Evidentlynot，forthetougholdpoliticianoftheFifteenthWardwaslaughing，atoneofhisownjokesprobably，andlookingupinthefaceofMr。Blake，whosebackwasturnedtome，inawaythatentirelyprecludedallthoughtofanytragicexpressioninthatquarter。Somewhatdisgusted，Iwithdrewandfollowedthelady。
Icouldnotgetverynear。Bythistimethepresenceofalivecountessintheassemblyhadbecomeknown，andIfoundhersurroundedbyaswarmofhalf-fledgedyouths。ButIcaredlittleforthis；allI
wantedtoknowwaswhetherMr。Blakewouldapproachherornotduringtheevening。Tediouslythemomentspassed；butadetectiveonduty，oronfanciedduty，succumbstonoweariness。Ihadawomanbeforemeworthstudyingandthetimecouldnotbethrownaway。Ilearnedtoknowherbeauty；thepoiseofherhead，theflushofhercheek，thecurlofherlip，theglance——yes，theglanceofhereye，thoughthatwasmoredifficulttounderstand，forshehadawayofdroopingherlidsattimesthat，whileexceedinglyeffectiveuponthepoorwretchtowardwhomshemightbedirectingthathalf-veiledshaftoflight，wasanythingbutconducivetomypurposes。
Atlengthwitharestlessshrugofherhaughtyshoulderssheturnedawayfromhercrowdofadorers，herbreastheavingunderitsrobingofgarnetvelvet，andherwholefaceflaringwithalightthatmightmeanresolveandmightmeansimplylove。Ihadnoneedtoturnmyheadtoseewhowasadvancingtowardsher；herstatelyattitudeascountess，herthrillingglanceaswoman，betrayedonlytooreadily。
Hewasthemorecomposedofthetwo。BowingoverherhandwithafewwordsIcouldnothear，hedrewbackastepandbeganutteringtheusualcommon-placesentimentsoftheoccasion。
Shedidnotrespond。Withasplendorofindifferencenotoftenseeneveninthemannerofourgrandestladies，shewaited，openingandshuttingherrichlyfeatheredfan，asonewhowouldsay，\"Iknowallthishastobegonethroughwith，thereforeIwillbepatient。\"Butasthemomentspassed，andhistoneremainedunchanged，Icoulddetectaslightgleamofimpatienceflashinthedepthsofherdarkeyes，andachangecomeintotheconventionalsmilethathadhithertolighted，withoutilluminatinghercountenance。Drawingstillfurtherbackfromthecrowdthatwasnottobeawedfrompressinguponher，shelookedaroundasifseekingarefuge。Herglancefelluponacertainwindow，withagleamofsatisfaction。Seeingtheywouldstraightwaywithdrawthere，Itookadvantageofthemomentandmadehastetoconcealmyselfbehindacurtainasnearthatvicinityaspossible。InanotherinstantIheardthemapproaching。
\"Youseemtoberatheroverwhelmedwithattentionto-night，\"werethefirstwordsIcaught，utteredinMr。Blake\'scalmestandmostcourteoustones。
\"Doyouthinkso?\"wastheslightlysarcasticreply。\"Iwasjustdecidingtothecontrarywhenyoucameup。\"
Therewasapause。Takingoutmyknife，Irippedopenaseaminthecurtainhangingbeforeme，andlookedthrough。Hewaseyeingherintently，afirmlookuponhisfacethatmadeitsreservemoremarkedthancommon。Isawhimgazeatherhandsomeheadpiledwithitsmidnighttressesamidwhichthejewels，doubtlessofherdeadlord，burnedwithafierceandominousglare，athersmootholivebrow，herpartlyveiledeyeswherethefirepassionatelyblazed，atherscarletlipstremblingwithanemotionherrapidlyflushingcheekswouldnotallowhertoconceal。Isawhisglancesfallandembraceherwholeelegantformwithitscasingofrubyvelvetandornamentationoflaceanddiamonds，andanexpectantthrillpassedthroughmealmostasifIalreadybeheldthemaskofhisreservefalling，andthetruemanflashoutinresponsetothewooingbeautyofthisfull-blownrose，evidentlyinwaitingforhim。ButitdiedawayandadeeperfeelingseizedmeasIsawhisglancesreturnunkindledtohercountenance，andheardhimsayinstillmoremeasuredaccentsthanbefore:
\"IsitpossiblethenthattheCountessDeMiraccandesiretheadulationofuspoorAmericanplebeians?Ihadnotthoughtit，madame。\"
Slowlyherdarkeyesturnedtowardshim；shestoodastatue。
\"ButIforget，\"hewenton，atingeofbitternessforamomentshowingitselfinhissmile:\"perhapsinreturningtoherowncountry，EvelynBlakehassofarforgottenthelasttwoyearsastofindpleasureagaininthetoysandfoiblesofheryouth。Suchthingshavebeen，I
hear。\"Andhebowedalmosttothegroundinhishalfsarcastichomage。
\"EvelynBlake!ItislongsinceIhaveheardthatname，\"shemurmured。
Hecouldnotrestrainthequickflushfrommountingtohisbrow。
\"Pardonme，\"saidhe，\"ifitbringsyousadnessorunwelcomememories。IpromiseyouIwillnotsotransgressagain。\"
Awansmilecrossedherlipsgrownsuddenlypallid。
\"Youmistake，\"saidshe；\"ifmynamebringsupapastladenwithbittermemoriesandshadowedbyregret，italsorecallsmuchthatispleasantandnevertobeforgotten。Idonotobjecttohearingmygirlhood\'snameuttered——bymynearestrelative。\"
Theanswerwasdignityitself。\"YournameisCountessDeMirac，yourrelativesmustbeproudtoutterit。\"
Agleamnotunlikethelightning\'squickflashshotfromtheeyesshedroopedbeforehim。
