* i the first soft to es "hich had falle from her* i my heari $% A4h* my lost darli $D "hat co)ld yo) see i this ma BA .he lifted her head a$ai fiercely* a d loo-ed at me o ce more% ACa yo) eat a d dri -BA she as-ed% I did my 'est to preser#e my $ra#ity* a d a s"ered* A5es%A ACa yo) sleepBA A5es%A A@he yo) see a poor $irl i ser#ice* do yo) feel o remorseBA ACertai ly ot% @hy sho)ld IBA .he a'r)ptly thr)st the letter :as the phrase is; i to my face% ATa-e itDA she exclaimed f)rio)sly% AI e#er set eyes o yo) 'efore% /od Almi$hty for'id I sho)ld e#er set eyes o yo) a$ai %A @ith those parti $ "ords she limped a"ay from me at the top of her speed% The o e i terpretatio that I co)ld p)t o her co d)ct has* o do)'t* 'ee a ticipated 'y e#ery'ody% I co)ld o ly s)ppose that she "as mad% Ha#i $ reached that i e#ita'le co cl)sio * I t)r ed to the more i teresti $ o'(ect of i #esti$atio "hich "as prese ted to me 'y Rosa a .pearma =s letter% The address "as "ritte as follo"sF!AFor Fra -li 0la-e* Es,% To 'e $i#e i to his o" ha ds :a d ot to 'e tr)sted to a y o e else;* 'y ?)cy 5olla d%A I 'ro-e the seal% The e #elope co tai ed a letterF a d this* i its t)r * co tai ed a slip of paper% I read the letter firstF! A.ir*!If yo) are c)rio)s to - o" the mea i $ of my 'eha#io)r to yo)* "hilst yo) "ere stayi $ i the ho)se of my mistress* ?ady Veri der* do "hat yo) are told to do i the memora d)m e closed "ith this!a d do it "itho)t a y perso 'ei $ prese t to o#erlooyo)% 5o)r h)m'le ser#a t* AR4.A88A .PEAR&A8%A I t)r ed to the slip of paper ext% Here is the literal copy of it* "ord for "ordF

2>1

A&emora d)mF!To $o to the .hi#eri $ .a d at the t)r of the tide% To "al- o)t o the .o)th .pit* ) til I $et the .o)th .pit 0eaco * a d the fla$staff at the Coast7$)ard statio a'o#e Co''=s Hole i a li e to$ether% To lay do" o the roc-s* a stic-* or a y strai$ht thi $ to $)ide my ha d* exactly i the li e of the 'eaco a d the fla$staff% To ta-e care* i doi $ this* that o e e d of the stic- shall 'e at the ed$e of the roc-s* o the side of them "hich o#erloo-s the ,)ic-sa d% To feel alo $ the stic-* amo $ the sea7"eed :'e$i i $ from the e d of the stic- "hich poi ts to"ards the 'eaco ;* for the Chai % To r) my ha d alo $ the Chai * "he fo) d* ) til I come to the part of it "hich stretches o#er the ed$e of the roc-s* do" i to the ,)ic-sa d% A86 THE8 T4 PE?? THE CHAI8%A +)st as I had read the last "ords!) derli ed i the ori$i al!I heard the #oice of 0ettered$e 'ehi d me% The i #e tor of the detecti#e7fe#er had completely s)cc)m'ed to that irresisti'le malady% AI ca =t sta d it a y lo $er* &r% Fra -li % @hat does her letter sayB For mercy=s sa-e* sir* tell )s* "hat does her letter sayBA I ha ded him the letter* a d the memora d)m% He read the first "itho)t appeari $ to 'e m)ch i terested i it% 0)t the seco d!the memora d)m!prod)ced a stro $ impressio o him% AThe .er$ea t said itDA cried 0ettered$e% AFrom first to last* sir* the .er$ea t said she had $ot a memora d)m of the hidi $7place% A d here it isD ?ord sa#e )s* &r% Fra -li * here is the secret that p)<<led e#ery'ody* from the $reat C)ff do" "ards* ready a d "aiti $* as o e may say* to sho" itself to 54ED It=s the e'' o"* sir* as a y'ody may see for themsel#es% Ho" lo $ "ill it 'e till the t)r of the tideBA He loo-ed )p* a d o'ser#ed a lad at "or-* at some little dista ce from )s* me di $ a et% ATammie 0ri$htDA he sho)ted at the top of his #oice% AI hear yo)DA Tammie sho)ted 'ac-% A@he =s the t)r of the tideBA AI a ho)r=s time%A @e 'oth loo-ed at o)r "atches% A@e ca $o ro) d 'y the coast* &r% Fra -li *A said 0ettered$e9 Aa d $et to the ,)ic-sa d i that "ay "ith ple ty of time to spare% @hat do yo) say* sirBA ACome alo $DA 4 o)r "ay to the .hi#eri $ .a d* I applied to 0ettered$e to re#i#e my memory of e#e ts :as affecti $ Rosa a .pearma ; at the period of .er$ea t C)ff=s i ,)iry% @ith my old frie d=s help* I soo had the s)ccessio of circ)msta ces clearly re$istered i my mi d% Rosa a=s (o)r ey to Fri<i $hall* "he the "hole ho)sehold 'elie#ed her to 'e ill i her o" room!Rosa a=s mysterio)s employme t of the i$ht7time "ith her door

2>>

loc-ed* a d her ca dle ')r i $ till the mor i $!Rosa a=s s)spicio)s p)rchase of the (apa ed ti case* a d the t"o do$=s chai s from &rs% 5olla d!the .er$ea t=s positi#e co #ictio that Rosa a had hidde somethi $ at the .hi#eri $ .a d* a d the .er$ea t=s a'sol)te i$ ora ce as to "hat that somethi $ mi$ht 'e!all these stra $e res)lts of the a'orti#e i ,)iry i to the loss of the &oo sto e "ere clearly prese t to me a$ai * "he "e reached the ,)ic-sa d* a d "al-ed o)t to$ether o the lo" led$e of roc-s called the .o)th .pit% @ith 0ettered$e=s help* I soo stood i the ri$ht positio to see the 0eaco a d the Coast7 $)ard fla$staff i a li e to$ether% Follo"i $ the memora d)m as o)r $)ide* "e ext laid my stic- i the ecessary directio * as eatly as "e co)ld* o the ) e#e s)rface of the roc-s% A d the "e loo-ed at o)r "atches o ce more% It "a ted early t"e ty mi )tes yet of the t)r of the tide% I s)$$ested "aiti $ thro)$h this i ter#al o the 'each* i stead of o the "et a d slippery s)rface of the roc-s% Ha#i $ reached the dry sa d* I prepared to sit do" 9 a d* $reatly to my s)rprise* 0ettered$e prepared to lea#e me% A@hat are yo) $oi $ a"ay forBA I as-ed% A?oo- at the letter a$ai * sir* a d yo) "ill see%A A $la ce at the letter remi ded me that I "as char$ed* "he I made my disco#ery* to ma-e it alo e% AIt=s hard e o)$h for me to lea#e yo)* at s)ch a time as this*A said 0ettered$e% A0)t she died a dreadf)l death* poor so)l!a d I feel a -i d of call o me* &r% Fra -li * to h)mo)r that fa cy of hers% 0esides*A he added* co fide tially* Athere=s othi $ i the letter a$ai st yo)r letti $ o)t the secret after"ards% I=ll ha $ a'o)t i the fir pla tatio * a d "ait till yo) pic- me )p% 6o =t 'e lo $er tha yo) ca help* sir% The detecti#e7fe#er is =t a easy disease to deal "ith* ) der THE.E circ)msta ces%A @ith that parti $ ca)tio * he left me% The i ter#al of expectatio * short as it "as "he rec-o ed 'y the meas)re of time* ass)med formida'le proportio s "he rec-o ed 'y the meas)re of s)spe se% This "as o e of the occasio s o "hich the i #al)a'le ha'it of smo-i $ 'ecomes especially precio)s a d co solatory% I lit a ci$ar* a d sat do" o the slope of the 'each% The s) li$ht po)red its ) clo)ded 'ea)ty o e#ery o'(ect that I co)ld see% The ex,)isite fresh ess of the air made the mere act of li#i $ a d 'reathi $ a l)x)ry% E#e the lo ely little 'ay "elcomed the mor i $ "ith a sho" of cheerf)l ess9 a d the 'ared "et s)rface of the ,)ic-sa d itself* $litteri $ "ith a $olde 'ri$ht ess* hid the horror of its false 'ro" face ) der a passi $ smile% It "as the fi est day I had see si ce my ret)r to E $la d%

2>C

The t)r of the tide came* 'efore my ci$ar "as fi ished% I sa" the prelimi ary hea#i $ of the .a d* a d the the a"f)l shi#er that crept o#er its s)rface!as if some spirit of terror li#ed a d mo#ed a d sh)ddered i the fathomless deeps 'e eath% I thre" a"ay my ci$ar* a d "e t 'ac- a$ai to the roc-s% &y directio s i the memora d)m i str)cted me to feel alo $ the li e traced 'y the stic-* 'e$i i $ "ith the e d "hich "as earest to the 'eaco % I ad#a ced* i this ma er* more tha half "ay alo $ the stic-* "itho)t e co) teri $ a ythi $ ')t the ed$es of the roc-s% A i ch or t"o f)rther o * ho"e#er* my patie ce "as re"arded% I a arro" little fiss)re* ()st "ithi reach of my forefi $er* I felt the chai % Attempti $* ext* to follo" it* 'y to)ch* i the directio of the ,)ic-sa d* I fo) d my pro$ress stopped 'y a thic- $ro"th of sea"eed!"hich had faste ed itself i to the fiss)re* o do)'t* i the time that had elapsed si ce Rosa a .pearma had chose her hidi $7place% It "as e,)ally impossi'le to p)ll )p the sea"eed* or to force my ha d thro)$h it% After mar-i $ the spot i dicated 'y the e d of the stic- "hich "as placed earest to the ,)ic-sa d* I determi ed to p)rs)e the search for the chai o a pla of my o" % &y idea "as to Aso) dA immediately ) der the roc-s* o the cha ce of reco#eri $ the lost trace of the chai at the poi t at "hich it e tered the sa d% I too- )p the stic-* a d - elt do" o the 'ri - of the .o)th .pit% I this positio * my face "as "ithi a fe" feet of the s)rface of the ,)ic-sa d% The si$ht of it so ear me* still dist)r'ed at i ter#als 'y its hideo)s shi#eri $ fit* shoo- my er#es for the mome t% A horri'le fa cy that the dead "oma mi$ht appear o the sce e of her s)icide* to assist my search!a ) )ttera'le dread of seei $ her rise thro)$h the hea#i $ s)rface of the sa d* a d poi t to the place!forced itself i to my mi d* a d t)r ed me cold i the "arm s) li$ht% I o" I closed my eyes at the mome t "he the poi t of the stic- first e tered the ,)ic-sa d% The i sta t after"ards* 'efore the stic- co)ld ha#e 'ee s)'mer$ed more tha a fe" i ches* I "as free from the hold of my o" s)perstitio)s terror* a d "as thro''i $ "ith exciteme t from head to foot% .o) di $ 'li dfold* at my first attempt!at that first attempt I had so) ded ri$htD The stic- str)c- the chai % Ta-i $ a firm hold of the roots of the sea"eed "ith my left ha d* I laid myself do" o#er the 'ri -* a d felt "ith my ri$ht ha d ) der the o#erha $i $ ed$es of the roc-% &y ri$ht ha d fo) d the chai % I dre" it )p "itho)t the sli$htest diffic)lty% A d there "as the (apa ed ti case faste ed to the e d of it% The actio of the "ater had so r)sted the chai * that it "as impossi'le for me to ) faste it from the hasp "hich attached it to the case% P)tti $ the case 'et"ee my - ees a d

2>2

exerti $ my )tmost stre $th* I co tri#ed to dra" off the co#er% .ome "hite s)'sta ce filled the "hole i terior "he I loo-ed i % I p)t i my ha d* a d fo) d it to 'e li e % I dra"i $ o)t the li e * I also dre" o)t a letter cr)mpled )p "ith it% After loo-i $ at the directio * a d disco#eri $ that it 'ore my ame* I p)t the letter i my poc-et* a d completely remo#ed the li e % It came o)t i a thic- roll* mo)lded* of co)rse* to the shape of the case i "hich it had 'ee so lo $ co fi ed* a d perfectly preser#ed from a y i ()ry 'y the sea% I carried the li e to the dry sa d of the 'each* a d there ) rolled a d smoothed it o)t% There "as o mista-i $ it as a article of dress% It "as a i$ht$o" % The )ppermost side* "he I spread it o)t* prese ted to #ie" i )mera'le folds a d creases* a d othi $ more% I tried the ) dermost side* ext!a d i sta tly disco#ered the smear of the pai t from the door of Rachel=s 'o)doirD &y eyes remai ed ri#eted o the stai * a d my mi d too- me 'ac- at a leap from prese t to past% The #ery "ords of .er$ea t C)ff rec)rred to me* as if the ma himself "as at my side a$ai * poi ti $ to the ) a s"era'le i fere ce "hich he dre" from the smear o the door% AFi d o)t "hether there is a y article of dress i this ho)se "ith the stai of pai t o it% Fi d o)t "ho that dress 'elo $s to% Fi d o)t ho" the perso ca acco) t for ha#i $ 'ee i the room* a d smeared the pai t 'et"ee mid i$ht a d three i the mor i $% If the perso ca =t satisfy yo)* yo) ha#e =t far to loo- for the ha d that too- the 6iamo d%A 4 e after a other those "ords tra#elled o#er my memory* repeati $ themsel#es a$ai a d a$ai "ith a "earisome* mecha ical reiteratio % I "as ro)sed from "hat felt li-e a tra ce of ma y ho)rs!from "hat "as really* o do)'t* the pa)se of a fe" mome ts o ly!'y a #oice calli $ to me% I loo-ed )p* a d sa" that 0ettered$e=s patie ce had failed him at last% He "as ()st #isi'le 'et"ee the sa dhills* ret)r i $ to the 'each% The old ma =s appeara ce recalled me* the mome t I percei#ed it* to my se se of prese t thi $s* a d remi ded me that the i ,)iry "hich I had p)rs)ed th)s far still remai ed i complete% I had disco#ered the smear o the i$ht$o" % To "hom did the i$ht$o" 'elo $B &y first imp)lse "as to co s)lt the letter i my poc-et!the letter "hich I had fo) d i the case% As I raised my ha d to ta-e it o)t* I remem'ered that there "as a shorter "ay to disco#ery tha this% The i$ht$o" itself "o)ld re#eal the tr)th* for* i all pro'a'ility* the i$ht$o" "as mar-ed "ith its o" er=s ame% I too- it )p from the sa d* a d loo-ed for the mar-%

2>G

I fo) d the mar-* a d read!&5 4@8 8A&E% There "ere the familiar letters "hich told me that the i$ht$o" "as mi e% I loo-ed )p from them% There "as the s) 9 there "ere the $litteri $ "aters of the 'ay9 there "as old 0ettered$e* ad#a ci $ earer a d earer to me% I loo-ed 'ac- a$ai at the letters% &y o" ame% Plai ly co fro ti $ me!my o" ame% AIf time* pai s* a d mo ey ca do it* I "ill lay my ha d o the thief "ho too- the &oo sto e%A!I had left ?o do * "ith those "ords o my lips% I had pe etrated the secret "hich the ,)ic-sa d had -ept from e#ery other li#i $ creat)re% A d* o the ) a s"era'le e#ide ce of the pai t7stai * I had disco#ered &yself as the Thief%

CHAPTER I!
I ha#e ot a "ord to say a'o)t my o" se satio s% &y impressio is that the shoc- i flicted o me completely s)spe ded my thi -i $ a d feeli $ po"er% I certai ly co)ld ot ha#e - o" "hat I "as a'o)t "he 0ettered$e (oi ed me!for I ha#e it o his a)thority that I la)$hed* "he he as-ed "hat "as the matter* a d p)tti $ the i$ht$o" i to his ha ds* told him to read the riddle for himself% 4f "hat "as said 'et"ee )s o the 'each* I ha#e ot the fai test recollectio % The first place i "hich I ca o" see myself a$ai plai ly is the pla tatio of firs% 0ettered$e a d I are "al-i $ 'ac- to$ether to the ho)se9 a d 0ettered$e is telli $ me that I shall 'e a'le to face it* a d he "ill 'e a'le to face it* "he "e ha#e had a $lass of $ro$% The sce e shifts from the pla tatio * to 0ettered$e=s little sitti $7room% &y resol)tio ot to e ter Rachel=s ho)se is for$otte % I feel $ratef)lly the cool ess a d shadi ess a d ,)iet of the room% I dri - the $ro$ :a perfectly e" l)x)ry to me* at that time of day;* "hich my $ood old frie d mixes "ith icy7cold "ater from the "ell% E der a y other circ)msta ces* the dri - "o)ld simply st)pefy me% As thi $s are* it stri $s )p my er#es% I 'e$i to Aface it*A as 0ettered$e has predicted% A d 0ettered$e* o his side* 'e$i s to Aface it*A too% The pict)re "hich I am o" prese ti $ of myself* "ill* I s)spect* 'e tho)$ht a #ery stra $e o e* to say the least of it% Placed i a sit)atio "hich may* I thi -* 'e descri'ed as e tirely "itho)t parallel* "hat is the first proceedi $ to "hich I resortB 6o I secl)de myself from all h)ma societyB 6o I set my mi d to a alyse the a'omi a'le impossi'ility "hich* e#ertheless* co fro ts me as a ) de ia'le factB 6o I h)rry 'ac- to ?o do 'y the first trai to co s)lt the hi$hest a)thorities* a d to set a searchi $ i ,)iry o foot immediatelyB 8o% I accept the shelter of a ho)se "hich I had resol#ed e#er to de$rade myself 'y e teri $ a$ai 9 a d I sit* tippli $ spirits a d "ater i the compa y of 2>3

a old ser#a t* at te o=cloc- i the mor i $% Is this the co d)ct that mi$ht ha#e 'ee expected from a ma placed i my horri'le positio B I ca o ly a s"er that the si$ht of old 0ettered$e=s familiar face "as a i expressi'le comfort to me* a d that the dri -i $ of old 0ettered$e=s $ro$ helped me* as I 'elie#e othi $ else "o)ld ha#e helped me* i the state of complete 'odily a d me tal prostratio i to "hich I had falle % I ca o ly offer this exc)se for myself9 a d I ca o ly admire that i #aria'le preser#atio of di$ ity* a d that strictly lo$ical co siste cy of co d)ct "hich disti $)ish e#ery ma a d "oma "ho may read these li es* i e#ery emer$e cy of their li#es from the cradle to the $ra#e% A8o"* &r% Fra -li * there=s o e thi $ certai * at a y rate*A said 0ettered$e* thro"i $ the i$ht$o" do" o the ta'le 'et"ee )s* a d poi ti $ to it as if it "as a li#i $ creat)re that co)ld hear him% AHE=. a liar* to 'e$i "ith%A This comforti $ #ie" of the matter "as ot the #ie" that prese ted itself to my mi d% AI am as i oce t of all - o"led$e of ha#i $ ta-e the 6iamo d as yo) are*A I said% A0)t there is the "it ess a$ai st meD The pai t o the i$ht$o" * a d the ame o the i$ht$o" are facts%A 0ettered$e lifted my $lass* a d p)t it pers)asi#ely i to my ha d% AFactsBA he repeated% ATa-e a drop more $ro$* &r% Fra -li * a d yo)=ll $et o#er the "ea- ess of 'elie#i $ i factsD Fo)l play* sirDA he co ti )ed* droppi $ his #oice co fide tially% AThat is ho" I read the riddle% Fo)l play some"here!a d yo) a d I m)st fi d it o)t% @as there othi $ else i the ti case* "he yo) p)t yo)r ha d i to itBA The ,)estio i sta tly remi ded me of the letter i my poc-et% I too- it o)t* a d ope ed it% It "as a letter of ma y pa$es* closely "ritte % I loo-ed impatie tly for the si$ at)re at the e d% ARosa a .pearma %A As I read the ame* a s)dde remem'ra ce ill)mi ated my mi d* a d a s)dde s)spicio rose o)t of the e" li$ht% A.topDA I exclaimed% ARosa a .pearma came to my a) t o)t of a reformatoryB Rosa a .pearma had o ce 'ee a thiefBA AThere=s o de yi $ that* &r% Fra -li % @hat of it o"* if yo) pleaseBA A@hat of it o"B Ho" do "e - o" she may ot ha#e stole the 6iamo d after allB Ho" do "e - o" she may ot ha#e smeared my i$ht$o" p)rposely "ith the pai tBA 0ettered$e laid his ha d o my arm* a d stopped me 'efore I co)ld say a y more% A5o) "ill 'e cleared of this* &r% Fra -li * 'eyo d all do)'t% 0)t I hope yo) "o =t 'e cleared i THAT "ay% .ee "hat the letter says* sir% I ()stice to the $irl=s memory* see "hat it says%A

2CH

I felt the ear est ess "ith "hich he spo-e!felt it as a frie dly re')-e to me% A5o) shall form yo)r o" ()d$me t o her letter*A I said% AI "ill read it o)t%A I 'e$a !a d read these li esF A.ir!I ha#e somethi $ to o" to yo)% A co fessio "hich mea s m)ch misery* may sometimes 'e made i #ery fe" "ords% This co fessio ca 'e made i three "ords% I lo#e yo)%A The letter dropped from my ha d% I loo-ed at 0ettered$e% AI the ame of Hea#e *A I said* A"hat does it mea BA He seemed to shri - from a s"eri $ the ,)estio % A5o) a d ?impi $ ?)cy "ere alo e to$ether this mor i $* sir*A he said% A6id she say othi $ a'o)t Rosa a .pearma BA A.he e#er e#e me tio ed Rosa a .pearma =s ame%A APlease to $o 'ac- to the letter* &r% Fra -li % I tell yo) plai ly* I ca =t fi d it i my heart to distress yo)* after "hat yo) ha#e had to 'ear already% ?et her spea- for herself* sir% A d $et o "ith yo)r $ro$% For yo)r o" sa-e* $et o "ith yo)r $ro$%A I res)med the readi $ of the letter% AIt "o)ld 'e #ery dis$racef)l to me to tell yo) this* if I "as a li#i $ "oma "he yo) read it% I shall 'e dead a d $o e* sir* "he yo) fi d my letter% It is that "hich ma-es me 'old% 8ot e#e my $ra#e "ill 'e left to tell of me% I may o" the tr)th!"ith the ,)ic-sa d "aiti $ to hide me "he the "ords are "ritte % A0esides* yo) "ill fi d yo)r i$ht$o" i my hidi $7place* "ith the smear of the pai t o it9 a d yo) "ill "a t to - o" ho" it came to 'e hidde 'y meB a d "hy I said othi $ to yo) a'o)t it i my life7timeB I ha#e o ly o e reaso to $i#e% I did these stra $e thi $s* 'eca)se I lo#ed yo)% AI "o =t tro)'le yo) "ith m)ch a'o)t myself* or my life* 'efore yo) came to my lady=s ho)se% ?ady Veri der too- me o)t of a reformatory% I had $o e to the reformatory from the priso % I "as p)t i the priso * 'eca)se I "as a thief% I "as a thief* 'eca)se my mother "e t o the streets "he I "as ,)ite a little $irl% &y mother "e t o the streets* 'eca)se the $e tlema "ho "as my father deserted her% There is o eed to tell s)ch a commo story as this* at a y le $th% It is told ,)ite ofte e o)$h i the e"spapers% A?ady Veri der "as #ery -i d to me* a d &r% 0ettered$e "as #ery -i d to me% Those t"o* a d the matro at the reformatory* are the o ly $ood people I ha#e e#er met "ith i all my life% I mi$ht ha#e $ot o i my place! ot happily!')t I mi$ht ha#e $ot o * if yo) had ot come #isiti $% I do =t 'lame yo)* sir% It=s my fa)lt!all my fa)lt%

2C1

A6o yo) remem'er "he yo) came o)t o )s from amo $ the sa d hills* that mor i $* loo-i $ for &r% 0ettered$eB 5o) "ere li-e a pri ce i a fairy7story% 5o) "ere li-e a lo#er i a dream% 5o) "ere the most adora'le h)ma creat)re I had e#er see % .omethi $ that felt li-e the happy life I had e#er led yet* leapt )p i me at the i sta t I set eyes o yo)% 6o =t la)$h at this if yo) ca help it% 4h* if I co)ld o ly ma-e yo) feel ho" serio)s it is to &ED AI "e t 'ac- to the ho)se* a d "rote yo)r ame a d mi e i my "or-7'ox* a d dre" a tr)e lo#ers= - ot ) der them% The * some de#il! o* I o)$ht to say some $ood a $el! "hispered to me* =/o a d loo- i the $lass%= The $lass told me! e#er mi d "hat% I "as too foolish to ta-e the "ar i $% I "e t o $etti $ fo der a d fo der of yo)* ()st as if I "as a lady i yo)r o" ra - of life* a d the most 'ea)tif)l creat)re yo)r eyes e#er rested o % I tried!oh* dear* ho" I tried!to $et yo) to loo- at me% If yo) had - o" ho" I )sed to cry at i$ht "ith the misery a d the mortificatio of yo)r e#er ta-i $ a y otice of me* yo) "o)ld ha#e pitied me perhaps* a d ha#e $i#e me a loo- o" a d the to li#e o % AIt "o)ld ha#e 'ee o #ery -i d loo-* perhaps* if yo) had - o" ho" I hated &iss Rachel% I 'elie#e I fo) d o)t yo) "ere i lo#e "ith her* 'efore yo) - e" it yo)rself% .he )sed to $i#e yo) roses to "ear i yo)r ')tto 7hole% Ah* &r% Fra -li * yo) "ore my roses ofte er tha either yo) or she tho)$htD The o ly comfort I had at that time* "as p)tti $ my rose secretly i yo)r $lass of "ater* i place of hers!a d the thro"i $ her rose a"ay% AIf she had 'ee really as pretty as yo) tho)$ht her* I mi$ht ha#e 'or e it 'etter% 8o9 I 'elie#e I sho)ld ha#e 'ee more spitef)l a$ai st her still% .)ppose yo) p)t &iss Rachel i to a ser#a t=s dress* a d too- her or ame ts offB I do =t - o" "hat is the )se of my "riti $ i this "ay% It ca =t 'e de ied that she had a 'ad fi$)re9 she "as too thi % 0)t "ho ca tell "hat the me li-eB A d yo) $ ladies may 'eha#e i a ma er "hich "o)ld cost a ser#a t her place% It=s o ')si ess of mi e% I ca =t expect yo) to read my letter* if I "rite it i this "ay% 0)t it does stir o e )p to hear &iss Rachel called pretty* "he o e - o"s all the time that it=s her dress does it* a d her co fide ce i herself% ATry ot to lose patie ce "ith me* sir% I "ill $et o as fast as I ca to the time "hich is s)re to i terest yo)!the time "he the 6iamo d "as lost% A0)t there is o e thi $ "hich I ha#e $ot it o my mi d to tell yo) first% A&y life "as ot a #ery hard life to 'ear* "hile I "as a thief% It "as o ly "he they had ta)$ht me at the reformatory to feel my o" de$radatio * a d to try for 'etter thi $s* that the days $re" lo $ a d "eary% Tho)$hts of the f)t)re forced themsel#es o me o"% I felt the dreadf)l reproach that ho est people!e#e the -i dest of ho est people!"ere to me i themsel#es% A heart7'rea-i $ se satio of lo eli ess -ept "ith me* $o "here I mi$ht* a d do "hat I mi$ht* a d see "hat perso s I mi$ht% It "as my d)ty* I - o"* to try a d $et o "ith my fello"7ser#a ts i my e" place% .omeho"* I co)ld =t ma-e frie ds "ith them% They loo-ed :or I tho)$ht they loo-ed; as if they s)spected "hat I had 'ee % I

2C2

do =t re$ret* far from it* ha#i $ 'ee ro)sed to ma-e the effort to 'e a reformed "oma ! ')t* i deed* i deed it "as a "eary life% 5o) had come across it li-e a 'eam of s) shi e at first!a d the yo) too failed me% I "as mad e o)$h to lo#e yo)9 a d I co)ld =t e#e attract yo)r otice% There "as $reat misery!there really "as $reat misery i that% A8o" I am comi $ to "hat I "a ted to tell yo)% I those days of 'itter ess* I "e t t"o or three times* "he it "as my t)r to $o o)t* to my fa#o)rite place!the 'each a'o#e the .hi#eri $ .a d% A d I said to myself* =I thi - it "ill e d here% @he I ca 'ear it o lo $er* I thi - it "ill e d here%= 5o) "ill ) dersta d* sir* that the place had laid a -i d of spell o me 'efore yo) came% I had al"ays had a otio that somethi $ "o)ld happe to me at the ,)ic-sa d% 0)t I had e#er loo-ed at it* "ith the tho)$ht of its 'ei $ the mea s of my ma-i $ a"ay "ith myself* till the time came of "hich I am o" "riti $% The I did thi - that here "as a place "hich "o)ld e d all my tro)'les for me i a mome t or t"o!a d hide me for e#er after"ards% AThis is all I ha#e to say a'o)t myself* rec-o i $ from the mor i $ "he I first sa" yo)* to the mor i $ "he the alarm "as raised i the ho)se that the 6iamo d "as lost% AI "as so a$$ra#ated 'y the foolish tal- amo $ the "ome ser#a ts* all "o deri $ "ho "as to 'e s)spected first9 a d I "as so a $ry "ith yo) :- o"i $ o 'etter at that time; for the pai s yo) too- i h) ti $ for the (e"el* a d se di $ for the police* that I -ept as m)ch as possi'le a"ay 'y myself* ) til later i the day* "he the officer from Fri<i $hall came to the ho)se% A&r% .ee$ra#e 'e$a * as yo) may remem'er* 'y setti $ a $)ard o the "ome =s 'edrooms9 a d the "ome all follo"ed him )p7stairs i a ra$e* to - o" "hat he mea t 'y the i s)lt he had p)t o them% I "e t "ith the rest* 'eca)se if I had do e a ythi $ differe t from the rest* &r% .ee$ra#e "as the sort of ma "ho "o)ld ha#e s)spected me directly% @e fo) d him i &iss Rachel=s room% He told )s he "o)ld =t ha#e a lot of "ome there9 a d he poi ted to the smear o the pai ted door* a d said some of o)r petticoats had do e the mischief* a d se t )s all do" 7stairs a$ai % AAfter lea#i $ &iss Rachel=s room* I stopped a mome t o o e of the la di $s* 'y myself* to see if I had $ot the pai t7stai 'y a y cha ce o &5 $o" % Pe elope 0ettered$e :the o ly o e of the "ome "ith "hom I "as o frie dly terms; passed* a d oticed "hat I "as a'o)t% A=5o) eed =t tro)'le yo)rself* Rosa a*= she said% =The pai t o &iss Rachel=s door has 'ee dry for ho)rs% If &r% .ee$ra#e had =t set a "atch o o)r 'edrooms* I mi$ht ha#e told him as m)ch% I do =t - o" "hat yo) thi -!I "as e#er so i s)lted 'efore i my lifeD= APe elope "as a hot7tempered $irl% I ,)ieted her* a d 'ro)$ht her 'ac- to "hat she had said a'o)t the pai t o the door ha#i $ 'ee dry for ho)rs% A=Ho" do yo) - o" thatB= I as-ed%

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A=I "as "ith &iss Rachel* a d &r% Fra -li * all yesterday mor i $*= Pe elope said* =mixi $ the colo)rs* "hile they fi ished the door% I heard &iss Rachel as- "hether the door "o)ld 'e dry that e#e i $* i time for the 'irthday compa y to see it% A d &r% Fra -li shoo- his head* a d said it "o)ld =t 'e dry i less tha t"el#e ho)rs% It "as lo $ past l) cheo 7time!it "as three o=cloc- 'efore they had do e% @hat does yo)r arithmetic say* Rosa aB &i e says the door "as dry 'y three this mor i $%= A=6id some of the ladies $o )p7stairs yesterday e#e i $ to see itB= I as-ed% =I tho)$ht I heard &iss Rachel "ar i $ them to -eep clear of the door%= A=8o e of the ladies made the smear*= Pe elope a s"ered% =I left &iss Rachel i 'ed at t"el#e last i$ht% A d I oticed the door* a d there "as othi $ "ro $ "ith it the %= A=4)$ht =t yo) to me tio this to &r% .ee$ra#e* Pe elopeB= A=I "o)ld =t say a "ord to help &r% .ee$ra#e for a ythi $ that co)ld 'e offered to meD= A.he "e t to her "or-* a d I "e t to mi e%A A&y "or-* sir* "as to ma-e yo)r 'ed* a d to p)t yo)r room tidy% It "as the happiest ho)r I had i the "hole day% I )sed to -iss the pillo" o "hich yo)r head had rested all i$ht% 8o matter "ho has do e it si ce* yo) ha#e e#er had yo)r clothes folded as icely as I folded them for yo)% 4f all the little - ic-7- ac-s i yo)r dressi $7case* there "as =t o e that had so m)ch as a spec- o it% 5o) e#er oticed it* a y more tha yo) oticed me% I 'e$ yo)r pardo 9 I am for$etti $ myself% I "ill ma-e haste* a d $o o a$ai % A@ell* I "e t i that mor i $ to do my "or- i yo)r room% There "as yo)r i$ht$o" tossed across the 'ed* ()st as yo) had thro" it off% I too- it )p to fold it!a d I sa" the stai of the pai t from &iss Rachel=s doorD AI "as so startled 'y the disco#ery that I ra o)t "ith the i$ht$o" i my ha d* a d made for the 'ac- stairs* a d loc-ed myself i to my o" room* to loo- at it i a place "here o'ody co)ld i tr)de a d i terr)pt me% AAs soo as I $ot my 'reath a$ai * I called to mi d my tal- "ith Pe elope* a d I said to myself* =Here=s the proof that he "as i &iss Rachel=s sitti $7room 'et"ee t"el#e last i$ht* a d three this mor i $D= AI shall ot tell yo) i plai "ords "hat "as the first s)spicio that crossed my mi d* "he I had made that disco#ery% 5o) "o)ld o ly 'e a $ry!a d* if yo) "ere a $ry* yo) mi$ht tear my letter )p a d read o more of it% A?et it 'e e o)$h* if yo) please* to say o ly this% After thi -i $ it o#er to the 'est of my a'ility* I made it o)t that the thi $ "as =t li-ely* for a reaso that I "ill tell yo)% If yo) had 'ee i &iss Rachel=s sitti $7room* at that time of i$ht* "ith &iss Rachel=s - o"led$e :a d if yo) had 'ee foolish e o)$h to for$et to ta-e care of the "et door;

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.HE "o)ld ha#e remi ded yo)!.HE "o)ld e#er ha#e let yo) carry a"ay s)ch a "it ess a$ai st her* as the "it ess I "as loo-i $ at o"D At the same time* I o" I "as ot completely certai i my o" mi d that I had pro#ed my o" s)spicio to 'e "ro $% 5o) "ill ot ha#e for$otte that I ha#e o" ed to hati $ &iss Rachel% Try to thi -* if yo) ca * that there "as a little of that hatred i all this% It e ded i my determi i $ to -eep the i$ht$o" * a d to "ait* a d "atch* a d see "hat )se I mi$ht ma-e of it% At that time* please to remem'er* ot the $host of a idea e tered my head that yo) had stole the 6iamo d%A There* I 'ro-e off i the readi $ of the letter for the seco d time% I had read those portio s of the misera'le "oma =s co fessio "hich related to myself* "ith ) affected s)rprise* a d* I ca ho estly add* "ith si cere distress% I had re$retted* tr)ly re$retted* the aspersio "hich I had tho)$htlessly cast o her memory* 'efore I had see a li e of her letter% 0)t "he I had ad#a ced as far as the passa$e "hich is ,)oted a'o#e* I o" I felt my mi d $ro"i $ 'itterer a d 'itterer a$ai st Rosa a .pearma as I "e t o % ARead the rest for yo)rself*A I said* ha di $ the letter to 0ettered$e across the ta'le% AIf there is a ythi $ i it that I m)st loo- at* yo) ca tell me as yo) $o o %A AI ) dersta d yo)* &r% Fra -li *A he a s"ered% AIt=s at)ral* sir* i 54E% A d* /od help )s allDA he added* i a lo"er to e* Ait=s o less at)ral i HER%A I proceed to copy the co ti )atio of the letter from the ori$i al* i my o" possessio F ! AHa#i $ determi ed to -eep the i$ht$o" * a d to see "hat )se my lo#e* or my re#e $e :I hardly - o" "hich; co)ld t)r it to i the f)t)re* the ext thi $ to disco#er "as ho" to -eep it "itho)t the ris- of 'ei $ fo) d o)t% AThere "as o ly o e "ay!to ma-e a other i$ht$o" exactly li-e it* 'efore .at)rday came* a d 'ro)$ht the la) dry7"oma a d her i #e tory to the ho)se% AI "as afraid to p)t it off till ext day :the Friday;9 'ei $ i do)'t lest some accide t mi$ht happe i the i ter#al% I determi ed to ma-e the e" i$ht$o" o that same day :the Th)rsday;* "hile I co)ld co) t* if I played my cards properly* o ha#i $ my time to myself% The first thi $ to do :after loc-i $ )p yo)r i$ht$o" i my dra"er; "as to $o 'ac- to yo)r 'ed7room! ot so m)ch to p)t it to ri$hts :Pe elope "o)ld ha#e do e that for me* if I had as-ed her; as to fi d o)t "hether yo) had smeared off a y of the pai t7 stai from yo)r i$ht$o" * o the 'ed* or o a y piece of f)r it)re i the room% AI exami ed e#erythi $ arro"ly* a d at last* I fo) d a fe" strea-s of the pai t o the i side of yo)r dressi $7$o" ! ot the li e dressi $7$o" yo) )s)ally "ore i that s)mmer seaso * ')t a fla el dressi $7$o" "hich yo) had "ith yo) also% I s)ppose yo) felt chilly after "al-i $ to a d fro i othi $ ')t yo)r i$htdress* a d p)t o the "armest thi $ yo) co)ld fi d% At a y rate* there "ere the stai s* ()st #isi'le* o the i side of the

2C>

dressi $7$o" % I easily $ot rid of these 'y scrapi $ a"ay the st)ff of the fla el% This do e* the o ly proof left a$ai st yo) "as the proof loc-ed )p i my dra"er% AI had ()st fi ished yo)r room "he I "as se t for to 'e ,)estio ed 'y &r% .ee$ra#e* alo $ "ith the rest of the ser#a ts% 8ext came the exami atio of all o)r 'oxes% A d the follo"ed the most extraordi ary e#e t of the day!to &E!si ce I had fo) d the pai t o yo)r i$ht$o" % This e#e t came o)t of the seco d ,)estio i $ of Pe elope 0ettered$e 'y .)peri te de t .ee$ra#e% APe elope ret)r ed to )s ,)ite 'eside herself "ith ra$e at the ma er i "hich &r% .ee$ra#e had treated her% He had hi ted* 'eyo d the possi'ility of mista-i $ him* that he s)spected her of 'ei $ the thief% @e "ere all e,)ally asto ished at heari $ this* a d "e all as-ed* @hyB A=0eca)se the 6iamo d "as i &iss Rachel=s sitti $7room*A Pe elope a s"ered% AA d 'eca)se I "as the last perso i the sitti $7room at i$htDA AAlmost 'efore the "ords had left her lips* I remem'ered that a other perso had 'ee i the sitti $7room later tha Pe elope% That perso "as yo)rself% &y head "hirled ro) d* a d my tho)$hts "ere i dreadf)l co f)sio % I the midst of it all* somethi $ i my mi d "hispered to me that the smear o yo)r i$ht$o" mi$ht ha#e a mea i $ e tirely differe t to the mea i $ "hich I had $i#e to it )p to that time% =If the last perso "ho "as i the room is the perso to 'e s)spected*= I tho)$ht to myself* =the thief is ot Pe elope* ')t &r% Fra -li 0la-eD= AI the case of a y other $e tlema * I 'elie#e I sho)ld ha#e 'ee ashamed of s)specti $ him of theft* almost as soo as the s)spicio had passed thro)$h my mi d% A0)t the 'are tho)$ht that 54E had let yo)rself do" to my le#el* a d that I* i possessi $ myself of yo)r i$ht$o" * had also possessed myself of the mea s of shieldi $ yo) from 'ei $ disco#ered* a d dis$raced for life!I say* sir* the 'are tho)$ht of this seemed to ope s)ch a cha ce 'efore me of "i i $ yo)r $ood "ill* that I passed 'li dfold* as o e may say* from s)specti $ to 'elie#i $% I made )p my mi d* o the spot* that yo) had sho" yo)rself the ')siest of a y'ody i fetchi $ the police* as a 'li d to decei#e )s all9 a d that the ha d "hich had ta-e &iss Rachel=s (e"el co)ld 'y o possi'ility 'e a y other ha d tha yo)rs% AThe exciteme t of this e" disco#ery of mi e m)st* I thi -* ha#e t)r ed my head for a "hile% I felt s)ch a de#o)ri $ ea$er ess to see yo)!to try yo) "ith a "ord or t"o a'o)t the 6iamo d* a d to &AJE yo) loo- at me* a d spea- to me* i that "ay!that I p)t my hair tidy* a d made myself as ice as I co)ld* a d "e t to yo) 'oldly i the li'rary "here I - e" yo) "ere "riti $% A5o) had left o e of yo)r ri $s )p7stairs* "hich made as $ood a exc)se for my i tr)sio as I co)ld ha#e desired% 0)t* oh* sirD if yo) ha#e e#er lo#ed* yo) "ill ) dersta d ho" it "as that all my co)ra$e cooled* "he I "al-ed i to the room* a d fo) d myself i yo)r

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prese ce% A d the * yo) loo-ed )p at me so coldly* a d yo) tha -ed me for fi di $ yo)r ri $ i s)ch a i differe t ma er* that my - ees trem'led ) der me* a d I felt as if I sho)ld drop o the floor at yo)r feet% @he yo) had tha -ed me* yo) loo-ed 'ac-* if yo) remem'er* at yo)r "riti $% I "as so mortified at 'ei $ treated i this "ay* that I pl)c-ed )p spirit e o)$h to spea-% I said* =This is a stra $e thi $ a'o)t the 6iamo d* sir%= A d yo) loo-ed )p a$ai * a d said* =5es* it isD= 5o) spo-e ci#illy :I ca =t de y that;9 ')t still yo) -ept a dista ce!a cr)el dista ce 'et"ee )s% 0elie#i $* as I did* that yo) had $ot the lost 6iamo d hidde a'o)t yo)* "hile yo) "ere spea-i $* yo)r cool ess so pro#o-ed me that I $ot 'old e o)$h* i the heat of the mome t* to $i#e yo) a hi t% I said* =They "ill e#er fi d the 6iamo d* sir* "ill theyB 8oD or the perso "ho too- it!I=ll a s"er for that%= I odded* a d smiled at yo)* as m)ch as to say* =I - o"D= THI. time* yo) loo-ed )p at me "ith somethi $ li-e i terest i yo)r eyes9 a d I felt that a fe" more "ords o yo)r side a d mi e mi$ht 'ri $ o)t the tr)th% +)st at that mome t* &r% 0ettered$e spoilt it all 'y comi $ to the door% I - e" his footstep* a d I also - e" that it "as a$ai st his r)les for me to 'e i the li'rary at that time of day!let alo e 'ei $ there alo $ "ith yo)% I had o ly ()st time to $et o)t of my o" accord* 'efore he co)ld come i a d tell me to $o% I "as a $ry a d disappoi ted9 ')t I "as ot e tirely "itho)t hope for all that% The ice* yo) see* "as 'ro-e 'et"ee )s!a d I tho)$ht I "o)ld ta-e care* o the ext occasio * that &r% 0ettered$e "as o)t of the "ay% A@he I $ot 'ac- to the ser#a ts= hall* the 'ell "as $oi $ for o)r di er% After oo alreadyD a d the materials for ma-i $ the e" i$ht$o" "ere still to 'e $otD There "as ')t o e cha ce of $etti $ them% I shammed ill at di er9 a d so sec)red the "hole of the i ter#al from the till tea7time to my o" )se% A@hat I "as a'o)t* "hile the ho)sehold 'elie#ed me to 'e lyi $ do" i my o" room9 a d ho" I spe t the i$ht* after shammi $ ill a$ai at tea7time* a d ha#i $ 'ee se t )p to 'ed* there is o eed to tell yo)% .er$ea t C)ff disco#ered that m)ch* if he disco#ered othi $ more% A d I ca $)ess ho"% I "as detected :tho)$h I -ept my #eil do" ; i the draper=s shop at Fri<i $hall% There "as a $lass i fro t of me* at the co) ter "here I "as ')yi $ the lo $cloth9 a d!i that $lass!I sa" o e of the shopme poi t to my sho)lder a d "hisper to a other% At i$ht a$ai * "he I "as secretly at "or-* loc-ed i to my room* I heard the 'reathi $ of the "ome ser#a ts "ho s)spected me* o)tside my door% AIt did =t matter the 9 it does =t matter o"% 4 the Friday mor i $* ho)rs 'efore .er$ea t C)ff e tered the ho)se* there "as the e" i$ht$o" !to ma-e )p yo)r )m'er i place of the i$ht$o" that I had $ot!made* "r) $ o)t* dried* iro ed* mar-ed* a d folded as the la) dry "oma folded all the others* safe i yo)r dra"er% There "as o fear :if the li e i the ho)se "as exami ed; of the e" ess of the i$ht$o" 'etrayi $ me% All yo)r ) derclothi $ had 'ee re e"ed* "he yo) came to o)r ho)se!I s)ppose o yo)r ret)r home from forei$ parts% AThe ext thi $ "as the arri#al of .er$ea t C)ff9 a d the ext $reat s)rprise "as the a o) ceme t of "hat HE tho)$ht a'o)t the smear o the door%

2C2

AI had 'elie#ed yo) to 'e $)ilty :as I ha#e o" ed;* more 'eca)se I "a ted yo) to 'e $)ilty tha for a y other reaso % A d o"* the .er$ea t had come ro) d 'y a totally differe t "ay to the same co cl)sio :respecti $ the i$ht$o" ; as mi eD A d I had $ot the dress that "as the o ly proof a$ai st yo)D A d ot a li#i $ creat)re - e" it!yo)rself i cl)dedD I am afraid to tell yo) ho" I felt "he I called these thi $s to mi d!yo) "o)ld hate my memory for e#er after"ards%A At that place* 0ettered$e loo-ed )p from the letter% A8ot a $limmer of li$ht so far* &r% Fra -li *A said the old ma * ta-i $ off his hea#y tortoiseshell spectacles* a d p)shi $ Rosa a .pearma =s co fessio a little a"ay from him% AHa#e yo) come to a y co cl)sio * sir* i yo)r o" mi d* "hile I ha#e 'ee readi $BA AFi ish the letter first* 0ettered$e9 there may 'e somethi $ to e li$hte )s at the e d of it% I shall ha#e a "ord or t"o to say to yo) after that%A AVery $ood* sir% I=ll ()st rest my eyes* a d the I=ll $o o a$ai % I the mea time* &r% Fra -li !I do =t "a t to h)rry yo)!')t "o)ld yo) mi d telli $ me* i o e "ord* "hether yo) see yo)r "ay o)t of this dreadf)l mess yetBA AI see my "ay 'ac- to ?o do *A I said* Ato co s)lt &r% 0r)ff% If he ca =t help me!!A A5es* sirBA AA d if the .er$ea t "o =t lea#e his retireme t at 6or-i $!!A AHe "o =t* &r% Fra -li DA AThe * 0ettered$e!as far as I ca see o"!I am at the e d of my reso)rces% After &r% 0r)ff a d the .er$ea t* I do =t - o" of a li#i $ creat)re "ho ca 'e of the sli$htest )se to me%A As the "ords passed my lips* some perso o)tside - oc-ed at the door of the room% 0ettered$e loo-ed s)rprised as "ell as a oyed 'y the i terr)ptio % ACome i *A he called o)t* irrita'ly* A"hoe#er yo) areDA The door ope ed* a d there e tered to )s* ,)ietly* the most remar-a'le7loo-i $ ma that I had e#er see % +)d$i $ him 'y his fi$)re a d his mo#eme ts* he "as still yo) $% +)d$i $ him 'y his face* a d compari $ him "ith 0ettered$e* he loo-ed the elder of the t"o% His complexio "as of a $ipsy dar- ess9 his fleshless chee-s had falle i to deep hollo"s* o#er "hich the 'o e pro(ected li-e a pe t7ho)se% His ose prese ted the fi e shape a d modelli $ so ofte fo) d amo $ the a cie t people of the East* so seldom #isi'le amo $ the e"er races of the @est% His forehead rose hi$h a d strai$ht from the 'ro"% His

2CG

mar-s a d "ri -les "ere i )mera'le% From this stra $e face* eyes* stra $er still* of the softest 'ro" !eyes dreamy a d mo)r f)l* a d deeply s) - i their or'its!loo-ed o)t at yo)* a d :i my case* at least; too- yo)r atte tio capti#e at their "ill% Add to this a ,)a tity of thic- closely7c)rli $ hair* "hich* 'y some frea- of 8at)re* had lost its colo)r i the most startli $ly partial a d capricio)s ma er% 4#er the top of his head it "as still of the deep 'lac- "hich "as its at)ral colo)r% Ro) d the sides of his head!"itho)t the sli$htest $radatio of $rey to 'rea- the force of the extraordi ary co trast!it had t)r ed completely "hite% The li e 'et"ee the t"o colo)rs preser#ed o sort of re$)larity% At o e place* the "hite hair ra )p i to the 'lac-9 at a other* the 'lac- hair ra do" i to the "hite% I loo-ed at the ma "ith a c)riosity "hich* I am ashamed to say* I fo) d it ,)ite impossi'le to co trol% His soft 'ro" eyes loo-ed 'ac- at me $e tly9 a d he met my i #ol) tary r)de ess i stari $ at him* "ith a apolo$y "hich I "as co scio)s that I had ot deser#ed% AI 'e$ yo)r pardo *A he said% AI had o idea that &r% 0ettered$e "as e $a$ed%A He too- a slip of paper from his poc-et* a d ha ded it to 0ettered$e% AThe list for ext "ee-*A he said% His eyes ()st rested o me a$ai !a d he left the room as ,)ietly as he had e tered it% A@ho is thatBA I as-ed% A&r% Ca dy=s assista t*A said 0ettered$e% A0y7the7'ye* &r% Fra -li * yo) "ill 'e sorry to hear that the little doctor has e#er reco#ered that ill ess he ca)$ht* $oi $ home from the 'irthday di er% He=s pretty "ell i health9 ')t he lost his memory i the fe#er* a d he has e#er reco#ered more tha the "rec- of it si ce% The "or- all falls o his assista t% 8ot m)ch of it o"* except amo $ the poor% THE5 ca =t help themsel#es* yo) - o"% THE5 m)st p)t )p "ith the ma "ith the pie'ald hair* a d the $ipsy complexio !or they "o)ld $et o doctori $ at all%A A5o) do =t seem to li-e him* 0ettered$eBA A8o'ody li-es him* sir%A A@hy is he so ) pop)larBA A@ell* &r% Fra -li * his appeara ce is a$ai st him* to 'e$i "ith% A d the there=s a story that &r% Ca dy too- him "ith a #ery do)'tf)l character% 8o'ody - o"s "ho he is!a d he has =t a frie d i the place% Ho" ca yo) expect o e to li-e him* after thatBA AI)ite impossi'le* of co)rseD &ay I as- "hat he "a ted "ith yo)* "he he $a#e yo) that 'it of paperBA A4 ly to 'ri $ me the "ee-ly list of the sic- people a'o)t here* sir* "ho sta d i eed of a little "i e% &y lady al"ays had a re$)lar distri')tio of $ood so) d port a d sherry amo $ the i firm poor9 a d &iss Rachel "ishes the c)stom to 'e -ept )p% Times ha#e cha $edD times ha#e cha $edD I remem'er "he &r% Ca dy himself 'ro)$ht the list to

2C3

my mistress% 8o" it=s &r% Ca dy=s assista t "ho 'ri $s the list to me% I=ll $o o "ith the letter* if yo) "ill allo" me* sir*A said 0ettered$e* dra"i $ Rosa a .pearma =s co fessio 'ac- to him% AIt is =t li#ely readi $* I $ra t yo)% 0)t* thereD it -eeps me from $etti $ so)r "ith thi -i $ of the past%A He p)t o his spectacles* a d "a$$ed his head $loomily% AThere=s a 'ottom of $ood se se* &r% Fra -li * i o)r co d)ct to o)r mothers* "he they first start )s o the (o)r ey of life% @e are all of )s more or less ) "illi $ to 'e 'ro)$ht i to the "orld% A d "e are all of )s ri$ht%A &r% Ca dy=s assista t had prod)ced too stro $ a impressio o me to 'e immediately dismissed from my tho)$hts% I passed o#er the last ) a s"era'le )ttera ce of the 0ettered$e philosophy9 a d ret)r ed to the s)'(ect of the ma "ith the pie'ald hair% A@hat is his ameBA I as-ed% AAs )$ly a ame as eed 'e*A 0ettered$e a s"ered $r)ffly% AE<ra +e i $s%A

CHAPTER !
Ha#i $ told me the ame of &r% Ca dy=s assista t* 0ettered$e appeared to thi - that "e had "asted e o)$h of o)r time o a i si$ ifica t s)'(ect% He res)med the per)sal of Rosa a .pearma =s letter% 4 my side* I sat at the "i do"* "aiti $ ) til he had do e% ?ittle 'y little* the impressio prod)ced o me 'y E<ra +e i $s!it seemed perfectly ) acco) ta'le* i s)ch a sit)atio as mi e* that a y h)ma 'ei $ sho)ld ha#e prod)ced a impressio o me at allD!faded from my mi d% &y tho)$hts flo"ed 'ac- i to their former cha el% 4 ce more* I forced myself to loo- my o" i credi'le positio resol)tely i the face% 4 ce more* I re#ie"ed i my o" mi d the co)rse "hich I had at last s)mmo ed compos)re e o)$h to pla o)t for the f)t)re% To $o 'ac- to ?o do that day9 to p)t the "hole case 'efore &r% 0r)ff9 a d* last a d most importa t* to o'tai : o matter 'y "hat mea s or at "hat sacrifice; a perso al i ter#ie" "ith Rachel!this "as my pla of actio * so far as I "as capa'le of formi $ it at the time% There "as more tha a ho)r still to spare 'efore the trai started% A d there "as the 'are cha ce that 0ettered$e mi$ht disco#er somethi $ i the ) read portio of Rosa a .pearma =s letter* "hich it mi$ht 'e )sef)l for me to - o" 'efore I left the ho)se i "hich the 6iamo d had 'ee lost% For that cha ce I "as o" "aiti $% The letter e ded i these termsF A5o) ha#e o eed to 'e a $ry* &r% Fra -li * e#e if I did feel some little tri)mph at - o"i $ that I held all yo)r prospects i life i my o" ha ds% A xieties a d fears soo 22H

came 'ac- to me% @ith the #ie" .er$ea t C)ff too- of the loss of the 6iamo d* he "o)ld 'e s)re to e d i exami i $ o)r li e a d o)r dresses% There "as o place i my room! there "as o place i the ho)se!"hich I co)ld feel satisfied "o)ld 'e safe from him% Ho" to hide the i$ht$o" so that ot e#e the .er$ea t co)ld fi d itB a d ho" to do that "itho)t losi $ o e mome t of precio)s timeB!these "ere ot easy ,)estio s to a s"er% &y ) certai ties e ded i my ta-i $ a "ay that may ma-e yo) la)$h% I ) dressed* a d p)t the i$ht$o" o me% 5o) had "or it!a d I had a other little mome t of pleas)re i "eari $ it after yo)% AThe ext e"s that reached )s i the ser#a ts= hall sho"ed that I had ot made s)re of the i$ht$o" a mome t too soo % .er$ea t C)ff "a ted to see the "ashi $7'oo-% AI fo) d it* a d too- it to him i my lady=s sitti $7room% The .er$ea t a d I had come across each other more tha o ce i former days% I "as certai he "o)ld - o" me a$ai !a d I "as 84T certai of "hat he mi$ht do "he he fo) d me employed as ser#a t i a ho)se i "hich a #al)a'le (e"el had 'ee lost% I this s)spe se* I felt it "o)ld 'e a relief to me to $et the meeti $ 'et"ee )s o#er* a d to - o" the "orst of it at o ce% AHe loo-ed at me as if I "as a stra $er* "he I ha ded him the "ashi $7'oo-9 a d he "as #ery specially polite i tha -i $ me for 'ri $i $ it% I tho)$ht those "ere 'oth 'ad si$ s% There "as o - o"i $ "hat he mi$ht say of me 'ehi d my 'ac-9 there "as o - o"i $ ho" soo I mi$ht ot fi d myself ta-e i c)stody o s)spicio * a d searched% It "as the time for yo)r ret)r from seei $ &r% /odfrey A'le"hite off 'y the rail"ay9 a d I "e t to yo)r fa#o)rite "al- i the shr)''ery* to try for a other cha ce of spea-i $ to yo)!the last cha ce* for all I - e" to the co trary* that I mi$ht ha#e% A5o) e#er appeared9 a d* "hat "as "orse still* &r% 0ettered$e a d .er$ea t C)ff passed 'y the place "here I "as hidi $!a d the .er$ea t sa" me% AI had o choice* after that* ')t to ret)r to my proper place a d my proper "or-* 'efore more disasters happe ed to me% +)st as I "as $oi $ to step across the path* yo) came 'acfrom the rail"ay% 5o) "ere ma-i $ strai$ht for the shr)''ery* "he yo) sa" me!I am certai * sir* yo) sa" me!a d yo) t)r ed a"ay as if I had $ot the pla$)e* a d "e t i to the ho)se%L
5 :6TE& by 7ranklin Blake!<The writer is entirely mistaken, #oor creature! 4 ne er noticed her! My intention was certainly to ha e taken a turn in the shrubbery! But, remembering at the same moment that my aunt might wish to see me, after my return from the railway, 4 altered my mind, and went into the house!

