Havingalreadyincurredmymaster”sdispleasure——inwhatway，apropersenseofmyowndignityforbidsmetorelate——IvolunteeredtowatchbythebedsideoftheEnglishBear。MyobjectwastosatisfyMr。FairbankthatIborenomalice，onmyside，afterwhathadoccurredbetweenus。ThewretchedEnglishmanpassedanightofdelirium。Notunderstandinghisbarbarouslanguage，Icouldonlygatherfromhisgesturethathewasindeadlyfearofsomefanciedapparitionathisbedside。Fromtimetotime，whenthismadmandisturbedmyslumbers，Iquietedhimbyswearingathim。Thisistheshortestandbestwayofdealingwithpersonsinhiscondition。
　　Onthemorningofthetwenty-ninth，Mr。Fairbankleftusonajourney。Laterintheday，tomyunspeakabledisgust，IfoundthatIhadnotdonewiththeEnglishmanyet。InMr。Fairbank”sabsence，Mrs。Fairbanktookanincomprehensibleinterestinthequestionofmydeliriousfellow-servant”sreposeatnight。Again，oneortheotherofuswastowatchathisbedside，andreportit，ifanythinghappened。Expectingmyfairfriendtosupper，itwasnecessarytomakesurethattheotherservantsatthestableswouldbesafeintheirbedsthatnight。Accordingly，Ivolunteeredoncemoretobethemanwhokeptwatch。Mrs。Fairbankcomplimentedmeonmyhumanity。Ipossessgreatcommandovermyfeelings。Iacceptedthecomplimentwithoutablush。
　　Twice，afternightfall，mymistressandthedoctorthelaststayinginthehouseinMr。Fairbank”sabsencecametomakeinquiries。OnceBEFOREthearrivalofmyfairfriend——andonceAFTER。OnthesecondoccasionmyapartmentbeingnextdoortotheEnglishman”sIwasobligedtohidemycharmingguestintheharnessroom。Sheconsented，withangelicresignation，toimmolateherdignitytotheservilenecessitiesofmyposition。AmoreamiablewomansofarInevermetwith！
　　AfterthesecondvisitIwasleftfree。Itwasthencloseonmidnight。UptothattimetherewasnothinginthebehaviorofthemadEnglishmantorewardMrs。Fairbankandthedoctorforpresentingthemselvesathisbedside。Helayhalfawake，halfasleep，withanoddwonderingkindoflookinhisface。Mymistressatpartingwarnedmetobeparticularlywatchfulofhimtowardtwointhemorning。Thedoctorincaseanythinghappened
　　leftmealargehandbelltoring，whichcouldeasilybeheardatthehouse。
　　Restoredtothesocietyofmyfairfriend，Ispreadthesuppertable。Apate，asausage，andafewbottlesofgenerousMosellewine，composedoursimplemeal。Whenpersonsadoreeachother，theintoxicatingillusionofLovetransformsthesimplestmealintoabanquet。Withimmeasurablecapacitiesforenjoyment，wesatdowntotable。AttheverymomentwhenIplacedmyfascinatingcompanioninachair，theinfamousEnglishmaninthenextroomtookthatoccasion，ofallothers，tobecomerestlessandnoisyoncemore。Hestruckwithhisstickonthefloor；hecriedout，inadeliriousaccessofterror，“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
　　Thesoundofthatlamentablevoice，suddenlyassailingourears，terrifiedmyfairfriend。Shelostallhercharmingcolorinaninstant。“Goodheavens！“sheexclaimed。“Whoisthatinthenextroom？“
　　“AmadEnglishman。”
　　“AnEnglishman？“
　　“Composeyourself，myangel。Iwillquiethim。”Thelamentablevoicecalledoutonmeagain，“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
　　Myfairfriendcaughtmebythearm。“Whoishe？“shecried。
　　“Whatishisname？“
　　Somethinginherfacestruckmeassheputthatquestion。Aspasmofjealousyshookmetothesoul。“Youknowhim？“Isaid。
　　“Hisname！“shevehementlyrepeated；“hisname！“
　　“Francis，“Ianswered。
　　“Francis——WHAT？“
　　Ishruggedmyshoulders。IcouldneitherremembernorpronouncethebarbarousEnglishsurname。Icouldonlytellheritbeganwithan“R。”
　　Shedroppedbackintothechair。Wasshegoingtofaint？No：sherecovered，andmorethanrecovered，herlostcolor。Hereyesflashedsuperbly。Whatdiditmean？ProfoundlyasIunderstandwomeningeneral，IwaspuzzledbyTHISwoman！
　　“Youknowhim？“Irepeated。
　　Shelaughedatme。“Whatnonsense！HowshouldIknowhim？Goandquietthewretch。”
　　Mylooking-glasswasnear。OneglanceatitsatisfiedmethatnowomaninhersensescouldprefertheEnglishmantoMe。Irecoveredmyself-respect。IhastenedtotheEnglishman”sbedside。
　　ThemomentIappearedhepointedeagerlytowardmyroom。Heoverwhelmedmewithatorrentofwordsinhisownlanguage。Imadeout，fromhisgesturesandhislooks，thathehad，insomeincomprehensiblemanner，discoveredthepresenceofmyguest；and，strangerstill，thathewasscaredbytheideaofapersoninmyroom。IendeavoredtocomposehimonthesystemwhichIhavealreadymentioned——thatistosay，IsworeathiminMYlanguage。
　　Theresultnotprovingsatisfactory，IownIshookmyfistinhisface，andleftthebedchamber。
　　Returningtomyfairfriend，Ifoundherwalkingbackwardandforwardinastateofexcitementwonderfultobehold。Shehadnotwaitedformetofillherglass——shehadbegunthegenerousMoselleinmyabsence。Iprevailedonherwithdifficultytoplaceherselfatthetable。Nothingwouldinducehertoeat。“Myappetiteisgone，“shesaid。“Givemewine。”
　　ThegenerousMoselledeservesitsname——delicateonthepalate，withprodigious“body。”Thestrengthofthisfinewineproducednostupefyingeffectonmyremarkableguest。Itappearedtostrengthenandexhilarateher——nothingmore。Shealwaysspokeinthesamelowtone，andalways，turntheconversationasImight，broughtitbackwiththesamedexteritytothesubjectoftheEnglishmaninthenextroom。Inanyotherwomanthispersistencywouldhaveoffendedme。Mylovelyguestwasirresistible；I
　　answeredherquestionswiththedocilityofachild。Shepossessedalltheamusingeccentricityofhernation。WhenItoldheroftheaccidentwhichconfinedtheEnglishmantohisbed，shesprangtoherfeet。Anextraordinarysmileirradiatedhercountenance。Shesaid，“ShowmethehorsewhobroketheEnglishman”sleg！Imustseethathorse！“Itookhertothestables。Shekissedthehorse——
　　onmywordofhonor，shekissedthehorse！Thatstruckme。I
　　said。“YouDOknowtheman；andhehaswrongedyouinsomeway。”
　　No！shewouldnotadmitit，eventhen。“Ikissallbeautifulanimals，“shesaid。“Haven”tIkissedYOU？“Withthatcharmingexplanationofherconduct，sheranbackupthestairs。Ionlyremainedbehindtolockthestabledooragain。WhenIrejoinedher，Imadeastartlingdiscovery。IcaughthercomingoutoftheEnglishman”sroom。
　　“Iwasjustgoingdownstairsagaintocallyou，“shesaid。“Themaninthereisgettingnoisyoncemore。”
　　ThemadEnglishman”svoiceassailedourearsonceagain。
　　“Rigobert！Rigobert！“
　　HewasafrightfulobjecttolookatwhenIsawhimthistime。Hiseyeswerestaringwildly；theperspirationwaspouringoverhisface。Inapanicofterrorheclaspedhishands；hepointeduptoheaven。Byeverysignandgesturethatamancanmake，heentreatedmenottoleavehimagain。Ireallycouldnothelpsmiling。TheideaofmystayingwithHIM，andleavingmyfairfriendbyherselfinthenextroom！
　　Iturnedtothedoor。Whenthemadwretchsawmeleavinghimheburstoutintoascreechofdespair——soshrillthatIfeareditmightawakenthesleepingservants。
　　Mypresenceofmindinemergenciesisproverbialamongthosewhoknowme。Itoreopenthecupboardinwhichhekepthislinen——
