第13章

Itwasthemostunlikelythingonearththatawomanwhohadforsakenherhusbandshouldcountenancehisschemetopersonifyher——

whethershewereinAmerica，inLondon，orintheneighbourhoodofKnapwater。

Thencametheoldandharassingquestion，whatwasManston\'srealmotiveinriskinghisnameonthedeceptionhewaspractisingasregardedAnne。Itcouldnotbe，ashehadalwayspretended，merepassion。HerthoughtshadrevertedtoMr。Raunham\'sletter，askingforproofsofheridentitywiththeoriginalMrs。Manston。Shecouldseenoloopholeofescapeforthemanwhosupportedher。

True，inherownestimation，hisworstalternativewasnotsoverybadafterall——thegettingthenameoflibertine，apossibleappearanceinthedivorceorsomeothercourtoflaw，andaquestionofdamages。Suchanexposuremighthinderhisworldlyprogressforsometime。Yettohimthisalternativewas，apparently，terribleasdeathitself。

Sherestoredtheletterstotheirhiding-place，scannedanewtheotherlettersandmemoranda，fromwhichshecouldgainnofreshinformation，fastenedupthecabinet，andlefteverythinginitsformercondition。

Hermindwasillatease。MorethanevershewishedthatshehadneverseenManston。Wherethepersonsuspectedofmysteriousmoralobliquityisthepossessorofgreatphysicalandintellectualattractions，themeresenseofincongruityaddsanextrashuddertodread。Theman\'sstrangebearingterrifiedAnneasithadterrifiedCytherea；forwithallthewomanAnne\'sfaults，shehadnotdescendedtosuchdepthsofdepravityastowillinglyparticipateincrime。ShehadnotevenknownthatalivingwifewasbeingdisplacedtillherarrivalatKnapwaterputretreatoutofthequestion，andhadlookeduponpersonationsimplyasamodeofsubsistenceadegreebetterthantoilinginpovertyandalone，afterabustlingandsomewhatpamperedlifeashousekeeperinagaymansion。

\'NonillacolocalathisveMinervaeFoemineasassuetamanus。\'

2。AFTERNOON

Mr。RaunhamandEdwardSpringrovehadbythistimesetinmotionamachinerywhichtheyhopedtofindworkingoutimportantresults。

Therectorwasrestlessandfullofmeditationallthefollowingmorning。Itwasplain，eventotheservantsabouthim，thatSpringrove\'scommunicationworeadeepercomplexionthananythathadbeenmadetotheoldmagistrateformanymonthsoryearspast。

Thefactwasthat，havingarrivedatthestageofexistenceinwhichthedifficultintellectualfeatofsuspendingone\'sjudgmentbecomespossible，hewasnowputtingitinpractice，thoughnotwithoutthepenaltyofwatchfuleffort。

Itwasnottilltheafternoonthathedeterminedtocallonhisrelative，MissAldclyffe，andcautiouslyprobeherknowledgeofthesubjectoccupyinghimsothoroughly。Cytherea，heknew，wasstillbelovedbythissolitarywoman。MissAldclyffehadmadeseveralprivateinquiriesconcerningherformercompanion，andtherewaseverasadnessinhertonewhentheyounglady\'snamewasmentioned，whichshowedthatfromwhatevercausetheelderCytherea\'srenunciationofherfavouriteandnamesakeproceeded，itwasnotfromindifferencetoherfate。

\'Haveyoueverhadanyreasonforsupposingyourstewardanythingbutanuprightman？\'hesaidtothelady。

\'Nevertheslightest。Haveyou？\'saidshereservedly。

\'Well——Ihave。\'

\'Whatisit？\'

\'Icansaynothingplainly，becausenothingisproved。Butmysuspicionsareverystrong。\'

\'Doyoumeanthathewasrathercooltowardshiswifewhentheywerefirstmarried，andthatitwasunfairinhimtoleaveher？Iknowhewas；butIthinkhisrecentconducttowardsherhasamplyatonedfortheneglect。\'

HelookedMissAldclyffefullintheface。Itwasplainthatshespokehonestly。ShehadnottheslightestnotionthatthewomanwholivedwiththestewardmightbeotherthanMrs。Manston——muchlessthatagreatermattermightbebehind。

\'That\'snotit——Iwishitwasnomore。Mysuspicionis，first，thatthewomanlivingattheOldHouseisnotMr。Manston\'swife。\'

\'Not——Mr。Manston\'swife？\'

\'Thatisit。\'

MissAldclyffelookedblanklyattherector。\'NotMr。Manston\'swife——whoelsecanshebe？\'shesaidsimply。

\'AnimproperwomanofthenameofAnneSeaway。\'

Mr。Raunhamhad，incommonwithotherpeople，noticedtheextraordinaryinterestofMissAldclyffeinthewell-beingofhersteward，andhadendeavouredtoaccountforitinvariousways。Theextenttowhichshewasshakenbyhisinformation，whilstitprovedthattheunderstandingbetweenherselfandManstondidnotmakeherasharerofhissecrets，alsoshowedthatthetiewhichboundhertohimwasstillunbroken。Mr。Raunhamhadlatelybeguntodoubtthelatterfact，andnow，onfindinghimselfmistaken，regrettedthathehadnotkepthisowncounselinthematter。Thisitwastoolatetodo，andhepushedonwithhisproofs。HegaveMissAldclyffeindetailthegroundsofhisbelief。

Beforehehaddone，sherecoveredthecloakofreservethatshehadadoptedonhisopeningthesubject。

\'Imightpossiblybeconvincedthatyouwereintheright，aftersuchanelaborateargument，\'shereplied，\'wereitnotforonefact，whichbearsinthecontrarydirectionsopointedly，thatnothingbutabsoluteproofcanturnit。Itisthatthereisnoconceivablemotivewhichcouldinduceanysaneman——leavingaloneamanofMr。

Manston\'sclear-headednessandintegrity——toventureuponsuchanextraordinarycourseofconduct——nomotiveonearth。\'

\'Thatwasmyownopiniontillafterthevisitofafriendlastnight——afriendofmineandpoorlittleCytherea\'s。\'

\'Ah——andCytherea，\'saidMissAldclyffe，catchingattheidearaisedbythename。\'ThathelovedCytherea——yesandloveshernow，wildlyanddevotedly，IamaspositiveasthatIbreathe。CythereaisyearsyoungerthanMrs。Manston——asIshallcallher——twiceassweetindisposition，threetimesasbeautiful。Wouldhehavegivenherupquietlyandsuddenlyforacommon——Mr。Raunham，yourstoryismonstrous，andIdon\'tbelieveit！\'Sheglowedinherearnestness。

Therectormightnowhaveadvancedhissecondproposition——thepossiblemotive——butforreasonsofhisownhedidnot。

\'Verywell，madam。Ionlyhopethatfactswillsustainyouinyourbelief。Askhimthequestiontohisface，whetherthewomanishiswifeorno，andseehowhereceivesit。\'

\'Iwillto-morrow，mostcertainly，\'shesaid。\'Ialwaysletthesethingsdieofwholesomeventilation，aseveryfungusdoes。\'

Butnosoonerhadtherectorleftherpresence，thanthegrainofmustard-seedhehadsowngrewtoatree。Herimpatiencetosethermindatrestcouldnotbrookanight\'sdelay。Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatshecouldwaittilleveningarrivedtoscreenhermovements。Immediatelythesunhaddroppedbehindthehorizon，andbeforeitwasquitedark，shewrappedhercloakaroundher，softlyleftthehouse，andwalkederectthroughthegloomyparkinthedirectionoftheoldmanor-house。

Thesameminutesawtwopersonssitdownintherectory-housetosharetherector\'susuallysolitarydinner。Onewasamanofofficialappearance，commonplaceinallexcepthiseyes。TheotherwasEdwardSpringrove。

Thediscoveryofthecarefully-concealedlettersrankledinthemindofAnneSeaway。Herwoman\'snatureinsistedthatManstonhadnorighttokeepallmattersconnectedwithhislostwifeasecretfromherself。Perplexityhadbredvexation；vexation，resentment；

curiosityhadbeencontinuous。Thewholemorningthisresentmentandcuriosityincreased。

Thestewardsaidverylittletohiscompanionduringtheirluncheonatmid-day。Heseemedrecklessofappearances——almostindifferenttowhateverfateawaitedhim。Allhisactionsbetrayedthatsomethingportentouswasimpending，andstillheexplainednothing。

