Butwithinandbelowallwasstillasthetomb，andthoughinnowaysreassured，Ideterminedtodescendandhavethesuspenseoveratonce。Ididso，pistolinhandandearsstretchedtotheirutmosttocatchtheslightestrustle，butnosoundcametodisturbme，nordidImeetonthislowerfloorthesignofanyotherpresenceinthehousebutmyown。Passinghastilythroughwhatappearedtobeasortofrudeparlor，Isteppedintothekitchenandtriedoneofthewindows。FindingIcouldeasilyliftitfromtheinside，IdrewmybreathwitheaseforthefirsttimesinceIhadalightedamongthebrokenglassabove，andturningback，deliberatelyopenedthedoorofthekitchenstove，andlookedin。AsIhalfexpected，Ifoundapileofpartlycharredrags，showingwherethewretcheshadburnedtheirprisonclothing，andproceedingfurther，pickedupfromtheashesaringwhichwhetherornottheywereconsciousofhavingattemptedtodestroyinthiswayIcannotsay，butwhichIthankfullyputinmypocketagainstthedayitmightberequiredasproof。
Discerningnothingmoreinthatquarterinvitinginterest，IaskedmyselfifIhadnervetodescendintothecellar。Finallyconcludingthatthatwasmorethancouldbeexpectedfromanymaninmyposition，Igaveonelookoffarewelltothedampanddesolatewallsaboutme，thenwithabreathofreliefjumpedfromthekitchenwindowagainintothelightandairofday。AsIdidsoIcouldswearIheardadoorwithinthatoldhouseswingonitshingesandsoftlyclose。WithathrillIrecognizedthefactthatitcamefromthecellar。
****
MythoughtsontheroadbacktoMelvilleweremanyandconflicting。
Chiefabovethemall，however，rosethecomfortableconclusionthatinthepursuitofonemysteriousaffair，Ihadstumbled，asisoftenthecase，uponthecluetoanotherofyetgreaterimportance，andbysodoinggotastartthatmightyetredoundgreatlytomyadvantage。
FortherewardofferedfortherecaptureoftheSchoenmakerswaslarge，andthepossibilityofmybeingtheonetoputtheauthoritiesupontheirtrack，certainlyappearedafterthisday'sdevelopements，openatleasttoaveryreasonablehope。AtalleventsIdeterminednottoletthegrassgrowundermyfeettillIhadinformedtheSuperintendentofwhatIhadseenandheardthatdayintheoldhauntofthesetwoescapedconvicts。
ArrivedatthepublichouseinMelville，andlearningthatMr。Blakehadsafelyreturnedthereanhourbefore，IdrewthelandlordtoonesideandaskedwhathecouldtellmeaboutthatoldhouseofthetwonotedrobbersSchoenmaker，Ihadpassedonmywaybackamongthehills。
"Wa'alnow，"repliedhe，"thisiscurious。HereI'vejustbeenansweringthegentlemanupstairsaheapofquestionsconcerningthatselfsameoldplace，andnowyoucomealongwithanotherbatchofthem；justasifthatricketyolddenwastheonlyspotofinterestwehadintheseparts。"
"Perhapsthatmaybethetruth，"Ilaughed。"Justnowwhenthepapersarefulloftheserogues，anythingconcerningthemmustbeofsuperiorinterestofcourse。"AndIpressedhimagaintogivemeahistoryofthehouseandthetwothieveswhohadinhabitedit。
"Wa'al，"drawledhe"'taintmuchweknowaboutthem，yetafterallitmaybeatrifletoomuchfortheirneckssomeday。Timewaswhennobodythoughtespecialillofthembeyondasuspicionorsooftheirbeingsomewhatmeanaboutmoney。Thatwaswhentheykeptaninnthere，butwhentherobberyoftheRutlandbankwassoclearlytracedtothem，morethanonemanaboutherestartedupandsaidashowtheyhadalwayssuspectedthemShoenmakersofbeingvillains，andevenhintedatsomethingworsethanrobbery。Butnothingbeyondthatonerascalityhasyetbeenprovedagainstthem，andforthattheyweresenttojailfortwentyyearsasyouknow。Twomonthsagotheyescaped，andthatisthelastknownofthem。Apreciousset，too，theyare；thefatherbeingonlysomuchthegreaterroguethanthesonasheisyearsolder。"
"Andtheinn?Whenwasthatclosed?"