AI made the 'est of my "ay i doors a$ai * ret)r i $ 'y the ser#a ts= e tra ce% There "as o'ody i the la) dry7room at that time9 a d I sat do" there alo e% I ha#e told yo) already of the tho)$hts "hich the .hi#eri $ .a d p)t i to my head% Those tho)$hts came 'ac- to me o"% I "o dered i myself "hich it "o)ld 'e harder to do* if thi $s "e t o

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i this ma er!to 'ear &r% Fra -li 0la-e=s i differe ce to me* or to ()mp i to the ,)ic-sa d a d e d it for e#er i that "ayB AIt=s )seless to as- me to acco) t for my o" co d)ct* at this time% I try!a d I ca =t ) dersta d it myself% A@hy did =t I stop yo)* "he yo) a#oided me i that cr)el ma erB @hy did =t I call o)t* =&r% Fra -li * I ha#e $ot somethi $ to say to yo)9 it co cer s yo)rself* a d yo) m)st* a d shall* hear itB= 5o) "ere at my mercy!I had $ot the "hip7ha d of yo)* as they say% A d 'etter tha that* I had the mea s :if I co)ld o ly ma-e yo) tr)st me; of 'ei $ )sef)l to yo) i the f)t)re% 4f co)rse* I e#er s)pposed that yo)!a $e tlema !had stole the 6iamo d for the mere pleas)re of steali $ it% 8o% Pe elope had heard &iss Rachel* a d I had heard &r% 0ettered$e* tal- a'o)t yo)r extra#a$a ce a d yo)r de'ts% It "as plai e o)$h to me that yo) had ta-e the 6iamo d to sell it* or pled$e it* a d so to $et the mo ey of "hich yo) stood i eed% @ellD I co)ld ha#e told yo) of a ma i ?o do "ho "o)ld ha#e ad#a ced a $ood lar$e s)m o the (e"el* a d "ho "o)ld ha#e as-ed o a"-"ard ,)estio s a'o)t it either% A@hy did =t I spea- to yo)D "hy did =t I spea- to yo)D AI "o der "hether the ris-s a d diffic)lties of -eepi $ the i$ht$o" "ere as m)ch as I co)ld ma a$e* "itho)t ha#i $ other ris-s a d diffic)lties added to themB This mi$ht ha#e 'ee the case "ith some "ome !')t ho" co)ld it 'e the case "ith meB I the days "he I "as a thief* I had r) fifty times $reater ris-s* a d fo) d my "ay o)t of diffic)lties to "hich THI. diffic)lty "as mere child=s play% I had 'ee appre ticed* as yo) may say* to fra)ds a d deceptio s!some of them o s)ch a $ra d scale* a d ma a$ed so cle#erly* that they 'ecame famo)s* a d appeared i the e"spapers% @as s)ch a little thi $ as the -eepi $ of the i$ht$o" li-ely to "ei$h o my spirits* a d to set my heart si -i $ "ithi me* at the time "he I o)$ht to ha#e spo-e to yo)B @hat o se se to as- the ,)estio D The thi $ co)ld =t 'e% A@here is the )se of my d"elli $ i this "ay o my o" follyB The plai tr)th is plai e o)$h* s)relyB 0ehi d yo)r 'ac-* I lo#ed yo) "ith all my heart a d so)l% 0efore yo)r face!there=s o de yi $ it!I "as fri$hte ed of yo)9 fri$hte ed of ma-i $ yo) a $ry "ith me9 fri$hte ed of "hat yo) mi$ht say to me :tho)$h yo) HA6 ta-e the 6iamo d; if I pres)med to tell yo) that I had fo) d it o)t% I had $o e as ear to it as I dared "he I spo-e to yo) i the li'rary% 5o) had ot t)r ed yo)r 'ac- o me the % 5o) had ot started a"ay from me as if I had $ot the pla$)e% I tried to pro#o-e myself i to feeli $ a $ry "ith yo)* a d to ro)se )p my co)ra$e i that "ay% 8oD I co)ld =t feel a ythi $ ')t the misery a d the mortificatio of it% 5o)=re a plai $irl9 yo) ha#e $ot a croo-ed sho)lder9 yo)=re o ly a ho)semaid!"hat do yo) mea 'y attempti $ to spea- to &eBA 5o) e#er )ttered a "ord of that* &r% Fra -li 9 ')t yo) said it all to me* e#erthelessD Is s)ch mad ess as this to 'e acco) ted forB 8o% There is othi $ to 'e do e ')t to co fess it* a d let it 'e%

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AI as- yo)r pardo * o ce more* for this "a deri $ of my pe % There is o fear of its happe i $ a$ai % I am close at the e d o"% AThe first perso "ho dist)r'ed me 'y comi $ i to the empty room "as Pe elope% .he had fo) d o)t my secret lo $ si ce* a d she had do e her 'est to 'ri $ me to my se ses !a d do e it -i dly too% A=AhD= she said* =I - o" "hy yo)=re sitti $ here* a d fretti $* all 'y yo)rself% The 'est thi $ that ca happe for yo)r ad#a ta$e* Rosa a* "ill 'e for &r% Fra -li =s #isit here to come to a e d% It=s my 'elief that he "o =t 'e lo $ o" 'efore he lea#es the ho)se%A AI all my tho)$hts of yo) I had e#er tho)$ht of yo)r $oi $ a"ay% I co)ld =t spea- to Pe elope% I co)ld o ly loo- at her% A=I=#e ()st left &iss Rachel*= Pe elope "e t o % =A d a hard matter I ha#e had of it to p)t )p "ith her temper% .he says the ho)se is ) 'eara'le to her "ith the police i it9 a d she=s determi ed to spea- to my lady this e#e i $* a d to $o to her A) t A'le"hite to7morro"% If she does that* &r% Fra -li "ill 'e the ext to fi d a reaso for $oi $ a"ay* yo) may depe d o itD= AI reco#ered the )se of my to $)e at that% =6o yo) mea to say &r% Fra -li "ill $o "ith herB= I as-ed% A=4 ly too $ladly* if she "o)ld let him9 ')t she "o =t% HE has 'ee made to feel her temper9 HE is i her 'lac- 'oo-s too!a d that after ha#i $ do e all he ca to help her* poor fello"D 8oD oD If they do =t ma-e it )p 'efore to7morro"* yo) "ill see &iss Rachel $o o e "ay* a d &r% Fra -li a other% @here he may 'eta-e himself to I ca =t say% 0)t he "ill e#er stay here* Rosa a* after &iss Rachel has left )s%= AI ma a$ed to master the despair I felt at the prospect of yo)r $oi $ a"ay% To o" the tr)th* I sa" a little $limpse of hope for myself if there "as really a serio)s disa$reeme t 'et"ee &iss Rachel a d yo)% =6o yo) - o"*= I as-ed* ="hat the ,)arrel is 'et"ee themB= A=It is all o &iss Rachel=s side*= Pe elope said% =A d* for a ythi $ I - o" to the co trary* it=s all &iss Rachel=s temper* a d othi $ else% I am loth to distress yo)* Rosa a9 ')t do =t r) a"ay "ith the otio that &r% Fra -li is e#er li-ely to ,)arrel "ith HER% He=s a $reat deal too fo d of her for thatD= A.he had o ly ()st spo-e those cr)el "ords "he there came a call to )s from &r% 0ettered$e% All the i door ser#a ts "ere to assem'le i the hall% A d the "e "ere to $o i * o e 'y o e* a d 'e ,)estio ed i &r% 0ettered$e=s room 'y .er$ea t C)ff% AIt came to my t)r to $o i * after her ladyship=s maid a d the )pper ho)semaid had 'ee ,)estio ed first% .er$ea t C)ff=s i ,)iries!tho)$h he "rapped them )p #ery c) i $ly !soo sho"ed me that those t"o "ome :the 'itterest e emies I had i the ho)se; had

223

made their disco#eries o)tside my door* o the T)esday after oo * a d a$ai o the Th)rsday i$ht% They had told the .er$ea t e o)$h to ope his eyes to some part of the tr)th% He ri$htly 'elie#ed me to ha#e made a e" i$ht$o" secretly* ')t he "ro $ly 'elie#ed the pai t7stai ed i$ht$o" to 'e mi e% I felt satisfied of a other thi $* from "hat he said* "hich it p)<<led me to ) dersta d% He s)spected me* of co)rse* of 'ei $ co cer ed i the disappeara ce of the 6iamo d% 0)t* at the same time* he let me see! p)rposely* as I tho)$ht!that he did ot co sider me as the perso chiefly a s"era'le for the loss of the (e"el% He appeared to thi - that I had 'ee acti $ ) der the directio of some'ody else% @ho that perso mi$ht 'e* I co)ld =t $)ess the * a d ca =t $)ess o"% AI this ) certai ty* o e thi $ "as plai !that .er$ea t C)ff "as miles a"ay from - o"i $ the "hole tr)th% 5o) "ere safe as lo $ as the i$ht$o" "as safe!a d ot a mome t lo $er% AI ,)ite despair of ma-i $ yo) ) dersta d the distress a d terror "hich pressed )po me o"% It "as impossi'le for me to ris- "eari $ yo)r i$ht$o" a y lo $er% I mi$ht fi d myself ta-e off* at a mome t=s otice* to the police co)rt at Fri<i $hall* to 'e char$ed o s)spicio * a d searched accordi $ly% @hile .er$ea t C)ff still left me free* I had to choose!a d at o ce!'et"ee destroyi $ the i$ht$o" * or hidi $ it i some safe place* at some safe dista ce from the ho)se% AIf I had o ly 'ee a little less fo d of yo)* I thi - I sho)ld ha#e destroyed it% 0)t ohD ho" co)ld destroy the o ly thi $ I had "hich pro#ed that I had sa#ed yo) from disco#eryB If "e did come to a expla atio to$ether* a d if yo) s)spected me of ha#i $ some 'ad moti#e* a d de ied it all* ho" co)ld I "i )po yo) to tr)st me* ) less I had the i$ht$o" to prod)ceB @as it "ro $i $ yo) to 'elie#e* as I did a d do still* that yo) mi$ht hesitate to let a poor $irl li-e me 'e the sharer of yo)r secret* a d yo)r accomplice i the theft "hich yo)r mo ey7tro)'les had tempted yo) to commitB Thi - of yo)r cold 'eha#io)r to me* sir* a d yo) "ill hardly "o der at my ) "illi $ ess to destroy the o ly claim o yo)r co fide ce a d yo)r $ratit)de "hich it "as my fort) e to possess% AI determi ed to hide it9 a d the place I fixed o "as the place I - e" 'est!the .hi#eri $ .a d% AAs soo as the ,)estio i $ "as o#er* I made the first exc)se that came i to my head* a d $ot lea#e to $o o)t for a 'reath of fresh air% I "e t strai$ht to Co''=s Hole* to &r% 5olla d=s cotta$e% His "ife a d da)$hter "ere the 'est frie ds I had% 6o =t s)ppose I tr)sted them "ith yo)r secret!I ha#e tr)sted o'ody% All I "a ted "as to "rite this letter to yo)* a d to ha#e a safe opport) ity of ta-i $ the i$ht$o" off me% .)spected as I "as* I co)ld do either of those thi $s "ith a y sort of sec)rity* at the ho)se% AA d o" I ha#e early $ot thro)$h my lo $ letter* "riti $ it alo e i ?)cy 5olla d=s 'edroom% @he it is do e* I shall $o do" stairs "ith the i$ht$o" rolled )p* a d hidde ) der my cloa-% I shall fi d the mea s I "a t for -eepi $ it safe a d dry i its hidi $7 place* amo $ the litter of old thi $s i &rs% 5olla d=s -itche % A d the I shall $o to the .hi#eri $ .a d!do =t 'e afraid of my letti $ my footmar-s 'etray meD!a d hide the

221

i$ht$o" do" i the sa d* "here o li#i $ creat)re ca fi d it "itho)t 'ei $ first let i to the secret 'y myself% AA d* "he that=s do e* "hat the B AThe * &r% Fra -li * I shall ha#e t"o reaso s for ma-i $ a other attempt to say the "ords to yo) "hich I ha#e ot said yet% If yo) lea#e the ho)se* as Pe elope 'elie#es yo) "ill lea#e it* a d if I ha#e =t spo-e to yo) 'efore that* I shall lose my opport) ity fore#er% That is o e reaso % The * a$ai * there is the comforti $ - o"led$e!if my spea-i $ does ma-e yo) a $ry!that I ha#e $ot the i$ht$o" ready to plead my ca)se for me as othi $ else ca % That is my other reaso % If these t"o to$ether do =t harde my heart a$ai st the cold ess "hich has hitherto fro<e it )p :I mea the cold ess of yo)r treatme t of me;* there "ill 'e the e d of my efforts!a d the e d of my life% A5es% If I miss my ext opport) ity!if yo) are as cr)el as e#er* a d if I feel it a$ai as I ha#e felt it already!$ood7'ye to the "orld "hich has $r)d$ed me the happi ess that it $i#es to others% /ood7'ye to life* "hich othi $ ')t a little -i d ess from yo) ca e#er ma-e pleas)ra'le to me a$ai % 6o =t 'lame yo)rself* sir* if it e ds i this "ay% 0)t try! do try!to feel some for$i#i $ sorro" for meD I shall ta-e care that yo) fi d o)t "hat I ha#e do e for yo)* "he I am past telli $ yo) of it myself% @ill yo) say somethi $ -i d of me the !i the same $e tle "ay that yo) ha#e "he yo) spea- to &iss RachelB If yo) do that* a d if there are s)ch thi $s as $hosts* I 'elie#e my $host "ill hear it* a d trem'le "ith the pleas)re of it% AIt=s time I left off% I am ma-i $ myself cry% Ho" am I to see my "ay to the hidi $7place if I let these )seless tears come a d 'li d meB A0esides* "hy sho)ld I loo- at the $loomy sideB @hy ot 'elie#e* "hile I ca * that it "ill e d "ell after allB I may fi d yo) i a $ood h)mo)r to7 i$ht!or* if ot* I may s)cceed 'etter to7morro" mor i $% I sha= =t impro#e my plai face 'y fretti $!shall IB @ho - o"s ')t I may ha#e filled all these "eary lo $ pa$es of paper for othi $B They "ill $o* for safety=s sa-e : e#er mi d o" for "hat other reaso ; i to the hidi $7place alo $ "ith the i$ht$o" % It has 'ee hard* hard "or- "riti $ my letter% 4hD if "e o ly e d i ) dersta di $ each other* ho" I shall e (oy teari $ it )pD AI 'e$ to remai * sir* yo)r tr)e lo#er a d h)m'le ser#a t* AR4.A88A .PEAR&A8%A The readi $ of the letter "as completed 'y 0ettered$e i sile ce% After caref)lly p)tti $ it 'ac- i the e #elope* he sat thi -i $* "ith his head 'o"ed do" * a d his eyes o the $ro) d% A0ettered$e*A I said* Ais there a y hi t to $)ide me at the e d of the letterBA He loo-ed )p slo"ly* "ith a hea#y si$h%

22>

AThere is othi $ to $)ide yo)* &r% Fra -li *A he a s"ered% AIf yo) ta-e my ad#ice yo) "ill -eep the letter i the co#er till these prese t a xieties of yo)rs ha#e come to a e d% It "ill sorely distress yo)* "he e#er yo) read it% 6o =t read it o"%A I p)t the letter a"ay i my poc-et7'oo-% A $la ce 'ac- at the sixtee th a d se#e tee th chapters of 0ettered$e=s 8arrati#e "ill sho" that there really "as a reaso for my th)s spari $ myself* at a time "he my fortit)de had 'ee already cr)elly tried% T"ice o#er* the ) happy "oma had made her last attempt to spea- to me% A d t"ice o#er* it had 'ee my misfort) e :/od - o"s ho" i oce tlyD; to repel the ad#a ces she had made to me% 4 the Friday i$ht* as 0ettered$e tr)ly descri'es it* she had fo) d me alo e at the 'illiard7ta'le% Her ma er a d la $)a$e s)$$ested to me a d "o)ld ha#e s)$$ested to a y ma * ) der the circ)msta ces!that she "as a'o)t to co fess a $)ilty - o"led$e of the disappeara ce of the 6iamo d% For her o" sa-e* I had p)rposely sho" o special i terest i "hat "as comi $9 for her o" sa-e* I had p)rposely loo-ed at the 'illiard7'alls* i stead of loo-i $ at HER!a d "hat had 'ee the res)ltB I had se t her a"ay from me* "o) ded to the heartD 4 the .at)rday a$ai !o the day "he she m)st ha#e foresee * after "hat Pe elope had told her* that my depart)re "as close at ha d!the same fatality still p)rs)ed )s% .he had o ce more attempted to meet me i the shr)''ery "al-* a d she had fo) d me there i compa y "ith 0ettered$e a d .er$ea t C)ff% I her heari $* the .er$ea t* "ith his o" ) derha d o'(ect i #ie"* had appealed to my i terest i Rosa a .pearma % A$ai for the poor creat)re=s o" sa-e* I had met the police7officer "ith a flat de ial* a d had declared!lo)dly declared* so that she mi$ht hear me too!that I felt A o i terest "hate#er i Rosa a .pearma %A At those "ords* solely desi$ ed to "ar her a$ai st attempti $ to $ai my pri#ate ear* she had t)r ed a"ay a d left the placeF ca)tio ed of her da $er* as I the 'elie#ed9 self7doomed to destr)ctio * as I - o" o"% From that poi t* I ha#e already traced the s)ccessio of e#e ts "hich led me to the asto) di $ disco#ery at the ,)ic-sa d% The retrospect is o" complete% I may lea#e the misera'le story of Rosa a .pearma !to "hich* e#e at this dista ce of time* I ca ot re#ert "itho)t a pa $ of distress!to s)$$est for itself all that is here p)rposely left ) said% I may pass from the s)icide at the .hi#eri $ .a d* "ith its stra $e a d terri'le i fl)e ce o my prese t positio a d f)t)re prospects* to i terests "hich co cer the li#i $ people of this arrati#e* a d to e#e ts "hich "ere already pa#i $ my "ay for the slo" a d toilsome (o)r ey from the dar- ess to the li$ht%

CHAPTER !I
I "al-ed to the rail"ay statio accompa ied* it is eedless to say* 'y /a'riel 0ettered$e% I had the letter i my poc-et* a d the i$ht$o" safely pac-ed i a little 'a$!'oth to 'e s)'mitted* 'efore I slept that i$ht* to the i #esti$atio of &r% 0r)ff%

22C

@e left the ho)se i sile ce% For the first time i my experie ce of him* I fo) d old 0ettered$e i my compa y "itho)t a "ord to say to me% Ha#i $ somethi $ to say o my side* I ope ed the co #ersatio as soo as "e "ere clear of the lod$e $ates% A0efore I $o to ?o do *A I 'e$a * AI ha#e t"o ,)estio s to as- yo)% They relate to myself* a d I 'elie#e they "ill rather s)rprise yo)%A AIf they "ill p)t that poor creat)re=s letter o)t of my head* &r% Fra -li * they may do a ythi $ else they li-e "ith me% Please to 'e$i s)rprisi $ me* sir* as soo as yo) ca %A A&y first ,)estio * 0ettered$e* is this% @as I dr) - o the i$ht of Rachel=s 0irthdayBA A54E dr) -DA exclaimed the old ma % A@hy it=s the $reat defect of yo)r character* &r% Fra -li that yo) o ly dri - "ith yo)r di er* a d e#er to)ch a drop of li,)or after"ardsDA A0)t the 'irthday "as a special occasio % I mi$ht ha#e a'a do ed my re$)lar ha'its* o that i$ht of all others%A 0ettered$e co sidered for a mome t% A5o) did $o o)t of yo)r ha'its* sir*A he said% AA d I=ll tell yo) ho"% 5o) loo-ed "retchedly ill!a d "e pers)aded yo) to ha#e a drop of 'ra dy a d "ater to cheer yo) )p a little%A AI am ot )sed to 'ra dy a d "ater% It is ,)ite possi'le!!A A@ait a 'it* &r% Fra -li % I - e" yo) "ere ot )sed* too% I po)red yo) o)t half a "i e$lass7f)ll of o)r fifty year old Co$ ac9 a d :more shame for meD; I dro" ed that o'le li,)or i i$h o a t)m'ler7f)ll of cold "ater% A child co)ld =t ha#e $ot dr) - o it !let alo e a $ro" ma DA I - e" I co)ld depe d o his memory* i a matter of this -i d% It "as plai ly impossi'le that I co)ld ha#e 'ee i toxicated% I passed o to the seco d ,)estio % A0efore I "as se t a'road* 0ettered$e* yo) sa" a $reat deal of me "he I "as a 'oyB 8o" tell me plai ly* do yo) remem'er a ythi $ stra $e of me* after I had $o e to 'ed at i$htB 6id yo) e#er disco#er me "al-i $ i my sleepBA 0ettered$e stopped* loo-ed at me for a mome t* odded his head* a d "al-ed o a$ai % AI see yo)r drift o"* &r% Fra -li DA he said A5o)=re tryi $ to acco) t for ho" yo) $ot the pai t o yo)r i$ht$o" * "itho)t - o"i $ it yo)rself% It "o =t do* sir% 5o)=re miles a"ay still from $etti $ at the tr)th% @al- i yo)r sleepB 5o) e#er did s)ch a thi $ i yo)r lifeDA

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Here a$ai * I felt that 0ettered$e m)st 'e ri$ht% 8either at home or a'road had my life e#er 'ee of the solitary sort% If I had 'ee a sleep7"al-er* there "ere h) dreds o h) dreds of people "ho m)st ha#e disco#ered me* a d "ho* i the i terest of my o" safety* "o)ld ha#e "ar ed me of the ha'it* a d ha#e ta-e preca)tio s to restrai it% .till* admitti $ all this* I cl) $!"ith a o'sti acy "hich "as s)rely at)ral a d exc)sa'le* ) der the circ)msta ces!to o e or other of the o ly t"o expla atio s that I co)ld see "hich acco) ted for the ) e d)ra'le positio i "hich I the stood% 4'ser#i $ that I "as ot yet satisfied* 0ettered$e shre"dly ad#erted to certai later e#e ts i the history of the &oo sto e9 a d scattered 'oth my theories to the "i d at o ce a d for e#er% A?et=s try it a other "ay* sir*A he said% AJeep yo)r o" opi io * a d see ho" far it "ill ta-e yo) to"ards fi di $ o)t the tr)th% If "e are to 'elie#e the i$ht$o" !"hich I do =t for o e!yo) ot o ly smeared off the pai t from the door* "itho)t - o"i $ it* ')t yo) also too- the 6iamo d "itho)t - o"i $ it% Is that ri$ht* so farBA AI)ite ri$ht% /o o %A AVery $ood* sir% @e=ll say yo) "ere dr) -* or "al-i $ i yo)r sleep* "he yo) too- the (e"el% That acco) ts for the i$ht a d mor i $* after the 'irthday% 0)t ho" does it acco) t for "hat has happe ed si ce that timeB The 6iamo d has 'ee ta-e to ?o do * si ce that time% The 6iamo d has 'ee pled$ed to &r% ?)-er* si ce that time% 6id yo) do those t"o thi $s* "itho)t - o"i $ it* tooB @ere yo) dr) - "he I sa" yo) off i the po y7chaise o that .at)rday e#e i $B A d did yo) "al- i yo)r sleep to &r% ?)-er=s* "he the trai had 'ro)$ht yo) to yo)r (o)r ey=s e dB Exc)se me for sayi $ it* &r% Fra -li * ')t this ')si ess has so )pset yo)* that yo)=re ot fit yet to ()d$e for yo)rself% The soo er yo) lay yo)r head alo $side &r% 0r)ff=s head* the soo er yo) "ill see yo)r "ay o)t of the dead7loc- that has $ot yo) o"%A @e reached the statio * "ith o ly a mi )te or t"o to spare% I h)rriedly $a#e 0ettered$e my address i ?o do * so that he mi$ht "rite to me* if ecessary9 promisi $* o my side* to i form him of a y e"s "hich I mi$ht ha#e to comm) icate% This do e* a d ()st as I "as 'iddi $ him fare"ell* I happe ed to $la ce to"ards the 'oo-7a d7 e"spaper stall% There "as &r% Ca dy=s remar-a'le7loo-i $ assista t a$ai * spea-i $ to the -eeper of the stallD 4)r eyes met at the same mome t% E<ra +e i $s too- off his hat to me% I ret)r ed the sal)te* a d $ot i to a carria$e ()st as the trai started% It "as a relief to my mi d* I s)ppose* to d"ell o a y s)'(ect "hich appeared to 'e* perso ally* of o sort of importa ce to me% At all e#e ts* I 'e$a the mome to)s (o)r ey 'ac- "hich "as to ta-e me to &r% 0r)ff* "o deri $!a's)rdly e o)$h* I admit!that I sho)ld ha#e see the ma "ith the pie'ald hair t"ice i o e dayD The ho)r at "hich I arri#ed i ?o do precl)ded all hope of my fi di $ &r% 0r)ff at his place of ')si ess% I dro#e from the rail"ay to his pri#ate reside ce at Hampstead* a d

22G

dist)r'ed the old la"yer do<i $ alo e i his di i $7room* "ith his fa#o)rite p)$7do$ o his lap* a d his 'ottle of "i e at his el'o"% I shall 'est descri'e the effect "hich my story prod)ced o the mi d of &r% 0r)ff 'y relati $ his proceedi $s "he he had heard it to the e d% He ordered li$hts* a d stro $ tea* to 'e ta-e i to his st)dy9 a d he se t a messa$e to the ladies of his family* for'iddi $ them to dist)r' )s o a y prete ce "hate#er% These prelimi aries disposed of* he first exami ed the i$ht$o" * a d the de#oted himself to the readi $ of Rosa a .pearma =s letter% The readi $ completed* &r% 0r)ff addressed me for the first time si ce "e had 'ee sh)t )p to$ether i the secl)sio of his o" room% AFra -li 0la-e*A said the old $e tlema * Athis is a #ery serio)s matter* i more respects tha o e% I my opi io * it co cer s Rachel ,)ite as early as it co cer s yo)% Her extraordi ary co d)ct is o mystery 84@% .he 'elie#es yo) ha#e stole the 6iamo d%A I had shr) - from reaso i $ my o" "ay fairly to that re#olti $ co cl)sio % 0)t it had forced itself o me* e#ertheless% &y resol)tio to o'tai a perso al i ter#ie" "ith Rachel* rested really a d tr)ly o the $ro) d ()st stated 'y &r% 0r)ff% AThe first step to ta-e i this i #esti$atio *A the la"yer proceeded* Ais to appeal to Rachel% .he has 'ee sile t all this time* from moti#es "hich I :"ho - o" her character; ca readily ) dersta d% It is impossi'le* after "hat has happe ed* to s)'mit to that sile ce a y lo $er% .he m)st 'e pers)aded to tell )s* or she m)st 'e forced to tell )s* o "hat $ro) ds she 'ases her 'elief that yo) too- the &oo sto e% The cha ces are* that the "hole of this case* serio)s as it seems o"* "ill t)m'le to pieces* if "e ca o ly 'rea- thro)$h Rachel=s i #eterate reser#e* a d pre#ail )po her to spea- o)t%A AThat is a #ery comforti $ opi io for me*A I said% AI o" I sho)ld li-e to - o"%A A5o) "o)ld li-e to - o" ho" I ca ()stify it*A i ter7posed &r% 0r)ff% AI ca tell yo) i t"o mi )tes% E dersta d* i the first place* that I loo- at this matter from a la"yer=s poi t of #ie"% It=s a ,)estio of e#ide ce* "ith me% Very "ell% The e#ide ce 'rea-s do" * at the o)tset* o o e importa t poi t%A A4 "hat poi tBA A5o) shall hear% I admit that the mar- of the ame pro#es the i$ht$o" to 'e yo)rs% I admit that the mar- of the pai t pro#es the i$ht$o" to ha#e made the smear o Rachel=s door% 0)t "hat e#ide ce is there to pro#e that yo) are the perso "ho "ore it* o the i$ht "he the 6iamo d "as lostBA The o'(ectio str)c- me* all the more forci'ly that it reflected a o'(ectio "hich I had felt myself%

223

AAs to this*A p)rs)ed the la"yer ta-i $ )p Rosa a .pearma =s co fessio * AI ca ) dersta d that the letter is a distressi $ o e to 54E% I ca ) dersta d that yo) may hesitate to a alyse it from a p)rely impartial poi t of #ie"% 0)t I am ot i yo)r positio % I ca 'ri $ my professio al experie ce to 'ear o this doc)me t* ()st as I sho)ld 'ri $ it to 'ear o a y other% @itho)t all)di $ to the "oma =s career as a thief* I "ill merely remar- that her letter pro#es her to ha#e 'ee a adept at deceptio * o her o" sho"i $9 a d I ar$)e from that* that I am ()stified i s)specti $ her of ot ha#i $ told the "hole tr)th% I "o =t start a y theory* at prese t* as to "hat she may or may ot ha#e do e% I "ill o ly say that* if Rachel has s)spected yo) 48 THE EVI6E8CE 4F THE 8I/HT/4@8 48?5* the cha ces are i ety7 i e to a h) dred that Rosa a .pearma "as the perso "ho sho"ed it to her% I that case* there is the "oma =s letter* co fessi $ that she "as (ealo)s of Rachel* co fessi $ that she cha $ed the roses* co fessi $ that she sa" a $limpse of hope for herself* i the prospect of a ,)arrel 'et"ee Rachel a d yo)% I do =t stop to as- "ho too- the &oo sto e :as a mea s to her e d* Rosa a .pearma "o)ld ha#e ta-e fifty &oo sto es;!I o ly say that the disappeara ce of the (e"el $a#e this reclaimed thief "ho "as i lo#e "ith yo)* a opport) ity of setti $ yo) a d Rachel at #aria ce for the rest of yo)r li#es% .he had ot decided o destroyi $ herself* THE8* remem'er9 a d* ha#i $ the opport) ity* I disti ctly assert that it "as i her character* a d i her positio at the time* to ta-e it% @hat do yo) say to thatBA A.ome s)ch s)spicio *A I a s"ered* Acrossed my o" mi d* as soo as I ope ed the letter%A AExactlyD A d "he yo) had read the letter* yo) pitied the poor creat)re* a d co)ld =t fi d it i yo)r heart to s)spect her% 6oes yo) credit* my dear sir!does yo) creditDA A0)t s)ppose it t)r s o)t that I did "ear the i$ht$o" B @hat the BA AI do =t see ho" the fact ca 'e pro#ed*A said &r% 0r)ff% A0)t ass)mi $ the proof to 'e possi'le* the #i dicatio of yo)r i oce ce "o)ld 'e o easy matter% @e "o =t $o i to that* o"% ?et )s "ait a d see "hether Rachel has =t s)spected yo) o the e#ide ce of the i$ht$o" o ly%A A/ood /od* ho" coolly yo) tal- of Rachel s)specti $ meDA I 'ro-e o)t% A@hat ri$ht has she to s)spect &e* o a y e#ide ce* of 'ei $ a thiefBA AA #ery se si'le ,)estio * my dear sir% Rather hotly p)t!')t "ell "orth co sideri $ for all that% @hat p)<<les yo)* p)<<les me too% .earch yo)r memory* a d tell me this% 6id a ythi $ happe "hile yo) "ere stayi $ at the ho)se! ot* of co)rse* to sha-e Rachel=s 'elief i yo)r ho o)r!')t* let )s say* to sha-e her 'elief : o matter "ith ho" little reaso ; i yo)r pri ciples $e erallyBA I started* i ) $o#er a'le a$itatio * to my feet% The la"yer=s ,)estio remi ded me* for the first time si ce I had left E $la d* that somethi $ HA6 happe ed%

2GH

I the ei$hth chapter of 0ettered$e=s 8arrati#e* a all)sio "ill 'e fo) d to the arri#al of a forei$ er a d a stra $er at my a) t=s ho)se* "ho came to see me o ')si ess% The at)re of his ')si ess "as this% I had 'ee foolish e o)$h :'ei $* as )s)al* straite ed for mo ey at the time; to accept a loa from the -eeper of a small resta)ra t i Paris* to "hom I "as "ell - o" as a c)stomer% A time "as settled 'et"ee )s for payi $ the mo ey 'ac-9 a d "he the time came* I fo) d it :as tho)sa ds of other ho est me ha#e fo) d it; impossi'le to -eep my e $a$eme t% I se t the ma a 'ill% &y ame "as ) fort) ately too "ell - o" o s)ch doc)me tsF he failed to e$otiate it% His affairs had falle i to disorder* i the i ter#al si ce I had 'orro"ed of him9 'a -r)ptcy stared him i the face9 a d a relati#e of his* a Fre ch la"yer* came to E $la d to fi d me* a d to i sist )po the payme t of my de't% He "as a ma of #iole t temper9 a d he too- the "ro $ "ay "ith me% Hi$h "ords passed o 'oth sides9 a d my a) t a d Rachel "ere ) fort) ately i the ext room* a d heard )s% ?ady Veri der came i * a d i sisted o - o"i $ "hat "as the matter% The Fre chma prod)ced his crede tials* a d declared me to 'e respo si'le for the r)i of a poor ma * "ho had tr)sted i my ho o)r% &y a) t i sta tly paid him the mo ey* a d se t him off% .he - e" me 'etter of co)rse tha to ta-e the Fre chma =s #ie" of the tra sactio % 0)t she "as shoc-ed at my careless ess* a d ()stly a $ry "ith me for placi $ myself i a positio * "hich* ')t for her i terfere ce* mi$ht ha#e 'ecome a #ery dis$racef)l o e% Either her mother told her* or Rachel heard "hat passed!I ca =t say "hich% .he too- her o" roma tic* hi$h7flo" #ie" of the matter% I "as AheartlessA9 I "as Adisho o)ra'leA9 I had A o pri cipleA9 there "as A o - o"i $ "hat I mi$ht do extA!i short* she said some of the se#erest thi $s to me "hich I had e#er heard from a yo) $ lady=s lips% The 'reach 'et"ee )s lasted for the "hole of the ext day% The day after* I s)cceeded i ma-i $ my peace* a d tho)$ht o more of it% Had Rachel re#erted to this ) l)c-y accide t* at the critical mome t "he my place i her estimatio "as a$ai * a d far more serio)sly* assailedB &r% 0r)ff* "he I had me tio ed the circ)msta ces to him* a s"ered the ,)estio at o ce i the affirmati#e% AIt "o)ld ha#e its effect o her mi d*A he said $ra#ely% AA d I "ish* for yo)r sa-e* the thi $ had ot happe ed% Ho"e#er* "e ha#e disco#ered that there @A. a predisposi $ i fl)e ce a$ai st yo)!a d there is o e ) certai ty cleared o)t of o)r "ay* at a y rate% I see othi $ more that "e ca do o"% 4)r ext step i this i ,)iry m)st 'e the step that ta-es )s to Rachel%A He rose* a d 'e$a "al-i $ tho)$htf)lly )p a d do" the room% T"ice* I "as o the poi t of telli $ him that I had determi ed o seei $ Rachel perso ally9 a d t"ice* ha#i $ re$ard to his a$e a d his character* I hesitated to ta-e him 'y s)rprise at a ) fa#o)ra'le mome t% AThe $ra d diffic)lty is*A he res)med* Aho" to ma-e her sho" her "hole mi d i this matter* "itho)t reser#e% Ha#e yo) a y s)$$estio s to offerBA AI ha#e made )p my mi d* &r% 0r)ff* to spea- to Rachel myself%A

2G1

A5o)DA He s)dde ly stopped i his "al-* a d loo-ed at me as if he tho)$ht I had ta-e lea#e of my se ses% A5o)* of all the people i the "orldDA He a'r)ptly chec-ed himself* a d too- a other t)r i the room% A@ait a little*A he said% AI cases of this extraordi ary -i d* the rash "ay is sometimes the 'est "ay%A He co sidered the ,)estio for a mome t or t"o* ) der that e" li$ht* a d e ded 'oldly 'y a decisio i my fa#o)r% A8othi $ #e t)re* othi $ ha#e*A the old $e tlema res)med% A5o) ha#e a cha ce i yo)r fa#o)r "hich I do =t possess!a d yo) shall 'e the first to try the experime t%A AA cha ce i my fa#o)rBA I repeated* i the $reatest s)rprise% &r% 0r)ff=s face softe ed* for the first time* i to a smile% AThis is ho" it sta ds*A he said% AI tell yo) fairly* I do =t tr)st yo)r discretio * a d I do =t tr)st yo)r temper% 0)t I do tr)st i Rachel=s still preser#i $* i some remote little cor er of her heart* a certai per#erse "ea- ess for 54E% To)ch that!a d tr)st to the co se,)e ces for the f)llest disclos)res that ca flo" from a "oma =s lipsD The ,)estio is!ho" are yo) to see herBA A.he has 'ee a $)est of yo)rs at this ho)se*A I a s"ered% A&ay I #e t)re to s)$$est!if othi $ "as said a'o)t me 'eforeha d!that I mi$ht see her hereBA ACoolDA said &r% 0r)ff% @ith that o e "ord of comme t o the reply that I had made to him* he too- a other t)r )p a d do" the room% AI plai E $lish*A he said* Amy ho)se is to 'e t)r ed i to a trap to catch Rachel9 "ith a 'ait to tempt her* i the shape of a i #itatio from my "ife a d da)$hters% If yo) "ere a y'ody else ')t Fra -li 0la-e* a d if this matter "as o e atom less serio)s tha it really is* I sho)ld ref)se poi t7'la -% As thi $s are* I firmly 'elie#e Rachel "ill li#e to tha - me for t)r i $ traitor to her i my old a$e% Co sider me yo)r accomplice% Rachel shall 'e as-ed to spe d the day here9 a d yo) shall recei#e d)e otice of it%A A@he B To7morro"BA ATo7morro" "o =t $i#e )s time e o)$h to $et her a s"er% .ay the day after%A AHo" shall I hear from yo)BA A.tay at home all the mor i $ a d expect me to call o yo)%A I tha -ed him for the i estima'le assista ce "hich he "as re deri $ to me* "ith the $ratit)de that I really felt9 a d* decli i $ a hospita'le i #itatio to sleep that i$ht at Hampstead* ret)r ed to my lod$i $s i ?o do % 4f the day that follo"ed* I ha#e o ly to say that it "as the lo $est day of my life% I oce t as I - e" myself to 'e* certai as I "as that the a'omi a'le imp)tatio "hich rested o me m)st soo er or later 'e cleared off* there "as e#ertheless a se se of self7

2G2

a'aseme t i my mi d "hich i sti cti#ely disi cli ed me to see a y of my frie ds% @e ofte hear :almost i #aria'ly* ho"e#er* from s)perficial o'ser#ers; that $)ilt ca looli-e i oce ce% I 'elie#e it to 'e i fi itely the tr)er axiom of the t"o that i oce ce ca loo- li-e $)ilt% I ca)sed myself to 'e de ied all day* to e#ery #isitor "ho called9 a d I o ly #e t)red o)t ) der co#er of the i$ht% The ext mor i $* &r% 0r)ff s)rprised me at the 'rea-fast7ta'le% He ha ded me a lar$e -ey* a d a o) ced that he felt ashamed of himself for the first time i his life% AIs she comi $BA A.he is comi $ to7day* to l) ch a d spe d the after oo "ith my "ife a d my $irls%A AAre &rs% 0r)ff* a d yo)r da)$hters* i the secretBA AI e#ita'ly% 0)t "ome * as yo) may ha#e o'ser#ed* ha#e o pri ciples% &y family do =t feel my pa $s of co scie ce% The e d 'ei $ to 'ri $ yo) a d Rachel to$ether a$ai * my "ife a d da)$hters pass o#er the mea s employed to $ai it* as composedly as if they "ere +es)its%A AI am i fi itely o'li$ed to them% @hat is this -eyBA AThe -ey of the $ate i my 'ac-7$arde "all% 0e there at three this after oo % ?et yo)rself i to the $arde * a d ma-e yo)r "ay i 'y the co ser#atory door% Cross the small dra"i $7room* a d ope the door i fro t of yo) "hich leads i to the m)sic7room% There* yo) "ill fi d Rachel!a d fi d her* alo e%A AHo" ca I tha - yo)DA AI "ill tell yo) ho"% 6o =t 'lame me for "hat happe s after"ards%A @ith those "ords* he "e t o)t% I had ma y "eary ho)rs still to "ait thro)$h% To "hile a"ay the time* I loo-ed at my letters% Amo $ them "as a letter from 0ettered$e% I ope ed it ea$erly% To my s)rprise a d disappoi tme t* it 'e$a "ith a apolo$y "ar i $ me to expect o e"s of a y importa ce% I the ext se te ce the e#erlasti $ E<ra +e i $s appeared a$ai D He had stopped 0ettered$e o the "ay o)t of the statio * a d had as-ed "ho I "as% I formed o this poi t* he had me tio ed ha#i $ see me to his master &r% Ca dy% &r% Ca dy heari $ of this* had himself dri#e o#er to 0ettered$e* to express his re$ret at o)r ha#i $ missed each other% He had a reaso for "ishi $ partic)larly to spea- to me9 a d "he I "as ext i the ei$h'o)rhood of Fri<i $hall* he 'e$$ed I "o)ld let him - o"% Apart from a fe" characteristic )ttera ces of the 0ettered$e philosophy* this "as the s)m a d s)'sta ce of my correspo de t=s letter% The

2G3

"arm7hearted* faithf)l old ma ac- o"led$ed that he had "ritte Amai ly for the pleas)re of "riti $ to me%A I cr)mpled )p the letter i my poc-et* a d for$ot it the mome t after* i the all7a'sor'i $ i terest of my comi $ i ter#ie" "ith Rachel% As the cloc- of Hampstead ch)rch str)c- three* I p)t &r% 0r)ff=s -ey i to the loc- of the door i the "all% @he I first stepped i to the $arde * a d "hile I "as sec)ri $ the door a$ai o the i er side* I o" to ha#i $ felt a certai $)ilty do)'tf)l ess a'o)t "hat mi$ht happe ext% I loo-ed f)rti#ely o either side of me9 s)spicio)s of the prese ce of some ) expected "it ess i some ) - o" cor er of the $arde % 8othi $ appeared* to ()stify my apprehe sio s% The "al-s "ere* o e a d all* solit)des9 a d the 'irds a d the 'ees "ere the o ly "it esses% I passed thro)$h the $arde 9 e tered the co ser#atory9 a d crossed the small dra"i $7 room% As I laid my ha d o the door opposite* I heard a fe" plai ti#e chords str)c- o the pia o i the room "ithi % .he had ofte idled o#er the i str)me t i this "ay* "he I "as stayi $ at her mother=s ho)se% I "as o'li$ed to "ait a little* to steady myself% The past a d prese t rose side 'y side* at that s)preme mome t!a d the co trast shoo- me% After the lapse of a mi )te* I ro)sed my ma hood* a d ope ed the door%

CHAPTER !II
At the mome t "he I sho"ed myself i the door"ay* Rachel rose from the pia o% I closed the door 'ehi d me% @e co fro ted each other i sile ce* "ith the f)ll le $th of the room 'et"ee )s% The mo#eme t she had made i risi $ appeared to 'e the o e exertio of "hich she "as capa'le% All )se of e#ery other fac)lty* 'odily or me tal* seemed to 'e mer$ed i the mere act of loo-i $ at me% A fear crossed my mi d that I had sho" myself too s)dde ly% I ad#a ced a fe" steps to"ards her% I said $e tly* ARachelDA The so) d of my #oice 'ro)$ht the life 'ac- to her lim's* a d the colo)r to her face% .he ad#a ced* o her side* still "itho)t spea-i $% .lo"ly* as if acti $ ) der some i fl)e ce i depe de t of her o" "ill* she came earer a d earer to me9 the "arm d)s-y colo)r fl)shi $ her chee-s* the li$ht of re#i#i $ i telli$e ce 'ri$hte i $ e#ery i sta t i her eyes% I for$ot the o'(ect that had 'ro)$ht me i to her prese ce9 I for$ot the #ile s)spicio that rested o my $ood ame9 I for$ot e#ery co sideratio * past* prese t* a d f)t)re* "hich I "as 'o) d to remem'er% I sa" othi $ ')t the "oma I lo#ed comi $ earer a d

2G1

earer to me% .he trem'led9 she stood irresol)te% I co)ld resist it o lo $er!I ca)$ht her i my arms* a d co#ered her face "ith -isses% There "as a mome t "he I tho)$ht the -isses "ere ret)r ed9 a mome t "he it seemed as if she* too mi$ht ha#e for$otte % Almost 'efore the idea co)ld shape itself i my mi d* her first #ol) tary actio made me feel that she remem'ered% @ith a cry "hich "as li-e a cry of horror!"ith a stre $th "hich I do)'t if I co)ld ha#e resisted if I had tried!she thr)st me 'ac- from her% I sa" merciless a $er i her eyes9 I sa" merciless co tempt o her lips% .he loo-ed me o#er* from head to foot* as she mi$ht ha#e loo-ed at a stra $er "ho had i s)lted her% A5o) co"ardDA she said% A5o) mea * misera'le* heartless co"ardDA Those "ere her first "ordsD The most ) e d)ra'le reproach that a "oma ca address to a ma * "as the reproach that she pic-ed o)t to address to &e% AI remem'er the time* Rachel*A I said* A"he yo) co)ld ha#e told me that I had offe ded yo)* i a "orthier "ay tha that% I 'e$ yo)r pardo %A .omethi $ of the 'itter ess that I felt may ha#e comm) icated itself to my #oice% At the first "ords of my reply* her eyes* "hich had 'ee t)r ed a"ay the mome t 'efore* loo-ed 'ac- at me ) "illi $ly% .he a s"ered i a lo" to e* "ith a s)lle s)'missio of ma er "hich "as ,)ite e" i my experie ce of her% APerhaps there is some exc)se for me*A she said% AAfter "hat yo) ha#e do e* is it a ma ly actio * o yo)r part* to fi d yo)r "ay to me as yo) ha#e fo) d it to7dayB It seems a co"ardly experime t* to try a experime t o my "ea- ess for yo)% It seems a co"ardly s)rprise* to s)rprise me i to letti $ yo) -iss me% 0)t that is o ly a "oma =s #ie"% I o)$ht to ha#e - o" it co)ld =t 'e yo)r #ie"% I sho)ld ha#e do e 'etter if I had co trolled myself* a d said othi $%A The apolo$y "as more ) e d)ra'le tha the i s)lt% The most de$raded ma li#i $ "o)ld ha#e felt h)miliated 'y it% AIf my ho o)r "as ot i yo)r ha ds*A I said* AI "o)ld lea#e yo) this i sta t* a d e#er see yo) a$ai % 5o) ha#e spo-e of "hat I ha#e do e% @hat ha#e I do eBA A@hat ha#e yo) do eD 54E as- that ,)estio of &EBA AI as- it%A AI ha#e -ept yo)r i famy a secret*A she a s"ered% AA d I ha#e s)ffered the co se,)e ces of co ceali $ it% Ha#e I o claim to 'e spared the i s)lt of yo)r as-i $ me "hat yo) ha#e do eB Is A?? se se of $ratit)de dead i yo)B 5o) "ere o ce a $e tlema % 5o) "ere o ce dear to my mother* a d dearer still to me!!A

2G>

Her #oice failed her% .he dropped i to a chair* a d t)r ed her 'ac- o me* a d co#ered her face "ith her ha ds% I "aited a little 'efore I tr)sted myself to say a y more% I that mome t of sile ce* I hardly - o" "hich I felt most -ee ly!the sti $ "hich her co tempt had pla ted i me* or the pro)d resol)tio "hich sh)t me o)t from all comm) ity "ith her distress% AIf yo) "ill ot spea- first*A I said* AI m)st% I ha#e come here "ith somethi $ serio)s to say to yo)% @ill yo) do me the commo ()stice of liste i $ "hile I say itBA .he either mo#ed* or a s"ered% I made o seco d appeal to her9 I e#er ad#a ced a i ch earer to her chair% @ith a pride "hich "as as o'sti ate as her pride* I told her of my disco#ery at the .hi#eri $ .a d* a d of all that had led to it% The arrati#e* of ecessity* occ)pied some little time% From 'e$i i $ to e d* she e#er loo-ed ro) d at me* a d she e#er )ttered a "ord% I -ept my temper% &y "hole f)t)re depe ded* i all pro'a'ility* o my ot losi $ possessio of myself at that mome t% The time had come to p)t &r% 0r)ff=s theory to the test% I the 'reathless i terest of tryi $ that experime t* I mo#ed ro) d so as to place myself i fro t of her% AI ha#e a ,)estio to as- yo)*A I said% AIt o'li$es me to refer a$ai to a pai f)l s)'(ect% 6id Rosa a .pearma sho" yo) the i$ht$o" % 5es* or 8oBA .he started to her feet9 a d "al-ed close )p to me of her o" accord% Her eyes loo-ed me searchi $ly i the face* as if to read somethi $ there "hich they had e#er read yet% AAre yo) madBA she as-ed% I still restrai ed myself% I said ,)ietly* ARachel* "ill yo) a s"er my ,)estio BA .he "e t o * "itho)t heedi $ me% AHa#e yo) some o'(ect to $ai "hich I do =t ) dersta dB .ome mea fear a'o)t the f)t)re* i "hich I am co cer edB They say yo)r father=s death has made yo) a rich ma % Ha#e yo) come here to compe sate me for the loss of my 6iamo dB A d ha#e yo) heart e o)$h left to feel ashamed of yo)r erra dB Is THAT the secret of yo)r prete ce of i oce ce* a d yo)r story a'o)t Rosa a .pearma B Is there a moti#e of shame at the 'ottom of all the falsehood* this timeBA I stopped her there% I co)ld co trol myself o lo $er% A5o) ha#e do e me a i famo)s "ro $DA I 'ro-e o)t hotly% A5o) s)spect me of steali $ yo)r 6iamo d% I ha#e a ri$ht to - o"* a d I @I?? - o"* the reaso "hyDA

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A.)spect yo)DA she exclaimed* her a $er risi $ "ith mi e% A54E VI??AI8* I .A@ 54E TAJE THE 6IA&486 @ITH &5 4@8 E5E.DA The re#elatio "hich ')rst )po me i those "ords* the o#erthro" "hich they i sta tly accomplished of the "hole #ie" of the case o "hich &r% 0r)ff had relied* str)c- me helpless% I oce t as I "as* I stood 'efore her i sile ce% To her eyes* to a y eyes* I m)st ha#e loo-ed li-e a ma o#er"helmed 'y the disco#ery of his o" $)ilt% .he dre" 'ac- from the spectacle of my h)miliatio a d of her tri)mph% The s)dde sile ce that had falle )po me seemed to fri$hte her% AI spared yo)* at the time*A she said% AI "o)ld ha#e spared yo) o"* if yo) had ot forced me to spea-%A .he mo#ed a"ay as if to lea#e the room!a d hesitated 'efore she $ot to the door% A@hy did yo) come here to h)miliate yo)rselfBA she as-ed% A@hy did yo) come here to h)miliate meBA .he "e t o a fe" steps* a d pa)sed o ce more% AFor /od=s sa-e* say somethi $DA she exclaimed* passio ately% AIf yo) ha#e a y mercy left* do =t let me de$rade myself i this "ayD .ay somethi $!a d dri#e me o)t of the roomDA I ad#a ced to"ards her* hardly co scio)s of "hat I "as doi $% I had possi'ly some co f)sed idea of detai i $ her ) til she had told me more% From the mome t "he I - e" that the e#ide ce o "hich I stood co dem ed i Rachel=s mi d* "as the e#ide ce of her o" eyes* othi $! ot e#e my co #ictio of my o" i oce ce!"as clear to my mi d% I too- her 'y the ha d9 I tried to spea- firmly a d to the p)rpose% All I co)ld say "as* ARachel* yo) o ce lo#ed me%A .he sh)ddered* a d loo-ed a"ay from me% Her ha d lay po"erless a d trem'li $ i mi e% A?et $o of it*A she said fai tly% &y to)ch seemed to ha#e the same effect o her "hich the so) d of my #oice had prod)ced "he I first e tered the room% After she had said the "ord "hich called me a co"ard* after she had made the a#o"al "hich 'ra ded me as a thief!"hile her ha d lay i mi e I "as her master stillD I dre" her $e tly 'ac- i to the middle of the room% I seated her 'y the side of me% ARachel*A I said* AI ca =t explai the co tradictio i "hat I am $oi $ to tell yo)% I ca o ly spea- the tr)th as yo) ha#e spo-e it% 5o) sa" me!"ith yo)r o" eyes* yo) sa" me ta-e the 6iamo d% 0efore /od "ho hears )s* I declare that I o" - o" I too- it for the first timeD 6o yo) do)'t me stillBA .he had either heeded or heard me% A?et $o of my ha d*A she repeated fai tly% That "as her o ly a s"er% Her head sa - o my sho)lder9 a d her ha d ) co scio)sly closed o mi e* at the mome t "he she as-ed me to release it% I refrai ed from pressi $ the ,)estio % 0)t there my for'eara ce stopped% &y cha ce of e#er holdi $ )p my head a$ai amo $ ho est me depe ded o my cha ce of i d)ci $ her to ma-e her disclos)re complete% The o e hope left for me "as the hope that she mi$ht ha#e o#erloo-ed somethi $ i the chai of e#ide ce some mere trifle* perhaps*

