CHAPTERXII
THEECHOOFALAUGH
ColonelMcIntyretrampedthedeserteddiningroominexasperation。
Nineo’clockandthetwinshadnotcometobreakfast，norwasthereanyevidencethatMrs。Brewsterintendedtakingthatmealdownstairs。
\"Willyouwaitanylonger，sir？\"inquiredGrimes，whohoveredsolicitouslyinthebackground。\"I’mafraid，sir，youreggswillbeover—done。\"
\"Bringthemalong，\"directedMcIntyre，andflunghimselfintohischairatthefootofthetable。HehadbeenseatedbutafewminuteswhenBarbaraappearedanddutifullypresentedhercheektobekissed，thenshetrippedlightlytoHelen’splaceoppositeherfather，andpressedtheelectricbellforGrimes。
\"Coffee，please，\"shesaidasthatworthyappeared，andbusiedherselfinarrangingthecupsandsaucers。\"Helenistakingherbreakfastupstairs，\"sheexplainedtoherfather。
\"HowaboutMrs。Brewster？\"
\"Stillasleep。\"Barbarapouredoutherfather’scoffeewithcarefulattentiontodetail。\"Ipeekedintoherroomamomentagoandshelookedso’comfy’Ihadn’tthehearttoawakenher。Youmusthavebeenverylateattheclublastnight。\"
\"Wegothomealittleafteroneo’clock。\"
McIntyrehelpedhimselftopoachedeggsandbacon。\"Whatdidyoudolastnight？\"
\"Wenttobedearly，\"answeredBarbarawithbrevity。\"Helenwasn’tfeelingwell。\"
McIntyre’shandsomefaceshowedconcernasheglancedacrossthetable。\"HaveyousentforDr。Stone？\"
\"No。\"
\"Whynot？\"
\"Helen—I—we\"—Barbarastumbledinherspeech。\"WehavetakenanaversiontoDr。Stone。\"
McIntyresetdownhiscoffeecupwithunwontedforce，therebyspillingsomeofitscontents。
\"What！\"heexclaimedincompleteastonishment，andregardedherfixedlyforamoment。Histolerantmanner，whichhefrequentlyassumedtowardBarbara，grewstern。\"Dr。Stoneismypersonalfriend，aswellasourfamilyphysician—\"
\"AndacousinofMargaretBrewster，\"putinBarbaramildly。
\"Well，whatofit？\"trenchantly，awarethathehadcoloredatmentionofthewidow’sname。\"Nothing，\"Barbara’seyesopenedinnocently。\"Ionlyrecalledthefactofhisrelationshipasyouenumeratedhisvirtues。\"
ColonelMcIntyretransferredhisregardfromhertothebutler。
\"Youneednotwait，Grimes。\"Heremainedsilentuntiltheservantwassafelyinthepantry，andthenaddressedhisdaughter。\"Noneofyourtricks，Barbara，\"hecautioned。\"IfHelenisillenoughtorequiremedicalattention，Dr。Stoneistobesentfor，regardlessofyoursuddendisliketohim，forwhich，bytheway，youhavegivennocause。\"
\"Haven’tI？\"Barbarafoldedhernapkinwithneatexactness。\"It’s—it’sintangible。\"
\"Pooh！\"McIntyregaveashortlaugh，ashepushedbackhischair。
\"I’mgoingtoseeHelen。AndBarbara，\"stoppingonhiswaytothedoor，\"don’tbeafool。\"
Barbararubbedthetinymoleunderthelobeofherear，atrickshehadwhenabsent—mindedorindeepthought。\"Helen，\"sheannounced，unawarethatshespokeloud，\"shallhaveaphysician，butitwon’tbe—why，Grimes，\"awakeningtotheservant’snoiselessreturn。\"Youcantakethebreakfastdishes。DidMissHeleneatanything？\"
\"Notverymuch，miss。\"Grimesshookatroubledhead。\"Butshedonebetterthanatdinnerlastnight，soshe’spickingup，anddon’tyoubeworriedoverher，\"withemphasis，ashesidlednearer。\"Tellme，miss，isthecolonelcourtin’Mrs。Brewster？\"
\"Askhim，\"shesuggestedandsmiledattheconsternationwhichspreadoverthebutler’sface。
\"Me，miss！\"heexclaimedinhorror。\"Itwouldbeasmuchasmyplaceisworth;thecolonel’sthatquick—tempered。Why，miss，justbecauseItidieduphisdeskandputhispaperstorightsheflewintoaterriblepassion。\"
\"Whenwasthat？\"
\"Earlythismorning，miss;andhesoupsetThomas，miss，thathegavenotice。\"
\"Oh，that’stoobad。\"Barbaralikedthesecondman。\"Perhapsfatherwillreconsiderandpersuadehimtostay。\"
Thebutlerlookedunconvinced。\"Itwasaboutthepolicedogs，\"heconfidedtoher。\"ThomastoldhimthatMissHelenwantedthembroughtback，andthecolonelsworeathim—’twasmorethanThomascouldstandandheupsandgoes。\"Barbarahaltedhalfwaytothedoor。\"DidThomasgetthedogs？\"
