CHAPTERIV
BARBARAENGAGESCOUNSEL
Biddingahastygoodmorningtotheelevatorgirl，HarryKent，suit—caseinhand，enteredthecageandwascarrieduptothefourthflooroftheWilkinsBuilding。Severalbusinessacquaintancesstoppedtochatwithhimashewalkeddownthecorridortohisoffice，anditwasfullyfifteenminutesbeforeheturnedtheknobofthedoorbearingthefirmname—ROCHESTERAND
KENT，ATTORNEYS—onitsglasspanel。Ashesteppedinsidetheanteroomwhichseparatedthetwoofficesoccupiedrespectivelybyhimandhisseniorpartner，PhilipRochester，astrangerrosefromtheclerk’sdesk。
"Yes，sir？"heaskedinterrogatively。
Kenteyedhiminsurprise。"Mr。Rochesterhere？"heinquired。
"No，sir。Itaminchargeoftheoffice。"
"Youare！"Kent’ssurpriseincreased。"IhappentobeMr。Kent，juniorpartnerinthisfirm。"
"Ibegyourpardon，sir。"Thedapperclerkbowedandhurryingtohisdesktookupaletter。"Mr。Rochesterleftthisforyou，Mr。
Kent，beforehisdeparturelastnight。"
"Hisdeparture！"Kentdepositedhissuit—caseononeofthechairsandtoreopentheenvelope。Thenotewasascrawl，whichhehadsomedifficultyindeciphering。
"DearKent，"itran。"Amcalledoutoftown;willbebackSaturday。
Saundersgavemesomeofhischeekthisafternoon，soIfiredhim。
IengagedJohnSylvestertofillhisplace，whocomeshighlyrecommended。Hewillreportforworkto—morrow。Ta—ta—PHIL。"
Kentthrustthenoteintohispocketandpickeduphissuit—case。
"Mr。Rochesterstatesthathehasengagedyou，"hesaid。"Yourreferences—？"
"Here，sir。"Theclerkhandedhimafoldedpaper，andKentranhiseyesdownthesheetfromthesentence："Towhomitmayconcern"
tothesignature，ClarkHildebrand。ThestatementspokeinhightermsofJohnSylvester，confidentialclerk。
"Icanreferyoutomyotheremployers，Mr。Kent，"Sylvestervolunteeredastheyounglawyerstoodregardingthepaper。"Ifyou，desirefurtherinformationthereisMr。Clymerand—"
"No，JudgeHildebrand’Srecommendationissufficient。"AndatKent’ssmiletheclerk’sanxiousexpressionvanished。"DidMr。Rochestergiveyouanyoutlineofthework？"
"Yes，sir;hetoldmetofilethepapersintheHitchcockcase，andattendtothemorningcorrespondence。"
"Verygood。Hasanyonecalledthismorning？"
"No，sir。Theseletterswereaddressedtoyoupersonally，andI
havenotopenedthem，"SylvesterhandedaneatlyarrangedpackagetoKent。"These，"indicatingseveralletterslyingopenonhisdesk，"aretothefirm。"
"Bringthemtomeinhalfanhour，"andKentwalkedintohisprivateoffice，carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim。Openinghissuit—casehetookouthisbriefbagandlaiditonthedeskinfrontofhimtogetherwiththepackageofletters。Insteadofopeningthelettersimmediately，hetiltedbackinhischairandregardedtheoppositewallindeepthought。PhilipRochestercouldnothaveselectedaworsetimetoabsenthimself;threeimportantcaseswereonthecalendarforimmediatetrialandmuchdependedonthefirm’ssuccessfulhandlingofthem。Kentsworesoftlyunderhisbreath;
hislastwarningtoRochester，thathewoulddissolvetheirpartnershipiftheoldermancontinuedtoneglecthispractice，hadbeengivenonlyamonthbeforeanduponKent’sreturnfromeightmonths’serviceintheJudgeAdvocateGeneral’sDepartmentinFrance。
ApparentlyhiswarninghadfallenondeafearsandRochesterwasindulginginanotherperiodicspree，forsoKentconcluded，recallingtheunsteadypenmanshipofthenotehandedtohimbythenewclerk，JohnSylvester。
Kentwasstillfrowningattheoppositewallwhenafaintknocksounded，andathiscallSylvesterentered。
"Herearethelettersreceivedthismorning，sir，andtype—writtencopiesoftheanswerstoyesterday’scorrespondencewhichMr。
Rochesterdictatedbeforeleaving，"SylvesterexplainedasheplacedthepapersonKent’sdesk。"Ifyouwillo。k。them，Iwillmailthematonce。"
Kentwentthroughtheletterswithcare，andthenewclerkroseinhisestimationashereadtheexcellentdictationoftheclearlytypedanswers。
"Thesewilldoadmirably，"heannounced。"SitdownandIwillreplytotheotherletters。"
AttheendofanhourSylvesterclosedhisstenographicnotebookandcollectedthecorrespondence，bythattimescatteredoverKent’sdesk。