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"hich mi$ht e#ertheless* ) der caref)l i #esti$atio * 'e made the mea s of #i dicati $ my i oce ce i the e d% I o" I -ept possessio of her ha d% I o" I spo-e to her "ith all that I co)ld s)mmo 'ac- of the sympathy a d co fide ce of the 'y$o e time% AI "a t to as- yo) somethi $*A I said% AI "a t yo) to tell me e#erythi $ that happe ed* from the time "he "e "ished each other $ood i$ht* to the time "he yo) sa" me ta-e the 6iamo d%A .he lifted her head from my sho)lder* a d made a effort to release her ha d% A4h* "hy $o 'ac- to itDA she said% A@hy $o 'ac- to itDA AI "ill tell yo) "hy* Rachel% 5o) are the #ictim* a d I am the #ictim* of some mo stro)s del)sio "hich has "or the mas- of tr)th% If "e loo- at "hat happe ed o the i$ht of yo)r 'irthday to$ether* "e may e d i ) dersta di $ each other yet%A Her head dropped 'ac- o my sho)lder% The tears $athered i her eyes* a d fell slo"ly o#er her chee-s% A4hDA she said* Aha#e I e#er had that hopeB Ha#e I ot tried to see it* as yo) are tryi $ o"BA A5o) ha#e tried 'y yo)rself*A I a s"ered% A5o) ha#e ot tried "ith me to help yo)%A Those "ords seemed to a"a-e i her somethi $ of the hope "hich I felt myself "he I )ttered them% .he replied to my ,)estio s "ith more tha docility!she exerted her i telli$e ce9 she "illi $ly ope ed her "hole mi d to me% A?et )s 'e$i *A I said* A"ith "hat happe ed after "e had "ished each other $ood i$ht% 6id yo) $o to 'edB or did yo) sit )pBA AI "e t to 'ed%A A6id yo) otice the timeB @as it lateBA A8ot #ery% A'o)t t"el#e o=cloc-* I thi -%A A6id yo) fall asleepBA A8o% I co)ld =t sleep that i$ht%A A5o) "ere restlessBA AI "as thi -i $ of yo)%A The a s"er almost ) ma ed me% .omethi $ i the to e* e#e more tha i the "ords* "e t strai$ht to my heart% It "as o ly after pa)si $ a little first that I "as a'le to $o o % AHad yo) a y li$ht i yo)r roomBA I as-ed%

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A8o e!) til I $ot )p a$ai * a d lit my ca dle%A AHo" lo $ "as that* after yo) had $o e to 'edBA AA'o)t a ho)r after* I thi -% A'o)t o e o=cloc-%A A6id yo) lea#e yo)r 'edroomBA AI "as $oi $ to lea#e it% I had p)t o my dressi $7$o" 9 a d I "as $oi $ i to my sitti $7 room to $et a 'oo-!!A AHad yo) ope ed yo)r 'edroom doorBA AI had ()st ope ed it%A A0)t yo) had ot $o e i to the sitti $7roomBA A8o!I "as stopped from $oi $ i to it%A A@hat stopped yo)B AI sa" a li$ht* ) der the door9 a d I heard footsteps approachi $ it%A A@ere yo) fri$hte edBA A8ot the % I - e" my poor mother "as a 'ad sleeper9 a d I remem'ered that she had tried hard* that e#e i $* to pers)ade me to let her ta-e char$e of my 6iamo d% .he "as ) reaso a'ly a xio)s a'o)t it* as I tho)$ht9 a d I fa cied she "as comi $ to me to see if I "as i 'ed* a d to spea- to me a'o)t the 6iamo d a$ai * if she fo) d that I "as )p%A A@hat did yo) doBA AI 'le" o)t my ca dle* so that she mi$ht thi - I "as i 'ed% I "as ) reaso a'le* o my side!I "as determi ed to -eep my 6iamo d i the place of my o" choosi $%A AAfter 'lo"i $ o)t the ca dle* did yo) $o 'ac- to 'edBA AI had o time to $o 'ac-% At the mome t "he I 'le" the ca dle o)t* the sitti $7room door ope ed* a d I sa"!!A A5o) sa"BA A5o)%A A6ressed as )s)alBA

2G3

A8o%A AI my i$ht$o" BA AI yo)r i$ht$o" !"ith yo)r 'edroom ca dle i yo)r ha d%A AAlo eBA AAlo e%A ACo)ld yo) see my faceBA A5es%A APlai lyBA AI)ite plai ly% The ca dle i yo)r ha d sho"ed it to me%A A@ere my eyes ope BA A5es%A A6id yo) otice a ythi $ stra $e i themB A ythi $ li-e a fixed* #aca t expressio BA A8othi $ of the sort% 5o)r eyes "ere 'ri$ht!'ri$hter tha )s)al% 5o) loo-ed a'o)t i the room* as if yo) - e" yo) "ere "here yo) o)$ht ot to 'e* a d as if yo) "ere afraid of 'ei $ fo) d o)t%A A6id yo) o'ser#e o e thi $ "he I came i to the room!did yo) o'ser#e ho" I "al-edBA A5o) "al-ed as yo) al"ays do% 5o) came i as far as the middle of the room!a d the yo) stopped a d loo-ed a'o)t yo)%A A@hat did yo) do* o first seei $ meBA AI co)ld do othi $% I "as petrified% I co)ld =t spea-* I co)ld =t call o)t* I co)ld =t e#e mo#e to sh)t my door%A ACo)ld I see yo)* "here yo) stoodBA A5o) mi$ht certai ly ha#e see me% 0)t yo) e#er loo-ed to"ards me% It=s )seless to asthe ,)estio % I am s)re yo) e#er sa" me%A AHo" are yo) s)reBA

23H

A@o)ld yo) ha#e ta-e the 6iamo dB "o)ld yo) ha#e acted as yo) did after"ardsB "o)ld yo) 'e here o"!if yo) had see that I "as a"a-e a d loo-i $ at yo)B 6o =t ma-e me tal- of that part of itD I "a t to a s"er yo) ,)ietly% Help me to -eep as calm as I ca % /o o to somethi $ else%A .he "as ri$ht!i e#ery "ay* ri$ht% I "e t o to other thi $s% A@hat did I do* after I had $ot to the middle of the room* a d had stopped thereBA A5o) t)r ed a"ay* a d "e t strai$ht to the cor er ear the "i do"!"here my I dia ca'i et sta ds%A A@he I "as at the ca'i et* my 'ac- m)st ha#e 'ee t)r ed to"ards yo)% Ho" did yo) see "hat I "as doi $BA A@he yo) mo#ed* I mo#ed%A A.o as to see "hat I "as a'o)t "ith my ha dsBA AThere are three $lasses i my sitti $7room% As yo) stood there* I sa" all that yo) did* reflected i o e of them%A A@hat did yo) seeBA A5o) p)t yo)r ca dle o the top of the ca'i et% 5o) ope ed* a d sh)t* o e dra"er after a other* ) til yo) came to the dra"er i "hich I had p)t my 6iamo d% 5o) loo-ed at the ope dra"er for a mome t% A d the yo) p)t yo)r ha d i * a d too- the 6iamo d o)t%A AHo" do yo) - o" I too- the 6iamo d o)tBA AI sa" yo)r ha d $o i to the dra"er% A d I sa" the $leam of the sto e 'et"ee yo)r fi $er a d th)m'* "he yo) too- yo)r ha d o)t%A A6id my ha d approach the dra"er a$ai !to close it* for i sta ceBA A8o% 5o) had the 6iamo d i yo)r ri$ht ha d9 a d yo) too- the ca dle from the top of the ca'i et "ith yo)r left ha d%A A6id I loo- a'o)t me a$ai * after thatBA A8o%A A6id I lea#e the room immediatelyBA A8o% 5o) stood ,)ite still* for "hat seemed a lo $ time% I sa" yo)r face side"ays i the $lass% 5o) loo-ed li-e a ma thi -i $* a d dissatisfied "ith his o" tho)$hts%A

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A@hat happe ed extBA A5o) ro)sed yo)rself o a s)dde * a d yo) "e t strai$ht o)t of the room%A A6id I close the door after meBA A8o% 5o) passed o)t ,)ic-ly i to the passa$e* a d left the door ope %A AA d the BA AThe * yo)r li$ht disappeared* a d the so) d of yo)r steps died a"ay* a d I "as left alo e i the dar-%A A6id othi $ happe !from that time* to the time "he the "hole ho)se - e" that the 6iamo d "as lostBA A8othi $%A AAre yo) s)re of thatB &i$ht yo) ot ha#e 'ee asleep a part of the timeBA AI e#er slept% I e#er "e t 'ac- to my 'ed% 8othi $ happe ed ) til Pe elope came i * at the )s)al time i the mor i $%A I dropped her ha d* a d rose* a d too- a t)r i the room% E#ery ,)estio that I co)ld p)t had 'ee a s"ered% E#ery detail that I co)ld desire to - o" had 'ee placed 'efore me% I had e#e re#erted to the idea of sleep7"al-i $* a d the idea of i toxicatio 9 a d* a$ai * the "orthless ess of the o e theory a d the other had 'ee pro#ed!o the a)thority* this time* of the "it ess "ho had see me% @hat "as to 'e said extB "hat "as to 'e do e extB There rose the horri'le fact of the Theft!the o e #isi'le* ta $i'le o'(ect that co fro ted me* i the midst of the impe etra'le dar- ess "hich e #eloped all 'esidesD 8ot a $limpse of li$ht to $)ide me* "he I had possessed myself of Rosa a .pearma =s secret at the .hi#eri $ .a d% A d ot a $limpse of li$ht o"* "he I had appealed to Rachel herself* a d had heard the hatef)l story of the i$ht from her o" lips% .he "as the first* this time* to 'rea- the sile ce% A@ellBA she said* Ayo) ha#e as-ed* a d I ha#e a s"ered% 5o) ha#e made me hope somethi $ from all this* 'eca)se yo) hoped somethi $ from it% @hat ha#e yo) to say o"BA The to e i "hich she spo-e "ar ed me that my i fl)e ce o#er her "as a lost i fl)e ce o ce more% A@e "ere to loo- at "hat happe ed o my 'irthday i$ht* to$ether*A she "e t o 9 Aa d "e "ere the to ) dersta d each other% Ha#e "e do e thatBA

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.he "aited pitilessly for my reply% I a s"eri $ her I committed a fatal error!I let the exasperati $ helpless ess of my sit)atio $et the 'etter of my self7co trol% Rashly a d )selessly* I reproached her for the sile ce "hich had -ept me ) til that mome t i i$ ora ce of the tr)th% AIf yo) had spo-e "he yo) o)$ht to ha#e spo-e *A I 'e$a 9 Aif yo) had do e me the commo ()stice to explai yo)rself!!A .he 'ro-e i o me "ith a cry of f)ry% The fe" "ords I had said seemed to ha#e lashed her o the i sta t i to a fre <y of ra$e% AExplai myselfDA she repeated% A4hD is there a other ma li-e this i the "orldB I spare him* "he my heart is 'rea-i $9 I scree him "he my o" character is at sta-e9 a d HE !of all h)ma 'ei $s* HE!t)r s o me o"* a d tells me that I o)$ht to ha#e explai ed myselfD After 'elie#i $ i him as I did* after lo#i $ him as I did* after thi -i $ of him 'y day* a d dreami $ of him 'y i$ht!he "o ders I did =t char$e him "ith his dis$race the first time "e metF =&y heart=s darli $* yo) are a ThiefD &y hero "hom I lo#e a d ho o)r* yo) ha#e crept i to my room ) der co#er of the i$ht* a d stole my 6iamo dD= That is "hat I o)$ht to ha#e said% 5o) #illai * yo) mea * mea * mea #illai * I "o)ld ha#e lost fifty diamo ds* rather tha see yo)r face lyi $ to me* as I see it lyi $ o"DA I too- )p my hat% I mercy to HER!yesD I ca ho estly say it!i mercy to HER* I t)r ed a"ay "itho)t a "ord* a d ope ed the door 'y "hich I had e tered the room% .he follo"ed* a d s atched the door o)t of my ha d9 she closed it* a d poi ted 'ac- to the place that I had left% A8oDA she said% A8ot yetD It seems that I o"e a ()stificatio of my co d)ct to yo)% 5o) shall stay a d hear it% 4r yo) shall stoop to the lo"est i famy of all* a d force yo)r "ay o)t%A It "r) $ my heart to see her9 it "r) $ my heart to hear her% I a s"ered 'y a si$ !it "as all I co)ld do!that I s)'mitted myself to her "ill% The crimso fl)sh of a $er 'e$a to fade o)t of her face* as I "e t 'ac-* a d too- my chair i sile ce% .he "aited a little* a d steadied herself% @he she "e t o * ')t o e si$ of feeli $ "as discer i'le i her% .he spo-e "itho)t loo-i $ at me% Her ha ds "ere fast clasped i her lap* a d her eyes "ere fixed o the $ro) d% AI o)$ht to ha#e do e yo) the commo ()stice to explai myself*A she said* repeati $ my o" "ords% A5o) shall see "hether I did try to do yo) ()stice* or ot% I told yo) ()st o" that I e#er slept* a d e#er ret)r ed to my 'ed* after yo) had left my sitti $7room% It=s )seless to tro)'le yo) 'y d"elli $ o "hat I tho)$ht!yo) "o)ld ot ) dersta d my tho)$hts!I "ill o ly tell yo) "hat I did* "he time e o)$h had passed to help me to reco#er myself% I refrai ed from alarmi $ the ho)se* a d telli $ e#ery'ody "hat had happe ed!as I o)$ht to ha#e do e% I spite of "hat I had see * I "as fo d e o)$h of yo)

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to 'elie#e! o matter "hatD!a y impossi'ility* rather tha admit it to my o" mi d that yo) "ere deli'erately a thief% I tho)$ht a d tho)$ht!a d I e ded i "riti $ to yo)%A AI e#er recei#ed the letter%A AI - o" yo) e#er recei#ed it% @ait a little* a d yo) shall hear "hy% &y letter "o)ld ha#e told yo) othi $ ope ly% It "o)ld ot ha#e r)i ed yo) for life* if it had falle i to some other perso =s ha ds% It "o)ld o ly ha#e said!i a ma er "hich yo) yo)rself co)ld ot possi'ly ha#e mista-e !that I had reaso to - o" yo) "ere i de't* a d that it "as i my experie ce a d i my mother=s experie ce of yo)* that yo) "ere ot #ery discreet* or #ery scr)p)lo)s a'o)t ho" yo) $ot mo ey "he yo) "a ted it% 5o) "o)ld ha#e remem'ered the #isit of the Fre ch la"yer* a d yo) "o)ld ha#e - o" "hat I referred to% If yo) had read o "ith some i terest after that* yo) "o)ld ha#e come to a offer I had to ma-e to yo)!the offer* pri#ately : ot a "ord* mi d* to 'e said ope ly a'o)t it 'et"ee )sD;* of the loa of as lar$e a s)m of mo ey as I co)ld $et%!A d I "o)ld ha#e $ot itDA she exclaimed* her colo)r 'e$i i $ to rise a$ai * a d her eyes loo-i $ )p at me o ce more% AI "o)ld ha#e pled$ed the 6iamo d myself* if I co)ld ha#e $ot the mo ey i o other "ayD I those "ords I "rote to yo)% @aitD I did more tha that% I arra $ed "ith Pe elope to $i#e yo) the letter "he o'ody "as ear% I pla ed to sh)t myself i to my 'edroom* a d to ha#e the sitti $7room left ope a d empty all the mor i $% A d I hoped !"ith all my heart a d so)l I hopedD!that yo) "o)ld ta-e the opport) ity* a d p)t the 6iamo d 'ac- secretly i the dra"er%A I attempted to spea-% .he lifted her ha d impatie tly* a d stopped me% I the rapid alter atio s of her temper* her a $er "as 'e$i i $ to rise a$ai % .he $ot )p from her chair* a d approached me% AI - o" "hat yo) are $oi $ to say*A she "e t o % A5o) are $oi $ to remi d me a$ai that yo) e#er recei#ed my letter% I ca tell yo) "hy% I tore it )p% AFor "hat reaso BA I as-ed% AFor the 'est of reaso s% I preferred teari $ it )p to thro"i $ it a"ay )po s)ch a ma as yo)D @hat "as the first e"s that reached me i the mor i $B +)st as my little pla "as complete* "hat did I hearB I heard that yo)!yo)DDD!"ere the foremost perso i the ho)se i fetchi $ the police% 5o) "ere the acti#e ma 9 yo) "ere the leader9 yo) "ere "or-i $ harder tha a y of them to reco#er the (e"elD 5o) e#e carried yo)r a)dacity far e o)$h to as- to spea- to &E a'o)t the loss of the 6iamo d!the 6iamo d "hich yo) yo)rself had stole 9 the 6iamo d "hich "as all the time i yo)r o" ha dsD After that proof of yo)r horri'le false ess a d c) i $* I tore )p my letter% 0)t e#e the !e#e "he I "as madde ed 'y the searchi $ a d ,)estio i $ of the policema * "hom yo) had se t i !e#e the * there "as some i fat)atio i my mi d "hich "o)ld =t let me $i#e yo) )p% I said to myself* =He has played his #ile farce 'efore e#ery'ody else i the ho)se% ?et me try if he ca play it 'efore me%= .ome'ody told me yo) "ere o the terrace% I "e t do" to the terrace% I forced myself to loo- at yo)9 I forced myself to spea- to yo)% Ha#e yo) for$otte "hat I saidBA

231

I mi$ht ha#e a s"ered that I remem'ered e#ery "ord of it% 0)t "hat p)rpose* at that mome t* "o)ld the a s"er ha#e ser#edB Ho" co)ld I tell her that "hat she had said had asto ished me* had distressed me* had s)$$ested to me that she "as i a state of da $ero)s er#o)s exciteme t* had e#e ro)sed a mome t=s do)'t i my mi d "hether the loss of the (e"el "as as m)ch a mystery to her as to the rest of )s!')t had e#er o ce $i#e me so m)ch as a $limpse at the tr)thB @itho)t the shado" of a proof to prod)ce i #i dicatio of my i oce ce* ho" co)ld I pers)ade her that I - e" o more tha the #eriest stra $er co)ld ha#e - o" of "hat "as really i her tho)$hts "he she spo-e to me o the terraceB AIt may s)it yo)r co #e ie ce to for$et9 it s)its my co #e ie ce to remem'er*A she "e t o % AI - o" "hat I said!for I co sidered it "ith myself* 'efore I said it% I $a#e yo) o e opport) ity after a other of o" i $ the tr)th% I left othi $ ) said that I C4E?6 say! short of act)ally telli $ yo) that I - e" yo) had committed the theft% A d all the ret)r yo) made* "as to loo- at me "ith yo)r #ile prete ce of asto ishme t* a d yo)r false face of i oce ce!()st as yo) ha#e loo-ed at me to7day9 ()st as yo) are loo-i $ at me o"D I left yo)* that mor i $* - o"i $ yo) at last for "hat yo) "ere!for "hat yo) are!as 'ase a "retch as e#er "al-ed the earthDA AIf yo) had spo-e o)t at the time* yo) mi$ht ha#e left me* Rachel* - o"i $ that yo) had cr)elly "ro $ed a i oce t ma %A AIf I had spo-e o)t 'efore other people*A she retorted* "ith a other ')rst of i di$ atio * Ayo) "o)ld ha#e 'ee dis$raced for lifeD If I had spo-e o)t to o ears ')t yo)rs* yo) "o)ld ha#e de ied it* as yo) are de yi $ it o"D 6o yo) thi - I sho)ld ha#e 'elie#ed yo)B @o)ld a ma hesitate at a lie* "ho had do e "hat I sa" 54E do!"ho had 'eha#ed a'o)t it after"ards* as I sa" 54E 'eha#eB I tell yo) a$ai * I shra - from the horror of heari $ yo) lie* after the horror of seei $ yo) thie#e% 5o) tal- as if this "as a mis) dersta di $ "hich a fe" "ords mi$ht ha#e set ri$htD @ellD the mis) dersta di $ is at a e d% Is the thi $ set ri$htB 8oD the thi $ is ()st "here it "as% I do =t 'elie#e yo) 84@D I do =t 'elie#e yo) fo) d the i$ht$o" * I do =t 'elie#e i Rosa a .pearma =s letter* I do =t 'elie#e a "ord yo) ha#e said% 5o) stole it!I sa" yo)D 5o) affected to help the police!I sa" yo)D 5o) pled$ed the 6iamo d to the mo ey7le der i ?o do !I am s)re of itD 5o) cast the s)spicio of yo)r dis$race :tha -s to my 'ase sile ceD; o a i oce t ma D 5o) fled to the Co ti e t "ith yo)r pl) der the ext mor i $D After all that #ile ess* there "as ')t o e thi $ more yo) C4E?6 do% 5o) co)ld come here "ith a last falsehood o yo)r lips!yo) co)ld come here* a d tell me that I ha#e "ro $ed yo)DA If I had stayed a mome t more* I - o" ot "hat "ords mi$ht ha#e escaped me "hich I sho)ld ha#e remem'ered "ith #ai repe ta ce a d re$ret% I passed 'y her* a d ope ed the door for the seco d time% For the seco d time!"ith the fra tic per#ersity of a ro)sed "oma !she ca)$ht me 'y the arm* a d 'arred my "ay o)t% A?et me $o* RachelA I said% AIt "ill 'e 'etter for 'oth of )s% ?et me $o%A

23>

The hysterical passio s"elled i her 'osom!her ,)ic-e ed co #)lsi#e 'reathi $ almost 'eat o my face* as she held me 'ac- at the door% A@hy did yo) come hereBA she persisted* desperately% AI as- yo) a$ai !"hy did yo) come hereB Are yo) afraid I shall expose yo)B 8o" yo) are a rich ma * o" yo) ha#e $ot a place i the "orld* o" yo) may marry the 'est lady i the la d!are yo) afraid I shall say the "ords "hich I ha#e e#er said yet to a y'ody ')t yo)B I ca =t say the "ordsD I ca =t expose yo)D I am "orse* if "orse ca 'e* tha yo) are yo)rself%A .o's a d tears ')rst from her% .he str)$$led "ith them fiercely9 she held me more a d more firmly% AI ca =t tear yo) o)t of my heart*A she said* Ae#e o"D 5o) may tr)st i the shamef)l* shamef)l "ea- ess "hich ca o ly str)$$le a$ai st yo) i this "ayDA .he s)dde ly let $o of me!she thre" )p her ha ds* a d "r) $ them fra tically i the air% AA y other "oma li#i $ "o)ld shri - from the dis$race of to)chi $ himDA she exclaimed% A4h* /odD I despise myself e#e more heartily tha I despise HI&DA The tears "ere forci $ their "ay i to my eyes i spite of me!the horror of it "as to 'e e d)red o lo $er% A5o) shall - o" that yo) ha#e "ro $ed me* yet*A I said% A4r yo) shall e#er see me a$ai DA @ith those "ords* I left her% .he started )p from the chair o "hich she had dropped the mome t 'eforeF she started )p!the o'le creat)reD!a d follo"ed me across the o)ter room* "ith a last mercif)l "ord at parti $% AFra -li DA she said* AI for$i#e yo)D 4h* Fra -li * Fra -li D "e shall e#er meet a$ai % .ay yo) for$i#e &EDA I t)r ed* so as to let my face sho" her that I "as past spea-i $!I t)r ed* a d "a#ed my ha d* a d sa" her dimly* as i a #isio * thro)$h the tears that had co ,)ered me at last% The ext mome t* the "orst 'itter ess of it "as o#er% I "as o)t i the $arde a$ai % I sa" her* a d heard her* o more%

CHAPTER !III
?ate that e#e i $* I "as s)rprised at my lod$i $s 'y a #isit from &r% 0r)ff% There "as a oticea'le cha $e i the la"yer=s ma er% It had lost its )s)al co fide ce a d spirit% He shoo- ha ds "ith me* for the first time i his life* i sile ce% AAre yo) $oi $ 'ac- to HampsteadBA I as-ed* 'y "ay of sayi $ somethi $% 23C

AI ha#e ()st left Hampstead*A he a s"ered% AI - o"* &r% Fra -li * that yo) ha#e $ot at the tr)th at last% 0)t* I tell yo) plai ly* if I co)ld ha#e foresee the price that "as to 'e paid for it* I sho)ld ha#e preferred lea#i $ yo) i the dar-%A A5o) ha#e see RachelBA AI ha#e come here after ta-i $ her 'ac- to Portla d Place9 it "as impossi'le to let her ret)r i the carria$e 'y herself% I ca hardly hold yo) respo si'le!co sideri $ that yo) sa" her i my ho)se a d 'y my permissio !for the shoc- that this ) l)c-y i ter#ie" has i flicted o her% All I ca do is to pro#ide a$ai st a repetitio of the mischief% .he is yo) $!she has a resol)te spirit!she "ill $et o#er this* "ith time a d rest to help her% I "a t to 'e ass)red that yo) "ill do othi $ to hi der her reco#ery% &ay I depe d o yo)r ma-i $ o seco d attempt to see her!except "ith my sa ctio a d appro#alBA AAfter "hat she has s)ffered* a d after "hat I ha#e s)ffered*A I said* Ayo) may rely o me%A AI ha#e yo)r promiseBA A5o) ha#e my promise%A &r% 0r)ff loo-ed relie#ed% He p)t do" his hat* a d dre" his chair earer to mi e% AThat=s settledDA he said% A8o"* a'o)t the f)t)re!yo)r f)t)re* I mea % To my mi d* the res)lt of the extraordi ary t)r "hich the matter has o" ta-e is 'riefly this% I the first place* "e are s)re that Rachel has told yo) the "hole tr)th* as plai ly as "ords ca tell it% I the seco d place!tho)$h "e - o" that there m)st 'e some dreadf)l mista-e some"here!"e ca hardly 'lame her for 'elie#i $ yo) to 'e $)ilty* o the e#ide ce of her o" se ses9 'ac-ed* as that e#ide ce has 'ee * 'y circ)msta ces "hich appear* o the face of them* to tell dead a$ai st yo)%A There I i terposed% AI do =t 'lame Rachel*A I said% AI o ly re$ret that she co)ld ot pre#ail o herself to spea- more plai ly to me at the time%A A5o) mi$ht as "ell re$ret that Rachel is ot some'ody else*A re(oi ed &r% 0r)ff% AA d e#e the * I do)'t if a $irl of a y delicacy* "hose heart had 'ee set o marryi $ yo)* co)ld ha#e 'ro)$ht herself to char$e yo) to yo)r face "ith 'ei $ a thief% A yho"* it "as ot i Rachel=s at)re to do it% I a #ery differe t matter to this matter of yo)rs!"hich placed her* ho"e#er* i a positio ot alto$ether ) li-e her positio to"ards yo)!I happe to - o" that she "as i fl)e ced 'y a similar moti#e to the moti#e "hich act)ated her co d)ct i yo)r case% 0esides* as she told me herself* o o)r "ay to to" this e#e i $* if she had spo-e plai ly* she "o)ld o more ha#e 'elie#ed yo)r de ial the tha she 'elie#es it o"% @hat a s"er ca yo) ma-e to thatB There is o a s"er to 'e made to it% Come* come* &r% Fra -li D my #ie" of the case has 'ee pro#ed to 'e all "ro $* I admit!')t* as thi $s are o"* my ad#ice may 'e "orth ha#i $ for all that% I tell yo) plai ly* "e shall 'e "asti $ o)r time* a d c)d$elli $ o)r 'rai s to o p)rpose* if "e

232

attempt to try 'ac-* a d ) ra#el this fri$htf)l complicatio from the 'e$i i $% ?et )s close o)r mi ds resol)tely to all that happe ed last year at ?ady Veri der=s co) try ho)se9 a d let )s loo- to "hat "e CA8 disco#er i the f)t)re* i stead of to "hat "e ca 84T disco#er i the past%A A.)rely yo) for$et*A I said* Athat the "hole thi $ is esse tially a matter of the past!so far as I am co cer edBA AA s"er me this*A retorted &r% 0r)ff% AIs the &oo sto e at the 'ottom of all the mischief !or is it otBA AIt is!of co)rse%A AVery $ood% @hat do "e 'elie#e "as do e "ith the &oo sto e* "he it "as ta-e to ?o do BA AIt "as pled$ed to &r% ?)-er%A A@e - o" that yo) are ot the perso "ho pled$ed it% 6o "e - o" "ho didBA A8o%A A@here do "e 'elie#e the &oo sto e to 'e o"BA A6eposited i the -eepi $ of &r% ?)-er=s 'a -ers%A AExactly% 8o" o'ser#e% @e are already i the mo th of +) e% To"ards the e d of the mo th :I ca =t 'e partic)lar to a day; a year "ill ha#e elapsed from the time "he "e 'elie#e the (e"el to ha#e 'ee pled$ed% There is a cha ce!to say the least!that the perso "ho pa" ed it* may 'e prepared to redeem it "he the year=s time has expired% If he redeems it* &r% ?)-er m)st himself!accordi $ to the terms of his o" arra $eme t !ta-e the 6iamo d o)t of his 'a -er=s ha ds% E der these circ)msta ces* I propose setti $ a "atch at the 'a -* as the prese t mo th dra"s to a e d* a d disco#eri $ "ho the perso is to "hom &r% ?)-er restores the &oo sto e% 6o yo) see it o"BA I admitted :a little ) "illi $ly; that the idea "as a e" o e* at a y rate% AIt=s &r% &)rth"aite=s idea ,)ite as m)ch as mi e*A said &r% 0r)ff% AIt mi$ht ha#e e#er e tered my head* ')t for a co #ersatio "e had to$ether some time si ce% If &r% &)rth"aite is ri$ht* the I dia s are li-ely to 'e o the loo-o)t at the 'a -* to"ards the e d of the mo th too!a d somethi $ serio)s may come of it% @hat comes of it does =t matter to yo) a d me except as it may help )s to lay o)r ha ds o the mysterio)s .ome'ody "ho pa" ed the 6iamo d% That perso * yo) may rely o it* is respo si'le :I do =t prete d to - o" ho"; for the positio i "hich yo) sta d at this mome t9 a d that perso alo e ca set yo) ri$ht i Rachel=s estimatio %A

23G

AI ca =t de y*A I said* Athat the pla yo) propose meets the diffic)lty i a "ay that is #ery dari $* a d #ery i $e io)s* a d #ery e"% 0)t!!A A0)t yo) ha#e a o'(ectio to ma-eBA A5es% &y o'(ectio is* that yo)r proposal o'li$es )s to "ait%A A/ra ted% As I rec-o the time* it re,)ires yo) to "ait a'o)t a fort i$ht!more or less% Is that so #ery lo $BA AIt=s a life7time* &r% 0r)ff* i s)ch a sit)atio as mi e% &y existe ce "ill 'e simply ) e d)ra'le to me* ) less I do somethi $ to"ards cleari $ my character at o ce%A A@ell* "ell* I ) dersta d that% Ha#e yo) tho)$ht yet of "hat yo) ca doBA AI ha#e tho)$ht of co s)lti $ .er$ea t C)ff%A AHe has retired from the police% It=s )seless to expect the .er$ea t to help yo)%A AI - o" "here to fi d him9 a d I ca ')t try%A ATry*A said &r% 0r)ff* after a mome t=s co sideratio % AThe case has ass)med s)ch a extraordi ary aspect si ce .er$ea t C)ff=s time* that yo) may re#i#e his i terest i the i ,)iry% Try* a d let me hear the res)lt% I the mea "hile*A he co ti )ed* risi $* Aif yo) ma-e o disco#eries 'et"ee this* a d the e d of the mo th* am I free to try* o my side* "hat ca 'e do e 'y -eepi $ a loo-o)t at the 'a -BA ACertai ly*A I a s"ered!A) less I relie#e yo) of all ecessity for tryi $ the experime t i the i ter#al%A &r% 0r)ff smiled* a d too- )p his hat% ATell .er$ea t C)ff*A he re(oi ed* Athat I say the disco#ery of the tr)th depe ds o the disco#ery of the perso "ho pa" ed the 6iamo d% A d let me hear "hat the .er$ea t=s experie ce says to that%A .o "e parted% Early the ext mor i $* I set forth for the little to" of 6or-i $!the place of .er$ea t C)ff=s retireme t* as i dicated to me 'y 0ettered$e% I ,)iri $ at the hotel* I recei#ed the ecessary directio s for fi di $ the .er$ea t=s cotta$e% It "as approached 'y a ,)iet 'ye7road* a little "ay o)t of the to" * a d it stood s )$ly i the middle of its o" plot of $arde $ro) d* protected 'y a $ood 'ric- "all at the 'ac- a d the sides* a d 'y a hi$h ,)ic-set hed$e i fro t% The $ate* or ame ted at the )pper part 'y smartly7pai ted trellis7"or-* "as loc-ed% After ri $i $ at the 'ell* I peered

233

thro)$h the trellis7"or-* a d sa" the $reat C)ff=s fa#o)rite flo"er e#ery"here9 'loomi $ i his $arde * cl)steri $ o#er his door* loo-i $ i at his "i do"s% Far from the crimes a d the mysteries of the $reat city* the ill)strio)s thief7ta-er "as placidly li#i $ o)t the last .y'arite years of his life* smothered i rosesD A dece t elderly "oma ope ed the $ate to me* a d at o ce a ihilated all the hopes I had ')ilt o sec)ri $ the assista ce of .er$ea t C)ff% He had started* o ly the day 'efore* o a (o)r ey to Irela d% AHas he $o e there o ')si essBA I as-ed% The "oma smiled% AHe has o ly o e ')si ess o"* sir*A she said9 Aa d that=s roses% .ome $reat ma =s $arde er i Irela d has fo) d o)t somethi $ e" i the $ro"i $ of roses!a d &r% C)ff=s a"ay to i ,)ire i to it%A A6o yo) - o" "he he "ill 'e 'ac-BA AIt=s ,)ite ) certai * sir% &r% C)ff said he sho)ld come 'ac- directly* or 'e a"ay some time* ()st accordi $ as he fo) d the e" disco#ery "orth othi $* or "orth loo-i $ i to% If yo) ha#e a y messa$e to lea#e for him* I=ll ta-e care* sir* that he $ets it%A I $a#e her my card* ha#i $ first "ritte o it i pe cilF AI ha#e somethi $ to say a'o)t the &oo sto e% ?et me hear from yo) as soo as yo) $et 'ac-%A That do e* there "as othi $ left ')t to s)'mit to circ)msta ces* a d ret)r to ?o do % I the irrita'le co ditio of my mi d* at the time of "hich I am o" "riti $* the a'orti#e res)lt of my (o)r ey to the .er$ea t=s cotta$e simply a$$ra#ated the restless imp)lse i me to 'e doi $ somethi $% 4 the day of my ret)r from 6or-i $* I determi ed that the ext mor i $ sho)ld fi d me 'e t o a e" effort at forci $ my "ay* thro)$h all o'stacles* from the dar- ess to the li$ht% @hat form "as my ext experime t to ta-eB If the excelle t 0ettered$e had 'ee prese t "hile I "as co sideri $ that ,)estio * a d if he had 'ee let i to the secret of my tho)$hts* he "o)ld* o do)'t* ha#e declared that the /erma side of me "as* o this occasio * my )ppermost side% To spea- serio)sly* it is perhaps possi'le that my /erma trai i $ "as i some de$ree respo si'le for the la'yri th of )seless spec)latio s i "hich I o" i #ol#ed myself% For the $reater part of the i$ht* I sat smo-i $* a d ')ildi $ )p theories* o e more profo) dly impro'a'le tha a other% @he I did $et to sleep* my "a-i $ fa cies p)rs)ed me i dreams% I rose the ext mor i $* "ith 4'(ecti#e7.)'(ecti#e a d .)'(ecti#e74'(ecti#e i extrica'ly e ta $led to$ether i my mi d9 a d I 'e$a the day "hich "as to "it ess my ext effort at practical actio of some -i d* 'y do)'ti $ "hether I had a y sort of ri$ht :o p)rely philosophical $ro) ds; to co sider a y sort of thi $ :the 6iamo d i cl)ded; as existi $ at all%

3HH

Ho" lo $ I mi$ht ha#e remai ed lost i the mist of my o" metaphysics* if I had 'ee left to extricate myself* it is impossi'le for me to say% As the e#e t pro#ed* accide t came to my resc)e* a d happily deli#ered me% I happe ed to "ear* that mor i $* the same coat "hich I had "or o the day of my i ter#ie" "ith Rachel% .earchi $ for somethi $ else i o e of the poc-ets* I came )po a cr)mpled piece of paper* a d* ta-i $ it o)t* fo) d 0ettered$e=s for$otte letter i my ha d% It seemed hard o my $ood old frie d to lea#e him "itho)t a reply% I "e t to my "riti $7 ta'le* a d read his letter a$ai % A letter "hich has othi $ of the sli$htest importa ce i it* is ot al"ays a easy letter to a s"er% 0ettered$e=s prese t effort at correspo di $ "ith me came "ithi this cate$ory% &r% Ca dy=s assista t* other"ise E<ra +e i $s* had told his master that he had see me9 a d &r% Ca dy* i his t)r * "a ted to see me a d say somethi $ to me* "he I "as ext i the ei$h'o)rhood of Fri<i $hall% @hat "as to 'e said i a s"er to that* "hich "o)ld 'e "orth the paper it "as "ritte o B I sat idly dra"i $ li-e esses from memory of &r% Ca dy=s remar-a'le7loo-i $ assista t* o the sheet of paper "hich I had #o"ed to dedicate to 0ettered$e!) til it s)dde ly occ)rred to me that here "as the irrepressi'le E<ra +e i $s $etti $ i my "ay a$ai D I thre" a do<e portraits* at least* of the ma "ith the pie'ald hair :the hair i e#ery case* remar-a'ly li-e;* i to the "aste7paper 'as-et! a d the a d there* "rote my a s"er to 0ettered$e% It "as a perfectly commo place letter !')t it had o e excelle t effect o me% The effort of "riti $ a fe" se te ces* i plai E $lish* completely cleared my mi d of the clo)dy o se se "hich had filled it si ce the pre#io)s day% 6e#oti $ myself o ce more to the el)cidatio of the impe etra'le p)<<le "hich my o" positio prese ted to me* I o" tried to meet the diffic)lty 'y i #esti$ati $ it from a plai ly practical poi t of #ie"% The e#e ts of the memora'le i$ht 'ei $ still ) i telli$i'le to me* I loo-ed a little farther 'ac-* a d searched my memory of the earlier ho)rs of the 'irthday for a y i cide t "hich mi$ht pro#e of some assista ce to me i fi di $ the cl)e% Had a ythi $ happe ed "hile Rachel a d I "ere fi ishi $ the pai ted doorB or* later* "he I rode o#er to Fri<i $hallB or after"ards* "he I "e t 'ac- "ith /odfrey A'le"hite a d his sistersB or* later a$ai * "he I p)t the &oo sto e i to Rachel=s ha dsB or* later still* "he the compa y came* a d "e all assem'led ro) d the di er7ta'leB &y memory disposed of that stri $ of ,)estio s readily e o)$h* ) til I came to the last% ?oo-i $ 'ac- at the social e#e t of the 'irthday di er* I fo) d myself 'ro)$ht to a sta dstill at the o)tset of the i ,)iry% I "as ot e#e capa'le of acc)rately remem'eri $ the )m'er of the $)ests "ho had sat at the same ta'le "ith me% To feel myself completely at fa)lt here* a d to co cl)de* there)po * that the i cide ts of the di er mi$ht especially repay the tro)'le of i #esti$ati $ them* formed parts of the same me tal process* i my case% I 'elie#e other people* i a similar sit)atio * "o)ld ha#e reaso ed as I did% @he the p)rs)it of o)r o" i terests ca)ses )s to 'ecome o'(ects of i ,)iry to o)rsel#es* "e are at)rally s)spicio)s of "hat "e do =t - o"% 4 ce i

3H1

possessio of the ames of the perso s "ho had 'ee prese t at the di er* I resol#ed!as a mea s of e richi $ the deficie t reso)rces of my o" memory!to appeal to the memory of the rest of the $)ests9 to "rite do" all that they co)ld recollect of the social e#e ts of the 'irthday9 a d to test the res)lt* th)s o'tai ed* 'y the li$ht of "hat had happe ed after"ards* "he the compa y had left the ho)se% This last a d e"est of my ma y co templated experime ts i the art of i ,)iry!"hich 0ettered$e "o)ld pro'a'ly ha#e attri')ted to the clear7headed* or Fre ch* side of me 'ei $ )ppermost for the mome t!may fairly claim record here* o its o" merits% E li-ely as it may seem* I had o" act)ally $roped my "ay to the root of the matter at last% All I "a ted "as a hi t to $)ide me i the ri$ht directio at starti $% 0efore a other day had passed o#er my head* that hi t "as $i#e me 'y o e of the compa y "ho had 'ee prese t at the 'irthday feastD @ith the pla of proceedi $ "hich I o" had i #ie"* it "as first ecessary to possess the complete list of the $)ests% This I co)ld easily o'tai from /a'riel 0ettered$e% I determi ed to $o 'ac- to 5or-shire o that day* a d to 'e$i my co templated i #esti$atio the ext mor i $% It "as ()st too late to start 'y the trai "hich left ?o do 'efore oo % There "as o alter ati#e ')t to "ait* early three ho)rs* for the depart)re of the ext trai % @as there a ythi $ I co)ld do i ?o do * "hich mi$ht )sef)lly occ)py this i ter#al of timeB &y tho)$hts "e t 'ac- a$ai o'sti ately to the 'irthday di er% Tho)$h I had for$otte the )m'ers* a d* i ma y cases* the ames of the $)ests* I remem'ered readily e o)$h that 'y far the lar$er proportio of them came from Fri<i $hall* or from its ei$h'o)rhood% 0)t the lar$er proportio "as ot all% .ome fe" of )s "ere ot re$)lar reside ts i the co) try% I myself "as o e of the fe"% &r% &)rth"aite "as a other% /odfrey A'le"hite "as a third% &r% 0r)ff! oF I called to mi d that ')si ess had pre#e ted &r% 0r)ff from ma-i $ o e of the party% Had a y ladies 'ee prese t* "hose )s)al reside ce "as i ?o do B I co)ld o ly remem'er &iss Clac- as comi $ "ithi this latter cate$ory% Ho"e#er* here "ere three of the $)ests* at a y rate* "hom it "as clearly ad#isa'le for me to see 'efore I left to" % I dro#e off at o ce to &r% 0r)ff=s office9 ot - o"i $ the addresses of the perso s of "hom I "as i search* a d thi -i $ it pro'a'le that he mi$ht p)t me i the "ay of fi di $ them% &r% 0r)ff pro#ed to 'e too ')sy to $i#e me more tha a mi )te of his #al)a'le time% I that mi )te* ho"e#er* he co tri#ed to dispose!i the most disco)ra$i $ ma er!of all the ,)estio s I had to p)t to him% I the first place* he co sidered my e"ly7disco#ered method of fi di $ a cl)e to the mystery as somethi $ too p)rely fa cif)l to 'e serio)sly disc)ssed% I the seco d* third* a d fo)rth places* &r% &)rth"aite "as o" o his "ay 'ac- to the sce e of his past ad#e t)res9 &iss Clac- had s)ffered losses* a d had settled* from moti#es of eco omy* i Fra ce9 &r% /odfrey A'le"hite mi$ht* or mi$ht ot* 'e disco#era'le some"here i

3H2

?o do % .)ppose I i ,)ired at his cl)'B A d s)ppose I exc)sed &r% 0r)ff* if he "e t 'ac- to his ')si ess a d "ished me $ood mor i $B The field of i ,)iry i ?o do * 'ei $ o" so arro"ed as o ly to i cl)de the o e ecessity of disco#eri $ /odfrey=s address* I too- the la"yer=s hi t* a d dro#e to his cl)'% I the hall* I met "ith o e of the mem'ers* "ho "as a old frie d of my co)si =s* a d "ho "as also a ac,)ai ta ce of my o" % This $e tlema * after e li$hte i $ me o the s)'(ect of /odfrey=s address* told me of t"o rece t e#e ts i his life* "hich "ere of some importa ce i themsel#es* a d "hich had ot pre#io)sly reached my ears% It appeared that /odfrey* far from 'ei $ disco)ra$ed 'y Rachel=s "ithdra"al from her e $a$eme t to him had made matrimo ial ad#a ces soo after"ards to a other yo) $ lady* rep)ted to 'e a $reat heiress% His s)it had prospered* a d his marria$e had 'ee co sidered as a settled a d certai thi $% 0)t* here a$ai * the e $a$eme t had 'ee s)dde ly a d ) expectedly 'ro-e off!o"i $* it "as said* o this occasio * to a serio)s differe ce of opi io 'et"ee the 'ride$room a d the lady=s father* o the ,)estio of settleme ts% As some compe satio for this seco d matrimo ial disaster* /odfrey had soo after"ards fo) d himself the o'(ect of fo d pec) iary remem'ra ce* o the part of o e of his ma y admirers% A rich old lady!hi$hly respected at the &others= .mall7Clothes7Co #ersio 7 .ociety* a d a $reat frie d of &iss Clac-=s :to "hom she left othi $ ')t a mo)r i $ ri $;!had 'e,)eathed to the admira'le a d meritorio)s /odfrey a le$acy of fi#e tho)sa d po) ds% After recei#i $ this ha dsome additio to his o" modest pec) iary reso)rces* he had 'ee heard to say that he felt the ecessity of $etti $ a little respite from his charita'le la'o)rs* a d that his doctor prescri'ed Aa r) o the Co ti e t* as li-ely to 'e prod)cti#e of m)ch f)t)re 'e efit to his health%A If I "a ted to see him* it "o)ld 'e ad#isa'le to lose o time i payi $ my co templated #isit% I "e t* the a d there* to pay my #isit% The same fatality "hich had made me ()st o e day too late i calli $ o .er$ea t C)ff* made me a$ai o e day too late i calli $ o /odfrey% He had left ?o do * o the pre#io)s mor i $* 'y the tidal trai * for 6o#er% He "as to cross to 4ste d9 a d his ser#a t 'elie#ed he "as $oi $ o to 0r)ssels% The time of his ret)r "as rather ) certai 9 ')t I mi$ht 'e s)re he "o)ld 'e a"ay at least three mo ths% I "e t 'ac- to my lod$i $s a little depressed i spirits% Three of the $)ests at the 'irthday di er!a d those three all exceptio ally i telli$e t people!"ere o)t of my reach* at the #ery time "he it "as most importa t to 'e a'le to comm) icate "ith them% &y last hopes o" rested o 0ettered$e* a d o the frie ds of the late ?ady Veri der "hom I mi$ht still fi d li#i $ i the ei$h'o)rhood of Rachel=s co) try ho)se% 4 this occasio * I tra#elled strai$ht to Fri<i $hall!the to" 'ei $ o" the ce tral poi t i my field of i ,)iry% I arri#ed too late i the e#e i $ to 'e a'le to comm) icate "ith

3H3

0ettered$e% The ext mor i $* I se t a messe $er "ith a letter* re,)esti $ him to (oi me at the hotel* at his earliest co #e ie ce% Ha#i $ ta-e the preca)tio !partly to sa#e time* partly to accommodate 0ettered$e!of se di $ my messe $er i a fly* I had a reaso a'le prospect* if o delays occ)rred* of seei $ the old ma "ithi less tha t"o ho)rs from the time "he I had se t for him% 6)ri $ this i ter#al* I arra $ed to employ myself i ope i $ my co templated i ,)iry* amo $ the $)ests prese t at the 'irthday di er "ho "ere perso ally - o" to me* a d "ho "ere easily "ithi my reach% These "ere my relati#es* the A'le"hites* a d &r% Ca dy% The doctor had expressed a special "ish to see me* a d the doctor li#ed i the ext street% .o to &r% Ca dy I "e t first% After "hat 0ettered$e had told me* I at)rally a ticipated fi di $ traces i the doctor=s face of the se#ere ill ess from "hich he had s)ffered% 0)t I "as )tterly ) prepared for s)ch a cha $e as I sa" i him "he he e tered the room a d shoo- ha ds "ith me% His eyes "ere dim9 his hair had t)r ed completely $rey9 his face "as "i<e 9 his fi$)re had shr) -% I loo-ed at the o ce li#ely* rattlepated* h)moro)s little doctor!associated i my remem'ra ce "ith the perpetratio of i corri$i'le social i discretio s a d i )mera'le 'oyish (o-es!a d I sa" othi $ left of his former self* ')t the old te de cy to #)l$ar smart ess i his dress% The ma "as a "rec-9 ')t his clothes a d his (e"ellery!i cr)el moc-ery of the cha $e i him!"ere as $ay a d as $a)dy as e#er% AI ha#e ofte tho)$ht of yo)* &r% 0la-e*A he said9 Aa d I am heartily $lad to see yo) a$ai at last% If there is a ythi $ I ca do for yo)* pray comma d my ser#ices* sir!pray comma d my ser#icesDA He said those fe" commo place "ords "ith eedless h)rry a d ea$er ess* a d "ith a c)riosity to - o" "hat had 'ro)$ht me to 5or-shire* "hich he "as perfectly!I mi$ht say childishly!i capa'le of co ceali $ from otice% @ith the o'(ect that I had i #ie"* I had of co)rse foresee the ecessity of e teri $ i to some sort of perso al expla atio * 'efore I co)ld hope to i terest people* mostly stra $ers to me* i doi $ their 'est to assist my i ,)iry% 4 the (o)r ey to Fri<i $hall I had arra $ed "hat my expla atio "as to 'e!a d I sei<ed the opport) ity o" offered to me of tryi $ the effect of it o &r% Ca dy% AI "as i 5or-shire* the other day* a d I am i 5or-shire a$ai o"* o rather a roma tic erra d*A I said% AIt is a matter* &r% Ca dy* i "hich the late ?ady Veri der=s frie ds all too- some i terest% 5o) remem'er the mysterio)s loss of the I dia 6iamo d* o" early a year si ceB Circ)msta ces ha#e lately happe ed "hich lead to the hope that it may yet 'e fo) d!a d I am i teresti $ myself* as o e of the family* i reco#eri $ it% Amo $ the o'stacles i my "ay* there is the ecessity of collecti $ a$ai all the e#ide ce "hich "as disco#ered at the time* a d more if possi'le% There are pec)liarities i this case "hich ma-e it desira'le to re#i#e my recollectio of e#erythi $ that happe ed i the ho)se* o the e#e i $ of &iss Veri der=s 'irthday% A d I #e t)re to appeal to her late

3H1

mother=s frie ds "ho "ere prese t o that occasio * to le d me the assista ce of their memories!!A I had $ot as far as that i rehearsi $ my expla atory phrases* "he I "as s)dde ly chec-ed 'y seei $ plai ly i &r% Ca dy=s face that my experime t o him "as a total fail)re% The little doctor sat restlessly pic-i $ at the poi ts of his fi $ers all the time I "as spea-i $% His dim "atery eyes "ere fixed o my face "ith a expressio of #aca t a d "istf)l i ,)iry #ery pai f)l to see% @hat he "as thi -i $ of* it "as impossi'le to di#i e% The o e thi $ clearly #isi'le "as that I had failed* after the first t"o or three "ords* i fixi $ his atte tio % The o ly cha ce of recalli $ him to himself appeared to lie i cha $i $ the s)'(ect% I tried a e" topic immediately% A.o m)ch*A I said* $aily* Afor "hat 'ri $s me to Fri<i $hallD 8o"* &r% Ca dy* it=s yo)r t)r % 5o) se t me a messa$e 'y /a'riel 0ettered$e!!A He left off pic-i $ at his fi $ers* a d s)dde ly 'ri$hte ed )p% A5esD yesD yesDA he exclaimed ea$erly% AThat=s itD I se t yo) a messa$eDA AA d 0ettered$e d)ly comm) icated it 'y letter*A I "e t o % A5o) had somethi $ to say to me* the ext time I "as i yo)r ei$h'o)rhood% @ell* &r% Ca dy* here I amDA AHere yo) areDA echoed the doctor% AA d 0ettered$e "as ,)ite ri$ht% I had somethi $ to say to yo)% That "as my messa$e% 0ettered$e is a "o derf)l ma % @hat a memoryD At his a$e* "hat a memoryDA He dropped 'ac- i to sile ce* a d 'e$a pic-i $ at his fi $ers a$ai % Recollecti $ "hat I had heard from 0ettered$e a'o)t the effect of the fe#er o his memory* I "e t o "ith the co #ersatio * i the hope that I mi$ht help him at starti $% AIt=s a lo $ time si ce "e met*A I said% A@e last sa" each other at the last 'irthday di er my poor a) t "as e#er to $i#e%A AThat=s itDA cried &r% Ca dy% AThe 'irthday di erDA He started imp)lsi#ely to his feet* a d loo-ed at me% A deep fl)sh s)dde ly o#erspread his faded face* a d he a'r)ptly sat do" a$ai * as if co scio)s of ha#i $ 'etrayed a "ea- ess "hich he "o)ld fai ha#e co cealed% It "as plai * pitia'ly plai * that he "as a"are of his o" defect of memory* a d that he "as 'e t o hidi $ it from the o'ser#atio of his frie ds% Th)s far he had appealed to my compassio o ly% 0)t the "ords he had ()st said!fe" as they "ere!ro)sed my c)riosity i sta tly to the hi$hest pitch% The 'irthday di er had already 'ecome the o e e#e t i the past* at "hich I loo-ed 'ac- "ith stra $ely7mixed feeli $s of hope a d distr)st% A d here "as the 'irthday di er ) mista-a'ly proclaimi $ itself as the s)'(ect o "hich &r% Ca dy had somethi $ importa t to say to meD

