I

THEWOMANWITHTHEDIAMOND

Iwas，perhaps，theplainestgirlintheroomthatnight。Iwasalsothehappiest——uptooneo’clock。Thenmywholeworldcrumbled，or，atleast，sufferedaneclipse。Whyandhow，Iamabouttorelate。

Iwasnotmadeforlove。ThisIhadoftensaidtomyself；veryoftenoflate。InfigureIamtoodiminutive，infacefartoounbeautiful，formetocherishexpectationsofthisnature。

Indeed，lovehadneverenteredintomyplanoflife，aswasevincedbythenurse’sdiplomaIhadjustgainedafterthreeyearsofhardstudyandseveretraining。

Iwasnotmadeforlove。ButifIhadbeen；hadIbeengiftedwithheight，regularityoffeature，orevenwiththateloquenceofexpressionwhichredeemsalldefectssavethosewhichsavorofdeformity，IknewwellwhoseeyeIshouldhavechosentoplease，whoseheartIshouldhavefeltproudtowin。

Thisknowledgecamewitharushtomyheart——（didIsayheart？I

shouldhavesaidunderstanding，whichissomethingverydifferent）——when，attheendofthefirstdance，IlookedupfromthemidstofthebevyofgirlsbywhomIwassurroundedandsawAnsonDurand’sfinefigureemergingfromthatquarterofthehallwhereourhostandhostessstoodtoreceivetheirguests。Hiseyewasroaminghitherandthitherandhismannerwasbotheagerandexpectant。Whomwasheseeking？Someoneofthemanybrightandvivaciousgirlsaboutme，forheturnedalmostinstantlyourway。

Butwhichone？

IthoughtIknew。IrememberedatwhosehouseIhadmethimfirst，atwhosehouseIhadseenhimmanytimessince。Shewasalovelygirl，wittyandvivacious，andshestoodatthisverymomentatmyelbow。Inherbeautylaythelure，thenaturallureforamanofhisgiftsandstrikingpersonality。IfIcontinuedtowatch，Ishouldsoonseehiscountenancelightupundertherecognitionshecouldnotfailtogivehim。AndIwasright；inanotherinstantitdid，andwithabrightnesstherewasnomistaking。Butonefeelingcommontothehumanheartlendssuchwarmth，suchexpressivenesstothefeatures。Howhandsomeitmadehimlook，howdistinguished，howeverythingIwasnotexcept——

Butwhatdoesthismean？HehaspassedMissSperry——passedherwithasmileandafriendlyword——andisspeakingtome，singlingmeout，offeringmehisarm！Heissmiling，too，notashesmiledonMissSperry，butmorewarmly，withmorethatispersonalinit。Itookhisarminadaze。ThelightsweredimmerthanI

thought；nothingwasreallybrightexcepthissmile。Itseemedtochangetheworldforme。IforgotthatIwasplain，forgotthatI

wassmall，withnothingtorecommendmetotheeyeorheart，andletmyselfbedrawnaway，askingnothing，anticipatingnothing，tillIfoundmyselfalonewithhiminthefragrantrecessesoftheconservatory，withonlythethrobofmusicinourearstolinkustothescenewehadleft。

Whyhadhebroughtmehere，intothisfairylandofopalescentlightsandintoxicatingperfumes？Whatcouldhehavetosay——toshow？AhinanothermomentIknew。Hehadseizedmyhands，andlove，ardentlove，camepouringfromhislips。

Coulditbereal？WasItheobjectofallthisfeeling，I？Ifso，thenlifehadchangedformeindeed。

Silentfromrushofemotion，IsearchedhisfacetoseeifthisParadise，whosegatesIwasthuspassionatelybiddentoenter，wasindeedaverityoronlyadreambornoftheexcitementofthedanceandthecharmofasceneexceptionalinitssplendorandpicturesquenessevenforsoluxuriousacityasNewYork。

Butitwasnomeredream。Truthandearnestnesswereinhismanner，andhiswordswereneitherfeverishnorforced。

"IloveyouI！Ineedyou！"SoIheard，andsohesoonmademebelieve。"Youhavecharmedmefromthefirst。Yourtantalizing，trusting，loyalself，likenoother，sweeterthananyother，hasdrawntheheartfrommybreast。Ihaveseenmanywomen，admiredmanywomen，butyouonlyhaveIloved。Willyoubemywife？"

Iwasdazzled；movedbeyondanythingIcouldhaveconceived。I

forgotallthatIhadhithertosaidtomyself——allthatIhadendeavoredtoimpressuponmyheartwhenIbeheldhimapproaching，intent，asIbelieved，inhissearchforanotherwoman；and，confidinginhishonesty，trustingentirelytohisfaith，Iallowedtheplansandpurposesofyearstovanishintheglamourofthisnewjoy，andspokethewordwhichlinkedustogetherinabondwhichhalfanhourbeforeIhadneverdreamedwouldunitemetoanyman。

Hisimpassioned"Mine！mine！"filledmycuptooverflowing。

Somethingoftheecstasyoflivingenteredmysoul；which，inspiteofallIhavesufferedsince，recreatedtheworldformeandmadeallthatwentbeforebutthepreludetothenewlife，thenewjoy。

Oh，Iwashappy，happy，perhapstoohappy！Astheconservatoryfilledandwepassedbackintotheadjoiningroom，theglimpseI

caughtofmyselfinoneofthemirrorsstartledmeintothinkingso。ForhaditnotbeenfortheoddcolorofmydressandtheuniquewayinwhichIworemyhairthatnight，Ishouldnothaverecognizedthebeaminggirlwhofacedmesonaivelyfromthedepthsoftheresponsiveglass。

