the leavenworth case by green, anna katharine, 1846-1935
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Title:TheLeavenworthCase
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BOOKI.THEPROBLEM
I."AGREATCASE"II.THECORONER'SINQUESTIII.FACTSANDDEDUCTIONSIV.ACUTSV.EXPERTTESTIMONY
VI.SIDE-LIGHTSVII.MARYLEAVENWORTHVIII.CIRCUMSTANTIALEVIDENCEIX.ADISCOVERYX.MR.GRYCERECEIVESNEWIMPETUSXI.THESUMMONSXII.ELEANORESXIII.THEPROBLEM
BOOKII.HENRYCLAVERING
XIV.MR.GRYCEATHOMEXV.WAYSOPENING
XVI.THEWILLOFAMILLIONAIREXVII.THEBEGINNINGOFGREATSURPRISESXVIII.ONTHESTAIRSXIX.INMYOFFICEXX."TRUEMAN!TRUEMAN!TRUEMAN!"XXI.APREJUDICEXXII.PATCH-WORKXXIII.THESTORYOFACHARMINGWOMANXXIV.AREPORTFOLLOWEDBYSMOKEXXV.TIMOTHYCOOKXXVI.MR.GRYCEEXPLAINSHIMSELF
BOOKIII.HANNAH
XXVII.AMYBELDENXXVIII.AWEIRDEXPERIENCEXXIX.THEMISSINGWITNESSXXX.BURNEDPAPERXXXI."Therebyhangsatale."XXXII.MRS.BELDEN'SNARRATIVEXXXIII.UNEXPECTEDTESTIMONY
BOOKIV.THEPROBLEMSOLVED
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XXXIV.MR.GRYCERESUMESCONTROLXXXV.FINEWORKXXXVI.GATHEREDTHREADSXXXVII.CULMINATIONXXXVIII.AFULLCONFESSIONXXXIX.THEOUTCOMEOFAGREATCRIME
BOOKI.THEPROBLEM
I."AGREATCASE"
"Adeedofdreadfulnote."--Macbeth.
IHADbeenajuniorpartnerinthefirmofVeeley,Carr&Raymond,attorneysandcounsellorsatlaw,foraboutayear,whenonemorning,inthetemporaryabsenceofbothMr.VeeleyandMr.Carr,therecameintoourofficeayoungmanwhosewholeappearancewassoindicativeofhasteandagitationthatIinvoluntarilyroseathisapproachandimpetuouslyinquired:
"Whatisthematter?Youhavenobadnewstotell,Ihope."
"IhavecometoseeMr.Veeley;ishein?"
"No,"Ireplied;"hewasunexpectedlycalledawaythismorningtoWashington;cannotbehomebeforeto-morrow;butifyouwillmakeyourbusinessknowntome----"
"Toyou,sir?"herepeated,turningaverycoldbutsteadyeyeonmine;then,seemingtobesatisfiedwithhisscrutiny,continued,"ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldn't;mybusinessisnosecret.IcametoinformhimthatMr.Leavenworthisdead."
"Mr.Leavenworth!"Iexclaimed,fallingbackastep.Mr.Leavenworthwasanoldclientofourfirm,tosaynothingofhisbeingtheparticularfriendofMr.Veeley.
"Yes,murdered;shotthroughtheheadbysomeunknownpersonwhilesittingathislibrarytable."
"Shot!murdered!"Icouldscarcelybelievemyears.
"How?when?"Igasped.
"Lastnight.Atleast,sowesuppose.Hewasnotfoundtillthis
morning.IamMr.Leavenworth'sprivatesecretary,"heexplained,"andliveinthefamily.Itwasadreadfulshock,"hewenton,"especiallytotheladies."
"Dreadful!"Irepeated."Mr.Veeleywillbeoverwhelmedbyit."
"Theyareallalone,"hecontinuedinalowbusinesslikewayIafterwardsfoundtobeinseparablefromtheman;"theMissesLeavenworth,Imean--Mr.Leavenworth'snieces;andasaninquestistobeheldthereto-dayitisdeemedproperforthemtohavesomeone
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presentcapableofadvisingthem.AsMr.Veeleywastheiruncle'sbestfriend,theynaturallysentmeforhim;buthebeingabsentIamatalosswhattodoorwheretogo."
"Iamastrangertotheladies,"wasmyhesitatingreply,"butifIcanbeofanyassistancetothem,myrespectfortheiruncleissuch----"
Theexpressionofthesecretary'seyestoppedme.Withoutseemingtowanderfrommyface,itspupilhadsuddenlydilatedtillitappearedtoembracemywholepersonwithitsscope.
"Idon'tknow,"hefinallyremarked,aslightfrown,testifyingtothefactthathewasnotaltogetherpleasedwiththeturnaffairsweretaking."Perhapsitwouldbebest.Theladiesmustnotbeleftalone----"
"Saynomore;Iwillgo."And,sittingdown,IdespatchedahurriedmessagetoMr.Veeley,afterwhich,andthefewotherpreparationsnecessary,Iaccompaniedthesecretarytothestreet.
"Now,"saidI,"tellmeallyouknowofthisfrightfulaffair."
"AllIknow?Afewwordswilldothat.Ilefthimlastnight
sittingasusualathislibrarytable,andfoundhimthismorning,seatedinthesameplace,almostinthesameposition,butwith_a._bullet-holeinhisheadaslargeastheendofmylittlefinger."
"Dead?"
"Stone-dead."
"Horrible!"Iexclaimed.Then,afteramoment,"Couldithavebeenasuicide?"
"No.Thepistolwithwhichthedeedwascommittedisnottobefound."
"Butifitwasamurder,theremusthavebeensomemotive.Mr.Leavenworthwastoobenevolentamantohaveenemies,andifrobberywasintended----"
"Therewasnorobbery.Thereisnothingmissing,"heagaininterrupted."Thewholeaffairisamystery."
"Amystery?"
"Anuttermystery."
Turning,Ilookedatmyinformantcuriously.Theinmateofahouse
inwhichamysteriousmurderhadoccurredwasratheraninterestingobject.Butthegood-featuredandyettotallyunimpressivecountenanceofthemanbesidemeofferedbutlittlebasisforeventhewildestimaginationtoworkupon,and,glancingalmostimmediatelyaway,Iasked:
"Aretheladiesverymuchovercome?"
Hetookatleastahalf-dozenstepsbeforereplying.
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"Itwouldbeunnaturaliftheywerenot."Andwhetheritwastheexpressionofhisfaceatthetime,orthenatureofthereplyitself,Ifeltthatinspeakingoftheseladiestothisuninteresting,self-possessedsecretaryofthelateMr.Leavenworth,Iwassomehowtreadingupondangerousground.AsIhadheardtheywereveryaccomplishedwomen,Iwasnotaltogetherpleasedatthisdiscovery.Itwas,therefore,withacertainconsciousnessofreliefIsawaFifthAvenuestageapproach.
"Wewilldeferourconversation,"saidI."Here'sthestage."
But,onceseatedwithinit,wesoondiscoveredthatallintercourseuponsuchasubjectwasimpossible.Employingthetime,therefore,inrunningoverinmymindwhatIknewofMr.Leavenworth,Ifoundthatmyknowledgewaslimitedtothebarefactofhisbeingaretiredmerchantofgreatwealthandfinesocialpositionwho,indefaultofpossessingchildrenofhisown,hadtakenintohishometwonieces,oneofwhomhadalreadybeendeclaredhisheiress.Tobesure,IhadheardMr.Veeleyspeakofhiseccentricities,givingasaninstancethisveryfactofhismakingawillinfavorofoneniecetotheutterexclusionoftheother;butofhishabitsoflifeandconnectionwiththeworldatlarge,Iknewlittleornothing.
Therewasagreatcrowdinfrontofthehousewhenwearrivedthere,
andIhadbarelytimetoobservethatitwasacornerdwellingofunusualdepthwhenIwasseizedbythethrongandcarriedquitetothefootofthebroadstonesteps.Extricatingmyself,thoughwithsomedifficulty,owingtotheimportunitiesofabootblackandbutcher-boy,whoseemedtothinkthatbyclingingtomyarmstheymightsucceedinsmugglingthemselvesintothehouse,Imountedthestepsand,findingthesecretary,bysomeunaccountablegoodfortune,closetomyside,hurriedlyrangthebell.Immediatelythedooropened,andafaceIrecognizedasthatofoneofourcitydetectivesappearedinthegap.
"Mr.Gryce!"Iexclaimed.
"Thesame,"hereplied."Comein,Mr.Raymond."Anddrawingus
quietlyintothehouse,heshutthedoorwithagrimsmileonthedisappointedcrowdwithout."Itrustyouarenotsurprisedtoseemehere,"saidhe,holdingouthishand,withasideglanceatmycompanion.
"No,"Ireturned.Then,withavagueideathatIoughttointroducetheyoungmanatmyside,continued:"ThisisMr.----,Mr.----,--excuseme,butIdonotknowyourname,"Isaidinquiringlytomycompanion."TheprivatesecretaryofthelateMr.Leavenworth,"Ihastenedtoadd.
"Oh,"hereturned,"thesecretary!Thecoronerhasbeenaskingforyou,sir."
"Thecoronerishere,then?"
"Yes;thejuryhavejustgoneup-stairstoviewthebody;wouldyouliketofollowthem?"
"No,itisnotnecessary.Ihavemerelycomeinthehopeofbeingofsomeassistancetotheyoungladies.Mr.Veeleyisaway."
"Andyouthoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost,"hewenton;
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"Buttheladies?"
"Theyareintheroomsabove;ingrief,ofcourse,buttolerablycomposedforallthat,Ihear."Andadvancingtoadoor,hepusheditopenandbeckonedmein.
Allwasdarkforamoment,butpresently,myeyesbecomingaccustomedtotheplace,Isawthatwewereinthelibrary.
"Itwasherehewasfound,"saidhe;"inthisroomanduponthisveryspot."Andadvancing,helaidhishandontheendofalargebaize-coveredtablethat,togetherwithitsattendantchairs,occupiedthecentreoftheroom."Youseeforyourselfthatitisdirectlyoppositethisdoor,"and,crossingthefloor,hepausedinfrontofthethresholdofanarrowpassageway,openingintoaroombeyond."Asthemurderedmanwasdiscoveredsittinginthischair,andconsequentlywithhisbacktowardsthepassageway,theassassinmusthaveadvancedthroughthedoorwaytodeliverhisshot,pausing,letussay,abouthere."AndMr.Gryceplantedhisfeetfirmlyuponacertainspotinthecarpet,aboutafootfromthethresholdbeforementioned.
"But--"Ihastenedtointerpose.
"Thereisnoroomfor'but,'"hecried."Wehavestudiedthe
situation."Andwithoutdeigningtodilateuponthesubject,heturnedimmediatelyaboutand,steppingswiftlybeforeme,ledthewayintothepassagenamed."Winecloset,clothescloset,washingapparatus,towel-rack,"heexplained,wavinghishandfromsidetosideaswehurriedthrough,finishingwith"Mr.Leavenworth'sprivateapartment,"asthatroomofcomfortableaspectopeneduponus.
Mr.Leavenworth'sprivateapartment!Itwasherethenthat_it_oughttobe,thehorrible,blood-curdling_it_thatyesterdaywasaliving,breathingman.Advancingtothebedthatwashungwithheavycurtains,Iraisedmyhandtoputthemback,whenMr.Gryce,drawingthemfrommyclasp,disclosedlyinguponthepillowacold,calmfacelookingsonaturalIinvoluntarilystarted.