　　seizedahandfulofhishandkerchief”s——gaggedhimwithoneofthem，andsecuredhishandswiththeothers。Therewasnownodangerofhisalarmingtheservants。Aftertyingthelastknot，I
　　lookedup。
　　ThedoorbetweentheEnglishman”sroomandminewasopen。Myfairfriendwasstandingonthethreshold——watchingHIMashelayhelplessonthebed；watchingMEasItiedthelastknot。
　　“Whatareyoudoingthere？“Iasked。“Whydidyouopenthedoor？“
　　Shesteppeduptome，andwhisperedheranswerinmyear，withhereyesallthetimeuponthemanonthebed：
　　“Iheardhimscream。”
　　“Well？“
　　“Ithoughtyouhadkilledhim。”
　　Idrewbackfromherinhorror。Thesuspicionofmewhichherwordsimpliedwassufficientlydetestableinitself。Buthermannerwhensheutteredthewordswasmorerevoltingstill。ItsopowerfullyaffectedmethatIstartedbackfromthatbeautifulcreatureasImighthaverecoiledfromareptilecrawlingovermyflesh。
　　BeforeIhadrecoveredmyselfsufficientlytoreply，mynerveswereassailedbyanothershock。Isuddenlyheardmymistress”svoicecallingtomefromthestableyard。
　　Therewasnotimetothink——therewasonlytimetoact。TheonethingneededwastokeepMrs。Fairbankfromascendingthestairs，anddiscovering——notmyladyguestonly——buttheEnglishmanalso，gaggedandboundonhisbed。Iinstantlyhurriedtotheyard。AsIrandownthestairsIheardthestableclockstrikethequartertotwointhemorning。
　　Mymistresswaseagerandagitated。Thedoctorinattendanceonherwassmilingtohimself，likeamanamusedathisownthoughts。
　　“IsFrancisawakeorasleep？“Mrs。Fairbankinquired。
　　“Hehasbeenalittlerestless，madam。Butheisnowquietagain。
　　Ifheisnotdisturbed“Iaddedthosewordstopreventherfromascendingthestairs，“hewillsoonfalloffintoaquietsleep。”
　　“HasnothinghappenedsinceIwasherelast？“
　　“Nothing，madam。”
　　Thedoctorliftedhiseyebrowswithacomicallookofdistress。
　　“Alas，alas，Mrs。Fairbank！“hesaid。“Nothinghashappened！Thedaysofromanceareover！“
　　“Itisnottwoo”clockyet，“mymistressanswered，alittleirritably。
　　Thesmellofthestableswasstrongonthemorningair。Sheputherhandkerchieftohernoseandledthewayoutoftheyardbythenorthentrance——theentrancecommunicatingwiththegardensandthehouse。Iwasorderedtofollowher，alongwiththedoctor。Onceoutofthesmellofthestablesshebegantoquestionmeagain。
　　Shewasunwillingtobelievethatnothinghadoccurredinherabsence。IinventedthebestanswersIcouldthinkofonthespurofthemoment；andthedoctorstoodbylaughing。Sotheminutespassedtilltheclockstrucktwo。Uponthat，Mrs。FairbankannouncedherintentionofpersonallyvisitingtheEnglishmaninhisroom。Tomygreatrelief，thedoctorinterferedtostopherfromdoingthis。
　　“YouhaveheardthatFrancisisjustfallingasleep，“hesaid。“Ifyouenterhisroomyoumaydisturbhim。Itisessentialtothesuccessofmyexperimentthatheshouldhaveagoodnight”srest，andthatheshouldownithimself，beforeItellhimthetruth。I
　　mustrequest，madam，thatyouwillnotdisturbtheman。Rigobertwillringthealarmbellifanythinghappens。”
　　Mymistresswasunwillingtoyield。Forthenextfiveminutes，atleast，therewasawarmdiscussionbetweenthetwo。IntheendMrs。Fairbankwasobligedtogiveway——forthetime。“Inhalfanhour，“shesaid，“Franciswilleitherbesoundasleep，orawakeagain。InhalfanhourIshallcomeback。”Shetookthedoctor”sarm。Theyreturnedtogethertothehouse。
　　Leftbymyself，withhalfanhourbeforeme，IresolvedtotaketheEnglishwomanbacktothevillage——then，returningtothestables，toremovethegagandthebindingsfromFrancis，andtolethimscreechtohisheart”scontent。WhatwouldhisalarmingthewholeestablishmentmattertoMEafterIhadgotridofthecompromisingpresenceofmyguest？
　　ReturningtotheyardIheardasoundlikethecreakingofanopendooronitshinges。ThegateofthenorthentranceIhadjustclosedwithmyownhand。Iwentroundtothewestentrance，atthebackofthestables。ItopenedonafieldcrossedbytwofootpathsinMr。Fairbank”sgrounds。Thenearestfootpathledtothevillage。Theotherledtothehighroadandtheriver。
　　ArrivingatthewestentranceIfoundthedooropen——swingingtoandfroslowlyinthefreshmorningbreeze。Ihadmyselflockedandboltedthatdoorafteradmittingmyfairfriendateleveno”clock。Avaguedreadofsomethingwrongstoleitswayintomymind。Ihurriedbacktothestables。
　　Ilookedintomyownroom。Itwasempty。Iwenttotheharnessroom。Notasignofthewomanwasthere。Ireturnedtomyroom，andapproachedthedooroftheEnglishman”sbedchamber。Wasitpossiblethatshehadremainedthereduringmyabsence？Anunaccountablereluctancetoopenthedoormademehesitate，withmyhandonthelock。Ilistened。Therewasnotasoundinside。I
　　calledsoftly。Therewasnoanswer。Idrewbackastep，stillhesitating。Inoticedsomethingdarkmovingslowlyinthecrevicebetweenthebottomofthedoorandtheboardedfloor。Snatchingupthecandlefromthetable，Ihelditlow，andlooked。Thedark，slowlymovingobjectwasastreamofblood！
　　Thathorridsightrousedme。Iopenedthedoor。TheEnglishmanlayonhisbed——aloneintheroom。Hewasstabbedintwoplaces——
　　inthethroatandintheheart。Theweaponwasleftinthesecondwound。ItwasaknifeofEnglishmanufacture，withahandleofbuckhornasgoodasnew。
　　Iinstantlygavethealarm。Witnessescanspeaktowhatfollowed。
　　ItismonstroustosupposethatIamguiltyofthemurder。IadmitthatIamcapableofcommittingfollies：butIshrinkfromthebareideaofacrime。Besides，Ihadnomotiveforkillingtheman。
　　Thewomanmurderedhiminmyabsence。ThewomanescapedbythewestentrancewhileIwastalkingtomymistress。Ihavenomoretosay。IsweartoyouwhatIhaveherewrittenisatruestatementofallthathappenedonthemorningofthefirstofMarch。
　　Accept，sir，theassuranceofmysentimentsofprofoundgratitudeandrespect。
　　JOSEPHRIGOBERT。
　　LASTLINES——ADDEDBYPERCYFAIRBANK
　　TriedforthemurderofFrancisRaven，JosephRigobertwasfoundNotGuilty；thepapersoftheassassinatedmanpresentedampleevidenceofthedeadlyanimosityfelttowardhimbyhiswife。
　　Theinvestigationspursuedonthemorningwhenthecrimewascommittedshowedthatthemurderess，afterleavingthestable，hadtakenthefootpathwhichledtotheriver。Theriverwasdragged——
　　withoutresult。Itremainsdoubtfultothisdaywhethershediedbydrowningornot。Theonethingcertainis——thatAliciaWarlockwasneverseenagain。
　　So——beginninginmystery，endinginmystery——theDreamWomanpassesfromyourview。Ghost；demon；orlivinghumancreature——sayforyourselveswhichsheis。Or，knowingwhatunfathomedwondersarearoundyou，whatunfathomedwondersareINyou，letthewisewordsofthegreatestofallpoetsbeexplanationenough：
　　“WearesuchstuffAsdreamsaremadeof，andourlittlelifeIsroundedwithasleep。”
　　AnonymousTheLostDuchessI
　　“Hastheduchessreturned？“
　　“No，yourgrace。”
　　Knowlescamefartherintotheroom。Hehadaletteronasalver。
　　Whenthedukehadtakenit，Knowlesstilllingered。Thedukeglancedathim。
　　“Isananswerrequired？“
　　“No，yourgrace。”StillKnowleslingered。“Somethingalittlesingularhashappened。Thecarriagehasreturnedwithouttheduchess，andthemensaythattheythoughthergracewasinit。”
　　“Whatdoyoumean？“
