\"Youhaveamotiveforkillinghim，\"saidFisher。
Thedukecontinuedtostare，butheseemedunabletospeak。
\"Ihopeyouhadamotiveforkillinghim，\"continuedFisher，mildly。\"Yousee，it’sratheracurioussituation。
Ifyouhaveamotiveformurdering，youprobablydidn’tmurder。Butifyouhadn’tanymotive，why，thenperhaps，youdid。\"
\"Whatonearthareyoutalkingabout？\"demandedtheduke，violently。
\"It’squitesimple，\"saidFisher。\"Whenyouwentacrosshewaseitheraliveordead。Ifhewasalive，itmightbeyouwhokilledhim，orwhyshouldyouhaveheldyourtongueabouthisdeath？Butifhewasdead，andyouhadareasonforkillinghim，youmighthaveheldyourtongueforfearofbeingaccused。\"Thenafterasilenceheadded，abstractedly：\"Cyprusisabeautifulplace，Ibelieve。Romanticsceneryandromanticpeople。Veryintoxicatingforayoungman。\"
Thedukesuddenlyclenchedhishandsandsaid，thickly，\"Well，Ihadamotive。\"
\"Thenyou’reallright，\"saidFisher，holdingouthishandwithanairofhugerelief。\"Iwasprettysureyouwouldn’treallydoit;youhadafrightwhenyousawitdone，aswasonlynatural。Likeabaddreamcometrue，wasn’tit？\"
Whilethiscuriousconversationwaspassing，Harkerhadgoneintothehouse，disregardingthedemonstrationsofthesulkynephew，andcamebackpresentlywithanewairofanimationandasheafofpapersinhishand。
\"I’vetelephonedforthepolice，\"hesaid，stoppingtospeaktoFisher，\"butIthinkI’vedonemostoftheirworkforthem。IbelieveI’vefoundoutthetruth。
There’sapaperhere——\"Hestopped，forFisherwaslookingathimwithasingularexpression;anditwasFisherwhospokenext：
\"Arethereanypapersthatarenotthere，I
wonder？Imeanthatarenottherenow？\"Afterapauseheadded：\"Letushavethecardsonthetable。
Whenyouwentthroughhispapersinsuchahurry，Harker，weren’tyoulookingforsomethingto——tomakesureitshouldn’tbefound？\"
Harkerdidnotturnaredhaironhishardhead，buthelookedattheotheroutofthecornersofhiseyes。
\"AndIsuppose，\"wentonFisher，smoothly，\"thatiswhyyou，too，toldusliesabouthavingfoundHookalive。Youknewtherewassomethingtoshowthatyoumighthavekilledhim，andyoudidn’tdaretellushewaskilled。But，believeme，it’smuchbettertobehonestnow。\"
Harker’shaggardfacesuddenlylitupasifwithinfernalflames。
\"Honest，\"hecried，\"it’snotsodamnedfineofyoufellowstobehonest。You’reallbornwithsilverspoonsinyourmouths，andthenyouswaggeraboutwitheverlastingvirtuebecauseyouhaven’tgototherpeople’sspoonsinyourpockets。ButIwasborninaPimlicolodginghouseandIhadtomakemyspoon，andthere’dbeplentytosayIonlyspoiledahornoranhonestman。Andifastrugglingmanstaggersabitoverthelineinhisyouth，inthelowerpartsofthelawwhichareprettydingy，anyhow，there’salwayssomeoldvampiretohangontohimallhislifeforit。\"
\"GuatemalanGolcondas，wasn’tit？\"saidFisher，sympathetically。
Harkersuddenlyshuddered。Thenhesaid，\"I
believeyoumustknoweverything，likeGodAlmighty。\"
\"Iknowtoomuch，\"saidHorneFisher，\"andallthewrongthings。\"
Theotherthreemenweredrawingnearertothem，butbeforetheycametoonear，Harkersaid，inavoicethathadrecoveredallitsfirmness：
\"Yes，Ididdestroyapaper，butIreallydidfindapaper，too;andIbelievethatitclearsusall。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidFisher，inalouderandmorecheerfultone;\"letusallhavethebenefitofit。\"
\"OntheverytopofSirIsaac’spapers，\"explainedHarker，\"therewasathreateningletterfromamannamedHugo。Itthreatenstokillourunfortunatefriendverymuchinthewaythathewasactuallykilled。Itisawildletter，fulloftaunts;youcanseeitforyourselves;butitmakesaparticularpointofpoorHook’shabitoffishingfromtheisland。Aboveall，themanprofessestobewritingfromaboat。And，sincewealonewentacrosstohim，\"andhesmiledinaratheruglyfashion，\"thecrimemusthavebeencommittedbyamanpassinginaboat。\"
\"Why，dearme！\"criedtheduke，withsomethingalmostamountingtoanimation。\"Why，IrememberthemancalledHugoquitewell！HewasasortofbodyservantandbodyguardofSirIsaac。Yousee，SirIsaacwasinsomefearofassault。Hewas——hewasnotverypopularwithseveralpeople。Hugowasdischargedaftersomeroworother;butIrememberhimwell。
HewasagreatbigHungarianfellowwithgreatmustachesthatstoodoutoneachsideofhisface。\"
AdooropenedinthedarknessofHaroldMarch’smemory，or，rather，oblivion，andshowedashininglandscape，likethatofalostdream。Itwasratherawaterscapethanalandscape，athingoffloodedmeadowsandlowtreesandthedarkarchwayofabridge。Andforoneinstanthesawagainthemanwithmustacheslikedarkhornsleapupontothebridgeanddisappear。
\"Goodheavens！\"hecried。\"Why，Imetthemurdererthismorning！\"
HorneFisherandHaroldMarchhadtheirdayontheriver，afterall，forthelittlegroupbrokeupwhenthepolicearrived。TheydeclaredthatthecoincidenceofMarch’sevidencehadclearedthewholecompany，andclinchedthecaseagainsttheflyingHugo。
WhetherthatHungarianfugitivewouldeverbecaughtappearedtoHorneFishertobehighlydoubtful;norcanitbepretendedthathedisplayedanyverydemoniacdetectiveenergyinthematterasheleanedbackintheboatcushions，smoking，andwatchingtheswayingreedsslidepast。
\"Itwasaverygoodnotiontohopupontothebridge，\"hesaid。\"Anemptyboatmeansverylittle;hehasn’tbeenseentolandoneitherbank，andhe’swalkedoffthebridgewithoutwalkingontoit，sotospeak。He’sgottwenty—fourhours’start;hismustacheswilldisappear，andthenhewilldisappear。