"I’llhavethesenotesreadyforyoursignaturebeforelunch，"hesaidashepickedupanewspaperfromthefloorwhereithadtumbledduringKent’ssearchforsomeparticu1arletterheads。"Ibroughtinthemorningpaper，sir;thoughtperhapsyouhadnotseenit。"
"Thanks。"Kentswunghischairnearerthewindowandopenedthenewspaper。HehadpurchasedacopywhenwalkingthroughUnionStationonhisarrival，buthadleftitinthecafeteriawherehehadsnatchedacupofcoffeeandhotrollsbeforehurryingtohisoffice。
Hereadacolumndevotedtointernationalaffairs，scannedanaccountofasenatorialwrangle，andwasabouttoturntothesecondpage，whistlingcheerily，whenhisattentionwasarrestedbytheheadings：
BANKCASHIERDIESINPOLICECOURT
JAMESTURNBULL，MISTAKENFORBURGLAR，SUFFERSFATALATTACKOFANGINAPECTORIS
Kent’swhistlestoppedabruptly，andclutchingthepaperinbothhands，hedevouredtheshortaccountprintedunderthescareheads：
"Whilemasqueradingasaburglaronawager，JamesTurnbull，cashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany，wasarrestedbyOfficerO’RyanatanearlyhouryesterdaymorningintheresidenceofColonelCharlesMcIntyre。
"OfficerO’Ryanconductedhisprisonertothe8thPrecinctPoliceStation，andlaterhewasarraignedinthepolicecourt。TheMissesMcIntyreappearedinpersontopreferthechargesagainstthesupposedburglar，who，onbeingsworn，gavethenameofJohnSmith。
"PhilipRochester，thewellknowncriminallawyer，wasassignedbythecourttodefendtheprisoner。UpontheevidencesubmittedJudgeMackallheldtheprisonerfortrialbythegrandjury。
"ItwasjustaftertheJudge’sannouncementthat’JohnSmith，’thensittingintheprisonerscage，wasseizedwiththeattackofanginapectoriswhichendedsofatallyafewminuteslater。
ItwasnotuntilafterhehadexpiredthatthoserenderinghimmedicalassistancebecameawarethathewasJamesTurnbullindisguise。
"JamesTurnbullwasanativeofWashington，hisfather，thelateHonJosiahTurnbullofConnecticut，havingmadethiscityhispermanenthomeintheearly’90s。Mr。Turnbullwaslookeduponasoneoftherisingyoungmeninbankingcircles;hewasalsoprominentsocially，wasamemberoftheAlibi，Metropolitan，andCountryClubs，anduntilrecentlywasactiveinallformsofathletics，whenhisill—healthprecludedactiveexercise。
"OfficerO’Ryan，whowasgreatlyshockedbythefatalterminationtoMr。Turnbull’srashwager，statedtotherepresentativesofthepressthatMr。Turnbullgavenohintofhisidentitywhilebeinginterrogatedatthe8thPrecinctStation。FriendsattributeMr。Turnbull’sdisinclinationtorevealhimselftothecourt，tohisenjoymentofapracticaljoke，notrealizingthattheresultantexcitementofthescenewouldreactonhisweakheart。
"Mr。Turnbullissurvivedbyagreataunt;hehadnonearerrelativesliving。ItisasingularcoincidencethatthelawyerappointedbythecourttodefendTurnbullwashisintimatefriend，PhilipRochester，whomadehishomewiththedeceased。"
Kentreadthecolumnoverandover，then，lettingthepapersliptothefloor，satbackinhischair，toodumb—foundedforwords。
JimmieTurnbullarrestedasaburglarinthehomeofthegirlhelovedonchargespreferredbyher，anddefendedincourtbyhisintimatefriend，bothofwhomwereunawareofhisidentity！Kentrumpledhisfairhairuntilitstoodupright。AndJimmie’sdeathhadfollowedalmostimmediatelyastheresultofover—excitement！
Kent’seyesgrewmoist;hehadbeenveryfondoftheeccentric，lovablebankcashier，whoseknackofperformingmanyakindlyact，unsolicited，hadendearedhimtofriendsandacquaintancesalike。
KenthadseenmuchofhimafterhisreturnfromFrance，forJimmie’sattentiontoHelenMcIntyrehadbeenonlysecondtoKent’sdevotiontothelatter’ssister，Barbara。Thetwomenhadonebondincommon。
ColonelMcIntyredislikedthemanddiscouragedtheircalling，tothesecretfuryofboth，butlovehadfoundaway—Kent’seyeskindledattherecollectionofBarbara’shalf—shy，whollytenderreceptionofhisardentpleading。
Turnbull’scourtshiphadmetwithaset—backwherehehadleastexpectedit—PhilipRochesterhadfallendeeplyinlovewithHelenand，encouragedbyherfather，hadpressedhissuitwithardor。
Frequentquarrelsbetweenthetwoclosefriendshadbeentheoutcome，andJimmiehadconfidedtoKent，beforethelatterleftonthebusinesstriptoChicagofromwhichhehadreturnedthatmorning，thatthesituationhadbecomeintolerableandhehadnotifiedRochesterthathewouldnolongersharehisapartmentwithhim，andtolookforotherquartersasquicklyaspossible。
