CHAPTERI
INTHEPOLICECOURT
TeAssistantDistrictAttorneyglanceddownatthepapersinhishandandthenupatthewell—dressed，stockilybuiltmanoccupyingthewitnessstand。Hismannerwasconciliatory。
"Accordingtoyourtestimony，Mr。Clymer，theprisoner，JohnSylvester，washonestandreliable，andfaithfullyperformedhisdutiesasconfidentialclerk，"hestated。"JustwhenwasSylvesterinyouremploy？"
"Sylvesterwasneverinmyemploy，"correctedBenjaminAugustusClymer。ThepresidentoftheMetropolisTrustCompanywasnotedforhisprecisionofspeech。"Duringthewinterof1918IsharedanapartmentwithJudgeJamesHildebrand，whoemployedSylvester。"
"WasSylvesteraddictedtodrink？"
"No。"
"Washequarrelsome？"
"No。"
"WasSylvestermarriedatthatdate？"
AtthequestionafaintsmiletouchedthecornersofClymer’scleanshavenmouthandhiseyestraveledinvoluntarilytowardtheover—dressedfemalewhosechargeofassaultandbatteryagainstherhusbandhadbroughtClymertothepolicecourtasa"character"
witnessinSylvester’sbehalf。
"SylvesterleftJudgeHildebrandtogetmarried，"heexplained。
"Hewasamodelclerk;honest，sober，andindustrious。"
"Thatisall，Mr。Clymer。"TheAssistantDistrictAttorneyspokeinsomehaste。"Youmayretire，sir，"and，asClymerturnedtovacatethewitnessbox，headdressedthepresidingjudge。
Clymerdidnotcatchhisremarksas，onsteppingdown，hewasbutton—holedbyamanwhoseentrancehadoccurredafewminutesbeforethroughtheswingdoorwhichgaveexitfromthespacereservedforwitnessesandlawyersintothebodyofthecourtroom。
"Sitoverhereasecond，"thenewcomersaidinanundertone，indicatingthelongbenchunderthewindow。"HasMissMcIntyrebeenhere？"
"MissMcIntyre—here？"Clymerstaredinamazementathisquestioner。
"No，certainlynot。"
"Don’tbesopositive，"retortedthelawyerheatedly，hiscolorrisingattheother’sincreduloustone。"HelenMcIntyretelephonedmetomeether，and—byJove，hereshecomes，"asaslightstiratthebackofthecourtroomcausedhimtoglanceinthatdirection。
Agray—hairedpatrolman，capinhand，wasintheleadofthesmallprocessionwhichfileduptheaisle，andClymergazedinastonishmentatHelenMcIntyreandhertwinsister，Barbara。Whathadbroughtthematthathourtothepolicecourt？
Thecourtroomwasfilledwithmen，bothwhiteandblack，whileadozenormoreslatternlynegrowomenwereseatedhereandthere。
TheAssistantDistrictAttorney’spleaforapostponementoftheSylvestercaseonthegroundoftheabsenceofanimportantwitnessandthegrantingofhispleawasentirelylostonthemajorityofthoseinthecourtroom，theirattentionbeingwhollycenteredonHelenMcIntyreandBarbara，whosebearingandclothesspokeofafashionableandprosperousworldtowhichnearlyallpresentwereutterlyforeign。
Barbara，sensitivetotheconcentratedregardwhichtheirentrancehadattracted，drewclosertoDr。AmosStone，theirfamilyphysician，whohadaccompaniedthematherparticularrequest。ExceptforMrs。
Sylvester，sheandhersisterweretheonlywhitewomenintheroom。
Beforetheycouldtaketheseatstowhichtheyhadbeenushered，theclerk’sstentoriantonessentthegirls’namesechoingdownthecourtroomandBarbara，muchperturbed，foundherselfstandingwithHelenbeforetheclerk’sdesk。Therewasamoment’swaitandthedeputymarshal，whohadmotionedtooneoftheprisonerssittinginthe"cage"tostepoutside，emphasizedhisorderwithamutteredimprecationtohurry。AslouchingfigurefinallyshambledpasthimandstoppedsomelittledistancefromthegroupinfrontoftheJudge’sbench。
"House—breaking，"announcedtheclerk。"Chargebroughtby—"Helookedupatthetwogirls。
"MissHelenMcIntyre，"answeredoneofthetwinscomposedly。
"DaughterofColonelCharlesMcIntyreofthiscity。"
"ChargebroughtbyMissHelenMcIntyre，"continuedtheclerk，"against—"andhispointedfingerindicatedtheseedylookingmanslouchingbeforethem。
"Smith，"saidthelatter，andhishuskyvoicewasbarelyaudible。
"Smith，"repeatedtheclerk。"Firstname—？"
"John，"wastheanswer，givenafteraslightpause。
"JohnSmith，youarechargedbyMissHelenMcIntyrewithhouse—breaking。Whatsayyou—guiltyornotguilty？"
Themanshiftedhisweightfromonefoottotheotherandshotanuneasylookabouthim。
"Notguilty，"heresponded。
