Violetcontinuedtolookatthem，thenslowlystretchedoutherhand，butsoonletitfallagainwithanairofdiscouragement。
Certainlythemissingdocumentwasnotintheink-potorthemucilagebottle。Yetsomethingmadeherstoopagainoverthepadandsubjectittotheclosestscrutiny。
“Ifonlynothinghadbeentouched！“sheinwardlysighed。Butsheletnosignofherdiscontentescapeherlips，simplyexclaimingassheglancedupatthetoweringspacesoverhead：“Thebooks！
thebooks！Nothingremainsbutforyoutocallupalltheservants，orgetmenfromtheoutsideand，beginningatoneend——
Ishouldsaytheupperone——takedowneverybookstandingwithinreachofawomanofMrs。Quintard”sheight。”
“HearfirstwhatMrs。Quintardhastosayaboutthat，“
interruptedthewomanasthatladyenteredinaflutterofemotionspringingfrommorethanonecause。
“Theyoungladythinksthatweshouldremovethebooks，“Hettyobserved，ashermistress”seyewanderedtohersfromViolet”sabstractedcountenance。
“Useless。Ifweweretoundertaketodothat，Carloswouldbeherebeforehalfthejobwasfinished。Besides，Hettymusthavetoldyoumyextremeaversiontonicelyboundbooks。IwillnotsaythatwhenawakeIneverplacemyhandonone，butonceinastateofsomnambulism，wheneverynaturalwhimhasfullcontrol，IamsurethatIneverwould。Thereisareasonformyprejudice。
Iwasnotalwaysrich。Ioncewasverypoor。ItwaswhenIwasfirstmarriedandlongbeforeClementhadbeguntomakehisfortune。IwassopoorthenthatfrequentlyIwenthungry，andwhatwasworsesawmylittledaughtercryforfood。Andwhy？
Becausemyhusbandwasabibliomaniac。Hewouldspendonfineeditionswhatwouldhavekeptthefamilycomfortable。Itishardtobelieve，isn”tit？IhaveseenhimbringhomeaGrolierwhenthelarderwasasemptyasthatbox；anditmademehatebooksso，especiallythoseofextrafinebinding，thatIhavetotearthecoversoffbeforeIcanfindcouragetoreadthem。”
0life！life！howfastVioletwaslearningit！
“Icanunderstandyouridea，Mrs。Quintard，butaseverythingelsehasfailed，Ishouldmakeamistakenottoexaminetheseshelves。Itisjustpossiblethatwemaybeabletoshortenthetaskverymaterially；thatwemaynothavetocallinhelp，even。
Towhatextenthavetheybeenapproached，orthebookshandled，sinceyoudiscoveredthelossofthepaperwearelookingfor？
“Notatall。Neitherofuswentnearthem。”ThisfromHetty。
“Noranyoneelse？“
“Nooneelsehasbeenadmittedtotheroom。Welockedbothdoorsthemomentwefeltsatisfiedthatthewillhadbeenlefthere。”
“That”sarelief。NowImaybeabletodosomething。Hetty，youlooklikeaverystrongwoman，andI，asyousee，amverylittle。
Wouldyoumindliftingmeuptotheseshelves？Iwanttolookatthem。Notatthebooks，butattheshelvesthemselves。”
Thewonderingwomanstoopedandraisedhertotheleveloftheshelfshehadpointedout。Violetpeeredcloselyatitandthenattheonesjustbeneath。
“AmIheavy？“sheasked；“ifnot，letmeseethoseontheothersideofthedoor。
Hettycarriedherover。
VioletinspectedeachshelfashighasawomanofMrs。
Quintard”sstaturecouldreach，andwhenonherfeetagain，knelttoinspecttheonesbelow。
“Noonehastouchedordrawnanythingfromtheseshelvesintwenty-fourhours，“shedeclared。“Thesmallaccumulationofdustalongtheiredgeshasnotbeendisturbedatanypoint。Itwasverydifferentwiththetable-top。Thatshowsveryplainlywhereyouhadmovedthingsandwhereyouhadnot。”
“Wasthatwhatyouwerelookingfor？Well，Inever！“
Violetpaidnoheed；shewasthinkingandthinkingverydeeply。
Hettyturnedtowardshermistress，thenquicklybacktoViolet，whomsheseizedbythearm。
“What”sthematterwithMrs。Quintard？“shehurriedlyasked。“Ifitwerenight，Ishouldthinkthatshewasinoneofherspells。”
VioletstartedandglancedwhereHettypointed。Mrs。Quintardwaswithinafewfeetofthem，butasobliviousoftheirpresenceasthoughshestoodaloneintheroom。Possibly，shethoughtshedid。Withfixedeyesandmechanicalstepshebegantomovestraighttowardsthetable，herwholeappearanceofanaturetomakeHetty”sbloodruncold，buttocausethatofViolet”stoboundthroughherveinswithrenewedhope。
“TheonethingIcouldhavewished！“shemurmuredunderherbreath。“Shehasfallenintoatrance。Sheisagainunderthedominionofheridea。Ifwewatchanddonotdisturbhershemayrepeatheractionoflastnight，andherselfshowwhereshehasputthispreciousdocument。”
MeanwhileMrs。Quintardcontinuedtoadvance。Amomentmore，andhersmoothwhitelockscaughttheruddyglowcentreduponthechairstandinginthehollowofthetable。Wordswereleavingherlips，andherhand，reachingoutovertheblotter，gropedamongthearticlesscatteredtheretillitsettledonalargepairofshears。
“Listen，“mutteredViolettothewomanpressingclosetoherside。“Youareacquaintedwithhervoice；catchwhatshesaysifyoucan。”
Hettycouldnot；anundistinguishablemurmurwasallthatcametoherears。
Violettookastepnearer。Mrs。Quintard”shandhadlefttheshearsandwashoveringuncertainlyintheair。Herdistresswasevident。Herhead，nolongersteadyonhershoulders，wasturningthiswayandthat，andhertonesbecominginarticulate。
“Paper！Iwantpaper“burstfromherlipsinashrillunnaturalcry。
Butwhentheylistenedformoreandwatchedtoseetheuncertainhandsettlesomewhere，shesuddenlycametoherselfandturneduponthemastartledglance，whichspeedilychangedintooneoftheutmostperplexity。
“WhatamIdoinghere？“sheasked。“IhaveafeelingasifIhadalmostseen——almosttouched——oh，it”sgone！andallisblankagain。Whycouldn”tIkeepittillIknew”Thenshecamewhollytoherselfand，forgettingeventhedoubtsofamomentsince，remarkedtoVioletinheroldtremulousfashion：
“Youaskedustopulldownthebooks？Butyou”veevidentlythoughtbetterofit。”
“Yes，Ihavethoughtbetterofit。”Then，withalastdesperatehopeofre-arousingthevisionslyingsomewherebackinMrs。
Quintard”stroubledbrain，Violetventuredtoobserve：“Thisislikelytoresolveitselfintoapsychologicalproblem，Mrs。
Quintard。Doyousupposethatifyoufellagainintotheconditionoflastnight，youwouldrepeatyouractionandsoleadusyourselftowherethewilllieshidden？“
“Possibly；butitmaybeweeksbeforeIwalkagaininmysleep，andmeanwhileCarloswillhavearrived，andClement，possibly，died。Mynephewissolowthatthedoctoriscomingbackatmidnight。MissStrange，Clementisamaninathousand。Hesayshewantstoseeyou。Wouldyoubewillingtoaccompanymetohisroomforamoment？HewillnotmakemanymorerequestsandIwilltakecarethattheinterviewisnotprolonged。”
“Iwillgowillingly。Butwoulditnotbebettertowait”
“Thenyoumayneverseehimatall。”
“Verywell；butIwishIhadsomebetternewstogive。”
“Thatwillcomelater。ThishousewasnevermeantforCarlos。
Hetty，youwillstayhere。MissStrange，letusgonow。”
“Youneednotspeak；justlethimseeyou。”
VioletnoddedandfollowedMrs。Quintardintothesick-room。
Thesightwhichmethereyestriedheryoungemotionsdeeply。
Staringatherfromthebed，shesawtwopiercingeyesoverwhosebrilliancedeathasyethadgainednocontrol。Clements”ssoulwasinthatgaze；Clementhaltingatthebrinkofdissolutiontosoundthedepthsbehindhimforthehopewhichwouldmakedepartureeasy。Wouldheseeinher，amereslipofagirldressedinfashionableclothesandbearingaboutherallthemarksofsocialdistinction，thesortofpersonneededforthetaskuponthesuccessofwhichdependedhisdarlings”future？Shecouldhardlyexpectit。Yetasshecontinuedtomeethisgazewithalltheseriousnessthemomentdemanded，shebeheldthoseburningorbslosesomeoftheirdemandandthefingers，whichhadlaininertuponthebedspread，fluttergentlyandmoveasiftodrawattentiontohiswifeandthethreebeautifulchildrenclusteredatthefoot-board。
