CHAPTERXIX
THEREDSEALAGAIN
HarryKentinsertedhiskeyinhisofficedoorwithmorevigorthangoodjudgment，andspentsomesecondsinre—adjustingitinthelock。Onceinsidetheofficeheputupthelatchandclosedthedoor。AglancearoundtheemptyofficeshowedhimthatSylvesterhadobeyedhistelephoneinstructionsandgoneouttoluncheon。
KentnotedwithsatisfactionasheputhishatandcaneinthecoatclosetthathehadovertwohoursbeforeMrs。Brewster’sexpectedarrival;ampletimeinwhichtoconsiderinquietudetheeventsofthepastfewdays，andplanforhisinterviewwiththeprettywidow。
HehadspentthetimebetweenRochester’ssuddenreappearanceandahastilyswallowedlunchatadowntowncaf，inarrangingbailforRochester。FergusonhadprovedobdurateandhadpersistedintakingthelawyertoPoliceHeadquarters。
Dr。Stonehadaccompaniedthetrio，andhistestimony，supportedbytwochemists，regardingthetimerequiredforaconitinepoisontoact，hadgonefartoweakenthedetective’scaseagainstRochester。
Rochester，toKent’sunboundedastonishment，hadappearedindifferenttothewholeproceedings;andtohispartner’surgentinquiriesastowherehehadspentthepastfourdays，andwhyhehaddisappeared，hehadreturnedoneinvariableanswer。
\"I’llexplainingoodtime，Harry，\"anditwasnotuntiltheywereleavingPoliceHeadquartersthathisapathyvanished。
\"WhenareyoutoseeMrs。Brewster？\"heasked。
\"Shewillbeatourofficeatfouro’clock。Say，Phil\"—butRochester，shakingoffhisdetaininghand，dartedacrossthestreetandsprangintoapassingtaxibearingthesign，\"ForHire，\"andthatwasthelastKenthadseenofhiselusivepartner。
Kentdroppedintohischairandglancedaskanceatthemailpiledinneatarrayonhisdesk;hewasnotinaframeofmindtohandleroutineofficebusiness。Otherclientswouldhavetowaituntillaterintheday。Amemorandumpad，bearingamessageinSylvester’sprecisepenmanshipattractedhiswanderingattentionandhepickeditup。
\"Mr。Kent：\"heread。\"ColonelMcIntyrecalledjustafterItalkedwithyouonthe’phone;hewaitedinyourofficeforhalfanhour，thenleft，statinghewouldcomeback。MissBarbaraMcIntyrecalledimmediatelyafterwards，butwouldnotwaitmorethanfiveminutes。
Mr。Clymercameasshewasgoingoutandleftanoteonyourdesk。
Iwillreturnsoon。
\"SYLVESTER。\"
Kentlaiddownthepadandpickedupatwistedthree—cornerednotebearinghisnameinpencil。Unfoldingit，hescannedthehurriedlywrittenlines：
\"DearKent—McIntyretelephonedtherewerenewdevelopmentsintheTurnbullaffair。Willbebacklater。\"Yours—
\"B。A。CLYMER。\"
KentjudgedfromtheuseofhisinitialsthatClymerwasstirredoutofhisordinarycalm，nothingelseexplainedhisfailuretosignhisfullname，andhewonderedwhatconfidencesMcIntyrehadmadetothebankpresident。
Tossingdownthenote，Kentlightedhispipe，tiltedbackinhisswivelchair，andreviewedthefactswhichimplicatedRochesterinJimmieTurnbull’smurder。Rochester’squarrelswithJimmie，hispersistentassertionthathisfriendhaddiedfromanginapectoris，hisunexplaineddisappearanceonTuesdaynight，thefaketelegramfromClevelandstatinghewasthere，thewithdrawalofhisbankdeposits，theforgedchecks，hismysteriousvisitstohisownapartment，whenconsideredtogether，presentedachainofcircumstantialevidenceconnectinghimwiththecrime。ButinthelightofDr。Stone’stestimony，thepoison\"couldnothavebeenadministeredintheglassofwaterRochesterhadgivenJimmieinthepolicecourt。
Fourhoursatleasthadtoelapsebeforethefataldoseofaconitinecouldtakeeffect—fourhours！Kenttoldthemoffonhisfingers;
itplacedthecrimeintheMcIntyrehouse。WhichoneofitsinmatesadministeredthepoisontoJimmieandhowhaditbeendone？Whatmotivehadpromptedthecashier’smurder？
Itwaspreposteroustothinkthateitherofthetwinswasguiltyofthecrime。Helen’sdevotiontoJimmie，herinsistenceuponanautopsybeingheldindicatedherinnocence。Shehadstatedattheinquestthatshehadnotknowntheburglar’sidentity;Kentpausedasthethoughtoccurredtohim—thetwinshadswappedidentitiesonthewitnessstand，andthereforeHelenhadnotbeencalledupontoanswerthatquestion！TothebestofhisrecollectionshehadonlybeenaskedifshehadrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroomandnotatherhome。ButHelenitwaswhohadsummonedOfficerO’Ryanondiscoveringtheburglarandhadhimarrested。Shesurelywouldneverhavedonesohadsheguessedhisidentity。
AsforBarbaraMcIntyre—Kent’sheartbeatfasteratthoughtofthegirlhelovedsowell。Circumstantialevidencehadseemedforatimetoinvolveherinthecrime。Grimes’outrageousinsinuationthathehadbeenassaultedonaccountofconfidingtoherthattheboxofaconitinepillshadbeenleftonthehalltablewhereanyonecouldgetthem，wastheoutcomeofhisbatteredcondition。Whenphysicalstrengthreturned，thebutlerwouldforgethishallucinations。Thehandkerchiefwithitsembroideredletter\"B，\"