　　“Ihardlyunderstandmyself，yourgrace。PerhapsyouwouldliketoseeBarnes。”
　　Barneswasthecoachman。
　　“Sendhimup。”WhenKnowleshadgone，andhewasalone，hisgraceshowedsignsofbeingslightlyannoyed。Helookedathiswatch。
　　“Itoldhershe”dbetterbeinbyfour。Shesaysthatshe”snotfeelingwell，andyetonewouldthinkthatshewasnotawareofthefatigueentailedinhavingtheprincecometodinner，andamobofpeopletofollow。Iparticularlywishedhertoliedownforacoupleofhours。”
　　KnowlesusheredinnotonlyBarnes，thecoachman，butMoysey，thefootman，too。Boththesepersonsseemedtobeillatease。Thedukeglancedatthemsharply。Inhisvoicetherewasasuggestionofimpatience。
　　“Whatisthematter？“
　　Barnesexplainedasbesthecould。
　　“Ifyouplease，yourgrace，wewaitedfortheduchessoutsideCaneandWilson”s，thedrapers。Theduchesscameout，gotintothecarriage，andMoyseyshutthedoor，andhergracesaid，”Home！”andyetwhenwegothomeshewasn”tthere。”
　　“Shewasn”twhere？“
　　“Hergracewasn”tinthecarriage，yourgrace。”
　　“Whatonearthdoyoumean？“
　　“Hergracedidgetintothecarriage；youshutthedoor，didn”tyou？“
　　BarnesturnedtoMoysey。Moyseybroughthishanduptohisbrowinasortofmilitarysalute——hehadbeenasoldierintheregimentinwhich，onceuponatime，thedukehadbeenasubaltern。
　　“Shedid。Theduchesscameoutoftheshop。Sheseemedratherinahurry，Ithought。Shegotintothecarriage，andshesaid，”Home，Moysey！”Ishutthedoor，andBarnesdrovestraighthome。
　　Weneverstoppedanywhere，andwenevernoticednothinghappenontheway；andyetwhenwegothomethecarriagewasempty。”
　　Thedukestarted。
　　“Doyoumeantotellmethattheduchessgotoutofthecarriagewhileyouweredrivingfullpeltthroughthestreetswithoutsayinganythingtoyou，andwithoutyounoticingit？“
　　“Thecarriagewasemptywhenwegothome，yourgrace。”
　　“Waseitherofthedoorsopen？“
　　“No，yourgrace。”
　　“Youfellowshavebeenuptosomeinfernalmischief。Youhavemadeamessofit。Youneverpickeduptheduchess，andyou”retryingtopalmthistaleoffonmetosaveyourselves。”
　　Barneswasmovedtoadjuration：
　　“I”lltakemyBibleoath，yourgrace，thattheduchessgotintothecarriageoutsideCaneandWilson”s。”
　　Moyseysecondedhiscolleague。
　　“Iwillsweartothat，yourgrace。Shegotintothatcarriage，andIshutthedoor，andshesaid，”Home，Moysey！”“
　　Thedukelookedasifhedidnotknowwhattomakeofthestoryanditstellers。
　　“Whatcarriagedidyouhave？“
　　“Hergrace”sbrougham，yourgrace。”
　　Knowlesinterposed：
　　“ThebroughamwasorderedbecauseIunderstoodthattheduchesswasnotfeelingverywell，andthere”sratherahighwind，yourgrace。”
　　Thedukesnappedathim：
　　“Whathasthattodowithit？Areyousuggestingthattheduchesswasmorelikelytojumpoutofabroughamwhileitwasdashingthroughthestreetsthanoutofanyotherkindofvehicle？“
　　Theduke”sglancefellontheletterwhichKnowleshadbroughthimwhenhefirsthadentered。Hehadplaceditonhiswritingtable。
　　Nowhetookitup。Itwas，addressed：
　　“ToHisGracetheDukeofDatchet。
　　Private！
　　VERYPRESSING！！！“
　　Thenamewaswritteninafine，clear，almostfemininehand。Thewordsintheleft-handcorneroftheenvelopewerewritteninadifferenthand。Theywerelargeandbold；almostasthoughtheyhadbeenpaintedwiththeendofthepenholderinsteadofbeingwrittenwiththepen。Theenvelopeitselfwasofanunusualsize，andbulgedoutasthoughitcontainedsomethingelsebesidesaletter。
　　Theduketoretheenvelopeopen。Ashedidsosomethingfelloutofitontothewritingtable。Itlookedasthoughitwasalockofawoman”shair。Asheglancedatitthedukeseemedtobeatriflestartled。Thedukereadtheletter：
　　“YourgracewillbesogoodastobringfivehundredpoundsingoldtothePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadewithinanhourofthereceiptofthis。TheDuchessofDatchethasbeenkidnaped。Animitationduchessgotintothecarriage，whichwaswaitingoutsideCaneandWilson”s，andshealightedontheroad。Unlessyourgracedoesasyouarerequested，theDuchessofDatchet”sleft-handlittlefingerwillbeatoncecutoff，andsenthomeintimetoreceivetheprincetodinner。Otherportionsofhergracewillfollow。Alockofhergrace”shairisinclosedwiththisasanearnestofourgoodintentions。
　　“BEFORE5：30P。M。yourgraceisrequestedtobeatthePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadewithfivehundredpoundsingold。Youwilltherebeaccostedbyanindividualinawhitetophat，andwithagardeniainhisbuttonhole。Youwillbeentirelyatlibertytogivehimintocustody，ortohavehimfollowedbythepolice，inwhichcasetheduchess”sleftarm，cutoffattheshoulder，willbesenthomefordinner——nottomentionotherextremelypossiblecontingencies。ButyouareADVISEDtogivetheindividualinquestionthefivehundredpoundsingold，becauseinthatcasetheduchessherselfwillhehomeintimetoreceivetheprincetodinner，andwithoneofthebeststorieswithwhichtoentertainyourdistinguishedgueststheyeverheard。
　　“Remember！NOTLATERTHAN5：30，unlessyouwishtoreceivehergrace”slittlefinger。”
　　Thedukestaredatthisamazingepistlewhenhehadreaditasthoughhefounditdifficulttobelievetheevidenceofhiseyes。
　　Hewasnotademonstrativeperson，asarule，butthislittlecommunicationastonishedevenhim。Hereaditagain。Thenhishandsdroppedtohissides，andheswore。
　　Hetookupthelockofhairwhichhadfallenoutoftheenvelope。
　　Wasitpossiblethatitcouldbehiswife”s，theduchess？WasitpossiblethataDuchessofDatchetcouldbekidnaped，inbroaddaylight，intheheartofLondon，andbesenthome，asitwere，inpieces？Hadsacrilegioushandsalreadybeenplayingprankswiththatgreatlady”shair？Certainly，THAThairwassolikeHERhairthatthemereresemblancemadehisgrace”sbloodruncold。HeturnedonMessrs。BarnesandMoyseyasthoughhewouldhavelikedtorendthem。
　　“Youscoundrels！“
　　Hemovedforwardasthoughtheintentionhadenteredhisducalhearttoknockhisservantsdown。But，ifthatwereso，hedidnotactquiteuptohisintention。Instead，hestretchedouthisarm，pointingatthemasifhewereanaccusingspirit：
　　“WillyouswearthatitwastheduchesswhogotintothecarriageoutsideCaneandWilson”s？“
　　Barnesbegantostammer：
　　“I”llswear，yourgrace，thatI——Ithought”
　　Thedukestormedaninterruption：
　　“Idon”taskwhatyouthought。Iaskyou，willyouswearitwas？“
　　Theduke”sangerwasmorethanBarnescouldface。Hewassilent。
　　Moyseyshowedalargercourage。
　　“Icouldhaveswornthatitwasatthetime，yourgrace。Butnowitseemstomethatit”sarummygo。”
　　“Arummygo！“Thepeculiarityofthephrasedidnotseemtostrikethedukejustthen——atleast，heechoeditasifitdidn”t。“Youcallitarummygo！DoyouknowthatIamtoldinthisletterthatthewomanwhoenteredthecarriagewasnottheduchess？Whatyouwerethinkingabout，orwhatcaseyouwillbeabletomakeoutforyourselves，youknowbetterthanI；butIcantellyouthis——thatinanhouryouwillleavemyservice，andyoumayesteemyourselvesfortunateif，to-night，youarenotbothofyousleepinginjail。”