Bycarefullyobservingeverytriflingaction，asonlyawomancanobservethem，thethoughtatlengthdawneduponherthathewasgoingtorunawaysecretly。Shefearedforherself；herknowledgeoflawandjusticewasvague，andshefanciedshemightinsomewaybemaderesponsibleforhim。

Intheafternoonhewentoutofthehouseagain，andshewatchedhimdriveawayinthedirectionofthecounty-town。Shefeltadesiretogothereherself，and，afteranintervalofhalf-an-hour，followedhimonfootnotwithstandingthedistance——ostensiblytodosomeshopping。

Oneamongherseveraltrivialerrandswastomakeasmallpurchaseatthedruggist\'s。Nearthedruggist\'sstoodtheCountyBank。

Lookingoutoftheshopwindow，betweenthecolouredbottles，shesawManstoncomedownthestepsofthebank，intheactofwithdrawinghishandfromhispocket，andpullinghiscoatcloseoveritsmouth。

Itisanalmostuniversalhabitwithpeople，whenleavingabank，tobecarefullyadjustingtheirpocketsiftheyhavebeenreceivingmoney；iftheyhavebeenpayingitin，theirhandsswinglaxly。Thestewardhadinalllikelihoodbeentakingmoney——possiblyonMissAldclyffe\'saccount——thatwascontinualwithhim。Andhemighthavebeenremovinghisown，asamanwoulddowhowasintendingtoleavethecountry。

3。FROMFIVETOEIGHTO\'CLOCKP。M。

Annereachedhomeagainintimetopresideoverpreparationsfordinner。Manstoncameinhalf-an-hourlater。Thelampwaslighted，theshutterswereclosed，andtheysatdowntogether。Hewaspaleandworn——almosthaggard。

Themealpassedoffinalmostunbrokensilence。Whenpreoccupationwithstandstheinfluenceofasocialmealwithonepleasantcompanion，thementalscenemustbesurpassinglyvivid。Justasshewasrisingatapcametothedoor。

Beforeamaidcouldattendtotheknock，Manstoncrossedtheroomandansweredithimself。ThevisitorwasMissAldclyffe。

ManstoninstantlycamebackandspoketoAnneinanundertone。\'I

shouldbegladifyoucouldretiretoyourroomforashorttime。\'

\'Itisadry，starlightevening，\'shereplied。\'IwillgoforalittlewalkifyourobjectismerelyaprivateconversationwithMissAldclyffe。\'

\'Verywell，do；there\'snoaccountingfortastes，\'hesaid。AfewcommonplacesthenpassedbetweenherandMissAldclyffe，andAnnewentupstairstobonnetandcloakherself。Shecamedown，openedthefrontdoor，andwentout。

Shelookedaroundtorealizethenight。Itwasdark，mournful，andquiet。Thenshestoodstill。FromthemomentthatManstonhadrequestedherabsence，astrongandburningdesirehadprevailedinhertoknowthesubjectofMissAldclyffe\'sconversationwithhim。

Simplecuriositywasnotentirelywhatinspiredher。Hersuspicionshadbeenthoroughlyarousedbythediscoveryofthemorning。A

convictionthatherfuturedependedonherpowertocombatamanwho，indesperatecircumstances，wouldbefarfromafriendtoher，promptedastrategicmovementtoacquiretheimportantsecretthatwasinhandlingnow。Thewomanthoughtandthought，andregardedthedulldarktrees，anxiouslydebatinghowthethingcouldbedone。

Stealthilyre-openingthefrontdoorsheenteredthehall，andadvancingandpausingalternately，cameclosetothedooroftheroominwhichMissAldclyffeandManstonconversed。Nothingcouldbeheardthroughthekeyholeorpanels。Atagreatriskshesoftlyturnedtheknobandopenedthedoortoawidthofabouthalf-an-

inch，performingtheactsodelicatelythatthreeminutes，atleast，wereoccupiedincompletingit。AtthatinstantMissAldclyffesaid——

\'There\'sadraughtsomewhere。Thedoorisajar，Ithink。\'

Anneglidedbackunderthestaircase。Manstoncameforwardandclosedthedoor。Thischancewasnowcutoff，andsheconsideredagain。Theparlour，orsitting-room，inwhichtheconferencetookplace，hadthewindow-shuttersfixedontheoutsideofthewindow，asisusualinthebackportionsofoldcountry-houses。Theshutterswerehingedoneoneachsideoftheopening，andmetinthemiddle，wheretheywerefastenedbyaboltpassingcontinuouslythroughthemandthewoodmullionwithin，theboltbeingsecuredontheinsidebyapin，whichwasseldominsertedtillManstonandherselfwereabouttoretireforthenight；sometimesnotatall。

Ifshereturnedtothedooroftheroomshemightbediscoveredatanymoment，butcouldshelistenatthewindow，whichoverlookedapartofthegardennevervisitedafternightfall，shewouldbesafefromdisturbance。Theideawasworthatrial。

Sheglidedroundtothewindow，tooktheheadoftheboltbetweenherfingerandthumb，andsoftlyscreweditrounduntilitwasentirelywithdrawnfromitsposition。Theshuttersremainedasbefore，whilst，wherethebolthadcomeout，wasnowashiningholethree-quartersofaninchindiameter，throughwhichonemightseeintothemiddleoftheroom。Sheappliedhereyetotheorifice。

MissAldclyffeandManstonwerebothstanding；Manstonwithhisbacktothewindow，hiscompanionfacingit。Thelady\'sdemeanourwassevere，condemnatory，andhaughty。Nomorewastobeseen；Annethenturnedsideways，leantwithhershoulderagainsttheshuttersandplacedherearuponthehole。

\'Youknowwhere，\'saidMissAldclyffe。\'Andhowcouldyou，aman，actadoubledeceitlikethis？\'

\'Mendostrangethingssometimes。\'

\'Whatwasyourreason——come？\'

\'Amerewhim。\'

\'Imightevenbelievethat，ifthewomanwerehandsomerthanCytherea，orifyouhadbeenmarriedsometimetoCythereaandhadgrowntiredofher。\'

\'Andcan\'tyoubelieveit，too，undertheseconditions；thatI

marriedCytherea，gaveherupbecauseIheardthatmywifewasalive，foundthatmywifewouldnotcometolivewithme，andthen，nottoletanywomanIlovesowellasCytherearunanyriskofbeingdisplacedandruinedinreputation，shouldmywifeeverthinkfittoreturn，inducedthiswomantocometome，asbeingbetterthannocompanionatall？\'

\'Icannotbelieveit。YourloveforCythereawasnotofsuchakindasthatexcusewouldimply。ItwasCythereaornobodywithyou。Asanobjectofpassion，youdidnotdesirethecompanyofthisAnneSeawayatall，andcertainlynotsomuchastomadlyriskyourreputationbybringingherhereinthewayyouhavedone。Iamsureyoudidn\'t，AEneas。\'

\'SoamI，\'hesaidbluntly。

MissAldclyffeutteredanexclamationofastonishment；theconfessionwaslikeablowinitssuddenness。Shebegantoreproachhimbitterly，andwithtears。

\'Howcouldyouoverthrowmyplans，disgracetheonlygirlIeverhadanyrespectfor，bysuchinexplicabledoings！……Thatwomanmustleavethisplace——thecountryperhaps。Heavens！thetruthwillleakoutinadayortwo！\'

\'Shemustdonosuchthing，andthetruthmustbestifledsomehow——

nobodyknowshow。IfIstayhere，oronanyspotofthecivilizedglobe，asAEneasManston，thiswomanmustlivewithmeasmywife，orIamdamnedpastredemption！\'

\'Iwillnotcountenanceyourkeepingher，whateveryourmotivemaybe。\'

\'Youmustdosomething，\'hemurmured。\'Youmust。Yes，youmust。\'

\'Ineverwill，\'shesaid。\'Itisacriminalact。\'

Helookedatherearnestly。\'Willyounotsupportmethroughthisdeceptionifmyverylifedependsuponit？Willyounot？\'

\'Nonsense！Life！Itwillbeascandaltoyou，butshemustleavethisplace。Itwilloutsoonerorlater，andtheexposurehadbettercomenow。\'