3H>

I attempted to help him o)t o ce more% 0)t* this time* my o" i terests "ere at the 'ottom of my compassio ate moti#e* a d they h)rried me o a little too a'r)ptly* to the e d I had i #ie"% AIt=s early a year o"*A I said* Asi ce "e sat at that pleasa t ta'le% Ha#e yo) made a y memora d)m!i yo)r diary* or other"ise!of "hat yo) "a ted to say to meBA &r% Ca dy ) derstood the s)$$estio * a d sho"ed me that he ) derstood it* as a i s)lt% AI re,)ire o memora d)m* &r% 0la-e*A he said* stiffly e o)$h% AI am ot s)ch a #ery old ma * yet!a d my memory :tha - /od; is to 'e thoro)$hly depe ded o DA It is eedless to say that I decli ed to ) dersta d that he "as offe ded "ith me% AI "ish I co)ld say the same of my memory*A I a s"ered% A@he I try to thi - of matters that are a year old* I seldom fi d my remem'ra ce as #i#id as I co)ld "ish it to 'e% Ta-e the di er at ?ady Veri der=s* for i sta ce!!A &r% Ca dy 'ri$hte ed )p a$ai * the mome t the all)sio passed my lips% AAhD the di er* the di er at ?ady Veri der=sDA he exclaimed* more ea$erly tha e#er% AI ha#e $ot somethi $ to say to yo) a'o)t that%A His eyes loo-ed at me a$ai "ith the pai f)l expressio of i ,)iry* so "istf)l* so #aca t* so misera'ly helpless to see% He "as e#ide tly tryi $ hard* a d tryi $ i #ai * to reco#er the lost recollectio % AIt "as a #ery pleasa t di er*A he ')rst o)t s)dde ly* "ith a air of sayi $ exactly "hat he "a ted to say% AA #ery pleasa t di er* &r% 0la-e* "as =t itBA He odded a d smiled* a d appeared to thi -* poor fello"* that he had s)cceeded i co ceali $ the total fail)re of his memory* 'y a "ell7timed exertio of his o" prese ce of mi d% It "as so distressi $ that I at o ce shifted the tal-!deeply as I "as i terested i his reco#eri $ the lost remem'ra ce!to topics of local i terest% Here* he $ot o $li'ly e o)$h% Tr)mpery little sca dals a d ,)arrels i the to" * some of them as m)ch as a mo th old* appeared to rec)r to his memory readily% He chattered o * "ith somethi $ of the smooth $ossipi $ fl)e cy of former times% 0)t there "ere mome ts* e#e i the f)ll flo" of his tal-ati#e ess* "he he s)dde ly hesitated!loo-ed at me for a mome t "ith the #aca t i ,)iry o ce more i his eyes!co trolled himself! a d "e t o a$ai % I s)'mitted patie tly to my martyrdom :it is s)rely othi $ less tha martyrdom to a ma of cosmopolita sympathies* to a'sor' i sile t resi$ atio the e"s of a co) try to" B; ) til the cloc- o the chim ey7piece told me that my #isit had 'ee prolo $ed 'eyo d half a ho)r% Ha#i $ o" some ri$ht to co sider the sacrifice as complete* I rose to ta-e lea#e% As "e shoo- ha ds* &r% Ca dy re#erted to the 'irthday festi#al of his o" accord%

3HC

AI am so $lad "e ha#e met a$ai *A he said% AI had it o my mi d!I really had it o my mi d* &r% 0la-e* to spea- to yo)% A'o)t the di er at ?ady Veri der=s* yo) - o"B A pleasa t di er!really a pleasa t di er o"* "as =t itBA 4 repeati $ the phrase* he seemed to feel hardly as certai of ha#i $ pre#e ted me from s)specti $ his lapse of memory* as he had felt o the first occasio % The "istf)l looclo)ded his face a$ai F a d* after appare tly desi$ i $ to accompa y me to the street door* he s)dde ly cha $ed his mi d* ra $ the 'ell for the ser#a t* a d remai ed i the dra"i $7room% I "e t slo"ly do" the doctor=s stairs* feeli $ the dishearte i $ co #ictio that he really had somethi $ to say "hich it "as #itally importa t to me to hear* a d that he "as morally i capa'le of sayi $ it% The effort of remem'eri $ that he "a ted to spea- to me "as* ')t too e#ide tly* the o ly effort that his e fee'led memory "as o" a'le to achie#e% +)st as I reached the 'ottom of the stairs* a d had t)r ed a cor er o my "ay to the o)ter hall* a door ope ed softly some"here o the $ro) d floor of the ho)se* a d a $e tle #oice said 'ehi d meF! AI am afraid* sir* yo) fi d &r% Ca dy sadly cha $edBA I t)r ed ro) d* a d fo) d myself face to face "ith E<ra +e i $s%

CHAPTER I#
The doctor=s pretty ho)semaid stood "aiti $ for me* "ith the street door ope i her ha d% Po)ri $ 'ri$htly i to the hall* the mor i $ li$ht fell f)ll o the face of &r% Ca dy=s assista t "he I t)r ed* a d loo-ed at him% It "as impossi'le to disp)te 0ettered$e=s assertio that the appeara ce of E<ra +e i $s* spea-i $ from a pop)lar poi t of #ie"* "as a$ai st him% His $ipsy7complexio * his fleshless chee-s* his $a) t facial 'o es* his dreamy eyes* his extraordi ary parti7colo)red hair* the p)<<li $ co tradictio 'et"ee his face a d fi$)re "hich made him loo- old a d yo) $ 'oth to$ether!"ere all more or less calc)lated to prod)ce a ) fa#o)ra'le impressio of him o a stra $er=s mi d% A d yet!feeli $ this as I certai ly did!it is ot to 'e de ied that E<ra +e i $s made some i scr)ta'le appeal to my sympathies* "hich I fo) d it impossi'le to resist% @hile my - o"led$e of the "orld "ar ed me to a s"er the ,)estio "hich he had p)t* ac- o"led$i $ that I did i deed fi d &r% Ca dy sadly cha $ed* a d the to proceed o my "ay o)t of the ho)se!my i terest i E<ra +e i $s held me rooted to the place* a d $a#e him the opport) ity of spea-i $ to me i pri#ate a'o)t his employer* for "hich he had 'ee e#ide tly o the "atch% 3H2

AAre yo) "al-i $ my "ay* &r% +e i $sBA I said* o'ser#i $ that he held his hat i his ha d% AI am $oi $ to call o my a) t* &rs% A'le"hite%A E<ra +e i $s replied that he had a patie t to see* a d that he "as "al-i $ my "ay% @e left the ho)se to$ether% I o'ser#ed that the pretty ser#a t $irl!"ho "as all smiles a d amia'ility* "he I "ished her $ood mor i $ o my "ay o)t!recei#ed a modest little messa$e from E<ra +e i $s* relati $ to the time at "hich he mi$ht 'e expected to ret)r * "ith p)rsed7)p lips* a d "ith eyes "hich oste tatio)sly loo-ed a y"here rather tha loo- i his face% The poor "retch "as e#ide tly o fa#o)rite i the ho)se% 4)t of the ho)se* I had 0ettered$e=s "ord for it that he "as ) pop)lar e#ery"here% A@hat a lifeDA I tho)$ht to myself* as "e desce ded the doctor=s doorsteps% Ha#i $ already referred to &r% Ca dy=s ill ess o his side* E<ra +e i $s o" appeared determi ed to lea#e it to me to res)me the s)'(ect% His sile ce said si$ ifica tly* AIt=s yo)r t)r o"%A I* too* had my reaso s for referri $ to the doctor=s ill essF a d I readily accepted the respo si'ility of spea-i $ first% A+)d$i $ 'y the cha $e I see i him*A I 'e$a * A&r% Ca dy=s ill ess m)st ha#e 'ee far more serio)s that I had s)pposedBA AIt is almost a miracle*A said E<ra +e i $s* Athat he li#ed thro)$h it%A AIs his memory e#er a y 'etter tha I ha#e fo) d it to7dayB He has 'ee tryi $ to speato me!!A A4f somethi $ "hich happe ed 'efore he "as ta-e illBA as-ed the assista t* o'ser#i $ that I hesitated% A5es%A AHis memory of e#e ts* at that past time* is hopelessly e fee'led*A said E<ra +e i $s% AIt is almost to 'e deplored* poor fello"* that e#e the "rec- of it remai s% @hile he remem'ers dimly pla s that he formed!thi $s* here a d there* that he had to say or do 'efore his ill ess!he is perfectly i capa'le of recalli $ "hat the pla s "ere* or "hat the thi $ "as that he had to say or do% He is pai f)lly co scio)s of his o" deficie cy* a d pai f)lly a xio)s* as yo) m)st ha#e see * to hide it from o'ser#atio % If he co)ld o ly ha#e reco#ered i a complete state of o'li#io as to the past* he "o)ld ha#e 'ee a happier ma % Perhaps "e sho)ld all 'e happier*A he added* "ith a sad smile* Aif "e co)ld ')t completely for$etDA AThere are some e#e ts s)rely i all me =s li#es*A I replied* Athe memory of "hich they "o)ld 'e ) "illi $ e tirely to loseBA AThat is* I hope* to 'e said of most me * &r% 0la-e% I am afraid it ca ot tr)ly 'e said of A??% Ha#e yo) a y reaso to s)ppose that the lost remem'ra ce "hich &r% Ca dy tried

3HG

to reco#er!"hile yo) "ere spea-i $ to him ()st o"!"as a remem'ra ce "hich it "as importa t to 54E that he sho)ld recallBA I sayi $ those "ords* he had to)ched* of his o" accord* o the #ery poi t )po "hich I "as a xio)s to co s)lt him% The i terest I felt i this stra $e ma had impelled me* i the first i sta ce* to $i#e him the opport) ity of spea-i $ to me9 reser#i $ "hat I mi$ht ha#e to say* o my side* i relatio to his employer* ) til I "as first satisfied that he "as a perso i "hose delicacy a d discretio I co)ld tr)st% The little that he had said* th)s far* had 'ee s)fficie t to co #i ce me that I "as spea-i $ to a $e tlema % He had "hat I may #e t)re to descri'e as the E8.4E/HT .E?F7P4..E..I48* "hich is a s)re si$ of $ood 'reedi $* ot i E $la d o ly* ')t e#ery"here else i the ci#ilised "orld% @hate#er the o'(ect "hich he had i #ie"* i p)tti $ the ,)estio that he had ()st addressed to me* I felt o do)'t that I "as ()stified!so far!i a s"eri $ him "itho)t reser#e% AI 'elie#e I ha#e a stro $ i terest*A I said* Ai traci $ the lost remem'ra ce "hich &r% Ca dy "as ) a'le to recall% &ay I as- "hether yo) ca s)$$est to me a y method 'y "hich I mi$ht assist his memoryBA E<ra +e i $s loo-ed at me* "ith a s)dde flash of i terest i his dreamy 'ro" eyes% A&r% Ca dy=s memory is 'eyo d the reach of assista ce*A he said% AI ha#e tried to help it ofte e o)$h si ce his reco#ery* to 'e a'le to spea- positi#ely o that poi t%A This disappoi ted me9 a d I o" ed it% AI co fess yo) led me to hope for a less disco)ra$i $ a s"er tha that*A I said% E<ra +e i $s smiled% AIt may ot* perhaps* 'e a fi al a s"er* &r% 0la-e% It may 'e possi'le to trace &r% Ca dy=s lost recollectio * "itho)t the ecessity of appeali $ to &r% Ca dy himself%A AI deedB Is it a i discretio * o my part* to as- ho"BA A0y o mea s% &y o ly diffic)lty i a s"eri $ yo)r ,)estio * is the diffic)lty of explai i $ myself% &ay I tr)st to yo)r patie ce* if I refer o ce more to &r% Ca dy=s ill essF a d if I spea- of it this time "itho)t spari $ yo) certai professio al detailsBA APray $o o D 5o) ha#e i terested me already i heari $ the details%A &y ea$er ess seemed to am)se!perhaps* I mi$ht rather say* to please him% He smiled a$ai % @e had 'y this time left the last ho)ses i the to" 'ehi d )s% E<ra +e i $s stopped for a mome t* a d pic-ed some "ild flo"ers from the hed$e 'y the roadside% AHo" 'ea)tif)l they areDA he said* simply* sho"i $ his little ose$ay to me% AA d ho" fe" people i E $la d seem to admire them as they deser#eDA

3H3

A5o) ha#e ot al"ays 'ee i E $la dBA I said% A8o% I "as 'or * a d partly 'ro)$ht )p* i o e of o)r colo ies% &y father "as a E $lishma 9 ')t my mother!@e are strayi $ a"ay from o)r s)'(ect* &r% 0la-e9 a d it is my fa)lt% The tr)th is* I ha#e associatio s "ith these modest little hed$eside flo"ers!It does =t matter9 "e "ere spea-i $ of &r% Ca dy% To &r% Ca dy let )s ret)r %A Co ecti $ the fe" "ords a'o)t himself "hich th)s rel)cta tly escaped him* "ith the mela choly #ie" of life "hich led him to place the co ditio s of h)ma happi ess i complete o'li#io of the past* I felt satisfied that the story "hich I had read i his face "as* i t"o partic)lars at least* the story that it really told% He had s)ffered as fe" me s)ffer9 a d there "as the mixt)re of some forei$ race i his E $lish 'lood% A5o) ha#e heard* I dare say* of the ori$i al ca)se of &r% Ca dy=s ill essBA he res)med% AThe i$ht of ?ady Veri der=s di er7party "as a i$ht of hea#y rai % &y employer dro#e home thro)$h it i his $i$* a d reached the ho)se "etted to the s-i % He fo) d a )r$e t messa$e from a patie t* "aiti $ for him9 a d he most ) fort) ately "e t at o ce to #isit the sic- perso * "itho)t stoppi $ to cha $e his clothes% I "as myself professio ally detai ed* that i$ht* 'y a case at some dista ce from Fri<i $hall% @he I $ot 'ac- the ext mor i $* I fo) d &r% Ca dy=s $room "aiti $ i $reat alarm to ta-e me to his master=s room% 0y that time the mischief "as do e9 the ill ess had set i %A AThe ill ess has o ly 'ee descri'ed to me* i $e eral terms* as a fe#er*A I said% AI ca add othi $ "hich "ill ma-e the descriptio more acc)rate*A a s"ered E<ra +e i $s% AFrom first to last the fe#er ass)med o specific form% I se t at o ce to t"o of &r% Ca dy=s medical frie ds i the to" * 'oth physicia s* to come a d $i#e me their opi io of the case% They a$reed "ith me that it loo-ed serio)s9 ')t they 'oth stro $ly disse ted from the #ie" I too- of the treatme t% @e differed e tirely i the co cl)sio s "hich "e dre" from the patie t=s p)lse% The t"o doctors* ar$)i $ from the rapidity of the 'eat* declared that a lo"eri $ treatme t "as the o ly treatme t to 'e adopted% 4 my side* I admitted the rapidity of the p)lse* ')t I also poi ted to its alarmi $ fee'le ess as i dicati $ a exha)sted co ditio of the system* a d as sho"i $ a plai ecessity for the admi istratio of stim)la ts% The t"o doctors "ere for -eepi $ him o $r)el* lemo ade* 'arley7"ater* a d so o % I "as for $i#i $ him champa$ e* or 'ra dy* ammo ia* a d ,)i i e% A serio)s differe ce of opi io * as yo) seeD a differe ce 'et"ee t"o physicia s of esta'lished local rep)te* a d a stra $er "ho "as o ly a assista t i the ho)se% For the first fe" days* I had o choice ')t to $i#e "ay to my elders a d 'etters9 the patie t steadily si -i $ all the time% I made a seco d attempt to appeal to the plai * ) de ia'ly plai * e#ide ce of the p)lse% Its rapidity "as ) chec-ed* a d its fee'le ess had i creased% The t"o doctors too- offe ce at my o'sti acy% They said* =&r% +e i $s* either "e ma a$e this case* or yo) ma a$e it% @hich is it to 'eB= I said* =/e tleme * $i#e me fi#e mi )tes to co sider* a d that plai ,)estio shall ha#e a plai reply%= @he the time expired* I "as ready "ith my a s"er% I said* =5o) positi#ely ref)se to try the stim)la t treatme tB= They ref)sed i so ma y "ords% =I mea to try it at o ce* $e tleme %=!=Try it* &r% +e i $s* a d "e "ithdra" from the case%= I se t do" to the cellar for a 'ottle of

31H

champa$ e9 a d I admi istered half a t)m'ler7f)ll of it to the patie t "ith my o" ha d% The t"o physicia s too- )p their hats i sile ce* a d left the ho)se%A A5o) had ass)med a serio)s respo si'ility*A I said% AI yo)r place* I am afraid I sho)ld ha#e shr) - from it%A AI my place* &r% 0la-e* yo) "o)ld ha#e remem'ered that &r% Ca dy had ta-e yo) i to his employme t* ) der circ)msta ces "hich made yo) his de'tor for life% I my place* yo) "o)ld ha#e see him si -i $* ho)r 'y ho)r9 a d yo) "o)ld ha#e ris-ed a ythi $* rather tha let the o e ma o earth "ho had 'efrie ded yo)* die 'efore yo)r eyes% 6o =t s)ppose that I had o se se of the terri'le positio i "hich I had placed myselfD There "ere mome ts "he I felt all the misery of my frie dless ess* all the peril of my dreadf)l respo si'ility% If I had 'ee a happy ma * if I had led a prospero)s life* I 'elie#e I sho)ld ha#e s) - ) der the tas- I had imposed o myself% 0)t I had o happy time to loo- 'acat* o past peace of mi d to force itself i to co trast "ith my prese t a xiety a d s)spe se!a d I held firm to my resol)tio thro)$h it all% I too- a i ter#al i the middle of the day* "he my patie t=s co ditio "as at its 'est* for the repose I eeded% For the rest of the fo)r7a d7t"e ty ho)rs* as lo $ as his life "as i da $er* I e#er left his 'edside% To"ards s) set* as )s)al i s)ch cases* the deliri)m i cide tal to the fe#er came o % It lasted more or less thro)$h the i$ht9 a d the i termitted* at that terri'le time i the early mor i $!from t"o o=cloc- to fi#e!"he the #ital e er$ies e#e of the healthiest of )s are at their lo"est% It is the that 6eath $athers i his h)ma har#est most a') da tly% It "as the that 6eath a d I fo)$ht o)r fi$ht o#er the 'ed* "hich sho)ld ha#e the ma "ho lay o it% I e#er hesitated i p)rs)i $ the treatme t o "hich I had sta-ed e#erythi $% @he "i e failed* I tried 'ra dy% @he the other stim)la ts lost their i fl)e ce* I do)'led the dose% After a i ter#al of s)spe se!the li-e of "hich I hope to /od I shall e#er feel a$ai !there came a day "he the rapidity of the p)lse sli$htly* ')t apprecia'ly* dimi ished9 a d* 'etter still* there came also a cha $e i the 'eat!a ) mista-a'le cha $e to steadi ess a d stre $th% THE8* I - e" that I had sa#ed him9 a d the I o" I 'ro-e do" % I laid the poor fello"=s "asted ha d 'ac- o the 'ed* a d ')rst o)t cryi $% A hysterical relief* &r% 0la-e! othi $ moreD Physiolo$y says* a d says tr)ly* that some me are 'or "ith female co stit)tio s!a d I am o e of themDA He made that 'itterly professio al apolo$y for his tears* spea-i $ ,)ietly a d ) affectedly* as he had spo-e thro)$ho)t% His to e a d ma er* from 'e$i i $ to e d* sho"ed him to 'e especially* almost mor'idly* a xio)s ot to set himself )p as a o'(ect of i terest to me% A5o) may "ell as-* "hy I ha#e "earied yo) "ith all these detailsBA he "e t o % AIt is the o ly "ay I ca see* &r% 0la-e* of properly i trod)ci $ to yo) "hat I ha#e to say ext% 8o" yo) - o" exactly "hat my positio "as* at the time of &r% Ca dy=s ill ess* yo) "ill the more readily ) dersta d the sore eed I had of li$hte i $ the ')rde o my mi d 'y $i#i $ it* at i ter#als* some sort of relief% I ha#e had the pres)mptio to occ)py my leis)re* for some years past* i "riti $ a 'oo-* addressed to the mem'ers of my professio !a 'oo- o the i tricate a d delicate s)'(ect of the 'rai a d the er#o)s system% &y "or- "ill pro'a'ly e#er 'e fi ished9 a d it "ill certai ly e#er 'e

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p)'lished% It has o e the less 'ee the frie d of ma y lo ely ho)rs9 a d it helped me to "hile a"ay the a xio)s time!the time of "aiti $* a d othi $ else!at &r% Ca dy=s 'edside% I told yo) he "as delirio)s* I thi -B A d I me tio ed the time at "hich his deliri)m came o BA A5es%A A@ell* I had reached a sectio of my 'oo-* at that time* "hich to)ched o this same ,)estio of deliri)m% I "o =t tro)'le yo) at a y le $th "ith my theory o the s)'(ect!I "ill co fi e myself to telli $ yo) o ly "hat it is yo)r prese t i terest to - o"% It has ofte occ)rred to me i the co)rse of my medical practice* to do)'t "hether "e ca ()stifia'ly i fer!i cases of deliri)m!that the loss of the fac)lty of spea-i $ co ectedly* implies of ecessity the loss of the fac)lty of thi -i $ co ectedly as "ell% Poor &r% Ca dy=s ill ess $a#e me a opport) ity of p)tti $ this do)'t to the test% I ) dersta d the art of "riti $ i shortha d9 a d I "as a'le to ta-e do" the patie t=s ="a deri $s=* exactly as they fell from his lips%!6o yo) see* &r% 0la-e* "hat I am comi $ to at lastBA I sa" it clearly* a d "aited "ith 'reathless i terest to hear more% AAt odds a d e ds of time*A E<ra +e i $s "e t o * AI reprod)ced my shortha d otes* i the ordi ary form of "riti $!lea#i $ lar$e spaces 'et"ee the 'ro-e phrases* a d e#e the si $le "ords* as they had falle disco ectedly from &r% Ca dy=s lips% I the treated the res)lt th)s o'tai ed* o somethi $ li-e the pri ciple "hich o e adopts i p)tti $ to$ether a child=s =p)<<le%= It is all co f)sio to 'e$i "ith9 ')t it may 'e all 'ro)$ht i to order a d shape* if yo) ca o ly fi d the ri$ht "ay% Acti $ o this pla * I filled i each 'la - space o the paper* "ith "hat the "ords or phrases o either side of it s)$$ested to me as the spea-er=s mea i $9 alteri $ o#er a d o#er a$ai * ) til my additio s follo"ed at)rally o the spo-e "ords "hich came 'efore them* a d fitted at)rally i to the spo-e "ords "hich came after them% The res)lt "as* that I ot o ly occ)pied i this "ay ma y #aca t a d a xio)s ho)rs* ')t that I arri#ed at somethi $ "hich "as :as it seemed to me; a co firmatio of the theory that I held% I plai er "ords* after p)tti $ the 'ro-e se te ces to$ether I fo) d the s)perior fac)lty of thi -i $ $oi $ o * more or less co ectedly* i my patie t=s mi d* "hile the i ferior fac)lty of expressio "as i a state of almost complete i capacity a d co f)sio %A A4 e "ordDA I i terposed ea$erly% A6id my ame occ)r i a y of his "a deri $sBA A5o) shall hear* &r% 0la-e% Amo $ my "ritte proofs of the assertio "hich I ha#e ()st ad#a ced!or* I o)$ht to say* amo $ the "ritte experime ts* te di $ to p)t my assertio to the proof!there I. o e* i "hich yo)r ame occ)rs% For early the "hole of o e i$ht* &r% Ca dy=s mi d "as occ)pied "ith .4&ETHI8/ 'et"ee himself a d yo)% I ha#e $ot the 'ro-e "ords* as they dropped from his lips* o o e sheet of paper% A d I ha#e $ot the li -s of my o" disco#eri $ "hich co ect those "ords to$ether* o a other sheet of paper% The prod)ct :as the arithmeticia s "o)ld say; is a i telli$i'le stateme t!first* of somethi $ act)ally do e i the past9 seco dly* of somethi $ "hich &r% Ca dy

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co templated doi $ i the f)t)re* if his ill ess had ot $ot i the "ay* a d stopped him% The ,)estio is "hether this does* or does ot* represe t the lost recollectio "hich he #ai ly attempted to fi d "he yo) called o him this mor i $BA A8ot a do)'t of itDA I a s"ered% A?et )s $o 'ac- directly* a d loo- at the papersDA AI)ite impossi'le* &r% 0la-e%A A@hyBA AP)t yo)rself i my positio for a mome t*A said E<ra +e i $s% A@o)ld yo) disclose to a other perso "hat had dropped ) co scio)sly from the lips of yo)r s)fferi $ patie t a d yo)r helpless frie d* "itho)t first - o"i $ that there "as a ecessity to ()stify yo) i ope i $ yo)r lipsBA I felt that he "as ) a s"era'le* here9 ')t I tried to ar$)e the ,)estio * e#ertheless% A&y co d)ct i s)ch a delicate matter as yo) descri'e*A I replied* A"o)ld depe d $reatly o "hether the disclos)re "as of a at)re to compromise my frie d or ot%A AI ha#e disposed of all ecessity for co sideri $ that side of the ,)estio * lo $ si ce*A said E<ra +e i $s% A@here#er my otes i cl)ded a ythi $ "hich &r% Ca dy mi$ht ha#e "ished to -eep secret* those otes ha#e 'ee destroyed% &y ma )script experime ts at my frie d=s 'edside* i cl)de othi $* o"* "hich he "o)ld ha#e hesitated to comm) icate to others* if he had reco#ered the )se of his memory% I yo)r case* I ha#e e#ery reaso to s)ppose that my otes co tai somethi $ "hich he act)ally "ished to say to yo)%A AA d yet* yo) hesitateBA AA d yet* I hesitate% Remem'er the circ)msta ces ) der "hich I o'tai ed the i formatio "hich I possessD Harmless as it is* I ca ot pre#ail )po myself to $i#e it )p to yo)* ) less yo) first satisfy me that there is a reaso for doi $ so% He "as so misera'ly ill* &r% 0la-eD a d he "as so helplessly depe de t )po &eD Is it too m)ch to as-* if I re,)est yo) o ly to hi t to me "hat yo)r i terest is i the lost recollectio !or "hat yo) 'elie#e that lost recollectio to 'eBA To ha#e a s"ered him "ith the fra - ess "hich his la $)a$e a d his ma er 'oth claimed from me* "o)ld ha#e 'ee to commit myself to ope ly ac- o"led$i $ that I "as s)spected of the theft of the 6iamo d% .tro $ly as E<ra +e i $s had i te sified the first imp)lsi#e i terest "hich I had felt i him* he had ot o#ercome my ) co ,)era'le rel)cta ce to disclose the de$radi $ positio i "hich I stood% I too- ref)$e o ce more i the expla atory phrases "ith "hich I had prepared myself to meet the c)riosity of stra $ers%

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This time I had o reaso to complai of a "a t of atte tio o the part of the perso to "hom I addressed myself% E<ra +e i $s liste ed patie tly* e#e a xio)sly* ) til I had do e% AI am sorry to ha#e raised yo)r expectatio s* &r% 0la-e* o ly to disappoi t them*A he said% AThro)$ho)t the "hole period of &r% Ca dy=s ill ess* from first to last* ot o e "ord a'o)t the 6iamo d escaped his lips% The matter "ith "hich I heard him co ect yo)r ame has* I ca ass)re yo)* o disco#era'le relatio "hate#er "ith the loss or the reco#ery of &iss Veri der=s (e"el%A @e arri#ed* as he said those "ords* at a place "here the hi$h"ay alo $ "hich "e had 'ee "al-i $ 'ra ched off i to t"o roads% 4 e led to &r% A'le"hite=s ho)se* a d the other to a moorla d #illa$e some t"o or three miles off% E<ra +e i $s stopped at the road "hich led to the #illa$e% A&y "ay lies i this directio *A he said% AI am really a d tr)ly sorry* &r% 0la-e* that I ca 'e of o )se to yo)%A His #oice told me that he spo-e si cerely% His soft 'ro" eyes rested o me for a mome t "ith a loo- of mela choly i terest% He 'o"ed* a d "e t* "itho)t a other "ord* o his "ay to the #illa$e% For a mi )te or more I stood a d "atched him* "al-i $ farther a d farther a"ay from me9 carryi $ farther a d farther a"ay "ith him "hat I o" firmly 'elie#ed to 'e the cl)e of "hich I "as i search% He t)r ed* after "al-i $ o a little "ay* a d loo-ed 'ac-% .eei $ me still sta di $ at the place "here "e had parted* he stopped* as if do)'ti $ "hether I mi$ht ot "ish to spea- to him a$ai % There "as o time for me to reaso o)t my o" sit)atio !to remi d myself that I "as losi $ my opport) ity* at "hat mi$ht 'e the t)r i $ poi t of my life* a d all to flatter othi $ more importa t tha my o" self7 esteemD There "as o ly time to call him 'ac- first* a d to thi - after"ards% I s)spect I am o e of the rashest of existi $ me % I called him 'ac-!a d the I said to myself* A8o" there is o help for it% I m)st tell him the tr)thDA He retraced his steps directly% I ad#a ced alo $ the road to meet him% A&r% +e i $s*A I said% AI ha#e ot treated yo) ,)ite fairly% &y i terest i traci $ &r% Ca dy=s lost recollectio is ot the i terest of reco#eri $ the &oo sto e% A serio)s perso al matter is at the 'ottom of my #isit to 5or-shire% I ha#e ')t o e exc)se for ot ha#i $ dealt fra -ly "ith yo) i this matter% It is more pai f)l to me tha I ca say* to me tio to a y'ody "hat my positio really is%A E<ra +e i $s loo-ed at me "ith the first appeara ce of em'arrassme t "hich I had see i him yet%

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AI ha#e o ri$ht* &r% 0la-e* a d o "ish*A he said* Ato i tr)de myself i to yo)r pri#ate affairs% Allo" me to as- yo)r pardo * o my side* for ha#i $ :most i oce tly; p)t yo) to a pai f)l test%A A5o) ha#e a perfect ri$ht*A I re(oi ed* Ato fix the terms o "hich yo) feel ()stified i re#eali $ "hat yo) heard at &r% Ca dy=s 'edside% I ) dersta d a d respect the delicacy "hich i fl)e ces yo) i this matter% Ho" ca I expect to 'e ta-e i to yo)r co fide ce if I decli e to admit yo) i to mi eB 5o) o)$ht to - o"* a d yo) shall - o"* "hy I am i terested i disco#eri $ "hat &r% Ca dy "a ted to say to me% If I t)r o)t to 'e mista-e i my a ticipatio s* a d if yo) pro#e ) a'le to help me "he yo) are really a"are of "hat I "a t* I shall tr)st to yo)r ho o)r to -eep my secret!a d somethi $ tells me that I shall ot tr)st i #ai %A A.top* &r% 0la-e% I ha#e a "ord to say* "hich m)st 'e said 'efore yo) $o a y farther%A I loo-ed at him i asto ishme t% The $rip of some terri'le emotio seemed to ha#e sei<ed him* a d sha-e him to the so)l% His $ipsy complexio had altered to a li#id $reyish pale ess9 his eyes had s)dde ly 'ecome "ild a d $litteri $9 his #oice had dropped to a to e!lo"* ster * a d resol)te!"hich I o" heard for the first time% The late t reso)rces i the ma * for $ood or for e#il!it "as hard* at that mome t* to say "hich!leapt )p i him a d sho"ed themsel#es to me* "ith the s)dde ess of a flash of li$ht% A0efore yo) place a y co fide ce i me*A he "e t o * Ayo) o)$ht to - o"* a d yo) &E.T - o"* ) der "hat circ)msta ces I ha#e 'ee recei#ed i to &r% Ca dy=s ho)se% It "o =t ta-e lo $% I do =t profess* sir* to tell my story :as the phrase is; to a y ma % &y story "ill die "ith me% All I as-* is to 'e permitted to tell yo)* "hat I ha#e told &r% Ca dy% If yo) are still i the mi d* "he yo) ha#e heard that* to say "hat yo) ha#e proposed to say* yo) "ill comma d my atte tio a d comma d my ser#ices% .hall "e "al- o BA The s)ppressed misery i his face sile ced me% I a s"ered his ,)estio 'y a si$ % @e "al-ed o % After ad#a ci $ a fe" h) dred yards* E<ra +e i $s stopped at a $ap i the ro)$h sto e "all "hich sh)t off the moor from the road* at this part of it% A6o yo) mi d resti $ a little* &r% 0la-eBA he as-ed% AI am ot "hat I "as!a d some thi $s sha-e me%A I a$reed of co)rse% He led the "ay thro)$h the $ap to a patch of t)rf o the heathy $ro) d* scree ed 'y ')shes a d d"arf trees o the side earest to the road* a d comma di $ i the opposite directio a $ra dly desolate #ie" o#er the 'road 'ro" "ilder ess of the moor% The clo)ds had $athered* "ithi the last half ho)r% The li$ht "as d)ll9 the dista ce "as dim% The lo#ely face of 8at)re met )s* soft a d still colo)rless! met )s "itho)t a smile%

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@e sat do" i sile ce% E<ra +e i $s laid aside his hat* a d passed his ha d "earily o#er his forehead* "earily thro)$h his startli $ "hite a d 'lac- hair% He tossed his little ose$ay of "ild flo"ers a"ay from him* as if the remem'ra ces "hich it recalled "ere remem'ra ces "hich h)rt him o"% A&r% 0la-eDA he said* s)dde ly% A5o) are i 'ad compa y% The clo)d of a horri'le acc)satio has rested o me for years% I tell yo) the "orst at o ce% I am a ma "hose life is a "rec-* a d "hose character is $o e%A I attempted to spea-% He stopped me% A8o*A he said% APardo me9 ot yet% 6o =t commit yo)rself to expressio s of sympathy "hich yo) may after"ards "ish to recall% I ha#e me tio ed a acc)satio "hich has rested o me for years% There are circ)msta ces i co exio "ith it that tell a$ai st me% I ca ot 'ri $ myself to ac- o"led$e "hat the acc)satio is% A d I am i capa'le* perfectly i capa'le* of pro#i $ my i oce ce% I ca o ly assert my i oce ce% I assert it* sir* o my oath* as a Christia % It is )seless to appeal to my ho o)r as a ma %A He pa)sed a$ai % I loo-ed ro) d at him% He e#er loo-ed at me i ret)r % His "hole 'ei $ seemed to 'e a'sor'ed i the a$o y of recollecti $* a d i the effort to spea-% AThere is m)ch that I mi$ht say*A he "e t o * Aa'o)t the merciless treatme t of me 'y my o" family* a d the merciless e mity to "hich I ha#e falle a #ictim% 0)t the harm is do e9 the "ro $ is 'eyo d all remedy% I decli e to "eary or distress yo)* sir* if I ca help it% At the o)tset of my career i this co) try* the #ile sla der to "hich I ha#e referred str)c- me do" at o ce a d for e#er% I resi$ ed my aspiratio s i my professio ! o'sc)rity "as the o ly hope left for me% I parted "ith the "oma I lo#ed!ho" co)ld I co dem her to share my dis$raceB A medical assista t=s place offered itself* i a remote cor er of E $la d% I $ot the place% It promised me peace9 it promised me o'sc)rity* as I tho)$ht% I "as "ro $% E#il report* "ith time a d cha ce to help it* tra#els patie tly* a d tra#els far% The acc)satio from "hich I had fled follo"ed me% I $ot "ar i $ of its approach% I "as a'le to lea#e my sit)atio #ol) tarily* "ith the testimo ials that I had ear ed% They $ot me a other sit)atio i a other remote district% Time passed a$ai 9 a d a$ai the sla der that "as death to my character fo) d me o)t% 4 this occasio I had o "ar i $% &y employer said* =&r% +e i $s* I ha#e o complai t to ma-e a$ai st yo)9 ')t yo) m)st set yo)rself ri$ht* or lea#e me%= I had ')t o e choice!I left him% It=s )seless to d"ell o "hat I s)ffered after that% I am o ly forty years old o"% ?oo- at my face* a d let it tell for me the story of some misera'le years% It e ded i my drifti $ to this place* a d meeti $ "ith &r% Ca dy% He "a ted a assista t% I referred him* o the ,)estio of capacity* to my last employer% The ,)estio of character remai ed% I told him "hat I ha#e told yo)!a d more% I "ar ed him that there "ere diffic)lties i the "ay* e#e if he 'elie#ed me% =Here* as else"here*= I said =I scor the $)ilty e#asio of li#i $ ) der a ass)med ameF I am o safer at Fri<i $hall tha at other places from the clo)d that follo"s me* $o "here I may%= He a s"ered* =I do =t do thi $s 'y hal#es!I 'elie#e yo)* a d I pity yo)% If yo) "ill ris- "hat may happe * I "ill ris- it too%= /od Almi$hty 'less himD He has $i#e me shelter* he has $i#e me employme t* he has $i#e me rest of

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mi d!a d I ha#e the certai co #ictio :I ha#e had it for some mo ths past; that othi $ "ill happe o" to ma-e him re$ret it%A AThe sla der has died o)tBA I said% AThe sla der is as acti#e as e#er% 0)t "he it follo"s me here* it "ill come too late%A A5o) "ill ha#e left the placeBA A8o* &r% 0la-e!I shall 'e dead% For te years past I ha#e s)ffered from a i c)ra'le i ter al complai t% I do =t dis$)ise from yo) that I sho)ld ha#e let the a$o y of it -ill me lo $ si ce* ')t for o e last i terest i life* "hich ma-es my existe ce of some importa ce to me still% I "a t to pro#ide for a perso !#ery dear to me!"hom I shall e#er see a$ai % &y o" little patrimo y is hardly s)fficie t to ma-e her i depe de t of the "orld% The hope* if I co)ld o ly li#e lo $ e o)$h* of i creasi $ it to a certai s)m* has impelled me to resist the disease 'y s)ch palliati#e mea s as I co)ld de#ise% The o e effect)al palliati#e i my case* is!opi)m% To that all7pote t a d all7mercif)l dr)$ I am i de'ted for a respite of ma y years from my se te ce of death% 0)t e#e the #irt)es of opi)m ha#e their limit% The pro$ress of the disease has $rad)ally forced me from the )se of opi)m to the a')se of it% I am feeli $ the pe alty at last% &y er#o)s system is shattered9 my i$hts are i$hts of horror% The e d is ot far off o"% ?et it come!I ha#e ot li#ed a d "or-ed i #ai % The little s)m is early made )p9 a d I ha#e the mea s of completi $ it* if my last reser#es of life fail me soo er tha I expect% I hardly - o" ho" I ha#e "a dered i to telli $ yo) this% I do =t thi - I am mea e o)$h to appeal to yo)r pity% Perhaps* I fa cy yo) may 'e all the readier to 'elie#e me* if yo) - o" that "hat I ha#e said to yo)* I ha#e said "ith the certai - o"led$e i me that I am a dyi $ ma % There is o dis$)isi $* &r% 0la-e* that yo) i terest me% I ha#e attempted to ma-e my poor frie d=s loss of memory the mea s of 'etteri $ my ac,)ai ta ce "ith yo)% I ha#e spec)lated o the cha ce of yo)r feeli $ a passi $ c)riosity a'o)t "hat he "a ted to say* a d of my 'ei $ a'le to satisfy it% Is there o exc)se for my i tr)di $ myself o yo)B Perhaps there is some exc)se% A ma "ho has li#ed as I ha#e li#ed has his 'itter mome ts "he he po ders o#er h)ma desti y% 5o) ha#e yo)th* health* riches* a place i the "orld* a prospect 'efore yo)% 5o)* a d s)ch as yo)* sho" me the s) y side of h)ma life* a d reco cile me "ith the "orld that I am lea#i $* 'efore I $o% Ho"e#er this tal- 'et"ee )s may e d* I shall ot for$et that yo) ha#e do e me a -i d ess i doi $ that% It rests "ith yo)* sir* to say "hat yo) proposed sayi $* or to "ish me $ood mor i $%A I had ')t o e a s"er to ma-e to that appeal% @itho)t a mome t=s hesitatio I told him the tr)th* as ) reser#edly as I ha#e told it i these pa$es% He started to his feet* a d loo-ed at me "ith 'reathless ea$er ess as I approached the leadi $ i cide t of my story% AIt is certai that I "e t i to the room*A I said9 Ait is certai that I too- the 6iamo d% I ca o ly meet those t"o plai facts 'y declari $ that* do "hat I mi$ht* I did it "itho)t my o" - o"led$e!!A

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E<ra +e i $s ca)$ht me excitedly 'y the arm% A.topDA he said% A5o) ha#e s)$$ested more to me tha yo) s)ppose% Ha#e yo) e#er 'ee acc)stomed to the )se of opi)mBA AI e#er tasted it i my life%A A@ere yo)r er#es o)t of order* at this time last yearB @ere yo) ) )s)ally restless a d irrita'leBA A5es%A A6id yo) sleep 'adlyBA A@retchedly% &a y i$hts I e#er slept at all%A A@as the 'irthday i$ht a exceptio B Try* a d remem'er% 6id yo) sleep "ell o that o e occasio BA AI do remem'erD I slept so) dly%A He dropped my arm as s)dde ly as he had ta-e it!a d loo-ed at me "ith the air of a ma "hose mi d "as relie#ed of the last do)'t that rested o it% AThis is a mar-ed day i yo)r life* a d i mi e*A he said* $ra#ely% AI am a'sol)tely certai * &r% 0la-e* of o e thi $!I ha#e $ot "hat &r% Ca dy "a ted to say to yo) this mor i $* i the otes that I too- at my patie t=s 'edside% @aitD that is ot all% I am firmly pers)aded that I ca pro#e yo) to ha#e 'ee ) co scio)s of "hat yo) "ere a'o)t* "he yo) e tered the room a d too- the 6iamo d% /i#e me time to thi -* a d time to ,)estio yo)% I 'elie#e the #i dicatio of yo)r i oce ce is i my ha dsDA AExplai yo)rself* for /od=s sa-eD @hat do yo) mea BA I the exciteme t of o)r collo,)y* "e had "al-ed o a fe" steps* 'eyo d the cl)mp of d"arf trees "hich had hitherto scree ed )s from #ie"% 0efore E<ra +e i $s co)ld a s"er me* he "as hailed from the hi$h road 'y a ma * i $reat a$itatio * "ho had 'ee e#ide tly o the loo-7o)t for him% AI am comi $*A he called 'ac-9 AI am comi $ as fast as I ca DA He t)r ed to me% AThere is a )r$e t case "aiti $ for me at the #illa$e yo der9 I o)$ht to ha#e 'ee there half a ho)r si ce!I m)st atte d to it at o ce% /i#e me t"o ho)rs from this time* a d call at &r% Ca dy=s a$ai !a d I "ill e $a$e to 'e ready for yo)%A AHo" am I to "aitDA I exclaimed* impatie tly% ACa =t yo) ,)iet my mi d 'y a "ord of expla atio 'efore "e partBA

31G

AThis is far too serio)s a matter to 'e explai ed i a h)rry* &r% 0la-e% I am ot "ilf)lly tryi $ yo)r patie ce!I sho)ld o ly 'e addi $ to yo)r s)spe se* if I attempted to relie#e it as thi $s are o"% At Fri<i $hall* sir* i t"o ho)rs= timeDA The ma o the hi$h road hailed him a$ai % He h)rried a"ay* a d left me%

CHAPTER #
Ho" the i ter#al of s)spe se i "hich I "as o" co dem ed mi$ht ha#e affected other me i my positio * I ca ot prete d to say% The i fl)e ce of the t"o ho)rs= pro'atio )po my temperame t "as simply this% I felt physically i capa'le of remai i $ still i a y o e place* a d morally i capa'le of spea-i $ to a y o e h)ma 'ei $* ) til I had first heard all that E<ra +e i $s had to say to me% I this frame of mi d* I ot o ly a'a do ed my co templated #isit to &rs% A'le"hite!I e#e shra - from e co) teri $ /a'riel 0ettered$e himself% Ret)r i $ to Fri<i $hall* I left a ote for 0ettered$e* telli $ him that I had 'ee ) expectedly called a"ay for a fe" ho)rs* ')t that he mi$ht certai ly expect me to ret)r to"ards three o=cloc- i the after oo % I re,)ested him* i the i ter#al* to order his di er at the )s)al ho)r* a d to am)se himself as he pleased% He had* as I "ell - e"* hosts of frie ds i Fri<i $hall9 a d he "o)ld 'e at o loss ho" to fill )p his time ) til I ret)r ed to the hotel% This do e* I made the 'est of my "ay o)t of the to" a$ai * a d roamed the lo ely moorla d co) try "hich s)rro) ds Fri<i $hall* ) til my "atch told me that it "as time* at last* to ret)r to &r% Ca dy=s ho)se% I fo) d E<ra +e i $s ready a d "aiti $ for me% He "as sitti $ alo e i a 'are little room* "hich comm) icated 'y a $la<ed door "ith a s)r$ery% Hideo)s colo)red dia$rams of the ra#a$es of hideo)s diseases decorated the 'arre ')ff7colo)red "alls% A 'oo-7case filled "ith di $y medical "or-s* a d or ame ted at the top "ith a s-)ll* i place of the c)stomary ')st9 a lar$e deal ta'le copio)sly splashed "ith i -9 "oode chairs of the sort that are see i -itche s a d cotta$es9 a thread'are dr)$$et i the middle of the floor9 a si - of "ater* "ith a 'asi a d "aste7pipe ro)$hly let i to the "all* horri'ly s)$$esti#e of its co ectio "ith s)r$ical operatio s!comprised the e tire f)r it)re of the room% The 'ees "ere h)mmi $ amo $ a fe" flo"ers placed i pots o)tside the "i do"9 the 'irds "ere si $i $ i the $arde * a d the fai t i termitte t (i $le of a t) eless pia o i some ei$h'o)ri $ ho)se forced itself o" a d a$ai o the ear% I a y other place* these e#eryday so) ds mi$ht ha#e spo-e pleasa tly of the e#eryday "orld o)tside% Here* they came i as i tr)ders o a 313

sile ce "hich othi $ ')t h)ma s)fferi $ had the pri#ile$e to dist)r'% I loo-ed at the maho$a y i str)me t case* a d at the h)$e roll of li t* occ)pyi $ places of their o" o the 'oo-7shel#es* a d sh)ddered i "ardly as I tho)$ht of the so) ds* familiar a d appropriate to the e#eryday )se of E<ra +e i $s= room% AI ma-e o apolo$y* &r% 0la-e* for the place i "hich I am recei#i $ yo)*A he said% AIt is the o ly room i the ho)se* at this ho)r of the day* i "hich "e ca feel ,)ite s)re of 'ei $ left ) dist)r'ed% Here are my papers ready for yo)9 a d here are t"o 'oo-s to "hich "e may ha#e occasio to refer* 'efore "e ha#e do e% 0ri $ yo)r chair to the ta'le* a d "e shall 'e a'le to co s)lt them to$ether%A I dre" )p to the ta'le9 a d E<ra +e i $s ha ded me his ma )script otes% They co sisted of t"o lar$e folio lea#es of paper% 4 e leaf co tai ed "riti $ "hich o ly co#ered the s)rface at i ter#als% The other prese ted "riti $* i red a d 'lac- i -* "hich completely filled the pa$e from top to 'ottom% I the irritated state of my c)riosity* at that mome t* I laid aside the seco d sheet of paper i despair% AHa#e some mercy o meDA I said% ATell me "hat I am to expect* 'efore I attempt to read this%A A@illi $ly* &r% 0la-eD 6o yo) mi d my as-i $ yo) o e or t"o more ,)estio sBA AAs- me a ythi $ yo) li-eDA He loo-ed at me "ith the sad smile o his lips* a d the -i dly i terest i his soft 'ro" eyes% A5o) ha#e already told me*A he said* Athat yo) ha#e e#er!to yo)r - o"led$e!tasted opi)m i yo)r life%A ATo my - o"led$e*A I repeated% A5o) "ill ) dersta d directly "hy I spea- "ith that reser#atio % ?et )s $o o % 5o) are ot a"are of e#er ha#i $ ta-e opi)m% At this time* last year* yo) "ere s)fferi $ from er#o)s irritatio * a d yo) slept "retchedly at i$ht% 4 the i$ht of the 'irthday* ho"e#er* there "as a exceptio to the r)le!yo) slept so) dly% Am I ri$ht* so farBA AI)ite ri$htDA ACa yo) assi$ a y ca)se for the er#o)s s)fferi $* a d yo)r "a t of sleepBA AI ca assi$ o ca)se% 4ld 0ettered$e made a $)ess at the ca)se* I remem'er% 0)t that is hardly "orth me tio i $%A APardo me% A ythi $ is "orth me tio i $ i s)ch a case as this% 0ettered$e attri')ted yo)r sleepless ess to somethi $% To "hatBA

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ATo my lea#i $ off smo-i $%A AHad yo) 'ee a ha'it)al smo-erBA A5es%A A6id yo) lea#e off the ha'it s)dde lyBA A5es%A A0ettered$e "as perfectly ri$ht* &r% 0la-e% @he smo-i $ is a ha'it a ma m)st ha#e o commo co stit)tio "ho ca lea#e it off s)dde ly "itho)t some temporary dama$e to his er#o)s system% 5o)r sleepless i$hts are acco) ted for* to my mi d% &y ext ,)estio refers to &r% Ca dy% 6o yo) remem'er ha#i $ e tered i to a ythi $ li-e a disp)te "ith him!at the 'irthday di er* or after"ards!o the s)'(ect of his professio BA The ,)estio i sta tly a"a-e ed o e of my dorma t remem'ra ces i co ectio "ith the 'irthday festi#al% The foolish "ra $le "hich too- place* o that occasio * 'et"ee &r% Ca dy a d myself* "ill 'e fo) d descri'ed at m)ch $reater le $th tha it deser#es i the te th chapter of 0ettered$e=s 8arrati#e% The details there prese ted of the disp)te!so little had I tho)$ht of it after"ards!e tirely failed to rec)r to my memory% All that I co)ld o" recall* a d all that I co)ld tell E<ra +e i $s "as* that I had attac-ed the art of medici e at the di er7ta'le "ith s)fficie t rash ess a d s)fficie t perti acity to p)t e#e &r% Ca dy o)t of temper for the mome t% I also remem'ered that ?ady Veri der had i terfered to stop the disp)te* a d that the little doctor a d I had Amade it )p a$ai *A as the childre say* a d had 'ecome as $ood frie ds as e#er* 'efore "e shoo- ha ds that i$ht% AThere is o e thi $ more*A said E<ra +e i $s* A"hich it is #ery importa t I sho)ld - o"% Had yo) a y reaso for feeli $ a y special a xiety a'o)t the 6iamo d* at this time last yearBA AI had the stro $est reaso s for feeli $ a xiety a'o)t the 6iamo d% I - e" it to 'e the o'(ect of a co spiracy9 a d I "as "ar ed to ta-e meas)res for &iss Veri der=s protectio * as the possessor of the sto e%A A@as the safety of the 6iamo d the s)'(ect of co #ersatio 'et"ee yo) a d a y other perso * immediately 'efore yo) retired to rest o the 'irthday i$htBA AIt "as the s)'(ect of a co #ersatio 'et"ee ?ady Veri der a d her da)$hter!!A A@hich too- place i yo)r heari $BA A5es%A E<ra +e i $s too- )p his otes from the ta'le* a d placed them i my ha ds%

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A&r% 0la-e*A he said* Aif yo) read those otes o"* 'y the li$ht "hich my ,)estio s a d yo)r a s"ers ha#e thro" o them* yo) "ill ma-e t"o asto) di $ disco#eries co cer i $ yo)rself% 5o) "ill fi d!First* that yo) e tered &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room a d too- the 6iamo d* i a state of tra ce* prod)ced 'y opi)m% .eco dly* that the opi)m "as $i#e to yo) 'y &r% Ca dy!"itho)t yo)r o" - o"led$e!as a practical ref)tatio of the opi io s "hich yo) had expressed to him at the 'irthday di er%A I sat "ith the papers i my ha d completely st)pefied% ATry a d for$i#e poor &r% Ca dy*A said the assista t $e tly% AHe has do e dreadf)l mischief* I o" 9 ')t he has do e it i oce tly% If yo) "ill loo- at the otes* yo) "ill see that!')t for his ill ess!he "o)ld ha#e ret)r ed to ?ady Veri der=s the mor i $ after the party* a d "o)ld ha#e ac- o"led$ed the tric- that he had played yo)% &iss Veri der "o)ld ha#e heard of it* a d &iss Veri der "o)ld ha#e ,)estio ed him!a d the tr)th "hich has laid hidde for a year "o)ld ha#e 'ee disco#ered i a day%A I 'e$a to re$ai my self7possessio % A&r% Ca dy is 'eyo d the reach of my rese tme t*A I said a $rily% A0)t the tric- that he played me is ot the less a act of treachery* for all that% I may for$i#e* ')t I shall ot for$et it%A AE#ery medical ma commits that act of treachery* &r% 0la-e* i the co)rse of his practice% The i$ ora t distr)st of opi)m :i E $la d; is 'y o mea s co fi ed to the lo"er a d less c)lti#ated classes% E#ery doctor i lar$e practice fi ds himself* e#ery o" a d the * o'li$ed to decei#e his patie ts* as &r% Ca dy decei#ed yo)% I do =t defe d the folly of playi $ yo) a tric- ) der the circ)msta ces% I o ly plead "ith yo) for a more acc)rate a d more mercif)l co str)ctio of moti#es%A AHo" "as it do eBA I as-ed% A@ho $a#e me the la)da )m* "itho)t my - o"i $ it myselfBA AI am ot a'le to tell yo)% 8othi $ relati $ to that part of the matter dropped from &r% Ca dy=s lips* all thro)$h his ill ess% Perhaps yo)r o" memory may poi t to the perso to 'e s)spected%A A8o%A AIt is )seless* i that case* to p)rs)e the i ,)iry% The la)da )m "as secretly $i#e to yo) i some "ay% ?et )s lea#e it there* a d $o o to matters of more immediate importa ce% Read my otes* if yo) ca % Familiarise yo)r mi d "ith "hat has happe ed i the past% I ha#e somethi $ #ery 'old a d #ery startli $ to propose to yo)* "hich relates to the f)t)re%A Those last "ords ro)sed me% I loo-ed at the papers* i the order i "hich E<ra +e i $s had placed them i my ha ds% The paper "hich co tai ed the smaller ,)a tity of "riti $ "as the )ppermost of the t"o%

