"Atlastitwasfinishedandshestoodbeforemelife-likeandrealintheverygarmentsandwithalmosttheveryaspectofthatnevertobeforgottenmoment。EventheroseswhichinthesecretuneasinessofmyconscienceIhadputinherhandonourdeparturefromTroy，asasortofvisibletokenthatIregardedherasmybride，andwhichthroughallherinterviewwithmyfathershehadneverdropped，blossomedbeforemeonthecanvas。Nothingthatcouldgiverealitytothelikeness，waslacking；thevisionofmydreamsstoodembodiedinmysight，andIlookedforpeace。Alas，thatpicturenowbecamemydream。
　　"InsertingitbehindthatofEvelynwhichfortwoyearshadhelditsplaceabovemyarmchair，IturneditsfacetothewallwhenIroseinthemorning。Butatnightitbeamedeveruponme，becomingasthemonthspassed，theonethingtoholdtoandmuseoverwhentheworldgrewalittlenoisyinmyearsandtheneverceasingconflictoftheagesbeatatrifletooloudlyonheartandbrain。
　　"Meanwhilenowordofher，onlyofhervillainousfatherandbrother；
　　notokenthatshehadescapedevilorwasremovedfromwant。IfIhadlovedherIcouldnothavesuccoredher，forIdidnotknowwheretofindher。Hercountenanceilluminedmywall，butherfairyoungselflayforallIknewshelteredwithinthedarknessandsilenceofthetomb。
　　"Atlengthmymorbidbroodingsworkedouttheirnaturalresult。A
　　dullmelancholysettleduponmewhichnothingcouldbreak。Eventhenewsthatmycousinwhohadlostherhusbandamonthaftermarriage，hadreturnedtoAmericawithexpectationtoremain，scarcelycausedarippleinmyapathy。WasIsinkingintoahypochrondriac?orwasmypassionforthebeautifulbrunettedead?Ideterminedtosolvethedoubt。
　　"SeekingherwhereIknewshewouldbefound，Igazedagainuponherbeauty。Itwasabsolutelynothingtome。AfairyoungfacewithhighthoughtsineveryglancefloatedlikesunshinebetweenusandIleftthehaughtyCountess，withtheknowledgeburneddeepintomybrain，thattheloveIhadconsideredslainwasaliveanddemanding，butthattheobjectofitpastrecall，wasmylostyoungwife。
　　"Onceassuredofthis，myapathyvanishedlikemistbeforeakindledtorch。Henceforththefutureheldahope，andlifeapurpose。IwouldseekmywifethroughouttheworldandbringherbackifIfoundherinprisonbetweenthemenwhoseexistencewasacursetomypride。ButwhereshouldIturnmysteps?Whatgoldenthreadhadsheleftinmyhandbywhichtotraceherthroughthelabyrinthofthisworld?I
　　couldthinkofbutone，andthatwasthelovewhichwouldrestrainherfromgoingawayfrommetoofar。TheLuttraofoldwouldnotleavethecitywhereherhusbandlived。Ifshewasnotchanged，IoughttobeabletofindhersomewherewithinthisgreatBabylonofours。
　　Wisdomtoldmetosetthepoliceuponhertrack，butpridebademetryeveryothermeansfirst。Sowiththefeverishenergyofoneleadingaforlornhope，IbegantopacethestreetsifhaplyImightseeherfaceshineuponmefromthecrowdofpassersby；afoolishfancy，unproductiveofresult!Inotonlyfailedtoseeher，butanyonelikeher。
　　Inthemidstofthedespairoccasionedbythisfailureathoughtflashedacrossmeorratheraremembrance。Onenightnotlongsince，beinguncommonlyrestless，Ihadrisenfrommybed，dressedmeandgoneoutintotheyardbackofmyhouseforalittleair。ItwasanunusualthingformetodobutIseemedtobesuffocatingwhereI
　　was，andnothingelsewouldsatisfyme。Asyoualreadysurmise，itwasthenightonwhichdisappearedthesewinggirlofwhichyouhavesooftenspoken，butIknewnothingofthat，mythoughtswerefarfrommyownhomeanditsconcerns。YoumayjudgewhatastateofmindIwasinwhenItellyouthatIeventhoughtatonemomentwhileIpausedbeforethegateleadinginto——StreetthatIsawthefaceofherwithwhommythoughtswereeverbusy，peeringuponmethroughthebars。
　　"YoutellmethatIdidseeagirlthere，andthatitwastheonewhohadlivedassewingwomaninmyhouse；itmaybeso，butatthetimeIconsidereditavisionofmywife，andtheremembranceofit，comingasitdidaftermyrepeatedfailurestoencounterherinthestreet，workedachangeinmyplans。Forregarditasweaknessornot，therecollectionthatthevisionIhadseenworethegarmentsofaworking-womanratherthanalady，acteduponmelikeawarningnottosearchforheranylongeramongtheresortsofthewelldressed，butintheregionsofpovertyandtoil。IthereforetooktowanderingssuchasIhavenohearttodescribe。NordoIneedto，if，asyouhaveinformedme，Ihavebeenfollowed。