Canonebetoohappy？Idonotknow。Iknowthatonecanbetooperplexed，tooburdenedandtoosad。

ThusfarIhavespokenonlyofmyselfinconnectionwiththeevening’selaboratefunction。ButthoughentitledbymyoldDutchbloodtoacertainsocialconsiderationwhichIamhappytosayneverfailedme，I，eveninthishourofsupremesatisfaction，attractedverylittleattentionandawokesmallcomment。Therewasanotherwomanpresentbettercalculatedtodothis。Afairwoman，largeandofabountifulpresence，accustomedtoconquest，andgiftedwiththepowerofcarryingoffhervictorieswithacertainlazygraceirresistiblyfascinatingtotheordinaryman；

agorgeouslyappareledwoman，withadiamondonherbreasttoovividformostwomen，almosttoovividforher。Inoticedthisdiamondearlyintheevening，andthenInoticedher。Shewasnotasfineasthediamond，butshewasveryfine，and，hadIbeeninalessecstaticframeofmind，Imighthaveenviedthehomageshereceivedfromallthemen，notexceptinghimuponwhosearmI

leaned。Later，therewasnooneintheworldIenviedless。

Theballwasaprivateandveryelegantone。Thereweresomenotableguests。OnegentlemaninparticularwaspointedouttomeasanEnglishmanofgreatdistinctionandpoliticalimportance。I

thoughthimaveryinterestingmanforhisyears，butoddandatrifleself-centered。Thoughgreatlycourted，heseemedstrangelyrestlessunderthefireofeyestowhichhewasconstantlysubjected，andonlyhappywhenfreetousehisownincontemplationofthesceneabouthim。HadIbeenlessabsorbedinmyownhappinessImighthavenotedsoonerthanIdidthatthiscontemplationwasconfinedtosuchgroupsasgatheredabouttheladywiththediamond。ButthisIfailedtoobserveatthetime，andconsequentlywasmuchsurprisedtocomeuponhim，attheendofoneofthedances，talkingWiththisladyinananimatedandcourtlymannertotallyopposedtotheapathy，amountingtoboredom，withwhichhehadhithertometalladvances。

Yetitwasnotadmirationforherpersonwhichheopenlydisplayed。Duringthewholetimehestoodtherehiseyesseldomrosetoherface；theylingeredmainly-andthiswaswhatarousedmycuriosity——onthegreatfanofostrichplumeswhichthisopulentbeautyheldagainstherbreast。Washedesirousofseeingthegreatdiamondshethusunconsciously（orwasitconsciously）

shieldedfromhisgaze？Itwaspossible，for，asIcontinuedtonotehim，hesuddenlybenttowardherandasquicklyraisedhimselfagainwithalookwhichwasquiteinexplicabletome。Theladyhadshiftedherfanamomentandhiseyeshadfallenonthegem。

ThenextthingIrecallwithanydefinitenesswasatete-a-teteconversationwhichIheldwithmyloveronacertainyellowdivanattheendofoneofthehalls。

Totherightofthisdivanroseacurtainedrecess，highlysuggestiveofromance，called"thealcove。"Asthisalcovefiguresprominentlyinmystory，Iwillpauseheretodescribeit。

Itwasoriginallyintendedtocontainalargegroupofstatuarywhichourhost，Mr。Ramsdell，hadorderedfromItalytoadornhisnewhouse。Heisamanoforiginalideasinregardtosuchmatters，andinthisinstancehadgonesofarastohavethisendofthehouseconstructedwithaspecialviewtoanadvantageousdisplayofthispromisedworkofart。Fearingtheponderouseffectofapedestallargeenoughtoholdsuchaconsiderablegroup，hehadplannedtoraiseittotheleveloftheeyebyhavingthealcovefloorbuiltafewfeethigherthanthemainone。Aflightoflow，widestepsconnectedthetwo，which，followingthecurveofthewall，addedmuchtothebeautyofthisportionofthehall。

Thegroupwasafailureandwasnevershipped；butthealcoveremained，and，possessingasitdidalltheadvantagesofaroominthewayofheatandlight，hadbeenturnedintoaminiatureretreatofexceptionalbeauty。

Theseclusionitofferedextended，orsowewerehappytothink，tothesolitarydivanatitsbaseonwhichMr。DurandandIwereseated。Withpossiblyanundueconfidenceintheadvantageofourposition，wewerediscussingasubjectinterestingonlytoourselves，whenMr。Durandinterruptedhimselftodeclare："YouarethewomanIwant，youandyouonly。AndIwantyousoon。Whendoyouthinkyoucanmarryme？Withinaweek——if——"

Didmylookstophim？Iwasstartled。Ihadheardnoincoherentphrasefromhimbefore。

"Aweek！"Iremonstrated。"Wetakemoretimethanthattofitourselvesforajourneyorsometransientpleasure。Ihardlyrealizemyengagementyet。"

"YouhavenotbeenthinkingofitfortheselasttwomonthsasI

have。"

"No，"Ireplieddemurely，forgettingeverythingelseinmydelightatthisadmission。

"Norareyouanomadamongclubsandrestaurants。"

"No，Ihaveahome。"

"NordoyoulovemeasdeeplyasIdoyou。"

ThisIthoughtopentoargument。

"Thehomeyouspeakofisaluxuriousone，"hecontinued。"IcannotofferyouitsequalDoyouexpectmeto？"

Iwasindignant。

"YouknowthatIdonot。ShallI，whodeliberatelychoseanurse’slifewhenanindulgentuncle’sheartandhomewereopentome，shrinkfrombravingpovertywiththemanIlove？Wewillbeginassimplyasyouplease——"

"No，"heperemptorilyputin，yetwithacertainhesitancywhichseemedtospeakofdoubtshehardlyacknowledgedtohimself，"I

willnotmarryyouifImustexposeyoutoprivationortothegenteelpovertyIhate。Iloveyoumorethanyourealize，andwishtomakeyourlifeahappyone。Icannotgiveyouallyouhavebeenaccustomedtoinyourrichuncle’shouse，butifmattersprosperwithme，ifthechanceIhavebuiltonsucceeds——

anditwillfailorsucceedtonight——youwillhavethosecomfortswhichlovewillheightenintoluxuriesand——and——"

