"ItmightbewellifMissVanArsdaleherselfwouldansweryou，"

wastheinspector’squietretort。"Whatyouhavesaidmayconstituteallthatwehaveagainstyou，butitisnotallwehaveagainsther。"

Igasped，notsomuchatthisseemingaccusation，themotiveofwhichIbelievedmyselftounderstand，butattheburningblushwithwhichitwasreceivedbyMr。Durand。

"Whatdoyoumean？"hedemanded，withcertainoddbreaksinhisvoice。"Whatcanyouhaveagainsther？"

"Atriviality，"returnedtheinspector，withalookinmydirectionthatwas，Ifelt，nottobemistaken。

"Idonotcallitatriviality，"Iburstout。"ItseemsthatMrs。

Fairbrother，forallherelaboratetoilet，wasfoundwithoutglovesonherarms。Asshecertainlyworethemonenteringthealcove，thepolicehavenaturallybeenlookingforthem。Andwheredoyouthinktheyhavefoundthem？Notinthealcovewithher，notinthepossessionofthemanwhoundoubtedlycarriedthemawaywithhim，but——"

"Iknow，Iknow，"Mr。Durandhoarselyputin。"Youneednotsayanymore。Oh，mypoorRita！whathaveIbroughtuponyoubymyweakness？"

"Weakness！"

Hestarted；Istarted；myvoicewastotallyunrecognizable。

"Ishouldgiveitanothername，"Iaddedcoldly。

Foramomentheseemedtoloseheart，thenheliftedhisheadagain，andlookedashandsomeaswhenhepleadedformyhandinthelittleconservatory。

"Youhavethatright，"saidhe；"besides，weaknessatsuchatime，andundersuchanexigency，islittleshortofwrong。Itwasunmanlyinmetoendeavortosecretethesegloves；morethanunmanlyformetochoosefortheirhiding-placetherecessesofanarticlebelongingexclusivelytoyourself。Iacknowledgeit，Rita，andshallmeetonlymyjustpunishmentifyoudenymeinthefuturebothyoursympathyandregard。Butyoumustletmeassureyouandthesegentlemenalso，oneofwhomcanmakeitveryunpleasantforme，thatconsiderationforyou，muchmorethananymiserableanxietyaboutmyself，layatthebottomofwhatmuststrikeyouallasanactofunpardonablecowardice。FromthemomentIlearnedofthiswoman’smurderinthealcove，whereI

hadvisitedher，Irealizedthateveryonewhohadbeenseentoapproachherwithinahalf-hourofherdeathwouldbesubjectedtoamoreorlessrigidinvestigation，andIfeared，ifhergloveswerefoundinmypossession，somespecialattentionmightbedirectedmywaywhichwouldcauseyouunmeriteddistress。So，yieldingtoanimpulsewhichInowrecognizeasamostunwise，aswellasunworthyone，Itookadvantageofthebustleaboutus，andoftheinsensibilityintowhichyouhadfallen，totuckthesemiserableglovesintothebagIsawlyingontheflooratyourside。Idonotaskyourpardon。Mywholefuturelifeshallbedevotedtowinningthat；Isimplywishtostateafact。"

"Verygood！"Itwastheinspectorwhospoke；Icouldnothaveutteredawordtosavemylife。"Perhapsyouwillnowfeelthatyouoweittothisyoungladytoaddhowyoucametohavetheseglovesinyourpossession？"

"Mrs。Fairbrotherhandedthemtome。"

"Handedthemtoyou？"

"Yes，Ihardlyknowwhymyself。Sheaskedmetotakecareofthemforher。Iknowthatthismuststrikeyouasaverypeculiarstatement。Itwasmyrealizationoftheunfavorableeffectitcouldnotfailtoproduceuponthosewhobeardit，whichmademedreadanyinterrogationonthesubject。ButIassureyouitwasasIsay。SheputtheglovesintomyhandwhileIwastalkingtoher，sayingtheyincommodedher。"

"Andyou？"

"Well，Iheldthemforafewminutes，thenIputtheminmypocket，butquiteautomatically，andwithoutthinkingverymuchaboutit。Shewasawomanaccustomedtohaveherownway。Peopleseldomquestionedit，Ijudge。"

Herethetensionaboutmythroatrelaxed，andIopenedmylipstospeak。Buttheinspector，withaglanceofsomeauthority，forestalledme。

"Weretheglovesopenorrolledupwhensheofferedthemtoyou？"

"Theywererolledup。"

"Didyouseehertakethemoff？"

"Assuredly。"

"Androllthemup？"

"Certainly。"

"Afterwhichshepassedthemovertoyou？"

"Notimmediately。Sheletthemlieinherlapforawhile。"

"Whileyoutalked？"

Mr。Durandbowed。

"Andlookedatthediamond？"

Mr。Durandbowedforthesecondtime。

"Hadyoueverseensofineadiamondbefore？"

"No。"

"Yetyoudealinpreciousstones？"

"Thatismybusiness。"

"Andareregardedasajudgeofthem？"

"Ihavethatreputation。"

"Mr。Durand，wouldyouknowthisdiamondifyousawit？"

"Icertainlyshould。"

"Thesettingwasanuncommonone，Ihear。"

"Quiteanunusualone。"

Theinspectoropenedhishand。

"Isthisthearticle？"

"GoodGod！Where——"

"Don’tyouknow？"

"Idonot。"

Theinspectoreyedhimgravely。

"ThenIhaveabitofnewsforyou。ItwashiddenintheglovesyoutookfromMrs。Fairbrother。MissVanArsdalewaspresentattheirunrolling。"

