CHAPTERXII
　　THEECHOOFALAUGH
　　ColonelMcIntyretrampedthedeserteddiningroominexasperation。
　　Nineo’clockandthetwinshadnotcometobreakfast，norwasthereanyevidencethatMrs。Brewsterintendedtakingthatmealdownstairs。
　　"Willyouwaitanylonger，sir？"inquiredGrimes，whohoveredsolicitouslyinthebackground。"I’mafraid，sir，youreggswillbeover—done。"
　　"Bringthemalong，"directedMcIntyre，andflunghimselfintohischairatthefootofthetable。HehadbeenseatedbutafewminuteswhenBarbaraappearedanddutifullypresentedhercheektobekissed，thenshetrippedlightlytoHelen’splaceoppositeherfather，andpressedtheelectricbellforGrimes。
　　"Coffee，please，"shesaidasthatworthyappeared，andbusiedherselfinarrangingthecupsandsaucers。"Helenistakingherbreakfastupstairs，"sheexplainedtoherfather。
　　"HowaboutMrs。Brewster？"
　　"Stillasleep。"Barbarapouredoutherfather’scoffeewithcarefulattentiontodetail。"Ipeekedintoherroomamomentagoandshelookedso’comfy’Ihadn’tthehearttoawakenher。Youmusthavebeenverylateattheclublastnight。"
　　"Wegothomealittleafteroneo’clock。"
　　McIntyrehelpedhimselftopoachedeggsandbacon。"Whatdidyoudolastnight？"
　　"Wenttobedearly，"answeredBarbarawithbrevity。"Helenwasn’tfeelingwell。"
　　McIntyre’shandsomefaceshowedconcernasheglancedacrossthetable。"HaveyousentforDr。Stone？"
　　"No。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"Helen—I—we"—Barbarastumbledinherspeech。"WehavetakenanaversiontoDr。Stone。"
　　McIntyresetdownhiscoffeecupwithunwontedforce，therebyspillingsomeofitscontents。
　　"What！"heexclaimedincompleteastonishment，andregardedherfixedlyforamoment。Histolerantmanner，whichhefrequentlyassumedtowardBarbara，grewstern。"Dr。Stoneismypersonalfriend，aswellasourfamilyphysician—"
　　"AndacousinofMargaretBrewster，"putinBarbaramildly。
　　"Well，whatofit？"trenchantly，awarethathehadcoloredatmentionofthewidow’sname。"Nothing，"Barbara’seyesopenedinnocently。"Ionlyrecalledthefactofhisrelationshipasyouenumeratedhisvirtues。"
　　ColonelMcIntyretransferredhisregardfromhertothebutler。
　　"Youneednotwait，Grimes。"Heremainedsilentuntiltheservantwassafelyinthepantry，andthenaddressedhisdaughter。"Noneofyourtricks，Barbara，"hecautioned。"IfHelenisillenoughtorequiremedicalattention，Dr。Stoneistobesentfor，regardlessofyoursuddendisliketohim，forwhich，bytheway，youhavegivennocause。"
　　"Haven’tI？"Barbarafoldedhernapkinwithneatexactness。"It’s—it’sintangible。"
　　"Pooh！"McIntyregaveashortlaugh，ashepushedbackhischair。
　　"I’mgoingtoseeHelen。AndBarbara，"stoppingonhiswaytothedoor，"don’tbeafool。"
　　Barbararubbedthetinymoleunderthelobeofherear，atrickshehadwhenabsent—mindedorindeepthought。"Helen，"sheannounced，unawarethatshespokeloud，"shallhaveaphysician，butitwon’tbe—why，Grimes，"awakeningtotheservant’snoiselessreturn。"Youcantakethebreakfastdishes。DidMissHeleneatanything？"
　　"Notverymuch，miss。"Grimesshookatroubledhead。"Butshedonebetterthanatdinnerlastnight，soshe’spickingup，anddon’tyoubeworriedoverher，"withemphasis，ashesidlednearer。"Tellme，miss，isthecolonelcourtin’Mrs。Brewster？"
　　"Askhim，"shesuggestedandsmiledattheconsternationwhichspreadoverthebutler’sface。
　　"Me，miss！"heexclaimedinhorror。"Itwouldbeasmuchasmyplaceisworth;thecolonel’sthatquick—tempered。Why，miss，justbecauseItidieduphisdeskandputhispaperstorightsheflewintoaterriblepassion。"
　　"Whenwasthat？"
　　"Earlythismorning，miss;andhesoupsetThomas，miss，thathegavenotice。"
　　"Oh，that’stoobad。"Barbaralikedthesecondman。"Perhapsfatherwillreconsiderandpersuadehimtostay。"
　　Thebutlerlookedunconvinced。"Itwasaboutthepolicedogs，"heconfidedtoher。"ThomastoldhimthatMissHelenwantedthembroughtback，andthecolonelsworeathim—’twasmorethanThomascouldstandandheupsandgoes。"Barbarahaltedhalfwaytothedoor。"DidThomasgetthedogs？"