　　"Theresultwasalmostmadness。ThoughdeepinmyheartIfeltasteadfasttrustinthepurityofherintentions，thefearofwhatshemighthavebeendriventobytheawfulpovertyanddespairIeverydaysawseethingaboutme，waslikehotsteelinbrainandheart。Thenherfatherandherbrother!Towhatmighttheynothaveforcedher，innocentandlovingsoulthoughshewas!DrinkingthedregsofacupsuchasIhadneverconsidereditpossibleformetotaste，IgotsofarastobelievethathereyeswouldyetflashuponmefrombeneathsomeofthetatteredshawlsIsawsullyingtheformsoftheyounggirlsuponwhichIhourlystumbled。Yes，andevenmadeamovetoseemycousin，ifhaplyIcouldsowinuponhercompassionastogainherconsenttoshelterthepoorcreatureofmydreamsincasethenecessitycame。Butmyheartfailedmeatthesightofhercoldfaceabovethesplendorshehadboughtwithhercharms，andIwassavedahumiliationImightneverhaverisenabove。
　　"Atlast，onedayIsawagirl——no，itwasnotshe，butherhairwassimilartohersinhue，andtheimpulsetofollowherwasirresistible。Ididmorethanthat，Ispoketoher。Iaskedherifshecouldtellmeanythingofonewhoselocksweregoldenredlikehers——ButIneednottellyouwhatIsaidnorwhatsherepliedwithagentledelicacythatwasalmostashocktomeasshowingfromwhatheightstowhatdepthsawomancanfall。EnoughthatnothingpassedbetweenusbeyondwhatIhaveintimated，andthatinallshesaidshegavemenonewsofLuttra。
　　"NextdayIstartedfortheramblingoldhouseinVermont，ifhaplyinthespotwhereIfirstsawher，Imightcomeuponsomecluetoherpresentwhereabouts。Buttheoldinnwasdeserted，andwhateverhopeImayhavehadinthatdirection，perishedwiththerest。
　　"Concerningthecontentsofthatbureau-drawerabove，Icansaynothing。If，asIscarcelydaretohope，theyshouldprovetohavebeenindeedbroughtherebythegirlwhohassincedisappearedsostrangely，whoknowsbutwhatinthosefoldedgarmentsaclueisgivenwhichwillleadmeatlasttotheknowledgeforwhichIwouldnowbarterallIpossess。Mywife——ButIcanmentionhernamenomoretillthequestionthatnowassailsusissetatrest。Mrs。Danielsmust——"
　　ButatthatmomentthedooropenedandMrs。Danielscamein。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　MRS。DANIELS
　　Shestillworeherbonnetandshawlandherfacewaslikemarble。
　　"Youwantme?"saidshewithahurriedlooktowardsMr。Blakethathadasmuchfearassurpriseinit。
　　"Yes，"murmuredthatgentlemanmovingtowardsherwithaneffortwecouldverywellappreciate。"Mrs。Daniels，whowasthegirlyouharboredinthatroomaboveusforsolong?Speak；whatwashernameandwheredidshecomefrom?"
　　Thehousekeepertremblingineverylimb，castusonehurriedappeal。
　　"Speak!"reechoedMr。Gryce；"thetimeforsecrecyhaspassed。"
　　"O，"criedshe，sinkingintoachairfromsheerinabilitytostand，"itwasyourwife，Mr。Blake，theyoungcreatureyou——"
　　"Ah!"
　　Alltheagony，thehopelessness，thelove，thepassionofthoselastfewmonthsflashedupinthatword。Shestoppedasifshehadbeenshot，butseeingthehandwhichhehadhurriedlyraised，fallslowlybeforehim，wentonwithaburst，"Osir，shemademeswearonmykneesIwouldneverbetrayher，nomatterwhathappened。Whennottwoweeksafteryourfatherdiedshecametothehouseandaskingforme，toldmeallherstoryandallherlove；howshecouldnotreconcileitwithherideaofawife'sdutytoliveunderanyotherroofthanthatofherhusband，andliftingofftheblackwigwhichshewore，showedmehowalteredshehadmadeherselfbythatsimplechange——inhercasemoremarkedbythefactthathereyeswereinkeepingwithblackhair，whilewithherownbrightlockstheyalwaysgaveyouashockasofsomethingstrangeandhaunting——Igaveupmywillasifforcedbyamagneticpower，andnotonlyopenedthehousetoherbutmyheartaswell；
　　swearingtoallshedemandedandkeepingmyoathtoo，asIwouldpreservemysoulfromsinandmylifefromtheknifeofthedestroyer。"
　　"But，whenshewent，"brokefromthepallidlipsofthemanbeforeher，"whenshewastakenawayfromthehouse，whatthen?"
　　"Ah，"returnedtheagitatedwoman。"whatthen!DoyounotthinkI
　　suffered?Tobeheldbymyoath，anoathIwassatisfiedshewouldwishkeptevenatthiscrisis，yetknowingallthewhileshewasdriftingawayintosomeevilthatyou，ifyouknewwhoshewas，wouldgiveyourlifetoavertfromyourhonorifnotfromherinnocenthead!Toseeyoucold，indifferent，absorbedinotherthings，whileshe，whowouldhaveperishedanydayforyourhappiness，waslosingherlifeperhapsintheclutchesofthosehorriblevillains!DonotaskmetotellyouwhatIhavesufferedsinceshewent；Icannevertellyou，——innocent，tender，noble-heartedcreaturethatshewas。"
　　"Was?"Hishandclutchedhisheartasifithadbeenseizedbyadeathlyspasm。"Whydoyousaywas?"
　　"BecauseIhavejustcomefromtheMorguewheresheliesdead。"
　　"No，no，"cameinalowshriekfromhislips，"thatisnotshe；thatisanotherwoman，likeherperhaps，butnotshe。"
　　"WouldtoGodyouwereright；butthelonggoldenbraids!SuchhairashersIneversawonanyonebefore。"
　　"Mr。Blakeisright，"Ibrokein，forIcouldnotendurethissceneanylonger。"ThewomantakenoutoftheEastriverto-dayhasbeenbothseenandspokentobyhimandthatnotlongsince。Heshouldknowifitishiswife。"
　　"Andisn'tit?"