Dowelive，move，breatheatcertainmoments？Ithardlyseemsso。

IknowthatIwasconsciousofbutonesense，thatofseeing；andofbutonefaculty，thatofjudgment。Wouldheflinch，breakdown，betrayguilt，orsimplyshowastonishment？Ichosetobelieveitwasthelatterfeelingonlywhichinformedhisslowlywhiteninganddisturbedfeatures。Certainlyitwasallhiswordsexpressed，ashisglancesflewfromthestonetothegloves，andbackagaintotheinspector’sface。

"Icannotbelieveit。Icannotbelieveit。"Andhishandflewwildlytohisforehead。

"Yetitisthetruth，Mr。Durand，andoneyouhavenowtoface。

Howwillyoudothis？Byanyfurtherexplanations，orbywhatyoumayconsideradiscreetsilence？"

"Ihavenothingtoexplain，——thefactsareasIhavestated。"

Theinspectorregardedhimwithanearnestnesswhichmademyheartsink。

"Youcanfixthetimeofthisvisit，Ihope；tellus，Imean，justwhenyouleftthealcove。Youmusthaveseensomeonewhocanspeakforyou。"

"Ifearnot。"

Whydidhelooksodisturbedanduncertain？

"Therewerebutfewpersonsinthehalljustthen，"hewentontoexplain。"Noonewassittingontheyellowdivan。"

"Youknowwhereyouwent，though？Whomyousawandwhatyoudidbeforethealarmspread？"

"Inspector，Iamquiteconfused。Ididgosomewhere；Ididnotremaininthatpartofthehall。ButIcantellyounothingdefinite，savethatIwalkedabout，mostlyamongstrangers，tillthecryrosewhichsentusallinonedirectionandmetothesideofmyfaintingsweetheart。"

"Canyoupickoutanystrangeryoutalkedto，oranyonewhomighthavenotedyouduringthisinterval？Yousee，forthesakeofthislittlewoman，Iwishtogiveyoueverychance。"

"Inspector，Iamobligedtothrowmyselfonyourmercy。Ihavenosuchwitnesstomyinnocenceasyoucallfor。Innocentpeopleseldomhave。Itisonlytheguiltywhotakethetroubletoprovideforsuchcontingencies。"

Thiswasallverywell，ifithadbeenutteredwithastraightforwardairandinacleartone。Butitwasnot。Iwholovedhimfeltthatitwasnot，andconsequentlywasmoreorlesspreparedforthechangewhichnowtookplaceintheinspector’smanner。Yetitpiercedmetothehearttoobservethischange，andIinstinctivelydroppedmyfaceintomyhandswhenIsawhimmovetowardMr。Durandwithsomefinalorderorwordofcaution。

Instantly（andwhocanaccountforsuchphenomena？）therefloatedintoviewbeforemyretinaareproductionofthepictureIhadseen，orimaginedmyselftohaveseen，inthesupper-room；andasatthattimeitopenedbeforemeanunknownvistaquiteremovedfromthesurroundingscene，soitdidnow，andIbeheldagaininfaintoutlines，andyetwiththeeffectofcompletedistinctness，asquareoflightthroughwhichappearedanopenpassagepartlyshutofffromviewbyahalf-liftedcurtainandthetallfigureofamanholdingbackthiscurtainandgazing，orseemingtogaze，athisownbreast，onwhichhehadalreadylaidonequiveringfinger。

Whatdiditmean？Intheexcitementofthehorribleoccurrencewhichhadengrossedusall，Ihadforgottenthiscuriousexperience；butonfeelinganewthevaguesensationofshockandexpectationwhichseemeditsnaturalaccompaniment，Ibecameconsciousofasuddenconvictionthatthepicturewhichhadopenedbeforemeinthesupper-roomwastheresultofareflectioninaglassormirrorofsomethingthengoingoninaplacenototherwisewithinthereachofmyvision；areflection，theimportanceofwhichIsuddenlyrealizedwhenIrecalledatwhatacriticalmomentithadoccurred。Amaninastateofdreadlookingathisbreast，withinfiveminutesofthestirandrushofthedreadfuleventwhichhadmarkedthisevening！

Ahope，greatasthedespairinwhichIhadjustbeensunk，gavemecouragetodropmyhandsandadvanceimpetuouslytowardtheinspector。

"Don’tspeak，Ipray；don’tjudgeanyofusfurthertillyouhaveheardwhatIhavetosay。"

Ingreatastonishmentandwithanaspectofsomeseverity，heaskedmewhatIhadtosaynowwhichIhadnothadtheopportunityofsayingbefore。IrepliedwithallthepassionofaforlornhopethatitwasonlyatthispresentmomentIrememberedafactwhichmighthaveaverydecidedbearingonthiscase；and，detectingevidences，asIthought，ofrelentingonhispart，I

backedupthisstatementbyanentreatyforafewwordswithhimapart，asthematterIhadtotellwasprivateandpossiblytoofancifulforanyearbuthisown。

Helookedasifheapprehendedsomelossofvaluabletime，but，touchedbytheinvoluntarygestureofappealwithwhichI

supplementedmyrequest，heledmeintoacorner，where，withjustanencouragingglancetowardMr。Durand，whoseemedstruckdumbbymyaction，ItoldtheinspectorofthatmomentarypicturewhichIhadseenreflectedinwhatIwasnowsurewassomewindow-paneormirror。

