\"Cristel！whatdoesitmean？\"
\"Poison，\"sheanswered。\"And_he_hassufferedtoo。\"
Tomyastonishment，therewasnoangerinhertone：shespokeofhimasquietlyasifshehadbeenalludingtoaninnocentman。
\"Doyoumeanthathehasbeenatdeath’sdoor，likeme？\"
\"Yes，thankGod——orIshouldneverhavefoundyouhere。PooroldGloodycametous，insearchofhelp。\"Mymaster’sinaswoon，andIcan’tbringhimto。\"DirectlyIheardthat，Irememberedthatyouhaddrunkwhathehaddrunk。Whathadhappenedtohim，musthavehappenedtoyou。Don’taskmehowlongitwasbeforeIfoundyou，andwhatIfeltwhenIdidfindyou。Idosowanttoenjoymyhappiness！Onlyletmeseeyousafelyhome，andIasknomore。\"
Shehelpedmetorise，withtheencouragingwordswhichshemighthaveusedtoachild。Sheputmyarminhers，andledmecarefullyalongthroughthewood，asifIhadbeenanoldman。
Cristelhadsavedmylife——butshewouldhearofnoallusiontoit。Sheknewhowthepoisonerhadplottedtogetridofme——butnothingthatI
couldsayinducedhertotellmehowshehadmadethediscovery。InviewofTrimleyDeen，myguardianangeldroppedmyarm。
\"Goon，\"shesaid，\"andletmeseetheservantletyouin，beforeIrunhome。\"
IfshehadnotbeenoncemorewiserthanIwas，Ishouldhavetakenherwithmetothehouse;Ishouldhavepositivelyrefusedtolethergobackbyherself。NothingthatIcouldsayordohadtheslightesteffectonherresolution。Doesthemanlivewhocouldhavetakenleaveofhercalmly，inmyplace？Shetoreherselfawayfromme，withasighofbitternessthatwasdreadfultohear。
\"Oh，mydarling，\"Isaid，\"doIdistressyou？\"
\"Horribly，\"sheanswered;\"butyouarenottoblame。\"
Thosewereherfarewellwords。Icalledafterher。Itriedtofollowher。
Shewaslosttomeinthedarkness。
CHAPTERXIV
GLOODYSETTLESTHEACCOUNT
Anightoffever;anight，whenIdidslumberforafewminutes，ofhorriddreams——thiswaswhatImighthaveexpected，andthisiswhatreallyhappened。Thefreshmorningair，flowingthroughmyopenwindow，cooledandcomposedme;themercyofsleepfoundme。WhenIwoke，andlookedatmywatch，Iwasanewman。Thehourwasnoon。
Irangmybell。Theservantannouncedthatamanwaswaitingtoseeme。
\"Thesameman，sir，whowasfoundinthegarden，lookingatyourflowers。\"Iatoncegavedirectionstohavehimshownupintomybedroom。
ThedelayofdressingwasmorethanIhadpatiencetoencounter。UnlessI
wascompletelymistaken，herewastheverypersonwhomIwantedtoenlightenme。
Gloodyshowedhimselfatthedoor，withafaceominouslywretched，aswellasugly。IinstantlythoughtofCristel。
\"Ifyoubringmebadnews，\"Isaid，\"don’tkeepmewaitingforit。\"
\"It’snothingthatneedtroubleYou，sir。I’mdismissedfrommymaster’sservice——that’sall。\"
Itwasplainlynot\"all。\"Relievedevenbythatguardedreply，Ipointedtoachairbythebedside。
\"DoyoubelievethatImeanwellbyyou？\"Iasked。
\"Ido，sir，withallmyheart。\"
\"Thensitdown，Gloody，andmakeacleanbreastofit。\"
Heliftedhisenormousfist，bywayofemphasizinghisanswer。
\"Iwaswithinahair’sbreadth，sir，ofstrikinghim。IfIhadn’tkeptmytemper，Imighthavekilledhim。\"
\"Whatdidhedo？\"
\"Flewintoafuriousrage。Idon’tcomplainofthat;IdaresayIdeservedit。Pleasetoexcusemygettingupagain。Ican’tlookyouintheface，andtellyouofit。\"Hewalkedawaytothewindow。\"Evenapoordevil，likeme，doessometimesfeelitwhenheisinsulted。Mr。Roylake，hekickedme。Saynomoreaboutit，sir！Iwouldneverhavementionedit，ifIhadn’thadsomethingelsetotellyou;onlyIdon’tknowhow。\"Inthisdifficulty，hecamebacktomybedside。\"Lookhere，sir！WhatIsayis——thatkickhaswipedoutthedebtofthanksIowehim。Yes。Isaytheaccountbetweenustwoissettlednow，onbothsides。Intwowords，sir，ifyoumeantochargehimbeforethemagistrateswithattemptingyourlife，I’lltakemyBibleoathhedidattemptit，andyoumaycallmeasyourwitness。There！Nowit’sout。\"
Whathismasterhadnodoubtinferred，waswhatIsawplainlytoo。
Cristelhadsavedmylife，andhadbeendirectedhowtodoitbythepoorfellowwhohadsufferedinmycause。
\"Wewillwaitalittlebeforewetalkofsettingthelawinforce，\"I
said。\"Inthemeantime，Gloody，IwantyoutotellmewhatyouwouldtellthemagistrateifIcalledyouasawitness。\"
Heconsideredalittle。\"Themagistratewouldputquestionstome——wouldn’the，sir？Verygood。Youputquestionstome，andI’llanswerthemtothebestofmyability。\"
Theinvestigationthatfollowedwasfartoolongandtoowearisometoberelatedhere。IfIgivethesubstanceofit，Ishallhavedoneenough。
Sometimeswhenhewasawake，andsupposedthathewasalone——sometimeswhenhewasasleepanddreaming——theCurhadbetrayedhimself。（Itwasapaltryvengeance，Iown，togratifyamaliciouspleasure——asIdidnow——inthinkingofhimandspeakingofhimbythedegradingnamewhichhismorbidhumilityhadsuggested。Butarethedemandsofaman’sdignityalwayspaidinthereadymoneyofpromptsubmission？）Anyway，itappearedthatGloodyhadheardenough，inthesleepingmomentsandthesolitarymomentsofhismaster，togivehimsomeideaofthejealoushatredwithwhichtheCurregardedme。Hehaddonehisbesttowarnme，withoutactuallybetrayingthemanwhohadrescuedhimfromstarvationortheworkhouse——andhehadfailed。
Buthisresolutiontodomegoodservice，inreturnformykindnesstohim，farfrombeingshaken，wasconfirmedbycircumstances。
Whenhismasterreturnedtothechemicalstudieswhichhavebeenalreadymentioned，Gloodywasemployedasassistant，totheextentofhislimitedcapacityformakinghimselfuseful。HehadnoreasontosupposethatI
wastheobjectofanyoftheexperiments，untilthedaybeforethetea-party。Then，hesawthedogenticedintothenewcottage，andapparentlykilledbytheadministrationofpoisonofsomesort。Afteraninterval，adoseofanotherkindwaspoureddownthepoorcreature’sthroat，andhebegantorevive。Alapseofaquarterofanhourfollowed;
thelastdosewasrepeated;andthedogsoonsprangtohisfeetagain，aslivelyasever。Gloodywasthereupontoldtosettheanimalfree;andwasinformedatthesametimethathewouldbeinstantlydismissed，ifhementionedtoanylivingcreaturewhathehadjustseen。
Bywhatprocesshearrivedatthesuspicionthatmysafetymightbethreatened，bytheexperimentonthedog，hewasentirelyunabletoexplain。
\"Itwasborneinonmymind，sir;andthat’sallIcantellyou，\"hesaid。\"Ididn’tdarespeaktoyouaboutit;youwouldn’thavebelievedme。Or，ifyoudidbelieveme，youmighthavesentforthepolice。Theonewayofputtingastoptomurderingmischief（ifmurderingmischiefitmightbe）wastotrustMissCristel。Thatshewasfondofyou——Idon’tmeananyoffence，sir——Iprettywellguessed。Thatshewastrueassteel，andnoteasilyfrightened，Ididn’tneedtoguess;Iknewit。\"
GloodyhaddonehisbesttoprepareCristelfortheterribleconfidencewhichhehaddeterminedtoreposeinher，andhadnotsucceeded。Whatthepoorgirlmusthavesuffered，Icouldbuttooreadilyunderstand，onrecallingthestartlingchangesinherlookandmannerwhenwemetattheriver-marginofthewood。Shewaspledgedtosecrecy，underpenaltyofruiningthemanwhowastryingtosaveme;andtoherpresenceofmindwastrustedthewholeresponsibilityofpreservingmylife。Whatasituationforagirlofeighteen！