\"IsitHolmanBlakeIamlisteningto，\"saidshe；\"Idonotrecognizemyoldfriendinthecoolandsarcasticmanoftheworldnowbeforeme。\"
\"Weoftenfailtorecognizetheworkofourhands，madame，afterithasfallenfromourgrasp。\"
\"What，\"shecried，\"doyoumean——wouldyousaythat——\"
\"Iwouldsaynothing，\"interruptedhecalmly，stoopingforthefanshehaddropped。\"Ataninterviewwhichisatonceameetingandaparting，Iwouldgiveutterancetonothingwhichwouldseemlikerecrimination。I——\"
\"Wait，\"suddenlyexclaimedshe，reachingoutherhandforherfanwithagestureloftyasitwasresolute。\"Youhavespokenawordwhichdemandsexplanation；whathaveIeverdonetoyouthatyoushouldspeakthewordrecriminationtome?\"
\"What?Youshookmyfaithinwomankind；youshowedmethatawomanwhohadoncetoldamanshelovedhim，couldsofarforgetthatloveastomarryoneshecouldneverrespect，forthesakeoftitlesandjewels。Youshowedme——\"
\"Hold，\"saidsheagain，thistimewithoutgestureoranymovement，savethatofherlipsgrownpallidasmarb!e[sic]，\"andwhatdidyoushowme?\"
Hestarted，coloredprofoundly，andforamomentstoodbeforeherunmaskedofhissternself-possession。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"saidhe，\"Itakebackthatword，recrimination。\"
Itwasnowherturntoliftherheadandsurveyhim。Withglancelesscoolthanhis，butfullyasdeliberate，shelookedathisproudheadbendingbeforeher；studyinghisface，linebyline，fromthesternbrowtothecloselycompressedlipsonwhichmelancholyseemedtohavesetitseverlastingseal，andachangepassedoverhercountenance。
\"Holman，\"saidshe，withasuddenrushoftenderness，\"ifinthetimesgoneby，webothbehavedwithtoomuchworldlyprudenceforitnowtobeanygreatpleasureforeitherofustolookback，isthatanyreasonwhyweshouldmarourwholefuturebydwellingtoolonguponwhatwearesurelystillyoungenoughtoburyifnotforget?I
acknowledgethatIwouldhavebehavedinamoreidealfashion，if，afterIhadbeenforsakenbyyou，Ihadturnedmyfacefromsociety，andletthecanker-wormofdespairslowlydestroywhateverlifeandbloomIhadleft。ButIwasyoung，andsocietyhaditscharms，sodidtheprospectofwealthandposition，howeverhollowtheymayhaveproved；youwhoarethemasterofboththisday，becausetwelvemonthsagoyouforsookEvelynBlake，shouldbethelasttoreproachmewiththem。Idonotreproachyou；Ionlysayletthepastbeforgotten——\"
\"Impossible，\"exclaimedhe，hiswholefacedarkeningwithanexpressionIcouldnotfathom。\"Whatwasdoneatthattimecannotbeundone。Foryouandmethereisnofuture。Yes，\"hesaidturningtowardsherasshemadeaslightflutteringmoveofdissent，\"nofuture；wecanburythepast，butwecannotresurrectit。Idoubtifyouwouldwishtoifwecould；aswecannot，ofcourseyouwillnotdesireeventoconverseuponthesubjectagain。EvelynIwantedtoseeyouonce，butIdonotwishtoseeyouagain；willyoupardonmyplainspeaking，andreleaseme?\"
\"Iwillpardonyourplainspeaking，but——\"Herlooksaidshewouldnotreleasehim。
Heseemedtounderstanditso，andsmiled，butverybitterly。Inanothermomenthehadbowedandgone，andshehadreturnedtohercrowdofadoringsycophants。
CHAPTERVI
ABITOFCALICO
ItwasaboutthistimethatItookupmyresidenceinasortoflodging-housethatoccupiedtheoppositecornertothatofMr。Blake。
Myroom，asItookpainstohaveit，overlookedtheavenue，andfromitswindowsIcouldeasilywatchthegoingsandcomingsofthegentlemanwhosemovementsweredailybecomingofmoreandmoreinteresttome。Forsetitdowntocaprice——andmenareoftenascapriciousaswomen——oraccountforitasyouwill，hisrestlessnessatthisperiodwastrulyremarkable。Notadaythathedidnotspendhistimeinwalkingthestreets，andthatnotinhisusualaimlessgentlemanlyfashion，buteagerlyandwithanintentgazethatroamedhereandthere，likeabirdseekingitsprey。Itwouldoftenbeaslateasfiveo\'clockbeforehecamein，andif，asnowfrequentlyhappened，hedidnothavecompanytodinner，hewasevenknowntostartoutagainafterseveno\'clockandgooverthesamegroundasinthemorning，lookingwithstrainedgaze，thatvainlyendeavoredtoappearunconcerned，intothefacesofthewomenthathepassed。InotunfrequentlyfollowedhimatthesetimesasmuchformyownamusementasfromanyhopeIhadofcominguponanythingthatshouldaidmeintheworkbeforeme。ButwhenhesuddenlychangedhisrouteoftravelfromapromenadeinthefashionablethoroughfaresofBroadwayandFourteenthStreettoawalkthroughChathamSquareandthedark，narrowstreetsoftheEastside，Ibegantoscentwhomthepreymightbethathewasseeking，andputtingeveryotherconsiderationaside，regularlysetmyselftodoghissteps，asonlyI，withmyinnumerabledisguises，knewhowtodo。ForthreeseparatedaysIkeptathisheelswhereverhewent，eachdaygrowingmoreandmoreastonishedifnottosayhopeful，asIfoundmyselftreadingthenarrowestandmostdisreputablestreetsofthecity；haltingattheshopsofpawnbrokers；peeringintotheback-roomsofliquorshops；mixingwiththecrowdsthatinfestthecornergroceriesatnightfall，andevenslinkingwithhandonthetriggerofthepistolIcarriedinmypocket，updarkalleyswhereeverydoorthatswungnoiselesslytoandfroaswepassed，shutuponhauntsofsuchvillainyasonlyisknowntousofthepolice，ortothosegoodsoulsthatforthesakeofOnewhoseexampletheyfollow，layasidetheirfearsandsensitivenesstocarrylightintothedimpitsofthiswretchedworld。AtfirstI