"Hisdeathwastoosuddentodistortthefeatures,"heremarked,turningtheheadtoonesideinawaytomakevisibleaghastlywoundinthebackofthecranium."Suchaholeasthatsendsamanoutoftheworldwithoutmuchnotice.Thesurgeonwillconvinceyouitcouldneverhavebeeninflictedbyhimself.Itisacaseofdeliberatemurder."
Horrified,Idrewhastilyback,whenmyglancefelluponadoorsituateddirectlyoppositemeinthesideofthewalltowardsthehall.Itappearedtobetheonlyoutletfromtheroom,withtheexceptionofthepassagethroughwhichwehadentered,andIcouldnothelpwonderingifitwasthroughthisdoortheassassinhadenteredonhis
roundaboutcoursetothelibrary.ButMr.Gryce,seeminglyobservantofmyglance,thoughhisownwasfixeduponthechandelier,madehastetoremark,asifinreplytotheinquiryinmyface:
"Foundlockedontheinside;mayhavecomethatwayandmaynot;wedon'tpretendtosay."
Observingnowthatthebedwasundisturbedinitsarrangement,Iremarked,"Hehadnotretired,then?"
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"No;thetragedymustbetenhoursold.Timeforthemurderertohavestudiedthesituationandprovidedforallcontingencies."
"Themurderer?Whomdoyoususpect?"Iwhispered.
Helookedimpassivelyattheringonmyfinger.
"Everyoneandnobody.Itisnotformetosuspect,buttodetect."Anddroppingthecurtainintoitsformerpositionheledmefromtheroom.
Thecoroner'sinquestbeingnowinsession,Ifeltastrongdesiretobepresent,so,requestingMr.GrycetoinformtheladiesthatMr.Veeleywasabsentfromtown,andthatIhadcomeashissubstitute,torenderthemanyassistancetheymightrequireonsomelancholyanoccasion,Iproceededtothelargeparlorbelow,andtookmyseatamongthevariouspersonsthereassembled.
II.THECORONER'SINQUEST
"ThebabyfigureofthegiantmassOfthingstocome."
--TroilusandCressida.
FORafewminutesIsatdazedbythesuddenfloodoflightgreetingmefromthemanyopenwindows;then,asthestronglycontrastingfeaturesofthescenebeforemebegantoimpressthemselvesuponmyconsciousness,Ifoundmyselfexperiencingsomethingofthesamesensationofdoublepersonalitywhichyearsbeforehadfollowedanenforceduseofether.Asatthattime,Iappearedtobelivingtwolivesatonce:intwodistinctplaces,withtwoseparatesetsofincidentsgoingon;sonowIseemedtobedividedbetweentwoirreconcilabletrainsofthought;thegorgeoushouse,itselaboratefurnishing,thelittleglimpsesofyesterday'slife,asseenintheopenpiano,withitssheetofmusicheldinplacebyalady'sfan,
occupyingmyattentionfullyasmuchastheaspectofthethrongofincongruousandimpatientpeoplehuddledaboutme.
PerhapsonereasonofthislayintheextraordinarysplendoroftheroomIwasin;theglowofsatin,glitterofbronze,andglimmerofmarblemeetingtheeyeateveryturn.ButIamratherinclinedtothinkitwasmainlyduetotheforceandeloquenceofacertainpicturewhichconfrontedmefromtheoppositewall.Asweetpicture--sweetenoughandpoeticenoughtohavebeenconceivedbythemostidealisticofartists:simple,too--thevisionofayoungflaxen-haired,blue-eyedcoquette,dressedinthecostumeoftheFirstEmpire,standinginawood-path,lookingbackoverhershoulderatsomeonefollowing--yetwithsuchadashofsomethingnotaltogethersaint-likeinthecornersofhermeek
eyesandbaby-likelips,thatitimpressedmewiththeindividualityoflife.Haditnotbeenfortheopendress,withitswaistalmostbeneaththearmpits,thehaircutshortontheforehead,andtheperfectionoftheneckandshoulders,Ishouldhavetakenitforaliteralportraitofoneoftheladiesofthehouse.Asitwas,Icouldnotridmyselfoftheideathatone,ifnotboth,ofMr.Leavenworth'snieceslookeddownuponmefromtheeyesofthisentrancingblondewiththebeckoningglanceandforbiddinghand.SovividlydidthisfancyimpressmethatIhalfshudderedasIlooked,wonderingifthissweetcreaturedidnotknowwhathadoccurredinthishousesincethehappyyesterday;andif
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so,howshecouldstandtheresmilingsoinvitingly,--whensuddenlyIbecameawarethatIhadbeenwatchingthelittlecrowdofmenaboutmewithascompleteanabsorptionasifnothingelseintheroomhadattractedmyattention;thatthefaceofthecoroner,sternlyintelligentandattentive,wasasdistinctlyimprinteduponmymindasthatofthislovelypicture,ortheclearer-cutandmorenoblefeaturesofthesculpturedPsyche,shininginmellowbeautyfromthecrimson-hungwindowathisright;yes,eventhatthevariouscountenancesofthejurymenclusteredbeforeme,commonplaceandinsignificantasmostofthemwere;thetremblingformsoftheexcitedservantscrowdedintoafarcorner;andthestillmoredisagreeableaspectofthepale-faced,seedyreporter,seatedatasmalltableandwritingwithaghoul-likeaviditythatmademyfleshcreep,wereeachandallasfixedanelementintheremarkablescenebeforemeasthesplendorofthesurroundingswhichmadetheirpresencesuchanightmareofdiscordandunreality.
Ihavespokenofthecoroner.Asfortunewouldhaveit,hewasnostrangertome.Ihadnotonlyseenhimbefore,buthadheldfrequentconversationwithhim;infact,knewhim.HisnamewasHammond,andhewasuniversallyregardedasamanofmorethanordinaryacuteness,fullycapableofconductinganimportantexamination,withthenecessaryskillandaddress.InterestedasIwas,orratherwaslikelytobe,inthisparticularinquiry,Icouldnotbutcongratulatemyself
uponourgoodfortuneinhavingsointelligentacoroner.
Asforhisjurymen,theywere,asIhaveintimated,verymuchlikeallotherbodiesofasimilarcharacter.Pickedupatrandomfromthestreets,butfromsuchstreetsastheFifthandSixthAvenues,theypresentedmuchthesameappearanceofaverageintelligenceandrefinementasmightbeseeninthechanceoccupantsofoneofourcitystages.Indeed,Imarkedbutoneamongstthemallwhoseemedtotakeanyinterestintheinquiryasaninquiry;alltherestappearingtobeactuatedinthefulfilmentoftheirdutybythecommonerinstinctsofpityandindignation.
Dr.Maynard,thewell-knownsurgeonofThirty-sixthStreet,wasthe
firstwitnesscalled.Histestimonyconcernedthenatureofthewoundfoundinthemurderedman'shead.Assomeofthefactspresentedbyhimarelikelytoproveofimportancetousinournarrative,Iwillproceedtogiveasynopsisofwhathesaid.
Prefacinghisremarkswithsomeaccountofhimself,andthemannerinwhichhehadbeensummonedtothehousebyoneoftheservants,hewentontostatethat,uponhisarrival,hefoundthedeceasedlyingonabedinthesecond-storyfrontroom,withthebloodclottedaboutapistol-woundinthebackofthehead;havingevidentlybeencarriedtherefromtheadjoiningapartmentsomehoursafterdeath.Itwastheonlywounddiscoveredonthebody,andhavingprobedit,hehadfoundandextractedthebulletwhichhenowhandedtothejury.Itwaslying
inthebrain,havingenteredatthebaseoftheskull,passedobliquelyupward,andatoncestruckthe_medullaoblongata,_causinginstantdeath.Thefactoftheballhavingenteredthebraininthispeculiarmannerhedeemedworthyofnote,sinceitwouldproducenotonlyinstantaneousdeath,butanutterlymotionlessone.Further,fromthepositionofthebullet-holeandthedirectiontakenbythebullet,itwasmanifestlyimpossiblethattheshotshouldhavebeenfiredbythemanhimself,eveniftheconditionofthehairaboutthewounddidnotcompletelydemonstratethefactthattheshotwasfiredfromapointsomethreeorfourfeetdistant.Stillfurther,consideringthe
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angleatwhichthebullethadenteredtheskull,itwasevidentthatthedeceasedmustnotonlyhavebeenseatedatthetime,afactaboutwhichtherecouldbenodispute,buthemustalsohavebeenengagedinsomeoccupationwhichdrewhisheadforward.For,inorderthataballshouldentertheheadofamansittingerectattheangleseenhere,of45degrees,itwouldbenecessary,notonlyforthepistoltobeheldverylowdown,butinapeculiarposition;whileiftheheadhadbeenbentforward,asintheactofwriting,amanholdingapistolnaturallywiththeelbowbent,mightveryeasilyfireaballintothebrainattheangleobserved.
UponbeingquestionedinregardtothebodilyhealthofMr.Leavenworth,herepliedthatthedeceasedappearedtohavebeeningoodconditionatthetimeofhisdeath,butthat,notbeinghisattendantphysician,hecouldnotspeakconclusivelyuponthesubjectwithoutfurtherexamination;and,totheremarkofajuryman,observedthathehadnotseenpistolorweaponlyinguponthefloor,or,indeed,anywhereelseineitheroftheabove-mentionedrooms.
Imightaswelladdherewhatheafterwardsstated,thatfromthepositionofthetable,thechair,andthedoorbehindit,themurderer,inordertosatisfyalltheconditionsimposedbythesituation,musthavestoodupon,orjustwithin,thethresholdofthepassagewayleadingintotheroombeyond.Also,thatastheballwassmall,and
fromarifledbarrel,andthusespeciallyliabletodeflectionswhilepassingthroughbonesandinteguments,itseemedtohimevidentthatthevictimhadmadenoefforttoraiseorturnhisheadwhenadvanceduponbyhisdestroyer;thefearfulconclusionbeingthatthefootstepwasanaccustomedone,andthepresenceofitspossessorintheroomeitherknownorexpected.
Thephysician'stestimonybeingended,thecoronerpickedupthebulletwhichhadbeenlaidonthetablebeforehim,andforamomentrolleditcontemplativelybetweenhisfingers;then,drawingapencilfromhispocket,hastilyscrawledalineortwoonapieceofpaperand,callinganofficertohisside,deliveredsomecommandinalowtone.Theofficer,takinguptheslip,lookedatitforaninstant
knowingly,thencatchinguphishatlefttheroom.Anothermoment,andthefrontdoorclosedonhim,andawildhalloofromthecrowdofurchinswithouttoldofhisappearanceinthestreet.SittingwhereIdid,Ihadafullviewofthecorner.Lookingout,Isawtheofficerstopthere,hailacab,hastilyenterit,anddisappearinthedirectionofBroadway.
III.FACTSANDDEDUCTIONS
"Confusionnowhathmadehismaster-piece;Mostsacrilegiousmurderhathbrokeope
TheLord'sanointedtemple,andstolenthenceThelifeofthebuilding."--Macbeth.
TURNINGmyattentionbackintotheroomwhereIwas,Ifoundthecoronerconsultingamemorandumthroughaveryimpressivepairofgoldeye-glasses.
"Isthebutlerhere?"heasked.
