the leavenworth case by green, anna katharine, 1846-1935

8/14/2019 The Leavenworth Case by Green, Anna Katharine, 1846-1935

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BOOKI.THEPROBLEM

I."AGREATCASE"II.THECORONER'SINQUESTIII.FACTSANDDEDUCTIONSIV.ACUTSV.EXPERTTESTIMONY

VI.SIDE-LIGHTSVII.MARYLEAVENWORTHVIII.CIRCUMSTANTIALEVIDENCEIX.ADISCOVERYX.MR.GRYCERECEIVESNEWIMPETUSXI.THESUMMONSXII.ELEANORESXIII.THEPROBLEM

BOOKII.HENRYCLAVERING

XIV.MR.GRYCEATHOMEXV.WAYSOPENING

XVI.THEWILLOFAMILLIONAIREXVII.THEBEGINNINGOFGREATSURPRISESXVIII.ONTHESTAIRSXIX.INMYOFFICEXX."TRUEMAN!TRUEMAN!TRUEMAN!"XXI.APREJUDICEXXII.PATCH-WORKXXIII.THESTORYOFACHARMINGWOMANXXIV.AREPORTFOLLOWEDBYSMOKEXXV.TIMOTHYCOOKXXVI.MR.GRYCEEXPLAINSHIMSELF

BOOKIII.HANNAH

XXVII.AMYBELDENXXVIII.AWEIRDEXPERIENCEXXIX.THEMISSINGWITNESSXXX.BURNEDPAPERXXXI."Therebyhangsatale."XXXII.MRS.BELDEN'SNARRATIVEXXXIII.UNEXPECTEDTESTIMONY

BOOKIV.THEPROBLEMSOLVED


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XXXIV.MR.GRYCERESUMESCONTROLXXXV.FINEWORKXXXVI.GATHEREDTHREADSXXXVII.CULMINATIONXXXVIII.AFULLCONFESSIONXXXIX.THEOUTCOMEOFAGREATCRIME

BOOKI.THEPROBLEM

I."AGREATCASE"

"Adeedofdreadfulnote."--Macbeth.

IHADbeenajuniorpartnerinthefirmofVeeley,Carr&Raymond,attorneysandcounsellorsatlaw,foraboutayear,whenonemorning,inthetemporaryabsenceofbothMr.VeeleyandMr.Carr,therecameintoourofficeayoungmanwhosewholeappearancewassoindicativeofhasteandagitationthatIinvoluntarilyroseathisapproachandimpetuouslyinquired:

"Whatisthematter?Youhavenobadnewstotell,Ihope."

"IhavecometoseeMr.Veeley;ishein?"

"No,"Ireplied;"hewasunexpectedlycalledawaythismorningtoWashington;cannotbehomebeforeto-morrow;butifyouwillmakeyourbusinessknowntome----"

"Toyou,sir?"herepeated,turningaverycoldbutsteadyeyeonmine;then,seemingtobesatisfiedwithhisscrutiny,continued,"ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldn't;mybusinessisnosecret.IcametoinformhimthatMr.Leavenworthisdead."

"Mr.Leavenworth!"Iexclaimed,fallingbackastep.Mr.Leavenworthwasanoldclientofourfirm,tosaynothingofhisbeingtheparticularfriendofMr.Veeley.

"Yes,murdered;shotthroughtheheadbysomeunknownpersonwhilesittingathislibrarytable."

"Shot!murdered!"Icouldscarcelybelievemyears.

"How?when?"Igasped.

"Lastnight.Atleast,sowesuppose.Hewasnotfoundtillthis

morning.IamMr.Leavenworth'sprivatesecretary,"heexplained,"andliveinthefamily.Itwasadreadfulshock,"hewenton,"especiallytotheladies."

"Dreadful!"Irepeated."Mr.Veeleywillbeoverwhelmedbyit."

"Theyareallalone,"hecontinuedinalowbusinesslikewayIafterwardsfoundtobeinseparablefromtheman;"theMissesLeavenworth,Imean--Mr.Leavenworth'snieces;andasaninquestistobeheldthereto-dayitisdeemedproperforthemtohavesomeone


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presentcapableofadvisingthem.AsMr.Veeleywastheiruncle'sbestfriend,theynaturallysentmeforhim;buthebeingabsentIamatalosswhattodoorwheretogo."

"Iamastrangertotheladies,"wasmyhesitatingreply,"butifIcanbeofanyassistancetothem,myrespectfortheiruncleissuch----"

Theexpressionofthesecretary'seyestoppedme.Withoutseemingtowanderfrommyface,itspupilhadsuddenlydilatedtillitappearedtoembracemywholepersonwithitsscope.

"Idon'tknow,"hefinallyremarked,aslightfrown,testifyingtothefactthathewasnotaltogetherpleasedwiththeturnaffairsweretaking."Perhapsitwouldbebest.Theladiesmustnotbeleftalone----"

"Saynomore;Iwillgo."And,sittingdown,IdespatchedahurriedmessagetoMr.Veeley,afterwhich,andthefewotherpreparationsnecessary,Iaccompaniedthesecretarytothestreet.

"Now,"saidI,"tellmeallyouknowofthisfrightfulaffair."

"AllIknow?Afewwordswilldothat.Ilefthimlastnight

sittingasusualathislibrarytable,andfoundhimthismorning,seatedinthesameplace,almostinthesameposition,butwith_a._bullet-holeinhisheadaslargeastheendofmylittlefinger."

"Dead?"

"Stone-dead."

"Horrible!"Iexclaimed.Then,afteramoment,"Couldithavebeenasuicide?"

"No.Thepistolwithwhichthedeedwascommittedisnottobefound."

"Butifitwasamurder,theremusthavebeensomemotive.Mr.Leavenworthwastoobenevolentamantohaveenemies,andifrobberywasintended----"

"Therewasnorobbery.Thereisnothingmissing,"heagaininterrupted."Thewholeaffairisamystery."

"Amystery?"

"Anuttermystery."

Turning,Ilookedatmyinformantcuriously.Theinmateofahouse

inwhichamysteriousmurderhadoccurredwasratheraninterestingobject.Butthegood-featuredandyettotallyunimpressivecountenanceofthemanbesidemeofferedbutlittlebasisforeventhewildestimaginationtoworkupon,and,glancingalmostimmediatelyaway,Iasked:

"Aretheladiesverymuchovercome?"

Hetookatleastahalf-dozenstepsbeforereplying.


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"Itwouldbeunnaturaliftheywerenot."Andwhetheritwastheexpressionofhisfaceatthetime,orthenatureofthereplyitself,Ifeltthatinspeakingoftheseladiestothisuninteresting,self-possessedsecretaryofthelateMr.Leavenworth,Iwassomehowtreadingupondangerousground.AsIhadheardtheywereveryaccomplishedwomen,Iwasnotaltogetherpleasedatthisdiscovery.Itwas,therefore,withacertainconsciousnessofreliefIsawaFifthAvenuestageapproach.

"Wewilldeferourconversation,"saidI."Here'sthestage."

But,onceseatedwithinit,wesoondiscoveredthatallintercourseuponsuchasubjectwasimpossible.Employingthetime,therefore,inrunningoverinmymindwhatIknewofMr.Leavenworth,Ifoundthatmyknowledgewaslimitedtothebarefactofhisbeingaretiredmerchantofgreatwealthandfinesocialpositionwho,indefaultofpossessingchildrenofhisown,hadtakenintohishometwonieces,oneofwhomhadalreadybeendeclaredhisheiress.Tobesure,IhadheardMr.Veeleyspeakofhiseccentricities,givingasaninstancethisveryfactofhismakingawillinfavorofoneniecetotheutterexclusionoftheother;butofhishabitsoflifeandconnectionwiththeworldatlarge,Iknewlittleornothing.

Therewasagreatcrowdinfrontofthehousewhenwearrivedthere,

andIhadbarelytimetoobservethatitwasacornerdwellingofunusualdepthwhenIwasseizedbythethrongandcarriedquitetothefootofthebroadstonesteps.Extricatingmyself,thoughwithsomedifficulty,owingtotheimportunitiesofabootblackandbutcher-boy,whoseemedtothinkthatbyclingingtomyarmstheymightsucceedinsmugglingthemselvesintothehouse,Imountedthestepsand,findingthesecretary,bysomeunaccountablegoodfortune,closetomyside,hurriedlyrangthebell.Immediatelythedooropened,andafaceIrecognizedasthatofoneofourcitydetectivesappearedinthegap.

"Mr.Gryce!"Iexclaimed.

"Thesame,"hereplied."Comein,Mr.Raymond."Anddrawingus

quietlyintothehouse,heshutthedoorwithagrimsmileonthedisappointedcrowdwithout."Itrustyouarenotsurprisedtoseemehere,"saidhe,holdingouthishand,withasideglanceatmycompanion.

"No,"Ireturned.Then,withavagueideathatIoughttointroducetheyoungmanatmyside,continued:"ThisisMr.----,Mr.----,--excuseme,butIdonotknowyourname,"Isaidinquiringlytomycompanion."TheprivatesecretaryofthelateMr.Leavenworth,"Ihastenedtoadd.

"Oh,"hereturned,"thesecretary!Thecoronerhasbeenaskingforyou,sir."

"Thecoronerishere,then?"

"Yes;thejuryhavejustgoneup-stairstoviewthebody;wouldyouliketofollowthem?"

"No,itisnotnecessary.Ihavemerelycomeinthehopeofbeingofsomeassistancetotheyoungladies.Mr.Veeleyisaway."

"Andyouthoughttheopportunitytoogoodtobelost,"hewenton;


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"Buttheladies?"

"Theyareintheroomsabove;ingrief,ofcourse,buttolerablycomposedforallthat,Ihear."Andadvancingtoadoor,hepusheditopenandbeckonedmein.

Allwasdarkforamoment,butpresently,myeyesbecomingaccustomedtotheplace,Isawthatwewereinthelibrary.

"Itwasherehewasfound,"saidhe;"inthisroomanduponthisveryspot."Andadvancing,helaidhishandontheendofalargebaize-coveredtablethat,togetherwithitsattendantchairs,occupiedthecentreoftheroom."Youseeforyourselfthatitisdirectlyoppositethisdoor,"and,crossingthefloor,hepausedinfrontofthethresholdofanarrowpassageway,openingintoaroombeyond."Asthemurderedmanwasdiscoveredsittinginthischair,andconsequentlywithhisbacktowardsthepassageway,theassassinmusthaveadvancedthroughthedoorwaytodeliverhisshot,pausing,letussay,abouthere."AndMr.Gryceplantedhisfeetfirmlyuponacertainspotinthecarpet,aboutafootfromthethresholdbeforementioned.

"But--"Ihastenedtointerpose.

"Thereisnoroomfor'but,'"hecried."Wehavestudiedthe

situation."Andwithoutdeigningtodilateuponthesubject,heturnedimmediatelyaboutand,steppingswiftlybeforeme,ledthewayintothepassagenamed."Winecloset,clothescloset,washingapparatus,towel-rack,"heexplained,wavinghishandfromsidetosideaswehurriedthrough,finishingwith"Mr.Leavenworth'sprivateapartment,"asthatroomofcomfortableaspectopeneduponus.

Mr.Leavenworth'sprivateapartment!Itwasherethenthat_it_oughttobe,thehorrible,blood-curdling_it_thatyesterdaywasaliving,breathingman.Advancingtothebedthatwashungwithheavycurtains,Iraisedmyhandtoputthemback,whenMr.Gryce,drawingthemfrommyclasp,disclosedlyinguponthepillowacold,calmfacelookingsonaturalIinvoluntarilystarted.

