AsTom，quakingaswithapalsy，passedoutatthegate，threewomencameflyingfromthehouseontheoppositesideofthelane。
Theyrushedbyhimandinatthegate，askinghimwhatthetroublewasthere，butnotwaitingforananswer。
Tomsaidtohimself，\"Thoseoldmaidswaitedtodress——theydidthesamethingthenightStevens’shouseburneddownnextdoor。\"
Inafewminuteshewasinthehauntedhouse。Helightedacandleandtookoffhisgirl—clothes。Therewasbloodonhimalldownhisleftside，andhisrighthandwasredwiththestainsoftheblood—soakednoteswhichhehascrushedinit;butotherwisehewasfreefromthissortofevidence。Hecleansedhishandonthestraw，andcleanedmostofthesmutfromhisface。Thenheburnedthemaleandfemaleattiretoashes，scatteredtheashes，andputonadisguiseproperforatramp。Heblewouthislight，wentbelow，andwassoonloafingdowntheriverroadwiththeintenttoborrowanduseoneofRoxy’sdevices。Hefoundacanoeandpaddleddowndownstream，settingthecanoeadriftasdawnapproached，andmakinghiswaybylandtothenextvillage，wherehekeptoutofsighttillatransientsteamercamealong，andthentookdeckpassageforSt。Louis。HewasillateaseDawson’sLandingwasbehindhim;thenhesaidtohimself，\"Allthedetectivesonearthcouldn’ttracemenow;there’snotavestigeofaclueleftintheworld;thathomicidewilltakeitsplacewiththepermanentmysteries，andpeoplewon’tgetdonetryingtoguessoutthesecretofitforfiftyyears。\"
InSt。Louis，nextmorning，hereadthisbrieftelegraminthepapers——datedatDawson’sLanding：
JudgeDriscoll，anoldandrespectedcitizen，wasassassinatedhereaboutmidnightbyaprofligateItaliannoblemanorabarberonaccountofaquarrelgrowingoutoftherecentelection。
Theassassinwillprobablybelynched。
\"Oneofthetwins！\"soliloquizedTom。\"Howlucky！
Itistheknifethathasdonehimthisgrace。Weneverknowwhenfortuneistryingtofavorus。IactuallycursedPudd’nheadWilsoninmyheartforputtingitoutofmypowertosellthatknife。
Itakeitbacknow。\"
Tomwasnowrichandindependent。Hearrangedwiththeplanter，andmailedtoWilsonthenewbillofsalewhichsoldRoxanatoherself;thenhetelegraphedhisAuntPratt：
Haveseentheawfulnewsinthepapersandamalmostprostratedwithgrief。Shallstartbypackettoday。
TrytobearuptillIcome。
WhenWilsonreachedthehouseofmourningandhadgatheredsuchdetailsasMrs。Prattandtherestofthecrowdcouldtellhim，hetookcommandasmayor，andgaveordersthatnothingshouldbetouched，buteverythingleftasitwasuntilJusticeRobinsonshouldarriveandtakethepropermeasuresascorner。
Heclearedeverybodyoutoftheroombutthetwinsandhimself。
Thesheriffsoonarrivedandtookthetwinsawaytojail。
Wilsontoldthemtokeepheart，andpromisedtodoitbestintheirdefensewhenthecaseshouldcometotrial。JusticeRobinsoncamepresently，andwithhimConstableBlake。Theyexaminedtheroomthoroughly。Theyfoundtheknifeandthesheath。
Wilsonnoticedthattherewerefingerprintsontheknife’shandle。
Thatpleasedhim，forthetwinshadrequiredtheearliestcomerstomakeascrutinyoftheirhandsandclothes，andneitherthesepeoplenorWilsonhimselfhadfoundanybloodstainsuponthem。
Couldtherebeapossibilitythatthetwinshadspokenthetruthwhentheyhadsaidtheyfoundthemandeadwhentheyranintothehouseinanswertothecryforhelp？Hethoughtofthatmysteriousgirlatonce。Butthiswasnotthesortofworkforagirltobeengagedin。Nomatter;TomDriscoll’sroommustbeexamined。
Afterthecoroner’sjuryhadviewedthebodyanditssurroundings，Wilsonsuggestedasearchupstairs，andhewentalong。
ThejuryforcedanentrancetoTom’sroom，butfoundnothing，ofcourse。
Thecoroner’sjuryfoundthatthehomicidewascommittedbyLuigi，andthatAngelowasaccessorytoit。
Thetownwasbitteragainsthemisfortunates，andforthefirstfewdaysafterthemurdertheywereinconstantdangerofbeinglynched。ThegrandjurypresentlyindictedLuigiformurderinthefirstdegree，andAngeloasaccessorybeforethefact。
Thetwinsweretransferredfromthecityjailtothecountyprisontoawaittrial。
Wilsonexaminedthefingermarksontheknifehandleandsaidtohimself，\"Neitherofthetwinsmadethosemarks。\"
Thenmanifestlytherewasanotherpersonconcerned，eitherinhisowninterestorashiredassassin。\"
Butwhocoulditbe？That，hemusttrytofindout。
Thesafewasnotopened，thecashboxwasclosed，andhadthreethousanddollarsinit。Thenrobberywasnotthemotive，andrevengewas。WherehadthemurderedmananenemyexceptLuigi？
Therewasbutthatonepersonintheworldwithadeepgrudgeagainsthim。
Themysteriousgirl！ThegirlwasagreattrialtoWilson。
Ifthemotivehadbeenrobbery，thegirlmightanswer;buttherewasn’tanygirlthatwouldwanttotakethisoldman’slifeforrevenge。
Hehadnoquarrelswithgirls;hewasagentleman。
Wilsonhadperfecttracingsofthefingermarksoftheknifehandle;
andamonghisglassrecordshehadagreatarrayoffingerprintsofwomenandgirls，collectedduringthelastfifteenoreighteenyears，buthescannedtheminvain，theysuccessfullywithstoodeverytest;amongthemwerenoduplicatesoftheprintsontheknife。
ThepresenceoftheknifeonthestageofthemurderwasaworryingcircumstanceforWilson。AweekpreviouslyhehadasgoodasadmittedtohimselfthathebelievedLuigihadpossessedsuchaknife，andthathestillpossesseditnotwithstandinghispretensethatithadbeenstolen。Andnowherewastheknife，andwithitthetwins。Halfthetownhadsaidthetwinswerehumbuggingwhentheclaimedtheyhadlosttheirknife，andnowthesepeoplewerejoyful，andsaid，\"Itoldyouso！\"
Iftheirfingerprintshadbeenonthehandle——butuselesstobotheranyfurtheraboutthat;thefingerprintsonthehandlewereNOTtheirs——thatheknewperfectly。
WilsonrefusedtosuspectTom;forfirst，Tomcouldn’tmurderanybody——hehadn’tcharacterenough;secondly，ifhecouldmurderapersonhewouldn’tselecthisdotingbenefactorandnearestrelative;thirdly，self—interestwasintheway;
forwhiletheunclelived，Tomwassureofafreesupportandachancetogetthedestroyedwillrevivedagain，butwiththeunclegone，thatchancewasgonetoo。Itwastruethewillhadreallybeenrevived，aswasnowdiscovered，butTomcouldnothavebeenawareofit，orhewouldhavespokenofit，inhisnativetalky，unsecretiveway。Finally，TomwasinSt。Louiswhenthemurderwasdone，andgotthenewsoutofthemorningjournals，aswasshownbyhistelegramtohisaunt。Thesespeculationswereumemphasizedsensationsratherthanarticulatedthoughts，forWilsonwouldhavelaughedattheideaofseriouslyconnectingTomwiththemurder。
Wilsonregardedthecaseofthetwinsasdesperate——infact，abouthopeless。Forhearguedthatifaconfederatewasnotfound，anenlightenedMissourijurywouldhangthem;sure;
ifaconfederatewasfound，thatwouldnotimprovethematter，butsimplyfurnishonemorepersonforthesherifftohang。