"Justaftertheirarrest。"
"Has'ntitbeenopenedsince?"
"OnlyoncewhenabraceofdetectivescameupfromTroytoinvestigate，astheycalledit。"
"Whohasthekey?"
"Ah，that'smorethanIcantellyou。"
IdarednotaskhowmyquestionsdifferedfromthoseofMr。Blake，norindeedtouchuponthatpointinanyway。IwaschieflyanxiousnowtoreturntoNewYorkwithoutdelay；sopayingmybillIthankedthelandlord，andwithoutwaitingforthestage，remountedmyhorseandproceededatoncetoPutneywhereIwasfortunateenoughtocatchtheeveningtrain。Byfiveo'clocknextmorningIwasinNewYorkwhereI
proceededtocarryoutmyprogrammebyhasteningatoncetoheadquartersandreportingmysuspicionsregardingthewhereaboutsoftheSchoenmakers。TheinformationwasreceivedwithinterestandI
hadthesatisfactionofseeingtwomendespatchednorththatverydaywithorderstoprocurethearrestofthetwonotablevillainswhereverfound。
CHAPTERVIII
AWORDOVERHEARD
ThateveningIhadatalkwithFannyovertheareagate。Shecameoutwhenshesawmeapproach，withhereyesstaringandherwholeforminaflutter。
"O，"shecried，"suchthingsasIhaveheardthisday!"
"Well，"saidI，"what?letmeheartoo。"Sheputherhandonherheart。"Ineverwassofrightened，"whisperedshe，"IthoughtI
shouldhavefaintedrightaway。Tohearthatelegantladyusesuchawordascrime，——"
"Whatelegantlady?"interruptedI。"Don'tbegininthemiddleofyourstory，that'sagoodgirl；Iwanttohearitall。"
"Well，"saidshe，calmingdownalittle，"Mrs。Danielshadavisitorto-day，alady。Shewasdressed——"
"O，now，"interruptedIforthesecondtime，"youcanleavethatout。
Tellmewhathernamewasandletthefol-de-rolsgo。"
"Hername?"exclaimedthegirlwithsomesharpness，"howshouldIknowhername；shedid'ntcometoseeme。"
"Howdidshelookthen?YousawherIsuppose?"
"Andwas'ntthatwhatIwastellingyou，whenyoustoppedme。Shelookedlikeaqueen，thatshedid；asgrandaladyaseverIsee，inhervelvetdresssweepingoverthefloor，andherdiamondsasbigas——"
"Wassheadarkwoman?"Iasked。
"Herhairwasblackandsowerehereyes，ifthatiswhatyoumean。"
"Andwassheverytallandproudlooking?"
Thegirlnodded。"Youknowher?'whisperedshe。
"No，"saidI，"notexactly；butIthinkIcantellwhosheis。Andsoshecalledto-dayonMrs。Daniels，didshe。"
"Yes，butIguesssheknewmasterwouldbehomebeforeshegotaway。"
"Come，"saidI，"tellmeallaboutit；I'mgettingimpatient。"
"Andain'tItellingyou?"saidshe。"Itwasaboutthreeo'clockthisafternoon，thetimeIgoupstairstodress，soIjusthangsaboutinthehallabit，neartheparlordoor，andIhearhergossipingwithMrs。Danielsalmostasifshewasanoldfriend，andMrs。Danielsansweringhermightystifflyandasifshewas'ntgladtoseeheratall。Buttheladydidn'tseemtomind，butwentontalkingassweetashoney，andwhentheycameout，youwouldhavethoughtshelovedtheoldwomanlikeasistertoseeherlookintoherfaceandsaysomethingaboutknowinghowbusyshewas，butthatitwouldgivehersomuchpleasureifshewouldcomesomedaytoseeherandtalkoveroldtimes。ButMrs。Danielswas'ntpleasedabitandshowedplainenoughshedid'ntlikethelady，fineasshewasinherways。Shewasgoingtoanswerhertoo，butjustthenthefrontdooropenedandMr。
Blakewithhissatchelinhishand，cameintothehouse。Andhowhedidstart，tobesure，whenhesawthem，thoughhetriedtosaysomethingperlitewhichshedid'ntseemtotaketoatall，foraftermutteringsomethingaboutnotexpectingtoseehim，sheputherhandontheknobandwasgoingrightout。ButhestoppedherandtheywentintotheparlortogetherwhileMrs。Danielsstoodstaringafterthemlikeonemad，herhandheldoutwithhisbagandumbrellainit，stiffasastatterintheCentralPark。Shedid'ntstandsolong，though，butcamerunningdownthehall，asifshewasbewitched。I
