Thisisanobviouserror。ItisabsolutelynewtoEdwinDroodthattheopiumhagisintimatelyacquaintedwithhisuncle，Jasper，andhatesJasperwithadeadlyhatred。AllthisisnotonlynewtoDrood，ifalive，butisrichinpromiseoffurtherrevelations。Drood，onChristmasEve，hadlearnedfromthehagonlythatshetookopium，andthatshehadcomefromtowntoCloisterham，andhad\"huntedforaneedleinabottleofhay。\"Thatwasthesumofhisinformation。Nowhelearnsthatthewomanknows，tracks，hasfound，andhates，hisworthyuncle，Jasper。Hemaywell，therefore，addaheavymarktohisscore。
Wemustalsoask，HowcouldHelena，freshfromCeylon，know\"theoldtavernwayofkeepingscores？Illegibleexcepttothescorer。Thescorernotcommitted，thescoreddebitedwithwhatisagainsthim，\"asDatcheryobserves。AnEurasiangirloftwenty，newtoEngland，wouldnotarguethuswithherself：shewouldprobablyknownothingofEnglishtavernscores。WedonothearthatHelenaeveropenedabook：
wedoknowthateducationhadbeendeniedtoher。WhatacquaintancecouldshehavewitholdEnglishtaverncustoms？
IfDroodisDatchery，thenDickensusedaformofaveryoldandfavouriteFICELLEofhis：thewatchingofavillainbyanimprobableandunsuspectedperson，inthiscasethoughttobedead。IfHelenaisDatchery，the\"assumption\"orpersonationisinthehighestdegreeimprobable，herwholebearingisquiteoutofherpossibilities，andthepersonationisveryabsurd。
Herethestoryends。
THEORIESOFTHEMYSTERY
FORSTER’SEVIDENCE
WEhavesomeexternalevidenceastoDickens’ssolutionofhisownproblem，fromForster。（2）OnAugust6，1869，someweeksbeforehebegantoworkathistale，Dickens，inaletter，toldForster，\"Ihaveaverycuriousandnewideaformynewstory。Notcommunicable（ortheinterestofthebookwouldbegone），butaverystrongone，thoughdifficulttowork。\"ForstermusthaveinstantlyaskedthattheincommunicablesecretshouldbecommunicatedtoHIM，forhetellsusthat\"IMMEDIATELYAFTERIlearnt\"-thesecret。Butdidhelearnit？
Dickenswasill，andhisplot，whateveritmayhavebeen，wouldbeirritatinglycriticizedbyForsterbeforeitwasfullythoughtout。
\"Fulesandbairnsshouldnotseehalf-donework，\"andDickensmaywellhavefeltthatForstershouldnotseeworknotevenbegun，butmerelysimmeringintheauthor’sownfancy。
ForsterdoesnottellusthatDickenscommunicatedthesecretinaletter。Hequotesnone：hesays\"Iwastold，\"orally，thatis。Whenhewrites，fiveyearslater（1874），\"Landlesswas，ITHINK，tohaveperishedinassistingTartarfinallytounmaskandseizethemurderer，\"heisclearlytrusting，nottoaletterofDickens’s，buttoadefectivememory；andheknowsit。Hesaysthatanephewwastobemurderedbyanuncle。Thecriminalwastoconfessinthecondemnedcell。Hewastofindoutthathiscrimehadbeenneedless，andtobeconvictedbymeansofthering（Rosa’smother’sring）remaininginthequicklimethathaddestroyedthebodyofEdwin。
Nothing\"new\"inallthis，asForstermusthaveseen。\"Theoriginality，\"heexplains，\"wastoconsistinthereviewofthemurderer’scareerbyhimselfattheclose，whenitstemptationsweretobedweltuponasif，nothetheculprit，butsomeotherman，werethetempted。\"
Butallthisisnot\"hardtowork，\"andisnot\"original。\"AsMr。
Proctorremarks，Dickenshadusedthattricktwicealready。
（\"Madman’sManuscript，\"PICKWICK；\"ClockCaseConfession，\"inMASTER
HUMPHREY’SCLOCK。）Thequicklimetrickisalsoveryoldindeed。Thedisguiseofawomanasamanisasancientastheartoffiction：yetHelenaMAYbeDatchery，thoughnobodyguesseditbeforeMr。CumingWalters。SheoughtnottobeDatchery；sheisquiteoutofkeepinginherspeechandmannerasDatchery，andismuchmorelikeDrood。
\"ANEWIDEA\"
Therearenonewideasinplots。\"Allthestorieshavebeentold，\"
andallthemeritliesinthemannerofthetelling。Dickenshadusedtheunsuspectedwatcher，asMr。Proctorshows，inalmostallhisnovels。InMARTINCHUZZLEWIT，whenJonasfindsthatNadgetthasbeenthewatcher，Dickenswrites，\"Thedeadmanmighthavecomeoutofhisgraveandnotconfoundedandappalledhimso。\"Now，toJasper，EdwinWAS\"thedeadman，\"andEdwin’sgravecontainedquicklime。JasperwassurethathehaddoneforEdwin：hehadtakenEdwin’swatch，chain，andscarf-pin；hebelievedthathehadlefthim，drugged，inquicklime，inalockedvault。ConsequentlythereappearanceofEdwin，quitewell，inthevaultwhereJasperhadburiedhim，wouldbeaverynewideatoJasper；would\"confoundandappallhim。\"Jasperwouldhaveemotions，atthatspectacle，andsowouldthereader！Itisnoteveryday，eveninourageofsixpennynovels，thatamurdereriscompelledtovisit，alone，atnight，thevaultwhichholdshisvictim’s\"coldremains，\"andthereinfindsthevictim\"comeup，smiling。\"
Yes，forbusinesspurposes，thisideawasnewenough！Theideawas\"difficulttowork，\"saysDickens，withobvioustruth。Howwashetogetthequicklimeintothevault，andDrood，alive，outofthevault？
Astothereader，hewouldatfirsttakeDatcheryforDrood，andthenthink，\"No，thatisimpossible，andalsoisstale。DatcherycannotbeDrood，\"andthusthereaderwouldremaininapleasantstateofpuzzledom，ashedoes，untothisday。