Nothingcouldsavethetwinsbutthediscoveryofapersonwhodidthemurderonhissolepersonalaccount——anundertakingwhichhadalltheaspectoftheimpossible。Still，thepersonwhomadethefingerprintsmustbesought。ThetwinsmighthavenocaseWITHthem，buttheycertainlywouldhavenonewithouthim。
SoWilsonmoonedaround，thinking，thinking，guessing，guessing，dayandnight，andarrivingnowhere。Wheneverheranacrossagirlorawomanhewasnotacquaintedwith，hegotherfingerprints，ononepretextoranother;andtheyalwayscosthimasighwhenhegothome，fortheynevertalliedwiththefingermarksontheknifehandle。
Astothemysteriousgirl，Tomsworeheknewnosuchgirl，anddidnotremembereverseeingagirlwearingadressliketheonedescribedbyWilson。Headmittedthathedidnotalwayslockhisroom，andthatsometimestheservantsforgottolockthehousedoors;still，inhisopinionthegirlmusthavemadebutfewvisitsorshewouldhavebeendiscovered。WhenWilsontriedtoconnectherwiththestealingraid，andthoughtshemighthavebeentheoldwoman’confederate，ifnottheverythiefdisguisedasanoldwoman，Tomseemedstuck，andalsomuchinterested，andsaidhewouldkeepasharpeyeoutforthispersonorpersons，althoughhewasafraidthatsheortheywouldbetoosmarttoventureagainintoatownwhereeverybodywouldnowbeonthewatchforagoodwhiletocome。
EverybodywaspityingTom，helookedsoquietandsorrowful，andseemedtofeelhisgreatlosssodeeply。Hewasplayingapart，butitwasnotallapart。Thepictureofhisallegeduncle，ashehadlastseenhim，wasbeforehiminthedarkprettyfrequently，whenhewasaway，andcalledagaininhisdreams，whenhewasasleep。Hewouldn’tgointotheroomwherethetragedyhadhappened。ThischarmedthedotingMrs。Pratt，whorealizednow，\"asshehadneverdonebefore，\"shesaid，whatasensitiveanddelicatenatureherdarlinghad，andhowheadoredhispooruncle。
CHAPTER20
TheMurdererChucklesEventheclearestandmostperfectcircumstantialevidenceislikelytobeatfault，afterall，andthereforeoughttobereceivedwithgreatcaution。Takethecaseofanypencil，sharpenedbyanywoman;ifyouhavewitnesses，youwillfindshediditwithaknife;butifyoutakesimplytheaspectofthepencil，youwillsayshediditwithherteeth。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarTheweeksdraggedalong，nofriendvisitingthejailedtwinsbuttheircounselandAuntPatsyCooper，andthedayoftrialcameatlast——theheaviestdayinWilson’slife;forwithallhistirelessdiligencehehaddiscoverednosignortraceofthemissingconfederate。\"Confederate\"wasthetermhehadlongagoprivatelyacceptedforthatperson——notasbeingunquestionablytherightterm，butasbeingtheleastpossiblytherightone，thoughhewasneverabletounderstandwhythetwinsdidnotvanishandescape，astheconfederatehaddone，insteadofremainingbythemurderedmanandgettingcaughtthere。
Thecourthousewascrowded，ofcourse，andwouldremainsotothefinish，fornotonlyinthetownitself，butinthecountryformilesaround，thetrialwastheonetopicofconversationamongthepeople。Mrs。Pratt，indeepmourning，andTomwithaweedonhishat，hadseatsnearPembrokeHoward，thepublicprosecutor，andbackofthemsatagreatarrayoffriendsofthefamily。Thetwinshadbutonefriendpresenttokeeptheircounselincountenance，theirpooroldsorrowinglandlady。
ShesatnearWilson，andlookedherfriendliest。Inthe\"niggercorner\"satChambers;alsoRoxy，withgoodclotheson，andherbillofsaleinherpocket。Itwashermostpreciouspossession，andsheneverpartedwithit，dayornight。Tomhadallowedherthirty—fivedollarsamontheversincehecameintohisproperty，andhadsaidtheheandsheoughttobegratefultothetwinsformakingthemrich;buthadrousedsuchatemperinherbythisspeechthathedidnotrepeattheargumentafterward。Shesaidtheoldjudgehadtreatedherchildathousandtimesbetterthanhedeserved，andhadneverdoneheranunkindnessinhislife;
soshehatedtheseoutlandishdevilsforkillinghim，andshouldn’teversleepsatisfiedtillshesawthemhangedforit。
Shewasheretowatchthetrialnow，andwasgoingtoliftupjustone\"hooraw\"overitifthecountyjudgeputherinjailayearforit。
Shegaveherturbanedheadatossandsaid，\"Whendatverdic’comes，I’sgwinetolif’datROOF，now，ITELLyou。\"
PembrokeHowardbrieflysketchedthestate’scase。
Hesaidhewouldshowbyachainofcircumstantialevidencewithoutbreakorfaultinitanywhere，thattheprincipalprisoneratthebarcommittedthemurder;thatthemotivewaspartlyrevenge，andpartlyadesiretotakehisownlifeoutofjeopardy，andthathisbrother，byhispresence，wasaconsentingaccessorytothecrime;
acrimewhichwasthebasestknowntothecalendarofhumanmisdeeds——assassination;thatitwasconceivedbytheblackestofheartsandconsummatedbythecowardliestofhands;
acrimewhichhadbrokenalovingsister’sheart，blightedthehappinessofayoungnephewwhowasasdearasason，broughtinconsolablegrieftomanyfriends，andsorrowandlosstothewholecommunity。Theutmostpenaltyoftheoutragedlawwouldbeexacted，andupontheaccused，nowpresentatthebar，thatpenaltywouldunquestionablybeexecuted。Hewouldreservefurtherremarkuntilhisclosingspeech。
Hewasstronglymoved，andsoalsowasthewholehouse;
Mrs。Prattandseveralotherwomenwereweepingwhenhesatdown，andmanyaneyethatwasfullofhatewasrivetedupontheunhappyprisoners。
Witnessafterwitnesswascalledbythestate，andquestionedatlength;butthecrossquestioningwasbrief。
Wilsonknewtheycouldfurnishnothingvaluableforhisside。
PeopleweresorryforPudd’nheadWilson;hisbuddingcareerwouldgethurtbythistrial。
SeveralwitnessessworetheyheardJudgeDriscollsayinhispublicspeechthatthetwinswouldbeabletofindtheirlostknifeagainwhentheyneededittoassassinatesomebodywith。
Thiswasnotnews，butnowitwasseentohavebeensorrowfullyprophetic，andaprofoundsensationquiveredthroughthehushedcourtroomwhenthosedismalwordswererepeated。
Thepublicprosecutorroseandsaidthatitwaswithinhisknowledge，throughaconversationheldwithJudgeDriscollonthelastdayofhislife，thatcounselforthedefensehadbroughthimachallengefromthepersonchargedatthebarwithmurder;
thathehadrefusedtofightwithaconfessedassassin——
\"thatis，onthefieldofhonor，\"buthadaddedsignificantly，thatwouldwouldbereadyforhimelsewhere。PresumablythepersonherechargedwithmurderwaswarnedthathemustkillorbekilledthefirsttimeheshouldmeetJudgeDriscoll。Ifcounselforthedefensechosetoletthestatementstandso，hewouldnotcallhimtothewitnessstand。Mr。Wilsonsaidhewouldoffernodenial。
[Murmursinthehouse：\"ItisgettingworseandworseforWilson’scase。\"]
Mrs。Pratttestifiedthatsheheardnooutcry，anddidnotknowwhatwokeherup，unlessitwasthesoundofrapidfootstepsapproachingthefrontdoor。Shejumpedupandranoutinthehalljustasshewas，andheardthefootstepsflyingupthefrontstepsandthenfollowingbehindherassherantothesittingroom。
