AnonymousTheLastoftheCostellosAfterseveralyears”serviceonthestaffofagreatdailynewspaperinSanFrancisco，GeraldFfrenchreturnedtohishomeinIrelandtoenjoyathreemonths”vacation。Abriefvisit，whenthetimeconsumedintravelingwasdeducted，andtheyoungjournalist，onthisJanuaryafternoon，realizedthatitwasnearlyover，andthathisfurtherstayinthecountryofhisbirthwasnowtobereckonedbydays。
Hehadbeenspendinganhourwithhisoldfriend，Dr。Lynn，andtheclergymanaccompaniedhimtothefootoftherectorylawn，andthence，throughawicketgatethatopeneduponthechurchyard，alongthenarrowpathamongthegraves。Itwasanobscurelittlecountryburying-ground，andveryancient。Thegrasssprangluxuriantfromthemoulderingdustofthreehundredyears；forsolongatleasthadthesefewacresbeenconsecratedtotheirpresentpurpose。
“Well，Iwon”tgoanyfurther，“saysDr。Lynn，haltingattheboundarywall，spannedbyaladder-likeflightofwoodenstepswhichconnectedthechurchyardwiththelittlebye-road。“I”llsaygoodevening，Gerald，andassureyouIappreciateyourkindnessincomingovertoseeastupidoldman。”
“Iwouldnothearthineenemysaythat，“quotedGeraldwithalightlaugh。“IhopetospendanotherdayaspleasantlybeforeIturnmybackonoldIreland。”Heranupthestepsashespokeandstoodonthetopofthewall，lookingbacktowavealastgreetingbeforehedescended。Suddenlyhestopped。
“What”sthat？“heasked，pointingdownamongthegraves。
Therectorturned，butthetallgrassandtallernettlesconcealedfromhisviewtheobject，whateveritmightbe，whichGeraldhadseenfromhistemporaryelevation。
“Itlookslikeacoffin，“andcomingrapidlydownagaintheyoungmanpushedhiswaythroughtherankgrowth。Theclergymanfollowed。
Inalittledepressionbetweenthemoundsoftwograveslayaplaincoffinofstainedwood。Itwasclosed，butanattempttomoveitshowedthatitwasnotempty。Anearerinspectionrevealedthatthelidwasnotscreweddownintheusualmanner，buthastilyfastenedwithnails。Dr。LynnandGeraldlookedateachother。
Therewassomethingmysteriousinthepresenceofthiscoffinaboveground。
“Hastherebeenafuneral——interrupted——oranythingofthatkind？“
askedGerald。
“Nothingofthesort。IwishBolanwerehere。Hemighthavesomethingtosayaboutit。”
Bolanwasthesexton。Geraldknewwherehelived，withinastone”sthrowofthespot，andvolunteeredtofetchhim。Dr。Lynnlookedalloverthesinisterblackbox，butnoplateormarkofanykindrewardedhissearch。Meanwhile，youngFfrenchspedalongthelowerroadtoBolan”shouse。
Thesextonwasin，justpreparingforasmokeincompanywiththelocalblacksmith，whenGeraldenteredwiththenewsoftheuncannydiscoveryinthechurchyard。ElevenyoungBolans，groupedaroundtheturffire，drankintheintelligenceandinstantlyscatteredtospreadthereportinelevendifferentdirections。AtaleconfidedtotheBolanhouseholdwasconfidedtorumor。
BlacksmithandsextonrosetogetherandaccompaniedGeraldtothespotwherehehadleftDr。Lynn，butDr。Lynnwasnolongeralone。
Therectorhadheardstepsintheroad；itwasaconstabularypatrolonitsround，andtheoldgentleman”shailhadbroughttwopolicementohisside。Theretheystood，profoundlypuzzledandcompletelyinthedark，exceptforthelightgivenbytheirbull”s-
eyelanterns。Buttheglareoftheselanternshadbeenseenfromtheroad。Somepeopleshunnedthem，aslightsinagraveyardshouldalwaysbeshunned；butothers，hearingvoices，hadsufferedtheircuriositytoovercometheirmisgivings，andweregatheredaround，silent，open-mouthed，wondering。SostoodthegroupwhenGeraldandhiscompanionsjoinedit。
InreplytogeneralquestionsBolanwasdumb。Inreplytoparticularinterrogationshedidnothesitatetoadmitthathewas“clanebate。”Gerald，seeingthatnoonehadventuredtotouchthegrimcasket，hintedthatitwouldbewelltoopenit。Therewasadubiousmurmurfromthecrowdandaglanceattheconstablesasthevisiblerepresentativesofthepowersthatbe。Theofficerstightenedtheirbeltsandseemedundecided，andDr。Lynntooktheleadwithaclear，distinctorder，“Takeoffthelid，Andy，“hesaid。
“An”whynot？Isn”thisriverinceamagistrate？Goin，Andy，yersowlye，andoffwidit。”Thusthecrowd。
Soencouraged，theblacksmithsteppedforward。Withoutmuchdifficultyhebursttheinsecurefasteningsandremovedthelid。
Theconstablesturnedtheirbull”s-eyesontheinsideofthecoffin。Thecrowdpressedforward，Geraldinthefrontrank。
Therewasanoccupant。Ayounggirl，whitewiththepallorofdeath，layunderthelightofthelanterns。Thefacewasasplacidandcomposedasifshehadjustfallenasleep，anditwasahandsomefacewithregularfeaturesandstronglydefinedblackeyebrows。Theformwasfullydressed，andtheclothesseemedexpensiveandfashionable。Afewravenlocksstraggledoutfrombeneathalacescarfwhichwastiedaroundthehead。Thehands，crossedbelowthebreast，wereneatlygloved。Thereshelay，amystery，fornotoneofthosepresenthadeverseenherfacebefore。
Murmursofwonderandsympathywentupfromthebystanders。“Ah，thepoorthing！““Isn”tshepurty？““Soyoung，too！““Musha，it”sthebeautifulangelsheisbethistime。”
“Doesanyoneknowher？“askedtherector；andthen，astherewasnoreply，heputaquestionthatwasdestinedformanyadaytoagitatetheneighborhoodofDrim，andringthroughthelengthandbreadthofIreland”Howdidshecomehere？“
Theinvestigationmadeatthemomentwasunsatisfactory。Thegrassonallsideshadbeentrampledandpresseddownbythecuriousthrong，andsuchtracksasthecoffin-bearershadmadewerecompletelyobliterated。Itwasclearlyacaseforthecoroner，andwhenthatofficialarrivedandtookchargethecrowdslowlydispersed。
Theinquestfurnishednonewlight。Medicaltestimonysweptawaythetheoryofmurder，fordeathwasprovedtohaveresultedfromorganicdiseaseoftheheart。Thecoffinmighthavebeenplacedwhereitwasfoundatanytimewithinthirty-sixhours，foritcouldnotbeshownthatanyonehadcrossedthechurchyardpathsincethemorningprevious，andindeedadozenmighthavepassedthatwaywithoutnoticingthatwhichGeraldonlydiscoveredthroughtheaccidentofhavinglookedbackatthemomentthathemountedthewall。Still，itdidnotseemlikelythatanobjectofsuchsizecouldhavelainlongunnoticed，andthedoctorswereofopinionthatthewomanhadbeenalivetwenty-fourhoursbeforeherbodywasfound。
Intheabsenceofsuspicionofanycrime——andthemedicalexaminationfurnishednone——interestcenteredinthequestionofidentity；andthiswassufficientlypuzzling。
Thestorygotintothenewspapers——intotheDublinpapers；
afterwardsintothegreatLondonjournals，andwaswidelydiscussedunderthetitleof“TheDrimChurchyardMystery，“butallthispublicityandathoroughinvestigationofthefewavailablecluesledtonothing。Noonewasmissing；widelydistributedphotographsofthedeceasedfoundnorecognition；andthequestwasfinallyabandonedevenintheimmediateneighborhood。Theunknowndeadsleptbeneaththeverysodonwhichtheyhadfoundher。
GeraldFfrench，who，likemostgoodjournalists，hadastronglydevelopeddetectiveinstinct，alonekeptthemysteryinmindandworkedatitincessantly。HedevotedthefewremainingdaysofhisstayinIrelandtoapatient，systematicinquiry，startingfromthecluesthathaddevelopedattheinquest。Hehadprovidedhimselfwithagoodphotographofthedeadgirl，andaminute，carefullywrittendescriptionofherapparel，fromthelacescarfwhichhadbeenwoundroundherheadtothedaintylittleFrenchbootsonherfeet。Thefirstexaminationhadproducednoresult。Railwayofficialsandhotel-keepers，suppliedwiththephotographs，couldnotsaythattheyhadeverseentheoriginalinlife。Eventhecoffin，acheap，ready-madeaffair，couldbetracedtonolocaldealerinsuchwares。Achatelainebag，slungroundthewaistofthedeadgirl，hadevidentlybeenmarkedwithinitials，fortheleathershowedtheholesinwhichthelettershadbeenfastened，andthetracesoftheknifeemployedintheirhurriedremoval。Buttheprettyfemininetriflewasempty，andinitspresentconditionhadnothingtosuggestsavethatadeterminedefforthadbeenmadetohidetheidentityofthedead。Thelinenonthecorpsewasnewandofgoodmaterial，bututterlywithoutmark。Onlyahandkerchiefwhichwasfoundinthepocketboreacoatofarmsexquisitelyembroideredonthecorner。