AtthatinstantHelencaughtsightofBenjaminClymerandhiscompanion，PhilipRochester，andherpalecheeksflushedfaintlyatthelawyer’sapproach。Hehadtimebutforahastyhandshakebeforetheclerkadministeredtheoathtotheprisonerandthewitnessesinthecase。
RochesterwalkedbackandresumedhisseatbyClymer。Proppinghimselfinthecornermadebythebenchandthecage，insideofwhichsattheprisoners，heopenedhisrighthandandunfoldedasmallpaper。Hereadthebriefpenciledmessageitcontainednotoncebutadozentimes。FoldingthepaperintominutedimensionshetuckeditcarefullyinsidehisvestpocketandglancedsidewaysatClymer。ThebankerhardlynoticedhisuneasymovementsashesatregardingHelenMcIntyrestandinginthewitnessbox。Althoughpalerthanusual，thegirl’smannerwasquiet，butClymer，aclosestudentofhumannature，decidedshewaskeepinghercomposurebywillpoweralone，andhisinterestgrew。
TheJudge，fromtheBench，wasalsoregardingthehandsomewitnessandtheburglarwithcloseattention。ColonelCharlesMcIntyre，awealthymanufacturer，had，uponhisretirementfromactivebusiness，madetheNationalCapitalhishome，andhisnamehadbecomeahouseholdwordforphilanthropy，whilehistwindaughterswerebothpopularinWashington’sgayyoungerset。Severalreportersoflocalpapers，attractedbythementionoftheMcIntyrename，aswellasbythetwins’appearance，watchedthescenewithkeenexpectancy，eagerforearlymorning"copy。"
AstheAssistantDistrictAttorneyrosetoquestionHelenMcIntyre，theJudgeaddressedhim。
"Istheprisonerrepresentedbycounsel？"heasked。
Forreplytheburglarshookhishead。Risingslowlytohisfeet，PhilipRochesteradvancedtotheman’sside。
"Ifitpleasethecourt，"hebegan，"Iwilltakethecasefortheprisoner。"
HisofferreceivedaquickacceptancefromtheBench，butthescowlwithwhichtheburglarfavoredhimwasnotpleasant。Hitchingathisfrayedflannelcollar，themanpartlyturnedhisbackonthelawyerandlistenedwithaheavyfrowntoHelen’squickanswerstothequestionsputtoher。
"Whilewaitingformysistertoreturnfromadanceearlythismorning，"shestated，"Iwentdownstairsintothelibrary，andasIentereditIsawamanslipacrosstheroomandintoacoatcloset。Iretainedenoughpresenceofmindtostealacrosstotheclosetandturnthekeyinthedoor;thenIrantothewindowandfortunatelysawOfficerO’Ryanstandingunderthearclightacrossthestreet。Icalledhimandhearrestedtheprisoner。"
HersimplestatementevokedanodofapprovalfromtheAssistantDistrictAttorney，andRochesterfrownedashewaivedhisrighttocross—examineher。ThenextwitnesswasOfficerO’Ryan，andhistestimonyconfirmedHelen’s。
"Theprisonerwasstandingbackamongthecoatsinthecloset，"hesaid。"Myautomaticagainsthisribsbroughthimout。"
"Didyousearchyourprisoner？"askedRochester，ashetookthewitness。
"Yes，sir。
"Findanyconcealedweapons？"
"No，sir。"
"Aburglar’skit？"
"No，sir。"
"Didtheprisonermakeastatementafterhisarrest？"
"No，sir;hecamealongpeaceablyenough，hardlyawordoutofhim，"acknowledgedO’Ryanregretfully。Heenjoyedareputationontheforceasa"scrapper，"andawillingprisonerwasadisappointmenttohisnaturallypugnaciousdisposition。
"Didyousearchthehouse？"
"Sure，andhaven’tIbeentellingyouIdid？"answeredO’Ryan;hisprideinhisachievementinarrestingaburglarinsofashionableaneighborhoodasSheridanCirclewasgivingplacetoresentmentatRochester’smannerofaddressinghim。Atasignfromthelawyer，heleftthewitnessstand，andRochesteraddressedtheJudge。
"Iasktheindulgenceofthecourtformoretime，"hecommenced，"thatImayconsultmyclientandfindifhedesirestocallwitnesses。"
"Thecourtfinds，"respondedtheJudge，"thataclearcaseofhouse—breakinghasbeenprovenagainsttheprisonerbyreputablewitnesses。Hewillhavetostandtrial。"
Forthefirsttimetheprisonerraisedhiseyesfromcontemplationofthefloor。
"Idemandtrialbyjury，"heannounced。
"Itisyourright，"acknowledgedtheJudge，andturnedtoconsulthiscalendar。
Steppingforward，thedeputymarshallaidhishandontheburglar’sshoulder。
"Goinside，"hedirectedandheldopenthecagedoor，whichimmediatelyswungbackintoplace，andRochester，followingcloselyattheprisoner’sheels，haltedabruptly。Afitofcoughingshooktheburglarandhepausedbytheironrailing，gaspingforbreath。
