TheGoldenSlipperAndOtherProblemsforVioletStrangePROBLEMITHEGOLDENSLIPPER
“She”shere！Ithoughtshewouldbe。She”soneofthethreeyoungladiesyouseeintheright-handboxneartheproscenium。”
Thegentlemanthusaddressed——amanofmiddleageandamemberofthemostexclusiveclubs——turnedhisoperaglasstowardthespotdesignated，andinsomeastonishmentretorted：
“She？WhythosearetheMissesPrattand”
“MissVioletStrange；noother。”
“Anddoyoumeantosay”
“Ido”
“Thatyonsillylittlechit，whosefatherIknow，whosefortuneIknow，whoisseeneverywhere，andwhoiscalledoneoftheseason”sbellesisanagentofyours；a——a”
“Nonameshere，please。Youwantamysterysolved。Itisnotamatterforthepolice——thatis，asyet，——andsoyoucometome，andwhenIaskforthefacts，Ifindthatwomenandonlywomenareinvolved，andthatthesewomenarenotonlyyoungbutoneandallofthehighestsociety。Isitaman”sworktogotothebottomofacombinationlikethis？No。Sexagainstsex，and，ifpossible，youthagainstyouth。Happily，Iknowsuchaperson——agirlofgiftsandextraordinarilywellplacedforthepurpose。
Whysheuseshertalentsinthisdirection——why，withmeansenoughtoplaythepartnaturaltoherasasuccessfuldebutante，sheconsentstooccupyherselfwithsocialandothermysteries，youmustaskher，notme。EnoughthatIpromiseyouheraidifyouwantit。Thatis，ifyoucaninteresther。Shewillnotworkotherwise。”
Mr。Driscollagainraisedhisoperaglass。
“Butit”sacomedyface，“hecommented。“It”shardtoassociateintellectualitywithsuchquaintnessofexpression。Areyousureofherdiscretion？“
“Whomisshewith？“
“AbnerPratt，hiswife，anddaughters。”
“Isheamantoentrusthisaffairsunadvisedly？“
“AbnerPratt！Doyoumeantosaythatsheisanythingmoretohimthanhisdaughters”guest？“
“Judge。Youseehowmerrytheyare。Theywereindeeptroubleyesterday。Youarewitnesstoacelebration。”
“Andshe？“
“Don”tyouobservehowtheyareloadingherwithattentions？
She”stooyoungtorousesuchinterestinafamilyofnotablyunsympathetictemperamentforanyotherreasonthanthatofgratitude。”
“It”shardtobelieve。Butifwhatyouhintistrue，securemeanopportunityatonceoftalkingtothisyouthfulmarvel。Myaffairisserious。ThedinnerIhavementionedcomesoffinthreedaysand”
“Iknow。Irecognizeyourneed；butIthinkyouhadbetterenterMr。Pratt”sboxwithoutmyintervention。MissStrange”svaluetouswillbeimpairedthemomentherconnectionwithusisdiscovered。”
“Ah，there”sRuthven！HewilltakemetoMr。Pratt”sbox，“
remarkedDriscollasthecurtainfellonthesecondact。“AnysuggestionsbeforeIgo？“
“Yes，andanimportantone。Whenyoumakeyourbow，touchyourleftshoulderwithyourrighthand。Itisasignal。Shemayrespondtoit；butifshedoesnot，donotbediscouraged。Oneofheridiosyncrasiesisatheoreticaldislikeofherwork。Butonceshegetsinterested，nothingwillholdherback。That”sall，exceptthis。Innoeventgiveawayhersecret。That”spartofthecompact，youremember。”
DriscollnoddedandlefthisseatforRuthven”sbox。WhenthecurtainroseforthethirdtimehecouldbeseensittingwiththeMissesPrattandtheirvivaciousyoungfriend。Awidowerandstillontherightsideoffifty，hispresencetheredidnotpassunnoted，andcuriositywasrifeamongcertainonlookersastowhichofthetwinbelleswasresponsibleforthischangeinhiswell-knownhabits。Unfortunately，noopportunitywasgivenhimforshowing。Otherandyoungermenhadfollowedhisleadintothebox，andtheysawhimforceduponthegoodgracesofthefascinatingbutinconsequentMissStrangewhoserapidfireoftalkhewashardlyofatemperamenttoappreciate。
Didheappeardissatisfied？Yes；butonlyonepersonintheoperahouseknewwhy。MissStrangehadshownnocomprehensionoforsympathywithhiserrand。Thoughshechattedamiablyenoughbetweenduetsandtrios，shegavehimnoopportunitytoexpresshiswishesthoughsheknewthemwellenough，owingtothesignalhehadgivenher。
Thismightbeincharacterbutithardlysuitedhisviews；and，beingamanofresolution，hetookadvantageofanabsorbingminuteonthestagetoleanforwardandwhisperinherear：
“It”smydaughterforwhomIrequestyourservices；asfineagirlasanyinthishouse。Givemeahearing。Youcertainlycanmanageit。”
Shewasasmall，slightwomanwhosenaturallyquaintappearancewasaccentuatedbytheextremesimplicityofherattire。Inthetierupontierofboxesrisingbeforehiseyes，nootherpersonalitycouldviewithhersinstrangeness，orintheillusivequalityofherever-changingexpression。Shewasvivacityincarnateand，totheordinaryobserver，lightasthistledowninfibreandinfeeling。Butnottoall。Tothosewhowatchedherlong，therecamemoments——saywhenthemusicrosetoheightsofgreatness——whenthemouthsogivenovertolaughtertookoncurvesoftherarestsensibility，andawoman”sloftysoulshonethroughherodd，bewilderingfeatures。
Driscollhadnotedthis，andconsequentlyawaitedherreplyinsecrethope。
Itcameintheformofaquestionandonlyafteraninstant”sdisplayofdispleasureorpossiblyofpurenervousirritability。
“Whathasshedone？“
“Nothing。Butslanderisintheair，andanydayitmayripenintopublicaccusation。”
“Accusationofwhat？“Hertonewasalmostpettish。
“Of——oftheft，“hemurmured。“Onagreatscale，“heemphasized，asthemusicrosetoacrash。
“Jewels？“
“Inestimableones。Theyarealwaysreturnedbysomebody。Peoplesay，byme。”
“Ah！“Thelittlelady”shandsgrewsteady，——theyhadbeenflutteringalloverherlap。“Iwillseeyouto-morrowmorningatmyfather”shouse，“shepresentlyobserved；andturnedherfullattentiontothestage。
SomethreedaysafterthisMr。DriscollopenedhishouseontheHudsontonotableguests。Hehadnotdesiredthepublicityofsuchanevent，northeopportunityitgaveforanincreaseofthescandalsecretlyincirculationagainsthisdaughter。ButtheAmbassadorandhiswifewereforeignandanyevasionofthepromisedhospitalitywouldbesuretobemisunderstood；sotheschemewascarriedforwardthoughwithlesseclatthanpossiblywasexpected。
Amongthelesserguests，whoweremostlyyoungandwellacquaintedwiththehouseanditshospitality，therewasoneuniquefigure，——thatofthelivelyMissStrange，who，ifpersonallyunknowntoMissDriscoll，wassogiftedwiththequalitieswhichtellonanoccasionofthiskind，thatthestatelyyounghostesshailedherpresencewithveryobviousgratitude。
Themanneroftheirfirstmeetingwassingular，andofgreatinteresttooneofthematleast。MissStrangehadcomeinanautomobileandhadbeenshownherroom；buttherewasnobodytoaccompanyherdown-stairsafterward，and，findingherselfaloneinthegreathall，shenaturallymovedtowardthelibrary，thedoorofwhichstoodajar。Shehadpushedthisdoorhalfopenbeforeshenoticedthattheroomwasalreadyoccupied。Asaconsequence，shewasmadetheunexpectedobserverofabeautifulpictureofyouthandlove。
Ayoungmanandayoungwomanwerestandingtogetherintheglowofablazingwood-fire。Nowordwastobeheard，butintheirfaces，eloquentwithpassion，thereshonesomethingsodeepandtruethatthechanceintruderhesitatedonthethreshold，eagertolaythispictureawayinhermindwiththeotherlovelyandtragicmemoriesnowfastaccumulatingthere。Thenshedrewback，andreadvancingwithalessnoiselessfoot，cameintothefullpresenceofCaptainHollidaydrawnupinalltheprideofhismilitaryrankbesideAlicia，theaccomplisheddaughterofthehouse，who，ifunderashadowasmanywhispered，worethatshadowassomewomenwearacrown。