Theshieldshowedtheheadandshouldersofaknightwithvisorclosed，partyperfessoncounter-vair。Gerald，whosesmatteringofheraldrytoldhimsomuch，couldnotbesurethatthelinesoftheembroideryproperlyindicatedthecolorsoftheshield；buthewassanguinethatadevicesounusualwouldberecognizedbythelearnedinsuchmatters，and，havingcarefullysketchedit，hesentacopytotheHeralds”College，preservingtheoriginaldrawingforhisownuse。Thehandkerchiefitself，withtheotherthingsfoundonthebody，wasofcoursebeyondhisreach。
TheanswerfromtheHeralds”CollegearrivedadayortwobeforetheapproachingcloseofhisvacationforcedGeraldtoleaveIreland，buttheinformationfurnishedservedonlytomakethemysterydeeper。
Thearmshadbeenreadilyrecognizedfromhissketch，andthecollege，inreturnforhisfee，hadfurnishedhimwithanilluminateddrawing，showingthattheembroideryhadbeenaccurate。
Theshieldwaspartyperfess，argentabove，azurebelow，andfromthisGeraldconcludedthatthehandkerchiefhadbeenmarkedbysomeoneaccustomedtoblazonries；hethoughtitlikelythattheworkhadbeendoneinaFrenchconvent。Themotto，Nemomeimpunelacessit，appearedbelow。ThebearingsandcognizancewerethoseofthenoblefamilyofCostello，whichhadleftIrelandaboutthemiddleoftheseventeenthcenturyandhadsettledinSpain。ThelastrepresentativehadfallensomesixtyyearsagoatthebattleofVittoria，inthePeninsularwar，andthenamewasnowextinct。
SopronouncedtheunimpeachableauthorityoftheHeralds”College。
AndyetGeraldhadseenthoseveryarmsembroideredonahandkerchiefwhichhadbeenfoundinthepocketofanamelessgirl，whosecorpsehehimselfhadbeenthefirsttodiscoversometwoweeksbefore，inthelonelylittleburying-groundatDrim。Whatwashetothink？Throughwhatstrange，undreamed-oframificationswasthisaffairtobepursued？
Thedaybeforehisdeparture，Ffrenchwalkedovertotherectorytosaygood-byetoDr。Lynn。Geraldknewthattherectorwasanauthorityincountyhistory，andthoughtitpossiblethattheoldgentlemancouldtellhimsomethingabouttheCostellos，anamelinkedwithmanyaWestmeathtradition。Hewasnotdisappointed，andthemysteryhewasinvestigatingtookonanewinterestfromwhatheheard。TheCostelloshadbeenoneofthemidlandchieftainsinCromwell”stime；theclanhadofferedthemostdeterminedresistance，andithadbeenextirpatedrootandbranchbytheProtector。TheFfrenchestateofBallyvorehadonceformedportionoftheCostelloproperty，andhadbeenpurchasedbyGerald”sancestorfromtheCromwellianPuritantowhomithadbeengrantedonconfiscation。
Theyoungmanwasnowdeeplyinterestedintheinquiry，andtoithedevotedeverymovementofthetimehecouldstillcallhisown。
ButthelastdayofGerald”svisitslippedawaywithoutresult，andonefinemorningLarry，hisbrother”sservant，drovehimintoAthlonetotakethetrainforQueenstown。
“Ye”llnotbelettin”anothersixyearsgobywithoutcomin”homeagen，willye，sir？“saidthegroom，whowasreallyconcernedatGerald”sdeparture。
“Idon”tknow，“answeredGerald；“italldepends。Say，Larry！“
“Sir。”
“Keepaneyeout，andifanythingturnsupaboutthatdeadgirl，letmeknow，won”tyou？“Ffrenchhadalreadymadeasimilarrequestofhisbrother，buthewasdeterminedtoleavenochanceuntried。
“An”areyethinkin”ofthatyet，an”yougoin”toAmerica？“saidLarrywithadmiringwonder。
“OfcourseI”mthinkingofit。Ican”tgetitoutofmyhead，“
repliedGeraldimpatiently。
“Well，welld”yemindthatnow？“saidthegroommeditatively。
“Well，sir，ifanythingdoesturnup，I”llletyeknow，neverfear；
butsureshe”sundergroundnow，an”ifwe”dbeengoin”tolarnanythingaboutthematter，we”dha”haditlongago。”
GeraldshookhandswiththefaithfulLarryatparting，andleftasovereigninhispalm。
Thegroomwatchedthetrainmovingslowlyoutofthestation。
“It”samortalpitytoseeafineyoungjintlemanlikethatsofargoneinlovewithadeadgirl。”
ThiswasLarry”scommentonhisyoungmaster”sdetectivetastes。
AtQueenstownFfrenchboughtapaperandlookedoveritwhilethetenderwascarryinghim，incompanywithmanyaweepingemigrant，tothegreatsteameroutinthebay。FromtimetotimethejournalsstillcontainedreferencestothesubjectwhichwasuppermostinGerald”sthoughts。Thefamiliarwords，“TheDrimChurchyardMystery，“caughthiseye，andhereadabriefparagraph，whichhadnothingtosayexceptthatallinvestigationshadfailedtothrowanylightonthestrangebusiness。
“Ay，andwillfail，“hemused，asthetendercamealongsidethesteamer；“atanyrate，ifanythingisfoundoutitwon”tbebyme，forIshallbeinCalifornia，andIcanscarcelyrunacrossanycluesthere。”
Andyet，asGeraldpacedthedeck，andwatchedthebleakshoresofCorkfadinginthedistance，histhoughtswerefullofthebanishedCostellos，andhewonderedwithwhateyesthoseexileshadlookedtheirlastontheOldHeadofKinsaleaquarterofamillenniumago。Thosefierceoldchieftains，towhomtheFfrenches——proudcountyfamilyastheyesteemedthemselves——werebutasmushrooms；
whatliveshadtheylived，whatdeathshadtheydied，andhowcametheirhaughtycognizance，sowellexpressingitsdefiantmotto，onthehandkerchiefofthenamelessstrangerwhosleptinDrimchurchyard——Drim，theold，oldgraveyard；Drim，thathadbeenfencedinasGod”sacreinthedaysoftheCostellosthemselves？
Wasitmerechancethathadselectedthisspotasthelastresting-
placeofonewhoborethearmsoftherace？WasitpossiblethegirlhadsharedtheCostelloblood？
GeraldglancedoverhisletterfromtheHeralds”Collegeandshookhishead。Thefamilyhadbeenextinctformorethansixtyyears。
AbouttwomonthsafterGerald”sreturntoCaliforniaadespatchwasreceivedfromtheEveningMail”sregularcorrespondentinMarysville，relatingtheparticularsofanencounterbetweentheMexicanholdersofalargeranchinYubaCountyandcertainAmericanland-grabberswhohadsetupaclaimtoaportionoftheestate。ThematterwasincourseofadjudicationintheMarysvillecourts，buttheclaimants，impatientattheslowprocessofthelaw，hadendeavoredtoseizethedisputedlandbyforce。Shotshadbeenfired，bloodhadbeenspilled，andthewholeaffairaddednothingtoYubaCounty”sreputationforlawandorder。ThemattercreatedsometalkinSanFrancisco，andtheEveningMail，amongotherpapers，expresseditsopinioninoneofthosetrenchantpersonalarticleswhicharethespiceofWesternjournalism。Twoorthreedayslater，whentheincidenthadbeenalmostforgottenintheoffice，thecityeditorsentforGeraldFfrench。
“Ffrench，“saidthatgentleman，astheyoungmanapproachedhisdesk，“I”vejustreceivedaletterfromDonMiguely——y——somethingorother。Ican”treadhiswholename，anditdon”tmattermuch。
It”sVincenza，youknow，theownerofthatranchwheretheyhadtheshootingscrapetheotherday。Heisanxioustomakeastatementofthematterforpublication，andhascomedowntotheBayonpurpose。Supposeyougoandseewhathehastosay？He”sstayingattheLick。”
ThesamemorningGeraldsentuphiscardandwasusheredintotheapartmentofDonMiguelVincenzaattheLickHouse。
Thesenorwasayoungman，notmucholderthanGeraldhimself。Hehadtheappearanceandmannersofagentleman，asFfrenchquicklydiscovered，andhespokefluent，well-chosenEnglishwithscarcelyatraceofaccent，acircumstanceforwhichtheinterviewerfelthecouldnotbesufficientlygrateful。