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Immediatelytherewasastiramongthegroupofservantsinthecorner,andanintelligent-looking,thoughsomewhatpompous,Irishmansteppedoutfromtheirmidstandconfrontedthejury."Ah,"thoughtItomyself,asmyglanceencounteredhisprecisewhiskers,steadyeye,andrespectfullyattentive,thoughbynomeanshumble,expression,"hereisamodelservant,whoislikelytoproveamodelwitness."AndIwasnotmistaken;Thomas,thebutler,wasinallrespectsoneinathousand--andheknewit.
Thecoroner,uponwhom,asuponallothersintheroom,heseemedtohavemadethelikefavorableimpression,proceededwithouthesitationtointerrogatehim.
"Yourname,Iamtold,isThomasDougherty?"
"Yes,sir."
"Well,Thomas,howlonghaveyoubeenemployedinyourpresentsituation?"
"Itmustbeamatteroftwoyearsnow,sir."
"YouarethepersonwhofirstdiscoveredthebodyofMr.Leavenworth?"
"Yes,sir;IandMr.Harwell."
"AndwhoisMr.Harwell?"
"Mr.HarwellisMr.Leavenworth'sprivatesecretary,sir;theonewhodidhiswriting."
"Verygood.Nowatwhattimeofthedayornightdidyoumakethisdiscovery?"
"Itwasearly,sir;earlythismorning,abouteight."
"Andwhere?"
"Inthelibrary,sir,offMr.Leavenworth'sbedroom.Wehadforcedourwayin,feelinganxiousabouthisnotcomingtobreakfast."
"Youforcedyourwayin;thedoorwaslocked,then?"
"Yes,sir."
"Ontheinside?"
"ThatIcannottell;therewasnokeyinthedoor."
"WherewasMr.Leavenworthlyingwhenyoufirstfoundhim?"
"Hewasnotlying,sir.Hewasseatedatthelargetableinthecentreofhisroom,hisbacktothebedroomdoor,leaningforward,hisheadonhishands."
"Howwashedressed?"
"Inhisdinnersuit,sir,justashecamefromthetablelastnight."
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"Werethereanyevidencesintheroomthatastrugglehadtakenplace?"
"No,sir."
"Anypistolonthefloorortable?"
"No,sir?"
"Anyreasontosupposethatrobberyhadbeenattempted?"
"No,sir.Mr.Leavenworth'swatchandpursewerebothinhispockets."
Beingaskedtomentionwhowereinthehouseatthetimeofthediscovery,hereplied,"Theyoungladies,MissMaryLeavenworthandMissEleanore,Mr.Harwell,Katethecook,Mollytheupstairsgirl,andmyself."
"Theusualmembersofthehousehold?"
"Yes,sir."
"Nowtellmewhosedutyitistocloseupthehouseatnight."
"Mine,sir."
"Didyousecureitasusual,lastnight?"
"Idid,sir."
"Whounfasteneditthismorning?"
"I,sir."
"Howdidyoufindit?"
"JustasIleftit."
"What,notawindowopennoradoorunlocked?"
"No,sir."
Bythistimeyoucouldhaveheardapindrop.Thecertaintythatthemurderer,whoeverhewas,hadnotleftthehouse,atleasttillafteritwasopenedinthemorning,seemedtoweighuponallminds.ForewarnedasIhadbeenofthefact,Icouldnotbutfeelacertaindegreeofemotionathavingitthusbroughtbeforeme;and,movingsoastobringthebutler'sfacewithinview,searcheditforsomesecret
tokenthathehadspokenthusemphaticallyinordertocoverupsomefailureofdutyonhisownpart.Butitwasunmovedinitscandor,andsustainedtheconcentratedgazeofallintheroomlikearock.
BeingnowaskedwhenhehadlastseenMr.Leavenworthalive,hereplied,"Atdinnerlastnight."
"Hewas,however,seenlaterbysomeofyou?"
"Yes,sir;Mr.Harwellsayshesawhimaslateashalf-pasttenin
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theevening."
"Whatroomdoyouoccupyinthishouse?"
"Alittleoneonthebasementfloor."
"Andwheredotheothermembersofthehouseholdsleep?"
"Mostlyonthethirdfloor,sir;theladiesinthelargebackrooms,andMr.Harwellinthelittleoneinfront.Thegirlssleepabove."
"TherewasnooneonthesamefloorwithMr.Leavenworth?"
"No,sir."
"Atwhathourdidyougotobed?"
"Well,Ishouldsayabouteleven."
"Didyouhearanynoiseinthehouseeitherbeforeorafterthattime,thatyouremember?"
"No,sir."
"Sothatthediscoveryyoumadethismorningwasasurprisetoyou?"
"Yes,sir."
Requestednowtogiveamoredetailedaccountofthatdiscovery,hewentontosayitwasnottillMr.Leavenworthfailedtocometohisbreakfastatthecallofthebellthatanysuspicionaroseinthehousethatallwasnotright.Eventhentheywaitedsomelittletimebeforedoinganything,butasminuteafterminutewentbyandhedidnotcome,MissEleanoregrewanxious,andfinallylefttheroomsayingshewouldgoandseewhatwasthematter,butsoonreturnedlookingverymuchfrightened,sayingshehadknockedatheruncle'sdoor,andhadeven
calledtohim,butcouldgetnoanswer.AtwhichMr.Harwellandhimselfhadgoneupandtogethertriedbothdoors,and,findingthemlocked,burstopenthatofthelibrary,whentheycameuponMr.Leavenworth,ashehadalreadysaid,sittingatthetable,dead.
"Andtheladies?"
"Oh,theyfollowedusupandcameintotheroomandMissEleanorefaintedaway."
"Andtheotherone,--MissMary,Ibelievetheycallher?"
"Idon'trememberanythingabouther;Iwassobusyfetchingwater
torestoreMissEleanore,Ididn'tnotice."
"Well,howlongwasitbeforeMr.Leavenworthwascarriedintothenextroom?"
"Almostimmediate,assoonasMissEleanorerecovered,andthatwasassoonaseverthewatertouchedherlips."
"Whoproposedthatthebodyshouldbecarriedfromthespot?"
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"She,sir.Assoonasevershestoodupshewentovertoitandlookedatitandshuddered,andthencallingMr.Harwellandme,badeuscarryhiminandlayhimonthebedandgoforthedoctor,whichwedid."
"Waitamoment;didshegowithyouwhenyouwentintotheotherroom?"
"No,sir."
"Whatdidshedo?"
"Shestayedbythelibrarytable."
"Whatdoing?"
"Icouldn'tsee;herbackwastome."
"Howlongdidshestaythere?"
"Shewasgonewhenwecameback."
"Gonefromthetable?"
"Gonefromtheroom."
"Humph!whendidyouseeheragain?"
"Inaminute.Shecameinatthelibrarydooraswewentout."
"Anythinginherhand?"
"NotasIsee."
"Didyoumissanythingfromthetable?"
"Ineverthoughttolook,sir.Thetablewasnothingtome.Iwas
onlythinkingofgoingforthedoctor,thoughIknewitwasofnouse."
"Whomdidyouleaveintheroomwhenyouwentout?"
"Thecook,sir,andMolly,sir,andMissEleanore."
"NotMissMary?"
"No,sir."
"Verywell.Havethejuryanyquestionstoputtothisman?"
Amovementatoncetookplaceinthatprofoundbody.
"Ishouldliketoaskafew,"exclaimedaweazen-faced,excitablelittlemanwhomIhadbeforenoticedshiftinginhisseatinarestlessmannerstronglysuggestiveofanintensebuthithertorepresseddesiretointerrupttheproceedings.
"Verywell,sir,"returnedThomas.
Butthejurymanstoppingtodrawadeepbreath,alargeanddecidedlypompousmanwhosatathisrighthandseizedtheopportunity
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toinquireinaround,listen-to-mesortofvoice:
"Yousayyouhavebeeninthefamilyfortwoyears.Wasitwhatyoumightcallaunitedfamily?"
"United?"
"Affectionate,youknow,--ongoodtermswitheachother."Andthejurymanliftedtheverylongandheavywatch-chainthathungacrosshisvestasifthataswellashimselfhadarighttoasuitableandwell-consideredreply.
Thebutler,impressedperhapsbyhismanner,glanceduneasilyaround."Yes,sir,sofarasIknow."
"Theyoungladieswereattachedtotheiruncle?"
"Oyes,sir."
"Andtoeachother?"
"Well,yes,Isupposeso;it'snotformetosay."
"Yousupposeso.Haveyouanyreasontothinkotherwise?"Andhe
doubledthewatch-chainabouthisfingersasifhewoulddoubleitsattentionaswellashisown.
Thomashesitatedamoment.Butjustashisinterlocutorwasabouttorepeathisquestion,hedrewhimselfupintoaratherstiffandformalattitudeandreplied:
"Well,sir,no."
Thejuryman,forallhisself-assertion,seemedtorespectthereticenceofaservantwhodeclinedtogivehisopinioninregardtosuchamatter,anddrawingcomplacentlyback,signifiedwithawaveofhishandthathehadnomoretosay.
Immediatelytheexcitablelittleman,beforementioned,slippedforwardtotheedgeofhischairandasked,thistimewithouthesitation:"Atwhattimedidyouunfastenthehousethismorning?"
"Aboutsix,sir."
"Now,couldanyoneleavethehouseafterthattimewithoutyourknowledge?"
Thomasglancedatrifleuneasilyathis'fellow-servants,butanswereduppromptlyandasifwithoutreserve;
"Idon'tthinkitwouldbepossibleforanybodytoleavethishouseaftersixinthemorningwithouteithermyselforthecook'sknowingofit.Folksdon'tjumpfromsecond-storywindowsinbroaddaylight,andastoleavingbythedoors,thefrontdoorcloseswithsuchaslamallthehousecanhearitfromtoptobottom,andasfortheback-door,noonethatgoesoutofthatcangetclearoftheyardwithoutgoingbythekitchenwindow,andnoonecangobyourkitchenwindowwithoutthecook'sa-seeingofthem,thatIcanjustswearto."Andhecastahalf-quizzing,half-maliciouslookattheround,red-facedindividualinquestion,stronglysuggestiveoflateandunforgottenbickerings
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overthekitchencoffee-urnandcastor.
Thisreply,whichwasofanaturecalculatedtodeepentheforebodingswhichhadalreadysettleduponthemindsofthosepresent,producedavisibleeffect.Thehousefoundlocked,andnooneseentoleaveit!Evidently,then,wehadnotfartolookfortheassassin.
Shiftingonhischairwithincreasedfervor,ifImaysospeak,thejurymanglancedsharplyaround.Butperceivingtherenewedinterestinthefacesabouthim,declinedtoweakentheeffectofthelastadmission,byanyfurtherquestions.Settling,therefore,comfortablyback,heleftthefieldopenforanyotherjurorwhomightchoosetopresstheinquiry.Butnooneseemingtobereadytodothis,Thomasinhisturnevincedimpatience,andatlast,lookingrespectfullyaround,inquired:
"Wouldanyothergentlemanliketoaskmeanything?"
Noonereplying,hethrewahurriedglanceofrelieftowardstheservantsathisside,then,whileeachonemarvelledatthesuddenchangethathadtakenplaceinhiscountenance,withdrewwithaneageralacrityandevidentsatisfactionforwhichIcouldnotatthemomentaccount.