Hehadnotspokennorcouldshespeak，butthesolemnitywithwhichsheraisedherrighthandastoalisteningHeavencalledforthuponhislipswhatwaspossiblyhislastsmile，andwiththememoryofthisfaintexpressionofconfidenceonhispart，shelefttheroom，tomakeherfinalattempttosolvethemysteryofthemissingdocument。
Facingtheelderlyladyinthehall，sheaddressedherwiththeforceandsobernessofoneleadingaforlornhope：
“IwantyoutoconcentrateyourminduponwhatIhavetosaytoyou。Doyouthinkyoucandothis？“
“Iwilltry，“repliedthepoorwomanwithabackwardglanceatthedoorwhichhadjustbeencloseduponher。
“Whatwewant，“saidshe，“is，asIstatedbefore，aninsightintotheworkingsofyourbrainatthetimeyoutookthewillfromthesafe。TryandfollowwhatIhavetosay，Mrs。Quintard。
Dreamsarenolongerregardedbyscientistsaspropheciesofthefutureorevenasspontaneousandirrelevantconditionsofthought，butasreflectionsofanearpast，whichcanalmostwithoutexceptionbetracedbacktotheoccurrenceswhichcausedthem。Youractionwiththewillhaditsbirthinsomepreviouslineofthoughtafterwardsforgotten。Letustryandfindthatthought。Recall，ifyoucan，justwhatyoudidorreadyesterday。”
Mrs。Quintardlookedfrightened。
“But，Ihavenomemory，“sheobjected。“Iforgetquickly，soquicklythatinordertofulfillmyengagementsIhavetokeepamemorandumofeveryday”sevents。Yesterday？yesterday？WhatdidIdoyesterday？Iwentdowntownforonething，butIhardlyknowwhere。”
“Perhapsyourmemorandumofyesterday”sdoingswillhelpyou。”
“Iwillgetit。Butitwon”tgiveyoutheleasthelp。Ikeepitonlyformyowneye，and”
“Nevermind；letmeseeit。”
Andshewaitedimpatientlyforittobeputinherhands。
Butwhenshecametoreadtherecordofthelasttwodays，thiswasallshefound：
Saturday：Mauretanianearlydue。ImustletMr。Delahuntknowtodaythathe”swantedhereto-morrow。Hettywilltryonmydresses。Saysshehastoalterthem。Mrs。Peabodycametolunch，andweinsuchtrouble！Hadtogodownstreet。ErrandforClement。Thewill，thewill！Ithinkofnothingelse。Isitsafewhereitis？Nopeaceofmindtillto-morrow。Clementbetterthisafternoon。SayshemustlivetillCarlosgetsback；nottotriumphoverhim，buttodowhathecantolessenhisdisappointment。MygoodClement！
Sonervous，Iwenttopastingphotographs，andwasforgettingallmytroubleswhenHettybroughtinanotherdresstotryon。
Quietinthegreathouse，duringwhichtheclockonthestaircasesentforthsevenmusicalpeals。ToVioletwaitingaloneinthelibrary，theyactedasasummons。Shewasjustleavingtheroom，whenthesoundofhubbubinthehallbelowheldhermotionlessinthedoorway。Anautomobilehadstoppedinfront，andseveralpersonswereenteringthehouse，inagayandunseemlyfashion。
Asshestoodlistening，uncertainofherduty，sheperceivedthefrenziedfigureofMrs。Quintardapproaching。Asshepassedby，shedroppedoneword：“Carlos！“Thenshewentstaggeringon，todisappearamomentlaterdownthestairway。
Thisvisionlost，anothercame。ThistimeitwasthatofClements”swifeleaningfromthemarblebalustradeabove，theshadowofapproachinggriefbattlingwiththepresentterrorinherperfectfeatures。ThenshetoowithdrewfromviewandViolet，leftforthemomentaloneinthegreathall，steppedbackintothelibraryandbegantoputonherhat。
ThelightshadbeenturnedupinthegrandsalonanditwasinthissceneofgorgeouscolourthatMrs。QuintardcamefacetofacewithCarlosPelacios。Thosewhowerewitnesstoherentrancesaythatshepresentedanobleappearance，aswiththeresolutionofextremedesperationshestoodwaitingforhisfirstangryattack。
He，ashort，thick-set，darkman，showingbothinfeaturesandexpressiontheSpanishbloodofhispaternalancestors，startedtoaddressherintonesofviolence，butchangedhisnote，ashemethereye，toonesimplysardonic。
“Youhere！“hebegan。“Iassureyou，madame，thatitisapleasurewhichisnotwithoutitsinconveniences。Didyounotreceivemycable-gramrequestingthishousetobemadereadyformyoccupancy？“
“Idid。”
“ThenwhydoIfindguestshere？Theydonotusuallyprecedethearrivaloftheirhost。”
“Clementisveryill”
“Somuchthegreaterreasonthatheshouldhavebeenremoved”
“Youwerenotexpectedfortwodaysyet。YoucabledthatyouwerecomingontheMauretania。”
“Yes，Icabledthat。Elisabetta，“——thistohiswifestandingsilentlyinthebackground”wewillgotothePlazafortonight。
Atthreeo”clocktomorrowweshallexpecttofindthishouseinreadinessforourreturn。Later，ifMrs。Quintarddesirestovisitusweshallbepleasedtoreceiveher。But“——thistoMrs。
Quintardherself”youmustcomewithoutClementandthekids。”
Mrs。Quintard”srigidhandstoleuptoherthroat。
“Clementisdying。Heisfailinghourly，“shemurmured。“Hemaynotlivetillmorning。”
EvenCarloswastakenabackbythis。“Oh，well！“saidhe，“wewillgiveyoutwodays。”
Mrs。Quintardgasped，thenshewalkedstraightuptohim。“Youwillgiveusallthetimehisconditionrequiresandmore，muchmore。Heistherealownerofthishouse，notyou。Mybrotherleftawillbequeathingittohim。Youaremynephew”sguests，andnotheyours。AshisrepresentativeIentreatyouandyourwifetoremainhereuntilyoucanfindahometoyourmind。”
Thesilenceseethed。Carloshadatemperoffireandsohadhiswife。Butneitherspoke，tillhehadgainedsufficientcontroloverhimselftoremarkwithoutunduerancour：
“Ididnotthinkyouhadthewittoinfluenceyourbrothertothisextent；otherwise，Ishouldhavecutmytravelsshort。”Thenharshly：“Whereisthiswill？“
“Itwillbeproduced。”Butthewordsfaltered。
Carlosglancedatthemanstandingbehindhiswife；thenbackatMrs。Quintard。
“Willsarenotscribbledoffondeathbeds；oriftheyare，itneedssomethingmorethanasignaturetolegalizethem。Idon”tbelieveinthistrickofalaterwill。Mr。Cavanagh“——hereheindicatedthegentlemanaccompanyingthem”hasdonemyfather”sbusinessforyears，andheassuredmethatthepaperheholdsinhispocketisthefirst，last，andonlyexpressionofyourbrother”swishes。Ifyouareinapositiontodenythis，showusthedocumentyoumention；showusitatonce，orinformuswhereandinwhosehandsitcanbefound。”
“That，for——forreasonsIcannotgive，Imustrefusetodoatpresent。ButIamreadytoswear”
Amockinglaughcuthershort。Diditissuefromhislipsorfromthoseofhishighstrungandunfeelingwife？Itmighthavecomefromeither；therewascauseenough。
“Oh！“shefaltered，“mayGodhavemercy！“andwassinkingbeforetheireyes，whensheheardhername，calledfromthethreshold，and，lookingthatway，sawHettybeaminguponher，backedbyalittlefigurewithafacesoradiantthatinstinctivelyherhandwentouttograspthefoldedsheetofpaperHettywasseekingtothrustuponher。
“Ah！“shecried，inagreatvoice，“youwillnothavetowait，norClementeither。Hereisthewill！Thechildrenhavecomeintotheirown。”Andshefellattheirfeetinadeadfaint。
“Wheredidyoufindit？Oh！wheredidyoufindit？Ihavewaitedaweektoknow。When，afterCarlos”ssuddendeparture，IstoodbesideClement”sdeath-bedandsawfromthelookhegavemethathecouldstillfeelandunderstand，Itoldhimthatyouhadsucceededinyourtaskandthatallwaswellwithus。ButIwasnotabletotellhimhowyouhadsucceededorinwhatplacethewillhadbeenfound；andhedied，unknowing。Butwemayknow，maywenot，nowthatheislaidawayandthereisnomoretalkofourleavingthishouse？“
Violetsmiled，butverytenderly，andinawaynottooffendthemourner。Theyweresittinginthelibrary——thegreatlibrarywhichwastoremaininClement”sfamilyafterall——anditamusedhertofollowthedreaminglady”sglancesastheyraninirrepressiblecuriosityoverthewalls。HadVioletwished，shecouldhavekepthersecretforever。Theseeyeswouldneverhavediscoveredit。