\"Wemadeitoutbetweenus，sir，intwoways，\"Gloodyproceeded。\"Firstandforemost，shewastoinviteherselftotea。And，beingatthetable，shewastowatchmymaster。Whatevershesawhimdrink，shewastoinsistonyourdrinkingittoo。Youheardmeaskleavetomakethetea？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，thatwasoneofthesignalsagreedonbetweenus。Whenhesentmeaway，wewerecertainofwhathehaditinhismindtodo。\"
\"AndwhenyoulookedatMissCristel，andshewastoobusywithherbroochtonoticeyou，wasthatanothersignal？\"
\"Itwas，sir。Whenshehandledhersilverornament，shetoldmethatI
mightdependonhertoforgetnothing，andtobeafraidofnothing。\"
Irememberedthequietfirmnessinherface，aftertheprayerthatshehadsaidinherownroom。Hersteadyresolutionnolongersurprisedme。
\"Didyouwonder，sir，whatpossessedher，\"Gloodywenton，\"whensheburstoutsinging？Thatwasasignaltome。Wewantedhimoutofourway，whileyouweremadetodrinkwhathehaddrunkoutofthejug。\"
\"Howdidyouknowthathewouldnotdrinkthewholecontentsofthejug？\"
\"Youforget，sir，thatIhadseenthedogrevivedbytwodoses，givenwithaspaceoftimebetweenthem。\"
Ioughttohaverememberedthis，afterwhathehadalreadytoldme。MyintelligencebrightenedalittleasIwenton。
\"Andyouraccidentinthenextroomwasplanned，ofcourse？\"Isaid。\"Doyouthinkhesawthroughit？Ishouldsay，No;judgingbyhislooks。Heturnedpalewhenhefeltthefloorshakenbyyourfall。Foronceinaway，hewashonest——honestlyfrightened。\"
\"Inoticedthesamething，sir，whenhepickedmeup，offthefloor。A
manwhocanchangehiscomplexion，atwill，isamanwehav’n’theardofyet，Mr。Roylake。\"
Ihadbeendressingforsometimepast;longingtoseeCristel，itisneedlesstosay。
\"Isthereanythingmore，\"Iasked，\"thatIoughttoknow？\"
\"Onlyonething，Mr。Roylake，thatIcanthinkof，\"Gloodyreplied。\"I’mafraidit’sMissCristel’sturnnext。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Whilethedeafmanlodgesatthecottage，hemeansmischief，andhiseyeisonMissCristel。Earlythismorning，sir，Ihappenedtobeattheboat-house。Somebody（Ileaveyoutoguesswhoitis）hasstolentheoars。\"
Iwasdressedbythistime，andsoeagertogettothecottage，thatI
hadalreadyopenedmydoor。WhatIhadjustheardbroughtmebackintotheroom。Asamatterofcourse，webothsuspectedthesamepersonofstealingtheoars。Hadweanyprooftojustifyus？
Gloodyatonceacknowledgedthatwehadnoproof。\"Ihappenedtolookattheboat，\"hesaid，\"andImissedtheoars。Oh，yes;Isearchedtheboat-house。Nooars！nooars！\"
\"Andnothingmorethatyouhaveforgotten，andoughttotellme？\"
\"Nothing，sir。\"
IleftGloodytowaitmyreturn;beingcarefultoplacehimundertheprotectionoftheupperservants——whowouldseethathewastreatedwithrespectbythehouseholdgenerally。
CHAPTERXV
THEMILLER’SHOSPITALITY
OnthewaytoToller’scottage，myfearsforCristelweighedheavilyonmymind。
Thatthemanwhohadtriedtopoisonmewascapableofcommittinganyotheroutrage，providedhesawaprospectofescapingwithimpunity，nosanepersoncouldhesitatetoconclude。Butthecauseofmyalarmwasnottobetracedtothisconviction。Itwasadoubtthatmademetremble。
AfterwhatIhadmyselfseen，andwhatGloodyhadtoldme，couldIhopetomatchmypenetration，orthepenetrationofanypersonaboutmewhomI
couldtrust，againstthefathomlesscunning，theSatanicwickedness，ofthevillainwhowasstillaninmatewithCristel，underherfather’sroof？
Ihavespokenofhisfathomlesscunning，andhisSatanicwickedness。Themannerinwhichthecrimehadbeenpreparedandcarriedoutwouldjustifystrongerexpressionsstill。SuchwasthedeliberateopinionofthelawyerwhomIprivatelyconsulted，undercircumstancesstilltoberelated。
\"Letusarriveatajustappreciationofthedangerousscoundrelwhomwehavetodealwith，\"thisgentlemansaid。\"Hispreliminaryexperimentwiththedog;hisresolutiontomakesuspicionanimpossibility，bydrinkingfromthesameteawhichhehadmadereadyforyou;hisskilledpreparationofanantidote，thecolorofwhichmightcourtappearancesbyimitatingwater——aretheremanypoisonerscleverenoughtoprovidethemselvesbeforehandwithsuchadefenceasthis？Howareyoutosetthecircumstancesintheirtruelight，onyourside？Youmaysaythatyouthrewoutthecalculations，onwhichhehadreliedforsecuringhisownsafety，bydrinkinghisseconddoseoftheantidotewhilehewasoutoftheroom;andyoucanappealtothefainting-fitsfromwhichyouandhesufferedonthesameevening，asaproofthattheactionofthepoisonwaspartiallysuccessful;inyourcaseandinhis，becauseyouandhewereinsufficientlyprotectedbyhalfdosesonlyoftheantidote。AbenchofJesuitswouldunderstandtheserefinements。AbenchofBritishmagistrateswouldlookateachother，andsay：Whereisthemedicalevidence？No，Mr。Roylake，wemustwait。Youcan’teventurnhimoutofthecottagebeforehehashadthecustomarynoticetoquit。Theonethingtotakecareof——incasesomeothersuspicionsofoursturnouttobewellfounded——isthatourmanshallnotgiveustheslip。Oneofmyclerks，andoneofyourgamekeepersshallkeepwatchonhislodgings，turnandturnabout，tillhistimeisup。Gowherehemayafterthat，heshallnotescapeus。\"
Imaynowtakeupthechainofeventsagain。
OnreachingToller’scottage，Iwasdistressed（buthardlysurprised）tohearthatCristel，exhaustedafterawakefulnight，stillkeptherbed，inthehopeofgettingsomesleep。Iwassoanxioustoknowifshewasatrest，thatherfatherwentupstairstolookather。
Ifollowedhim——andsawPontowatchingonthematoutsideherdoor。DidthisindicateawisedistrustoftheCur？\"AguardianIcantrust，sir，\"
theoldmanwhispered，\"whileI’matthemill。\"
HelookedintoCristel’sroom，andpermittedmetolookoverhisshoulder。Mypoordarlingwaspeacefullyasleep。Judgingbythemiller’smanner，whichwasascoolandcomposedasusual，IgatheredthatCristelhadwiselykepthiminignoranceofwhathadhappenedonthepreviousevening。
TheinquirywhichIhadnextinmymindwasforestalledbyoldToller。
\"Ourdeaf-devil，Mr。Gerard，hasdoneathingthismorningwhichpuzzlesme，\"hebegan;\"andIshouldliketohearwhatyouthinkofit。Forthefirsttimesincewehavehadhimhere，hehasopenedhisdoortoavisitor。And——whatasurpriseforyou！——it’stheotherdevilwiththehatandfeatherwhogotatmyCristy，andmadehercry。\"
Thatthismeetingwouldbeonlytoolikelytohappen，induecourseoftime，Ihadneverdoubted。Thatithadhappened，now，confirmedmeinmyresolutiontokeepguardoverCristelatthecottage，tilltheCurleftit。
Iasked，ofcourse，howthosetwoenemiesofminehadfirstseeneachother。
\"Shewasjustgoingtoknockatourdoor，Mr。Gerard，whenshehappenedtolookup。Therehewas，airinghimselfathiswindowasusual。Doyouthinkshewastoomuchstaggeredatthesightofhimtospeak？Atanyrate，hegotthestartofher。\"WaittillIcomedown，\"sayshe——andtherehewas，almostassoonashesaidit。Theywentintohisplacetogether;andforbestpartofanhourtheywereineachother’scompany。
