CHAPTERIV
BARBARAENGAGESCOUNSEL
Biddingahastygoodmorningtotheelevatorgirl，HarryKent，suit—caseinhand，enteredthecageandwascarrieduptothefourthflooroftheWilkinsBuilding。Severalbusinessacquaintancesstoppedtochatwithhimashewalkeddownthecorridortohisoffice，anditwasfullyfifteenminutesbeforeheturnedtheknobofthedoorbearingthefirmname—ROCHESTERAND
KENT，ATTORNEYS—onitsglasspanel。Ashesteppedinsidetheanteroomwhichseparatedthetwoofficesoccupiedrespectivelybyhimandhisseniorpartner，PhilipRochester，astrangerrosefromtheclerk’sdesk。
\"Yes，sir？\"heaskedinterrogatively。
Kenteyedhiminsurprise。\"Mr。Rochesterhere？\"heinquired。
\"No，sir。Itaminchargeoftheoffice。\"
\"Youare！\"Kent’ssurpriseincreased。\"IhappentobeMr。Kent，juniorpartnerinthisfirm。\"
\"Ibegyourpardon，sir。\"Thedapperclerkbowedandhurryingtohisdesktookupaletter。\"Mr。Rochesterleftthisforyou，Mr。
Kent，beforehisdeparturelastnight。\"
\"Hisdeparture！\"Kentdepositedhissuit—caseononeofthechairsandtoreopentheenvelope。Thenotewasascrawl，whichhehadsomedifficultyindeciphering。
\"DearKent，\"itran。\"Amcalledoutoftown;willbebackSaturday。
Saundersgavemesomeofhischeekthisafternoon，soIfiredhim。
IengagedJohnSylvestertofillhisplace，whocomeshighlyrecommended。Hewillreportforworkto—morrow。Ta—ta—PHIL。\"
Kentthrustthenoteintohispocketandpickeduphissuit—case。
\"Mr。Rochesterstatesthathehasengagedyou，\"hesaid。\"Yourreferences—？\"
\"Here，sir。\"Theclerkhandedhimafoldedpaper，andKentranhiseyesdownthesheetfromthesentence：\"Towhomitmayconcern\"
tothesignature，ClarkHildebrand。ThestatementspokeinhightermsofJohnSylvester，confidentialclerk。
\"Icanreferyoutomyotheremployers，Mr。Kent，\"Sylvestervolunteeredastheyounglawyerstoodregardingthepaper。\"Ifyou，desirefurtherinformationthereisMr。Clymerand—\"
\"No，JudgeHildebrand’Srecommendationissufficient。\"AndatKent’ssmiletheclerk’sanxiousexpressionvanished。\"DidMr。Rochestergiveyouanyoutlineofthework？\"
\"Yes，sir;hetoldmetofilethepapersintheHitchcockcase，andattendtothemorningcorrespondence。\"
\"Verygood。Hasanyonecalledthismorning？\"
\"No，sir。Theseletterswereaddressedtoyoupersonally，andI
havenotopenedthem，\"SylvesterhandedaneatlyarrangedpackagetoKent。\"These，\"indicatingseveralletterslyingopenonhisdesk，\"aretothefirm。\"
\"Bringthemtomeinhalfanhour，\"andKentwalkedintohisprivateoffice，carefullyclosingthedoorbehindhim。Openinghissuit—casehetookouthisbriefbagandlaiditonthedeskinfrontofhimtogetherwiththepackageofletters。Insteadofopeningthelettersimmediately，hetiltedbackinhischairandregardedtheoppositewallindeepthought。PhilipRochestercouldnothaveselectedaworsetimetoabsenthimself;threeimportantcaseswereonthecalendarforimmediatetrialandmuchdependedonthefirm’ssuccessfulhandlingofthem。Kentsworesoftlyunderhisbreath;
hislastwarningtoRochester，thathewoulddissolvetheirpartnershipiftheoldermancontinuedtoneglecthispractice，hadbeengivenonlyamonthbeforeanduponKent’sreturnfromeightmonths’serviceintheJudgeAdvocateGeneral’sDepartmentinFrance。
ApparentlyhiswarninghadfallenondeafearsandRochesterwasindulginginanotherperiodicspree，forsoKentconcluded，recallingtheunsteadypenmanshipofthenotehandedtohimbythenewclerk，JohnSylvester。
Kentwasstillfrowningattheoppositewallwhenafaintknocksounded，andathiscallSylvesterentered。
\"Herearethelettersreceivedthismorning，sir，andtype—writtencopiesoftheanswerstoyesterday’scorrespondencewhichMr。
Rochesterdictatedbeforeleaving，\"SylvesterexplainedasheplacedthepapersonKent’sdesk。\"Ifyouwillo。k。them，Iwillmailthematonce。\"
Kentwentthroughtheletterswithcare，andthenewclerkroseinhisestimationashereadtheexcellentdictationoftheclearlytypedanswers。
\"Thesewilldoadmirably，\"heannounced。\"SitdownandIwillreplytotheotherletters。\"
AttheendofanhourSylvesterclosedhisstenographicnotebookandcollectedthecorrespondence，bythattimescatteredoverKent’sdesk。
