"ImetDetectiveFergusononmywayhere，"hestated。"HetoldmethatthepolicewerelookingforRochester。"
　　"What？"Hardinglookedup，startled。"Whydidn’tyouinformmeofthat？"
　　"Well，Ithoughtwe’dbetterhearfromMr。ClymerthetruestateofRochester’sfinances，"respondedTaylor。"Ineveranticipatedsuchfactsashehasgivenus。"
　　"ButifyouknewthepolicewereafterRochester—"objectedHarding。
　　Clymerbrokeintotheconversation;therewasaheavyfrownonhisusuallyplacidcountenance。"IjudgedfromDetectiveFerguson’sconfidencestous，Kent，attheClubdeVingtthathewaswantedbythepoliceinconnectionwiththeTurnbulltragedy，butthefactsbroughtoutthroughHarding’sactiontoattachRochester’sbankaccount，putsadifferentconstructiononRochester’sdisappearance。"
　　"WhathadRochestertodowithJimmieTurnbull？"questionedHarding，beforeKentcouldanswerClymer。
　　"Theylivedtogether，"herepliedshortly。
　　"Andonediesandtheotherdisappears，"Hardingwhistleddolefully。
　　"Wasn’tMr。Turnbullanofficialofthisbank，Mr。Clymer？"
　　"Yes，ourcashier。"
　　"Werehisaffairsinvolved？"
　　"Notintheleast，"Clymerspokewithemphasis。"Amosthonorablefellow，JimmieTurnbull;hismurderwasashockingaffair。"
　　"Havethepolicefoundanymotiveforthecrime，Kent？"askedTaylor。
　　"Ibelievenot。"
　　Harding，whohadbeenruminatinginsilence，leanedforward，hisexpressionalightwithasuddenidea。
　　"CoulditbethatTurnbullfoundoutthatRochesterwaspassingforgedchecks，andRochesterinsuredhissilencebyPoisoninghim？"
　　heasked。
　　ClymerandKentexchangedglances，asKent’sthoughtsrevertedtotheforgedletterpresentedbyTurnbulltothebank’streasurer，wherebyhehadbeengivenMcIntyre’svaluablenegotiablesecurities。
　　CoulditbethatRochesterhadwrittentheletter，givenittohisroom—mate，Turnbull，andthelatter，thinkingitgenuine，hadsecuredtheMcIntyresecuritiesandhandedthemovertoRochester？TheideatookKent’sbreathaway;andyet，themorehecontemplatedit，themorefeasibleitappeared。
　　"What’sthedateonthosechecks？"demandedKent。
　　"Tuesdayofthisweek—thedayJimmieTurnbulldied。"Clymerturnedthemover。"Theyaredrawnpayabletocash，andbearnoendorsement，whichshowsRochestermusthavepresentedthemhimself。"
　　HardingandTaylorglancedsignificantlyateachother，butneitherspoke。SuddenlyKentpushedbackhischairandrosewithoutceremony。
　　"Don’tgo，Kent。"Clymertookupsomepapers。"There’samatter—"
　　"Itwillkeep。"Kent’smouthwassetanddetermined。"IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatallRochester’shonestdebtswillbepaidbythefirmifnecessary;Iwillobligatemyselftothatextent，"hepaused。"Asforyoufellows，"turningtoHardingandTaylorwhohadalsorisen。"Givemetwenty—fourhours—"
　　"Whatfor？"theychorused。
　　"To1ocatePhilipRochester，"andwaitingfornoanswerKentboltedoutoftheoffice。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　WHENTHELIGHTFAILED
　　ThecitylightswerespringingupblockTafterblockalongPennsylvaniaAvenueasDetectiveFergusonleftthatbusythoroughfareandhurriedtotheSaratoga。Hesteppedinsidethelobbyoftheapartmenthouseafullminutebeforehisappointmentwithitsmanager，andwentatoncetolookhimup。BeforehecouldcarryouthispurposehewasjoinedbyHarryKent。
　　"Finleyhadtogoout，"thelatterexplained。
　　"ItoldhimIwouldgouptoRochester’sapartmentwithyou。"
　　Fergusonthoughtfullycaressedhisclean—shavenjawforasecond，thencametoarapiddecision。
　　"Leadtheway，sir，"hesaid。"I’llfollow。"KentfoundhimasilentcompanionwhileintheelevatorandwhenwalkingdownthecorridortoRochester’sapartment，butonceinsidethelivingroom，withtheouterdoortightlyclosed，Fergusontosseddownhishatandhiswholedemeanorchanged。
　　"Sitdown，Mr。Kent。"HeselectedachairnearRochester’sdeskforhimself，asKentfoundanother。"Let’sthrashthisthingout;
　　areyouworkingwithmeoragainstme？"
　　"Whydoyouask？"Kent’ssurpriseatthequestionwasevident。
　　"BecauseeverytimeIarrangetoexaminethisapartmentorinquireintoRochester’swhereaboutsyoushowup。"Ferguson’ssmalleyesweretryingtoout—stareKent，butthelatter’scleargazedidnotdropbeforehis。"AreyouaidingPhilipRochesterinhiseffortstoeludearrest？"
