Thisisanobviouserror。ItisabsolutelynewtoEdwinDroodthattheopiumhagisintimatelyacquaintedwithhisuncle，Jasper，andhatesJasperwithadeadlyhatred。AllthisisnotonlynewtoDrood，ifalive，butisrichinpromiseoffurtherrevelations。Drood，onChristmasEve，hadlearnedfromthehagonlythatshetookopium，andthatshehadcomefromtowntoCloisterham，andhad"huntedforaneedleinabottleofhay。"Thatwasthesumofhisinformation。Nowhelearnsthatthewomanknows，tracks，hasfound，andhates，hisworthyuncle，Jasper。Hemaywell，therefore，addaheavymarktohisscore。
Wemustalsoask，HowcouldHelena，freshfromCeylon，know"theoldtavernwayofkeepingscores？Illegibleexcepttothescorer。Thescorernotcommitted，thescoreddebitedwithwhatisagainsthim，"asDatcheryobserves。AnEurasiangirloftwenty，newtoEngland，wouldnotarguethuswithherself：shewouldprobablyknownothingofEnglishtavernscores。WedonothearthatHelenaeveropenedabook：
wedoknowthateducationhadbeendeniedtoher。WhatacquaintancecouldshehavewitholdEnglishtaverncustoms？
IfDroodisDatchery，thenDickensusedaformofaveryoldandfavouriteFICELLEofhis：thewatchingofavillainbyanimprobableandunsuspectedperson，inthiscasethoughttobedead。IfHelenaisDatchery，the"assumption"orpersonationisinthehighestdegreeimprobable，herwholebearingisquiteoutofherpossibilities，andthepersonationisveryabsurd。
Herethestoryends。
THEORIESOFTHEMYSTERY
FORSTER’SEVIDENCE
WEhavesomeexternalevidenceastoDickens’ssolutionofhisownproblem，fromForster。（2）OnAugust6，1869，someweeksbeforehebegantoworkathistale，Dickens，inaletter，toldForster，"Ihaveaverycuriousandnewideaformynewstory。Notcommunicable（ortheinterestofthebookwouldbegone），butaverystrongone，thoughdifficulttowork。"ForstermusthaveinstantlyaskedthattheincommunicablesecretshouldbecommunicatedtoHIM，forhetellsusthat"IMMEDIATELYAFTERIlearnt"-thesecret。Butdidhelearnit？
Dickenswasill，andhisplot，whateveritmayhavebeen，wouldbeirritatinglycriticizedbyForsterbeforeitwasfullythoughtout。
"Fulesandbairnsshouldnotseehalf-donework，"andDickensmaywellhavefeltthatForstershouldnotseeworknotevenbegun，butmerelysimmeringintheauthor’sownfancy。
ForsterdoesnottellusthatDickenscommunicatedthesecretinaletter。Hequotesnone：hesays"Iwastold，"orally，thatis。Whenhewrites，fiveyearslater（1874），"Landlesswas，ITHINK，tohaveperishedinassistingTartarfinallytounmaskandseizethemurderer，"heisclearlytrusting，nottoaletterofDickens’s，buttoadefectivememory；andheknowsit。Hesaysthatanephewwastobemurderedbyanuncle。Thecriminalwastoconfessinthecondemnedcell。Hewastofindoutthathiscrimehadbeenneedless，andtobeconvictedbymeansofthering（Rosa’smother’sring）remaininginthequicklimethathaddestroyedthebodyofEdwin。
Nothing"new"inallthis，asForstermusthaveseen。"Theoriginality，"heexplains，"wastoconsistinthereviewofthemurderer’scareerbyhimselfattheclose，whenitstemptationsweretobedweltuponasif，nothetheculprit，butsomeotherman，werethetempted。"
Butallthisisnot"hardtowork，"andisnot"original。"AsMr。
Proctorremarks，Dickenshadusedthattricktwicealready。
（"Madman’sManuscript，"PICKWICK；"ClockCaseConfession，"inMASTER
HUMPHREY’SCLOCK。）Thequicklimetrickisalsoveryoldindeed。Thedisguiseofawomanasamanisasancientastheartoffiction：yetHelenaMAYbeDatchery，thoughnobodyguesseditbeforeMr。CumingWalters。SheoughtnottobeDatchery；sheisquiteoutofkeepinginherspeechandmannerasDatchery，andismuchmorelikeDrood。
"ANEWIDEA"
Therearenonewideasinplots。"Allthestorieshavebeentold，"
andallthemeritliesinthemannerofthetelling。Dickenshadusedtheunsuspectedwatcher，asMr。Proctorshows，inalmostallhisnovels。InMARTINCHUZZLEWIT，whenJonasfindsthatNadgetthasbeenthewatcher，Dickenswrites，"Thedeadmanmighthavecomeoutofhisgraveandnotconfoundedandappalledhimso。"Now，toJasper，EdwinWAS"thedeadman，"andEdwin’sgravecontainedquicklime。JasperwassurethathehaddoneforEdwin：hehadtakenEdwin’swatch，chain，andscarf-pin；hebelievedthathehadlefthim，drugged，inquicklime，inalockedvault。ConsequentlythereappearanceofEdwin，quitewell，inthevaultwhereJasperhadburiedhim，wouldbeaverynewideatoJasper；would"confoundandappallhim。"Jasperwouldhaveemotions，atthatspectacle，andsowouldthereader！Itisnoteveryday，eveninourageofsixpennynovels，thatamurdereriscompelledtovisit，alone，atnight，thevaultwhichholdshisvictim’s"coldremains，"andthereinfindsthevictim"comeup，smiling。"
Yes，forbusinesspurposes，thisideawasnewenough！Theideawas"difficulttowork，"saysDickens，withobvioustruth。Howwashetogetthequicklimeintothevault，andDrood，alive，outofthevault？
Astothereader，hewouldatfirsttakeDatcheryforDrood，andthenthink，"No，thatisimpossible，andalsoisstale。DatcherycannotbeDrood，"andthusthereaderwouldremaininapleasantstateofpuzzledom，ashedoes，untothisday。