Everymanhashisfailings;Idon’tdenythatI’malittleinquisitivebynature。Betweenourselves，Igotundertheopenwindowandlistened。Atagreatdisadvantage，Ineedn’ttellyou;forshewasobligedtowritewhatshehadtosay。But_he_talked。Iwastoolateforthecreamofit;I
onlyheardhimwishhergood-bye。’Ifyourladyshiptelegraphsthismorning，’sayshe，’whenwillthemancometome？’Nowwhatdoyousaytothat？\"
\"MorethanIhavetimetosaynow，Mr。Toller。CanyoufindmeamessengertotakeanotetoTrimleyDeen？\"
\"Wehavenomessengersinthislonesomeplace，sir。\"
\"Verywell。ThenImusttakemyownmessage。Youwillseemeagain，assoonasIcangetback。\"
Mr。Toller’sreadycuriositywasrousedinamoment。
\"Perhaps，youwishtohavealookattherepairs？\"hesuggestedinhismostinsinuatingmanner。
\"Iwishtoseewhatherladyship’stelegrambringsforth，\"Isaid;andmeantobeherewhen’theman’arrives。\"
Myvenerabletenantwasdelighted。\"Turnhiminsideout，sir，andgetathissecrets。I’llhelpyou。\"
ReturningtoTrimleyDeen，Iorderedthepony-chaisetobegotready，andasmallportmanteautobepacked——speakinginthehall。ThesoundofmyvoicebroughtMrs。Roylakeoutofthemorning-room。ShewasfollowedbyLadyRachel。IfIcouldonlyhaveheardtheirprivateconference，I
shouldhaveseenthedangeroussideoftheCur’scharacterunderanewaspect。
\"Gerard！\"criedmystepmother，\"whatdidIhearjustnow？Youcan’tbegoingbacktoGermany！\"
\"Certainlynot，\"Ianswered。
\"Goingtostaywithsomefriendsperhaps？\"LadyRachelsuggested。\"I
wonderwhetherIknowthem？\"
Itwasspitefullydone——but，inrespectoftoneandmanner，donetoperfection。
Thepony-chaisedrewupatthedoor。ThiswasanotheroftherareoccasionsinmylifeonwhichIacteddiscreetly。Itwasnecessaryformetosaysomething。Isaid，\"Goodmorning。\"
Nothinghadhappenedatthecottage，duringtheintervalofmyabsence。
Cleverashewas，oldTollerhadneversuspectedthatIshouldreturntohim（withluggage！）inthecharacterofaself-invitedguest。Hisjawdropped，andhiswickedlittleeyesappealedtothesky。MercifulProvidence！whathaveIdonetodeservethis？There，asIreadhim，wasthethoughtinthemiller’smind，expressedinmybestEnglish。
\"Haveyougotasparebedinthehouse？\"Iasked。
Mr。Tollerforgottherespectduetothepersonwhocouldstoptherepairsatamoment’snotice。Heansweredinthetoneofamanwhohadbeengrosslyinsulted：\"No！\"
Butfortheanxietiesthatoppressedme，IshouldhaveonlyperceivedthehumoroussideofoldToller’soutbreakoftemper。Hehadchosenhistimebadly，andhegotaseriousreply。
\"Understandthis，\"Isaid：\"eitheryoureceivemecivilly——oryoumakeupyourmindtofindaflour-millonsomeotherpropertythanmine。\"
Thishaditseffect。Themiller’sservilitymorethanequalledhisinsolence。Withprofuseapologies，heofferedmehisownbedroom。I
preferredalargeold-fashionedarmchairwhichstoodinacornerofthekitchen。Listeninginastateofprofoundbewilderment——longingtoputinquisitivequestions，andafraidtodoso——Tollersilentlyappealedtomycompassion。Ihadnothingtoconceal;Imentionedmymotive。Withoutintendingit，Ihadwoundedhiminoneofhismosttenderplaces;theplaceoccupiedbyhisgoodopinionofhimself。Hesaidwithsulkysubmission：
\"Muchobliged，Mr。Gerard。Mygirlissafeundermyprotection。Leaveittome，sir——leaveittome。\"
IhadjustremindedoldTollerofhisage，andoftheinfirmitieswhichagebringswithit，whenhisdaughter——paleandlanguid，withsignsofrecenttearsinhereyes——enteredthekitchen。WhenIapproachedher，shetrembledanddrewback;apparentlydesigningtoleavetheroom。Herfatherstoppedher。\"Mr。Gerardhassomethingtotellyou，\"hesaid。\"I’mofftothemill。\"Hetookuphishat，andleftus。
Submittingsadly，sheletmetakeherinmyarms，andtrytocheerher。
ButwhenIalludedtowhatIowedtoheradmirabledevotionandcourage，sheentreatedmetobesilent。\"Don’tbringitallback！\"shecried，shudderingattheremembranceswhichIhadawakened，\"Fathersaidyouhadsomethingtotellme。Whatisit？\"
Irepeated（inlanguagemoregentleandmoreconsiderate）whatIhadalreadysaidtoherfather。Shetookmyhand，andkisseditgratefully。
\"Youhaveyourmother’sface，andyourmother’sheart，\"shesaid;\"youarealwaysgood，youareneverselfish。Butitmustn’tbe。HowcanIletyousufferthediscomfortofstayinghere？Indeed，Iaminnodanger;youarealarmingyourselfwithoutacause。\"
\"Howcanyoubesureofthat？\"Iasked。
Shelookedreluctantlyatthedoorofcommunication。
\"MustIspeakofhim？\"
\"Onlytotellme，\"Ipleaded，\"whetheryouhaveseenhimsincelastnight。\"
Shehadbothseenhimandheardfromhim，onreachinghome。\"Heopenedthatdoor，\"shetoldme，\"andthrewontheflooroneoftheleavesoutofhisbook。Afterdoingthat，herelievedmefromthesightofhim。\"
\"Showmetheleaf，Cristel。\"
\"Fatherhasgotit。Ithoughthewasasleepinthearmchair。Hesnatcheditoutofmyhand。Itisn’tworthreading。\"
Sheturnedpale，nevertheless，whensherepliedinthoseterms。IcouldseethatIwasdisturbingher，whenIaskedifsherememberedwhattheCurhadwritten。Butourpositionwasfartooserioustobetrifledwith。
\"Isupposehethreatenedyou？\"Isaid，tryingtoleadheron。\"Whatdidhesay？\"
\"Hesaid，ifanyattemptwasmadetoremovemeoutofhisreach，afterwhathadhappenedthatevening，myfatherwouldfindhimonthewatchdayandnight，andwouldregretittotheendofhislife。Thewretchthinksmecruelenoughtohavetoldmyfatherofthehorrorswewentthrough！
Youknowthathehasdismissedhispooroldservant？WasIwronginadvisingGloodytogotoyou？\"
\"Youwerequiteright。Heisatmyhouse——andIshouldliketokeephimatTrimleyDeen;butIamafraidheandtheotherservantsmightnotgetonwelltogether？\"
\"Willyoulethimcomehere？\"
Shespokeearnestly;remindingmethatIhadthoughtitwrongtoleaveherfather，athisage，withoutsomeonetohelphim。
\"Ifanaccidentseparatedmefromhim，\"shewenton，\"hewouldbeleftaloneinthiswretchedplace。\"
\"Whataccidentareyouthinkingof？\"Iasked。\"Istheresomethinggoingon，Cristel，thatIdon’tknowof？\"
HadIstartledher？orhadIoffendedher？
\"Canwetellwhatmayormaynothappentous，inthetimetocome？\"sheaskedabruptly。\"Idon’tliketothinkofmyfatherbeingleftwithoutacreaturetotakecareofhim。Gloodyissogoodandsotrue;andtheyalwaysgetonwelltogether。Ifyouhavenothingbetterinviewforhim——？\"
\"Mydear，Ihavenothinghalfsogoodinview;andGloody，Iamsure，willthinksotoo。\"Iprivatelyresolvedtoinsureafavorablereceptionforthepoorfellow，bymakinghimthemiller’spartner。BanknotesinToller’spocket！WhataplacereservedforGloodyinToller’sestimation！
ButIconfessthatCristel’sallusiontoapossibleaccidentratheroppressedmymind，situatedaswewereatthattime。Whatwetalkedofnexthasslippedfrommymemory。Ionlyrecollectthatshemadeanexcusetogobacktoherroom，andthatnothingIcouldsayordoavailedtorestorehercustomarycheerfulness。
Asthetwilightwasbeginningtofade，weheardthesoundofacarriage。
Thenewmanhadarrivedinaflyfromthestation。Beforebedtime，hemadehisappearanceinthekitchen，toreceivethedomesticinstructionsofwhichastrangerstoodinneed。Aquietmanandacivilman：evenmyprejudicedexaminationcoulddiscovernothinginhimthatlookedsuspicious。Isawawell-trainedservant——andIsawnothingmore。