　　"Iamnot，"declaredKentemphatically。"Whatpromptsthequestion？"
　　"ThefactthatyouareRochester’spartner，"Fergusonpointedout;
　　hismannerwasstillstiff。"Itwouldbeonlynaturalforyoutohelphimdisappearoutoffriendship，or"—withasidelongglance—"fromadesiretohushupascandal。"
　　"OnthecontraryIwantRochesterfoundandeverybitofevidenceagainsthimsiftedoutandaired，"retortedKent。"Twoheadsarebetterthanone，Ferguson;letusworktogether。Rochestermustbelocatedwithinthenexttwenty—fourhours。"
　　Fergusondebatedamoment，butKent’sspeechaswellashismannerindicatedhissincerity，andthedetectiveshookoffhissuspicions。
　　"Haveyouhadanyfurthernewsofyourpartner？"heasked。
　　"No;thatis"—recallingthesceneinthebankearlythatafternoon—"nothingthatrelatestoRochester’spresentwhereabouts。Now，Ferguson，toputyourchargesagainstRochesterinconcreteform，youbelievethathewasinsanelyjealousofJimmieTurnbull，thatherecognizedhiminthePoliceCourtinhisburglardisguise，slippedadoseofaconitineinaglassofwaterwhichTurnbulldrank，andafterdeclaringthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，disappeared。Isthatallthecaseyouhaveagainsthim？"
　　"Atpresent，yes，"admittedthedetectivecautiously。
　　"Allcircumstantialevidence—"
　　"Butitwillholdincourt—"
　　"Ah，willit？"questionedKent。"There’sonebigflawinyourcase，Ferguson;thepoisonusedtokillTurnbull。"
　　"Aconitine？"
　　"Exactly。YourtheoryisthatRochesterslippedthepoisonintheglassofwateronrecognizingTurnbullinthepolicecourt;now，itisstretchingprobabilitytosupposethatRochester，astronghealthyman，wascarryingthatdrugaroundinhisvestpocket。"
　　Fergusonsatforwardinhischair，hiseyesglittering。"DoyoumeantosaythatyouthinkthemurderofTurnbullwaspremeditatedandnotcommittedonthespurofthemoment？"heasked。
　　"Thefactthataconitinewasusedconvincesmeofthat，"answeredKent。
　　Fergusonthoughtamoment。"Ifthatisthecase，"hesaid，grudgingly，"itsortofsquashesthechargeagainstPhilipRochester。"
　　"Itwouldseemto，"agreedKent。"ButeveryshredofevidenceI
　　findpointstoRochesterastheguiltyman。"
　　Fergusonedgedhischairforward。"Whathaveyoudiscovered？"hedemandedeagerly。
　　"This，"Kentspokewithincreasedearnestness。"ThatPhilipRochesterisapparentlyabankrupt，thathehasover—drawnhisprivateaccountattheMetropolisTrustCompany，andwithdrawnourpartnershipfundsfromthesamebank。"
　　"Yourpartnershipfunds！"echoedthedetective，eyeingKentsharply。
　　"Howdidyoucometolethimdothat？"
　　"IwasnotawarethathehaddonesountilMr。Clymertoldmeofthetransactionthisafternoon，"answeredKent。
　　"Youdidnotknow"—Fergusonlookedathimindawningcomprehension。
　　"YoumeanRochesterabscondedwiththefunds？"
　　"Someoneforgedmynametochecksdrawnonthefirm’saccount，"
　　Kentcontinued。"IunderstoodtheyweremadepayabletocashandpresentedbyRochesteronthedayofTurnbull’sdeath。"
　　Fergusonwhistledasaslightventtohisfeelings。"SoyoususpectRochesterofbeingaforger？"Kentmadenoreply，andheadded;
　　afteramoment’sdeliberation，"WhatbearinghasthisdiscoveryonTurnbull’sdeath，asidefromRochester’sneedoffundstomakeacleandisappearance？"
　　"IfitistruethatRochesterwasfinanciallyembarrassedandforgedchecksontheMetropolisTrustCompany，itestablishesanothermotiveforthekillingofTurnbull，"arguedKent。"Turnbullwascashierofthatbank。"
　　"Isee;hemayhavediscoveredtheforgeries—butholdon。"
　　Fergusoncheckedhisrapidspeech。"Whenweretheseforgedcheckspresentedatthebank？"
　　"Tuesdayafternoon。"
　　Ferguson’sfacefell。"Pshaw！man;thatwasafterTurnbull’sdeath—howcouldhedetecttheforgeries？"
　　Kentdidnotreplyatonce;instead，heglancedkeenlyaboutthelivingroom。Thedetectivehadonlyswitchedononeofthereadinglampsandthegreaterpartwasinshadow。Itwasapleasantandhome—likeroom，andKentwasconsciousofakeenerpangforthelossofJimmieTurnbullandthedisappearanceofPhilipRochester，ashegazedaround。Thelawyerandthebankcashierhadbeen，untilthatwinter，congenialcomrades，sharingtheirbusinesssuccessandtheirapartmentincompleteaccord;andnowashadowasblackasthatenvelopingtheunlightedapartmenthungovertheirgoodnames，threateningoneortheotherwiththechargeofforgeryandofmurder。Kentsighedandturnedbacktothesilentdetective。