\"Youwaitandsee，miss。\"Grimeswasguiltyofamostundignifiedwink。\"Thomasain’tforgivenhimselffornotbeinghereMondaynight，miss;thoughitwouldn’tadonehimanygood;hewouldn’taheardMr。
Turnbullclimbinginorhisarrest，awayupstairsintheservants’
quarters。\"
\"Grimes，\"Barbararetractedherfootstepsandplacedherlipsveryclosetotheoldservant’sear。
\"WhenIcameinonTuesdaymorningIfoundthedoortotheatticstairwaystandingpartlyopen……
\"Didyounow，miss？\"Thetworegardedeachotherwarily。\"Andwhathourmaythathavebeen？\"
Thebutlercockedhisearforheranswer—’hewassometimesalittlehardofhearing;buthewaitedinvain，Barbarahaddisappearedinsidethelibrary。
ColonelMcIntyrehadnotgoneatoncetoseehisdaughterHelen，asBarbarahadsupposedfromhisremark，insteadhewentdownthestaircaseandintothereceptionroomonthegroundfloor。Itwasgenerallyusedasasmokingroomandlounge，butwhenentertainingwasdone，cloaksandwrapswereleftthere。McIntyrelookedovertheprettilyupholsteredfurniture，thenstrolledtothewindowandcarefullyinspectedthelock;itappearedinperfectorderashetestedit。Pushingthecatchbackasfarasitwouldgo，heraisedthewindow—thesashmovedupwardwithoutasound，andheleanedoutandlookedupanddownthepathwhichranthedepthofthehousetothekitchendoorandservants’entrance。
Therewasanirongateseparatingthepathfromthesidewalk，alwayskeptlockedatnight，andMcIntyrehadthoughtthatsufficientprotectionandhadnotputanirongrilleinthewindow。
McIntyreclosedandlockedthewindow，thenpullingoutthegiltchairwhichstoodinfrontofthedesk，hesatdown，selectedsomemonogrammedpaperandpennedafewlinesinhischaracteristicthoughlegiblewriting。Pickingupsomeredsealingwax，helightedthesmallcandleinitsbrassholderwhichmatchedtherestofthedeskornaments，butbeforeheatingthewaxhelookedforhissignetring，andfrownedwhenherecalledleavingitonhisdresser。
Hehesitatedamoment，thencatchingsightofasilverseallyingatthebackofthedeskhepickeditupandmoistenedtheinitial。
Afewminuteslaterheblewoutthecandle，returnedthewaxandsealtoapigeonhole，andcarefullyplacedtheenvelopewithitswellstampedletter\"B\"inhiscoatpocket，andtrampedupstairs。
Helenheardhisheavytreadcomingdownthehalltowardherroom，andscrambledbacktobed。Shehadbuttimetoarrangeherdressingsacquewhenherfatherwalkedin。
\"Goodmorning，mydear，\"hesaidand，stoopingover，kissedher。
Ashestraightenedup，thesideofhissingle—breastedcoatturnedbackandexposedtoHelen’sbrighteyestheendofawhiteenvelope。\"Barbaratoldmeyouarenotwell，\"hewheeledforwardachairandsatdownbythebed。\"Hadn’tIbettersendforDr。
Stone？\"\"Oh，no，\"herreply，thoughsomewhatfaint，wasemphatic，andhefrowned。
\"Whynot？\"aggressively。\"ItrustyoudonotshareBarbara’ssuddenlydevelopedprejudiceagainstthegooddoctor。\"
\"Idonotrequireaphysician，\"shesaidevasively。\"Iamwell。\"
McIntyreregardedhervexedly。Hecouldnotdecidewhetherherflushedcheekswerefromfeverortheresultofexertionorexcitement。Excitementoverwhat？Helookedabouttheroom;itreflectedthetasteofitsdaintyownerinitsfurnishings，butnowheredidhefindananswertohisunspokenquestion，untilhiseyelightedonaboxofrougeundertheelectriclamponherbedstand。
\"Don’tusethat，\"hesaid，touchingthebox。
\"YouknowIdetestmake—up。\"
\"Oh，that！\"Sheturnedtoseewhathewastalkingabout。\"ThatrougebelongstoMargaretBrewster。\"
McIntyrepromptlychangedtheconversation。\"Haveyouhadyourbreakfast？\"heasked。
\"Yes;Grimestookthetraydownsometimeago。\"Helenwatchedherfatherfidgetwithhiswatchfobforseveralminutes，thenaskedwithcharacteristicdirectness。\"Whatdoyouwish？\"
\"Toseethatyouhavepropermedicalattentionifyouareill，\"hereturnedpromptly。\"HowwouldaweekortendaysatAtlanticCitysuityouandBarbara？\"
\"Notatall。\"Helensatupfromherrecliningpositiononthepillows。\"Youforget，father，thatwehaveahouse—guest;MargaretBrewsterisnotleavinguntilMay。\"