Hewasbecomingincoherentagain，andthistimewithhiseyesfixedelsewherethanonmyface。Followinghisgaze，Idiscoveredwhathaddistractedhisattention。Theladywiththediamondwasapproachingusonherwaytothealcove。Shewasaccompaniedbytwogentlemen，bothstrangerstome，andherhead，sparklingwithbrilliants，wasturningfromonetotheotherwithanindolentgrace。Iwasnotsurprisedthatthemanatmysidequiveredandmadeastartasiftorise。Shewasagorgeousimage。Incomparisonwithherimposingfigureinitstrailingrobeofrichpinkvelvet，mydiminutiveframeinitssea-greengownmusthavelookedasfadedandcolorlessasahalf-obliteratedpastel。

"Astrikingwoman，"IremarkedasIsawhewasnotlikelytoresumetheconversationwhichherpresencehadinterrupted。"Andwhatadiamond！"

Theglancehecastmewaspeculiar。

"Didyounoticeitparticularly？"heasked。

Astonished，fortherewassomethingveryuneasyinhismannersothatIhalfexpectedtoseehimriseandjointhegrouphewassoeagerlywatchingwithoutwaitingformylipstoframearesponse，Iquicklyreplied：

"Itwouldbedifficultnottonoticewhatonewouldnaturallyexpecttoseeonlyonthebreastofaqueen。Butperhapssheisaqueen。Ishouldjudgesofromthehomagewhichfollowsher。"

Hiseyessoughtmine。Therewasinquiryinthem，butitwasaninquiryIdidnotunderstand。

"Whatcanyouknowaboutdiamonds？"hepresentlydemanded。

"Nothingbuttheirglitter，andglitterisnotall，——thegemshewearsmaybeaverytawdryone。"

Iflushedwithhumiliation。Hewasadealeringems——thatwashisbusiness——andthecheckwhichhehadputuponmyenthusiasmcertainlymademeconsciousofmyownpresumption。YetIwasnotdisposedtotakebackmywords。Ihadhadabetteropportunitythanhimselfforseeingthisremarkablejewel，and，withtheperversityofasomewhatruffledmood，Iburstforth，assoonasthecolorhadsubsidedfrommycheeks：

"No，no！Itisglorious，magnificent。Ineversawitslike。I

doubtifyoueverhave，forallyourdailyacquaintancewithjewels。Itsvaluemustbeenormous。Whoisshe？Youseemtoknowher。"

Itwasadirectquestion，butIreceivednoreply。Mr。Durand’seyeshadfollowedthelady，whohadlingeredsomewhatostentatiouslyonthetopstepandtheydidnotreturntometillshehadvanishedwithhercompanionsbehindthelongplushcurtainwhichpartlyveiledtheentrance。Bythistimehehadforgottenmywords，ifhehadeverheardthemanditwaswiththeforcedanimationofonewhosethoughtsareelsewherethathefinallyreturnedtotheoldplea：

WhenwouldImarryhim？Ifhecouldoffermeahomeinamonth——

andhewouldknowbyto-morrowifhecoulddoso——wouldIcometohimthen？Hewouldnotsayinaweek；thatwasperhapstosoon；

butinamonth？WouldInotpromisetobehisinamonth？

WhatIansweredIscarcelyrecall。Hiseyeshadstolenbacktothealcoveandminehadfollowedthem。Thegentlemenwhohadaccompaniedtheladyinsidewerecomingoutagain，butotherswereadvancingtotaketheirplaces，andsoonshewasengagedinholdingaregularcourtinthisfavoredretreat。

Whyshouldthisinterestme？WhyshouldInoticeherorlookthatwayatall？BecauseMr。Duranddid？Possibly。Irememberthatforallhisardentlove-making，Ifeltalittlepiquedthatheshoulddividehisattentionsinthisway。PerhapsIthoughtthatforthisevening，atleast，hemighthavebeenblindtoamerecoquette’sfascinations。

Iwasthusdoublyengagedinlisteningtomylover’swordsandinwatchingthevariousgentlemenwhowentupanddownthesteps，whenaformerpartneradvancedandremindedmethatIhadpromisedhimawaltz。LoathtoleaveMr。Durand，yetseeingnowayofexcusingmyselftoMr。Fox，Icastanappealingglanceattheformerandwasgreatlychagrinedtofindhimalreadyonhisfeet。

"Enjoyyourdance，"hecried；"IhaveawordtosaytoMrs。

Fairbrother，"andwasgonebeforemynewpartnerhadtakenmeonhisarm。

WasMrs。Fairbrothertheladywiththediamond？Yes；asIturnedtoentertheparlorwithmypartner，IcaughtaglimpseofMr。

Durand’stallfigurejustdisappearingfromthestepbehindthesage-greencurtains。

"WhoisMrs。Fairbrother？"IinquiredofMr。Foxattheendofthedance。

Mr。Fox，whoisoneofsociety’sperennialbeaux，knowseverybody。

"Sheis——well，shewasAbnerFairbrother’swife。YouknowFairbrother，themillionairewhobuiltthatcuriousstructureonEighty-sixthStreet。Atpresenttheyarelivingapart——anamicableunderstanding，Ibelieve。Herdiamondmakesherconspicuous。ItisoneofthemostremarkablestonesinNewYork，perhapsintheUnitedStates。Haveyouobservedit？"

"Yes——thatis，atadistance。Doyouthinkherveryhandsome？"

"Mrs。Fairbrother？She’scalledso，butshe’snotmystyle。"Herehegavemeakillingglance。"Iadmirewomenofmindandheart。

Theydonotneedtowearjewelsworthanordinaryman’sfortune。"

Ilookedaboutforanexcusetoleavethisnonetoodesirablepartner。

"Letusgobackintothelonghall，"Iurged。"Theceaselesswhirlofthesedancersismakingmedizzy。"