OldTollermadealastattempttopersuademethatitwasnotworthagentleman’swhiletoaccepthishospitality，andfoundmeimmovable。I
wasequallyobstinatewhenCristelaskedleavetomakeupabedformeinthecounting-houseatthemill。
WiththepurposethatIhadinview，ifIacceptedherproposalImightaswellhavebeenatTrimleyDeen。
Leftalone，Iplacedthearmchairandanotherchairformyfeet，acrossthedoorofcommunication。Thatdone，Iexaminedalittledoorbehindthestairs（usedIbelievefordomesticpurposes）whichopenedonanarrowpathway，runningalongtheriver-sideofthehouse。Itwasproperlylocked。Ihaveonlytoaddthatnothinghappenedduringthenight。
Thenextdayshowednoalterationforthebetter，inCristel。ShemadeanexcusewhenIproposedtotakeheroutwithmeforawalk。Herfather’sbusinesskepthimawayfromthecottage，andthusgavememanyopportunitiesofspeakingtoherinprivate。Iwassouneasy，orsoreckless——Ihardlyknowwhich——thatInolongerleftittobemerelyinferredthatIhadresolvedtoproposemarriagetoher。
\"Mysweetgirl，youaresowretched，andsounlikeyourself，inthisplace，thatIentreatyoutoleaveit。ComewithmetoLondon，andletmemakeyousafeandhappyasmywife。\"
\"Oh，Mr。Roylake！\"
\"Whydoyoucallme，’MrRoylake’？HaveIdoneanythingtooffendyou？
Thereseemstobesomeestrangementbetweenus。DoyoubelievethatI
loveyou？\"
\"IwishIcoulddoubtit！\"sheanswered。
\"Why？\"
\"Youknowwhy。\"
\"Cristel！HaveImadesomedreadfulmistake？Thetruth！Iwantthetruth！
Doyouloveme？\"
Alowcryofmiseryburstfromher。Wasshemasteredbylove，orbydespair？Shethrewherselfonmybreast。Ikissedher。Shemurmured，\"Ohdon’ttemptme！Don’ttemptme！\"Againandagain，Ikissedher。\"Ah，\"I
brokeout，intheecstasyofmysenseofrelief，\"Iknowthatyouloveme，now！\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，simplyandsadly，\"Idoloveyou。\"
Myselfishpassionaskedformoreeventhanthis。
\"Proveitbybeingmywife，\"Ianswered。
Sheputmebackfromher，firmlyandgently。
\"Iwillproveit，Gerard，bynotlettingyoudisgraceyourself。\"
Withthosehorriblewords——putintohermouth，beyondalldoubtbythewomanwhohadinterferedbetweenus——sheleftme。Thelonghoursofthedaypassed：Isawhernomore。
PeoplewhoareunabletoimaginewhatIsuffered，arenotthepeopletowhomInowaddressmyself。Afteralltheyearsthathavepassed——afterageandcontactwiththeworldhavehardenedme——itisstillatrialtomyself-controltolookbacktothatday。EventsIcanrememberwithcomposure。Toevents，therefore，letmereturn。
NocommunicationofanysortreachedusfromtheCur。Towardsevening，I
sawhimpacingupanddownontheroadbeforethecottage，andspeakingtohisnewservant。Theman（listeningattentively）hadthemaster’sbookofleavesinhishand，andwroteinitfromtimetotimeasreplieswerewantedfromhim。Hewasprobablyreceivinginstructions。TheCur’sdiscretionwasabadsign。Ishouldhavefeltmoreatease，ifhehadtriedtoannoyCristel，ortoinsultme。
Towardsbedtime，oldToller’ssenseofhospitalityexhibitedmarkedimprovement。Hewashonoredandhappytohavemeunderhispoorroof——aroof，bytheway，whichwasalsoinneedofrepairs——butheprotestedagainstmyencounteringtheneedlesshardshipofsleepinginachair，whenabedcouldbesetupformeinthecounting-house。\"Notwhatyou’reusedto，Mr。Gerard。Emptybarrels，andsamplesofflour，andaccount-bookssmellingstrongofleather，insteadofvelvetcurtainsandpaintedceilings;butbetterthanachair，sir——betterthanachair！\"
Iwasasobstinateasever。Withthanks，Iinsistedonthechair。
Feverish，anxious，oppressedinmybreathing——withnervesunstrung，asadoctorwouldhaveputit——Idisturbedtheorderofthehouseholdtowardstwelveo’clockbyinterferingwitholdTollerintheactoflockingupthehouse-door。
\"Letmegetabreathoffreshair，\"Isaidtohim，\"ortherewillbenosleepformeto-night。\"
Heopenedthedoorwitharesignationtocircumstances，soexemplarythatitclaimedsomereturn。Ipromisedtobebackinaquarterofanhour。
OldTollerstifledayawn。\"Icallthattrulyconsiderate，\"hesaid——andstifledanotheryawn。Dearoldman！
Steppingintotheroad，IfirstexaminedtheCur’spartofthecottage。
Notasoundwasaudibleinside;notacreaturewasvisibleoutside。Theusualdimlightwasburningbehindthewindowthatlookedoutontheroad。Nothing，absolutelynothing，thatwassuspiciouscouldIeitherhearorsee。
Iwalkedon，bywhatwecalledtheupperbankoftheriver;leadingfromthevillageofKylam。Thenightwascloudyandclose。Nowthemoonlightreachedtheearthatintervals;nowagainitwasveiledindarkness。Thetrees，atthispartofthewood，soencroachedonthebankofthestreamasconsiderablytonarrowanddarkenthepath。SeeingapossibilityofwalkingintotheriverifIwentonmuchfarther，IturnedbackagaininthemoreopendirectionofKylam，andkeptonbriskly（asIreckon）foraboutfiveminutesmore。
Ihadjuststoppedtolookatmywatch，whenIsawsomethingdarkfloatingtowardsme，urgedbytheslowcurrentoftheriver。Asitcamenearer，IthoughtIrecognizedthemill-boat。
Itwasoneofthedarkintervalswhenthemoonwasovercast。Iwassufficientlyinterestedtofollowtheboat，onthechancethatareturnofthemoonlightmightshowmewhocouldpossiblybeinit。Afternoverylonginterval，theyellowlightforwhichIwaswaitingpouredthroughtheliftingclouds。
Themill-boat，beyondalldoubt——andnobodyinit！Theemptyinsideoftheboatwasperfectlyvisibletome。EvenifIhadfeltinclinedtodoso，itwouldhavebeenuselesstojumpintothewaterandswimtotheboat。Therewerenooarsinit，andthereforenomeansoftakingitbacktothemill。TheonethingIcoulddowastoruntooldTollerandtellhimthathisboatwasadrift。
Onmywaytothecottage，IthoughtIheardasoundliketheshuttingofadoor。Iwasprobablymistaken。Inexpectationofmyreturn，thedoorwassecuredbythelatchonly;andthemiller，lookingoutofhisbedroomwindow，said：\"Don’tforgettolockit，sir;thekey’sinside。\"
Ifollowedmyinstructions，andascendedthestairs。Surprisedtohearmeinthatpartofthehouse，hecameoutonthelandinginhisnightgown。
\"Whatisit？\"heasked。
\"Nothingveryserious，\"Isaid。\"Theboat’sadrift。Isupposeitwillrunonshoresomewhere。\"
\"Itwilldothat，Mr。Gerard;everybodyalongtheriverknowstheboat。\"
Hehelduphisleantremblinghand。\"Oldfingersdon’talwaystiefastknots。\"
Hewentbackintohisbed。Itwasoppositethewindow;andthewindow，beingatthesideoftheoldcottage，lookedoutonthegreatopenspaceabovetheriver。Whenthemoonlightappeared，itshonestraightintohiseyes。Iofferedtopulldowntheblind。
\"Thankyoukindly，sir;pleasetoletitbe。Iwakeofteninthenight，andIliketoseetheheavenswhenIopenmyeyes。\"
Somethingtouchedmebehind：itwasthedog。Likehisnobleandbeautifulrace，Pontoknewhisfriends。Helickedmyhand，andthenhewalkedoutthroughthebedroomdoor。Insteadoftakinghisusualplace，onthematbeforeCristel’sroom，hesmeltforamomentunderthedoor——whinedsoftly——andwalkedupanddownthelanding。
