I
THEWOMANWITHTHEDIAMOND
Iwas，perhaps，theplainestgirlintheroomthatnight。Iwasalsothehappiest——uptooneo’clock。Thenmywholeworldcrumbled，or，atleast，sufferedaneclipse。Whyandhow，Iamabouttorelate。
Iwasnotmadeforlove。ThisIhadoftensaidtomyself；veryoftenoflate。InfigureIamtoodiminutive，infacefartoounbeautiful，formetocherishexpectationsofthisnature。
Indeed，lovehadneverenteredintomyplanoflife，aswasevincedbythenurse’sdiplomaIhadjustgainedafterthreeyearsofhardstudyandseveretraining。
Iwasnotmadeforlove。ButifIhadbeen；hadIbeengiftedwithheight，regularityoffeature，orevenwiththateloquenceofexpressionwhichredeemsalldefectssavethosewhichsavorofdeformity，IknewwellwhoseeyeIshouldhavechosentoplease，whoseheartIshouldhavefeltproudtowin。
Thisknowledgecamewitharushtomyheart——（didIsayheart？I
shouldhavesaidunderstanding，whichissomethingverydifferent）——when，attheendofthefirstdance，IlookedupfromthemidstofthebevyofgirlsbywhomIwassurroundedandsawAnsonDurand’sfinefigureemergingfromthatquarterofthehallwhereourhostandhostessstoodtoreceivetheirguests。Hiseyewasroaminghitherandthitherandhismannerwasbotheagerandexpectant。Whomwasheseeking？Someoneofthemanybrightandvivaciousgirlsaboutme，forheturnedalmostinstantlyourway。
Butwhichone？
IthoughtIknew。IrememberedatwhosehouseIhadmethimfirst，atwhosehouseIhadseenhimmanytimessince。Shewasalovelygirl，wittyandvivacious，andshestoodatthisverymomentatmyelbow。Inherbeautylaythelure，thenaturallureforamanofhisgiftsandstrikingpersonality。IfIcontinuedtowatch，Ishouldsoonseehiscountenancelightupundertherecognitionshecouldnotfailtogivehim。AndIwasright；inanotherinstantitdid，andwithabrightnesstherewasnomistaking。Butonefeelingcommontothehumanheartlendssuchwarmth，suchexpressivenesstothefeatures。Howhandsomeitmadehimlook，howdistinguished，howeverythingIwasnotexcept——
Butwhatdoesthismean？HehaspassedMissSperry——passedherwithasmileandafriendlyword——andisspeakingtome，singlingmeout，offeringmehisarm！Heissmiling，too，notashesmiledonMissSperry，butmorewarmly，withmorethatispersonalinit。Itookhisarminadaze。ThelightsweredimmerthanI
thought；nothingwasreallybrightexcepthissmile。Itseemedtochangetheworldforme。IforgotthatIwasplain，forgotthatI
wassmall，withnothingtorecommendmetotheeyeorheart，andletmyselfbedrawnaway，askingnothing，anticipatingnothing，tillIfoundmyselfalonewithhiminthefragrantrecessesoftheconservatory，withonlythethrobofmusicinourearstolinkustothescenewehadleft。
Whyhadhebroughtmehere，intothisfairylandofopalescentlightsandintoxicatingperfumes？Whatcouldhehavetosay——toshow？AhinanothermomentIknew。Hehadseizedmyhands，andlove，ardentlove，camepouringfromhislips。
Coulditbereal？WasItheobjectofallthisfeeling，I？Ifso，thenlifehadchangedformeindeed。
Silentfromrushofemotion，IsearchedhisfacetoseeifthisParadise，whosegatesIwasthuspassionatelybiddentoenter，wasindeedaverityoronlyadreambornoftheexcitementofthedanceandthecharmofasceneexceptionalinitssplendorandpicturesquenessevenforsoluxuriousacityasNewYork。
Butitwasnomeredream。Truthandearnestnesswereinhismanner，andhiswordswereneitherfeverishnorforced。
\"IloveyouI！Ineedyou！\"SoIheard，andsohesoonmademebelieve。\"Youhavecharmedmefromthefirst。Yourtantalizing，trusting，loyalself，likenoother，sweeterthananyother，hasdrawntheheartfrommybreast。Ihaveseenmanywomen，admiredmanywomen，butyouonlyhaveIloved。Willyoubemywife？\"
Iwasdazzled；movedbeyondanythingIcouldhaveconceived。I
forgotallthatIhadhithertosaidtomyself——allthatIhadendeavoredtoimpressuponmyheartwhenIbeheldhimapproaching，intent，asIbelieved，inhissearchforanotherwoman；and，confidinginhishonesty，trustingentirelytohisfaith，Iallowedtheplansandpurposesofyearstovanishintheglamourofthisnewjoy，andspokethewordwhichlinkedustogetherinabondwhichhalfanhourbeforeIhadneverdreamedwouldunitemetoanyman。
Hisimpassioned\"Mine！mine！\"filledmycuptooverflowing。
Somethingoftheecstasyoflivingenteredmysoul；which，inspiteofallIhavesufferedsince，recreatedtheworldformeandmadeallthatwentbeforebutthepreludetothenewlife，thenewjoy。
Oh，Iwashappy，happy，perhapstoohappy！Astheconservatoryfilledandwepassedbackintotheadjoiningroom，theglimpseI
caughtofmyselfinoneofthemirrorsstartledmeintothinkingso。ForhaditnotbeenfortheoddcolorofmydressandtheuniquewayinwhichIworemyhairthatnight，Ishouldnothaverecognizedthebeaminggirlwhofacedmesonaivelyfromthedepthsoftheresponsiveglass。
Canonebetoohappy？Idonotknow。Iknowthatonecanbetooperplexed，tooburdenedandtoosad。