“Ah，youarefromtheEveningMail，“saidtheyoungSpaniard，risingasGeraldentered；“mostkindofyoutocome，andtocomesopromptly。Won”tyoubeseated？Tryacigar。No？You”llexcusemeifIlightacigarette。Iwanttomakemyselfclear，andI”malwaysclearestwhenI”minacloud。”Hegavealittlelaugh，andwithonetwirlofhisslenderfingersheconvertedamorseloftissuepaperandapinchoftobaccointoacompactroll，whichhelighted，andexhaustedinhalf-a-dozenpuffsashespoke。
“Thisman，thisJenkinson”sclaimisperfectlypreposterous，“hebegan，“butIwon”tgointothat。Thematterisbeforethecourts。
WhatIwanttogiveyouisatruestatementofthatunfortunateaffairattheranch，withwhich，Ibegyoutobelieve，Ihadnothingwhatevertodo。”
SenorVincenza”stalemighthavehadthemeritoftruth；itcertainlylackedthatofbrevity。Hetalkedon，rollingafreshcigaretteateverysecondsentence，andGeraldmadenotesofsuchpointsasheconsideredimportant，butattheconclusionoftheSpaniard”sstatementthejournalistcouldnotseethatithaddifferedmuchfromthepublishedaccounts，andhetoldtheotherasmuch。
“Well，yousee，“saidVincenza，“Iaminadelicateposition。ItisnotasifIwereactingformyself。Iamonlymysister”sagent——myhalf-sister”s，Ishouldsay——poorlittleCatalina；“andthespeakerbrokeoffwithasighandrolledafreshcigarettebeforeheresumed。
“It”sherproperty，allofit，andIcannotbeartohavehermisrepresentedinanyway。”
“Iunderstand，“saidGerald，makinganoteofthefact。“Theproperty，Isuppose，passedtoyoursisterfrom”
“Fromherfather。Iwasinthelandofthelivingsomeyearsbeforehemetandwooedandwonmywidowedmother。Theyarebothdeadnow，andCatalinahasnonebutmyselftolookoutforher，exceptdistantrelativesonthefather”sside，whowillinheritthepropertyifshediesunmarried，andwhomshecordiallydetests。”
Geraldwasnotparticularlyromantic，buttheideaofthisfairyoungSpaniard，ownerofoneofthefinestranchesinYubaCounty，unmarried，andhandsometoo，ifshewereanythinglikehermother，inflamedhisimaginationalittle。Heshookhandscordiallywiththeyoungmanasherosetogo，andcouldnothelpwishingtheywerebetteracquainted。
“YoumaybesureIwillpublishyourstatementexactlyasyouhavegivenittome，andasfullyaspossible，“saidGerald。Beforetheyoungheiresshadbeenmentioned，thejournalisthadscarcelyseenmaterialenoughintheinterviewforaparagraph。
ItisfairtopresumethatSenorVincenzawassatisfiedwiththetreatmenthereceivedintheEveningMail，forapolitenoteconveyedtoFfrenchtheexpressionofhisthanks。Sothatincidentpassedintothelimboofforgetfulness，thoughGeraldafterwardstookmoreinterestinthenewspaperparagraphs，oftenscantenough，whichtoldoftheprogressofthegreatlandcaseintheMarysvillecourts。
Acurtdespatch，wordedwiththatexasperatingbrevitywhichisapeculiarityofallbutthemostimportanttelegrams，woundupthematterwithanannouncementthatadecisionhadbeenreachedinfavorofthedefendant，andthatMr。IsaacHall，ofthelawfirmofHallandMcGowan，hadreturnedtoSanFrancisco，havingconductedthecasetoasuccessfulissue。Geraldwaspleasedtohearthattheyoungladyhadbeensustainedinherrights，anddeterminedtointerviewMr。Hall，withwhomhewaswellacquainted。Accordingly，aftertwoorthreeunsuccessfulattempts，hemanagedtocatchthebusylawyerwithhalfanhour”ssparetimeonhishands，andwellenoughdisposedtowelcomehisyoungfriend。
“Mr。Hall，“saidGerald，droppingintothesparechairintheattorney”sprivateroom，“IwanttoaskyouafewquestionsaboutthatMarysvillelandcase。”
“Fireahead，myboy；Icangiveyoutwentyminutes，“answeredthelawyer，whowasdisposedtomakeagreatdealmoreofthevictoryhehadwonthanthenewspapershadhithertodone，andwhowasconsequentlybynomeansaversefromaninterview。“Whatdoyouwanttoknow？“
“Hardfight，wasn”tit？“askedthejournalist。
“Yes，“repliedMr。Hall，“toughinaway；butwehadrightonoursideaswellaspossession。Agoodlawyeroughtalwaystowinwhenhehasthose；tobeatlawandfactsandeverythingelseisharderscratching；thoughI”vedonethattoo，“andtheoldgentlemanchuckledasifwellsatisfiedwithhimself。
“That”swhatyouropponentshadtodohere，Isuppose？“remarkedGerald，echoingtheother”slaugh。
“Prettymuch，onlytheydidn”tdoit，“saidthelawyer。
“ImetVincenzawhenhewasdownlastmonth，“pursuedGerald。“Heseemsadecentishsortofafellowforagreaser。”
“He”snogreaser；he”sapure-bloodedCastilian，andverymuchofthegentleman，“answeredHall。
“SoIfoundhim，“saidGerald。“Ionlyusedthe”greaser”asagenericterm。HetalksEnglishaswellasIdo。”
“That”sagreatcomplimentfromanIrishman，“remarkedMr。Hallwithanotherchuckle。
“Isupposethesister”sjustasniceinherownway，“wentonGerald，seeinganopportunitytosatisfyacertaincuriosityhehadfeltabouttheheiresssincehefirstheardofherexistence。“Didshemakeagoodwitness？“
“Who？Whatsister？Whatthedeuceareyoutalkingabout？“askedthelawyer。
“Why，Vincenza”ssister，half-sister，whateversheis。I
understoodfromhimthatshewastherealowneroftheproperty。”
“Oh，ay，tobesure，“saidMr。Hallslowly；“thesedetailsescapeone。Vincenzawasmyclient；heactsforthegirlunderpowerofattorney，andreallyhernamehashardlycomeupsincetheverybeginningofthecase。”
“Youdidn”tseeher，then？“saidGerald，consciousofavaguesenseofdisappointment。
“Seeher？“repeatedthelawyer。“No；howcouldI？She”sinEuropeforeducationaladvantages——ataconventsomewhere，Ibelieve。”
“Oh，“saidGerald，“achild，isshe？Ihadfancied，Idon”tknowwhy，thatshewasagrown-upyounglady。”
“Icouldn”ttellyouwhatherageis，butitmustbeovertwenty-
oneorshecouldn”thaveexecutedthepowerofattorney，andthatwaslookedintoatthestartandfoundquiteregular。”
“Isee，“repliedGeraldslowly；butthetopichadstartedMr。Hallonafreshtrail，andhebrokein——
“Anditwastheonlythinginorderinthewholebusiness。Doyouknowwecamewithinanaceoflosing，allthroughtheirconfoundedcarelesswayofkeepingtheirpapers？“
“Howdidtheykeepthem？“inquiredGeraldlistlessly。Thesuitappearedtobeacommonplaceone，andtheyoungman”sinterestbegantowane。
“Theydidn”tkeepthematall，“exclaimedMr。Hallindignantly。
“Fancy，theoriginaldeed——theoldSpanishgrant——theverykeystoneofourcase，wasnottobefoundtillthelastmoment，andthenonlybythemerestaccident，andwheredoyousupposeitwas？“
“Ihaven”tanidea，“answeredGerald，stiflingayawn。
“AtthebackofanoldprintoftheMadonna。Ithadbeenframedandhungupasanornament，Isuppose，Heavenknowswhen；andby-
and-bysomesmartAleckcamealongandthoughtthemotherandchildsuperiorasaworkofartandslappeditintotheframeoverthedeed，andthereithashungfortenyearsanyhow。”
“That”sreallyverycurious，“saidGerald，whoseattentionbegantoreviveashesawapossiblecolumntobecompiledonthedetailsofthecasethathadseemedsouninterestingtohiscontemporaries。
“Curious！Icallitsinful——positivelywicked，“saidtheoldgentlemanwrathfully。“Justfancytwohundredthousanddollarshangingontheaccidentoffindingaparchmentinsuchaplaceasthat。”
“Howdidyouhappentofindit？“askedGerald。“Ishouldneverhavethoughtoflookingforitthere。”
“No；noranyothersaneman，“sputteredthelawyer，irritated，asherecalledtheanxietythemissingdeedhadcausedhim。“Itwasfoundbyaccident，Itellyou。Someblundering，awkward，heaven-
guidedservantknockedthepicturedownandbroketheframe。TheMadonnawasremoved，andthemissingpapercametolight。”
“Andthatwastheturning-pointofthecase。Veryinterestingindeed，“saidGerald，whosawintheworkingoutofthislegalromanceabitofdetectivewritingsuchashissoulloved。“I
supposethey”llhavesenseenoughtoputitinasaferplacenexttime？“