　　"IcanbestansweryourquestionbytellingyouthatthedayafterJimmieTurnbulldiedMr。Clymersentforme，"hebegan。"IfoundColonelMcIntyrewithhimandwastoldthattheColonelhadlostvaluablesecuritiesleftatthebank。ThesesecuritieshadbeengivenbythetreasurerofthebanktoJimmieTurnbullwhenhepresentedaletterfromColonelMcIntyreinstructingthebanktosurrenderthesecuritiestoJimmie。"
　　"Well？"questionedFerguson。"Goon，sir。"
　　"Thatletterwasaforgery。"Kentsatbackandwatchedthedetective’srapidlychangingexpression。"AndnotracehasbeenfoundoftheColonel’ssecurities，lastknowntobeinthepossessionofTurnbull。"
　　"Greatheavens！"ejaculatedFerguson。
　　"Whichwastheforger—TurnbullorRochester？"
　　Kentshookapuzzledhead。"Thatisforustodiscover，"hesaidsoberly。"ColonelMcIntyrecontendsthatTurnbullforgedtheletterandstolethesecurities，thenfearinghisguiltwouldbecomeknown，committedstillanothercrime—thatofsuicide，hecouldhaveswallowedadoseofaconitinewhileatthepolicecourt。"
　　"Well，I’llbe—blessed！"ejaculatedFerguson。"ButifhewastheforgerhowdoesthatsquarewithRochester’speculiarbehavior？
　　Thechecksbearingyourforgedsignatureswerepresented，mindyou，byRochesterafterTurnbull’sdeath？"
　　"Itdoesn’tsquare，"acknowledgedKentfrankly。"ThereisthistobesaidforTurnbull：hewasthesoulofhonor，hisaffairswerefoundtobeinexcellentcondition，hewasdrawingagoodsalary，hisinvestmentspayingwell—hedidnotneedtoacquiresecuritiesormoneybyresortingtoforgery。"
　　"WhereasPhilipRochesterwasonthepointofbankruptcy，"remarkedFerguson。"DoyousupposeheforgedColonelMcIntyre’sletterandgaveittoTurnbull，andthelattergotthesecuritiesfromthebanktreasurerandhandedthemovertoRochesteringoodfaith，supposinghisroom—matewouldgivethepaperstoColonelMcIntyre？"
　　Kentnoddedinagreement。"Itlooksthatwaytome，"hesaidgloomily。"PhilipRochesterstoodwellinthecommunity，hislawpracticeislargeandlucrative，andifithadnotbeenforhisperiodsofidlenessand—and"—hesitating—"passionforgoodliving，hewouldneverhaverunintodebt。"
　　"Buthegotthere。"Ferguson’slaughwascontemptuous。"A
　　desperatemanwilldoanything，Mr。Kent。"
　　"Iknow，"Kentlookeddubious。"Iwouldbelievehimguiltyifitwerenotfortheuseofaconitine—thatshowspremeditationonthepartofthemurderer。"
　　"Andwhyshouldn’tRochesterplanTurnbull’smurderaheadofthesceneinthepolicecourt？"arguedFerguson。"Wasn’thelivingindeadlyfearofexposure？Ifhedidnotcommitthemurder，whydidherunaway？Andifheisinnocent，whydoesn’thecomeforwardandproveit？"
　　"Hemaynotknowthatheissuspectedofthecrime，"retortedKent，rising。"ItisforustofindRochester，andIsuggestthatwesearchthisapartmentthoroughly。"
　　"Ihavealreadydoneso，"objectedFerguson。"Andtherewasn’tthefaintestclewtohishidingplace。"
　　"ForallthatIamnotsatisfied。"Kentwalkedoverandswitchedonanotherlight。"WhenIcamehereonWednesdaynightIhadatusslewithsomeman，butheescapedinthedarkwithoutmyseeinghim。IbelievehewasRochester。"
　　"Youareprobablyright。"Fergusoncrossedtheroom。"Andifhecamebackonce，hemayreturnagain。Comeahead，"andheplungedintothefirstbedroom。Thetwomensubjectedeachroomtoanexhaustivesearch，buttheirlaborsweretheironlyreward;exceptforanaccumulationofdust，theapartmentwasundisturbed。Theyhadreachedthekitchenette—pantrywhenthegongovertheirheadssoundedloudly，andKent，withamutteredexclamationhastenedtowardthefrontdooroftheapartment。Ferguson，intentonstudyingthe"L"ofthebuildingasseenfromthewindow，washardlyconsciousofhisdeparture，andsomesecondselapsedbeforeheturnedtowardthedoor。Ashegainedit，hesawadarkshapedartdownthehall。WithaboundFergusonstartedinpursuit，andthenextsecondgrappledwiththeflyingmanjustastheelectriclightswentoutandtheywereplungedindarkness。
　　SuddenlyKent’svoiceechoeddownthehall。"Comeherequick，Ferguson！"