ThusfarIhavespokenonlyofmyselfinconnectionwiththeevening’selaboratefunction。ButthoughentitledbymyoldDutchbloodtoacertainsocialconsiderationwhichIamhappytosayneverfailedme，I，eveninthishourofsupremesatisfaction，attractedverylittleattentionandawokesmallcomment。Therewasanotherwomanpresentbettercalculatedtodothis。Afairwoman，largeandofabountifulpresence，accustomedtoconquest，andgiftedwiththepowerofcarryingoffhervictorieswithacertainlazygraceirresistiblyfascinatingtotheordinaryman；
agorgeouslyappareledwoman，withadiamondonherbreasttoovividformostwomen，almosttoovividforher。Inoticedthisdiamondearlyintheevening，andthenInoticedher。Shewasnotasfineasthediamond，butshewasveryfine，and，hadIbeeninalessecstaticframeofmind，Imighthaveenviedthehomageshereceivedfromallthemen，notexceptinghimuponwhosearmI
leaned。Later，therewasnooneintheworldIenviedless。
Theballwasaprivateandveryelegantone。Thereweresomenotableguests。OnegentlemaninparticularwaspointedouttomeasanEnglishmanofgreatdistinctionandpoliticalimportance。I
thoughthimaveryinterestingmanforhisyears，butoddandatrifleself-centered。Thoughgreatlycourted，heseemedstrangelyrestlessunderthefireofeyestowhichhewasconstantlysubjected，andonlyhappywhenfreetousehisownincontemplationofthesceneabouthim。HadIbeenlessabsorbedinmyownhappinessImighthavenotedsoonerthanIdidthatthiscontemplationwasconfinedtosuchgroupsasgatheredabouttheladywiththediamond。ButthisIfailedtoobserveatthetime，andconsequentlywasmuchsurprisedtocomeuponhim，attheendofoneofthedances，talkingWiththisladyinananimatedandcourtlymannertotallyopposedtotheapathy，amountingtoboredom，withwhichhehadhithertometalladvances。
Yetitwasnotadmirationforherpersonwhichheopenlydisplayed。Duringthewholetimehestoodtherehiseyesseldomrosetoherface；theylingeredmainly-andthiswaswhatarousedmycuriosity——onthegreatfanofostrichplumeswhichthisopulentbeautyheldagainstherbreast。Washedesirousofseeingthegreatdiamondshethusunconsciously（orwasitconsciously）
shieldedfromhisgaze？Itwaspossible，for，asIcontinuedtonotehim，hesuddenlybenttowardherandasquicklyraisedhimselfagainwithalookwhichwasquiteinexplicabletome。Theladyhadshiftedherfanamomentandhiseyeshadfallenonthegem。
ThenextthingIrecallwithanydefinitenesswasatete-a-teteconversationwhichIheldwithmyloveronacertainyellowdivanattheendofoneofthehalls。
Totherightofthisdivanroseacurtainedrecess，highlysuggestiveofromance，called\"thealcove。\"Asthisalcovefiguresprominentlyinmystory，Iwillpauseheretodescribeit。
Itwasoriginallyintendedtocontainalargegroupofstatuarywhichourhost，Mr。Ramsdell，hadorderedfromItalytoadornhisnewhouse。Heisamanoforiginalideasinregardtosuchmatters，andinthisinstancehadgonesofarastohavethisendofthehouseconstructedwithaspecialviewtoanadvantageousdisplayofthispromisedworkofart。Fearingtheponderouseffectofapedestallargeenoughtoholdsuchaconsiderablegroup，hehadplannedtoraiseittotheleveloftheeyebyhavingthealcovefloorbuiltafewfeethigherthanthemainone。Aflightoflow，widestepsconnectedthetwo，which，followingthecurveofthewall，addedmuchtothebeautyofthisportionofthehall。
Thegroupwasafailureandwasnevershipped；butthealcoveremained，and，possessingasitdidalltheadvantagesofaroominthewayofheatandlight，hadbeenturnedintoaminiatureretreatofexceptionalbeauty。
Theseclusionitofferedextended，orsowewerehappytothink，tothesolitarydivanatitsbaseonwhichMr。DurandandIwereseated。Withpossiblyanundueconfidenceintheadvantageofourposition，wewerediscussingasubjectinterestingonlytoourselves，whenMr。Durandinterruptedhimselftodeclare：\"YouarethewomanIwant，youandyouonly。AndIwantyousoon。Whendoyouthinkyoucanmarryme？Withinaweek——if——\"
Didmylookstophim？Iwasstartled。Ihadheardnoincoherentphrasefromhimbefore。
\"Aweek！\"Iremonstrated。\"Wetakemoretimethanthattofitourselvesforajourneyorsometransientpleasure。Ihardlyrealizemyengagementyet。\"
\"YouhavenotbeenthinkingofitfortheselasttwomonthsasI
have。\"
\"No，\"Ireplieddemurely，forgettingeverythingelseinmydelightatthisadmission。
\"Norareyouanomadamongclubsandrestaurants。\"
\"No，Ihaveahome。\"
\"NordoyoulovemeasdeeplyasIdoyou。\"
ThisIthoughtopentoargument。
\"Thehomeyouspeakofisaluxuriousone，\"hecontinued。\"IcannotofferyouitsequalDoyouexpectmeto？\"
Iwasindignant。
\"YouknowthatIdonot。ShallI，whodeliberatelychoseanurse’slifewhenanindulgentuncle’sheartandhomewereopentome，shrinkfrombravingpovertywiththemanIlove？Wewillbeginassimplyasyouplease——\"
\"No，\"heperemptorilyputin，yetwithacertainhesitancywhichseemedtospeakofdoubtshehardlyacknowledgedtohimself，\"I
willnotmarryyouifImustexposeyoutoprivationortothegenteelpovertyIhate。Iloveyoumorethanyourealize，andwishtomakeyourlifeahappyone。Icannotgiveyouallyouhavebeenaccustomedtoinyourrichuncle’shouse，butifmattersprosperwithme，ifthechanceIhavebuiltonsucceeds——