"Itwasatatimecoincident，orverynearlycoincident，withtheperpetrationofthecrimeyouarenowinvestigating，"I

concluded。"Withinfiveminutesafterwardcametheshoutwhichrousedusalltowhathadhappenedinthealcove。IdonotknowwhatpassageIsaworwhatdoororevenwhatfigure；butthelatter，Iamsure，wasthatoftheguiltyman。Somethingintheoutline（anditwastheoutlineonlyIcouldcatch）expressedanemotionincomprehensibletomeatthemoment，butwhich，inmyremembrance，impressesmeasthatoffearanddread。ItwasnottheentrancetothealcoveIbeheld——thatwouldhavestruckmeatonce——butsomeotheropeningwhichImightrecognizeifIsawit。

Cannotthatopeningbefound，andmayitnotgiveacluetothemanIsawskulkingthroughitwithterrorandremorseinhisheart？"

"Wasthisfigure，whenyousawit，turnedtowardyouoraway？"

theinspectorinquiredwithunexpectedinterest。

"Turnedpartlyaway。Hewasgoingfromme。"

"Andyousat——where？"

"ShallIshowyou？"

Theinspectorbowed，thenwithalowwordofcautionturnedtomyuncle。

"Iamgoingtotakethisyoungladyintothehallforamoment，atherownrequest。MayIaskyouandMr。Durandtoawaitmehere？"

Withoutpausingforreply，hethrewopenthedoorandpresentlywewerepacingthedesertedsupper-room，seekingtheplacewhereIhadsat。Ifounditalmostbyamiracle，——everythingbeingingreatdisorder。Guidedbymybouquet，whichIhadleftbehindmeinmyescapefromthetable，Ilaidholdofthechairbeforewhichitlay，anddeclaredquiteconfidentlytotheinspector：

"ThisiswhereIsat。"

Naturallyhisglanceandminebothflewtotheoppositewall。A

windowwasbeforeusofanunusualsizeandmake。Unlikeanywhichhadeverbeforecomeundermyobservation，itswungonapivot，and，thoughshutatthepresentmoment，mightveryeasily，whenopened，presentitshugepaneatananglecapableofcatchingreflectionsfromsomeofthemanymirrorsdecoratingthereception-roomsituateddiagonallyacrossthehall。Asallthedoorwaysonthislowerfloorwereofunusualwidth，anopenpathwasoffered，asitwere，forthesereflectionstopass，makingitpossibleforscenestobeimagedherewhich，tothepersonsinvolved，wouldseemassafefromanyone’sscrutinyasiftheyweretakingplaceintheadjoininghouse。

Aswerealizedthis，alookpassedbetweenusofmorethanordinarysignificance。Pointingtothewindow，theinspectorturnedtoagroupofwaiterswatchingusfromtheothersideoftheroomandaskedifithadbeenopenedthatevening。

Theanswercamequickly。

"Yes，sir，——justbeforethe——the——"

"Iunderstand，"brokeintheinspector；and，leaningoverme，hewhispered："Tellmeagainexactlywhatyouthoughtyousaw。"

ButIcouldaddlittletomyformerdescription。"Perhapsyoucantellmethis，"hekindlypersisted。"Wasthepicture，whenyousawit，onalevelwithyoureye，ordidyouhavetoliftyourheadinordertoseeit？"

"Itwashighup，——intheair，asitwere。Thatseemeditsoddestfeature。"

Theinspector’smouthtookasatisfiedcurve。"PossiblyImightidentifythedoorandpassage，ifIsawthem，"Isuggested。

"Certainly，certainly，"washischeerfulrejoinder；and，summoningoneofhismen，hewasabouttogivesomeorder，whenhisimpulsechanged，andheaskedifIcoulddraw。

Iassuredhim，insomesurprise，thatIwasfarfrombeinganadeptinthatdirection，butthatpossiblyImightmanagearoughsketch；whereuponhepulledapadandpencilfromhispocketandrequestedmetomakesomesortofattempttoreproduce，onpaper，mymemoryofthispassageandthedoor。

Myheartwasbeatingviolently，andthepencilshookinmyhand，butIknewthatitwouldnotdoformetoshowanyhesitationinfixingforalleyeswhat，unaccountablytomyself，continuedtobeperfectlyplaintomyown。SoIendeavoredtodoashebademe，andsucceeded，tosomeextent，forheutteredaslightejaculationatoneofitsfeatures，and，whiledulyexpressinghisthanks，honoredmewithaverysharplook。

"Isthisyourfirstvisittothishouse？"heasked。

"No；Ihavebeenherebefore。"

"Intheevening，orintheafternoon？"

"Intheafternoon。"

"Iamtoldthatthemainentranceisnotinuseto-night。"

"No。Asidedoorisprovidedforoccasionslikethepresent。

Guestsenteringtherefindaspecialhallandstaircase，bywhichtheycanreachtheupstairsdressing-rooms，withoutcrossingthemainhall。Isthatwhatyoumean？"

"Yes，thatiswhatImean。"

Istaredathiminwonder。Whatlaybackofsuchquestionsasthese？

"Youcamein，asothersdid，bythissideentrance，"henowproceeded。"Didyounotice，asyouturnedtogoupstairs，anarchopeningintoasmallpassagewayatyourleft？"

"Ididnot，"Ibegan，flushing，forIthoughtIunderstoodhimnow。"Iwastooeagertoreachthedressing-roomtolookaboutme。"

"Verywell，"hereplied；"Imaywanttoshowyouthatarch。"

Theoutlineofanarch，backingthefigurewewereendeavoringtoidentify，wasamarkedfeatureinthesketchIhadshownhim。

"WillyoutakeaseatnearbywhileImakeastudyofthismatter？"