IfEdwinisdead，thereisnotmuch"Mystery"abouthim。WehaveasgoodasseenJasperstranglehimandtakehispin，chain，andwatch。
YetbyadroitlymanagingtheconductofMr。Grewgious，DickenspersuadedMr。Proctorthatcertainly，GrewgiousknewEdwintobealive。AsGrewgiousknew，fromHelena，allthatwasnecessarytoprovokehisexperimentonJasper’snerves，Mr。Proctorarguedonfalsepremises，butthatwasduetothecraftofDickens。Mr。ProctorrejectedForster’sreport，frommemory，ofwhatheunderstoodtobethe"incommunicablesecret"ofDickens’splot，andIthinkthathewasjustifiedintherejection。Forsterdoesnotseemtohavecaredaboutthething-hereferslightlyto"thereadercuriousinsuchmatters"-
whenoncehehadreceivedhisexplanationfromDickens。Hismemory，inthespaceoffiveyears，mayhavebeeninaccurate：heprobablyneitherknewnorcaredwhoDatcherywas；andhemayreadilyhavemisunderstoodwhatDickenstoldhim，orally，aboutthering，astheinstrumentofdetection。Moreover，Forsterquiteoverlookedonesourceofevidence，asIshallshowlater。
MR。PROCTOR’STHEORY
Mr。Proctor’stheoryofthestoryisthatJasper，afterEdwin’sreturnatmidnightonChristmasEve，recommendedawarmdrink-mulledwine，drugged-andthenproposedanotherstrollofinspectionoftheeffectsofthestorm。Hethenstrangledhim，somewhere，andplacedhiminthequicklimeintheSapseavault，lockedhimin，andwenttobed。Next，accordingtoMr。Proctor，Durdles，then，"lyingdrunkintheprecincts，"forsomereasontapswithhishammeronthewalloftheSapseavault，detectsthepresenceofaforeignbody，opensthetomb，andfindsDroodinthequicklime，"hisfacefortunatelyprotectedbythestrongsilkshawlwithwhichJasperhasintendedtothrottlehim。"
AMISTAKENTHEORY
Thisis"thin，"very"thin！"DickensmusthavehadsomebetterschemethanMr。Proctor’s。WhydidJaspernot"maksikker"likeKirkpatrickwiththeRedComyn？Whydidheleavehissilkscarf？Itmightcometobeaskedfor；tobesurethequicklimewoulddestroyit，butwhydidJasperleaveit？WhydidtheintoxicatedDurdlescomeoutofthecrypt，ifhewasthere，enterthegraveyard，andbegintappingatthewallofthevault？Whynotopenthedoor？hehadthekey。
Suppose，however，allthistohaveoccurred，andsuppose，withMr。
Proctor，thatDurdlesandDeputycarriedEdwintotheTramps’
lodgings，wouldDurdlesfailtorecognizeEdwin？WearetoguessthatGrewgiouswaspresent，ordisturbedathisinn，orsomehowbroughtintotouchwithEdwin，andbribedDurdlestosilence，"untilaschemeforthepunishmentofJasperhadbeendevised。"
Allthissetofconjecturesiscrudetothelastdegree。WedonotknowhowDickensmeanttogetEdwinintoandoutofthevault。
GrantingthatEdwinwasdrugged，JaspermightleadEdwinin，consideringthelicenceextendedtotheeffectsofdrugsinnovels，andmightstranglehimthere。Aboveall，howdidGrewgious，ifinCloisterham，cometobeathandatmidnight？
ANOTHERWAY
IfImustmakeaguess，IconjecturethatJasperhadoneofhis"filmy"seizures，was"inafrightfulsortofdream，"andbungledthemurder：madeanincompletejobofit。Half-strangledmenandwomenhaveoftenrecovered。InJasper’sopiumvisionandreminiscencetherewasnoresistance，allwasverysoonover。Jaspermightevenbunglethelockingofthedoorofthevault。Hewasapttohaveaseizureafteropium，inmomentsofexcitement，andHEHADBEENATTHEOPIUM
DENTHROUGHTHENIGHTOFDECEMBER23，forthehagtrackedhimfromherhouseintowntoCloisterhamonDecember24，thedayofthecrime。
Grantthathisaccustomedfitcameuponhimduringtheexcitementofthemurder，asitdoescomeafter"anichtwi’opium，"inchapterii。，whenEdwinexciteshimbycontemptuoustalkofthegirlwhomJasperlovessofuriously-andthenanythingmayhappen！
JaspermurdersEdwininefficiently；hehasafit；whileheisunconsciousthequicklimerevivesEdwin，byburninghishand，say，and，duringJasper’sswoon，Edwin，likeanotherfamousprisoner，"hasahappythought，heopensthedoor，andwalksout。"
Beingdrugged，heisinadreamystate；knowsnotclearlywhathasoccurred，orwhoattackedhim。Jasperrevives，"lookon’tagainhedarenot，"-onthebodyofhisvictim-andHEwalksoutandgoeshome，wherehisredlamphasburnedallthetime-"thinkingitallwerycapital。"
"Anotherway，"-JaspernotonlyfailstostrangleDrood，butfailstolockthedoorofthevault，andDroodwalksoutafterJasperhasgone。
Jasperhas，beforehisfit，"removedfromthebodythemostlasting，thebestknown，andmosteasilyrecognizablethingsuponit，thewatchandscarf-pin。"SoDickensputsthepopularviewofthecaseagainstNevilleLandless，andsowearetopresumethatJasperacted。Ifheremovednomorethingsfromthebodythanthese，hemadeafataloversight。
Meanwhile，howdoesEdwin，onceoutofthevault，makegoodasecretescapefromCloisterham？Mr。ProctorinvokestheaidofMr。
Grewgious，butdoesnotexplainwhyGrewgiouswasonthespot。I