Butshewasofasympathetictemperament，ourViolet，soafteramoment”sdelay，duringwhichshesatisfiedherselfthatlittle，ifanything，hadbeentouchedintheroomsinceherdeparturefromitaweekbefore，shequietlyobserved：
“Youwererightinpersistingthatyouhiditinthisroom。ItwashereIfoundit。Doyounoticethatphotographonthemantelwhichdoesnotstandexactlystraightonitseasel？“
“Yes。”
“Supposingyoutakeitdown。Youcanreachit，canyounot？“
“Oh，yes。Butwhat”
“Liftitdown，dearMrs。Quintard；andthenturnitroundandlookatitsback。”
Agitatedandquestioning，theladydidasshewasbid，andatthefirstglancegaveacryofsurprise，ifnotofunderstanding。Thesquareofbrownpaper，actingasabackingtothepicture，wasslitacross，disclosingasimilaronebehinditwhichwasstillintact。
“Oh！wasithiddeninhere？“sheasked。
“Verycompletely，“assentedViolet。“Pastedinoutofsightbyaladywhoamusesherselfwithmountingandframingphotographs。
Usually，sheisconsciousofherwork，butthistimesheperformedhertaskinadream。”
Mrs。Quintardwasallamazement。
“Idon”tremembertouchingthesepictures，“shedeclared。“I
nevershouldhaveremembered。Youareawonderfulperson，MissStrange。Howcameyoutothinkthesephotographsmighthavetwobackings？Therewasnothingtoshowthatthiswasso。”
“Iwilltellyou，Mrs。Quintard。Youhelpedme。”
“Ihelpedyou？“
“Yes。Yourememberthememorandumyougaveme？Inityoumentionedpastingphotographs。Butthiswasnotenoughinitselftoleadmetoexaminethoseonthemantel，ifyouhadnotgivenmeanothersuggestionalittlewhilebefore。Wedidnottellyouthis，Mrs。Quintard，atthetime，butduringthesearchweweremakingherethatday，youhadalapseintothatpeculiarstatewhichinducesyoutowalkinyoursleep。Itwasashortone，lastingbutamoment，butinamomentonecanspeak，and，thisyoudid”
“Spoke？Ispoke？“
“Yes，youutteredtheword”paper！”notthepaper，but”paper！”
andreachedouttowardstheshears。ThoughIhadnotmuchtimetothinkofitthen，afterwardsuponreadingyourmemorandumI
recalledyourwords，andaskedmyselfifitwasnotpapertocut，ratherthantohide，youwanted。Ifitwastocut，andyouwerebutrepeatingtheexperienceofthenightbefore，thentheroomshouldcontainsomeremnantsofcutpaper。Hadweseenany？Yes，inthebasket，underthedeskwehadtakenoutandthrownbackagainastriporsoofwrappingpaper，which，ifmymemorydidnotfailme，showedaclean-cutedge。Topullthisstripoutagainandspreaditflatuponthedeskwastheworkofaminute，andwhatIsawledmetolookallovertheroom，notnowforthefoldeddocument，butforasquareofbrownpaper，suchashadbeentakenoutofthislargersheet。WasIsuccessful？Notforalongwhile，butwhenIcametothephotographsonthemantelandsawhownearlytheycorrespondedinshapeandsizetowhatIwaslookingfor，Irecalledagainyourfancyformountingphotographsandfeltthatthemysterywassolved。
“Aglanceatthebackofoneofthembroughtdisappointment，butwhenIturnedaboutitsmate——YouknowwhatIfoundunderneaththeouterpaper。Youhadlaidthewillagainsttheoriginalbackingandsimplypastedanotheroneoverit。
“Thatthediscoverycameintimetocutshortaverypainfulinterviewhasmademejoyfulforaweek。
“AndnowmayIseethechildren？“
ENDOFPROBLEMV
PROBLEMVI
THEHOUSEOFCLOCKS
MissStrangewasnotinaresponsivemood。Thisheremployerhadobservedonfirstentering；yetheshowednohesitationinlayingonthetablebehindwhichshehadensconcedherselfintheattitudeofonebesieged，anenvelopethickwithenclosedpapers。
“There，“saidhe。“Telephonemewhenyouhavereadthem。”
“Ishallnotreadthem。”
“No？“hesmiled；and，repossessinghimselfoftheenvelope，hetoreoffoneend，extractedthesheetswithwhichitwasfilled，andlaidthemdownstillunfolded，intheirformerplaceonthetable-top。
ThesuggestivenessoftheactioncausedthecornersofMissSrange”sdelicatelipstotwitchwistfully，beforesettlingintoanironicsmile。
Calmlytheotherwatchedher。
“Iamonavacation，“sheloftilyexplained，asshefinallymethisstudiouslynon-quizzicalglance。“Oh，IknowthatIaminmyownhome！“shepetulantlyacknowledged，ashisgazetookintheroom；“andthattheautomobileisatthedoor；andthatI”mdressedforshopping。ButforallthatI”monavacation——amentalone，“sheemphasized；“andbusinessmustwait。Ihaven”tgotoverthelastaffair，“sheprotested，ashemaintainedadiscreetsilence，“andtheseasonissogayjustnow——somanyballs，somany——Butthatisn”ttheworst。Fatherisbeginningtowakeup——andifheeversuspects”Asignificantgestureendedthisappeal。
Thepersonageknewherfather——everyonedid——andthewonderhadalwaysbeenthatshedaredruntheriskofdispleasingonesoimplacable。Thoughshewashisfavouritechild，PeterStrangewasknowntobequitecapableofcuttingheroffwithashilling，oncehisclose，prejudicedmindconceivedittobehisduty。Andthathewouldsointerpretthesituation，ifheevercametolearnthesecretofhisdaughter”sfitsofabstractionandtheslybankaccountshewasslowlyaccumulating，thepersonageholdingoutthisdangerouslurehadnodoubtatall。Yetheonlysmiledatherwordsandremarkedincasualsuggestion：
“It”soutoftownthistime——”wayout。Yourhealthcertainlydemandsachangeofair。”
“Myhealthisgood。Fortunately，orunfortunately，asonemaychoosetolookatit，itfurnishesmewithnoexcuseforanouting，“shesteadilyretorted，turningherbackonthetable。
“Ah，excuseme！“theinsidiousvoiceapologized，“yourpalenessmisledme。Surelyanightortwo”schangemightbebeneficial。”
Shegavehimaquicksidelook，andbegantoadjustherboa。
Tothishinthepaidnoattention。
“Theaffairisquiteoutoftheordinary，“hepursuedinthetoneofonerehearsingapart。Buttherehestopped。Forsomereason，notaltogetherapparenttothemasculinemind，thepinofflashingstonesrealstoneswhichheldherhatinplacehadtobetakenoutandthrustbackagain，notonce，buttwice。Itwastowatchthisperformancehehadpaused。Whenhewasreadytoproceed，hetookthemusingtoneofonemarshallingfactsforanother”senlightenment：
“Awomanofunknowninstincts”
“Pshaw！“TheendofthepinwouldstrikeagainstthecombholdingViolet”schestnut-colouredlocks。
“Livinginahouseasmysteriousasthesecretitcontains。But——
“hereheallowedhispatienceapparentlytoforsakehim，“Iwillboreyounolonger。Gotoyourteasandballs；Iwillstrugglewithmydarkaffairsalone。”
Hishandwenttothepacketofpaperssheaffectedsoostentatiouslytodespise。Hecouldbeasnonchalantasshe。Buthedidnotliftthem；heletthemlie。Yettheyoungheiresshadnotmadeamovementoreventurnedtheslightestglancehisway。
“Awomandifficulttounderstand！Amysterioushouse——possiblyamysteriouscrime！“
ThusVioletkeptrepeatinginsilentself-communion，asflushedwithdancingshesatthateveninginahighly-scentedconservatory，dividingherattentionbetweenthecomplimentsofherpartnerandthesplashofafountainbubblingintheheartofthismassoftropicalfoliage；andwhensomehourslatershesatdowninherchintz-furnishedbedroomforafewminutes”thoughtbeforeretiring，itwastodrawfromalittleoakboxatherelbowthehalf-dozenorsofoldedsheetsofcloselywrittenpaperwhichhadbeenleftforherperusalbyherpersistentemployer。
Glancingfirstatthesignatureandfindingittobeonealreadyfavourablyknownatthebar，shereadwithaviditythestatementofeventsthusvouchedfor，findingthemcuriousenoughinallconsciencetokeepherawakeforanotherfullhour。
Weheresubscribeit：
IamalawyerwithanofficeintheTimesSquareBuilding。Mybusinessismainlylocal，butsometimesIamcalledoutoftown，aswitnessthefollowingsummonsreceivedbymeonthefifthoflastOctober。
DEARSIR，——
Iwishtomakemywill。Iamaninvalidandcannotleavemyroom。