"Water，"hepleaded，andacourtattendanthandedacuptoRochester，standingjustoutsidethecage，andhepasseditovertheironrailingtotheburglar。ThenturningonhisheelthelawyerrejoinedClymer，hisdiscontentplainlydiscernible。
"Aclearcaseagainstyourclient，"remarkedClymer，readinghisthoughts。"Don’ttaketheaffairtoheart，man;youdidyourbestunderdifficulties。"
Rochestershookhisheadgloomily。"Imighthave—Jove！whydidn’tIaskforbail？"
"Bail！"Thebankersuppressedachuckleasheeyedthethreadbaresuitandtatteredappearanceoftheburglar，whohadresumedhisseatintheprisoner’scage。"Whowouldhavestoodsuretyforthatscarecrow？"
"Iwouldhave。"Rochesterspokewithsomevehemence，buthiswordswerepartlydrownedbytheviolentfitofcoughingwhichagainshooktheburglar，andbeforehecouldfinishhissentence，HelenMcIntyrestoodathiselbow。ShebowedgravelytoClymerwhoroseatherapproach，andlaidapersuasivehandonRochester’ssleeve。
"Willyoucomewithus？"sheasked。"BarbaraandDr。Stonearereadytoleave。Thedoctorwishesto—"AsshespokeshelookedacrossatStone，whostoodoppositeherinthelittlegroup。Hefailedtocatchbothherwordandhereye，hisgaze，passingoverhershoulder，wasrivetedontheburglar。
"Somethingiswrong，"heannouncedandpushedpastBarbara。"Letmeinsidethecage，"hedirectedasthedeputymarshalkeptthegateclosedathisapproach。"Yourprisonerappearsill。"
Oneglanceattheburglarprovedthetruthofthephysician’sstatementandthegatewashastilyopened。Stonebentovertheman，whosespasmodicbreathingcouldbehearddistinctlythroughthecourtroom，thenhisgazeshiftedtotheotheroccupantsofthecage。
"Themanmusthaveair，"hedeclared。"Youraidhere。"LookinguphiseyesmetClymer’s，andthelattercameswiftlyintothecage，followedbyRochester，andthedeputymarshalslammedthedoorshutbehindthem。
"Stepoutthisway，"hesaid，asClymeraidedthephysicianinliftingtheburglar，andheledthemintotheante—roomwhenceprisonersweretakenintothecage。
Stretchinghisburdenonthefloor，Stonetoreopentheman’sshirtandfelthisheart，whileClymer，spyingawatercooler，spedacrosstheroomandreturnedimmediatelywithabrimmingglass。
"Here’swater，"hesaid，butStonerefusedtheprofferedglass。
"Nouse，"heannounced。"Themanisdead。"
"Dead！"echoedthedeputymarshal。"Well，I’llbe—say，doctor，"
butStonehaddartedoutoftheroom，andheturnedopen—mouthedtoClymer。"Ifitwasn’tDoctorStoneIwouldsayhewascrazy，"hedeclared。
"Tut！Feeltheman’sheartandconvinceyourself，"suggestedClymertartly，andthedeputymarshal，droppingononeknee，didso。
Detectingnoheart—beat，theofficerpassedhishandoverthedeadman’sunshavenchinandacrosshisforehead，brushingbacktheunkempthair。Underhisnonetoogentletouchthewigslippedback，revealingtohisastonishedgazeaheadofshortcropped，redhair。
Clymer，whohadfollowedthedeputymarshal’smovementswithinterest，gaveashoutwhichwasechoedbyRochesterandDr。Stone，whoreturnedatthatmoment。
"GoodGod！"gaspedClymer，shakenoutofhisaccustomedcalm。
"JimmieTurnbull！"
Thedeputymarshaleyedthestartledmen。
"Youdon’tmean—"hestammered，andpaused。
ForanswerDr。Stonestraightenedthedeadmanandremovedthewig。
"JamesTurnbull，"hesaidgravely，andturning，addressedRochester，whohaddroppeddownonthenearestchair。"CashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany，Rochester，andyourroommate，masqueradingasaburglar。"
CHAPTERII
THEGAMEOFCONSEQUENCES
R0ChesterdidnotappeartohearDr。Stone’swords。Witheyeshalfstartingfromtheirsocketshesatstaringatthedeadman，completelyobliviousoftheothers’presence。Afterwatchinghimforamomentthephysicianturnedbrisklytothedazeddeputymarshal。
"Summonthecoroner，"hedirected。"Wecannotmovethebodyuntilhecomes。"
Hiscurttonebroughttheofficial’switsbackwithajumpandhemadefortheexit，onlytobestoppedatthethresholdbyasandy—hairedmanjustenteringtheroom。
Atthewordcoroner，Rochesterraisedhimselffromhisbentattitudeandbrushedhishandacrosshiseyes。
"Noneedforacoronertodiagnosethecase，"heobjected。"PoorTurnbullalwayssaidhewouldgoofflikethat。"