thoughtMr。Blakemighthavesomesuchreasonforthepeculiarcoursehetook。Buthisindifferencetoallcrowdswhereonlymenwerecollected，hissilencewhereawordwouldhavebeenwellreceived，convincedmeitwasawomanhewasseekingandthatwithanintentnesswhichblindedhimtothecommonestneedsofthehour。Ievensawhimonceinhishurryandabstraction，stepacrossthebodyofachildwhohadfallenfacedownwardonthestones，andthatwithanexpressionshowinghewasutterlyunconsciousofanythingbutanobstacleinhispath。Thestrangestpartofitallwasthatheseemedtohavenofear。Tobesurehetookpainstoleavehiswatchathome；
butwithsuchafigureandcarriageashepossessed，theabsenceofjewelrycouldneverdeceivetheeyeforamomentastothefactofhisbeingamanofwealth，andthosehewentamongwoulddoanythingformoney。Perhaps，likeme，hecarriedapistol。Atalleventsheshunnednospotwhereeitherpovertylayhidordeviltryreigned，hisproudsternheadbendingtoenterthelowestdoorswithoutatrembleofthehaughtylipsthatremainedcompressedasbyanironforce；
exceptwhensomepoorforlorncreaturewithflauntinghead-gear，andtremuloushands，attractedbyhisbearingwouldhastilybrushagainsthim，whenhewouldturnandlook，perhapsspeak，thoughwhathesaidIalwaysfailedtocatch；afterwhichhewouldhurryonasifpossessedbysevendevils。Theeveningsofthosethreedayswerenotablealso。TwoofthemhespentinthemannerIhavedescribed；
thethirdhewenttotheWindsorHouse——wheretheCountessDeMirachadtakenrooms——goinguptotheladies\'entranceandactuallyringingthebell，onlytostartbackandwalkupanddownontheoppositesideoftheway，withhishandsbehindhisback，andhisheadbent，evidentlydeliberatingastowhetherheshouldorshouldnotcarryouthisoriginalintentionofentering。Thearrivalofacarriagewiththestatelysubjectofhisdeliberations，whofromherelaboratecostumehadseeminglybeentosomekettledrumorprivatereception，speedilyputanendtohisdoubts。Asthedooropenedtoadmither，Isawhimcastonelookatherheavilydrapedperson，withitssnowyopera-cloakdrawntightlyoverthesweepingfoldsofhermaizecoloredsilk，andshrinkbackwithwhatsoundedlikeasighofangerordistrust，andwithoutwaitingfortheclosingofthedooruponher，turntowardhomewithastepthathesitatednolonger。
Thefourthdaytomyinfinitechagrin，Iwassickandcouldnotgowithhim。AllIcoulddowastowrapmyselfinblanketsandsitinmywindowfromwhichIhadthesatisfactionofviewinghimstartasI
supposeduponhisusualcourse。Therestofthedaywasemployedinalong，dullwaitingforhisreturn，onlyrelievedbycasualglimpsesofMrs。Daniels\'troubledfaceassheappearedatonewindoworanotheroftheold-fashionedmansionbeforeme。Sheseemed，too，tobeunusuallyrestless，openingthewindowsandlookingoutwithforlorncraningsofherneckasifshetoowerewatchingforhermaster。IndeedIhavenodoubtfromwhatIafterwardslearned，thatshewasinastateofconstantsuspenseduringthesedays。Herfrequentappearanceatthestationhouse，wheresheinvainsoughtforsomenewsofthegirlinwhosefateshewassoabsorbed，confirmedthis。OnlythedaybeforeIgavemyselfuptomyunreservedespionageofMr。Blake，shehadhadaninterviewwithMr。Gryceinwhichshehadletfallherapprehensionsthatthegirlwasdead，andaskedwhetherifthatwerethecase，thepolicewouldbelikelytocomeintoaknowledgeofthefact。Uponbeingassuredthatifshehadnotbeenprivatelymadewaywith，therewaseverychanceintheirfavor，shehadgrownalittlecalmer，butbeforegoingawayhadsofarforgottenherselfastointimatethatifsomeresultwasnotreachedbeforeanotherfortnighthadelapsed，sheshouldtakethematterintoherownhandsand——Shedidnotsaywhatshewoulddo，butherlookswereofaverymenacingcharacter。Itwasnowonder，then，thathercountenanceboremarksofthekeenestanxietyasshetrodthehallsofthatdimoldmansion，withitsduskycornersrichwithbronzesandtheglimmeringshineofancientbrocades，breathingsuggestionsoflossandwrong；orbentherwrinkledforeheadtogazefromthewindowsforthecomingofonewhosefootstepswereeverdelayed。Shehappenedtobelookingout，whenafteralongerstrollthanusualthemasterofthehousereturned。Ashemadehisappearanceatthecorner，Isawherhurriedlywithdrawherheadandhideherselfbehindthecurtain，fromwhichpositionshewatchedhimaswithtiredstepsandsomewhatdejectedmien，hepassedupthestepsandenteredthehouse。