　　Therewasanoteofurgencyabouthisappeal，andFergusonstraininghismusclesuntilthebloodpoundedinhistemples，threwthestrugglingmanintoatuftedarm—chairwhichstoodbytheentrancetothesmalldiningroom，anddrawingouthishandcuffs，slippedthemonsecurely。"Staythere，"Fergusonadmonishedhisprisoner。
　　"Ortherewillbeworsecomingtoyou，"andhethrustthemuzzleofhisrevolveragainsttheman’sheavingchesttoillustratehismeaning;thenasKentcalledagain，hespeddownthehallandbroughtupbreathlessatthefrontdoor。Thelightwasstillburninginthecorridor，thoughnotverybrightly，andhesawKenthandthegrinningmessengerboyashinyquarter。Touchinghisbatteredcaptheboywentwhistlingaway。"TelltheelevatorboytoreportthatafusehasburnedoutinMr。Rochester’sapartment，"
　　Fergusoncalledafterhim，andtheladwavedhishandashedashedintotheelevator。
　　Payingnoattentiontothedetective’scall，Kentshowedhimawhiteenvelopewhichborethesimpleaddress：
　　PHILIPROCHESTER，ESQ。
　　THESARATOGA
　　"It’stheidenticalenvelopeIfoundinyoursafe，"declaredFerguson。
　　"AndwhichdisappearedlastnightattheClubdeVingt。"Kentturnedovertheenvelope。"See，theredseal。"
　　Foraminutethemencontemplatedthesealwiththelargedistinctiveletter"B"inthecenter。
　　"Opentheletter，sir，"FergusonurgedandKent，hisfingersfairlytrembling，jerkedandtoreatthelinenincasedenvelope;theflaprippedawayandheopenedtheenvelope—itwasempty。
　　Instinctivelythetwomenglanceddownattheparquetryflooring;
　　nothingbutathincoatingofdustlaythere，andKentlookedupanddownthecorridor;itwasdeserted。
　　"Doyourecognizethehandwriting？"askedFerguson。
　　"No。"Kentregardedtheenvelopeinbewilderment。"Whatshallwedo？"
　　"Do？CalluptheDimeMessengerServiceandseewheretheenvelopecamefrom;butfirstcomeandseemyprisoner。
　　"Yourprisoner？"inprofoundastonishment。
　　"Yes。Icaughthimchasingupthehallafteryou，"explainedFergusonastheyhurriedlyretracedtheirsteps。"Iputhandcuffsonhimandthenwenttoyou。Ah，here’sthelight！"
　　"Thelight，yes;butwhere’syourprisoner？"andKent，whowasatrifleinadvanceofhiscompanioninreachingthediningroom，stoodasidetoletFergusonpasshim。
　　Thedetectivehaltedabruptly。Thechairintowhichhehadthrusthisprisonerwasvacant。Themanhaddisappeared。
　　WithoneaccordFergusonandKentadvancedclosetothechair，andanoathbrokefrom。thedetective。Onthecushionofthechair，stillbearingtheimpressofahumanbody，layapairofshiningnewhandcuffs。
　　DazedlyFergusonstoopedoverandexaminedthem。Theywerestillsecurelylocked。WheelingaroundKentdashedthroughthedoortohisrightandFerguson，collectinghiswits，searchedtherestoftheapartmentwithminutecare。FiveminuteslaterhecamefacetofacewithKentinthelivingroom。"Notatraceofanykind，"
　　declaredKent。"It’sthesameastheothernight;theman’sgone。
　　It’s—it’spositivelyuncanny。"
　　Ferguson’sfacewasredfrommortificationandhisexertionscombined。
　　"Thefellowmusthaveslippedfromtheroombythatotherdoorandoutthroughthelivingroomaswecamedownthehail，"hesaid。
　　"Didyoushutthedooroftheapartment，Mr。Kent，beforecomingdownheretolookattheprisoner？"
　　"Yes。"Kentledthewaybacktothediningroom。"Didyourecognizetheman，Ferguson？"
　　"No。"Thedetectivesworesoftlyashestaredabouttheroom。
　　"ThelightswentoutjustasItackledhim。"
　　"Itwasbeastlyluckthatthefuseburnedoutatthatsecond，"
　　groanedKent。"Fortunewaswithhiminthat;buthowdidthemangetfreeofthehandcuffs？"pointingtothemstilllyinginthechair。"Wecan’tattributethattoluck，unless"—staringkeenlyatFerguson—"unlessyoudidnotsnapthemontheman’swrists，afterall。"
　　"Idid;Iswearit，"declaredFerguson。"I’mnonoviceatthatbusiness。Here，don’ttouchthem，Mr。Kent，"ashiscompanionbenttowardthechair。"Theremaybefingermarksonthesteel;ifso"
　　—hedrewouthishandkerchief，andtakingcarenottohandletheburnishedmetal，hefoldedthehandcuffscarefullyinitandputtheminhiscoatpocket。"There’snouselingeringhere，Mr。Kent;
　　thisapartmentisvacantnowexceptforus。ImustgettoHeadquarters。"
　　"Hadn’tyoubettertelephoneforanoperativeandstationhimhere？"
　　suggestedKent。
　　"Ididsowhileyouweresearchingthebackrooms，"repliedFerguson。
　　"There，"asthegongsounded。"That’sNelson，now。"