\"I’llhavethesenotesreadyforyoursignaturebeforelunch，\"hesaidashepickedupanewspaperfromthefloorwhereithadtumbledduringKent’ssearchforsomeparticu1arletterheads。\"Ibroughtinthemorningpaper，sir;thoughtperhapsyouhadnotseenit。\"
\"Thanks。\"Kentswunghischairnearerthewindowandopenedthenewspaper。HehadpurchasedacopywhenwalkingthroughUnionStationonhisarrival，buthadleftitinthecafeteriawherehehadsnatchedacupofcoffeeandhotrollsbeforehurryingtohisoffice。
Hereadacolumndevotedtointernationalaffairs，scannedanaccountofasenatorialwrangle，andwasabouttoturntothesecondpage，whistlingcheerily，whenhisattentionwasarrestedbytheheadings：
BANKCASHIERDIESINPOLICECOURT
JAMESTURNBULL，MISTAKENFORBURGLAR，SUFFERSFATALATTACKOFANGINAPECTORIS
Kent’swhistlestoppedabruptly，andclutchingthepaperinbothhands，hedevouredtheshortaccountprintedunderthescareheads：
\"Whilemasqueradingasaburglaronawager，JamesTurnbull，cashieroftheMetropolisTrustCompany，wasarrestedbyOfficerO’RyanatanearlyhouryesterdaymorningintheresidenceofColonelCharlesMcIntyre。
\"OfficerO’Ryanconductedhisprisonertothe8thPrecinctPoliceStation，andlaterhewasarraignedinthepolicecourt。TheMissesMcIntyreappearedinpersontopreferthechargesagainstthesupposedburglar，who，onbeingsworn，gavethenameofJohnSmith。
\"PhilipRochester，thewellknowncriminallawyer，wasassignedbythecourttodefendtheprisoner。UpontheevidencesubmittedJudgeMackallheldtheprisonerfortrialbythegrandjury。
\"ItwasjustaftertheJudge’sannouncementthat’JohnSmith，’thensittingintheprisonerscage，wasseizedwiththeattackofanginapectoriswhichendedsofatallyafewminuteslater。
ItwasnotuntilafterhehadexpiredthatthoserenderinghimmedicalassistancebecameawarethathewasJamesTurnbullindisguise。
\"JamesTurnbullwasanativeofWashington，hisfather，thelateHonJosiahTurnbullofConnecticut，havingmadethiscityhispermanenthomeintheearly’90s。Mr。Turnbullwaslookeduponasoneoftherisingyoungmeninbankingcircles;hewasalsoprominentsocially，wasamemberoftheAlibi，Metropolitan，andCountryClubs，anduntilrecentlywasactiveinallformsofathletics，whenhisill—healthprecludedactiveexercise。
\"OfficerO’Ryan，whowasgreatlyshockedbythefatalterminationtoMr。Turnbull’srashwager，statedtotherepresentativesofthepressthatMr。Turnbullgavenohintofhisidentitywhilebeinginterrogatedatthe8thPrecinctStation。FriendsattributeMr。Turnbull’sdisinclinationtorevealhimselftothecourt，tohisenjoymentofapracticaljoke，notrealizingthattheresultantexcitementofthescenewouldreactonhisweakheart。
\"Mr。Turnbullissurvivedbyagreataunt;hehadnonearerrelativesliving。ItisasingularcoincidencethatthelawyerappointedbythecourttodefendTurnbullwashisintimatefriend，PhilipRochester，whomadehishomewiththedeceased。\"
Kentreadthecolumnoverandover，then，lettingthepapersliptothefloor，satbackinhischair，toodumb—foundedforwords。
JimmieTurnbullarrestedasaburglarinthehomeofthegirlhelovedonchargespreferredbyher，anddefendedincourtbyhisintimatefriend，bothofwhomwereunawareofhisidentity！Kentrumpledhisfairhairuntilitstoodupright。AndJimmie’sdeathhadfollowedalmostimmediatelyastheresultofover—excitement！
Kent’seyesgrewmoist;hehadbeenveryfondoftheeccentric，lovablebankcashier，whoseknackofperformingmanyakindlyact，unsolicited，hadendearedhimtofriendsandacquaintancesalike。
KenthadseenmuchofhimafterhisreturnfromFrance，forJimmie’sattentiontoHelenMcIntyrehadbeenonlysecondtoKent’sdevotiontothelatter’ssister，Barbara。Thetwomenhadonebondincommon。
ColonelMcIntyredislikedthemanddiscouragedtheircalling，tothesecretfuryofboth，butlovehadfoundaway—Kent’seyeskindledattherecollectionofBarbara’shalf—shy，whollytenderreceptionofhisardentpleading。
Turnbull’scourtshiphadmetwithaset—backwherehehadleastexpectedit—PhilipRochesterhadfallendeeplyinlovewithHelenand，encouragedbyherfather，hadpressedhissuitwithardor。
Frequentquarrelsbetweenthetwoclosefriendshadbeentheoutcome，andJimmiehadconfidedtoKent，beforethelatterleftonthebusinesstriptoChicagofromwhichhehadreturnedthatmorning，thatthesituationhadbecomeintolerableandhehadnotifiedRochesterthathewouldnolongersharehisapartmentwithhim，andtolookforotherquartersasquicklyaspossible。