usedbyJimmietoinhalethefumesfromhisamylnitritecapsules，wasfinallytracedtoitsrightfulowner—Mrs。Brewster。
AndMrs。Brewsterwasdueinhisofficewithinaveryshorttime。
Kent’ssquarejawbecamemorepronounced;sheshouldnotleaveuntilshehadeitherconfessedherconnectionwithTurnbull’sdeath，orestablishedherinnocence。SurelyitwouldbeeasyforMrs。
Brewstertodoso，but—aconitinehadbeenprescribedforher;shewasfamiliarwiththepoison，shehaditathand，shewenttothepolicecourt，andkepthertripasecret，andshehadlaughedwhenJimmiewascarrieddyingfromthecourtroom。ButwhatmotivecouldhaveinspiredhertomurderJimmie？Washeanoldlover—Kent，unabletokeepquietanylonger，roseandpacedupanddowntheoffice，stoppingamomenttoglanceoutofthewindow。Ashepassedthesafehesawthedoorwasajar。Kentpausedabruptly。
Whohadopenedthesafe？
Crossingtotheouterofficehelookedaround;noonewasthere。
ItflashedintoKent’smindthathehadseenRochester’slighttopcoatandwalkingstickinthecoatclosetashehunguphishatonhisarrival，andheagainopenedtheclosetdoor。Thecoatandstickwerestillthere;soRochesterhadcometotheofficeimmediatelyafterleavinghim，andcarelesslyleftthesafeopen！Kentsmiledinspiteofhisvexation;theactwastypicalofhiseccentricpartner。
GoingbacktohisownofficeKentopenedthesafeandglancedinside。Thepigeonholesandcompartmentsappeareduntouched，exceptthedoorofonesmallcompartmentonRochester’sside。Anenvelopewaswedgedinsuchamannerthatthesmalldoorwouldnotshutandthathadpreventedtheclosingoftheoutersafedoor。
Kent，preparatorytoshuttingthesafe，drewouttheenvelopeintendingtoplaceitinanotherpigeon—holewheretherewasmoreroom。AsheturnedtheenvelopeoverhewasthunderstrucktorecognizeitastheonewhichHelenMcIntyrehadplacedinthesafeonWednesdaymorning。HehadlastseentheenvelopelyingonthetableinthesmokingporchoftheClubdeVingt，fromwhenceithadmysteriouslydisappeared，andnowitwasbackagaininRochester’ssafe！
Haditeverbeenmissingfromthesafe？ThequestionforceditselfonKentashereturnedtohischair，envelopeinhand，andsatdownbeforehisdesk。HehadacceptedDetectiveFerguson’sstatementthathehadremovedtheenvelopefromthesafe，andthereforehadneverlookedinthecompartmentwhereHelenhadputittoverifyitsdisappearance。
Fergusonhadremovedit，Kentconcludedasheexaminedtheenvelopewithmorecare;itwastheidenticalone，unaddressed，withthesameredsealholdingdowntheflap。Thesameredseal，butwithadifference—acornerwasmissing。
Kentstaredatthesealforamomentindoubt，thenhisfingerssoughthisvestpocketandfumbledaboutforaminute。TakingoutMrs。Brewster’scheck，helaiditonthedeskalongsidetheenvelope，unfoldedit，andpickedoutapieceofredsealingwaxwhichhadslidinsidethecheck。Kentplacedtheredwaxonthebrokensectionoftheseal—itfittedexactly，formingaperfectletter\"B。\"
Kentsatindumbfoundedsilence，regardingtheredsealandtheenvelope。ThepieceofwaxbrokenofffromthesealhadcaughtonhiscoatsleevewhenhehadbeenintheVenetiancasketinthelibraryattheMcIntyrehouse。Itwasproofpositivethatnotonlyhehadbeeninthecasket，butthesealedenvelopealso。HelenMcIntyrehadlefttheenvelopeinhiscare。Mrs。BrewsterandColonelMcIntyrehadbothbeenpresentwhentheenvelopewasstolenfromhim。Whichofthemhadtakenit？WhichonehadafterwardssecreteditintheVenetiancasket？Andwhichhadbroughtitbacktothesafeinhisoffice？
ColonelMcIntyrehadbeeninhisofficewithinthehour—thequestionwasanswered，andKent’seyesbrightened，thenclouded—Barbarahadbeenthereaswell，andGrimeshadstatedthatbeforehereceivedaknock—outblowintheMcIntyrelibraryheheardtheswishofskirts！
Kentlaidhishandontheenvelope。Itwastimethathefoundoutwhatitcontained;buthisfinger，insertedundertheflap，pausedashiseyesfellonthecheckbearingMrs。Brewster’ssignature。
ItwasthecheckhehadpickedupfromtheflooroftheMcIntyrelimousinethatmorningandinadvertentlycarriedawaywithhim。
>FromhersignaturehisglancewanderedtoSylvester’smemorandumpad;itwasuncannythewayhiseyepickedouttheletter\"B\"ashestaredatClymer’snoteanditssignature。Slowlyhishanddroppedawayfromtheenvelopeandheleftitlyingforgottenonthedeskashepickeduppieceafterpieceofblottingpaper，glancingintentlyateachandfinally，pullingopenadrawerofhisdesk，hehuntedinfeverishhasteforahand—mirror。
SometenminuteslaterKentrose，placedthepapershehadbeenexaminingintheinsidepocketofhiscoatand，usingtheprivateentrancefromhisofficeintothecorridor，hehurriedaway。
WhenHelenMcIntyreenteredtheofficeofRochesterandKentforthesecondtimethatafternoonshefoundSylvestertranscribingstenographicnotesonhistypewriter。