　　"No，athousandtimesno；thegirlwasaperfectstranger。"
　　Theassuranceseemedtoliftaleadenweightfromherheart。"OthankGod，"shemurmureddroppingwithanirresistibleimpulseonherknees。Thenwithasuddenreturnofheroldtremble，"ButIwasonlytorevealhersecretincaseofherdeath!WhathaveIdone，OwhathaveIdone!Heronlyhopelayinmyfaithfulness。"
　　Mr。Blakeleaningheavilyonthetablebeforehim，lookedinherface。
　　"Mrs。Daniels，"saidhe，"Ilovemywife；herhopenowliesinme。"
　　Sheleapedtoherfeetwithajoyousbound。"Youloveher?OthankGod!"sheagainreiteratedbutthistimeinalowmurmurtoherself。
　　"ThankGod!"andweepingwithunrestrainedjoy，shedrewbackintoacorner。
　　Ofcourseafterthat，allthatremainedforustodowastolayourheadstogetherandconsultastothebestmethodofrenewingoursearchaftertheunhappygirl，nowrenderedofdoubleinteresttousbythefactswithwhichwehadjustbeenmadeacquainted。Thatshehadbeenforcedawayfromtheroofthatshelteredherbythepowerofherfatherandbrotherwasofcoursenolongeropentodoubt。Todiscoverthem，therefore，meanttorecoverher。Doyouwonder，then，thatfromthemomentweleftMr。Blake'shouse，thecaptureofthatbraceofthievesbecametheleadingpurposeofourtwolives?
　　CHAPTERXV
　　ACONFAB
　　NextmorningMr。GryceandImetinseriousconsultation。How，andinwhatdirectionshouldweextendtheinquiriesnecessarytoadiscoveryoftheseSchoenmakers?
　　"IadviseathoroughoverhaulingoftheGermanquarter，"saidmysuperior。"Schmidt，andRosenthalwillhelpusandtheresultoughttobesatisfactory。"
　　ButIshookmyheadatthis。"Idon'tbelieve，"saidI，"thattheywillhideamongtheirownpeople。Youmustremembertheyarenotalone，buthavewiththemayoungwomanofasomewhatdistinguishedappearance，whosepresenceinacrowdeddistrict，likethat，wouldbesuretoawakengossip；somethingwhichaboveallelsetheymustwanttoavoid。"
　　"Thatistrue；theGermansareadreadfulraceforgossip。"
　　"Iftheydaredtoill-dressherorill-treather，itwouldbedifferent。Butsheisavaluablepieceofpropertytothemyousee，achoicelotofgoodswhichitisfortheirinteresttopreserveinfirst-classconditiontillthedaycomesforitsdisposal。ForI
　　presumeyouhavenodoubtthatitisforthepurposeofextortingmoneyfromMr。Blakethattheyhavecarriedoffhisyoungwife。"
　　"Forthatreasonoronesimilar。Heisamanofresources，theymayhavehopedhewouldhelpthemtoescapethecountry。"
　　"Iftheydon'thideintheGermanquartertheycertainlywon'tintheItalian，FrenchorIrish。Whattheywantistookeepcloseandrousenoquestions。Ithinktheywillbefoundtohavegoneuptheriversomewhere，orovertoJersey。Hobokenwould'ntbeabadplacetosendSchmidtto。"
　　"Youforgetwhatitisthey'vegotontheirminds；besidesnoconspicuouspartysuchastheycouldliveinaruraldistrictwithoutattractingmoreattentionthaninthemostcrowdedtenementhouseinthecity。"
　　"Wheredoyouthink，then，theywouldbeliabletogo?"
　　"Wellmymostmaturedthoughtonthesubject，"returnedMr。Gryce，afteramoment'sdeliberation，"isthis，——yousay，andIagree，thattheyhavehamperedthemselveswiththiswomanatthistimeforthepurposeofusingherhereafterinaschemeofblack-mailuponMr。
　　Blake。He，then，mustbetheobjectaboutwhichtheirthoughtsrevolveandtowardwhichwhateveroperationsorplanstheymaybeengageduponmusttend。Whatfollows?Whenacompanyofmenhavemadeuptheirmindstorobabank，whatisthefirstthingtheydo?Theyhire，ifpossible，ahousenexttotheespecialbuildingtheyintendtoenter，andformonthsworkuponthesecretpassagethroughwhichtheyhopetoreachthesafeanditscontents；ortheymakefriendswiththewatchmanthatguardsitstreasures，andthejanitorwhoopensandshutsthedoors。Inshorttheyhangabouttheirpreybeforetheypounceuponit。AndsowilltheseSchoenmakersdointhesomewhatdifferentrobberywhichtheyplansoonerorlatertoeffect。Whatevermaykeepthemcloseatthismoment，Mr。BlakeandMr。Blake'shouseisthepointtowardwhichtheireyesareturned，andifwehadtime——"
　　"Butwehave'nt，"Ibrokeinimpetuously。"Itishorribletothinkofthatgrandwomanlanguishingawayinthepowerofsuchrascals。"
　　"Ifwehadtime，"Mr。Grycepersisted，"allitwouldbenecessarytodowouldbetowait，theywouldcomeintoourhandsaseasilyandnaturallyasahawkintothesnareofthefowler。Butasyousaywehavenot，andtherefore，IwouldrecommendalittlebeatingofthebushdirectlyaboutMr。Blake'shouse；forifallmyexperienceisnotatfault，thosemenarealreadywithineye-shotofthepreytheyintendtorundown。"