IfEdwinisdead，thereisnotmuch\"Mystery\"abouthim。WehaveasgoodasseenJasperstranglehimandtakehispin，chain，andwatch。
YetbyadroitlymanagingtheconductofMr。Grewgious，DickenspersuadedMr。Proctorthatcertainly，GrewgiousknewEdwintobealive。AsGrewgiousknew，fromHelena，allthatwasnecessarytoprovokehisexperimentonJasper’snerves，Mr。Proctorarguedonfalsepremises，butthatwasduetothecraftofDickens。Mr。ProctorrejectedForster’sreport，frommemory，ofwhatheunderstoodtobethe\"incommunicablesecret\"ofDickens’splot，andIthinkthathewasjustifiedintherejection。Forsterdoesnotseemtohavecaredaboutthething-hereferslightlyto\"thereadercuriousinsuchmatters\"-
whenoncehehadreceivedhisexplanationfromDickens。Hismemory，inthespaceoffiveyears，mayhavebeeninaccurate：heprobablyneitherknewnorcaredwhoDatcherywas；andhemayreadilyhavemisunderstoodwhatDickenstoldhim，orally，aboutthering，astheinstrumentofdetection。Moreover，Forsterquiteoverlookedonesourceofevidence，asIshallshowlater。
MR。PROCTOR’STHEORY
Mr。Proctor’stheoryofthestoryisthatJasper，afterEdwin’sreturnatmidnightonChristmasEve，recommendedawarmdrink-mulledwine，drugged-andthenproposedanotherstrollofinspectionoftheeffectsofthestorm。Hethenstrangledhim，somewhere，andplacedhiminthequicklimeintheSapseavault，lockedhimin，andwenttobed。Next，accordingtoMr。Proctor，Durdles，then，\"lyingdrunkintheprecincts，\"forsomereasontapswithhishammeronthewalloftheSapseavault，detectsthepresenceofaforeignbody，opensthetomb，andfindsDroodinthequicklime，\"hisfacefortunatelyprotectedbythestrongsilkshawlwithwhichJasperhasintendedtothrottlehim。\"
AMISTAKENTHEORY
Thisis\"thin，\"very\"thin！\"DickensmusthavehadsomebetterschemethanMr。Proctor’s。WhydidJaspernot\"maksikker\"likeKirkpatrickwiththeRedComyn？Whydidheleavehissilkscarf？Itmightcometobeaskedfor；tobesurethequicklimewoulddestroyit，butwhydidJasperleaveit？WhydidtheintoxicatedDurdlescomeoutofthecrypt，ifhewasthere，enterthegraveyard，andbegintappingatthewallofthevault？Whynotopenthedoor？hehadthekey。
Suppose，however，allthistohaveoccurred，andsuppose，withMr。
Proctor，thatDurdlesandDeputycarriedEdwintotheTramps’
lodgings，wouldDurdlesfailtorecognizeEdwin？WearetoguessthatGrewgiouswaspresent，ordisturbedathisinn，orsomehowbroughtintotouchwithEdwin，andbribedDurdlestosilence，\"untilaschemeforthepunishmentofJasperhadbeendevised。\"
Allthissetofconjecturesiscrudetothelastdegree。WedonotknowhowDickensmeanttogetEdwinintoandoutofthevault。
GrantingthatEdwinwasdrugged，JaspermightleadEdwinin，consideringthelicenceextendedtotheeffectsofdrugsinnovels，andmightstranglehimthere。Aboveall，howdidGrewgious，ifinCloisterham，cometobeathandatmidnight？
ANOTHERWAY
IfImustmakeaguess，IconjecturethatJasperhadoneofhis\"filmy\"seizures，was\"inafrightfulsortofdream，\"andbungledthemurder：madeanincompletejobofit。Half-strangledmenandwomenhaveoftenrecovered。InJasper’sopiumvisionandreminiscencetherewasnoresistance，allwasverysoonover。Jaspermightevenbunglethelockingofthedoorofthevault。Hewasapttohaveaseizureafteropium，inmomentsofexcitement，andHEHADBEENATTHEOPIUM
DENTHROUGHTHENIGHTOFDECEMBER23，forthehagtrackedhimfromherhouseintowntoCloisterhamonDecember24，thedayofthecrime。
Grantthathisaccustomedfitcameuponhimduringtheexcitementofthemurder，asitdoescomeafter\"anichtwi’opium，\"inchapterii。，whenEdwinexciteshimbycontemptuoustalkofthegirlwhomJasperlovessofuriously-andthenanythingmayhappen！
JaspermurdersEdwininefficiently；hehasafit；whileheisunconsciousthequicklimerevivesEdwin，byburninghishand，say，and，duringJasper’sswoon，Edwin，likeanotherfamousprisoner，\"hasahappythought，heopensthedoor，andwalksout。\"
Beingdrugged，heisinadreamystate；knowsnotclearlywhathasoccurred，orwhoattackedhim。Jasperrevives，\"lookon’tagainhedarenot，\"-onthebodyofhisvictim-andHEwalksoutandgoeshome，wherehisredlamphasburnedallthetime-\"thinkingitallwerycapital。\"
\"Anotherway，\"-JaspernotonlyfailstostrangleDrood，butfailstolockthedoorofthevault，andDroodwalksoutafterJasperhasgone。
Jasperhas，beforehisfit，\"removedfromthebodythemostlasting，thebestknown，andmosteasilyrecognizablethingsuponit，thewatchandscarf-pin。\"SoDickensputsthepopularviewofthecaseagainstNevilleLandless，andsowearetopresumethatJasperacted。Ifheremovednomorethingsfromthebodythanthese，hemadeafataloversight。
Meanwhile，howdoesEdwin，onceoutofthevault，makegoodasecretescapefromCloisterham？Mr。ProctorinvokestheaidofMr。
Grewgious，butdoesnotexplainwhyGrewgiouswasonthespot。I