MissStrangewasstruckwithadmiration，andturneduponthemthebrightestfacetofhervivaciousnatureallthetimeshewassayingtoherself：“DoessheknowwhyIamhere？Ordoesshelookuponmeonlyasanadditionalguestfoisteduponherbyathoughtlessparent？“
Therewasnothinginthemannerofhercordialbutcomposedyounghostesstoshow，andMissStrange，withbutonethoughtinmindsinceshehadcaughtthelightoffeelingonthetwofacesconfrontingher，tookthefirstopportunitythatofferedofrunningoverthefactsgivenherbyMr。Driscoll，toseeifanyreconcilementwerepossiblebetweenthemandaninnocenceinwhichshemusthenceforthbelieve。
Theywerecertainlyofamostdamagingnature。
MissDriscollandfourotheryoungladiesofherownstationinlifehadformedthemselves，sometwoyearsbefore，intoacoterieoffive，calledTheInseparables。Theylunchedtogether，rodetogether，visitedtogether。Soclosewasthebondandtheirmutualdependencesoevident，thatitcametobethecustomtoinvitethewholefivewheneverthesizeofthefunctionwarrantedit。Infact，itwasfarfromanuncommonoccurrencetoseethemgroupedatreceptionsorfollowingoneanotherdowntheaislesofchurchesorthroughthemazesofthedanceatballsorassemblies。Andnoonedemurredatthis，fortheywereallhandsomeandattractivegirls，tillitbegantobenoticedthat，coincidentwiththeirpresence，somearticleofvaluewasfoundmissingfromthedressing-roomorfromthetableswhereweddinggiftsweredisplayed。Nothingwassafewheretheywent，andthough，inthecourseoftime，eacharticlefounditswaybacktoitsownerinamannerasmysteriousasitspreviousabstraction，thescandalgrewand，whetherwithgoodreasonorbad，finallysettledaboutthepersonofMissDriscoll，whowastheshowiest，leastpecuniarilytempted，andmostdignifiedinmannerandspeechofthemall。
Someinstanceshadbeengivenbywayoffurtherenlightenment。
Thisisone：Atheatrepartywasinprogress。Thereweretwelveintheparty，fiveofwhomweretheInseparables。Inthecourseofthelastact，anotherlady——infact，theirchaperon——missedherhandkerchief，analmostpricelessbitoflace。Positivethatshehadbroughtitwithherintothebox，shecausedacarefulsearch，butwithouttheleastsuccess。Recallingcertainwhispersshehadheard，shenotedwhichofthefivegirlswerewithherinthebox。TheywereMissDriscoll，MissHughson，MissYates，andMissBenedict。MissWestsatintheboxadjoining。
Afortnightlaterthishandkerchiefreappeared——andwhere？Amongthecushionsofayellowsatincouchinherowndrawing-room。TheInseparableshadjustmadetheircallandthethreewhohadsatonthecouchwereMissDriscoll，MissHughson，andMissBenedict。
Thenextinstanceseemedtopointstillmoreinsistentlytowardtheladyalreadynamed。MissYateshadanexpensivepresenttobuy，andthewholefiveInseparableswentinanimposinggrouptoTiffany”s。Atrayofringswassetbeforethem。AllexaminedandeagerlyfingeredthestockoutofwhichMissYatespresentlychoseafinelysetemerald。Shewasleadingherfriendsawaywhentheclerksuddenlywhisperedinherear，“Imissoneoftherings。”Dismayedbeyondspeech，sheturnedandconsultedthefacesofherfourcompanionswhostaredbackatherwithimmovableserenity。Butoneofthemwaspalerthanusual，andthislady(itwasMissDriscoll)heldherhandsinhermuffanddidnotoffertotakethemout。MissYates，whosefatherhadcompletedabig“deal“theweekbefore，wheeledroundupontheclerk。“Chargeit！chargeitatitsfullvalue，“saidshe。“Ibuyboththerings。”
Andinthreeweeksthepurloinedringcamebacktoher，inaboxofvioletswithnonameattached。
Thethirdinstancewasarecentone，andhadcometoMr。
Driscoll”searsdirectlyfromtheladysufferingtheloss。Shewasawomanofuncompromisingintegrity，whofeltitherdutytomakeknowntothisgentlemanthefollowingfacts：Shehadjustleftastudioreception，andwasstandingatthecurbwaitingforataxicabtodrawup，whenasmallboy——astreetarab——dartedtowardherfromtheothersideofthestreet，andthrustingintoherhandsomethingsmallandhard，criedbreathlesslyasheslippedaway，“It”syours，ma”am；youdroppedit。”Astonished，forshehadnotbeenconsciousofanyloss，shelookeddownathertreasuretroveandfoundittobeasmallmedallionwhichshesometimesworeonachainatherbelt。Butshehadnotwornitthatday，noranydayforweeks。Thensheremembered。Shehadwornitamonthbeforetoasimilarreceptionatthissamestudio。Anumberofyounggirlsbadstoodaboutheradmiringit——
sherememberedwellwhotheywere；theInseparables，ofcourse，andtopleasethemshehadslippeditfromitschain。Thensomethinghadhappened，——somethingwhichdivertedherattentionentirely，——andshehadgonehomewithoutthemedallion；had，infact，forgottenit，onlytorecallitslossnow。Placingitinherbag，shelookedhastilyabouther。Acrowdwasatherback；
nothingtobedistinguishedthere。Butinfront，ontheoppositesideofthestreet，stoodaclub-house，andinoneofitswindowssheperceivedasolitaryfigurelookingout。ItwasthatofMissDriscoll”sfather。Hecouldimagineherconclusion。
Invainhedeniedallknowledgeofthematter。Shetoldhimotherstorieswhichhadcometoherearsoftheftsasmysterious，followedbyrestorationsaspeculiarasthisone，finishingwith，“Itisyourdaughter，andpeoplearebeginningtosayso。”
AndMissStrange，broodingovertheseinstances，wouldhavesaidthesame，butforMissDriscoll”sabsoluteserenityofdemeanourandcompleteabandonmenttolove。Theseseemedincompatiblewithguilt；these，whatevertheappearances，proclaimedinnocence——aninnocenceshewasheretoproveiffortunefavouredandthereallyguiltyperson”smadnessshouldagainbreakforth。
Formadnessitwouldbeandnothingless，foranyhand，eventhemostexperienced，todrawattentiontoitselfbyarepetitionofoldtricksonanoccasionsomarked。Yetbecauseitwouldtakemadness，andmadnessknowsnolaw，shepreparedherselfforthecontingencyunderamaskofgirlishsmileswhichmadeheratoncethedelightandastonishmentofherwatchfulanduneasyhost。
WiththeexceptionofthediamondswornbytheAmbassadress，therewasbutonejewelofconsequencetobeseenatthedinnerthatnight；buthowgreatwasthatconsequenceandwithwhatsplendouritinvestedthesnowyneckitadorned！
MissStrange，incomplimenttothenobleforeigners，hadputononeofherfamilyheirlooms——afiligreependantofextraordinarysapphireswhichhadoncebelongedtoMarieAntoinette。Asitsbeautyflasheduponthewomen，anditsvaluestruckthehost，thelattercouldnotrestrainhimselffromcastingananxiouseyeabouttheboardinsearchofsometokenofthecupiditywithwhichonepersontheremustwelcomethisunexpectedsight。
NaturallyhisfirstglancefelluponAlicia，seatedoppositetohimattheotherendofthetable。Buthereyeswereelsewhere，andhersmileforCaptainHolliday，andthefather”sgazetravelledon，takingupeachyounggirl”sfaceinturn。AllwerecontemplatingMissStrangeandherjewels，andthecheeksofonewereflushedandthoseoftheotherspale，butwhetherwithdreadorlongingwhocouldtell。Struckwithforeboding，butalivetohisdutyashost，heforcedhisglancesaway，anddidnotevenallowhimselftoquestionthemotiveorthewisdomofthetemptationthusoffered。