venturetothinkitnotinconceivablethatMr。GrewgioushavingcomedowntoCloisterhambyalatetrain，onChristmasEve，tokeephisChristmasappointmentwithRosa，paidadarklingvisittothetombofhislostlove，Rosa’smother。Grewgiouswasverysentimental，buttoosecretivetopaysuchavisitbydaylight。"Anightofmemoriesandsighs"hemight"consecrate"tohislostladylove，asLandordidtoRoseAylmer。GrewgiouswastohavehelpedBazzardtoeataturkeyonChristmasDay。Buthecouldgetoutofthatengagement。HewouldwishtoseeEdwinandRosatogether，andEdwinwasleavingCloisterham。ThedateofGrewgious’sarrivalatCloisterhamisstudiouslyconcealed。IofferatleastaconceivablemotiveforGrewgious’spossiblepresenceatthechurchyard。Mrs。Bud，hislostlove，wehavebeentold，wasburiedhardbytheSapseamonument。IfGrewgiousvisitedhertomb，hewasonthespottohelpEdwin，supposingEdwintoescape。Unlikelierthingsoccurinnovels。Idonot，infact，calltheseprobableoccurrencesinevery-daylife，butnoneofthestoryisprobable。Jasper’s"weirdseizures"aremeanttoleaduptoSOMETHING。TheymayhavebeenmeanttoleaduptothefailureofthemurderandtheescapeofEdwin。OfcourseDickenswouldnothavetreatedtheseincidents，whenhecametomakeEdwinexplain，-nobodyelsecouldexplain，-inmystudiouslysimplestyle。
ThedruggedEdwinhimselfwouldrememberthecircumstancesbutmistily：hisevidencewouldbeofnovalueagainstJasper。
Mr。Proctornextsupposes，wesaw，thatDroodgotintotouchwithGrewgious，andIhaveaddedthecircumstanceswhichmighttakeGrewgioustothechurchyard。Next，whenEdwinrecoveredhealth，hecamedown，perhaps，asDatchery，tospyonJasper。Ihaveelsewheresaid，asMr。CumingWaltersquotesme，that"fancycansuggestnoreasonwhyEdwinDrood，ifheescapedfromhiswickeduncle，shouldgospyingaboutinsteadofcomingopenlyforward。Noplausibleunfantasticreasoncouldbeinvented。"Later，IshallexplainwhyEdwin，ifheisDatchery，mightgospyingalone。
ItisalsourgedthatEdwinleftRosainsorrow，andleftblameonNevilleLandless。Whydothis？Mr。ProctorrepliesthatGrewgious’sintenseandwatchfulinterestinNeville，otherwiseunexplained，isduetohisknowledgethatDroodisalive，andthatNevillemustbecaredfor，whileGrewgioushastoldRosathatEdwinlives。HealsotoldherofEdwin’srealloveofher，henceMissBudsays，"Poor，poorEddy，"quiteAPROPOSDEBOTTES，whenshefindsherselfmanyfathomsdeepinlovewithLieutenantTartar，R。N。"’Poor，poorEddy！’thoughtRosa，astheywalkedalong，"Tartarandshe。ThisisaplausiblesuggestionofMr。Proctor。Edwin，thoughknowntoRosatobealive，hasnochance！But，astomyownremark，"whyshouldnotEdwincomeforwardatonce，insteadofspyingabout？"Well，ifhedid，therewouldbenostory。Asfor"anunfantasticreason"forhisconduct，Dickensisnotwritingan"unfantastic"novel。Moreover，ifthingsoccurredasIhavesuggested，IdonotseewhatevidenceDroodhadagainstJasper。Edwin’sclotheswerecoveredwithlime，but，whenhetoldhisstory，JasperwouldreplythatDroodneverreturnedtohishouseonChristmasEve，butstayedout，"doingwhatwascorrectbytheseason，inthewayofgivingitthewelcomeithadtherighttoexpect，"likeDurdlesonanotheroccasion。Drood’sevidence，ifitwaswhatIhavesuggested，wouldsoundlikethedreamofanintoxicatedman，andwhatotherevidencecouldbeadduced？ThusIhadworkedoutDrood’scondition，ifhereallywasnotkilled，inthisway：Ihadsupposedhimtoescape，inaverymixedframeofmind，whenhewouldbeencounteredbyGrewgious，who，ofcourse，couldmakelittleoutofhiminhisbefoggedstate。DroodcouldnotevenprovethatitwasnotLandlesswhoattackedhim。TheresultwouldbethatDroodwouldlielow，andlater，wouldhavereasonenoughfordisguisinghimselfasDatchery，andplayingthespyinCloisterham。
AtthispointIwasreinforcedbyanopinionwhichMr。WilliamArcherhadexpressed，unknowntome，inanewspaperarticle。IhaddescribedEdwin’sconfusedknowledgeofhisownexperience，ifhewerethoroughlydrugged，andthenhalfstrangled。Mr。Archeralsotookthatpoint，andaddedthatEdwinbeingagood-heartedfellow，andfondofhisuncleJasper，hewouldnotbring，orletGrewgiousbring，aterriblechargeagainstJasper，tillheknewmorecertainlythewholestateofthecase。Forthatreason，hewouldcomedisguisedtoCloisterhamandmakeinquiries。BylettingJasperknowaboutthering，hewouldcompelhimtoenterthevault，andthen，Mr。Archerthinks，wouldinducehimto"repentandbeginlifeafresh。"
IscarcelythinkthatDatchery’spurposewassotrulyhonourable：heratherseemstobegettingupacaseagainstJasper。Still，theideaofMr。Archerisveryplausible，and，atleast，givenDrood’sneedofevidence，andthelackofevidenceagainstJasper，weseereasongood，inanovelofthiskind，forhisplayingthepartofamateurdetective。
DICKENS’SUNUSEDDRAFTOFACHAPTER
Forsterfound，andpublished，averyillegiblesketchofachapterofthetale："HowMr。SapseaceasedtobeaMemberoftheEightClub，ToldbyHimself。"Thiswas"acramped，interlined，andblotted"
draft，onpaperofonlyhalfthesizecommonlyusedbyDickens。Mr。