SoburiedwasKentinhisthoughtsthatheneverheardSylvester’sknock，anditwasnotuntiltheclerkstoodathiselbowthatheawokefromhisabsorption。
\"Aladytoseeyou，Mr。Kent，\"heannounced。\"ShallIshowherin？\"
\"Certainly—hername？\"
\"Shegavenone。\"Sylvesterpausedonhiswaybacktothedoor。
\"ItisoneoftheMissesMcIntyre。\"
\"GoodLord！\"Kentwasonhisfeet，straighteninghistieandbrushinghisrumpledhair。\"Here，waitaminute\"—clutchingawhiskbroominafranticendeavortoremovesomeofthesignsoftravelwhichstillclungtohim。ButhehadonlyopportunityforonedabathisleftshoulderbeforeBarbaraenteredtheoffice。
Allelseforgotten，Kenttosseddownthewhiskbroomandthenextinstanthehadclaspedherhandinbothofhis，hiseyestellingmoreeloquentlythanhisstumblingwords，hisjoyatseeingheragain。
\"Thisisabusinesscall，\"shestateddemurely，onyouandMr。
Rochester。\"HerlovelyeyesheldaglintofmischiefasshementionedKent’spartner，thenherexpressiongrewserious。\"I
wantlegaladvice。\"
\"Iamafraidyouwillhavetoputupwithme，\"Kentmovedhischairclosertotheoneshehadselectedbythedesk。\"Rochesterisoutoftown。\"
\"What！\"Barbarasatboltupright。\"Where—where’shegone？\"
\"Idon’tknow\"—KentpulledRochester’sletteroutofhispocketandre—readit。\"Hedidnotmentionwherehewasgoing。\"
Barbarastaredathim;shehadpaled。
\"WhendidPhilipleave？\"
\"Lastnight，Ipresume。\"Kenttippedbackhischairandpressedabuzzer;asecondlaterSylvesterappearedinthedoorway。
\"DidMr。Rochestertellyouwherehewasgoing？\"heaskedtheclerk。
\"No，sir。Mr。Rochesterstatedthatyouhadhisaddress。
\"I？\"Kentconcealedhisgrowingsurprise。\"Didheleaveanymessageforme，otherthantheletter？\"
\"No，sir。
\"Atwhathourdidheleavetheoffice？\"
\"Ican’tsay，sir;hewasstillherewhenIwentawayatfiveo’clock。HegavemeakeytotheofficesothatIcouldgetinthismorning。\"Kentremainedsilent，andheadded，\"Isthatall，sir？\"
\"Yes，thanks，\"andtheclerkretired。
AsthedoorclosedBarbaraturnedtoKent。\"HaveyouheardaboutJimmieTurnbull？\"
Hervoicewasabitbreathlessassheputthequestion，butKent，puzzlingoverhispartner’seccentricconduct，hardlynotedheragitation。
\"Yes。Isawtheaccountjustnowinthemorningpaper，\"heanswered。
\"Ashockingaffair。PoorTurnbull！Hewasagoodfellow。\"
\"Hewas！\"Barbaraspokewithunaccustomedvehemence，andlookingatherKentsawthathereyeswerefilledwithtears。Impulsivelyhethrewhisarmabouther，holdingherclose。
\"Myheart’sdearest，\"hemurmuredfondly。\"Ifthereisanything—anythingIcando—\"
Barbarastraightenedupandwinkedawaythetears。\"Thereis，\"shesaidtersely。\"InvestigateJimmie’sdeath。\"
Kentgazedatherinastonishment。\"Pleaseexplain，\"hesuggested。
\"Themorningpaperstatesveryplainlythatthecauseofdeathwasanattackofanginapectoris。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，andthatiswhatPhilipRochestercontendsalso。\"
Barbarapausedandglancedabouttheoffice;theyhadtheroomtothemselves。\"B—butHelenbelievesotherwise。\"
Kentdrewback。\"Whatdoyoumean，Babs？\"hedemanded。
\"Justthat，\"Barbaraspokewearily，andKent，givinghercloseattention，grewawareofdarkshadowsunderhereyeswhichtoldplainlyofasleeplessnight。\"IwanttoengageyouasourcounseltohelpHelenfindoutaboutJimmie’sdeath。\"
\"Findoutwhat？\"askedKent，hisbewildermentincreasing。\"DoyoumeanthatJimmie’sdeathwasnottheresultofadangerousheartdisease，butoffoulplay？\"
Barbaranoddedherheadvigorously。\"Yes。\"
Kentsatbackinhischairandregardedherinsilenceforasecond。
\"Howcouldthatbe，Babs，inanopenpolicecourtwithdozensofspectatorsallabout？\"heasked。\"Theslightestattempttokillhimwouldhavebeenfrustratedbythepoliceofficials;remember，aprisonerespecially，ishedgedinandguarded。\"
\"Well，hewasn’tsoveryhedgedin，\"retortedBarbara。\"IwasthereandsawhowcloselypeopleapproachedJimmie。\"
\"Didyouobserveanyonehandhimanything？\"
\"N—no，\"Barbaradrawledthewordasshestrovetovisualizethesceneinthecourtroom;thencatchingKent’slookofdoubtsheaddedwithunmistakableemphasis。\"HelenandIdonotbelievethatJimmiediedfromnaturalcauses;wethinkthetragedyshouldbeinvestigated。\"Hersoftvoicedeepened。\"Imustknowthetruth，Harry，dear;forIfeelthatperhapsIamresponsibleforJimmie’sdeath。\"