　　"Youwaitandsee，miss。"Grimeswasguiltyofamostundignifiedwink。"Thomasain’tforgivenhimselffornotbeinghereMondaynight，miss;thoughitwouldn’tadonehimanygood;hewouldn’taheardMr。
　　Turnbullclimbinginorhisarrest，awayupstairsintheservants’
　　quarters。"
　　"Grimes，"Barbararetractedherfootstepsandplacedherlipsveryclosetotheoldservant’sear。
　　"WhenIcameinonTuesdaymorningIfoundthedoortotheatticstairwaystandingpartlyopen……
　　"Didyounow，miss？"Thetworegardedeachotherwarily。"Andwhathourmaythathavebeen？"
　　Thebutlercockedhisearforheranswer—’hewassometimesalittlehardofhearing;buthewaitedinvain，Barbarahaddisappearedinsidethelibrary。
　　ColonelMcIntyrehadnotgoneatoncetoseehisdaughterHelen，asBarbarahadsupposedfromhisremark，insteadhewentdownthestaircaseandintothereceptionroomonthegroundfloor。Itwasgenerallyusedasasmokingroomandlounge，butwhenentertainingwasdone，cloaksandwrapswereleftthere。McIntyrelookedovertheprettilyupholsteredfurniture，thenstrolledtothewindowandcarefullyinspectedthelock;itappearedinperfectorderashetestedit。Pushingthecatchbackasfarasitwouldgo，heraisedthewindow—thesashmovedupwardwithoutasound，andheleanedoutandlookedupanddownthepathwhichranthedepthofthehousetothekitchendoorandservants’entrance。
　　Therewasanirongateseparatingthepathfromthesidewalk，alwayskeptlockedatnight，andMcIntyrehadthoughtthatsufficientprotectionandhadnotputanirongrilleinthewindow。
　　McIntyreclosedandlockedthewindow，thenpullingoutthegiltchairwhichstoodinfrontofthedesk，hesatdown，selectedsomemonogrammedpaperandpennedafewlinesinhischaracteristicthoughlegiblewriting。Pickingupsomeredsealingwax，helightedthesmallcandleinitsbrassholderwhichmatchedtherestofthedeskornaments，butbeforeheatingthewaxhelookedforhissignetring，andfrownedwhenherecalledleavingitonhisdresser。
　　Hehesitatedamoment，thencatchingsightofasilverseallyingatthebackofthedeskhepickeditupandmoistenedtheinitial。
　　Afewminuteslaterheblewoutthecandle，returnedthewaxandsealtoapigeonhole，andcarefullyplacedtheenvelopewithitswellstampedletter"B"inhiscoatpocket，andtrampedupstairs。
　　Helenheardhisheavytreadcomingdownthehalltowardherroom，andscrambledbacktobed。Shehadbuttimetoarrangeherdressingsacquewhenherfatherwalkedin。
　　"Goodmorning，mydear，"hesaidand，stoopingover，kissedher。
　　Ashestraightenedup，thesideofhissingle—breastedcoatturnedbackandexposedtoHelen’sbrighteyestheendofawhiteenvelope。"Barbaratoldmeyouarenotwell，"hewheeledforwardachairandsatdownbythebed。"Hadn’tIbettersendforDr。
　　Stone？""Oh，no，"herreply，thoughsomewhatfaint，wasemphatic，andhefrowned。
　　"Whynot？"aggressively。"ItrustyoudonotshareBarbara’ssuddenlydevelopedprejudiceagainstthegooddoctor。"
　　"Idonotrequireaphysician，"shesaidevasively。"Iamwell。"
　　McIntyreregardedhervexedly。Hecouldnotdecidewhetherherflushedcheekswerefromfeverortheresultofexertionorexcitement。Excitementoverwhat？Helookedabouttheroom;itreflectedthetasteofitsdaintyownerinitsfurnishings，butnowheredidhefindananswertohisunspokenquestion，untilhiseyelightedonaboxofrougeundertheelectriclamponherbedstand。
　　"Don’tusethat，"hesaid，touchingthebox。
　　"YouknowIdetestmake—up。"
　　"Oh，that！"Sheturnedtoseewhathewastalkingabout。"ThatrougebelongstoMargaretBrewster。"
　　McIntyrepromptlychangedtheconversation。"Haveyouhadyourbreakfast？"heasked。
　　"Yes;Grimestookthetraydownsometimeago。"Helenwatchedherfatherfidgetwithhiswatchfobforseveralminutes，thenaskedwithcharacteristicdirectness。"Whatdoyouwish？"
　　"Toseethatyouhavepropermedicalattentionifyouareill，"hereturnedpromptly。"HowwouldaweekortendaysatAtlanticCitysuityouandBarbara？"
　　"Notatall。"Helensatupfromherrecliningpositiononthepillows。"Youforget，father，thatwehaveahouse—guest;MargaretBrewsterisnotleavinguntilMay。"