Iturnedwithalacritytoobey。Therewassomethinginhisairandmannerwhichmademealmostbuoyant。HadmyfancifulinterpretationofwhatIhadseenreachedhimwiththeconvictionithadme？Ifso，therewashope，——hopeforthemanIloved，whohadgoneinandoutbetweencurtains，andnotthroughanyarchsuchashehadmentionedorIhaddescribed。Providencewasworkingforme。Isawitinthewaythemennowmovedabout，swingingthewindowtoandfro，undertheinstructionoftheinspector，manipulatingthelights，openingdoorsanddrawingbackcurtains。Providencewasworkingforme，andwhen，afewminuteslater，Iwasaskedtoreseatmyselfinmyoldplaceatthesupper-tableandtakeanotherlookinthatslightlydeflectedglass，Iknewthatmyefforthadmetwithitsreward，andthatforthesecondtimeIwastoreceivetheimpressionofaplacenowindeliblyimprintedonmyconsciousness。

"Isnotthatit？"askedtheinspector，pointingattheglasswithalastlookattheimperfectsketchIhadmadehim，andwhichhestillheldinhishand。

"Yes，"Ieagerlyresponded。"Allbuttheman。HewhosefigureI

seethereisanotherpersonentirely；Iseenoremorse，orevenfear，inhislooks。"

"Ofcoursenot。Youarelookingatthereflectionofoneofmymen。MissVanArsdale，doyourecognizetheplacenowunderyoureye？"

"Idonot。Youspokeofanarchinthehall，attheleftofthecarriageentrance，andIseeanarchinthewindow-panebeforeme，but——"

"Youarelookingstraightthroughthealcove，——perhapsyoudidnotknowthatanotherdooropenedatitsback，——intothepassagewhichrunsbehindit。Fartheronisthearch，andbeyondthatarchthesidehallandstaircaseleadingtothedressing-rooms。

Thisdoor，theoneintherearofthealcove，Imean，ishiddenfromthoseenteringfromthemainhallbydraperieswhichhavebeenhungoveritforthisoccasion，butitisquitevisiblefromthebackpassageway，andtherecanbenodoubtthatitwasbyitsmeanstheman，whosereflectedimageyousaw，bothenteredandleftthealcove。Itisanimportantfacttoestablish，andwefeelverymuchobligedtoyoufortheaidyouhavegivenusinthismatter。"

Then，asIcontinuedtostareathiminmyelationandsurprise，headded，inquickexplanation：

"Thelightsinthealcove，andintheseveralparlors，areallhungwithshades，asyoumustperceive，buttheoneinthehall，beyondthearch，isverybright，whichaccountsforthedistinctnessofthisdoublereflection。Anotherthing，——anditisaveryinterestingpoint，——itwouldhavebeenimpossibleforthisreflectiontobenoticeablefromwhereyousit，ifthelevelofthealcoveflooringhadnotbeenconsiderablyhigherthanthatofthemainfloor。Butforthisfreakofthearchitect，thecontinualpassingtoandfroofpeoplewouldhavepreventedthereflectioninitspassagefromsurfacetosurface。MissVanArsdale，itwouldseemthatbyoneofthosechanceswhichhappenbutonceortwiceinalifetime，everyconditionwaspropitiousatthemomenttomakethisreflectionapossibleoccurrence，eventhelocationandwidthoftheseveraldoorwaysandtheexactpointatwhichtheportierewasdrawnasidefromtheentrancetothealcove。"

"Itiswonderful，"Icried，"wonderful！"Then，tohisastonishment，perhaps，Iaskediftherewasnotasmalldoorofcommunicationbetweenthepassagewaybackofthealcoveandthelargecentralhall。

"Yes，"hereplied。"Itopensjustbeyondthefireplace。Threesmallstepsleadtoit。"

"Ithoughtso，"Imurmured，butmoretomyselfthantohim。InmymindIwasthinkinghowaman，ifhesowished，couldpassfromtheveryheartofthisassemblageintothequietpassageway，andsoonintothealcove，withoutattractingverymuchattentionfromhisfellowguests。Iforgotthattherewasanotherwayofapproachevenlessnoticeablethatbythesmallstaircaserunningupbeyondthearchdirectlytothedressing-rooms。

Thatnoconfusionmayariseinanyone’smindinregardtothesecuriousapproaches，Isubjoinaplanofthisportionofthelowerfloorasitafterwardappearedintheleadingdailies。

"AndMr。Durand？"Istammered，asIfollowedtheinspectorbacktotheroomwherewehadleftthatgentleman。"Youwillbelievehisstatementnowandlookforthissecondintruderwiththeguiltily-hangingheadandfrightenedmien？"

"Yes，"hereplied，stoppingmeonthethresholdofthedoorandtakingmyhandkindlyinhis，"if——（don’tstart，mydear；lifeisfulloftroubleforyoungandold，andyouthisthebesttimetofaceasadexperience）ifheisnothimselfthemanyousawstaringinfrightenedhorrorathisbreast。Haveyounotnoticedthatheisnotdressedinallrespectsliketheothergentlemenpresent？That，thoughhehasnotdonnedhisovercoat，hehasputon，somewhatprematurely，onemightsay，thelargesilkhandkerchiefliepresumablywearsunderit？Haveyounotnoticedthis，andaskedyourselfwhy？"

Ihadnoticedit。IhadnoticeditfromthemomentIrecoveredfrommyfaintingfit，butIhadnotthoughtitamatterofsufficientinteresttoask，evenofmyself，hisreasonforthushidinghisshirt-front。NowIcouldnot。Myfacultiesweretooconfused，myhearttoodeeplyshakenbythesuggestionwhichtheinspector’swordsconveyed，formetobeconsciousofanythingbutthedevouringquestionastowhatIshoulddoif，bymyownmistakenzeal，IhadsucceededinplungingthemanIlovedyetdeeperintothetoilsinwhichhehadbecomeenmeshed。