Stonemovednearer。"Likethat？"hequestioned，pointingtothestillfigure。"Explainyourself，Rochester。DidTurnbullexpecttodiehereinthismanner？"
"No—no—certainlynot。"Thelawyermoistenedhisdrylips。"Butwhenamanhasanginapectorisheknowstheendmaycomeatanymomentandinanyplace。Turnbullmadenosecretofsufferingfromthatdisease。"RochesterturnedtowardClymer。"Youknewit。"
BenjaminClymer，whohadbeengazingalternatelyatthedeadmanandvaguelyabouttheroom，lookedstartledattheabruptquestion。
"IknewTurnbullhadbadattacksoftheheart;weallknewitatthebank，"hestated。"ButIunderstoodthediseasehadrespondedtotreatment。"
"Thereisnocureforanginapectoris，"declaredRochester。
"Nopermanentcure，"amendedStone，andwouldhaveaddedmore，butRochesterstoppedhim。
"NowthatyouknowTurnbulldiedofanginapectoristhereisnonecessityofsendingforthecoroner，"Rochesterspokeinhaste，hiswordstumblingovereachother。"Iwillgoatonceandcommunicatewithanundertaker。"Butbeforehecouldrisefromhischairthesandy—hairedman，whohadconductedawhisperedconversationwiththedeputymarshal，advancedtowardthegroup。
"Justamoment，gentlemen，"hesaid，andturnedbackalapelofhiscoatanddisplayedametalbadge。"IamFergusonoftheCentralOffice。Doyouknowthedeceased？"
"Hewasmyintimatefriend，"announcedRochesterbeforehiscompanionscouldreplytothedetective’squestion，whichwasaddressedtoall。"Mr。Clymer，here，cantellyouthatJimmieTurnbull，cashierofhisbank，waswellknowninfinancialandsocialWashington。"
"Howcamehehereinthisfix？"askedFergusonwithmoreforcethangrammaticclarity。
"Asuddenheartattack—anginapectoris，youknow，"repliedRochesterglibly，"withfatalresults。"
"Iwasn’talludingtowhatkilledhim，"Fergusonexplained。"ButwhywasthecashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany，"helookedquestioninglyatClymerwhomheknewquitewellbysight，"andasocialhigh—light，deckedoutintheseclothesandawig，too？"
leaningdown，thebettertoexaminetheclothingonthedeadman。
"HehadjustbeenheldfortheGrandJuryonachargeofhouse—breaking，"volunteeredthedeputymarshal。"Ireckonthatbroughtonhisheart—attack。"
"True，true，"agreedRochester。"Theexcitementwastoomuchforhim。"
"House—breaking"ejaculatedthedetective。"Dangeroussportforamansufferingwithanginapectoris，asidefromanythingelse。
Whopreferredcharges？"
"TheMissesMcIntyre，"answeredthedeputymarshal，towhomthequestionwasaddressed。"Liketointerviewthem？"
"Yes。"
"No，no！"Rochesterwasonhisfeetinstantly。"Thereisnonecessitytobringthetwinsouthere—it’stootragic！"
"Tragic？"echoedFerguson。"Why？"
"Why—why—Turnbullwasarrestedintheirhouse，"Rochesterwascommencingtostutter。"Hewastheirfriend—"
"Caughtburglarizing，heh？"Ferguson’seyesglowed;thecasealreadywhettedhisremarkablykeeninquisitorialinstinctwhichhadgainedhimplaceandcertainfameintheWashingtonpoliceforce。
"AretheMissesMcIntyrestillinthebuilding？"
"TheywereinthecourtroomjustbeforewebroughtTurnbull’sbodyhere，"respondedthedeputymarshal。"Iguesstheyarestillwaiting，eh，doctor？"
Stone，thusappealedto，nodded。"IagreewithMr。Rochester，"hesaid，andthegravityofhismannerimpressedFerguson。"ItisbetterformetobreakthenewsofMr。Turnbull’sdeathtotheyoungladiesbeforebringingthemhere。Therefore，withyourpermission，Ferguson—Hegotnofurther。
ThroughtheouterentranceoftheroomcameHelenMcIntyreandhersisterBarbara，conductedbythesamebowingpatrolmanwhohadusheredthemintothecourtroomanhourbefore。
"MyGod！Toolate！"stammeredRochesterunderhisbreath，andheturnedindesperationtoBenjaminClymer。Thebankpresident’sstateofmindattheextraordinarymasqueradeandsuddendeathofhispopularandtrustedcashierborderedonshockedhorror，whichhadmadehimapassivewitnessoftherapidlyshiftingscene。
Rochesterclutchedhisarminhisagitation。"Getthetwinsoutofhere—dosomething，man！Don’tyouknowthatTurnbullwasinlovewith—"