Manstonrepeatedgloomilythesamewords。\'Mylifedependsuponyoursupportingme——myverylife。\'

Hethencameclosetoher，andspokeintoherear。Whilsthespokeheheldherheadtohismouthwithbothhishands。Strangeexpressionscameoverherface；theworkingsofhermouthwerepainfultoobserve。Stillheheldherandwhisperedon。

TheonlywordsthatcouldbecaughtbyAnneSeaway，confusedasherhearingfrequentlywasbythemoanofthewindandthewaterfallinherouterear，weretheseofMissAldclyffe，intoneswhichabsolutelyquivered：\'Theyhavenomoney。Whatcantheyprove？\'

Thelistenertaskedherselftotheutmosttocatchhisanswer，butitwasinvain。OftheremainderofthecolloquyonefactalonewasplaintoAnne，andthatonlyinductively——thatMissAldclyffe，fromwhathehadrevealedtoher，wasgoingtoschemebodyandsoulonManston\'sbehalf。

MissAldclyffeseemednowtohavenofurtherreasonforremaining，yetshelingeredawhileasiflothtoleavehim。When，finally，thecrestfallenandagitatedladymadepreparationsfordeparture，Annequicklyinsertedthebolt，ranroundtotheentrancearchway，anddownthestepsintothepark。Hereshestoodclosetothetrunkofahugelime-tree，whichabsorbedherdarkoutlineintoitsown。

InafewminutesshesawManston，withMissAldclyffeleaningonhisarm，crossthegladebeforeherandproceedinthedirectionofthehouse。Shewatchedthemascendtheriseandadvance，astwoblackspots，towardsthemansion。Theappearanceofanoblongspaceoflightinthedarkmassofwallsdenotedthatthedoorwasopened。

MissAldclyffe\'soutlinebecamevisibleuponit；thedoorshutherin，andallwasdarknessagain。TheformofManstonreturningalonearosefromthegloom，andpassedbyAnneinherhiding-place。

Waitingoutsideaquarterofanhourlonger，thatnosuspicionofanykindmightbeexcited，Annereturnedtotheoldmanor-house。

4。FROMEIGHTTOELEVENO\'CLOCKP。M。

Manstonwasveryfriendlythatevening。Itwasevidenttoher，nowthatshewasbehindthescenes，thathewasmakingdesperateeffortstodisguisetherealstateofhismind。

Herterrorofhimdidnotdecrease。Theysatdowntosupper，Manstonstilltalkingcheerfully。Butwhatiskeenerthantheeyeofamistrustfulwoman？Aman\'scunningistoitaswasthearmourofSiseratothethintent-nail。Shefound，inspiteofhisadroitness，thathewasattemptingsomethingmorethanadisguiseofhisfeeling。Hewastryingtodistractherattention，thathemightbeunobservedinsomespecialmovementofhishands。

Whatamomentitwasforherthen！Thewholesurfaceofherbodybecameattentive。Sheallowedhimnochancewhatever。Weknowtheduplicatedconditionatsuchtimes——whentheexistencedividesitselfintotwo，andtheostensiblyinnocentchattererstandsinfront，likeanotherperson，tohidethetimorousspy。

Manstonplayedthesamegame，butmorepalpably。Themealwasnearlyoverwhenheseemedpossessedofanewideaofhowhisobjectmightbeaccomplished。Hetiltedbackhischairwithareflectiveair，andlookedsteadilyattheclockstandingagainstthewalloppositetohim。Hesaidsententiously，\'Fewfacesarecapableofexpressingmorebydumbshowthanthefaceofaclock。Youmayseeiniteveryvarietyofincentive——fromthesoftestseductionstonegligencetothestrongesthintsforaction。\'

\'Well，inwhatway？\'sheinquired。Hisdriftwas，asyet，quiteunintelligibletoher。

\'Why，forinstance：lookatthecold，methodical，unromantic，business-likeairofalltheright-angledpositionsofthehands。

Theymakeamansetaboutworkinspiteofhimself。Thenlookatthepiquantshynessofitsfacewhenthetwohandsareovereachother。Severalattitudesimply“Makeready。“The“makeready“oftenminutestoonediffersfromthe“makeready“oftenminutestotwelve，asyouthdiffersfromage。“Upwardandonward“saystwenty-

fiveminutestoeleven。Mid-dayormidnightexpressesdistinctly“Itisdone。“Yousurelyhavenoticedthat？\'

\'Yes，Ihave。\'

Hecontinuedwithaffectedquaintness：——

\'Theeasydashoftenminutespastseven，therakishrecklessnessofaquarterpast，thedroopingwearinessoftwenty-fiveminutespast，musthavebeenobservedbyeverybody。\'

\'Whateveramountoftruththeremaybe，thereisagooddealofimaginationinyourfancy，\'shesaid。

Hestillcontemplatedtheclock。

\'Then，again，thegeneralfinishofthefacehasagreateffectupontheeye。Thisold-fashionedbrass-facedonewehavehere，withitsarchedtop，half-moonslitforthedayofthemonth，andshiprockingattheupperpart，impressesmewiththenotionofitsbeinganoldcynic，elevatinghisbrows，whosethoughtscanbeseenwaveringbetweengoodandevil。\'

Athoughtnowenlightenedher：theclockwasbehindher，andhewantedtogetherbackturned。Shedreadedturning，yet，nottoexcitehissuspicion，shewasonherguard；shequicklylookedbehindherattheclockashespoke，recoveringheroldpositionagaininstantly。Thetimehadnotbeenlongenoughforanyactionwhateveronhispart。

\'Ah，\'hecasuallyremarked，andatthesameminutebegantopourheroutaglassofwine。\'Speakingoftheclockhasremindedmethatitmustnearlywantwindingup。Rememberthatitiswoundto-night。

Supposeyoudoitatonce，mydear。\'

Therewasnopossiblewayofevadingtheact。Sheresolutelyturnedtoperformtheoperation：anythingwasbetterthanthatheshouldsuspecther。Itwasanold-fashionedeight-dayclock，ofworkmanshipsuitedtotherestoftheantiquefurniturethatManstonhadcollectedthere，andgroundheavilyduringwinding。

Annehadgivenupallideaofbeingabletowatchhimduringtheinterval，andthenoiseofthewheelspreventedherlearninganythingbyherears。But，asshewound，shecaughtsightofhisshadowonthewallatherrighthand。

Whatwashedoing？Hewasintheveryactofpouringsomethingintoherglassofwine。

Hehadcompletedthemanoeuvrebeforeshehaddonewinding。Shemethodicallyclosedtheclock-caseandturnedroundagain。Whenshefacedhimhewassittinginhischairasbeforeshehadrisen。

Inafamiliarscenewhichhashithertobeenpleasantitisdifficulttorealizethatanaddedcondition，whichdoesnotalteritsaspect，canhavemadeitterrible。Thewomanthoughtthathisactionmusthavebeenpromptedbynootherintentthanthatofpoisoningher，andyetshecouldnotinstantlyputonafearofherposition。

Andbeforeshehadgraspedtheseconsequences，anothersuppositionservedtomakeherregardthefirstasunlikely，ifnotabsurd。Itwastheactofamadmantotakeherlifeinamannersoeasyofdiscovery，unlesstherewerefarmorereasonforthecrimethananythatManstoncouldpossiblyhave。

Wasitnotmerelyhisintention，intamperingwithherwine，tomakehersleepsoundlythatnight？Thiswasinharmonywithheroriginalsuspicion，thatheintendedsecretlytoabscond。Atanyrate，hewasgoingtosetaboutsomestealthyproceeding，astowhichshewastobekeptinutterdarkness。Thedifficultynowwastoavoiddrinkingthewine。

Bymeansofonepretextandanothersheputofftakingherglassfornearlyfiveminutes，butheeyedhertoofrequentlytoallowhertothrowthepotionunderthegrate。Itbecamenecessarytotakeonesip。Thisshedid，andfoundanopportunityofabsorbingitinherhandkerchief。

Plainlyhehadnoideaofhercountermoves。Theschemeseemedtohiminpropertrain，andheturnedtopokeoutthefire。Sheinstantlyseizedtheglass，andpoureditscontentsdownherbosom。

Whenhefacedroundagainshewasholdingtheglasstoherlips，empty。

Induecoursehelockedthedoorsandsawthattheshutterswerefastened。Sheattendedtoafewclosingdetailsofhousewifery，andafewminuteslatertheyretiredforthenight。