anditwillfailorsucceedtonight——youwillhavethosecomfortswhichlovewillheightenintoluxuriesand——and——\"
Hewasbecomingincoherentagain，andthistimewithhiseyesfixedelsewherethanonmyface。Followinghisgaze，Idiscoveredwhathaddistractedhisattention。Theladywiththediamondwasapproachingusonherwaytothealcove。Shewasaccompaniedbytwogentlemen，bothstrangerstome，andherhead，sparklingwithbrilliants，wasturningfromonetotheotherwithanindolentgrace。Iwasnotsurprisedthatthemanatmysidequiveredandmadeastartasiftorise。Shewasagorgeousimage。Incomparisonwithherimposingfigureinitstrailingrobeofrichpinkvelvet，mydiminutiveframeinitssea-greengownmusthavelookedasfadedandcolorlessasahalf-obliteratedpastel。
\"Astrikingwoman，\"IremarkedasIsawhewasnotlikelytoresumetheconversationwhichherpresencehadinterrupted。\"Andwhatadiamond！\"
Theglancehecastmewaspeculiar。
\"Didyounoticeitparticularly？\"heasked。
Astonished，fortherewassomethingveryuneasyinhismannersothatIhalfexpectedtoseehimriseandjointhegrouphewassoeagerlywatchingwithoutwaitingformylipstoframearesponse，Iquicklyreplied：
\"Itwouldbedifficultnottonoticewhatonewouldnaturallyexpecttoseeonlyonthebreastofaqueen。Butperhapssheisaqueen。Ishouldjudgesofromthehomagewhichfollowsher。\"
Hiseyessoughtmine。Therewasinquiryinthem，butitwasaninquiryIdidnotunderstand。
\"Whatcanyouknowaboutdiamonds？\"hepresentlydemanded。
\"Nothingbuttheirglitter，andglitterisnotall，——thegemshewearsmaybeaverytawdryone。\"
Iflushedwithhumiliation。Hewasadealeringems——thatwashisbusiness——andthecheckwhichhehadputuponmyenthusiasmcertainlymademeconsciousofmyownpresumption。YetIwasnotdisposedtotakebackmywords。Ihadhadabetteropportunitythanhimselfforseeingthisremarkablejewel，and，withtheperversityofasomewhatruffledmood，Iburstforth，assoonasthecolorhadsubsidedfrommycheeks：
\"No，no！Itisglorious，magnificent。Ineversawitslike。I
doubtifyoueverhave，forallyourdailyacquaintancewithjewels。Itsvaluemustbeenormous。Whoisshe？Youseemtoknowher。\"
Itwasadirectquestion，butIreceivednoreply。Mr。Durand’seyeshadfollowedthelady，whohadlingeredsomewhatostentatiouslyonthetopstepandtheydidnotreturntometillshehadvanishedwithhercompanionsbehindthelongplushcurtainwhichpartlyveiledtheentrance。Bythistimehehadforgottenmywords，ifhehadeverheardthemanditwaswiththeforcedanimationofonewhosethoughtsareelsewherethathefinallyreturnedtotheoldplea：
WhenwouldImarryhim？Ifhecouldoffermeahomeinamonth——
andhewouldknowbyto-morrowifhecoulddoso——wouldIcometohimthen？Hewouldnotsayinaweek；thatwasperhapstosoon；
butinamonth？WouldInotpromisetobehisinamonth？
WhatIansweredIscarcelyrecall。Hiseyeshadstolenbacktothealcoveandminehadfollowedthem。Thegentlemenwhohadaccompaniedtheladyinsidewerecomingoutagain，butotherswereadvancingtotaketheirplaces，andsoonshewasengagedinholdingaregularcourtinthisfavoredretreat。
Whyshouldthisinterestme？WhyshouldInoticeherorlookthatwayatall？BecauseMr。Duranddid？Possibly。Irememberthatforallhisardentlove-making，Ifeltalittlepiquedthatheshoulddividehisattentionsinthisway。PerhapsIthoughtthatforthisevening，atleast，hemighthavebeenblindtoamerecoquette’sfascinations。
Iwasthusdoublyengagedinlisteningtomylover’swordsandinwatchingthevariousgentlemenwhowentupanddownthesteps，whenaformerpartneradvancedandremindedmethatIhadpromisedhimawaltz。LoathtoleaveMr。Durand，yetseeingnowayofexcusingmyselftoMr。Fox，Icastanappealingglanceattheformerandwasgreatlychagrinedtofindhimalreadyonhisfeet。
\"Enjoyyourdance，\"hecried；\"IhaveawordtosaytoMrs。
Fairbrother，\"andwasgonebeforemynewpartnerhadtakenmeonhisarm。
WasMrs。Fairbrothertheladywiththediamond？Yes；asIturnedtoentertheparlorwithmypartner，IcaughtaglimpseofMr。
Durand’stallfigurejustdisappearingfromthestepbehindthesage-greencurtains。
\"WhoisMrs。Fairbrother？\"IinquiredofMr。Foxattheendofthedance。
Mr。Fox，whoisoneofsociety’sperennialbeaux，knowseverybody。
\"Sheis——well，shewasAbnerFairbrother’swife。YouknowFairbrother，themillionairewhobuiltthatcuriousstructureonEighty-sixthStreet。Atpresenttheyarelivingapart——anamicableunderstanding，Ibelieve。Herdiamondmakesherconspicuous。ItisoneofthemostremarkablestonesinNewYork，perhapsintheUnitedStates。Haveyouobservedit？\"
\"Yes——thatis，atadistance。Doyouthinkherveryhandsome？\"
\"Mrs。Fairbrother？She’scalledso，butshe’snotmystyle。\"Herehegavemeakillingglance。\"Iadmirewomenofmindandheart。
Theydonotneedtowearjewelsworthanordinaryman’sfortune。\"
Ilookedaboutforanexcusetoleavethisnonetoodesirablepartner。
\"Letusgobackintothelonghall，\"Iurged。\"Theceaselesswhirlofthesedancersismakingmedizzy。\"