Nottillthedoorcloseduponhim，didsheventuretoissueforthandwithahurriedmovementshuttheblindsanddisappear。Thisanxietyonherpartredoubledmine，andthankfulenoughwasIwhenonthenextdayIfoundmyselfwellenoughtorenewmyoperations。Toferretoutthismystery，ifmysteryitwas，——Istillfoundmyselfforcedtoadmitthepossibilityoftherebeingnone——hadnowbecometheoneambitionofmylife；andallbecauseitwasnotonlyanunusuallyblindone，butofanaturethatinvolveddangertomypositionasdetective，Ientereduponitwithazestrareeventomewholovemyworkandallitinvolveswithanundividedpassion。
Toequipmyself，then，inafreshdisguiseandtojoinMr。Blakeshortlyafterhehadlefthisowncorner，wasanythingbutahardshiptomethatbrightwintermorning，thoughIknewfrompastexperience，alongandwearisomewalkwasbeforemewithnothinginallprobabilityattheendbutreiterateddisappointment。Butforoncethefateshadwilleditotherwise。WhetherMr。Blake，discouragedatthefailureofhisownattempts，whatevertheywere，feltlesshearttoprosecutethemthanusualIcannotsay，butwehadscarcelyentereduponthelowerendoftheBowery，beforehesuddenlyturnedwithalookofdisgust，andgazinghurriedlyabouthim，hailedaMadisonAvenuecarthatwasrapidlyapproaching。Iwasatthatmomentontheothersideoftheway，butIhurriedforwardtoo，andsignaledthesamecar。ButjustasIwasonthepointofenteringitI
perceivedMr。Blakestephastilybackandwithhiseyesuponagirlthatwashurryingpasthimwithabasketonherarm，regainthesidewalkwithaswiftnessthatarguedhisdesiretostopher。OfcourseIletthecarpassme，thoughIdidnotdareapproachhimtoocloselyaftermylateconspiciousattempttoenteritwithhim。Butfrommystandontheoppositecurb-stoneIsawhimdrawasidethegirl，whofromhergarmentsmighthavebeenthedaughterorwifeofanyoneoftheshiftless，drinkingwretchesloungingaboutonthefourcornerswithinmyview，andaftertalkingearnestlywithherforafewmoments，saunterathersidedownBroomeStreet，stilltalking。
RecklessatthissightoftheconsequenceswhichmightfollowhisdetectionofthepartIwasplaying，Ihastedafterthem，whenIwassuddenlydisconcertedbyobservinghimhurriedlyseparatefromthegirlandturntowardsmewithintentionasitweretoregainthecornerhehadleft。Weighinginaninstanttheprobablegoodtobeobtainedbyfollowingeitherparty，IdeterminedtoleaveMr。Blakeforonedaytohimself，andturnmyattentiontothegirlhehadaddressed，especiallyasshewastallandthinandboreherselfwithsomethinglikegrace。
Barelybestowingaglanceuponhim，then，ashepassed，inavainattempttoreadthesombreexpressionofhisinscrutablefacegrownfiveyearsolderinthelastfivedays，IshuffledafterthegirlnowflittingbeforemedownBroomeStreet。AsIdidso，Inoticedherdresstoitsminutestdetails，somewhatsurprisedtofindhowraggedanduncouthitwas。ThatMr。Blakeshouldstopagirlwhereverseen，cladinablackalpacafrock，astripedshawlandaBoweryhattrimmedwithfeathers，Icouldeasilyunderstand；butthatthiscreaturewithherfadedcalicodress，dingycapethrowncarelesslyoverherhead，andraggedbasket，shouldarresthisattention，wasariddletome。Ihastenedforwardwithintenttocatchaglimpseofhercountenenceifpossible；butsheseemedtohaveacquiredwingstoherfeetsinceherinterviewwithMr。Blake。DartingintoacrowdofhootingurchinsthatwererushingfromCentreStreetafterabrokenwagonandrunawayhorse，shespedfrommysightwithsuchrapidity，I
soonsawthatmyonlyhopeofovertakingherlayinrunning。I
accordinglyquickenedmystepswhenthosesamehootingyoungstersgettinginthewayofmyfeet，Itrippedupand——well，IownI
retiredfromthatfieldbaffled。Notentirelyso，however。JustasI
wasgoingdown，Icaughtsightofthegirltearingawayfromaboxofgarbageonthecurb-stone；andwhenorderhavingbeenrestored，bywhichloftystatementImeantosaywhenyourhumbleservanthadregainedhisequilibrium，Iawoketothefactthatshehadeffectuallydisappeared，IhurriedtothatboxandsucceededinfindinghangingtoitabitofrageasilyrecognizedasapieceoftheoldcalicofrockofnamelesscolorwhichIhadbeenfollowingamomentbefore。
Regardingitasthesolespoilsofaveryunsatisfactoryday\'swork，Iputitcarefullyawayinmypocketbook，whereitlaytill——Butwithallmyzealforcompression，Imustnotanticipate。
WhenIcamehomethatafternoonIfoundmyselfunexpectedlyinvolvedinamatterthatfortheremainderofthedayatleast，preventedmefromfurtherattendingtotheaffairIhadinhand。ThenextmorningMr。Blakedidnotstartoutasusual，andatnoonIreceivedintimationfromFannythathewaspreparingtotakeajourney。Where，shecouldnotinformme，norwhen，thoughshethoughtitprobablehewouldtakeanearlytrain。Mrs。Danielswasfeelingdreadfully，sheinformedme；andthehousewaslikeagrave。GreatlyexcitedatthisunexpectedmoveonMr。Blake\'spart，Iwenthomeandpackedmyvalisewithsomethingofthespiritofherwhooncesaid，undersomewhatdifferentcircumstancesIallow，\"WhitherthougoestIwillgo。\"