　　"Ihadnotforgotten，"curtly。"Iproposethatshegowithus。"
　　Afaint"Oh！"escapedHelen，otherwiseshemadenocomment，andMcIntyre，aftercontemplatingherforaminute，lookedaway。
　　"EithergotoAtlanticCitywithus，Helen，orresumeyournormal，everydaylife，"hesaidshortly。"Iamtiredofheroics;JimmieTurnbullwashardlythemantoinspirethem。"
　　"Stop！"Helen’svoicerangoutimperiously。"IwillnotpermitonewordsaidindisparagementofJimmie，leastofallfromyou，father。
　　Wait，"asheattemptedtospeak。"IdonotknowwhattraitsofcharacterImayhaveinheritedfromyou，butIhaveallmother’sloyalty，and—thatloyaltybelongstoJimmie。"
　　McIntyre’seyesshiftedunderhergaze。
　　"Iregretverymuchthisobsession，"hesaidrising。"Iwillnotattempttoreasonwithyouagain，Helen，but"—hemadenoefforttolowerhisvoice，"theworld—ourworldwillsoonknowwhatmannerofmanJamesTurnbullwas，ofthatIamdetermined。"
　　"AndI"—Helenfacedherfatherproudly—"Iwillleavenostoneunturnedtodefendhismemory。"
　　Herfatherwheeledabout。"Indoingso，seethatyoudonotcompromiseyourself，"heremarkedcoldly，andbeforetheinfuriatedgirlcouldanswer，heslammedthedoorshutandstalkeddownstairs。
　　SomehalfhourlaterheopenedthedoorofRochesterandKent’slawofficeandwouldhavewalkedunceremoniouslyintoKent’sprivateofficehadnotJohnSylvestersteppedforwardfrombehindhisdeskinthecorner。
　　"Goodmorning，Colonel，"hesaidcivilly。"Mr。Kentisnothere。
　　Doyouwishtoleaveanymessage？"
　　"Oh，goodmorning，Sylvester，"McIntyre’smannerwasbrusque。"WhendoyouexpectMr。Kent？"
　　"Inabouttwentyminutes，Colonel。"Sylvesterglancedatthewallclock。"Won’tyousitdown？"
　　McIntyretookthechairandplanteditbythewindow。Neveraverypatientman，hewaitedforKentwithincreasingirritation，andattheendofhalfanhourhistemperwasuppermost。"Givemesomethingtowritewith，"hedemandedofSylvester。Acceptingtheclerk’sfountainpenwithoutthanks，hewalkedovertothecentertableand，drawingouthisleatherwallet，tookfromitavisitingcardand，stoopingover，wroteYouhavebutthirty—sixhoursremaining。
　　McIntyre。
　　"SeethatMr。Kentgetsthiscard，"hedirected。"No，don’tputitthere，"irascibly，astheclerklaidthecardontopofapileofletters。"TakeitintoMr。Kent’sofficeandputitonhisdesk。"
　　TherewasthataboutColonelMcIntyrewhichinspiredcompleteobediencetohiswishes，andSylvesterfollowedhisdirectionswithoutfurtherquestion。
　　AstheclerksteppedintoKent’sofficeMcIntyresawawomansittingbytheemptydesk。Sheturnedherheadonhearingfootstepsandtheirglancesmet。Afaintexclamationbrokefromher。
　　"Margaret！"McIntyrestrodepastSylvester。"Whatareyoudoinghere？"
　　Mrs。Brewster’sreadylaughhidallsignofembarrassment。"Mustyouknow？"sheaskedarchly。"ThatishardlyfairtoBarbara。"
　　"SoBarbarasentyouherewithamessage！"Mrs。Brewstertreatedhisremarkasastatementandnotaquestion，andbrisklychangedthesubject。
　　"Ican’twaitanylonger，"shepouted。"PleasetellMr。KentthatIamsorrynottohaveseenhim。"
　　"Iwill，madam。"SylvesterplacedMcIntyre’scardinthecenterofKent’sdeskandflewtoopenthedoorforMrs。Brewster。
　　Asthewidowsteppedintothecorridorshebrushedbyanover—dressedwoman，whosecheapfinerygaveclearindicationofhertastes。Hardlynoticinganother’spresencesheturnedandtookMcIntyre’sarmandtheystrolledofftogether，hersoftlaughfloatingbacktowhereMrs。Sylvesterstoodtalkingtoherhusband。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEFACEATTHEWINDOW
　　HarryKentrangthedoorbellattheMcIntyreresidenceforthefifthtime，andwonderedwhathadbecomeofthefaithfulGrimes;thebutlerwasusuallythesoulofpromptness，andtokeepacallerwaitingonthedoorstepwould，inhiscategory，rankastheheightofimpropriety。AsKentagainraisedhishandtowardthebell，thedoorswungopensuddenlyandBarbarabeckonedtohimtocomeinside。
　　"Thebellisoutoforder，"sheexplained。"Isawyoufromthewindow。Hurry，andGrimeswon’tknowthatyouarehere，"andshedartedaheadofhimintothereceptionroom。Kentfollowedmoreslowly;hewashurtthatshehadhadnoothergreetingforhim。