Willyoucometome？Theenclosedreferencewillanswerformyrespectability。Ifitsatisfiesyouandyoudecidetoaccommodateme，pleasehastenyourvisit；Ihavenotmanydaystolive。A
carriagewillmeetyouatHighlandStationatanyhouryoudesignate。Telegraphreply。
A。Postlethwaite，GloomCottage，——N。J。
ThereferencegivenwasaMr。WeedofEighty-sixthStreet——awell-
knownmanofunimpeachablereputation。
Callinghimupathisbusinessoffice，IaskedhimwhathecouldtellmeaboutMr。PostlethwaiteProblem6forVioletStrange189
ofGloomCottage，——，N。J。Theanswerastonishedme：
“ThereisnoMr。Postlethwaitetobefoundatthataddress。Hediedyearsago。ThereisaMrs。Postlethwaite——aconfirmedparalytic。Doyoumeanher？“
Iglancedattheletterstilllyingopenatthesideofthetelephone：
“ThesignaturereadsA。Postlethwaite。”
“Thenit”sshe。HernameisArabella。Shehatesthename，beingawomanofnosentiment。Usesherinitialsevenonhercheques。
Whatdoesshewantofyou？“
“Todrawherwill。”
“Obligeher。It”llbeexperienceforyou。”Andheslammedhomethereceiver。
Idecidedtofollowthesuggestionsoforciblyemphasized；andthenextdaysawmeatHighlandStation。Asuperannuatedhorseandastillmoresuperannuatedcarriageawaitedme——bothtoooldtoserveabusymaninthesedaysofswiftconveyance。CouldthisbeasampleoftheestablishmentIwasabouttoenter？ThenI
rememberedthatthewomanwhohadsentformewasahelplessinvalid，andprobablyhadnouseforanysortofturnout。
Thedriverwasinkeepingwiththevehicle，andasnoncommittalastheploddingbeasthedrove。IfIventureduponaremark，hegavemealongandcuriouslook；ifIwentsofarastoattackhimwithadirectquestion，herespondedwithahitchoftheshoulderoradubioussmilewhichconveyednothing。Washedeaforjustunpleasant？Isoonlearnedthathewasnotdeaf；forsuddenly，afterajog-trotofamileorsothroughawoodedroadwhichwehadenteredfromthemainhighway，hedrewinhishorse，and，withoutglancingmyway，spokehisfirstword：
“Thisiswhereyougetout。Thehouseisbackthereinthebushes。”
Asnohousewasvisibleandthebushesroseinanunbrokenbarrieralongtheroad，Istaredathiminsomedoubtofhissanity。
“But”Ibegan；aprotestintowhichheatoncebroke，withthesharpdirection：
“Takethepath。It”llleadyoustraighttothefrontdoor。”
“Idon”tseeanypath。”
Forthishehadnoanswer；andconfidentfromhisexpressionthatitwouldbeuselesstoexpectanythingfurtherfromhim，I
droppedacoinintohishand，andjumpedtotheground。HewasoffbeforeIcouldturnmyselfabout。
“”SomethingisrottenintheStateofDenmark”“Iquotedinstartledcommenttomyself；andnotknowingwhatelsetodo，stareddownattheturfatmyfeet。
Abitofflaggingmetmyeye，protrudingfromalayerofthickmoss。FartheronIespiedanother——thesecond，probably，ofmany。
This，nodoubt，wasthepathIhadbeenbiddentofollow，andwithoutfurtherthoughtonthesubject，IplungedintothebusheswhichwithdifficultyImadegivewaybeforeme。
Foramomentallfurtheradvancelookedhopeless。Amoretangled，uninvitingapproachtoaso-calledhome，Ihadneverseenoutsideofthetropics；andthecompleteneglectthusdisplayedshouldhavepreparedmefortheappearanceofthehouseIunexpectedlycameupon，justas，thewayseemedonthepointofclosingupbeforeme。
ButnothingcouldwellprepareoneforafirstviewofGloomCottage。Itslocationinahollowwhichhadgraduallyfilleditselfupwithtreesandsomekindofpricklybrush，itsdeeplystainedwalls，oncepicturesqueenoughintheirgroupingbuttoodeeplyhiddennowamidrottingboughstoproduceanyothereffectthanthatofshroudeddesolation，thesoughofthesesameboughsastheyrappedadevil”stattooagainsteachother，andtheabsenceofeventherisingcolumnofsmokewhichbespeaksdomesticlifewhereverseen——allgavetoonewhorememberedthecognomenCottageandforgotthepre-cognomenofGloom，asenseofburiedlifeassepulchralasthatwhichemanatesfromthemouthofsomefreshlyopenedtomb。
Buttheseimpressions，naturalenoughtomyyouth，werenecessarilytransient，andsoongavewaytoothersmorebusiness-
like。Perceivingthecurveofanarchrisingabovetheundergrowthstillblockingmyapproach，Ipushedmywayresolutelythrough，andpresentlyfoundmyselfstumblinguponthestepsofanunexpectedlyspaciousdomicile，builtnotofwood，asitsnameofCottagehadledmetoexpect，butofcarefullycutstonewhich，whileshowingeverymarkoftime，proclaimeditselfoneofthoseearly，carefullyerectedColonialresidenceswhichittakesmorethanacenturytodestroy，oreventoweartothepointofdilapidation。
Somewhatencouraged，thoughfailingtodetectanysignsofactivelifeintheheavilyshutteredwindowsfrowninguponmefromeitherside，Iranupthestepsandrangthebellwhichpulledashardasifnohandhadtoucheditinyears。
ThenIwaited。
Butnottoringagain；forjustasmyhandwasapproachingthebellasecondtime，thedoorfellbackandIbeheldintheblackgapbeforemetheoldestmanIhadevercomeuponinmywholelife。HewassooldIwasastonishedwhenhisdrawnlipsopenedandheaskedifIwasthelawyerfromNewYork。IwouldassoonhaveexpectedamummytowagitstongueandutterEnglish，helookedsothinanddriedandremovedfromthislifeandallworldlyconcerns。
ButwhenIhadansweredhisquestionandhehadturnedtomarshalmedownthehalltowardsadoorIcoulddimlyseestandingopeninthetwilightofanabsolutelysunlessinterior，Inoticedthathisstepwasnotwithoutsomevigour，despitethefeeblebendofhiswitheredbodyandtheincessantswayingofhishead，whichseemedtobecontinuallysayingNo！
“Iwillpreparemadam，“headmonishedme，afterdrawingaponderouscurtaintwoinchesorlessasidefromoneofthewindows。“Sheisveryill，butshewillseeyou。”
Thetonewassenile，butitwasthesenilityofaneducatedman，andasthecultivatedaccentswaveredforth，mymindchangedin，regardtothepositionheheldinthehouse。Interestedanew，I
soughttogivehimanotherlook，buthehadalreadyvanishedthroughthedoorway，andsonoiselessly，itwasmorelikeashadow”sflittingthanaman”swithdrawal。
ThedarknessinwhichIsatwasabsolute；butgradually，asI
continuedtolookaboutme，thespaceslightenedandcertaindetailscameout，whichtomyastonishmentwereofacharactertoshowthattheplainifsubstantialexteriorofthishousewithitschoked-upapproachesandweedygardenswasnosampleofwhatwastobefoundinside。Thoughthewallssurroundingmeweredismalbecauseunlighted，theybetrayedasplendourunusualinanycountryhouse。Thefrescoesandpaintingswereofanancientorder，datingfromdayswhenlifeandnotdeathreignedinthisisolateddwelling；butinthemhighartreignedsupreme，anartsohighandsofinishedthatonlygreatwealth，combinedwiththemostcultivatedtaste，couldhaveproducedsucheffects。Iwasstillabsorbedinthewonderofitall，whenthequietvoiceoftheoldgentlemanwhohadletmeinreachedmeagainfromthedoorway，andIheard：
“Madamisreadyforyou。MayItroubleyoutoaccompanymetoherroom。”
Irosewithalacrity。Iwasanxioustoseemadam，ifonlytosatisfymyselfthatshewasasinterestingasthehouseinwhichshewasself-immured。
Ifoundheragreatdealmoreso。ButbeforeIenteruponourinterview，letmementionafactwhichhadattractedmyattentioninmypassagetoherroom。Duringhisabsencemyguideevidentlyhadpulledasideothercurtainsthanthoseoftheroominwhichhehadleftme。Thehall，nolongeratunnelofdarkness，gavemeaglimpseaswewentby，ofvarioussecludedcomers，anditseemedasifeverywhereIlookedIsaw——aclock。IcountedfourbeforeIreachedthestaircase，allstandingonthefloorandallofancientmake，thoughdifferingmuchinappearanceandvalue。A