HisfervidwhisperpenetratedfurtherthanherealizedandoneoftheMcIntyretwinslookedinquiringlyintheirdirection。Clymer，morestartledthanhisdemeanorindicated，wonderedifshehadoverheardRochester’sejaculations，butwhateveractionthebankercontemplatedinresponsetothelawyer’sappealwascheckedbyascreamfromthegirlonhisright。WithashenfaceandtremblingfingershepointedtoTurnbull’sbodywhichsuddenlyconfrontedherasshewalkedforward。
"Whoisit？"shegasped。"Babs，tellme！"Andsheheldoutherhandimploringly。
HersistersteppedtohersideandbentoverTurnbull。Whenshelookedupherlipsaloneretainedtheircolor。
"Hush！"sheimplored，givinghersisteraslightshake。"Hush！
ItisJimmieTurnbull。Canyounotseeforyourself，dear？"
ItseemeddoubtfulifHelenheardher;withattentionwhollycenteredonthedeadmansheswayedonherfeet，andDr。Stone，thinkingshewasabouttofall，placedasupportingarmabouther。
"DoyounotknowJimmie？"askedhersister。"Don’tstareso，dearest。"Hertonewaspleading。
"PerhapstheyoungladyhassomedifficultyinrecognizingMr。
Turnbullinhisdisguise，"suggestedFerguson，whostoodsomewhatinthebackgroundbutcloselyobservingthescene。
"Disguise！"HelenraisedhereyesandFerguson，hardenedashehadbecometotragicscenes，feltathrobofpityashecaughtthepent—upagonyinhermuteappeal。
"Yes，Miss，"hesaidawkwardly。"TheburglaryoucaughtinyourhousewasMr。Turnbullindisguise。
BarbaraMcIntyrereleasedhergraspofhersister’sarmandcollapsedonachair。Stone，stillsupportingHelen，felthermusclesgrowtautandaninstantlatershesteppedbackfromhissideandstoodbyhersister。Asthetwogirlsfacedthecircleofmen，thelikenessbetweenthemwasextraordinary。Eachhadthesameslightgracefulfigure，equalheight;andfeatureforfeature，coloringmatchingcoloring，theywereidentical;theirgowns，even，werecutonsimilarlines，onlytheirhatsvariedinshapeandcolor。
"DoIunderstand，gentlemen，"Helenbegan，andhervoicegainedsteadinessassheproceeded，"thattheburglarwhomOfficerO’RyanandIcaughtlurkinginourhousewasJamesTurnbull？"
"Hewas，"answeredFerguson，andStone，asthetwinslookeddumblyathim，confirmedthedetective’sstatementwithabrief，"Yes。"
ThesilencethatensuedwasbrokenbyBarbararisingtoherfeet。
"Jimmiewonhiswager，"sheannounced。Hergazedidnotwaverbeforetheconcentratedregardofthemenfacingher。"Hebrokeintoourhouse—but，oh，howcanIpaymydebttohimnowthatheisdead！"
"Hush！"Helenlaidacautioninghandonhersister’sarmasthelatter’svoicegainedinshrillness，theshrillnessofapproachinghysteria。
"Iamallright，Helen。"Barbarawavedherawayimpatiently。
"WhatcausedJimmie’sdeath？"
"Anginapectoris，"declaredRochester。"Toomuchexcitementbroughtonafatalattack。"Barbaranoddeddazedly。"Iknewhehadhearttrouble，but—"ShesteppedtowardTurnbullandhervoicequiveredwithfeeling。"Don’tleaveJimmielyingthere;takehimtohisroom，doctor，"turningentreatinglytoStone。
Thephysicianlookedathercompassionately。"Iwill，justassoonasthecoronerviewsthebody，"hepromised。"Butcomeawaynow，Babs;thisisnoplaceforyouandHelen。"Hesignedtothedeputymarshaltoopenthedoorashewalkedacrosstheroom，Barbarakeepingstepwithhim，andhersisterfollowingintheirwake。
AtthedoorBarbarapausedandlookedback。
"Willtherebeaninquest？"sheasked。
"That’sforthecoronertodecide，"respondedFerguson。"AslongasMr。Turnbullenteredyourhouseonawageranddiedfromanattackofanginapectoristheinquestislikelytobeamereformality。Ah，hereisthecoronernow，"asamanpausedinthedoorway。
HelenMcIntyremovedbackfromthedoortomakeroomforCoronerPenfield。Havinghadoccasiontoattendcourtthatmorning，hewaspassingthedoorwhenattractedbythegroupjustinsidetheroom。CourteouslyacknowledgingHelen’sact，Penfieldsteppedbrisklyacrossthethresholdandstoppedabruptlyoncatchingsightofthelonelyfigureonthefloor。
"Won’tyouholdanautopsy，Ferguson？"askedClymer，breakinghislongsilence。
"No，sir，weneverdowhenthecauseofdeathisapparent，"thedetectivebowedtoCoronerPenfield。"Isn’tthatso，Coroner？"
Penfieldnodded。"Unlesstheconditionofthebodyindicatesfoulplayortherelativesspeciallyrequestit，wedonotperformautopsies，"heanswered。"Whathashappenedhere？"andhegazedaboutwithquickenedinterest。
"Mr。Turnbull，whomasqueradedasaburglaronawagerwithMissMcIntyrediedsuddenlyfromanginapectoris，"explainedthedeputymarshal。