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4 this* the disco ected "ords* a d fra$me ts of se te ces* "hich had dropped from &r% Ca dy i his deliri)m* appeared as follo"sF A%%% &r% Fra -li 0la-e %%% a d a$reea'le %%% do" a pe$ %%% medici e %%% co fesses %%% sleep at i$ht %%% tell him %%% o)t of order %%% medici e %%% he tells me %%% a d $ropi $ i the darmea o e a d the same thi $ %%% all the compa y at the di er7ta'le %%% I say %%% $ropi $ after sleep %%% othi $ ')t medici e %%% he says %%% leadi $ the 'li d %%% - o" "hat it mea s %%% "itty %%% a i$ht=s rest i spite of his teeth %%% "a ts sleep %%% ?ady Veri der=s medici e chest %%% fi#e7a d7t"e ty mi ims %%% "itho)t his - o"i $ it %%% to7morro" mor i $ %%% @ell* &r% 0la-e %%% medici e to7day %%% e#er %%% "itho)t it %%% o)t* &r% Ca dy %%% excelle t %%% "itho)t it %%% do" o him %%% tr)th %%% somethi $ 'esides %%% excelle t %%% dose of la)da )m* sir %%% 'ed %%% "hat %%% medici e o"%A There* the first of the t"o sheets of paper came to a e d% I ha ded it 'ac- to E<ra +e i $s% AThat is "hat yo) heard at his 'edsideBA I said% A?iterally a d exactly "hat I heard*A he a s"ered!Aexcept that the repetitio s are ot tra sferred here from my short7ha d otes% He reiterated certai "ords a d phrases a do<e times o#er* fifty times o#er* ()st as he attached more or less importa ce to the idea "hich they represe ted% The repetitio s* i this se se* "ere of some assista ce to me i p)tti $ to$ether those fra$me ts% 6o =t s)ppose*A he added* poi ti $ to the seco d sheet of paper* Athat I claim to ha#e reprod)ced the expressio s "hich &r% Ca dy himself "o)ld ha#e )sed if he had 'ee capa'le of spea-i $ co ectedly% I o ly say that I ha#e pe etrated thro)$h the o'stacle of the disco ected expressio * to the tho)$ht "hich "as ) derlyi $ it co ectedly all the time% +)d$e for yo)rself%A I t)r ed to the seco d sheet of paper* "hich I o" - e" to 'e the -ey to the first% 4 ce more* &r% Ca dy=s "a deri $s appeared* copied i 'lac- i -9 the i ter#als 'et"ee the phrases 'ei $ filled )p 'y E<ra +e i $s i red i -% I reprod)ce the res)lt here* i o e plai form9 the ori$i al la $)a$e a d the i terpretatio of it comi $ close e o)$h to$ether i these pa$es to 'e easily compared a d #erified% A%%% &r% Fra -li 0la-e is cle#er a d a$reea'le* ')t he "a ts ta-i $ do" a pe$ "he he tal-s of medici e% He co fesses that he has 'ee s)fferi $ from "a t of sleep at i$ht% I tell him that his er#es are o)t of order* a d that he o)$ht to ta-e medici e% He tells me that ta-i $ medici e a d $ropi $ i the dar- mea o e a d the same thi $% This 'efore all the compa y at the di er7ta'le% I say to him* yo) are $ropi $ after sleep* a d othi $ ')t medici e ca help yo) to fi d it% He says to me* I ha#e heard of the 'li d leadi $ the 'li d* a d o" I - o" "hat it mea s% @itty!')t I ca $i#e him a i$ht=s rest i spite of his teeth% He really "a ts sleep9 a d ?ady Veri der=s medici e chest is at my disposal% /i#e him fi#e7a d7t"e ty mi ims of la)da )m to7 i$ht* "itho)t his - o"i $ it9 a d the call to7morro" mor i $% =@ell* &r% 0la-e* "ill yo) try a little medici e to7dayB 5o) "ill e#er sleep "itho)t it%=!=There yo) are o)t* &r% Ca dyF I ha#e had a excelle t i$ht=s

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rest "itho)t it%= The * come do" o him "ith the tr)thD =5o) ha#e had somethi $ 'esides a excelle t i$ht=s rest9 yo) had a dose of la)da )m* sir* 'efore yo) "e t to 'ed% @hat do yo) say to the art of medici e* o"B=A Admiratio of the i $e )ity "hich had "o#e this smooth a d fi ished text)re o)t of the ra#elled s-ei "as at)rally the first impressio that I felt* o ha di $ the ma )script 'ac- to E<ra +e i $s% He modestly i terr)pted the first fe" "ords i "hich my se se of s)rprise expressed itself* 'y as-i $ me if the co cl)sio "hich he had dra" from his otes "as also the co cl)sio at "hich my o" mi d had arri#ed% A6o yo) 'elie#e as I 'elie#e*A he said* Athat yo) "ere acti $ ) der the i fl)e ce of the la)da )m i doi $ all that yo) did* o the i$ht of &iss Veri der=s 'irthday* i ?ady Veri der=s ho)seBA AI am too i$ ora t of the i fl)e ce of la)da )m to ha#e a opi io of my o" *A I a s"ered% AI ca o ly follo" yo)r opi io * a d feel co #i ced that yo) are ri$ht%A AVery "ell% The ext ,)estio is this% 5o) are co #i ced9 a d I am co #i ced!ho" are "e to carry o)r co #ictio to the mi ds of other peopleBA I poi ted to the t"o ma )scripts* lyi $ o the ta'le 'et"ee )s% E<ra +e i $s shoo- his head% AEseless* &r% 0la-eD I)ite )seless* as they sta d o" for three ) a s"era'le reaso s% I the first place* those otes ha#e 'ee ta-e ) der circ)msta ces e tirely o)t of the experie ce of the mass of ma -i d% A$ai st them* to 'e$i "ithD I the seco d place* those otes represe t a medical a d metaphysical theory% A$ai st them* o ce moreD I the third place* those otes are of my ma-i $9 there is othi $ ')t my assertio to the co trary* to $)ara tee that they are ot fa'ricatio s% Remem'er "hat I told yo) o the moor!a d as- yo)rself "hat my assertio is "orth% 8oD my otes ha#e ')t o e #al)e* loo-i $ to the #erdict of the "orld o)tside% 5o)r i oce ce is to 'e #i dicated9 a d they sho" ho" it ca 'e do e% @e m)st p)t o)r co #ictio to the proof!a d 5o) are the ma to pro#e itDA AHo"BA I as-ed% He lea ed ea$erly earer to me across the ta'le that di#ided )s% AAre yo) "illi $ to try a 'old experime tBA AI "ill do a ythi $ to clear myself of the s)spicio that rests o me o"%A A@ill yo) s)'mit to some perso al i co #e ie ce for a timeBA ATo a y i co #e ie ce* o matter "hat it may 'e%A

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A@ill yo) 'e $)ided implicitly 'y my ad#iceB It may expose yo) to the ridic)le of fools9 it may s)'(ect yo) to the remo stra ces of frie ds "hose opi io s yo) are 'o) d to respect%A ATell me "hat to doDA I 'ro-e o)t impatie tly% AA d* come "hat may* I=ll do it%A A5o) shall do this* &r% 0la-e*A he a s"ered% A5o) shall steal the 6iamo d* ) co scio)sly* for the seco d time* i the prese ce of "it esses "hose testimo y is 'eyo d disp)te%A I started to my feet% I tried to spea-% I co)ld o ly loo- at him% AI 'elie#e it CA8 'e do e*A he "e t o % AA d it shall 'e do e!if yo) "ill o ly help me% Try to compose yo)rself!sit do" * a d hear "hat I ha#e to say to yo)% 5o) ha#e res)med the ha'it of smo-i $9 I ha#e see that for myself% Ho" lo $ ha#e yo) res)med it%A AFor early a year%A A6o yo) smo-e more or less tha yo) didBA A&ore%A A@ill yo) $i#e )p the ha'it a$ai B .)dde ly* mi dD!as yo) $a#e it )p 'efore%A I 'e$a dimly to see his drift% AI "ill $i#e it )p* from this mome t*A I a s"ered% AIf the same co se,)e ces follo"* "hich follo"ed last +) e*A said E<ra +e i $s!Aif yo) s)ffer o ce more as yo) s)ffered the * from sleepless i$hts* "e shall ha#e $ai ed o)r first step% @e shall ha#e p)t yo) 'ac- a$ai i to somethi $ assimilati $ to yo)r er#o)s co ditio o the 'irthday i$ht% If "e ca ext re#i#e* or early re#i#e* the domestic circ)msta ces "hich s)rro) ded yo)9 a d if "e ca occ)py yo)r mi d a$ai "ith the #ario)s ,)estio s co cer i $ the 6iamo d "hich formerly a$itated it* "e shall ha#e replaced yo)* as early as possi'le i the same positio * physically a d morally* i "hich the opi)m fo) d yo) last year% I that case "e may fairly hope that a repetitio of the dose "ill lead* i a $reater or lesser de$ree* to a repetitio of the res)lt% There is my proposal* expressed i a fe" hasty "ords% 5o) shall o" see "hat reaso s I ha#e to ()stify me i ma-i $ it%A He t)r ed to o e of the 'oo-s at his side* a d ope ed it at a place mar-ed 'y a small slip of paper% A6o =t s)ppose that I am $oi $ to "eary yo) "ith a lect)re o physiolo$y*A he said% AI thi - myself 'o) d to pro#e* i ()stice to 'oth of )s* that I am ot as-i $ yo) to try this experime t i defere ce to a y theory of my o" de#isi $% Admitted pri ciples* a d reco$ ised a)thorities* ()stify me i the #ie" that I ta-e% /i#e me fi#e mi )tes of yo)r

32>

atte tio 9 a d I "ill ) derta-e to sho" yo) that .cie ce sa ctio s my proposal* fa cif)l as it may seem% Here* i the first place* is the physiolo$ical pri ciple o "hich I am acti $* stated 'y o less a perso tha 6r% Carpe ter% Read it for yo)rself%A He ha ded me the slip of paper "hich had mar-ed the place i the 'oo-% It co tai ed a fe" li es of "riti $* as follo"sF! AThere seems m)ch $ro) d for the 'elief* that e#ery se sory impressio "hich has o ce 'ee reco$ ised 'y the percepti#e co scio)s ess* is re$istered :so to spea-; i the 'rai * a d may 'e reprod)ced at some s)'se,)e t time* altho)$h there may 'e o co scio)s ess of its existe ce i the mi d d)ri $ the "hole i termediate period%A AIs that plai * so farBA as-ed E<ra +e i $s% APerfectly plai %A He p)shed the ope 'oo- across the ta'le to me* a d poi ted to a passa$e* mar-ed 'y pe cil li es% A8o"*A he said* Aread that acco) t of a case* "hich has!as I 'elie#e!a direct 'eari $ o yo)r o" positio * a d o the experime t "hich I am tempti $ yo) to try% 4'ser#e* &r% 0la-e* 'efore yo) 'e$i * that I am o" referri $ yo) to o e of the $reatest of E $lish physiolo$ists% The 'oo- i yo)r ha d is 6octor Elliotso =s HE&A8 PH5.I4?4/59 a d the case "hich the doctor cites rests o the "ell7- o" a)thority of &r% Com'e%A The passa$e poi ted o)t to me "as expressed i these termsF! A6r% A'el i formed me*A says &r% Com'e* Aof a Irish porter to a "areho)se* "ho for$ot* "he so'er* "hat he had do e "he dr) -9 ')t* 'ei $ dr) -* a$ai recollected the tra sactio s of his former state of i toxicatio % 4 o e occasio * 'ei $ dr) -* he had lost a parcel of some #al)e* a d i his so'er mome ts co)ld $i#e o acco) t of it% 8ext time he "as i toxicated* he recollected that he had left the parcel at a certai ho)se* a d there 'ei $ o address o it* it had remai ed there safely* a d "as $ot o his calli $ for it%A APlai a$ai BA as-ed E<ra +e i $s% AAs plai as eed 'e%A He p)t 'ac- the slip of paper i its place* a d closed the 'oo-% AAre yo) satisfied that I ha#e ot spo-e "itho)t $ood a)thority to s)pport meBA he as-ed% AIf ot* I ha#e o ly to $o to those 'oo-shel#es* a d yo) ha#e o ly to read the passa$es "hich I ca poi t o)t to yo)%A AI am ,)ite satisfied*A I said* A"itho)t readi $ a "ord more%A

32C

AI that case* "e may ret)r to yo)r o" perso al i terest i this matter% I am 'o) d to tell yo) that there is somethi $ to 'e said a$ai st the experime t as "ell as for it% If "e co)ld* this year* exactly reprod)ce* i yo)r case* the co ditio s as they existed last year* it is physiolo$ically certai that "e sho)ld arri#e at exactly the same res)lt% 0)t this! there is o de yi $ it!is simply impossi'le% @e ca o ly hope to approximate to the co ditio s9 a d if "e do =t s)cceed i $etti $ yo) early e o)$h 'ac- to "hat yo) "ere* this #e t)re of o)rs "ill fail% If "e do s)cceed!a d I am myself hopef)l of s)ccess!yo) may at least so far repeat yo)r proceedi $s o the 'irthday i$ht* as to satisfy a y reaso a'le perso that yo) are $)iltless* morally spea-i $* of the theft of the 6iamo d% I 'elie#e* &r% 0la-e* I ha#e o" stated the ,)estio * o 'oth sides of it* as fairly as I ca * "ithi the limits that I ha#e imposed o myself% If there is a ythi $ that I ha#e ot made clear to yo)* tell me "hat it is!a d if I ca e li$hte yo)* I "ill%A AAll that yo) ha#e explai ed to me*A I said* AI ) dersta d perfectly% 0)t I o" I am p)<<led o o e poi t* "hich yo) ha#e ot made clear to me yet%A A@hat is the poi tBA AI do =t ) dersta d the effect of the la)da )m o me% I do =t ) dersta d my "al-i $ do" 7stairs* a d alo $ corridors* a d my ope i $ a d sh)tti $ the dra"ers of a ca'i et* a d my $oi $ 'ac- a$ai to my o" room% All these are acti#e proceedi $s% I tho)$ht the i fl)e ce of opi)m "as first to st)pefy yo)* a d the to se d yo) to sleep%A AThe commo error a'o)t opi)m* &r% 0la-eD I am* at this mome t* exerti $ my i telli$e ce :s)ch as it is; i yo)r ser#ice* ) der the i fl)e ce of a dose of la)da )m* some te times lar$er tha the dose &r% Ca dy admi istered to yo)% 0)t do =t tr)st to my a)thority!e#e o a ,)estio "hich comes "ithi my o" perso al experie ce% I a ticipated the o'(ectio yo) ha#e ()st madeF a d I ha#e a$ai pro#ided myself "ith i depe de t testimo y "hich "ill carry its d)e "ei$ht "ith it i yo)r o" mi d* a d i the mi ds of yo)r frie ds%A He ha ded me the seco d of the t"o 'oo-s "hich he had 'y him o the ta'le% AThere*A he said* Aare the far7famed C48FE..I48. 4F A8 E8/?I.H 4PIE& EATERD Ta-e the 'oo- a"ay "ith yo)* a d read it% At the passa$e "hich I ha#e mar-ed* yo) "ill fi d that "he 6e I)i cey had committed "hat he calls =a de'a)ch of opi)m*= he either "e t to the $allery at the 4pera to e (oy the m)sic* or he "a dered a'o)t the ?o do mar-ets o .at)rday i$ht* a d i terested himself i o'ser#i $ all the little shifts a d 'ar$ai i $s of the poor i pro#idi $ their .) day=s di er% .o m)ch for the capacity of a ma to occ)py himself acti#ely* a d to mo#e a'o)t from place to place ) der the i fl)e ce of opi)m%A AI am a s"ered so far*A I said9 A')t I am ot a s"ered yet as to the effect prod)ced 'y the opi)m o myself%A

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AI "ill try to a s"er yo) i a fe" "ords*A said E<ra +e i $s% AThe actio of opi)m is comprised* i the ma(ority of cases* i t"o i fl)e ces!a stim)lati $ i fl)e ce first* a d a sedati#e i fl)e ce after"ards% E der the stim)lati $ i fl)e ce* the latest a d most #i#id impressio s left o yo)r mi d! amely* the impressio s relati $ to the 6iamo d!"o)ld 'e li-ely* i yo)r mor'idly se siti#e er#o)s co ditio * to 'ecome i te sified i yo)r 'rai * a d "o)ld s)'ordi ate to themsel#es yo)r ()d$me t a d yo)r "ill exactly as a ordi ary dream s)'ordi ates to itself yo)r ()d$me t a d yo)r "ill% ?ittle 'y little* ) der this actio * a y apprehe sio s a'o)t the safety of the 6iamo d "hich yo) mi$ht ha#e felt d)ri $ the day "o)ld 'e lia'le to de#elop themsel#es from the state of do)'t to the state of certai ty!"o)ld impel yo) i to practical actio to preser#e the (e"el!"o)ld direct yo)r steps* "ith that moti#e i #ie"* i to the room "hich yo) e tered!a d "o)ld $)ide yo)r ha d to the dra"ers of the ca'i et* ) til yo) had fo) d the dra"er "hich held the sto e% I the spirit)alised i toxicatio of opi)m* yo) "o)ld do all that% ?ater* as the sedati#e actio 'e$a to $ai o the stim)la t actio * yo) "o)ld slo"ly 'ecome i ert a d st)pefied% ?ater still yo) "o)ld fall i to a deep sleep% @he the mor i $ came* a d the effect of the opi)m had 'ee all slept off* yo) "o)ld "a-e as a'sol)tely i$ ora t of "hat yo) had do e i the i$ht as if yo) had 'ee li#i $ at the A tipodes% Ha#e I made it tolera'ly clear to yo) so farBA A5o) ha#e made it so clear*A I said* Athat I "a t yo) to $o farther% 5o) ha#e sho" me ho" I e tered the room* a d ho" I came to ta-e the 6iamo d% 0)t &iss Veri der sa" me lea#e the room a$ai * "ith the (e"el i my ha d% Ca yo) trace my proceedi $s from that mome tB Ca yo) $)ess "hat I did extBA AThat is the #ery poi t I "as comi $ to*A he re(oi ed% AIt is a ,)estio "ith me "hether the experime t "hich I propose as a mea s of #i dicati $ yo)r i oce ce* may ot also 'e made a mea s of reco#eri $ the lost 6iamo d as "ell% @he yo) left &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room* "ith the (e"el i yo)r ha d* yo) "e t 'ac- i all pro'a'ility to yo)r o" room!!A A5esB a d "hat the BA AIt is possi'le* &r% 0la-e!I dare ot say more!that yo)r idea of preser#i $ the 6iamo d led* 'y a at)ral se,)e ce* to the idea of hidi $ the 6iamo d* a d that the place i "hich yo) hid it "as some"here i yo)r 'edroom% I that e#e t* the case of the Irish porter may 'e yo)r case% 5o) may remem'er* ) der the i fl)e ce of the seco d dose of opi)m* the place i "hich yo) hid the 6iamo d ) der the i fl)e ce of the first%A It "as my t)r * o"* to e li$hte E<ra +e i $s% I stopped him* 'efore he co)ld say a y more% A5o) are spec)lati $*A I said* Ao a res)lt "hich ca ot possi'ly ta-e place% The 6iamo d is* at this mome t* i ?o do %A He started* a d loo-ed at me i $reat s)rprise%

32G

AI ?o do BA he repeated% AHo" did it $et to ?o do from ?ady Veri der=s ho)seBA A8o'ody - o"s%A A5o) remo#ed it "ith yo)r o" ha d from &iss Veri der=s room% Ho" "as it ta-e o)t of yo)r -eepi $BA AI ha#e o idea ho" it "as ta-e o)t of my -eepi $%A A6id yo) see it* "he yo) "o-e i the mor i $BA A8o%A AHas &iss Veri der reco#ered possessio of itBA A8o%A A&r% 0la-eD there seems to 'e somethi $ here "hich "a ts cleari $ )p% &ay I as- ho" yo) - o" that the 6iamo d is* at this mome t* i ?o do BA I had p)t precisely the same ,)estio to &r% 0r)ff "he I made my first i ,)iries a'o)t the &oo sto e* o my ret)r to E $la d% I a s"eri $ E<ra +e i $s* I accordi $ly repeated "hat I had myself heard from the la"yer=s o" lips!a d "hat is already familiar to the readers of these pa$es% He sho"ed plai ly that he "as ot satisfied "ith my reply% A@ith all defere ce to yo)*A he said* Aa d "ith all defere ce to yo)r le$al ad#iser* I mai tai the opi io "hich I expressed ()st o"% It rests* I am "ell a"are* o a mere ass)mptio % Pardo me for remi di $ yo)* that yo)r opi io also rests o a mere ass)mptio as "ell%A The #ie" he too- of the matter "as e tirely e" to me% I "aited a xio)sly to hear ho" he "o)ld defe d it% AI ass)me*A p)rs)ed E<ra +e i $s* Athat the i fl)e ce of the opi)m!after impelli $ yo) to possess yo)rself of the 6iamo d* "ith the p)rpose of sec)ri $ its safety!mi$ht also impel yo)* acti $ ) der the same i fl)e ce a d the same moti#e* to hide it some"here i yo)r o" room% 54E ass)me that the Hi doo co spirators co)ld 'y o possi'ility commit a mista-e% The I dia s "e t to &r% ?)-er=s ho)se after the 6iamo d!a d* therefore* i &r% ?)-er=s possessio the 6iamo d m)st 'eD Ha#e yo) a y e#ide ce to pro#e that the &oo sto e "as ta-e to ?o do at allB 5o) ca =t e#e $)ess ho"* or 'y "hom* it "as remo#ed from ?ady Veri der=s ho)seD Ha#e yo) a y e#ide ce that the (e"el "as pled$ed to &r% ?)-erB He declares that he e#er heard of the &oo sto e9 a d his 'a -ers= receipt ac- o"led$es othi $ ')t the deposit of a #al)a'le of $reat price% The I dia s ass)me that &r% ?)-er is lyi $!a d yo) ass)me a$ai that the I dia s are

323

ri$ht% All I say* i differi $ "ith yo)* is!that my #ie" is possi'le% @hat more* &r% 0la-e* either lo$ically* or le$ally* ca 'e said for yo)rsBA It "as p)t stro $ly9 ')t there "as o de yi $ that it "as p)t tr)ly as "ell% AI co fess yo) sta$$er me*A I replied% A6o yo) o'(ect to my "riti $ to &r% 0r)ff* a d telli $ him "hat yo) ha#e saidBA A4 the co trary* I shall 'e $lad if yo) "ill "rite to &r% 0r)ff% If "e co s)lt his experie ce* "e may see the matter ) der a e" li$ht% For the prese t* let )s ret)r to o)r experime t "ith the opi)m% @e ha#e decided that yo) lea#e off the ha'it of smo-i $ from this mome t%A AFrom this mome tBA AThat is the first step% The ext step is to reprod)ce* as early as "e ca * the domestic circ)msta ces "hich s)rro) ded yo) last year%A Ho" "as this to 'e do eB ?ady Veri der "as dead% Rachel a d I* so lo $ as the s)spicio of theft rested o me* "ere parted irre#oca'ly% /odfrey A'le"hite "as a"ay tra#elli $ o the Co ti e t% It "as simply impossi'le to reassem'le the people "ho had i ha'ited the ho)se* "he I had slept i it last% The stateme t of this o'(ectio did ot appear to em'arrass E<ra +e i $s% He attached #ery little importa ce* he said* to reassem'li $ the same people!seei $ that it "o)ld 'e #ai to expect them to reass)me the #ario)s positio s "hich they had occ)pied to"ards me i the past times% 4 the other ha d* he co sidered it esse tial to the s)ccess of the experime t* that I sho)ld see the same o'(ects a'o)t me "hich had s)rro) ded me "he I "as last i the ho)se% AA'o#e all thi $s*A he said* Ayo) m)st sleep i the room "hich yo) slept i * o the 'irthday i$ht* a d it m)st 'e f)r ished i the same "ay% The stairs* the corridors* a d &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room* m)st also 'e restored to "hat they "ere "he yo) sa" them last% It is a'sol)tely ecessary* &r% 0la-e* to replace e#ery article of f)r it)re i that part of the ho)se "hich may o" 'e p)t a"ay% The sacrifice of yo)r ci$ars "ill 'e )seless* ) less "e ca $et &iss Veri der=s permissio to do that%A A@ho is to apply to her for permissio BA I as-ed% AIs it ot possi'le for yo) to applyBA AI)ite o)t of the ,)estio % After "hat has passed 'et"ee )s o the s)'(ect of the lost 6iamo d* I ca either see her* or "rite to her* as thi $s are o"%A E<ra +e i $s pa)sed* a d co sidered for a mome t% A&ay I as- yo) a delicate ,)estio BA he said%

33H

I si$ ed to him to $o o % AAm I ri$ht* &r% 0la-e* i fa cyi $ :from o e or t"o thi $s "hich ha#e dropped from yo); that yo) felt o commo i terest i &iss Veri der* i former timesBA AI)ite ri$ht%A A@as the feeli $ ret)r edBA AIt "as%A A6o yo) thi - &iss Veri der "o)ld 'e li-ely to feel a stro $ i terest i the attempt to pro#e yo)r i oce ceBA AI am certai of it%A AI that case* I "ill "rite to &iss Veri der!if yo) "ill $i#e me lea#e%A ATelli $ her of the proposal that yo) ha#e made to meBA ATelli $ her of e#erythi $ that has passed 'et"ee )s to7day%A It is eedless to say that I ea$erly accepted the ser#ice "hich he had offered to me% AI shall ha#e time to "rite 'y to7day=s post*A he said* loo-i $ at his "atch% A6o =t for$et to loc- )p yo)r ci$ars* "he yo) $et 'ac- to the hotelD I "ill call to7morro" mor i $ a d hear ho" yo) ha#e passed the i$ht%A I rose to ta-e lea#e of him9 a d attempted to express the $ratef)l se se of his -i d ess "hich I really felt% He pressed my ha d $e tly% ARemem'er "hat I told yo) o the moor*A he a s"ered% AIf I ca do yo) this little ser#ice* &r% 0la-e* I shall feel it li-e a last $leam of s) shi e* falli $ o the e#e i $ of a lo $ a d clo)ded day%A @e parted% It "as the the fiftee th of +) e% The e#e ts of the ext te days!e#ery o e of them more or less directly co ected "ith the experime t of "hich I "as the passi#e o'(ect!are all placed o record* exactly as they happe ed* i the +o)r al ha'it)ally -ept 'y &r% Ca dy=s assista t% I the pa$es of E<ra +e i $s othi $ is co cealed* a d othi $ is for$otte % ?et E<ra +e i $s tell ho" the #e t)re "ith the opi)m "as tried* a d ho" it e ded%

331

OURTH NARRATI!E
Extracted from the +o)r al of EORA +E88I8/. 1G13%!+) e 1>%%%% @ith some i terr)ptio from patie ts* a d some i terr)ptio from pai * I fi ished my letter to &iss Veri der i time for to7day=s post% I failed to ma-e it as short a letter as I co)ld ha#e "ished% 0)t I thi - I ha#e made it plai % It lea#es her e tirely mistress of her o" decisio % If she co se ts to assist the experime t* she co se ts of her o" free "ill* a d ot as a fa#o)r to &r% Fra -li 0la-e or to me% +) e 1Cth%!Rose late* after a dreadf)l i$ht9 the #e $ea ce of yesterday=s opi)m* p)rs)i $ me thro)$h a series of fri$htf)l dreams% At o e time I "as "hirli $ thro)$h empty space "ith the pha toms of the dead* frie ds a d e emies to$ether% At a other* the o e 'elo#ed face "hich I shall e#er see a$ai * rose at my 'edside* hideo)sly phosphoresce t i the 'lac- dar- ess* a d $lared a d $ri ed at me% A sli$ht ret)r of the old pai * at the )s)al time i the early mor i $* "as "elcome as a cha $e% It dispelled the #isio s!a d it "as 'eara'le 'eca)se it did that% &y 'ad i$ht made it late i the mor i $* 'efore I co)ld $et to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I fo) d him stretched o the sofa* 'rea-fasti $ o 'ra dy a d soda7"ater* a d a dry 'isc)it% AI am 'e$i i $* as "ell as yo) co)ld possi'ly "ish*A he said% AA misera'le* restless i$ht9 a d a total fail)re of appetite this mor i $% Exactly "hat happe ed last year* "he I $a#e )p my ci$ars% The soo er I am ready for my seco d dose of la)da )m* the 'etter I shall 'e pleased%A A5o) shall ha#e it o the earliest possi'le day*A I a s"ered% AI the mea time* "e m)st 'e as caref)l of yo)r health as "e ca % If "e allo" yo) to 'ecome exha)sted* "e shall fail i that "ay% 5o) m)st $et a appetite for yo)r di er% I other "ords* yo) m)st $et a ride or a "al- this mor i $* i the fresh air%A AI "ill ride* if they ca fi d me a horse here% 0y7the7'y* I "rote to &r% 0r)ff* yesterday% Ha#e yo) "ritte to &iss Veri derBA A5es!'y last i$ht=s post%A AVery $ood% @e shall ha#e some e"s "orth heari $* to tell each other to7morro"% 6o =t $o yetD I ha#e a "ord to say to yo)% 5o) appeared to thi -* yesterday* that o)r experime t "ith the opi)m "as ot li-ely to 'e #ie"ed #ery fa#o)ra'ly 'y some of my frie ds% 5o) "ere ,)ite ri$ht% I call old /a'riel 0ettered$e o e of my frie ds9 a d yo) "ill 'e am)sed to hear that he protested stro $ly "he I sa" him yesterday% =5o) ha#e do e a "o derf)l )m'er of foolish thi $s i the co)rse of yo)r life* &r% Fra -li * ')t this tops them allD= There is 0ettered$e=s opi io D 5o) "ill ma-e allo"a ce for his pre()dices* I am s)re* if yo) a d he happe to meetBA

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I left &r% 0la-e* to $o my ro) ds amo $ my patie ts9 feeli $ the 'etter a d the happier e#e for the short i ter#ie" that I had had "ith him% @hat is the secret of the attractio that there is for me i this ma B 6oes it o ly mea that I feel the co trast 'et"ee the fra -ly -i d ma er i "hich he has allo"ed me to 'ecome ac,)ai ted "ith him* a d the merciless disli-e a d distr)st "ith "hich I am met 'y other peopleB 4r is there really somethi $ i him "hich a s"ers to the year i $ that I ha#e for a little h)ma sympathy!the year i $* "hich has s)r#i#ed the solit)de a d persec)tio of ma y years9 "hich seems to $ro" -ee er a d -ee er* as the time comes earer a d earer "he I shall e d)re a d feel o moreB Ho" )seless to as- these ,)estio sD &r% 0la-e has $i#e me a e" i terest i life% ?et that 'e e o)$h* "itho)t see-i $ to - o" "hat the e" i terest is% +) e 12th%!0efore 'rea-fast* this mor i $* &r% Ca dy i formed me that he "as $oi $ a"ay for a fort i$ht* o a #isit to a frie d i the so)th of E $la d% He $a#e me as ma y special directio s* poor fello"* a'o)t the patie ts* as if he still had the lar$e practice "hich he possessed 'efore he "as ta-e ill% The practice is "orth little e o)$h o"D 4ther doctors ha#e s)perseded HI&9 a d o'ody "ho ca help it "ill employ me% It is perhaps fort) ate that he is to 'e a"ay ()st at this time% He "o)ld ha#e 'ee mortified if I had ot i formed him of the experime t "hich I am $oi $ to try "ith &r% 0la-e% A d I hardly - o" "hat ) desira'le res)lts mi$ht ot ha#e happe ed* if I had ta-e him i to my co fide ce% 0etter as it is% E ,)estio a'ly* 'etter as it is% The post 'ro)$ht me &iss Veri der=s a s"er* after &r% Ca dy had left the ho)se% A charmi $ letterD It $i#es me the hi$hest opi io of her% There is o attempt to co ceal the i terest that she feels i o)r proceedi $s% .he tells me* i the prettiest ma er* that my letter has satisfied her of &r% 0la-e=s i oce ce* "itho)t the sli$htest eed :so far as she is co cer ed; of p)tti $ my assertio to the proof% .he e#e )p'raids herself!most ) deser#edly* poor thi $D!for ot ha#i $ di#i ed at the time "hat the tr)e sol)tio of the mystery mi$ht really 'e% The moti#e ) derlyi $ all this proceeds e#ide tly from somethi $ more tha a $e ero)s ea$er ess to ma-e ato eme t for a "ro $ "hich she has i oce tly i flicted o a other perso % It is plai that she has lo#ed him* thro)$ho)t the estra $eme t 'et"ee them% I more tha o e place the rapt)re of disco#eri $ that he has deser#ed to 'e lo#ed* 'rea-s its "ay i oce tly thro)$h the sto)test formalities of pe a d i -* a d e#e defies the stro $er restrai t still of "riti $ to a stra $er% Is it possi'le :I as- myself* i readi $ this deli$htf)l letter; that I* of all me i the "orld* am chose to 'e the mea s of 'ri $i $ these t"o yo) $ people to$ether a$ai B &y o" happi ess has 'ee trampled ) der foot9 my o" lo#e has 'ee tor from me% .hall I li#e to see a happi ess of others* "hich is of my ma-i $!a lo#e re e"ed* "hich is of my 'ri $i $ 'ac-B 4h mercif)l 6eath* let me see it 'efore yo)r arms e fold me* 'efore yo)r #oice "hispers to me* ARest at lastDA

333

There are t"o re,)ests co tai ed i the letter% 4 e of them pre#e ts me from sho"i $ it to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I am a)thorised to tell him that &iss Veri der "illi $ly co se ts to place her ho)se at o)r disposal9 a d* that said* I am desired to add o more% .o far* it is easy to comply "ith her "ishes% 0)t the seco d re,)est em'arrasses me serio)sly% 8ot co te t "ith ha#i $ "ritte to &r% 0ettered$e* i str)cti $ him to carry o)t "hate#er directio s I may ha#e to $i#e* &iss Veri der as-s lea#e to assist me* 'y perso ally s)peri te di $ the restoratio of her o" sitti $7room% .he o ly "aits a "ord of reply from me to ma-e the (o)r ey to 5or-shire* a d to 'e prese t as o e of the "it esses o the i$ht "he the opi)m is tried for the seco d time% Here* a$ai * there is a moti#e ) der the s)rface9 a d* here a$ai * I fa cy that I ca fi d it o)t% @hat she has for'idde me to tell &r% Fra -li 0la-e* she is :as I i terpret it; ea$er to tell him "ith her o" lips* 0EF4RE he is p)t to the test "hich is to #i dicate his character i the eyes of other people% I ) dersta d a d admire this $e ero)s a xiety to ac,)it him* "itho)t "aiti $ ) til his i oce ce may* or may ot* 'e pro#ed% It is the ato eme t that she is lo $i $ to ma-e* poor $irl* after ha#i $ i oce tly a d i e#ita'ly "ro $ed him% 0)t the thi $ ca ot 'e do e% I ha#e o sort of do)'t that the a$itatio "hich a meeti $ 'et"ee them "o)ld prod)ce o 'oth sides!re#i#i $ dorma t feeli $s* appeali $ to old memories* a"a-e i $ e" hopes!"o)ld* i their effect o the mi d of &r% 0la-e* 'e almost certai ly fatal to the s)ccess of o)r experime t% It is hard e o)$h* as thi $s are* to reprod)ce i him the co ditio s as they existed* or early as they existed* last year% @ith e" i terests a d e" emotio s to a$itate him* the attempt "o)ld 'e simply )seless% A d yet* - o"i $ this* I ca ot fi d it i my heart to disappoi t her% I m)st try if I ca disco#er some e" arra $eme t* 'efore post7time* "hich "ill allo" me to say 5es to &iss Veri der* "itho)t dama$e to the ser#ice "hich I ha#e 'o) d myself to re der to &r% Fra -li 0la-e% T"o o=cloc-%!I ha#e ()st ret)r ed from my ro) d of medical #isits9 ha#i $ 'e$) * of co)rse* 'y calli $ at the hotel% &r% 0la-e=s report of the i$ht is the same as 'efore% He has had some i ter#als of 'ro-e sleep* a d o more% 0)t he feels it less to7day* ha#i $ slept after yesterday=s di er% This after7di er sleep is the res)lt* o do)'t* of the ride "hich I ad#ised him to ta-e% I fear I shall ha#e to c)rtail his restorati#e exercise i the fresh air% He m)st ot 'e too "ell9 he m)st ot 'e too ill% It is a case :as a sailor "o)ld say; of #ery fi e steeri $% He has ot heard yet from &r% 0r)ff% I fo) d him ea$er to - o" if I had recei#ed a y a s"er from &iss Veri der%

331

I told him exactly "hat I "as permitted to tell* a d o more% It "as ,)ite eedless to i #e t exc)ses for ot sho"i $ him the letter% He told me 'itterly e o)$h* poor fello"* that he ) derstood the delicacy "hich disi cli ed me to prod)ce it% A.he co se ts* of co)rse* as a matter of commo co)rtesy a d commo ()stice*A he said% A0)t she -eeps her o" opi io of me* a d "aits to see the res)lt%A I "as sorely tempted to hi t that he "as o" "ro $i $ her as she had "ro $ed him% 4 reflectio * I shra - from forestalli $ her i the do)'le l)x)ry of s)rprisi $ a d for$i#i $ him% &y #isit "as a #ery short o e% After the experie ce of the other i$ht* I ha#e 'ee compelled o ce more to $i#e )p my dose of opi)m% As a ecessary res)lt* the a$o y of the disease that is i me has $ot the )pper ha d a$ai % I felt the attac- comi $ o * a d left a'r)ptly* so as ot to alarm or distress him% It o ly lasted a ,)arter of a ho)r this time* a d it left me stre $th e o)$h to $o o "ith my "or-% Fi#e o=cloc-%!I ha#e "ritte my reply to &iss Veri der% The arra $eme t I ha#e proposed reco ciles the i terests o 'oth sides* if she "ill o ly co se t to it% After first stati $ the o'(ectio s that there are to a meeti $ 'et"ee &r% 0la-e a d herself* 'efore the experime t is tried* I ha#e s)$$ested that she sho)ld so time her (o)r ey as to arri#e at the ho)se pri#ately* o the e#e i $ "he "e ma-e the attempt% Tra#elli $ 'y the after oo trai from ?o do * she "o)ld delay her arri#al ) til i e o=cloc-% At that ho)r* I ha#e ) derta-e to see &r% 0la-e safely i to his 'edcham'er9 a d so to lea#e &iss Veri der free to occ)py her o" rooms ) til the time comes for admi isteri $ the la)da )m% @he that has 'ee do e* there ca 'e o o'(ectio to her "atchi $ the res)lt* "ith the rest of )s% 4 the ext mor i $* she shall sho" &r% 0la-e :if she li-es; her correspo de ce "ith me* a d shall satisfy him i that "ay that he "as ac,)itted i her estimatio * 'efore the ,)estio of his i oce ce "as p)t to the proof% I that se se* I ha#e "ritte to her% This is all that I ca do to7day% To7morro" I m)st see &r% 0ettered$e* a d $i#e the ecessary directio s for reope i $ the ho)se% +) e 1Gth%!?ate a$ai * i calli $ o &r% Fra -li 0la-e% &ore of that horri'le pai i the early mor i $9 follo"ed* this time* 'y complete prostratio * for some ho)rs% I foresee* i spite of the pe alties "hich it exacts from me* that I shall ha#e to ret)r to the opi)m for the h) dredth time% If I had o ly myself to thi - of* I sho)ld prefer the sharp pai s to the fri$htf)l dreams% 0)t the physical s)fferi $ exha)sts me% If I let myself si -* it may e d i my 'ecomi $ )seless to &r% 0la-e at the time "he he "a ts me most% It "as early o e o=cloc- 'efore I co)ld $et to the hotel to7day% The #isit* e#e i my shattered co ditio * pro#ed to 'e a most am)si $ o e!tha -s e tirely to the prese ce o the sce e of /a'riel 0ettered$e% I fo) d him i the room* "he I "e t i % He "ithdre" to the "i do" a d loo-ed o)t* "hile I p)t my first c)stomary ,)estio to my patie t% &r% 0la-e had slept 'adly a$ai * a d he felt the loss of rest this mor i $ more tha he had felt it yet%

33>

I as-ed ext if he had heard from &r% 0r)ff% A letter had reached him that mor i $% &r% 0r)ff expressed the stro $est disappro#al of the co)rse "hich his frie d a d clie t "as ta-i $ ) der my ad#ice% It "as mischie#o)s! for it excited hopes that mi$ht e#er 'e realised% It "as ,)ite ) i telli$i'le to HI. mi d* except that it loo-ed li-e a piece of tric-ery* a-i to the tric-ery of mesmerism* clair#oya ce* a d the li-e% It ) settled &iss Veri der=s ho)se* a d it "o)ld e d i ) settli $ &iss Veri der herself% He had p)t the case :"itho)t me tio i $ ames; to a emi e t physicia 9 a d the emi e t physicia had smiled* had sha-e his head* a d had said! othi $% 4 these $ro) ds* &r% 0r)ff e tered his protest* a d left it there% &y ext i ,)iry related to the s)'(ect of the 6iamo d% Had the la"yer prod)ced a y e#ide ce to pro#e that the (e"el "as i ?o do B 8o* the la"yer had simply decli ed to disc)ss the ,)estio % He "as himself satisfied that the &oo sto e had 'ee pled$ed to &r% ?)-er% His emi e t a'se t frie d* &r% &)rth"aite :"hose co s)mmate - o"led$e of the I dia character o o e co)ld de y;* "as satisfied also% E der these circ)msta ces* a d "ith the ma y dema ds already made o him* he m)st decli e e teri $ i to a y disp)tes o the s)'(ect of e#ide ce% Time "o)ld sho"9 a d &r% 0r)ff "as "illi $ to "ait for time% It "as ,)ite plai !e#e if &r% 0la-e had ot made it plai er still 'y reporti $ the s)'sta ce of the letter* i stead of readi $ "hat "as act)ally "ritte !that distr)st of me "as at the 'ottom of all this% Ha#i $ myself foresee that res)lt* I "as either mortified or s)rprised% I as-ed &r% 0la-e if his frie d=s protest had sha-e him% He a s"ered emphatically* that it had ot prod)ced the sli$htest effect o his mi d% I "as free after that to dismiss &r% 0r)ff from co sideratio !a d I did dismiss him accordi $ly% A pa)se i the tal- 'et"ee )s* follo"ed!a d /a'riel 0ettered$e came o)t from his retireme t at the "i do"% ACa yo) fa#o)r me "ith yo)r atte tio * sirBA he i ,)ired* addressi $ himself to me% AI am ,)ite at yo)r ser#ice*A I a s"ered% 0ettered$e too- a chair a d seated himself at the ta'le% He prod)ced a h)$e old7fashio ed leather poc-et7'oo-* "ith a pe cil of dime sio s to match% Ha#i $ p)t o his spectacles* he ope ed the poc-et7'oo-* at a 'la - pa$e* a d addressed himself to me o ce more% AI ha#e li#ed*A said 0ettered$e* loo-i $ at me ster ly* A i$h o fifty years i the ser#ice of my late lady% I "as pa$e7'oy 'efore that* i the ser#ice of the old lord* her father% I am o" some"here 'et"ee se#e ty a d ei$hty years of a$e! e#er mi d exactly "hereD I am rec-o ed to ha#e $ot as pretty a - o"led$e a d experie ce of the "orld as most me % A d "hat does it all e d i B It e ds* &r% E<ra +e i $s* i a co ()ri $ tric- 'ei $ performed o &r% Fra -li 0la-e* 'y a doctor=s assista t "ith a 'ottle of la)da )m!a d 'y the li#i $ (i $o* I=m appoi ted* i my old a$e* to 'e co ()rer=s 'oyDA

33C

&r% 0la-e ')rst o)t la)$hi $% I attempted to spea-% 0ettered$e held )p his ha d* i to-e that he had ot do e yet% A8ot a "ord* &r% +e i $sDA he said* AIt do =t "a t a "ord* sir* from yo)% I ha#e $ot my pri ciples* tha - /od% If a order comes to me* "hich is o" 'rother to a order come from 0edlam* it do =t matter% .o lo $ as I $et it from my master or mistress* as the case may 'e* I o'ey it% I may ha#e my o" opi io * "hich is also* yo) "ill please to remem'er* the opi io of &r% 0r)ff!the /reat &r% 0r)ffDA said 0ettered$e* raisi $ his #oice* a d sha-i $ his head at me solem ly% AIt do =t matter9 I "ithdra" my opi io * for all that% &y yo) $ lady says* =6o it%= A d I say* =&iss* it shall 'e do e%= Here I am* "ith my 'oo- a d my pe cil!the latter ot poi ted so "ell as I co)ld "ish* ')t "he Christia s ta-e lea#e of their se ses* "ho is to expect that pe cils "ill -eep their poi tsB /i#e me yo)r orders* &r% +e i $s% I=ll ha#e them i "riti $* sir% I=m determi ed ot to 'e 'ehi d =em* or 'efore =em* 'y so m)ch as a hair=s 'readth% I=m a 'li d a$e t!that=s "hat I am% A 'li d a$e tDA repeated 0ettered$e* "ith i fi ite relish of his o" descriptio of himself% AI am #ery sorry*A I 'e$a * Athat yo) a d I do =t a$ree!!A A6o =t 'ri $ &E* i to itDA i terposed 0ettered$e% AThis is ot a matter of a$reeme t* it=s a matter of o'edie ce% Iss)e yo)r directio s* sir!iss)e yo)r directio sDA &r% 0la-e made me a si$ to ta-e him at his "ord% I Aiss)ed my directio sA as plai ly a d as $ra#ely as I co)ld% AI "ish certai parts of the ho)se to 'e reope ed*A I said* Aa d to 'e f)r ished* exactly as they "ere f)r ished at this time last year%A 0ettered$e $a#e his imperfectly7poi ted pe cil a prelimi ary lic- "ith his to $)e% A8ame the parts* &r% +e i $sDA he said loftily% AFirst* the i er hall* leadi $ to the chief staircase%A A=First* the i er hall*=A 0ettered$e "rote% AImpossi'le to f)r ish that* sir* as it "as f)r ished last year!to 'e$i "ith%A A@hyBA A0eca)se there "as a st)ffed ')<<ard* &r% +e i $s* i the hall last year% @he the family left* the ')<<ard "as p)t a"ay "ith the other thi $s% @he the ')<<ard "as p)t a"ay! he ')rst%A A@e "ill except the ')<<ard the %A 0ettered$e too- a ote of the exceptio % A=The i er hall to 'e f)r ished a$ai * as f)r ished last year% A ')rst ')<<ard alo e excepted%= Please to $o o * &r% +e i $s%A

332

AThe carpet to 'e laid do" o the stairs* as 'efore%A A=The carpet to 'e laid do" o the stairs* as 'efore%= .orry to disappoi t yo)* sir% 0)t that ca =t 'e do e either%A A@hy otBA A0eca)se the ma "ho laid that carpet do" is dead* &r% +e i $s!a d the li-e of him for reco cili $ to$ether a carpet a d a cor er* is ot to 'e fo) d i all E $la d* loo"here yo) may%A AVery "ell% @e m)st try the ext 'est ma i E $la d%A 0ettered$e too- a other ote9 a d I "e t o iss)i $ my directio s% A&iss Veri der=s sitti $7room to 'e restored exactly to "hat it "as last year% Also* the corridor leadi $ from the sitti $7room to the first la di $% Also* the seco d corridor* leadi $ from the seco d la di $ to the 'est 'edrooms% Also* the 'edroom occ)pied last +) e 'y &r% Fra -li 0la-e%A 0ettered$e=s 'l) t pe cil follo"ed me co scie tio)sly* "ord 'y "ord% A/o o * sir*A he said* "ith sardo ic $ra#ity% AThere=s a deal of "riti $ left i the poi t of this pe cil yet%A I told him that I had o more directio s to $i#e% A.ir*A said 0ettered$e* Ai that case* I ha#e a poi t or t"o to p)t o my o" 'ehalf%A He ope ed the poc-et7'oo- at a e" pa$e* a d $a#e the i exha)sti'le pe cil a other prelimi ary lic-% AI "ish to - o"*A he 'e$a * A"hether I may* or may ot* "ash my ha ds!!A A5o) may decidedly*A said &r% 0la-e% AI=ll ri $ for the "aiter%A A!!of certai respo si'ilities*A p)rs)ed 0ettered$e* impe etra'ly decli i $ to see a y'ody i the room ')t himself a d me% AAs to &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room* to 'e$i "ith% @he "e too- )p the carpet last year* &r% +e i $s* "e fo) d a s)rprisi $ ,)a tity of pi s% Am I respo si'le for p)tti $ 'ac- the pi sBA ACertai ly ot%A 0ettered$e made a ote of that co cessio * o the spot% AAs to the first corridor ext*A he res)med% A@he "e mo#ed the or ame ts i that part* "e mo#ed a stat)e of a fat a-ed child!profa ely descri'ed i the catalo$)e of the ho)se as =C)pid* $od of ?o#e%= He had t"o "i $s last year* i the fleshy part of his sho)lders% &y eye 'ei $ off him* for the mome t* he lost o e of them% Am I respo si'le for C)pid=s "i $BA

33G

I made a other co cessio * a d 0ettered$e made a other ote% AAs to the seco d corridor*A he "e t o % AThere ha#i $ 'ee othi $ i it* last year* ')t the doors of the rooms :to e#ery o e of "hich I ca s"ear* if ecessary;* my mi d is easy* I admit* respecti $ that part of the ho)se o ly% 0)t* as to &r% Fra -li =s 'edroom :if THAT is to 'e p)t 'ac- to "hat it "as 'efore;* I "a t to - o" "ho is respo si'le for -eepi $ it i a perpet)al state of litter* o matter ho" ofte it may 'e set ri$ht!his tro)sers here* his to"els there* a d his Fre ch o#els e#ery"here% I say* "ho is respo si'le for ) tidyi $ the tidi ess of &r% Fra -li =s room* him or meBA &r% 0la-e declared that he "o)ld ass)me the "hole respo si'ility "ith the $reatest pleas)re% 0ettered$e o'sti ately decli ed to liste to a y sol)tio of the diffic)lty* "itho)t first referri $ it to my sa ctio a d appro#al% I accepted &r% 0la-e=s proposal9 a d 0ettered$e made a last e try i the poc-et7'oo- to that effect% A?oo- i "he yo) li-e* &r% +e i $s* 'e$i i $ from to7morro"*A he said* $etti $ o his le$s% A5o) "ill fi d me at "or-* "ith the ecessary perso s to assist me% I respectf)lly 'e$ to tha - yo)* sir* for o#erloo-i $ the case of the st)ffed ')<<ard* a d the other case of the C)pid=s "i $!as also for permitti $ me to "ash my ha ds of all respo si'ility i respect of the pi s o the carpet* a d the litter i &r% Fra -li =s room% .pea-i $ as a ser#a t* I am deeply i de'ted to yo)% .pea-i $ as a ma * I co sider yo) to 'e a perso "hose head is f)ll of ma$$ots* a d I ta-e )p my testimo y a$ai st yo)r experime t as a del)sio a d a s are% 6o =t 'e afraid* o that acco) t* of my feeli $s as a ma $etti $ i the "ay of my d)ty as a ser#a tD 5o) shall 'e o'eyed% The ma$$ots ot"ithsta di $* sir* yo) shall 'e o'eyed% If it e ds i yo)r setti $ the ho)se o fire* 6amme if I se d for the e $i es* ) less yo) ri $ the 'ell a d order them firstDA @ith that fare"ell ass)ra ce* he made me a 'o"* a d "al-ed o)t of the room% A6o yo) thi - "e ca depe d o himBA I as-ed% AImplicitly*A a s"ered &r% 0la-e% A@he "e $o to the ho)se* "e shall fi d othi $ e$lected* a d othi $ for$otte %A +) e 13th%!A other protest a$ai st o)r co templated proceedi $sD From a lady this time% The mor i $=s post 'ro)$ht me t"o letters% 4 e from &iss Veri der* co se ti $* i the -i dest ma er* to the arra $eme t that I ha#e proposed% The other from the lady ) der "hose care she is li#i $!o e &rs% &erride"% &rs% &erride" prese ts her complime ts* a d does ot prete d to ) dersta d the s)'(ect o "hich I ha#e 'ee correspo di $ "ith &iss Veri der* i its scie tific 'eari $s% Vie"ed i its social 'eari $s* ho"e#er* she feels free to pro o) ce a opi io % I am pro'a'ly* &rs% &erride" thi -s* ot a"are that &iss Veri der is 'arely i etee years of a$e% To allo" a yo) $ lady* at her time of life* to 'e prese t :"itho)t a Achapero eA; i a

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ho)se f)ll of me amo $ "hom a medical experime t is 'ei $ carried o * is a o)tra$e o propriety "hich &rs% &erride" ca ot possi'ly permit% If the matter is allo"ed to proceed* she "ill feel it to 'e her d)ty!at a serio)s sacrifice of her o" perso al co #e ie ce!to accompa y &iss Veri der to 5or-shire% E der these circ)msta ces* she #e t)res to re,)est that I "ill -i dly reco sider the s)'(ect9 seei $ that &iss Veri der decli es to 'e $)ided 'y a y opi io ')t mi e% Her prese ce ca ot possi'ly 'e ecessary9 a d a "ord from me* to that effect* "o)ld relie#e 'oth &rs% &erride" a d myself of a #ery ) pleasa t respo si'ility% Tra slated from polite commo place i to plai E $lish* the mea i $ of this is* as I ta-e it* that &rs% &erride" sta ds i mortal fear of the opi io of the "orld% .he has ) fort) ately appealed to the #ery last ma i existe ce "ho has a y reaso to re$ard that opi io "ith respect% I "o =t disappoi t &iss Veri der9 a d I "o =t delay a reco ciliatio 'et"ee t"o yo) $ people "ho lo#e each other* a d "ho ha#e 'ee parted too lo $ already% Tra slated from plai E $lish i to polite commo place* this mea s that &r% +e i $s prese ts his complime ts to &rs% &erride"* a d re$rets that he ca ot feel ()stified i i terferi $ a y farther i the matter% &r% 0la-e=s report of himself* this mor i $* "as the same as 'efore% @e determi ed ot to dist)r' 0ettered$e 'y o#erloo-i $ him at the ho)se to7day% To7morro" "ill 'e time e o)$h for o)r first #isit of i spectio % +) e 2Hth%!&r% 0la-e is 'e$i i $ to feel his co ti )ed restless ess at i$ht% The soo er the rooms are ref)r ished* o"* the 'etter% 4 o)r "ay to the ho)se* this mor i $* he co s)lted me* "ith some er#o)s impatie ce a d irresol)tio * a'o)t a letter :for"arded to him from ?o do ; "hich he had recei#ed from .er$ea t C)ff% The .er$ea t "rites from Irela d% He ac- o"led$es the receipt :thro)$h his ho)se-eeper; of a card a d messa$e "hich &r% 0la-e left at his reside ce ear 6or-i $* a d a o) ces his ret)r to E $la d as li-ely to ta-e place i a "ee- or less% I the mea time* he re,)ests to 'e fa#o)red "ith &r% 0la-e=s reaso s for "ishi $ to spea- to him :as stated i the messa$e; o the s)'(ect of the &oo sto e% If &r% 0la-e ca co #ict him of ha#i $ made a y serio)s mista-e* i the co)rse of his last year=s i ,)iry co cer i $ the 6iamo d* he "ill co sider it a d)ty :after the li'eral ma er i "hich he "as treated 'y the late ?ady Veri der; to place himself at that $e tlema =s disposal% If ot* he 'e$s permissio to remai i his retireme t* s)rro) ded 'y the peacef)l hortic)lt)ral attractio s of a co) try life% After readi $ the letter* I had o hesitatio i ad#isi $ &r% 0la-e to i form .er$ea t C)ff* i reply* of all that had happe ed si ce the i ,)iry "as s)spe ded last year* a d to lea#e him to dra" his o" co cl)sio s from the plai facts% 4 seco d tho)$hts I also s)$$ested i #iti $ the .er$ea t to 'e prese t at the experime t* i the e#e t of his ret)r i $ to E $la d i time to (oi )s% He "o)ld 'e a #al)a'le "it ess

