第2章

InaquarterofanhourFordwasagainbackinSowellStreetnowiserthanwhenhehadenteredit。Fromtheoutside，atleast，thethreehousesundersuspiciongavenosign。IntheproblembeforehimtherewasonepointthatFordfounddifficulttoexplain。Itwastheonlyonethatcausedhimtoquestioniftheletterwasgenuine。Whatpuzzledhimwasthis:Why，ifthegirlwerefreetothrowtwonotesfromthewindow，didshenotthrowthemoutbythedozen？Ifshewereabletoreachawindow，openingonthestreet，whydidshenotcallforhelp？Whydidshenot，byhurlingouteverysmallarticletheroomcontained，byscreams，bybreakingthewindow—panes，attractacrowd，and，throughit，thepolice？Thatshehadnotdonesoseemedtoshowthatonlyatrareintervalswasshefreefromrestraint，oratlibertytoenterthefrontroomthatopenedonthestreet。Woulditbeequallydifficult，Fordaskedhimself，foroneinthestreettocommunicatewithher？Whatsignalcouldhegivethatwoulddrawanansweringsignalfromthegirl？

Standingatthecorner，hiddenbythepillarsofaportico，thewaterdrippingfromhisrain—coat，Fordgazedlongandanxiouslyattheblankwindowsofthethreehouses。Likeblindeyesstaringintohis，theytoldnotales，betrayednosecret。Aroundhimthecommonplacelifeoftheneighborhoodproceededundisturbed。

Somewhereconcealedinthesinglerowofhousesagirlwasimprisoned，herlifethreatened;perhapsevenatthatmomentshewasfacingherdeath。While，oneitherside，shutfromherbythethicknessonlyofabrickwall，peopleweretalking，reading，makingtea，preparingtheeveningmeal，or，inthestreetbelow，hurryingby，intentontrivialerrands。Hansomcabs，prowlinginsearchofafare，passedthroughthestreetwhereawomanwasbeingrobbedofafortune，thedriversoccupiedonlywiththoughtsofapossibleshilling;ahousemaidwithajuginherhandandashawloverherbarehead，hastenedtothenear—bypublic—house;thepostmanmadehisrounds，anddeliveredcomicpostal—cards;apoliceman，sheddingwaterfromhisshiningcape，halted，gazedseverelyatthesky，and，unconsciousofthecrimethatwasgoingforwardwithinthesoundofhisownfootsteps，continuedstolidlyintoWimpoleStreet。

AhundredplansracedthroughFord’sbrain;hewouldarousethestreetwithafalsealarmoffireandleadthefiremen，withthetaleofasmokingchimney，tooneofthethreehouses;hewouldfeignillness，and，takingrefugeinoneofthem，atnightwouldexplorethepremises;hewouldimpersonateadetective，andinsistuponhisrighttosearchforstolenproperty。Asherejectedtheseandadozenschemesasfantastic，hisbrainandeyeswerestillalertforanychanceadvantagethatthestreetmightoffer。Buttheminutespassedintoanhour，andnoonehadenteredanyofthethreehouses，noonehadleftthem。Inthelowerstories，frombehindtheedgesoftheblinds，lightsappeared，butofthelifewithintherewasnosign。Untilhehituponaplanofaction，FordfelttherewasnolongeranythingtobegainedbyremaininginSowellStreet。Alreadytheanswertohiscablemighthavearrivedathisrooms;atGerridge’shemightstilllearnsomethingofPearsall。Hedecidedtorevisitboththeseplaces，and，whilesoengaged，tosendfromhisofficeoneofhisassistantstocovertheSowellStreethouses。Hecastalast，reluctantlookattheclosedblinds，andmovedaway。Ashedidso，twoitinerantmusiciansdraggingbehindthemasmallstreetpianoonwheelsturnedthecorner，and，astherainhadnowceased，oneofthempulledtheoil—clothcoveringfromtheinstrumentand，seatinghimselfonacamp—stoolatthecurb，openedthepiano。Afteradiscouragedglanceatthedarkenedwindows，theother，inahoarse，stridenttenor，totheaccompanimentofthepiano，begantosing。Thevoiceofthemanwasraucous，penetrating。Itwouldhavereachedtherecessesofatomb。

"Shesellssea—shellsonthesea—shore，"thevocalistwailed。"Theshellsshesellsaresea—shells，I’msure。"

Theeffectwasinstantaneous。Awindowwasflungopen，andanindignanthouseholderwithonehandfranticallywavedthemusiciansaway，andwiththeotherthrewthemacoppercoin。