"Hisdeathwastoosuddentodistortthefeatures,"heremarked,turningtheheadtoonesideinawaytomakevisibleaghastlywoundinthebackofthecranium."Suchaholeasthatsendsamanoutoftheworldwithoutmuchnotice.Thesurgeonwillconvinceyouitcouldneverhavebeeninflictedbyhimself.Itisacaseofdeliberatemurder."

Horrified,Idrewhastilyback,whenmyglancefelluponadoorsituateddirectlyoppositemeinthesideofthewalltowardsthehall.Itappearedtobetheonlyoutletfromtheroom,withtheexceptionofthepassagethroughwhichwehadentered,andIcouldnothelpwonderingifitwasthroughthisdoortheassassinhadenteredonhis

roundaboutcoursetothelibrary.ButMr.Gryce,seeminglyobservantofmyglance,thoughhisownwasfixeduponthechandelier,madehastetoremark,asifinreplytotheinquiryinmyface:

"Foundlockedontheinside;mayhavecomethatwayandmaynot;wedon'tpretendtosay."

Observingnowthatthebedwasundisturbedinitsarrangement,Iremarked,"Hehadnotretired,then?"


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"No;thetragedymustbetenhoursold.Timeforthemurderertohavestudiedthesituationandprovidedforallcontingencies."

"Themurderer?Whomdoyoususpect?"Iwhispered.

Helookedimpassivelyattheringonmyfinger.

"Everyoneandnobody.Itisnotformetosuspect,buttodetect."Anddroppingthecurtainintoitsformerpositionheledmefromtheroom.

Thecoroner'sinquestbeingnowinsession,Ifeltastrongdesiretobepresent,so,requestingMr.GrycetoinformtheladiesthatMr.Veeleywasabsentfromtown,andthatIhadcomeashissubstitute,torenderthemanyassistancetheymightrequireonsomelancholyanoccasion,Iproceededtothelargeparlorbelow,andtookmyseatamongthevariouspersonsthereassembled.

II.THECORONER'SINQUEST

"ThebabyfigureofthegiantmassOfthingstocome."

--TroilusandCressida.

FORafewminutesIsatdazedbythesuddenfloodoflightgreetingmefromthemanyopenwindows;then,asthestronglycontrastingfeaturesofthescenebeforemebegantoimpressthemselvesuponmyconsciousness,Ifoundmyselfexperiencingsomethingofthesamesensationofdoublepersonalitywhichyearsbeforehadfollowedanenforceduseofether.Asatthattime,Iappearedtobelivingtwolivesatonce:intwodistinctplaces,withtwoseparatesetsofincidentsgoingon;sonowIseemedtobedividedbetweentwoirreconcilabletrainsofthought;thegorgeoushouse,itselaboratefurnishing,thelittleglimpsesofyesterday'slife,asseenintheopenpiano,withitssheetofmusicheldinplacebyalady'sfan,

occupyingmyattentionfullyasmuchastheaspectofthethrongofincongruousandimpatientpeoplehuddledaboutme.

PerhapsonereasonofthislayintheextraordinarysplendoroftheroomIwasin;theglowofsatin,glitterofbronze,andglimmerofmarblemeetingtheeyeateveryturn.ButIamratherinclinedtothinkitwasmainlyduetotheforceandeloquenceofacertainpicturewhichconfrontedmefromtheoppositewall.Asweetpicture--sweetenoughandpoeticenoughtohavebeenconceivedbythemostidealisticofartists:simple,too--thevisionofayoungflaxen-haired,blue-eyedcoquette,dressedinthecostumeoftheFirstEmpire,standinginawood-path,lookingbackoverhershoulderatsomeonefollowing--yetwithsuchadashofsomethingnotaltogethersaint-likeinthecornersofhermeek

eyesandbaby-likelips,thatitimpressedmewiththeindividualityoflife.Haditnotbeenfortheopendress,withitswaistalmostbeneaththearmpits,thehaircutshortontheforehead,andtheperfectionoftheneckandshoulders,Ishouldhavetakenitforaliteralportraitofoneoftheladiesofthehouse.Asitwas,Icouldnotridmyselfoftheideathatone,ifnotboth,ofMr.Leavenworth'snieceslookeddownuponmefromtheeyesofthisentrancingblondewiththebeckoningglanceandforbiddinghand.SovividlydidthisfancyimpressmethatIhalfshudderedasIlooked,wonderingifthissweetcreaturedidnotknowwhathadoccurredinthishousesincethehappyyesterday;andif


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so,howshecouldstandtheresmilingsoinvitingly,--whensuddenlyIbecameawarethatIhadbeenwatchingthelittlecrowdofmenaboutmewithascompleteanabsorptionasifnothingelseintheroomhadattractedmyattention;thatthefaceofthecoroner,sternlyintelligentandattentive,wasasdistinctlyimprinteduponmymindasthatofthislovelypicture,ortheclearer-cutandmorenoblefeaturesofthesculpturedPsyche,shininginmellowbeautyfromthecrimson-hungwindowathisright;yes,eventhatthevariouscountenancesofthejurymenclusteredbeforeme,commonplaceandinsignificantasmostofthemwere;thetremblingformsoftheexcitedservantscrowdedintoafarcorner;andthestillmoredisagreeableaspectofthepale-faced,seedyreporter,seatedatasmalltableandwritingwithaghoul-likeaviditythatmademyfleshcreep,wereeachandallasfixedanelementintheremarkablescenebeforemeasthesplendorofthesurroundingswhichmadetheirpresencesuchanightmareofdiscordandunreality.

Ihavespokenofthecoroner.Asfortunewouldhaveit,hewasnostrangertome.Ihadnotonlyseenhimbefore,buthadheldfrequentconversationwithhim;infact,knewhim.HisnamewasHammond,andhewasuniversallyregardedasamanofmorethanordinaryacuteness,fullycapableofconductinganimportantexamination,withthenecessaryskillandaddress.InterestedasIwas,orratherwaslikelytobe,inthisparticularinquiry,Icouldnotbutcongratulatemyself

uponourgoodfortuneinhavingsointelligentacoroner.

Asforhisjurymen,theywere,asIhaveintimated,verymuchlikeallotherbodiesofasimilarcharacter.Pickedupatrandomfromthestreets,butfromsuchstreetsastheFifthandSixthAvenues,theypresentedmuchthesameappearanceofaverageintelligenceandrefinementasmightbeseeninthechanceoccupantsofoneofourcitystages.Indeed,Imarkedbutoneamongstthemallwhoseemedtotakeanyinterestintheinquiryasaninquiry;alltherestappearingtobeactuatedinthefulfilmentoftheirdutybythecommonerinstinctsofpityandindignation.

Dr.Maynard,thewell-knownsurgeonofThirty-sixthStreet,wasthe

firstwitnesscalled.Histestimonyconcernedthenatureofthewoundfoundinthemurderedman'shead.Assomeofthefactspresentedbyhimarelikelytoproveofimportancetousinournarrative,Iwillproceedtogiveasynopsisofwhathesaid.

Prefacinghisremarkswithsomeaccountofhimself,andthemannerinwhichhehadbeensummonedtothehousebyoneoftheservants,hewentontostatethat,uponhisarrival,hefoundthedeceasedlyingonabedinthesecond-storyfrontroom,withthebloodclottedaboutapistol-woundinthebackofthehead;havingevidentlybeencarriedtherefromtheadjoiningapartmentsomehoursafterdeath.Itwastheonlywounddiscoveredonthebody,andhavingprobedit,hehadfoundandextractedthebulletwhichhenowhandedtothejury.Itwaslying

inthebrain,havingenteredatthebaseoftheskull,passedobliquelyupward,andatoncestruckthe_medullaoblongata,_causinginstantdeath.Thefactoftheballhavingenteredthebraininthispeculiarmannerhedeemedworthyofnote,sinceitwouldproducenotonlyinstantaneousdeath,butanutterlymotionlessone.Further,fromthepositionofthebullet-holeandthedirectiontakenbythebullet,itwasmanifestlyimpossiblethattheshotshouldhavebeenfiredbythemanhimself,eveniftheconditionofthehairaboutthewounddidnotcompletelydemonstratethefactthattheshotwasfiredfromapointsomethreeorfourfeetdistant.Stillfurther,consideringthe


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angleatwhichthebullethadenteredtheskull,itwasevidentthatthedeceasedmustnotonlyhavebeenseatedatthetime,afactaboutwhichtherecouldbenodispute,buthemustalsohavebeenengagedinsomeoccupationwhichdrewhisheadforward.For,inorderthataballshouldentertheheadofamansittingerectattheangleseenhere,of45degrees,itwouldbenecessary,notonlyforthepistoltobeheldverylowdown,butinapeculiarposition;whileiftheheadhadbeenbentforward,asintheactofwriting,amanholdingapistolnaturallywiththeelbowbent,mightveryeasilyfireaballintothebrainattheangleobserved.

UponbeingquestionedinregardtothebodilyhealthofMr.Leavenworth,herepliedthatthedeceasedappearedtohavebeeningoodconditionatthetimeofhisdeath,butthat,notbeinghisattendantphysician,hecouldnotspeakconclusivelyuponthesubjectwithoutfurtherexamination;and,totheremarkofajuryman,observedthathehadnotseenpistolorweaponlyinguponthefloor,or,indeed,anywhereelseineitheroftheabove-mentionedrooms.

Imightaswelladdherewhatheafterwardsstated,thatfromthepositionofthetable,thechair,andthedoorbehindit,themurderer,inordertosatisfyalltheconditionsimposedbythesituation,musthavestoodupon,orjustwithin,thethresholdofthepassagewayleadingintotheroombeyond.Also,thatastheballwassmall,and

fromarifledbarrel,andthusespeciallyliabletodeflectionswhilepassingthroughbonesandinteguments,itseemedtohimevidentthatthevictimhadmadenoefforttoraiseorturnhisheadwhenadvanceduponbyhisdestroyer;thefearfulconclusionbeingthatthefootstepwasanaccustomedone,andthepresenceofitspossessorintheroomeitherknownorexpected.

Thephysician'stestimonybeingended,thecoronerpickedupthebulletwhichhadbeenlaidonthetablebeforehim,andforamomentrolleditcontemplativelybetweenhisfingers;then,drawingapencilfromhispocket,hastilyscrawledalineortwoonapieceofpaperand,callinganofficertohisside,deliveredsomecommandinalowtone.Theofficer,takinguptheslip,lookedatitforaninstant

knowingly,thencatchinguphishatlefttheroom.Anothermoment,andthefrontdoorclosedonhim,andawildhalloofromthecrowdofurchinswithouttoldofhisappearanceinthestreet.SittingwhereIdid,Ihadafullviewofthecorner.Lookingout,Isawtheofficerstopthere,hailacab,hastilyenterit,anddisappearinthedirectionofBroadway.

III.FACTSANDDEDUCTIONS

"Confusionnowhathmadehismaster-piece;Mostsacrilegiousmurderhathbrokeope

TheLord'sanointedtemple,andstolenthenceThelifeofthebuilding."--Macbeth.

TURNINGmyattentionbackintotheroomwhereIwas,Ifoundthecoronerconsultingamemorandumthroughaveryimpressivepairofgoldeye-glasses.