Withtheeaseofagallantmanhetookmeonhisarmandsoonwewerepromenadingagaininthedirectionofthealcove。Apassingglimpseofitsinteriorwasaffordedmeasweturnedtoretraceourstepsinfrontoftheyellowdivan。Theladywiththediamondwasstillthere。Afoldofthesuperbpinkvelvetsheworeprotrudedacrossthegapmadebythehalf-drawncurtains，justasithaddoneahalf-hourbefore。Butitwasimpossibletoseeherfaceorwhowaswithher。WhatIcouldsee，however，anddid，wasthefigureofamanleaningagainstthewallatthefootofthesteps。AtfirstIthoughtthispersonunknowntome，thenI
perceivedthathewasnootherthanthechiefguestoftheevening，theEnglishmanofwhomIhavepreviouslyspoken。
Hisexpressionhadaltered。Helookednowbothanxiousandabsorbed，particularlyanxiousandparticularlyabsorbed；somuchsothatIwasnotsurprisedthatnooneventuredtoapproachhim。
AgainIwonderedandagainIaskedmyselfforwhomorforwhathewaswaiting。ForMr。Durandtoleavethislady’spresence？No，no，Iwouldnotbelievethat。Mr。Durandcouldnotbetherestill；yetsomewomenmakeitdifficultforamantoleavethemand，realizingthis，Icouldnotforbearcastingapartingglancebehindmeas，yieldingtoMr。Fox’simportunities，Iturnedtowardthesupper-room。ItshowedmetheEnglishmanintheactofliftingtwocupsofcoffeefromasmalltablestandingnearthereception-roomdoor。Ashismannerplainlybetokenedwhitherhewasboundwiththisrefreshment，Ifeltallmyuneasinessvanish，andwasabletotakemyseatatoneofthesmalltableswithwhichthesupper-roomwasfilled，andforafewminutes，atleast，lendaneartoMr。Fox’svapidcomplimentsandtriteopinions。Thenmyattentionwandered。
IhadnotmovednorhadIshiftedmygazefromthescenebeforemetheordinarysceneofagayandwell-filledsupper-room，yetI
foundmyselflooking，asifthroughamistIhadnotevenseendevelop，atsomethingasstrange，unusualandremoteasanyphantasm，yetdistinctenoughinitsoutlinesformetogetadecidedimpressionofasquareoflightsurroundingthefigureofamaninapeculiarposenoteasilyimaginedandnoteasilydescribed。Itallpassedinaninstant，andIsatstaringatthewindowoppositemewiththefeelingofonewhohasjustseenavision。YetalmostimmediatelyIforgotthewholeoccurrenceinmyanxietyastoMr。Durand’swhereabouts。Certainlyhewasamusinghimselfverymuchelsewhereorhewouldhavefoundanopportunityofjoiningmelongbeforethis。Hewasnoteveninsight，andIgrewwearyoftheendlessmenuandthesenselesschitchatofmycompanion，and，findinghimamenabletomywhims，rosefrommyseatattableandmademywaytoagroupofacquaintancesstandingjustoutsidethesupper-roomdoor。AsI
listenedtotheirgreetingssomeimpulseledmetocastanotherglancedownthehalltowardthealcove。Aman——awaiter——wasissuingfromitinarush。Badnewswasinhisface，andashiseyesencounteredthoseofMr。Ramsdell，whowasadvancinghurriedlytomeethim，heplungeddownthestepswithacrywhichdrewacrowdaboutthetwoinaninstant。
Whatwasit？Whathadhappened？
MadwithananxietyIdidnotstoptodefine，Irushedtowardthisgroupnowswayingfromsidetosideinirrepressibleexcitement，whensuddenlyeverythingswambeforemeandIfellinaswoontothefloor。
Someonehadshoutedaloud\"Mrs。Fairbrotherhasbeenmurderedandherdiamondstolen！Lockthedoors！\"
II
THEGLOVES
Imusthaveremainedinsensibleformanyminutes，forwhenI
returnedtofullconsciousnessthesupper-roomwasemptyandthetwohundredguestsIhadleftseatedattableweregatheredinagitatedgroupsaboutthehall。ThiswaswhatIfirstnoted；nottillafterwarddidIrealizemyownsituation。Iwaslyingonacouchinaremotecornerofthissamehallandbesideme，butnotlookingatme，stoodmylover，Mr。Durand。
HowhecametoknowmystateandfindmeinthegeneraldisturbanceIdidnotstoptoinquire。Itwasenoughformeatthatmomenttolookupandseehimsonear。Indeed，thereliefwassogreat，thesenseofhisprotectionsocomfortingthatI
involuntarilystretchedoutmyhandingratitudetowardhim，but，failingtoattracthisattention，slippedtothefloorandtookmystandathisside。Thisrousedhimandhegavemealookwhichsteadiedme，inspiteofthethrillofsurprisewithwhichI
recognizedhisextremepallorandacertainpeculiarhesitationinhismannernotatallnaturaltoit。
Meanwhile，somewordsutterednearuswereslowlymakingtheirwayintomybenumbedbrain。Thewaiterwhohadraisedthefirstalarmwasendeavoringtodescribetoanimportunategroupinadvanceofuswhathehadcomeuponinthatmurderousalcove。
\"Iwascarryingaboutatrayofices，\"hewassaying，\"andseeingtheladysittingthere，wentup。Ihadexpectedtofindtheplacefullofgentlemen，butshewasallalone，anddidnotmoveasI
pickedmywayoverherlongtrain。ThenextmomentIhaddroppedices，trayandall。Ibadcomefacetofacewithherandseenthatshewasdead。Shehadbeenstabbedandrobbed。Therewasnodiamondonherbreast，buttherewasblood。\"
Ahubbubofdisorderedsentencesseasonedwithhorrifiedcriesfollowedthissimpledescription。Thenageneralmovementtookplaceinthedirectionofthealcove，duringwhichMr。Durandstoopedtomyearandwhispered：