wasdreadfulflustered，forthoughIwashidbehindthewallthatjutsouttherebythebackstairs，IwasafraidshewouldseemeandshamemebeforeMr。Blake。Butshepassedrightbyandneverlookedup。
'Thereissomethingdreadfulmysteriousinthis，'thoughtI，andI
justmadeupmymindtostaywhereIwastillMr。Blakeandtheladyshouldcomeoutagainfromtheparlor。Idid'nthavetowaitverylong。Inafewminutesthedooropenedandtheysteppedout，heaheadandshecomingafter。Ithoughtthiswasqueer，heisalwayssodreadfulperliteinhisways，butIthoughtitwasadealqueererwhenIsawhimgoupthefrontstairs，shehurryingafter，lookingI
cannottellyouhow，butawfultroubledandanxious，Ishouldsay。
"TheywentintothatroomofhishecallshisstudioandthoughIknewitmightcostmemyplaceifIwasfoundout，Icould'nthelpfollowingandlisteningatthekeyhole。"
"Andwhatdidyouhear?"Iasked，forshepausedtotakebreath。
"Well，thefirstthingIheardwasacryofpleasurefromher，andthewords，'Youkeepthatalwaysbeforeyou?Youcannotdislikeme，then，asmuchasyoupertend。'Idon'tknowwhatshemeantnorwhathedid，buthesteppedacrosstheroomandIheardhercryoutthistimeasifshewashurtaswellasawfulsurprised；andhetalkedandtalked，andIcould'ntcatchaword，hespokesolow；andbyandbyshesobbedjustalittle，andIgotscaredandwouldhaverunawaybutshecriedoutwithakindofshriek，'O，don'tsayanymore；tothinkthatcrimeshouldcomeintoourfamily，theproudestintheland。Howcouldyou，Holman，howcouldyou。'Yes，"thegirlwenton，flushinginherexcitementtillshewasasredasthecherryribbonsinhercap，"thoseweretheverywordssheused:'Tothinkthatcrimeshouldcomeintoourfamily!theproudestoneintheland!'Andshecalledhimbyhisfirstname，andaskedhimhowhecoulddoit。"
"AndwhatdidMr。Blakesay"returnedI，alittletakenbackmyselfatthisresultofmyeffortswithFanny。
"O，Idid'ntwaittohear。Idid'ntwaitforanything。Iffolkswasgoingtotalkaboutsuchthingsasthat，IthoughtIhadbetterbeanywherethanlisteningatthekeyhole。IwentrightupstairsIcantellyou。"
"Andwhomhaveyoutoldofwhatyouheardinthehalfdozenhoursthathavegoneby?"
"Nobody；howcouldyouthinksomeanofmewhenIpromised，and——"
Itisnotnecessarytogoanyfurtherintothisportionoftheinterview。
TheCountessDeMiracpossessedtoitsfullestextentthepresentfinelady'stasteforbric-a-brac。SomuchIhadlearnedinmyinquiriesconcerningher。Rememberingthis，Itooktheboldresolutionofprofitingbythisweaknessofherstogainadmissiontoherpresence，shebeingtheonlyonesharingMr。Blake'smysterioussecret。
Borrowingavaluableantiquefromafriendofmineatthattimeinthebusiness，Imademyappearancetheverynextdayatherapartments，andsendinginanurgentrequesttoseeMadame，bythetrimnegresswhoansweredmysummons，waitedinsomedoubtforherreply。
Itcamealltoosoon；Madamewasillandcouldseenoone。Iwasnot，however，tobebaffledbyonerebuff。HandingthebasketIheldtothegirl，Iurgedhertotakeitinandshowhermistresswhatitcontained，sayingitwasararearticlewhichmightneveragaincomeherway。
Thegirlcomplied，thoughwithadoubtfulshakeoftheheadwhichwasanythingbutencouraging。Herincredulity，however，musthavebeenspeedilyrebuked，forshealmostimmediatelyreturnedwithoutthebasket，sayingMadamewouldseeme。
Myfirstthoughtsuponenteringthegrandlady'spresence，wasthatthegirlhadbeenmistaken，forIfoundtheCountesswalkingthefloorinanabstractedway，dryingalettershehadevidentlybutjustcompleted，byshakingittoandfrowithanunsteadyhand；theplacqueIhadbrought，lyingneglectedonthetable。
Butatsightofmyrespectfulformstandingwithbentheadinthedoorway，shehurriedlythrusttheletterintoabookandtookuptheplacque。AsshedidsoImarkedherwellandalmoststartedatthechangeIobservedinhersincethateveningattheAcademy。ItwasnotonlythatshewasdressedinsomesortofloosedishabillethatwasineminentcontrasttothesweepingsilksandsatinsinwhichI