　　"Babs，aren’tyougladtoseeme？"heaskedwistfully。
　　Foraninstanthereyeswerelightedbyheroldsunnysmile。
　　"YouknowIam，"shewhisperedsoftly。Ashisarmsclosedaroundherandtheirlipsmetinatenderkisssheaddedfervently，"Oh，Harry，whydidn’tyoumakememarryyouinthehappybygonedays？"
　　"Iaskedyouoftenenough，"hedeclared。
　　"WillyougowithmetoRockvilleatonce？"Herfacechangedandshedrewbackfromhim。"No，"shesaid。"Itisselfishofmetothinkofmyownhappinessnow。"
　　"Howaboutmine？"demandedKentwithwarmth。"Ifyouwon’tconsideryourself，considerme。"
　　"Ido。"Shelookedoutofthewindowtoconcealsuddenblindingtears。TherewasahintofhiddentragedyinherlovelyfacewhichwenttoKent’sheart。
　　"Sweetheart，"hisvoicewasverytender，"istherenothingIcandoforyou？"
　　"Nothing，"sheshookherheaddrearily。"Thisfamilymust’dreeitsweir。’
　　Kentstudiedherinsilence;thatshewasindeadlyearnestherecognized，shewasnohystericalfoolorgiventosentimentaltwaddle。
　　"YoucametomeonWednesdaytoaskmyaidinsolvingJimmieTurnbull’sdeath，"hesaid。"Ihavelearnedcertainfacts—"
　　Barbarasprangtoherfeet。"Wait，"shecautioned。"Letmeclosethedoor。Now，goon—"withhercustomaryimpetuosityshereseatedherself。
　　"BeforeIdoso，Imusttellyou，Babs，thatIrecognizedthefraudyouandHelenperpetratedatthecoroner’sinquestyesterdayafternoon。"
　　"Fraud？"
　　"Yes，"quietly。"IamawarethatyouimpersonatedHelenonthewitnessstandandviceversa。Youtookafrightfulrisk。"
　　"Idon’tseewhy，"sheprotested。"InmytestimonyItoldnothingbutthetruth。"
　　"IneverdoubtedyoutoldthetruthregardingtheeventsofMondaynightasyousawthem，butthecoroner’squestionswereputtoyouundertheimpressionthatyouwereHelen。"Kentscrutinizedherkeenly。"WouldHelenhavebeenabletogivethesameanswersthatyoudidwithoutperjuringherself？"
　　Barbarastartedandherfacepaled。"AreyouinsinuatingthatHelenkilledJimmie？"shecried。
　　"No，"hisemphaticdenialwasprompt。"ButIdobelievethatsheknowsmoreofwhattranspiredMondaynightthansheiswillingtoadmit。Isthatnotso，Barbara？"
　　"Yes，"sheacknowledgedreluctantly。
　　"DoessheknowwhopoisonedJimmie？"
　　"No—no！"Barbararestedafirmhandonhisshoulder。"IswearHelendoesnotknow。Youmustbelieveme，Harry。"
　　"Shemaynotknow，"Kentspokeslowly。"Butareyousureshedoesnotsuspectsomeone？"
　　"Well，whatifIdo？"askedHelenquietly，andKent，lookingaround，foundherstandingjustinsidethedoor。Herentrancehadbeennoiseless。
　　"Youshouldtelltheauthorities，Helen。"Kentroseasshepassedhimandselectedaseatwhichbroughtherfacesomewhatinshadow。
　　"Ifyoudonotyoumayretardjustice。"
　　"ButifIspeakImayinvolvetheinnocent，"sheretorted。"I—"
　　hereyesshiftedfromhimtoBarbaraandbackagain。"Icannotundertakethatresponsibility。"
　　"Betterthatthanlettheguiltyescapethroughyoursilence，"
　　protestedKent。"Possiblythetheoriesofthepolicemaycoincidewithyours。
　　"Whatarethey？"askedBarbaraimpetuously。
　　Kentconsideredbeforereplying。IfDetectiveFergusonhadgonesofarastosecureasearchwarranttogothroughRochester’sapartmentandofficeitwouldnotbelongbeforethefactofhisbeinga"suspect"wouldbecommonproperty;therecould，therefore，benoharminhisrepeatingFerguson’sconversationtothetwins。
　　Infact，astheirlegalrepresentative，theywereentitledtoknowthelatestdevelopmentsfromhim。
　　"DetectiveFergusonbelievesthatthepoisonwasadministeredbyPhilipRochester，"hesaidfinally，andwatchedtoseehowtheannouncementwouldaffectthem。Barbara’seyesopenedtotheirwidestextent，andbackinhercorner，intowhichshehadgraduallyedgedherchair，Helenemittedalong，longbreathashertautmusclesrelaxed。
　　"WhatmakesFergusonthinkPhilipguilty？"demandedBarbara。
　　"ItisknownthatheandJimmiewerenotongoodterms，"repliedKent。"ThenRochester’sdisappearanceafterJimmie’sdeathlendscolortothetheory。"