AtthesamemomentFordwalkedquicklytothepianoandlaidahalf—crownontopofit。

"FollowmetoHarleyStreet，"hecommanded。"Don’thurry。Takeyourtime。Iwantyoutohelpmeinasortofpracticaljoke。It’sworthasovereigntoyou。"

Hepassedonquickly。Whenheglancedbehindhim，hesawthetwomen，fearfullestthepromisedfortunemightescapethem，pursuinghimatatrot。AtHarleyStreettheyhalted，breathless。

"Howlong，"Forddemandedoftheonewhoplayedthepiano，"willittakeyoutolearntheaccompanimenttoanewsong？"

"Whileyou’rewhistlingit，"answeredthemaneagerly。

"AndI’masquickatatuneashim，"assuredtheotheranxiously。

"Icansing"

"Youcannot，"interruptedFord。"I’mgoingtodothesingingmyself。Whereisthereapublic—housenearherewherewecanhireabackroom，andrehearse？"

Halfanhourlater，Fordandthepiano—playerenteredSowellStreetdraggingthepianobehindthem。Theamateurdetectivestillworehisrain—coat，buthishathehadexchangedforacap，and，insteadofacollar，hehadknottedaroundhisbareneckadirtykerchief。

Attheendofthestreettheyhalted，andinsomeembarrassmentFordraisedhisvoiceinthechorusofasongwellknowninthemusic—halls。Itwasaverygoodvoice，muchtoogoodfor"open—airwork，"ashiscompanionhadalreadyassuredhim，but，whatwasofchiefimportancetoFord，itcarriedasfarashewishedittogo。

AlreadyinWimpoleStreetfourcoinsoftherealm，flungtohimfromthehighestwindows，hadtestifiedtoitspower。FromtheendofSowellStreetFordmovedslowlyfromhousetohouseuntilhewasdirectlyoppositethethreeinoneofwhichhebelievedthegirltobe。"WewilltrytheNEWsongshere，"hesaid。

Nighthadfallen，and，exceptforthegas—lamps，thestreetwasempty，andinsuchdarknessthatevenwithouthisdisguiseFordrannoriskofrecognition。Hisplanwasnotnew。ItdatedfromthedaysofRichardtheLion—hearted。Butiftheprisonerwerealertandintelligent，eventhoughshecouldmakenoanswer，Fordbelievedthroughhiseffortshewouldgaincourage，wouldgraspthatfromtheoutsideafriendwasworkingtowardher。AllheknewoftheprisonerwasthatshecamefromKentucky。Fordfixedhiseyesonthehousesopposite，andclearedhisthroat。Themanstrucktheopeningchords，andinahighbarytone，andinacockneyaccentthatmadeeventheaccompanistgrin，Fordliftedhisvoice。

"ThesunshinesbrightonmyoldKentuckyhome，"hesang;"’tissummer，andthedarkiesaregay。"

Hefinishedthesong，buttherewasnosign。ForalltheimpressionhehadmadeuponSowellStreet，hemighthavebeensinginginhischambers。"Andnowtheother，"commandedFord。

Thehouse—frontsechoedbackthecheeringnotesof"Dixie。"AgainFordwassilent，andagainThesilenceansweredhim。Theaccompanistglareddisgustedlyatthedarkenedwindows。

"Theydon’tknowthemsongs，"heexplainedprofessionally。"Give’em，’MollieMarriedtheMarquis。’"

"I’llsingthefirstoneagain，"saidFord。Oncemorehebrokeintothepatheticcadencesofthe"OldKentuckyHome。"Buttherewasnoresponse。Hewasbeginningtofeelangry，absurd。Hebelievedhebadwastedpreciousmoments，and，evenashesang，hismindwasalreadyworkinguponanewplan。Thesongceased，unfinished。

"It’snouse！"heexclaimed。Rememberinghimself，headded:"We’lltrythenextstreet。"

Butevenashespokeheleapedforward。Comingapparentlyfromnowhere，somethingwhitesankthroughthesemi—darknessandfellathisfeet。Itstruckthepavementdirectlyinfrontofthemiddleoneofthethreehouses。Fordfelluponitandclutcheditinbothhands。Itwasawoman’sglove。Fordracedbacktothepiano。

"Oncemore，"hecried，"play’Dixie’！"

Heshoutedoutthechorusexultantly，triumphantly。Hadhespokenitinwords，themessagecouldnothavecarriedmoreclearly。