Twohourslaterandthegirlswereallinoneroom。ItwasacustomoftheInseparablestomeetforachatbeforeretiring，butalwaysaloneandintheroomofoneoftheirnumber。Butthiswasanightofinnovations；Violetwasnotonlyincluded，butthemeetingwasheldinherroom。Herwaywithgirlswasevenmorefruitfulofresultthanherwaywithmen。Theymightlaughather，criticizeherorevencallhernamessignificantofdisdain，buttheyneverleftherlongtoherselformissedanopportunitytomakethemostofherirrepressiblechatter。
Hersatisfactionatenteringthischarmedcircledidnottakefromherpiquancy，andstoryafterstoryfellfromherlips，assheflutteredabout，nowherenowthere，inherendlesspreparationsforretirement。Shehadtakenoffherhistoricpendantafterithadbeendulyadmiredandhandledbyallpresent，and，withthecarelessconfidenceofanassuredownership，thrownitdownupontheendofherdresser，which，bytheway，projectedveryclosetotheopenwindow。
“Areyougoingtoleaveyourjewelthere？“whisperedavoiceinherearasaburstoflaughterrangoutinresponsetooneofhersallies。
Turning，withasimulationofround-eyedwonder，shemetMissHughson”searnestgazewiththecarelessrejoinder，“What”stheharm？“andwentonwithherstorywithalltherecklesseaseofaperfectlythoughtlessnature。
MissHughsonabandonedherprotest。Howcouldsheexplainherreasonsforittooneapparentlyuninitiatedinthescandalassociatedwiththeirespecialclique。
Yes，sheleftthejewelthere；butshelockedherdoorandquickly，sothattheymustallhaveheardherbeforereachingtheirrooms。Thenshecrossedtothewindow，which，likeallonthisside，openedonabalconyrunningthelengthofthehouse。
Shewasawareofthisbalcony，alsoofthefactthatonlyyoungladiessleptinthecorridorcommunicatingwithit。Butshewasnotquitesurethatthisonecorridoraccommodatedthemall。Ifoneofthemshouldroomelsewhere！(MissDriscoll，forinstance)。
Butno！theanxietydisplayedforthesafetyofherjewelprecludedthatsupposition。Theirhostess，ifnoneoftheothers，waswithinaccessofthisroomanditsopenwindow。Buthowabouttherest？Perhapsthelightswouldtell。Eagerlythelittleschemerlookedforth，andletherglancestraveldownthefulllengthofthebalcony。Twoseparatebeamsoflightshotacrossitasshelooked，andpresentlyanother，and，aftersomewaiting，afourth。Butthefifthfailedtoappear。Thistroubledher，butnotseriously。Twoofthegirlsmightbesleepinginonebed。
Drawinghershade，shefinishedherpreparationsforthenight；
thenwithherkimonoon，liftedthependantandthrustitintoasmallboxshehadtakenfromhertrunk。Acurioussmile，veryunlikeanyshehadshowntomanorwomanthatday，gaveasarcasticlifttoherlips，aswithaslowandthoughtfulmanipulationofherdaintyfingersshemovedthejewelaboutinthissmallreceptacleandthenreturnedit，afteronequickexaminingglance，totheveryspotonthedresserfromwhichshehadtakenit。“Ifonlythemadnessisgreatenough！“thatsmileseemedtosay。Truly，itwasmuchtohopefor，butachanceisachance；andcomfortingherselfwiththethought，MissStrangeputoutherlight，and，withahastyraisingoftheshadeshehadpreviouslypulleddown，tookafinallookattheprospect。
Itsaspectmadehershudder。Alowfogwasrisingfromthemeadowsinthefardistance，anditsghostlinessunderthemoonwokeallsortsofuncannyimagesinherexcitedmind。Toescapethemshecreptintobedwhereshelaywithhereyesontheendofherdresser。ShehadclosedthathalfoftheFrenchwindowoverwhichshehaddrawntheshade；butshehadleftajartheonegivingfreeaccesstothejewels；andwhenshewasnotwatchingthescintillationofhersapphiresinthemoonlight，shewasdwellinginfixedattentiononthisnarrowopening。
Butnothinghappened，andtwoo”clock，thenthreeo”clockstruck，withoutadimmingofthebluescintillationsontheendofherdresser。Thenshesuddenlysatup。Notthatsheheardanythingnew，butthatathoughthadcometoher。“Ifanattemptismade，“
soshemurmuredsoftlytoherself，“itwillbeby”Shedidnotfinish。Something——shecouldnotcallitsound——setherheartbeatingtumultuously，andlistening——listening——watching——
watching——shefollowedinherimaginationtheapproachdownthebalconyofanalmostinaudiblestep，notdaringtomoveherself，itseemedsonear，butwaitingwitheyesfixed，fortheshadowwhichmustfallacrosstheshadeshehadfailedtoraiseoverthathalfoftheswingingwindowshehadsocarefullyleftshut。
Atlengthshesawitprojectingslowlyacrosstheslightlyilluminatedsurface。Formless，savefortheoutreachinghand，itpassedthecasement”sedge，nearingwithpausesandhesitationstheopengapbeyondthroughwhichtheneglectedsapphiresbeamedwithsteadylustre。Wouldsheeverseethehanditselfappearbetweenthedresserandthewindowframe？Yes，thereitcomes，——
small，delicate，andstartlinglywhite，threadingthatgap——
dartingwiththesuddennessofaserpent”stonguetowardthedresseranddisappearingagainwiththependantinitsclutch。
Assherealizesthis，——sheisbutyoung，youknow，——assheseesherbaittakenandthehardlyexpectedeventfulfilled，herpent-
upbreathspedforthinasighwhichsenttheintruderflying，andsostartledherselfthatshesankbackinterroronherpillow。
Thebreakfast-callhadsoundeditsmusicalchimesthroughthehalls。TheAmbassadorandhiswifehadresponded，sohadmostoftheyounggentlemenandladies，butthedaughterofthehousewasnotamongstthem，norMissStrange，whomonewouldnaturallyexpecttoseedownfirstofall。
ThesetwoabsencespuzzledMr。Driscoll。Whatmighttheynotportend？Buthissuspense，atleastinoneregard，wasshort。
Beforehisguestswerewellseated，MissDriscollenteredfromtheterraceincompanywithCaptainHolliday。Inherarmsshecarriedahugebunchofrosesandwaslookingverybeautiful。Herfather”sheartwarmedatthesight。Noshadowfromthenightresteduponher。
ButMissStrange！——wherewasshe？Hecouldnotfeelquiteeasytillheknew。
“HaveanyofyouseenMissStrange？“heasked，astheysatdownattable。AndhiseyessoughttheInseparables。
Fivelovelyheadswereshaken，somecarelessly，somewonderingly，andone，withaquick，forcedsmile。Buthewasinnomoodtodiscriminate，andhehadbeckonedoneoftheservantstohim，whenastepwasheardatthedoorandthedelinquentslidinandtookherplace，inashamefacedmannersuggestiveofacausedeeperthanmeretardiness。Infact，shehadwhatmightbecalledafrightenedair，andstaredintoherplate，avoidingeveryeye，whichwascertainlynotnaturaltoher。Whatdiditmean？andwhy，asshemadeapoorattemptateating，didfouroftheInseparablesexchangeglancesofdoubtanddismayandthenconcentratetheirlooksuponhisdaughter？ThatAliciafailedtonoticethis，butsatabloomaboveherrosesnowfastenedinagreatbunchuponherbreast，offeredhimsomecomfort，yet，forallthevolubilityofhischiefguests，themealwasagreattrialtohispatience，aswellasapoorpreparationforthehourwhen，thenoblepairgone，hesteppedintothelibrarytofindMissStrangeawaitinghimwithonehandbehindherbackandapiteouslookonherinfantilefeatures。
“0，Mr。Driscoll，“shebegan，——andthenhesawthatagroupofanxiousgirlshoveredinherrear”mypendant！mybeautifulpendant！Itisgone！Somebodyreachedinfromthebalconyandtookitfrommydresserinthenight。Ofcourse，itwastofrightenme；allofthegirlstoldmenottoleaveitthere。ButI——Icannotmakethemgiveitback，andpapaissoparticularaboutthisjewelthatI”mafraidtogohome。Won”tyoutellthemit”snojoke，andseethatIgetitagain。Iwon”tbesocarelessanothertime。”