"Isthebutlerhere?"heasked.


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Immediatelytherewasastiramongthegroupofservantsinthecorner,andanintelligent-looking,thoughsomewhatpompous,Irishmansteppedoutfromtheirmidstandconfrontedthejury."Ah,"thoughtItomyself,asmyglanceencounteredhisprecisewhiskers,steadyeye,andrespectfullyattentive,thoughbynomeanshumble,expression,"hereisamodelservant,whoislikelytoproveamodelwitness."AndIwasnotmistaken;Thomas,thebutler,wasinallrespectsoneinathousand--andheknewit.

Thecoroner,uponwhom,asuponallothersintheroom,heseemedtohavemadethelikefavorableimpression,proceededwithouthesitationtointerrogatehim.

"Yourname,Iamtold,isThomasDougherty?"

"Yes,sir."

"Well,Thomas,howlonghaveyoubeenemployedinyourpresentsituation?"

"Itmustbeamatteroftwoyearsnow,sir."

"YouarethepersonwhofirstdiscoveredthebodyofMr.Leavenworth?"

"Yes,sir;IandMr.Harwell."

"AndwhoisMr.Harwell?"

"Mr.HarwellisMr.Leavenworth'sprivatesecretary,sir;theonewhodidhiswriting."

"Verygood.Nowatwhattimeofthedayornightdidyoumakethisdiscovery?"

"Itwasearly,sir;earlythismorning,abouteight."

"Andwhere?"

"Inthelibrary,sir,offMr.Leavenworth'sbedroom.Wehadforcedourwayin,feelinganxiousabouthisnotcomingtobreakfast."

"Youforcedyourwayin;thedoorwaslocked,then?"

"Yes,sir."

"Ontheinside?"

"ThatIcannottell;therewasnokeyinthedoor."

"WherewasMr.Leavenworthlyingwhenyoufirstfoundhim?"

"Hewasnotlying,sir.Hewasseatedatthelargetableinthecentreofhisroom,hisbacktothebedroomdoor,leaningforward,hisheadonhishands."

"Howwashedressed?"

"Inhisdinnersuit,sir,justashecamefromthetablelastnight."


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"Werethereanyevidencesintheroomthatastrugglehadtakenplace?"

"No,sir."

"Anypistolonthefloorortable?"

"No,sir?"

"Anyreasontosupposethatrobberyhadbeenattempted?"

"No,sir.Mr.Leavenworth'swatchandpursewerebothinhispockets."

Beingaskedtomentionwhowereinthehouseatthetimeofthediscovery,hereplied,"Theyoungladies,MissMaryLeavenworthandMissEleanore,Mr.Harwell,Katethecook,Mollytheupstairsgirl,andmyself."

"Theusualmembersofthehousehold?"

"Yes,sir."

"Nowtellmewhosedutyitistocloseupthehouseatnight."

"Mine,sir."

"Didyousecureitasusual,lastnight?"

"Idid,sir."

"Whounfasteneditthismorning?"

"I,sir."

"Howdidyoufindit?"

"JustasIleftit."

"What,notawindowopennoradoorunlocked?"

"No,sir."

Bythistimeyoucouldhaveheardapindrop.Thecertaintythatthemurderer,whoeverhewas,hadnotleftthehouse,atleasttillafteritwasopenedinthemorning,seemedtoweighuponallminds.ForewarnedasIhadbeenofthefact,Icouldnotbutfeelacertaindegreeofemotionathavingitthusbroughtbeforeme;and,movingsoastobringthebutler'sfacewithinview,searcheditforsomesecret

tokenthathehadspokenthusemphaticallyinordertocoverupsomefailureofdutyonhisownpart.Butitwasunmovedinitscandor,andsustainedtheconcentratedgazeofallintheroomlikearock.

BeingnowaskedwhenhehadlastseenMr.Leavenworthalive,hereplied,"Atdinnerlastnight."

"Hewas,however,seenlaterbysomeofyou?"

"Yes,sir;Mr.Harwellsayshesawhimaslateashalf-pasttenin


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theevening."

"Whatroomdoyouoccupyinthishouse?"

"Alittleoneonthebasementfloor."

"Andwheredotheothermembersofthehouseholdsleep?"

"Mostlyonthethirdfloor,sir;theladiesinthelargebackrooms,andMr.Harwellinthelittleoneinfront.Thegirlssleepabove."

"TherewasnooneonthesamefloorwithMr.Leavenworth?"

"No,sir."

"Atwhathourdidyougotobed?"

"Well,Ishouldsayabouteleven."

"Didyouhearanynoiseinthehouseeitherbeforeorafterthattime,thatyouremember?"

"No,sir."

"Sothatthediscoveryyoumadethismorningwasasurprisetoyou?"

"Yes,sir."

Requestednowtogiveamoredetailedaccountofthatdiscovery,hewentontosayitwasnottillMr.Leavenworthfailedtocometohisbreakfastatthecallofthebellthatanysuspicionaroseinthehousethatallwasnotright.Eventhentheywaitedsomelittletimebeforedoinganything,butasminuteafterminutewentbyandhedidnotcome,MissEleanoregrewanxious,andfinallylefttheroomsayingshewouldgoandseewhatwasthematter,butsoonreturnedlookingverymuchfrightened,sayingshehadknockedatheruncle'sdoor,andhadeven

calledtohim,butcouldgetnoanswer.AtwhichMr.Harwellandhimselfhadgoneupandtogethertriedbothdoors,and,findingthemlocked,burstopenthatofthelibrary,whentheycameuponMr.Leavenworth,ashehadalreadysaid,sittingatthetable,dead.

"Andtheladies?"

"Oh,theyfollowedusupandcameintotheroomandMissEleanorefaintedaway."

"Andtheotherone,--MissMary,Ibelievetheycallher?"

"Idon'trememberanythingabouther;Iwassobusyfetchingwater

torestoreMissEleanore,Ididn'tnotice."

"Well,howlongwasitbeforeMr.Leavenworthwascarriedintothenextroom?"

"Almostimmediate,assoonasMissEleanorerecovered,andthatwasassoonaseverthewatertouchedherlips."

"Whoproposedthatthebodyshouldbecarriedfromthespot?"


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"She,sir.Assoonasevershestoodupshewentovertoitandlookedatitandshuddered,andthencallingMr.Harwellandme,badeuscarryhiminandlayhimonthebedandgoforthedoctor,whichwedid."

"Waitamoment;didshegowithyouwhenyouwentintotheotherroom?"

"No,sir."

"Whatdidshedo?"

"Shestayedbythelibrarytable."

"Whatdoing?"

"Icouldn'tsee;herbackwastome."

"Howlongdidshestaythere?"

"Shewasgonewhenwecameback."

"Gonefromthetable?"

"Gonefromtheroom."

"Humph!whendidyouseeheragain?"

"Inaminute.Shecameinatthelibrarydooraswewentout."

"Anythinginherhand?"

"NotasIsee."

"Didyoumissanythingfromthetable?"

"Ineverthoughttolook,sir.Thetablewasnothingtome.Iwas

onlythinkingofgoingforthedoctor,thoughIknewitwasofnouse."

"Whomdidyouleaveintheroomwhenyouwentout?"

"Thecook,sir,andMolly,sir,andMissEleanore."

"NotMissMary?"

"No,sir."

"Verywell.Havethejuryanyquestionstoputtothisman?"

Amovementatoncetookplaceinthatprofoundbody.

"Ishouldliketoaskafew,"exclaimedaweazen-faced,excitablelittlemanwhomIhadbeforenoticedshiftinginhisseatinarestlessmannerstronglysuggestiveofanintensebuthithertorepresseddesiretointerrupttheproceedings.

"Verywell,sir,"returnedThomas.

Butthejurymanstoppingtodrawadeepbreath,alargeanddecidedlypompousmanwhosatathisrighthandseizedtheopportunity


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toinquireinaround,listen-to-mesortofvoice:

"Yousayyouhavebeeninthefamilyfortwoyears.Wasitwhatyoumightcallaunitedfamily?"

"United?"

"Affectionate,youknow,--ongoodtermswitheachother."Andthejurymanliftedtheverylongandheavywatch-chainthathungacrosshisvestasifthataswellashimselfhadarighttoasuitableandwell-consideredreply.

Thebutler,impressedperhapsbyhismanner,glanceduneasilyaround."Yes,sir,sofarasIknow."

"Theyoungladieswereattachedtotheiruncle?"

"Oyes,sir."

"Andtoeachother?"

"Well,yes,Isupposeso;it'snotformetosay."

"Yousupposeso.Haveyouanyreasontothinkotherwise?"Andhe

doubledthewatch-chainabouthisfingersasifhewoulddoubleitsattentionaswellashisown.

Thomashesitatedamoment.Butjustashisinterlocutorwasabouttorepeathisquestion,hedrewhimselfupintoaratherstiffandformalattitudeandreplied:

"Well,sir,no."

Thejuryman,forallhisself-assertion,seemedtorespectthereticenceofaservantwhodeclinedtogivehisopinioninregardtosuchamatter,anddrawingcomplacentlyback,signifiedwithawaveofhishandthathehadnomoretosay.

Immediatelytheexcitablelittleman,beforementioned,slippedforwardtotheedgeofhischairandasked,thistimewithouthesitation:"Atwhattimedidyouunfastenthehousethismorning?"

"Aboutsix,sir."

"Now,couldanyoneleavethehouseafterthattimewithoutyourknowledge?"

Thomasglancedatrifleuneasilyathis'fellow-servants,butanswereduppromptlyandasifwithoutreserve;

"Idon'tthinkitwouldbepossibleforanybodytoleavethishouseaftersixinthemorningwithouteithermyselforthecook'sknowingofit.Folksdon'tjumpfromsecond-storywindowsinbroaddaylight,andastoleavingbythedoors,thefrontdoorcloseswithsuchaslamallthehousecanhearitfromtoptobottom,andasfortheback-door,noonethatgoesoutofthatcangetclearoftheyardwithoutgoingbythekitchenwindow,andnoonecangobyourkitchenwindowwithoutthecook'sa-seeingofthem,thatIcanjustswearto."Andhecastahalf-quizzing,half-maliciouslookattheround,red-facedindividualinquestion,stronglysuggestiveoflateandunforgottenbickerings


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overthekitchencoffee-urnandcastor.

Thisreply,whichwasofanaturecalculatedtodeepentheforebodingswhichhadalreadysettleduponthemindsofthosepresent,producedavisibleeffect.Thehousefoundlocked,andnooneseentoleaveit!Evidently,then,wehadnotfartolookfortheassassin.

Shiftingonhischairwithincreasedfervor,ifImaysospeak,thejurymanglancedsharplyaround.Butperceivingtherenewedinterestinthefacesabouthim,declinedtoweakentheeffectofthelastadmission,byanyfurtherquestions.Settling,therefore,comfortablyback,heleftthefieldopenforanyotherjurorwhomightchoosetopresstheinquiry.Butnooneseemingtobereadytodothis,Thomasinhisturnevincedimpatience,andatlast,lookingrespectfullyaround,inquired:

"Wouldanyothergentlemanliketoaskmeanything?"

Noonereplying,hethrewahurriedglanceofrelieftowardstheservantsathisside,then,whileeachonemarvelledatthesuddenchangethathadtakenplaceinhiscountenance,withdrewwithaneageralacrityandevidentsatisfactionforwhichIcouldnotatthemomentaccount.