Butthenextwitnessprovingtobenoneotherthanmyacquaintanceofthemorning,Mr.Harwell,IsoonforgotbothThomasandthedoubtshislastmovementhadawakened,intheinterestwhichtheexaminationofsoimportantapersonasthesecretaryandright-handmanofMr.Leavenworthwaslikelytocreate.
Advancingwiththecalmanddeterminedairofonewhorealizedthatlifeanddeathitselfmighthanguponhiswords,Mr.Harwelltookhisstandbeforethejurywithadegreeofdignitynotonlyhighlyprepossessinginitself,buttome,whohadnotbeenoverandabovepleasedwithhiminourfirstinterview,admirableandsurprising.Lacking,asIhavesaid,anydistinctivequalityoffaceorformagreeableorotherwise--beingwhatyoumightcallinappearancea
negativesortofperson,hispale,regularfeatures,dark,well-smoothedhairandsimplewhiskers,allbelongingtoarecognizedtypeandverycommonplace--therewasstillvisible,onthisoccasionatleast,acertainself-possessioninhiscarriage,whichwentfartowardsmakingupforthewantofimpressivenessinhiscountenanceandexpression.Notthateventhiswasinanywayremarkable.Indeed,therewasnothingremarkableabouttheman,anymorethanthereisaboutathousandothersyoumeeteverydayonBroadway,unlessyouexceptthelookofconcentrationandsolemnitywhichpervadedhiswholeperson;asolemnitywhichatthistimewouldnothavebeennoticeable,perhaps,ifithadnotappearedtobethehabitualexpressionofonewhoinhisshortlifehadseenmoreofsorrowthanjoy,lessofpleasurethancareandanxiety.
Thecoroner,towhomhisappearanceonewayortheotherseemedtobeamatterofnomoment,addressedhimimmediatelyandwithoutreserve:
"Yourname?"
"JamesTruemanHarwell."
"Yourbusiness?"
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"IhaveoccupiedthepositionofprivatesecretaryandamanuensistoMr.Leavenworthforthepasteightmonths."
"YouarethepersonwholastsawMr.Leavenworthalive,areyounot?"
Theyoungmanraisedhisheadwithahaughtygesturewhichwell-nightransfiguredit.
"Certainlynot,asIamnotthemanwhokilledhim."
Thisanswer,whichseemedtointroducesomethingakintolevityorbadinageintoanexaminationtheseriousnessofwhichwewereallbeginningtorealize,producedanimmediaterevulsionoffeelingtowardthemanwho,infaceoffactsrevealedandtoberevealed,couldsolightlymakeuseofit.Ahumofdisapprovalsweptthroughtheroom,andinthatoneremark,JamesHarwelllostallthathehadpreviouslywonbytheself-possessionofhisbearingandtheunflinchingregardofhiseye.Heseemedhimselftorealizethis,forheliftedhisheadstillhigher,thoughhisgeneralaspectremainedunchanged.
"Imean,"thecoronerexclaimed,evidentlynettledthattheyoungmanhadbeenabletodrawsuchaconclusionfromhiswords,"thatyouwerethelastonetoseehimprevioustohisassassinationbysomeunknownindividual?"
Thesecretaryfoldedhisarms,whethertohideacertaintremblewhichhadseizedhim,orbythatsimpleactiontogaintimeforamoment'sfurtherthought,Icouldnotthendetermine."Sir,"herepliedatlength,"Icannotansweryesornotothatquestion.InallprobabilityIwasthelasttoseehimingoodhealthandspirits,butinahouseaslargeasthisIcannotbesureofevensosimpleafactasthat."Then,observingtheunsatisfiedlookonthefacesaround,addedslowly,"Itismybusinesstoseehimlate."
"Yourbusiness?Oh,ashissecretary,Isuppose?"
Hegravelynodded.
"Mr.Harwell,"thecoronerwenton,"theofficeofprivatesecretaryinthiscountryisnotacommonone.Willyouexplaintouswhatyourdutieswereinthatcapacity;inshort,whatuseMr.Leavenworthhadforsuchanassistantandhowheemployedyou?"
"Certainly.Mr.Leavenworthwas,asyouperhapsknow,amanofgreatwealth.Connectedwithvarioussocieties,clubs,institutions,etc.,besidesbeingknownfarandnearasagivingman,hewasaccustomedeverydayofhislifetoreceivenumerousletters,beggingandotherwise,whichitwasmybusinesstoopenandanswer,hisprivatecorrespondencealwaysbearingamarkuponitwhichdistinguisheditfromtherest.ButthiswasnotallIwasexpectedtodo.Havinginhis
earlylifebeenengagedinthetea-trade,hehadmademorethanonevoyagetoChina,andwasconsequentlymuchinterestedinthequestionofinternationalcommunicationbetweenthatcountryandourown.Thinkingthatinhisvariousvisitsthere,hehadlearnedmuchwhich,ifknowntotheAmericanpeople,wouldconducetoourbetterunderstandingofthenation,itspeculiarities,andthebestmannerofdealingwithit,hehasbeenengagedforsometimeinwritingabookonthesubject,whichsameithasbeenmybusinessforthelasteightmonthstoassisthiminpreparing,bywritingathisdictationthreehoursoutofthetwenty-four,thelasthourbeingcommonlytakenfrom
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theevening,sayfromhalf-pastninetohalf-pastten,Mr.Leavenworthbeingaverymethodicalmanandaccustomedtoregulatehisownlifeandthatofthoseabouthimwithalmostmathematicalprecision."
"Yousayyouwereaccustomedtowriteathisdictationevenings?Didyoudothisasusuallastevening?"
"Idid,sir."
"Whatcanyoutellusofhismannerandappearanceatthetime?Weretheyinanywayunusual?"
Afrowncrossedthesecretary'sbrow.
"Asheprobablyhadnopremonitionofhisdoom,whyshouldtherehavebeenanychangeinhismanner?"
Thisgivingthecoroneranopportunitytorevengehimselfforhisdiscomfitureofamomentbefore,hesaidsomewhatseverely:
"Itisthebusinessofawitnesstoanswerquestions,nottoputthem."
Thesecretaryflushedandtheaccountstoodeven.
"Verywell,then,sir;ifMr.Leavenworthfeltanyforebodingsofhisend,hedidnotrevealthemtome.Onthecontrary,heseemedtobemoreabsorbedinhisworkthanusual.Oneofthelastwordshesaidtomewas,'Inamonthwewillhavethisbookinpress,eh,Trueman?'Irememberthisparticularly,ashewasfillinghiswine-glassatthetime.Healwaysdrankoneglassofwinebeforeretiring,itbeingmydutytobringthedecanterofsherryfromtheclosetthelastthingbeforeleavinghim.Iwasstandingwithmyhandontheknobofthehall-door,butadvancedashesaidthisandreplied,'Ihopeso,indeed,Mr.Leavenworth.''Thenjoinmeindrinkingaglassofsherry,'saidhe,motioningmetoprocureanotherglassfromthecloset.Ididso,andhepouredmeoutthewinewithhisownhand.Iam
notespeciallyfondofsherry,buttheoccasionwasapleasantoneandIdrainedmyglass.Irememberbeingslightlyashamedofdoingso,forMr.Leavenworthsethisdownhalffull.Itwashalffullwhenwefoundhimthismorning."
Dowhathewould,andbeingareservedmanheappearedanxioustocontrolhisemotion,thehorrorofhisfirstshockseemedtooverwhelmhimhere.Pullinghishandkerchieffromhispocket,hewipedhisforehead."Gentlemen,thatisthelastactionofMr.LeavenworthIeversaw.Ashesettheglassdownonthetable,Isaidgood-nighttohimandlefttheroom."
Thecoroner,withacharacteristicimperviousnesstoallexpressions
ofemotion,leanedbackandsurveyedtheyoungmanwithascrutinizingglance."Andwheredidyougothen?"heasked.
"Tomyownroom."
"Didyoumeetanybodyontheway?"
"No,sir."
"Hearanythingorseeanythingunusual?"
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Thesecretary'svoicefellatrifle."No,sir."
"Mr.Harwell,thinkagain.Areyoureadytoswearthatyouneithermetanybody,heardanybody,norsawanythingwhichlingersyetinyourmemoryasunusual?"
Hisfacegrewquitedistressed.Twiceheopenedhislipstospeak,andasoftenclosedthemwithoutdoingso.Atlast,withaneffort,hereplied:
"Isawonething,alittlething,tooslighttomention,butitwasunusual,andIcouldnothelpthinkingofitwhenyouspoke."
"Whatwasit?"
"Onlyadoorhalfopen."
"Whosedoor?"
"MissEleanoreLeavenworth's."Hisvoicewasalmostawhispernow.
"Wherewereyouwhenyouobservedthisfact?"
"Icannotsayexactly.Probablyatmyowndoor,asIdidnotstopontheway.IfthisfrightfuloccurrencehadnottakenplaceIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain."
"Whenyouwentintoyourroomdidyoucloseyourdoor?"
"Idid,sir."
"Howsoondidyouretire?"
"Immediately."
"Didyouhearnothingbeforeyoufellasleep?"
Againthatindefinablehesitation.
"Barelynothing."
"Notafootstepinthehall?"
"Imighthaveheardafootstep."
"Didyou?"
"IcannotswearIdid."
"Doyouthinkyoudid?"
"Yes,IthinkIdid.Totellthewhole:Irememberhearing,justasIwasfallingintoadoze,arustleandafootstepinthehall;butitmadenoimpressionuponme,andIdroppedasleep."
"Well?"
"SometimelaterIwoke,wokesuddenly,asifsomethinghadstartledme,butwhat,anoiseormove,Icannotsay.Irememberrising
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upinmybedandlookingaround,buthearingnothingfurther,soonyieldedtothedrowsinesswhichpossessedmeandfellintoadeepsleep.Ididnotwakeagaintillmorning."
Hererequestedtorelatehowandwhenhebecameacquaintedwiththefactofthemurder,hesubstantiated,inallparticulars,theaccountofthematteralreadygivenbythebutler;whichsubjectbeingexhausted,thecoronerwentontoaskifhehadnotedtheconditionofthelibrarytableafterthebodyhadbeenremoved.
"Somewhat;yes,sir."
"Whatwasonit?"
"Theusualproperties,sir,books,paper,apenwiththeinkdriedonit,besidesthedecanterandthewineglassfromwhichhedrankthenightbefore."
"Nothingmore?"
"Iremembernothingmore."
"Inregardtothatdecanterandglass,"brokeinthejurymanofthewatchandchain,"didyounotsaythatthelatterwasfoundinthe
sameconditioninwhichyousawitatthetimeyouleftMr.Leavenworthsittinginhislibrary?"
"Yes,sir,verymuch."
"Yethewasinthehabitofdrinkingafullglass?"
"Yes,sir."
"Aninterruptionmustthenhaveensuedverycloseuponyourdeparture,Mr.Harwell."
Acoldbluishpallorsuddenlybrokeoutupontheyoungman'sface.
Hestarted,andforamomentlookedasifstruckbysomehorriblethought."Thatdoesnotfollow,sir,"hearticulatedwithsomedifficulty."Mr.Leavenworthmight--"butsuddenlystopped,asiftoomuchdistressedtoproceed.
"Goon,Mr.Harwell,letushearwhatyouhavetosay."
"Thereisnothing,"hereturnedfaintly,asifbattlingwithsomestrongemotion.