Fordnowbelievedhehadfoundthehouse，foundthewoman，andwaseageronlytogetridofhiscompanionand，inhisownperson，returntoSowellStreet。But，lestthemanmightsuspecttherewasinhisactionssomethingmoreseriousthanapracticaljoke，heforcedhimselftosingthenewsongsinthreedifferentstreets。

Then，pretendingtotireofhisprank，hepaidthemusicianandlefthim。Hewashappy，exultant，tinglingwithexcitement。

Good—luckhadbeenwithhim，and，hopingthatGerridge’smightyetyieldsomeclewtoPearsall，hereturnedthere。CallinguptheLondonofficeoftheREPUBLIC，hedirectedthatoneofhisassistants，anEnglishladnamedCuthbert，shouldatoncejoinhimatthathotel。CuthbertwasbutjustoutofOxford。Hewishedtobecomeawriteroffiction，and，asameansofseeingmanykindsoflifeatfirsthand，wasintrainingasa"Pressman。"HisadmirationforFordamountedtoalmosthero—worship;andheregardedan"assignment"withhischiefasajoyandanhonor。Fullofenthusiasm，andassoonasataxicabcouldbringhim，hearrivedatGerridge’s，where，inacornerofthedesertedcoffee—room，Fordexplainedthesituation。UntilhecoulddeviseawaytoentertheSowellStreethouse。Cuthbertwastowatchoverit。

"Thenumberofthehouseisforty，"Fordtoldhim;"thenameonthedoor—plate，Dr。Prothero。Findouteverythingyoucanabouthimwithoutlettinganyonecatchyouatit。Betterbeginatthenearestchemist’s。Sayyouareonthevergeofanervousbreakdown，andaskthemantomixyouasedative，andrecommendaphysician。

ShowhimProthero’snameandaddressonapieceofpaper，andsayProtherohasbeenrecommendedtoyouasaspecialistonnervoustroubles。Askwhathethinksofhim。Gethimtotalk。Thenvisitthetrades—peopleandthepublic—housesintheneighborhood，andsayyouarefromsomeWestEndshopwhereProthero，wantstoopenanaccount。Theymaytalk，especiallyifhiscreditisbad。And，ifyoufindoutenoughabouthimtogivemeaworkingbasis，I’lltrytogetintothehouseto—night。Meanwhile，I’mgoingtomakeanotherquicksearchofthishotelforPearsall。I’mnotsatisfiedhehasnotbeenhere。ForwhyshouldMissDale，withallthehotelsinLondontochoosefrom，havenamedthisparticularone，unlessshehadgoodreasonforit？Now，go，andmeetmeinanhourinSowellStreet。"

CuthbertwasatthedoorwhenherememberedhehadbroughtwithhimfromtheofficeFord’smailandcablegrams。AmongthelatterwastheoneforwhichFordhadasked。

"Wait，"hecommanded。"Thisisaboutthegirl。Youhadbetterknowwhatitsays。"Thecableread:

"Girlorphan，Dalesvillenamedafterherfamily，forthreegenerationsmill—owners，fatherdiedfouryearsago，Pearsallbrother—in—lawuntilsheistwenty—one，whichwillbeinthreemonths。Girlwellknown，extremelypopular，livedDalesvilleuntillastyear，whenwentabroadwithuncle，sincethenreportsofmelancholiaandnervousprostration，beforethathealthexcellent——nosignsinsanity——noneinfamily。BecarefulhowhandlePearsall，wasdoctor，gaveuppracticetolookafterestate，isprominentinlocalbusinessandchurchcircles，bestreputation，bewarelibel。"

ForthebenefitofCuthbert，Fordhadbeenreadingthecablealoud。

Thelastparagraphseemedespeciallytointeresthim，andhereadittwice，thesecondtimeslowly，andemphasizingtheword"doctor。"

"Adoctor！"herepeated。"Doyouseewherethatleadsus？Itmayexplainseveralthings。Thegirlwasingoodhealthuntilwentabroadwithheruncle，andheisamedicalman。"

TheeyesofCuthbertgrewwidewithexcitement。

"Youmeanpoison！"hewhispered。"Slowpoison！"

"Bewarelibel，"laughedFordnervously，hisowneyeslitwithexcitement。"Suppose，"heexclaimed，"hehasbeenusingarsenic？Hewouldhavemanyopportunities，andit’scolorless，tasteless;andarsenicwouldaccountforherdepressionandmelancholia。Thetimewhenhemustturnoverhermoneyisverynear，and，supposehehasspentthemoney，speculatedwithit，andlostit，orthathestillhasitandwantstokeepit？Inthreemonthsshewillbeofage，andhemustmakeanaccounting。Thearsenicdoesnotworkfastenough。Sowhatdoeshedo？Tosavehimselffromexposure，ortokeepthemoney，hethrowsherintothisprivatesanatorium，tomakeawaywithher。"