fifthonerosegrimandtallatthestairfoot，andunderanimpulseIhaveneverunderstoodIstopped，whenIreachedit，tonotethetime。Butithadpausedinitstask，andfacedmewithmotionlesshandsandsilentworks——afactwhichsomehowstartledme；perhaps，becausejustthenIencounteredtheoldman”seyewatchingmewithanexpressionaschallengingasitwasunintelligible。
Ihadexpectedtoseeawomaninbed。Isawinstead，awomansittingup。Youfeltherinfluencethemomentyouenteredherpresence。Shewasnotyoung；shewasnotbeautiful；——neverhadbeenIshouldjudge，——shehadnoteventheusualmarksaboutherofanultrastrongpersonality；butthatherwillwaslaw，hadalwaysbeen，andwouldcontinuetobelawsolongasshelived，waspatenttoanyeyeatthefirstglance。Sheexactedobedienceconsciouslyandunconsciously，andsheexacteditwithcharm。
Somefewpeopleintheworldpossessthispower。Theyfrown，andtheopposingwillweakens；theysmile，andallheartssuccumb。I
washersfromthemomentIcrossedthethresholdtill——ButIwillrelatethehappeningsofthatinstantwhenitcomes。
Shewasalone，orsoIthought，whenImademyfirstbowtohersternbutnotunpleasingpresence。Seatedinagreatchair，withasilvertraybeforehercontainingsuchlittlemattersasshestoodinhourlyneedof，sheconfrontedmewithapiercinggazestartlingtobeholdineyessocolourless。Thenshesmiled，andinobediencetothatsmileIseatedmyselfinachairplacedverynearherown。Wasshetooparalysedtoexpressherselfclearly？I
waitedinsomeanxietytillshespoke，whenthisfearvanished。
Hervoicebetrayedthecharacterherfeaturesfailedtoexpress。
Itwasfirm，resonant，andinstinctwithcommand。Notloud，butpenetrating，andofaqualitywhichmadeonelistenwithhisheartaswellaswithhisears。Whatshesaidisimmaterial。I
wasthereforacertainpurposeandweenteredimmediatelyuponthebusinessofthatpurpose。ShetalkedandIlistened，mostlywithoutcomment。OnlyoncedidIinterruptherwithasuggestion；
andasthisledtodefiniteresults，Iwillproceedtorelatetheoccurrenceinfull。
InthefewhoursremainingtomebeforeleavingNewYork，Ihadlearnednomatterhowsomeadditionalparticularsconcerningherselfandfamily；andwhenaftersomeminorbequests，sheproceededtonamethepartiestowhomshedesiredtoleavethebulkofherfortune，Iventured，withsomeastonishmentatmyowntemerity，toremark：
“Butyouhaveayoungrelative！Isshenottobeincludedinthispartitionofyourproperty？“
Ahush。Thenasmilecametolifeonherstifflips，suchasisseldomseen，thankGod，onthefaceofanywoman，andIheard：
“Theyoungrelativeofwhomyouspeak，isintheroom。ShehasknownforsometimethatIhavenointentionofleavinganythingtoher。Thereis，infact，smallchanceofhereverneedingit。”
Thelattersentencewasamutteredone，butthatitwasloudenoughtobeheardinallpartsoftheroomIwassoonassured。
Foraquicksigh，whichwasalmostagasp，followedfromacornerIhadhithertoignored，anduponglancingthatway，Iperceived，peeringuponusfromtheshadows，thewhitefaceofayounggirlinwhosedrawnfeaturesandwide，staringeyesIbeheldsuchevidencesofterror，thatinaninstant，whateverpredilectionI
hadhithertofeltformyclient，vanishedindistrust，ifnotpositiveaversion。
Iwasstillundertheswayofthisnewimpression，whenMrs。
Postlethwaite”svoiceroseagain，thistimeaddressingtheyounggirl：
“Youmaygo，“shesaid，withsuchforceinthecommandforallitshoneyedmodulation，thatIexpectedtoseeitsobjectflytheroominfrightenedobedience。
Butthoughthestartledgirlhadlostnoneoftheterrorwhichhadmadeherfacelikeamask，nopowerofmovementremainedtoher。Apictureofhopelessmisery，shestoodforonebreathlessmoment，withhereyesfixedinunmistakableappealonmine；thenshebegantoswaysohelplesslythatIleapedwithboundinghearttocatchher。AsshefellintomyarmsIheardhersighasbefore。Nocommonanguishspokeinthatsigh。Ihadstumbledunwittinglyuponatragedy，tothemeaningofwhichIheldbutadoubtfulkey。
“Sheseemsveryill，“Iobservedwithsomeemphasis，asIturnedtolaymyhelplessburdenonanear-bysofa。
“She”sdoomed。”
Thewordswerespokenwithgloomandwithanattemptatcommiserationwhichnolongerrangtrueinmyears。
“SheisassickawomanasIammyself“；continuedMrs。
Postlethwaite。“ThatiswhyImadetheremarkIdid，neverimaginingshewouldhearmeatthatdistance。Donotputherdown。Mynursewillbehereinamomenttorelieveyouofyourburden。”
Atinkleaccompaniedthesewords。Theresolutewomanhadstretchedoutafinger，ofwhoseuseshewasnotquitedeprived，andtouchedalittlebellstandingonthetraybeforeher，aninchortwofromherhand。
Pleasedtoobeyhercommand，Ipausedatthesofa”sedge，andtakingadvantageofthemomentarydelay，studiedtheyouthfulcountenancepressedunconsciouslytomybreast。
Itwasonewhoseappeallaylessinitsbeauty，thoughthatwasofatouchingquality，thaninthestoryittold，——astory，whichforsomeunaccountablereason——Ididnotpausetodeterminewhatone——Ifeltittobemyimmediatedutytoknow。ButIaskednoquestionsthen；Ididnotevenventureacomment；andyieldedherupwithseemingreadinesswhenastrongbutnonetoointelligentwomancamerunninginwitharmsoutstretchedtocarryheroff。
Whenthedoorhadcloseduponthesetwo，thesilenceofmyclientdrewmyattentionbacktoherself。
“Iamwaiting，“washerquietobservation，andwithoutanyfurtherreferencetowhathadjusttakenplaceunderoureyes，shewentonwiththebusinesspreviouslyoccupyingus。
Iwasabletodomypartwithoutanytoogreatdisplayofmyowndisturbance。Theclearnessofmyremarkableclient”sinstructions，thedefinitenesswithwhichhermindwasmadeupastothedisposalofeverydollarofhervastproperty，madeiteasyformetomastereachdetailandmakecarefulnoteofeverywish。Butthisdidnotpreventtheebbandflowwithinmeofanundercurrentofthoughtfullofquestionanduneasiness。WhathadbeentherealpurportofthescenetowhichIhadjustbeenmadeasurprisedwitness？Thefew，butcertainlyunusual，factswhichhadbeengivenmeinregardtotheextraordinaryrelationsexistingbetweenthesetwocloselyconnectedwomenwillexplaintheintensityofmyinterest。Thosefactsshallbeyours。
ArabellaMerwin，whenyoung，wasgiftedwithapeculiarfascinationwhich，aswehaveseen，hadnotaltogethervanishedwithage。Consequentlyshehadmanylovers，amongthemtwobrothers，FrankandAndrewPostlethwaite。Thelatterwastheolder，thehandsomer，andthemostprosperoushisnameisrememberedyetinconnectionwithSouthAmericanschemesoflargeimportance，butitwasFrankshemarried。
Thatreallove，ardentifunreasonable，layatthebottomofherchoice，isevidentenoughtothosewhofollowedthecareeroftheyoungcouple。Butitwasajealouslovewhichbrookednorival，andasFrankPostlethwaitewasofanimpulsiveanderraticnature，scenessoonoccurredbetweenthemwhich，whilerevealingtheextraordinaryforceoftheyoungwife”scharacter，ledtonoseriousbreaktillafterhersonwasborn，andthis，notwithstandingthefactthatFrankhadlonggivenupmakingaliving，andthattheywereopenlydependentontheirwealthybrother，nowfastapproachingthemillionairestatus。
Thisbrother——thePeruvianKing，assomecalledhim——musthavebeenanextraordinaryman。ThoughcherishinghisaffectionforthespiritedArabellatothepointofremainingabachelorforhersake，hebetrayednoneoftheusualsignsofdisappointedlove；butonthecontrarymadeeveryefforttoadvanceherhappiness，notonlybyassuringtoherselfandhusbandanadequateincome，butbydoingallhecouldinotherandlessopenwaystolessenanysenseshemightentertainofhermistakeinpreferringforherlifematehisself-centredandunstablebrother。Sheshouldhaveadoredhim；butthoughsheevincedgratitudeenough，thereisnothingtoprovethatsheevergaveFrankPostlethwaitetheleastcausetocherishanyothersentimenttowardshisbrotherthanthatofhonestloveandunqualifiedrespect。Perhapsheneverdidcherishanyother。