Thereshefoundtheaccusedstandingoverhermurderedbrother。
[Hereshebrokedownandsobbed。Sensationinthecourt。]
Resuming，shesaidthepersonsenteredbehindherwereMr。RogersandMr。Buckstone。
Cross—examinedbyWilson，shesaidthetwinsproclaimedtheirinnocence;declaredthattheyhadbeentakingawalk，andhadhurriedtothehouseinresponsetoacryforhelpwhichwassoloudandstrongthattheyhadhearditataconsiderabledistance;thattheybeggedherandthegentlemenjustmentionedtoexaminetheirhandsandclothes——whichwasdone，andnobloodstainsfound。
ConfirmatoryevidencefollowedfromRogersandBuckstone。
Thefindingoftheknifewasverified，theadvertisementminutelydescribingitandofferingarewardforitwasputinevidence，anditsexactcorrespondencewiththatdescriptionproved。
Thenfollowedafewminordetails，andthecaseforthestatewasclosed。
Wilsonsaidthathehadthreewitnesses，theMissesClarkson，whowouldtestifythattheymetaveiledyoungwomanleavingJudgeDriscoll’spremisesbythebackgateafewminutesafterthecriesforhelpwereheard，andthattheirevidence，takenwithcertaincircumstantialevidencewhichhewouldcalltothecourt’sattentionto，wouldinhisopinionconvincethecourtthattherewasstillonepersonconcernedinthiscrimewhohadnotyetbeenfound，andalsothatastayofproceedingsoughttobegranted，injusticetohisclients，untilthatpersonshouldbediscovered。Asitwaslate，hewouldaskleavetodefertheexaminationofhisthreewitnessesuntilthenextmorning。
Thecrowdpouredoutoftheplaceandwentflockingawayinexcitedgroupsandcouples，takingtheeventsofthesessionoverwithvivacityandconsuminginterest，andeverybodyseemedtohavehadasatisfactoryandenjoyabledayexcepttheaccused，theircounsel，andtheiroldladyfriend。Therewasnocheeramongthese，andnosubstantialhope。
InpartingwiththetwinsAuntPatsydidattemptagood—nightwithagaypretenseofhopeandcheerinit，butbrokedownwithoutfinishing。
AbsolutelysecureasTomconsideredhimselftobe，theopeningsolemnitiesofthetrialhadneverthelessoppressedhimwithavagueuneasiness，hisbeinganaturesensitivetoeventhesmallestalarms;butfromthemomentthatthepovertyandweaknessofWilson’scaselayexposedtothecourt，hewascomfortableoncemore，evenjubilant。HeleftthecourtroomsarcasticallysorryforWilson。\"TheClarksonsmetanunknownwomaninthebacklane，\"hesaidtohimself，\"THATishiscase！
I’llgivehimacenturytofindherin——acoupleofthemifhelikes。
Awomanwhodoesn’texistanylonger，andtheclothesthatgaveherhersexburntupandtheashesthrownaway——
oh，certainly，he’llfindHEReasyenough！\"Thisreflectionsethimtoadmiring，forthehundredthtime，theshrewdingenuitiesbywhichhehadinsuredhimselfagainstdetection——more，againstevensuspicion。
\"Nearlyalwaysincaseslikethisthereissomelittledetailorotheroverlooked，someweelittletrackortraceleftbehind，anddetectionfollows;butherethere’snoteventhefaintestsuggestionofatraceleft。Nomorethanabirdleaveswhenitfliesthroughtheair——yes，throughthenight，youmaysay。
Themanthatcantrackabirdthroughtheairinthedarkandfindthatbirdisthemantotrackmeoutandfindthejudge’sassassin——nootherneedapply。AndthatisthejobthathasbeenlaidoutforpoorPudd’nheadWilson，ofallpeopleintheworld！
Lord，itwillbepatheticallyfunnytoseehimgrubbingandgropingafterthatwomanthatdon’texist，andtherightpersonsittingunderhisverynoseallthetime！\"
Themorehethoughtthesituationover，themorethehumorofitstruckhim。Finallyhesaid，\"I’llneverlethimhearthelastofthatwoman。EverytimeIcatchhimincompany，tohisdyingday，I’llaskhimintheguilelessaffectionatewaythatusedtogravelhimsowhenIinquiredhowhisunbornlawbusinesswascomingalong，’Gotonhertrackyet——hey，Pudd’nhead？’\"Hewantedtolaugh，butthatwouldnothaveanswered;therewerepeopleabout，andhewasmourningforhisuncle。HemadeuphismindthatitwouldbegoodentertainmenttolookinonWilsonthatnightandwatchhimworryoverhisbarrenlawcaseandgoadhimwithanexasperatingwordortwoofsympathyandcommiserationnowandthen。
Wilsonwantednosupper，hehadnoappetite。Hegotoutallthefingerprintsofgirlsandwomeninhiscollectionofrecordsandporedgloomilyoverthemanhourormore，tryingtoconvincehimselfthatthattroublesomegirl’smarksweretheresomewhereandhadbeenoverlooked。Butitwasnotso。Hedrewbackhischair，claspedhishandsoverhishead，andgavehimselfuptodullandaridmusings。
TomDriscolldroppedin，anhourafterdark，andsaidwithapleasantlaughashetookaseat：
\"Hello，we’vegonebacktotheamusementsofourdaysofneglectandobscurityforconsolation，havewe？\"andhetookuponeoftheglassstripsandhelditagainstthelighttoinspectit。
\"Come，cheerup，oldman;there’snouseinlosingyourgripandgoingbacktothischild’splaymerelybecausethisbigsunspotisdriftingacrossyourshinynewdisk。It’llpass，andyou’llbeallrightagain\"——andhelaidtheglassdown。
\"Didyouthinkyoucouldwinalways？\"
\"Oh，no，\"saidWilson，withasigh，\"Ididn’texpectthat，butIcan’tbelieveLuigikilledyouruncle，andIfeelverysorryforhim。Itmakesmeblue。AndyouwouldfeelasIdo，Tom，ifyouwerenotprejudicedagainstthoseyoungfellows。\"
\"Idon’tknowaboutthat，\"andTom’scountenancedarkened，forhismemoryrevertedtohiskicking。\"Iowethemnogoodwill，consideringthebrunetone’streatmentofmethatnight。
Prejudiceornoprejudice，Pudd’nhead，Idon’tlikethem，andwhentheygettheirdesertsyou’renotgoingtofindmesittingonthemourner’sbench。\"
Hetookupanotherstripofglass，andexclaimed：
\"Why，here’soldRoxy’slabel！Areyougoingtoornamenttheroyalpalaceswithniggerpawmarks，too？Bythedatehere，Iwassevenmonthsoldwhenthiswasdone，andshewasnursingmeandherlittleniggercub。There’salinestraightacrossherthumbprint。
Howcomesthat？\"andTomheldoutthepieceofglasstoWilson。
\"Thatiscommon，\"saidtheboredman，wearily。
\"Scarofacutorascratch，usually\"——andhetookthestripofglassindifferently，andraisedittowardthelamp。
Allthebloodsanksuddenlyoutofhisface;hishandquaked，andhegazedatthepolishedsurfacebeforehimwiththeglassystareofacorpse。
\"Greatheavens，what’sthematterwithyou，Wilson？
Areyougoingtofaint？\"
Tomsprangforaglassofwaterandofferedit，butWilsonshrankshudderingfromhimandsaid：
\"No，no！——takeitaway！\"Hisbreastwasrisingandfalling，andhemovedhisheadaboutinadullandwanderingway，likeapersonwhohadbeenstunned。Presentlyhesaid，\"IshallfeelbetterwhenIgettobed;Ihavebeenoverwroughttoday;
yes，andoverworkedformanydays。\"
\"ThenI’llleaveyouandletyougettoyourrest。