“Iwill，youmaybetyourlife。I”vetakenchargeofallthefamilydocuments；andiftheygetawayfromme，they”lldosomethingthatnothing”severdonebefore；“andtheoldlawyerchuckledwithrenewedsatisfactionashepointedtothemassivesafeinacorneroftheoffice。
“Sothedeedisthere，isit？“askedGerald，followingMr。Hall”seyes。
“Yes，it”sthere。Acuriousolddocumenttoo；oneoftheoldestgrantsIhaveevercomeacross。Wouldyouliketoseeit？“andthelawyerroseandopenedthesafe。
ItwasacuriousolddocumentdrawnupincuriousoldSpanish，onanolddiscoloredpieceofparchment。ThebodyoftheinstrumentwasunintelligibletoFfrench，butdowninonecornerwassomethingthatrivetedhisattentioninamomentandseemedtomakehisheartstandstill。
Therewasasignatureinold-fashionedangularhandwriting，RodriguezCostelloyUgarte，andoppositetoitalarge，spreadingseal。Theimpressionshowedaknight”sheadandshouldersinfullarmor，belowitthemotto，Nemomeimpunelacessit，andashieldofarms，partyperfess，azurebelow，argentabove，counter-vairontheargent。PointforpointtheidenticalblazonrywhichFfrenchhadreceivedfromtheHeralds”CollegeinEngland——theshieldthathehadfirstseenembroideredonthedeadgirl”shandkerchiefatDrim。
“What”sthematterwithyou？Didn”tyoueverseeanoldSpanishdeedbefore，orhasitanyofthepropertiesofMedusa”shead？“
inquiredMr。Hall，noticingGerald”sstartofamazementandintentscrutinyoftheseal。
“I”veseenthesearmsbefore，“saidtheyoungmanslowly。“Butthename”Heplacedhisfingeronthesignature。“Ofcourse，IknewVincenza”snamemustbedifferentfromhishalf-sister”s；butisthathers？“
“Ugarte？Yes，“saidthelawyer，glancingattheparchment。
“Imeanthewholename，“andGeraldpointedagain。
“Costello！“Mr。HallgavetheworditsSpanishpronunciation，“Costelyo，“anditsoundedstrangeandforeignintheyoungman”sears。“Costello，yes，Isupposeso；butIdon”ttrytokeeptrackofmoreoftheseSpaniards”titlesthanisabsolutelynecessary。”
“ButCostelloisanIrishname，“saidGerald。
“Isit？Yououghttoknow。WellCostelyoisSpanish；andnow，mydearboy，Imustpositivelyturnyouout。”
Geraldwentstraighthomewithoutreturningtotheoffice。
Heunlockedhisdesk，andtookfromitthetworesultsofhisfirstessayindetectivecraft。Silentlyhelaidthemsidebysideandscrutinizedeachcloselyinturn。Thepale，setfaceofthebeautifuldead，asreproducedbythephotographer”sart，toldhimnothing。Hestrovetotracesomeresemblance，toawakensomememory，bylonggazingatthepassionlessfeatures，butitwasinvain。Thenheturnedtotheilluminatedshield。Everylinewasfamiliartohim，andaglancesufficed。Itwasidenticalinallrespectswiththearmsontheseal。Ofthishehadbeenalreadyconvinced，andhisrecollectionhadnotbetrayedhim。Thenheplacedthetwo——thepiteousphotographandtheproudblazonry——inhispocket-book，andlefttheroom。ThesameeveninghetookhisplaceontheSacramentotrainenrouteforMarysville。
WhenGeraldreachedSanLuis，thepostofficeaddressoftheUgarteranch，adisappointmentawaitedhim。Eveningwasfalling，andinquiryelicitedthefactthatDonVincenza”sresidencewasstilltwelvemilesdistant。Ffrench，afterhisdriveofeighteenmilesoverthedustyroadfromMarysville，waslittleinclinedtogofurther，soheputuphishorseataliverystable，resolvedtomakethebestofsuchaccommodationsasSanLuisafforded。
ThefaceofthemanwhotookthereinswhenFfrenchalightedseemedfamiliar。Theyoungfellowlookedcloserathim，anditwasevidenttherecognitionwasmutual，forthestablemanaccostedhimbyname，andinthebroad，familiardialectofwesternLeinster。
“MayIniverateanotherbitifitisn”tMastherGeraldFfrench！“
hesaid。“Well，well，well，butit”sgoodforsoreeyestoseeye。
Comeouthere，Steve，an”taketheteam。Jumpdown，MastherGerald，an”stretchyerlegsabit。It”skiltyeareentirely。”
AswarthylittleMexicanappeared，andledthetiredhorsesintothestable。Thentheyoungjournalisttookagoodlookatthemanwhoseemedtoknowhimsowell，andendeavored，asthephrasegoes，to“placehim。”
“Yedon”tmindme，yerhonor，an”howwudye？ButImindyersilfwell。Sureit”softenI”vedruvyeandMr。Edwardtoo。IusedtowurrukforMr。RossofMullinger。IwasDennythepostboy——DenisDriscoll，yerhonor；sureyemustknowme？“
“Ohyes，tobesure——Iremember，“saidGerald，asrecollectionslowlydawneduponhim。“Butwho”dhavethoughtoffindingyouinaplacelikethis？Ididn”tevenknowyou”dleftRoss”sstables。”
“Sixorsivenmonthsago，yerhonor。”
“Andhaveyoubeenhereeversince？Ihopeyouaredoingwell，“
saidGerald。
“Iversince，sor，an”doin”finely，widtheblessin”o”God。Iownthatplace，“pointingtothestable，“an”fourasgoodturnoutsasye”daxtositbehind。”
“I”mgladofit，“saidGeraldheartily。“Iliketohearoftheboysfromtheoldneighborhooddoingwell。”
“Won”tyestepinside，sor，an”thryadropofsomething？Yemustbechokedintirelywidthedust。”
“Idon”tcareifIdo，“answeredGerald。“IfeelprettymuchasifI”dswallowedalimekiln。”
AminutelaterthetwowereseatedinDenny”sownparticularroom，whereGeraldwashedthedustfromhisthroatwithsomecapitalbottledbeer，whilehishostpaidattentiontoalargedemijohnwhichcontained，asheinformedthejournalistinanimpressivewhisper，“closeontoagallonoftherealouldstuff。”
Theirconversationextendedfarintothenight；butlongbeforetheyseparatedGeraldinducedDennytodespatchhisMexicanhelper，onagoodmustang，totheUgarteranch，bearingtoSenorVincenzaMr。Ffrench”scard，onwhichwerepenciledthewords：“PleasecomeovertoSanLuisassoonaspossible。Mostimportantbusiness。”
Forthetaletoldbytheex-postboy，hischangeofresidenceandpresentprosperity，seemedtothrowacuriouslightontheDrimchurchyardmystery。
SenorVincenzaappearedthefollowingmorningjustasGeraldhadfinishedbreakfast。TherancherorememberedtherepresentativeoftheEveningMailandgreetedhimcordially，expressinghissurpriseatGerald”spresenceinthatpartofthecountry。TheSpaniardevidentlyimaginedthatthisunexpectedvisithadsomebearingontherecentlydecidedlawsuit，buttheother”sfirstwordsdispelledtheillusion。
“SenorVincenza，“Ffrenchsaid，“Ihaveheardaverystrangestoryaboutyoursister，andIhavecometoaskyouforanexplanationofit。”
TheyoungSpaniardchangedcolorandlookeduneasilyatthejournalist。
“Whatdoyoumean？“heasked。“Idonotunderstandyou。MysisterisinEurope。”
“Yes，“answeredGerald，“sheisinEurope——inIreland。ShefillsanamelessgraveinDrimchurchyard。”
Vincenzaleapedtohisfeet，andthecigarettehehadlighteddroppedfromhisfingers。TheywereinGerald”sroomatthehotel，andtheyoungmanhadplacedhisvisitorsothatthetablewasbetweenthem。Hesuspectedthathemighthavetodealwithadesperateman。Vincenzaleanedoverthenarrowtable，andhisbreathblewhotinFfrench”sfaceashehissed，“Carambo！Whatdoyoumean？Howmuchdoyouknow？“
“Iknoweverything。IknowhowshediedinthecarriageonyourwayfromMullingar；howyoupurchasedacoffinandbribedtheundertakertosilence；howyoulaidher，inthedeadofnight，amongtheweedsinthegraveyard；howyoucuthernamefromthechatelainebag，anddidallinyourpowertohideheridentity，evencarryingoffwithyouthepostboywhodroveyouandaidedyoutoplaceherwhereshewasfound。Doyourecognizethatphotograph？Haveyoueverseenthatcoat-of-armsbefore？“andFfrenchdrewthetwocardsfromhispocketandofferedthemtoVincenza。
TheSpaniardbrushedthemimpatientlyasideandcrouchedforamomentasiftospring。Geraldnevertookhiseyesoffhim，andpresentlytheotherstraightenedup，and，sinkingintothechairbehindhim，attemptedtorollacigarette。Buthishandtrembled，andhalfthetobaccowasspilledonthefloor。
“Youknowagreatdeal，Mr。GeraldFfrench。Doyouaccusemeofmysister”smurder？“
“No，“answeredGerald。“Shediedfromnaturalcauses。ButIdoaccuseyouoffraudulentlywithholdingthispropertyfromitsrightfulowners，andofactingonapowerofattorneywhichhasbeencancelledbythedeathofthegiver。”