\"Ihadnotforgotten，\"curtly。\"Iproposethatshegowithus。\"
Afaint\"Oh！\"escapedHelen，otherwiseshemadenocomment，andMcIntyre，aftercontemplatingherforaminute，lookedaway。
\"EithergotoAtlanticCitywithus，Helen，orresumeyournormal，everydaylife，\"hesaidshortly。\"Iamtiredofheroics;JimmieTurnbullwashardlythemantoinspirethem。\"
\"Stop！\"Helen’svoicerangoutimperiously。\"IwillnotpermitonewordsaidindisparagementofJimmie，leastofallfromyou，father。
Wait，\"asheattemptedtospeak。\"IdonotknowwhattraitsofcharacterImayhaveinheritedfromyou，butIhaveallmother’sloyalty，and—thatloyaltybelongstoJimmie。\"
McIntyre’seyesshiftedunderhergaze。
\"Iregretverymuchthisobsession，\"hesaidrising。\"Iwillnotattempttoreasonwithyouagain，Helen，but\"—hemadenoefforttolowerhisvoice，\"theworld—ourworldwillsoonknowwhatmannerofmanJamesTurnbullwas，ofthatIamdetermined。\"
\"AndI\"—Helenfacedherfatherproudly—\"Iwillleavenostoneunturnedtodefendhismemory。\"
Herfatherwheeledabout。\"Indoingso，seethatyoudonotcompromiseyourself，\"heremarkedcoldly，andbeforetheinfuriatedgirlcouldanswer，heslammedthedoorshutandstalkeddownstairs。
SomehalfhourlaterheopenedthedoorofRochesterandKent’slawofficeandwouldhavewalkedunceremoniouslyintoKent’sprivateofficehadnotJohnSylvestersteppedforwardfrombehindhisdeskinthecorner。
\"Goodmorning，Colonel，\"hesaidcivilly。\"Mr。Kentisnothere。
Doyouwishtoleaveanymessage？\"
\"Oh，goodmorning，Sylvester，\"McIntyre’smannerwasbrusque。\"WhendoyouexpectMr。Kent？\"
\"Inabouttwentyminutes，Colonel。\"Sylvesterglancedatthewallclock。\"Won’tyousitdown？\"
McIntyretookthechairandplanteditbythewindow。Neveraverypatientman，hewaitedforKentwithincreasingirritation，andattheendofhalfanhourhistemperwasuppermost。\"Givemesomethingtowritewith，\"hedemandedofSylvester。Acceptingtheclerk’sfountainpenwithoutthanks，hewalkedovertothecentertableand，drawingouthisleatherwallet，tookfromitavisitingcardand，stoopingover，wroteYouhavebutthirty—sixhoursremaining。
McIntyre。
\"SeethatMr。Kentgetsthiscard，\"hedirected。\"No，don’tputitthere，\"irascibly，astheclerklaidthecardontopofapileofletters。\"TakeitintoMr。Kent’sofficeandputitonhisdesk。\"
TherewasthataboutColonelMcIntyrewhichinspiredcompleteobediencetohiswishes，andSylvesterfollowedhisdirectionswithoutfurtherquestion。
AstheclerksteppedintoKent’sofficeMcIntyresawawomansittingbytheemptydesk。Sheturnedherheadonhearingfootstepsandtheirglancesmet。Afaintexclamationbrokefromher。
\"Margaret！\"McIntyrestrodepastSylvester。\"Whatareyoudoinghere？\"
Mrs。Brewster’sreadylaughhidallsignofembarrassment。\"Mustyouknow？\"sheaskedarchly。\"ThatishardlyfairtoBarbara。\"
\"SoBarbarasentyouherewithamessage！\"Mrs。Brewstertreatedhisremarkasastatementandnotaquestion，andbrisklychangedthesubject。
\"Ican’twaitanylonger，\"shepouted。\"PleasetellMr。KentthatIamsorrynottohaveseenhim。\"
\"Iwill，madam。\"SylvesterplacedMcIntyre’scardinthecenterofKent’sdeskandflewtoopenthedoorforMrs。Brewster。
Asthewidowsteppedintothecorridorshebrushedbyanover—dressedwoman，whosecheapfinerygaveclearindicationofhertastes。Hardlynoticinganother’spresencesheturnedandtookMcIntyre’sarmandtheystrolledofftogether，hersoftlaughfloatingbacktowhereMrs。Sylvesterstoodtalkingtoherhusband。
CHAPTERXIII
THEFACEATTHEWINDOW
HarryKentrangthedoorbellattheMcIntyreresidenceforthefifthtime，andwonderedwhathadbecomeofthefaithfulGrimes;thebutlerwasusuallythesoulofpromptness，andtokeepacallerwaitingonthedoorstepwould，inhiscategory，rankastheheightofimpropriety。AsKentagainraisedhishandtowardthebell，thedoorswungopensuddenlyandBarbarabeckonedtohimtocomeinside。
\"Thebellisoutoforder，\"sheexplained。\"Isawyoufromthewindow。Hurry，andGrimeswon’tknowthatyouarehere，\"andshedartedaheadofhimintothereceptionroom。Kentfollowedmoreslowly;hewashurtthatshehadhadnoothergreetingforhim。