　　Onemightalmosthavesuspectedthatthewordswerespokeninirony。Butbeforetheycouldanswer，anotherservantentered，whoalsobroughtaletterfortheduke。Whenhisgrace”sglancefellonitheutteredanexclamation。Thewritingontheenvelopewasthesamewritingthathadbeenontheenvelopewhichhadcontainedtheverysingularcommunication——likeitinallrespects，downtothebroomstick-endthicknessofthe“Private！“and“Verypressing！！！“inthecorner。
　　“Whobroughtthis？“stormedtheduke。
　　Theservantappearedtobealittlestartledbytheviolenceofhisgrace”smanner。
　　“Alady——or，atleast，yourgrace，sheseemedtobealady。”
　　“Whereisshe？“
　　“Shecameinahansom，yourgrace。Shegavemethatletter，andsaid，”GivethattotheDukeofDatchetatonce——withoutamoment”sdelay！”Thenshegotintothehansomagain，anddroveaway。”
　　“Whydidn”tyoustopher？“
　　“Yourgrace！“
　　Themanseemedsurprised，asthoughtheideaofstoppingchancevisitorstotheducalmansionvietarmishadnot，untilthatmoment，enteredintohisphilosophy。Thedukecontinuedtoregardthemanasifhecouldsayagooddeal，ifhechose。Thenhepointedtothedoor。Hislipssaidnothing，buthisgesturemuch。
　　Theservantvanished。
　　“Anotherhoax！“thedukesaidgrimly，ashetoretheenvelopeopen。
　　Thistimetheenvelopecontainedasheetofpaper，andinthesheetofpaperanotherenvelope。Thedukeunfoldedthesheetofpaper。
　　Onitsomewordswerewritten。These：
　　“Theduchessappearssoparticularlyanxioustodropyoualine，thatonereallyhasn”tthehearttorefuseher。
　　“Hergrace”scommunication——writtenamidstblindingtears！——youwillfindinclosedwiththis。”
　　“Knowles，“saidtheduke，inavoicewhichactuallytrembled，“Knowles，hoaxornohoax，Iwillbeevenwiththegentlemanwhowrotethat。”
　　HandingthesheetofpapertoMr。Knowles，hisgraceturnedhisattentiontotheenvelopewhichhadbeeninclosed。Itwasasmall，squareenvelope，ofthefinestquality，anditreekedwithperfume。
　　Theduke”scountenanceassumedanaddedfrown——hehadnofondnessforenvelopeswhichwerescented。Inthecenteroftheenvelopewerethewords，“TotheDukeofDatchet，“writteninthebig，bold，sprawlinghandwhichheknewsowell。
　　“Mabel”swriting，“hesaid，halftohimself，as，withshakingfingers，hetoretheenvelopeopen。
　　Thesheetofpaperwhichhetookoutwasalmostasstiffascardboard。It，too，emittedwhathisgracedeemedthenauseousodorsoftheperfumer”sshop。Onitwaswrittenthisletter：
　　“MYDEARHEREWARD——ForHeaven”ssakedowhatthesepeoplerequire！
　　Idon”tknowwhathashappenedorwhereIam，butIamnearlydistracted！Theyhavealreadycutoffsomeofmyhair，andtheytellmethat，ifyoudon”tletthemhavefivehundredpoundsingoldbyhalf-pastfive，theywillcutoffmylittlefingertoo。I
　　wouldsoonerdiethanlosemylittlefinger——and——Idon”tknowwhatelsebesides。
　　“BythetokenwhichIsendyou，andwhichhasnever，untilnow，beenoffmybreast，Iconjureyoutohelpme。
　　“Hereward——HELPME！“
　　Whenhereadthatlettertheduketurnedwhite——verywhite，aswhiteasthepaperonwhichitwaswritten。HepassedtheepistleontoKnowles。
　　“Isupposethatalsoisahoax？“
　　Mr。Knowleswassilent。Hestillyieldedtohisconstitutionaldisrelishtocommithimself。Atlastheasked：
　　“Whatisitthatyourgraceproposestodo？“
　　ThedukespokewithabitternesswhichalmostsuggestedapersonalanimositytowardtheinoffensiveMr。Knowles。
　　“Ipropose，withyourpermission，toreleasetheduchessfromthecustodyofmyestimablecorrespondent。Ipropose——alwayswithyourpermission——tocomplywithhismodestrequest，andtotakehimhisfivehundredpoundsingold。”Hepaused，thencontinuedinatonewhich，comingfromhim，meantvolumes：“Afterwards，Iproposetocryquitswiththeconcocterofthisprettylittlehoax，evenifitcostsmeeverypennyIpossess。Heshallpaymoreforthatfivehundredpoundsthanhesupposes。”
　　II
　　TheDukeofDatchet，comingoutofthebank，lingeredforamomentonthesteps。Inonehandhecarriedacanvasbagwhichseemedwellweighted。Onhiscountenancetherewasanexpressionwhichtoacasualobservermighthavesuggestedthathisgracewasnotcompletelyathisease。Thatcasualobserverhappenedtocomestrollingby。IttooktheformofIvorDacre。
　　Mr。DacrelookedtheDukeofDatchetupanddowninthatlanguidwayhehas。Heperceivedthecanvasbag。Thenheremarked，possiblyintendingtobefacetious：
　　“Beenrobbingthebank？ShallIcallacart？“
　　NobodymindswhatIvorDacresays。Besides，heistheduke”sowncousin。Perhapsalittleremoved；still，thereitis。Sothedukesmiledasicklysmile，asifMr。Dacre”sdelicatewithadgivenhimapassingtouchofindigestion。
　　Mr。Dacrenoticedthatthedukelookedsallow，sohegavehisprettysenseofhumoranotherairing。
　　“Kitchenboilerburst？WhenIsawtheduchessjustnowIwonderedifithad。”
　　Hisgracedistinctlystarted。Healmostdroppedthecanvasbag。
　　“Yousawtheduchessjustnow，Ivor！When？“
　　Thedukewasevidentlymoved。Mr。Dacrewasstirredtolanguidcuriosity。“Ican”tsayIclockedit。Perhapshalfanhourago；
　　perhapsalittlemore。”
　　“Halfanhourago！Areyousure？Wheredidyouseeher？“
　　Mr。Dacrewondered。TheDuchessofDatchetcouldscarcelyhavebeenelopinginbroaddaylight。Moreover，shehadnotyetbeenmarriedayear。Everyoneknewthatsheandthedukewerestillasfondofeachotherasiftheywerenotmanandwife。So，althoughtheduke，forsomecauseorother，wasevidentlyinanoddstateofagitation，Mr。Dacresawnoreasonwhyheshouldnotmakeacleanbreastofallheknew。
　　“Shewasgoinglikeblazesinahansomcab。”
　　“Inahansomcab？Where？“
　　“DownWaterlooPlace。”
　　“Wasshealone？“
　　Mr。Dacrereflected。Heglancedatthedukeoutofthecornersofhiseyes。Hislanguidutterancebecameapositivedrawl。
　　“Iratherfancythatshewasn”t。”
　　“Whowaswithher？“
　　“Mydearfellow，ifyouweretooffermethebankIcouldn”ttellyou。”
　　“Wasitaman？“
　　Mr。Dacre”sdrawlbecamestillmorepronounced。
　　“Iratherfancythatitwas。”
　　Mr。Dacreexpectedsomething。Thedukewassoexcited。Buthebynomeansexpectedwhatactuallycame。
　　“Ivor，she”sbeenkidnaped！“
　　Mr。Dacredidwhathehadneverbeenknowntodobeforewithinthememoryofman——hedroppedhiseyeglass。
　　“Datchet！“
　　“Shehas！Somescoundrelhasdecoyedheraway，andtrappedher。
　　He”salreadysentmealockofherhair，andhetellsmethatifI
　　don”tlethimhavefivehundredpoundsingoldbyhalf-pastfivehe”llletmehaveherlittlefinger。”
　　Mr。Dacredidnotknowwhattomakeofhisgraceatall。Hewasasoberman——itCOULDN”Tbethat！Mr。Dacrefeltreallyconcerned。
　　“I”llcallacab，oldman，andyou”dbetterletmeseeyouhome。”
　　Mr。Dacrehalfraisedhissticktohailapassinghansom。Thedukecaughthimbythearm。
　　“Youass！Whatdoyoumean？Iamtellingyouthesimpletruth。
　　Mywife”sbeenkidnaped。”
　　Mr。Dacre”scountenancewasathingtobeseen——andremembered。
　　“Oh！Ihadn”theardthattherewasmuchofthatsortofthingaboutjustnow。Theytalkofpoodlesbeingkidnaped，butasforduchesses——You”dreallybetterletmecallthatcab。”
　　“Ivor，doyouwantmetokickyou？Don”tyouseethattomeit”saquestionoflifeanddeath？I”vebeenintheretogetthemoney。”
　　Hisgracemotionedtowardthebank。“I”mgoingtotakeittothescoundrelwhohasmydarlingathismercy。Letmebuthaveherhandinmineagain，andheshallcontinuetopayforeverysovereignwithtearsofblooduntilhedies。”