Goodnight，oldman。\"ButasTomwentouthecouldn’tdenyhimselfasmallpartinggibe：\"Don’ttakeitsohard;abodycan’twineverytime;you’llhangsomebodyyet。\"
Wilsonmutteredtohimself，\"ItisnolietosayIamsorryIhavetobeginwithyou，miserabledogthoughyouare！\"
Hebracedhimselfupwithaglassofcoldwhisky，andwenttoworkagain。HedidnotcomparethenewfingermarksunintentionallyleftbyTomafewminutesbeforeonRoxy’sglasswiththetracingsofthemarksleftontheknifehandle，therebeingnoneedforthat（forhistrainedeye），butbusiedhimselfwithanothermatter，mutteringfromtimetotime，\"IdiotthatIwas！——
NothingbutaGIRLwoulddome——amaningirl’sclothesneveroccurredtome。\"First，hehuntedouttheplatecontainingthefingerprintsmadebyTomwhenhewastwelveyearsold，andlaiditbyitself;thenhebroughtforththemarksmadebyTom’sbabyfingerswhenhewasasucklingofsevenmonths，andplacedthesetwoplateswiththeonecontainingthissubject’snewly（andunconsciously）maderecord\"Nowtheseriesiscomplete，\"hesaidwithsatisfaction，andsatdowntoinspectthesethingsandenjoythem。
Buthisenjoymentwasbrief。Hestaredaconsiderabletimeatthethreestrips，andseemedstupefiedwithastonishment。
Atlastheputthemdownandsaid，\"Ican’tmakeitoutatall——
hangit，thebaby’sdon’ttallywiththeothers！\"
Hewalkedthefloorforhalfanhourpuzzlingoverhisenigma，thenhehuntedouttheotherglassplates。
Hesatdownandpuzzledoverthesethingsagoodwhile，butkeptmuttering，\"It’snouse;Ican’tunderstandit。
Theydon’ttallyright，andyetI’llswearthenamesanddatesareright，andsoofcoursetheyOUGHTtotally。Ineverlabeledoneofthesethingcarelesslyinmylife。Thereisamostextraordinarymysteryhere。\"
Hewastiredoutnow，andhisbrainswerebeginningtoclog。
Hesaidhewouldsleephimselffresh，andthenseewhathecoulddowiththisriddle。Hesleptthroughatroubledandunrestfulhour，thenunconsciousnessbegantoshredaway，andpresentlyherosedrowsilytoasittingposture。\"Nowwhatwasthatdream？\"
hesaid，tryingtorecallit。\"Whatwasthatdream？Itseemedtounravelthatpuz——\"
Helandedinthemiddleoftheflooratabound，withoutfinishingthesentence，andranandturneduphislightandseizedhis\"records。\"Hetookasingleswiftglanceatthemandcriedout：
\"It’sso！Heavens，whatarevelation！Andfortwenty—threeyearsnomanhaseversuspectedit！\"
CHAPTER21
DoomHeisuselessontopoftheground;heoughttobeunderit，inspiringthecabbages。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarAPRIL1。Thisisthedayuponwhichweareremindedofwhatweareontheotherthreehundredandsixty—four。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarWilsonputonenoughclothesforbusinesspurposesandwenttoworkunderahighpressureofsteam。Hewasawakeallover。
Allsenseofwearinesshadbeensweptawaybytheinvigoratingrefreshmentofthegreatandhopefuldiscoverywhichhehadmade。
Hemadefineandaccuratereproductionsofanumberofhis\"records，\"andthenenlargedthemonascaleoftentoonewithhispantograph。Hedidthesepantographenlargementsonsheetsofwhitecardboard，andmadeeachindividuallineofthebewilderingmazeofwhorlsorcurvesorloopswhichconsistedofthe\"pattern\"ofa\"record\"standoutboldandblackbyreinforcingitwithink。Totheuntrainedeyethecollectionofdelicateoriginalsmadebythehumanfingerontheglassplateslookedaboutalike;butwhenenlargedtentimestheyresembledthemarkingsofablockofwoodthathasbeensawedacrossthegrain，andthedullesteyecoulddetectataglance，andatadistanceofmanyfeet，thatnotwoofthepatternswerealike。
WhenWilsonhadatlastfinishedhistediousanddifficultwork，hearrangedhisresultsaccordingtoaplaninwhichaprogressiveorderandsequencewasaprincipalfeature;thenheaddedtothebatchseveralpantographenlargementswhichhehadmadefromtimetotimeinbygoneyears。
Thenightwasspentandthedaywelladvancednow。Bythetimehehadsnatchedatrifleofbreakfast，itwasnineo’clock，andthecourtwasreadytobeginitssitting。Hewasinhisplacetwelveminuteslaterwithhis\"records。\"
TomDriscollcaughtaslightglimpseoftherecords，andnudgedhisnearestfriendandsaid，withawink，\"Pudd’nhead’sgotarareeyetobusiness——thinksthataslongashecan’twinhiscaseit’satleastanoblegoodchancetoadvertisehiswindowpalacedecorationswithoutanyexpense。\"Wilsonwasinformedthathiswitnesseshadbeendelayed，butwouldarrivepresently;butheroseandsaidheshouldprobablynothaveoccasiontomakeuseoftheirtestimony。[Anamusedmurmurranthroughtheroom：\"It’sacleanbackdown！hegivesupwithouthittingalick！\"]Wilsoncontinued：\"Ihaveothertestimony——
andbetter。[Thiscompelledinterest，andevokedmurmursofsurprisethathadadetectableingredientofdisappointmentinthem。]
IfIseemtobespringingthisevidenceuponthecourt，Iofferasmyjustificationforthis，thatIdidnotdiscoveritsexistenceuntillatelastnight，andhavebeenengagedinexaminingandclassifyingiteversince，untilhalfanhourago。
Ishallofferitpresently;butfirstIwithtosayafewpreliminarywords。
\"Mayitpleasethecourt，theclaimgiventhefrontplace，theclaimmostpersistentlyurged，theclaimmoststrenuouslyandImayevensayaggressivelyanddefiantlyinsisteduponbytheprosecutionisthis——thatthepersonwhosehandleftthebloodstainedfingerprintsuponthehandleoftheIndianknifeisthepersonwhocommittedthemurder。\"Wilsonpaused，duringseveralmoments，togiveimpressivenesstowhathewasabouttosay，andthenaddedtranquilly，\"WEGRANTTHATCLAIM。\"
Itwasanelectricalsurprise。Noonewaspreparedforsuchanadmission。Abuzzofastonishmentroseonallsides，andpeoplewereheardtointimatethattheoverworkedlawyerhadlosthismind。Eventheveteranjudge，accustomedashewastolegalambushesandmaskedbatteriesincriminalprocedure，wasnotsurethathisearswerenotdeceivinghim，andaskedcounselwhatitwashehadsaid。Howard’simpassivefacebetrayednosign，buthisattitudeandbearinglostsomethingoftheircarelessconfidenceforamoment。Wilsonresumed：
\"Wenotonlygrantthatclaim，butwewelcomeitandstronglyendorseit。Leavingthatmatterforthepresent，wewillnowproceedtoconsiderotherpointsinthecasewhichweproposetoestablishbyevidence，andshallincludethatoneinthechaininitsproperplace。\"
Hehadmadeuphismindtotryafewhardyguesses，inmappingouthistheoryoftheoriginandmotiveofthemurder——
guessesdesignedtofillupgapsinit——guesseswhichcouldhelpiftheyhit，andwouldprobablydonoharmiftheydidn’t。
\"Tomymind，certaincircumstancesofthecasebeforethecourtseemtosuggestamotiveforthehomicidequitedifferentfromtheoneinsistedonbythestate。Itismyconvictionthatthemotivewasnotrevenge，butrobbery。Ithasbeenurgedthatthepresenceoftheaccusedbrothersinthatfatalroom，justafternotificationthatoneofthemmusttakethelifeofJudgeDriscollorlosehisownthemomentthepartiesshouldmeet，clearlysignifiesthatthenaturalofself—preservationmovedmyclientstogotheresecretlyandsaveCountLuigibydestroyinghisadversary。