5。FROMELEVENO\'CLOCKTOMIDNIGHT

WhenManstonwaspersuaded，bythefeignedheavinessofherbreathing，thatAnneSeawaywasasleep，hesoftlyarose，anddressedhimselfinthegloom。Withearsstrainedtotheirutmostsheheardhimcompletethisoperation；thenhetooksomethingfromhispocket，putitinthedrawerofthedressing-table，wenttothedoor，anddownthestairs。Sheglidedoutofbedandlookedinthedrawer。

Hehadonlyrestoredtoitsplaceasmallphialshehadseentherebefore。Itwaslabelled\'Battley\'sSolutionofOpium。\'Shefeltrelievedthatherlifehadnotbeenattempted。Thatwastohavebeenhersleeping-draught。Notimewastobelostifshemeanttobeamatchforhim。Shefollowedhiminhernightdress。Whenshereachedthefootofthestaircasehewasintheofficeandhadclosedthedoor，underwhichafaintgleamshowedthathehadobtainedalight。Shecrepttothedoor，butcouldnotventuretoopenit，howeverslightly。Placinghereartothepanel，shecouldhearhimtearinguppapersofsomesort，andabrighterandquiveringrayoflightcomingfromthethresholdaninstantlater，impliedthathewasburningthem。Bytheslightnoiseofhisfootstepsontheuncarpetedfloor，sheatlengthimaginedthathewasapproachingthedoor。Sheflittedupstairsagainandcreptintobed。

Manstonreturnedtothebedroomcloseuponherheels，andenteredit——againwithoutalight。Standingmotionlessforaninstanttoassurehimselfthatshestillslept，hewenttothedrawerinwhichtheirready-moneywaskept，andremovedthecasketthatcontainedit。Anne\'seardistinctlycaughttherustleofnotes，andthechinkofthegoldashehandledit。Someheplacedinhispocket，somehereturnedtoitsplace。Hestoodthinking，asitwereweighingapossibility。Whilelingeringthus，henoticedthereflectedimageofhisownfaceintheglass——paleandspectre-likeinitsindistinctness。Thesightseemedtobethefeatherwhichturnedthebalanceofindecision：hedrewaheavybreath，retiredfromtheroom，andpasseddownstairs。Sheheardhimunbartheback-door，andgooutintotheyard。

Feelingsafeinaconclusionthathedidnotintendtoreturntothebedroomagain，shearose，andhastilydressedherself。Ongoingtothedooroftheapartmentshefoundthathehadlockeditbehindhim。\'Aprecaution——itcanbenomore，\'shemuttered。Yetshewasallthemoreperplexedandexcitedonthisaccount。Hadhebeengoingtoleavehomeimmediately，hewouldscarcelyhavetakenthetroubletolockherin，holdingthebeliefthatshewasinadruggedsleep。Thelockshotintoamortice，sothattherewasnopossibilityofherpushingbackthebolt。Howshouldshefollowhim？Easily。Aninnerclosetopenedfromthebedroom：itwaslarge，andhadsometimeheretoforebeenusedasadressingorbathroom，buthadbeenfoundinconvenientfromhavingnootheroutlettothelanding。Thewindowofthislittleroomlookedoutupontheroofoftheporch，whichwasflatandcoveredwithlead。Annetookapillowfromthebed，gentlyopenedthecasementoftheinnerroomandsteppedforthontheflat。There，leaningovertheedgeofthesmallparapetthatornamentedtheporch，shedroppedthepillowuponthegravelpath，andletherselfdownovertheparapetbyherhandstillhertoesswungabouttwofeetfromtheground。Fromthispositionsheadroitlyalighteduponthepillow，andstoodinthepath。

Sinceshehadcomeindoorsfromherwalkintheearlypartoftheeveningthemoonhadrisen。Butthethickcloudsoverspreadingthewholelandscaperenderedthedimlightpervasiveandgrey：itappearedasanattributeoftheair。Annecreptroundtothebackofthehouse，listeningintently。Thestewardhadhadatleasttenminutes\'startofher。Shehadwaitedherewhilstonemightcountfifty，whensheheardamovementintheouthouse——afragmentonceattachedtothemainbuilding。Thisouthousewaspartitionedintoanouterandaninnerroom，whichhadbeenakitchenandascullerybeforetheconnectingerectionswerepulleddown，buttheywerenowusedrespectivelyasabrewhouseandworkshop，theonlymeansofaccesstothelatterbeingthroughthebrewhouse。Theouterdoorofthisfirstapartmentwasusuallyfastenedbyapadlockontheexterior。Itwasnowclosed，butnotfastened。Manstonwasevidentlyintheouthouse。

Sheslightlymovedthedoor。Theinteriorofthebrewhousewaswrappedingloom，butastreakoflightfelltowardsherinalineacrossthefloorfromtheinnerorworkshopdoor，whichwasnotquiteclosed。Thislightwasunexpected，nonehavingbeenvisiblethroughholeorcrevice。Glancingin，thewomanfoundthathehadplacedclothsandmatsatthevariousapertures，andhungasackatthewindowtopreventtheegressofasingleray。Shecouldalsoperceivefromwhereshestoodthatthebaroflightfellacrossthebrewing-copperjustoutsidetheinnerdoor，andthatuponitlaythekeyofherbedroom。Theilluminatedinterioroftheworkshopwasalsopartlyvisiblefromherpositionthroughthetwohalf-opendoors。Manstonwasengagedinemptyingalargecupboardofthetools，gallipots，andoldironitcontained。Whenitwasquiteclearedhetookachisel，andwithitbegantowithdrawthehooksandshoulder-nailsholdingthecupboardtothewall。Allthesebeingloosened，heextendedhisarms，liftedthecupboardbodilyfromthebracketsunderit，anddepositeditonthefloorbesidehim。

Thatportionofthewallwhichhadbeenscreenedbythecupboardwasnowlaidbare。This，itappeared，hadbeenplasteredmorerecentlythanthebulkoftheouthouse。Manstonloosenedtheplasterwithsomekindoftool，flingingthepiecesintoabasketastheyfell。

Havingnowstrippedclearabouttwofeetareaofwall，heinsertedacrowbarbetweenthejointsofthebricksbeneath，softlywrigglingituntilseveralwereloosened。Therewasnowdisclosedthemouthofanoldoven，whichwasapparentlycontrivedinthethicknessofthewall，andhavingfallenintodisuse，hadbeenclosedupwithbricksinthismanner。Itwasformedafterthesimpleold-fashionedplanofoven-building——amereoblatecavitywithoutaflue。

Manstonnowstretchedhisarmintotheoven，draggedforthaheavyweightofgreatbulk，andletitslidetotheground。Thewomanwhowatchedhimcouldseetheobjectplainly。Itwasacommoncorn-

sack，nearlyfull，andwastiedatthemouthintheusualway。

Thestewardhadonceortwicestartedup，asifhehadheardsounds，andhismotionsnowbecamemorecat-likestill。Onasuddenheputoutthelight。Annehadmadenonoise，yetaforeignnoiseofsomekindhadcertainlybeenmadeintheinterveningportionofthehouse。Sheheardit。\'Oneoftherats，\'shethought。

Heseemedsoontorecoverfromhisalarm，butchangedhistacticscompletely。Hedidnotlighthiscandle——goingonwithhisworkinthedark。Shehadonlysoundstogobynow，and，judgingaswellasshecouldfromthese，hewaspilingupthebrickswhichclosedtheoven\'smouthastheyhadbeenbeforehedisturbedthem。Thequerythathadnotleftherbrainalltheintervalofherinspection——howshouldshegetbackintoherbedroomagain？——nowreceivedasolution。Whilsthewasreplacingthecupboard，shewouldglideacrossthebrewhouse，takethekeyfromthetopofthecopper，runupstairs，unlockthedoor，andbringbackthekeyagain：ifhereturnedtobed，whichwasunlikely，hewouldthinkthelockhadfailedtocatchinthestaple。Thisthoughtandintention，occupyingsuchlengthofwords，flasheduponherinaninstant，andhardlydisturbedherstrongcuriositytostayandlearnthemeaningofhisactionsintheworkshop。