　　"But，"saidI，"Ihavebeenlivingmyselfinthatveryneighborhoodandknowbythistimethewaysofeveryhouseinthevicinity。ThereisnotaspotupanddowntheAvenuefortenblockswheretheycouldhideawayfortwodaysmuchlesstwoweeks。Andasforthesidestreets，——whyIcouldtellyouthenamesofthosewholiveineachhouseforaconsiderabledistance。YetifyousaysoIwillgotowork——"
　　"Do，andmeanwhileSchmidtandRosenthalshallrummagetheGermanquarterandevengothroughWilliamsburghandHoboken。Theendjustifiesanyamountoflaborthatcanbespentuponthismatter。"
　　"Andyou，"Iasked。
　　"Willdomypartwhenyouhavedoneyours。"
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　THEMARKOFTHEREDCROSS
　　AndwhatsuccessdidImeet?Thebestintheworld。AndbywhatmeansdidIattainit?Bythatofthesimplest，prettiestclueIevercameupon。Butletmeexplain。
　　Whenafterawearisomedayspentinanineffectualsearchthroughtheneighborhood，Iwenthometomyroom，whichasyourememberwasafrontoneinalodging-houseontheoppositecornerfromMr。Blake，I
　　wassoabsorbedinmindandperhapsImaysayshakeninnerve，bythestrainunderwhichIhadbeenlaboringforsometimenow，thatI
　　stumbledupanextraflightofstairs，andwithoutanysuspicionofthefact，triedthedooroftheroomdirectlyovermine。ItisawondertomenowthatIcouldhavemadethemistake，forthehallsweretotallydissimilar，theoneabovebeingmuchmorecutupthantheonebelow，besidesbeingflankedbyagreaternumberofdoors。Buttheintoxicationofthemindisnotfarremovedfromthatofthebody，andasIsayitwasnottillIhadtriedthedoorandfounditlocked，thatIbecameawareofthemistakeIhadmade。
　　Withthefoolishsenseofshamethatalwaysovercomesusatthecommittalofanysuchtrivialerror，Istumbledhastilyback，whenmyfoottroduponsomethingthatbrokeundermyweight。Ineverletevensmallthingspasswithoutsomenotice。Stooping，then，forwhatIhadthusinadvertentlycrushed，Icarriedittowhereasinglegasjetturneddownverylow，madeapartiallightinthelonghall，andexaminingit，foundittobeapieceofredchalk。
　　Whatwasthereinthatsimplefacttomakemestartandhastilyrecalloneortwohalf-forgottenincidentswhich，oncebroughttomind，awokeatrainofthoughtthatledtothediscoveryandcaptureofthosetwodesperatethieves?Iwilltellyou。
　　Idon'tremembernowwhetherinmyaccountofthevisitIpaidtotheSchoenmakers'houseinVermont，Iinformedyouofthered
　　noticedscrawledonthepanelofoneofthedoors。Itseemedatrivialthingatthetimeandmadelittleornoimpressionuponme，thechancesbeingthatIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain，ifI
　　hadnotcomeuponthearticlejustmentionedatamomentwhenmymindwasfullofthoseverySchoenmakers。Butrememberednow，togetherwithanotherhalf-forgottenfact，——thatsomedayspreviousIhadbeentoldbythewomanwhokeptthehouseIwasin，thatthepartiesovermyheadtwomenandawomanIbelieveshesaidweregivinghersometrouble，butthattheypaidwellandthereforeshedidnotliketoturnthemout，——itarousedavaguesuspicioninmymind，andledtomywalkingbacktothedoorIhadendeavoredtoopeninmyabstraction，andcarefullylookingatit。
　　Itwasplainandwhite，ratherruderofmakethanthosebelow，butofferingnoinducementsforprolongedscrutiny。Butnotsowiththeonethatstoodatrightanglestoitontheleft。Fullinthecentreofthat，Ibehelddistinctlyscrawled，probablywiththeverypieceofchalkIthenheld，aredcrosspreciselysimilarinoutlinetotheoneIhadseenafewdaysbeforeonthepaneloftheSchoenmakers'
　　dooratGranby。
　　Thediscoverysentathrillovermethatalmostraisedmyhaironend。
　　Was，then，thisfamoustriotobefoundintheveryhouseinwhichI
　　hadbeenmyselflivingforaweekormore?overmyheadinfact?I
　　couldnotwithdrawmygazefromthemysteriouslookingobject。Ibentnear，Ilistened，Iheardwhatsoundedlikethesuppressedsnoreofapowerfulman，andalmosthadtolayholdofmyselftopreventmyhandfrompushingopenthatcloseddoorandmyfeetfromentering。AsitwasIdidfingertheknobalittle，butanextraloudsnorefromwithinremindedmebyitssuggestionofstrengththatIwasbutasmallmanandthatinthiscaseandatthishour，discretionwasthebetterpartofvalor。
　　Ithereforewithdrew，butforthewholenightlayawakelisteningtocatchanysoundsthatmightcomefromabove，andgoingsofarastoplanwhatIwoulddoifitshouldbeprovedthatIwasindeeduponthetrailofthemenIwassoanxioustoencounter。
　　WiththebreakingofdayIwasuponmyfeet。ArudestephadgoneupthestairsafewminutesbeforeandIwasallalerttofollow。ButI