Perhapsthechangewhicheveryonesawintheyoungcoupleimmediatelyafterthebirthoftheironlychildwasduetoanothercause。Gossipissilentonthispoint。AllthatitinsistsuponisthatfromthistimeevidencesofagrowingestrangementbetweenthembecamesoobviousthateventheindulgentAndrewcouldnotblindhimselftoit；showinghissenseoftrouble，notbylesseningtheirincome，forthathedoubled，butbyspendingmoretimeinPeruandlessinNewYorkwherethetwowereliving。
However，——andhereweenteruponthosedetailswhichIhaveventuredtocharacterizeasuncommon，hewasinthiscountryandintheactualcompanyofhisbrotherwhentheaccidentoccurredwhichterminatedboththeirlives。Itwastheoldstoryofaskiddingmotor，andMrs。Postlethwaite，havingbeensentforingreathastetothesmallinnintowhichthetwoinjuredmenhadbeencarried，arrivedonlyintimetowitnesstheirlastmoments。
FrankdiedfirstandAndrewsomefewminuteslater——animportantfact，aswasafterwardsshownwhenthelatter”swillcametoberead。
Thiswillwasapeculiarone。ByitsprovisionsthebulkoftheKing”sgreatpropertywaslefttohisbrotherFrank，butwiththisespecialstipulationthatincasehisbrotherfailedtosurvivehim，thefulllegacyasbequeathedtohimshouldbegivenunconditionallytohiswidow。Frank”sdemise，asIhavealreadystated，precededhisbrother”sbyseveralminutesandconsequentlyArabellabecamethechieflegatee；andthatishowsheobtainedhermillions。But——andhereastartlingfeaturecomesin——whenthewillcametobeadministered，thesecretunderlyingthebreakbetweenFrankandhiswifewasbroughttolightbyarevelationofthefactthathehadpractisedagreatdeceptionuponheratthetimeofhismarriage。Insteadofbeingabacheloraswascurrentlybelieved，hewasinrealityawidower，andthefatherofachild。Thisfact，solongheldsecret，hadbecomeherswhenherownchildwasborn；andconstitutedasshewas，shenotonlyneverforgavethefather，butconceivedsuchahatredfortheinnocentobjectoftheirquarrelthatsherefusedtoadmititsclaimsoreventoacknowledgeitsexistence。
Butlater——afterhisdeath，infact——sheshowedsomesenseofobligationtowardsonewhounderordinaryconditionswouldhavesharedherwealth。Whenthewholestorybecameherd，andshediscoveredthatthissecrethadbeenkeptfromhisbrotheraswellasfromherself，andthatconsequentlynoprovisionhadbeenmadeinanywayforthechildthusthrowndirectlyuponhermercy，shedidthegenerousthingandtooktheforsakengirlintoherownhome。Butsheneverbetrayedtheleastloveforher，herwholeheartbeingboundupinherboy，whowas，asallagree，aprodigyoftalent。
Butthisboy，forallhispromiseandseemingstrengthofconstitution，diedwhenbarelysevenyearsold，andthedesolatemotherwasleftwithnothingtofillherheartbuttheuncongenialdaughterofherhusband”sfirstwife。Thefactthatthischild，slightedasithadhithertobeen，would，intheeventofherunclehavingpassedawaybeforeherfather，havebeentheundisputedheiressofalargeportionofthewealthnowatthedisposalofherarrogantstep-mother，ledmanytoexpect，nowthattheboywasnomore，thatMrs。PostlethwaitewouldproceedtoacknowledgethelittleHelenaasherheir，andgiveherthatplaceinthehouseholdtowhichhernaturalclaimsentitledher。
Butnosuchresultfollowed。Thepassionofgriefintowhichthemotherwasthrownbytheshipwreckofallherhopesleftherhardandimplacable，andwhen，asverysoonhappened，shefellavictimtothediseasewhichtiedhertoherchairandmadethewealthwhichhadcometoherbysuchapeculiarorderingofcircumstanceslittleelsethanamockeryeveninherowneyes，itwasuponthischildsheexpendedthefullfundofhersecretbitterness。
Andthechild？Whatofher？Howdidshebearherunhappyfatewhenshegrewoldenoughtorealizeit？Witharesignationwhichwasthewonderofallwhoknewher。Nomurmursescapedherlips，norwasthedevotionsheinvariablydisplayedtotheexactinginvalidwhoruledheraswellasalltherestofherhouseholdwitharodofironeverdisturbedbytheleastsignofreproach。
Thoughtheriches，whichinthoseearlydayspouredintothehomeinameasurefarbeyondtheneedsofitsmistress，wereexpendedinmakingthehousebeautifulratherthaninmakingtheoneyounglifewithinithappy，sheneverwasheardtouttersomuchasawishtoleavethewallswithinwhichfatehadimmuredher。
Content，orseeminglycontent，withtheonlyhomesheknew，sheneveraskedforchangeordemandedfriendsoramusements。
Visitorsceasedcoming；desolationfollowedneglect。Thegarden，onceaglory，succumbedtoariotofweedsandundesirablebrush，tillatoweringwallseemedtobedrawnaboutthehousecuttingitofffromtheactivitiesoftheworldasitcutitofffromtheapproachofsunshinebyday，andthecomfortofastar-litheavenbynight。Andyettheyounggirlcontinuedtosmile，thoughwithapitifulnessoflate，whichsomethoughtbetokenedsecretterrorandothersthewastingofabodytoosensitiveforsuchunwholesomeseclusion。
Thesewerethefacts，knownifnotconsciouslyspecialized，whichgavetothelatterpartofmyinterviewwithMrs。Postlethwaiteapoignancyofinterestwhichhadneverattendedanyofmyformerexperiences。ThepeculiarattitudeofMissPostlethwaitetowardsherinduratetormentorawakenedinmyagitatedmindsomethingmuchdeeperthancuriosity，butwhenIstrovetospeakhernamewiththeintentofinquiringmoreparticularlyintohercondition，suchalookconfrontedmefromthesteadyeyeimmovablyfixeduponmyown，thatmycourage——orwasitmynaturalprecaution——bademesubduetheimpulseandrisknoattemptwhichmightbetraythedepthofmyinterestinonesocompletelyoutsidethescopeofthepresentmoment”sbusiness。
PerhapsMrs。Postlethwaiteappreciatedmystruggle；perhapsshewaswhollyblindtoit。Therewasnoreadingthemindofthiswomanofsentimentalnamebutinflexiblenature，andrealizingthefactmorefullywitheverywordsheutteredIleftheratlastwithnofurtherbetrayalofmyfeelingsthanmightbeevincedbytheearnestnesswithwhichIpromisedtoreturnforhersignatureattheearliestpossiblemoment。
Thisshehadherselfrequested，sayingasIrose：
“Icanstillwritemynameifthepaperispushedcarefullyalongundermyhand。Seetoitthatyoucomewhilethepowerremainstome。”
IhadhopedthatinmypassagedownstairsImightrunuponsomeonewhowouldgivemenewsofMissPostlethwaite，butthewomanwhoapproachedtoconductmedownstairswasnotofanappearancetoinviteconfidence，andIfeltforcedtoleavethehousewithmydoubtsunsatisfied。
Twomemories，equallydistinct，followedme。OnewasapictureofMrs。Postlethwaite”sfingersgropingamongherbelongingsonthelittletraypercheduponherlap，andanotheroftheintentandstrangelybentfigureoftheoldmanwhohadactedasmyusher，listeningtothetickingofoneofthegreatclocks。SoabsorbedwasheinthisoccupationthathenotonlyfailedtonoticemewhenIwentby，buthedidnotevenlifthisheadatmycheerygreeting。Suchmysteriesweretoomuchforme，andledmetopostponemydeparturefromtowntillIhadsoughtoutMrs。
Postlethwaite”sdoctorandpropoundedtohimoneortwoleadingquestions。First，wouldMrs。Postlethwaite”spresentconditionbelikelytoholdgoodtillMonday；andsecondly，wastheyoungladylivingwithherasillasherstep-mothersaid。
Hewasamildoldmanoftheeasy-goingtype，andtheanswersI
gotfromhimwerefarfromsatisfactory。YetheshowedsomesurprisewhenImentionedtheextentofMrs。Postlethwaite”sanxietyaboutherstep-daughter，andpaused，inthedubiousshakingofhishead，togivemeashortstareinwhichIreadasmuchdeterminationasperplexity。
“IwilllookintoMissPostlethwaite”scasemoreparticularly，“