\"Thenwhydidtheystaythere，afterthedeedwasdone？
Mrs。Pratthadtime，althoughshedidnothearthecryforhelp，butwokeupsomemomentslater，toruntothatroom——andthereshefoundthesemenstandingandmakingnoefforttoescape。
Iftheywereguilty，theyoughttohavebeenrunningoutofthehouseatthesametimethatshewasrunningtothatroom。
Iftheyhadhadsuchastronginstincttowardself—preservationastomovethemtokillthatunarmedman，whathadbecomeofitnow，whenitshouldhavebeenmorealertthanever。Wouldanyofushaveremainedthere？Letusnotslanderourintelligencetothatdegree。
\"Muchstresshasbeenlaiduponthefactthattheaccusedofferedaverylargerewardfortheknifewithwhichthismurderwasdone;thatnothiefcameforwardtoclaimthatextraordinaryreward;thatthelatterfactwasgoodcircumstantialevidencethattheclaimthattheknifehadbeenstolenwasavanityandafraud;thatthesedetailstakeninconnectionwiththememorableandapparentlypropheticspeechofthedeceasedconcerningthatknife，andthefinallydiscoveryofthatveryknifeinthefatalroomwherenolivingpersonwasfoundpresentwiththeslaughteredmanbuttheowneroftheknifeandhisbrother，formanindestructiblechainofevidencewhichfixedthecrimeuponthoseunfortunatestrangers。
\"ButIshallpresentlyasktobesworn，andshalltestifythattherewasalargerewardofferedfortheTHIEF，also;
anditwasofferedsecretlyandnotadvertised;thatthisfactwasindiscreetlymentioned——oratleasttacitlyadmitted——inwhatwassupposedtobesafecircumstances，butmayNOThavebeen。
Thethiefmayhavebeenpresenthimself。[TomDriscollhadbeenlookingatthespeaker，butdroppedhiseyesatthispoint。]
Inthatcasehewouldretaintheknifeinhispossession，notdaringtoofferitforsale，orforpledgeinapawnshop。[Therewasanoddingofheadsamongtheaudiencebywayofadmissionthatthiswasnotabadstroke。]IshallprovetothesatisfactionofthejurythatthereWASapersoninJudgeDriscoll’sroomseveralminutesbeforetheaccusedenteredit。[Thisproducedastrongsensation;thelastdrowsyheadinthecourtroomrousedupnow，andmadepreparationtolisten。]Ifitshallseemnecessary，IwillprovebytheMissesClarksonthattheymetaveiledperson——
ostensiblyawoman——comingoutofthebackgateafewminutesafterthecryforhelpwasheard。Thispersonwasnotawoman，butamandressedinwoman’sclothes。\"Anothersensation。
WilsonhadhiseyeonTomwhenhehazardedthisguess，toseewhateffectitwouldproduce。Hewassatisfiedwiththeresult，andsaidtohimself，\"Itwasasuccess——he’shit！\"
Theobjectofthatpersoninthathousewasrobbery，notmurder。Itistruethatthesafewasnotopen，buttherewasanordinarycashboxonthetable，withthreethousanddollarsinit。
Itiseasilysupposablethatthethiefwasconcealedinthehouse;thatheknewofthisbox，andofitsowner’shabitofcountingitscontentsandarranginghisaccountsatnight——ifhehadthathabit，whichIdonotassert，ofcourse——thathetriedtotaketheboxwhileitsownerslept，butmadeanoiseandwasseized，andhadtousetheknifetosavehimselffromcapture;
andthathefledwithouthisbootybecauseheheardhelpcoming。
\"Ihavenowdonewithmytheory，andwillproceedtotheevidencesbywhichIproposetotrytoproveitssoundness。\"
Wilsontookupseveralofhisstripsofglass。WhentheaudiencerecognizedthesefamiliarmementosofPudd’nhead’soldtimechildish\"puttering\"andfolly，thetenseandfunerealinterestvanishedoutoftheirfaces，andthehouseburstintovolleysofrelievingandrefreshinglaughter，andTomchirkedupandjoinedinthefunhimself;butWilsonwasapparentlynotdisturbed。
Hearrangedhisrecordsonthetablebeforehim，andsaid：
\"IbegtheindulgenceofthecourtwhileImakeafewremarksinexplanationofsomeevidencewhichIamabouttointroduce，andwhichIshallpresentlyasktobeallowedtoverifyunderoathonthewitnessstand。Everyhumanbeingcarrieswithhimfromhiscradletohisgravecertainphysicalmarkswhichdonotchangetheircharacter，andbywhichhecanalwaysbeidentified——andthatwithoutshadeofdoubtorquestion。
Thesemarksarehissignature，hisphysiologicalautograph，sotospeak，andthisautographcannotbecounterfeited，norcanhedisguiseitorhideitaway，norcanitbecomeillegiblebythewearandmutationsoftime。
Thissignatureisnothisface——agecanchangethatbeyondrecognition;itisnothishair，forthatcanfallout;itisnothisheight，forduplicatesofthatexist;itisnothisform，forduplicatesofthatexistalso，whereasthissignatureiseachman’sveryown——thereisnoduplicateofitamongtheswarmingpopulationsoftheglobe！[Theaudiencewereinterestedoncemore。]
\"ThisautographconsistsofthedelicatelinesorcorrugationswithwhichNaturemarkstheinsidesofthehandsandthesolesofthefeet。Ifyouwilllookattheballsofyourfingers——
youthathaveverysharpeyesight——youwillobservethatthesedaintycurvinglineslieclosetogether，likethosethatindicatethebordersofoceansinmaps，andthattheyformvariousclearlydefinedpatterns，suchasarches，circles，longcurves，whorls，etc。，andthatthesepattersdifferonthedifferentfingers。[Everymanintheroomhadhishanduptothelightnow，andhisheadcantedtooneside，andwasminutelyscrutinizingtheballsofhisfingers;therewerewhisperedejaculationsof\"Why，it’sso——Inevernoticedthatbefore！\"]
Thepatternsontherighthandarenotthesameasthoseontheleft。
[Ejaculationsof\"Why，that’sso，too！\"]Takenfingerforfinger，yourpatternsdifferfromyourneighbor’s。[Comparisonsweremadealloverthehouse——eventhejudgeandjurywereabsorbedinthiscuriouswork。]Thepatternsofatwin’srighthandarenotthesameasthoseonhisleft。Onetwin’spattersareneverthesameashisfellowtwin’spatters——thejurywillfindthatthepatternsuponthefingerballsofthetwins’handsfollowthisrule。[Anexaminationofthetwins’handswasbegunatonce。]
Youhaveoftenheardoftwinswhoweresoexactlyalikethatwhendressedaliketheirownparentscouldnottellthemapart。
Yettherewasneveratwinbornintothisworldthatdidnotcarryfrombirthtodeathasureidentifierinthismysteriousandmarvelousnatalautograph。Thatonceknowntoyou，hisfellowtwincouldneverpersonatehimanddeceiveyou。\"
Wilsonstoppedandstoodsilent。Inattentiondiesaquickandsuredeathwhenaspeakerdoesthat。Thestillnessgiveswarningthatsomethingiscoming。Allpalmsandfingerballswentdownnow，allslouchingformsstraightened，allheadscameup，alleyeswerefasteneduponWilson’sface。Hewaitedyetone，two，threemoments，tolethispausecompleteandperfectitsspelluponthehouse;then，whenthroughtheprofoundhushhecouldhearthetickingoftheclockonthewall，heputouthishandandtooktheIndianknifebythebladeandhelditaloftwhereallcouldseethesinisterspotsuponitsivoryhandle;