\"What’sthematterwiththedog？\"Iasked。
\"Restlessto-night，\"saidoldToller。\"Dogs_are_restlesssometimes。Liedown！\"hecalledthroughthedoorway。
Thedogobeyed，butonlyforamoment。Hewhinedatthedooragain——andthen，oncemore，hewalkedupanddownthelanding。
Iwenttothebedside。Theoldmanwasjustgoingtosleep。Ishookhimbytheshoulder。
\"There’ssomethingwrong，\"Isaid。\"ComeoutandlookatPonto。\"
Hegrumbled——buthecameout。\"Bettergetthewhip，\"hesaid。
\"Beforeyoudothat，\"Ianswered，\"knockatyourdaughter’sdoor。\"
\"Andwakeher？\"heaskedinamazement。
Iknockedatthedoormyself。Therewasnoreply。Iknockedagain，withthesameresult。
\"Openthedoor，\"Isaid，\"orIwilldoitmyself。\"
Heobeyedme。Theroomwasempty;andthebedhadnotbeensleptin。
Standinghelplessonthethresholdofthedoor，Ilookedintotheemptyroom;hearingnothingbutmyheartthumpingheavily，seeingnothingbutthebedwiththeclothesonitundisturbed。
Thesuddengrowlingofthedogshookmeback（ifImaysayso）intothepossessionofmyself。Hewaslookingthroughthebalustersthatguardedthelanding。Theheadofamanappeared，slowlyascendingthestairs。
Actingmechanically，Iheldthedogback。Thinkingmechanically，Iwaitedfortheman。Thefaceofthenewservantshoweditself。Thedogfrightenedhim：hespokeintonesthattrembled，standingstillonthestairs。
\"Mymasterhassentme，sir——\"
Avoicebelowinterruptedhim。\"Comeback，\"IheardtheCursay;\"I’lldoitmyself。Toller！whereisToller？\"
Theenrageddog，barkingfuriously，struggledtogetawayfromme。I
draggedhim——thegoodhonestcreaturewhowasincapableofconcealmentsandtreacheries！——intohismaster’sroom。InthemomentbeforeIclosedthedooragain，IsawTollerdownonhiskneeswithhisarmslaidhelplesslyonthewindow-sill，staringupattheskyasifhehadgonemad。Therewasnotimeforquestions;IdrovepoorPontobackintotheroom，andshutthedoor。
Onthelanding，IfoundmyselffacetofacewiththeCur。
\"_You！_\"hesaid。
Iliftedmyhand。Theservantranbetweenus。\"ForGod’ssake，controlyourself，sir！Wemeannoharm。It’sonlytotellMr。Tollerthathisboatismissing。\"
\"Mr。Tollerknowsitalready，\"Isaid。\"Nohonestmanwouldtouchyourmasterifhecouldhelpit。Iwarnhimtogo;andImakehimunderstandmebyasign。\"Ipointeddownthestairs，andturnedmyheadtolookathim。
Hewasnolongerbeforeme。Hisface，hideouslydistortedbyrageandterror，showeditselfatthedoorofCristel’semptyroom。Herushedoutonme;hisvoicerosetothedetestablescreechwhichIhadheardoncealready。
\"Wherehaveyouhiddenher？Giveherbacktome——oryoudie。\"Hedrewapistoloutofthebreast-pocketofhiscoat。Iseizedtheweaponbythebarrel，andsnatcheditawayfromhim。Asthechargeexplodedharmlesslybetweenus，Istruckhimontheheadwiththebutt-endofthepistol。Hedroppedonthelanding。
ThedoorofToller’sroomopenedbehindme。Hestoodspeechless;thereportofthepistolhadterrifiedhim。IntheinstantwhenIlookedattheoldman，Isaw，throughthewindowofhisroom，arocketsoarintothesky，frombehindthepromontorybetweenusandKylam。
Somecryofsurprisemust，Isuppose，haveescapedme。Tollersuddenlylookedroundtowardsthewindow，justasthelastfieryparticlesoftherocketwerefloatingslowlydownwardsagainsttheblackclouds。
Ihadbarelytimeenoughtoseethis，beforeatremblinghandwaslaidonmyshoulder，frombehind。Theservant，whitewithterror，pointedtohismaster。
\"Haveyoukilledhim？\"themansaid。
Thesamequestionmusthavebeeninthemindofthedog。Hewasquietnow。Doubtfully，reluctantly，hewassmellingattheprostratehumancreature。Ikneltdown，andputmyhandonthewretch’sheart。Ponto，findingusbothonaleveltogether，gavemethedog’skiss;Ireturnedthecaresswithmyfreehand。Theservantsawme，withmyattentiondividedinthiswaybetweentheanimalandtheman。
\"Damnit，sir，\"heburstoutindignantly，\"isn’taChristianofmoreimportancethanadog？\"
AChristian！——butIwasinnohumortowastewords。\"Areyoustrongenoughtocarryhimtohisownsideofthehouse？\"Iasked。
\"Iwon’ttouchhim，ifhe’sdead！\"
\"Heis_not_dead。Takehimaway！\"
Allthistimemymindwaspre-occupiedbytheextraordinaryappearanceoftherocket，risingfromtheneighborhoodofalonelylittlevillagebetweenmidnightandoneinthemorning。HowIconnectedthatmysterioussignalwithapossibilityoftracingCristel，itisuselesstoinquire。
Thatwasthethoughtinme，whenIledmylostdarling’sfatherbacktohisroom。Withoutstoppingtoexplainmyself，Iremindedhimthatthecottagewasquietagain，andtoldhimtowaitmyreturn。
Inthekitchen，Iovertooktheservantandhisburden。Thedoorofcommunication（bywhichtheyhadentered）wasstillopen。
\"Lockthatdoor，\"Isaid。
\"Lockityourself\"heanswered;\"I’llhavenothingtodowiththisbusiness。\"Hepassedthroughthedoorway，andalongthepassage，andascendedhismaster’sstairs。
ItstruckmedirectlythatthemanhadsuggestedasurewayofprotectingToller，duringmyabsence。Themiller’sowndoorwasalreadysecured;I
tookthekey，soastobeabletoletmyselfinagain——thenpassedthroughthedoorofcommunication——fastenedit——andputthekeyinmypocket。Thethirddoor，bywhichtheCurenteredhislodgings，wasofcourseatmydisposal。Ihadjustclosedit，whenIdiscoveredthatIhadacompanion。Pontohadfollowedme。
Ifeltatoncethatthedog’ssuperiorpowersofdivinationmightbeofuse，onsuchanerrandasminewas。WesetouttogetherforKylam。
Wildlyhurried——withoutanyfixedideainmymind——IrantoKylam，forthegreaterpartoftheway。Itwasnowverydark。Onasandycreek，belowthevillage，Icameincontactwithsomethingsolidenoughtohurtmeforthemoment。Itwasthestrandedboat。
Asmokergenerallyhasmatchesabouthim。Helpedbymylittleshort-livedlights，Iexaminedtheinterioroftheboat。Therewasabsolutelynothinginitbutastripofoldtarpaulin——used，asIguessed，toprotecttheboat，orsomethingthatitcarried，inrainyweather。
Thevillagepopulationhadlongsincebeeninbed。Silenceanddarknessmercilesslydefiedmetodiscoveranything。ForawhileIwaited，encouragingthedogtocircleroundmeandexercisehissenseofsmell。
Anysuspiciouspersonorobjecthewouldhavecertainlydiscovered。
Nothing——noteventhefallenstickoftherocket——rewardedourpatience。
Determinedtoleavenothinguntried，Igroped，ratherthanfound，mywaytothevillagealehouse，andsucceededatlastinrousingthelandlord。
Hehailedmefromthewindow（naturallyenough）innofriendlyvoice。I
calledoutmyname。Withinmyownlittlelimits，itwasthenameofacelebratedperson。Thelandlordopenedhisdoordirectly;eagertoanswermyquestionsifhecoulddoit。NothingintheleastoutofthecommonwayhadhappenedatKylam。Nostrangershadbeenseenin，ornear，theplace。Thestrandedboathadnotbeendiscovered;andthecrashingflightoftherocketintotheairhadfailedtodisturbthesoundly-sleepingvillagers。
Onmymelancholywayback，fatigueofbody——and，farworse，fatigueofmind——forcedmetotakeafewminutes’rest。