Thetruthwas，Ihadtravelledsofarandlearnedsolittle，thatmyprofessionalpridewaspiqued。ThatexpressionofMr。Grycestillrankled，andnothingcouldsoothemyinjuredspiritnowbutsuccess。
AccordinglywhenMr。BlakesteppeduptotheticketofficeoftheHudsonRiverRailroadnextmorning，tobuyaticketforPutney，asmalltowninthenorthernpartofVermont，hefoundbesidehimaspruceyoungdrummer，orwhatcertainlyappearedsuch，whobysomestrangecoincidence，wantedaticketforthesameplace。Thefactdidnotseemintheleasttosurprisehim，nordidhecastmealookbeyondtheordinaryglanceofonestrangeratanother。IndeedMr。
Blakehadnoappearanceofbeingasuspiciousman，nordoIthinkatthistime，hehadtheremotestideathathewaseitherwatchedorfollowed；anignoranceofthetruthwhichItookcaretopreservebytakingmyseatinadifferentcarfromhimandnotshowingmyselfagainduringthewholeridefromNewYorktoPutney。
CHAPTERVII
THEHOUSEATTHEGRANBYCROSSROADS
WhyMr。Blakeshouldtakeajourneyatallatthistime，andwhyofallplacesintheworldheshouldchoosesuchaninsignificanttownasPutneyforhisdestination，wasofcoursethemysteryuponwhichI
broodedduringtheentiredistance。ButwhensomewherenearfiveintheafternoonIsteppedfromthecarsontotheplatformatPutneyStationonlytohearMr。Blakemakinginquiriesinregardtoacertainstagerunningbetweenthattownandastillsmallervillagefurthereast，IownIwasnotonlysurprisedbutwell-nighnonplussed。
Especiallyasheseemedgreatlydisappointedtohearthatitonlyranonceaday，andthenforanearliertraininthemorning。
\"Youwillhavetowaittillto-morrowIfear，\"saidtheticketagent，\"unlessthelandlordofthehoteldownyonder，canharnessyouupateam。Thereisafuneraloutwestto-dayand——\"
Ididnotwaittohearmorebuthurrieddowntothehotelhehadpointedout，andhuntingupthelandlordinquiredifforloveormoneyhecouldgetmeanysortofaconveyanceforMelvillethatafternoon。Heassuredmeitwouldbeimpossible，theliverystableaswellashisownbeingentirelyempty。
\"Suchathingdon\'thappenhereonceinfiveyears，\"saidhetome。
\"Buttheoldcodgerwhoisdead，thoughaqueerdickwasanotedpersonageintheseparts，andnotaman，womanorchild，whocouldfindahorse，muleordonkey，butwhatavailedhimselfoftheprivilege。Eventhedoctor\'sspavinedmarewaspressedintoservice，thoughshehaltsononelegandstopstogetherbreathhalfadozentimesingoinguponeshorthill。Youwillhavetowaitforthestage，sir。\"
\"ButIaminahurry，\"saidIasIsawMr。Blakeenter。\"IhavebusinessinMelvilletonight，andIwouldpayanythinginreasontogetthere。\"
Butthelandlordonlyshookhishead；anddrawingbackwiththeairofanabusedman，ItookupmystandinthedoorwaywhereIcouldhearthesamecolloquyenteredintowithMr。Blake，withthesameunsatisfactorytermination。HedidnottakeitquiteascalmlyasI
did，thoughhewasoftooreservedanaturetodisplaymuchemotionoveranything。Theprospectofalongtediouseveningspentinacountryhotelseemedalmostunendurabletohim，buthefinallysuccumbedtotheforceofcircumstances，asindeedheseemedobligedtodo，andpartakingofsuchrefreshmentastheratherpoorlymanagedhotelafforded，retiredwithoutceremonytohisroom，fromwhichhedidnotemergeagaintillnextmorning。Inallthishehadsomehowmanagednottogivehisname；andbymeansofsomeinquiriesI
succeededinmakingthatevening，Ifoundhispersonwasunknowninthetown。
ByalittlemanagementIsecuredthenextroomtohis，bywhicharrangementIsucceededinpassingasleeplessnight，Mr。Blakespendingmostoftheweesma\'hoursinpacingthefloorofhisroom，withanunremittingregularitythathadanythingbutasoothingeffectuponmynerves。Earlythenextmorningwetookthestage，hesittingonthebackseat，andIinfrontwiththedriver。Therewereotherpassengers，butInoticedheneverspoketoanyofthem，northroughallthelongdrivedidheoncelookupfromthecornerwherehehadensconcedhimself。Itwastwelveo\'clockwhenwereachedtheendoftheroute，asmalltownofsomewhatlessthantheusualpretensionsofmountainvillages；soinsignificantindeed，thatIfounditmoreandmoredifficulttoimaginewhatthewealthyex-Congressmancouldfindinsuchaspotasthis，tomakeamendsforajourneyofsuchlengthanddiscomfort；whentomyincreasingwonderIheardhimgiveordersforahorsetobesaddledandbroughtroundtotheinndoordirectlyafterdinner。ThiswasamoveIhadnotexpectedanditthrewmealittleaback，foralthoughIhadthusfarmanagedtoholdmyselfsoalooffromMr。Blake，evenwhilekeepinghimundermyeye，thatnosuspicionofmyinterestinhismovementshadasyetbeenawakened，howcouldIthusforthethirdtimefollowhisorderwithonepreciselysimilar，withoutattractinganattentionthatwouldbefataltomyplans。Yettolethimrideoffalonenow，wouldbetodropthetrailattheverymomentthescentbecameofimportance。
Thelandlord，abustling，wirylittlemanallnervousnessandquestions，unwittinglyhelpedmeatthiscrisis。
\"AreyougoingontoPerry，sir?\"inquiredheofthatgentleman，\"I
havebeenexpectingamanalongthesethreedaysboundforPerry。\"