Theinspectorleftmenotimeforthesettlementofthisquestion。UsheringmebackintotheroomwhereMr。Durandandmyuncleawaitedourreturninapparentlyunrelievedsilence，heclosedthedooruponthecuriouseyesofthevariouspersonsstilllingeringinthehall，andabruptlysaidtoMr。Durand：

"Theexplanationsyouhavebeenpleasedtogiveofthemannerinwhichthisdiamondcameintoyourpossessionarenottoofancifulforcredence，ifyoucansatisfyusonanotherpointwhichhasawakenedsomedoubtinthemindofoneofmymen。Mr。Durand，youappeartohavepreparedyourselffordeparturesomewhatprematurely。Doyoumindremovingthathandkerchiefforamoment？

Myreasonforsopeculiararequestwillpresentlyappear。"

Alas，formylastfondhope！Mr。Durand，withafaceaswhiteasthebackgroundofsnowframedbytheuncurtainedwindowagainstwhichheleaned，liftedhishandasiftocomplywiththeinspector’srequest，thenletitfallagainwithagratinglaugh。

"IseethatIamnotlikelytoescapeanyoftheresultsofmyimprudence，"hecried，andwithaquickjerkbaredhisshirt-front。

Asplashofreddefileditsotherwiseuniformwhiteness！Thatitwastheredofheart’sbloodwasprovedbytheshrinkinglookheunconsciouslycastatit。

IV

EXPLANATIONS

MyloveforAnsonDuranddiedatsighto？thatcrimsonsplashorIthoughtitdid。InthisspotofbloodonthebreastofhimtowhomIhadgivenmyheartIcouldreadbutoneword——guilt——

heinousguilt，guiltdeniedandnowbroughttolightinlanguagethatcouldbeseenandreadbyallmen。WhyshouldIstayinsuchapresence？Hadnottheinspectorhimselfadvisedmetogo？

Yes，butanothervoicebademeremain。JustasIreachedthedoor，AnsonDurandfoundhisvoiceandIheard，inthefull，sweettonesIlovedsowell：

"WaitIamnottobejudgedlikethis。Iwillexplain！"

Butheretheinspectorinterposed。

"Doyouthinkitwisetomakeanysuchattemptwithouttheadviceofcounsel，Mr。Durand？"

TheindignationwithwhichMr。Durandwheeledtowardhimraisedinmeafainthope。

"GoodGod，yes！"hecried。"WouldyouhavemeleaveMissVanArsdaleoneminutelongerthanisnecessarytosuchdreadfuldoubts？Rita——MissVanArsdale——weakness，andweaknessonly，hasbroughtmeintomypresentposition。IdidnotkillMrs。

Fairbrother，nordidIknowinglytakeherdiamond，thoughappearanceslookthatway，asIamveryreadytoacknowledge。I

didgotoherinthealcove，notonce，buttwice，andthesearemyreasonsfordoingso：Aboutthreemonthsagoacertainwell-knownmanofenormouswealthcametomewiththerequestthatIshouldprocureforhimadiamondofsuperiorbeauty。Hewishedtogiveittohiswife，andhewishedittooutshineanywhichcouldnowbefoundinNewYork。Thismeantsendingabroad——

anexpensehewasquitewillingtoincuronthesoleconditionthatthestoneshouldnotdisappointhimwhenhesawit，andthatitwastobeinhishandsontheeighteenthofMarch，hiswife’sbirthday。NeverbeforehadIhadsuchanopportunityforalargestrokeofbusiness。Naturallyelated，Ienteredatonceintocorrespondencewiththebestknowndealersontheotherside，andlastweekadiamondwasdeliveredtomewhichseemedtofillallthenecessaryrequirements。Ihadneverseenafinerstone，andwasconsequentlyrejoicinginmysuccess，whensomeone，Idonotrememberwhonow，chancedtospeakinmyhearingofthewonderfulstonepossessedbyacertainMrs。Fairbrother——astonesolarge，sobrilliantandsopreciousaltogetherthatsheseldomworeit，thoughitwasknowntoconnoisseursandhadagreatreputationatTiffany’s，whereithadoncebeensentforsomealterationinthesetting。WasthisstonelargerandfinerthantheoneIhadprocuredwithsomuchtrouble？Ifso，mylaborhadallbeeninvain，formypatronmusthaveknownofthisdiamondandwouldexpecttoseeitsurpassed。

"IwassoupsetbythispossibilitythatIresolvedtoseethejewelandmakecomparisonsformyself。Ifoundafriendwhoagreedtointroducemetothelady。Shereceivedmeverygraciouslyandwasamiableenoughuntilthesubjectofdiamondswasbroached，whensheimmediatelystiffenedandleftmewithoutanopportunityofprofferingmyrequest。However，oneveryothersubjectshewasaffable，andIfounditeasyenoughtopursuetheacquaintancetillwewerealmostonfriendlyterms。ButIneversawthediamond，norwouldshetalkaboutit，thoughIcausedhersomesurprisewhenonedayIdrewoutbeforehereyestheoneI

hadprocuredformypatronandmadeherlookatit。’Fine，’shecried，’fine！’ButIfailedtodetectanyenvyinhermanner，andsoknewthatIhadnotachievedtheobjectsetmebymywealthycustomer。Thiswasawoefuldisappointment；yet，asMrs。