SoburiedwasKentinhisthoughtsthatheneverheardSylvester’sknock，anditwasnotuntiltheclerkstoodathiselbowthatheawokefromhisabsorption。
"Aladytoseeyou，Mr。Kent，"heannounced。"ShallIshowherin？"
"Certainly—hername？"
"Shegavenone。"Sylvesterpausedonhiswaybacktothedoor。
"ItisoneoftheMissesMcIntyre。"
"GoodLord！"Kentwasonhisfeet，straighteninghistieandbrushinghisrumpledhair。"Here，waitaminute"—clutchingawhiskbroominafranticendeavortoremovesomeofthesignsoftravelwhichstillclungtohim。ButhehadonlyopportunityforonedabathisleftshoulderbeforeBarbaraenteredtheoffice。
Allelseforgotten，Kenttosseddownthewhiskbroomandthenextinstanthehadclaspedherhandinbothofhis，hiseyestellingmoreeloquentlythanhisstumblingwords，hisjoyatseeingheragain。
"Thisisabusinesscall，"shestateddemurely，onyouandMr。
Rochester。"HerlovelyeyesheldaglintofmischiefasshementionedKent’spartner，thenherexpressiongrewserious。"I
wantlegaladvice。"
"Iamafraidyouwillhavetoputupwithme，"Kentmovedhischairclosertotheoneshehadselectedbythedesk。"Rochesterisoutoftown。"
"What！"Barbarasatboltupright。"Where—where’shegone？"
"Idon’tknow"—KentpulledRochester’sletteroutofhispocketandre—readit。"Hedidnotmentionwherehewasgoing。"
Barbarastaredathim;shehadpaled。
"WhendidPhilipleave？"
"Lastnight，Ipresume。"Kenttippedbackhischairandpressedabuzzer;asecondlaterSylvesterappearedinthedoorway。
"DidMr。Rochestertellyouwherehewasgoing？"heaskedtheclerk。
"No，sir。Mr。Rochesterstatedthatyouhadhisaddress。
"I？"Kentconcealedhisgrowingsurprise。"Didheleaveanymessageforme，otherthantheletter？"
"No，sir。
"Atwhathourdidheleavetheoffice？"
"Ican’tsay，sir;hewasstillherewhenIwentawayatfiveo’clock。HegavemeakeytotheofficesothatIcouldgetinthismorning。"Kentremainedsilent，andheadded，"Isthatall，sir？"
"Yes，thanks，"andtheclerkretired。
AsthedoorclosedBarbaraturnedtoKent。"HaveyouheardaboutJimmieTurnbull？"
Hervoicewasabitbreathlessassheputthequestion，butKent，puzzlingoverhispartner’seccentricconduct，hardlynotedheragitation。
"Yes。Isawtheaccountjustnowinthemorningpaper，"heanswered。
"Ashockingaffair。PoorTurnbull！Hewasagoodfellow。"
"Hewas！"Barbaraspokewithunaccustomedvehemence，andlookingatherKentsawthathereyeswerefilledwithtears。Impulsivelyhethrewhisarmabouther，holdingherclose。
"Myheart’sdearest，"hemurmuredfondly。"Ifthereisanything—anythingIcando—"
Barbarastraightenedupandwinkedawaythetears。"Thereis，"shesaidtersely。"InvestigateJimmie’sdeath。"
Kentgazedatherinastonishment。"Pleaseexplain，"hesuggested。
"Themorningpaperstatesveryplainlythatthecauseofdeathwasanattackofanginapectoris。"
"Yes，Iknow，andthatiswhatPhilipRochestercontendsalso。"
Barbarapausedandglancedabouttheoffice;theyhadtheroomtothemselves。"B—butHelenbelievesotherwise。"
Kentdrewback。"Whatdoyoumean，Babs？"hedemanded。
"Justthat，"Barbaraspokewearily，andKent，givinghercloseattention，grewawareofdarkshadowsunderhereyeswhichtoldplainlyofasleeplessnight。"IwanttoengageyouasourcounseltohelpHelenfindoutaboutJimmie’sdeath。"
"Findoutwhat？"askedKent，hisbewildermentincreasing。"DoyoumeanthatJimmie’sdeathwasnottheresultofadangerousheartdisease，butoffoulplay？"
Barbaranoddedherheadvigorously。"Yes。"
Kentsatbackinhischairandregardedherinsilenceforasecond。
"Howcouldthatbe，Babs，inanopenpolicecourtwithdozensofspectatorsallabout？"heasked。"Theslightestattempttokillhimwouldhavebeenfrustratedbythepoliceofficials;remember，aprisonerespecially，ishedgedinandguarded。"
"Well，hewasn’tsoveryhedgedin，"retortedBarbara。"IwasthereandsawhowcloselypeopleapproachedJimmie。"
"Didyouobserveanyonehandhimanything？"
"N—no，"Barbaradrawledthewordasshestrovetovisualizethesceneinthecourtroom;thencatchingKent’slookofdoubtsheaddedwithunmistakableemphasis。"HelenandIdonotbelievethatJimmiediedfromnaturalcauses;wethinkthetragedyshouldbeinvestigated。"Hersoftvoicedeepened。"Imustknowthetruth，Harry，dear;forIfeelthatperhapsIamresponsibleforJimmie’sdeath。"