　　"HasPhilipreallydisappeared？"askedHelen。"Youshowedmeatelegram—"
　　"Apparentlythetelegramwasafake，"admittedKent。"TheClevelandpolicereportthatheisnotattheaddressgiveninthetelegram。"
　　"Butwhocouldhaveanobjectinsendingsuchatelegram？"askedBarbaraslowly。
　　"Rochester，inthehopeofthrowingthepoliceoffhistrack，ifhereallykilledJimmie。"KentlookedstraightatHelen。"ItwaswhilesearchingourofficesafefortraceofRochester’spresentaddressthatFergusonobtainedpossessionofyoursealedenvelope。"
　　Helenpluckednervouslyattheribbononhergown。"Didthedetectiveopentheenvelope"sheasked。
　　"No。"
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"Positive;theredsealwasunbroken。"
　　"Tellushowtheenvelopecametobestolenfromyou，"coaxedBarbara。
　　"WewereinthelittlesmokingporchoffthediningroomattheClubdeVingt。"Barbarasmiledherremembranceofit，andmotionedKenttocontinue。"FergusonhadjustputdowntheenvelopeonthetableandIstartedtopickitupwhencheeringinthediningroomdistractedmyattentionandI，withtheothers，wenttoseewhatitwasabout。WhenIreturnedtotheporchtheenvelopewasnolongeronthetable。"
　　"Whowerewithyou？"questionedHelen。
　　"Yourfather，Mrs。Brewster—"
　　"Ofcourse，"murmuredBarbara。"Goon，Harry。"
　　"DetectiveFergusonandBenGlymer，"Barbaramadeawryface，"and"
　　—wentonKent，notheedingher，"eachofthesepersonsdenyanyfurtherknowledgeoftheenvelope，excepttheydeclareitwaslyingonthetablewhenweallmadeadashforthediningroom。
　　"Whowasthelasttoleavetheporch？"askedHelen。
　　"BenClymer。"
　　"Andhesawnoonetaketheenvelope？"
　　"Hedeclaresthathehadhisbacktothetable，partofthetime，buttothebestofhisknowledgenoonetooktheenvelope。"
　　"Oneofthemmusthave，"insistedBarbara。
　　"Theenvelopehadn’tlegsorwings。"
　　"Oneofthemdidtakeit，"agreedKent。
　　"Butwhichoneisthequestion。Frankly，tofindtheanswer，Imustknowthecontentsoftheenvelope，Helen。"
　　"Why？"
　　"BecausethenIwillhavesomeideawhowouldbeenoughinterestedintheenvelopetostealit。"
　　Helenconsideredhimlongandthoughtfully。"Icannotansweryourquestion，"sheannouncedfinally。Shesawhisfaceharden，andhastenedtoexplain。"Notthroughanylackofconfidenceinyou，Harry，b—b—but，"shestumbledinherspeech。"I—Idonotknowwhattheenvelopecontains。"
　　Kentstaredatheropen—mouthed。"ThenwhorequestedyoutolocktheenvelopeinRochester’ssafe？"hedemanded，andreceivingnoreply，askedsuddenly："WasitRochester？"
　　"Iamnotatlibertytotellyou，"sheresponded;hermouthsetinobstinatelinesandbeforehecouldpresshisrequestasecondtime，sheasked："PhilipRochesterdefendedJimmieincourtwheneveryonethoughthimaburglar;whythen，shouldPhiliphavepickedhimouttoattack—heisnotahomicidalmaniac？"
　　"No，butthepolicecontendthatRochesterrecognizedJimmieinhismake—upanddecidedtokillhim;hopinghisdeathwouldbeattributedtoanginapectoris，andnopost—mortemheld，"woundupKent。
　　"Idontquiteunderstand"—Helenraisedherhandkerchieftoherforeheadandremovedadropofmoisture。"HowdidPhilipkillJimmiethereincourtbeforeusall？"
　　"FergusonbelievesthatheputthedoseofaconitineintheglassofwaterwhichJimmieaskedfor，"explainedKent，andwouldhavecontinuedhisremarks，butascreamfromBarbarastartledhim。
　　"There，lookatthewindow，"shecried。"Isawafacepeeringin。
　　Lookquick，Harry，look！"
　　Kentneedednosecondbidding，butalthoughhecranedhisheadfaroutsidetheopenwindowandgazedbothupanddownthestreetandalongthepathtothekitchendoor，hefailedtoseeanyone。"Wasitamanorwoman？"heasked，turningbacktotheroom。
　　"I—Icouldn’ttell;itwasjustaglimpse。"Barbarastoodrestingonehandonthetable，herweightleaninguponit。NotforwordswouldshehavehadKentknowthatherkneeswereshakingunderher。
　　"Didyouseetheface，Helen？"AsheputthequestionKentlookedaroundatthesilentgirlinthecorner;shehadslippedbackinherchairand，withclosedeyes，laywhite—lippedandlimp。WithaleapKentgainedhersideandhishandsoughtherpulse。