Withtheeaseofagallantmanhetookmeonhisarmandsoonwewerepromenadingagaininthedirectionofthealcove。Apassingglimpseofitsinteriorwasaffordedmeasweturnedtoretraceourstepsinfrontoftheyellowdivan。Theladywiththediamondwasstillthere。Afoldofthesuperbpinkvelvetsheworeprotrudedacrossthegapmadebythehalf-drawncurtains，justasithaddoneahalf-hourbefore。Butitwasimpossibletoseeherfaceorwhowaswithher。WhatIcouldsee，however，anddid，wasthefigureofamanleaningagainstthewallatthefootofthesteps。AtfirstIthoughtthispersonunknowntome，thenI

perceivedthathewasnootherthanthechiefguestoftheevening，theEnglishmanofwhomIhavepreviouslyspoken。

Hisexpressionhadaltered。Helookednowbothanxiousandabsorbed，particularlyanxiousandparticularlyabsorbed；somuchsothatIwasnotsurprisedthatnooneventuredtoapproachhim。

AgainIwonderedandagainIaskedmyselfforwhomorforwhathewaswaiting。ForMr。Durandtoleavethislady’spresence？No，no，Iwouldnotbelievethat。Mr。Durandcouldnotbetherestill；yetsomewomenmakeitdifficultforamantoleavethemand，realizingthis，Icouldnotforbearcastingapartingglancebehindmeas，yieldingtoMr。Fox’simportunities，Iturnedtowardthesupper-room。ItshowedmetheEnglishmanintheactofliftingtwocupsofcoffeefromasmalltablestandingnearthereception-roomdoor。Ashismannerplainlybetokenedwhitherhewasboundwiththisrefreshment，Ifeltallmyuneasinessvanish，andwasabletotakemyseatatoneofthesmalltableswithwhichthesupper-roomwasfilled，andforafewminutes，atleast，lendaneartoMr。Fox’svapidcomplimentsandtriteopinions。Thenmyattentionwandered。

IhadnotmovednorhadIshiftedmygazefromthescenebeforemetheordinarysceneofagayandwell-filledsupper-room，yetI

foundmyselflooking，asifthroughamistIhadnotevenseendevelop，atsomethingasstrange，unusualandremoteasanyphantasm，yetdistinctenoughinitsoutlinesformetogetadecidedimpressionofasquareoflightsurroundingthefigureofamaninapeculiarposenoteasilyimaginedandnoteasilydescribed。Itallpassedinaninstant，andIsatstaringatthewindowoppositemewiththefeelingofonewhohasjustseenavision。YetalmostimmediatelyIforgotthewholeoccurrenceinmyanxietyastoMr。Durand’swhereabouts。Certainlyhewasamusinghimselfverymuchelsewhereorhewouldhavefoundanopportunityofjoiningmelongbeforethis。Hewasnoteveninsight，andIgrewwearyoftheendlessmenuandthesenselesschitchatofmycompanion，and，findinghimamenabletomywhims，rosefrommyseatattableandmademywaytoagroupofacquaintancesstandingjustoutsidethesupper-roomdoor。AsI

listenedtotheirgreetingssomeimpulseledmetocastanotherglancedownthehalltowardthealcove。Aman——awaiter——wasissuingfromitinarush。Badnewswasinhisface，andashiseyesencounteredthoseofMr。Ramsdell，whowasadvancinghurriedlytomeethim，heplungeddownthestepswithacrywhichdrewacrowdaboutthetwoinaninstant。

Whatwasit？Whathadhappened？

MadwithananxietyIdidnotstoptodefine，Irushedtowardthisgroupnowswayingfromsidetosideinirrepressibleexcitement，whensuddenlyeverythingswambeforemeandIfellinaswoontothefloor。

Someonehadshoutedaloud"Mrs。Fairbrotherhasbeenmurderedandherdiamondstolen！Lockthedoors！"

II

THEGLOVES

Imusthaveremainedinsensibleformanyminutes，forwhenI

returnedtofullconsciousnessthesupper-roomwasemptyandthetwohundredguestsIhadleftseatedattableweregatheredinagitatedgroupsaboutthehall。ThiswaswhatIfirstnoted；nottillafterwarddidIrealizemyownsituation。Iwaslyingonacouchinaremotecornerofthissamehallandbesideme，butnotlookingatme，stoodmylover，Mr。Durand。

HowhecametoknowmystateandfindmeinthegeneraldisturbanceIdidnotstoptoinquire。Itwasenoughformeatthatmomenttolookupandseehimsonear。Indeed，thereliefwassogreat，thesenseofhisprotectionsocomfortingthatI

involuntarilystretchedoutmyhandingratitudetowardhim，but，failingtoattracthisattention，slippedtothefloorandtookmystandathisside。Thisrousedhimandhegavemealookwhichsteadiedme，inspiteofthethrillofsurprisewithwhichI

recognizedhisextremepallorandacertainpeculiarhesitationinhismannernotatallnaturaltoit。

Meanwhile，somewordsutterednearuswereslowlymakingtheirwayintomybenumbedbrain。Thewaiterwhohadraisedthefirstalarmwasendeavoringtodescribetoanimportunategroupinadvanceofuswhathehadcomeuponinthatmurderousalcove。

"Iwascarryingaboutatrayofices，"hewassaying，"andseeingtheladysittingthere，wentup。Ihadexpectedtofindtheplacefullofgentlemen，butshewasallalone，anddidnotmoveasI

pickedmywayoverherlongtrain。ThenextmomentIhaddroppedices，trayandall。Ibadcomefacetofacewithherandseenthatshewasdead。Shehadbeenstabbedandrobbed。Therewasnodiamondonherbreast，buttherewasblood。"

Ahubbubofdisorderedsentencesseasonedwithhorrifiedcriesfollowedthissimpledescription。Thenageneralmovementtookplaceinthedirectionofthealcove，duringwhichMr。Durandstoopedtomyearandwhispered：

"Wemustgetoutofthis。Youarenotstrongenoughtostandsuchexcitement。Don’tyouthinkwecanescapebythewindowoverthere？"