Butthenextwitnessprovingtobenoneotherthanmyacquaintanceofthemorning,Mr.Harwell,IsoonforgotbothThomasandthedoubtshislastmovementhadawakened,intheinterestwhichtheexaminationofsoimportantapersonasthesecretaryandright-handmanofMr.Leavenworthwaslikelytocreate.

Advancingwiththecalmanddeterminedairofonewhorealizedthatlifeanddeathitselfmighthanguponhiswords,Mr.Harwelltookhisstandbeforethejurywithadegreeofdignitynotonlyhighlyprepossessinginitself,buttome,whohadnotbeenoverandabovepleasedwithhiminourfirstinterview,admirableandsurprising.Lacking,asIhavesaid,anydistinctivequalityoffaceorformagreeableorotherwise--beingwhatyoumightcallinappearancea

negativesortofperson,hispale,regularfeatures,dark,well-smoothedhairandsimplewhiskers,allbelongingtoarecognizedtypeandverycommonplace--therewasstillvisible,onthisoccasionatleast,acertainself-possessioninhiscarriage,whichwentfartowardsmakingupforthewantofimpressivenessinhiscountenanceandexpression.Notthateventhiswasinanywayremarkable.Indeed,therewasnothingremarkableabouttheman,anymorethanthereisaboutathousandothersyoumeeteverydayonBroadway,unlessyouexceptthelookofconcentrationandsolemnitywhichpervadedhiswholeperson;asolemnitywhichatthistimewouldnothavebeennoticeable,perhaps,ifithadnotappearedtobethehabitualexpressionofonewhoinhisshortlifehadseenmoreofsorrowthanjoy,lessofpleasurethancareandanxiety.

Thecoroner,towhomhisappearanceonewayortheotherseemedtobeamatterofnomoment,addressedhimimmediatelyandwithoutreserve:

"Yourname?"

"JamesTruemanHarwell."

"Yourbusiness?"


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"IhaveoccupiedthepositionofprivatesecretaryandamanuensistoMr.Leavenworthforthepasteightmonths."

"YouarethepersonwholastsawMr.Leavenworthalive,areyounot?"

Theyoungmanraisedhisheadwithahaughtygesturewhichwell-nightransfiguredit.

"Certainlynot,asIamnotthemanwhokilledhim."

Thisanswer,whichseemedtointroducesomethingakintolevityorbadinageintoanexaminationtheseriousnessofwhichwewereallbeginningtorealize,producedanimmediaterevulsionoffeelingtowardthemanwho,infaceoffactsrevealedandtoberevealed,couldsolightlymakeuseofit.Ahumofdisapprovalsweptthroughtheroom,andinthatoneremark,JamesHarwelllostallthathehadpreviouslywonbytheself-possessionofhisbearingandtheunflinchingregardofhiseye.Heseemedhimselftorealizethis,forheliftedhisheadstillhigher,thoughhisgeneralaspectremainedunchanged.

"Imean,"thecoronerexclaimed,evidentlynettledthattheyoungmanhadbeenabletodrawsuchaconclusionfromhiswords,"thatyouwerethelastonetoseehimprevioustohisassassinationbysomeunknownindividual?"

Thesecretaryfoldedhisarms,whethertohideacertaintremblewhichhadseizedhim,orbythatsimpleactiontogaintimeforamoment'sfurtherthought,Icouldnotthendetermine."Sir,"herepliedatlength,"Icannotansweryesornotothatquestion.InallprobabilityIwasthelasttoseehimingoodhealthandspirits,butinahouseaslargeasthisIcannotbesureofevensosimpleafactasthat."Then,observingtheunsatisfiedlookonthefacesaround,addedslowly,"Itismybusinesstoseehimlate."

"Yourbusiness?Oh,ashissecretary,Isuppose?"

Hegravelynodded.

"Mr.Harwell,"thecoronerwenton,"theofficeofprivatesecretaryinthiscountryisnotacommonone.Willyouexplaintouswhatyourdutieswereinthatcapacity;inshort,whatuseMr.Leavenworthhadforsuchanassistantandhowheemployedyou?"

"Certainly.Mr.Leavenworthwas,asyouperhapsknow,amanofgreatwealth.Connectedwithvarioussocieties,clubs,institutions,etc.,besidesbeingknownfarandnearasagivingman,hewasaccustomedeverydayofhislifetoreceivenumerousletters,beggingandotherwise,whichitwasmybusinesstoopenandanswer,hisprivatecorrespondencealwaysbearingamarkuponitwhichdistinguisheditfromtherest.ButthiswasnotallIwasexpectedtodo.Havinginhis

earlylifebeenengagedinthetea-trade,hehadmademorethanonevoyagetoChina,andwasconsequentlymuchinterestedinthequestionofinternationalcommunicationbetweenthatcountryandourown.Thinkingthatinhisvariousvisitsthere,hehadlearnedmuchwhich,ifknowntotheAmericanpeople,wouldconducetoourbetterunderstandingofthenation,itspeculiarities,andthebestmannerofdealingwithit,hehasbeenengagedforsometimeinwritingabookonthesubject,whichsameithasbeenmybusinessforthelasteightmonthstoassisthiminpreparing,bywritingathisdictationthreehoursoutofthetwenty-four,thelasthourbeingcommonlytakenfrom


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theevening,sayfromhalf-pastninetohalf-pastten,Mr.Leavenworthbeingaverymethodicalmanandaccustomedtoregulatehisownlifeandthatofthoseabouthimwithalmostmathematicalprecision."

"Yousayyouwereaccustomedtowriteathisdictationevenings?Didyoudothisasusuallastevening?"

"Idid,sir."

"Whatcanyoutellusofhismannerandappearanceatthetime?Weretheyinanywayunusual?"

Afrowncrossedthesecretary'sbrow.

"Asheprobablyhadnopremonitionofhisdoom,whyshouldtherehavebeenanychangeinhismanner?"

Thisgivingthecoroneranopportunitytorevengehimselfforhisdiscomfitureofamomentbefore,hesaidsomewhatseverely:

"Itisthebusinessofawitnesstoanswerquestions,nottoputthem."

Thesecretaryflushedandtheaccountstoodeven.

"Verywell,then,sir;ifMr.Leavenworthfeltanyforebodingsofhisend,hedidnotrevealthemtome.Onthecontrary,heseemedtobemoreabsorbedinhisworkthanusual.Oneofthelastwordshesaidtomewas,'Inamonthwewillhavethisbookinpress,eh,Trueman?'Irememberthisparticularly,ashewasfillinghiswine-glassatthetime.Healwaysdrankoneglassofwinebeforeretiring,itbeingmydutytobringthedecanterofsherryfromtheclosetthelastthingbeforeleavinghim.Iwasstandingwithmyhandontheknobofthehall-door,butadvancedashesaidthisandreplied,'Ihopeso,indeed,Mr.Leavenworth.''Thenjoinmeindrinkingaglassofsherry,'saidhe,motioningmetoprocureanotherglassfromthecloset.Ididso,andhepouredmeoutthewinewithhisownhand.Iam

notespeciallyfondofsherry,buttheoccasionwasapleasantoneandIdrainedmyglass.Irememberbeingslightlyashamedofdoingso,forMr.Leavenworthsethisdownhalffull.Itwashalffullwhenwefoundhimthismorning."

Dowhathewould,andbeingareservedmanheappearedanxioustocontrolhisemotion,thehorrorofhisfirstshockseemedtooverwhelmhimhere.Pullinghishandkerchieffromhispocket,hewipedhisforehead."Gentlemen,thatisthelastactionofMr.LeavenworthIeversaw.Ashesettheglassdownonthetable,Isaidgood-nighttohimandlefttheroom."

Thecoroner,withacharacteristicimperviousnesstoallexpressions

ofemotion,leanedbackandsurveyedtheyoungmanwithascrutinizingglance."Andwheredidyougothen?"heasked.

"Tomyownroom."

"Didyoumeetanybodyontheway?"

"No,sir."

"Hearanythingorseeanythingunusual?"


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Thesecretary'svoicefellatrifle."No,sir."

"Mr.Harwell,thinkagain.Areyoureadytoswearthatyouneithermetanybody,heardanybody,norsawanythingwhichlingersyetinyourmemoryasunusual?"

Hisfacegrewquitedistressed.Twiceheopenedhislipstospeak,andasoftenclosedthemwithoutdoingso.Atlast,withaneffort,hereplied:

"Isawonething,alittlething,tooslighttomention,butitwasunusual,andIcouldnothelpthinkingofitwhenyouspoke."

"Whatwasit?"

"Onlyadoorhalfopen."

"Whosedoor?"

"MissEleanoreLeavenworth's."Hisvoicewasalmostawhispernow.

"Wherewereyouwhenyouobservedthisfact?"

"Icannotsayexactly.Probablyatmyowndoor,asIdidnotstopontheway.IfthisfrightfuloccurrencehadnottakenplaceIshouldneverhavethoughtofitagain."

"Whenyouwentintoyourroomdidyoucloseyourdoor?"

"Idid,sir."

"Howsoondidyouretire?"

"Immediately."

"Didyouhearnothingbeforeyoufellasleep?"

Againthatindefinablehesitation.

"Barelynothing."

"Notafootstepinthehall?"

"Imighthaveheardafootstep."

"Didyou?"

"IcannotswearIdid."

"Doyouthinkyoudid?"

"Yes,IthinkIdid.Totellthewhole:Irememberhearing,justasIwasfallingintoadoze,arustleandafootstepinthehall;butitmadenoimpressionuponme,andIdroppedasleep."

"Well?"

"SometimelaterIwoke,wokesuddenly,asifsomethinghadstartledme,butwhat,anoiseormove,Icannotsay.Irememberrising


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upinmybedandlookingaround,buthearingnothingfurther,soonyieldedtothedrowsinesswhichpossessedmeandfellintoadeepsleep.Ididnotwakeagaintillmorning."

Hererequestedtorelatehowandwhenhebecameacquaintedwiththefactofthemurder,hesubstantiated,inallparticulars,theaccountofthematteralreadygivenbythebutler;whichsubjectbeingexhausted,thecoronerwentontoaskifhehadnotedtheconditionofthelibrarytableafterthebodyhadbeenremoved.

"Somewhat;yes,sir."

"Whatwasonit?"

"Theusualproperties,sir,books,paper,apenwiththeinkdriedonit,besidesthedecanterandthewineglassfromwhichhedrankthenightbefore."

"Nothingmore?"

"Iremembernothingmore."

"Inregardtothatdecanterandglass,"brokeinthejurymanofthewatchandchain,"didyounotsaythatthelatterwasfoundinthe

sameconditioninwhichyousawitatthetimeyouleftMr.Leavenworthsittinginhislibrary?"

"Yes,sir,verymuch."

"Yethewasinthehabitofdrinkingafullglass?"

"Yes,sir."

"Aninterruptionmustthenhaveensuedverycloseuponyourdeparture,Mr.Harwell."

Acoldbluishpallorsuddenlybrokeoutupontheyoungman'sface.

Hestarted,andforamomentlookedasifstruckbysomehorriblethought."Thatdoesnotfollow,sir,"hearticulatedwithsomedifficulty."Mr.Leavenworthmight--"butsuddenlystopped,asiftoomuchdistressedtoproceed.

"Goon,Mr.Harwell,letushearwhatyouhavetosay."

"Thereisnothing,"hereturnedfaintly,asifbattlingwithsomestrongemotion.