"Justacaseofdeathfromnaturalcauses，"brokeinRochester。
"PleasewriteoutapermitformetoremoveTurnbull’sbody，Dr。
Penfield。"
HelenMcIntyretookastepforward。Hereyes，twicetheiraccustomedsize，shonebrightly，incontrasttoherdeadwhiteface。Carefullyavoidinghersister’sglancesheaddressedthecoroner。
"Imustinsist，"shebeganandstoppedtocontrolhervoice。"AsMr。Turnbull’sfiancee，I—"shefalteredagain。"Idemandthatanautopsybeheldtodeterminethecauseofhisdeath。"
CHAPTERIII
THEROOMWITHTHESEVENDOORS
Mrs。Brewsterregardedhersurroundingswithinwardsatisfaction。
Itwouldhavetakenafarmorecaptiouscriticthantheprettywidowtofindfaultwiththelarge，high—ceilingedroominwhichshesat。ThehandsomecarvedVenetianfurniture，therichhangingsandvaluablepaintingsonthewallsgaveevidenceofColonelMcIntyre’sartistictasteandappreciationofthebeautiful。Mrs。
Brewsterhadneverfailed，duringhervisittotheMcIntyretwins，toexaminetherarecuriosinthecarvedcabinetsandthetapestriesonthewalls，butthatafternoon，withoneeyeontheclockandtheotheronherembroidery，shesatwaitingingrowingimpatiencefortheinterruptionsheanticipated。
Thehandsoftheclockhadpassedthehouroffivebeforethebuzzofadistantbellbroughthertoherfeet。HurryingtothewindowshepeepedbetweenthecurtainsintimetoseeastylishroadsterelectricglidedownthedrivewayleadingfromtheMcIntyreresidenceandstopatthecurb。AssheturnedtogobacktoherchairDr。
Stonewasusheredintothelibrarybythefootman。Mrs。Brewsterwelcomedhercousinwithfrankrelief。
"Ihavewaitedsoimpatientlyforyou，"sheconfessed，makingroomforhimtositonthesofabyherside。
"Iwasdetained，Margaret。"Stone’svoicewasnotover—cordial;
threeimperativetelephonecallsfromher，comingatamomentwhenhehadbeenengagedwithaseriouscaseinhisoffice，hadprovokedhim。"Doyouwishtoseemeprofessionally？"
"Indeed，Idon’t。"Shelaughedfrankly。"Iamthepictureofhealth。"
Stone，observingherfinecoloringandcleareyes，silentlyagreedwithher。Thewidowmadeacharmingpictureinhermodishtea—gown，andthephysician，watchingherwithanappraisingeye，acknowledgedthebeautywhichhadcaptivatedallWashington。Mrs。Brewsterhadcarriedherhonorstactfully，afactwhichhadgainedherpopularityevenamongthedowagersandmatch—makingmotherswhotakeanactivepartinWashington’ssocialseason。
"Then，Margaret，whatdoyouwishtoseemeabout？"Stoneasked，afterwaitingwithoutresultforhertocontinuespeaking。
Shelaughedsoftly。"Youarethemostpracticalofmen，"shesaid。
"Itwouldnothavebeensodifficulttofindacompanionanxioustospendthewholeafternoonwithmeformysakealone。"
"ColonelMcIntyre，forinstance？"heteased，andlaughedamusedlyatherheightenedcolor。"Haveacare，Margaret;McIntyre’sflirtationsareallverywell，butheisthetypeofmantobedeadlyinearnestwhenoncehefallsinlove。"
"Thanksforyourwarning，"Mrs。Brewstersmiled，thengrewserious。
"IsentforyoutoaskaboutJimmieTurnbull’sdeaththismorning。
Barbaratoldmeyouaccompaniedthemtothepolicecourt。"
"Yes。Whyweren’tyouwiththegirls？"
"BecauseIwastoldnothingoftheirtriptothe，policecourtuntiltheyhadreturned，"shereplied。"Howhorriblytragicthewholeaffairis！"Andashivershecouldnotsuppresscreptdownherspine。
"Itis，"agreedStone。"WhatpossessedJimmieTurnbulltoplaysomadatrick？"
"HiswagerwithBarbara。"
Stoneleanedalittlenearer。"Haveyoulearnedthenatureofthatwager？"heasked，loweringhisvoice。
"No。Babswasinsohystericalaconditionwhenshereturnedfromthepolicecourtthatshegaveaveryincoherentaccountofthewholeaffair，andshehaskeptherroomeversinceluncheon，"
explainedMrs。Brewster。
Stonelookedpuzzled。"IunderstoodthatJimmiewasattentivetoHelenMcIntyreandnottoBarbara，"hesaid。"Butuponmyword，BarbaraappearedmoreovercomebyJimmie’sdeaththanHelen。"
Mrs。Brewsterdidnotreplyatonce;instead，sheglancedcarefullyaround。TheroomwasgenerallytherallyingplaceoftheMcIntyres。