Thedimly-flowingriverwasatmyfeet;theriveronwhichIhadseenCristelagain，forthefirsttimesincewewerechildren。Thusfar，thedreadfullossofherhadbeenacalamity，heldawayfrommeinsomedegreebyeventswhichhadimperativelytakenpossessionofmymind。Inthedarknessandthestillness，themiseryofhavinglostherwasfreetocrushme。Myheaddroppedontheneckofthedog，nestlingcloseatmyside。\"Oh，Ponto！\"Isaidtohim，\"she’sgone！\"Nobodycouldseeme;
nobodycoulddespiseme——Iburstoutcrying。
CHAPTERXVI
BRIBERYANDCORRUPTION
Twice，IlookedintoToller’sroomduringtheremainderofthenight，andfoundhimsleeping。Whenthesunrose，Icouldendurethedelaynolonger。Iwokehim。
\"Whatisit？\"heaskedpeevishly。
\"YoumustbethelastpersonwhosawCristel，\"Ianswered。\"Iwanttoknowallthatyoucantellme。\"
Hisangercompletelymasteredhim;heburstoutwithafuriousreply。
\"It’syoutwo——youmylandlord，andhimmylodger——whohavedrivenCristyawayfromherhome。Shesaidshewouldgo，andshehasgone。Getoutofmyplace，sir！Yououghttobeashamedtolookatme。\"
Itwasuselesstoreasonwithhim，anditwasofvitalimportancetolosenotimeininstitutingasearch。AfterthereceptionIhadmetwith，I
tookcaretorestorethekeyofthedoorleadingintothenewcottage，beforeIlefthim。Itwashiskey;andthepoordistractedoldmanmightchargemewithtakingawayhispropertynext。
AsIsetforthonmywayhome，Ifoundthenewman-servantonthelook-out。
Hisfirstwordsshowedthathewasactingunderorders。HeaskedifIhadfoundtheyounglady;andhenextinformedmethathismasterhadrevivedsomehourssince，and\"borenomalice。\"Thisoutrageousassertionsuddenlyfiredmewithsuspicion。IbelievedthattheCurhadbeenactingapartwhenhethreatenedmewithhispistol，andthathewasanswerableforthedisappearanceofCristel。Myfirstimpulsenowwastogetthehelpofalawyer。
ThemenatmystableswerejuststirringwhenIgothome。Intenminutesmore，Iwasdrivingtoourtown。
ThesubstanceoftheprofessionalopinionwhichIreceivedhasbeenalreadystatedinthesepages。
Oneamongmyanswerstothemanyquestionswhichmylegaladviserputtomeledhimtoaconclusionthatmademyheartache。Hewasofopinionthatmybriefabsence，whileIwastakingthatfatal\"breathofair\"onthebanksoftheriver，hadofferedtoCristelheropportunityofgettingawaywithoutdiscovery。\"Heroldfather，\"thelawyersaid，\"wasnodoubtinhisbed，andyouyourselffoundnobodywatching，intheneighborhoodofthecottage。\"
\"Employmeinsomeway！\"Iburstout。\"Ican’tenduremylife，ifI’mnothelpingtotraceCristel。\"
Hewasmostkind。\"Iunderstand，\"hesaid。\"Trywhatyoucangetthosetwoladiestotellyou——andyoumayhelpusmaterially。\"
Mrs。Roylakewasnearesttome。Iappealedtoherwomanlysympathies，andwasansweredbytears。Imadeanotherattempt;IsaidIwaswillingtobelievethatshemeantwell，andthatIshouldbesorrytooffendher。
Shegotup，andindignantlylefttheroom。
IwenttoLadyRachelnext。
Shewasathome，buttheservantreturnedtomewithanexcuse：herladyshipwasparticularlyengaged。Isentamessageupstairs，askingwhenImighthopetobereceived。Theservantwaschargedwiththedeliveryofanotherexcuse：herladyshipwouldwrite。AfterwaitingathomeforhoursIwasfoolishenoughtowrite，onmyside;and（howcouldIhelpit？）toexpressmyselfstrongly。Theshe-socialist’sreplyiseasytoremember：
\"DearMr。Roylake，whenyouhaverecoveredyourtemper，youwillhearfrommeagain。\"
Evenmystepmothergainedbycomparisonwiththis。
Torest，anddonothing，wastoexerciseacontrolovermyselfofwhichI
wasperfectlyincapable。Iwentbacktothecottage。Havingnohopefulprospectinanyotherquarter，IpersistedinbelievingthatTollermusthaveseensomethingorheardsomethingthatmighteitherhelpme，orsuggestanideatomylegaladviser。
Onenteringthekitchen，Ifoundthedoorofcommunicationwideopen，andthenewservantestablishedinthelargearmchair。
\"I’mwaitingformymaster，sir。\"
Hehadgotoverhisfright，andhadrecoveredhistemper。Therespectfulsideofhimwasturnedtomeagain。
\"YourmasteriswithMr。Toller？\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
WhatIfelt，amplyjustifiedthelawyerinhavingexactedapromisefrommetokeepcarefullyoutoftheCur’spresence。\"Youmightknockhimontheheadagain，Mr。Roylake，andmighthitalittletoohardnexttime。\"
ButIhadanideaofmyown。Isaid，asifspeakingtomyself：\"Iwouldgiveafivepoundnotetoknowwhatisgoingonupstairs。\"
\"Ishallbegladtoearnit，sir，\"thefellowsaid。\"IfImakeacleanbreastofwhatIknowalready，andifItellyouto-morrowwhatIcanfindout——willitbeworththemoney？\"
Ibegantofeeldegradedinmyownestimation。ButInoddedtohim，forallthat。
\"Iamtheinnocentcause，sir，ofwhathappenedlastnight，\"hecoollyresumed。\"Wekeptalook-outontheroadandsawyou，thoughyoudidn’tseeus。Butmymasterneversuspectedyou（forreasonswhichhekepttohimself）ofmakinguseoftheboat。Iremindedhimthatoneofushadbetterhaveaneyeontheslipofpathway，betweenthecottageandtheriver。Thisledtohissendingmetotheboathouse——andyouknowwhathappenedafterwards。Mymaster，asIsuppose，ispumpingMr。Toller。
That’sall，sir，forto-night。WhenmayIhavethehonorofexpectingyouto-morrowmorning？\"
Iappointedanhour，andlefttheplace。
AsIenteredthewoodagain，Ifoundamanonthewatch。Hetouchedhishat，andsaid：\"I’mtheclerk，sir。Yourgamekeeperiswantedforhisowndutiesto-night;hewillrelievemeinthemorning。\"
Iwenthomewithmymindinafermentofdoubt。IfIcouldbelievetheservant，theCurwasasinnocentoftheabductionofCristelasIwas。
ButcouldItrusttheservant？
Theeventsofthenextmorningalteredthewholecomplexionofaffairsfatallyfortheworse。
Arrivingatthecottage，Ifoundamanprostateontheroad，deaddrunk——andtheCur’sservantlookingathim。
\"MayIasksomething？\"themansaid。\"Haveyoubeenhavingmymasterwatched？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Badnews，inthatcase，sir。Yourmanthereisadrunkenvagabond;andmymasterhasgonetoLondonbythefirsttrain。
WhenIhadrecoveredtheshock，Idenied，forthesakeofmyowncredit，thatthebruteontheroadcouldbeaservantofmine。
\"Whynot，sir？\"
\"DoyouthinkIshouldhavebeenkeptinignoranceofit，ifmygamekeeperhadbeenadrunkard？Hisfellowservantswouldhavewarnedme。\"
Themansmiled。\"I’mafraid，sir，youdon’tknowmuchaboutservants。
It’sapointofhonoramongusnevertotelltalesofeachothertoourmasters。\"
IbegantowishthatIhadneverleftGermany。Theonecoursetotakenowwastotellthelawyerwhathadhappened。Iturnedawaytogetback，anddriveatoncetothetown。Theservantremembered，whatIhadforgotten——thefivepoundnote。
\"Waitandhearmyreport，sir，\"hesuggested。
Thereportinformedme：First，thatMr。Tollerwasatthemill，andhadbeenthereforsometimepast。Secondly：thattheCurhadbeenalone，forawhile，onMr。Toller’ssideofthecottage，inMr。Toiler’sabsence——forwhatpurposehisservanthadnotdiscovered。Thirdly：thattheCurhadreturnedtohisroominahurry，andhadpackedafewthingsinhistravelling-bag。Fourthly：thathehadorderedtheservanttofollow，withhisluggage，inaflywhichhewouldsendfromtherailwaystation，andtowaitattheLondonterminusforfurtherorders。Fifthly，andlastly：thatitwasimpossibletosaywhetherthedrunkennessofthegamekeeperwasduetohisownhabits，ortotemptationprivatelyofferedbytheverypersonwhosemovementshehadbeenappointedtowatch。