　　“Lookhere，Datchet，Idon”tknowifyou”rehavingajokewithme，orifyou”renotwell”
　　Thedukesteppedimpatientlyintotheroadway。
　　“Ivor，you”reafool！Can”tyoutelljestfromearnest，healthfromdisease？I”moff！Areyoucomingwithme？ItwouldbeaswellthatIshouldhaveawitness。”
　　“Whereareyouoffto？“
　　“TotheotherendoftheArcade。”
　　“Whoisthegentlemanyouexpecttohavethepleasureofmeetingthere？“
　　“HowshouldIknow？“Theduketookaletterfromhispocket——itwastheletterwhichhadjustarrived。“Thefellowistowearawhitetophat，andagardeniainhisbuttonhole。”
　　“Whatisityouhavethere？“
　　“It”stheletterwhichbroughtthenews——lookforyourselfandsee；
　　but，forGod”ssake，makehaste！“Hisgraceglancedathiswatch。
　　“It”salreadytwentyafterfive。”
　　“Anddoyoumeantosaythatonthestrengthofalettersuchasthisyouaregoingtohandoverfivehundredpoundsto”
　　ThedukecutMr。Dacreshort。
　　“Whatarefivehundredpoundstome？Besides，youdon”tknowall。
　　Thereisanotherletter。AndIhaveheardfromMabel。ButIwilltellyouallaboutitlater。Ifyouarecoming，come！“
　　Foldinguptheletter，Mr。Dacrereturnedittotheduke。
　　“Asyousay，whatarefivehundredpoundstoyou？It”saswelltheyarenotasmuchtoyouastheyaretome，orI”mafraid”
　　“Hangit，Ivor，doproseafterwards！“
　　Thedukehurriedacrosstheroad。Mr。Dacrehastenedafterhim。
　　AstheyenteredtheArcadetheypassedaconstable。Mr。Dacretouchedhiscompanion”sarm。
　　“Don”tyouthinkwe”dbetteraskourfriendinbluetowalkbehindus？Hisneighborhoodmightbehandy。”
　　“Nonsense！“Thedukestoppedshort。“Ivor，thisismyaffair，notyours。Ifyouarenotcontenttoplaythepartofsilentwitness，besogoodastoleaveme。”
　　“MydearDatchet，I”mentirelyatyourservice。Icanbeeverywhitasinsaneasyou，Idoassureyou。”
　　SidebysidetheymovedrapidlydowntheBurlingtonArcade。Thedukewasobviouslyinastateoftheextremestnervoustension。
　　Mr。Dacrewasequallyobviouslyinastateofthemostsupremeenjoyment。Peoplestaredastheyrushedpast。Thedukesawnothing。Mr。Dacresaweverything，andsmiled。
　　WhentheyreachedthePiccadillyendoftheArcadethedukepulledup。Helookedabouthim。Mr。Dacrealsolookedabouthim。
　　“Iseenothingofyourwhite-hattedandgardenia-buttonholedfriend，“saidIvor。
　　Thedukereferredtohiswatch。
　　“It”snotyethalf-pastfive。I”muptotime。”
　　Mr。Dacreheldhisstickinfrontofhimandleanedonit。Heindulgedhimselfwithabeatificsmile。
　　“Itstrikesme，mydearDatchet，thatyou”vebeenthevictimofoneofthefinestthingsinhoaxes”
　　“IhopeIhaven”tkeptyouwaiting。”
　　ThevoicewhichinterruptedMr。Dacrecamefromtherear。Whiletheywerelookinginfrontofthemsomeoneapproachedthemfrombehind，apparentlycomingoutoftheshopwhichwasattheirbacks。
　　Thespeakerlookedagentleman。Hesoundedlikeone，too。
　　Costume，appearance，manner，werebeyondreproach——evenbeyondthecriticismoftwosuchkeencriticsaswerethese。ThegloriousattireofaLondondandywassurmountedwithabeautifulwhitetophat。Inhisbuttonholewasamagnificentgardenia。
　　Inagethestrangerwasscarcelymorethanaboy，andasunny-
　　faced，handsomeboyatthat。Hischeekswerehairless，hiseyeswereblue。Hissmilewasnotonlyinnocent，itwasbland。NeverwasthereamoreconspicuousillustrationofthatreposewhichstampsthecasteofVeredeVere。
　　Thedukelookedathimandglowered。Mr。Dacrelookedathimandsmiled。
　　“Whoareyou？“askedtheduke。
　　“Ah——thatisthequestion！“Thenewcomer”srefinedandmusicalvoicebreathedtheverysoulofaffability。“Iamanindividualwhoissounfortunateastobeinwantoffivehundredpounds。”
　　“Areyouthescoundrelwhosentmethatinfamousletter？“
　　Thecharmingstrangerneverturnedahair。
　　“IamthescoundrelmentionedinthatinfamousletterwhowantstoaccostyouatthePiccadillyendoftheBurlingtonArcadebeforehalf-pastfive——aswitnessmywhitehatandmygardenia。”
　　“Where”smywife？“
　　Thestrangergentlyswunghisstickinfrontofhimwithhistwohands。Heregardedthedukeasamerry-heartedsonmightregardhisfather。Thethingwasbeautiful！
　　“Hergracewillbehomealmostassoonasyouare——whenyouhavegivenmethemoneywhichIperceiveyouhaveallreadyformeinthatscarcelyelegant-lookingcanvasbag。”Heshruggedhisshouldersquitegracefully。“Unfortunately，inthesemattersonehasnochoice——oneisforcedtoaskforgold。”
　　“Andsuppose，insteadofgivingyouwhatisinthiscanvasbag，I
　　takeyoubythethroatandchoketheliferightoutofyou？“
　　“Orsuppose，“amendedMr。Dacre，“thatyoudobetter，andcommendthisgentlemantothetendermerciesofthefirstpolicemanweencounter。”
　　ThestrangerturnedtoMr。Dacre。Hecondescendedtobecomeconsciousofhispresence。
　　“Isthisgentlemanyourgrace”sfriend？Ah——Mr。Dacre，Iperceive！
　　IhavethehonorofknowingMr。Dacre，though，possibly，Iamunknowntohim。”
　　“Youwere——untilthismoment。”
　　Withanairylittlelaughthestrangerreturnedtotheduke。Hebrushedaninvisiblespeckofdustoffthesleeveofhiscoat。
　　“Ashasbeenintimatedinthatinfamousletter，hisgraceisatperfectlibertytogivemeintocustody——whynot？Only“——hesaiditwithhisboyishsmile”ifaparticularcommunicationisnotreceivedfrommeincertainquarterswithinacertaintimetheDuchessofDatchet”sbeautifulwhitearmwillbehackedoffattheshoulder。”
　　“Youhound！“
　　Thedukewouldhavetakenthestrangerbythethroat，andhavedonehisbesttochoketheliferightoutofhimthenandthere，ifMr。
　　Dacrehadnotintervened。
　　“Steady，oldman！“Mr。Dacreturnedtothestranger。“Youappeartobeaprettysortofascoundrel。”
　　Thestrangergavehisshouldersthatalmostimperceptibleshrug。
　　“Oh，mydearDacre，Iaminwantofmoney！Ibelievethatyousometimesareinwantofmoney，too。”
　　EverybodyknowsthatnobodyknowswhereIvorDacregetshismoneyfrom，sotheallusionmusthavetickledhimimmensely。
　　“You”reacoolhand，“hesaid。
　　“Somemenarebornthatway。”
　　“SoIshouldimagine。Menlikeyoumustbeborn，notmade。”
　　“Precisely——asyousay！“Thestrangerturned，withhisgracefulsmile，totheduke：“Butarewenotwastingprecioustime？Icanassureyourgracethat，inthisparticularmatter，momentsareofvalue。”
　　Mr。Dacreinterposedbeforethedukecouldanswer。
　　“Ifyoutakemystronglyurgedadvice，Datchet，youwillsummonthisconstablewhoisnowcomingdowntheArcade，andhandthisgentlemanovertohiskeeping。Idonotthinkthatyouneedfearthattheduchesswillloseherarm，orevenherlittlefinger。
　　Scoundrelsofthisone”skidneyaremostamenabletoreasonwhentheyhavehandcuffsontheirwrists。”
　　Thedukeplainlyhesitated。Hewould——andhewouldnot。Thestranger，asheeyedhim，seemedmuchamused。
　　“Mydearduke，byallmeansactonMr。Dacre”svaluablesuggestion。
　　AsIsaidbefore，whynot？Itwouldatleastbeinterestingtoseeiftheduchessdoesordoesnotloseherarm——almostasinterestingtoyouastoMr。Dacre。Thoseblackmailing，kidnapingscoundrelsdousesuchemptymenaces。Besides，youwouldhavethepleasureofseeingmelockedup。Myimprisonmentforlifewouldrecompenseyouevenforthelossofhergrace”sarm。Andfivehundredpoundsissuchasumtohavetopay——merelyforawife！Whynot，therefore，actonMr。Dacre”ssuggestion？Herecomestheconstable。”Theconstablereferredtowasadvancingtowardthem——hewasnotadozenyardsaway。“Letmebeckontohim——Iwillwithpleasure。”Hetookouthiswatch——agoldchronographrepeater。“TherearescarcelytenminutesleftduringwhichitwillbepossibleformetosendthecommunicationwhichIspokeof，sothatitmayarriveintime。