SapseatellshowhisClubmockedhimaboutastranger，whohadmistakenhimfortheDean。Thejackass，Sapsea，lefttheClub，andmetthestranger，AYOUNGMAN，whofooledhimtothetopofhisbent，saying，"IfIwastodenythatIcametothistowntoseeandhearyou，Sir，whatwoulditavailme？"Apparentlythispaperwasaroughdraftofanideaforintroducingadetective，asaYOUNGman，whomocksSapseajustasDatcherydoesinthenovel。ButtomakethespyAYOUNGman，whetherthespywasDroodorHelenaLandless，wastoodifficult；andthereforeDickensmakesDatchery"anelderlybuffer"inawhitewig。IfIamright，itwaseasierforHelena，agirl，toposeasayoungman，thanforDroodtoreappearasayoungman，nothimself。HelenaMAYbeDatchery，andyetDroodmaybealiveandbidinghistime；butIhavedisprovedmyoldobjectionthattherewasnoreasonwhyDrood，ifalive，shouldgospyingaboutindisguise。
ThereweregoodDickensianreasons。
AQUESTIONOFTASTE
Mr。CumingWaltersarguesthatthestoryisverytameifEdwinisstillalive，andleftoutofthemarriagesattheclose。Besides，"Droodislittlemorethananame-label，attachedtoabody，amanwhoneverexcitessympathy，whosefatecausesnoemotion，heissavedfornousefulorsentimentalpurpose，andlagssuperfluousonthestage。
Allofwhichisbadart，sobadthatDickenswouldneverhavebeenguiltyofit。"
Thatisaquestionoftaste。Onrereadingthenovel，IseethatDickensmakesDroodassympatheticashecan。Heisveryyoung，andspeaksofRosawithbadtaste，butheisreallyinlovewithher，muchmoresothanshewithhim，andheispiquedbyherceaselessmockery，andbytheirfalseposition。ToJasperheissingularlytender，andremorsefulwhenhethinksthathehasshownwantoftact。Thereisnothingominousabouthisgaiety：astohisonefault，weleavehim，onChristmasEve，aconvertedcharacter：hehasakindwordandlookforeveryonewhomhemeets，youngandold。HeacceptsMr。
Grewgious’sverysternlectureinthebestmannerpossible。Inshort，heismarkedasfaulty-"Iamyoung，"soheexcuseshimself，intheverywordsofDarnleytoQueenMary！（iftheGlasgowletterbegenuine）；butheisalsomarkedassympathetic。
Hewas，Ithink，tohavealesson，andtobecomeagoodfellow。Mr。
Proctorrightlyargues（andForster"thinks"），thatDickensmeanttokillNevilleLandless：Mr。CumingWaltersagreeswithhim，butMr。
ProctortrulyaddsthatEdwinhasnoneofthesignsofDickens’sdoomedmen，hisSidneyCartons，andtherest。Youcantell，asitwerebythesoundofthevoiceofDickens，saysMr。Proctor，thatEdwinistolive。Theimpressionismerelysubjective，butIfeeltheimpression。ThedoomofLandlessisconspicuouslyfixed，andwhyisLandlesstobekilledbyJasper？MerelytohaveacountonwhichtohangJasper！HecannotbehangedforkillingDrood，ifDroodisalive。
MR。PROCTOR’STHEORYCONTINUED
Mr。ProctornextsupposesthatDatcheryandothers，byaidoftheopiumhag，havefoundoutagreatdealofevidenceagainstJasper。
Theyhavediscoveredfromtheoldwomanthathiscrimewaslongpremeditated：hehadthreatened"Ned"inhisopiateddreams：andhadclearlyremovedEdwin’strinketsandwatch，becausetheywouldnotbedestroyed，withhisbody，bythequicklime。Thisisallverywell，butthereisstill，sofar，nolegalevidence，onmytheory，thatJasperattemptedtotakeEdwin’slife。Jasper’senemies，therefore，canonlydotheirbesttomakehislifeaburdentohim，andtogivehimagoodfright，probablywiththehopeofterrifyinghimintoavowals。
Nowthefamousringbegins"todragandhold"themurderer。Heisgiventoknow，Ipresume，that，whenEdwindisappeared，hehadagoldringinthepocketofhiscoat。Jasperisthuscompelledtorevisitthevault，atnight，andthere，inthelightofhislantern，heseesthelong-lostEdwin，withhishandinthebreastofhisgreatcoat。
Horrifiedbythisunexpectedappearance，Jasperturnstofly。ButheisconfrontedbyNevilleLandless，Crisparkle，Tartar，andperhapsbyMr。Grewgious，whoareallonthewatch。Herushesupthroughtheonlyoutlet，thewindingstaircaseoftheCathedraltower，ofwhichweknowthathehashadthekey。Neville，wholeadshispursuers，"receiveshisdeathwound"（and，Ithink，ispitchedoffthetopoftheroof）。ThenJasperiscollaredbythatagileclimber，Tartar，andbyCrisparkle，alwaysinthepinkofcondition。ThereisnowsomethingtohangJasperfor-theslayingofLandless（though，asfarasIcansee，THATwasdoneinself-defence）。Jasperconfessesall；
TartarmarriesRosa；HelenamarriesCrisparkle。Edwinisonlytwenty-
one，andmayeasilyfindaconsolerofthefairsex：indeedheis"oweryoungtomarryyet。"
ThecaptureofJasperwasfixed，ofcourse，forChristmasEve。ThephantomcryforeheardbyDurdles，twoyearsbefore，wasthatofNevilleashefell；andthedogthathowledwasNeville’sdog，acharacternotyetintroducedintotheromance。
MR。CUMINGWALTERS’STHEORY
SuchisMr。Proctor’stheoryofthestory，inwhichImainlyagree。
Mr。ProctorreliesonapieceofevidenceoverlookedbyForster，andcertainlymisinterpreted，asIthinkIcanprovetoacertainty，byMr。CumingWalters，whosetheoryoftherealconductoftheplotrunsthus：AfterwatchingthestormatmidnightwithEdwin，Nevillelefthim，andwenthome："hiswaylayinanoppositedirection。NeartotheCathedralJasperinterceptedhisnephew……Edwinmayhavebeenalreadydrugged。"HowthemurderwasworkedMr。CumingWaltersdoesnotsay，butheintroducesatthispoint，thetwosoundsforeheardbyDurdles，withoutexplaining"thehowlofadog。"Durdleswouldhearthecries，andDeputy"hadseenwhathecouldnotunderstand，"