Therewasamoment”ssilence，brokenonlybyamutteredoathfromVincenzaashethrewtheunfinishedcigarettetotheground，andbegantorollanother，thistimewithbettersuccess。Itwasnottillitwasfairlyalightthathespokeagain。
Listentome，youngman，“hesaid，“andthenjudgemeasyouhopetobejudgedhereafter——withmercy。Mysisterwasverydeartome；
Ilovedher，OGod，howIlovedher！“Hisvoicebroke，andGerald，recallingcertaindetailsofDenny”snarrative，feltthattheSpaniardwasspeakingthetruth。ItwasnearlyaminutebeforeVincenzarecoveredhisself-commandandresumed。
“Yes，wewereverydeartoeachother；broughtupasbrotherandsister，howcouldwefailtobe？Butherfatherneverlikedme，andheplacedrestrictionsuponthefortunehelefthersothatitcouldnevercometome。Mymother——ourmother——haddiedsomeyearsbefore。Well，Catalinawaswealthy；Iwasapauper，butthatmadenodifferencewhileshelived。Wewereashappyandfondabrotherandsisterasthesunevershoneupon。Whenshecameofagesheexecutedthepowerofattorneythatgavemethechargeofherestate。ShewasanxioustospendafewyearsinEurope。Iwastotakeherover，andafterwehadtraveledalittleshewastogotoaconventinFranceandspendsometimetherewhileIreturnedhome。ButshewasoneoftheoldCostellos，andshewasanxioustovisittheancienthomeofherrace。ThatwaswhatbroughtustoIreland。”
“IthoughttheCostellofamilywasextinct，“saidGerald。
“TheEuropeanbranchhasbeenextinctsince1813，whenDonLopezCostellofellatVittoria；buttheyoungerbranch，whichsettledinMexicotowardstheendoftheeighteenthcentury，surviveduntilafewmonthsago——untilCatalina”sdeath，infact，forshewasthelastoftheCostellos。”
“Isee，“saidGerald；“goon。”
“Shewasveryproudofthename，poorCatalina，andshemademepromiseincaseanythinghappenedtoherwhilewewereabroadthatsheshouldbelaidintheancientgraveofherrace——inthechurchyardofDrim。Shehadaweakheart，andsheknewthatshemightdiesuddenly。Ipromised。Anditwasonourwaytothespotshewassoanxioustovisitthatdeathclaimedher，onlyafewmilesfromtheplacewhereherancestorshadlivedintheolddays，andwhereallthatremainsofthemhaslongmoulderedtodust。Soyousee，Mr。Ffrench，thatIhadnochoicebuttolayherthere。”
“Thatisnotthepoint，“saidGerald；“whythissecrecy？Whythisflight？Dr。Lynn，Iamsure，wouldhaveenabledyoutoobeyyoursister”srequestinthefulllightofday；youneednothavethrownhercoffinonthegroundandlefttostrangersthetaskofdoingforthepoorgirlthelastdutiesofcivilization。”Geraldspokewithindignantheat，forthislookedtohimlikethecruellestdesertion。
“Iknowhowitmustseemtoyou，“saidVincenza，“andIhavenoexcusetoofferformyconductbutthis。Mysister”sdeathwouldhavegivenallshepossessedtopeoplewhomshedisliked。Itwouldhavethrownme，whomsheloved，pennilessontheworld。Iactedasifshewerestillliving，andasIamsureshewouldhavewishedmetoact；nodefence，Iknow，inyoureyes，butconsiderthetemptation。”
“Anddidyounotrealizethatallthismustcomeoutsomeday？“
askedFfrench。
“Yes，butnotforseveralyears。Indeed，Icannotimaginehowitisthatyouhavestumbledonthetruth。”
AndGerald，rememberingtheextraordinarychainofcircumstanceswhichhadledhimtotherootofthemystery，couldnotbutacknowledgethat，humanlyspeaking，Vincenza”sconfidencewasjustified。
“Andnowyouhavefoundthisout，whatusedoyouintendtomakeofit？“askedtheSpaniardafterapause。
“IshallpublishthewholestoryassoonasIreturntoSanFrancisco，“answeredGeraldpromptly。
“Soforafewhundreddollars，whichisallthatyoucanpossiblygetoutofit，youwillmakeabeggarofme。”
“Rightisright，“saidtheyoungIrishman。“Thispropertydoesnotbelongtoyou。”
“Willyouholdyourtongue——oryourpen——forfiftythousanddollars？“askedtheSpaniardeagerly。
“No，norforeverydollaryouhaveintheworld。Idon”tapproveyourpracticeandIwon”tshareyourplunder。Iamsorryforyoupersonally，butIcan”thelpthat。Iwon”toustyou。Iwillmakesuchuseofthestoryasanynewspapermanwouldmake，andsoI
giveyoufairwarning。Youmaysaveyourselfifyoucan。”
“Thenyoudonotintendtocommunicatewiththeheirs？“beganVincenzaeagerly。
“Ineitherknownorcarewhotheyare，“interruptedGerald。“Iamnotadetective，saveinthewayofmyprofession，andIshallcertainlynottellwhatIhavediscoveredtoanyindividualtillI
giveittothepress。”
“Andthatwillbe？“askedtheSpaniard。
“AssoonasIreturntoSanFrancisco，“answeredFfrench。“Itmayappearinaweekortendays。”
“Thankyou，senor；goodmorning，“saidVincenza，risingandleavingtheroom。
ThreedayslaterSenorMiguelVincenzasailedontheoutgoingPacificmailsteamerboundforJapanandChina。Heprobablytookaconsiderablesumofmoneywithhim，fortheheirsofCatalinaCostelloyUgartefoundtheaffairsofthedeceasedinaverytangledstate，andtheranchwasmortgagedfornearlyhalfitsvalue。
GeraldFfrench”sstoryoccupiedfourpagesofthenextissueoftheGoldenFleece，andwaswidelycopiedandcommentedonovertwocontinents。Larry，thegroomatBallyvire，readtheaccountinhisfavoriteWestmeathSentinel，andashelaidthepaperdownexclaimedinwonder——
“Begob，hefoundher！“
LadyBetty”sIndiscretion“Horry！Iamsicktodeathofit！“
Therewasaservantintheroomgatheringthetea-cups；butLadyBettyStafford，havingbeenbroughtupinthepurple，wasnottobedeterredfromspeakinghermindbyaservant。Hercousinwaseithermoreprudentorlessvivacious；hedidnotanswerontheinstant，butstoodlookingthroughoneofthewindowsattheleaflesstreesandslow-droppingrainintheMall，andonlyturnedwhenLadyBettypettishlyrepeatedherstatement。
“Hadabadtime？“hethenvouchsafed，droppingintoachairnearher，andlookingfirstather，inagood-naturedway，andthenathisboots，whichheseemedtoapprove。
“Horrid！“shereplied。
“Manypeoplehere？“
“Hordesofthem！Wholetribes！“sheexclaimed。Shewasalittlelady，plumpandpretty，withapale，clearcomplexion，andbrighteyes。“Iamboredbeyondbelief。And——andIhavenotseenStaffordsincemorning，“sheadded。
“Cabinetcouncil？“
“Yes！“sheansweredviciously。“Acabinetcouncil，andaprivycouncil，andaboardoftrade，andaboardofgreencloth，andalltheotherboards！Horry，Iamsicktodeathofit！Whatistheuseofitall？“
“Countrygotothedogs！“hesaidoracularly，stilladmiringhisboots。
“Letit！“sheretorted，notrelentingawhit。“Iwishitwould；I
wishthedogsjoyofit！“
Hemadeanextraordinaryeffortatdiffuseness。“Ithought，“hesaid，“thatyouwerebecomingpolitical，Betty。Goingtowritesomething，andallthat。”
“Rubbish！ButhereisMr。Atley。Mr。Atley，willyouhaveacupoftea，“shecontinued，speakingtothenewcomer。“Therewillbesomeherepresently。WhereisMr。Stafford？“
“Mr。Staffordwilltakeacupofteainthelibrary，LadyBetty，“
repliedthesecretary。“Heaskedmetobringittohim。Heiscopyinganimportantpaper。”
SirHoraceforsookhisboots，andinafitofmomentaryinterestasked，“Theyhavecometoterms？“
Thesecretarynodded。LadyBettysaid“Pshaw！“Amanbroughtinthefreshteapot。ThenextmomentMr。Staffordhimselfcamequicklyintotheroom，anopentelegraminhishand。
Henoddedpleasantlytohiswifeandhercousin。Buthisthin，darkfacewore——itgenerallydid——apreoccupiedlook。Countrypeopletowhomhewaspointedoutinthestreetscalledhim，accordingtotheirpoliticalleanings，eitherinsignificant，oraprig，ora“drysort；“orsometimessaid，“Howyoungheis！“ButthosewhosefateitwastofacetheMinisterintheHouseknewthattherewassomethinginhimmoretobefearedeventhanhisimperturability，hishonesty，orhisprecision——andthatwasacertainsuddenwarmth，whichwasapttocarryawaytheHouseatunexpectedtimes。Ononeoftheseoccasions，itwasrumored，LadyBettyChampionhadseenhim，andfalleninlovewithhim。Whyhehadthrownthehandkerchieftoher——wellthatwasanothermatter；