hadhithertobeheldheradorned；orthatshewaslaboringundersomephysicaldisabilitythatrobbedherdarkcheekofthebloomthatwasitschiefestcharm。ThechangeIobservedwentdeeperthanthat；itwasmoreasifalighthadbeenextinguishedinhercountenance。ItwasthesamewomanIhadbeheldstandinglikeaglowingcolumnofwillandstrengthbeforethemelancholyformofMr。Blake，butwiththewillandstrengthgone，andwiththemalltheglow。
"Shenolongerhopes，"thoughtI，andalreadyfeltrepaidformytrouble。
"Thisisaveryprettyarticleyouhavebroughtme，"saidshewithsomethingoftheunrestrainedloveofartwhichsheundoubtedlypossessed，showingitselfthroughallherlanguor。"Wherediditcomefrom，andwhatrecommendationshaveyou，toproveitisanhonestsaleyouofferme?"
"None，"returnedI，ignoringwithareassuringsmilethefirstquestion，"exceptthatIshouldnotbeafraidifallthepoliceinNewYorkknewIwasherewiththisfineplacqueforsale。"
ShegaveashrugofherproudshoulderthatbespoketheFrenchCountessandsoftlyranherfingerroundtheedgeoftheplacque。
"Idon'tneedanythingmoreofthiskind，"saidshelanguidly；
"besides，"andshesetitdownwithafretfulair，"Iaminnomoodtobuythisafternoon。"Thenshortly，"Whatdoyouaskforit?"
Inamedafabulousprice。
Shestartedandcastmeakeenglance。"Youhadbettertakeittosomeoneelse；Ihavenomoneytothrowaway。"
WithahesitatinghandIliftedtheplacquetowardsthebasket。"I
wouldverymuchliketosellittoyou，"saidI。"Perhaps——"
Justthenalady'sflutteringvoicerosefromtheroombeyondinquiringfortheCountess，andhurriedlytakingtheplacquefrommyhandwithanimpulsive"Othere'sAmy，"shepassedintotheadjoiningapartment，leavingthedooropenbehindher。
Isawaquickinterchangeofgreetingsbetweenherandafashionablydressedlady，thentheywithdrewtoonesidewiththeornamentIhadbrought，evidentlyconsultinginregardtoitsmerits。Nowwasmytime。Thebookinwhichshehadplacedthelettershehadbeenwritinglayonthetablerightbeforeme，nottwoinchesfrommyhand。Ihadonlytothrowbackthecoverandmycuriositywouldbesatisfied。
Takingadvantageofamomentwhentheirbackswerebothturned，I
pressedopenthebookwithacarefulhand，andwithoneeyeonthemandoneonthesheetbeforeme，managedtoreadthesewords:——
MYDEARESTCECILIA。
IhavetriedinvaintomatchthesampleyousentmeatStewart's，Arnold'sandMcCreery's。Ifyoustillinsistuponmakingupthedressinthewayyoupropose，IwillseewhatMadameDudevantcandoforus，thoughIcannotbutadviseyoutoalteryourplansandmakethedarkershadeofvelvetdo。IwenttotheCaryreceptionlastnightandmetLuluChittenden。Shehasactuallygrownold，butwasaslivelyasever。ShecreatedagreatstirinPariswhenshewasthere；butahusbandwhocomeshometwoo'clockinthemorningwithblearedeyesandemptypockets，isnotconducivetothepreservationofawoman'sbeauty。HowshemanagestoretainherspiritsIcannotimagine。YouaskmenewsofcousinHolman。I
meethimoccasionallyandhelookswell，buthasgrownintothemostsombremanyoueversaw。Inregardtocertainhopesofwhichyouhavesometimesmademention，letmeassureyoutheyarenolongerpracticable。Hehasdonewhat——
Heretheconversationceasedintheotherroom，theCountessmadeamovementofadvanceandIclosedthebookwithaninwardgroanovermyill-luck。
"Itisverypretty，"saidshewithawearyair；"butasIremarkedbefore，Iamnotinthebuyingmood。Ifyouwilltakehalfyoumention，Imayconsiderthesubject，but——"
"Pardonme，Madame，"Iinterrupted，beinginnowiseanxioustoleavetheplacquebehindme，"IhavebeenconsideringthematterandIholdtomyoriginalprice。Mr。BlakeofSecondAvenuemaygiveittomeifyoudonot。"
"Mr。Blake!"Sheeyedmesuspiciously。"Doyouselltohim?"