whateveritwasthathesaw。Jasper，notawareofDrood’spossessionofthering，takesonlyhiswatch，chain，andpin，whichheplacesonthetimbersoftheweir，andintheriver，tobepickedupbythatpersistentwinter-bather，Crisparkleofthetelescopicandmicroscopiceyesight。
Astothering，Mr。CumingWalterserroneouslydeclaresthatMr。
Proctor"ignores"thepowerofthering"toholdanddrag，"andsaysthatpotentpassageis"withoutmeaningandmustbedisregarded。"
Proctor，infact，givesmorethanthreepagestothemeaningofthering，which"drags"Jasperintothevault，whenhehearsofitsexistence。（3）Next，Mr。CumingWalterssupposesDatcherytolearnfromDurdles，whomheistovisit，aboutthesecondhearingofthecryandthedog’showl。DeputymayhaveseenJasper"carryinghisburden"
（Edwin）"towardstheSapseavault。"Infact，JasperprobablysavedtroublebymakingthedruggedEdwinwalkintothatreceptacle。
"DatcherywouldnotthinkoftheSapseavaultunaided。"No-unlessDatcherywasDrood！"NowDurdlesisusefulagain。Tappingwithhishammerhewouldfindachange……inquirymustbemade。"WhyshouldDurdlestaptheSapseamonument？AsDurdleshadthekey，hewouldsimplywalkintothevault，andfindthequicklime。Now，Jasperalso，wepresume，hadakey，madefromawaximpressionoftheoriginal。Ifhehadanysense，hewouldhaveremovedthequicklimeaseasilyasheinsertedit，forMr。Sapseawasmortal：hemightdieanyday，andbeburied，andthenthequicklime，lyingwhereitoughtnot，wouldgiverisetoawkwardinquiries。
Inquirybeingmade，inconsequenceofDurdles’stappings，theringwouldbefound，asMr。CumingWalterssays。Buteventhen，unlessDeputyactuallysawJaspercarryamanintothevault，nobodycouldproveJasper’sconnectionwiththepresenceoftheringinthevault。
Moreover，DeputyhatedJasper，andifhesawJaspercarryingthebodyofaman，onthenightwhenamandisappeared，hewascleverenoughtoleadDurdlestoexaminethevault，ATONCE。DeputyhadagreatdislikeoftheLawanditsofficers，butherewasachanceforhimtodistinguishhimself，andconciliatethem。
Howeverthesethingsmaybe，Mr。CumingWalterssupposesthatJasper，findinghimselfwatched，re-entersthevault，perhaps，"toseethateverytraceofthecrimehadbeenremoved。"Inthevaulthefinds-
Datchery，thatis，HelenaLandless！Jaspercertainlyvisitedthevaultandfoundsomebody。
EVIDENCEOFCOLLINS’SDRAWINGS
WenowcometotheevidencewhichForsterstrangelyoverlooked，whichMr。ProctorandMr。Archercorrectlydeciphered，andwhichMr。CumingWaltersmisinterprets。OnDecember22，1869，DickenswrotetoForsterthattwonumbersofhisromancewere"nowintype。CharlesCollinshasdesignedanexcellentcover。"Mr。C。A。CollinshadmarriedadaughterofDickens。（4）Hewasanartist，agreatfriendofDickens，andauthorofthatcharmingbook，"ACruiseonWheels。"Hisdesignofthepapercoverofthestory（itappearedinmonthlynumbers）
contained，asusual，sketcheswhichgiveaninklingoftheeventsinthetale。Mr。Collinswastohaveillustratedthebook；but，finally，Mr。（nowSir）LukeFildesundertookthetask。Mr。Collinsdiedin1873。ItappearsthatForsterneveraskedhimthemeaningofhisdesigns-asingularoversight。
Thecoverliesbeforethereader。Intheleft-handtopcornerappearsanallegoricalfemalefigureofjoy，withflowers。ThecentraltopspacecontainsthefrontofCloisterhamCathedral，orrather，thenave。TotheleftwalksEdwin，withhyacinthinelocks，andathoroughlyclassicaltypeofface，andGreciannose。LIKEDATCHERY，HEDOESNOTWEAR，BUTCARRIESHISHAT；thismeansnothing，iftheyareinthenave。Heseemsbored。OnhisarmisRosa；SHEseemsbored；
shetrailsherparasol，andlooksawayfromEdwin，looksdown，toherright。Onthespectator’srightmarchthesurplicedmenandboysoftheChoir。BehindthemisJasper，blackwhiskersandall；hestaresafterEdwinandRosa；hisrighthandhideshismouth。Inthecornerabovehimisanallegoricalfemale，claspingastiletto。
BeneathEdwinandRosais，first，anallegoricalfemalefigure，lookingataplacard，headed"LOST，"onadoor。Underthat，again，isagirlinagarden-chair；ayoungman，whiskerless，withwavyhair，kneelsandkissesherhand。Shelooksratherunimpassioned。I
conceivethemantobeLandless，takingleaveofRosaafterurginghishopelesssuit，forwhichHelena，welearn，"seemstocompassionatehim。"Hehasavowedhispassion，earlyinthestory，toCrisparkle。
Below，theopiumhagissmoking。Ontheotherside，underthefiguresofJasperandtheChoir，theyoungmanwhokneelstothegirlisseenboundingupaspiralstaircase。Hislefthandisontheironrailing；
hestoopsoverit，lookingdownatotherswhofollowhim。Hisrighthand，theindexfingerprotruded，pointsupward，and，bychanceordesign，pointsstraightatJasperinthevignetteabove。Beneaththisman（clearlyLandless）followsatallmanina"bowler"hat，a"cut-
away"coat，andtrouserswhichshowaninchofwhitestockingabovethelowshoes。Hisprofileishidbythewallofthespiralstaircase：hemightbeGrewgiousoftheshoes，whitestockings，andshorttrousers，buthemaybeTartar：hetakestwostepsatastride。