andwhethertheapparentlyincongruousmatchwouldanswer——that，too，remainedtobeseen。
“Moretelegrams？“shecriednow。“Itrainstelegrams！howIhatethem！“
“Why？“hesaid。“Whyshouldyou？“Hereallywondered。
Shemadeafaceathim。“Hereisyourtea，“shesaidabruptly。
“Thankyou；youareverygood，“hereplied。Hetookthecupandsetitdownabsently。“Atley，“hecontinued，speakingtothesecretary，“youhavenotcorrectedthereportofmyspeechattheClub，haveyou？No，Iknowyouhavehadnotime。Willyourunyoureyeoveritpresently，andseeifitisallright，andsendittotheTimes——IdonotthinkIneedseeit——byeleveno”clockatlatest。Theeditor，“headded，tappingthepinkpaperinhishand，“seemedtodoubtus。IhavetogotoFitzgerald”snow，soyoumustcopyLordPilgrimstone”sterms，too，please。Ihadmeanttodoitmyself，butIshallbewithyoubeforeyouhavefinished。”
“Whataretheterms？“LadyBettyasked。“LordPilgrimstonehasnotagreedto”
“Topermitmetocommunicatethem？“hereplied，withagravesmile。
“No。Soyoumustpardonme，mydear，Ihavepassedmywordforabsolutesecrecy。And，indeed，itisasimportanttomeastoPilgrimstonethattheyshouldnotbedivulged。”
“Theyaresuretoleakout，“sheretorted。“Theyalwaysdo。”
“Well，itwillnotbethroughme，Ihope。”
Shestampedherfootonthecarpet。“Ishouldliketogetthem，andsendthemtotheTimes！“sheexclaimed，hereyesflashing——hewassoprovoking！“Andletalltheworldknowthem！Ishould！“
Helookedhisastonishment，whiletheothertwolaughedsoftly，partlytoavoidembarrassment，perhaps。MyLadyoftensaidthesethings，andnoonetookthemseriously。
“Youhadbetterplaythesecretaryforonce，LadyBetty，“saidAtley，whowasrelatedtohischief。“Youwillthenbeabletosatisfyyourcuriosity。ShallIresignprotem？“
Shelookedeagerlyatherhusbandforthethirdpartofasecond——
lookedforassent，perhaps。Butshereadnoplayfulnessinhisface，andherownfell。Hewasthinkingaboutotherthings。“No，“
shesaid，almostsullenly，droppinghereyestothecarpet；“I
shouldnotspellwellenough。”
Soonafterthattheydispersed，thisbeingWednesday，Mr。
Stafford”sdayfordiningout。EveryoneknowsthatMinistersdineonlytwiceaweekinsession——onWednesdayandSunday；andSundayisoftensacredtothechildrenwherethereareany，lesttheyshouldgrowupandnotknowtheirfatherbysight。LadyBettycameintothelibraryataquartertoeight，andfoundherhusbandstillathisdesk，apileofpapersbeforehimwaitingforhissignature。
Asafact，hehadonlyjustsatdown，displacinghissecretary，whohadgoneupstairstodress。
“Stafford！“shesaid。
Shedidnotseemquiteatherease，buthismindwastroubled，andhefailedtonoticethis。“Yes，mydear，“heansweredpolitely，shufflingthepapersbeforehimintoaheap。Heknewhewaslate，andhecouldseethatshewasdressed。“Yes，Iamgoingupstairsthisminute。Ihavenotforgotten。”
“Itisnotthat，“shesaid，leaningwithonehandonthetable；“I
onlywanttoaskyou”
“Mydear，youreallymusttellittomeinthecarriage。”Hewasonhisfeetalready，makingsomehastypreparations。“Wherearewetodine？AttheDuke”s？Thenweshallhavenearlyamiletodrive。Willnotthatdoforyou？“Hewasworkinghardwhilehespoke。Therewasagreatoakpost-boxwithinreach，andanotherboxforletterswhichweretobedeliveredbyhand，andhewasthrustingahandfulofnotesintoeachofthese。Otherpacketshesweptintodifferentdrawersofthetable。Stillstanding，hestoopedandsignedhisnametohalfadozenletters，whichheleftopenontheblotting-pad。“Atleywillseetothesewhenheisdressed，“hemurmured。“Wouldyouobligemebylockingthedrawers，mydear——itwillsavemeaminute——andgivingmethekeyswhenIcomedown？“
Hewasoffthen，twoorthreepapersinhishand，andalmostranupstairs。LadyBettystoodamomentonthespotonwhichhehadlefther，lookinginanoddway，justasifitwerenewtoher，roundthegrave，spaciousroom，withitssomberSpanish-leather-
coveredfurniture，itsponderouswriting-tablesandshelvesofbooks，itsthreeloftycurtainedwindows。Whenhereyesatlastcamebacktothelamp，anddweltonit，theywereverybright，andherfacewasflushed。Herfootcouldbeheardtappingonthecarpet。Presentlysherememberedherselfandfelltowork，vehementlyslammingsuchdrawersaswereopen，andlockingthem。
Theprivatesecretaryfoundherdoingthiswhenhecamein。Shemutteredsomething——stillstoopingwithherfaceoverthedrawers——
andalmostimmediatelywentout。Helookedafterher，partlybecausetherewassomethingoddinhermanner——shekeptherfaceaverted；andpartlybecauseshewaswearinganewandstrikinggown，andheadmiredher；andhenoticed，asshepassedthroughthedoorway，thatshehadsomepapershelddownbyherside。But，ofcourse，hethoughtnothingofthis。
Hewashopelesslylateforhisowndinner-party，andonlystayedamomenttoslipthelettersjustsignedintoenvelopespreparedforthem。Thenhemadehastilyforthedoor，openedit，andcameintoabruptcollisionwithSirHorace，whowasstrollingin。
“Begpardon！“saidthatgentleman，withirritatingplacidity。
“Latefordinner？“
“Rather！“criedthesecretary，tryingtogetroundhim。
“Well，“drawledtheother，“whichisthehand-box，oldfellow？“
“Ithasjustbeencleared。Here，giveitme。Themessengersisinthehallnow。”
AndAtleysnatchedtheletterfromhiscompanion，thetwogoingoutintothehalltogether。Marcus，thebutler，acoupleoftallfootmen，andthemessengerweresortinglettersatthetable。
“Here，Marcus，“saidthesecretary，pitchinghisletterontheslab，“letthatgowiththeothers。Andismyhansomhere？“
Inanotherminutehewasspeedingoneway，andtheStaffordsintheirbroughamanother，whileSirHoracewalkedathisleisuredowntohisclub。TheMinisterandhiswifedrovealonginsilence，forheforgottoaskherwhatshewanted；and，strangetosay，LadyBettyforgottotellhim。Atthepartyshemadequiteasensation；
neverhadsheseemedmorerecklesslygay，morepiquant，moreaudaciouslywitty，thansheshowedherselfthisevening。Therewereillustriouspersonagespresent，buttheypaledbesideher。
TheDuke，withwhomshewasagreatfavorite，laughedathersalliesuntilhecouldlaughnomore；andevenherhusband，herveryhusband，forgotforatimethecountryandthecrisis，andlistened，half-proudandhalf-afraid。Butshewasnotawareofthis；shecouldnotseehisfacewhereshewassitting。Toallseeming，sheneverlookedthatway。Shewasquiteamodelsocietywife。
Mr。Staffordhimselfwasanearlyriser。Itwashishabittobeupbysix；tomakehisowncoffeeoveraspiritlamp，andthennotonlytogetthroughmuchworkinhisdressing-room，buttotakehisdailyridealsobeforebreakfast。OnthemorningaftertheDuke”sparty，however，helaylaterthanusual；andastherewasmorebusinesstobedone——owingtothecrisis——thecanterintheParkhadtobeomitted。Hewasstillamonghispapers——thoughmomentarilyawaitingthebreakfast-gong，whenahansomcabdrivenatfullspeedstoppedatthedoor。Heglancedupwearilyasheheardthedoorsofthecabflungopenwithacrash。Therehadbeenatimewhenthestirandbustleofsucharrivalshadbeensweettohim——notsosweetastosome，forhehadneverbeendeeplyinlovewiththeparadeofoffice——butsweeterthanto-day，whentheywerenomoretohimthanthecreakingofthemilltothecamelthatturnsitblindfoldandindarkness。
NaturallyhewasthinkingofLordPilgrimstonethismorning，andguessed，beforeheopenedthenotewhichtheservantbroughtintohim，whowasitswriter。Butitscontentshad，nevertheless，anelectricaleffectuponhim。Hisbrowreddened。Withaquiteunusualdisplayofemotionhesprangtohisfeet，crushingthefragmentofpaperinhisfingers。“Whobroughtthis？“heaskedsharply。“Whobroughtit？“herepeated，beforetheservantcouldexplain。
Themanhadneverseenhimsomoved。“Mr。Scratchley，sir，“heanswered。