31H

to ha#e* i a y case9 a d* if I pro#ed to 'e "ro $ i 'elie#i $ the 6iamo d to 'e hidde i &r% 0la-e=s room* his ad#ice mi$ht 'e of $reat importa ce* at a f)t)re sta$e of the proceedi $s o#er "hich I co)ld exercise o co trol% This last co sideratio appeared to decide &r% 0la-e% He promised to follo" my ad#ice% The so) d of the hammer i formed )s that the "or- of re7f)r ishi $ "as i f)ll pro$ress* as "e e tered the dri#e that led to the ho)se% 0ettered$e* attired for the occasio i a fisherma =s red cap* a d a apro of $ree 'ai<e* met )s i the o)ter hall% The mome t he sa" me* he p)lled o)t the poc-et7'oo- a d pe cil* a d o'sti ately i sisted o ta-i $ otes of e#erythi $ that I said to him% ?oo"here "e mi$ht* "e fo) d* as &r% 0la-e had foretold that the "or- "as ad#a ci $ as rapidly a d as i telli$e tly as it "as possi'le to desire% 0)t there "as still m)ch to 'e do e i the i er hall* a d i &iss Veri der=s room% It seemed do)'tf)l "hether the ho)se "o)ld 'e ready for )s 'efore the e d of the "ee-% Ha#i $ co $rat)lated 0ettered$e o the pro$ress that he had made :he persisted i ta-i $ otes e#ery time I ope ed my lips9 decli i $* at the same time* to pay the sli$htest atte tio to a ythi $ said 'y &r% 0la-e;9 a d ha#i $ promised to ret)r for a seco d #isit of i spectio i a day or t"o* "e prepared to lea#e the ho)se* $oi $ o)t 'y the 'ac- "ay% 0efore "e "ere clear of the passa$es do" stairs* I "as stopped 'y 0ettered$e* ()st as I "as passi $ the door "hich led i to his o" room% ACo)ld I say t"o "ords to yo) i pri#ateBA he as-ed* i a mysterio)s "hisper% I co se ted of co)rse% &r% 0la-e "al-ed o to "ait for me i the $arde * "hile I accompa ied 0ettered$e i to his room% I f)lly a ticipated a dema d for certai e" co cessio s* follo"i $ the precede t already esta'lished i the cases of the st)ffed ')<<ard* a d the C)pid=s "i $% To my $reat s)rprise* 0ettered$e laid his ha d co fide tially o my arm* a d p)t this extraordi ary ,)estio to meF A&r% +e i $s* do yo) happe to 'e ac,)ai ted "ith R40I8.48 CRE.4EBA I a s"ered that I had read R40I8.48 CRE.4E "he I "as a child% A8ot si ce the BA i ,)ired 0ettered$e% A8ot si ce the %A He fell 'ac- a fe" steps* a d loo-ed at me "ith a expressio of compassio ate c)riosity* tempered 'y s)perstitio)s a"e% AHe has ot read R40I8.48 CRE.4E si ce he "as a child*A said 0ettered$e* spea-i $ to himself! ot to me% A?et=s try ho" R40I8.48 CRE.4E stri-es him o"DA

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He ) loc-ed a c)p'oard i a cor er* a d prod)ced a dirty a d do$=s7eared 'oo-* "hich exhaled a stro $ odo)r of stale to'acco as he t)r ed o#er the lea#es% Ha#i $ fo) d a passa$e of "hich he "as appare tly i search* he re,)ested me to (oi him i the cor er9 still mysterio)sly co fide tial* a d still spea-i $ ) der his 'reath% AI respect to this hoc)s7poc)s of yo)rs* sir* "ith the la)da )m a d &r% Fra -li 0la-e*A he 'e$a % A@hile the "or-people are i the ho)se* my d)ty as a ser#a t $ets the 'etter of my feeli $s as a ma % @he the "or-people are $o e* my feeli $s as a ma $et the 'etter of my d)ty as a ser#a t% Very $ood% ?ast i$ht* &r% +e i $s* it "as 'or e i po"erf)lly o my mi d that this e" medical e terprise of yo)rs "o)ld e d 'adly% If I had yielded to that secret 6ictate* I sho)ld ha#e p)t all the f)r it)re a"ay a$ai "ith my o" ha d* a d ha#e "ar ed the "or-me off the premises "he they came the ext mor i $%A AI am $lad to fi d* from "hat I ha#e see )p7stairs*A I said* Athat yo) resisted the secret 6ictate%A AResisted is =t the "ord*A a s"ered 0ettered$e% A@rostled is the "ord% I "rostled* sir* 'et"ee the sile t orders i my 'osom p)lli $ me o e "ay* a d the "ritte orders i my poc-et7'oo- p)shi $ me the other* ) til :sa#i $ yo)r prese ce; I "as i a cold s"eat% I that dreadf)l pert)r'atio of mi d a d laxity of 'ody* to "hat remedy did I applyB To the remedy* sir* "hich has e#er failed me yet for the last thirty years a d more!to This 0oo-DA He hit the 'oo- a so) di $ 'lo" "ith his ope ha d* a d str)c- o)t of it a stro $er smell of stale to'acco tha e#er% A@hat did I fi d here*A p)rs)ed 0ettered$e* Aat the first pa$e I ope edB This a"f)l 'it* sir* pa$e o e h) dred a d se#e ty7ei$ht* as follo"s%!=Epo these* a d ma y li-e Reflectio s* I after"ards made it a certai r)le "ith me* That "he e#er I fo) d those secret Hi ts or Pressi $s of my &i d* to doi $* or ot doi $ a y Thi $ that prese ted9 or to $oi $ this @ay* or that @ay* I e#er failed to o'ey the secret 6ictate%= As I li#e 'y 'read* &r% +e i $s* those "ere the first "ords that met my eye* exactly at the time "he I myself "as setti $ the secret 6ictate at defia ceD 5o) do =t see a ythi $ at all o)t of the commo i that* do yo)* sirBA AI see a coi cide ce! othi $ more%A A5o) do =t feel at all sha-e * &r% +e i $s* i respect to this medical e terprise of yo)rsB A8ot the least i the "orld%A 0ettered$e stared hard at me* i dead sile ce% He closed the 'oo- "ith $reat deli'eratio 9 he loc-ed it )p a$ai i the c)p'oard "ith extraordi ary care9 he "heeled ro) d* a d stared hard at me o ce more% The he spo-e%

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A.ir*A he said $ra#ely* Athere are $reat allo"a ces to 'e made for a ma "ho has ot read R40I8.48 CRE.4E si ce he "as a child% I "ish yo) $ood mor i $%A He ope ed his door "ith a lo" 'o"* a d left me at li'erty to fi d my o" "ay i to the $arde % I met &r% 0la-e ret)r i $ to the ho)se% A5o) eed =t tell me "hat has happe ed*A he said% A0ettered$e has played his last cardF he has made a other prophetic disco#ery i R40I8.48 CRE.4E% Ha#e yo) h)mo)red his fa#o)rite del)sio B 8oB 5o) ha#e let him see that yo) do =t 'elie#e i R40I8.48 CRE.4EB &r% +e i $sD yo) ha#e falle to the lo"est possi'le place i 0ettered$e=s estimatio % .ay "hat yo) li-e* a d do "hat yo) li-e* for the f)t)re% 5o) "ill fi d that he "o =t "aste a other "ord o yo) o"%A +) e 21st%!A short e try m)st s)ffice i my (o)r al to7day% &r% 0la-e has had the "orst i$ht that he has passed yet% I ha#e 'ee o'li$ed* $reatly a$ai st my "ill* to prescri'e for him% &e of his se siti#e or$a isatio are fort) ately ,)ic- i feeli $ the effect of remedial meas)res% 4ther"ise* I sho)ld 'e i cli ed to fear that he "ill 'e totally ) fit for the experime t "he the time comes to try it% As for myself* after some little remissio of my pai s for the last t"o days I had a attacthis mor i $* of "hich I shall say othi $ ')t that it has decided me to ret)r to the opi)m% I shall close this 'oo-* a d ta-e my f)ll dose!fi#e h) dred drops% +) e 22 d%!4)r prospects loo- 'etter to7day% &r% 0la-e=s er#o)s s)fferi $ is $reatly allayed% He slept a little last i$ht% &5 i$ht* tha -s to the opi)m* "as the i$ht of a ma "ho is st) ed% I ca =t say that I "o-e this mor i $9 the fitter expressio "o)ld 'e* that I reco#ered my se ses% @e dro#e to the ho)se to see if the ref)r ishi $ "as do e% It "ill 'e completed to7 morro"!.at)rday% As &r% 0la-e foretold* 0ettered$e raised o f)rther o'stacles% From first to last* he "as omi o)sly polite* a d omi o)sly sile t% &y medical e terprise :as 0ettered$e calls it; m)st o"* i e#ita'ly* 'e delayed ) til &o day ext% Tomorro" e#e i $ the "or-me "ill 'e late i the ho)se% 4 the ext day* the esta'lished .) day tyra y "hich is o e of the i stit)tio s of this free co) try* so times the trai s as to ma-e it impossi'le to as- a y'ody to tra#el to )s from ?o do % E til &o day comes* there is othi $ to 'e do e ')t to "atch &r% 0la-e caref)lly* a d to -eep him* if possi'le* i the same state i "hich I fi d him to7day% I the mea "hile* I ha#e pre#ailed o him to "rite to &r% 0r)ff* ma-i $ a poi t of it that he shall 'e prese t as o e of the "it esses% I especially choose the la"yer* 'eca)se he is stro $ly pre()diced a$ai st )s% If "e co #i ce HI&* "e place o)r #ictory 'eyo d the possi'ility of disp)te%

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&r% 0la-e has also "ritte to .er$ea t C)ff9 a d I ha#e se t a li e to &iss Veri der% @ith these* a d "ith old 0ettered$e :"ho is really a perso of importa ce i the family; "e shall ha#e "it esses e o)$h for the p)rpose!"itho)t i cl)di $ &rs% &erride"* if &rs% &erride" persists i sacrifici $ herself to the opi io of the "orld% +) e 23rd%!The #e $ea ce of the opi)m o#ertoo- me a$ai last i$ht% 8o matter9 I m)st $o o "ith it o" till &o day is past a d $o e% &r% 0la-e is ot so "ell a$ai to7day% At t"o this mor i $* he co fesses that he ope ed the dra"er i "hich his ci$ars are p)t a"ay% He o ly s)cceeded i loc-i $ it )p a$ai 'y a #iole t effort% His ext proceedi $* i case of temptatio * "as to thro" the -ey o)t of "i do"% The "aiter 'ro)$ht it i this mor i $* disco#ered at the 'ottom of a empty cister !s)ch is FateD I ha#e ta-e possessio of the -ey ) til T)esday ext% +) e 21th%!&r% 0la-e a d I too- a lo $ dri#e i a ope carria$e% @e 'oth felt 'e eficially the 'lessed i fl)e ce of the soft s)mmer air% I di ed "ith him at the hotel% To my $reat relief!for I fo) d him i a o#er7"ro)$ht* o#er7excited state this mor i $!he had t"o ho)rs= so) d sleep o the sofa after di er% If he has a other 'ad i$ht* o"!I am ot afraid of the co se,)e ce% +) e 2>th* &o day%!The day of the experime tD It is fi#e o=cloc- i the after oo % @e ha#e ()st arri#ed at the ho)se% The first a d foremost ,)estio * is the ,)estio of &r% 0la-e=s health% .o far as it is possi'le for me to ()d$e* he promises :physically spea-i $; to 'e ,)ite as s)scepti'le to the actio of the opi)m to7 i$ht as he "as at this time last year% He is* this after oo * i a state of er#o)s se siti#e ess "hich ()st stops short of er#o)s irritatio % He cha $es colo)r readily9 his ha d is ot ,)ite steady9 a d he starts at cha ce oises* a d at ) expected appeara ces of perso s a d thi $s% These res)lts ha#e all 'ee prod)ced 'y depri#atio of sleep* "hich is i its t)r the er#o)s co se,)e ce of a s)dde cessatio i the ha'it of smo-i $* after that ha'it has 'ee carried to a extreme% Here are the same ca)ses at "or- a$ai * "hich operated last year9 a d here are* appare tly* the same effects% @ill the parallel still hold $ood* "he the fi al test has 'ee triedB The e#e ts of the i$ht m)st decide% @hile I "rite these li es* &r% 0la-e is am)si $ himself at the 'illiard ta'le i the i er hall* practisi $ differe t stro-es i the $ame* as he "as acc)stomed to practise them "he he "as a $)est i this ho)se i +) e last% I ha#e 'ro)$ht my (o)r al here* partly "ith a #ie" to occ)pyi $ the idle ho)rs "hich I am s)re to ha#e o my ha ds 'et"ee this a d to7morro" mor i $9 partly i the hope that somethi $ may happe "hich it may 'e "orth my "hile to place o record at the time%

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Ha#e I omitted a ythi $* th)s farB A $la ce at yesterday=s e try sho"s me that I ha#e for$otte to ote the arri#al of the mor i $=s post% ?et me set this ri$ht 'efore I close these lea#es for the prese t* a d (oi &r% 0la-e% I recei#ed a fe" li es the * yesterday* from &iss Veri der% .he has arra $ed to tra#el 'y the after oo trai * as I recomme ded% &rs% &erride" has i sisted o accompa yi $ her% The ote hi ts that the old lady=s $e erally excelle t temper is a little r)ffled* a d re,)ests all d)e i d)l$e ce for her* i co sideratio of her a$e a d her ha'its% I "ill e dea#o)r* i my relatio s "ith &rs% &erride"* to em)late the moderatio "hich 0ettered$e displays i his relatio s "ith me% He recei#ed )s to7day* porte to)sly arrayed i his 'est 'lacs)it* a d his stiffest "hite cra#at% @he e#er he loo-s my "ay* he remem'ers that I ha#e ot read R40I8.48 CRE.4E si ce I "as a child* a d he respectf)lly pities me% 5esterday* also* &r% 0la-e had the la"yer=s a s"er% &r% 0r)ff accepts the i #itatio ! ) der protest% It is* he thi -s* clearly ecessary that a $e tlema possessed of the a#era$e allo"a ce of commo se se* sho)ld accompa y &iss Veri der to the sce e of* "hat "e "ill #e t)re to call* the proposed exhi'itio % For "a t of a 'etter escort* &r% 0r)ff himself "ill 'e that $e tlema %!.o here is poor &iss Veri der pro#ided "ith t"o Achapero es%A It is a relief to thi - that the opi io of the "orld m)st s)rely 'e satisfied "ith thisD 8othi $ has 'ee heard of .er$ea t C)ff% He is o do)'t still i Irela d% @e m)st ot expect to see him to7 i$ht% 0ettered$e has ()st come i * to say that &r% 0la-e has as-ed for me% I m)st lay do" my pe for the prese t%

.e#e o=cloc-%!@e ha#e 'ee all o#er the ref)r ished rooms a d staircases a$ai 9 a d "e ha#e had a pleasa t stroll i the shr)''ery* "hich "as &r% 0la-e=s fa#o)rite "al"he he "as here last% I this "ay* I hope to re#i#e the old impressio s of places a d thi $s as #i#idly as possi'le i his mi d% @e are o" $oi $ to di e* exactly at the ho)r at "hich the 'irthday di er "as $i#e last year% &y o'(ect* of co)rse* is a p)rely medical o e i this case% The la)da )m m)st fi d the process of di$estio * as early as may 'e* "here the la)da )m fo) d it last year% At a reaso a'le time after di er I propose to lead the co #ersatio 'ac- a$ai !as i artificially as I ca !to the s)'(ect of the 6iamo d* a d of the I dia co spiracy to steal it% @he I ha#e filled his mi d "ith these topics* I shall ha#e do e all that it is i my po"er to do* 'efore the time comes for $i#i $ him the seco d dose%

Half7past ei$ht%!I ha#e o ly this mome t fo) d a opport) ity of atte di $ to the most importa t d)ty of all9 the d)ty of loo-i $ i the family medici e chest* for the la)da )m "hich &r% Ca dy )sed last year%

31>

Te mi )tes si ce* I ca)$ht 0ettered$e at a ) occ)pied mome t* a d told him "hat I "a ted% @itho)t a "ord of o'(ectio * "itho)t so m)ch as a attempt to prod)ce his poc-et7'oo-* he led the "ay :ma-i $ allo"a ces for me at e#ery step; to the store7room i "hich the medici e chest is -ept% I disco#ered the 'ottle* caref)lly $)arded 'y a $lass stopper tied o#er "ith leather% The preparatio "hich it co tai ed "as* as I had a ticipated* the commo Ti ct)re of 4pi)m% Fi di $ the 'ottle still "ell filled* I ha#e resol#ed to )se it* i prefere ce to employi $ either of the t"o preparatio s "ith "hich I had ta-e care to pro#ide myself* i case of emer$e cy% The ,)estio of the ,)a tity "hich I am to admi ister prese ts certai diffic)lties% I ha#e tho)$ht it o#er* a d ha#e decided o i creasi $ the dose% &y otes i form me that &r% Ca dy o ly admi istered t"e ty7fi#e mi ims% This is a small dose to ha#e prod)ced the res)lts "hich follo"ed!e#e i the case of a perso so se siti#e as &r% 0la-e% I thi - it hi$hly pro'a'le that &r% Ca dy $a#e more tha he s)pposed himself to ha#e $i#e !- o"i $* as I do* that he has a -ee relish of the pleas)res of the ta'le* a d that he meas)red o)t the la)da )m o the 'irthday* after di er% I a y case* I shall r) the ris- of e lar$i $ the dose to forty mi ims% 4 this occasio * &r% 0la-e - o"s 'eforeha d that he is $oi $ to ta-e the la)da )m!"hich is e,)i#ale t* physiolo$ically spea-i $* to his ha#i $ :) co scio)sly to himself; a certai capacity i him to resist the effects% If my #ie" is ri$ht* a lar$er ,)a tity is therefore imperati#ely re,)ired* this time* to repeat the res)lts "hich the smaller ,)a tity prod)ced* last year%

Te o=cloc-%!The "it esses* or the compa y :"hich shall I call themB; reached the ho)se a ho)r si ce% A little 'efore i e o=cloc-* I pre#ailed o &r% 0la-e to accompa y me to his 'edroom9 stati $* as a reaso * that I "ished him to loo- ro) d it* for the last time* i order to ma-e ,)ite s)re that othi $ had 'ee for$otte i the ref)r ishi $ of the room% I had pre#io)sly arra $ed "ith 0ettered$e* that the 'edcham'er prepared for &r% 0r)ff sho)ld 'e the ext room to &r% 0la-e=s* a d that I sho)ld 'e i formed of the la"yer=s arri#al 'y a - oc- at the door% Fi#e mi )tes after the cloc- i the hall had str)c- i e* I heard the - oc-9 a d* $oi $ o)t immediately* met &r% 0r)ff i the corridor% &y perso al appeara ce :as )s)al; told a$ai st me% &r% 0r)ff=s distr)st loo-ed at me plai ly e o)$h o)t of &r% 0r)ff=s eyes% 0ei $ "ell )sed to prod)ci $ this effect o stra $ers* I did ot hesitate a mome t i sayi $ "hat I "a ted to say* 'efore the la"yer fo) d his "ay i to &r% 0la-e=s room% A5o) ha#e tra#elled here* I 'elie#e* i compa y "ith &rs% &erride" a d &iss Veri derBA I said%

31C

A5es*A a s"ered &r% 0r)ff* as drily as mi$ht 'e% A&iss Veri der has pro'a'ly told yo)* that I "ish her prese ce i the ho)se :a d &rs% &erride"=s prese ce of co)rse; to 'e -ept a secret from &r% 0la-e* ) til my experime t o him has 'ee tried firstBA AI - o" that I am to hold my to $)e* sirDA said &r% 0r)ff* impatie tly% A0ei $ ha'it)ally sile t o the s)'(ect of h)ma folly* I am all the readier to -eep my lips closed o this occasio % 6oes that satisfy yo)BA I 'o"ed* a d left 0ettered$e to sho" him to his room% 0ettered$e $a#e me o e loo- at parti $* "hich said* as if i so ma y "ords* A5o) ha#e ca)$ht a Tartar* &r% +e i $s! a d the ame of him is 0r)ff%A It "as ext ecessary to $et the meeti $ o#er "ith the t"o ladies% I desce ded the stairs! a little er#o)sly* I co fess!o my "ay to &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room% The $arde er=s "ife :char$ed "ith loo-i $ after the accommodatio of the ladies; met me i the first7floor corridor% This excelle t "oma treats me "ith a excessi#e ci#ility "hich is plai ly the offspri $ of do" 7ri$ht terror% .he stares* trem'les* a d c)rtseys* "he e#er I spea- to her% 4 my as-i $ for &iss Veri der* she stared* trem'led* a d "o)ld o do)'t ha#e c)rtseyed ext* if &iss Veri der herself had ot c)t that ceremo y short* 'y s)dde ly ope i $ her sitti $7room door% AIs that &r% +e i $sBA she as-ed% 0efore I co)ld a s"er* she came o)t ea$erly to spea- to me i the corridor% @e met ) der the li$ht of a lamp o a 'rac-et% At the first si$ht of me* &iss Veri der stopped* a d hesitated% .he reco#ered herself i sta tly* colo)red for a mome t!a d the * "ith a charmi $ fra - ess* offered me her ha d% AI ca =t treat yo) li-e a stra $er* &r% +e i $s*A she said% A4h* if yo) o ly - e" ho" happy yo)r letters ha#e made meDA .he loo-ed at my )$ly "ri -led face* "ith a 'ri$ht $ratit)de so e" to me i my experie ce of my fello"7creat)res* that I "as at a loss ho" to a s"er her% 8othi $ had prepared me for her -i d ess a d her 'ea)ty% The misery of ma y years has ot harde ed my heart* tha - /od% I "as as a"-"ard a d as shy "ith her* as if I had 'ee a lad i my tee s% A@here is he o"BA she as-ed* $i#i $ free expressio to her o e domi a t i terest!the i terest i &r% 0la-e% A@hat is he doi $B Has he spo-e of meB Is he i $ood spiritsB Ho" does he 'ear the si$ht of the ho)se* after "hat happe ed i it last yearB @he are yo) $oi $ to $i#e him the la)da )mB &ay I see yo) po)r it o)tB I am so i terested9 I am so excited!I ha#e te tho)sa d thi $s to say to yo)* a d they all cro"d to$ether so that I do =t - o" "hat to say first% 6o yo) "o der at the i terest I ta-e i thisBA

312

A8o*A I said% AI #e t)re to thi - that I thoro)$hly ) dersta d it%A .he "as far a'o#e the paltry affectatio of 'ei $ co f)sed% .he a s"ered me as she mi$ht ha#e a s"ered a 'rother or a father% A5o) ha#e relie#ed me of i descri'a'le "retched ess9 yo) ha#e $i#e me a e" life% Ho" ca I 'e ) $ratef)l e o)$h to ha#e a y co cealme t from yo)B I lo#e him*A she said simply* AI ha#e lo#ed him from first to last!e#e "he I "as "ro $i $ him i my o" tho)$hts9 e#e "he I "as sayi $ the hardest a d the cr)ellest "ords to him% Is there a y exc)se for me* i thatB I hope there is!I am afraid it is the o ly exc)se I ha#e% @he to7 morro" comes* a d he - o"s that I am i the ho)se* do yo) thi -!!A .he stopped a$ai * a d loo-ed at me #ery ear estly% A@he to7morro" comes*A I said* AI thi - yo) ha#e o ly to tell him "hat yo) ha#e ()st told me%A Her face 'ri$hte ed9 she came a step earer to me% Her fi $ers trifled er#o)sly "ith a flo"er "hich I had pic-ed i the $arde * a d "hich I had p)t i to the ')tto 7hole of my coat% A5o) ha#e see a $reat deal of him lately*A she said% AHa#e yo)* really a d tr)ly* see THATBA AReally a d tr)ly*A I a s"ered% AI am ,)ite certai of "hat "ill happe to7morro"% I "ish I co)ld feel as certai of "hat "ill happe to7 i$ht%A At that poi t i the co #ersatio * "e "ere i terr)pted 'y the appeara ce of 0ettered$e "ith the tea7tray% He $a#e me a other si$ ifica t loo- as he passed o i to the sitti $7 room% AAyeD ayeD ma-e yo)r hay "hile the s) shi es% The Tartar=s )pstairs* &r% +e i $s !the Tartar=s )pstairsDA @e follo"ed him i to the room% A little old lady* i a cor er* #ery icely dressed* a d #ery deeply a'sor'ed o#er a smart piece of em'roidery* dropped her "or- i her lap* a d )ttered a fai t little scream at the first si$ht of my $ipsy complexio a d my pie'ald hair% A&rs% &erride"*A said &iss Veri der* Athis is &r% +e i $s%A AI 'e$ &r% +e i $s=s pardo *A said the old lady* loo-i $ at &iss Veri der* a d spea-i $ at me% ARail"ay tra#elli $ al"ays ma-es me er#o)s% I am e dea#o)ri $ to ,)iet my mi d 'y occ)pyi $ myself as )s)al% I do =t - o" "hether my em'roidery is o)t of place* o this extraordi ary occasio % If it i terferes "ith &r% +e i $s=s medical #ie"s* I shall 'e happy to p)t it a"ay of co)rse%A I haste ed to sa ctio the prese ce of the em'roidery* exactly as I had sa ctio ed the a'se ce of the ')rst ')<<ard a d the C)pid=s "i $% &rs% &erride" made a effort!a

31G

$ratef)l effort!to loo- at my hair% 8oD it "as ot to 'e do e% &rs% &erride" loo-ed 'aca$ai at &iss Veri der% AIf &r% +e i $s "ill permit me*A p)rs)ed the old lady* AI sho)ld li-e to as- a fa#o)r% &r% +e i $s is a'o)t to try a scie tific experime t to7 i$ht% I )sed to atte d scie tific experime ts "he I "as a $irl at school% They i #aria'ly e ded i a explosio % If &r% +e i $s "ill 'e so #ery -i d* I sho)ld li-e to 'e "ar ed of the explosio this time% @ith a #ie" to $etti $ it o#er* if possi'le* 'efore I $o to 'ed%A I attempted to ass)re &rs% &erride" that a explosio "as ot i cl)ded i the pro$ramme o this occasio % A8o*A said the old lady% AI am m)ch o'li$ed to &r% +e i $s!I am a"are that he is o ly decei#i $ me for my o" $ood% I prefer plai deali $% I am ,)ite resi$ ed to the explosio !')t I 64 "a t to $et it o#er* if possi'le* 'efore I $o to 'ed%A Here the door ope ed* a d &rs% &erride" )ttered a other little scream% The ad#e t of the explosio B 8oF o ly the ad#e t of 0ettered$e% AI 'e$ yo)r pardo * &r% +e i $s*A said 0ettered$e* i his most ela'orately co fide tial ma er% A&r% Fra -li "ishes to - o" "here yo) are% 0ei $ ) der yo)r orders to decei#e him* i respect to the prese ce of my yo) $ lady i the ho)se* I ha#e said I do =t - o"% That yo) "ill please to o'ser#e* "as a lie% Ha#i $ o e foot already i the $ra#e* sir* the fe"er lies yo) expect me to tell* the more I shall 'e i de'ted to yo)* "he my co scie ce pric-s me a d my time comes%A There "as ot a mome t to 'e "asted o the p)rely spec)lati#e ,)estio of 0ettered$e=s co scie ce% &r% 0la-e mi$ht ma-e his appeara ce i search of me* ) less I "e t to him at o ce i his o" room% &iss Veri der follo"ed me o)t i to the corridor% AThey seem to 'e i a co spiracy to persec)te yo)*A she said% A@hat does it mea BA A4 ly the protest of the "orld* &iss Veri der!o a #ery small scale!a$ai st a ythi $ that is e"%A A@hat are "e to do "ith &rs% &erride"BA ATell her the explosio "ill ta-e place at i e to7morro" mor i $%A A.o as to se d her to 'edBA A5es!so as to se d her to 'ed%A &iss Veri der "e t 'ac- to the sitti $7room* a d I "e t )pstairs to &r% 0la-e%

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To my s)rprise I fo) d him alo e9 restlessly paci $ his room* a d a little irritated at 'ei $ left 'y himself% A@here is &r% 0r)ffBA I as-ed% He poi ted to the closed door of comm) icatio 'et"ee the t"o rooms% &r% 0r)ff had loo-ed i o him* for a mome t9 had attempted to re e" his protest a$ai st o)r proceedi $s9 a d had o ce more failed to prod)ce the smallest impressio o &r% 0la-e% Epo this* the la"yer had ta-e ref)$e i a 'lac- leather 'a$* filled to ')rsti $ "ith professio al papers% AThe serio)s ')si ess of life*A he admitted* A"as sadly o)t of place o s)ch a occasio as the prese t% 0)t the serio)s ')si ess of life m)st 'e carried o * for all that% &r% 0la-e "o)ld perhaps -i dly ma-e allo"a ce for the old7fashio ed ha'its of a practical ma % Time "as mo ey!a d* as for &r% +e i $s* he mi$ht depe d o it that &r% 0r)ff "o)ld 'e forthcomi $ "he called )po %A @ith that apolo$y* the la"yer had $o e 'ac- to his o" room* a d had immersed himself o'sti ately i his 'lac- 'a$% I tho)$ht of &rs% &erride" a d her em'roidery* a d of 0ettered$e a d his co scie ce% There is a "o derf)l same ess i the solid side of the E $lish character!()st as there is a "o derf)l same ess i the solid expressio of the E $lish face% A@he are yo) $oi $ to $i#e me the la)da )mBA as-ed &r% 0la-e impatie tly% A5o) m)st "ait a little lo $er*A I said% AI "ill stay a d -eep yo) compa y till the time comes%A It "as the ot te o=cloc-% I ,)iries "hich I had made* at #ario)s times* of 0ettered$e a d &r% 0la-e* had led me to the co cl)sio that the dose of la)da )m $i#e 'y &r% Ca dy co)ld ot possi'ly ha#e 'ee admi istered 'efore ele#e % I had accordi $ly determi ed ot to try the seco d dose ) til that time% @e tal-ed a little9 ')t 'oth o)r mi ds "ere preocc)pied 'y the comi $ ordeal% The co #ersatio soo fla$$ed!the dropped alto$ether% &r% 0la-e idly t)r ed o#er the 'oo-s o his 'edroom ta'le% I had ta-e the preca)tio of loo-i $ at them* "he "e first e tered the room% THE /EAR6IA89 THE TAT?ER9 Richardso =s PA&E?A9 &ac-e <ie=s &A8 4F FEE?I8/9 Roscoe=s ?4RE8O4 6E &E6ICI9 a d Ro'ertso =s CHAR?E. THE FIFTH!all classical "or-s9 all :of co)rse; immeas)ra'ly s)perior to a ythi $ prod)ced i later times9 a d all :from my prese t poi t of #ie"; possessi $ the o e $reat merit of e chai i $ o'ody=s i terest* a d exciti $ o'ody=s 'rai % I left &r% 0la-e to the composi $ i fl)e ce of .ta dard ?iterat)re* a d occ)pied myself i ma-i $ this e try i my (o)r al% &y "atch i forms me that it is close o ele#e o=cloc-% I m)st sh)t )p these lea#es o ce more%

3>H

T"o o=cloc- A%&%!The experime t has 'ee tried% @ith "hat res)lt* I am o" to descri'e% At ele#e o=cloc-* I ra $ the 'ell for 0ettered$e* a d told &r% 0la-e that he mi$ht at last prepare himself for 'ed% I loo-ed o)t of the "i do" at the i$ht% It "as mild a d rai y* resem'li $* i this respect* the i$ht of the 'irthday!the t"e ty7first of +) e* last year% @itho)t professi $ to 'elie#e i ome s* it "as at least e co)ra$i $ to fi d o direct er#o)s i fl)e ces! o stormy or electric pert)r'atio s!i the atmosphere% 0ettered$e (oi ed me at the "i do"* a d mysterio)sly p)t a little slip of paper i to my ha d% It co tai ed these li esF A&rs% &erride" has $o e to 'ed* o the disti ct ) dersta di $ that the explosio is to ta-e place at i e to7morro" mor i $* a d that I am ot to stir o)t of this part of the ho)se ) til she comes a d sets me free% .he has o idea that the chief sce e of the experime t is my sitti $7room!or she "o)ld ha#e remai ed i it for the "hole i$htD I am alo e* a d #ery a xio)s% Pray let me see yo) meas)re o)t the la)da )m9 I "a t to ha#e somethi $ to do "ith it* e#e i the ) importa t character of a mere loo-er7o %! R%V%A I follo"ed 0ettered$e o)t of the room* a d told him to remo#e the medici e7chest i to &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room% The order appeared to ta-e him completely 'y s)rprise% He loo-ed as if he s)spected me of some occ)lt medical desi$ o &iss Veri derD A&i$ht I pres)me to as-*A he said* A"hat my yo) $ lady a d the medici e7chest ha#e $ot to do "ith each otherBA A.tay i the sitti $7room* a d yo) "ill see%A 0ettered$e appeared to do)'t his o" ) aided capacity to s)peri te d me effect)ally* o a occasio "he a medici e7chest "as i cl)ded i the proceedi $s% AIs there a y o'(ectio * sirA he as-ed* Ato ta-i $ &r% 0r)ff i to this part of the ')si essBA AI)ite the co traryD I am o" $oi $ to as- &r% 0r)ff to accompa y me do" 7stairs%A 0ettered$e "ithdre" to fetch the medici e7chest* "itho)t a other "ord% I "e t 'ac- i to &r% 0la-e=s room* a d - oc-ed at the door of comm) icatio % &r% 0r)ff ope ed it* "ith his papers i his ha d!immersed i ?a"9 impe etra'le to &edici e% AI am sorry to dist)r' yo)*A I said% A0)t I am $oi $ to prepare the la)da )m for &r% 0la-e9 a d I m)st re,)est yo) to 'e prese t* a d to see "hat I do%A A5esBA said &r% 0r)ff* "ith i e7te ths of his atte tio ri#eted o his papers* a d "ith o e7te th ) "illi $ly accorded to me% AA ythi $ elseBA

3>1

AI m)st tro)'le yo) to ret)r here "ith me* a d to see me admi ister the dose%A AA ythi $ elseBA A4 e thi $ more% I m)st p)t yo) to the i co #e ie ce of remai i $ i &r% 0la-e=s room* a d of "aiti $ to see "hat happe s%A A4h* #ery $oodDA said &r% 0r)ff% A&y room* or &r% 0la-e=s room!it does =t matter "hich9 I ca $o o "ith my papers a y"here% E less yo) o'(ect* &r% +e i $s* to my importi $ THAT amo) t of commo se se i to the proceedi $sBA 0efore I co)ld a s"er* &r% 0la-e addressed himself to the la"yer* spea-i $ from his 'ed% A6o yo) really mea to say that yo) do =t feel a y i terest i "hat "e are $oi $ to doBA he as-ed% A&r% 0r)ff* yo) ha#e o more ima$i atio tha a co"DA AA co" is a #ery )sef)l a imal* &r% 0la-e*A said the la"yer% @ith that reply he follo"ed me o)t of the room* still -eepi $ his papers i his ha d% @e fo) d &iss Veri der* pale a d a$itated* restlessly paci $ her sitti $7room from e d to e d% At a ta'le i a cor er stood 0ettered$e* o $)ard o#er the medici e7chest% &r% 0r)ff sat do" o the first chair that he co)ld fi d* a d :em)lati $ the )sef)l ess of the co"; pl) $ed 'ac- a$ai i to his papers o the spot% &iss Veri der dre" me aside* a d re#erted i sta tly to her o e all7a'sor'i $ i terest! her i terest i &r% 0la-e% AHo" is he o"BA she as-ed% AIs he er#o)sB is he o)t of temperB 6o yo) thi - it "ill s)cceedB Are yo) s)re it "ill do o harmBA AI)ite s)re% Come* a d see me meas)re it o)t%A A4 e mome tD It is past ele#e o"% Ho" lo $ "ill it 'e 'efore a ythi $ happe sBA

AIt is ot easy to say% A ho)r perhaps%A AI s)ppose the room m)st 'e dar-* as it "as last yearBA ACertai ly%A AI shall "ait i my 'edroom!()st as I did 'efore% I shall -eep the door a little "ay ope % It "as a little "ay ope last year% I "ill "atch the sitti $7room door9 a d the mome t it mo#es* I "ill 'lo" o)t my li$ht% It all happe ed i that "ay* o my 'irthday i$ht% A d it m)st all happe a$ai i the same "ay* m)s =t itBA AAre yo) s)re yo) ca co trol yo)rself* &iss Veri derBA

3>2

AI HI. i terests* I ca do a ythi $DA she a s"ered fer#e tly% 4 e loo- at her face told me that I co)ld tr)st her% I addressed myself a$ai to &r% 0r)ff% AI m)st tro)'le yo) to p)t yo)r papers aside for a mome t*A I said% A4h* certai lyDA He $ot )p "ith a start!as if I had dist)r'ed him at a partic)larly i teresti $ place!a d follo"ed me to the medici e7chest% There* depri#ed of the 'reathless exciteme t i cide tal to the practice of his professio * he loo-ed at 0ettered$e !a d ya" ed "earily% &iss Veri der (oi ed me "ith a $lass ()$ of cold "ater* "hich she had ta-e from a side7 ta'le% A?et me po)r o)t the "ater*A she "hispered% AI m)st ha#e a ha d i itDA I meas)red o)t the forty mi ims from the 'ottle* a d po)red the la)da )m i to a medici e $lass% AFill it till it is three parts f)ll*A I said* a d ha ded the $lass to &iss Veri der% I the directed 0ettered$e to loc- )p the medici e chest9 i formi $ him that I had do e "ith it o"% A loo- of ) )ttera'le relief o#erspread the old ser#a t=s co) te a ce% He had e#ide tly s)spected me of a medical desi$ o his yo) $ ladyD After addi $ the "ater as I had directed* &iss Veri der sei<ed a mome t!"hile 0ettered$e "as loc-i $ the chest* a d "hile &r% 0r)ff "as loo-i $ 'ac- to his papers! a d slyly -issed the rim of the medici e $lass% A@he yo) $i#e it to him*A said the charmi $ $irl* A$i#e it to him o that sideDA I too- the piece of crystal "hich "as to represe t the 6iamo d from my poc-et* a d $a#e it to her% A5o) m)st ha#e a ha d i this* too*A I said% A5o) m)st p)t it "here yo) p)t the &oo sto e last year%A .he led the "ay to the I dia ca'i et* a d p)t the moc- 6iamo d i to the dra"er "hich the real 6iamo d had occ)pied o the 'irthday i$ht% &r% 0r)ff "it essed this proceedi $* ) der protest* as he had "it essed e#erythi $ else% 0)t the stro $ dramatic i terest "hich the experime t "as o" ass)mi $* pro#ed :to my $reat am)seme t; to 'e too m)ch for 0ettered$e=s capacity of self restrai t% His ha d trem'led as he held the ca dle* a d he "hispered a xio)sly* AAre yo) s)re* miss* it=s the ri$ht dra"erBA I led the "ay o)t a$ai * "ith the la)da )m a d "ater i my ha d% At the door* I stopped to address a last "ord to &iss Veri der% A6o =t 'e lo $ i p)tti $ o)t the li$hts*A I said% AI "ill p)t them o)t at o ce*A she a s"ered% AA d I "ill "ait i my 'edroom* "ith o ly o e ca dle ali$ht%A

3>3

.he closed the sitti $7room door 'ehi d )s% Follo"ed 'y &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e* I "e t 'ac- to &r% 0la-e=s room% @e fo) d him mo#i $ restlessly from side to side of the 'ed* a d "o deri $ irrita'ly "hether he "as to ha#e the la)da )m that i$ht% I the prese ce of the t"o "it esses* I $a#e him the dose* a d shoo- )p his pillo"s* a d told him to lie do" a$ai ,)ietly a d "ait% His 'ed* pro#ided "ith li$ht chi t< c)rtai s* "as placed* "ith the head a$ai st the "all of the room* so as to lea#e a $ood ope space o either side of it% 4 o e side* I dre" the c)rtai s completely!a d i the part of the room th)s scree ed from his #ie"* I placed &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e* to "ait for the res)lt% At the 'ottom of the 'ed I half dre" the c)rtai s!a d placed my o" chair at a little dista ce* so that I mi$ht let him see me or ot see me* spea- to me or ot spea- to me* ()st as the circ)msta ces mi$ht direct% Ha#i $ already 'ee i formed that he al"ays slept "ith a li$ht i the room* I placed o e of the t"o li$hted ca dles o a little ta'le at the head of the 'ed* "here the $lare of the li$ht "o)ld ot stri-e o his eyes% The other ca dle I $a#e to &r% 0r)ff9 the li$ht* i this i sta ce* 'ei $ s)'d)ed 'y the scree of the chi t< c)rtai s% The "i do" "as ope at the top* so as to #e tilate the room% The rai fell softly* the ho)se "as ,)iet% It "as t"e ty mi )tes past ele#e * 'y my "atch* "he the preparatio s "ere completed* a d I too- my place o the chair set apart at the 'ottom of the 'ed% &r% 0r)ff res)med his papers* "ith e#ery appeara ce of 'ei $ as deeply i terested i them as e#er% 0)t loo-i $ to"ards him o"* I sa" certai si$ s a d to-e s "hich told me that the ?a" "as 'e$i i $ to lose its hold o him at last% The s)spe ded i terest of the sit)atio i "hich "e "ere o" placed "as slo"ly asserti $ its i fl)e ce e#e o HI. ) ima$i ati#e mi d% As for 0ettered$e* co siste cy of pri ciple a d di$ ity of co d)ct had 'ecome* i his case* mere empty "ords% He for$ot that I "as performi $ a co ()ri $ tric- o &r% Fra -li 0la-e9 he for$ot that I had )pset the ho)se from top to 'ottom9 he for$ot that I had ot read R40I8.48 CRE.4E si ce I "as a child% AFor the ?ord=s sa-e* sir*A he "hispered to me* Atell )s "he it "ill 'e$i to "or-%A A8ot 'efore mid i$ht*A I "hispered 'ac-% A.ay othi $* a d sit still%A 0ettered$e dropped to the lo"est depth of familiarity "ith me* "itho)t a str)$$le to sa#e himself% He a s"ered 'y a "i -D ?oo-i $ ext to"ards &r% 0la-e* I fo) d him as restless as e#er i his 'ed9 fretf)lly "o deri $ "hy the i fl)e ce of the la)da )m had ot 'e$) to assert itself yet% To tell him* i his prese t h)mo)r* that the more he fid$eted a d "o dered* the lo $er he "o)ld delay the res)lt for "hich "e "ere o" "aiti $* "o)ld ha#e 'ee simply )seless% The "iser co)rse to ta-e "as to dismiss the idea of the opi)m from his mi d* 'y leadi $ him i se si'ly to thi - of somethi $ else% @ith this #ie"* I e co)ra$ed him to tal- to me9 co tri#i $ so to direct the co #ersatio * o my side* as to lead it 'ac- a$ai to the s)'(ect "hich had e $a$ed )s earlier i the

3>1

e#e i $!the s)'(ect of the 6iamo d% I too- care to re#ert to those portio s of the story of the &oo sto e* "hich related to the tra sport of it from ?o do to 5or-shire9 to the ris- "hich &r% 0la-e had r) i remo#i $ it from the 'a - at Fri<i $hallF a d to the ) expected appeara ce of the I dia s at the ho)se* o the e#e i $ of the 'irthday% A d I p)rposely ass)med* i referri $ to these e#e ts* to ha#e mis) derstood m)ch of "hat &r% 0la-e himself had told me a fe" ho)rs si ce% I this "ay* I set him tal-i $ o the s)'(ect "ith "hich it "as o" #itally importa t to fill his mi d!"itho)t allo"i $ him to s)spect that I "as ma-i $ him tal- for a p)rpose% ?ittle 'y little* he 'ecame so i terested i p)tti $ me ri$ht that he for$ot to fid$et i the 'ed% His mi d "as far a"ay from the ,)estio of the opi)m* at the all7importa t time "he his eyes first told me that the opi)m "as 'e$i i $ to lay its hold o his 'rai % I loo-ed at my "atch% It "a ted fi#e mi )tes to t"el#e* "he the premo itory symptoms of the "or-i $ of the la)da )m first sho"ed themsel#es to me% At this time* o ) practised eyes "o)ld ha#e detected a y cha $e i him% 0)t* as the mi )tes of the e" mor i $ "ore a"ay* the s"iftly7s)'tle pro$ress of the i fl)e ce 'e$a to sho" itself more plai ly% The s)'lime i toxicatio of opi)m $leamed i his eyes9 the de" of a stealthy perspiratio 'e$a to $liste o his face% I fi#e mi )tes more* the tal- "hich he still -ept )p "ith me* failed i cohere ce% He held steadily to the s)'(ect of the 6iamo d9 ')t he ceased to complete his se te ces% A little later* the se te ces dropped to si $le "ords% The * there "as a i ter#al of sile ce% The * he sat )p i 'ed% The * still ')sy "ith the s)'(ect of the 6iamo d* he 'e$a to tal- a$ai ! ot to me* ')t to himself% That cha $e told me that the first sta$e i the experime t "as reached% The stim)la t i fl)e ce of the opi)m had $ot him% The time* o"* "as t"e ty7three mi )tes past t"el#e% The ext half ho)r* at most* "o)ld decide the ,)estio of "hether he "o)ld* or "o)ld ot* $et )p from his 'ed* a d lea#e the room% I the 'reathless i terest of "atchi $ him!i the ) )ttera'le tri)mph of seei $ the first res)lt of the experime t declare itself i the ma er* a d early at the time* "hich I had a ticipated!I had )tterly for$otte the t"o compa io s of my i$ht #i$il% ?oo-i $ to"ards them o"* I sa" the ?a" :as represe ted 'y &r% 0r)ff=s papers; lyi $ ) heeded o the floor% &r% 0r)ff himself "as loo-i $ ea$erly thro)$h a cre#ice left i the imperfectly7dra" c)rtai s of the 'ed% A d 0ettered$e* o'li#io)s of all respect for social disti ctio s* "as peepi $ o#er &r% 0r)ff=s sho)lder% They 'oth started 'ac-* o fi di $ that I "as loo-i $ at them* li-e t"o 'oys ca)$ht o)t 'y their schoolmaster i a fa)lt% I si$ ed to them to ta-e off their 'oots ,)ietly* as I "as ta-i $ off mi e% If &r% 0la-e $a#e )s the cha ce of follo"i $ him* it "as #itally ecessary to follo" him "itho)t oise% Te mi )tes passed!a d othi $ happe ed% The * he s)dde ly thre" the 'ed7clothes off him% He p)t o e le$ o)t of 'ed% He "aited%

3>>

AI "ish I had e#er ta-e it o)t of the 'a -*A he said to himself% AIt "as safe i the 'a -%A &y heart thro''ed fast9 the p)lses at my temples 'eat f)rio)sly% The do)'t a'o)t the safety of the 6iamo d "as* o ce more* the domi a t impressio i his 'rai D 4 that o e pi#ot* the "hole s)ccess of the experime t t)r ed% The prospect th)s s)dde ly ope ed 'efore me "as too m)ch for my shattered er#es% I "as o'li$ed to loo- a"ay from him! or I sho)ld ha#e lost my self7co trol% There "as a other i ter#al of sile ce% @he I co)ld tr)st myself to loo- 'ac- at him he "as o)t of his 'ed* sta di $ erect at the side of it% The p)pils of his eyes "ere o" co tracted9 his eye'alls $leamed i the li$ht of the ca dle as he mo#ed his head slo"ly to a d fro% He "as thi -i $9 he "as do)'ti $! he spo-e a$ai % AHo" do I - o"BA he said% AThe I dia s may 'e hidde i the ho)se%A He stopped* a d "al-ed slo"ly to the other e d of the room% He t)r ed!"aited!came 'ac- to the 'ed% AIt=s ot e#e loc-ed )p*A he "e t o % AIt=s i the dra"er of her ca'i et% A d the dra"er does =t loc-%A He sat do" o the side of the 'ed% AA y'ody mi$ht ta-e it*A he said% He rose a$ai restlessly* a d reiterated his first "ords% AHo" do I - o"B The I dia s may 'e hidde i the ho)se%A He "aited a$ai % I dre" 'ac- 'ehi d the half c)rtai of the 'ed% He loo-ed a'o)t the room* "ith a #aca t $litter i his eyes% It "as a 'reathless mome t% There "as a pa)se of some sort% A pa)se i the actio of the opi)mB a pa)se i the actio of the 'rai B @ho co)ld tellB E#erythi $ depe ded* o"* o "hat he did ext% He laid himself do" a$ai o the 'edD A horri'le do)'t crossed my mi d% @as it possi'le that the sedati#e actio of the opi)m "as ma-i $ itself felt alreadyB It "as ot i my experie ce that it sho)ld do this% 0)t "hat is experie ce* "here opi)m is co cer edB There are pro'a'ly o t"o me i existe ce o "hom the dr)$ acts i exactly the same ma er% @as some co stit)tio al pec)liarity i him* feeli $ the i fl)e ce i some e" "ayB @ere "e to fail o the #ery 'ri - of s)ccessB 8oD He $ot )p a$ai a'r)ptly% AHo" the de#il am I to sleep*A he said* A"ith THI. o my mi dBA

3>C

He loo-ed at the li$ht* ')r i $ o the ta'le at the head of his 'ed% After a mome t* he too- the ca dle i his ha d% I 'le" o)t the seco d ca dle* ')r i $ 'ehi d the closed c)rtai s% I dre" 'ac-* "ith &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e* i to the farthest cor er 'y the 'ed% I si$ ed to them to 'e sile t* as if their li#es had depe ded o it% @e "aited!seei $ a d heari $ othi $% @e "aited* hidde from him 'y the c)rtai s% The li$ht "hich he "as holdi $ o the other side of )s mo#ed s)dde ly% The ext mome t he passed )s* s"ift a d oiseless* "ith the ca dle i his ha d% He ope ed the 'edroom door* a d "e t o)t% @e follo"ed him alo $ the corridor% @e follo"ed him do" the stairs% @e follo"ed him alo $ the seco d corridor% He e#er loo-ed 'ac-9 he e#er hesitated% He ope ed the sitti $7room door* a d "e t i * lea#i $ it ope 'ehi d him% The door "as h) $ :li-e all the other doors i the ho)se; o lar$e old7fashio ed hi $es% @he it "as ope ed* a cre#ice "as ope ed 'et"ee the door a d the post% I si$ ed to my t"o compa io s to loo- thro)$h this* so as to -eep them from sho"i $ themsel#es% I placed myself!o)tside the door also!o the opposite side% A recess i the "all "as at my left ha d* i "hich I co)ld i sta tly hide myself* if he sho"ed a y si$ s of loo-i $ 'ac- i to the corridor% He ad#a ced to the middle of the room* "ith the ca dle still i his ha dF he loo-ed a'o)t him!')t he e#er loo-ed 'ac-% I sa" the door of &iss Veri der=s 'edroom* sta di $ a(ar% .he had p)t o)t her li$ht% .he co trolled herself o'ly% The dim "hite o)tli e of her s)mmer dress "as all that I co)ld see% 8o'ody "ho had ot - o" it 'eforeha d "o)ld ha#e s)spected that there "as a li#i $ creat)re i the room% .he -ept 'ac-* i the dar-F ot a "ord* ot a mo#eme t escaped her% It "as o" te mi )tes past o e% I heard* thro)$h the dead sile ce* the soft drip of the rai a d the trem)lo)s passa$e of the i$ht air thro)$h the trees% After "aiti $ irresol)te* for a mi )te or more* i the middle of the room* he mo#ed to the cor er ear the "i do"* "here the I dia ca'i et stood% He p)t his ca dle o the top of the ca'i et% He ope ed* a d sh)t* o e dra"er after a other* ) til he came to the dra"er i "hich the moc- 6iamo d "as p)t% He loo-ed i to the dra"er for a mome t% The he too- the moc- 6iamo d o)t "ith his ri$ht ha d% @ith the other ha d* he too- the ca dle from the top of the ca'i et%

3>2

He "al-ed 'ac- a fe" steps to"ards the middle of the room* a d stood still a$ai % Th)s far* he had exactly repeated "hat he had do e o the 'irthday i$ht% @o)ld his ext proceedi $ 'e the same as the proceedi $ of last yearB @o)ld he lea#e the roomB @o)ld he $o 'ac- o"* as I 'elie#ed he had $o e 'ac- the * to his 'ed7cham'erB @o)ld he sho" )s "hat he had do e "ith the 6iamo d* "he he had ret)r ed to his o" roomB His first actio * "he he mo#ed o ce more* pro#ed to 'e a actio "hich he had ot performed* "he he "as ) der the i fl)e ce of the opi)m for the first time% He p)t the ca dle do" o a ta'le* a d "a dered o a little to"ards the farther e d of the room% There "as a sofa there% He lea ed hea#ily o the 'ac- of it* "ith his left ha d!the ro)sed himself* a d ret)r ed to the middle of the room% I co)ld o" see his eyes% They "ere $etti $ d)ll a d hea#y9 the $litter i them "as fast dyi $ o)t% The s)spe se of the mome t pro#ed too m)ch for &iss Veri der=s self7co trol% .he ad#a ced a fe" steps!the stopped a$ai % &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e loo-ed across the ope door"ay at me for the first time% The pre#isio of a comi $ disappoi tme t "as impressi $ itself o their mi ds as "ell as o mi e% .till* so lo $ as he stood "here he "as* there "as hope% @e "aited* i ) )ttera'le expectatio * to see "hat "o)ld happe ext% The ext e#e t "as decisi#e% He let the moc- 6iamo d drop o)t of his ha d% It fell o the floor* 'efore the door"ay!plai ly #isi'le to him* a d to e#eryo e% He made o effort to pic- it )pF he loo-ed do" at it #aca tly* a d* as he loo-ed* his head sa - o his 'reast% He sta$$ered!ro)sed himself for a i sta t!"al-ed 'ac- ) steadily to the sofa!a d sat do" o it% He made a last effort9 he tried to rise* a d sa - 'ac-% His head fell o the sofa c)shio s% It "as the t"e ty7fi#e mi )tes past o e o=cloc-% 0efore I had p)t my "atch 'ac- i my poc-et* he "as asleep% It "as all o#er o"% The sedati#e i fl)e ce had $ot him9 the experime t "as at a e d% I e tered the room* telli $ &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e that they mi$ht follo" me% There "as o fear of dist)r'i $ him% @e "ere free to mo#e a d spea-% AThe first thi $ to settle*A I said* Ais the ,)estio of "hat "e are to do "ith him% He "ill pro'a'ly sleep for the ext six or se#e ho)rs* at least% It is some dista ce to carry him 'ac- to his o" room% @he I "as yo) $er* I co)ld ha#e do e it alo e% 0)t my health a d stre $th are ot "hat they "ere!I am afraid I m)st as- yo) to help me%A 0efore they co)ld a s"er* &iss Veri der called to me softly% .he met me at the door of her room* "ith a li$ht sha"l* a d "ith the co) terpa e from her o" 'ed% A6o yo) mea to "atch him "hile he sleepsBA she as-ed%