Itstretchedacrossalmosttheentirewidthofthehouse;thediamond—panedandrecessedwindowsgaveitamedievalairinkeepingwithitsantiquefurniture，andthesevendoorsopeningfromitled，respectively，tothelargediningroombeyond，amorningroom，billiardroom，thefrontandbackhalls，andtheItalianloggiawhichover—lookedthestretchofgroundbetweentheMcIntyreresidenceanditsneighboronthenorth。Apparently，sheandDr。
Stonehadtheroomtothemselves。
"Icannotansweryourquestionwithpositiveness，"shestated。
"Frankly，Jimmieappearedimpartialinhisattentionstothetwins。
Whenhewasn’twithBarbarahewaswithHelen，andviceversa。"
Stonegazedatherinsomeperplexity。"AreyouawarethatHelenstatedatthepolicecourtthismorningthatshewasTurnbull’sfiancee？"
"What！"Mrs。Brewsteractuallybouncedinherseat。"You—youastoundme！"
"Iwasabitsurprisedmyself，"acknowledgedthephysician。"I
thoughtRochester—however，thatisneitherherenorthere。HelennotonlyannouncedshewasJimmie’sfianceebutassuchdemandedthatapost—mortemexaminationbeheldtodeterminethecauseofhisdeath。"
Mrs。Brewster’sprettycolorfadedandtheglancesheturnedonhercousinwassharp。"WhyshouldHelensuspectfoulplay？"shedemanded。
"Forthatiswhatherrequesthinted。"
"True。"Stonepulledhisbeardabsentmindedly。"Ah，hereisColonelMcIntyre，"heexclaimedastheportieresbeforethehalldoorpartedandatallmanstrodeintothelibrary。
McIntyrewasafavoritewiththeoldphysician，andhewelcomedhisarrivalwithwarmth。ExchangingawordofgreetingwithMrs。
Brewster，McIntyredrewupachairanddroppedintoit。
"Icalledatyouroffice，doctor，"hesaid。"WentthereatonceonlearningtheshockingnewsaboutpoorTurnbull。Whyintheworlddidn’theannouncewhohewaswhenmydaughterhadhimarrestedasaburglar？Hemusthaverealizedthatprolongedexcitementwasbadforhisweakheart。"
Mrs。Brewster，whohadsettledherselfmorecomfortablyinhercornerofthesofaonMcIntyre’sarrival，answeredhisremark。
"IonlyknewJimmiesuperficially，"shesaid，"buthehadonedistinguishingtraitpatenttoall，hisinordinatefondnessforpracticaljokes。Probablythepredicamenthefoundhimselfinwashighlytohistaste—untilhisheartfailed。"
Hervoice，slightlyraised，carriedacrosstheroomandreachedtheearsofatall，slendergirlwhohadstoodhesitatingonthethresholdofthediningworndooronbeholdingthegroupbythesofa。Allhesitationvanished，however，asthemeaningofMrs。
Brewster’sremarkdawnedonher，andshewalkedovertothesofa。
"Youareveryunjust，Margaret，"shestated，andatsoundofherlowtriantevoiceMcIntyrewhirledaroundandfrownedslightly。
"Jimmiewasthinkingofthepredicamentofothers，notofhimself。"
"Whatdoyoumean，Helen？"herfatherdemanded。
"Why，howcouldJimmierevealhisidentityincourtwithoutinvolvingus？"sheasked。"Goodafternoon，doctor，"recollectinghermanners，andherattentionthusdiverted，shemissedthesuddenquestioninglookwhichMrs。Brewsterandherfatherexchanged。"No，"
shecontinued，"Jimmiesacrificedhimselfforothers。"
"Bybecomingaburglar。"McIntyrelaughedshortly。"Don’ttalkarrantnonsense，Helen。"
Thegirlflushedathistone，andDr。Stone，aninterestedonlooker，marveledatthefleetingflashofdisdainwhichlightedherdarkeyes。Stone’sinterestgrew。TheMcIntyrefamilyhadalwaysbeenparticularlycongenial，andthedevotionofColonelMcIntyre（leftawidowerwhenthetwinswereinshortfrocks）tohisdaughtershadbeencommentedonfrequentlybytheirwidecircleoffriendsinWashingtonandbyacquaintancesmadeintheirtravelsabroad。
ColonelMcIntyrehadmarriedwhenquiteayoungman。Frugalityandindustryandabrilliantmindhadreapedtheirreward，and，wiserthanthemajorityofAmericans，heretiredearlyfrombusinessanddevotedhimselftoalifeofleisureandtheeducationofhisdaughters。TheirdebutthepreviousautumnhadbeenoneofthesocialeventsoftheWashingtonseason，andtheinstantpopularitythegirlshadattainedprovedasourceofpridetoColonelMcIntyre。
Hischiefpleasureconsistedingratifyingtheireverywhim，andDr。Stone，knowingthefamilyashedid，wonderedatthefaintlydiscernibleairofconstraintinthegirl’smanner。Usuallyfranktoasometimesembarrassingdegree，sheappearedtosomedisadvantageasshesatgazingmoodilyatthetipsofherpatent—leatherpumps。