　　"Ringforbrandyandwater，"hedirectedasBarbaracametohisaid。
　　"Helenhasfainted。"
　　TwentyminuteslaterKenthastenedoutoftheMcIntyrehouseand，turningintoConnecticutAvenue，boardedastreetcarheadedsouth。
　　AftercarryingHelentothetwins’sittingroomhehadassistedBarbarainrevivingher。HehadwonderedatthetimewhyBarbarahadnotsummonedtheservants，thenconcludedthatneithersisterwishedascene。ThatHelenwasworsethanshewouldadmitheappreciated，andadvisedBarbaratosendforDr。Stone。Thewell—meantsuggestionhadapparentlyfallenondeafears，fornophysicianhadappearedduringthetimehewasinthehouse，norhadBarbarausedthetelephone，almostatherelbowasshesatbyhersister’scouch，tosummonDr。Stone。KenthadonlywaitedlongenoughtoconvincehimselfthatHelenwasoutofdanger，andthenhaddeparted。
　　Itwasnearlyoneo’clockwhenhefinallysteppedinsidehisoffice，andhefoundhisclerkandadressyfemalebendingeagerlyoveranewspaper。TheylookedupathisapproachandSylvestercameforward。
　　"Thisismywife，sir，"heexplained，andKentbowedcourteouslytoMrs。Sylvester。"WewerejustreadingthisaccountofMr。Rochester’sdisappearance;it’sdreadful，sir，tothinkthatthepolicebelievehimguiltyofMr。Turnbull’smurder。"
　　"Dreadful，indeed，"agreedKent;thenewshadbeenpublishedevensoonerthanhehadimagined。"Whatpaperisthat？"
　　"ThenooneditionoftheTimes。"Sylvesterhandedittohim。
　　"Thanks，"Kentflungdownhishatandspreadopenthepaper。"Whohavebeenhereto—day？"
　　"ColonelMcIntyre，sir;heleftacardforyou。"SylvesterhurriedintoKent’soffice，toreturnamomentlaterwithavisitingcard。
　　"Heleftthis，sir，foryouwithmostparticulardirectionsthatitbehandedtoyouatonceonyourarrival。"
　　Kentreadthecurtmessageonthecardwithoutcommentandtorethepaste—boardintotinybits。
　　"Anyoneelsebeeninthismorning？"heasked。
　　"Yes，sir。"Sylvesterconsultedawrittenmemorandum。"Mr。Blackcalled，alsoColonelThorne，SenatorHarris，andMrs。Brewster。"
　　"Mrs。Brewster！"ThenewspaperslippedfromKent’sfingersinhisastonishment。"Whatdidshewanthere？"
　　"Toseeyou，sir，soshesaid，butshefirstaskedforMr。
　　Rochester，"explainedSylvester，stoopingovertopickuptheinsidesheetoftheTimeswhichhadseparatedfromtheothers。"I
　　toldherthatMr。RochesterwasunavoidablydetainedinCleveland;
　　thenshesaidshewouldconsultyouandIletherwaitinyourofficeforthegoodpartofanhour。"
　　Kentthoughtamomentthenwalkedtowardhisdoor;onitsthresholdhepaused，struckbyasuddenidea。
　　"DidColonelMcIntyrecomewithMrs。Brewster？"heasked。
　　"No，Mr。Kent;hecameinwhileshewashere。"
　　"Andtheywentofftogether，"volunteeredMrs。Sylvester，whohadbeenasilentlistenertotheirconversation。Kentstarted;hehadforgottenthewoman。"Excuseme，Mr。Kent，"shecontinued，andsteppedtowardhim。"Ipresume，likely，thatyouareveryinterestedinthischargeofmurderagainstyourpartner，Mr。Rochester。"
　　"Iam，"affirmedKent，asMrs。Sylvesterpaused。
　　"Iamtoo，sir，"sheconfidedtohim。"CauseyouseeIwasinthecourtroomwhenMr。TurnbulldiedandI’mnaturallyinterested。"
　　"Naturally，"agreedKentwithacommiseratingglanceathisclerk;
　　thelatter’swifethreatenedtobeloquacious，andhejudgedfromherlooksthatitwasahabitwhichhadgrownwiththeyears。Asageneralruleheabhorredtalkativewomen，but—"AndwhattookyoutothepolicecourtonTuesdaymorning？"
　　"Why，meandMr。Sylvesterhaveourlittledifferenceslikeothermarriedcouples，"sheexplained。"AndsometimesweasktheCourttosettlethem。"ShecaughtKent’slookofimpatienceandhurriedherspeech。"Theburglarcasecameonjustafterourswasremanded，andseeingtheMcIntyretwins，whomI’veoftenreadabout，IjustthoughtI’dstay。Letmehavethatpaperaminute。"
　　"Certainly，"KentgaveherthenewspaperandsheranherfingerdownthecolumnsdevotedtotheTurnbullcasewithaslownessthatsethisalreadyexcitednervesonedge。
　　"Here’swhatI’mlookingfor，"sheexclaimedtriumphantly，aminutelater，andpointedtotheparagraph：