Ithinkthereiseveryhopeofhisescape。\"
\"Hope？\"repeatedMarch，andstoppedscullingforaninstant。
\"Yes，hope，\"repeatedtheother。\"Tobeginwith，I’mnotgoingtobeexactlyconsumedwithCorsicanrevengebecausesomebodyhaskilledHook。PerhapsyoumayguessbythistimewhatHookwas。A
damnedblood—suckingblackmailerwasthatsimple，strenuous，self—madecaptainofindustry。Hehadsecretsagainstnearlyeverybody;oneagainstpooroldWestmorelandaboutanearlymarriageinCyprusthatmighthaveputtheduchessinaqueerposition;
andoneagainstHarkeraboutsomeflutterwithhisclient’smoneywhenhewasayoungsolicitor。That’swhytheywenttopieceswhentheyfoundhimmurdered，ofcourse。Theyfeltasifthey’ddoneitinadream。ButIadmitIhaveanotherreasonfornotwantingourHungarianfriendactuallyhangedforthemurder。\"
\"Andwhatisthat？\"askedhisfriend。
\"Onlythathedidn’tcommitthemurder，\"answeredFisher。
HaroldMarchlaiddowntheoarsandlettheboatdriftforamoment。
\"Doyouknow，Iwashalfexpectingsomethinglikethat，\"hesaid。\"Itwasquiteirrational，butitwashangingaboutintheatmosphere，likethunderintheair。\"
\"Onthecontrary，it’sfindingHugoguiltythat’sirrational，\"repliedFisher。\"Don’tyouseethatthey’recondemninghimfortheveryreasonforwhichtheyacquiteverybodyelse？HarkerandWestmorelandweresilentbecausetheyfoundhimmurdered，andknewtherewerepapersthatmadethemlooklikethemurderers。Well，sodidHugofindhimmurdered，andsodidHugoknowtherewasapaperthatwouldmakehimlooklikethemurderer。Hehadwrittenithimselfthedaybefore。\"
\"Butinthatcase，\"saidMarch，frowning，\"atwhatsortofunearthlyhourinthemorningwasthemurderreallycommitted？ItwasbarelydaylightwhenImethimatthebridge，andthat’ssomewayabovetheisland。\"
\"Theanswerisverysimple，\"repliedFisher。\"Thecrimewasnotcommittedinthemorning。Thecrimewasnotcommittedontheisland。\"
Marchstaredattheshiningwaterwithoutreplying，butFisherresumedlikeonewhohadbeenaskedaquestion：
\"Everyintelligentmurderinvolvestakingadvantageofsomeoneuncommonfeatureinacommonsituation。ThefeatureherewasthefancyofoldHookforbeingthefirstmanupeverymorning，hisfixedroutineasanangler，andhisannoyanceatbeingdisturbed。Themurdererstrangledhiminhisownhouseafterdinneronthenightbefore，carriedhiscorpse，withallhisfishingtackle，acrossthestreaminthedeadofnight，tiedhimtothetree，andlefthimthereunderthestars。Itwasadeadmanwhosatfishingthereallday。Thenthemurdererwentbacktothehouse，or，rather，tothegarage，andwentoffinhismotorcar。Themurdererdrovehisownmotorcar。\"
Fisherglancedathisfriend’sfaceandwenton。
\"Youlookhorrified，andthethingishorrible。Butotherthingsarehorrible，too。Ifsomeobscuremanhadbeenhag—riddenbyablackmailerandhadhisfamilyliferuined，youwouldn’tthinkthemurderofhispersecutorthemostinexcusableofmurders。Isitanyworsewhenawholegreatnationissetfreeaswellasafamily？BythiswarningtoSwedenweshallprobablypreventwarandnotprecipitateit，andsavemanythousandlivesrathermorevaluablethanthelifeofthatviper。Oh，I’mnottalkingsophistryorseriouslyjustifyingthething，buttheslaverythatheldhimandhiscountrywasathousandtimeslessjustifiable。IfI’dreallybeensharpIshouldhaveguesseditfromhissmooth，deadlysmilingatdinnerthatnight。DoyourememberthatsillytalkabouthowoldIsaaccouldalwaysplayhisfish？Inaprettyhellishsensehewasafisherofmen。\"
HaroldMarchtooktheoarsandbegantorowagain。
\"Iremember，\"hesaid，\"andabouthowabigfishmightbreakthelineandgetaway。\"
VI。THEHOLEINTHEWALL
Twomen，theoneanarchitectandtheotheranarchaeologist，metonthestepsofthegreathouseatPrior’sPark;andtheirhost，LordBulmer，inhisbreezyway，thoughtitnaturaltointroducethem。Itmustbeconfessedthathewashazyaswellasbreezy，andhadnoveryclearconnectioninhismind，beyondthesensethatanarchitectandanarchaeologistbeginwiththesameseriesofletters。Theworldmustremaininareverentdoubtastowhetherhewould，onthesameprinciples，havepresentedadiplomatisttoadipsomaniacoraratiocinatortoaratcatcher。Hewasabig，fair，bull—neckedyoungman，aboundinginoutwardgestures，unconsciouslyflappinghisglovesandflourishinghisstick。
\"Youtwooughttohavesomethingtotalkabout，\"
hesaid，cheerfully。\"Oldbuildingsandallthatsortofthing;thisisratheranoldbuilding，bytheway，thoughIsayitwhoshouldn’t。Imustaskyoutoexcusemeamoment;I’vegottogoandseeaboutthecardsforthisChristmasrompmysister’sarranging。Wehopetoseeyouallthere，ofcourse。Julietwantsittobeafancy—dressaffair——abbotsandcrusadersandallthat。
Myancestors，Isuppose，afterall。\"
\"Itrusttheabbotwasnotanancestor，\"saidthearchaeologicalgentleman，withasmile。
\"Onlyasortofgreat—uncle，Iimagine，\"answeredtheother，laughing;thenhisratherramblingeyerolledroundtheorderedlandscapeinfrontofthehouse;anartificialsheetofwaterornamentedwithanantiquatednymphinthecenterandsurroundedbyaparkoftalltreesnowgrayandblackandfrosty，foritwasinthedepthofaseverewinter。
\"It’sgettingjollycold，\"hislordshipcontinued。\"Mysisterhopesweshallhavesomeskatingaswellasdancing。\"
\"Ifthecrusaderscomeinfullarmor，\"saidtheother，\"youmustbecarefulnottodrownyourancestors。\"