Ipaidthemoney。Themanpocketedit，andpaidmeacomplimentinreturn：\"IwishIwasyourservant，sir。\"
CHAPTERXVII
UTTERFAILURE
Mylawyertookaseriousviewofthedisasterthathadovertakenus。Hewouldtrustnobodybuthisheadclerktoactinmyinterests，aftertheservanthadbeenfollowedtotheLondonterminus，andwhenitbecameaquestionofmatchingourselvesagainstthedeadlycunningofthemanwhohadescapedus。
Providedwithmoney，andwithalettertothepoliceauthoritiesinLondon，theheadclerkwenttothestation。Iaccompaniedhimtopointouttheservant（withoutbeingallowedtoshowmyself），andthenreturnedtowaitfortelegraphicinformationatthelawyer’soffice。
Thiswasthefirstreporttransmittedbythetelegram：
TheCurhadbeenfoundwaitingforhisservantattheterminus;andthetwohadbeeneasilyfollowedtotherailwayhotelcloseby。Theclerkhadsenthisletterofintroductiontothepolice——hadconsultedwithpickedmenwhojoinedhimatthehotel——hadgiventhenecessaryinstructions——andwouldreturntousbythelasttrainintheevening。
Intwodays，thesecondtelegramarrived。
OurmanhadbeentracedtotheThamesYachtClubinAlbemarleStreet——hadconsultedayachtinglistinthehall——andhadthentravelledtotheIsleofWight。There，hehadmadeinquiriesattheSquadronYachtClub，andtheVictoriaYachtClub——andhadreturnedtoLondon，andtherailwayhotel。
Thethirdtelegramannouncedtheutterdestructionofallourhopes。AsfarasMarseilles，theCurhadbeenfollowedsuccessfully，andinthatcitythedetectiveofficershadlostsightofhim。
Mylegaladviserinsistedonhavingthemensenttohimtoexplainthemselves。Nothingcameofitbutonemorerepetitionofanolddiscovery。Whenthedetectivepoliceforceencountersintelligenceinsteadofstupidity，insevencasesoutoftenthedetectivepoliceforceisbeaten。
Therewerestilltwopersonsatourdisposal。LadyRachelmighthelpus，asIbelieved，ifshechosetodoit。AsforoldToller，Isuggested（onreflection）thatthelawyershouldexaminehim。Thelawyerdeclinedtowasteanymoreofmymoney。IcalledagainonLadyRachel。Thistime，I
wasletin。IfoundthenobleladysmokingacigaretteandreadingaFrenchnovel。
\"Thisisgoingtobeadisagreeableinterview，\"shesaid。\"Letusgetitover，Mr。Roylake，assoonaspossible。Tellmewhatyouwant——andspeakasfreelyasifyouwereinthecompanyofaman。\"
Iobeyedhertotheletter;andIgotthesereplies：
\"Yes;Ididhaveatalk，inyourbestinterests，withMissToller。Sheisassensibleassheischarming，andasgoodassheissensible。Weentirelyagreedthatthesacrificemustbeonherside;andthatitwasduetoherownself-respecttopreventagentlemanofyourrankfromruininghimselfbymarryingamiller’sdaughter。\"
ThenextreplywasequallyfreefromthesmallestatomofsympathyonLadyRachel’spart。
\"Youarequiteright——yourdeafmanwasathiswindowwhenIwentby。Werecognizedeachotherandhadalongtalk。IfIremembercorrectly，hesaidyouknewofhisreasonsforconcealinghisname。Igavemypromise（beingamatterofperfectindifferencetome）toconcealittoo。Onethingledtoanother，andIdiscoveredthatyouwerehishatedrivalintheaffectionsofMissToller。Iprovedworthyofhisconfidenceinme。
Thatistosay，ItoldhimthatMrs。RoylakeandIwouldbeonlytooglad，asrepresentingyourinterests，ifhesucceededinwinningtheyounglady。Iaskedifhehadanyplans。Hesaidoneofhisplanshadfailed。Whatitwas，andhowithadfailed，hedidnotmention。Iaskedifhecoulddevisenothingelse。Hesaid，\"Yes，ifIwasnotapoorman。\"
Inmyplace，youwouldhaveoffered，asIdid，tofindthemoneyiftheplanwasapprovedof。Heproducedsomemanuscriptstoryofanabductionofalady，whichhehadwrittentoamusehimself。Thepointofitwasthattheloversuccessfullycarriedawaythelady，bymeansofaboat，whilethefuriousfather’sattentionwasabsorbedinwatchingthehighroad。Itseemedtometobeanewidea。\"Ifyouthinkyoucancarryitout，\"Isaid，\"sendyourestimateofexpensestomeandMrs。Roylake，andwewillsubscribe。\"Wereceivedtheestimate。Buttheplanhasfailed，andthemanisoff。IamquitecertainmyselfthatMissTollerhasdonewhatshepromisedtodo。Wherevershemaybenow，shehassacrificedherselfforyoursake。Whenyouhavegotoverit，youwillmarrymysister。Iwishyougoodmorning。\"
BetweenLadyRachel’shardinsolence，andMrs。Roylake’ssentimentalhypocrisy，IwasinsuchastateofirritationthatIleftTrimleyDeenthenextmorning，tofindforgetfulness，asIrashlysupposed，inthegayworldofLondon。
Ihadbeentryingmyexperimentforsomethinglikethreeweeks，andwasbeginningtogetheartilywearyofit，whenIreceivedaletterfromthelawyer。
\"DearSir，——Youroddtenant，oldMr。Toller，hasdiedsuddenlyofruptureofablood-vesselonthebrain，asthedoctorthinks。Thereistobeaninquest，asIneedhardlytellyou。Whatdoyousaytohavingthereportoftheproceedingslargelycopiedinthenewspapers？Ifitcatcheshisdaughter’seye，importantresultsmayfollow。\"
Tospeculateinthiswayontheimpulsewhichmighttakeitsriseinmypoorgirl’sgrief——tosurpriseher，asitwere，atherfather’sgrave——revoltedme。Idirectedthelawyertotakenostepswhateverinthematter，andtopaythepooroldfellow’sfuneralexpenses，onmyaccount。Hehaddiedintestate。Thelawtookcareofhismoneyuntilhisdaughterappeared;andthemill，beingmyproperty，IgavetoToller’ssurvivingpartner——ourgoodGloody。
AndwhatdidIdonext？Iwentawaytravelling;oneofthewretchedestmenwhoevercarriedhismiserywithhimtoforeigncountries。GowhereI
mightonthecontinentofEurope，thedreadfulideapursuedmethatCristelmightbedead。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEMISTRESSOFTRIMLEYDEEN
Threewearymonthshadpassed，whenanewideawasputintomyheadbyanEnglishmanwhomImetatTrieste。HeadvisedturningmybackonEurope，andtryingtheeffectofscenesoflifethatwouldbenewtome。Ihiredavessel，andsailedoutofthecivilizedworld。WhenInextstoodon_terrafirma，_myfeetwereonthelovelybeachofoneofthePacificIslands。
WhatIsufferedIhavenottoldyet，anddonotdesigntotell。Thebitternessofthosedayshiditselffromviewatthetime——andshallkeepitsconcealmentstill。EvenifIcoulddwellonmysorrowswiththeeloquenceofapractisedwriter，someobstinateinnerreluctancewouldpersistinholdingmedumb。
MorethanayearhadpassedbeforeIreturnedtoTrimleyDeen，andalarmedmystepmotherby\"lookinglikeaforeignsailor。\"
Theirregularnatureofmylatertravelshadmadeitimpossibletoforwardthefewlettersthathadarrivedforme。Theywereneatlylaidoutonthelibrarytable。
ThesecondletterthatItookupborethepostmarkofGenoa。Iopenedit，anddiscoveredthatthe——
No！Icannotwriteofhimbythatmeanname;andhisownnameisstillunknowntome。Letmecallhim——and，oh，don’tthinkthatIamdeceivedagain！——letmecallhimthePenitent。