"IselltoanyoneIcan，"repliedI；"andashehasanartist'seyeforsuchthings——"
Herbrowsknittedandsheturnedaway。"Idonotwantit；"saidshe，"sellittowhomyouplease。"
Itookuptheplacqueandlefttheroom。
CHAPTERIX
AFEWGOLDENHAIRS
WhenafewdaysfromthatImademyappearancebeforeMr。Gryce，itwastofindhimlookingsomewhatsober。"ThoseSchoenmakers，"saidhe，"aremakingadealoftrouble。Itseemstheyescapedthefellowsupnorthandarenowsomewhereinthiscity，butwhere——"
Anexpressivegesturefinishedthesentence。
"Isthatso?"exclaimedI。"Thenwearesuretonabthem。Giventimeandapairoflow，restlessGermanthieves，Iwillwageranything，ourhandswillbeuponthembeforethemonthisover。Ionlyhope，whenwedocomeacrossthem，itwillnotbetofindtheirbetterstoomuchmixedupwiththeirdevilishpractices。"AndIrelatedtohimwhatFannyhadtoldmeafeweveningsbefore。
"Thecoilistightening，"saidhe。"WhattheendwillbeIdon'tknow。
Crime，saidshe?IwishIknewinwhatblindholeoftheearththatgirlweareafterlieshidden。
Asifinanswertothiswishthedooropenedandoneofourmencameinwithaletterinhishand。"Ha!"exclaimedMr。Gryce，afterhehadperusedit，"lookatthat。"
Itooktheletterfromhishandandread:
ThedeadbodyofagirlsuchasyoudescribewasfoundintheEastriveroffFiftiethStreetthismorning。Fromappearancehasbeendeadsometime。HavetelegraphedtoPoliceHeadquartersfororders。ShouldyouwishtoseethebodybeforeitisremovedtotheMorgueorotherwisedisturbed，pleasehastentoPier48E。R。
GRAHAM。
"Come，"saidI，"let'sgoandseeforourselves。Ifitshouldbetheone——"
"ThedinnerpartyproposedbyMr。Blakeforto-night，mayhaveitsinterruptions，"heremarked。
Idonotwishtomakemystoryanylongerthanisnecessary，butI
mustsaythatwheninanhourorsolater，IstoodwithMr。GrycebeforetheunconsciousformofthatpoordrownedgirlIfeltanunusualdegreeofawestealingoverme:therewassomuchmysteryconnectedwiththisaffair，andthepartiesimplicatedwereofsuchstandingandrepute。
IalmostdreadedtoseethecoveringremovedfromherfacelestI
shouldbehold，what?IcouldnothavetoldifIhadtried。
"Atrimmadebodyenough，"criedtheofficialinchargeasMr。Gryceliftedanendofthecloththatenvelopedherandthrewitback。
"Pitythefeaturesarenotbetterpreserved。"
"Noneedforustoseethefeatures，"exclaimedI，pointingtothelocksofgoldenredhairthathungintangledmassesabouther。"Thehairisenough；sheisnottheone。"AndIturnedaside，askingmyselfifitwasreliefIfelt。
TomysurpriseMr。Grycedidnotfollow。
"Tall，thin，whiteface，blackeyes。"Iheardhimwhispertohimself。
"Itisapitythefeaturesarenotbetterpreserved。"