Ashehadnotbeenansweringaquestion,onlyvolunteeringanexplanation,thecoronerletitpass;butIsawmorethanonepairofeyesrollsuspiciouslyfromsidetoside,asifmanytherefeltthat

somesortofcluehadbeenofferedtheminthisman'semotion.Thecoroner,ignoringinhiseasywayboththeemotionandtheuniversalexcitementithadproduced,nowproceededtoask:"Doyouknowwhetherthekeytothelibrarywasinitsplacewhenyoulefttheroomlastnight?"

"No,sir;Ididnotnotice."

"Thepresumptionis,itwas?"


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"Isupposeso."

"Atallevents,thedoorwaslockedinthemorning,andthekeygone?"

"Yes,sir."

"Thenwhoevercommittedthismurderlockedthedooronpassingout,andtookawaythekey?"

"Itwouldseemso."

Thecoronerturning,facedthejurywithanearnestlook."Gentlemen,"saidhe,"thereseemstobeamysteryinregardtothiskeywhichmustbelookedinto."

Immediatelyauniversalmurmursweptthroughtheroom,testifyingtotheacquiescenceofallpresent.Thelittlejurymanhastilyrisingproposedthataninstantsearchshouldbemadeforit;butthecoroner,turninguponhimwithwhatIshoulddenominateasaquellinglook,decidedthattheinquestshouldproceedintheusualmanner,tilltheverbaltestimonywasallin.

"Thenallowmetoaskaquestion,"againvolunteeredthe

irrepressible."Mr.Harwell,wearetoldthatuponthebreakinginofthelibrarydoorthismorning,Mr.Leavenworth'stwoniecesfollowedyouintotheroom."

"Oneofthem,sir,MissEleanore."

"IsMissEleanoretheonewhoissaidtobeMr.Leavenworth'ssoleheiress?"thecoronerhereinterposed.

"No,sir,thatisMissMary."

"Thatshegaveorders,"pursuedthejuryman,"fortheremovalofthebodyintothefurtherroom?"

"Yes,sir."

"Andthatyouobeyedherbyhelpingtocarryitin?"

"Yes,sir."

"Now,inthuspassingthroughtherooms,didyouobserveanythingtoleadyoutoformasuspicionofthemurderer?"

Thesecretaryshookhishead."Ihavenosuspicion,"heemphaticallysaid.

Somehow,Ididnotbelievehim.Whetheritwasthetoneofhisvoice,theclutchofhishandonhissleeve--andthehandwilloftenrevealmorethanthecountenance--Ifeltthatthismanwasnottoberelieduponinmakingthisassertion.

"IshouldliketoaskMr.Harwellaquestion,"saidajurymanwhohadnotyetspoken."Wehavehadadetailedaccountofwhatlookslikethediscoveryofamurderedman.Now,murderisnevercommittedwithoutsomemotive.DoesthesecretaryknowwhetherMr.Leavenworthhadanysecretenemy?"


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"Idonot."

"Everyoneinthehouseseemedtobeongoodtermswithhim?"

"Yes,sir,"withalittlequaverofdissentintheassertion,however.

"Notashadowlaybetweenhimandanyothermemberofhishousehold,sofarasyouknow?"

"Iamnotreadytosaythat,"hereturned,quitedistressed."Ashadowisaveryslightthing.Theremighthavebeenashadow----"

"Betweenhimandwhom?"

Alonghesitation."Oneofhisnieces,sir."

"Whichone?"

Againthatdefiantliftofthehead."MissEleanore."

"Howlonghasthisshadowbeenobservable?"

"Icannotsay."

"Youdonotknowthecause?"

"Idonot."

"Northeextentofthefeeling?"

"No,sir."

"YouopenMr.Leavenworth'sletters?"

"Ido."

"Hastherebeenanythinginhiscorrespondenceoflatecalculatedtothrowanylightuponthisdeed?"

Itactuallyseemedasifheneverwouldanswer.Washesimplyponderingoverhisreply,orwasthemanturnedtostone?

"Mr.Harwell,didyouhearthejuryman?"inquiredthecoroner.

"Yes,sir;Iwasthinking."

"Verywell,nowanswer."

"Sir,"hereplied,turningandlookingthejurymanfullintheface,andinthatwayrevealinghisunguardedlefthandtomygaze,"IhaveopenedMr.Leavenworth'slettersasusualforthelasttwoweeks,andIcanthinkofnothinginthembearingintheleastuponthistragedy."

Themanlied;Iknewitinstantly.Theclenchedhandpausingirresolute,thenmakingupitsmindtogothroughwiththeliefirmly,wasenoughforme.


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"Mr.Harwell,thisisundoubtedlytrueaccordingtoyourjudgment,"saidthecoroner;"butMr.Leavenworth'scorrespondencewillhavetobesearchedforallthat."

"Ofcourse,"herepliedcarelessly;"thatisonlyright."

ThisremarkendedMr.Harwell'sexaminationforthetime.AshesatdownImadenoteoffourthings.

ThatMr.Harwellhimself,forsomereasonnotgiven,wasconsciousofasuspicionwhichhewasanxioustosuppressevenfromhisownmind.

Thatawomanwasinsomewayconnectedwithit,arustleaswellasafootstephavingbeenheardbyhimonthestairs.

Thataletterhadarrivedatthehouse,whichiffoundwouldbelikelytothrowsomelightuponthissubject.

ThatEleanoreLeavenworth'snamecamewithdifficultyfromhislips;thisevidentlyunimpressibleman,manifestingmoreorlessemotionwheneverhewascalledupontoutterit.

IV.ACUTS

"SomethingisrottenintheStateofDenmark."Hamlet.

THEcookoftheestablishmentbeingnowcalled,thatportly,ruddy-facedindividualsteppedforwardwithalacrity,displayinguponhergood-humoredcountenancesuchanexpressionofmingledeagernessandanxietythatmorethanonepersonpresentfounditdifficulttorestrainasmileatherappearance.Observingthisandtakingitasacompliment,beingawomanaswellasacook,sheimmediatelydroppedacurtsey,andopeningherlipswasabouttospeak,whenthecoroner,risingimpatientlyinhisseat,tookthewordfromhermouthbysayingsternly:

"Yourname?"

"KatherineMalone,sir."

"Well,Katherine,howlonghaveyoubeeninMr.Leavenworth'sservice?"

"Shure,itisagoodtwelvemonthnow,sir,sinceIcame,onMrs.Wilson'sricommindation,tothatveryfrontdoor,and----"

"Nevermindthefrontdoor,buttelluswhyyouleftthisMrs.Wilson?"

"Shure,anditwassheasleftme,beingasshewentsailingtotheouldcountrythesamedaywhenonherrecommendationIcametothisveryfrontdoor--"

"Well,well;nomatteraboutthat.YouhavebeeninMr.Leavenworth'sfamilyayear?"

"Yes,sir."


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"Andlikedit?foundhimagoodmaster?"

"Och,sir,niverhaveIfoundabetter,worselucktothevillainaskilledhim.Hewasthatfreeandginerous,sir,thatmany'sthetimeIhavesaidtoHannah--"Shestopped,withasuddencomicalgaspofterror,lookingatherfellow-servantslikeonewhohadincautiouslymadeaslip.Thecoroner,observingthis,inquiredhastily:

"Hannah?WhoisHannah?"

Thecook,drawingherroly-polyfigureupintosomesortofshapeinhereffortstoappearunconcerned,exclaimedboldly:"She?Oh,onlytheladies'maid,sir."

"ButIdon'tseeanyonehereansweringtothatdescription.Youdidn'tspeakofanyonebythenameofHannah,asbelongingtothehouse,"saidhe,turningtoThomas.

"No,sir,"thelatterreplied,withabowandasidelonglookatthered-cheekedgirlathisside."Youaskedmewhowereinthehouseatthetimethemurderwasdiscovered,andItoldyou."

"Oh,"criedthecoroner,satirically;"usedtopolicecourts,Isee."Then,turningbacktothecook,whohadallthiswhilebeen

rollinghereyesinavaguefrightabouttheroom,inquired,"AndwhereisthisHannah?"

"Shure,sir,she'sgone."

"Howlongsince?"

Thecookcaughtherbreathhysterically."Sincelastnight."

"Whattimelastnight?"

"Troth,sir,andIdon'tknow.Idon'tknowanythingaboutit."

"Wasshedismissed?"

"NotasIknowson;herclothesishere."

"Oh,herclothesarehere.Atwhathourdidyoumissher?"

"Ididn'tmissher.Shewasherelastnight,andsheisn'therethismorning,andsoIsaysshe'sgone."

"Humph!"criedthecoroner,castingaslowglancedowntheroom,whileeveryonepresentlookedasifadoorhadsuddenlyopenedinaclosedwall.

"Wheredidthisgirlsleep?"

Thecook,whohadbeenfumblinguneasilywithherapron,lookedup.

"Shure,weallsleepsatthetopofthehouse,sir."

"Inoneroom?"

Slowly."Yes,sir."


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"Didshecomeuptotheroomlastnight?"

"Yes,sir."

"Atwhathour?"

"Shure,itwastenwhenweallcameup.Iheardtheclocka-striking."

"Didyouobserveanythingunusualinherappearance?"

"Shehadatoothache,sir."

"Oh,atoothache;what,then?Tellmeallshedid."

Butatthisthecookbrokeintotearsandwails.

"Shure,shedidn'tdonothing,sir.Itwasn'ther,sir,asdidanything;don'tyoubelieveit.Hannahisagoodgirl,andhonest,sir,aseveryousee.IamreadytoswearontheBookashowsheneverputherhandtothelockofhisdoor.Whatshouldshefor?SheonlywentdowntoMissEleanoreforsometoothache-drops,herfacewaspainingherthatawful;andoh,sir----"

"There,there,"interruptedthecoroner,"IamnotaccusingHannahofanything.Ionlyaskedyouwhatshedidaftershereachedyourroom.Shewentdownstairs,yousay.Howlongafteryouwentup?"

"Troth,sir,Icouldn'ttell;butMollysays----"

"NevermindwhatMollysays._You_didn'tseehergodown?"

"No,sir."

"Norseehercomeback?"

"No,sir."

"Norseeherthismorning?"

"No,sir;howcouldIwhenshe'sgone?"

"Butyoudidsee,lastnight,thatsheseemedtobesufferingwithtoothache?"

"Yes,sir."

"Verywell;nowtellmehowandwhenyoufirstbecameacquaintedwiththefactofMr.Leavenworth'sdeath."

Butherrepliestothisquestion,whileover-garrulous,containedbutlittleinformation;andseeingthis,thecoronerwasonthepointofdismissingher,whenthelittlejuror,rememberinganadmissionshehadmade,ofhavingseenMissEleanoreLeavenworthcomingoutofthelibrarydoorafewminutesafterMr.Leavenworth'sbodyhadbeencarriedintothenextroom,askedifhermistresshadanythinginherhandatthetime.

"Idon'tknow,sir.Faith!"shesuddenlyexclaimed,"Ibelieveshedidhaveapieceofpaper.Irecollect,now,seeingherputitin


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herpocket."

ThenextwitnesswasMolly,theupstairsgirl.

MollyO'Flanagan,asshecalledherself,wasarosy-cheeked,black-haired,pertgirlofabouteighteen,whounderordinarycircumstanceswouldhavefoundherselfabletoanswer,withaduedegreeofsmartness,anyquestionwhichmighthavebeenaddressedtoher.Butfrightwillsometimescowerthestoutestheart,andMolly,standingbeforethecoroneratthisjuncture,presentedanythingbutarecklessappearance,hernaturallyrosycheeksblanchingatthefirstwordaddressedtoher,andherheadfallingforwardonherbreastinaconfusiontoogenuinetobedissembledandtootransparenttobemisunderstood.