\"Iamthatman，\"Ibrokein，steppingforwardwithsomeappearanceofasperity，\"andIhopeyouwon\'tkeepmewaiting。Ahorseassoonasdinnerisover，doyouhear?Iamtwodayslatenow，andwon\'tstandanynonsense。\"
Andtoescapethequestionssuretofollow，Istrodeintothedining-roomwithahalf-fierce，half-sullencountenance，thateffectuallyprecludedalladvances。DuringthemealIsawMr。Blake\'seyeroammorethanoncetowardsmyface；butIdidnotreturnhisgaze，ornoticehiminanyway；hurryingthroughmydinner，andmountingthefirsthorsebroughtaround，asiftimeweremyonlyconsideration。ButonceontheroadItookthefirstopportunitytodrawreinandwait，suddenlyrememberingthatIhadnotheardMr。
Blakegiveanyintimationofthedirectionheintendedtaking。Afewminutesrevealedtomehiselegantformwellmountedandshowingtoperfectioninhiscloselybuttonedcoat，slowlyapproachinguptheroad。Takingadvantageofariseintheground，Ilingeredtillhewasalmostuponme，whenIcanteredquicklyon，fearingtoarousehisapprehensionsifIallowedhimtopassmeonaroadsosolitaryasthatwhichnowstretchedoutbeforeus:amoveprovocativeofmuchembarassmenttome，asIdarednotturnmyheadforthesamereason，anxiousasIwastokeephiminsight。
Theroadsdividingbeforeme，atlengthgavememyfirstopportunitytopauseandlookback。Hewassomefiftypacesbehind。Waitingtillhecameup，IbowedwiththesurlycourtesyIthoughtinkeepingwiththecharacterIhadassumed，andaskedifheknewwhichroadledtowardsPerry，sayingIhadcomeoffinsuchhasteIhadforgottentoinquiremyway。Hereturnedmybow，pointedtowardsthelefthandroadandsaying，\"Iknowthisdoesnot，\"calmlytookit。
Nowherewasadilemma。IfinfaceofthiscurtresponseIproceededtofollowhim，myhandwasrevealedatonce；yetthecircumstanceswouldadmitofnoothercourse。Ideterminedtocompromisemattersbypretendingtotaketherighthandroadtillhewasoutofsight，whenIwouldreturnandfollowhimswiftlyupontheleft。AccordinglyI
reinedmyhorsetotheright，andforsomefifteenminutesgallopedslowlyawaytowardsthenorth；butanotherfifteensawmefacingthewest，andridingwithaforceandfuryofwhichIhadnotthoughttheoldmaretheyhadgivenmecapable，tillIputhertothetest。ItwasnotlongbeforeIsawmyfinegentlemantrottinginfrontofmeupalongbutgentleslopethatroseinthedistance；andslackeningmyownrein，Iwithdrewintotheforestatthesideoftheroad，tillhehadpasseditssummitanddisappeared，whenIagaingallopedforward。
Andthuswewentonforanhour，overthemostunevencountryIevertraversed，healwaysonehillahead；whensuddenly，bywhatinstinctIcannotdetermine，Ifeltmyselfapproachingtheend，andhasteningtothetopoftheascentupwhichIwasthenlaboring，lookeddownintotheshallowvalleyspreadoutbeforeme。
WhatasightmetmyeyesifIhadbeenintentonanythinglesspracticalthanthemovementsofthesolitaryhorsemanbelow!Hillsonhillspiledaboutaverdantbasininwhosedepthsnestledascantycollectionofhouses，innumbersosmalltheycouldbetolduponthefingersoftherighthand，butwhichnotwithstandinglentanindescribableaspectofcomforttothisremoteregionofhillandforest。
ButthevisionofMr。Blakepausinghalfwaydowntheslopebeforeme，examining，yesexaminingapistolwhichheheldinhishand，soonputanendtoallideasofromance。SomewhatalarmedIreinedback；buthisactionhadevidentlynoconnectionwithme，forhedidnotonceglancebehindhim，butkepthiseyeontheroadwhichInowobservedtookashortturntowardsahouseofsoweirdandominousanappearancethatIscarcelymarvelledathisprecaution。
Situatedonaleveltrackoflandatthecrossingofthreeroads，itsspaciousfront，rudeandunpaintedasitwas，presentedeveryappearanceofaninn，butfromitsmoss-grownchimneysnosmokearose，norcouldIdetectanysignoflifeinitsshutterlesswindowsandcloseddoors，acrosswhichshiveredthedarkshadowoftheonegauntandagedpine，thatstoodlikeaguardbesideitstumbled-downporch。
Mr。Blakeseemedtohavebeenstruckbythesamefactconcerningitsloneliness，forhurriedlyreplacinghispistolinhisbreastpocket，herodeslowlyforward。Iinstantlyconceivedtheplanofstrikingacrossthebeltofunderbrushthatseparatedmefromthisolddwelling，andbytakingmystandoppositeitsfront，interceptaviewofMr。Blakeasheapproached。Hastilydismounting，therefore，Iledmyhorseintothebushesandtiedhertoatree，proceedingtocarryoutmyplanonfoot。Iwassofarsuccessfulastoarriveatthefurtheredgeofthewood，whichwasthickenoughtoconcealmypresencewithoutbeingtoodensetoobstructmyvision，justasMr。
Blakepassedonhiswaytothissolitarydwelling。Hewaslookingveryanxious，butdetermined。Turningmyeyesfromhim，Itookanotherglanceatthehouse，whichbythismovementIhadbroughtdirectlybeforeme。Itwasevenmoredeserted-lookingthanIhadthought；itsunpaintedfrontwithitsdoublerowofblankwindowsmeetingyourgazewithoutaresponse，whilethehugeoldpinewithhalfitslimbsdismantledoffoliage，rattleditsoldbonesagainstitssidesandmoanedinitsagedfashionlikethesolitaryretainerofadeadrace。