"But，"saidI，takinghimbythearm，"Fannyspokeparticularlyofherhairbeingblack，whilethisgirl's——Goodheavens!"IsuddenlyejaculatedasIlookedagainattheprostrateformbeforeme。"Yellowhairorblack，thisisthegirlIsawhimspeakingtothatdayinBroomeStreet。Irememberherclothesifnothingmore。"Andopeningmypocketbook，ItookoutthemorselofclothIhadpluckedthatdayfromtheashbarrel，liftedupthediscoloredragsthathungaboutthebodyandcomparedthetwo。Thepattern，textureandcolorwerethesame。
"Well，"saidMr。Gryce，pointingtocertaincontusions，likemarksfromtheblowofsomeheavyinstrumentontheheadandbaredarmsofthegirlbeforeus；"hewillhavetoanswermeonequestionanyhow，andthatis，whothispoorcreatureiswholiesherethevictimoftreacheryordespair。"Andturningtotheofficialheaskediftherewereanyothersignsofviolenceonthebody。
Theanswercamedeliberately，"Yes，shehasevidentlybeenbatteredtodeath。"
Mr。Gryce'slipsclosedwithgrimdecision。"Amostbrutalmurder，"
saidheandliftinguptheclothwithahandthatvisiblytrembled，hesoftlycoveredherface。
"Well，"saidIasweslowlypacedbackupthepier，"thereisonethingcertain，sheisnottheonewhodisappearedfromMr。Blake'shouse。"
"Iamnotsosureofthat。"
"How!"saidI。"YoubelievedFannyliedwhenshegavethatdescriptionofthemissinggirluponwhichwehavegonetillnow?"
Mr。Grycesmiled，andturningback，beckonedtotheofficialbehindus。"Letmehavethatdescription，"saidhe，"whichIdistributedamongtheHarborPolicesomedaysagofortheidentificationofacertaincorpseIwasonthelookoutfor。"
ThemanopenedhiscoatanddrewoutaprintedpaperwhichatMr。
Gryce'swordheputintomyhand。Itranasfollows:
Lookoutforthebodyofayounggirl，tall，wellshapedbutthin，offaircomplexionandgoldenhairofapeculiarbrightandbeautifulcolor，andwhenfound，acquaintmeatonce。
G。
"Idon'tunderstand，"beganI。
ButMr。Grycetappingmeonthearmsaidinhismostdeliberatetones，"Nexttimeyouexaminearoominwhichanythingofamysteriousnaturehasoccurred，lookunderthebureauandifyoufindacombtherewithseverallonggoldenhairstangledinit，beverysurebeforeyoudrawanydefiniteconclusions，thatyourFannysknowwhattheyaretalkingaboutwhentheydeclarethegirlwhousedthatcombhadblackhaironherhead。"
CHAPTERX
THESECRETOFMR。BLAKE'SSTUDIO
"Mr。Blakeisatdinner，sir，withcompany，butIwillcallhimifyousayso。"
"No，"returnedMr。Gryce；"showusintosomeroomwherewecanbecomfortableandwewillwaittillhehasfinished。"
Theservantbowed，andsteppingforwarddownthehall，openedthedoorofasmallandcosyroomheavilyhungwithcrimsoncurtains。"Iwilllethimknowthatyouarehere，"saidhe，andvanishedtowardsthedining-room。
"IdoubtifMr。Blakewillenjoythelatterhalfofhisbilloffareasmuchasthefirst，"saidI，drawinguponeoftheluxuriousarm-chairstothesideofmyprincipal。"Iwonderifhewillbreakawayfromhisguestsandcomeinhere?"