\"Oh，there’snofearofthat，\"answeredBulmer;
\"thispreciouslakeofoursisnottwofeetdeepanywhere。\"Andwithoneofhisflourishinggestureshestuckhisstickintothewatertodemonstrateitsshallowness。Theycouldseetheshortendbentinthewater，sothatheseemedforamomenttoleanhislargeweightonabreakingstaff。
\"Theworstyoucanexpectistoseeanabbotsitdownrathersuddenly，\"headded，turningaway。
\"Well，aurevoir;I’llletyouknowaboutitlater。\"
Thearchaeologistandthearchitectwereleftonthegreatstonestepssmilingateachother;
butwhatevertheircommoninterests，theypresentedaconsiderablepersonalcontrast，andthefancifulmightevenhavefoundsomecontradictionineachconsideredindividually。Theformer，aMr。
JamesHaddow，camefromadrowsydenintheInnsofCourt，fullofleatherandparchment，forthelawwashisprofessionandhistoryonlyhishobby;hewasindeed，amongotherthings，thesolicitorandagentofthePrior’sParkestate。Buthehimselfwasfarfromdrowsyandseemedremarkablywideawake，withshrewdandprominentblueeyes，andredhairbrushedasneatlyashisveryneatcostume。Thelatter，whosenamewasLeonardCrane，camestraightfromacrudeandalmostcockneyofficeofbuildersandhouseagentsintheneighboringsuburb，sunningitselfattheendofanewrowofjerry—builthouseswithplansinverybrightcolorsandnoticesinverylargeletters。Butaseriousobserver，atasecondglance，mighthaveseeninhiseyessomethingofthatshiningsleepthatiscalledvision;andhisyellowhair，whilenotaffectedlylong，wasunaffectedlyuntidy。
Itwasamanifestifmelancholytruththatthearchitectwasanartist。Buttheartistictemperamentwasfarfromexplaininghim;therewassomethingelseabouthimthatwasnotdefinable，butwhichsomeevenfelttobedangerous。
Despitehisdreaminess，hewouldsometimessurprisehisfriendswithartsandevensportsapartfromhisordinarylife，likememoriesofsomepreviousexistence。Onthisoccasion，nevertheless，hehastenedtodisclaimanyauthorityontheotherman’shobby。
\"Imustn’tappearonfalsepretences，\"hesaid，withasmile。\"Ihardlyevenknowwhatanarchaeologistis，exceptthataratherrustyremnantofGreeksuggeststhatheisamanwhostudiesoldthings。\"
\"Yes，\"repliedHaddow，grimly。\"Anarchaeologistisamanwhostudiesoldthingsandfindstheyarenew。\"
Cranelookedathimsteadilyforamomentandthensmiledagain。
\"Dareonesuggest，\"hesaid，\"thatsomeofthethingswehavebeentalkingaboutareamongtheoldthingsthatturnoutnottobeold？\"
Hiscompanionalsowassilentforamoment，andthesmileonhisruggedfacewasfainterashereplied，quietly：
\"Thewallroundtheparkisreallyold。TheonegateinitisGothic，andIcannotfindanytraceofdestructionorrestoration。Butthehouseandtheestategenerally——welltheromanticideasreadintothesethingsareoftenratherrecentromances，thingsalmostlikefashionablenovels。Forinstance，theverynameofthisplace，Prior’sPark，makeseverybodythinkofitasamoonlitmediaevalabbey;I
daresaythespiritualistsbythistimehavediscoveredtheghostofamonkthere。But，accordingtotheonlyauthoritativestudyofthematterIcanfind，theplacewassimplycalledPrior’sasanyruralplaceiscalledPodger’s。ItwasthehouseofaMr。Prior，afarmhouse，probably，thatstoodhereatsometimeorotherandwasalocallandmark。Oh，thereareagreatmanyexamplesofthesamething，hereandeverywhereelse。Thissuburbofoursusedtobeavillage，andbecausesomeofthepeopleslurredthenameandpronounceditHolliwell，manyaminorpoetindulgedinfanciesaboutaHolyWell，withspellsandfairiesandalltherestofit，fillingthesuburbandrawing—roomswiththeCeltictwilight。Whereasanyoneacquaintedwiththefactsknowsthat’Hollinwall’simplymeans’theholeinthewall，’andprobablyreferredtosomequitetrivialaccident。
That’swhatImeanwhenIsaythatwedon’tsomuchfindoldthingsaswefindnewones。\"
Craneseemedtohavegrownsomewhatinattentivetothelittlelectureonantiquitiesandnovelties，andthecauseofhisrestlessnesswassoonapparent，andindeedapproaching。LordBulmer’ssister，JulietBray，wascomingslowlyacrossthelawn，accompaniedbyonegentlemanandfollowedbytwoothers。Theyoungarchitectwasintheillogicalconditionofmindinwhichhepreferredthreetoone。
ThemanwalkingwiththeladywasnootherthantheeminentPrinceBorodino，whowasatleastasfamousasadistinguisheddiplomatistoughttobe，intheinterestsofwhatiscalledsecretdiplomacy。HehadbeenpayingaroundofvisitsatvariousEnglishcountryhouses，andexactlywhathewasdoingfordiplomacyatPrior’sParkwasasmuchasecretasanydiplomatistcoulddesire。Theobviousthingtosayofhisappearancewasthathewouldhavebeenextremelyhandsomeifhehadnotbeenentirelybald。
But，indeed，thatwoulditselfbearatherbaldwayofputtingit。Fantasticasitsounds，itwouldfitthecasebettertosaythatpeoplewouldhavebeensurprisedtoseehairgrowingonhim;assurprisedasiftheyhadfoundhairgrowingonthebustofaRomanemperor。Histallfigurewasbuttonedupinatight—waistedfashionthatratheraccentuatedhispotentialbulk，andheworearedflowerinhisbuttonhole。Ofthetwomenwalkingbehindonewasalsobald，butinamorepartialandalsoamoreprematurefashion，forhisdroopingmustachewasstillyellow，andifhiseyesweresomewhatheavyitwaswithlanguorandnotwithage。ItwasHorneFisher，andhewastalkingaseasilyandidlyabouteverythingashealwaysdid。Hisalwaysdid。Hiscompanionwasamorestriking，andevenmorecompanionwasamorestriking，andevenmoresinister，figure，andhehadtheaddedimportanceofbeingLordBulmer’soldestandmostintimatefriend。