venturetothinkitnotinconceivablethatMr。GrewgioushavingcomedowntoCloisterhambyalatetrain，onChristmasEve，tokeephisChristmasappointmentwithRosa，paidadarklingvisittothetombofhislostlove，Rosa’smother。Grewgiouswasverysentimental，buttoosecretivetopaysuchavisitbydaylight。\"Anightofmemoriesandsighs\"hemight\"consecrate\"tohislostladylove，asLandordidtoRoseAylmer。GrewgiouswastohavehelpedBazzardtoeataturkeyonChristmasDay。Buthecouldgetoutofthatengagement。HewouldwishtoseeEdwinandRosatogether，andEdwinwasleavingCloisterham。ThedateofGrewgious’sarrivalatCloisterhamisstudiouslyconcealed。IofferatleastaconceivablemotiveforGrewgious’spossiblepresenceatthechurchyard。Mrs。Bud，hislostlove，wehavebeentold，wasburiedhardbytheSapseamonument。IfGrewgiousvisitedhertomb，hewasonthespottohelpEdwin，supposingEdwintoescape。Unlikelierthingsoccurinnovels。Idonot，infact，calltheseprobableoccurrencesinevery-daylife，butnoneofthestoryisprobable。Jasper’s\"weirdseizures\"aremeanttoleaduptoSOMETHING。TheymayhavebeenmeanttoleaduptothefailureofthemurderandtheescapeofEdwin。OfcourseDickenswouldnothavetreatedtheseincidents，whenhecametomakeEdwinexplain，-nobodyelsecouldexplain，-inmystudiouslysimplestyle。
ThedruggedEdwinhimselfwouldrememberthecircumstancesbutmistily：hisevidencewouldbeofnovalueagainstJasper。
Mr。Proctornextsupposes，wesaw，thatDroodgotintotouchwithGrewgious，andIhaveaddedthecircumstanceswhichmighttakeGrewgioustothechurchyard。Next，whenEdwinrecoveredhealth，hecamedown，perhaps，asDatchery，tospyonJasper。Ihaveelsewheresaid，asMr。CumingWaltersquotesme，that\"fancycansuggestnoreasonwhyEdwinDrood，ifheescapedfromhiswickeduncle，shouldgospyingaboutinsteadofcomingopenlyforward。Noplausibleunfantasticreasoncouldbeinvented。\"Later，IshallexplainwhyEdwin，ifheisDatchery，mightgospyingalone。
ItisalsourgedthatEdwinleftRosainsorrow，andleftblameonNevilleLandless。Whydothis？Mr。ProctorrepliesthatGrewgious’sintenseandwatchfulinterestinNeville，otherwiseunexplained，isduetohisknowledgethatDroodisalive，andthatNevillemustbecaredfor，whileGrewgioushastoldRosathatEdwinlives。HealsotoldherofEdwin’srealloveofher，henceMissBudsays，\"Poor，poorEddy，\"quiteAPROPOSDEBOTTES，whenshefindsherselfmanyfathomsdeepinlovewithLieutenantTartar，R。N。\"’Poor，poorEddy！’thoughtRosa，astheywalkedalong，\"Tartarandshe。ThisisaplausiblesuggestionofMr。Proctor。Edwin，thoughknowntoRosatobealive，hasnochance！But，astomyownremark，\"whyshouldnotEdwincomeforwardatonce，insteadofspyingabout？\"Well，ifhedid，therewouldbenostory。Asfor\"anunfantasticreason\"forhisconduct，Dickensisnotwritingan\"unfantastic\"novel。Moreover，ifthingsoccurredasIhavesuggested，IdonotseewhatevidenceDroodhadagainstJasper。Edwin’sclotheswerecoveredwithlime，but，whenhetoldhisstory，JasperwouldreplythatDroodneverreturnedtohishouseonChristmasEve，butstayedout，\"doingwhatwascorrectbytheseason，inthewayofgivingitthewelcomeithadtherighttoexpect，\"likeDurdlesonanotheroccasion。Drood’sevidence，ifitwaswhatIhavesuggested，wouldsoundlikethedreamofanintoxicatedman，andwhatotherevidencecouldbeadduced？ThusIhadworkedoutDrood’scondition，ifhereallywasnotkilled，inthisway：Ihadsupposedhimtoescape，inaverymixedframeofmind，whenhewouldbeencounteredbyGrewgious，who，ofcourse，couldmakelittleoutofhiminhisbefoggedstate。DroodcouldnotevenprovethatitwasnotLandlesswhoattackedhim。TheresultwouldbethatDroodwouldlielow，andlater，wouldhavereasonenoughfordisguisinghimselfasDatchery，andplayingthespyinCloisterham。
AtthispointIwasreinforcedbyanopinionwhichMr。WilliamArcherhadexpressed，unknowntome，inanewspaperarticle。IhaddescribedEdwin’sconfusedknowledgeofhisownexperience，ifhewerethoroughlydrugged，andthenhalfstrangled。Mr。Archeralsotookthatpoint，andaddedthatEdwinbeingagood-heartedfellow，andfondofhisuncleJasper，hewouldnotbring，orletGrewgiousbring，aterriblechargeagainstJasper，tillheknewmorecertainlythewholestateofthecase。Forthatreason，hewouldcomedisguisedtoCloisterhamandmakeinquiries。BylettingJasperknowaboutthering，hewouldcompelhimtoenterthevault，andthen，Mr。Archerthinks，wouldinducehimto\"repentandbeginlifeafresh。\"
IscarcelythinkthatDatchery’spurposewassotrulyhonourable：heratherseemstobegettingupacaseagainstJasper。Still，theideaofMr。Archerisveryplausible，and，atleast，givenDrood’sneedofevidence，andthelackofevidenceagainstJasper，weseereasongood，inanovelofthiskind，forhisplayingthepartofamateurdetective。
DICKENS’SUNUSEDDRAFTOFACHAPTER
Forsterfound，andpublished，averyillegiblesketchofachapterofthetale：\"HowMr。SapseaceasedtobeaMemberoftheEightClub，ToldbyHimself。\"Thiswas\"acramped，interlined，andblotted\"
draft，onpaperofonlyhalfthesizecommonlyusedbyDickens。Mr。