　　presentlyconsideredthatmywisestcoursewouldbetosoundthelandladyandlearnifpossiblewithwhatsortofcharactersIhadtodeal。Routingheroutofthekitchen，whereatthatearlyhourshewasalreadyengagedindomesticduties，Idrewherintoaretiredcornerandputmyquestions。Shewasnotbackwardinreplying。ShehadconceivedaninnocentlikingformeintheshorttimeIhadbeenwithher——adisplayofweaknessforwhichIwasmyself，perhaps，asmuchtoblameasshe——andwasonlytooreadytopourouthergriefsintomysympathizingear。Forthosemenwereagrieftoher，acceptableaswasthemoneytheywerecarefultoprovideherwith。
　　Theywerenotonlyalwaysinthehouse，thatisoneofthem，smokinghisoldpipeandblackeningupthewalls，buttheylookedsoshabby，andkeptthegirlsoclose，andiftheydidgoout，cameinatsuchunheardofhours。Itwasenoughtodrivehercrazy；yetthemoney，themoney——
　　"Yes，"saidI，"Iknow；andthemoneyoughttomakeyouoverlookallthesmalldisagreeablenessesyoumention。Whatisalandladywithoutpatience。"AndIurgedhernottoturnthemout。
　　"Butthegirl，"shewenton，"sonice，soquiet，sosick-looking!I
　　cannotstandittoseehercoopedupinthatsmallroom，alwayswatchedoverbyoneorbothofthoseburlywretches。Theoldmansayssheishisdaughterandshedoesnotdenyit，butIwouldassoonthinkofthatlittlerosychildyouseecooinginthewindowovertheway，belongingtothebeggargoinginatthegate，asofherwithherlady-likewayshavinganyconnectionwithhimandhisrough-actingson。Yououghttoseeher——"
　　"ThatisjustwhatIwanttodo，"interruptedI。"Notbecauseyouhavetemptedmyfancybyarecitalofhercharms，"Ihastenedtoadd，"butbecausesheis，ifIdon'tmistake，awomanforwhosediscoveryandrescue，alargesumofmoneyhasbeenoffered。"
　　AndwithoutfurtherdisguiseIacquaintedthestartledwomanbeforemewiththefactthatIwasnot，asshehadalwaysconsidered，theclerkoutofemploymentwhosedailybusinessitwastosallyforthinquestofasituation，butamemberofthecitypolice。
　　Shewasdulyimpressedandeasilypersuadedtosecondallmyoperationsasfarasherpoorwitswouldallow，givingmefreerangeofherupperstory，andaboveall，promisingthatsecrecywithoutwhichallmyfinelylaidplansforcapturingtherogueswithoutraisingascandal，wouldfallheadlongtotheground。
　　Beholdme，then，bynoonofthatsamedaydomiciledinanapartmentnexttotheonewhosedoorborethatscarletsignwhichhadarousedwithinmesuchfeverishhopesthenightbefore。CladintheseedygarmentsofabrokendownFrenchartistwhoseacquaintanceIhadoncemade，withsomethingofhisairandgeneralappearanceandwithafewofhiswretcheddaubshungaboutonthewhitewashedwall，IcommencedwitheveryprospectofsuccessasIthought，thatquietespionageofthehallanditsinhabitantswhichIconsiderednecessarytoaproperattainmentoftheendIhadinview。
　　Arackingcoughwasoneofthepeculiaritiesofmyfriend，anddeterminedtoassumethecharacterintoto，Iallowedmyselftostartlethesilencenowandthenwithaseriesofgaspsandchokingsthatwhetheragreeableornot，certainlywereofacharactertoshowthatIhadnodesiretoconcealmypresencefromthoseIhadcomeamong。Indeeditwasmydesiretoacquaintthemasfullyandassoonaspossiblewiththefactoftheirhavinganeighbor:aweak-eyedhalf-aliveinnocenttobesure，butyetaneighborwhowouldkeephisdooropennightandday——forthewarmthofthehallofcourse——andwhowiththefretfulhabitofanoldmanwhohadoncebeenagentlemanandabeau，wentramblingaboutthroughthehallspeakingtothosehemetandexpectingacivilwordinreturn。Whenhewasnotramblingorcoughinghemadearchitecturalmonstersoutofcardboard，wherewithtotemptthepenniesoutofthepocketsofunwarychildren，anemploymentthatkepthimchainedtoasmalltableinthecentreofhisroomdirectlyoppositetheopendoor。
　　AsIexpectedIhadscarcelygivenwaytothreeseparatefitsofcoughing，whenthedoornextmeopenedwithajerkandaroughvoicecalledout，"Who'sthatmakingallthattodoabouthere?Ifyoudon'tstopthatinfernalnoiseinahurry——"
　　Asoftvoiceinterruptedhimandhedrewback。"Iwillgosee，"saidthosegentletones，andLuttraBlake，forIknewitwasshebeforetheskirtofherrobehadadvancedbeyondthedoor，steppedoutintothehall。
　　Iwasyetbentovermyworkwhenshepausedbeforeme。ThefactisI
　　didnotdarelookup，themomentwasoneofsuchimportancetome。
　　"Youhaveadreadfulcough，"saidshewiththatlowringofsympathyinhervoicethatgoesunconsciouslytotheheart。"Istherenohelpforit?"
　　Ipushedbackmywork，drewmyhandovermyeyes，Ididnotneedtomakeittrembleandglancedup。"No，"saidIwithashakeofmyhead，"butitisnotalwayssobad。Ibegyourpardon，miss，ifitdisturbsyou。"
　　Shethrewbacktheshawlwhichshehadhelddrawntightlyoverherhead，andadvancedwithaneasyglidingstepclosetomyside。"Youdonotdisturbme，butmyfatheris——is，wellatriflecrosssometimes，andifheshouldspeakupalittleharshnowandthen，youmustnotmind。Iamsorryyouaresoill。"