"You！"Kent’svoiceroseinindignantprotest。"Absurd！"
"No，itisn’tIfithadnotbeenformywagerwithJimmie，heneverwouldhaveenteredourhousedisguisedasaburglar。"
"Whatbroughtaboutthewager？"
"LastSundayHelenwasboastingofhertwonewpolicedogswhichPhilipRochesterrecentlygaveher，andsaidhowsafeshefelt。
We’vehadseveralburglariesinourneighborhood，"Barbaraexplained，"andwhenJimmiescoffedatthedogs，Ibethimthathecouldnotbreakintothehousewithoutthedogsarousingthehousehold。I
neveroncethoughtaboutJimmie’shearttrouble，"sheconfessed，andherlipsquivered。"Ifeelsoguilty。"
"Youareinconsistent，Babs，"chidedKentgently。"OnemomentyoureproachyourselfforbeingthecauseofbringingonJimmie’sheartattack，andthenextyoudeclareyoubelievehediedthroughfoulplay。You，"lookingathertenderly，whileawhimsicalsmilesoftenedhissternmouth，"don’tgosofarastoclaimyoumurderedhim，doyou？"
"OfcourseIdidn’t！"Barbaraspokewithindignantemphasis，andherfingerssnappedinuncontrollablenervousness。"Jimmiewasverydear"—shehesitated—"tous。NeitherHelennorIcanleaveastoneunturneduntilweknowwithoutashadowofadoubtwhatkilledhim。"
"Thatiseasilyproven，"declaredKent。"Anautopsy—"
"Helenaskedthecoronertoholdone。"
Kentstared—thetwinswerecertainlyinearnest。
"Myadvicetoyouistowaituntilyouheartheresultofthepost—mortemfromCoronerPenfield，"hesaidgravely。"UntilweknowdefinitelywhatkilledJimmie，speculationisidle。"
Barbararoseatonce。"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoresympathetic，"
sheremarked，andhervoicewasabitunsteady。"Iamsorrytohavetroubledyou。"
InaninstantKentwasbyherside。"Barbara，"heentreated。"I
promisesolemnlytoaidyouineverypossibleway。Myonlyhappinessisinservingyou，"hisvoicewasverytender。"IslaveheredayinanddayoutthatImaysometimebeabletomakeahomeforyou。Don’tleavemeinanger。"
"Iwasnotangry，onlydeeplyhurt，"Barbaraconfessed。"Ihavesolongedtoseeyou。I—Ineededyou！I—"TherestwaslostasshebowedherheadagainstKent’sbroadshoulder，andhisimpassionedwhispersofdevotionbroughtsolacetohertroubledspirit。
"Imustgo，"declaredBarbaratenminuteslater。"FatherwouldmakeafearfulsceneifheknewIhadbeenheretoseeyou。"Shepickedupherhand—bag，preparatorytoleaving。"ThenIcantellHelenthatyouwillaidus？"
"Yes。"Kentstoppedonhiswaytothedoor。"Iwilltryandseethecoronerthisafternoon。Inthemeantime，Babs，can’tyoutellmewhatmakesyoususpectthatJimmiemighthavebeenkilled？"
"Ihavenothingtangibletogoon，"sheadmitted。"Onlyawoman’sinstinct—"
Kentdidnotsmile。"Instinct，"herepeatedthoughtfully。"Well，doesyourinstincthazardaguessastotheweapon，theopportunity，andthemotiveforsuchacrime？JimmieTurnbullhadn’tanenemyintheworld。"
Barbaralookedathimoddly。"Supposeyoufindtheanswertothoseconundrums，"shesuggested。"Don’tcometotheelevator;MargaretBrewstermayseeyouwithme，andshewouldtellfatherofourmeeting。
"IsMrs。Brewsterstillwithyou？"askedKent，payingnoattentiontoherprotestsasheaccompaniedherdownthecorridor。"I
understoodsheplannedtoreturntotheWestlastweek。"
"Shedid，butfatherpersuadedhertoprolonghervisit，"Barbarawasguiltyofagrimace，thenhailingthedescendingelevatorsheboltedintoitandwavedhergood—bytoKentasthecageshotdownward。
WhenKentreenteredhisofficehefoundSylvesterhangingupthetelephonereceiver。
"Mr。ClymerhastelephonedtoaskifyouwillcometotheMetropolisTrustCompanyatonce，"hesaid，andbeforeKentcouldframeareplyhehaddartedintothecoatclosetandbroughtouthishatandcane，andhandedthemtohim。
"Don’twaitforme，butgooutforyourluncheon，"directedKent，observingthehour。"IhavemykeyandcangetinwhenIreturnifyoushouldnotbehere，"andnotwaitingtohearSylvester’sthanks，hehurriedaway。
TheclockoverthebankhadjuststrucknoonwhenKentreachedthefineofficebuildingwhichhousedtheMetropolisTrustCompany，andasheenteredthebank，amessengerstoppedhim。