\"Mr。Kentisexpectingyou，miss，\"hesaid，holdingopentheinnerofficedoor，andwithacourteouswordofthanks，Helenpassedtheclerkandthedoorclosedbehindher。Kentroseatherapproachandbowedformally。
\"Takethischair，\"hesuggested，andnotuntilshewasseateddidHelenrealizehehadplacedherwherethelightfellfulluponher。
\"Iaskedyoutocomehere，\"hebegan，asshewaitedforhimtospeak，\"BecauseImusthaveyourconfidence—ifIamtoaidyou。Didyoumeet，recognize，andtalktoJimmieTurnbullinyourhousesometimebetweenMondaymidnightandhisarrestonTuesdaymorning？\"
Shecoloredhotly，thenpaled。\"Mytestimonyattheinquest，\"
—shecommenced，buthegavehernoopportunitytoaddmore。
\"Yourtestimonytheredoesnotcoverthequestion，\"heexplained。
\"YoustatedthenthatyouhadnotrecognizedJimmieinthecourtroom。Hadyoualreadypenetratedhisdisguiseatyourhouse？\"
\"AndifIhad？\"
\"Didyou？\"Kentwasdoggedlypersistent，andHelen’sfingersclosedaroundherhandbagwithconvulsiveforce。WhyhadshenotsentBarbaratoseeKentinherplace？
\"DidIwhat？\"sheparried。
\"DidyourecognizeandtalkwithJimmieTurnbullinyourhouse？\"
\"Italkedwithhim，yes，\"sheadmitted，andhervoicedroppedalmosttoawhisper。
\"AsJimmieTurnbullorSmiththeburglar？\"
\"AsJimmie\"—sheconfessed，afteraslightpause。
\"ThenwhydidyougothroughthefarceofhavingJimmiearrestedasaburglar？\"Kentdemanded。
\"SothatBarbaramightwinherwager，\"promptly。Kentstaredatherincredulously。
\"Doyoumeanthat，notwithstandingtherisktowhichyouweresubjectinghimwithhisweakheart，youkeptupthefarcesimplythatBarbaramightwinanidioticwager？\"Kentasked。
Helenpassedonenervoushandovertheother;herpalmswerehotanddry，andtwohecticspotshadappearedineachwhitecheek。
\"JimmiewasquitewellMondaynight，\"sheprotested。\"He—he—hadsomeheartmedicinewithhim。\"
Amylnitrite？\"
\"No。\"
\"Nitro—glycerine？\"
\"I—Ithinkthatwasit，Iamnotquitesure，\"shespokewithuncertainty，andKentknewthatshelied。Hisheartsank。
\"Didheswallowanymedicineinyourpresence？\"
Sheshookherheadvigorously。\"No，hedidnot。\"
Kentloweredhisvoice。\"DidyouseehimtakeMrs。Brewster’saconitinepillsoffthehalltable？\"
Helenshiftedhergazetohisfaceandthenbacktohereverrestlesshands。\"No，\"shesaid。\"Ididnotseehimtakethepills。\"
Kentstudiedherinasilencewhich，toher，seemednever—ending。
\"Iwantthetrueanswertothisquestion，\"heannouncedwithmeaningemphasis。\"WhydidJimmiegoindisguisetoyourhouseonMondaynight？\"
Helenblanched。\"HowshouldIknow，\"shemutteredevasively。\"He—hedidn’tcometoseeme—theadmissionwasbarelyaboveawhisper。
\"ButyouknowwhattranspiredinyourhouseonMondaynight？\"
demandedKenteagerly。
Hisquestionmetwithnoresponse，andherepeatedit，butstillthegirlremainedsilent。Kentgaveheramoment’sgrace，thendrawingouttheunaddressedenvelopefromhispocketheheldittowardher。Alowcrybrokefromher，andherexpressionchangedasshecaughtsightofthebrokenseal。
\"Youhaveopenedit！\"
\"Notyet，\"Kentheldtheenvelopejustbeyondherreach。\"Iwillonlygiveittoyouwiththeunderstandingthatyouopentheenvelopenowinmypresenceandletmeseeitscontents。\"
Helendrewback，thenimpulsivelyextendedherhand。
\"Iagree，\"shesaid。\"Givemetheenvelope。\"
\"Stop！\"Thewordrangout，startlingKentaswellasHelen，andMrs。
Brewster，whosenoiselessentranceafewsecondsbeforehadgoneunobserved，hurriedtothem。\"Theenvelopeismine。
CHAPTERXX
THEUNKNOWNEQUATION
No，no，\"protestedHelenvehemently。\"YoushallnotgivetheenvelopetoMargaret—youmustnot。\"
\"Itismine，\"insistedthewidowwithequalvehemence。
\"Mrs。Brewster。\"Kentwithheldtheenvelopefrombothwomen。\"Willyoutellmethecontentsofthisenvelope？\"
\"No，\"curtly。\"Itisnotyouraffair。\"
\"Itismyaffair，\"retortedKentwithequallyshortnessofmanner。
\"Iinsistonananswertomyquestionsinthelimousinethismorning。
HowcameyourhandkerchiefinJimmie’spossession，andwhydidyougotothepolicecourtand，yetkeepyourpresencethereasecret？\"
\"JimmiemusthavepickedupthehandkerchiefwhenintheMcIntyrehouse，\"sheansweredsullenly。\"Ipresumeheforgottoprovidehimselfwithoneinhismake—upasburglar。AsregardsyoursecondquestionIadmitIdidgotothepolicecourtoutofcuriosity—I
wantedtofindoutwhatwasgoingon。You，\"witharesentfulglanceatHelen，\"treatedmeasanoutsider，andIwasdeterminedtofindoutformyselfhowtheburglarfarcewouldend。\"
\"Ah，youtermitafarce—isthatwhyyoulaughedincourt？\"askedKentquickly。
Mrs。Brewsterchangedcolor。\"Ifeelbadlyaboutthat，\"shestammered。\"ImeantnodisrespecttoJimmie，butIhaveanervousinclinationtolaugh—almosthysteria—whenexcitedandoverwrought。\"
\"Isee，\"answeredKentslowly。Hewasdistinctlypuzzled;Mrs。