\"You！\"Kent’svoiceroseinindignantprotest。\"Absurd！\"
\"No，itisn’tIfithadnotbeenformywagerwithJimmie，heneverwouldhaveenteredourhousedisguisedasaburglar。\"
\"Whatbroughtaboutthewager？\"
\"LastSundayHelenwasboastingofhertwonewpolicedogswhichPhilipRochesterrecentlygaveher，andsaidhowsafeshefelt。
We’vehadseveralburglariesinourneighborhood，\"Barbaraexplained，\"andwhenJimmiescoffedatthedogs，Ibethimthathecouldnotbreakintothehousewithoutthedogsarousingthehousehold。I
neveroncethoughtaboutJimmie’shearttrouble，\"sheconfessed，andherlipsquivered。\"Ifeelsoguilty。\"
\"Youareinconsistent，Babs，\"chidedKentgently。\"OnemomentyoureproachyourselfforbeingthecauseofbringingonJimmie’sheartattack，andthenextyoudeclareyoubelievehediedthroughfoulplay。You，\"lookingathertenderly，whileawhimsicalsmilesoftenedhissternmouth，\"don’tgosofarastoclaimyoumurderedhim，doyou？\"
\"OfcourseIdidn’t！\"Barbaraspokewithindignantemphasis，andherfingerssnappedinuncontrollablenervousness。\"Jimmiewasverydear\"—shehesitated—\"tous。NeitherHelennorIcanleaveastoneunturneduntilweknowwithoutashadowofadoubtwhatkilledhim。\"
\"Thatiseasilyproven，\"declaredKent。\"Anautopsy—\"
\"Helenaskedthecoronertoholdone。\"
Kentstared—thetwinswerecertainlyinearnest。
\"Myadvicetoyouistowaituntilyouheartheresultofthepost—mortemfromCoronerPenfield，\"hesaidgravely。\"UntilweknowdefinitelywhatkilledJimmie，speculationisidle。\"
Barbararoseatonce。\"Ithoughtyouwouldbemoresympathetic，\"
sheremarked，andhervoicewasabitunsteady。\"Iamsorrytohavetroubledyou。\"
InaninstantKentwasbyherside。\"Barbara，\"heentreated。\"I
promisesolemnlytoaidyouineverypossibleway。Myonlyhappinessisinservingyou，\"hisvoicewasverytender。\"IslaveheredayinanddayoutthatImaysometimebeabletomakeahomeforyou。Don’tleavemeinanger。\"
\"Iwasnotangry，onlydeeplyhurt，\"Barbaraconfessed。\"Ihavesolongedtoseeyou。I—Ineededyou！I—\"TherestwaslostasshebowedherheadagainstKent’sbroadshoulder，andhisimpassionedwhispersofdevotionbroughtsolacetohertroubledspirit。
\"Imustgo，\"declaredBarbaratenminuteslater。\"FatherwouldmakeafearfulsceneifheknewIhadbeenheretoseeyou。\"Shepickedupherhand—bag，preparatorytoleaving。\"ThenIcantellHelenthatyouwillaidus？\"
\"Yes。\"Kentstoppedonhiswaytothedoor。\"Iwilltryandseethecoronerthisafternoon。Inthemeantime，Babs，can’tyoutellmewhatmakesyoususpectthatJimmiemighthavebeenkilled？\"
\"Ihavenothingtangibletogoon，\"sheadmitted。\"Onlyawoman’sinstinct—\"
Kentdidnotsmile。\"Instinct，\"herepeatedthoughtfully。\"Well，doesyourinstincthazardaguessastotheweapon，theopportunity，andthemotiveforsuchacrime？JimmieTurnbullhadn’tanenemyintheworld。\"
Barbaralookedathimoddly。\"Supposeyoufindtheanswertothoseconundrums，\"shesuggested。\"Don’tcometotheelevator;MargaretBrewstermayseeyouwithme，andshewouldtellfatherofourmeeting。
\"IsMrs。Brewsterstillwithyou？\"askedKent，payingnoattentiontoherprotestsasheaccompaniedherdownthecorridor。\"I
understoodsheplannedtoreturntotheWestlastweek。\"
\"Shedid，butfatherpersuadedhertoprolonghervisit，\"Barbarawasguiltyofagrimace，thenhailingthedescendingelevatorsheboltedintoitandwavedhergood—bytoKentasthecageshotdownward。
WhenKentreenteredhisofficehefoundSylvesterhangingupthetelephonereceiver。
\"Mr。ClymerhastelephonedtoaskifyouwillcometotheMetropolisTrustCompanyatonce，\"hesaid，andbeforeKentcouldframeareplyhehaddartedintothecoatclosetandbroughtouthishatandcane，andhandedthemtohim。
\"Don’twaitforme，butgooutforyourluncheon，\"directedKent，observingthehour。\"IhavemykeyandcangetinwhenIreturnifyoushouldnotbehere，\"andnotwaitingtohearSylvester’sthanks，hehurriedaway。
TheclockoverthebankhadjuststrucknoonwhenKentreachedthefineofficebuildingwhichhousedtheMetropolisTrustCompany，andasheenteredthebank，amessengerstoppedhim。