Slippingsidewaysthroughthefirstdoorandclosingitbehindher，sheadvancedintothedarknesstowardsthesecond，makingeveryindividualfootfallwiththegreatestcare，lestthefragmentsofrubbishonthefloorshouldcracklebeneathhertread。Shesoonstoodclosebythecopper，andnotmorethanafootfromthedooroftheroomoccupiedbyManstonhimself，fromwhichpositionshecoulddistinctlyhearhimbreathebetweeneachexertion，althoughitwasfartoodarktodiscernanythingofhim。

Tosecurethekeyofherchamberwasherfirstanxiety，andaccordinglyshecautiouslyreachedoutwithherhandtowhereitlay。Insteadoftouchingit，herfingerscameincontactwiththebootofahumanbeing。

Shedroopedfaintinacoldsweat。Itwasthefooteitherofamanorwoman，standingonthebrewing-copperwherethekeyhadlain。A

warmfoot，coveredwithapolishedboot。

Thestartlingdiscoverysoterrifiedherthatshecouldhardlyrepressasound。Shewithdrewherhandwithamotionliketheflightofanarrow。Hertouchwassolightthattheleatherseemedtohavebeenthickenoughtokeeptheownerofthefootinentireignoranceofit，andthenoiseofManston\'sscrapingmighthavebeenquitesufficienttodrowntheslightrustleofherdress。

Thepersonwasobviouslynotthesteward：hewasstillbusy。Itwassomebodywho，sincethelighthadbeenextinguished，hadtakenadvantageofthegloom，tocomefromsomedarkrecessinthebrewhouseandstanduponthebrickworkofthecopper。Thefearwhichhadatfirstparalyzedherlessenedwiththebirthofasensethatfearnowwasutterfailure：shewasinadesperatepositionandmustabidebytheconsequences。Themotionlesspersononthecopperwas，equallywithManston，quiteunconsciousofherproximity，andsheventuredtoadvanceherhandagain，feelingbehindthefeet，tillshefoundthekey。Onitsreturntoherside，herfinger-tipskimmedthelowervergeofatrousers-leg。

Itwasaman，then，whostoodthere。Togotothedoorjustatthistimewasimpolitic，andsheshrankbackintoaninnercornertowait。Thecomparativesecurityfromdiscoverythathernewpositionensuredresuscitatedreasonalittle，andempoweredhertoformsomelogicalinferences：——

1。Themanwhostoodonthecopperhadtakenadvantageofthedarknesstogetthere，asshehadtoenter。

2。Themanmusthavebeenhiddenintheouthousebeforeshehadreachedthedoor。

3。HemustbewatchingManstonwithmuchcalculationandsystem，andforpurposesofhisown。

ShecouldnowtellbythenoisesthatManstonhadcompletedhisre-

erectionofthecupboard。Sheheardhimreplacingthearticlesithadcontained——bottlebybottle，toolbytool——afterwhichhecameintothebrewhouse，wenttothewindow，andpulleddowntheclothscoveringit；butthewindowbeingrathersmall，thisunveilingscarcelyrelievedthedarknessoftheinterior。Hereturnedtotheworkshop，hoistedsomethingtohisbackbyajerk，andfeltabouttheroomforsomeotherarticle。Havingfoundit，heemergedfromtheinnerdoor，crossedthebrewhouse，andwentintotheyard。

Directlyhesteppedoutshecouldseehisoutlinebythelightofthecloudedandweaklymoon。Thesackwasslungathisback，andinhishandhecarriedaspade。

Annenowwaitedinhercornerinbreathlesssuspensefortheproceedingsoftheotherman。Inabouthalf-a-minutesheheardhimdescendfromthecopper，andthenthesquareopeningofthedoorwayshowedtheoutlineofthisotherwatcherpassingthroughitlikewise。Theformwasthatofabroad-shoulderedmanenvelopedinalongcoat。Hevanishedafterthesteward。

Thewomanventedasighofrelief，andmovedforwardtofollow。

Simultaneously，shediscoveredthatthewatcherwhosefootshehadtouchedwas，inhisturn，watchedandfollowedalso。

Itwasbyoneofherownsex。AnneSeawayshrankbackwardagain。

Theunknownwomancameforwardfromthefurthersideoftheyard，andponderedawhileinhesitation。Tall，dark，andcloselywrapped，shestoodupfromtheearthlikeacypress。Shemoved，crossedtheyardwithoutproducingtheslightestdisturbancebyherfootsteps，andwentinthedirectiontheothershadtaken。

Annewaitedyetanotherminute——theninherturnnoiselesslyfollowedthelastwoman。

Butsoimpressedwasshewiththesensationofpeopleinhiding，thatincomingoutoftheyardsheturnedherheadtoseeifanypersonwerefollowingher，inthesameway。Nobodywasvisible，butshediscerned，standingbehindtheangleofthestable，Manston\'shorseandgig，readyharnessed。

Hedidintendtoflyafterall，then，shethought。Hemusthaveplacedthehorseinreadiness，intheintervalbetweenhisleavingthehouseandherexitbythewindow。However，therewasnottimetoweighthisbranchofthenight\'sevents。Sheturnedaboutagain，andcontinuedonthetrailoftheotherthree。

6。FROMMIDNIGHTTOHALF-PASTONEA。M。

Intentnesspervadedeverything；Nightherselfseemedtohavebecomeawatcher。

Thefourpersonsproceededacrosstheglade，andintotheparkplantation，atequi-distancesofaboutseventyyards。Heretheground，completelyoverhungbythefoliage，wascoatedwithathickmosswhichwasassoftasvelvetbeneaththeirfeet。Thefirstwatcher，thatis，themanwalkingimmediatelybehindManston，nowfellback，whenManston\'shousekeeper，knowingthegroundprettywell，divedcircuitouslyamongthetreesandgotdirectlybehindthesteward，who，encumberedwithhisload，hadproceededbutslowly。

TheotherwomanseemednowtobeaboutoppositetoAnne，oralittleinadvance，butonManston\'sotherhand。

Hereachedapit，midwaybetweenthewaterfallandtheengine-house。

Therehestopped，wipedhisface，andlistened。

Intothispithaddrifteduncountedgenerationsofwitheredleaves，halffillingit。Oak，beech，andchestnut，rottenandbrownalike，mingledthemselvesinonefibrousmass。Manstondescendedintothemidstofthem，placedhissackontheground，andrakingtheleavesasideintoalargeheap，begandigging。Annesoftlydrewnearer，creptintoabush，andturningherheadtosurveytherest，missedthemanwhohaddroppedbehind，andwhomwehavecalledthefirstwatcher。Concludingthathe，too，hadhiddenhimself，sheturnedherattentiontothesecondwatcher，theotherwoman，whohadmeanwhileadvancedneartowhereAnnelayinhiding，andnowseatedherselfbehindatree，stillclosertothestewardthanwasAnneSeaway。

HereandthusAnneremainedconcealed。Thecrunchofthesteward\'sspade，asitcutintothesoftvegetablemould，wasplainlyperceptibletoherearswhentheperiodiccessationsbetweenthecreaksoftheengineconcurredwithalullinthebreeze，whichotherwisebroughtthesubduedroarofthecascadefromthefurthersideofthebankthatscreenedit。Alargehole——somefourorfivefeetdeep——hadbeenexcavatedbyManstoninabouttwentyminutes。

Intothisheimmediatelyplacedthesack，andthenbeganfillingintheearth，andtreadingitdown。Lastlyhecarefullyrakedthewholemassofdeadanddryleavesintothemiddleofthepit，buryingthegroundwiththemastheyhadburieditbefore。

Forahiding-placethespotwasunequalled。Thethickaccumulationofleaves，whichhadnotbeendisturbedforcenturies，mightnotbedisturbedagainforcenturiestocome，whilsttheirlowerlayersstilldecayedandaddedtothemouldbeneath。

Bythetimethisworkwasendedtheskyhadgrownclearer，andAnnecouldnowseedistinctlythefaceoftheotherwoman，stretchingfrombehindthetree，seeminglyforgetfulofherpositioninherintensecontemplationoftheactionsofthesteward。Hercountenancewaswhiteandmotionless。

ItwasimpossiblethatManstonshouldnotsoonnoticeher。Atthecompletionofhislabourheturned，anddidso。

\'Ho——youhere！\'heexclaimed。

\'Don\'tthinkIamaspyuponyou，\'shesaid，inanimploringwhisper。AnnerecognizedthevoiceasMissAldclyffe\'s。