IownIfeltthecoldshiverscreepdownmybackasthatcreakingsoundstruckmyears，thoughasthedaywaschillwithaneastwindI
daresayitwasmoretheeffectofmysuddencessationfromexercise，thanofanysuperstitiousaweIfelt。Mr。Blakeseemedtolaborundernosuchimpressions。Ridinguptothefrontdoorheknockedwithoutdismounting，onitsdismalpanelswithhisridingwhip。Noresponsewasheard。Knittinghisbrowsimpatiently，hetriedthelatch:thedoorwaslocked。Hastilyrunninghiseyeoverthefaceofthebuilding，hedrewreinandproceededtoridearoundthehouse，whichhecouldeasilydoowingtotheabsenceofeveryobstructioninthewayoffenceorshrubbery。Findingnomeansofentrancehereturnedagaintothefrontdoorwhichheshookwithanimpatienthandthathoweverproducednoimpressionuponthetrustylock，andrecognizing，doubtless，thefutilityofhisendeavors，hedrewback，andmerelypausingtogiveoneotherlookatitsdesertedfront，turnedhishorse\'shead，andtomygreatamazement，proceededwithsombremienandcloudedbrowtoretaketheroadtoMelville。
Thisoldinnordecayedhomesteadwasthentheobjectofhislengthenedandtediousjourney；thisancienthouserottingawayamongthebleakhillsofVermont，thebournetowardswhichhisstepshadbeentendingforthesepasttwodays。Icouldnotunderstandit。
RapidlyemergingfromthespotwhereIhadsecretedmyself，Iinmyturnmadeacircuitofthehouse，ifhappilyIshoulddiscoversomeloopholeofentrancewhichhadescapedhisattention。Buteverydoorandwindowwassecurelybarred，andIwasabouttofollowhisexampleandleavethespot，whenIsawtwoorthreechildrenadvancingtowardsmedownthecrossroads，gailyswingingtheirschoolbooks。Inoticedtheyhesitatedandhuddledtogetherastheyapproachedandsawme，butnotheedingthis，Iaccostedthemwithapleasantwordorso，thenpointingovermyshouldertothehousebehind，askedwholivedthere。
Instantlytheiralreadypalefacesgrewpaler。
\"Why，\"criedone，aboy，\"don\'tyouknow?ThatiswherethetwowickedmenlivedwhostolethemoneyoutoftheRutlandbank。Theywereputinprison，buttheygotawayand——\"
Here，theother，alittlegirl，pluckedhimbythesleevewithsuchaffright，thathehimselftookalarmandjustgivingmeonequickstareoutofhiswideeyes，graspedhiscompanionbythehandandtooktohisheels。AsformyselfIstoodrootedtothegroundinmyastonishment。Thisblank，sleepyoldhousethehomeofthenotoriousSchoenmakersafterwhomhalfofthedetectivesofthecountryweresearching?Icouldscarcelycreditmyownears。TrueInowrememberedtheyhadcomefromtheseparts，still——
TurningroundIeyedthehouseoncemore。Howaltereditlookedtome!
Whatamurderousaspectitwore，andhowdismallysecretwerethetightshutwindowsandcloselyfasteneddoors，ononeofwhicharudecrossscrawledinredchalkmettheeyewithamysterioussignificance。Eventheoldpinehadacquiredthevillainousairoftheuncannyrepositorofsecretstoodreadfultoreveal，asitgroanedandmurmuredtoitselfinthekeeneastwind。Darkdeedsandfoulwrongseemedwrittenalloverthefearfulplace，fromthelongstringsofblackmossthatclungtotheworm-eateneaves，tothewornstonewithitsgreatblotchofsomething，——couldithavebeenblood?——thatservedasathresholdtothedoor。Suddenlywiththequicknessoflightningthethoughtflashedacrossme，whatcouldMr。
Blake，thearistocraticrepresentativeofNewYork\'soldestfamily，havewantedinthisnestofinfamy?Whaterrandofhope，fear，despair，avariceorrevenge，couldhavebroughtthissuperiorgentlemanwithhisrefinedtastesandproudlyreticentmanners，somanymilesfromhome，totheforsakendenofabraceofhardyvillainswhosenamefortwoyearsnow，hadstoodasthetypeofallthatwasbold，badandlawless，andforwhomduringthelastsixweekstheprisonhadyawned，andthegallowshungered。Contemplationbroughtnoreply，andshockedatmyownthoughts，Iputthequestionbyforsteadierbrainsthanmine；andinsteadoftryingfurthertosolveit，castabouthowIwastogainentranceintothisdesertedbuilding；
fortoenteritIwasmorethaneverdetermined，nowthatIhadheardtowhomithadoncebelonged。
ExaminingwithaglancetheseveralroadsthatbranchedoffineverydirectionfromwhereIstood，Ifoundthemallequallydeserted。Eventheschoolchildrenhaddisappearedinsomeoneofthefourorfivehousesscatteredintheremotedistance。
IfIwaswillingtoenteruponanydaringexploit，therewasnoonetoobserveorinterrupt。Iresolvedtomaketheattemptwithwhichmymindwasfull。Thiswastoclimbtheoldtree，andfromoneofthetwoorthreebranchesthatbrushedagainstthehouse，gainentranceatanopengarretwindowthatstaredatmefromamidthepine\'sdarkneedles。Takingoffmycoatwithasighovertheimmaculateconditionofmynewcassimeretrousers，Ibentmyenergiestothetask。A
difficultoneyouwillsayforacitylad，butthankstofortuneI