"No；ifIamnotmistakenweshallfindMr。Blakeamanofnerve。Notamuscleofhisfacewillshowthatheisdisturbed。"
"Well，"saidI，"Idreadit。"
Mr。Grycelookedaboutonthegorgeouswallsandthericholdfashionedfurniturethatsurroundedhim，andsmiledoneofhisgrimmestsmiles。
"Well，youmay，"saidhe。
Thenextinstantaservantstoodinthedoorway，bearingtoourgreatastonishment，atraywellsetwithdecanterandglasses。
"Mr。Blake'scompliments，gentlemen，"saidhe，settingitdownonthetablebeforeus。"Hehopesyouwillmakeyourselvesathomeandhewillseeyouassoonaspossible。"
Thehumph!ofMr。Grycewhentheservanthadgonewouldhavedoneyoursoulgood，alsothelookhecastattheprettyDresdenShepherdessonthemantel-piece，asIreachedoutmyhandtowardsthedecanter。
Somehowitmademedrawback。
"Ithinkwehadbetterleavehiswinealone，"saidhe。
Andforhalfanhourwesatthere，thewineuntouchedbetweenus，listeningalternatelytothesoundofspeech-makingandlaughterthatcamefromthedining-room，andthesolemntickingoftheclockasitcountedoutthesecondsonthemantel-piece。Thentheguestscameinfromthetable，filingbeforeuspasttheopendoorontheirwaytotheparlors。Theywereallgentlemenofcourse——Mr。Blakeneverinvitedladiestohishouse——andgentlemenofwellknownrepute。Thedinnerhadbeengiveninhonorofacertaincelebratedstatesman，andthecharacterofhisguestswasinkeepingwiththatoftheonethuscomplimented。
Astheywentbyusgailyindulginginthejokesandlightbanterwithwhichsuchmenseasonasocialdinner，IsawMr。Gryce'sfacegrowsoberbymanyashade；andwheninthemidstofitall，weheardthevoiceofMr。Blakeriseinthatcourteousandmeasuredtoneforwhichitisdistinguished，IsawhimreachforwardandgrasphiscanewithanuneasinessIhadneverseendisplayedbyhimbefore。Butwhensometimelater，theguestshavingdeparted，thedignifiedhostadvancedwithsomeapologytowherewewere，IneverbeheldafirmerlookonMr。Gryce'sfacethanthatwithwhichheroseandconfrontedhim。Mr。
Blake'sownhadnotmorecharacterinit。
"Youhavecalledataratherinauspicioustime，Mr。Gryce，"saidthelatter，glancingatthecardwhichheheldinhishand。"Whatmayyourbusinessbe?Somethingtodowithpolitics，Isuppose。"
Isurveyedthemaninamazement。Wasthisgreatpoliticianstoopingtoactapart，orhadheforgottenourphysiognomiesascompletelyasappeared。
"Ourbusinessisnotpolitics，"repliedMr。Gryce；"butfullyasimportant。MayIrequestthedoorsbeclosed?"
IthoughtMr。Blakelookedsurprised，butheimmediatelysteppedtothedoorandshutit。Thencomingback，helookedatMr。Grycemorecloselyandachangetookplaceinhismanner。
"IthinkIhaveseenyoubefore，"saidhe。
Mr。Grycebowedwithjustthesuspicionofasmile。"Ihavehadthehonorofconsultingyoubeforeinthisveryhouse，"observedhe。
Alookoffullrecognitionpassedoverthedignifiedcountenanceofthemanbeforeus。
"Iremember，"saidhe，shrugginghisshouldersintheoldway。"Youareinterestedinsomeservantgirlorotherwhoranawayfromthishouseaweekorsoago。Haveyoufoundher?"Thiswithnoapparentconcern。
"Wethinkwehave，"rejoinedMr。Grycewithsomesolemnity。"Therivergivesupitspreynowandthen，Mr。Blake。"
Stillonlythatlookofnaturalsurprise。
"Indeed!Youdonotmeantosayshehasdrownedherself?Iamsorryforthat，agirlwhohadoncelivedinmyhouse。Whattroublecouldshehavehadtodrivehertosuchanact?"
Mr。Gryceadvancedastepnearerthegentleman。
"Thatiswhatwehavecomeheretolearn，"saidhewithadeliberationthatyetwasnotlackingintherespectduetoamansouniversallyesteemedasMr。Blake。"Youwhohaveseenhersolatelyoughttobeabletothrowsomelightuponthesubjectatleast。"
"Mr——"heagainglancedatthecard，"Mr。Gryce，——excuseme——I
believeItoldyouwhenyouwereherebeforethatIhadnoremembranceofthisgirlatall。ThatifsuchapersonwasinmyhouseIdidnotknowit，andthatallquestionsputtomeonthatsubjectwouldbesomuchlaborthrownaway。"
Mr。Grycebowed。"Iremember，"saidhe。"Iwasnotalludingtoanyconnectionyoumayhavehadwiththegirlinthishouse，buttotheinterviewyouwereseentohavewithheronthecornerofBroomeStreetsomedaysago。Youhadsuchaninterview，didyounot?"