Hardlybelievinghiseyes，hardlybelievinghisears，——shewassoperfectlythespoiledchilddetectedinafault——helookedsternlyaboutuponthegirlsandbadethemendthejestandproducethegemsatonce。
Butnotoneofthemspoke，andnotoneofthemmoved；onlyhisdaughtergrewpaleuntiltherosesseemedamockery，andthesteadystareofherlargeeyeswasalmosttoomuchforhimtobear。
Theanguishofthisgaveasperitytohismanner，andinastrange，hoarsetoneheloudlycried：
“Oneofyoudidthis。Which？Ifitwasyou，Alicia，speak。Iaminnomoodfornonsense。Iwanttoknowwhosefoottraversedthebalconyandwhosehandabstractedthesejewels。”
Acontinuedsilence，deepeningintopainfulembarrassmentforall。Mr。Driscolleyedtheminill-concealedanguish，thenturningtoMissStrangewasstillfurtherthrownoffhisbalancebyseeingherprettyheaddroopandhergazefallinconfusion。
“Oh！it”seasyenoughtotellwhosefoottraversedthebalcony，“
shemurmured。“Itleftthisbehind。”Anddrawingforwardherhand，sheheldouttoviewasmallgold-colouredslipper。“I
founditoutsidemywindow，“sheexplained。“IhopedIshouldnothavetoshowit。”
Agaspofuncontrollablefeelingfromthesurroundinggroupofgirls，thenabsolutestillness。
“Ifailtorecognizeit，“observedMr。Driscoll，takingitinhishand。“Whoseslipperisthis？“heaskedinamannernottobegainsaid。
Stillnoreply，thenashecontinuedtoeyethegirlsoneafteranotheravoice——thelastheexpectedtohear——spokeandhisdaughtercried：
“Itismine。ButitwasnotIwhowalkedinitdownthebalcony。”
“Alicia！“
Amonth”sapprehensionwasinthatcry。Thesilence，thepent-upemotionbroodingintheairwasintolerable。Afreshyounglaughbrokeit。
“Oh，“exclaimedaroguishvoice，“Iknewthatyouwereallinit！
Buttheespecialonewhoworetheslipperandgrabbedthependantcannothopetohideherself。Herfinger-tipswillgiveheraway。”
Amazementoneveryfaceandaconvulsivemovementinonehalf-
hiddenhand。
“Yousee，“theairylittlebeingwenton，inherlightway，“I
havesomeawfullyfunnytricks。Iamalwaysbeingscoldedforthem，butsomehowIdon”timprove。OneistokeepmyjewelrybrightwithastrangeforeignpasteanoldFrenchwomanoncegavemeinParis。It”sofavividred，andstainsthefingersdreadfullyifyoudon”ttakecare。Notevenwaterwilltakeitoff，seemine。Iusedthatpasteonmypendantlastnightjustafteryouleftme，andbeingawfullysleepyIdidn”tstoptorubitoff。Ifyourfinger-tipsarenotred，younevertouchedthependant，MissDriscoll。Oh，see！Theyareaswhiteasmilk。
“Butsomeonetookthesapphires，andIowethatpersonascolding，aswellasmyself。Wasityou，MissHughson？You，MissYates？or”andhereshepausedbeforeMissWest，“Oh，youhaveyourgloveson！Youaretheguiltyone！“andherlaughrangoutlikeapealofbells，robbinghernextsentenceofevenasuggestionofsarcasm。“Oh，whatasly-boots！“shecried。“Howyouhavedeceivedme！Whoeverwouldhavethoughtyoutobetheonetoplaythemischief！“
Whoindeed！Ofallthefive，shewastheonewhowasconsideredabsolutelyimmunefromsuspicioneversincethenightMrs。
Barnum”shandkerchiefhadbeentaken，andshenotinthebox。
EyeswhichhadsurveyedMissDriscollaskancenowroseinwondertowardhers，andfailedtofallagainbecauseofthestoninessintowhichherdelicately-carvedfeatureshadsettled。
“MissWest，Iknowyouwillbegladtoremoveyourgloves；MissStrangecertainlyhasarighttoknowherspecialtormentor，“
spokeupherhostinasnaturalavoiceashisgreatreliefwouldallow。
Butthecold，half-frozenwomanremainedwithoutamovement。Shewasnotdeceivedbythebanterofthemoment。Sheknewthattoalloftheothers，ifnottoPeterStrange”soddlittledaughter，itwasthethiefwhowasbeingspottedandbroughtthushilariouslytolight。Andhereyesgrewhard，andherlipsgrey，andshefailedtounglovethehandsuponwhichallglanceswereconcentrated。
“Youdonotneedtoseemyhands；Iconfesstotakingthependant。”
“Caroline！“
Aheartovercomebyshockhadthrownupthiscry。MissWesteyedherbosom-frienddisdainfully。
“MissStrangehascalleditajest，“shecoldlycommented。“Whyshouldyousuggestanythingofagravercharacter？“
Aliciabroughtthustobay，andbyoneshehadtrustedmost，steppedquicklyforward，andquiveringwithvaguedoubts，aghastbeforeunheard-ofpossibilities，shetremulouslyremarked：
“Wedidnotsleeptogetherlastnight。Youhadtocomeintomyroomtogetmyslippers。Whydidyoudothis？Whatwasinyourmind，Caroline？“
Asteadylook，alowlaughchokedwithmanyemotionsansweredher。
“Doyouwantmetoreply，Alicia？Orshallweletitpass？“
“Answer！“
ItwasMr。Driscollwhospoke。Aliciahadshrunkback，almosttowherealittlefigurewascoweringwithwideeyesfixedinsomethingliketerroronthearousedfather”sface。
“Thenhearme，“murmuredthegirl，entrappedandsuddenlydesperate。“IworeAlicia”sslippersandItookthejewels，becauseitwastimethatanendshouldcometoyourmutualdissimulation。TheloveIoncefeltforhershehasherselfdeliberatelykilled。Ihadalover——shetookhim。Ihadfaithinlife，inhonour，andinfriendship。Shedestroyedall。Athief——
shehasdaredtoaspiretohim！Andyoucondonedherfault。You，withyourcravenrestorationofherbooty，thoughtthematterclearedandherafitmateforamanofhighesthonour。”
“MissWest，“——noonehadeverheardthattoneinMr。Driscoll”svoicebefore，“beforeyousayanotherwordcalculatedtomisleadtheseladies，letmesaythatthishandneverreturnedanyone”sbootyorhadanythingtodowiththerestorationofanyabstractedarticle。Youhavebeencaughtinanet，MissWest，fromwhichyoucannotescapebyslanderingmyinnocentdaughter。”
“Innocent！“Allthetragedylatentinthispeculiargirl”snatureblazedforthintheword。“Alicia，faceme。Areyouinnocent？WhotooktheDempseycorals，andthatdiamondfromtheTiffanytray？“
“ItisnotnecessaryforAliciatoanswer，“thefatherinterposedwithnotunnaturalheat。“MissWeststandsself-convicted。”
“HowaboutLadyPaget”sscarf？Iwasnottherethatnight。”
“Youareawomanofwiles。Thatcouldbemanagedbyonebentonanelaborateschemeofrevenge。”
“AndsocouldtheabstractionofMrs。Barnum”sfive-hundred-
dollarhandkerchiefbyonewhosatinthenextbox，“chimedinMissHughson，edgingawayfromthefriendtowhosehonourshewouldhavepinnedherfaithanhourbefore。“Iremembernowseeingherleanovertherailingtoadjusttheoldlady”sshawl。”
Withastart，CarolineWestturnedatragicgazeuponthespeaker。
“YouthinkmeguiltyofallbecauseofwhatIdidlastnight？“
“Whyshouldn”tI。”
“Andyou，Anna？“
“Aliciahasmysympathy，“murmuredMissBenedict。
Yetthewildgirlpersisted。
“ButIhavetoldyoumyprovocation。YoucannotbelievethatIamguiltyofhersin；notifyoulookatherasIamlookingnow。”
Buttheirglanceshardlyfollowedherpointingfinger。Herfriends——thecomradesofheryouth，theInseparableswiththeirsecretoath——oneandallheldthemselvesaloof，struckbytheperfidytheywereonlyjustbeginningtotakein。Smittenwithdespair，forthesegirlswereherlife，shegaveonewildleapandsankonherkneesbeforeAlicia。
“Ospeak！“shebegan。“Forgiveme，and”