Brewster’sairofcandordisarmedsuspicion，but—\"YousawandtalkedwithJimmieTurnbullonMondaynight？\"
\"Ididnot。\"Herdenialwasfirm。
\"Thenhowdidyoulearnofhisarrest？\"askedKentswiftly。
\"Ioverheardhimconversing—\"
\"Withwhom？\"Kentdemandedeagerlyasshepausedasiftoreconsiderherconfidences。Helen，onehandonthedeskandtheotheronthearmofherchair，triedtorise，butherstrengthhaddesertedher。
\"Withwhom？\"repeatedKentasthewidowremainedsilent。
\"JimmiewastalkingwithGrimes，\"Mrs。Brewsterstatedslowly。
\"FromwhatIoverheard，hepaidGrimestolethiminsidethehouse。\"
KentlookedperplexedashegazedfirstatthewidowandthenatHelen，whohadsunkbackinherchair。
\"Mrs。Brewster，\"hebeganafterapause。\"WhogaveJimmieyouraconitinepillswhichGrimesleftonthehalltable？\"
\"Themurderer。\"
\"Yes，ofcourse。\"Kentwaswatchinghercloselyandhedetectedthetinybeadsofperspirationwhichweregatheringonherupperlip。
\"Andwho，inyouropinion，wasthemurderer？\"
Mrs。Brewster’sexpressionchanged—shelookedhunted，andhereyesfellbeforeKent’s;abruptlysheturnedherbackonhim，tofindColonelMcIntyreatherelbowandBarbarajustenteringtheroom。HereyestraveledpastthegirluntiltheyrestedonPhilipRochesterandDetectiveFergusonhoveringbehindhim。Herfacealtered。
\"IsawPhilipRochester，\"pointingdramaticallytowardhim，\"crawloutofthereceptionroomwindowanddartintothestreetjustasO’RyancameinthefrontdoorwithHelen。\"
DetectiveFergusoncouldnotrestrainajoyfulexclamation。\"Sothatwasit！\"hecried。\"YouwereattheMcIntyrehouse，andgavethepoisontoTurnbullthere—andnotinthecourtroom—fourhoursbeforehedied。You’llswingforthatcrime，mybuck，inspiteofyourglibtongueandslipperyways。\"
AsheceasedspeakingFerguson’severreadyhandcuffsswungsuggestivelyfromhishand，butHelen’sagonizedcrycheckedhisapproachtowardRochester，whostoodstolidlywaitingforhim。
\"Father！Youcannotpermitthismonstrousinjustice，Philipshallnotsufferforanother。No，Barbara，\"ashersisterstrovetoquiether，wemusttellthetruth。\"
\"SupposeItellitforColonelMcIntyre，\"RochesteradvancedasthedooropenedandSylvesterusheredinBenjaminClymer。\"Youhavecomeintime，Clymer，\"hisvoicedeepened，thevoiceofamanaccustomedtopresentacaseandswayacourt。\"Wait，Sylvester，sitatthattableandtakedownthesecharges—\"
\"Charges？\"questionedKent，watchinghispartnernarrowly;hetossedastenographicpadtoSylvesterandmadeaplaceforhimathisdesk。\"Goon，Rochester;chargesagainstwhom？\"
\"Chargesagainstthemanwho，occupyingapositionoftrust，plannedtoswindletheMetropolisTrustCompanythroughforgednotesandchecks，\"Rochesterstatedwithslowemphasis。\"JimmieTurnbulllearnedthatyou，Clymer，weretovisitColonelMcIntyreonMondaynight，andhewentthereindisguisetofindoutifhissuspicionswerecorrect。Theinvestigationcosthimhislife。\"
Clymer，whohadfollowedRochester’sstatement，firstwithbewildermentandthenwithrisingwrath，foundhisvoice。
\"Youdrunkenscoundrel！\"heroared。\"Howdareyou！\"
\"Dare！\"Rochesterlaughedrecklessly。\"Jimmiekepthiswitstothelast;hismindwasclear;herecognizedyouintheprisoner’spenandhetriedtocallyou，buthispalsiedtonguecouldnotsayBen，butstuttered—B—b—b。\"
\"Andwhatdidhewishtotellme？\"gaspedClymer，downwhosecolorlessfaceperspirationtrickled。
\"Aye，what？\"brokeinKentsignificantly。
\"Jimmiemaynothavegottentheinformationhewishedatyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，buthispresencethereonMondaynightshowedtheforgerhewasindanger，andlikethehumansnakeheis，hepoisonedwithoutwarning。Don’tmove—Sylvester！\"
WithabackwardspringKentcaughthisclerkashespedforthedoor。
\"Don’tmakeanymistakeinputtingonthehandcuffsthistime，Ferguson，\"heshouted。\"Aforgerandacontortionistmakeabadcustomertoreckonwith。\"
CHAPTERXXI
THERIDDLEANSWERED
Therewasabsolutestillnessintheroom;thenababbleofexclamationsbrokeoutasSylvester，hisexpressionofdumbsurprisegivingplacetooneoffury，struggledtofreehimselffromthedetective’sfirmgrip。
\"Youcannotescape，Sylvester，\"declaredKent，observinghisefforts。
\"YourcarelessnessinusingyourpeculiargiftofpenmanshipincopyingBarbaraMcIntyre’ssignatureinthismemorandumofhervisithere\"—Kentheldupasheettornfromhispad，\"gavemethefirstclew。These，thesecond，\"heshowedseveralpiecesofblottingpaperfreshlyused。\"See，inthemirrorhereisreflectedtheimpressionfromyourcleverimitationsofthehandwritingsofBarbara，ColonelMcIntyre，andMrs。Brewster。\"
TheycrowdedaboutKent，allbutFergusonandhisprisoner，whohadsubsidedinhischairwithwhatthedetectiveconcludedwasdangerousquietude。