werehispartingwords。AndwiththisonegleamofcomfortIhadtobecontent。
Monday”sinterviewwasabriefoneandcontainednothingworthrepeating。Mrs。PostlethwaitelistenedwithstoicalsatisfactiontothereadingofthewillIhaddrawnup，anduponitscompletionrangherbellforthetwowitnessesawaitinghersummons，inanadjoiningroom。Theywerenotofherhousehold，buttoallappearancehonestvillagerswithbutonenoticeablecharacteristic，anoverweeningideaofMrs。Postlethwaite”simportance。Perhapsthespellshehadsoliberallywovenforothersinotherandhappierdayswasfeltbythematthishour。
Itwouldnotbestrange；Ihadalmostfallenunderitmyself，sogreatwasthefascinationofhermannereveninthiswreckofherbodilypowers，whentriumphassured，shefacedusallinastateofcompletesatisfaction。
ButbeforeIwasagainquitoftheplace，allmydoubtsreturnedandinfullerforcethanever。Ihadlingeredinmygoingasmuchasdecencywouldpermit，hopingtohearasteponthestairorseeafaceinsomedoorwaywhichwouldcontradictMrs。
Postlethwaite”scoldassurancethatMissPostlethwaitewasnobetter。ButnosuchstepdidIhear，andnofacedidIseesavetheold，oldoneoftheancientfriendorrelative，whosebentframeseemedcontinuallytohauntthehalls。Asbefore，hestoodlisteningtothemonotonoustickingofoneoftheclocks，mutteringtohimselfandquiteobliviousofmypresence。
However，thistimeIdecidednottopasshimwithoutamorepersistentattempttogainhisnotice。Pausingathisside，I
askedhiminthefriendlytoneIthoughtbestcalculatedtoattracthisattention，howMissPostlethwaitewasto-day。Hewassointentuponhistask，whateverthatwas，thatwhileheturnedmyway，itwaswithaglanceasblankasthatofastoneimage。
“Listen！“headmonishedme。“ItstillsaysNo！No！Idon”tthinkitwilleversayanythingelse。”
Istaredathiminsomeconsternation，thenattheclockitselfwhichwasthetalloneIhadfoundrundownatmyfirstvisit。
Therewasnothingunusualinitsquiettick，sofarasIcouldhear，andwithacompassionateglanceattheoldmanwhohadturnedbreathlesslyagaintolisten，proceededonmywaywithoutanotherword。
Theoldfellowwasdaft。Acenturyold，anddaft。
Ihadworkedmywayoutthroughthevineswhichstillencumberedtheporch，andwastakingmyfirststepsdownthewalk，whensomeimpulsemademeturnandglanceupatoneofthewindows。
DidIblesstheimpulse？IthoughtIhadeveryreasonfordoingso，whenthroughanetworkofinterlacingbranchesIbeheldtheyounggirlwithwhommymindwaswhollyoccupied，standingwithherheadthrustforward，watchingthedescentofsomethingsmallandwhitewhichshehadjustreleasedfromherhand。
Anote！Anotewrittenbyherandmeantforme！Withagratefullookinherdirectionwhichwasprobablylostuponherasshehadalreadydrawnbackoutofsight，Isprangforitonlytomeetwithdisappointment。Foritwasnobillet-douxIreceivedfromamidtheclusteringbrushwhereithadfallen；butasmallsquareofwhiteclothshowingalineoffantasticembroidery。
Annoyedbeyondmeasure，Iwasabouttoflingitdownagain，whenthethoughtthatithadcomefromherhanddeterredme，andI
thrustitintomyvestpocket。WhenItookitoutagain——whichwassoonafterIhadtakenmyseatinthecar——IdiscoveredwhatamistakeIshouldhavemadeifIhadfollowedmyfirstimpulse。
For，uponexaminingthestitchesmorecarefully，IperceivedthatwhatIhadconsideredameredecorativepatternwasinfactastringofletters，andthattheselettersmadewords，andthatthesewordswere：
IDONOTWANTTODIEBUTISURELYWILLIF
Or，inplainwriting：
“Idonotwanttodie，butIsurelywillif”
Finishthesentenceforme。ThatistheproblemIofferyou。Itisnotacaseforthepolicebutonewellworthyourattention，ifyousucceedinreachingtheheartofthismysteryandsavingthisyounggirl。
Only，letnodelayoccur。Thedoom，ifdoomitis，isimmanent。
Rememberthatthewillissigned。
“Sheistoosmall；Ididnotaskyoutosendmeamidget。”
ThusspokeMrs。Postlethwaitetoherdoctor，asheintroducedintoherpresencealittlefigureinnurse”scapandapron。“YousaidIneededcare，——morecarethanIwasreceiving。Iansweredthatmyoldnursecouldgiveit，andyouobjectedthatsheorsomeoneelsemustlookafterMissPostlethwaite。Ididnotseethenecessity，butInevercontradictadoctor。SoIyieldedtoyourwishes，butnotwithouttheprovisoyourememberthatI
madeaprovisothatwhateversortofyoungwomanyouchosetointroduceintothisroom，sheshouldnotbefreshfromthetrainingschools，andthatsheshouldbestrong，silent，andcapable。Andyoubringmethismiteofawoman——issheawoman？
shelooksmorelikeachild，ofpleasingcountenanceenough，butwhocannomoreliftme”
“Pardonme！“LittleMissStrangehadadvanced。“Ithink，ifyouwillallowmetheprivilege，madam，thatIcanshiftyouintoamuchmorecomfortableposition。”Andwithadeftnessandeasecertainlynottobeexpectedfromoneofherslightphysique，Violetraisedthehelplessinvalidatriflemoreuponherpillow。
Theact，itsmanner，andthesmileaccompanyingit，couldnotfailtoplease，andundoubtedlydid，thoughnowordrewardedherfromlipsnotmuchgiventospeechsavewhentheoccasionwasimperative。ButMrs。Postlethwaitemadenofurtherobjectiontoherpresence，and，seeingthis，thedoctor”scountenancerelaxedandhelefttheroomwithamuchlighterstepthanthatwithwhichhehadenteredit。
AndthusitwasthatVioletStrange——anadeptinmorewaysthanone——becameinstalledatthebedsideofthismysteriouswoman，whosedays，ifnumbered，stillheldpossibilitiesofactionwhichthoseinterestedinyoungHelenaPostlethwaite”sfatewoulddowelltorecognize。
MissStrangehadbeenatherpostfortwodays，andhadgatheredupthefollowing：
ThatMrs。Postlethwaitemustbeobeyed。
Thatherstep-daughterwhodidnotwishtodiewoulddieifsheknewittobethewishofthisdomineeringbutapparentlyidolizedwoman。
Thattheoldmanoftheclocks，whilesenileinsomeregards，wasveryalertandquiteyouthfulinothers。Ifacenturyold——whichshebegangreatlytodoubt——hehadthelanguageandmannerofoneinhisprime，whenunaffectedbytheneighbourhoodoftheclocks，whichseemedinsomenon-understandablewaytoexerciseanoccultinfluenceoverhim。Attablehewasanentertaininghost；butneithertherenorelsewherewouldhediscussthefamily，ordilateinanywayuponthepeculiaritiesofahouseholdofwhichhemanifestlyregardedhimselfastheleastimportantmember。Yetnooneknewthembetter，andwhenVioletbecamequiteassuredofthis，aswellasofthefutilityoflookingforexplanationofanykindfromeitherofhertwopatients，sheresolveduponanefforttosurpriseonefromhim。
Shewentaboutitinthisway。Notinghiscustomofmakingacompleteroundoftheclockseachnightafterdinner，shetookadvantageofMrs。Postlethwaite”sinclinationtosleepatthishour，tofollowhimfromclocktoclockinthehopeofoverhearingsomeportionofthemonologuewithwhichhebenthisheadtotheswingingpendulum，orputhiseartothehiddenworks。Soft-footedanddiscreet，shetrippedalongathisback，andateachpausehemade，pausedherselfandturnedherearhisway。Theextremedarknessofthehalls，whichweremoresombrebynightthanbyday，favouredthisattempt，andshewasable，afterafailureortwo，tocatchtheNo！no！no！no！whichfellfromhislipsinseemingrepetitionofwhatheheardthemostofthemsay。
Thesatisfactioninhistoneprovedthatthedenialtowhichhelistened，chimedinwithhishopesandgaveeasetohismind。Buthelookedhisoldestwhen，afterpausingatanotherofthemanytime-pieces，heechoedinanswertoitsspecialrefrain，Yes！
yes！yes！yes！andfledthespotwithshakingbodyandadistractedair。