Atrembleseizedherthroat；sheceasedtospeakandletfallherpartiallyupliftedhands。Thecheerysoundofmen”svoiceshaddriftedinfromtheterrace，andthefigureofCaptainHollidaycouldbeseenpassingby。TheshudderwhichshookCarolineWestcommunicateditselftoAliciaDriscoll，andtheformerrisingquickly，thetwowomensurveyedeachother，possiblyforthefirsttime，withopensoulandacompleteunderstanding。
“Caroline！“murmuredtheone。
“Alicia！“pleadedtheother。
“Caroline，trustme，“saidAliciaDriscollinthatmovingvoiceofhers，whichmorethanherbeautycaughtandretainedallhearts。“Youhaveservedmeill，butitwasnotallundeserved。
Girls，“shewenton，eyeingboththemandherfatherwiththewistfulnessofabreakingheart，“neitherCarolinenormyselfareworthyofCaptainHolliday”slove。Carolinehastoldyouherfault，butmineisperhapsaworseone。Thering——thescarf——thediamondpins——Itookthemall——tookthemifIdidnotretainthem。Acursehasbeenovermylife——thecurseofalongingI
couldnotcombat。Butlovewasworkingachangeinme。SinceI
haveknownCaptainHolliday——butthat”sallover。IwasmadtothinkIcouldbehappywithsuchmemoriesinmylife。Ishallnevermarrynow——ortouchjewelsagain——myownoranother”s。
Father，father，youwon”tgobackonyourgirl！Icouldn”tseeCarolinesufferforwhatIhavedone。Youwillpardonmeandhelp——
help”
Hervoicechoked。Sheflungherselfintoherfather”sarms；hisheadbentoverhers，andforaninstantnotasoulintheroommoved。ThenMissHughsongaveaspringandcaughtherbythehand。“Weareinseparable，“saidshe，andkissedthehand，murmuring，“Nowisourtimetoshowit。”
Thenotherlipsfelluponthosecoldandtremblingfingers，whichseemedtowarmundertheseembraces。Andthenatear。ItcamefromthehardeyeofCaroline，andremainedasacredsecretbetweenthetwo。
“Youhaveyourpendant？“
Mr。Driscoll”ssufferingeyeshonedownonVioletStrange”supliftedfaceassheadvancedtosaygood-byepreparatorytodeparture。
“Yes，“sheacknowledged，“buthardly，Ifear，yourgratitude。”
Andtheanswerastonishedher。
“IamnotsurethattherealAliciawillnotmakeherfatherhappierthantheunrealonehaseverdone。”
“AndCaptainHolliday？“
“Hemaycometofeelthesame。”
“ThenIdonotquitindisgrace？“
“Youdepartwithmythanks。”
WhenacertainpersonagewastoldofthesuccessofMissStrange”slatestmanoeuvre，heremarked：“Thelittleoneprogresses。Weshallhavetogiveheracaseofprimeimportancenext。”
ENDOFPROBLEMI
PROBLEMII
THESECONDBULLET
“Youmustseeher。”
“No。No。”
“She”samostunhappywoman。Husbandandchildbothtakenfromherinamoment；andnow，allmeansoflivingaswell，unlesssomehappythoughtofyours——someinspirationofyourgenius——
showsusawayofre-establishingherclaimstothepolicyvoidedbythiscryofsuicide。”
ButthesmallwiseheadofVioletStrangecontinueditsslowshakeofdecidedrefusal。
“I”msorry，“sheprotested，“butit”squiteoutofmyprovince。
I”mtooyoungtomeddlewithsoseriousamatter。”
“Notwhenyoucansaveabereavedwomantheonlypossiblecompensationleftherbyuntowardfate？“
“Letthepolicetrytheirhandatthat。”
“Theyhavehadnosuccesswiththecase。”
“Oryou？“
“NorIeither。”
“Andyouexpect”
“Yes，MissStrange。IexpectyoutofindthemissingbulletwhichwillsettlethefactthatmurderandnotsuicideendedGeorgeHammond”slife。Ifyoucannot，thenalonglitigationawaitsthispoorwidow，ending，assuchlitigationusuallydoes，infavourofthestrongerparty。There”sthealternative。Ifyouoncesawher——
“
“Butthat”swhatI”mnotwillingtodo。IfIoncesawherI
shouldyieldtoherimportunitiesandattempttheseeminglyimpossible。Myinstinctsbidmesayno。Givemesomethingeasier。”
“Easierthingsarenotsoremunerative。There”smoneyinthisaffair，iftheinsurancecompanyisforcedtopayup。Icanofferyou”
“What？“
Therewaseagernessinthetonedespitehereffortatnonchalance。Theothersmiledimperceptibly，andbrieflynamedthesum。
Itwaslargerthanshehadexpected。Thishervisitorsawbythewayhereyelidsfellandthepeculiarstillnesswhich，foraninstant，heldhervivacityincheck。
“AndyouthinkIcanearnthat？“
Hereyeswerefixedonhisinaneagernessashonestasitwasunrestrained。
Hecouldhardlyconcealhisamazement，herdesirewassoevidentandthecauseofitsodifficulttounderstand。Heknewshewantedmoney——thatwasheravowedreasonforenteringintothisuncongenialwork。Buttowantitsomuch！Heglancedatherperson；itwassimplycladbutveryexpensively——howexpensivelyitwashisbusinesstoknow。Thenhetookintheroominwhichtheysat。Simplicityagain，butthesimplicityofhighart——thedrawing-roomofonerichenoughtoindulgeinthefinalluxuryofahighlycultivatedtaste，viz。：unostentatiouseleganceandthesubjectionofeachcarefullychosenornamenttothegeneraleffect。
Whatdidthisfavouredchildoffortunelackthatshecouldbereachedbysuchaplea，whenherwholebeingrevoltedfromthenatureofthetaskheofferedher？Itwasaquestionnotnewtohim；butonehehadneverheardansweredandwasnotlikelytohearanswerednow。Butthefactremainedthattheconsenthehadthoughtdependentuponsympatheticinterestcouldbereachedmuchmorereadilybythepromiseoflargeemolument，——andheownedtoafeelingofsecretdisappointmentevenwhileherecognizedthevalueofthediscovery。
Buthissatisfactioninthelatter，ifsatisfactionitwere，wasofveryshortduration。Almostimmediatelyheobservedachangeinher。Thesparklewhichhadshoneintheeyewhosedepthshehadneverbeenabletopenetrate，haddissipateditselfinsomethinglikeatearandshespokeupinthatvigoroustonenoonebuthimselfhadeverheard，asshesaid：
“No。ThesumisagoodoneandIcoulduseit；butIwillnotwastemyenergyonacaseIdonotbelievein。Themanshothimself。Hewasaspeculator，andprobablyhadgoodreasonforhisact。Evenhiswifeacknowledgesthathehaslatelyhadmorelossesthangains。”
“Seeher。Shehassomethingtotellyouwhichnevergotintothepapers。”
“Yousaythat？Youknowthat？“
“Onmyhonour，MissStrange。”
Violetpondered；thensuddenlysuccumbed。
“Lethercome，then。Prompttothehour。Iwillreceiveheratthree。LaterIhaveateaandtwopartycallstomake。”
Hervisitorrosetoleave。Hehadbeenabletosubdueallevidenceofhisextremegratification，andnowtookonaformalair。Indismissingaguest，MissStrangewasinvariablythesocietybelleandthatonly。Thishehadcometorecognize。
Thecase(wellknownatthetime)was，inthefewestpossiblewords，asfollows：
OnasultrynightinSeptember，ayoungcouplelivinginoneofthelargeapartmenthousesintheextremeupperportionofManhattanweresoannoyedbytheincessantcryingofachildintheadjoiningsuite，thattheygotup，hetosmoke，andshetositinthewindowforapossiblebreathofcoolair。Theywerecongratulatingthemselvesuponthewisdomtheyhadshowninthusgivingupallthoughtofsleep——forthechild”scryinghadnotceased——when(itmayhavebeentwoo”clockanditmayhavebeenalittlelater)therecamefromsomewherenear，thesharpandsomewhatpeculiardetonationofapistol-shot。
Hethoughtitcamefromabove；she，fromtherear，andtheywerestaringateachotherinthehelplesswonderofthemoment，whentheywerestruckbythesilence。Thebabyhadceasedtocry。Allwasasstillintheadjoiningapartmentasintheirown——toostill——muchtoostill。Theirmutualstareturnedtooneofhorror。“Itcamefromthere！“whisperedthewife。“SomeaccidenthasoccurredtoMr。orMrs。Hammond——weoughttogo”