Fordhadbeentalkinginaneagerwhisper。Whilehespokehiscigarhadceasedtoburn，andtolightit，fromavaseonthemantelhetookaspill，oneofthosespiralsofpaperthatinEnglishhotels，wheretheproprietorisofafrugalmind，arestillusedtopreventextravaganceinmatches。Fordlitthespillatthecoalfire，andwithhiscigarpuffedattheflame。Ashedidsothepaperunrolled。TotheastonishmentofCuthbert，Fordclaspeditinbothhands，blottedoutthetinyflame，and，turningquicklytoatable，spreadoutthecharredpaperflat。Afteronequickglance，Fordrantothefireplace，and，seizingahandfullofthespills，beganrapidlytounrollthem。ThenheturnedtoCuthbertand，withoutspeaking，showedhimthecharredspill。Itwasascraptornfromthefrontpageofanewspaper。Thehalf—obliteratedwordsatwhichFordpointedwereDALESVILLECOUR

"Histornpaper！"saidFord。"TheDALESVILLECOURIER。PearsallHAS

beeninthishotel！"HehandedanotherspilltoCuthbert。

"Fromthatone，"saidFord，"wegetthedate，December3。AllowingthreeweeksforthenewspapertoreachLondon，Pearsallmusthaveseenitjustthreeweeksago，justwhenMissDalesayshewasinthehotel。Thelandlordhasliedtome。"

Fordrangforawaiter，andtoldhimtoaskMr。Gerridgetocometothesmoking—room。

AsCuthbertwasleavingit，Gerridgewasenteringit，andFordwassaying:

"Itseemsyou’vebeenlyingtothepoliceandtome。Unlessyoudesiretoheanaccessorytoamurder，Youhadbettertalkquick！"

AnhourlaterFordpassedslowlythroughSowellStreetinataxicab，and，findingCuthbertonguard，signalledhimtofollow。

inWimpoleStreetthecabdrewuptothecurb，andCuthbertenteredit。

"IhavefoundPearsall，"saidFord。"HeisinNo。40withProthero。"

HethenrelatedtoCuthbertwhathadhappened。GerridgehadexplainedthatwhenthePolicecalled，hisfirstthoughtwastoprotectthegoodnameofhishotel。HehaddeniedanyknowledgeofPearsallonlybecausehenolongerwasaguest，and，ashesupposedPearsallhadpassedoutofhislife，hesawnoreason，why，throughanarrestandascandal，hishotelshouldbeinvolved。BelievingFordtobeinthesecretserviceofthepolice，hewasnowonlytooanxioustoclearhimselfofsuspicionbytellingallheknew。Itwasbutlittle。Pearsallandhisniecehadbeenatthehotelforthreedays。Duringthattimetheniece，whoappearedtobeaninvalid，remainedinherroom。Ontheeveningofthethirdday，whilePearsallwasabsent，acallfromhimhadcomeforherbytelephone，onreceivingwhichMissDalehadatonceleftthehotel，apparentlyingreatagitation。Thatnightshedidnotreturn，butinthemorningPearsallcametocollecthisandherluggageandtosettlehisaccount。HeexplainedthatawomanrelativelivingattheLanghamHotelhadbeentakensuddenlyill，andhadsentforhimandhisniece。Herconditionhadbeensoseriousthattheyhadremainedwithherallnight，andhisniecestillwasatherbedside。Thedriverofafour—wheeler，whoforyearshadstoodonthecab—rankinfrontofGerridge’s，haddrivenPearsalltotheLangham。Thismanwasatthemomentontherank，andfromhimFordlearnedwhathemostwishedtoknow。

ThecabmanrememberedPearsall，andhavingdrivenhimtotheLangham，forthereasonthatimmediatelyaftersettinghimdownthere，andwhile"crawling"forafareinPortlandPlace，awhistlefromtheLanghamhadrecalledhim，andthesameluggagethathadjustbeentakenfromthetopofhiscabwasPutbackonit，andhewasdirectedbytheporterofthehoteltotakeittoahouseinSowellStreet。Thereaman—servanthadhelpedhimunloadthetrunksandhadpaidhimhisfare。Thecabmandidnotrememberthenumberofthehouse，butknewitwasonthewestsideofthestreetandinthemiddleoftheblock。