Beneathhimayoungishman，inalow，soft，clericalhatandablackpea-coat，ascends，lookingdownwardsandbackwards。ThisisclearlyCrisparkle。AChinamanissmokingopiumbeneath。
Inthecentrallowestspace，adarkandwhiskeredmanentersadarkchamber；hislefthandisonthelockofthedoor；inhisrightheholdsupalantern。ThelightofthelanternrevealsayoungmaninasofthatofTyroleseshape。Hisfeaturesarepurelyclassical，hisnoseisGrecian，hislocksarelong（atleast，accordingtothetasteofto-day）；hewearsalightpaletot，buttonedtothethroat；hisrightarmhangsbyhisside；hislefthandisthrustintothebreastofhiscoat。Hecalmlyregardsthedarkmanwiththelantern。Thatman，ofcourse，isJasper。TheyoungmanisEDWINDROOD，oftheGreciannose，hyacinthinelocks，andclassicfeatures，asinSirL。
Fildes’sthirdillustration。
Mr。Proctorcorrectlyunderstoodtheunmistakablemeaningofthislastdesign，Jasperenteringthevault-
"TO-DAYTHEDEADARELIVING，THELOSTISFOUNDTO-DAY。"
Mr。CumingWalterstellsusthathedidnotexaminethesedesignsbyMr。Collinstillhehadformedhistheory，andfinishedhisbook。"Ontheconclusionofthewholeworkthepictureswerereferredtoforthefirsttime，andwerethenfoundtosupportinthemoststrikingmannertheopinionsarrivedat，"namely，thatDroodwaskilled，andthatHelenaisDatchery。Thusdoestheoryblindustofacts！
Mr。CumingWaltersconnectsthefigureofthewhiskerlessyoungmankneelingtoagirlinagardenseat，withthewhiskeredJasper’sproposaltoRosainagardenseat。ButJasperdoesnotkneeltoRosa；
hestandsapart，leaningonasundial；heonlyoncevaguely"touches"
her，whichsheresents；hedoesnotkneel；hedoesnotkissherhand（Rosa"tookthekisssedately，"likeMaudinthepoem）；and-Jasperhadlustrousthickblackwhiskers。
Again，thesamewhiskerlessyoungman，boundingupthespiralstaircaseindaylight，andwildlypointingupwards，istakenbyMr。
CumingWalterstorepresentJasperclimbingthestaircasetoreconnoitre，atnight，withalantern，and，ofcourse，withblackwhiskers。Thetwowell-dressedmenonthestairs（Grewgious，orTartar，andCrisparkle）also，accordingtoMr。CumingWalters，"relatetoJasper’sunaccountableexpeditionwithDurdlestotheCathedral。"
NeitherofthemisJasper；neitherofthemisDurdles，"inasuitofcoarseflannel"-adisreputablejacket，asSirL。Fildesdepictshim-"withhornbuttons，"andabatteredoldtallhat。Theseinterpretationsarequitedemonstrablyerroneousandevenimpossible。
Mr。ArcherinterpretsthedesignsexactlyasIdo。
AstotheyoungmaninthelightofJasper’slamp，Mr。CumingWalterssays，"thelargehatandthetightly-buttonedsurtoutmustbeobserved；theyarethearticlesofclothingonwhichmoststressislaidinthedescriptionofDatchery。Butthefaceisyoung。"ThefaceofDatcherywaselderly，andhehadahugeshockofwhitehair，awig。Datcherywore"atightishbluesurtout，withabuffwaist-coatandgreytrousers；hehadsomethingofamilitaryair。"Theyoungmaninthevaulthasanythingbutamilitaryair；heshowsnowaistcoat，andhedoesnotwear"atightishbluesurtout，"oranysurtoutatall。
Thesurtoutoftheperiodisshown，wornbyJasper，inSirL。Fildes’ssixthandninthillustrations。Itisafrock-coat；thecollardescendsfarbelowthetopofthewaistcoat（bufforotherwise），displayingthatgarment；thecoatistightlybuttonedbeneath，revealingthefigure；thetailsofthecoatdonotreachthekneesofthewearer。Theyoungmaninthevault，ontheotherhand，wearsaloosepaletot，buttonedtothethroat（vaultsarechillyplaces），andthecoatfallssoastocovertheknees；atleast，partially。Theyoungmanisnot，likeHelena，"verydark，andfierceoflook，……
ofalmostthegipsytype。"Heisblonde，sedate，andoftheclassictype，asDroodwas。HeisnomorelikeHelenathanCrisparkleislikeDurdles。Mr。CumingWalterssaysthatMr。Proctorwas"unabletoalludetothepropheticpicturebyCollins。"Asafact，thispictureisfullydescribedbyMr。Proctor，butMr。Waltersusedthewrongeditionofhisbook，unwittingly。
Mr。Proctorwrites：-"Creepingdownthecryptsteps，oppressedbygrowinghorrorandbyterrorofcomingjudgment，sickeningunderfearsengenderedbythedarknessofnightandthecharnel-houseairhebreathed，Jasperopensthedoorofthetombandholdsuphislantern，shudderingatthethoughtofwhatitmayrevealtohim。
"Andwhatseeshe？Isitthespiritofhisvictimthatstandsthere，’inhishabitashelived，’hishandclaspedonhisbreast，wheretheringhadbeenwhenhewasmurdered？WhatelsecanJasperdeemit？
There，clearlyvisibleinthegloomatthebackofthetomb，standsEdwinDrood，withsternlookfixedonhim-pale，silent，relentless！"
Again，"Onthetitle-pagearegiventwoofthesmallpicturesfromtheLovesideofthecover，twofromtheMurderside，andthecentralpicturebelow，whichpresentsthecentralhorrorofthestory-theendandaimofthe’Datcheryassumption’andofMr。Grewgious’splans-showingJasperdriventoseekfortheproofsofhiscrimeamidthedusttowhich，ashethought，thefleshandbones，andtheveryclothesofhisvictim，hadbeenreduced。"