Herwords——verytremulousones——werebrokenbyashoutfrombelow。Theywerestandingintheirwindowandhadevidentlybeenseenbyapassingpoliceman。“Anythingwrongupthere？“theyheardhimcry。Mr。Saundersimmediatelylookedout。“Nothingwronghere，“hecalleddown。(Theywerebuttwostoriesfromthepavement。)“ButI”mnotsosureabouttherearapartment。Wethoughtweheardashot。Hadn”tyoubettercomeup，officer？Mywifeisnervousaboutit。I”llmeetyouatthestair-headandshowyoutheway。”
Theofficernoddedandsteppedin。Theyoungcouplehastilydonnedsomewraps，and，bythetimeheappearedontheirfloor，theywerereadytoaccompanyhim。
Meanwhile，nodisturbancewasapparentanywhereelseinthehouse，untilthepolicemanrangthebelloftheHammondapartment。Then，voicesbegantobeheard，anddoorstoopenaboveandbelow，butnottheonebeforewhichthepolicemanstood。
Anotherring，andthistimeaninsistentone；——andstillnoresponse。Theofficer”shandwasrisingforthethirdtimewhentherecameasoundofflutteringfrombehindthepanelsagainstwhichhehadlaidhisear，andfinallyachokedvoiceutteringunintelligiblewords。Thenahandbegantostrugglewiththelock，andthedoor，slowlyopening，disclosedawomancladinahastilydonnedwrapperandgivingeveryevidenceofextremefright。
“Oh！“sheexclaimed，seeingonlythecompassionatefacesofherneighbours。“Youheardit，too！apistol-shotfromthere——there——
myhusband”sroom。Ihavenotdaredtogo——I——I——O，havemercyandseeifanythingiswrong！Itissostill——sostill，andonlyamomentagothebabywascrying。Mrs。Saunders，Mrs。Saunders，whyisitsostill？“
Shehadfallenintoherneighbour”sarms。Thehandwithwhichshehadpointedoutacertaindoorhadsunktohersideandsheappearedtobeonthevergeofcollapse。
Theofficereyedhersternly，whilenotingherappearance，whichwasthatofawomanhastilyrisenfrombed。
“Wherewereyou？“heasked。“Notwithyourhusbandandchild，oryouwouldknowwhathadhappenedthere。”
“Iwassleepingdownthehall，“shemanagedtogaspout。“I”mnotwell——I——Oh，whydoyouallstandstillanddonothing？Mybaby”sinthere。Go！go！“and，withsuddenenergy，shesprangupright，hereyeswideopenandburning，hersmallwellfeaturedfacewhiteasthelinenshesoughttohide。
Theofficerdemurrednolonger。Inanotherinstanthewastryingthedooratwhichshewasagainpointing。
Itwaslocked。
Glancingbackatthewoman，nowcoweringalmosttothefloor，hepoundedatthedoorandaskedthemaninsidetoopen。
Noanswercameback。
Withasharpturnheglancedagainatthewife。
“Yousaythatyourhusbandisinthisroom？“
Shenodded，gaspingfaintly，“Andthechild！“
Heturnedback，listened，thenbeckonedtoMr。Saunders。“Weshallhavetobreakourwayin，“saidhe。“Putyourshoulderwelltothedoor。Now！“
Thehingesofthedoorcreaked；thelockgaveway(thisspecialofficerweighedtwohundredandseventy-five，ashefoundout，nextday)，andaprolongedandsweepingcrashtoldtherest。
Mrs。Hammondgavealowcry；and，strainingforwardfromwhereshecrouchedinterroronthefloor，searchedthefacesofthetwomenforsomehintofwhattheysawinthedimly-lightedspacebeyond。Somethingdreadful，somethingwhichmadeMr。
Saunderscomerushingbackwithashout：
“Takeheraway！Takehertoourapartment，Jennie。Shemustnotsee”
Notsee！Herealizedthefutilityofhiswordsashisgazefellontheyoungwomanwhohadrisenupathisapproachandnowstoodgazingathimwithoutspeech，withoutmovement，butwithaglareofterrorinhereyes，whichgavehimhisfirstrealizationofhumanmisery。
Hisownglancefellbeforeit。Ifhehadfollowedhisinstincthewouldhavefledthehouseratherthananswerthequestionofherlookandtheattitudeofherwholefrozenbody。
Perhapsinmercytohisspeechlessterror，perhapsinmercytoherself，shewastheonewhoatlastfoundthewordwhichvoicedtheirmutualanguish。
“Dead？“
Noanswer。Nonewasneeded。
“Andmybaby？“
O，thatcry！Itcurdledtheheartsofallwhoheardit。Itshookthesoulsofmenandwomenbothinsideandoutsidetheapartment；
thenallwasforgotteninthewildrushshemade。Thewifeandmotherhadflungherselfuponthescene，and，sidebysidewiththenotunmovedpoliceman，stoodlookingdownuponthedesolationmadeinonefatalinstantinherhomeandheart。
Theylaytheretogether，bothpasthelp，bothquitedead。Thechildhadsimplybeenstrangledbytheweightofhisfather”sarmwhichlaydirectlyacrosstheupturnedlittlethroat。Butthefatherwasavictimoftheshottheyhadheard。Therewasbloodonhisbreast，andapistolinhishand。
Suicide！Thehorribletruthwaspatent。Nowondertheywantedtoholdtheyoungwidowback。Herneighbour，Mrs。Saunders，creptinontiptoeandputherarmsabouttheswaying，faintingwoman；buttherewasnothingtosay——absolutelynothing。
Atleast，theythoughtnot。Butwhentheysawherthrowherselfdown，notbyherhusband，butbythechild，anddragitoutfromunderthatstranglingarmandhugandkissitandcalloutwildlyforadoctor，theofficerendeavouredtointerfereandyetcouldnotfindthehearttodoso，thoughheknewthechildwasdeadandshouldnot，accordingtoalltherulesofthecoroner”soffice，bemovedbeforethatofficialarrived。Yetbecausenomothercouldbeconvincedofafactlikethis，helethersitwithitonthefloorandtryallherlittleartstoreviveit，whilehegaveorderstothejanitorandwaitedhimselfforthearrivalofdoctorandcoroner。
Shewasstillsittingthereinwide-eyedmisery，alternatelyfondlingthelittlebodyanddrawingbacktoconsultitssmallsetfeaturesforsomesignoflife，whenthedoctorcame，and，afteronelookatthechild，drewitsoftlyfromherarmsandlaiditquietlyinthecribfromwhichitsfatherhadevidentlylifteditbutashorttimebefore。Thenheturnedbacktoher，andfoundheronherfeet，upheldbyhertwofriends。Shehadunderstoodhisaction，andwithoutagroanhadacceptedherfate。
Indeed，sheseemedincapableofanyfurtherspeechoraction。Shewasstaringdownatherhusband”sbody，whichshe，forthefirsttime，seemedfullytosee。Washerlookoneofgrieforofresentmentfortheparthehadplayedsounintentionallyinherchild”sdeath？Itwashardtotell；andwhen，withslowlyrisingfinger，shepointedtothepistolsotightlyclutchedintheotheroutstretchedhand，noonethere——andbythistimetheroomwasfull——couldforetellwhatherwordswouldbewhenhertongueregaineditsusageandshecouldspeak。
Whatshedidsaywasthis：
“Isthereabulletgone？Didhefireoffthatpistol？“Aquestionsomanifestlyoneofdeliriumthatnooneansweredit，whichseemedtosurpriseher，thoughshesaidnothingtillherglancehadpassedallaroundthewallsoftheroomtowhereawindowstoodopentothenight，——itslowersashbeingentirelyraised。
“There！lookthere！“shecried，withacommandingaccent，and，throwingupherhands，sankadeadweightintothearmsofthosesupportingher。
Nooneunderstood；butnaturallymorethanonerushedtothewindow。Anopenspacewasbeforethem。Herelaythefieldsnotyetparcelledoutintolotsandbuiltupon；butitwasnotuponthesetheylooked，butuponthestrongtrelliswhichtheyfoundthere，which，ifitsupportednovine，formedaveritableladderbetweenthiswindowandtheground。
Couldshehavemeanttocallattentiontothisfact；andwereherwordsexpressiveofanotherideathantheobviousoneofsuicide？
Ifso，towhatlengthsawoman”simaginationcango！Orsotheircombinedlooksseemedtoproclaim，whentotheirutterastonishmenttheysawtheofficer，whohadpresentedacalmappearanceuptillnow，shifthispositionandwithasurprisedgruntdirecttheireyestoaportionofthewalljustvisiblebeyondthehalf-drawncurtainsofthebed。Themirrorhangingthereshowedastar-shapedbreakage，suchasfollowsthesharpimpactofabulletorafiercelyprojectedstone。