\"Babs，aren’tyougladtoseeme？\"heaskedwistfully。
Foraninstanthereyeswerelightedbyheroldsunnysmile。
\"YouknowIam，\"shewhisperedsoftly。Ashisarmsclosedaroundherandtheirlipsmetinatenderkisssheaddedfervently，\"Oh，Harry，whydidn’tyoumakememarryyouinthehappybygonedays？\"
\"Iaskedyouoftenenough，\"hedeclared。
\"WillyougowithmetoRockvilleatonce？\"Herfacechangedandshedrewbackfromhim。\"No，\"shesaid。\"Itisselfishofmetothinkofmyownhappinessnow。\"
\"Howaboutmine？\"demandedKentwithwarmth。\"Ifyouwon’tconsideryourself，considerme。\"
\"Ido。\"Shelookedoutofthewindowtoconcealsuddenblindingtears。TherewasahintofhiddentragedyinherlovelyfacewhichwenttoKent’sheart。
\"Sweetheart，\"hisvoicewasverytender，\"istherenothingIcandoforyou？\"
\"Nothing，\"sheshookherheaddrearily。\"Thisfamilymust’dreeitsweir。’
Kentstudiedherinsilence;thatshewasindeadlyearnestherecognized，shewasnohystericalfoolorgiventosentimentaltwaddle。
\"YoucametomeonWednesdaytoaskmyaidinsolvingJimmieTurnbull’sdeath，\"hesaid。\"Ihavelearnedcertainfacts—\"
Barbarasprangtoherfeet。\"Wait，\"shecautioned。\"Letmeclosethedoor。Now，goon—\"withhercustomaryimpetuosityshereseatedherself。
\"BeforeIdoso，Imusttellyou，Babs，thatIrecognizedthefraudyouandHelenperpetratedatthecoroner’sinquestyesterdayafternoon。\"
\"Fraud？\"
\"Yes，\"quietly。\"IamawarethatyouimpersonatedHelenonthewitnessstandandviceversa。Youtookafrightfulrisk。\"
\"Idon’tseewhy，\"sheprotested。\"InmytestimonyItoldnothingbutthetruth。\"
\"IneverdoubtedyoutoldthetruthregardingtheeventsofMondaynightasyousawthem，butthecoroner’squestionswereputtoyouundertheimpressionthatyouwereHelen。\"Kentscrutinizedherkeenly。\"WouldHelenhavebeenabletogivethesameanswersthatyoudidwithoutperjuringherself？\"
Barbarastartedandherfacepaled。\"AreyouinsinuatingthatHelenkilledJimmie？\"shecried。
\"No，\"hisemphaticdenialwasprompt。\"ButIdobelievethatsheknowsmoreofwhattranspiredMondaynightthansheiswillingtoadmit。Isthatnotso，Barbara？\"
\"Yes，\"sheacknowledgedreluctantly。
\"DoessheknowwhopoisonedJimmie？\"
\"No—no！\"Barbararestedafirmhandonhisshoulder。\"IswearHelendoesnotknow。Youmustbelieveme，Harry。\"
\"Shemaynotknow，\"Kentspokeslowly。\"Butareyousureshedoesnotsuspectsomeone？\"
\"Well，whatifIdo？\"askedHelenquietly，andKent，lookingaround，foundherstandingjustinsidethedoor。Herentrancehadbeennoiseless。
\"Youshouldtelltheauthorities，Helen。\"Kentroseasshepassedhimandselectedaseatwhichbroughtherfacesomewhatinshadow。
\"Ifyoudonotyoumayretardjustice。\"
\"ButifIspeakImayinvolvetheinnocent，\"sheretorted。\"I—\"
hereyesshiftedfromhimtoBarbaraandbackagain。\"Icannotundertakethatresponsibility。\"
\"Betterthatthanlettheguiltyescapethroughyoursilence，\"
protestedKent。\"Possiblythetheoriesofthepolicemaycoincidewithyours。
\"Whatarethey？\"askedBarbaraimpetuously。
Kentconsideredbeforereplying。IfDetectiveFergusonhadgonesofarastosecureasearchwarranttogothroughRochester’sapartmentandofficeitwouldnotbelongbeforethefactofhisbeinga\"suspect\"wouldbecommonproperty;therecould，therefore，benoharminhisrepeatingFerguson’sconversationtothetwins。
Infact，astheirlegalrepresentative，theywereentitledtoknowthelatestdevelopmentsfromhim。
\"DetectiveFergusonbelievesthatthepoisonwasadministeredbyPhilipRochester，\"hesaidfinally，andwatchedtoseehowtheannouncementwouldaffectthem。Barbara’seyesopenedtotheirwidestextent，andbackinhercorner，intowhichshehadgraduallyedgedherchair，Helenemittedalong，longbreathashertautmusclesrelaxed。
\"WhatmakesFergusonthinkPhilipguilty？\"demandedBarbara。
\"ItisknownthatheandJimmiewerenotongoodterms，\"repliedKent。\"ThenRochester’sdisappearanceafterJimmie’sdeathlendscolortothetheory。\"