Theletterhadbeenaddressedtomefromhisdeathbed，andhadbeenwrittenunderdictation。Itcontainedanextraordinaryenclosure——asmalltornfragmentofpaperwithwritingonit。
\"ReadthepoormorselthatIsendtoyoufirst\"（theletterbegan）。\"Mytimeonearthisshort;youwillsavemeexplanationswhichmaybetoomuchformystrength。\"
Ononesideofthefragment，Ifoundthesewords：
\"……cruisetotheMediterraneanformywife’shealth。IfCristelisn’tafraidofpassingsomemonthsatsea……\"
Ontheotherside，therewasafragmentofconclusion：
\"……thoroughlyunderstand。Allready。Writewordwhatnight，andwhat……lovingbrother，StephenToller。\"
Iinstantlyrememberedthemiller’srichbrother;thinkingofhimforthefirsttimesincehehadbeeninmymindforamoment，onthenightofmymeetingwithCristel。OnthefourteenthpageofthisnarrativeToller’sbrotherwillbefoundbrieflyalludedtoinafewlines。
Ireturnedeagerlytotheletter。Thusitwascontinued：
\"ThatbitoftornpaperIfoundunderthebed，whileIwassecretlysearchingMr。Toller’sroom。IhadpreviouslysuspectedYou。Frommyownexaminationofhisface，whenherefusedtohumormydeafnessbywritingwhatIaskedhimtotellme，IsuspectedMr。Tollernext。Youwillseeinthefragment，whatIsaw——thatTollerthebrotherhadayacht，andwasgoingtotheMediterranean;andthatTollerthemillerhadwritten，askinghimtofavourCristel’sescape。Therest，Cristelherselfcantellyou。
\"Iknowyouhadmefollowed。AtMarseilles，Igottiredofit，andgaveyourmentheslip。AteveryportintheMediterraneanIinquiredfortheyacht，andheardnothingofher。Theymusthavechangedtheirmindsonboard，andgonesomewhereelse。IreferyoutoCristelagain。
\"ArrivedatGenoa，onmywaybacktoEngland，ImetwithaskilledItaliansurgeon。Hedeclaredthathecouldrestoremyhearing——buthewarnedmethatIwasinaweakstateofhealth，andherefusedtoanswerfortheresultoftheoperation。Withouthesitatingforamoment，Itoldhimtooperate。Iwouldhavegivenfiftylivesforoneexquisiteweekofperfecthearing。Ihavehadthreeweeksofperfecthearing。Otherwise，I
havehadalifeofenjoymentbeforeIdie。
\"Itisuselesstoaskyourpardon。Myconductwastooinfamousforthat。
Willyourememberthefamilytaint，developedbyadeafman’sisolationamonghisfellow-creatures？ButIhadsomedayswhenmymother’ssweetnaturetriedtomakeitselffeltinme，anddidnotwhollyfail。Iamgoingtomymothernow：herspirithasbeenwithmeeversincemyhearingwasrestored;herspiritsaidtomelastnight：\"Atone，myson！Givethemanwhomyouhavewronged，thewomanwhomheloves。\"Ihadfoundouttheuncle’saddressinEngland（whichInowenclose）atoneoftheYachtClubs。Ihadintendedtogotothehouse，andwelcomeheronherreturn。
Youmustgoinsteadofme;youwillseethatlovelyfacewhenIaminmygrave。Good-bye，Roylake。Thecoldhandthattouchesusall，soonerorlater，isveryneartome。Bemercifultothenextscoundrelyoumeet，forthesakeofTheCur。\"
Isaythere_was_goodinthatsufferingman;andIthankGodIwasnotquitewrongabouthimafterall。ArrivingatMr。StephenToller’scountryseat，bytheearliesttrainthatwouldtakemethere，Ifoundalasttrialofenduranceinstoreforme。Cristelwasawaywithheruncle，visitingsomefriends。
Cristel’sauntreceivedmewithkindnesswhichIcanneverforget。\"WehavenoticedlatelythatCristelwasindepressedspirits;nouncommonthing，\"Mrs。StephenTollercontinued，lookingatmewithagentlesmile，\"sinceapartingwhichIknowyoumusthavefeltdeeplytoo。No，Mr。
Roylake，sheisnotengagedtobemarried——andshewillneverbemarried，unlessyouforgiveher。Ah，youforgiveherbecauseyouloveher！Shethoughtofwritingtotellyouhermotives，whenshevisitedherfather’sgraveonourreturntoEngland。ButIwasunabletoobtainyouraddress。
Perhaps，Imayspeakforhernow？\"
IknewhowLadyRachel’sinterferencehadappealedtoCristel’ssenseofdutyandsenseofself-respect;Ihadheardfromherownlipsthatshedistrustedherself，ifsheallowedmetopressher。Butshehadsuccessfullyconcealedfrommetheterrorwithwhichsheregardedherrejectedlover，andtheinfluenceoverherwhichherfatherhadexercised。Alwaysmindfulofhisowninterests，themillerknewthathewouldbethepersonblamedifheallowedhisdaughtertomarryme。\"TheywillsayIdidit，withaneyetomyson-in-law’smoney;andgentlefolksmayruinamanwholivesbysellingflour。\"Thatwashowheexpressedhimselfinalettertohisbrother。
ThewholeofthecorrespondencewasshowntomebyMrs。StephenToller。
Afteralludingtohiswealthybrother’sdesirethatheshouldretirefrombusiness，themillercontinuedasfollows：
\"Whatyouarereadytodoforme，IwantyoutodoforCristy。Sheisindanger，inmorewaysthanone，andIamobligedtogetherawayfrommyhouseasifIwasasmuggler，andmygirlcontrabandgoods。Iamabadhandatwriting，soIleaveCristytotellyoutheparticulars。Willyoureceiveher，brotherStephen？andtakecareofher？anddoitassoonaspossible？\"
Mr。StephenToller’scordialreplymentionedthathisvesselwasreadytosail，andwouldpassthemouthofTheLokeonhersouthwardvoyage。Hisbrothercaughtattheideathussuggested。
IhavealludedtoGilesToller’sslylooktohislodger，whenIreturnedthemanuscriptoftheconfession。Theoldman’sunscrupulouscuriosityhadalreadyappliedasecondkeytothecupboardinthelodger’sroom。
Therehehadfoundthe\"criminalstories\"mentionedinthejournal——includingthestoryofabductionreferredtobyLadyRachel。
ThisgavehimtheveryideawhichhislodgerhadalreadyreliedonforcarryingCristelawaybytheriver（undertheinfluence，ofcourse，ofasoporificdrug），whileherfatherwaskeepingwatchontheroad。Thesecretingoftheoarswiththispurposeinview，hadfailedasameasureofsecurity。Themiller’sknowledgeofthestream，andhisdaughter’sreadycourage，hadsuggestedtheideaoflettingtheboatdrift，withCristelhiddeninit。Twooftheyacht’screw，hiddenamongthetrees，watchedtheprogressoftheboatuntilitroundedthepromontory，andstrucktheshore。There，theyacht’sboatwaswaiting。Therocketwasfiredtore-assureherfather;andCristelwasrowedtothemouthoftheriver，andsafelyreceivedonboardtheyacht。Thus（withhisgoodbrother’shelp）themillerhadmadetheRiverhisGuiltyaccompliceintheabductionofhisownchild！
WhenIhadreadthecorrespondence，wespokeagainofCristel。
\"Tosavetime，\"Mrs。StephenTollersaid，\"Iwillwritetomyhusbandto-day，byamountedmessenger。HeshallonlytellCristelthatyouhavecomebacktoEngland，andyoushallarrangetomeetherinourgroundswhenshereturns。Iamachildlesswoman，Mr。Roylake——andIloveherasIshouldhavelovedadaughterofmyown。Whereimprovement（inexternalmattersonly）hasseemedtobepossible，ithasbeenmydelighttoimproveher。YourstepmotherandLadyRachelwillacknowledge，evenfromtheirpointofview，thatthereisamistresswhoisworthyofherpositionatTrimleyDeen。\"
WhenCristelreturnedthenextday，shefoundthatherunclehaddesertedher，andsuddenlydiscoveredamanintheshrubbery。Whatthatmansaidanddid，andwhattheresultofitwas，maybeinferredifIrelatearemarkableevent。Mrs。RoylakehasretiredfromthedomesticsuperintendenceofTrimleyDeen。