HewasgenerallyknownwithaseveresimplicityasMr。Brain;butitwasunderstoodthathehadbeenajudgeandpoliceofficialinIndia，andthathehadenemies，whohadrepresentedhismeasuresagainstcrimeasthemselvesalmostcriminal。Hewasabrownskeletonofamanwithdark，deep，sunkeneyesandablackmustachethathidthemeaningofhismouth。Thoughhehadthelookofonewastedbysometropicaldisease，hismovementsweremuchmorealertthanthoseofhisloungingcompanion。
\"It’sallsettled，\"announcedthelady，withgreatanimation，whentheycamewithinhailingdistance。
\"You’veallgottoputonmasqueradethingsandverylikelyskatesaswell，thoughtheprincesaystheydon’tgowithit;butwedon’tcareaboutthat。It’sfreezingalready，andwedon’toftengetsuchachanceinEngland。\"
\"EveninIndiawedon’texactlyskatealltheyearround，\"observedMr。Brain。
\"AndevenItalyisnotprimarilyassociatedwithice，\"saidtheItalian。
\"Italyisprimarilyassociatedwithices，\"remarkedMr。HorneFisher。\"Imeanwithicecreammen。
MostpeopleinthiscountryimaginethatItalyisentirelypopulatedwithicecreammenandorgangrinders。Therecertainlyarealotofthem;perhapsthey’reaninvadingarmyindisguise。\"
\"Howdoyouknowtheyarenotthesecretemissariesofourdiplomacy？\"askedtheprince，withaslightlyscornfulsmile。\"Anarmyoforgangrindersmightpickuphints，andtheirmonkeysmightpickupallsortofthings。\"
\"Theorgansareorganizedinfact，\"saidtheflippantMr。Fisher。\"Well，I’veknownitprettycoldbeforenowinItalyandeveninIndia，upontheHimalayanslopes。Theiceonourownlittleroundpondwillbequitecozybycomparison。\"
JulietBraywasanattractiveladywithdarkhairandeyebrowsanddancingeyes，andtherewasagenialityandevengenerosityinherratherimperiousways。Inmostmattersshecouldcommandherbrother，thoughthatnobleman，likemanyothermenofvagueideas，wasnotwithoutatouchofthebullywhenhewasatbay。Shecouldcertainlycommandherguests，eventotheextentofdeckingoutthemostrespectableandreluctantofthemwithhermediaevalmasquerade。Anditreallyseemedasifshecouldcommandtheelementsalso，likeawitch。Fortheweathersteadilyhardenedandsharpened;thatnighttheiceofthelake，glimmeringinthemoonlight，waslikeamarblefloor，andtheyhadbeguntodanceandskateonitbeforeitwasdark。
Prior’sPark，or，moreproperly，thesurroundingdistrictofHolinwall，wasacountryseatthathadbecomeasuburb;havingoncehadonlyadependentvillageatitsdoors，itnowfoundoutsideallitsdoorsthesignalsoftheexpansionofLondon。Mr。Haddow，whowasengagedinhistoricalresearchesbothinthelibraryandthelocality，couldfindlittleassistanceinthelatter。Hehadalreadyrealized，fromthedocuments，thatPrior’sParkhadoriginallybeensomethinglikePrior’sFarm，namedaftersomelocalfigure，butthenewsocialconditionswereallagainsthistracingthestorybyitstraditions。Hadanyoftherealrusticsremained，hewouldprobablyhavefoundsomelingeringlegendofMr。Prior，howeverremotehemightbe。Butthenewnomadicpopulationofclerksandartisans，constantlyshiftingtheirhomesfromonesuburbtoanother，ortheirchildrenfromoneschooltoanother，couldhavenocorporatecontinuity。
Theyhadallthatforgetfulnessofhistorythatgoeseverywherewiththeextensionofeducation。
Nevertheless，whenhecameoutofthelibrarynextmorningandsawthewintrytreesstandingroundthefrozenpondlikeablackforest，hefelthemightwellhavebeenfarinthedepthsofthecountry。
Theoldwallrunningroundtheparkkeptthatinclosureitselfstillentirelyruralandromantic，andonecouldeasilyimaginethatthedepthsofthatdarkforestfadedawayindefinitelyintodistantvalesandhills。Thegrayandblackandsilverofthewintrywoodwereallthemoresevereorsomberasacontrasttothecoloredcarnivalgroupsthatalreadystoodonandaroundthefrozenpool。Forthehousepartyhadalreadyflungthemselvesimpatientlyintofancydress，andthelawyer，withhisneatblacksuitandredhair，wastheonlymodernfigureamongthem。
\"Aren’tyougoingtodressup？\"askedJuliet，indignantlyshakingathimahornedandtoweringblueheaddressofthefourteenthcenturywhichframedherfaceverybecomingly，fantasticasitwas。
\"EverybodyherehastobeintheMiddleAges。EvenMr。Brainhasputonasortofbrowndressinggownandsayshe’samonk;andMr。Fishergotholdofsomeoldpotatosacksinthekitchenandsewedthemtogether;he’ssupposedtobeamonk，too。Astotheprince，he’sperfectlyglorious，ingreatcrimsonrobesasacardinal。Helooksasifhecouldpoisoneverybody。Yousimplymustbesomething。\"
\"Iwillbesomethinglaterintheday，\"hereplied。
\"AtpresentIamnothingbutanantiquaryandanattorney。Ihavetoseeyourbrotherpresently，aboutsomelegalbusinessandalsosomelocalinvestigationsheaskedmetomake。ImustlookalittlelikeastewardwhenIgiveanaccountofmystewardship。\"
\"Oh，butmybrotherhasdressedup！\"criedthegirl。\"Verymuchso。Noend，ifImaysayso。Whyhe’sbearingdownonyounowinallhisglory。\"
Thenoblelordwasindeedmarchingtowardtheminamagnificentsixteenth—centurycostumeofpurpleandgold，withagold—hiltedswordandaplumedcap，andmannerstomatch。Indeed，therewassomethingmorethanhisusualexpansivenessofbodilyactioninhisappearanceatthatmoment。Italmostseemed，sotospeak，thattheplumesonhishathadgonetohishead。Heflappedhisgreat，gold—linedcloaklikethewingsofafairykinginapantomime;heevendrewhisswordwithaflourishandwaveditaboutashedidhiswalkingstick。Inthelightofaftereventsthereseemedtobesomethingmonstrousandominousaboutthatexuberance，somethingofthespiritthatiscalledfey。Atthetimeitmerelycrossedafewpeople’smindsthathemightpossiblybedrunk。