Thesamefearandthesameshrinkingwereobservableinhimashereturnedfromlisteningtotheleastconspicuousone，standinginashortcorridor，whereVioletcouldnotfollowhim。Butwhen，afterahesitationwhichenabledhertoslipbehindthecurtainhidingthedrawing-roomdoor，heapproachedandlaidhisearagainstthegreatonestanding，asifonguard，atthefootofthestairs，shesawbytherenewedvigourhedisplayedthattherewascomfortforhiminitsmessage，evenbeforeshecaughtthewhisperwithwhichheleftitandproceededtomountthestairs：
“ItsaysNo！ItalwayssaysNo！IwillheeditasthevoiceofHeaven。”
ButoneconclusioncouldbetheresultofsuchanexperimenttoamindlikeViolet”s。Thispartlytouchedoldmannotonlyheldthekeytothesecretofthishouse，butwasinamoodtodivulgeitifoncehecouldbeinducedtohearcommandinsteadofdisuasioninthetickofthisonelargeclock。Buthowcouldhebeinduced？
VioletreturnedtoMrs。Postlethwaite”sbedsideinamoodofextremethoughtfulness。
Anotherdaypassed，andshehadnotyetseenMissPostlethwaite。
Shewashopingeachhourtobesentonsomeerrandtothatyounglady”sroom，butnosuchopportunitywasgrantedher。Oncesheventuredtoaskthedoctor，whosevisitswerenowveryfrequent，whathethoughtoftheyounglady”scondition。ButasthisquestionwasnecessarilyputinMrs。Postlethwaite”spresence，theanswerwasnaturallyguarded，andpossiblynotaltogetherfrank。
“Ouryoungladyisweaker，“heacknowledged。“Muchweaker，“headdedwithmarkedemphasisandhismostprofessionalair，“orshewouldbehereinsteadofinherownroom。Itgrieveshernottobeabletowaituponhergenerousbenefactress。”
Thewordfellheavily。Haditbeenusedasatest？Violetgavehimalook，thoughshehadmuchratherhaveturnedherdiscriminatingeyeuponthefacestaringupatthemfromthepillow。Hadthealarmexpressedbyotherscommunicateditselfatlasttothephysician？Wasthecharmwhichhadheldhimsubservienttothemother，dissolvingunderthepitiablestateofthechild，andwashetryingtoaidthelittledetective-nurseinherefforttosoundthemysteryofhercondition？
Hislookexpressedbenevolence，buthetookcarenottomeetthegazeofthewomanhehadjustlauded，possiblybecausethatgazewasfixeduponhiminawaytotaxhismoralcourage。ThesilencewhichensuedwasbrokenbyMrs。Postlethwaite：
“Shewilllive——thispoorHelena——howlong？“sheasked，withnobreakinhervoice”swontedmusic。
Thedoctorhesitated，thenwithacandourhardlytobeexpectedfromhim，answered：
“IdonotunderstandMissPostlethwaite”scase。Ishouldlike，withyourpermission，toconsultsomeNewYorkphysician。”
“Indeed！“
Asingleword，butasitleftthiswoman”sthinlipsVioletrecoiled，and，perhaps，thedoctordid。Ragecanspeakinonewordaswellasinadozen，andtheragewhichspokeinthisonewasofnocommonorder，thoughitwasquicklysuppressed，aswasallothershowoffeelingwhensheadded，withatouchofheroldcharm：
“Ofcourseyouwilldowhatyouthinkbest，asyouknowIneverinterferewithadoctor”sdecisions。But“andherehernaturalascendancyoftoneandmannerreturnedinallitspotency，“itwouldkillmetoknowthatastrangerwasapproachingHelena”sbedside。Itwouldkillher。She”stoosensitivetosurvivesuchashock。”
Violetrecalledthewordsworkedwithsomuchcarebythisyounggirlonaminutepieceoflinen，Idonotwanttodie，andwatchedthedoctor”sfaceforsomesignofresolution。Butembarrassmentwasallshesawthere，andallsheheardhimsaywastheconventionalreply：
“IamdoingallIcanforher。Wewillwaitanotherdayandnotetheeffectofmylatestprescription。”
Anotherday！
ThedeathlycalmwhichoverspreadMrs。Postlethwaite”sfeaturesasthiswordleftthephysician”slipswarnedVioletnottoletanotherdaygobywithoutsomeaction。Butshemadenoremark，and，indeed，betrayedbutlittleinterestinanythingbeyondherownpatient”scondition。Thatseemedtooccupyherwholly。WithconsummateartshegavetheappearanceofbeingunderMrs。
Postlethwaite”scompletethrall，andwatchedwithfascinatedeyeseverymovementoftheoneunstrickenfingerwhichcoulddosomuch。
Thislittledetectiveofourscouldbeanexcellentactorwhenshechose。
III
Tomaketheoldmanspeak！Toforcethisconscience-strickenbutrebellioussoultorevealwhattheclockforbade！Howcoulditbedone？
ThiscontinuedtobeViolet”sgreatproblem。Shepondereditsodeeplyduringalltheremainderofthedaythatalittlepuckersettledonherbrow，whichsomeoneIwillnotmentionwhowouldhavebeenpainedtosee。Mrs。Postlethwaite，ifshenoticeditatall，probablyascribedittoheranxietiesasnurse，forneverhadVioletbeenmoreassiduousinherattentions。ButMrs。
Postlethwaitewasnolongerthewomanshehadbeen，andpossiblynevernoteditatall。
Atfiveo”clockVioletsuddenlylefttheroom。Slippingdownintothelowerhall，shewenttheroundoftheclocksherself，listeningtoeveryone。Therewasnoperceptibledifferenceintheirtick。Satisfiedofthisandthatitwassimplytheoldman”simaginationwhichhadsuppliedthemeachwithseparatespeech，shepausedbeforethehugeoneatthefootofthestairs，——
theonewhosedictatehehadpromisedhimselftofollow，——andwithaneyeuponitsbroad，staringdial，mutteredwistfully：
“Oh！foranidea！Foranidea！“
Didthiscumbrousrelicofold-timeprecisionturntraitoratthisingenuousplea？Thedialcontinuedtostare，theworkstosing，butViolet”sfacesuddenlylostitsperplexity。Withawarylookaboutherandalisteningearturnedtowardsthestairtop，shestretchedoutherhandandpulledopenthedoorguardingthependulum，andpeeredinattheworks，smilingslylytoherselfasshepusheditbackintoplaceandretreatedupstairstothesickroom。
WhenthedoctorcamethatnightshehadaquietwordwithhimoutsideMrs。Postlethwaite”sdoor。WasthatwhyhewasonhandwhenoldMr。Dunbarstolefromhisroomtomakehisnightlycircuitofthehallsbelow？Somethingquitebeyondtheordinarywasinthegoodphysician”smind，forthelookhecastattheoldmanwasquiteunlikeanyhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore，andwhenhespokeitwastosaywithmarkedurgency：
“OurbeautifulyoungladywillnotliveaweekunlessIgetattheseatofhermalady。PraythatImaybeenabledtodoso，Mr。
Dunbar。”
Ablowtotheagedman”sheartwhichcalledforthafeeble“Yes，yes，“followedbyawildstarewhichimprinteditselfuponthedoctor”smemoryasthelookofonehopelesslyold，whohearsforthefirsttimeadistinctcallfromthegravewhichhaslongbeenawaitinghim！
Asolitarylampstoodinthelowerhall。Astheoldmanpickedhisslowwaydown，itssmall，hesitatingflameflaredupasinasuddengust，thensankdownflickeringandfaintasifit，too，hadheardacallwhichsummonedittoextinction。
Noothersignoflifewasvisibleanywhere。Sunkintwilightshadows，thecorridorsbranchedawayoneithersidetonoplaceinparticularandserving，toallappearanceasmanymusthavethoughtindaysgoneby，asamerehiding-placeforclocks。
Tolistentotheirunitedhum，theoldmanpaused，lookingatfirstalittledistraught，butsettlingatlastintohisusualselfashestartedforwarduponhiscourse。Didsomewhisper，hithertounheard，warnhimthatitwasthelasttimehewouldtreadthatwearyround？Whocantell？Hewastremblingverymuchwhenwithhistasknearlycompleted，hesteppedoutagainintothemainhallandcreptratherthanwalkedbacktotheonegreatclocktowhosedictumhemadeitapracticetolistenlast。
Chatteringtheaccustomedwords，“TheysayYes！TheyareallsayingYes！now；butthisonewillsayNo！“hebenthisstiffoldbackandlaidhiseartotheunresponsivewood。Butthetimefornohadpassed。ItwasYes！yes！yes！yes！now，andashisstrainingearstookintheword，heappearedtoshrinkwherehestoodandafteramomentofanguishedsilence，brokeforthintoalowwail，amidwhoselamentationsonecouldhear：
“Thetimehascome！Eventheclockshelovesbestbidsmespeak。
Oh！Arabella，Arabella！“