AshertestimonyrelatedmostlytoHannah,andwhatsheknewofher,andherremarkabledisappearance,Ishallconfinemyselftoameresynopsisofit.

Asfarasshe,Molly,knew,Hannahwaswhatshehadgivenherselfouttobe,anuneducatedgirlofIrishextraction,whohadcomefromthecountrytoactaslady's-maidandseamstresstothetwoMissesLeavenworth.Shehadbeeninthefamilyforsometime;beforeMollyherself,infact;andthoughbynatureremarkablyreticent,refusingto

tellanythingaboutherselforherpastlife,shehadmanagedtobecomeagreatfavoritewithallinthehouse.Butshewasofamelancholynatureandfondofbrooding,oftengettingupnightstositandthinkinthedark:"asifshewasalady!"exclaimedMolly.

Thishabitbeingasingularoneforagirlinherstation,anattemptwasmadetowinfromthewitnessfurtherparticularsinregardtoit.ButMolly,withatossofherhead,confinedherselftotheonestatement.Sheusedtogetupnightsandsitinthewindow,andthatwasallsheknewaboutit.

Drawnawayfromthistopic,duringtheconsiderationofwhich,alittleofthesharpnessofMolly'sdispositionhadasserteditself,she

wentontostate,inconnectionwiththeeventsofthepastnight,thatHannahhadbeenillfortwodaysormorewithaswelledface;thatitgrewsobadaftertheyhadgoneupstairs,thenightbefore,thatshegotoutofbed,anddressingherself--Mollywascloselyquestionedhere,butinsisteduponthefactthatHannahhadfullydressedherself,eventoarranginghercollarandribbon--lightedacandle,andmadeknownherintentionofgoingdowntoMissEleanoreforaid.

"WhyMissEleanore?"ajurymanhereasked.

"Oh,sheistheonewhoalwaysgivesoutmedicinesandsuchliketotheservants."

Urgedtoproceed,shewentontostatethatshehadalreadytoldallsheknewaboutit.Hannahdidnotcomeback,norwasshetobefoundinthehouseatbreakfasttime.

"Yousayshetookacandlewithher,"saidthecoroner."Wasitinacandlestick?"

"No,sir;looselike."

"Whydidshetakeacandle?DoesnotMr.Leavenworthburngasin


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hishalls?"

"Yes,sir;butweputthegasoutaswegoup,andHannahisafraidofthedark."

"Ifshetookacandle,itmustbelyingsomewhereaboutthehouse.Now,hasanybodyseenastraycandle?"

"NotasIknowson,sir."

"Is_this_it?"exclaimedavoiceovermyshoulder.

ItwasMr.Gryce,andhewasholdingupintoviewahalf-burnedparaffinecandle.

"Yes,sir;lor',wheredidyoufindit?"

"Inthegrassofthecarriageyard,half-wayfromthekitchendoortothestreet,"hequietlyreturned.

Sensation.Aclue,then,atlast!Somethinghadbeenfoundwhichseemedtoconnectthismysteriousmurderwiththeoutsideworld.Instantlythebackdoorassumedthechiefpositionofinterest.Thecandlefoundlyingintheyardseemedtoprove,notonlythatHannah

hadleftthehouseshortlyafterdescendingfromherroom,buthadleftitbythebackdoor,whichwenowrememberedwasonlyafewstepsfromtheirongateopeningintothesidestreet.ButThomas,beingrecalled,repeatedhisassertionthatnotonlytheback-door,butallthelowerwindowsofthehouse,hadbeenfoundbyhimsecurelylockedandboltedatsixo'clockthatmorning.Inevitableconclusion--someonehadlockedandboltedthemafterthegirl.Who?Alas,thathadnowbecometheveryseriousandmomentousquestion.

V.EXPERTTESTIMONY

"Andoften-times,towinustoourbarm,Theinstrumentsofdarknesstellustruths;Winuswithhonesttrifles,tobetrayusIndeepestconsequence."_

Macbeth._

INthemidstoftheuniversalgloomthusawakenedtherecameasharpringatthebell.Instantlyalleyesturnedtowardtheparlordoor,justasitslowlyopened,andtheofficerwhohadbeensentoffsomysteriouslybythecoroneranhourbeforeentered,incompanywithayoungman,whosesleekappearance,intelligenteye,andgeneralairof

trustworthiness,seemedtoproclaimhimtobe,whatinfacthewas,theconfidentialclerkofaresponsiblemercantilehouse.

Advancingwithoutapparentembarrassment,thougheachandeveryeyeintheroomwasfixeduponhimwithlivelycuriosity,hemadeaslightbowtothecoroner.

"YouhavesentforamanfromBohn&Co.,"hesaid.

Strongandimmediateexcitement.Bohn&Co.wasthewell-known


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pistolandammunitionstoreof----Broadway.

"Yes,sir,"returnedthecoroner."Wehavehereabullet,whichwemustaskyoutoexamine,Youarefullyacquaintedwithallmattersconnectedwithyourbusiness?"

Theyoungman,merelyelevatinganexpressiveeyebrow,tookthebulletcarelesslyinhishand.

"Canyoutellusfromwhatmakeofpistolthatwasdelivered?"

Theyoungmanrolleditslowlyroundbetweenhisthumbandforefinger,andthenlaiditdown."ItisaNo.32ball,usuallysoldwiththesmallpistolmadebySmith&Wesson."

"Asmallpistol!"exclaimedthebutler,jumpingupfromhisseat."Masterusedtokeepalittlepistolinhisstanddrawer.Ihaveoftenseenit.Weallknewaboutit."

Greatandirrepressibleexcitement,especiallyamongtheservants."That'sso!"Iheardaheavyvoiceexclaim."Isawitoncemyself--masterwascleaningit."Itwasthecookwhospoke.

"Inhisstanddrawer?"thecoronerinquired.

"Yes,sir;attheheadofhisbed."

Anofficerwassenttoexaminethestanddrawer.Inafewmomentshereturned,bringingasmallpistolwhichhelaiddownonthecoroner'stable,saying,"Hereitis."

Immediately,everyonesprangtohisfeet,butthecoroner,handingitovertotheclerkfromBonn's,inquiredifthatwasthemakebeforementioned.Withouthesitationhereplied,"Yes,Smith&Wesson;youcanseeforyourself,"andheproceededtoexamineit.

"Wheredidyoufindthispistol?"askedthecoronerofthe

officer.

"InthetopdrawerofashavingtablestandingneartheheadofMr.Leavenworth'sbed.Itwaslyinginavelvetcasetogetherwithaboxofcartridges,oneofwhichIbringasasample,"andhelaiditdownbesidethebullet.

"Wasthedrawerlocked?"

"Yes,sir;butthekeywasnottakenout."

Interesthadnowreacheditsclimax.Auniversalcrysweptthroughtheroom,"Isitloaded?"

Thecoroner,frowningontheassembly,withalookofgreatdignity,remarked:

"Iwasabouttoaskthatquestionmyself,butfirstImustrequestorder."

Animmediatecalmfollowed.Everyonewastoomuchinterestedtointerposeanyobstacleinthewayofgratifyinghiscuriosity.


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"Now,sir!"exclaimedthecoroner.

TheclerkfromBonn's,takingoutthecylinder,helditup."Therearesevenchambershere,andtheyareallloaded."

Amurmurofdisappointmentfollowedthisassertion.

"But,"hequietlyaddedafteramomentaryexaminationofthefaceofthecylinder,"theyhavenotallbeenloadedlong.Abullethasbeenrecentlyshotfromoneofthesechambers."

"Howdoyouknow?"criedoneofthejury.

"HowdoIknow?Sir,"saidhe,turningtothecoroner,"willyoubekindenoughtoexaminetheconditionofthispistol?"andhehandeditovertothatgentleman."Lookfirstatthebarrel;itiscleanandbright,andshowsnoevidenceofabullethavingpassedoutofitverylately;thatisbecauseithasbeencleaned.Butnow,observethefaceofthecylinder:whatdoyouseethere?"

"Iseeafaintlineofsmutnearoneofthechambers."

"Justso;showittothegentlemen."

Itwasimmediatelyhandeddown.

"Thatfaintlineofsmut,ontheedgeofoneofthechambers,isthetelltale,sirs.Abulletpassingoutalwaysleavessmutbehind.Themanwhofiredthis,rememberingthefact,cleanedthebarrel,butforgotthecylinder."Andsteppingasidehefoldedhisarms.

"Jerusalem!"spokeoutarough,heartyvoice,"isn'tthatwonderful!"Thisexclamationcamefromacountrymanwhohadsteppedinfromthestreet,andnowstoodagapeinthedoorway.

Itwasarudebutnotaltogetherunwelcomeinterruption.Asmilepassedroundtheroom,andbothmenandwomenbreathedmoreeasily.

Orderbeingatlastrestored,theofficerwasrequestedtodescribethepositionofthestand,anditsdistancefromthelibrarytable.

"Thelibrarytableisinoneroom,andthestandinanother.Toreachtheformerfromthelatter,onewouldbeobligedtocrossMr.Leavenworth'sbedroominadiagonaldirection,passthroughthepassagewayseparatingthatoneapartmentfromtheother,and----"

"Waitamoment;howdoesthistablestandinregardtothedoorwhichleadsfromthebedroomintothehall?"

"Onemightenterthatdoor,passdirectlyroundthefootofthebedtothestand,procurethepistol,andcrosshalf-wayovertothe

passage-way,withoutbeingseenbyanyonesittingorstandinginthelibrarybeyond."

"HolyVirgin!"exclaimedthehorrifiedcook,throwingherapronoverherheadasiftoshutoutsomedreadfulvision."Hannahniverwouldhavethepluckforthat;niver,niver!"ButMr.Gryce,layingaheavyhandonthewoman,forcedherbackintoherseat,reprovingandcalmingheratthesametime,withadexteritymarvelloustobehold."Ibegyourpardons,"shecrieddeprecatinglytothosearound;"butitniverwasHannah,niver!"


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TheclerkfromBohn'sherebeingdismissed,thoseassembledtooktheopportunityofmakingsomechangeintheirposition,afterwhich,thenameofMr.Harwellwasagaincalled.Thatpersonrosewithmanifestreluctance.Evidentlytheprecedingtestimonyhadeitherupsetsometheoryofhis,orindubitablystrengthenedsomeunwelcomesuspicion.

"Mr.Harwell,"thecoronerbegan,"wearetoldoftheexistenceofapistolbelongingtoMr.Leavenworth,anduponsearching,wediscoveritinhisroom.Didyouknowofhispossessingsuchaninstrument?"

"Idid."

"Wasitafactgenerallyknowninthehouse?"

"Soitwouldseem."

"Howwasthat?Washeinthehabitofleavingitaroundwhereanyonecouldseeit?"

"Icannotsay;IcanonlyacquaintyouwiththemannerinwhichImyselfbecameawareofitsexistence."

"Verywell,doso."

"Wewereoncetalkingaboutfirearms.Ihavesometastethatway,andhavealwaysbeenanxioustopossessapocket-pistol.Sayingsomethingofthekindtohimoneday,herosefromhisseatand,fetchingmethis,showedittome."