AshestrodetowardhissisterthefirstfigurehepassedwasthatofLeonardCrane，cladinLincolngreen，withthehornandbaldrickandswordappropriatetoRobinHood;forhewasstandingnearesttothelady，where，indeed，hemighthavebeenfoundduringadisproportionatepartofthetime。
Hehaddisplayedoneofhisburiedtalentsinthematterofskating，andnowthattheskatingwasoverseemeddisposedtoprolongthepartnership。TheboisterousBulmerplayfullymadeapassathimwithhisdrawnsword，goingforwardwiththelungeintheproperfencingfashion，andmakingasomewhattoofamiliarShakespeareanquotationaboutarodentandaVenetiancoin。
ProbablyinCranealsotherewasasubduedexcitementjustthen;anyhow，inoneflashhehaddrawnhisownswordandparried;andthensuddenly，tothesurpriseofeveryone，Bulmer’sweaponseemedtospringoutofhishandintotheairandrolledawayontheringingice。
\"Well，Inever！\"saidthelady，asifwithjustifiableindignation。\"Younevertoldmeyoucouldfence，too。\"
Bulmerputuphisswordwithanairratherbewilderedthanannoyed，whichincreasedtheimpressionofsomethingirresponsibleinhismoodatthemoment;thenheturnedratherabruptlytohislawyer，saying：
\"Wecansettleupabouttheestateafterdinner;
I’vemissednearlyalltheskatingasitis，andIdoubtiftheicewillholdtillto—morrownight。IthinkIshallgetupearlyandhaveaspinbymyself。\"
\"Youwon’tbedisturbedwithmycompany，\"saidHorneFisher，inhiswearyfashion。\"IfIhavetobeginthedaywithice，intheAmericanfashion，I
preferitinsmallerquantities。ButnoearlyhoursformeinDecember。Theearlybirdcatchesthecold。\"
\"Oh，Isha’n’tdieofcatchingacold，\"answeredBulmer，andlaughed。
Aconsiderablegroupoftheskatingpartyhadconsistedoftheguestsstayingatthehouse，andtheresthadtailedoffintwosandthreessometimebeforemostoftheguestsbegantoretireforthenight。Neighbors，alwaysinvitedtoPrior’sParkonsuchoccasions，wentbacktotheirownhousesinmotorsoronfoot;thelegalandarcheoologicalgentlemanhadreturnedtotheInnsofCourtbyalatetrain，togetapapercalledforduringhisconsultationwithhisclient;andmostoftheotherguestsweredriftingandlingeringatvariousstagesontheirwayuptobed。HorneFisher，asiftodeprivehimselfofanyexcuseforhisrefusalofearlyrising，hadbeenthefirsttoretiretohisroom;but，sleepyashelooked，hecouldnotsleep。Hehadpickedupfromatablethebookofantiquariantopography，inwhichHaddowhadfoundhisfirsthintsabouttheoriginofthelocalname，and，beingamanwithaquietandquaintcapacityforbeinginterestedinanything，hebegantoreaditsteadily，makingnotesnowandthenofdetailsonwhichhispreviousreadinglefthimwithacertaindoubtabouthispresentconclusions。Hisroomwastheonenearesttothelakeinthecenterofthewoods，andwasthereforethequietest，andnoneofthelastechoesoftheevening’sfestivitycouldreachhim。HehadfollowedcarefullytheargumentwhichestablishedthederivationfromMr。Prior’sfarmandtheholeinthewall，anddisposedofanyfashionablefancyaboutmonksandmagicwells，whenhebegantobeconsciousofanoiseaudibleinthefrozensilenceofthenight。Itwasnotaparticularlyloudnoise，butitseemedtoconsistofaseriesofthudsorheavyblows，suchasmightbestruckonawoodendoorbyamanseekingtoenter。Theywerefollowedbysomethinglikeafaintcreakorcrack，asiftheobstaclehadeitherbeenopenedorhadgivenway。
Heopenedhisownbedroomdoorandlistened，butasheheardtalkandlaughteralloverthelowerfloors，hehadnoreasontofearthatasummonswouldbeneglectedorthehouseleftwithoutprotection。Hewenttohisopenwindow，lookingoutoverthefrozenpondandthemoonlitstatueinthemiddleoftheircircleofdarklingwoods，andlistenedagain。Butsilencehadreturnedtothatsilentplace，and，afterstraininghisearsforaconsiderabletime，hecouldhearnothingbutthesolitaryhootofadistantdepartingtrain。Thenheremindedhimselfhowmanynamelessnoisescanbeheardbythewakefulduringthemostordinarynight，andshrugginghisshoulders，wentwearilytobed。
Heawokesuddenlyandsatupinbedwithhisearsfilled，aswiththunder，withthethrobbingechoesofarendingcry。Heremainedrigidforamoment，andthensprangoutofbed，throwingontheloosegownofsackinghehadwornallday。Hewentfirsttothewindow，whichwasopen，butcoveredwithathickcurtain，sothathisroomwasstillcompletelydark;butwhenhetossedthecurtainasideandputhisheadout，hesawthatagrayandsilverdaybreakhadalreadyappearedbehindtheblackwoodsthatsurroundedthelittlelake，andthatwasallthathedidsee。Thoughthesoundhadcertainlycomeinthroughtheopenwindowfromthisdirection，thewholescenewasstillandemptyunderthemorninglightasunderthemoonlight。
Thenthelong，ratherlackadaisicalhandhehadlaidonawindowsillgrippedittighter，asiftomasteratremor，andhispeeringblueeyesgrewbleakwithfear。Itmayseemthathisemotionwasexaggeratedandneedless，consideringtheeffortofcommonsensebywhichhehadconqueredhisnervousnessaboutthenoiseonthepreviousnight。Butthathadbeenaverydifferentsortofnoise。Itmighthavebeenmadebyhalfahundredthings，fromthechoppingofwoodtothebreakingofbottles。Therewasonlyonethinginnaturefromwhichcouldcomethesoundthatechoedthroughthedarkhouseatdaybreak。Itwastheawfularticulatevoiceofman;anditwassomethingworse，forheknewwhatman。