“Hefiredtwoshots。Onewentwild；theotherstraighthome。”
Itwastheofficerdeliveringhisopinion。
Mr。Saunders，returningfromthedistantroomwherehehadassistedincarryingMrs。Hammond，castalookattheshatteredglass，andremarkedforcibly：
“Iheardbutone；andIwassittingup，disturbedbythatpoorinfant。Jennie，didyouhearmorethanoneshot？“heasked，turningtowardhiswife。
“No，“sheanswered，butnotwiththereadinesshehadevidentlyexpected。“Iheardonlyone，butthatwasnotquiteusualinitstone。I”musedtoguns，“sheexplained，turningtotheofficer。
“Myfatherwasanarmyman，andhetaughtmeveryearlytoloadandfireapistol。Therewasaprolongedsoundtothisshot；
somethinglikeanechoofitself，followingcloseuponthefirstping。Didn”tyounoticethat，Warren？“
“Iremembersomethingofthekind，“herhusbandallowed。
“Heshottwiceandquickly，“interposedthepoliceman，sententiously。“Weshallfindaspentbulletbackofthatmirror。”
Butwhen，uponthearrivalofthecoroner，aninvestigationwasmadeofthemirrorandthewallbehind，nobulletwasfoundeitherthereoranywhereelseintheroom，saveinthedeadman”sbreast。Norhadmorethanonebeenshotfromhispistol，asfivefullchamberstestified。Thecasewhichseemedsosimplehaditsmysteries，buttheassertionmadebyMrs。Saundersnolongercarriedweight，norwastheevidenceofferedbythebrokenmirrorconsideredasindubitablyestablishingthefactthatasecondshothadbeenfiredintheroom。
Yetitwasequallyevidentthatthechargewhichhadenteredthedeadspeculator”sbreasthadnotbeendeliveredatthecloserangeofthepistolfoundclutchedinhishand。Therewerenopowder-markstobediscernedonhispajama-jacket，oronthefleshbeneath。Thusanomalyconfrontedanomaly，leavingopenbutoneothertheory：thatthebulletfoundinMr。Hammond”sbreastcamefromthewindowandtheoneheshotwentoutofit。Butthiswouldnecessitatehishavingshothispistolfromapointfarremovedfromwherehewasfound；andhiswoundwassuchasmadeitdifficulttobelievethathewouldstaggerfar，ifatall，afteritsinfliction。
Yet，becausethecoronerwasbothconscientiousandalert，hecausedamostrigoroussearchtobemadeofthegroundoverlookedbytheabovementionedwindow；asearchinwhichthepolicejoined，butwhichwaswithoutanyresultsavethatofrousingtheattentionofpeopleintheneighbourhoodandleadingtoastorybeingcirculatedofamanseensometimethenightbeforecrossingthefieldsinagreathurry。Butasnofurtherparticularswereforthcoming，andnotevenadescriptionofthemantobehad，noemphasiswouldhavebeenlaiduponthisstoryhaditnottranspiredthatthemomentareportofithadcometoMrs。Hammond”sears(whyistherealwayssomeonetocarrythesereports？)sherousedfromthetorporintowhichshehadfallen，andinwildfashionexclaimed：
“Iknewit！Iexpectedit！Hewasshotthroughthewindowandbythatwretch。Henevershothimself。”Violentdeclarationswhichtrailedoffintotheonecontinuouswail，“O，mybaby！mypoorbaby！“
Suchwords，eventhoughthefruitofdelirium，meritedsomesortofattention，orsothisgoodcoronerthought，andassoonasopportunityofferedandshewassufficientlysaneandquiettorespondtohisquestions，heaskedherwhomshehadmeantbythatwretch，andwhatreasonshehad，orthoughtshehad，ofattributingherhusband”sdeathtoanyotheragencythanhisowndisgustwithlife。
Andthenitwasthathissympathies，althoughgreatlyrousedinherfavourbegantowane。Shemetthequestionwithacoldstarefollowedbyafewambiguouswordsoutofwhichhecouldmakenothing。Hadshesaidwretch？Shedidnotremember。Theymustnotbeinfluencedbyanythingshemighthaveutteredinherfirstgrief。Shewaswell-nighinsaneatthetime。Butofonethingtheymightbesure：herhusbandhadnotshothimself；hewastoomuchafraidofdeathforsuchanact。Besides，hewastoohappy。
Whateverfolksmightsayhewastoofondofhisfamilytowishtoleaveit。
Nordidthecoroneroranyotherofficialsucceedinelicitinganythingfurtherfromher。Evenwhenshewasasked，withcruelinsistence，howsheexplainedthefactthatthebabywasfoundlyingonthefloorinsteadofinitscrib，heronlyanswerwas：
“Hisfatherwastryingtosootheit。Thechildwascryingdreadfully，asyouhaveheardfromthosewhowerekeptawakebyhimthatnight，andmyhusbandwascarryinghimaboutwhentheshotcamewhichcausedGeorgetofallandoverlaythebabyinhisstruggles。”
“Carryingababyaboutwithaloadedpistolinhishand？“camebackinsternretort。
Shehadnoanswerforthis。Sheadmittedwheninformedthatthebulletextractedfromherhusband”sbodyhadbeenfoundtocorrespondexactlywiththoseremaininginthefivechambersofthepistoltakenfromhishand，thathewasnotonlytheownerofthispistolbutwasinthehabitofsleepingwithitunderhispillow；but，beyondthat，nothing；andthisreticence，aswellashermannerwhichwascoldandrepellent，toldagainsther。
Averdictofsuicidewasrenderedbythecoroner”sjury，andthelife-insurancecompany，inwhichMr。Hammondhadbutlatelyinsuredhimselfforalargesum，takingadvantageofthesuicideclauseembodiedinthepolicy，announceditsdeterminationofnotpayingthesame。
Suchwasthesituation，asknowntoVioletStrangeandthegeneralpublic，onthedayshewasaskedtoseeMrs。HammondandlearnwhatmightalterheropinionastothejusticeofthisverdictandthestandtakenbytheShulerLifeInsuranceCompany。
TheclockonthemantelinMissStrange”srose-colouredboudoirhadstruckthree，andVioletwasgazinginsomeimpatienceatthedoor，whentherecameagentleknockuponit，andthemaid(oneoftheelderly，notyouthful，kind)usheredinherexpectedvisitor。
“YouareMrs。Hammond？“sheasked，innaturalaweofthetooblackfigureoutlinedsosharplyagainstthedeeppinkofthesea-shellroom。
Theanswerwasaslowliftingoftheveilwhichshadowedthefeaturessheknewonlyfromthecutsshehadseeninnewspapers。
“Youare——MissStrange？“stammeredhervisitor；“theyoungladywho”
“Iam，“chimedinavoiceasringingasitwassweet。“Iamthepersonyouhavecomeheretosee。Andthisismyhome。Butthatdoesnotmakemelessinterestedintheunhappy，orlessdesirousofservingthem。Certainlyyouhavemetwiththetwogreatestlosseswhichcancometoawoman——Iknowyourstorywellenoughtosaythat——；butwhathaveyoutotellmeinproofthatyoushouldnotloseyouranticipatedincomeaswell？
Somethingvital，Ihope，elseIcannothelpyou；somethingwhichyoushouldhavetoldthecoroner”sjury——anddidnot。”
Theflushwhichwasthesoleanswerthesewordscalledforthdidnottakefromtherefinementoftheyoungwidow”sexpression，butratheraddedtoit；Violetwatcheditinitsebbandflowand，seriouslyaffectedbyit(why，shedidnotknow，forMrs。Hammondhadmadenootherappealeitherbylookorgesture)，pushedforwardachairandbeggedhervisitortobeseated。
“Wecanconverseinperfectsafetyhere，“shesaid。“Whenyoufeelquiteequaltoit，letmehearwhatyouhavetocommunicate。Itwillnevergoanyfurther。IcouldnotdotheworkIdoifIfeltitnecessarytohaveaconfidant。”
“Butyouaresoyoungandso——so”
“SoinexperiencedyouwouldsayandsoevidentlyamemberofwhatNewYorkerscall”society。”Donotletthattroubleyou。Myinexperienceisnotlikelytolastlongandmysocialpleasuresaremoreapttoaddtomyefficiencythantodetractfromit。”