"Howlongagowasthis?"

"Somefewmonthssince."

"Hehasownedthispistol,then,forsometime?"

"Yes,sir."

"Isthattheonlyoccasionuponwhichyouhaveeverseenit?"

"No,sir,"--thesecretaryblushed--"Ihaveseenitoncesince."

"When?"

"Aboutthreeweeksago."

"Underwhatcircumstances?"

Thesecretarydroppedhishead,acertaindrawnlookmakingitself

suddenlyvisibleonhiscountenance.

"Willyounotexcuseme,gentlemen?"heasked,afteramoment'shesitation.

"Itisimpossible,"returnedthecoroner.

Hisfacegrewevenmorepallidanddeprecatory."Iamobligedtointroducethenameofalady,"hehesitatinglydeclared.


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"Weareverysorry,"remarkedthecoroner.

Theyoungmanturnedfiercelyuponhim,andIcouldnothelpwonderingthatIhadeverthoughthimcommonplace."OfMissEleanoreLeavenworth!"hecried.

Atthatname,souttered,everyonestartedbutMr.Gryce;hewasengagedinholdingacloseandconfidentialconfabwithhisfinger-tips,anddidnotappeartonotice.

"Surelyitiscontrarytotherulesofdecorumandtherespectweallfeelfortheladyherselftointroducehernameintothisdiscussion,"continuedMr.Harwell.Butthecoronerstillinsistinguponananswer,herefoldedhisarms(amovementindicativeofresolutionwithhim),andbeganinalow,forcedtonetosay:

"Itisonlythis,gentlemen.Oneafternoon,aboutthreeweekssince,Ihadoccasiontogotothelibraryatanunusualhour.Crossingovertothemantel-pieceforthepurposeofprocuringapenknifewhichIhadcarelesslyleftthereinthemorning,Iheardanoiseintheadjoiningroom.KnowingthatMr.Leavenworthwasout,andsupposingtheladiestobeoutalso,Itookthelibertyofascertainingwhotheintruderwas;whenwhatwasmyastonishmenttocomeuponMissEleanoreLeavenworth,standingatthesideofheruncle'sbed,withhispistolinherhand.

Confusedatmyindiscretion,Iattemptedtoescapewithoutbeingobserved;butinvain,forjustasIwascrossingthethreshold,sheturnedand,callingmebyname,requestedmetoexplainthepistoltoher.Gentlemen,inordertodoso,Iwasobligedtotakeitinmyhand;andthat,sirs,istheonlyotheroccasionuponwhichIeversaworhandledthepistolofMr.Leavenworth."Droopinghishead,hewaitedinindescribableagitationforthenextquestion.

"Sheaskedyoutoexplainthepistoltoher;whatdoyoumeanbythat?"

"Imean,"hefaintlycontinued,catchinghisbreathinavainefforttoappearcalm,"howtoload,aim,andfireit."

Aflashofawakenedfeelingshotacrossthefacesofallpresent.Eventhecoronershowedsuddensignsofemotion,andsatstaringatthebowedformandpalecountenanceofthemanbeforehim,withapeculiarlookofsurprisedcompassion,whichcouldnotfailofproducingitseffect,notonlyupontheyoungmanhimself,butuponallwhosawhim.

"Mr.Harwell,"heatlengthinquired,"haveyouanythingtoaddtothestatementyouhavejustmade?"

Thesecretarysadlyshookhishead.

"Mr.Gryce,"Iherewhispered,clutchingthatpersonbythearmand

dragginghimdowntomyside;"assureme,Ientreatyou--"buthewouldnotletmefinish.

"Thecoronerisabouttoaskfortheyoungladies,"hequicklyinterposed."Ifyoudesiretofulfilyourdutytowardsthem,beready,that'sall."

Fulfilmyduty!Thesimplewordsrecalledmetomyself.WhathadIbeenthinkingof;wasImad?Withnothingmoreterribleinmindthanatenderpictureofthelovelycousinsbowedinanguishovertheremains


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ofonewhohadbeenasdearasafathertothem,Islowlyrose,andupondemandbeingmadeforMissMaryandMissEleanoreLeavenworth,advancedandsaidthat,asafriendofthefamily--apettylie,whichIhopewillnotbelaidupagainstme--Ibeggedtheprivilegeofgoingfortheladiesandescortingthemdown.

Instantlyadozeneyesflasheduponme,andIexperiencedtheembarrassmentofonewho,bysomeunexpectedwordoraction,hasdrawnuponhimselftheconcentratedattentionofawholeroom.

Butthepermissionsoughtbeingalmostimmediatelyaccorded,Iwasspeedilyenabledtowithdrawfrommyrathertryingposition,findingmyself,almostbeforeIknewit,inthehall,myfaceaflame,myheartbeatingwithexcitement,andthesewordsofMr.Gryceringinginmyears:"Thirdfloor,rearroom,firstdoorattheheadofthestairs.Youwillfindtheyoungladiesexpectingyou."

VI.SIDE-LIGHTS

"Oh!shehasbeautymightensnareAconqueror'ssoul,andmakehimleavehiscrownAtrandom,tobescuffledforbyslaves."

OTWAY.

THIRDfloor,rearroom,firstdoorattheheadofthestairs!WhatwasIabouttoencounterthere?

Mountingthelowerflight,andshudderingbythelibrarywall,whichtomytroubledfancyseemedwrittenalloverwithhorriblesuggestions,Itookmywayslowlyup-stairs,revolvinginmymindmanythings,amongwhichanadmonitionutteredlongagobymymotheroccupiedaprominentplace.

"Myson,rememberthatawomanwithasecretmaybeafascinating

study,butshecanneverbeasafe,norevensatisfactory,companion."

Awisesaw,nodoubt,buttotallyinapplicabletothepresentsituation;yetitcontinuedtohauntmetillthesightofthedoortowhichIhadbeendirectedputeveryotherthoughttoflightsavethatIwasabouttomeetthestrickenniecesofabrutallymurderedman.

Pausingonlylongenoughonthethresholdtocomposemyselffortheinterview,Iliftedmyhandtoknock,whenarich,clearvoicerosefromwithin,andIhearddistinctlyutteredtheseastoundingwords:"Idonotaccuseyourhand,thoughIknowofnoneotherwhichwouldorcouldhavedonethisdeed;butyourheart,yourhead,yourwill,theseIdoandmustaccuse,inmysecretmindatleast;anditiswellthat

youshouldknowit!"

Struckwithhorror,Istaggeredback,myhandstomyears,whenatouchfellonmyarm,andturning,IsawMr.Grycestandingclosebesideme,withhisfingeronhislip,andthelastflickeringshadowofaflyingemotionfadingfromhissteady,almostcompassionatecountenance.

"Come,come,"heexclaimed;"Iseeyoudon'tbegintoknowwhatkindofaworldyouarelivingin.Rouseyourself;remembertheyare


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waitingdownbelow."

"Butwhoisit?Whowasitthatspoke?"

"Thatweshallsoonsee."Andwithoutwaitingtomeet,muchlessanswer,myappealinglook,hestruckhishandagainstthedoor,andflungitwideopen.

Instantlyaflushoflovelycolorburstuponus.Bluecurtains,bluecarpets,bluewalls.Itwaslikeaglimpseofheavenlyazureinaspotwhereonlydarknessandgloomweretobeexpected.Fascinatedbythesight,Isteppedimpetuouslyforward,butinstantlypausedagain,overcomeandimpressedbytheexquisitepictureIsawbeforeme.

Seatedinaneasychairofembroideredsatin,butrousingfromherhalf-recumbentposition,likeonewhowasintheactoflaunchingapowerfulinvective,Ibeheldagloriouswoman.Fair,frail,proud,delicate;lookinglikealilyinthethickcreamy-tintedwrapperthatalternatelyclungtoandswayedfromherfinelymouldedfigure;withherforehead,crownedwiththepalestofpaletresses,liftedandflashingwithpower;onequiveringhandclaspingthearmofherchair,theotheroutstretchedandpointingtowardsomedistantobjectintheroom,--herwholeappearancewassostartling,soextraordinary,thatIheldmybreathinsurprise,actuallyforthemomentdoubtingifitwere

alivingwomanIbeheld,orsomefamouspythonessconjuredupfromancientstory,toexpressinonetremendousgesturethesupremeindignationofoutragedwomanhood.

"MissMaryLeavenworth,"whisperedthateverpresentvoiceovermyshoulder.

Ah!MaryLeavenworth!Whatareliefcamewiththisname.Thisbeautifulcreature,then,wasnottheEleanorewhocouldload,aim,andfireapistol.Turningmyhead,Ifollowedtheguidingofthatupliftedhand,nowfrozenintoitsplacebyanewemotion:theemotionofbeinginterruptedinthemidstofadirefulandpregnantrevelation,andsaw--but,no,heredescriptionfailsme!EleanoreLeavenworthmustbe

paintedbyotherhandsthanmine.Icouldsithalfthedayanddilateuponthesubtlegrace,thepalemagnificence,theperfectionofformandfeaturewhichmakeMaryLeavenworththewonderofallwhobeholdher;butEleanore--Icouldassoonpaintthebeatingsofmyownheart.Beguiling,terrible,grand,pathetic,thatfaceoffacesflasheduponmygaze,andinstantlythemoonlightlovelinessofhercousinfadedfrommymemory,andIsawonlyEleanore--onlyEleanorefromthatmomentonforever.

Whenmyglancefirstfelluponher,shewasstandingbythesideofasmalltable,withherfaceturnedtowardhercousin,andhertwohandsresting,theoneuponherbreast,theotheronthetable,inanattitudeofantagonism.Butbeforethesuddenpangwhichshotthrough

meatthesightofherbeautyhadsubsided,herheadhadturned,hergazehadencounteredmine;allthehorrorofthesituationhadburstuponher,and,insteadofahaughtywoman,drawnuptoreceiveandtrampleupontheinsinuationsofanother,Ibeheld,alas!atrembling,pantinghumancreature,consciousthataswordhungaboveherhead,andwithoutawordtosaywhyitshouldnotfallandslayher.

Itwasapitiablechange;aheart-rendingrevelation!Iturnedfromitasfromaconfession.Butjustthen,hercousin,whohadapparentlyregainedherself-possessionatthefirstbetrayalofemotiononthe


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partoftheother,steppedforwardand,holdingoutherhand,inquired:

"IsnotthisMr.Raymond?Howkindofyou,sir.Andyou?"turningtoMr.Gryce;"youhavecometotelluswearewantedbelow,isitnotso?"

ItwasthevoiceIhadheardthroughthedoor,butmodulatedtoasweet,winning,almostcaressingtone.

GlancinghastilyatMr.Gryce,Ilookedtoseehowhewasaffectedbyit.Evidentlymuch,forthebowwithwhichhegreetedherwordswaslowerthanordinary,andthesmilewithwhichhemetherearnestlookbothdeprecatoryandreassuring.Hisglancedidnotembracehercousin,thoughhereyeswerefixeduponhisfacewithaninquiryintheirdepthsmoreagonizingthantheutteranceofanycrywouldhavebeen.KnowingMr.GryceasIdid,Ifeltthatnothingcouldpromiseworse,orbemoresignificant,thanthistransparentdisregardofonewhoseemedtofilltheroomwithherterror.And,struckwithpity,IforgotthatMaryLeavenworthhadspoken,forgotherverypresenceinfact,and,turninghastilyaway,tookonesteptowardhercousin,whenMr.Gryce'shandfallingonmyarmstoppedme.