SapseatellshowhisClubmockedhimaboutastranger，whohadmistakenhimfortheDean。Thejackass，Sapsea，lefttheClub，andmetthestranger，AYOUNGMAN，whofooledhimtothetopofhisbent，saying，\"IfIwastodenythatIcametothistowntoseeandhearyou，Sir，whatwoulditavailme？\"Apparentlythispaperwasaroughdraftofanideaforintroducingadetective，asaYOUNGman，whomocksSapseajustasDatcherydoesinthenovel。ButtomakethespyAYOUNGman，whetherthespywasDroodorHelenaLandless，wastoodifficult；andthereforeDickensmakesDatchery\"anelderlybuffer\"inawhitewig。IfIamright，itwaseasierforHelena，agirl，toposeasayoungman，thanforDroodtoreappearasayoungman，nothimself。HelenaMAYbeDatchery，andyetDroodmaybealiveandbidinghistime；butIhavedisprovedmyoldobjectionthattherewasnoreasonwhyDrood，ifalive，shouldgospyingaboutindisguise。
ThereweregoodDickensianreasons。
AQUESTIONOFTASTE
Mr。CumingWaltersarguesthatthestoryisverytameifEdwinisstillalive，andleftoutofthemarriagesattheclose。Besides，\"Droodislittlemorethananame-label，attachedtoabody，amanwhoneverexcitessympathy，whosefatecausesnoemotion，heissavedfornousefulorsentimentalpurpose，andlagssuperfluousonthestage。
Allofwhichisbadart，sobadthatDickenswouldneverhavebeenguiltyofit。\"
Thatisaquestionoftaste。Onrereadingthenovel，IseethatDickensmakesDroodassympatheticashecan。Heisveryyoung，andspeaksofRosawithbadtaste，butheisreallyinlovewithher，muchmoresothanshewithhim，andheispiquedbyherceaselessmockery，andbytheirfalseposition。ToJasperheissingularlytender，andremorsefulwhenhethinksthathehasshownwantoftact。Thereisnothingominousabouthisgaiety：astohisonefault，weleavehim，onChristmasEve，aconvertedcharacter：hehasakindwordandlookforeveryonewhomhemeets，youngandold。HeacceptsMr。
Grewgious’sverysternlectureinthebestmannerpossible。Inshort，heismarkedasfaulty-\"Iamyoung，\"soheexcuseshimself，intheverywordsofDarnleytoQueenMary！（iftheGlasgowletterbegenuine）；butheisalsomarkedassympathetic。
Hewas，Ithink，tohavealesson，andtobecomeagoodfellow。Mr。
Proctorrightlyargues（andForster\"thinks\"），thatDickensmeanttokillNevilleLandless：Mr。CumingWaltersagreeswithhim，butMr。
ProctortrulyaddsthatEdwinhasnoneofthesignsofDickens’sdoomedmen，hisSidneyCartons，andtherest。Youcantell，asitwerebythesoundofthevoiceofDickens，saysMr。Proctor，thatEdwinistolive。Theimpressionismerelysubjective，butIfeeltheimpression。ThedoomofLandlessisconspicuouslyfixed，andwhyisLandlesstobekilledbyJasper？MerelytohaveacountonwhichtohangJasper！HecannotbehangedforkillingDrood，ifDroodisalive。
MR。PROCTOR’STHEORYCONTINUED
Mr。ProctornextsupposesthatDatcheryandothers，byaidoftheopiumhag，havefoundoutagreatdealofevidenceagainstJasper。
Theyhavediscoveredfromtheoldwomanthathiscrimewaslongpremeditated：hehadthreatened\"Ned\"inhisopiateddreams：andhadclearlyremovedEdwin’strinketsandwatch，becausetheywouldnotbedestroyed，withhisbody，bythequicklime。Thisisallverywell，butthereisstill，sofar，nolegalevidence，onmytheory，thatJasperattemptedtotakeEdwin’slife。Jasper’senemies，therefore，canonlydotheirbesttomakehislifeaburdentohim，andtogivehimagoodfright，probablywiththehopeofterrifyinghimintoavowals。
Nowthefamousringbegins\"todragandhold\"themurderer。Heisgiventoknow，Ipresume，that，whenEdwindisappeared，hehadagoldringinthepocketofhiscoat。Jasperisthuscompelledtorevisitthevault，atnight，andthere，inthelightofhislantern，heseesthelong-lostEdwin，withhishandinthebreastofhisgreatcoat。
Horrifiedbythisunexpectedappearance，Jasperturnstofly。ButheisconfrontedbyNevilleLandless，Crisparkle，Tartar，andperhapsbyMr。Grewgious，whoareallonthewatch。Herushesupthroughtheonlyoutlet，thewindingstaircaseoftheCathedraltower，ofwhichweknowthathehashadthekey。Neville，wholeadshispursuers，\"receiveshisdeathwound\"（and，Ithink，ispitchedoffthetopoftheroof）。ThenJasperiscollaredbythatagileclimber，Tartar，andbyCrisparkle，alwaysinthepinkofcondition。ThereisnowsomethingtohangJasperfor-theslayingofLandless（though，asfarasIcansee，THATwasdoneinself-defence）。Jasperconfessesall；
TartarmarriesRosa；HelenamarriesCrisparkle。Edwinisonlytwenty-
one，andmayeasilyfindaconsolerofthefairsex：indeedheis\"oweryoungtomarryyet。\"
ThecaptureofJasperwasfixed，ofcourse，forChristmasEve。ThephantomcryforeheardbyDurdles，twoyearsbefore，wasthatofNevilleashefell；andthedogthathowledwasNeville’sdog，acharacternotyetintroducedintotheromance。
MR。CUMINGWALTERS’STHEORY
SuchisMr。Proctor’stheoryofthestory，inwhichImainlyagree。
Mr。ProctorreliesonapieceofevidenceoverlookedbyForster，andcertainlymisinterpreted，asIthinkIcanprovetoacertainty，byMr。CumingWalters，whosetheoryoftherealconductoftheplotrunsthus：AfterwatchingthestormatmidnightwithEdwin，Nevillelefthim，andwenthome：\"hiswaylayinanoppositedirection。NeartotheCathedralJasperinterceptedhisnephew……Edwinmayhavebeenalreadydrugged。\"HowthemurderwasworkedMr。CumingWaltersdoesnotsay，butheintroducesatthispoint，thetwosoundsforeheardbyDurdles，withoutexplaining\"thehowlofadog。\"Durdleswouldhearthecries，andDeputy\"hadseenwhathecouldnotunderstand，\"