Ashehadnotbeenansweringaquestion,onlyvolunteeringanexplanation,thecoronerletitpass;butIsawmorethanonepairofeyesrollsuspiciouslyfromsidetoside,asifmanytherefeltthat
somesortofcluehadbeenofferedtheminthisman'semotion.Thecoroner,ignoringinhiseasywayboththeemotionandtheuniversalexcitementithadproduced,nowproceededtoask:"Doyouknowwhetherthekeytothelibrarywasinitsplacewhenyoulefttheroomlastnight?"
"No,sir;Ididnotnotice."
"Thepresumptionis,itwas?"
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"Isupposeso."
"Atallevents,thedoorwaslockedinthemorning,andthekeygone?"
"Yes,sir."
"Thenwhoevercommittedthismurderlockedthedooronpassingout,andtookawaythekey?"
"Itwouldseemso."
Thecoronerturning,facedthejurywithanearnestlook."Gentlemen,"saidhe,"thereseemstobeamysteryinregardtothiskeywhichmustbelookedinto."
Immediatelyauniversalmurmursweptthroughtheroom,testifyingtotheacquiescenceofallpresent.Thelittlejurymanhastilyrisingproposedthataninstantsearchshouldbemadeforit;butthecoroner,turninguponhimwithwhatIshoulddenominateasaquellinglook,decidedthattheinquestshouldproceedintheusualmanner,tilltheverbaltestimonywasallin.
"Thenallowmetoaskaquestion,"againvolunteeredthe
irrepressible."Mr.Harwell,wearetoldthatuponthebreakinginofthelibrarydoorthismorning,Mr.Leavenworth'stwoniecesfollowedyouintotheroom."
"Oneofthem,sir,MissEleanore."
"IsMissEleanoretheonewhoissaidtobeMr.Leavenworth'ssoleheiress?"thecoronerhereinterposed.
"No,sir,thatisMissMary."
"Thatshegaveorders,"pursuedthejuryman,"fortheremovalofthebodyintothefurtherroom?"
"Yes,sir."
"Andthatyouobeyedherbyhelpingtocarryitin?"
"Yes,sir."
"Now,inthuspassingthroughtherooms,didyouobserveanythingtoleadyoutoformasuspicionofthemurderer?"
Thesecretaryshookhishead."Ihavenosuspicion,"heemphaticallysaid.
Somehow,Ididnotbelievehim.Whetheritwasthetoneofhisvoice,theclutchofhishandonhissleeve--andthehandwilloftenrevealmorethanthecountenance--Ifeltthatthismanwasnottoberelieduponinmakingthisassertion.
"IshouldliketoaskMr.Harwellaquestion,"saidajurymanwhohadnotyetspoken."Wehavehadadetailedaccountofwhatlookslikethediscoveryofamurderedman.Now,murderisnevercommittedwithoutsomemotive.DoesthesecretaryknowwhetherMr.Leavenworthhadanysecretenemy?"
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"Idonot."
"Everyoneinthehouseseemedtobeongoodtermswithhim?"
"Yes,sir,"withalittlequaverofdissentintheassertion,however.
"Notashadowlaybetweenhimandanyothermemberofhishousehold,sofarasyouknow?"
"Iamnotreadytosaythat,"hereturned,quitedistressed."Ashadowisaveryslightthing.Theremighthavebeenashadow----"
"Betweenhimandwhom?"
Alonghesitation."Oneofhisnieces,sir."
"Whichone?"
Againthatdefiantliftofthehead."MissEleanore."
"Howlonghasthisshadowbeenobservable?"
"Icannotsay."
"Youdonotknowthecause?"
"Idonot."
"Northeextentofthefeeling?"
"No,sir."
"YouopenMr.Leavenworth'sletters?"
"Ido."
"Hastherebeenanythinginhiscorrespondenceoflatecalculatedtothrowanylightuponthisdeed?"
Itactuallyseemedasifheneverwouldanswer.Washesimplyponderingoverhisreply,orwasthemanturnedtostone?
"Mr.Harwell,didyouhearthejuryman?"inquiredthecoroner.
"Yes,sir;Iwasthinking."
"Verywell,nowanswer."
"Sir,"hereplied,turningandlookingthejurymanfullintheface,andinthatwayrevealinghisunguardedlefthandtomygaze,"IhaveopenedMr.Leavenworth'slettersasusualforthelasttwoweeks,andIcanthinkofnothinginthembearingintheleastuponthistragedy."
Themanlied;Iknewitinstantly.Theclenchedhandpausingirresolute,thenmakingupitsmindtogothroughwiththeliefirmly,wasenoughforme.
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"Mr.Harwell,thisisundoubtedlytrueaccordingtoyourjudgment,"saidthecoroner;"butMr.Leavenworth'scorrespondencewillhavetobesearchedforallthat."
"Ofcourse,"herepliedcarelessly;"thatisonlyright."
ThisremarkendedMr.Harwell'sexaminationforthetime.AshesatdownImadenoteoffourthings.
ThatMr.Harwellhimself,forsomereasonnotgiven,wasconsciousofasuspicionwhichhewasanxioustosuppressevenfromhisownmind.
Thatawomanwasinsomewayconnectedwithit,arustleaswellasafootstephavingbeenheardbyhimonthestairs.
Thataletterhadarrivedatthehouse,whichiffoundwouldbelikelytothrowsomelightuponthissubject.
ThatEleanoreLeavenworth'snamecamewithdifficultyfromhislips;thisevidentlyunimpressibleman,manifestingmoreorlessemotionwheneverhewascalledupontoutterit.
IV.ACUTS
"SomethingisrottenintheStateofDenmark."Hamlet.
THEcookoftheestablishmentbeingnowcalled,thatportly,ruddy-facedindividualsteppedforwardwithalacrity,displayinguponhergood-humoredcountenancesuchanexpressionofmingledeagernessandanxietythatmorethanonepersonpresentfounditdifficulttorestrainasmileatherappearance.Observingthisandtakingitasacompliment,beingawomanaswellasacook,sheimmediatelydroppedacurtsey,andopeningherlipswasabouttospeak,whenthecoroner,risingimpatientlyinhisseat,tookthewordfromhermouthbysayingsternly:
"Yourname?"
"KatherineMalone,sir."
"Well,Katherine,howlonghaveyoubeeninMr.Leavenworth'sservice?"
"Shure,itisagoodtwelvemonthnow,sir,sinceIcame,onMrs.Wilson'sricommindation,tothatveryfrontdoor,and----"
"Nevermindthefrontdoor,buttelluswhyyouleftthisMrs.Wilson?"
"Shure,anditwassheasleftme,beingasshewentsailingtotheouldcountrythesamedaywhenonherrecommendationIcametothisveryfrontdoor--"
"Well,well;nomatteraboutthat.YouhavebeeninMr.Leavenworth'sfamilyayear?"
"Yes,sir."
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"Andlikedit?foundhimagoodmaster?"
"Och,sir,niverhaveIfoundabetter,worselucktothevillainaskilledhim.Hewasthatfreeandginerous,sir,thatmany'sthetimeIhavesaidtoHannah--"Shestopped,withasuddencomicalgaspofterror,lookingatherfellow-servantslikeonewhohadincautiouslymadeaslip.Thecoroner,observingthis,inquiredhastily:
"Hannah?WhoisHannah?"
Thecook,drawingherroly-polyfigureupintosomesortofshapeinhereffortstoappearunconcerned,exclaimedboldly:"She?Oh,onlytheladies'maid,sir."
"ButIdon'tseeanyonehereansweringtothatdescription.Youdidn'tspeakofanyonebythenameofHannah,asbelongingtothehouse,"saidhe,turningtoThomas.
"No,sir,"thelatterreplied,withabowandasidelonglookatthered-cheekedgirlathisside."Youaskedmewhowereinthehouseatthetimethemurderwasdiscovered,andItoldyou."
"Oh,"criedthecoroner,satirically;"usedtopolicecourts,Isee."Then,turningbacktothecook,whohadallthiswhilebeen
rollinghereyesinavaguefrightabouttheroom,inquired,"AndwhereisthisHannah?"
"Shure,sir,she'sgone."
"Howlongsince?"
Thecookcaughtherbreathhysterically."Sincelastnight."
"Whattimelastnight?"
"Troth,sir,andIdon'tknow.Idon'tknowanythingaboutit."
"Wasshedismissed?"
"NotasIknowson;herclothesishere."
"Oh,herclothesarehere.Atwhathourdidyoumissher?"
"Ididn'tmissher.Shewasherelastnight,andsheisn'therethismorning,andsoIsaysshe'sgone."
"Humph!"criedthecoroner,castingaslowglancedowntheroom,whileeveryonepresentlookedasifadoorhadsuddenlyopenedinaclosedwall.
"Wheredidthisgirlsleep?"
Thecook,whohadbeenfumblinguneasilywithherapron,lookedup.
"Shure,weallsleepsatthetopofthehouse,sir."
"Inoneroom?"
Slowly."Yes,sir."
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"Didshecomeuptotheroomlastnight?"
"Yes,sir."
"Atwhathour?"
"Shure,itwastenwhenweallcameup.Iheardtheclocka-striking."
"Didyouobserveanythingunusualinherappearance?"
"Shehadatoothache,sir."
"Oh,atoothache;what,then?Tellmeallshedid."
Butatthisthecookbrokeintotearsandwails.
"Shure,shedidn'tdonothing,sir.Itwasn'ther,sir,asdidanything;don'tyoubelieveit.Hannahisagoodgirl,andhonest,sir,aseveryousee.IamreadytoswearontheBookashowsheneverputherhandtothelockofhisdoor.Whatshouldshefor?SheonlywentdowntoMissEleanoreforsometoothache-drops,herfacewaspainingherthatawful;andoh,sir----"
"There,there,"interruptedthecoroner,"IamnotaccusingHannahofanything.Ionlyaskedyouwhatshedidaftershereachedyourroom.Shewentdownstairs,yousay.Howlongafteryouwentup?"
"Troth,sir,Icouldn'ttell;butMollysays----"
"NevermindwhatMollysays._You_didn'tseehergodown?"
"No,sir."
"Norseehercomeback?"
"No,sir."
"Norseeherthismorning?"
"No,sir;howcouldIwhenshe'sgone?"
"Butyoudidsee,lastnight,thatsheseemedtobesufferingwithtoothache?"
"Yes,sir."
"Verywell;nowtellmehowandwhenyoufirstbecameacquaintedwiththefactofMr.Leavenworth'sdeath."
Butherrepliestothisquestion,whileover-garrulous,containedbutlittleinformation;andseeingthis,thecoronerwasonthepointofdismissingher,whenthelittlejuror,rememberinganadmissionshehadmade,ofhavingseenMissEleanoreLeavenworthcomingoutofthelibrarydoorafewminutesafterMr.Leavenworth'sbodyhadbeencarriedintothenextroom,askedifhermistresshadanythinginherhandatthetime.
"Idon'tknow,sir.Faith!"shesuddenlyexclaimed,"Ibelieveshedidhaveapieceofpaper.Irecollect,now,seeingherputitin
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herpocket."
ThenextwitnesswasMolly,theupstairsgirl.