"Mr。Clymeriswaitingforyouinhisprivateoffice，sir，"hesaid，andledthewaypastthelongrowsofmahoganycountersandplateglasswindowstothebackofthebank，finallystoppingbeforeadoorbearingthename，inmodestlettering—BENJAMINAUGUSTUSCLYMER。
Thebankpresidentwassensitiveononepoint;heneverpermittedinitialsonlytobeusedbeforehisname。Themessenger’sdeferentialknockwasansweredbyagruffcommandtoenter。ClymerwelcomedKentwithanairofrelief。
"YouknowColonelMcIntyre，"hesaidbywayofintroduction，andKentbecameawarethatthetallmanloungingwithhisbacktohiminoneoftheleathercoveredchairswasBarbara’sfather。ColonelMcIntyrereturnedKent’sbowwithacurtnod，andthenClymerpushedforwardachair。
"Sitdown，Kent，"hebegan。"Youhavealreadyhandledseveralconfidentialaffairsforthebankinasatisfactorymanner，andIhavesentforyouto—daytoaskyouraidinanurgentmatter。
BeforeIgofurtherImustaskyoutotreatwhatIamabouttosayasstrictlyconfidential。"
"Certainly，Mr。Clymer。"
"Good！Thendrawupyourchair。"ClymerwaiteduntilKenthadcompliedwithhisrequest。"YouhaveheardofJimmieTurnbull’ssuddenandtragicdeath？"
"Yes。"
"Asyouknow，hewascashierofthisbank。"Clymerspokewithdeliberation。"Soonafterwordreachedhereofhisdeath，thevice—presidentandtreasurerofthebankhadacarefulexaminationmadeofhisbooksandaccounts。"Clymerpausedtoclearhisthroat;
hewastroubledwithanirritatingcough。"Turnbull’saccountswerefoundinfirstclassorder。"
"Iamsuretheywouldbe，Mr。Clymer，"exclaimedKentwarmly。"AnyonewhoknewJimmiewouldneverdoubthishonesty。"
McIntyreturnedinhischairandregardedthespeakerwithnofriendlyeye，butasidefromthat，tooknopartintheconversation。
Clymerdidnotatonceresumespeaking。
"To—day，"hecommencedfinally，"ColonelMcIntyrecalledatthebankandaskedthetreasurer，Mr。Gilmore，forcertainvaluablenegotiablesecuritieswhichheleftinthebank’scareamonthago。
Mr。GilmoretoldColonelMcIntyrethatthesesecuritieshadbeengiventoJimmieTurnbulllastSaturdayonhispresentationofaletterfromMcIntyrerequestingthattheybeturnedovertothebank’scashier。McIntyreexpressedhissurpriseandaskedtoseetheletter"—Clymerpausedandtookapaperfromhisdesk。"Hereistheletter。"
Kenttookthepaperandexamineditclosely。
"Thisisperfectlyinorder，"hesaid。"AclearstatementinColonelMcIntyre’shandwritingandonhisstationery。
ForthefirsttimeColonelMcIntyreaddressedhim。
"Theletterisinorder，"heacknowledged，"andwrittenonmystationery，butitwasnotwrittenbyme。Theletterisacleverforgery。"
CHAPTERV
THEVANISHINGMAN
Itstilllackedtwentyminutesofnineo’clockthatnightwhenHarryKentturnedintotheSaratogaapartmenthotel，andnotwaitingtotakeoneoftheelevators，ranupthestaircasetotheapartmentwhichhadbeenoccupiedjointlybyJimmieTurnbullandPhilipRochester。KenthadalreadyselectedtherightkeyfromamongthoseonthebunchhehadfoundinRochester’sdeskattheoffice，andslippingitintothekey—holeoftheouterdoor，heturnedthelockandwalkednoiselesslyinsidethedarkapartment。
Thesoftclickoftheouterdoorasitswungtowashardlynoticeable，andKent，pausingonlylongenoughtogethisbreathfromhisrunupthestaircase，steppedintothelivingroomandreachedfortheelectriclightswitch。Insteadofencounteringthecoldmetaloftheswitchhisgropingfingersclosedoverwarmflesh。
Startledashewas，Kentretainedenoughpresenceofmindtograspthehandtightly;thenextsecondamanhurledhimselfuponhimandhegaveback。Furnitureinthepathofthestrugglingmenwasoverturnedastheyfoughtinsilentdesperation。Kentwouldhavegivenmuchforlight。Hestrainedhiseyestoseehisadversary，butthepitchdarknessconcealedallbutthevaguestoutline。AsKentgothissecondwind，confidenceinhisstrengthreturnedandheredoubledhisefforts;suddenlyhishandsshiftedtheirgripandheswunghisadversarybackward，pinninghimagainstthewall。
Afaint，sobbingbreathescapedtheman，andKentfeltthewholefigureagainstwhichhepressed，quiverandrelax;thetautmusclesofchestandarmsgrewslack，collapsed。
Kentstoodinwonderment，peeringahead，hishandsempty—themanhadvanished！