　　Whatisthereinsomewomen'slook，somewomen'stouchthatmorethanallbeautygoestotheheartandsubduesit。Asshestoodtherebeforemeinherdarkworsteddressandcoarseshawl，withherlockssimplybraidedandherwholepersonundignifiedbyartandungracedbyornament，sheseemedjustbythepowerofherexpressionandthewitcheryofhermanner，theloveliestwomanIhadeverbeheld。
　　"Youarevereekind，vereegood，"Imurmured，halfashamedofmydisguise，thoughitwasassumedforthepurposeofrescuingher。
　　"Yoursympathygoestomyheart。"Thenasadeepgrowlofimpatiencerosefromtheroomatmyside，Imotionedhertogoandnotirritatethemanwhoseemedtohavesuchcontroloverher。
　　"Inaminute，"answeredshe，"firsttellmewhatyouaremaking。"
　　SoItoldherandinthecourseoftelling，letdropsuchotherfactsaboutmyfanciedlifeasIwishedtohaveknowntoherandthroughhertoherfather。Shelookedsweetlyinterestedandmorethanonceturneduponmethatdarkeye，ofwhichIhadheardsomuch，fulloftearsthatwereasmuchforme，scampthatIwas，asforherownsecrettrouble。Butthegrowlsbecomingmoreandmoreimpatientshespeedilyturnedtogo，repeating，however，asshedidso，"NowrememberwhatIsay，youarenottobetroublediftheydospeakcrosstoyou。Theymakenoiseenoughthemselvessometimes，asyouwilldoubtlessbeassuredofto-night。"
　　Andthelipswhichseemedtohavegrownstiffandcoldwithhermisery，actuallysoftenedintosomethinglikeasmile。
　　ThenodwhichIgaveherinreturnhadthesolemityofavowinit。
　　Mymindthusassuredastothecorrectnessofmysuspicions，andthewaythuspavedtothecarryingoutofmyplans，Iallowedsomefewdaystoelapsewithoutfurtheractiononmypart。Mymotivewastoacquaintmyselfasfullyaspossiblewiththehabitsandwaysofthesetwodesperatemen，beforemakingtheattempttocapturethemuponwhichsomanyinterestshung。ForwhileIfeltitwouldbehighlycreditabletomysagacity，aswellasvaluabletomyreputationasadetective，torestoretheseescapedconvictsinanywaypossibleintothehandsofjustice，mychiefambitionafterallwastosomanagetheaffairastosavethewifeofMr。Blake，notonlyfromtheconsequencesoftheirdespair，butfromthepublicityandscandalattendantupontheopenarrestoftwoheavilyarmedmen。Strategy，therefore，ratherthanforcewastobeemployed，andstrategytobesuccessfulmustbefoundeduponthemostthoroughknowledgeofthematterwithwhichonehastodeal。Threedays，then，didIgivetotheacquiringofthatknowledge，theresultofwhichwasthepossessionofthefollowingfacts。
　　1。Thatthelandladywasrightwhenshetoldmethegirlwasneverleftalone，oneofthemen，ifnotthefatherthentheson，alwaysremainingwithher。
　　2。Thatwhilethusguarded，shewasnotsorestrictedbutthatshehadthelibertyofwalkinginthehall，thoughneverforanylengthoftime。
　　3。Thatthecrossonthedoorseemedtopossesssomesecretmeaningconnectedwiththeirpresenceinthehouse，ithavingbeenerasedoneeveningwhenthewholethreewentoutonsomematterorother，onlytobechalkedonagainwheninanhourorsolater，fatheranddaughterreturnedalone。
　　4。Thatitwasthefatherandnotthesonwhomadesuchpurchasesaswereneeded，whileitwasthesonandnotthefatherwhocarriedonwhateveroperationstheyhadonhand；nightfallbeingthefavoritehourfortheoneandmidnightfortheother；thoughitnotinfrequentlyhappenedthatthelattersaunteredoutforashorttimealsointheafternoon，probablyforthedrinkhecouldnotgolongwithout。
　　5。Thattheyweremenofgreatstrengthbutlittlealertness；thestrayglimpsesIhadhadofthem，revealingabreadthofbackthatwastrulyformidable，ifithadnotbeenjoinedtoaheavinessofmotionthatproclaimedacertainstolidityofmindthatwaseminentlyinourfavor。
　　Howbesttousethesefactsinthebuildingupofamaturedplanofaction，was，then，theproblem。BynoonofacertaindayIbelievedittohavebeensolved，andreluctantasIwastoleavethespotofmyespionageevenforthehourortwonecessarytoavisittoheadquarters，Ifoundmyselfcompelledtodoso。PackingupinasmallbasketIhadforthepurpose，thelittlearticlesIhadbeenengagedduringthelastfewdaysinmaking，Igavewaytoafinalfitofcoughingsohollowaudsepulchuralinitstone，thatitawokeacursefromthenextroomdeepasthegrowlofawildbeast，andstillcontinuing，finallybroughtLuttratothedoorwiththatlookofcompassiononherfacethatalwayscalledupaflushtomycheekwhetherIwisheditorno。
　　"Ah，Monsieur，Iamafraidyourcoughisverybadto-day。OIsee；youhavebeengettingreadytogoout——"
　　"Comebackhere，"brokeinaheavyvoicefromtheroomshehadleft。
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyrunningofftopalaverwiththatoldrascaleverytimeheopenshis——batteryofacough?"