Thereareonlytwopossiblechoices；eitherCollins，underDickens’soralinstructions，depictedJasperfindingDroodaliveinthevault，anincidentwhichwastooccurinthestory；orDickensbadeCollinsdothisforthepurposeofmisleadinghisreadersinanillegitimatemanner；whiletheyoungmaninthevaultwasreallytobesomeperson"madeup"tolooklikeDrood，andsotofrightenJasperwithapseudo-
ghostofthathero。Thelatterdevice，themisleadingpicture，wouldbechildish，andthepseudo-ghost，exactlylikeDrood，couldnotbeactedbythegipsy-like，fierceHelena，orbyanyotherpersonintheromance。
MR。WALTERS’STHEORYCONTINUED
Mr。CumingWaltersguessesthatJasperwastoaimadeadlyblow（withhislefthand，tojudgefromthepicture）atHelena，andthatNeville"wastogivehislifeforhers。"But，manifestly，NevillewastoleadthehuntofJasperupthespiralstair，asinCollins’sdesign，andwastobedashedfromtheroof：hisbodybeneathwastobe"THAT，I
neversawbefore。THATmustbereal。Lookwhatapoormeanmiserablethingitis！"asJaspersaysinhisvision。
Mr。CumingWalters，pursuinghisideaofHelenaasbothDatcheryandalsoastheownerof"theYOUNGface"oftheyouthinthevault（andalsooftheyounghands，ayounggirl’shandscouldneverpassforthoseof"anelderlybuffer"），exclaims："Imaginetheintensepowerofthedramaticclimax，whenDatchery，theelderlyman，isre-
transformedintoHelenaLandless，theyoungandhandsomewoman；andwhensherevealstheseeminglyimpenetrablesecretwhichhadbeenclosedupinoneguiltyman’smind。"
Thesituationsarestartling，Iadmit，buthowwouldCanonCrisparklelikethem？Heis，weknow，tomarryHelena，"theyoungperson，mydear，"MissTwinkletonwouldsay，"whoformonthslivedalone，atinns，wearingabluesurtout，abuffwaistcoat，andgrey-"HerehorrorchokestheutteranceofMissTwinkleton。"ThenshewasinthevaultinANOTHERdisguise，notmorewomanly，atthatawfulscenewhenpoorMr。Jasperwasdrivenmad，sothatheconfessedallsortsofnonsense，for，mydear，alltheClosebelievesthatitWASnonsense，andthatMr。Jasperwasreducedtoinsanitybypersecution。AndMr。
Crisparkle，withthatelegantdaintymotherofhis-ithasbrokenherheart-ismarryingthishalf-castegipsyTROLLOP，withherbluesurtoutandgrey-oh，itisadisgracetoCloisterham！"
Theclimax，infact，asdevisedbyMr。CumingWalters，israthertoodramaticforthecomfortofaminorcanon。AhumoristlikeDickensoughttohaveseentheabsurdityofthesituation。Mr。WaltersMAYberight，HelenamaybeDatchery，butsheoughtnottobe。
WHOWASTHEPRINCESSPUFFER？
Whowastheopiumhag，thePrincessPuffer？Mr。CumingWalterswrites："Wemakeaguess，forDickensgivesusnosolidfacts。ButwhenwerememberthatnotawordissaidthroughoutthevolumeofJasper’santecedents，whohewas，andwherehecamefrom；whenwerememberthatbutforhisnephewhewasalonelyman；whenweseethathewasbothcriminalandartist；whenweobservehisownwheedlingpropensity，hisfalseandfulsomeprotestationsofaffection，hisslyness，hissubtlety，hisheartlessness，histenacity；andwhen，aboveall，weknowthattheopiumviceisHEREDITARY，andthataYOUNG
manwouldnotbeaddictedtoitunlessbornwiththecraving；（5）
then，itisnottoowildaconjecturethatJasperwasthewaywardprogenyofthissameopium-eatingwoman，allofwhosecharacteristicshepossessed，and，perchance，ofamanofcriminalinstincts，butofasuperiorposition。Jasperisamorbidanddiseasedbeingwhilestillinthetwenties，amixtureofgeniusandvice。Hehatesandhelovesfiercely，asiftherewerewildgipsybloodinhisveins。Thoughseeminglyamodelofdecorumanddevotedtohisart，hecomplainsofhis"dailydrudginground"and"thecrampedmonotonyofhisexistence。"Hecommitshiscrimewiththeruthlessnessofabeast，hisownnaturebeingwhollyuntamed。Ifwededucethathisfatherwasanadventurerandavagabond，weshallnotbefarwrong。Ifwededucethathismotherwastheopium-eater，prematurelyaged，whohadtransmittedherviciouspropensitytoherchild，weshallalmostcertainlyberight。"
WHOWASJASPER？
WhowasJasper？Hewasthebrother-in-lawofthelateMr。Drood，arespectedengineer，andUniversityman。WedonotknowwhencecameMrs。Drood，Jasper’ssister，butisitlikelythathermother"drankheaven’s-hard"-sothehagsaysofherself-thentooktokeepinganopiumden，andthereentertainedhersonJasper，alreadyanaccomplishedvocalist，butinalowerstationthanthattowhichhismusicalgeniuslaterraisedhim，aslayPrecentor？IfthePrincessPufferbe，asonMr。CumingWalters’stheorysheis，Edwin’slong-lostgrandmother，herdiscoverywouldbeunwelcometoEdwin。Probablyshedidnotlivemuchlonger；"mylungsarelikecabbagenets，"shesays。
Mr。CumingWaltersgoeson-