\"Wemustgetoutofthis。Youarenotstrongenoughtostandsuchexcitement。Don’tyouthinkwecanescapebythewindowoverthere？\"
\"What，withoutwrapsandinsuchasnowstorm？\"Iprotested。
\"Besides，unclewillbelookingforme。Hecamewithme，youknow。\"
Anexpressionofannoyance，orwasitperplexity，crossedMr。
Durand’sface，andhemadeamovementasiftoleaveme。
\"Imustgo，\"hebegan，butstoppedatmyglanceofsurpriseandassumedadifferentair——onewhichbecamehimverymuchbetter。
\"Pardonme，dear，Iwilltakeyoutoyouruncle。This——thisdreadfultragedy，interruptingsogayascene，hasquiteupsetme。Iwasalwayssensitivetothesight，thesmell，eventotheverymentionofthewordblood。\"
SowasI，butnottothepointofcowardice。ButthenIhadnotjustcomefromaninterviewwiththemurderedwoman。Herglances，hersmiles，theliftofhereyebrowswerenotfreshmemoriestome。Someconsiderationwascertainlyduehimfortheshockhemustbelaboringunder。YetIdidnotknowhowtokeepbackthevitalquestion。
\"Whodidit？Youmusthaveheardsomeonesay。\"
\"Ihaveheardnothing，\"washissomewhatfiercerejoinder。Then，asImadeamove，\"Whatyoudonotwishtofollowthecrowdthere？\"
\"Iwishtofindmyuncle，andheisinthatcrowd。\"
Mr。Durandsaidnothingfurther，andtogetherwepasseddownthehall。Astrangemoodpervadedmymind。Insteadofwishingtoflyascenewhichunderordinaryconditionswouldhavefilledmewithutterrepugnance，Ifeltadesiretoseeandheareverything。Notfromcuriosity，suchasmovedmostofthepeopleaboutme，butbecauseofsomestronginstinctivefeelingIcouldnotunderstand；asifitweremyheartwhichhadbeenstruck，andmyfatewhichwastremblinginthebalance。
Wewereconsequentlyamongthefirsttohearsuchfurtherdetailsaswereallowedtocirculateamongthenowwell-nighfrenziedguests。Nooneknewtheperpetratorofthedeednordidthereappeartobeanydirectevidencecalculatedtofixhisidentity。
Indeed，thesuddendeathofthisbeautifulwomaninthemidstoffestivitymighthavebeenlookeduponassuicide，ifthejewelhadnotbeenmissingfromherbreastandtheinstrumentofdeathremovedfromthewound。Sofar，thecasualsearchwhichhadbeeninstitutedhadfailedtoproducethisweapon；butthepolicewouldbeheresoonandthensomethingwouldbedone。Astothemeansofentranceemployedbytheassassin，thereseemedtobebutoneopinion。Thealcovecontainedawindowopeninguponasmallbalcony。Bythishehaddoubtlessenteredandescaped。Thelongplushcurtainswhich，duringtheearlypartoftheevening，hadremainedloopedbackoneithersideofthecasement，werefoundatthemomentofthecrime’sdiscoverycloselydrawntogether。Certainlyasuspiciouscircumstance。However，thequestionwasoneeasilysettled。Ifanyonehadapproachedbythebalconytherewouldbemarksinthesnowtoshowit。Mr。Ramsdellhadgoneouttosee。Hewouldbecomingbacksoon。
\"Doyouthinkthisaprobableexplanationofthecrime？\"I
demandedofMr。Durandatthisjuncture。\"IfIrememberrightlythiswindowoverlooksthecarriagedrive；itmust，therefore，bewithinplainsightofthedoorthroughwhichsomethreehundredguestshavepassedto-night。Howcouldanyoneclimbtosuchaheight，liftthewindowandstepinwithoutbeingseen？\"
\"Youforgettheawning。\"Hespokequicklyandwithunexpectedvivacity。\"Theawningrunsupverynearthiswindowandquiteshutsitofffromthesightofarrivingguests。Thedriversofdepartingcarriagescouldseeitiftheychancedtoglanceback。
Buttheireyesareusuallyontheirhorsesinsuchacrowd。Theprobabilitiesareagainstanyofthemhavinglookedup。\"Hisbrowhadcleared；aweightseemedremovedfromhismind。\"WhenIwentintothealcovetoseeMrs。Fairbrother，shewassittinginachairnearthiswindowlookingout。Iremembertheeffectofhersplendoragainstthesnowsiftingdowninasteadystreambehindher。Thepinkvelvet——thesoftgreenofthecurtainsoneitherside——herbrilliants——andthesnowforabackground！Yes，themurderercameinthatway。Herfigurewouldbeplaintoanyoneoutside，andifshemovedandthediamondshone——Don’tyouseewhataprobabletheoryitis？Theremustbewaysbywhichadesperatemanmightreachthatbalcony。Ibelieve——\"
Howeagerhewasandwithwhatalookheturnedwhenthewordcamefilteringthroughthecrowdthat，thoughfootstepshadbeenfoundinthesnowpointingdirectlytowardthebalcony，therewasnoneonthebalconyitself，proving，asanyonecouldsee，thattheattackhadnotcomefromwithout，sincenoonecouldenterthealcovebythewindowwithoutsteppingonthebalcony。
\"Mr。Durandhassuspicionsofhisown，\"Iexplaineddeterminedlytomyself。\"Hemetsomeonegoinginashesteppedout。ShallI
askhimtonamethisperson？\"No，Ididnothavethecourage；notwhilehisfaceworesosternalookandwassoresolutelyturnedaway。
ThenextexcitementwasarequestfromMr。Ramsdellforusalltogointothedrawing-room。Thisledtovariouscriesfromhystericallips，suchas，\"Wearegoingtobesearched！\"\"Hebelievesthethiefandmurderertobestillinthehouse！\"\"Doyouseethediamondonme？\"\"Whydon’ttheyconfinetheirsuspicionstothefavoredfewwhowereadmittedtothealcove？\"