whateveritwasthathesaw。Jasper，notawareofDrood’spossessionofthering，takesonlyhiswatch，chain，andpin，whichheplacesonthetimbersoftheweir，andintheriver，tobepickedupbythatpersistentwinter-bather，Crisparkleofthetelescopicandmicroscopiceyesight。
Astothering，Mr。CumingWalterserroneouslydeclaresthatMr。
Proctor\"ignores\"thepowerofthering\"toholdanddrag，\"andsaysthatpotentpassageis\"withoutmeaningandmustbedisregarded。\"
Proctor，infact，givesmorethanthreepagestothemeaningofthering，which\"drags\"Jasperintothevault，whenhehearsofitsexistence。（3）Next，Mr。CumingWalterssupposesDatcherytolearnfromDurdles，whomheistovisit，aboutthesecondhearingofthecryandthedog’showl。DeputymayhaveseenJasper\"carryinghisburden\"
（Edwin）\"towardstheSapseavault。\"Infact，JasperprobablysavedtroublebymakingthedruggedEdwinwalkintothatreceptacle。
\"DatcherywouldnotthinkoftheSapseavaultunaided。\"No-unlessDatcherywasDrood！\"NowDurdlesisusefulagain。Tappingwithhishammerhewouldfindachange……inquirymustbemade。\"WhyshouldDurdlestaptheSapseamonument？AsDurdleshadthekey，hewouldsimplywalkintothevault，andfindthequicklime。Now，Jasperalso，wepresume，hadakey，madefromawaximpressionoftheoriginal。Ifhehadanysense，hewouldhaveremovedthequicklimeaseasilyasheinsertedit，forMr。Sapseawasmortal：hemightdieanyday，andbeburied，andthenthequicklime，lyingwhereitoughtnot，wouldgiverisetoawkwardinquiries。
Inquirybeingmade，inconsequenceofDurdles’stappings，theringwouldbefound，asMr。CumingWalterssays。Buteventhen，unlessDeputyactuallysawJaspercarryamanintothevault，nobodycouldproveJasper’sconnectionwiththepresenceoftheringinthevault。
Moreover，DeputyhatedJasper，andifhesawJaspercarryingthebodyofaman，onthenightwhenamandisappeared，hewascleverenoughtoleadDurdlestoexaminethevault，ATONCE。DeputyhadagreatdislikeoftheLawanditsofficers，butherewasachanceforhimtodistinguishhimself，andconciliatethem。
Howeverthesethingsmaybe，Mr。CumingWalterssupposesthatJasper，findinghimselfwatched，re-entersthevault，perhaps，\"toseethateverytraceofthecrimehadbeenremoved。\"Inthevaulthefinds-
Datchery，thatis，HelenaLandless！Jaspercertainlyvisitedthevaultandfoundsomebody。
EVIDENCEOFCOLLINS’SDRAWINGS
WenowcometotheevidencewhichForsterstrangelyoverlooked，whichMr。ProctorandMr。Archercorrectlydeciphered，andwhichMr。CumingWaltersmisinterprets。OnDecember22，1869，DickenswrotetoForsterthattwonumbersofhisromancewere\"nowintype。CharlesCollinshasdesignedanexcellentcover。\"Mr。C。A。CollinshadmarriedadaughterofDickens。（4）Hewasanartist，agreatfriendofDickens，andauthorofthatcharmingbook，\"ACruiseonWheels。\"Hisdesignofthepapercoverofthestory（itappearedinmonthlynumbers）
contained，asusual，sketcheswhichgiveaninklingoftheeventsinthetale。Mr。Collinswastohaveillustratedthebook；but，finally，Mr。（nowSir）LukeFildesundertookthetask。Mr。Collinsdiedin1873。ItappearsthatForsterneveraskedhimthemeaningofhisdesigns-asingularoversight。
Thecoverliesbeforethereader。Intheleft-handtopcornerappearsanallegoricalfemalefigureofjoy，withflowers。ThecentraltopspacecontainsthefrontofCloisterhamCathedral，orrather，thenave。TotheleftwalksEdwin，withhyacinthinelocks，andathoroughlyclassicaltypeofface，andGreciannose。LIKEDATCHERY，HEDOESNOTWEAR，BUTCARRIESHISHAT；thismeansnothing，iftheyareinthenave。Heseemsbored。OnhisarmisRosa；SHEseemsbored；
shetrailsherparasol，andlooksawayfromEdwin，looksdown，toherright。Onthespectator’srightmarchthesurplicedmenandboysoftheChoir。BehindthemisJasper，blackwhiskersandall；hestaresafterEdwinandRosa；hisrighthandhideshismouth。Inthecornerabovehimisanallegoricalfemale，claspingastiletto。
BeneathEdwinandRosais，first，anallegoricalfemalefigure，lookingataplacard，headed\"LOST，\"onadoor。Underthat，again，isagirlinagarden-chair；ayoungman，whiskerless，withwavyhair，kneelsandkissesherhand。Shelooksratherunimpassioned。I
conceivethemantobeLandless，takingleaveofRosaafterurginghishopelesssuit，forwhichHelena，welearn，\"seemstocompassionatehim。\"Hehasavowedhispassion，earlyinthestory，toCrisparkle。
Below，theopiumhagissmoking。Ontheotherside，underthefiguresofJasperandtheChoir，theyoungmanwhokneelstothegirlisseenboundingupaspiralstaircase。Hislefthandisontheironrailing；
hestoopsoverit，lookingdownatotherswhofollowhim。Hisrighthand，theindexfingerprotruded，pointsupward，and，bychanceordesign，pointsstraightatJasperinthevignetteabove。Beneaththisman（clearlyLandless）followsatallmanina\"bowler\"hat，a\"cut-