\"HasPhilipreallydisappeared？\"askedHelen。\"Youshowedmeatelegram—\"
\"Apparentlythetelegramwasafake，\"admittedKent。\"TheClevelandpolicereportthatheisnotattheaddressgiveninthetelegram。\"
\"Butwhocouldhaveanobjectinsendingsuchatelegram？\"askedBarbaraslowly。
\"Rochester，inthehopeofthrowingthepoliceoffhistrack，ifhereallykilledJimmie。\"KentlookedstraightatHelen。\"ItwaswhilesearchingourofficesafefortraceofRochester’spresentaddressthatFergusonobtainedpossessionofyoursealedenvelope。\"
Helenpluckednervouslyattheribbononhergown。\"Didthedetectiveopentheenvelope\"sheasked。
\"No。\"
\"Areyousure？\"
\"Positive;theredsealwasunbroken。\"
\"Tellushowtheenvelopecametobestolenfromyou，\"coaxedBarbara。
\"WewereinthelittlesmokingporchoffthediningroomattheClubdeVingt。\"Barbarasmiledherremembranceofit，andmotionedKenttocontinue。\"FergusonhadjustputdowntheenvelopeonthetableandIstartedtopickitupwhencheeringinthediningroomdistractedmyattentionandI，withtheothers，wenttoseewhatitwasabout。WhenIreturnedtotheporchtheenvelopewasnolongeronthetable。\"
\"Whowerewithyou？\"questionedHelen。
\"Yourfather，Mrs。Brewster—\"
\"Ofcourse，\"murmuredBarbara。\"Goon，Harry。\"
\"DetectiveFergusonandBenGlymer，\"Barbaramadeawryface，\"and\"
—wentonKent，notheedingher，\"eachofthesepersonsdenyanyfurtherknowledgeoftheenvelope，excepttheydeclareitwaslyingonthetablewhenweallmadeadashforthediningroom。
\"Whowasthelasttoleavetheporch？\"askedHelen。
\"BenClymer。\"
\"Andhesawnoonetaketheenvelope？\"
\"Hedeclaresthathehadhisbacktothetable，partofthetime，buttothebestofhisknowledgenoonetooktheenvelope。\"
\"Oneofthemmusthave，\"insistedBarbara。
\"Theenvelopehadn’tlegsorwings。\"
\"Oneofthemdidtakeit，\"agreedKent。
\"Butwhichoneisthequestion。Frankly，tofindtheanswer，Imustknowthecontentsoftheenvelope，Helen。\"
\"Why？\"
\"BecausethenIwillhavesomeideawhowouldbeenoughinterestedintheenvelopetostealit。\"
Helenconsideredhimlongandthoughtfully。\"Icannotansweryourquestion，\"sheannouncedfinally。Shesawhisfaceharden，andhastenedtoexplain。\"Notthroughanylackofconfidenceinyou，Harry，b—b—but，\"shestumbledinherspeech。\"I—Idonotknowwhattheenvelopecontains。\"
Kentstaredatheropen—mouthed。\"ThenwhorequestedyoutolocktheenvelopeinRochester’ssafe？\"hedemanded，andreceivingnoreply，askedsuddenly：\"WasitRochester？\"
\"Iamnotatlibertytotellyou，\"sheresponded;hermouthsetinobstinatelinesandbeforehecouldpresshisrequestasecondtime，sheasked：\"PhilipRochesterdefendedJimmieincourtwheneveryonethoughthimaburglar;whythen，shouldPhiliphavepickedhimouttoattack—heisnotahomicidalmaniac？\"
\"No，butthepolicecontendthatRochesterrecognizedJimmieinhismake—upanddecidedtokillhim;hopinghisdeathwouldbeattributedtoanginapectoris，andnopost—mortemheld，\"woundupKent。
\"Idontquiteunderstand\"—Helenraisedherhandkerchieftoherforeheadandremovedadropofmoisture。\"HowdidPhilipkillJimmiethereincourtbeforeusall？\"
\"FergusonbelievesthatheputthedoseofaconitineintheglassofwaterwhichJimmieaskedfor，\"explainedKent，andwouldhavecontinuedhisremarks，butascreamfromBarbarastartledhim。
\"There，lookatthewindow，\"shecried。\"Isawafacepeeringin。
Lookquick，Harry，look！\"
Kentneedednosecondbidding，butalthoughhecranedhisheadfaroutsidetheopenwindowandgazedbothupanddownthestreetandalongthepathtothekitchendoor，hefailedtoseeanyone。\"Wasitamanorwoman？\"heasked，turningbacktotheroom。
\"I—Icouldn’ttell;itwasjustaglimpse。\"Barbarastoodrestingonehandonthetable，herweightleaninguponit。NotforwordswouldshehavehadKentknowthatherkneeswereshakingunderher。
\"Didyouseetheface，Helen？\"AsheputthequestionKentlookedaroundatthesilentgirlinthecorner;shehadslippedbackinherchairand，withclosedeyes，laywhite—lippedandlimp。WithaleapKentgainedhersideandhishandsoughtherpulse。