MollyO'Flanagan,asshecalledherself,wasarosy-cheeked,black-haired,pertgirlofabouteighteen,whounderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavefoundherselfabletoanswer,withaduedegreeofsmartness,anyquestionwhichmighthavebeenaddressedtoher.Butfrightwillsometimescowerthestoutestheart,andMolly,standingbeforethecoroneratthisjuncture,presentedanythingbutarecklessappearance,hernaturallyrosycheeksblanchingatthefirstwordaddressedtoher,andherheadfallingforwardonherbreastinaconfusiontoogenuinetobedissembledandtootransparenttobemisunderstood.
AshertestimonyrelatedmostlytoHannah,andwhatsheknewofher,andherremarkabledisappearance,Ishallconfinemyselftoameresynopsisofit.
Asfarasshe,Molly,knew,Hannahwaswhatshehadgivenherselfouttobe,anuneducatedgirlofIrishextraction,whohadcomefromthecountrytoactaslady's-maidandseamstresstothetwoMissesLeavenworth.Shehadbeeninthefamilyforsometime;beforeMollyherself,infact;andthoughbynatureremarkablyreticent,refusingto
tellanythingaboutherselforherpastlife,shehadmanagedtobecomeagreatfavoritewithallinthehouse.Butshewasofamelancholynatureandfondofbrooding,oftengettingupnightstositandthinkinthedark:"asifshewasalady!"exclaimedMolly.
Thishabitbeingasingularoneforagirlinherstation,anattemptwasmadetowinfromthewitnessfurtherparticularsinregardtoit.ButMolly,withatossofherhead,confinedherselftotheonestatement.Sheusedtogetupnightsandsitinthewindow,andthatwasallsheknewaboutit.
Drawnawayfromthistopic,duringtheconsiderationofwhich,alittleofthesharpnessofMolly'sdispositionhadasserteditself,she
wentontostate,inconnectionwiththeeventsofthepastnight,thatHannahhadbeenillfortwodaysormorewithaswelledface;thatitgrewsobadaftertheyhadgoneupstairs,thenightbefore,thatshegotoutofbed,anddressingherself--Mollywascloselyquestionedhere,butinsisteduponthefactthatHannahhadfullydressedherself,eventoarranginghercollarandribbon--lightedacandle,andmadeknownherintentionofgoingdowntoMissEleanoreforaid.
"WhyMissEleanore?"ajurymanhereasked.
"Oh,sheistheonewhoalwaysgivesoutmedicinesandsuchliketotheservants."
Urgedtoproceed,shewentontostatethatshehadalreadytoldallsheknewaboutit.Hannahdidnotcomeback,norwasshetobefoundinthehouseatbreakfasttime.
"Yousayshetookacandlewithher,"saidthecoroner."Wasitinacandlestick?"
"No,sir;looselike."
"Whydidshetakeacandle?DoesnotMr.Leavenworthburngasin
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hishalls?"
"Yes,sir;butweputthegasoutaswegoup,andHannahisafraidofthedark."
"Ifshetookacandle,itmustbelyingsomewhereaboutthehouse.Now,hasanybodyseenastraycandle?"
"NotasIknowson,sir."
"Is_this_it?"exclaimedavoiceovermyshoulder.
ItwasMr.Gryce,andhewasholdingupintoviewahalf-burnedparaffinecandle.
"Yes,sir;lor',wheredidyoufindit?"
"Inthegrassofthecarriageyard,half-wayfromthekitchendoortothestreet,"hequietlyreturned.
Sensation.Aclue,then,atlast!Somethinghadbeenfoundwhichseemedtoconnectthismysteriousmurderwiththeoutsideworld.Instantlythebackdoorassumedthechiefpositionofinterest.Thecandlefoundlyingintheyardseemedtoprove,notonlythatHannah
hadleftthehouseshortlyafterdescendingfromherroom,buthadleftitbythebackdoor,whichwenowrememberedwasonlyafewstepsfromtheirongateopeningintothesidestreet.ButThomas,beingrecalled,repeatedhisassertionthatnotonlytheback-door,butallthelowerwindowsofthehouse,hadbeenfoundbyhimsecurelylockedandboltedatsixo'clockthatmorning.Inevitableconclusion--someonehadlockedandboltedthemafterthegirl.Who?Alas,thathadnowbecometheveryseriousandmomentousquestion.
V.EXPERTTESTIMONY
"Andoften-times,towinustoourbarm,Theinstrumentsofdarknesstellustruths;Winuswithhonesttrifles,tobetrayusIndeepestconsequence."_
Macbeth._
INthemidstoftheuniversalgloomthusawakenedtherecameasharpringatthebell.Instantlyalleyesturnedtowardtheparlordoor,justasitslowlyopened,andtheofficerwhohadbeensentoffsomysteriouslybythecoroneranhourbeforeentered,incompanywithayoungman,whosesleekappearance,intelligenteye,andgeneralairof
trustworthiness,seemedtoproclaimhimtobe,whatinfacthewas,theconfidentialclerkofaresponsiblemercantilehouse.
Advancingwithoutapparentembarrassment,thougheachandeveryeyeintheroomwasfixeduponhimwithlivelycuriosity,hemadeaslightbowtothecoroner.
"YouhavesentforamanfromBohn&Co.,"hesaid.
Strongandimmediateexcitement.Bohn&Co.wasthewell-known
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pistolandammunitionstoreof----Broadway.
"Yes,sir,"returnedthecoroner."Wehavehereabullet,whichwemustaskyoutoexamine,Youarefullyacquaintedwithallmattersconnectedwithyourbusiness?"
Theyoungman,merelyelevatinganexpressiveeyebrow,tookthebulletcarelesslyinhishand.
"Canyoutellusfromwhatmakeofpistolthatwasdelivered?"
Theyoungmanrolleditslowlyroundbetweenhisthumbandforefinger,andthenlaiditdown."ItisaNo.32ball,usuallysoldwiththesmallpistolmadebySmith&Wesson."
"Asmallpistol!"exclaimedthebutler,jumpingupfromhisseat."Masterusedtokeepalittlepistolinhisstanddrawer.Ihaveoftenseenit.Weallknewaboutit."
Greatandirrepressibleexcitement,especiallyamongtheservants."That'sso!"Iheardaheavyvoiceexclaim."Isawitoncemyself--masterwascleaningit."Itwasthecookwhospoke.
"Inhisstanddrawer?"thecoronerinquired.
"Yes,sir;attheheadofhisbed."
Anofficerwassenttoexaminethestanddrawer.Inafewmomentshereturned,bringingasmallpistolwhichhelaiddownonthecoroner'stable,saying,"Hereitis."
Immediately,everyonesprangtohisfeet,butthecoroner,handingitovertotheclerkfromBonn's,inquiredifthatwasthemakebeforementioned.Withouthesitationhereplied,"Yes,Smith&Wesson;youcanseeforyourself,"andheproceededtoexamineit.
"Wheredidyoufindthispistol?"askedthecoronerofthe
officer.
"InthetopdrawerofashavingtablestandingneartheheadofMr.Leavenworth'sbed.Itwaslyinginavelvetcasetogetherwithaboxofcartridges,oneofwhichIbringasasample,"andhelaiditdownbesidethebullet.
"Wasthedrawerlocked?"
"Yes,sir;butthekeywasnottakenout."
Interesthadnowreacheditsclimax.Auniversalcrysweptthroughtheroom,"Isitloaded?"
Thecoroner,frowningontheassembly,withalookofgreatdignity,remarked:
"Iwasabouttoaskthatquestionmyself,butfirstImustrequestorder."
Animmediatecalmfollowed.Everyonewastoomuchinterestedtointerposeanyobstacleinthewayofgratifyinghiscuriosity.
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"Now,sir!"exclaimedthecoroner.
TheclerkfromBonn's,takingoutthecylinder,helditup."Therearesevenchambershere,andtheyareallloaded."
Amurmurofdisappointmentfollowedthisassertion.
"But,"hequietlyaddedafteramomentaryexaminationofthefaceofthecylinder,"theyhavenotallbeenloadedlong.Abullethasbeenrecentlyshotfromoneofthesechambers."
"Howdoyouknow?"criedoneofthejury.
"HowdoIknow?Sir,"saidhe,turningtothecoroner,"willyoubekindenoughtoexaminetheconditionofthispistol?"andhehandeditovertothatgentleman."Lookfirstatthebarrel;itiscleanandbright,andshowsnoevidenceofabullethavingpassedoutofitverylately;thatisbecauseithasbeencleaned.Butnow,observethefaceofthecylinder:whatdoyouseethere?"
"Iseeafaintlineofsmutnearoneofthechambers."
"Justso;showittothegentlemen."
Itwasimmediatelyhandeddown.
"Thatfaintlineofsmut,ontheedgeofoneofthechambers,isthetelltale,sirs.Abulletpassingoutalwaysleavessmutbehind.Themanwhofiredthis,rememberingthefact,cleanedthebarrel,butforgotthecylinder."Andsteppingasidehefoldedhisarms.
"Jerusalem!"spokeoutarough,heartyvoice,"isn'tthatwonderful!"Thisexclamationcamefromacountrymanwhohadsteppedinfromthestreet,andnowstoodagapeinthedoorway.
Itwasarudebutnotaltogetherunwelcomeinterruption.Asmilepassedroundtheroom,andbothmenandwomenbreathedmoreeasily.
Orderbeingatlastrestored,theofficerwasrequestedtodescribethepositionofthestand,anditsdistancefromthelibrarytable.
"Thelibrarytableisinoneroom,andthestandinanother.Toreachtheformerfromthelatter,onewouldbeobligedtocrossMr.Leavenworth'sbedroominadiagonaldirection,passthroughthepassagewayseparatingthatoneapartmentfromtheother,and----"
"Waitamoment;howdoesthistablestandinregardtothedoorwhichleadsfromthebedroomintothehall?"
"Onemightenterthatdoor,passdirectlyroundthefootofthebedtothestand,procurethepistol,andcrosshalf-wayovertothe
passage-way,withoutbeingseenbyanyonesittingorstandinginthelibrarybeyond."
"HolyVirgin!"exclaimedthehorrifiedcook,throwingherapronoverherheadasiftoshutoutsomedreadfulvision."Hannahniverwouldhavethepluckforthat;niver,niver!"ButMr.Gryce,layingaheavyhandonthewoman,forcedherbackintoherseat,reprovingandcalmingheratthesametime,withadexteritymarvelloustobehold."Ibegyourpardons,"shecrieddeprecatinglytothosearound;"butitniverwasHannah,niver!"
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TheclerkfromBohn'sherebeingdismissed,thoseassembledtooktheopportunityofmakingsomechangeintheirposition,afterwhich,thenameofMr.Harwellwasagaincalled.Thatpersonrosewithmanifestreluctance.Evidentlytheprecedingtestimonyhadeitherupsetsometheoryofhis,orindubitablystrengthenedsomeunwelcomesuspicion.
"Mr.Harwell,"thecoronerbegan,"wearetoldoftheexistenceofapistolbelongingtoMr.Leavenworth,anduponsearching,wediscoveritinhisroom.Didyouknowofhispossessingsuchaninstrument?"
"Idid."
"Wasitafactgenerallyknowninthehouse?"
"Soitwouldseem."
"Howwasthat?Washeinthehabitofleavingitaroundwhereanyonecouldseeit?"
"Icannotsay;IcanonlyacquaintyouwiththemannerinwhichImyselfbecameawareofitsexistence."
"Verywell,doso."
"Wewereoncetalkingaboutfirearms.Ihavesometastethatway,andhavealwaysbeenanxioustopossessapocket-pistol.Sayingsomethingofthekindtohimoneday,herosefromhisseatand,fetchingmethis,showedittome."