\"Mr。Clymeriswaitingforyouinhisprivateoffice，sir，\"hesaid，andledthewaypastthelongrowsofmahoganycountersandplateglasswindowstothebackofthebank，finallystoppingbeforeadoorbearingthename，inmodestlettering—BENJAMINAUGUSTUSCLYMER。
Thebankpresidentwassensitiveononepoint;heneverpermittedinitialsonlytobeusedbeforehisname。Themessenger’sdeferentialknockwasansweredbyagruffcommandtoenter。ClymerwelcomedKentwithanairofrelief。
\"YouknowColonelMcIntyre，\"hesaidbywayofintroduction，andKentbecameawarethatthetallmanloungingwithhisbacktohiminoneoftheleathercoveredchairswasBarbara’sfather。ColonelMcIntyrereturnedKent’sbowwithacurtnod，andthenClymerpushedforwardachair。
\"Sitdown，Kent，\"hebegan。\"Youhavealreadyhandledseveralconfidentialaffairsforthebankinasatisfactorymanner，andIhavesentforyouto—daytoaskyouraidinanurgentmatter。
BeforeIgofurtherImustaskyoutotreatwhatIamabouttosayasstrictlyconfidential。\"
\"Certainly，Mr。Clymer。\"
\"Good！Thendrawupyourchair。\"ClymerwaiteduntilKenthadcompliedwithhisrequest。\"YouhaveheardofJimmieTurnbull’ssuddenandtragicdeath？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Asyouknow，hewascashierofthisbank。\"Clymerspokewithdeliberation。\"Soonafterwordreachedhereofhisdeath，thevice—presidentandtreasurerofthebankhadacarefulexaminationmadeofhisbooksandaccounts。\"Clymerpausedtoclearhisthroat;
hewastroubledwithanirritatingcough。\"Turnbull’saccountswerefoundinfirstclassorder。\"
\"Iamsuretheywouldbe，Mr。Clymer，\"exclaimedKentwarmly。\"AnyonewhoknewJimmiewouldneverdoubthishonesty。\"
McIntyreturnedinhischairandregardedthespeakerwithnofriendlyeye，butasidefromthat，tooknopartintheconversation。
Clymerdidnotatonceresumespeaking。
\"To—day，\"hecommencedfinally，\"ColonelMcIntyrecalledatthebankandaskedthetreasurer，Mr。Gilmore，forcertainvaluablenegotiablesecuritieswhichheleftinthebank’scareamonthago。
Mr。GilmoretoldColonelMcIntyrethatthesesecuritieshadbeengiventoJimmieTurnbulllastSaturdayonhispresentationofaletterfromMcIntyrerequestingthattheybeturnedovertothebank’scashier。McIntyreexpressedhissurpriseandaskedtoseetheletter\"—Clymerpausedandtookapaperfromhisdesk。\"Hereistheletter。\"
Kenttookthepaperandexamineditclosely。
\"Thisisperfectlyinorder，\"hesaid。\"AclearstatementinColonelMcIntyre’shandwritingandonhisstationery。
ForthefirsttimeColonelMcIntyreaddressedhim。
\"Theletterisinorder，\"heacknowledged，\"andwrittenonmystationery，butitwasnotwrittenbyme。Theletterisacleverforgery。\"
CHAPTERV
THEVANISHINGMAN
Itstilllackedtwentyminutesofnineo’clockthatnightwhenHarryKentturnedintotheSaratogaapartmenthotel，andnotwaitingtotakeoneoftheelevators，ranupthestaircasetotheapartmentwhichhadbeenoccupiedjointlybyJimmieTurnbullandPhilipRochester。KenthadalreadyselectedtherightkeyfromamongthoseonthebunchhehadfoundinRochester’sdeskattheoffice，andslippingitintothekey—holeoftheouterdoor，heturnedthelockandwalkednoiselesslyinsidethedarkapartment。
Thesoftclickoftheouterdoorasitswungtowashardlynoticeable，andKent，pausingonlylongenoughtogethisbreathfromhisrunupthestaircase，steppedintothelivingroomandreachedfortheelectriclightswitch。Insteadofencounteringthecoldmetaloftheswitchhisgropingfingersclosedoverwarmflesh。
Startledashewas，Kentretainedenoughpresenceofmindtograspthehandtightly;thenextsecondamanhurledhimselfuponhimandhegaveback。Furnitureinthepathofthestrugglingmenwasoverturnedastheyfoughtinsilentdesperation。Kentwouldhavegivenmuchforlight。Hestrainedhiseyestoseehisadversary，butthepitchdarknessconcealedallbutthevaguestoutline。AsKentgothissecondwind，confidenceinhisstrengthreturnedandheredoubledhisefforts;suddenlyhishandsshiftedtheirgripandheswunghisadversarybackward，pinninghimagainstthewall。
Afaint，sobbingbreathescapedtheman，andKentfeltthewholefigureagainstwhichhepressed，quiverandrelax;thetautmusclesofchestandarmsgrewslack，collapsed。
Kentstoodinwonderment，peeringahead，hishandsempty—themanhadvanished！