“Ha！Then，showhimintothelibrary，“wasthequickreply。Andwhiletheservantwenttodohisbidding，theMinisterhastilychangedhisdressing-gownforacoat，andrandownaprivatestaircase，reachingtheroomhehadmentionedbyonedoorasMr。
Scratchley，LordPilgrim-stone”ssecretary，enteredinthroughanother。
Bythattimehehadregainedhiscomposure，andlookedmuchasusual。Still，whenheheldupthecrumplednote，therewasabrusquenessinthegesturewhichwouldhavesurprisedhisordinaryacquaintances，anddidremindMr。Scratchleyofcertain“warmnights“intheHouse。“Youknowthecontentsofthis，Mr。
Scratchley？“hesaidwithoutprelude，andinatonewhichmatchedhisgesture。
Thevisitorbowed。Hewasagravemiddle-agedman，whoseemedoppressedandburdenedbytheloadofcaresandresponsibilitieswhichhissmilingchiefcarriedsojauntily。PeoplesaidthathewasthepropercomplementofLordPilgrimstone，asthemorevolatileAtleywasofhisleader。
“Andyouareaware，“continuedMr。Stafford，stillmoreharshly，“thatLordPilgrimstonegivesyesterday”sagreementtothewinds？“
“Ihaveneverseenhislordshipsodeeplymoved，“repliedthediscreetone。
“Hesays：”Ourformernegotiationwasruinedbyprematuretalk，butthislastdisclosurecanonlybereferredtotreacheryorgrosscarelessness。”Whatdoesthismean？Iknowofnodisclosure，Mr。
Scratchley。Imusthaveanexplanation，andyou，Ipresume，areheretogivemeone。”
Foramomenttheotherseemedtakenaback。“YouhavenotseentheTimes？“hemurmured。
“Thismorning”s？No。Butitishere。”
Hesnatchedit，ashespoke，fromatableathiselbow，andunfoldedit。Thesecretaryapproachedandpointedtotheheadofacolumn——themostconspicuous，thecolumnmostreadilytobefoundinthepaper。“TheyarecryingitateverystreetcornerI
passed，“headdedapologetically。“ThereisnothingtobeheardinSt。James”sStreetandPallMallbut”DetailedProgrammeoftheCoalition。”Theotherdailiesarestrikingoffsecondeditionstocontainit！“
Mr。Stafford”seyeswererivetedtothepaper，andtherewasalongpause，apauseonhispartofdismayandconsternation。Hecouldscarcely——torepeatacommonphrase——believehiseyes。“Itseems，“
hemutteredatlength，“itseemsfairlyaccurate——atolerablypreciseaccount，indeed。”
“Itisaverbatimcopy，“saidthesecretarydrily。“Thequestionis，whofurnishedit。LordPilgrimstone，Iamauthorizedtosay，hasnotpermittedhisnoteoftheagreementtopassoutofhispossession——evenuptothepresentmoment。”
“Andsoheconcludes，“theMinistersaidthoughtfully”itisafairinferenceenough，perhaps——thattheTimesmusthaveprocureditsinformationfrommynote？“
“No！“thesecretaryobjectedsharplyandforcibly。“Itisnotamatterofinference，Mr。Stafford。Iamdirectedtosaythat。I
haveinquired，earlyasitis，attheTimesoffice，andlearnedthatthecopyprintedcamedirectlyfromthehandsofyourmessenger。”
“Ofmymessenger！“Mr。Staffordcried，thunderstruck。“Youaresureofthat？“
“Iamsurethatthesub-editorsaysso。”
Andagaintherewassilence。“Thismustbelookedinto，“saidMr。
Staffordatlength，controllinghimselfbyaneffort。“Forthepresent，IagreewithLordPilgrimstone，thatitalterstheposition——andperhapsfinally。”
“LordPilgrimstonewillbedamagedintheeyesofalargesectionofhissupporters——seriouslydamaged，“saidMr。Scratchley，shakinghishead，andfrowning。
“Possibly。Fromeverypointofviewthethingistobedeplored。
ButIwillcallonLordPilgrimstone，“continuedtheMinister，“afterlunch。Willyoutellhimso？“
Acuriousembarrassmentshoweditselfinthesecretary”smanner。
Hetwistedhishatinhishands，andlookedsuddenlysickandsad——
asifhewereabouttojoininthegroanataprayer-meeting。
“LordPilgrimstone，“hesaid，inavoicehevainlystrovetorendercommonplace，“isgoingtoSandownSpringMeetingto-day。”
Thetonewasreallysolugubrious——tosaynothingofashakeoftheheadwithwhichhecouldnothelpaccompanyingthestatement——thatafaintsmileplayedonMr。Stafford”slip。“ThenImusttakethenextpossibleopportunity。Iwillseehimto-morrow。”
Mr。Scratchleyassentedtothat，andbowedhimselfout，afteranotherwordortwo，lookingmoregloomyandcarewornthanusual。
Theinterviewhadnotbeenaltogethertohismind。HewishednowthathehadspokenmoreroundlytoMr。Stafford；perhapsevenaskedforacategoricaldenialofthecharge。ButtheMinister”smannerhadoverawedhim。Hehadfounditimpossibletoputthequestion。
AndthenthepitifuldegradingconfessionhehadhadtomakeforLordPilgrimstone！Thathadputthecoping-stonetohisdissatisfaction。
“Oh！“sighedMr。Scratchley，ashesteppedintohiscab。“Oh，thatmensogreatshouldstooptothingssolittle！“
Itdidnotoccurtohimthatthereisaconditionofthingsevenmoresad：whenlittlemenmeddlewithgreatthings。
MeanwhileMr。Stafford，leftalone，stoodatthewindowdeepinunpleasantthoughts，fromwhichtheentranceofthebutlersenttosummonhimtobreakfastfirstarousedhim。“Stayamoment，Marcus！“hesaid，turningwithasigh，asthemanwasleavingtheroomafterdoinghiserrand。“Iwanttoaskyouaquestion。Didyoumakeupthemessenger”sbaglastevening？“
“Yes，sir。”
“DidyounoticealetteraddressedtotheTimesoffice？“
Theservanthadpreparedhimselftocogitate。Buthefounditunnecessary。“Yes，sir，“herepliedsmartly，“Two。”
“Two？“repeatedMr。Stafford，dismayinhistone，thoughthiswasjustwhathehadreasontoexpect。
“Yes，sir。TherewasoneItookfromtheband-box，andoneMr。
Atleygavemeinthehallatthelastmoment，“explainedthebutler。
“Ha！Thankyou，Marcus。ThenaskMr。Atleyifhewillkindlycometome。NodoubthewillbeabletotellmewhatIwanttoknow。”
Thewordswerecommonplace，butthespeaker”sanxietywassoevidentthatMarcuswhenhedeliveredthemessage——whichhedidwithallhaste——addedawordortwoofwarning。“ItisaboutalettertotheTimes，sir，Ithink。Mr。Staffordseemedagooddealputout，“hesaid，confidentially。
“Indeed？“Atleyreplied。“Iwillgodown。”Andhestartedatonce。Butbeforehereachedthelibraryhemetsomeone。LadyBettylookedoutofthebreakfast-room，andsawhimdescendingthestairswiththebutlerbehindhim。
“WhereisMr。Stafford，Marcus？“sheaskedimpatiently，asshestoodwithherhandonthedoor。“Goodmorning，Mr。Atley，“sheadded，hereyesdescendingtohim。“Whereismyhusband？Thecoffeeisgettingquitecold。”
“Hehasjustsenttoaskmetocometohim，“Atleyanswered。
“MarcustellsmethereissomethingintheTimeswhichhasannoyedhim，LadyBetty；IwillsendhimupasquicklyasIcan。”
ButLadyBettyhadnotstayedtoreceivethislastassurance。Shehaddrawnbackandshutthedoorsmartly；yetnotsoquicklybutthattheprivatesecretaryhadseenherchangecolor。“Umph！“heejaculatedtohimself——theladywasnotmuchgiventoblushingasarule”IwonderwhatiswrongwithHERthismorning。Sheisnotgenerallyrudetome。”
Itwasnotlongbeforehegotsomelightonthematter。“Comehere，Atley，“saidhisemployer，themomentheenteredthelibrary。
“Lookatthis！“
ThesecretarytooktheTimes，foldedbackattheimportantcolumn，andreadtheletter。MeanwhiletheMinisterreadthesecretary。
Hesawsurpriseandconsternationonhisface，butnotraceofguilt。ThenhetoldhimwhatMarcussaidaboutthetwoletterswhichhadgonethepreviouseveningfromthehouseaddressedtotheTimesoffice。“One，“hesaid，“containedthenotesofmyspeech。
Theother”
“Theother”repliedthesecretary，thinkingwhilehespoke，“wasgiventomeatthelastmomentbySirHorace。IthrewittoMarcusinthehall。”
“Ah！“saidhischief，tryingveryhardtoexpressnothingbytheexclamation，butnotquitesucceeding。“DidyouseethatthatletterwasaddressedtotheeditoroftheTimes？“
Thesecretaryreddened，andbetrayedsuddenconfusion。“Idid，“hesaidhurriedly。“IsawsomuchoftheaddressasIthrewtheletterontheslab——thoughIthoughtnothingofitatthetime。”
Mr。Staffordlookedathimfixedly。“Come，“hesaid，“thisisagravematter，Atley。Younoticed，Icansee，thehandwriting。WasitSirHorace”s？“