　　ButthepersonwhostoodintheoutercorridorwhentheyopenedthefrontdoorwasnotNelson，theoperative，butDr。Stone。
　　"CanIseeMr。Rochester？"heasked，thencatchingsightofKentstandingjustbackofthedetective，headded，"Hello，Kent;I
　　thoughtIheardsomeonewalkingaboutinherefrommyapartmentnextdoor，andconcludedRochesterhadreturned。CanIseehim？"
　　"N—no，"Kentspokeslowly，withaside—glanceatthesilentdetective。"Rochesterhasbeenhere—andleft。"
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　THECRIMSONOUTLINE
　　BarbaraMcIntyremadetheroundofthelibraryforthefifthtime，testingeachofthesevendoorsopeningintoittoseethattheyereclosedbehindtheirportieres，thensheturnedbacktohersister，whosatcross—loggedbeforeasmallsafe。
　　"Anyluck？"sheaskedInsteadofreplyingHelenremovedthekeyfromthelockofthesteeldoorandregardeditattentively。Thesafewasofanobsoletepatternandinplaceofthecustomarycombinationlock，wasopenedbymeansofakey，uniqueinappearance。
　　"Itiscertainlythekeywhichfathermislaidsixmonthsago，"shedeclared。"Grimesfounditjustafterfatherhadanewkeymadeandgaveittome。AndyetIcan’tgetthedooropen。"
　　"Letmetry。"Barbaracroucheddownbyhersisterandinsertedthekeyagaininthelock，buthereffortsmetwithnoresults，andafterfiveminutes’steadymanipulationshegaveuptheattempt。
　　"Iamafraiditisimpossible，"sheadmitted。"SeemstomeIhaveheardthatthelostkeywillnotopenasafeafteranewkeyhasbeensupplied。"
　　Helenroseslowlytoherfeet，stretchinghercrampedlimbscarefullyasshedidso，andsankdowninthenearestchair。Herattitudeindicateddejection。
　　"Thenwecan’tfindtheenvelope，"shemuttered。"Hurry，Babs，andclosetheouterdoor;fathermayreturnatanymoment。"
　　Barbaraobeyedtheinjunctionwithsuchalacritythatthedoor，concealingthespaceinthewallwherestoodthesafe，flewtowithabangandthetwinsjumpednervously。
　　"Takecare！"exclaimedHelensharply。"Doyouwishtoarousethehousehold？"
　　"Nodangerofthat。"ButBarbaraglancedapprehensivelyaboutthelibraryinspiteofherreassuringstatement。"Theservantsareeitheroutorupstairs，andMargaretBrewsteriswritinglettersinoursittingroom。"
　　"Hadn’tyoubettergoupstairsandjoinher？"Helensuggested。"Do，Babs，"ashersisterhesitated。"Icannotfeelsurethatshewillnotinterruptus。"
　　"Butmyjoiningherwon’tkeepMargaretupstairs，"objectedBarbara。
　　"No，butyoucancallandwarnmeifsheisonherwaydown，andthatwillgivemetimeto—tostraightenfather’spapers，"goingovertoalargecarvedtablelitteredwithmagazines，letters，andsilverornaments。Hersisterdidnotmove，andsheglancedatherwithanirritatedair，veryforeigntohercustomarymanner。
　　"Go，Barbara。"
　　ThecurtcommandbroughtastarefromBarbara，butitdidnotaccelerateherhaltingfootsteps;insteadshemovedwithevengreaterslownesstowardthehalldoor;heractivebraintormentedwithanunspokenandunansweredquestion。WhywasHelensoanxiousforherdeparture？ShehadacceptedherofferofassistanceinhersearchofthelibrarywithsuchmarkedreluctancethatBarbarahadmarveledatthetime，andnow……
　　"Areyouquitesure，Helen，thatfatherhadtheenvelopeinhispocketthismorning？"sheaskedforthethirdtimesincethesearchbegan。
　　"Hehadanenvelope—Icaughtaglimpseoftheredseal，"answeredHelen。"Then，justbeforedinnerhewasputtingsomepapersinthesafe。Oh，ifGrimeshadonlycomeinamomentsoonertoannouncedinner，Imighthavehadachancetolookinthesafebeforefatherclosedthedoor。"
　　WhateverreplyBarbaraintendedmakingwascheckedbytherattlingoftheknobofthehalldoor;itturnedslowly，thedooropenedand，pushingasidetheportieresdrawnacrosstheentrance，MargaretBrewsterglidedin。"Sogladtofindyou，"shecooed。"Butwhyhaveyoucloseduptheroomandturnedonallthelights？"
　　"Toseebetter，"retortedBarbarapromptlyasthewidow’seyesrovedaroundthelargeroom，takingsilentnoteofthedrawncurtainsandportieres，andthesomewhatdisarrangedfurniture。"Comeinside，Margaret，andhelpusinoursearch。"
　　"Forwhat？"Thewidowtriedtokeephertonenatural，butacertainshrillalertnesscreptintoitandBarbara，whowaswatchingherclosely，wasquicktodetectthechange。Helen’scoloralteredatthequestion，andsheobservedthewidow’sentrancewithveiledhostility。