Drawingalong，longbreathKentfelthiswaybacktotheelectricswitchandpressedthebutton，lightingboththewallbracketsandthetablelamps。Withbothhandsonhisthrobbingtempleshegazedattheover—turnedchairs;they，aswellashisachingthroat，testifiedtohisencounterhavingbeenarealityandnotafantasticdream。Hisglancetraveledthiswayandthatabouttheroomandrestedlongestontheoppositesideoftheroomwherehehadpinnedthemantothewall。Wall—！Kentleanedagainstatallhighboyandlaughedweakly，immoderately。HehadpushedthemanstraightagainstthedoorleadingintoRochester’sbedroom，andnot，ashehadsupposed，againstthesolidwall。
Themanhadbeenquick—wittedenoughtograspthesituation;hispretendedweaknesshadcausedKenttorelaxhishold，aturnoftheknobofthedoor，whichswunginward，andhehadmadehisescapeintothebedroom，leavingKentstaringintodark，emptyspace。
GatheringhiswitstogetherKenthurriedintothebedroom—itwasempty;soalsowasthebathroomopeningfromit。FromthereKentmadetheroundsoftheapartment，switchingonthelightuntiltheplacewasablaze，butinspiteofhisminutesearchofclosetsandunderbedsandbehindfurniturehecouldfindnotraceofhislateadversary。Kentstoppedlongenoughinthepantrytorefreshhimselfwithaglassofwater，thenhereturnedtothelivingroomandsatdowninanarmchairbythewindow。Hewantedtimetothink。
Howhadthemanvanishedsoutterly，leavingnotracebehindintheapartment？ThewindowinRochester’sroomwaslockedontheinside;
infact，alltheapartmentwindowsweresecurelyfastened，hehadfoundonhistourofinspection;theonlyonenotlockedwastheoval，swingingwindowhighupinthesidewallofthebathroom;
onlyachildcouldsqueezethroughit，Kentdecided。Thewindowlookedintoawellformedbythewingsoftheapartmenthouse，andhadasheerdropoffiftyfeettothegroundbelow。
Butforhisunfortunateluckinbackingthemanagainstthebedroomdoorinsteadofthewallhewouldnothaveescaped，buthowhadthemanrealizedsoinstantlythathewasagainstadoorinthepitchdarkness？Itcertainlyshowedfamiliaritywithhissurroundings。
Kentsatuprightasanideaflashedthroughhisbrain—wasthemanPhilipRochester？
Kentscoutedtheideabutitpersisted。SupposeithadbeenPhilipRochesterawakenedfromadrunkenslumberbyhisentranceinthedark;
ifso，nothingmorelikelythanthathehadmistakenhim，Kent，foraburglarandsprungathim。ButwhyhadhedisappearedwithoutrevealinghisidentitytoKent？Surelythesamereasonworkedbothways—themanwhohadwrestledwithhimwasasunawareofKent’sidentityasKentwasofhis—theyhadfoughtinthedarkandinsilence。
Kentlaughedaloud。Thesituationhaditsamusingside;then，asrecollectioncameofthesceneinthebankthatmorning，hismirthchangedtogrimseriousness。AthisearnestsolicitationandbackedbyBenjaminClymer’sendorsementofhisplan，ColonelMcIntyrehadagreedtogivehimuntilSaturdaynighttolocatethemissingsecurities;ifhefailed，thenthecolonelproposedplacingtheaffairinthehandsoftheauthorities。
Kent’sfirmmouthsettledintodoggedlinesatthethought;suchaproceduremeantbesmirchingJimmieTurnbull’sname;letthepublicgettheslightestinklingthatthebankcashierwassuspectedofforgeryandtherewouldbethedeviltopay。Kentwasdeterminedtoprotectthehonorofhisdeadfriend，andtoaidHelenMcIntyreinherinvestigationofhissuddendeath。
JimmieTurnbullhadbeenthesoulofhonor;thathehadeverstoopedtoforgerywasunbelievable。Therewassomeexplanationfavorabletohim—theremustbe。Kent’sclenchedfiststruckthearmofhis，chairavigorousblowandheleapttohisfeet。Wastingnofurthertimeonspeculation，hecommencedasystematicsearchoftheapartment，replacingeachchairandtableaswellastherugswhichhadbeenover—turnedinhisrecenttussle，afterwhichhetriedthedrawersofJimmie’sdesk。Theywereunlocked。Acarefulsearchbroughtnothingtolightbutreceiptedbills，someloosechange，olddinnercards，theaterprograms，teainvitations，andseveralpackagesofcigarettes。
TurningfromthedeskKentwalkedovertothetablewhichheknewwasPhilipRochester’sproperty;herecalledhavingonceseenJimmieplacesomepaperstherebymistake;havingdonesoonce，themistakemighthaveoccurredagain。Takingouthispartner’sbunchofkeys，hesoonfoundonethatfittedandopenedthedrawers。Hehadhalfcompletedhistask，withoutfindinganyclewtothemissingsecurities，whenhewasinterruptedbythesoundoftheopeningofthefrontdoor，andhadbuttimetoslamthedrawersshutandpocketthekeyswhenthenightclerkofthehotelsteppedinsidetheapartmentand，closelyfollowedbyasandy—hairedman，walkedintothelivingroom。HehaltedabruptlyatsightofKent。