Drawingalong，longbreathKentfelthiswaybacktotheelectricswitchandpressedthebutton，lightingboththewallbracketsandthetablelamps。Withbothhandsonhisthrobbingtempleshegazedattheover—turnedchairs;they，aswellashisachingthroat，testifiedtohisencounterhavingbeenarealityandnotafantasticdream。Hisglancetraveledthiswayandthatabouttheroomandrestedlongestontheoppositesideoftheroomwherehehadpinnedthemantothewall。Wall—！Kentleanedagainstatallhighboyandlaughedweakly，immoderately。HehadpushedthemanstraightagainstthedoorleadingintoRochester’sbedroom，andnot，ashehadsupposed，againstthesolidwall。
Themanhadbeenquick—wittedenoughtograspthesituation;hispretendedweaknesshadcausedKenttorelaxhishold，aturnoftheknobofthedoor，whichswunginward，andhehadmadehisescapeintothebedroom，leavingKentstaringintodark，emptyspace。
GatheringhiswitstogetherKenthurriedintothebedroom—itwasempty;soalsowasthebathroomopeningfromit。FromthereKentmadetheroundsoftheapartment，switchingonthelightuntiltheplacewasablaze，butinspiteofhisminutesearchofclosetsandunderbedsandbehindfurniturehecouldfindnotraceofhislateadversary。Kentstoppedlongenoughinthepantrytorefreshhimselfwithaglassofwater，thenhereturnedtothelivingroomandsatdowninanarmchairbythewindow。Hewantedtimetothink。
Howhadthemanvanishedsoutterly，leavingnotracebehindintheapartment？ThewindowinRochester’sroomwaslockedontheinside;
infact，alltheapartmentwindowsweresecurelyfastened，hehadfoundonhistourofinspection;theonlyonenotlockedwastheoval，swingingwindowhighupinthesidewallofthebathroom;
onlyachildcouldsqueezethroughit，Kentdecided。Thewindowlookedintoawellformedbythewingsoftheapartmenthouse，andhadasheerdropoffiftyfeettothegroundbelow。
Butforhisunfortunateluckinbackingthemanagainstthebedroomdoorinsteadofthewallhewouldnothaveescaped，buthowhadthemanrealizedsoinstantlythathewasagainstadoorinthepitchdarkness？Itcertainlyshowedfamiliaritywithhissurroundings。
Kentsatuprightasanideaflashedthroughhisbrain—wasthemanPhilipRochester？
Kentscoutedtheideabutitpersisted。SupposeithadbeenPhilipRochesterawakenedfromadrunkenslumberbyhisentranceinthedark;
ifso，nothingmorelikelythanthathehadmistakenhim，Kent，foraburglarandsprungathim。ButwhyhadhedisappearedwithoutrevealinghisidentitytoKent？Surelythesamereasonworkedbothways—themanwhohadwrestledwithhimwasasunawareofKent’sidentityasKentwasofhis—theyhadfoughtinthedarkandinsilence。
Kentlaughedaloud。Thesituationhaditsamusingside;then，asrecollectioncameofthesceneinthebankthatmorning，hismirthchangedtogrimseriousness。AthisearnestsolicitationandbackedbyBenjaminClymer’sendorsementofhisplan，ColonelMcIntyrehadagreedtogivehimuntilSaturdaynighttolocatethemissingsecurities;ifhefailed，thenthecolonelproposedplacingtheaffairinthehandsoftheauthorities。
Kent’sfirmmouthsettledintodoggedlinesatthethought;suchaproceduremeantbesmirchingJimmieTurnbull’sname;letthepublicgettheslightestinklingthatthebankcashierwassuspectedofforgeryandtherewouldbethedeviltopay。Kentwasdeterminedtoprotectthehonorofhisdeadfriend，andtoaidHelenMcIntyreinherinvestigationofhissuddendeath。
JimmieTurnbullhadbeenthesoulofhonor;thathehadeverstoopedtoforgerywasunbelievable。Therewassomeexplanationfavorabletohim—theremustbe。Kent’sclenchedfiststruckthearmofhis，chairavigorousblowandheleapttohisfeet。Wastingnofurthertimeonspeculation，hecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，replacingeachchairandtableaswellastherugswhichhadbeenover—turnedinhisrecenttussle，afterwhichhetriedthedrawersofJimmie’sdesk。Theywereunlocked。Acarefulsearchbroughtnothingtolightbutreceiptedbills，someloosechange，olddinnercards，theaterprograms，teainvitations，andseveralpackagesofcigarettes。
TurningfromthedeskKentwalkedovertothetablewhichheknewwasPhilipRochester’sproperty;herecalledhavingonceseenJimmieplacesomepaperstherebymistake;havingdonesoonce，themistakemighthaveoccurredagain。Takingouthispartner’sbunchofkeys，hesoonfoundonethatfittedandopenedthedrawers。Hehadhalfcompletedhistask，withoutfindinganyclewtothemissingsecurities，whenhewasinterruptedbythesoundoftheopeningofthefrontdoor，andhadbuttimetoslamthedrawersshutandpocketthekeyswhenthenightclerkofthehotelsteppedinsidetheapartmentand，closelyfollowedbyasandy—hairedman，walkedintothelivingroom。HehaltedabruptlyatsightofKent。