\"Mynextstep，nowthatsuspicionwasdirectedagainstSylvester，wastomakepersonalinquiriesregardinghim，\"wentonKent。\"JudgeHildebrand，whohadjustreturnedtoWashington，saidthathefirstmetSylvesteratacircussideshowwherehegaveexhibitionsasacontortionist。Oneofhisspecialstuntswastoslipoutofhandcuffsandropes。\"
\"Sothatexplainslastnight，\"Fergusongrinned。\"You’llnotdoitagain，Sylvester，\"andheshookanadmonitoryfingerattheerstwhileclerk。
\"JudgeHildebrandbecameinterestedinSylvester，foundhewashandywithhispenandtiredoftheshowbusiness，andgavehimanopeningbyengaginghimasconfidentialclerk，\"continuedKent。\"Youwillrecall，ColonelMcIntyre，thatyousentbusinesspapersinyourhandwritingandthatofyourdaughterstoJudgeHildebrand’sofficetobetypedbyhisstaff。ThatishowSylvesterbecamesowellacquaintedwithyourwritingandwasabletoforgealettertothebanktreasurerdirectinghimtoturnoveryournegotiablesecuritiestoJimmieTurnbull。\"
\"ButhowintheworlddidSylvesterinduceJimmietopresenttheforgedletter？\"askedColonelMcIntyre。
Kentturnedtothesullenprisoner。\"Answerthatquestion，Sylvester，\"hecommanded，andthemanrousedhimselffromhisdejectedattitude。
\"AnythinginitformeifIdo？\"heaskedwithacunningleer。
\"That’sforthecourtstodecide，\"declaredKent。
Themanthoughtaminute。\"I’lltakeachance，\"hesaidfinally。
\"ButthatIwaitedforanopportunitytogetmyswagoutofthissafe，Iwouldn’thavebeencaught—curseyou！\"andhescowledatKent。
\"Cutthatout，\"admonishedFergusonwithanonetoogentledigintheribs，andSylvestercontinuedhisstatement。
\"IoverheardColonelMcIntyretellJudgeHildebrandabouthissecuritiesandtheirpresentvalue，andthenextdayhecametoconsultthejudgeaboutengagingasecretary。IfixedupcredentialsandwenttoMr。Turnbull;hebelievedmystorythatI
wasthecolonel’snewsecretaryandgotthesecurities。\"
Sylvesterpaused。\"IfI’drestedcontentwiththatsuccessI’dbeenallright，\"headded。\"ButIwasintoogreatahurryandforgedMr。Clymer’ssignaturetoacheckforfivethousanddollarsandpresenteditattheMetropolisTrustCompany。AsluckwouldhaveitMr。Turnbullcasheditformehimself。\"
\"Butdidn’thesuspectyou？\"exclaimedClymer。HehadgraduallyrecoveredfromtheshockofRochester’schargesonhisarrival，andwaslisteningwithkeenattentiontoSylvester’sconfession。
\"No。ImadethecheckpayabletoColonelMcIntyreandforgedhisendorsement，\"Sylvesterspokewithanairofpride，andhesmiledinmaliciousenjoymentas，catchinghiseye，BarbarashrankbackandshelteredherselfbehindKent。\"Mr。Turnbullacceptedthecheck;latersomethingmusthavearousedhissuspicions，andI
foundwhenhequestionedmethathebelievedColonelMcIntyrehadforgedthecheck。\"
\"Goodheavens！Youlethimthinkthat？\"gaspedMcIntyre;thenwrathgainedthemastery。\"Youscoundrel！\"
\"Oh，Iencouragedhimtothinkit，\"Sylvestergrinnedagain。\"YoumusthavehandedMr。Turnbullarawdeal;hewassoreadytothinkevilofyou。\"
\"Thatisalie！\"exclaimedHelenhotly。\"WhenIwentdownstairstoinvestigatethenoiseIheardinthelibrary，father，Jimmietoldmewhohewastoquietmyfright。Heshowedmealetter，whichhehadjustfoundonyourdeskinthelibrary，confessingthatyouhadforgedMr。Clymer’snameonthecheck，andbeggingJimmietoconcealyourcrimeandsaveBarbaraandmefromtheshameofhavingyouexposedasaforgerandathief。\"
\"Ineverwrotesuchaletter！\"shoutedMcIntyre，deeplyincensed。
\"No，itwasacleverplan，\"acknowledgedSylvester。\"Ononeofmytripstoyourhouse，ColonelMcIntyre，Isecuredwaximpressionsofyourfrontdoorlock。IwenttoyourhouseMondaynightandputtheletteramongyourpapersjustbeforeTurnbullwasadmittedbyyourfoolofabutler。\"
\"AndyougaveJimmieTurnbulladoseofpoison—chargedKent，butSylvester，hislipsgonedry，raisedhismanacledhandsinprotest。
\"Ididnotpoisonhim，\"hecried。\"IwaitedjusttoseeifTurnbullgottheletterandtofindoutwhathe’ddowiththesecurities，whichhehadrefusedtoturnovertome。AfterhehadreadtheforgedletterMr。Turnbullactedsortoffaintandwentoutinthehall。Icouldjustseehimputdownaboxonthehalltableandleanagainstthewall。Thenhewentintothediningroomandcamebackasecondlatercarryingaglassofwater，andIsawhimtakeupandopenasmallboxandtosssomewhitepillsintohismouth;
thenhetookagooddrink，and，pickingupahandkerchieflyingonthetable，hewentbackintothelibrary。\"
TherewassilenceasSylvester’scallousrecitalofthetragedyended。Helen，hereyestearlessanddarkwithsuffering，sankslowlybackinherchairandrestedherheadagainstBarbara’ssympatheticshoulder。
\"SoTurnbull’sdeathwasaccidentalafterall，\"exclaimedFerguson。
\"Orwasitsuicide？\"
\"Accident，\"answeredKent。\"Ifoundsomenitro—glycerinepillsintheumbrellastandbythehalltable。\"ColonelMcIntyrenodded。