away\"coat，andtrouserswhichshowaninchofwhitestockingabovethelowshoes。Hisprofileishidbythewallofthespiralstaircase：hemightbeGrewgiousoftheshoes，whitestockings，andshorttrousers，buthemaybeTartar：hetakestwostepsatastride。
Beneathhimayoungishman，inalow，soft，clericalhatandablackpea-coat，ascends，lookingdownwardsandbackwards。ThisisclearlyCrisparkle。AChinamanissmokingopiumbeneath。
Inthecentrallowestspace，adarkandwhiskeredmanentersadarkchamber；hislefthandisonthelockofthedoor；inhisrightheholdsupalantern。ThelightofthelanternrevealsayoungmaninasofthatofTyroleseshape。Hisfeaturesarepurelyclassical，hisnoseisGrecian，hislocksarelong（atleast，accordingtothetasteofto-day）；hewearsalightpaletot，buttonedtothethroat；hisrightarmhangsbyhisside；hislefthandisthrustintothebreastofhiscoat。Hecalmlyregardsthedarkmanwiththelantern。Thatman，ofcourse，isJasper。TheyoungmanisEDWINDROOD，oftheGreciannose，hyacinthinelocks，andclassicfeatures，asinSirL。
Fildes’sthirdillustration。
Mr。Proctorcorrectlyunderstoodtheunmistakablemeaningofthislastdesign，Jasperenteringthevault-
\"TO-DAYTHEDEADARELIVING，THELOSTISFOUNDTO-DAY。\"
Mr。CumingWalterstellsusthathedidnotexaminethesedesignsbyMr。Collinstillhehadformedhistheory，andfinishedhisbook。\"Ontheconclusionofthewholeworkthepictureswerereferredtoforthefirsttime，andwerethenfoundtosupportinthemoststrikingmannertheopinionsarrivedat，\"namely，thatDroodwaskilled，andthatHelenaisDatchery。Thusdoestheoryblindustofacts！
Mr。CumingWaltersconnectsthefigureofthewhiskerlessyoungmankneelingtoagirlinagardenseat，withthewhiskeredJasper’sproposaltoRosainagardenseat。ButJasperdoesnotkneeltoRosa；
hestandsapart，leaningonasundial；heonlyoncevaguely\"touches\"
her，whichsheresents；hedoesnotkneel；hedoesnotkissherhand（Rosa\"tookthekisssedately，\"likeMaudinthepoem）；and-Jasperhadlustrousthickblackwhiskers。
Again，thesamewhiskerlessyoungman，boundingupthespiralstaircaseindaylight，andwildlypointingupwards，istakenbyMr。
CumingWalterstorepresentJasperclimbingthestaircasetoreconnoitre，atnight，withalantern，and，ofcourse，withblackwhiskers。Thetwowell-dressedmenonthestairs（Grewgious，orTartar，andCrisparkle）also，accordingtoMr。CumingWalters，\"relatetoJasper’sunaccountableexpeditionwithDurdlestotheCathedral。\"
NeitherofthemisJasper；neitherofthemisDurdles，\"inasuitofcoarseflannel\"-adisreputablejacket，asSirL。Fildesdepictshim-\"withhornbuttons，\"andabatteredoldtallhat。Theseinterpretationsarequitedemonstrablyerroneousandevenimpossible。
Mr。ArcherinterpretsthedesignsexactlyasIdo。
AstotheyoungmaninthelightofJasper’slamp，Mr。CumingWalterssays，\"thelargehatandthetightly-buttonedsurtoutmustbeobserved；theyarethearticlesofclothingonwhichmoststressislaidinthedescriptionofDatchery。Butthefaceisyoung。\"ThefaceofDatcherywaselderly，andhehadahugeshockofwhitehair，awig。Datcherywore\"atightishbluesurtout，withabuffwaist-coatandgreytrousers；hehadsomethingofamilitaryair。\"Theyoungmaninthevaulthasanythingbutamilitaryair；heshowsnowaistcoat，andhedoesnotwear\"atightishbluesurtout，\"oranysurtoutatall。
Thesurtoutoftheperiodisshown，wornbyJasper，inSirL。Fildes’ssixthandninthillustrations。Itisafrock-coat；thecollardescendsfarbelowthetopofthewaistcoat（bufforotherwise），displayingthatgarment；thecoatistightlybuttonedbeneath，revealingthefigure；thetailsofthecoatdonotreachthekneesofthewearer。Theyoungmaninthevault，ontheotherhand，wearsaloosepaletot，buttonedtothethroat（vaultsarechillyplaces），andthecoatfallssoastocovertheknees；atleast，partially。Theyoungmanisnot，likeHelena，\"verydark，andfierceoflook，……
ofalmostthegipsytype。\"Heisblonde，sedate，andoftheclassictype，asDroodwas。HeisnomorelikeHelenathanCrisparkleislikeDurdles。Mr。CumingWalterssaysthatMr。Proctorwas\"unabletoalludetothepropheticpicturebyCollins。\"Asafact，thispictureisfullydescribedbyMr。Proctor，butMr。Waltersusedthewrongeditionofhisbook，unwittingly。
Mr。Proctorwrites：-\"Creepingdownthecryptsteps，oppressedbygrowinghorrorandbyterrorofcomingjudgment，sickeningunderfearsengenderedbythedarknessofnightandthecharnel-houseairhebreathed，Jasperopensthedoorofthetombandholdsuphislantern，shudderingatthethoughtofwhatitmayrevealtohim。
\"Andwhatseeshe？Isitthespiritofhisvictimthatstandsthere，’inhishabitashelived，’hishandclaspedonhisbreast，wheretheringhadbeenwhenhewasmurdered？WhatelsecanJasperdeemit？
There，clearlyvisibleinthegloomatthebackofthetomb，standsEdwinDrood，withsternlookfixedonhim-pale，silent，relentless！\"
Again，\"Onthetitle-pagearegiventwoofthesmallpicturesfromtheLovesideofthecover，twofromtheMurderside，andthecentralpicturebelow，whichpresentsthecentralhorrorofthestory-theendandaimofthe’Datcheryassumption’andofMr。Grewgious’splans-showingJasperdriventoseekfortheproofsofhiscrimeamidthedusttowhich，ashethought，thefleshandbones，andtheveryclothesofhisvictim，hadbeenreduced。\"