"Goodevening，Mr。Kent，"heexclaimed，andtookinataglancetheorderlyarrangementoftheroom。"Pardonmyunceremoniousentrance，butIhadnoideayouwerehere，sir;wereceivedatelephonemessagethataburglarhadbrokeninhere。"
"Youdid！"Kentstaredathim。Washeright，afterall，inhisconjecture;hadthemanbeenPhilipRochester？Itwouldseemso，forwhoelse，aftertakingrefugeelsewhere，wouldhavetelephonedawarningofburglarstothehoteloffice？"Haveyouanyideawhosentthemessage，Mr。Stuart？"
"Ihavenot;itwasanout—sidecall—"Stuartturnedtohiscompanion。"SorryIbroughtyouhereonanidioticchase，Mr。
Ferguson。"
"That’sallright，"respondedthedetectivegoodnaturedly。"Wouldyoulikemetolookthroughtheapartmentjusttoseeifanyonereallyisconcealedonthepremises，Mr。Kent？"heasked，andaddedquickly，seeingKenthesitate，"Iamfromthecentraloffice;Mr。
Stuartcanvouchforme。"
Kent’shesitationvanished。"I’dbeobligedifyouwould，Ferguson。"
AshespokeheledthewaytoRochester’sbedroom。"Comewithus，Stuart，"astheclerkloiteredbehind。
"Guessnot，sir;I’mneededdownatthedesk，weareshort—handedto—night。Letmeknowhowthehuntturnsout，"andhesteppedintothevestibule。"Goodnight。"
"Goodnight，"calledKent，andheaccompaniedFergusonasfarasthebathroomdoor，thenreturnedtohisinspectionofRochester’stable。
Hehadjustcompletedhistaskwhenthedetectiverejoinedhim。
"Notraceofanyone，"thelatterannounced。"SomeoneputupajokeonStuart，Iimagine。Findwhatyouwished，sir？"
Kentwasdistinctlyannoyedbythequestion。"Yes，"herepliedshortly。
Fergusonignoredhiscurttone。"Willyousparemeafewminutesofyourtime，Mr。Kent？"heaskedpersuasively。"Iwon’tdetainyoulong。"
"Certainly。"Kentmovedovertothechairinthewindowwhichhehadoccupiedbeforeandpointedtoanother，equallyascomfortable。
"WhatcanIdoforyou？"heaskedasFergusondroppedbackandstretchedhimselfinthesoftdepthsofthebigchair。
"Supplysomeinformation，"answeredthedetectivepromptly。"Justaminute，"asKentstartedtointerrupt。"Youdon’trecallme，butImetyouwhileworkingontheChasecase;youhandledthattrialingreatshape，"Fergusonlookedadmiringlyathiscompanion。"Lotsofthepraisewenttoyourpartner，Mr。Rochester，butIknowyoudidthework。Now，pleaseletmefinish，"holdingupaprotestinghand。"Iknowyou’vecarriedMr。Rochesterinyourfirm;he’sdeadwood。"Kentwassilent。Whatthedetectivesaidwasonlytootrue。
Rochester，realizingthetalentandindustrywhichcharacterizedhisyoungerpartner，hadwithdrawnmoreandmorefromactivepractice，andhaddevotedhimselftothesociallifeoftheNationalCapital。
"Thisisratheralong—windedwayofreachingmypoint，"finishedthedetective。"But，Mr。Kent，Iwantyourassistanceinapuzzlingcase。"
"Goon，I’mlistening。"Ashespoke，KentdrewouthiscigarcaseandhandedittoFerguson。"Thematchesareonthesmokingstandatyourelbow。Now，whatisit，Ferguson？"
Hiscompaniondidnotreplyatonce;insteadhepuffedathiscigar。
"DidyoureadinthepaperaboutMr。Turnbull’sdeath？"heaskedwhenthecigarwasdrawingtohissatisfaction，andasKentnoddedasilentaffirmativeinanswertohisquestion，heaskedanother。
"Didyouknowhimwell？"
"Yes。"
"Didhehaveanenemy？"
"Nottomyknowledge。"Kentwaswatchingthedetectivenarrowly;
whatwashedrivingat？"OnthecontraryTurnbullwasextremelypopular。"
"WithColonelMcIntyre？"FergusonhadhopedtosurpriseKentwiththequestion，buthiscompanion’sexpressiondidnotalter。
"N—no，perhapshewasnotover—popularwiththecolonel，"headmittedslowly。"Whatpromptsthequestion，Ferguson？"
Thedetectivehitchedhischairnearer。"I’mgoingtolayallmycardsonthetable，"heannounced。"Ineedadviceandyouarethemantogiveittome。Listen，Mr。Kent，thisJimmieTurnbullmasqueradesasaburglarnightbeforelastattheMcIntyrehouse，isarrested，achargebroughtagainsthimforhouse—breakingbyMissHelenMcIntyre，andshortlyafterhedies—"
"Fromanginapectoris，"finishedKent，asthedetectivepaused。