“No，“repliedthesecretary。
“Whosewasit？“
“Ithink——Ithink，Mr。Stafford——thatitwasLadyBetty”s。ButI
shouldbesorry，havingseenitonlyforamoment——sosayforcertain。”
“LadyBetty”s？“
Mr。Staffordrepeatedtheexclamationthreetimes，inpuresurprise，inanger，athirdtimeintrembling。Inthislaststagehewalkedawaytothewindow，andturninghisbackonhiscompanionlookedout。Herecalledatoncehiswife”spetulantexclamationofyesterday，thefoolishdesireexpressed，ashehadsupposedinjest。Hadshereallybeeninearnest？Andhadshecarriedoutherthreat？Hadshe——hiswife——donethisthingsocompromisingtohishonor，somischievoustothecountry，somad，reckless，wicked？
Impossible。Itwasimpossible。Andyet——andyetAtleywasamantobetrusted，agentleman，hisownrelation！AndAtley”seyewasnotlikelytobedeceivedinamatterofhandwriting。ThatAtleyhadmadeuphismindhecouldsee。
Thestatesmanturnedfromthewindow，andwalkedtoandfro，hisagitationbetrayedbyhisstep。Thethirdtimehepassedinfrontofhissecretary——whohadrivetedhiseyestotheTimesandappearedtobereadingthemoneyarticle——hestopped。“Ifthisbetrue——mindIsayif，Atley”hecried，jerkily，“whatwasmywife”smotive？Iaminthedark，blindfolded！Helpme！TellmewhathasbeenpassingroundmethatIhavenotseen。Youwouldnothavemywife——aspy？“
“No！no！no！“criedtheother，ashedroppedthepaper，hisvehemenceandhisworkingfeaturesshowingthathefeltthepathosoftheappeal。“Itisnotthat。LadyBettyisjealous，ifImayventuretojudge，ofyourdevotiontopolitics。Sheseeslittleofyou。Youarewrappedupinpublicaffairsandmattersofstate。
Shefeelsherselfneglectedandsetaside。Andshehasbeenmarriednomorethanayear。”
“Butshehashersociety，“objectedtheMinister，compellinghimselftospeakcalmly，“andhercousin，and——andmanyotherthings。”
“Forwhichshedoesnotcare，“returnedthesecretary。
Itwasasimpleanswer，butsomethinginittouchedatenderplace。
Mr。Staffordwincedandcastaqueerstartledlookatthespeaker。
Beforehecouldreply，however——ifheintendedtoreply——aknockcameatthedoorandMarcusputinhishead。“Myladyiswaitingbreakfast，sir，“hesuggestedtimidly。Whatcouldapoorbutlerdobetweenanimpatientmistressandanobduratemaster？
“Iwillcome，“saidMr。Staffordhastily。“Iwillcomeatonce。
Forthismatter，Atley，“hecontinuedwhenthedoorwasclosedagain，“letitrestforthepresentwhereitis。IamawareIcandependuponyour”hepaused，seekingaword”yourdiscretion。
Onethingiscertain，however。Thereisanendofthearrangementmadeyesterday。ProbablytheQueenwillsendforTempleton。I
shallseeLordPilgrimstonetomorrow，butprobablythatwillbetheendofit。”
Atleywentawaymarvelingathiscoolness，tryingtoretracetheshortstepsoftheirconversation，andsotodiscernhowfartheMinisterhadgonewithhim，andwherehehadturnedoffuponaresolutionofhisown。Hefailedtoseetheclue，however，andmarveledstillmoreasthedaywentonandotherssucceededit，daysofpoliticalcrisis。Outofdoorstheworld，orthatlittlejotofitwhichhasitscenteratWestminster，wasinconfusion。
Thenewspapers，morningorevening，foundreadysale，andhadnoneedofrecoursetomurder-panics，orprurientdiscussions。TheCoalitionscandal，theresignationofMinisters，thesendingforLordThisandMr。That，thecertaintyofadissolution，providedmatterenough。InallthisAtleyfoundnothingtowonderat。Hehadseenitallbefore。Thatwhichdidcausehimsurprisewasthecalm——theunnaturalcalmasitseemedtohim——whichprevailedinthehouseinCarltonTerrace。Foradayortwo，indeed，therewasmuchgoingtoandfro，muchclosetingandbutton-holing；forratherlongerthesecretaryreadanxietyandapprehensioninonecountenance——LadyBetty”s。Butthingssettleddown。Theknockerpresentlyfoundpeace，suchcomparativepeaceasfallstoknockersinCarltonTerrace。LadyBetty”sbrowgrewclearashereyefoundnoreflectionofitsanxietyinMr。Stafford”sface。Inawordthesecretaryfailedtodiscernthefaintestsignofdomestictrouble。
ThelateMinister，indeed，wastakingthingswithwonderfulcoolness。LordPilgrimstonehadfailedtotaunthim，andthetriumphofoldfoeshadfailedtogoadhimintoalasteffort。
Apparentlyithadoccurredtohimthatthecountrymightforatimeexistwithouthim。Hewasstandingasidewithashadeonhisface，andtherewererumorsthathewouldtakealongholiday。
Aweeksawallthesethingshappen。Andthen，onedayasAtleysatwritinginthelibrary——Mr。Staffordbeingout——LadyBettycameintotheroomforsomething。Risingtofindherwhatshewanted，hewasholdingthedooropenforhertopassout，whenshepaused。
“Shutthedoor，Mr。Atley，“shesaid，pointingtoit。“Iwanttoaskyouaquestion。”
“Praydo，LadyBetty，“heanswered。
“Itisthis，“shesaid，meetinghiseyesboldly——andabrighter，amoredaintylittlecreaturethanshelookedthenhadseldomtemptedman。“Mr。Stafford”sresignation——haditanything，Mr。Atley，todowith”herfacecoloredaverylittle”somethingthatwasintheTimesthisdayweek？“
Hisowncheekcoloredviolentlyenough。“Ifever，“hewassayingtohimself，“Imeddleormarbetweenhusbandandwifeagain，mayI”Butaloudheansweredquietly，“Somethingperhaps。”Thequestionwassudden。Hereyeswereonhisface。Hefounditimpossibletoprevaricate。
“Myhusbandhasneverspokentomeaboutit，“shereplied，breathingquickly。
Hebowed，havingnowordsadaptedtothesituation。Butherepeatedhisresolutionasabovemorefuriously。
“Hehasneverappearedevenawareofit，“shepersisted。“Areyousurethathesawit？“
Hewonderedatherinnocenceorheraudacity。Thatsuchababyshoulddosomuchmischief。Thethoughtirritatedhim。“Itwasimpossiblethatheshouldnotseeit，LadyBetty，“hesaid，withatouchofasperity。“Quiteimpossible！“
“Ah，“sherepliedwithafaintsigh。“Well，hehasneverspokentomeaboutit。Andyouthinkithadreallysomethingtodowithhisresignation，Mr。Atley？“
“Mostcertainly，“hesaid。Hewasnotinclinedtospareherthistime。
Shenoddedthoughtfully，andthenwithaquiet“Thankyou，“wentout。
“Well，“mutteredthesecretarytohimselfwhenthedoorwasfairlyshutbehindher，“sheis——uponmywordsheisafool！Andhe“——
appealingtotheinkstand”hehasneversaidawordtoheraboutit。HeisanewDonQuixote！asecondJob，newSirIsaacNewton！
Idonotknowwhattocallhim。”
ItwasSirHorace，however，whoprecipitatedthecatastrophe。Hehappenedtocomeinabouttea-timethatafternoon，before，infact，myladyhadhadanopportunityofseeingherhusband。Hefoundheraloneandinabrownstudy，athingmostunusualwithherandportendingsomething。Hewatchedherforatimeinsilence，seemedtodrawcouragefromastilllongerinspectionofhisboots，andthensaid，“Sothecartiscleanover，Betty？“
Shenodded。
“Drivermuchhurt？“
“Doyoumean，doesStaffordmindit？“sherepliedimpatiently。
Henodded。
“Well，Idonotknow。Itishardtosay。”
“Thinkso？“hepersisted。
“Goodgracious，Horry！“myladyretorted，losingpatience。“IsayIdonotknow，andyousay”Thinkso！”Ifyouwanttolearnsoparticularly，askhimyourself。Hereheis！“
Mr。Staffordhadjustenteredtheroom。Perhapsshereallywishedtosatisfyherselfastothestateofhisfeelings。Perhapssheonlydesiredinherirritationtoputhercousininacorner。Atanyrateshecoollyturnedtoherhusbandandsaid，“HereisHoracewishingtoknowifyoumindbeingturnedoutmuch？“
Mr。Stafford”sfaceflushedalittleatthehome-thrustwhichnooneelsewouldhavedaredtodealhim。Butheshowednodispleasure。“Well，notsomuchasIshouldhavethought，“heansweredfrankly，pausingtoweighalumpofsugar，and，asitseemed，hisfeelings。“Therearecompensations，youknow。”
“Pityallthesamethosetermscameout，“gruntedSirHorace。
“Itwas。”
“Stafford！“LadyBettystruckinonasudden，speakingfastandeagerly，“isittrue，Iwanttoaskyou，itistruethatthatledyoutoresign？“
End