"What，withoutwrapsandinsuchasnowstorm？"Iprotested。

"Besides，unclewillbelookingforme。Hecamewithme，youknow。"

Anexpressionofannoyance，orwasitperplexity，crossedMr。

Durand’sface，andhemadeamovementasiftoleaveme。

"Imustgo，"hebegan，butstoppedatmyglanceofsurpriseandassumedadifferentair——onewhichbecamehimverymuchbetter。

"Pardonme，dear，Iwilltakeyoutoyouruncle。This——thisdreadfultragedy，interruptingsogayascene，hasquiteupsetme。Iwasalwayssensitivetothesight，thesmell，eventotheverymentionofthewordblood。"

SowasI，butnottothepointofcowardice。ButthenIhadnotjustcomefromaninterviewwiththemurderedwoman。Herglances，hersmiles，theliftofhereyebrowswerenotfreshmemoriestome。Someconsiderationwascertainlyduehimfortheshockhemustbelaboringunder。YetIdidnotknowhowtokeepbackthevitalquestion。

"Whodidit？Youmusthaveheardsomeonesay。"

"Ihaveheardnothing，"washissomewhatfiercerejoinder。Then，asImadeamove，"Whatyoudonotwishtofollowthecrowdthere？"

"Iwishtofindmyuncle，andheisinthatcrowd。"

Mr。Durandsaidnothingfurther，andtogetherwepasseddownthehall。Astrangemoodpervadedmymind。Insteadofwishingtoflyascenewhichunderordinaryconditionswouldhavefilledmewithutterrepugnance，Ifeltadesiretoseeandheareverything。Notfromcuriosity，suchasmovedmostofthepeopleaboutme，butbecauseofsomestronginstinctivefeelingIcouldnotunderstand；asifitweremyheartwhichhadbeenstruck，andmyfatewhichwastremblinginthebalance。

Wewereconsequentlyamongthefirsttohearsuchfurtherdetailsaswereallowedtocirculateamongthenowwell-nighfrenziedguests。Nooneknewtheperpetratorofthedeednordidthereappeartobeanydirectevidencecalculatedtofixhisidentity。

Indeed，thesuddendeathofthisbeautifulwomaninthemidstoffestivitymighthavebeenlookeduponassuicide，ifthejewelhadnotbeenmissingfromherbreastandtheinstrumentofdeathremovedfromthewound。Sofar，thecasualsearchwhichhadbeeninstitutedhadfailedtoproducethisweapon；butthepolicewouldbeheresoonandthensomethingwouldbedone。Astothemeansofentranceemployedbytheassassin，thereseemedtobebutoneopinion。Thealcovecontainedawindowopeninguponasmallbalcony。Bythishehaddoubtlessenteredandescaped。Thelongplushcurtainswhich，duringtheearlypartoftheevening，hadremainedloopedbackoneithersideofthecasement，werefoundatthemomentofthecrime’sdiscoverycloselydrawntogether。Certainlyasuspiciouscircumstance。However，thequestionwasoneeasilysettled。Ifanyonehadapproachedbythebalconytherewouldbemarksinthesnowtoshowit。Mr。Ramsdellhadgoneouttosee。Hewouldbecomingbacksoon。

"Doyouthinkthisaprobableexplanationofthecrime？"I

demandedofMr。Durandatthisjuncture。"IfIrememberrightlythiswindowoverlooksthecarriagedrive；itmust，therefore，bewithinplainsightofthedoorthroughwhichsomethreehundredguestshavepassedto-night。Howcouldanyoneclimbtosuchaheight，liftthewindowandstepinwithoutbeingseen？"

"Youforgettheawning。"Hespokequicklyandwithunexpectedvivacity。"Theawningrunsupverynearthiswindowandquiteshutsitofffromthesightofarrivingguests。Thedriversofdepartingcarriagescouldseeitiftheychancedtoglanceback。

Buttheireyesareusuallyontheirhorsesinsuchacrowd。Theprobabilitiesareagainstanyofthemhavinglookedup。"Hisbrowhadcleared；aweightseemedremovedfromhismind。"WhenIwentintothealcovetoseeMrs。Fairbrother，shewassittinginachairnearthiswindowlookingout。Iremembertheeffectofhersplendoragainstthesnowsiftingdowninasteadystreambehindher。Thepinkvelvet——thesoftgreenofthecurtainsoneitherside——herbrilliants——andthesnowforabackground！Yes，themurderercameinthatway。Herfigurewouldbeplaintoanyoneoutside，andifshemovedandthediamondshone——Don’tyouseewhataprobabletheoryitis？Theremustbewaysbywhichadesperatemanmightreachthatbalcony。Ibelieve——"

Howeagerhewasandwithwhatalookheturnedwhenthewordcamefilteringthroughthecrowdthat，thoughfootstepshadbeenfoundinthesnowpointingdirectlytowardthebalcony，therewasnoneonthebalconyitself，proving，asanyonecouldsee，thattheattackhadnotcomefromwithout，sincenoonecouldenterthealcovebythewindowwithoutsteppingonthebalcony。

"Mr。Durandhassuspicionsofhisown，"Iexplaineddeterminedlytomyself。"Hemetsomeonegoinginashesteppedout。ShallI

askhimtonamethisperson？"No，Ididnothavethecourage；notwhilehisfaceworesosternalookandwassoresolutelyturnedaway。

ThenextexcitementwasarequestfromMr。Ramsdellforusalltogointothedrawing-room。Thisledtovariouscriesfromhystericallips，suchas，"Wearegoingtobesearched！""Hebelievesthethiefandmurderertobestillinthehouse！""Doyouseethediamondonme？""Whydon’ttheyconfinetheirsuspicionstothefavoredfewwhowereadmittedtothealcove？"