Fairbrotherneverworeherdiamond，itwasamongthepossibilitiesthathemightbesatisfiedwiththeveryfinegemI

hadobtainedforhim，and，influencedbythishope，Isenthimthismorningarequesttocomeandseeittomorrow。TonightI

attendedthisball，andalmostassoonasIenterthedrawing-roomIhearthatMrs。Fairbrotherispresentandiswearingherfamousjewel。Whatcouldyouexpectofme？Why，thatIwouldmakeanefforttoseeitandsobereadywithareplytomyexactingcustomerwhenheshouldaskmeto-morrowifthestoneIshowedhimhaditspeerinthecity。Butwasnotinthedrawing-roomthen，andlaterIbecameinterestedelsewhere"——herehecastalookatme——"sothathalftheeveningpassedbeforeI

hadanopportunitytojoinherintheso-calledalcove，whereI

hadseenhersetupherminiaturecourt。Whatpassedbetweenusintheshortinterviewweheldtogetheryouwillfindmepreparedtostate，ifnecessary。ItwaschieflymarkedbytheoneshortviewIsucceededinobtainingofhermarvelousdiamond，inspiteofthepainsshetooktohideitfrommebysomenaturalmovementwhenevershecaughtmyeyesleavingherface。ButinthatoneshortlookIhadseenenough。Thiswasagemforacollector，nottobewornsaveinaroyalpresence。Howhadshecomebyit？AndcouldMr。Smytheexpectmetoprocurehimastonelikethat？InmyconfusionIarosetodepart，buttheladyshowedadispositiontokeepme，andbeganchattingsovivaciouslythatIscarcelynoticedthatshewasallthetimeengagedindrawingoffhergloves。Indeed，Ialmostforgotthejewel，possiblybecausehermovementshiditsocompletely，andonlyremembereditwhen，withasuddenturnfromthewindowwhereshehaddrawnmetowatchthefallingflakes，shepressedtheglovesintomyhandwiththecoquettishrequestthatIshouldtakecareofthemforher。I

remember，asItookthem，ofstrivingtocatchanotherglimpseofthestone，whosebrilliancyhaddazzledme，butshehadopenedherfanbetweenus。Amomentafter，thinkingIheardapproachingsteps，Iquittedtheroom。Thiswasmyfirstvisit。"

Ashestopped，possiblyforbreath，possiblytojudgetowhatextentIwasimpressedbyhisaccount，theinspectorseizedtheopportunitytoaskifMrs。Fairbrotherhadbeenstandinganyofthistimewithherbacktohim。Towhichheansweredyes，whiletheywereinthewindow。

"Longenoughforhertopluckoffthejewelandthrustitintothegloves，ifshehadsowished？"

"Quitelongenough。"

"Butyoudidnotseeherdothis？"

"Ididnot。"

"Andsotookthegloveswithoutsuspicion？"

"Entirelyso。"

"Andcarriedthemaway？"

"Unfortunately，yes。"

"Withoutthinkingthatshemightwantthemthenextminute？"

"IdoubtifIwasthinkingseriouslyofheratall。Mythoughtswereonmyowndisappointment。"

"Didyoucarrytheseglovesoutinyourhand？"

"No，inmypocket。"

"Isee。Andyoumet——"

"Noone。ThesoundIheardmusthavecomefromtherearhall。"

"Andtherewasnobodyonthesteps？"

"No。Agentlemanwasstandingattheirfoot——Mr。Grey，theEnglishman——buthisfacewasturnedanotherway，andhelookedasifhehadbeeninthatsamepositionforseveralminutes。"

"Didthisgentleman——Mr。Grey——seeyou？"

"Icannotsay，butIdoubtit。Heappearedtobeinasortofdream。Therewereotherpeopleabout，butnobodywithwhomIwasacquainted。"

"Verygood。Nowforthesecondvisityouacknowledgehavingpaidthisunfortunatelady。"

Theinspector’svoicewashard。Iclungalittlemoretightlytomyuncle，andMr。Durand，afteroneagonizingglancemyway，drewhimselfupasifquiteconsciousthathehadentereduponthemostseriouspartofthestruggle。

"Ihadforgottentheglovesinmyhurrieddeparture；butpresentlyIrememberedthem，andgrewveryuneasy。Ididnotlikecarryingthiswoman’spropertyaboutwithme。Ihadengagedmyself，anhourbefore，toMissVanArsdale，andwasveryanxioustorejoinher。Theglovesworriedme，andfinally，afteralittleaimlesswanderingthroughthevariousrooms，Ideterminedtogobackandrestorethemtotheirowner。Thedoorsofthesupper-roomhadjustbeenflungopen，andtheendofthehallnearthealcovewascomparativelyempty，saveforacertainquizzicalfriendofmine，whomIsawsittingwithhispartnerontheyellowdivan。Ididnotwanttoencounterhimjustthen，forhehadalreadyjokedmeaboutmyadmirationfortheladywiththediamond，andsoIconceivedtheideaofapproachingherbymeansofasecondentrancetothealcove，unsuspectedbymostofthosepresent，butperfectlywell-knowntome，whohavebeenafrequentguestinthishouse。Adoor，coveredbytemporarydraperies，connects，asyoumayknow，thisalcovewithapassagewaycommunicatingdirectlywiththehallofentranceandtheup-stairsdressing-rooms。Togoupthemainstairsandcomedownbythesideone，andsoon，throughasmallarchway，wasaverysimplematterforme。Ifnoearly-departingorlatearrivingguestswereinthathall，Ineedfearbutoneencounter，andthatwaswiththeservantstationedatthecarriageentrance。Butevenhewasabsentatthispropitiousinstant，andIreachedthedoorIsoughtwithoutanyunpleasantness。Thisdooropenedoutinsteadofin，——thisIalsoknewwhenplanningthissurreptitiousintrusion，but，afterpullingitopenandreachingforthecurtain，whichhungcompletelyacrossit，IfounditnotsoeasytoproceedasIhadimagined。Thestealthinessofmyactionheldbackmyhand；thenthefaintsoundsIheardwithinadvisedmethatshewasnotalone，andthatshemightveryreadilyregardwithdispleasuremyunexpectedentrancebyadoorofwhichshewaspossiblyignorant。Itellyouallthisbecause，ifbyanychanceIwasseenhesitatinginfaceofthatcurtain，doubtsmighthavebeenraisedwhichIamanxioustodispel。"Herehiseyesleftmyfaceforthatoftheinspector。