"Howlongagowasthis?"
"Somefewmonthssince."
"Hehasownedthispistol,then,forsometime?"
"Yes,sir."
"Isthattheonlyoccasionuponwhichyouhaveeverseenit?"
"No,sir,"--thesecretaryblushed--"Ihaveseenitoncesince."
"When?"
"Aboutthreeweeksago."
"Underwhatcircumstances?"
Thesecretarydroppedhishead,acertaindrawnlookmakingitself
suddenlyvisibleonhiscountenance.
"Willyounotexcuseme,gentlemen?"heasked,afteramoment'shesitation.
"Itisimpossible,"returnedthecoroner.
Hisfacegrewevenmorepallidanddeprecatory."Iamobligedtointroducethenameofalady,"hehesitatinglydeclared.
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"Weareverysorry,"remarkedthecoroner.
Theyoungmanturnedfiercelyuponhim,andIcouldnothelpwonderingthatIhadeverthoughthimcommonplace."OfMissEleanoreLeavenworth!"hecried.
Atthatname,souttered,everyonestartedbutMr.Gryce;hewasengagedinholdingacloseandconfidentialconfabwithhisfinger-tips,anddidnotappeartonotice.
"Surelyitiscontrarytotherulesofdecorumandtherespectweallfeelfortheladyherselftointroducehernameintothisdiscussion,"continuedMr.Harwell.Butthecoronerstillinsistinguponananswer,herefoldedhisarms(amovementindicativeofresolutionwithhim),andbeganinalow,forcedtonetosay:
"Itisonlythis,gentlemen.Oneafternoon,aboutthreeweekssince,Ihadoccasiontogotothelibraryatanunusualhour.Crossingovertothemantel-pieceforthepurposeofprocuringapenknifewhichIhadcarelesslyleftthereinthemorning,Iheardanoiseintheadjoiningroom.KnowingthatMr.Leavenworthwasout,andsupposingtheladiestobeoutalso,Itookthelibertyofascertainingwhotheintruderwas;whenwhatwasmyastonishmenttocomeuponMissEleanoreLeavenworth,standingatthesideofheruncle'sbed,withhispistolinherhand.
Confusedatmyindiscretion,Iattemptedtoescapewithoutbeingobserved;butinvain,forjustasIwascrossingthethreshold,sheturnedand,callingmebyname,requestedmetoexplainthepistoltoher.Gentlemen,inordertodoso,Iwasobligedtotakeitinmyhand;andthat,sirs,istheonlyotheroccasionuponwhichIeversaworhandledthepistolofMr.Leavenworth."Droopinghishead,hewaitedinindescribableagitationforthenextquestion.
"Sheaskedyoutoexplainthepistoltoher;whatdoyoumeanbythat?"
"Imean,"hefaintlycontinued,catchinghisbreathinavainefforttoappearcalm,"howtoload,aim,andfireit."
Aflashofawakenedfeelingshotacrossthefacesofallpresent.Eventhecoronershowedsuddensignsofemotion,andsatstaringatthebowedformandpalecountenanceofthemanbeforehim,withapeculiarlookofsurprisedcompassion,whichcouldnotfailofproducingitseffect,notonlyupontheyoungmanhimself,butuponallwhosawhim.
"Mr.Harwell,"heatlengthinquired,"haveyouanythingtoaddtothestatementyouhavejustmade?"
Thesecretarysadlyshookhishead.
"Mr.Gryce,"Iherewhispered,clutchingthatpersonbythearmand
dragginghimdowntomyside;"assureme,Ientreatyou--"buthewouldnotletmefinish.
"Thecoronerisabouttoaskfortheyoungladies,"hequicklyinterposed."Ifyoudesiretofulfilyourdutytowardsthem,beready,that'sall."
Fulfilmyduty!Thesimplewordsrecalledmetomyself.WhathadIbeenthinkingof;wasImad?Withnothingmoreterribleinmindthanatenderpictureofthelovelycousinsbowedinanguishovertheremains
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ofonewhohadbeenasdearasafathertothem,Islowlyrose,andupondemandbeingmadeforMissMaryandMissEleanoreLeavenworth,advancedandsaidthat,asafriendofthefamily--apettylie,whichIhopewillnotbelaidupagainstme--Ibeggedtheprivilegeofgoingfortheladiesandescortingthemdown.
Instantlyadozeneyesflasheduponme,andIexperiencedtheembarrassmentofonewho,bysomeunexpectedwordoraction,hasdrawnuponhimselftheconcentratedattentionofawholeroom.
Butthepermissionsoughtbeingalmostimmediatelyaccorded,Iwasspeedilyenabledtowithdrawfrommyrathertryingposition,findingmyself,almostbeforeIknewit,inthehall,myfaceaflame,myheartbeatingwithexcitement,andthesewordsofMr.Gryceringinginmyears:"Thirdfloor,rearroom,firstdoorattheheadofthestairs.Youwillfindtheyoungladiesexpectingyou."
VI.SIDE-LIGHTS
"Oh!shehasbeautymightensnareAconqueror'ssoul,andmakehimleavehiscrownAtrandom,tobescuffledforbyslaves."
OTWAY.
THIRDfloor,rearroom,firstdoorattheheadofthestairs!WhatwasIabouttoencounterthere?
Mountingthelowerflight,andshudderingbythelibrarywall,whichtomytroubledfancyseemedwrittenalloverwithhorriblesuggestions,Itookmywayslowlyup-stairs,revolvinginmymindmanythings,amongwhichanadmonitionutteredlongagobymymotheroccupiedaprominentplace.
"Myson,rememberthatawomanwithasecretmaybeafascinating
study,butshecanneverbeasafe,norevensatisfactory,companion."
Awisesaw,nodoubt,buttotallyinapplicabletothepresentsituation;yetitcontinuedtohauntmetillthesightofthedoortowhichIhadbeendirectedputeveryotherthoughttoflightsavethatIwasabouttomeetthestrickenniecesofabrutallymurderedman.
Pausingonlylongenoughonthethresholdtocomposemyselffortheinterview,Iliftedmyhandtoknock,whenarich,clearvoicerosefromwithin,andIhearddistinctlyutteredtheseastoundingwords:"Idonotaccuseyourhand,thoughIknowofnoneotherwhichwouldorcouldhavedonethisdeed;butyourheart,yourhead,yourwill,theseIdoandmustaccuse,inmysecretmindatleast;anditiswellthat
youshouldknowit!"
Struckwithhorror,Istaggeredback,myhandstomyears,whenatouchfellonmyarm,andturning,IsawMr.Grycestandingclosebesideme,withhisfingeronhislip,andthelastflickeringshadowofaflyingemotionfadingfromhissteady,almostcompassionatecountenance.
"Come,come,"heexclaimed;"Iseeyoudon'tbegintoknowwhatkindofaworldyouarelivingin.Rouseyourself;remembertheyare
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waitingdownbelow."
"Butwhoisit?Whowasitthatspoke?"
"Thatweshallsoonsee."Andwithoutwaitingtomeet,muchlessanswer,myappealinglook,hestruckhishandagainstthedoor,andflungitwideopen.
Instantlyaflushoflovelycolorburstuponus.Bluecurtains,bluecarpets,bluewalls.Itwaslikeaglimpseofheavenlyazureinaspotwhereonlydarknessandgloomweretobeexpected.Fascinatedbythesight,Isteppedimpetuouslyforward,butinstantlypausedagain,overcomeandimpressedbytheexquisitepictureIsawbeforeme.
Seatedinaneasychairofembroideredsatin,butrousingfromherhalf-recumbentposition,likeonewhowasintheactoflaunchingapowerfulinvective,Ibeheldagloriouswoman.Fair,frail,proud,delicate;lookinglikealilyinthethickcreamy-tintedwrapperthatalternatelyclungtoandswayedfromherfinelymouldedfigure;withherforehead,crownedwiththepalestofpaletresses,liftedandflashingwithpower;onequiveringhandclaspingthearmofherchair,theotheroutstretchedandpointingtowardsomedistantobjectintheroom,--herwholeappearancewassostartling,soextraordinary,thatIheldmybreathinsurprise,actuallyforthemomentdoubtingifitwere
alivingwomanIbeheld,orsomefamouspythonessconjuredupfromancientstory,toexpressinonetremendousgesturethesupremeindignationofoutragedwomanhood.
"MissMaryLeavenworth,"whisperedthateverpresentvoiceovermyshoulder.
Ah!MaryLeavenworth!Whatareliefcamewiththisname.Thisbeautifulcreature,then,wasnottheEleanorewhocouldload,aim,andfireapistol.Turningmyhead,Ifollowedtheguidingofthatupliftedhand,nowfrozenintoitsplacebyanewemotion:theemotionofbeinginterruptedinthemidstofadirefulandpregnantrevelation,andsaw--but,no,heredescriptionfailsme!EleanoreLeavenworthmustbe
paintedbyotherhandsthanmine.Icouldsithalfthedayanddilateuponthesubtlegrace,thepalemagnificence,theperfectionofformandfeaturewhichmakeMaryLeavenworththewonderofallwhobeholdher;butEleanore--Icouldassoonpaintthebeatingsofmyownheart.Beguiling,terrible,grand,pathetic,thatfaceoffacesflasheduponmygaze,andinstantlythemoonlightlovelinessofhercousinfadedfrommymemory,andIsawonlyEleanore--onlyEleanorefromthatmomentonforever.
Whenmyglancefirstfelluponher,shewasstandingbythesideofasmalltable,withherfaceturnedtowardhercousin,andhertwohandsresting,theoneuponherbreast,theotheronthetable,inanattitudeofantagonism.Butbeforethesuddenpangwhichshotthrough
meatthesightofherbeautyhadsubsided,herheadhadturned,hergazehadencounteredmine;allthehorrorofthesituationhadburstuponher,and,insteadofahaughtywoman,drawnuptoreceiveandtrampleupontheinsinuationsofanother,Ibeheld,alas!atrembling,pantinghumancreature,consciousthataswordhungaboveherhead,andwithoutawordtosaywhyitshouldnotfallandslayher.
Itwasapitiablechange;aheart-rendingrevelation!Iturnedfromitasfromaconfession.Butjustthen,hercousin,whohadapparentlyregainedherself-possessionatthefirstbetrayalofemotiononthe
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partoftheother,steppedforwardand,holdingoutherhand,inquired:
"IsnotthisMr.Raymond?Howkindofyou,sir.Andyou?"turningtoMr.Gryce;"youhavecometotelluswearewantedbelow,isitnotso?"
ItwasthevoiceIhadheardthroughthedoor,butmodulatedtoasweet,winning,almostcaressingtone.
GlancinghastilyatMr.Gryce,Ilookedtoseehowhewasaffectedbyit.Evidentlymuch,forthebowwithwhichhegreetedherwordswaslowerthanordinary,andthesmilewithwhichhemetherearnestlookbothdeprecatoryandreassuring.Hisglancedidnotembracehercousin,thoughhereyeswerefixeduponhisfacewithaninquiryintheirdepthsmoreagonizingthantheutteranceofanycrywouldhavebeen.KnowingMr.GryceasIdid,Ifeltthatnothingcouldpromiseworse,orbemoresignificant,thanthistransparentdisregardofonewhoseemedtofilltheroomwithherterror.And,struckwithpity,IforgotthatMaryLeavenworthhadspoken,forgotherverypresenceinfact,and,turninghastilyaway,tookonesteptowardhercousin,whenMr.Gryce'shandfallingonmyarmstoppedme.