　　Asitwillthenbetoolate，andtheinstrumentsarealreadypreparedforthelittleoperationwhichhergraceiseagerlyanticipating，itwould，perhaps，beaswell，afterall，thatyoushouldgivemeintocharge。Youwouldhavesavedyourfivehundredpounds，andyouwould，atanyrate，havesomethinginexchangeforhergrace”smutilatedlimb。Ah，hereistheconstable！Officer！“
　　Thestrangerspokewithsuchapleasantlittleairofeasygenialitythatitwasimpossibletotellifhewereinjestorinearnest。Thisfactimpressedthedukemuchmorethanifhehadgoneinforaliberalindulgenceofthe——underthecircumstances——
　　orthodoxmelodramaticscowling。And，indeed，inthefaceofhisowncommonsense，itimpressedMr。IvorDacretoo。
　　Thiswell-bred，well-groomedyouthwasjustthebeingtorealize——
　　auxboutsdesongles——amoderntypeofthedevil，thetypewhichdepictshimasaperfectgentleman，whokeepssmilingallthetime。
　　Theconstablewhomthisaudaciousroguehadsignaledapproachedthelittlegroup。Headdressedthestranger：
　　“Doyouwantme，sir？“
　　“No，Idonotwantyou。IthinkitistheDukeofDatchet。”
　　Theconstable，whoknewthedukeverywellbysight，salutedhimasheturnedtoreceiveinstructions。
　　Thedukelookedwhite，evensavage。Therewasnotapleasantlookinhiseyesandabouthislips。Heappearedtobeendeavoringtoputagreatrestraintuponhimself。Therewasamomentarysilence。
　　Mr。Dacremadeamovementasiftointerpose。Thedukecaughthimbythearm。
　　Hespoke：“No，constable，Idonotwantyou。Thispersonismistaken。”
　　Theconstablelookedasifhecouldnotquitemakeouthowsuchamistakecouldhavearisen，hesitated，then，withanothersalute，hemovedaway。
　　Thestrangerwasstillholdinghiswatchinhishand。
　　“Onlyeightminutes，“hesaid。
　　Thedukeseemedtoexperiencesomedifficultyingivingutterancetowhathehadtosay。
　　“IfIgiveyouthisfivehundredpounds，you——you”
　　Asthedukepaused，asifatalossforlanguagewhichwasstrongenoughtoconveyhismeaning，thestrangerlaughed。
　　“Letustaketheadjectivesforgranted。Besides，itisonlyboyswhocalleachothernames——mendothings。Ifyougivemethefivehundredsovereigns，whichyouhaveinthatbag，atonce——infiveminutesitwillbetoolate——Iwillpromise——Iwillnotswear；ifyoudonotcreditmysimplepromise，youwillnotbelievemysolemnaffirmation——Iwillpromisethat，possiblywithinanhour，certainlywithinanhourandahalf，theDuchessofDatchetshallreturntoyouabsolutelyuninjured——except，ofcourse，asyouarealreadyaware，withregardtoafewofthehairsofherhead。I
　　willpromisethisontheunderstandingthatyoudonotyourselfattempttoseewhereIgo，andthatyouwillallownooneelsetodoso。”ThiswithaglanceatIvorDacre。“IshallknowatonceifIamfollowed。Ifyouentertainsuchintentions，youhadbetter，onallaccounts，remaininpossessionofyourfivehundredpounds。”
　　Thedukeeyedhimverygrimly。
　　“Ientertainnosuchintentions——untiltheduchessreturns。”
　　Againthestrangerindulgedinthatmusicallaughofhis。
　　“Ah，untiltheduchessreturns！Ofcourse，thenthebargain”satanend。Whenyouareoncemoreintheenjoymentofhergrace”ssociety，youwillbeatlibertytosetallthedogsinEuropeatmyheels。IassureyouIfullyexpectthatyouwilldoso——whynot？“
　　Thedukeraisedthecanvasbag。“Mydearduke，tenthousandthanks！YoushallseehergraceatDatchetHouse，”ponmyhonor，probablywithinthehour。”
　　“Well，“commentedIvorDacre，whenthestrangerhadvanished，withthebag，intoPiccadilly，andasthedukeandhimselfmovedtowardBurlingtonGardens，“ifagentlemanistoberobbed，itisaswellthatheshouldhaveanothergentlemanrobhim。”
　　III
　　Mr。Dacreeyedhiscompanioncovertlyastheyprogressed。HisGraceofDatchetappearedtohavesomefreshcauseforuneasiness。
　　Allatoncehegaveitutterance，inatoneofvoicewhichwasextremelysomber：
　　“Ivor，doyouthinkthatscoundrelwilldaretoplaymefalse？“
　　“Ithink，“murmuredMr。Dacre，“thathehasdaredtoplayyouprettyfalsealready。”
　　“Idon”tmeanthat。ButImeanhowamItoknow，nowthathehashismoney，thathewillstillnotkeepMabelinhisclutches？“
　　TherecameanechofromMr。Dacre。
　　“Justso——howareyoutoknow？“
　　“IbelievethatsomethingofthissorthasbeendoneintheStates。”
　　“Ithoughtthattheretheywerecontenttokidnapthemaftertheyweredead。Iwasnotawarethattheyhad，asyet，gotquitesofarastheliving。”
　　“IbelievethatIhaveheardofsomethingjustlikethis。”
　　“Possibly；theyaregiantsoverthere。”
　　“Andinthatcasethescoundrels，whentheirdemandsweremet，refusedtokeeptotheletteroftheirbargainandaskedformore。”
　　Thedukestoodstill。Heclinchedhisfists，andswore：
　　“Ivor，ifthat——villaindoesn”tkeephisword，andMabelisn”thomewithinthehour，by——Ishallgomad！“
　　“MydearDatchet“——Mr。Dacrelovedstronglanguageaslittleashelovedascene”letustrusttotimeand，alittle，toyourwhite-
　　hattedandgardenia-buttonholedfriend”swordofhonor。Youshouldhavethoughtofpossibleeventualitiesbeforeyoushowedyourconfidence——really。Suppose，insteadofgoingmad，wefirstofallgohome？“
　　AhansomstoodwaitingforafareattheendoftheArcade。Mr。
　　Dacrehadhandedthedukeintoitbeforehisgracehadquiterealizedthatthevehiclewasthere。
　　“Tellthefellowtodrivefaster。”Thatwaswhatthedukesaidwhenthecabhadstarted。
　　“MydearDatchet，theman”salreadydrivinghisgeerageoffitslegs。Ifabobbycatchessightofhimhe”lltakehisnumber。”
　　Amomentlater，amurmurfromtheduke：
　　“Idon”tknowifyou”reawarethattheprinceiscomingtodinner？“
　　“Iamperfectlyawareofit。”
　　“Youtakeituncommonlycool。Howeasyitistobearourbrother”sburdens！Ivor，ifMabeldoesn”tturnupIshallfeellikemurder。”
　　“Isympathizewithyou，Datchet，withallmyheart，though，Imayobserve，parenthetically，thatIveryfarfromrealizethesituationevenyet。Takemyadvice。Iftheduchessdoesnotshowquiteassoonaswebothofusdesire，don”tmakeascene；justletmeseewhatIcando。”
　　Judgingfromtheexpressionofhiscountenance，thedukewasconsciousofnooverwhelmingdesiretowitnessanexhibitionofMr。
　　Dacre”sprowess。
　　WhenthecabreachedDatchetHousehisgracedashedupthestepsthreeatatime。Thedoorflewopen。
　　“Hastheduchessreturned？“
　　“Hereward！“
　　Avoicefloateddownwardfromabove。Someonecamerunningdownthestairs。ItwasherGraceofDatchet。
　　“Mabel！“
　　Sheactuallyrushedintotheduke”sextendedarms。Andhekissedher，andshekissedhim——beforetheservants。
　　“Soyou”renotquitedead？“shecried。
　　“Iamalmost，“hesaid。
　　Shedrewherselfalittleawayfromhim。
　　“Hereward，wereyouseriouslyhurt？“
　　“DoyousupposethatIcouldhavebeenotherwisethanseriouslyhurt？“
　　“Mydarling！WasitaPickford”svan？“
　　Thedukestared。
　　“APickford”svan？Idon”tunderstand。Butcomeinhere。Comealong，Ivor。Mabel，youdon”tseeIvor。”
　　“Howdoyoudo，Mr。Dacre？“