"Itcertainlyhadabadlook，——thatIdon’tdeny；butIdidnotthinkofappearancesthen。Iwastooanxioustocompleteataskwhichhadsuddenlypresentedunexpecteddifficulties。ThatI

listenedbeforeenteringwasverynatural，andwhenIheardnovoice，onlysomethinglikeagreatsigh，Iventuredtoliftthecurtainandstepin。Shewassitting，notwhereIhadlefther，butonacouchattheleftoftheusualentrance，herfacetowardme，and——youknowhow，Inspector。ItwasherlastsighIhadheard。Horrified，forIhadneverlookedondeathbefore，muchlesscrime，Ireeledforward，meaning，Ipresume，torushdownthestepsshoutingforhelp，when，suddenly，somethingfellsplashingonmyshirt-front，andIsawmyselfmarkedwithastainofblood。Thisbothfrightenedandbewilderedme，anditwasaminuteortwobeforeIhadthecouragetolookup。WhenIdiddoso，Isawwhencethisdrophadcome。Notfromher，thoughtheredstreamwaspouringdowntherichfoldsofherdress，butfromasharpneedle-likeinstrumentwhichhadbeenthrust，pointdownward，intheopenworkofanantiquelanternhangingnearthedoorway。Whathadhappenedtomemighthavehappenedtoanyonewhochancedtobeinthatspotatthatspecialmoment，butIdidnotrealizethisthen。Coveringthesplashwithmyhands，IedgedmyselfbacktothedoorbywhichIhadentered，watchingthosedeathfuleyesandcrushingundermyfeettheremnantsofsomebrokenchinawithwhichthecarpetwasbestrewn。Ihadnothoughtofher，hardlyanyofmyself。Tocrosstheroomwasall；toescapeassecretlyasIcame，beforetheportieresonearlydrawnbetweenmeandthemainhallshouldstirunderthehandofsomecuriouspersonentering。Itwasmyfirstsightofblood；myfirstcontactwithcrime，andthatwaswhatIdid，——Ifled。"

Thelastwordwasutteredwithagasp。Evidentlyhewasgreatlyaffectedbythishorribleexperience。

"Iamashamedofmyself，"hemuttered，"butnothingcannowundothefact。Islidfromthepresenceofthismurderedwomanasthoughshehadbeenthevictimofmyownrageorcupidity；and，beingfortunateenoughtoreachthedressing-roombeforethealarmhadspreadbeyondtheimmediatevicinityofthealcove，foundandputonthehandkerchief，whichmadeitpossibleformetorushdownandfindMissVanArsdale，who，somebodytoldme，hadfainted。NottillIstoodoverherinthatremotecornerbeyondthesupper-roomdidIagainthinkofthegloves。WhatI

didwhenIhappenedtothinkofthem，youalreadyknow。IcouldhaveshownnogreatercowardiceifIhadknownthatthemurderedwoman’sdiamondwashiddeninsidethem。Yet，Ididnotknowthis，orevensuspectit。NordoIunderstand，now，herreasonforplacingitthere。WhyshouldMrs。Fairbrotherrisksuchaninvaluablegemtothecustodyofonesheknewsolittle？Anunconsciouscustody，too？Wassheafraidofbeingmurderedifsheretainedthisjewel？"

Theinspectorthoughtamoment，andthensaid：

"Youmentionyourdreadofsomeoneenteringbytheonedoorbeforeyoucouldescapebytheother。Doyourefertothefriendyouleftsittingonthedivanopposite？"

"No，myfriendhadleftthatseat。Theportierewassufficientlydrawnformetodetectthat。IfIhadwaitedaminutelonger，"hebitterlyadded，"Ishouldhavefoundmywayopentotheregularentrance，andsoescapedallthis。"

"Mr。Durand，youarenotobligedtoansweranyofmyquestions；

but，ifyouwish，youmaytellmewhether，atthismomentofapprehension，youthoughtofthedangeryouranofbeingseenfromoutsidebysomeoneofthemanycoachmenpassingbyonthedriveway？"

"No，——Ididnoteventhinkofthewindow，——Idon’tknowwhy；but，ifanyonepassingbydidseeme，Ihopetheysawenoughtosubstantiatemystory。"

Theinspectormadenoreply。Heseemedtobethinking。Iheardafterwardthatthecurtains，loopedbackintheearlyevening，hadbeenfoundhangingatfulllengthoverthiswindowbythosewhofirstrushedinuponthesceneofdeath。HadhehopedtoentrapMr。Durandintosomedamagingadmission？Orwashemerelytestinghistruth？Hisexpressionaffordednocluetohisthoughts，andMr。Durand，notingthis，remarkedwithsomedignity：

"Idonotexpectstrangerstoaccepttheseexplanations，whichmustsoundstrangeandinadequateinfaceoftheproofIcarryofhavingbeenwiththatwomanafterthefatalweaponstruckherheart。But，toonewhoknowsme，andknowsmewell，IcansurelyappealforcredencetoatalewhichIheredeclaretobeastrueasifIhadsworntoitinacourtofjustice。"