　　"Formyseal，"Barbaraanswered。"Theonewiththebigletter’B。’
　　Haveyouseenit？"
　　"I？—No。"ThewidowtookachairuninvitednearHelen。"Youlooktired，Helendear;whydon’tyougotobed？"
　　"IcouldnotsleepifIdid。"Helenpassedanervousfingeracrosshereyes。"Butdon’tletmekeepyouandBabsup;itwon’ttakemelongtoarrangeto—morrow’smarketorderforGrimes。"
　　UnderpretenseofsearchingforpencilandpaperHelencontrivedtoseetheaddressofeveryletterlyingonthetable，buttheenvelopeshesought，withitsredseal，wasnotamongthem。Whenshelookedupagain，pencilandpaperinhand，shefoundMrs。Brewsterleaninglazilybackandregardingherfromunderhalf—closedlids。"Youareverylikeyourfather，Helen，"shecommentedsoftly。
　　Thegirlstiffened。"AmI？BabsandIaregenerallythoughttoresembleourmother。"
　　"Inappearance，yes;butImeanmannerisms—forinstance，thewayofholdingyourpencil，yourhandwriting，even，closelyresemblesyourfather’s。"Mrs。BrewsterpointedtothenotesHelenwasscribblingonthepaperandtoanopenletterbearingColonelMcIntyre’ssignatureatthebottomofthesheetlyingbesidethepadtoillustratehermeaning。"Thesearealmostidentical。"
　　"Youareacloseobserver。"Helencompletedhermemorandumandlaiditaside。"Whatbecameoffather？"
　　"HewenttoastagsupperattheWillard，"chimedinBarbara，stoppingheraimlesswalkaboutthelibrary。"Hesaidwewerenottowaitupforhim。"
　　Helenpushedbackherchairandrosewithsomeabruptness。
　　"IammoretiredthanIrealized，"sheremarkedandinvoluntarilystretchedherwearymuscles。"Come，Margaret，"layingapersuasivehandonthewidow’sshoulder。"BeatrumpandrubmyforeheadwithcologneasyouusedtodoabroadwhenIhadaheadache。Italwaysputmetosleepthen;and，oh，howIlongforsleepnow！"
　　TherewasinfinitepathosinhervoiceandMrs。Brewstersprangupandthrewherarmaboutherinreadysympathy。
　　"Youpoordarling！"sheexclaimed。"Letmeputyoutobed;Mammytaughtmetheartofsoothingfrayednerves。Comewithus，Babs，"
　　holdingoutherlefthandtoBarbara。Butthelatter，withadexteroustwist，slippedawayfromhertouch。
　　"Imuststayandstraightenthelibrary，"sheannounced。
　　Mrs。Brewster’sdelicatecolorhaddeepened。"Itwouldbeaswelltoopensomeofthedoors，"sheagreedcoldly。"Thelibrarylooksodd，nottosayfunereal，"sheglanceddownthespaciousroomandshiveredeversoslightly。"Do，Babs，putoutsomeofthelights;
　　theyareblinding。"
　　"Oh，I’llturnthemallout"—Barbarasoughttheelectricswitch。
　　"Butyourfather—"
　　"Noneedtoworryaboutfather;hecanfindhiswayaboutinthedarklikeacat，"respondedBarbarawithunabatedcheerfulness。
　　"Seemstome，Margaret，youandfatheraregettingmightychummythesedays。"
　　ThesuddendarknessintowhichBarbara’simpatientfingers，pressingagainsttheelectriclightbuttons，plungedthelibraryanditsoccupants，preventedherseeingthecuriousglancewhichMrs。
　　Brewstershotather。Helen，whohadlistenedtotheirchatterwithgrowingimpatience，lookedbackoverhershoulder。
　　"Hurry，Barbara，andcomeupstairs。Now，Margaret，"andshepilotedthewidowalongthehalltowardthestaircasewithoutgivingheranopportunitytoanswerBarbara’slastremark。Barbara，pausingonlylongenoughtopullbacktheportieresofthehalldoorandarrangethemastheyhungcustomarily，turnedtogoupstairsjustasGrimescamedownthehallfromthediningroomcarryingalargetraywithpitchersoficewaterandglasses。
　　"Ithoughtyouhadgonetoyourroom，Grimes，"sheremarked，asthebutlerwaitedrespectfullyforhertopasshim。
　　"I’vejustcomein，miss，andfoundMurrayhadleftthetrayinthediningroom，"explainedGrimeshurriedly。"Ihope，miss，I’llnotdisturbtheladiesbyknockingattheirdoorsnowwiththisicewater。"
　　"Oh，no，Mrs。BrewsterandMissHelenhaveonlyjustgoneupstairs。"
　　Barbarapausedinfrontofthebutlerandpouredoutaglassofwater。
　　"Ican’twait，Grimes，Iamtoothirsty。"
　　"Certainly，miss，that’sallright。"Grimescranedhisheadaroundandlookedupanddownthehail，thenleaningoverheplacedthetrayonaconvenienttableandsteppedclosetoBarbara。
　　"I’vebeenreadingthenewspapersverycarefully，miss，"hebegan，takingcaretokeephisvoicelowered。"EspeciallythatpartofMr。