\"Ringforbrandyandwater，\"hedirectedasBarbaracametohisaid。
\"Helenhasfainted。\"
TwentyminuteslaterKenthastenedoutoftheMcIntyrehouseand，turningintoConnecticutAvenue，boardedastreetcarheadedsouth。
AftercarryingHelentothetwins’sittingroomhehadassistedBarbarainrevivingher。HehadwonderedatthetimewhyBarbarahadnotsummonedtheservants，thenconcludedthatneithersisterwishedascene。ThatHelenwasworsethanshewouldadmitheappreciated，andadvisedBarbaratosendforDr。Stone。Thewell—meantsuggestionhadapparentlyfallenondeafears，fornophysicianhadappearedduringthetimehewasinthehouse，norhadBarbarausedthetelephone，almostatherelbowasshesatbyhersister’scouch，tosummonDr。Stone。KenthadonlywaitedlongenoughtoconvincehimselfthatHelenwasoutofdanger，andthenhaddeparted。
Itwasnearlyoneo’clockwhenhefinallysteppedinsidehisoffice，andhefoundhisclerkandadressyfemalebendingeagerlyoveranewspaper。TheylookedupathisapproachandSylvestercameforward。
\"Thisismywife，sir，\"heexplained，andKentbowedcourteouslytoMrs。Sylvester。\"WewerejustreadingthisaccountofMr。Rochester’sdisappearance;it’sdreadful，sir，tothinkthatthepolicebelievehimguiltyofMr。Turnbull’smurder。\"
\"Dreadful，indeed，\"agreedKent;thenewshadbeenpublishedevensoonerthanhehadimagined。\"Whatpaperisthat？\"
\"ThenooneditionoftheTimes。\"Sylvesterhandedittohim。
\"Thanks，\"Kentflungdownhishatandspreadopenthepaper。\"Whohavebeenhereto—day？\"
\"ColonelMcIntyre，sir;heleftacardforyou。\"SylvesterhurriedintoKent’soffice，toreturnamomentlaterwithavisitingcard。
\"Heleftthis，sir，foryouwithmostparticulardirectionsthatitbehandedtoyouatonceonyourarrival。\"
Kentreadthecurtmessageonthecardwithoutcommentandtorethepaste—boardintotinybits。
\"Anyoneelsebeeninthismorning？\"heasked。
\"Yes，sir。\"Sylvesterconsultedawrittenmemorandum。\"Mr。Blackcalled，alsoColonelThorne，SenatorHarris，andMrs。Brewster。\"
\"Mrs。Brewster！\"ThenewspaperslippedfromKent’sfingersinhisastonishment。\"Whatdidshewanthere？\"
\"Toseeyou，sir，soshesaid，butshefirstaskedforMr。
Rochester，\"explainedSylvester，stoopingovertopickuptheinsidesheetoftheTimeswhichhadseparatedfromtheothers。\"I
toldherthatMr。RochesterwasunavoidablydetainedinCleveland;
thenshesaidshewouldconsultyouandIletherwaitinyourofficeforthegoodpartofanhour。\"
Kentthoughtamomentthenwalkedtowardhisdoor;onitsthresholdhepaused，struckbyasuddenidea。
\"DidColonelMcIntyrecomewithMrs。Brewster？\"heasked。
\"No，Mr。Kent;hecameinwhileshewashere。\"
\"Andtheywentofftogether，\"volunteeredMrs。Sylvester，whohadbeenasilentlistenertotheirconversation。Kentstarted;hehadforgottenthewoman。\"Excuseme，Mr。Kent，\"shecontinued，andsteppedtowardhim。\"Ipresume，likely，thatyouareveryinterestedinthischargeofmurderagainstyourpartner，Mr。Rochester。\"
\"Iam，\"affirmedKent，asMrs。Sylvesterpaused。
\"Iamtoo，sir，\"sheconfidedtohim。\"CauseyouseeIwasinthecourtroomwhenMr。TurnbulldiedandI’mnaturallyinterested。\"
\"Naturally，\"agreedKentwithacommiseratingglanceathisclerk;
thelatter’swifethreatenedtobeloquacious，andhejudgedfromherlooksthatitwasahabitwhichhadgrownwiththeyears。Asageneralruleheabhorredtalkativewomen，but—\"AndwhattookyoutothepolicecourtonTuesdaymorning？\"
\"Why，meandMr。Sylvesterhaveourlittledifferenceslikeothermarriedcouples，\"sheexplained。\"AndsometimesweasktheCourttosettlethem。\"ShecaughtKent’slookofimpatienceandhurriedherspeech。\"Theburglarcasecameonjustafterourswasremanded，andseeingtheMcIntyretwins，whomI’veoftenreadabout，IjustthoughtI’dstay。Letmehavethatpaperaminute。\"
\"Certainly，\"KentgaveherthenewspaperandsheranherfingerdownthecolumnsdevotedtotheTurnbullcasewithaslownessthatsethisalreadyexcitednervesonedge。
\"Here’swhatI’mlookingfor，\"sheexclaimedtriumphantly，aminutelater，andpointedtotheparagraph：