"Theywill，"remarkedsomeoneclosetomyear。

ButquicklyasIturnedIcouldnotguessfromwhomthecommentcame。Possiblyfromamuchbeflowered，bejeweled，elderlydame，whoseeyeswerefixedonMr。Durand’savertedface。Ifso，shereceivedadefiantlookfrommine，whichIdonotbelievesheforgotinahurry。

Alas！itwasnottheonlycurious，ImightsaysearchingglanceI

surpriseddirectedagainsthimaswemadeourwaytowhereI

couldseemyunclestrugglingtoreachusfromashortsidehall。

ThewhisperseemedtohavegoneaboutthatMr。DurandhadbeenthelastonetoconversewithMrs。Fairbrotherpriortothetragedy。

IntimeIhadthesatisfactionofjoiningmyuncle。Hebetrayedgreatreliefatthesightofme，and，encouragedbyhiskindlysmile，IintroducedMr。Durand。Myconsciousairmusthaveproduceditsimpression，forheturnedastartledandinquiringlookuponmycompanion，thentookmeresolutelyonhisownarm，saying：

"Thereislikelytobesomeunpleasantnessaheadforallofus。I

donotthinkthepolicewillallowanyonetogotillthatdiamondhasbeenlookedfor。Thisisaveryseriousmatter，dear。

Somanythinkthemurdererwasoneoftheguests。"

"Ithinkso，too，"saidI。ButwhyIthoughtsoorwhyIshouldsaysowithsuchvehemence，Idonotknowevennow。

Myunclelookedsurprised。

"Youhadbetternotadvanceanyopinions，"headvised。"Aladylikeyourselfshouldhavenoneonasubjectsogruesome。Ishallneverceaseregrettingbringingyouheretonight。Ishallseizeonthefirstopportunitytotakeyouhome。Atpresentwearesupposedtoawaittheactionofourhost。"

"Hecannotkeepallthesepeopleherelong，"Iventured。

"No；mostofuswillherelievedsoon。Hadyounotbettergetyourwrapssoastobereadytogoassoonashegivestheword？"

"Ishouldprefertohaveapeepatthepeopleinthedrawing-roomfirst。，"wasmyperversereply。"Idon’tknowwhyIwanttoseethem，butIdo；and，uncle，ImightaswelltellyounowthatI

engagedmyselftoMr。Durandthisevening——thegentlemanwithmewhenyoufirstcameup。"

"Youhaveengagedyourselfto——tothisman——tomarryhim，doyoumean？"

Inodded，withaslylookbehindtoseeifMr。Durandwerenearenoughtohear。Hewasnot，andIallowedmyenthusiasmtoescapeinafewquickwords。

"Hehaschosenme，"Isaid，"theplainest，mostuninterestingpussinthewholecity。"Myunclesmiled。"AndIbelievehelovesme；atallevents，IknowthatIlovehim。"

Myunclesighed，whilegivingmethemostaffectionateofglances。

"It’sapityyoushouldhavecometothisunderstandingto-night，"saidhe。"He’sanacquaintanceofthemurderedwoman，anditisonlyrightforyoutoknowthatyouwillhavetoleavehimbehindwhenyoustartforhome。Allwhohavebeenseenenteringthatalcovethiseveningwillnecessarilybedetainedheretillthecoronerarrives。

MyuncleandIstrolledtowardthedrawing-roomandaswedidsowepassedthelibrary。Itheldbutoneoccupant，theEnglishman。

Hewasseatedbeforeatable，andhisappearancewassuchasprecludedanyattemptatintrusion，evenifonehadbeensodisposed。Therewasafixityinhisgazeandafrownonhispowerfulforeheadwhichbespokeamindgreatlyagitated。Itwasnotformetoreadthatmind，muchasitinterestedme，andI

passedon，chatting，asifIhadnottheleastdesiretostop。

Icannotsayhowmuchtimeelapsedbeforemyuncletouchedmeonthearmwiththeremark：

"Thepolicearehereinfullforce。Isawadetectiveinplainclotheslookinhereaminuteago。Heseemedtohavehiseyeonyou。Thereheisagain！Whatcanhewant？No，don’tturn；he’sgoneawaynow。"

FrightenedasIhadneverbeeninallmylife，Imanagedtokeepmyheadupandmaintainanindifferentaspect。What，asmyunclesaid，couldadetectivewantofme？Ihadnothingtodowiththecrime；notintheremotestwaycouldIbesaidtobeconnectedwithit；why，then，hadIcaughttheattentionofthepolice？

Lookingabout，IsoughtMr。Durand。Hehadleftmeonmyuncle’scomingup，buthadremained，asIsupposed，withinsight。Butatthismomenthewasnowheretobeseen。WasIafraidonhisaccount？Impossible；yet——

Happilyjustthenthewordwaspassedaboutthatthepolicehadgivenordersthat，withtheexceptionofsuchashadbeenrequestedtoremaintoanswerquestions，theguestsgenerallyshouldfeelthemselvesatlibertytodepart。

ThetimehadnowcometotakeastandandIinformedmyuncle，tohisevidentchagrin，thatIshouldnotleaveaslongasanyexcusecouldbefoundforstaying。

Hesaidnothingatthetime，butasthenoiseofdepartingcarriagesgraduallylessenedandthegreathallanddrawing-roomsbegantowearalookofdesertionheatlastventuredonthisgentleprotest：

"Youhavemorepluck，Rita，thanIsupposed。Doyouthinkitwisetostayonhere？Willnotpeopleimaginethatyouhavebeenrequestedtodoso？Lookatthosewaitershangingaboutinthedifferentdoorways。Runupandputonyourwraps。Mr。Durandwillcometothehousefastenoughassoonasheisreleased。Igiveyouleavetositupforhimifyouwill；onlyletusleavethisplacebeforethatimpertinentlittlemandarestocomearoundagain，"heartfullyadded。