thenhesaid，inalevelandpassionlessvoice：
\"Uponthishaftstandstheassassin’snatalautograph，writteninthebloodofthathelplessandunoffendingoldmanwholovedyouandwhomyouallloved。Thereisbutonemaninthewholeearthwhosehandcanduplicatethatcrimsonsign\"——
hepausedandraisedhiseyestothependulumswingingbackandforth——
\"andpleaseGodwewillproducethatmaninthisroombeforetheclockstrikesnoon！\"
Stunned，distraught，unconsciousofitsownmovement，thehousehalfrose，asifexpectingtoseethemurdererappearatthedoor，andabreezeofmutteredejaculationsswepttheplace。
\"Orderinthecourt！——sitdown！\"Thisfromthesheriff。Hewasobeyed，andquietreignedagain。WilsonstoleaglanceatTom，andsaidtohimself，\"Heisflyingsignalsofdistressnow;evenpeoplewhodespisehimarepityinghim;theythinkthisisahardordealforayoungfellowwhohaslosthisbenefactorbysocruelastroke——andtheyareright。\"Heresumedhisspeech：
\"FormorethantwentyyearsIhaveamusedmycompulsoryleisurewithcollectingthesecuriousphysicalsignaturesinthistown。
AtmyhouseIhavehundredsuponhundredsofthem。
Eachandeveryoneislabeledwithnameanddate;notlabeledthenextdayoreventhenexthour，butintheveryminutethattheimpressionwastaken。WhenIgouponthewitnessstandIwillrepeatunderoaththethingswhichIamnowsaying。Ihavethefingerprintsofthecourt，thesheriff，andeverymemberofthejury。
Thereishardlyapersoninthisroom，whiteorblack，whosenatalsignatureIcannotproduce，andnotoneofthemcansodisguisehimselfthatIcannotpickhimoutfromamultitudeofhisfellowcreaturesandunerringlyidentifyhimbyhishands。
AndifheandIshouldlivetobeahundredIcouldstilldoit。
[Theinterestoftheaudiencewassteadilydeepeningnow。]
\"IhavestudiedsomeofthesesignaturessomuchthatIknowthemaswellasthebankcashierknowstheautographofhisoldestcustomer。WhileIturnmybacknow，Ibegthatseveralpersonswillbesogoodastopasstheirfingersthroughtheirhair，andthenpressthemupononeofthepanesofthewindownearthejury，andthatamongthemtheaccusedmaysetTHEIR
fingermarks。Also，Ibegthattheseexperimenters，orothers，willsettheirfingersuponanotherpane，andaddagainthemarksoftheaccused，butnotplacingtheminthesameorderorrelationtotheothersignaturesasbefore——for，byonechanceinamillion，apersonmighthappenupontherightmarksbypureguesswork，ONCE，thereforeIwishtobetestedtwice。\"
Heturnedhisback，andthetwopaneswerequicklycoveredwithdelicatelylinedovalspots，butvisibleonlytosuchpersonsascouldgetadarkbackgroundforthem——thefoliageofatree，outside，forinstance。Thenuponcall，Wilsonwenttothewindow，madehisexamination，andsaid：
\"ThisisCountLuigi’srighthand;thisone，threesignaturesbelow，ishisleft。HereisCountAngelo’sright;
downhereishisleft。Howfortheotherpane：hereandhereareCountLuigi’s，hereandherearehisbrother’s。\"Hefacedabout。
\"AmIright？\"
Adeafeningexplosionofapplausewastheanswer。
Thebenchsaid：
\"Thiscertainlyapproachesthemiraculous！\"
Wilsonturnedtothewindowagainandremarked，pointingwithhisfinger：
\"ThisisthesignatureofMr。JusticeRobinson。[Applause。]
This，ofConstableBlake。[Applause。]ThisofJohnMason，juryman。
[Applause。]This，ofthesheriff。[Applause。]
Icannotnametheothers，butIhavethemallathome，namedanddated，andcouldidentifythemallbymyfingerprintrecords。\"
Hemovedtohisplacethroughastormofapplause——whichthesheriffstopped，andalsomadethepeoplesitdown，fortheywereallstandingandstrugglingtosee，ofcourse。Court，jury，sheriff，andeverybodyhadbeentooabsorbedinobservingWilson’sperformancetoattendtotheaudienceearlier。
\"Nowthen，\"saidWilson，\"Ihaveherethenatalautographsofthetwochildren——thrownuptotentimesthenaturalsizebythepantograph，sothatanyonewhocanseeatallcantellthemarkingsapartataglance。WewillcallthechildrenAandB。
HereareA’sfingermarks，takenattheageoffivemonths。
Heretheyareagaintakenatsevenmonths。[Tomstarted。]
Theyarealike，yousee。HereareB’satfivemonths，andalsoatsevenmonths。They，too，exactlycopyeachother，butthepatternsarequitedifferentfromA’s，youobserve。Ishallrefertotheseagainpresently，butwewillturnthemfacedownnow。
\"Here，thrownuptensizes，arethenatalautographsofthetwopersonswhoareherebeforeyouaccusedofmurderingJudgeDriscoll。
Imadethesepantographcopieslastnight，andwillsoswearwhenIgouponthewitnessstand。Iaskthejurytocomparethemwiththefingermarksoftheaccuseduponthewindowpanes，andtellthecourtiftheyarethesame。\"
Hepassedapowerfulmagnifyingglasstotheforeman。
Onejurymanafteranothertookthecardboardandtheglassandmadethecomparison。Thentheforemansaidtothejudge：
\"Yourhonor，weareallagreedthattheyareidentical。\"
Wilsonsaidtotheforeman：
\"Pleaseturnthatcardboardfacedown，andtakethisone，andcompareitsearchingly，bythemagnifier，withthefatalsignatureupontheknifehandle，andreportyourfindingtothecourt。\"
Againthejurymademinuteexaminations，andagainreported：
\"Wefindthemtobeexactlyidentical，yourhonor。\"
Wilsonturnedtowardthecounselfortheprosecution，andtherewasaclearlyrecognizablenoteofwarninginhisvoicewhenhesaid：
\"Mayitpleasethecourt，thestatehasclaimed，strenuouslyandpersistently，thatthebloodstainedfingerprintsuponthatknifehandlewerelefttherebytheassassinofJudgeDriscoll。
Youhaveheardusgrantthatclaim，andwelcomeit。\"Heturnedtothejury：\"Comparethefingerprintsoftheaccusedwiththefingerprintsleftbytheassassin——andreport。\"
Thecomparisonbegan。Asitproceeded，allmovementandallsoundceased，andthedeepsilenceofanabsorbedandwaitingsuspensesettleduponthehouse;andwhenatlastthewordscame，\"THEYDONOTEVENRESEMBLE，\"athundercrashofapplausefollowedandthehousesprangtoitsfeet，butwasquicklyrepressedbyofficialforceandbroughttoorderagain。Tomwasalteringhispositioneveryfewminutesnow，butnoneofhischangesbroughtreposenoranysmalltrifleofcomfort。Whenthehouse’sattentionwasbecomefixedoncemore，Wilsonsaidgravely，indicatingthetwinswithagesture：
\"Thesemenareinnocent——Ihavenofurtherconcernwiththem。
[Anotheroutbreakofapplausebegan，butwaspromptlychecked。]
Wewillnowproceedtofindtheguilty。[Tom’seyeswerestartingfromtheirsockets——yes，itwasacrueldayforthebereavedyouth，everybodythought。]WewillreturntotheinfantautographsofAandB。IwillaskthejurytotaketheselargepantographfacsimiliesofA’smarkedfivemonthsandsevenmonths。
Dotheytally？\"
Theforemanresponded：\"Perfectly。\"