\"Goodevening，Mr。Kent，\"heexclaimed，andtookinataglancetheorderlyarrangementoftheroom。\"Pardonmyunceremoniousentrance，butIhadnoideayouwerehere，sir;wereceivedatelephonemessagethataburglarhadbrokeninhere。\"
\"Youdid！\"Kentstaredathim。Washeright，afterall，inhisconjecture;hadthemanbeenPhilipRochester？Itwouldseemso，forwhoelse，aftertakingrefugeelsewhere，wouldhavetelephonedawarningofburglarstothehoteloffice？\"Haveyouanyideawhosentthemessage，Mr。Stuart？\"
\"Ihavenot;itwasanout—sidecall—\"Stuartturnedtohiscompanion。\"SorryIbroughtyouhereonanidioticchase，Mr。
Ferguson。\"
\"That’sallright，\"respondedthedetectivegoodnaturedly。\"Wouldyoulikemetolookthroughtheapartmentjusttoseeifanyonereallyisconcealedonthepremises，Mr。Kent？\"heasked，andaddedquickly，seeingKenthesitate，\"Iamfromthecentraloffice;Mr。
Stuartcanvouchforme。\"
Kent’shesitationvanished。\"I’dbeobligedifyouwould，Ferguson。\"
AshespokeheledthewaytoRochester’sbedroom。\"Comewithus，Stuart，\"astheclerkloiteredbehind。
\"Guessnot，sir;I’mneededdownatthedesk，weareshort—handedto—night。Letmeknowhowthehuntturnsout，\"andhesteppedintothevestibule。\"Goodnight。\"
\"Goodnight，\"calledKent，andheaccompaniedFergusonasfarasthebathroomdoor，thenreturnedtohisinspectionofRochester’stable。
Hehadjustcompletedhistaskwhenthedetectiverejoinedhim。
\"Notraceofanyone，\"thelatterannounced。\"SomeoneputupajokeonStuart，Iimagine。Findwhatyouwished，sir？\"
Kentwasdistinctlyannoyedbythequestion。\"Yes，\"herepliedshortly。
Fergusonignoredhiscurttone。\"Willyousparemeafewminutesofyourtime，Mr。Kent？\"heaskedpersuasively。\"Iwon’tdetainyoulong。\"
\"Certainly。\"Kentmovedovertothechairinthewindowwhichhehadoccupiedbeforeandpointedtoanother，equallyascomfortable。
\"WhatcanIdoforyou？\"heaskedasFergusondroppedbackandstretchedhimselfinthesoftdepthsofthebigchair。
\"Supplysomeinformation，\"answeredthedetectivepromptly。\"Justaminute，\"asKentstartedtointerrupt。\"Youdon’trecallme，butImetyouwhileworkingontheChasecase;youhandledthattrialingreatshape，\"Fergusonlookedadmiringlyathiscompanion。\"Lotsofthepraisewenttoyourpartner，Mr。Rochester，butIknowyoudidthework。Now，pleaseletmefinish，\"holdingupaprotestinghand。\"Iknowyou’vecarriedMr。Rochesterinyourfirm;he’sdeadwood。\"Kentwassilent。Whatthedetectivesaidwasonlytootrue。
Rochester，realizingthetalentandindustrywhichcharacterizedhisyoungerpartner，hadwithdrawnmoreandmorefromactivepractice，andhaddevotedhimselftothesociallifeoftheNationalCapital。
\"Thisisratheralong—windedwayofreachingmypoint，\"finishedthedetective。\"But，Mr。Kent，Iwantyourassistanceinapuzzlingcase。\"
\"Goon，I’mlistening。\"Ashespoke，KentdrewouthiscigarcaseandhandedittoFerguson。\"Thematchesareonthesmokingstandatyourelbow。Now，whatisit，Ferguson？\"
Hiscompaniondidnotreplyatonce;insteadhepuffedathiscigar。
\"DidyoureadinthepaperaboutMr。Turnbull’sdeath？\"heaskedwhenthecigarwasdrawingtohissatisfaction，andasKentnoddedasilentaffirmativeinanswertohisquestion，heaskedanother。
\"Didyouknowhimwell？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Didhehaveanenemy？\"
\"Nottomyknowledge。\"Kentwaswatchingthedetectivenarrowly;
whatwashedrivingat？\"OnthecontraryTurnbullwasextremelypopular。\"
\"WithColonelMcIntyre？\"FergusonhadhopedtosurpriseKentwiththequestion，buthiscompanion’sexpressiondidnotalter。
\"N—no，perhapshewasnotover—popularwiththecolonel，\"headmittedslowly。\"Whatpromptsthequestion，Ferguson？\"
Thedetectivehitchedhischairnearer。\"I’mgoingtolayallmycardsonthetable，\"heannounced。\"Ineedadviceandyouarethemantogiveittome。Listen，Mr。Kent，thisJimmieTurnbullmasqueradesasaburglarnightbeforelastattheMcIntyrehouse，isarrested，achargebroughtagainsthimforhouse—breakingbyMissHelenMcIntyre，andshortlyafterhedies—\"
\"Fromanginapectoris，\"finishedKent，asthedetectivepaused。