Thereareonlytwopossiblechoices；eitherCollins，underDickens’soralinstructions，depictedJasperfindingDroodaliveinthevault，anincidentwhichwastooccurinthestory；orDickensbadeCollinsdothisforthepurposeofmisleadinghisreadersinanillegitimatemanner；whiletheyoungmaninthevaultwasreallytobesomeperson\"madeup\"tolooklikeDrood，andsotofrightenJasperwithapseudo-
ghostofthathero。Thelatterdevice，themisleadingpicture，wouldbechildish，andthepseudo-ghost，exactlylikeDrood，couldnotbeactedbythegipsy-like，fierceHelena，orbyanyotherpersonintheromance。
MR。WALTERS’STHEORYCONTINUED
Mr。CumingWaltersguessesthatJasperwastoaimadeadlyblow（withhislefthand，tojudgefromthepicture）atHelena，andthatNeville\"wastogivehislifeforhers。\"But，manifestly，NevillewastoleadthehuntofJasperupthespiralstair，asinCollins’sdesign，andwastobedashedfromtheroof：hisbodybeneathwastobe\"THAT，I
neversawbefore。THATmustbereal。Lookwhatapoormeanmiserablethingitis！\"asJaspersaysinhisvision。
Mr。CumingWalters，pursuinghisideaofHelenaasbothDatcheryandalsoastheownerof\"theYOUNGface\"oftheyouthinthevault（andalsooftheyounghands，ayounggirl’shandscouldneverpassforthoseof\"anelderlybuffer\"），exclaims：\"Imaginetheintensepowerofthedramaticclimax，whenDatchery，theelderlyman，isre-
transformedintoHelenaLandless，theyoungandhandsomewoman；andwhensherevealstheseeminglyimpenetrablesecretwhichhadbeenclosedupinoneguiltyman’smind。\"
Thesituationsarestartling，Iadmit，buthowwouldCanonCrisparklelikethem？Heis，weknow，tomarryHelena，\"theyoungperson，mydear，\"MissTwinkletonwouldsay，\"whoformonthslivedalone，atinns，wearingabluesurtout，abuffwaistcoat，andgrey-\"HerehorrorchokestheutteranceofMissTwinkleton。\"ThenshewasinthevaultinANOTHERdisguise，notmorewomanly，atthatawfulscenewhenpoorMr。Jasperwasdrivenmad，sothatheconfessedallsortsofnonsense，for，mydear，alltheClosebelievesthatitWASnonsense，andthatMr。Jasperwasreducedtoinsanitybypersecution。AndMr。
Crisparkle，withthatelegantdaintymotherofhis-ithasbrokenherheart-ismarryingthishalf-castegipsyTROLLOP，withherbluesurtoutandgrey-oh，itisadisgracetoCloisterham！\"
Theclimax，infact，asdevisedbyMr。CumingWalters，israthertoodramaticforthecomfortofaminorcanon。AhumoristlikeDickensoughttohaveseentheabsurdityofthesituation。Mr。WaltersMAYberight，HelenamaybeDatchery，butsheoughtnottobe。
WHOWASTHEPRINCESSPUFFER？
Whowastheopiumhag，thePrincessPuffer？Mr。CumingWalterswrites：\"Wemakeaguess，forDickensgivesusnosolidfacts。ButwhenwerememberthatnotawordissaidthroughoutthevolumeofJasper’santecedents，whohewas，andwherehecamefrom；whenwerememberthatbutforhisnephewhewasalonelyman；whenweseethathewasbothcriminalandartist；whenweobservehisownwheedlingpropensity，hisfalseandfulsomeprotestationsofaffection，hisslyness，hissubtlety，hisheartlessness，histenacity；andwhen，aboveall，weknowthattheopiumviceisHEREDITARY，andthataYOUNG
manwouldnotbeaddictedtoitunlessbornwiththecraving；（5）
then，itisnottoowildaconjecturethatJasperwasthewaywardprogenyofthissameopium-eatingwoman，allofwhosecharacteristicshepossessed，and，perchance，ofamanofcriminalinstincts，butofasuperiorposition。Jasperisamorbidanddiseasedbeingwhilestillinthetwenties，amixtureofgeniusandvice。Hehatesandhelovesfiercely，asiftherewerewildgipsybloodinhisveins。Thoughseeminglyamodelofdecorumanddevotedtohisart，hecomplainsofhis\"dailydrudginground\"and\"thecrampedmonotonyofhisexistence。\"Hecommitshiscrimewiththeruthlessnessofabeast，hisownnaturebeingwhollyuntamed。Ifwededucethathisfatherwasanadventurerandavagabond，weshallnotbefarwrong。Ifwededucethathismotherwastheopium-eater，prematurelyaged，whohadtransmittedherviciouspropensitytoherchild，weshallalmostcertainlyberight。\"
WHOWASJASPER？
WhowasJasper？Hewasthebrother-in-lawofthelateMr。Drood，arespectedengineer，andUniversityman。WedonotknowwhencecameMrs。Drood，Jasper’ssister，butisitlikelythathermother\"drankheaven’s-hard\"-sothehagsaysofherself-thentooktokeepinganopiumden，andthereentertainedhersonJasper，alreadyanaccomplishedvocalist，butinalowerstationthanthattowhichhismusicalgeniuslaterraisedhim，aslayPrecentor？IfthePrincessPufferbe，asonMr。CumingWalters’stheorysheis，Edwin’slong-lostgrandmother，herdiscoverywouldbeunwelcometoEdwin。Probablyshedidnotlivemuchlonger；\"mylungsarelikecabbagenets，\"shesays。
Mr。CumingWaltersgoeson-