Heknewalsothatithadbeenashoutforhelp。Itseemedtohimthathehadheardtheveryword;buttheword，shortasitwas，hadbeenswallowedup，asifthemanhadbeenstifledorsnatchedawayevenashespoke。Onlythemockingreverberationsofitremainedeveninhismemory，buthehadnodoubtoftheoriginalvoice。Hehadnodoubtthatthegreatbull’svoiceofFrancisBray，BaronBulmer，hadbeenheardforthelasttimebetweenthedarknessandtheliftingdawn。
Howlonghestoodthereheneverknew，buthewasstartledintolifebythefirstlivingthingthathesawstirringinthathalf—frozenlandscape。Alongthepathbesidethelake，andimmediatelyunderhiswindow，afigurewaswalkingslowlyandsoftly，butwithgreatcomposure——astatelyfigureinrobesofasplendidscarlet;itwastheItalianprince，stillinhiscardinal’scostume。Mostofthecompanyhadindeedlivedintheircostumesforthelastdayortwo，andFisherhimselfhadassumedhisfrockofsackingasaconvenientdressinggown;butthereseemed，nevertheless，somethingunusuallyfinishedandformal，inthewayofanearlybird，aboutthismagnificentredcockatoo。Itwasasiftheearlybirdhadbeenupallnight。
\"Whatisthematter？\"hecalled，sharply，leaningoutofthewindow，andtheItalianturneduphisgreatyellowfacelikeamaskofbrass。
\"Wehadbetterdiscussitdownstairs，\"saidPrinceBorodino。
Fisherrandownstairs，andencounteredthegreat，red—robedfigureenteringthedoorwayandblockingtheentrancewithhisbulk。
\"Didyouhearthatcry？\"demandedFisher。
\"IheardanoiseandIcameout，\"answeredthediplomatist，andhisfacewastoodarkintheshadowforitsexpressiontoberead。
\"ItwasBulmer’svoice，\"insistedFisher。\"I’llswearitwasBulmer’svoice。\"
\"Didyouknowhimwell？\"askedtheother。
Thequestionseemedirrelevant，thoughitwasnotillogical，andFishercouldonlyanswerina，randomfashionthatheknewLordBulmeronlyslightly。
\"Nobodyseemstohaveknownhimwell，\"continuedtheItalian，inleveltones。\"NobodyexceptthatmanBrain。BrainisratherolderthanBulmer，butIfancytheysharedagoodmanysecrets。\"
Fishermovedabruptly，asifwakingfromamomentarytrance，andsaid，inanewandmorevigorousvoice，\"Butlookhere，hadn’twebettergetoutsideandseeifanythinghashappened。\"
\"Theiceseemstobethawing，\"saidtheother，almostwithindifference。
Whentheyemergedfromthehouse，darkstainsandstarsinthegrayfieldoficedidindeedindicatethatthefrostwasbreakingup，astheirhosthadprophesiedthedaybefore，andtheverymemoryofyesterdaybroughtbackthemysteryofto—day。
\"Heknewtherewouldbeathaw，\"observedtheprince。\"Hewentoutskatingquiteearlyonpurpose。
Didhecalloutbecausehelandedinthewater，doyouthink？\"
Fisherlookedpuzzled。\"Bulmerwasthelastmantobellowlikethatbecausehegothisbootswet。Andthat’sallhecoulddohere;thewaterwouldhardlycomeuptothecalfofamanofhissize。Youcanseetheflatweedsonthefloorofthelake，asifitwerethroughathinpaneofglass。No，ifBulmerhadonlybrokentheicehewouldn’thavesaidmuchatthemoment，thoughpossiblyagooddealafterward。Weshouldhavefoundhimstampinganddamningupanddownthispath，andcallingforcleanboots。\"
\"Letushopeweshallfindhimashappilyemployed，\"remarkedthediplomatist。\"Inthatcasethevoicemusthavecomeoutofthewood。\"
\"I’llswearitdidn’tcomeoutofthehouse，\"saidFisher;andthetwodisappearedtogetherintothetwilightofwintrytrees。
Theplantationstooddarkagainstthefierycolorsofsunrise，ablackfringehavingthatfeatheryappearancewhichmakestreeswhentheyarebaretheveryreverseofrugged。Hoursandhoursafterward，whenthesamedense，butdelicate，marginwasdarkagainstthegreenishcolorsoppositethesunset，thesearchthusbegunatsunrisehadnotcometoanend。Bysuccessivestages，andtoslowlygatheringgroupsofthecompany，itbecameapparentthatthemostextraordinaryofallgapshadappearedintheparty;theguestscouldfindnotraceoftheirhostanywhere。Theservantsreportedthathisbedhadbeensleptinandhisskatesandhisfancycostumeweregone，asifhehadrisenearlyforthepurposehehadhimselfavowed。Butfromthetopofthehousetothebottom，fromthewallsroundtheparktothepondinthecenter，therewasnotraceofLordBulmer，deadoralive。HorneFisherrealizedthatachillingpremonitionhadalreadypreventedhimfromexpectingtofindthemanalive。Buthisbaldbrowwaswrinkledoveranentirelynewandunnaturalproblem，innotfindingthemanatall。
HeconsideredthepossibilityofBulmerhavinggoneoffofhisownaccord，forsomereason;butafterfullyweighingithefinallydismissedit。Itwasinconsistentwiththeunmistakablevoiceheardatdaybreak，andwithmanyotherpracticalobstacles。
Therewasonlyonegatewayintheancientandloftywallroundthesmallpark;thelodgekeeperkeptitlockedtilllateinthemorning，andthelodgekeeperhadseennoonepass。Fisherwasfairlysurethathehadbeforehimamathematicalprobleminaninclosedspace。Hisinstincthadbeenfromthefirstsoattunedtothetragedythatitwouldhavebeenalmostarelieftohimtofindthecorpse。Hewouldhavebeengrieved，butnothorrified，tocomeonthenobleman’sbodydanglingfromoneofhisowntreesasfromagibbet，orfloatinginhisownpoollikeapallidweed。Whathorrifiedhimwastofindnothing。