Dr。Stone’sattentionshiftedtoColonelMcIntyreandlastlytotheprettywidowathiselbow。HadDameRumorspokentrulyinthereport，widelycirculated，thatthecolonelhadfallenavictimtothecharmsofMargaretBrewster，hisdaughters’guest？Ifso，itmightaccountfortheyounggirl’smanner—howeverdevotedMcIntyre’sdaughtersmightbetoMrs。Brewsterasafriendandcompanion，theymightresenthavingsoyoungawomanfortheirstep—mother。
Notreceivinganyreplytohisremarks，McIntyrewasabouttoaddresshisdaughteragainwhenshespoke。
"Jimmiewillbejustified，"shedeclaredstoutly。"Hasthecoronerheldtheautopsyyet，Dr。Stone？"
"Autopsy！"McIntyrespokewithsharpabruptness。"IthoughtitwasclearlyestablishedthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris？"
"Itissobelieved，"respondedStone。Hismystificationwasgrowing;
hadnotHeleninformedherfatherofthescenewhichhadtranspiredatthepolicecourt，andofherrequesttothecoroner？"I
understandthepost—mortemexaminationwillbemadethisafternoon，Helen。"
Aheavypaperknife，nicelybalancedbetweenMcIntyre’swellmanicuredfingers，droppedtothefloorasastepsoundedbehindhimandthebutler，Grimes，stoppedbyhisside。
"Mr。Rochesterjusttelephonedthathispartner，Mr。HarryKent，isoutoftown，Miss"—bowingtothesilentgirl。Grimesalwayscontentedhimselfwithaddressinghis"youngladies"bythesimpleprefix"Miss，"andneveraddedtheirgivennames，because，asheexpressedit，"themtwinsarealikeastwopeas，andwhichiswhich，Idunno。"ConsideringhimselfoneofthefamilyfromhislongservicewithColonelMcIntyre，hekeptawatchfuleyeonthetwins，buttheirpranksinchildhoodhadoftenexasperatedhimintogivingnotice，whichhegenerallyfounditconvenienttoforgetwhenthefirstofanewmonthcamearound。
"Mr。Kentwillbebackto—morrow，"addedthebutler，assilencefollowedthedeliveryofhismessage。"Mr。Rochesterwishestoknowifhecantransactanybusinessforyou。"
"Pleasethankhimandsayno。"Thegirl’scolorroseasshecaughtherfather’sdisapprovinglook。Thecolonelwaiteduntilthebutlerhaddisappearedbeforeaddressingher。
"WhydidyousendforHarryKent？"hequestioned。"YouknowIdonotapproveofhisattentionstoBarbara。Rochesteriswellenough—"
"SpeakingofRochester"—Mrs。Brewstersawthegatheringstormcloudsinthegirl’sexpressiveeyes，andbrokehastilyintotheconversation。"Iseebythepaper，CousinAmos"—sheturnedsoastofaceDr。Stone—"thatMr。RochesterdeclaredpositivelythatJimmieTurnbulldiedfromanginapectoris。"
"What’sPhilip’sopinionworth？"Theyounggirlsmileddisdainfully。
"PhilipseemstothinkthathavingsharedanapartmentwithJimmie，giveshimintimateknowledgeofJimmie’shealth。Philipisnotamedicalman。"
"No，"acknowledgedherfather。"ButhereisamedicalmanwhowasonthespotwhenJimmiedied。What’syouropinion，Stone？"
Stone，suddenlyconsciousofthekeenattentionofhiscompanions，spokeslowlyaswashiswontwhenmakingaseriousstatement。
"Rochester’scontentionthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoriswouldseemborneoutbywhattranspired，"hesaid。"UndoubtedlyJimmiefeltanattackcomingonandusedthecustomaryremedytorelieveit—"
"Andwhatwasthatremedy？"questionedMrs。Brewsterswiftly。
"Amy1nitrite。"Stonespokewithdecision。"Icoulddetectitspresencebythefruity，pleasantodorwhichalwaysaccompaniesthedrug’suse。"
"Ah！"TheexclamationslippedfromMrs。Brewster。"Isthedrugadministeredinwater？"
"No，itisinhaled—takecare，youhavedroppedyourhandkerchief。"
Stonepulledhimselfupshortinhisspeech，andbentoverbuttheyounggirlwastooquickforhim，andstoopedfirsttopickupherhandkerchief。
AssheraisedherheadStonecaughtsightofthetinymoleunderthelobeofherleftear。ItwastheonemarkwhichdistinguishedBarbarafromhertwinsister。ColonelMcIntyrehadaddressedhisdaughterasHelen，andshehadnotundeceivedhim—Why？Theperplexedphysiciangaveuptheproblem。
"Thedrug，"hewentontoexplain，"amylnitritecomesinpearlcapsulesandiscrushedinahandkerchiefandthefumesinhaled。"
Mrs。Brewsterleanedforwardsuddenly。"Wouldthatcausedeath？"
sheasked。
Stoneshookhisheadindenial。"Notthecustomarydoseofthreeminims，"heanswered，andturning，foundthatBarbarahadstolenfromtheroom。
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