　　Asmilethatwentthroughmelikethecutofaknife，flashedforamomentonherface。
　　"Myfatherisinoneofhisimpatientmoods，"saidshe，"youhadbettergo。Ihopeyouwillbesuccessful，"shemurmured，glancingwistfullyatmybasket。
　　"Whatisthat?"againcamethunderingonourears。"Successful?Whatareyoutwoupto?"Andweheardtheroughclatterofadvancingsteps。
　　"Go，"saidshe；"youareweakandold；andwhenyoucomeback，tryandnotcough。"Andshegavemeagentlepushtowardsthedoor。
　　"WhenIcomeback，"Ibegan，butwasforcedtopause，theelderSchoenmakerhavingbythistimereachedtheopendoorwaywherehestoodfrowninginuponusinawaythatmademyheartstandstillforher。
　　"Whatareyoutwotalkingabout?"saidhe；"andwhathaveyougotinyourbasketthere?"hecontinuedwithastrideforwardthatshookthefloor。
　　"Onlysomelittletoysthathehasbeenmaking，andisnowgoingouttosell，"washerlowanswergivenwithaquickdeprecatorygesturesuchasIdoubtifsheeverusedforherself。
　　"Nothingmore?"askedheinGermanwitharedglareintheeyeheturnedtowardsher。
　　"Nothingmore，"repliedsheinthesametongue。"Youmaybelieveme。"
　　Hegaveadeepgrowlandturnedaway。"Iftherewas，"saidhe，"youknowwhatwouldhappen。"Andunheedingthewildkeenshudderthatseizedherattheword，makingherinsensibleforthemomenttoallandeverythingabouther，helaidoneheavyhanduponherslightshoulderandledherfromtheroom。
　　Iwaitednolongerthanwasnecessarytocarrymyfeebleandfalteringstepsappropriatelydownthestairs，toreachthefloorbelowandgainthelandlady'spresence。
　　"Doyougoup，"saidI，"andsitonthosestairstillIcomeback。Ifyouheartheleastcryofpainorsoundofstrugglefromthatyounggirl'sroom，doyoucallatonceforhelp。Iwillhaveapolicemanstandingonthecornerbelow。"
　　Thegoodwomannoddedandproceededatoncetotakeupherwork-basket。"Luckythere'sawindowupthere，soIcansee，"I
　　heardhermutter。"I'venotimetothrowawayevenondeedsofcharity。"
　　Notwithstandingwhichprecaution，Iwasinconstantanxietyduringmyabsence；anabsencenecessarilyprolongedasIhadtostopandexplainmatterstotheSuperintendent，aswellashuntupMr。Gryceandgethisconsenttoassistmeinthematteroftheimpendingarrest。
　　Ifoundthelatterinhisownhomeandmorethanenthusiasticuponthesubject。
　　"Well，"saidheafterIhadinformedhimofthediscoveriesIhadmade，"thefatesseemtoprosperyouinthis。IhavenotreceivedaninklingoflightuponthemattersinceIpartedfromyouatMr。
　　Blake'shouse。BythewayIsawthatgentlemanthismorningandI
　　tellyouwewillfindhimagratefulmanifthisaffaircanberesolvedsatisfactorily，"
　　'Thatisgood，"saidI，"gratitudeiswhatwewant。"Thenshortly，"Perhapsitisnomorethanourdutytolethimknowthathiswifeissafeandundermyeye；thoughIwouldbynomeansadvocatehisknowingjusthownearhimsheis，tillthemomentcomeswhenheiswanted，orweshallhavealover'simpetuositytodealwithaswellasalltherest。"Thenwithahurriedrememberanceofapossiblecontingency，wentontosay，"But，bytheway，incaseweshouldneedthecooperationofMrs。Blakeinwhatwehavebeforeus，youhadbettergetalinewritteninFrenchfromMrs。Daniels，expressiveofherbeliefinMr。Blake'spresentaffectionforhiswife。Thelatterwillnototherwisetrustus，orunderstandthatwearetobeobeyedinwhateverwemaydemand。Letitbeunsignedandwithoutnamesincaseofaccident；andifthehousekeeperdon'tunderstandFrench，tellhertogetsomeonetohelpherthatdoes，onlybesurethatthehandwritingemployedisherown。
　　Mr。Gryceseemedtoperceivethewisdomofthisprecautionandpromisedtoprocuremesuchanotebyacertainhour，afterwhichI
　　relatedtohimthevariousotherdetailsofthecapturesuchasIhadplannedit，meetingtomysecretgratificationanunqualifiedapprovalthatwentfartowardsalleviatingthatwoundtomypridewhichIhadreceivedfromhiminthebeginningofthisaffair。
　　"Letallthingsproceedasyouhavedetermined，andweshallaccomplishsomethingthatitwillbealife-longsatisfactiontoremember，"saidhe；"butyoumustbepreparedforsometwistofthescrewwhichyoudonotanticipate。Ineverknewanythingtogooffjustasoneprognosticatesitmust，exceptonce，"headdedthoughtfully，"andthenitwaswithasurpriseattachedtoitthatwellnighupsetmenotwithstandingallmypreparations。"
　　"Youwonagreatsuccessthatday，"remarkedI。"Ihopethefateswillbeaspropitioustometo-morrow。Failurenowwouldbreakmyheart。"
　　"Butyouwon'tfail，"exclaimedhe。"Imyselfamresolvedtoseeyouthroughthismatterwithcredit。"
　　AndinthisassuranceIreturnedtomylodgingswhereIfoundthelandladysittingwhereIhadlefther，darninghertwenty-thirdsock。
　　"Ihavetomendforadozenmenandthreeboys，"saidshe，"andtheboysaretheworstbyaheapsight。Lookatthat，willyou，"holdingupadarnwithabitofstockingattached。"Thatholewasmadeplayingshinny。"
　　Iutteredmycondolencesandaskedifanysoundordisturbancehadreachedherearsfromabove。
　　"Ono，allisrightupthere；I'vescarcelyheardawhispersinceyou'vebeengone。"
　　Igaveherapatonthechinscarcelyconsistentwithmyagedandtotteringmienandproceededtoshamblepainfullytomyroom。
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　Promptlynextmorningatthedesignatedhour，camethelittlenotepromisedmebyMr。Gryce。Itwasputinmyhandwithmanyslywinksbythelandladyherself，whodevelopedatthiscrisisquiteanadaptationfor，ifnotabsoluteloveofintrigueandmystery。Glancingoverit——itwasunsealed——andfindingitentirelyunintelligible，I