\"Theywill，\"remarkedsomeoneclosetomyear。
ButquicklyasIturnedIcouldnotguessfromwhomthecommentcame。Possiblyfromamuchbeflowered，bejeweled，elderlydame，whoseeyeswerefixedonMr。Durand’savertedface。Ifso，shereceivedadefiantlookfrommine，whichIdonotbelievesheforgotinahurry。
Alas！itwasnottheonlycurious，ImightsaysearchingglanceI
surpriseddirectedagainsthimaswemadeourwaytowhereI
couldseemyunclestrugglingtoreachusfromashortsidehall。
ThewhisperseemedtohavegoneaboutthatMr。DurandhadbeenthelastonetoconversewithMrs。Fairbrotherpriortothetragedy。
IntimeIhadthesatisfactionofjoiningmyuncle。Hebetrayedgreatreliefatthesightofme，and，encouragedbyhiskindlysmile，IintroducedMr。Durand。Myconsciousairmusthaveproduceditsimpression，forheturnedastartledandinquiringlookuponmycompanion，thentookmeresolutelyonhisownarm，saying：
\"Thereislikelytobesomeunpleasantnessaheadforallofus。I
donotthinkthepolicewillallowanyonetogotillthatdiamondhasbeenlookedfor。Thisisaveryseriousmatter，dear。
Somanythinkthemurdererwasoneoftheguests。\"
\"Ithinkso，too，\"saidI。ButwhyIthoughtsoorwhyIshouldsaysowithsuchvehemence，Idonotknowevennow。
Myunclelookedsurprised。
\"Youhadbetternotadvanceanyopinions，\"headvised。\"Aladylikeyourselfshouldhavenoneonasubjectsogruesome。Ishallneverceaseregrettingbringingyouheretonight。Ishallseizeonthefirstopportunitytotakeyouhome。Atpresentwearesupposedtoawaittheactionofourhost。\"
\"Hecannotkeepallthesepeopleherelong，\"Iventured。
\"No；mostofuswillherelievedsoon。Hadyounotbettergetyourwrapssoastobereadytogoassoonashegivestheword？\"
\"Ishouldprefertohaveapeepatthepeopleinthedrawing-roomfirst。，\"wasmyperversereply。\"Idon’tknowwhyIwanttoseethem，butIdo；and，uncle，ImightaswelltellyounowthatI
engagedmyselftoMr。Durandthisevening——thegentlemanwithmewhenyoufirstcameup。\"
\"Youhaveengagedyourselfto——tothisman——tomarryhim，doyoumean？\"
Inodded，withaslylookbehindtoseeifMr。Durandwerenearenoughtohear。Hewasnot，andIallowedmyenthusiasmtoescapeinafewquickwords。
\"Hehaschosenme，\"Isaid，\"theplainest，mostuninterestingpussinthewholecity。\"Myunclesmiled。\"AndIbelievehelovesme；atallevents，IknowthatIlovehim。\"
Myunclesighed，whilegivingmethemostaffectionateofglances。
\"It’sapityyoushouldhavecometothisunderstandingto-night，\"saidhe。\"He’sanacquaintanceofthemurderedwoman，anditisonlyrightforyoutoknowthatyouwillhavetoleavehimbehindwhenyoustartforhome。Allwhohavebeenseenenteringthatalcovethiseveningwillnecessarilybedetainedheretillthecoronerarrives。
MyuncleandIstrolledtowardthedrawing-roomandaswedidsowepassedthelibrary。Itheldbutoneoccupant，theEnglishman。
Hewasseatedbeforeatable，andhisappearancewassuchasprecludedanyattemptatintrusion，evenifonehadbeensodisposed。Therewasafixityinhisgazeandafrownonhispowerfulforeheadwhichbespokeamindgreatlyagitated。Itwasnotformetoreadthatmind，muchasitinterestedme，andI
passedon，chatting，asifIhadnottheleastdesiretostop。
Icannotsayhowmuchtimeelapsedbeforemyuncletouchedmeonthearmwiththeremark：
\"Thepolicearehereinfullforce。Isawadetectiveinplainclotheslookinhereaminuteago。Heseemedtohavehiseyeonyou。Thereheisagain！Whatcanhewant？No，don’tturn；he’sgoneawaynow。\"
FrightenedasIhadneverbeeninallmylife，Imanagedtokeepmyheadupandmaintainanindifferentaspect。What，asmyunclesaid，couldadetectivewantofme？Ihadnothingtodowiththecrime；notintheremotestwaycouldIbesaidtobeconnectedwithit；why，then，hadIcaughttheattentionofthepolice？
Lookingabout，IsoughtMr。Durand。Hehadleftmeonmyuncle’scomingup，buthadremained，asIsupposed，withinsight。Butatthismomenthewasnowheretobeseen。WasIafraidonhisaccount？Impossible；yet——
Happilyjustthenthewordwaspassedaboutthatthepolicehadgivenordersthat，withtheexceptionofsuchashadbeenrequestedtoremaintoanswerquestions，theguestsgenerallyshouldfeelthemselvesatlibertytodepart。
ThetimehadnowcometotakeastandandIinformedmyuncle，tohisevidentchagrin，thatIshouldnotleaveaslongasanyexcusecouldbefoundforstaying。
Hesaidnothingatthetime，butasthenoiseofdepartingcarriagesgraduallylessenedandthegreathallanddrawing-roomsbegantowearalookofdesertionheatlastventuredonthisgentleprotest：
\"Youhavemorepluck，Rita，thanIsupposed。Doyouthinkitwisetostayonhere？Willnotpeopleimaginethatyouhavebeenrequestedtodoso？Lookatthosewaitershangingaboutinthedifferentdoorways。Runupandputonyourwraps。Mr。Durandwillcometothehousefastenoughassoonasheisreleased。Igiveyouleavetositupforhimifyouwill；onlyletusleavethisplacebeforethatimpertinentlittlemandarestocomearoundagain，\"heartfullyadded。
ButIstoodfirm，thoughsomewhatmovedbyhisfinalsuggestion；