Thetremblingladyaddedhastilyanotherremark，whichwasdrownedintherecurringcreakoftheenginecloseathandThefirstwatcher，ifhehadcomenonearerthanhisoriginalposition，wastoofarofftohearanypartofthisdialogue，onaccountoftheroarofthefallingwater，whichcouldreachhimunimpededbythebank。

TheremarkofMissAldclyffetoManstonhadplainlybeenconcerningthefirstwatcher，forManston，withhisspadeinhishand，instantlyrushedtowherethemanwasconcealed，and，beforethelattercoulddisengagehimselffromtheboughs，thestewardstruckhimontheheadwiththebladeoftheinstrument。Themanfelltotheground。

\'Fly！\'saidMissAldclyffetoManston。Manstonvanishedamidstthetrees。MissAldclyffewentoffinacontrarydirection。

AnneSeawaywasabouttorunawaylikewise，whensheturnedandlookedatthefallenman。Helayonhisface，motionless。

Manyofthesewomenwhoowntonomoralcodeshowconsiderablemagnanimitywhentheyseepeopleintrouble。Toactrightsimplybecauseitisone\'sdutyisproper；butagoodactionwhichistheresultofnolawofreflectionshinesmorethanany。Shewentuptohimandgentlyturnedhimover，uponwhichhebegantoshowsignsoflife。Byherassistancehewassoonabletostandupright。

Helookedabouthimwithabewilderedair，endeavouringtocollecthisideas。\'Whoareyou？\'hesaidtothewoman，mechanically。

Itwasbadpolicynowtoattemptdisguise。\'IamthesupposedMrs。

Manston，\'shesaid。\'Whoareyou？\'

\'IamtheofficeremployedbyMr。Raunhamtosiftthismystery——

whichmaybecriminal。\'Hestretchedhislimbs，pressedhishead，andseemedgraduallytoawaketoasenseofhavingbeenincautiousinhisutterance。\'NeveryoumindwhoIam，\'hecontinued。\'Well，itdoesn\'tmatternow，either——itwillnolongerbeasecret。\'

Hestoopedforhishatandraninthedirectionthestewardhadtaken——comingbackagainafterthelapseofaminute。

\'It\'sonlyanaggravatedassault，afterall，\'hesaidhastily，\'untilwehavefoundoutforcertainwhat\'sburiedhere。Itmaybeonlyabagofbuildingrubbish；butitmaybemore。Comeandhelpmedig。\'Heseizedthespadewiththeawkwardnessofatownman，andwentintothepit，continuingamuttereddiscourse。\'It\'snousemyrunningafterhimsingle-handed，\'hesaid。\'He\'seversofaroffbythistime。Thebeststepistoseewhatishere。\'

Itwasfareasierforthedetectivetore-opentheholethanithadbeenforManstontoformit。Theleaveswererakedaway，theloamthrownout，andthesackdraggedforth。

\'Holdthis，\'hesaidtoAnne，whosecuriositystillkeptherstandingnear。Heturnedonthelightofadarklanternhehadbrought，andgaveitintoherhand。

Thestringwhichboundthemouthofthesackwasnowcut。Theofficerlaidthebagonitsside，seizeditbythebottom，andjerkedforththecontents。Alargepackagewasdisclosed，carefullywrappedupinimpervioustarpaulin，alsowelltied。Hewasonthepointofpullingopenthefoldsatoneend，whenalightcolouredthreadofsomething，hangingontheoutside，arrestedhiseye。Heputhishanduponit；itfeltstringy，andadheredtohisfingers。

\'Holdthelightclose，\'hesaid。

Shehelditclose。Heraisedhishandtotheglass，andtheybothpeeredatanalmostintangiblefilamentheheldbetweenhisfingerandthumb。Itwasalonghair；thehairofawoman。

\'God！Icouldn\'tbelieveit——no，Icouldn\'tbelieveit！\'thedetectivewhispered，horror-struck。\'AndIhavelostthemanforthepresentthroughmyunbelief。Let\'sgetintoashelteredplace……NowwaitaminutewhilstIproveit。\'

Hethrusthishandintohiswaistcoatpocket，andwithdrewthenceaminutepacketofbrownpaper。Spreadingitouthedisclosed，coiledinthemiddle，anotherlonghair。Itwasthehairtheclerk\'swifehadfoundonManston\'spillowninedaysbeforetheCarrifordfire。

Heheldthetwohairstothelight：theywerebothofapale-brownhue。Helaidthemparallelandstretchedouthisarms：theywereofthesamelengthtoanicety。ThedetectiveturnedtoAnne。

\'Itisthebodyofhisfirstwife，\'hesaidquietly。\'Hemurderedher，asMr。Springroveandtherectorsuspected——buthowandwhen，Godonlyknows。\'

\'AndI！\'exclaimedAnneSeaway，aprobableandnaturalsequenceofeventsandmotivesexplanatoryofthewholecrime——eventsandmotivesshadowedforthbytheletter，Manston\'spossessionofit，hisrenunciationofCytherea，andinstalmentofherself——flashinguponhermindwiththerapidityoflightning。

\'Ah——Isee，\'saidthedetective，standingunusuallyclosetoher：

andahandcuffwasonherwrist。\'Youmustcomewithme，madam。

KnowingasmuchaboutasecretmurderasGodknowsisaverysuspiciousthing：itdoesn\'tmakeyouagoddess——farfromit。\'Hedirectedthebull\'s-eyeintoherface。

\'Pooh——leadon，\'shesaidscornfully，\'anddon\'tloseyourprincipalactorforthesakeoftorturingapoorsubordinatelikeme。\'

Heloosenedherhand，gaveherhisarm，anddraggedheroutofthegrove——makingherrunbesidehimtilltheyhadreachedtherectory。

Alightwasburninghere，andanauxiliaryofthedetective\'sawaitinghim：ahorsereadyharnessedtoaspring-cartwasstandingoutside。

\'Youhavecome——IwishIhadknownthat，\'thedetectivesaidtohisassistant，hurriedlyandangrily。\'Well，we\'veblundered——he\'sgone——youshouldhavebeenhere，asIsaid！Iwassoldbythatwoman，MissAldclyffe——shewatchedme。\'Hehastilygavedirectionsinanundertonetothisman。Theconcludingwordswere，\'Gointotherector——he\'sup。DetainMissAldclyffe。I，inthemeantime，amdrivingtoCasterbridgewiththisone，andforhelp。Weshallbesuretohavehimwhenitgetslight。\'

HeassistedAnneintothevehicle，anddroveoffwithher。Astheywent，theclear，dryroadshowedbeforethem，betweenthegrassyquartersateachside，likeawhiteriband，andmadetheirprogresseasy。Theycametoaspotwherethehighwaywasoverhungbydensefirsforsomedistanceonbothsides。Itwastotallydarkhere。

Therewasasmash；andarudeshock。Intheverymidstofitslength，atthepointwheretheroadbegantodropdownahill，thedetectivedroveagainstsomethingwithajerkwhichnearlyflungthembothtotheground。

Themanrecoveredhimself，placedAnneontheseat，andreachedouthishand。Hefoundthattheoff-wheelofhisgigwaslockedinthatofanotherconveyanceofsomekind。

\'Hoy！\'saidtheofficer。

Nobodyanswered。

\'Hoy，youmanasleepthere！\'hesaidagain。

Noreply。

\'Well，that\'sodd——thiscomesofthefollyoftravellingwithoutgig-lampsbecauseyouexpectthedawn。\'Hejumpedtothegroundandturnedonhislantern。

Therewasthegigwhichhadobstructedhim，standinginthemiddleoftheroad；ajadedhorseharnessedtoit，butnohumanbeinginornearthevehicle。

\'Doyouknowwhosegigthisis？\'hesaidtothewoman。

\'No，\'shesaidsullenly。Butshedidrecognizeitasthesteward\'s。

\'I\'llswearit\'sManston\'s！Come，Icanhearitbyyourtone。

However，youneedn\'tsayanythingwhichmaycriminateyou。Whatforethoughtthemanmusthavehad——howcarefullyhemusthaveconsideredpossiblecontingencies！Why，hemusthavegotthehorseandgigreadybeforehebeganshiftingthebody。\'