Hesoonbecomeconsciousthathewasnotaloneeveninhismostindividualandisolatedexperiments。
Heoftenfoundafigurefollowinghimlikehisshadow，insilentandalmostsecretclearingsintheplantationoroutlyingnooksandcornersoftheoldwall。Thedark—mustachedmouthwasasmuteasthedeepeyesweremobile，dartingincessantlyhitherandthither，butitwasclearthatBrainoftheIndianpolicehadtakenupthetraillikeanoldhunterafteratiger。
Seeingthathewastheonlypersonalfriendofthevanishedman，thisseemednaturalenough，andFisherresolvedtodealfranklywithhim。
\"Thissilenceisratherasocialstrain，\"hesaid。
\"MayIbreaktheicebytalkingabouttheweather？——which，bytheway，hasalreadybrokentheice。Iknowthatbreakingtheicemightbearathermelancholymetaphorinthiscase。\"
\"Idon’tthinkso，\"repliedBrain，shortly。\"Idon’tfancytheicehadmuchtodowithit。Idon’tseehowitcould。\"
\"Whatwouldyouproposedoing？\"askedFisher。
\"Well，we’vesentfortheauthorities，ofcourse，butIhopetofindsomethingoutbeforetheycome，\"
repliedtheAnglo—Indian。\"Ican’tsayIhavemuchhopefrompolicemethodsinthiscountry。Toomuchredtape，habeascorpusandthatsortofthing。Whatwewantistoseethatnobodybolts;thenearestwecouldgettoitwouldbetocollectthecompanyandcountthem，sotospeak。Nobody’sleftlately，exceptthatlawyerwhowaspokingaboutforantiquities。\"
\"Oh，he’soutofit;heleftlastnight，\"answeredtheother。\"EighthoursafterBulmer’schauffeursawhislawyeroffbythetrainIheardBulmer’sownvoiceasplainasIhearyoursnow。\"
\"Isupposeyoudon’tbelieveinspirits？\"saidthemanfromIndia。Afterapauseheadded：\"There’ssomebodyelseIshouldliketofind，beforewegoafterafellowwithanalibiintheInnerTemple。
What’sbecomeofthatfellowingreen——thearchitectdressedupasaforester？Ihaven’tseemhimabout。\"
Mr。Brainmanagedtosecurehisassemblyofallthedistractedcompanybeforethearrivalofthepolice。Butwhenhefirstbegantocomentoncemoreontheyoungarchitect’sdelayinputtinginanappearance，hefoundhimselfinthepresenceofaminormystery，andapsychologicaldevelopmentofanentirelyunexpectedkind。
JulietBrayhadconfrontedthecatastropheofherbrother’sdisappearancewithasomberstoicisminwhichtherewas，perhaps，moreparalysisthanpain;
butwhentheotherquestioncametothesurfaceshewasbothagitatedandangry。
\"Wedon’twanttojumptoanyconclusionsaboutanybody，\"Brainwassayinginhisstaccatostyle。\"ButweshouldliketoknowalittlemoreaboutMr。Crane。
Nobodyseemstoknowmuchabouthim，orwherehecomesfrom。AnditseemsasortofcoincidencethatyesterdayheactuallycrossedswordswithpoorBulmer，andcouldhavestuckhim，too，sinceheshowedhimselfthebetterswordsman。Ofcourse，thatmaybeanaccidentandcouldn’tpossiblybecalledacaseagainstanybody;butthenwehaven’tthemeanstomakearealcaseagainstanybody。Tillthepolicecomeweareonlyapackofveryamateursleuthhounds。\"
\"AndIthinkyou’reapackofsnobs，\"saidJuliet。
\"BecauseMr。Craneisageniuswho’smadehisownway，youtrytosuggesthe’samurdererwithoutdaringtosayso。Becauseheworeatoyswordandhappenedtoknowhowtouseit，youwantustobelieveheuseditlikeabloodthirstymaniacfornoreasonintheworld。Andbecausehecouldhavehitmybrotheranddidn’t，youdeducethathedid。That’sthesortofwayyouargue。Andasforhishavingdisappeared，you’rewronginthatasyouareineverythingelse，forherehecomes。\"
And，indeed，thegreenfigureofthefictitiousRobinHoodslowlydetacheditselffromthegraybackgroundofthetrees，andcametowardthemasshespoke。
Heapproachedthegroupslowly，butwithcomposure;buthewasdecidedlypale，andtheeyesofBrainandFisherhadalreadytakeninonedetailofthegreen—cladfiguremoreclearlythanalltherest。
Thehornstillswungfromhisbaldrick，buttheswordwasgone。
Rathertothesurpriseofthecompany，Braindidnotfollowupthequestionthussuggested;but，whileretaininganairofleadingtheinquiry，hadalsoanappearanceofchangingthesubject。
\"Nowwe’reallassembled，\"heobserved，quietly，\"thereisaquestionIwanttoasktobeginwith。DidanybodyhereactuallyseeLordBulmerthismorning？\"
LeonardCraneturnedhispalefaceroundthecircleoffacestillhecametoJuliet’s;thenhecompressedhislipsalittleandsaid：
\"Yes，Isawhim。\"
\"Washealiveandwell？\"askedBrain，quickly。
\"Howwashedressed？\"
\"Heappearedexceedinglywell，\"repliedCrane，withacuriousintonation。\"Hewasdressedashewasyesterday，inthatpurplecostumecopiedfromtheportraitofhisancestorinthesixteenthcentury。Hehadhisskatesinhishand。\"
\"Andhisswordathisside，Isuppose，\"addedthequestioner。\"Whereisyourownsword，Mr。Crane？\"
\"Ithrewitaway。\"
Inthesingularsilencethatensued，thetrainofthoughtinmanymindsbecameinvoluntarilyaseriesofcoloredpictures。
Theyhadgrownusedtotheirfancifulgarmentslookingmoregayandgorgeousagainstthedarkgrayandstreakysilveroftheforest，sothatthemovingfiguresglowedlikestained—glasssaintswalking。Theeffecthadbeenmorefittingbecausesomanyofthemhadidlyparodiedpontificalormonasticdress。Butthemostarrestingattitudethatremainedintheirmemorieshadbeenanythingbutmerelymonastic;
thatofthemomentwhenthefigureinbrightgreenandtheotherinvividviolethadforamomentmadeasilvercrossoftheircrossingswords。Evenwhenitwasajestithadbeensomethingofadrama;anditwasastrangeandsinisterthoughtthatinthegraydaybreakthesamefiguresinthesameposturemighthavebeenrepeatedasatragedy。