ButIstoodfirm，thoughsomewhatmovedbyhisfinalsuggestion；

and，beingasmalltyrantinmyway，atleastwithhim，Icarriedmypoint。

Suddenlymyanxietybecamepoignant。Apartyofmen，amongwhomI

sawMr。Durand，appearedattheendofthehall，ledbyaverysmallbutself-importantpersonagewhommyuncleimmediatelypointedoutasthedetectivewhohadtwicecometothedoornearwhichIstood。Asthismanlookedupandsawmestillthere，alookofreliefcrossedhisface，and，afterawordortwowithanotherstrangerofseemingauthority，hedetachedhimselffromthegrouphehadushereduponthescene，and，approachingmerespectfullyenough，saidwithadeprecatoryglanceatmyunclewhosefrownhedoubtlessunderstood：

"MissVanArsdale，Ibelieve？"

Inodded，toochokedtospeak。

"Iamsorry，Madam，ifyouwereexpectingtogo。InspectorDalzellhasarrivedandwouldliketospeaktoyou。Willyoustepintooneoftheserooms？Notthelibrary，butanyother。Hewillcometoyouasquicklyashecan。"

ItriedtocarryitoffbravelyandasifIsawnothinginthissummonswhichwasuniqueoralarming。ButIsucceededonlyindividingawaveringglancebetweenhimandthegroupofmenofwhichhehadjustformedapart。InthelatterwereseveralgentlemenwhomIhadnotedinMrs。Fairbrother’strainearlyintheeveningandafewstrangers，twoofwhomwereofficials。Mr。

Durandwaswiththeformer，andhisexpressiondidnotencourageme。

"Theaffairisveryserious，"commentedthedetectiveonleavingme。"That’sourexcuseforanytroublewemaybeputtingyouto。"

Iclutchedmyuncle’sarm。

"Whereshallwego？"Iasked。"Thedrawing-roomistoolarge。Inthishallmyeyesareforevertravelinginthedirectionofthealcove。Don’tyouknowsomelittleroom？Oh，what，whatcanhewantofme？"

"Nothingserious，nothingimportant，"blusteredmygooduncle。

"Sometrivialitysuchasyoucananswerinamoment。Alittleroom？Yes，Iknowone，there，underthestairs。Come，Iwillfindthedoorforyou。Whydidweevercometothiswretchedball？"

Ihadnoanswerforthis。Why，indeed！

Myuncle，whoisaverypatientman，guidedmetotheplacehehadpickedout，withoutaddingawordtotheejaculationinwhichhehadjustallowedhisimpatiencetoexpenditself。Butonceseatedwithin，andoutoftherangeofpeeringeyesandlisteningears，heallowedasightoescapehimwhichexpressedthefullnessofhisagitation。

"Mydear，"hebegan，andstopped。"Ifeel——"hereheagaincametoapause——"thatyoushouldknow——"

"What？"Imanagedtoask。

"ThatIdonotlikeMr。Durandand——thatothersdonotlikehim。"

"Isitbecauseofsomethingyouknewabouthimbeforeto-night？"

Hemadenoanswer。

"Orbecausehewasseen，likemanyothergentlemen，talkingwiththatwomansometimebefore——alongtimebefore——shewasattackedforherdiamondandmurdered？"

"Pardonme，mydear，hewasthelastoneseentalkingtoher。

Someonemayyetbefoundwhowentinafterhecameout，butasyetheisconsideredthelast。Mr。Ramsdellhimselftoldmeso。"

"Itmakesnodifference，"Iexclaimed，inalltheheatofmylong-suppressedagitation。"Iamwillingtostakemylifeonhisintegrityandhonor。Nomancouldtalktomeashedidearlythiseveningwithanyvileintentionsatheart。Hewasinterested，nodoubt，likemanyothers，inonewhohadthenameofbeingacaptivatingwoman，but——"

Ipausedinsuddenalarm。Alookhadcrossedmyuncle’sfacewhichassuredmethatwewerenolongeralone。Whocouldhaveenteredsosilently？InsometrepidationIturnedtosee。A

gentlemanwasstandinginthedoorway，whosmiledasImethiseye。

"IsthisMissVanArsdale？"heasked。

Instantlymycourage，whichhadthreatenedtoleaveme，returnedandIsmiled。

"Iam，"saidI。"Areyoutheinspector？"

"InspectorDalzell，"heexplainedwithabow，whichincludedmyuncle。

Thenheclosedthedoor。

"IhopeIhavenotfrightenedyou，"hewenton，approachingmewithagentlemanlyair。"AlittlematterhascomeupconcerningwhichImeantobeperfectlyfrankwithyou。Itmayprovetobeoftrivialimportance；ifso，youwillpardonmydisturbingyou。

Mr。Durand——youknowhim？"

"Iamengagedtohim，"Ideclaredbeforepoorunclecouldraisehishand。

"Youareengagedtohim。Well，thatmakesitdifficult，andyet，insomerespects，easierformetoaskacertainquestion。"

Itmusthavemadeitmoredifficultthaneasy，forhedidnotproceedtoputthisquestionimmediately，butwenton：

"YouknowthatMr。DurandvisitedMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcovealittlewhilebeforeherdeath？"

"Ihavebeentoldso。"

"Hewasseentogoin，butIhavenotyetfoundanyonewhosawhimcomeout；consequentlywehavebeenunabletofixtheexactminutewhenhedidso。Whatisthematter，MissVanArsdale？Youwanttosaysomething？"

"No，no，"Iprotested，reconsideringmyfirstimpulse。Then，asI

methislook，"Hecanprobablytellyouthathimself。Iamsurehewouldnothesitate。"

"Weshallaskhimlater，"wastheinspector’sresponse。

"Meanwhile，areyoureadytoassuremethatsincethattimehehasnotintrustedyouwithalittlearticletokeep——No，no，Idonotmeanthediamond，"hebrokein，inveryevidentdismay，asI

fellbackfromhiminirrepressibleindignationandalarm。"Thediamond——well，weshalllookforthatlater；itisanotherarticleweareinsearchofnow，onewhichMr。Durandmightverywellhavetakeninhishandwithoutrealizingjustwhathewasdoing。Asitisimportantforustofindthisarticle，andasitisonehemightverynaturallyhavepassedovertoyouwhenhefoundhimselfinthehallwithitinhishand，Ihaveventuredtoaskyouifthissurmiseiscorrect。"