WiththisViolet”sfacebrokeintoasmile。Itwasnotthebrilliantonesooftenseenuponherlips，buttherewassomethinginitsqualitywhichcarriedencouragementtothewidowandledhertosaywithobviouseagerness：
“Youknowthefacts？“
“Ihavereadallthepapers。”
“Iwasnotbelievedonthestand。”
“Itwasyourmanner”
“Icouldnothelpmymanner。Iwaskeepingsomethingback，and，beingunusedtodeceit，Icouldnotactquitenaturally。”
“Whydidyoukeepsomethingback？Whenyousawtheunfavourableimpressionmadebyyourreticence，whydidyounotspeakupandfranklytellyourstory？“
“BecauseIwasashamed。BecauseIthoughtitwouldhurtmemoretospeakthantokeepsilent。Idonotthinksonow；butIdidthen——andsomademygreatmistake。Youmustremembernotonlytheawfulshockofmydoubleloss，butthesenseofguiltaccompanyingit；formyhusbandandIhadquarreledthatnight，quarreledbitterly——thatwaswhyIhadrunawayintoanotherroomandnotbecauseIwasfeelingillandimpatientofthebaby”sfretfulcries。”
“Sopeoplehavethought。”Insayingthis，MissStrangewasperhapscruellyemphatic。“Youwishtoexplainthatquarrel？Youthinkitwillbedoinganygoodtoyourcausetogointothatmatterwithmenow？“
“Icannotsay；butImustfirstclearmyconscienceandthentrytoconvinceyouthatquarrelornoquarrel，henevertookhisownlife。Hewasnotthatkind。Hehadanabnormalfearofdeath。I
donotliketosayitbuthewasaphysicalcoward。Ihaveseenhimturnpaleattheleasthintofdanger。Hecouldnomorehaveturnedthatmuzzleuponhisownbreastthanhecouldhaveturnedituponhisbaby。Someotherhandshothim，MissStrange。
Remembertheopenwindow，theshatteredmirror；andIthinkI
knowthathand。”
Herheadhadfallenforwardonherbreast。Theemotionsheshowedwasnotsoeloquentofgriefasofdeeppersonalshame。
“Youthinkyouknowtheman？“Insayingthis，Violet”svoicesunktoawhisper。Itwasanaccusationofmurdershehadjustheard。
“Tomygreatdistress，yes。WhenMr。HammondandIweremarried，“thewidownowproceededinamoredeterminedtone，“therewasanotherman——averyviolentone——whovowedevenatthechurchdoorthatGeorgeandIshouldneverliveouttwofullyearstogether。Wehavenot。OursecondanniversarywouldhavebeeninNovember。”
“But”
“Letmesaythis：thequarrelofwhichIspeakwasnotseriousenoughtooccasionanysuchactofdespaironhispart。Amanwouldbemadtoendhislifeonaccountofsoslightadisagreement。ItwasnotevenonaccountofthepersonofwhomI”vejustspoken，thoughthatpersonhadbeenmentionedbetweenusearlierintheevening，Mr。Hammondhavingcomeacrosshimfacetofacethatveryafternooninthesubway。Uptothistimeneitherofushadseenorheardofhimsinceourwedding-day。”
“Andyouthinkthispersonwhomyoubarelymentioned，somindfulofhisoldgrudgethathesoughtoutyourdomicile，and，withtheintentionofmurder，climbedthetrellisleadingtoyourroomandturnedhispistolupontheshadowyfigurewhichwasallhecouldseeinthesemi-obscurityofamuchloweredgas-jet？“
“Amaninthedarkdoesnotneedabrightlighttoseehisenemywhenheisintentuponrevenge。”
MissStrangealteredhertone。
“Andyourhusband？Youmustacknowledgethatheshotoffhispistolwhethertheotherdidornot。”
“Itwasinself-defence。Hewouldshoottosavehisownlife——orthebaby”s。”
“Thenhemusthaveheardorseen”
“Amanatthewindow。”
“Andwouldhaveshotthere？
“Ortriedto。”
“Triedto？“
“Yes；theothershotfirst——oh，I”vethoughtitallout——causingmyhusband”sbullettogowild。Itwashiswhichbrokethemirror。”
Violet”seyes，brightasstars，suddenlynarrowed。
“Andwhathappenedthen？“sheasked。“Whycannottheyfindthebullet？“
“Becauseitwentoutofthewindow；——glancedoffandwentoutofthewindow。”
Mrs。Hammond”stonewastriumphant；herlookspiritedandintense。
Violeteyedhercompassionately。
“Wouldabulletglancingofffromamirror，howeverhung，beapttoreachawindowsofarontheoppositeside？“
“Idon”tknow；Ionlyknowthatitdid，“wasthecontradictory，almostabsurd，reply。
“Whatwasthecauseofthequarrelyouspeakofbetweenyourhusbandandyourself？Yousee，Imustknowtheexacttruthandallthetruthtobeofanyassistancetoyou。”
“Itwas——itwasaboutthecareIgave，ordidn”tgive，thebaby。
Ifeelawfullytohavetosayit，butGeorgedidnotthinkIdidmyfulldutybythechild。Hesaidtherewasnoneedofitscryingso；thatifIgaveittheproperattentionitwouldnotkeeptheneighboursandhimselfawakehalfthenight。AndI——I
gotangryandinsistedthatIdidthebestIcould；thatthechildwasnaturallyfretfulandthatifhewasn”tsatisfiedwithmywayoflookingafterit，hemighttryhis。Allofwhichwasverywrongandunreasonableonmypart，aswitnesstheawfulpunishmentwhichfollowed。”
“Andwhatmadeyougetupandleavehim？“
“Thegrowlhegavemeinreply。WhenIheardthat，IboundedoutofbedandsaidIwasgoingtothespareroomtosleep；andifthebabycriedhemightjusttrywhathecoulddohimselftostopit。”
“Andheanswered？“
“This，justthis——IshallneverforgethiswordsaslongasI
live——”Ifyougo，youneednotexpectmetoletyouinagainnomatterwhathappens。”“
“Hesaidthat？“
“Andlockedthedoorafterme。YouseeIcouldnottellallthat。”
“Itmighthavebeenbetterifyouhad。Itwassuchanaturalquarrelandsounprovocativeofactualtragedy。”
Mrs。Hammondwassilent。Itwasnotdifficulttoseethatshehadnoverykeenregretsforherhusbandpersonally。Butthenhewasnotaveryestimablemannorinanyrespectherequal。
“Youwerenothappywithhim，“Violetventuredtoremark。
“Iwasnotafullycontentedwoman。ButforallthathehadnocausetocomplainofmeexceptforthereasonIhavementioned。I
wasnotaveryintelligentmother。Butifthebabywerelivingnow——0，ifhewerelivingnow——withwhatdevotionIshouldcareforhim。”
Shewasonherfeet，herarmswereraised，herfaceimpassionedwithfeeling。Violet，gazingather，heavedalittlesigh。Itwasperhapsinkeepingwiththesituation，perhapsextraneoustoit，butwhateveritssource，itmarkedachangeinhermanner。
Withnofurthercheckuponhersympathy，shesaidverysoftly：
“Itiswellwiththechild。”
Themotherstiffened，swayed，andthenburstintowildweeping。
“Butnotwithme，“shecried，“notwithme。Iamdesolateandbereft。Ihavenotevenahomeinwhichtohidemygriefandnoprospectofone。”
“But，“interposedViolet，“surelyyourhusbandleftyousomething？Youcannotbequitepenniless？“
“Myhusbandleftnothing，“wastheanswer，utteredwithoutbitterness，butwithallthehardnessoffact。“Hehaddebts。I
shallpaythosedebts。Whentheseandothernecessaryexpensesareliquidated，therewillbebutlittleleft。Hemadenosecretofthefactthathelivedcloseuptohismeans。Thatiswhyhewasinducedtotakeonalifeinsurance。Notafriendofhisbutknowshisimprovidence。I——Ihavenotevenjewels。Ihaveonlymydeterminationandanabsoluteconvictionastotherealnatureofmyhusband”sdeath。”
“Whatisthenameofthemanyousecretlybelievetohaveshotyourhusbandfromthetrellis？“
Mrs。Hammondtoldher。
ItwasanewonetoViolet。Shesaidsoandthenasked：
“Whatelsecanyoutellmeabouthim？“
“Nothing，butthatheisaverydarkmanandhasaclub-foot。”
“Oh，whatamistakeyou”vemade。”
“Mistake？Yes，Iacknowledgethat。”
“Imeaninnotgivingthislastbitofinformationatoncetothepolice。Amancanbeidentifiedbysuchadefect。Evenhisfootstepscanbetraced。Hemighthavebeenfoundthatveryday。