\"Nowexaminethispantograph，takenateightmonths，andalsomarkedA。Doesittallywiththeothertwo？\"
Thesurprisedresponsewas：
\"NO——THEYDIFFERWIDELY！\"
\"Youarequiteright。NowtakethesetwopantographsofB’sautograph，markedfivemonthsandsevenmonths。Dotheytallywitheachother？\"
\"Yes——perfectly。\"
\"TakethisthirdpantographmarkedB，eightmonths。
DoesittallywithB’sothertwo？\"
\"BYNOMEANS！\"
\"Doyouknowhowtoaccountforthosestrangediscrepancies？
Iwilltellyou。Forapurposeunknowntous，butprobablyaselfishone，somebodychangedthosechildreninthecradle。\"
Thisproducedavastsensation，naturally;Roxanawasastonishedatthisadmirableguess，butnotdisturbedbyit。
Toguesstheexchangewasonething，toguesswhodiditquiteanother。
Pudd’nheadWilsoncoulddowonderfulthings，nodoubt，buthecouldn’tdoimpossibleones。Safe？Shewasperfectlysafe。
Shesmiledprivately。
\"Betweentheagesofsevenmonthsandeightmonthsthosechildrenwerechangedinthecradle\"——hemadeoneofthiseffect—
collectingpauses，andadded——\"andthepersonwhodiditisinthishouse！\"
Roxy’spulsesstoodstill！Thehousewasthrilledaswithanelectricshock，andthepeoplehalfroseasiftoseekaglimpseofthepersonwhohadmadethatexchange。Tomwasgrowinglimp;thelifeseemedoozingoutofhim。Wilsonresumed：
\"AwasputintoB’scradleinthenursery;BwastransferredtothekitchenandbecameaNegroandaslave[Sensation——
confusionofangryejaculations]——butwithinaquarterofanhourhewillstandbeforeyouwhiteandfree！[Burstofapplause，checkedbytheofficers。]Fromsevenmonthsonwarduntilnow，Ahasstillbeenausurper，andinmyfingerrecordhebearsB’sname。
Hereishispantographattheageoftwelve。
Compareitwiththeassassin’ssignatureupontheknifehandle。
Dotheytally？\"
Theforemananswered：
\"TOTHEMINUTESTDETAIL！\"
Wilsonsaid，solemnly：
\"Themurdererofyourfriendandmine——YorkDriscollofthegeneroushandandthekindlyspirit——sitsinamongyou。
ValetdeChambre，Negroandslave——falselycalledThomasaBecketDriscoll——makeuponthewindowthefingerprintsthatwillhangyou！\"
Tomturnedhisashenfaceimploringtowardthespeaker，madesomeimpotentmovementswithhiswhitelips，thenslidlimpandlifelesstothefloor。
Wilsonbroketheawedsilencewiththewords：
\"Thereisnoneed。Hehasconfessed。\"
Roxyflungherselfuponherknees，coveredherfacewithherhands，andoutthroughhersobsthewordsstruggled：
\"DeLordhavemercyonme，po’misasblesinnerdatIis！\"
Theclockstrucktwelve。
Thecourtrose;thenewprisoner，handcuffed，wasremoved。
CONCLUSION
Itisoftenthecasethatthemanwhocan’ttellaliethinksheisthebestjudgeofone。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarOCTOBER12，THEDISCOVERY。ItwaswonderfultofindAmerica，butitwouldhavebeenmorewonderfultomissit。
——Pudd’nheadWilson’sCalendarThetownsatupallnighttodiscusstheamazingeventsofthedayandswapguessesastowhenTom’strialwouldbegin。
TroopaftertroopofcitizenscametoserenadeWilson，andrequireaspeech，andshoutthemselveshoarseovereverysentencethatfellfromhislips——forallhissentencesweregolden，now，allweremarvelous。Hislongfightagainsthardluckandprejudicewasended;hewasamademanforgood。
Andaseachoftheseroaringgangsofenthusiastsmarchedaway，someremorsefulmemberofitwasquitesuretoraisehisvoiceandsay：
\"Andthisisthemanthelikesofushavecalledapudd’nheadformorethantwentyyears。Hehasresignedfromthatposition，friends。\"
\"Yes，butitisn’tvacant——we’reelected。\"
Thetwinswereheroesofromance，now，andwithrehabilitatedreputations。ButtheywerewearyofWesternadventure，andstraightwayretiredtoEurope。
Roxy’sheartwasbroken。Theyoungfellowuponwhomshehadinflictedtwenty—threeyearsofslaverycontinuedthefalseheir’spensionofthirty—fivedollarsamonthtoher，butherhurtsweretoodeepformoneytoheal;thespiritinhereyewasquenched，hermartialbearingdepartedwithit，andthevoiceofherlaughterceasedintheland。Inherchurchanditsaffairsshefoundheronlysolace。
Therealheirsuddenlyfoundhimselfrichandfree，butinamostembarrassingsituation。Hecouldneitherreadnorwrite，andhisspeechwasthebasestdialectoftheNegroquarter。
Hisgait，hisattitudes，hisgestures，hisbearing，hislaugh——
allwerevulgaranduncouth;hismannerswerethemannersofaslave。
Moneyandfineclothescouldnotmendthesedefectsorcoverthemup;
theyonlymadethemmoreglaringandthemorepathetic。
Thepoorfellowcouldnotenduretheterrorsofthewhiteman’sparlor，andfeltathomeandatpeacenowherebutinthekitchen。
Thefamilypewwasamiserytohim，yethecouldnevermoreenterintothesolacingrefugeofthe\"niggergallery\"——thatwasclosedtohimforgoodandall。Butwecannotfollowhiscuriousfatefurther——
thatwouldbealongstory。
Thefalseheirmadeafullconfessionandwassentencedtoimprisonmentforlife。Butnowacomplicationcameup。
ThePercyDriscollestatewasinsuchacrippledshapewhenitsownerdiedthatitcouldpayonlysixtypercentofitsgreatindebtedness，andwassettledatthatrate。Butthecreditorscameforwardnow，andcomplainedthatinasmuchasthroughanerrorforwhichTHEYwereinnowaytoblamethefalseheirwasnotinventoriedatthetimewiththerestoftheproperty，greatwrongandlosshadtherebybeeninflicteduponthem。
Theyrightlyclaimedthat\"Tom\"waslawfullytheirpropertyandhadbeensoforeightyears;thattheyhadalreadylostsufficientlyinbeingdeprivedofhisservicesduringthatlongperiod，andoughtnottoberequiredtoaddanythingtothatloss;thatifhehadbeendelivereduptotheminthefirstplace，theywouldhavesoldhimandhecouldnothavemurderedJudgeDriscoll;thereforeitwasnotthathehadreallycommittedthemurder，theguiltlaywiththeerroneousinventory。Everybodysawthattherewasreasoninthis。Everybodygrantedthatif\"Tom\"werewhiteandfreeitwouldbeunquestionablyrighttopunishhim——itwouldbenolosstoanybody;buttoshutupavaluableslaveforlife——
thatwasquiteanothermatter。
AssoonastheGovernorunderstoodthecase，hepardonedTomatonce，andthecreditorssoldhimdowntheriver。
Author’sNotetoTHOSEEXTRAORDINARYTWINS
Amanwhoisnotbornwiththenovel—writinggifthasatroublesometimeofitwhenhetriestobuildanovel。
Iknowthisfromexperience。Hehasnoclearideaofhisstory;
infacthehasnostory。Hemerelyhassomepeopleinhismind，andanincidentortwo，alsoalocality，andhetrustshecanplungethosepeopleintothoseincidentswithinterestingresults。
Sohegoestowork。Towriteanovel？No——thatisathoughtwhichcomeslater;inthebeginningheisonlyproposingtotellalittletale，averylittletale，asix—pagetale。Butasitisatalewhichheisnotacquaintedwith，andcanonlyfindoutwhatitisbylisteningasitgoesalongtellingitself，itismorethanapttogoonandonandontillitspreadsitselfintoabook。