Helistenedforasoundamongthetrees。Nonewastobeheardbuttheoccasionalscamperofarabbitoverthewitheredleaves。Hethrewthelightofhislanternthroughagapinthehedge，butcouldseenothingbeyondanimpenetrablethicket。ItwasclearthatManstonwasnotmanyyardsoff，butthequestionwashowtofindhim。Nothingcouldbedonebythedetectivejustthen，encumberedashewasbythehorseandAnne。Ifhehadenteredthethicketonasearchunaided，Manstonmighthavesteppedunobservedfrombehindabushandmurderedhimwiththegreatestease。Indeed，thereweresuchstrongreasonsfortheexploitinManston\'scircumstancesatthatmomentthatwithoutshowingcowardice，hispursuerfeltithazardoustoremainanylongerwherehestood。

HehastilytiedtheheadofManston\'shorsetothebackofhisownvehicle，thatthestewardmightbedeprivedoftheuseofanymeansofescapeotherthanhisownlegs，anddroveonthuswithhisprisonertothecounty-town。Arrivedthere，helodgedherinthepolice-station，andthentookimmediatestepsforthecaptureofManston。

XX。THEEVENTSOFTHREEHOURS

1。MARCHTHETWENTY-THIRD。MIDDAY

Thirty-sixhourshadelapsedsinceManston\'sescape。

Itwasmarket-dayatthecounty-town。Thefarmersoutsideandinsidethecorn-exchangelookedattheirsamplesofwheat，andpouredthemcriticallyasusualfromonepalmtoanother，buttheythoughtandspokeofManston。Grocersservingbehindtheircounters，insteadofusingtheirconstantphrase，\'Thenextarticle，please？\'substituted，\'Haveyouheardifhe\'scaught？\'Dairymenanddroversstandingbesidethesheepandcattlepens，spreadtheirlegsfirmly，readjustedtheirhats，thrusttheirhandsintothelowestdepthsoftheirpockets，regardedtheanimalswiththeutmostkeennessofwhichtheeyewascapable，andsaid，\'Ay，ay，so\'s：

they\'llhavehimavorenight。\'

LaterinthedayEdwardSpringrovepassedalongthestreethurriedlyandanxiously。\'Well，haveyouheardanymore？\'hesaidtoanacquaintancewhoaccostedhim。

\'Theytrackedhiminthisway，\'saidtheotheryoungman。\'A

vagrantfirsttoldthemthatManstonhadpassedarickatdaybreak，underwhichthismanwaslying。Theyfollowedthetrackhepointedoutandultimatelycametoastile。Ontheothersidewasaheapofhalf-hardenedmud，scrapedfromtheroad。Onthesurfaceoftheheap，whereithadbeensmoothedbytheshovel，wasdistinctlyimprintedtheformofaman\'shand，thebuttonsofhiswaistcoat，andhiswatch-chain，showingthathehadstumbledinhurryingoverthestile，andfallenthere。ThepatternofthechainprovedthemantohavebeenManston。Theyfollowedontilltheyreachedafordcrossedbystepping-stones——onthefurtherbankwerethesamefootmarksthathadshownthemselvesbesidethestile。ThewholeofthiscoursehadbeeninthedirectionofBudmouth。Ontheywent，andthenextcluewasfurnishedthembyashepherd。Hesaidthatwhereveraclearspacethreeorfouryardswideraninalinethroughaflockofsheeplyingaboutaewe-lease，itwasaproofthatsomebodyhadpassedtherenotmorethanhalf-an-hourearlier。

Attwelveo\'clockthatdayhehadnoticedsuchafeatureinhisflock。Nothingmorecouldbeheardofhim，andtheygotintoBudmouth。Thesteam-packettotheChannelIslandswastostartatelevenlastnight，andtheyatonceconcludedthathishopewastogettoFrancebywayofJerseyandSt。Malo——hisonlychance，alltherailway-stationsbeingwatched。

\'Well，theywenttotheboat：hewasnotonboardthen。Theywentagainathalf-pastten：hehadnotcome。Twomennowplacedthemselvesunderthelampimmediatelybesidethegangway。Anotherstayedbytheofficedoor，andoneortwomoreupMaryStreet——thestraightcuttothequay。Ataquartertoeleventhemail-bagswereputonboard。Whilsttheattentionoftheidlerswasdirectedtothemails，downMaryStreetcameamanasboldlyaspossible。ThegaitwasManston\'s，butnottheclothes。Hepassedovertotheshadedpartofthestreet：headswereturned。Isupposethiswarnedhim，forheneveremergedfromtheshadow。Theywatchedandwaited，butthestewarddidnotreappear。Thealarmwasraised——

theysearchedthetownhighandlow——noManston。Allthismorningtheyhavebeensearching，butthere\'snotasignofhimanywhere。

However，hehaslosthislastchanceofgettingacrosstheChannel。

Itisreportedthathehassincechangedclotheswithalabourer。\'

Duringthisnarration，Edward，lostinthought，hadlethiseyesfollowashabbymaninasmock-frock，butwearinglightboots——whowasstalkingdownthestreetunderabundleofstrawwhichoverhungandconcealedhishead。Itwasaveryordinarycircumstanceforamanwithabundleofstrawonhisshouldersandoverhanginghishead，togodowntheHighStreet。Edwardsawhimcrossthebridgewhichdividedthetownfromthecountry，placehisshaggyencumbrancebythesideoftheroad，andleaveitthere。

Springrovenowpartedfromhisacquaintance，andwentalsointhedirectionofthebridge，andsomewaybeyondit。Asfarashecouldseestretchedtheturnpikeroad，and，whilehewaslooking，henoticedamantoleapfromthehedgeatapointtwohundred，ortwohundredandfiftyyardsahead，crosstheroad，andgothroughawicketontheotherside。Thisfigureseemedlikethatofthemanwhohadbeencarryingthebundleofstraw。Helookedatthestraw：

itstillstoodalone。

Thesubjoinedfactssprang，asitwere，intojuxtapositioninhisbrain：——

Manstonhadbeenseenwearingtheclothesofalabouringman——abrownsmock-frock。Sohadthisman，whoseemedotherthanalabourer，onsecondthoughts：andhehadconcealedhisfacebyhisbundleofstrawwiththegreatesteaseandnaturalness。

Thepaththemanhadtakenled，amongotherplaces，toTolchurch，whereCythereawasliving。

IfMrs。Manstonwasmurdered，assomesaid，onthenightofthefire，Cythereawasthesteward\'slawfulwife。Manstonatbay，andrecklessofresults，mightrushtohiswifeandharmher。

ItwasahorriblesuppositionforamanwholovedCythereatoentertain；butSpringrovecouldnotresistitsinfluence。HestartedoffforTolchurch。

2。ONETOTWOO\'CLOCKP。M。

Onthatself-samemid-day，whilstEdwardwasproceedingtoTolchurchbythefootpathacrossthefields，OwenGrayehadleftthevillageandwasridingalongtheturnpikeroadtothecounty-town，thathemightascertaintheexacttruthofthestrangerumourwhichhadreachedhimconcerningManston。Nottodisquiethissister，hehadsaidnothingtoherofthematter。

Shesatbythewindowreading。Fromherpositionshecouldseeupthelaneforadistanceofatleastahundredyards。Passers-byweresorareinthisretirednook，thattheeyesofthosewhodweltbythewaysidewereinvariablyliftedtoeveryoneontheroad，greatandsmall，astoanovelty。

Amaninabrownsmock-frockturnedthecornerandcametowardsthehouse。Itbeingmarket-dayatCasterbridge，thevillagewasnearlydeserted，andmorethanthis，theoldfarm-houseinwhichOwenandhissisterwerestaying，stood，ashasbeenstated，apartfromthebodyofcottages。Themandidnotlookrespectable；Cythereaaroseandboltedthedoor。

Unfortunatelyhewasnearenoughtoseehercrosstheroom。Headvancedtothedoor，knocked，and，receivingnoanswer，cametothewindow；henextpressedhisfaceagainsttheglass，peeringin。

Cytherea\'sexperienceatthatmomentwasprobablyastryingaoneaseverfelltothelotofagentlewomantoendure。Sherecognizedinthepeeringfacethatofthemanshehadmarried。

Butnotamovementwasmadebyher，notasoundescapedher。Herfearwasgreat；buthadsheknownthetruth——thatthemanoutside，feelinghehadnothingonearthtolosebyanyact，wasinthelaststageofrecklessness，terrifiednaturemusthavegivenway。