　　"Mrs。MargaretPerryBrewster，thefascinatingwidow，addednothingmaterialtothecaseinhertestimony，andshewasquicklyexcused，afterstatingthatshewastoldaboutthetragedybytheMcIntyretwinsupontheirreturnfromthePoliceCourt。"
　　"Wellwhatofit？"askedKent。
　　"Onlythis，Mr。Kent;"Mrs。Sylvesterenjoyednothingsomuchastalkingtoagoodlookingman，especiallyinthepresenceofherhusband，andshecouldnotrefrainfromatriumphantlookathimasshewentonwithherremarks。"TherewasafemalesittingonthebenchnexttomeinCourt;infact，sheandIweretheonlywomenonthatside，andIkindernoticedheronthataccount，andthenIsawshewasalldoneupinveils—Icouldn’tseeherface。
　　"Icaughtherpeeringthiswayandthatduringtheburglar’shearing;Idon’treckonshecouldseewellthroughalltheveils。
　　Now，don’tgetimpatient，Mr。Kent;I’mgettingtomypoint—thatwomansittingnexttomeinthepolicecourtwasthewidowBrewster。"
　　"What！"Kentlaughedunbelievingly。"Oh，come，youaremistaken。"
　　"Iamnot，sir。"Mrs。Sylvesterspokewithconviction。"Now，whydoesMrs。Brewsterdeclareatthecoroner’sinquestthatsheonlyheardoftheTurnbulltragedyfromtheMcIntyretwinsontheirreturnhome？"
　　"Youmustbemistaken，"arguedKent。
　　"Why，youadmityourselfthatthewomanwassoswathedinveilsthatyoucouldnotseeherface。"
　　"No，butIheardherlaughincourt，"Mrs。SylvesterspokeindeepearnestnessandKentplacedfaithinherstatementinspiteofhisoutwardskepticism。"AndIheardherlaughinthiscorridorthismorningandIplacedherasthesamewoman。IaskedMr。Sylvesterwhoshewas，andhetoldme。I’dbeenreadingthisaccountoftheTurnbullinquest，andIrecollectedseeingMrs。Brewster’sname，andmyhusbandandIwerejustreadingtheaccountoverwhenyoucamein。"
　　KentgazedinperplexityatMrs。Sylvester。"WhydidMrs。Brewsterlaughinthepolicecourt？"heasked。
　　"WhenDr。Stoneexclaimedtothedeputymarshal—’Yourprisonerappearsill！’"declaredMrs。Sylvester;sheenjoyedthedramatic，andthatKentwashangingonherwordsshewasfullyaware，inspiteofhisexpressionlessface。"Dr。StoneliftedtheburglarinhisarmsandthenMrs。Brewsterlaughedasshelaughedinthecorridorto—day—asoftgurglinglaugh。"
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　PAYCASH
　　ItwastherushhourattheMetropolisTrustCompanyandthebusypayingtellercountedoutsilverandgoldandtreasurynotesofvaryingdenominationswiththemechanicalprecisionandexactnesswhichexperiencegives。Suddenlyhishandstoppedmidwaytowardthemoneydrawer，hisattentionarrestedbythesignatureonacheck。
　　Aswiftglanceupwardshowedhimagirl’sfaceatthegrilleofthewindow。Therewasaninstant’spause，thensheaddressedhim。
　　"Dohurry，Mr。McDonald;fatheriswaitingforme。"
　　"Pardonme，MissMcIntyre。"Hestampedthecheckandlaidittooneside。"howdoyouwantthemoney？"
　　"Oh，Iforgot。"Sheglancedatamemorandumonthebackofanenvelope。"Mrs。Brewsterwishestentens，fivetwenties，andtenones。
　　Thankyou，goodafternoon，"andcountingoverthemoneyshethrustitinsideherbagandhurriedaway。
　　ShehadbeengoneabarefiveminuteswhenKentreachedthewindowandpushedseveralcheckstowardtheteller。
　　"IsMr。Clymerinhisoffice，McDonald？"heasked，placingthebanknotesgiven，himinhiswallet。
　　"I’mnotsure。"Thetellerglancedaroundattheclock;thehandsstoodattenminutesofthree。"It’sprettynearclosingtime，Kent;
　　still，hemaybethere。"
　　"I’llgoandsee，"andwithanodoffarewellKentturnedonhisheelandwalkedoffinthedirectionoftheofficeofthebankpresident。Onreachingtherehesaw，throughtheglasspartitionofthedoor，Clymerseatedinearnestconclavewithtwomen。
　　HappeningtoglanceupClymerrecognizedKentandbeckonedtohimtocomeinside。"YouknowTaylor，"hesaidbywayofintroduction。
　　"AndthisisMr。HardingofNewYork—Mr。Kent，"heturnedaroundinhisswivelchairtofacethethreemen。"Drawupachair，Kent;
　　wewerejustgoingovertoseeyou。
　　"Yes？"Kentlookedinquiringlyatthebankpresident，thegravityofhismannerbetokenedserioustidings。"Whatisit，Mr。Clymer？"