"MissLeavenworthspeaks,"saidhe.

Recalledtomyself,Iturnedmybackuponwhathadsointerestedmeevenwhileitrepelled,andforcingmyselftomakesomesortofreplytothefaircreaturebeforeme,offeredmyarmandledhertowardthedoor.

Immediatelythepale,proudcountenanceofMaryLeavenworthsoftenedalmosttothepointofsmiling;--andhereletmesay,thereneverwasawomanwhocouldsmileandnotsmilelikeMaryLeavenworth.Lookinginmyface,withafrankandsweetappealinhereyes,shemurmured:

"Youareverygood.Idofeeltheneedofsupport;theoccasionissohorrible,andmycousinthere,"--herealittlegleamofalarmnickeredintohereyes--"issoverystrangeto-day."

"Humph!"thoughtItomyself;"whereisthegrandindignantpythoness,withtheunspeakablewrathandmenaceinhercountenance,whomIsawwhenIfirstenteredtheroom?"Coulditbethatshewastryingtobeguileusfromourconjectures,bymakinglightofherformerexpressions?Orwasitpossibleshedeceivedherselfsofarastobelieveusunimpressedbytheweightyaccusationoverheardbyusatamomentsocritical?

ButEleanoreLeavenworth,leaningonthearmofthedetective,soonabsorbedallmyattention.Shehadregainedbythistimeherself-possession,also,butnotsoentirelyashercousin.Herstepfalteredassheendeavoredtowalk,andthehandwhichrestedonhis

armtrembledlikealeaf."WouldtoGodIhadneverenteredthishouse,"saidItomyself.Andyet,beforetheexclamationwashalfuttered,Ibecameconsciousofasecretrebellionagainstthethought;anemotion,shallIsay,ofthankfulnessthatithadbeenmyselfratherthananotherwhohadbeenallowedtobreakinupontheirprivacy,overhearthatsignificantremark,and,shallIacknowledgeit,followMr.Gryceandthetrembling,swayingfigureofEleanoreLeavenworthdown-stairs.NotthatIfelttheleastrelentinginmysoultowardsguilt.Crimehadneverlookedsoblack;revenge,selfishness,hatred,cupidity,neverseemedmoreloathsome;andyet--butwhyenterinto


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theconsiderationofmyfeelingsatthattime.Theycannotbeofinterest;besides,whocanfathomthedepthsofhisownsoul,oruntangleforothersthesecretcordsofrevulsionandattractionwhichare,andeverhavebeen,amysteryandwondertohimself?Enoughthat,supportinguponmyarmthehalf-faintingformofonewoman,butwithmyattention,andinterestdevotedtoanother,IdescendedthestairsoftheLeavenworthmansion,andre-enteredthedreadedpresenceofthoseinquisitorsofthelawwhohadbeensoimpatientlyawaitingus.

AsIoncemorecrossedthatthreshold,andfacedtheeagercountenancesofthoseIhadleftsoshortatimebefore,Ifeltasifageshadelapsedintheinterval;somuchcanbeexperiencedbythehumansoulintheshortspaceofafewover-weightedmoments.

VII.MARYLEAVENWORTH

"Forthisreliefmuchthanks."Hamlet.

HAVEyoueverobservedtheeffectofthesunlightburstingsuddenlyupontheearthfrombehindamassofheavilysurchargedclouds?Ifso,youcanhavesomeideaofthesensationproducedinthatroombythe

entranceofthesetwobeautifulladies.Possessedofalovelinesswhichwouldhavebeenconspicuousinallplacesandunderallcircumstances,Mary,atleast,ifnotherlessstriking,thoughbynomeanslessinterestingcousin,couldneverhaveenteredanyassemblagewithoutdrawingtoherselfthewonderingattentionofallpresent.But,heraldedashere,bythemostfearfuloftragedies,whatcouldyouexpectfromacollectionofmensuchasIhavealreadydescribed,butovermasteringwonderandincredulousadmiration?Nothing,perhaps,andyetatthefirstmurmuringsoundofamazementandsatisfaction,Ifeltmysoulrecoilindisgust.

MakinghastetoseatmynowtremblingcompanioninthemostretiredspotIcouldfind,Ilookedaroundforhercousin.ButEleanore

Leavenworth,weakasshehadappearedintheinterviewabove,showedatthismomentneitherhesitationnorembarrassment.Advancinguponthearmofthedetective,whosesuddenlyassumedairofpersuasioninthepresenceofthejurywasanythingbutreassuring,shestoodforaninstantgazingcalmlyuponthescenebeforeher.Thenbowingtothecoronerwithagraceandcondescensionwhichseemedatoncetoplacehimonthefootingofapolitelyenduredintruderinthishomeofelegance,shetooktheseatwhichherownservantshastenedtoprocureforher,withaneaseanddignitythatratherrecalledthetriumphsofthedrawing-roomthantheself-consciousnessofascenesuchasthatinwhichwefoundourselves.Palpableacting,thoughthiswas,itwasnotwithoutitseffect.Instantlythemurmursceased,theobtrusiveglancesfell,andsomethinglikeaforcedrespectmadeitselfvisibleuponthe

countenancesofallpresent.EvenI,impressedasIhadbeenbyherverydifferentdemeanorintheroomabove,experiencedasensationofrelief;andwasmorethanstartledwhen,uponturningtotheladyatmyside,Ibeheldhereyesriveteduponhercousinwithaninquiryintheirdepthsthatwasanythingbutencouraging.Fearfuloftheeffectthislookmighthaveuponthoseaboutus,Ihastilyseizedherhandwhich,clenchedandunconscious,hungovertheedgeofherchair,andwasabouttobeseechhertohavecare,whenhername,calledinaslow,impressivewaybythecoroner,rousedherfromherabstraction.Hurriedlywithdrawinghergazefromhercousin,sheliftedherfaceto


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thejury,andIsawagleampassoveritwhichbroughtbackmyearlyfancyofthepythoness.Butitpassed,anditwaswithanexpressionofgreatmodestyshesettledherselftorespondtothedemandofthecoronerandanswerthefirstfewopeninginquiries.

Butwhatcanexpresstheanxietyofthatmomenttome?Gentleasshenowappeared,shewascapableofgreatwrath,asIknew.Wasshegoingtoreiteratehersuspicionshere?Didshehateaswellasmistrusthercousin?Wouldshedareassertinthispresence,andbeforetheworld,whatshefounditsoeasytoutterintheprivacyofherownroomandthehearingoftheonepersonconcerned?Didshewishto?Herowncountenancegavemenocluetoherintentions,and,inmyanxiety,IturnedoncemoretolookatEleanore.Butshe,inadreadandapprehensionIcouldeasilyunderstand,hadrecoiledatthefirstintimationthathercousinwastospeak,andnowsatwithherfacecoveredfromsight,byhandsblanchedtoanalmostdeathlywhiteness.

ThetestimonyofMaryLeavenworthwasshort.Aftersomefewquestions,mostlyreferringtoherpositioninthehouseandherconnectionwithitsdeceasedmaster,shewasaskedtorelatewhatsheknewofthemurderitself,andofitsdiscoverybyhercousinandtheservants.

Liftingupabrowthatseemednevertohaveknowntillnowthe

shadowofcareortrouble,andavoicethat,whilstlowandwomanly,ranglikeabellthroughtheroom,shereplied:

"Youaskme,gentlemen,aquestionwhichIcannotanswerofmyownpersonalknowledge.Iknownothingofthismurder,norofitsdiscovery,savewhathascometomethroughthelipsofothers."

Myheartgaveaboundofrelief,andIsawEleanoreLeavenworth'shandsdropfromherbrowlikestone,whileaflickeringgleamasofhopefledoverherface,andthendiedawaylikesunlightleavingmarble.

"For,strangeasitmayseemtoyou,"Maryearnestlycontinued,the

shadowofapasthorrorrevisitinghercountenance,"Ididnotentertheroomwheremyunclelay.Ididnoteventhinkofdoingso;myonlyimpulsewastoflyfromwhatwassohorribleandheartrending.ButEleanorewentin,andshecantellyou----"

"WewillquestionMissEleanoreLeavenworthlater,"interruptedthecoroner,butverygentlyforhim.Evidentlythegraceandeleganceofthisbeautifulwomanweremakingtheirimpression."Whatwewanttoknowiswhat_you_saw.Yousayyoucannottellusofanythingthatpassedintheroomatthetimeofthediscovery?"

"No,sir."

"Onlywhatoccurredinthehall?"

"Nothingoccurredinthehall,"sheinnocentlyremarked.

"Didnottheservantspassinfromthehall,andyourcousincomeoutthereafterherrevivalfromherfaintingfit?"

MaryLeavenworth'svioleteyesopenedwonderingly.

"Yes,sir;butthatwasnothing."


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"Youremember,however,hercomingintothehall?"

"Yes,sir."

"Withapaperinherhand?"

"Paper?"andshewheeledsuddenlyandlookedathercousin."Didyouhaveapaper,Eleanore?"

Themomentwasintense.EleanoreLeavenworth,whoatthefirstmentionofthewordpaperhadstartedperceptibly,rosetoherfeetatthisnaiveappeal,andopeningherlips,seemedabouttospeak,whenthecoroner,withastrictsenseofwhatwasregular,liftedhishandwithdecision,andsaid:

"Youneednotaskyourcousin,Miss;butletushearwhatyouhavetosayyourself."

Immediately,EleanoreLeavenworthsankback,apinkspotbreakingoutoneithercheek;whileaslightmurmurtestifiedtothedisappointmentofthoseintheroom,whoweremoreanxioustohavetheircuriositygratifiedthantheformsoflawadheredto.

Satisfiedwithhavingdonehisduty,anddisposedtobeeasywithsocharmingawitness,thecoronerrepeatedhisquestion."Tellus,ifyouplease,ifyousawanysuchthinginherhand?"

"I?Oh,no,no;Isawnothing."

Beingnowquestionedinrelationtotheeventsofthepreviousnight,shehadnonewlighttothrowuponthesubject.Sheacknowledgedheruncletohavebeenalittlereservedatdinner,butnomoresothanatprevioustimeswhenannoyedbysomebusinessanxiety.

Askedifshehadseenheruncleagainthatevening,shesaidno,thatshehadbeendetainedinherroom.Thatthesightofhim,sitting

inhisseatattheheadofthetable,wastheverylastremembranceshehadofhim.

Therewassomethingsotouching,soforlorn,andyetsounobtrusive,inthissimplerecollectionofhers,thatalookofsympathypassedslowlyaroundtheroom.

IevendetectedMr.Grycesofteningtowardstheinkstand.ButEleanoreLeavenworthsatunmoved.

"Wasyouruncleonilltermswithanyone?"wasnowasked."Hadhevaluablepapersorsecretsumsofmoneyinhispossession?"

Toalltheseinquiriesshereturnedanequalnegative.

"Hasyourunclemetanystrangerlately,orreceivedanyimportantletterduringthelastfewweeks,whichmightseeminanywaytothrowlightuponthismystery?"

Therewastheslightestperceptiblehesitationinhervoice,asshereplied:"No,nottomyknowledge;Idon'tknowofanysuch."Buthere,stealingasideglanceatEleanore,sheevidentlysawsomethingthatreassuredher,forshehastenedtoadd:

8/14/2019 The Leavenworth Case by

the leavenworth case by green, anna katharine, 1846-1935

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