　　Turnbull’sinquestwhichtellsaboutthepost—mortem。"
　　"Well，whatthen？"askedBarbaraquicklyasthebutlerpausedandagainglancedupanddownthehall。
　　"Justthis，miss，"hespokealmostinawhisper。"ThedoctorsdosaypoorMr。Turnbullwaspoisonedbyacca—aconitine，"stumblingovertheword。"It’sacuriousthing，miss，thatIbroughtsomeofthatverydrugintothishouselastSunday。"
　　"Youdid！"Barbara’sfreshyoungvoiceroseinastonishment。
　　"Hush，miss！"Thebutlerraisedbothhands。"Hush！"Heglancedcautiouslyaround，thencontinued。"ColonelMcIntyresentmetothedruggistwithaprescriptionfromDr。StoneforMrs。Brewsterwhenshehadromanticneuralgia。"
　　"Hadwhat？"Barbaralookedpuzzled，thengiggled，buthermirthquicklyalteredtoseriousnessatsightofthebutler’sexpression。
　　"Mrs。Brewsterhadatouchofrheumaticneuralgiathefirstofthemonth;doyourefertothat？"
　　"Yes，miss。"Grimesspokemorerapidly，butkepthisvoicelowered。
　　"ThedruggisttoldmewhatthepillswerewhenIexclaimedattheirsize—regularlittlepellets，nobiggerthanthat，"hedemonstratedthesizewiththetipofhislittlefinger，andwouldhaveaddedmorebutthegongoverthefrontdoorrangoutwithsuchsuddennessthatbothheandBarbarastartedviolently。
　　"Justamoment，miss，"andhehurriedtothefrontbell，toreturnafterabriefcolloquywithamessengerboy，bearingaletter。
　　"It’sforMrs。Brewster，miss，"heexplained，asBarbaraheldoutherhand。
　　"I’llgiveittoherandthisalso，"Barbaratooktheenvelopeandasmallicepitcherandglass。"Goodnight，Grimes。Oh，"shestoppedmidwayupthestaircaseandwaitedforthebutlertoovertakeher，"Grimes，towhomdidyougivetheaconitineonSunday？"
　　"Ididn’tgiveittonobody，miss。"Thebutlerwasatrifleshortofbreath;hisyearsdidnotpermithimtokeeppacewiththetwins。
　　"Iwasinagreathurryasthedruggistkeptmewaiting，andIhadtoserveteaatonce。"
　　"Butwhatdidyoudowiththeaconitinepills？"demandedBarbara。
　　"Ilefttheboxonthehailtable，miss—"
　　"Greatheavens！"Barbarastaredatthebutler，thenwithoutawordsheracedupthestaircaseanddisappearedthroughtheopendoorofMrs。Brewster’sbedroom。
　　Thelightfromthehallshonethroughthetransomanddoorwayinsufficientvolumetoclearlyindicatethedifferentpiecesoffurniture，andBarbaraputthepitcherandglassonthebedstandandlaidtheletterwhichGrimeshadgivenheronthedressingtable，thenwentslowlyintoherownbedroom。Shecouldhearvoices，whichsherecognizedasthoseofhersisterandMrs。Brewster，comingfromHelen’sbedroom，butabsorbedinherownthoughtssheundressedinthedarkandcreptintobedjustasMrs。Brewsterpasseddownthehallwayandenteredherownroom。Thewidowhadtakenoffhereveninggownandslippersanddonnedabecomingwrapperbeforeshediscoveredtheletterlyingonthedresser。
　　Drawingupachairshedroppedintoit，letdownherlongdarkhair，andsettledbackinluxuriantcomfortagainstthetuftedupholsterybeforesheranherwell—manicuredfingerundertheflapoftheenvelope。AslipofpaperfellintoherlapasshetookoutthecontentsoftheenvelopeandsheletitresttherewhilescanningthecloselytypewrittenlinesontheMetropolisTrustCompanystationery。
　　DearMrs。Brewster，sheread。Ourbankteller，Mr。McDonald，hasquestionedthegenuinenessofthesignatureontheinclosedcheck。
　　Animportantbusinessengagementpreventsmycallingto—night，butpleasestopatthebankearlyto—morrowmorning。
　　Ifeelthatyouwouldprefertohaveapersonalinvestigationmaderatherthanhaveusplacethematterinthehandsofthepolice。
　　Yoursfaithfully，BENJAMINA。CLYMER。
　　Thewidowreadthenoteanumberoftimes，thenbethinkingherself，shepickedupthecanceledcheckstilllyinginherlap，andturneditover。Longandintentlyshestudiedthesignature—thepeculiarlycharacteristicformationoftheletter"B"caughtandheldherattention。Asthesecondstickedthemselvesintominutesshesatimmovable，herfaceaswhiteasthehandonwhichshehadbowedherhead。
　　AcrossthehallHelenMcIntyretossedfromonesidetotheotherinhersoftbed;herrestlesslongingtogetupwasgrowingstrongerandstronger。WhileMrs。Brewster’sdeftfingersandthecoolingcolognehadstoppedthethrobbinginhertemples，theyhadbroughtonlytemporaryreliefintheirtrainandnotthesleepwhichHelencraved。