\"Didyouquarrelwithhim？\"askedBrain，suddenly。
\"Yes，\"repliedtheimmovablemaningreen。\"Orhequarreledwithme。\"
\"Whydidhequarrelwithyou？\"askedtheinvestigator;andLeonardCranemadenoreply。
HorneFisher，curiouslyenough，hadonlygivenhalfhisattentiontothiscrucialcross—examination。Hisheavy—liddedeyeshadlanguidlyfollowedthefigureofPrinceBorodino，whoatthisstagehadstrolledawaytowardthefringeofthewood;and，afterapause，asofmeditation，haddisappearedintothedarknessofthetrees。
HewasrecalledfromhisirrelevancebythevoiceofJulietBray，whichrangoutwithanaltogethernewnoteofdecision：
\"Ifthatisthedifficulty，ithadbestbeclearedup。
IamengagedtoMr。Crane，andwhenwetoldmybrotherhedidnotapproveofit;thatisall。\"
NeitherBrainnorFisherexhibitedanysurprise，buttheformeradded，quietly：
\"Except，Isuppose，thatheandyourbrotherwentoffintothewoodtodiscussit，whereMr。Cranemislaidhissword，nottomentionhiscompanion。\"
\"AndmayIask，\"inquiredCrane，withacertainflickerofmockerypassingoverhispallidfeatures，\"whatIamsupposedtohavedonewitheitherofthem？LetusadoptthecheerfulthesisthatI
amamurderer;ithasyettobeshownthatIamamagician。IfIranyourunfortunatefriendthroughthebody，whatdidIdowiththebody？DidIhaveitcarriedawaybysevenflyingdragons，orwasitmerelyatriflingmatterofturningitintoamilk—whitehind？\"
\"Itisnooccasionforsneering，\"saidtheAnglo—Indianjudge，withabruptauthority。\"Itdoesn’tmakeitlookbetterforyouthatyoucanjokeabouttheloss。\"
Fisher’sdreamy，andevendreary，eyewasstillontheedgeofthewoodbehind，andhebecameconsciousofmassesofdarkred，likeastormysunsetcloud，glowingthroughthegraynetworkofthethintrees，andtheprinceinhiscardinal’srobesreemergedontothepathway。Brainhadhadhalfanotionthattheprincemighthavegonetolookforthelostrapier。Butwhenhereappearedhewascarryinginhishand，notasword，butanax。
Theincongruitybetweenthemasqueradeandthemysteryhadcreatedacuriouspsychologicalatmosphere。Atfirsttheyhadallfelthorriblyashamedatbeingcaughtinthefoolishdisguisesofafestival，byaneventthathadonlytoomuchthecharacterofafuneral。Manyofthemwouldhavealreadygonebackanddressedinclothesthatweremorefunerealoratleastmoreformal。Butsomehowatthemomentthisseemedlikeasecondmasquerade，moreartificialandfrivolousthanthefirst。Andastheyreconciledthemselvestotheirridiculoustrappings，acurioussensationhadcomeoversomeofthem，notablyoverthemoresensitive，likeCraneandFisherandJuliet，butinsomedegreeovereverybodyexceptthepracticalMr。Brain。Itwasalmostasiftheyweretheghostsoftheirownancestorshauntingthatdarkwoodanddismallake，andplayingsomeoldpartthattheyonlyhalfremembered。Themovementsofthosecoloredfiguresseemedtomeansomethingthathadbeensettledlongbefore，likeasilentheraldry。Acts，attitudes，externalobjects，wereacceptedasanallegoryevenwithoutthekey;andtheyknewwhenacrisishadcome，whentheydidnotknowwhatitwas。
Andsomehowtheyknewsubconsciouslythatthewholetalehadtakenanewandterribleturn，whentheysawtheprincestandinthegapofthegaunttrees，inhisrobesofangrycrimsonandwithhisloweringfaceofbronze，bearinginhishandanewshapeofdeath。Theycouldnothavenamedareason，butthetwoswordsseemedindeedtohavebecometoyswordsandthewholetaleofthembrokenandtossedawaylikeatoy。BorodinolookedliketheOldWorldheadsman，cladinterriblered，andcarryingtheaxfortheexecutionofthecriminal。AndthecriminalwasnotCrane。
Mr。BrainoftheIndianpolicewasglaringatthenewobject，anditwasamomentortwobeforehespoke，harshlyandalmosthoarsely。
\"Whatareyoudoingwiththat？\"heasked。\"Seemstobeawoodman’schopper。\"
\"Anaturalassociationofideas，\"observedHorneFisher。\"Ifyoumeetacatinawoodyouthinkit’sawildcat，thoughitmayhavejuststrolledfromthedrawing—roomsofa。Asamatteroffact，Ihappentoknowthatisnotthewoodman’schopper。It’sthekitchenchopper，ormeatax，orsomethinglikethat，thatsomebodyhasthrownawayinthewood。IsawitinthekitchenmyselfwhenIwasgettingthepotatosackswithwhichIreconstructedamediaevalhermit。\"
\"Allthesame，itisnotwithoutinterest，\"remarkedtheprince，holdingouttheinstrumenttoFisher，whotookitandexamineditcarefully。\"Abutcher’scleaverthathasdonebutcher’swork。\"
\"Itwascertainlytheinstrumentofthecrime，\"
assentedFisher，inalowvoice。
Brainwasstaringatthedullbluegleamoftheaxheadwithfierceandfascinatedeyes。\"Idon’tunderstandyou，\"hesaid。\"Thereisno——therearenomarksonit。\"
\"Ithasshednoblood，\"answeredFisher，\"butforallthatithascommittedacrime。Thisisasnearasthecriminalcametothecrimewhenhecommittedit。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Hewasnottherewhenhedidit，\"explainedFisher。\"It’sapoorsortofmurdererwhocan’tmurderpeoplewhenheisn’tthere。\"
\"Youseemtobetalkingmerelyforthesakeofmystification，\"saidBrain。\"Ifyouhaveanypracticaladvicetogiveyoumightaswellmakeitintelligible。\"
\"TheonlypracticaladviceIcansuggest，\"saidFisher，thoughtfully，\"isalittleresearchintolocaltopographyandnomenclature。TheysaythereusedtobeaMr。Prior，whohadafarminthisneighborhood。IthinksomedetailsaboutthedomesticlifeofthelateMr。Priorwouldthrowalightonthisterriblebusiness。\"