\"EvidentlyTurnbullputdownhispillboxbeforegettingaglassofwater，andinhisattackofgiddinessaccidentallyopenedyourboxofaconitinepills，Mrs。Brewster，insteadofhisown，andswallowedafataldose，thinkingtheywerenitroglycerine。\"
Mrs。Brewsterbowedherheadinagreement。Thatmusthavebeenit，\"
shesaid。\"However，IsawColonelMcIntyretearoffthepaperwrappingandopenmypackageofpillsjustbeforedinner，andwhenIheardthatJimmiehaddiedfromaconitineI—I—\"shestammeredandstoppedshort。
\"YoususpectedIhadmurderedhim？\"askedMcIntyresoftly。
\"Yes，\"shelookedappealinglyathim。\"Forgiveme，Ishouldneverhavesuspectedyou，butthepills，boxandall，weremissingthenextmorningfromthehalltable。\"
\"Turnbullmusthavethrowntheboxintotheumbrellastand，\"
explainedKent。\"ThatwaswhereIfoundit。Didyougetthesecurities，Sylvester？\"turningtotheprisoner。
\"No，\"sullenly。\"Shedid，\"andajerkofhisthumbindicatedHelenMcIntyre。
Helenraisedherheadandaddressedthemslowly。
\"JimmieandIexpectedBarbaratocomeinatanymoment，andhestartedtoleavewhenwesawyoucomingdownstairs，\"sheturnedtoMrs。Brewster。\"JimmiedeclaredthatifwewerefoundtogetherI
mightbecompromised。Hecouldn’texplainhispresencewithoutexposingfather—weboththoughtyouaforger，father，\"sheinterpolated，asMcIntyretookherhandandpresseditunderstandingly。\"SoheinsistedthatIshouldtreathimlikeanordinaryburglar—wehadbothforgottenBarbara’ssillywagerinourhorroraboutfather。Jimmiedidn’tdaretakethesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionwithhimforfearhe’dbesearchedatthepolicestation，andthescandalwouldhavecomeoutthen。\"
\"True，\"agreedMcIntyre。\"Goon，Helen。\"
\"SoJimmiethrustthesecuritiesandfather’sconfessionintoanenvelopeandsealeditwithredwax，usingBarbara’sseal，\"
explainedHelen。\"Hehadn’ttimetowriteanaddressormessageonit，buthetoldmetoreturntheenvelopetohimlaterinthedayorgiveittoPhilipRochesterandaskhisaid。IbroughtithereonWednesdaymorningandwithHarry’spermissionputtheenvelopeinthesafe。\"
\"Itriedtogetitfromthere，\"volunteeredSylvester，\"forI
overheardTurnbull’splan，beforeIleftbythereceptionroomwindow。\"
\"SoitwasyouandnotMr。RochesterwhomIsawstealoutofthewindow，\"exclaimedMrs。Brewster。
\"It’snotthefirsttimeI’vebeenmistakenforhim，\"exclaimedSylvestercalmly。
Kentstartedand，gazingatRochesterandtheclerk，sawtherewasageneralresemblanceincoloringandphysique。
\"DidyoupresentthecheckstoMcDonaldattheMetropolisTrustCompanybearingRochester’sandmyforgedsignatures？\"heasked。
\"Idid，\"acknowledgedSylvester。\"Mr。Rochester’swardrobecameinveryhandyfordeceivingthecasualglance。Youknow，’clothesmaketheman，andwantofitthefellow。’\"
Kentlookedupquickly，struckbyanidea。
\"Sylvester，didyoustealtheenvelopecontainingthesecuritiesfrommeattheClubdeVingt？\"heasked。
Sylvestershookhishead。\"No，butshedid，\"pointingtoMrs。
Brewster。\"It’snolie，\"asMcIntyreutteredanindignantdenial。
\"WhenFergusonleftherecarryingoffthesecuritiesfromundermynosealmost—Ihadspentthewholedaytryingtolearnthesafe’scombination;ItrailedhimtotheClubdeVingt，andheardtheheadwaitertellhimyou，Mr。Kent，weresittinginthesmallsmokingporch，soIclimbedupthetrumpetvine;oh，itwasstrongandnoclimbforonewhohasdonethefeatsIhaveinthecircus。
IreachedtheporchjustintimetoseeMrs。Brewsterdropherfan，andwhenthemenbenttopickitupshe’lifted’theenvelopeandconcealeditunderherscarf。\"
\"Don’t，\"Mrs。BrewsterlaidadetaininghandonMcIntyreashesteppedforward。\"Themanistellingthetruth。Ithoughtitwastheenvelopeyougavemeearlierintheevening—itwasunaddressedandtheredsealwasthesame。\"
\"Justamoment，\"interruptedKent。\"Whatdidyoudowiththeenvelope？\"
\"WhenIreturnedhomeIdroppeditinsideoneoftheVenetiancaskets，\"Mrs。Brewsterreplied。\"Nooneeverwentnearthem，andI
thoughtitwouldbesafethere。Yousee，Iwaspuzzledtoknowhowithaddisappearedfromthedeskinthereceptionroom，whereIhadleftitinoneofthepigeonholes，intendingtotakeitlatertomyroom。\"
\"Itooktheenvelope—yourenvelope—outofthedesk，\"confessedMcIntyre。\"Iwouldhavespokenofit，Margaret，butwashurtthatyouhadleftourmarriagecertificatelyingaroundsocarelessly。\"
\"Yourwhat？\"Barbarasprangup，astounded。
\"Ourmarriagecertificate，\"repeatedMcIntyrefirmly。\"MargaretandIweremarriedlastweekinBaltimore。Wewouldhavetoldyou，Helen，butyourpeculiarconductandBarbara’s，soangeredmethatIforbadeMargarettotakeyouintoourconfidence。\"
\"Father！\"Barbaragotnofurther，forHelenhadrisen。Shespokewithquietdignity。