wasnotbroughtupinNewYork，andknowhowtoclimbtreeswiththebest。Withlittlemorethanascratchorso，IreachedthewindowofwhichIhavespoken，andafteramomentspentinregainingmybreath，gaveonespringandaccomplishedmypurpose。Ialighteduponaheapofbrokenglassinalargebareroom。Anominouschillatoncestrucktomyheart。ThoughIamanythingbutasensitivemanasfarasphysicalimpressionsareconcerned，therewassomethinginthehollowechothatarosefromthefourblankwallsaboutmeasmyfeetalightedonthatrough，uncarpetedfloor，thatstruckavaguechillthroughmyblood，andIactuallyhesitatedforthemomentwhethertopursuetheinvestigationsIhadpromisedmyself，orbeatahastyretreat。Aglanceatthehugedistortedlimbsswayingacrossthesquareoftheopenwindowdecidedme。Itwaseasytoenterbymeansofthatunsteadysupport，butitwouldbeextremelyunsafetoventureforthinthatway。IfIprizedlifeandlimbImustseeksomeothermethodofegress。Iatonceputmyapprehensionsinmypocketandentereduponmyselfimposedtask。
AsingleglancewassufficienttoexhausttheresourcesoftheemptygarretinwhichIfoundmyself。Twoorthreeoldchairspiledinonecorner，arustystoveorso，aheapoftatteredanddecayingclothing，wereallthatmetmygaze。Takingmyway，then，atoncetotheladder，whosenarrowendsprojectingaboveaholeinthegarretfloor，seemedtoprofferthemeansofreachingtheroomsbelow，I
proceededtodescendintowhattomyexcitedimaginationlookedlikeagulfofdarkness。Itproved，however，tobenothingmorenorlessthananunlightedhallofsmalldimensions，withastair-caseatoneendandadoorattheother，which，uponopeningIfoundmyselfinalarge，squareroomwhoseimmensefour-postbedsteadentirelydenudedofitsusualaccompanimentsofbedandbolsteratoncestruckmyeyeandforamomenthelditenchained。Therewereotherarticlesintheroom；adisusedbureau，arockingchair，evenatable，butnothinghadsuchaghostlylookasthatantiquebedsteadwithitscurtainsofcalicotiedbackoveritsnakedframework，likeragsdrapedfromthebarebonesofaskeleton。Passinghurriedlyby，Itriedaclosetdoororso，findinglittle，however，torewardmysearch；andeagertobedonewithwhatwaseverymomentbecomingmoreandmoredrearisome，I
hastenedacrossthefloortothefrontofthehousewhereIfoundanotherhallandarowofroomsthat，whilenotentirelystrippedoffurniture，wereyetsufficientlybarrentoofferlittleencourgementtomycuriosity。Oneonly，asmallbutnotuncomfortableapartment，showedanysignsofhavingbeenoccupiedwithinareasonablelengthoftime；andasIpausedbeforeitshastilyspreadbed，throwntogetherasonlyamanwoulddoit，andwonderingwhytheroomwassodark，lookedupandsawthatthewindowwasentirelycoveredbyanoldshawlandacoupleofheavycoatsthathadbeenhastilynailedacrossit，I
ownIfeltmyhandgotomybreastpocketalmostasifIexpectedtoseethewildfacesofthedreadedSchoenmakersstartupallaglarefromoneofthedimcornersbeforeme。Rushingtothewindow，Itoredownwithonesweepofmyarmbothcoatandshawl，andwithastartdiscoveredthatthewindowstillpossesseditsdraperiesintheshapeofapairofdiscoloredandtatteredcurtainstiedwithribbonsthatmustoncehavebeenbrilliantandcheeryofcolor。
Norwasthistheonlysignintheroomofabygonepresencethathadpossessedatasteforsomethingbeyondthemerenecessitiesoflife。
Onthegrimcoarselypaperedwallhungmorethanonepicture；cutfrompictorialnewspaperstobesure，buteachandeveryone，ifImaybecalledajudgeofsuchmatters，possessingsomequalityofexpressiontocommendittoacertainorderoftaste。Theywereallstrongpictures。Vividfacesofmenandwomenindaringpositions；ahunterholdingbackajaguarfromhisthroat；asoldierprotectinghiscomradefromthestroke；andmoststrikingofall，awomanlissomeasshewaspowerful，startingaghastandhorrorstrickenfrom——what?
Icouldnottell；aroughhandhadstrippedtheremainderofthepicturefromthewall。
Abitofcandleandahalfsheetofanewspaperlayonthefloor。I
pickedupthepaper。ItwasaRutlandHeraldandborethedateoftwodaysbefore。AsIreadIrealizedwhatIhaddone。Ifthesedaringrobberswerenotatthisverymomentinthehouse，theyhadbeenthere，andthatwithintwoorthreedays。Thebrokenpanesofglassinthegarretabovewerenowexplained。Iwasnotthefirstonewhohadclimbedthatcreakingpinetreethisfall。
Somethinglikeasensibledreadofaverypossibledangernowseizedholdofme。IfIhadstumbleduponthesestranglysubtile，yetdevilishlyboldcreaturesintheirsecretlair，thepistolIcarriedwasnotgoingtosaveme。Shutinlikeafoxinahole，Ihadlittletohopefor，iftheyoncemadetheirappearanceatthestairheadorcameuponmefromanyofthedimhallsofthecrazyolddwelling，whichInowbegantofindaltogethertoolargeformycomfort。
StealingcautiouslyforthfromtheroominwhichIhadfoundsomuchtodisconcertme，Icrepttowardsthefrontstaircaseandlistened。
Allwasdeathlyquiet。Theoldpinetreemoanedandtwistedwithout，andfromtimetotimethewindcamesweepingdownthechimneywithanunearthlyshriekingsoundthatwasweirdlyinkeepingwiththeplace。