"Herpurposeisleftobscure。Howeasily，however，weseepossibilitiesinadirectionsuchasthis。Thefather，perhapsaproud，handsomeman，desertsthewoman，andremovesthechild。Thewomanhatesbothforscorningher，butthefatherdies，ordisappears，andisbeyondhervengeance。Thenthechild，victimtotheillsinhisblood，creepsbacktotheopiumden，notknowinghismother，butimmediatelyrecognizedbyher。Shewillmakethechildsufferforthesinsofthefather，whohaddestroyedherhappiness。SuchathemewasonewhichappealedtoDickens。Itmustnot，however，beurged；andthecrucialquestionafterallisconcernedwiththeopiumwomanasoneoftheunconsciousinstrumentsofjustice，aidingwithhertrifleofcircumstantialevidencetheNemesisawaitingJasper。
"Anotherhypothesis-followingontheCarkerthemein’DombeyandSon’-isthatJasper，adissoluteanddegenerateman，lascivious，andheartless，mayhavewrongedachildofthewoman’s；butitisnotlikelythatDickenswouldrepeattheMrs。Brownstory。"
Jasper，PERE，fatherofJohnJasperandofMrs。Drood，howeverhandsome，oughtnottohavedesertedMrs。Jasper。WhetherJohnJasper，prematurelydevotedtoopium，becameEdwin’sguardianatabouttheageoffifteen，orwhether，onattaininghismajority，hesucceededtosomeotherguardian，isnotveryobvious。Inshort，wecannotguesswhythePrincessPufferhatedJasper，apayingclientoflongstanding。WeareonlycertainthatJasperwasabadfellow，andthatthePrincessPuffersaid，"Iknowhim，betterthanalltheReverendParsonsputtogetherknowhim。"Ontheotherhand，Edwin"seemstoknow"theopiumwoman，whenhemeetsheronChristmasEve，whichmaybeapointinfavourofherbeinghislong-lostgrandmother。
Jasperwascertainlytriedandcondemned；forDickensintended"totakeMr。FildestoacondemnedcellinMaidstone，orsomeothergaol，inordertomakeadrawing。"（6）PossiblyJaspermanagedtotakehisownlife，inthecell；possiblyhewasdulyhanged。
Jasper，afterall，wasafailureasamurderer，evenifwesupposehimtohavestrangledhisnephewsuccessfully。"Itisobvioustothemostexcruciatinglyfeeblecapacity"that，ifhemeanttogetridofproofsoftheidentityofDrood’sbodybymeansofquicklime，itdidnotsufficetoremoveDrood’spin，watch，andchain。Droodwouldhavecoinsoftherealminhispockets，gold，silver，bronze。Quicklimewouldnotdestroythesemetallicobjects，norwoulditdestroykeys，whichwouldeasilyproveDrood’sidentity。IfJasperknewhisbusiness，hewould，ofcourse，rifleALLofEdwin’spocketsminutely，andwouldremovethemetallicbuttonsofhisbraces，whichgenerallydisplaythemaker’sname，orthetailor’s。OnresearchIfind"H。
Poole&Co。，SavileRow"onmybuttons。Inthisinquiryofhis，JasperwouldhavediscoveredtheringinEdwin’sbreastpocket，andwouldhavetakenitaway。PerhapsDickensneverthoughtofthatlittlefact：ifhedidthinkofit，nodoubthefoundsomemodeofaccountingforJasper’sunworkmanlikenegligence。Thetrouser-buttonswouldhaveledanyinquirerstraighttoEdwin’stailor；IinclinetosuspectthatneitherDickensnorJaspernoticedthatcircumstance。
Theconscientiousartistincrimecannotaffordtoneglectthehumblestandmostobviousdetails。
CONCLUSION
ACCORDINGtomytheory，whichmainlyrestsontheunmistakableevidenceofthecoverdrawnbyCollinsunderDickens’sdirections，all"endswell。"Jaspercomestothegriefhedeserves：Helena，afterherperiodofmourningforNeville，marriesCrisparkle：Rosawedshermariner。Edwin，attwenty-one，isnotheart-broken，but，agreatlyimprovedcharacter，takes，toquotehisownwords，"asensibleinterestinworksofengineeringskill，especiallywhentheyaretochangethewholeconditionofanundevelopedcountry"-Egypt。
TheseconclusionsareinevitableunlessweeithersupposeDickenstohavearrangedadisappointmentforhisreadersintheTABLEAUofJasperandDrood，inthevault，onthecover，orcanpersuadeourselvesthatnotDrood，butsomeotheryoungman，isrevealedbythelightofJasper’slantern。Now，theyoungmanisverylikeDrood，andveryunlikethedarkfierceHelenaLandless：disguisedasDrood，thistime，notasDatchery。AllthedifficultyastowhyDrood，ifheescapedalive，didnotatonceopenlydenounceJasper，isremovedwhenweremember，asMr。ArcherandIhaveindependentlypointedout，thatDrood，whenattackedbyJasper，was（likeDurdlesinthe"unaccountableexpedition"）stupefiedbydrugs，andsohadnovalidevidenceagainsthisuncle。Whetherscienceisacquaintedwiththedrugsnecessaryforsuchpurposesisanotherquestion。Theyarealwayskeptinstockbystarvingandvenalapothecariesinfictionandthedrama，andarearecognizedconventionofromance。
SoendsourunfoldingoftheMysteryofEdwinDrood。
Footnotes：
（1）Landlessisnot"Lackland，"butaformofdeLaundeles，aLothiannameofthetwelfthcentury，mergedlaterinthatofOrmistoun。
（2）LIFEOFDICKENS，vol。iii。pp。425-439。
（3）J。CumingWalters，p。102；Proctor，pp。131-135。Mr。CumingWaltersusedaneditionof1896，apparentlyareprintofapaperbyProctor，writtenearlierthanhisfinalbookof1887。HencetheerrorastoMr。Proctor’slasttheory。
（4）Mrs。Perugini，thebookssay，butcertainlyadaughter。
（5）WhatwouldWeissmannsaytoallthis？
（6）SoMr。CumingWaltersquotesMr。Hughes，whoquotesSirL。Fildes。
HEbelievesthatJasperstrangledEdwinwiththeblack-silkscarf，and，nodoubt，Jasperwasforlongofthatopinionhimself。
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