\'Cytherea，\'hesaid，\'letmecomein：Iamyourhusband。\'

\'No，\'shereplied，stillnotrealizingthemagnitudeofherperil。

\'Ifyouwanttospeaktous，waittillmybrothercomes。\'

\'O，he\'snotathome？Cytherea，Ican\'tlivewithoutyou！AllmysinhasbeenbecauseIloveyouso！Willyouflywithme？Ihavemoneyenoughforusboth——onlycomewithme。\'

\'Notnow——notnow。\'

\'Iamyourhusband，Itellyou，andImustcomein。\'

\'Youcannot，\'shesaidfaintly。Hiswordsbegantoterrifyher。

\'Iwill，Isay！\'heexclaimed。\'Willyouletmein，Iaskoncemore？\'

\'No——Iwillnot，\'saidCytherea。

\'ThenIwillletmyselfin！\'heansweredresolutely。\'Iwill，ifI

dieforit！\'

Thewindowswereglazedinlatticepanesofleadwork，hungincasements。Hebrokeoneofthepaneswithastone，thrusthishandthroughthehole，unfastenedthelatchwhichheldthecasementclose，andbeganopeningthewindow。

Instantlytheshuttersflewtogetherwithaslam，andwerebarredwithdesperatequicknessbyCythereaontheinside。

\'Damnyou！\'heexclaimed。

Heranroundtothebackofthehouse。Hisimpatiencewasgreaternow：hethrusthisfistthroughthepantrywindowatoneblow，andopeneditinthesamewayastheformeronehadbeenopened，beforetheterror-strickengirlwasawarethathehadgoneround。Inaninstanthestoodinthepantry，advancedtothefrontroomwhereshewas，flungbacktheshutters，andheldouthisarmstoembraceher。

Inextremelytryingmomentsofbodilyormentalpain，Cythereaeitherflushedhotorfadedpale，accordingtothestateofherconstitutionatthemoment。Nowsheburnedlikefirefromheadtofoot，andthispreservedherconsciousness。

Neverbeforehadthepoorchild\'snaturalagilityservedherinsuchgoodsteadasnow。Aheavyoblongtablestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Roundthistablesheflew，keepingitbetweenherselfandManston，herlargeeyeswideopenwithterror，theirdilatedpupilsconstantlyfixeduponManston\'s，toreadbyhisexpressionwhetherhisnextintentionwastodarttotherightortheleft。

Evenhe，atthatheatedmoment，couldnotenduretheexpressionofunutterableagonywhichshonefromthatextraordinarygazeofhers。

IthadsurelybeengivenherbyGodasameansofdefence。Manstoncontinuedhispursuitwithaloweredeye。

Thepantingandmaddeneddesperado——blindtoeverythingbutthecaptureofhiswife——wentwitharushunderthetable：shewentoveritlikeabird。Hewentheavilyoverit：sheflewunderit，andwasoutattheotherside。

\'Oneonheryouthandpliantlimbsrelies，Oneonhissinewsandhisgiantsize。\'

Buthissuperiorstrengthwassuretotireherdowninthelong-run。

Shefeltherweaknessincreasingwiththequicknessofherbreath；

sheutteredawildscream，whichinitsheartrendingintensityseemedtoechoformiles。

Atthesamejunctureherhairbecameunfastened，androlleddownabouthershoulders。Theleastaccidentatsuchcriticalperiodsissufficienttoconfusetheoverwroughtintelligence。Shelostsightofhisintendeddirectionforoneinstant，andheimmediatelyoutmanoeuvredher。

\'Atlast！myCytherea！\'hecried，overturningthetable，springingoverit，seizingoneofthelongbrowntresses，pullinghertowardshim，andclaspingherround。Shewritheddownwardsbetweenhisarmsandbreast，andfellfaintingonthefloor。Forthefirsttimehisactionwasleisurely。Heliftedheruponthesofa，exclaiming，\'Restthereforawhile，myfrightenedlittlebird！\'

Andthentherewasanendofhistriumph。Hefelthimselfclutchedbythecollar，andwhizzedbackwardswiththeforceofabattering-

ramagainstthefireplace。Springrove，wild，red，andbreathless，hadsprunginattheopenwindow，andstoodoncemorebetweenmanandwife。

Manstonwasonhislegsagaininaninstant。Afieryglanceontheoneside，aglanceofpitilessjusticeontheother，passedbetweenthem。ItwasagainthemeetinginthevineyardofNaboththeJezreelite：\'Hastthoufoundme，Omineenemy？Andheanswered，I

havefoundthee：becausethouhastsoldthyselftoworkevilinthesightoftheLord。\'

Adesperatewrestlenowbeganbetweenthetwomen。Manstonwasthetaller，buttherewasinEdwardmuchhardtoughmusclewhichthedelicatefleshofthestewardlacked。Theyflewtogetherlikethejawsofagin。Inaminutetheywerebothonthefloor，rollingoverandover，lockedineachother\'sgraspastightlyasiftheyhadbeenoneorganicbeingatwarwithitself——EdwardtryingtosecureManston\'sarmswithasmallthonghehaddrawnfromhispocket，Manstontryingtoreachhisknife。

Twocharacteristicnoisespervadedtheapartmentthroughthismomentousspaceoftime。Onewasthesharppantingofthetwocombatants，sosimilarineachastobeundistinguishable；theotherwasthestrokeoftheirheelsandtoes，astheysmotethefloorateverycontortionofbodyorlimbs。

Cythereahadnotlostconsciousnessformorethanhalf-a-minute。

ShehadthenleaptupwithoutrecognizingthatEdwardwasherdeliverer，unfastenedthedoor，andrushedout，screamingwildly，\'Come！Help！O，help！\'

Threemenstoodnottwentyyardsoff，lookingperplexed。Theydashedforwardatherwords。\'Haveyouseenashabbymanwithasmock-frockonlately？\'theyinquired。Shepointedtothedoor，andranonthesameasbefore。

Manston，whohadjustloosenedhimselffromEdward\'sgrasp，seemedatthismomenttorenouncehisintentionofpushingtheconflicttoadesperateend。\'Igiveitallupforlife——dearlife！\'hecried，withahoarselaugh。\'Arecklessmanhasadozenlives——seehowI\'llbaffleyouallyet！\'

Herushedoutofthehouse，butnofurther。Theboastwashislast。

Inonehalf-minutemorehewashelplessinthehandsofhispursuers。

Edwardstaggeredtohisfeet，andpausedtorecoverbreath。HisthoughtshadneverforsakenCytherea，andhisfirstactnowwastohastenupthelaneafterher。Shehadnotgonefar。Hefoundherleaninguponabankbytheroadside，whereshehadflungherselfdowninsheerexhaustion。Heranupandliftedherinhisarms，andthusaidedshewasenabledtostandupright——clingingtohim。WhatwouldSpringrovehavegiventoimprintakissuponherlipsthen！

Theywalkedslowlytowardsthehouse。Thedistressingsensationofwhosewifeshewascouldnotentirelyquenchtheresuscitatedpleasurehefeltathergratefulrecognitionofhim，andherconfidingseizureofhisarmforsupport。Heconveyedhercarefullyintothehouse。

Aquarterofanhourlater，whilstshewassittinginapartiallyrecovered，half-dozingstateinanarm-chair，EdwardbesideherwaitinganxiouslytillGrayeshouldarrive，theysawaspring-cartpassthedoor。Oldanddrymud-splashesfromlong-forgottenrainsdisfigureditswheelsandsides；thevarnishandpainthadbeenscratchedanddimmed；ornamenthadlongbeenforgotteninarestlesscontemplationofuse。Threemensatontheseat，themiddleonebeingManston。Hishandswereboundinfrontofhim，hiseyesweresetdirectlyforward，hiscountenancepallid，hard，andfixed。

SpringrovehadtoldCythereaofManston\'scrimeinafewshortwords。Henowsaidsolemnly，\'Heistodie。\'

\'AndIcannotmournforhim，\'sherepliedwithashudder，leaningbackandcoveringherfacewithherhands。

Inthesilencethatfollowedthetwoshortremarks，Springrovewatchedthecartroundthecorner，andheardtherattleofitswheelsgraduallydyingawayasitrolledinthedirectionofthecounty-town。