\"Mrs。MargaretPerryBrewster，thefascinatingwidow，addednothingmaterialtothecaseinhertestimony，andshewasquicklyexcused，afterstatingthatshewastoldaboutthetragedybytheMcIntyretwinsupontheirreturnfromthePoliceCourt。\"
\"Wellwhatofit？\"askedKent。
\"Onlythis，Mr。Kent;\"Mrs。Sylvesterenjoyednothingsomuchastalkingtoagoodlookingman，especiallyinthepresenceofherhusband，andshecouldnotrefrainfromatriumphantlookathimasshewentonwithherremarks。\"TherewasafemalesittingonthebenchnexttomeinCourt;infact，sheandIweretheonlywomenonthatside，andIkindernoticedheronthataccount，andthenIsawshewasalldoneupinveils—Icouldn’tseeherface。
\"Icaughtherpeeringthiswayandthatduringtheburglar’shearing;Idon’treckonshecouldseewellthroughalltheveils。
Now，don’tgetimpatient，Mr。Kent;I’mgettingtomypoint—thatwomansittingnexttomeinthepolicecourtwasthewidowBrewster。\"
\"What！\"Kentlaughedunbelievingly。\"Oh，come，youaremistaken。\"
\"Iamnot，sir。\"Mrs。Sylvesterspokewithconviction。\"Now，whydoesMrs。Brewsterdeclareatthecoroner’sinquestthatsheonlyheardoftheTurnbulltragedyfromtheMcIntyretwinsontheirreturnhome？\"
\"Youmustbemistaken，\"arguedKent。
\"Why，youadmityourselfthatthewomanwassoswathedinveilsthatyoucouldnotseeherface。\"
\"No，butIheardherlaughincourt，\"Mrs。SylvesterspokeindeepearnestnessandKentplacedfaithinherstatementinspiteofhisoutwardskepticism。\"AndIheardherlaughinthiscorridorthismorningandIplacedherasthesamewoman。IaskedMr。Sylvesterwhoshewas，andhetoldme。I’dbeenreadingthisaccountoftheTurnbullinquest，andIrecollectedseeingMrs。Brewster’sname，andmyhusbandandIwerejustreadingtheaccountoverwhenyoucamein。\"
KentgazedinperplexityatMrs。Sylvester。\"WhydidMrs。Brewsterlaughinthepolicecourt？\"heasked。
\"WhenDr。Stoneexclaimedtothedeputymarshal—’Yourprisonerappearsill！’\"declaredMrs。Sylvester;sheenjoyedthedramatic，andthatKentwashangingonherwordsshewasfullyaware，inspiteofhisexpressionlessface。\"Dr。StoneliftedtheburglarinhisarmsandthenMrs。Brewsterlaughedasshelaughedinthecorridorto—day—asoftgurglinglaugh。\"
CHAPTERXIV
PAYCASH
ItwastherushhourattheMetropolisTrustCompanyandthebusypayingtellercountedoutsilverandgoldandtreasurynotesofvaryingdenominationswiththemechanicalprecisionandexactnesswhichexperiencegives。Suddenlyhishandstoppedmidwaytowardthemoneydrawer，hisattentionarrestedbythesignatureonacheck。
Aswiftglanceupwardshowedhimagirl’sfaceatthegrilleofthewindow。Therewasaninstant’spause，thensheaddressedhim。
\"Dohurry，Mr。McDonald;fatheriswaitingforme。\"
\"Pardonme，MissMcIntyre。\"Hestampedthecheckandlaidittooneside。\"howdoyouwantthemoney？\"
\"Oh，Iforgot。\"Sheglancedatamemorandumonthebackofanenvelope。\"Mrs。Brewsterwishestentens，fivetwenties，andtenones。
Thankyou，goodafternoon，\"andcountingoverthemoneyshethrustitinsideherbagandhurriedaway。
ShehadbeengoneabarefiveminuteswhenKentreachedthewindowandpushedseveralcheckstowardtheteller。
\"IsMr。Clymerinhisoffice，McDonald？\"heasked，placingthebanknotesgiven，himinhiswallet。
\"I’mnotsure。\"Thetellerglancedaroundattheclock;thehandsstoodattenminutesofthree。\"It’sprettynearclosingtime，Kent;
still，hemaybethere。\"
\"I’llgoandsee，\"andwithanodoffarewellKentturnedonhisheelandwalkedoffinthedirectionoftheofficeofthebankpresident。Onreachingtherehesaw，throughtheglasspartitionofthedoor，Clymerseatedinearnestconclavewithtwomen。
HappeningtoglanceupClymerrecognizedKentandbeckonedtohimtocomeinside。\"YouknowTaylor，\"hesaidbywayofintroduction。
\"AndthisisMr。HardingofNewYork—Mr。Kent，\"heturnedaroundinhisswivelchairtofacethethreemen。\"Drawupachair，Kent;
wewerejustgoingovertoseeyou。
\"Yes？\"Kentlookedinquiringlyatthebankpresident，thegravityofhismannerbetokenedserioustidings。\"Whatisit，Mr。Clymer？\"