"Itisnot，"Iretortedfiercely，gladthatIcouldspeakfrommyveryheart。"Hehasgivenmenothingtokeepforhim。Hewouldnot——"

Whythatpeculiarlookintheinspector’seye？Whydidhereachoutforachairandseatmeinitbeforehetookupmyinterruptedsentenceandfinishedit？

"——wouldnotgiveyouanythingtoholdwhichhadbelongedtoanotherwoman？MissVanArsdale，youdonotknowmen。Theydomanythingswhichayoung，trustinggirllikeyourselfwouldhardlyexpectfromthem。"

"NotMr。Durand，"Imaintainedstoutly。

"Perhapsnot；letushopenot。"Then，withaquickchangeofmanner，hebenttowardme，withasidelonglookatuncle，and，pointingtomygloves，remarked："Youweargloves。Didyoufeeltheneedoftwopairs，thatyoucarryanotherinthatprettybaghangingfromyourarm？"

Istarted，lookeddown，andthenslowlydrewupintomyhandthebaghehadmentioned。Thewhitefingerofaglovewasprotrudingfromthetop。Anyonecouldseeit；manyprobablyhad。Whatdiditmean？Ihadbroughtnoextrapairwithme。

"Thisisnotmine，"Ibegan，falteringintosilenceasI

perceivedmyuncleturnandwalkasteportwoaway。

"Thearticlewearelookingfor，"pursuedtheinspector，"isapairoflong，whitegloves，supposedtohavebeenwornbyMrs。

Fairbrotherwhensheenteredthealcove。Doyoumindshowingmethose，afingerofwhichIsee？"

Idroppedthebagintohishand。Theroomandeverythinginitwaswhirlingaroundme。ButwhenInotedwhattroubleitwastohisclumsyfingerstoopenit，mysensesreturnedand，reachingforthebag，Ipulleditopenandsnatchedoutthegloves。Theyhadbeenhastilyrolledupandsomeofthefingerswereshowing。

"Letmehavethem，"hesaid。

WithquakingheartandshakingfingersIhandedoverthegloves。

"Mrs。Fairbrother’shandwasnotasmallone，"heobservedasheslowlyunrolledthem。"Yoursis。Wecansoontell——"

Butthatsentencewasneverfinished。Astheglovesfellopeninhisgraspheutteredasudden，sharpejaculationandIasmotheredshriek。Anobjectofsuperlativebrilliancyhadrolledoutfromthem。Thediamond！thegemwhichmensaidwasworthaking’sransom，andwhichweallknewhadjustcostalife。

III

ANSONDURAND

Withbenumbedsensesandadismayedheart，Istaredatthefallenjewelasatsomehatefulthingmenacingbothmylifeandhonor。

"Ihavehadnothingtodowithit，"Ivehementlydeclared。"Ididnotputtheglovesinmybag，nordidIknowthediamondwasinthem。Ifaintedatthefirstalarm，and"There！there！Iknow，"interposedtheinspectorkindly。"Idonotdoubtyouintheleast；notwhenthereisamantodoubt。

MissVanArsdale，youhadbetterletyouruncletakeyouhome。I

willseethatthehallisclearedforyou。TomorrowImaywishtotalktoyouagain，butIwillspareyouallfurtherimportunitytonight。"

Ishookmyhead。Itwouldrequiremorecouragetoleaveatthatmomentthantostay。Meetingtheinspector’seyefirmly，I

quietlydeclared，"IfMr。Durand’sgoodnameistosufferinanyway，Iwillnotforsakehim。Ihaveconfidenceinhisintegrity，ifyouhavenot。

Itwasnothishand，butonemuchmoreguilty，whichdroppedthisjewelintothebag。"

"So！so！donotbetoosureofthat，littlewoman。Youhadbettertakeyourlessonatonce。Itwillbeeasierforyou，andmorewholesomeforhim。"

Herehepickedupthejewel。

"Well，theysaiditwasawonder！"heexclaimed，insuddenadmiration。"Iamnotsurprised，nowthatIhaveseenagreatgem，atthefamousstoriesIhavereadofmenriskinglifeandhonorfortheirpossession。Ifonlynobloodhadbeenshed！"

"Uncle！uncle！"Iwailedaloudinmyagony。

Itwasallmylipscouldutter，buttouncleitwasenough。

Speakingforthefirsttime，heaskedtohaveapassagemadeforus，andwhentheinspectormovedforwardtocomply，hethrewhisarmaboutme，andwasendeavoringtofindfittingwordswithwhichtofillupthedelay，whenashortaltercationwasheardfromthedoorway，andMr。Durandcamerushingin，followedimmediatelybytheinspector。

Hisfirstlookwasnotatmyself，butatthebag，whichstillhungfrommyarm。AsInotedthisaction，mywholeinnerselfseemedtocollapse，draggingmyhappinessdownwithit。Butmycountenanceremainedunchanged，toomuchso，itseems；forwhenhiseyefinallyrosetomyface，hefoundtherewhatmadehimrecoilandturnwithsomethinglikefiercenessonhiscompanion。

"Youhavebeentalkingtoher，"hevehementlyprotested。"Perhapsyouhavegonefurtherthanthat。Whathashappenedhere？IthinkIoughttoknow。Sheissoguileless，InspectorDalzell；soperfectlyfreefromallconnectionwiththiscrime。Whyhaveyoushutheruphere，andpliedherwithquestions，andmadeherlookatmewithsuchanexpression，whenallyouhaveagainstmeisjustwhatyouhaveagainstsomehalf-dozenothers，——thatIwasweakenough，orunfortunateenough，tospendafewminuteswiththatunhappywomaninthealcovebeforeshedied？"

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读