\"SoMr。Rochestercontended，\"admittedFerguson。\"We’llletthatgoforaminute。Now，whenMissMcIntyresawTurnbull’sbody，shedemandedanautopsy。Why？\"
\"Todiscoverthecauseofdeath，\"answeredKentquietly。\"Thatisobvious，Ferguson。\"
\"Sure。Andwhydidshewishtodiscoverit？\"Hewaitedabriefinstant，thenansweredhisownquestion。\"BecauseMissMcIntyredidnotagreewithRochesterthatTurnbullhaddiedfromanginapectoris—thatisobvious，too。Now，whatmadeherthinkthat？\"
\"IamsureIdon’tknow\"—Kent’sairofcandorwasunmistakableandFergusonshowedhisdisappointment。
\"Hasn’tMissMcIntyrebeentoseeyou？\"
\"No，\"wasKent’struthfulanswer;Barbarawastheyoungertwinandhersisterwastherefore，\"MissMcIntyre。\"
\"Youmustrecollect，Ferguson，\"headded，\"thathadMissMcIntyrecalledtoseemeaboutpoorTurnbull，Iwouldnothavediscussedtheinterviewwithanyone，underanyconditions。\"
\"Certainly。Iamnotaskingyoutobreakanyconfidences;infact，\"
Fergusonsmiled，\"Imustaskyoutoconsiderourconversationconfidential。Now，Mr。Kent，doesitnotstrikeyouasoddthatapparentlytheonlymaninWashingtonwhoreallydislikedTurnbullwasColonelMcIntyre，anditishisdaughterwhointimatesthatTurnbull’sdeathwasnotduetonaturalcauses？\"
\"Oh，pshaw！\"Kentshruggedhisshoulders。\"Youaretakinganexaggeratedviewoftheaffair。ColonelMcIntyreisanhonorableuprightAmerican，andTurnbullwasthesame。\"
\"Peoplespeakhighlyofbothmen，\"acknowledgedthedetective。
IsawMr。Clymer，presidentofTurnbull’sbankthisafternoon，andhepaidafinetributetohisdeadcashier。\"
Kentdrewaninwardsighofrelief。BenjaminClymerhadprovedtrueblue;hehadnotpermittedColonelMcIntyre’sdesireforimmediatepublicityandbeliefinTurnbull’sguilttoshakehisfaithinhisfriend。
\"Yousee，Ferguson，thereisnomotiveforsuchacrimeasyousuggest，\"heremarked。
\"Oh，forthemotive，\"—Fergusonrubbedhishandsnervouslytogetherasheshotalookathisquestioner;thelatter’sclear—cutfeaturesandmanlybearinginspiredconfidence。\"Weknowofnomotive，\"hecorrected。
\"Andweknowofnocrimehavingbeenperpetrated，\"rappedoutKent。
\"Come，man;don’thuntamare’snest。\"
\"Ah，butitisn’tamare’snest！\"Fergusonremarkeddryly。
Kentbenteagerlyforward—\"Youhaveheardfromthecoroner—\"
\"Notyet，\"FergusonjerkedforwardhischairuntilhiskneestouchedKent。
Hadeithermanlookedtowardthewindownearwhichtheyweresitting，hewouldhaveseenablackshadowsquattingape—likeonthewindowledge。AsKentleanedovertorelighthiscigar，thefaceatthewindowvanished，tocautiouslyreappearasecondlater。
\"Thecasepiquedmyinterest，\"continuedthedetectiveafterapause。
\"AndImadeaninvestigationonmyownhook。AfterthedepartureoftheMcIntyretwinsandCoronerPenfield，Iwentbacktothecourtroomandpokedaroundtheprisoners’cage。ThereIfoundthis。\"
Hetookoutofhispocketasmallbundleandcarefullyunwrappedtheoil—skincover。
\"Ahandkerchief？\"questionedKentasthedetectivedidnotunfoldthewhitemuslin，buthelditwithcare。
\"Yes。OneoftheprisonersinthecagetoldmeTurnbulldroppeditasDr。Stoneandthedeputymarshalcarriedhimintotheante—room。
Smellanything？\"holdingupthehandkerchief。
\"Yes。\"Kentwrinkledhisnoseandsniffedseveraltimes。\"Smellslikefruit。\"
Fergusonnodded。\"Goodguess;InoticedtheodorandwentatoncetoDr。McLane。Hetoldmethehandkerchiefwassaturatedwithamylnitrite。\"
\"Amylnitrite，\"repeatedKentreflectively。\"Itisgivenforanginapectoris。\"
\"Yes。Well，inthiscaseitwastheremedyandnotthediseasewhichkilledTurnbull，\"announcedFergusontriumphantly。
\"Nonsense！\"ejaculatedKent。\"Ihappentoknowthatthecapsulescontainonlythreeminims—IonceheardTurnbullsayso。\"
\"True，butTurnbullgotalethaldose，allright;andhethoughthewastakingonlytheregularone。Devilishlyingeniousonthepartofthecriminal，wasn’tit？
\"Yes。Haveyoudetectedthecriminal？\"Kentputthequestionwithunmovedcountenance，butwithinwardforeboding;thedetective’smysteriousmannerwaspuzzling。
\"Notyet，butIwill，\"Fergusonhesitated。\"Thefirstthingwastoestablishthatacrimehadreallybeencommitted。\"
Kentbentdownandsniffedagainatthehandkerchieftowhichafaintfruityaromastillclung。