and，beingasmalltyrantinmyway，atleastwithhim，Icarriedmypoint。
Suddenlymyanxietybecamepoignant。Apartyofmen，amongwhomI
sawMr。Durand，appearedattheendofthehall，ledbyaverysmallbutself-importantpersonagewhommyuncleimmediatelypointedoutasthedetectivewhohadtwicecometothedoornearwhichIstood。Asthismanlookedupandsawmestillthere，alookofreliefcrossedhisface，and，afterawordortwowithanotherstrangerofseemingauthority，hedetachedhimselffromthegrouphehadushereduponthescene，and，approachingmerespectfullyenough，saidwithadeprecatoryglanceatmyunclewhosefrownhedoubtlessunderstood：
\"MissVanArsdale，Ibelieve？\"
Inodded，toochokedtospeak。
\"Iamsorry，Madam，ifyouwereexpectingtogo。InspectorDalzellhasarrivedandwouldliketospeaktoyou。Willyoustepintooneoftheserooms？Notthelibrary，butanyother。Hewillcometoyouasquicklyashecan。\"
ItriedtocarryitoffbravelyandasifIsawnothinginthissummonswhichwasuniqueoralarming。ButIsucceededonlyindividingawaveringglancebetweenhimandthegroupofmenofwhichhehadjustformedapart。InthelatterwereseveralgentlemenwhomIhadnotedinMrs。Fairbrother’strainearlyintheeveningandafewstrangers，twoofwhomwereofficials。Mr。
Durandwaswiththeformer，andhisexpressiondidnotencourageme。
\"Theaffairisveryserious，\"commentedthedetectiveonleavingme。\"That’sourexcuseforanytroublewemaybeputtingyouto。\"
Iclutchedmyuncle’sarm。
\"Whereshallwego？\"Iasked。\"Thedrawing-roomistoolarge。Inthishallmyeyesareforevertravelinginthedirectionofthealcove。Don’tyouknowsomelittleroom？Oh，what，whatcanhewantofme？\"
\"Nothingserious，nothingimportant，\"blusteredmygooduncle。
\"Sometrivialitysuchasyoucananswerinamoment。Alittleroom？Yes，Iknowone，there，underthestairs。Come，Iwillfindthedoorforyou。Whydidweevercometothiswretchedball？\"
Ihadnoanswerforthis。Why，indeed！
Myuncle，whoisaverypatientman，guidedmetotheplacehehadpickedout，withoutaddingawordtotheejaculationinwhichhehadjustallowedhisimpatiencetoexpenditself。Butonceseatedwithin，andoutoftherangeofpeeringeyesandlisteningears，heallowedasightoescapehimwhichexpressedthefullnessofhisagitation。
\"Mydear，\"hebegan，andstopped。\"Ifeel——\"hereheagaincametoapause——\"thatyoushouldknow——\"
\"What？\"Imanagedtoask。
\"ThatIdonotlikeMr。Durandand——thatothersdonotlikehim。\"
\"Isitbecauseofsomethingyouknewabouthimbeforeto-night？\"
Hemadenoanswer。
\"Orbecausehewasseen，likemanyothergentlemen，talkingwiththatwomansometimebefore——alongtimebefore——shewasattackedforherdiamondandmurdered？\"
\"Pardonme，mydear，hewasthelastoneseentalkingtoher。
Someonemayyetbefoundwhowentinafterhecameout，butasyetheisconsideredthelast。Mr。Ramsdellhimselftoldmeso。\"
\"Itmakesnodifference，\"Iexclaimed，inalltheheatofmylong-suppressedagitation。\"Iamwillingtostakemylifeonhisintegrityandhonor。Nomancouldtalktomeashedidearlythiseveningwithanyvileintentionsatheart。Hewasinterested，nodoubt，likemanyothers，inonewhohadthenameofbeingacaptivatingwoman，but——\"
Ipausedinsuddenalarm。Alookhadcrossedmyuncle’sfacewhichassuredmethatwewerenolongeralone。Whocouldhaveenteredsosilently？InsometrepidationIturnedtosee。A
gentlemanwasstandinginthedoorway，whosmiledasImethiseye。
\"IsthisMissVanArsdale？\"heasked。
Instantlymycourage，whichhadthreatenedtoleaveme，returnedandIsmiled。
\"Iam，\"saidI。\"Areyoutheinspector？\"
\"InspectorDalzell，\"heexplainedwithabow，whichincludedmyuncle。
Thenheclosedthedoor。
\"IhopeIhavenotfrightenedyou，\"hewenton，approachingmewithagentlemanlyair。\"AlittlematterhascomeupconcerningwhichImeantobeperfectlyfrankwithyou。Itmayprovetobeoftrivialimportance；ifso，youwillpardonmydisturbingyou。
Mr。Durand——youknowhim？\"
\"Iamengagedtohim，\"Ideclaredbeforepoorunclecouldraisehishand。
\"Youareengagedtohim。Well，thatmakesitdifficult，andyet，insomerespects，easierformetoaskacertainquestion。\"
Itmusthavemadeitmoredifficultthaneasy，forhedidnotproceedtoputthisquestionimmediately，butwenton：
\"YouknowthatMr。DurandvisitedMrs。Fairbrotherinthealcovealittlewhilebeforeherdeath？\"
\"Ihavebeentoldso。\"
\"Hewasseentogoin，butIhavenotyetfoundanyonewhosawhimcomeout；consequentlywehavebeenunabletofixtheexactminutewhenhedidso。Whatisthematter，MissVanArsdale？Youwanttosaysomething？\"
\"No，no，\"Iprotested，reconsideringmyfirstimpulse。Then，asI
methislook，\"Hecanprobablytellyouthathimself。Iamsurehewouldnothesitate。\"
\"Weshallaskhimlater，\"wastheinspector’sresponse。
\"Meanwhile，areyoureadytoassuremethatsincethattimehehasnotintrustedyouwithalittlearticletokeep——No，no，Idonotmeanthediamond，\"hebrokein，inveryevidentdismay，asI