　　Thenthetriowithdrewintoalittleanteroom；itwasreallytime。
　　EventhenthepairconductedthemselvesasifMr。Dacrehadbeennothingandnoone。Theduketookthelady”stwohandsinhis。Heeyedherfondly。
　　“Soyouareuninjured，withtheexceptionofthatlockofhair。
　　Wheredidthevillaintakeitfrom？“
　　Theladylookedalittlepuzzled。
　　“Whatlockofhair？“
　　Fromanenvelopewhichhetookfromhispocketthedukeproducedashiningtress。Itwasthelockofhairwhichhadarrivedinthefirstcommunication。“Iwillhaveitframed。”
　　“Youwillhavewhatframed？“Theduchessglancedatwhatthedukewassotenderlycaressing，almost，asitseemed，alittledubiously。“Whateverisityouhavethere？“
　　“Itisthelockofhairwhichthatscoundrelsentme。”Somethinginthelady”sfacecausedhimtoaskaquestion：
　　“Didn”thetellyouhehadsentittome？“
　　“Hereward！“
　　“Didthebrutetellyouthathemeanttocutoffyourlittlefinger？“
　　Averycuriouslookcameintothelady”sface。Sheglancedatthedukeasifshe，allatonce，washalfafraidofhim。ShecastatMr。Dacrewhatreallyseemedtobealookofinquiry。Hervoicewastremulouslyanxious。
　　“Hereward，did——didtheaccidentaffectyoumentally？“
　　“Howcoulditnothaveaffectedmementally？Doyouthinkthatmymentalorganizationisofsteel？“
　　“Butyoulooksowell。”
　　“OfcourseIlookwell，nowthatIhaveyoubackagain。Tellme，darling，didthathoundactuallythreatenyouwithcuttingoffyourarm？Ifhedid，Ishallfeelhalfinclinedtokillhimyet。”
　　Theduchessseemedpositivelytoshrinkfromherbetterhalf”snearneighborhood。
　　“Hereward，wasitaPickford”svan？“
　　Thedukeseemedpuzzled。Wellhemightbe。
　　“WaswhataPickford”svan？“
　　TheladyturnedtoMr。Dacre。Inhervoicetherewasaringofanguish。
　　“Mr。Dacre，tellme，wasitaPickford”svan？“Ivorcouldonlyimitatehisrelative”srepetitionofherinquiry。
　　“Idon”tquitecatchyou——waswhataPickford”svan？“
　　Theduchessclaspedherhandsinfrontofher。
　　“Whatisityouarekeepingfromme？Whatisityouaretryingtohide？Iimploreyoutotellmetheworst，whateveritmaybe！Donotkeepmeanylongerinsuspense；youdonotknowwhatIalreadyhaveendured。Mr。Dacre，ismyhusbandmad？“
　　Oneneedscarcelyobservethatthelady”samazingappealtoMr。
　　Dacreastoherhusband”ssanitywasreceivedwithsomethinglikesurprise。Asthedukecontinuedtostareather，adreadfulfearbegantoloominhisbrain。
　　“Mydarling，yourbrainisunhinged！“
　　Headvancedtotakehertwohandsagaininhis；but，tohisunmistakabledistress，sheshrankawayfromhim。
　　“Hereward——don”ttouchme。HowisitthatImissedyou？WhydidyounotwaituntilIcame？“
　　“Waituntilyoucame？“
　　Theduke”sbewildermentincreased。
　　“Surely，ifyourinjuriesturnedout，afterall，tobeslight，thatwasallthemorereasonwhyyoushouldhavewaited，aftersendingformelikethat。”
　　“Isentforyou——I？“Theduke”stonewasgrave。“Mydarling，perhapsyouhadbettercomeupstairs。”
　　“Notuntilwehavehadanexplanation。YoumusthaveknownthatI
　　shouldcome。Whydidyounotwaitformeafteryouhadsentmethat？“
　　Theduchessheldoutsomethingtotheduke。Hetookit。Itwasacard——hisownvisitingcard。Somethingwaswrittenonthebackofit。Hereadaloudwhatwaswritten。
　　“”Mabel，cometomeatoncewiththebearer。Theytellmethattheycannottakemehome。”Itlookslikemyownwriting。”
　　“Lookslikeit！ItISyourwriting。”
　　“Itlookslikeit——andwrittenwithashakypen。”
　　“Mydearchild，one”shandwouldshakeatsuchamomentasthat。”
　　“Mabel，wheredidyougetthis？“
　　“ItwasbroughttomeinCaneandWilson”s。”
　　“Whobroughtit？“
　　“Whobroughtit？Why，themanyousent。”
　　“ThemanIsent！“Alightburstupontheduke”sbrain。Hefellbackapace。“It”sthedecoy！“
　　Hergraceechoedthewords：
　　“Thedecoy？“
　　“Thescoundrel！Tosetatrapwithsuchabait！Mypoorinnocentdarling，didyouthinkitcamefromme？Tellme，Mabel，wheredidhecutoffyourhair？“
　　“Cutoffmyhair？“
　　Hergraceputherhandtoherheadasiftomakesurethatherhairwasthere。
　　“Wheredidhetakeyouto？“
　　“HetookmetoDraper”sBuildings。”
　　“Draper”sBuildings？“
　　“IhaveneverbeenintheCitybefore，buthetoldmeitwasDraper”sBuildings。Isn”tthatneartheStockExchange？“
　　“NeartheStockExchange？“
　　Itseemedratheracuriousplacetowhichtotakeakidnapedvictim。Theman”saudacity！
　　“HetoldmethatyouwerecomingoutoftheStockExchangewhenavanknockedyouover。HesaidthathethoughtitwasaPickford”svan——wasitaPickford”svan？“
　　“No，itwasnotaPickford”svan。Mabel，wereyouinDraper”sBuildingswhenyouwrotethatletter？“
　　“Wrotewhatletter？“
　　“Haveyouforgottenitalready？IdonotbelievethatthereisawordinitwhichwillnotbebrandedonmybrainuntilIdie。”
　　“Hereward！Whatdoyoumean？“
　　“Surelyyoucannothavewrittenmesuchaletterasthat，andthenhaveforgottenitalready？“
　　Hehandedhertheletterwhichhadarrivedinthesecondcommunication。Sheglancedatit，askance。Thenshetookitwithalittlegasp。
　　“Hereward，ifyoudon”tmind，IthinkI”lltakeachair。”Shetookachair。“Whatever——whatever”sthis？“Asshereadtheletterthevaryingexpressionswhichpassedacrossherfacewere，inthemselves，astudyinpsychology。“Isitpossiblethatyoucanimaginethat，underanyconceivablecircumstances，Icouldhavewrittensuchaletterasthis？“
　　“Mabel！“
　　Sherosetoherfeetwithemphasis。
　　“Hereward，don”tsaythatyouthoughtthiscamefromme！“
　　“Notfromyou？“HerememberedKnowles”sdiplomaticreceptionoftheepistleonitsfirstappearance。“Isupposethatyouwillsaynextthatthisisnotalockofyourhair？“
　　“Mydearchild，whatbeehaveyougotinyourbonnet？Thisalockofmyhair！Why，it”snotintheleastbitlikemyhair！“
　　Whichwascertainlyinaccurate。Asfarascolorwasconcerneditwasanalmostperfectmatch。TheduketurnedtoMr。Dacre。
　　“Ivor，I”vehadtogothroughagooddealthisafternoon。IfI
　　havetogothroughmuchmore，somethingwillcrack！“Hetouchedhisforehead。“Ithinkit”smyturntotakeachair。”Nottheonewhichtheduchesshadvacated，butonewhichfacedit。Hestretchedouthislegsinfrontofhim；hethrusthishandsintohistrouserspockets；hesaid，inatonewhichwasnotgloomybutabsolutelygrewsome：
　　“MightIask，Mabel，ifyouhavebeenkidnaped？“
　　“Kidnaped？“
　　“ThewordIusedwas”kidnaped。”ButIwillspellitifyoulike。
　　OrIwillgetadictionary，thatyoumayseeitsmeaning。”
　　Theduchesslookedasifshewasbeginningtobenotquitesureifshewasawakeorsleeping。SheturnedtoIvor。
　　“Mr。Dacre，hastheaccidentaffectedHereward”sbrain？“
　　Theduketookthewordsoutofhiscousin”smouth。
　　“Onthatpoint，mydear，letmeeaseyourmind。Idon”tknowifyouareundertheimpressionthatIshouldbethesameshapeafteraPickford”svanhadrunovermeasIwasbefore；but，inanycase，IhavenotbeenrunoverbyaPickford”svan。SofarasIamconcernedtherehasbeennoaccident。Dismissthatdelusionfromyourmind。”
　　“Oh！“
　　“Youappearsurprised。Onemighteventhinkthatyouweresorry。
　　ButmayInowaskwhatyoudidwhenyouarrivedatDraper”sBuildings？“
　　“Did！Ilookedforyou！“
　　“Indeed！Andwhenyouhadlookedinvain，whatwasthenextiteminyourprogramme？“
　　Theladyshrankstillfartherfromhim。
　　“Hereward，haveyoubeenhavingajestatmyexpense？Canyouhavebeensocruel？“Tearsstoodinhereyes。