　　tookitforgranteditwasallrightandputitbytillchance，orifthatfailed，strategy，shouldgivemeanopportunitytocommunicatewithMrs。Blake。Anhourpassed；thedoorsoftheirroomsremainedunclosed。Ahalfhourmoredraggeditsslowminutesaway，andnosoundhadcomefromtheirprecinctssavenowandthenamumbledwordofparleybetweenthefatherandson，ashortcommandtothedaughter，oranot-to-be-restrainedoathofannoyancefromoneorbothoftheheavy-limbedbrutesassomethingwassaidordonetodisturbthemintheirindolentrepose。Atlastmyimpatiencewastobenolongerrestrained。Rising，Itookaboldresolution。IfthemountainwouldnotcometoMahomet，Mahometwouldgotothemountain。Takingmyletterinthehand，Ideliberatelyproceededtothedoormarkedwiththeominousredcrossandknocked。
　　Asurprisedsnarlfromwithin，followedbyasuddenshufflingoffeetasthetwomenleapeduprightfromwhatIpresumehadbeenarecumbentposition，warnedmetobereadytofacedefianceifnotthefuryofdespair；andcurbingwithadeterminedefforttheslightsinkingofheartnaturaltoamanofmymakeonthethresholdofaverydoubtfuladventure，Iawaitedwithasmuchapparentunconcernaspossible，thequickadvanceofthatlightfootwhichseemedtobereadytoperformallthebiddingsofthesehardenedwretches，muchasitshrunkfromfollowinginthewaysoftheirinfamy。
　　"Ahmiss，"saidI，asthedooropenedrevealinginthegapherwhitefacecloudedwithsomenewandsuddenapprehension，"IbegyourpardonbutIamanoldman，andIgotaletterto-dayandmyeyesaresoweakwiththeworkI'vebeendoingthatIcannotreadit。ItisfromsomeoneIlove，andwouldyoubesokindastoreadoffthewordsformeandsorelieveanoldmanfromhisanxiety。"
　　Themurmurofsuspicionbehindher，warnedhertothrowwideopenthedoor。"Certainly，"saidshe，"ifIcan，"takingthepaperinherhand。
　　"Justletmegetasquintatthatfirst，"saidasullenvoicebehindher；andtheyoungestofthetwoSchoenmakerssteppedforwardandtorethepaperoutofhergrasp。
　　"Youaretoosuspicious，"murmuredshe，lookingafterhimwiththefirstassumptionofthatairofpoweranddeterminationwhichIhadheardsoeloquentlydescribedbythemanwholovedher。"Thereisnothinginthoselineswhichconcernsus；letmehavethemback。"
　　"Youholdyourtongue，"wasthebrutalreplyastheroughmanopenedthefoldedpaperandreadortriedtoreadwhatwaswrittenwithin。
　　"Blastit!it'sFrench，"washisslowexclamationafteramomentspentinthisway。"See，"andhethrustittowardshisfatherwhostoodfrowningheavilyafewfeetoff。
　　"Ofcourse，it'sFrench，"criedthegirl。"WouldyouwriteanoteinEnglishtofatherthere?Theman'sfriendsareFrenchlikehimself，andmustwriteintheirownlanguage。"
　　"Heretakeitandreaditout，"commandedherfather；"andmindyoutelluswhatitmeans。I'llhavenothinggoingonherethatIdon'tunderstand。"
　　"ReadmetheFrenchwordsfirst，miss，"saidI。"ItismyletterandI
　　wanttoknowwhatmyfriendhastosaytome。"
　　Noddingatmewithagentlelook，shecasthereyesonthepaperandbegantoread:
　　"Calmezvous，monamie，ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Allousducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。"
　　"Thanks!"Iexclaimedinacalmmatter-of-factwayasIperceivedthesuddentremorthatseizedherassherecognizedthehandwritingandrealizedthatthewordswereforher。"Myfriendsayshewillpaymyweek'srentandbidsmebeathometoreceivehim，"saidI，turninguponthetwoferociousfacespeeringoverhershoulder，withalookofmeekunsuspiciousnessinmyeye，thatinatheatrewouldhavebroughtdownthehouse。
　　"Isthatwhatthosewordssay，you?"askedthefather，pointingoverhershouldertothepapersheheld。
　　"Iwilltranslateforyouwordbywordwhatitsays，"repliedshe，nervingherselfforthecrisistillherfacewaslikemarble，thoughIcouldseeshecouldnotpreventthegleamofsecretrapturethathadvisitedher，fromflashingfitfullyacrossit。"Calmezvous，monamie。Donotbeafraid，myfriend。Ilvousaimeetilvouscherche。
　　Helovesyouandishuntingforyou。Dansquatreheuresvousserezheureuse。Infourhoursyouwillbehappy。Allonsducourage，etsurtoutsoyezmaitredevousmeme。Thentakecourageandaboveallpreserveyourself-possession。ItistheFrenchwayofexpressingone'sself，"observedshe。"Iamgladyourfriendisdisposedtohelpyou，"shecontinued，givingmebacktheletterwithasmile。"Iamafraidyouneededit。"
　　InasortofmazeIfoldeduptheletter，bowedmyveryhumblethankstoherandshuffledslowlyback。ThefactisIhadnowords；Iwasutterlydumbfounded。Halfwaythroughthatletter，withwhosecontentsyoumustrememberIwasunacquainted，Iwouldhavegivenmywholechanceofexpectedrewardtohavestoppedher。Readoutsuchwordsasthosebeforethesemen!Wasshecrazy?ButhownaturallyattheconclusiondidshewithawordmakeitslanguageseemconsistentwiththemeaningIhadgivenit。Withafreshsenseofmyobligationtoher，Ihurriedtomyroom，theretocountouttheminutesofanotherlonghourinanxiousexpectationofhermakingthatendeavortocommunicatewithme，whichhernewhopesandfearsmustforcehertofeelalmostnecessarytoherexistence。Atlength，myconfidenceinherwasrewarded。Comingoutintothehall，shehurriedpastmydoor，herfingeronherlip。Iimmediatelyroseandstoodonthethresholdwithanotherpaperinmyhand，whichIhadpreparedagainstthisopportunity。Assheglidedback，Iputitinherhand，andwarningherwithalooknottospeak，resumedmyusualoccupation。ThewordsIhadwrittenwereasfollows:
　　Atorasnearthetimeaspossibleofyourbrother'sgoingout，youaretocometothisroomwrappedinanextraskirtandwithyourshawloveryourhead。Leavetheskirtandshawlbehindyou，andwithdrawatoncetotheroomattheheadofthestairs。Youarenottospeak，andyouarenottovaryfromtheplanthuslaiddown。Yourbrotherandfatheraretobearrested，whetherorno；