\"Youforget，father，thatsinceMondaynightwehavethoughtyouaforgerand，worse，amurderer，\"hervoicefaltered。\"Inourefforttoguardyouwehavebecomeestranged。Margaret\"—sheheldoutherhandwithanaffectionategestureandwithasobherstep—motherkissedher。
\"Howdidthisenvelopegetbackinsideoursafe？\"askedKentamomentlater，pickingitupanddisplayingtheredseal，intactsaveforthebrokencorner。
\"Iwentdownstairsaboutmidnightoralittlelaterandintothelibrary，\"confessedHelen。\"WhatwasmysurpriseandterrortoseeGrimesholdingtheenvelope。Tomeitmeantfather’sexposureasaforger。IhadarevolverinmyhandandstruckbeforeIthought。
ThenImusttemporarilyhavelostmyreason。ItwasonlymythoughttosavefatherthatlentmecourageandstrengthtothrustGrimesinsidethecasketwhereBabsandIusedtohide。Ithenreturnedtomyroom，andwasjustcomingdownstairsagainaftersecretingtheenvelope，toreleaseGrimesandgetmedicalassistanceifneedbe，whenMargaret’sscreamsarousedthehousehold。\"
McIntyreinterruptedhisdaughterwithahastygesture，andaddressedhiswife。\"WhenDetectiveFergusonquestionedmeastoyourreasonforbeinginthelibrary，Margaret，IstatedyouhadgonedowntogetabookleftlyingontheVenetiancasket，\"hesaid。\"Iwaitedforyoutovolunteeranexplanationofyourpresencethere，butyounevermadeany。\"
\"Iwentdowntogetourmarriagecertificate。\"Margaretforgotthepresenceofothersandspokeonlytohim，thelove—lightinhereyespleadingagainstthecensureshedreaded，asshemadeherbriefconfession。\"Mr。Clymersentmeanote，inclosingacanceledcheck，statingthebankofficialshaddecidedmysignaturewasaforgery。
ThecheckwasdrawntoBarbara，andonexaminingitInoticedthepeculiarformationoftheletter’B’;itischaracteristicofyourhandwritingandHelen’s。\"Shepaused，andadded：
\"Iwasatalosswhattothink。IknewyouandHelenwrotealike;
Helen’sextraordinarybehaviortomeledmetobelievethatperhapsshehadbeenshortoffunds，andforgedmynametoacheckindesperation。ThenIrememberedseeingyou，Charles，opentheboxcontainingmyaconitinepills，thebox’sdisappearance，andJimmie’sdeathfromthatpoison\"—sheraisedherhandsinanexpressivegesture。\"Althoughmyreasontoldmethatyoumightbeguilty，myloyaltyandloverefutedtheaccusation。\"
\"Margaret！\"McIntyre’svoiceshookwithemotion;thencontrollinghimselfheturnedtoSylvester。\"Ipresumethischeckwassomemoreofyourdeviltry？\"
Helenansweredfortheclerk。RemovingasoiledpaperfromherbagshelaiditonKent’sdesk。\"ThisnotewashandedtomebyGrimes，\"
sheexplained。\"Itreads：’Helen，pleasecashthischeckandgivemoneytoMrs。Brewster’sdressmaker。Father。’Ifollowedtheinstructions。\"
\"Andgavethemoneytomysister，\"Sylvesterchuckledattheirsurprise。\"MysisterwastaughtinaFrenchconvent，andsheisanexcellentseamstress，whensheisn’tdrunk，asMrs。McIntyreknows。\"
\"Seehere，Sylvester，\"Clymerbrokehislongsilence。\"YouwereinthepolicecourtonachargeofassaultandbatterybroughtbyyourwifeonTuesdaymorning，andyouwereintheprisoner’scageatthemomentTurnbulldied。HowthenwasitpossibleforyoutobeattheMcIntyre’satmidnightonMonday？\"
\"Iwasoutonbailandappearedinthecourtroomjustintimeformytrial，\"Sylvesterexplained。\"Ididnothavetositinthecage，butrecognizingTurnbullIwenttheretobewithhim。\"
KentplacedtheforgedcheckbearingMargaretBrewster’ssignatureonthedesk。\"Itakeitthischeckisyourwork，Sylvester，\"hesaid。\"Youreapedthebenefitbyhavingthemoneypaidtoyoursister。DidyoualsohavethefaketelegramdeliveredtomestatingMr。RochesterwasinCleveland？\"
\"Ifakedthat，\"brokeinRochester，beforetheclerkcouldmakeadisclaimer。\"IthoughtitbesttodisappearforafewdaysdowninVirginia，whereIcouldthinkthingsoverinpeace。\"
\"Soitwasyou，Sylvester，andnotMr。RochesterwhomIencounteredinhisapartment，\"exclaimedKent。\"Howdidyougetintheapartment？\"
\"Fromthefire—escapeandalongthewindowledgetothebathroomwindow。\"Sylvesterhitchedhisshoulders。\"Itwasnothingforamanofmyagility。\"
Fergusoneyedhimwithdoubtfulrespect。
\"Youhavecourage，\"headmittedgrudgingly。\"Come，wemustgettoHeadquarters，\"andheaidedSylvestertohisfeet，butoncestanding，Sylvesterrefusedtomove。InsteadheturnedtoHelen。
\"WhatwasthatyoupassedtoMr。RochesterinthepolicecourtandhelatergavetoMr。Turnbull？\"heasked。\"Oh，don’tdenyit，I
sawyoupalmanote，Mr。Rochester，fromtheyounglady。\"
\"Thereisnothingnowtoconceal，\"declaredHelen。\"AfterO’RyanandJimmieleftthehouseforthepolicestationIgrewfearfulthatJimmiemightover—taxhisstrengthincarryingoutthefarceofhisarrest。SoassoonasIcouldItelephonedtoPhiliptomeetmeatthepolicecourtandtobringsomeamylnitritecapsuleswithhim。\"