Iknowaboutthis，becauseithashappenedtomesomanytimes。
AndIhavenoticedanotherthing：thatastheshorttalegrowsintothelongtale，theoriginalintention（ormotif）
isapttogetabolishedandfinditselfsupersededbyaquitedifferentone。ItwassointhecaseofamagazinesketchwhichIoncestartedtowrite——afunnyandfantasticsketchaboutaprinceanapauper;itpresentlyassumedagravecastofitsownaccord，andinthatnewshapespreaditselfoutintoabook。
MuchthesamethinghappenedwithPUDD’NHEADWILSON。Ihadasufficientlyhardtimewiththattale，becauseitchangeditselffromafarcetoatragedywhileIwasgoingalongwithit——amostembarrassingcircumstance。Butwhatwasagreatdealworsewas，thatitwasnotonestory，buttwostoriestangledtogether;andtheyobstructedandinterruptedeachotherateveryturnandcreatednoendofconfusionandannoyance。Icouldnotofferthebookforpublication，forIwasafraiditwouldunseatthereader’sreason，Ididnotknowwhatwasthematterwithit，forIhadnotnoticed，asyet，thatitwastwostoriesinone。
Ittookmemonthstomakethatdiscovery。IcarriedthemanuscriptbackandforthacrosstheAtlantictwoorthreetimes，andreaditandstudiedoveritonshipboard;andatlastIsawwherethedifficultylay。Ihadnofurthertrouble。Ipulledoneofthestoriesoutbytheroots，andlefttheother——akindofliteraryCaesareanoperation。
WouldthereadercaretoknowsomethingaboutthestorywhichIpulledout？Hehasbeentoldmanyatimehowtheborn—
and—trainednovelistworks;won’theletmeroundandcompletehisknowledgebytellinghimhowthejacklegdoesit？
OriginallythestorywascalledTHOSEEXTRAORDINARYTWINS。
Imeanttomakeitveryshort。IhadseenapictureofayouthfulItalian\"freak\"——or\"freaks\"——whichwas——orwhichwere——
onexhibitioninourcities——acombinationconsistingoftwoheadsandfourarmsjoinedtoasinglebodyandasinglepairoflegs——
andIthoughtIwouldwriteanextravagantlyfantasticlittlestorywiththisfreakofnatureforhero——orheroes——
asillyyoungmissforheroine，andtwooldladiesandtwoboysfortheminorparts。Ilavishlyelaboratedthesepeopleandtheirdoings，ofcourse。Butthetakekeptspreadingalongandspreadingalong，andotherpeoplegottointrudingthemselvesandtakingupmoreandmoreroomwiththeirtalkandtheiraffairs。
AmongthemcameastrangernamedPudd’nheadWilson，andwomannamedRoxana;andpresentlythedoingsofthesetwopushedupintoprominenceayoungfellownamedTomDriscoll，whoseproperplacewasawayintheobscurebackground。Beforethebookwashalffinishedthosethreeweretakingthingsalmostentirelyintotheirownhandsandworkingthewholetaleasaprivateventureoftheirown——atalewhichtheyhadnothingatalltodowith，byrights。
WhenthebookwasfinishedandIcametolookaroundtoseewhathadbecomeoftheteamIhadoriginallystartedoutwith——
AuntPatsyCooper，AuntBetsyHale，andtwoboys，andRowenathelightweightheroine——theywerenowheretobeseen;theyhaddisappearedfromthestorysometimeorother。Ihuntedaboutandfoundthem——foundthemstranded，idle，forgotten，andpermanentlyuseless。Itwasveryawkward。Itwasawkwardallaround，butmoreparticularlyinthecaseofRowena，becausetherewasalovematchon，betweenherandoneofthetwinsthatconstitutedthefreak，andIhadworkedituptoablisteringheatandthrowninaquitedramaticlovequarrel，whereinRowenascathinglydenouncedherbetrothedforgettingdrunk，andscoffedathisexplanationofhowithadhappened，andwouldn’tlistentoit，andhaddrivenhimfromherintheusual\"forever\"way;
andnowhereshesatcryingandbrokenhearted;forshehadfoundthathehadspokenonlythetruth;thatiswasnothe，buttheotherofthefreakthathaddrunktheliquorthatmadehimdrunk;
thatherhalfwasaprohibitionistandhadneverdrunkadropinhislife，andaltogethertightasabrickthreedaysintheweek，waswhollyinnocentofblame;andindeed，whensober，wasconstantlydoingallhecouldtoreformhisbrother，theotherhalf，whonevergotanysatisfactionoutofdrinking，anyway，becauseliquorneveraffectedhim。Yes，hereshewas，strandedwiththatdeepinjusticeofherstorturingherpoortornheart。
Ididn’tknowwhattodowithher。Iwasassorryforherasanybodycouldbe，butthecampaignwasover，thebookwasfinished，shewassidetracked，andtherewasnopossiblewayofcrowdingherin，anywhere。Icouldnotleaveherthere，ofcourse;itwouldnotdo。Afterspreadingheroutso，andmakingsuchato—dooverheraffairs，itwouldbeabsolutelynecessarytoaccounttothereaderforher。Ithoughtandthoughtandstudiedandstudied;butIarrivedatnothing。Ifinallysawplainlythattherewasreallynowaybutone——Imustsimplygiveherthegrandbounce。Itgrievedmetodoit，forafterassociatingwithhersomuchIhadcometokindoflikeherafterafashion，notwithstandingthingsandwassonauseatinglysentimental。
Stillithadtobedone。SoatthetopofChapterXVIIIputa\"Calendar\"remarkconcerningJulytheFourth，andbeganthechapterwiththisstatistic：
\"Rowenawentoutinthebackyardaftersuppertoseethefireworksandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。\"
Itseemedabrupt，butIthoughtmaybethereaderwouldn’tnoticeit，becauseIchangedthesubjectrightawaytosomethingelse。
AnywayitloosenedupRowenafromwhereshewasstuckandgotheroutoftheway，andthatwasthemainthing。Itseemedapromptgoodwayofweedingoutpeoplethathadgotstalled，andaplentygoodenoughwayforthoseothers;soIhuntedupthetwoboysandsaid，\"Theywentoutbackonenighttostonethecatandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。\"NextIsearchedaroundandfoundoldAuntPatsyandAuntBetsyHalewheretheywerearound，andsaid，\"Theywentoutbackonenighttovisitthesickandfelldownthewellandgotdrowned。\"Iwasgoingtodrownsomeothers，butIgaveuptheidea，partlybecauseIbelievedthatifIkeptthatupitwouldaroseattention，andperhapssympathywiththosepeople，andpartlybecauseitwasnotalargewellandwouldnotholdanymoreanyway。
Stillthestorywasunsatisfactory。Herewasasetofnewcharacterswhowerebecomeinordinatelyprominentandwhopersistedinremainingsototheend;andbackyonderwasanoldersetwhomadealargenoiseandagreatto—doforalittlewhileandthensuddenlyplayedoututterlyandfelldownthewell。
Therewasaradicaldefectsomewhere，andImustsearchitoutandcureit。
Thedefectturnedouttobetheonealreadyspokenof——
twostoriesinone，afarceandatragedy。SoIpulledoutthefarceandleftthetragedy。Thislefttheoriginalteamin，butonlyasmerenames，notascharacters。Theirprominencewaswhollygone;
theywerenotevenworthdrowning;soIremovedthatdetail。
AlsoItookthetwinsapartandmadetwoseparatemenofthem。
Theyhadnooccasiontohaveforeignnamesnow，butitwastoomuchtroubletoremovethemallthrough，soIleftthemchristenedastheywereandmadenoexplanation。