Aflush，deepasitwassudden，sweptoverMr。Blake'susuallyunmovedcheek。"Youaretransgressingsir，"saidheandstopped。Thoughamanofintensepersonalpride，hehadbutlittleofthatqualitycalledtemper，orperhapsifhehad，thoughtitunwisetodisplayitonthisoccasion。"Isawandspoketoagirlonthecornerofthatstreetsomedaysago，"hewentonmoremildly，"butthatshewastheonewholivedhere，Ineitherknewatthetimenorfeelwillingtobelievenowwithoutpositiveproof。"Theninadeepringingtonethestatelinessofwhichitwouldbeimpossibletodescribe，heinquired，"Havethecityauthoritiespresumedtoputaspyonmymovements，thatthefactofmyspeakingtoapoorforsakencreatureonthecornerofthestreetshouldbenotonlynotedbutremembered?"
"Mr。Blake，"observedMr。Gryce，andIdeclareIwasproudofmysuperioratthatmoment，"nomanwhoisatruecitizenandaChristianshouldobjecttohavehisstepsfollowed，whenbyhisownthoughtlessness，perhaps，hehasincurredasuspicionwhichdemandsit。"
"AnddoyoumeantosaythatIhavebeenfollowed，"inquiredhe，clenchinghishandandlookingsteadily，butwithablanchingcheek，firstatMr。Grycethenatme。
"Itwasindispensable，"quoththatfunctionarygently。
Theoutragedgentlemanrivetedhisgazeuponme。"Intownandoutoftown?"demandedhe。
IletMr。Grycereply。"ItisknownthatyouhavelatelysoughttovisittheSchoenmakers，"saidhe。
Mr。Blakedrewadeepbreath，casthiseyesaboutthehandsomeapartmentinwhichwewere，letthemrestforamomentuponaportraitthatgracedonesideofthewall，andwhichwasIhavesincelearnedapictureofhisfather，andslowlydrewforwardachair。
"Letmehearwhatyoursuspicionsare，"saidhe。
InoticedMr。Grycecoloredatthis；hehadevidentlybeenmetinadifferentwayfromwhatheexpected。"Excuseme，"saidhe，"IdonotsayIhaveanysuspicions；myerrandissimplytonotifyyouofthedeathofthegirlyouwereseentospeakwith，andtoaskwhetherornotyoucangiveusanyinformationthatcanaidusinthematterbeforethecoroner。"
"YouknowIhavenot。IfIhavebeenascloselyfollowedasyousay，youmustknowwhyIspoketothatgirlandothers，whyIwenttothehouseoftheSchoenmakersand——Doyouknow?"hesuddenlyinquired。
Mr。Grycewasnotthemantoanswersuchaquestionasthat。Heeyedtherichsignetringthatadornedthehandofthegentlemanbeforehimandsuavelysmiled。"Iamreadytolistentoanyexplanations，"
saidhe。
Mr。Blake'shaughtycountenancebecamealmoststern。"Youconsideryouhavearighttodemandthem；letmehearwhy。"
"Well，"saidMr。Grycewithachangeoftone，"youshall。
Unprofessionalasitis，IwilltellyouwhyI，amemberofthepoliceforce，dareenterthehouseofsuchamanasyouare，andputhimthequestionsIhaveconcerninghisdomesticaffairs。Mr。Blake，imagineyourselfinadetective'soffice。Awomancomesin，thehousekeeperofarespectedcitizen，andinformsusthatagirlemployedbyherasseamstresshasdisappearedinaveryunaccountablewayfromhermaster'shousethenightbefore；infactbeenabductedasshethinksfromcertainevidences，throughthewindow。Hermannerisagitated，herappealforassistanceurgent，thoughsheacknowledgesnorelationshiptothegirlorexpressesanyespecialcauseforherinterestbeyondthatofcommonhumanity。'Shemustbefound，'shedeclares，andhintsthatanysumnecessarywillbeforthcoming，thoughfromwhatsourceafterherownpittanceisexpendedshedoesnotstate。Whenaskedifhermasterhasnointerestinthematter，shechangescolorandputsusoff。Henevernoticedhisservants，leftallsuchconcernstoher，etc。；butshowsfearwhenapropositionismadetoconsulthim。Nextimagineyourselfwiththedetectivesinthatgentleman'shouse。