HavingfinishedwithGerridgeandthecab—man，FordhadatoncegonetotheLanghamHotel，where，asheanticipated，nothingwasknownofPearsallorhisniece，orofanyinvalidlady。Butthehall—porterrememberedtheAmericangentlemanwhohaddrivenupwithmanypiecesofluggage，andwho，althoughitwasoutofseason，andmanysuitesinthehotelwerevacant，hadfoundnonetosuithim。Hehadthensetforthonfoot，havingleftwordthathistrunksbesentafterhim。TheaddresshegavewasahouseinSowellStreet。

Theporterrecalledtheincidentbecauseheandthecabmanhadgrumbledoverthefactthatinfiveminutestheyhadtwicetohandlethesameboxes。

"Itisprettyevident，"saidFord，whatPearsallhadinmind，butchancewasagainsthim。HethoughtwhenhehadunloadedhistrunksattheLanghamanddismissedthecabmanhehaddestroyedthelinkconnectinghimwithGerridge’s。Hecouldnotforeseethatthesamecabmanwouldbeloiteringintheneighborhood。Heshouldhaveknownthatfour—wheelersarenotasplentifulastheyoncewere;andheshouldhavegiventhatparticularonemoretimetogetaway。HisideainwalkingtotheSowellStreethousewasobviouslytopreventthenewcabmanfromseeinghimenterit。But，justwherehethoughthewasclever，wasjustwherehetripped。IfhehadremainedwithhistrunkshewouldhaveseenthatthecabmanwasthesameonewhohadbroughtthemandhimfromCravenStreet，andhewouldhavegivenanyotheraddressinLondonthantheonehedid。

"Andnow，"saidFord，"thatwehavePearsallwherewewanthim，tellmewhatyouhavelearnedaboutProthero？"

Cuthbertsmiledimportantly，andproducedapieceofpaperscribbledoverwithnotes。

"Prothero，"hesaid，"seemstobeTHISsortofman。Ifhemadeyourcoffeeforyou，beforeyoutastedit，you’dlikehimtodrinkacupofitfirst。"

II

"Prothero，"saidCuthbert，"isamanofmystery。AssoonasI

beganaskinghisneighborsquestions，IsawhewasofinterestandthatIwasofinterest。IsawtheydidnotbelieveIwasanagentofaWestEndshop，butadetective。Sotheywouldn’ttalkatall，orelsetheytalkedfreely。Andfromoneofthem，achemistnamedNeedham，IgotallIwanted。He’shadalawsuitagainstProthero，andhateshim。Protherogothimtoinvestinamedicinetocurethecocainehabit。Needhamfoundthecurewasnocure，butcocainedisguised。Hesuedforhismoney，andduringthetrialthepolicebroughtinProthero’srecord。Needhamletmecopyit，anditseemstoembraceeverycrimeexcepttreason。ThemanisaRussianJew。HewasarrestedandprosecutedinWarsaw，Vienna，Berlin，Belgrade;

alloverEurope，untilfinallythepolicedrovehimtoAmerica。

Therehewasaneditorofananarchistpaper，ablackmailer，a’doctor’ofhypnotism，aclairvoyant，andaprofessionalbigamist。

Hisgamewastoopenroomsasaclairvoyant，andadvisesillywomenhowtoinvesttheirmoney。Whenhefoundoutwhichofthemhadthemostmoney，hewouldmarryher，takeoverherfortune，andskip。InChicago，hewastriedforpoisoningonewife，andthetrialbroughtoutthefactthattwoothershaddiedundersuspiciouscircumstances，andthattherewerethreemoreunpoisonedbutanxioustogetbacktheirmoney。Hewassentencedtotenyearsforbigamy，butpardonedbecausehewassupposedtobeinsane，anddying。Insteadofdying，heopenedasanatoriuminNewYorktocurevictimsofthedrughabit。Inreality，itwasasortofhigh—pricedopium—den。Theplacewasraided，andhejumpedhisbailandcametothiscountry。NowheisrunningthisprivatehospitalinSowellStreet。Needhamsaysit’sasecretrendezvousfordopefiends。Buttheyareveryhigh—classdopefiends，whoarewillingtopayforseclusion，andthepolicecan’tgetathim。Imayaddthathe’stallandmuscular，withabigblackbeard，andhandsthatcouldstrangleabull。InChicago，duringthepoisontrial，thenewspaperscalledhim’theModernBluebeard。"’

ForashorttimeFordwassilent。But，inthedarkcornerofthecab，Cuthbertcouldseethathiscigarwasburningbriskly。