　　Rising，thedukelaidhishanduponherarm。
　　“Mabel，tellme——whatdidyoudowhenyouhadlookedformeinvain？“
　　“Ilookedforyouupstairsanddownstairsandeverywhere。Itwasquitealargeplace，ittookmeeversuchatime。IthoughtthatI
　　shouldgodistracted。Nobodyseemedtoknowanythingaboutyou，oreventhattherehadbeenanaccidentatall——itwasalloffices。I
　　couldn”tmakeitoutintheleast，andthepeopledidn”tseemtobeabletomakemeouteither。SowhenIcouldn”tfindyouanywhereI
　　camestraighthomeagain。”
　　Thedukewassilentforamoment。ThenwithfunerealgravityheturnedtoMr。Dacre。Heputtohimthisquestion：
　　“Ivor，whatareyoulaughingat？“
　　Mr。Dacredrewhishandacrosshismouthwithratherasuspiciousgesture。
　　“Mydearfellow，onlyasmile！“
　　Theduchesslookedfromonetotheother。
　　“Whathaveyoutwobeendoing？Whatisthejoke？“
　　Withanairofpreternaturalsolemnitytheduketooktwolettersfromthebreastpocketofhiscoat。
　　“Mabel，youhavealreadyseenyourletter。Youhavealreadyseenthelockofyourhair。Justlookatthis——andthat。”
　　Hegaveherthetwoverysingularcommunicationswhichhadarrivedinsuchamysteriousmanner，andsoquicklyoneaftertheother。
　　Shereadthemwithwide-openeyes。
　　“Hereward！Whereverdidthesecomefrom？“
　　Thedukewasstandingwithhislegsapart，andhishandsinhistrouserspockets。“Iwouldgive——Iwouldgiveanotherfivehundredpoundstoknow。ShallItellyou，madam，whatIhavebeendoing？
　　Ihavebeenpresentingfivehundredgoldensovereignstoaperfectstranger，withatophat，andagardeniainhisbuttonhole。”
　　“Whateverfor？“
　　“Ifyouhaveperusedthosedocumentswhichyouhaveinyourhand，youwillhavesomefaintidea。Ivor，whenit”syourfuneral，I”LL
　　smile。Mabel，DuchessofDatchet，itisbeginningtodawnuponthevacuumwhichrepresentsmybrainthatI”vebeenthevictimofoneoftheprettiestthingsinpracticaljokesthateveryetwasplanned。WhenthatfellowbroughtyouthatcardatCaneandWilson”s——which，Ineedscarcelytellyou，nevercamefromme——someonewalkedoutofthefrontentrancewhowassoexactlylikeyouthatbothBarnesandMoyseytookherforyou。Moyseyshowedherintothecarriage，andBarnesdroveherhome。Butwhenthecarriagereachedhomeitwasempty。Yourdoublehadgotoutupontheroad。”
　　Theduchessutteredasoundwhichwashalfgasp，halfsigh。
　　“Hereward！“
　　“BarnesandMoysey，withbeautifulandchildlikeinnocence，whentheyfoundthattheyhadbroughtthethinghomeempty，camestraightwayandtoldmethatYOUhadjumpedoutofthebroughamwhileithadbeendrivingfullpeltthroughthestreets。WhileI
　　wasdigestingthatpieceofinformationtherecamethefirstepistle，withthelockofyourhair。BeforeIhadtimetodigestthattherecamethesecondepistle，withyoursinside。”
　　“Itseemsincredible！“
　　“Itsoundsincredible；butunfathomableisthefollyofman，especiallyofamanwholoveshiswife。”ThedukecrossedtoMr。
　　Dacre。“Idon”twant，Ivor，tosuggestanythinginthewayofbriberyandcorruption，butifyoucouldkeepthismattertoyourself，andnotmentionittoyourfriends，ourwhite-hattedandgardenia-buttonholedacquaintanceiswelcometohisfivehundredpounds，and——Mabel，whatonearthareyoulaughingat？“
　　Theduchessappeared，allatonce，tobeseizedwithinextinguishablelaughter。
　　“Hereward，“shecried，“justthinkhowthatmanmustbelaughingatyou！“
　　AndtheDukeofDatchetthoughtofit。
　　TheMinorCanonItwasMonday，andintheafternoon，asIwaswalkingalongtheHighStreetofMarchbury，Iwasmetbyadistinguished-lookingpersonwhomIhadobservedattheservicesinthecathedralonthepreviousday。NowitchancedonthatSundaythatIwassingingtheservice。Properlyspeaking，itwasnotmyturn；but，asmybrotherminorcanonswereeitherawayfromMarchburyorillinbed，Iwastheonlyonelefttoperformthenecessaryduty。Thedistinguished-lookingpersonwasatall，bigmanwitharoundfatfaceandsmallfeatures。Hiseyes，hishairandmustachehisfacewasbarebutforasmallmustachewerequiteblack，andhehadaverypleasantandgenialexpression。Heworeatallhat，setratherjauntilyonhishead，andhewasdressedinblackwithalongfrockcoatbuttonedacrossthechestandfittinghimclosetothebody。Ashecame，withahalfsaunter，halfswagger，alongthestreet，Iknewhimagainatoncebyhisappearance；and，ashecamenearer，Isawfromhismannerthathewasintendingtostopandspeaktome，forheslightlyraisedhishatandinasoft，melodiousvoicewithacolonial“twang“whichwasfarfrombeingdisagreeable，andwhich，indeed，tomyeargaveacertainadditionalinteresttohisremarks，hesalutedmewith“Goodday，sir！“
　　“Goodday，“Ianswered，withjustalittlereserveinmytone。
　　“Ihope，sir，“hebegan，“youwillexcusemystoppingyouinthestreet，butIwishtotellyouhowverymuchIenjoyedthemusicatyourcathedralyesterday。IamanAustralian，sir，andwehavenosuchmusicinmycountry。”
　　“Isupposenot，“Isaid。
　　“No，sir，“hewenton，“nothingnearlysofine。Iamveryfondofmusic，andasmybusinessbroughtmeinthisdirection，IthoughtI
　　wouldstopatyourcityandtaketheopportunityofpayingavisittoyourgrandcathedral。AndIamdelightedIcame；sopleased，indeed，thatIshouldliketoleavesomememorialofmyvisitbehindme。Ishouldlike，sir，todosomethingforyourchoir。”
　　“Iamsureitisverykindofyou，“Ireplied。
　　“Yes，IshouldcertainlybegladifyoucouldsuggesttomesomethingImightdointhisway。Asregardsmoney，ImaysaythatIhaveplentyofit。Iamtheownerofamostvaluableproperty。
　　Mybusinessrelationsextendthroughouttheworld，andifIamasfortunateintheprojectsofthefutureasIhavebeeninthepast，Ishallprobablyonedayachievetheproudpositionofbeingtherichestmanintheworld。”
　　Ididnotliketoundertakemyselftheresponsibilityofadvisingorsuggesting，soIsimplysaid：
　　“Icannotventuretosay，offhand，whatwouldbethemostacceptablewayofshowingyourgreatkindnessandgenerosity，butI
　　shouldcertainlyrecommendyoutoputyourselfincommunicationwiththedean。”
　　“Thankyou，sir，“saidmyAustralianfriend，“Iwilldoso。Andnow，sir，“hecontinued，“letmesayhowmuchIadmireyourvoice。
　　Itis，withoutexception，theveryfinestandclearestvoiceIhaveeverheard。”
　　“Really，“Ianswered，quiteovercomewithsuchunqualifiedpraise，“reallyitisverygoodofyoutosayso。”
　　“Ah，butIfeelit，mydearsir。Ihavebeenroundtheworld，fromSydneytoFrisco，acrossthecontinentofAmerica“hecalleditAmerrker“toNewYorkCity，thenontoEngland，andto-morrowI
　　shallleaveyourcitytocontinuemytravels。ButinallmyexperienceIhaveneverheardsograndavoiceasyourown。”
　　Thisandagreatdealmorehesaidinthesamestrain，whichmodestyforbidsmetoreproduce。
　　NowIamnotwithoutsomeknowledgeoftheworldoutsidethecloseofMarchburyCathedral，andIcouldnotlistentosucha“flatteringtale“withouthavingmysuspicionsaroused。Whoandwhatisthisman？thoughtI。Ilookedathimnarrowly。Atfirstthethoughtflashedacrossmethathemightbea“swellmobsman。”
　　Butno，hisfacewastoogoodforthat；besides，nomanwiththathugeframe，thatpersonalitysomarkedandsoeasilyrecognizable，couldbeaswindler；hecouldnotescapedetectionasinglehour。