　　Clymerdidnotreplyatonce。"It’sthis，"hesaidfinally，withbluntdirectness。"Yourpartner，PhilipRochester，appearstobeabankrupt。HardingandTaylorcameinheretoattachhisprivatebankaccounttocoverindebtednesstotheirbusinessfirms。"
　　AnexclamationbrokefromKent。"Impossible！"hegasped。
　　"Iwouldhavesaidthesamethismorning，"declaredClymer。"ButoninvestigationIfindthatRochesterhasover—drawnhisaccounthereforalargeamountandborrowedheavily。ThefurtherIlookintohisfinancialaffairsthemoreinvolvedIfindthem。"
　　"But"—Kentwaswhite—lipped。"IknowforanabsolutefactthatRochesterwaspaidsomeexceedinglylargefeeslastweek，totalingoverfiftythousanddollars。"
　　"Hehasneverdepositedsuchasum，oranywherelikethatamountinthisbankeitherlastweekorthis，"statedClymer，runninghiseyesdownabankstatementwhich，withseveralpassbooks，layonhisdesk。
　　"Doeshecarryaccountsatotherbanks？"inquiredHarding。
　　"NotthatIcandiscover，"respondedTaylor。"IhavebeentoeverynationalandprivatebankinghouseinWashington，butalldenyhavinghimasadepositor。DidRochestereverbankoutoftown，Kent？"
　　"Nottomyknowledge。"Kentdrewoutabankbook。"Hereisthefirm’sbalance，Mr。Clymer;webankhere，youknow。"
　　"Yes。"Clymer’slookofanxietydeepened。
　　"DidyouseeMcDonaldasyoucamein？"
　　"Yes，hecashedsomechecksforme。"
　　"Yourpersonalchecks？"
　　"Yes。"KentlookedquestioninglyatClymer。Whatdoyoumean？"
　　"Onlythis;thatallmoneysdepositedhereinthefirmnameofRochesterandKenthavebeendrawnout。"
　　"That’snotpossible！"Kentstartedup。
　　"ChecksonthataccountmustbearbothRochester’ssignatureandmine。"
　　"Checksbearingbothsignatureshavebeenpresentedforthetotalsumdepositedtoyourcredit，"statedClymerandhepickedupfourcanceledchecks。"Seeforyourself。"
　　Kentstaredatthechecksindumbfoundedsilence;thencarryingthemtothelightheexaminedthemwithminutecarebeforebringingthembacktothebankpresident。
　　"ThisisthefirstIhaveheardofthesetransactions，"hesaid。
　　"Youmean—"
　　"Thatthesignaturesarecleverforgeries。"Hisstatementwasheardwithgravity。TaylorexchangedameaninglookwiththeNewYorker。
　　"Youmeanyoursignatureisaforgery，"hesuggested。"Rochesterhadapeculiargiftofpenmanship。"
　　Kentsprangup。"DoyouaccusePhilipRochesterofsigningthesechecksandinsertingmynametothem？"
　　"Ido，"calmly。"Iamnotfamiliarwithyoursignature，Kent，butthatRochesterwrotethebodyofthosefourchecksandputhisownsignatureatthebottomIwillsweartoinanycourtoflaw。Tomakethemvalidhehadtoaddyourname。"
　　"But，d—mnit，man！"Kentstaredinbewildermentathisthreecompanions。"Rochesterwashonorableandstraight—forward—"
　　"Andaddictedtodrink，"putinHarding。"Butnotaforger，"
　　retortedKentfirmly。Harding’sonlyrejoinderwasaskepticalsmileasheturnedtoaddressClymer。
　　"SoRochesternotonlyhastakenhisownmoney，butwithdrawnthatbelongingtothefirmofRochesterandKentwithouttheknowledgeofhisjuniorpartner;itlooksblack，Mr。Clymer，"heremarked。
　　"Especiallywhentakeninconsiderationwithhisotherinvolvedfinancialtransactions。"
　　"WherewillwefindRochester，Kent？"askedTaylor，beforethebankpresidentcouldanswertheNewYorker。
　　Kentpausedinindecision。WhatreplycouldhemakewithoutfurtherinvolvingRochesterintrouble？HehadnotthefaintestideawhereRochesterwas，buttostatethathewasmissingcouldnotbutaddtothebeliefthathehadmadeawaywithallthemoneyhecouldlayhishandson。ThenooneditionoftheTimeshadhintedatRochester’sdisappearancebuthadstatedtheycouldnotgetthestatementconfirmedfromPoliceHeadquarters;
　　obviouslyHardingandTaylorhadnotseenthenewspaper。
　　Wasitjusttothemenbeforehimtokeeptheminthedark？Iftheirclaimsweretrue，andKentneverdoubtedthattheywere，theyhadalreadylostmoneythroughRochester’sextraordinarybehavior。
　　Kentturnedsickatthethoughtofhisownloss—hissavingssweptaway。WouldBarbarawaitforhim—wasitfairtoaskher？
　　Taylorbroketheprolongedsilence。