"SoMr。Rochestercontended，"admittedFerguson。"We’llletthatgoforaminute。Now，whenMissMcIntyresawTurnbull’sbody，shedemandedanautopsy。Why？"
"Todiscoverthecauseofdeath，"answeredKentquietly。"Thatisobvious，Ferguson。"
"Sure。Andwhydidshewishtodiscoverit？"Hewaitedabriefinstant，thenansweredhisownquestion。"BecauseMissMcIntyredidnotagreewithRochesterthatTurnbullhaddiedfromanginapectoris—thatisobvious，too。Now，whatmadeherthinkthat？"
"IamsureIdon’tknow"—Kent’sairofcandorwasunmistakableandFergusonshowedhisdisappointment。
"Hasn’tMissMcIntyrebeentoseeyou？"
"No，"wasKent’struthfulanswer;Barbarawastheyoungertwinandhersisterwastherefore，"MissMcIntyre。"
"Youmustrecollect，Ferguson，"headded，"thathadMissMcIntyrecalledtoseemeaboutpoorTurnbull，Iwouldnothavediscussedtheinterviewwithanyone，underanyconditions。"
"Certainly。Iamnotaskingyoutobreakanyconfidences;infact，"
Fergusonsmiled，"Imustaskyoutoconsiderourconversationconfidential。Now，Mr。Kent，doesitnotstrikeyouasoddthatapparentlytheonlymaninWashingtonwhoreallydislikedTurnbullwasColonelMcIntyre，anditishisdaughterwhointimatesthatTurnbull’sdeathwasnotduetonaturalcauses？"
"Oh，pshaw！"Kentshruggedhisshoulders。"Youaretakinganexaggeratedviewoftheaffair。ColonelMcIntyreisanhonorableuprightAmerican，andTurnbullwasthesame。"
"Peoplespeakhighlyofbothmen，"acknowledgedthedetective。
IsawMr。Clymer，presidentofTurnbull’sbankthisafternoon，andhepaidafinetributetohisdeadcashier。"
Kentdrewaninwardsighofrelief。BenjaminClymerhadprovedtrueblue;hehadnotpermittedColonelMcIntyre’sdesireforimmediatepublicityandbeliefinTurnbull’sguilttoshakehisfaithinhisfriend。
"Yousee，Ferguson，thereisnomotiveforsuchacrimeasyousuggest，"heremarked。
"Oh，forthemotive，"—Fergusonrubbedhishandsnervouslytogetherasheshotalookathisquestioner;thelatter’sclear—cutfeaturesandmanlybearinginspiredconfidence。"Weknowofnomotive，"hecorrected。
"Andweknowofnocrimehavingbeenperpetrated，"rappedoutKent。
"Come，man;don’thuntamare’snest。"
"Ah，butitisn’tamare’snest！"Fergusonremarkeddryly。
Kentbenteagerlyforward—"Youhaveheardfromthecoroner—"
"Notyet，"FergusonjerkedforwardhischairuntilhiskneestouchedKent。
Hadeithermanlookedtowardthewindownearwhichtheyweresitting，hewouldhaveseenablackshadowsquattingape—likeonthewindowledge。AsKentleanedovertorelighthiscigar，thefaceatthewindowvanished，tocautiouslyreappearasecondlater。
"Thecasepiquedmyinterest，"continuedthedetectiveafterapause。
"AndImadeaninvestigationonmyownhook。AfterthedepartureoftheMcIntyretwinsandCoronerPenfield，Iwentbacktothecourtroomandpokedaroundtheprisoners’cage。ThereIfoundthis。"
Hetookoutofhispocketasmallbundleandcarefullyunwrappedtheoil—skincover。
"Ahandkerchief？"questionedKentasthedetectivedidnotunfoldthewhitemuslin，buthelditwithcare。
"Yes。OneoftheprisonersinthecagetoldmeTurnbulldroppeditasDr。Stoneandthedeputymarshalcarriedhimintotheante—room。
Smellanything？"holdingupthehandkerchief。
"Yes。"Kentwrinkledhisnoseandsniffedseveraltimes。"Smellslikefruit。"
Fergusonnodded。"Goodguess;InoticedtheodorandwentatoncetoDr。McLane。Hetoldmethehandkerchiefwassaturatedwithamylnitrite。"
"Amylnitrite，"repeatedKentreflectively。"Itisgivenforanginapectoris。"
"Yes。Well，inthiscaseitwastheremedyandnotthediseasewhichkilledTurnbull，"announcedFergusontriumphantly。
"Nonsense！"ejaculatedKent。"Ihappentoknowthatthecapsulescontainonlythreeminims—IonceheardTurnbullsayso。"
"True，butTurnbullgotalethaldose，allright;andhethoughthewastakingonlytheregularone。Devilishlyingeniousonthepartofthecriminal，wasn’tit？
"Yes。Haveyoudetectedthecriminal？"Kentputthequestionwithunmovedcountenance，butwithinwardforeboding;thedetective’smysteriousmannerwaspuzzling。
"Notyet，butIwill，"Fergusonhesitated。"Thefirstthingwastoestablishthatacrimehadreallybeencommitted。"
Kentbentdownandsniffedagainatthehandkerchieftowhichafaintfruityaromastillclung。
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