"MissLeavenworthspeaks,"saidhe.
Recalledtomyself,Iturnedmybackuponwhathadsointerestedmeevenwhileitrepelled,andforcingmyselftomakesomesortofreplytothefaircreaturebeforeme,offeredmyarmandledhertowardthedoor.
Immediatelythepale,proudcountenanceofMaryLeavenworthsoftenedalmosttothepointofsmiling;--andhereletmesay,thereneverwasawomanwhocouldsmileandnotsmilelikeMaryLeavenworth.Lookinginmyface,withafrankandsweetappealinhereyes,shemurmured:
"Youareverygood.Idofeeltheneedofsupport;theoccasionissohorrible,andmycousinthere,"--herealittlegleamofalarmnickeredintohereyes--"issoverystrangeto-day."
"Humph!"thoughtItomyself;"whereisthegrandindignantpythoness,withtheunspeakablewrathandmenaceinhercountenance,whomIsawwhenIfirstenteredtheroom?"Coulditbethatshewastryingtobeguileusfromourconjectures,bymakinglightofherformerexpressions?Orwasitpossibleshedeceivedherselfsofarastobelieveusunimpressedbytheweightyaccusationoverheardbyusatamomentsocritical?
ButEleanoreLeavenworth,leaningonthearmofthedetective,soonabsorbedallmyattention.Shehadregainedbythistimeherself-possession,also,butnotsoentirelyashercousin.Herstepfalteredassheendeavoredtowalk,andthehandwhichrestedonhis
armtrembledlikealeaf."WouldtoGodIhadneverenteredthishouse,"saidItomyself.Andyet,beforetheexclamationwashalfuttered,Ibecameconsciousofasecretrebellionagainstthethought;anemotion,shallIsay,ofthankfulnessthatithadbeenmyselfratherthananotherwhohadbeenallowedtobreakinupontheirprivacy,overhearthatsignificantremark,and,shallIacknowledgeit,followMr.Gryceandthetrembling,swayingfigureofEleanoreLeavenworthdown-stairs.NotthatIfelttheleastrelentinginmysoultowardsguilt.Crimehadneverlookedsoblack;revenge,selfishness,hatred,cupidity,neverseemedmoreloathsome;andyet--butwhyenterinto
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theconsiderationofmyfeelingsatthattime.Theycannotbeofinterest;besides,whocanfathomthedepthsofhisownsoul,oruntangleforothersthesecretcordsofrevulsionandattractionwhichare,andeverhavebeen,amysteryandwondertohimself?Enoughthat,supportinguponmyarmthehalf-faintingformofonewoman,butwithmyattention,andinterestdevotedtoanother,IdescendedthestairsoftheLeavenworthmansion,andre-enteredthedreadedpresenceofthoseinquisitorsofthelawwhohadbeensoimpatientlyawaitingus.
AsIoncemorecrossedthatthreshold,andfacedtheeagercountenancesofthoseIhadleftsoshortatimebefore,Ifeltasifageshadelapsedintheinterval;somuchcanbeexperiencedbythehumansoulintheshortspaceofafewover-weightedmoments.
VII.MARYLEAVENWORTH
"Forthisreliefmuchthanks."Hamlet.
HAVEyoueverobservedtheeffectofthesunlightburstingsuddenlyupontheearthfrombehindamassofheavilysurchargedclouds?Ifso,youcanhavesomeideaofthesensationproducedinthatroombythe
entranceofthesetwobeautifulladies.Possessedofalovelinesswhichwouldhavebeenconspicuousinallplacesandunderallcircumstances,Mary,atleast,ifnotherlessstriking,thoughbynomeanslessinterestingcousin,couldneverhaveenteredanyassemblagewithoutdrawingtoherselfthewonderingattentionofallpresent.But,heraldedashere,bythemostfearfuloftragedies,whatcouldyouexpectfromacollectionofmensuchasIhavealreadydescribed,butovermasteringwonderandincredulousadmiration?Nothing,perhaps,andyetatthefirstmurmuringsoundofamazementandsatisfaction,Ifeltmysoulrecoilindisgust.
MakinghastetoseatmynowtremblingcompanioninthemostretiredspotIcouldfind,Ilookedaroundforhercousin.ButEleanore
Leavenworth,weakasshehadappearedintheinterviewabove,showedatthismomentneitherhesitationnorembarrassment.Advancinguponthearmofthedetective,whosesuddenlyassumedairofpersuasioninthepresenceofthejurywasanythingbutreassuring,shestoodforaninstantgazingcalmlyuponthescenebeforeher.Thenbowingtothecoronerwithagraceandcondescensionwhichseemedatoncetoplacehimonthefootingofapolitelyenduredintruderinthishomeofelegance,shetooktheseatwhichherownservantshastenedtoprocureforher,withaneaseanddignitythatratherrecalledthetriumphsofthedrawing-roomthantheself-consciousnessofascenesuchasthatinwhichwefoundourselves.Palpableacting,thoughthiswas,itwasnotwithoutitseffect.Instantlythemurmursceased,theobtrusiveglancesfell,andsomethinglikeaforcedrespectmadeitselfvisibleuponthe
countenancesofallpresent.EvenI,impressedasIhadbeenbyherverydifferentdemeanorintheroomabove,experiencedasensationofrelief;andwasmorethanstartledwhen,uponturningtotheladyatmyside,Ibeheldhereyesriveteduponhercousinwithaninquiryintheirdepthsthatwasanythingbutencouraging.Fearfuloftheeffectthislookmighthaveuponthoseaboutus,Ihastilyseizedherhandwhich,clenchedandunconscious,hungovertheedgeofherchair,andwasabouttobeseechhertohavecare,whenhername,calledinaslow,impressivewaybythecoroner,rousedherfromherabstraction.Hurriedlywithdrawinghergazefromhercousin,sheliftedherfaceto
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thejury,andIsawagleampassoveritwhichbroughtbackmyearlyfancyofthepythoness.Butitpassed,anditwaswithanexpressionofgreatmodestyshesettledherselftorespondtothedemandofthecoronerandanswerthefirstfewopeninginquiries.
Butwhatcanexpresstheanxietyofthatmomenttome?Gentleasshenowappeared,shewascapableofgreatwrath,asIknew.Wasshegoingtoreiteratehersuspicionshere?Didshehateaswellasmistrusthercousin?Wouldshedareassertinthispresence,andbeforetheworld,whatshefounditsoeasytoutterintheprivacyofherownroomandthehearingoftheonepersonconcerned?Didshewishto?Herowncountenancegavemenocluetoherintentions,and,inmyanxiety,IturnedoncemoretolookatEleanore.Butshe,inadreadandapprehensionIcouldeasilyunderstand,hadrecoiledatthefirstintimationthathercousinwastospeak,andnowsatwithherfacecoveredfromsight,byhandsblanchedtoanalmostdeathlywhiteness.
ThetestimonyofMaryLeavenworthwasshort.Aftersomefewquestions,mostlyreferringtoherpositioninthehouseandherconnectionwithitsdeceasedmaster,shewasaskedtorelatewhatsheknewofthemurderitself,andofitsdiscoverybyhercousinandtheservants.
Liftingupabrowthatseemednevertohaveknowntillnowthe
shadowofcareortrouble,andavoicethat,whilstlowandwomanly,ranglikeabellthroughtheroom,shereplied:
"Youaskme,gentlemen,aquestionwhichIcannotanswerofmyownpersonalknowledge.Iknownothingofthismurder,norofitsdiscovery,savewhathascometomethroughthelipsofothers."
Myheartgaveaboundofrelief,andIsawEleanoreLeavenworth'shandsdropfromherbrowlikestone,whileaflickeringgleamasofhopefledoverherface,andthendiedawaylikesunlightleavingmarble.
"For,strangeasitmayseemtoyou,"Maryearnestlycontinued,the
shadowofapasthorrorrevisitinghercountenance,"Ididnotentertheroomwheremyunclelay.Ididnoteventhinkofdoingso;myonlyimpulsewastoflyfromwhatwassohorribleandheartrending.ButEleanorewentin,andshecantellyou----"
"WewillquestionMissEleanoreLeavenworthlater,"interruptedthecoroner,butverygentlyforhim.Evidentlythegraceandeleganceofthisbeautifulwomanweremakingtheirimpression."Whatwewanttoknowiswhat_you_saw.Yousayyoucannottellusofanythingthatpassedintheroomatthetimeofthediscovery?"
"No,sir."
"Onlywhatoccurredinthehall?"
"Nothingoccurredinthehall,"sheinnocentlyremarked.
"Didnottheservantspassinfromthehall,andyourcousincomeoutthereafterherrevivalfromherfaintingfit?"
MaryLeavenworth'svioleteyesopenedwonderingly.
"Yes,sir;butthatwasnothing."
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"Youremember,however,hercomingintothehall?"
"Yes,sir."
"Withapaperinherhand?"
"Paper?"andshewheeledsuddenlyandlookedathercousin."Didyouhaveapaper,Eleanore?"
Themomentwasintense.EleanoreLeavenworth,whoatthefirstmentionofthewordpaperhadstartedperceptibly,rosetoherfeetatthisnaiveappeal,andopeningherlips,seemedabouttospeak,whenthecoroner,withastrictsenseofwhatwasregular,liftedhishandwithdecision,andsaid:
"Youneednotaskyourcousin,Miss;butletushearwhatyouhavetosayyourself."
Immediately,EleanoreLeavenworthsankback,apinkspotbreakingoutoneithercheek;whileaslightmurmurtestifiedtothedisappointmentofthoseintheroom,whoweremoreanxioustohavetheircuriositygratifiedthantheformsoflawadheredto.
Satisfiedwithhavingdonehisduty,anddisposedtobeeasywithsocharmingawitness,thecoronerrepeatedhisquestion."Tellus,ifyouplease,ifyousawanysuchthinginherhand?"
"I?Oh,no,no;Isawnothing."
Beingnowquestionedinrelationtotheeventsofthepreviousnight,shehadnonewlighttothrowuponthesubject.Sheacknowledgedheruncletohavebeenalittlereservedatdinner,butnomoresothanatprevioustimeswhenannoyedbysomebusinessanxiety.
Askedifshehadseenheruncleagainthatevening,shesaidno,thatshehadbeendetainedinherroom.Thatthesightofhim,sitting
inhisseatattheheadofthetable,wastheverylastremembranceshehadofhim.
Therewassomethingsotouching,soforlorn,andyetsounobtrusive,inthissimplerecollectionofhers,thatalookofsympathypassedslowlyaroundtheroom.
IevendetectedMr.Grycesofteningtowardstheinkstand.ButEleanoreLeavenworthsatunmoved.
"Wasyouruncleonilltermswithanyone?"wasnowasked."Hadhevaluablepapersorsecretsumsofmoneyinhispossession?"
Toalltheseinquiriesshereturnedanequalnegative.
"Hasyourunclemetanystrangerlately,orreceivedanyimportantletterduringthelastfewweeks,whichmightseeminanywaytothrowlightuponthismystery?"
Therewastheslightestperceptiblehesitationinhervoice,asshereplied:"No,nottomyknowledge;Idon'tknowofanysuch."Buthere,stealingasideglanceatEleanore,sheevidentlysawsomethingthatreassuredher,forshehastenedtoadd:
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