3>G

A5es* I am ot s)re e o)$h of the actio of the opi)m i his case to 'e "illi $ to lea#e him alo e%A .he ha ded me the sha"l a d the co) terpa e% A@hy sho)ld yo) dist)r' himBA she "hispered% A&a-e his 'ed o the sofa% I ca sh)t my door* a d -eep i my room%A It "as i fi itely the simplest a d the safest "ay of disposi $ of him for the i$ht% I me tio ed the s)$$estio to &r% 0r)ff a d 0ettered$e!"ho 'oth appro#ed of my adopti $ it% I fi#e mi )tes I had laid him comforta'ly o the sofa* a d had co#ered him li$htly "ith the co) terpa e a d the sha"l% &iss Veri der "ished )s $ood i$ht* a d closed the door% At my re,)est* "e three the dre" ro) d the ta'le i the middle of the room* o "hich the ca dle "as still ')r i $* a d o "hich "riti $ materials "ere placed% A0efore "e separate*A I 'e$a * AI ha#e a "ord to say a'o)t the experime t "hich has 'ee tried to7 i$ht% T"o disti ct o'(ects "ere to 'e $ai ed 'y it% The first of these o'(ects "as to pro#e* that &r% 0la-e e tered this room* a d too- the 6iamo d* last year* acti $ ) co scio)sly a d irrespo si'ly* ) der the i fl)e ce of opi)m% After "hat yo) ha#e 'oth see * are yo) 'oth satisfied* so farBA They a s"ered me i the affirmati#e* "itho)t a mome t=s hesitatio % AThe seco d o'(ect*A I "e t o * A"as to disco#er "hat he did "ith the 6iamo d* after he "as see 'y &iss Veri der to lea#e her sitti $7room "ith the (e"el i his ha d* o the 'irthday i$ht% The $ai i $ of this o'(ect depe ded* of co)rse* o his still co ti )i $ exactly to repeat his proceedi $s of last year% He has failed to do that9 a d the p)rpose of the experime t is defeated accordi $ly% I ca =t assert that I am ot disappoi ted at the res)lt!')t I ca ho estly say that I am ot s)rprised 'y it% I told &r% 0la-e from the first* that o)r complete s)ccess i this matter depe ded o o)r completely reprod)ci $ i him the physical a d moral co ditio s of last year!a d I "ar ed him that this "as the ext thi $ to a do" ri$ht impossi'ility% @e ha#e o ly partially reprod)ced the co ditio s* a d the experime t has 'ee o ly partially s)ccessf)l i co se,)e ce% It is also possi'le that I may ha#e admi istered too lar$e a dose of la)da )m% 0)t I myself loo- )po the first reaso that I ha#e $i#e * as the tr)e reaso "hy "e ha#e to lame t a fail)re* as "ell as to re(oice o#er a s)ccess%A After sayi $ those "ords* I p)t the "riti $ materials 'efore &r% 0r)ff* a d as-ed him if he had a y o'(ectio !'efore "e separated for the i$ht!to dra" o)t* a d si$ * a plai stateme t of "hat he had see % He at o ce too- the pe * a d prod)ced the stateme t "ith the fl)e t readi ess of a practised ha d% AI o"e yo) this*A he said* si$ i $ the paper* Aas some ato eme t for "hat passed 'et"ee )s earlier i the e#e i $% I 'e$ yo)r pardo * &r% +e i $s* for ha#i $ do)'ted yo)% 5o) ha#e do e Fra -li 0la-e a i estima'le ser#ice% I o)r le$al phrase* yo) ha#e pro#ed yo)r case%A

3>3

0ettered$e=s apolo$y "as characteristic of the ma % A&r% +e i $s*A he said* A"he yo) read R40I8.48 CRE.4E a$ai :"hich I stro $ly recomme d yo) to do;* yo) "ill fi d that he e#er scr)ples to ac- o"led$e it* "he he t)r s o)t to ha#e 'ee i the "ro $% Please to co sider me* sir* as doi $ "hat Ro'i so Cr)soe did* o the prese t occasio %A @ith those "ords he si$ ed the paper i his t)r % &r% 0r)ff too- me aside* as "e rose from the ta'le% A4 e "ord a'o)t the 6iamo d*A he said% A5o)r theory is that Fra -li 0la-e hid the &oo sto e i his room% &y theory is* that the &oo sto e is i the possessio of &r% ?)-er=s 'a -ers i ?o do % @e "o =t disp)te "hich of )s is ri$ht% @e "ill o ly as-* "hich of )s is i a positio to p)t his theory to the testBA AThe test* i my case*A I a s"ered* Ahas 'ee tried to7 i$ht* a d has failed%A AThe test* i my case*A re(oi ed &r% 0r)ff* Ais still i process of trial% For the last t"o days I ha#e had a "atch set for &r% ?)-er at the 'a -9 a d I shall ca)se that "atch to 'e co ti )ed ) til the last day of the mo th% I - o" that he m)st ta-e the 6iamo d himself o)t of his 'a -ers= ha ds!a d I am acti $ o the cha ce that the perso "ho has pled$ed the 6iamo d may force him to do this 'y redeemi $ the pled$e% I that case I may 'e a'le to lay my ha d o the perso % If I s)cceed* I clear )p the mystery* exactly at the poi t "here the mystery 'affles )s o"D 6o yo) admit that* so farBA I admitted it readily% AI am $oi $ 'ac- to to" 'y the mor i $ trai *A p)rs)ed the la"yer% AI may hear* "he I ret)r * that a disco#ery has 'ee made!a d it may 'e of the $reatest importa ce that I sho)ld ha#e Fra -li 0la-e at ha d to appeal to* if ecessary% I i te d to tell him* as soo as he "a-es* that he m)st ret)r "ith me to ?o do % After all that has happe ed* may I tr)st to yo)r i fl)e ce to 'ac- meBA ACertai lyDA I said% &r% 0r)ff shoo- ha ds "ith me* a d left the room% 0ettered$e follo"ed him o)t9 I "e t to the sofa to loo- at &r% 0la-e% He had ot mo#ed si ce I had laid him do" a d made his 'ed!he lay loc-ed i a deep a d ,)iet sleep% @hile I "as still loo-i $ at him* I heard the 'edroom door softly ope ed% 4 ce more* &iss Veri der appeared o the threshold* i her pretty s)mmer dress% A6o me a last fa#o)rBA she "hispered% A?et me "atch him "ith yo)%A I hesitated! ot i the i terests of propriety9 o ly i the i terest of her i$ht=s rest% .he came close to me* a d too- my ha d%

3CH

AI ca =t sleep9 I ca =t e#e sit still* i my o" room*A she said% A4h* &r% +e i $s* if yo) "ere me* o ly thi - ho" yo) "o)ld lo $ to sit a d loo- at him% .ay* yesD 6oDA Is it ecessary to me tio that I $a#e "ayB .)rely otD .he dre" a chair to the foot of the sofa% .he loo-ed at him i a sile t ecstasy of happi ess* till the tears rose i her eyes% .he dried her eyes* a d said she "o)ld fetch her "or-% .he fetched her "or-* a d e#er did a si $le stitch of it% It lay i her lap!she "as ot e#e a'le to loo- a"ay from him lo $ e o)$h to thread her eedle% I tho)$ht of my o" yo)th9 I tho)$ht of the $e tle eyes "hich had o ce loo-ed lo#e at me% I the hea#i ess of my heart I t)r ed to my +o)r al for relief* a d "rote i it "hat is "ritte here% .o "e -ept o)r "atch to$ether i sile ce% 4 e of )s a'sor'ed i his "riti $9 the other a'sor'ed i her lo#e% Ho)r after ho)r he lay i his deep sleep% The li$ht of the e" day $re" a d $re" i the room* a d still he e#er mo#ed% To"ards six o=cloc-* I felt the "ar i $ "hich told me that my pai s "ere comi $ 'ac-% I "as o'li$ed to lea#e her alo e "ith him for a little "hile% I said I "o)ld $o )p7stairs* a d fetch a other pillo" for him o)t of his room% It "as ot a lo $ attac-* this time% I a little "hile I "as a'le to #e t)re 'ac-* a d let her see me a$ai % I fo) d her at the head of the sofa* "he I ret)r ed% .he "as ()st to)chi $ his forehead "ith her lips% I shoo- my head as so'erly as I co)ld* a d poi ted to her chair% .he loo-ed 'ac- at me "ith a 'ri$ht smile* a d a charmi $ colo)r i her face% A5o) "o)ld ha#e do e it*A she "hispered* Ai my placeDA

It is ()st ei$ht o=cloc-% He is 'e$i i $ to mo#e for the first time% &iss Veri der is - eeli $ 'y the side of the sofa% .he has so placed herself that "he his eyes first ope * they m)st ope o her face% .hall I lea#e them to$etherB 5esD

Ele#e o=cloc-%!The ho)se is empty a$ai % They ha#e arra $ed it amo $ themsel#es9 they ha#e all $o e to ?o do 'y the te o=cloc- trai % &y 'rief dream of happi ess is o#er% I ha#e a"a-e ed a$ai to the realities of my frie dless a d lo ely life% I dare ot tr)st myself to "rite do" * the -i d "ords that ha#e 'ee said to me especially 'y &iss Veri der a d &r% 0la-e% 0esides* it is eedless% Those "ords "ill come 'ac- to

3C1

me i my solitary ho)rs* a d "ill help me thro)$h "hat is left of the e d of my life% &r% 0la-e is to "rite* a d tell me "hat happe s i ?o do % &iss Veri der is to ret)r to 5or-shire i the a)t)m :for her marria$e* o do)'t;9 a d I am to ta-e a holiday* a d 'e a $)est i the ho)se% 4h me* ho" I felt* as the $ratef)l happi ess loo-ed at me o)t of her eyes* a d the "arm press)re of her ha d said* AThis is yo)r doi $DA &y poor patie ts are "aiti $ for me% 0ac- a$ai * this mor i $* to the old ro)ti eD 0aca$ai * to7 i$ht* to the dreadf)l alter ati#e 'et"ee the opi)m a d the pai D /od 'e praised for His mercyD I ha#e see a little s) shi e!I ha#e had a happy time%

I TH NARRATI!E
T2e Sto,y Res-me. by RAN/LIN 4LA/E

CHAPTER I
0)t fe" "ords are eeded* o my part* to complete the arrati#e that has 'ee prese ted i the +o)r al of E<ra +e i $s% 4f myself* I ha#e o ly to say that I a"o-e o the mor i $ of the t"e ty7sixth* perfectly i$ ora t of all that I had said a d do e ) der the i fl)e ce of the opi)m!from the time "he the dr)$ first laid its hold o me* to the time "he I ope ed my eyes* i Rachel=s sitti $7room% 4f "hat happe ed after my "a-i $* I do ot feel called )po to re der a acco) t i detail% Co fi i $ myself merely to res)lts* I ha#e to report that Rachel a d I thoro)$hly ) derstood each other* 'efore a si $le "ord of expla atio had passed o either side% I decli e to acco) t* a d Rachel decli es to acco) t* for the extraordi ary rapidity of o)r reco ciliatio % .ir a d &adam* loo- 'ac- at the time "he yo) "ere passio ately attached to each other!a d yo) "ill - o" "hat happe ed* after E<ra +e i $s had sh)t the door of the sitti $7room* as "ell as I - o" it myself% I ha#e* ho"e#er* o o'(ectio to add* that "e sho)ld ha#e 'ee certai ly disco#ered 'y &rs% &erride"* ')t for Rachel=s prese ce of mi d% .he heard the so) d of the old lady=s dress i the corridor* a d i sta tly ra o)t to meet her9 I heard &rs% &erride" say* A@hat is the matterBA a d I heard Rachel a s"er* AThe explosio DA &rs% &erride" i sta tly

3C2

permitted herself to 'e ta-e 'y the arm* a d led i to the $arde * o)t of the "ay of the impe di $ shoc-% 4 her ret)r to the ho)se* she met me i the hall* a d expressed herself as $reatly str)c- 'y the #ast impro#eme t i .cie ce* si ce the time "he she "as a $irl at school% AExplosio s* &r% 0la-e* are i fi itely milder tha they "ere% I ass)re yo)* I 'arely heard &r% +e i $s=s explosio from the $arde % A d o smell after"ards* that I ca detect* o" "e ha#e come 'ac- to the ho)seD I m)st really apolo$ise to yo)r medical frie d% It is o ly d)e to him to say that he has ma a$ed it 'ea)tif)llyDA .o* after #a ,)ishi $ 0ettered$e a d &r% 0r)ff* E<ra +e i $s #a ,)ished &rs% &erride" herself% There is a $reat deal of ) de#eloped li'eral feeli $ i the "orld* after allD At 'rea-fast* &r% 0r)ff made o secret of his reaso s for "ishi $ that I sho)ld accompa y him to ?o do 'y the mor i $ trai % The "atch -ept at the 'a -* a d the res)lt "hich mi$ht yet come of it* appealed so irresisti'ly to Rachel=s c)riosity* that she at o ce decided :if &rs% &erride" had o o'(ectio ; o accompa yi $ )s 'ac- to to" !so as to 'e "ithi reach of the earliest e"s of o)r proceedi $s% &rs% &erride" pro#ed to 'e all plia'ility a d i d)l$e ce* after the tr)ly co siderate ma er i "hich the explosio had co d)cted itself9 a d 0ettered$e "as accordi $ly i formed that "e "ere all fo)r to tra#el 'ac- to$ether 'y the mor i $ trai % I f)lly expected that he "o)ld ha#e as-ed lea#e to accompa y )s% 0)t Rachel had "isely pro#ided her faithf)l old ser#a t "ith a occ)patio that i terested him% He "as char$ed "ith completi $ the ref)r ishi $ of the ho)se* a d "as too f)ll of his domestic respo si'ilities to feel the Adetecti#e7fe#erA as he mi$ht ha#e felt it ) der other circ)msta ces% 4)r o e s)'(ect of re$ret* i $oi $ to ?o do * "as the ecessity of parti $* more a'r)ptly tha "e co)ld ha#e "ished* "ith E<ra +e i $s% It "as impossi'le to pers)ade him to accompa y )s% I co)ld o ly promise to "rite to him!a d Rachel co)ld o ly i sist o his comi $ to see her "he she ret)r ed to 5or-shire% There "as e#ery prospect of o)r meeti $ a$ai i a fe" mo ths!a d yet there "as somethi $ #ery sad i seei $ o)r 'est a d dearest frie d left sta di $ alo e o the platform* as the trai mo#ed o)t of the statio % 4 o)r arri#al i ?o do * &r% 0r)ff "as accosted at the termi )s 'y a small 'oy* dressed i a (ac-et a d tro)sers of thread'are 'lac- cloth* a d perso ally remar-a'le i #irt)e of the extraordi ary promi e ce of his eyes% They pro(ected so far* a d they rolled a'o)t so loosely* that yo) "o dered ) easily "hy they remai ed i their soc-ets% After liste i $ to the 'oy* &r% 0r)ff as-ed the ladies "hether they "o)ld exc)se o)r accompa yi $ them 'ac- to Portla d Place% I had 'arely time to promise Rachel that I "o)ld ret)r * a d tell her e#erythi $ that had happe ed* 'efore &r% 0r)ff sei<ed me 'y the arm* a d h)rried me i to a ca'% The 'oy "ith the ill7sec)red eyes too- his place o the 'ox 'y the dri#er* a d the dri#er "as directed to $o to ?om'ard .treet% A8e"s from the 'a -BA I as-ed* as "e started%

3C3

A8e"s of &r% ?)-er*A said &r% 0r)ff% AA ho)r a$o* he "as see to lea#e his ho)se at ?am'eth* i a ca'* accompa ied 'y t"o me * "ho "ere reco$ ised 'y my me as police officers i plai clothes% If &r% ?)-er=s dread of the I dia s is at the 'ottom of this preca)tio * the i fere ce is plai e o)$h% He is $oi $ to ta-e the 6iamo d o)t of the 'a -%A AA d "e are $oi $ to the 'a - to see "hat comes of itBA A5es!or to hear "hat has come of it* if it is all o#er 'y this time% 6id yo) otice my 'oy !o the 'ox* thereBA AI oticed his eyes%A &r% 0r)ff la)$hed% AThey call the poor little "retch =/oose'erry= at the office*A he said% AI employ him to $o o erra ds!a d I o ly "ish my cler-s "ho ha#e ic-7 amed him "ere as thoro)$hly to 'e depe ded o as he is% /oose'erry is o e of the sharpest 'oys i ?o do * &r% 0la-e* i spite of his eyes%A It "as t"e ty mi )tes to fi#e "he "e dre" )p 'efore the 'a - i ?om'ard .treet% /oose'erry loo-ed lo $i $ly at his master* as he ope ed the ca' door% A6o yo) "a t to come i tooBA as-ed &r% 0r)ff -i dly% ACome i the * a d -eep at my heels till f)rther orders% He=s as ,)ic- as li$ht i $*A p)rs)ed &r% 0r)ff* addressi $ me i a "hisper% AT"o "ords "ill do "ith /oose'erry* "here t"e ty "o)ld 'e "a ted "ith a other 'oy%A @e e tered the 'a -% The o)ter office!"ith the lo $ co) ter* 'ehi d "hich the cashiers sat!"as cro"ded "ith people9 all "aiti $ their t)r to ta-e mo ey o)t* or to pay mo ey i * 'efore the 'a - closed at fi#e o=cloc-% T"o me amo $ the cro"d approached &r% 0r)ff* as soo as he sho"ed himself% A@ell*A as-ed the la"yer% AHa#e yo) see himBA AHe passed )s here half a ho)r si ce* sir* a d "e t o i to the i er office%A AHas he ot come o)t a$ai yetBA A8o* sir%A &r% 0r)ff t)r ed to me% A?et )s "ait*A he said% I loo-ed ro) d amo $ the people a'o)t me for the three I dia s% 8ot a si$ of them "as to 'e see a y"here% The o ly perso prese t "ith a oticea'ly dar- complexio "as a tall ma i a pilot coat* a d a ro) d hat* "ho loo-ed li-e a sailor% Co)ld this 'e o e of them i dis$)iseB Impossi'leD The ma "as taller tha a y of the I dia s9 a d his face*

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"here it "as ot hidde 'y a ')shy 'lac- 'eard* "as t"ice the 'readth of a y of their faces at least% AThey m)st ha#e their spy some"here*A said &r% 0r)ff* loo-i $ at the dar- sailor i his t)r % AA d he may 'e the ma %A 0efore he co)ld say more* his coat7tail "as respectf)lly p)lled 'y his atte da t sprite "ith the $oose'erry eyes% &r% 0r)ff loo-ed "here the 'oy "as loo-i $% AH)shDA he said% AHere is &r% ?)-erDA The mo ey7le der came o)t from the i er re$io s of the 'a -* follo"ed 'y his t"o $)ardia policeme i plai clothes% AJeep yo)r eye o him*A "hispered &r% 0r)ff% AIf he passes the 6iamo d to a y'ody* he "ill pass it here%A @itho)t otici $ either of )s* &r% ?)-er slo"ly made his "ay to the door! o" i the thic-est* o" i the thi est part of the cro"d% I disti ctly sa" his ha d mo#e* as he passed a short* sto)t ma * respecta'ly dressed i a s)it of so'er $rey% The ma started a little* a d loo-ed after him% &r% ?)-er mo#ed o slo"ly thro)$h the cro"d% At the door his $)ard placed themsel#es o either side of him% They "ere all three follo"ed 'y o e of &r% 0r)ff=s me !a d I sa" them o more% I loo-ed ro) d at the la"yer* a d the loo-ed si$ ifica tly to"ards the ma i the s)it of so'er $rey% A5esDA "hispered &r% 0r)ff* AI sa" it tooDA He t)r ed a'o)t* i search of his seco d ma % The seco d ma "as o"here to 'e see % He loo-ed 'ehi d him for his atte da t sprite% /oose'erry had disappeared% A@hat the de#il does it mea BA said &r% 0r)ff a $rily% AThey ha#e 'oth left )s at the #ery time "he "e "a t them most%A It came to the t)r of the ma i the $rey s)it to tra sact his ')si ess at the co) ter% He paid i a che,)e!recei#ed a receipt for it!a d t)r ed to $o o)t% A@hat is to 'e do eBA as-ed &r% 0r)ff% A@e ca =t de$rade o)rsel#es 'y follo"i $ him%A AI ca DA I said% AI "o)ld =t lose si$ht of that ma for te tho)sa d po) dsDA AI that case*A re(oi ed &r% 0r)ff* AI "o)ld =t lose si$ht of yo)* for t"ice the mo ey% A ice occ)patio for a ma i my positio *A he m)ttered to himself* as "e follo"ed the stra $er o)t of the 'a -% AFor Hea#e =s sa-e do =t me tio it% I sho)ld 'e r)i ed if it "as - o" %A The ma i the $rey s)it $ot i to a om i')s* $oi $ "est"ard% @e $ot i after him% There "ere late t reser#es of yo)th still left i &r% 0r)ff% I assert it positi#ely!"he he toohis seat i the om i')s* he 'l)shedD

3C>

The ma i the $rey s)it stopped the om i')s* a d $ot o)t i 4xford .treet% @e follo"ed him a$ai % He "e t i to a chemist=s shop% &r% 0r)ff started% A&y chemistDA he exclaimed% AI am afraid "e ha#e made a mista-e%A @e e tered the shop% &r% 0r)ff a d the proprietor excha $ed a fe" "ords i pri#ate% The la"yer (oi ed me a$ai * "ith a #ery crestfalle face% AIt=s $reatly to o)r credit*A he said* as he too- my arm* a d led me o)t!Athat=s o e comfortDA A@hat is to o)r creditBA I as-ed% A&r% 0la-eD yo) a d I are the t"o "orst amate)r detecti#es that e#er tried their ha ds at the trade% The ma i the $rey s)it has 'ee thirty years i the chemist=s ser#ice% He "as se t to the 'a - to pay mo ey to his master=s acco) t!a d he - o"s o more of the &oo sto e tha the 'a'e ) 'or %A I as-ed "hat "as to 'e do e ext% ACome 'ac- to my office*A said &r% 0r)ff% A/oose'erry* a d my seco d ma * ha#e e#ide tly follo"ed some'ody else% ?et )s hope that THE5 had their eyes a'o)t them at a y rateDA @he "e reached /ray=s I .,)are* the seco d ma had arri#ed there 'efore )s% He had 'ee "aiti $ for more tha a ,)arter of a ho)r% A@ellDA as-ed &r% 0r)ff% A@hat=s yo)r e"sBA AI am sorry to say* sir*A replied the ma * Athat I ha#e made a mista-e% I co)ld ha#e ta-e my oath that I sa" &r% ?)-er pass somethi $ to a elderly $e tlema * i a li$ht7colo)red paletot% The elderly $e tlema t)r s o)t* sir* to 'e a most respecta'le master iro 7mo $er i Eastcheap%A A@here is /oose'erryBA as-ed &r% 0r)ff resi$ edly% The ma stared% AI do =t - o"* sir% I ha#e see othi $ of him si ce I left the 'a -%A

&r% 0r)ff dismissed the ma % A4 e of t"o thi $s*A he said to me% AEither /oose'erry has r) a"ay* or he is h) ti $ o his o" acco) t% @hat do yo) say to di i $ here* o the cha ce that the 'oy may come 'ac- i a ho)r or t"oB I ha#e $ot some $ood "i e i the cellar* a d "e ca $et a chop from the coffee7ho)se%A @e di ed at &r% 0r)ff=s cham'ers% 0efore the cloth "as remo#ed* Aa perso A "as a o) ced as "a ti $ to spea- to the la"yer% @as the perso /oose'erryB 8oF o ly the ma "ho had 'ee employed to follo" &r% ?)-er "he he left the 'a -%

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The report* i this case* prese ted o feat)re of the sli$htest i terest% &r% ?)-er had $o e 'ac- to his o" ho)se* a d had there dismissed his $)ard% He had ot $o e o)t a$ai after"ards% To"ards d)s-* the sh)tters had 'ee p)t )p* a d the doors had 'ee 'olted% The street 'efore the ho)se* a d the alley 'ehi d the ho)se* had 'ee caref)lly "atched% 8o si$ s of the I dia s had 'ee #isi'le% 8o perso "hate#er had 'ee see loiteri $ a'o)t the premises% Ha#i $ stated these facts* the ma "aited to - o" "hether there "ere a y f)rther orders% &r% 0r)ff dismissed him for the i$ht% A6o yo) thi - &r% ?)-er has ta-e the &oo sto e home "ith himBA I as-ed% A8ot he*A said &r% 0r)ff% AHe "o)ld e#er ha#e dismissed his t"o policeme * if he had r) the ris- of -eepi $ the 6iamo d i his o" ho)se a$ai %A @e "aited a other half7ho)r for the 'oy* a d "aited i #ai % It "as the time for &r% 0r)ff to $o to Hampstead* a d for me to ret)r to Rachel i Portla d Place% I left my card* i char$e of the porter at the cham'ers* "ith a li e "ritte o it to say that I sho)ld 'e at my lod$i $s at half past te * that i$ht% The card "as to 'e $i#e to the 'oy* if the 'oy came 'ac-% .ome me ha#e a - ac- of -eepi $ appoi tme ts9 a d other me ha#e a - ac- of missi $ them% I am o e of the other me % Add to this* that I passed the e#e i $ at Portla d Place* o the same seat "ith Rachel* i a room forty feet lo $* "ith &rs% &erride" at the f)rther e d of it% 6oes a y'ody "o der that I $ot home at half past t"el#e i stead of half past te B Ho" thoro)$hly heartless that perso m)st 'eD A d ho" ear estly I hope I may e#er ma-e that perso =s ac,)ai ta ceD &y ser#a t ha ded me a morsel of paper "he he let me i % I read* i a eat le$al ha d"riti $* these "ords!AIf yo) please* sir* I am $etti $ sleepy% I "ill come 'ac- to7morro" mor i $* 'et"ee i e a d te %A I ,)iry pro#ed that a 'oy* "ith #ery extraordi ary7loo-i $ eyes* had called* a d prese ted my card a d messa$e* had "aited a ho)r* had do e othi $ ')t fall asleep a d "a-e )p a$ai * had "ritte a li e for me* a d had $o e home!after $ra#ely i formi $ the ser#a t that Ahe "as fit for othi $ ) less he $ot his i$ht=s rest%A At i e* the ext mor i $* I "as ready for my #isitor% At half past i e* I heard steps o)tside my door% ACome i * /oose'erryDA I called o)t% ATha - yo)* sir*A a s"ered a $ra#e a d mela choly #oice% The door ope ed% I started to my feet* a d co fro ted! .er$ea t C)ff% AI tho)$ht I "o)ld loo- i here* &r% 0la-e* o the cha ce of yo)r 'ei $ i to" * 'efore I "rote to 5or-shire*A said the .er$ea t% He "as as dreary a d as lea as e#er% His eyes had ot lost their old tric- :so s)'tly oticed i 0ettered$e=s 8ARRATIVE; of Aloo-i $ as if they expected somethi $ more from yo) tha yo) "ere a"are of yo)rself%A 0)t* so far as dress ca alter a ma * the $reat

3C2

C)ff "as cha $ed 'eyo d all reco$ itio % He "ore a 'road7'rimmed "hite hat* a li$ht shooti $ (ac-et* "hite tro)sers* a d dra' $aiters% He carried a sto)t oa- stic-% His "hole aim a d o'(ect seemed to 'e to loo- as if he had li#ed i the co) try all his life% @he I complime ted him o his &etamorphosis* he decli ed to ta-e it as a (o-e% He complai ed* ,)ite $ra#ely* of the oises a d the smells of ?o do % I declare I am far from s)re that he did ot spea- "ith a sli$htly r)stic acce tD I offered him 'rea-fast% The i oce t co) tryma "as ,)ite shoc-ed% HI. 'rea-fast ho)r "as half7past six!a d HE "e t to 'ed "ith the coc-s a d he sD AI o ly $ot 'ac- from Irela d last i$ht*A said the .er$ea t* comi $ ro) d to the practical o'(ect of his #isit* i his o" impe etra'le ma er% A0efore I "e t to 'ed* I read yo)r letter* telli $ me "hat has happe ed si ce my i ,)iry after the 6iamo d "as s)spe ded last year% There=s o ly o e thi $ to 'e said a'o)t the matter o my side% I completely mistoo- my case% Ho" a y ma li#i $ "as to ha#e see thi $s i their tr)e li$ht* i s)ch a sit)atio as mi e "as at the time* I do =t profess to - o"% 0)t that does =t alter the facts as they sta d% I o" that I made a mess of it% 8ot the first mess* &r% 0la-e* "hich has disti $)ished my professio al careerD It=s o ly i 'oo-s that the officers of the detecti#e force are s)perior to the "ea- ess of ma-i $ a mista-e%A A5o) ha#e come i the ic- of time to reco#er yo)r rep)tatio *A I said% AI 'e$ yo)r pardo * &r% 0la-e*A re(oi ed the .er$ea t% A8o" I ha#e retired from ')si ess* I do =t care a stra" a'o)t my rep)tatio % I ha#e do e "ith my rep)tatio * tha /odD I am here* sir* i $ratef)l remem'ra ce of the late ?ady Veri der=s li'erality to me% I "ill $o 'ac- to my old "or-!if yo) "a t me* a d if yo) "ill tr)st me!o that co sideratio * a d o o other% 8ot a farthi $ of mo ey is to pass* if yo) please* from yo) to me% This is o ho o)r% 8o" tell me* &r% 0la-e* ho" the case sta ds si ce yo) "rote to me last%A I told him of the experime t "ith the opi)m* a d of "hat had occ)rred after"ards at the 'a - i ?om'ard .treet% He "as $reatly str)c- 'y the experime t!it "as somethi $ e tirely e" i his experie ce% A d he "as partic)larly i terested i the theory of E<ra +e i $s* relati $ to "hat I had do e "ith the 6iamo d* after I had left Rachel=s sitti $7 room* o the 'irthday i$ht% AI do =t hold "ith &r% +e i $s that yo) hid the &oo sto e*A said .er$ea t C)ff% A0)t I a$ree "ith him* that yo) m)st certai ly ha#e ta-e it 'ac- to yo)r o" room%A A@ellBA I as-ed% AA d "hat happe ed the BA AHa#e yo) o s)spicio yo)rself of "hat happe ed* sirBA A8o e "hate#er%A AHas &r% 0r)ff o s)spicio BA

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A8o more tha I ha#e%A .er$ea t C)ff rose* a d "e t to my "riti $7ta'le% He came 'ac- "ith a sealed e #elope% It "as mar-ed APri#ate9A it "as addressed to me9 a d it had the .er$ea t=s si$ at)re i the cor er% AI s)spected the "ro $ perso * last year*A he saidF Aa d I may 'e s)specti $ the "ro $ perso o"% @ait to ope the e #elope* &r% 0la-e* till yo) ha#e $ot at the tr)th% A d the compare the ame of the $)ilty perso * "ith the ame that I ha#e "ritte i that sealed letter%A I p)t the letter i to my poc-et!a d the as-ed for the .er$ea t=s opi io of the meas)res "hich "e had ta-e at the 'a -% AVery "ell i te ded* sir*A he a s"ered* Aa d ,)ite the ri$ht thi $ to do% 0)t there "as a other perso "ho o)$ht to ha#e 'ee loo-ed after 'esides &r% ?)-er%A AThe perso amed i the letter yo) ha#e ()st $i#e to meBA

A5es* &r% 0la-e* the perso amed i the letter% It ca =t 'e helped o"% I shall ha#e somethi $ to propose to yo) a d &r% 0r)ff* sir* "he the time comes% ?et=s "ait* first* a d see if the 'oy has a ythi $ to tell )s that is "orth heari $%A It "as close o te o=cloc-* a d the 'oy had ot made his appeara ce% .er$ea t C)ff tal-ed of other matters% He as-ed after his old frie d 0ettered$e* a d his old e emy the $arde er% I a mi )te more* he "o)ld o do)'t ha#e $ot from this* to the s)'(ect of his fa#o)rite roses* if my ser#a t had ot i terr)pted )s 'y a o) ci $ that the 'oy "as 'elo"% 4 'ei $ 'ro)$ht i to the room* /oose'erry stopped at the threshold of the door* a d loo-ed distr)stf)lly at the stra $er "ho "as i my compa y% I told the 'oy to come to me% A5o) may spea- 'efore this $e tlema *A I said% AHe is here to assist me9 a d he - o"s all that has happe ed% .er$ea t C)ff*A I added* Athis is the 'oy from &r% 0r)ff=s office%A I o)r moder system of ci#ilisatio * cele'rity : o matter of "hat -i d; is the le#er that "ill mo#e a ythi $% The fame of the $reat C)ff had e#e reached the ears of the small /oose'erry% The 'oy=s ill7fixed eyes rolled* "he I me tio ed the ill)strio)s ame* till I tho)$ht they really m)st ha#e dropped o the carpet% ACome here* my lad*A said the .er$ea t* Aa d let=s hear "hat yo) ha#e $ot to tell )s%A The otice of the $reat ma !the hero of ma y a famo)s story i e#ery la"yer=s office i ?o do !appeared to fasci ate the 'oy% He placed himself i fro t of .er$ea t C)ff* a d

3C3

p)t his ha ds 'ehi d him* after the appro#ed fashio of a eophyte "ho is exami ed i his catechism% A@hat is yo)r ameBA said the .er$ea t* 'e$i i $ "ith the first ,)estio i the catechism% A4cta#i)s /)y*A a s"ered the 'oy% AThey call me /oose'erry at the office 'eca)se of my eyes%A A4cta#i)s /)y* other"ise /oose'erry*A p)rs)ed the .er$ea t* "ith the )tmost $ra#ity* Ayo) "ere missed at the 'a - yesterday% @hat "ere yo) a'o)tBA AIf yo) please* sir* I "as follo"i $ a ma %A A@ho "as heBA AA tall ma * sir* "ith a 'i$ 'lac- 'eard* dressed li-e a sailor%A AI remem'er the ma DA I 'ro-e i % A&r% 0r)ff a d I tho)$ht he "as a spy employed 'y the I dia s%A .er$ea t C)ff did ot appear to 'e m)ch impressed 'y "hat &r% 0r)ff a d I had tho)$ht% He "e t o catechisi $ /oose'erry% A@ellBA he said!Aa d "hy did yo) follo" the sailorBA AIf yo) please* sir* &r% 0r)ff "a ted to - o" "hether &r% ?)-er passed a ythi $ to a y'ody o his "ay o)t of the 'a -% I sa" &r% ?)-er pass somethi $ to the sailor "ith the 'lac- 'eard%A A@hy did =t yo) tell &r% 0r)ff "hat yo) sa"BA AI had =t time to tell a y'ody* sir* the sailor "e t o)t i s)ch a h)rry%A AA d yo) ra o)t after him!ehBA A5es* sir%A A/oose'erry*A said the .er$ea t* patti $ his head* Ayo) ha#e $ot somethi $ i that small s-)ll of yo)rs!a d it is =t cotto 7"ool% I am $reatly pleased "ith yo)* so far%A The 'oy 'l)shed "ith pleas)re% .er$ea t C)ff "e t o % A@ellB a d "hat did the sailor do* "he he $ot i to the streetBA AHe called a ca'* sir%A

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AA d "hat did yo) doBA AHeld o 'ehi d* a d r) after it%A 0efore the .er$ea t co)ld p)t his ext ,)estio * a other #isitor "as a o) ced!the head cler- from &r% 0r)ff=s office% Feeli $ the importa ce of ot i terr)pti $ .er$ea t C)ff=s exami atio of the 'oy* I recei#ed the cler- i a other room% He came "ith 'ad e"s of his employer% The a$itatio a d exciteme t of the last t"o days had pro#ed too m)ch for &r% 0r)ff% He had a"o-e that mor i $ "ith a attac- of $o)t9 he "as co fi ed to his room at Hampstead9 a d* i the prese t critical co ditio of o)r affairs* he "as #ery ) easy at 'ei $ compelled to lea#e me "itho)t the ad#ice a d assista ce of a experie ced perso % The chief cler- had recei#ed orders to hold himself at my disposal* a d "as "illi $ to do his 'est to replace &r% 0r)ff% I "rote at o ce to ,)iet the old $e tlema =s mi d* 'y telli $ him of .er$ea t C)ff=s #isitF addi $ that /oose'erry "as at that mome t ) der exami atio 9 a d promisi $ to i form &r% 0r)ff* either perso ally* or 'y letter* of "hate#er mi$ht occ)r later i the day% Ha#i $ despatched the cler- to Hampstead "ith my ote* I ret)r ed to the room "hich I had left* a d fo) d .er$ea t C)ff at the fireplace* i the act of ri $i $ the 'ell% AI 'e$ yo)r pardo * &r% 0la-e*A said the .er$ea t% AI "as ()st $oi $ to se d "ord 'y yo)r ser#a t that I "a ted to spea- to yo)% There is =t a do)'t o my mi d that this 'oy!this most meritorio)s 'oy*A added the .er$ea t* patti $ /oose'erry o the head* Ahas follo"ed the ri$ht ma % Precio)s time has 'ee lost* sir* thro)$h yo)r ) fort) ately ot 'ei $ at home at half past te last i$ht% The o ly thi $ to do* o"* is to se d for a ca' immediately%A I fi#e mi )tes more* .er$ea t C)ff a d I :"ith /oose'erry o the 'ox to $)ide the dri#er; "ere o o)r "ay east"ard* to"ards the City% A4 e of these days*A said the .er$ea t* poi ti $ thro)$h the fro t "i do" of the ca'* Athat 'oy "ill do $reat thi $s i my late professio % He is the 'ri$htest a d cle#erest little chap I ha#e met "ith* for ma y a lo $ year past% 5o) shall hear the s)'sta ce* &r% 0la-e* of "hat he told me "hile yo) "ere o)t of the room% 5o) "ere prese t* I thi -* "he he me tio ed that he held o 'ehi d the ca'* a d ra after itBA A5es%A A@ell* sir* the ca' "e t from ?om'ard .treet to the To"er @harf% The sailor "ith the 'lac- 'eard $ot o)t* a d spo-e to the ste"ard of the Rotterdam steam'oat* "hich "as to start ext mor i $% He as-ed if he co)ld 'e allo"ed to $o o 'oard at o ce* a d sleep i his 'erth o#er7 i$ht% The ste"ard said* 8o% The ca'i s* a d 'erths* a d 'eddi $ "ere all to ha#e a thoro)$h clea i $ that e#e i $* a d o passe $er co)ld 'e allo"ed to come o 'oard* 'efore the mor i $% The sailor t)r ed ro) d* a d left the "harf% @he he $ot i to

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the street a$ai * the 'oy oticed for the first time* a ma dressed li-e a respecta'le mecha ic* "al-i $ o the opposite side of the road* a d appare tly -eepi $ the sailor i #ie"% The sailor stopped at a eati $7ho)se i the ei$h'o)rhood* a d "e t i % The 'oy ! ot 'ei $ a'le to ma-e )p his mi d* at the mome t!h) $ a'o)t amo $ some other 'oys* stari $ at the $ood thi $s i the eati $7ho)se "i do"% He oticed the mecha ic "aiti $* as he himself "as "aiti $!')t still o the opposite side of the street% After a mi )te* a ca' came 'y slo"ly* a d stopped "here the mecha ic "as sta di $% The 'oy co)ld o ly see plai ly o e perso i the ca'* "ho lea ed for"ard at the "i do" to speato the mecha ic% He descri'ed that perso * &r% 0la-e* "itho)t a y prompti $ from me* as ha#i $ a dar- face* li-e the face of a I dia %A It "as plai * 'y this time* that &r% 0r)ff a d I had made a other mista-e% The sailor "ith the 'lac- 'eard "as clearly ot a spy i the ser#ice of the I dia co spiracy% @as he* 'y a y possi'ility* the ma "ho had $ot the 6iamo dB AAfter a little*A p)rs)ed the .er$ea t* Athe ca' mo#ed o slo"ly do" the street% The mecha ic crossed the road* a d "e t i to the eati $7ho)se% The 'oy "aited o)tside till he "as h) $ry a d tired!a d the "e t i to the eati $7ho)se* i his t)r % He had a shilli $ i his poc-et9 a d he di ed s)mpt)o)sly* he tells me* o a 'lac-7p)ddi $* a eel7pie* a d a 'ottle of $i $er7'eer% @hat ca a 'oy ot di$estB The s)'sta ce i ,)estio has e#er 'ee fo) d yet%A A@hat did he see i the eati $7ho)seBA I as-ed% A@ell* &r% 0la-e* he sa" the sailor readi $ the e"spaper at o e ta'le* a d the mecha ic readi $ the e"spaper at a other% It "as d)s- 'efore the sailor $ot )p* a d left the place% He loo-ed a'o)t him s)spicio)sly "he he $ot o)t i to the street% The 'oy!0EI8/ a 'oy!passed ) oticed% The mecha ic had ot come o)t yet% The sailor "al-ed o * loo-i $ a'o)t him* a d appare tly ot #ery certai of "here he "as $oi $ ext% The mecha ic appeared o ce more* o the opposite side of the road% The sailor "e t o * till he $ot to .hore ?a e* leadi $ i to ?o"er Thames .treet% There he stopped 'efore a p)'lic7 ho)se* ) der the si$ of =The @heel of Fort) e*= a d* after exami i $ the place o)tside* "e t i % /oose'erry "e t i too% There "ere a $reat ma y people* mostly of the dece t sort* at the 'ar% =The @heel of Fort) e= is a #ery respecta'le ho)se* &r% 0la-e9 famo)s for its porter a d por-7pies%A The .er$ea t=s di$ressio s irritated me% He sa" it9 a d co fi ed himself more strictly to /oose'erry=s e#ide ce "he he "e t o % AThe sailor*A he res)med* Aas-ed if he co)ld ha#e a 'ed% The la dlord said =8o9 they "ere f)ll%= The 'armaid corrected him* a d said =8)m'er Te "as empty%= A "aiter "as se t for to sho" the sailor to 8)m'er Te % +)st 'efore that* /oose'erry had oticed the mecha ic amo $ the people at the 'ar% 0efore the "aiter had a s"ered the call* the mecha ic had #a ished% The sailor "as ta-e off to his room% 8ot - o"i $ "hat to do ext* /oose'erry had the "isdom to "ait a d see if a ythi $ happe ed% .omethi $ did happe % The la dlord "as called for% A $ry #oices "ere heard )p7stairs% The mecha ic

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s)dde ly made his appeara ce a$ai * collared 'y the la dlord* a d exhi'iti $* to /oose'erry=s $reat s)rprise* all the si$ s a d to-e s of 'ei $ dr) -% The la dlord thr)st him o)t at the door* a d threate ed him "ith the police if he came 'ac-% From the altercatio 'et"ee them* "hile this "as $oi $ o * it appeared that the ma had 'ee disco#ered i 8)m'er Te * a d had declared "ith dr) -e o'sti acy that he had ta-e the room% /oose'erry "as so str)c- 'y this s)dde i toxicatio of a pre#io)sly so'er perso * that he co)ld =t resist r) i $ o)t after the mecha ic i to the street% As lo $ as he "as i si$ht of the p)'lic7ho)se* the ma reeled a'o)t i the most dis$racef)l ma er% The mome t he t)r ed the cor er of the street* he reco#ered his 'ala ce i sta tly* a d 'ecame as so'er a mem'er of society as yo) co)ld "ish to see% /oose'erry "e t 'ac- to =The @heel of Fort) e= i a #ery 'e"ildered state of mi d% He "aited a'o)t a$ai * o the cha ce of somethi $ happe i $% 8othi $ happe ed9 a d othi $ more "as to 'e heard* or see * of the sailor% /oose'erry decided o $oi $ 'ac- to the office% +)st as he came to this co cl)sio * "ho sho)ld appear* o the opposite side of the street as )s)al* ')t the mecha ic a$ai D He loo-ed )p at o e partic)lar "i do" at the top of the p)'lic7ho)se* "hich "as the o ly o e that had a li$ht i it% The li$ht seemed to relie#e his mi d% He left the place directly% The 'oy made his "ay 'ac- to /ray=s I !$ot yo)r card a d messa$e !called!a d failed to fi d yo)% There yo) ha#e the state of the case* &r% 0la-e* as it sta ds at the prese t time%A A@hat is yo)r o" opi io of the case* .er$ea tBA AI thi - it=s serio)s* sir% +)d$i $ 'y "hat the 'oy sa"* the I dia s are i it* to 'e$i "ith%A A5es% A d the sailor is e#ide tly the perso to "hom &r% ?)-er passed the 6iamo d% It seems odd that &r% 0r)ff* a d I* a d the ma i &r% 0r)ff=s employme t* sho)ld all ha#e 'ee mista-e a'o)t "ho the perso "as%A A8ot at all* &r% 0la-e% Co sideri $ the ris- that perso ra * it=s li-ely e o)$h that &r% ?)-er p)rposely misled yo)* 'y pre#io)s arra $eme t 'et"ee them%A A6o yo) ) dersta d the proceedi $s at the p)'lic7ho)seBA I as-ed% AThe ma dressed li-e a mecha ic "as acti $ of co)rse i the employme t of the I dia s% 0)t I am as m)ch p)<<led to acco) t for his s)dde ass)mptio of dr) -e ess as /oose'erry himself%A AI thi - I ca $i#e a $)ess at "hat it mea s* sir*A said the .er$ea t% AIf yo) "ill reflect* yo) "ill see that the ma m)st ha#e had some pretty strict i str)ctio s from the I dia s% They "ere far too oticea'le themsel#es to ris- 'ei $ see at the 'a -* or i the p)'lic7 ho)se!they "ere o'li$ed to tr)st e#erythi $ to their dep)ty% Very $ood% Their dep)ty hears a certai )m'er amed i the p)'lic7ho)se* as the )m'er of the room "hich the sailor is to ha#e for the i$ht!that 'ei $ also the room :) less o)r otio is all "ro $; "hich the 6iamo d is to ha#e for the i$ht* too% E der those circ)msta ces* the I dia s* yo) may rely o it* "o)ld i sist o ha#i $ a descriptio of the room!of its positio i the ho)se* of its capa'ility of 'ei $ approached from the o)tside* a d so o % @hat "as the ma to do* "ith s)ch orders as theseB +)st "hat he didD He ra )p7stairs to $et a looat the room* 'efore the sailor "as ta-e i to it% He "as fo) d there* ma-i $ his

323

o'ser#atio s!a d he shammed dr) -* as the easiest "ay of $etti $ o)t of the diffic)lty% That=s ho" I read the riddle% After he "as t)r ed o)t of the p)'lic7ho)se* he pro'a'ly "e t "ith his report to the place "here his employers "ere "aiti $ for him% A d his employers* o do)'t* se t him 'ac- to ma-e s)re that the sailor "as really settled at the p)'lic7ho)se till the ext mor i $% As for "hat happe ed at =The @heel of Fort) e*= after the 'oy left!"e o)$ht to ha#e disco#ered that last i$ht% It=s ele#e i the mor i $* o"% @e m)st hope for the 'est* a d fi d o)t "hat "e ca %A I a ,)arter of a ho)r more* the ca' stopped i .hore ?a e* a d /oose'erry ope ed the door for )s to $et o)t% AAll ri$htBA as-ed the .er$ea t% AAll ri$ht*A a s"ered the 'oy% The mome t "e e tered AThe @heel of Fort) eA it "as plai e#e to my i experie ced eyes that there "as somethi $ "ro $ i the ho)se% The o ly perso 'ehi d the co) ter at "hich the li,)ors "ere ser#ed* "as a 'e"ildered ser#a t $irl* perfectly i$ ora t of the ')si ess% 4 e or t"o c)stomers* "aiti $ for their mor i $ dri -* "ere tappi $ impatie tly o the co) ter "ith their mo ey% The 'ar7maid appeared from the i er re$io s of the parlo)r* excited a d preocc)pied% .he a s"ered .er$ea t C)ff=s i ,)iry for the la dlord* 'y telli $ him sharply that her master "as )p7 stairs* a d "as ot to 'e 'othered 'y a y'ody% ACome alo $ "ith me* sir*A said .er$ea t C)ff* coolly leadi $ the "ay )p7stairs* a d 'ec-o i $ to the 'oy to follo" him% The 'armaid called to her master* a d "ar ed him that stra $ers "ere i tr)di $ themsel#es i to the ho)se% 4 the first floor "e "ere e co) tered 'y the ?a dlord* h)rryi $ do" * i a hi$hly irritated state* to see "hat "as the matter% A@ho the de#il are yo)B a d "hat do yo) "a t hereBA he as-ed% AJeep yo)r temper*A said the .er$ea t* ,)ietly% AI=ll tell yo) "ho I am to 'e$i "ith% I am .er$ea t C)ff%A The ill)strio)s ame i sta tly prod)ced its effect% The a $ry la dlord thre" ope the door of a sitti $7room* a d as-ed the .er$ea t=s pardo % AI am a oyed a d o)t of sorts* sir!that=s the tr)th*A he said% A.omethi $ ) pleasa t has happe ed i the ho)se this mor i $% A ma i my "ay of ')si ess has a deal to )pset his temper* .er$ea t C)ff%A

321

A8ot a do)'t of it*A said the .er$ea t% AI=ll come at o ce* if yo) "ill allo" me* to "hat 'ri $s )s here% This $e tlema a d I "a t to tro)'le yo) "ith a fe" i ,)iries* o a matter of some i terest to 'oth of )s%A ARelati $ to "hat* sirBA as-ed the la dlord% ARelati $ to a dar- ma * dressed li-e a sailor* "ho slept here last i$ht%A A/ood /odD that=s the ma "ho is )psetti $ the "hole ho)se at this mome tDA exclaimed the la dlord% A6o yo)* or does this $e tlema - o" a ythi $ a'o)t himBA A@e ca =t 'e certai till "e see him*A a s"ered the .er$ea t% A.ee himBA echoed the la dlord% AThat=s the o e thi $ that o'ody has 'ee a'le to do si ce se#e o=cloc- this mor i $% That "as the time "he he left "ord* last i$ht* that he "as to 'e called% He @A. called!a d there "as o $etti $ a a s"er from him* a d o ope i $ his door to see "hat "as the matter% They tried a$ai at ei$ht* a d they tried a$ai at i e% 8o )seD There "as the door still loc-ed!a d ot a so) d to 'e heard i the roomD I ha#e 'ee o)t this mor i $!a d I o ly $ot 'ac- a ,)arter of a ho)r a$o% I ha#e hammered at the door myself!a d all to o p)rpose% The pot'oy has $o e to fetch a carpe ter% If yo) ca "ait a fe" mi )tes* $e tleme * "e "ill ha#e the door ope ed* a d see "hat it mea s%A A@as the ma dr) - last i$htBA as-ed .er$ea t C)ff% APerfectly so'er* sir!or I "o)ld e#er ha#e let him sleep i my ho)se%A A6id he pay for his 'ed 'eforeha dBA A8o%A ACo)ld he lea#e the room i a y "ay* "itho)t $oi $ o)t 'y the doorBA AThe room is a $arret*A said the la dlord% A0)t there=s a trap7door i the ceili $* leadi $ o)t o to the roof!a d a little lo"er do" the street* there=s a empty ho)se ) der repair% 6o yo) thi -* .er$ea t* the 'lac-$)ard has $ot off i that "ay* "itho)t payi $BA AA sailor*A said .er$ea t C)ff* Ami$ht ha#e do e it!early i the mor i $* 'efore the street "as astir% He "o)ld 'e )sed to clim'i $* a d his head "o)ld =t fail him o the roofs of the ho)ses%A As he spo-e* the arri#al of the carpe ter "as a o) ced% @e all "e t )p7stairs* at o ce* to the top story% I oticed that the .er$ea t "as ) )s)ally $ra#e* e#e for him% It also str)c- me as odd that he told the 'oy :after ha#i $ pre#io)sly e co)ra$ed him to follo" )s;* to "ait i the room 'elo" till "e came do" a$ai %

32>

The carpe ter=s hammer a d chisel disposed of the resista ce of the door i a fe" mi )tes% 0)t some article of f)r it)re had 'ee placed a$ai st it i side* as a 'arricade% 0y p)shi $ at the door* "e thr)st this o'stacle aside* a d so $ot admissio to the room% The la dlord e tered first9 the .er$ea t seco d9 a d I third% The other perso s prese t follo"ed )s% @e all loo-ed to"ards the 'ed* a d all started% The ma had ot left the room% He lay* dressed* o the 'ed!"ith a "hite pillo" o#er his face* "hich completely hid it from #ie"% A@hat does that mea BA said the la dlord* poi ti $ to the pillo"% .er$ea t C)ff led the "ay to the 'ed* "itho)t a s"eri $* a d remo#ed the pillo"% The ma =s s"arthy face "as placid a d still9 his 'lac- hair a d 'eard "ere sli$htly* #ery sli$htly* discomposed% His eyes stared "ide7ope * $lassy a d #aca t* at the ceili $% The filmy loo- a d the fixed expressio of them horrified me% I t)r ed a"ay* a d "e t to the ope "i do"% The rest of them remai ed* "here .er$ea t C)ff remai ed* at the 'ed% AHe=s i a fitDA I heard the la dlord say% AHe=s dead*A the .er$ea t a s"ered% A.e d for the earest doctor* a d se d for the police%A The "aiter "as despatched o 'oth erra ds% .ome stra $e fasci atio seemed to hold .er$ea t C)ff to the 'ed% .ome stra $e c)riosity seemed to -eep the rest of them "aiti $* to see "hat the .er$ea t "o)ld do ext% I t)r ed a$ai to the "i do"% The mome t after"ards* I felt a soft p)ll at my coat7tails* a d a small #oice "hispered* A?oo- here* sirDA /oose'erry had follo"ed )s i to the room% His loose eyes rolled fri$htf)lly! ot i terror* ')t i ex)ltatio % He had made a detecti#e7disco#ery o his o" acco) t% A?oohere* sir*A he repeated!a d led me to a ta'le i the cor er of the room% 4 the ta'le stood a little "oode 'ox* ope * a d empty% 4 o e side of the 'ox lay some (e"ellers= cotto % 4 the other side* "as a tor sheet of "hite paper* "ith a seal o it* partly destroyed* a d "ith a i scriptio i "riti $* "hich "as still perfectly le$i'le% The i scriptio "as i these "ordsF A6eposited "ith &essrs% 0)she* ?ysa)$ht* a d 0)she* 'y &r% .eptim)s ?)-er* of &iddlesex Place* ?am'eth* a small "oode 'ox* sealed )p i this e #elope* a d co tai i $ a #al)a'le of $reat price% The 'ox* "he claimed* to 'e o ly $i#e )p 'y &essrs% 0)she a d Co% o the perso al applicatio of &r% ?)-er%A

32C

Those li es remo#ed all f)rther do)'t* o o e poi t at least% The sailor had 'ee i possessio of the &oo sto e* "he he had left the 'a - o the pre#io)s day% I felt a other p)ll at my coat7tails% /oose'erry had ot do e "ith me yet% ARo''eryDA "hispered the 'oy* poi ti $* i hi$h deli$ht* to the empty 'ox% A5o) "ere told to "ait do" 7stairs*A I said% A/o a"ayDA AA d &)rderDA added /oose'erry* poi ti $* "ith a -ee er relish still* to the ma o the 'ed% There "as somethi $ so hideo)s i the 'oy=s e (oyme t of the horror of the sce e* that I too- him 'y the t"o sho)lders a d p)t him o)t of the room% At the mome t "he I crossed the threshold of the door* I heard .er$ea t C)ff=s #oice* as-i $ "here I "as% He met me* as I ret)r ed i to the room* a d forced me to $o 'ac"ith him to the 'edside% A&r% 0la-eDA he said% A?oo- at the ma =s face% It is a face dis$)ised!a d here=s a proof of itDA He traced "ith his fi $er a thi li e of li#id "hite* r) i $ 'ac-"ard from the dead ma =s forehead* 'et"ee the s"arthy complexio * a d the sli$htly7dist)r'ed 'lac- hair% A?et=s see "hat is ) der this*A said the .er$ea t* s)dde ly sei<i $ the 'lac- hair* "ith a firm $rip of his ha d% &y er#es "ere ot stro $ e o)$h to 'ear it% I t)r ed a"ay a$ai from the 'ed% The first si$ht that met my eyes* at the other e d of the room* "as the irrepressi'le /oose'erry* perched o a chair* a d loo-i $ "ith 'reathless i terest* o#er the heads of his elders* at the .er$ea t=s proceedi $s% AHe=s p)lli $ off his "i$DA "hispered /oose'erry* compassio ati $ my positio * as the o ly perso i the room "ho co)ld see othi $% There "as a pa)se!a d the a cry of asto ishme t amo $ the people ro) d the 'ed% AHe=s p)lled off his 'eardDA cried /oose'erry% There "as a other pa)se!.er$ea t C)ff as-ed for somethi $% The la dlord "e t to the "ash7ha d7sta d* a d ret)r ed to the 'ed "ith a 'asi of "ater a d a to"el% /oose'erry da ced "ith exciteme t o the chair% ACome )p here* alo $ "ith me* sirD He=s "ashi $ off his complexio o"DA