Clymerdidnotreplyatonce。\"It’sthis，\"hesaidfinally，withbluntdirectness。\"Yourpartner，PhilipRochester，appearstobeabankrupt。HardingandTaylorcameinheretoattachhisprivatebankaccounttocoverindebtednesstotheirbusinessfirms。\"
AnexclamationbrokefromKent。\"Impossible！\"hegasped。
\"Iwouldhavesaidthesamethismorning，\"declaredClymer。\"ButoninvestigationIfindthatRochesterhasover—drawnhisaccounthereforalargeamountandborrowedheavily。ThefurtherIlookintohisfinancialaffairsthemoreinvolvedIfindthem。\"
\"But\"—Kentwaswhite—lipped。\"IknowforanabsolutefactthatRochesterwaspaidsomeexceedinglylargefeeslastweek，totalingoverfiftythousanddollars。\"
\"Hehasneverdepositedsuchasum，oranywherelikethatamountinthisbankeitherlastweekorthis，\"statedClymer，runninghiseyesdownabankstatementwhich，withseveralpassbooks，layonhisdesk。
\"Doeshecarryaccountsatotherbanks？\"inquiredHarding。
\"NotthatIcandiscover，\"respondedTaylor。\"IhavebeentoeverynationalandprivatebankinghouseinWashington，butalldenyhavinghimasadepositor。DidRochestereverbankoutoftown，Kent？\"
\"Nottomyknowledge。\"Kentdrewoutabankbook。\"Hereisthefirm’sbalance，Mr。Clymer;webankhere，youknow。\"
\"Yes。\"Clymer’slookofanxietydeepened。
\"DidyouseeMcDonaldasyoucamein？\"
\"Yes，hecashedsomechecksforme。\"
\"Yourpersonalchecks？\"
\"Yes。\"KentlookedquestioninglyatClymer。Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Onlythis;thatallmoneysdepositedhereinthefirmnameofRochesterandKenthavebeendrawnout。\"
\"That’snotpossible！\"Kentstartedup。
\"ChecksonthataccountmustbearbothRochester’ssignatureandmine。\"
\"Checksbearingbothsignatureshavebeenpresentedforthetotalsumdepositedtoyourcredit，\"statedClymerandhepickedupfourcanceledchecks。\"Seeforyourself。\"
Kentstaredatthechecksindumbfoundedsilence;thencarryingthemtothelightheexaminedthemwithminutecarebeforebringingthembacktothebankpresident。
\"ThisisthefirstIhaveheardofthesetransactions，\"hesaid。
\"Youmean—\"
\"Thatthesignaturesarecleverforgeries。\"Hisstatementwasheardwithgravity。TaylorexchangedameaninglookwiththeNewYorker。
\"Youmeanyoursignatureisaforgery，\"hesuggested。\"Rochesterhadapeculiargiftofpenmanship。\"
Kentsprangup。\"DoyouaccusePhilipRochesterofsigningthesechecksandinsertingmynametothem？\"
\"Ido，\"calmly。\"Iamnotfamiliarwithyoursignature，Kent，butthatRochesterwrotethebodyofthosefourchecksandputhisownsignatureatthebottomIwillsweartoinanycourtoflaw。Tomakethemvalidhehadtoaddyourname。\"
\"But，d—mnit，man！\"Kentstaredinbewildermentathisthreecompanions。\"Rochesterwashonorableandstraight—forward—\"
\"Andaddictedtodrink，\"putinHarding。\"Butnotaforger，\"
retortedKentfirmly。Harding’sonlyrejoinderwasaskepticalsmileasheturnedtoaddressClymer。
\"SoRochesternotonlyhastakenhisownmoney，butwithdrawnthatbelongingtothefirmofRochesterandKentwithouttheknowledgeofhisjuniorpartner;itlooksblack，Mr。Clymer，\"heremarked。
\"Especiallywhentakeninconsiderationwithhisotherinvolvedfinancialtransactions。\"
\"WherewillwefindRochester，Kent？\"askedTaylor，beforethebankpresidentcouldanswertheNewYorker。
Kentpausedinindecision。WhatreplycouldhemakewithoutfurtherinvolvingRochesterintrouble？HehadnotthefaintestideawhereRochesterwas，buttostatethathewasmissingcouldnotbutaddtothebeliefthathehadmadeawaywithallthemoneyhecouldlayhishandson。ThenooneditionoftheTimeshadhintedatRochester’sdisappearancebuthadstatedtheycouldnotgetthestatementconfirmedfromPoliceHeadquarters;
obviouslyHardingandTaylorhadnotseenthenewspaper。
Wasitjusttothemenbeforehimtokeeptheminthedark？Iftheirclaimsweretrue，andKentneverdoubtedthattheywere，theyhadalreadylostmoneythroughRochester’sextraordinarybehavior。
Kentturnedsickatthethoughtofhisownloss—hissavingssweptaway。WouldBarbarawaitforhim—wasitfairtoaskher？
Taylorbroketheprolongedsilence。