　　Shestrainedherearstodiscoverthetimebythetickingofherclock，buteitheritwasbetweenthehalforquartersofanhour，orithadstopped，fornochimessounded。Withagaspofexasperation，Helenflungbackthebedclothesandsatup。Switchingonthelightbythesideofherbedshehuntedforabook，butnotfindingany，shecontemplatedforashortspaceoftimeapairofrubber—heeledshoesjustshowingthemselvesundertheedgeofachair。
　　Withsuddendecisionsheleftthebedanddressedrapidly。Itwasnotuntilshehadputonherrubber—heeledshoesthatshepaused。
　　Herhesitation，however，wasbutbrief。Steppingtothebureau，shepulledoutalowerdrawerandrunningherhandinside，touchedaconcealedspring。Fromthecavitythusexposedshetookasmallautomaticpistol，andwithastealthyglanceabouther，creptfromtheroom。
　　Thelibraryhadbeenvacantfullyanhourwhenamouse，intentonmakingaraidonthecandywhichBarbarahadcarelesslyleftlyinglooseononeofthetables，pausedasafaintcreakingsoundbrokethestillness，thenasthenoiseincreased，themousescurriedbacktoitshole。Thenoiseresembledtheturningofrustyhingesandthesoftthudofonepieceofwoodstrikinganother。Therewasastrainedsilence，then，fromoutofthedarknessappearedatinystreamoflightdirectedfullonawhiteenvelopebearingalargeredseal。
　　Thenextinstanttheenvelopewaspluckedfromthehandholdingit，andafigurelaycrumpledonthefloorfromtheblowofadescendingweapon。
　　Itwascloselyapproachingoneo’clockinthemorningbeforeMrs。
　　Brewsterstirredfromhercomfortablebedroomchair。Takingupherelectrictorch，whichshekeptalwaysbythesideofherbed，shewalkedquicklydownthestaircaseandintothepitchdarklibrary。
　　Directinghertorch—lightsothatshesteeredasafecourseamongthechairsandtables，sheapproachedoneofthepiecesofcarvedVenetianfurnitureandreachedoutherhandtotouchatrap—door。
　　Asshelookedforthespringshewashorrifiedtoseeathinstreamofbloodoozingthroughthecarvinguntil，reachingtheletter"B，"itoutlinedthatinitialinsinisterred。
　　ScreamafterscreambrokefromMrs。Brewster。ShewasswayinguponherfeetbythetimeColonelMcIntyreandhisdaughterHelenreachedthelibrary。
　　"Margaret！Whatisit？"McIntyredemanded。"Calmyourself，mydarling。"
　　Thefrenziedwomanshookoffhissoothinghand。
　　"See，see！"shecriedandpointedwithhertorch。
　　"ShemeanstheVenetiancasket，"explainedHelen，whohadpausedbeforejoiningthemtoswitchonthelight。
　　ColonelMcIntyregazedinamazementatthepieceoffurniture;
　　thencatchingsightoftheblood—stain，heraisedthesmalltrap—doororpeephole，inthetopoftheoblongboxwhichstoodbreasthigh，supportedonabeautifullycarvedbase。
　　Therewasabreathlesspause;thenMcIntyreunceremoniouslyjerkedtheelectrictorchfromMrs。Brewster’snervousfingersandturneditsraysoftheinteriorofthecasket。Stretchedatfulllengthlaythefigureofaman，andfromawoundinhistempleflowedasteadystreamofblood。
　　"GoodGod！"McIntyrestaggeredbackagainstHelen。"Grimes！"
　　CHAPTERXVII
　　AQUESTIONOFH0USE—BREAKING
　　ThegenialpresidentoftheMetropolisTrustCompanywaslate。
　　Mrs。Brewster，waitinginhiswell—appointedoffice，restrainedherill—temperonlybyanexertionofwill—power。Shedetestedbeingkeptwaiting，andthatmorningshehadmanyerrandstoattendtobeforetheluncheonhour。
　　"MayIuseyourtelephone？"sheaskedMr。Clymer’ssecretary，andtheyoungmanrosewithalacrityfromhisdesk。Mrs。Brewsterneverknewwhatitwastolackattention，evenherownsexwereknownonoccasionstogivehergownsand，（whatcaptiouscriticstermedher"frivolousconduct"）undividedattention。
　　"CanIlookupthenumberforyou？"thesecretaryaskedasMrs。
　　Brewstertookupthetelephonebookandfumbledforthegoldchainofherlorgnette。
　　"Oh，thankyou，"hersmileshowedeachprettydimple。"IwishtospeaktoMr。Kent，ofthefirmofRochesterandKent。"
　　"HarryKent？"Theyoungsecretarydroppedthebookwithoutlookingatit，andgaveanumbertotheoperator，andthenhandedtheinstrumenttoMrs。Brewster。
　　"Mr。Kentnotin，didyousay？"askedthewidow。"Whoisspeaking？
　　Ah，Mr。Sylvester—hasMr。Rochesterreturned？—Bothpartnersaway"……shepaused……"I’llcalllater—Mrs。Brewster，goodmorning。"
　　Mrs。Brewsterhungupthereceiverandturnedtothesecretary。