fellbackfromhiminirrepressibleindignationandalarm。\"Thediamond——well，weshalllookforthatlater；itisanotherarticleweareinsearchofnow，onewhichMr。Durandmightverywellhavetakeninhishandwithoutrealizingjustwhathewasdoing。Asitisimportantforustofindthisarticle，andasitisonehemightverynaturallyhavepassedovertoyouwhenhefoundhimselfinthehallwithitinhishand，Ihaveventuredtoaskyouifthissurmiseiscorrect。\"
\"Itisnot，\"Iretortedfiercely，gladthatIcouldspeakfrommyveryheart。\"Hehasgivenmenothingtokeepforhim。Hewouldnot——\"
Whythatpeculiarlookintheinspector’seye？Whydidhereachoutforachairandseatmeinitbeforehetookupmyinterruptedsentenceandfinishedit？
\"——wouldnotgiveyouanythingtoholdwhichhadbelongedtoanotherwoman？MissVanArsdale，youdonotknowmen。Theydomanythingswhichayoung，trustinggirllikeyourselfwouldhardlyexpectfromthem。\"
\"NotMr。Durand，\"Imaintainedstoutly。
\"Perhapsnot；letushopenot。\"Then，withaquickchangeofmanner，hebenttowardme，withasidelonglookatuncle，and，pointingtomygloves，remarked：\"Youweargloves。Didyoufeeltheneedoftwopairs，thatyoucarryanotherinthatprettybaghangingfromyourarm？\"
Istarted，lookeddown，andthenslowlydrewupintomyhandthebaghehadmentioned。Thewhitefingerofaglovewasprotrudingfromthetop。Anyonecouldseeit；manyprobablyhad。Whatdiditmean？Ihadbroughtnoextrapairwithme。
\"Thisisnotmine，\"Ibegan，falteringintosilenceasI
perceivedmyuncleturnandwalkasteportwoaway。
\"Thearticlewearelookingfor，\"pursuedtheinspector，\"isapairoflong，whitegloves，supposedtohavebeenwornbyMrs。
Fairbrotherwhensheenteredthealcove。Doyoumindshowingmethose，afingerofwhichIsee？\"
Idroppedthebagintohishand。Theroomandeverythinginitwaswhirlingaroundme。ButwhenInotedwhattroubleitwastohisclumsyfingerstoopenit，mysensesreturnedand，reachingforthebag，Ipulleditopenandsnatchedoutthegloves。Theyhadbeenhastilyrolledupandsomeofthefingerswereshowing。
\"Letmehavethem，\"hesaid。
WithquakingheartandshakingfingersIhandedoverthegloves。
\"Mrs。Fairbrother’shandwasnotasmallone，\"heobservedasheslowlyunrolledthem。\"Yoursis。Wecansoontell——\"
Butthatsentencewasneverfinished。Astheglovesfellopeninhisgraspheutteredasudden，sharpejaculationandIasmotheredshriek。Anobjectofsuperlativebrilliancyhadrolledoutfromthem。Thediamond！thegemwhichmensaidwasworthaking’sransom，andwhichweallknewhadjustcostalife。
III
ANSONDURAND
Withbenumbedsensesandadismayedheart，Istaredatthefallenjewelasatsomehatefulthingmenacingbothmylifeandhonor。
\"Ihavehadnothingtodowithit，\"Ivehementlydeclared。\"Ididnotputtheglovesinmybag，nordidIknowthediamondwasinthem。Ifaintedatthefirstalarm，and\"There！there！Iknow，\"interposedtheinspectorkindly。\"Idonotdoubtyouintheleast；notwhenthereisamantodoubt。
MissVanArsdale，youhadbetterletyouruncletakeyouhome。I
willseethatthehallisclearedforyou。TomorrowImaywishtotalktoyouagain，butIwillspareyouallfurtherimportunitytonight。\"
Ishookmyhead。Itwouldrequiremorecouragetoleaveatthatmomentthantostay。Meetingtheinspector’seyefirmly，I
quietlydeclared，\"IfMr。Durand’sgoodnameistosufferinanyway，Iwillnotforsakehim。Ihaveconfidenceinhisintegrity，ifyouhavenot。
Itwasnothishand，butonemuchmoreguilty，whichdroppedthisjewelintothebag。\"
\"So！so！donotbetoosureofthat，littlewoman。Youhadbettertakeyourlessonatonce。Itwillbeeasierforyou，andmorewholesomeforhim。\"
Herehepickedupthejewel。
\"Well，theysaiditwasawonder！\"heexclaimed，insuddenadmiration。\"Iamnotsurprised，nowthatIhaveseenagreatgem，atthefamousstoriesIhavereadofmenriskinglifeandhonorfortheirpossession。Ifonlynobloodhadbeenshed！\"
\"Uncle！uncle！\"Iwailedaloudinmyagony。
Itwasallmylipscouldutter，buttouncleitwasenough。
Speakingforthefirsttime，heaskedtohaveapassagemadeforus，andwhentheinspectormovedforwardtocomply，hethrewhisarmaboutme，andwasendeavoringtofindfittingwordswithwhichtofillupthedelay，whenashortaltercationwasheardfromthedoorway，andMr。Durandcamerushingin，followedimmediatelybytheinspector。
Hisfirstlookwasnotatmyself，butatthebag，whichstillhungfrommyarm。AsInotedthisaction，mywholeinnerselfseemedtocollapse，draggingmyhappinessdownwithit。Butmycountenanceremainedunchanged，toomuchso，itseems；forwhenhiseyefinallyrosetomyface，hefoundtherewhatmadehimrecoilandturnwithsomethinglikefiercenessonhiscompanion。
\"Youhavebeentalkingtoher，\"hevehementlyprotested。\"Perhapsyouhavegonefurtherthanthat。Whathashappenedhere？IthinkIoughttoknow。Sheissoguileless，InspectorDalzell；soperfectlyfreefromallconnectionwiththiscrime。Whyhaveyoushutheruphere，andpliedherwithquestions，andmadeherlookatmewithsuchanexpression，whenallyouhaveagainstmeisjustwhatyouhaveagainstsomehalf-dozenothers，——thatIwasweakenough，orunfortunateenough，tospendafewminuteswiththatunhappywomaninthealcovebeforeshedied？\"
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