"Anson！："Ipassionatelycriedout，looseningmyclutchuponmyuncle’sarm。Myconfidenceinhimhadreturned。

Andthen，asInotedtheinspector’sbusinesslikeair，andmyuncle’swaveringlookandunconvincedmanner，Ifeltmyheartswell，and，flingingalldiscretiontothewind，Iboundedeagerlyforward。LayingmyhandsinthoseofMr。Durand，Icriedfervently：

"Ibelieveinyou。Nothingbutyourownwordsshallevershakemyconfidenceinyourinnocence。"

Thesweet，gladlookIreceivedwasmybestreply。Icouldleavetheroom，afterthat。

Butnotthehouse。Anotherexperienceawaitedme，awaitedusall，beforethisfull，eventfuleveningcametoaclose。

V

SUPERSTITION

Ihadgoneupstairsformywraps——myunclehavinginsistedonmywithdrawingfromascenewheremyverypresenceseemedinsomedegreetocompromiseme。

Soonpreparedformydeparture，Iwascrossingthehalltothesmalldoorcommunicatingwiththesidestaircasewheremyunclehadpromisedtoawaitme，whenIfeltmyselfseizedbyadesiretohaveanotherlookbelowbeforeleavingtheplaceinwhichwerecenteredallmydeepestinterests。

Awidelanding，breakingupthemainflightofstairssomefewfeetfromthetop，offeredmeanadmirablepointofview。Withbutlittlethoughtofpossibleconsequences，andnothoughtatallofmypoor，patientuncle，Islippeddowntothislanding，and，protectedbytheunusualheightofitsbalustrade，allowedmyselfapartingglanceatthescenewithwhichmymostpoignantmemorieswerehenceforthtobeconnected。

Beforemelaythelargesquareofthecentralhall。Openingoutfromthiswasthecorridorleadingtothefrontdoor，andincidentallytothelibrary。Asmyglancerandownthiscorridor，Ibeheld，approachingfromtheroomjustmentioned，thetallfigureoftheEnglishman。

Hehaltedashereachedthemainhallandstoodgazingeagerlyatagroupofmenandwomenclusterednearthefireplace——agrouponwhichInosoonercastmyowneyethanmyattentionalsobecamefixed。

TheinspectorhadcomefromtheroomwhereIhadlefthimwithMr。Durandandwasshowingtothesepeopletheextraordinarydiamond，whichhehadjustrecoveredundersuchremarkableifnotsuspiciouscircumstances。Youngheadsandoldweremeetingoverit，andIwasstrainingmyearstohearsuchcommentsaswereaudibleabovethegeneralhubbub，whenMr。GreymadeaquickmoveandIlookedhiswayagainintimetomarkhisairofconcernandtheuncertaintyheshowedwhethertoadvanceorretreat。

Unconsciousofmywatchfuleye，andnoting，nodoubt，thatmostofthepersonsinthegrouponwhichhisowneyewasleveledstoodwiththeirbackstowardhim，hemadenoefforttodisguisehisprofoundinterestinthestone。Hiseyefolloweditspassagefromhandtohandwithacovetouseagernessofwhichhemaynothavebeenaware，andIwasnotatallsurprisedwhen，afterashortintervaloftroubledindecision，heimpulsivelysteppedforwardandbeggedtheprivilegeofhandlingthegemhimself。

Ourhost，whostoodnotfarfromtheinspector，saidsomethingtothatgentlemanwhichledtothisrequestbeingcompliedwith。ThestonewaspassedovertoMr。Grey，andIsaw，possiblybecausemyheartwasinmyeyes，thatthegreatman’shandtrembledasittouchedhispalm。Indeed，hiswholeframetrembled，andIwaslookingeagerlyfortheresultofhisinspectionwhen，onhisturningtoholdthejeweluptothelight，somethinghappenedsoabnormalandsostrangethatnoonewhowasfortunate（orunfortunate）enoughtobepresentinthehouseatthatinstantwilleverforgetit。

Thissomethingwasacry，comingfromnooneknewwhere，which，unearthlyinitsshrillnessandthepowerithadontheimagination，reverberatedthroughthehouseanddiedawayinawailsoweird，sothrillingandsoprolongedthatitgrippednotonlymyownnervelessandweakenedheart，butthoseofthetenstrongmencongregatedbelowme。ThediamonddroppedfromMr。

Grey’shand，andneitherhenoranyoneelsemovedtopickitup。

Nottillsilencehadcomeagain——asilencealmostasunendurabletothesensitiveearasthecrywhichhadprecededit——didanyonestirorthinkofthegem。Thenonegentlemanafteranotherbenttolookforit，butwithnosuccess，tilloneofthewaiters，whopossiblyhadfolloweditwithhiseyeorcaughtsightofitssparkleontheedgeoftherug，whitherithadrolled，sprangandpickeditupandhandeditbacktoMr。Grey。

InstinctivelytheEnglishman’shandclosedonit，butitwasveryevidenttome，andIthinktoall，thathisinterestinitwasgone。Ifhelookedatithedidnotseeit，forhestoodlikeonestunnedallthetimethatagitatedmenandwomenwererunninghitherandthitherinunavailingeffortstolocatethesoundyetringingintheirears。Nottillthesevarioussearchershadallcometogetheragain，interrorofamysterytheycouldnotsolve，didhelethishandfallandhimselfawaketothesceneabouthim。

Thewordsheatoncegaveutterancetowereasremarkableasalltherest。

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