\"Herpurposeisleftobscure。Howeasily，however，weseepossibilitiesinadirectionsuchasthis。Thefather，perhapsaproud，handsomeman，desertsthewoman，andremovesthechild。Thewomanhatesbothforscorningher，butthefatherdies，ordisappears，andisbeyondhervengeance。Thenthechild，victimtotheillsinhisblood，creepsbacktotheopiumden，notknowinghismother，butimmediatelyrecognizedbyher。Shewillmakethechildsufferforthesinsofthefather，whohaddestroyedherhappiness。SuchathemewasonewhichappealedtoDickens。Itmustnot，however，beurged；andthecrucialquestionafterallisconcernedwiththeopiumwomanasoneoftheunconsciousinstrumentsofjustice，aidingwithhertrifleofcircumstantialevidencetheNemesisawaitingJasper。
\"Anotherhypothesis-followingontheCarkerthemein’DombeyandSon’-isthatJasper，adissoluteanddegenerateman，lascivious，andheartless，mayhavewrongedachildofthewoman’s；butitisnotlikelythatDickenswouldrepeattheMrs。Brownstory。\"
Jasper，PERE，fatherofJohnJasperandofMrs。Drood，howeverhandsome，oughtnottohavedesertedMrs。Jasper。WhetherJohnJasper，prematurelydevotedtoopium，becameEdwin’sguardianatabouttheageoffifteen，orwhether，onattaininghismajority，hesucceededtosomeotherguardian，isnotveryobvious。Inshort，wecannotguesswhythePrincessPufferhatedJasper，apayingclientoflongstanding。WeareonlycertainthatJasperwasabadfellow，andthatthePrincessPuffersaid，\"Iknowhim，betterthanalltheReverendParsonsputtogetherknowhim。\"Ontheotherhand，Edwin\"seemstoknow\"theopiumwoman，whenhemeetsheronChristmasEve，whichmaybeapointinfavourofherbeinghislong-lostgrandmother。
Jasperwascertainlytriedandcondemned；forDickensintended\"totakeMr。FildestoacondemnedcellinMaidstone，orsomeothergaol，inordertomakeadrawing。\"（6）PossiblyJaspermanagedtotakehisownlife，inthecell；possiblyhewasdulyhanged。
Jasper，afterall，wasafailureasamurderer，evenifwesupposehimtohavestrangledhisnephewsuccessfully。\"Itisobvioustothemostexcruciatinglyfeeblecapacity\"that，ifhemeanttogetridofproofsoftheidentityofDrood’sbodybymeansofquicklime，itdidnotsufficetoremoveDrood’spin，watch，andchain。Droodwouldhavecoinsoftherealminhispockets，gold，silver，bronze。Quicklimewouldnotdestroythesemetallicobjects，norwoulditdestroykeys，whichwouldeasilyproveDrood’sidentity。IfJasperknewhisbusiness，hewould，ofcourse，rifleALLofEdwin’spocketsminutely，andwouldremovethemetallicbuttonsofhisbraces，whichgenerallydisplaythemaker’sname，orthetailor’s。OnresearchIfind\"H。
Poole&Co。，SavileRow\"onmybuttons。Inthisinquiryofhis，JasperwouldhavediscoveredtheringinEdwin’sbreastpocket，andwouldhavetakenitaway。PerhapsDickensneverthoughtofthatlittlefact：ifhedidthinkofit，nodoubthefoundsomemodeofaccountingforJasper’sunworkmanlikenegligence。Thetrouser-buttonswouldhaveledanyinquirerstraighttoEdwin’stailor；IinclinetosuspectthatneitherDickensnorJaspernoticedthatcircumstance。
Theconscientiousartistincrimecannotaffordtoneglectthehumblestandmostobviousdetails。
CONCLUSION
ACCORDINGtomytheory，whichmainlyrestsontheunmistakableevidenceofthecoverdrawnbyCollinsunderDickens’sdirections，all\"endswell。\"Jaspercomestothegriefhedeserves：Helena，afterherperiodofmourningforNeville，marriesCrisparkle：Rosawedshermariner。Edwin，attwenty-one，isnotheart-broken，but，agreatlyimprovedcharacter，takes，toquotehisownwords，\"asensibleinterestinworksofengineeringskill，especiallywhentheyaretochangethewholeconditionofanundevelopedcountry\"-Egypt。
TheseconclusionsareinevitableunlessweeithersupposeDickenstohavearrangedadisappointmentforhisreadersintheTABLEAUofJasperandDrood，inthevault，onthecover，orcanpersuadeourselvesthatnotDrood，butsomeotheryoungman，isrevealedbythelightofJasper’slantern。Now，theyoungmanisverylikeDrood，andveryunlikethedarkfierceHelenaLandless：disguisedasDrood，thistime，notasDatchery。AllthedifficultyastowhyDrood，ifheescapedalive，didnotatonceopenlydenounceJasper，isremovedwhenweremember，asMr。ArcherandIhaveindependentlypointedout，thatDrood，whenattackedbyJasper，was（likeDurdlesinthe\"unaccountableexpedition\"）stupefiedbydrugs，andsohadnovalidevidenceagainsthisuncle。Whetherscienceisacquaintedwiththedrugsnecessaryforsuchpurposesisanotherquestion。Theyarealwayskeptinstockbystarvingandvenalapothecariesinfictionandthedrama，andarearecognizedconventionofromance。
SoendsourunfoldingoftheMysteryofEdwinDrood。
Footnotes：
（1）Landlessisnot\"Lackland，\"butaformofdeLaundeles，aLothiannameofthetwelfthcentury，mergedlaterinthatofOrmistoun。
（2）LIFEOFDICKENS，vol。iii。pp。425-439。
（3）J。CumingWalters，p。102；Proctor，pp。131-135。Mr。CumingWaltersusedaneditionof1896，apparentlyareprintofapaperbyProctor，writtenearlierthanhisfinalbookof1887。HencetheerrorastoMr。Proctor’slasttheory。
（4）Mrs。Perugini，thebookssay，butcertainlyadaughter。
（5）WhatwouldWeissmannsaytoallthis？
（6）SoMr。CumingWaltersquotesMr。Hughes，whoquotesSirL。Fildes。
HEbelievesthatJasperstrangledEdwinwiththeblack-silkscarf，and，nodoubt，Jasperwasforlongofthatopinionhimself。