322

The .er$ea t s)dde ly ')rst his "ay thro)$h the people a'o)t him* a d came* "ith horror i his face* strai$ht to the place "here I "as sta di $% ACome 'ac- to the 'ed* sirDA he 'e$a % He loo-ed at me closer* a d chec-ed himself A8oDA he res)med% A4pe the sealed letter first!the letter I $a#e yo) this mor i $%A I ope ed the letter% ARead the ame* &r% 0la-e* that I ha#e "ritte i side%A I read the ame that he had "ritte % It "as /46FRE5 A0?E@HITE% A8o"*A said the .er$ea t* Acome "ith me* a d loo- at the ma o the 'ed%A I "e t "ith him* a d loo-ed at the ma o the 'ed% /46FRE5 A0?E@HITED

SI#TH NARRATI!E
Cont,ib-te. by SERGEANT CU

I
6or-i $* .)rrey* +)ly 3Hth* 1G13% To Fra -li 0la-e* Es,% .ir*!I 'e$ to apolo$ise for the delay that has occ)rred i the prod)ctio of the Report* "ith "hich I e $a$ed to f)r ish yo)% I ha#e "aited to ma-e it a complete Report9 a d I ha#e 'ee met* here a d there* 'y o'stacles "hich it "as o ly possi'le to remo#e 'y some little expe dit)re of patie ce a d time% The o'(ect "hich I proposed to myself has o"* I hope* 'ee attai ed% 5o) "ill fi d* i these pa$es* a s"ers to the $reater part!if ot all!of the ,)estio s* co cer i $ the late &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* "hich occ)rred to yo)r mi d "he I last had the ho o)r of seei $ yo)% I propose to tell yo)!i the first place!"hat is - o" of the ma er i "hich yo)r co)si met his death9 appe di $ to the stateme t s)ch i fere ces a d co cl)sio s as "e are ()stified :accordi $ to my opi io ; i dra"i $ from the facts%

32G

I shall the e dea#o)r!i the seco d place!to p)t yo) i possessio of s)ch disco#eries as I ha#e made* respecti $ the proceedi $s of &r% /odfrey A'le"hite* 'efore* d)ri $ a d after the time* "he yo) a d he met as $)ests at the late ?ady Veri der=s co) try7ho)se%

II
As to yo-, co-sin6s .eat25 t2en5 1i,st8
It appears to 'e esta'lished* 'eyo d a y reaso a'le do)'t* that he "as -illed :"hile he "as asleep* or immediately o his "a-i $; 'y 'ei $ smothered "ith a pillo" from his 'ed!that the perso s $)ilty of m)rderi $ him are the three I dia s!a d that the o'(ect co templated :a d achie#ed; 'y the crime* "as to o'tai possessio of the diamo d* called the &oo sto e% The facts from "hich this co cl)sio is dra" * are deri#ed partly from a exami atio of the room at the ta#er 9 a d partly from the e#ide ce o'tai ed at the Coro er=s I ,)est% 4 forci $ the door of the room* the deceased $e tlema "as disco#ered* dead* "ith the pillo" of the 'ed o#er his face% The medical ma "ho exami ed him* 'ei $ i formed of this circ)msta ce* co sidered the post7mortem appeara ces as 'ei $ perfectly compati'le "ith m)rder 'y smotheri $!that is to say* "ith m)rder committed 'y some perso * or perso s* pressi $ the pillo" o#er the ose a d mo)th of the deceased* ) til death res)lted from co $estio of the l) $s% 8ext* as to the moti#e for the crime% A small 'ox* "ith a sealed paper tor off from it :the paper co tai i $ a i scriptio ; "as fo) d ope * a d empty* o a ta'le i the room% &r% ?)-er has himself perso ally ide tified the 'ox* the seal* a d the i scriptio % He has declared that the 'ox did act)ally co tai the diamo d* called the &oo sto e9 a d he has admitted ha#i $ $i#e the 'ox :th)s sealed )p; to &r% /odfrey A'le"hite :the co cealed ) der a dis$)ise;* o the after oo of the t"e ty7sixth of +) e last% The fair i fere ce from all this is* that the steali $ of the &oo sto e "as the moti#e of the crime% 8ext* as to the ma er i "hich the crime "as committed% 4 exami atio of the room :"hich is o ly se#e feet hi$h;* a trap7door i the ceili $* leadi $ o)t o to the roof of the ho)se* "as disco#ered ope % The short ladder* )sed for o'tai i $ access to the trap7door :a d -ept ) der the 'ed;* "as fo) d placed at the ope i $* so as to e a'le a y perso or perso s* i the room* to lea#e it a$ai easily% I the trap7door itself "as fo) d a s,)are apert)re c)t i the "ood* appare tly "ith some 323

exceedi $ly sharp i str)me t* ()st 'ehi d the 'olt "hich faste ed the door o the i er side% I this "ay* a y perso from the o)tside co)ld ha#e dra" 'ac- the 'olt* a d ope ed the door* a d ha#e dropped :or ha#e 'ee oiselessly lo"ered 'y a accomplice; i to the room!its hei$ht* as already o'ser#ed* 'ei $ o ly se#e feet% That some perso * or perso s* m)st ha#e $ot admissio i this "ay* appears e#ide t from the fact of the apert)re 'ei $ there% As to the ma er i "hich he :or they; o'tai ed access to the roof of the ta#er * it is to 'e remar-ed that the third ho)se* lo"er do" i the street* "as empty* a d ) der repair!that a lo $ ladder "as left 'y the "or-me * leadi $ from the pa#eme t to the top of the ho)se!a d that* o ret)r i $ to their "or-* o the mor i $ of the 22th* the me fo) d the pla - "hich they had tied to the ladder* to pre#e t a yo e from )si $ it i their a'se ce* remo#ed* a d lyi $ o the $ro) d% As to the possi'ility of asce di $ 'y this ladder* passi $ o#er the roofs of the ho)ses* passi $ 'ac-* a d desce di $ a$ai * ) o'ser#ed!it is disco#ered* o the e#ide ce of the i$ht policema * that he o ly passes thro)$h .hore ?a e t"ice i a ho)r* "he o)t o his 'eat% The testimo y of the i ha'ita ts also declares* that .hore ?a e* after mid i$ht* is o e of the ,)ietest a d lo eliest streets i ?o do % Here a$ai * therefore* it seems fair to i fer that!"ith ordi ary ca)tio * a d prese ce of mi d!a y ma * or me * mi$ht ha#e asce ded 'y the ladder* a d mi$ht ha#e desce ded a$ai * ) o'ser#ed% 4 ce o the roof of the ta#er * it has 'ee pro#ed* 'y experime t* that a ma mi$ht c)t thro)$h the trap7door* "hile lyi $ do" o it* a d that i s)ch a positio * the parapet i fro t of the ho)se "o)ld co ceal him from the #ie" of a yo e passi $ i the street% ?astly* as to the perso * or perso s* 'y "hom the crime "as committed% It is - o" :1; that the I dia s had a i terest i possessi $ themsel#es of the 6iamo d% :2; It is at least pro'a'le that the ma loo-i $ li-e a I dia * "hom 4cta#i)s /)y sa" at the "i do" of the ca'* spea-i $ to the ma dressed li-e a mecha ic* "as o e of the three Hi doo co spirators% :3; It is certai that this same ma dressed li-e a mecha ic* "as see -eepi $ &r% /odfrey A'le"hite i #ie"* all thro)$h the e#e i $ of the 2Cth* a d "as fo) d i the 'edroom :'efore &r% A'le"hite "as sho" i to it; ) der circ)msta ces "hich lead to the s)spicio that he "as exami i $ the room% :1; A morsel of tor $old thread "as pic-ed )p i the 'edroom* "hich perso s expert i s)ch matters* declare to 'e of I dia ma )fact)re* a d to 'e a species of $old thread ot - o" i E $la d% :>; 4 the mor i $ of the 22th* three me * a s"eri $ to the descriptio of the three I dia s* "ere o'ser#ed i ?o"er Thames .treet* "ere traced to the To"er @harf* a d "ere see to lea#e ?o do 'y the steamer 'o) d for Rotterdam% There is here* moral* if ot le$al* e#ide ce* that the m)rder "as committed 'y the I dia s% @hether the ma perso ati $ a mecha ic "as* or "as ot* a accomplice i the crime* it is impossi'le to say% That he co)ld ha#e committed the m)rder alo e* seems 'eyo d the limits of pro'a'ility% Acti $ 'y himself* he co)ld hardly ha#e smothered &r% A'le"hite !"ho "as the taller a d stro $er ma of the t"o!"itho)t a str)$$le ta-i $ place* or a cry 'ei $ heard% A ser#a t $irl* sleepi $ i the ext room* heard othi $% The la dlord* sleepi $ i the room 'elo"* heard othi $% The "hole e#ide ce poi ts to the i fere ce

3GH

that more tha o e ma "as co cer ed i this crime!a d the circ)msta ces* I repeat* morally ()stify the co cl)sio that the I dia s committed it% I ha#e o ly to add* that the #erdict at the Coro er=s I ,)est "as @ilf)l &)rder a$ai st some perso * or perso s* ) - o" % &r% A'le"hite=s family ha#e offered a re"ard* a d o effort has 'ee left ) tried to disco#er the $)ilty perso s% The ma dressed li-e a mecha ic has el)ded all i ,)iries% The I dia s ha#e 'ee traced% As to the prospect of )ltimately capt)ri $ these last* I shall ha#e a "ord to say to yo) o that head* "he I reach the e d of the prese t Report% I the mea "hile* ha#i $ o" "ritte all that is eedf)l o the s)'(ect of &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s death* I may pass ext to the arrati#e of his proceedi $s 'efore* d)ri $* a d after the time* "he yo) a d he met at the late ?ady Veri der=s ho)se%

III
@ith re$ard to the s)'(ect o" i ha d* I may state* at the o)tset* that &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s life had t"o sides to it% The side t)r ed )p to the p)'lic #ie"* prese ted the spectacle of a $e tlema * possessed of co sidera'le rep)tatio as a spea-er at charita'le meeti $s* a d e do"ed "ith admi istrati#e a'ilities* "hich he placed at the disposal of #ario)s 0e e#ole t .ocieties* mostly of the female sort% The side -ept hidde from the $e eral otice* exhi'ited this same $e tlema i the totally differe t character of a ma of pleas)re* "ith a #illa i the s)')r's "hich "as ot ta-e i his o" ame* a d "ith a lady i the #illa* "ho "as ot ta-e i his o" ame* either% &y i #esti$atio s i the #illa ha#e sho" me se#eral fi e pict)res a d stat)es9 f)r it)re tastef)lly selected* a d admira'ly made9 a d a co ser#atory of the rarest flo"ers* the match of "hich it "o)ld ot 'e easy to fi d i all ?o do % &y i #esti$atio of the lady has res)lted i the disco#ery of (e"els "hich are "orthy to ta-e ra - "ith the flo"ers* a d of carria$es a d horses "hich ha#e :deser#edly; prod)ced a se satio i the Par-* amo $ perso s "ell ,)alified to ()d$e of the ')ild of the o e* a d the 'reed of the others% All this is* so far* commo e o)$h% The #illa a d the lady are s)ch familiar o'(ects i ?o do life* that I o)$ht to apolo$ise for i trod)ci $ them to otice% 0)t "hat is ot commo a d ot familiar :i my experie ce;* is that all these fi e thi $s "ere ot o ly ordered* ')t paid for% The pict)res* the stat)es* the flo"ers* the (e"els* the carria$es* a d the horses!i ,)iry pro#ed* to my i descri'a'le asto ishme t* that ot a sixpe ce of de't "as o"i $ o a y of them% As to the #illa* it had 'ee 'o)$ht* o)t a d o)t* a d settled o the lady%

3G1

I mi$ht ha#e tried to fi d the ri$ht readi $ of this riddle* a d tried i #ai !')t for &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s death* "hich ca)sed a i ,)iry to 'e made i to the state of his affairs% The i ,)iry elicited these factsF! That &r% /odfrey A'le"hite "as e tr)sted "ith the care of a s)m of t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds!as o e of t"o Tr)stees for a yo) $ $e tlema * "ho "as still a mi or i the year ei$htee h) dred a d forty7ei$ht% That the Tr)st "as to lapse* a d that the yo) $ $e tlema "as to recei#e the t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds o the day "he he came of a$e* i the mo th of Fe'r)ary* ei$htee h) dred a d fifty% That* pe di $ the arri#al of this period* a i come of six h) dred po) ds "as to 'e paid to him 'y his t"o Tr)stees* half7 yearly!at Christmas a d &ids)mmer 6ay% That this i come "as re$)larly paid 'y the acti#e Tr)stee* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% That the t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds :from "hich the i come "as s)pposed to 'e deri#ed; had e#ery farthi $ of it 'ee sold o)t of the F) ds* at differe t periods* e di $ "ith the e d of the year ei$htee h) dred a d forty7 se#e % That the po"er of attor ey* a)thorisi $ the 'a -ers to sell o)t the stoc-* a d the #ario)s "ritte orders telli $ them "hat amo) ts to sell o)t* "ere formally si$ ed 'y 'oth the Tr)stees% That the si$ at)re of the seco d Tr)stee :a retired army officer* li#i $ i the co) try; "as a si$ at)re for$ed* i e#ery case* 'y the acti#e Tr)stee!other"ise &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% I these facts lies the expla atio of &r% /odfrey=s ho o)ra'le co d)ct* i payi $ the de'ts i c)rred for the lady a d the #illa!a d :as yo) "ill prese tly see; of more 'esides% @e may o" ad#a ce to the date of &iss Veri der=s 'irthday :i the year ei$htee h) dred a d forty7ei$ht;!the t"e ty7first of +) e% 4 the day 'efore* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite arri#ed at his father=s ho)se* a d as-ed :as I - o" from &r% A'le"hite* se ior* himself; for a loa of three h) dred po) ds% &ar- the s)m9 a d remem'er at the same time* that the half7yearly payme t to the yo) $ $e tlema "as d)e o the t"e ty7fo)rth of the mo th% Also* that the "hole of the yo) $ $e tlema =s fort) e had 'ee spe t 'y his Tr)stee* 'y the e d of the year =forty7se#e % &r% A'le"hite* se ior* ref)sed to le d his so a farthi $% The ext day &r% /odfrey A'le"hite rode o#er* "ith yo)* to ?ady Veri der=s ho)se% A fe" ho)rs after"ards* &r% /odfrey :as yo) yo)rself ha#e told me; made a proposal of marria$e to &iss Veri der% Here* he sa" his "ay o do)'t!if accepted!to the e d of all his mo ey a xieties* prese t a d f)t)re% 0)t* as e#e ts act)ally t)r ed o)t* "hat happe edB &iss Veri der ref)sed him% 4 the i$ht of the 'irthday* therefore* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite=s pec) iary positio "as this% He had three h) dred po) ds to fi d o the t"e ty7fo)rth of the mo th* a d t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds to fi d i Fe'r)ary ei$htee h) dred a d fifty% Faili $ to raise these s)ms* at these times* he "as a r)i ed ma %

3G2

E der those circ)msta ces* "hat ta-es place extB 5o) exasperate &r% Ca dy* the doctor* o the sore s)'(ect of his professio 9 a d he plays yo) a practical (o-e* i ret)r * "ith a dose of la)da )m% He tr)sts the admi istratio of the dose* prepared i a little phial* to &r% /odfrey A'le"hite!"ho has himself co fessed the share he had i the matter* ) der circ)msta ces "hich shall prese tly 'e related to yo)% &r% /odfrey is all the readier to e ter i to the co spiracy* ha#i $ himself s)ffered from yo)r sharp to $)e i the co)rse of the e#e i $% He (oi s 0ettered$e i pers)adi $ yo) to dri - a little 'ra dy a d "ater 'efore yo) $o to 'ed% He pri#ately drops the dose of la)da )m i to yo)r cold $ro$% A d yo) dri - the mixt)re% ?et )s o" shift the sce e* if yo) please to &r% ?)-er=s ho)se at ?am'eth% A d allo" me to remar-* 'y "ay of preface* that &r% 0r)ff a d I* to$ether* ha#e fo) d a mea s of forci $ the mo ey7le der to ma-e a clea 'reast of it% @e ha#e caref)lly sifted the stateme t he has addressed to )s9 a d here it is at yo)r ser#ice%

I!
?ate o the e#e i $ of Friday* the t"e ty7third of +) e :=forty7ei$ht;* &r% ?)-er "as s)rprised 'y a #isit from &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% He "as more tha s)rprised* "he &r% /odfrey prod)ced the &oo sto e% 8o s)ch 6iamo d :accordi $ to &r% ?)-er=s experie ce; "as i the possessio of a y pri#ate perso i E)rope% &r% /odfrey A'le"hite had t"o modest proposals to ma-e* i relatio to this ma$ ifice t $em% First* @o)ld &r% ?)-er 'e so $ood as to ')y itB .eco dly* @o)ld &r% ?)-er :i defa)lt of seei $ his "ay to the p)rchase; ) derta-e to sell it o commissio * a d to pay a s)m do" * o the a ticipated res)ltB &r% ?)-er tested the 6iamo d* "ei$hed the 6iamo d a d estimated the #al)e of the 6iamo d* 'efore he a s"ered a "ord% HI. estimate :allo"i $ for the fla" i the sto e; "as thirty tho)sa d po) ds% Ha#i $ reached that res)lt* &r% ?)-er ope ed his lips* a d p)t a ,)estio F AHo" did yo) come 'y thisBA 4 ly six "ordsD 0)t "hat #ol)mes of mea i $ i themD &r% /odfrey A'le"hite 'e$a a story% &r% ?)-er ope ed his lips a$ai * a d o ly said three "ords* this time% AThat "o =t doDA &r% /odfrey A'le"hite 'e$a a other story% &r% ?)-er "asted o more "ords o him% He $ot )p* a d ra $ the 'ell for the ser#a t to sho" the $e tlema o)t%

3G3

Epo this comp)lsio * &r% /odfrey made a effort* a d came o)t "ith a e" a d ame ded #ersio of the affair* to the follo"i $ effect% After pri#ately slippi $ the la)da )m i to yo)r 'ra dy a d "ater* he "ished yo) $ood i$ht* a d "e t i to his o" room% It "as the ext room to yo)rs9 a d the t"o had a door of comm) icatio 'et"ee them% 4 e teri $ his o" room &r% /odfrey :as he s)pposed; closed his door% His mo ey tro)'les -ept him a"a-e% He sat* i his dressi $7 $o" a d slippers* for early a ho)r* thi -i $ o#er his positio % +)st as he "as prepari $ to $et i to 'ed* he heard yo)* tal-i $ to yo)rself* i yo)r o" room* a d $oi $ to the door of comm) icatio * fo) d that he had ot sh)t it as he s)pposed% He loo-ed i to yo)r room to see "hat "as the matter% He disco#ered yo) "ith the ca dle i yo)r ha d* ()st lea#i $ yo)r 'ed7cham'er% He heard yo) say to yo)rself* i a #oice ,)ite ) li-e yo)r o" #oice* AHo" do I - o"B The I dia s may 'e hidde i the ho)se%A Ep to that time* he had simply s)pposed himself :i $i#i $ yo) the la)da )m; to 'e helpi $ to ma-e yo) the #ictim of a harmless practical (o-e% It o" occ)rred to him* that the la)da )m had ta-e some effect o yo)* "hich had ot 'ee foresee 'y the doctor* a y more tha 'y himself% I the fear of a accide t happe i $ he follo"ed yo) softly to see "hat yo) "o)ld do% He follo"ed yo) to &iss Veri der=s sitti $7room* a d sa" yo) $o i % 5o) left the door ope % He loo-ed thro)$h the cre#ice th)s prod)ced* 'et"ee the door a d the post* 'efore he #e t)red i to the room himself% I that positio * he ot o ly detected yo) i ta-i $ the 6iamo d o)t of the dra"er!he also detected &iss Veri der* sile tly "atchi $ yo) from her 'edroom* thro)$h her ope door% His o" eyes satisfied him that .HE sa" yo) ta-e the 6iamo d* too% 0efore yo) left the sitti $7room a$ai * yo) hesitated a little% &r% /odfrey too- ad#a ta$e of this hesitatio to $et 'ac- a$ai to his 'edroom 'efore yo) came o)t* a d disco#ered him% He had 'arely $ot 'ac-* 'efore yo) $ot 'ac- too% 5o) sa" him :as he s)pposes; ()st as he "as passi $ thro)$h the door of comm) icatio % At a y rate* yo) called to him i a stra $e* dro"sy #oice% He came 'ac- to yo)% 5o) loo-ed at him i a d)ll sleepy "ay% 5o) p)t the 6iamo d i to his ha d% 5o) said to him* ATa-e it 'ac-* /odfrey* to yo)r father=s 'a -% It=s safe there! it=s ot safe here%A 5o) t)r ed a"ay ) steadily* a d p)t o yo)r dressi $7$o" % 5o) sat do" i the lar$e arm7chair i yo)r room% 5o) said* AI ca =t ta-e it 'ac- to the 'a -% &y head=s li-e lead!a d I ca =t feel my feet ) der me%A 5o)r head sa - o the 'ac- of the chair!yo) hea#ed a hea#y si$h!a d yo) fell asleep% &r% /odfrey A'le"hite "e t 'ac-* "ith the 6iamo d* i to his o" room% His stateme t is* that he came to o co cl)sio * at that time!except that he "o)ld "ait* a d see "hat happe ed i the mor i $%

3G1

@he the mor i $ came* yo)r la $)a$e a d co d)ct sho"ed that yo) "ere a'sol)tely i$ ora t of "hat yo) had said a d do e o#er i$ht% At the same time* &iss Veri der=s la $)a$e a d co d)ct sho"ed that she "as resol#ed to say othi $ :i mercy to yo); o her side% If &r% /odfrey A'le"hite chose to -eep the 6iamo d* he mi$ht do so "ith perfect imp) ity% The &oo sto e stood 'et"ee him a d r)i % He p)t the &oo sto e i to his poc-et%

!
This "as the story told 'y yo)r co)si :) der press)re of ecessity; to &r% ?)-er% &r% ?)-er 'elie#ed the story to 'e* as to all mai esse tials* tr)e!o this $ro) d* that &r% /odfrey A'le"hite "as too $reat a fool to ha#e i #e ted it% &r% 0r)ff a d I a$ree "ith &r% ?)-er* i co sideri $ this test of the tr)th of the story to 'e a perfectly relia'le o e% The ext ,)estio * "as the ,)estio of "hat &r% ?)-er "o)ld do i the matter of the &oo sto e% He proposed the follo"i $ terms* as the o ly terms o "hich he "o)ld co se t to mix himself )p "ith* "hat "as :e#e i HI. li e of ')si ess; a do)'tf)l a d da $ero)s tra sactio % &r% ?)-er "o)ld co se t to le d &r% /odfrey A'le"hite the s)m of t"o tho)sa d po) ds* o co ditio that the &oo sto e "as to 'e deposited "ith him as a pled$e% If* at the expiratio of o e year from that date* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite paid three tho)sa d po) ds to &r% ?)-er* he "as to recei#e 'ac- the 6iamo d* as a pled$e redeemed% If he failed to prod)ce the mo ey at the expiratio of the year* the pled$e :other"ise the &oo sto e; "as to 'e co sidered as forfeited to &r% ?)-er!"ho "o)ld* i this latter case* $e ero)sly ma-e &r% /odfrey a prese t of certai promissory otes of his :relati $ to former deali $s; "hich "ere the i the mo ey7le der=s possessio % It is eedless to say* that &r% /odfrey i di$ a tly ref)sed to liste to these mo stro)s terms% &r% ?)-er there)po * ha ded him 'ac- the 6iamo d* a d "ished him $ood i$ht% 5o)r co)si "e t to the door* a d came 'ac- a$ai % Ho" "as he to 'e s)re that the co #ersatio of that e#e i $ "o)ld 'e -ept strictly secret 'et"ee his frie d a d himselfB &r% ?)-er did =t profess to - o" ho"% If &r% /odfrey had accepted his terms* &r% /odfrey "o)ld ha#e made him a accomplice* a d mi$ht ha#e co) ted o his sile ce as o a certai ty% As thi $s "ere* &r% ?)-er m)st 'e $)ided 'y his o" i terests% If a"-"ard i ,)iries "ere made* ho" co)ld he 'e expected to compromise himself* for the sa-e of a ma "ho had decli ed to deal "ith himB

3G>

Recei#i $ this reply* &r% /odfrey A'le"hite did* "hat all a imals :h)ma a d other"ise; do* "he they fi d themsel#es ca)$ht i a trap% He loo-ed a'o)t him i a state of helpless despair% The day of the mo th* recorded o a eat little card i a 'ox o the mo ey7le der=s chim ey7piece* happe ed to attract his eye% It "as the t"e ty7third of +) e% 4 the t"e ty7fo)rth he had three h) dred po) ds to pay to the yo) $ $e tlema for "hom he "as tr)stee* a d o cha ce of raisi $ the mo ey* except the cha ce that &r% ?)-er had offered to him% 0)t for this misera'le o'stacle* he mi$ht ha#e ta-e the 6iamo d to Amsterdam* a d ha#e made a mar-eta'le commodity of it* 'y ha#i $ it c)t )p i to separate sto es% As matters stood* he had o choice ')t to accept &r% ?)-er=s terms% After all* he had a year at his disposal* i "hich to raise the three tho)sa d po) ds !a d a year is a lo $ time% &r% ?)-er dre" o)t the ecessary doc)me ts o the spot% @he they "ere si$ ed* he $a#e &r% /odfrey A'le"hite t"o che,)es% 4 e* dated +) e 23rd* for three h) dred po) ds% A other* dated a "ee- o * for the remai i $ 'ala ce se#e tee h) dred po) ds% Ho" the &oo sto e "as tr)sted to the -eepi $ of &r ?)-er=s 'a -ers* a d ho" the I dia s treated &r% ?)-er a d &r% /odfrey :after that had 'ee do e; yo) - o" already% The ext e#e t i yo)r co)si =s life refers a$ai to &iss Veri der% He proposed marria$e to her for the seco d time!a d :after ha#i $ 'ei $ accepted; he co se ted* at her re,)est* to co sider the marria$e as 'ro-e off% 4 e of his reaso s for ma-i $ this co cessio has 'ee pe etrated 'y &r% 0r)ff% &iss Veri der had o ly a life i terest i her mother=s property!a d there "as o raisi $ the t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds o THAT% 0)t yo) "ill say* he mi$ht ha#e sa#ed the three tho)sa d po) ds* to redeem the pled$ed 6iamo d* if he had married% He mi$ht ha#e do e so certai ly!s)pposi $ either his "ife* or her $)ardia s a d tr)stees* o'(ected to his a ticipati $ more tha half of the i come at his disposal* for some ) - o" p)rpose* i the first year of his marria$e% 0)t e#e if he $ot o#er this o'stacle* there "as a other "aiti $ for him i the 'ac-$ro) d% The lady at the Villa* had heard of his co templated marria$e% A s)per' "oma * &r% 0la-e* of the sort that are ot to 'e triffled "ith!the sort "ith the li$ht complexio a d the Roma ose% .he felt the )tmost co tempt for &r% /odfrey A'le"hite% It "o)ld 'e sile t co tempt* if he made a ha dsome pro#isio for her% 4ther"ise* it "o)ld 'e co tempt "ith a to $)e to it% &iss Veri der=s life i terest allo"ed him o more hope of raisi $ the Apro#isio A tha of raisi $ the t"e ty tho)sa d po) ds% He co)ld =t marry! he really co)ld =t marry* ) der all the circ)msta ces% Ho" he tried his l)c- a$ai "ith a other lady* a d ho" THAT marria$e also 'ro-e do" o the ,)estio of mo ey* yo) - o" already% 5o) also - o" of the le$acy of fi#e tho)sa d po) ds* left to him shortly after"ards* 'y o e of those ma y admirers amo $ the soft sex "hose $ood $races this fasci ati $ ma had co tri#ed to "i % That le$acy :as the e#e t has pro#ed; led him to his death% I ha#e ascertai ed that "he he "e t a'road* o $etti $ his fi#e tho)sa d po) ds* he "e t to Amsterdam% There he made all the ecessary arra $eme ts for ha#i $ the

3GC

6iamo d c)t i to separate sto es% He came 'ac- :i dis$)ise;* a d redeemed the &oo sto e* o the appoi ted day% A fe" days "ere allo"ed to elapse :as a preca)tio a$reed to 'y 'oth parties; 'efore the (e"el "as act)ally ta-e o)t of the 'a -% If he had $ot safe "ith it to Amsterdam* there "o)ld ha#e 'ee ()st time 'et"ee +)ly =forty7 i e* a d Fe'r)ary =fifty :"he the yo) $ $e tlema came of a$e; to c)t the 6iamo d* a d to ma-e a mar-eta'le commodity :polished or ) polished; of the separate sto es% +)d$e from this* "hat moti#es he had to r) the ris- "hich he act)ally ra % It "as A ec- or othi $A "ith him!if e#er it "as A ec- or othi $A "ith a ma yet% I ha#e o ly to remi d yo)* 'efore closi $ this Report* that there is a cha ce of layi $ ha ds o the I dia s* a d of reco#eri $ the &oo sto e yet% They are o" :there is e#ery reaso to 'elie#e; o their passa$e to 0om'ay* i a East I diama % The ship :'arri $ accide ts; "ill to)ch at o other port o her "ay o)t9 a d the a)thorities at 0om'ay :already comm) icated "ith 'y letter* o#erla d; "ill 'e prepared to 'oard the #essel* the mome t she e ters the har'o)r% I ha#e the ho o)r to remai * dear sir* yo)r o'edie t ser#a t* RICHAR6 CEFF :late ser$ea t i the 6etecti#e Force* .cotla d 5ard* ?o do ;%L
5 :6TE!<Where er the (e#ort touches on the e ents of the birthday, or of the three days that followed it, com#are with Betteredge@s :arrati e, cha#ters iii! to >iii!

SE!ENTH NARRATI!E
In a Lette, 1,om MR8 CAND"
Fri<i $hall* @ed esday* .eptem'er 2Cth* 1G13%!6ear &r% Fra -li 0la-e* yo) "ill a ticipate the sad e"s I ha#e to tell yo)* o fi di $ yo)r letter to E<ra +e i $s ret)r ed to yo)* ) ope ed* i this e clos)re% He died i my arms* at s) rise* o @ed esday last% I am ot to 'lame for ha#i $ failed to "ar yo) that his e d "as at ha d% He expressly for'ade me to "rite to yo)% AI am i de'ted to &r% Fra -li 0la-e*A he said* Afor ha#i $ see some happy days% 6o =t distress him* &r% Ca dy!do =t distress him%A His s)fferi $s* )p to the last six ho)rs of his life* "ere terri'le to see% I the i ter#als of remissio * "he his mi d "as clear* I e treated him to tell me of a y relati#es of his to "hom I mi$ht "rite% He as-ed to 'e for$i#e for ref)si $ a ythi $ to me% A d the he said! ot 'itterly!that he "o)ld die as he had li#ed* for$otte a d ) - o" % He mai tai ed that resol)tio to the last% There is o hope o" of ma-i $ a y disco#eries co cer i $ him% His story is a 'la -%

3G2

The day 'efore he died* he told me "here to fi d all his papers% I 'ro)$ht them to him o his 'ed% There "as a little ') dle of old letters "hich he p)t aside% There "as his ) fi ished 'oo-% There "as his 6iary!i ma y loc-ed #ol)mes% He ope ed the #ol)me for this year* a d tore o)t* o e 'y o e* the pa$es relati $ to the time "he yo) a d he "ere to$ether% A/i#e those*A he said* Ato &r% Fra -li 0la-e% I years to come* he may feel a i terest i loo-i $ 'ac- at "hat is "ritte there%A The he clasped his ha ds* a d prayed /od fer#e tly to 'less yo)* a d those dear to yo)% He said he sho)ld li-e to see yo) a$ai % 0)t the ext mome t he altered his mi d% A8o*A he a s"ered "he I offered to "rite% AI "o =t distress himD I "o =t distress himDA At his re,)est I ext collected the other papers!that is to say* the ') dle of letters* the ) fi ished 'oo- a d the #ol)mes of the 6iary!a d e closed them all i o e "rapper* sealed "ith my o" seal% APromise*A he said* Athat yo) "ill p)t this i to my coffi "ith yo)r o" ha d9 a d that yo) "ill see that o other ha d to)ches it after"ards%A I $a#e him my promise% A d the promise has 'ee performed% He as-ed me to do o e other thi $ for him!"hich it cost me a hard str)$$le to comply "ith% He said* A?et my $ra#e 'e for$otte % /i#e me yo)r "ord of ho o)r that yo) "ill allo" o mo )me t of a y sort! ot e#e the commo est tom'sto e!to mar- the place of my ')rial% ?et me sleep* ameless% ?et me rest* ) - o" %A @he I tried to plead "ith him to alter his resol)tio * he 'ecame for the first* a d o ly time* #iole tly a$itated% I co)ld ot 'ear to see it9 a d I $a#e "ay% 8othi $ ')t a little $rass mo) d mar-s the place of his rest% I time* the tom'sto es "ill rise ro) d it% A d the people "ho come after )s "ill loo- a d "o der at the ameless $ra#e% As I ha#e told yo)* for six ho)rs 'efore his death his s)fferi $s ceased% He do<ed a little% I thi - he dreamed% 4 ce or t"ice he smiled% A "oma =s ame* as I s)ppose!the ame of AEllaA!"as ofte o his lips at this time% A fe" mi )tes 'efore the e d he as-ed me to lift him o his pillo"* to see the s) rise thro)$h the "i do"% He "as #ery "ea-% His head fell o my sho)lder% He "hispered* AIt=s comi $DA The he said* AJiss meDA I -issed his forehead% 4 a s)dde he lifted his head% The s) li$ht to)ched his face% A 'ea)tif)l expressio * a a $elic expressio * came o#er it% He cried o)t three times* APeaceD peaceD peaceDA His head sa - 'ac- a$ai o my sho)lder* a d the lo $ tro)'le of his life "as at a e d% .o he has $o e from )s% This "as* as I thi -* a $reat ma !tho)$h the "orld e#er - e" him% He had the s"eetest temper I ha#e e#er met "ith% The loss of him ma-es me feel #ery lo ely% Perhaps I ha#e e#er 'ee ,)ite myself si ce my ill ess% .ometimes* I thi of $i#i $ )p my practice* a d $oi $ a"ay* a d tryi $ "hat some of the forei$ 'aths a d "aters "ill do for me% It is reported here* that yo) a d &iss Veri der are to 'e married ext mo th% Please to accept my 'est co $rat)latio s%

3GG

The pa$es of my poor frie d=s +o)r al are "aiti $ for yo) at my ho)se!sealed )p* "ith yo)r ame o the "rapper% I "as afraid to tr)st them to the post% &y 'est respects a d $ood "ishes atte d &iss Veri der% I remai * dear &r% Fra -li 0la-e* tr)ly yo)rs* TH4&A. CA865%

EIGHTH NARRATI!E
Cont,ib-te. by GA4RIEL 4ETTEREDGE
I am the perso :as yo) remem'er o do)'t; "ho led the "ay i these pa$es* a d ope ed the story% I am also the perso "ho is left 'ehi d* as it "ere* to close the story )p% ?et o'ody s)ppose that I ha#e a y last "ords to say here co cer i $ the I dia 6iamo d% I hold that ) l)c-y (e"el i a'horre ce!a d I refer yo) to other a)thority tha mi e* for s)ch e"s of the &oo sto e as yo) may* at the prese t time* 'e expected to recei#e% &y p)rpose* i this place* is to state a fact i the history of the family* "hich has 'ee passed o#er 'y e#ery'ody* a d "hich I "o =t allo" to 'e disrespectf)lly smothered )p i that "ay% The fact to "hich I all)de is!the marria$e of &iss Rachel a d &r% Fra -li 0la-e% This i teresti $ e#e t too- place at o)r ho)se i 5or-shire* o T)esday* 4cto'er i th* ei$htee h) dred a d forty7 i e% I had a e" s)it of clothes o the occasio % A d the married co)ple "e t to spe d the ho eymoo i .cotla d% Family festi#als ha#i $ 'ee rare e o)$h at o)r ho)se* si ce my poor mistress=s death* I o" !o this occasio of the "eddi $!to ha#i $ :to"ards the latter part of the day; ta-e a drop too m)ch o the stre $th of it% If yo) ha#e e#er do e the same sort of thi $ yo)rself yo) "ill ) dersta d a d feel for me% If yo) ha#e ot* yo) "ill #ery li-ely say* A6is$)sti $ old ma D "hy does he tell )s thisBA The reaso "hy is o" to come% Ha#i $* the * ta-e my drop :'less yo)D yo) ha#e $ot yo)r fa#o)rite #ice* too9 o ly yo)r #ice is =t mi e* a d mi e is =t yo)rs;* I ext applied the o e i falli'le remedy!that remedy 'ei $* as yo) - o"* R40I8.48 CRE.4E% @here I ope ed that ) ri#alled 'oo-* I ca =t say% @here the li es of pri t at last left off r) i $ i to each other* I - o"* ho"e#er* perfectly "ell% It "as at pa$e three h) dred a d ei$htee !a domestic 'it co cer i $ Ro'i so Cr)soe=s marria$e* as follo"sF A@ith those Tho)$hts* I co sidered my e" E $a$eme t* that I had a @ife A!:4'ser#eD so had &r% Fra -li D;!Ao e Child 'or A!:4'ser#e a$ai D that mi$ht yet 'e &r% Fra -li =s case* tooD;!Aa d my @ife the A!@hat Ro'i so Cr)soe=s "ife did* or did 3G3

ot do* Athe *A I felt o desire to disco#er% I scored the 'it a'o)t the Child "ith my pe cil* a d p)t a morsel of paper for a mar- to -eep the place9 A?ie yo) there*A I said* Atill the marria$e of &r% Fra -li a d &iss Rachel is some mo ths older!a d the "e=ll seeDA The mo ths passed :more tha I had 'ar$ai ed for;* a d o occasio prese ted itself for dist)r'i $ that mar- i the 'oo-% It "as ot till this prese t mo th of 8o#em'er* ei$htee h) dred a d fifty* that &r% Fra -li came i to my room* i hi$h $ood spirits* a d said* A0ettered$eD I ha#e $ot some e"s for yo)D .omethi $ is $oi $ to happe i the ho)se* 'efore "e are ma y mo ths older%A A6oes it co cer the family* sirBA I as-ed% AIt decidedly co cer s the family*A says &r% Fra -li % AHas yo)r $ood lady a ythi $ to do "ith it* if yo) please* sirBA A.he has a $reat deal to do "ith it*A says &r% Fra -li * 'e$i i $ to loo- a little s)rprised% A5o) eed =t say a "ord more* sir*A I a s"ered% A/od 'less yo) 'othD I=m heartily $lad to hear it%A &r% Fra -li stared li-e a perso th) derstr)c-% A&ay I #e t)re to i ,)ire "here yo) $ot yo)r i formatio BA he as-ed% AI o ly $ot mi e :imparted i the strictest secrecy; fi#e mi )tes si ce%A Here "as a opport) ity of prod)ci $ R40I8.48 CRE.4ED Here "as a cha ce of readi $ that domestic 'it a'o)t the child "hich I had mar-ed o the day of &r% Fra -li =s marria$eD I read those mirac)lo)s "ords "ith a emphasis "hich did them ()stice* a d the I loo-ed him se#erely i the face% A84@* sir* do yo) 'elie#e i R40I8.48 CRE.4EBA I as-ed* "ith a solem ity* s)ita'le to the occasio % A0ettered$eDA says &r% Fra -li * "ith e,)al solem ity* AI=m co #i ced at last%A He shooha ds "ith me!a d I felt that I had co #erted him% @ith the relatio of this extraordi ary circ)msta ce* my reappeara ce i these pa$es comes to a e d% ?et o'ody la)$h at the ) i,)e a ecdote here related% 5o) are "elcome to 'e as merry as yo) please o#er e#erythi $ else I ha#e "ritte % 0)t "he I "rite of R40I8.48 CRE.4E* 'y the ?ord it=s serio)s!a d I re,)est yo) to ta-e it accordi $lyD @he this is said* all is said% ?adies a d $e tleme * I ma-e my 'o"* a d sh)t )p the story%

EPILOGUE
33H

THE INDING O THE DIAMOND

I
T2e Statement o1 SERGEANT CLI 6S MAN $%)*'(
4 the t"e ty7se#e th of +) e last* I recei#ed i str)ctio s from .er$ea t C)ff to follo" three me 9 s)spected of m)rder* a d descri'ed as I dia s% They had 'ee see o the To"er @harf that mor i $* em'ar-i $ o 'oard the steamer 'o) d for Rotterdam% I left ?o do 'y a steamer 'elo $i $ to a other compa y* "hich sailed o the mor i $ of Th)rsday the t"e ty7ei$hth% Arri#i $ at Rotterdam* I s)cceeded i fi di $ the comma der of the @ed esday=s steamer% He i formed me that the I dia s had certai ly 'ee passe $ers o 'oard his #essel!')t as far as /ra#ese d o ly% 4ff that place* o e of the three had i ,)ired at "hat time they "o)ld reach Calais% 4 'ei $ i formed that the steamer "as 'o) d to Rotterdam* the spo-esma of the party expressed the $reatest s)rprise a d distress at the mista-e "hich he a d his t"o frie ds had made% They "ere all "illi $ :he said; to sacrifice their passa$e mo ey* if the comma der of the steamer "o)ld o ly p)t them ashore% Commiserati $ their positio * as forei$ ers i a stra $e la d* a d - o"i $ o reaso for detai i $ them* the comma der si$ alled for a shore 'oat* a d the three me left the #essel% This proceedi $ of the I dia s ha#i $ 'ee plai ly resol#ed o 'eforeha d* as a mea s of pre#e ti $ their 'ei $ traced* I lost o time i ret)r i $ to E $la d% I left the steamer at /ra#ese d* a d disco#ered that the I dia s had $o e from that place to ?o do % The ce* I a$ai traced them as ha#i $ left for Plymo)th% I ,)iries made at Plymo)th pro#ed that they had sailed* forty7ei$ht ho)rs pre#io)sly* i the 0E@?E5 CA.T?E* East I diama * 'o) d direct to 0om'ay% 4 recei#i $ this i telli$e ce* .er$ea t C)ff ca)sed the a)thorities at 0om'ay to 'e comm) icated "ith* o#erla d!so that the #essel mi$ht 'e 'oarded 'y the police immediately o her e teri $ the port% This step ha#i $ 'ee ta-e * my co ectio "ith the matter came to a e d% I ha#e heard othi $ more of it si ce that time%

II
T2e Statement o1 THE CAPTAIN $%)*'(
331

I am re,)ested 'y .er$ea t C)ff to set i "riti $ certai facts* co cer i $ three me :'elie#ed to 'e Hi doos; "ho "ere passe $ers* last s)mmer* i the ship 0E@?E5 CA.T?E* 'o) d for 0om'ay direct* ) der my comma d% The Hi doos (oi ed )s at Plymo)th% 4 the passa$e o)t I heard o complai t of their co d)ct% They "ere 'erthed i the for"ard part of the #essel% I had ')t fe" occasio s myself of perso ally otici $ them% I the latter part of the #oya$e* "e had the misfort) e to 'e 'ecalmed for three days a d i$hts* off the coast of I dia% I ha#e ot $ot the ship=s (o)r al to refer to* a d I ca ot o" call to mi d the latit)de a d lo $it)de% As to o)r positio * therefore* I am o ly a'le to state $e erally that the c)rre ts drifted )s i to"ards the la d* a d that "he the "i d fo) d )s a$ai * "e reached o)r port i t"e ty7fo)r ho)rs after"ards% The discipli e of a ship :as all seafari $ perso s - o"; 'ecomes relaxed i a lo $ calm% The discipli e of my ship 'ecame relaxed% Certai $e tleme amo $ the passe $ers $ot some of the smaller 'oats lo"ered* a d am)sed themsel#es 'y ro"i $ a'o)t* a d s"immi $* "he the s) at e#e i $ time "as cool e o)$h to let them di#ert themsel#es i that "ay% The 'oats "he do e "ith o)$ht to ha#e 'ee sl) $ )p a$ai i their places% I stead of this they "ere left moored to the ship=s side% @hat "ith the heat* a d "hat "ith the #exatio of the "eather* either officers or me seemed to 'e i heart for their d)ty "hile the calm lasted% 4 the third i$ht* othi $ ) )s)al "as heard or see 'y the "atch o dec-% @he the mor i $ came* the smallest of the 'oats "as missi $!a d the three Hi doos "ere ext reported to 'e missi $* too% If these me had stole the 'oat shortly after dar- :"hich I ha#e o do)'t they did;* "e "ere ear e o)$h to the la d to ma-e it #ai to se d i p)rs)it of them* "he the disco#ery "as made i the mor i $% I ha#e o do)'t they $ot ashore* i that calm "eather :ma-i $ all d)e allo"a ce for fati$)e a d cl)msy ro"i $;* 'efore day7'rea-% 4 reachi $ o)r port I there lear t* for the first time* the reaso these passe $ers had for sei<i $ their opport) ity of escapi $ from the ship% I co)ld o ly ma-e the same stateme t to the a)thorities "hich I ha#e made here% They co sidered me to 'lame for allo"i $ the discipli e of the #essel to 'e relaxed% I ha#e expressed my re$ret o this score to them* a d to my o" ers% .i ce that time* othi $ has 'ee heard to my - o"led$e of the three Hi doos% I ha#e o more to add to "hat is here "ritte %

III
332

T2e Statement o1 MR8 MURTHWAITE $%)9:(

:I a letter to &R% 0REFF; Ha#e yo) a y recollectio * my dear sir* of a semi7sa#a$e perso "hom yo) met o)t at di er* i ?o do * i the a)t)m of =forty7ei$htB Permit me to remi d yo) that the perso =s ame "as &)rth"aite* a d that yo) a d he had a lo $ co #ersatio to$ether after di er% The tal- related to a I dia 6iamo d* called the &oo sto e* a d to a co spiracy the i existe ce to $et possessio of the $em% .i ce that time* I ha#e 'ee "a deri $ i Ce tral Asia% The ce I ha#e drifted 'ac- to the sce e of some of my past ad#e t)res i the orth a d orth7"est of I dia% A'o)t a fort i$ht si ce* I fo) d myself i a certai district or pro#i ce :')t little - o" to E)ropea s; called Jattia"ar% Here a ad#e t)re 'efell me* i "hich :i credi'le as it may appear; yo) are perso ally i terested% I the "ild re$io s of Jattia"ar :a d ho" "ild they are* yo) "ill ) dersta d* "he I tell yo) that e#e the h)s'a dme plo)$h the la d* armed to the teeth;* the pop)latio is fa atically de#oted to the old Hi doo reli$io !to the a cie t "orship of 0ramah a d Vish )% The fe" &ahometa families* thi ly scattered a'o)t the #illa$es i the i terior* are afraid to taste meat of a y -i d% A &ahometa e#e s)spected of -illi $ that sacred a imal* the co"* is* as a matter of co)rse* p)t to death "itho)t mercy i these parts 'y the pio)s Hi doo ei$h'o)rs "ho s)rro) d him% To stre $the the reli$io)s e th)siasm of the people* t"o of the most famo)s shri es of Hi doo pil$rima$e are co tai ed "ithi the 'o) daries of Jattia"ar% 4 e of them is 6"ar-a* the 'irthplace of the $od Jrish a% The other is the sacred city of .om a)th!sac-ed* a d destroyed as lo $ si ce as the ele#e th ce t)ry* 'y the &ahometa co ,)eror* &ahmo)d of /hi< i% Fi di $ myself* for the seco d time* i these roma tic re$io s* I resol#ed ot to lea#e Jattia"ar* "itho)t loo-i $ o ce more o the ma$ ifice t desolatio of .om a)th% At the place "here I pla ed to do this* I "as :as early as I co)ld calc)late it; some three days dista t* (o)r eyi $ o foot* from the sacred city% I had ot 'ee lo $ o the road* 'efore I oticed that other people!'y t"os a d threes! appeared to 'e tra#elli $ i the same directio as myself% To s)ch of these as spo-e to me* I $a#e myself o)t as a Hi doo70oodhist* from a dista t pro#i ce* 'o) d o a pil$rima$e% It is eedless to say that my dress "as of the sort to carry o)t this descriptio % Add* that I - o" the la $)a$e as "ell as I - o" my o" * a d that I am lea e o)$h a d 'ro" e o)$h to ma-e it o easy matter to detect my E)ropea ori$i !a d yo) "ill ) dersta d that I passed m)ster "ith the people readilyF ot as o e of themsel#es* ')t as a stra $er from a dista t part of their o" co) try%

333

4 the seco d day* the )m'er of Hi doos tra#elli $ i my directio had i creased to fifties a d h) dreds% 4 the third day* the thro $ had s"olle to tho)sa ds9 all slo"ly co #er$i $ to o e poi t!the city of .om a)th% A trifli $ ser#ice "hich I "as a'le to re der to o e of my fello"7pil$rims* d)ri $ the third day=s (o)r ey* pro#ed the mea s of i trod)ci $ me to certai Hi doos of the hi$her caste% From these me I lear t that the m)ltit)de "as o its "ay to a $reat reli$io)s ceremo y* "hich "as to ta-e place o a hill at a little dista ce from .om a)th% The ceremo y "as i ho o)r of the $od of the &oo 9 a d it "as to 'e held at i$ht% The cro"d detai ed )s as "e dre" ear to the place of cele'ratio % 0y the time "e reached the hill the moo "as hi$h i the hea#e % &y Hi doo frie ds possessed some special pri#ile$es "hich e a'led them to $ai access to the shri e% They -i dly allo"ed me to accompa y them% @he "e arri#ed at the place* "e fo) d the shri e hidde from o)r #ie" 'y a c)rtai h) $ 'et"ee t"o ma$ ifice t trees% 0e eath the trees a flat pro(ectio of roc- ()tted o)t* a d formed a species of at)ral platform% 0elo" this* I stood* i compa y "ith my Hi doo frie ds% ?oo-i $ 'ac- do" the hill* the #ie" prese ted the $ra dest spectacle of 8at)re a d &a * i com'i atio * that I ha#e e#er see % The lo"er slopes of the emi e ce melted impercepti'ly i to a $rassy plai * the place of the meeti $ of three ri#ers% 4 o e side* the $racef)l "i di $ of the "aters stretched a"ay* o" #isi'le* o" hidde 'y trees* as far as the eye co)ld see% 4 the other* the "a#eless ocea slept i the calm of the i$ht% People this lo#ely sce e "ith te s of tho)sa ds of h)ma creat)res* all dressed i "hite* stretchi $ do" the sides of the hill* o#erflo"i $ i to the plai * a d fri $i $ the earer 'a -s of the "i di $ ri#ers% ?i$ht this halt of the pil$rims 'y the "ild red flames of cressets a d torches* streami $ )p at i ter#als from e#ery part of the i )mera'le thro $% Ima$i e the moo li$ht of the East* po)ri $ i ) clo)ded $lory o#er all!a d yo) "ill form some idea of the #ie" that met me "he I loo-ed forth from the s)mmit of the hill% A strai of plai ti#e m)sic* played o stri $ed i str)me ts* a d fl)tes* recalled my atte tio to the hidde shri e% I t)r ed* a d sa" o the roc-y platform the fi$)res of three me % I the ce tral fi$)re of the three I reco$ ised the ma to "hom I had spo-e i E $la d* "he the I dia s appeared o the terrace at ?ady Veri der=s ho)se% The other t"o "ho had 'ee his compa io s o that occasio "ere o do)'t his compa io s also o this% 4 e of the spectators* ear "hom I "as sta di $* sa" me start% I a "hisper* he explai ed to me the apparitio of the three fi$)res o the platform of roc-% They "ere 0rahmi s :he said; "ho had forfeited their caste i the ser#ice of the $od% The $od had comma ded that their p)rificatio sho)ld 'e the p)rificatio 'y pil$rima$e% 4 that i$ht* the three me "ere to part% I three separate directio s* they "ere to set forth as pil$rims to the shri es of I dia% 8e#er more "ere they to loo- o each other=s faces%

331

8e#er more "ere they to rest o their "a deri $s* from the day "hich "it essed their separatio * to the day "hich "it essed their death% As those "ords "ere "hispered to me* the plai ti#e m)sic ceased% The three me prostrated themsel#es o the roc-* 'efore the c)rtai "hich hid the shri e% They rose! they loo-ed o o e a other!they em'raced% The they desce ded separately amo $ the people% The people made "ay for them i dead sile ce% I three differe t directio s I sa" the cro"d part* at o e a d the same mome t% .lo"ly the $ra d "hite mass of the people closed to$ether a$ai % The trac- of the doomed me thro)$h the ra -s of their fello" mortals "as o'literated% @e sa" them o more% A e" strai of m)sic* lo)d a d ()'ila t* rose from the hidde shri e% The cro"d aro) d me sh)ddered* a d pressed to$ether% The c)rtai 'et"ee the trees "as dra" aside* a d the shri e "as disclosed to #ie"% There* raised hi$h o a thro e!seated o his typical a telope* "ith his fo)r arms stretchi $ to"ards the fo)r cor ers of the earth!there* soared a'o#e )s* dar- a d a"f)l i the mystic li$ht of hea#e * the $od of the &oo % A d there* i the forehead of the deity* $leamed the yello" 6iamo d* "hose sple do)r had last sho e o me i E $la d* from the 'osom of a "oma =s dressD 5esD after the lapse of ei$ht ce t)ries* the &oo sto e loo-s forth o ce more* o#er the "alls of the sacred city i "hich its story first 'e$a % Ho" it has fo) d its "ay 'ac- to its "ild ati#e la d!'y "hat accide t* or 'y "hat crime* the I dia s re$ai ed possessio of their sacred $em* may 'e i yo)r - o"led$e* ')t is ot i mi e% 5o) ha#e lost si$ht of it i E $la d* a d :if I - o" a ythi $ of this people; yo) ha#e lost si$ht of it for e#er% .o the years pass* a d repeat each other9 so the same e#e ts re#ol#e i the cycles of time% @hat "ill 'e the ext ad#e t)res of the &oo sto eB @ho ca tellB

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