\"Andthenote，Sylvester，whichyousawMissMcIntyregivemeincourt，\"concludedRochester，asHelenpaused，\"toldmetohandthecapsulestotheburglarandtodefendhimincourt。Ididboth，althoughbadlypuzzledbytherequest。\"Rochesterhesitated。\"I
carriedoutyourwishes，Helen，withoutquestion;butwhentheburglar’sidentitywasrevealed，Ijumpedtotheconclusionthatyouhadusedmeasaninstrumenttokillhim，forIknewsomethingoftheeffectsofamylnitrite。\"
\"GreatHeavens！\"exclaimedHelen，aghast。
Rochesterlookedatherandbithislip;heknewofheraffectionforJimmieandherattachmenttohismemory，buthecouldnotkillthehopethatwhenTimehadhealedtheloss，hisdevotionmightsomedaywinherforhisown。
\"Ididyougreatinjustice，\"headmittedhumbly。\"ButIwasfearfullyshockedbythescene。IstrovetodivertsuspicionbyinsistingthatJimmiediedfromanginapectoris，andthenyoucame，Helen，anddemandedanautopsy。
\"Ihadto，\"Helenbrokein。\"IcouldnotbelievethatJimmie’sdeathwasduetonaturalcauses，\"hervoicequivered。\"Hehadbeensoloyal—sofaithful—Icouldnotbelesstruetohim，evenif，asIfeared，myowndearfatherwasguiltyofthecrime。
KentturnedandfacedSylvester，whohadmadeafewshufflingstepstowardthedoor。
\"Youhavedoneincalculableharmbyyourcriminalacts，\"hesaidsternly。\"ButforyourlyingandtrickeryJimmieTurnbullwouldbealiveto—day。ItrusttheCourtwillgiveyouthemaximumsentence。\"
Sylvestereyedhiminsolently。\"I’vehadarunformymoney，andIstoodtowinlargesumsifthingshadonlygoneright，\"heannounced;thenaddressedHelendirectly。\"Whatdidyoudowiththesecurities？\"
\"IputtheenvelopebackintheopensafewhenIwashereearlythisafternoon，\"sheexplained。
AnoathrippedfromSylvester。\"Imistookyouforyoursister，\"
hesnarled。\"HadIknownitwasyou，I’dhavewrungthesecuritiesfromyou。\"
Helenstaredathissuddenlycontortedface。\"Ah，youarethemanwholookedinatthewindowofthereceptionroomyesterdaymorningwhenIwastalkingtoMr。Kent，\"shecried。\"Irecognizeyounow。\"
Hecontinuedtoglareather。\"IalsosentyouanotebyyoursisteroutsidetheCafSt。Markstosecretetheletter’B’，\"hisvoicerosealmostintoashoutinhisungovernablerage。\"IheardTurnbulltellyoutotaketheenvelopetoRochester，andIbankedonyourbringingithereortohisapartment。D—mnyou！You’vethwartedmeateveryturn。\"
Rochester’spowerfulhandwasclappedacrosshismouthwithsuchforcethattheclerkstaggeredagainstFerguson。
\"Hereyou，outyougo。\"ThedetectiveshovedthestrugglingmantowardthedoorleadingintothecorridorandClymersprangtohisassistance;asecondlaterRochesterclosedthedoorontheirrecedingfiguresandfoundHelenstandingbyhiselbow。
\"Imustgo，\"shesaid，turningbacktolookatherfatherandhisbride。
\"Waitaminute。\"Kentheldupanenvelopewithitsfatefulredseal。
\"ThiswasdeliveredemptyatRochester’sapartmentlastnight—itisaddressedtohim。Whowroteit？\"
\"Idid，\"exclaimedMrs。McIntyre。\"IfeltImustconsulteitheryou，Mr。Kent，orMr。Rochester，soIsentthenotetohisapartment，butthemessengerboyhurriedme，anditwasnotuntilhourslaterthatIfoundthenotelyingonthedeskinthereceptionroomandrealizedIhadsentanemptyenvelope。\"
\"Isee。\"Kentheldupanotherenvelope，theredsealbrokenatthecorner。\"Thisisyours，Helen。\"
Helenhesitatedperceptiblybeforetakingtheenvelopeandtearingitopen。Shehandedthesecuritiestoherfather。
\"Hereisfather’sforgedconfession，\"shesaidasshetooktheremainingpaperfromtheenvelope。
\"Itisamarvelousimitationofmyhandwriting，\"declaredMcIntyre，lookingatitcarefully，thentearingitintotinybitsheflungthemintothescrap—basketandpocketedthesecurities。
\"AndtothinkthatIaidedSylvester’splottogainthesecuritiesbyengaginghimasourclerk，\"groanedRochester。
\"Itwascleverofhimtoseekemploymenthere，\"agreedKent。\"Butlikemanycrooksheover—reachedhimselfthroughover—confidence。
Mustyougo，ColonelMcIntyre？\"
\"Yes。\"McIntyrewalkedovertoHelen。
\"Mydearlittlegirl，\"hebeganandhisvoicewashuskywithfeeling。\"HowcanIshowmyappreciationofyourloyaltytome？\"
\"BybeingkindtoHarryandBarbara。\"Helensmiledbravely，althoughherlipsweretremblingandforamomentshecouldnottrustherselftospeak。\"Myromanceisover;Barbara’sisjustbeginning。And，father，willyouandMargaretcomehomewithme—Iamsolonely;\"thenturningblindlyawayshefairlyranoutoftheoffice。
\"Gowithher，\"saidRochester，atrifleunsteadily。\"Ithasbeenaterribleordeal;Godhelphertoforget！\"HisvoicefailedandheswepthishandacrosshiseyesasheheldopenthedoorintothecorridorandfollowedMcIntyreandhiswifeoutside。
KentturnedimpulsivelytoBarbara，andhisarmsclosedaroundherassheraisedhereyestomeethis，forsheknewthatthepromisetheyspokewouldbeloyallyfulfilled，andthatherhavenofloveandhappinesswasreachedatlast。